1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:00,000 2 00:00:04,040 --> 00:00:06,318 Alright well , good afternoon everyone . 3 00:00:06,318 --> 00:00:08,484 I hope you enjoyed your holiday season 4 00:00:08,484 --> 00:00:10,484 that you were able to get some well 5 00:00:10,484 --> 00:00:12,651 deserved time off . We here at D . O . 6 00:00:12,651 --> 00:00:14,818 D . are looking forward to meeting the 7 00:00:14,818 --> 00:00:16,929 challenges of 2023 and we wish all of 8 00:00:16,929 --> 00:00:19,070 you a very happy new year . I do have 9 00:00:19,080 --> 00:00:21,302 several things to pass along at the top 10 00:00:21,302 --> 00:00:23,136 so I appreciate your patience in 11 00:00:23,136 --> 00:00:25,302 advance and then I'll be happy to take 12 00:00:25,302 --> 00:00:27,524 your questions . So next week Secretary 13 00:00:27,524 --> 00:00:29,580 Austin and Secretary Blinken will co 14 00:00:29,580 --> 00:00:32,200 host the 2023 US Japan security 15 00:00:32,200 --> 00:00:34,690 consultative committee meeting january 16 00:00:34,690 --> 00:00:36,770 11 with Japanese Foreign Minister 17 00:00:36,770 --> 00:00:39,560 Hayashi and Japanese Defense Minister 18 00:00:39,560 --> 00:00:42,100 Hamada at the Department of State here 19 00:00:42,100 --> 00:00:44,670 in Washington D . C . The US Japan 20 00:00:44,670 --> 00:00:46,781 alliance remains the cornerstone of a 21 00:00:46,781 --> 00:00:49,260 free and open indo pacific region . The 22 00:00:49,260 --> 00:00:51,204 U . S . And Japan will discuss our 23 00:00:51,204 --> 00:00:53,371 shared vision of a modernized alliance 24 00:00:53,371 --> 00:00:55,038 that will tackle 21st century 25 00:00:55,038 --> 00:00:57,440 challenges in the indo pacific and 26 00:00:57,440 --> 00:01:00,200 around the world . Then on january 12th , 27 00:01:00,200 --> 00:01:02,560 Secretary Austin will welcome Minister 28 00:01:02,560 --> 00:01:05,240 Hamada to the pentagon for a bilateral 29 00:01:05,240 --> 00:01:07,351 meeting during which the leaders will 30 00:01:07,351 --> 00:01:09,184 reaffirm the strategic alignment 31 00:01:09,184 --> 00:01:11,460 between the United States and Japan as 32 00:01:11,460 --> 00:01:13,571 well as our shared goals to modernize 33 00:01:13,571 --> 00:01:15,640 the alliance , bolster integrated 34 00:01:15,640 --> 00:01:18,080 deterrence and ensure free and open 35 00:01:18,080 --> 00:01:20,440 indo pacific region in collaboration 36 00:01:20,440 --> 00:01:22,607 with like minded partners . We will of 37 00:01:22,607 --> 00:01:24,829 course have more information to share . 38 00:01:24,829 --> 00:01:26,996 After the conclusion of these meetings 39 00:01:26,996 --> 00:01:28,718 also , just to quickly recap , 40 00:01:28,718 --> 00:01:30,496 Secretary Austin spoke by phone 41 00:01:30,496 --> 00:01:32,773 yesterday with his Israeli counterpart , 42 00:01:32,773 --> 00:01:34,884 Minister of Defense Yoav galant . The 43 00:01:34,884 --> 00:01:36,884 two Defense ministers agreed on the 44 00:01:36,884 --> 00:01:38,940 need to work together to address the 45 00:01:38,940 --> 00:01:40,829 wide range of regional challenges 46 00:01:40,829 --> 00:01:42,718 including threats posed by Iran's 47 00:01:42,718 --> 00:01:45,130 destabilizing activities . They also 48 00:01:45,130 --> 00:01:47,130 discussed opportunities to increase 49 00:01:47,130 --> 00:01:49,700 military cooperation and to advance 50 00:01:49,710 --> 00:01:51,766 Israel's integration in the region , 51 00:01:51,766 --> 00:01:53,877 building upon the Abraham accords and 52 00:01:53,877 --> 00:01:55,821 Israel's entrance into the U . S . 53 00:01:55,821 --> 00:01:58,099 Central Command area of responsibility . 54 00:01:58,099 --> 00:02:00,154 Full readout is available on defense 55 00:02:00,154 --> 00:02:02,700 dot gov separately Undersecretary of 56 00:02:02,700 --> 00:02:04,922 Defense for acquisition and sustainment 57 00:02:04,922 --> 00:02:07,220 William Le Plant today directed all D . 58 00:02:07,220 --> 00:02:09,220 O . D . Organizations to begin full 59 00:02:09,220 --> 00:02:11,420 implement implementation of the 60 00:02:11,420 --> 00:02:13,740 commission on the naming of items of 61 00:02:13,740 --> 00:02:15,851 the Department of Defense A . K . A . 62 00:02:15,851 --> 00:02:17,629 The naming commission and those 63 00:02:17,629 --> 00:02:19,629 recommendations . This announcement 64 00:02:19,629 --> 00:02:21,740 follows a congressional e mandated 90 65 00:02:21,740 --> 00:02:23,796 day waiting period that started when 66 00:02:23,796 --> 00:02:25,962 the naming commission shared the third 67 00:02:25,962 --> 00:02:28,073 and final part of its report with the 68 00:02:28,073 --> 00:02:29,851 Secretary of Defense in U . S . 69 00:02:29,851 --> 00:02:32,950 Congress In September of 2022 , we've 70 00:02:32,950 --> 00:02:35,061 issued a press release and additional 71 00:02:35,061 --> 00:02:37,117 information pertaining to the naming 72 00:02:37,117 --> 00:02:39,228 commissions . Reports to Congress can 73 00:02:39,228 --> 00:02:41,172 be found on defense dot gov . Also 74 00:02:41,172 --> 00:02:42,950 today the Department of Defense 75 00:02:42,950 --> 00:02:45,172 announced the expansion of the military 76 00:02:45,172 --> 00:02:47,394 parental leave program which authorizes 77 00:02:47,394 --> 00:02:49,617 service members who give birth 12 weeks 78 00:02:49,617 --> 00:02:51,839 of parental leave following a period of 79 00:02:51,839 --> 00:02:54,061 convalescence to care for their child . 80 00:02:54,061 --> 00:02:56,283 Importantly service members who are non 81 00:02:56,283 --> 00:02:58,450 birth parent , a non birth parent will 82 00:02:58,450 --> 00:03:00,672 also be authorized 12 weeks of leave to 83 00:03:00,672 --> 00:03:02,561 care for the child as well . This 84 00:03:02,561 --> 00:03:04,561 expansion builds on the D . O . D . 85 00:03:04,561 --> 00:03:06,394 Support of military families and 86 00:03:06,394 --> 00:03:08,394 service members by streamlining and 87 00:03:08,394 --> 00:03:10,450 enhancing the parental leave benefit 88 00:03:10,450 --> 00:03:12,561 across all the service branches . The 89 00:03:12,561 --> 00:03:14,672 full memorandum outlining the updates 90 00:03:14,672 --> 00:03:14,670 to this important program can be found 91 00:03:14,670 --> 00:03:16,503 on the D . O . D . Website . And 92 00:03:16,503 --> 00:03:18,726 finally , let me conclude with a couple 93 00:03:18,726 --> 00:03:20,781 of congratulatory items on behalf of 94 00:03:20,781 --> 00:03:22,448 the department . We'd like to 95 00:03:22,448 --> 00:03:24,503 congratulate three nominees who were 96 00:03:24,503 --> 00:03:26,448 sworn in this week Miss by Lindsay 97 00:03:26,448 --> 00:03:28,114 Harris was sworn in as Deputy 98 00:03:28,114 --> 00:03:29,781 undersecretary of Defense for 99 00:03:29,781 --> 00:03:31,892 Intelligence and Security . Mr Russ . 