1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:00,000 2 00:00:07,440 --> 00:00:10,160 yeah , I didn't want to wear them today . 3 00:00:11,840 --> 00:00:15,020 Okay . Um I do have a few things to get 4 00:00:15,030 --> 00:00:18,260 through . So just a 5 00:00:19,240 --> 00:00:22,550 give me a few minutes here as the 6 00:00:22,550 --> 00:00:25,300 secretary said on saturday , We are all 7 00:00:25,300 --> 00:00:27,420 incredibly saddened to hear of the 8 00:00:27,420 --> 00:00:29,720 tragic loss of the 53 Indonesian 9 00:00:29,720 --> 00:00:33,180 sailors on board their submarine . Our 10 00:00:33,180 --> 00:00:35,069 thoughts and prayers are with the 11 00:00:35,069 --> 00:00:37,236 families of those sailors and everyone 12 00:00:37,236 --> 00:00:39,458 in the Indonesian military as they cope 13 00:00:39,458 --> 00:00:41,650 with this tragedy . Now shifting to 14 00:00:41,650 --> 00:00:44,370 India , the United States deeply values 15 00:00:44,370 --> 00:00:46,830 our partnership and we are determined 16 00:00:46,830 --> 00:00:48,830 to help the people of India as they 17 00:00:48,830 --> 00:00:51,520 bravely come combat this outbreak . So 18 00:00:51,520 --> 00:00:53,687 to that end , I think you saw over the 19 00:00:53,687 --> 00:00:55,909 weekend uh in the secretary statement , 20 00:00:55,909 --> 00:00:58,650 the department is working closely with 21 00:00:58,660 --> 00:01:01,310 other U . S . Agencies to rapidly 22 00:01:01,310 --> 00:01:04,290 deploy oxygen related equipment , rapid 23 00:01:04,290 --> 00:01:06,510 testing kits , personal protective 24 00:01:06,510 --> 00:01:08,732 equipment and other essential materials 25 00:01:08,732 --> 00:01:10,954 to our indian partners . We are also in 26 00:01:10,954 --> 00:01:13,177 close communication with the government 27 00:01:13,177 --> 00:01:14,899 of India to ensure that we are 28 00:01:14,899 --> 00:01:17,066 providing India's frontline healthcare 29 00:01:17,066 --> 00:01:19,177 workers with any support we can offer 30 00:01:19,177 --> 00:01:21,288 within our authority and the days and 31 00:01:21,288 --> 00:01:23,177 weeks ahead . We will continue to 32 00:01:23,177 --> 00:01:25,177 coordinate with our allies and like 33 00:01:25,177 --> 00:01:27,177 minded countries to ensure that our 34 00:01:27,177 --> 00:01:26,980 collective efforts are closely 35 00:01:26,980 --> 00:01:28,980 synchronized and poised to have the 36 00:01:28,980 --> 00:01:30,869 maximum impact in mitigating this 37 00:01:30,869 --> 00:01:34,450 crisis . The department is also looking 38 00:01:34,450 --> 00:01:36,860 to begin making delivery of supplies 39 00:01:36,870 --> 00:01:39,040 within the next few days . We'll also 40 00:01:39,040 --> 00:01:41,096 provide transportation and logistics 41 00:01:41,096 --> 00:01:43,040 assistance to deliver these needed 42 00:01:43,040 --> 00:01:46,050 supplies as quickly as possible . On to 43 00:01:46,050 --> 00:01:48,820 schedule . The secretary will conduct 44 00:01:48,820 --> 00:01:50,876 several visits to combatant commands 45 00:01:50,876 --> 00:01:52,630 this week . Uh We'll have the 46 00:01:52,630 --> 00:01:54,408 opportunity to meet with senior 47 00:01:54,408 --> 00:01:56,330 military leaders uh to better 48 00:01:56,330 --> 00:01:57,960 understand the the important 49 00:01:57,960 --> 00:01:59,960 capabilities that they bring to the 50 00:01:59,960 --> 00:02:02,182 mission of defending this nation and of 51 00:02:02,182 --> 00:02:04,127 course the challenges that they're 52 00:02:04,127 --> 00:02:06,349 facing . So tomorrow the secretary will 53 00:02:06,349 --> 00:02:08,571 visit us cyber Command and the National 54 00:02:08,571 --> 00:02:10,571 Security Agency in the beginning on 55 00:02:10,571 --> 00:02:12,627 thursday , he will travel to U . S . 56 00:02:12,627 --> 00:02:14,627 Space Command and then onward to US 57 00:02:14,627 --> 00:02:17,770 Indo pacific command uh and then on the 58 00:02:17,770 --> 00:02:19,720 way home from us and the pacific 59 00:02:19,720 --> 00:02:21,887 command to U . S . Strategic Command . 60 00:02:21,887 --> 00:02:23,942 To discuss deterrence the department 61 00:02:23,942 --> 00:02:25,942 space strategy and the department's 62 00:02:25,942 --> 00:02:28,053 integrated approach toward preserving 63 00:02:28,053 --> 00:02:30,276 the nation's strategic advantage during 64 00:02:30,276 --> 00:02:32,387 this era of great power competition . 65 00:02:32,387 --> 00:02:34,442 Also on friday while at indo pacific 66 00:02:34,442 --> 00:02:36,387 command , he will preside over the 67 00:02:36,387 --> 00:02:38,220 change of command ceremony there 68 00:02:38,220 --> 00:02:40,276 between Admiral Davidson and Admiral 69 00:02:40,276 --> 00:02:43,550 Aquilino . Also of note , today's the 70 00:02:43,550 --> 00:02:46,300 last day of unmanned integrated battle 71 00:02:46,300 --> 00:02:48,660 problem 21 off the coast of California . 72 00:02:48,660 --> 00:02:50,771 We talked about this a week or so ago 73 00:02:50,771 --> 00:02:52,660 when the exercise started in this 74 00:02:52,660 --> 00:02:54,771 exercise . Unmanned surface vessels , 75 00:02:54,771 --> 00:02:56,993 Seahawk and See Hunter demonstrated the 76 00:02:56,993 --> 00:02:59,104 ability to find and locate opposition 77 00:02:59,104 --> 00:03:01,110 forces and the MQ nine C . Guardian 78 00:03:01,120 --> 00:03:03,590 integrated with manned naval air and 79 00:03:03,590 --> 00:03:05,640 surface and subsurface assets in an 80 00:03:05,650 --> 00:03:08,880 unsuccessful in a in a successful anti 81 00:03:08,880 --> 00:03:11,010 submarine warfare exercise where that 82 00:03:11,010 --> 00:03:13,140 was hard to get out operational 83 00:03:13,140 --> 00:03:14,973 vignettes like this from U . S . 84 00:03:14,973 --> 00:03:16,918 Pacific fleet enable us to further 85 00:03:16,918 --> 00:03:19,180 incorporate unmanned capabilities into 86 00:03:19,180 --> 00:03:21,180 our day to day fleet operations and 87 00:03:21,180 --> 00:03:23,670 battle plans . Now , as you also well 88 00:03:23,670 --> 00:03:25,614 aware , the president announced on 89 00:03:25,614 --> 00:03:27,503 friday his intent to nominate the 90 00:03:27,503 --> 00:03:29,614 following individuals to serve in key 91 00:03:29,614 --> 00:03:31,837 national security positions here in the 92 00:03:31,837 --> 00:03:34,059 department . Shawn Skelly for assistant 93 00:03:34,059 --> 00:03:36,114 Secretary of Defense for readiness . 94 00:03:36,114 --> 00:03:38,337 Debra Rosenbloom as assistant Secretary 95 00:03:38,337 --> 00:03:37,860 of Defense for nuclear , chemical and 96 00:03:37,860 --> 00:03:39,550 biological defense programs , 97 00:03:40,040 --> 00:03:41,762 Christopher Mayer as assistant 98 00:03:41,762 --> 00:03:43,596 Secretary of defense for special 99 00:03:43,596 --> 00:03:45,707 operations and low intensity conflict 100 00:03:45,707 --> 00:03:47,929 and Sue Fulton as assistant secretary , 101 00:03:47,929 --> 00:03:49,762 Defense for manpower and reserve 102 00:03:49,762 --> 00:03:51,929 affairs . He's deeply qualified public 103 00:03:51,929 --> 00:03:54,096 servants represent decades of combined 104 00:03:54,096 --> 00:03:55,830 expertise in National Security 105 00:03:56,120 --> 00:03:57,898 Secretary is grateful for their 106 00:03:57,898 --> 00:04:00,120 willingness to serve the country and he 107 00:04:00,120 --> 00:04:02,342 urges the Senate to confirm them soon . 108 00:04:02,440 --> 00:04:04,440 Speaking of personnel today , we on 109 00:04:04,440 --> 00:04:06,273 boarded Samuel Brannan as deputy 110 00:04:06,273 --> 00:04:08,218 assistant secretary of defense for 111 00:04:08,218 --> 00:04:10,162 plans and posture . This would now 112 00:04:10,162 --> 00:04:12,384 bring our total number of appointees up 113 00:04:12,384 --> 00:04:16,050 to her 105 . Finally , 114 00:04:16,360 --> 00:04:18,582 following a thorough safety review , as 115 00:04:18,582 --> 00:04:20,471 I think you've seen , the U . S . 