at
the Pentagon on January 22, 2021|left
Nomination and confirmation On December 7, 2020, it was reported that President-elect
Joe Biden would nominate Austin as secretary of defense. Biden became acquainted with Austin while Austin was CENTCOM commander in the Obama administration, and reportedly grew to trust Austin after receiving his briefings. Like former defense secretary
James Mattis, 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 (a), in order to be appointed as secretary of defense. Former secretary of defense
Robert Gates and former secretary of state
Colin Powell, among others, issued statements supporting Austin's nomination. The
Senate Armed Services Committee held a confirmation hearing for Austin on January 19, 2021. 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. He was confirmed by the Senate in a 93–2 vote on January 22, 2021. 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 African American Secretary of Defense. Austin took office on January 22, 2021, after being sworn in by a Defense Department official, and was later sworn in ceremonially by Vice President
Kamala Harris on January 25, 2021. Lloyd Austin with
U.S. president Joe Biden at
the Pentagon on February 10, 2021
Tenure Upon assuming the office, Austin announced his top three priorities for the Defense Department in a memorandum issued to all DoD employees. It stated in part: As the Secretary of Defense, I am committed to ensuring that the Department develops the right people, priorities, and purpose of mission to continue to defend our Nation from enemies foreign and domestic. This will require aligning our priorities and capabilities to a changing and dynamic threat landscape. We will do so in a way that is based on a sober assessment of our strategic needs and recognize the importance of building and sustaining a strong workforce and unity within our Department, across the Nation and with our allies and partners around the world. Three priorities – defending the Nation, taking care of our people, and succeeding through teamwork – will guide our efforts. On March 28, 2023, Austin testified before the
Senate Armed Services Committee on DoD's Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2024 and the Future Years Defense Program. In his opening statement he reiterated the objectives of the 2022
National Defense Strategy (NDS): in Manama,
Bahrain on November 20, 2021 Part of Austin's primary agenda as secretary of defense was the DoD's plan 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. 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.
Failure to disclose hospitalization On January 1, 2024, Austin was hospitalized at
Walter Reed National Military Medical Center due to complications following a minimally invasive surgical procedure conducted on December 22, 2023, to address his
prostate cancer (prostatectomy). On January 2, Austin began experiencing fever and chills and shallow breathing. The medical staff decided to transfer him to the critical-care unit for closer monitoring and better team care by his doctors. Austin spent several days in Walter Reed's
intensive care unit (ICU) and during that time delegated authority to the deputy secretary of defense
Kathleen Hicks. On January 5, he resumed his functions and duties as secretary of defense from the hospital. The Department of Defense did not disclose the hospitalization to the President, senior Defense Department officials, senior White House national security staff, members of the
U.S. Congress, media outlets, or the public for several days. This failure to disclose contravened established practices of disclosing the medical issues of Cabinet members and senior U.S. officials. President Biden and high-ranking White House officials only learned of Austin's hospitalization three days after it happened, when
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan was informed just before he attended an event at
Joint Base Myer–Henderson Hall where Austin was also scheduled to appear. Sullivan subsequently relayed the information to his colleagues and to Biden. During Austin's hospitalization, Hicks performed the duties of secretary of defense. The Pentagon Press Association, which represents members of the media covering the Defense Department, criticized Austin's multiday disappearance and the ensuing lack of transparency. Some Democratic and Republican members of Congress called on Austin to
resign due to the failure to disclose his absence. While stopped at a coffee shop in Allentown, Pennsylvania, a journalist asked Biden, "Do you have confidence in Secretary Austin?" the president responded, "I do." When the journalist asked, "Was it a lapse in judgment for him not to tell you earlier?" Biden said, "Yes." During a press conference at the Pentagon on February 1, Austin addressed his hospitalization, stating: In response to the incident, the White House and the Department of Defense ordered reviews of all notification procedures. An internal 30-day review of the transfer of authority during Austin's hospitalization conducted by the Defense Department's administration and management director in January 2024 found that while processes could be improved, "nothing examined during this review demonstrated any indication of ill intent or an attempt to obfuscate." On February 29, 2024, Austin testified before the
House Armed Services Committee regarding his hospitalization. He took full responsibility, stating: "I did not handle it right. But let me be clear: I never intended to keep my hospitalization from the White House… or from anybody else." Austin also confirmed that at no time was the department absent leadership nor was the U.S. or its interests around the world at risk at any point. He told the Members: "There was never a break in command and control. We transferred authority in a timely fashion. What we didn't do well was the notification of senior leaders." A January 2025 report from the DoD Office of the Inspector General found that risks to national security were "increased unnecessarily" during Austin's hospitalization. The report did not identify any adverse impacts on operational command and control resulting from Austin's hospitalization, but emphasized the potential for adverse effects. in Doha, Qatar, December 19, 2023.
