1 00:00:01,940 --> 00:00:03,996 Good afternoon everyone . Thanks for 2 00:00:03,996 --> 00:00:06,980 your patience . There's a few things at 3 00:00:06,980 --> 00:00:08,924 the top and then we'll get to your 4 00:00:08,924 --> 00:00:11,310 questions . So today the Department of 5 00:00:11,310 --> 00:00:13,300 Defense is announcing that we will 6 00:00:13,300 --> 00:00:15,280 expand US led training for the 7 00:00:15,280 --> 00:00:17,590 Ukrainian armed forces to include joint 8 00:00:17,590 --> 00:00:19,720 maneuver and combined arms operations 9 00:00:19,720 --> 00:00:21,553 training while building upon the 10 00:00:21,553 --> 00:00:23,553 specialized equipment training that 11 00:00:23,553 --> 00:00:25,220 were already providing to the 12 00:00:25,220 --> 00:00:27,220 Ukrainians . Combined arms maneuver 13 00:00:27,220 --> 00:00:29,387 training is a logical next step in our 14 00:00:29,387 --> 00:00:31,553 ongoing training efforts , which began 15 00:00:31,553 --> 00:00:34,070 in 2014 to build the Ukrainian armed 16 00:00:34,070 --> 00:00:36,570 forces capacity . While there's an 17 00:00:36,570 --> 00:00:38,681 understandable focus on the equipment 18 00:00:38,681 --> 00:00:40,792 being provided to Ukraine training is 19 00:00:40,792 --> 00:00:43,380 and has been essential to ensuring 20 00:00:43,380 --> 00:00:45,102 Ukraine has the skilled forces 21 00:00:45,102 --> 00:00:47,324 necessary to better defend themselves . 22 00:00:47,800 --> 00:00:49,920 Importantly , US led training 23 00:00:49,920 --> 00:00:52,087 complements the separate , specialized 24 00:00:52,087 --> 00:00:54,253 individual and collective training for 25 00:00:54,253 --> 00:00:56,440 Ukraine's armed forces already being 26 00:00:56,440 --> 00:00:58,570 conducted by our allies and partners 27 00:00:58,580 --> 00:01:00,630 including the United Kingdom , the 28 00:01:00,630 --> 00:01:03,780 european Union and others . This joint 29 00:01:03,780 --> 00:01:05,780 maneuver and combined arms training 30 00:01:05,780 --> 00:01:08,002 will be conducted by US army europe and 31 00:01:08,002 --> 00:01:10,169 Africa Command's Seventh Army training 32 00:01:10,169 --> 00:01:12,580 command at US ranges in Germany moving 33 00:01:12,580 --> 00:01:14,802 forward . The department may adjust the 34 00:01:14,802 --> 00:01:16,913 training program further as Ukraine's 35 00:01:16,913 --> 00:01:18,691 training needs evolve or allied 36 00:01:18,691 --> 00:01:22,070 contributions develop . Since 2014 , 37 00:01:22,070 --> 00:01:23,848 the United States has committed 38 00:01:23,848 --> 00:01:26,910 approximately $22.1 billion in security 39 00:01:26,910 --> 00:01:28,910 assistance to Ukraine and more than 40 00:01:28,910 --> 00:01:31,410 19.3 billion since the beginning of 41 00:01:31,410 --> 00:01:33,530 Russia's unprovoked and brutal , full 42 00:01:33,530 --> 00:01:36,630 scale invasion on february 24th to meet 43 00:01:36,630 --> 00:01:38,352 Ukraine's evolving battlefield 44 00:01:38,352 --> 00:01:40,130 requirements . The U . S . Will 45 00:01:40,130 --> 00:01:42,019 continue to work closely with our 46 00:01:42,019 --> 00:01:44,186 allies and partners to provide Ukraine 47 00:01:44,186 --> 00:01:46,408 with key capabilities and assistance to 48 00:01:46,408 --> 00:01:48,630 include training separately . Secretary 49 00:01:48,630 --> 00:01:50,741 Austin hosted Lithuania's Minister of 50 00:01:50,741 --> 00:01:52,686 National Defense today here in the 51 00:01:52,686 --> 00:01:54,519 pentagon the to discuss security 52 00:01:54,519 --> 00:01:56,630 cooperation efforts within the region 53 00:01:56,630 --> 00:01:58,852 and our mutual support for Ukraine will 54 00:01:58,852 --> 00:02:01,074 post a readout to Defense dot gov later 55 00:02:01,074 --> 00:02:03,130 this afternoon . In other news , the 56 00:02:03,130 --> 00:02:05,352 Department of Defense released the 2023 57 00:02:05,352 --> 00:02:07,320 Basic allowance for housing rates 58 00:02:07,320 --> 00:02:09,640 yesterday , basic allowance for housing 59 00:02:09,640 --> 00:02:12,730 rates will increase an average of 12.1% 60 00:02:12,740 --> 00:02:14,629 when the new rates take effect on 61 00:02:14,629 --> 00:02:17,330 january 1st 2023 . The second 62 00:02:17,340 --> 00:02:19,620 significant increase in average B . H . 63 00:02:19,620 --> 00:02:21,509 Rates is reflective of the unique 64 00:02:21,509 --> 00:02:23,570 market conditions experienced across 65 00:02:23,570 --> 00:02:25,626 many locations nationwide . Over the 66 00:02:25,626 --> 00:02:27,848 past year , the department is committed 67 00:02:27,848 --> 00:02:29,959 to the preservation of a compensation 68 00:02:29,959 --> 00:02:32,181 benefit structure that provides members 69 00:02:32,181 --> 00:02:34,348 with an adequate standard of living to 70 00:02:34,348 --> 00:02:36,348 sustain a trained , experienced and 71 00:02:36,348 --> 00:02:38,459 ready force now and into the future . 72 00:02:38,459 --> 00:02:40,626 Also this week in Hawaii , the U . S . 73 00:02:40,626 --> 00:02:42,681 Indo pacific Command is honoring its 74 00:02:42,681 --> 00:02:45,560 75th anniversary established in 1947 . 75 00:02:45,560 --> 00:02:47,850 Indo pay com is the oldest and largest 76 00:02:47,850 --> 00:02:50,017 U . S . Geographic combatant command . 77 00:02:50,550 --> 00:02:52,670 We continue to honor the courage and 78 00:02:52,670 --> 00:02:54,726 selfless service of U . S . Military 79 00:02:54,726 --> 00:02:56,710 personnel , civilians , allies and 80 00:02:56,710 --> 00:02:58,460 partners who gave the ultimate 81 00:02:58,460 --> 00:03:01,270 sacrifice in this region . As Secretary 82 00:03:01,270 --> 00:03:03,381 Austin said earlier this month at the 83 00:03:03,381 --> 00:03:05,381 Reagan National Defense Forum . Our 84 00:03:05,381 --> 00:03:07,270 nation's network of alliances and 85 00:03:07,270 --> 00:03:09,103 partnerships is a core strategic 86 00:03:09,103 --> 00:03:11,270 strength . Indo Pay com leads a strong 87 00:03:11,270 --> 00:03:13,270 and visible US presence in the indo 88 00:03:13,270 --> 00:03:15,381 pacific operating in concert with our 89 00:03:15,381 --> 00:03:17,548 partners and allies to promote peace , 90 00:03:17,548 --> 00:03:19,603 security and stability in the region 91 00:03:19,603 --> 00:03:21,659 and to preserve a free and open indo 92 00:03:21,659 --> 00:03:23,437 pacific on behalf of the entire 93 00:03:23,437 --> 00:03:25,548 department . We extend our thanks and 94 00:03:25,548 --> 00:03:27,437 congratulations to the soldiers , 95 00:03:27,437 --> 00:03:29,603 sailors , airmen , marines , guardians 96 00:03:29,603 --> 00:03:31,659 and Coast Guard Men of US indo pay , 97 00:03:31,659 --> 00:03:33,492 calm both past and present . And 98 00:03:33,492 --> 00:03:35,270 finally , as the holiday season 99 00:03:35,270 --> 00:03:37,381 approaches . The U . S . Marine Corps 100 00:03:37,381 --> 00:03:39,492 Reserve toys for Tots program is also 101 00:03:39,492 --> 00:03:41,548 celebrating 75 years of working with 102 00:03:41,548 --> 00:03:43,714 local communities across the nation to 103 00:03:43,714 --> 00:03:45,381 bring comfort , happiness and 104 00:03:45,381 --> 00:03:47,603 inspiration to Children and families in 105 00:03:47,603 --> 00:03:49,826 need . During the holiday season , this 106 00:03:49,826 --> 00:03:51,881 inspiring and charitable program has 107 00:03:51,881 --> 00:03:51,590 delivered hope and the magic of 108 00:03:51,590 --> 00:03:54,010 christmas to over 281 million less 109 00:03:54,010 --> 00:03:55,621 fortunate Children since its 110 00:03:55,621 --> 00:03:57,732 establishment , we're thankful to the 111 00:03:57,732 --> 00:03:59,399 countless reserve marines and 112 00:03:59,399 --> 00:04:01,510 volunteers who have made this program 113 00:04:01,510 --> 00:04:03,677 possible . And with that , I will take 114 00:04:03,677 --> 00:04:05,677 your questions . We'll go ahead and 115 00:04:05,677 --> 00:04:07,621 start with a P . Tara . Thanks for 116 00:04:07,621 --> 00:04:09,399 doing this . I have a couple of 117 00:04:09,399 --> 00:04:12,230 questions for you um , in describing 118 00:04:12,230 --> 00:04:14,390 the expanded training , you mentioned 119 00:04:14,400 --> 00:04:16,233 that you may adjust the training 120 00:04:16,233 --> 00:04:20,000 further . Um , what's , you know , at 121 00:04:20,000 --> 00:04:22,222 full capacity ? How many Ukrainians are 122 00:04:22,222 --> 00:04:24,167 you anticipating you'll be able to 123 00:04:24,167 --> 00:04:26,650 train and will that also require an 124 00:04:26,650 --> 00:04:29,590 increase in US troops . Thanks Tara . 