Lloyd Austin

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For other people with the same name, see Lloyd Austin (disambiguation).

Lloyd Austin
Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III (50885754687).jpg
Official portrait, 2021
28th United States Secretary of Defense
Assumed office
January 22, 2021
PresidentJoe Biden
Deputy
Preceded byMark Esper
12th Commander of United States Central Command
In office
March 22, 2013 – March 30, 2016
PresidentBarack Obama
Preceded byJim Mattis
Succeeded byJoseph Votel
33rd Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army
In office
January 31, 2012 – March 8, 2013
PresidentBarack Obama
Preceded byPeter W. Chiarelli
Succeeded byJohn F. Campbell
40th Director of the Joint Staff
In office
August 9, 2009 – June 30, 2010
PresidentBarack Obama
Preceded byStanley A. McChrystal
Succeeded byWilliam E. Gortney
Personal details
Born
Lloyd James Austin III

(1953-08-08) August 8, 1953 (age 69)
Mobile, Alabama, U.S.
Spouse
Charlene Banner
​
(m. 1980)​
Education
ProfessionArmy officer
Signature
Military service
AllegianceUnited States
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
Years of service1975–2016
RankGeneral
Commands
Battles/wars
AwardsFull list

Lloyd James Austin III (born August 8, 1953) is a retired United States Army four-star general who, since his appointment on January 22, 2021, has served as the 28th United States Secretary of Defense. He is the first African American to serve as the United States Secretary of Defense. Austin previously served as the 12th commander of United States Central Command (CENTCOM) from 2013 to 2016.[1]

Austin was the 33rd vice chief of staff of the Army from January 2012 to March 2013, and the last commanding general of United States Forces – Iraq Operation New Dawn, which ended in December 2011. In 2013, Austin was appointed as the first Black commander of CENTCOM by President Barack Obama.[2] He retired from the armed services in 2016 and joined the boards of Raytheon Technologies, Nucor, Tenet Healthcare, and Auburn University.[3][4] On December 7, 2020, he was nominated for defense secretary by then-President-elect Joe Biden. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on January 22, 2021, by a vote of 93–2.[5]

Early life and education[edit]

Austin was born on August 8, 1953, in Mobile, Alabama;[3] he was raised in Thomasville, Georgia.[6] He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1975, where he was commander of G-1 (G Company, 1st Regiment).[7][8] He later earned a Master of Arts degree in counselor education from Auburn University's College of Education in 1986, and a Master of Business Administration in business management from Webster University in 1989. He is a graduate of the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced courses, the Army Command and General Staff College, and the Army War College.[8]

Military career[edit]

Colonel Lloyd Austin in 1998

Austin was commissioned as a second lieutenant after his graduation from West Point.[8] His initial assignment was to the 3rd Infantry Division (Mechanized) in Germany.[8]

Following this assignment and attendance at the Infantry Officer Advanced Course, he was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he commanded the Combat Support Company, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 508th Infantry and served as the Assistant S-3 (Operations) for 1st Brigade.[8]

General Austin in 2016

In 1981, Austin was assigned to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he was the operations officer for the Army Indianapolis District Recruiting Command, and where he later commanded a company in the Army Recruiting Battalion. Upon conclusion of this assignment, he attended Auburn University, where he completed studies for a Master's in education. He then returned to the West Point as a company tactical officer for E-1.[8][9]

After completion of the Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, he was assigned to the 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, New York, where he served as the S-3 (Operations) and later executive officer for the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry. He subsequently served as Executive Officer for 1st Brigade, 10th Mountain, and later Director of Plans, Training, Mobilization, and Security for Fort Drum.[8]

Austin in a meeting with Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, Lieutenant General David Barno, and U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad in Kandahar, Afghanistan in 2003

In 1993, Austin returned to the 82nd Airborne Division where he commanded the 2d Battalion (Airborne), 505th Infantry.[10] He later served as G-3 for the 82nd.

Following graduation from Army War College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, he returned to the 82nd Airborne Division for a third tour of duty there to command 3rd Brigade.[8]

Shortly after brigade command, he served as Chief, Joint Operations Division, J-3, on the Joint Staff at The Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. His next assignment was as Assistant Division Commander for Maneuver (ADC-M), 3rd Infantry Division (Mechanized), Fort Stewart, Georgia. As the ADC-M, he helped lead the division's invasion of Iraq in March 2003.[8] Austin was awarded a Silver Star for his actions as commander during the invasion.[11]

Austin served from September 2003 until August 2005 as Commanding General of 10th Mountain Division, as Commander, Combined Joint Task Force 180, during the War in Afghanistan. Subsequently, he was promoted to Chief of Staff of US Central Command at MacDill AFB, in Tampa, Florida, from September 2005 until October 2006.[8]

General Lloyd Austin, commander of United States Forces-Iraq with General James Mattis, commander of United States Central Command, during the United States Forces-Iraq end of mission ceremony on December 15, 2011. Both would later serve as Secretaries of Defense.