Middle East Throughout his tenure, Austin engaged with civil and military leaders in the Middle East, reinforcing the United States' commitment to partnerships and security in the region. Areas for collaboration between the U.S. and allies include integrated air and missile defense, maritime security, intelligence sharing and early warning systems. As of August 13, 2024, there were more than 40,000 U.S. troops in the Middle East, according to Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen.
Pat Ryder. At the
AIPAC Political Leadership Forum in January 2023, Austin stated: "Our network of alliances and partnerships is one of America's core strategic strengths. And no other country on Earth has anything like it. And that's especially important in today's Middle East." at the Presidential Palace in Cairo, March 8, 2023 During a speech delivered at the Manama Dialogue in
Bahrain in November 2021, Austin said: "We do crucial work together with our friends in this [Middle East] region—to deter aggression from any quarter, to disrupt terrorist networks, and to maintain freedom of navigation in some of the world's most important waterways. And over the decades, we have worked side-by-side as you invested in the capabilities to defend yourselves. We've supported you along the way, and we're going to keep doing so. Our forces train together, plan together, and work together—and that makes us stronger together." at NATO headquarters in Brussels, June 16, 2023
Iran During a visit to Israel in March 2023, in a joint press conference with Israeli defense minister
Yoav Gallant, Austin said: "Iran remains the primary driver of instability in the region and we remain deeply concerned by Iran's support for terrorism, its dangerous proxies, its nuclear advances, its aggression at sea, its cyber threats, and its proliferation of attack drones and advanced conventional weapons." At the
AIPAC Political Leadership Forum on January 10, 2023, Austin stated: "Going back to my days at CENTCOM, I have consistently said that the greatest threat to Israeli security, and to the region, is the prospect of a nuclear-armed Iran. We fully understand the dangers of the Iranian government's destabilizing actions—including its support for terrorism, its dangerous proxies, and its threats to wipe Israel off the map. But Iran is also stoking instability across the region—including its support for terrorists and militias, its proliferation of drones, its menacing cyber activities, its maritime aggression, and its continued threats against foreign officials. So Iran's reckless actions don't just threaten Israel. They endanger the entire Middle East and beyond, including by supporting Russia's cruel targeting of civilians in Ukraine. And increasingly, U.S. partners understand the importance of a regional approach to this kind of shared danger. So we're working closely with Israel, our partners in the Middle East, and our allies and partners to impose coordinated pressure on the Iranian regime." at the Pentagon, July 6, 2021. 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.
Combatting terrorism During his testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee on March 28, 2023, Austin stated that "ISIS, al-Qaeda, and other such a terrorist groups continue to threaten the security of the United States". He also stated there were investments being made to improve the technology used for counterterrorism efforts. On December 18, 2023, Austin announced the establishment of a multinational maritime task force,
Operation Prosperity Guardian, to address attacks from Houthis in Yemen on commercial ships and other targets. According to the Pentagon's December 19 report, Houthis conducted over 100 drone and ballistic missile attacks, targeting 10 merchant vessels involving more than 35 different nations. In a statement issued on October 18, while he was on a trip to the Middle East, Austin said: “The recent escalation in reckless Houthi attacks originating from Yemen threatens the free flow of commerce, endangers innocent mariners, and violates international law. Operation Prosperity Guardian is bringing together multiple countries to include the United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles, and Spain, to jointly address security challenges in the southern Red Sea and the
Gulf of Aden, with the goal of ensuring freedom of navigation for all countries and bolstering regional security and prosperity.”
