1 00:00:01,840 --> 00:00:05,290 Okay , good morning everybody . I am 2 00:00:05,300 --> 00:00:07,710 gonna introduce General taylor back up 3 00:00:07,710 --> 00:00:10,620 here to walk you through uh an 4 00:00:10,620 --> 00:00:12,731 operational update and then when he's 5 00:00:12,731 --> 00:00:14,898 done , I have a couple of other things 6 00:00:14,898 --> 00:00:16,953 that I'm gonna kick off the briefing 7 00:00:16,953 --> 00:00:19,064 with and then we'll get the questions 8 00:00:19,064 --> 00:00:19,040 if that's okay . All right with that . 9 00:00:19,050 --> 00:00:23,050 General thank you . 10 00:00:23,050 --> 00:00:25,720 Mr Kirby . Good morning everyone and 11 00:00:25,730 --> 00:00:27,952 thank you for joining us this morning . 12 00:00:28,440 --> 00:00:30,218 Once again I want to provide an 13 00:00:30,218 --> 00:00:32,273 operational update uh and then as mr 14 00:00:32,273 --> 00:00:34,162 Kirby said , we'll follow up with 15 00:00:34,162 --> 00:00:35,884 questions as we know . Uh this 16 00:00:35,884 --> 00:00:39,540 continues to evolve the situation . We 17 00:00:39,540 --> 00:00:42,410 continue to strive on the ground and uh 18 00:00:42,420 --> 00:00:44,531 what we really want to do is continue 19 00:00:44,531 --> 00:00:46,476 to provide you details in a timely 20 00:00:46,476 --> 00:00:48,900 manner . As you know , recently the 21 00:00:48,900 --> 00:00:51,090 Secretary Defense activated the stage 22 00:00:51,090 --> 00:00:54,160 one of the Civil Reserve Air fleet 23 00:00:54,640 --> 00:00:57,210 Right now that activation includes 18 24 00:00:57,210 --> 00:00:59,950 aircraft from six commercial airlines . 25 00:01:00,440 --> 00:01:02,840 This will increase passenger movement 26 00:01:03,060 --> 00:01:05,800 from the intermediate staging bases , 27 00:01:05,800 --> 00:01:07,870 temporary safe havens to the United 28 00:01:07,870 --> 00:01:10,020 States . While we continue to 29 00:01:10,020 --> 00:01:13,090 prioritize military aircraft for the 30 00:01:13,090 --> 00:01:15,450 transportation of individuals out of 31 00:01:15,450 --> 00:01:17,910 kabul and out of harm's way . Please 32 00:01:17,910 --> 00:01:20,132 note as I said , you know , these craft 33 00:01:20,132 --> 00:01:22,260 flights will not be flying into Kabul 34 00:01:24,040 --> 00:01:26,151 as of this morning within the last 24 35 00:01:26,151 --> 00:01:29,850 hours . 25 U . S . Military C . 17 36 00:01:30,340 --> 00:01:33,410 three US military C . One thirties and 37 00:01:33,410 --> 00:01:35,600 then a combination of 61 charter 38 00:01:35,600 --> 00:01:37,711 commercial and other military flights 39 00:01:37,711 --> 00:01:40,320 departed Kabul . The total passenger 40 00:01:40,320 --> 00:01:42,610 count for those flights . It was 41 00:01:42,610 --> 00:01:46,520 approximately 16,000 Of that 42 00:01:46,520 --> 00:01:49,830 number . The US military transported 43 00:01:49,850 --> 00:01:52,960 just under 11,000 personnel . 44 00:01:53,940 --> 00:01:57,130 Our mission remains focused on ensuring 45 00:01:57,130 --> 00:02:00,150 a steady flow evacuees out of Kabul to 46 00:02:00,150 --> 00:02:02,372 the intermediate staging bases and safe 47 00:02:02,372 --> 00:02:05,070 havens at our installations continue to 48 00:02:05,070 --> 00:02:08,140 rapidly build out capacity as needed to 49 00:02:08,140 --> 00:02:10,330 ensure reception and providing 50 00:02:10,340 --> 00:02:13,960 humanitarian assistance . The use of 51 00:02:13,960 --> 00:02:16,080 temporary safe haven locations across 52 00:02:16,080 --> 00:02:18,360 europe and the Middle East . Uh to in 53 00:02:18,360 --> 00:02:20,527 areas that include US installations in 54 00:02:20,527 --> 00:02:23,360 Qatar , you a kuwait 55 00:02:23,840 --> 00:02:27,750 bahrain , Italy spain and Germany . 56 00:02:28,840 --> 00:02:31,330 We deeply appreciate the support from 57 00:02:31,330 --> 00:02:33,220 these countries . This is truly a 58 00:02:33,220 --> 00:02:35,840 testament to the importance of our 59 00:02:35,840 --> 00:02:39,020 alliances and our partnerships . In the 60 00:02:39,020 --> 00:02:42,030 past 24 hours five flights landed at 61 00:02:42,030 --> 00:02:44,310 Dulles International Airport with 62 00:02:44,310 --> 00:02:47,950 approximately 1300 passengers 63 00:02:48,540 --> 00:02:51,480 at this time for military installations 64 00:02:51,490 --> 00:02:53,720 as well as Dulles International are 65 00:02:53,720 --> 00:02:56,470 receiving afghans as they come into the 66 00:02:56,470 --> 00:02:58,860 United States . These installations 67 00:02:58,860 --> 00:03:02,430 include Fort McCoy , Wisconsin , Fort 68 00:03:02,430 --> 00:03:05,870 lee Virginia Joint Base McGuire Dix 69 00:03:05,870 --> 00:03:07,960 Lakehurst , New Jersey in Fort Bliss 70 00:03:07,960 --> 00:03:11,080 texas . The total number currently that 71 00:03:11,080 --> 00:03:13,136 these installations is approximately 72 00:03:13,136 --> 00:03:16,110 1200 and north um continues to build 73 00:03:16,110 --> 00:03:18,390 out capacity to ensure they are 74 00:03:18,390 --> 00:03:20,720 prepared to receive more flights that 75 00:03:20,720 --> 00:03:22,553 will come in the next few days . 76 00:03:23,040 --> 00:03:25,151 There's absolutely a worldwide effort 77 00:03:25,160 --> 00:03:28,220 which kits several countries multiple 78 00:03:28,220 --> 00:03:30,530 commands and thousands of service 79 00:03:30,530 --> 00:03:34,160 members across the Joint force over the 80 00:03:34,160 --> 00:03:36,710 weekend , the airport in Kabul remains 81 00:03:36,710 --> 00:03:39,000 secure . However many you've seen 82 00:03:39,000 --> 00:03:41,056 already centcom released a statement 83 00:03:41,056 --> 00:03:44,510 regarding an incident to report as a no 84 00:03:44,510 --> 00:03:46,770 U . S . Casualties . A partner force or 85 00:03:46,800 --> 00:03:48,744 coalition forces were involved but 86 00:03:48,744 --> 00:03:50,930 regrettably an afghan security force 87 00:03:50,930 --> 00:03:54,740 member lost his life as the president 88 00:03:54,750 --> 00:03:57,120 referenced last night in his remarks 89 00:03:57,190 --> 00:03:59,450 were in communication with the taliban 90 00:03:59,450 --> 00:04:01,672 for the establishment and the statement 91 00:04:01,672 --> 00:04:03,800 of several checkpoints to increase 92 00:04:03,800 --> 00:04:06,540 throughput and facilitate safe passage 93 00:04:06,540 --> 00:04:09,330 for individuals working to gain access 94 00:04:09,390 --> 00:04:12,180 to the airport Today , the number of 95 00:04:12,180 --> 00:04:14,124 troops at the airport continues to 96 00:04:14,124 --> 00:04:17,410 stand at 5800 commanders on the ground 97 00:04:17,410 --> 00:04:20,390 continue to actively monitor threats . 98 00:04:20,840 --> 00:04:22,562 They are empowered to make the 99 00:04:22,562 --> 00:04:24,840 appropriate force protection decisions . 100 00:04:24,840 --> 00:04:27,220 As always , U . S . Forces retain the 101 00:04:27,220 --> 00:04:29,590 inherent right to use force in self 102 00:04:29,590 --> 00:04:32,960 defense . We're using all of our 103 00:04:32,960 --> 00:04:35,182 available tools to maintain the highest 104 00:04:35,182 --> 00:04:37,360 threat awareness both in Afghanistan 105 00:04:37,690 --> 00:04:40,140 and throughout the globe . While this 106 00:04:40,140 --> 00:04:42,029 mission is not without risk , the 107 00:04:42,029 --> 00:04:43,973 safety of our personnel , american 108 00:04:43,973 --> 00:04:46,750 citizens and afghan evacuees at risk is 109 00:04:46,750 --> 00:04:50,540 of paramount importance . To wrap up . 110 00:04:50,570 --> 00:04:52,570 We continue to make progress in the 111 00:04:52,570 --> 00:04:54,737 completion of this mission . Since the 112 00:04:54,737 --> 00:04:56,514 end of July , we have relocated 113 00:04:56,514 --> 00:04:59,450 approximately 42,000 people Since the 114 00:04:59,450 --> 00:05:01,570 beginning of evacuation operations on 115 00:05:01,570 --> 00:05:03,690 August 14 . We have evacuated 116 00:05:03,690 --> 00:05:07,300 approximately 37,000 . All of this 117 00:05:07,300 --> 00:05:09,244 progress stems from the teamwork , 118 00:05:09,244 --> 00:05:11,490 professionalism and dedication of our 119 00:05:11,490 --> 00:05:14,240 military , our interagency colleagues 120 00:05:14,330 --> 00:05:16,880 and our allies and partners . We know 121 00:05:16,880 --> 00:05:18,936 more hard work remains in the coming 122 00:05:18,936 --> 00:05:21,047 days and we're absolutely prepared to 123 00:05:21,047 --> 00:05:22,936 meet that challenge . Thank you . 124 00:05:26,920 --> 00:05:29,330 Just a couple other points I'd like to 125 00:05:29,340 --> 00:05:33,260 make as you all aware the FDA approved 126 00:05:33,260 --> 00:05:35,316 full licensure of the Pfizer vaccine 127 00:05:35,316 --> 00:05:37,371 this morning and has also , I'm sure 128 00:05:37,371 --> 00:05:39,316 you're aware back in august on the 129 00:05:39,316 --> 00:05:41,482 night , the secretary articulated that 130 00:05:41,482 --> 00:05:43,320 it was his intent to mandate the 131 00:05:43,320 --> 00:05:46,870 COVID-19 vaccines upon FDA licensure 132 00:05:46,880 --> 00:05:50,000 or by mid september to seek a waiver 133 00:05:50,000 --> 00:05:52,590 from the president . So now that the 134 00:05:52,590 --> 00:05:54,757 Pfizer vaccine has been approved , the 135 00:05:54,757 --> 00:05:56,979 department is prepared to issue updated 136 00:05:56,979 --> 00:05:59,146 guidance requiring all service members 137 00:05:59,146 --> 00:06:01,320 to be vaccinated . A timeline for 138 00:06:01,320 --> 00:06:03,580 vaccination completion will be provided 139 00:06:03,580 --> 00:06:05,691 in the coming days . Uh The health of 140 00:06:05,691 --> 00:06:08,860 the force is , as always , our military 141 00:06:08,860 --> 00:06:10,916 or civilian employees . Families and 142 00:06:10,916 --> 00:06:13,082 communities is a top priority . That's 143 00:06:13,082 --> 00:06:15,082 what's important to remind everyone 144 00:06:15,082 --> 00:06:17,304 that these efforts to ensure the safety 145 00:06:17,304 --> 00:06:19,471 of our service members and promote the 146 00:06:19,471 --> 00:06:19,260 readiness of our force , not to mention 147 00:06:19,540 --> 00:06:21,151 the health and safety of the 148 00:06:21,151 --> 00:06:23,373 communities around the country in which 149 00:06:23,373 --> 00:06:27,250 we live a schedule item . Secretary and 150 00:06:27,640 --> 00:06:29,990 General Milley will be attending this 151 00:06:29,990 --> 00:06:32,090 afternoon , the funeral for former 152 00:06:32,090 --> 00:06:34,312 Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld at 153 00:06:34,312 --> 00:06:36,370 Arlington National Cemetery . Mr 154 00:06:36,370 --> 00:06:38,481 Rumsfeld served as the 13th Secretary 155 00:06:38,481 --> 00:06:41,930 Defense As well as the 21st . He also 156 00:06:41,930 --> 00:06:44,750 served the United States Navy in 1950 157 00:06:44,750 --> 00:06:46,940 in the mid 1950s as a pilot and flight 158 00:06:46,940 --> 00:06:48,829 instructor . And he continued his 159 00:06:48,829 --> 00:06:51,240 service as a reservist until 1975 when 160 00:06:51,240 --> 00:06:53,407 he became the Secretary of Defense for 161 00:06:53,407 --> 00:06:55,184 the first time on behalf of the 162 00:06:55,184 --> 00:06:57,240 Department of Defense . We stand our 163 00:06:57,240 --> 00:06:59,240 deep condolences to his family , to 164 00:06:59,240 --> 00:07:01,462 loved ones and indeed to the country uh 165 00:07:01,462 --> 00:07:03,684 with that will start taking questions , 166 00:07:03,684 --> 00:07:06,680 john thank you on the Pfizer vaccine 167 00:07:06,690 --> 00:07:08,890 and the secretary's intention to 168 00:07:08,890 --> 00:07:11,980 require it . He has not yet made that 169 00:07:11,980 --> 00:07:13,924 direction . And well , did you say 170 00:07:13,924 --> 00:07:16,280 there's not yet a deadline for doing 171 00:07:16,280 --> 00:07:18,040 that ? What I'm saying , we're 172 00:07:18,040 --> 00:07:20,430 preparing , we're preparing now 173 00:07:20,440 --> 00:07:23,380 actionable guidance to the force . Uh 174 00:07:23,390 --> 00:07:25,740 we're gonna move forward making that 175 00:07:25,740 --> 00:07:27,570 max that vaccine mandatory were 176 00:07:27,570 --> 00:07:29,570 preparing the guidance to the force 177 00:07:29,570 --> 00:07:33,070 right now . Um and that the actual 178 00:07:33,080 --> 00:07:35,440 completion date of it , in other words , 179 00:07:35,450 --> 00:07:37,561 how fast we want to see it get done . 