1 00:00:00,240 --> 00:00:02,640 Okay . Yeah . 2 00:00:05,440 --> 00:00:07,670 Afternoon , everybody . Thanks for 3 00:00:07,670 --> 00:00:11,180 coming today . Uh , just a couple of 4 00:00:11,190 --> 00:00:13,246 ground rules and sitting here , uh , 5 00:00:13,246 --> 00:00:15,134 we'll have statements by both the 6 00:00:15,134 --> 00:00:17,134 secretary and the chairman and then 7 00:00:17,134 --> 00:00:19,190 we'll open up for questions . I will 8 00:00:19,190 --> 00:00:21,134 moderate . I'll call on you please 9 00:00:21,134 --> 00:00:23,190 identify who you are and your outlet 10 00:00:23,190 --> 00:00:25,246 when you when you ask and if you can 11 00:00:25,246 --> 00:00:27,468 limit follow ups , uh , we don't have a 12 00:00:27,468 --> 00:00:29,746 whole heck of a lot of time today . Uh , 13 00:00:29,746 --> 00:00:31,968 both gentlemen have busy schedules , so 14 00:00:31,968 --> 00:00:34,079 we're going to try to keep this thing 15 00:00:34,079 --> 00:00:36,079 moving . Um Thanks again . And with 16 00:00:36,079 --> 00:00:38,301 that Mr Secretary , thanks john , first 17 00:00:38,301 --> 00:00:41,880 of all , let me start by uh , thanking 18 00:00:41,880 --> 00:00:44,080 all of you for coming today . And let 19 00:00:44,080 --> 00:00:47,240 me also tell you just how much I 20 00:00:47,240 --> 00:00:50,400 appreciate the work that you do are 21 00:00:50,400 --> 00:00:52,456 free and independent press is one of 22 00:00:52,456 --> 00:00:55,220 America's greatest strengths . And when 23 00:00:55,220 --> 00:00:57,450 you hold us accountable , it makes us 24 00:00:57,450 --> 00:00:59,228 better and it makes our country 25 00:00:59,228 --> 00:01:02,550 stronger . So thanks for what you do . 26 00:01:04,340 --> 00:01:07,960 Um It's been a very busy 100 27 00:01:07,960 --> 00:01:11,070 days . We've been focused on my top 28 00:01:11,070 --> 00:01:14,520 three priorities Quickly review what 29 00:01:14,520 --> 00:01:16,576 our team has accomplished thus far . 30 00:01:18,240 --> 00:01:20,296 Clearly we have a lot more to do but 31 00:01:20,296 --> 00:01:22,462 I'm very proud of the progress that we 32 00:01:22,462 --> 00:01:26,410 have made to this point . As you saw in 33 00:01:26,410 --> 00:01:29,850 my initial message to the force . Our 34 00:01:29,850 --> 00:01:32,760 top priority is to defend this nation 35 00:01:32,760 --> 00:01:35,840 and to protect our interests . And 36 00:01:35,840 --> 00:01:38,870 today The most urgent challenge that we 37 00:01:38,870 --> 00:01:42,540 face is COVID-19 and so the department 38 00:01:42,540 --> 00:01:45,490 has stepped up to save american lives 39 00:01:45,490 --> 00:01:48,620 through vaccination . We've been a part 40 00:01:48,620 --> 00:01:50,787 of a whole of government effort to get 41 00:01:50,787 --> 00:01:53,940 shots in the arms And active duty and 42 00:01:53,940 --> 00:01:56,162 national guard troops have administered 43 00:01:56,162 --> 00:01:59,740 more than 14 million total shots to the 44 00:01:59,740 --> 00:02:03,290 american people . We've also been 45 00:02:03,290 --> 00:02:05,290 moving out quickly to vaccinate the 46 00:02:05,290 --> 00:02:07,870 force in our broader , broader D . O . 47 00:02:07,870 --> 00:02:11,190 D . Family . We've administered more 48 00:02:11,190 --> 00:02:13,412 than three million shots to d . o . d . 49 00:02:13,412 --> 00:02:15,860 personnel And that's more than 50 00:02:15,860 --> 00:02:19,100 550,000 fully vaccinated service 51 00:02:19,100 --> 00:02:21,360 members And more than 52 00:02:21,360 --> 00:02:25,170 644,000 fully vaccinated 53 00:02:25,170 --> 00:02:28,590 civilians , contractors and 54 00:02:28,590 --> 00:02:32,060 beneficiaries at home and overseas . 55 00:02:34,640 --> 00:02:36,473 We're also working on the global 56 00:02:36,473 --> 00:02:38,640 challenge of controlling this pandemic 57 00:02:38,640 --> 00:02:41,370 once and for all in that regard , I 58 00:02:41,370 --> 00:02:43,592 should say just a word about the crisis 59 00:02:43,592 --> 00:02:46,380 facing our friends in India . We're 60 00:02:46,380 --> 00:02:48,324 moving urgently to support India's 61 00:02:48,324 --> 00:02:51,980 frontline healthcare workers and three 62 00:02:51,980 --> 00:02:55,730 U . S . Air Force C . Five M . Super 63 00:02:55,730 --> 00:02:59,470 Galaxies and a C . 17 Globemaster three 64 00:02:59,470 --> 00:03:01,470 have already delivered many tons of 65 00:03:01,470 --> 00:03:02,550 critical supplies 66 00:03:05,940 --> 00:03:08,510 for a sense of some of the wider 67 00:03:08,510 --> 00:03:12,020 strategic changes in the works . Let me 68 00:03:12,020 --> 00:03:14,242 point you to the remarks that I made in 69 00:03:14,242 --> 00:03:16,131 Hawaii last week at the Change of 70 00:03:16,131 --> 00:03:18,550 Command for indo pacific Command . 71 00:03:20,140 --> 00:03:22,251 The department is working together on 72 00:03:22,251 --> 00:03:24,660 what I what I call integrated 73 00:03:24,660 --> 00:03:27,230 deterrence the new vision of how we 74 00:03:27,230 --> 00:03:29,810 defend the nation and in all domains of 75 00:03:29,810 --> 00:03:33,220 conflict in a time when 76 00:03:33,220 --> 00:03:35,276 technology is changing the nature of 77 00:03:35,276 --> 00:03:39,160 warfare and that's especially important 78 00:03:39,160 --> 00:03:41,730 for our priority theater of operations . 79 00:03:41,730 --> 00:03:42,730 The indo pacific 80 00:03:46,340 --> 00:03:48,229 we started a global force posture 81 00:03:48,229 --> 00:03:50,284 review to make sure we're positioned 82 00:03:50,284 --> 00:03:52,340 well for the challenges that we face 83 00:03:52,340 --> 00:03:55,820 around the globe , but certainly there 84 00:03:55,820 --> 00:03:59,120 in the region as well . And the china 85 00:03:59,120 --> 00:04:01,750 task force which is ably led by DR Ely 86 00:04:01,750 --> 00:04:04,790 Ratner , is developing an important set 87 00:04:04,790 --> 00:04:05,960 of recommendations . 88 00:04:08,340 --> 00:04:10,580 Further a field , we've condemned 89 00:04:10,590 --> 00:04:12,900 Russian aggression in eastern Ukraine 90 00:04:12,900 --> 00:04:15,370 and underscored our commitment to 91 00:04:15,370 --> 00:04:18,300 helping Ukraine's forces better defend 92 00:04:18,300 --> 00:04:21,750 their country and we're moving to 93 00:04:21,750 --> 00:04:25,020 tackle the very if you are one of the 94 00:04:25,020 --> 00:04:27,510 very few truly existential threats that 95 00:04:27,510 --> 00:04:30,860 we face and that's the climate crisis . 96 00:04:33,840 --> 00:04:35,951 Our second key priority is taken care 97 00:04:35,951 --> 00:04:38,550 of our people , all of our people . 98 00:04:39,840 --> 00:04:41,896 And towards that end , Deputy Deputy 99 00:04:41,896 --> 00:04:43,729 Secretary Hicks has convened the 100 00:04:43,729 --> 00:04:46,620 deputies workforce council which is a 101 00:04:46,620 --> 00:04:48,453 new senior leadership forum that 102 00:04:48,453 --> 00:04:50,780 addresses the most pressing people 103 00:04:50,780 --> 00:04:54,650 management and personnel policy in 104 00:04:54,650 --> 00:04:58,650 total force requirements . And 105 00:04:58,650 --> 00:05:01,050 as you all know , my first directive 106 00:05:02,140 --> 00:05:04,970 was on sexual assault and that was on 107 00:05:04,970 --> 00:05:06,414 my second day in office , 108 00:05:08,840 --> 00:05:10,930 we established an Independent Review 109 00:05:10,930 --> 00:05:13,400 commission and I'm going to have an 110 00:05:13,400 --> 00:05:15,850 open mind about what they come up with 111 00:05:15,860 --> 00:05:17,916 the recommendations that they make . 112 00:05:19,140 --> 00:05:21,251 You've heard me say this before , but 113 00:05:21,251 --> 00:05:23,084 sexual assault is a problem that 114 00:05:23,084 --> 00:05:25,450 plagues us . It is a readiness issue . 