100 00:03:31,892 --> 00:03:33,670 Rumba was sworn in as Assistant 101 00:03:33,670 --> 00:03:35,670 Secretary of the Navy for Finance , 102 00:03:35,670 --> 00:03:37,837 Financial management and comptroller . 103 00:03:37,837 --> 00:03:39,950 And dr Agnes Schaefer was sworn in as 104 00:03:39,950 --> 00:03:42,172 the Assistant Secretary of the Army for 105 00:03:42,172 --> 00:03:45,270 Manpower and Reserve Affairs also . And 106 00:03:45,270 --> 00:03:47,214 on behalf of the secretary and the 107 00:03:47,214 --> 00:03:49,214 entire department . I would like to 108 00:03:49,214 --> 00:03:51,214 extend our congratulations to Major 109 00:03:51,214 --> 00:03:53,437 Major Ktb Learning of the Minnesota Air 110 00:03:53,437 --> 00:03:56,070 National Guard . This coming saturday 111 00:03:56,080 --> 00:03:58,590 january 7th , Major Learning will be 112 00:03:58,590 --> 00:04:00,757 awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross 113 00:04:00,757 --> 00:04:02,812 for her extraordinary actions as the 114 00:04:02,812 --> 00:04:05,160 Critical Care Air transport Team Nurse 115 00:04:05,170 --> 00:04:07,940 while deployed with the three 79th Air 116 00:04:07,940 --> 00:04:10,620 expeditionary wing at Al Udeid Air Base 117 00:04:10,620 --> 00:04:14,150 cutter on 26 august 2021 118 00:04:14,160 --> 00:04:15,882 Learning and her Critical Care 119 00:04:15,882 --> 00:04:18,510 transport aeromedical evacuation team 120 00:04:18,520 --> 00:04:20,440 mobilized in response to a mass 121 00:04:20,440 --> 00:04:22,880 casualty event caused by the suicide 122 00:04:22,880 --> 00:04:24,936 bomber at Hamid Karzai International 123 00:04:24,936 --> 00:04:27,010 Airport in Afghanistan . This 124 00:04:27,010 --> 00:04:29,066 represents the first time in history 125 00:04:29,066 --> 00:04:31,288 that an Air National Guard Flight Nurse 126 00:04:31,288 --> 00:04:32,899 has received this honor . So 127 00:04:32,899 --> 00:04:35,121 congratulations to major dunning in the 128 00:04:35,121 --> 00:04:37,232 Minnesota Air National Guard on a job 129 00:04:37,232 --> 00:04:39,066 very well done under very trying 130 00:04:39,066 --> 00:04:41,288 circumstances and with that I will take 131 00:04:41,288 --> 00:04:43,399 your questions . We'll start with a p 132 00:04:43,399 --> 00:04:46,910 lita . Thanks Pat on the Bradleys . Um 133 00:04:46,920 --> 00:04:49,610 since uh one has obviously said that 134 00:04:49,620 --> 00:04:53,130 some are coming for Ukraine . Can you 135 00:04:53,130 --> 00:04:55,186 talk a little bit about what are the 136 00:04:55,186 --> 00:04:57,352 benefits ? What will this bring to the 137 00:04:57,352 --> 00:04:59,830 Ukrainian forces on the battlefield ? 138 00:04:59,840 --> 00:05:03,470 How long will it take to get them 139 00:05:03,480 --> 00:05:06,500 to the Ukrainian troops ? And can you 140 00:05:06,510 --> 00:05:10,460 just give us a broad idea of how long 141 00:05:10,470 --> 00:05:13,770 the training will take ? Sure , Thanks , 142 00:05:13,770 --> 00:05:16,470 lisa . So as you highlight , um , I can 143 00:05:16,470 --> 00:05:19,420 confirm that another round of security 144 00:05:19,420 --> 00:05:21,531 assistance for Ukraine is anticipated 145 00:05:21,531 --> 00:05:23,800 tomorrow and that as the White House 146 00:05:23,800 --> 00:05:26,050 has indicated that new assistance will 147 00:05:26,050 --> 00:05:28,690 include Bradley fighting vehicles . And 148 00:05:28,690 --> 00:05:30,940 so I'm not gonna have any specific 149 00:05:30,950 --> 00:05:33,006 additional information to provide at 150 00:05:33,006 --> 00:05:35,061 this time regarding other aspects of 151 00:05:35,061 --> 00:05:37,172 what that pending security assistance 152 00:05:37,172 --> 00:05:39,450 package will look like . But as always , 153 00:05:39,450 --> 00:05:41,506 we'll be sure to keep you updated in 154 00:05:41,506 --> 00:05:45,110 terms of what the Bradleys bring . Uh , 155 00:05:45,120 --> 00:05:48,710 it is obviously uh , a cape and armored 156 00:05:48,710 --> 00:05:51,880 capability uh , that can transport 157 00:05:51,880 --> 00:05:53,940 mechanized infantry into battle in 158 00:05:53,940 --> 00:05:56,240 support of both offensive and defensive 159 00:05:56,240 --> 00:05:59,280 operations providing a level of 160 00:05:59,290 --> 00:06:02,330 firepower and armor that will bring 161 00:06:02,330 --> 00:06:04,163 advantages on the battlefield as 162 00:06:04,163 --> 00:06:06,052 Ukraine continues to defend their 163 00:06:06,052 --> 00:06:09,960 homeland . In terms of 164 00:06:09,970 --> 00:06:12,490 training timelines . Again , we'll have 165 00:06:12,500 --> 00:06:14,556 additional updates to provide in the 166 00:06:14,556 --> 00:06:16,556 coming days . I'm not gonna go into 167 00:06:16,556 --> 00:06:20,290 that now . Uh just again , once we , 168 00:06:20,300 --> 00:06:22,160 once we have uh an official 169 00:06:22,160 --> 00:06:24,160 announcement other than to say that 170 00:06:24,160 --> 00:06:26,327 training , both on the operations side 171 00:06:26,327 --> 00:06:28,382 and maintenance side will be part of 172 00:06:28,382 --> 00:06:30,830 that effort . Thank you . Thank you . 173 00:06:30,840 --> 00:06:32,840 On a separate topic . We heard from 174 00:06:32,840 --> 00:06:34,896 Mike Gallagher . Representative Mike 175 00:06:34,896 --> 00:06:36,840 Gallagher this morning that he was 176 00:06:36,840 --> 00:06:39,062 unable to attend a meeting with General 177 00:06:39,062 --> 00:06:41,118 Milley because there's no Speaker of 178 00:06:41,118 --> 00:06:43,284 the House , he doesn't have a security 179 00:06:43,284 --> 00:06:45,340 clearance . What's the impact of not 180 00:06:45,340 --> 00:06:47,173 having a speaker of the House on 181 00:06:47,173 --> 00:06:49,340 national security ? Yeah . Thanks . So 182 00:06:49,340 --> 00:06:51,118 so I'm not gonna comment on the 183 00:06:51,118 --> 00:06:53,340 proceedings of the legislative branch , 184 00:06:53,340 --> 00:06:55,673 but I can assure you that the D . O . D . 185 00:06:55,673 --> 00:06:58,440 Continues to conduct operations to 186 00:06:58,440 --> 00:07:00,520 safeguard and protect the nation and 187 00:07:00,520 --> 00:07:02,409 our operations continue unimpeded 188 00:07:02,409 --> 00:07:04,687 worldwide to follow up on that . D . O . 