More USAFA Cadets Headed for Space Force in 2021

More USAFA Cadets Headed for Space Force in 2021

Jan. 21, 2021 | By Rachel S. Cohen

The U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado plans to send more students to the Space Force in 2021 than it did in the first cohort last year, the school’s superintendent said Jan. 21.

About 115 USAFA cadets will head to the Space Force upon graduation in May, up from 86 last spring, according to Lt. Gen. Richard M. Clark. The class of 2020 graduated the first group of USSF-bound second lieutenants after the new service was created in December 2019.

That figure also indicates USAFA has widened its net over the past few months as it refines the search process for future Guardians. Air Force Magazine reported in November that the school expected 98 students would commission into the Space Force in 2021, largely bound for careers in satellite and radar operations and similar tracks.

Instead of large fluctuations each year, the number of second lieutenants coming from USAFA should stabilize over time “as the other commissioning sources get on board with normalized processes of how they bring young people into the Space Force,” Clark said during an event hosted by AFA’s Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies.

Lt Gen Richard M. Clark shares his insights into how the Academy is preparing cadets to face today’s global challenges, the implications of the creation of the Space Force for the Academy, what it means to accelerate change in an educational institution, and other Academy priorities during a Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies event on Jan. 21.

Col. Jeffrey H. Greenwood, USAFA’s Space Force liaison, recently told Air Force Magazine he expects the school will typically turn out around 80 Space Force second lieutenants each year. More than 440 seniors applied for 60 space operations spots alone in the 2021 cohort, he said.

Surveys last year showed the class of 2022 is less interested in the Space Force than the 2021 graduates, Greenwood said, while about one-third of respondents in the class of 2024 said they are open to joining.

The Space Force aims to bring in about 250 new officers annually, with about half coming from USAFA in 2021. Others will join through the collegiate Reserve Officer Training Corps and the Officer Training School for college graduates.

“We have more volunteers than we have slots to give,” Clark said. “We have the flexibility to meet the demand in case ROTC or OTS don’t quite get to the numbers that they’re after.”

The service is still transferring in officers and enlisted members from the Air Force and other military branches, and will employ around 16,000 people in total. Incoming members are headed for jobs in satellite operations, space-focused intelligence and electronic warfare, cyber offense and defense, acquisition, and more. 

“Where I think we’re becoming more deliberate, because we’re getting direction from [Chief of Space Operations Gen. John W. ‘Jay’ Raymond] and the Space Force, is what they want to see in a cadet,” Clark said.

Service officials are pushing digital fluency and coding skills, for example, and a willingness to think outside the box of traditional air and space power. Top Space Force leaders are also getting to know potential Guardians as they interview students to join the service.

As for graduation itself, USAFA hopes the ceremony in May will be more normal than that of April 2020. Seniors finished the school year early with a guestless and socially distanced event as the coronavirus pandemic swept around the planet.

The school canceled spring break and instead spread those vacation days throughout the semester to create more three-day weekends, Clark said. That should keep the semester on track so cadets can graduate on May 26 as scheduled.

“We’re looking at the numbers of people that we can have in graduation. That’s probably going to be a variable that we’ll take as it comes and see how COVID and the [local] guidelines drive us, but we intend to have graduation in the stadium,” he said. “We intend to have some guests for each cadet—how many, we’re not sure yet.”

Boeing Receives $2.1 Billion for the Next KC-46 Production Lot

Boeing Receives $2.1 Billion for the Next KC-46 Production Lot

Jan. 21, 2021 | By Brian W. Everstine

The Air Force on Jan. 20 awarded Boeing a $2.1 billion contract for the seventh KC-46 production lot, covering 15 aircraft.

The award means there are now 94 KC-46s on contract, and the Air Force plans to buy 179 of the aircraft. It comes just eight days after Boeing received $1.7 billion for production lot six. The two lots were negotiated at the same time, according to Boeing.

“Our KC-46 fleet is growing, and we’re ready to extend the reach of next-generation air refueling to more of our Airmen,” said Col. Jason Lindsey, U.S. Air Force KC-46 system program manager, in a Boeing release.