125 00:04:29,600 --> 00:04:32,660 So , um , This , this program , this 126 00:04:32,660 --> 00:04:35,050 expanded training will provide training 127 00:04:35,050 --> 00:04:37,660 to approximately 500 Ukrainians per 128 00:04:37,660 --> 00:04:40,110 month . It's essentially focused at 129 00:04:40,120 --> 00:04:43,140 battalion level . And so as we move 130 00:04:43,140 --> 00:04:46,170 forward , we will stay flexible and 131 00:04:46,170 --> 00:04:49,550 adaptable based on the needs of our 132 00:04:49,550 --> 00:04:51,660 Ukrainian partners and the evolving 133 00:04:51,660 --> 00:04:55,550 situation in Ukraine . And just to 134 00:04:55,550 --> 00:04:57,840 follow up on that , What about US 135 00:04:57,840 --> 00:05:00,450 troops ? Um does this going to require 136 00:05:00,450 --> 00:05:02,506 an increased presence of US troops ? 137 00:05:02,506 --> 00:05:04,450 You're anticipating National Guard 138 00:05:04,450 --> 00:05:06,506 might rotate in how you provide this 139 00:05:06,506 --> 00:05:08,672 training ? I'm not aware at this point 140 00:05:08,672 --> 00:05:10,506 that will require any additional 141 00:05:10,506 --> 00:05:12,580 personnel . Um as you know , we have 142 00:05:12,580 --> 00:05:14,302 forces in place that have been 143 00:05:14,302 --> 00:05:16,800 conducting training . So so to my 144 00:05:16,800 --> 00:05:18,967 knowledge , no significant increase in 145 00:05:18,967 --> 00:05:22,680 support . And then uh just last um 146 00:05:23,060 --> 00:05:25,560 Russia today warned of unpredictable 147 00:05:25,560 --> 00:05:27,940 consequences if the US does indeed 148 00:05:27,940 --> 00:05:31,320 provide Ukraine patriot uh missile 149 00:05:31,320 --> 00:05:34,180 defense system , What's the status of 150 00:05:34,190 --> 00:05:36,490 uh deliberations on whether or not to 151 00:05:36,490 --> 00:05:40,200 provide Ukraine the patriot and does 152 00:05:40,200 --> 00:05:42,940 Russia's reaction uh influence the U . 153 00:05:42,940 --> 00:05:45,051 S . Decision making process at all on 154 00:05:45,051 --> 00:05:46,996 this . So just to clarify , you're 155 00:05:46,996 --> 00:05:49,107 you're referring to Russian officials 156 00:05:49,107 --> 00:05:51,390 have who have said that if we provide 157 00:05:51,390 --> 00:05:53,446 patriots that would be provocative . 158 00:05:53,446 --> 00:05:56,740 Okay . Um so so first of all , I don't 159 00:05:56,750 --> 00:05:58,917 I don't have any announcements to make 160 00:05:58,917 --> 00:06:00,790 today regarding any new security 161 00:06:00,790 --> 00:06:03,500 assistance packages . As always , we 162 00:06:03,500 --> 00:06:06,070 will continue to remain committed to 163 00:06:06,070 --> 00:06:07,792 providing Ukraine with the key 164 00:06:07,792 --> 00:06:09,848 capabilities that it needs to defend 165 00:06:09,848 --> 00:06:13,740 its its nation um on the latter part 166 00:06:13,750 --> 00:06:16,330 there about the comments . I would just 167 00:06:16,330 --> 00:06:19,120 say that I find it ironic and very 168 00:06:19,120 --> 00:06:22,150 telling uh that officials from a 169 00:06:22,150 --> 00:06:25,070 country that brutally attacked its 170 00:06:25,070 --> 00:06:27,610 neighbor and an illegal and unprovoked 171 00:06:27,620 --> 00:06:30,300 invasion through a campaign that is 172 00:06:30,300 --> 00:06:32,920 deliberately targeting and killing 173 00:06:32,920 --> 00:06:34,809 innocent civilians and destroying 174 00:06:34,809 --> 00:06:37,700 civilian infrastructure uh that they 175 00:06:37,700 --> 00:06:39,422 would choose to use words like 176 00:06:39,422 --> 00:06:41,440 provocative to describe defensive 177 00:06:41,440 --> 00:06:43,496 systems that are meant to save lives 178 00:06:43,496 --> 00:06:46,280 and protect civilians . And so despite 179 00:06:46,280 --> 00:06:49,510 Russia's propaganda to portray 180 00:06:49,510 --> 00:06:51,980 themselves as victims , uh it's 181 00:06:51,980 --> 00:06:54,036 important to remember that Russia is 182 00:06:54,036 --> 00:06:56,310 the aggressor here . Um and when it 183 00:06:56,310 --> 00:06:58,430 comes to escalation , they could de 184 00:06:58,430 --> 00:07:00,740 escalate the situation today by 185 00:07:00,740 --> 00:07:03,830 withdrawing their forces um and saving 186 00:07:03,840 --> 00:07:06,007 countless innocent lives . But clearly 187 00:07:06,007 --> 00:07:08,229 they've chosen to double down . And the 188 00:07:08,229 --> 00:07:10,340 last thing I would say is the U . S . 189 00:07:10,340 --> 00:07:12,562 Is not at war with Russia and we do not 190 00:07:12,562 --> 00:07:14,740 seek conflict . Our focus is on 191 00:07:14,740 --> 00:07:16,740 providing Ukraine with the security 192 00:07:16,740 --> 00:07:18,684 assistance that it needs to defend 193 00:07:18,684 --> 00:07:20,796 itself . And that's something we said 194 00:07:20,796 --> 00:07:23,270 we would do well before Russia chose to 195 00:07:23,270 --> 00:07:25,381 invade and something we will continue 196 00:07:25,381 --> 00:07:27,381 to do for as long as it takes their 197 00:07:27,381 --> 00:07:29,548 reactions . They are not going away on 198 00:07:29,548 --> 00:07:31,603 the calculation of whether to send a 199 00:07:31,603 --> 00:07:34,185 patriot or not . Again , we're not 200 00:07:34,185 --> 00:07:36,655 going to allow comments from Russia to 201 00:07:36,655 --> 00:07:39,075 dictate the security assistance that we 202 00:07:39,075 --> 00:07:41,297 provide to Ukraine . Thank you . Let me 203 00:07:41,297 --> 00:07:45,075 go in the room here have U . S . 204 00:07:45,075 --> 00:07:48,855 Troops in europe trained Ukrainians on 205 00:07:48,865 --> 00:07:51,032 any systems that aren't necessarily in 206 00:07:51,032 --> 00:07:54,010 Ukraine yet . Um 207 00:07:55,540 --> 00:07:58,510 what do you mean ? So say if if there 208 00:07:58,510 --> 00:08:00,580 is a system that the US plans on 209 00:08:00,580 --> 00:08:02,630 sending um that takes a significant 210 00:08:02,630 --> 00:08:05,120 amount of training . Um is that 211 00:08:05,120 --> 00:08:07,009 something that the US would train 212 00:08:07,009 --> 00:08:09,120 Ukrainians on in advance ? So our our 213 00:08:09,120 --> 00:08:11,287 focus has been on training them on the 214 00:08:11,287 --> 00:08:13,064 systems that we've committed to 215 00:08:13,064 --> 00:08:16,240 providing them . Um So in other words 216 00:08:16,240 --> 00:08:18,462 to my knowledge we're not training them 217 00:08:18,462 --> 00:08:20,573 on things that we aren't providing to 218 00:08:20,573 --> 00:08:22,796 them . Right ? I mean it's important to 219 00:08:22,796 --> 00:08:22,730 remember that they're engaged in a 220 00:08:22,730 --> 00:08:24,841 serious conflict right now and it and 221 00:08:24,841 --> 00:08:27,330 it's a significant lift to take forces 222 00:08:27,340 --> 00:08:30,130 out of Ukraine to come to Germany or 223 00:08:30,140 --> 00:08:32,084 elsewhere to conduct that training 224 00:08:32,084 --> 00:08:34,240 because any trooper that's not on the 225 00:08:34,240 --> 00:08:36,351 ground in Ukraine is a trooper that's 226 00:08:36,351 --> 00:08:38,518 not in the middle of the fight . So so 227 00:08:38,518 --> 00:08:41,190 they're not gonna send people just to 228 00:08:41,190 --> 00:08:43,560 train on things that might be . Um 229 00:08:43,570 --> 00:08:45,792 again so our focus is on that . Now the 230 00:08:45,792 --> 00:08:48,280 this training , this expanded training 231 00:08:48,280 --> 00:08:51,520 program . Um it's important to put into 232 00:08:51,520 --> 00:08:53,576 context that we were conducting this 233 00:08:53,576 --> 00:08:56,560 kind of training for Ukrainians prior 234 00:08:56,560 --> 00:08:58,782 to Russia's invasion . As I mentioned , 235 00:08:58,782 --> 00:09:01,970 we started training in 2014 when Russia 236 00:09:01,970 --> 00:09:04,980 invaded . We withdrew our trainers from 237 00:09:04,990 --> 00:09:08,870 Ukraine . And so this is a continuation 238 00:09:08,880 --> 00:09:11,160 now of the training that we had 239 00:09:11,160 --> 00:09:12,930 previously provided and again 240 00:09:12,930 --> 00:09:15,870 importantly alongside the other 241 00:09:15,880 --> 00:09:17,658 training efforts that are being 242 00:09:17,658 --> 00:09:19,824 conducted by our Allies and partners . 