1 00:00:02,480 --> 00:00:04,880 Good afternoon everyone . I have quite 2 00:00:04,880 --> 00:00:07,102 a few things to cover up front and then 3 00:00:07,102 --> 00:00:09,158 I'll be happy to take your questions 4 00:00:09,830 --> 00:00:12,210 today . Secretary Austin signed a memo 5 00:00:12,210 --> 00:00:14,432 directing the undersecretary of defense 6 00:00:14,432 --> 00:00:16,599 for personnel and readiness to oversee 7 00:00:16,599 --> 00:00:18,266 implementation of a number of 8 00:00:18,266 --> 00:00:19,988 initiatives designed to ensure 9 00:00:19,988 --> 00:00:22,210 reproductive health care access for our 10 00:00:22,210 --> 00:00:24,043 service members and their family 11 00:00:24,043 --> 00:00:26,266 members and to bring clarity to D . O . 12 00:00:26,266 --> 00:00:28,154 D . Policies . In the wake of the 13 00:00:28,154 --> 00:00:30,154 Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v . 14 00:00:30,154 --> 00:00:32,266 Jackson Women's Health Organization , 15 00:00:32,266 --> 00:00:34,154 the memo will be available on our 16 00:00:34,154 --> 00:00:36,377 defense dot gov website and underscores 17 00:00:36,377 --> 00:00:38,543 the secretary's top priority of taking 18 00:00:38,543 --> 00:00:40,654 care of our people and ensuring their 19 00:00:40,654 --> 00:00:42,877 health and well being . As evidenced by 20 00:00:42,877 --> 00:00:45,099 the numerous operations the US military 21 00:00:45,099 --> 00:00:47,266 conducts and supports around the world 22 00:00:47,266 --> 00:00:49,432 on any given day . Our service members 23 00:00:49,432 --> 00:00:51,599 and their families are key or fighting 24 00:00:51,599 --> 00:00:53,654 advantage and our greatest source of 25 00:00:53,654 --> 00:00:55,654 strength . It is well understood by 26 00:00:55,654 --> 00:00:55,540 those wearing the uniform of our 27 00:00:55,540 --> 00:00:57,762 nation's armed forces that frequent and 28 00:00:57,762 --> 00:00:59,984 sometimes unpredictable travel or moves 29 00:00:59,984 --> 00:01:02,180 are often required to meet operational 30 00:01:02,180 --> 00:01:04,880 training or staffing requirements . As 31 00:01:04,880 --> 00:01:07,160 Secretary Austin's memo highlights such 32 00:01:07,160 --> 00:01:09,327 moves should not limit their access to 33 00:01:09,327 --> 00:01:11,382 reproductive health care . Following 34 00:01:11,382 --> 00:01:13,104 the Supreme Court's decision , 35 00:01:13,104 --> 00:01:15,271 Secretary Austin and other D . O . D . 36 00:01:15,271 --> 00:01:17,493 And service leaders receive significant 37 00:01:17,493 --> 00:01:19,438 feedback from many service members 38 00:01:19,438 --> 00:01:21,493 about the complexity and uncertainty 39 00:01:21,493 --> 00:01:23,716 they now face in accessing reproductive 40 00:01:23,716 --> 00:01:25,493 health care to include abortion 41 00:01:25,493 --> 00:01:27,493 services . The decision also raised 42 00:01:27,493 --> 00:01:29,493 questions about potential legal and 43 00:01:29,493 --> 00:01:31,271 financial risks for D . O . D . 44 00:01:31,271 --> 00:01:33,438 Healthcare providers as they carry out 45 00:01:33,438 --> 00:01:35,327 their lawful federal duties . The 46 00:01:35,327 --> 00:01:37,493 practical effect of the recent changes 47 00:01:37,493 --> 00:01:39,604 is that service members may be forced 48 00:01:39,604 --> 00:01:41,827 to travel greater distances , Take more 49 00:01:41,827 --> 00:01:43,716 time off work and pay more out of 50 00:01:43,716 --> 00:01:45,882 pocket expenses to access reproductive 51 00:01:45,882 --> 00:01:47,660 health care , all of which have 52 00:01:47,660 --> 00:01:49,716 readiness , recruiting and retention 53 00:01:49,716 --> 00:01:52,049 implications for America's armed forces . 54 00:01:52,049 --> 00:01:54,049 Secretary Austin and the department 55 00:01:54,049 --> 00:01:55,882 took a thoughtful and deliberate 56 00:01:55,882 --> 00:01:57,827 approach in developing the actions 57 00:01:57,827 --> 00:01:59,993 outlined in the memo issued today in a 58 00:01:59,993 --> 00:02:02,271 statement following the Dobbs decision , 59 00:02:02,271 --> 00:02:04,327 Secretary Austin stated that quote , 60 00:02:04,327 --> 00:02:06,160 the department is examining this 61 00:02:06,160 --> 00:02:08,160 decision closely and evaluating our 62 00:02:08,160 --> 00:02:10,049 policies to ensure we continue to 63 00:02:10,049 --> 00:02:12,271 provide seamless access to reproductive 64 00:02:12,271 --> 00:02:14,549 healthcare as permitted by federal law . 65 00:02:14,549 --> 00:02:16,620 End quote . Within days of the Dobbs 66 00:02:16,620 --> 00:02:18,453 decision , the department issued 67 00:02:18,453 --> 00:02:20,676 guidance to reassure the force that the 68 00:02:20,676 --> 00:02:22,731 department would continue to provide 69 00:02:22,731 --> 00:02:24,787 federally authorized health care and 70 00:02:24,787 --> 00:02:27,009 would take action to increase access to 71 00:02:27,009 --> 00:02:28,842 contraceptive services . And the 72 00:02:28,842 --> 00:02:30,564 ensuing time a department wide 73 00:02:30,564 --> 00:02:32,860 multidisciplinary team reviewed current 74 00:02:32,860 --> 00:02:35,760 policy , analyze the impacts of the dob 75 00:02:35,760 --> 00:02:37,982 decision on recruitment , retention and 76 00:02:37,982 --> 00:02:40,130 readiness considered outside studies 77 00:02:40,130 --> 00:02:42,019 such as a recently published rand 78 00:02:42,019 --> 00:02:44,360 report and heard input directly from 79 00:02:44,360 --> 00:02:46,620 service members to assess the impact of 80 00:02:46,620 --> 00:02:49,330 the Dobbs decision . Secretary Austin 81 00:02:49,330 --> 00:02:51,330 convened his most senior leaders to 82 00:02:51,330 --> 00:02:53,219 include the Chairman of the Joint 83 00:02:53,219 --> 00:02:55,274 Chiefs Service Secretaries , Service 84 00:02:55,274 --> 00:02:57,108 Chiefs and senior service senior 85 00:02:57,108 --> 00:02:59,219 enlisted leaders to hear their inputs 86 00:02:59,219 --> 00:03:01,386 and perspectives on how to support the 87 00:03:01,386 --> 00:03:03,360 force . Ultimately , the range of 88 00:03:03,360 --> 00:03:05,360 actions outlined in the Secretary's 89 00:03:05,360 --> 00:03:07,582 memo , which will be completed no later 90 00:03:07,582 --> 00:03:09,582 than the end of the calendar year , 91 00:03:09,582 --> 00:03:11,638 will ensure that we recruit , retain 92 00:03:11,638 --> 00:03:13,527 and maintain the readiness of our 93 00:03:13,527 --> 00:03:15,471 nation's highly qualified fighting 94 00:03:15,471 --> 00:03:17,416 force D . O . D . Will continue to 95 00:03:17,416 --> 00:03:19,638 closely evaluate our policies to ensure 96 00:03:19,638 --> 00:03:21,582 that we provide seamless access to 97 00:03:21,582 --> 00:03:23,804 reproductive health care as appropriate 98 00:03:23,804 --> 00:03:25,693 and consistent with federal law . 99 00:03:25,693 --> 00:03:27,693 Additionally , today the department 100 00:03:27,693 --> 00:03:29,804 released the annual report on suicide 101 00:03:29,804 --> 00:03:32,082 in the military for calendar year 2021 . 