Commission Commends Department of Defense for 2023 Biodefense Posture Review

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   
Contact: Steve Aaron
SRA Communications
(717) 554-8614
steve@SRACommunications.com

COMMISSION COMMENDS DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE FOR 2023 BIODEFENSE POSTURE REVIEW
DOD moves to defend as biological threats to the Nation increase

WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 18, 2023) – Yesterday, the Department of Defense (DOD) released its 2023 Biodefense Posture Review. Requested by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and required by the Secretary of Defense, the Biodefense Posture Review acknowledges: (1) current biological threats to warfighters, America, and its interests overseas; (2) inefficiencies in the DOD biodefense enterprise, and (3) biodefense areas in which DOD must lead or follow. The Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense recognizes the value of this effort and the important signal it sends that DOD takes seriously the need to defend against biological threats to our national security.

In Recommendation 26d of its 2015 National Blueprint for Biodefense, the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense called upon DOD to update and implement military biodefense doctrine. The Commission went on to say that the Secretary of Defense should ensure that this doctrine is developed and refreshed with the input and full concurrence of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and should base scientific R&D, training, and other activities necessary for military biodefense on this doctrine.

Dr. Asha M. George, Executive Director of the Commission and Desert Storm Army Veteran, says that the 2023 Biodefense Posture Review and efforts to update biodefense-related DOD policies over the past ten years go far to fulfill the Commission’s 2015 recommendation for the Department.

“The Review provides a strong foundation for coordinating ongoing DOD biodefense activities, collaborating with a wide variety of partners, and fostering the innovation for which the Department is known,” said Dr. George. “But the proof will be in the ranger pudding.”