180 00:07:37,561 --> 00:07:39,561 We're working through that guidance 181 00:07:39,561 --> 00:07:41,783 right now . Can I ask you a question on 182 00:07:41,783 --> 00:07:43,839 Afghanistan ? Also a couple things . 183 00:07:43,839 --> 00:07:45,894 One is you've said , I think general 184 00:07:45,894 --> 00:07:48,006 taylor said a number of times as well 185 00:07:48,006 --> 00:07:50,260 that The military airlift capacity at 186 00:07:50,260 --> 00:07:52,427 the airport was in the neighborhood of 187 00:07:52,427 --> 00:07:55,010 5,000 9000 . You've now gone beyond 188 00:07:55,010 --> 00:07:57,480 that at least yesterday . Can you say 189 00:07:57,480 --> 00:07:59,860 what the capacity has grown too ? And 190 00:07:59,860 --> 00:08:02,090 also can you explain a little more 191 00:08:02,090 --> 00:08:04,580 about the perimeter issue that general 192 00:08:04,580 --> 00:08:06,730 alluded to very briefly when the 193 00:08:06,740 --> 00:08:08,851 president yesterday said something to 194 00:08:08,851 --> 00:08:11,018 the effect that the perimeter had been 195 00:08:11,018 --> 00:08:13,610 moved back significantly to facilitate . 196 00:08:13,620 --> 00:08:15,920 Uh can you claim that So a couple 197 00:08:15,920 --> 00:08:17,950 things bob on the capacity thing um 198 00:08:17,960 --> 00:08:20,880 you're right . We had set a goal of 5 199 00:08:20,880 --> 00:08:22,991 to 9000 day . Yesterday . We exceeded 200 00:08:22,991 --> 00:08:25,047 that . We're not taking anything for 201 00:08:25,047 --> 00:08:27,102 granted bob we're taking this day by 202 00:08:27,102 --> 00:08:29,310 day . We'd love to see those numbers 203 00:08:29,400 --> 00:08:31,910 continue to rise . But we're going to 204 00:08:31,910 --> 00:08:34,132 just take it day by day . There's a lot 205 00:08:34,132 --> 00:08:36,740 of factors that go into be able to 206 00:08:36,740 --> 00:08:39,360 reach that output capacity to include 207 00:08:39,740 --> 00:08:41,860 uh huh temporary safe havens that you 208 00:08:41,860 --> 00:08:44,027 can bring these individuals to as they 209 00:08:44,027 --> 00:08:46,000 complete their screening and the 210 00:08:46,000 --> 00:08:48,056 screening is a big part of that . We 211 00:08:48,056 --> 00:08:50,167 have intelligence and law enforcement 212 00:08:50,167 --> 00:08:52,360 personnel at these sites making sure 213 00:08:52,360 --> 00:08:54,304 that a robust screening is done of 214 00:08:54,304 --> 00:08:56,471 these individuals so that nobody comes 215 00:08:56,471 --> 00:08:58,582 in the United States that hasn't been 216 00:08:58,582 --> 00:09:01,170 screened in a robust manner . Um And so 217 00:09:01,170 --> 00:09:03,170 there's lots of factors that affect 218 00:09:03,170 --> 00:09:05,360 throughput . We were very glad to see 219 00:09:05,440 --> 00:09:07,607 That we're able to get that number out 220 00:09:07,607 --> 00:09:09,662 yesterday but we're going to take it 221 00:09:09,662 --> 00:09:11,884 day by day , day by day . So the number 222 00:09:11,884 --> 00:09:13,829 of aircraft that are available . I 223 00:09:13,829 --> 00:09:15,996 think you reach the number of aircraft 224 00:09:15,996 --> 00:09:19,480 was like 20 . Yeah . Uh No no no but I 225 00:09:19,480 --> 00:09:21,840 mean the same number of aircraft are 226 00:09:21,840 --> 00:09:23,896 about available on any given day . I 227 00:09:23,896 --> 00:09:26,520 mean we we can get up to on a given day 228 00:09:26,520 --> 00:09:28,340 you can get up to about 30 C 229 00:09:28,340 --> 00:09:31,120 seventeen's that doesn't mean that 30 230 00:09:31,120 --> 00:09:33,287 you're gonna fly every day and we were 231 00:09:33,287 --> 00:09:35,509 under that yesterday and still was able 232 00:09:35,509 --> 00:09:37,731 to get out . Uh we're still able to get 233 00:09:37,731 --> 00:09:39,842 out more than 10,000 in the perimeter 234 00:09:39,842 --> 00:09:41,787 questions permitted question and I 235 00:09:41,787 --> 00:09:43,731 think the general addressed this a 236 00:09:43,731 --> 00:09:45,731 little bit in his opening statement 237 00:09:45,731 --> 00:09:47,842 without getting into tactical details 238 00:09:47,842 --> 00:09:47,580 here Bob and I think you can understand 239 00:09:47,580 --> 00:09:51,010 why we wouldn't do that . Um we are 240 00:09:51,020 --> 00:09:54,500 uh we are very interested in making 241 00:09:54,500 --> 00:09:58,320 sure that access to the 242 00:09:58,320 --> 00:10:01,940 airport remains as fluid as 243 00:10:01,940 --> 00:10:04,960 possible , particularly for american 244 00:10:04,960 --> 00:10:07,870 citizens trying to get in as well as uh 245 00:10:07,880 --> 00:10:10,310 our special immigrant visa applicants . 246 00:10:10,740 --> 00:10:12,962 Um and there's a lot of factors that go 247 00:10:12,962 --> 00:10:16,280 into making sure that access uh remain 248 00:10:16,280 --> 00:10:18,447 secure and that we can facilitate it . 249 00:10:18,447 --> 00:10:20,810 Uh and what the what the president was 250 00:10:20,810 --> 00:10:23,850 referring to was was efforts to uh 251 00:10:24,440 --> 00:10:28,430 uh improve that access from 252 00:10:28,430 --> 00:10:32,420 a geographical space uh out beyond just 253 00:10:32,420 --> 00:10:35,180 the perimeter of the airfield . And I 254 00:10:35,180 --> 00:10:38,290 won't speak to the details of how we're , 255 00:10:38,300 --> 00:10:41,230 how we're managing that , but you can 256 00:10:41,240 --> 00:10:45,210 uh imagine thus far and going forward , 257 00:10:45,220 --> 00:10:48,280 it does require a constant coordination 258 00:10:48,280 --> 00:10:51,300 and deconfliction with the taliban . It 259 00:10:51,300 --> 00:10:53,411 absolutely is going , it's absolutely 260 00:10:53,411 --> 00:10:56,600 requiring of us to keep these lines of 261 00:10:56,600 --> 00:10:58,822 communication with the taliban open who 262 00:10:58,822 --> 00:11:00,822 do have check points out beyond the 263 00:11:00,822 --> 00:11:03,180 airport . Um and what we have seen is 264 00:11:03,190 --> 00:11:05,490 that this coordination has worked well . 265 00:11:05,500 --> 00:11:08,420 This deconfliction has worked well um 266 00:11:08,430 --> 00:11:12,130 in terms of uh allowing access and 267 00:11:12,130 --> 00:11:15,510 flow to continue um as well as 268 00:11:15,520 --> 00:11:17,420 reducing the overall sides of the 269 00:11:17,420 --> 00:11:20,110 crowds just outside the airport . And 270 00:11:20,110 --> 00:11:22,221 those crowds have been a factor bob , 271 00:11:22,340 --> 00:11:24,507 you heard me talk about this the other 272 00:11:24,507 --> 00:11:27,090 night , uh when , you know , several 273 00:11:27,090 --> 00:11:30,120 days ago , um uh one of our commanders 274 00:11:30,130 --> 00:11:32,186 used a helicopter to bring people in 275 00:11:32,186 --> 00:11:34,408 and it was largely because of the crowd 276 00:11:34,408 --> 00:11:36,574 size outside the Abbey Gate . So crowd 277 00:11:36,574 --> 00:11:38,797 size matters here too . And that's what 278 00:11:38,797 --> 00:11:41,130 this president was referring to . So we , 279 00:11:41,130 --> 00:11:43,297 you know , um , mm , I would like to , 280 00:11:43,297 --> 00:11:45,463 I have two questions . I would like to 281 00:11:45,463 --> 00:11:47,630 go back to the incident . Can you be a 282 00:11:47,630 --> 00:11:49,852 little bit more specific and tell us if 283 00:11:49,852 --> 00:11:51,860 you can rule out that the Attackers 284 00:11:51,870 --> 00:11:54,990 were taliban first and I would like 285 00:11:54,990 --> 00:11:58,110 also to go back to the deadline . The 286 00:11:58,110 --> 00:12:01,200 french foreign minister said today that 287 00:12:01,210 --> 00:12:05,190 it's quote necessary To continue 288 00:12:05,190 --> 00:12:09,160 the Afghani evacuations beyond August 289 00:12:09,160 --> 00:12:11,540 31 cannot rule out who the hostile 290 00:12:11,540 --> 00:12:13,762 actor was in the shooting incident last 291 00:12:13,762 --> 00:12:16,110 night . I think as you saw Central 292 00:12:16,110 --> 00:12:18,800 Command statement referred to it as a 293 00:12:18,810 --> 00:12:21,630 hostile actor , We don't know more than 294 00:12:21,630 --> 00:12:23,852 that and this just happened Sylvia . So 295 00:12:23,852 --> 00:12:26,200 I don't know when we'll have more 296 00:12:26,200 --> 00:12:28,610 forensics on this . Um , again , our 297 00:12:28,610 --> 00:12:30,880 focus was on uh , making sure that we 298 00:12:30,880 --> 00:12:33,047 can maintain security at the airport . 299 00:12:33,047 --> 00:12:35,158 It was maintained uh , sadly we , you 300 00:12:35,158 --> 00:12:37,269 know , uh , resulted in the loss of a 301 00:12:37,269 --> 00:12:40,050 life of of one afghan soldier and 302 00:12:40,060 --> 00:12:42,640 wounded several others . So , I mean 303 00:12:42,640 --> 00:12:44,862 obviously that's our focus right now on 304 00:12:44,862 --> 00:12:47,029 the deadline . I can't speak for other 305 00:12:47,029 --> 00:12:49,084 nation states . I can only speak for 306 00:12:49,084 --> 00:12:51,307 the Department of Defense And you heard 307 00:12:51,307 --> 00:12:53,418 the secretary addressed this over the 308 00:12:53,418 --> 00:12:55,473 weekend . The goal is to get as many 309 00:12:55,473 --> 00:12:57,529 people out as fast as possible . And 310 00:12:57,529 --> 00:12:59,529 while we're glad to see the numbers 311 00:12:59,529 --> 00:13:01,751 that we got yesterday . We're not going 312 00:13:01,751 --> 00:13:03,862 to rest on any laurels . The focus is 313 00:13:03,862 --> 00:13:06,029 on trying to do this as as best we can 314 00:13:06,029 --> 00:13:08,084 by the end of the month . And as the 315 00:13:08,084 --> 00:13:10,251 secretary said , if there need , if we 316 00:13:10,251 --> 00:13:12,610 need , if he needs to have additional 317 00:13:12,610 --> 00:13:14,610 conversations with the commander in 318 00:13:14,610 --> 00:13:16,666 chief about that timeline , he'll do 319 00:13:16,666 --> 00:13:18,888 that . But we're just not at that point 320 00:13:18,888 --> 00:13:22,150 right now . Yeah . Has the Taliban told 321 00:13:22,150 --> 00:13:24,620 you that August 31 is the deadline and 322 00:13:24,620 --> 00:13:26,676 that you must leave then ? Are those 323 00:13:26,676 --> 00:13:28,620 communications happening ? Is that 324 00:13:28,620 --> 00:13:30,509 something you've agreed to at the 325 00:13:30,509 --> 00:13:30,270 Taliban ? We've seen the public 326 00:13:30,270 --> 00:13:32,270 statements by the Taliban spokesman 327 00:13:32,270 --> 00:13:34,214 about their views on 31 August , I 328 00:13:34,214 --> 00:13:36,510 think we all understand that view . And 329 00:13:36,520 --> 00:13:39,460 can you explain , is it only americans 330 00:13:39,460 --> 00:13:42,230 and s ivy holders that are allowed 331 00:13:42,230 --> 00:13:44,563 through the gate now , has that changed ? 