1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:00,000 2 00:00:04,280 --> 00:00:06,430 All right , Good afternoon . A few 3 00:00:06,430 --> 00:00:08,541 items to pass along . We'll get right 4 00:00:08,541 --> 00:00:10,720 to your questions . Uh so as we 5 00:00:10,720 --> 00:00:12,887 announced yesterday , Secretary Austin 6 00:00:12,887 --> 00:00:15,260 is traveling today to fort Bragg , 7 00:00:15,270 --> 00:00:17,381 welcome back the soldiers of the 18th 8 00:00:17,381 --> 00:00:19,548 Airborne Corps who deployed to Germany 9 00:00:19,548 --> 00:00:21,770 in february and support of U . S . Army 10 00:00:21,770 --> 00:00:23,826 europe and africa to assure our NATO 11 00:00:23,826 --> 00:00:26,103 allies and to deter Russian aggression . 12 00:00:26,190 --> 00:00:28,190 Secretary will thank them for their 13 00:00:28,190 --> 00:00:30,301 support to our NATO partners and will 14 00:00:30,301 --> 00:00:32,301 also express his gratitude to their 15 00:00:32,301 --> 00:00:34,468 families for their support and for the 16 00:00:34,468 --> 00:00:36,523 sacrifices they continue to make for 17 00:00:36,523 --> 00:00:38,746 our nation separately . Us and republic 18 00:00:38,746 --> 00:00:40,968 of Korea units began exercise vigilance 19 00:00:40,968 --> 00:00:42,968 Storm yesterday which is a training 20 00:00:42,968 --> 00:00:44,690 event that will enhance combat 21 00:00:44,690 --> 00:00:46,857 readiness and interoperability for all 22 00:00:46,857 --> 00:00:49,400 units involved . Approximately 240 23 00:00:49,400 --> 00:00:51,289 aircraft and thousands of service 24 00:00:51,289 --> 00:00:54,430 members from the rok Air Force , U . S . 25 00:00:54,430 --> 00:00:56,650 Air Force , U . S . Marine Corps , U . 26 00:00:56,650 --> 00:00:58,372 S . Navy and U . S . Army will 27 00:00:58,372 --> 00:01:00,530 participate in this training this 28 00:01:00,530 --> 00:01:02,752 year's event which was long scheduled , 29 00:01:02,752 --> 00:01:04,752 will strengthen the operational and 30 00:01:04,752 --> 00:01:06,808 tactical capabilities . Combined air 31 00:01:06,808 --> 00:01:08,697 operations and support are strong 32 00:01:08,697 --> 00:01:10,960 combined defense posture . Looking 33 00:01:10,960 --> 00:01:13,016 ahead , Secretary Austin will attend 34 00:01:13,016 --> 00:01:14,904 the U . S . Space Force change of 35 00:01:14,904 --> 00:01:16,904 responsibility ceremony tomorrow at 36 00:01:16,904 --> 00:01:19,127 Joint Base andrews which will include a 37 00:01:19,127 --> 00:01:21,016 retirement ceremony for the Space 38 00:01:21,016 --> 00:01:23,349 Force's first Chief of Space Operations . 39 00:01:23,349 --> 00:01:25,071 General john W . J . Raymond , 40 00:01:25,590 --> 00:01:27,423 Secretary of the Air Force frank 41 00:01:27,423 --> 00:01:29,479 Kendall will officiate the change of 42 00:01:29,479 --> 00:01:31,590 command responsibility ceremony where 43 00:01:31,590 --> 00:01:33,757 General Raymond will relinquish office 44 00:01:33,757 --> 00:01:35,701 to US . Space Force General Chance 45 00:01:35,701 --> 00:01:38,480 Saltzman at 10:30 a.m. Secretary Austin 46 00:01:38,480 --> 00:01:40,700 will provide remarks and recognize 47 00:01:40,700 --> 00:01:42,756 General Raymond for as many years of 48 00:01:42,756 --> 00:01:44,890 dedicated service to our nation . And 49 00:01:44,890 --> 00:01:46,723 finally , Secretary Austin looks 50 00:01:46,723 --> 00:01:48,668 forward to hosting his Republic of 51 00:01:48,668 --> 00:01:50,446 Korea counterpart , Minister of 52 00:01:50,446 --> 00:01:52,279 National Defense lee jong suk on 53 00:01:52,279 --> 00:01:54,334 thursday for the republic of Korea . 54 00:01:54,334 --> 00:01:56,446 Security consultative meeting here at 55 00:01:56,446 --> 00:01:58,390 the pentagon . The purpose of this 56 00:01:58,390 --> 00:02:00,612 annual consultative meeting is to serve 57 00:02:00,612 --> 00:02:02,446 as a venue to discuss and affirm 58 00:02:02,446 --> 00:02:04,223 national commitments toward the 59 00:02:04,223 --> 00:02:06,223 continued development of the Rok US 60 00:02:06,223 --> 00:02:08,334 alliance and mutually reinforcing and 61 00:02:08,334 --> 00:02:10,223 enduring manner . We'll have more 62 00:02:10,223 --> 00:02:09,910 information to provide on that in the 63 00:02:09,910 --> 00:02:12,050 coming days . Well that I will take 64 00:02:12,050 --> 00:02:14,217 your questions . We'll start with Tara 65 00:02:14,217 --> 00:02:15,217 ap 66 00:02:17,960 --> 00:02:20,070 as some other Western officials have 67 00:02:20,070 --> 00:02:23,320 noted that Iran is intent on supplying 68 00:02:23,330 --> 00:02:26,790 Russia up to 1000 additional munitions 69 00:02:26,790 --> 00:02:28,623 including ballistic missiles and 70 00:02:28,623 --> 00:02:31,090 additional drones . Yeah , thanks Tara . 71 00:02:31,100 --> 00:02:33,156 So we've seen the press reporting on 72 00:02:33,156 --> 00:02:35,044 that , we don't have any specific 73 00:02:35,044 --> 00:02:37,044 information to provide . We do know 74 00:02:37,044 --> 00:02:39,267 that Russia has provided uh excuse me , 75 00:02:39,267 --> 00:02:41,600 Iran has provided Russia with U . A . V . 76 00:02:41,600 --> 00:02:43,767 S . Which we anticipate they'll likely 77 00:02:43,767 --> 00:02:45,760 seek more of those . We do have 78 00:02:45,760 --> 00:02:48,680 concerns that Russia may also seek to 79 00:02:48,680 --> 00:02:51,660 acquire additional advanced munition 80 00:02:51,660 --> 00:02:53,827 capabilities from Iran , for example , 81 00:02:53,827 --> 00:02:56,220 surface to surface missiles uh , to use 82 00:02:56,220 --> 00:02:58,660 in Ukraine . And so if we see Russia 83 00:02:58,660 --> 00:03:00,604 employing such capabilities on the 84 00:03:00,604 --> 00:03:02,716 battlefield will certainly do what we 85 00:03:02,716 --> 00:03:05,500 can to illuminate that I would say that 86 00:03:05,510 --> 00:03:08,720 this just is indicative though . 87 00:03:08,730 --> 00:03:10,750 Regardless the relationship between 88 00:03:10,760 --> 00:03:13,230 Russia and Iran of their continued 89 00:03:13,230 --> 00:03:15,460 collusion to attack Ukrainians . 90 00:03:15,490 --> 00:03:18,650 Ukrainian citizens and sustain Russia's 91 00:03:18,650 --> 00:03:21,770 illegal occupation can be read into 92 00:03:21,770 --> 00:03:25,040 that . Such as Russia's munitions are 93 00:03:25,040 --> 00:03:27,330 actually in a depleted state . And does 94 00:03:27,330 --> 00:03:29,600 it have any urgency to getting air 95 00:03:29,600 --> 00:03:31,767 defense systems like the nation's onto 96 00:03:31,767 --> 00:03:33,767 the battlefield ? Well , I think it 97 00:03:33,767 --> 00:03:36,530 does speak to the state of Russia's 98 00:03:36,530 --> 00:03:38,419 munitions capability . We've said 99 00:03:38,419 --> 00:03:41,250 before that we assess that they are 100 00:03:41,460 --> 00:03:44,900 they continue to experience uh supply 101 00:03:44,900 --> 00:03:47,067 shortages when it comes to munitions , 102 00:03:47,067 --> 00:03:49,960 particularly guided munitions . Uh It 103 00:03:49,960 --> 00:03:52,200 also is indicative of where they're 104 00:03:52,200 --> 00:03:54,910 seeking munitions from countries like 105 00:03:54,920 --> 00:03:57,830 North Korea and Iran which says a lot 106 00:03:57,840 --> 00:04:00,620 about um the kind of company they keep 107 00:04:00,620 --> 00:04:02,842 and where they stand in the world right 108 00:04:02,842 --> 00:04:04,953 now in terms of isolation in terms of 109 00:04:04,953 --> 00:04:06,731 air defense capabilities , this 110 00:04:06,731 --> 00:04:08,898 continues to be a priority for the U . 