Ryder named DOD press secretary

Air Force Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder, currently the Air Force public affairs director, has been named the Defense Department's new press secretary, according to a Pentagon announcement.

Ryder succeeds John Kirby, who left DOD for a communications role at the White House National Security Council.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement that Ryder “will fill a critical role, leading our efforts to provide timely, accurate information to the media, and through the media to the American people.”

“He will spend the next few weeks closing out his Air Force and Space Force responsibilities before assuming his new role later this month,” Austin continued. “He brings a wealth of experience, including joint and deployed assignments that will serve him well as he informs the media of our activities around the world. I am confident that I will benefit from his counsel, and that the American people will benefit from his ability to clearly and consistently communicate our efforts to protect the United States and its interests around the world, take care of our people, and strengthen our unrivaled alliances and partnerships.”