HONOLULU — The Pentagon announced retired Maj. Gen. Kelly McKeague, a 1977 Damien Memorial School graduate, is the new director of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.
McKeague, who was born in Liliha and grew up in Papakolea, was sworn in Tuesday at a Pentagon ceremony.
McKeague is the first permanent director for the agency that searches for, recovers and identifies missing American war dead since Michael Linnington left in June 2016.
The Pentagon says Fern Sumpter Winbush, who has been serving as acting director, will resume her role as principal deputy director for the agency, responsible for formulating policy, overseeing business development, and increasing outreach initiatives.
McKeague served as an independent business consultant since his military retirement from the Air Force in 2016.
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency replaced the former Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command. McKeague was the last commander of Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command before it was renamed Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency in an organizational shakeup in early 2015, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports.
The Pentagon's current message is "business as usual."
The new aid also included ammunition drawn from U.S. stockpiles for American-supplied High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems.
The notable military figures were included among 17 individuals being granted the nation's highest civilian honor.
The changed security environment in Europe will yield increased demand from European allies for integrated missile defenses, early warning systems, air-to-air missiles and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms, a senior U.S. defense official said Thursday.
Hershel “Woody” Williams, awarded the nation's highest combat honor in 1945, passed away Wednesday.
In February, the head of the Air Force Expeditionary Center lost confidence in Col. Jason Terry's ability to lead the 515th Air Mobility Operations Wing.
Collateral misconduct by the victim is one of the most significant barriers to reporting a sexual assault, said Andrea Goldstein, the Navy Department’s assistant director for force resiliency.
Get ready for changes to how carrier sailors can use their phones and tablets onboard.
Tens of thousands of Guard and Reserve soldiers face potential discharges as the Army deals with a tough year for recruiting.
The chief of staff of the Army presided over the ceremony, noting that while the awards were long overdue, they were still worth giving.
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