189 00:07:04,687 --> 00:07:06,620 D . Has commented on the past on 190 00:07:06,620 --> 00:07:08,787 legislative proceedings when it hasn't 191 00:07:08,787 --> 00:07:11,740 passed the N . D . A . So what's the 192 00:07:11,740 --> 00:07:13,900 impact of not having ? Well , I think 193 00:07:13,900 --> 00:07:15,980 your question was in terms of given 194 00:07:15,980 --> 00:07:18,036 what's going on the hill in terms of 195 00:07:18,036 --> 00:07:20,091 internal proceedings and again , I'm 196 00:07:20,091 --> 00:07:22,091 just not going to comment on that . 197 00:07:22,091 --> 00:07:24,313 Thank you janie . Thank you . Happy New 198 00:07:24,313 --> 00:07:28,215 Years . I have educations on 199 00:07:28,215 --> 00:07:31,635 the north Korea's drone provocations . 200 00:07:31,645 --> 00:07:34,075 How are the U . S . And south Korea 201 00:07:34,075 --> 00:07:37,365 cooperating to respond to North Korea's 202 00:07:37,375 --> 00:07:41,215 drone provocations and has the United 203 00:07:41,225 --> 00:07:45,035 States detected any north korean drones 204 00:07:45,045 --> 00:07:47,955 that have invaded South korean 205 00:07:47,965 --> 00:07:51,510 airspace . Sure , 206 00:07:51,520 --> 00:07:55,330 thanks jenny . So in terms of the drone 207 00:07:55,340 --> 00:07:57,800 flights coming from North Korea in the 208 00:07:57,800 --> 00:08:00,480 south Korea , I'd refer you to the 209 00:08:00,480 --> 00:08:02,670 republic of Korea to you know , 210 00:08:02,680 --> 00:08:04,902 Ministry of Defense to talk about those 211 00:08:04,902 --> 00:08:07,013 specifically , we certainly have been 212 00:08:07,013 --> 00:08:09,180 very clear from here about the threats 213 00:08:09,180 --> 00:08:12,500 posed by the DPRK as well as our 214 00:08:12,500 --> 00:08:14,667 commitment to working closely with the 215 00:08:14,667 --> 00:08:16,667 rok Japan and other partners in the 216 00:08:16,667 --> 00:08:19,520 region to uphold regional stability and 217 00:08:19,520 --> 00:08:21,520 security . And so we'll continue to 218 00:08:21,520 --> 00:08:23,742 close coordinate closely with the South 219 00:08:23,742 --> 00:08:25,631 korean government and Ministry of 220 00:08:25,631 --> 00:08:28,540 Defense as those threats um you know , 221 00:08:28,550 --> 00:08:31,480 continue to exist . But again , they 222 00:08:31,490 --> 00:08:33,601 would be in a better position to talk 223 00:08:33,601 --> 00:08:37,020 about this this time . 224 00:08:39,690 --> 00:08:42,140 Well , I'm not going to go into 225 00:08:42,140 --> 00:08:44,196 specifics intelligence about what we 226 00:08:44,196 --> 00:08:46,362 may or may not be tracking . Certainly 227 00:08:46,362 --> 00:08:48,251 we have intelligence capabilities 228 00:08:48,251 --> 00:08:50,251 throughout the region , but I'm not 229 00:08:50,251 --> 00:08:52,584 prepared to go into details . Thank you , 230 00:08:52,584 --> 00:08:55,820 ma'am said he 231 00:08:55,820 --> 00:08:59,630 had mass production of nuclear 232 00:08:59,640 --> 00:09:02,280 warheads and military 233 00:09:02,290 --> 00:09:05,990 confrontations . Can you share comment 234 00:09:05,990 --> 00:09:07,380 on this ? Why ? 235 00:09:10,140 --> 00:09:11,973 Yeah , well , we , you know , we 236 00:09:11,973 --> 00:09:13,751 continue to be concerned by the 237 00:09:13,751 --> 00:09:16,130 comments coming out of North Korea . Uh 238 00:09:16,130 --> 00:09:19,550 and uh again it just demonstrates the 239 00:09:19,550 --> 00:09:22,010 destabilizing impact that these kinds 240 00:09:22,010 --> 00:09:24,177 of comments and the actions have . And 241 00:09:24,177 --> 00:09:26,430 so our focus is the United States 242 00:09:26,440 --> 00:09:28,662 continues to be on working closely with 243 00:09:28,662 --> 00:09:30,773 our partners in the region to include 244 00:09:30,773 --> 00:09:32,773 uh South Korea to ensure a free and 245 00:09:32,773 --> 00:09:34,850 open in the pacific and a secure and 246 00:09:34,850 --> 00:09:37,830 stable in the pacific um as you've 247 00:09:37,830 --> 00:09:41,570 heard the the D O D and others say , we 248 00:09:41,570 --> 00:09:44,470 are open to discussions and 249 00:09:44,470 --> 00:09:47,260 communication with North Korea with no 250 00:09:47,260 --> 00:09:49,482 strings attached . But at this point in 251 00:09:49,482 --> 00:09:52,070 time , North Korea has chosen to not do 252 00:09:52,070 --> 00:09:54,292 so and so we will continue to work very 253 00:09:54,292 --> 00:09:56,850 closely uh to try to ensure the safety 254 00:09:56,860 --> 00:09:59,250 and security and stability of the indo 255 00:09:59,250 --> 00:10:01,417 pacific region . Thank you . Let me go 256 00:10:01,417 --> 00:10:04,670 to will . So um two questions if I may 257 00:10:04,680 --> 00:10:06,736 um , on the Bradleys understand that 258 00:10:06,736 --> 00:10:08,902 most of the details are gonna come out 259 00:10:08,902 --> 00:10:11,124 tomorrow , but is it possible to say at 260 00:10:11,124 --> 00:10:10,470 this point how they're going to be 261 00:10:10,470 --> 00:10:13,140 armed , will they have the 25 262 00:10:13,140 --> 00:10:16,130 millimeter cannon toes all that or ? Um , 263 00:10:17,100 --> 00:10:20,790 yeah , so , um , well at the at the 264 00:10:20,800 --> 00:10:22,411 risk of getting ahead of the 265 00:10:22,411 --> 00:10:24,578 announcement , I'll we'll provide more 266 00:10:24,578 --> 00:10:27,290 details later on that . Again , I can 267 00:10:27,290 --> 00:10:29,457 say broadly speaking , this will be an 268 00:10:29,457 --> 00:10:32,610 armed capability uh that will be able 269 00:10:32,610 --> 00:10:36,120 to carry uh mechanized infantry into 270 00:10:36,120 --> 00:10:39,450 battle uh and again afford protection 271 00:10:39,450 --> 00:10:41,710 on the battlefield under combat 272 00:10:41,720 --> 00:10:43,990 conditions . And the second question 273 00:10:44,000 --> 00:10:46,340 has the US noticed retracting kind of 274 00:10:46,340 --> 00:10:48,562 build up of Russian forces in Belarus . 275 00:10:48,562 --> 00:10:50,900 And if so does that , is that a threat 276 00:10:50,900 --> 00:10:53,530 of a potential new front in the war ? 277 00:10:53,540 --> 00:10:56,160 So uh , you know , we we continue to 278 00:10:56,160 --> 00:10:59,500 monitor Belarus very closely at this 279 00:10:59,500 --> 00:11:01,389 time . You know , again , without 280 00:11:01,389 --> 00:11:03,444 getting into specific intelligence , 281 00:11:03,444 --> 00:11:05,556 it's our assessment uh that there are 282 00:11:05,556 --> 00:11:07,778 there are no indications that right now 283 00:11:07,778 --> 00:11:09,889 that will be or that the Russians are 284 00:11:09,889 --> 00:11:12,167 intending to use that as another front . 