Israel and Minister of Defense
Yoav Gallant in Tel Aviv, Israel, October 13, 2023 In January 2023, Austin declared that "America's commitment to Israel's security is ironclad. It is not negotiable. And it never will be." On October 8, 2023, the day after the
Hamas attack on Israel, Austin directed
Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group to the
Eastern Mediterranean in response. Along with the carrier, the group also included the cruiser and the destroyers , , , and . On October 13, 2023, he arrived in Israel and met with Israeli defense minister
Yoav Gallant. Austin said: "I am here in person to make something crystal-clear: America's support for Israel is ironclad." and Israeli chief of general staff
Herzi Halevi in Tel Aviv, Israel Since the initial
Hamas attack, Pentagon Spokesman Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said the department has focused its efforts on protecting American forces and citizens in the region, flowing security assistance to Israel, coordinating with Israelis to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas and strengthening the force posture across the region in order to deter any escalation of the conflict beyond Gaza. In November 2023, the House approved
$14.5 billion in military aid for Israel. The Biden administration announced that it would seek "an unprecedented support package for Israel’s defense” of $14.3 billion." On November 13, 2023,
Defence for Children International, Al-Haq, and Palestinians living in Gaza and the United States, represented by the
Center for Constitutional Rights, filed a lawsuit against Austin, President
Joe Biden and Secretary of State
Antony Blinken for failure to prevent
genocide, citing Israel's "mass killings," targeting of schools and hospitals, collective punishment, use of chemical weapons,
forced expulsion, and
blockage of food, water, electricity and other basic needs. The court dismissed the case on January 31, 2024, ruling that while "it is plausible that Israel's conduct amounts to genocide," US foreign policy was a
political question over which courts lacked
jurisdiction. On November 28, 2023, the U.S. airlifted 24.5 metric tons, or more than 54,000 pounds, of U.N. humanitarian supplies to the people of Gaza. At the request of
USAID, these supplies were transported via a U.S. Air Force
C-17 Globemaster aircraft to Egypt where they were then transported via ground into Gaza and then distributed by U.N. agencies. On December 2, 2023, Austin stated that "the United States will remain Israel’s closest friend in the world. Our support for Israel’s security is non-negotiable. And it never will be." In December 2023, the Biden administration bypassed Congress to approve the
sale of military equipment to Israel. On December 18, 2023, Austin declared that American support for Israel is "unshakeable". at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., June 25, 2024 On March 5, 2024, Austin met with
Israeli War Cabinet member
Benny Gantz. In their meeting, Austin condemned Hamas' attack against Israel on October 7 and called for the release of all hostages held by Hamas. He also conveyed strong concerns over the humanitarian situation in Gaza and requested Minister Gantz's support in enabling more humanitarian assistance and distribution into Gaza. Austin emphasized the critical need for a credible and implementable plan for protecting civilians and addressing the humanitarian situation prior to any ground operations in Rafah. On April 9, 2024, Austin told the
Senate Armed Services Committee that the Pentagon had no evidence that Israel was carrying out a
genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. He said there was "no question" that there had been "far too many"
civilian casualties in the war in Gaza. On March 8, 2024, the Defense Department announced plans to undertake an emergency mission to establish a temporary
pier on the coast of Gaza to deliver up to 2,000,000 humanitarian aid meals per-day. During a Pentagon press briefing, Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said, "This is part of a full-court press by the United States to not only focus on working on opening up and expanding routes via land, which are the optimal way to get aid into Gaza, but also by conducting air drops," in reference to the more than 100,000 meals that have been dropped into Gaza by the U.S. and
Jordan during the previous week. Between May 17 and the end of June, U.S. Central Command helped deliver about 19.4 million pounds of aid via the temporary pier. It was in use between May and July 2024. The
Financial Times estimated less than 600 trucks of aid were delivered via the pier, about two days of aid to Gaza before the war, calling the pier a "colossal failure". On July 10, 2024, the Biden administration resumed shipments of the
500-pound bombs to Israel, which were halted in May over concerns about the
humanitarian impact of Israel's use of them in
killing Palestinians in Gaza. On July 31, 2024, following the
assassination of Ismail Haniyeh by Israel, Austin reiterated an "unwavering commitment" to Israel's security and said the United States would come to its defense if needed. On October 1, 2024, Austin told Israeli defense minister Gallant that the United States supports Israel's
ground offensive against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. On October 17, 2024, Austin spoke with Israeli minister of defense
Yoav Gallant to discuss reports on the killing of Hamas leader
Yahya Sinwar, the architect of the terrorist assault on Israel on October 7, 2023, in which 1,200 Israelis and other civilians from more than 30 countries, including the U.S. were murdered and 251 people were taken hostage. Austin also expressed strong support for the immediate release of all remaining hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza. Austin later issued a statement about the killing of Sinwar, stating: "The killing today of Yahya Sinwar, the leader of the terrorist group Hamas, by Israeli forces is a major achievement in counterterrorism. Sinwar's death will not heal the wounds of the October 7th atrocities that he plotted, or the many deaths for which he is responsible, but I hope that it may bring some small measure of justice and solace to the families and the loved ones of the many victims of Sinwar's premeditated cruelty."