115 00:05:25,450 --> 00:05:27,880 It is a leadership issue and we're 116 00:05:27,880 --> 00:05:30,710 going to lead real change for real 117 00:05:30,710 --> 00:05:34,260 results . We're also 118 00:05:34,260 --> 00:05:36,038 tackling the problem of violent 119 00:05:36,038 --> 00:05:38,330 extremists in our work and our ranks 120 00:05:38,330 --> 00:05:41,900 and our workforce . And since ordering 121 00:05:41,900 --> 00:05:43,678 a stand down on this issue , we 122 00:05:43,678 --> 00:05:45,733 established the countering extremism 123 00:05:45,733 --> 00:05:48,620 working group and clearly we got a lot , 124 00:05:48,620 --> 00:05:50,787 we have a lot of work to do and I want 125 00:05:50,787 --> 00:05:53,990 to be blunt . There is no place for 126 00:05:53,990 --> 00:05:56,970 hatred or bigotry or extremist behavior 127 00:05:56,970 --> 00:05:59,192 in this department or in the military . 128 00:06:02,140 --> 00:06:04,362 This department has an open door to any 129 00:06:04,362 --> 00:06:06,760 qualified american who wants to serve . 130 00:06:08,140 --> 00:06:10,550 And that's a matter of both national 131 00:06:10,550 --> 00:06:13,560 principal and national security 132 00:06:15,340 --> 00:06:17,510 diversity throughout the force is a 133 00:06:17,510 --> 00:06:20,760 source of strength so we can't afford 134 00:06:20,760 --> 00:06:22,982 to deprive ourselves of the talents and 135 00:06:22,982 --> 00:06:25,830 the voices of the full range of the 136 00:06:25,830 --> 00:06:27,163 nation that we defend . 137 00:06:29,440 --> 00:06:31,640 Third , we brought a renewed focus on 138 00:06:31,640 --> 00:06:35,470 teamwork on several levels . In 139 00:06:35,470 --> 00:06:37,930 part that's about outreach to our 140 00:06:37,930 --> 00:06:39,986 allies and partners who multiply our 141 00:06:39,986 --> 00:06:42,208 strength and make the world more stable 142 00:06:42,208 --> 00:06:44,630 and secure . As you know , my first 143 00:06:44,630 --> 00:06:47,290 trips , we're all about investing in 144 00:06:47,290 --> 00:06:49,810 those relationships , including 145 00:06:49,810 --> 00:06:51,921 important business that we've already 146 00:06:51,921 --> 00:06:54,450 conducted with the leaders of Japan in 147 00:06:54,450 --> 00:06:58,040 the republic of Korea in Germany , the 148 00:06:58,040 --> 00:07:01,970 U . K . India Israel and 149 00:07:01,970 --> 00:07:05,600 NATO . But this is also about how the 150 00:07:05,600 --> 00:07:08,460 department fits into the inter agency 151 00:07:08,840 --> 00:07:11,062 and works with our teammates across the 152 00:07:11,062 --> 00:07:14,580 U . S . Government . There is no 153 00:07:14,580 --> 00:07:17,170 daylight between this department and 154 00:07:17,170 --> 00:07:18,948 the State department on a basic 155 00:07:18,948 --> 00:07:21,170 principle and that principle is that in 156 00:07:21,170 --> 00:07:24,640 securing America's interest , Diplomacy 157 00:07:24,650 --> 00:07:28,190 Always Comes 1st . And 158 00:07:28,190 --> 00:07:30,370 lastly , teamwork means a new spirit 159 00:07:30,370 --> 00:07:34,100 within this building . And so we 160 00:07:34,110 --> 00:07:36,330 it's time to get back to 161 00:07:36,340 --> 00:07:38,790 professionalism and normal normal order 162 00:07:38,790 --> 00:07:42,720 and good process . And finally let me 163 00:07:42,730 --> 00:07:46,390 in with Afghanistan . The 164 00:07:46,390 --> 00:07:48,850 president has decided to end America's 165 00:07:48,850 --> 00:07:52,040 involvement in our longest war and 166 00:07:52,040 --> 00:07:54,720 we're going to do just that . And so 167 00:07:54,720 --> 00:07:56,780 far less than one weekend , the 168 00:07:56,780 --> 00:07:58,891 drawdown is going according to plan . 169 00:08:00,040 --> 00:08:02,262 At the same time , we are shifting to a 170 00:08:02,262 --> 00:08:04,262 new bilateral relationship with our 171 00:08:04,262 --> 00:08:06,740 Afghan security partners . Well , we'll 172 00:08:06,740 --> 00:08:08,870 work towards our common goals in some 173 00:08:08,870 --> 00:08:12,140 new and different ways and I'm grateful 174 00:08:12,140 --> 00:08:14,307 for the effort that generals Mackenzie 175 00:08:14,307 --> 00:08:16,418 and Miller have put into planning for 176 00:08:16,418 --> 00:08:18,940 all of this . And of course , I am 177 00:08:18,950 --> 00:08:21,400 enormously proud of the men and women 178 00:08:21,640 --> 00:08:24,670 of the military Who are now and who 179 00:08:24,670 --> 00:08:28,400 have for the past 20 years dedicated 180 00:08:28,410 --> 00:08:30,466 themselves to an important mission . 181 00:08:31,940 --> 00:08:35,120 That mission is now changing . But they 182 00:08:35,120 --> 00:08:37,342 are meeting the challenge with the same 183 00:08:37,342 --> 00:08:39,398 professionalism with which they have 184 00:08:39,398 --> 00:08:41,990 met every task assigned to them . And 185 00:08:41,990 --> 00:08:44,101 as I said , in brussels standing side 186 00:08:44,101 --> 00:08:47,050 by side with our allies , we're going 187 00:08:47,050 --> 00:08:49,106 to do everything that we can to make 188 00:08:49,106 --> 00:08:52,550 this drawdown , deliver it 189 00:08:53,540 --> 00:08:56,760 orderly and safe 190 00:08:57,540 --> 00:08:59,510 and to protect our people and our 191 00:08:59,510 --> 00:09:02,320 partners . And so with that , I'm going 192 00:09:02,320 --> 00:09:04,264 to hand it over to the chairman to 193 00:09:04,264 --> 00:09:06,320 offer some specifics on a drawback , 194 00:09:06,540 --> 00:09:09,820 john Miller . Thanks secretary . and uh 195 00:09:09,830 --> 00:09:11,941 I want to take first a moment . Thank 196 00:09:11,941 --> 00:09:13,997 the men and women of the Joint Force 197 00:09:13,997 --> 00:09:17,240 Active Duty Reserve National Guard for 198 00:09:17,240 --> 00:09:19,296 their incredible work day in and day 199 00:09:19,296 --> 00:09:21,630 out in defense of our nation . I'd like 200 00:09:21,630 --> 00:09:23,463 to highlight that in addition to 201 00:09:23,463 --> 00:09:25,519 Afghanistan were engaged in training 202 00:09:25,519 --> 00:09:27,686 exercises , contingency operations and 203 00:09:27,686 --> 00:09:29,686 humanitarian efforts throughout the 204 00:09:29,686 --> 00:09:31,852 world . And the joint forces committed 205 00:09:31,852 --> 00:09:33,797 to global stability and security , 206 00:09:34,040 --> 00:09:36,096 Defense of the United States and our 207 00:09:36,096 --> 00:09:38,040 service members stand ready at all 208 00:09:38,040 --> 00:09:40,970 times to protect our security with 209 00:09:40,970 --> 00:09:43,410 respect to Afghanistan . Our primary 210 00:09:43,410 --> 00:09:46,100 military objective at this point is a 211 00:09:46,100 --> 00:09:48,211 change of mission to conduct a safe , 212 00:09:48,211 --> 00:09:49,878 responsible , coordinated and 213 00:09:49,878 --> 00:09:52,230 deliberate retrograde of U . S . Forces 214 00:09:52,230 --> 00:09:55,480 from Afghanistan . In good order , we 215 00:09:55,480 --> 00:09:57,758 will do this in a synchronized fashion , 216 00:09:57,758 --> 00:09:59,813 shoulder to shoulder with our allies 217 00:09:59,813 --> 00:10:01,647 and NATO partners and we've been 218 00:10:01,647 --> 00:10:03,591 steadily reducing our presence for 219 00:10:03,591 --> 00:10:05,702 almost a decade and we are now in the 220 00:10:05,702 --> 00:10:07,369 final phase of that strategic 221 00:10:07,369 --> 00:10:09,580 retrograde . As you know , we've been 222 00:10:09,580 --> 00:10:11,790 transferring steadily functions and 223 00:10:11,790 --> 00:10:14,012 responsibilities to the Afghan security 224 00:10:14,012 --> 00:10:16,290 forces for considerable amount of time . 