On December 8, 2006, Austin was promoted to Lieutenant General and assumed command of XVIII Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.[12] In February 2008, Austin became the second highest ranking commander in Iraq, taking command of the Multi-National Corps – Iraq (MNC-I). As commander of MNC-I, he directed the operations of approximately 152,000 joint and coalition forces in all sectors of Iraq.[13]

Austin handed over command of XVIII Corps to become Director of the Joint Staff in August 2009.[8] This promotion came at the direction of Admiral Michael Mullen, then Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. While Director, Austin was told by Mullen to increase the diversity of the Joint Staff. Austin credited the appointment as having jumpstarted his later career, saying: "People who might not have known Lloyd Austin began to know him."[6]

Commanding General of US Forces – Iraq[edit]

On September 1, 2010, Austin became Commanding General (CG) of United States Forces – Iraq (USF-I) at a ceremony at Al-Faw Palace in Baghdad. He assumed the role from General Ray Odierno.[14][15] As CG, USF-I, Austin was the senior military commander in charge of all US and remaining coalition forces in Iraq.[16] Their mission was to advise, train, assist, and equip the Iraqi Armed Forces and the security agencies part of the Ministry of the Interior. As commander, Austin requested an additional troop presence in Iraq from 14,000 to 18,000.[17]

Austin oversaw the transition from Operation Iraqi Freedom and combat operations to Operation New Dawn and stability operations focused on advising, assisting, and training the ISF.[18] He was extensively involved in the internal U.S. discussions and then negotiations with the Iraqi Government leading up to the signing of the Strategic Partnership Agreement.[19] Opposing total U.S. withdrawal, Austin preferred that the U.S. maintain about 10,000 troops in Iraq after 2011 and he approved staff planning for up to 20,000 remaining troops.[20][21] He directed the drawdown of forces and the redeployment of approximately 50,000 service members. The U.S. command in Iraq formally cased its colors on December 15, 2011, at a reduced-sized BIAP complex, and Austin's speech there cited his division's seizure of the airport over eight years beforehand.[22] Austin, along with other members of the USF-I staff, departed Iraq on December 18, 2011.[23]

Army Vice Chief of Staff[edit]

In December 2011, Austin was nominated to become Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army (VCSA).[24] He took office on January 31, 2012.[25] As VCSA, he managed the day-to-day administration of the Army's budget and headquarters staff. Under his direction, the Army took steps to reduce the incidence of suicide in the ranks.[26][27] He also supervised a review of the psychiatric treatment of personnel assessed for disability by the Army.[28]

United States Central Command[edit]

General Lloyd Austin with President Barack Obama at MacDill Air Force Base, September 17, 2014

Austin became the commander of CENTCOM on March 22, 2013, after being nominated by President Obama in late 2012.[29][30][31] Austin was preceded as CENTCOM Commander by General James Mattis, whom Austin would later succeed as Secretary of Defense. In this capacity, General Austin oversaw all United States troops deployed and major United States Military operations around the area of Middle-East and Central Asia and some parts of South Asia. The area of command consisted of 20 countries including Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan, Egypt and Lebanon.[32]

General Lloyd Austin with Lieutenant General Charles Q. Brown Jr. during the Air Forces Central Command change of command ceremony at Shaw Air Force Base, June 29, 2015.

His approach as CENTCOM commander has been described as that of an "invisible general", due to his reluctance to speak publicly about military matters.[33]

As commander, after ISIL seized control of Mosul in June 2014, Austin oversaw the development and execution of the military campaign plan to counter ISIL in Iraq and Syria.[34][35] He had earlier described ISIL as a "flash in the pan". Obama would later tell The New Yorker that ISIL was a "jayvee" team.[36] As of October 2014, Austin argued that the U.S. military's primary focus in operations against ISIL should be Iraq, as opposed to Syria.[37] In 2015, Austin conceded in a Senate Committee on Armed Services hearing that a CENTCOM-developed U.S. program intended to train Syrians to combat ISIL had not been successful.[38][39] At the hearing, he faced particularly pointed questioning from Senator John McCain over the direction of military engagement in Syria.[40]

Austin's retirement ceremony took place at Joint Base Myer–Henderson Hall on April 5, 2016.[41] During his departure and retirement ceremony, General Austin said that he was extremely proud of the achievements of the coalition's forces which always goes back to the troops. General Austin said "I'm very proud to have had the opportunity to lead troops in combat, I have seen our young leaders do amazing things in really tough and dangerous situations."[32]

Private sector[edit]

