WEBVTT 00:03.150 --> 00:04.010 All right , 00:09.760 --> 00:12.740 thank you for your patience . Good 00:12.740 --> 00:15.270 afternoon . Everyone have a fair amount 00:15.270 --> 00:17.680 to pass along to you before we kick 00:17.680 --> 00:19.736 things off . So thank you in advance 00:19.736 --> 00:21.958 for your patients here . First of all , 00:21.958 --> 00:24.180 as you're aware . D . O . D . Announced 00:24.180 --> 00:26.520 last evening the 21st presidential 00:26.520 --> 00:28.770 drawdown of security assistance valued 00:28.770 --> 00:31.890 at up to $600 million to meet Ukraine's 00:31.890 --> 00:33.890 critical security and defense needs 00:33.990 --> 00:35.990 notable capabilities . Capabilities 00:35.990 --> 00:38.323 include additional high MArs ammunition , 00:38.323 --> 00:40.700 precision guided 155 millimeter 00:40.700 --> 00:42.780 artillery rounds , counter unmanned 00:42.780 --> 00:44.680 aerial systems , mine clearing 00:44.680 --> 00:46.736 equipment , night vision devices and 00:46.736 --> 00:48.736 cold weather gear for use as winter 00:48.736 --> 00:50.680 approaches . In total , the United 00:50.680 --> 00:52.624 States has committed approximately 00:52.624 --> 00:54.850 $15.1 billion in security assistance to 00:54.850 --> 00:57.072 Ukraine since the beginning of Russia's 00:57.072 --> 00:59.110 unprovoked and brutal invasion on 00:59.110 --> 01:02.840 february 24th and approximately 17.9 01:02.840 --> 01:05.810 billion since 2014 to meet Ukraine's 01:05.810 --> 01:07.977 evolving battlefield requirements will 01:07.977 --> 01:09.866 continue to work closely with our 01:09.866 --> 01:12.088 allies and partners around the world to 01:12.088 --> 01:14.143 support Ukraine as they defend their 01:14.143 --> 01:16.199 country against Russian occupation . 01:16.199 --> 01:18.199 And on that note , I'd flag that in 01:18.199 --> 01:20.421 coordination with NATO . The U . S will 01:20.421 --> 01:22.254 host a special session under the 01:22.254 --> 01:24.477 auspices of the Ukraine Defense Contact 01:24.477 --> 01:26.532 Group with senior national Armaments 01:26.532 --> 01:28.866 directors on september 28th in brussels . 01:28.866 --> 01:31.032 They'll discuss how our mutual defense 01:31.032 --> 01:32.810 industrial bases can best equip 01:32.810 --> 01:34.866 Ukraine's for future forces with the 01:34.866 --> 01:36.977 capabilities that they need to defend 01:36.977 --> 01:38.532 their country . I know that 01:38.532 --> 01:38.510 undersecretary of defense for 01:38.510 --> 01:40.700 acquisition and sustainment DR plant 01:40.700 --> 01:42.533 touched on this a bit during his 01:42.533 --> 01:44.700 briefing last week , but we'll be sure 01:44.700 --> 01:46.700 to keep you updated as we have more 01:46.700 --> 01:48.422 information to provide on this 01:48.422 --> 01:50.644 important international effort separate 01:50.644 --> 01:52.867 but related . Earlier this week , I was 01:52.867 --> 01:54.867 asked about the status of nice arms 01:54.867 --> 01:57.089 deliveries to Ukraine under the Ukraine 01:57.089 --> 01:59.311 Security Assistance initiative or USA . 01:59.311 --> 02:01.533 I uh since then I've received an update 02:01.533 --> 02:03.533 that I wanted to pass along . We're 02:03.533 --> 02:05.367 tracking that too . Nay Sams are 02:05.367 --> 02:07.367 expected to be delivered within the 02:07.367 --> 02:09.589 next two months or so . These defensive 02:09.589 --> 02:11.533 systems will further contribute to 02:11.533 --> 02:13.589 protecting Ukrainians from enemy air 02:13.589 --> 02:15.756 threats to include aircraft , unmanned 02:15.756 --> 02:17.978 aerial vehicles and missiles . Before I 02:17.978 --> 02:20.200 conclude and take your questions , I do 02:20.200 --> 02:22.367 have a few other items to provide . Uh 02:22.367 --> 02:24.589 Today the U . S . And Republic of Korea 02:24.589 --> 02:26.700 are conducting the bilateral extended 02:26.700 --> 02:28.756 deterrence strategy and consultation 02:28.756 --> 02:30.978 group meeting at the State Department . 02:30.978 --> 02:33.200 The D . O . D . Delegation is led by dR 02:33.200 --> 02:35.033 Colin call the undersecretary of 02:35.033 --> 02:36.978 Defense for policy and this is the 02:36.978 --> 02:40.600 first E D S C . G . Meeting since 2018 . 02:40.790 --> 02:42.734 The consultation group provides an 02:42.734 --> 02:44.901 opportunity for our two governments to 02:44.901 --> 02:46.790 discuss peace and security on the 02:46.790 --> 02:48.623 korean peninsula and in the indo 02:48.623 --> 02:50.846 pacific . Also this morning , Secretary 02:50.846 --> 02:53.123 Austin hosted our annual P . O . W . M . 02:53.123 --> 02:55.068 I . A recognition ceremony and the 02:55.068 --> 02:57.068 pentagon Hall of Heroes . More than 02:57.068 --> 02:59.179 80,000 american service personnel are 02:59.179 --> 03:01.360 missing from previous conflicts and 03:01.360 --> 03:04.150 38,000 are estimated to be recoverable . 03:04.390 --> 03:06.550 The Defense P . O . W . M . I . A 03:06.560 --> 03:08.780 agency remains relentless in its 03:08.780 --> 03:11.002 mission to provide the fullest possible 03:11.002 --> 03:13.058 accounting to their families and the 03:13.058 --> 03:15.280 nation until they can be brought home . 03:15.280 --> 03:17.280 It is important to Secretary Austin 03:17.280 --> 03:19.002 that we took the time today to 03:19.002 --> 03:21.113 recognize and honor the sacrifices of 03:21.113 --> 03:23.391 our service members and their families . 03:23.391 --> 03:25.336 I also want to highlight that this 03:25.336 --> 03:27.447 month is suicide prevention awareness 03:27.447 --> 03:29.502 month . Secretary Austin and veteran 03:29.502 --> 03:31.613 Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough met 03:31.613 --> 03:33.724 virtually yesterday with military and 03:33.724 --> 03:35.558 veteran service organizations to 03:35.558 --> 03:37.669 reaffirm both department's commitment 03:37.669 --> 03:39.724 to providing mental health and other 03:39.724 --> 03:41.558 support resources to our service 03:41.558 --> 03:43.336 members and their families . As 03:43.336 --> 03:45.502 Secretary Austin has said many times , 03:45.502 --> 03:47.613 mental health is health and we always 03:47.613 --> 03:49.780 encourage service members and veterans 03:49.780 --> 03:52.002 to reach out for help and seek the care 03:52.002 --> 03:54.002 they need . Confidential support is 03:54.002 --> 03:56.500 available 24 7 by dialing 988 and 03:56.500 --> 03:58.990 pressing one or visiting visiting 03:58.990 --> 04:01.870 veterans crisis line dot net . And 04:01.870 --> 04:03.981 finally as we head into the weekend , 04:03.981 --> 04:06.092 we want to wish the U . S . Air Force 04:06.092 --> 04:05.960 and the Department of the Air Force a 04:05.960 --> 04:07.627 happy birthday as the service 04:07.627 --> 04:09.571 celebrates the 75th anniversary on 04:09.571 --> 04:12.100 sunday . For 75 years . American airmen 04:12.100 --> 04:14.433 have excelled as they execute the U . S . 04:14.433 --> 04:16.489 Air Force mission to fly , fight and 04:16.489 --> 04:18.378 win and deliver air power anytime 04:18.378 --> 04:20.600 anywhere in defense of our nation . And 04:20.600 --> 04:22.600 with that , I am happy to take your 04:22.600 --> 04:26.250 questions . We'll start with a p . Hey 04:28.040 --> 04:30.280 um let me ask you two questions . If 04:30.280 --> 04:32.447 you don't mind . The first thing about 04:32.447 --> 04:34.558 some of the reports of mass gravesite 04:34.558 --> 04:37.420 Izzy . Um President Zelensky said today 04:37.420 --> 04:40.150 that there were there was evidence that 04:40.160 --> 04:42.360 people had been tortured , shot or 04:42.360 --> 04:45.560 killed by shelling at and buried at sea . 04:45.560 --> 04:47.880 Um , can the pentagon address some of 04:47.880 --> 04:50.410 those allegations and particularly 04:50.420 --> 04:53.810 whether Russian forces were involved in 04:54.210 --> 04:56.650 wartime atrocities or setting up this 04:56.650 --> 04:58.817 mass grave site of disease that's been 04:58.817 --> 05:00.983 discovered . Thanks for the question . 05:00.983 --> 05:00.720 So , we've seen the reports and 05:00.720 --> 05:02.890 certainly heard the comments by 05:02.900 --> 05:05.860 President Zelensky on this issue . Um , 05:05.870 --> 05:07.703 we are tracking that the U . N . 05:07.703 --> 05:10.150 Intends to send a team to investigate . 05:10.160 --> 05:13.080 Um , so I don't have any specific 05:13.080 --> 05:15.600 information to provide other than uh , 05:15.610 --> 05:17.721 these kinds of reports are indicative 05:17.721 --> 05:19.832 of the suffering that we've seen uh , 05:19.832 --> 05:21.999 civilians experience and and people in 05:21.999 --> 05:23.888 Ukraine experience since Russia's 05:23.888 --> 05:26.110 invasion . And I'll ask you another one 05:26.110 --> 05:28.332 quickly if you don't mind about . There 05:28.332 --> 05:30.690 are some reports uh , tracking uh , 05:30.700 --> 05:32.700 flight tracking software of some of 05:32.700 --> 05:35.020 these flights that uh , the government 05:35.020 --> 05:37.660 of florida operated taking migrants 05:37.660 --> 05:40.930 from the san Antonio area to Martha's 05:40.930 --> 05:43.870 vineyard . Uh , there are some flight 05:43.870 --> 05:45.870 tracking sites that showed that the 05:45.870 --> 05:47.981 planes originally took off from kelly 05:47.981 --> 05:50.148 field at Joint base lackland . And I'm 05:50.148 --> 05:51.759 wondering if the pentagon is 05:51.759 --> 05:54.070 investigating , uh , whether kelly 05:54.070 --> 05:56.480 field was used to fly migrants and if 05:56.480 --> 05:58.770 there's anything that's being done to 05:58.780 --> 06:01.310 look into future uses of kelly field or 06:01.310 --> 06:03.730 other Defense Department installations 06:03.740 --> 06:05.690 in some of these state actions and 06:05.690 --> 06:07.690 immigration , um , I don't have any 06:07.690 --> 06:09.912 information to provide on kelly field . 06:09.912 --> 06:13.280 I I do you know , I am aware of the 06:13.290 --> 06:15.740 migrants that have been brought to 06:15.750 --> 06:17.750 massachusetts as you highlight , my 06:17.750 --> 06:19.900 understanding is um , that the 06:19.910 --> 06:21.966 massachusetts governor has activated 06:21.966 --> 06:24.180 approximately 100 guardsmen to help 06:24.190 --> 06:26.301 with that effort there . But in terms 06:26.301 --> 06:28.357 of the role of kelly field , I don't 06:28.357 --> 06:30.579 have any information on that . Thanks . 06:30.579 --> 06:32.634 Yes , ma'am . Thank you . General on 06:32.634 --> 06:36.320 the E . D . S . C . D . Meetings . 06:36.430 --> 06:38.650 Yeah , 06:40.030 --> 06:43.250 U . S . And South Korea Extended 06:43.260 --> 06:46.930 deterrence studies in the consultation 06:46.940 --> 06:49.890 group meeting has been conducted today . 06:50.170 --> 06:54.030 Said , how can you access these 06:54.040 --> 06:57.220 two plus two meeting that has been 06:57.220 --> 07:00.730 suspended for four years 07:00.740 --> 07:04.680 and eight months ? How 07:04.680 --> 07:07.300 do I assess why it's been suspended ? 07:07.310 --> 07:09.532 Um , well , thanks for the question . I 07:09.532 --> 07:11.830 don't have any specifics . I could 07:11.830 --> 07:14.190 speculate from here . Um , but I'm not 07:14.190 --> 07:17.230 gonna do that . Certainly the , uh , 07:17.240 --> 07:19.462 the relationship that we share with the 07:19.462 --> 07:22.390 Republic of Korea , regardless of how 07:22.390 --> 07:24.620 frequent those meetings have been uh , 07:24.630 --> 07:27.300 remains ironclad and it's an extremely 07:27.300 --> 07:30.000 important alliance between our two 07:30.000 --> 07:31.833 countries . And so today will be 07:31.833 --> 07:33.556 another opportunity to further 07:33.556 --> 07:35.444 strengthen the relationship , the 07:35.444 --> 07:37.611 security cooperation relationship that 07:37.611 --> 07:41.450 we have to uh , regular time that 07:41.460 --> 07:43.627 we're gonna have a scheduled meeting . 07:43.730 --> 07:45.780 My understanding is that we will 07:45.780 --> 07:47.836 continue to have these meetings on a 07:47.836 --> 07:50.058 regular basis and we'll be sure to keep 07:50.058 --> 07:52.169 you updated on that front . Let me go 07:52.169 --> 07:54.224 to , let me go to silver here . I'll 07:54.224 --> 07:53.880 come back to you . Let me go to silver 07:53.880 --> 07:56.330 here ? Thanks thank you , I would like 07:56.330 --> 07:59.740 to go back to the lackland Air Force 07:59.750 --> 08:03.130 Base . Are you saying that because it 08:03.130 --> 08:05.510 was a National Guard activated by the 08:05.510 --> 08:07.610 Governor ? It's the regular , it's a 08:07.610 --> 08:10.400 normal procedure that 08:10.410 --> 08:14.190 the air force 08:14.200 --> 08:18.150 base is used for political 08:18.160 --> 08:20.327 reasons . No , I didn't , I didn't say 08:20.327 --> 08:22.660 that and I don't mean to insinuate that . 08:22.960 --> 08:26.840 Well , we'll look into what exactly the 08:26.840 --> 08:29.380 situation was at kelly . I do know . 08:29.380 --> 08:31.480 And again , I'm speculating here , 08:31.490 --> 08:33.810 there could be a variety of factors in 08:33.810 --> 08:36.650 terms of air bases . Are the dual use ? 08:36.650 --> 08:38.761 Is there a civilian component to it ? 08:38.761 --> 08:41.280 Just because uh , and again , this is a 08:41.280 --> 08:43.280 broad generalization , just because 08:43.280 --> 08:45.502 aircraft are taking off from a location 08:45.502 --> 08:47.502 does not necessarily mean uh , that 08:47.502 --> 08:49.590 there's a D O . D involvement . But 08:49.590 --> 08:51.701 again , we'll look into that and come 08:51.701 --> 08:54.510 back to you . Yeah , thank you . Um , I 08:54.510 --> 08:57.250 just want to follow up on the Claymore 08:57.260 --> 09:00.120 mines in in this latest package . I I 09:00.120 --> 09:02.600 know that the president biden band most 09:02.600 --> 09:04.820 landmine use except for in Korea I 09:04.820 --> 09:08.080 believe . So . Can you just explain why 09:08.080 --> 09:10.360 those Claymore mines are in there and 09:10.360 --> 09:12.471 whether that falls under the policy , 09:12.471 --> 09:15.470 um , we'll check on the policy , but 09:15.480 --> 09:18.410 the obviously all of this equipment is 09:18.410 --> 09:21.380 intended to assist the Ukrainians and 09:21.380 --> 09:24.390 their