1 00:00:06,470 --> 00:00:08,240 - OK, good morning, everyone. 2 00:00:08,240 --> 00:00:11,720 I'd like to begin by offering my deepest condolences 3 00:00:11,720 --> 00:00:14,040 to the families of the three American servicemembers 4 00:00:14,040 --> 00:00:17,380 who recently lost their lives in the line of duty. 5 00:00:17,380 --> 00:00:19,590 Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Paul Voss 6 00:00:19,590 --> 00:00:22,610 and Captain Ryan Phaneuf were killed 7 00:00:22,610 --> 00:00:25,380 on January 27th in an aircraft accident 8 00:00:25,380 --> 00:00:28,280 in Ghazni province, Afghanistan. 9 00:00:28,280 --> 00:00:30,100 We have conducted recovery operations 10 00:00:30,100 --> 00:00:32,820 and are investigating the cause of the crash, 11 00:00:32,820 --> 00:00:36,070 and we thank our Afghan partners for their assistance. 12 00:00:36,070 --> 00:00:39,560 On January 24th, Army Specialist Antonio Moore 13 00:00:39,560 --> 00:00:41,630 died in Deir ez Zor province in Syria 14 00:00:41,630 --> 00:00:43,560 during a rollover accident while 15 00:00:43,560 --> 00:00:46,110 conducting route-clearing operations. 16 00:00:46,110 --> 00:00:48,000 We honor the service and sacrifice 17 00:00:48,000 --> 00:00:50,220 of these three men, and our thoughts 18 00:00:50,220 --> 00:00:53,020 are with their family and their friends. 19 00:00:53,020 --> 00:00:54,180 I'd also like to provide an update 20 00:00:54,180 --> 00:00:57,230 on several other fronts, beginning with the coronavirus. 21 00:00:57,230 --> 00:00:59,260 The department is providing housing support 22 00:00:59,260 --> 00:01:02,280 at March Air Reserve Base in California 23 00:01:02,280 --> 00:01:04,920 to assist Health and Human Services in caring 24 00:01:04,920 --> 00:01:07,990 for the nearly 200 State Department employees, 25 00:01:07,990 --> 00:01:11,453 dependents, and U.S. citizens evacuated from Wuhan, China. 26 00:01:12,360 --> 00:01:14,540 I wanna thank our men and women for their rapid response 27 00:01:14,540 --> 00:01:17,390 and assistance in this important effort. 28 00:01:17,390 --> 00:01:19,860 DOD personnel are not in direct contact 29 00:01:19,860 --> 00:01:22,350 with the evacuees, nor will the evacuees 30 00:01:22,350 --> 00:01:24,610 have access to any other locations on base 31 00:01:24,610 --> 00:01:26,310 outside of their assigned housing. 32 00:01:27,320 --> 00:01:28,590 The Department of Defense continues 33 00:01:28,590 --> 00:01:30,720 to work closely with our interagency partners 34 00:01:30,720 --> 00:01:34,250 as we monitor the situation and protect our servicemembers 35 00:01:34,250 --> 00:01:36,700 and their families, which is my highest priority. 36 00:01:37,620 --> 00:01:39,630 With regard to another personnel issue, 37 00:01:39,630 --> 00:01:41,230 the department will be providing an update 38 00:01:41,230 --> 00:01:44,180 on TBI numbers later today, but I'd like to stress 39 00:01:44,180 --> 00:01:46,650 that we take this issue very seriously. 40 00:01:46,650 --> 00:01:49,030 DOD is a leading contributor in the treatment 41 00:01:49,030 --> 00:01:51,610 and research of brain-related trauma. 42 00:01:51,610 --> 00:01:54,610 We do everything we can to identify, treat, and help 43 00:01:54,610 --> 00:01:57,053 our servicemembers recover and return to duty. 44 00:01:57,970 --> 00:01:59,670 Turning to news reports about possible 45 00:01:59,670 --> 00:02:02,300 troop reductions, I wanna reiterate 46 00:02:02,300 --> 00:02:03,650 that our combatant command reviews 47 00:02:03,650 --> 00:02:06,830 are ongoing, and no decisions have been made at this time. 48 00:02:06,830 --> 00:02:08,200 As I said before, we will ensure 49 00:02:08,200 --> 00:02:10,730 that any rebalancing of troops and resources 50 00:02:10,730 --> 00:02:12,570 is in line with our priorities 51 00:02:12,570 --> 00:02:15,000 under the National Defense Strategy. 52 00:02:15,000 --> 00:02:17,470 Meanwhile, we remain in close consultation 53 00:02:17,470 --> 00:02:19,220 with our allies and partners on this 54 00:02:19,220 --> 00:02:21,160 and other matters of shared interest. 55 00:02:21,160 --> 00:02:22,910 I would add that the chairman and I had the chance, 56 00:02:22,910 --> 00:02:27,210 also, to update the chairmen and ranking members 57 00:02:27,210 --> 00:02:29,480 of the defense committees this week 58 00:02:29,480 --> 00:02:31,920 on this issue and several others. 59 00:02:31,920 --> 00:02:33,600 Today in Bahrain, the International 60 00:02:33,600 --> 00:02:36,750 Maritime Security Construct conducted a change of command 61 00:02:36,750 --> 00:02:39,020 between U.S. Rear Admiral Alvin Holsey 62 00:02:39,020 --> 00:02:41,023 and U.K. Commodore James Parkin. 63 00:02:41,940 --> 00:02:44,520 The IMSC is committed to ensuring 64 00:02:44,520 --> 00:02:46,640 the freedom of navigation in the Persian Gulf 65 00:02:46,640 --> 00:02:49,310 and the Gulf of Oman through which 66 00:02:49,310 --> 00:02:52,040 over 17,000 ships and 1/6 of global 67 00:02:52,040 --> 00:02:54,640 oil production pass each year. 68 00:02:54,640 --> 00:02:57,490 We welcome Commodore Parkin to this vital endeavor, 69 00:02:57,490 --> 00:02:58,850 which represents an international 70 00:02:58,850 --> 00:03:00,963 solution to an international problem. 