332 00:13:44,563 --> 00:13:46,750 What is the policy about afghans in 333 00:13:46,750 --> 00:13:48,972 need ? Now , coming afghans in need are 334 00:13:48,972 --> 00:13:51,120 still are still being 335 00:13:52,590 --> 00:13:55,960 processed and facilitated given the 336 00:13:56,040 --> 00:13:58,207 number of people who are in hiding who 337 00:13:58,207 --> 00:14:00,970 were either S ivy recipients , some 338 00:14:00,980 --> 00:14:04,880 americans of afghan allies , Why 339 00:14:04,880 --> 00:14:08,190 not reopen bagram Airbase , why not go 340 00:14:08,200 --> 00:14:11,440 get an agreement to from the Qataris to 341 00:14:11,440 --> 00:14:13,720 come and land in Kandahar and Mazar e 342 00:14:13,720 --> 00:14:16,090 Sharif elsewhere . We saw the Qataris 343 00:14:16,100 --> 00:14:19,550 bring the mullah Baradar back with a C 344 00:14:19,550 --> 00:14:22,730 17 , Why not use the pakistanis and the 345 00:14:22,970 --> 00:14:26,650 and the qataris to help bring 346 00:14:26,650 --> 00:14:28,539 people out from because right now 347 00:14:28,539 --> 00:14:30,594 you're just bringing people out from 348 00:14:30,594 --> 00:14:32,761 Kabul and it's a , it's a trip point . 349 00:14:32,850 --> 00:14:35,450 Well , first of all , the float , the 350 00:14:35,450 --> 00:14:37,172 throughput hasn't improved and 351 00:14:37,172 --> 00:14:39,610 increased . Um , and , and I'm not 352 00:14:39,610 --> 00:14:42,250 gonna , I don't think it would be a 353 00:14:42,250 --> 00:14:46,120 useful uh , expenditure of our time 354 00:14:46,120 --> 00:14:48,580 to monday morning quarterback . The 355 00:14:48,580 --> 00:14:50,802 whole issue with bagram , it was closed 356 00:14:50,802 --> 00:14:52,950 down as part of the retrograde , jen 357 00:14:52,960 --> 00:14:55,090 about monday morning quarterbacking . 358 00:14:55,100 --> 00:14:57,322 I'm talking about , why not look at the 359 00:14:57,322 --> 00:14:59,322 situation now , you need air fields 360 00:14:59,322 --> 00:15:01,600 that you can land on to get people out , 361 00:15:01,600 --> 00:15:03,600 jen , we are , we are major general 362 00:15:03,600 --> 00:15:05,822 taylor about this . Let me , let me try 363 00:15:05,822 --> 00:15:07,933 it first and then I'll give it to the 364 00:15:07,933 --> 00:15:07,710 general , clearly we are , we are 365 00:15:07,710 --> 00:15:10,060 improving our throughput at Hamid 366 00:15:10,060 --> 00:15:12,282 Karzai International Airport . Um , and 367 00:15:12,282 --> 00:15:14,504 we think , uh , that we will be able to 368 00:15:14,504 --> 00:15:16,393 continue to try to improve that . 369 00:15:16,393 --> 00:15:18,670 That's the , that's the goal . Um , but 370 00:15:18,670 --> 00:15:20,781 what you're talking about is would be 371 00:15:20,781 --> 00:15:22,610 an expenditure of resources and 372 00:15:22,610 --> 00:15:25,900 personnel um , as well as an increase , 373 00:15:25,910 --> 00:15:27,910 uh , most likely to the threat that 374 00:15:27,910 --> 00:15:31,010 they're under to try to go back and , 375 00:15:31,020 --> 00:15:33,730 and uh , as you put it , retake bagram 376 00:15:33,740 --> 00:15:36,350 air base , which is the size of a small 377 00:15:36,350 --> 00:15:39,030 city . Uh , and I , I understand a lot 378 00:15:39,030 --> 00:15:41,310 of people have , have a views and 379 00:15:41,310 --> 00:15:43,310 opinions about this . It was closed 380 00:15:43,310 --> 00:15:45,532 down as part of the retrograde . It was 381 00:15:45,532 --> 00:15:47,588 always supposed to be closed down as 382 00:15:47,588 --> 00:15:47,540 part of the retrograde , it was the 383 00:15:47,540 --> 00:15:50,330 last base to , to be turned over to the 384 00:15:50,330 --> 00:15:54,050 afghans . And even as recently as 385 00:15:54,050 --> 00:15:56,760 a three weeks ago before we actually 386 00:15:56,760 --> 00:15:58,620 had to conduct a noncombatant 387 00:15:58,620 --> 00:16:01,400 evacuation operation . The leaders in 388 00:16:01,400 --> 00:16:04,100 this building ran a tabletop exercise 389 00:16:04,110 --> 00:16:06,740 on what it would be like to run uh an 390 00:16:06,740 --> 00:16:09,380 effective neo operation out of Hamid 391 00:16:09,380 --> 00:16:11,324 Karzai International Airport . And 392 00:16:11,324 --> 00:16:13,380 we're actually running that play now 393 00:16:13,380 --> 00:16:15,491 now , it's not without its challenges 394 00:16:15,491 --> 00:16:17,713 for sure , but we're doing that now and 395 00:16:17,713 --> 00:16:19,936 that's the focus is on making sure that 396 00:16:19,936 --> 00:16:21,769 we can get as many people out as 397 00:16:21,769 --> 00:16:23,324 possible using Hamid Karzai 398 00:16:23,324 --> 00:16:25,213 International Airport and jen the 399 00:16:25,213 --> 00:16:27,436 numbers are showing that it's that it's 400 00:16:27,436 --> 00:16:29,269 working . Nobody's taking it for 401 00:16:29,269 --> 00:16:31,380 granted . Don't want to be predictive 402 00:16:31,380 --> 00:16:31,270 about tomorrow , but it's working . Do 403 00:16:31,270 --> 00:16:33,603 you have anything to add to that ? Okay , 404 00:16:33,603 --> 00:16:36,300 Tara , Thank you back to the August 31 405 00:16:36,300 --> 00:16:39,190 question Is August 31 extending that 406 00:16:39,190 --> 00:16:41,301 deadline . Is it really an option for 407 00:16:41,301 --> 00:16:43,079 the us anymore ? Is this wholly 408 00:16:43,079 --> 00:16:45,023 dependent upon whether the Taliban 409 00:16:45,023 --> 00:16:46,857 would agree to let a us presence 410 00:16:46,857 --> 00:16:49,134 remained in Afghanistan past that date . 411 00:16:49,134 --> 00:16:51,190 Our focus is on getting this done by 412 00:16:51,190 --> 00:16:53,412 the end of the month . Tara . Um and uh 413 00:16:53,412 --> 00:16:55,579 what we do here at the building at the 414 00:16:55,579 --> 00:16:58,320 pentagon is options . We our job is to 415 00:16:58,330 --> 00:17:00,441 provide the President , the Commander 416 00:17:00,441 --> 00:17:02,663 in chief options . And as you heard the 417 00:17:02,663 --> 00:17:04,880 Secretary say if he gets to a point , 418 00:17:04,890 --> 00:17:07,001 he and Chairman Millie , they believe 419 00:17:07,001 --> 00:17:09,168 they get to a point where they need to 420 00:17:09,168 --> 00:17:11,334 provide that advice and counsel to the 421 00:17:11,334 --> 00:17:13,700 President about uh an extension then 422 00:17:13,700 --> 00:17:15,756 he'll do that . We just aren't there 423 00:17:15,756 --> 00:17:17,978 right now . And you heard the secretary 424 00:17:17,978 --> 00:17:20,144 say himself if he had more time on the 425 00:17:20,144 --> 00:17:20,120 clock he would absolutely use more time 426 00:17:20,120 --> 00:17:22,120 on the clock . But we're focused on 427 00:17:22,120 --> 00:17:24,120 getting this done by the end of the 428 00:17:24,120 --> 00:17:26,287 month . And secondly for major General 429 00:17:26,287 --> 00:17:28,509 taylor , you mentioned that 42,000 have 430 00:17:28,509 --> 00:17:30,509 been evacuated since july . Is that 431 00:17:30,509 --> 00:17:32,640 42,000 just on military airlift ? Or 432 00:17:32,640 --> 00:17:35,020 does that include the commercial and 433 00:17:35,020 --> 00:17:37,100 chartered planes ? Yes . So that the 434 00:17:37,110 --> 00:17:40,630 total number is a U . S . Military plus 435 00:17:40,630 --> 00:17:43,340 U . S . Civilian State department . 436 00:17:43,340 --> 00:17:45,229 Some of that was State Department 437 00:17:45,229 --> 00:17:47,284 Contract air that went out also have 438 00:17:47,284 --> 00:17:49,173 any breakdown of the number of us 439 00:17:49,173 --> 00:17:51,062 citizens in that 42,000 that have 440 00:17:51,062 --> 00:17:53,380 gotten out ? Um I do but I don't have 441 00:17:53,380 --> 00:17:56,960 that right now . Idris 442 00:17:56,970 --> 00:17:59,600 uh just a couple of quick questions 443 00:17:59,600 --> 00:18:01,940 firstly on the vaccine . This would be 444 00:18:01,940 --> 00:18:03,940 specifically the fighter right that 445 00:18:03,940 --> 00:18:06,162 would be mandatory . Recorded the other 446 00:18:06,162 --> 00:18:08,384 vaccine right now . We're focused on on 447 00:18:08,384 --> 00:18:10,540 the Pfizer vaccine because of the FDA 448 00:18:10,540 --> 00:18:12,596 approval that came in this morning . 449 00:18:12,596 --> 00:18:14,818 Just another couple of quick one stop . 450 00:18:14,818 --> 00:18:17,040 How many I guess Afghan soldiers remain 451 00:18:17,040 --> 00:18:19,262 in the perimeter . I think you had said 452 00:18:19,262 --> 00:18:21,373 5-600 . We can place that . Still the 453 00:18:21,373 --> 00:18:23,596 number . I believe that's the operative 454 00:18:23,596 --> 00:18:25,651 number . And then how many Americans 455 00:18:25,651 --> 00:18:27,651 have been evacuated ? You gave 2500 456 00:18:27,651 --> 00:18:29,762 Americans . Has that number changed ? 457 00:18:29,762 --> 00:18:33,160 Uh We we think that that 458 00:18:33,540 --> 00:18:37,020 Overall uh we we've been able to 459 00:18:37,030 --> 00:18:40,330 evacuate several 1000 Americans and I'd 460 00:18:40,340 --> 00:18:42,890 be reticent to get more specific than 461 00:18:42,890 --> 00:18:46,020 that . But since the 14th uh we believe 462 00:18:46,020 --> 00:18:48,131 we have been able to evacuate several 463 00:18:48,131 --> 00:18:50,187 1000 Americans very quickly . So the 464 00:18:50,187 --> 00:18:52,130 last table top exercise for a new 465 00:18:52,130 --> 00:18:54,330 operation from hK it was about three 466 00:18:54,330 --> 00:18:56,386 weeks ago , it was about three weeks 467 00:18:56,386 --> 00:18:58,552 ago . It was certainly before uh Kabul 468 00:18:58,552 --> 00:19:00,552 fell . This was something that I've 469 00:19:00,552 --> 00:19:02,719 talked about this before . I mean this 470 00:19:02,719 --> 00:19:04,719 was something that the pentagon had 471 00:19:04,719 --> 00:19:04,600 been thinking about for a long time . I 472 00:19:04,600 --> 00:19:07,540 mean as far back as late april uh when 473 00:19:07,550 --> 00:19:10,720 uh when we held a rehearsal of concept 474 00:19:10,730 --> 00:19:12,952 exercise here at the Pentagon . Looking 475 00:19:12,952 --> 00:19:14,897 at the retrograde and how that was 476 00:19:14,897 --> 00:19:17,119 going to parse out over and through the 477 00:19:17,119 --> 00:19:19,174 summer . A part of that conversation 478 00:19:19,174 --> 00:19:21,174 was the potential for non combatant 479 00:19:21,174 --> 00:19:20,720 evacuation operations and what that 480 00:19:20,720 --> 00:19:22,553 would look like and how we would 481 00:19:22,553 --> 00:19:25,070 execute that Nancy . Thank you . I 482 00:19:25,080 --> 00:19:27,136 wonder if you could clarify a couple 483 00:19:27,136 --> 00:19:29,358 points that you made earlier , you said 484 00:19:29,358 --> 00:19:31,358 that any extension beyond August 31 485 00:19:31,358 --> 00:19:33,580 would be the secretary talking with the 486 00:19:33,580 --> 00:19:35,802 president . Would that decision include 487 00:19:35,802 --> 00:19:37,969 inputs from NATO allies , particularly 488 00:19:37,969 --> 00:19:40,247 those who say that they need more time ? 