Previous Navy Secretary Kenneth Braithwaite invested about $2.4 million on air travel during his eight-month tenure under the Trump administration, traveling to 22 places amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
United states Nowadays described that Braithwaite, who was sworn in final May and resigned when President Biden
Joe BidenAtlanta mayor will not run for reelection South Carolina governor to conclude pandemic unemployment positive aspects in June Airplane air pollution established to soar with put up-pandemic journey boom Extra took business office on January 21, traveled to more international and domestic areas than any other senior Pentagon civilian.
The journeys took spot even as the coronavirus pandemic limited travel for most senior officers to avert the spread of the virus between provider associates, two Defense Division officers informed United states of america Nowadays.
Between Braithwaite’s trips was a $232,000 tour in January to the South Pacific’s Wake Island to record a farewell message to the Navy and Marine Corps.
The island is in essence a refueling stop and crisis landing strip 1000’s of miles from Hawaii where no sailors or Marines are stationed, Navy spokesman Capt. Jereal Dorsey told the outlet.
Braithwaite also flew to Norway, Italy, Greece, Japan and India, as well as various visits to Hawaii and a extra than $24,000 flight to show up at the Military-Navy football activity with his loved ones.
Other assistance secretaries took less trips in the exact interval, with then-Army Secretary Ryan McCarthyRyan McCarthyArmy report confirms Vanessa Guillén was sexually harassed prior to her loss of life Pence pleaded with navy officials to ‘clear the Capitol’ on Jan. 6: AP Alarming danger prompts early exit, underscoring safety fears Far more embarking on 17 trips that price tag about $900,000 and then-Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett touring to 19 destinations for a whole $1.6 million, in accordance to spokespeople from each individual company.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Employees Army Gen. Mark Milley
Mark MilleyOvernight Protection: US may retain schooling Afghan forces in other nations around the world | Defense main limited-lipped on sexual assault selection | ‘Swift’ return to Iran deal possible, US says US provides 12 fighter jets to guard Afghanistan withdrawal McConnell: Taliban could take over Afghanistan by ‘the finish of the year’ Extra, meanwhile, took 4 visits in that time body, and then-Defense Secretary Mark Esper
Mark EsperCourt declines to dismiss Amazon problem against JEDI choice Inspector general chose not to look into Secret Service in clearing of Lafayette Sq.: report The paradox of US-India relations Much more and his successor, performing Protection Secretary Christopher Miller, took a put together 15 trips.
Braithwaite defended his travels in a statement to Usa These days, professing they were vital to fortify the Navy right after current crises, likely alluding to the scandal bordering the coronavirus outbreak aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft provider.
“I am particularly proud of the report of achievements of Our Sailors and Marines in the course of my tenure as Secretary, specifically subsequent such a tumultuous chapter in the Navy’s the latest record of disaster following crisis as in contrast to our other companies,” Braithwaite wrote. “I submit it truly is unachievable to guide gentlemen and females deployed close to the environment from at the rear of a desk in Washington.”
Braithwaite added that he thinks his outings “left the Navy and the Maritime Corps greater positioned to respond to our nation’s defense nowadays and tomorrow.”
Previous President Trump
Donald TrumpVeteran accused in alleged border wall plan faces new expenses Arizona Republicans to brush off DOJ worry about election audit FEC drops investigation into Trump hush dollars payments A lot more nominated Braithwaite for Navy secretary immediately after performing Navy Secretary Thomas Modly resigned more than criticism of the service’s managing of the coronavirus outbreak aboard the Roosevelt. Far more than 1,000 sailors were being contaminated aboard the ship, forcing it to be at port for two months in Guam.
Modly resigned on April 7 after fanning the flames of the controversy surrounding the outbreak.
Braithwaite, a retired admiral, had served as U.S. ambassador to Norway due to the fact 2018 prior to starting to be Navy secretary