116 00:04:20,471 --> 00:04:22,249 Centers for Disease Control and 117 00:04:22,249 --> 00:04:24,249 Prevention and the U . S . Food and 118 00:04:24,249 --> 00:04:26,249 Drug Administration have determined 119 00:04:26,249 --> 00:04:28,304 that the recommended pause regarding 120 00:04:28,304 --> 00:04:28,090 the use of the johnson and johnson 121 00:04:28,180 --> 00:04:30,850 Covid 19 vaccine in the United States 122 00:04:30,850 --> 00:04:33,072 should be lifted and use of the vaccine 123 00:04:33,080 --> 00:04:36,280 should resume . So D . O . D . Sites 124 00:04:36,290 --> 00:04:38,457 will now begin a controlled resumption 125 00:04:38,457 --> 00:04:40,512 of the johnson and johnson vaccine . 126 00:04:40,512 --> 00:04:42,457 Later this week , D . O . D . Will 127 00:04:42,457 --> 00:04:44,512 ensure all recipients of the vaccine 128 00:04:44,512 --> 00:04:46,734 are aware of all known side effects and 129 00:04:46,734 --> 00:04:49,012 potential risks before they receive it . 130 00:04:49,012 --> 00:04:50,623 The department currently has 131 00:04:50,623 --> 00:04:52,568 approximately 100,000 doses of the 132 00:04:52,568 --> 00:04:54,623 Johnson and Johnson vaccine that are 133 00:04:54,623 --> 00:04:56,568 located primarily in Indo Pak , um 134 00:04:56,568 --> 00:04:58,623 European Command , Central Command , 135 00:04:58,940 --> 00:05:01,290 Southern Command and Africa Command 136 00:05:01,300 --> 00:05:03,530 areas of responsibility . With that 137 00:05:03,540 --> 00:05:05,762 start taking questions and I think I've 138 00:05:05,762 --> 00:05:09,650 got bob on the phone . Yes , thank you , 139 00:05:09,650 --> 00:05:11,706 john I have a question for you about 140 00:05:11,706 --> 00:05:14,250 Afghanistan last week . General 141 00:05:14,250 --> 00:05:17,830 Mackenzie mentioned that the U . S . 142 00:05:17,830 --> 00:05:20,770 Will continue to support Afghan forces 143 00:05:20,780 --> 00:05:24,160 after the withdrawal is completed . He 144 00:05:24,160 --> 00:05:27,860 gave an example of conducting aircraft 145 00:05:27,860 --> 00:05:31,710 maintenance remotely um in 146 00:05:31,710 --> 00:05:33,766 other words , from another country . 147 00:05:33,766 --> 00:05:36,930 And my question is whether Secretary of 148 00:05:36,930 --> 00:05:39,940 Austin has has asked for or has 149 00:05:39,940 --> 00:05:42,840 received a plan or a concept of 150 00:05:42,840 --> 00:05:45,990 operations for how far you can go with 151 00:05:45,990 --> 00:05:49,520 this kind of remote continuation of the 152 00:05:49,520 --> 00:05:51,640 mission of advising and assisting and 153 00:05:51,640 --> 00:05:53,696 supporting Afghan forces when you're 154 00:05:53,696 --> 00:05:56,540 not actually there . Thank you . Yeah , 155 00:05:56,540 --> 00:05:58,318 bob . Actually , he and General 156 00:05:58,318 --> 00:06:00,484 Mackenzie have talked about this exact 157 00:06:00,484 --> 00:06:03,300 idea . Uh as you heard the Secretary of 158 00:06:03,300 --> 00:06:05,467 State in brussels , we will continue a 159 00:06:05,467 --> 00:06:08,190 measure of financial support uh and 160 00:06:08,190 --> 00:06:10,357 what one of the things that we want to 161 00:06:10,357 --> 00:06:12,468 look at is their uh their contractual 162 00:06:12,468 --> 00:06:14,690 needs , uh and the degree to which they 163 00:06:14,690 --> 00:06:16,301 are still going to require , 164 00:06:16,301 --> 00:06:18,190 particularly aviation maintenance 165 00:06:18,190 --> 00:06:20,357 support . And I think that's primarily 166 00:06:20,357 --> 00:06:22,690 what General Mackenzie was referring to . 167 00:06:22,690 --> 00:06:24,801 So yes , they have been in touch . He 168 00:06:24,801 --> 00:06:26,968 is expecting General Mackenzie to come 169 00:06:26,968 --> 00:06:29,190 back before the end of the month by the 170 00:06:29,190 --> 00:06:32,300 end of the week with a uh a adjusted 171 00:06:32,300 --> 00:06:35,920 revised um drawdown plan , uh and also 172 00:06:35,920 --> 00:06:38,510 looks for the general's recommendations , 173 00:06:38,510 --> 00:06:41,140 as well as those of uh General Milley , 174 00:06:41,140 --> 00:06:43,380 to their recommendations about 175 00:06:43,390 --> 00:06:45,690 contractual support going forward . So 176 00:06:45,700 --> 00:06:48,033 we don't have all the answers right now , 177 00:06:48,033 --> 00:06:49,922 bob . But yes , there there is uh 178 00:06:49,922 --> 00:06:51,978 there's a lot of thinking being done 179 00:06:51,978 --> 00:06:54,200 about how that contractual support will 180 00:06:54,200 --> 00:06:56,200 look like going forward . One quick 181 00:06:56,200 --> 00:06:57,922 follow up . Would this include 182 00:06:57,922 --> 00:07:00,089 operational support , in other words , 183 00:07:00,089 --> 00:07:02,311 to help them , for example , to conduct 184 00:07:02,311 --> 00:07:03,978 airstrikes with information , 185 00:07:03,978 --> 00:07:05,867 intelligence or kind of technical 186 00:07:05,867 --> 00:07:08,860 advice ? No bob . That's not uh that's 187 00:07:08,860 --> 00:07:11,810 not the nature of support to Afghan 188 00:07:11,810 --> 00:07:15,060 security forces . Uh as I think you 189 00:07:15,440 --> 00:07:18,360 heard General Miller say over the 190 00:07:18,360 --> 00:07:20,900 weekend when he spoke to reporters that 191 00:07:20,910 --> 00:07:22,910 the Afghan national Defence and 192 00:07:22,910 --> 00:07:25,470 Security forces must be ready to assume 193 00:07:25,470 --> 00:07:27,414 the responsibility to defend their 194 00:07:27,414 --> 00:07:29,960 citizens in their country . Our support 195 00:07:29,970 --> 00:07:32,590 uh , to the Afghan Afghan forces will 196 00:07:32,590 --> 00:07:35,240 be primarily financially based . And 197 00:07:35,240 --> 00:07:37,407 certainly again , we're looking at how 198 00:07:37,407 --> 00:07:41,090 we can continue to support 199 00:07:41,100 --> 00:07:43,800 uh in a responsible way , some of their 200 00:07:43,810 --> 00:07:46,040 contractual requirements for things 201 00:07:46,040 --> 00:07:49,050 like aviation maintenance . Thank you , 202 00:07:49,060 --> 00:07:51,570 yep . Megan . You've confirmed 203 00:07:51,570 --> 00:07:53,792 reporting from earlier today that about 204 00:07:53,792 --> 00:07:56,060 650 special operators are heading to 205 00:07:56,060 --> 00:07:58,980 Afghanistan to do security for the 206 00:07:58,980 --> 00:08:01,490 drawdown . And are there any plans to 207 00:08:01,490 --> 00:08:03,660 send or what are the plans to send 208 00:08:03,850 --> 00:08:05,810 logistics troops as well to help 209 00:08:05,810 --> 00:08:08,032 everybody break things down and move it 210 00:08:08,032 --> 00:08:10,130 out ? I'm not at liberty to confirm 211 00:08:10,130 --> 00:08:13,070 those press reports that had a very 212 00:08:13,070 --> 00:08:15,292 specific number in a very specific type 213 00:08:15,292 --> 00:08:17,370 of force protection assets . I think 214 00:08:17,370 --> 00:08:19,203 you can understand we want to be 215 00:08:19,203 --> 00:08:22,670 careful about some elements of our 216 00:08:22,670 --> 00:08:25,003 ability to provide for force protection . 217 00:08:25,003 --> 00:08:28,110 But Megan , as we've said , almost from 218 00:08:28,110 --> 00:08:30,700 the get go , I think you can expect 219 00:08:30,710 --> 00:08:34,210 that there will be in addition uh of 220 00:08:34,220 --> 00:08:37,820 uh posture in Afghanistan to assist 221 00:08:37,820 --> 00:08:39,931 with this draw down to make sure that 222 00:08:39,931 --> 00:08:42,490 it is safe and orderly . Um but again , 223 00:08:42,490 --> 00:08:44,546 without confirming the specifics and 224 00:08:44,546 --> 00:08:47,040 then this in keeping with that same 225 00:08:47,040 --> 00:08:49,800 idea to make sure that the drawdown is 226 00:08:49,810 --> 00:08:52,250 safe and orderly . Um as we have said , 227 00:08:52,640 --> 00:08:55,950 it is perfectly logical that uh we may 228 00:08:55,950 --> 00:08:58,410 see additional logistics , personnel 229 00:08:58,420 --> 00:09:00,476 and engineering support . Again , to 230 00:09:00,476 --> 00:09:02,430 help with the physical movement of 231 00:09:02,440 --> 00:09:04,800 assets and people out of Afghanistan . 