102 00:03:32,082 --> 00:03:34,138 Secretary Austin has said that while 103 00:03:34,138 --> 00:03:36,193 he's encouraged to see a decrease in 104 00:03:36,193 --> 00:03:37,916 the suicide rate in our active 105 00:03:37,916 --> 00:03:40,027 component , we recognize we have more 106 00:03:40,027 --> 00:03:42,193 work to do . Every death by suicide is 107 00:03:42,193 --> 00:03:44,740 a tragedy that impacts our people , our 108 00:03:44,740 --> 00:03:47,420 military units and our readiness . The 109 00:03:47,420 --> 00:03:49,642 Secretary remains committed to tackling 110 00:03:49,642 --> 00:03:51,864 suicides within the force and improving 111 00:03:51,864 --> 00:03:54,087 the quality of life for service members 112 00:03:54,087 --> 00:03:55,753 and their families to include 113 00:03:55,753 --> 00:03:57,642 addressing stigma as a barrier to 114 00:03:57,642 --> 00:03:59,587 seeking help . As he has said many 115 00:03:59,587 --> 00:04:01,698 times . Mental health is health . The 116 00:04:01,698 --> 00:04:03,531 secretary is appreciative of the 117 00:04:03,531 --> 00:04:05,698 efforts made throughout the department 118 00:04:05,698 --> 00:04:07,920 but remains laser focused and committed 119 00:04:07,920 --> 00:04:09,809 to a comprehensive and integrated 120 00:04:09,809 --> 00:04:11,864 approach to suicide prevention . The 121 00:04:11,864 --> 00:04:13,976 department is standing up a dedicated 122 00:04:13,976 --> 00:04:16,198 prevention work force to strengthen our 123 00:04:16,198 --> 00:04:18,253 efforts to address suicide and other 124 00:04:18,253 --> 00:04:20,364 challenging areas . The scale of this 125 00:04:20,364 --> 00:04:22,587 workforce is unprecedented and reflects 126 00:04:22,587 --> 00:04:24,920 our commitment to making lasting change . 127 00:04:24,920 --> 00:04:26,698 The report and the accompanying 128 00:04:26,698 --> 00:04:26,680 statement from Secretary Austin are 129 00:04:26,680 --> 00:04:29,013 available online now at defense dot gov . 130 00:04:29,790 --> 00:04:31,734 Switching to some important US Air 131 00:04:31,734 --> 00:04:33,734 Force News . The Air Force plans to 132 00:04:33,734 --> 00:04:35,790 reveal the nation's newest strategic 133 00:04:35,790 --> 00:04:37,679 bomber aircraft . The B 21 raider 134 00:04:37,679 --> 00:04:39,512 december 2nd during an unveiling 135 00:04:39,512 --> 00:04:41,630 ceremony hosted and sponsored by the 136 00:04:41,630 --> 00:04:43,630 Northrop Grumman Corporation at its 137 00:04:43,630 --> 00:04:45,519 production facilities in Palmdale 138 00:04:45,519 --> 00:04:47,186 California . The U . S . Last 139 00:04:47,186 --> 00:04:49,297 introduced a new bomber over 30 years 140 00:04:49,297 --> 00:04:51,463 ago . The B 21 raider will provide our 141 00:04:51,463 --> 00:04:53,241 nation with a formidable combat 142 00:04:53,241 --> 00:04:55,408 capability that can be employed across 143 00:04:55,408 --> 00:04:57,408 a range of operations in the highly 144 00:04:57,408 --> 00:04:59,574 contested environments of the future . 145 00:04:59,574 --> 00:05:01,463 The B 21 is a long range , highly 146 00:05:01,463 --> 00:05:04,020 survivable penetrating strike stealth 147 00:05:04,020 --> 00:05:06,210 bomber that will incrementally replace 148 00:05:06,210 --> 00:05:08,560 the B one and B two bomber aircraft 149 00:05:08,570 --> 00:05:10,626 becoming the backbone of the U . S . 150 00:05:10,626 --> 00:05:12,690 Air Force bomber fleet . Please note 151 00:05:12,690 --> 00:05:14,857 that the unveiling ceremony will be by 152 00:05:14,857 --> 00:05:16,912 invitation only and Northrop Grumman 153 00:05:16,912 --> 00:05:18,801 will determine and distribute the 154 00:05:18,801 --> 00:05:20,968 invitations . Finally , this morning , 155 00:05:20,968 --> 00:05:23,023 Secretary Austin met with Indonesian 156 00:05:23,023 --> 00:05:25,134 Minister of Defense Pravo here in the 157 00:05:25,134 --> 00:05:26,968 pentagon . The leaders discussed 158 00:05:26,968 --> 00:05:28,968 opportunities for further alignment 159 00:05:28,968 --> 00:05:31,190 between the United States and Indonesia 160 00:05:31,190 --> 00:05:33,246 as the two countries pursue a shared 161 00:05:33,246 --> 00:05:35,670 vision of a free and open indo pacific 162 00:05:35,680 --> 00:05:37,791 as well as issues of global concern . 163 00:05:38,110 --> 00:05:40,420 Secretary Austin expressed appreciation 164 00:05:40,420 --> 00:05:42,587 for Indonesia's leadership role within 165 00:05:42,587 --> 00:05:44,810 ASean in the indo pacific and around 166 00:05:44,810 --> 00:05:46,699 the world . A full readout of the 167 00:05:46,699 --> 00:05:48,643 meeting is posted to our website . 168 00:05:48,643 --> 00:05:50,754 Additionally , the Secretary spoke on 169 00:05:50,754 --> 00:05:52,532 the phone yesterday to Turkey's 170 00:05:52,532 --> 00:05:54,754 Minister of Defense Minister who lucy a 171 00:05:54,754 --> 00:05:56,866 car . The two leaders continued their 172 00:05:56,866 --> 00:05:58,921 dialogue from last week's meeting at 173 00:05:58,921 --> 00:06:00,866 the NATO defense ministerial and I 174 00:06:00,866 --> 00:06:00,800 would refer you to yesterday's full 175 00:06:00,800 --> 00:06:03,200 readout also posted on our website and 176 00:06:03,200 --> 00:06:05,478 with that , I will take your questions . 177 00:06:05,478 --> 00:06:08,380 Starting with Tara ap I've had two 178 00:06:08,380 --> 00:06:11,110 questions for you . Um First uh the 179 00:06:11,120 --> 00:06:13,870 White House said this afternoon that 180 00:06:13,880 --> 00:06:16,102 there's evidence now that Iran actually 181 00:06:16,102 --> 00:06:18,420 has troops on the ground in Crimea 182 00:06:18,430 --> 00:06:22,070 supporting Russia's invasion . Um Has 183 00:06:22,070 --> 00:06:24,126 the pentagon seen evidence of this ? 184 00:06:24,126 --> 00:06:26,237 And you have further comment that you 185 00:06:26,237 --> 00:06:27,959 can make about the drones that 186 00:06:27,959 --> 00:06:30,070 continued Iranian drones that seem to 187 00:06:30,070 --> 00:06:32,260 be uh striking in Ukraine . And then 188 00:06:32,260 --> 00:06:35,430 secondly , on the Dobbs memo today . Um 189 00:06:35,440 --> 00:06:37,780 could you talk a little bit first about 190 00:06:37,790 --> 00:06:39,957 the timing of the memo ? We are just a 191 00:06:39,957 --> 00:06:41,734 few weeks away from the midterm 192 00:06:41,734 --> 00:06:43,901 elections and abortion has become such 193 00:06:43,901 --> 00:06:47,060 a central topic of this election um for 194 00:06:47,060 --> 00:06:49,170 the service members who are at bases 195 00:06:49,170 --> 00:06:51,600 across the US . How does this memo 196 00:06:51,610 --> 00:06:54,400 really protect them if they seek 197 00:06:54,410 --> 00:06:56,960 abortion care services ? But first they 198 00:06:56,960 --> 00:06:59,293 have to go through one chain of command , 199 00:06:59,293 --> 00:06:59,200 that another chain of command and 200 00:06:59,200 --> 00:07:01,256 another command . How are you really 201 00:07:01,256 --> 00:07:03,200 going to protect their privacy and 202 00:07:03,200 --> 00:07:05,367 ensure they get the access they need . 203 00:07:05,367 --> 00:07:07,644 Sure . On on your first question , yes , 204 00:07:07,644 --> 00:07:11,170 we do assess that Iranians have been on 205 00:07:11,170 --> 00:07:14,390 the ground in Ukraine to assist Russia 206 00:07:14,450 --> 00:07:18,220 with the drone operations there . 