225 00:10:16,440 --> 00:10:18,607 The President of the United States has 226 00:10:18,607 --> 00:10:20,718 given us a window to be complete . No 227 00:10:20,718 --> 00:10:22,910 later than september . I don't want to 228 00:10:22,910 --> 00:10:25,640 hear put precise dates in public on our 229 00:10:25,640 --> 00:10:27,862 exact milestones because there are many 230 00:10:27,862 --> 00:10:29,918 variables that will factor in to the 231 00:10:29,918 --> 00:10:31,751 ultimate outcome . I'm confident 232 00:10:31,751 --> 00:10:33,918 however , that our ability to meet the 233 00:10:33,918 --> 00:10:35,973 objective in the time frame that the 234 00:10:35,973 --> 00:10:38,390 president has directed with respect to 235 00:10:38,390 --> 00:10:40,540 the taliban . There continue to be 236 00:10:40,540 --> 00:10:43,350 sustained levels of violent attacks 237 00:10:43,380 --> 00:10:46,820 primarily against the NSF . There have 238 00:10:46,820 --> 00:10:49,210 been about 80 to 120 enemy initiated 239 00:10:49,210 --> 00:10:52,980 attacks a day For the past year and 240 00:10:52,980 --> 00:10:55,480 that has also been sustained since one 241 00:10:55,480 --> 00:10:57,770 May . There have been no attacks 242 00:10:57,780 --> 00:11:01,140 against us and coalition forces since 243 00:11:01,140 --> 00:11:04,250 the retrograde began are about one May 244 00:11:04,260 --> 00:11:06,260 and that is also consistent for the 245 00:11:06,260 --> 00:11:09,650 past year . The NSF , the Afghan 246 00:11:09,650 --> 00:11:11,540 National Security forces and the 247 00:11:11,540 --> 00:11:14,120 government of Afghanistan at this time 248 00:11:14,130 --> 00:11:16,490 remain cohesive . And the president's 249 00:11:16,490 --> 00:11:18,657 intent , the President , United States 250 00:11:18,657 --> 00:11:20,879 intent is to continue to sport both the 251 00:11:20,879 --> 00:11:23,101 NSF and the government of Afghanistan . 252 00:11:23,740 --> 00:11:26,140 To date , we have closed one base in 253 00:11:26,140 --> 00:11:29,950 Helmand . Approximately 60 254 00:11:29,950 --> 00:11:31,894 C17 equivalents have departed with 255 00:11:31,894 --> 00:11:34,440 various equipment rolling stock And 256 00:11:34,440 --> 00:11:37,390 over 1300 pieces of equipment have been 257 00:11:37,390 --> 00:11:39,290 transferred either to the Defense 258 00:11:39,290 --> 00:11:42,410 Logistics Agency for destruction or to 259 00:11:42,410 --> 00:11:46,240 the NSF for their use to maximize 260 00:11:46,240 --> 00:11:48,490 force protection . We have bolstered 261 00:11:48,490 --> 00:11:50,960 our security with additional firepower . 262 00:11:51,640 --> 00:11:54,760 The SEC DEF is directed six additional 263 00:11:54,760 --> 00:11:57,670 B 52 long range strike bombers And a 264 00:11:57,670 --> 00:12:01,220 package of 12 fighter bombers , F 18s 265 00:12:01,640 --> 00:12:03,751 postured to offer continually sport . 266 00:12:03,751 --> 00:12:05,862 In addition to that , the SEc def has 267 00:12:05,862 --> 00:12:08,029 extended the Eisenhower carrier strike 268 00:12:08,029 --> 00:12:11,050 group . We came in with our allies and 269 00:12:11,050 --> 00:12:13,272 we will depart with our allies shoulder 270 00:12:13,272 --> 00:12:15,272 to shoulder and together we are all 271 00:12:15,272 --> 00:12:17,328 going to execute a fully coordinated 272 00:12:17,328 --> 00:12:19,439 synchronized retrograde in good order 273 00:12:19,439 --> 00:12:21,494 and thank you . And I'll be happy to 274 00:12:21,494 --> 00:12:25,390 answer your questions bob . Thank you . 275 00:12:25,400 --> 00:12:27,567 Have a question for each of you , if I 276 00:12:27,567 --> 00:12:30,560 may on on Afghanistan , Mr Secretary Oh , 277 00:12:31,340 --> 00:12:33,340 General Milley just referred to the 278 00:12:33,340 --> 00:12:35,451 high level of violence in Afghanistan 279 00:12:35,451 --> 00:12:37,507 and they're , in some respects , the 280 00:12:37,507 --> 00:12:39,729 violence has increased in recent days . 281 00:12:39,729 --> 00:12:41,896 Even as you've begun the drawdown , my 282 00:12:41,896 --> 00:12:44,160 question really is um what's to stop 283 00:12:44,160 --> 00:12:47,420 the Taliban from overwhelming the 284 00:12:47,420 --> 00:12:49,420 Afghan forces , particularly in the 285 00:12:49,420 --> 00:12:51,531 south , if not in the whole country , 286 00:12:51,531 --> 00:12:53,531 creating instability and additional 287 00:12:53,531 --> 00:12:56,300 instability even in Pakistan ? Is there 288 00:12:56,300 --> 00:12:58,467 something you can do during the summer 289 00:12:58,467 --> 00:13:00,780 to stop that from happening ? If I may 290 00:13:00,780 --> 00:13:03,058 ask a quick question of General Milley . 291 00:13:03,058 --> 00:13:05,750 Uh The secretary referred a minute ago 292 00:13:05,760 --> 00:13:07,482 in his opening statement , two 293 00:13:07,482 --> 00:13:09,930 different ways in which the U . S . 294 00:13:09,930 --> 00:13:13,830 Will interact with the Afghan 295 00:13:13,840 --> 00:13:16,170 forces to support the Afghan forces in 296 00:13:16,170 --> 00:13:17,948 the future . He used the phrase 297 00:13:17,948 --> 00:13:20,059 different ways . I'm wondering if one 298 00:13:20,059 --> 00:13:22,226 of those different ways has to do with 299 00:13:22,340 --> 00:13:25,250 training afghan forces in third 300 00:13:25,250 --> 00:13:27,361 countries outside of Afghanistan . Is 301 00:13:27,361 --> 00:13:30,840 that an option ? Thank you . So , 302 00:13:30,850 --> 00:13:33,017 thanks bob . I think the first part of 303 00:13:33,017 --> 00:13:35,140 the question is what's to stop the 304 00:13:35,150 --> 00:13:38,760 Taliban . Um We're 305 00:13:38,760 --> 00:13:41,190 hopeful that the Afghan security forces 306 00:13:41,190 --> 00:13:43,246 will play the major role in stopping 307 00:13:43,246 --> 00:13:45,430 the taliban . And I know we what we're 308 00:13:45,430 --> 00:13:47,840 seeing unfold is what we expected to 309 00:13:47,840 --> 00:13:50,990 unfold increased pressure . And we've 310 00:13:50,990 --> 00:13:54,240 seen an instance of down in Lashkar Gar 311 00:13:54,240 --> 00:13:57,430 over the the Afghan security forces 312 00:13:58,040 --> 00:13:59,870 conducting a counterattack and 313 00:13:59,880 --> 00:14:03,800 performing fairly well . Uh We 314 00:14:03,800 --> 00:14:06,230 will continue to support them after we 315 00:14:06,230 --> 00:14:09,430 retrograde with , with funding , with 316 00:14:09,440 --> 00:14:12,430 over the horizon logistics . Uh , we 317 00:14:12,430 --> 00:14:14,710 will remain partners with uh , with the 318 00:14:14,710 --> 00:14:17,880 Afghan government , with the Afghan 319 00:14:17,880 --> 00:14:20,980 military . And certainly we hope 320 00:14:20,990 --> 00:14:23,440 through our continued support , the , 321 00:14:23,600 --> 00:14:27,020 the Afghan security forces can , can be 322 00:14:27,020 --> 00:14:29,880 effective . But uh , you know , it's 323 00:14:29,890 --> 00:14:33,160 uh , they have a pretty significant 324 00:14:33,160 --> 00:14:35,438 capability , but it's gonna , you know , 325 00:14:35,438 --> 00:14:37,327 we expect that this will be a , a 326 00:14:37,327 --> 00:14:40,860 challenge for . So , uh , 327 00:14:41,310 --> 00:14:45,300 I mean , there's 300 plus 1000 afghan 328 00:14:45,300 --> 00:14:47,633 army afghan police , it's their country . 329 00:14:47,940 --> 00:14:49,884 They've been leading the fight for 330 00:14:49,884 --> 00:14:51,990 several years now . We've been 331 00:14:51,990 --> 00:14:54,157 supporting them for sure , but they've 332 00:14:54,157 --> 00:14:56,379 been leading the fight and I'm personal 333 00:14:56,379 --> 00:14:58,434 witness as well as many of us , uh , 334 00:14:58,434 --> 00:15:00,434 that the Afghan security forces can 335 00:15:00,434 --> 00:15:02,490 fight and they're fighting for their 336 00:15:02,490 --> 00:15:04,657 own country now . So , um , it's not a 337 00:15:04,657 --> 00:15:06,823 foregone conclusion in my professional 338 00:15:06,823 --> 00:15:08,490 military estimate the Taliban 339 00:15:08,490 --> 00:15:10,657 automatically win a couple of falls or 340 00:15:10,657 --> 00:15:09,880 any of those kind of dire predictions . 341 00:15:09,890 --> 00:15:11,834 That's not a foregone conclusion . 342 00:15:11,834 --> 00:15:13,557 There's a significant military 343 00:15:13,557 --> 00:15:15,668 capability in the Afghan government . 