Indo-Pacific Lloyd Austin with Commander of
U.S. Forces Japan Lt. Gen.
Kevin Schneider at
Yokota Air Force Base in Japan, March 15, 2021. In his testimony before the House Armed Services Committee on March 29, 2023, Austin said: The PRC is our pacing challenge. And we're driving hard to meet it. Our budget builds on our previous investments to deter aggression. We're investing in a more resilient force posture in the
Indo-Pacific and increasing the scale and the scope of our exercises with our partners. And in recent months, our friends in the Indo-Pacific have taken major steps forward. The Philippines has agreed to nearly double the number of sites where we cooperate together. Japan has committed to double its defense spending. And through the historic
AUKUS partnership, we'll work with our Australian and British allies to build game-changing defense advantages that will deter aggression and boost our defense industrial capacity.During his tenure as Secretary of Defense, Austin made thirteen official visits to the Indo-Pacific region. His 13th trip in December 2024 was to Japan where he engaged with U.S. troops and Japanese leaders. His previous trip in November 2024 included stops in Australia, the Philippines, Laos, and Fiji, where Austin participated in the Australia-U.S.-Japan Trilateral Defense Ministers' Meeting, attended the
ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus, conducted meetings with regional counterparts, and held engagements with Fijian leaders. In March 2021, as part of their first overseas trip as members of the Biden administration, Austin and Secretary of State
Antony Blinken visited Japan and South Korea. 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 as
North Korea's nuclear threat and the February 2021
coup d'état in Myanmar. 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. 's prime minister
Pham Minh Chinh in Hanoi, Vietnam, July 29, 2021. On March 16, 2021, the Japan-U.S. Security Consultative Committee (SCC) (Japan-U.S. "2+2") was convened in Tokyo. The meeting was attended by Austin and Blinken from the U.S. side, and Foreign Minister
Motegi Toshimitsu and Defense Minister Kishi Nobuo from the Japanese side. The four ministers reaffirmed that the Japan-U.S. Alliance remains the "cornerstone" of peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, and renewed the unwavering commitment of both countries to the Japan-U.S. Alliance. In June 2023, as part of his seventh official visit to the Indo-Pacific region, Austin traveled to Tokyo to meet with his Japanese counterpart, Defense Minister
Yasukazu Hamada and other senior leaders, including Prime Minister
Kishida Fumio and Foreign Minister
Yoshimasa Hayashi. Austin's visit came as the United States and Japan took important strides to modernize Alliance capabilities, optimize U.S. force posture, and build links with like-minded partners following the historic U.S.-Japan "2+2" Ministerial meeting earlier that year. In July 2023, Austin traveled to Australia where he participated in the 33rd Australia/U.S. ministerial consultations, also called
AUSMIN. Following the meeting, DoD officials stated, "the unbreakable alliance between the United States and Australia has never been stronger" and "it is doing more than ever for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific." at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., April 27, 2023 In July 2024, Austin made his eleventh official visit to the Indo-Pacific region where he conducted a series of engagements with counterparts and other senior officials in Japan and the Philippines. While in Tokyo, Austin and Secretary of State
Antony Blinken met with Japanese minister of defense Kihara Minoru and Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Kamikawa Yoko for the 2024 U.S.-Japan Security Consultative Committee — or "2+2" — meeting. Following the 2+2 meeting, the four officials announced historic steps to modernize Alliance roles, missions, and capabilities; expand defense industry cooperation; and enhance alignment with allies and partners. The four ministers also convened a historic ministerial meeting on Extended Deterrence. In addition to holding bilateral meetings with Minister Kihara and Minister Shin, Austin and Blinken also met with Japanese prime minister Kishida Fumio. 's Senate president
Hun Sen in Phnom Penh, June 4, 2024 Also while in Tokyo, Austin, Minister Kihara, and Republic of Korea (ROK) minister of national defense
Shin Won-sik held the first Trilateral Ministerial Meeting to ever take place in either Japan or the ROK, where they signed a Memorandum of Cooperation on the Trilateral Security Cooperation Framework to further institutionalize their three countries' security partnership. 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. Austin made a second visit to India in June 2023, where he again met with Defense Minister
