Deputy Secretary of Defense Pat Shanahan will embark Tuesday, Nov. 14, on his first international trip in his current role.
Secretary Shanahan will attend the second annual U.N. Peacekeeping Defense Ministerial in Vancouver, Canada. The visit underscores the United States' commitment to U.N. planning and coordination to enhance peacekeeping mission effectiveness. The conference will include 79 nations, five international organizations, 36 ministers of defense, and other high-ranking defense officials from across the globe.
The secretary will also visit Joint Base Lewis-McChord and Naval Air Station Whidbey Island to engage with U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy leadership and service members. This will be the first opportunity for Secretary Shanahan to observe military unit readiness firsthand outside of the Washington, District of Columbia area.