U.S. Department of Defense Weekly Digest Bulletin

U.S. Department of Defense Armed With Science Update 06/26/2017 You are subscribed to Armed With Science for U.S. Department of Defense. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Army Researchers Turn to Space for Clues about Bone Health 06/26/2017 07:00 AM CDT Army scientists hope new discoveries will be made in bone regeneration for osteoporosis, fracture healing and other bone disorders. General Officer Assignments 06/26/2017 You are subscribed to News Releases for U.S. Department of Defense. This information has recently been updated, and is now available.   General Officer Assignments 06/26/2017 03:33 PM CDT IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. NR-237-17 June 26, 2017 General Officer Assignments The chief of staff, Army, announces the assignment of the following general officers: Brig. Gen. (Promotable) Daniel R. Walrath, deputy director for operations, National Joint Operations Intelligence Center, Operations Team Four, J-3, Joint Staff, Washington, District of Columbia, to vice deputy director for nuclear, homeland defense and current operations, J-3, Joint Staff, Washington, District of Columbia. Brig. Gen. (Promotable) Joseph E. Whitlock, U.S. Army Reserve, deputy director, politico-military affairs (Western Hemisphere), Joint Staff, J-5, Washington, District of Columbia, to assistant deputy chief of staff, G3 (Individual Mobilization Augmentee), Office of Deputy Chief of Staff, G-3/5/7, U.S. Army, Washington, District of Columbia. Brig. Gen. Matthew V. Baker, U.S. Army Reserve, to deputy commander (support) (Troop Program Unit), 416th Theater Engineer Command (Mission Support Element), Darien, Illinois.  He most recently served as chief of staff (Troop Program Unit), 416th Theater Engineer Command, Darien, Illinois. Brig. Gen. Mark E. Black, U.S. Army Reserve, to deputy commander (Troop Program Unit), 108th Training Command (Initial Entry Training), Charlotte, North Carolina. He most recently served as chief of staff (Troop Program Unit), 108th Training Command (Initial Entry Training), Charlotte, North Carolina. Brig. Gen. Jennifer G. Buckner, deputy commander (operations), Cyber National Mission Force, U.S. Cyber Command, Fort Meade, Maryland, to deputy commander, Joint Task Force-ARES, U.S. Cyber Command, Fort Meade, Maryland. Brig. Gen. Windsor S. Buzza, U.S. Army Reserve, observer controller/trainer (Troop Program Unit), 2d Brigade, Pacific Training Division, 75th Training Command, Denver, Colorado, to deputy commander (Troop Program Unit), 84th Training Command (Leader Readiness), Fort Knox, Kentucky. Brig. Gen. John E. Cardwell, U.S. Army Reserve, commander (Troop Program Unit), 75th Training Command, Houston, Texas, to special assistant to the commander, reserve matters (Individual Mobilization Augmentee), U.S. Northern Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. Brig. Gen. Telita Crosland to deputy chief of staff for operations, U.S. Army Medical Command, Falls Church, Virginia. She most recently served as commander, Blanchfield Army Community Hospital; and director of health services, U.S. Army Medical Activity, Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Brig. Gen. Lisa L. Doumont, U.S. Army Reserve, mobilization and reserve affairs (Individual Mobilization Augmentee), Office of the Surgeon General, Falls Church, Virginia; and deputy commander (Individual Mobilization Augmentee), Army Reserve Medical Command, Pinellas Park, Florida, to commanding general (Troop Program Unit), Medical Readiness and Training Command, San Antonio, Texas. Brig. Gen. Charles R. Hamilton, commander, Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Defense Logistics Agency, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to deputy assistant chief of staff, C/J-4, United Nations Command/Combined Forces Command/U.S. Forces Korea, Republic of Korea. Brig. Gen. David W. Ling, U.S. Army Reserve, assistant chief of staff (Individual Mobilization Augmentee), J-4, U.S. Forces Korea, Korea, to commander (Troop Program Unit), Army Reserve Sustainment Command, Birmingham, Alabama. Col. (Promotable) Susan K. Arnold to assistant judge advocate general for military law and operations, U.S. Army, Washington, District of Columbia.  She most recently served as staff judge advocate, III Corps, Fort Hood, Texas. Col. (Promotable) Joseph B. Berger III to commander, U.S. Army Legal Services Agency; and chief judge, U.S. Army Court of Criminal Appeals, Fort Belvoir, Virginia.  He most recently served as staff judge advocate, U.S. Army Cyber Command, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Col. (Promotable) Robert P. Huston to commanding general and commandant, U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School, Charlottesville, Virginia.  He most recently served as staff judge advocate, U.S. Central Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.   Readout of Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis' Meeting with India Prime Minister Narendra Modi 06/26/2017 You are subscribed to News Releases for U.S. Department of Defense. This information has recently been updated, and is now available.   Readout of Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis' Meeting with India Prime Minister Narendra Modi 06/26/2017 04:08 PM CDT IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. NR-238-17 June 26, 2017 Readout of Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis' Meeting with India Prime Minister Narendra Modi Pentagon chief spokesperson Dana W. White provided the following: Secretary Mattis met with India Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Washington, D.C. today to discuss the importance of the U.S.-India relationship, and the role of both nations in cooperating to foster democratic laws and principles. Secretary Mattis applauded India's long-term efforts to promote stability in the Indian Ocean region. The two pledged to continue the strong defense partnership between both nations and broaden military to military engagements.   Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis in Germany for Marshall Plan Commemoration 06/27/2017 You are subscribed to News Releases for U.S. Department of Defense. This information has recently been updated, and is now available.   Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis in Germany for Marshall Plan Commemoration 06/27/2017 03:26 AM CDT IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. NR-239-17 June 27, 2017 Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis in Germany for Marshall Plan Commemoration Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis arrived in Germany today, where he will provide remarks at the George C. Marshall Center for Security Studies highlighting the 70th anniversary of the Marshall Plan. During the visit, he will also meet with Minister von der Leyen to discuss common security issues. The Marshall Center, located in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, is an international security and defense studies institute founded as a partnership between the U.S. and German governments.   Flag Officer Announcements 06/27/2017 You are subscribed to News Releases for U.S. Department of Defense. This information has recently been updated, and is now available.   Flag Officer Announcements 06/27/2017 01:09 PM CDT IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. NR-240-17 June 27, 2017 Flag Officer Announcements Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis announced today that the president has made the following nominations: Navy Rear Adm. DeWolfe H. Miller III, for appointment to the rank of vice admiral, and for assignment as commander, Naval Air Forces; and commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, San Diego, California.  Miller is currently serving as director, Air Warfare Division, N98, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Pentagon, Washington, District of Columbia.  Navy Rear Adm. Frederick J. Roegge, for appointment to the rank of vice admiral, and for assignment as president, National Defense University, Washington, District of Columbia. Roegge is currently serving as commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.   Senior Executive Service Announcements 06/27/2017 You are subscribed to News Releases for U.S. Department of Defense. This information has recently been updated, and is now available.   Senior Executive Service Announcements 06/27/2017 03:46 PM CDT IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. NR-241-17 June 27, 2017 Senior Executive Service Announcements Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis has announced the following Department of Defense Senior Executive Service appointments and assignments:  Robert G. Catalanotti has been selected for appointment to the Senior Executive Service, and for assignment as the senior advisor to the assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs. Catalanotti was most recently managing director of Middle East initiatives for SOS International LLC. Catalanotti is a retired Army major general with over 34 years of service, and is a graduate of Assumption College, Suffolk University, and the U.S. Army War College.  Anthony G. DeMartino has been selected for appointment to the Senior Executive Service, and for assignment as the deputy chief of staff to the Secretary of Defense. DeMartino was most recently managing director for SBD Advisors, and a former Army infantry officer. He is a graduate of Washington and Lee University, George Mason University, and the School of Advanced Military Studies. Earl G. Matthews has been selected for appointment to the Senior Executive Service, and for assignment as the principal deputy general counsel for the Army. Matthews was most recently special assistant to the Secretary of Defense. He is a graduate of Villanova University, Harvard Law School, the National Intelligence University, the Georgetown University Law Center, and the U.S. Army War College.  Laura P. McAleer has been selected for appointment to the Senior Executive Service, and for assignment as the deputy assistant secretary of defense for Senate affairs. McAleer was most recently senior defense advisor to Sen. John Boozman. She is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and the U.S. Naval War College.   Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis in Belgium for NATO Defense Ministerial 06/28/2017 You are subscribed to News Releases for U.S. Department of Defense. This information has recently been updated, and is now available.   Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis in Belgium for NATO Defense Ministerial 06/28/2017 08:27 AM CDT IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. NR-242-17 June 28, 2017 Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis in Belgium for NATO Defense Ministerial Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis arrived in Brussels today, where he will attend tomorrow's NATO Defense Ministerial. During the visit, he will meet with regional allies and counterparts to discuss common security issues, underscoring America's commitment to the NATO alliance.   Flag Officer Assignments 06/28/2017 You are subscribed to News Releases for U.S. Department of Defense. This information has recently been updated, and is now available.   Flag Officer Assignments 06/28/2017 09:58 AM CDT IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. NR-243-17 June 28, 2017 Flag Officer Assignments Acting Secretary of the Navy Sean Stackley and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John M. Richardson announced today the following assignments: Rear Adm. Colin G. Chinn will be assigned as joint staff surgeon, Joint Staff, Washington, District of Columbia. Chinn is currently serving as director, research and development, Defense Health Agency, Falls Church, Virginia. Rear Adm. (lower half) Daryl L. Caudle, selected for promotion to rear admiral, will be assigned as commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Caudle is currently serving as director, plans and operations, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet; deputy commander, U.S. 6th Fleet; commander, Submarines, Allied Naval Forces South; and commander, Submarine Group Eight, Naples, Italy. Rear Adm. (lower half) Scott D. Conn will be assigned as director, Air Warfare Division, N98, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, District of Columbia. Conn is currently serving as commander, Carrier Strike Group Four, Norfolk, Virginia.   