285 00:11:12,167 --> 00:11:14,278 But again , we'll continue to monitor 286 00:11:14,278 --> 00:11:16,167 that very closely as I know , the 287 00:11:16,167 --> 00:11:18,333 Ukrainians are as well . Thanks carl . 288 00:11:18,333 --> 00:11:21,230 Thanks . Um , just to follow up on 289 00:11:21,380 --> 00:11:23,436 Russian , President Vladimir Putin's 290 00:11:23,436 --> 00:11:25,602 call for a cease fire , what does this 291 00:11:25,602 --> 00:11:27,547 building think about that Orthodox 292 00:11:27,547 --> 00:11:29,713 christmas ceasefire ? Is it a credible 293 00:11:29,713 --> 00:11:31,970 call ? Do you see any indications that 294 00:11:31,970 --> 00:11:34,081 they are going to honor that and that 295 00:11:34,081 --> 00:11:36,359 they will potentially extend it ? Yeah , 296 00:11:36,359 --> 00:11:38,470 Well , we've certainly seen the press 297 00:11:38,470 --> 00:11:40,000 reports , uh and we'll see 298 00:11:40,010 --> 00:11:42,260 understandably . I think that there's 299 00:11:42,270 --> 00:11:44,690 significant skepticism both here in the 300 00:11:44,690 --> 00:11:47,000 U . S . And around the world right now , 301 00:11:47,000 --> 00:11:49,650 given Russia's long track record of 302 00:11:49,650 --> 00:11:52,080 propaganda disinformation and its 303 00:11:52,080 --> 00:11:55,080 relentless attacks against Ukrainian 304 00:11:55,080 --> 00:11:57,550 cities and civilians . So , of course , 305 00:11:57,950 --> 00:12:00,172 uh from our perspective , if Russia was 306 00:12:00,172 --> 00:12:02,270 truly interested in ceasing the 307 00:12:02,270 --> 00:12:04,620 violence and the bloodshed that they 308 00:12:04,620 --> 00:12:08,130 have brought to Ukraine's people , uh 309 00:12:08,140 --> 00:12:10,500 they would pull out of Ukraine 310 00:12:10,510 --> 00:12:13,790 immediately . Um , and uh 311 00:12:14,370 --> 00:12:16,592 and end this war altogether right now . 312 00:12:16,592 --> 00:12:18,620 But it appears that will not be the 313 00:12:18,620 --> 00:12:20,842 case . So our focus will continue to be 314 00:12:20,842 --> 00:12:23,064 on supporting Ukraine with the security 315 00:12:23,064 --> 00:12:24,953 assistance needs as they fight to 316 00:12:24,953 --> 00:12:27,140 defend their country . When you say , 317 00:12:27,140 --> 00:12:30,060 skepticism are is their skepticism that 318 00:12:30,060 --> 00:12:31,782 they won't honor it ? Or is it 319 00:12:31,782 --> 00:12:33,893 skepticism that they will use that to 320 00:12:33,893 --> 00:12:36,060 reinforce their troops and to build up 321 00:12:36,060 --> 00:12:38,880 or is it a little bit of a um I'll just 322 00:12:38,880 --> 00:12:40,970 say that , you know , while Russia 323 00:12:40,970 --> 00:12:43,026 seems to be pretty good at exporting 324 00:12:43,026 --> 00:12:45,248 violence . They don't seem to be pretty 325 00:12:45,248 --> 00:12:47,303 good at exporting the truth . And so 326 00:12:47,303 --> 00:12:50,940 we'll see . Thank you . Alright . See , 327 00:12:50,950 --> 00:12:53,740 uh , one more question on the Bradleys . 328 00:12:53,750 --> 00:12:56,090 Us officials in the past have cited 329 00:12:56,460 --> 00:12:58,690 potential logistical challenges that 330 00:12:58,690 --> 00:13:00,634 might come with providing advanced 331 00:13:00,634 --> 00:13:02,412 armored capabilities . Is there 332 00:13:02,412 --> 00:13:04,468 something that has changed ? Or does 333 00:13:04,468 --> 00:13:06,690 this announcement indicate that the U . 334 00:13:06,690 --> 00:13:08,746 S . Is at least quite confident that 335 00:13:08,746 --> 00:13:10,968 the Ukrainians will be able to make use 336 00:13:10,968 --> 00:13:10,870 of these and sustain them in the field 337 00:13:10,870 --> 00:13:12,870 and be able to project the fuel and 338 00:13:12,870 --> 00:13:15,037 other things necessary to keep them in 339 00:13:15,037 --> 00:13:17,259 the fight at this point . Sure . Well , 340 00:13:17,259 --> 00:13:19,314 you know , we've said all along that 341 00:13:19,314 --> 00:13:18,865 we're going to continue to work closely 342 00:13:18,865 --> 00:13:20,809 with Ukraine and our international 343 00:13:20,809 --> 00:13:22,825 allies and partners to discuss 344 00:13:22,825 --> 00:13:25,235 Ukraine's needs as the situation on the 345 00:13:25,235 --> 00:13:27,385 battlefield evolves . Uh , and we've 346 00:13:27,385 --> 00:13:29,385 also been clear that we're going to 347 00:13:29,385 --> 00:13:32,025 continue to adapt to the challenge and 348 00:13:32,025 --> 00:13:34,247 keep all options on the table , both in 349 00:13:34,247 --> 00:13:36,358 the near medium and long term when it 350 00:13:36,358 --> 00:13:38,525 comes to Ukraine's defense . And so as 351 00:13:38,525 --> 00:13:40,358 I , as I mentioned to lead to um 352 00:13:40,358 --> 00:13:43,420 operations and maintenance are aspects 353 00:13:43,420 --> 00:13:45,600 that will be incorporated into 354 00:13:45,600 --> 00:13:47,670 providing the Ukrainians with this 355 00:13:47,670 --> 00:13:50,040 capability . They are significant 356 00:13:50,050 --> 00:13:52,060 aspects of considering any type of 357 00:13:52,060 --> 00:13:54,520 weapons system or equipment that we 358 00:13:54,520 --> 00:13:58,070 give to to Ukraine . Uh , and so , um , 359 00:13:58,080 --> 00:14:00,024 in the case of the Bradleys , as I 360 00:14:00,024 --> 00:14:02,247 mentioned , that will be something that 361 00:14:02,247 --> 00:14:04,580 we , that we do and support . And again , 362 00:14:04,580 --> 00:14:06,691 we'll have more details in the coming 363 00:14:06,691 --> 00:14:09,024 days on that timing significant is this , 364 00:14:09,024 --> 00:14:11,560 um , being decided on now is because 365 00:14:11,560 --> 00:14:13,650 it's deemed that'll be particularly 366 00:14:13,650 --> 00:14:15,817 helpful in the winter or anything like 367 00:14:15,817 --> 00:14:18,230 that . Well , again , as I , as I , as 368 00:14:18,230 --> 00:14:20,230 you look at the battlefield and you 369 00:14:20,230 --> 00:14:22,452 look at how this fight has evolved from 370 00:14:22,452 --> 00:14:24,440 the early days . You know , of the 371 00:14:24,450 --> 00:14:27,670 artillery barrages to air defense too , 372 00:14:27,840 --> 00:14:30,300 largely being static along that front 373 00:14:30,300 --> 00:14:33,100 line providing this capability provides 374 00:14:33,100 --> 00:14:35,310 both offensive and a defensive 375 00:14:35,310 --> 00:14:37,540 capability to the Ukrainians to be able 376 00:14:37,540 --> 00:14:39,380 to change the equation on the 377 00:14:39,380 --> 00:14:42,220 battlefield . And so , um , we are 378 00:14:42,220 --> 00:14:44,387 going to continue to talk closely with 379 00:14:44,387 --> 00:14:46,609 them about what they need . We're going 380 00:14:46,609 --> 00:14:48,831 to continue to look at the situation on 381 00:14:48,831 --> 00:14:50,887 the ground and and do what we can do 382 00:14:50,887 --> 00:14:53,053 that's gonna help them the most , um , 383 00:14:53,053 --> 00:14:55,220 to defend their nation . So thanks . A 384 00:14:55,220 --> 00:14:57,276 White House statement this afternoon 385 00:14:57,276 --> 00:14:59,387 said that Germany was going to donate 386 00:14:59,387 --> 00:15:01,720 an additional patriot system to Ukraine . 