344 00:15:15,668 --> 00:15:17,834 Uh , and , and we have to see how this 345 00:15:17,834 --> 00:15:19,946 plays out with respect to our support 346 00:15:19,946 --> 00:15:22,112 in different ways . The secretary just 347 00:15:22,112 --> 00:15:21,880 mentioned over the horizon , we're 348 00:15:21,880 --> 00:15:24,390 gonna , uh , the intent is to keep an 349 00:15:24,390 --> 00:15:26,612 embassy open and to keep supporting the 350 00:15:26,612 --> 00:15:28,834 Afghan government , the Afghan security 351 00:15:28,834 --> 00:15:31,001 forces with financial aid money . Uh , 352 00:15:31,001 --> 00:15:33,112 we'll also continue to take a look at 353 00:15:33,112 --> 00:15:35,279 training , uh , them and perhaps other 354 00:15:35,279 --> 00:15:37,334 locations wouldn't know . We haven't 355 00:15:37,334 --> 00:15:39,334 figured that out 100 yet , but also 356 00:15:39,334 --> 00:15:41,334 things like maintenance support and 357 00:15:41,334 --> 00:15:43,279 perhaps seti support from over the 358 00:15:43,279 --> 00:15:45,390 horizon . There's a lot of ways to do 359 00:15:45,390 --> 00:15:44,750 that . We're very capable of doing it . 360 00:15:44,760 --> 00:15:47,038 We're working on those plans right now . 361 00:15:47,038 --> 00:15:49,149 So the training in other countries is 362 00:15:49,149 --> 00:15:51,371 an option here . It's possible . I mean 363 00:15:51,371 --> 00:15:50,270 there's a lot of different options out 364 00:15:50,270 --> 00:15:52,437 there and we haven't settled on one of 365 00:15:52,437 --> 00:15:54,548 them yet . When we get some finalized 366 00:15:54,548 --> 00:15:56,714 plans put together , we'll brief those 367 00:15:56,714 --> 00:15:59,150 as secretary for approval . Halloween . 368 00:16:00,240 --> 00:16:02,760 Thank you . This is for both of you . 369 00:16:03,240 --> 00:16:05,296 I'd like to address the issue of air 370 00:16:05,296 --> 00:16:07,550 support in Afghanistan Afghan 371 00:16:07,560 --> 00:16:09,782 commanders as we both know are pleading 372 00:16:09,782 --> 00:16:12,790 for more air support now in key regions 373 00:16:12,790 --> 00:16:15,750 that are under attack . At what point 374 00:16:16,240 --> 00:16:19,370 do we turn off the spigot ? Do we wean 375 00:16:19,370 --> 00:16:22,270 them off or do we make them you know uh 376 00:16:22,280 --> 00:16:24,169 are we going to make them go cold 377 00:16:24,169 --> 00:16:26,280 Turkey once all of our troops are out 378 00:16:26,540 --> 00:16:28,600 and I have a follow up for General 379 00:16:28,600 --> 00:16:32,580 Milley . Thank Celine again . 380 00:16:32,590 --> 00:16:35,150 Our focus currently is on 381 00:16:35,640 --> 00:16:38,380 the task that the president has 382 00:16:38,390 --> 00:16:40,501 assigned us and that is to retro gate 383 00:16:40,501 --> 00:16:43,200 safely and orderly air our troops and 384 00:16:43,210 --> 00:16:46,760 those of our allies and protect them 385 00:16:47,240 --> 00:16:51,020 all doing so I think General Miller has 386 00:16:51,030 --> 00:16:54,490 uh adequate Cape resources and 387 00:16:54,490 --> 00:16:57,080 capabilities to protect themselves and 388 00:16:57,080 --> 00:16:59,450 he has the authorities to protect 389 00:16:59,450 --> 00:17:01,561 himself and and uh and our troops and 390 00:17:01,561 --> 00:17:04,510 he has the authorities uh to protect 391 00:17:04,520 --> 00:17:07,010 our allies as well , the afghans . Uh 392 00:17:07,020 --> 00:17:10,590 So in terms of when he does what uh 393 00:17:10,600 --> 00:17:12,767 there's a reason that he's a four star 394 00:17:12,767 --> 00:17:14,822 commander uh and and certainly he'll 395 00:17:14,822 --> 00:17:16,989 make he'll make the call on the ground 396 00:17:16,989 --> 00:17:18,933 of what he needs to do and when he 397 00:17:18,933 --> 00:17:21,156 needs to do it . Uh My focus is just to 398 00:17:21,156 --> 00:17:23,322 make sure he he has the resources . Uh 399 00:17:23,322 --> 00:17:26,080 Once we've left again our focus is on 400 00:17:26,080 --> 00:17:29,770 providing uh are maintaining a 401 00:17:29,770 --> 00:17:33,020 ct capability over the horizon in 402 00:17:33,020 --> 00:17:36,710 supporting the afghans with with 403 00:17:36,720 --> 00:17:39,220 monetary support and over the horizon . 404 00:17:39,230 --> 00:17:42,530 Uh logistics were possible . and 405 00:17:42,530 --> 00:17:46,290 Elaine priority . No , this the 406 00:17:46,300 --> 00:17:49,470 afghan Air Force Does 80-90 of all 407 00:17:49,470 --> 00:17:51,470 airstrikes in support of the Afghan 408 00:17:51,470 --> 00:17:53,637 ground forces were actually doing very 409 00:17:53,840 --> 00:17:56,130 a few years . We do some , but very few 410 00:17:56,130 --> 00:17:58,297 relative to the afghan Air Force . The 411 00:17:58,297 --> 00:18:01,160 key will be the afghan Air Force and 412 00:18:01,160 --> 00:18:03,160 their ability to continue providing 413 00:18:03,160 --> 00:18:05,216 close air support for the afghan . I 414 00:18:05,216 --> 00:18:07,327 mean you have to follow on , you said 415 00:18:07,327 --> 00:18:09,438 yes , that is exactly my follow up is 416 00:18:09,438 --> 00:18:11,493 how are we , are we planning then on 417 00:18:11,493 --> 00:18:13,716 turning the contracts ? Are contractors 418 00:18:13,716 --> 00:18:16,470 over to the afghan military to the 419 00:18:16,470 --> 00:18:18,581 afghan Air Force in the afghan afghan 420 00:18:18,581 --> 00:18:20,303 government than to provide the 421 00:18:20,303 --> 00:18:22,526 maintenance on the planes and stuff for 422 00:18:22,526 --> 00:18:24,748 the afghan Air Force . How are we going 423 00:18:24,748 --> 00:18:26,914 to do that ? Well , that that's one of 424 00:18:26,914 --> 00:18:29,026 the key questions and I will tell you 425 00:18:29,026 --> 00:18:31,137 that the final a crossing of teas and 426 00:18:31,137 --> 00:18:33,359 dining of eyes of that plan has not yet 427 00:18:33,359 --> 00:18:35,470 settled . But uh maintaining logistic 428 00:18:35,470 --> 00:18:37,692 support to the afghan Air Force is a is 429 00:18:37,692 --> 00:18:39,859 a key task that we have to uh sort out 430 00:18:39,859 --> 00:18:42,081 doing it over the horizon . But also in 431 00:18:42,081 --> 00:18:41,970 country it could be done by contractors . 432 00:18:41,970 --> 00:18:44,081 A lot of that's going to be dependent 433 00:18:44,081 --> 00:18:45,970 on the conditions of the security 434 00:18:45,970 --> 00:18:47,914 conditions on the ground . But the 435 00:18:47,914 --> 00:18:50,081 intent is to keep the afghan Air Force 436 00:18:50,081 --> 00:18:52,081 in the air and to provide them with 437 00:18:52,081 --> 00:18:54,303 continued maintenance support , David . 438 00:18:54,940 --> 00:18:57,420 Um This is for both of you , what is 439 00:18:57,430 --> 00:19:01,350 the latest estimate of when and where 440 00:19:01,940 --> 00:19:04,270 there's chinese rocket will come down ? 441 00:19:04,840 --> 00:19:08,080 Do you consider it a potential threat 442 00:19:08,090 --> 00:19:11,540 to the U . S . And do you have a plan 443 00:19:11,550 --> 00:19:14,060 for shooting it down if necessary ? 444 00:19:17,940 --> 00:19:21,830 Thanks , David . Um The latest 445 00:19:21,830 --> 00:19:23,941 estimates estimates that I've seen is 446 00:19:23,941 --> 00:19:26,350 somewhere between the 8th and 9th . Uh , 447 00:19:26,360 --> 00:19:28,620 you know , and the experts are still 448 00:19:28,620 --> 00:19:31,820 working on that at this point , we 449 00:19:31,820 --> 00:19:33,960 don't have a plan to shoot the rocket 450 00:19:33,960 --> 00:19:36,150 down . We're hopeful that that it will 451 00:19:36,150 --> 00:19:39,930 land in a place where it won't won't 452 00:19:39,940 --> 00:19:43,780 harm anyone , hopefully in the ocean or 453 00:19:43,780 --> 00:19:46,160 someplace like that . I think this 454 00:19:46,160 --> 00:19:48,460 speaks to the fact that , uh , for 455 00:19:48,460 --> 00:19:50,580 those of us who operate in the space 456 00:19:50,580 --> 00:19:53,710 domain , uh , there is a requirement , 457 00:19:53,710 --> 00:19:55,850 there should be a requirement to , to 458 00:19:55,850 --> 00:19:59,080 operate in a safe , uh , and uh , and 459 00:19:59,080 --> 00:20:01,410 thoughtful mode and make sure that we 460 00:20:01,410 --> 00:20:03,466 take those kinds of things into into 461 00:20:03,466 --> 00:20:05,960 consideration as we plan and conduct 462 00:20:05,960 --> 00:20:08,350 operations . Do you even have the 463 00:20:08,350 --> 00:20:12,120 capability to shoot again , David ? We 464 00:20:12,120 --> 00:20:13,953 have , as you know , we have the 465 00:20:13,953 --> 00:20:16,120 capability to do a lot of things , but 466 00:20:16,120 --> 00:20:18,120 we don't have a plan to to shoot it 467 00:20:18,120 --> 00:20:22,100 down as we speak . Uh , 468 00:20:22,110 --> 00:20:25,380 jen Secretary Austin , you said that 469 00:20:25,390 --> 00:20:27,930 COVID-19 is your priority . It's your 470 00:20:27,940 --> 00:20:30,120 greatest threat right now . Given the 471 00:20:30,120 --> 00:20:32,300 amount of vaccine hesitancy in the 472 00:20:32,300 --> 00:20:34,467 military and among military families , 473 00:20:34,467 --> 00:20:36,900 why won't you order troops and their 474 00:20:36,900 --> 00:20:38,950 families to get vaccinated ? Isen't 475 00:20:38,950 --> 00:20:41,006 this a readiness issue ? And General 476 00:20:41,006 --> 00:20:42,894 Milley , there was recently a dia 477 00:20:42,894 --> 00:20:45,080 report suggesting that Al Qaeda's top 478 00:20:45,090 --> 00:20:48,790 leaders are in Iran who is in Iran 479 00:20:49,050 --> 00:20:50,770 and where is Zawahiri ? 