Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin

Kathleen Hicks: Current Navy Shipbuilding Plan Needs ‘Future Analysis’

Deputy Defense Secretary nominee Kathleen Hicks. Center for Strategic and International Studies Photo

The nominee for the number-two civilian job in the Pentagon told a Senate panel on Tuesday the Navy’s proposed long-term shipbuilding plan would “require future analysis to validate the numbers.”

Before that work could kick-off, Kathleen Hicks said during her confirmation hearing to serve as deputy defense secretary that she would want to have a Navy civilian leadership team in place.

Sen. Roger...

https://news.usni.org/2021/02/02/kathleen-hicks-current-navy-shipbuilding-plan-needs-future-analysis

Acting SECNAV: Navy Shipbuilding Faces Review from Incoming Biden Officials

In this aerial photograph, the aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) sits at Pier 3 at Newport News Shipbuilding division. The ship is approximately 76 percent complete and is progressing through final outfitting and testing. Huntington Ingalls Industries photo.

As the Biden administration continues filling key positions, its plans for the Navy should come into better focus, according to the service’s top civilian.

Speaking at the National Defense Industrial Association’s virtual...

https://news.usni.org/2021/02/02/acting-secnav-navy-shipbuilding-faces-review-from-incoming-biden-officials

Lloyd Austin’s First Message to the Pentagon

The following is the Jan. 22, 2021 message from Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to the Department of Defense.

MEMORANDUM FOR ALL DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

SUBJECT: Day One Message to the Force

I am honored to have this chance to serve again and to do so alongside you and your families. My wife, Charlene, and I know all too well the sacrifices you make to keep this country safe. That safety is job one, and I promise to work as hard as you do at it.

The way I see it, my job as Secretary of Defense is...

https://news.usni.org/2021/01/22/lloyd-austins-first-message-to-the-pentagon

Senate Confirms Lloyd Austin as Biden’s SECDEF

Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III responds to a question during his Senate Armed Forces Committee confirmation hearing in Washington, D.C. Jan. 19, 2021. DoD Photo

The Senate on Friday voted to confirm retired Army Gen. Lloyd Austin as President Joe Biden’s secretary of defense.

In a 93-2 vote, the upper chamber confirmed Austin to serve as the first Black Pentagon chief.

The confirmation vote came after both the House and Senate on Thursday voted to grant Austin a waiver to lead the Defense Department....

https://news.usni.org/2021/01/22/senate-confirms-lloyd-austin-as-bidens-secdef

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