243 00:09:19,824 --> 00:09:21,880 Thank you And I have a question on a 244 00:09:21,880 --> 00:09:24,102 completely different topic . There is a 245 00:09:24,102 --> 00:09:26,324 former Afghan commando served alongside 246 00:09:26,324 --> 00:09:28,436 U . S troops in Afghanistan . Um He's 247 00:09:28,436 --> 00:09:30,658 an S . I . V . Holder . He did not make 248 00:09:30,658 --> 00:09:32,713 it out during the initial withdrawal 249 00:09:32,713 --> 00:09:34,769 last year . Um And so he entered the 250 00:09:34,769 --> 00:09:36,880 country illegally through the U . S . 251 00:09:36,880 --> 00:09:38,936 Southern border in september and now 252 00:09:38,936 --> 00:09:40,880 he's been held in custody since um 253 00:09:40,880 --> 00:09:43,047 there's a few other examples just like 254 00:09:43,047 --> 00:09:45,324 him unfortunately . Um Is the pentagon . 255 00:09:45,324 --> 00:09:47,547 Is the State Department working to help 256 00:09:47,547 --> 00:09:50,950 people like this person because back 257 00:09:50,960 --> 00:09:53,293 during the initial withdrawal the U . S . 258 00:09:53,293 --> 00:09:55,516 Said that it would not leave its allies 259 00:09:55,516 --> 00:09:57,627 in Afghanistan behind ? Yeah thanks . 260 00:09:57,627 --> 00:09:59,849 Listen so I don't have any specifics on 261 00:09:59,849 --> 00:10:01,904 this individual case . I would refer 262 00:10:01,904 --> 00:10:03,960 you to the State Department you know 263 00:10:03,960 --> 00:10:06,016 since we're talking about the border 264 00:10:06,016 --> 00:10:07,960 and entry into the country broadly 265 00:10:07,960 --> 00:10:10,600 speaking again . Uh We are very 266 00:10:10,600 --> 00:10:13,060 thankful to our afghan allies and 267 00:10:13,060 --> 00:10:15,980 partners who helped us uh in that in 268 00:10:15,980 --> 00:10:19,480 that campaign in that war . Uh And so 269 00:10:19,490 --> 00:10:21,379 I'm confident that we will remain 270 00:10:21,379 --> 00:10:23,720 committed to helping as many people as 271 00:10:23,720 --> 00:10:25,960 we can and to keep our word in that 272 00:10:25,960 --> 00:10:29,830 regard . Too quick questions on the on 273 00:10:29,830 --> 00:10:31,941 the training . When will the expanded 274 00:10:31,941 --> 00:10:34,108 training begin ? And then can you just 275 00:10:34,108 --> 00:10:36,219 give us a sense of what what combined 276 00:10:36,219 --> 00:10:38,386 arms maneuver training would look like 277 00:10:38,386 --> 00:10:38,250 beyond the individual systems . Can you 278 00:10:38,250 --> 00:10:40,528 just sort of fill that in a bit for us ? 279 00:10:40,528 --> 00:10:42,694 Sure thanks Orange . So so I won't get 280 00:10:42,694 --> 00:10:44,806 into specific dates other than to say 281 00:10:44,806 --> 00:10:46,972 we expect the training to start in the 282 00:10:46,972 --> 00:10:48,972 january timeframe . Um What you can 283 00:10:48,972 --> 00:10:51,770 expect to see is that we will as 284 00:10:51,770 --> 00:10:54,730 mentioned bring in battalion 285 00:10:54,740 --> 00:10:58,670 sized um units and it will 286 00:10:58,670 --> 00:11:01,210 begin with things like live fire 287 00:11:01,220 --> 00:11:04,200 exercises followed by squad platoon and 288 00:11:04,200 --> 00:11:06,880 company level training . Uh That will 289 00:11:06,880 --> 00:11:09,140 then culminate in battalion level 290 00:11:09,140 --> 00:11:11,530 maneuver training . Uh importantly it 291 00:11:11,530 --> 00:11:14,520 will also include battalion headquarter 292 00:11:14,520 --> 00:11:16,576 staff training . So the way to think 293 00:11:16,576 --> 00:11:19,500 about this uh as as you show up for 294 00:11:19,500 --> 00:11:22,020 your training uh first you're doing the 295 00:11:22,100 --> 00:11:24,440 classroom exercises to better 296 00:11:24,440 --> 00:11:26,662 understand what it is that you're gonna 297 00:11:26,662 --> 00:11:28,662 learn right , it's gonna be a crawl 298 00:11:28,662 --> 00:11:30,662 walk run . Uh And then you're gonna 299 00:11:30,662 --> 00:11:32,820 shift to the practical application 300 00:11:32,830 --> 00:11:36,290 starting from the uh from the squad 301 00:11:36,290 --> 00:11:38,310 platoon to the battalion level of 302 00:11:38,320 --> 00:11:40,487 applying these concepts culminating in 303 00:11:40,487 --> 00:11:42,700 a field exercise where you're getting 304 00:11:42,700 --> 00:11:45,210 into more advanced training scenarios 305 00:11:45,220 --> 00:11:48,080 how to respond to situations . So again 306 00:11:48,090 --> 00:11:50,470 you've heard Secretary Austin talk 307 00:11:50,470 --> 00:11:53,070 about um that the equipment is 308 00:11:53,070 --> 00:11:55,400 important but it's how to take that 309 00:11:55,400 --> 00:11:57,567 equipment and apply it in the field in 310 00:11:57,567 --> 00:11:59,733 a way that's going to enable you to do 311 00:11:59,733 --> 00:12:02,220 combined arms and achieve decisive 312 00:12:02,220 --> 00:12:04,220 effects on the battlefield . And so 313 00:12:04,220 --> 00:12:06,331 this training will will contribute to 314 00:12:06,331 --> 00:12:09,700 that . Thanks . Thank you sir . On the 315 00:12:09,700 --> 00:12:13,120 National Defense authorization act . Is 316 00:12:13,130 --> 00:12:15,310 there any change in maintaining ? 317 00:12:15,320 --> 00:12:18,760 28,505 800 318 00:12:19,110 --> 00:12:22,690 I'm sorry 28,500 U . S . 319 00:12:22,700 --> 00:12:25,480 Troops in south Korea . According to 320 00:12:25,480 --> 00:12:28,680 the National Defense authorization Act 321 00:12:28,680 --> 00:12:32,520 of the U . S . Congress is fiscal 322 00:12:32,530 --> 00:12:36,460 year 2023 . Thanks janie . Um So 323 00:12:36,460 --> 00:12:39,940 I'm I'm not aware of any changes to 324 00:12:39,940 --> 00:12:42,700 force levels that are being considered 325 00:12:42,700 --> 00:12:45,990 through the N . D . A . Um And so again 326 00:12:45,990 --> 00:12:48,046 I don't want to get ahead of that as 327 00:12:48,046 --> 00:12:49,712 you know , it's still pending 328 00:12:49,712 --> 00:12:51,879 legislation uh to my knowledge we will 329 00:12:51,879 --> 00:12:54,330 continue to keep our force present uh 330 00:12:54,340 --> 00:12:56,530 in Korea as it currently stands at 331 00:12:56,540 --> 00:12:59,840 28,500 will continue to work closely 332 00:12:59,840 --> 00:13:02,560 with our Republic of Korea partners to 333 00:13:02,560 --> 00:13:04,671 ensure that we're working together to 334 00:13:04,671 --> 00:13:08,410 provide the security for not only 335 00:13:08,410 --> 00:13:10,440 Korea but also the broader region . 336 00:13:11,000 --> 00:13:14,300 Another one is the U . S . Forces in 337 00:13:14,300 --> 00:13:18,200 South Korea expected to increase due 338 00:13:18,200 --> 00:13:21,500 to the establishment of the U . S . 339 00:13:21,510 --> 00:13:25,450 Space policy in South Korea . I'm 340 00:13:25,450 --> 00:13:27,283 sorry I just want to make sure I 341 00:13:27,283 --> 00:13:29,450 understand . So will this will the U . 342 00:13:29,450 --> 00:13:31,394 S . Space Force component stand up 343 00:13:31,394 --> 00:13:33,710 increase the number . Um So I I would 344 00:13:33,710 --> 00:13:35,821 refer you to U . S . Forces Korea for 345 00:13:35,821 --> 00:13:38,330 specifics . Um Certainly I would 346 00:13:38,330 --> 00:13:41,370 imagine uh perhaps small numbers in 347 00:13:41,370 --> 00:13:43,720 terms of standing up this component , 348 00:13:43,730 --> 00:13:46,560 we talked about the capabilities that 349 00:13:46,560 --> 00:13:49,690 that unit will provide . Um Previously 350 00:13:49,700 --> 00:13:52,000 when we talked about space force writ 351 00:13:52,000 --> 00:13:54,540 large but I don't anticipate that it 352 00:13:54,540 --> 00:13:56,710 would be a large number but certainly 353 00:13:56,710 --> 00:13:58,988 they could give you additional details . 