480 00:20:53,240 --> 00:20:55,580 I was quite a swing of uh of subject 481 00:20:55,580 --> 00:20:58,910 matter there . Jan thanks regarding the 482 00:20:58,920 --> 00:21:02,840 covid uh vaccine . As 483 00:21:02,840 --> 00:21:05,050 you know , Janet still under emergency 484 00:21:05,050 --> 00:21:08,400 use authorization . Uh , we've been 485 00:21:08,400 --> 00:21:11,830 constantly reviewing our performance 486 00:21:11,830 --> 00:21:14,630 and our and our options . We look at 487 00:21:14,630 --> 00:21:17,420 the data every day . We still believe 488 00:21:17,420 --> 00:21:20,910 that the right focus uh , is to provide 489 00:21:20,920 --> 00:21:24,790 the best information available uh and 490 00:21:24,790 --> 00:21:27,550 uh and this will help our troops to 491 00:21:27,550 --> 00:21:29,680 make informed decisions . It's 492 00:21:29,680 --> 00:21:31,791 certainly , you know , the approach I 493 00:21:31,791 --> 00:21:34,060 took when I elected to take the vaccine 494 00:21:34,060 --> 00:21:36,171 very early on when it was available . 495 00:21:36,540 --> 00:21:38,610 Um , I think armed with the with the 496 00:21:38,610 --> 00:21:41,360 right information accurate information , 497 00:21:41,840 --> 00:21:44,020 troops will make , we'll make good 498 00:21:44,020 --> 00:21:47,370 choices . Um , and 499 00:21:47,380 --> 00:21:51,340 so our plan currently is to continue on 500 00:21:51,340 --> 00:21:54,440 the path that we're on . Um , you know , 501 00:21:54,440 --> 00:21:56,551 we have , we're using about 80 of the 502 00:21:56,551 --> 00:21:58,551 vaccines that were provided . We've 503 00:21:58,551 --> 00:22:01,040 been provided going vaccines are going 504 00:22:01,040 --> 00:22:03,540 into arms at a , at a at a good rate . 505 00:22:03,550 --> 00:22:06,930 So , uh , I think , uh , you know , 506 00:22:06,940 --> 00:22:10,570 the wise thing to do is to continue to 507 00:22:10,570 --> 00:22:12,800 evaluate and and follow the course that 508 00:22:12,800 --> 00:22:16,640 we're on right now . And gen uh , I'm 509 00:22:16,640 --> 00:22:18,460 not gonna obviously comment on 510 00:22:18,470 --> 00:22:21,510 intelligence reports on who was in Iran , 511 00:22:21,510 --> 00:22:23,770 not in Iran etcetera . With respect as 512 00:22:23,770 --> 00:22:25,992 our harry , if I knew where he was , he 513 00:22:25,992 --> 00:22:28,103 would be the first one to know that . 514 00:22:28,540 --> 00:22:32,500 Yeah . Yeah . I would 515 00:22:32,500 --> 00:22:34,722 probably be the first one to know if he 516 00:22:34,722 --> 00:22:36,778 knows . But then certainly you after 517 00:22:36,778 --> 00:22:40,050 that . My dad . My dad . 518 00:22:40,440 --> 00:22:43,880 Yeah . There's a president that 519 00:22:43,890 --> 00:22:46,112 Yeah , absolutely . The president would 520 00:22:46,112 --> 00:22:48,223 be the first of everybody direction . 521 00:22:50,840 --> 00:22:53,520 Maybe Secretary Austin , your 522 00:22:53,530 --> 00:22:55,419 independent Review Commission has 523 00:22:55,419 --> 00:22:57,530 recommended taking sexual assault out 524 00:22:57,530 --> 00:22:59,474 of the military chain of command . 525 00:22:59,474 --> 00:23:01,641 General Milley has weighed in and said 526 00:23:01,641 --> 00:23:03,863 that he agrees with that idea . And the 527 00:23:03,863 --> 00:23:05,919 Senate has said they think they have 528 00:23:05,919 --> 00:23:08,252 enough votes to get that passed legally . 529 00:23:08,252 --> 00:23:10,308 So have you formed an opinion on the 530 00:23:10,308 --> 00:23:12,419 matter ? And if you haven't , what is 531 00:23:12,419 --> 00:23:12,250 holding you back from forming an 532 00:23:12,250 --> 00:23:14,450 opinion ? Giving , given all of that 533 00:23:14,460 --> 00:23:17,150 advice that you've got ? Well , first , 534 00:23:17,150 --> 00:23:20,140 I think , you know that the commission 535 00:23:20,140 --> 00:23:22,660 is still doing its work . Uh There's 536 00:23:22,660 --> 00:23:24,840 several lines of effort that it's it's 537 00:23:24,840 --> 00:23:27,420 focused on the accountability line of 538 00:23:27,420 --> 00:23:29,910 effort was the very first . And so they 539 00:23:29,910 --> 00:23:33,450 provided me an initial read out of of 540 00:23:33,460 --> 00:23:36,760 uh their work on on that line of effort . 541 00:23:37,340 --> 00:23:39,750 Um And of course , you know , I'm 542 00:23:39,760 --> 00:23:41,816 taking that into consideration , but 543 00:23:41,816 --> 00:23:44,500 what I want to do is provide the 544 00:23:44,510 --> 00:23:46,670 Service Chiefs secretaries and 545 00:23:46,670 --> 00:23:49,320 opportunity to also review it . And I 546 00:23:49,320 --> 00:23:51,487 want to engage in a dialogue with them 547 00:23:51,487 --> 00:23:54,170 and make sure that , you know , I have 548 00:23:54,170 --> 00:23:56,690 their input , their thoughts . I've 549 00:23:56,690 --> 00:23:59,940 always found in uh short period of time 550 00:23:59,940 --> 00:24:02,600 that I've been associated with uh with 551 00:24:02,600 --> 00:24:05,670 the military . That that's that's the 552 00:24:05,680 --> 00:24:08,420 best path to follow to make sure that 553 00:24:08,430 --> 00:24:10,980 uh that you have a good dialogue with 554 00:24:10,980 --> 00:24:13,270 the with the stakeholders . Because at 555 00:24:13,270 --> 00:24:15,492 the end of the day , we're all whatever 556 00:24:15,492 --> 00:24:17,714 is decided , we're all going to have to 557 00:24:17,714 --> 00:24:19,826 execute it quick follow up . Has that 558 00:24:19,826 --> 00:24:22,048 never come up ? That issue ? Never come 559 00:24:22,048 --> 00:24:24,214 up in any of the meetings that you had 560 00:24:24,214 --> 00:24:26,214 with the service secretaries or the 561 00:24:26,214 --> 00:24:25,720 chiefs in the time that you've been in 562 00:24:25,720 --> 00:24:27,498 your position . I've given them 563 00:24:27,498 --> 00:24:29,870 specific guidance in terms of , you 564 00:24:29,870 --> 00:24:33,180 know , my uh my desire to have them 565 00:24:33,190 --> 00:24:35,660 review the recommendation and then I 566 00:24:35,660 --> 00:24:39,370 want there uh their feedback on that 567 00:24:39,380 --> 00:24:41,213 and then we're gonna we're gonna 568 00:24:41,213 --> 00:24:45,060 discuss it . So Yeah , Tony . 