Bilateral Meeting Between Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper and ROK Minister of Defense Kyeong-doo Jeong

Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper will host a
bilateral meeting with the Minister of Defense from the Republic of
Korea (ROK), Kyeong-doo Jeong, at the Pentagon on Monday, February 24,
2020 at 1630 EST.  The two leaders will discuss a range of bilateral
issues including the regional security environment, policy towards the
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), transition of wartime
operational control (OPCON), and the U.S. ROK Special Measures Agreement
(SMA). 

The U.S.-ROK Special Measures Agreement helps to offset the
significant cost of stationing U.S. forces within the Republic of
Korea.  Contributions are divided across three categories: Korean
National labor, ROK funded construction, and logistics, with the vast
majority of SMA contributions going back into the ROK economy. Funding
provided under the 10th Special Measures Agreement lapsed on December
31, 2019. 

Since then, in the absence of ROK agreement to a new SMA that covers
costs more equitably, U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) has taken the additional
step to enable continuity of its operations by programming U.S. funds to
sustain the salaries of its Korean National workforce.  These U.S.
funds will be exhausted on Tuesday, March 31, 2020, unless the ROK
government agrees to materially increase its support for U.S. forces
committed to the defense of the ROK.  If agreement cannot be reached on a
comprehensive new SMA, it will be necessary to furlough most KN
employees on April 1, 2020, and suspend many construction and logistics
activities.

USFK has been conducting continuous planning to mitigate risk to
life, health, safety and minimize impacts to readiness. The Department
of Defense will fund critical USFK logistics cost sharing contracts and
the salaries of key USFK Korean National employees who provide these
services. All other services supported by KN employees will need to be
suspended in an orderly and deliberate fashion. 

Furloughs may be avoided if the ROK agrees to a more equitable SMA. 
The United States remains committed to negotiating a mutually acceptable
agreement which provides for fair and equitable burden sharing and
strengthens the U.S.-ROK alliance.

SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIALS HOLD NEWS CONFERENCE

Jonathan Rath Hoffman, assistant to the secretary of defense for public affairs, and Navy Rear Adm. William D. Byrne Jr., Joint Staff vice director, takes questions from reporters at the Pentagon, Feb. 19, 2020.

Chairman Thompson Statement on President Trump Again Diverting Billions from Pentagon to Pay for His Wall

Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on news the Trump Administration is funneling $3.8 billion from the Department of Defense to fund his wasteful border wall:

“Once
again, President Trump’s obsession over his border wall and fulfilling a
campaign promise comes at the expense of our national security.  The
Pentagon is not a piggy bank to help the President
win reelection.  To be clear, the President’s wall is a waste and will
not secure the border.  Nevertheless, the President continues to
wantonly steal money that Congress appropriated for the Defense
Department and funnel it to border wall construction.  Congress
holds the power of the purse.  We must act – we cannot sit idly by and
allow him to flout the Constitution and disrespect the separation of
powers.”

Statement on the Deployment of Army’s 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade to Africa

Attributable to Chief Pentagon Spokesperson Alyssa Farah

''The Secretary of Defense has been conducting a comprehensive review of DoD forces, programs and activities within each Combatant Command to ensure alignment with the National Defense Strategy's priorities. U.S. Africa Command was the first to present their findings and recommendations.  As part of this review and in order to better compete with China and Russia in Africa, the Secretary is directing the deployment of elements of the Army's 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade (SFAB) to the continent to conduct train, advise, and assist missions in spotlight African countries. This is the first of many decisions regarding AFRICOM's mission.

Army SFABs are manned, trained and equipped specifically for the train, advise and assist mission.  This allows them to perform this important ''great power competition'' role more effectively and more efficiently than conventional units.  In addition to meeting combatant command requirements on the continent, the deployment of the SFAB will help improve Army readiness by reducing the demand for brigade combat teams to conduct security force assistance operations there.

The deployment of the SFAB allows the Army to return elements of an infantry brigade from the 101st Airborne Division back to its home base of Ft. Campbell, KY, allowing it to train and prepare for high intensity conflict operations. Deployment of the 1st SFAB and return of 101st Airborne Division personnel will commence in the coming weeks. This realignment and rightsizing of mission requirements demonstrates the Department's commitment to implementing the National Defense Strategy and our continuing commitment to our African partners.''

Pentagon Official Meets Somali Ambassador in Pentagon

Pete Marocco, deputy assistant secretary of defense for African affairs, met with the Somali Ambassador to the United States to further U.S. partnerships.

Defense Secretary Esper Meets With Israeli Minister of Defense Bennett

Department of Defense Chief Pentagon Spokesperson Jonathan R. Hoffman provided the following readout:

Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper met with Israeli Minister of
Defense Naftali Bennett at the Pentagon on February 4. The visit marked
the first meeting between the two leaders, and focused on reaffirming
the longstanding defense relationship between the United States and
Israel. 

The two discussed a broad range of defense-related issues to include
regional threats, shared interests, and the importance of maintaining a
strong military-to-military partnership moving forward.

Minister Bennett thanked Secretary Esper for his continued support
for Israel's inherent right to self-defense and the United States
reiterated a strong commitment towards ensuring Israel's Qualitative
Military Edge.

Defense Secretary Esper Meets With Israeli Minister of Defense Bennett

Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper met with Israeli Minister of Defense Naftali Bennett at the Pentagon on February 4. The visit marked the first meeting between the two leaders, and focused on reaffirming the longstanding defense relationship between the United States and Israel. 

The two discussed a broad range of defense-related issues to include regional threats, shared interests, and the importance of maintaining a strong military-to-military partnership moving forward.

Minister Bennett thanked Secretary Esper for his continued support for Israel's inherent right to self-defense and the United States reiterated a strong commitment towards ensuring Israel's Qualitative Military Edge.