Feb. 4, 2023 F-22 Safely Shoots Down Chinese Spy Balloon Off South Carolina Coast A U.S. Air Force fighter safely shot down a Chinese high-altitude surveillance balloon, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said in a written statement.
Aug. 9, 2021 Austin Seeks Presidential Approval for Mandatory Troop Vaccinations by Mid-September The COVID-19 vaccine will be mandatory for service members by mid-September, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said in a message to the force.
Feb. 4, 2021 Secretary of Defense orders military stand down to address challenge of extremism in the ranks A Department of Defense-wide stand down will occur over the next 60 days so that each service, command and unit can take the time to have needed discussions about extremism in the ranks, Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby said Feb. 3.