WEBVTT 00:04.280 --> 00:06.430 All right , Good afternoon . A few 00:06.430 --> 00:08.541 items to pass along . We'll get right 00:08.541 --> 00:10.720 to your questions . Uh so as we 00:10.720 --> 00:12.887 announced yesterday , Secretary Austin 00:12.887 --> 00:15.260 is traveling today to fort Bragg , 00:15.270 --> 00:17.381 welcome back the soldiers of the 18th 00:17.381 --> 00:19.548 Airborne Corps who deployed to Germany 00:19.548 --> 00:21.770 in february and support of U . S . Army 00:21.770 --> 00:23.826 europe and africa to assure our NATO 00:23.826 --> 00:26.103 allies and to deter Russian aggression . 00:26.190 --> 00:28.190 Secretary will thank them for their 00:28.190 --> 00:30.301 support to our NATO partners and will 00:30.301 --> 00:32.301 also express his gratitude to their 00:32.301 --> 00:34.468 families for their support and for the 00:34.468 --> 00:36.523 sacrifices they continue to make for 00:36.523 --> 00:38.746 our nation separately . Us and republic 00:38.746 --> 00:40.968 of Korea units began exercise vigilance 00:40.968 --> 00:42.968 Storm yesterday which is a training 00:42.968 --> 00:44.690 event that will enhance combat 00:44.690 --> 00:46.857 readiness and interoperability for all 00:46.857 --> 00:49.400 units involved . Approximately 240 00:49.400 --> 00:51.289 aircraft and thousands of service 00:51.289 --> 00:54.430 members from the rok Air Force , U . S . 00:54.430 --> 00:56.650 Air Force , U . S . Marine Corps , U . 00:56.650 --> 00:58.372 S . Navy and U . S . Army will 00:58.372 --> 01:00.530 participate in this training this 01:00.530 --> 01:02.752 year's event which was long scheduled , 01:02.752 --> 01:04.752 will strengthen the operational and 01:04.752 --> 01:06.808 tactical capabilities . Combined air 01:06.808 --> 01:08.697 operations and support are strong 01:08.697 --> 01:10.960 combined defense posture . Looking 01:10.960 --> 01:13.016 ahead , Secretary Austin will attend 01:13.016 --> 01:14.904 the U . S . Space Force change of 01:14.904 --> 01:16.904 responsibility ceremony tomorrow at 01:16.904 --> 01:19.127 Joint Base andrews which will include a 01:19.127 --> 01:21.016 retirement ceremony for the Space 01:21.016 --> 01:23.349 Force's first Chief of Space Operations . 01:23.349 --> 01:25.071 General john W . J . Raymond , 01:25.590 --> 01:27.423 Secretary of the Air Force frank 01:27.423 --> 01:29.479 Kendall will officiate the change of 01:29.479 --> 01:31.590 command responsibility ceremony where 01:31.590 --> 01:33.757 General Raymond will relinquish office 01:33.757 --> 01:35.701 to US . Space Force General Chance 01:35.701 --> 01:38.480 Saltzman at 10:30 a.m. Secretary Austin 01:38.480 --> 01:40.700 will provide remarks and recognize 01:40.700 --> 01:42.756 General Raymond for as many years of 01:42.756 --> 01:44.890 dedicated service to our nation . And 01:44.890 --> 01:46.723 finally , Secretary Austin looks 01:46.723 --> 01:48.668 forward to hosting his Republic of 01:48.668 --> 01:50.446 Korea counterpart , Minister of 01:50.446 --> 01:52.279 National Defense lee jong suk on 01:52.279 --> 01:54.334 thursday for the republic of Korea . 01:54.334 --> 01:56.446 Security consultative meeting here at 01:56.446 --> 01:58.390 the pentagon . The purpose of this 01:58.390 --> 02:00.612 annual consultative meeting is to serve 02:00.612 --> 02:02.446 as a venue to discuss and affirm 02:02.446 --> 02:04.223 national commitments toward the 02:04.223 --> 02:06.223 continued development of the Rok US 02:06.223 --> 02:08.334 alliance and mutually reinforcing and 02:08.334 --> 02:10.223 enduring manner . We'll have more 02:10.223 --> 02:09.910 information to provide on that in the 02:09.910 --> 02:12.050 coming days . Well that I will take 02:12.050 --> 02:14.217 your questions . We'll start with Tara 02:14.217 --> 02:15.217 ap 02:17.960 --> 02:20.070 as some other Western officials have 02:20.070 --> 02:23.320 noted that Iran is intent on supplying 02:23.330 --> 02:26.790 Russia up to 1000 additional munitions 02:26.790 --> 02:28.623 including ballistic missiles and 02:28.623 --> 02:31.090 additional drones . Yeah , thanks Tara . 02:31.100 --> 02:33.156 So we've seen the press reporting on 02:33.156 --> 02:35.044 that , we don't have any specific 02:35.044 --> 02:37.044 information to provide . We do know 02:37.044 --> 02:39.267 that Russia has provided uh excuse me , 02:39.267 --> 02:41.600 Iran has provided Russia with U . A . V . 02:41.600 --> 02:43.767 S . Which we anticipate they'll likely 02:43.767 --> 02:45.760 seek more of those . We do have 02:45.760 --> 02:48.680 concerns that Russia may also seek to 02:48.680 --> 02:51.660 acquire additional advanced munition 02:51.660 --> 02:53.827 capabilities from Iran , for example , 02:53.827 --> 02:56.220 surface to surface missiles uh , to use 02:56.220 --> 02:58.660 in Ukraine . And so if we see Russia 02:58.660 --> 03:00.604 employing such capabilities on the 03:00.604 --> 03:02.716 battlefield will certainly do what we 03:02.716 --> 03:05.500 can to illuminate that I would say that 03:05.510 --> 03:08.720 this just is indicative though . 03:08.730 --> 03:10.750 Regardless the relationship between 03:10.760 --> 03:13.230 Russia and Iran of their continued 03:13.230 --> 03:15.460 collusion to attack Ukrainians . 