354 00:13:58,988 --> 00:14:01,880 Thank you buddy . You wanna go back to 355 00:14:01,880 --> 00:14:04,490 this expanded training just to 356 00:14:04,500 --> 00:14:08,470 understand the maybe the timing and and 357 00:14:08,470 --> 00:14:11,950 also Uh potentially the impact . So as 358 00:14:11,950 --> 00:14:14,172 you said this is basically a resumption 359 00:14:14,172 --> 00:14:16,430 of what what the US National Guard has 360 00:14:16,430 --> 00:14:18,990 been doing since 2014 was disrupted by 361 00:14:19,000 --> 00:14:21,540 the Russian War . So it is the timing 362 00:14:21,550 --> 00:14:24,160 decision to resume it now because you 363 00:14:24,160 --> 00:14:27,520 anticipate some slow slowing down and 364 00:14:27,530 --> 00:14:29,752 in the war because of winter or because 365 00:14:29,752 --> 00:14:31,974 of maybe what the Ukrainian troops were 366 00:14:31,974 --> 00:14:34,197 able to achieve so far so they can have 367 00:14:34,197 --> 00:14:36,890 more afford more troops to go to 368 00:14:36,900 --> 00:14:39,610 Germany and train . And the second part 369 00:14:39,610 --> 00:14:42,800 of it is what are you hoping to achieve 370 00:14:42,810 --> 00:14:46,350 by by expanding this type of training 371 00:14:46,360 --> 00:14:48,249 and what do you hope to see as an 372 00:14:48,249 --> 00:14:51,880 impact in the field in the future ? So 373 00:14:51,890 --> 00:14:54,710 what I would say is from the beginning , 374 00:14:54,710 --> 00:14:56,710 so first of all , going all the way 375 00:14:56,710 --> 00:14:58,810 back to 2014 and our security 376 00:14:58,820 --> 00:15:01,490 cooperation relationship with Ukraine . 377 00:15:01,500 --> 00:15:04,510 Um this is something as you highlight 378 00:15:04,510 --> 00:15:07,000 that we've been doing for a while with 379 00:15:07,000 --> 00:15:08,850 Russia's invasion of Ukraine . 380 00:15:08,860 --> 00:15:11,070 Certainly the focus has been on 381 00:15:11,080 --> 00:15:13,280 providing those immediate battlefield 382 00:15:13,280 --> 00:15:15,640 needs that they need to be able to to 383 00:15:15,640 --> 00:15:17,640 check Russian aggression and defend 384 00:15:17,640 --> 00:15:19,196 their country . And so that 385 00:15:19,196 --> 00:15:21,890 conversation continues to evolve uh in 386 00:15:21,890 --> 00:15:24,001 terms of the kinds of assistance that 387 00:15:24,001 --> 00:15:27,340 we need to provide . And so um in the 388 00:15:27,350 --> 00:15:29,660 immediate aftermath of the invasion , 389 00:15:29,660 --> 00:15:31,438 our focus has been on providing 390 00:15:31,438 --> 00:15:33,549 specialized equipment training , high 391 00:15:33,549 --> 00:15:36,020 mars Sam's uh those kinds of things to 392 00:15:36,020 --> 00:15:38,370 enable them to operate those systems in 393 00:15:38,370 --> 00:15:41,590 the field . Now as we continue to see 394 00:15:41,590 --> 00:15:45,015 Ukraine make Prague in terms of pushing 395 00:15:45,015 --> 00:15:47,615 Russia back uh and receiving this new 396 00:15:47,615 --> 00:15:49,725 equipment like I said earlier . The 397 00:15:49,725 --> 00:15:51,781 idea here is to be able to give them 398 00:15:51,781 --> 00:15:53,669 this advanced level of collective 399 00:15:53,669 --> 00:15:55,781 training that enables them to conduct 400 00:15:55,781 --> 00:15:57,947 effective combined arms operations and 401 00:15:57,947 --> 00:16:00,120 maneuver on the battlefield and then 402 00:16:00,120 --> 00:16:02,287 answer your second question . And so I 403 00:16:02,287 --> 00:16:04,120 guess you you start answering my 404 00:16:04,120 --> 00:16:06,009 question like what do you hope to 405 00:16:06,009 --> 00:16:08,064 achieve in terms of impact on on the 406 00:16:08,064 --> 00:16:10,287 battlefield ? Uh Do you think this will 407 00:16:10,287 --> 00:16:12,960 help the Ukrainian forces uh even 408 00:16:12,970 --> 00:16:16,650 achieve more more risk results ? Uh In 409 00:16:16,650 --> 00:16:19,500 terms of fighting Russian forces inside 410 00:16:19,500 --> 00:16:21,611 of Ukraine undoubtedly . Absolutely . 411 00:16:21,611 --> 00:16:23,889 Let me go to the phone here real quick . 412 00:16:23,889 --> 00:16:26,890 We got heather from us and I hi uh two 413 00:16:26,890 --> 00:16:29,112 quick questions . So first um there was 414 00:16:29,112 --> 00:16:31,600 a plane crash outside of for work taxes 415 00:16:31,600 --> 00:16:33,322 today wondering if there's any 416 00:16:33,322 --> 00:16:35,433 additional information . I understand 417 00:16:35,433 --> 00:16:37,711 that Lockheed was um taking lead on it . 418 00:16:37,711 --> 00:16:39,989 I wanted to see if there's a D . O . D . 419 00:16:39,989 --> 00:16:41,878 Response . And then second um the 420 00:16:41,878 --> 00:16:44,044 Council for American Islamic Relations 421 00:16:44,044 --> 00:16:46,530 put out a statement uh cautioning 422 00:16:46,530 --> 00:16:49,160 against naming Uss Fallujah after the 423 00:16:49,160 --> 00:16:51,271 battles of Fallujah . And I wanted to 424 00:16:51,271 --> 00:16:53,438 see if the D . O . D . Had any comment 425 00:16:53,438 --> 00:16:55,549 on that . Yeah thanks heather . Um in 426 00:16:55,549 --> 00:16:57,771 terms of the crash . So we are aware of 427 00:16:57,771 --> 00:17:00,780 reporting of an F 35 B crash on the 428 00:17:00,780 --> 00:17:03,060 shared runway at Naval Air Station , 429 00:17:03,070 --> 00:17:06,200 Joint Reserve Base in Fort Worth texas 430 00:17:06,210 --> 00:17:08,960 as we understand it . The pilot ejected 431 00:17:08,970 --> 00:17:11,540 safely . The aircraft had not been 432 00:17:11,540 --> 00:17:13,651 transferred to the U . S . Government 433 00:17:13,651 --> 00:17:16,060 yet . However it was being operated by 434 00:17:16,060 --> 00:17:19,350 a U . S . Government pilot . And so um 435 00:17:19,360 --> 00:17:22,000 since it was a a Lockheed aircraft , I 436 00:17:22,000 --> 00:17:24,167 would refer you to Lockheed martin for 437 00:17:24,167 --> 00:17:26,222 any further questions . Uh as far as 438 00:17:26,222 --> 00:17:28,720 the naming of navy vessels , I'd refer 439 00:17:28,720 --> 00:17:30,609 to the navy on that as as that is 440 00:17:30,609 --> 00:17:32,664 something that would be within their 441 00:17:32,664 --> 00:17:34,831 purview . Thank you . Let me go to Rio 442 00:17:34,831 --> 00:17:35,831 Nakamura Nikkei , 443 00:17:40,010 --> 00:17:43,790 I thank you for taking my question . 444 00:17:43,800 --> 00:17:46,620 I want to ask you about focus . The 445 00:17:46,620 --> 00:17:48,509 last week Australian Deputy Prime 446 00:17:48,509 --> 00:17:50,509 Minister and Defense Minister Judge 447 00:17:50,509 --> 00:17:53,230 Marx said that Australia is open to the 448 00:17:53,230 --> 00:17:56,010 idea of focused working together with 449 00:17:56,010 --> 00:17:58,320 Japan to develop advanced defense 450 00:17:58,330 --> 00:18:00,330 capabilities other than the nuclear 451 00:18:00,330 --> 00:18:02,590 powered submarine . Does the pentagon 452 00:18:02,590 --> 00:18:05,500 support Japan's involvement in august 453 00:18:05,510 --> 00:18:07,610 in the long term . Is this something 454 00:18:07,610 --> 00:18:10,710 that secretary discussed with his U . K . 455 00:18:10,720 --> 00:18:13,270 And Australian counterpart last week ? 456 00:18:13,280 --> 00:18:15,730 Thank you very much . Yeah . Thanks Rio . 