111 00:04:08,898 --> 00:04:10,953 S . Government for the Department of 112 00:04:10,953 --> 00:04:12,787 Defense to work closely with the 113 00:04:12,787 --> 00:04:14,731 Ukrainians with our allies and our 114 00:04:14,731 --> 00:04:16,898 partners to try to get them additional 115 00:04:16,898 --> 00:04:18,676 air defense capability . As you 116 00:04:18,676 --> 00:04:20,676 highlighted with the nice arms , we 117 00:04:20,676 --> 00:04:22,842 expect those to be delivered very soon 118 00:04:22,842 --> 00:04:24,787 again will allow the Ukrainians to 119 00:04:24,787 --> 00:04:27,009 announce when those arrive in country . 120 00:04:27,009 --> 00:04:26,940 Um but we're going to continue to look 121 00:04:26,940 --> 00:04:29,218 at other ways that we can support them . 122 00:04:29,470 --> 00:04:31,570 In addition , Secretary Austin 123 00:04:31,570 --> 00:04:33,737 continues to speak frequently with his 124 00:04:33,737 --> 00:04:35,990 partners and our allies , his 125 00:04:35,990 --> 00:04:38,600 counterparts to identify what other 126 00:04:38,600 --> 00:04:40,711 capabilities might exist within their 127 00:04:40,711 --> 00:04:42,878 own stocks or within their own defense 128 00:04:42,878 --> 00:04:44,711 industrial base is to be able to 129 00:04:44,711 --> 00:04:46,878 support Ukraine in that regard . Thank 130 00:04:46,878 --> 00:04:49,440 you , Laura . Thanks for doing this . 131 00:04:49,450 --> 00:04:51,850 Um There have been some reports that 132 00:04:51,860 --> 00:04:54,410 Iran is poised to carry out attacks in 133 00:04:54,410 --> 00:04:56,630 Saudi Arabia and in Iraq to distract 134 00:04:56,630 --> 00:04:58,852 from the domestic protests and that the 135 00:04:58,852 --> 00:05:01,020 Saudi and U . S . Military has raised 136 00:05:01,030 --> 00:05:04,040 alert levels there . Can you confirm 137 00:05:04,050 --> 00:05:06,050 these reports ? And do you have any 138 00:05:06,050 --> 00:05:08,217 additional information to share ? Well 139 00:05:08,217 --> 00:05:10,217 as you know , I'm not going to talk 140 00:05:10,217 --> 00:05:12,494 about specific force protection levels . 141 00:05:12,494 --> 00:05:14,606 I can say that we do remain concerned 142 00:05:14,606 --> 00:05:16,494 about the threat situation in the 143 00:05:16,494 --> 00:05:19,050 region . We're in regular contact with 144 00:05:19,050 --> 00:05:21,420 our Saudi partners uh in terms of what 145 00:05:21,420 --> 00:05:23,642 information they may have to provide on 146 00:05:23,642 --> 00:05:25,642 that front . Um but what we've said 147 00:05:25,642 --> 00:05:27,730 before and I'll repeat it is that we 148 00:05:27,730 --> 00:05:29,841 will reserve the right to protect and 149 00:05:29,841 --> 00:05:31,970 defend ourselves no matter where our 150 00:05:31,980 --> 00:05:34,670 forces are serving , whether in Iraq or 151 00:05:34,670 --> 00:05:37,330 elsewhere that there is a specific 152 00:05:37,340 --> 00:05:39,396 threat . I'm not gonna have anything 153 00:05:39,396 --> 00:05:41,507 beyond what I've provided . Thank you 154 00:05:41,507 --> 00:05:43,673 As a different question . Can you give 155 00:05:43,673 --> 00:05:45,896 us an update on when the is going to be 156 00:05:45,896 --> 00:05:48,230 delivered to Ukraine again ? We expect 157 00:05:48,230 --> 00:05:50,930 them to be delivered relatively soon . 158 00:05:50,930 --> 00:05:52,819 I'm not gonna be able to get more 159 00:05:52,819 --> 00:05:54,597 specific than that . Uh and for 160 00:05:54,597 --> 00:05:56,763 operation security purposes will allow 161 00:05:56,763 --> 00:05:58,986 the Ukrainians to announce when they've 162 00:05:58,986 --> 00:06:01,041 arrived and when their operational . 163 00:06:01,041 --> 00:06:03,041 Thank you . Okay , let me go to the 164 00:06:03,041 --> 00:06:02,630 phone here real quick and then I'll 165 00:06:02,630 --> 00:06:05,400 come back to the room . Howard from war 166 00:06:05,400 --> 00:06:09,360 zone . Thanks Pat got a question . Um 167 00:06:09,370 --> 00:06:12,610 Russian hacker called joker claims to 168 00:06:12,610 --> 00:06:16,200 have access the Ukrainian Delta 169 00:06:16,210 --> 00:06:18,320 command control system . Can you 170 00:06:18,320 --> 00:06:20,600 confirm that ? And do you have that 171 00:06:20,600 --> 00:06:22,433 raised additional concerns about 172 00:06:22,440 --> 00:06:26,200 similar US systems ? Thanks 173 00:06:26,200 --> 00:06:28,422 Howard , I I don't have any information 174 00:06:28,422 --> 00:06:30,589 to provide on that . I would refer you 175 00:06:30,589 --> 00:06:32,700 to the Ukrainians to talk about their 176 00:06:32,700 --> 00:06:35,320 own uh systems as you know , from a U . 177 00:06:35,320 --> 00:06:37,890 S . Military standpoint cybersecurity 178 00:06:37,900 --> 00:06:39,789 uh is something that we take very 179 00:06:39,789 --> 00:06:43,200 seriously uh at every level . Uh And 180 00:06:43,200 --> 00:06:45,422 while I don't have anything specific to 181 00:06:45,422 --> 00:06:47,367 provide , that's an area that will 182 00:06:47,367 --> 00:06:49,760 continue to pay close attention to uh 183 00:06:49,760 --> 00:06:51,538 and ensure that not only are we 184 00:06:51,538 --> 00:06:53,538 protecting our systems but that our 185 00:06:53,538 --> 00:06:55,427 people are Taking the appropriate 186 00:06:55,427 --> 00:06:57,610 training and taking appropriate 187 00:06:57,610 --> 00:06:59,810 precautions but nothing specific to 188 00:06:59,810 --> 00:07:01,950 provide . Thanks Howard . Alright , 189 00:07:02,720 --> 00:07:04,940 thank you . Um the US is planning to 190 00:07:04,940 --> 00:07:07,060 send B52 bombers to Australia as part 191 00:07:07,060 --> 00:07:09,760 of a normal rotation . China said this 192 00:07:09,760 --> 00:07:11,690 may trigger an arms race is China 193 00:07:11,700 --> 00:07:15,480 overreacting . Um So when it comes to 194 00:07:15,490 --> 00:07:17,670 aircraft rotating through Australia , 195 00:07:17,670 --> 00:07:19,670 as you know , we have long standing 196 00:07:19,670 --> 00:07:21,726 relationship with Australia and it's 197 00:07:21,726 --> 00:07:23,781 not uncommon for us to send aircraft 198 00:07:23,781 --> 00:07:26,000 through to participate in joint 199 00:07:26,010 --> 00:07:28,410 exercises , combined exercises with 200 00:07:28,420 --> 00:07:31,940 Australia . I think that it does send a 201 00:07:31,940 --> 00:07:34,700 clear signal to uh countries in the 202 00:07:34,700 --> 00:07:36,867 region . First of all that the U . S . 