569 00:24:45,640 --> 00:24:48,160 Certainly in Afghanistan , the US . has 570 00:24:48,160 --> 00:24:50,382 been spending about $40 billion dollars 571 00:24:50,382 --> 00:24:52,604 a year for the last three or four years 572 00:24:52,604 --> 00:24:54,920 on the conflict . Do you expect a 573 00:24:54,930 --> 00:24:58,290 budget ? I gain a real reallocation 574 00:24:58,290 --> 00:25:00,346 from those dollars that you won't be 575 00:25:00,346 --> 00:25:02,457 spending out after September 11 ? And 576 00:25:02,457 --> 00:25:04,512 for General Milley , Has that been a 577 00:25:04,512 --> 00:25:06,734 discussion in the tank at all among the 578 00:25:06,734 --> 00:25:08,846 Chiefs that we're going to have extra 579 00:25:08,846 --> 00:25:08,740 dollars because we're not going to be 580 00:25:08,740 --> 00:25:10,851 in Afghanistan . How do we handle the 581 00:25:10,851 --> 00:25:14,410 extra money ? Mr Secretary , thanks as 582 00:25:14,410 --> 00:25:18,080 you know , a great deal of the the 583 00:25:18,090 --> 00:25:20,520 funds that we used to to fund our 584 00:25:20,520 --> 00:25:22,790 efforts , not only there , but in Iraq 585 00:25:22,800 --> 00:25:26,000 was funded with Yoko uh rather than 586 00:25:26,010 --> 00:25:28,900 based budget . Uh certainly anytime you 587 00:25:28,900 --> 00:25:31,570 stop doing something that's uh that's 588 00:25:31,570 --> 00:25:34,870 this important and this this big , it 589 00:25:34,870 --> 00:25:38,330 creates opportunities and uh and so 590 00:25:38,340 --> 00:25:40,340 we'll look at , you know , what the 591 00:25:40,340 --> 00:25:43,550 possibilities are uh going forward as 592 00:25:43,560 --> 00:25:45,282 as opportunities are created , 593 00:25:45,282 --> 00:25:48,580 certainly will be cited in on uh our 594 00:25:48,580 --> 00:25:51,370 overall strategy And making sure that 595 00:25:51,370 --> 00:25:53,940 we prioritize our resources to match 596 00:25:53,940 --> 00:25:57,860 the strategy . Uh and uh and so , um , 597 00:25:57,870 --> 00:25:59,981 you know , more to follow . But we're 598 00:25:59,981 --> 00:26:03,230 in the middle of uh of uh the final 599 00:26:03,230 --> 00:26:05,341 stages of really outlining the budget 600 00:26:05,341 --> 00:26:07,580 for 22 . And then we'll get busy on the 601 00:26:07,590 --> 00:26:10,250 on the 23 budget . And beyond 22 budget 602 00:26:10,250 --> 00:26:12,306 reflects some of these reallocations 603 00:26:12,440 --> 00:26:16,230 from Afghanistan to other areas . Again , 604 00:26:16,240 --> 00:26:18,570 I don't want to try to get ahead of the 605 00:26:18,570 --> 00:26:20,690 budget process and this is I'm not 606 00:26:20,690 --> 00:26:22,801 making a budget announcement from the 607 00:26:22,801 --> 00:26:25,080 podium today . But you know , again , 608 00:26:25,080 --> 00:26:27,136 the basic logic is , and I think you 609 00:26:27,136 --> 00:26:29,358 would agree with this that any time you 610 00:26:29,358 --> 00:26:31,524 stop doing something that's that large 611 00:26:31,524 --> 00:26:33,524 and it creates opportunities to for 612 00:26:33,524 --> 00:26:35,691 other areas and we will have to define 613 00:26:35,691 --> 00:26:37,524 what those opportunities are and 614 00:26:37,524 --> 00:26:39,524 prioritizing the opportunities . So 615 00:26:39,524 --> 00:26:41,580 does that become a discussion in the 616 00:26:41,580 --> 00:26:43,802 tank ? No , we're not really focused on 617 00:26:43,802 --> 00:26:46,024 the budget . Part of that for the Joint 618 00:26:46,024 --> 00:26:48,080 Chiefs were focused on the execution 619 00:26:48,080 --> 00:26:47,730 and fulfilling the president's intent 620 00:26:47,730 --> 00:26:49,786 right now . Thank you . Let me go to 621 00:26:49,786 --> 00:26:51,952 somebody on the phone here . I've done 622 00:26:51,952 --> 00:26:54,710 that missy Ryan . Hi , thanks for doing 623 00:26:54,710 --> 00:26:58,430 this . Um , I have a question , a 624 00:26:58,440 --> 00:27:00,051 follow up question regarding 625 00:27:00,051 --> 00:27:02,384 Afghanistan and then a question for you , 626 00:27:02,384 --> 00:27:04,384 General Milley . So my follow up on 627 00:27:04,384 --> 00:27:06,551 Afghanistan is building on the earlier 628 00:27:06,551 --> 00:27:08,496 questions about air support . If I 629 00:27:08,496 --> 00:27:10,607 understood correctly that the U . S . 630 00:27:10,607 --> 00:27:12,496 Post withdrawal will re providing 631 00:27:12,496 --> 00:27:14,718 funding and over the horizon logistical 632 00:27:14,718 --> 00:27:16,884 support but not routine air support to 633 00:27:16,884 --> 00:27:20,200 the NSF . Does that mean that um if 634 00:27:20,200 --> 00:27:22,422 there was a scenario where , you know , 635 00:27:22,422 --> 00:27:26,370 cities are uh being advanced upon 636 00:27:26,370 --> 00:27:28,259 by Taliban forces that the United 637 00:27:28,259 --> 00:27:30,092 States will not provide over the 638 00:27:30,092 --> 00:27:33,730 horizon air support in some way , um to 639 00:27:33,740 --> 00:27:36,310 the Afghan forces . And then my 640 00:27:36,310 --> 00:27:38,366 question for you , General Milley is 641 00:27:38,366 --> 00:27:41,670 regarding the uh , interpreters who 642 00:27:41,670 --> 00:27:43,781 have worked with the United States in 643 00:27:43,781 --> 00:27:45,614 Afghanistan . And there's been a 644 00:27:45,614 --> 00:27:47,781 discussion about the special immigrant 645 00:27:47,781 --> 00:27:50,020 visas and the backlog of applicants who 646 00:27:50,020 --> 00:27:51,853 are waiting as the United States 647 00:27:51,853 --> 00:27:53,909 prepares to withdrawal . I know that 648 00:27:53,909 --> 00:27:55,853 this is a state led question . But 649 00:27:55,853 --> 00:27:57,964 given your own service in Afghanistan 650 00:27:57,964 --> 00:28:00,480 and that of the men and women that you 651 00:28:00,490 --> 00:28:02,870 command in uniform , What is your 652 00:28:02,870 --> 00:28:06,590 perspective on the fate of the Afghans 653 00:28:06,590 --> 00:28:08,757 who are hoping to get visas to come to 654 00:28:08,757 --> 00:28:11,034 the United States through that program ? 655 00:28:11,034 --> 00:28:14,730 Thanks . Hi , missy . I I think you 656 00:28:14,730 --> 00:28:18,050 heard me say earlier , that that 657 00:28:18,180 --> 00:28:22,050 again , our focus is on making sure 658 00:28:22,050 --> 00:28:24,217 that we can retrograde our resources , 659 00:28:24,217 --> 00:28:26,740 our troops , our allies in a safe and 660 00:28:26,740 --> 00:28:28,810 orderly and responsible fashion . 661 00:28:29,240 --> 00:28:31,320 Beyond that . You know , we look to 662 00:28:31,330 --> 00:28:34,810 establish some over the horizon CT 663 00:28:34,810 --> 00:28:38,560 capability and some old horizon uh , 664 00:28:38,570 --> 00:28:41,880 logistical support , uh , capabilities 665 00:28:41,890 --> 00:28:44,280 will continue to support uh , the 666 00:28:44,280 --> 00:28:46,113 Afghan government and the Afghan 667 00:28:46,113 --> 00:28:49,560 military with financial support uh with 668 00:28:49,560 --> 00:28:52,640 the help of Congress ? Um in terms of 669 00:28:52,640 --> 00:28:55,750 what we would do on in anyone given 670 00:28:55,750 --> 00:28:59,450 situation uh , to respond to to 671 00:28:59,460 --> 00:29:01,682 something that was unanticipated or may 672 00:29:01,682 --> 00:29:03,910 have been anticipated . But I don't 673 00:29:03,910 --> 00:29:06,077 think it's helpful to me for me to get 674 00:29:06,077 --> 00:29:08,132 engaged in any kind of hypotheticals 675 00:29:08,132 --> 00:29:10,630 today . Uh But uh but I certainly 676 00:29:10,630 --> 00:29:12,750 appreciate your question and don't 677 00:29:12,750 --> 00:29:15,410 really over to you on the missy on the 678 00:29:15,530 --> 00:29:18,010 interpreters and others that have 679 00:29:18,010 --> 00:29:20,190 worked closely with the U . S . 680 00:29:20,190 --> 00:29:22,340 Government . The intent is what State 681 00:29:22,340 --> 00:29:24,451 Department elite is to make sure that 682 00:29:24,451 --> 00:29:26,562 it's a really a moral imperative that 683 00:29:26,562 --> 00:29:28,729 we take care of those that have worked 684 00:29:28,729 --> 00:29:30,840 closely with us if their lives are in 685 00:29:30,840 --> 00:29:33,470 danger etcetera . But I would also uh 686 00:29:33,480 --> 00:29:36,030 cautions and focus on some speculation 687 00:29:36,030 --> 00:29:38,086 here . It's a bit early to tell what 688 00:29:38,086 --> 00:29:40,141 the outcomes are gonna be . Um There 689 00:29:40,141 --> 00:29:42,197 are some obviously bad outcomes that 690 00:29:42,197 --> 00:29:44,252 have been discussed but that none of 691 00:29:44,252 --> 00:29:46,419 that is uh preordained , none of it is 692 00:29:46,419 --> 00:29:49,480 absolutely inevitable . Again , this is 693 00:29:49,480 --> 00:29:51,702 a this is a significant size , military 694 00:29:51,702 --> 00:29:54,080 and police force . Uh The government 695 00:29:54,090 --> 00:29:55,923 under President Ghani is still a 696 00:29:55,923 --> 00:29:58,220 cohesive organization . There are a lot 697 00:29:58,220 --> 00:30:00,680 of factors at play here and I think 698 00:30:00,680 --> 00:30:03,013 it's uh we're working through the S . I . 