Secretary of the Air Force International Affairs

March 16, 2022
Biden Signs Order Transferring Arms to Ukrainian Defenders

President Joe Biden signed an order to transfer $800 million worth of equipment to help the people of Ukraine defend their freedom.
March 9, 2022
U.S. Doesn't Want Warfare in Ukraine to Escalate, Says DOD Official

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III thanked Poland's willingness to continue to look for ways to assist Ukraine, but he stressed that the U.S. does not support the transfer of additional fighter aircraft to the Ukrainian Air Force at this time.
March 9, 2022
U.S., Finland Work Closely to Aid Ukraine, Defend Europe

In yet another sign of the world's revulsion of Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, Finnish Defense Minister Antti Kaikkonen told Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III that "in these troubled times, Finland stands ready to work together with the United States."
March 2, 2022
U.S., Bahrain Defense Leaders Discuss Global, Regional Concerns

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Bahraini Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa discussed a range of issues, from global problems like Russia's invasion of Ukraine to regional problems in Iran, during a meeting at the Pentagon.
Feb. 22, 2022
Biden Shifts U.S. Troops in Europe to Defend Frontline NATO States 

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III has ordered an infantry battalion task force of about 800 soldiers to deploy from Italy to the Baltic region and approved the movement of up to eight F-35 Lightning II aircraft from Germany to operating locations on NATO's eastern flank. 
Feb. 22, 2022
America 'Unwavering' in Support for Ukraine, Austin Says

During a meeting in the Pentagon, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III told Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba that American support for Ukraine's self-defense, sovereignty and territorial integrity is "unwavering."
Feb. 19, 2022
Russian Forces 'Uncoiling,' Poised to Strike Ukraine, Austin Says

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III visited with the leaders of the frontline NATO states in Vilnius, Lithuania, the day after President Joe Biden said he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin has decided on war with Ukraine.
Feb. 18, 2022
Austin Says Current Operations Give Hints of New National Defense Strategy

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said he’s proud of the work that has been done to the National Defense Strategy, but he’s not yet ready to release it.
Feb. 18, 2022
Defense Secretary Visits Polish Ally as Russia Continues Provocations in Ukraine

As Russian troops continue to amass on the borders of Ukraine, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III is visiting allies in Warsaw, Poland, and then moving to meet with U.S. and Polish troops working together at Powidz Air Base.
Feb. 16, 2022
Russia Forces 'A New Normal' on Europe, Stoltenberg Says

NATO defense ministers including Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III discussed the security crisis that Russian President Vladimir Putin caused by sending 150,000 troops and equipment to the borders of Ukraine and into Belarus.