203 00:07:36,867 --> 00:07:38,922 Is a reliable partner and that we do 204 00:07:38,922 --> 00:07:41,290 maintain capabilities to be available 205 00:07:41,290 --> 00:07:43,580 to respond to a variety of 206 00:07:43,580 --> 00:07:46,020 contingencies worldwide , but it also 207 00:07:46,020 --> 00:07:48,131 sends a clear message that we do have 208 00:07:48,131 --> 00:07:50,180 the capability to deter . uh and if 209 00:07:50,180 --> 00:07:53,930 necessary , uh engage um just leave it 210 00:07:53,930 --> 00:07:57,500 at that . Thank you janie thank you sir . 211 00:07:57,510 --> 00:08:01,430 I have locations in North Korea . North 212 00:08:01,430 --> 00:08:04,840 Korea has predicted that it will launch 213 00:08:04,840 --> 00:08:08,420 a more powerful military provocation in 214 00:08:08,420 --> 00:08:11,710 response to the U . S . And South Korea 215 00:08:11,720 --> 00:08:15,450 joined air exercises , vigilant and 216 00:08:15,460 --> 00:08:18,750 vigilant stone . It was also reported 217 00:08:18,760 --> 00:08:22,170 that North Korea would test both 218 00:08:22,170 --> 00:08:26,150 hypersonic Cruise missiles and 219 00:08:26,160 --> 00:08:29,770 tactical nuclear weapons 220 00:08:29,780 --> 00:08:33,270 in 87 nuclear test . How would you 221 00:08:33,280 --> 00:08:36,910 comment ? Um , so I'm not gonna speak 222 00:08:36,910 --> 00:08:40,400 for North Korea . Um , again , vigilant 223 00:08:40,410 --> 00:08:42,920 the the exercise that we're conducting 224 00:08:42,930 --> 00:08:45,990 uh as a long planned exercise focused 225 00:08:45,990 --> 00:08:49,560 on enhancing interoperability of our 226 00:08:49,570 --> 00:08:53,380 forces to work together to defend uh 227 00:08:53,390 --> 00:08:55,910 the Republic of Korea and our allies in 228 00:08:55,910 --> 00:08:59,860 the region . Thanks if if those could 229 00:08:59,870 --> 00:09:03,620 actually uses nuclear weapons with the 230 00:09:03,620 --> 00:09:06,390 United States to be ready for a 231 00:09:06,400 --> 00:09:09,730 preemptive strikes before North Korea 232 00:09:09,730 --> 00:09:12,670 uses nuclear weapons , I'm not going to 233 00:09:12,670 --> 00:09:14,837 get into hypotheticals , but thank you 234 00:09:14,870 --> 00:09:18,350 sir , to follow up on the question is 235 00:09:18,350 --> 00:09:20,610 the Pentagon in discussion with 236 00:09:20,620 --> 00:09:23,050 Raytheon or Carlsberg about any 237 00:09:23,060 --> 00:09:25,282 contractors that would be needed to set 238 00:09:25,282 --> 00:09:27,393 up the system as it goes in country . 239 00:09:27,393 --> 00:09:29,560 And I've got another question separate 240 00:09:29,560 --> 00:09:31,671 matter . Um we can get back to you on 241 00:09:31,671 --> 00:09:33,782 the specifics of uh , you know , what 242 00:09:33,782 --> 00:09:35,949 role the contractor plays in that ? Um 243 00:09:35,949 --> 00:09:37,893 certainly as you highlight it is a 244 00:09:37,893 --> 00:09:40,004 relationship working with contractors 245 00:09:40,004 --> 00:09:42,338 to ensure that the systems are in place , 246 00:09:42,338 --> 00:09:44,449 that training is provided ? But we'll 247 00:09:44,449 --> 00:09:46,616 get back to that . Is there any update 248 00:09:46,616 --> 00:09:48,782 on Starlink ? Is the pentagon still in 249 00:09:48,782 --> 00:09:50,782 discussion with startling and other 250 00:09:50,782 --> 00:09:54,000 providers for satellite SAT . Com or is 251 00:09:54,000 --> 00:09:56,222 that ended ? Can you provide any update 252 00:09:56,222 --> 00:09:58,278 on contracting ? Sure . What I would 253 00:09:58,278 --> 00:10:00,222 say is that we continue to discuss 254 00:10:00,222 --> 00:10:02,333 Ukraine satellite communication needs 255 00:10:02,333 --> 00:10:04,900 with Ukraine uh and companies like 256 00:10:04,900 --> 00:10:07,100 SpaceX and others , I have no 257 00:10:07,100 --> 00:10:09,267 announcements to make today in regards 258 00:10:09,267 --> 00:10:11,570 to any potential contracts or future 259 00:10:11,570 --> 00:10:13,970 agreements . Um as you know on friday , 260 00:10:13,970 --> 00:10:15,803 we did announce that we would be 261 00:10:15,803 --> 00:10:19,260 delivering for SAT com antenna to 262 00:10:19,260 --> 00:10:21,360 Ukraine to support their satellite 263 00:10:21,360 --> 00:10:23,471 communication needs . But nothing new 264 00:10:23,471 --> 00:10:26,380 to announce today . Thank you . Thank 265 00:10:26,380 --> 00:10:28,602 you very much . General , I want to ask 266 00:10:28,602 --> 00:10:31,340 you about the U . S . Deployment or 267 00:10:31,350 --> 00:10:34,070 fighter jets uh in Kadena Air Base in 268 00:10:34,080 --> 00:10:38,010 Okinawa uh 15 , retiring 269 00:10:38,020 --> 00:10:40,131 the Japanese Minister of Defense said 270 00:10:40,131 --> 00:10:43,870 today The US is considering to deploy , 271 00:10:43,880 --> 00:10:46,290 considering options to deploy more 272 00:10:46,290 --> 00:10:48,680 capable aircraft to gardiner 273 00:10:48,690 --> 00:10:51,310 permanently . I'm wondering how soon 274 00:10:51,310 --> 00:10:53,980 the US will make a concrete long term 275 00:10:53,980 --> 00:10:57,420 plan to replace a 15th . And do you 276 00:10:57,420 --> 00:10:59,625 think the U . S . Should have worked 277 00:10:59,635 --> 00:11:02,805 out such a debasement from before the 278 00:11:02,805 --> 00:11:06,425 15th in Okinawa start reading , Start 279 00:11:06,425 --> 00:11:08,703 reading this month . Yeah , thanks bro . 280 00:11:08,703 --> 00:11:10,814 So first of all , I would just say up 281 00:11:10,814 --> 00:11:12,869 front that the U . S . Commitment to 282 00:11:12,869 --> 00:11:15,125 Japan and regional security and the 283 00:11:15,125 --> 00:11:17,935 defense of Japan remains ironclad . And 284 00:11:17,935 --> 00:11:20,046 so as part of the Air Force is the US 285 00:11:20,046 --> 00:11:22,290 Air Force's modernization plan ? They 286 00:11:22,290 --> 00:11:25,130 are retiring at 15 C . And D . Models 287 00:11:25,140 --> 00:11:27,840 uh and this fleet of aircraft which has 288 00:11:27,840 --> 00:11:30,780 been in service for more than 30 years 289 00:11:30,790 --> 00:11:34,280 will start a phase withdrawal from uh 290 00:11:34,290 --> 00:11:37,090 Kadena Air base starting on today on 291 00:11:37,090 --> 00:11:40,280 november . Um so will continue to 292 00:11:40,280 --> 00:11:42,420 maintain a steady state presence at 293 00:11:42,430 --> 00:11:45,630 Kadena Air base by rote by rotational 294 00:11:45,630 --> 00:11:47,519 deployments and this will include 295 