232 00:09:04,810 --> 00:09:07,110 I don't have any announcements to make 233 00:09:07,110 --> 00:09:09,910 today or specific orders to speak to , 234 00:09:09,920 --> 00:09:13,200 but that is certainly one of the things 235 00:09:13,200 --> 00:09:15,311 that we're looking at , and it should 236 00:09:15,311 --> 00:09:17,478 come as no surprise to anybody that we 237 00:09:17,478 --> 00:09:19,533 would would probably have to provide 238 00:09:19,533 --> 00:09:21,311 some enabling capabilities into 239 00:09:21,311 --> 00:09:23,533 Afghanistan to allow this to occur very 240 00:09:23,533 --> 00:09:25,422 similar to how we've done similar 241 00:09:25,422 --> 00:09:27,644 operations in the past , but you're not 242 00:09:27,644 --> 00:09:31,630 not sending security protection . Well , 243 00:09:31,710 --> 00:09:34,630 that's a weird way of putting it . I 244 00:09:34,630 --> 00:09:36,630 mean , we talked about friday , the 245 00:09:36,630 --> 00:09:38,930 extension of uh the aircraft carrier 246 00:09:38,930 --> 00:09:40,763 Eisenhower in the region and the 247 00:09:40,763 --> 00:09:44,730 addition of of uh of some B 52 248 00:09:44,730 --> 00:09:48,380 assets , which now number four uh in 249 00:09:48,380 --> 00:09:50,780 the region uh to help provide force 250 00:09:50,780 --> 00:09:53,960 protection . So no , we are not 251 00:09:53,970 --> 00:09:57,360 not sending uh you know , force 252 00:09:57,360 --> 00:09:59,304 protection assets , I just won't , 253 00:09:59,304 --> 00:10:01,360 there will be some force protection 254 00:10:02,040 --> 00:10:04,318 assets that will be able to talk about . 255 00:10:04,318 --> 00:10:06,373 Uh and then there'll be some that we 256 00:10:06,373 --> 00:10:08,596 probably aren't going to want to detail 257 00:10:08,596 --> 00:10:10,762 in any great specificity . Again , for 258 00:10:10,762 --> 00:10:12,596 purposes of force protection and 259 00:10:12,596 --> 00:10:14,484 operational security . We have to 260 00:10:14,484 --> 00:10:16,651 assume though , we don't want it to be 261 00:10:16,651 --> 00:10:18,818 this way , that this drawdown could be 262 00:10:18,818 --> 00:10:21,040 opposed by the taliban . And again , we 263 00:10:21,040 --> 00:10:23,040 we want to make sure that first and 264 00:10:23,040 --> 00:10:24,984 foremost that doesn't happen . And 265 00:10:24,984 --> 00:10:27,040 secondly , if it does that we've got 266 00:10:27,040 --> 00:10:29,207 enough capability to make sure that we 267 00:10:29,207 --> 00:10:31,429 can protect our people as they move out 268 00:10:31,429 --> 00:10:34,850 of the country . Okay . Uh see , Jeff 269 00:10:34,850 --> 00:10:35,850 Selden viewing , 270 00:10:40,740 --> 00:10:42,629 thanks . Sorry about the delay in 271 00:10:42,629 --> 00:10:44,810 getting afternoon , I was wondering if 272 00:10:44,810 --> 00:10:47,040 you had any update on the Russian 273 00:10:47,040 --> 00:10:49,207 troops along the border with Ukraine ? 274 00:10:49,207 --> 00:10:51,990 Uh , you expressed some hope uh , last 275 00:10:51,990 --> 00:10:54,540 week that they would be moving back , 276 00:10:54,550 --> 00:10:56,661 but he said it was too early to see . 277 00:10:56,661 --> 00:10:58,717 Have have you seen anything over the 278 00:10:58,717 --> 00:11:00,494 weekend that that gives you any 279 00:11:00,494 --> 00:11:02,383 confidence perhaps that Russia is 280 00:11:02,383 --> 00:11:04,439 sticking to what it said it would do 281 00:11:04,439 --> 00:11:06,328 and pull those troops back well , 282 00:11:06,328 --> 00:11:08,606 without getting into great specificity . 283 00:11:08,606 --> 00:11:10,661 Um because you know , we're loath to 284 00:11:10,661 --> 00:11:12,717 speak about intelligence assessments 285 00:11:12,717 --> 00:11:15,980 here . We have seen um some departure 286 00:11:16,280 --> 00:11:20,260 of some forces away from 287 00:11:20,640 --> 00:11:23,400 away from Ukraine , Russian forces away 288 00:11:23,400 --> 00:11:25,400 from Ukraine , but it's as I said , 289 00:11:25,400 --> 00:11:27,400 friday , and I and I think we would 290 00:11:27,400 --> 00:11:29,567 still maintain this that it's it's too 291 00:11:29,567 --> 00:11:31,789 soon to tell . Uh , and to take it face 292 00:11:31,789 --> 00:11:34,410 value , Russian claims that what they 293 00:11:34,410 --> 00:11:36,466 said was an exercise is now over and 294 00:11:36,466 --> 00:11:38,577 they're and they're pulling everybody 295 00:11:38,577 --> 00:11:40,743 back so we're gonna keep watching this 296 00:11:40,743 --> 00:11:43,760 very , very closely inside the room , 297 00:11:44,540 --> 00:11:46,820 ma'am . Hi . Yes , I think you 298 00:11:46,820 --> 00:11:49,570 mentioned four B 52 . Is that in 299 00:11:49,570 --> 00:11:53,480 addition to the two ? Sorry , Total 4-4 300 00:11:53,480 --> 00:11:55,647 to thank you , there's another two bit 301 00:11:55,647 --> 00:11:57,813 of constance Friday . That's correct , 302 00:11:57,940 --> 00:12:01,420 yeah . Uhh okay , jenny , go ahead . 303 00:12:01,430 --> 00:12:05,270 Thank you . Thank you . Doc on 304 00:12:05,270 --> 00:12:09,050 the missile defense system . Uh , how 305 00:12:09,050 --> 00:12:11,750 is the thought it against missiles 306 00:12:11,760 --> 00:12:15,060 deployed in South Korea ? Managing 307 00:12:15,540 --> 00:12:19,030 is the defensive , I mean , missile 308 00:12:19,030 --> 00:12:22,650 defense system of the South 309 00:12:22,650 --> 00:12:25,440 Korea and the United States is 310 00:12:25,450 --> 00:12:28,370 operating . Where or what , how is the 311 00:12:28,380 --> 00:12:32,330 situation ? I don't have any , I 312 00:12:32,340 --> 00:12:34,590 don't have any specific missile defense 313 00:12:34,590 --> 00:12:37,740 capabilities to speak to . Uh , jenny 314 00:12:37,740 --> 00:12:40,650 and I think you can understand why we'd 315 00:12:40,650 --> 00:12:44,060 want to be careful about that . Uh , 316 00:12:44,440 --> 00:12:46,607 obviously we take our commitments very 317 00:12:46,607 --> 00:12:50,310 seriously there on the peninsula and uh 318 00:12:50,320 --> 00:12:53,290 South Korea is a treaty ally . Um , uh , 319 00:12:53,300 --> 00:12:55,522 and uh , we're committed to the defense 320 00:12:55,522 --> 00:12:57,800 of South Korea in any number of ways 321 00:12:57,800 --> 00:12:59,856 and across a range of capabilities . 322 00:12:59,856 --> 00:13:01,967 But I don't have anything specific on 323 00:13:01,967 --> 00:13:04,189 missile defense to speak to today . You 324 00:13:04,189 --> 00:13:06,450 know that South Korea government has 325 00:13:06,460 --> 00:13:10,250 agreed with China not to enter the 326 00:13:10,260 --> 00:13:13,190 missile defense system with the United 327 00:13:13,190 --> 00:13:16,760 States . Are there any plan 328 00:13:16,770 --> 00:13:20,540 to deploy additional thud into 329 00:13:20,550 --> 00:13:23,020 South Korea ? I don't have any 330 00:13:23,030 --> 00:13:25,890 additional capabilities to speak to 331 00:13:25,890 --> 00:13:28,850 today . No . Can you take location ? 332 00:13:31,140 --> 00:13:34,080 No , no . I don't have anything 333 00:13:34,090 --> 00:13:36,257 additionally to say about this today . 334 00:13:36,257 --> 00:13:39,840 And um , and you know , we're , it's 335 00:13:39,840 --> 00:13:41,840 not the kind of thing that we would 336 00:13:41,990 --> 00:13:45,910 that we would speak to again 337 00:13:45,910 --> 00:13:47,966 hypothetically unless or until there 338 00:13:47,966 --> 00:13:49,799 was an agreement between the two 339 00:13:49,799 --> 00:13:52,021 governments and I just don't , I , um , 340 00:13:52,140 --> 00:13:54,251 I don't know that taking the question 341 00:13:54,251 --> 00:13:56,362 would be very helpful for you today . 342 00:13:56,362 --> 00:13:58,529 All right . Thank you . You're welcome 343 00:13:58,529 --> 00:14:00,696 Abraham . Thank you , john . Um , last 344 00:14:00,696 --> 00:14:02,751 week some legislation was a bill was 345 00:14:02,751 --> 00:14:05,790 introduced that would help burn victims . 