457 00:18:15,740 --> 00:18:18,630 Um so uh as you highlighted as 458 00:18:18,630 --> 00:18:22,450 Secretary Austin discussed at the Osman 459 00:18:22,460 --> 00:18:25,260 last week , there are increasingly more 460 00:18:25,260 --> 00:18:27,860 opportunities for trilateral engagement 461 00:18:27,870 --> 00:18:30,630 and defense cooperation with Japan and 462 00:18:30,630 --> 00:18:33,740 Australia . And so with focus our 463 00:18:33,740 --> 00:18:36,330 initial focus is on finalizing a 464 00:18:36,340 --> 00:18:39,370 trilateral program of work between the 465 00:18:39,370 --> 00:18:42,250 U . S . Australia and the UK . But as 466 00:18:42,250 --> 00:18:44,417 that work progresses we will certainly 467 00:18:44,417 --> 00:18:47,060 seek opportunities to engage allies and 468 00:18:47,060 --> 00:18:49,270 close partners uh as mutually 469 00:18:49,270 --> 00:18:51,770 beneficial to include Japan . Thank you 470 00:18:51,780 --> 00:18:54,390 can go back in the room here sir uh 471 00:18:54,400 --> 00:18:56,340 shift into the Middle East a bit 472 00:18:56,350 --> 00:18:58,572 yesterday in an interview with a lot of 473 00:18:58,572 --> 00:19:01,330 via english uh Israel's Prime Minister 474 00:19:01,330 --> 00:19:04,110 designate said that Israel would carry 475 00:19:04,110 --> 00:19:06,400 out a military option or military 476 00:19:06,400 --> 00:19:08,567 operation against Iran to prevent them 477 00:19:08,567 --> 00:19:10,940 from acquiring a nuclear weapon with or 478 00:19:10,940 --> 00:19:13,051 without an agreement with the U . S . 479 00:19:13,051 --> 00:19:16,780 And he claimed or alleged that the U . 480 00:19:16,780 --> 00:19:18,724 S . Would disapprove this military 481 00:19:18,724 --> 00:19:22,620 operation or uh immediate leak to US 482 00:19:22,620 --> 00:19:24,890 outlets could could foil Is this 483 00:19:24,890 --> 00:19:27,520 something that you agree with ? Can you , 484 00:19:27,520 --> 00:19:29,687 is there any response to that ? Yeah , 485 00:19:29,687 --> 00:19:31,631 I appreciate the question . So , I 486 00:19:31,631 --> 00:19:33,798 don't want to get into hypotheticals , 487 00:19:33,798 --> 00:19:35,742 I certainly don't want to get into 488 00:19:35,742 --> 00:19:37,853 Israeli foreign policy or operational 489 00:19:37,853 --> 00:19:40,187 discussions . I'd I'd refer you to them , 490 00:19:40,187 --> 00:19:42,298 you know , more broadly speaking , we 491 00:19:42,298 --> 00:19:44,353 very much appreciate the partnership 492 00:19:44,353 --> 00:19:46,520 that we have with Israel on working on 493 00:19:46,520 --> 00:19:48,742 regional security issues , but I'm just 494 00:19:48,742 --> 00:19:50,964 not going to get into just ask you , is 495 00:19:50,964 --> 00:19:53,076 there ongoing , I mean , suppose that 496 00:19:53,076 --> 00:19:55,242 there should be ongoing cooperation or 497 00:19:55,242 --> 00:19:57,830 talks about a potential uh military 498 00:19:57,830 --> 00:20:00,270 option to prevent your seeing that both 499 00:20:00,280 --> 00:20:02,224 the US and Israel committed to not 500 00:20:02,224 --> 00:20:04,920 allowing that . We we certainly have an 501 00:20:04,920 --> 00:20:07,920 ongoing and robust dialogue with Israel 502 00:20:07,930 --> 00:20:11,470 uh and a defense relationship to talk 503 00:20:11,470 --> 00:20:14,290 about a variety of issues to include uh 504 00:20:14,300 --> 00:20:16,320 potential Iranian aggression in the 505 00:20:16,320 --> 00:20:18,650 region . And so , you know , as you 506 00:20:18,650 --> 00:20:20,761 know , we we continue to work closely 507 00:20:20,761 --> 00:20:22,928 with Israel and other countries in the 508 00:20:22,928 --> 00:20:25,190 Middle East and Central Asia on that 509 00:20:25,190 --> 00:20:28,680 topic . Thank you . Thank 510 00:20:28,680 --> 00:20:31,440 you . I'm with your 511 00:20:32,050 --> 00:20:34,390 Japanese newspaper , Japanese 512 00:20:34,390 --> 00:20:37,210 government is about to announce its new 513 00:20:37,220 --> 00:20:40,420 national security strategy , including 514 00:20:40,430 --> 00:20:43,180 investment and counter capability . 515 00:20:43,190 --> 00:20:45,780 It's a longer range missile capability . 516 00:20:45,790 --> 00:20:48,950 Japan is also going to drastically 517 00:20:48,960 --> 00:20:52,510 increase its defense spending . They 518 00:20:52,510 --> 00:20:55,490 will set a target of 2% of GDP in 519 00:20:55,500 --> 00:20:58,960 2027 . Could I have your comment on 520 00:20:58,970 --> 00:21:01,800 these policies ? Sure , thank you . Um , 521 00:21:01,800 --> 00:21:04,030 well , we have been very clear uh , 522 00:21:04,040 --> 00:21:06,300 that we broadly support the efforts of 523 00:21:06,300 --> 00:21:08,740 our allies and our partners to bolster 524 00:21:08,750 --> 00:21:11,010 their self defense , uh , to include 525 00:21:11,010 --> 00:21:13,340 Japan's efforts . But I would refer you 526 00:21:13,340 --> 00:21:17,310 to Japan to comment on any uh , future 527 00:21:17,320 --> 00:21:20,030 systems or strategies that they intend 528 00:21:20,030 --> 00:21:22,141 to release . Thank you . Let me go to 529 00:21:22,141 --> 00:21:25,000 will and I go to the phone . Um , so 530 00:21:25,000 --> 00:21:26,833 you mentioned that under the new 531 00:21:26,833 --> 00:21:28,778 training , there'll be 500 roughly 532 00:21:28,778 --> 00:21:30,833 Ukrainian personnel per month . Um , 533 00:21:30,833 --> 00:21:33,056 what is it , what's the existing number 534 00:21:33,056 --> 00:21:35,222 and then um Is it accurate to say that 535 00:21:35,222 --> 00:21:37,167 the training previously is kind of 536 00:21:37,167 --> 00:21:39,389 focused on systems and that would be on 537 00:21:39,389 --> 00:21:39,020 a larger scale , you know , um , 538 00:21:39,030 --> 00:21:41,840 operations of incorporating those 539 00:21:41,840 --> 00:21:44,770 systems across various units . Uh , so 540 00:21:44,780 --> 00:21:47,002 kind of breaking in to do two different 541 00:21:47,002 --> 00:21:49,224 parts . So what we've been doing on the 542 00:21:49,224 --> 00:21:51,058 us side is providing specialized 543 00:21:51,058 --> 00:21:53,730 training on equipment . Um , so far 544 00:21:53,740 --> 00:21:56,470 since April we've trained approximately 545 00:21:56,480 --> 00:22:00,280 3100 Ukrainians on those 546 00:22:00,290 --> 00:22:03,680 systems . Um , additionally , beyond 547 00:22:03,680 --> 00:22:06,390 the us our allies and partners of train 548 00:22:06,390 --> 00:22:09,790 approximately 12,000 Ukrainians . So 549 00:22:09,790 --> 00:22:12,510 this training will focus again on 550 00:22:12,520 --> 00:22:15,250 bringing together battalions . Uh , 551 00:22:15,260 --> 00:22:17,427 certainly there could be an element of 552 00:22:17,427 --> 00:22:19,930 combining the equipment training with 553 00:22:19,930 --> 00:22:21,986 the battalion training to be able to 554 00:22:21,986 --> 00:22:23,763 employ those capabilities and a 555 00:22:23,763 --> 00:22:25,430 combined arms approach on the 556 00:22:25,430 --> 00:22:29,030 battlefield . Does that help ? 557 00:22:29,250 --> 00:22:31,780 So the 3100 , is that roughly an even 558 00:22:31,780 --> 00:22:33,836 number per month ? Or or is that you 559 00:22:33,836 --> 00:22:35,891 have a monthly figure on ? It's more 560 00:22:35,891 --> 00:22:38,120 based on the systems , you can , if you 561 00:22:38,120 --> 00:22:40,300 contact you calm , they may be able to 562 00:22:40,300 --> 00:22:42,133 provide you with some additional 563 00:22:42,133 --> 00:22:44,300 insight , but it's , it's based on the 564 00:22:44,300 --> 00:22:46,133 systems less so on coming into a 565 00:22:46,133 --> 00:22:48,189 classroom setting , for example , to 566 00:22:48,189 --> 00:22:50,522 learn how to operate together as a unit . 