Category: Defense

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

WASHINGTON  –  

The State Funeral for former President Jimmy Carter continues tomorrow in Georgia and Washington, D.C.
 
Ceremonies celebrating and honoring the late president include: a departure ceremony from the Carter Presidential Center in Atlanta; a departure ceremony from Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia; an arrival ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland; a funeral procession from the U.S. Navy Memorial to the U.S. Capitol; and an arrival ceremony and service at the U.S. Capitol. The day concludes with Carter lying in state at the U.S. Capitol from 7 p.m. to midnight.
 
The Carter Family invites the public to honor and celebrate the life of former President Carter tomorrow along the funeral procession route on Pennsylvania and Constitution Avenues, and during lying in state at the U.S. Capitol.
 
In Washington, D.C., Carter’s grandchildren serve as honorary pallbearers and participate in ceremonies at the U.S. Capitol. A Special Honor Guard – consisting of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Chief of Staff of the Army, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, the Chief of Naval Operations, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, the Chief of Space Operations, Commandant of the Coast Guard, and the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, or their representatives – also participates in all D.C. ceremonies.
 
Full details on each ceremony site follow. Additional information regarding the official schedule of events and locations where the public may pay their respects are available at jtfncr.mdw.army.mil/statefunerals/.
 
Details on prohibited items and road closures, parking restrictions, transit impacts are available at nsse.dc.gov.
 
*Notes: All times are subject to change; the public should plan to be in place at least an hour in advance of announced times.
 
Carter Presidential Center
Public visitation of the late president lying in repose concludes at 7 a.m. The late president then departs from Carter Presidential Center following a ceremony in the Circle of Flags at approximately 11 a.m. Following the ceremony, the motorcade departs from the Carter Presidential Center to Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia, at approximately 11:30 a.m.
 
Carter Center and Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum staff, volunteers, interns, graduate assistants, library docents, catering and Goodwill staff, and their families will pay their respects to the late president during the ceremony as they span the Circle of Flags and observe Carter’s final departure from his beloved Carter Presidential Center.
 
Sequence of events are as follows:

• Motorcade arrives and positions in the Circle of Flags at approximately 11 a.m.

• Military ceremonial troops march into position around 11:15 a.m.

• At approximately 11:30 a.m., the body bearers carry Carter’s remains out of the Carter Presidential Center.

• Ceremonial troops present arms and render honors (four Ruffles and Flourishes, and Hail to the Chief). Immediately following honors, the 282nd Army Band begins playing Amazing Grace and then, Blessed Assurance. On the first note of the first hymn, the procession moves through the honor cordon, up the walkway to the Circle of Flags. Order of march: national color, clergy, body bearers carrying Carter’s remains, presidential color, and family with military escort.

• The body bearer team reaches the rear of the hearse and places the casket inside.

• Once the casket is placed in the hearse, the Carter Family loads into the motorcade and departs for Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia.

 
Dobbins Air Reserve Base
The late president and his family arrive at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia, at 12:10 p.m., for a departure ceremony. Special guests invited by the Carter Family to observe the ceremony include friends of the Carters, The Carter Center Board of Councilors, Gov. Brian Kemp, and local elected officials. Immediately following the ceremony, the family boards Special Air Mission 39, flown by the Presidential Airlift Group of the 89th Airlift Wing, and departs the airfield for Washington, D.C., at 12:45 p.m.
 
Sequence of events are as follows:

• Motorcade arrives and positions on the flightline for the departure ceremony.

• Family disembarks from their vehicles and moves into position to observe the departure ceremony. Once family is in position, the body bearer team begin removing the casket from the hearse. 

• Ceremonial troops present arms and render honors (four Ruffles and Flourishes, Hail to the Chief, and a 21-gun salute).

• Immediately following honors, the U.S. Army’s Maneuver Center of Excellence Band begins playing Nearer My God, to Thee. On the first note of the hymn, the body bearer team carries the late president’s remains through the honor cordon to the aircraft loader. Order of march: national color, clergy, body bearer team with Carter’s remains, and presidential color. 

• The body bearers then place the casket on the aircraft loader, the casket moves out-of-sight, and the family begins to board the aircraft.

• Once the aircraft is ready, Special Air Mission 39 departs Dobbins Air Reserve Base for Washington, D.C.