699 00:30:03,013 --> 00:30:04,680 V . Process through the State 700 00:30:04,680 --> 00:30:06,680 Department , but I think it's a bit 701 00:30:06,680 --> 00:30:10,570 early uh to really sound the alarm on 702 00:30:10,580 --> 00:30:12,802 getting everybody out just yet . That's 703 00:30:12,802 --> 00:30:14,913 my own personal opinion . But I think 704 00:30:14,913 --> 00:30:16,747 that's based on some pretty good 705 00:30:16,747 --> 00:30:19,024 knowledge of what's going on right now . 706 00:30:19,024 --> 00:30:21,247 Major General Austin and Colonel Millie 707 00:30:21,247 --> 00:30:23,350 were in Afghanistan together when we 708 00:30:23,350 --> 00:30:25,890 stood up when Colonel Millie helped to 709 00:30:25,890 --> 00:30:29,410 stand up the first battalion of Afghan 710 00:30:29,420 --> 00:30:32,160 forces . And so as he mentioned today , 711 00:30:32,830 --> 00:30:35,980 There's over 300,000 Afghan security 712 00:30:35,980 --> 00:30:38,570 forces now , which is which speaks to 713 00:30:38,570 --> 00:30:41,030 the great work that your soldiers , 714 00:30:41,030 --> 00:30:43,197 sailors , airmen and marines have done 715 00:30:43,197 --> 00:30:46,740 over the years . Uh and for and that's 716 00:30:46,740 --> 00:30:48,962 larger than the military of a number of 717 00:30:48,962 --> 00:30:52,660 countries . But uh but it's uh uh they 718 00:30:52,660 --> 00:30:56,070 have been operating principally uh you 719 00:30:56,070 --> 00:30:58,237 know , providing much of their support 720 00:30:58,237 --> 00:31:01,190 on our own uh in recent months . So 721 00:31:01,190 --> 00:31:03,246 we're hopeful we all want to see the 722 00:31:03,246 --> 00:31:06,110 afghans succeed . Uh And again once our 723 00:31:06,110 --> 00:31:08,850 roles change here a bit will continue 724 00:31:08,850 --> 00:31:11,760 to provide support uh you know , in 725 00:31:11,760 --> 00:31:14,760 terms of logistics and and uh and 726 00:31:14,760 --> 00:31:17,500 financial support and will focus on are 727 00:31:17,510 --> 00:31:19,670 over the horizon . CT capabilities . 728 00:31:20,240 --> 00:31:22,351 Time for just a couple more . I'll go 729 00:31:22,351 --> 00:31:24,240 back to the phones Phil Stewart . 730 00:31:25,240 --> 00:31:28,880 Thanks . Um just a clarification , uh 731 00:31:28,890 --> 00:31:31,460 Secretary Austin were their orders to 732 00:31:31,460 --> 00:31:33,590 withdraw all U . S . Contractors . I 733 00:31:33,590 --> 00:31:35,923 know those orders to withdraw all U . S . 734 00:31:35,923 --> 00:31:38,090 Troops and and uh for General Milley . 735 00:31:38,440 --> 00:31:40,780 Um do you have any estimates on what 736 00:31:40,790 --> 00:31:43,290 will happen to NSF Attrition rates 737 00:31:43,300 --> 00:31:45,467 following the US withdrawal . Thanks . 738 00:31:46,640 --> 00:31:48,529 Yeah . So we're gonna responsibly 739 00:31:48,529 --> 00:31:51,440 retrograde all of our capabilities that 740 00:31:51,450 --> 00:31:53,228 that we are responsible for the 741 00:31:53,228 --> 00:31:56,000 contractors fall in that in that uh in 742 00:31:56,000 --> 00:31:58,820 that realm as well . So , I mean , as , 743 00:31:58,820 --> 00:32:01,620 you know , contractors have the ability 744 00:32:01,620 --> 00:32:04,670 to to renegotiate contracts if if they 745 00:32:04,680 --> 00:32:06,902 so choose going forward in the future , 746 00:32:07,040 --> 00:32:09,290 but uh but yeah , we're gonna account 747 00:32:09,290 --> 00:32:11,560 for all the people and the and the 748 00:32:11,560 --> 00:32:14,410 resources that are that are working 749 00:32:14,410 --> 00:32:17,060 with us . Your question on the 750 00:32:17,060 --> 00:32:19,870 attrition rates has to go with the uh , 751 00:32:19,880 --> 00:32:21,602 can the Afghan security forces 752 00:32:21,602 --> 00:32:23,769 sustained a fight at current attrition 753 00:32:23,769 --> 00:32:25,991 rates or attrition rates that have been 754 00:32:25,991 --> 00:32:28,213 an average over the last a year or so ? 755 00:32:28,213 --> 00:32:30,380 Uh Again , I would say that we have to 756 00:32:30,380 --> 00:32:32,547 wait and see in the coming months . Uh 757 00:32:32,547 --> 00:32:34,713 We know what their attrition rates are 758 00:32:34,713 --> 00:32:36,824 and killed and wounded . We know what 759 00:32:36,824 --> 00:32:38,991 the desertion rates are . We also know 760 00:32:38,991 --> 00:32:40,713 that the taliban have suffered 761 00:32:40,713 --> 00:32:42,824 significant attrition rates as well . 762 00:32:42,824 --> 00:32:44,824 Uh , I would also remind folks that 763 00:32:44,824 --> 00:32:46,936 there's still an active Department of 764 00:32:46,936 --> 00:32:49,102 State led negotiation effort ongoing . 765 00:32:49,102 --> 00:32:51,102 Uh , so that is also another avenue 766 00:32:51,102 --> 00:32:53,213 that is being actively pursued by the 767 00:32:53,213 --> 00:32:54,991 US government to come up with a 768 00:32:54,991 --> 00:32:54,820 negotiated settlement between the 769 00:32:54,820 --> 00:32:57,098 government , uh , and the taliban . Uh , 770 00:32:57,098 --> 00:32:58,987 that is also not that door is not 771 00:32:58,987 --> 00:33:01,209 closed yet . So , uh , there's a lot of 772 00:33:01,209 --> 00:33:04,090 possible outcomes here . Last one . 773 00:33:04,140 --> 00:33:06,370 Terror . Yes . Thank you . These 774 00:33:06,370 --> 00:33:08,530 questions for both of you . General 775 00:33:08,530 --> 00:33:11,840 Milley . Last week , we shared a bit of 776 00:33:11,840 --> 00:33:13,729 how you're thinking is evolved on 777 00:33:13,729 --> 00:33:15,950 taking sexual assault out of the chain 778 00:33:15,960 --> 00:33:18,182 of command . And I was wondering if you 779 00:33:18,182 --> 00:33:20,404 could elaborate on that , what prompted 780 00:33:20,404 --> 00:33:23,050 that change , if it thought for you and 781 00:33:23,060 --> 00:33:25,004 General Austin ? As you have . I'm 782 00:33:25,004 --> 00:33:27,110 sorry , Secretary , have it again ? 783 00:33:28,030 --> 00:33:30,030 Secretary Austin , you'll get me in 784 00:33:30,030 --> 00:33:31,919 trouble if you say that myself in 785 00:33:31,919 --> 00:33:34,660 trouble probably . Um , you know , as 786 00:33:34,660 --> 00:33:37,390 you view this recommendation , I guess 787 00:33:37,390 --> 00:33:39,760 the question is why not take sexual 788 00:33:39,760 --> 00:33:41,871 assault investigations outside of the 789 00:33:41,871 --> 00:33:43,982 chain of command ? At this point , it 790 00:33:43,982 --> 00:33:46,038 seems like nothing else has worked . 791 00:33:46,038 --> 00:33:47,816 And there have been a number of 792 00:33:47,816 --> 00:33:49,816 military sexual assault victims who 793 00:33:49,816 --> 00:33:49,550 have been failed by the current system . 