387 00:15:01,720 --> 00:15:03,887 Should we be looking for ? Or is there 388 00:15:03,887 --> 00:15:03,750 an anticipation that there will be 389 00:15:03,750 --> 00:15:05,917 additional patriot systems from either 390 00:15:05,917 --> 00:15:08,139 the US or other allies going to Ukraine 391 00:15:08,139 --> 00:15:09,861 in the near future ? Yeah , we 392 00:15:09,861 --> 00:15:11,806 certainly welcome that news . Um , 393 00:15:11,806 --> 00:15:14,260 again , the United States , uh , and as 394 00:15:14,260 --> 00:15:16,371 evidenced by Germany's announcement , 395 00:15:16,570 --> 00:15:19,280 um , are all committed to providing 396 00:15:19,290 --> 00:15:21,730 Ukraine with air defense capabilities 397 00:15:21,740 --> 00:15:23,740 that are going to help them protect 398 00:15:23,740 --> 00:15:25,684 their , their population , protect 399 00:15:25,684 --> 00:15:27,790 their forces as they defend against 400 00:15:27,790 --> 00:15:31,240 Russia , uh , in terms of , uh , any 401 00:15:31,240 --> 00:15:33,184 additional patriots , I don't have 402 00:15:33,184 --> 00:15:35,462 anything to announce right now . Again , 403 00:15:35,462 --> 00:15:37,073 we'll continue to have those 404 00:15:37,073 --> 00:15:39,129 discussions . um as you know , we've 405 00:15:39,129 --> 00:15:41,240 already provided and will continue to 406 00:15:41,240 --> 00:15:43,240 provide a significant amount of air 407 00:15:43,240 --> 00:15:45,407 defense capability to Ukraine . Um but 408 00:15:45,407 --> 00:15:47,407 as far as other countries go well , 409 00:15:47,407 --> 00:15:49,629 we'll let them make those announcements 410 00:15:49,629 --> 00:15:51,851 on their own . Thank you . Can you give 411 00:15:51,851 --> 00:15:53,830 us an overview of US training , 412 00:15:53,840 --> 00:15:56,510 maintenance , sustainment help to the 413 00:15:56,510 --> 00:15:58,621 Ukrainians for their weapons system , 414 00:15:58,621 --> 00:16:01,055 How many U . S . Troops are involved ? 415 00:16:01,065 --> 00:16:04,475 Um how many facilities in europe is it 416 00:16:04,475 --> 00:16:06,586 just graphing were or are there other 417 00:16:06,586 --> 00:16:08,995 places ? How many Ukrainians are we 418 00:16:08,995 --> 00:16:11,115 training ? And do you expect an 419 00:16:11,125 --> 00:16:13,745 increase in U . S . Presence to help 420 00:16:13,755 --> 00:16:16,235 train the Ukrainians on the Bradleys ? 421 00:16:16,245 --> 00:16:19,505 Yeah . So uh there's a lot there . So 422 00:16:19,505 --> 00:16:22,055 let me try to to break it down as best 423 00:16:22,055 --> 00:16:25,060 I can for you . Um So on the U . S . 424 00:16:25,060 --> 00:16:27,770 Side , as you know , prior to our 425 00:16:27,770 --> 00:16:30,340 announcement last month , our training 426 00:16:30,340 --> 00:16:34,080 focus uh since the invasion has been on 427 00:16:34,090 --> 00:16:36,310 providing training for equipment and 428 00:16:36,310 --> 00:16:38,390 the specific equipment , the systems 429 00:16:38,390 --> 00:16:40,612 that we've provided to the Ukrainians . 430 00:16:40,612 --> 00:16:42,668 And so on that front , we've trained 431 00:16:42,668 --> 00:16:44,940 approximately 3100 Ukrainians so far 432 00:16:44,940 --> 00:16:48,770 since uh since april um writ large , 433 00:16:48,770 --> 00:16:50,720 when you look at the international 434 00:16:50,730 --> 00:16:54,420 effort to train Ukrainian forces , I 435 00:16:54,430 --> 00:16:57,020 would estimate about 12,000 across , 436 00:16:57,030 --> 00:16:59,197 you know internationally when it comes 437 00:16:59,197 --> 00:17:01,770 to training Ukraine on a variety of 438 00:17:01,770 --> 00:17:04,010 things to include uh collective 439 00:17:04,010 --> 00:17:07,700 training um in other countries . So 440 00:17:07,710 --> 00:17:10,140 break break now with the U . S . 441 00:17:10,150 --> 00:17:13,540 Stepping up its um combined arms and 442 00:17:13,540 --> 00:17:15,650 joint maneuver training which will 443 00:17:15,650 --> 00:17:18,430 begin this month uh likely in a couple 444 00:17:18,430 --> 00:17:21,080 of weeks in Germany we will train 445 00:17:21,080 --> 00:17:23,510 approximately 500 Ukrainian forces at 446 00:17:23,510 --> 00:17:27,270 the battalion level uh each month . So 447 00:17:27,280 --> 00:17:30,380 um again we'll continue to keep you 448 00:17:30,380 --> 00:17:33,560 updated . Is that that program develops 449 00:17:33,570 --> 00:17:36,960 but that is going to provide them with 450 00:17:36,970 --> 00:17:39,192 advanced training . Again training that 451 00:17:39,192 --> 00:17:41,081 we have been providing before the 452 00:17:41,081 --> 00:17:43,303 invasion . That that was we had to stop 453 00:17:43,303 --> 00:17:45,470 doing because of the invasion . Um but 454 00:17:45,470 --> 00:17:47,692 this will give them enhanced capability 455 00:17:47,692 --> 00:17:49,803 to operate at the battalion level and 456 00:17:49,803 --> 00:17:51,914 combined arms , which again will give 457 00:17:51,914 --> 00:17:54,192 them a an advantage on the battlefield . 458 00:17:54,192 --> 00:17:56,359 Thank you . And if I could just follow 459 00:17:56,359 --> 00:17:55,410 up , I had a couple of questions about 460 00:17:55,420 --> 00:17:58,760 the Gaming commission . Um are you , is 461 00:17:58,760 --> 00:18:00,982 the pentagon confident that it can meet 462 00:18:00,982 --> 00:18:03,204 that deadline ? You have like less than 463 00:18:03,204 --> 00:18:05,316 a year now to rename these bases like 464 00:18:05,316 --> 00:18:08,440 brag and um these other properties um 465 00:18:08,450 --> 00:18:10,506 can be more complicated than what it 466 00:18:10,506 --> 00:18:12,728 first appears . And secondly , is there 467 00:18:12,728 --> 00:18:14,910 a cost figure associated with the 468 00:18:14,910 --> 00:18:17,290 entirety of renaming all this stuff ? 