Rajnath Singh as well as other senior leaders to discuss the ongoing joint efforts to modernize the U.S.–India Major Defense Partnership. and defense minister
Wei Fenghe, November 22, 2022 During a press conference following Austin's visit to New Delhi, a senior Defense Department official described the progress between the U.S. and India: "India's growing commitment to playing a more engaged international role, including in the Indo-Pacific Quad, demonstrates a new and growing willingness to join the United States to protect and advance a shared vision of a free, open and rules-based global order. On June 11, 2022, Austin condemned
China's "provocative, destabilising" military activity near
Taiwan, 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." 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." 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. At the June 2023
Shangri-La Dialogue in
Singapore, Austin warned that conflict in the
Taiwan Strait would be devastating. On May 31, 2024, Austin and Dong met in Singapore on the margins of the
Shangri-La Dialogue, ending an almost 18-month break since the two countries’ top defense officials last spoke in person. During their meeting, Austin expressed concern about recent provocative PLA activity around the
Taiwan Strait, and he reiterated that the PRC should not use Taiwan's political transition — part of a normal, routine democratic process — as a pretext for coercive measures. Austin underscored that the US remains committed to its longstanding one China policy, and also reaffirmed the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. In November 2023, Austin traveled to Jakarta, Indonesia for the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) Plus where he emphasized the U.S. commitment to ASEAN centrality as a key pillar of the United States’ efforts to uphold a free and open Indo-Pacific and detailed how U.S. security cooperation with ASEAN partners is contributing to a more stable and prosperous region. On the margins of the ADMM-Plus, Austin also met with each of his ASEAN counterparts from the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam. A year later, in November 2024, Austin traveled to Laos where he participated in the ADMM-Plus and met with regional counterparts. He delivered plenary remarks and announced the first-ever DoD Vision Statement for a Prosperous and Secure Southeast Asia that details ways to increase practical cooperation between the United States and Southeast Asia. He also announced the second-ever ASEAN-United States Maritime Exercise in 2025 to advance maritime safety and rule of law in the region. During his meetings, Austin emphasized the U.S. commitment to strengthen security in Southeast Asia through unwavering support for ASEAN centrality. On the margins of ADMM Plus, Austin convened the first-ever meeting with defense leaders from Australia, Japan, the Philippines, and the Republic of Korea to discuss their shared commitment to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific, where international law and sovereignty are respected. The AUKUS partnership has two pillars. The first is to enable Australia's acquisition of conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine capability as rapidly as possible, most likely in the early 2030s. The second pillar is to accelerate emerging capabilities, including uncrewed maritime systems, artificial intelligence, autonomy, electronic warfare, quantum, cyber and hypersonics. On September 26, 2024, during a joint press conference with his Australian and UK counterparts, Defense Minister
Richard Marles and Defense Secretary Josh Healey, following the AUKUS Defense Ministerial Meeting in London, Austin said: "Together, we have reaffirmed the extraordinary strength of our AUKUS partnership and we showed our shared vision for an open, free, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific. Our three proud democracies share a deep and binding belief in the rules based international order and in a system that respects human rights upholds the rule of law and insists that disputes be resolved peacefully. We also understand that we are stronger together, and that's the lens that we all used again today." In a statement issued on September 15, 2023, marking the second anniversary of the establishment of AUKUS, Austin said: "I am incredibly proud of the tireless work of this department and our U.K. and Australian counterparts, and I am confident in the bright future of our historic partnership. Working together over these past two years, we have accelerated efforts toward our common goals faster than anyone would have thought possible." During his November 2024 visit to Australia, Austin met with Australian deputy prime minister Richard Marles and Japanese minister of defense Nakatani Gen for a historic Trilateral Defense Ministers' Meeting where they announced initiatives to expand the scale and scope of trilateral cooperation and enhance force posture in the region.