Immediately after retiring as CENTCOM Commander, Austin joined the board of Raytheon Technologies, a military contractor, in April 2016.[42][43] As of October 2020, his Raytheon stock holdings were worth roughly $500,000 and his compensation, including stock, totaled $2.7 million.[42] On September 18, 2017, he was appointed to Nucor's board of directors.[44] On May 29, 2018, Austin was appointed as an independent director on the board of Tenet Healthcare.[45] He also operates a consulting firm and has been a partner at Pine Island Capital, an investment company with which Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Michèle Flournoy are affiliated.[46][42]

Secretary of Defense (2021–present)[edit]

Nomination and confirmation[edit]

Austin being sworn in as Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon on January 22, 2021

On December 7, 2020, it was reported that President-elect Joe Biden would nominate Austin as Secretary of Defense.[46][47] Biden became acquainted with Austin while Austin was CENTCOM commander in the Obama administration, and reportedly grew to trust Austin after receiving Austin's briefings.[48] Like former defense secretary James Mattis,[49] Austin required a congressional waiver of the National Security Act of 1947 to bypass the seven-year waiting period after leaving active-duty military, as prescribed by 10 U.S.C. § 113(a), in order to be appointed as Secretary of Defense.[48] Austin's nomination, and the attendant requirement for a waiver, met with some concern in Congress regarding its implications for civil–military relations.[50][51] Former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and former Secretary of State Colin Powell, among others, issued statements supporting Austin's nomination.[52]

The Senate Armed Services Committee held a confirmation hearing for Austin on January 19, 2021.[53] On January 21, Congress granted Austin a waiver of the seven-year requirement by a 326–78 vote in the House and a 69–27 vote in the Senate.[54][55] He was confirmed by the Senate in a 93–2 vote on January 22, 2021.[56] Republican senators Josh Hawley and Mike Lee were the only "no" votes. Upon his confirmation and swearing-in later that day, Austin became the first black secretary of defense.[57] Austin took office on January 22, 2021, after being sworn in by a Defense Department official, and was sworn in ceremonially by Vice President Kamala Harris on January 25, 2021.[58]

Tenure[edit]

Austin speaks to Department of Defense personnel in 2021

Several days after assuming office as Secretary of Defense, Austin visited the National Guard deployed to Washington D.C. Austin praised the Guard for protecting the Capitol in the days after the 2021 attack.[59] During a press conference, he confirmed that the National Guard was expected to leave the U.S. Capitol within weeks and that there would be no further requests from federal authorities or lawmakers to keep the National Guard's troops in the Capitol complex following their March departure.[60] Austin would subsequently order the troops stay through May.[61]

Part of Austin's primary agenda as Secretary of Defense was the Department of Defense's plan—in coordination with Anthony Fauci, the chief medical advisor to the president—to confront the COVID-19 pandemic within the department. Austin's first step was to urge service members to get vaccinated, especially after the revelation that almost one-third of active-duty service members had turned down the opportunity to get administered the vaccine.[62] In order to tout the safety of the coronavirus vaccine, Austin took the vaccine himself and also emphasized that taking the coronavirus vaccine will prevent disease among the troops, particularly those who were deployed overseas.[63] On February 24, 2021, Austin visited U.S. Northern Command, Los Angeles, which is coordinating an immunization effort in the area in cooperation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, to further investigate the fight against COVID-19.[64][65]

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin with U.S. President Joe Biden at The Pentagon on February 10, 2021.

Among his early political acts as Secretary of Defense, Austin removed former president Trump's appointees from the Pentagon advisory boards. As part of a review, he ordered their resignations, most notably former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski. Many of those removed were last minute political appointees after the 2020 election.[66] On February 19, 2021, Austin directed his staff to gather more information about a viral TikTok video from a female Marine regarding a sexual misconduct case.[67] On January 2, 2022, Austin announced that he tested positive for COVID-19 after experiencing symptoms at home. He received a COVID-19 vaccine booster in early October 2021.[68]

Extremism in the ranks[edit]

Concerns of possible right-wing extremism among the troops caused Austin to implement new training requirements. On February 5, 2021, Austin announced that all members of the United States military would be required to stand down within the next 60 days in order to conduct training. The training includes the importance of the oath of office, a review of impermissible behaviors, and procedures for reporting suspected or actual extremist behavior.[69][70][71]

Middle East[edit]

Further information: Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin hosts Saudi prince Khalid bin Salman at the Pentagon, July 6, 2021

On February 19, 2021, Austin spoke to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, saying that "We discussed the continued commitment to the 70-year US-Saudi security partnership, and I'm looking forward to working together to achieve regional security and stability." Austin expressed support for Saudi Arabia in the Iran–Saudi Arabia proxy conflict.[72]

On February 25, 2021, under Biden's direction, Austin coordinated military defensive airstrikes against an Iranian-backed militia in Syria. Austin had previously recommended such airstrikes as a response to Iranian attacks on Americans in Iraq earlier in the month. It was also believed that the militia is responsible for killing a civilian contractor and injuring one American soldier as well as other troops in a missile attack on February 15, 2021.[73][74]

On April 1, 2021, Austin and Turkish Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar discussed the bilateral defense cooperation between the United States and its NATO ally Turkey.[75]

On May 12, 2021, Austin condemned the rocket attacks into Israel and "conveyed the [Defense] Department’s ironclad support for Israel’s legitimate right to defend itself and its people."[76]

Indo-Pacific[edit]

See also: 2022 Chinese military exercises around Taiwan
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin with Commander of U.S. Forces Japan Lt. Gen. Kevin Schneider at Yokota Air Force Base in Japan.

