1 00:00:02,870 --> 00:00:05,270 All right , good afternoon everybody . 2 00:00:05,270 --> 00:00:08,000 Thank you very much for being here 3 00:00:08,000 --> 00:00:10,330 today . Have a few items to update you 4 00:00:10,330 --> 00:00:12,497 on and then I'll be happy to take your 5 00:00:12,497 --> 00:00:15,000 questions . Uh First , as you likely 6 00:00:15,010 --> 00:00:17,160 saw just a little bit ago . Secretary 7 00:00:17,160 --> 00:00:19,104 Austin announced today that at the 8 00:00:19,104 --> 00:00:21,540 direction of the President , all units 9 00:00:21,540 --> 00:00:23,596 involved in the retrograde operation 10 00:00:23,596 --> 00:00:26,170 from Afghanistan . Operation Allies , 11 00:00:26,170 --> 00:00:28,360 Refuge and Operation Allies welcome 12 00:00:28,360 --> 00:00:30,430 will be awarded the meritorious unit 13 00:00:30,440 --> 00:00:33,330 commendation or its equivalent . He 14 00:00:33,330 --> 00:00:35,497 also directed the military departments 15 00:00:35,760 --> 00:00:38,120 to perform an expedited review of all 16 00:00:38,120 --> 00:00:40,280 units . President present at Hamid 17 00:00:40,280 --> 00:00:42,380 Karzai International Airport from 18 00:00:42,380 --> 00:00:46,300 august 15 to august 30 2021 to identify 19 00:00:46,300 --> 00:00:48,420 those units or individuals that meet 20 00:00:48,420 --> 00:00:50,587 the high standards of the presidential 21 00:00:50,587 --> 00:00:53,380 unit citation or appropriate individual 22 00:00:53,380 --> 00:00:56,070 awards . Secretary Austin has 23 00:00:56,080 --> 00:00:58,520 emphasized that this recognition is 24 00:00:58,520 --> 00:01:00,576 intended to reflect the gratitude of 25 00:01:00,576 --> 00:01:02,687 our nation and serve as a reminder to 26 00:01:02,687 --> 00:01:04,909 each and every service member who wears 27 00:01:04,909 --> 00:01:06,880 them of the lives that lives they 28 00:01:06,880 --> 00:01:08,936 helped to save and the thanks of our 29 00:01:08,936 --> 00:01:11,102 nation and the Department of Defense , 30 00:01:11,102 --> 00:01:14,400 they serve so well . Separate related 31 00:01:14,400 --> 00:01:16,780 Secretary Austin also visited Arlington 32 00:01:16,780 --> 00:01:19,110 National Cemetery this morning to pay 33 00:01:19,110 --> 00:01:21,420 his respects to our fallen lawyers who 34 00:01:21,420 --> 00:01:23,420 have made the ultimate sacrifice in 35 00:01:23,420 --> 00:01:25,476 defense of our nation to include the 36 00:01:25,476 --> 00:01:28,740 2461 heroes who never made it home from 37 00:01:28,740 --> 00:01:31,550 Afghanistan and to quote the secretary , 38 00:01:31,560 --> 00:01:33,900 Although the Afghanistan war has ended 39 00:01:33,910 --> 00:01:36,720 our gratitude to those who served never 40 00:01:36,720 --> 00:01:39,330 will to every man and woman who served 41 00:01:39,330 --> 00:01:41,274 in Afghanistan . This country will 42 00:01:41,274 --> 00:01:43,540 never forget what you did and what you 43 00:01:43,540 --> 00:01:46,030 gave turning to Ukraine . As you might 44 00:01:46,030 --> 00:01:48,086 have seen on friday . A contract was 45 00:01:48,086 --> 00:01:50,141 awarded to Raytheon for the national 46 00:01:50,141 --> 00:01:52,308 advanced surface to air missile system 47 00:01:52,308 --> 00:01:55,350 or nay Sams . This $182 million 48 00:01:55,350 --> 00:01:57,461 contract is in support of the Ukraine 49 00:01:57,461 --> 00:01:59,200 Security Assistance Initiative 50 00:01:59,210 --> 00:02:01,770 specifically Trans three . Which task 51 00:02:01,770 --> 00:02:03,659 the army with the procurement and 52 00:02:03,659 --> 00:02:05,540 delivery of tunis arms as other 53 00:02:05,540 --> 00:02:07,762 contracts are awarded in support of U . 54 00:02:07,762 --> 00:02:09,818 S . A . I . We will be sure to share 55 00:02:09,818 --> 00:02:11,818 that information . And finally on a 56 00:02:11,818 --> 00:02:14,040 scheduling note , the secretary and the 57 00:02:14,040 --> 00:02:16,096 chairman will travel to Ramstein air 58 00:02:16,096 --> 00:02:18,151 base Germany next week to host an in 59 00:02:18,151 --> 00:02:20,151 person meeting september 8th of the 60 00:02:20,151 --> 00:02:22,380 Ukraine defense Contact Group . This 61 00:02:22,380 --> 00:02:24,658 will be the fifth meeting of the U D C . 62 00:02:24,658 --> 00:02:26,824 G , the third in person and the second 63 00:02:26,824 --> 00:02:29,030 at Ramstein . Since this group was 64 00:02:29,030 --> 00:02:31,410 formed in april , they will join 65 00:02:31,410 --> 00:02:33,188 Ministers of Defense and senior 66 00:02:33,188 --> 00:02:35,410 military officials from 50 plus nations 67 00:02:35,410 --> 00:02:37,632 around the world to discuss the ongoing 68 00:02:37,632 --> 00:02:39,710 crisis in Ukraine and continue our 69 00:02:39,710 --> 00:02:41,710 close coordination on providing the 70 00:02:41,710 --> 00:02:43,488 Ukrainian people with the means 71 00:02:43,488 --> 00:02:45,710 necessary to protect themselves against 72 00:02:45,710 --> 00:02:47,488 Russia's unprovoked and illegal 73 00:02:47,488 --> 00:02:49,710 aggression . Secretary Austin will also 74 00:02:49,710 --> 00:02:51,821 visit the Czech Republic on september 75 00:02:51,821 --> 00:02:53,877 9th to meet with his counterpart and 76 00:02:53,877 --> 00:02:56,043 discuss security related topics shared 77 00:02:56,043 --> 00:02:58,154 by our two nations and with that I am 78 00:02:58,154 --> 00:03:00,210 happy to take your questions . We'll 79 00:03:00,210 --> 00:03:02,266 start with lita . Yes ma'am . Thanks 80 00:03:02,266 --> 00:03:04,070 pap . Um so I have one quick 81 00:03:04,080 --> 00:03:06,191 clarification on what you just said . 82 00:03:06,191 --> 00:03:08,980 Um at one point there was I thought a 83 00:03:08,980 --> 00:03:11,202 suggestion that one of the nation's may 84 00:03:11,202 --> 00:03:13,960 move more quickly . Does this mean that 85 00:03:13,960 --> 00:03:17,150 neither that no nations yet are in 86 00:03:17,160 --> 00:03:19,216 Ukraine or been sent to Ukraine ? Is 87 00:03:19,216 --> 00:03:21,175 that just like that correct to my 88 00:03:21,175 --> 00:03:23,935 knowledge ? Those will be manufactured 89 00:03:23,945 --> 00:03:26,205 by the contractor and then delivered 90 00:03:26,205 --> 00:03:29,345 when when complete ? Um Can you give us 91 00:03:29,355 --> 00:03:31,605 a sense of the pentagon's assessment at 92 00:03:31,605 --> 00:03:33,605 this point of the counter offensive 93 00:03:33,605 --> 00:03:36,055 that Ukraine has said that is going on 94 00:03:36,055 --> 00:03:38,166 particularly in the south and whether 95 00:03:38,166 --> 00:03:41,390 you're seeing any um significant 96 00:03:41,390 --> 00:03:43,612 changes of hands and any other property 97 00:03:43,612 --> 00:03:46,440 there ? And second question , are there 98 00:03:46,450 --> 00:03:50,000 any um specific weapons systems or 99 00:03:50,000 --> 00:03:52,000 equipment that the U . S . Military 100 00:03:52,000 --> 00:03:54,056 right now um is gonna have to go out 101 00:03:54,056 --> 00:03:56,222 and reorder because of the P . D . A . 102 00:03:56,222 --> 00:03:58,167 S . Is there anything any shortage 103 00:03:58,167 --> 00:04:00,000 anywhere that you all are seeing 104 00:04:00,000 --> 00:04:02,430 because of the P . D . A . S ? Uh So so 105 00:04:02,430 --> 00:04:05,090 in the latter piece certainly will will 106 00:04:05,090 --> 00:04:08,120 aim to get you any detailed information 107 00:04:08,130 --> 00:04:10,870 on that note . But I will say that I'm 108 00:04:10,870 --> 00:04:13,230 not aware of any specific shortages at 109 00:04:13,230 --> 00:04:15,870 this time . Again , we will continue to 110 00:04:15,870 --> 00:04:18,250 maintain an open dialogue as early as 111 00:04:18,250 --> 00:04:20,440 next week . Again uh in terms of what 112 00:04:20,440 --> 00:04:23,450 Ukrainian needs are in the fight uh in 113 00:04:23,450 --> 00:04:27,450 regards to fighting in Ukraine . What 114 00:04:27,450 --> 00:04:30,130 I would tell you is that we are very 115 00:04:30,130 --> 00:04:32,241 sensitive to not getting ahead of the 116 00:04:32,241 --> 00:04:34,408 Ukrainians . I think you've heard some 117 00:04:34,408 --> 00:04:36,463 of their public statements , not the 118 00:04:36,463 --> 00:04:38,352 least of which is their president 119 00:04:38,352 --> 00:04:40,463 talking about the need for operations 120 00:04:40,463 --> 00:04:42,463 security and so certainly from this 121 00:04:42,463 --> 00:04:44,519 podium , I'm not going to talk about 122 00:04:44,519 --> 00:04:47,200 tactical level uh battlefield detail . 