The contract also covers data, subscriptions and licenses, and the G081 flat file aircraft maintenance database, according to the contract announcement. Work is expected to be completed May 31, 2024.

Boeing has delivered 42 tankers so far to four Air Force bases since the first delivery took place in January 2019.

The award comes as the Air Force and Boeing are finishing the design of a new version of the aircraft’s remote vision system, which is the suite of cameras and sensors that the boom operator uses inside the aircraft to operate the refueling system. The fix, announced in April 2020, is needed to address image quality problems that have inhibited the test and evaluation process for the aircraft. Under the agreement, Boeing will deliver 12 aircraft kits by 2023 with installation on the production line expected to start the following year.

Engine Failure, Aircrew Mistakes Caused Fatal E-11A Crash in Afghanistan

Engine Failure, Aircrew Mistakes Caused Fatal E-11A Crash in Afghanistan

Jan. 21, 2021 | By Brian W. Everstine

E-11A aircrew shut down the wrong engine during an in-flight emergency and were unable to restart the aircraft’s powerplants, causing the Jan. 27, 2020, crash that killed both pilots in Afghanistan, an Air Force investigation found.

The crash killed Lt. Col. Paul K. Voss and Capt. Ryan S. Phaneuf, both assigned to the 430th Expeditionary Combat Squadron at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. The E-11A Battlefield Airborne Communications Node, a modified Bombardier Global Express business jet, serves as a “wi-fi in the sky,” connecting troops using multiple communications platforms.

“This tragic accident and the loss of these two Airmen will not be forgotten,” said Gen. Mark D. Kelly, commander of Air Combat Command, in a release. “These Airmen gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to the nation while deployed supporting an overseas combat mission. They should be recognized and remembered for their dedication and bravery.”

Around 11 a.m. local time, the pilots took off in the E-11A, tail number 11-9358, from Kandahar for a combat sortie that also served as a mission qualification flight for the co-pilot. About an hour and 45 minutes into the flight, the left engine catastrophically failed as a single fan blade separated and was ingested by the engine, according to an Air Force Accident Investigation Board report released Jan. 21.

The pilots heard a violent bang and the plane started to shake. The aircraft’s Full Authority Digital Electronic Control system sensed the engine’s problem and initiated a shutdown. This notified the aircrew through both an indication system in the cockpit and a caution light on the pilots’ glareshield.

E-11 crash
This graphic depicts the location where an Air Force E-11A experienced a dual engine out emergency and its crash site relative to nearby bases in Afghanistan. Two pilots died in the Jan. 27, 2020, crash. Source: Air Force Accident Investigation Board report.

The flight crew then improperly assessed that the aircraft’s right engine had failed or been damaged, not the left, and shut down that powerplant. This caused a dual engine out emergency, when the aircraft was about 38 nautical miles from Bagram Airfield or 17 nautical miles from Kabul International Airport, 28 nautical miles from Forward Operating Base Shank, and 230 nautical miles from Kandahar, according to the investigation. Because both engines shut down, the aircraft’s Digital Flight Data Recorder stopped recording.

The aircraft, flying at about 41,000 feet, could have made it to any of the closer locations but Voss attempted to fly back to Kandahar, and radioed air traffic control. “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday … it looks like we have an engine failure on both motors, we are proceeding direct to Kandahar at this time,” he said, according to the AIB.

The aircrew tried to airstart the engines, but they could not provide any usable thrust, meaning the plane could not make it back to Kandahar, and was then out of glide distance to the other bases.

This meant the crew had few options, and they attempted to then glide to FOB Sharana in Ghazni Province. The plane did not have enough altitude and airspeed to make it, and the crew tried to land on rough terrain about 21 nautical miles short of the FOB. The E-11 was damaged significantly when it touched down, skidding about 340 meters. The aircraft was destroyed, and the pilots were fatally injured.

After the crash, the aircraft’s emergency locator transmitter activated and nearby A-10s diverted to try to locate the downed plane. They found it, but weather obscured the area and prevented a search and rescue team from recovering remains the day of the crash. The next day, crews were able to recover the pilots’ remains, the cockpit voice recorder, and the digital flight data recorder. U.S. assets destroyed the plane in place.