207 00:07:18,230 --> 00:07:22,050 Um And so in terms of uh 208 00:07:22,060 --> 00:07:24,171 what that means , obviously , again , 209 00:07:24,171 --> 00:07:27,740 we continue to see Iran be complicit in 210 00:07:27,740 --> 00:07:30,340 terms of exporting terror , uh not only 211 00:07:30,340 --> 00:07:32,340 in the Middle East region , but now 212 00:07:32,340 --> 00:07:35,980 also to Ukraine . Uh and so um you know , 213 00:07:35,980 --> 00:07:38,220 I think that speaks for itself in terms 214 00:07:38,220 --> 00:07:40,540 of the dobbs memo , in regards to the 215 00:07:40,540 --> 00:07:42,651 timing , as I mentioned in my opening 216 00:07:42,651 --> 00:07:44,762 comments , the department took a very 217 00:07:44,762 --> 00:07:46,984 deliberate and thoughtful approach . Um 218 00:07:46,984 --> 00:07:49,900 we commented on on the the decision as 219 00:07:49,900 --> 00:07:53,100 soon as it was made and have been 220 00:07:53,100 --> 00:07:55,950 working very hard over the last few 221 00:07:55,950 --> 00:07:58,120 months to come up with an approach 222 00:07:58,120 --> 00:08:00,287 that's going to address service member 223 00:08:00,287 --> 00:08:02,690 concerns and help clarify uh D O . D 224 00:08:02,690 --> 00:08:06,650 policies . Um I think that um 225 00:08:07,270 --> 00:08:09,920 the fact that uh taking care of our 226 00:08:09,920 --> 00:08:12,031 people continues to be the number one 227 00:08:12,031 --> 00:08:15,190 priority , uh there is no uh timeline 228 00:08:15,200 --> 00:08:17,311 in terms of we can't work fast enough 229 00:08:17,311 --> 00:08:19,311 when it comes to taking care of our 230 00:08:19,311 --> 00:08:21,840 people . And so as I mentioned , we uh 231 00:08:21,850 --> 00:08:23,961 following the Dobbs decision , we put 232 00:08:23,961 --> 00:08:25,294 together a D O . D wide 233 00:08:25,294 --> 00:08:27,350 multidisciplinary team that analyzed 234 00:08:27,350 --> 00:08:29,600 all of the different aspects . Um we 235 00:08:29,600 --> 00:08:32,230 sought feedback from service members to 236 00:08:32,240 --> 00:08:35,160 address their concerns . Um and then as 237 00:08:35,160 --> 00:08:37,820 the Secretary's memo , highlights in 238 00:08:37,820 --> 00:08:40,300 the time before the end of the year , 239 00:08:40,300 --> 00:08:42,467 here will continue to work on policies 240 00:08:42,467 --> 00:08:44,633 that do address how we can best create 241 00:08:44,633 --> 00:08:46,940 a uniform policy in regards to service 242 00:08:46,940 --> 00:08:49,980 member privacy , um and making sure 243 00:08:49,980 --> 00:08:51,980 that they have the information they 244 00:08:51,980 --> 00:08:55,730 need to make informed decisions on Iran 245 00:08:55,930 --> 00:08:58,590 uh is kind of gone considering any 246 00:08:58,590 --> 00:09:01,680 steps to take or any further sanctions 247 00:09:01,680 --> 00:09:04,030 against Iran because of their support . 248 00:09:04,040 --> 00:09:05,929 And then could you just addressed 249 00:09:05,929 --> 00:09:07,929 specifically how to protect service 250 00:09:07,929 --> 00:09:10,096 members at local bases as they try and 251 00:09:10,096 --> 00:09:12,262 go through their chain of command . Um 252 00:09:12,710 --> 00:09:16,550 Sure . So um on Iran um 253 00:09:16,560 --> 00:09:18,990 switch flipping back and forth between 254 00:09:18,990 --> 00:09:21,760 Iran and uh and the memo here , but on 255 00:09:21,760 --> 00:09:23,760 Iran from a D O D perspective , our 256 00:09:23,760 --> 00:09:25,982 focus continues to be on supporting the 257 00:09:25,982 --> 00:09:27,927 Ukrainians in their fight . I know 258 00:09:27,927 --> 00:09:30,038 you've heard Nsc and State Department 259 00:09:30,038 --> 00:09:32,038 talk about actions that the U . S . 260 00:09:32,038 --> 00:09:34,204 Government is taking , particularly on 261 00:09:34,204 --> 00:09:36,316 the diplomatic and the economic track 262 00:09:36,316 --> 00:09:38,371 when it comes to potential sanctions 263 00:09:38,371 --> 00:09:40,820 again against Iran . And so I'll I'll 264 00:09:40,820 --> 00:09:43,080 defer you to them to speak about that . 265 00:09:43,090 --> 00:09:45,257 But again , in the meantime , from a D 266 00:09:45,257 --> 00:09:47,201 O . D perspective , we're going to 267 00:09:47,201 --> 00:09:49,368 continue to work with the Ukrainians , 268 00:09:49,368 --> 00:09:51,590 with our allies and our partners to get 269 00:09:51,590 --> 00:09:53,690 security assistance to them as they 270 00:09:53,700 --> 00:09:55,811 continue to fight and to defend their 271 00:09:55,811 --> 00:09:59,240 country um on Dobbs in terms of 272 00:09:59,250 --> 00:10:02,780 the service member . Um Again , I think 273 00:10:02,780 --> 00:10:05,690 the memo makes very clear that we want 274 00:10:05,690 --> 00:10:08,540 to establish policies and procedures so 275 00:10:08,540 --> 00:10:10,707 that there is uniformity that there is 276 00:10:10,707 --> 00:10:13,310 clarity on what service members rights 277 00:10:13,310 --> 00:10:15,800 are when it comes to privacy . It also 278 00:10:15,800 --> 00:10:18,160 makes very clear that uh it's incumbent 279 00:10:18,160 --> 00:10:21,570 upon commanders to be 280 00:10:21,580 --> 00:10:25,540 um mindful not only of the readiness 281 00:10:25,540 --> 00:10:27,373 of their units , but also of the 282 00:10:27,373 --> 00:10:29,370 privacy and the well being of the 283 00:10:29,370 --> 00:10:31,570 service members uh to include their 284 00:10:31,570 --> 00:10:35,150 privacy and so what you'll see uh with 285 00:10:35,150 --> 00:10:37,540 more to follow is how we will implement 286 00:10:37,540 --> 00:10:39,373 those decisions in a way that is 287 00:10:39,373 --> 00:10:41,262 applicable to all service members 288 00:10:41,262 --> 00:10:43,207 across the Department of Defense . 289 00:10:43,207 --> 00:10:45,980 Thank you . Alright , Yes , sir , thank 290 00:10:45,980 --> 00:10:48,860 you . I'd like to follow on drones , my 291 00:10:48,870 --> 00:10:50,870 audiences in Ukraine and you know , 292 00:10:50,870 --> 00:10:53,037 people are really terrified about this 293 00:10:53,037 --> 00:10:54,703 drone strikes on the civilian 294 00:10:54,703 --> 00:10:57,030 infrastructure . So I'd like to ask you 295 00:10:57,030 --> 00:10:59,252 two questions please . Firstly , Russia 296 00:10:59,252 --> 00:11:01,474 is denied . I think that the drones are 297 00:11:01,474 --> 00:11:04,515 Iranian , so based on the information 298 00:11:04,515 --> 00:11:06,459 you got , can you confirm that the 299 00:11:06,459 --> 00:11:08,535 drones are Iranian ? If not , is it 300 00:11:08,545 --> 00:11:10,515 generally anyway to , you know , 301 00:11:10,515 --> 00:11:13,465 confirm that they were made in Iran and 302 00:11:13,475 --> 00:11:16,980 given to Russia was attended talks 303 00:11:16,980 --> 00:11:18,924 between Pentagon and the Ukrainian 304 00:11:18,924 --> 00:11:20,980 Ministry of Defense , maybe just for 305 00:11:20,980 --> 00:11:23,091 the corporation to confirm that or to 306 00:11:23,091 --> 00:11:25,258 make an investigation . And secondly , 307 00:11:25,258 --> 00:11:27,424 speaking about minimizing the danger , 308 00:11:27,424 --> 00:11:29,480 are there any tools which are on the 309 00:11:29,480 --> 00:11:31,424 way or may be included in the next 310 00:11:31,424 --> 00:11:33,460 packages for Ukraine that may , you 311 00:11:33,460 --> 00:11:36,260 know , decrease the risk of using the 312 00:11:36,270 --> 00:11:39,210 drones in Ukraine ? Yeah , sure . Um so 313 00:11:39,220 --> 00:11:41,498 to answer your first question , I mean , 314 00:11:41,498 --> 00:11:44,380 we know that these drones are from Iran , 315 00:11:45,010 --> 00:11:47,890 um and you know , as you as you look at 316 00:11:47,890 --> 00:11:50,001 some of the public comments that have 317 00:11:50,001 --> 00:11:53,130 come from Iran , um I think as 318 00:11:53,130 --> 00:11:55,910 evidenced by the drones themselves , as 319 00:11:55,910 --> 00:11:58,570 evidenced by the fact that they 320 00:11:58,580 --> 00:12:00,630 continue to export terror , as I 321 00:12:00,630 --> 00:12:02,741 mentioned , not only uh in the Middle 322 00:12:02,741 --> 00:12:05,300 East region , but in Ukraine . Uh it's 323 00:12:05,300 --> 00:12:07,910 good , it's obvious that there um 324 00:12:08,690 --> 00:12:12,690 lying and uh and so again , uh the 325 00:12:12,700 --> 00:12:16,630 Secretary has spoken recently to the 326 00:12:16,640 --> 00:12:19,570 Ukrainian Minister of Defense . Um he's 327 00:12:19,570 --> 00:12:22,100 spoken to our partners and our allies 328 00:12:22,100 --> 00:12:24,211 about what it is that we can continue 329 00:12:24,211 --> 00:12:26,310 to do to support Ukraine uh in areas 330 00:12:26,310 --> 00:12:28,560 like air defense will continue to have 331 00:12:28,560 --> 00:12:30,560 those conversations not only on air 332 00:12:30,560 --> 00:12:32,671 defense , but what other capabilities 333 00:12:32,671 --> 00:12:35,040 the Ukrainian forces need in the days 334 00:12:35,040 --> 00:12:37,100 ahead . But again , it's just 335 00:12:37,100 --> 00:12:40,630 indicative of uh the kinds of rhetoric 336 00:12:40,640 --> 00:12:42,862 that you hear coming from Iran and from 337 00:12:42,862 --> 00:12:45,084 Russia trying to say that these are are 338 00:12:45,084 --> 00:12:47,140 not Iranian drones when they clearly 339 00:12:47,140 --> 00:12:49,980 are . Thank you janie , thank you . I 340 00:12:49,990 --> 00:12:53,060 have two occasions , Korea , Chairman 341 00:12:53,060 --> 00:12:55,710 of the Joint Chief of Staff General 342 00:12:55,720 --> 00:12:58,460 Millie uh lay upon the 343 00:12:58,470 --> 00:13:01,890 extended deterrence 344 00:13:01,900 --> 00:13:05,600 at the same meeting yesterday at the 345 00:13:05,610 --> 00:13:08,870 pentagon and South korean , you is your 346 00:13:08,870 --> 00:13:12,370 South korean and United States . What 347 00:13:12,370 --> 00:13:15,630 is the detail of the that extended 348 00:13:15,640 --> 00:13:17,696 deterrence ? Yeah , thanks very much 349 00:13:17,696 --> 00:13:20,920 jenny . So I know that joint staff 350 00:13:20,920 --> 00:13:24,770 provided a readout of the of the 351 00:13:24,770 --> 00:13:26,881 meeting and so I refer to them , they 352 00:13:26,881 --> 00:13:29,103 should be able to give you some details 353 00:13:29,103 --> 00:13:31,870 on that . You know , Do you think 354 00:13:31,880 --> 00:13:35,350 extended deterrence is enough to 355 00:13:35,360 --> 00:13:38,880 defend against the north korean nuclear . 356 00:13:39,800 --> 00:13:43,150 Do you need a tech nuclear 357 00:13:43,160 --> 00:13:46,880 development in South Korea , which is 358 00:13:46,880 --> 00:13:50,630 not yet nuclear . Uh well , again , I 359 00:13:50,630 --> 00:13:52,797 don't want to get into hypotheticals . 360 00:13:52,797 --> 00:13:55,019 Clearly we have a long standing defense 361 00:13:55,019 --> 00:13:57,352 relationship with the Republic of Korea , 362 00:13:57,352 --> 00:13:59,352 we have a significant U . S . Force 363 00:13:59,352 --> 00:14:01,297 presence on the peninsula . Uh the 364 00:14:01,297 --> 00:14:03,408 United States , the Republic of Korea 365 00:14:03,408 --> 00:14:05,463 and other allies and partners in the 366 00:14:05,463 --> 00:14:07,580 region to include Japan uh conduct 367 00:14:07,580 --> 00:14:09,950 regular exercise is to ensure that our 368 00:14:09,950 --> 00:14:12,006 forces have interoperability that we 369 00:14:12,006 --> 00:14:13,950 can work together with the idea to 370 00:14:13,950 --> 00:14:16,290 defend one another's interests and our 371 00:14:16,300 --> 00:14:19,130 territorial integrity as well as deter 372 00:14:19,130 --> 00:14:22,580 a potential attack . So our focus will 373 00:14:22,580 --> 00:14:25,010 continue to be on working together with 374 00:14:25,020 --> 00:14:26,964 the Republic of Korea and with our 375 00:14:26,964 --> 00:14:29,020 allies and partners in the region to 376 00:14:29,020 --> 00:14:31,980 preserve not only free and open uh indo 377 00:14:31,980 --> 00:14:34,510 pacific but also regional stability and 378 00:14:34,510 --> 00:14:37,700 security . Thank you . Yes . No , thank 379 00:14:37,700 --> 00:14:41,440 you sir . Two weeks ago , General 380 00:14:42,460 --> 00:14:45,710 Chief of Staff of Pakistan was here any 381 00:14:45,710 --> 00:14:48,100 new discussion about Afghanistan and 382 00:14:48,110 --> 00:14:51,210 also what rule pentagon playing now in 383 00:14:51,210 --> 00:14:53,940 Afghanistan because Taliban killed 384 00:14:53,950 --> 00:14:56,220 people every day and ostrich it and 385 00:14:56,220 --> 00:14:58,190 then killed them especially in a 386 00:14:59,270 --> 00:15:01,780 province . Thanks for the question . In 387 00:15:01,780 --> 00:15:05,285 terms of the res visit by the Chief of 388 00:15:05,285 --> 00:15:07,625 the Army staff , we did issue a read 389 00:15:07,625 --> 00:15:09,736 out on that . So I would refer you to 390 00:15:09,736 --> 00:15:11,792 that in terms of the nature of those 391 00:15:11,792 --> 00:15:14,014 discussions , I don't have anything new 392 00:15:14,014 --> 00:15:16,755 to provide in terms of the Department 393 00:15:16,755 --> 00:15:19,515 of Defense and Afghanistan . Obviously 394 00:15:19,655 --> 00:15:21,795 we continue to keep an eye on that 395 00:15:21,795 --> 00:15:23,962 region of the world , but I don't have 396 00:15:23,962 --> 00:15:25,795 any new announcements to make in 397 00:15:25,795 --> 00:15:27,906 regards to the country . Thank you so 398 00:15:27,906 --> 00:15:30,830 much , sir . Thanks um on the drones . 399 00:15:30,840 --> 00:15:32,951 Is there any indication that Iranians 400 00:15:32,951 --> 00:15:35,490 in Crimea have taken a direct role in 401 00:15:35,500 --> 00:15:37,611 operating the drones that have struck 402 00:15:37,611 --> 00:15:39,722 Ukraine or is that your understanding 403 00:15:39,722 --> 00:15:41,556 that they're more of an advisory 404 00:15:41,556 --> 00:15:43,667 training capacity ? Um And secondly , 405 00:15:43,667 --> 00:15:45,740 um the Washington post reported that 406 00:15:45,750 --> 00:15:47,639 the US has actually looked at the 407 00:15:47,639 --> 00:15:49,694 wreckage of some of these to confirm 408 00:15:49,694 --> 00:15:51,920 that there indeed Iranian drones . Can 409 00:15:51,920 --> 00:15:54,170 you confirm the level of evidence that 410 00:15:54,170 --> 00:15:56,337 the U . S . Has seen that leads you to 411 00:15:56,337 --> 00:15:58,448 conclude that ? Yeah , thanks on your 412 00:15:58,448 --> 00:16:00,670 on your last question , I've seen those 413 00:16:00,670 --> 00:16:02,503 press reports . I don't have any 414 00:16:02,503 --> 00:16:05,060 information to provide on that . Um in 415 00:16:05,060 --> 00:16:08,920 terms of the role of um Iranian 416 00:16:08,920 --> 00:16:10,864 military personnel on the ground . 417 00:16:10,864 --> 00:16:12,753 Again , our understanding is that 418 00:16:12,753 --> 00:16:14,531 they're on the ground in Crimea 419 00:16:14,531 --> 00:16:17,400 assisting uh Russian military personnel 420 00:16:17,410 --> 00:16:20,310 as they conduct these drone operations 421 00:16:20,320 --> 00:16:23,720 in Ukraine , but not a direct , they're 422 00:16:23,720 --> 00:16:25,887 not directly operating the drones . My 423 00:16:25,887 --> 00:16:28,053 understanding is that the Russians who 424 00:16:28,053 --> 00:16:30,164 are flying the drones , So yes , they 425 00:16:30,164 --> 00:16:32,109 are assisting the Russians in that 426 00:16:32,109 --> 00:16:34,320 those operations ? Yes , sir . Sure . 427 00:16:34,850 --> 00:16:37,540 Um I have to be praying for you . Um , 428 00:16:37,550 --> 00:16:40,860 Zelinsky said today that in an evening 429 00:16:40,860 --> 00:16:43,550 address that they're Russia uh placed 430 00:16:43,550 --> 00:16:45,550 explosives in the cargo van dam and 431 00:16:45,550 --> 00:16:47,606 could be aiming to flood Carson , do 432 00:16:47,606 --> 00:16:49,661 you have any info on that ? And then 433 00:16:49,661 --> 00:16:51,772 second , there's been some discussion 434 00:16:51,772 --> 00:16:53,772 of a threat of a new offensive from 435 00:16:53,772 --> 00:16:56,090 Belarus . Um is that is that an actual 436 00:16:56,090 --> 00:16:58,146 threat in your view or is that maybe 437 00:16:58,146 --> 00:17:00,368 more of a faint designed to pull forces 438 00:17:00,368 --> 00:17:02,920 from from the east to another area . So . 