00:11:47,519 --> 00:11:49,640 Fortune advanced fourth gen and fifth 296 00:11:49,640 --> 00:11:53,250 generation aircraft to backfill the F 297 00:11:53,250 --> 00:11:55,600 fifteen's as they depart . So I would 298 00:11:55,600 --> 00:11:57,822 certainly encourage you to reach out to 299 00:11:57,822 --> 00:12:00,044 the Air Force that can provide you with 300 00:12:00,044 --> 00:12:02,267 some additional details on that . Thank 301 00:12:02,267 --> 00:12:01,530 you . Alright , let me go to the phone 302 00:12:01,530 --> 00:12:03,641 here real quick heather from us and I 303 00:12:04,220 --> 00:12:06,331 okay thank you so much . Um Two quick 304 00:12:06,331 --> 00:12:08,442 questions on the first is I wanted to 305 00:12:08,442 --> 00:12:10,387 see if there is any update to um a 306 00:12:10,387 --> 00:12:12,460 damage assessment or an idea of what 307 00:12:12,460 --> 00:12:14,880 caused the explosions at Sevastopol and 308 00:12:14,880 --> 00:12:18,620 Crimea and then um I heard that the 309 00:12:18,630 --> 00:12:21,290 Red Hills , the Joint task Force Red 310 00:12:21,290 --> 00:12:24,260 Hill is planning to release its um most 311 00:12:24,260 --> 00:12:26,482 updated plan today , I was wondering if 312 00:12:26,482 --> 00:12:28,538 you have any comments on the current 313 00:12:28,538 --> 00:12:30,538 unpacking right now going on in the 314 00:12:30,538 --> 00:12:32,816 pipes or the potential plan coming out ? 315 00:12:32,816 --> 00:12:34,760 Yeah thanks very much heather . Um 316 00:12:34,760 --> 00:12:38,660 Again we uh we are aware of the 317 00:12:38,670 --> 00:12:40,920 explosions that occurred near 318 00:12:40,930 --> 00:12:43,180 sevastopol . Um I don't have any 319 00:12:43,180 --> 00:12:45,990 information to provide uh specifically 320 00:12:45,990 --> 00:12:49,790 in terms of the situation there um and 321 00:12:49,800 --> 00:12:51,911 we'll just leave it at that as far as 322 00:12:51,911 --> 00:12:54,078 Red Hill goes , we can we can get that 323 00:12:54,078 --> 00:12:56,870 information and come back to as far as 324 00:12:56,880 --> 00:12:59,270 the status of the unpacking . Thank you . 325 00:12:59,800 --> 00:13:02,390 Okay , thanks . Travis tritt with 326 00:13:02,400 --> 00:13:04,930 military dot com . Um So the military 327 00:13:04,930 --> 00:13:07,520 has personnel inside of Ukraine that is 328 00:13:07,530 --> 00:13:09,808 that who are doing weapons inspections ? 329 00:13:09,808 --> 00:13:11,919 Now , I'm wondering what the rules of 330 00:13:11,919 --> 00:13:14,030 engagement for those personnel are if 331 00:13:14,030 --> 00:13:16,840 they're fired on by the Russians or if 332 00:13:16,840 --> 00:13:20,070 they're targeted by the Russians . So 333 00:13:20,080 --> 00:13:23,540 um as mentioned , we do have small 334 00:13:23,540 --> 00:13:25,890 teams that are comprised of embassy 335 00:13:25,890 --> 00:13:28,990 personnel that are conducting some 336 00:13:28,990 --> 00:13:30,934 inspections of security assistance 337 00:13:30,934 --> 00:13:34,170 delivery at a variety of locations . Uh 338 00:13:34,180 --> 00:13:36,180 and again this is part of a broader 339 00:13:36,180 --> 00:13:39,660 effort um of the U . S . Government to 340 00:13:39,670 --> 00:13:43,620 track us provided capabilities 341 00:13:43,640 --> 00:13:45,500 to prevent the illicit spread 342 00:13:45,510 --> 00:13:49,150 throughout eastern europe . Uh Again I 343 00:13:49,150 --> 00:13:51,206 will highlight up front , we have no 344 00:13:51,206 --> 00:13:53,428 indication that there has been any type 345 00:13:53,428 --> 00:13:55,650 of illicit spread the capabilities that 346 00:13:55,650 --> 00:13:57,872 we provided to the Ukrainians are being 347 00:13:57,872 --> 00:13:59,983 used effectively on the battlefield . 348 00:13:59,983 --> 00:14:02,060 In terms of personnel that are 349 00:14:02,060 --> 00:14:04,260 conducting these inspections . My 350 00:14:04,260 --> 00:14:06,371 understanding is they would be wealth 351 00:14:06,371 --> 00:14:09,240 uh well far away from any type of 352 00:14:09,250 --> 00:14:11,860 frontline actions . We are relying on 353 00:14:11,860 --> 00:14:13,749 the Ukrainians to do that . We're 354 00:14:13,749 --> 00:14:15,916 relying on other partners to do that . 355 00:14:15,916 --> 00:14:18,900 Uh So uh essentially that would not be 356 00:14:18,900 --> 00:14:21,990 the case for for U . S . Personnel . Um 357 00:14:21,990 --> 00:14:24,046 So again that is something that will 358 00:14:24,046 --> 00:14:26,212 continue to to ensure , you know , the 359 00:14:26,212 --> 00:14:28,212 safety and the welfare of our folks 360 00:14:28,212 --> 00:14:30,680 that are doing this . Um But the point 361 00:14:30,680 --> 00:14:32,902 being they're not going to be operating 362 00:14:32,902 --> 00:14:35,069 on the front lines up until this point 363 00:14:35,069 --> 00:14:37,180 there haven't been any U . S . Troops 364 00:14:37,180 --> 00:14:39,347 inside of Ukraine . And now we do have 365 00:14:39,347 --> 00:14:41,402 U . S . Troops inside Ukraine . Well 366 00:14:41,402 --> 00:14:43,402 that's that's not we've had U . S . 367 00:14:43,402 --> 00:14:45,513 Forces serving at the embassy as part 368 00:14:45,513 --> 00:14:47,760 of the defense attache office which is 369 00:14:47,760 --> 00:14:49,704 where these guys are assigned . So 370 00:14:49,704 --> 00:14:51,780 we've been very clear there are no 371 00:14:51,790 --> 00:14:54,770 combat forces in Ukraine . No US forces 372 00:14:54,770 --> 00:14:57,103 conducting combat operations in Ukraine . 373 00:14:57,103 --> 00:14:59,214 These are personnel that are assigned 374 00:14:59,214 --> 00:15:02,070 to uh conduct security cooperation and 375 00:15:02,070 --> 00:15:03,959 assistance as part of the defense 376 00:15:03,959 --> 00:15:06,181 attache office . Right . But this would 377 00:15:06,181 --> 00:15:08,348 be different because they'd be working 378 00:15:08,348 --> 00:15:07,590 outside of the U . S . Embassy . I'm 379 00:15:07,590 --> 00:15:09,646 just wondering if people should read 380 00:15:09,646 --> 00:15:11,534 this as an escalation and U . S . 381 00:15:11,534 --> 00:15:13,701 Involvement in the war . No no this is 382 00:15:13,701 --> 00:15:15,646 just responsible management of the 383 00:15:15,646 --> 00:15:17,701 capabilities that we're providing to 384 00:15:17,701 --> 00:15:17,540 the Ukrainians . And as I mentioned , 385 00:15:17,540 --> 00:15:19,762 the Ukrainians are working very closely 386 00:15:19,762 --> 00:15:22,550 with us to provide insight and tracking 387 00:15:22,550 --> 00:15:24,717 of those capabilities and places where 388 00:15:24,717 --> 00:15:27,075 it's not safe for US personnel to go 389 00:15:27,085 --> 00:15:30,415 thank you can you clarify are these are 390 00:15:30,415 --> 00:15:32,805 their U . S . Troops like US Marine 391 00:15:32,805 --> 00:15:35,055 security forces protecting the embassy 392 00:15:35,055 --> 00:15:37,333 personnel who is doing the inspections . 393 00:15:37,333 --> 00:15:40,945 We have U . S . Marines at the embassy 394 00:15:40,945 --> 00:15:43,725 doing normal U . S . Marine type guard 395 00:15:43,725 --> 00:15:46,385 duties . But my understanding is that 396 00:15:47,310 --> 00:15:49,254 to your point these are not combat 397 00:15:49,254 --> 00:15:51,366 squads that are going out . These are 398 00:15:51,366 --> 00:15:53,532 personnel , they're going out in areas 399 00:15:53,532 --> 00:15:55,754 where they're not going to be in harm's 400 00:15:55,754 --> 00:15:57,421 way to conduct these types of 401 00:15:57,421 --> 00:15:59,477 inspections . Again to put this into 402 00:15:59,477 --> 00:16:01,699 context , if you've got uh capabilities 403 00:16:01,699 --> 00:16:03,588 that are at a logistic node being 404 00:16:03,588 --> 00:16:05,699 tracked before they go into country , 405 00:16:05,699 --> 00:16:07,754 then when they come into country and 406 00:16:07,754 --> 00:16:09,977 they're delivered to the Ukrainians and 407 00:16:09,977 --> 00:16:11,977 then they are at their own logistic 408 00:16:11,977 --> 00:16:14,199 nodes tracking those and then dispersed 409 00:16:14,199 --> 00:16:16,366 out to the front lines . Are folks are 410 00:16:16,366 --> 00:16:18,421 not going to be on the front lines . 411 00:16:18,421 --> 00:16:20,588 Are there marine security guards going 412 00:16:20,588 --> 00:16:22,366 with the embassy teams that are 413 00:16:22,366 --> 00:16:24,477 conducted but we'll check on that and 414 00:16:24,477 --> 00:16:27,050 come back to you jim general just talk 415 00:16:28,900 --> 00:16:32,030 my own calculations . The Ukrainians on 416 00:16:32,030 --> 00:16:34,250 the air defense side have have all the 417 00:16:34,250 --> 00:16:36,960 legacy soviet systems . They got s 418 00:16:36,960 --> 00:16:39,190 three hundreds from Slovakia , they've 419 00:16:39,200 --> 00:16:41,370 got stingers from the United States , 420 00:16:41,370 --> 00:16:44,130 they've got hawks coming in from the 421 00:16:44,130 --> 00:16:47,300 spanish german systems pretty soon . 422 00:16:47,300 --> 00:16:49,411 They're going to have the knees SAM's 423 00:16:49,560 --> 00:16:51,820 but for all of those air defense assets 424 00:16:51,820 --> 00:16:53,820 to be effective . They've got to be 425 00:16:53,820 --> 00:16:57,600 integrated . I mean can that variety 426 00:16:57,610 --> 00:17:01,270 of air defense measures actually be 427 00:17:01,280 --> 00:17:04,060 integrated ? They are far vastly 428 00:17:04,070 --> 00:17:06,292 different systems . They have different 429 00:17:06,292 --> 00:17:08,860 radars , they have different everything 430 00:17:08,870 --> 00:17:12,170 really . Um Well the short answer is um 431 00:17:12,520 --> 00:17:14,920 you can integrate any air defense 432 00:17:14,920 --> 00:17:16,976 system . It just depends on how your 433 00:17:16,976 --> 00:17:19,590 you know the level of uh the advanced 434 00:17:19,590 --> 00:17:21,757 level of how you're going to integrate 435 00:17:21,757 --> 00:17:23,868 that so that is again an area that we 436 00:17:23,868 --> 00:17:26,090 continue to work with the Ukrainians on 437 00:17:26,090 --> 00:17:28,034 not only us but our allies and our 438 00:17:28,034 --> 00:17:30,480 partners to look at how they do improve 439 00:17:30,490 --> 00:17:32,750 their air defenses . But I would submit 440 00:17:32,750 --> 00:17:34,861 to you . They've demonstrated in many 441 00:17:34,861 --> 00:17:37,083 cases that they've done a very good job 442 00:17:37,083 --> 00:17:38,750 of integrating air defenses 443 00:17:38,760 --> 00:17:40,927 particularly for example when it comes 444 00:17:40,927 --> 00:17:44,250 to taking down a significant percentage 445 00:17:44,250 --> 00:17:47,710 of uh the Iranian drones . But again 446 00:17:47,710 --> 00:17:49,932 that will be an area that will continue 447 00:17:49,932 --> 00:17:51,988 to work with them on , contractors . 448 00:17:51,988 --> 00:17:55,050 Are their contractors in Ukraine 449 00:17:55,060 --> 00:17:57,210 working this problem or not ? To my 450 00:17:57,210 --> 00:17:59,180 knowledge . Something not to my 451 00:17:59,180 --> 00:18:02,930 knowledge . Thanks sir . Thank 452 00:18:02,930 --> 00:18:06,230 you . Um So two questions . Um so the 453 00:18:06,230 --> 00:18:09,880 US has mentioned that the the the 454 00:18:09,890 --> 00:18:11,890 Iranian arms shipments to Russia or 455 00:18:11,890 --> 00:18:14,001 violation of U . N . Security Council 456 00:18:14,001 --> 00:18:16,112 resolutions . And has the U . S . Has 457 00:18:16,112 --> 00:18:18,112 previously interdicted Iranian arms 458 00:18:18,112 --> 00:18:20,057 shipments bound for places such as 459 00:18:20,057 --> 00:18:22,168 Yemen ? Um are U . S . Forces working 460 00:18:22,168 --> 00:18:24,334 to intercept Iranian weapons bound for 461 00:18:24,334 --> 00:18:26,501 Russia ? Yeah so I don't have anything 462 00:18:26,501 --> 00:18:28,650 to announce today in regards to any 463 00:18:28,650 --> 00:18:30,890 type of U . S . Military interdiction 464 00:18:30,900 --> 00:18:34,880 of Iranian weapons . You've heard State 465 00:18:34,880 --> 00:18:37,070 Department uh in the White House talk 466 00:18:37,070 --> 00:18:40,240 about a variety of efforts to include 467 00:18:40,250 --> 00:18:43,360 potential sanctions and sanctions uh to 468 00:18:43,360 --> 00:18:45,582 prevent that from happening . Um I will 469 00:18:45,582 --> 00:18:47,804 say from a D . O . D . Standpoint right 470 00:18:47,804 --> 00:18:49,638 now our focus is on working with 471 00:18:49,638 --> 00:18:51,471 Ukraine to get them the security 472 00:18:51,471 --> 00:18:53,582 assistance they need where it matters 473 00:18:53,582 --> 00:18:55,749 which is on the battlefield . But this 474 00:18:55,749 --> 00:18:55,320 is something that will continue to keep 475 00:18:55,320 --> 00:18:57,540 a close eye on . And then the second 476 00:18:57,540 --> 00:18:59,840 was regarding the the inspections . So 477 00:18:59,850 --> 00:19:03,190 just to confirm are are these um these 478 00:19:03,190 --> 00:19:05,412 are civilian and military personnel who 479 00:19:05,412 --> 00:19:07,634 are carrying out the inspections of the 480 00:19:07,634 --> 00:19:09,750 weapons in Ukraine . Uh It's embassy 481 00:19:09,750 --> 00:19:11,861 personnel . Let me get back to you in 482 00:19:11,861 --> 00:19:13,917 terms of the specific composition as 483 00:19:13,917 --> 00:19:15,694 much as we can obviously within 484 00:19:15,694 --> 00:19:17,472 operation security . And it was 485 00:19:17,472 --> 00:19:19,250 mentioned I think that that the 486 00:19:19,250 --> 00:19:21,472 inspections have been going on and then 487 00:19:21,472 --> 00:19:23,639 they were halted and then they resumed 488 00:19:23,639 --> 00:19:25,861 when were they halted ? And why why did 489 00:19:25,861 --> 00:19:25,850 that happen to get back to you on that ? 490 00:19:25,860 --> 00:19:27,860 Thanks . Okay let me go back to the 491 00:19:27,860 --> 00:19:29,860 phone here joe Gould defense news . 492 00:19:30,980 --> 00:19:34,550 Thanks so much . Um question on air 493 00:19:34,550 --> 00:19:37,650 defenses . Um The the Vampire 494 00:19:37,650 --> 00:19:40,440 Systems . The commitment to provide 495 00:19:40,440 --> 00:19:43,000 vampire Systems was announced um going 496 00:19:43,000 --> 00:19:45,160 back a couple of months but nothing's 497 00:19:45,160 --> 00:19:47,930 been finalized . What's the time frame 498 00:19:47,930 --> 00:19:50,040 around that and what's the level of 499 00:19:50,040 --> 00:19:52,940 urgency given the drone threat at 500 00:19:52,940 --> 00:19:54,960 present ? Thank you . Yeah , thanks 501 00:19:54,960 --> 00:19:57,380 very much . Um you know as mentioned , 502 00:19:57,380 --> 00:19:59,950 air defense continues to be a priority . 503 00:19:59,950 --> 00:20:02,117 It's something we're going to continue 504 00:20:02,117 --> 00:20:04,228 to say focused on and work as quickly 505 00:20:04,228 --> 00:20:06,117 as we can uh when it comes to the 506 00:20:06,117 --> 00:20:08,210 vampires , we do expect a contract 507 00:20:08,210 --> 00:20:11,180 award within the next few months . Uh 508 00:20:11,180 --> 00:20:13,750 and then right now we're anticipating 509 00:20:13,750 --> 00:20:17,080 delivery to be mid 2023 . 510 00:20:18,650 --> 00:20:21,960 Thank you . Alright , let me go to Alex 511 00:20:21,960 --> 00:20:25,710 from newsweek . Hey 512 00:20:25,710 --> 00:20:28,610 thank you for doing this today . So my 513 00:20:28,610 --> 00:20:31,800 question um a few weeks ago , 514 00:20:31,810 --> 00:20:35,600 CNN's Fareed Zakaria asked Secretary 515 00:20:35,600 --> 00:20:38,660 Austin a question about potential 516 00:20:38,670 --> 00:20:41,870 Russian nuclear weapons use . In his 517 00:20:41,870 --> 00:20:44,350 response , Secretary Austin said that 518 00:20:44,350 --> 00:20:46,930 the guy who makes that decision , it's 519 00:20:46,930 --> 00:20:49,900 one man , there are no checks on Mr 520 00:20:49,900 --> 00:20:51,910 Putin , just as he made the 521 00:20:51,910 --> 00:20:54,150 irresponsible decision to invade 522 00:20:54,150 --> 00:20:55,928 Ukraine , he could make another 523 00:20:55,928 --> 00:20:59,480 decision . Does this assessment reflect 524 00:20:59,490 --> 00:21:02,200 the understanding of the pentagon ? And 525 00:21:02,210 --> 00:21:04,850 if Vladimir Putin gives order to use 526 00:21:04,850 --> 00:21:07,600 nuclear weapons , whether tactical or 527 00:21:07,600 --> 00:21:10,660 strategic , is there really no way for 528 00:21:10,660 --> 00:21:12,850 anyone in Russia but to potentially 529 00:21:12,850 --> 00:21:15,540 stop such an order from being carried 530 00:21:15,540 --> 00:21:19,010 out ? Yeah . So , you know , we 531 00:21:19,010 --> 00:21:22,710 continue to uh take President Putin's 532 00:21:22,710 --> 00:21:24,432 rhetoric very seriously . It's 533 00:21:24,432 --> 00:21:26,266 something we continue to monitor 534 00:21:26,266 --> 00:21:29,200 closely . Um As Secretary Austin also 535 00:21:29,200 --> 00:21:31,250 said , we have no indications that 536 00:21:31,260 --> 00:21:33,427 President Putin has made a decision at 537 00:21:33,427 --> 00:21:35,538 this time to employ nuclear weapons . 538 00:21:35,538 --> 00:21:37,750 Uh but again , it's something that 539 00:21:37,750 --> 00:21:40,180 we're gonna watch very , very closely 540 00:21:40,190 --> 00:21:41,857 continue to keep the lines of 541 00:21:41,857 --> 00:21:44,023 communication open with our allies and 542 00:21:44,023 --> 00:21:47,070 partners . Um So just leave it at that . 543 00:21:47,080 --> 00:21:50,730 Thank you sir . Follow up 544 00:21:50,730 --> 00:21:52,940 on the question of Iran's supply 545 00:21:52,940 --> 00:21:55,273 munitions and go back to when the U . S . 546 00:21:55,273 --> 00:21:57,440 Warned that Russia was reaching out to 547 00:21:57,440 --> 00:21:59,662 china and North Korea for for different 548 00:21:59,662 --> 00:22:01,607 munitions , china North Korea both 549 00:22:01,607 --> 00:22:03,718 denied supplying and I wonder if that 550 00:22:03,718 --> 00:22:05,884 remains the case . Does the US believe 551 00:22:05,884 --> 00:22:08,051 that china and North Korea have at any 552 00:22:08,051 --> 00:22:09,884 point supplied weaponry or other 553 00:22:09,884 --> 00:22:12,218 equipment to Russia's war . So we don't , 554 00:22:12,218 --> 00:22:11,720 we don't have any indications at this 555 00:22:11,720 --> 00:22:15,150 time that china has supplied or 556 00:22:15,160 --> 00:22:18,050 is intending to supply any capabilities 557 00:22:18,050 --> 00:22:20,620 to Russia . We do know , as we 558 00:22:20,620 --> 00:22:23,090 previously mentioned that Russia has uh , 559 00:22:23,100 --> 00:22:26,530 solicited weapons or ammo rather from 560 00:22:26,540 --> 00:22:29,280 North Korea . Um , and so that's 561 00:22:29,290 --> 00:22:32,710 obviously , um , I've seen the north 562 00:22:32,710 --> 00:22:34,932 korean denials of that , you know , let 563 00:22:34,932 --> 00:22:38,240 them speak for themselves . Um , but uh , 564 00:22:38,250 --> 00:22:40,361 it is our assessment that Russia does 565 00:22:40,361 --> 00:22:42,680 continue to seek arms from North Korea 566 00:22:42,680 --> 00:22:45,710 and from Iran . Thank you . Okay , let 567 00:22:45,710 --> 00:22:48,043 me go back out to the phone here , Jeff , 568 00:22:48,043 --> 00:22:50,266 showgirl task and purpose . Thank you . 569 00:22:50,266 --> 00:22:52,750 Does the pentagon have any kind of 570 00:22:52,760 --> 00:22:56,150 assessment of how many helicopters and 571 00:22:56,160 --> 00:22:58,271 fixed wing aircraft the Russians have 572 00:22:58,271 --> 00:23:01,580 lost in Ukraine since february . Uh , 573 00:23:01,590 --> 00:23:03,757 thanks Jeff . I don't I don't have any 574 00:23:03,757 --> 00:23:05,812 numbers to provide from the podium . 575 00:23:05,812 --> 00:23:08,820 Thank you . Okay , let's go to Phil 576 00:23:08,820 --> 00:23:11,620 Stewart Reuters . Hey there . I just 577 00:23:11,620 --> 00:23:13,620 wanted to clarify something earlier 578 00:23:13,620 --> 00:23:15,676 when you have spoken about how there 579 00:23:15,676 --> 00:23:17,842 were no indications that donor weapons 580 00:23:17,842 --> 00:23:20,980 had been illicitly trafficked out of 581 00:23:20,980 --> 00:23:23,130 Ukraine . Um , I was wondering does 582 00:23:23,130 --> 00:23:25,480 that include weapons that were 583 00:23:25,480 --> 00:23:27,730 potentially captured by Russian forces 584 00:23:27,740 --> 00:23:29,907 and then later , you know , made their 585 00:23:29,907 --> 00:23:32,490 way out . Thanks . Yeah . So so part of 586 00:23:32,490 --> 00:23:36,250 this process is when there are 587 00:23:36,250 --> 00:23:38,583 losses on the battlefield , for example , 588 00:23:38,583 --> 00:23:42,280 the Ukrainians reporting those losses 589 00:23:42,290 --> 00:23:44,300 so that we can account for those 590 00:23:44,300 --> 00:23:45,290 capabilities . 