Readout of Secretary Mattis' Bilateral Meeting with Germany Minister of Defense Ursula von der Leyen June 28, 2017 06/28/2017 You are subscribed to News Releases for U.S. Department of Defense. This information has recently been updated, and is now available.   Readout of Secretary Mattis’ Bilateral Meeting with Germany Minister of Defense Ursula von der Leyen June 28, 2017 06/28/2017 12:40 PM CDT IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. NR-244-17 June 28, 2017 Readout of Secretary Mattis’ Bilateral Meeting with Germany Minister of Defense Ursula von der Leyen June 28, 2017 Pentagon Chief Spokesperson Dana W. White provided the following readout: Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis met with German Minister of Defense Ursula von der Leyen today at the George C. Marshall Center for Security Studies in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. The leaders discussed a broad range of defense issues, emphasizing the importance of the U.S-German relationship both bilaterally and in the NATO Alliance.  Secretary Mattis thanked the minister for her country’s strong leadership in a complex global security environment. He highlighted Germany’s participation as an enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) framework nation, noting that he recently visited the German battlegroup in Lithuania. They also discussed ongoing missions Afghanistan and Africa. ‎ Finally, Secretary Mattis emphasized the importance of on-going collaboration between the United States and Germany.   General Officer Announcements 06/28/2017 You are subscribed to News Releases for U.S. Department of Defense. This information has recently been updated, and is now available.   General Officer Announcements 06/28/2017 03:29 PM CDT IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. NR-245-17 June 28, 2017 General Officer Announcements Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis announced today that the president has made the following nominations: Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Mark A. Brilakis for appointment to the rank of lieutenant general, and for assignment as commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command; and commanding general, Fleet Marine Force Atlantic. Brilakis is currently serving as the deputy commandant for manpower and reserve affairs, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Quantico, Virginia. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Michael A. Rocco for appointment to the rank of lieutenant general, and for assignment as deputy commandant for manpower and reserve affairs, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps. Rocco is currently serving as the director, Manpower Management Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Quantico, Virginia. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Daniel J. O’Donohue for appointment to the rank of lieutenant general, and for assignment as deputy commandant for information, Headquarters, U.S.  Marine Corps. O’Donohue is currently serving as the commanding general, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, California.   Readout of Secretary Mattis' Bilateral Meeting With Turkish Minister of Defense Fikri Işık 06/29/2017 You are subscribed to News Releases for U.S. Department of Defense. This information has recently been updated, and is now available.   Readout of Secretary Mattis' Bilateral Meeting With Turkish Minister of Defense Fikri Işık 06/28/2017 10:59 PM CDT IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. NR-246-17 June 28, 2017 Readout of Secretary Mattis' Bilateral Meeting With Turkish Minister of Defense Fikri Işık Pentagon Chief Spokesperson Dana W. White provided the following readout:  Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis met with Turkish Minister of Defense Fikri Işık today in Brussels, Belgium.  The secretary reaffirmed support for Turkey in its fight against the PKK and plan to increase cooperation on Turkey's counter-PKK efforts. The secretary and minister also discussed the crisis in Syria and agreed to continue cooperation to end the scourge of violence and alleviate human suffering there. Both leaders affirmed their support for peace and stability in both Iraq and Syria, and look forward to continuing to work together on the U.S.-Turkey security alliance.   Readout of Secretary Mattis' Bilateral Meeting with Polish Minister of Defense Macierewicz 06/29/2017 You are subscribed to News Releases for U.S. Department of Defense. This information has recently been updated, and is now available.   Readout of Secretary Mattis' Bilateral Meeting with Polish Minister of Defense Macierewicz 06/29/2017 09:22 AM CDT IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. NR-247-17 June 29, 2017 Readout of Secretary Mattis' Bilateral Meeting with Polish Minister of Defense Macierewicz Pentagon Chief Spokesperson Dana W. White provided the following readout: Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis met with Polish Minister of Defense Antoni Macierewicz today on the margins of the NATO Defense Ministerial in Brussels, Belgium. Secretary Mattis highlighted NATO's enhanced Forward Presence, of which the United States and Poland are partnered as framework and host nations respectively. He thanked the minister for hosting numerous U.S. forces, to include portions of an armored brigade combat team as well as the U.S. eFP battlegroup. Secretary Mattis emphasized the United States' steadfast commitment to the NATO alliance and noted that Poland sets the example by meeting the Wales Summit Defense Spending Pledge and investing in its modernization. Both leaders stressed the importance of standing shoulder-to-shoulder to keep Europe whole and free.   