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On June 6, 1944, nearly 160,000 Allied troops landed along a heavily fortified, 50-mile stretch of French coastline in the historic operation known as D-Day. Allied casualties were heavy - an estimated 10,000 killed, wounded and missing in action - but by day's end, the Allies had gained a foothold to begin liberating Europe.
The 2018 Department of Defense Warrior Games feature 11 sporting events with about 300 athletes representing teams from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, U.S. Special Operations Command, as well as the United Kingdom Armed Forces, Australian Defense Force and Canadian Armed Forces. Adaptive sports help wounded warriors build strength and endurance while drawing inspiration from teammates. The goal of the Warrior Games is to demonstrate the incredible potential of wounded warriors through competitive sports.
Defense Secretary James N. Mattis is traveling to Hawaii to speak at the change-of-command ceremony for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. From there he heads to Singapore to attend the Shangri-La Dialogue, where he plans to deliver a speech on the challenges of Indo-Pacific security.
Each year on the last Monday in May, the nation pauses to honor the men and women of the U.S. military who sacrificed their lives in service to their country and the cause of freedom. This special report showcases the many ways in which Americans honor the fallen, from the placement of flags on the graves at Arlington National Cemetery to observances around the world.
Defense Secretary James N. Mattis travels to Colorado Springs, Colo., to deliver remarks at the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Class of 2018 graduation ceremony. The secretary then travels to Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., to attend the change-of-command ceremony for the North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command.
The Defense Department released the U.S. Africa Command-led investigation into the October 4, 2017 ambush on U.S. and Nigerien Forces near Tongo Tongo, Niger.
President Donald J. Trump announced combined U.S., French and British forces launched precision strikes April 13, 2018, against chemical weapons capabilities in Syria to deter Syrian leader Bashar Assad from using banned chemical weapons.
The Defense Department is taking a stand against sexual assault in the military in an effort to maintain the well-being of U.S. service members and their families. Check out Defense.gov's special coverage, which includes information about resources dedicated to preventing and appropriately responding to this crime.
Military children make up a very special part of our nation's population. Although young, these brave sons and daughters stand in steadfast support of their military parents. As they face circumstances unique to their lives-such as navigating multiple moves and schools to shouldering repeated deployments of a parent, these children are examples of resilience in the military community. To honor their unique contributions and sacrifices on behalf of our country, each April is designated the Month of the Military Child.
Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is visiting Afghanistan to get an assessment of the campaign plan from U.S. and Afghan leaders. The chairman’s senior enlisted advisor and several other Joint Staff officials have joined the chairman for a full picture of the ongoing effort and the challenges ahead.
The Defense Department joins the nation in celebrating March 2018 as Women’s History Month. Both in uniform and through the civilian sector, American mothers, daughters, sisters and wives have selflessly served to defend and protect the land of the free and home of the brave.
During Brain Injury Awareness Month, the Defense Department demonstrates its commitment to increasing awareness of traumatic brain injury and to providing educational and healing resources to service members, veterans, family members and health care professionals.
Defense Secretary James N. Mattis is traveling to Europe to reaffirm key partnerships and alliances. He plans to meet with defense leaders in Rome before traveling to Brussels for a NATO Defense Ministerial. Mattis wraps up his trip in Germany, where he will meet with the leaders and troops from U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command and attend the 54th Munich Security Conference.
President Donald J. Trump signed a $1.3 trillion spending bill that includes $700 billion for defense spending, which defense leaders say is the largest military budget in history, reversing years of decline and unpredictable funding.
Defense Department officials issued guidance for the federal shutdown when Congress failed to pass a continuing resolution or a full budget by 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 8, 2018.