Tag Archives: Gen. Joseph Dunford

Panel: U.S. Began Afghanistan War with Unrealistic Expectations

Panel: U.S. Began Afghanistan War with Unrealistic Expectations

U.S. Soldiers and contractors load High Mobility Multi-purposed Wheeled Vehicles, HUMVs, to be sent for transport in support of the Resolute Support retrograde mission in Afghanistan on July 13, 2020. US Army Photo

American expectations of what could be achieved in Afghanistan – establishing a democracy by defeating al Qaeda and the Taliban – were too high, and initially too narrowly focused on revenge and justice following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, two national security experts said Thursday.
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Top Stories 2019: Navy and Pentagon Leadership

Top Stories 2019: Navy and Pentagon Leadership

General David H. Berger, commandant of the Marine Corps, and Adm. Michael M. Gilday, chief of naval operations march down center walk with their wives during a Friday Evening Parade at Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., Aug. 30, 2019. US Marine Corps photo.

This post is part of a series of review stories looking back at the top naval news from 2019.

2019 brought an overhaul to uniformed and civilian leadership for the Navy and Marine Corps, and with it a refined vision for where the services should be heading. Read More

Esper Officially Nominated to Lead Pentagon; SECNAV Spencer Now Acting SECDEF

Esper Officially Nominated to Lead Pentagon; SECNAV Spencer Now Acting SECDEF

Acting U.S. Secretary of Defense Richard V. Spencer walks into his office at the Pentagon following the announcement of the nomination of Secretary of the Army Dr. Mark T. Esper to Secretary of Defense by President Donald J. Trump on July 15, 2019 DoD photo.

Acting Secretary of Defense Mark Esper was officially nominated Monday afternoon to assume the role permanently, setting off a chain reaction of position shifts inside the Pentagon’s civilian leadership.

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Joint Chiefs Chairman Says Iran Threat In Middle East Was Real

Joint Chiefs Chairman Says Iran Threat In Middle East Was Real

Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, at the Brookings Institute Feb. 23, 2017 in Washington, D.C. DoD Photo

Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. DoD Photo

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group, B-52 bombers and sophisticated air defense systems were rushed to the Middle East in early May because intelligence suggested an Iranian-led “campaign plan” taking shape to disrupt the region, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of staff said Wednesday.

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HASC Leaders Unconvinced by Pentagon's Plan to Cut Aircraft Carrier

HASC Leaders Unconvinced by Pentagon’s Plan to Cut Aircraft Carrier

USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) on Sept 22, 2018. US Navy Photo

This post has been updated to include comments from a second March 26 hearing, which took place in the HASC seapower and projection forces subcommittee.

The Defense Department’s first crack at convincing the House Armed Services Committee to retire an aircraft carrier early to support the development of future weapons systems and unmanned platforms was not well received. Read More

Dunford Brings USO Tour to Carrier Stennis in Persian Gulf

Dunford Brings USO Tour to Carrier Stennis in Persian Gulf

Country music artist Kellie Pickler and a U.S. Sailor perform a song together during a USO tour performance in the hangar bay aboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) in the Persian Gulf on Dec. 23, 2018.

USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) is spending Christmas in the Persian Gulf and will be joined by America’s highest-ranking officer, an Olympic gold medalist, a country singer and Wilmar Valderrama, among others participating in a USO tour.

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