346 00:14:06,240 --> 00:14:09,270 Bye . Adding sort of a presumption of 347 00:14:09,270 --> 00:14:11,330 exposure . I wondered if secretary 348 00:14:11,340 --> 00:14:15,080 victims burn victims . Right . Uh , so 349 00:14:15,080 --> 00:14:17,024 I wondered if Secretary Austin has 350 00:14:17,024 --> 00:14:19,850 worked with the V . A . Secretary on 351 00:14:19,860 --> 00:14:22,670 making any progress of studies or 352 00:14:22,670 --> 00:14:24,950 designations that would , that would 353 00:14:24,950 --> 00:14:26,950 help some of those veterans who are 354 00:14:26,950 --> 00:14:29,061 still suffering to get the right type 355 00:14:29,061 --> 00:14:31,172 of treatment and testing . And also , 356 00:14:31,172 --> 00:14:33,070 separately , you mentioned that 357 00:14:33,080 --> 00:14:35,413 Secretary is going to stop it into Okay , 358 00:14:35,413 --> 00:14:37,524 calm coming up . Um , do you have any 359 00:14:37,524 --> 00:14:39,747 update for us on the china task force ? 360 00:14:39,747 --> 00:14:41,858 And this would be his second visit to 361 00:14:41,858 --> 00:14:43,969 Indo pak on what , what more would he 362 00:14:43,969 --> 00:14:46,247 be trying to achieve there ? Thank you . 363 00:14:46,247 --> 00:14:49,290 So , look on the burn pit , uh , issue , 364 00:14:49,290 --> 00:14:51,540 I don't have any specific programs are 365 00:14:51,540 --> 00:14:53,640 reviews to speak to today . It is 366 00:14:53,640 --> 00:14:55,850 something that he has discussed with 367 00:14:55,860 --> 00:14:59,000 Secretary McDonough . Both leaders take 368 00:14:59,000 --> 00:15:02,250 this very , very seriously uh and want 369 00:15:02,250 --> 00:15:05,320 to do whatever we can to make sure that 370 00:15:05,330 --> 00:15:08,970 those veterans who have been and are 371 00:15:08,970 --> 00:15:12,190 and sadly will be affected by exposure 372 00:15:12,200 --> 00:15:15,860 uh , to burn pit residue 373 00:15:15,860 --> 00:15:18,690 and uh , and fumes , uh , and chemicals 374 00:15:18,700 --> 00:15:22,150 are properly treated . Um , and looked 375 00:15:22,150 --> 00:15:24,550 after . Uh , that's a sacred obligation 376 00:15:24,550 --> 00:15:26,990 that he shares with Secretary Mcdonald , 377 00:15:26,990 --> 00:15:29,101 but I don't have anything specific to 378 00:15:29,101 --> 00:15:31,880 speak to about that today . Um , on 379 00:15:31,880 --> 00:15:34,490 Indo pak . Um , the primary reason that 380 00:15:34,500 --> 00:15:36,667 he's visiting Indo pak um this week is 381 00:15:36,667 --> 00:15:39,610 for the change of command . Um , It is 382 00:15:39,620 --> 00:15:41,650 uh , not at all uncommon for the 383 00:15:41,650 --> 00:15:44,120 Secretary of Defense to attend and 384 00:15:44,120 --> 00:15:46,550 preside over the change of command of 385 00:15:46,550 --> 00:15:48,717 combatant commanders . Um , and that's 386 00:15:48,717 --> 00:15:50,606 what's driving the timing of this 387 00:15:50,606 --> 00:15:52,980 particular visit now . While there , he 388 00:15:52,980 --> 00:15:55,740 is certainly going to continue to talk 389 00:15:55,750 --> 00:15:57,970 to both Admiral Davidson , who has 390 00:15:57,970 --> 00:16:00,137 already met with and been briefed by , 391 00:16:00,137 --> 00:16:02,190 but also the incoming indo pak com 392 00:16:02,190 --> 00:16:04,190 commander . He'll have some private 393 00:16:04,190 --> 00:16:06,580 time with Admiral Aquilino as well , uh 394 00:16:06,590 --> 00:16:08,701 to get his perspectives on the region 395 00:16:08,701 --> 00:16:11,490 and how he views the job ahead of him 396 00:16:11,500 --> 00:16:14,080 because that region is so important to 397 00:16:14,080 --> 00:16:16,260 our national security interest and and 398 00:16:16,260 --> 00:16:18,427 he certainly has prioritized that part 399 00:16:18,427 --> 00:16:20,316 of the world . So this is another 400 00:16:20,316 --> 00:16:22,427 opportunity for him to um continue to 401 00:16:22,427 --> 00:16:24,760 gain perspectives from military leaders , 402 00:16:24,760 --> 00:16:26,816 but also to convey some of his views 403 00:16:26,816 --> 00:16:29,038 going forward as well . Has he received 404 00:16:29,038 --> 00:16:30,982 any briefings from that china task 405 00:16:30,982 --> 00:16:33,093 force ? I'm sorry . You did ask about 406 00:16:33,093 --> 00:16:35,093 the china task force . Uh he's been 407 00:16:35,093 --> 00:16:37,149 kept apprised of , of the china Task 408 00:16:37,149 --> 00:16:39,420 force . Their their work , I think I 409 00:16:39,420 --> 00:16:42,720 mentioned it the other day um when the 410 00:16:42,720 --> 00:16:44,887 Senior Leaders conference was going on 411 00:16:44,887 --> 00:16:48,020 friday uh that dr Ratner had a chance 412 00:16:48,030 --> 00:16:51,070 to provide uh some initial 413 00:16:51,740 --> 00:16:54,600 uh thoughts uh by the china Task force 414 00:16:54,600 --> 00:16:56,890 to all the military leaders that were 415 00:16:56,900 --> 00:16:59,420 in attendance which included all the 416 00:16:59,420 --> 00:17:01,476 Service Chiefs , service secretaries 417 00:17:01,476 --> 00:17:03,476 and of course the combatant command 418 00:17:03,476 --> 00:17:05,476 commanders specifically could share 419 00:17:05,476 --> 00:17:09,120 with us . No the work is ongoing um 420 00:17:09,130 --> 00:17:12,910 and should wrap up probably in june and 421 00:17:12,910 --> 00:17:15,290 I'm not going to get ahead of the work 422 00:17:15,290 --> 00:17:17,290 that they're doing or what findings 423 00:17:17,290 --> 00:17:19,457 they might might have . It's important 424 00:17:19,457 --> 00:17:21,990 to remember that this effort is really 425 00:17:21,990 --> 00:17:25,300 about helping align the department to 426 00:17:25,310 --> 00:17:28,750 uh to better address and better deal uh 427 00:17:28,760 --> 00:17:30,871 with the security challenges that are 428 00:17:30,871 --> 00:17:33,980 posed by the PRC . Uh and uh they're 429 00:17:33,980 --> 00:17:36,091 going to be taking a holistic view of 430 00:17:36,091 --> 00:17:38,147 that within the department . It is a 431 00:17:38,147 --> 00:17:40,820 departmental Task force uh to be able 432 00:17:40,820 --> 00:17:42,820 to provide the secretary their best 433 00:17:42,820 --> 00:17:45,700 advice and counsel about uh programs , 434 00:17:45,700 --> 00:17:47,811 policies , capabilities , operational 435 00:17:47,811 --> 00:17:50,040 concepts that perhaps we need to 436 00:17:50,040 --> 00:17:52,290 improve upon uh to continue to deal 437 00:17:52,290 --> 00:17:54,460 with the pacing challenge that the PRC 438 00:17:54,460 --> 00:17:57,250 represents one more quick follow up on 439 00:17:57,250 --> 00:17:59,417 the burn pit thing . Is there anything 440 00:17:59,417 --> 00:18:01,770 the secretary has the power to do now 441 00:18:01,840 --> 00:18:04,007 that can help veteran Abraham ? That's 442 00:18:04,007 --> 00:18:05,840 a hypothetical that I'm just not 443 00:18:05,840 --> 00:18:09,760 equipped to deal with today . Uh 444 00:18:09,770 --> 00:18:11,992 So I can't answer that question for you 445 00:18:11,992 --> 00:18:14,980 today . I'll take the question . But 446 00:18:14,990 --> 00:18:18,060 Abraham , you know , uh 447 00:18:18,840 --> 00:18:21,062 I'll take the question . All I can tell 448 00:18:21,062 --> 00:18:23,062 you is that they're they're they're 449 00:18:23,062 --> 00:18:24,896 both in agreement that this is a 450 00:18:24,896 --> 00:18:27,062 serious issue . They both want to make 451 00:18:27,062 --> 00:18:29,062 sure that our veterans get the care 452 00:18:29,062 --> 00:18:31,118 that they need . So whether it's and 453 00:18:31,118 --> 00:18:33,229 not just veterans , if there's active 454 00:18:33,229 --> 00:18:35,229 duty members that are are suffering 455 00:18:35,229 --> 00:18:37,118 from the after effects , I mean , 456 00:18:37,118 --> 00:18:36,870 they're lashed up on the need to make 457 00:18:36,870 --> 00:18:38,981 sure they take this seriously . But I 458 00:18:38,981 --> 00:18:41,148 don't have anything . I don't have any 459 00:18:41,148 --> 00:18:43,259 announcements to make today . I don't 460 00:18:43,259 --> 00:18:45,370 have any specific policies or medical 461 00:18:45,370 --> 00:18:47,481 programs to speak to today , but just 462 00:18:47,481 --> 00:18:49,648 rest assured that it's an issue , they 463 00:18:49,648 --> 00:18:51,759 are both taken very seriously . Thank 464 00:18:51,759 --> 00:18:53,759 you , john uh laura from politico . 