On February 25, 2021, Austin visited the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz. During his visit, he emphasized the need for American warships throughout the globe in order to deter security threats, mostly from China within the Indo-Pacific region and Iran within the Middle-East region.[77]

In March 2021, Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Japan and South Korea.[78] The trip reflected the Biden administration's concerns about China's growing influence within the Indo-Pacific region, especially their military buildup during the pandemic, as well North Korea's nuclear threat and the recent coup d'état in Myanmar.[79] The trip was also part of the Biden administration's "America is back" diplomatic theme, and Austin pledged the U.S.'s commitment to reaffirm ties with its allies and to maintain a robust military presence in the Indo-Pacific region.[78] Austin added that denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula remains the Biden administration's top priority, and that the alliances with South Korea and Japan are among the most important tools the United States has in that regard.[80]

Austin also made a three-day visit to India, where he met with his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh, and other senior government officials.[81] India drew closer to the United States following its tensions with China on their disputed Sino-Indian border. Austin urged India to cancel the planned purchase of Russia's S-400 air defence system.[82]

Austin stated that "China is our pacing threat. We still maintain the edge and we’re going to increase the edge going forward."[83] On June 11, 2022, he condemned China's "provocative, destabilising" military activity near Taiwan,[84] a day after China's Defence Minister Wei Fenghe warned Austin that "if anyone dares to split Taiwan from China, the Chinese army will definitely not hesitate to start a war no matter the cost."[85] Austin said the United States "will continue to fulfill our commitments under the Taiwan Relations Act. That includes assisting Taiwan in maintaining a sufficient self-defense capability."[86] By February 2023, he had secured the U.S. military access to nine military bases in the Philippines, which is orthogonally situated between Taiwan and the South China Sea, expediting the full implementation of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement signed during the Obama administration.[87]

Afghanistan[edit]

Austin meeting with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on June 25, 2021

Austin expressed doubt that the Department of Defense would meet its May 1 deadline for the 2021 withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan.[88][89] The Biden Administration announced on April 14, 2021, that a new deadline had been set for September 11, 2021.[90] On March 21, 2021, he met President Ashraf Ghani in Kabul.[91] Soon after the withdrawal of U.S. troops started, the Taliban launched an offensive against the Afghan government, quickly advancing in front of a collapsing Afghan Armed Forces.[92][93] On July 24, 2021, Austin said: "In terms of whether or not [Afghanistan's military] will stop the Taliban, I think the first thing to do is to make sure that they can slow the momentum."[94] On August 15, 2021, the Afghan government capitulated to Taliban forces.[95]

Russia[edit]

Further information: Russia–United States relations and 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on April 24, 2022

During the Russian war against Ukraine, the U.S. sent tens of billions of dollars in missiles, ammunition and other items to Ukraine.[96] Austin said that he wanted to see "Russia weakened to the degree that it can't do the kinds of things that it has done in invading Ukraine".[97] The New York Times reported that U.S. military may be providing real-time battlefield targeting intelligence to Ukraine.[98][99][100] Austin said he "does not" believe that Russia's invasion of Ukraine will result in a nuclear war.[101]

Personal life[edit]

Austin was raised by a devoutly Catholic mother and remains practicing himself.[102][103] He has been described as an "intensely private" man[104] who loathed talking to the news media when he was in Iraq and has a habit of "referring to himself in the third person".[6]

Austin and his wife, Charlene Denise Banner Austin, have been married for over forty years.[3][105] Charlene worked as a non-profit administrator and served on the board of the Military Family Research Institute at Purdue University.[106] He has two stepsons.[3][4]

Awards and decorations[edit]