71 00:03:02,230 --> 00:03:04,270 Earlier this week, I hosted the French Minister 72 00:03:04,270 --> 00:03:07,010 of Armed Forces here at the Pentagon, as you all know, 73 00:03:07,010 --> 00:03:08,900 for a productive discussion about bolstering 74 00:03:08,900 --> 00:03:11,130 our longstanding defense relationship 75 00:03:11,130 --> 00:03:13,440 and encouraging other European allies to do more 76 00:03:13,440 --> 00:03:15,430 in Africa and the Middle East. 77 00:03:15,430 --> 00:03:17,650 Tomorrow I will welcome the Italian Minister of Defense 78 00:03:17,650 --> 00:03:19,920 to talk about burden-sharing and strengthening 79 00:03:19,920 --> 00:03:23,920 our cooperation through the Defeat ISIS Coalition. 80 00:03:23,920 --> 00:03:25,600 And next month I will attend the NATO 81 00:03:25,600 --> 00:03:28,490 Defense Ministerial in Brussels to further engage 82 00:03:28,490 --> 00:03:30,880 with my European counterparts on the future 83 00:03:30,880 --> 00:03:33,210 of our readiness and collective security. 84 00:03:33,210 --> 00:03:34,800 I look forward to discussing NATO's 85 00:03:34,800 --> 00:03:37,420 expanded role in the Middle East, and the importance 86 00:03:37,420 --> 00:03:39,960 of alliance unity as we adapt our force 87 00:03:39,960 --> 00:03:42,170 to an era of great power competition. 88 00:03:42,170 --> 00:03:45,130 With that, I'll turn it over to Chairman Milley. 89 00:03:45,130 --> 00:03:46,130 - Thanks, Secretary, I don't have 90 00:03:46,130 --> 00:03:48,230 a opening statement, but before we get to questions, 91 00:03:48,230 --> 00:03:51,620 I wanna echo what the secretary said 92 00:03:51,620 --> 00:03:56,302 about Colonel Voss and for the family, his family, 93 00:03:56,302 --> 00:03:59,990 and also for Captain Phaneuf and for Specialist Moore, 94 00:03:59,990 --> 00:04:02,220 there's no greater loss for any family 95 00:04:02,220 --> 00:04:04,200 than the loss of a loved one, and our thoughts 96 00:04:04,200 --> 00:04:05,560 and prayers from all of us in uniform 97 00:04:05,560 --> 00:04:07,733 are extended to their families. 98 00:04:09,350 --> 00:04:11,700 Their remains will be brought back, as you know, 99 00:04:11,700 --> 00:04:15,680 to go over tonight for dignified transfer ceremony, 100 00:04:15,680 --> 00:04:18,010 and the secretary and others will be up there for that. 101 00:04:18,010 --> 00:04:20,437 So our thoughts and prayers are with the family, 102 00:04:20,437 --> 00:04:22,895 and with that we'll take your questions. 103 00:04:22,895 --> 00:04:25,330 - Bob Burns. - Thank you, a question 104 00:04:25,330 --> 00:04:27,730 for you two of you if I may, but Mr. Secretary, 105 00:04:27,730 --> 00:04:30,530 on coronavirus, are there precautions 106 00:04:30,530 --> 00:04:33,400 that you're making or preparing to make 107 00:04:33,400 --> 00:04:36,270 with regard to U.S. personnel in, for example, Vietnam 108 00:04:36,270 --> 00:04:41,270 or other areas in Asia or Europe to get ahead of this? 109 00:04:44,940 --> 00:04:48,490 - Yes, I approved a directive that will go out today 110 00:04:48,490 --> 00:04:53,130 from OSD apprising our forces about precautions 111 00:04:53,130 --> 00:04:56,760 they should take, how to recognize 112 00:04:56,760 --> 00:04:59,080 the signs and symptoms of the virus, et cetera. 113 00:04:59,080 --> 00:05:01,210 That will be first of probably a few. 114 00:05:01,210 --> 00:05:03,810 Again, force protection for our servicemembers, 115 00:05:03,810 --> 00:05:05,150 our civilians, and their families 116 00:05:05,150 --> 00:05:06,850 is a priority, so we wanna make sure 117 00:05:06,850 --> 00:05:09,350 we stay in front of it with regard to information 118 00:05:09,350 --> 00:05:11,720 and in other precautions that will be taken. 119 00:05:11,720 --> 00:05:13,550 I know the INDOPACOM command will also 120 00:05:13,550 --> 00:05:16,750 be taking measures given that this virus 121 00:05:16,750 --> 00:05:18,180 is emanating from that theater, 122 00:05:18,180 --> 00:05:22,290 so they will be providing additive information as well. 123 00:05:22,290 --> 00:05:23,960 - General Milley, if I may ask you a question on Iraq 124 00:05:23,960 --> 00:05:27,340 and the TBI issue that the secretary raised. 125 00:05:27,340 --> 00:05:30,670 Are there additional or different precautionary measures 126 00:05:30,670 --> 00:05:34,620 that can be taken, should be taken to mitigate 127 00:05:34,620 --> 00:05:36,590 blast exposure for troops in this 128 00:05:36,590 --> 00:05:39,770 kind of instance or others, and also on TBI, 129 00:05:39,770 --> 00:05:42,720 as a person who's had extensive experience in the field 130 00:05:42,720 --> 00:05:46,170 in war zones, you've seen a lot of things, 131 00:05:46,170 --> 00:05:47,830 have you seen the manifestation 132 00:05:47,830 --> 00:05:49,410 of these kind of concussive injuries 133 00:05:49,410 --> 00:05:53,040 that show themselves in behavioral problems 134 00:05:53,040 --> 00:05:56,640 to the extent that people have to be removed from the field? 135 00:05:56,640 --> 00:05:58,110 - Yeah, thanks for the question, Bob. 136 00:05:58,110 --> 00:06:00,940 The short answer's yes and yes. 137 00:06:00,940 --> 00:06:04,760 There are a wide variety of extensive experiments 138 00:06:04,760 --> 00:06:07,890 and designs in things like helmet design, et cetera. 139 00:06:07,890 --> 00:06:10,400 There's a lot of treatment therapies that we due. 140 00:06:10,400 --> 00:06:13,760 As you know, we put in the MACE test quite a few years ago. 141 00:06:13,760 --> 00:06:15,550 We really started manifesting, I'd say, 142 00:06:15,550 --> 00:06:18,410 probably about 10 years ago, where we began 143 00:06:18,410 --> 00:06:22,820 a series of mitigation actions within the force. 