The Air Force AIB states the main cause of the crash was the aircrew mistakenly determining the right engine had failed, shutting it down and causing the dual engine out emergency. Investigators also found the decision to try to make it back to Kandahar contributed to the mishap. 

The E-11A is a small, unique aircraft in the Air Force’s fleet. Before the mishap, the service had four of the aircraft based at Kandahar to help troops communicate on the ground using what previously were incompatible systems. The Air Force developed the aircraft as an urgent operational need after communication problems were identified in Operation Red Wings in 2005.

USAF to Let Women Wear Longer Ponytails, Braids in Uniform

USAF to Let Women Wear Longer Ponytails, Braids in Uniform

Jan. 21, 2021 | By Amy Hudson

Female Airmen and Guardians will soon be able to let their hair down—at least a little.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. recently approved a recommendation by the Air Force uniform board to allow women to wear a single ponytail, or single or double braids, as long as the hairdo reaches no farther than their upper back and doesn’t exceed the width of their head. Eyebrow-length bangs are now fair game as well, according to a Jan. 21 release.

The decision comes after the uniform board—a diverse panel of 19 Airmen—met online in November to consider crowdsourced ideas for changes to the Department of the Air Force’s dress and appearance standards. Current rules allow ponytails, braids, locks, and other hairstyles no longer than the bottom of a person’s collar, disqualifying many women with longer hair.

Female service members often lament having to wear their long hair in tight buns, pointing to migraines and sometimes even hair loss. Broadening the range of possible hairstyles also acknowledges that different hair types and textures can make it difficult to meet a one-size-fits-all standard. 

“In addition to the health concerns we have for our Airmen, not all women have the same hair type, and our hair standards should reflect our diverse force,” Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass said in the release. 

The new grooming standards will take effect in February after the Air Force officially updates its regulation.

“This decision is a commitment to supporting the Airmen we need and sustaining the culture and environment of excellence that will continue to make the Air Force an attractive career choice for Airmen and families,” Brown said. “I’m thankful for the feedback and research conducted from a number of women leaders, the Women’s Initiative Team, the Air Force uniform board, and our joint teammates.”

Lt. Gen. Brian T. Kelly, Air Force deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel, and services, said the move removes a barrier to service and can make the Air Force more welcoming to women.

“In an all-volunteer force, we want fully qualified volunteers who are representative of the nation to see us as a great opportunity to maximize their talent and service,” he said.

Depending on their job, women should make sure that a longer ponytail or braids would not pose a risk when working around “machinery, equipment, power transmission apparatus, or moving parts,” the Air Force said.

Women in the Space Force can follow the updated guidelines for now, but the new service is expected to eventually adopt its own uniform and grooming standards. 

The Air Force isn’t extending the same coiffure options to men, however.

“Unlike with women’s hair standards, there are no known health or hair loss issues associated with current male grooming standard compliance,” the release said.

World Leaders Look Forward to Security, Climate Cooperation with Biden Administration

World Leaders Look Forward to Security, Climate Cooperation with Biden Administration

Jan. 20, 2021 | By Jennifer-Leigh Oprihory

Government leaders from across the globe took to Twitter to congratulate President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on taking the nation’s reigns during a turbulent moment in world history, expressing optimism about the prospect of collaborating with the new administration on topics ranging from security and counterterrorism to fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau congratulated Biden in a Jan. 20 statement, touting his country’s bond with the U.S. as “one of the most unique relationships in the world, built on a shared commitment to democratic values, common interests, and strong economic and security ties.”

“Our two countries are more than neighbors—we are close friends, partners, and allies,” he wrote.

Trudeau said the U.S. and Canada will keep working together to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and “support a sustainable economic recovery that will build back better for everyone,” counter climate change, and champion diversity and inclusion, while simultaneously cultivating domestic and international “democracy, peace, and security.”

In a press briefing a day earlier, Trudeau said Biden’s inauguration would “mark a new chapter” in the U.S.-Canada relationship.

“I’m really looking forward to working closely with the new President and his team to create jobs and build back better for us all,” he said at the time.

Video: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on YouTube

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani also heralded the inauguration as “a new beginning,” and said his country would stick with the U.S. to fight terror on the path towards peace.