offensive operations against 09:24.390 --> 09:26.612 Russia and to help them take back their 09:26.612 --> 09:29.790 territory . Yes , sir . General thank 09:29.790 --> 09:32.430 you my audiences in Ukraine and to you 09:32.430 --> 09:34.541 may imagine how sensitive they are to 09:34.541 --> 09:36.820 any articles or rumors that us possibly 09:36.820 --> 09:39.740 might not provide enough military 09:39.740 --> 09:41.910 equipment . And it is an article 09:41.910 --> 09:44.077 published yesterday in Foreign affairs 09:44.077 --> 09:45.799 and , you know , shared by the 09:45.799 --> 09:48.410 propaganda telling that I'm quoting US 09:48.410 --> 09:51.140 officials warned that the extraordinary 09:51.140 --> 09:53.251 levels of military support the United 09:53.251 --> 09:55.251 States has sent to Ukraine over the 09:55.251 --> 09:57.362 past six months will be impossible to 09:57.362 --> 09:59.307 sustain as U . S . Military stocks 09:59.307 --> 10:01.570 begin to dwindle and they're quoting 10:01.580 --> 10:03.802 the former U . S . Ambassador to NATO . 10:03.802 --> 10:05.820 Can you comment on this ? Sure . I 10:05.820 --> 10:08.410 think uh all along , we've highlighted 10:08.410 --> 10:10.670 the fact that this is an international 10:10.670 --> 10:13.110 effort . There's not any one country uh 10:13.120 --> 10:14.787 to include the U . S . That's 10:14.787 --> 10:16.676 supporting Ukraine . Uh and so as 10:16.676 --> 10:19.050 evidenced by things like the Ukraine 10:19.050 --> 10:21.050 Defense Contact group that was held 10:21.050 --> 10:23.760 recently at Ramstein . Uh and future 10:23.760 --> 10:26.350 opportunities will continue to examine 10:26.350 --> 10:28.400 what type of capabilities we can 10:28.410 --> 10:31.240 mutually provide to Ukraine while at 10:31.240 --> 10:33.360 the same time for our own U . S . 10:33.360 --> 10:35.582 Military , we have systems in place and 10:35.582 --> 10:38.010 processes in place that take a very 10:38.010 --> 10:40.500 close look at as we draw down our own 10:40.500 --> 10:42.450 stocks . What do we need to do to 10:42.450 --> 10:44.617 ensure that we continue to replenish . 10:44.617 --> 10:46.839 Uh , you know , the bottom line is that 10:46.839 --> 10:48.617 U . S . Readiness , US military 10:48.617 --> 10:50.950 readiness is not in jeopardy or close 10:50.950 --> 10:53.020 to being in jeopardy and we're 10:53.020 --> 10:54.909 confident that we can continue to 10:54.909 --> 10:56.964 support Ukraine in their fight going 10:56.964 --> 10:59.100 ahead . Thank you , sir . Thank you 10:59.100 --> 11:01.322 very much . I want to ask you about the 11:01.322 --> 11:03.211 Secretary's meeting with Japanese 11:03.211 --> 11:05.211 Defense Minister Hamada this week . 11:05.220 --> 11:07.600 After the meeting , Minister Hamada 11:07.600 --> 11:10.090 said , Secretary Austin strongly 11:10.090 --> 11:13.880 supported Japan having a new long range 11:13.880 --> 11:16.280 strike capability . Then the Secretary 11:16.280 --> 11:19.730 bereaved such a new long range strike 11:19.740 --> 11:22.890 capability would reinforce significant 11:22.900 --> 11:25.480 be us Japan collective collective 11:25.480 --> 11:28.690 deterrence against china . Well , I 11:28.690 --> 11:31.740 think first of all , um Secretary 11:31.740 --> 11:34.560 Austin very much enjoyed his time with 11:34.560 --> 11:36.671 the minister this week and and having 11:36.671 --> 11:38.580 the chance to talk uh , the 11:38.590 --> 11:41.060 relationship that we have with Japan is 11:41.070 --> 11:43.870 one of our strongest uh in the world 11:43.880 --> 11:45.991 and in the region in particular . And 11:45.991 --> 11:49.670 so um anything that Japan or our 11:49.670 --> 11:52.220 allies in the region can do to help 11:52.230 --> 11:54.300 strengthen the deterrent and enable 11:54.300 --> 11:56.522 security and stability in the region is 11:56.522 --> 11:58.689 very welcome . Thank you . All right , 11:58.689 --> 12:02.680 I'll go back to you that the , 12:02.690 --> 12:06.010 you know , that's long editor . Anyway , 12:06.020 --> 12:09.440 yesterday the B 52 12:09.450 --> 12:13.330 strategic bomber was shown the South 12:13.330 --> 12:17.320 korean uh E D . S . C . 12:17.330 --> 12:21.180 Groups uh , this team 12:21.190 --> 12:24.470 shown this at the Andrews Air Force 12:24.470 --> 12:28.110 Base . What symbolic significance 12:28.120 --> 12:31.860 does this give ? I don't want to 12:31.860 --> 12:35.380 read into um or try to speculate about 12:35.390 --> 12:38.380 about that other than to say uh that uh 12:38.390 --> 12:40.612 it is the Air Force U . S . Air Force's 12:40.612 --> 12:42.446 75th anniversary . Uh there is a 12:42.446 --> 12:44.668 variety of aircraft that we have out at 12:44.668 --> 12:46.890 Joint base andrews this weekend as part 12:46.890 --> 12:48.612 of that celebration . The B 52 12:48.612 --> 12:50.390 certainly provides unparalleled 12:50.390 --> 12:52.446 capability in terms of global strike 12:52.446 --> 12:56.290 and deterrence . Um and uh , so I'm 12:56.290 --> 12:58.512 glad that they were able to go see that 12:58.512 --> 13:00.734 it obviously has played a critical role 13:00.734 --> 13:02.880 in U . S . Military air power history 13:03.020 --> 13:05.242 and continues to play an important role 13:05.242 --> 13:07.464 in supporting our alliances worldwide . 