Air Force Secretary Michael Donley, Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz, and CMSAF James Roy recently signed a “Declaration on Diversity,” which emphasized the importance of diversity to mission success at both the tactical and strategic levels. “In our global operations in defense of the nation, cross-cultural competencies are key to mission success. On a tactical level, mission success requires the unique experiences and talents of airmen of various backgrounds, ethnicities, races, genders, and cultural experiences,” states the memo, which is dated Oct. 14, but was released Nov. 1. “On a strategic level, a diverse force empowers airmen to transcend merely learning about other cultures, and to strive for deeper, more meaningful global relationships.” Diversity “is a necessity” that encourages “unit cohesion,” states the memorandum to airmen. “In conducting missions throughout the world, we have found the sincerity of our beliefs in American values is often measured by the breadth of the people whom we deploy,” it continues. (AFNS release)
As the Pentagon increasingly pivots its focus to strategic competition with China, the U.S. will look to expand its partnership with South Korea to increase security across the entire Indo-Pacific region, Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III said Dec. 2 during a visit to the northeastern Asian nation.