Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth spent time abroad this week with President Donald J. Trump, cementing already important relationships with allies.
"Secretary Hegseth joined President Trump on his historic trip to the Middle East, where the secretary signed letters of intent on defense cooperation with Saudi Arabia and Qatar and addressed troops at Al Udeid Air Base, [Qatar]," said Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs and Senior Advisor Sean Parnell during the Weekly Sitrep video, which highlights department activities each week.
"At the Pentagon, we are committed to President Trump's 'America First' agenda and to achieving a more stable and prosperous Middle East," he added.
In Qatar, Hegseth told troops the president has their backs, and that both leaders are committed to rebuilding and strengthening the U.S. military.
"We're restoring the warrior ethos," Hegseth said. "We're also rebuilding our military. President Trump has committed [to] a trillion-dollar defense budget, a historic budget unlike any before — a generational rebuilding of our capabilities. We will have the best ships, the best subs, the best planes, the best fighters, the best drones, missiles, air defense, space defense, border security [and] 'Golden Dome' ... America will be stronger than ever before."
The U.S. also worked to strengthen partnerships in Europe this week by hosting a visit with Polish defense leaders.
Bridge Colby, the undersecretary of defense for policy, met with Poland's secretary of state in the Ministry of National Defense. "Poland is serious about its defense, and we are thankful for their leadership on the continent," Parnell said.
Following his meeting, Colby praised Poland's commitment to partnership with the U.S. and to its own defense.
"Great to get down to business with my Polish counterpart," Colby said. "Poland is serious about its defense, and its strategic thinking is grounded in common sense. That's rarer than it should be. We at DOD will prioritize working with allies like Poland that fit that bill."
Earlier this year, Hegseth visited Poland. At the time, he also praised Poland's commitment to defense and its growing capabilities.
"We see Poland as a model ally on the continent, willing to invest not just in their defense, but in our shared defense and defense of the continent," Hegseth said.
This week, the department also filled out its roster of service secretaries.
"The Senate voted to confirm Troy Meink as secretary of the Air Force, giving the Department of Defense a full slate of fantastic service secretaries," Parnell said. "Under their leadership, our military will get back to basics and get back to putting the warfighters first."
Meink joins Secretary of the Army Daniel P. Driscoll and Secretary of the Navy John Phelan in leading America's military services.
During his confirmation hearing in March, Meink spelled out the challenges facing the Air Force.
"The department is building and operating some of the most complex systems ever fielded in both air and space," Meink said. "We need not only the right number of airmen and guardians, but [we] also need the right skills, training, support and focus to deliver and operate those systems."
Meink said, as secretary, his goal is "to organize, train, and equip the Department of the Air Force to have the lethality needed to deter all potential aggressors and, if necessary, win in conflict."
Finally this week, Parnell said the Navy marked an anniversary for a set of skilled medical professionals who serve both sailors and Marines.
"The United States Navy Nurse Corps celebrated its 117th birthday this week," he said. "We are thankful for the generations of Navy nurses who have served and who've continued to serve with honor and dedication."
In today's Navy, around 3,500 active-duty and reserve nurses serve across more than 20 specialized nursing fields.
"For over a century, Navy nurses have stood strong, providing unwavering care, compassion, and expertise for our sailors and Marines and their families across the globe," said Navy Rear. Adm. Robert J. Hawkins, Nurse Corps chief. "You have consistently demonstrated commitment to service and excellence."