‘Social distancing’ and workplace wipedowns come to the Pentagon in wake of coronavirus threat

“We had a meeting at a senior level that is normally as many people as you can cram into a room for a meeting,” Hoffman told reporters. “And we actually broke that out over a number of rooms and did it, the meeting, via video conference between different rooms in an effort to begin implementing social distancing among the senior leadership.” Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Gen. Mark Milley were in the same room but sitting 6 feet apart.

To underscore the point, several reporters attending the afternoon briefing on coronavirus mitigation procedures were admonished for sitting too close together and directed to spread out.

INDIVIDUAL RISK LOW: “The immediate risk to our force remains low across the force, and I want to be very clear about that,” said Brig. Gen. Paul Friedrichs, joint staff surgeon. “We’ve had a handful of cases around the world. No one is seriously ill at this point.”

So far, there are only three active-duty troops who have tested positive for the coronavirus, two in the United States and one in South Korea. Seven other people are said to be under investigation for possible exposure.

FEEL A COLD COMING ON? TELEWORK: “The really important discussion to have right now is implementing the appropriate mitigation measures to reduce the risk of more people becoming infected,” said Friedrichs. “We are very aggressively messaging that within the military to implement that now within work spaces, wiping down surfaces so that if someone does cough or sneeze, the surfaces are getting regularly wiped down to minimize the exposure to the virus.

“You know, covering your mouth when you cough,” he said. “All of the things that my mom told me years and years and years ago.”

The Pentagon, along with other federal agencies, has been given waivers to approve widespread telework, which normally can be counted only under tight rules. “If you feel like you have a cold coming on, stay home. And so, one of the triggers that’s — if you’re sick, for heaven’s sake, don’t come in and share that.”

THE BIG ‘KNOWN UNKNOWN’: Friedrichs echoed what CDC officials have said, that a vaccine and approved treatment for COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus, are both still a long way off.

“A new vaccine for a new virus, as is the case right now, takes months to develop, and then it has to go through safety testing, and then it has to go through broader testing to see how effective it is,” he said. “Similarly, medical countermeasures are being tested right now, but we don’t have a firm timeline for when we will know how effective they are.”

But the big question is whether the COVID-19 virus is seasonal, like the flu. “That is a known unknown for us right now, as to whether this will be a seasonal outbreak or whether this will continue,” said Friedrichs. “That’s an important part of the analysis of the risk to this, because if it’s seasonal, then we would expect to see the number of cases dropping off as the weather warms up. If it’s not seasonal, then we won’t see that, and we’ll just continue dealing with this as we move forward through the spring, into the summer.”

RELATED: Washington Examiner: Commander of US Army Europe isolated after potential exposure to coronavirus

MILITARY HOUSING CRUISE SHIP PASSENGERS: The Pentagon also announced it will be providing quarantine housing at four military bases for the more than 3,500 people being evacuated from the cruise ship Grand Princess, now docked at the Port of Oakland. So far, 21 passengers are confirmed to be infected with the new virus.

The bases are Travis Air Force Base and Miramar Marine Corps Air Station in California, Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, and Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Georgia.

“The Department of Defense is just providing the facilities,” said Robert Salesses, deputy assistant secretary of defense for homeland defense. “And those facilities are single rooms with single bathrooms. That’s what HHS required.”

The Department of Health and Human Services is providing what’s called “wraparound services,” including providing meals and ensuring that the people get proper medical attention.

Good Tuesday morning and welcome to Jamie McIntyre’s Daily on Defense, written and compiled by Washington Examiner National Security Senior Writer Jamie McIntyre (@jamiejmcintyre) and edited by David Sivak. Email here with tips, suggestions, calendar items, and anything else. Sign up or read current and back issues at DailyonDefense.com. If signing up doesn’t work, shoot us an email, and we’ll add you to our list. And be sure to follow us on Twitter: @dailyondefense.

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HAPPENING TODAY, THE DRAWDOWN BEGINS: As stipulated in the Feb. 29 agreement signed with the Taliban, the U.S. military says it has begun the phased drawdown of U.S. troops in Afghanistan, from 12,000 over the next four and one-half months.

“U.S. Forces Afghanistan has begun its conditions-based reduction of forces to 8,600 over 135 days,” said spokesman Col. Sonny Leggett in a statement. “USFOR-A maintains all the military means and authorities to accomplish our objectives — including conducting counterterrorism operations against al Qaeda and ISIS-K and providing support to the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces.”

DUELING INAUGURATIONS: Meanwhile in Kabul, incumbent President Asraf Ghani and his main political rival, Abdullah Abdullah, who both claim victory in Afghanistan’s disputed election, were each sworn in as president in separate ceremonies.

Ghani, who was declared the winner of the September elections with 51% of the vote, announced preparations for negotiations with the Taliban and will be issuing a decree freeing 1,000 Taliban prisoners, according to Reuters.

At the State Department, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the U.S. “strongly supports a unified and sovereign Afghanistan and is engaged in intensive efforts for peace” and welcomed statements from both Ghani and Abdullah while seeming to side with Ghani, who was sworn in at a ceremony attended by U.S. Special Envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad.

“We strongly oppose any action to establish a parallel government, and any use of force to resolve political differences,” said Pompeo in a statement. “We also welcome President Ghani’s announcement that he will issue a decree March 10 on Taliban prisoner release and the formation of a national team for intra-Afghan negotiations … We appreciate Dr. Abdullah’s statement March 9 underscoring similar commitments to peace and inclusivity.”

ALSO TODAY: Deputy Defense Secretary David Norquist testifies at 10 a.m. before the House Budget Committee on the Pentagon’s FY 2021 budget request.

KIA IN IRAQ: Two U.S. special operations troops were killed Sunday during a combat operation in Iraq, marking the first American combat deaths in the country this year, writes Zachary Halaschak in the Washington Examiner.

The two service members, who have yet to be identified, were part of a Marine Corps special operations team helping Iraqi forces clearing the Islamic State from a large cave complex in the northern region of Iraq near Makhmur.

Additional forces were sent out to recover the bodies, according to a statement provided to the Washington Examiner by a spokesperson with the U.S.-led coalition to the region.

“The forces meticulously trekked through mountainous terrain and eliminated four hostile ISIS fighters who were barricaded in the caves. The recovery took approximately six hours,” the statement said. “We can confirm that four ISIS fighters were killed during the recovery operation. The U.S. forces were able to safely recover the two U.S. service members by eliminating the threat.”

NOMINATIONS: The Senate Armed Services Committee this morning considers the nominations of Matthew P. Donovan to be under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness, William Jordan Gillis to be assistant secretary of defense for sustainment, and Victor G. Mercado to be assistant secretary of defense for strategy, plans, and capabilities.

TRUTH IN SPENDING: The nonprofit, nonpartisan group Truth in Accounting is out with its second Defense Department Audit Report Card, which audits the performance of 18 DoD component entities.

This year’s report found that the best-performing DoD entities were:

• The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers — Civil Works
• Military Retirement Fund
• Defense Health Agency — CRM
• Department of Veterans Affairs

“Other DoD entities can learn from these four to improve their auditability going forward,” the report’s authors note.

The Rundown

Washington Examiner: ‘Fragile’ Europe faces new influx of radicalized Syrian refugees

Washington Examiner: Judge finds Iran responsible for Robert Levinson’s kidnapping in $1.5B lawsuit

Washington Examiner: Defense research agreement draws Brazilian populist closer to Trump orbit

New York Times: U.S. Reviews Iraq Mission After Troops Die

Defense News: Coronavirus Shaking Up America’s Defense Industry

USNI News: Navy Kicks Off Study Of Next-Generation Carriers, Naval Aviation

Breaking Defense: Navy Needs Bigger Budget Than Other Services: Rep. Wittman

Defense News: Japan Commissions Its First Submarine Running On Lithium-Ion Batteries

Stars and Stripes: Quantico Closes Base Schools For A Deep Clean After Marine Tests Positive For Coronavirus

USNI News: Navy Bars Families From Recruit, Officer Graduations Over Coronavirus Concerns

Washington Post: Jury in CIA leaks case fails to reach a verdict on most serious charges

AP: EU, Turkey to review migrant deal as border tensions simmer

AP: North Korea says Kim supervised 2nd artillery drill in week

Military.com: The Marine Corps May Want a Version of Army’s Next-Gen Squad Weapon

Defense News: Pentagon Awards Contracts To Design Mobile Nuclear Reactor

AP: UN Watchdog: Iran Providing Access To Active Nuclear Sites

Calendar

TUESDAY | MARCH 10

8:30 a.m. 1 Constitution Ave. N.E. — Air Force Association’s Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies discussion: “The Importance of Space in the Air Force,” with Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett. http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register

10 a.m. 210 Cannon — House Budget Committee hearing on Pentagon’s FY 2021 budget request, with Deputy Defense Secretary David Norquist. https://budget.house.gov/legislation/hearings

10 a.m. 2118 Rayburn — House Armed Services Committee hearing “National Security Challenges and U.S. Military Activities in the Greater Middle East and Africa,” with Kathryn Wheelbarger, assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs; Gen. Frank McKenzie, commander, U.S. Central Command; Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command. https://armedservices.house.gov/hearings

2 p.m. 2118 Rayburn — House Armed Services Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces Hearing: “Department of Defense Tactical and Rotary Aircraft Acquisition and Modernization Programs in the FY21 President’s Budget Request,” with Bruce Jette, assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics, and technology; Brig. Gen. Walter Rugen, director, future vertical lift cross-functional team, Army Futures Command; James Geurts, assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development, and acquisition; Lt. Gen. Steven Rudder, deputy Marine Corps Commandant for Aviation; Rear Adm. Greg Harris, director, air warfare office of the Chief of Naval Operations; William Roper, assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, technology and logistics; Gen. James Holmes, commander, Air Combat Command; Lt. Gen. David Nahom, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Requirements. https://armedservices.house.gov/hearings

2:30 p.m. 2212 Rayburn — House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel Hearing: “Domestic Violence in the Military Services — What is Being Done to Reduce the Scourge of these Abhorrent Crimes?” with Dolores Geise, director, Soldier and Family Readiness, U.S. Army; Lolita Allen, Navy counseling, advocacy, and prevention program manager; Col. Patrick Pohle, chief, Air Force Family Advocacy Program; Lisa Eaffaldano, assistant branch head, Prevention and Clinical Services, U.S. Marines Corps. https://armedservices.house.gov/hearings

4:30 p.m. White House East Room — President Trump presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to retired Gen. Jack Keane, former vice chief of staff of the Army. https://events.whitehouse.gov

WEDNESDAY | MARCH 11

7 a.m. 2425 Wilson Blvd,, Arl — Association of the United States Army Breakfast series, with Lt. Gen. Scott Berrier, deputy chief of staff of the Army G-2 (intelligence). https://www.ausa.org/events/breakfast-series-berrier

8:30 a.m. 14th and F St. N.W. — Woodrow Wilson Center’s Africa Program, the Institute for Defense Analyses, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence “Africa Symposium: Advancing Africa’s Governance, Peace, and Security,” with Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for West Africa and Security Affairs Whitney Baird delivering remarks, Maj. Gen. Christopher Craige, director of strategy, engagement, and programs at U.S. Africa Command. https://www.wilsoncenter.org/event/africa-symposium

9 a.m. 801 Mt. Vernon Pl. N.W. — Access Intelligence LLC Satellite Conference and Exhibition, with Air Force Lt. Gen. David Thompson, vice commander of the Air Force Space Command, Clare Grason, chief of the Air Force Space Command’s Commercial Satellite Communications Office; and Derek Tournear, director of the Space Development Agency. https://www.satshow.com/

10 a.m. 214 Massachusetts Ave. N.E. — Heritage Foundation discussion with White House national security adviser Robert O’Brien. https://www.heritage.org/defense/event

10 a.m. 2118 Rayburn — House Armed Services Committee hearing “National Security Challenges and U.S. Military Activity in North and South America,” with Kenneth Rapuano, assistant secretary of defense for homeland defense and global security; Adm. Craig Faller, commander, U.S. Southern Command; Gen. Terrence O’Shaughnessy, commander, U.S. Northern Command. https://armedservices.house.gov/hearings

2 p.m. 2118 Rayburn — House Armed Services Subcommittee on Intelligence and Emerging Threats and Capabilities Hearing: “Reviewing Department of Defense Science and Technology Strategy, Policy, and Programs for Fiscal Year 2021: Maintaining a Robust Ecosystem for Our Technological Edge,” with Michael Griffin, under secretary of defense for research and engineering; Bruce Jette, assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics, and technology; James Geurts, assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development, and acquisition; William Roper, assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, technology, and logistics. https://armedservices.house.gov/hearings

2:30 p.m. 2212 Rayburn — House Armed Services Subcommittees on Seapower and Projection Forces and Readiness Joint Hearing: “Sealift and Mobility Requirements in Support of the National Defense Strategy,” with Gen. Steve Lyons, commander, U.S. Transportation Command; Mark Buzby, U.S. Maritime Administration; Vice Adm. Ricky Williamson, deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Lt. Gen. David Nahom, Air Force deputy chief of staff for plans and programs. https://armedservices.house.gov/hearings

2:30 p.m. 106 Dirksen — Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel hearing on programs in the Department of Defense, with Matthew Donovan, performing the duties of the under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness; Virginia Penrod, acting assistant secretary of defense for manpower and reserve affairs; Thomas McCaffery, assistant secretary of defense for health affairs; Thomas Constable, acting assistant secretary of defense for readiness; Elizabeth Van Winkle, executive director, office of force resiliency. https://www.armed-services.senate.gov/hearings

6 p.m. 1957 E St. N.W. — George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs discussion on “The State of the Transatlantic Alliance,” with former NATO Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller. http://elliott.gwu.edu

THURSDAY | MARCH 12

9 a.m. 2118 Rayburn — House Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness Hearing: “FY21 Navy and Marine Corps Readiness Posture,” with James Geurts, assistant secretary of the Navy, research, development, and acquisition; Adm. Robert Burke, vice chief of naval operations; Gen. Gary Thomas, assistant Marine Corps commandant. https://armedservices.house.gov/hearings

9:30 a.m. 2212 Rayburn — House Armed Services Subcommittee Strategic Forces hearing: “FY21 Priorities for Missile Defense and Missile Defeat Programs,” with Gen. Terrence O’Shaughnessy, commander, U.S. Northern Command; Vice Adm. Jon Hill, director, Missile Defense Agency; Lt. Gen. Daniel Karbler, commanding general, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command; Rob Soofer, deputy assistant secretary of defense for nuclear and missile defense policy; Cristina Chaplain, director, contracting and national security acquisitions team, Government Accountability Office. https://armedservices.house.gov/hearings

10 a.m. 2301 Constitution Ave. N.W. — United States Institute of Peace discussion on “A Peace Regime for the Korean Peninsula,” with Scott Snyder, director of the Council on Foreign Relations Program on U.S.-Korea Policy; Kathleen Stephens, president and CEO of the Korea Economic Institute; Jacob Stokes, senior policy analyst at USIP; Joseph Yun, senior adviser at USIP; Frank Aum, senior expert on North Korea at USIP; and Patricia Kim, senior policy analyst at USIP. https://www.usip.org/index.php/events/peace-regime-korean-peninsula

2 p.m. 214 Massachusetts Ave. N.E. — Heritage Foundation discussion on “Shining a Spotlight on Human Rights in North Korea,” with Kwang Cheol-Hwan, founder and chairman of the North Korea Strategy Center; Eiko Kawasaki, chairwoman of Action for Korea United; and Greg Scarlatoiu, executive director of the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea. http://www.heritage.org

4 p.m. 1521 16th St. N.W. — Institute of World Politics lecture on “The Role of the U.S. Military Under the NDS (National Defense Strategy) Over the Next Decade,” with Col. Jon Duke, deputy director of operations at the Marine Corps Headquarters. https://www.iwp.edu/events

FRIDAY | MARCH 13

8 a.m. 1135 16th St. N.W. — American Bar Association Standing Committee on Law and National Security breakfast, with Special Inspector General John Sopko discussing “Corruption: A Threat to Rule of Law and Sustainable Peace in Afghanistan.” https://www.americanbar.org/news

9:30 a.m. 1616 Rhode Island Ave. N.W. — Center for Strategic and International Studies discussion on “Army Air and Missile Defense,” with Maj. Gen. Robert Rasch, program executive officer for Army Missiles and Space; Brig. Gen. Brian Gibson, director of the Army Air and Missile Defense Cross-Functional Team; Barbara Treharne, senior analyst at the Joint Integrated Air and Missile Defense Organization; Brian Green, nonresident senior associate at CSIS; and Thomas Karako, director of the CSIS Missile Defense Project. http://www.csis.org

10:30 a.m. — Carnegie Endowment for International Peace discussion on “France’s Defense Strategy,” with French Ambassador to the U.S. Philippe Etienne; and former Deputy Secretary of State William Burns, president of CEIP. http://carnegieendowment.org/