144 00:06:22,820 --> 00:06:25,830 MACE test is one of 'em, where we immediately test 145 00:06:25,830 --> 00:06:28,910 within the first 24 to 48 hours, start testing people 146 00:06:28,910 --> 00:06:32,030 on neurological symptoms, asking them questions, putting 147 00:06:32,030 --> 00:06:34,360 them through some physical exams, et cetera, et cetera. 148 00:06:34,360 --> 00:06:36,210 In this case, as you know, there were thousands 149 00:06:36,210 --> 00:06:37,990 of people at the al-Asad Air Base. 150 00:06:37,990 --> 00:06:41,250 Those that were within the distance of the blast, 151 00:06:41,250 --> 00:06:43,260 and these were 1000, 2000 pound munitions 152 00:06:43,260 --> 00:06:45,680 they were comin' in with, heavy overpressure, et cetera, 153 00:06:45,680 --> 00:06:47,040 all of those people were screened, 154 00:06:47,040 --> 00:06:49,550 and we've got a certain number, and the number's growing. 155 00:06:49,550 --> 00:06:52,721 And in this particular case, TBI, 156 00:06:52,721 --> 00:06:54,950 that takes some time to manifest itself. 157 00:06:54,950 --> 00:06:56,670 It's not an immediate thing, necessarily. 158 00:06:56,670 --> 00:06:59,290 Some cases it is, some cases it's not. 159 00:06:59,290 --> 00:07:00,870 So we continue to screen, some of 'em 160 00:07:00,870 --> 00:07:02,510 have been evacuated to Europe, 161 00:07:02,510 --> 00:07:04,090 some of 'em have been evacuated back to United States. 162 00:07:04,090 --> 00:07:07,670 So there's a layered approach to this, we'll continue 163 00:07:07,670 --> 00:07:09,950 to do that with our medical professionals. 164 00:07:09,950 --> 00:07:14,430 In terms of mitigations, first thing is to mitigate 165 00:07:14,430 --> 00:07:16,760 from the actual shrapnel and the blast 166 00:07:16,760 --> 00:07:20,750 to prevent physical injury in the sense of wounds resulting, 167 00:07:20,750 --> 00:07:23,710 loss of limbs, et cetera, and that requires early warning, 168 00:07:23,710 --> 00:07:26,650 which happened, getting under cover, which happened, 169 00:07:26,650 --> 00:07:29,750 dispersal, getting to safe areas, and so on. 170 00:07:29,750 --> 00:07:32,340 All of that is what prevented killed in action 171 00:07:32,340 --> 00:07:33,960 and the very seriously injured, 172 00:07:33,960 --> 00:07:35,670 such as amputations, et cetera. 173 00:07:35,670 --> 00:07:37,960 But the TBI piece is different. 174 00:07:37,960 --> 00:07:40,600 Your brain is a very fragile part of your body 175 00:07:40,600 --> 00:07:43,640 even though it's encased inside your skull. 176 00:07:43,640 --> 00:07:46,470 But the overpressures and the injuries to the brain, 177 00:07:46,470 --> 00:07:48,730 the unseen wounds of war, for example, 178 00:07:48,730 --> 00:07:51,280 those can be serious or they can be 179 00:07:51,280 --> 00:07:52,690 not so serious, depends on the individual, 180 00:07:52,690 --> 00:07:54,840 depends on the proximity to the blast. 181 00:07:54,840 --> 00:07:56,220 And sometimes they are lifelong, 182 00:07:56,220 --> 00:07:59,930 sometimes they resolve themselves within weeks or months. 183 00:07:59,930 --> 00:08:02,340 So it's constant monitoring, and we take 184 00:08:02,340 --> 00:08:04,480 a lot of measures within the military 185 00:08:04,480 --> 00:08:06,700 to make sure that we screen those out. 186 00:08:06,700 --> 00:08:09,670 In terms of mitigation in the future, 187 00:08:09,670 --> 00:08:11,960 as we do that we have partnered 188 00:08:11,960 --> 00:08:14,530 with various organizations and health organizations 189 00:08:14,530 --> 00:08:16,410 to try to develop not only therapies 190 00:08:16,410 --> 00:08:17,930 but also preventative measures, 191 00:08:17,930 --> 00:08:20,502 things like helmets for example. 192 00:08:20,502 --> 00:08:21,760 - Thank you. - And one thing I would add 193 00:08:21,760 --> 00:08:24,020 is, as Army Secretary, I'm sure the chairman 194 00:08:24,020 --> 00:08:26,070 will recall when he was chief, we were workin', 195 00:08:26,070 --> 00:08:28,050 spending quite a bit of time and resources 196 00:08:28,050 --> 00:08:29,750 to understand how we can either change 197 00:08:29,750 --> 00:08:31,930 the composition of our helmets or the design 198 00:08:31,930 --> 00:08:34,695 so that it could either divert a concussion 199 00:08:34,695 --> 00:08:36,690 or absorb it to deflect it, and as I traveled 200 00:08:36,690 --> 00:08:38,270 throughout the Army, meeting at least 201 00:08:38,270 --> 00:08:39,850 with our research labs to understand that, 202 00:08:39,850 --> 00:08:41,760 I think the Army is, the service, 203 00:08:41,760 --> 00:08:44,090 the military is a leader on this issue. 204 00:08:44,090 --> 00:08:46,230 We've partnered, the Army did, at least, with the NFL 205 00:08:46,230 --> 00:08:48,050 to understand this, and it's something 206 00:08:48,050 --> 00:08:50,360 we have to continue to work on, it's very important, 207 00:08:50,360 --> 00:08:52,470 and we have to make sure that our soldiers, 208 00:08:52,470 --> 00:08:54,270 sailors, airmen, and Marines have all the protections 209 00:08:54,270 --> 00:08:58,420 they need to fight and survive and win 210 00:08:58,420 --> 00:09:00,950 and recover quickly in military operations. 211 00:09:00,950 --> 00:09:02,520 - And Bob, you asked, the second part of your question 212 00:09:02,520 --> 00:09:04,690 was does it manifest itself in behavior health. 213 00:09:04,690 --> 00:09:06,588 In some cases, absolutely yes. 214 00:09:06,588 --> 00:09:10,360 It can become post-traumatic stress, 215 00:09:10,360 --> 00:09:13,020 it can become a wide variety of behavioral health issues 216 00:09:13,020 --> 00:09:14,870 when you do damage to the brain. 