1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:00,000 2 00:00:04,840 --> 00:00:06,951 well . It's been a terrific day and I 3 00:00:06,951 --> 00:00:09,118 want to thank Senator Senator Sullivan 4 00:00:09,118 --> 00:00:12,910 for accompanying me today . I know 5 00:00:12,910 --> 00:00:15,390 how committed he is to our national 6 00:00:15,390 --> 00:00:18,860 security and to keeping our capability 7 00:00:18,860 --> 00:00:22,520 sharp here in Alaska . I think the only 8 00:00:22,520 --> 00:00:24,520 thing that he cares about more than 9 00:00:24,520 --> 00:00:26,464 those capabilities are the men and 10 00:00:26,464 --> 00:00:28,870 women serving here and their families 11 00:00:30,540 --> 00:00:32,707 and we had a chance to speak with some 12 00:00:32,707 --> 00:00:34,929 of them today , thanking them for their 13 00:00:34,929 --> 00:00:37,096 service and for what they do every day 14 00:00:37,096 --> 00:00:39,880 to help defend this nation . It is 15 00:00:39,880 --> 00:00:43,260 impressive . They are impressive . 16 00:00:45,140 --> 00:00:47,340 Now . I also come away from this visit 17 00:00:47,350 --> 00:00:51,150 with a few takeaways first , is a keen 18 00:00:51,150 --> 00:00:53,300 reminder of just how strategically 19 00:00:53,300 --> 00:00:56,230 important Alaska is to our national 20 00:00:56,230 --> 00:00:59,310 security into homeland defense . 21 00:01:01,040 --> 00:01:03,960 We are in indo pacific nations 22 00:01:05,140 --> 00:01:08,050 and we are an arctic nation . 23 00:01:09,540 --> 00:01:13,320 And here in Alaska , those two critical 24 00:01:13,320 --> 00:01:14,550 regions intersect . 25 00:01:17,140 --> 00:01:19,450 This is where we can project power into 26 00:01:19,450 --> 00:01:22,550 both regions and where we must be able 27 00:01:22,550 --> 00:01:24,780 to defend ourselves from threats coming 28 00:01:24,780 --> 00:01:28,780 from both places . It's also where 29 00:01:28,780 --> 00:01:31,040 we can better posture ourselves and 30 00:01:31,270 --> 00:01:34,840 prepare for climate changes that will 31 00:01:34,840 --> 00:01:38,770 impact our future . And 32 00:01:38,770 --> 00:01:40,381 when we talk about strategic 33 00:01:40,381 --> 00:01:44,210 competition , well , the arctic is one 34 00:01:44,210 --> 00:01:46,543 of those places . That is right for you . 35 00:01:48,040 --> 00:01:50,120 As the permafrost melts , the arctic 36 00:01:50,120 --> 00:01:52,540 will increasingly become a theater for 37 00:01:52,540 --> 00:01:55,370 resource competition and even 38 00:01:55,380 --> 00:01:58,690 instability and we need to stay ahead 39 00:01:58,690 --> 00:02:02,470 of that . I was impressed by the army's 40 00:02:02,470 --> 00:02:05,120 arctic strategy and thinking that they 41 00:02:05,120 --> 00:02:07,176 are applying to operational concepts 42 00:02:07,176 --> 00:02:11,020 here . I also came away with a better 43 00:02:11,020 --> 00:02:13,187 understanding of the capabilities that 44 00:02:13,187 --> 00:02:16,360 we deploy and permanently based here . 