03:15.490 --> 03:18.650 Ukrainian citizens and sustain Russia's 03:18.650 --> 03:21.770 illegal occupation can be read into 03:21.770 --> 03:25.040 that . Such as Russia's munitions are 03:25.040 --> 03:27.330 actually in a depleted state . And does 03:27.330 --> 03:29.600 it have any urgency to getting air 03:29.600 --> 03:31.767 defense systems like the nation's onto 03:31.767 --> 03:33.767 the battlefield ? Well , I think it 03:33.767 --> 03:36.530 does speak to the state of Russia's 03:36.530 --> 03:38.419 munitions capability . We've said 03:38.419 --> 03:41.250 before that we assess that they are 03:41.460 --> 03:44.900 they continue to experience uh supply 03:44.900 --> 03:47.067 shortages when it comes to munitions , 03:47.067 --> 03:49.960 particularly guided munitions . Uh It 03:49.960 --> 03:52.200 also is indicative of where they're 03:52.200 --> 03:54.910 seeking munitions from countries like 03:54.920 --> 03:57.830 North Korea and Iran which says a lot 03:57.840 --> 04:00.620 about um the kind of company they keep 04:00.620 --> 04:02.842 and where they stand in the world right 04:02.842 --> 04:04.953 now in terms of isolation in terms of 04:04.953 --> 04:06.731 air defense capabilities , this 04:06.731 --> 04:08.898 continues to be a priority for the U . 04:08.898 --> 04:10.953 S . Government for the Department of 04:10.953 --> 04:12.787 Defense to work closely with the 04:12.787 --> 04:14.731 Ukrainians with our allies and our 04:14.731 --> 04:16.898 partners to try to get them additional 04:16.898 --> 04:18.676 air defense capability . As you 04:18.676 --> 04:20.676 highlighted with the nice arms , we 04:20.676 --> 04:22.842 expect those to be delivered very soon 04:22.842 --> 04:24.787 again will allow the Ukrainians to 04:24.787 --> 04:27.009 announce when those arrive in country . 04:27.009 --> 04:26.940 Um but we're going to continue to look 04:26.940 --> 04:29.218 at other ways that we can support them . 04:29.470 --> 04:31.570 In addition , Secretary Austin 04:31.570 --> 04:33.737 continues to speak frequently with his 04:33.737 --> 04:35.990 partners and our allies , his 04:35.990 --> 04:38.600 counterparts to identify what other 04:38.600 --> 04:40.711 capabilities might exist within their 04:40.711 --> 04:42.878 own stocks or within their own defense 04:42.878 --> 04:44.711 industrial base is to be able to 04:44.711 --> 04:46.878 support Ukraine in that regard . Thank 04:46.878 --> 04:49.440 you , Laura . Thanks for doing this . 04:49.450 --> 04:51.850 Um There have been some reports that 04:51.860 --> 04:54.410 Iran is poised to carry out attacks in 04:54.410 --> 04:56.630 Saudi Arabia and in Iraq to distract 04:56.630 --> 04:58.852 from the domestic protests and that the 04:58.852 --> 05:01.020 Saudi and U . S . Military has raised 05:01.030 --> 05:04.040 alert levels there . Can you confirm 05:04.050 --> 05:06.050 these reports ? And do you have any 05:06.050 --> 05:08.217 additional information to share ? Well 05:08.217 --> 05:10.217 as you know , I'm not going to talk 05:10.217 --> 05:12.494 about specific force protection levels . 05:12.494 --> 05:14.606 I can say that we do remain concerned 05:14.606 --> 05:16.494 about the threat situation in the 05:16.494 --> 05:19.050 region . We're in regular contact with 05:19.050 --> 05:21.420 our Saudi partners uh in terms of what 05:21.420 --> 05:23.642 information they may have to provide on 05:23.642 --> 05:25.642 that front . Um but what we've said 05:25.642 --> 05:27.730 before and I'll repeat it is that we 05:27.730 --> 05:29.841 will reserve the right to protect and 05:29.841 --> 05:31.970 defend ourselves no matter where our 05:31.980 --> 05:34.670 forces are serving , whether in Iraq or 05:34.670 --> 05:37.330 elsewhere that there is a specific 05:37.340 --> 05:39.396 threat . I'm not gonna have anything 05:39.396 --> 05:41.507 beyond what I've provided . Thank you 05:41.507 --> 05:43.673 As a different question . Can you give 05:43.673 --> 05:45.896 us an update on when the is going to be 05:45.896 --> 05:48.230 delivered to Ukraine again ? We expect 05:48.230 --> 05:50.930 them to be delivered relatively soon . 05:50.930 --> 05:52.819 I'm not gonna be able to get more 05:52.819 --> 05:54.597 specific than that . Uh and for 05:54.597 --> 05:56.763 operation security purposes will allow 05:56.763 --> 05:58.986 the Ukrainians to announce when they've 05:58.986 --> 06:01.041 arrived and when their operational . 06:01.041 --> 06:03.041 Thank you . Okay , let me go to the 06:03.041 --> 06:02.630 phone here real quick and then I'll 06:02.630 --> 06:05.400 come back to the room . Howard from war 06:05.400 --> 06:09.360 zone . Thanks Pat got a question . Um 06:09.370 --> 06:12.610 Russian hacker called joker claims to 06:12.610 --> 06:16.200 have access the Ukrainian Delta 06:16.210 --> 06:18.320 command control system . Can you 06:18.320 --> 06:20.600 confirm that ? And do you have that 06:20.600 --> 06:22.433 raised additional concerns about 06:22.440 --> 06:26.200 similar US systems ? Thanks 06:26.200 --> 06:28.422 Howard , I I don't have any information 06:28.422 --> 06:30.589 to provide on that . I would refer you 06:30.589 --> 06:32.700 to the Ukrainians to talk about their 06:32.700 --> 06:35.320 own uh systems as you know , from a U . 06:35.320 --> 06:37.890 S . Military standpoint cybersecurity 06:37.900 --> 06:39.789 uh is something that we take very 06:39.789 --> 06:43.200 seriously uh at every level . Uh And 06:43.200 --> 06:45.422 while I don't have anything specific to 06:45.422 --> 06:47.367 provide , that's an area that will 06:47.367 --> 06:49.760 continue to pay close attention to uh 06:49.760 --> 06:51.538 and ensure that not only are we 06:51.538 --> 06:53.538 protecting our systems but that our 06:53.538 --> 06:55.427 people are Taking the appropriate 06:55.427 --> 06:57.610 training and taking appropriate 06:57.610 --> 06:59.810 precautions but nothing specific to 06:59.810 --> 07:01.950 provide . Thanks Howard . Alright , 07:02.720 --> 07:04.940 thank you . Um the US is planning to 07:04.940 --> 07:07.060 send B52 bombers to Australia as part 07:07.060 --> 07:09.760 of a normal rotation . China said this 07:09.760 --> 07:11.690 may trigger an arms race is China 07:11.700 --> 07:15.480 overreacting . Um So when it comes to 07:15.490 --> 07:17.670 aircraft rotating through Australia , 07:17.670 --> 07:19.670 as you know , we have long standing 07:19.670 --> 07:21.726 relationship with Australia and it's 07:21.726 --> 07:23.781 not uncommon for us to send aircraft 07:23.781 --> 07:26.000 through to participate in joint 07:26.010 --> 07:28.410 exercises , combined exercises with 07:28.420 --> 07:31.940 Australia . I think that it does send a 07:31.940 --> 07:34.700 clear signal to uh countries in the 07:34.700 --> 07:36.867 region . First of all that the U . S . 