439 00:17:02,930 --> 00:17:05,041 So on your first question , I don't I 440 00:17:05,041 --> 00:17:06,874 don't have anything on that . Uh 441 00:17:06,874 --> 00:17:09,097 specifically , we have seen in the past 442 00:17:09,097 --> 00:17:11,380 where Russia has struck civilian 443 00:17:11,390 --> 00:17:14,290 infrastructure targets like dams in an 444 00:17:14,290 --> 00:17:17,620 attempt to flood various areas . 445 00:17:17,950 --> 00:17:20,630 Um but but I don't have anything 446 00:17:20,630 --> 00:17:23,050 specific on on what you've asked about . 447 00:17:23,060 --> 00:17:25,310 Um in terms of Belarus , it is an area 448 00:17:25,310 --> 00:17:27,532 that we continue to keep an eye on . Um 449 00:17:27,532 --> 00:17:29,699 you know , we don't currently have any 450 00:17:29,699 --> 00:17:32,440 indications of a potential , you know , 451 00:17:32,450 --> 00:17:34,728 imminent military action on that front , 452 00:17:34,728 --> 00:17:37,180 but we will keep a close eye on it and 453 00:17:37,190 --> 00:17:39,400 in the future . Yes , Sir Kassem , 454 00:17:39,710 --> 00:17:42,950 General on Washington post story about 455 00:17:42,960 --> 00:17:45,730 the U . S . Officers and generals being 456 00:17:45,730 --> 00:17:48,260 employed by Saudis and emiratis . The 457 00:17:48,260 --> 00:17:50,810 Washington Post , recent report says 458 00:17:50,810 --> 00:17:52,940 that the U . S . Military veteran 459 00:17:52,950 --> 00:17:56,520 advisors helped and facilitated the U . 460 00:17:56,520 --> 00:17:58,820 I . E . S . Involvement , intervention 461 00:17:58,820 --> 00:18:02,080 in Yemen and Libya . Were you aware of 462 00:18:02,250 --> 00:18:04,820 this fact ? Well , I've certainly seen 463 00:18:04,820 --> 00:18:08,450 the story in terms of the activities 464 00:18:08,450 --> 00:18:11,480 or actions of retired individuals , 465 00:18:11,490 --> 00:18:13,601 their their private citizens . So , I 466 00:18:13,601 --> 00:18:15,546 don't have any particular comments 467 00:18:15,546 --> 00:18:17,601 provided they are coming up with the 468 00:18:17,601 --> 00:18:19,434 experience they had from U . S . 469 00:18:19,434 --> 00:18:21,610 Military and then they go out and 470 00:18:21,620 --> 00:18:23,990 involved get involved in a conflict 471 00:18:23,990 --> 00:18:26,157 that is extremely controversial , like 472 00:18:26,157 --> 00:18:28,260 in Yemen and in Libya as well . So 473 00:18:28,610 --> 00:18:31,810 there's no rules , no principles that 474 00:18:31,820 --> 00:18:34,042 prevent these types of engagements . So 475 00:18:34,042 --> 00:18:36,590 what I would say is that um you know , 476 00:18:36,600 --> 00:18:38,822 in terms of private citizens , once you 477 00:18:38,822 --> 00:18:40,711 leave the Department of Defense , 478 00:18:40,711 --> 00:18:42,767 you're free to seek employment uh as 479 00:18:42,767 --> 00:18:44,933 you deem fit , however , you know , we 480 00:18:44,933 --> 00:18:47,560 do have certain rules in terms of what 481 00:18:47,570 --> 00:18:49,681 military members , former D . O . D . 482 00:18:49,681 --> 00:18:51,792 Personnel or retirees are required to 483 00:18:51,792 --> 00:18:53,681 do , which gets into the areas of 484 00:18:53,681 --> 00:18:55,626 safeguarding protecting classified 485 00:18:55,626 --> 00:18:59,290 information , ensuring that you are 486 00:18:59,300 --> 00:19:03,040 um receiving appropriate authorization 487 00:19:03,040 --> 00:19:05,320 to work for foreign governments through 488 00:19:05,330 --> 00:19:07,800 individual service legal processes . So 489 00:19:07,800 --> 00:19:09,856 ultimately , at the end of the day , 490 00:19:09,856 --> 00:19:12,022 it's incumbent on those individuals to 491 00:19:12,022 --> 00:19:14,133 follow those processes which are well 492 00:19:14,133 --> 00:19:16,356 known and well briefed . But again , in 493 00:19:16,356 --> 00:19:18,411 regards to individual uh individuals 494 00:19:18,411 --> 00:19:20,522 who may or may not work for companies 495 00:19:20,522 --> 00:19:22,689 or countries outside the Department of 496 00:19:22,689 --> 00:19:24,800 Defense , I'd have to refer to them . 497 00:19:24,800 --> 00:19:26,800 Regulation questions like when some 498 00:19:26,800 --> 00:19:28,689 people go out . Okay , classified 499 00:19:28,689 --> 00:19:31,130 information is one point . How about in 500 00:19:31,130 --> 00:19:34,980 getting involved in like wars waged 501 00:19:34,980 --> 00:19:37,036 by the countries that they are being 502 00:19:37,036 --> 00:19:39,369 employed by ? Is there anything on that ? 503 00:19:39,369 --> 00:19:41,424 Again , we have , you know , we have 504 00:19:41,424 --> 00:19:43,710 well established rules in terms of what 505 00:19:43,720 --> 00:19:46,310 U . S . Citizens and former D . O . D . 506 00:19:46,310 --> 00:19:48,160 Personnel are authorized and not 507 00:19:48,160 --> 00:19:50,850 authorized to do . Uh And so those 508 00:19:50,860 --> 00:19:52,693 those rules are briefed to those 509 00:19:52,693 --> 00:19:54,416 individuals as they depart the 510 00:19:54,416 --> 00:19:56,638 Department of Defense . But again , I'm 511 00:19:56,638 --> 00:19:58,582 not going to get into , you know , 512 00:19:58,582 --> 00:19:58,550 talking about any specific individual 513 00:19:58,550 --> 00:20:00,217 case . I'd refer you to those 514 00:20:00,217 --> 00:20:02,550 individuals , but thank you . All right . 515 00:20:02,550 --> 00:20:04,920 Yes , ma'am . Yes . So North Korea has 516 00:20:04,930 --> 00:20:07,430 become more aggressive in the past year , 517 00:20:07,430 --> 00:20:09,486 especially the past month . Is there 518 00:20:09,486 --> 00:20:12,830 any plan on putting um 519 00:20:12,840 --> 00:20:15,400 making North Korea or North Korea , 520 00:20:15,400 --> 00:20:18,710 South Korea a nuclear country also . 521 00:20:19,390 --> 00:20:21,612 So from a policy standpoint we're still 522 00:20:21,612 --> 00:20:23,820 committed to denuclearization of the 523 00:20:23,830 --> 00:20:27,530 entire peninsula in the pentagon . Our 524 00:20:27,530 --> 00:20:29,790 focus is on providing a strategic 525 00:20:29,790 --> 00:20:32,060 deterrent capability to the republic of 526 00:20:32,060 --> 00:20:34,282 Korea and to our allies and partners in 527 00:20:34,282 --> 00:20:36,480 the region . Thank you . And then I'm 528 00:20:36,480 --> 00:20:38,758 gonna go to the phone here . Thank you . 