Afghanistan on June 25, 2021 On February 19, 2021, Austin told reporters at the Pentagon that the Biden administration had not yet determined whether the U.S. would withdraw all troops from Afghanistan by the May 1 deadline set by the Trump administration in February 2020 as part of the
Doha Agreement, a deal reached between the United States and the Taliban. The Biden administration was considering a six-month extension. On March 21, 2021, Austin met with Afghanistan president
Ashraf Ghani in
Kabul. That same month, Biden directed his national security team, including Austin, to begin withdrawal planning that accounted for a range of possible contingencies, including a
non-combatant evacuation operation (NEO). On April 14, 2021, in an address to the nation, President Biden announced that a new deadline for full withdrawal of all U.S. troops had been set for September 11, 2021. "After consulting closely with our allies and partners, with our military leaders and intelligence personnel, with our diplomats and our development experts, with the Congress and the Vice President, as well as with [Afghan president
Ashraf Ghani] and many others around the world, I concluded that it's time to end America's longest war. It's time for American troops to come home," he said. 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. 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." 's
Resolute Support Mission commander
Austin S. Miller in Kabul, Afghanistan, March 21, 2021 On August 12, 2021, following continued Taliban victories across Afghanistan, the Biden administration announced that 3,000 U.S. troops would be deployed to
Kabul Airport to evacuate embassy personnel, US nationals and
Special Immigrant Visa applicants. Over the next few weeks, the Defense Department oversaw one of the largest airlifts in history, evacuating more than 120,000 Americans, Afghans and people of other nationalities. On August 26, 2021, an ISIS-K terrorist detonated a suicide bomb at
Hamid Karzai International Airport, killing more than 170 civilians and 13 US service members. In a statement issued on the one-year anniversary of that devastating attack at Abbey Gate, Austin said: "The heroes we lost that day gave their lives to defend their teammates and to help save the lives of tens of thousands of innocent Afghan people who sought freedom and the opportunity for a better life." On August 30, 2021, the last American service member left Afghanistan. In December 2021, Austin directed an independent
After Action Review (AAR) be conducted to provide a detailed assessment of the Defense Department's implementation of US Afghanistan policy from January 2020 through August 2021. "The purpose of the AAR was to examine decision points, constraints, and assumptions in order to contribute toward a whole-of-government effort to learn, improve and incorporate lessons learned into the Department's response to future crises."
Ukraine (ICC) investigating
Russian war crimes in Ukraine, stating "I will always prioritize the protection of US military personnel in anything that we do." On February 24, 2022, Russian president
Vladimir Putin launched an
invasion of Ukraine, stating the "special military operation" is aimed at "demilitarization" and "denazification" of the country to protect ethnic Russians, prevent Kyiv's NATO membership and to keep it in Russia's "sphere of influence". During the invasion, the U.S. sent tens of billions of dollars in missiles, ammunition and other items to Ukraine. 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". Austin immediately ordered deployment of 7,000 U.S. military personnel and key enablers to locations across Europe in support of Ukraine. The next day, the
NATO Response Force was activated, and the Biden administration authorized $350 million in military assistance from Defense Department inventories, including anti-armor, small arms and various munitions, body armor, and related equipment. In March 2022, the Biden administration announced
$1 billion in security assistance to Ukraine, including direct transfers of Defense Department equipment to the
Ukrainian military. In total, as of September 26, 2024, the United States has committed more than $59.8 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the beginning of the Biden Administration, including approximately $59.1 billion through both presidential drawdown authority and the
Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative since the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. On April 24, 2022, Secretary Austin and Secretary of State
Antony Blinken visited
Kyiv, Ukraine, and met with President
Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other Ukrainian leaders. They discussed America's stalwart support for the Ukrainian government and Ukrainian people, including through the U.S.'s significant assistance to Ukraine's security, governance, economic and humanitarian needs. On April 26, 2022, Austin hosted a forum at
Ramstein Air Base, Germany, referred to as the
Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) (also known as the Ramstein Group), where nearly 40 nations met to discuss current and future efforts to provide support for Ukraine. In his opening comments he articulated the purpose of the gathering, "to help Ukraine win the fight against Russia's unjust invasion—and to build up Ukraine's defenses for tomorrow's challenges". Austin also made clear that the invasion of Ukraine was a "
war of choice". "Nobody is fooled by Putin's pretexts or by his phony claims on the