123 00:04:47,210 --> 00:04:50,430 What I will say is that we are aware 124 00:04:50,440 --> 00:04:54,190 of Ukrainian uh military 125 00:04:54,200 --> 00:04:57,200 um operations that have made some 126 00:04:57,200 --> 00:04:59,880 forward movement uh and in some cases 127 00:04:59,890 --> 00:05:03,110 in the Pearson region , we are aware in 128 00:05:03,110 --> 00:05:05,110 some cases of Russian units falling 129 00:05:05,110 --> 00:05:07,560 back , but again , in order to preserve 130 00:05:07,560 --> 00:05:10,200 operation security and to give the 131 00:05:10,200 --> 00:05:12,367 Ukrainians the time and the space that 132 00:05:12,367 --> 00:05:14,589 they need to conduct their operations . 133 00:05:14,589 --> 00:05:16,756 I'm not going to go into that level of 134 00:05:16,756 --> 00:05:19,770 detail uh from the podium . The last 135 00:05:19,770 --> 00:05:21,881 thing I would say on that is that our 136 00:05:21,881 --> 00:05:24,380 focus , as you know , remains on 137 00:05:24,390 --> 00:05:26,640 working with the Ukrainians and our 138 00:05:26,640 --> 00:05:28,820 allies and our partners around the 139 00:05:28,820 --> 00:05:30,820 world to ensure that they have what 140 00:05:30,820 --> 00:05:34,220 they need to fight against Russia in 141 00:05:34,220 --> 00:05:36,980 their homeland . Thanks next question , 142 00:05:37,160 --> 00:05:40,040 yes , ma'am , Thank you . Good to see 143 00:05:40,040 --> 00:05:42,090 you . Good to see you . And 144 00:05:43,910 --> 00:05:47,520 I have two occasions recently , 145 00:05:48,130 --> 00:05:51,570 viral jet have appeared in the South 146 00:05:51,570 --> 00:05:55,210 Korea depends and Russia and 147 00:05:55,210 --> 00:05:58,300 china are conducting joint military 148 00:05:58,310 --> 00:06:02,160 exercises . Now . Also reported that 149 00:06:02,170 --> 00:06:04,870 the north Korea and china are 150 00:06:04,880 --> 00:06:08,670 conducting joint exercises . How 151 00:06:08,670 --> 00:06:12,010 do you assess this ? Well , certainly 152 00:06:12,020 --> 00:06:14,280 it is the right of all militaries and 153 00:06:14,280 --> 00:06:16,700 all nations that have militaries to 154 00:06:16,700 --> 00:06:19,670 conduct exercises are our own military , 155 00:06:19,670 --> 00:06:22,580 obviously conduct exercises . Uh , it's 156 00:06:22,580 --> 00:06:24,691 certainly something that will keep an 157 00:06:24,691 --> 00:06:27,250 eye on , given the the nature of those 158 00:06:27,250 --> 00:06:29,950 nations uh and in in some cases the 159 00:06:29,950 --> 00:06:32,420 instability that they are seeking to 160 00:06:32,420 --> 00:06:34,770 cause uh in various regions of the 161 00:06:34,770 --> 00:06:37,780 world . But again , not surprising , 162 00:06:37,790 --> 00:06:39,901 but something will keep an eye on . I 163 00:06:39,901 --> 00:06:42,480 have one more education and the U . S . 164 00:06:42,480 --> 00:06:45,610 And South Korea joint exercises 165 00:06:45,620 --> 00:06:49,190 currently being conducted . Why is the 166 00:06:49,200 --> 00:06:53,000 deputy commander of the CFC ? Mean 167 00:06:53,010 --> 00:06:56,320 Rock General Tech lead these 168 00:06:56,330 --> 00:07:00,060 exercises and not the commander of the 169 00:07:00,070 --> 00:07:03,930 CFC . And uh I mean in South Korea , 170 00:07:03,930 --> 00:07:07,510 general did not take . Um 171 00:07:07,520 --> 00:07:09,830 So for for that level of operational 172 00:07:09,830 --> 00:07:12,710 detail , I'd I'd refer you back to U . 173 00:07:12,710 --> 00:07:14,821 S . Forces Korea . They can certainly 174 00:07:14,821 --> 00:07:18,090 provide a more nuanced um response in 175 00:07:18,090 --> 00:07:20,820 terms of the exercise management . What 176 00:07:20,820 --> 00:07:23,210 I would tell you is that uh these 177 00:07:23,210 --> 00:07:26,040 exercises do remain important uh in 178 00:07:26,040 --> 00:07:28,320 terms of ensuring that our militaries 179 00:07:28,330 --> 00:07:30,280 can closely work together and be 180 00:07:30,280 --> 00:07:33,800 prepared to fight and defend the 181 00:07:33,810 --> 00:07:36,000 Republic of Korea and our partners and 182 00:07:36,000 --> 00:07:38,111 allies in the region should they need 183 00:07:38,111 --> 00:07:40,444 to But again , for that level of detail , 184 00:07:40,444 --> 00:07:42,722 I'd referring back to them . All right , 185 00:07:42,722 --> 00:07:44,778 let me go back to the room , there's 186 00:07:44,778 --> 00:07:44,390 that Lara back there . All right , 187 00:07:44,400 --> 00:07:46,622 thank you . I got the nosebleeds here . 188 00:07:46,622 --> 00:07:50,120 I wanted to ask you two questions . One 189 00:07:50,130 --> 00:07:52,074 I wondered if you could give us an 190 00:07:52,074 --> 00:07:54,350 update on the fighting around the power 191 00:07:54,350 --> 00:07:57,765 plant and tell us how and if I guess 192 00:07:57,765 --> 00:07:59,876 the U . N . Team has been able to get 193 00:07:59,876 --> 00:08:02,154 inside the power plant to do their job . 194 00:08:02,154 --> 00:08:04,209 And then secondly , I just wanted to 195 00:08:04,209 --> 00:08:06,376 ask you about the Taiwan strait and if 196 00:08:06,376 --> 00:08:08,487 you could tell us the significance of 197 00:08:08,487 --> 00:08:10,487 sending us Navy sending cruisers to 198 00:08:10,487 --> 00:08:12,598 transit the strait , I believe that's 199 00:08:12,598 --> 00:08:14,830 not a normal operation . Sure . In 200 00:08:14,830 --> 00:08:17,150 terms of the power plant uh you know , 201 00:08:17,160 --> 00:08:20,280 as has been said by others , we 202 00:08:20,280 --> 00:08:23,020 certainly welcome first and foremost uh 203 00:08:23,030 --> 00:08:26,640 e a s presence in the region and uh you 204 00:08:26,640 --> 00:08:28,696 know , to my knowledge , I know that 205 00:08:28,696 --> 00:08:31,130 they are in the vicinity of the plant . 206 00:08:31,130 --> 00:08:33,297 I do not know whether or not they have 207 00:08:33,297 --> 00:08:35,530 embarked for or arrived at the plant 208 00:08:35,530 --> 00:08:38,470 yet . Um And in terms of the fighting 209 00:08:38,470 --> 00:08:40,526 in the region again , to the best of 210 00:08:40,526 --> 00:08:42,840 our knowledge , we do continue to see 211 00:08:42,850 --> 00:08:46,200 uh sporadic shelling in the region and 212 00:08:46,200 --> 00:08:49,380 we call on all sides to to ensure the 213 00:08:49,390 --> 00:08:52,640 safety of the power plant for obvious 214 00:08:52,640 --> 00:08:55,580 reasons and would also call on Russia 215 00:08:55,580 --> 00:08:58,770 to enable the ie a team to be able to 216 00:08:58,770 --> 00:09:00,992 get in there and do the their work . Um 217 00:09:00,992 --> 00:09:03,159 In terms of the Taiwan strait , what I 218 00:09:03,159 --> 00:09:05,930 would tell you uh for those that 219 00:09:05,930 --> 00:09:07,986 weren't tracking on august 28th , we 220 00:09:07,986 --> 00:09:11,690 did conduct Taiwan strait transit was 221 00:09:11,700 --> 00:09:14,110 the U . S . Navy cruiser Antietam and 222 00:09:14,110 --> 00:09:17,320 Chancellorsville . Um I would say that 223 00:09:17,330 --> 00:09:21,050 uh the transit demonstrates 224 00:09:21,400 --> 00:09:23,640 the United States commitment to a free 225 00:09:23,640 --> 00:09:25,890 and open indo pacific and that we will 226 00:09:25,890 --> 00:09:27,880 continue to fly sail and operate 227 00:09:27,890 --> 00:09:29,920 anywhere , that international law 228 00:09:29,930 --> 00:09:32,560 allows uh there were no unsafe or 229 00:09:32,570 --> 00:09:34,810 unprofessional interactions to report 230 00:09:34,820 --> 00:09:38,420 during that transit ? Uh and so again , 231 00:09:38,430 --> 00:09:40,850 we will continue to operate wherever 232 00:09:40,850 --> 00:09:43,128 the international law permits us to do . 