489 00:19:40,247 --> 00:19:40,100 Is that a factor in the U . S . 490 00:19:40,100 --> 00:19:41,822 Consideration about ? We would 491 00:19:41,822 --> 00:19:43,711 absolutely consider the views and 492 00:19:43,711 --> 00:19:45,933 opinions of our allies and partners who 493 00:19:45,933 --> 00:19:49,240 also have people there and are as the 494 00:19:49,250 --> 00:19:51,820 general brief very much a part of 495 00:19:51,830 --> 00:19:54,052 moving people out and have any of those 496 00:19:54,052 --> 00:19:56,219 NATO allies communicated to the United 497 00:19:56,219 --> 00:19:58,386 States that they need more time beyond 498 00:19:58,386 --> 00:20:00,274 august 35 . Not aware of specific 499 00:20:00,274 --> 00:20:02,163 conversations that we've had with 500 00:20:02,163 --> 00:20:04,386 respect to the deadline and then on the 501 00:20:04,386 --> 00:20:06,330 perimeter , I'm having a hard time 502 00:20:06,330 --> 00:20:05,850 understanding when the president talked 503 00:20:05,850 --> 00:20:07,850 yesterday said about expanding that 504 00:20:07,850 --> 00:20:10,017 perimeter , can you help me understand 505 00:20:10,017 --> 00:20:12,183 who's part of that ? Is that us forces 506 00:20:12,183 --> 00:20:14,350 have they moved where there were their 507 00:20:14,350 --> 00:20:16,517 physician from , where they were a few 508 00:20:16,517 --> 00:20:18,517 days ago without . And I want to be 509 00:20:18,517 --> 00:20:20,572 very careful here uh , to talk about 510 00:20:20,572 --> 00:20:22,990 specific movements at a tactical level 511 00:20:22,990 --> 00:20:25,760 on any given day . And so I'm just not 512 00:20:25,760 --> 00:20:27,982 gonna do that . And I know that will be 513 00:20:27,982 --> 00:20:29,871 largely unsatisfying . But let me 514 00:20:29,871 --> 00:20:32,720 finish . Uh , so that as caveat , 515 00:20:32,730 --> 00:20:36,280 uh , we continue to look at security on 516 00:20:36,280 --> 00:20:38,169 the airport itself as well as the 517 00:20:38,169 --> 00:20:40,180 immediate environs of the airport . 518 00:20:40,190 --> 00:20:42,470 Because in those immediate environs 519 00:20:42,480 --> 00:20:45,700 outside uh the airport , that's where 520 00:20:45,700 --> 00:20:47,811 you have taliban checkpoints , that's 521 00:20:47,811 --> 00:20:49,756 where you have crowds assembling . 522 00:20:49,756 --> 00:20:52,100 That's where access to the gates is 523 00:20:52,100 --> 00:20:55,770 critical in in the , in that space just 524 00:20:55,770 --> 00:20:58,480 outside the airport where we don't have 525 00:20:58,520 --> 00:21:01,970 uh a military presence of a sustained 526 00:21:01,970 --> 00:21:04,850 nature . And uh what we're doing is 527 00:21:04,850 --> 00:21:07,200 that we are in constant communication 528 00:21:07,200 --> 00:21:09,650 with the taliban about that space and 529 00:21:09,650 --> 00:21:11,840 what that space looks like . Uh , and 530 00:21:11,840 --> 00:21:14,580 the only thing I would say is that uh 531 00:21:14,590 --> 00:21:16,701 as you heard the secretary say this , 532 00:21:16,701 --> 00:21:18,868 you've heard general Milley say this , 533 00:21:18,868 --> 00:21:20,979 we're going to do what is required on 534 00:21:20,979 --> 00:21:22,757 any given day at every possible 535 00:21:22,757 --> 00:21:24,757 opportunity uh to make sure that uh 536 00:21:24,757 --> 00:21:26,979 those who need to get out can get out . 537 00:21:26,979 --> 00:21:30,500 And that includes uh that includes the 538 00:21:30,510 --> 00:21:33,600 monitoring and uh accessibility of that 539 00:21:33,600 --> 00:21:35,822 space outside the airport . But what it 540 00:21:35,822 --> 00:21:37,878 looks like on any given day nancy is 541 00:21:37,878 --> 00:21:40,100 going to change . I appreciate that but 542 00:21:40,100 --> 00:21:42,378 I'm not looking for a tactical details . 543 00:21:42,378 --> 00:21:42,270 I just think once that movement happens 544 00:21:42,270 --> 00:21:44,214 it's a different threat to U . S . 545 00:21:44,214 --> 00:21:46,270 Forces and something that the public 546 00:21:46,270 --> 00:21:48,492 has a right to know . So I just want to 547 00:21:48,492 --> 00:21:47,980 get an understanding of how often they 548 00:21:47,980 --> 00:21:50,036 cross it , How we should be thinking 549 00:21:50,036 --> 00:21:52,202 about where the U . S . Military is in 550 00:21:52,202 --> 00:21:54,369 that in that environment . I will tell 551 00:21:54,369 --> 00:21:56,591 you that we already consider our troops 552 00:21:56,591 --> 00:21:58,840 in harm's way at the airport . It's a 553 00:21:58,840 --> 00:22:01,460 dangerous situation . There is no 554 00:22:01,460 --> 00:22:03,349 question about that and we're not 555 00:22:03,349 --> 00:22:05,682 taking any of these threats for granted . 556 00:22:05,682 --> 00:22:07,900 Um And the commanders on the ground 557 00:22:07,900 --> 00:22:10,450 have the wherewithal to move their 558 00:22:10,450 --> 00:22:13,920 forces as they see fit to 559 00:22:13,920 --> 00:22:17,400 again do essentially three things . 560 00:22:17,410 --> 00:22:19,632 Make sure the airport is secure and can 561 00:22:19,632 --> 00:22:21,570 be defended , make sure that air 562 00:22:21,570 --> 00:22:24,210 operations can continue to carry on at 563 00:22:24,210 --> 00:22:26,570 the clip . We need them to carry on and 564 00:22:26,580 --> 00:22:28,802 and see and this is an important one to 565 00:22:28,802 --> 00:22:30,802 make sure that american citizens at 566 00:22:30,802 --> 00:22:33,500 risk afghans are s ivy applicants can 567 00:22:33,500 --> 00:22:35,760 get access to the gates to get entry 568 00:22:35,760 --> 00:22:37,927 process and entry to the field ? Those 569 00:22:37,927 --> 00:22:40,090 are the three primary tasks and our 570 00:22:40,090 --> 00:22:42,034 commanders on the ground know that 571 00:22:42,034 --> 00:22:44,257 there are , that's what their tasks are 572 00:22:44,257 --> 00:22:46,820 uh and can move forces , can employ 573 00:22:46,820 --> 00:22:49,660 forces and assets as they see fit to do 574 00:22:49,660 --> 00:22:51,820 that . And again , on any given day , 575 00:22:51,820 --> 00:22:54,042 that could change nancy . And I , and I 576 00:22:54,042 --> 00:22:56,209 just don't think it would be helpful , 577 00:22:56,209 --> 00:22:56,200 particularly because the threat 578 00:22:56,200 --> 00:22:58,380 environment is so high for us to talk 579 00:22:58,380 --> 00:23:00,491 with any great specificity about what 580 00:23:00,491 --> 00:23:03,300 that's gonna look like . David john , 581 00:23:03,300 --> 00:23:06,030 were you being deliberately vague when 582 00:23:06,030 --> 00:23:09,620 you uh said the number of americans was 583 00:23:09,630 --> 00:23:12,550 several 1000 ? Or was it because you're 584 00:23:12,550 --> 00:23:16,480 not sure of the number ? If you need to 585 00:23:16,480 --> 00:23:18,702 check the number , I mean that's that's 586 00:23:18,702 --> 00:23:20,813 the most important number here in the 587 00:23:20,813 --> 00:23:23,300 number of americans . So if it's just a 588 00:23:23,310 --> 00:23:25,800 matter of checking the number , can you 589 00:23:25,810 --> 00:23:28,290 do that and give it to us or if you're 590 00:23:28,290 --> 00:23:30,401 being deliberately vague , don't tell 591 00:23:30,401 --> 00:23:32,679 me why you're being deliberately vague . 592 00:23:32,679 --> 00:23:34,790 I think I'm just going to leave it at 593 00:23:34,790 --> 00:23:37,012 several 1000 right now . Dave Well then 594 00:23:37,012 --> 00:23:39,550 tell us why because I think the number 595 00:23:39,550 --> 00:23:42,760 is very fluid and it Located changes 596 00:23:42,760 --> 00:23:44,704 nearly by the hour . It's not more 597 00:23:44,704 --> 00:23:47,840 fluid than these 11:37 . I'm going to 598 00:23:47,840 --> 00:23:49,729 leave it several 1000 right now . 599 00:23:49,729 --> 00:23:53,150 What's up ? Uh huh . You said that you 600 00:23:53,150 --> 00:23:55,500 heard the public statements from 601 00:23:55,500 --> 00:23:57,880 Taliban about the red line ? The August 602 00:23:57,890 --> 00:24:00,550 31 . Does this mean that you didn't 603 00:24:00,550 --> 00:24:03,680 hear it directly from them since you're 604 00:24:03,680 --> 00:24:06,120 communicating with them on daily basis . 605 00:24:06,130 --> 00:24:08,352 Are you communicating with them on this 606 00:24:08,352 --> 00:24:10,770 issue ? Did you tell them discuss with 607 00:24:10,770 --> 00:24:13,890 them the need for maybe extending the 608 00:24:13,890 --> 00:24:17,610 august 31st ? I'm not gonna speak to 609 00:24:17,610 --> 00:24:19,610 specificity with the communications 610 00:24:19,610 --> 00:24:21,721 that we're having with the Taliban on 611 00:24:21,721 --> 00:24:23,721 any given day . It happened several 612 00:24:23,721 --> 00:24:26,350 times a day . Uh We are well aware uh 613 00:24:26,740 --> 00:24:30,510 of the state of desire To buy the 614 00:24:30,510 --> 00:24:32,830 Taliban to have this mission completed 615 00:24:32,830 --> 00:24:35,600 by 31 August . I would tell you that we 616 00:24:35,600 --> 00:24:38,630 too are still planning On completing it 617 00:24:38,630 --> 00:24:41,040 by 31 August . That is the mission that 618 00:24:41,040 --> 00:24:43,262 we have been signed by the commander in 619 00:24:43,262 --> 00:24:45,318 chief assigned to us and that's what 620 00:24:45,318 --> 00:24:47,484 we're trying to execute it . Let me go 621 00:24:47,484 --> 00:24:49,707 ahead . Are the forces remaining now in 622 00:24:49,707 --> 00:24:51,540 Kabul focusing on the evacuation 623 00:24:51,540 --> 00:24:54,860 mission ? The U . S . Forces of course . 624 00:24:55,540 --> 00:24:58,580 Are they maintaining that cab 625 00:24:59,240 --> 00:25:02,700 Capability to maybe deal with the 626 00:25:02,700 --> 00:25:05,400 threat from Taliban beyond the August 627 00:25:05,400 --> 00:25:08,770 31 deadline or maybe attacks again , 628 00:25:08,780 --> 00:25:12,530 I appreciate the You know the question 629 00:25:12,530 --> 00:25:15,030 in terms of hypothesizing past the 31st 630 00:25:15,040 --> 00:25:17,250 we're just aren't there yet ? Our 631 00:25:17,250 --> 00:25:19,472 troops are focused on the mission . The 632 00:25:19,472 --> 00:25:21,528 three missions I just articulated uh 633 00:25:21,528 --> 00:25:23,528 and that includes as I said , being 634 00:25:23,528 --> 00:25:25,694 able to defend the airport which means 635 00:25:25,694 --> 00:25:27,694 being able to defend themselves and 636 00:25:27,694 --> 00:25:29,861 their operations and we have assets in 637 00:25:29,861 --> 00:25:32,028 places , assets in place to allow them 638 00:25:32,028 --> 00:25:34,194 to do that as well . I am not going to 639 00:25:34,194 --> 00:25:36,780 speculate about uh post august 31st we 640 00:25:36,780 --> 00:25:39,640 are head down focused on keeping these 641 00:25:39,640 --> 00:25:41,807 numbers up as best we can . Getting as 642 00:25:41,807 --> 00:25:44,029 many people out as we can by the end of 643 00:25:44,029 --> 00:25:46,770 the month . And if there needs to be a 644 00:25:46,780 --> 00:25:48,558 discussion about extending that 645 00:25:48,558 --> 00:25:50,780 timeline , then we absolutely will have 646 00:25:50,780 --> 00:25:53,002 that discussion at the appropriate time 647 00:25:53,002 --> 00:25:55,224 with the commander in chief . Let me go 648 00:25:55,224 --> 00:25:57,447 to the phones which I have not done yet 649 00:25:57,447 --> 00:25:56,950 Jeff showgirl , You get the first one . 