Latest Lloyd Austin News

Controversial military reproductive health care travel policy was used just 12 times in 7 months

Mar. 26, 2024 16:46 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — A controversial military policy that allows service members to be reimbursed for travel if they or a family member have to go out of state for reproductive health care — including abortions — was used just 12 times from June to December last year, the Pentagon said Tuesday. ...

Pentagon urges Israel to protect civilians in Gaza as military chiefs meet at time of high tensions

Mar. 26, 2024 16:07 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. defense leaders pressed their Israeli counterparts Tuesday to ensure that any military operation in the southern city of Rafah unfold in phases to protect civilians and secure the delivery of aid, a senior Pentagon official said. Israel’s defense minister...

The Latest | Netanyahu remains set on Rafah ground invasion despite US misgivings

Mar. 20, 2024 11:34 AM EDT

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he remains determined to carry out a Rafah ground offensive, despite U.S. President Joe Biden’s misgivings. Earlier, Qatari officials said they were “cautiously optimistic” after talks with Israel’s intelligence chief in Doha...

US defense chief vows continued aid to Ukraine, even as Congress is stalled on funding bill

Mar. 19, 2024 22:33 PM EDT

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (AP) — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin vowed Tuesday that the U.S. will continue to support Ukraine's war effort against Russia, even as the U.S. Congress remains stalled over funding to send additional weapons to the front. “The United States will not...

Pentagon to lift ban on V-22 Osprey flights, 3 months after fatal crash in Japan

Mar. 01, 2024 15:45 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon will lift the ban on flights by the grounded V-22 Osprey next week, U.S. officials told The Associated Press on Friday, following a high-level meeting where Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin endorsed the military services' plans for a safe and measured return to...

Lawmakers fault Defense Secretary Austin for a failure of leadership over his secret hospital stay

Feb. 29, 2024 18:21 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin faced pointed bipartisan criticism at a congressional hearing Thursday for his failure to promptly notify President Joe Biden and other U.S. leaders about his hospital stay last month. Republicans demanded to know why no one has been disciplined. ...

Services prepare to brief Secretary Austin on a plan to get Ospreys flying again

Feb. 27, 2024 17:14 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — The military services will take a key step toward getting the V-22 Osprey fleet back in the air as they lay out their plans Friday to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin for addressing safety concerns stemming from a fatal crash in Japan, three defense officials said. ...

Who was to blame for secrecy surrounding Austin's hospitalization? A Pentagon report says no one

Feb. 26, 2024 15:43 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — An internal review blames privacy restrictions and staff hesitancy for the Pentagon's failure last month to quickly notify the president and other senior leaders about Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's hospitalization for complications from prostate cancer surgery. ...

US and British strikes on Houthi sites in Yemen answer militants’ surge in Red Sea attacks on ships

Feb. 25, 2024 12:28 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. and Britain struck 18 Houthi targets in Yemen, answering a recent surge in attacks by the Iran-backed militia group on ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, including a missile strike this past week that set fire to a cargo vessel. According to U.S....

A day after his latest hospital release, Austin presses for urgent military aid for Ukraine

Feb. 14, 2024 10:50 AM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — A day after his latest hospital stay for health issues following treatment for prostate cancer, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin hosted a virtual session on Ukraine to help resource urgently needed ammunition and artillery for Kyiv as it faces shortages in its now almost two-year...