465 00:18:56,540 --> 00:18:59,230 Hey john , thanks for doing this . Um , 466 00:18:59,240 --> 00:19:02,880 I wanted to ask you about Turkey . I'm 467 00:19:02,880 --> 00:19:05,550 wondering whether the announcement 468 00:19:05,560 --> 00:19:08,150 about the Armenian genocide . I think 469 00:19:08,150 --> 00:19:10,130 over the weekend has impacted our 470 00:19:10,130 --> 00:19:12,220 military relationship with Turkey or 471 00:19:12,220 --> 00:19:15,920 our defence relationship . No , we 472 00:19:15,920 --> 00:19:18,450 don't anticipate any uh change in the 473 00:19:18,450 --> 00:19:20,450 military relationship with Turkey . 474 00:19:20,450 --> 00:19:22,561 Turkey's a NATO ally and an important 475 00:19:22,561 --> 00:19:24,672 one at that . Um , and uh we continue 476 00:19:24,672 --> 00:19:28,300 to have across multiple domains 477 00:19:28,300 --> 00:19:31,620 and multiple issues opportunities to um 478 00:19:31,630 --> 00:19:33,640 to continue to work at that 479 00:19:33,640 --> 00:19:35,307 relationship and improve that 480 00:19:35,307 --> 00:19:37,418 relationship when we don't anticipate 481 00:19:37,418 --> 00:19:39,529 uh this announcement by the president 482 00:19:39,529 --> 00:19:41,584 over the weekend to affect it in any 483 00:19:41,584 --> 00:19:44,020 way at all . There was some reporting 484 00:19:44,020 --> 00:19:46,450 earlier today about Turkey saying it 485 00:19:46,450 --> 00:19:48,910 was going to get out of one of your key 486 00:19:48,910 --> 00:19:51,077 defence pacts . So I'm wondering about 487 00:19:51,077 --> 00:19:53,030 that specifically , and then also 488 00:19:53,030 --> 00:19:55,197 whether anything is going to change in 489 00:19:55,197 --> 00:19:58,050 Syria . I haven't seen the reporting of 490 00:19:58,050 --> 00:20:00,161 them saying they want to get out of a 491 00:20:00,161 --> 00:20:02,272 defense pack . So you have to give me 492 00:20:02,272 --> 00:20:04,494 some more information so I could uh run 493 00:20:04,494 --> 00:20:07,170 that down for you . I'm not tracking um 494 00:20:07,740 --> 00:20:09,740 towards any kind of announcement by 495 00:20:09,740 --> 00:20:13,450 them in that regard . And I don't again 496 00:20:13,450 --> 00:20:17,110 anticipate a change um in what we're 497 00:20:17,110 --> 00:20:20,420 doing in Syria uh as a result of this 498 00:20:20,430 --> 00:20:22,652 announcement by the president , I think 499 00:20:22,652 --> 00:20:24,874 it's important to remember that uh that 500 00:20:24,874 --> 00:20:26,819 our goal in Syria , our mission in 501 00:20:26,819 --> 00:20:29,870 Syria , those small and in footprint is 502 00:20:29,870 --> 00:20:32,740 still uh senator around the fight 503 00:20:32,740 --> 00:20:34,907 against ISIS . And working with Syrian 504 00:20:34,907 --> 00:20:38,250 democratic forces on the ground there 505 00:20:38,260 --> 00:20:40,093 to continue to prosecute the war 506 00:20:40,093 --> 00:20:42,350 against ISIS . And I see no change to 507 00:20:42,350 --> 00:20:44,183 that mission as a result of this 508 00:20:44,183 --> 00:20:47,900 weekend's announcement . So , I would 509 00:20:47,900 --> 00:20:50,178 like to ask the question about Somalia . 510 00:20:50,490 --> 00:20:54,000 The government forces have lost control 511 00:20:54,330 --> 00:20:56,960 of part of the capital mogadishu today . 512 00:20:57,340 --> 00:21:00,800 Um So I wanted to know if the 513 00:21:00,810 --> 00:21:04,060 first you intend to give the government 514 00:21:04,060 --> 00:21:07,560 some military aid and so on . 515 00:21:07,940 --> 00:21:11,690 What does it say about the a 516 00:21:12,080 --> 00:21:15,560 strategy to fight against 517 00:21:16,240 --> 00:21:18,510 the enemy of the government from 518 00:21:18,520 --> 00:21:21,380 outside the country ? I mean , some of 519 00:21:21,380 --> 00:21:23,491 those questions are better put to the 520 00:21:23,491 --> 00:21:25,547 State Department . Sylvia . Sylvia , 521 00:21:25,547 --> 00:21:28,350 sorry . Um uh our focus in Somalia 522 00:21:28,350 --> 00:21:32,270 continues to be uh uh 523 00:21:33,040 --> 00:21:36,550 working against the violent extremist 524 00:21:36,560 --> 00:21:38,710 organizations that remain a threat to 525 00:21:38,710 --> 00:21:40,932 Somalia in the region , particularly Al 526 00:21:40,932 --> 00:21:43,800 Shabaab . Uh And that means you know 527 00:21:43,810 --> 00:21:46,500 being willing to continue to partner 528 00:21:46,510 --> 00:21:50,440 with local forces as they develop their 529 00:21:50,440 --> 00:21:53,600 defensive capabilities uh uh to try to 530 00:21:53,600 --> 00:21:55,544 create the proper opportunities to 531 00:21:55,544 --> 00:21:57,489 continue to prosecute against this 532 00:21:57,489 --> 00:21:59,656 threat . That's our focus on their I'm 533 00:21:59,656 --> 00:22:01,878 not aware of any any military role here 534 00:22:01,878 --> 00:22:04,460 in the political circumstances that are 535 00:22:04,460 --> 00:22:06,682 going on in Somalia right now and again 536 00:22:06,682 --> 00:22:08,793 I'd refer you to the State Department 537 00:22:08,793 --> 00:22:11,970 for more on that mm But in mogadishu 538 00:22:11,980 --> 00:22:15,260 it's not politicals in circumstances 539 00:22:15,260 --> 00:22:18,760 its forces , its forces from 540 00:22:19,140 --> 00:22:22,170 uh the opposite . Um 541 00:22:23,640 --> 00:22:27,620 um you know it's it's not all 542 00:22:27,620 --> 00:22:29,453 I can speak to is our mission in 543 00:22:29,453 --> 00:22:31,780 Somalia which is to partner with local 544 00:22:31,780 --> 00:22:34,002 forces against groups like Al Shabaab . 545 00:22:34,002 --> 00:22:36,650 I know of no U . S . Military role in 546 00:22:36,650 --> 00:22:38,872 the development that you're speaking to 547 00:22:38,872 --> 00:22:42,350 today . Okay . Um do you offer any more 548 00:22:42,350 --> 00:22:44,660 details on why the U . S . Military 549 00:22:44,660 --> 00:22:47,530 entrusted um this group global research 550 00:22:47,540 --> 00:22:50,170 systems with management of 551 00:22:50,840 --> 00:22:54,340 A 175 million IP addresses and IP 552 00:22:54,350 --> 00:22:58,340 addresses . What I can tell you nancy 553 00:22:58,350 --> 00:23:01,420 is that uh the Defense Digital Service 554 00:23:01,420 --> 00:23:03,760 authorized a pilot uh effort 555 00:23:04,340 --> 00:23:07,110 advertising D . O . D . Internet 556 00:23:07,110 --> 00:23:10,940 protocol space using the border Gateway 557 00:23:10,940 --> 00:23:13,260 Protocol . The pilot is designed to 558 00:23:13,260 --> 00:23:14,927 assess , evaluate and prevent 559 00:23:14,927 --> 00:23:17,550 unauthorized use of D . O . D . I . P . 560 00:23:17,550 --> 00:23:20,460 Address space . Um The pilot may also 561 00:23:21,040 --> 00:23:23,190 help us identify potential 562 00:23:23,190 --> 00:23:26,460 vulnerabilities uh in that space . 563 00:23:26,940 --> 00:23:29,420 Uh This is just one of many efforts 564 00:23:29,430 --> 00:23:31,620 that we're focused on continuing to 565 00:23:31,620 --> 00:23:33,731 improve our cyber posture and defense 566 00:23:33,731 --> 00:23:36,510 in response to uh advanced persistent 567 00:23:36,510 --> 00:23:38,670 threats . We're partnering uh 568 00:23:38,680 --> 00:23:42,450 throughout the D . O . D . To ensure 569 00:23:42,460 --> 00:23:44,920 that potential vulnerabilities are 570 00:23:44,920 --> 00:23:48,040 mitigated . I'm not at liberty . Two go 571 00:23:48,040 --> 00:23:51,070 beyond that . Can I ask you this then ? 572 00:23:51,300 --> 00:23:54,840 one if you if this is about 573 00:23:54,850 --> 00:23:57,170 defense , it seems to me given the 574 00:23:57,180 --> 00:23:59,291 amount of real estate , internet real 575 00:23:59,291 --> 00:24:01,347 estate that we're talking about that 576 00:24:01,347 --> 00:24:03,291 this warranted some sort of public 577 00:24:03,291 --> 00:24:05,347 announcement before and even without 578 00:24:05,347 --> 00:24:07,569 the details of it , if you were to move 579 00:24:07,569 --> 00:24:09,791 a carrier strike group or a division of 580 00:24:09,791 --> 00:24:11,958 soldiers you would expect some sort of 581 00:24:11,958 --> 00:24:14,124 public acknowledgement of it given the 582 00:24:14,124 --> 00:24:13,600 scope and scale of this , Why was it 583 00:24:13,600 --> 00:24:15,600 never discussed even broadly in any 584 00:24:15,600 --> 00:24:17,600 kind of public way ? Really I'm not 585 00:24:17,600 --> 00:24:19,700 going to go into any greater detail 586 00:24:19,700 --> 00:24:22,480 than I've been able to go so far nancy . 