650 00:25:58,040 --> 00:25:59,929 Thank you very much regarding the 651 00:25:59,929 --> 00:26:03,390 incident . Um Was the gunman killed ? 652 00:26:03,400 --> 00:26:06,210 And was it us troops who shot this 653 00:26:06,210 --> 00:26:10,050 person ? I do not know on either Jeff , 654 00:26:10,060 --> 00:26:11,893 you could certainly reach out to 655 00:26:11,893 --> 00:26:14,650 central command for more detail at that 656 00:26:14,650 --> 00:26:16,650 level of the incident . But again , 657 00:26:16,650 --> 00:26:18,872 this just happened Jeff . And so I just 658 00:26:18,872 --> 00:26:20,840 don't think we have that level of 659 00:26:20,850 --> 00:26:22,906 forensic detail to offer you today . 660 00:26:23,340 --> 00:26:25,720 Thanks carla . I think he has one . You 661 00:26:25,720 --> 00:26:28,053 have one more Jeff . Oh yes , I'm sorry . 662 00:26:28,053 --> 00:26:30,276 From what we're hearing on the ground . 663 00:26:30,276 --> 00:26:32,387 Only american citizens and green card 664 00:26:32,387 --> 00:26:34,331 holders are being allowed into the 665 00:26:34,331 --> 00:26:36,387 airport . Do you know when that will 666 00:26:36,387 --> 00:26:36,160 change ? And afghans at risk will be 667 00:26:36,160 --> 00:26:39,770 able to enter as I mentioned to gen uh 668 00:26:39,780 --> 00:26:42,910 it's for american citizens . It's for s 669 00:26:42,910 --> 00:26:45,320 I ? Ve applicants can still be 670 00:26:45,320 --> 00:26:47,431 processed through the gates at risk . 671 00:26:47,431 --> 00:26:49,653 Afghans are absolutely being considered 672 00:26:49,653 --> 00:26:52,360 for entry color . Two questions . Uh 673 00:26:52,370 --> 00:26:54,370 First of all , how many people have 674 00:26:54,370 --> 00:26:56,592 been killed at the airport , we've been 675 00:26:56,592 --> 00:26:59,090 hearing reports of 79 , a NATO official 676 00:26:59,090 --> 00:27:01,146 told abc there were 20 killed in and 677 00:27:01,146 --> 00:27:03,368 around the airport . What's that number 678 00:27:03,740 --> 00:27:07,400 you're talking about ? Afghans ? Uh 679 00:27:07,410 --> 00:27:09,740 people who were killed on Monday during 680 00:27:09,740 --> 00:27:12,160 the incident when the C17 took off to 681 00:27:12,160 --> 00:27:14,500 that were killed during skirmishes 682 00:27:14,500 --> 00:27:16,500 inside the airport . The guy killed 683 00:27:16,500 --> 00:27:18,500 today ? What's that total number of 684 00:27:18,500 --> 00:27:21,280 people who have died ? Less than what ? 685 00:27:21,290 --> 00:27:23,512 The number ? I don't have exact numbers 686 00:27:23,512 --> 00:27:25,640 of that . So I can't answer the exact 687 00:27:25,640 --> 00:27:27,920 number right now . Can you take that 688 00:27:27,920 --> 00:27:30,590 question and get back ? And then also 689 00:27:30,590 --> 00:27:32,812 you had mentioned sir that the capacity 690 00:27:32,812 --> 00:27:35,600 was 5800 troops at the airport right 691 00:27:35,600 --> 00:27:38,160 now . Um and then the Secretary of 692 00:27:38,160 --> 00:27:40,271 Defense had told us last week that he 693 00:27:40,271 --> 00:27:42,382 did not have the capability to go out 694 00:27:42,382 --> 00:27:44,604 and do extractions because there's just 695 00:27:44,604 --> 00:27:46,716 not enough troops there defending the 696 00:27:46,716 --> 00:27:48,327 airport . Have you asked for 697 00:27:48,327 --> 00:27:50,438 authorization of additional troops to 698 00:27:50,438 --> 00:27:52,271 go into the airport to help with 699 00:27:52,271 --> 00:27:54,438 potential extraction should it come to 700 00:27:54,438 --> 00:27:56,160 that ? Yeah , I think uh we're 701 00:27:56,160 --> 00:27:59,080 capability um and the the actual troop 702 00:27:59,080 --> 00:28:01,080 number I think are two different uh 703 00:28:01,080 --> 00:28:02,580 things . So we have 5000 , 704 00:28:02,580 --> 00:28:06,550 approximately 5800 forces . Uh and as I 705 00:28:06,550 --> 00:28:09,690 briefed over the week as forces flew in , 706 00:28:09,700 --> 00:28:12,670 you know , float in capability continue 707 00:28:12,670 --> 00:28:15,330 to increase . Initial security was the 708 00:28:15,330 --> 00:28:17,750 most important ability to establish 709 00:28:17,750 --> 00:28:19,806 because without that security uh the 710 00:28:19,806 --> 00:28:22,990 ability to do other things is just not 711 00:28:22,990 --> 00:28:26,450 possible . So Uh as our capability 712 00:28:26,460 --> 00:28:29,480 increased and at that 5800 number as 713 00:28:29,480 --> 00:28:32,930 you've seen , we have the capability 714 00:28:32,940 --> 00:28:36,120 and have executed other operations to 715 00:28:36,120 --> 00:28:38,830 ensure that American citizens are being 716 00:28:38,830 --> 00:28:41,730 brought in uh safely and prepared for 717 00:28:41,730 --> 00:28:43,840 evacuation . So just so I can 718 00:28:43,850 --> 00:28:46,017 understand what you're saying . Just a 719 00:28:46,017 --> 00:28:48,180 recap . You think that at 5800 troops 720 00:28:48,480 --> 00:28:51,640 the US has the capability now to expand 721 00:28:51,640 --> 00:28:53,473 the perimeter at the airport and 722 00:28:53,473 --> 00:28:55,307 continue all of this to or to do 723 00:28:55,307 --> 00:28:57,362 whatever the president had mentioned 724 00:28:57,362 --> 00:28:59,473 with the opening of the perimeter and 725 00:28:59,473 --> 00:29:01,584 also to do extractions if needed . Or 726 00:29:01,584 --> 00:29:03,751 are you going to ask for authorization 727 00:29:03,751 --> 00:29:06,500 of more troops said is at 5800 . We're 728 00:29:06,500 --> 00:29:08,833 able to continue to secure the airfield , 729 00:29:08,833 --> 00:29:11,240 continue to increase safety there uh 730 00:29:11,250 --> 00:29:14,170 and continue to do . Uh the operations 731 00:29:14,170 --> 00:29:17,020 that we already have and Carla , what 732 00:29:17,020 --> 00:29:20,300 the secretary said was that where he 733 00:29:20,300 --> 00:29:22,356 was on last Wednesday that we didn't 734 00:29:22,356 --> 00:29:24,578 have the capability to do large scale , 735 00:29:24,578 --> 00:29:27,150 you know , massive movements of people . 736 00:29:27,150 --> 00:29:29,520 But he did say if there's an incident 737 00:29:29,530 --> 00:29:31,641 where somebody is an extremist and we 738 00:29:31,641 --> 00:29:33,808 need to get them in small numbers , we 739 00:29:33,808 --> 00:29:35,863 can do that . And we have been doing 740 00:29:35,863 --> 00:29:38,086 that . And as the general said that was 741 00:29:38,086 --> 00:29:40,197 last Wednesday over the course of the 742 00:29:40,197 --> 00:29:42,141 ensuing days , more capability has 743 00:29:42,141 --> 00:29:44,308 flown in more troops have flown in and 744 00:29:44,308 --> 00:29:46,580 so we do have the ability to help when 745 00:29:46,580 --> 00:29:48,670 we can and where we can to help 746 00:29:48,680 --> 00:29:51,820 americans move towards the gates . And 747 00:29:51,820 --> 00:29:53,709 we're not going to talk about the 748 00:29:53,709 --> 00:29:55,987 details of each and every one of those , 749 00:29:55,987 --> 00:29:58,209 but we do have those capabilities . One 750 00:29:58,209 --> 00:30:00,376 last . I guess what I'm asking is , do 751 00:30:00,376 --> 00:30:00,030 you foresee the deed to authorize 752 00:30:00,030 --> 00:30:02,350 additional troops to go in ? Should the 753 00:30:02,350 --> 00:30:04,572 situation , should you have a hard stop 754 00:30:04,572 --> 00:30:06,739 at august 31st and you have to ramp up 755 00:30:06,739 --> 00:30:08,620 capacity again ? Do you foresee 756 00:30:08,630 --> 00:30:10,830 authorizing additional ? I don't think 757 00:30:10,830 --> 00:30:12,830 it would be helpful to get ahead of 758 00:30:12,830 --> 00:30:14,941 where we are right now . There are no 759 00:30:14,941 --> 00:30:17,440 plans at this time to request or to 760 00:30:17,440 --> 00:30:20,510 authorize additional U . S . Forces to 761 00:30:20,510 --> 00:30:23,460 this mission , Courtney are U . S . 762 00:30:23,460 --> 00:30:25,682 Troops leaving the airport on a regular 763 00:30:25,682 --> 00:30:27,904 basis . I still don't understand what's 764 00:30:27,904 --> 00:30:30,360 going on Courtney on occasion as needed . 765 00:30:31,540 --> 00:30:34,490 Our commanders have uh the authority 766 00:30:34,490 --> 00:30:38,390 that they need uh to use their assets 767 00:30:38,390 --> 00:30:41,870 and their forces to help assist 768 00:30:41,880 --> 00:30:44,050 americans who need to get to the 769 00:30:44,050 --> 00:30:46,217 airport , get to the airport on a case 770 00:30:46,217 --> 00:30:48,960 by case basis . Your question 771 00:30:48,960 --> 00:30:52,760 was leaving in a regular . It's not 772 00:30:52,770 --> 00:30:56,770 it's not regular . I don't want to I 773 00:30:56,780 --> 00:30:58,891 don't want to leave you with the idea 774 00:30:58,891 --> 00:31:00,780 that we're somehow patrolling the 775 00:31:00,780 --> 00:31:02,724 streets of Kabul , but on occasion 776 00:31:02,724 --> 00:31:04,669 where there's a need and there's a 777 00:31:04,669 --> 00:31:06,502 capability to meet that need our 778 00:31:06,502 --> 00:31:08,724 commanders on the ground are doing what 779 00:31:08,724 --> 00:31:10,613 they feel they need to do to help 780 00:31:10,613 --> 00:31:13,510 americans reach the airport . Um , and 781 00:31:13,510 --> 00:31:16,230 there's a variety of methods that that 782 00:31:16,230 --> 00:31:19,050 can be affected and uh without going 783 00:31:19,050 --> 00:31:21,800 into detail , we're using the variety 784 00:31:21,800 --> 00:31:23,856 of methods at our disposal . We know 785 00:31:23,856 --> 00:31:26,078 about the chinooks last thursday at the 786 00:31:26,078 --> 00:31:27,744 Baron Hotel . Have there been 787 00:31:27,744 --> 00:31:29,856 additional cases since then ? Can you 788 00:31:29,856 --> 00:31:29,040 tell us any details about ? There has 789 00:31:29,040 --> 00:31:32,030 been at least one additional instance 790 00:31:32,030 --> 00:31:35,380 where rotary airlift was used to help 791 00:31:35,390 --> 00:31:38,950 americans get from outside the airport 792 00:31:38,990 --> 00:31:41,101 into the airport . Uh And I think I'm 793 00:31:41,101 --> 00:31:43,101 just gonna leave it at that today . 794 00:31:43,240 --> 00:31:47,230 Uh you know , you're 795 00:31:47,230 --> 00:31:49,397 planning organization , what is your , 796 00:31:49,397 --> 00:31:51,619 when do you expect that ? You will have 797 00:31:51,619 --> 00:31:53,619 to assuming that you're sticking to 798 00:31:53,619 --> 00:31:55,841 this August 31 deadline ? When will you 799 00:31:55,841 --> 00:31:58,430 have to stop taking in additional 800 00:31:58,430 --> 00:32:00,490 people at the airport to evacuate 801 00:32:00,490 --> 00:32:02,546 because you're gonna have to get the 802 00:32:02,546 --> 00:32:04,490 5800 american U . S . Troops out ? 