Donbas [region]", Austin said. "Let's be clear — Russia's invasion is indefensible, and so are Russian atrocities. We all start today from a position of moral clarity: Russia is waging a war of choice to indulge the ambitions of one man." "Russia's invasion is baseless, reckless and lawless," Austin said. It is an affront to the rules-based international order. It is a challenge to free people everywhere. And, as we see this morning, nations of goodwill from around the world stand united in our resolve to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia's imperial aggression. And that's the way it should be...The contact group will be a vehicle for nations of goodwill to intensify our efforts, coordinate our assistance, and focus on winning today's fight and the struggles to come. The monthly meetings may be in-person, virtual or mixed. And they'll extend the transparency, the integration, and the dialogue that we saw today. meeting with Ukrainian president
Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on April 24, 2022 On January 20, 2023, Austin traveled to Ramstein Air Base, Germany, to conduct the eighth such meeting of the
Ukraine Defense Contact Group. He was joined by ministers of defense and chiefs of defense from nearly 50 nations, including Ukrainian defense minister
Oleksiy Reznikov. The meeting produced an unprecedented level of donations from allies and partners, including the procurement of 31
M1 Abrams tanks for Ukraine by the U.S. as part of a $400 million
Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative package. On May 15, 2023, the Defense Department announced the arrival of the Abrams tanks to
Grafenwoehr, Germany in preparation for U.S.-led training of Ukrainian tank crews and maintainers before the tanks are sent to the front lines to arm Ukrainian forces. Austin refused to cooperate with the
International Criminal Court (ICC) investigating
Russian war crimes in Ukraine, consistent with long-standing policy that it might legitimize the ICC's investigation of
United States war crimes. During a May 2023
Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense hearing about the Department of Defense's (DoD) fiscal year 2024 budget request, Senator
Dick Durbin asked Austin: "Why are you reluctant to share [with the International Criminal Court] the evidence that we have gathered in the United States through the Department of Defense for those who are holding [Russian president] Vladimir Putin accountable for his war crimes?" Austin responded, "The Department firmly supports the goal of holding Russia accountable for its violations in Ukraine." But he added, "I will always prioritize the protection of US military personnel in anything that we do." When Durbin pushed him for further clarification, Austin said, "Again, I do have concerns about reciprocity [against U.S. military personnel] going forward." On May 25, 2023, Austin hosted the 12th meeting of the
UDCG, held virtually and attended by leaders from 50 countries. Austin told those gathered, "Today, we committed to doing even more to support Ukraine's fight for freedom. I came away from today's meeting as confident as ever in the contact group's resolve and sustained unity." On June 15, 2023, Austin delivered remarks at the 13th meeting of the UDCG, marking the United States' new package of more than $2 billion under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative. On July 17, 2023, he spoke at the 14th meeting of the UDCG, noting that "Russia's war of choice has now lasted more than 500 days. On September 19, 2023, at the 15th meeting of the UDCG, Austin said: Back in June, President Biden joined the leaders of the G7 in a joint declaration condemning, and I quote, "Russia's illegal, unjustifiable and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine. Those leaders committed to working together with Ukraine on long-term bilateral security commitments and arrangements to help secure its future. Since June, more than 22 countries have signed on to this statement and they've started working to further deepen their support for Ukraine now and in the years to come. in Kyiv, November 20, 2023 The U.S.-led coalition has grown to include more than 50 countries – from North America to Europe to the Indo-Pacific – providing military assistance to help Ukraine. Collectively, as of September 2024, they have committed more than $106 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since Russia launched its invasion. Contributing UDCG countries have supplied Ukraine with air defense, armor, artillery ammunition and, recently,
F-16 fighter jets, and the group of nations has also trained thousands of Ukrainian service members in these new capabilities. On November 20, 2023, Austin met with President Zelenskyy and Defense Minister
Rustem Umerov during an unannounced visit to Ukraine. It was his third visit as defense secretary and second since Russia's invasion. While in Kyiv, Austin announced a new security assistance package for Ukraine valued at up to $100 million. The package includes additional air defense capabilities, artillery ammunition, antitank weapons and other materials to help Ukrainian forces defend their territory amid Russia's ongoing assault. On December 2, 2023, in his keynote address at the Reagan National Defense Forum held at the