469 00:18:17,300 --> 00:18:19,633 Does he have his own figure ? Excuse me . 470 00:18:19,633 --> 00:18:22,420 Um Thanks Travis . So um 471 00:18:23,240 --> 00:18:25,720 we will come back to you on the on the 472 00:18:25,720 --> 00:18:27,942 total cost . I don't have that in front 473 00:18:27,942 --> 00:18:30,164 of me here . Let me just check . Yeah , 474 00:18:30,164 --> 00:18:32,387 I don't have that in front of me here . 475 00:18:32,387 --> 00:18:34,442 So we'll come back to you on that in 476 00:18:34,442 --> 00:18:36,664 terms of the confidence ? Yes , I think 477 00:18:36,664 --> 00:18:38,831 we are confident uh you know , each of 478 00:18:38,831 --> 00:18:41,200 the services has has clear instructions 479 00:18:41,200 --> 00:18:43,311 in terms of what it is that they need 480 00:18:43,311 --> 00:18:45,478 to focus on uh and where the secretary 481 00:18:45,478 --> 00:18:47,890 is confident that the services are and 482 00:18:47,890 --> 00:18:50,057 will continue to take that seriously . 483 00:18:50,057 --> 00:18:52,410 So as things progressed , certainly I 484 00:18:52,410 --> 00:18:54,354 would encourage you to to maintain 485 00:18:54,354 --> 00:18:56,521 contact with the individual branches . 486 00:18:56,521 --> 00:18:58,632 Um and certainly we'll do our best to 487 00:18:58,632 --> 00:19:00,799 keep you updated as well . Thank you . 488 00:19:00,930 --> 00:19:04,080 Uh Thanks General . Uh Ukrainian 489 00:19:04,080 --> 00:19:06,024 defense officials have been really 490 00:19:06,024 --> 00:19:08,080 raising the point for months that if 491 00:19:08,080 --> 00:19:10,136 the United States sent tanks , other 492 00:19:10,136 --> 00:19:12,380 heavy armor allies like Germany likely 493 00:19:12,380 --> 00:19:14,470 would follow suit . Now we see the 494 00:19:14,480 --> 00:19:16,647 radley announcement and in short order 495 00:19:16,647 --> 00:19:19,070 we see uh Germany and France announced 496 00:19:19,080 --> 00:19:20,636 similar systems or at least 497 00:19:20,636 --> 00:19:23,060 complementary systems also going uh can 498 00:19:23,060 --> 00:19:25,130 you speak at all flesh out a bit the 499 00:19:25,140 --> 00:19:27,770 sort of the larger puzzle here in terms 500 00:19:27,770 --> 00:19:29,826 of how these systems work together , 501 00:19:29,826 --> 00:19:32,048 how these systems are likely to kind of 502 00:19:32,048 --> 00:19:34,380 form a larger constellation that will 503 00:19:34,380 --> 00:19:37,670 assist the effort . Sure . Um I think , 504 00:19:37,680 --> 00:19:40,630 you know , bigger picture as you've 505 00:19:40,640 --> 00:19:42,740 looked at this campaign continue to 506 00:19:42,740 --> 00:19:45,170 evolve . Uh and you've heard Secretary 507 00:19:45,170 --> 00:19:47,580 Austin talk about this , the leadership 508 00:19:47,590 --> 00:19:49,950 role that the United States has played 509 00:19:49,950 --> 00:19:53,380 in helping uh to work closely with NATO 510 00:19:53,380 --> 00:19:55,436 and our international allies and our 511 00:19:55,436 --> 00:19:58,220 and our partners on looking at what 512 00:19:58,220 --> 00:20:00,840 Ukraine's needs are looking at , how we 513 00:20:00,840 --> 00:20:03,190 can best support as an international 514 00:20:03,190 --> 00:20:05,920 community uh and doing that in a way 515 00:20:05,920 --> 00:20:09,810 that is more comprehensive and and more 516 00:20:09,820 --> 00:20:12,000 integrated Vice , just individual 517 00:20:12,000 --> 00:20:14,820 pieces and parts being provided . And 518 00:20:14,820 --> 00:20:16,930 so the Ukraine Defense Contact group 519 00:20:16,940 --> 00:20:18,996 has played an important role in that 520 00:20:18,996 --> 00:20:21,060 regard , which brings , you know , 521 00:20:21,070 --> 00:20:23,310 nearly 50 nations together on a near 522 00:20:23,310 --> 00:20:25,770 monthly basis to look at Ukraine's 523 00:20:25,770 --> 00:20:28,610 needs to figure out what are the most 524 00:20:28,620 --> 00:20:30,787 urgent needs in the in the near term . 525 00:20:30,787 --> 00:20:32,953 But then also as I mentioned , discuss 526 00:20:32,953 --> 00:20:35,680 in the medium to long term . And so uh 527 00:20:35,690 --> 00:20:37,912 all of this at the end of the day comes 528 00:20:37,912 --> 00:20:39,801 when when we're talking about the 529 00:20:39,801 --> 00:20:42,023 Ukrainian armed forces comes back to uh 530 00:20:42,023 --> 00:20:44,246 in addition to the air defense aspect , 531 00:20:44,246 --> 00:20:46,357 but also the combined arms capability 532 00:20:46,357 --> 00:20:48,523 uh to be employed on the battlefield . 533 00:20:48,523 --> 00:20:51,190 So integrating ground and air 534 00:20:51,190 --> 00:20:54,760 capabilities to to not only defend but 535 00:20:54,760 --> 00:20:57,500 also to take back territory . I think a 536 00:20:57,500 --> 00:20:59,611 logical follow up question that a lot 537 00:20:59,611 --> 00:21:01,611 of our readers have is what took so 538 00:21:01,611 --> 00:21:04,160 long not to put 2.25 of a point on it . 539 00:21:04,170 --> 00:21:06,392 But can you explain a bit like what the 540 00:21:06,392 --> 00:21:08,448 inflection point is here in terms of 541 00:21:08,448 --> 00:21:10,448 why now when you know this has been 542 00:21:10,448 --> 00:21:12,670 sort of a standing request for months ? 543 00:21:12,670 --> 00:21:14,837 Yeah , well I think if you go back , I 544 00:21:14,837 --> 00:21:17,440 mean understandably , um if you look at 545 00:21:17,440 --> 00:21:19,607 the request we're going to continue to 546 00:21:19,607 --> 00:21:21,890 work closely with Ukraine on the 547 00:21:21,890 --> 00:21:24,112 situation based on the situation on the 548 00:21:24,112 --> 00:21:26,334 ground . What are the most urgent needs 549 00:21:26,334 --> 00:21:28,390 and what can we as the United States 550 00:21:28,390 --> 00:21:28,180 and the international community , get 551 00:21:28,180 --> 00:21:31,380 to them . Um things like the Bradleys , 552 00:21:31,380 --> 00:21:33,269 Things like the patriot which are 553 00:21:33,269 --> 00:21:36,420 complex systems um are going to require 554 00:21:36,430 --> 00:21:39,590 a training and in operations tail . And 555 00:21:39,590 --> 00:21:41,730 so I think , you know , clearly we're 556 00:21:41,730 --> 00:21:44,010 at a point in this battle where we're 557 00:21:44,010 --> 00:21:46,121 going to be able to provide that kind 558 00:21:46,121 --> 00:21:47,954 of