567 00:22:50,522 --> 00:22:52,840 Uh , 11 more question . Um , several 568 00:22:52,840 --> 00:22:55,062 Ukrainian officials have said there's a 569 00:22:55,062 --> 00:22:57,173 new Russian offensive that could come 570 00:22:57,173 --> 00:22:59,229 in January or February . Um , what's 571 00:22:59,229 --> 00:23:01,340 the D O D s assessment of that ? Um , 572 00:23:01,340 --> 00:23:03,284 certainly I don't want to get into 573 00:23:03,284 --> 00:23:05,507 speculating on potential future . Ops , 574 00:23:05,507 --> 00:23:08,420 I will say that with past as precedent , 575 00:23:08,430 --> 00:23:11,750 we know that Russia continues to try to 576 00:23:11,760 --> 00:23:14,240 take offensive action as evidenced by 577 00:23:14,240 --> 00:23:16,700 their invasion earlier this year . Um , 578 00:23:16,710 --> 00:23:18,710 but in terms of what the future may 579 00:23:18,710 --> 00:23:21,320 portend the battlefield is dynamic and 580 00:23:21,320 --> 00:23:23,542 our focus is going to continue to be on 581 00:23:23,542 --> 00:23:25,653 supporting Ukraine to be able to stop 582 00:23:25,653 --> 00:23:28,490 any potential future Russian aggression 583 00:23:28,660 --> 00:23:31,780 and to defend their homeland . Thanks 584 00:23:31,790 --> 00:23:33,846 let me go to the phone here , Jeff , 585 00:23:33,846 --> 00:23:36,550 Showgirl task and purpose . Thank you 586 00:23:36,560 --> 00:23:39,610 earlier , a senior defense official had 587 00:23:39,610 --> 00:23:41,980 said the Russians may have to start 588 00:23:41,980 --> 00:23:44,230 using 40 year old munitions next year 589 00:23:44,230 --> 00:23:46,341 because they're burning through their 590 00:23:46,341 --> 00:23:48,508 stockpiles so quickly . I just want to 591 00:23:48,508 --> 00:23:51,880 get some clarity is the problems that 592 00:23:51,970 --> 00:23:53,914 Russians facing that their defense 593 00:23:53,914 --> 00:23:56,480 industry cannot keep pace with 594 00:23:56,480 --> 00:23:58,647 operations in Ukraine . So they're not 595 00:23:58,647 --> 00:24:01,090 able to make shells and rockets quickly 596 00:24:01,090 --> 00:24:03,370 enough . Or is it that the Russian 597 00:24:03,370 --> 00:24:06,200 military is simply not managing their 598 00:24:06,200 --> 00:24:09,710 munitions stockpiles efficiently ? Yeah , 599 00:24:09,720 --> 00:24:13,310 thanks Jeff . So kind of an element of 600 00:24:13,310 --> 00:24:17,050 both production uh is a challenge . 601 00:24:17,060 --> 00:24:19,740 Um The burn rates that they've been 602 00:24:19,740 --> 00:24:23,000 employing artillery at have been has 603 00:24:23,000 --> 00:24:25,860 been extremely high uh and so going 604 00:24:25,860 --> 00:24:29,370 through the the ammunition that would 605 00:24:29,370 --> 00:24:32,140 be considered uh newer ammunition 606 00:24:32,150 --> 00:24:35,530 has put them in a situation where there 607 00:24:35,530 --> 00:24:39,190 were rapidly running out of um 608 00:24:39,830 --> 00:24:43,770 that that type of ammunition 609 00:24:43,770 --> 00:24:45,992 that would be that would give them high 610 00:24:45,992 --> 00:24:48,240 confidence that it would work . Um So 611 00:24:48,240 --> 00:24:50,440 this is as you highlight forcing them 612 00:24:50,440 --> 00:24:52,900 to use in some cases degraded 613 00:24:52,900 --> 00:24:55,500 ammunition and from older stockpiles . 614 00:24:55,510 --> 00:24:58,220 Uh It is important to point out that 615 00:24:58,230 --> 00:25:00,452 that we do assess that Russia does have 616 00:25:00,452 --> 00:25:03,640 a deep inventory of degraded 617 00:25:03,650 --> 00:25:07,250 ammunition , artillery uh from which 618 00:25:07,250 --> 00:25:10,360 they can draw . Um but again , the 619 00:25:10,370 --> 00:25:12,800 challenge here is by using older 620 00:25:12,810 --> 00:25:15,290 ammunition , you do run into the 621 00:25:15,290 --> 00:25:18,920 potential of effectiveness , dud rates , 622 00:25:18,930 --> 00:25:21,152 confidence in whether or not it's going 623 00:25:21,152 --> 00:25:23,600 to explode as expected . 624 00:25:25,230 --> 00:25:27,490 Thank you . Alright , let me go to 625 00:25:27,500 --> 00:25:28,860 George Castle . 626 00:25:31,470 --> 00:25:34,520 Thank you general for doing this . Um , 627 00:25:34,520 --> 00:25:36,464 I have three questions . The first 628 00:25:36,464 --> 00:25:38,410 question is the Russian long range 629 00:25:38,410 --> 00:25:42,050 missile system onboard . The S . U 35 S 630 00:25:42,060 --> 00:25:45,340 and china uses for the J 20 fighter jet , 631 00:25:45,350 --> 00:25:47,740 It has said that Ukraine shot down a S . 632 00:25:47,740 --> 00:25:50,560 U 35 s and turn it over as a joint 633 00:25:50,560 --> 00:25:53,010 inspection to the U . S . And U . K . 634 00:25:53,020 --> 00:25:55,076 Like having this aircraft where this 635 00:25:55,076 --> 00:25:57,280 aid NATO air forces to jam the 636 00:25:57,280 --> 00:25:59,750 capabilities of the onboard system . 637 00:26:00,150 --> 00:26:02,372 Yeah , thanks for the question George . 638 00:26:02,372 --> 00:26:04,261 I I don't have any information to 639 00:26:04,261 --> 00:26:06,317 provide on that . Thank you though . 640 00:26:06,317 --> 00:26:08,428 Let me go back to the second question 641 00:26:08,428 --> 00:26:11,120 is uh so what are your thoughts on the 642 00:26:11,120 --> 00:26:13,560 B 21 raider Without giving arsenal 643 00:26:13,560 --> 00:26:16,940 specifics ? The B- 21 raider ? I think 644 00:26:16,940 --> 00:26:18,940 it's gonna be an awesome aircraft . 645 00:26:19,860 --> 00:26:23,420 Thank you sir . On the record . 646 00:26:23,430 --> 00:26:27,430 Um you know , and I and I think if you 647 00:26:27,430 --> 00:26:29,470 had the opportunity to watch the 648 00:26:29,470 --> 00:26:33,270 unveiling and listen to Secretary 649 00:26:33,270 --> 00:26:36,580 Austin's remarks , the B 21 will 650 00:26:36,580 --> 00:26:39,100 provide the United States uh an 651 00:26:39,110 --> 00:26:42,220 unparalleled capability , strategic 652 00:26:42,230 --> 00:26:44,310 capability , both conventional and 653 00:26:44,310 --> 00:26:46,620 nuclear , which will serve as a very 654 00:26:46,620 --> 00:26:49,950 strong deterrent um but also provide 655 00:26:49,950 --> 00:26:52,100 our nation with options . Should we 656 00:26:52,100 --> 00:26:55,790 need to go to war . And so um this will 657 00:26:55,790 --> 00:26:58,780 be a game changer for the United States 658 00:26:58,780 --> 00:27:00,669 military , for our allies and our 659 00:27:00,669 --> 00:27:04,400 partners uh and uh and take us into the 660 00:27:04,400 --> 00:27:06,233 next generation when it comes to 661 00:27:06,233 --> 00:27:08,344 strategic bomber aircraft . Thank you 662 00:27:08,344 --> 00:27:10,567 George . Alright , let me go the room . 663 00:27:10,567 --> 00:27:12,678 Yes ma'am and I'll come to you . This 664 00:27:12,678 --> 00:27:15,220 is a newspaper . I'd like to follow up 665 00:27:15,220 --> 00:27:17,960 on questions in Japan since Japan plans 666 00:27:17,960 --> 00:27:20,210 to increase its defense budget and 667 00:27:20,220 --> 00:27:22,640 adapt its conscious rights capability 668 00:27:22,650 --> 00:27:25,280 from the viewpoint of us . Integrated 669 00:27:25,290 --> 00:27:28,940 deterrence how Japan's efforts aligned 670 00:27:28,940 --> 00:27:31,710 with the U . S . Effort to china and 671 00:27:31,720 --> 00:27:35,440 other . Sure , well again 672 00:27:35,440 --> 00:27:38,750 without talking about internal domestic 673 00:27:38,750 --> 00:27:40,806 japanese decisions , I will say more 674 00:27:40,806 --> 00:27:44,450 broadly speaking . Um as I 675 00:27:44,450 --> 00:27:46,840 highlighted earlier earlier , one of 676 00:27:46,840 --> 00:27:50,480 our core strategic advantages as a 677 00:27:50,480 --> 00:27:52,313 nation but also as international 678 00:27:52,313 --> 00:27:54,036 community is the alliances and 679 00:27:54,036 --> 00:27:56,420 partnerships that we share uh critical 680 00:27:56,420 --> 00:27:58,990 and important allies like Japan uh 681 00:27:59,000 --> 00:28:02,550 investing in their defense capabilities . 