587 00:24:22,480 --> 00:24:25,410 I appreciate your question . But I 588 00:24:25,420 --> 00:24:27,800 think I've spoken on this as much as 589 00:24:27,810 --> 00:24:29,840 I'm able to today , this is about 590 00:24:29,850 --> 00:24:31,730 protecting vulnerabilities in 591 00:24:31,730 --> 00:24:34,610 cyberspace . And I asked them given the 592 00:24:34,610 --> 00:24:37,670 size and scope and the number of I . P . 593 00:24:37,670 --> 00:24:39,920 Addresses that were used . If you would 594 00:24:39,920 --> 00:24:41,976 take the question in terms of why so 595 00:24:41,976 --> 00:24:44,087 many I . P . Addresses what precisely 596 00:24:44,087 --> 00:24:45,864 they were targeting or any more 597 00:24:45,864 --> 00:24:48,031 additional information because I think 598 00:24:48,031 --> 00:24:50,253 um a lot of people have questions about 599 00:24:50,253 --> 00:24:50,230 it the way it came out . And I think 600 00:24:50,230 --> 00:24:53,220 would be only fair I think for D . O . 601 00:24:53,220 --> 00:24:56,510 D . To provide some detail um from 602 00:24:56,520 --> 00:24:58,576 somebody in that office about what I 603 00:24:58,576 --> 00:25:00,798 was hoping to achieve whether it's done 604 00:25:00,798 --> 00:25:02,909 it before . What the successor it was 605 00:25:02,909 --> 00:25:04,853 any sort of details on it I'm just 606 00:25:04,853 --> 00:25:06,742 afraid we're not gonna be able to 607 00:25:06,742 --> 00:25:08,964 provide more detail on this right now . 608 00:25:08,964 --> 00:25:11,670 I will take the question but uh 609 00:25:12,740 --> 00:25:15,880 uh I just think we've we've spoken to 610 00:25:15,880 --> 00:25:18,920 the issue uh as much as we're going to 611 00:25:18,920 --> 00:25:21,930 right now and I um again it is as I 612 00:25:21,930 --> 00:25:24,570 said it's about um making sure that 613 00:25:24,570 --> 00:25:26,737 we're able to prevent unauthorized use 614 00:25:26,737 --> 00:25:28,860 of the space um and to continue to 615 00:25:28,860 --> 00:25:31,050 improve our cyber posture . It's the 616 00:25:31,050 --> 00:25:33,720 responsible thing to do . Can you 617 00:25:33,720 --> 00:25:35,942 provide any details on who the point of 618 00:25:35,942 --> 00:25:38,164 contact was between global ? I cannot , 619 00:25:38,164 --> 00:25:42,150 I cannot . I cannot . Okay , 620 00:25:42,160 --> 00:25:45,460 uh see uh joe talbot . 621 00:25:46,240 --> 00:25:48,462 Yeah , thank you , john , I'm wondering 622 00:25:48,462 --> 00:25:50,573 if you have anything to share with us 623 00:25:50,573 --> 00:25:53,330 about the Israeli military delegation ? 624 00:25:53,340 --> 00:25:55,507 Who is visiting Washington , D . C . I 625 00:25:55,507 --> 00:25:57,340 guess it's supposed to meet with 626 00:25:57,440 --> 00:26:01,400 Secretary Austin ? No , there's 627 00:26:01,400 --> 00:26:05,280 no meeting uh today or this 628 00:26:05,280 --> 00:26:08,230 week between the secretary and an 629 00:26:08,230 --> 00:26:10,452 Israeli delegation as I understand it , 630 00:26:10,452 --> 00:26:13,230 some uh some staff members from the 631 00:26:13,240 --> 00:26:15,460 Israeli defense Forces are are here to 632 00:26:15,460 --> 00:26:17,830 meet with their counterparts uh , in 633 00:26:17,830 --> 00:26:19,830 the building , but it won't include 634 00:26:19,830 --> 00:26:22,210 Secretary Austin just to follow up on 635 00:26:22,210 --> 00:26:25,120 the same topic . What's the Pentagon's 636 00:26:25,130 --> 00:26:27,140 concerns in regards to the ongoing 637 00:26:27,140 --> 00:26:29,950 tensions between Israel and Iran ? I 638 00:26:29,950 --> 00:26:32,006 mean , does the D . O . D . Fear any 639 00:26:32,006 --> 00:26:35,210 miscalculation that can lead to a 640 00:26:35,220 --> 00:26:37,910 confrontation ? I mean , just , you 641 00:26:37,910 --> 00:26:39,966 know , without getting the specifics 642 00:26:39,966 --> 00:26:42,132 here and I'm not going to speak for uh 643 00:26:42,132 --> 00:26:44,354 other militaries and what they are they 644 00:26:44,354 --> 00:26:46,577 are not engaged in . I mean , obviously 645 00:26:46,577 --> 00:26:50,260 we um uh have 646 00:26:50,640 --> 00:26:53,720 uh vested interest in making sure that 647 00:26:53,720 --> 00:26:55,887 our national security interests in the 648 00:26:55,887 --> 00:26:57,942 region are secured and protected and 649 00:26:57,942 --> 00:27:01,570 defended uh and that includes uh the 650 00:27:01,580 --> 00:27:04,770 kinds of threats that Iran continues 651 00:27:05,140 --> 00:27:08,350 uh to to demonstrate in the region . 652 00:27:08,360 --> 00:27:10,100 Whether that's in the maritime 653 00:27:10,100 --> 00:27:12,156 environment or support for terrorist 654 00:27:12,156 --> 00:27:14,760 networks uh or of course they're 655 00:27:14,770 --> 00:27:17,400 continually advancing ballistic missile 656 00:27:17,400 --> 00:27:19,511 program and that's what we're focused 657 00:27:19,511 --> 00:27:21,400 on . That's what the Secretary is 658 00:27:21,400 --> 00:27:23,622 focused on . Is making sure that we can 659 00:27:23,622 --> 00:27:23,390 protect our national security incidents 660 00:27:23,390 --> 00:27:25,612 in the region . I won't speak for other 661 00:27:25,612 --> 00:27:27,723 militaries or again , operations that 662 00:27:27,723 --> 00:27:30,057 they're conducting one way or the other . 663 00:27:30,440 --> 00:27:33,750 Okay , in the room . Yes , sir , I want 664 00:27:33,750 --> 00:27:36,200 to ask you about Taiwan this month , 665 00:27:36,200 --> 00:27:38,230 the U . S . President biden and the 666 00:27:38,240 --> 00:27:41,560 Japanese prime Minister agreed to work 667 00:27:41,570 --> 00:27:43,380 together to maintain peace and 668 00:27:43,380 --> 00:27:46,560 stability in the Taiwan strait . Uh 669 00:27:46,570 --> 00:27:49,170 it's a pentagon going to encourage 670 00:27:49,180 --> 00:27:52,220 other arise and partners in the region 671 00:27:52,220 --> 00:27:55,140 such as Australia was the Philippines 672 00:27:55,150 --> 00:27:58,740 to join this US Japan red effort to 673 00:27:58,740 --> 00:28:01,190 maintain peace and stability in the 674 00:28:01,190 --> 00:28:04,250 Taiwan strait . What we're after here 675 00:28:04,250 --> 00:28:06,370 is no unilateral change to the status 676 00:28:06,370 --> 00:28:09,340 quo . Uhh nothing's changed about our 677 00:28:09,350 --> 00:28:12,930 one china policy informed by the the 678 00:28:12,940 --> 00:28:15,710 three communiques , the six assurances 679 00:28:15,710 --> 00:28:17,988 and of course the Taiwan Relations Act , 680 00:28:17,988 --> 00:28:20,220 nobody wants to see that status quo 681 00:28:20,220 --> 00:28:22,442 changed unilaterally . Certainly nobody 682 00:28:22,442 --> 00:28:24,664 wants to see this come to conflict . Um 683 00:28:24,664 --> 00:28:27,350 uh what we're 684 00:28:28,440 --> 00:28:30,384 what what we're trying to do and I 685 00:28:30,384 --> 00:28:32,610 think what the secretary uh , certainly 686 00:28:32,610 --> 00:28:34,554 was focused on when we went to the 687 00:28:34,554 --> 00:28:37,210 region a month or so ago , was to uh 688 00:28:37,220 --> 00:28:40,470 explore uh new ways in which we can 689 00:28:40,470 --> 00:28:43,190 improve our bilateral uh security 690 00:28:43,190 --> 00:28:46,130 relationship with Japan and with South 691 00:28:46,130 --> 00:28:48,500 Korea , but also to explore trilateral 692 00:28:48,500 --> 00:28:51,260 opportunities between us , Japan and 693 00:28:51,260 --> 00:28:54,970 South Korea along along a range of 694 00:28:54,970 --> 00:28:58,060 capabilities um and a range of issues . 