DOD Spokesperson Robert L. Ditchey II provided the following readout:
Dr. Brandi Vann, Performing the Duties of Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Defense Programs visited critical allies and partners in the Republic of Korea (ROK) and Japan from June 5-12, 2024.
While in the ROK Dr Vann met with GEN LaCamera, Commander, US Forces Korea to discuss defense capabilities on the Korean Peninsula. She also hosted the Adaptative Shield 2024 Senior Leader Seminar where she and senior leaders from across the United States and ROK governments were briefed on the findings from the Adaptive Shield exercise. Adaptive Shield is a tabletop exercise between U.S. Forces Korea and the Republic of Korea aimed at strengthening combined chemical and biological defense capabilities. The exercise this year focused on key training reforms in the 2023 Biodefense Posture Review, and on increased interoperability in providing early warning and rapidly responding to biothreats to mitigate their impact on USFK and ROK combined forces. Adaptive Shield 2024 also produced tangible actions to continue strengthening biodefense capabilities.
Dr. Vann next traveled to Japan to meet with senior leaders from US Forces Japan, Japan's Ministry of Defense (JMOD), Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics Agency (ATLA), National Defense Medical College (NDMC), and the Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF) Chemical School. The conversations with JMOD, ATLA, and NDMC focused on the Department's 2023 Biodefense Posture Review and implementing biodefense reforms, and CBRN defense capabilities and interoperability. CBRN defense capability and interoperability were also discussed with the JGSDF Chemical School.