13:07.464 --> 13:09.576 Thank you . Let me let me do a couple 13:09.576 --> 13:11.687 on the phone here and we'll come back 13:11.687 --> 13:13.853 in the room and go to Barbara . Um let 13:13.853 --> 13:15.909 me go to Howard Altman first . Hey , 13:15.909 --> 13:17.909 thanks Pat , couple questions . The 13:17.909 --> 13:19.909 first one is a two parter . Can you 13:19.909 --> 13:22.131 confirm the Ukrainian armies claim that 13:22.131 --> 13:24.780 they've fully captured ? Uh give us a 13:24.780 --> 13:26.891 little bit of an operational update . 13:27.440 --> 13:29.496 And then the second question is , do 13:29.496 --> 13:31.662 you , does the pentagon assess there's 13:31.662 --> 13:33.551 any connection between the Russia 13:33.551 --> 13:35.440 struggles in Ukraine and then the 13:35.440 --> 13:37.662 fighting between Azerbaijan and Armenia 13:37.662 --> 13:40.510 and now uh Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan . 13:40.520 --> 13:44.250 Thanks . Okay , thanks . I think the 13:44.250 --> 13:46.250 first part of your question was you 13:46.250 --> 13:48.590 were asking about Kobe Dansk , is that 13:48.590 --> 13:51.820 correct ? That is correct . The 13:51.830 --> 13:54.880 Ukrainian army says that they've fully 13:54.880 --> 13:56.860 captured that and just give us an 13:56.870 --> 13:59.650 operational update if you could . Okay , 13:59.660 --> 14:02.900 well , you know , at the end of the day , 14:02.900 --> 14:05.180 uh , in terms of uh , you know , 14:05.180 --> 14:07.402 granular details , Howard , I'd I'd say 14:07.402 --> 14:09.513 well , let the Ukrainians talk to the 14:09.513 --> 14:12.080 specifics of their operation generally 14:12.080 --> 14:14.760 speaking . Um , you know , as I 14:14.770 --> 14:17.690 mentioned , um earlier , we we have 14:17.690 --> 14:21.450 seen them make some advancements in the 14:21.450 --> 14:23.740 north in the Kharkiv region . Uh the 14:23.740 --> 14:25.796 Ukrainians continue to conduct their 14:25.796 --> 14:29.060 counter offensive operations . Um which 14:29.060 --> 14:31.282 are again primarily up in the north and 14:31.282 --> 14:33.282 Kharkiv , and then in the south and 14:33.282 --> 14:35.393 here Son region , uh , in the north . 14:35.393 --> 14:37.470 What we assesses that the Ukrainians 14:37.470 --> 14:39.470 are consolidating their gains after 14:39.470 --> 14:42.780 taking back significant territory , uh , 14:42.790 --> 14:45.340 and that the Russians are attempting to 14:45.340 --> 14:47.396 shore up their defensive lines after 14:47.396 --> 14:50.220 having been pushed back uh in the south . 14:50.230 --> 14:53.000 The Ukrainians continue to make what we 14:53.000 --> 14:55.550 would assess is deliberate , calculated 14:55.560 --> 14:58.150 forward movement . As the Russians 14:58.150 --> 15:00.428 continue to try to hold that that line . 15:00.428 --> 15:02.970 Um , as always , our focus continues to 15:02.970 --> 15:05.026 remain on providing them the support 15:05.026 --> 15:07.137 that they need uh in their fight , as 15:07.137 --> 15:09.081 evidenced by our announcement last 15:09.081 --> 15:11.140 night on the on the P . D . A . In 15:11.140 --> 15:13.700 terms of Armenia ? Um , you know , we 15:13.700 --> 15:16.050 are aware of the reports . My 15:16.050 --> 15:18.490 understanding , just based on on press 15:18.490 --> 15:20.601 reports , is that there has a truce . 15:20.601 --> 15:23.330 Uh , certainly we would echo what the 15:23.330 --> 15:25.700 State Department has said is that uh , 15:25.710 --> 15:28.060 there is no military solution to 15:28.060 --> 15:30.560 conflict and we would call for an 15:30.560 --> 15:32.380 immediate and full cessation of 15:32.380 --> 15:34.547 hostilities . Thank you . Let me go to 15:34.547 --> 15:38.400 Barbara generator . Um , you said uh , 15:38.410 --> 15:41.110 that quoting you will look into exactly 15:41.110 --> 15:44.450 what the situation was at kelly . Can 15:44.450 --> 15:46.650 we get a little more precision on a 15:46.660 --> 15:49.070 couple of key points when you say that , 15:49.330 --> 15:51.780 Um , you know , is that the pentagon 15:51.780 --> 15:53.891 that's gonna look into it ? Is it the 15:53.891 --> 15:56.058 air force who's looking into it ? What 15:56.058 --> 15:58.058 do they