The XVIII Airborne Corps command group returns home from Operation Iraqi Freedom in April 2009; Austin is in front
Personal decorations
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svgBronze oakleaf-3d.svgBronze oakleaf-3d.svgBronze oakleaf-3d.svg 		Defense Distinguished Service Medal with four bronze oak leaf clusters[107]
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svgBronze oakleaf-3d.svgBronze oakleaf-3d.svg Army Distinguished Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters[107]
Silver Star[107]
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Defense Superior Service Medal with oak leaf cluster[107]
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster[107]
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svgBronze oakleaf-3d.svgBronze oakleaf-3d.svgBronze oakleaf-3d.svg Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Silver oak leaf cluster
 Army Commendation Medal with silver oak leaf cluster (5 bronze oak leaf clusters)
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Army Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
Unit Awards
Army Presidential Unit Citation
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svgBronze oakleaf-3d.svg Joint Meritorious Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters
State Department awards
Secretary's Distinguished Service Award, Department of State
Campaign and service medals
Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svgBronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg National Defense Service Medal with two bronze service stars
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Bronze star
 Afghanistan Campaign Medal with campaign star
Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svgBronze-service-star-3d-vector.svgBronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg Iraq Campaign Medal with three campaign stars
Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svgBronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal with two service stars
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Service and training awards
Army Service Ribbon
Award numeral 3.svg Army Overseas Service Ribbon with bronze award numeral 3
Other accoutrements
Combat Action Badge.svg Combat Action Badge
Expert Infantry Badge.svg Expert Infantryman Badge
Ranger Tab.svg Ranger Tab
Master Parachutist badge (United States).svg Master Parachutist Badge
Official CENTCOM Seal.png United States Central Command Badge
Joint Chiefs of Staff seal.svg Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge
United States Army Staff Identification Badge.png Army Staff Identification Badge
US Army 18th Airborne Corps CSIB.png XVIII Airborne Corps Combat Service Identification Badge
505 Inf Rgt DUI.png 505th Infantry Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia
  • 2007 inductee into the Thomasville County Sports Hall of Fame.

Publications[edit]

  • Austin, Lloyd J.; Pollack, Kenneth M.; Wittes, Tamara Cofman (August 14, 2015). The Middle East in Transition (Report). Washington, DC: Brookings Institution.
  • Austin, Lloyd J. (September 16, 2015). Statement of General Lloyd J. Austin III, Commander, U.S. Central Command, Before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Operation Inherent Resolve (PDF) (Speech).

Citations[edit]