591 00:23:48,540 --> 00:23:51,460 Thank you . Let's go to Tony Capasso 592 00:23:51,460 --> 00:23:52,180 Bloomberg . 593 00:23:55,740 --> 00:23:57,796 Hi Pat , a couple questions . One on 594 00:23:57,796 --> 00:24:00,018 the long now forgotten national defense 595 00:24:00,018 --> 00:24:02,020 strategy . I've seen posters in the 596 00:24:02,020 --> 00:24:04,076 pentagon corridors with the wordings 597 00:24:04,076 --> 00:24:06,020 from the N . D . S . Talking about 598 00:24:06,020 --> 00:24:08,950 campaigning . It defines campaigning as 599 00:24:08,950 --> 00:24:11,600 the conduct and sequencing of logically 600 00:24:11,600 --> 00:24:13,970 linked military activities to achieve 601 00:24:13,970 --> 00:24:16,680 strategy aligned objectives over time . 602 00:24:16,690 --> 00:24:18,790 Can you translate into that into 603 00:24:18,790 --> 00:24:20,960 english in terms of an example or two 604 00:24:20,970 --> 00:24:23,180 of what campaigning is since the 605 00:24:23,180 --> 00:24:25,347 pentagon is highlighting that phrase ? 606 00:24:25,430 --> 00:24:27,597 Sure , thanks Tony . I mean that seems 607 00:24:27,597 --> 00:24:31,180 perfectly clear to me . So um and it 608 00:24:31,180 --> 00:24:33,900 really it's exactly what it says in 609 00:24:33,900 --> 00:24:35,844 terms of campaigning and so if you 610 00:24:35,844 --> 00:24:38,080 think of individual activities , 611 00:24:38,090 --> 00:24:41,870 engagements , uh some of those parts to 612 00:24:41,870 --> 00:24:43,780 achieve operational objectives or 613 00:24:43,780 --> 00:24:45,780 strategic objectives is really what 614 00:24:45,780 --> 00:24:49,350 campaigning is all about . And so for 615 00:24:49,350 --> 00:24:52,570 example , um as you look at 616 00:24:52,580 --> 00:24:55,700 uh the fight in Ukraine right now and 617 00:24:55,700 --> 00:24:58,950 you look at the individual battles that 618 00:24:58,950 --> 00:25:01,360 Ukraine is fighting , uh the campaign 619 00:25:01,360 --> 00:25:04,300 is the broader strategic or operational 620 00:25:04,310 --> 00:25:06,530 effort . And so for the National 621 00:25:06,540 --> 00:25:09,440 Defense Strategy as we look at 622 00:25:10,080 --> 00:25:12,570 carrying out that strategy and and 623 00:25:12,580 --> 00:25:15,860 addressing our pacing challenge , uh 624 00:25:15,870 --> 00:25:19,440 china , the plan makes clear that the 625 00:25:19,440 --> 00:25:21,720 kinds of activities that we undertake 626 00:25:21,720 --> 00:25:23,970 will contribute to the ends that we 627 00:25:23,970 --> 00:25:26,137 desire , which is a free and open indo 628 00:25:26,137 --> 00:25:29,080 pacific uh and the kinds of engagements 629 00:25:29,080 --> 00:25:31,750 and activities that we will undertake 630 00:25:31,760 --> 00:25:34,180 that all accumulate to achieve that 631 00:25:34,180 --> 00:25:37,190 effect or those outcomes . Thank you . 632 00:25:37,760 --> 00:25:41,540 All right on your list that you're 633 00:25:41,540 --> 00:25:43,762 going to get back to us on the military 634 00:25:43,762 --> 00:25:45,429 personnel who are doing these 635 00:25:45,429 --> 00:25:47,484 inspections ? If it's possible if if 636 00:25:47,484 --> 00:25:49,596 you can provide the information about 637 00:25:49,596 --> 00:25:49,150 you know whether they're military or 638 00:25:49,150 --> 00:25:52,610 civilian when the inspection started um 639 00:25:52,620 --> 00:25:54,676 like stopped and started as somebody 640 00:25:54,676 --> 00:25:56,842 asked . Um and then just any kind of a 641 00:25:56,842 --> 00:25:59,220 rough idea of like how many personnel 642 00:25:59,220 --> 00:26:00,887 there are , how many of these 643 00:26:00,887 --> 00:26:02,998 inspections they've been doing ? Like 644 00:26:02,998 --> 00:26:05,053 you know , are they actually kind of 645 00:26:05,053 --> 00:26:07,276 going to the front lines ? Are they are 646 00:26:07,276 --> 00:26:09,387 they doing these in person or virtual 647 00:26:09,387 --> 00:26:11,498 ones ? They're doing so like any more 648 00:26:11,498 --> 00:26:13,442 fidelity on it I think is would be 649 00:26:13,442 --> 00:26:15,590 would be helpful . Absolutely . I'd 650 00:26:15,590 --> 00:26:17,970 also point you to the transcript from 651 00:26:17,970 --> 00:26:19,803 the background briefing that was 652 00:26:19,803 --> 00:26:21,692 conducted yesterday with a senior 653 00:26:21,692 --> 00:26:23,914 defense official that talk through some 654 00:26:23,914 --> 00:26:25,970 of address some of your questions in 655 00:26:25,970 --> 00:26:28,460 terms of employing capabilities . 656 00:26:28,460 --> 00:26:30,682 Virtual capabilities , for example , in 657 00:26:30,682 --> 00:26:32,904 terms of working with the Ukrainians to 658 00:26:32,904 --> 00:26:34,682 get the information . But we'll 659 00:26:34,682 --> 00:26:36,849 certainly again , we're just , I think 660 00:26:36,849 --> 00:26:39,071 what we're trying to figure out is just 661 00:26:39,071 --> 00:26:41,238 like when these restarted and just how 662 00:26:41,238 --> 00:26:43,571 many people because if I'm not mistaken , 663 00:26:43,571 --> 00:26:43,460 some european allies have been doing 664 00:26:43,460 --> 00:26:45,780 this for a while . So I'm trying to get 665 00:26:45,780 --> 00:26:47,724 a sense of just how long it's been 666 00:26:47,724 --> 00:26:49,891 happening and how substantial is . And 667 00:26:49,891 --> 00:26:51,836 also the other thing I'm still not 668 00:26:51,836 --> 00:26:51,400 clear on if you can provide more 669 00:26:51,400 --> 00:26:55,030 fidelity in this large r . T . Q . That 670 00:26:55,030 --> 00:26:57,780 we're asking you for ? Is um 671 00:26:58,870 --> 00:27:01,610 did these personnel , did they come 672 00:27:01,610 --> 00:27:03,777 into the country specifically with the 673 00:27:03,777 --> 00:27:05,943 job of doing these inspections or were 674 00:27:05,943 --> 00:27:07,943 they people who are assigned to the 675 00:27:07,943 --> 00:27:10,780 embassy ? And then again , my 676 00:27:10,780 --> 00:27:12,780 understanding these are individuals 677 00:27:12,780 --> 00:27:15,002 assigned to the embassy , but we'll get 678 00:27:15,002 --> 00:27:17,280 back to you with your questions . Thank 679 00:27:17,280 --> 00:27:20,130 you . Okay , let me go to Alex Horton 680 00:27:20,130 --> 00:27:21,140 Washington post . 