need to know , what do they 15:58.058 --> 16:00.920 need to find out ? Can you tell us if 16:00.930 --> 16:04.070 it is a joint use space ? Um , 16:04.080 --> 16:07.700 would you , would the would that those 16:07.700 --> 16:10.340 flights have had to have been cleared 16:10.350 --> 16:13.780 by any military 80 air traffic 16:13.780 --> 16:16.330 control element , same thing in 16:16.330 --> 16:20.150 Massachusetts . And given the fact that 16:20.150 --> 16:23.070 this is happening and involving dual 16:23.070 --> 16:25.630 use state activated National Guard , 16:25.640 --> 16:28.730 what is the directive from the pentagon 16:28.740 --> 16:31.370 on these operations ? Is it 16:31.380 --> 16:35.210 clear that active duty 16:35.220 --> 16:39.200 military is not to be 16:39.210 --> 16:41.432 involved in these operations ? In other 16:41.432 --> 16:43.488 words , the secretary having already 16:43.488 --> 16:45.654 rejected DCs request twice , is he now 16:45.654 --> 16:48.040 saying even if there's no request , 16:48.050 --> 16:51.040 don't get involved as much precision as 16:51.040 --> 16:53.400 you can . Sure this entire thing . Sure . 16:53.410 --> 16:56.510 Let me start with the second part first . 16:56.780 --> 16:58.947 As I understand it . Both missions are 16:58.947 --> 17:01.180 conducted in state active duty status 17:01.190 --> 17:04.230 under their respective governors . Um , 17:04.570 --> 17:06.880 so , um , from massachusetts , I'd 17:06.880 --> 17:09.102 refer you to the massachusetts Governor 17:09.102 --> 17:11.690 office to talk about those National 17:11.690 --> 17:15.410 Guard troops . The federal government , 17:15.410 --> 17:18.070 the pentagon is not paying for the 17:18.070 --> 17:20.292 activation of these forces . That is my 17:20.292 --> 17:22.400 understanding . Okay . In terms of 17:22.400 --> 17:25.230 kelly , uh , and what's happening there . 17:25.240 --> 17:27.640 Um , to your point , we'll get with the 17:27.640 --> 17:29.807 Air Force and either will come back to 17:29.807 --> 17:31.862 you or we'll have the Air Force come 17:31.862 --> 17:34.084 back to you on what exactly if anything 17:34.084 --> 17:36.251 transpired there , but I don't want to 17:36.251 --> 17:38.660 make it up from here . And has the 17:38.660 --> 17:42.180 secretary said either to the Air 17:42.180 --> 17:45.120 Force , Federal National Guard elements 17:45.130 --> 17:49.110 who army , whoever it may be ? No , 17:49.110 --> 17:51.560 you are not to be involved in 17:51.570 --> 17:54.560 operations . Where governors send 17:54.570 --> 17:57.520 migrants to other states or any of 17:57.530 --> 17:59.310 their flights or transportation 17:59.310 --> 18:01.610 arrangements . Um , I think in this 18:01.610 --> 18:04.750 case the the massachusetts governor 18:04.760 --> 18:07.770 activated the National Guard troops and 18:07.770 --> 18:10.350 so that's where it stands right now . 18:10.360 --> 18:13.370 So the secretary issued any directive 18:13.380 --> 18:16.460 guidance . Has he got any recall ? Not 18:16.460 --> 18:17.460 that I'm aware of 18:20.380 --> 18:23.320 that goes to all of us to . And then I 18:23.320 --> 18:26.210 wanted to ask about a rand study that 18:26.210 --> 18:28.043 came out this week about women's 18:28.043 --> 18:29.877 reproductive health . It was the 18:29.877 --> 18:33.330 pentagon um uh requested it several 18:33.330 --> 18:35.880 years ago but it found that there as 18:35.880 --> 18:39.470 many as 7400 women activated women and 18:39.480 --> 18:41.591 D . O . D . Civilians may be impacted 18:41.591 --> 18:43.780 by the dobbs decision going forward . 18:43.780 --> 18:46.910 So what I'm wondering is is does does 18:46.920 --> 18:49.480 what where can you update us on where 18:49.490 --> 18:51.546 things stand with that in the in the 18:51.546 --> 18:53.712 military and the pentagon . Have there 18:53.712 --> 18:55.990 been cases where women have uh where D . 18:55.990 --> 18:57.990 O . D . Has supported as the boston 18:57.990 --> 19:00.101 memo said after the decision was made 19:00.101 --> 19:01.879 public um where D . O . D . Has 19:01.879 --> 19:04.360 supported moving women to other places 19:04.360 --> 19:06.527 so that they can get care . Have there 19:06.527 --> 19:08.304 been any physicians at military 19:08.304 --> 19:10.471 treatment facilities that have been um 19:10.471 --> 19:12.304 subject to state laws and may be 19:12.304 --> 19:14.138 prosecuted . Docs had to provide 19:14.138 --> 19:16.304 counsel . Another thing that Secretary 19:16.304 --> 19:16.230 Austin , I'm sorry . It wasn't Austin's 19:16.230 --> 19:18.630 memo , It was personnel . Another thing 19:18.630 --> 19:20.686 that that memo laid out , I guess if 19:20.686 --> 19:22.852 you could just update us on where that 19:22.852 --> 19:24.908 stands . And