 
Joint Base Andrews
Special Air Mission 39 arrives at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, at approximately 2:15 p.m. where Carter’s remains are transferred with ceremony to the hearse. Immediately following the ceremony, the motorcade departs the airfield for the U.S. Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C.
 
Sequence of events are as follows:

• Special Air Mission 39 arrives, taxis, parks, and the aircraft loader and passenger stairs move into position.

• Ceremonial participants, including the Special Honor Guard, move into position.

• Family disembarks from the aircraft and moves into position to observe the arrival ceremony.

• The military body bearer team removes the casket from the aircraft loader.

• Ceremonial troops present arms and render honors (four Ruffles and Flourishes, Hail to the Chief, and a 21-gun salute).

• Immediately following honors, the U.S. Air Force Band begins playing Abide with Me. On the first note of the hymn, the body bearer team marches through the honor cordon and places the casket in the hearse. Order of march: national color, clergy, body bearers, and presidential color. 

• Once the casket is secure in the hearse, the family loads into the motorcade and departs the flightline for the U.S. Navy Memorial at approximately 2:45 p.m.

 
Funeral Procession
Carter and his family arrive at the U.S. Navy Memorial for a transfer ceremony and funeral procession up to the U.S. Capitol at 3:30 p.m. The casket transfer ceremony includes the transfer of Carter’s remains from the hearse to a horse drawn caisson, a formation of Midshipmen from the U.S. Naval Academy, and musical support from the U.S. Navy Band. Secretary of the Navy, The Honorable Carlos Del Toro, and Superintendent of the Naval Academy, Vice Adm. Yvette M. Davids, are also in attendance. Immediately following the transfer of Carter’s remains to a horse-drawn caisson is a funeral procession designed to mirror Carter’s inaugural parade where Carter and his family walked on foot from the U.S. Capitol to the White House on Jan. 20, 1977. The funeral procession includes: a military honor cordon lining Pennsylvania and Constitution Avenues; a military formation consisting of The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own” and marching elements from each of the Armed Services in existence during Carter’s Administration; the motorcade; national and presidential colors; clergy; a horse-drawn caisson carrying Carter’s remains with military body bearers escorting; and a caparisoned horse. Members of the Carter Family will also walk behind the caisson as it makes it way from the U.S. Navy Memorial to the U.S. Capitol.
 
Sequence of events are as follows:

• Ceremonial participants move into position in front of the U.S. Navy Memorial.

• Clergy and the Special Honor Guard disembark from their vehicles and move to their positions.

• Motorcade arrives and positions in front of the U.S. Navy Memorial

• The military’s honor cordon lining the streets comes to attention.

• Family disembarks from their vehicles and move into position to observe the casket transfer ceremony. Once family is in position, the rear hearse door opens, and the body bearers and color teams move to the rear of the hearse.

• The casket is removed from the hearse. Ceremonial troops then present arms and render honors (four Ruffles and Flourishes and Hail to the Chief).

• Immediately following honors, the U.S. Navy Band begins playing Just as I am, Without One Plea. On the first note of the hymn, the body bearer team moves to the caisson and places the casket on the caisson.

• Family members walking the procession route move into position while other family members return to their vehicles as the body bearer team secures the casket on the caisson.

• Once the caisson is secure, the Special Honor Guard returns to their vehicles and the clergy, national and presidential color teams, and the caparisoned horse move into position for the procession.

• The funeral procession begins. Order of march: Military Honor Guard, advance motorcade, National Color Guard, clergy, caisson with body bearer team, presidential color, caparisoned horse, and motorcade.

• The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own” plays God Bless America, Flowers of the Forest, and Our Fallen Heroes as the funeral procession makes it way to the U.S. Capitol. As the late president moves through the Street Honor Cordon, military personnel render a hand salute until the caparisoned horse passes.

• The procession reaches the north barricade, and after a brief pause, moves onto the Capitol Plaza at approximately 4:10 p.m.

 
U.S. Capitol
Upon arrival at the U.S. Capitol, the late president is carried by military body bearers into the Rotunda where members of Congress will pay their respects during a service at 4:30 p.m. Invited dignitaries Vice President of the United States; members of Congress; the Supreme Court, Governors and the Mayor of DC, The Cabinet, the Diplomatic Corps, and the Joint Chiefs.
 