217 00:09:14,870 --> 00:09:16,380 - Are you seeing in this case? 218 00:09:16,380 --> 00:09:18,100 - It's, right now it's too early to tell. 219 00:09:18,100 --> 00:09:21,960 The diagnosis we have so far for all of the folks 220 00:09:21,960 --> 00:09:23,650 that have been diagnosed to date 221 00:09:23,650 --> 00:09:26,020 is mild traumatic brain injury, that's the diagnosis 222 00:09:26,020 --> 00:09:28,030 that's been reported to us so far. 223 00:09:28,030 --> 00:09:30,700 - And I, I'm sorry, this is just a good topic. 224 00:09:30,700 --> 00:09:32,250 We are still learning, there's a lot more 225 00:09:32,250 --> 00:09:33,580 to be learned about these injuries, 226 00:09:33,580 --> 00:09:36,330 we're putting a lot of money into research. 227 00:09:36,330 --> 00:09:38,220 It affects us not just on the battlefield, but, 228 00:09:38,220 --> 00:09:42,040 look, our servicemembers get hurt during training as well. 229 00:09:42,040 --> 00:09:45,100 They get hurt during all types of activities, 230 00:09:45,100 --> 00:09:47,570 so we need to understand how the brain is affected 231 00:09:47,570 --> 00:09:51,540 by injuries to it, whether it's from a concussive blast 232 00:09:51,540 --> 00:09:53,380 or other things, so it's an important field of research, 233 00:09:53,380 --> 00:09:55,330 we need to continue to work on. 234 00:09:55,330 --> 00:09:56,788 - Thank you. - (faint speaking) Thank you, 235 00:09:56,788 --> 00:09:58,590 I'm gonna stick with TBI, actually. 236 00:09:58,590 --> 00:10:00,660 When you saw the payload of the missiles 237 00:10:00,660 --> 00:10:03,850 and how close they came to some of the shelters, 238 00:10:03,850 --> 00:10:06,210 at that point did you expect that there would be TBI, 239 00:10:06,210 --> 00:10:08,610 or is that something that surprised both of you? 240 00:10:09,730 --> 00:10:11,150 - For me it's not a surprise. 241 00:10:11,150 --> 00:10:13,600 There's concussive injuries as a result 242 00:10:13,600 --> 00:10:15,560 of any explosive device that goes off. 243 00:10:15,560 --> 00:10:17,190 You can get concussive injuries 244 00:10:17,190 --> 00:10:19,560 from hitting your head, from falling, 245 00:10:19,560 --> 00:10:21,470 from parachute jumps, et cetera. 246 00:10:21,470 --> 00:10:24,010 So no, it's not necessarily a surprise. 247 00:10:24,010 --> 00:10:26,460 What we do when we're in contact with the enemy, 248 00:10:26,460 --> 00:10:28,870 we're in a firefight, incoming mortars, 249 00:10:28,870 --> 00:10:31,290 rockets, theater ballistic missiles or anything, 250 00:10:31,290 --> 00:10:34,730 the very first thing you're focusing on is life and limb. 251 00:10:34,730 --> 00:10:36,920 So when we say reported casualties, 252 00:10:36,920 --> 00:10:38,900 we're really talking about killed in action 253 00:10:38,900 --> 00:10:42,030 and serious injuries like loss of limbs. 254 00:10:42,030 --> 00:10:44,410 The TBI manifests itself over time, 255 00:10:44,410 --> 00:10:46,460 it's not necessarily instantaneous. 256 00:10:46,460 --> 00:10:49,580 So not a surprise, necessarily, but the focus 257 00:10:49,580 --> 00:10:51,900 immediately is loss of life and limb. 258 00:10:51,900 --> 00:10:53,450 - First of all, in retrospect, do you think 259 00:10:53,450 --> 00:10:55,930 it would have been better or more forthcoming 260 00:10:55,930 --> 00:10:58,620 if you had not initially said there were no injuries? 261 00:10:58,620 --> 00:11:00,660 And do you think the president saying 262 00:11:00,660 --> 00:11:04,260 they're just headaches minimizes the injuries, and TBI? 263 00:11:04,260 --> 00:11:06,150 - Chairman and I spent most of the night 264 00:11:06,150 --> 00:11:08,250 going over casualties and understanding what happened 265 00:11:08,250 --> 00:11:10,000 on the ground with General McKenzie and others. 266 00:11:10,000 --> 00:11:12,420 I think the reporting was accurate. 267 00:11:12,420 --> 00:11:15,090 At that time, as reported, there were no casualties 268 00:11:15,090 --> 00:11:17,910 as the chairman just defined it. 269 00:11:17,910 --> 00:11:20,510 I think, again, over time, you learn things, 270 00:11:20,510 --> 00:11:23,450 and you get reports, and as we predicted 271 00:11:23,450 --> 00:11:25,760 when the first reports came in several days later 272 00:11:25,760 --> 00:11:27,680 that there would likely be more and more, 273 00:11:27,680 --> 00:11:31,310 because I think these things, the TBI manifests itself 274 00:11:31,310 --> 00:11:33,950 over time, so I think we did our best 275 00:11:33,950 --> 00:11:35,730 to report no casualties, and I still believe 276 00:11:35,730 --> 00:11:38,353 that that morning there were no casualties reported. 277 00:11:39,410 --> 00:11:41,720 (faint speaking) 278 00:11:41,720 --> 00:11:43,920 - [Journalist] Secretary Esper, why have you not moved 279 00:11:43,920 --> 00:11:46,870 the Patriot missile batteries into Iraq? 280 00:11:46,870 --> 00:11:49,090 What's the hold up, and General Milley, 281 00:11:49,090 --> 00:11:51,610 do you need Patriots to protect those bases? 282 00:11:51,610 --> 00:11:53,100 Would they have been able to intercept 283 00:11:53,100 --> 00:11:55,100 those ballistic missiles? 284 00:11:55,100 --> 00:11:57,130 - I'll let the chairman speak to the particulars 285 00:11:57,130 --> 00:11:59,390 of how the commander positions his forces, et cetera, 286 00:11:59,390 --> 00:12:00,310 but one of the things we need to do 287 00:12:00,310 --> 00:12:01,320 is make sure we have permission 288 00:12:01,320 --> 00:12:02,277 from the host government, and that's 289 00:12:02,277 --> 00:12:04,709 one of the matters we have to work on and work through. 