do you expect any new , 19:24.908 --> 19:27.074 any changes or any additional guidance 19:27.074 --> 19:29.241 on abortion care and reproductive care 19:29.241 --> 19:31.463 for women going forward ? Yeah . Thanks 19:31.463 --> 19:33.686 Courtney . So , first of all , there is 19:33.686 --> 19:35.908 nothing more important to the Secretary 19:35.908 --> 19:38.074 and the Department of Defense than the 19:38.074 --> 19:40.130 health and well being of our service 19:40.130 --> 19:43.160 members . Um in terms of um 19:43.170 --> 19:46.800 policies related to Dobbs um , for now , 19:46.810 --> 19:49.260 um , our current policy of providing 19:49.260 --> 19:51.427 covered abortions remains in effect in 19:51.427 --> 19:53.538 accordance with federal law , I don't 19:53.538 --> 19:55.649 have any specific individual cases to 19:55.649 --> 19:58.530 talk to you about . Um , but we 19:58.530 --> 20:02.420 continue to discuss uh , the the impact 20:02.420 --> 20:04.364 of Dobbs on personnel policies and 20:04.364 --> 20:06.587 certainly will keep you updated on that 20:06.587 --> 20:08.476 front . Is anyone tracking that ? 20:08.476 --> 20:10.309 Because I know that there's been 20:10.309 --> 20:12.476 there's obviously a lot of interest in 20:12.476 --> 20:14.698 it , in the , in the military community 20:14.698 --> 20:14.470 of women and it's not just active duty , 20:14.470 --> 20:17.110 there's also dependence and absolutely . 20:17.390 --> 20:19.279 I mean , anyone at the door level 20:19.279 --> 20:21.168 tracking whether this is actually 20:21.168 --> 20:23.960 having an impact on ? I would say 20:23.970 --> 20:26.790 yes . I mean , this continues not only 20:26.790 --> 20:28.846 within the Department of Defense but 20:28.846 --> 20:30.679 all the services to be an active 20:30.679 --> 20:32.790 conversation . In terms of what do we 20:32.790 --> 20:34.846 do ? What do we need to do to ensure 20:34.846 --> 20:37.012 that we are taking care of our members 20:37.012 --> 20:39.420 and their families and looking at those 20:39.420 --> 20:41.642 policies . So again , when we have more 20:41.642 --> 20:43.864 details to provide , we'll make sure we 20:43.864 --> 20:45.864 keep not only you updated , but the 20:45.864 --> 20:48.031 members of our force , it's clear . So 20:48.031 --> 20:50.198 it's at this point , there have been , 20:50.198 --> 20:52.364 you're not aware or the pentagon isn't 20:52.364 --> 20:54.364 tracking any cases where women have 20:54.364 --> 20:56.364 been denied care or there have been 20:56.364 --> 20:58.198 issues with providing women with 20:58.198 --> 21:00.820 abortion services from this podium . 21:00.820 --> 21:03.510 I'm not currently tracking any cases 21:03.510 --> 21:05.732 that , that doesn't mean there aren't , 21:05.732 --> 21:07.954 but I'm not tracking those . So again , 21:07.954 --> 21:10.121 we'll , we'll be sure to keep keep you 21:10.121 --> 21:10.110 updated . Okay , let me go back to the 21:10.110 --> 21:13.720 phone . Tera cop from defense one . Hey , 21:13.720 --> 21:15.776 thanks for doing this . Um , just to 21:15.776 --> 21:19.610 follow on , on the migrants and 21:19.620 --> 21:21.590 guard , could you also look 21:21.590 --> 21:24.720 specifically into the use of guard 21:24.730 --> 21:26.508 aircraft and whether there's an 21:26.508 --> 21:28.674 overarching air force policy , D . O . 21:28.674 --> 21:30.674 D policy on the use of the , on any 21:30.674 --> 21:32.800 sort of aircraft . Um , and then 21:32.800 --> 21:35.910 secondly , on the drawdown and just the 21:35.910 --> 21:38.320 fact that first one could be taken for 21:38.320 --> 21:40.542 everybody . Um , secondly , on the draw 21:40.542 --> 21:42.709 down the cold weather gear , could you 21:42.709 --> 21:44.653 describe what type of cold weather 21:44.653 --> 21:47.680 gears being , take our scent and um , 21:47.690 --> 21:49.801 is this kind of the first of a lot of 21:49.801 --> 21:51.857 cold weather gear that might be sent 21:51.857 --> 21:54.079 for a long winter fight ? Thanks thanks 21:54.079 --> 21:56.250 to our um , so copy on , on your first 21:56.260 --> 21:59.880 point there again , we'll take that in 21:59.880 --> 22:02.047 terms of the cold weather gear , we're 22:02.047 --> 22:06.040 talking things like parkas gloves , um , 22:06.050 --> 22:08.161 that , you know , the kinds of things 22:08.161 --> 22:10.420 that you would use for conducting 22:10.420 --> 22:13.240 operations in cold weather . Um and in 22:13.240 --> 22:15.073 terms of the future . Again , we 22:15.073 --> 22:18.220 continue to work very closely with our 22:18.220 --> 22:21.250 Ukraine partners and the international 22:21.250 --> 22:23.361 community to look at what their needs 22:23.361 --> 22:25.528 are . And so we'll be sure to keep you 22:25.528 --> 22:27.083 updated if there are future 22:27.083 --> 22:29.330 announcements related to cold weather 22:29.340 --> 22:31.930 gear that we need to make . Alright , 22:31.930 --> 22:34.263 let me go to matt , white coffee or die . 