“In these trying times, Afghanistan stands alongside the United States—our foundational partner—as it starts anew to restore partnerships for peace and to tackle the multilayered problem of terrorism,” he tweeted.               

In a video posted to Twitter, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated the new American leadership, citing his decades-long “warm, personal friendship” with Biden.

“I look forward to working with you to further strengthen the U.S.-Israel alliance to continue expanding peace between Israel and the Arab world and to confront common challenges, chief among them, the threat posed by Iran,” he said.

The Twitter accounts of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had both notably stayed mum on the topic of Biden’s swearing-in as of press time.

However, Iran Foreign Minister Javad Zarif tweeted a jab at the Trump administration in a tweet, saying the memory of former Quds Force Commander Gen. Qassem Soleimani and others would “shine on.”

“Perhaps new folks in DC have learned,” he wrote.

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said he awaits collaborating with Biden to foster a more robust partnership between the two countries “through trade & economic engagement, countering climate change, improving public health, combating corruption & promoting peace in [the] region & beyond.”

U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson also tweeted congratulations to Biden and Harris, deeming U.S. leadership “vital” on issues important to both countries.

“As I said when I spoke with him on his election as President, I look forward to working with him and with his new administration, strengthening the partnership between our countries and working on our shared priorities from tackling climate change, building back better from the pandemic, and strengthening our transatlantic security,” Johnson said in remarks delivered on the floor of the British Parliament, captured in a video that was separately tweeted out by his office early on Jan. 20.

French President Emmanuel Macron said the new U.S. leadership will make the U.S. and France “stronger to face the challenges of our time,” to craft a collective future, and to safeguard the Earth.

“Welcome back to the Paris Agreement!” he added in the tweet.

In a speech to members of the French military a day prior, Macron expressed optimism the Biden administration would be more dedicated to countering terrorism in Iraq and Syria than its predecessors and urged the U.S. to step up its defense cooperation game, the Associated Press reported.

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte called Jan. 20 “a great day for democracy, reaching far beyond the American borders,” and wished Biden and Harris “good work.”

Scandinavian leaders made a point to praise Biden’s first speech as Commander-in-Chief in addition to welcoming the new administration.

Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg tweeted thanks to Biden “for an encouraging inaugural speech offering us all to cooperate” and asserting that “Norway is ready!”

Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven also tweeted approval of Biden’s “message of unity and respect” and a similar desire to get down to business.

https://twitter.com/SwedishPM/status/1351942898091225094

Chilean President Sebastian Piñera sent Biden well wishes on the morning of the inauguration, noting that the new administration would be tasked with “healing the soul of the country and strengthening civic friendship.”

New Team of Acting Leaders Take Command at DOD, USAF

New Team of Acting Leaders Take Command at DOD, USAF

Jan. 20, 2021 | By Brian W. Everstine

A new team of acting leaders in the Defense Department and the Department of the Air Force took command at 12:01 p.m. Jan. 20, leading the military on a temporary basis while Biden administration nominees await confirmation.

Immediately after President Joe Biden took the oath of office, former Under Secretary of Defense David L. Norquist became Acting Defense Secretary, following the departure of now former Acting Defense Secretary Christopher C. Miller.

“The Department of Defense remains ready to provide forces that deter war and protect the security of our nation,” Norquist said in a statement. “We look forward to seamlessly onboarding the incoming administration so America may maintain its strategic advantage and vast partnerships.”

John P. Roth became Acting Secretary of the Air Force following the inauguration. Former Air Force Secretary Barbara M. Barrett worked remotely until her tenure as the service’s 25th Secretary ended at noon, according to an Air Force statement.

“It is a privilege to serve Airmen and Guardians as the Acting Secretary of the Air Force,” Roth said in a statement. “Protecting the Nation is a solemn responsibility; one that the U.S. Air and Space Forces execute daily without fail.”

Roth, who previously was the Air Force’s comptroller, said he looks forward to working with Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. and Chief of Space Operations Gen. John W. “Jay” Raymond to ensure Department of the Air Force personnel have the resources needed.

