The Defense Department is still actively involved in evacuating US citizens from Lebanon to Cyprus and points beyond, with the total number of evacuees standing at 12,870 as of July 25. Air Force and DOD charter flights have airlifted more than 6,000 as of July 25 and were expected to transport nearly 4,000 more Wednesday. A Pentagon news release states that US forces have evacuated about 13,000 since the crisis in Lebanon on July 16. US military forces also are continuing to deliver supplies to Lebanon to aid some 600,000 Lebanese nationals displaced by the fighting.
In Purge, Trump Fires Brown, Slife, Franchetti, and More
Feb. 21, 2025
President Donald Trump fired Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, announcing his intent to nominate retired Air Force Lt. Gen. John "Dan" Caine to replace him in a social media post Feb. 21.