Austin, Milley Honor Courage, Sacrifice of Afghanistan Veterans

U.S. European Command is processing and transporting thousands of evacuees from Afghanistan to the United States and this process will become more intense in the coming days, the commander of U.S. European Command said.

Military leaders involved in precision fires should be prepared — and prepare soldiers — to operate without space capability in case the environment is denied or degraded, the Spacecom commander said.

Because of its sophistication, diversity and capacity to innovate, the U.S. Defense Industrial Base remains the envy of the world, Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen H. Hicks said.

The Defense Department observes Suicide Prevention Month in September by bringing greater attention to suicide prevention efforts and connecting the military community to resources.

Twenty years later, the Defense Department honors the memories of those who died during the 9/11 terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and in Shanksville, Pa.

Pentagon firefighter Alan Wallace remembers the early morning sky at the Pentagon on 9/11 as hauntingly blue, without a cloud or contrail in sight — "the darkest blue sky that you are ever going to see in your lifetime."

The United States will continue to urge Russia to end its illegal occupation of Ukraine's Crimea and looks to strengthen bonds with Ukraine, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said.

Photos from the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001, serve as a powerful reminder of the day, showing scenes that will remain seared in the minds of many forever.

President Joe Biden expressed his appreciation to the service members who airlifted more than 120,000 people to safety from Kabul, Afghanistan.

Two New York Air National Guardsmen supporting air defense on 9/11 share their recollections.