Secretary of the Air Force International Affairs

March 30, 2022
Austin Thanks Chancellor for Germany Boosting Defense Spending 

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's decision to bolster Germany’s armed forces is bold and historic, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said during a meeting in the Pentagon.
March 19, 2022
Bulgaria Stands Up Multinational Battle Group

The NATO multinational battle group led by Bulgaria is an important step in the face of nearby Russian aggression in Ukraine and the United States fully supports it, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said.
March 17, 2022
Slovakia's Defense Minister Says Military Spending at 2% Should Be Base, Not Target 

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Slovakia's Defense Minister Jaroslav Nad also discussed modernization of Slovakia's military, which includes development of mechanized brigades and replacement of military equipment, including fighter aircraft. 
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.