233 00:09:43,128 --> 00:09:47,050 So cruisers to 234 00:09:47,060 --> 00:09:49,227 go through the strait and it's usually 235 00:09:49,227 --> 00:09:51,393 destroyers is my understanding . Uh So 236 00:09:51,393 --> 00:09:53,616 what I would tell you , Laura is uh , I 237 00:09:53,616 --> 00:09:55,710 would get with the Navy or with indo 238 00:09:55,710 --> 00:09:58,100 pacific command certainly can come back 239 00:09:58,100 --> 00:09:59,989 to you on that . We do have these 240 00:09:59,989 --> 00:10:02,540 capabilities in the area . But in terms 241 00:10:02,540 --> 00:10:04,596 of the specifics on the ship , we'll 242 00:10:04,596 --> 00:10:06,484 have to get back to you on that . 243 00:10:09,040 --> 00:10:11,650 It's interesting that you said that I'm 244 00:10:11,650 --> 00:10:13,920 quoting here , we call on all sides to 245 00:10:14,260 --> 00:10:16,427 ensure the safety of the power plant . 246 00:10:16,427 --> 00:10:19,110 For obvious reasons are Ukrainians as 247 00:10:19,110 --> 00:10:21,166 well , endangering the safety of the 248 00:10:21,166 --> 00:10:23,388 plant . That I would just say as we see 249 00:10:23,388 --> 00:10:25,880 fighting in the region , obviously , um 250 00:10:25,890 --> 00:10:28,020 it is something to be cognizant of . 251 00:10:28,030 --> 00:10:30,720 Clearly this is the Ukrainians homeland 252 00:10:30,730 --> 00:10:32,897 and we do know that , you know , there 253 00:10:32,897 --> 00:10:34,952 are Russians in the vicinity there , 254 00:10:34,952 --> 00:10:37,119 but , but we would want to ensure that 255 00:10:37,119 --> 00:10:39,174 the inspection team can get in there 256 00:10:39,174 --> 00:10:41,341 and do its work question on the Middle 257 00:10:41,341 --> 00:10:43,508 East . I think you addressed a similar 258 00:10:43,508 --> 00:10:46,110 question . Uh , I think I believe last 259 00:10:46,110 --> 00:10:49,720 last week , but um , we've seen 260 00:10:49,720 --> 00:10:52,280 clashes in Syria between US forces and 261 00:10:52,290 --> 00:10:55,040 groups associated aligned with Iran 262 00:10:55,050 --> 00:10:57,560 Northeast attack on the 10th in the 263 00:10:57,560 --> 00:11:00,150 south . Yesterday , we had the incident 264 00:11:00,160 --> 00:11:04,090 with the sale drone with IrgC 265 00:11:04,090 --> 00:11:07,790 Navy ? Um uh and of course , obviously 266 00:11:07,800 --> 00:11:09,911 what happened around the Green Zone , 267 00:11:09,911 --> 00:11:12,078 Although it was really to the internal 268 00:11:12,078 --> 00:11:14,189 political issues inside of Iraq . But 269 00:11:14,189 --> 00:11:16,356 are you concerned that there's maybe a 270 00:11:16,356 --> 00:11:18,133 pattern of escalation that that 271 00:11:18,133 --> 00:11:21,575 warrants a review of uh force 272 00:11:21,585 --> 00:11:25,555 posture and protection , especially 273 00:11:25,555 --> 00:11:28,865 in Syria and Iraq . So , so to address 274 00:11:28,865 --> 00:11:31,032 the latter part of your question , I'm 275 00:11:31,032 --> 00:11:32,921 not going to make policy from the 276 00:11:32,921 --> 00:11:35,670 podium in terms of escalation , I would 277 00:11:35,670 --> 00:11:38,850 say right now . Um No , when it comes 278 00:11:38,850 --> 00:11:40,961 to Syria , you know , we talked about 279 00:11:40,961 --> 00:11:43,072 that a little bit last week . Again , 280 00:11:43,072 --> 00:11:45,294 we're going to do what we need to do to 281 00:11:45,294 --> 00:11:47,294 protect our forces in the region as 282 00:11:47,294 --> 00:11:49,517 they conduct their missions in the case 283 00:11:49,517 --> 00:11:51,517 of Syria supporting the defeat ISIS 284 00:11:51,517 --> 00:11:53,960 mission . But at this stage of the game ? 285 00:11:53,970 --> 00:11:56,830 No , not concerned about escalation . 286 00:11:56,840 --> 00:11:58,951 Alright , let me go to the phone line 287 00:11:58,951 --> 00:12:01,007 here . I want to be sensitive to our 288 00:12:01,007 --> 00:12:03,118 our folks up on the on the net here . 289 00:12:03,118 --> 00:12:05,451 Let's go to Radio Free Asia Syngman lee , 290 00:12:07,170 --> 00:12:09,520 thank you for taking my questions . I 291 00:12:09,520 --> 00:12:12,490 have a question about uh freedom shield 292 00:12:12,490 --> 00:12:15,690 exercise . Uh It is reported that a 293 00:12:15,690 --> 00:12:18,100 combined US Rock Army division conduct 294 00:12:18,100 --> 00:12:21,010 the largest live fire drill on 295 00:12:21,010 --> 00:12:23,350 Wednesday . And it just said , this is 296 00:12:23,350 --> 00:12:25,461 the largest and first combined during 297 00:12:25,461 --> 00:12:27,628 division level exercise for the second 298 00:12:27,628 --> 00:12:29,620 Infantry Division and the Rok US 299 00:12:29,620 --> 00:12:31,842 Combined Division since its creation in 300 00:12:31,842 --> 00:12:34,590 june 2015 . So , can you tell me the 301 00:12:34,590 --> 00:12:37,520 background of this exercise , the 302 00:12:37,530 --> 00:12:39,650 background of the ulchi Freedom 303 00:12:39,660 --> 00:12:43,620 exercise in this specific exercise 304 00:12:43,630 --> 00:12:45,963 has been done by combined the U . S . R . 305 00:12:45,963 --> 00:12:49,690 A . K . Uh The army division conducted 306 00:12:49,690 --> 00:12:53,280 by today . Some uh some brief 307 00:12:53,280 --> 00:12:55,280 background here and of course would 308 00:12:55,280 --> 00:12:57,391 encourage you to reach out to to USFK 309 00:12:57,391 --> 00:12:59,169 for more details . But uh so as 310 00:12:59,169 --> 00:13:01,470 background this is an 11 day computer 311 00:13:01,470 --> 00:13:03,930 simulated defense oriented training 312 00:13:03,930 --> 00:13:06,190 event which is really designed to 313 00:13:06,190 --> 00:13:08,410 enhance rok and US combined defense 314 00:13:08,410 --> 00:13:10,299 posture , help maintain readiness 315 00:13:10,299 --> 00:13:12,560 readiness and as I mentioned before uh 316 00:13:12,570 --> 00:13:14,348 strengthen the security and the 317 00:13:14,348 --> 00:13:16,550 stability on the korean peninsula and 318 00:13:16,560 --> 00:13:18,560 northeast Asia . So again , I would 319 00:13:18,560 --> 00:13:20,930 encourage you to to reach out for any 320 00:13:20,940 --> 00:13:22,940 tactical level or operational level 321 00:13:22,940 --> 00:13:25,810 details to USFK . Thank you sir . All 322 00:13:25,810 --> 00:13:28,143 right , let me go back to the room here , 323 00:13:28,143 --> 00:13:30,366 Tony . Go back to some of your original 324 00:13:30,366 --> 00:13:31,977 statements . The one on this 325 00:13:31,977 --> 00:13:33,977 anniversary . What does this have a 326 00:13:33,977 --> 00:13:36,199 couple of status questions . What's the 327 00:13:36,199 --> 00:13:38,143 status of the pentagon or National 328 00:13:38,143 --> 00:13:40,366 Defense University's lessons learned on 329 00:13:40,366 --> 00:13:43,050 the war in the evacuation ? Sure . So 330 00:13:43,050 --> 00:13:46,130 the after action report is complete . 331 00:13:46,460 --> 00:13:48,349 It's under review right now . The 332 00:13:48,349 --> 00:13:51,020 secretary is reviewing it at this time . 333 00:13:51,020 --> 00:13:54,340 The report is classified . So at a 334 00:13:54,340 --> 00:13:56,480 point that we have more to provide on 335 00:13:56,480 --> 00:13:58,591 that , we certainly will keep pushing 336 00:13:58,591 --> 00:14:00,591 for it . So it's not classified for 337 00:14:00,591 --> 00:14:02,890 another 10 years . Secondly , the 338 00:14:02,890 --> 00:14:04,880 compensation for the Ahmadi family 339 00:14:04,880 --> 00:14:07,760 survivors of a terrible drone strike 340 00:14:07,760 --> 00:14:09,927 last year . They haven't been paid yet 341 00:14:09,927 --> 00:14:12,038 according to the attorney and there's 342 00:14:12,038 --> 00:14:14,149 been a resettlement . Can you confirm 343 00:14:14,149 --> 00:14:13,880 that they have , there's been no 344 00:14:13,890 --> 00:14:16,620 consultation compensation payments and 345 00:14:16,620 --> 00:14:18,898 where do things stand with that ? Sure , 346 00:14:18,898 --> 00:14:21,120 yeah , thanks for the question , Tony . 347 00:14:21,120 --> 00:14:24,210 So what I would tell you is that um we 348 00:14:24,210 --> 00:14:26,560 continue to work closely with other 349 00:14:26,560 --> 00:14:29,210 agencies within the US government on 350 00:14:29,210 --> 00:14:31,750 this issue as I've mentioned before , 351 00:14:31,750 --> 00:14:34,130 both for privacy and operational 352 00:14:34,140 --> 00:14:36,390 security reasons , there's just really 353 00:14:36,400 --> 00:14:38,567 not a lot of detail that I can provide 354 00:14:38,567 --> 00:14:40,678 at this point . Other than to say , I 355 00:14:40,678 --> 00:14:42,900 can assure you that a lot of people are 356 00:14:42,900 --> 00:14:45,067 working very , very hard on this . You 357 00:14:45,067 --> 00:14:47,122 can confirm that no compensation has 358 00:14:47,122 --> 00:14:49,122 been paid to the surviving again at 359 00:14:49,122 --> 00:14:49,120 this point , that's about the level of 360 00:14:49,120 --> 00:14:51,064 detail I can provide you mentioned 361 00:14:51,620 --> 00:14:54,490 early on technical question but the 362 00:14:54,490 --> 00:14:56,490 contract says buried in there . The 363 00:14:56,490 --> 00:14:59,290 delivery is expected in 2024 august 364 00:14:59,290 --> 00:15:02,250 23rd and 2020 for two years later years 365 00:15:02,250 --> 00:15:04,417 from now . Can you explain to the best 366 00:15:04,417 --> 00:15:06,528 you can the sense of lack of alacrity 367 00:15:06,528 --> 00:15:09,890 there ? Sure . Absolutely . Um so as 368 00:15:09,890 --> 00:15:11,890 you look at the security assistance 369 00:15:11,890 --> 00:15:14,000 that we're providing to Ukraine , uh 370 00:15:14,010 --> 00:15:15,899 you can really kind of look at it 371 00:15:15,899 --> 00:15:17,810 through two lenses . One is uh 372 00:15:17,820 --> 00:15:20,042 providing their immediate needs for the 373 00:15:20,042 --> 00:15:22,153 fight that they're in right now , but 374 00:15:22,153 --> 00:15:24,153 there's also an and dr call talk to 375 00:15:24,153 --> 00:15:26,264 this a little bit last week . There's 376 00:15:26,264 --> 00:15:29,070 also the aspect of providing enduring 377 00:15:29,080 --> 00:15:32,220 security support uh and Ukraine's 378 00:15:32,230 --> 00:15:35,680 enduring security posture . Uh And so 379 00:15:35,690 --> 00:15:38,370 we're not necessarily just focused on 380 00:15:38,380 --> 00:15:40,602 right now , but it's also ensuring that 381 00:15:40,602 --> 00:15:42,769 they have what they need in the future 382 00:15:42,769 --> 00:15:45,540 to be able to sustain deterrence and 383 00:15:45,550 --> 00:15:47,383 provide for their own protection 384 00:15:47,383 --> 00:15:49,439 whatever the system comes up and the 385 00:15:49,439 --> 00:15:51,606 discussion readers or listeners should 386 00:15:51,606 --> 00:15:53,328 not . And soon this is for the 387 00:15:53,328 --> 00:15:55,383 immediate fight but this is down the 388 00:15:55,383 --> 00:15:57,770 down the line , correct , correct ? Yes 389 00:15:57,770 --> 00:16:00,890 ma'am Tony actually just asked my 390 00:16:01,040 --> 00:16:03,580 question . I wanna ask about the 391 00:16:03,580 --> 00:16:05,802 airstrikes we saw in Syria . There were 392 00:16:05,802 --> 00:16:07,920 some airstrikes reported today in 393 00:16:07,920 --> 00:16:11,180 Aleppo uh serious saying that this was 394 00:16:11,180 --> 00:16:12,902 Israel uh , and that they were 395 00:16:12,902 --> 00:16:14,958 targeting Iranian missiles that were 396 00:16:14,958 --> 00:16:17,295 being delivered to Syrian forces . Can 397 00:16:17,295 --> 00:16:19,462 you confirm whether or not the U . S . 398 00:16:19,462 --> 00:16:21,684 Was involved in these airstrikes ? What 399 00:16:21,684 --> 00:16:23,684 more can you tell us about this ? I 400 00:16:23,684 --> 00:16:25,739 don't have any information on that . 401 00:16:25,739 --> 00:16:27,795 Carla will have to get back to you . 402 00:16:27,795 --> 00:16:29,851 I'm not I'm not tracking any U . S . 403 00:16:29,851 --> 00:16:32,073 Airstrikes in Syria right now . But let 404 00:16:32,073 --> 00:16:31,525 us look into that and come back to you . 405 00:16:31,735 --> 00:16:35,130 Thanks . Yes sir . Thank you . My name 406 00:16:35,130 --> 00:16:38,890 is leo thank you very much for taking 407 00:16:38,890 --> 00:16:41,560 my question . I want to ask you about 408 00:16:41,570 --> 00:16:43,890 china's activities in the region . 409 00:16:43,900 --> 00:16:47,070 Assistant Secretary of Defense Dr Roger 410 00:16:47,180 --> 00:16:50,660 said in late july the US witness a 411 00:16:50,660 --> 00:16:52,850 sharp increase in unsafe and 412 00:16:52,860 --> 00:16:55,340 unprofessional behavior by chinese 413 00:16:55,350 --> 00:16:58,180 aircraft and chinese worships in decent 414 00:16:58,190 --> 00:17:01,050 decent months . I'm wondering if that 415 00:17:01,060 --> 00:17:04,410 trend has continued or has accelerated 416 00:17:04,420 --> 00:17:07,490 since Speaker Pelosi visited Taiwan . 417 00:17:07,500 --> 00:17:10,570 So you know , in terms of chinese 418 00:17:10,570 --> 00:17:13,690 activity in the region . Um as has been 419 00:17:13,690 --> 00:17:16,390 said , um we assess that really what 420 00:17:16,390 --> 00:17:18,557 china was trying to do here was change 421 00:17:18,557 --> 00:17:20,501 the status quo in terms of what is 422 00:17:20,501 --> 00:17:23,050 acceptable , normal behavior in that 423 00:17:23,050 --> 00:17:26,970 region . Our focus is working with 424 00:17:26,970 --> 00:17:28,914 our allies and our partners in the 425 00:17:28,914 --> 00:17:31,300 region to ensure stability Uh and to 426 00:17:31,300 --> 00:17:33,467 preserve the international rules-based 427 00:17:33,467 --> 00:17:35,689 order . That has largely kept the peace 428 00:17:35,689 --> 00:17:37,890 for over 70 years since World War II . 429 00:17:37,900 --> 00:17:40,440 In terms of individual actions by 430 00:17:40,450 --> 00:17:43,930 individual Chinese aircraft or 431 00:17:43,930 --> 00:17:45,708 ships , I'm not going to have a 432 00:17:45,708 --> 00:17:47,930 specific comment to say other than when 433 00:17:47,930 --> 00:17:49,874 we do have something to announce . 434 00:17:49,874 --> 00:17:52,097 We're usually pretty good about putting 435 00:17:52,097 --> 00:17:54,097 out any any information in terms of 436 00:17:54,097 --> 00:17:56,208 unsafe or unprofessional activity ? I 437 00:17:56,208 --> 00:17:59,590 have several questions . Yeah . China 438 00:17:59,600 --> 00:18:01,630 suspended some military to military 439 00:18:01,630 --> 00:18:04,930 communication channel in august . Are 440 00:18:04,930 --> 00:18:07,360 you working to resume them ? If that's 441 00:18:07,360 --> 00:18:10,620 the case If china cooperative , I'm 442 00:18:10,620 --> 00:18:12,676 gonna have to look into that one for 443 00:18:12,676 --> 00:18:14,509 you . Sorry , thank you . Let me 444 00:18:14,509 --> 00:18:16,509 quickly go to the phone . I'll come 445 00:18:16,509 --> 00:18:18,676 back to jennifer back there . Uh let's 446 00:18:18,676 --> 00:18:20,731 go to brandy from Fed scoop . Thanks 447 00:18:20,731 --> 00:18:23,040 General Ryder . We saw news yesterday 448 00:18:23,040 --> 00:18:24,930 that um , the navy interrupted an 449 00:18:24,930 --> 00:18:27,080 attempt by Iran to seize an unmanned 450 00:18:27,080 --> 00:18:29,191 vessel in the Persian gulf . Have you 451 00:18:29,191 --> 00:18:31,740 seen any evidence of such behavior from 452 00:18:31,740 --> 00:18:34,270 Russia or Russia trying to capture 453 00:18:34,280 --> 00:18:36,880 unmanned coastal defense vessels that 454 00:18:36,890 --> 00:18:38,779 the U . S . Sent to Ukraine . And 455 00:18:38,779 --> 00:18:40,946 secondly , can we get an update on how 456 00:18:40,946 --> 00:18:43,057 those unmanned vessels are being used 457 00:18:43,057 --> 00:18:46,840 by Ukraine . Uh Sure on on your first 458 00:18:46,840 --> 00:18:50,130 question . Uh No I'm not aware of 459 00:18:50,130 --> 00:18:53,000 anything like that at this time . Um 460 00:18:53,000 --> 00:18:55,333 And then I'm sorry your second question . 461 00:18:55,970 --> 00:18:58,081 Second question . Can you provide any 462 00:18:58,081 --> 00:18:59,914 more information about how those 463 00:18:59,914 --> 00:19:02,150 unmanned coastal defense vessels that 464 00:19:02,150 --> 00:19:04,372 were sent to Ukraine ? I believe around 465 00:19:04,372 --> 00:19:06,428 april about how they're being used , 466 00:19:06,428 --> 00:19:08,539 we'll have to get back to you on that 467 00:19:08,539 --> 00:19:10,770 one . I don't want to get into specific 468 00:19:10,780 --> 00:19:13,870 details in terms of operational 469 00:19:13,870 --> 00:19:15,926 movements . But let's take a look on 470 00:19:15,926 --> 00:19:18,092 that brandy and if there's anything we 471 00:19:18,092 --> 00:19:20,148 can provide we'll come back to you . 472 00:19:20,148 --> 00:19:22,203 Thank you . All right , let me go to 473 00:19:22,203 --> 00:19:21,810 jennifer and then I'll come back to the 474 00:19:21,810 --> 00:19:25,260 phone . General writer in terms of that 475 00:19:25,260 --> 00:19:27,210 Navy interception . Can you just 476 00:19:27,220 --> 00:19:30,110 describe what was the significance of 477 00:19:30,200 --> 00:19:33,420 the navy uh retrieving that 478 00:19:33,430 --> 00:19:35,830 armed underwater drone and what 479 00:19:35,830 --> 00:19:39,660 happened exactly ? Sure . Um So uh 480 00:19:39,670 --> 00:19:42,410 as most of you are aware , I'm sure 481 00:19:42,420 --> 00:19:44,420 fitfully did put out a statement on 482 00:19:44,420 --> 00:19:46,476 this , but let me just provide you a 483 00:19:46,476 --> 00:19:48,587 little bit of background here . Um So 484 00:19:48,587 --> 00:19:51,390 on monday yesterday the 485 00:19:52,180 --> 00:19:55,550 the US Navy observed the I . R . G . C . 486 00:19:55,550 --> 00:19:59,440 N . Uh Irgc Navy support ship towing a 487 00:19:59,440 --> 00:20:01,607 sale drone Explorer , unmanned surface 488 00:20:01,607 --> 00:20:03,829 vessel . Uh And what we assessed was an 489 00:20:03,829 --> 00:20:07,780 attempt to to detain it . Uh and so the 490 00:20:07,790 --> 00:20:11,260 the USs Thunderbolt uh and a 491 00:20:11,270 --> 00:20:13,900 Mh 60 S . Seahawk 492 00:20:13,910 --> 00:20:17,120 responded , we did hail the ship and 493 00:20:17,120 --> 00:20:20,260 asked them to release the drone , which 494 00:20:20,260 --> 00:20:23,870 they did . Uh , and so um , I would I 495 00:20:23,870 --> 00:20:26,037 would join General Carrillo , I'm sure 496 00:20:26,037 --> 00:20:27,759 you saw his statement and just 497 00:20:27,759 --> 00:20:29,814 commending the professionalism , the 498 00:20:29,814 --> 00:20:31,703 competence of the crew of the USs 499 00:20:31,703 --> 00:20:33,870 Thunderbolt which ultimately prevented 500 00:20:33,870 --> 00:20:36,740 Iran from essentially stealing one of 501 00:20:36,740 --> 00:20:40,560 our drones are unmanned surface 502 00:20:40,560 --> 00:20:43,730 vessels . Does that help jennifer any 503 00:20:43,730 --> 00:20:46,060 evidence that Iranian militias or 504 00:20:46,060 --> 00:20:48,227 Iranians themselves have been involved 505 00:20:48,227 --> 00:20:50,900 in these Baghdad protests or any of the 506 00:20:50,900 --> 00:20:52,900 violence ? Do you have any evidence 507 00:20:52,900 --> 00:20:55,122 that Iranians are behind that ? I don't 508 00:20:55,122 --> 00:20:57,730 have anything to provide from here . Um , 509 00:20:57,740 --> 00:21:00,690 so I'd have to say no . Okay , let me 510 00:21:00,690 --> 00:21:02,746 do another one on the phone here and 511 00:21:02,746 --> 00:21:04,968 I'll come back to the room . Um , let's 512 00:21:04,968 --> 00:21:07,160 go to J J . Green W T O P . 513 00:21:09,000 --> 00:21:11,056 Yeah , General thanks for taking the 514 00:21:11,056 --> 00:21:14,320 question . Um , I've been hearing that 515 00:21:14,320 --> 00:21:16,376 the US military was involved in some 516 00:21:16,376 --> 00:21:19,900 way and helping Ukraine prepare for 517 00:21:19,900 --> 00:21:22,450 this counter offensive . Can you 518 00:21:22,460 --> 00:21:24,930 confirm that in what way might the U . 519 00:21:24,930 --> 00:21:27,152 S . Have helped them prepare for this ? 520 00:21:27,152 --> 00:21:29,680 Yeah , thanks for the question . J J 521 00:21:29,680 --> 00:21:32,510 what I would tell you is that um , you 522 00:21:32,510 --> 00:21:34,732 know , as we've said before , we have a 523 00:21:34,732 --> 00:21:36,843 routine military to military dialogue 524 00:21:36,843 --> 00:21:39,010 with Ukraine at many levels . Um , and 525 00:21:39,010 --> 00:21:40,788 I'm not going to comment on the 526 00:21:40,788 --> 00:21:43,730 specifics of of what those engagements 527 00:21:43,730 --> 00:21:46,470 are , but generally speaking as as 528 00:21:46,470 --> 00:21:48,820 we've uh publicly commented on in the 529 00:21:48,820 --> 00:21:50,890 past . Uh , it's providing the 530 00:21:50,890 --> 00:21:52,946 Ukrainians with the information they 531 00:21:52,946 --> 00:21:55,057 need to better understand the threats 532 00:21:55,057 --> 00:21:57,390 that they face and defend their country . 533 00:21:57,390 --> 00:21:59,612 Um But it's important to point out here 534 00:21:59,612 --> 00:22:02,070 that ultimately it is the Ukrainians 535 00:22:02,070 --> 00:22:04,070 that are making the final decisions 536 00:22:04,070 --> 00:22:07,650 when it comes to operations . Thank you . 537 00:22:08,340 --> 00:22:10,510 Alright , back to the room here . Yes 538 00:22:10,510 --> 00:22:14,130 sir . Hi Aunt with the Asahi Shimbun . 539 00:22:14,140 --> 00:22:16,380 I wanted to follow up on something that 540 00:22:16,380 --> 00:22:18,602 you said earlier that you're keeping an 541 00:22:18,602 --> 00:22:20,602 eye out on these exercises that are 542 00:22:20,602 --> 00:22:22,824 gonna be taking place between china and 543 00:22:22,824 --> 00:22:24,991 Russia . Now there are other countries 544 00:22:24,991 --> 00:22:26,991 that are going to be a part of this 545 00:22:26,991 --> 00:22:29,047 exercise uh India namely I'm curious 546 00:22:29,047 --> 00:22:31,102 has the U . S . Or any other U . S . 547 00:22:31,102 --> 00:22:33,340 Treaty allies been invited as observers 548 00:22:33,350 --> 00:22:35,239 for this military exercise that's 549 00:22:35,239 --> 00:22:37,239 happening in the sea of Japan . You 550 00:22:37,239 --> 00:22:39,461 might have to get back to you on that . 551 00:22:39,461 --> 00:22:41,461 I don't know . Thank you . Then you 552 00:22:41,461 --> 00:22:43,750 mentioned that the document or the 553 00:22:43,750 --> 00:22:45,639 lessons learned are looking to be 554 00:22:45,639 --> 00:22:47,583 declassified or possibly hopefully 555 00:22:47,583 --> 00:22:49,306 declassified in terms of other 556 00:22:49,306 --> 00:22:51,306 documents specifically the National 557 00:22:51,306 --> 00:22:53,740 security strategy that is pop reported 558 00:22:53,740 --> 00:22:56,000 going to be declassified soon ? I 559 00:22:56,000 --> 00:22:58,278 wanted is there a statement from the D . 560 00:22:58,278 --> 00:23:00,500 O . D . On the plant to classify that ? 561 00:23:00,500 --> 00:23:02,722 So for the National Security strategy , 562 00:23:02,722 --> 00:23:04,778 I would refer you to the White House 563 00:23:04,778 --> 00:23:06,944 since that's a White House document um 564 00:23:06,944 --> 00:23:09,111 you know here in the D . O . D . We're 565 00:23:09,111 --> 00:23:08,920 focused on the National Defense 566 00:23:08,930 --> 00:23:11,041 strategy aspect . And so I don't have 567 00:23:11,041 --> 00:23:12,986 any announcements to make today in 568 00:23:12,986 --> 00:23:15,260 terms of release of an unclassified 569 00:23:15,260 --> 00:23:17,371 version of that . But certainly we'll 570 00:23:17,371 --> 00:23:19,593 keep you updated . Thank you . Sylvia . 571 00:23:19,593 --> 00:23:22,080 Thank you . General . I want to ask a 572 00:23:22,080 --> 00:23:25,660 question about Afghanistan . Um uh 573 00:23:25,670 --> 00:23:28,510 what is the pentagon assessment of the 574 00:23:28,520 --> 00:23:32,390 terrorist threat from Afghanistan today ? 575 00:23:32,390 --> 00:23:35,750 One year after the withdrawal . 576 00:23:35,760 --> 00:23:39,720 Some uh several former military 577 00:23:39,730 --> 00:23:43,060 leaders said recently that they think 578 00:23:43,070 --> 00:23:46,700 the U . S . Is less safe today than it 579 00:23:46,700 --> 00:23:49,840 was one year ago because of the 580 00:23:49,850 --> 00:23:53,250 resurgence of terrorist groups . Is it ? 581 00:23:53,260 --> 00:23:56,660 Do you agree with that ? Well , if you 582 00:23:56,660 --> 00:23:59,670 look at Afghanistan , uh there are 583 00:23:59,680 --> 00:24:02,660 significant uh terrorist threats that 584 00:24:02,660 --> 00:24:05,970 exist in that country uh at this stage 585 00:24:05,980 --> 00:24:08,320 it would be our assessment that uh in 586 00:24:08,320 --> 00:24:12,320 terms of external planning um you 587 00:24:12,320 --> 00:24:14,510 know , external operations external to 588 00:24:14,510 --> 00:24:18,460 Afghanistan . Um I think we are uh 589 00:24:18,470 --> 00:24:22,140 in a safe situation . However , it does 590 00:24:22,150 --> 00:24:24,317 bear keeping an eye on which is why we 591 00:24:24,317 --> 00:24:26,539 maintain an over the horizon capability 592 00:24:26,539 --> 00:24:28,706 to be able to conduct counterterrorism 593 00:24:28,706 --> 00:24:30,872 operations . Should we need to do that 594 00:24:30,872 --> 00:24:32,817 uh for those of you that have been 595 00:24:32,817 --> 00:24:34,928 following Afghanistan for a very long 596 00:24:34,928 --> 00:24:37,039 time . Uh It's no surprise that there 597 00:24:37,039 --> 00:24:39,206 are groups ISIS K . For example , that 598 00:24:39,206 --> 00:24:42,760 exist within Afghanistan uh that 599 00:24:42,770 --> 00:24:46,230 have demonstrated uh the proclivity to 600 00:24:46,230 --> 00:24:48,650 conduct terrorist operations . And so 601 00:24:48,660 --> 00:24:50,549 uh that is something that we will 602 00:24:50,549 --> 00:24:52,549 continue to monitor and continue to 603 00:24:52,549 --> 00:24:54,820 respond against appropriately . You 604 00:24:54,820 --> 00:24:57,960 have the means to respond if 605 00:24:57,970 --> 00:25:01,940 we absolutely have the means to respond 606 00:25:01,940 --> 00:25:04,760 wherever and whenever we need to around 607 00:25:04,760 --> 00:25:07,020 the world to any counter terrorism 608 00:25:07,020 --> 00:25:10,370 threat that poses harm to our citizens 609 00:25:10,380 --> 00:25:14,250 or our nation . Uh to 610 00:25:14,250 --> 00:25:16,528 Ukraine related questions on shipments . 611 00:25:16,528 --> 00:25:18,694 I was wondering if you could update us 612 00:25:18,694 --> 00:25:20,917 on the pace of shipments ? Um it's been 613 00:25:20,917 --> 00:25:22,972 a while since we've had an update on 614 00:25:22,972 --> 00:25:25,139 sort of how many flights are regularly 615 00:25:25,139 --> 00:25:25,020 going in . I think it was 8 to 10 quite 616 00:25:25,020 --> 00:25:27,187 some time ago . Is it the same pace as 617 00:25:27,187 --> 00:25:29,310 it picked up , slowed down . And then 618 00:25:29,320 --> 00:25:31,098 there had been , this is a more 619 00:25:31,098 --> 00:25:33,320 specific question . There had been some 620 00:25:33,320 --> 00:25:35,431 speculation that the drawdown package 621 00:25:35,431 --> 00:25:37,598 announced on august 19th was to assist 622 00:25:37,598 --> 00:25:39,764 in a counter offensive . Can we get an 623 00:25:39,764 --> 00:25:41,653 update on what from that drawdown 624 00:25:41,653 --> 00:25:41,580 package has gone in and what remains to 625 00:25:41,590 --> 00:25:44,470 be shipped ? Thanks Orrin . Um so in 626 00:25:44,470 --> 00:25:48,160 terms of the the rate of security 627 00:25:48,160 --> 00:25:52,100 assistance into Ukraine we can get back 628 00:25:52,100 --> 00:25:54,530 to you with some more specifics . But I 629 00:25:54,530 --> 00:25:57,070 would say that uh this is something 630 00:25:57,070 --> 00:25:59,490 that obviously we continue to take very 631 00:25:59,490 --> 00:26:01,940 seriously and U . S . Transportation 632 00:26:01,940 --> 00:26:04,380 Command continues to do amazing work . 633 00:26:04,390 --> 00:26:06,500 Uh working with the U . S . European 634 00:26:06,500 --> 00:26:08,820 command and others to get that 635 00:26:08,830 --> 00:26:11,052 assistance to the Ukrainians as quickly 636 00:26:11,052 --> 00:26:13,260 as possible . Certainly we're seeing 637 00:26:13,260 --> 00:26:15,530 the effect of that assistance on the 638 00:26:15,530 --> 00:26:17,780 battlefield . Um , and then I'm sorry , 639 00:26:17,790 --> 00:26:20,600 your last question on the drawdown 640 00:26:20,600 --> 00:26:22,711 package announced on august 19th , if 641 00:26:22,711 --> 00:26:24,933 you'd be able to update us on what from 642 00:26:24,933 --> 00:26:26,822 that package has gone in and what 643 00:26:26,822 --> 00:26:28,933 remains to be shipped . Um let me get 644 00:26:28,933 --> 00:26:31,156 back to you on that one . Okay , let me 645 00:26:31,156 --> 00:26:30,970 go back out to the phone here real 646 00:26:30,970 --> 00:26:33,081 quick . Do we have Audrey decker from 647 00:26:33,081 --> 00:26:35,710 inside defense . Hi , thanks . General 648 00:26:35,710 --> 00:26:38,530 Rider . Another question on the Navy 649 00:26:38,530 --> 00:26:41,660 interception of sale drone , how likely 650 00:26:41,670 --> 00:26:44,150 is this to happen again ? And if these 651 00:26:44,160 --> 00:26:46,440 unmanned vessels are out there on their 652 00:26:46,440 --> 00:26:48,607 own , how do you protect them ? And is 653 00:26:48,607 --> 00:26:50,773 the D . O . D . Taking any steps , any 654 00:26:50,773 --> 00:26:53,530 extra security measures to prevent this 655 00:26:53,530 --> 00:26:56,200 from happening again ? Thanks . Uh , 656 00:26:56,210 --> 00:26:58,266 thanks very much Audrey . So I'm not 657 00:26:58,266 --> 00:27:00,321 gonna , uh , you know , speculate on 658 00:27:00,321 --> 00:27:02,670 hypothetical in terms of how often this 659 00:27:02,670 --> 00:27:05,070 could happen . Uh , clearly , uh , 660 00:27:05,080 --> 00:27:07,136 fifth fleet has it well in hand , in 661 00:27:07,136 --> 00:27:10,730 terms of patrolling the waterways there 662 00:27:10,730 --> 00:27:13,590 and maintaining uh , you know , 663 00:27:13,600 --> 00:27:15,822 situational awareness in terms of their 664 00:27:15,822 --> 00:27:18,044 capabilities and assets in the region . 665 00:27:18,044 --> 00:27:20,200 Um , and again , as was evidenced by 666 00:27:20,200 --> 00:27:22,300 the USs thunderbolt , the ability to 667 00:27:22,300 --> 00:27:24,420 respond quickly should something like 668 00:27:24,420 --> 00:27:26,587 that happen again in the future , uh , 669 00:27:26,587 --> 00:27:29,180 which hopefully it will not . Okay , 670 00:27:29,190 --> 00:27:31,810 let me take another call for another 671 00:27:31,810 --> 00:27:34,032 person on the phone here and then we'll 672 00:27:34,032 --> 00:27:36,199 go back into the audience heather from 673 00:27:36,199 --> 00:27:38,421 us . And I thanks so much . Um , I have 674 00:27:38,421 --> 00:27:40,820 two unrelated questions but I was 675 00:27:40,820 --> 00:27:43,240 hoping you could start with um , with 676 00:27:43,240 --> 00:27:47,200 the Truman and George H . W Bush in the 677 00:27:47,200 --> 00:27:49,200 mediterranean , what message is the 678 00:27:49,200 --> 00:27:51,422 United States trying to send ? And then 679 00:27:51,422 --> 00:27:53,644 I also wanted to know if the Department 680 00:27:53,644 --> 00:27:55,811 of Defense has any comment on the fact 681 00:27:55,811 --> 00:27:55,780 that um , a couple of senators and 682 00:27:55,780 --> 00:27:58,120 several states attorneys have um , 683 00:27:58,130 --> 00:28:01,310 issued briefs on the navy 684 00:28:01,320 --> 00:28:04,220 seals one day 26 versus biden the 685 00:28:04,220 --> 00:28:06,710 lawsuit , which is the one that Has 686 00:28:06,710 --> 00:28:09,380 prevented the Navy from being able to 687 00:28:09,380 --> 00:28:11,213 separate anyone with a religious 688 00:28:11,213 --> 00:28:13,213 exemption to the COVID-19 vaccine . 689 00:28:14,080 --> 00:28:16,247 Yeah , thanks very much heather . Um , 690 00:28:16,247 --> 00:28:18,358 I feel like I'm batting zero with you 691 00:28:18,358 --> 00:28:20,136 because every time you ask me a 692 00:28:20,136 --> 00:28:22,024 question , um , I don't have that 693 00:28:22,024 --> 00:28:24,191 information readily available in front 694 00:28:24,191 --> 00:28:26,490 of me . So I will , uh , after this 695 00:28:26,500 --> 00:28:28,667 briefing will get with you , we'll get 696 00:28:28,667 --> 00:28:30,833 with the Navy and we'll make sure that 697 00:28:30,833 --> 00:28:32,833 you get the information that you're 698 00:28:32,833 --> 00:28:34,889 asking for . And I promise I will do 699 00:28:34,889 --> 00:28:36,778 better to get you answers to your 700 00:28:36,778 --> 00:28:38,889 questions in the future . Thank you . 701 00:28:38,889 --> 00:28:41,056 Let me do one more on the phone here . 702 00:28:41,056 --> 00:28:43,333 Let's go to Karun from Washington post . 703 00:28:44,290 --> 00:28:46,123 Hi there . Thanks for taking the 704 00:28:46,123 --> 00:28:48,123 question . Um , I just wanted to go 705 00:28:48,123 --> 00:28:50,346 back to the announcement from Secretary 706 00:28:50,346 --> 00:28:53,310 Austin again . Um , the commendations 707 00:28:53,310 --> 00:28:56,030 in the citation process . Why is this 708 00:28:56,030 --> 00:28:58,197 only happening now ? Why did this take 709 00:28:58,197 --> 00:29:00,650 a year to to come about ? And why were 710 00:29:00,650 --> 00:29:02,928 we not seeing a step like this earlier ? 711 00:29:02,928 --> 00:29:05,150 Especially if it was going to be so all 712 00:29:05,150 --> 00:29:07,400 encompassing for those who , who served 713 00:29:07,400 --> 00:29:09,622 as part of that mission ? Yeah , thanks 714 00:29:09,622 --> 00:29:12,300 for the question . Um , so obviously , 715 00:29:12,310 --> 00:29:15,200 uh , you know , this is a significant 716 00:29:15,200 --> 00:29:18,770 recognition for those who served in 717 00:29:18,770 --> 00:29:21,980 Afghanistan and participated uh , in 718 00:29:21,980 --> 00:29:24,710 this very significant event . And so as 719 00:29:24,710 --> 00:29:27,310 I highlighted my opening comments from 720 00:29:27,310 --> 00:29:29,700 the Secretary's standpoint , really , 721 00:29:29,700 --> 00:29:32,720 the the key message here is that um 722 00:29:32,730 --> 00:29:35,470 it's meant to express the gratitude of 723 00:29:35,470 --> 00:29:37,359 the Department of Defense and our 724 00:29:37,359 --> 00:29:40,320 nation for for what it is that our men 725 00:29:40,320 --> 00:29:42,870 and women serving in Afghanistan during 726 00:29:42,870 --> 00:29:44,870 this very challenging time and what 727 00:29:44,870 --> 00:29:48,770 they accomplished . Thank you . Take 728 00:29:48,780 --> 00:29:50,947 probably two or three more questions . 729 00:29:50,947 --> 00:29:53,058 Thank you , Jared without monitor . I 730 00:29:53,058 --> 00:29:55,169 just want to follow up on and Carla's 731 00:29:55,169 --> 00:29:57,280 questions on the situation in Syria . 732 00:29:57,280 --> 00:29:57,270 I'm just wondering if there are any 733 00:29:57,280 --> 00:29:59,750 concerns in the department that recent 734 00:29:59,760 --> 00:30:02,920 Israeli air strikes on Syria could 735 00:30:02,920 --> 00:30:06,680 potentially lead to further 736 00:30:06,680 --> 00:30:08,791 attacks on US forces on the ground in 737 00:30:08,791 --> 00:30:11,150 the country . And if so , has that been 738 00:30:11,150 --> 00:30:13,350 discussed with Israeli partners in the 739 00:30:13,360 --> 00:30:15,360 recent past ? Yeah , thanks for the 740 00:30:15,360 --> 00:30:18,080 question . So I'm not gonna discuss um 741 00:30:18,090 --> 00:30:20,280 current potential or future Israeli 742 00:30:20,280 --> 00:30:22,740 operations are focused in Syria , of 743 00:30:22,740 --> 00:30:24,650 course continues to remain on 744 00:30:24,650 --> 00:30:27,400 conducting the defeat ISIS mission uh 745 00:30:27,400 --> 00:30:29,540 and and will continue to remain our 746 00:30:29,550 --> 00:30:31,828 focus . Let me take just a couple more , 747 00:30:31,828 --> 00:30:33,939 ma'am . And then we'll go to the back 748 00:30:33,939 --> 00:30:36,500 room there . Thank you . General uh 749 00:30:36,510 --> 00:30:38,960 follow up on Jared question . If you 750 00:30:38,960 --> 00:30:41,470 can give us a sense of the level of 751 00:30:41,470 --> 00:30:43,830 coordination between the US and the 752 00:30:43,830 --> 00:30:46,760 Israelis , especially when Israel 753 00:30:46,770 --> 00:30:50,510 claims that the targets or linked 754 00:30:50,520 --> 00:30:52,530 directly to Iran . And also I have 755 00:30:52,530 --> 00:30:54,641 another question on Iraq , if you can 756 00:30:54,641 --> 00:30:58,640 give us uh the assessment of the 757 00:30:58,640 --> 00:31:00,580 latest development security 758 00:31:00,580 --> 00:31:03,000 developments in Iraq . and if U . S . 759 00:31:03,000 --> 00:31:06,280 Forces there took uh maybe extra 760 00:31:06,290 --> 00:31:09,550 security measures during uh 761 00:31:09,560 --> 00:31:12,500 sure on the on your first question 762 00:31:12,510 --> 00:31:15,460 about Israel um you know certainly we 763 00:31:15,460 --> 00:31:17,950 have a very long standing security 764 00:31:17,960 --> 00:31:21,110 relationship with our ally , Israel . 765 00:31:21,120 --> 00:31:23,770 I'm not going to talk about specific 766 00:31:23,780 --> 00:31:27,070 details when it comes to um 767 00:31:27,080 --> 00:31:29,920 consultation cooperation , coordination , 768 00:31:29,920 --> 00:31:31,976 things like that . Other than to say 769 00:31:31,976 --> 00:31:33,864 again , we maintain a very robust 770 00:31:33,864 --> 00:31:36,220 dialogue with this important ally in 771 00:31:36,220 --> 00:31:39,110 the region . Um In terms of Iraq 772 00:31:39,120 --> 00:31:42,040 certainly like many around the world , 773 00:31:42,040 --> 00:31:44,480 we continue to monitor the situation 774 00:31:44,480 --> 00:31:47,600 there . Um uh refer you to the State 775 00:31:47,600 --> 00:31:49,711 Department for any questions in terms 776 00:31:49,711 --> 00:31:52,044 of the situation in the U . S . Embassy . 777 00:31:52,044 --> 00:31:54,310 Um but I don't have from a U . S . 778 00:31:54,310 --> 00:31:56,650 Military standpoint um to my knowledge 779 00:31:56,650 --> 00:31:59,530 right now um we continue to conduct our 780 00:31:59,540 --> 00:32:01,970 security cooperation mission there um 781 00:32:01,970 --> 00:32:04,660 and um everything is proceeding as 782 00:32:04,660 --> 00:32:08,070 normal . Thank you . Let me go to the 783 00:32:08,070 --> 00:32:10,237 back of the room here and then I'll do 784 00:32:10,237 --> 00:32:12,403 one more on the phone . Yes sir , it's 785 00:32:12,403 --> 00:32:14,459 good to see you . Good to see you um 786 00:32:14,459 --> 00:32:16,514 just going back to the incident with 787 00:32:16,514 --> 00:32:19,040 the Iran's attempt to seize that drone . 788 00:32:19,050 --> 00:32:21,740 Do you see this as a pattern ? Is that 789 00:32:21,740 --> 00:32:24,610 is that was that some um increase in 790 00:32:24,610 --> 00:32:27,150 detention or increase in dangerous 791 00:32:27,150 --> 00:32:29,660 activity by the Iranians in that area ? 