Oct. 3, 2017

Food, Water, Fuel Still Priorities for Puerto Rico; 9K Military Now Helping Effort

WASHINGTON — Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rossello briefed reporters on progress the unified collaboration of commonwealth and federal officials has made in delivering aid to the people of the island following Hurricane Maria ahead of a presidential visit.

Oct. 3, 2017

Understanding Maria's Damage and the Job Ahead for Puerto Rico

WASHINGTON — To understand the problems the people of Puerto Rico face, it is important to understand the violence of Hurricane Maria, which devastated the island Sept. 20 with wind, rain, storm surge and flooding, officials involved in the effort said.

Oct. 2, 2017

Unified Coordination Group Addressing Puerto Rico Recovery, Governor Says

WASHINGTON — Puerto Rican and federal officials are working as a unified coordination group and progress is being made, but Hurricane Maria's devastation was so widespread that the island remains in emergency mode, Gov. Ricardo Rossello said.

Sept. 29, 2017

DoD Continues Support in Hurricane-Ravaged Areas

WASHINGTON — DoD continues ongoing relief operations and deployment of additional response capacity in Puerto Rico, expanding airfield and seaport throughput and supporting Federal Emergency Management Agency requirements, a Pentagon spokesman said in a statement.

Sept. 28, 2017

Service Members Work With Puerto Rican, Federal Agencies to Help Island Recover

WASHINGTON — The Puerto Rican government is working closely with federal agencies, including the Defense Department, to recover from Hurricane Maria, a spokesperson for Deputy Defense Secretary Pat Shanahan said.

Sept. 28, 2017

Senate Confirms Dunford for Additional 2-Year Term as Chairman

WASHINGTON — The Senate has agreed to Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford’s reappointment for another two-year term as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Dunford will continue to serve as the principal military advisor to the president and the secretary of defense through Sept. 30, 2019.

Sept. 27, 2017

Northcom Protects Nation from Natural, Man-Made Threats, Commander Says

WASHINGTON — U.S. Northern Command is ready to defend the United States or provide aid to local and state authorities at a moment's notice when called upon, the commander of Northcom said at the Women in Defense Conference.

Sept. 27, 2017

DoD Officials Provide Update on Hurricane Relief Efforts

WASHINGTON — A Defense Department spokesman said that in Puerto Rico, enhanced communications and completed assessments are providing a clearer picture of the extent of the storm damage and the magnitude of the response challenge.

Sept. 26, 2017

Erosion of U.S. Military Capabilities Must Be Stopped, Chairman Tells Senators

WASHINGTON — Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford asked members of the Senate Armed Services Committee to provide adequate, stable budgets so that the Defense Department can fight today’s battles and prepare tomorrow’s force.

Sept. 26, 2017

Dunford: U.S. Faces Volatile, Complex Security Situations

WASHINGTON — The United States faces a volatile, unpredictable world and must keep up its guard, Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said during a reconfirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee.