President Biden in remarks during his first visit to the Pentagon as Commander-in-Chief announced the creation of a China Task Force to evaluate Department of Defense strategies to address China’s challenges.
The task force, which will be led by Special Assistant to the Minister of Defense, dr. Ely Ratner, will include up to 15 civil and uniform employees of the Department of Defense. It will review strategy, operational concepts, technology and power structure as well as defense relations with China.
“It will require a whole effort from the government, a dual cooperation in Congress and strong relations and partnerships,” Biden said. “This is how we will tackle China’s challenge and ensure that the American people win the competition of the future.”
The task force has four months to prepare recommendations for Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, who both Mr. Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris proposed.
Austin and Mr. Biden reflected on the service of Beau Biden who, when he was a captain in the Delaware National Guard, served under Austin’s command in Iraq. Austin referred to the Biden family as a military family who understood sacrifice. Biden said it is the honor of his life to serve as Commander-in-Chief.
Both mr. Praying as Vice President Harris in their remarks paid tribute to African-American servants, past and present. Biden has promised to ensure that everyone is treated with respect.
“Right now, more than 40% of our active forces are people of color, and it’s been a long time since the full diversity and full force of our power was reflected at every level in this department,” Biden said.Austin is the first Black defense secretary.
The visit comes a week after Austin commanders ordered a date for a “Fall back“to address extremism in the ranks. The Pentagon was concerned that veterans and active staff members were taking part in the January 6 riot at the Capitol that led to the deaths of five people.
Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told reporters an information attack on the Capitol was “a wake-up call”.
The army has also seen racist incidents within its ranks in recent weeks.
The head of naval operations has condemned two recent extremist incidents. Graffiti was found in a bathroom of the USS Carl Vinson, and on the USS Lake Champlain, a sailor found a noose on his bunk bed. Both incidents are being investigated, according to a statement this week from Admiral Michael Gilday.
Contributing Contributions: David Martin and Mary Walsh