792 00:32:30,620 --> 00:32:34,450 Um So I hesitate to characterize it as 793 00:32:34,450 --> 00:32:36,990 a pattern other than to say that it's 794 00:32:36,990 --> 00:32:39,212 indicative of the kind of behavior that 795 00:32:39,212 --> 00:32:41,379 we've seen from Iran in the region for 796 00:32:41,379 --> 00:32:44,100 frankly many years when it comes to 797 00:32:44,100 --> 00:32:45,950 this kind of disruptive and 798 00:32:45,960 --> 00:32:49,590 inappropriate activity . Um And so 799 00:32:49,600 --> 00:32:52,440 having having watched uh in the past , 800 00:32:52,450 --> 00:32:56,230 some of the activities of the Irgc 801 00:32:56,240 --> 00:32:59,760 Navy , um you know , this is not not 802 00:32:59,760 --> 00:33:02,050 the first time they've done these kinds 803 00:33:02,050 --> 00:33:04,260 of things . And so again , it just 804 00:33:04,270 --> 00:33:07,230 showcases the challenge that Iran 805 00:33:07,240 --> 00:33:09,630 presents uh in terms of the threat to 806 00:33:09,630 --> 00:33:12,480 the region . Uh And another reason why 807 00:33:12,480 --> 00:33:14,480 we'll continue to work very closely 808 00:33:14,480 --> 00:33:16,702 with our partners and our allies in the 809 00:33:16,702 --> 00:33:18,758 region to help provide the stability 810 00:33:18,758 --> 00:33:21,660 that's important uh to keep not only 811 00:33:21,660 --> 00:33:23,882 the sea lanes open , but the health and 812 00:33:23,882 --> 00:33:25,993 safety of those that are operating in 813 00:33:25,993 --> 00:33:28,190 that area . Just unrelated question on 814 00:33:28,190 --> 00:33:30,680 the whole uh investigation of the 815 00:33:30,680 --> 00:33:33,380 documents found at mar A . Lago is the 816 00:33:33,380 --> 00:33:35,102 Defense Department involved in 817 00:33:35,102 --> 00:33:37,480 reviewing any of these documents , 818 00:33:37,490 --> 00:33:39,712 classified or secret documents . Yeah . 819 00:33:39,712 --> 00:33:41,823 Thanks for the question dan . I would 820 00:33:41,823 --> 00:33:43,990 refer you to the Department of Justice 821 00:33:43,990 --> 00:33:45,768 for any questions regarding the 822 00:33:45,768 --> 00:33:47,768 documents . So , All right , let me 823 00:33:47,768 --> 00:33:49,879 take one more from the phone here and 824 00:33:49,879 --> 00:33:51,879 then we'll do one more with carla . 825 00:33:51,879 --> 00:33:55,160 Alright . And then one clarification 826 00:33:55,160 --> 00:33:57,216 with Artie . Okay , let's go to Tony 827 00:33:57,216 --> 00:34:00,210 from Inside Defense . Thank you sir . 828 00:34:00,220 --> 00:34:03,470 Um My questions about the status of 829 00:34:03,470 --> 00:34:05,460 funding for Ukraine is D . O . D . 830 00:34:05,460 --> 00:34:08,390 Running out of aid for Ukraine . And 831 00:34:08,390 --> 00:34:10,930 also as D . O . D . Ponders what or how 832 00:34:10,930 --> 00:34:13,560 much it might ask next from Congress . 833 00:34:13,570 --> 00:34:16,010 Does it want more money for P . D . A . 834 00:34:16,020 --> 00:34:18,290 To send weapons directly to Ukraine ? 835 00:34:18,300 --> 00:34:20,522 Or is it now sort of seeking more money 836 00:34:20,522 --> 00:34:22,790 for us ? Ai where the weapons might not 837 00:34:22,790 --> 00:34:24,960 arrive for a couple of years . So to 838 00:34:24,960 --> 00:34:27,360 answer your first question , no , we 839 00:34:27,360 --> 00:34:29,370 are not running out of aid . Uh and 840 00:34:29,370 --> 00:34:32,180 then in terms of the breakdown between 841 00:34:32,180 --> 00:34:35,900 P . D . A . And U . S . I A . Um you 842 00:34:35,900 --> 00:34:38,067 know , we'll let us get back to you on 843 00:34:38,067 --> 00:34:40,233 that . I will say that certainly as we 844 00:34:40,233 --> 00:34:42,630 look at what the requirements are for 845 00:34:42,630 --> 00:34:45,570 Ukraine from a policy standpoint and 846 00:34:45,570 --> 00:34:47,390 from a procurement standpoint . 847 00:34:47,400 --> 00:34:49,990 Generally speaking , we are going to 848 00:34:49,990 --> 00:34:52,580 use the mechanism that best supports 849 00:34:52,590 --> 00:34:54,910 the needs of Ukraine working very 850 00:34:54,910 --> 00:34:57,077 closely with our allies and partners . 851 00:34:57,077 --> 00:34:59,299 So we'll take a look at that if there's 852 00:34:59,299 --> 00:35:01,299 anything beyond that to provide and 853 00:35:01,299 --> 00:35:03,132 will certainly get that to you . 854 00:35:03,132 --> 00:35:05,188 Alright , carla . And then fatty , I 855 00:35:05,188 --> 00:35:07,243 just wanted to follow up on Sylvie's 856 00:35:07,243 --> 00:35:09,299 question because you know , when you 857 00:35:09,299 --> 00:35:11,243 were talking about the situation , 858 00:35:11,243 --> 00:35:13,466 Afghanistan , you said that the U . S . 859 00:35:13,466 --> 00:35:12,980 Is in a safe situation . But it does 860 00:35:12,980 --> 00:35:15,450 want keeping an eye on everything with 861 00:35:15,460 --> 00:35:17,400 the over the horizon , can I just 862 00:35:17,400 --> 00:35:19,580 wanted to follow up to see how 863 00:35:19,590 --> 00:35:22,300 difficult is over the horizon now one 864 00:35:22,300 --> 00:35:25,020 year later and how much is that costing 865 00:35:25,030 --> 00:35:27,760 D . O . D . In terms of I . S . R . 866 00:35:27,770 --> 00:35:30,390 Capabilities that they're having extra 867 00:35:30,390 --> 00:35:32,501 I . S . R . Capabilities that they're 868 00:35:32,501 --> 00:35:35,890 having to put ? Well again , just to 869 00:35:35,890 --> 00:35:38,010 provide some perspective and context 870 00:35:38,020 --> 00:35:40,110 over the horizon operations are 871 00:35:40,110 --> 00:35:42,221 something that we've been doing for a 872 00:35:42,221 --> 00:35:44,277 very long time in in this region and 873 00:35:44,277 --> 00:35:47,390 elsewhere . Uh and so um our ability 874 00:35:47,400 --> 00:35:50,060 continue to do those operations um 875 00:35:50,500 --> 00:35:53,750 remains unimpeded . Certainly with the 876 00:35:53,750 --> 00:35:57,330 situation in Afghanistan , it does make 877 00:35:57,330 --> 00:35:59,560 it more of a challenge but 878 00:36:00,920 --> 00:36:02,940 not something that we can't , not 879 00:36:02,940 --> 00:36:04,996 something that's insurmountable . Uh 880 00:36:04,996 --> 00:36:08,310 and so again , um we will protect and 881 00:36:08,310 --> 00:36:10,790 defend our people , our allies and our 882 00:36:10,790 --> 00:36:13,440 partners as needed wherever and 883 00:36:13,440 --> 00:36:17,170 whenever we need to . So , yep , and 884 00:36:17,170 --> 00:36:19,850 then thank you . So I believe you said 885 00:36:19,850 --> 00:36:22,560 that with the sailboat incident that 886 00:36:22,570 --> 00:36:25,650 the Thunderbolt grew as the Irgc 887 00:36:25,650 --> 00:36:29,490 Navy support ship to let 888 00:36:29,850 --> 00:36:33,570 the sale drone live . Does the sale 889 00:36:33,570 --> 00:36:35,940 drone have any identification on it 890 00:36:36,070 --> 00:36:38,310 that shows it belongs to us , Navy or 891 00:36:38,310 --> 00:36:41,960 the USa ? Um We we know our 892 00:36:41,960 --> 00:36:45,750 drones do the Iranians know that . Does 893 00:36:45,750 --> 00:36:48,240 it have any identification when it's in 894 00:36:48,250 --> 00:36:50,306 open water like this ? International 895 00:36:50,306 --> 00:36:52,472 water ? Um I'd have to refer you to an 896 00:36:52,472 --> 00:36:54,528 absent in terms of what the specific 897 00:36:54,528 --> 00:36:57,540 markings on those maybe . But certainly 898 00:36:57,550 --> 00:37:01,450 um when we asked them to release it , 899 00:37:01,460 --> 00:37:05,220 they released it . So I can't speculate 900 00:37:05,220 --> 00:37:07,331 on what they knew or what they didn't 901 00:37:07,331 --> 00:37:09,553 know . We don't know for sure that they 902 00:37:09,553 --> 00:37:11,609 knew this one belongs to the U . S . 903 00:37:11,609 --> 00:37:14,220 Naval . I do not know that for sure . 904 00:37:14,400 --> 00:37:16,900 Thank you . Okay . All right , thank 905 00:37:16,900 --> 00:37:19,067 you all very much everybody appreciate 906 00:37:19,067 --> 00:37:18,990 your time today .