“I’m eager to continue the momentum Secretary Barrett and these two great military leaders put into motion as we work together to accelerate change for our Air Force and continue building America’s Space Force,” Roth said.

Before she left, Barrett met with Roth on Jan. 19 to discuss Air Force continuity and other transition issues, according to the Air Force. In a video posted to Twitter, Barrett told Airmen and Guardians that “it has been a joy to work alongside you” for the past 15 months. She highlighted Department of the Air Force missions such as innovation in air and space, responding to natural disasters, medical services amid the COVID-19 pandemic, delivering space capabilities, and serving the Air Force core missions.

“You protect America and the American way of life,” Barrett said. “For that, America thanks you.”

Shortly after the inauguration, the Defense Department released an extensive list of leaders serving in temporary roles as well as a list of those virtually sworn in. For the Department of the Air Force, this includes:

  • Acting Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs John A. Fedrigo
  • Performing the Duties of Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and Comptroller Stephen Herrera
  • Acting Air Force General Counsel Craig A. Smith
  • Acting Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology Darlene Costello
  • Acting Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Energy and Environment Jennifer L. Miller
  • Performing the Duties of Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration Shawn J. Barnes
30 Years After Desert Storm: Jan. 21

30 Years After Desert Storm: Jan. 21

Jan. 20, 2021

In commemoration of the 30th Anniversary of Operation Desert Storm, Air Force Magazine is posting daily recollections from the six-week war, which expelled Iraq from occupied Kuwait.

Jan. 21:

  • A USAF MH-53J helicopter rescues a Navy F-14 pilot more than 100 miles inside Iraq.
In this photo taken from the door of an MH-53 Pave Low, Navy Lt. Devon Jones runs toward pararescueman Sgt. Ben Pennington during the rescue effort. Photo: USAF
  • Heavy bombing of Republican Guard in southern Iraqi city of Basra occurs.
  • Iraq fires 10 Scud missiles at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.

Find our complete chronology of the Gulf War, starting with Iraq’s July 1990 invasion of Kuwait and running through Iraq’s April 1991 acceptance of peace terms, here.

Biden Pledges to Repair Alliances

Biden Pledges to Repair Alliances

Jan. 20, 2021 | By John A. Tirpak

President Joe Biden told American allies they’ll have a friendlier partner in the White House, pledging to renew cooperation and marking a stark departure from the Trump administration’s frequent threats to withdraw from alliances, and its transactional approach to bilateral and multilateral agreements and arms sales.

Addressing himself to “those beyond our borders,” Biden said, “America has been tested. And we’ve come out stronger for it. We will repair our alliances and engage with the world once again.” The U.S., he pledged in his inaugural address, will “lead not merely by the example of our power, but by the power of our example,” and the U.S. will be “a strong and trusted partner for peace, progress, and security.”

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg congratulated Biden on his inauguration and marked it as the “start of a new chapter for the transatlantic Alliance.”

The NATO alliance has been the bedrock of member security for more than 70 years, Stoltenberg said, and the “U.S leadership remains essential as we work together to protect our democracies, our values, and the rules-based international order.”

Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Union Commission, said there’s a “friend in the White House” again. Biden’s inauguration signals a “new dawn in America,” which the EU “has been waiting for [for] so long. Europe is ready for a new start with our oldest and most trusted partner.” She also said the EU views Biden’s swearing-in as “the starting point for our renewed cooperation.”

Stoltenberg said NATO allies must “stand together” to address the rise of China, the continuing threat of terrorism, “including in Afghanistan and Iraq,” and “a more assertive Russia.” NATO represents a billion people and half the world’s economic and military might, Stoltenberg added, and “none of us can face these challenges alone.”

Trump had threatened to leave NATO, saying U.S. allies in Europe were not “paying their dues,” meaning some members were not reaching the alliance goal of spending two percent of GDP on defense. Trump also reined in foreign aid, while at the same time launching a more merchant-like tone in offering American weaponry for sale, with fewer restrictions and questions asked about customers’ human rights records.

Some NATO allies did increase their defense spending in the wake of Trump’s threats, although European leaders chalked this up to a more belligerent posture and threatening rhetoric by Russia in the same period.