681 00:27:24,700 --> 00:27:26,980 Yeah , I want to go back to what I 682 00:27:26,980 --> 00:27:29,202 think . Uh , full story was asking this 683 00:27:29,202 --> 00:27:31,820 follow up , taking a chance to about 684 00:27:31,830 --> 00:27:33,760 Russian diversion . Uh , State 685 00:27:33,760 --> 00:27:35,704 Department said last week that pro 686 00:27:35,704 --> 00:27:37,780 Russian forces capture including 687 00:27:37,790 --> 00:27:39,734 donated material is quote the main 688 00:27:39,734 --> 00:27:41,810 vector of diversion so far and could 689 00:27:41,810 --> 00:27:44,150 result in onward transfers . So from D . 690 00:27:44,150 --> 00:27:46,317 O . D . S perspective , could you give 691 00:27:46,317 --> 00:27:48,790 us any um specific items that you know 692 00:27:48,790 --> 00:27:52,150 have been um captured by Russia and 693 00:27:52,150 --> 00:27:56,100 moved around ? Um , I will look 694 00:27:56,100 --> 00:27:57,989 into that and come back to you on 695 00:27:57,989 --> 00:28:00,211 anything we've got to provide . I'm not 696 00:28:00,211 --> 00:28:03,690 currently aware of anything . Um , but 697 00:28:03,700 --> 00:28:05,756 we'll come back to you . Thank you . 698 00:28:06,210 --> 00:28:08,154 Okay . And just a couple more here 699 00:28:08,154 --> 00:28:11,820 victoria from Nippon . Yes , Thank you 700 00:28:11,820 --> 00:28:14,042 for taking my question . Um , there was 701 00:28:14,042 --> 00:28:16,550 a report recently that if republicans 702 00:28:16,560 --> 00:28:18,560 should take the House majority that 703 00:28:18,560 --> 00:28:20,393 they would pull back some of the 704 00:28:20,393 --> 00:28:22,338 funding on military assistance for 705 00:28:22,338 --> 00:28:24,282 Ukraine next year ? Um , so I just 706 00:28:24,282 --> 00:28:26,449 wanted to ask if funding was reduced . 707 00:28:26,449 --> 00:28:28,560 What kind of effect do you think that 708 00:28:28,560 --> 00:28:30,616 there would be on Ukraine ? And what 709 00:28:30,616 --> 00:28:32,616 response would the pentagon have to 710 00:28:32,616 --> 00:28:34,338 this ? Yeah , thanks very much 711 00:28:34,338 --> 00:28:36,504 victorious . So certainly I don't want 712 00:28:36,504 --> 00:28:38,282 to get ahead of the the midterm 713 00:28:38,282 --> 00:28:40,504 elections or speculate on the outcome , 714 00:28:40,504 --> 00:28:42,560 I will say . And you've heard us say 715 00:28:42,560 --> 00:28:44,449 this before , We've had excellent 716 00:28:44,449 --> 00:28:46,560 bipartisan support uh to date when it 717 00:28:46,560 --> 00:28:48,910 comes to Ukraine . And so the 718 00:28:48,910 --> 00:28:50,743 department will continue to work 719 00:28:50,743 --> 00:28:52,966 closely with Congress on this important 720 00:28:52,966 --> 00:28:54,966 issue . But beyond that , I won't I 721 00:28:54,966 --> 00:28:57,132 won't have anything to provide . Thank 722 00:28:57,132 --> 00:28:59,354 you . Alright , let me go to Jared from 723 00:28:59,354 --> 00:28:58,800 all monitor . 724 00:29:04,340 --> 00:29:06,396 Hi sir , I was just wondering if you 725 00:29:06,396 --> 00:29:08,618 could clarify about this regarding this 726 00:29:08,618 --> 00:29:10,729 report about Iranian threats to Saudi 727 00:29:10,729 --> 00:29:12,784 Arabia and Iraq , you mentioned that 728 00:29:12,784 --> 00:29:14,840 the U . S . Remains in communication 729 00:29:14,840 --> 00:29:17,350 with um Saudi counterparts about what 730 00:29:17,350 --> 00:29:19,572 more they might be able to offer . Have 731 00:29:19,572 --> 00:29:21,794 the Saudis provided anything to the U . 732 00:29:21,794 --> 00:29:23,810 S . That would uh over the past few 733 00:29:23,810 --> 00:29:25,643 days ? That would be a cause for 734 00:29:25,643 --> 00:29:27,810 concern in this regard . Yeah , thanks 735 00:29:27,810 --> 00:29:29,532 Jared . I'm not gonna have any 736 00:29:29,532 --> 00:29:31,866 additional information to provide again . 737 00:29:31,866 --> 00:29:34,032 We continue to communicate regularly . 738 00:29:34,032 --> 00:29:36,690 Uh and um yeah , I'll just leave it at 739 00:29:36,690 --> 00:29:39,520 that . Thank you . Okay . Uh and then 740 00:29:39,520 --> 00:29:42,070 the last question we'll go to uh 741 00:29:43,880 --> 00:29:45,713 tina soundly from Turkish news . 742 00:29:48,960 --> 00:29:51,016 Thank you very much for the briefing 743 00:29:51,016 --> 00:29:53,127 generalize . And my question is about 744 00:29:53,127 --> 00:29:55,127 the U . S . Ministry deployments to 745 00:29:55,127 --> 00:29:57,238 grease some press reports in Greece , 746 00:29:57,238 --> 00:29:59,700 say the US is planning to send 600 747 00:29:59,700 --> 00:30:02,320 soldiers as well as First Army aviation 748 00:30:02,320 --> 00:30:04,700 brigade mainly consists of attack 749 00:30:04,700 --> 00:30:06,922 helicopters from the Fort Hood texas to 750 00:30:06,922 --> 00:30:10,100 the alexandria Police force increase 751 00:30:10,110 --> 00:30:12,480 these reports are accurate as the D . O . 752 00:30:12,480 --> 00:30:14,910 D . Confirms these reports . Thank you . 753 00:30:15,140 --> 00:30:17,740 Thanks very much . I'm not tracking 754 00:30:17,740 --> 00:30:19,851 anything at the moment but we'll look 755 00:30:19,851 --> 00:30:22,930 into that and come back to you . Okay ? 756 00:30:22,990 --> 00:30:25,420 And final question goes to louis . 757 00:30:26,480 --> 00:30:29,690 Um can you tell us when the monitoring 758 00:30:29,700 --> 00:30:32,610 of weapons to Ukraine began ? Yes , I 759 00:30:32,610 --> 00:30:34,832 think Courtney asked that question . So 760 00:30:34,832 --> 00:30:36,554 we'll look into that the State 761 00:30:36,554 --> 00:30:39,650 Department's announcement last week or 762 00:30:39,850 --> 00:30:42,017 so . This is my understanding this has 763 00:30:42,017 --> 00:30:44,370 been an ongoing effort . Right ? And so 764 00:30:44,380 --> 00:30:47,640 the State Department announced the plan 765 00:30:47,680 --> 00:30:50,350 this week . But my understanding is 766 00:30:50,350 --> 00:30:52,461 that the plan has been in development 767 00:30:52,461 --> 00:30:54,683 for a while . But we'll get back to you 768 00:30:54,683 --> 00:30:56,406 on the specifics of the senior 769 00:30:56,406 --> 00:30:58,430 officials said yesterday that was 770 00:30:58,430 --> 00:31:00,500 conducting hands on training with 771 00:31:00,500 --> 00:31:03,170 Ukrainian military forces so that they 772 00:31:03,170 --> 00:31:05,448 could gather data in areas where the U . 773 00:31:05,448 --> 00:31:08,540 S . Personnel could not go . Um Is that 774 00:31:08,550 --> 00:31:10,494 a training program is taking place 775 00:31:10,494 --> 00:31:12,606 inside Ukraine ? Or is that something 776 00:31:12,606 --> 00:31:12,440 that's taking place outside of the 777 00:31:12,440 --> 00:31:14,384 country like we're seeing with the 778 00:31:14,384 --> 00:31:16,440 other weapons system . Yeah , let me 779 00:31:16,440 --> 00:31:18,551 get back to you on that . Thank you . 780 00:31:18,551 --> 00:31:18,180 Okay , thanks very much everybody 781 00:31:18,180 --> 00:31:18,880 appreciate it