290 00:12:04,709 --> 00:12:05,542 - [Journalist] So they're being 291 00:12:05,542 --> 00:12:07,430 held up right now by the Iraqis? 292 00:12:07,430 --> 00:12:08,700 - We need the permission of the Iraqis. 293 00:12:08,700 --> 00:12:10,420 That's one issue, there may be others 294 00:12:10,420 --> 00:12:11,713 with regard to placement and things like that 295 00:12:11,713 --> 00:12:14,460 that are more tactical, more operational. 296 00:12:14,460 --> 00:12:16,460 So it's a combination of things. 297 00:12:16,460 --> 00:12:17,570 - We're working with the Iraqi government 298 00:12:17,570 --> 00:12:20,400 in order to do exactly what you just suggested. 299 00:12:20,400 --> 00:12:22,500 There's mechanical pieces, the science of war, 300 00:12:22,500 --> 00:12:25,250 so to speak, of actually moving and bringing in, 301 00:12:25,250 --> 00:12:27,280 Patriot batteries or Patriot battalion 302 00:12:27,280 --> 00:12:29,890 is not a small organization, it's relatively large. 303 00:12:29,890 --> 00:12:31,660 So the mechanics of it all have to be 304 00:12:31,660 --> 00:12:34,280 worked out, and that is in fact ongoing. 305 00:12:34,280 --> 00:12:36,380 In terms of would have, should have, could have 306 00:12:36,380 --> 00:12:38,760 in terms of if there was a Patriot batallion 307 00:12:38,760 --> 00:12:40,420 at al-Asad or Erbil or whatever, 308 00:12:40,420 --> 00:12:41,860 could they have shot down these TBMs? 309 00:12:41,860 --> 00:12:43,430 That's what they're designed to do. 310 00:12:43,430 --> 00:12:44,980 Can't say for certain, obviously, 311 00:12:44,980 --> 00:12:46,720 whether in that case at those altitudes 312 00:12:46,720 --> 00:12:49,610 and those ranges, et cetera, if that would have happened, 313 00:12:49,610 --> 00:12:51,070 but that is exactly what they're designed to do, 314 00:12:51,070 --> 00:12:53,070 is just shoot down incoming theater ballistic missiles. 315 00:12:53,070 --> 00:12:54,930 - But you do feel you need them. 316 00:12:54,930 --> 00:12:55,920 - [Chairman] Yes. 317 00:12:55,920 --> 00:12:57,120 - The commander feels he needs 'em, 318 00:12:57,120 --> 00:12:59,580 and our intent is to assess the commander's requests 319 00:12:59,580 --> 00:13:01,200 and determine whether we fill them or not. 320 00:13:01,200 --> 00:13:03,453 In this case we support the commander. 321 00:13:05,040 --> 00:13:06,140 Given what happened. 322 00:13:06,140 --> 00:13:08,060 - [Journalist] Going back to the question on TBI, 323 00:13:08,060 --> 00:13:12,430 the president did say that these wounds were not serious, 324 00:13:12,430 --> 00:13:13,910 and he characterized them as headaches. 325 00:13:13,910 --> 00:13:16,740 Can I ask both of you what do you make of those comments, 326 00:13:16,740 --> 00:13:19,300 and given that in your opening statement 327 00:13:19,300 --> 00:13:21,220 you said the department takes it very seriously, 328 00:13:21,220 --> 00:13:24,150 how is that at odds with the department's view? 329 00:13:24,150 --> 00:13:25,830 - Look, I've had the chance to speak with the president. 330 00:13:25,830 --> 00:13:28,445 He is very concerned about the health 331 00:13:28,445 --> 00:13:31,150 and welfare of all of our servicemembers, 332 00:13:31,150 --> 00:13:33,130 particularly those who were involved 333 00:13:33,130 --> 00:13:34,380 in the operations in Iraq, and he 334 00:13:34,380 --> 00:13:36,430 understands the nature of these injuries. 335 00:13:37,520 --> 00:13:39,750 - And I would say there's three categories 336 00:13:39,750 --> 00:13:43,450 of wounded in action that we've had for years. 337 00:13:43,450 --> 00:13:45,740 One is VSI, very serious, and you're probably 338 00:13:45,740 --> 00:13:47,580 all familiar with this, very seriously injured. 339 00:13:47,580 --> 00:13:48,950 One is SI, seriously injured, 340 00:13:48,950 --> 00:13:52,140 and one is NSI, not seriously injured. 341 00:13:52,140 --> 00:13:54,680 And in this case, the reporting to date 342 00:13:54,680 --> 00:13:57,810 indicates mild TBI, which would be 343 00:13:57,810 --> 00:13:59,280 in the category of not seriously injured. 344 00:13:59,280 --> 00:14:01,360 That doesn't mean they're not injured, 345 00:14:01,360 --> 00:14:03,650 and it doesn't mean to the individual, 346 00:14:03,650 --> 00:14:06,460 but in the categories that we categorize 347 00:14:06,460 --> 00:14:08,450 wounded in action, these individuals 348 00:14:08,450 --> 00:14:10,820 are in the NSI category at this time. 349 00:14:10,820 --> 00:14:13,370 That's not to minimize or dismiss or anything, 350 00:14:13,370 --> 00:14:17,330 that's just to say that that's how we categorize casualties. 351 00:14:17,330 --> 00:14:18,360 - So would you say that the president 352 00:14:18,360 --> 00:14:21,160 is now better informed than when he made those comments? 353 00:14:22,150 --> 00:14:23,330 - I'm not gonna comment on that. 354 00:14:23,330 --> 00:14:25,480 I think for many people this is a learning process, 355 00:14:25,480 --> 00:14:30,300 and we are sending teams, briefers to the Hill, if you will. 356 00:14:30,300 --> 00:14:31,200 We're gonna have a conversation 357 00:14:31,200 --> 00:14:34,430 with many Hill staff today, I think we need to update 358 00:14:34,430 --> 00:14:35,980 Hill staff, members of Congress, 359 00:14:35,980 --> 00:14:37,820 to understand what TBI injuries are. 360 00:14:37,820 --> 00:14:39,500 They are, again, this is something 361 00:14:39,500 --> 00:14:41,140 we've come to learn about, the chairman 362 00:14:41,140 --> 00:14:44,290 can speak more fluently on it, over the past 10, 15 years 363 00:14:44,290 --> 00:14:46,810 as we've seen IED attacks on our 364 00:14:46,810 --> 00:14:48,430 forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. 