803 00:32:04,490 --> 00:32:06,268 Right . You mean stop taking in 804 00:32:06,268 --> 00:32:08,101 evacuees correct ? Yes . One and 805 00:32:08,101 --> 00:32:10,268 additional americans , whoever is left 806 00:32:10,268 --> 00:32:12,379 out there , like what is the deadline 807 00:32:12,379 --> 00:32:14,268 so that you'll be able to get the 808 00:32:14,268 --> 00:32:16,323 american military guard there at the 809 00:32:16,323 --> 00:32:18,490 airport supporting in any last embassy 810 00:32:18,490 --> 00:32:20,657 people who are there out when will you 811 00:32:20,657 --> 00:32:22,879 stop accepting to evacuation ? Remember 812 00:32:22,879 --> 00:32:25,101 it's important remember that we are not 813 00:32:25,101 --> 00:32:27,212 the only people flying evacuees out . 814 00:32:27,212 --> 00:32:30,220 Um uh So uh it's certainly conceivable 815 00:32:30,220 --> 00:32:32,080 that that even without a U . S . 816 00:32:32,080 --> 00:32:34,247 Military footprint there , that people 817 00:32:34,247 --> 00:32:36,469 can still be able to get out of Kabul . 818 00:32:36,469 --> 00:32:39,470 Um I don't have specific 819 00:32:39,480 --> 00:32:43,120 retrograde timeline to speak to today . 820 00:32:43,130 --> 00:32:45,700 Um uh we'll work through that as 821 00:32:45,700 --> 00:32:48,300 appropriate as we get closer to the end 822 00:32:48,300 --> 00:32:51,320 of the mission um and uh as you well 823 00:32:51,320 --> 00:32:53,098 know , we very methodically and 824 00:32:53,098 --> 00:32:56,280 deliberately uh plan in the movement 825 00:32:56,290 --> 00:32:59,120 out of assets and equipment and 826 00:32:59,120 --> 00:33:01,590 resources so that we can preserve the 827 00:33:01,590 --> 00:33:03,646 capability we need for as long as we 828 00:33:03,646 --> 00:33:05,701 need it . I think I just leave it at 829 00:33:05,701 --> 00:33:07,868 that , I only ask that because it took 830 00:33:07,868 --> 00:33:10,090 several days to flow these 5800 in . So 831 00:33:10,090 --> 00:33:11,979 I know that there were logistical 832 00:33:11,979 --> 00:33:11,840 hurdles to get them in , presumably 833 00:33:11,840 --> 00:33:13,951 won't take as long out , but it could 834 00:33:13,951 --> 00:33:16,118 theoretically take a day or two to get 835 00:33:16,118 --> 00:33:18,118 everyone the military back out . So 836 00:33:18,118 --> 00:33:20,173 that may bump the timeline back from 837 00:33:20,173 --> 00:33:24,050 august 31st to the 28 9 , look clearly 838 00:33:24,050 --> 00:33:27,510 german speaking about 28 clearly , 839 00:33:27,520 --> 00:33:29,742 you know , you have to do some backward 840 00:33:29,742 --> 00:33:32,040 planning for retrograde . Obviously I'm 841 00:33:32,040 --> 00:33:33,984 not prepared today to speak to the 842 00:33:33,984 --> 00:33:36,670 specific uh dates are processed by 843 00:33:36,670 --> 00:33:39,980 which that would occur , but obviously 844 00:33:39,980 --> 00:33:42,220 we're thinking through that right now 845 00:33:42,230 --> 00:33:44,508 and a lot of that's going to depend on , 846 00:33:44,508 --> 00:33:47,230 on how far we get , as fast as we can 847 00:33:47,230 --> 00:33:49,174 get , you know , by the end of the 848 00:33:49,174 --> 00:33:50,897 month . I I just don't want to 849 00:33:50,897 --> 00:33:53,008 speculate now about what that's gonna 850 00:33:53,008 --> 00:33:55,230 look like . But let me just back up , I 851 00:33:55,230 --> 00:33:57,286 mean the focus is on getting as many 852 00:33:57,286 --> 00:33:59,480 people out as we can as fast as we can 853 00:33:59,490 --> 00:34:02,120 um that means being able to secure and 854 00:34:02,120 --> 00:34:04,380 defend the airport , which we are doing 855 00:34:04,390 --> 00:34:07,040 now . Uh and we will factor all of 856 00:34:07,040 --> 00:34:09,050 those things in uh to whatever the 857 00:34:09,050 --> 00:34:11,161 departure timeline looks like to make 858 00:34:11,161 --> 00:34:12,994 sure we can continue to maximize 859 00:34:12,994 --> 00:34:15,106 throughput as best we can and without 860 00:34:15,106 --> 00:34:17,272 getting anybody hurt . And and and and 861 00:34:17,272 --> 00:34:19,850 thus far uh with obviously some 862 00:34:19,850 --> 00:34:23,350 exceptions , uh some small exceptions . 863 00:34:23,350 --> 00:34:25,880 I mean , uh , we've been , we've been 864 00:34:25,880 --> 00:34:28,170 fortunate that that that nobody has . 865 00:34:28,740 --> 00:34:32,240 Okay , mike , is there any effort to 866 00:34:32,250 --> 00:34:34,680 tally up the number of us weapons and 867 00:34:34,680 --> 00:34:36,736 equipment that are now under Taliban 868 00:34:36,736 --> 00:34:39,310 control ? And is there any program to 869 00:34:39,320 --> 00:34:41,640 mitigate this problem through 870 00:34:41,650 --> 00:34:44,040 destruction or confiscating them back ? 871 00:34:44,040 --> 00:34:46,151 Taking them back , Michael . I mean , 872 00:34:46,151 --> 00:34:48,380 we talked about this before , I don't 873 00:34:48,380 --> 00:34:50,260 have an exact inventory of what 874 00:34:51,140 --> 00:34:55,070 equipment the that the afghans 875 00:34:55,080 --> 00:34:57,750 had at their disposal , that that now 876 00:34:57,760 --> 00:35:00,650 might be at risk . Obviously we don't 877 00:35:00,650 --> 00:35:04,530 want to see any um any 878 00:35:04,530 --> 00:35:08,240 weapons or systems that to fall into 879 00:35:08,240 --> 00:35:12,160 hands of people that 880 00:35:12,540 --> 00:35:14,762 that would use them in such a way to uh 881 00:35:14,762 --> 00:35:17,100 that uh to harm our interests or those 882 00:35:17,100 --> 00:35:19,770 of our our partners and allies . I mean , 883 00:35:19,780 --> 00:35:22,080 uh we have a vested interest obviously 884 00:35:22,080 --> 00:35:24,640 and and not wanting that to happen . Um , 885 00:35:24,650 --> 00:35:26,880 but I don't have any policy solutions 886 00:35:26,880 --> 00:35:30,260 for you today about how we would 887 00:35:30,640 --> 00:35:33,640 or could address that going forward . I 888 00:35:33,640 --> 00:35:36,700 would remind you though , Mike that an 889 00:35:36,700 --> 00:35:40,230 awful lot of equipment , weapons 890 00:35:40,240 --> 00:35:43,910 resources uh were drawn down even in 891 00:35:43,910 --> 00:35:46,770 the last The years and months of the 892 00:35:46,780 --> 00:35:48,947 previous administration . As President 893 00:35:48,947 --> 00:35:51,180 Trump decided to move down to a force 894 00:35:51,180 --> 00:35:52,958 of 2500 . So there was a lot of 895 00:35:52,958 --> 00:35:55,670 retrograde of things up to that point . 896 00:35:56,040 --> 00:35:58,262 And then after the President's decision 897 00:35:58,540 --> 00:36:01,460 in mid april to complete this drawdown , 898 00:36:01,830 --> 00:36:04,950 albeit on an extended timeline . A very 899 00:36:04,960 --> 00:36:07,016 and we talked about this to the very 900 00:36:07,016 --> 00:36:09,127 big part of the retrograde was uh the 901 00:36:09,127 --> 00:36:11,760 disposition of weapons and equipment 902 00:36:11,770 --> 00:36:14,190 and systems and vehicles . Some of them 903 00:36:14,190 --> 00:36:16,830 were destroyed , some of them were 904 00:36:16,840 --> 00:36:19,620 brought back home , some of them were 905 00:36:19,630 --> 00:36:21,930 uh deployed , redeployed into the 906 00:36:21,930 --> 00:36:24,097 region and yes , some were turned over 907 00:36:24,097 --> 00:36:27,120 to the afghans . Uh and uh we're 908 00:36:27,120 --> 00:36:29,342 working through right now to try to get 909 00:36:29,342 --> 00:36:31,398 a better sense of of what that would 910 00:36:31,398 --> 00:36:33,231 look like . But I don't have any 911 00:36:33,231 --> 00:36:35,398 specific solutions for you in terms of 912 00:36:35,398 --> 00:36:37,509 what , what we're , what we're , what 913 00:36:37,509 --> 00:36:39,731 we can or will do going forward on this 914 00:36:39,731 --> 00:36:43,080 then uh to the 915 00:36:43,080 --> 00:36:45,302 degree . Well , I'll leave it at that , 916 00:36:45,302 --> 00:36:47,620 I'll leave it at that . Thank you . Let 917 00:36:47,620 --> 00:36:49,950 me ask you to a general taylor please . 918 00:36:50,430 --> 00:36:54,030 Uh you know , uh the United States 919 00:36:54,030 --> 00:36:57,660 has requested the South Korea to help 920 00:36:58,230 --> 00:37:01,970 upset afghan left this . Do you 921 00:37:01,970 --> 00:37:05,370 have any more detail on this ? I don't 922 00:37:05,370 --> 00:37:07,203 other than that communication is 923 00:37:07,203 --> 00:37:10,550 happening uh and that like I said 924 00:37:10,550 --> 00:37:13,900 earlier , we are very grateful for all 925 00:37:13,900 --> 00:37:17,620 of our partners allies that continue to 926 00:37:17,720 --> 00:37:21,470 offer any assistance to allow the 927 00:37:21,480 --> 00:37:24,190 safe evacuation of afghans . American 928 00:37:24,190 --> 00:37:27,670 citizens has any military support , the 929 00:37:27,670 --> 00:37:30,970 United States and South Korea , 930 00:37:30,970 --> 00:37:34,240 something like military aircraft . 931 00:37:36,230 --> 00:37:40,060 Um , I don't , I don't know how many 932 00:37:40,630 --> 00:37:42,686 Republic of Korea aircraft have been 933 00:37:42,686 --> 00:37:44,741 used . We've had , you know , as you 934 00:37:44,741 --> 00:37:47,700 said today , uh a lot of countries have 935 00:37:47,710 --> 00:37:50,050 been supporting and we , we appreciate 936 00:37:50,050 --> 00:37:52,217 that . But I don't have the number off 937 00:37:52,217 --> 00:37:54,740 hand . Can you take a vacation ? Thank 938 00:37:54,740 --> 00:37:58,160 you very much . All right . Uh , 939 00:37:59,330 --> 00:38:02,840 back to the phones here uh , kim Dozer . 940 00:38:05,320 --> 00:38:08,650 Thanks john I wanted to ask if you were 941 00:38:09,020 --> 00:38:11,131 given the short amount of time left , 942 00:38:11,131 --> 00:38:13,076 just seven days . Are you going to 943 00:38:13,076 --> 00:38:16,050 allow private charters to start landing 944 00:38:16,050 --> 00:38:18,390 in greater numbers at hK a daily to 945 00:38:18,400 --> 00:38:21,200 pick up afghans at risk because even by 946 00:38:21,210 --> 00:38:23,210 conservative Matthew can't possibly 947 00:38:23,210 --> 00:38:25,321 move all the american citizens out in 948 00:38:25,321 --> 00:38:27,543 just seven days , much less . The green 949 00:38:27,543 --> 00:38:29,766 card holders , afghan special operators 950 00:38:29,766 --> 00:38:32,500 etcetera . Also , private charter 951 00:38:32,500 --> 00:38:34,500 companies tell me they've been told 952 00:38:34,620 --> 00:38:36,787 when they can land that they only have 953 00:38:36,787 --> 00:38:39,260 an hour to land , pick everybody up and 954 00:38:39,260 --> 00:38:41,870 take off . And some of them are leery 955 00:38:41,870 --> 00:38:44,037 of even going because they don't think 956 00:38:44,037 --> 00:38:46,770 they can get it done that fast . So the 957 00:38:46,770 --> 00:38:50,560 ability to continue throughput is 958 00:38:50,560 --> 00:38:53,200 very important . And so as we look at 959 00:38:53,210 --> 00:38:55,990 airfield operations and the ability to 960 00:38:55,990 --> 00:38:58,880 get aircraft landed safely uh 961 00:38:58,890 --> 00:39:01,900 immediately in uh , and loaded and that 962 00:39:01,900 --> 00:39:04,067 drives a lot of the what we would call 963 00:39:04,067 --> 00:39:07,740 time on ground uh , to maximize 964 00:39:07,920 --> 00:39:11,150 um the amount of evacuees that we can 965 00:39:11,150 --> 00:39:14,050 get out as you saw in the last day that 966 00:39:14,050 --> 00:39:17,240 the numbers that required as you just 967 00:39:17,240 --> 00:39:19,351 said , you know , aircraft on average 968 00:39:19,351 --> 00:39:21,407 should be on the ground less than an 969 00:39:21,407 --> 00:39:23,580 hour , which is very quick . Um I do 970 00:39:23,580 --> 00:39:26,470 know that uh trans come and the 971 00:39:26,470 --> 00:39:28,303 commanders on the ground who are 972 00:39:28,420 --> 00:39:31,450 facilitating that synchronization are 973 00:39:31,450 --> 00:39:34,930 using and want to continue to use every 974 00:39:34,940 --> 00:39:38,910 capability possible to get people out 975 00:39:38,910 --> 00:39:41,450 of out of Kabul . So uh that's all . I 976 00:39:41,450 --> 00:39:45,160 have . One more on the phone here , Sam 977 00:39:45,160 --> 00:39:48,940 Lagrone . Hey john can we 978 00:39:48,940 --> 00:39:52,190 get an update on us support for the 979 00:39:52,190 --> 00:39:54,357 Haiti earthquake and disaster relief ? 