‘BIG LESSON LEARNED’: If there’s a second wave of coronavirus infections, the Pentagon would likely deploy more doctors and fewer hospitals to aid areas experiencing an outbreak.
Speaking to the Associated Press as he flew back from a trip to the Marine Corps recruit base at Parris Island, South Carolina, Defense Secretary Mark Esper noted that the pop-up hospitals constructed in New York and other hot spots were underused, with the military medical staff ultimately being shifted to local hospitals to relieve overworked staff. Likewise, the hospital ships Comfort and Mercy turned out to be largely unneeded.
“I think that’s a big lesson learned,” Esper said.
SMALLER WAVES: Esper said if the virus returns, it’s likely to be in multiple smaller waves, which means the military response will be more targeted, focusing on providing masks, gowns, and other personal protective equipment along with doctors where needed.
“If one were to assume that the biggest wave that hit is the first wave, we’ve demonstrated that we have the hospital capacity, the ventilator capacity,” Esper said. “If we can handle that first wave, we can handle anything else after that.”
SHORTER QUARANTINE: Esper also said the latest science suggests a full 14-day quarantine for otherwise healthy troops may not be necessary. The Pentagon will be looking into whether a shorter quarantine may be sufficient.
The new guidance came directly from Dr. Anthony Fauci, the federal government’s top infectious-disease expert, and Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus task force coordinator, during a recent Pentagon meeting.
ESPER TESTED FOR ANTIBODIES: Esper also revealed that he has taken a serology test to determine if he has antibodies in his blood, which would indicate whether he may have some immunity to COVID-19.
Esper has never exhibited symptoms, but many people who get the infection remain asymptomatic. A positive test for antibodies would indicate an undetected infection in the recent past and, in theory, could provide some as yet unknown level of immunity.
Esper said he has not yet received the results of the test.
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HAPPENING TODAY: Esper, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley, and Senior Enlisted Adviser to the Chairman Ramon “CZ” Colon-Lopez will be holding a virtual town hall meeting at 9:30 a.m. to answer questions from service members, DOD civilians, and family members about COVID-19. Watch on https://www.defense.gov or https://www.facebook.com/DeptofDefense.
ALSO TODAY: Gen. Joseph Lengyel, chief of the National Guard Bureau, joins the Atlantic Council at 3:30 p.m. for a webinar titled “War against the Invisible: Heroism and Sacrifice in the National Guard’s Response to the Coronavirus.” Register at https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/event.
COVID NUMBERS: The number of cases of COVID-19 within the Department of Defense continues to inch up, with 9,276 total cases reported as of yesterday, an increase of 103 since Tuesday. Of those, 5,161 have recovered, 420 have required hospitalization, and 35 have died.
The Army yesterday identified the third deceased military member as 34-year-old Sgt. Simon Zamudio, who succumbed to complications related to COVID-19 Friday. Zamudio’s 70-year-old mother died of COVID-19 three days later on Memorial Day. Zamudio leaves behind a wife and infant daughter.
CROZIER’S FATE: The investigation into the Navy response to the coronavirus outbreak that sidelined the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt for two months and infected one-fifth of the ship’s nearly 5,000 sailors has wrapped, and the findings have been sent to the Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael Gilday.
While the investigation looked at all aspects of how Navy leaders handled the spread of the virus on the ship, it will also determine the fate of Capt. Brett Crozier, who was removed as the Roosevelt’s commanding officer but later recommended for reinstatement.
“The Chief of Naval Operations has received, and is reviewing the Command Investigation into the events surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt,” said Cmdr. Nate Christensen, the CNO’s spokesman. “It will take time for the investigation’s recommendations to be reviewed and endorsed by Adm. Gilday.”
RETURNING TO THE USS KIDD: Nearly 90 sailors have returned to duty aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Kidd, which has been recovering from a coronavirus outbreak pierside in San Diego since April 28.
The ship has been manned by a caretaker crew while the Navy tested and quarantined all crew members to determine which were healthy and could return to the ship.
“Before we clear any sailor to return to the ship, they must receive two separate negative test results,” said Vice Adm. Richard Brown, the commander of Naval Surface Forces. “Our No. 1 priority is to protect the health of our force and our families.”
CHINA RUBBER-STAMPS HONG KONG SECURITY LAW: China’s ceremonial legislature, the National People’s Congress, approved a new national security law for Hong Kong, which is intended to give Beijing the authority to crack down on “subversion, secession, [and] terrorism” in the semiautonomous city.
The vote was nearly unanimous, 2,878 to 1, with 6 abstentions.