45 00:02:16,740 --> 00:02:18,407 And you can see many of those 46 00:02:18,407 --> 00:02:20,550 capabilities as you look around here 47 00:02:22,440 --> 00:02:24,790 from fifth generation strike aircraft 48 00:02:24,800 --> 00:02:27,290 too , integrated air and missile 49 00:02:27,290 --> 00:02:29,560 defense and the exceptional training 50 00:02:29,560 --> 00:02:32,720 ranges to include the joint pacific 51 00:02:32,730 --> 00:02:36,440 Alaska range complex . There's a 52 00:02:36,440 --> 00:02:38,750 diverse set of options that we can 53 00:02:38,750 --> 00:02:40,861 employ and I intend to make sure that 54 00:02:40,861 --> 00:02:44,590 we keep them as lethal and as ready as 55 00:02:44,590 --> 00:02:48,440 we can . And 56 00:02:48,440 --> 00:02:50,607 that's really the last impression that 57 00:02:50,607 --> 00:02:52,607 I took away from my time here , the 58 00:02:52,607 --> 00:02:54,830 need for continued readiness and 59 00:02:54,830 --> 00:02:58,650 modernization . I was impressed by the 60 00:02:58,650 --> 00:03:01,160 training that goes on from missile 61 00:03:01,160 --> 00:03:03,420 defense exercises to the red flag 62 00:03:03,420 --> 00:03:06,490 exercise , to the cold weather and 63 00:03:06,490 --> 00:03:08,712 mountain warfare training that the army 64 00:03:08,712 --> 00:03:10,546 conducts at the Northern Warfare 65 00:03:10,546 --> 00:03:14,500 Training Center Center . It goes 66 00:03:14,500 --> 00:03:16,500 without saying that this is a harsh 67 00:03:16,500 --> 00:03:19,780 environment . But as I said , it's a 68 00:03:19,790 --> 00:03:23,420 critically important region and we must 69 00:03:23,420 --> 00:03:25,309 continue to hone . The skills are 70 00:03:25,309 --> 00:03:28,260 soldiers and airmen learn in Alaska's 71 00:03:28,260 --> 00:03:31,530 unique training environment . You must 72 00:03:31,530 --> 00:03:33,840 also invest appropriately in the 73 00:03:33,840 --> 00:03:35,784 infrastructure needed to keep them 74 00:03:35,784 --> 00:03:39,460 ready and to keep them vigilant . And 75 00:03:39,460 --> 00:03:41,404 I'm committed to doing that and to 76 00:03:41,404 --> 00:03:43,571 working with the services to make sure 77 00:03:43,571 --> 00:03:46,170 that we adapt and modernize our 78 00:03:46,180 --> 00:03:49,170 training and the tools that we give our 79 00:03:49,170 --> 00:03:53,140 troops up here . And that's 80 00:03:53,140 --> 00:03:55,196 really the last thing that I like to 81 00:03:55,196 --> 00:03:57,260 address our people . 82 00:03:59,140 --> 00:04:01,307 I'm mindful of the stress that they're 83 00:04:01,307 --> 00:04:03,473 often under . And I'm deeply concerned 84 00:04:03,473 --> 00:04:05,696 about the suicide rates , not only here 85 00:04:05,696 --> 00:04:09,290 but across the force . You've heard me 86 00:04:09,290 --> 00:04:12,380 say before , 1 , 1 loss by suicide is 87 00:04:12,380 --> 00:04:15,510 too many . And while we're working hard 88 00:04:15,510 --> 00:04:17,732 on this problem , we have a lot more to 89 00:04:17,732 --> 00:04:21,120 do . And I believe that has it has to 90 00:04:21,120 --> 00:04:23,342 start with removing the stigma attached 91 00:04:23,342 --> 00:04:27,050 to mental health issues . Mental health 92 00:04:27,540 --> 00:04:31,390 is health period . And we have to 93 00:04:31,390 --> 00:04:33,501 approach it with the same energy that 94 00:04:33,501 --> 00:04:35,620 we apply to other any other health 95 00:04:35,630 --> 00:04:38,530 issue with compassion and 96 00:04:38,530 --> 00:04:42,400 professionalism and resources . And 97 00:04:42,400 --> 00:04:45,710 so if you're hurting there are 98 00:04:45,710 --> 00:04:49,550 resources available . And I know that 99 00:04:49,550 --> 00:04:51,439 our leaders here are committed to 100 00:04:51,439 --> 00:04:54,050 making those resources even more 101 00:04:54,060 --> 00:04:56,460 accessible in available . 102 00:04:59,840 --> 00:05:02,660 My first priority is to defend this 103 00:05:02,660 --> 00:05:05,860 nation . And I've seen a lot of things 104 00:05:05,860 --> 00:05:08,193 today that help us accomplish that goal . 