980 00:39:55,720 --> 00:39:57,790 Yeah , I think we can uh facilitate 981 00:39:57,790 --> 00:40:00,090 that a little bit later Sam but yes , 982 00:40:00,090 --> 00:40:02,730 we can get you an update on that . Yeah . 983 00:40:02,920 --> 00:40:05,142 The question for the general real quick 984 00:40:05,142 --> 00:40:07,430 sir , it sounds like from what we're 985 00:40:07,430 --> 00:40:10,710 hearing from the podium but that the US 986 00:40:10,710 --> 00:40:12,821 is essentially relying on the taliban 987 00:40:12,821 --> 00:40:14,932 for crowd control outside the gates . 988 00:40:14,932 --> 00:40:16,877 Obviously that was not part of the 989 00:40:16,877 --> 00:40:18,877 original plan . Um what forces were 990 00:40:18,877 --> 00:40:21,099 originally assigned to conduct security 991 00:40:21,099 --> 00:40:23,140 outside the perimeter ? And how did 992 00:40:23,140 --> 00:40:25,307 that fall apart ? Where are they now ? 993 00:40:25,307 --> 00:40:28,670 Um and I have a follow up . So the 994 00:40:28,680 --> 00:40:32,360 5800 forces were part of that force 995 00:40:32,360 --> 00:40:34,360 package to provide security for the 996 00:40:34,360 --> 00:40:37,880 airfield as you know , uh within the 997 00:40:37,880 --> 00:40:40,570 last seven days we've seen the ability 998 00:40:40,570 --> 00:40:44,260 to continue to um coordinate 999 00:40:44,270 --> 00:40:46,820 and uh synchronized with taliban 1000 00:40:46,820 --> 00:40:49,470 checkpoints . Um and I would say is you 1001 00:40:49,470 --> 00:40:52,140 look the last two days , that ability 1002 00:40:52,140 --> 00:40:54,280 with the commanders on the ground to 1003 00:40:54,280 --> 00:40:56,840 work with the taliban tactical 1004 00:40:56,840 --> 00:41:00,140 commanders has uh allowed . And I would 1005 00:41:00,140 --> 00:41:03,160 say the ability to control better uh 1006 00:41:03,170 --> 00:41:05,870 the access into that . So you're saying 1007 00:41:05,870 --> 00:41:07,870 that U . S . Troops were originally 1008 00:41:07,910 --> 00:41:10,132 plan to be on the perimeter outside the 1009 00:41:10,132 --> 00:41:12,243 airport , but that did not work out . 1010 00:41:12,243 --> 00:41:14,466 Is that what I understood Now that that 1011 00:41:14,466 --> 00:41:17,120 was the original 5800 forces were 1012 00:41:17,120 --> 00:41:19,380 planned to secure H . Chi in those 1013 00:41:19,380 --> 00:41:21,491 gates , the interior of the airport . 1014 00:41:21,491 --> 00:41:23,602 There was no one planned to be on the 1015 00:41:23,602 --> 00:41:25,658 outside . That's not what I said . I 1016 00:41:25,658 --> 00:41:28,190 said , you know , as the plan that went 1017 00:41:28,190 --> 00:41:30,320 in and the what has changes the 1018 00:41:30,810 --> 00:41:33,630 coordination and using the use of or 1019 00:41:33,630 --> 00:41:36,090 the taliban being there understood . 1020 00:41:36,100 --> 00:41:38,211 Okay , one last question . If I might 1021 00:41:39,110 --> 00:41:42,510 given this arrangement , does this mean 1022 00:41:42,520 --> 00:41:44,990 that the taliban is on for better or 1023 00:41:44,990 --> 00:41:47,101 worse and now in a better position to 1024 00:41:47,101 --> 00:41:50,190 potentially dictate when we leave ? I 1025 00:41:50,200 --> 00:41:52,311 can't answer that . What I do know is 1026 00:41:52,311 --> 00:41:54,340 that our continued mission which we 1027 00:41:54,340 --> 00:41:57,270 were given was secured the airfield and 1028 00:41:57,270 --> 00:42:01,080 to ensure the to facilitate uh the 1029 00:42:01,080 --> 00:42:03,310 evacuation by August 31 . And I'll just 1030 00:42:03,310 --> 00:42:05,590 refer back to the comment that Mr Kirby 1031 00:42:05,590 --> 00:42:08,020 has already made about uh the August 31 1032 00:42:08,030 --> 00:42:10,630 1st date ? Yes . Yeah . I mean we've 1033 00:42:10,630 --> 00:42:13,200 covered this pretty well About August 1034 00:42:13,200 --> 00:42:16,160 31 Megan . So the vaccine rollout plan 1035 00:42:16,170 --> 00:42:18,430 is the idea now that Pfizer will become 1036 00:42:18,430 --> 00:42:22,290 mandatory and the secretary will wait 1037 00:42:22,290 --> 00:42:25,030 until mid september to ask for Madonna 1038 00:42:25,030 --> 00:42:26,919 and johnson johnson , will he ask 1039 00:42:26,919 --> 00:42:29,440 earlier or will the vaccines become 1040 00:42:29,440 --> 00:42:31,670 mandatory ads ? They become fully 1041 00:42:31,670 --> 00:42:33,781 licensed ? Yeah . What I can tell you 1042 00:42:33,781 --> 00:42:35,781 is the focus right now . Today with 1043 00:42:35,781 --> 00:42:37,726 this FDA approval is on the Pfizer 1044 00:42:37,726 --> 00:42:39,781 vaccine and moving forward , uh , to 1045 00:42:39,781 --> 00:42:41,720 implement a mandatory vaccination 1046 00:42:41,730 --> 00:42:43,786 regimen for Pfizer . I don't want to 1047 00:42:43,786 --> 00:42:45,786 get ahead of decisions that haven't 1048 00:42:45,786 --> 00:42:49,070 been made yet . Yeah . I'm sorry mike . 1049 00:42:49,210 --> 00:42:52,050 Sorry . Thanks guys . With the masks on 1050 00:42:52,050 --> 00:42:54,272 getting everybody confused . Good . Can 1051 00:42:54,272 --> 00:42:56,050 you speak a little to any covid 1052 00:42:56,050 --> 00:42:57,939 prevention that's going on at the 1053 00:42:57,939 --> 00:43:00,380 airport are evacuees being tested 1054 00:43:00,380 --> 00:43:02,436 before they get on aircraft that are 1055 00:43:02,436 --> 00:43:04,380 being tested in their intermediary 1056 00:43:04,380 --> 00:43:06,602 countries ? Yeah . Good question . Um , 1057 00:43:06,602 --> 00:43:08,491 uh , as I understand it , medical 1058 00:43:08,491 --> 00:43:10,610 personnel at the at Hamid Karzai 1059 00:43:10,610 --> 00:43:13,930 International Airport are conducting 1060 00:43:13,930 --> 00:43:15,819 covid screening for those who are 1061 00:43:15,819 --> 00:43:18,580 feeble or symptomatic . Um , uh , and 1062 00:43:18,580 --> 00:43:21,560 then , uh , as appropriate , depending 1063 00:43:21,560 --> 00:43:24,110 on what the the temporary safe haven , 1064 00:43:24,110 --> 00:43:26,760 what the , what the guidelines are at 1065 00:43:26,760 --> 00:43:28,816 the temporary safe Havens additional 1066 00:43:28,816 --> 00:43:30,927 screenings at , at some of those safe 1067 00:43:30,927 --> 00:43:33,320 havens occur . Uh , and then upon 1068 00:43:33,700 --> 00:43:35,890 arrival at the United States , all 1069 00:43:35,890 --> 00:43:39,080 passengers are being tested upon 1070 00:43:39,080 --> 00:43:42,430 arrival and then and then medical 1071 00:43:42,430 --> 00:43:44,430 professionals make proper decisions 1072 00:43:44,430 --> 00:43:46,430 after that . Are there any concerns 1073 00:43:46,430 --> 00:43:48,319 about positive tests and sold for 1074 00:43:48,319 --> 00:43:50,374 soldiers on the ground . Of course , 1075 00:43:50,374 --> 00:43:52,280 there's any examples of soldiers 1076 00:43:52,280 --> 00:43:54,502 testing positive . I have not . I don't 1077 00:43:54,502 --> 00:43:56,724 have that level of these . I don't know 1078 00:43:56,724 --> 00:44:00,140 what what positive results they may 1079 00:44:00,140 --> 00:44:03,090 have come in for soldiers working at 1080 00:44:03,090 --> 00:44:04,979 the air full but obviously at the 1081 00:44:04,979 --> 00:44:06,979 airfield obviously their health and 1082 00:44:06,979 --> 00:44:09,034 safety remains a top concern for for 1083 00:44:09,034 --> 00:44:11,570 all of us . Yeah . Louis a complication 1084 00:44:11,580 --> 00:44:13,802 at the top . I think you announced that 1085 00:44:13,802 --> 00:44:15,913 showing face McGuire Dix Lakehurst is 1086 00:44:15,913 --> 00:44:18,100 now that is correct . Is that a new in 1087 00:44:18,100 --> 00:44:20,322 addition ? Is that something new ? That 1088 00:44:20,322 --> 00:44:22,433 is now that is one additional base we 1089 00:44:22,433 --> 00:44:24,600 have been talking about three prior to 1090 00:44:24,600 --> 00:44:26,600 that . Fort lee , Fort McCoy , Fort 1091 00:44:26,600 --> 00:44:29,610 Bliss Joint Base McGuire Dix Lakehurst 1092 00:44:29,610 --> 00:44:33,240 is now uh is now available to 1093 00:44:33,250 --> 00:44:36,210 receive some of these uh s ivy 1094 00:44:36,210 --> 00:44:40,030 applicants . Um And With the four bases . 1095 00:44:40,890 --> 00:44:43,840 Uh Well what our goal would be is to 1096 00:44:43,840 --> 00:44:46,880 reach the ability not necessarily the 1097 00:44:46,880 --> 00:44:50,110 actual Count but the ability to build 1098 00:44:50,110 --> 00:44:53,490 out to about 25,000 capacity . We 1099 00:44:53,490 --> 00:44:55,657 aren't there yet Louis it's gonna take 1100 00:44:55,657 --> 00:44:57,823 days and weeks I think for all four to 1101 00:44:57,823 --> 00:45:00,157 be able to combine to get to that level . 1102 00:45:00,157 --> 00:45:02,490 But that's the goal as we are right now . 1103 00:45:02,490 --> 00:45:04,601 And the other thing I would say is uh 1104 00:45:04,601 --> 00:45:06,768 if the secretary in communication with 1105 00:45:06,768 --> 00:45:08,990 the Chairman and with General Van Herck 1106 00:45:08,990 --> 00:45:11,101 at North um feels like we need to add 1107 00:45:11,101 --> 00:45:13,990 to that capacity and uh add to the list 1108 00:45:14,000 --> 00:45:15,850 additional U . S . Military 1109 00:45:15,850 --> 00:45:18,017 installations then we'll do that . But 1110 00:45:18,017 --> 00:45:20,128 right now we're at four . And what is 1111 00:45:20,128 --> 00:45:22,239 the current number of individuals who 1112 00:45:22,239 --> 00:45:24,461 are at those for ? I do not have that . 1113 00:45:24,461 --> 00:45:26,572 We can take the question and I'm sure 1114 00:45:26,572 --> 00:45:26,190 the Northern Command would have you a 1115 00:45:26,190 --> 00:45:28,412 better number than I do right now . And 1116 00:45:28,412 --> 00:45:30,468 my last question is this I apologize 1117 00:45:30,468 --> 00:45:34,130 for asking three . Um it's such an 1118 00:45:34,140 --> 00:45:37,910 effort to get into the airport 1119 00:45:37,920 --> 00:45:40,300 and some people are lucky to get in . 