365 00:14:48,430 --> 00:14:51,410 So again, this is an injury we need 366 00:14:51,410 --> 00:14:53,890 to keep educating everybody about. 367 00:14:53,890 --> 00:14:56,900 The Hill, you, all of you, the American people, 368 00:14:56,900 --> 00:15:00,420 and even myself, it's a learning process for many of us. 369 00:15:00,420 --> 00:15:05,420 - Some of these injuries that right now are called mild TBI, 370 00:15:05,560 --> 00:15:09,250 and they're in the NSI category, that might change. 371 00:15:09,250 --> 00:15:10,540 These things are cumulative, too. 372 00:15:10,540 --> 00:15:13,180 So if you get multiple concussions, 373 00:15:13,180 --> 00:15:14,910 that can manifest itself down the road, 374 00:15:14,910 --> 00:15:17,160 it could be a year, two years. 375 00:15:17,160 --> 00:15:19,340 So it could, what Bob was talkin' 376 00:15:19,340 --> 00:15:20,690 about in terms of behavioral health. 377 00:15:20,690 --> 00:15:23,440 So this, we're early in the stage of diagnosis, 378 00:15:23,440 --> 00:15:26,040 we're early in the stage of therapy for these troops. 379 00:15:26,040 --> 00:15:27,090 We'll continue to monitor them 380 00:15:27,090 --> 00:15:28,720 the rest of their lives, actually, 381 00:15:28,720 --> 00:15:32,010 and continue to provide whatever treatment is necessary, 382 00:15:32,010 --> 00:15:34,210 and we take great pride in the fact 383 00:15:34,210 --> 00:15:36,787 that these are our own, and we're gonna take care of 'em. 384 00:15:36,787 --> 00:15:40,020 - And the key is to take care of our servicemembers, 385 00:15:40,020 --> 00:15:42,790 treat them, not just the immediate, the acute, 386 00:15:42,790 --> 00:15:46,510 but also through their lifetime of service and beyond, 387 00:15:46,510 --> 00:15:48,140 and make sure we're doing everything we can 388 00:15:48,140 --> 00:15:49,720 to prevent injuries in the future 389 00:15:49,720 --> 00:15:52,620 through new helmet designs, other ways 390 00:15:52,620 --> 00:15:54,660 by which we can protect them, and that's 391 00:15:54,660 --> 00:15:56,945 what we're committed to doing. 392 00:15:56,945 --> 00:15:57,960 (faint speaking) 393 00:15:57,960 --> 00:16:01,743 - Hi, sir, I just have a quick clarification and a note, 394 00:16:01,743 --> 00:16:03,630 a separate question just on the International 395 00:16:03,630 --> 00:16:06,160 Maritime Security Construct that you mentioned, 396 00:16:06,160 --> 00:16:08,497 that you're changing command, and the 397 00:16:08,497 --> 00:16:10,320 commander's going to be a U.K. commodore. 398 00:16:10,320 --> 00:16:12,060 Can you just clarify, my understanding 399 00:16:12,060 --> 00:16:14,150 was that this was a U.S.-led effort. 400 00:16:14,150 --> 00:16:15,860 Is it now a U.K.-led effort, 401 00:16:15,860 --> 00:16:18,200 or is there something that I'm missing? 402 00:16:18,200 --> 00:16:20,770 And then my separate question is 403 00:16:22,180 --> 00:16:24,260 the commanders of AFRICOM and SOUTHCOM 404 00:16:24,260 --> 00:16:26,480 are on the Hill this morning, and lawmakers 405 00:16:26,480 --> 00:16:28,920 have raised some concerns about 406 00:16:28,920 --> 00:16:32,090 the possible drawdown on those continents, 407 00:16:32,090 --> 00:16:34,820 and worries that this will allow 408 00:16:34,820 --> 00:16:36,680 the Chinese influence to grow there. 409 00:16:36,680 --> 00:16:38,500 So can you just explain how reducing 410 00:16:38,500 --> 00:16:40,230 our footprint in Africa will help 411 00:16:40,230 --> 00:16:43,135 better posture the U.S. to counter China? 412 00:16:43,135 --> 00:16:45,000 - On the first thing, it's, we described it 413 00:16:45,000 --> 00:16:46,560 as a U.S.-led effort, the IMSC, 414 00:16:46,560 --> 00:16:48,340 but clearly we have many partners. 415 00:16:48,340 --> 00:16:50,320 And I think the fact that we have the U.K. 416 00:16:50,320 --> 00:16:52,110 willing to step up and take leadership 417 00:16:52,110 --> 00:16:53,930 of the IMSC in particular shows 418 00:16:53,930 --> 00:16:55,060 that it's an international effort 419 00:16:55,060 --> 00:16:56,290 and we're all committed to it. 420 00:16:56,290 --> 00:16:57,790 This is part and parcel of what we do 421 00:16:57,790 --> 00:16:59,650 in other theaters, if you will. 422 00:16:59,650 --> 00:17:01,860 On the second point, and I said this, 423 00:17:01,860 --> 00:17:04,040 some of you traveled with me to SOUTHCOM, 424 00:17:04,040 --> 00:17:09,040 I know the inclination is whenever somebody says review, 425 00:17:09,220 --> 00:17:10,790 the word that automatically pops up 426 00:17:10,790 --> 00:17:13,220 in their head is reduction, right? 427 00:17:13,220 --> 00:17:16,330 There, when we do reviews, I like to say 428 00:17:16,330 --> 00:17:18,830 it is a rebalancing, if you will, a rightsizing. 429 00:17:18,830 --> 00:17:20,870 In some cases we will increase, 430 00:17:20,870 --> 00:17:22,340 in some cases we won't change, 431 00:17:22,340 --> 00:17:24,730 in some cases we will decrease. 432 00:17:24,730 --> 00:17:27,080 I think in the context of great power competition, 433 00:17:27,080 --> 00:17:29,730 as I mentioned to the leaders of the Defense Committee 434 00:17:29,730 --> 00:17:32,150 this week, I'm placing at the top of the list, 435 00:17:32,150 --> 00:17:33,890 the commands need to be able to conduct 436 00:17:33,890 --> 00:17:36,840 their war plans and contingency plans. 