105 00:05:09,840 --> 00:05:13,370 But key to achieving it is taking care 106 00:05:13,370 --> 00:05:16,820 of our people , taking care of each 107 00:05:16,820 --> 00:05:20,430 other . And that was one of my messages 108 00:05:20,430 --> 00:05:22,597 to the men and women that I spoke with 109 00:05:22,597 --> 00:05:24,990 today . We need to look out for one 110 00:05:24,990 --> 00:05:28,980 another . As I promised I 111 00:05:28,980 --> 00:05:32,420 would be looking out after them in 112 00:05:32,420 --> 00:05:35,760 every way possible . So with that 113 00:05:36,440 --> 00:05:38,662 I'll take some of your questions Greece 114 00:05:39,640 --> 00:05:43,360 basically that's it . First 115 00:05:44,240 --> 00:05:47,330 reporter was trying to system and saw 116 00:05:47,330 --> 00:05:51,000 that yeah , parts of the country and 117 00:05:51,000 --> 00:05:53,000 locations you think that's going to 118 00:05:53,000 --> 00:05:56,430 stop means me being made by the Taliban . 119 00:05:56,430 --> 00:05:58,597 And secondly , if you could play as an 120 00:05:58,597 --> 00:05:59,960 update patient , 121 00:06:04,240 --> 00:06:07,260 so you've you've correctly 122 00:06:07,740 --> 00:06:10,590 describe what the afghan leadership is 123 00:06:10,590 --> 00:06:12,090 doing right now . They are 124 00:06:12,440 --> 00:06:16,340 consolidating their forces around the 125 00:06:16,340 --> 00:06:19,920 key population centers in terms of 126 00:06:19,920 --> 00:06:23,570 whether or not it will stop the 127 00:06:23,570 --> 00:06:25,792 taliban . I think the first thing to do 128 00:06:25,792 --> 00:06:29,760 is to make sure that they can uh 129 00:06:29,770 --> 00:06:32,770 slow the momentum . Uh and then and 130 00:06:32,770 --> 00:06:34,770 then be able to put themselves in a 131 00:06:34,770 --> 00:06:36,937 position where they can retake some of 132 00:06:36,937 --> 00:06:39,490 the games that the Taliban , uh some of 133 00:06:39,490 --> 00:06:42,430 the ground that they've lost . So I 134 00:06:42,430 --> 00:06:46,280 think I think from my engagements with 135 00:06:46,280 --> 00:06:48,113 the Afghan leadership , they are 136 00:06:48,113 --> 00:06:52,060 committed to that . And and so uh 137 00:06:53,240 --> 00:06:55,462 we look forward to uh to they're making 138 00:06:55,462 --> 00:06:57,407 progress . They have they have the 139 00:06:57,407 --> 00:06:59,830 capabilities they have the capacity to 140 00:06:59,840 --> 00:07:02,300 to make progress and and to and to 141 00:07:02,300 --> 00:07:04,590 really begin to blunt some of the 142 00:07:04,600 --> 00:07:08,210 taliban's advances . But we'll see what 143 00:07:08,210 --> 00:07:10,850 happens . This idea of things any 144 00:07:10,850 --> 00:07:14,500 progress . Well we 145 00:07:14,500 --> 00:07:17,200 continue to work on on the S . I . Ve . 146 00:07:17,200 --> 00:07:20,360 Issues . Uh We've also heard me say 147 00:07:20,360 --> 00:07:22,360 that I believe it's more one of our 148 00:07:22,360 --> 00:07:25,300 moral obligations to to help the people 149 00:07:25,300 --> 00:07:28,240 who have helped us . D . O . D . Is 150 00:07:28,240 --> 00:07:31,470 fully in support of the of the State 151 00:07:31,470 --> 00:07:35,420 Department's effort to uh to 152 00:07:35,430 --> 00:07:37,710 address this issue . And of course our 153 00:07:37,710 --> 00:07:40,110 focus has been on identifying places 154 00:07:40,110 --> 00:07:44,100 where we can we can house S . I . Ve . 