Lloyd Austin

Vice President Joe Biden, Austin, and Command Sergeant Major Earl Rice, at an event marking the award of the Iraq Commitment Medal in December 2011

On September 1, 2010, Austin became Commanding General (CG) of United States Forces – Iraq (USF-I) at a ceremony at Al-Faw Palace in Baghdad. He took over from General Ray Odierno.[10][11] As CG, USF-I, Austin was the senior military commander in charge of all US and remaining coalition forces in Iraq.[12] Their mission was to advise, train, assist, and equip the Iraqi Armed Forces and the security agencies part of the Ministry of the Interior. As commander, Austin requested an additional troop presence in Iraq from 14,000 to 18,000.[13]

Austin oversaw the transition from Operation Iraqi Freedom and combat operations to Operation New Dawn and stability operations focused on advising, assisting, and training the ISF.[14] He was extensively involved in the internal U.S. discussions and then negotiations with the Iraqi Government leading up to the signing of the Strategic Partnership Agreement.[15] Opposing total U.S. withdrawal, Austin preferred that the U.S. maintain over about 10,000 troops in Iraq after 2011 and he approved staff planning for up to 20,000 remaining troops.[16][17] He directed the drawdown of forces and the redeployment of approximately 50,000 servicemembers. The U.S. command in Iraq formally cased its colors on December 15, 2011, at a reduced-sized BIAP complex, and Austin's speech there cited his division's seizure of the airport over eight years beforehand.[18] Austin, along with other members of the USF-I staff, departed Iraq on December 18, 2011.[19]

In December 2011, Austin was nominated to become Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army (VCSA).[20] He took office on January 31, 2012.[21] As VCSA, he managed the day-to-day administration of the Army's budget and headquarters staff. Under his direction, the Army took steps to reduce the incidence of suicide in the ranks.[22][23] He also supervised a review of the psychiatric treatment of personnel assessed for disability by the Army.[24]

General Lloyd Austin with President Barack Obama at MacDill Air Force Base, September 17, 2014.

Austin became the commander of CENTCOM on March 22, 2013, after being nominated by President Obama in late 2012.[25][26][27] His approach as CENTCOM commander has been described as that of an "invisible general", due to his reluctance to speak publicly about military matters.[28]

As commander, after ISIL seized control of Mosul in June 2014, Austin oversaw the development and execution of the military campaign plan to counter ISIL in Iraq and Syria.[29][30] He had earlier described ISIL as a "flash in the pan".[31] As of October 2014, Austin argued that the US military's primary focus in operations against ISIL should be Iraq, as opposed to Syria.[32] In 2015, Austin conceded in a Senate Committee on Armed Services hearing that a US program intended to train Syrians to combat ISIL had not been successful.[33][34] At the hearing, he faced particularly pointed questioning from Senator John McCain over the direction of military engagement in Syria.[35]

Austin's retirement ceremony took place at Joint Base Myer–Henderson Hall on April 5, 2016.[36]

Austin was the second former CENTCOM Commander after General James Mattis who later on would serve as United States Secretary of Defense. Both Austin and Mattis was once CENTCOM Commander, Mattis was succeeded by Austin following Mattis retirement as CENTCOM Commander in 2013 and served as the 26th U.S. Secretary of Defense.[37]

Austin being sworn in as Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon on January 22, 2021

On December 7, 2020, it was reported that President Joe Biden would nominate Austin as secretary of defense.[43][44] Biden became acquainted with Austin while Austin was CENTCOM commander in the Obama administration, and reportedly grew to trust Austin after receiving Austin's briefings.[45] Like former defense secretary James Mattis,[46] Austin required a congressional waiver of the National Security Act of 1947 to bypass the seven-year waiting period after leaving active-duty military, as prescribed by 10 U.S.C. § 113(a), in order to be appointed as secretary of defense.[45]

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin in his office at The Pentagon on January 23, 2021.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks with National Guardsmen during a visit to the Capitol, Jan. 29, 2021

Austin's nomination, and the attendant requirement for a waiver, met with concern in Congress regarding its implications for civil–military relations.[47][48] Former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and former Secretary of State Colin Powell, among others, issued statements supporting Austin's nomination.[49] Democratic Representative Seth Moulton opposed it.[50]

The Senate Armed Services Committee held a confirmation hearing for Austin on January 19, 2021.[51] On January 21, Congress granted Austin a waiver of the seven-year requirement, by a 326–78 vote in the House and a 69–27 vote in the Senate.[52][53] He was confirmed by the Senate in a 93–2 vote on January 22, 2021.[54] Republican Senators Josh Hawley and Mike Lee were the only no votes. Upon his confirmation and swearing-in later that day, Austin became the first Black secretary of defense.[55] Austin took office on January 22, 2021, after being sworn in by a defense department official, and was sworn in ceremonially by Vice President Kamala Harris on January 25, 2021.[56]

Among his early acts as Secretary of Defense, Austin removed Trump appointees from the Pentagon advisory boards.[57] As part of a review, he ordered for their resignations, most notably former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski. Many of the them were last minute appointees after the 2020 election up to Inauguration Day.