437 00:17:36,840 --> 00:17:39,480 Next below that is great power competition. 438 00:17:39,480 --> 00:17:42,290 Those, and when it comes to great power competition, 439 00:17:42,290 --> 00:17:44,820 those are areas in both AFRICOM and SOUTHCOM 440 00:17:44,820 --> 00:17:47,770 that I'm looking at increasing our posture. 441 00:17:47,770 --> 00:17:49,810 Not necessarily reducing our posture. 442 00:17:49,810 --> 00:17:51,500 So I wanna make sure that we compete 443 00:17:51,500 --> 00:17:54,580 first and foremost when it comes to the NDS 444 00:17:54,580 --> 00:17:56,830 in the respective theaters, but it's also 445 00:17:56,830 --> 00:17:59,710 a global competition with Russia and China, 446 00:17:59,710 --> 00:18:01,900 and we need to make sure that we're well-postured 447 00:18:01,900 --> 00:18:03,640 to deal with them as appropriate 448 00:18:03,640 --> 00:18:06,282 wherever we may find that presence. 449 00:18:06,282 --> 00:18:07,780 - Just to clarify, though, so you said 450 00:18:07,780 --> 00:18:10,170 you're looking at potentially increasing 451 00:18:10,170 --> 00:18:12,240 force presence in Africa, not decreasing. 452 00:18:12,240 --> 00:18:14,493 - Well, adjusting the presence, right? 453 00:18:15,460 --> 00:18:18,330 Adjusting numbers and how we allocate the personnel 454 00:18:18,330 --> 00:18:20,880 more toward global great power competition. 455 00:18:20,880 --> 00:18:22,793 And maybe less toward CT. 456 00:18:22,793 --> 00:18:24,891 - So oh, OK, OK. 457 00:18:24,891 --> 00:18:28,190 You, can you say for a fact that you're not going 458 00:18:28,190 --> 00:18:31,050 to totally withdraw U.S. forces from Africa? 459 00:18:31,050 --> 00:18:33,080 - We're not gonna totally withdraw forces from Africa. 460 00:18:33,080 --> 00:18:35,010 Economy of force doesn't mean complete withdrawal 461 00:18:35,010 --> 00:18:37,410 from any continent, and we do economy of force 462 00:18:37,410 --> 00:18:40,030 in various locations, and it's an important 463 00:18:40,030 --> 00:18:42,970 distinction to make, and I've never said it. 464 00:18:42,970 --> 00:18:45,330 Again, I know that's the concern of many folks. 465 00:18:45,330 --> 00:18:46,660 But again, I'd say no decisions 466 00:18:46,660 --> 00:18:48,730 have been made yet, this is a process. 467 00:18:48,730 --> 00:18:53,170 I had AFRICOM in last week, and what they presented 468 00:18:53,170 --> 00:18:54,840 with me raised many other questions 469 00:18:54,840 --> 00:18:56,260 that have been tasked out, and I think 470 00:18:56,260 --> 00:18:59,010 this is gonna be an iterative process with them. 471 00:18:59,010 --> 00:19:00,970 I began the process last week as well 472 00:19:00,970 --> 00:19:03,710 with SOUTHCOM, and that will go on. 473 00:19:03,710 --> 00:19:06,460 These things take time, but at the end of the day, 474 00:19:06,460 --> 00:19:08,740 I wanna make sure that our commands 475 00:19:08,740 --> 00:19:11,080 are aligned to the National Defense Strategy. 476 00:19:11,080 --> 00:19:14,040 And again, that first begins with ability 477 00:19:14,040 --> 00:19:16,160 to execute their war plans, contingency plans. 478 00:19:16,160 --> 00:19:18,670 Second is great power competition, 479 00:19:18,670 --> 00:19:20,680 and then third, depending on the theater, 480 00:19:20,680 --> 00:19:24,470 different tasks, in AFRICOM it's CT is important. 481 00:19:24,470 --> 00:19:26,080 In SOUTHCOM counter drugs are important. 482 00:19:26,080 --> 00:19:27,540 So we gotta make sure that we're 483 00:19:27,540 --> 00:19:31,010 appropriately prioritizing and allocating 484 00:19:31,010 --> 00:19:33,420 and positioning forces appropriate to the mission 485 00:19:33,420 --> 00:19:35,530 and appropriate to everything else we have to do 486 00:19:35,530 --> 00:19:37,676 as a Department of Defense in the world. 487 00:19:37,676 --> 00:19:39,344 OK? (faint speaking) 488 00:19:39,344 --> 00:19:41,289 - [Journalist] There's a report this morning from CNN 489 00:19:41,289 --> 00:19:42,750 that there's going to be a policy change 490 00:19:42,750 --> 00:19:45,240 on personnel land mines, can you confirm 491 00:19:45,240 --> 00:19:46,830 the report and give us a reason 492 00:19:46,830 --> 00:19:48,690 of why the change now, and does this mean 493 00:19:48,690 --> 00:19:50,510 that there will be anti-personnel land mines, 494 00:19:50,510 --> 00:19:52,090 specifically outside of Korea? 495 00:19:52,090 --> 00:19:53,510 - There will be a change coming out, 496 00:19:53,510 --> 00:19:55,963 I'm not gonna comment on it until it is. 497 00:19:57,020 --> 00:19:58,408 - [Proctor] Barbara? 498 00:19:58,408 --> 00:19:59,700 - General Milley, I wanted 499 00:19:59,700 --> 00:20:03,090 to take you back to the question on mitigation measures 500 00:20:04,280 --> 00:20:06,620 for TBI and especially in Iraq. 501 00:20:06,620 --> 00:20:10,760 So, yes, Patriots, but you can't put Patriots everywhere. 502 00:20:10,760 --> 00:20:12,970 Improvement in helmets. 503 00:20:12,970 --> 00:20:17,700 But, Iran has managed to injure 504 00:20:17,700 --> 00:20:20,870 50 to 60 American forces through the use 505 00:20:20,870 --> 00:20:23,550 of ballistic missiles, so now that you look back, 506 00:20:23,550 --> 00:20:25,970 lessons learned from this event. 507 00:20:25,970 --> 00:20:27,710 It seems to be an extraordinary, 508 00:20:27,710 --> 00:20:29,853 not happened before kind of thing. 