155 00:07:44,100 --> 00:07:45,989 Applicants as they go through the 156 00:07:45,989 --> 00:07:48,650 process . Our immediate focus is on 157 00:07:48,660 --> 00:07:52,120 making sure that we set up all the 158 00:07:52,120 --> 00:07:54,240 things that are necessary to support 159 00:07:54,250 --> 00:07:56,960 the parolees that are coming to very 160 00:07:56,960 --> 00:07:59,980 soon to Fort lee Virginia . We're well 161 00:07:59,980 --> 00:08:02,147 on the way to having all the pieces in 162 00:08:02,147 --> 00:08:05,500 place to support that . And uh and I 163 00:08:05,510 --> 00:08:08,530 truly believe that that will be a very 164 00:08:08,540 --> 00:08:11,610 successful and smooth operation for 165 00:08:11,610 --> 00:08:15,360 good in your 166 00:08:15,740 --> 00:08:19,560 lost . Yeah . Yeah . What is it 167 00:08:20,340 --> 00:08:23,760 work last the last ? 168 00:08:26,640 --> 00:08:29,230 Well thanks . I think you heard me say 169 00:08:29,230 --> 00:08:32,740 in my statement that uh this is a very 170 00:08:32,750 --> 00:08:36,320 critical place on the 171 00:08:36,330 --> 00:08:39,350 on the globe . It is the intersection 172 00:08:39,840 --> 00:08:43,730 of the areas of responsibility of 173 00:08:43,740 --> 00:08:45,796 a couple of combatant commands . You 174 00:08:45,796 --> 00:08:47,962 know the indo pacific command which is 175 00:08:47,962 --> 00:08:51,700 really important to us as well as the 176 00:08:51,710 --> 00:08:55,430 Northern Command . It it truly is a 177 00:08:55,430 --> 00:08:58,660 place where we think that 178 00:08:59,510 --> 00:09:03,350 as we continue to to develop our 179 00:09:03,350 --> 00:09:05,890 capabilities here , it will certainly 180 00:09:05,890 --> 00:09:09,350 help us in our efforts to two 181 00:09:10,140 --> 00:09:12,350 create capacity and capability that 182 00:09:12,570 --> 00:09:16,460 allows us to do what we set out to do 183 00:09:16,940 --> 00:09:20,220 in increasing the competitive edge with 184 00:09:20,220 --> 00:09:23,340 the adversary's like uh like china and 185 00:09:23,340 --> 00:09:26,350 Russia . Yeah , wow , 186 00:09:28,540 --> 00:09:32,470 business . Well , you've you've seen us 187 00:09:32,470 --> 00:09:34,370 increase our capability up here 188 00:09:34,380 --> 00:09:36,870 recently with the arrival of additional 189 00:09:36,870 --> 00:09:40,100 f 30 fives uh and we're in the process 190 00:09:40,100 --> 00:09:42,500 of building out the capabilities to 191 00:09:42,500 --> 00:09:45,300 support that effort . And uh and of 192 00:09:45,300 --> 00:09:47,560 course we've already announced that and 193 00:09:47,570 --> 00:09:49,181 and I don't have any further 194 00:09:49,181 --> 00:09:51,348 announcements to make the day . I will 195 00:09:51,348 --> 00:09:53,514 just point to the fact that I'm really 196 00:09:53,514 --> 00:09:55,681 proud of , the people that are up here 197 00:09:55,681 --> 00:09:57,626 working hard every day to create a 198 00:09:57,626 --> 00:09:59,792 world class training environment and a 199 00:09:59,792 --> 00:10:01,903 world class capability . Again , that 200 00:10:01,903 --> 00:10:03,903 gives us additional capabilities to 201 00:10:03,903 --> 00:10:06,780 protect this nation and also to , to 202 00:10:06,780 --> 00:10:08,891 increase our competitive edge against 203 00:10:08,891 --> 00:10:10,660 some of our adversaries 204 00:10:16,240 --> 00:10:17,240 without . 