529 00:20:38,758 --> 00:20:40,591 General General regarding to the 530 00:20:40,591 --> 00:20:43,190 Iranian drones again . Um how much do 531 00:20:43,190 --> 00:20:46,180 you believe these drones will impact 532 00:20:46,190 --> 00:20:48,990 the battleground in Ukraine especially 533 00:20:48,990 --> 00:20:52,900 against the Ukrainian forces . Um 534 00:20:53,050 --> 00:20:56,630 And is there any particular assist from 535 00:20:56,640 --> 00:21:00,310 d o D to Ukraine ? Beside 536 00:21:00,320 --> 00:21:03,260 sectioning Iranian drone industry to 537 00:21:03,260 --> 00:21:06,430 combat these drones ? Sure . Well as I 538 00:21:06,430 --> 00:21:08,541 as I mentioned from the Department of 539 00:21:08,541 --> 00:21:10,630 Defense standpoint , our focus is on 540 00:21:10,630 --> 00:21:12,130 working with Ukraine , our 541 00:21:12,140 --> 00:21:14,196 international allies and partners to 542 00:21:14,196 --> 00:21:16,307 provide Ukraine with the support that 543 00:21:16,307 --> 00:21:18,529 they need which has included counter US 544 00:21:18,529 --> 00:21:20,930 systems and air defense systems . If 545 00:21:20,930 --> 00:21:23,152 you go to our website , you can see the 546 00:21:23,152 --> 00:21:25,097 whole list of capabilities that we 547 00:21:25,097 --> 00:21:26,819 provide and we're committed to 548 00:21:26,819 --> 00:21:28,930 continuing to keep that dialogue open 549 00:21:28,930 --> 00:21:31,041 through forums like the contact group 550 00:21:31,041 --> 00:21:33,208 to ensure that Ukraine is getting what 551 00:21:33,208 --> 00:21:35,374 they need to defend their country . Um 552 00:21:35,374 --> 00:21:37,541 in terms of the impact that the drones 553 00:21:37,541 --> 00:21:39,597 are having . Um I think you may have 554 00:21:39,597 --> 00:21:41,652 heard me previously say that in many 555 00:21:41,652 --> 00:21:45,630 ways these drones are used to uh as 556 00:21:45,640 --> 00:21:48,470 psychological weapons used to create 557 00:21:48,470 --> 00:21:51,720 fear uh and but from an operational , 558 00:21:51,720 --> 00:21:53,887 from a strategic standpoint , it still 559 00:21:53,887 --> 00:21:56,030 doesn't change the fact that Russian 560 00:21:56,030 --> 00:21:59,350 forces on the ground continue to lose 561 00:21:59,350 --> 00:22:01,670 territory or at best hold ground . 562 00:22:01,680 --> 00:22:03,791 Thank you . All right , let me go out 563 00:22:03,791 --> 00:22:05,847 to the phone here . I've been remiss 564 00:22:05,847 --> 00:22:07,250 rio from Asahi News . 565 00:22:09,850 --> 00:22:12,072 Hi , thank you for taking my question . 566 00:22:12,072 --> 00:22:15,050 Can you hear me ? I can hear you thank 567 00:22:15,050 --> 00:22:18,140 you . Um my question is about China and 568 00:22:18,140 --> 00:22:21,300 Taiwan yesterday . U . S . Navy's chief 569 00:22:21,300 --> 00:22:24,760 of naval operations . Mike talked about 570 00:22:24,760 --> 00:22:28,030 the China's invasion of Taiwan and said 571 00:22:28,030 --> 00:22:31,820 quote when we talk about 2027 window , 572 00:22:31,830 --> 00:22:35,780 that has to be 2022 or potentially 573 00:22:35,790 --> 00:22:39,610 2023 window . Um so my question is how 574 00:22:39,610 --> 00:22:43,450 do you see his remark and how imminent 575 00:22:43,460 --> 00:22:46,020 does d o d sink the possibility of 576 00:22:46,020 --> 00:22:48,900 China's invasion of Taiwan ? Thank you . 577 00:22:48,910 --> 00:22:51,330 Thank you very much . Um well I'd allow 578 00:22:51,330 --> 00:22:53,850 Admiral guild a to to speak for himself 579 00:22:53,860 --> 00:22:55,990 himself . Obviously from a U . S . 580 00:22:55,990 --> 00:22:57,934 Department of Defense standpoint , 581 00:22:57,934 --> 00:23:00,560 we've said many times that china 582 00:23:00,570 --> 00:23:03,320 continues to be the pacing challenge . 583 00:23:03,330 --> 00:23:06,100 We are concerned about their coercive 584 00:23:06,100 --> 00:23:08,378 and provocative behavior in the region . 585 00:23:08,410 --> 00:23:11,450 Uh and our focus is on working with 586 00:23:11,450 --> 00:23:14,030 allies and partners in that region to 587 00:23:14,030 --> 00:23:17,120 ensure that the indo pacific remains 588 00:23:17,120 --> 00:23:19,740 free and open and secure and stable . 589 00:23:19,740 --> 00:23:21,870 And so we'll continue to stay focused 590 00:23:21,870 --> 00:23:25,270 on that . Thank you . Uh let me go with 591 00:23:25,540 --> 00:23:28,950 you from south China News . Hi . So my 592 00:23:28,950 --> 00:23:31,150 question is , Nikkei Asia yesterday 593 00:23:31,150 --> 00:23:33,410 reported that the Biden administration 594 00:23:33,410 --> 00:23:35,577 is planning to co produce weapons with 595 00:23:35,577 --> 00:23:38,030 Taiwan . Can you confirm this report or 596 00:23:38,040 --> 00:23:40,373 do you have any comments on this ? Yeah . 597 00:23:40,373 --> 00:23:42,540 Thank you . I I'd have to refer you to 598 00:23:42,540 --> 00:23:44,596 the White House for them and I don't 599 00:23:44,596 --> 00:23:44,590 have any information on that . Thank 600 00:23:44,590 --> 00:23:46,923 you . Came back in the room . Yes , sir . 601 00:23:46,923 --> 00:23:49,540 So has there been any notification from 602 00:23:49,540 --> 00:23:52,330 Russia regarding its Graham nuclear 603 00:23:52,330 --> 00:23:54,552 exercise coming up at this time ? We've 604 00:23:54,552 --> 00:23:56,552 received no notifications and we do 605 00:23:56,552 --> 00:23:58,430 know that you know based on past 606 00:23:58,430 --> 00:24:01,350 precedent that the exercise uh likely 607 00:24:01,350 --> 00:24:03,572 will happen soon . But no notifications 608 00:24:03,572 --> 00:24:06,290 at this time and yet to follow up . Uh 609 00:24:06,300 --> 00:24:09,110 does this fact kind of concern you 610 00:24:09,120 --> 00:24:11,120 because of the lack of commitment ? 611 00:24:11,120 --> 00:24:12,898 Like does this signal a lack of 612 00:24:12,898 --> 00:24:15,120 communication between the US and Russia 613 00:24:15,120 --> 00:24:17,009 on this matter ? Again , it's not 614 00:24:17,009 --> 00:24:19,360 unusual in the sense that we might not 615 00:24:19,360 --> 00:24:21,582 receive a notification depending on the 616 00:24:21,582 --> 00:24:24,210 types of exercising that they're doing 617 00:24:24,220 --> 00:24:26,331 Certainly is something we'll continue 618 00:24:26,331 --> 00:24:28,340 to keep a close eye on . But yeah , 619 00:24:28,350 --> 00:24:30,239 that's where we're at right now , 620 00:24:32,350 --> 00:24:34,770 Iranian drones . How many Iranians 621 00:24:37,530 --> 00:24:40,570 don't have any numbers to provide . My 622 00:24:40,580 --> 00:24:44,450 second question is um are the Russians 623 00:24:44,450 --> 00:24:46,870 gonna rely on this technology leading 624 00:24:46,870 --> 00:24:49,990 into the winter rely on Iranian ? 625 00:24:51,610 --> 00:24:54,680 Well , so I think what you're seeing 626 00:24:54,680 --> 00:24:57,610 here is the fact that um when it comes 627 00:24:57,610 --> 00:25:01,500 to ammunition , when it comes to the 628 00:25:01,510 --> 00:25:03,650 types of capabilities that Russia has 629 00:25:03,660 --> 00:25:05,430 uh to include precision guided 630 00:25:05,430 --> 00:25:08,460 munitions . We have said that we assess 631 00:25:08,470 --> 00:25:11,360 that those stocks are depleting and so 632 00:25:11,360 --> 00:25:13,082 they have been reaching out to 633 00:25:13,082 --> 00:25:16,160 countries like Iran to North Korea to 634 00:25:16,160 --> 00:25:18,620 seek additional ammunition and in the 635 00:25:18,620 --> 00:25:21,560 case of Iran clearly to to seek drone 636 00:25:21,560 --> 00:25:24,040 capability , whether or not they will 637 00:25:24,040 --> 00:25:26,030 continue to do that . You know , 638 00:25:26,030 --> 00:25:28,210 certainly something for Iran or Russia 639 00:25:28,210 --> 00:25:30,490 to address , but we will keep an eye on 640 00:25:30,490 --> 00:25:32,712 that sort of answers . My next question 641 00:25:32,712 --> 00:25:35,040 is does the pentagon assess that the 642 00:25:35,050 --> 00:25:37,050 Russians are asking for more drones 643 00:25:37,050 --> 00:25:39,106 from Iran specifically or more being 644 00:25:39,106 --> 00:25:42,090 sent ? I don't have anything on that at 645 00:25:42,090 --> 00:25:45,500 the moment , but I will say that we 646 00:25:45,500 --> 00:25:47,667 wouldn't be surprised if that were the 647 00:25:47,667 --> 00:25:49,890 case given their situation janie 648 00:25:51,590 --> 00:25:55,180 strategic bomber deployed in Guam 649 00:25:55,310 --> 00:25:59,020 right now , is this wanting to North 650 00:25:59,020 --> 00:26:03,020 Korea ? So it's not uncommon for us 651 00:26:03,020 --> 00:26:05,070 to have bomber task forces which 652 00:26:05,070 --> 00:26:07,070 conduct operations around the world 653 00:26:07,070 --> 00:26:09,181 again for two reasons . One to send a 654 00:26:09,181 --> 00:26:11,403 very clear message that we will support 655 00:26:11,403 --> 00:26:13,348 our partners and allies around the 656 00:26:13,348 --> 00:26:15,403 world uh and two that we do have the 657 00:26:15,403 --> 00:26:17,626 capability to conduct global operations 658 00:26:17,626 --> 00:26:20,130 on any given day . So um to answer your 659 00:26:20,130 --> 00:26:22,300 question , uh it is meant to send a 660 00:26:22,300 --> 00:26:25,670 message meant to send a message uh that 661 00:26:25,670 --> 00:26:27,781 the United States stands closely with 662 00:26:27,781 --> 00:26:29,940 its allies and partners to deter 663 00:26:29,950 --> 00:26:32,570 potential provocation . Thank you . All 664 00:26:32,570 --> 00:26:34,681 right , let me go back into the phone 665 00:26:34,681 --> 00:26:36,681 guys , heather Mongolia from us . I 666 00:26:36,681 --> 00:26:38,890 news . Hi , thank you so much . Um 667 00:26:38,900 --> 00:26:40,900 given the issues that are happening 668 00:26:40,900 --> 00:26:43,067 right now with Red Hill with the water 669 00:26:43,067 --> 00:26:45,289 main break . Uh sorry , at joint base , 670 00:26:45,289 --> 00:26:47,344 Pearl Hickam Heart . Uh Pearl Harbor 671 00:26:47,344 --> 00:26:50,380 Hickam with um the water main break the 672 00:26:50,380 --> 00:26:53,360 issues on the Nimitz and aid with um 673 00:26:53,370 --> 00:26:55,720 water issues there . And just overall 674 00:26:55,730 --> 00:26:57,940 um in general issues with water on 675 00:26:57,940 --> 00:27:00,470 military bases , what is the pentagon 676 00:27:00,470 --> 00:27:02,430 doing to ensure that military 677 00:27:02,440 --> 00:27:05,300 properties have usable and safe 678 00:27:05,310 --> 00:27:09,220 drinking water ? Yeah , thanks heather . 679 00:27:09,230 --> 00:27:11,540 Um so it's kind of a broad question 680 00:27:11,540 --> 00:27:13,484 there . I mean , as it pertains to 681 00:27:13,484 --> 00:27:15,651 hawaii obviously as we've talked about 682 00:27:15,651 --> 00:27:17,873 before , this is something that we take 683 00:27:17,873 --> 00:27:19,929 extremely seriously the top priority 684 00:27:19,929 --> 00:27:22,151 for the secretary . We've established a 685 00:27:22,151 --> 00:27:24,262 joint task force as you know , led by 686 00:27:24,262 --> 00:27:26,484 Rear ADM . And so they will continue to 687 00:27:26,484 --> 00:27:29,340 work very , very hard to address the 688 00:27:29,350 --> 00:27:33,350 Red Hill uh bulk storage fuel facility 689 00:27:33,360 --> 00:27:36,960 issue there as it relates to water 690 00:27:36,960 --> 00:27:38,800 around the world at every base . 691 00:27:38,800 --> 00:27:40,990 Obviously , you know , what I can tell 692 00:27:40,990 --> 00:27:44,330 you in general terms is that this is 693 00:27:44,340 --> 00:27:46,451 that the health and self , the health 694 00:27:46,451 --> 00:27:48,284 and safety and well being of our 695 00:27:48,284 --> 00:27:50,340 service members will always be a top 696 00:27:50,340 --> 00:27:52,173 priority . Uh and we're going to 697 00:27:52,173 --> 00:27:54,229 continue to work very , very hard to 698 00:27:54,229 --> 00:27:56,284 ensure that they have clean drinking 699 00:27:56,284 --> 00:27:58,940 water uh and um safe accommodations . 700 00:27:58,940 --> 00:28:02,350 But I don't have any specific um you 701 00:28:02,350 --> 00:28:04,590 know policies or anything to announce 702 00:28:04,590 --> 00:28:06,812 today in that regard other than this is 703 00:28:06,812 --> 00:28:09,034 something that we will always take very 704 00:28:09,034 --> 00:28:11,090 seriously . Thank you . Let me go to 705 00:28:11,090 --> 00:28:14,440 idris from Reuters just to follow up 706 00:28:14,440 --> 00:28:17,100 on Admiral Gilda's comments . 707 00:28:17,980 --> 00:28:21,000 So does the pentagon believe that 708 00:28:21,010 --> 00:28:24,850 China would try to retake Taiwan 709 00:28:24,860 --> 00:28:27,940 or take Taiwan next year or even this 710 00:28:27,940 --> 00:28:30,107 year . And has there been any shift in 711 00:28:30,107 --> 00:28:32,890 or new assessments on china potentially 712 00:28:32,890 --> 00:28:34,779 trying to take Taiwan in terms of 713 00:28:34,779 --> 00:28:37,000 timelines . Thanks . So I'm not gonna 714 00:28:37,010 --> 00:28:38,899 I'm not gonna speculate , I think 715 00:28:38,899 --> 00:28:40,780 President G's words speak for 716 00:28:40,780 --> 00:28:42,780 themselves in terms of what china's 717 00:28:42,780 --> 00:28:46,200 aims are when it comes to Taiwan uh 718 00:28:46,210 --> 00:28:48,400 from a United States standpoint . From 719 00:28:48,400 --> 00:28:50,622 a D . O . D standpoint , we still abide 720 00:28:50,622 --> 00:28:53,270 by one china policy uh and our focus is 721 00:28:53,270 --> 00:28:55,492 going to continue to be on working with 722 00:28:55,492 --> 00:28:57,603 our allies and partners in the region 723 00:28:57,603 --> 00:29:00,150 uh to preserve peace and stability uh 724 00:29:00,150 --> 00:29:02,910 and we would call on all parties to to 725 00:29:02,910 --> 00:29:05,220 do the same . Thank you . Alright , let 726 00:29:05,220 --> 00:29:06,664 me go to David Martin Cbs 727 00:29:12,880 --> 00:29:14,590 Alright , Lara Seligman , 728 00:29:17,280 --> 00:29:19,447 Hey Pat , thanks for doing this . Just 729 00:29:19,447 --> 00:29:21,850 to get back to North Korea . Um I 730 00:29:21,850 --> 00:29:24,180 wanted to ask if you had an update on 731 00:29:24,190 --> 00:29:26,301 the situation out in the pacific with 732 00:29:26,301 --> 00:29:28,770 regard to potential preparation for a 733 00:29:28,780 --> 00:29:30,891 nuclear test . Have you seen anything 734 00:29:30,891 --> 00:29:33,058 new that would indicate North Korea is 735 00:29:33,058 --> 00:29:35,224 preparing for any kind of nuclear test 736 00:29:35,224 --> 00:29:37,447 soon . Um And then can you also give us 737 00:29:37,447 --> 00:29:39,910 an update on the Ronald Reagan and the 738 00:29:39,920 --> 00:29:42,040 maritime picture out there , please . 739 00:29:42,670 --> 00:29:45,750 Um Well , as we've said , we continue 740 00:29:45,750 --> 00:29:49,600 to believe that uh North Korea is 741 00:29:49,600 --> 00:29:52,230 preparing for potential future nuclear 742 00:29:52,230 --> 00:29:54,063 test . It's something that we're 743 00:29:54,063 --> 00:29:56,174 keeping a close eye on . I don't have 744 00:29:56,174 --> 00:29:58,452 anything new to provide in that regard . 745 00:29:58,452 --> 00:30:01,410 But we'll continue to stay very closely 746 00:30:01,410 --> 00:30:04,120 in touch with the Republic of Korea 747 00:30:04,130 --> 00:30:06,590 with Japan and our other allies and 748 00:30:06,590 --> 00:30:08,757 partners in the region on that front . 