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Media Availability with Secretary Carter at Fort Hauchuca, Arizona

Q:  Sir, if you want to make some opening comments?  

SECRETARY OF DEFENSE, ASHTON CARTER:  You heard what I had to say about Huachuca and its importance when I talked to the spectacular people who work here and I won't repeat that.  I'm happy to take any questions on that.  

The only thing I will note is that I just met with Congresswoman McSally, who is a great colleague, represents this base, but actually is a national leader, good friend, and admired partner in the Congress.  So I appreciate you being out here.  

Q:  Mr. Secretary, I had a question about Iraq (inaudible).  

SEC. CARTER:  Well, it's a big city and a populated one, and ISIL seems there as elsewhere - heedless to the welfare of the population as the battle unfolds.  Indeed, there are reports of moving the population around in order to put people deliberately at risk, which is obviously a deplorable practice. 

In general, the Iraqi forces there as in all cases and certainly this is one of the areas where our support to them, and our advising and assisting enables greater precision on the part of the Iraqi forces.  The CTS who are in overall command of the operation there, the Counter Terrorism Service of the Iraqi Army is exceptionally proficient in that regard and mindful of civilian - the welfare of the civilian population.  

I guess the only other thing I'd say Bob, is that from the Ramadi and Tikrit experience, the Iraqi government now has experienced not only in retaking its own territory but of assisting the population to take back their homes and put their lives back together.  And that is also an area where the United States and the rest of the international coalition can be helpful.  And it's one of the areas where I particularly ask the coalition partners to make sure they're making contributions.  

Q:  (Inaudible)

SEC. CARTER:  Right sure. 

Yes of course Tara, these people were in harm’s way as part of the campaign plan execution to defeat ISIL, which we will do and that's what our plan is about.  We do it by enabling capable and motivated forces who have to hold in government territory taken back from ISIL.  But there is risk, and the most serious thing that I do is take those decision about putting people at risk.  

And - So they were carrying out the purpose for which they deployed there and were both injured.  We're following their progress here.  I don't want to comment on their individual progress here but that - it's a serious business in which people are at risk and there should be no doubt and no question as the President himself made clear yesterday.  

Q:  Is it clear to the local (Inaudible)?

Q:  Secretary, (Inaudible) post-post.  For the (Inaudible) people are always wondering, where is the (inaudible) the future of this facility and they also want to (Inaudible) ?

SEC. CARTER:  I'm sorry, the last part?

Q:  People in the (Inaudible) are certainly wondering what you could say about the long-term future of both (Inaudible). 

SEC. CARTER:  Oh, well, I think in both cases it's pretty firm and bright.  And the reason I say that is that both of them are unique facilities.  And, let me just speak to Huachuca here, where I am right now.  If you look at Huachuca's specialties of ISR and intelligence and cyber, those are clearly a part of the joint military future.

And this is one of the hearts of our -- not only of the army's effort, but the joint effort.  If you look at the environment here, the range opportunities, particularly in electromagnetic spectrum, of the wonderful support of the local community, the proximity to other ranges where we can do training that combines manned and unmanned platforms that combines use of ISR with use of live munitions and other nearby, neighboring ranges that allows the exploration of operational and tactical approaches to full spectrum operations.

Not just counter-insurgency, but full spectrum which is what we need to do.  And so there's so much going on here that is so clearly of long-term necessity for the Department of Defense and that's a very installation.  That's why I came here in the first place.

Q:  (Inaudible).

SEC. CARTER:  Same thing.  Davis-Monthan, very important.  And the A-10 has, I'd say two things about that.  First of all, it has proven in just in recent years that even though an old platform, it has made an important contribution to our operations in the Middle East, that's one thing.

And the other things is that the -- there has -- there will come a time when the A-10 is going to phase out of the force.  Obviously, the Air Force planned some years ago and the department planned for that to be earlier.  That is not the case.  Therefore, we've got the benefit of the A-10 in the meantime, but in years to come, we're going to need to find other ways to accomplish that mission.

It is going to be essential that the Air Force continue to support the ground force with close air support.  The Air Force has made that commitment, but we'll be watching closely how they accomplish that as the years go by.

Q:  (Inaudible)

SEC. CARTER:  Well, the Iraqi government and the CTS, as I said earlier, have overall command of the operation.  And that -- and so it is they and not any of the other forces that will be in the deciding position in the battle for Fallujah.  

And I think everyone in the government of Iraq understands.  And certainly the prime minister has conveyed to our government that he understands that the reconstruction of the city and the re-provision of a decent life for its people there, has to be done in a non-sectarian basis.

And that's why it's important the government of Iraq be in overall control of the operation as has been -- as it has been in the case of all six vessel military operations so far.  And obviously, we support it in that and we will support it in it's effort in Fallujah as well. 

STAFF:  Thanks everybody.

SEC. CARTER:  All right.  Thanks everybody.