The attitude toward alliances was a point of heavy friction between Trump and his first Defense Secretary James Mattis, who worked to reassure American partners of U.S. reliability and commitment to joint defense. Mattis ultimately resigned in late 2018 after Trump announced a quick withdrawal of American forces from Syria.   

Trump’s antipathy to allies, which he frequently portrayed as sponging off U.S. military capabilities, was belied by his own 2018 National Defense Strategy, which put alliances front and center for dealing with security challenges worldwide. The NDS pointedly says the U.S. will rely on allies to provide the additional capacity and capabilities necessary to deter powers like China and Russia, and these relationships are foundational to U.S. security.

Biden’s nominee to be Defense Secretary, former Army Gen. Lloyd Austin, said at his Nov. 19 confirmation hearing that he plans to review and update the NDS, and also will likely conduct a fresh Nuclear Posture Review. Austin said he is personally supportive of the nuclear triad and does not believe the U.S. should eliminate the land-based ICBM leg, as has been suggested by some Democratic lawmakers.

Biden’s choice for Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, said in his confirmation hearing that he plans to engage quickly with Russia to extend the New START agreement, which expires Feb. 5. It will be up to Biden, Blinken said, to decide how long of an extension the U.S. will seek.

The current treaty provides the option to extend for up to five years, but the Trump administration, which has long said it wanted a new strategic arms treaty that included China, was pushing for a one-year extension. However, the administration struggled to convince China, which has a far smaller strategic arsenal than either the U.S. or Russia, to take a seat at the table.

Biden Sworn in as Commander in Chief, Pledges Unity

Biden Sworn in as Commander in Chief, Pledges Unity

Jan. 20, 2021 | By Brian W. Everstine

President Joe Biden took the oath of office to become the 46th Commander in Chief on Jan. 20, pledging to unite a country that faces deep internal division and to project strength abroad by repairing alliances.

“This is a great nation. We are good people,” Biden said in his inaugural address. “And over the centuries, through storm and strife, in peace and in war, we’ve come so far. But we still have far to go. We’ll press forward with speed and urgency, for we have much to do …, much to repair, much to restore, much to heal, much to build, and much to gain.”

Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris took their oaths at a Capitol building that two weeks ago was the site of a violent insurrection while Congress was certifying the election. In his speech, Biden sought to reach out to those who did not support him in the election, asking them to give him a chance so they can work together to overcome the nation’s deep divisions.

“Here we stand across the Potomac from Arlington Cemetery, where heroes who gave the last full measure of devotion rest in eternal peace,” Biden said. “And here we stand just days after a riotous mob thought they could use violence to silence the will of the people, to stop the work of our democracy, to drive us from this sacred ground. It did not happen. It will never happen. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever.”

Because of the violence at the Capitol, about 25,000 National Guard personnel were called up to help secure the surrounding area for the ceremony. The National Mall was blocked off and the crowd was much smaller than usual due to the enhanced security and restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The continuing pandemic dominated Biden’s address, with the new President calling on the country to set aside politics and “finally face this pandemic as one nation.” Biden held a moment of silence for the more than 400,000 Americans who have died as a result of the pandemic.

“Folks, this is a time of testing,” Biden said. “We face an attack on our democracy and on truth, a raging virus, growing inequity, the sting of systemic racism, a climate in crisis, America’s role in the world. Any one of these will be enough to challenge us in profound ways.”

The speech, which lasted about 22 minutes, lightly touched on military and national security topics. Biden said the country under his administration will work to project strength through alliances, which have been under stress in recent years.

“Here’s my message to those beyond our borders: America has been tested, and we’ve come out stronger for it,” he said. “We will repair our alliances, and engage with the world once again, not to meet yesterday’s challenges, but today’s and tomorrow’s challenges, and will lead not merely by the example of our power, but by the power of our example.”

Following the ceremony, Biden participated in the ceremonial review of troops through military formations marching in front of the Capitol before heading across the Potomac River to lay a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery alongside former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton.

“With purpose and resolve, we turn to those tasks of our time, sustained by faith, driven by conviction, devoted to one another in the country we love with all our hearts,” Biden concluded. “May God bless America and may God protect our troops. Thank you, America.”