205 00:10:20,340 --> 00:10:23,750 Yeah , yeah . Now , 206 00:10:25,640 --> 00:10:29,080 mm , well , as you know , 207 00:10:29,090 --> 00:10:32,510 um , Prime Minister koizumi 208 00:10:32,520 --> 00:10:35,150 is in Washington as we speak . He will 209 00:10:35,150 --> 00:10:38,840 meet with the President on on 210 00:10:38,840 --> 00:10:40,890 monday . I won't get a ahead of any 211 00:10:40,890 --> 00:10:43,260 discussions that he and the President 212 00:10:43,260 --> 00:10:45,970 will have . I would just remind you 213 00:10:45,970 --> 00:10:48,137 that we are there at the invitation of 214 00:10:48,137 --> 00:10:50,450 the Iraqis , uh , and that , and were 215 00:10:50,450 --> 00:10:52,672 there for a specific person and that is 216 00:10:52,672 --> 00:10:55,820 to help train of advice and equipped 217 00:10:55,820 --> 00:10:59,570 them to uh , to to do things such as 218 00:10:59,570 --> 00:11:01,514 countering ISIS , which has been a 219 00:11:01,514 --> 00:11:03,570 threat throughout . And we certainly 220 00:11:03,570 --> 00:11:05,570 don't want to see ISIS uh redevelop 221 00:11:05,570 --> 00:11:08,710 additional capability . You've heard 222 00:11:08,720 --> 00:11:12,580 Prime Minister Academies say that , you 223 00:11:12,580 --> 00:11:14,800 know , he is very grateful for the for 224 00:11:14,800 --> 00:11:16,856 the support that we've given them in 225 00:11:16,856 --> 00:11:19,700 the past and he certainly uh looks to 226 00:11:19,700 --> 00:11:22,040 benefit from that that support going 227 00:11:22,040 --> 00:11:24,390 forward and then the body , do you 228 00:11:24,390 --> 00:11:27,750 think Right ? Yes , 229 00:11:29,140 --> 00:11:33,060 that darling and then , okay , we've 230 00:11:33,060 --> 00:11:35,750 noticed There was a six month gap 231 00:11:36,340 --> 00:11:39,400 strike . Yeah . 232 00:11:40,240 --> 00:11:41,860 Mhm . Stop . 233 00:11:45,740 --> 00:11:48,650 Okay , this is strikes 234 00:11:49,440 --> 00:11:51,860 stretch that just started . Uh huh . Do 235 00:11:51,860 --> 00:11:53,804 they mean they won't work until he 236 00:11:53,804 --> 00:11:56,660 strikes against al Shabaab and for that . 237 00:11:59,040 --> 00:12:00,873 So I've lost count . Is that two 238 00:12:00,873 --> 00:12:04,060 questions or three questions uh 239 00:12:04,440 --> 00:12:08,090 in in terms of the types of troops that 240 00:12:08,090 --> 00:12:10,930 we have in uh in Iraq , you know , all 241 00:12:10,930 --> 00:12:13,390 of our troops are capable of doing 242 00:12:13,400 --> 00:12:17,010 multiple things . And certainly , you 243 00:12:17,010 --> 00:12:20,790 know , we uh task our combat troops , 244 00:12:20,790 --> 00:12:22,512 our troops that are capable of 245 00:12:22,512 --> 00:12:24,401 conducting combat operations with 246 00:12:24,401 --> 00:12:26,568 training , advising and assisting . Uh 247 00:12:26,568 --> 00:12:28,800 and so , so we're capable of doing a 248 00:12:28,800 --> 00:12:31,440 number of things and and uh it's been 249 00:12:31,440 --> 00:12:33,662 that way throughout . You've seen us do 250 00:12:33,662 --> 00:12:37,660 that around the globe . And so I think 251 00:12:38,040 --> 00:12:39,707 trying to trying to make that 252 00:12:39,707 --> 00:12:42,230 distinction is very difficult . But I 253 00:12:42,230 --> 00:12:45,240 would say that the key is will be , you 254 00:12:45,240 --> 00:12:47,351 know , what we're purpose , what were 255 00:12:47,351 --> 00:12:49,573 tasked to do at any one point in time . 