“Early signals from Chinese authorities point to a crackdown once the law takes effect, which is expected by September,” reports the New York Times. “Activist groups could be banned. Courts could impose long jail sentences for national security violations. China’s feared security agencies could operate openly in the city.”
HONG KONG NO LONGER AUTONOMOUS: In advance of the vote, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo notified Congress that in accordance with the Hong Kong Policy Act, he has determined that Hong Kong is no longer autonomous and therefore not entitled to preferential trade and financial status.
“After careful study of developments over the reporting period, I certified to Congress today that Hong Kong does not continue to warrant treatment under United States laws in the same manner as U.S. laws were applied to Hong Kong before July 1997,” Pompeo said in a statement. “No reasonable person can assert today that Hong Kong maintains a high degree of autonomy from China, given facts on the ground.”
“This decision gives me no pleasure,” he said. “But sound policy making requires a recognition of reality. While the United States once hoped that free and prosperous Hong Kong would provide a model for authoritarian China, it is now clear that China is modeling Hong Kong after itself.”
The certification puts China on notice but does not trigger any immediate penalties, which will be up to President Trump and Congress.
MENENDEZ VS. POMPEO: Meanwhile, New Jersey Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez, a frequent Pompeo critic, is accusing the secretary of state of cooking up another arms deal with Saudi Arabia that would circumvent congressional restrictions.
In an op-ed for CNN, Menendez said the alleged multimillion-dollar arms deal follows new reports that ousted State Department Inspector General Steve Linick was actively investigating Pompeo’s emergency declaration last year that cleared the way for $8 billion in arms to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
“While the Trump administration cannot seem to be bothered to build a political coalition to combat the biggest pandemic in a century, they recently managed to find a way to double down on President Donald Trump’s repulsive embrace of Saudi Arabia’s murderous regime,” wrote Menendez. “And as usual, it involves arms. The administration is currently trying to sell thousands more precision-guided bombs to the President’s ‘friend,’ Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.”
INHOFE STILL BATTLING THE FCC OVER LIGADO: Armed Services Committee Chairman Sen. Jim Inhofe is still hopping mad about the Federal Communications Commission’s refusal to reconsider its approval of Ligado Networks to build a terrestrial 5G network that the Pentagon and others say will interfere with GPS signals crucial to commerce and national security.
Inhofe said that in a conference call with the House Armed Services Committee, FCC officials admitted they never received classified briefings about the concerns of 13 federal agencies, which all oppose the move.
“I am disappointed by the FCC’s Ligado decision. The FCC is the only federal government entity that thinks this is a good idea,” said Rep. Mike Turner, ranking member of the subcommittee on strategic forces. “I was concerned when I asked the FCC officials on the call if they had convinced any other agency this was good policy or if they had made an attempt to receive a classified briefing on the effects of their decision and their answer was no.”
GIVE THE PARADE A REST: Members of the Washington, D.C., area’s congressional delegation, all Democrats, have written the secretaries of defense and interior to urge that there be no repeat of last year’s lavish “Salute to America” parade on the Fourth of July.
“Given the current COVID-19 crisis, we believe such an event would needlessly risk the health and safety of thousands of Americans,” wrote Virginia Rep. Don Beyer in a letter signed by both Maryland senators and seven representatives from the area. “The National Capital Region is currently experiencing some of the worst impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Stay-at-home orders are in effect in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia, with confirmed cases and deaths in many jurisdictions still on the rise.”
Last year’s event cost more than $5.4 million, including $2.45 million from Park Service funds, and $1.2 million from the Pentagon budget. “With the catastrophic hit that our economy has taken due to the COVID-19 crisis, it is not only financially wasteful to plan a second ‘Salute to America’ event, but has the potential to again inappropriately pull funds from necessary accounts already under economic strain,” the letter continues.
JULY 4TH TO GO FORTH: Despite the warning that the area may not be ready to host a massive gathering of people on the National Mall just six weeks from now, White House spokesman Judd Deere said Tuesday the president still wants to hold an event with appropriate precautions.
“As President Trump has said, there will be an Independence Day celebration this year, and it will have a different look than 2019 to ensure the health and safety of those attending,” Deere said, according to the Associated Press. “The American people have shown tremendous courage and spirit in the fight against this global pandemic, just as our forefathers did in the fight to secure our independence, and both deserve celebration on America’s birthday this year.”
INDUSTRY WATCH: Boeing announced yesterday that it is laying off 6,770 workers as part of its plans to shed 12,000 jobs and said more cuts are coming as it seeks to reduce its workforce of 160,000 by 10%. The aerospace giant offered voluntary buyouts, which were taken by 5,520, but that was not enough to meet the company’s reduction-in-force goals.