794 00:33:50,140 --> 00:33:53,450 Yeah , you should know that , as I 795 00:33:53,450 --> 00:33:55,690 heard I as I've said before , that this 796 00:33:55,690 --> 00:33:58,890 is very important to me and it's very 797 00:33:58,890 --> 00:34:01,950 important to this entire department and 798 00:34:01,950 --> 00:34:04,006 we're gonna stay cited on this until 799 00:34:04,006 --> 00:34:07,520 until we find ways to improve . I think , 800 00:34:07,530 --> 00:34:11,030 you know , the the the 801 00:34:11,030 --> 00:34:13,086 accountability piece of it is a very 802 00:34:13,086 --> 00:34:15,308 important piece , but it's not the only 803 00:34:15,308 --> 00:34:17,252 piece , you know , they're they're 804 00:34:17,252 --> 00:34:19,950 climate issues there there , how we 805 00:34:19,950 --> 00:34:22,700 take care of victims issues . There are 806 00:34:22,700 --> 00:34:25,060 a number of things that the Independent 807 00:34:25,060 --> 00:34:27,830 Review Commission are looking at that , 808 00:34:27,830 --> 00:34:29,830 that will add to this , this entire 809 00:34:29,830 --> 00:34:31,608 picture here . I think it's the 810 00:34:31,608 --> 00:34:34,020 combination of those things that will 811 00:34:34,030 --> 00:34:36,086 cause us to begin to move forward on 812 00:34:36,086 --> 00:34:39,250 this . So , um , if 813 00:34:39,840 --> 00:34:43,590 yeah , you know , as we look at what's 814 00:34:43,590 --> 00:34:46,410 been presented , you know , it could be 815 00:34:46,410 --> 00:34:49,040 perfect , a perfect recommendation , or 816 00:34:49,050 --> 00:34:51,250 it may be , you know , there may be a 817 00:34:51,250 --> 00:34:53,240 recommendation that that we would 818 00:34:53,240 --> 00:34:55,462 choose to , we may choose to go another 819 00:34:55,462 --> 00:34:58,590 path . But I think , I think it's worth 820 00:34:58,590 --> 00:35:01,820 having . My leaders are leaders uh 821 00:35:01,830 --> 00:35:04,300 engage in discussion on this now . I 822 00:35:04,300 --> 00:35:06,270 think , you know , we've done done 823 00:35:06,270 --> 00:35:08,680 things a certain way for a while and I 824 00:35:08,680 --> 00:35:11,220 think uh you know , we really need to 825 00:35:11,220 --> 00:35:13,387 kind of broaden our horizons and begin 826 00:35:13,387 --> 00:35:15,720 to look at things differently and and 827 00:35:15,720 --> 00:35:18,520 be willing to take different paths to 828 00:35:18,530 --> 00:35:21,550 uh to improve things . So does that 829 00:35:21,550 --> 00:35:23,606 mean that you're thinking also might 830 00:35:23,606 --> 00:35:25,661 have evolved on this and that you're 831 00:35:25,661 --> 00:35:27,772 open to taking it out of the chain of 832 00:35:27,772 --> 00:35:29,772 command ? You know , I said when we 833 00:35:29,772 --> 00:35:31,661 started down this path , that all 834 00:35:31,661 --> 00:35:33,772 options are on the table and uh and I 835 00:35:33,772 --> 00:35:36,580 want to hear from the Review Commission 836 00:35:36,590 --> 00:35:39,870 uh good recommendations that we think 837 00:35:39,870 --> 00:35:42,200 that can make a difference . And again , 838 00:35:42,210 --> 00:35:44,099 I think we have to let the review 839 00:35:44,099 --> 00:35:46,600 commission do its work . Uh And then I 840 00:35:46,600 --> 00:35:49,430 would like to do uh our work in terms 841 00:35:49,430 --> 00:35:51,780 of engaging our leaders and making sure 842 00:35:51,780 --> 00:35:55,320 that that we have outline a good 843 00:35:55,330 --> 00:35:57,900 effective path for the department going 844 00:35:57,900 --> 00:36:01,560 forward . Okay . And for me , I'm going 845 00:36:01,560 --> 00:36:03,727 to wait until we see the final results 846 00:36:03,727 --> 00:36:06,910 of the review commission , but I was 847 00:36:06,910 --> 00:36:09,180 the Chief of the Army for four years , 848 00:36:09,180 --> 00:36:11,530 been the chairman for coming up on two . 849 00:36:11,910 --> 00:36:15,290 And um frankly , what you asked me , 850 00:36:15,290 --> 00:36:17,179 what what has caused me to have a 851 00:36:17,530 --> 00:36:19,363 change , and I get a lot of hard 852 00:36:19,363 --> 00:36:21,586 thought . We haven't moved the needle , 853 00:36:21,586 --> 00:36:23,586 that's the bottom line , we haven't 854 00:36:23,586 --> 00:36:26,780 resolved this issue . According to some 855 00:36:26,780 --> 00:36:30,000 pretty solid data . We think we 856 00:36:30,000 --> 00:36:32,170 estimate based on some surveys , That 857 00:36:32,170 --> 00:36:34,392 there are probably 20,000 men and women 858 00:36:34,530 --> 00:36:36,641 who was sexually assaulted the United 859 00:36:36,641 --> 00:36:38,808 States military last year . That's one 860 00:36:38,808 --> 00:36:40,974 of the force . If we had 20,000 killed 861 00:36:40,974 --> 00:36:42,974 or wounded in Afghanistan or Iraq , 862 00:36:42,974 --> 00:36:45,197 those are casualties . Uh that's huge , 863 00:36:45,197 --> 00:36:47,252 that's significant . And that number 864 00:36:47,252 --> 00:36:49,600 hasn't significantly been reduced over 865 00:36:49,600 --> 00:36:52,170 time . Uh And we keep saying , people 866 00:36:52,170 --> 00:36:54,337 like me keep going behind a microphone 867 00:36:54,337 --> 00:36:56,580 in front of committee saying uh we're 868 00:36:56,580 --> 00:36:58,580 gonna do this when you do that , we 869 00:36:58,580 --> 00:37:00,747 need to this and to do that and hasn't 870 00:37:00,747 --> 00:37:02,747 changed . So we need to take a hard 871 00:37:02,747 --> 00:37:05,090 look and I welcome uh the Independent 872 00:37:05,090 --> 00:37:07,257 Review Commission in their views and I 873 00:37:07,257 --> 00:37:09,368 want to take a hard look at them . Uh 874 00:37:09,368 --> 00:37:11,423 They're gonna be evidence based , uh 875 00:37:11,423 --> 00:37:13,646 and we're gonna move in directions that 876 00:37:13,646 --> 00:37:15,923 are going to fundamentally change this , 877 00:37:15,923 --> 00:37:17,979 try to solve it . Uh every one of us 878 00:37:17,979 --> 00:37:20,146 wants it solved . But 20,000 is a huge 879 00:37:20,146 --> 00:37:22,720 number . Um and and it's just not , we 880 00:37:22,720 --> 00:37:24,942 can't tolerate that . We can't tolerate 881 00:37:24,942 --> 00:37:27,276 that level of divisiveness in our force . 882 00:37:27,276 --> 00:37:29,442 These are assaults , these are blue on 883 00:37:29,442 --> 00:37:31,610 blue assaults . It cannot stand , has 884 00:37:31,610 --> 00:37:33,777 to be resolved . So , yes , my mind is 885 00:37:33,777 --> 00:37:36,090 very open to it . Uh and and and the 886 00:37:36,090 --> 00:37:38,034 other thing that changed , or that 887 00:37:38,034 --> 00:37:40,510 influenced me significantly is the data 888 00:37:40,510 --> 00:37:43,270 that I saw over the last several months 889 00:37:43,830 --> 00:37:46,250 about the confidence in the chain of 890 00:37:46,250 --> 00:37:48,900 command by junior soldiers , men and 891 00:37:48,900 --> 00:37:51,270 women alike in their ability to deal 892 00:37:51,280 --> 00:37:54,030 successfully with sexual assault . Uh , 893 00:37:54,040 --> 00:37:56,096 and we the chain of command , we the 894 00:37:56,096 --> 00:37:58,373 generals , the colonels , the captains , 895 00:37:58,373 --> 00:38:00,596 and so on . Uh , We have lost the trust 896 00:38:00,596 --> 00:38:02,818 and confidence of those subordinates in 897 00:38:02,818 --> 00:38:05,151 our ability to deal with sexual assault . 898 00:38:05,151 --> 00:38:07,262 So we need to make a change what that 899 00:38:07,262 --> 00:38:09,040 changes . Uh We'll see what the 900 00:38:09,040 --> 00:38:11,151 Independent Media Commission comes up 901 00:38:11,151 --> 00:38:10,810 with in terms of the recommendations 902 00:38:10,810 --> 00:38:12,810 and well take a hard look at it and 903 00:38:12,810 --> 00:38:14,588 we'll have discussions with the 904 00:38:14,588 --> 00:38:16,921 secretary uh and so on . But absolutely , 905 00:38:16,921 --> 00:38:19,143 my mind is completely open to all kinds 906 00:38:19,143 --> 00:38:21,254 of opportunities to change here . And 907 00:38:21,254 --> 00:38:23,421 once we make decisions and head down a 908 00:38:23,421 --> 00:38:25,588 path , that's not the end of the day . 909 00:38:25,588 --> 00:38:27,588 You know , we will continue to work 910 00:38:27,588 --> 00:38:29,810 this until we we we we improve and then 911 00:38:29,810 --> 00:38:31,810 we'll stay cited on it to make sure 912 00:38:31,810 --> 00:38:34,032 that we have the right things in the in 913 00:38:34,032 --> 00:38:36,199 the environment that we're taking care 914 00:38:36,199 --> 00:38:38,310 of our our troops , men and women and 915 00:38:38,310 --> 00:38:40,532 that we're , you know , we're doing the 916 00:38:40,532 --> 00:38:42,532 right things . So that's all we got 917 00:38:42,532 --> 00:38:44,588 time for , folks . Thank you so much 918 00:38:44,588 --> 00:38:48,340 appreciate it . Former Navy 919 00:38:48,340 --> 00:38:50,400 Seal Eddie Gallagher , basically 920 00:38:50,410 --> 00:38:51,650 admitting to murder . 921 00:38:55,420 --> 00:38:58,350 I'm sure that I know that , uh , that 922 00:38:58,360 --> 00:39:01,670 maybe is looking into that issue . And 923 00:39:01,670 --> 00:39:04,000 so I don't have a comment on for you 924 00:39:04,010 --> 00:39:06,840 this afternoon . Thank you . Thank you .