Feb. 4, 2023 F-22 Safely Shoots Down Chinese Spy Balloon Off South Carolina Coast A U.S. Air Force fighter safely shot down a Chinese high-altitude surveillance balloon, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said in a written statement.
Sept. 23, 2022 Austin pledges to 'ease the load' for service members The Defense Department laid out an array of efforts — some already underway and some on the horizon — that address the needs of married service members and their families, as well as single service members.