  1. ^ "Lloyd J. Austin III". www.defense.gov. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  2. ^ MacAskill, Ewen (March 22, 2013). "General Lloyd Austin picked for top job at US Central Command". The Guardian. Archived from the original on February 9, 2017. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d Nominations before the Senate Armed Services Committee, 2nd Session, 111th Congress (PDF) (Report). 2010. p. 327. S Hrg 111-896. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 26, 2020. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  4. ^ a b Nobles, Miranda (October 2, 2017). "Retired Army general, Auburn trustee to speak at This is Auburn Speaker Series event". Auburn University. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
  5. ^ "On the Nomination (Confirmation: Lloyd James Austin, of Georgia, to be Secretary of Defense)". U.S. Senate. January 22, 2021. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  6. ^ a b c Cooper, Helene (December 9, 2020). "'Is Austin on Your List?': Biden's Pentagon Pick Rose Despite Barriers to Diversity". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on December 10, 2020. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
  7. ^ "'Perfect People': Living the West Point Ideal". West Point Center for Oral History. Archived from the original on October 27, 2020. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "General Lloyd J. Austin III". United States Department of Defense. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved December 1, 2020. Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Department of Defense.
  9. ^ Ibberson, Stuart (December 7, 2020). "Biden nominates retired general Lloyd Austin as defense secretary". Aerotech News and Review. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  10. ^ Brooks, Drew (April 10, 2016). "Gen. Lloyd Austin Ends 41-year Army Career". The Fayetteville Observer. Archived from the original on December 9, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020 – via Military.com.
  11. ^ Dickstein, Corey (December 8, 2020). "Biden officially announces he's picked retired CENTCOM Gen. Lloyd Austin for defense secretary". Stars and Stripes. Archived from the original on December 9, 2020. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
  12. ^ "Maj. Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III to Command Fort Bragg 18th Airborne Corps". Jet. Johnson Publishing Company. August 28, 2006. pp. 36–37. Archived from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
  13. ^ "DoD News Briefing with Lt. Gen. Austin III from Iraq". United States Department of Defense. June 23, 2008. Archived from the original (News Transcript) on January 21, 2009. Retrieved December 2, 2020. Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Department of Defense.
  14. ^ Dey, Roger M. (September 4, 2010). "Austin leads USF-I into New Dawn". United States Army. Archived from the original on January 26, 2019. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
  15. ^ Gordon & Trainor 2013, p. 637.
  16. ^ "USF-Iraq Commanding General". United States Forces – Iraq. December 5, 2010. Archived from the original on October 20, 2020. Retrieved December 2, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  17. ^ Singh, Robert (2012). Barack Obama's Post-American Foreign Policy: The Limits of Engagement. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 106. ISBN 978-1-78093-113-5. Archived from the original on December 8, 2020. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  18. ^ "Advance questions for General Lloyd J. Austin III" (PDF). United States Senate Committee on Armed Services. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 27, 2016. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  19. ^ Gordon & Trainor 2013, pp. 653–657.
  20. ^ "Joe Biden picks Lloyd Austin as defense secretary". Deutsche Welle. Archived from the original on December 9, 2020. Retrieved December 9, 2020. [Austin] subsequently oversaw the withdrawal of US troops in 2011, a decision which he disagreed with.
  21. ^ Gordon & Trainor 2013, pp. 659–660, 662.
  22. ^ Gordon & Trainor 2013, p. 671.
  23. ^ Logan, Joseph (December 18, 2011). "Last U.S. troops leave Iraq, ending war". Reuters. Archived from the original on May 25, 2017. Retrieved May 19, 2016.
  24. ^ "General Officer Announcements". United States Department of Defense. September 30, 2011. Release No 841-11. Archived from the original on October 26, 2012. Retrieved December 18, 2011. Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Department of Defense.
  25. ^ Dock-Abuhl, Courtney (March 12, 2013). "Austin sworn in as vice chief of staff". United States Army. Archived from the original on August 8, 2020. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  26. ^ "General Foresees Turnaround in Army Suicide Rate". CBS News. Associated Press. March 7, 2013. Archived from the original on October 28, 2018.
  27. ^ "NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Army Vice Chief of Staff General Lloyd Austin, Reps. Mike Thompson, Gus Bilirakis Join Forces to Tackle Traumatic Brain Injury". Mike Thompson. September 12, 2012. Archived from the original on June 11, 2016. Retrieved May 19, 2016.
  28. ^ Dao, James (May 17, 2012). "Army to Review Its Handling of Psychiatric Evaluations". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  29. ^ "General Lloyd J. Austin III Retires". Black Engineer.com. April 11, 2016. Archived from the original on June 4, 2016. Retrieved May 19, 2016.
  30. ^ "Secretary Panetta Statement on Intent to Nominate CENTCOM Commander". United States Department of Defense. No 951-12. Archived from the original on April 15, 2013. Retrieved February 13, 2013. Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Department of Defense.
  31. ^ "Looking back for the way ahead: An interview with Retired Gen. Lloyd Austin". Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff. January 2, 2018. Archived from the original on December 8, 2020. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  32. ^ a b "Austin leaves legacy of leading from the front". U.S. Central Command. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  33. ^ Ward, Alex (December 7, 2020). "Retired Gen. Lloyd Austin chosen as the first Black person to lead the Pentagon". Vox. Archived from the original on December 8, 2020. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  34. ^ Austin, Lloyd J. (September 16, 2015). "Statement of General Lloyd J. Austin III" (PDF). United States Senate Committee on Armed Services. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 25, 2016. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  35. ^ "Combined Forces Air Component Commander Airpower Statistics (as of 31 March 2016)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on August 19, 2016. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  36. ^ Goldberg, Jeffrey (April 2016). "The Obama Doctrine". The Atlantic. ISSN 1072-7825. Archived from the original on September 18, 2018. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  37. ^ Ackerman, Spencer (October 17, 2014). "US stresses Iraq emphasis even as air strikes escalate against Isis in Syria". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  38. ^ Cooper, Helene (September 16, 2015). "Few U.S.-Trained Syrians Still Fight ISIS, Senators Are Told". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on November 28, 2020. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  39. ^ Ackerman, Spencer (September 16, 2015). "US has trained only 'four or five' Syrian fighters against Isis, top general testifies". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on November 23, 2020. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  40. ^ Bender, Bryan; Seligman, Lara (December 8, 2020). "Questions swirl over Austin's limited experience". Politico. Archived from the original on December 9, 2020. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  41. ^ Callahan, Guv (April 8, 2016). "A Soldier's Soldier". United States Army. Archived from the original on May 7, 2016. Retrieved May 19, 2016.
  42. ^ a b c Lipton, Eric; Vogel, Kenneth P.; LaForgia, Michael (December 9, 2020). "Biden's Choice for Pentagon Faces Questions on Ties to Contractors". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on December 10, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  43. ^ "Lloyd J Austin III". Raytheon Technologies. Archived from the original on November 29, 2020. Retrieved November 28, 2020.
  44. ^ "Nucor Announces the Addition of General Lloyd J. Austin III to the Nucor Board of Directors". PR Newswire. Archived from the original on September 14, 2017. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  45. ^ "Tenet Board Appoints Two Independent Directors". May 29, 2018. Archived from the original on May 30, 2018. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
  46. ^ a b Seligman, Lara; Pager, Tyler; O'Brien, Connor; Bertrand, Natasha (December 7, 2020). "Biden picks retired general Lloyd Austin to run Pentagon". Politico. Archived from the original on December 8, 2020. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  47. ^ Cooper, Helene; Martin, Jonathan; Schmitt, Eric (December 8, 2020). "Biden Plans to Tap Lloyd Austin, Former Iraq Commander, as Defense Secretary". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on December 8, 2020. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  48. ^ a b Ordoñez, Franco; Johnson, Carrie; Wise, Alana (December 7, 2020). "Biden Expected To Nominate Gen. Lloyd Austin As Defense Secretary". NPR. Archived from the original on December 8, 2020. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  49. ^ Lamothe, Dan (December 1, 2016). "Trump picks retired Marine Gen. James Mattis for secretary of defense". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Archived from the original on December 1, 2016. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  50. ^ Steinhauer, Jennifer; Schmitt, Eric; Broadwater, Luke (December 8, 2020). "Biden's Pentagon Pick Reignites Debate Over Civilian Control of Military". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on December 9, 2020. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  51. ^ Desiderio, Andrew; O'Brien, Connor (December 8, 2020). "Democrats signal early opposition to Biden's Defense pick". Politico. Archived from the original on December 9, 2020. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  52. ^ Crowley, Michael; Schmitt, Eric (December 10, 2020). "Biden Asks Congress to Grant Waiver for 'Cool Under Fire' Defense Pick". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on December 10, 2020. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
  53. ^ O'Brien, Connor (January 21, 2021). "Senate clears Austin waiver, setting up confirmation vote to be Biden's Pentagon chief". Politico. Archived from the original on January 23, 2021. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
  54. ^ Youssef, Nancy A. (January 21, 2021). "Lloyd Austin Receives Waiver Allowing Him to Become Defense Chief". The Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Archived from the original on January 22, 2021. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
  55. ^ "H.R.335 – 117th Congress (2021-2022): To provide for an exception to a limitation against appointment of persons as Secretary of Defense within seven years of relief from active duty as a regular commissioned officer of the Armed Forces". www.congress.gov. January 22, 2021.
  56. ^ Booker, Brakkton (January 22, 2021). "Lloyd Austin Confirmed As Secretary of Defense, Becomes First Black Pentagon Chief". NPR. Archived from the original on January 22, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  57. ^ Edmondson, Catie (January 22, 2021). "Lloyd Austin is confirmed, becoming the first Black defense secretary in U.S. history". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on January 22, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  58. ^ Everstine, Brian W. (January 25, 2021). "Austin Ceremonially Sworn in at the White House". Air Force Magazine. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
  59. ^ Military.com (February 1, 2021). "Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin Visits National Guard Troops Deployed to DC". Military.com. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  60. ^ "Defense Secretary Austin: National Guard troops expected to leave Capitol March 12". wusa9.com. February 20, 2021. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  61. ^ Watson, Eleanor (March 10, 2021). "Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin approves request to extend nearly 2,300 troops at Capitol until May 23". CBS News. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  62. ^ Liebermann, Oren (February 25, 2021). "Pentagon chief urges service members to get vaccinated after it was revealed one-third are opting out". CTVNews. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  63. ^ "Austin touts safety of coronavirus vaccine: 'I've taken it myself'". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  64. ^ Garamone, Jim (February 24, 2021). "Austin Visits Northern Command, Los Angeles to Get Ground-Level Truth on COVID-19 Fight". U.S Department of Defense. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  65. ^ Macias, Amanda (March 5, 2021). "Fauci says military members who opt out of Covid vaccine are inadvertently 'part of the problem'". CNBC. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  66. ^ Baldor, Lolita (February 2, 2021). "Pentagon chief purges defense boards; Trump loyalists out". ABC News. ABC. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  67. ^ Hennigan, W.J. (February 19, 2021). "Defense Secretary Calls Viral TikTok Video 'Disturbing,' Seeks To Rid Military of Sexual Assault Scourge". Time. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  68. ^ O’brien, Connor. "Pentagon chief Austin tests positive for Covid-19". POLITICO. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  69. ^ "Stand-Down to Address Extremism in the Ranks" (PDF). media.defense.gov. February 5, 2021. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