22:34.730 --> 22:36.952 Yeah , thank you for the briefing sir . 22:36.952 --> 22:39.910 Um the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense , 22:39.920 --> 22:41.030 can you hear me ? 22:43.860 --> 22:47.050 I can hear you . Great . Uh Ukrainian 22:47.050 --> 22:48.994 Ministry Defense put out a release 22:48.994 --> 22:50.939 today um describing that they have 22:50.939 --> 22:54.480 reports of Russian soldiers uh 22:54.490 --> 22:57.580 retreating across the river um 22:57.590 --> 23:00.360 using stolen motor boats from residents 23:00.360 --> 23:02.590 locally . I'm wondering if you can if 23:02.590 --> 23:05.500 you have any reports of that . Uh and 23:05.510 --> 23:07.800 also a little bit beyond that , if 23:07.800 --> 23:09.800 there are other reports that you're 23:09.800 --> 23:12.000 getting that might speak to sort of uh 23:12.010 --> 23:14.066 if the retreat in that area has been 23:14.066 --> 23:16.880 particularly uh disordered . Thank you . 23:16.890 --> 23:20.220 Sure . I I don't have any comments or 23:20.220 --> 23:23.070 information to provide on on that level 23:23.070 --> 23:25.290 of detail , Matt again , I'd refer you 23:25.290 --> 23:27.512 to the Ukrainians to to get those kinds 23:27.512 --> 23:30.230 of updates uh in terms of 23:30.240 --> 23:34.220 characterizing the Russian retreat um 23:34.230 --> 23:36.119 Again , beyond what we've already 23:36.119 --> 23:38.170 talked about in terms of as the 23:38.170 --> 23:40.240 Ukrainians conducted their counter 23:40.240 --> 23:42.462 offensive in the north , in the Kharkiv 23:42.462 --> 23:45.670 region . Uh As mentioned , we saw the 23:45.680 --> 23:48.610 Russians uh fleeing over the border , 23:48.620 --> 23:52.250 uh in in some locations Um and of 23:52.250 --> 23:54.194 course the reports of low morale , 23:54.194 --> 23:55.970 logistics issues , sustainment 23:55.970 --> 23:58.520 challenges beyond that . I don't have 23:58.520 --> 24:01.350 any other details to provide . Okay , I 24:01.360 --> 24:03.720 can take one or two more . Yes , sir 24:03.870 --> 24:07.590 military dot com . Um On the topic of P 24:07.590 --> 24:11.460 I P O W M I A day , um there are at 24:11.460 --> 24:13.682 least two americans that are being held 24:13.682 --> 24:15.738 captive in Ukraine at the moment . I 24:15.738 --> 24:17.904 think a few others have gone missing . 24:17.904 --> 24:19.820 Do you have any updates on the 24:19.820 --> 24:22.042 americans that are currently being held 24:22.042 --> 24:24.209 captive by Russian separatist forces ? 24:24.209 --> 24:26.431 I do not have any updates . Thank you . 24:26.431 --> 24:28.209 Is there any new message to the 24:28.209 --> 24:30.431 veterans that are currently fighting in 24:30.431 --> 24:32.376 the country ? Two U . S . Veterans 24:32.376 --> 24:34.542 fighting in the country ? I don't have 24:34.542 --> 24:36.653 a message to pass along . Thank you . 24:36.653 --> 24:38.880 Okay , I'm sorry . Last question back 24:38.880 --> 24:41.990 to Ukraine , A senior State Department 24:41.990 --> 24:44.280 official said yesterday or expected 24:44.280 --> 24:47.050 yesterday heavy fighting in Ukraine 24:47.050 --> 24:50.050 during the fall as both sides tried to 24:50.060 --> 24:53.120 reposition themselves in preparation 24:53.120 --> 24:56.140 for the winter . Also , he said , 24:56.150 --> 24:58.430 despite the progress made by the 24:58.430 --> 25:01.770 Ukrainians recently , the war is far 25:01.780 --> 25:03.790 from it . And do you share , do you 25:03.800 --> 25:07.090 agree with this assessment ? Um So I'm 25:07.100 --> 25:09.200 again not gonna try to speculate and 25:09.200 --> 25:12.390 put a timeline on this uh conflict um 25:12.400 --> 25:15.110 other than to say again , we believe 25:15.110 --> 25:17.221 that this will continue to be a tough 25:17.221 --> 25:19.530 fight . Um You know , certainly that 25:19.530 --> 25:21.530 we've seen the Ukrainians have some 25:21.530 --> 25:25.030 success . Uh and um we'll continue our 25:25.030 --> 25:27.252 focus will continue to be on supporting 25:27.252 --> 25:30.870 them in their fight . Um , But we we do 25:30.880 --> 25:33.680 uh anticipate that this will continue 25:33.680 --> 25:36.140 to be a very tough fight . Uh And the 25:36.140 --> 25:38.307 only thing that could shorten it would 25:38.307 --> 25:41.510 be , is , um , if the Russians decided 25:41.510 --> 25:43.780 to do the right thing and withdraw 25:43.780 --> 25:46.560 their occupying forces from Ukraine . 25:47.080 --> 25:48.913 Thank you very much , Ladies and 25:48.913 --> 25:48.970 gentlemen , I appreciate it .