The United States, the United Kingdom, and Norway Trilateral Declaration of Intent on Maritime Security in the North Atlantic 06/29/2017 You are subscribed to News Releases for U.S. Department of Defense. This information has recently been updated, and is now available.   The United States, the United Kingdom, and Norway Trilateral Declaration of Intent on Maritime Security in the North Atlantic 06/29/2017 10:01 AM CDT IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. NR-248-17 June 29, 2017 The United States, the United Kingdom, and Norway Trilateral Declaration of Intent on Maritime Security in the North Atlantic Today, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States signed a statement of intent to lay out guiding principles for a trilateral partnership with P-8A aircraft to address the changing security environment in the North Atlantic. As the United States, the United Kingdom, and Norway continue to work to advance trilateral maritime security cooperation, this agreement establishes a framework for further cooperation in areas such as readiness, enhancing defense capability, and interoperability. The United States, the United Kingdom, and Norway will continue to work together and with other NATO allies to improve North Atlantic security efforts.   Navy to Christen Littoral Combat Ship Billings 06/29/2017 You are subscribed to News Releases for U.S. Department of Defense. This information has recently been updated, and is now available.   Navy to Christen Littoral Combat Ship Billings 06/29/2017 11:57 AM CDT IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. NR-249-17 June 29, 2017 Navy to Christen Littoral Combat Ship Billings The Navy will christen its newest Freedom-variant littoral combat ship, USS Billings (LCS 15), during a 10 a.m. CDT ceremony Saturday, July 1, in Marinette, Wisconsin. The future USS Billings honors the largest city in Montana. It will be the first ship of its name in naval service. Sen. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin will deliver the ceremony’s principal address. Sharla Tester, the wife of Montana Sen. Jon Tester, the ranking member of the Senate Veteran’s Affairs Committee, will serve as the ship’s sponsor. The ceremony will be highlighted by Mrs. Tester breaking a bottle of sparkling wine across the bow to formally christen the ship, a time-honored Navy tradition. “The christening of the future USS Billings brings this great warship one step closer to joining the fleet, where it will, for decades to come, serve as a tribute to the great people of Billings and the state of Montana, as well as the highly skilled men and women who built our nation's newest littoral combat ship,” said the Honorable Sean Stackley, acting Secretary of the Navy.  The LCS class consists of two variants, the Freedom variant and the Independence variant, designed and built by two industry teams. The Freedom variant team is led by Lockheed Martin (for the odd-numbered hulls, e.g. LCS 1). The Independence variant team is led by Austal USA (for LCS 6 and the subsequent even-numbered hulls).  Each LCS is outfitted with a single mission package made up of mission modules containing warfighting systems and support equipment. A dedicated ship crew will combine with aviation assets to deploy manned and unmanned vehicles and sensors in support of mine countermeasures, anti-submarine warfare or surface warfare missions.   Media may direct queries to the Navy Office of Information at (703) 697-5342. For more information about the Littoral Combat Ship class:  http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=4200&tid=1650&ct=4   U.S. Department of Defense Armed With Science Update 06/30/2017 You are subscribed to Armed With Science for U.S. Department of Defense. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Virtual Reality Stimulates Learning for Children of Wounded Warriors 06/30/2017 07:00 AM CDT The children of wounded warriors got the chance to learn how virtual and augmented reality innovations may someday improve the quality of life for their parents. U.S. Department of Defense Armed With Science Update 06/30/2017 You are subscribed to Armed With Science for U.S. Department of Defense. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Navy Divers Stand Watch during International Submarine Races 06/30/2017 07:56 AM CDT Students test their science and technology skills underwater while Navy divers keep them safe. Statement by Chief Pentagon Spokesperson Dana W. White on Transgender Accessions 06/30/2017 You are subscribed to News Releases for U.S. Department of Defense. This information has recently been updated, and is now available.   Statement by Chief Pentagon Spokesperson Dana W. White on Transgender Accessions 06/30/2017 08:17 PM CDT IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. NR-250-17 June 30, 2017 Statement by Chief Pentagon Spokesperson Dana W. White on Transgender Accessions Secretary Mattis today approved a recommendation by the services to defer accessing transgender applicants into the military until Jan. 1, 2018. The services will review their accession plans and provide input on the impact to the readiness and lethality of our forces.    Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your User Profile Page. You will need to use your email address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please email subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com. Have another inquiry? Contact the U.S. Department of Defense. This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. Department of Defense. Visit us on the web at http://www.defense.gov/. Updates from the U.S. Department of Defense