training to enable Ukraine to 559 00:21:47,954 --> 00:21:50,121 sustain those kinds of systems so that 560 00:21:50,121 --> 00:21:52,010 they can focus on defending their 561 00:21:52,010 --> 00:21:54,232 country and taking back territory early 562 00:21:54,232 --> 00:21:56,570 in this campaign , when Russia was on 563 00:21:56,570 --> 00:21:58,792 the doorstep of Kiev , a much different 564 00:21:58,792 --> 00:22:01,580 situation . Things like long term 565 00:22:01,580 --> 00:22:03,636 sustainment and logistics would be a 566 00:22:03,636 --> 00:22:06,280 much more complex undertaking . And so 567 00:22:06,290 --> 00:22:08,401 again , we're talking about sovereign 568 00:22:08,401 --> 00:22:10,290 decisions by individual countries 569 00:22:10,290 --> 00:22:12,780 around the world coming together uh to 570 00:22:12,780 --> 00:22:15,010 support Ukraine and making those 571 00:22:15,010 --> 00:22:17,490 decisions , but we're doing it in a way 572 00:22:17,490 --> 00:22:20,650 that is unified uh and and 573 00:22:20,660 --> 00:22:23,240 coordinated to give Ukraine the best 574 00:22:23,240 --> 00:22:25,184 chance possible of defending their 575 00:22:25,184 --> 00:22:27,351 homeland . Thank you very much , sir . 576 00:22:27,351 --> 00:22:29,462 Thank you . General . So on the phone 577 00:22:29,462 --> 00:22:31,296 call yesterday between Secretary 578 00:22:31,296 --> 00:22:33,840 Allison and his Israeli counterpart , I 579 00:22:33,850 --> 00:22:36,910 mean , um why did the Secretary feel 580 00:22:36,910 --> 00:22:39,960 the need to basically 581 00:22:39,960 --> 00:22:42,690 communicate to the Israeli Minister of 582 00:22:42,690 --> 00:22:45,780 Defense ? Uh the need to avoid policies 583 00:22:45,780 --> 00:22:47,836 as as the statements that that could 584 00:22:47,836 --> 00:22:50,058 undermine security and and stability in 585 00:22:50,058 --> 00:22:52,224 the West Bank . Are there any specific 586 00:22:52,224 --> 00:22:54,113 policies that he raised with with 587 00:22:54,113 --> 00:22:56,280 Minister gallant uh if you can give us 588 00:22:56,280 --> 00:22:59,510 some some details and on the on Ukraine , 589 00:22:59,520 --> 00:23:01,900 uh any update on the patriot system , 590 00:23:01,900 --> 00:23:04,710 especially on the training uh for the 591 00:23:04,710 --> 00:23:07,100 Ukrainian forces . Thank you . Sure . 592 00:23:07,110 --> 00:23:11,050 Um so on the call with the minister , 593 00:23:11,060 --> 00:23:13,004 um , you know , I'm not gonna have 594 00:23:13,004 --> 00:23:15,116 anything to provide beyond what we've 595 00:23:15,116 --> 00:23:16,838 included in our readout . Uh , 596 00:23:16,838 --> 00:23:19,290 certainly we understand Israel's self 597 00:23:19,290 --> 00:23:21,690 defense needs . Uh and you know , our 598 00:23:21,690 --> 00:23:23,857 focus is on continuing to work closely 599 00:23:23,857 --> 00:23:25,746 with them to ensure stability and 600 00:23:25,746 --> 00:23:28,090 security in the region . But I would 601 00:23:28,090 --> 00:23:30,312 refer you back to the read out in terms 602 00:23:30,312 --> 00:23:34,160 of the patriots . Uh , the details on 603 00:23:34,550 --> 00:23:36,550 the training of the patriot missile 604 00:23:36,550 --> 00:23:38,760 systems are still being worked out in 605 00:23:38,760 --> 00:23:40,538 coordination with our Ukrainian 606 00:23:40,538 --> 00:23:42,593 partners . I can tell you that we're 607 00:23:42,593 --> 00:23:45,200 exploring a variety of options to 608 00:23:45,200 --> 00:23:47,367 include potential training here in the 609 00:23:47,367 --> 00:23:49,422 U . S . Overseas or a combination of 610 00:23:49,422 --> 00:23:51,478 both . So we'll continue to keep you 611 00:23:51,478 --> 00:23:53,200 updated and and as we have new 612 00:23:53,200 --> 00:23:55,367 information to provide , we'll be sure 613 00:23:55,367 --> 00:23:58,290 to do that . For the first question . I 614 00:23:58,300 --> 00:24:00,411 wasn't asking about the statement was 615 00:24:00,411 --> 00:24:02,550 clear on uh not only understanding 616 00:24:02,550 --> 00:24:04,772 Israel's need , but ironclad commitment 617 00:24:04,772 --> 00:24:06,890 for security . This is something 618 00:24:06,900 --> 00:24:08,900 different . I'm asking specifically 619 00:24:08,900 --> 00:24:12,330 about something that this statement put 620 00:24:12,330 --> 00:24:14,130 out there that the secretary 621 00:24:14,130 --> 00:24:16,320 communicated clearly to his Israeli 622 00:24:16,320 --> 00:24:18,264 counterpart that need to avoid any 623 00:24:18,264 --> 00:24:21,860 policies , policies that would 624 00:24:21,870 --> 00:24:24,092 undermine security and stability in the 625 00:24:24,092 --> 00:24:26,259 West Bank . I'm assuming we're talking 626 00:24:26,259 --> 00:24:28,426 about Israeli policies that could lead 627 00:24:28,426 --> 00:24:30,481 to this . Right ? Yeah , I think the 628 00:24:30,481 --> 00:24:32,481 words speak for themselves . So you 629 00:24:32,481 --> 00:24:34,703 don't have any additional like in terms 630 00:24:34,703 --> 00:24:36,870 of what policies specifically though . 631 00:24:37,890 --> 00:24:39,946 Thank you . Do you have any more , a 632 00:24:39,946 --> 00:24:42,001 little bit more details on the Japan 633 00:24:42,001 --> 00:24:44,057 and the US too close to the Director 634 00:24:44,057 --> 00:24:46,950 Minister meeting like expectations for 635 00:24:46,950 --> 00:24:48,950 discussion especially on the topics 636 00:24:48,950 --> 00:24:52,830 like china Taiwan north Korea . Yeah , 637 00:24:52,840 --> 00:24:54,896 thanks for the question . So again , 638 00:24:54,896 --> 00:24:56,784 we'll be we'll be sure to provide 639 00:24:56,784 --> 00:24:58,840 additional information following the 640 00:24:58,840 --> 00:25:00,729 event . I don't have much more to 641 00:25:00,729 --> 00:25:03,700 provide beyond what I what I gave to 642 00:25:03,700 --> 00:25:05,922 you in my opening comments . Again , we 643 00:25:05,922 --> 00:25:08,710 consider Japan to be one of our very 644 00:25:08,710 --> 00:25:10,910 closest allies in the region . The 645 00:25:10,920 --> 00:25:12,920 secretary looks very forward to his 646 00:25:12,920 --> 00:25:15,000 engagements with his Japanese 647 00:25:15,000 --> 00:25:17,580 counterpart . And so again , we'll be 648 00:25:17,580 --> 00:25:19,247 sure to provide you with more 649 00:25:19,247 --> 00:25:21,580 information once we have that available . 