  70. ^ Lopez, Todd C. (March 30, 2021). "Extremism Stand Downs Focus on Oath, Not Data Collection". U.S Department of Defense. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
  71. ^ Barbara Starr, Zachary Cohen, Ellie Kaufman and Oren Liebermann (February 3, 2021). "Secretary of Defense orders all military to pause and review handling of extremism in ranks". CNN.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  72. ^ "U.S. defense secretary calls Saudi crown prince, reaffirms strategic ties". Reuters. February 19, 2021. Archived from the original on February 19, 2021.
  73. ^ "U.S. Conducts Defensive Airstrikes Against Iranian-backed Militia in Syria". U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  74. ^ "Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin Says He Recommended Syria Airstrike: 'We Know What We Hit'". NewsOne. February 26, 2021. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  75. ^ "Turkey, US defense ministers discuss cooperation, security". Daily Sabah. April 1, 2021.
  76. ^ "Biden: Israel has right to defend itself from Gaza rocket terrorism". The Jerusalem Post. May 13, 2021.
  77. ^ Baldor, Lolita (February 25, 2021). "Austin visits aircraft carrier Nimitz; weighs warship needs in Pacific, Mideast". Military Times. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  78. ^ a b "Austin arrives in Tokyo for talks expected to include cooperation on China, North Korea". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  79. ^ "2 key US Cabinet members visit Japan for China-focused talks". AP NEWS. March 15, 2021. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  80. ^ Jessie Yeung (March 16, 2021). "US and Japan express concern over China's 'aggressive actions'". CNN. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  81. ^ Roy, Shubhajit (March 21, 2021). "US Defence Secretary holds talks to deepen Indo-US ties, says discussed rights too". The Indian Express. The Indian Express. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
  82. ^ "U.S. defense secretary urges India to avoid buying Russian equipment". Reuters. March 20, 2021.
  83. ^ Zakaria, Fareed. "Opinion: The Pentagon is using China as an excuse for huge new budgets". The Washington Post.
  84. ^ "US blasts China's 'destabilising' military activity near Taiwan". France 24. June 11, 2022.
  85. ^ "'Smash to smithereens': China threatens all-out war over Taiwan". Al-Jazeera. June 10, 2022.
  86. ^ "Chinese Defense Minister Warns of Confrontation if US Tries to Corner China". VOA News. June 12, 2022.
  87. ^ Wingfield-Hayes, Rupert (February 2, 2023). "US secures deal on Philippines bases to complete arc around China". BBC News. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  88. ^ Macias, Amanda (February 19, 2021). "Defense secretary calls for an immediate reduction in violence in Afghanistan as troop withdrawal deadline looms". CNBC.
  89. ^ "Video: Lloyd J. Austin Discusses Afghanistan Policy Goals". The New York Times. February 19, 2021.
  90. ^ Kevin Liptak, Jeremy Herb, Barbara Starr and Kylie Atwood (April 13, 2021). "Biden to announce withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan by September 11". CNN. Retrieved June 4, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  91. ^ Jamie Crawford (March 21, 2021). "Defense secretary visits Afghanistan as US considers troop extension". CNN.
  92. ^ Robertson, Nic (June 24, 2021). "Afghanistan is disintegrating fast as Biden's troop withdrawal continues". CNN.
  93. ^ Graham-Harrison, Emma (July 13, 2021). "Afghanistan stunned by scale and speed of security forces' collapse". The Guardian.
  94. ^ Ali, Idrees (July 25, 2021). "First task for Afghan forces is to slow Taliban's momentum -Pentagon chief". Reuters. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  95. ^ Seir, Ahmad; Faiez, Rahim; Akhgar, Tameem; Gambrell, Jon (August 16, 2021). "Taliban sweep into Afghan capital after government collapses". AP News. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  96. ^ "House approves $40B in Ukraine aid, beefing up Biden request". Associated Press. May 11, 2022.
  97. ^ "Ukraine war: US wants to see a weakened Russia". BBC News. April 25, 2022. Retrieved April 25, 2022.
  98. ^ "Did US intelligence-sharing with Ukraine cross a line?". Deutsche Welle. May 14, 2022.
  99. ^ Levinson, Nan (May 19, 2022). "Anti-War Activists Are Facing a Moral Dilemma". The Nation.
  100. ^ Ankel, Sophia (May 10, 2022). "Biden is furious about the leaks saying US intelligence helped Ukraine kill Russian generals and sink its warship, report says". Business Insider.
  101. ^ "Austin says he 'does not' believe Russian invasion will end in nuclear war". The Hill. April 26, 2022.
  102. ^ Black, Rick (March 30, 2017). ""Perfect People": Living The West Point Ideal". West Point Center for Oral History. Archived from the original on October 27, 2020. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  103. ^ Fikes, Robert (December 24, 2017). "Lloyd James Austin III (1953– )". BlackPast.org. Archived from the original on December 8, 2020. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  104. ^ Stewart, Phil; Zangerle, Patricia; Martina, Michael (December 8, 2020). "Intensely private, Biden's pick for defense secretary is thrust into eligibility battle". Reuters. Archived from the original on December 10, 2020. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
  105. ^ Cooper, Helene; Martin, Jonathan; Schmitt, Eric (December 8, 2020). "Biden Plans to Tap Lloyd Austin, Former Iraq Commander, as Defense Secretary". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on December 8, 2020. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  106. ^ "Austin, Charlene – USA > CAPSTONE > Spouse Course Mentors". capstone.ndu.edu. Archived from the original on December 8, 2020. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  107. ^ a b c d e Austin, Lloyd James. "Lloyd James Austin Awards by Date of Action". Hall of Valor Project. Archived from the original on January 15, 2021. Retrieved January 23, 2021.

General sources[edit]

Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lloyd Austin.
Wikiquote has quotations related to Lloyd Austin.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lloyd_Austin&oldid=1143460668"