Senator John Thune, the Majority Leader of the U.S. Senate; Representative Mike Johnson, the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives; and the Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris deliver eulogies and lay wreaths during the service. Musical selections include My Country, Tis of Thee and Eternal Father, Strong to Save (The Navy Hymn) sung by the U.S. Naval Academy Glee Club. The service also includes an invocation from Chaplain of the U.S. Senate Barry C. Black, and a benediction from the Chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives, Margaret G. Kibben.
 
Additionally, prelude and postlude music for the service is performed by the U.S. Army Brass Quintet.
 
Sequence of events are as follows:

• Ceremonial participants move into position on the Capitol Plaza and along the steps leading up to the East Doors as the funeral procession reaches the north barricade.

• Advance motorcade arrives; the Special Honor Guard disembarks from their vehicles and move to their positions.

• The horse-drawn caisson moves onto the Capitol Plaza, followed by the motorcade.

• Family disembarks from their vehicles and moves into the U.S. Capitol while honorary pallbearers position at the base of the Capitol steps. Once the immediate family and honorary pallbearers are in position, ceremonial troops present arms and render honors (four Ruffles and Flourishes, Hail to the Chief, and a 21-gun salute).

• Immediately following honors, The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own” begins playing God of our Fathers and then O God Our Help in Ages Past. On the first note of the first hymn, the body bearer team begins removing the casket from the hearse and marches towards the Capitol steps.

• As the procession reaches the steps, the Special Honor Guard and clergy move into position and the procession continues marching up the steps. The honorary pallbearers join the end of the procession once presidential colors pass them. At the top of the steps, the surviving members of Carter’s Cabinet and Carter Family follow the honorary pallbearers into the U.S. Capitol. Order of march: Special Honor Guard, national color, clergy, body bearers, presidential color, honorary pallbearers, surviving members of Carter’s Cabinet, and the Carter Family with military escort.

• The procession moves inside the U.S. Capitol and pauses once inside the East Doors to reposition and prepare to enter the Rotunda.

• The doors to the Rotunda open and the Special Honor Guard and clergy enter and move to their seats.

• Once the remaining procession is ready, the Rotunda doors open and the Senate and House Sergeants at Arms lead the body bearer team carrying the late president to the center of the Rotunda, the family follows and goes to their seats, and the body bearer team proceeds to the center of the Rotunda to place the casket on the Lincoln Catafalque.

• The body bearer team and national and presidential colors exit the Rotunda.

• A military guard of honor is posted, and the service begins.

• Upon conclusion of the service, the family exits the Rotunda and dignitaries in attendance file by the casket to pay their respects.

 
Carter then lies in state while the military maintains a guard of honor. The public is invited to pay their respects from 6 p.m. to midnight at the U.S. Capitol.
 
Additionally, at the invitation of the Carter Family, democratic and republican members of Capitol Hill and White House staff during the Carter Administration will pay their respects to the late president as he lies in state between 7 to 9 p.m.
 
Lines may be long, and all individuals are subject to a security search. Please allow for ample time for security procedures. Additional information on accessing the U.S. Capitol and prohibited items is available at nsse.dc.gov.
 
 
Editor’s notes:

1. Any media queries regarding the state funeral security plan or impacts should be directed to National Special Security Event Joint Information Center at nsse.jic@dc.gov.

2. All requests to cover the State Funeral arrival ceremony, service, and departure ceremony at the U.S. Capitol must be submitted to the Capitol Galleries at: Press Photographers Gallery, (202) 224-6548, press_photo@saa.senate.gov; Senate Radio-TV Gallery, (202) 224-6421, SenateRTVG@saa.senate.gov; Senate Daily Press Gallery (202) 224-0241, Senate_Press_Gallery@saa.senate.gov; Senate Periodical Press Gallery, (202) 224-0265, periodicals@saa.senate.gov.

3. The Carter Presidential Center is made up of The Carter Center, 453 John Lewis Freedom Parkway, NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30307, and The Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum, 441 John Lewis Freedom Parkway NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30307.

4. All street closures and listed times are subject to change based upon prevailing or unexpected conditions. A full list of closures is available at nsse.dc.gov.

