Latest Lloyd Austin News

Pentagon says it doubled the number of US troops in Syria before Assad's fall

Dec. 19, 2024 17:57 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States has more than doubled the number of its forces in Syria to fight the Islamic State group — a dramatic increase that the Pentagon revealed Thursday, acknowledging that the added troops have been there for months or even more than a year. The...

For the first time in 8 years, a US Navy ship makes a port call in Cambodia, a top Chinese ally

Dec. 16, 2024 02:43 AM EST

SIHANOUKVILLE, Cambodia (AP) — A U.S. Navy warship arrived Monday in Cambodia, the first such visit in eight years to a nation that is China’s close ally in Southeast Asia. Cambodia's government has suggested the port call reflects an upgrade in often-strained relations. The USS...

A US Navy ship will make its first port call in 8 years in Cambodia, a close ally of China

Dec. 13, 2024 09:50 AM EST

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — A U.S. Navy warship will make a port call next week in Cambodia, China's close ally in Southeast Asia, the first such visit in eight years, according to a Cambodian statement on Friday. Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defense said USS Savannah will...

Military service academies see drop in reported sexual assaults after alarming surge

Dec. 12, 2024 14:41 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — Reported sexual assaults at the U.S. military service academies dropped in 2024 for the second year in a row, according to new Pentagon data, marking a sharp turnaround from an alarming surge two years ago that triggered sweeping reviews and an overhaul in leadership. ...

Homeland Security shares new details of mysterious drone flights over New Jersey

Dec. 12, 2024 00:51 AM EST

The large mysterious drones reported flying over parts of New Jersey in recent weeks appear to avoid detection by traditional methods such as helicopter and radio, according to a state lawmaker briefed Wednesday by the Department of Homeland Security. In a post on the social media...

US defense chief observes drills with Japan, Australia, says he's confident about greater capability

Dec. 11, 2024 01:54 AM EST

CAMP ASAKA, Japan (AP) — U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin expressed confidence about enhanced military capabilities among the United States, Australia and Japan as he observed joint exercises Wednesday showcasing their closer cooperation as tensions grow in the region. Austin...

US defense secretary in Japan to support alliance as Osprey aircraft safety causes concern

Dec. 10, 2024 23:06 PM EST

TOKYO (AP) — U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met with officials in Japan on Tuesday to reaffirm the importance of their alliance and Washington's commitment to regional security as threats rise from China and North Korea. Austin also stressed that U.S. trilateral cooperation...

Military pauses Osprey flights again after more metal failures are found in near crash in November

Dec. 09, 2024 17:00 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon is temporarily pausing flights again of its fleet of V-22 Ospreys after weakened metal components possibly played a role in another near crash, the latest setback for an embattled aircraft whose safety problems have grown. The pause was recommended...

Trump calls for immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and says a US withdrawal from NATO is possible

Dec. 08, 2024 15:28 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump on Sunday pushed Russian leader Vladimir Putin to act to reach an immediate ceasefire with Ukraine, describing it as part of his active efforts as president-elect to end the war despite being weeks from taking office. “Zelenskyy and Ukraine would...

US announces nearly $1 billion more in longer-term weapons support for Ukraine

Dec. 07, 2024 18:15 PM EST

SIMI VALLEY, Calif. (AP) — The United States will provide nearly $1 billion more in longer-term weapons support to Ukraine, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Saturday as the Biden administration rushes to spend all the congressionally approved money it has left to bolster Kyiv before...