682 00:28:02,560 --> 00:28:05,160 Uh just like all of our other allies 683 00:28:05,160 --> 00:28:07,104 and partners in the region sends a 684 00:28:07,104 --> 00:28:09,570 clear message that we are committed to 685 00:28:09,570 --> 00:28:12,380 preserving a free and open indo pacific 686 00:28:12,390 --> 00:28:14,430 to deter aggression and hopefully 687 00:28:14,430 --> 00:28:16,960 ensure and maintain regional security 688 00:28:16,960 --> 00:28:20,940 and stability . Thank you ma'am . Yes , 689 00:28:20,950 --> 00:28:24,750 Aaron with Kyoto News um President 690 00:28:24,760 --> 00:28:27,600 XI were actually Secretary Austin said 691 00:28:27,600 --> 00:28:30,780 how important it was that China 692 00:28:30,790 --> 00:28:33,290 kept an open door of communication 693 00:28:33,290 --> 00:28:35,346 specifically present . She have they 694 00:28:35,346 --> 00:28:38,630 spoken lately ? Has Secretary Austin 695 00:28:39,620 --> 00:28:42,960 in a general way ? So so they did speak 696 00:28:42,960 --> 00:28:44,950 in cambodia . That was their last 697 00:28:44,970 --> 00:28:48,160 conversation . Um is there any reason 698 00:28:48,160 --> 00:28:50,620 why have they as Secretary Austin tried 699 00:28:50,620 --> 00:28:52,787 to speak or reach out with general wei 700 00:28:52,787 --> 00:28:56,730 or general waves um so it seems like a 701 00:28:56,730 --> 00:28:58,619 long time ago but that was only a 702 00:28:58,619 --> 00:29:00,841 couple of weeks ago . Um and so at this 703 00:29:00,841 --> 00:29:03,020 at this point as we highlighted in our 704 00:29:03,020 --> 00:29:05,650 readout from that engagement . Both 705 00:29:05,650 --> 00:29:08,760 leaders were committed to keeping the 706 00:29:08,770 --> 00:29:10,714 lines of communication open and to 707 00:29:10,714 --> 00:29:12,826 working to have subordinate levels of 708 00:29:12,826 --> 00:29:14,992 command to be able to communicate with 709 00:29:14,992 --> 00:29:17,048 one another . And so uh I don't have 710 00:29:17,048 --> 00:29:19,048 any details to provide specifically 711 00:29:19,048 --> 00:29:20,937 today but that is an area that we 712 00:29:20,937 --> 00:29:22,881 continue to focus on is increasing 713 00:29:22,881 --> 00:29:24,826 those channels and providing those 714 00:29:24,826 --> 00:29:26,992 opportunities for U . S . Personnel to 715 00:29:26,992 --> 00:29:29,103 engage with their counterparts on the 716 00:29:29,103 --> 00:29:32,540 PRC side . Um And so I think going 717 00:29:32,540 --> 00:29:34,762 forward , Secretary Austin is certainly 718 00:29:34,762 --> 00:29:36,820 open to continuing the dialogue with 719 00:29:36,830 --> 00:29:39,490 Minister way . And so when there's an 720 00:29:39,490 --> 00:29:42,230 opportunity or when we have something 721 00:29:42,240 --> 00:29:44,296 to announce will certainly do that . 722 00:29:44,296 --> 00:29:47,120 Thank you . Louis two things on the 723 00:29:47,120 --> 00:29:49,510 training in Germany , did you say that 724 00:29:49,510 --> 00:29:51,510 there's gonna be an increase in the 725 00:29:51,510 --> 00:29:53,566 number of National Guard forces that 726 00:29:53,566 --> 00:29:55,732 will be conducting this training or is 727 00:29:55,732 --> 00:29:57,566 it going to be the same new york 728 00:29:57,566 --> 00:29:57,420 National guard unit that's doing it 729 00:29:57,420 --> 00:29:59,970 right now . I would refer you to U . S . 730 00:29:59,980 --> 00:30:02,220 Army europe and Africa Command . They 731 00:30:02,220 --> 00:30:03,998 may be able to provide you some 732 00:30:03,998 --> 00:30:06,010 additional details . The Security 733 00:30:06,010 --> 00:30:07,954 Assistance group , Ukraine will be 734 00:30:07,954 --> 00:30:10,010 overseeing that . Um I don't I don't 735 00:30:10,010 --> 00:30:12,066 have specifics on which units per se 736 00:30:12,066 --> 00:30:14,121 will be conducting that training And 737 00:30:14,121 --> 00:30:16,177 shifting to an earlier question from 738 00:30:16,177 --> 00:30:19,410 Liz um there's Congress is currently 739 00:30:19,420 --> 00:30:22,560 discussing the Afghan adjustment act . 740 00:30:22,620 --> 00:30:24,842 I know you referred her question to the 741 00:30:24,842 --> 00:30:27,170 State Department but in the past has 742 00:30:27,180 --> 00:30:30,450 the pentagon been advocating for any 743 00:30:30,450 --> 00:30:32,680 changes or any adjustments in the 744 00:30:32,680 --> 00:30:34,847 status of S . I . V . Applicants who , 745 00:30:34,847 --> 00:30:37,440 you know , were evacuated in august 746 00:30:37,450 --> 00:30:39,610 2021 . And has the secretary himself 747 00:30:39,620 --> 00:30:41,787 been personally involved in this given 748 00:30:41,787 --> 00:30:43,620 the significance that these were 749 00:30:43,620 --> 00:30:45,620 individuals who worked with U . S . 750 00:30:45,620 --> 00:30:47,890 Personnel ? Yeah . Thanks . Let me take 751 00:30:47,890 --> 00:30:49,946 that question and we'll come back to 752 00:30:49,946 --> 00:30:52,610 you . Thank you . Does the fact that 753 00:30:52,610 --> 00:30:54,666 you're doing this maneuver battalion 754 00:30:54,666 --> 00:30:56,832 level maneuver training at this moment 755 00:30:57,000 --> 00:31:00,170 indicate that there is the chance for 756 00:31:00,180 --> 00:31:02,780 greater offensive operate large scale 757 00:31:02,780 --> 00:31:05,250 offensive operations in the coming 758 00:31:05,250 --> 00:31:07,417 weeks when the ground starts to freeze 759 00:31:07,417 --> 00:31:10,570 up in uh in in Ukraine . So I'll let 760 00:31:10,570 --> 00:31:12,348 the Ukrainians talk about their 761 00:31:12,348 --> 00:31:14,420 operations and what they plan to do 762 00:31:14,430 --> 00:31:17,190 with their forces again . Uh , as it 763 00:31:17,190 --> 00:31:19,246 has been since the beginning of this 764 00:31:19,246 --> 00:31:21,468 invasion and since we've been providing 765 00:31:21,468 --> 00:31:23,412 security assistance are focuses on 766 00:31:23,412 --> 00:31:25,468 providing them the capabilities they 767 00:31:25,468 --> 00:31:27,079 need to be successful on the 768 00:31:27,079 --> 00:31:29,079 battlefield . And so certainly this 769 00:31:29,079 --> 00:31:31,700 training will enhance the skills and 770 00:31:31,700 --> 00:31:33,990 capabilities of Ukrainian armed forces 771 00:31:34,000 --> 00:31:36,222 on the ground . But but they need to be 772 00:31:36,222 --> 00:31:38,333 the ones to talk about what they plan 773 00:31:38,333 --> 00:31:40,389 to do . Thank you . Let me go to the 774 00:31:40,389 --> 00:31:42,222 phone here . Uh , Patrick tucker 775 00:31:42,222 --> 00:31:44,444 defense one . Hey , thank you for doing 776 00:31:44,444 --> 00:31:46,380 this . Uh , so this entire debate 777 00:31:46,390 --> 00:31:48,580 around Patriot missile batteries to 778 00:31:48,580 --> 00:31:51,920 Ukraine speaks to Ukraine's ongoing um 779 00:31:51,930 --> 00:31:55,490 sophisticated air defense needs the US 780 00:31:55,490 --> 00:31:57,379 has spent hundreds of millions of 781 00:31:57,379 --> 00:31:59,379 dollars on research and development 782 00:31:59,379 --> 00:32:01,460 into directed energy weapons to 783 00:32:01,470 --> 00:32:03,570 specifically take on drones and have 784 00:32:03,570 --> 00:32:06,570 even deployed some with success against 785 00:32:06,570 --> 00:32:09,530 other Iranian drone systems ? So given 786 00:32:09,540 --> 00:32:13,370 that the US has developed and deployed 787 00:32:13,380 --> 00:32:15,436 directed energy weapons specifically 788 00:32:15,436 --> 00:32:18,580 for counter US operations ? Are you 789 00:32:18,580 --> 00:32:21,480 talking with the Ukrainians about the 790 00:32:21,490 --> 00:32:23,712 role that directed energy weapons might 791 00:32:23,712 --> 00:32:26,220 play in their air defense needs ? Yeah . 792 00:32:26,230 --> 00:32:29,290 Thanks pad . So , so again , we 793 00:32:29,290 --> 00:32:31,290 maintain a robust dialogue with our 794 00:32:31,290 --> 00:32:34,190 Ukrainian partners alongside our our 795 00:32:34,200 --> 00:32:36,480 allies and our international partners 796 00:32:36,490 --> 00:32:38,460 about what Ukraine's security 797 00:32:38,460 --> 00:32:41,120 assistance needs are . Um as a matter 798 00:32:41,120 --> 00:32:43,342 of policy , we're not going to get into 799 00:32:43,342 --> 00:32:45,398 previewing things that we may or may 800 00:32:45,398 --> 00:32:47,650 not be considering or providing . Um 801 00:32:47,650 --> 00:32:49,872 but again , going forward , we're going 802 00:32:49,872 --> 00:32:52,110 to stay flexible and adaptable based on 803 00:32:52,110 --> 00:32:53,943 the situation on the ground . So 804 00:32:53,950 --> 00:32:56,270 nothing new to announce our preview in 805 00:32:56,270 --> 00:32:59,240 that regard . But again , we're going 806 00:32:59,240 --> 00:33:02,980 to continue to to uh discuss and 807 00:33:02,980 --> 00:33:05,020 listen when it comes to Ukraine 808 00:33:05,020 --> 00:33:08,490 security assistance needs . Let me go 809 00:33:08,490 --> 00:33:09,934 to Phil Stewart Reuters . 