5. The family’s official condolence book and a tribute to the life and legacy of former President Carter is available at www.jimmycartertribute.org.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.  –  

The 418th Flight Test Squadron, Global Reach Combined Test Force, successfully supported the Missile Defense Agency and U.S. Department of Defense partners during a recent fight intercept experiment in Guam.

Announced Dec. 10 by the Missile Defense agency, the landmark test involved a live intercept of a ballistic missile target, marking the first Ballistic Missile Defense event executed from the territory.

During the flight experiment, the Aegis Guam System integrated with the new AN/TPY-6 radar and Vertical Launching System and fired a Standard Missile-3 Block IIA which intercepted an air-launched Medium Range Ballistic Missile target off the coast of Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. The AN/TPY-6 radar tracked the target shortly after launch to intercept in the first end-to-end tracking use of the radar during a live ballistic missile flight test.

Designated Flight Experiment Mission-02, this test event marks a pivotal step taken in defense of Guam initiatives and partnerships and provides critical support to the overall concept, requirements validation, data-gathering and model maturation for the future Guam Defense System (GDS). The future is focused on defending Guam and protecting forces from any potential regional missile threats.

“This is a tremendous group effort and provides a glimpse of how organizations within the Department of Defense have come together to defend our homeland Guam now and, in the future,” said Lt. Gen. Heath Collins, MDA Director. “Collectively, we will use this to build upon and validate joint tracking architecture and integrated air and missile defense capabilities for Guam. Thanks to all of those involved, especially the people and government of Guam.”

When called upon, the 418th FLTS, a flight test squadron within the 412th Test Wing at Edwards Air Force Base, provides robust support for the Missile Defense Agency as the USAF’s recognized leader for developmental flight test and evaluation of mobility aircraft, experimental airdrop, and air refueling certification. With FEM-02’s strategic importance, MDA specifically requested to partner with the 418th FLTS to ensure the highest level of safe and successful test planning and execution within the C-17 enterprise.

The 418th took possession of an Air Mobility Command C-17 in November, with special instrumentation and maintenance teams modifying the aircraft to interface within the Medium Range Ballistic Missile Launch equipment. This allowed the C-17 to collect critical data during testing. The 412th Test Wing’s renowned safety and risk management process was simultaneously implemented to ensure every component was analyzed for maximum risk reduction.

“The 418th Flight Test Squadron and Global Reach Combined Test Force have partnered with MDA for over a decade, providing air-launch capabilities and airdropped threat-representative surrogate targets” notes Lt. Col. Daniel Edelstein, commander, 418th FLTS. “The 412th Test Wing is highly experienced with high-altitude, experimental airdrop test campaigns, and these tests are designed to stress the nation’s multi-domain ballistic missile defense systems. Our test aircrew, engineers, program management, and logistics support are second-to-none. We took great pride in providing risk-informed test expertise to our mission partners in support of a USINDOPACOM capabilities exercise with outsized strategic importance.”

FEM-02 is the first demonstration from Guam as part of the long-term initiative for the defense of the U.S. territory and will inform the larger effort to develop, install and operate GDS, which would be comprised of a combination of DoD service components working together to provide an Enhanced Integrated Air and Missile Defense system. Together, the DoD service components would develop and deploy a persistent layered integrated air and missile defense capability.

Within the context of homeland defense, a top priority for the Department of Defense, Guam is also a strategic location for sustaining and maintaining U.S. military presence, deterring adversaries, responding to crises, and maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.  –  

Three soldiers from the Australian Defense Force recently served in the most unique positions of their careers as key members of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Australian Army Maj. Jack Jones, Maj. George Lynn, and Maj. Rhys “Casper” Davies had the rare opportunity to deploy with “America’s Vanguard Force” to the Indo-Pacific region – all thanks to the Marine Corps Personnel Exchange Program.

The Exchange Program

“It was a dream job of mine to go through the exchange,” said Jones, who has spent most of his career serving in various logistics and operations billets. “The opportunity to work with Marines — understand the concepts of a MEU, mastering logistics — there were just so many checks in the box for me.”

The exchange program, commonly known as PEP, is a three year, one-for-one trade between Marines and personnel from allied militaries. Individuals in the program are placed in a billet aligned with their military occupational specialty, allowing them to learn new operating concepts, while also introducing previous experience from their home country. The program aims to improves the understanding between militaries, build upon the foundation of their partnership, and perhaps most importantly, enhance individuals’ skillsets to reinvest in each partner’s military for years to come.

For the Australian Army and the U.S. Marine Corps, the program is a near-perfect match. The two organizations share numerous similarities – a strategic importance placed on amphibious warfare, brotherhood and esprit de corps, Jones explained.

The U.S. and Australia’s shared history dates back to World War I. In the spirit of that tradition and in line with the PEP program, each officer was as fully integrated into the 15th MEU as any other service member.

“From the moment I arrived my family and I were welcomed with open arms,” said Lynn. “I was treated like one of their own, like a Marine.”

Operations and Logistics – Maj. Lynn and Maj. Jones

Lynn, Jones and Davies all served as foreign exchange officers within the 15th MEU, aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) during their deployment. Lynn and Jones, however, worked more closely together, both serving as part of the MEU’s command element.

The two Australians both served in key staff leadership roles. Having two PEPs serve in such senior billets with a MEU during an at-sea deployment was a rare opportunity for each officer and for the unit.

Jones served as the assistant logistics officer, the second-most senior logistics billet within the MEU command element, assisting in controlling movements, transportation, and supplies.

Lynn, on the other hand, served as the assistant operations officer of the 15th MEU, a vital billet driving the daily and long-term operations of entire Marine Air-Ground Task Force, comprising various elements and 2,500 Marines and Sailors. As the assistant operations officer, Lynn played an outsized role in the planning of operations, exercises, and managing MEU’s daily battle rhythm alongside its Navy counterparts.

The two got to work as soon as they arrived, leading Marines and driving efforts during major exercises such as Tiger Strike 24 in Malaysia, SSang Yong 24 in South Korea, and KAMANDAG 8 in the Philippines. Jones and Lynn each said the highlight of the 15th MEU’s deployment was supporting the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) efforts in foreign disaster response operations following Super Typhoon Krathon, which struck the northern provinces of the Philippines Sept. 30.

As Jones headed the logistics officer billet leading up to the foreign disaster response operation in the Philippines, both first-time experiences for the Australian, he was effectively thrown into the fire, he said. Others may have felt the intense pressure of being in a new environment amid a crisis response – but not Jones. Leading MEU logistical efforts during the multi-day operation, his leadership and performance earned admiration from the Marines his section and across the command.

“Dealing with emergent operational requirements are difficult for even the most trained logistician,” said Maj. Andrew Lark, the 15th MEU logistics officer. “Although not familiar with [humanitarian and disaster relief] operations, he demonstrated attention to detail and constant communication of MEU-related requirements within the force. He expertly managed the HADR requirements from across the MAGTF and provided sound solutions for the forces executing ashore. His fresh perspective of the HADR operations provided updates to both the logistics standard operating procedures and the MEU SOP writ-large for support operations in INDOPACOM.”

Lynn reflected similar thoughts about the MEU’s time in the Philippines.

“We rapidly transitioned from planning for complex amphibious bilateral training, to providing critical supplies to affected communities,” said Lynn, whose operations planning also supported HADR efforts. “Working with our partners from the Philippines, we were able to make a significant humanitarian contribution to those affected by Super Typhoon Krathon in Northern Luzon and the Batanes Islands.”

As leaders within their respective sections, their Marines saw Lynn and Jones’ actions firsthand, directly impacting MEU plans and operations to deliver critical aid to those in need. At this point in the 15th MEU’s deployment, they had been integrated to the point that Marine Corps culture and standard operating procedures essentially became second nature to them.

“Maj. Lynn flawlessly integrated within our section and the greater 15th MEU staff upon arrival,” said Lt. Col. Mark Peters, the 15th MEU operations officer. “His quick grasp of Marine Corps doctrine and operational concepts, while also inserting his own expertise into the planning process was instrumental to the success of our team throughout our deployment.”

Despite this, the two Australians never forgot about home, always going back to each other to talk about their roots.

“It was nice to have another mate on ship,” admitted Jones. “Being able to go back to another Australian and talk about what’s going on back in our country, make inside jokes, and just generally talk about our day, it was like a piece of home to go back to.”