256 00:12:49,740 --> 00:12:52,260 In terms of the strikes in Somalia , 257 00:12:52,940 --> 00:12:56,010 General , Townsend has always had the 258 00:12:56,010 --> 00:12:59,910 authority to employ force to protect 259 00:12:59,910 --> 00:13:01,854 our forces and also to protect our 260 00:13:01,854 --> 00:13:04,170 partner forces . As you may know , 261 00:13:04,170 --> 00:13:06,310 we've been working with with partner 262 00:13:06,310 --> 00:13:09,900 forces in Somalia to counter uh the 263 00:13:09,910 --> 00:13:12,170 activities of Al Shabaab , which is an 264 00:13:12,180 --> 00:13:15,710 Al Qaeda affiliate . Uh and uh and most 265 00:13:15,710 --> 00:13:18,010 recently what's happened is our partner 266 00:13:18,010 --> 00:13:21,010 forces have increased their their 267 00:13:21,020 --> 00:13:24,460 optempo and uh and they have been 268 00:13:24,460 --> 00:13:27,250 pushing back on Al Shabaab in a more 269 00:13:27,250 --> 00:13:29,490 significant way . And the result of 270 00:13:29,490 --> 00:13:33,160 that is uh some engagements that were 271 00:13:33,160 --> 00:13:36,220 fairly intense and we conducted those 272 00:13:36,220 --> 00:13:39,130 strikes to support our partner forces 273 00:13:39,130 --> 00:13:40,960 here , john 274 00:13:45,740 --> 00:13:47,660 one of the things I really am 275 00:13:49,240 --> 00:13:52,940 anticipated is the out the 276 00:13:52,950 --> 00:13:55,850 friends , not just in yes , 277 00:13:57,640 --> 00:14:01,360 there isn't , it goes right . Does 278 00:14:04,940 --> 00:14:06,050 your four trips , 279 00:14:09,140 --> 00:14:12,440 just wondering why why should african 280 00:14:12,440 --> 00:14:15,360 american care of this has , 281 00:14:16,340 --> 00:14:19,350 you're in Mhm outreach the pretty 282 00:14:20,740 --> 00:14:23,050 and and that out 283 00:14:26,340 --> 00:14:29,440 potential at well , 284 00:14:29,450 --> 00:14:32,760 as you know , jim we have everything 285 00:14:32,760 --> 00:14:36,560 that we have done in the past has been 286 00:14:36,560 --> 00:14:40,540 a part of a as a part of a 287 00:14:40,540 --> 00:14:43,000 team , a coalition , it's who we are . 288 00:14:43,010 --> 00:14:45,066 It's how we fight . It increases our 289 00:14:45,066 --> 00:14:48,910 capability and capacity in in 290 00:14:48,910 --> 00:14:51,200 ways that are very difficult described 291 00:14:51,210 --> 00:14:53,260 to describe , but it magnifies our 292 00:14:53,260 --> 00:14:55,540 capabilities and it's something that 293 00:14:55,540 --> 00:14:58,740 we're very , very proud of . And you 294 00:14:58,740 --> 00:15:02,640 know , we uh we look to continue to 295 00:15:02,640 --> 00:15:05,580 develop our relationships with like 296 00:15:05,580 --> 00:15:07,802 minded partners and allies , those that 297 00:15:07,802 --> 00:15:10,190 share our values , those that that look 298 00:15:10,190 --> 00:15:12,940 to do things like ensure that we have 299 00:15:12,950 --> 00:15:15,790 that we follow and an international 300 00:15:15,790 --> 00:15:18,012 rules based order , which which I think 301 00:15:18,012 --> 00:15:20,460 is very , very important to us . Uh and 302 00:15:20,460 --> 00:15:22,690 so it is our strength . And I would 303 00:15:22,690 --> 00:15:26,010 point to the fact that others don't 304 00:15:26,020 --> 00:15:28,131 have those kinds of don't enjoy those 305 00:15:28,131 --> 00:15:30,370 kinds of partnerships and alliances . 306 00:15:30,380 --> 00:15:32,491 If you look at china or Russia , they 307 00:15:32,500 --> 00:15:35,320 don't have the the ability to to uh to 308 00:15:35,320 --> 00:15:37,610 align themselves with uh with like 309 00:15:37,610 --> 00:15:39,777 minded partners to the degree that the 310 00:15:39,777 --> 00:15:41,888 United States does . It magnifies our 311 00:15:41,888 --> 00:15:45,150 capability uh in uh in ways that are 312 00:15:45,160 --> 00:15:47,750 really difficult to describe because 313 00:15:47,760 --> 00:15:49,204 they are so significant . 