810 00:33:13,800 --> 00:33:16,190 Hey there , Thanks . I think Pat might 811 00:33:16,200 --> 00:33:19,640 uh might have had a follow up but real 812 00:33:19,640 --> 00:33:22,640 quick just to clarify on the on the 813 00:33:22,640 --> 00:33:24,751 main announcement . Um is there gonna 814 00:33:24,751 --> 00:33:27,560 be any air component to the to the 815 00:33:27,560 --> 00:33:30,180 training and um , I just want to be 816 00:33:30,190 --> 00:33:33,670 crystal clear on uh on the level of 817 00:33:33,670 --> 00:33:35,781 skill level the Ukrainian forces that 818 00:33:35,781 --> 00:33:37,781 you're bringing in . I mean , these 819 00:33:37,781 --> 00:33:37,450 people that have already been trained 820 00:33:37,450 --> 00:33:39,339 on the individual systems and now 821 00:33:39,339 --> 00:33:41,339 you're helping them do the combined 822 00:33:41,339 --> 00:33:43,450 arms and and enjoy maneuver stuff for 823 00:33:43,450 --> 00:33:45,339 these people that are kind of new 824 00:33:45,339 --> 00:33:47,394 recruits . Um And also are there any 825 00:33:47,394 --> 00:33:49,450 countries , I think at one point you 826 00:33:49,450 --> 00:33:51,672 said us led training so or is this just 827 00:33:51,672 --> 00:33:53,839 strictly US training ? Thanks . Yeah . 828 00:33:53,839 --> 00:33:56,180 Thanks Phil so so I'll defer to Ukraine 829 00:33:56,180 --> 00:33:59,410 to talk about who they plan to send to 830 00:33:59,410 --> 00:34:03,170 this training . Uh And this is um you 831 00:34:03,170 --> 00:34:05,630 know , joint operations , joint 832 00:34:05,630 --> 00:34:08,530 maneuver operations training and so 833 00:34:08,530 --> 00:34:10,930 primarily ground focused but with an 834 00:34:10,930 --> 00:34:12,960 eye towards combined arms . So 835 00:34:12,960 --> 00:34:16,380 certainly uh an aspect of combined arms 836 00:34:16,390 --> 00:34:18,990 is working with air capabilities , 837 00:34:18,990 --> 00:34:21,046 although this particular training is 838 00:34:21,046 --> 00:34:24,470 again uh focused on um you know , 839 00:34:24,480 --> 00:34:28,330 ground units per se . Um in terms of 840 00:34:28,340 --> 00:34:30,562 uh and I'm sorry , what was your second 841 00:34:30,562 --> 00:34:34,450 part of your question ? Uh 842 00:34:34,460 --> 00:34:36,516 So I had also asked , so I asked the 843 00:34:36,516 --> 00:34:38,627 skill level , I asked whether there's 844 00:34:38,627 --> 00:34:40,849 gonna be an air component and then then 845 00:34:40,849 --> 00:34:40,710 you would mention the fact that this 846 00:34:40,710 --> 00:34:43,090 was at one point you spoke what US LED 847 00:34:43,090 --> 00:34:45,034 training . So it led me to believe 848 00:34:45,034 --> 00:34:47,146 maybe there were other countries that 849 00:34:47,146 --> 00:34:49,368 might be assisting the US with this new 850 00:34:49,368 --> 00:34:51,590 round of uh you know , churning out 500 851 00:34:51,590 --> 00:34:53,812 trained Ukrainians per month . Now this 852 00:34:53,812 --> 00:34:56,620 will be uh so this will be the U . S . 853 00:34:56,620 --> 00:34:59,880 Army europe and africa commands effort . 854 00:34:59,890 --> 00:35:02,880 Um I would refer you to to security 855 00:35:02,880 --> 00:35:04,936 assistance group Ukraine in terms of 856 00:35:04,936 --> 00:35:07,860 whether or not there's any allied or 857 00:35:07,870 --> 00:35:10,037 partner representation on the training 858 00:35:10,037 --> 00:35:12,420 program . Um you know , whether those 859 00:35:12,420 --> 00:35:15,710 are liaisons certainly across the 860 00:35:15,710 --> 00:35:17,432 international community , as I 861 00:35:17,432 --> 00:35:19,543 highlighted earlier , there are other 862 00:35:19,543 --> 00:35:21,710 countries that are training Ukrainians 863 00:35:21,710 --> 00:35:23,821 as part of this broader international 864 00:35:23,821 --> 00:35:25,710 effort . But as it applies to the 865 00:35:25,710 --> 00:35:28,130 training ranges in Germany , the U . S . 866 00:35:28,130 --> 00:35:30,810 Training ranges uh this will be a US 867 00:35:30,810 --> 00:35:34,440 led effort . Um But uh the the army may 868 00:35:34,440 --> 00:35:36,662 be may be able to provide you with some 869 00:35:36,662 --> 00:35:38,607 additional insight into the on the 870 00:35:38,607 --> 00:35:40,551 ground cadre . Right . And I'm Pat 871 00:35:40,551 --> 00:35:42,496 tucker , I'm sorry . Do you have a 872 00:35:42,496 --> 00:35:45,590 follow up ? I'm good . Thanks . All 873 00:35:45,590 --> 00:35:47,423 right , let's go to Tony Capasso 874 00:35:47,423 --> 00:35:48,423 Bloomberg . 875 00:35:55,160 --> 00:35:58,290 Alright . Nothing heard Lara Seligman 876 00:35:58,290 --> 00:36:01,830 politico . Hey Pat , thanks for doing 877 00:36:01,830 --> 00:36:04,052 this . Just to follow up on a couple of 878 00:36:04,052 --> 00:36:06,274 things . First of all for this training 879 00:36:06,274 --> 00:36:08,441 are additional U . S . Troops going to 880 00:36:08,441 --> 00:36:10,330 be deployed to Germany to do this 881 00:36:10,330 --> 00:36:12,552 training and how many and when and then 882 00:36:12,552 --> 00:36:14,663 second I wanted to ask about the f 35 883 00:36:14,663 --> 00:36:16,774 crash . Can you talk about the damage 884 00:36:16,774 --> 00:36:18,608 to the plane ? Is it going to be 885 00:36:18,608 --> 00:36:20,774 flyable ? Yeah . Thanks are on your on 886 00:36:20,774 --> 00:36:22,886 your second question I'd refer you to 887 00:36:22,886 --> 00:36:24,950 Lockheed martin uh Since that is uh 888 00:36:24,960 --> 00:36:27,430 that is their aircraft , it was had not 889 00:36:27,430 --> 00:36:29,208 been transferred to the U . S . 890 00:36:29,208 --> 00:36:31,430 Government yet . Um In terms of U . S . 891 00:36:31,430 --> 00:36:34,400 Forces uh that will be supporting this 892 00:36:34,400 --> 00:36:36,067 training again , the security 893 00:36:36,067 --> 00:36:37,900 assistance group Ukraine will be 894 00:36:37,900 --> 00:36:41,410 overseeing the training . Uh Or excuse 895 00:36:41,410 --> 00:36:45,340 me , the Seventh Army , 896 00:36:45,350 --> 00:36:47,780 Let me find my notes here us army 897 00:36:47,780 --> 00:36:51,140 europe and Africa Command's um 898 00:36:52,990 --> 00:36:55,101 Seventh Army training Command will be 899 00:36:55,101 --> 00:36:57,550 leading the training . Uh So I'd refer 900 00:36:57,550 --> 00:37:00,370 you to them , but no significant 901 00:37:00,380 --> 00:37:03,120 addition of U . S . Forces beyond what 902 00:37:03,120 --> 00:37:06,570 we've already got uh in in country in 903 00:37:06,570 --> 00:37:08,900 the theater . Thank you . Alright , 904 00:37:08,910 --> 00:37:11,132 we'll go with the last question . Yes , 905 00:37:11,132 --> 00:37:14,740 ma'am , using the US African forces in 906 00:37:14,740 --> 00:37:16,907 part to help with this training . Does 907 00:37:16,907 --> 00:37:18,840 that imply that um some of their 908 00:37:18,840 --> 00:37:22,240 current operations might , 909 00:37:23,140 --> 00:37:26,820 you know ? So and and 910 00:37:26,830 --> 00:37:29,470 uh so thanks for the opportunity to to 911 00:37:29,470 --> 00:37:31,414 highlight that . So as part of the 912 00:37:31,414 --> 00:37:33,920 command structure in europe , U . S . 913 00:37:33,930 --> 00:37:36,950 Army europe and Africa Command oversees 914 00:37:36,960 --> 00:37:40,280 operations . Uh It's the component 915 00:37:40,280 --> 00:37:42,391 command to U . S . European command . 916 00:37:42,391 --> 00:37:44,530 So overseeing US army operations in 917 00:37:44,530 --> 00:37:45,974 both the european area of 918 00:37:45,974 --> 00:37:48,310 responsibility and the Africa area of 919 00:37:48,310 --> 00:37:50,421 responsibility very similar to US Air 920 00:37:50,421 --> 00:37:53,350 forces in europe and Africa . Uh And so 921 00:37:53,360 --> 00:37:55,193 so that's the designation of the 922 00:37:55,193 --> 00:37:57,304 command , but certainly um being able 923 00:37:57,304 --> 00:37:59,416 to build into the command structure , 924 00:37:59,416 --> 00:38:01,416 how best to operate this . So while 925 00:38:01,416 --> 00:38:04,840 this , this has no uh impact on our 926 00:38:04,840 --> 00:38:07,230 efforts in Africa , it's just the name 927 00:38:07,230 --> 00:38:09,341 of the unit . Thank you . Thanks very 928 00:38:09,341 --> 00:38:10,280 much everybody appreciate your time