695 00:28:58,070 --> 00:29:00,390 Uh And I think he came away from that 696 00:29:00,390 --> 00:29:02,612 trip feeling optimistic that there were 697 00:29:02,612 --> 00:29:05,220 opportunities to do that the um that 698 00:29:05,220 --> 00:29:07,442 both Japan and South Korea were willing 699 00:29:07,442 --> 00:29:09,553 to continue to explore that and we'll 700 00:29:09,553 --> 00:29:12,940 see where it goes . Uh let's see Alex 701 00:29:12,940 --> 00:29:16,620 Ward from Vox . Hey john happy monday , 702 00:29:16,630 --> 00:29:19,980 Excuse the little wind up here . So the 703 00:29:19,980 --> 00:29:22,800 U . S . Uh through an FMS . Process 704 00:29:22,800 --> 00:29:25,730 provides maintenance to the Saudis . Uh 705 00:29:25,740 --> 00:29:28,290 and that's leading at least the 706 00:29:28,300 --> 00:29:30,356 pentagon's argument are saying we do 707 00:29:30,356 --> 00:29:32,467 not provide any support for offensive 708 00:29:32,467 --> 00:29:34,689 operations , that's the policy . But of 709 00:29:34,689 --> 00:29:37,022 course there are critics who are saying , 710 00:29:37,022 --> 00:29:36,780 well , even if it's through an FMS 711 00:29:36,780 --> 00:29:38,800 process and its indirect , that is 712 00:29:38,800 --> 00:29:41,870 still the US providing offensive 713 00:29:41,870 --> 00:29:44,130 support . Can you explain why it 714 00:29:44,130 --> 00:29:46,020 shouldn't be considered offensive 715 00:29:46,020 --> 00:29:47,964 support to provide maintenance for 716 00:29:47,964 --> 00:29:51,770 Saudi aircraft ? The support that we 717 00:29:52,240 --> 00:29:55,490 provide to Saudi Arabia is 718 00:29:57,040 --> 00:30:00,620 designed to uh support their self 719 00:30:00,620 --> 00:30:03,200 defense uh and this is a country that's 720 00:30:03,200 --> 00:30:07,170 under attack almost every day . And so 721 00:30:07,170 --> 00:30:09,530 what we've , the president has decided 722 00:30:09,530 --> 00:30:11,641 is that were , you know , the support 723 00:30:11,641 --> 00:30:13,808 we're giving them uh will be primarily 724 00:30:13,808 --> 00:30:17,050 for uh their self defense and not 725 00:30:17,850 --> 00:30:21,170 to further permit or 726 00:30:21,640 --> 00:30:24,280 or participate in the Saudi led 727 00:30:24,280 --> 00:30:27,570 coalition's offensive operations Inside 728 00:30:27,580 --> 00:30:29,302 Yemen , I understand where the 729 00:30:29,302 --> 00:30:32,010 questions going uh that , you know , 730 00:30:32,020 --> 00:30:34,250 maintenance support for systems , 731 00:30:34,260 --> 00:30:37,020 systems that uh could be used for both 732 00:30:37,020 --> 00:30:40,620 purposes . I I understand that um I'm 733 00:30:40,620 --> 00:30:43,030 not going to get into a bunch of 734 00:30:43,030 --> 00:30:46,150 hypotheticals or uh you know , what 735 00:30:46,150 --> 00:30:49,670 about on this ? The president's been 736 00:30:49,670 --> 00:30:52,070 clear . You know , we we have a 737 00:30:52,080 --> 00:30:54,247 military to military relationship with 738 00:30:54,247 --> 00:30:56,358 Saudi Arabia that is important to the 739 00:30:56,358 --> 00:30:58,660 region and to our interests . Um and we 740 00:30:58,660 --> 00:31:01,500 have a commitment to help them defend 741 00:31:01,500 --> 00:31:03,333 themselves against what are real 742 00:31:03,333 --> 00:31:05,556 threats and that's what the that's what 743 00:31:05,556 --> 00:31:09,500 the focus is on . Okay in the room , 744 00:31:10,140 --> 00:31:12,680 any D . O . D . Personnel joining uh 745 00:31:12,690 --> 00:31:14,780 going to India to help out with the 746 00:31:14,780 --> 00:31:16,836 equipment there any consideration of 747 00:31:16,836 --> 00:31:19,002 sending personnel with the equipment . 748 00:31:19,002 --> 00:31:21,224 We're still working our way through the 749 00:31:21,224 --> 00:31:21,010 kind of support that we're going to 750 00:31:21,010 --> 00:31:23,560 give to India or in right now . It's 751 00:31:23,560 --> 00:31:26,060 not a discussion about people so much 752 00:31:26,060 --> 00:31:28,227 as it is about material , whether it's 753 00:31:28,227 --> 00:31:32,170 pp oxygen generators uh 754 00:31:32,170 --> 00:31:34,392 and other equipment that can help their 755 00:31:34,392 --> 00:31:37,080 frontline workers continue to address 756 00:31:37,090 --> 00:31:39,034 this impact . But that's where the 757 00:31:39,034 --> 00:31:41,750 focus is right now . Mike 758 00:31:41,800 --> 00:31:45,540 you just just confirm the latest status 759 00:31:45,550 --> 00:31:47,328 of the recommendations from the 760 00:31:47,328 --> 00:31:49,830 Pentagon Review Committee or review 761 00:31:49,830 --> 00:31:51,997 Commission . And whether would you say 762 00:31:51,997 --> 00:31:53,941 what the secretary is given them ? 763 00:31:53,941 --> 00:31:55,886 Given these recommendations like a 764 00:31:55,886 --> 00:31:57,886 serious consideration or what's the 765 00:31:57,886 --> 00:31:59,886 status about the Independent Review 766 00:31:59,886 --> 00:31:59,850 Commission and the initial set of 767 00:31:59,850 --> 00:32:01,980 recommendations on the accountability 768 00:32:01,980 --> 00:32:05,940 line of effort . He just received them 769 00:32:05,950 --> 00:32:09,720 last week . Uh He's looking them 770 00:32:09,720 --> 00:32:13,500 over . He's grateful for uh 771 00:32:13,510 --> 00:32:15,288 great effort that they put into 772 00:32:15,288 --> 00:32:17,343 creating these . I would stress that 773 00:32:17,343 --> 00:32:19,510 these are only initial recommendations 774 00:32:19,510 --> 00:32:21,621 in that one line of effort . And as I 775 00:32:21,621 --> 00:32:21,140 said last week , there could be 776 00:32:21,140 --> 00:32:23,270 additional inside the accountability 777 00:32:23,280 --> 00:32:25,280 line of effort . But he's only just 778 00:32:25,280 --> 00:32:27,447 received them . He's studying them and 779 00:32:27,447 --> 00:32:29,558 reviewing them . He's also asked that 780 00:32:29,558 --> 00:32:31,724 the services uh take some time about a 781 00:32:31,724 --> 00:32:34,940 month uh to take a look and offer him 782 00:32:35,000 --> 00:32:37,670 there candid views and feedback about 783 00:32:37,680 --> 00:32:39,890 those recommendations as well . Okay 784 00:32:39,900 --> 00:32:42,240 also can you follow up can you confirm 785 00:32:42,240 --> 00:32:44,462 these reports that the head of the army 786 00:32:44,462 --> 00:32:46,460 C . I . D . Has been fired ? I can 787 00:32:46,470 --> 00:32:50,140 assure you that she has not been fired . 788 00:32:50,150 --> 00:32:53,820 Uh General Martin um 789 00:32:53,830 --> 00:32:57,710 uh is still in her uh in the job . 790 00:32:57,720 --> 00:32:59,420 I don't have any personnel 791 00:32:59,420 --> 00:33:01,476 announcements to make it this time . 792 00:33:01,476 --> 00:33:04,800 But I can certainly put the rest the 793 00:33:04,810 --> 00:33:08,100 rumors I've seen today that uh that 794 00:33:08,110 --> 00:33:10,560 she's being terminated in the job . 795 00:33:10,560 --> 00:33:12,500 That is not true but she's being 796 00:33:12,500 --> 00:33:14,722 transferred . He's only been in the job 797 00:33:14,722 --> 00:33:16,778 for about a year . Which is a little 798 00:33:16,778 --> 00:33:18,778 which is a little would be a little 799 00:33:18,778 --> 00:33:20,889 show for any commander . I understand 800 00:33:20,889 --> 00:33:20,310 that . I mean again there's no 801 00:33:20,310 --> 00:33:22,532 personnel announcements to make it this 802 00:33:22,532 --> 00:33:24,699 time . Um So I don't want to get ahead 803 00:33:24,699 --> 00:33:26,866 of the army on this and that certainly 804 00:33:26,866 --> 00:33:28,643 direct you to the army for more 805 00:33:28,643 --> 00:33:30,477 information . But I can tell you 806 00:33:30,477 --> 00:33:32,699 definitively she's not being terminated 807 00:33:32,699 --> 00:33:35,760 or fired and she's still the provost 808 00:33:35,760 --> 00:33:38,093 marshal . I think that's what they call . 809 00:33:38,093 --> 00:33:40,160 They gave me the title here . Mm 810 00:33:40,170 --> 00:33:43,470 provost Marshal , General of the Army . 811 00:33:43,480 --> 00:33:47,230 Uh , what's that ? It is . Okay . 