07:36.867 --> 07:38.922 Is a reliable partner and that we do 07:38.922 --> 07:41.290 maintain capabilities to be available 07:41.290 --> 07:43.580 to respond to a variety of 07:43.580 --> 07:46.020 contingencies worldwide , but it also 07:46.020 --> 07:48.131 sends a clear message that we do have 07:48.131 --> 07:50.180 the capability to deter . uh and if 07:50.180 --> 07:53.930 necessary , uh engage um just leave it 07:53.930 --> 07:57.500 at that . Thank you janie thank you sir . 07:57.510 --> 08:01.430 I have locations in North Korea . North 08:01.430 --> 08:04.840 Korea has predicted that it will launch 08:04.840 --> 08:08.420 a more powerful military provocation in 08:08.420 --> 08:11.710 response to the U . S . And South Korea 08:11.720 --> 08:15.450 joined air exercises , vigilant and 08:15.460 --> 08:18.750 vigilant stone . It was also reported 08:18.760 --> 08:22.170 that North Korea would test both 08:22.170 --> 08:26.150 hypersonic Cruise missiles and 08:26.160 --> 08:29.770 tactical nuclear weapons 08:29.780 --> 08:33.270 in 87 nuclear test . How would you 08:33.280 --> 08:36.910 comment ? Um , so I'm not gonna speak 08:36.910 --> 08:40.400 for North Korea . Um , again , vigilant 08:40.410 --> 08:42.920 the the exercise that we're conducting 08:42.930 --> 08:45.990 uh as a long planned exercise focused 08:45.990 --> 08:49.560 on enhancing interoperability of our 08:49.570 --> 08:53.380 forces to work together to defend uh 08:53.390 --> 08:55.910 the Republic of Korea and our allies in 08:55.910 --> 08:59.860 the region . Thanks if if those could 08:59.870 --> 09:03.620 actually uses nuclear weapons with the 09:03.620 --> 09:06.390 United States to be ready for a 09:06.400 --> 09:09.730 preemptive strikes before North Korea 09:09.730 --> 09:12.670 uses nuclear weapons , I'm not going to 09:12.670 --> 09:14.837 get into hypotheticals , but thank you 09:14.870 --> 09:18.350 sir , to follow up on the question is 09:18.350 --> 09:20.610 the Pentagon in discussion with 09:20.620 --> 09:23.050 Raytheon or Carlsberg about any 09:23.060 --> 09:25.282 contractors that would be needed to set 09:25.282 --> 09:27.393 up the system as it goes in country . 09:27.393 --> 09:29.560 And I've got another question separate 09:29.560 --> 09:31.671 matter . Um we can get back to you on 09:31.671 --> 09:33.782 the specifics of uh , you know , what 09:33.782 --> 09:35.949 role the contractor plays in that ? Um 09:35.949 --> 09:37.893 certainly as you highlight it is a 09:37.893 --> 09:40.004 relationship working with contractors 09:40.004 --> 09:42.338 to ensure that the systems are in place , 09:42.338 --> 09:44.449 that training is provided ? But we'll 09:44.449 --> 09:46.616 get back to that . Is there any update 09:46.616 --> 09:48.782 on Starlink ? Is the pentagon still in 09:48.782 --> 09:50.782 discussion with startling and other 09:50.782 --> 09:54.000 providers for satellite SAT . Com or is 09:54.000 --> 09:56.222 that ended ? Can you provide any update 09:56.222 --> 09:58.278 on contracting ? Sure . What I would 09:58.278 --> 10:00.222 say is that we continue to discuss 10:00.222 --> 10:02.333 Ukraine satellite communication needs 10:02.333 --> 10:04.900 with Ukraine uh and companies like 10:04.900 --> 10:07.100 SpaceX and others , I have no 10:07.100 --> 10:09.267 announcements to make today in regards 10:09.267 --> 10:11.570 to any potential contracts or future 10:11.570 --> 10:13.970 agreements . Um as you know on friday , 10:13.970 --> 10:15.803 we did announce that we would be 10:15.803 --> 10:19.260 delivering for SAT com antenna to 10:19.260 --> 10:21.360 Ukraine to support their satellite 10:21.360 --> 10:23.471 communication needs . But nothing new 10:23.471 --> 10:26.380 to announce today . Thank you . Thank 10:26.380 --> 10:28.602 you very much . General , I want to ask 10:28.602 --> 10:31.340 you about the U . S . Deployment or 10:31.350 --> 10:34.070 fighter jets uh in Kadena Air Base in 10:34.080 --> 10:38.010 Okinawa uh 15 , retiring 10:38.020 --> 10:40.131 the Japanese Minister of Defense said 10:40.131 --> 10:43.870 today The US is considering to deploy , 10:43.880 --> 10:46.290 considering options to deploy more 10:46.290 --> 10:48.680 capable aircraft to gardiner 10:48.690 --> 10:51.310 permanently . I'm wondering how soon 10:51.310 --> 10:53.980 the US will make a concrete long term 10:53.980 --> 10:57.420 plan to replace a 15th . And do you 10:57.420 --> 10:59.625 think the U . S . Should have worked 10:59.635 --> 11:02.805 out such a debasement from before the 11:02.805 --> 11:06.425 15th in Okinawa start reading , Start 11:06.425 --> 11:08.703 reading this month . Yeah , thanks bro . 11:08.703 --> 11:10.814 So first of all , I would just say up 11:10.814 --> 11:12.869 front that the U . S . Commitment to 11:12.869 --> 11:15.125 Japan and regional security and the 11:15.125 --> 11:17.935 defense of Japan remains ironclad . And 11:17.935 --> 11:20.046 so as part of the Air Force is the US 11:20.046 --> 11:22.290 Air Force's modernization plan ? They 11:22.290 --> 11:25.130 are retiring at 15 C . And D . Models 11:25.140 --> 11:27.840 uh and this fleet of aircraft which has 11:27.840 --> 11:30.780 been in service for more than 30 years 11:30.790 --> 11:34.280 will start a phase withdrawal from uh 11:34.290 --> 11:37.090 Kadena Air base starting on today on 11:37.090 --> 11:40.280 november . Um so will continue to 11:40.280 --> 11:42.420 maintain a steady state presence at 11:42.430 --> 11:45.630 Kadena Air base by rote by rotational 11:45.630 --> 11:47.519 deployments and this will include 11:47.519 --> 11:49.640 Fortune advanced fourth gen and fifth 11:49.640 --> 11:53.250 generation aircraft to backfill the F 11:53.250 --> 11:55.600 fifteen's as they depart . So I would 11:55.600 --> 11:57.822 certainly encourage you to reach out to 11:57.822 --> 12:00.044 the Air Force that can provide you with 12:00.044 --> 12:02.267 some additional details on that . Thank 12:02.267 --> 12:01.530 you . Alright , let me go to the phone 12:01.530 --> 12:03.641 here real quick heather from us and I 12:04.220 --> 12:06.331 okay thank you so much . Um Two quick 12:06.331 --> 12:08.442 questions on the first is I wanted to 12:08.442 --> 12:10.387 see if there is any update to um a 12:10.387 --> 12:12.460 damage assessment or an idea of what 12:12.460 --> 12:14.880 caused the explosions at Sevastopol and 12:14.880 --> 12:18.620 Crimea and then um I heard that the 12:18.630 --> 12:21.290 Red Hills , the Joint task Force Red 12:21.290 --> 12:24.260 Hill is planning to release its um most 12:24.260 --> 12:26.482 updated plan today , I was wondering if 12:26.482 --> 12:28.538 you have any comments on the current 12:28.538 --> 12:30.538 unpacking right now going on in the 12:30.538 --> 12:32.816 pipes or the potential plan coming out ? 12:32.816 --> 12:34.760 Yeah thanks very much heather . Um 12:34.760 --> 12:38.660 Again we uh we are aware of the 12:38.670 --> 12:40.920 explosions that occurred near 12:40.930 --> 12:43.180 sevastopol . Um I don't have any 12:43.180 --> 12:45.990 information to provide uh specifically 12:45.990 --> 12:49.790 in terms of the situation there um and 12:49.800 --> 12:51.911 we'll just leave it at that as far as 12:51.911 --> 12:54.078 Red Hill goes , we can we can get that 12:54.078 --> 12:56.870 information and come back to as far as 12:56.880 --> 12:59.270 the status of the unpacking . Thank you . 12:59.800 --> 13:02.390 Okay , thanks . Travis tritt with 13:02.400 --> 13:04.930 military dot com . Um So the military 13:04.930 --> 13:07.520 has personnel inside of Ukraine that is 13:07.530 --> 13:09.808 that who are doing weapons inspections ? 13:09.808 --> 13:11.919 Now , I'm wondering what the rules of 13:11.919 --> 13:14.030 engagement for those personnel are if 13:14.030 --> 13:16.840 they're fired on by the Russians or if 13:16.840 --> 13:20.070 they're targeted by the Russians . So 13:20.080 --> 13:23.540 um as mentioned , we do have small 13:23.540 --> 13:25.890 teams that are comprised of embassy 13:25.890 --> 13:28.990 personnel that are conducting some 13:28.990 --> 13:30.934 inspections of security assistance 13:30.934 --> 13:34.170 delivery at a variety of locations . Uh 13:34.180 --> 13:36.180 and again this is part of a broader 13:36.180 --> 13:39.660 effort um of the U . S . Government to 13:39.670 --> 13:43.620 track us provided capabilities 13:43.640 --> 13:45.500 to prevent the illicit spread 13:45.510 --> 13:49.150 throughout eastern europe . Uh Again I 13:49.150 --> 13:51.206 will highlight up front , we have no 13:51.206 --> 13:53.428 indication that there has been any type 13:53.428 --> 13:55.650 of illicit spread the capabilities that 13:55.650 --> 13:57.872 we provided to the Ukrainians are being 13:57.872 --> 13:59.983 used effectively on the battlefield . 13:59.983 --> 14:02.060 In terms of personnel that are 14:02.060 --> 14:04.260 conducting these inspections . My 14:04.260 --> 14:06.371 understanding is they would be wealth 14:06.371 --> 14:09.240 uh well far away from any type of 14:09.250 --> 14:11.860 frontline actions . We are relying on 14:11.860 --> 14:13.749 the Ukrainians to do that . We're 14:13.749 --> 14:15.916 relying on other partners to do that . 14:15.916 --> 14:18.900 Uh So uh essentially that would not be 14:18.900 --> 14:21.990 the case for for U . S . Personnel . Um 14:21.990 --> 14:24.046 So again that is something that will 14:24.046 --> 14:26.212 continue to to ensure , you know , the 14:26.212 --> 14:28.212 safety and the welfare of our folks 14:28.212 --> 14:30.680 that are doing this . Um But the point 14:30.680 --> 14:32.902 being they're not going to be operating 14:32.902 --> 14:35.069 on the front lines up until this point 14:35.069 --> 14:37.180 there haven't been any U . S . Troops 14:37.180 --> 14:39.347 inside of Ukraine . And now we do have 14:39.347 --> 14:41.402 U . S . Troops inside Ukraine . Well 14:41.402 --> 14:43.402 that's that's not we've had U . S . 14:43.402 --> 14:45.513 Forces serving at the embassy as part 14:45.513 --> 14:47.760 of the defense attache office which is 14:47.760 --> 14:49.704 where these guys are assigned . So 14:49.704 --> 14:51.780 we've been very clear there are no 14:51.790 --> 14:54.770 combat forces in Ukraine . No US forces 14:54.770 --> 14:57.103 conducting combat operations in Ukraine . 14:57.103 --> 14:59.214 These are personnel that are assigned 14:59.214 --> 15:02.070 to uh conduct security cooperation and 15:02.070 --> 15:03.959 assistance as part of the defense 15:03.959 --> 15:06.181 attache office . Right . But this would 15:06.181 --> 15:08.348 be different because they'd be working 15:08.348 --> 15:07.590 outside of the U . S . Embassy . I'm 15:07.590 --> 15:09.646 just wondering if people should read 15:09.646 --> 15:11.534 this as an escalation and U . S . 15:11.534 --> 15:13.701 Involvement in the war . No no this is 15:13.701 --> 15:15.646 just responsible management of the 15:15.646 --> 15:17.701 capabilities that we're providing to 15:17.701 --> 15:17.540 the Ukrainians . And as I mentioned , 15:17.540 --> 15:19.762 the Ukrainians are working very closely 15:19.762 --> 15:22.550 with us to provide insight and tracking 15:22.550 --> 15:24.717 of those capabilities and places where 15:24.717 --> 15:27.075 it's not safe for US personnel to go 15:27.085 --> 15:30.415 thank you can you clarify are these are 15:30.415 --> 15:32.805 their U . S . Troops like US Marine 15:32.805 --> 15:35.055 security forces protecting the embassy 15:35.055 --> 15:37.333 personnel who is doing the inspections . 15:37.333 --> 15:40.945 We have U . S . Marines at the embassy 15:40.945 --> 15:43.725 doing normal U . S . Marine type guard 15:43.725 --> 15:46.385 duties . But my understanding is that 15:47.310 --> 15:49.254 to your point these are not combat 15:49.254 --> 15:51.366 squads that are going out . These are 15:51.366 --> 15:53.532 personnel , they're going out in areas 15:53.532 --> 15:55.754 where they're not going to be in harm's 15:55.754 --> 15:57.421 way to conduct these types of 15:57.421 --> 15:59.477 inspections . Again to put this into 15:59.477 --> 16:01.699 context , if you've got uh capabilities 16:01.699 --> 16:03.588 that are at a logistic node being 16:03.588 --> 16:05.699 tracked before they go into country , 16:05.699 --> 16:07.754 then when they come into country and 16:07.754 --> 16:09.977 they're delivered to the Ukrainians and 16:09.977 --> 16:11.977 then they are at their own logistic 16:11.977 --> 16:14.199 nodes tracking those and then dispersed 16:14.199 --> 16:16.366 out to the front lines . Are folks are 16:16.366 --> 16:18.421 not going to be on the front lines . 16:18.421 --> 16:20.588 Are there marine security guards going 16:20.588 --> 16:22.366 with the embassy teams that are 16:22.366 --> 16:24.477 conducted but we'll check on that and 16:24.477 --> 16:27.050 come back to you jim general just talk 16:28.900 --> 16:32.030 my own calculations . The Ukrainians on 16:32.030 --> 16:34.250 the air defense side have have all the 16:34.250 --> 16:36.960 legacy soviet systems . They got s 16:36.960 --> 16:39.190 three hundreds from Slovakia , they've 16:39.200 --> 16:41.370 got stingers from the United States , 16:41.370 --> 16:44.130 they've got hawks coming in from the 16:44.130 --> 16:47.300 spanish german systems pretty soon . 16:47.300 --> 16:49.411 They're going to have the knees SAM's 16:49.560 --> 16:51.820 but for all of those air defense assets 16:51.820 --> 16:53.820 to be effective . They've got to be 16:53.820 --> 16:57.600 integrated . I mean can that variety 16:57.610 --> 17:01.270 of air defense measures actually be 17:01.280 --> 17:04.060 integrated ? They are far vastly 17:04.070 --> 17:06.292 different systems . They have different 17:06.292 --> 17:08.860 radars , they have different everything 17:08.870 --> 17:12.170 really . Um Well the short answer is um 17:12.520 --> 17:14.920 you can integrate any air defense 17:14.920 --> 17:16.976 system . It just depends on how your 17:16.976 --> 17:19.590 you know the level of uh the advanced 17:19.590 --> 17:21.757 level of how you're going to integrate 17:21.757 --> 17:23.868 that so that is again an area that we 17:23.868 --> 17:26.090 continue to work with the Ukrainians on 17:26.090 --> 17:28.034 not only us but our allies and our 17:28.034 --> 17:30.480 partners to look at how they do improve 17:30.490 --> 17:32.750 their air defenses . But I would submit 17:32.750 --> 17:34.861 to you . They've demonstrated in many 17:34.861 --> 17:37.083 cases that they've done a very good job 17:37.083 --> 17:38.750 of integrating air defenses 17:38.760 --> 17:40.927 particularly for example when it comes 17:40.927 --> 17:44.250 to taking down a significant percentage 17:44.250 --> 17:47.710 of uh the Iranian drones . But again 17:47.710 --> 17:49.932 that will be an area that will continue 17:49.932 --> 17:51.988 to work with them on , contractors . 17:51.988 --> 17:55.050 Are their contractors in Ukraine 17:55.060 --> 17:57.210 working this problem or not ? To my 17:57.210 --> 17:59.180 knowledge . Something not to my 17:59.180 --> 18:02.930 knowledge . Thanks sir . Thank 18:02.930 --> 18:06.230 you . Um So two questions . Um so the 18:06.230 --> 18:09.880 US has mentioned that the the the 18:09.890 --> 18:11.890 Iranian arms shipments to Russia or 18:11.890 --> 18:14.001 violation of U . N . Security Council 18:14.001 --> 18:16.112 resolutions . And has the U . S . Has 18:16.112 --> 18:18.112 previously interdicted Iranian arms 18:18.112 --> 18:20.057 shipments bound for places such as 18:20.057 --> 18:22.168 Yemen ? Um are U . S . Forces working 18:22.168 --> 18:24.334 to intercept Iranian weapons bound for 18:24.334 --> 18:26.501 Russia ? Yeah so I don't have anything 18:26.501 --> 18:28.650 to announce today in regards to any 18:28.650 --> 18:30.890 type of U . S . Military interdiction 18:30.900 --> 18:34.880 of Iranian weapons . You've heard State 18:34.880 --> 18:37.070 Department uh in the White House talk 18:37.070 --> 18:40.240 about a variety of efforts to include 18:40.250 --> 18:43.360 potential sanctions and sanctions uh to 18:43.360 --> 18:45.582 prevent that from happening . Um I will 18:45.582 --> 18:47.804 say from a D . O . D . Standpoint right 18:47.804 --> 18:49.638 now our focus is on working with 18:49.638 --> 18:51.471 Ukraine to get them the security 18:51.471 --> 18:53.582 assistance they need where it matters 18:53.582 --> 18:55.749 which is on the battlefield . But this 18:55.749 --> 18:55.320 is something that will continue to keep 18:55.320 --> 18:57.540 a close eye on . And then the second 18:57.540 --> 18:59.840 was regarding the the inspections . So 18:59.850 --> 19:03.190 just to confirm are are these um these 19:03.190 --> 19:05.412 are civilian and military personnel who 19:05.412 --> 19:07.634 are carrying out the inspections of the 19:07.634 --> 19:09.750 weapons in Ukraine . Uh It's embassy 19:09.750 --> 19:11.861 personnel . Let me get back to you in 19:11.861 --> 19:13.917 terms of the specific composition as 19:13.917 --> 19:15.694 much as we can obviously within 19:15.694 --> 19:17.472 operation security . And it was 19:17.472 --> 19:19.250 mentioned I think that that the 19:19.250 --> 19:21.472 inspections have been going on and then 19:21.472 --> 19:23.639 they were halted and then they resumed 19:23.639 --> 19:25.861 when were they halted ? And why why did 19:25.861 --> 19:25.850 that happen to get back to you on that ? 19:25.860 --> 19:27.860 Thanks . Okay let me go back to the 19:27.860 --> 19:29.860 phone here joe Gould defense news . 19:30.980 --> 19:34.550 Thanks so much . Um question on air 19:34.550 --> 19:37.650 defenses . Um The the Vampire 19:37.650 --> 19:40.440 Systems . The commitment to provide 19:40.440 --> 19:43.000 vampire Systems was announced um going 19:43.000 --> 19:45.160 back a couple of months but nothing's 19:45.160 --> 19:47.930 been finalized . What's the time frame 19:47.930 --> 19:50.040 around that and what's the level of 19:50.040 --> 19:52.940 urgency given the drone threat at 19:52.940 --> 19:54.960 present ? Thank you . Yeah , thanks 19:54.960 --> 19:57.380 very much . Um you know as mentioned , 19:57.380 --> 19:59.950 air defense continues to be a priority . 19:59.950 --> 20:02.117 It's something we're going to continue 20:02.117 --> 20:04.228 to say focused on and work as quickly 20:04.228 --> 20:06.117 as we can uh when it comes to the 20:06.117 --> 20:08.210 vampires , we do expect a contract 20:08.210 --> 20:11.180 award within the next few months . Uh 20:11.180 --> 20:13.750 and then right now we're anticipating 20:13.750 --> 20:17.080 delivery to be mid 2023 . 20:18.650 --> 20:21.960 Thank you . Alright , let me go to Alex 20:21.960 --> 20:25.710 from newsweek . Hey 20:25.710 --> 20:28.610 thank you for doing this today . So my 20:28.610 --> 20:31.800 question um a few weeks ago , 20:31.810 --> 20:35.600 CNN's Fareed Zakaria asked Secretary 20:35.600 --> 20:38.660 Austin a question about potential 20:38.670 --> 20:41.870 Russian nuclear weapons use . In his 20:41.870 --> 20:44.350 response , Secretary Austin said that 20:44.350 --> 20:46.930 the guy who makes that decision , it's 20:46.930 --> 20:49.900 one man , there are no checks on Mr 20:49.900 --> 20:51.910 Putin , just as he made the 20:51.910 --> 20:54.150 irresponsible decision to invade 20:54.150 --> 20:55.928 Ukraine , he could make another 20:55.928 --> 20:59.480 decision . Does this assessment reflect 20:59.490 --> 21:02.200 the understanding of the pentagon ? And 21:02.210 --> 21:04.850 if Vladimir Putin gives order to use 21:04.850 --> 21:07.600 nuclear weapons , whether tactical or 21:07.600 --> 21:10.660 strategic , is there really no way for 21:10.660 --> 21:12.850 anyone in Russia but to potentially 21:12.850 --> 21:15.540 stop such an order from being carried 21:15.540 --> 21:19.010 out ? Yeah . So , you know , we 21:19.010 --> 21:22.710 continue to uh take President Putin's 21:22.710 --> 21:24.432 rhetoric very seriously . It's 21:24.432 --> 21:26.266 something we continue to monitor 21:26.266 --> 21:29.200 closely . Um As Secretary Austin also 21:29.200 --> 21:31.250 said , we have no indications that 21:31.260 --> 21:33.427 President Putin has made a decision at 21:33.427 --> 21:35.538 this time to employ nuclear weapons . 21:35.538 --> 21:37.750 Uh but again , it's something that 21:37.750 --> 21:40.180 we're gonna watch very , very closely 21:40.190 --> 21:41.857 continue to keep the lines of 21:41.857 --> 21:44.023 communication open with our allies and 21:44.023 --> 21:47.070 partners . Um So just leave it at that . 21:47.080 --> 21:50.730 Thank you sir . Follow up 21:50.730 --> 21:52.940 on the question of Iran's supply 21:52.940 --> 21:55.273 munitions and go back to when the U . S . 21:55.273 --> 21:57.440 Warned that Russia was reaching out to 21:57.440 --> 21:59.662 china and North Korea for for different 21:59.662 --> 22:01.607 munitions , china North Korea both 22:01.607 --> 22:03.718 denied supplying and I wonder if that 22:03.718 --> 22:05.884 remains the case . Does the US believe 22:05.884 --> 22:08.051 that china and North Korea have at any 22:08.051 --> 22:09.884 point supplied weaponry or other 22:09.884 --> 22:12.218 equipment to Russia's war . So we don't , 22:12.218 --> 22:11.720 we don't have any indications at this 22:11.720 --> 22:15.150 time that china has supplied or 22:15.160 --> 22:18.050 is intending to supply any capabilities 22:18.050 --> 22:20.620 to Russia . We do know , as we 22:20.620 --> 22:23.090 previously mentioned that Russia has uh , 22:23.100 --> 22:26.530 solicited weapons or ammo rather from 22:26.540 --> 22:29.280 North Korea . Um , and so that's 22:29.290 --> 22:32.710 obviously , um , I've seen the north 22:32.710 --> 22:34.932 korean denials of that , you know , let 22:34.932 --> 22:38.240 them speak for themselves . Um , but uh , 22:38.250 --> 22:40.361 it is our assessment that Russia does 22:40.361 --> 22:42.680 continue to seek arms from North Korea 22:42.680 --> 22:45.710 and from Iran . Thank you . Okay , let 22:45.710 --> 22:48.043 me go back out to the phone here , Jeff , 22:48.043 --> 22:50.266 showgirl task and purpose . Thank you . 22:50.266 --> 22:52.750 Does the pentagon have any kind of 22:52.760 --> 22:56.150 assessment of how many helicopters and 22:56.160 --> 22:58.271 fixed wing aircraft the Russians have 22:58.271 --> 23:01.580 lost in Ukraine since february . Uh , 23:01.590 --> 23:03.757 thanks Jeff . I don't I don't have any 23:03.757 --> 23:05.812 numbers to provide from the podium . 23:05.812 --> 23:08.820 Thank you . Okay , let's go to Phil 23:08.820 --> 23:11.620 Stewart Reuters . Hey there . I just 23:11.620 --> 23:13.620 wanted to clarify something earlier 23:13.620 --> 23:15.676 when you have spoken about how there 23:15.676 --> 23:17.842 were no indications that donor weapons 23:17.842 --> 23:20.980 had been illicitly trafficked out of 23:20.980 --> 23:23.130 Ukraine . Um , I was wondering does 23:23.130 --> 23:25.480 that include weapons that were 23:25.480 --> 23:27.730 potentially captured by Russian forces 23:27.740 --> 23:29.907 and then later , you know , made their 23:29.907 --> 23:32.490 way out . Thanks . Yeah . So so part of 23:32.490 --> 23:36.250 this process is when there are 23:36.250 --> 23:38.583 losses on the battlefield , for example , 23:38.583 --> 23:42.280 the Ukrainians reporting those losses 23:42.290 --> 23:44.300 so that we can account for those 23:44.300 --> 23:45.290 capabilities . 23:48.540 --> 23:51.460 Thank you . Let's go to Tony Capasso 23:51.460 --> 23:52.180 Bloomberg . 23:55.740 --> 23:57.796 Hi Pat , a couple questions . One on 23:57.796 --> 24:00.018 the long now forgotten national defense 24:00.018 --> 24:02.020 strategy . I've seen posters in the 24:02.020 --> 24:04.076 pentagon corridors with the wordings 24:04.076 --> 24:06.020 from the N . D . S . Talking about 24:06.020 --> 24:08.950 campaigning . It defines campaigning as 24:08.950 --> 24:11.600 the conduct and sequencing of logically 24:11.600 --> 24:13.970 linked military activities to achieve 24:13.970 --> 24:16.680 strategy aligned objectives over time . 24:16.690 --> 24:18.790 Can you translate into that into 24:18.790 --> 24:20.960 english in terms of an example or two 24:20.970 --> 24:23.180 of what campaigning is since the 24:23.180 --> 24:25.347 pentagon is highlighting that phrase ? 24:25.430 --> 24:27.597 Sure , thanks Tony . I mean that seems 24:27.597 --> 24:31.180 perfectly clear to me . So um and it 24:31.180 --> 24:33.900 really it's exactly what it says in 24:33.900 --> 24:35.844 terms of campaigning and so if you 24:35.844 --> 24:38.080 think of individual activities , 24:38.090 --> 24:41.870 engagements , uh some of those parts to 24:41.870 --> 24:43.780 achieve operational objectives or 24:43.780 --> 24:45.780 strategic objectives is really what 24:45.780 --> 24:49.350 campaigning is all about . And so for 24:49.350 --> 24:52.570 example , um as you look at 24:52.580 --> 24:55.700 uh the fight in Ukraine right now and 24:55.700 --> 24:58.950 you look at the individual battles that 24:58.950 --> 25:01.360 Ukraine is fighting , uh the campaign 25:01.360 --> 25:04.300 is the broader strategic or operational 25:04.310 --> 25:06.530 effort . And so for the National 25:06.540 --> 25:09.440 Defense Strategy as we look at 25:10.080 --> 25:12.570 carrying out that strategy and and 25:12.580 --> 25:15.860 addressing our pacing challenge , uh 25:15.870 --> 25:19.440 china , the plan makes clear that the 25:19.440 --> 25:21.720 kinds of activities that we undertake 25:21.720 --> 25:23.970 will contribute to the ends that we 25:23.970 --> 25:26.137 desire , which is a free and open indo 25:26.137 --> 25:29.080 pacific uh and the kinds of engagements 25:29.080 --> 25:31.750 and activities that we will undertake 25:31.760 --> 25:34.180 that all accumulate to achieve that 25:34.180 --> 25:37.190 effect or those outcomes . Thank you . 25:37.760 --> 25:41.540 All right on your list that you're 25:41.540 --> 25:43.762 going to get back to us on the military 25:43.762 --> 25:45.429 personnel who are doing these 25:45.429 --> 25:47.484 inspections ? If it's possible if if 25:47.484 --> 25:49.596 you can provide the information about 25:49.596 --> 25:49.150 you know whether they're military or 25:49.150 --> 25:52.610 civilian when the inspection started um 25:52.620 --> 25:54.676 like stopped and started as somebody 25:54.676 --> 25:56.842 asked . Um and then just any kind of a 25:56.842 --> 25:59.220 rough idea of like how many personnel 25:59.220 --> 26:00.887 there are , how many of these 26:00.887 --> 26:02.998 inspections they've been doing ? Like 26:02.998 --> 26:05.053 you know , are they actually kind of 26:05.053 --> 26:07.276 going to the front lines ? Are they are 26:07.276 --> 26:09.387 they doing these in person or virtual 26:09.387 --> 26:11.498 ones ? They're doing so like any more 26:11.498 --> 26:13.442 fidelity on it I think is would be 26:13.442 --> 26:15.590 would be helpful . Absolutely . I'd 26:15.590 --> 26:17.970 also point you to the transcript from 26:17.970 --> 26:19.803 the background briefing that was 26:19.803 --> 26:21.692 conducted yesterday with a senior 26:21.692 --> 26:23.914 defense official that talk through some 26:23.914 --> 26:25.970 of address some of your questions in 26:25.970 --> 26:28.460 terms of employing capabilities . 26:28.460 --> 26:30.682 Virtual capabilities , for example , in 26:30.682 --> 26:32.904 terms of working with the Ukrainians to 26:32.904 --> 26:34.682 get the information . But we'll 26:34.682 --> 26:36.849 certainly again , we're just , I think 26:36.849 --> 26:39.071 what we're trying to figure out is just 26:39.071 --> 26:41.238 like when these restarted and just how 26:41.238 --> 26:43.571 many people because if I'm not mistaken , 26:43.571 --> 26:43.460 some european allies have been doing 26:43.460 --> 26:45.780 this for a while . So I'm trying to get 26:45.780 --> 26:47.724 a sense of just how long it's been 26:47.724 --> 26:49.891 happening and how substantial is . And 26:49.891 --> 26:51.836 also the other thing I'm still not 26:51.836 --> 26:51.400 clear on if you can provide more 26:51.400 --> 26:55.030 fidelity in this large r . T . Q . That 26:55.030 --> 26:57.780 we're asking you for ? Is um 26:58.870 --> 27:01.610 did these personnel , did they come 27:01.610 --> 27:03.777 into the country specifically with the 27:03.777 --> 27:05.943 job of doing these inspections or were 27:05.943 --> 27:07.943 they people who are assigned to the 27:07.943 --> 27:10.780 embassy ? And then again , my 27:10.780 --> 27:12.780 understanding these are individuals 27:12.780 --> 27:15.002 assigned to the embassy , but we'll get 27:15.002 --> 27:17.280 back to you with your questions . Thank 27:17.280 --> 27:20.130 you . Okay , let me go to Alex Horton 27:20.130 --> 27:21.140 Washington post . 27:24.700 --> 27:26.980 Yeah , I want to go back to what I 27:26.980 --> 27:29.202 think . Uh , full story was asking this 27:29.202 --> 27:31.820 follow up , taking a chance to about 27:31.830 --> 27:33.760 Russian diversion . Uh , State 27:33.760 --> 27:35.704 Department said last week that pro 27:35.704 --> 27:37.780 Russian forces capture including 27:37.790 --> 27:39.734 donated material is quote the main 27:39.734 --> 27:41.810 vector of diversion so far and could 27:41.810 --> 27:44.150 result in onward transfers . So from D . 27:44.150 --> 27:46.317 O . D . S perspective , could you give 27:46.317 --> 27:48.790 us any um specific items that you know 27:48.790 --> 27:52.150 have been um captured by Russia and 27:52.150 --> 27:56.100 moved around ? Um , I will look 27:56.100 --> 27:57.989 into that and come back to you on 27:57.989 --> 28:00.211 anything we've got to provide . I'm not 28:00.211 --> 28:03.690 currently aware of anything . Um , but 28:03.700 --> 28:05.756 we'll come back to you . Thank you . 28:06.210 --> 28:08.154 Okay . And just a couple more here 28:08.154 --> 28:11.820 victoria from Nippon . Yes , Thank you 28:11.820 --> 28:14.042 for taking my question . Um , there was 28:14.042 --> 28:16.550 a report recently that if republicans 28:16.560 --> 28:18.560 should take the House majority that 28:18.560 --> 28:20.393 they would pull back some of the 28:20.393 --> 28:22.338 funding on military assistance for 28:22.338 --> 28:24.282 Ukraine next year ? Um , so I just 28:24.282 --> 28:26.449 wanted to ask if funding was reduced . 28:26.449 --> 28:28.560 What kind of effect do you think that 28:28.560 --> 28:30.616 there would be on Ukraine ? And what 28:30.616 --> 28:32.616 response would the pentagon have to 28:32.616 --> 28:34.338 this ? Yeah , thanks very much 28:34.338 --> 28:36.504 victorious . So certainly I don't want 28:36.504 --> 28:38.282 to get ahead of the the midterm 28:38.282 --> 28:40.504 elections or speculate on the outcome , 28:40.504 --> 28:42.560 I will say . And you've heard us say 28:42.560 --> 28:44.449 this before , We've had excellent 28:44.449 --> 28:46.560 bipartisan support uh to date when it 28:46.560 --> 28:48.910 comes to Ukraine . And so the 28:48.910 --> 28:50.743 department will continue to work 28:50.743 --> 28:52.966 closely with Congress on this important 28:52.966 --> 28:54.966 issue . But beyond that , I won't I 28:54.966 --> 28:57.132 won't have anything to provide . Thank 28:57.132 --> 28:59.354 you . Alright , let me go to Jared from 28:59.354 --> 28:58.800 all monitor . 29:04.340 --> 29:06.396 Hi sir , I was just wondering if you 29:06.396 --> 29:08.618 could clarify about this regarding this 29:08.618 --> 29:10.729 report about Iranian threats to Saudi 29:10.729 --> 29:12.784 Arabia and Iraq , you mentioned that 29:12.784 --> 29:14.840 the U . S . Remains in communication 29:14.840 --> 29:17.350 with um Saudi counterparts about what 29:17.350 --> 29:19.572 more they might be able to offer . Have 29:19.572 --> 29:21.794 the Saudis provided anything to the U . 29:21.794 --> 29:23.810 S . That would uh over the past few 29:23.810 --> 29:25.643 days ? That would be a cause for 29:25.643 --> 29:27.810 concern in this regard . Yeah , thanks 29:27.810 --> 29:29.532 Jared . I'm not gonna have any 29:29.532 --> 29:31.866 additional information to provide again . 29:31.866 --> 29:34.032 We continue to communicate regularly . 29:34.032 --> 29:36.690 Uh and um yeah , I'll just leave it at 29:36.690 --> 29:39.520 that . Thank you . Okay . Uh and then 29:39.520 --> 29:42.070 the last question we'll go to uh 29:43.880 --> 29:45.713 tina soundly from Turkish news . 29:48.960 --> 29:51.016 Thank you very much for the briefing 29:51.016 --> 29:53.127 generalize . And my question is about 29:53.127 --> 29:55.127 the U . S . Ministry deployments to 29:55.127 --> 29:57.238 grease some press reports in Greece , 29:57.238 --> 29:59.700 say the US is planning to send 600 29:59.700 --> 30:02.320 soldiers as well as First Army aviation 30:02.320 --> 30:04.700 brigade mainly consists of attack 30:04.700 --> 30:06.922 helicopters from the Fort Hood texas to 30:06.922 --> 30:10.100 the alexandria Police force increase 30:10.110 --> 30:12.480 these reports are accurate as the D . O . 30:12.480 --> 30:14.910 D . Confirms these reports . Thank you . 30:15.140 --> 30:17.740 Thanks very much . I'm not tracking 30:17.740 --> 30:19.851 anything at the moment but we'll look 30:19.851 --> 30:22.930 into that and come back to you . Okay ? 30:22.990 --> 30:25.420 And final question goes to louis . 30:26.480 --> 30:29.690 Um can you tell us when the monitoring 30:29.700 --> 30:32.610 of weapons to Ukraine began ? Yes , I 30:32.610 --> 30:34.832 think Courtney asked that question . So 30:34.832 --> 30:36.554 we'll look into that the State 30:36.554 --> 30:39.650 Department's announcement last week or 30:39.850 --> 30:42.017 so . This is my understanding this has 30:42.017 --> 30:44.370 been an ongoing effort . Right ? And so 30:44.380 --> 30:47.640 the State Department announced the plan 30:47.680 --> 30:50.350 this week . But my understanding is 30:50.350 --> 30:52.461 that the plan has been in development 30:52.461 --> 30:54.683 for a while . But we'll get back to you 30:54.683 --> 30:56.406 on the specifics of the senior 30:56.406 --> 30:58.430 officials said yesterday that was 30:58.430 --> 31:00.500 conducting hands on training with 31:00.500 --> 31:03.170 Ukrainian military forces so that they 31:03.170 --> 31:05.448 could gather data in areas where the U . 31:05.448 --> 31:08.540 S . Personnel could not go . Um Is that 31:08.550 --> 31:10.494 a training program is taking place 31:10.494 --> 31:12.606 inside Ukraine ? Or is that something 31:12.606 --> 31:12.440 that's taking place outside of the 31:12.440 --> 31:14.384 country like we're seeing with the 31:14.384 --> 31:16.440 other weapons system . Yeah , let me 31:16.440 --> 31:18.551 get back to you on that . Thank you . 31:18.551 --> 31:18.180 Okay , thanks very much everybody 31:18.180 --> 31:18.880 appreciate it