“Now we have come to the unfortunate moment of having to start involuntary layoffs,” said Boeing President and CEO Dave Calhoun in a statement to workers. “I wish there were some other way.”
“We will provide all the support we can to those of you impacted by the [involuntary layoffs] — including severance pay, COBRA health care coverage for U.S. employees and career transition services,” Calhoun said. “The COVID-19 pandemic’s devastating impact on the airline industry means a deep cut in the number of commercial jets and services our customers will need over the next few years, which in turn means fewer jobs on our lines and in our offices.”
CSBA FELLOW: The Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments has appointed Chris Bassler as a senior fellow. Bassler, who holds a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering, previously served as the chief strategy officer for the F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office.
“American strategic innovation depends on thought leaders with a mastery of emerging technologies, a deep understanding of joint warfighting, and sound judgments about defense resources,” said Thomas Mahnken, president and CEO of CSBA. “With more than 60 published scientific papers and technical reports, two U.S. Patents, and numerous highly decorated positions across the Department of Defense, Chris embodies these key traits.”
The Rundown
Washington Examiner: Trump to mull ‘targeted’ response to China’s encroachment on Hong Kong
Breaking Defense: Trump To Nominate New NBC Leader As White House Eyes Nuke Tests
AP: Russia cases increase; 3rd highest in the world
Washington Post: Pentagon Planning For Trump Troop Cuts In Afghanistan
Talk Media News: DARPA did not know its name, but was ready to go after COVID-19 — and the results may soon be in
Bloomberg: South Korea Reports Biggest Jump In Virus Cases In Almost Two Months
Reuters: EU Keeps Defence Fund Alive With 8 Billion Euro Proposal
CNN: China’s Defense Budget Shows Xi’s Priorities As Economy Tightens
Wall Street Journal: U.S. to Stop Allowing Foreign Companies to Facilitate Iran’s Civil Nuclear Program
UNSI News: New Cyber Office Will Unify NAVSEA’s Digital Efforts
AP: Failed Maduro coup leader flew on pro-govt magnate’s plane
National Interest: Marines to Receive Modular Handgun—First New Pistol in 35 Years
Marine Corps Times: How The Marine Corps Is Conducting A Modernization Overhaul Of Infantry Weapons
Breaking Defense: Air Force Weaponizing Cargo Planes For All-Domain Ops: ‘Bomb Bay In A Box’
Defense Daily: Navy Releases RFP For LCS and LUSV Combat System Integration And Testing
War on the Rocks: Commentary by Sen. Jim Inhofe and Jack Reed: The Pacific Deterrence Initiative: Peace Through Strength In The Indo-Pacific
Calendar
THURSDAY | MAY 28
12 p.m. — Atlantic Council webinar: “A Post-Conflict Libya?” with Ahmed Maitig, deputy prime minister of the Libyan Government of National Accord; former Egyptian Ambassador to Lebanon, South Africa, and Yemen Mohamed Zayed; Mehmet Ogutcu, former Turkish diplomat and chairman of the Global Resources Partnership; and Karim Mezran, senior fellow at the Atlantic Council. https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/events/#allevents
12:30 p.m. — Atlantic Council webinar: “The United States and the European Union — Allies or Rivals?” with former U.S. Ambassador to the European Union Anthony Luzzatto Gardner; former Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns; and Frances Burwell, fellow at the Atlantic Council. https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/event
2 p.m. — Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments virtual roundtable examining the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic for the future competitive balance between the United States and China, with Tim Junio, CEO and co-founder, Expanse; Heino Klinck, deputy assistant secretary of defense; Vance Serchuk, executive director, KKR Global Institute; retired Adm. Sandy Winnefeld, former vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and moderated by Thomas Mahnken, president and CEO of CSBA. https://zoom.us/webinar/register
3:30 p.m. — Atlantic Council Commanders Series webinar: “War against the Invisible: Heroism & Sacrifice in the National Guard’s Response to the Coronavirus,” with Gen. Joseph Lengyel, chief of the National Guard Bureau. https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/event
FRIDAY | MAY 29
9:30 a.m. — Center for Strategic and International Studies webcast: “Artificial Intelligence (AI), Defense, and Intelligence,” with Air Force Lt. Gen. Jack Shanahan, director of the Defense Department’s Joint Artificial Intelligence Center. https://www.csis.org/events/online-event
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“We have come to the unfortunate moment of having to start involuntary layoffs … I wish there were some other way.”
Boeing President and CEO Dave Calhoun, announcing the company would be cutting nearly 12,000 jobs worldwide through layoffs and buyouts.