314 00:15:52,340 --> 00:15:54,540 No , you're right over here . Yeah . 315 00:15:55,140 --> 00:15:59,000 Australia f 35 . It's an 316 00:15:59,000 --> 00:16:01,260 american . There was 317 00:16:03,240 --> 00:16:07,160 it's absolutely encouraging . Um , 318 00:16:08,840 --> 00:16:11,530 it's the way that we operate . We train 319 00:16:11,530 --> 00:16:14,490 with each other . We share common 320 00:16:14,490 --> 00:16:18,360 practices and and policies uh and it's 321 00:16:18,360 --> 00:16:20,638 how we're going to fight going forward . 322 00:16:20,638 --> 00:16:22,638 And again , it really increases our 323 00:16:22,638 --> 00:16:24,750 capability by orders of magnitude . 324 00:16:25,340 --> 00:16:28,350 Last question . I want to right , 325 00:16:28,940 --> 00:16:30,960 carrying . Got it . 326 00:16:36,340 --> 00:16:37,340 Yeah , 327 00:16:42,540 --> 00:16:44,651 I'm sorry . Because of the background 328 00:16:44,651 --> 00:16:48,620 noise . I didn't okay with the 329 00:16:48,620 --> 00:16:51,470 recent prize area housing 330 00:16:59,740 --> 00:17:02,660 more recent speaking like 331 00:17:04,040 --> 00:17:06,790 uh , like uh , like the rest of our 332 00:17:06,790 --> 00:17:09,123 leadership , like the rest of the world , 333 00:17:09,123 --> 00:17:12,970 I remain very concerned about uh , the 334 00:17:12,980 --> 00:17:16,510 most recent variants . It is highly 335 00:17:16,510 --> 00:17:20,250 transmissible . And and I would point 336 00:17:20,250 --> 00:17:22,139 to the fact though , that we have 337 00:17:22,139 --> 00:17:24,950 worked hard to continue to vaccinate 338 00:17:24,950 --> 00:17:28,400 our force . We We have at least 70% of 339 00:17:28,410 --> 00:17:31,260 the force that's uh gotten at least uh 340 00:17:31,270 --> 00:17:33,159 you know , one dose of the of the 341 00:17:33,159 --> 00:17:35,214 vaccine . We're going to continue to 342 00:17:35,214 --> 00:17:38,300 push push hard to uh ensure that we're 343 00:17:38,300 --> 00:17:40,430 making the vaccine available to the 344 00:17:40,430 --> 00:17:43,090 force . And we're going to encourage 345 00:17:43,090 --> 00:17:46,680 people our troops to uh to take the 346 00:17:46,680 --> 00:17:50,360 vaccine . It's a very important force 347 00:17:50,360 --> 00:17:52,940 protection measures . Thanks very much . 348 00:17:55,340 --> 00:17:57,270 Yeah . Why ? 349 00:18:00,640 --> 00:18:04,000 Uh right now it remains voluntary . 350 00:18:04,010 --> 00:18:07,630 Our focus is going to continue to be on 351 00:18:07,630 --> 00:18:11,260 making sure that our troops have uh 352 00:18:13,940 --> 00:18:16,180 the right information , factual 353 00:18:16,180 --> 00:18:18,420 information that they can talk to their 354 00:18:18,420 --> 00:18:20,642 doctors . They have the ability to talk 355 00:18:20,642 --> 00:18:23,430 to their families about about this uh 356 00:18:23,440 --> 00:18:25,940 this vaccine . You know , if you just 357 00:18:25,940 --> 00:18:27,829 look at what the vaccine has done 358 00:18:27,829 --> 00:18:29,820 across across the globe , it's 359 00:18:29,830 --> 00:18:33,170 incredibly powerful . And so we think , 360 00:18:33,540 --> 00:18:35,651 you know , I think the right thing to 361 00:18:35,651 --> 00:18:37,818 do is to make sure that we continue to 362 00:18:37,818 --> 00:18:39,707 encourage our troops to take it . 363 00:18:39,707 --> 00:18:42,040 Thanks so much everybody . Yeah .