509 00:20:30,830 --> 00:20:34,550 Do you need to, you knew and the Pentagon knew 510 00:20:34,550 --> 00:20:36,400 that ballistic missiles were a threat. 511 00:20:36,400 --> 00:20:38,940 Should there be, should there have been 512 00:20:38,940 --> 00:20:42,320 stronger bunkers, stronger facilities 513 00:20:42,320 --> 00:20:46,590 designed for that intense blast wave rather than 514 00:20:46,590 --> 00:20:49,503 facilities designed just for rockets and mortars? 515 00:20:52,130 --> 00:20:56,700 Should somebody have thought about having stronger defenses 516 00:20:56,700 --> 00:20:59,500 since you didn't have Patriot missiles? 517 00:20:59,500 --> 00:21:03,500 And can I ask you, you've both mentioned helmets, 518 00:21:03,500 --> 00:21:08,330 would helmets be, stronger helmets have made a difference 519 00:21:08,330 --> 00:21:10,923 against a ballistic missile blast wave? 520 00:21:13,252 --> 00:21:15,570 - On the helmets, as a general comment 521 00:21:15,570 --> 00:21:19,660 about mitigating TBI writ large, not, 522 00:21:19,660 --> 00:21:22,410 look, a theater ballistic missile that were fired, 523 00:21:22,410 --> 00:21:25,510 these were 1000 to 2000 pound munitions. 524 00:21:25,510 --> 00:21:29,377 These things have bursting radiuses of 50 to 100 feet, 525 00:21:29,377 --> 00:21:32,570 and that's just the shrapnel and the actual blast. 526 00:21:32,570 --> 00:21:35,510 These are very, very significant, serious weapons. 527 00:21:35,510 --> 00:21:40,100 And if you're within a certain range of that thing, 528 00:21:40,100 --> 00:21:43,080 there's no helmet or anything else that's gonna save you. 529 00:21:43,080 --> 00:21:45,900 But I would argue that the defenses did work 530 00:21:45,900 --> 00:21:49,780 in that no one was killed, and there were no 531 00:21:49,780 --> 00:21:53,670 loss of life or limb, that's significant. 532 00:21:53,670 --> 00:21:56,900 So, and there were people within range of these things. 533 00:21:56,900 --> 00:21:59,390 You saw the impact, I think you saw the impact, 534 00:21:59,390 --> 00:22:01,120 points of impact of these missiles. 535 00:22:01,120 --> 00:22:03,620 They were in areas, and it's still my contention, 536 00:22:03,620 --> 00:22:07,450 even today, that the intent was not only to destroy 537 00:22:07,450 --> 00:22:10,410 facilities and equipment but also to kill people. 538 00:22:10,410 --> 00:22:15,410 And the fact that no one was killed or no one lost limbs, 539 00:22:15,800 --> 00:22:17,290 I think that is significant, and it speaks, 540 00:22:17,290 --> 00:22:20,460 I think, volumes to early warning systems, 541 00:22:20,460 --> 00:22:24,320 also to SOPs and scatter plans, 542 00:22:24,320 --> 00:22:27,150 and also to the defensive preparations that were done. 543 00:22:27,150 --> 00:22:28,180 Could there be improvements? 544 00:22:28,180 --> 00:22:29,380 Absolutely, yes, and we're taking 545 00:22:29,380 --> 00:22:32,010 a hard look at all of that to include 546 00:22:32,010 --> 00:22:34,220 bringing in ballistic missile defense 547 00:22:34,220 --> 00:22:35,490 that Jennifer was talking about. 548 00:22:35,490 --> 00:22:37,280 - Can you point, if you're able, 549 00:22:37,280 --> 00:22:40,560 to besides Patriots, can you talk 550 00:22:40,560 --> 00:22:43,290 about any of the other things that look promising 551 00:22:43,290 --> 00:22:45,940 to you for additional defenses, 552 00:22:45,940 --> 00:22:48,890 mitigation against ballistic missiles? 553 00:22:48,890 --> 00:22:51,600 - I actually prefer not to talk about that, 554 00:22:51,600 --> 00:22:54,470 to talk about what we plan to do in the future 555 00:22:54,470 --> 00:22:57,720 in terms of defense or offense for that matter 556 00:22:57,720 --> 00:23:00,740 in order to defend against any country's capability. 557 00:23:00,740 --> 00:23:03,183 So we'll leave the future to the future. 558 00:23:04,200 --> 00:23:05,033 I'd prefer not-- - We've got time 559 00:23:05,033 --> 00:23:07,030 for one more question, Courtney. 560 00:23:07,030 --> 00:23:08,043 - [Courtney] One follow-up on that, 561 00:23:08,043 --> 00:23:10,470 are you looking at any other missile defense, 562 00:23:10,470 --> 00:23:11,750 or any other kinds of defenses 563 00:23:11,750 --> 00:23:13,700 to go into Iraq besides the Patriots? 564 00:23:13,700 --> 00:23:15,900 So not just against missile threats, 565 00:23:15,900 --> 00:23:19,570 but there have been problems with drones, other issues-- 566 00:23:19,570 --> 00:23:23,510 - There's a wide variety of tactical capabilities 567 00:23:23,510 --> 00:23:26,210 that we have that we will employ, 568 00:23:26,210 --> 00:23:28,700 that we'll introduce in various theaters 569 00:23:28,700 --> 00:23:32,510 based on the commander's request and the enemy situation. 570 00:23:32,510 --> 00:23:34,130 To go into any specific capability 571 00:23:34,130 --> 00:23:35,930 that we're gonna put into Iraq 572 00:23:35,930 --> 00:23:39,387 or any other country, I prefer to leave that unanswered. 573 00:23:39,387 --> 00:23:40,370 - But you are saying that you've requested 574 00:23:40,370 --> 00:23:42,083 of the Iraqi government to bring the Patriots in. 575 00:23:42,083 --> 00:23:44,220 Can I ask one more on Iraq, too? 576 00:23:44,220 --> 00:23:45,900 The president-- - We need to go. 577 00:23:45,900 --> 00:23:47,545 - It's a quick one on troops numbers, the president-- 578 00:23:47,545 --> 00:23:49,790 - [Secretary] You asked your question, so thanks, Courtney. 579 00:23:49,790 --> 00:23:52,240 - [Proctor] We'll get you an answer, Courtney, thank you.