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum, Austin said, in part: We must continue to be clear to the American people about the stakes in Ukraine. Ukraine matters profoundly to America and to the entire world. And it matters for four key reasons. First, Putin’s war poses a stark and direct threat to security in Europe and beyond. Second, Putin’s aggression is a clear challenge to our NATO allies. Third, the Kremlin’s deliberate cruelty is an attack on our shared values of democracy and decency. And finally, Putin’s war is a frontal assault on the international rules-based order. So the outcome of this struggle will define global security for decades to come. And we don’t have the option of sitting it out. Austin went on to say: "If we do not stand up to the Kremlin’s naked aggression today, if we do not deter other would-be aggressors, we will only embolden them—and we will invite even more bloodshed and chaos. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine offers a grim preview of a world of tyranny and turmoil that should make us all shudder." On February 23, 2024, Austin issued a statement marking two years since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. In it he acknowledged the work and continued commitment of the 50 countries that compose the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. Since Putin started this war, this historic coalition has committed more than $87 billion in security assistance to Ukraine—including 15 U.S. allies that, as a percentage of GDP, contribute more to Ukraine's capability needs than the United States. On June 2, 2024, Austin met with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Singapore on the margins of the
Shangri-La Dialogue to reiterate unwavering U.S. support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. The two leaders pledged to further strengthen the strategic defense partnership between the United States and Ukraine. On June 13, 2024, Austin hosted the 23rd meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contract Group in Brussels, Belgium. He was joined by Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. “I am proud that this Contact Group has committed more than $98 billion dollars in security assistance to Ukraine since February 2022. And this coalition continues to find innovative and sustainable ways to rush in critical capabilities to meet Ukraine's most pressing needs," Austin said. On June 13, 2024, President Joe Biden and President Zelenskyy signed a 10-year bilateral security pact aimed at strengthening Ukraine's ability to defend itself in the present while also deterring aggression in the future. Per the agreement, the U.S. and Ukraine will spend the next 10 years building and maintaining Ukraine's credible defense and deterrence capability; strengthening Ukraine's capacity to sustain its fight over the long term; accelerating Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration; and consulting in the event of a future Russian armed attack against Ukraine. In his prepared remarks, President Zelenskyy said: Dear friends, today is a truly historic day. And we have signed the strongest agreement between Ukraine and the U.S. since our independence. And this is an agreement on security and thus on the protection of human life. This is an agreement on cooperation and thus on how our nations will become stronger. This is an agreement on steps to guarantee sustainable peace, and, therefore, it benefits everyone in the world because the Russian war against Ukraine is a real, real global threat. During a speech delivered at the Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine in Kyiv, Austin stated: When the largest military in Europe becomes a force of aggression, the whole continent feels the shock. When a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council tries to deny self-rule to more than 40 million people, the whole world feels the blow. And when a dictator puts his imperial fantasies ahead of the rights of a free people, the whole international system feels the outrage. And so that's why nations of goodwill from every corner of the planet have seen and have risen to Ukraine's defense. And that's why the United States and our allies and partners have proudly become the arsenal of Ukrainian democracy.In his remarks, Austin also emphasized the importance of continued U.S. and coalition support for Ukraine:For anyone who thinks that American leadership is expensive — well, consider the price of American retreat,” he said. “In the face of aggression, the price of principle is always dwarfed by the cost of capitulation. Our allies and partners know that. And I’ve been proud to watch the pro-Ukraine coalition dig deep. In a speech delivered at the National Archives Auditorium in
Luanda, Angola on September 27, Austin said:I'm here in Angola to strengthen that robust and equal partnership. But I'm also here to underscore an important point, and that is that Africa matters. It matters profoundly to the shape of the 21st Century world. And it matters for our common prosperity and our shared security.He went on to say: We know that the walk to freedom can be long, and no one gets it right all of the time. You know, I love my country so much that I fought for it, but America isn't trying to cover up for our imperfections. When a democracy falls short, when it falls short of its best traditions, as we all sometimes do, the whole world gets to see it. But that's not the point. The genius of a democracy is not that it's perfect. The genius of a democracy is that it can always open up space to let its citizen strive to live the universal values of freedom and self-government and human rights. And the genius of a democracy is that it is always a work in progress, and that's personal for me. I am a child of America's segregated South. I grew up in a time of legalized and racist segregation in America, and I stand here today in Africa as America's first black secretary of defense. Austin received a traditional clap-out ceremony as he departed the Pentagon on his final day on January 17, 2025. ==Personal life==