The Pilot – Maj. Rhys “Casper” Davies

Davies, an AH-1Z Viper pilot and an operations officer with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165 (Reinforced), 15th MEU, had a more “exciting” role within the MAGTF, as some might think.

Back in Australia, Davies flew the Tiger Armed Reconnaissance helicopter with 16th Aviation Brigade, 1st Aviation Regiment. Naturally, upon arriving at VMM-165 Davies found himself in a familiar assignment with the MEU as a pilot. This time, however, he’d be required to learn the ins and outs of the AH-1Z Viper, an aircraft that neither he nor any Australian pilot currently flies.

Manning a completely new aircraft wasn’t anything he couldn’t handle – accepting that challenge was exactly what he wanted as a PEP.

“I honestly love flying, especially foreign aircraft,” said Davies. “Going through the exchange program was best for my professional development as a pilot, and thinking about those two factors made it a whole lot easier.”

The two aircraft share similar mission sets and capabilities, which made training a seamless task for Davies.

“We’ve been passing information and tactics through the exchange program for so long that it’s easy to be on the same page,” said Davies. “It’s helped not only me, but our allies grow.”

His personal highlight during deployment was his time aboard the expeditionary sea base USS Miguel Keith (ESB 5), the first time an entire Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron detachment of H-1 helicopters embarked an ESB. During their time aboard Miguel Keith, the detachment conducted multiple day and night flight and live-fire operations – solely coordinated by VMM-165, and especially Davies.

“It was certainly a lot of responsibility, but thankfully I felt like I was just one of the guys on the operations team,” admitted Davies. “No one really treated me different or went ‘oh, that’s the Australian’. They took me in as one of their own right away and we conducted business as usual.”

Davies, echoing similar sentiments from Lynn and Jones, said he’ll never forget being a part of the 15th MEU and the Marines he served with during their deployment.

“I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to deploy with the MEU and the time and patience the Marines showed me,” admitted Davies. “They didn’t have to do that, yet they did. That’s all part of the Marine Corps culture that I learned here, and I hope we keep in touch.”

After their time with the 15th MEU, the Australians will report back to their commands, taking with them their experiences serving with the Marine Corps and its culture, while also leaving a lasting impression on the Marines they served with. For these three Australians, the exchange program was more than just advancing their career and learning new tactics and strategies. Their time deployed was a means to create bonds and friendships with Marines that will stick with them forever – a true testament to the Australia-U.S. Alliance.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

The Department of Defense mourns the loss of President Jimmy Carter at age 100—a principled leader, America’s longest-lived president, a great son of Georgia, and a steadfast champion of human rights and democratic ideals.

Americans will remember President Carter for his leadership in office and his distinguished post-presidency, but the Department also honors his sterling service in uniform. In his Nobel Peace Prize lecture, he noted that his “first chosen career was in the military.” After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1946, the future president completed two years of surface-ship duty before beginning to work on submarines. Lieutenant Carter was then selected to join an important program to develop nuclear-powered submarines, and he served on the first U.S. submarine built since World War II. While he was training to become an engineering officer, his father died, and the young sailor resigned from the Navy to support his family in Georgia. In 2005, the USS Jimmy Carter—a nuclear-powered submarine—was commissioned in his honor, and in 2023, Building 105 at the U.S. Naval Academy was renamed Carter Hall.
 
We also honor President Carter for his contributions to global security. The Carter Doctrine still helps undergird our commitment to stability and security in the Gulf. His administration worked to strengthen NATO and U.S. alliances worldwide, grapple with the Iranian revolution, and confront Soviet aggression in Afghanistan. History will also remember President Carter for establishing official U.S. diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China and for personally brokering peace between Israel and Egypt—the first peace treaty between the Jewish state and one of its Arab neighbors.
  
After his White House tenure ended, President Carter and his beloved wife, the late Rosalynn Carter, founded the Carter Center and worked tirelessly to build homes for the poor, fight disease, and expand economic opportunity. And the former president loved teaching Sunday school. 
 
President Carter’s lifelong leadership and deep faith will continue to inspire Americans and people around the world. On behalf of the entire Department of Defense, Charlene and I send our deepest condolences to the Carter family.