812 00:33:47,240 --> 00:33:49,550 Thank you for thank you for that . No , 813 00:33:49,550 --> 00:33:52,460 actually I appreciate that because 814 00:33:52,460 --> 00:33:54,571 that's not a title I'm used to sing , 815 00:33:54,571 --> 00:33:57,080 but she's still in that job . She's not 816 00:33:57,080 --> 00:33:59,302 been terminated or fired . I don't have 817 00:33:59,302 --> 00:34:01,413 any announcements to make . And again 818 00:34:01,413 --> 00:34:03,358 for anything beyond that . I would 819 00:34:03,358 --> 00:34:05,524 point you to the army . Thanks for the 820 00:34:05,524 --> 00:34:07,636 opportunity to clear that up . Yeah . 821 00:34:07,636 --> 00:34:09,524 Marsh . Um , could you give us an 822 00:34:09,524 --> 00:34:11,469 update ? Is there an update on the 823 00:34:11,469 --> 00:34:13,636 situation ? And chad has the secretary 824 00:34:13,636 --> 00:34:15,580 spoken with his counterparts ? I'm 825 00:34:15,580 --> 00:34:17,691 sorry about with who ? With chad . Is 826 00:34:17,691 --> 00:34:21,060 there a situational update ? Sorry . An 827 00:34:21,070 --> 00:34:23,470 update on the situation in chad . I 828 00:34:23,480 --> 00:34:25,536 don't have an update on chat today , 829 00:34:25,536 --> 00:34:27,647 marshall . You know . Fair question . 830 00:34:27,647 --> 00:34:29,758 We'll take that to see if we can help 831 00:34:29,758 --> 00:34:31,924 get you something . But I cannot . But 832 00:34:31,924 --> 00:34:33,424 I can tell you , I have no 833 00:34:33,424 --> 00:34:35,480 conversations that the secretary has 834 00:34:35,480 --> 00:34:37,850 made uh in recent days regarding chad . 835 00:34:40,240 --> 00:34:43,850 Okay , Nancy question 80 is reporting 836 00:34:43,850 --> 00:34:46,430 that the U . S . Is looking to provide 837 00:34:46,440 --> 00:34:48,440 raw materials for the production of 838 00:34:48,440 --> 00:34:51,290 astrazeneca India . Is the D . O . D . 839 00:34:51,300 --> 00:34:53,467 Looking at providing supplies strictly 840 00:34:53,467 --> 00:34:55,300 related to oxygen related oxygen 841 00:34:55,300 --> 00:34:57,467 related supplies ? Or is there an echo 842 00:34:57,467 --> 00:34:59,578 saying that would be used for vaccine 843 00:34:59,578 --> 00:35:03,090 production ? Uh for what we're , what 844 00:35:03,090 --> 00:35:06,560 we're looking at mostly is 845 00:35:06,940 --> 00:35:10,640 as I said , um , oxygen 846 00:35:10,640 --> 00:35:13,580 related equipment , rapid testing kits , 847 00:35:14,440 --> 00:35:17,340 personal protective equipment and other 848 00:35:17,340 --> 00:35:21,230 essential materials . We're 849 00:35:21,230 --> 00:35:24,050 also going to be uh coordinating with 850 00:35:24,050 --> 00:35:25,900 India directly about any other 851 00:35:25,900 --> 00:35:29,020 frontline medical uh , needs that they 852 00:35:29,020 --> 00:35:32,860 might have . But I'm not , 853 00:35:34,840 --> 00:35:37,110 I don't believe that the raw materials 854 00:35:37,110 --> 00:35:39,780 issue is coming out . Of fact . I know 855 00:35:39,780 --> 00:35:42,410 it's not coming out of D . O . D . Uh , 856 00:35:42,420 --> 00:35:45,540 we aren't involved in the Astrazeneca 857 00:35:45,550 --> 00:35:47,890 vaccine . We're not using that . So 858 00:35:47,890 --> 00:35:49,890 those raw materials would be coming 859 00:35:49,890 --> 00:35:52,020 from us . But nancy , it's entirely 860 00:35:52,030 --> 00:35:54,141 within the realm of the possible that 861 00:35:54,141 --> 00:35:56,252 we will be , as I said , helping with 862 00:35:56,252 --> 00:35:58,390 the transportation of those materials 863 00:35:58,400 --> 00:36:00,850 and as well as the materials and 864 00:36:00,850 --> 00:36:02,961 equipment that will be providing from 865 00:36:02,961 --> 00:36:05,017 our own stocks . We fully anticipate 866 00:36:05,017 --> 00:36:07,239 being involved in the logistics and the 867 00:36:07,239 --> 00:36:09,740 movement of it over to India . Does 868 00:36:09,740 --> 00:36:12,018 that answer your question ? I think so . 869 00:36:12,018 --> 00:36:14,073 I mean , if there's anything you see 870 00:36:14,073 --> 00:36:16,184 specific , I just want to get a sense 871 00:36:16,184 --> 00:36:16,100 of what's from diode versus other 872 00:36:16,100 --> 00:36:18,433 government agencies with that right now . 873 00:36:18,433 --> 00:36:21,040 I don't see a role for us in uh , in 874 00:36:21,040 --> 00:36:24,270 the astrazeneca vaccine production part 875 00:36:24,270 --> 00:36:26,381 of it because we aren't clear the raw 876 00:36:26,381 --> 00:36:28,492 materials right ? Because we're not , 877 00:36:28,492 --> 00:36:31,040 we're not using astrazeneca uh , for 878 00:36:31,040 --> 00:36:32,873 our purposes , we use Pfizer and 879 00:36:32,873 --> 00:36:35,096 Moderna and johnson and johnson . But I 880 00:36:35,096 --> 00:36:37,830 fully would anticipate that we would be 881 00:36:37,830 --> 00:36:39,719 willing and able to assist in the 882 00:36:39,719 --> 00:36:41,997 transport of those materials as needed . 883 00:36:42,330 --> 00:36:46,100 Okay , uh , see Jeff from task and 884 00:36:46,100 --> 00:36:49,570 purpose . Thank you very much . When 885 00:36:49,570 --> 00:36:52,290 you were responding about the provost 886 00:36:52,290 --> 00:36:54,980 marshal story , I didn't hear you say 887 00:36:54,980 --> 00:36:57,510 anything that indicated the defense , 888 00:36:57,510 --> 00:37:00,740 one story is wrong . This person is 889 00:37:00,740 --> 00:37:03,990 currently in her job and she has no . 890 00:37:03,990 --> 00:37:06,250 And you have no personnel announcements 891 00:37:06,330 --> 00:37:08,274 to make today , is that accurate ? 892 00:37:08,530 --> 00:37:11,590 That's accurate , Jeff . So I'm just 893 00:37:11,590 --> 00:37:14,150 checking you're not refuting this story , 894 00:37:14,160 --> 00:37:17,510 are you ? I wasn't trying to 895 00:37:17,520 --> 00:37:19,790 refute anything . Jeff . I was 896 00:37:19,790 --> 00:37:21,957 answering a question by mike who asked 897 00:37:21,957 --> 00:37:24,680 me whether she'd been fired and I said 898 00:37:24,680 --> 00:37:26,847 she hadn't been , she was still in the 899 00:37:26,847 --> 00:37:28,902 job and that there were no personnel 900 00:37:28,902 --> 00:37:31,013 announcements to speak to today . And 901 00:37:31,013 --> 00:37:31,000 again , this would really be for the 902 00:37:31,000 --> 00:37:33,690 army to talk to . Not not me . Okay , 903 00:37:33,690 --> 00:37:36,160 one last question . An army major was 904 00:37:36,160 --> 00:37:38,610 reportedly drugged and bitten by 905 00:37:38,610 --> 00:37:41,060 strippers in Poland . Will that affect 906 00:37:41,060 --> 00:37:43,080 the US military's footprint in that 907 00:37:43,080 --> 00:37:45,730 country ? Yeah , 908 00:37:47,330 --> 00:37:47,830 yeah . 909 00:37:51,070 --> 00:37:53,840 Story . It is a major story and it 910 00:37:53,840 --> 00:37:56,510 happened in Gordon's Jeff . I don't 911 00:37:56,510 --> 00:37:59,310 know anything about that story . I'll 912 00:37:59,320 --> 00:38:03,120 have a look at it . I'm not gonna take 913 00:38:03,120 --> 00:38:06,670 that question , but Jeff , No , no , no , 914 00:38:06,680 --> 00:38:10,510 Jeff just let me state clearly we have 915 00:38:10,510 --> 00:38:13,530 a strong military relationship with 916 00:38:13,530 --> 00:38:16,080 Poland and uh , and we expect to see 917 00:38:16,080 --> 00:38:18,510 that continue to grow and to improve . 918 00:38:18,520 --> 00:38:20,298 But I don't know , I don't know 919 00:38:20,298 --> 00:38:23,340 anything about this particular item And 920 00:38:23,340 --> 00:38:25,507 I'm afraid I'm gonna have to go , I do 921 00:38:25,507 --> 00:38:27,673 have a hard stop here at 4:00 , so I'm 922 00:38:27,673 --> 00:38:29,951 afraid I'm gonna have to call it there . 923 00:38:29,951 --> 00:38:32,173 But thank you very much appreciate it . 924 00:38:32,173 --> 00:38:35,520 Yeah . Mhm . I could tell , you know , 925 00:38:35,520 --> 00:38:38,130 I could tell he was seriously that you 926 00:38:38,130 --> 00:38:40,297 take the car , so we have this story . 927 00:38:40,730 --> 00:38:43,960 Yeah , I'll go take a look at it . 928 00:38:45,330 --> 00:38:46,160 It's insurance .