1120 00:45:40,990 --> 00:45:43,310 But now we're hearing that the food 1121 00:45:43,310 --> 00:45:45,720 supplies , the water supplies , 1122 00:45:46,850 --> 00:45:50,830 sanitation , hygiene are really bad 1123 00:45:50,840 --> 00:45:53,760 inside the airport and so bad that some 1124 00:45:53,760 --> 00:45:56,240 people are actually returning to go 1125 00:45:56,240 --> 00:45:58,980 outside the perimeter . So my question 1126 00:45:58,980 --> 00:46:01,990 is this how can you prevent a 1127 00:46:02,000 --> 00:46:04,910 humanitarian crisis inside the airport 1128 00:46:05,680 --> 00:46:09,490 as this goes on and on . Yeah . 1129 00:46:09,500 --> 00:46:11,444 Fair questions . I'm gonna let the 1130 00:46:11,450 --> 00:46:13,506 general take it and I think you have 1131 00:46:13,506 --> 00:46:15,506 the number two for the installation 1132 00:46:15,506 --> 00:46:17,394 that was in right now in the open 1133 00:46:17,394 --> 00:46:19,561 account right at approximately 12 1200 1134 00:46:19,561 --> 00:46:22,360 have entered into the United States as 1135 00:46:22,360 --> 00:46:25,160 we talk about the conditions and the 1136 00:46:25,160 --> 00:46:28,850 ability to continue to provide a humane 1137 00:46:28,850 --> 00:46:31,600 and safe piece on the airfield . 1138 00:46:32,180 --> 00:46:34,860 As you see some of those flights uh 1139 00:46:34,870 --> 00:46:38,710 that continue to come in to to kabul . 1140 00:46:38,720 --> 00:46:40,887 Those are bringing those supplies in . 1141 00:46:40,887 --> 00:46:43,570 So as those supplies are used we are 1142 00:46:43,570 --> 00:46:46,590 continually replenishing those to 1143 00:46:46,590 --> 00:46:50,220 ensure that we have food and all those 1144 00:46:50,220 --> 00:46:52,760 things that are needed water . Uh two 1145 00:46:52,760 --> 00:46:54,980 for those that are preparing for 1146 00:46:54,980 --> 00:46:57,700 evacuation flights . So you know the 1147 00:46:57,700 --> 00:47:00,410 last 48 hours we had a lot of folks on 1148 00:47:00,410 --> 00:47:02,790 there which is a good thing right ? 1149 00:47:02,790 --> 00:47:04,623 That means we have gotten people 1150 00:47:04,623 --> 00:47:06,679 through the gate , we process them . 1151 00:47:06,679 --> 00:47:08,846 That means we have people safe then we 1152 00:47:08,846 --> 00:47:10,957 can fly out . Um The commanders there 1153 00:47:10,957 --> 00:47:12,680 are always assessing what the 1154 00:47:12,680 --> 00:47:15,970 requirements are to ensure that safe 1155 00:47:15,970 --> 00:47:19,610 and humanitarian environment . And I 1156 00:47:19,610 --> 00:47:22,150 was just said louis I mean we're 1157 00:47:22,160 --> 00:47:24,216 mindful of these reports to it's not 1158 00:47:24,216 --> 00:47:27,540 lost on us , there's a lot of people um 1159 00:47:27,540 --> 00:47:31,380 and they are desperate and we 1160 00:47:31,380 --> 00:47:33,720 are trying to do the best we can to get 1161 00:47:33,720 --> 00:47:35,609 them out of harm's way as fast as 1162 00:47:35,609 --> 00:47:38,050 possible . And when you have a problem 1163 00:47:38,050 --> 00:47:40,217 it means that some people are going to 1164 00:47:40,217 --> 00:47:42,272 be stuck in a given location whether 1165 00:47:42,272 --> 00:47:44,217 it's at Hamid Karzai International 1166 00:47:44,217 --> 00:47:46,217 Airport or Qatar or other temporary 1167 00:47:46,217 --> 00:47:48,383 safe havens , nobody wants to see this 1168 00:47:48,383 --> 00:47:50,661 go on for any longer than it has to be . 1169 00:47:50,661 --> 00:47:52,883 And believe me nobody more than the U . 1170 00:47:52,883 --> 00:47:55,106 S . Military and our troops want to see 1171 00:47:55,106 --> 00:47:57,272 anybody suffer any more than they have 1172 00:47:57,272 --> 00:47:59,490 to . And we are we are very aware that 1173 00:47:59,490 --> 00:48:01,720 there are and have been uh some 1174 00:48:01,720 --> 00:48:04,800 sanitation issues as well as um you 1175 00:48:04,800 --> 00:48:07,190 know issues of sustainment and as the 1176 00:48:07,190 --> 00:48:09,134 general said , we're making that a 1177 00:48:09,134 --> 00:48:11,079 priority as we float some of these 1178 00:48:11,079 --> 00:48:13,079 planes are coming in with with that 1179 00:48:13,079 --> 00:48:15,190 material on that that kind of support 1180 00:48:15,190 --> 00:48:17,246 and then their leaving with people , 1181 00:48:17,246 --> 00:48:19,134 we're doing the best we can under 1182 00:48:19,134 --> 00:48:21,357 extraordinary circumstances and believe 1183 00:48:21,357 --> 00:48:23,357 me the pain and the suffering , the 1184 00:48:23,357 --> 00:48:26,140 fear , the anxiety , all of that . None 1185 00:48:26,140 --> 00:48:29,170 of it is lost on us , our troops . Just 1186 00:48:29,180 --> 00:48:32,370 you have to report um , the british 1187 00:48:32,380 --> 00:48:34,324 evacuation commander in Kabul Vice 1188 00:48:34,324 --> 00:48:36,520 Admiral Ben Key has been locked out of 1189 00:48:36,520 --> 00:48:38,720 all negotiations between us , centcom 1190 00:48:38,720 --> 00:48:40,680 staff 82nd Airborne and Taliban 1191 00:48:40,680 --> 00:48:42,680 commanders and that there's a great 1192 00:48:42,680 --> 00:48:44,791 deal of tension right now between the 1193 00:48:44,791 --> 00:48:47,013 brits who want , who are sending people 1194 00:48:47,013 --> 00:48:49,180 outside the airport And members of the 1195 00:48:49,180 --> 00:48:51,291 82nd airborne who want to join them . 1196 00:48:51,470 --> 00:48:53,480 What is happening with our british 1197 00:48:53,480 --> 00:48:57,240 allies ? Is this report accurate ? And 1198 00:48:57,240 --> 00:48:59,750 supposedly there was supposed to be an 1199 00:48:59,750 --> 00:49:02,550 82nd airborne jump into bagram airbase 1200 00:49:03,000 --> 00:49:05,090 to open that field and that that was 1201 00:49:05,090 --> 00:49:07,257 shut down by the White House . Is that 1202 00:49:07,257 --> 00:49:09,479 accurate , jen I first that I'm hearing 1203 00:49:09,479 --> 00:49:11,701 these reports , you're going to have to 1204 00:49:11,701 --> 00:49:13,701 let me go back and look at this . I 1205 00:49:13,701 --> 00:49:15,923 don't know the only thing I would , you 1206 00:49:15,923 --> 00:49:18,146 mentioned that the brits who want to go 1207 00:49:18,146 --> 00:49:21,480 out , we are doing it as well . Uh we 1208 00:49:21,480 --> 00:49:23,560 are , we are going out as needed and 1209 00:49:23,560 --> 00:49:25,680 helping americans get into the field 1210 00:49:25,690 --> 00:49:27,820 only described one of those instances 1211 00:49:27,820 --> 00:49:30,590 to Courtney with I , she asked me 1212 00:49:30,590 --> 00:49:32,690 specifically about airlift and I 1213 00:49:32,690 --> 00:49:35,000 mentioned one using rotary wing 1214 00:49:35,000 --> 00:49:37,111 aircraft . That doesn't mean it's the 1215 00:49:37,111 --> 00:49:39,333 sum total of what we're doing to go out 1216 00:49:39,333 --> 00:49:41,444 and try to bring and assist americans 1217 00:49:41,444 --> 00:49:43,444 coming in . We're just not going to 1218 00:49:43,444 --> 00:49:43,290 detail all of them because the threat 1219 00:49:43,290 --> 00:49:45,234 environment is so high as to these 1220 00:49:45,234 --> 00:49:47,401 reports first . I've heard you have to 1221 00:49:47,401 --> 00:49:49,512 give us a little time to dissect this 1222 00:49:49,512 --> 00:49:51,623 and come back to you report that some 1223 00:49:51,623 --> 00:49:53,623 of the equipment that we left and I 1224 00:49:53,623 --> 00:49:55,846 have landed in the hands of Taliban are 1225 00:49:55,846 --> 00:49:57,901 going towards Pakistan . Do you have 1226 00:49:57,901 --> 00:50:00,170 that report as well ? If it lands in 1227 00:50:00,170 --> 00:50:01,837 the hands of Pakistan , those 1228 00:50:01,837 --> 00:50:04,059 equipments , are you asking Pakistan to 1229 00:50:04,059 --> 00:50:06,059 get them back to you ? I don't have 1230 00:50:06,059 --> 00:50:08,226 anything on that reporting that you've 1231 00:50:08,226 --> 00:50:07,690 got there . I think we'll just have to 1232 00:50:07,690 --> 00:50:10,023 take a look . We can take the questions . 1233 00:50:10,023 --> 00:50:12,023 See if we get back to you . I don't 1234 00:50:12,023 --> 00:50:11,680 have anything on that nancy . Thank you . 1235 00:50:11,690 --> 00:50:13,912 Could you clarify something um that you 1236 00:50:13,912 --> 00:50:15,857 said to jen that Courtney about on 1237 00:50:15,857 --> 00:50:18,650 occasion going out to do missions 1238 00:50:18,650 --> 00:50:20,261 outside of it . What kind of 1239 00:50:20,261 --> 00:50:22,206 coordination then happens with the 1240 00:50:22,206 --> 00:50:24,150 Taliban forces on the ground ? Are 1241 00:50:24,150 --> 00:50:23,910 there enjoying patrols happening 1242 00:50:23,920 --> 00:50:25,976 between Taliban and U . S . Forces ? 1243 00:50:25,976 --> 00:50:28,198 There's no joint patrols . What kind of 1244 00:50:28,198 --> 00:50:30,420 communication happens ? Can you give us 1245 00:50:30,420 --> 00:50:32,420 any sense ? There's no , there's no 1246 00:50:32,420 --> 00:50:34,253 joint patrols . There's no joint 1247 00:50:34,253 --> 00:50:36,364 coordination , but obviously we're in 1248 00:50:36,364 --> 00:50:38,420 communication with the Taliban about 1249 00:50:38,420 --> 00:50:40,531 their presence and where it is around 1250 00:50:40,531 --> 00:50:42,698 the field . Um , and I think nancy for 1251 00:50:42,698 --> 00:50:44,809 reasons . I hope you understand we're 1252 00:50:44,809 --> 00:50:47,031 just not going to get into the tactical 1253 00:50:47,031 --> 00:50:49,198 level details of , of what we're doing 1254 00:50:49,198 --> 00:50:51,142 to help facilitate the passage and 1255 00:50:51,142 --> 00:50:53,364 assist the passage of americans getting 1256 00:50:53,364 --> 00:50:55,587 on to the field and we want to preserve 1257 00:50:55,587 --> 00:50:57,531 as money as many options as we can 1258 00:50:57,531 --> 00:50:59,364 going forward because the threat 1259 00:50:59,364 --> 00:51:01,476 environment outside the airport is so 1260 00:51:01,476 --> 00:51:03,587 dynamic and quite frankly dangerous . 1261 00:51:03,587 --> 00:51:06,940 So um for I think very good reasons of 1262 00:51:06,940 --> 00:51:08,940 operational security we're just not 1263 00:51:08,940 --> 00:51:11,107 gonna detail everything we're doing in 1264 00:51:11,107 --> 00:51:12,829 every opportunity we're taking 1265 00:51:12,829 --> 00:51:15,051 advantage of . I do appreciate that . I 1266 00:51:15,051 --> 00:51:17,273 just I just wanna understand if the U . 1267 00:51:17,273 --> 00:51:19,107 S . Forces are side by side with 1268 00:51:19,107 --> 00:51:18,930 Taliban . I'm trying to get a visual 1269 00:51:18,930 --> 00:51:21,270 what it looks like . That's all I know 1270 00:51:21,310 --> 00:51:23,760 that we are not out there side by side 1271 00:51:23,760 --> 00:51:25,593 with them . It's not about joint 1272 00:51:25,593 --> 00:51:27,760 patrols so you can erase that visual . 1273 00:51:27,760 --> 00:51:29,982 That is not what's happening . Okay I'm 1274 00:51:29,982 --> 00:51:32,038 gonna have to get going guys . Thank 1275 00:51:32,038 --> 00:51:34,093 you very much appreciate it . Um our 1276 00:51:34,093 --> 00:51:36,160 goal is to come back here again and 1277 00:51:36,160 --> 00:51:39,660 around 1500 for an afternoon update 1278 00:51:39,670 --> 00:51:41,892 and we'll keep you apprised if and when 1279 00:51:41,892 --> 00:51:44,750 that changes . Thanks very much . Thank 1280 00:51:44,750 --> 00:51:46,580 you . Yes .