749 00:30:08,757 --> 00:30:10,950 In regards to Ronald Reagan no updates 750 00:30:10,950 --> 00:30:13,060 to provide today from the podium . I 751 00:30:13,060 --> 00:30:15,282 would encourage you to reach out to the 752 00:30:15,282 --> 00:30:17,504 navy . They may have more to provide on 753 00:30:17,504 --> 00:30:19,727 that . All right , let me take a couple 754 00:30:19,727 --> 00:30:19,360 more in the room here . Yes ma'am . In 755 00:30:19,360 --> 00:30:23,010 the back my question . So yesterday 756 00:30:23,010 --> 00:30:26,010 centcom released a photo of Uss west 757 00:30:26,010 --> 00:30:29,390 Virginia ballistic missile submarine in 758 00:30:29,390 --> 00:30:31,750 the Persian gulf . And I believe this 759 00:30:31,750 --> 00:30:34,400 is a very unusual disclosure . So what 760 00:30:34,400 --> 00:30:37,020 is the message that the U . S . Is 761 00:30:37,030 --> 00:30:39,900 trying to send ? Sure 762 00:30:39,910 --> 00:30:41,980 basically , again , it just 763 00:30:41,980 --> 00:30:43,924 demonstrates our commitment to our 764 00:30:43,924 --> 00:30:46,147 allies and our partners in terms of our 765 00:30:46,147 --> 00:30:48,600 forward presence was not conducted in 766 00:30:48,600 --> 00:30:50,740 response to any specific regional 767 00:30:50,740 --> 00:30:54,220 activity or potential adversary . Thank 768 00:30:54,220 --> 00:30:56,387 you . All right . And I'll take custom 769 00:30:56,387 --> 00:30:58,770 and then we'll follow up on Emerald 770 00:30:59,110 --> 00:31:02,260 comments . So first we heard Secretary 771 00:31:02,260 --> 00:31:04,482 of Lincoln coming out saying that china 772 00:31:04,482 --> 00:31:06,482 has been speeded up its invasion of 773 00:31:06,482 --> 00:31:09,080 tomorrow and then General Gilda Emerald 774 00:31:09,080 --> 00:31:11,070 Gilda came out and saying that the 775 00:31:11,070 --> 00:31:13,560 window should be updated to 22 23 776 00:31:13,850 --> 00:31:16,640 question is has the pentagon changed 777 00:31:16,640 --> 00:31:20,220 its assessment or are you standing on a 778 00:31:20,230 --> 00:31:23,040 different spot with these two high 779 00:31:23,040 --> 00:31:25,207 level officials ? Yeah , I think we've 780 00:31:25,207 --> 00:31:27,373 been very consistent in regards to the 781 00:31:27,373 --> 00:31:30,580 fact that china continues to be the 782 00:31:30,590 --> 00:31:33,000 pacing challenge for the department for 783 00:31:33,000 --> 00:31:35,222 all the reasons that we've talked about 784 00:31:35,222 --> 00:31:37,390 in terms of its coercive behavior , in 785 00:31:37,390 --> 00:31:39,690 terms of its actions in the indo 786 00:31:39,690 --> 00:31:43,000 pacific region . Uh and so um as 787 00:31:43,000 --> 00:31:46,350 a as a department , as a nation will 788 00:31:46,350 --> 00:31:48,294 continue to abide by the one china 789 00:31:48,294 --> 00:31:51,860 policy will continue to support Taiwan 790 00:31:51,870 --> 00:31:53,981 as it relates to the Taiwan Relations 791 00:31:53,981 --> 00:31:56,400 Act and our responsibility to enable 792 00:31:56,400 --> 00:31:59,120 them to defend themselves . But I don't 793 00:31:59,120 --> 00:32:01,770 have any new updates to provide the 794 00:32:01,770 --> 00:32:03,992 same page with with these two gentlemen 795 00:32:04,320 --> 00:32:06,431 were all on the same page and that we 796 00:32:06,431 --> 00:32:08,487 agree that china continues to be the 797 00:32:08,487 --> 00:32:10,487 pacing challenge . Thank you . Will 798 00:32:10,630 --> 00:32:12,519 have another question on Iran and 799 00:32:12,519 --> 00:32:14,840 Ukraine . Where where are these drones 800 00:32:14,840 --> 00:32:17,200 being launched from in Ukraine ? And is 801 00:32:17,200 --> 00:32:19,367 that within range of current Ukrainian 802 00:32:19,367 --> 00:32:21,478 capabilities to strike ? And if not , 803 00:32:21,478 --> 00:32:23,644 does that create any increased impetus 804 00:32:23,644 --> 00:32:23,530 to get them that kind of kind of 805 00:32:23,540 --> 00:32:27,080 capability ? Uh So uh in terms 806 00:32:27,090 --> 00:32:30,230 of where the drones are emanating from , 807 00:32:30,240 --> 00:32:32,970 um again , you know , I don't want to 808 00:32:32,970 --> 00:32:36,020 get into operational specifics uh from 809 00:32:36,020 --> 00:32:38,670 here from the podium at the moment . Um , 810 00:32:38,680 --> 00:32:40,624 when I have an update provide will 811 00:32:40,624 --> 00:32:42,624 certainly provide that to you uh in 812 00:32:42,624 --> 00:32:45,210 terms of their effectiveness uh and the 813 00:32:45,210 --> 00:32:48,310 Ukrainians ability to address them . I 814 00:32:48,310 --> 00:32:50,477 will say that it's our assessment that 815 00:32:50,477 --> 00:32:52,254 the Ukrainians have been pretty 816 00:32:52,254 --> 00:32:54,477 effective in terms of uh shooting a lot 817 00:32:54,477 --> 00:32:56,699 of those drones down . I'm not going to 818 00:32:56,699 --> 00:32:58,866 be able to provide you with numbers on 819 00:32:58,866 --> 00:33:01,620 that other than to say , um , that uh , 820 00:33:01,630 --> 00:33:03,686 in that regard , they have not quite 821 00:33:03,690 --> 00:33:06,660 probably met Russian goals in terms of 822 00:33:06,660 --> 00:33:08,827 their ability to strike targets . That 823 00:33:08,827 --> 00:33:10,771 said , clearly , they have wreaked 824 00:33:10,771 --> 00:33:12,940 havoc and caused destruction uh , and 825 00:33:12,940 --> 00:33:15,162 killed innocent civilians . And so it's 826 00:33:15,162 --> 00:33:17,273 a serious threat . And we'll continue 827 00:33:17,273 --> 00:33:19,440 to work with the Ukrainians to provide 828 00:33:19,440 --> 00:33:21,496 them with the capabilities that they 829 00:33:21,496 --> 00:33:23,273 need . And Barbara started last 830 00:33:23,273 --> 00:33:25,218 question , Yes , ma'am . I want to 831 00:33:25,218 --> 00:33:27,880 follow up on the submarine . Nobody can 832 00:33:27,880 --> 00:33:30,260 recall the last time the pentagon 833 00:33:30,270 --> 00:33:32,950 disclosed the location at any point in 834 00:33:32,950 --> 00:33:36,500 time uh of a nuclear ballistic 835 00:33:36,500 --> 00:33:39,170 submarine underway . Whether it was at 836 00:33:39,170 --> 00:33:41,281 that point when the press release was 837 00:33:41,281 --> 00:33:43,281 issued is not my question . But you 838 00:33:43,281 --> 00:33:46,200 never decades . You don't talk about 839 00:33:46,200 --> 00:33:49,020 where your nuclear deterrent is in the 840 00:33:49,020 --> 00:33:52,400 submarine force . So why did you 841 00:33:52,400 --> 00:33:56,180 decide to step over that line and 842 00:33:56,190 --> 00:33:58,720 do that ? Now ? What was the valid 843 00:33:58,730 --> 00:34:02,040 national security reason that you made 844 00:34:02,040 --> 00:34:05,980 this public announcement ? Or was 845 00:34:05,980 --> 00:34:08,650 it basically to issue a press release 846 00:34:10,310 --> 00:34:13,100 as a as a public warning to Russia and 847 00:34:13,100 --> 00:34:15,870 Iran . What was the valid re nuclear 848 00:34:15,880 --> 00:34:18,630 national security reason to change 849 00:34:18,630 --> 00:34:21,650 decades of policy ? Yeah . Thanks 850 00:34:21,650 --> 00:34:25,020 Barbara again , uh , the activity as I 851 00:34:25,020 --> 00:34:27,242 mentioned , demonstrates our commitment 852 00:34:27,242 --> 00:34:29,353 to our allies and our partners in the 853 00:34:29,353 --> 00:34:31,420 region . Uh in terms of the press 854 00:34:31,420 --> 00:34:33,720 release , I'd refer , you to send come 855 00:34:33,720 --> 00:34:35,998 to address those questions . But again , 856 00:34:35,998 --> 00:34:38,030 uh folks shouldn't read into this . 857 00:34:38,040 --> 00:34:40,096 This was an opportunity to highlight 858 00:34:40,096 --> 00:34:42,262 and demonstrate , uh to the region and 859 00:34:42,262 --> 00:34:44,318 to the world kind of capabilities we 860 00:34:44,318 --> 00:34:46,700 maintain , uh and that we are going to 861 00:34:46,700 --> 00:34:48,811 continue to reassure our partners and 862 00:34:48,811 --> 00:34:50,978 allies that we have those capabilities 863 00:34:50,978 --> 00:34:53,089 and that we will support them . Thank 864 00:34:53,089 --> 00:34:55,033 you very much . Thanks very much . 865 00:34:55,033 --> 00:34:54,960 Everybody appreciate it .