650 00:25:21,580 --> 00:25:23,747 Thank you very much sir . Is there any 651 00:25:23,747 --> 00:25:25,858 connection between the administration 652 00:25:25,858 --> 00:25:27,802 announcing the Bradley uh security 653 00:25:27,802 --> 00:25:29,858 package and the french president and 654 00:25:29,858 --> 00:25:31,969 earlier announcing that they would be 655 00:25:31,969 --> 00:25:34,590 sending the the AMX 10 light tank too ? 656 00:25:35,290 --> 00:25:37,670 Yeah , I'm not gonna . 657 00:25:38,320 --> 00:25:40,960 Yeah , I mean again , I think what 658 00:25:40,960 --> 00:25:44,470 you're seeing mike is again the uh the 659 00:25:44,480 --> 00:25:46,120 international effort and the 660 00:25:46,120 --> 00:25:48,670 international desire to support Ukraine . 661 00:25:48,680 --> 00:25:50,791 Clearly we communicate regularly with 662 00:25:50,791 --> 00:25:53,600 our allies and our partners . Uh and so 663 00:25:53,610 --> 00:25:55,610 um I'll allow France and Germany to 664 00:25:55,610 --> 00:25:57,666 speak for themselves in terms of the 665 00:25:57,666 --> 00:25:59,890 specific timing uh and again more to 666 00:25:59,890 --> 00:26:02,340 follow in terms of our security 667 00:26:02,340 --> 00:26:04,229 assistance package announcement . 668 00:26:04,229 --> 00:26:06,229 Thanks very much . Let me go to the 669 00:26:06,229 --> 00:26:08,118 phone here . I've been re missing 670 00:26:08,118 --> 00:26:10,118 talking to our friends on the phone 671 00:26:10,118 --> 00:26:12,284 here . So let me first go to jasmine , 672 00:26:12,284 --> 00:26:14,507 jasmine Anderson from Radio Free Asia . 673 00:26:15,630 --> 00:26:18,000 Um thank you for taking my question . 674 00:26:18,010 --> 00:26:20,770 I'd like to ask if there's an update on 675 00:26:20,780 --> 00:26:23,450 north Korea selling arms to Russia . 676 00:26:23,460 --> 00:26:25,730 Has there any has any further 677 00:26:25,730 --> 00:26:27,900 transactions been observed ? And is 678 00:26:27,900 --> 00:26:29,956 there any new activity ? Thank you . 679 00:26:30,340 --> 00:26:33,300 Yeah thanks . Um no updates to provide 680 00:26:33,300 --> 00:26:35,467 beyond what we've already talked about 681 00:26:35,467 --> 00:26:37,900 again . We we have seen uh Russia's 682 00:26:37,910 --> 00:26:41,860 intent to acquire artillery and ammo 683 00:26:41,860 --> 00:26:44,230 from from north Korea but but no new 684 00:26:44,230 --> 00:26:46,452 updates to provide on that that front . 685 00:26:46,452 --> 00:26:49,870 Thank you . Let me go to Rio Nakamura 686 00:26:49,870 --> 00:26:53,810 nikkei . I thank you very much for 687 00:26:53,810 --> 00:26:56,210 taking my question . The National 688 00:26:56,210 --> 00:26:59,530 Defense authorization Act establishes a 689 00:26:59,530 --> 00:27:01,641 new security assets stance program to 690 00:27:01,650 --> 00:27:05,060 help Taiwan procure us weapons systems 691 00:27:05,060 --> 00:27:08,380 and equipment . Are you confident that 692 00:27:08,390 --> 00:27:10,940 the U . S . Can deliver new weapon 693 00:27:10,940 --> 00:27:13,990 systems and equipment quickly and in a 694 00:27:13,990 --> 00:27:16,840 timely manner despite the fact that 695 00:27:16,850 --> 00:27:20,150 there are many items that have not been 696 00:27:20,150 --> 00:27:22,840 delivered to Taiwan yet . Even at this 697 00:27:22,840 --> 00:27:25,520 moment . Thank you very much . Thanks 698 00:27:25,520 --> 00:27:29,140 Rio . Um so so in terms of the 699 00:27:29,150 --> 00:27:32,030 specifics and timelines on foreign 700 00:27:32,030 --> 00:27:34,050 military sales or foreign military 701 00:27:34,050 --> 00:27:36,710 financing as it relates to Taiwan . I 702 00:27:36,720 --> 00:27:38,942 would refer you to the State Department 703 00:27:38,942 --> 00:27:40,942 for that . We do at the D . O . D . 704 00:27:40,942 --> 00:27:42,942 Appreciate Congress working closely 705 00:27:42,942 --> 00:27:45,600 with us to support Taiwan and its Self 706 00:27:45,600 --> 00:27:47,711 defense in line with our longstanding 707 00:27:47,711 --> 00:27:49,878 commitments under the Taiwan relations 708 00:27:49,878 --> 00:27:52,800 act uh and and our efforts to reinforce 709 00:27:52,810 --> 00:27:55,070 deterrence across the strait and build 710 00:27:55,070 --> 00:27:57,181 Taiwan's resilience and in meaningful 711 00:27:57,181 --> 00:28:00,390 ways as you highlight the N . D . A . 712 00:28:00,390 --> 00:28:03,310 And the omnibus appropriations bill do 713 00:28:03,310 --> 00:28:05,870 reflect that support uh for Taiwan 714 00:28:05,870 --> 00:28:08,780 remains rock solid and bipartisan . So 715 00:28:08,790 --> 00:28:10,901 we'll continue to keep you updated in 716 00:28:10,901 --> 00:28:13,234 the in the days ahead . But beyond that , 717 00:28:13,234 --> 00:28:15,123 I'm not gonna have any additional 718 00:28:15,123 --> 00:28:18,660 information . Let me go to Laura just 719 00:28:18,670 --> 00:28:21,120 going off a dance question earlier . Um 720 00:28:21,130 --> 00:28:23,241 Is any how much of this is a reaction 721 00:28:23,241 --> 00:28:25,060 to the concerns that Russia is 722 00:28:25,060 --> 00:28:27,950 preparing a second wave of mobilization 723 00:28:27,950 --> 00:28:30,172 and a new assault on Kiev in the coming 724 00:28:30,172 --> 00:28:32,339 weeks and months . And then related to 725 00:28:32,339 --> 00:28:34,394 that . Can you just comment on those 726 00:28:34,394 --> 00:28:36,283 concerns ? Is that something that 727 00:28:36,283 --> 00:28:38,910 you've seen evidence of ? Uh So I would 728 00:28:38,910 --> 00:28:40,966 say we just need to take a step back 729 00:28:40,966 --> 00:28:42,910 and look at this is in response to 730 00:28:42,910 --> 00:28:45,021 Russia invading Ukraine . And we said 731 00:28:45,021 --> 00:28:47,420 all along that we were going to support 732 00:28:47,420 --> 00:28:49,587 Ukraine in their fight to defend their 733 00:28:49,587 --> 00:28:51,620 their territory . And so uh this is 734 00:28:51,620 --> 00:28:55,560 another step in a very uh you 735 00:28:55,560 --> 00:28:58,480 know , a long series of actions or a 736 00:28:58,490 --> 00:29:00,490 large number of actions rather that 737 00:29:00,490 --> 00:29:03,050 we've taken to support Ukraine uh in 738 00:29:03,050 --> 00:29:05,790 terms of offensive operations on the on 739 00:29:05,790 --> 00:29:08,260 the part of Russia . Um I mean the 740 00:29:08,260 --> 00:29:10,204 offensive operation that they took 741 00:29:10,204 --> 00:29:12,260 again was that invasion of Ukraine . 742 00:29:12,260 --> 00:29:14,260 And so they've been very clear that 743 00:29:14,260 --> 00:29:16,482 their goals remain and they're going to 744 00:29:16,482 --> 00:29:18,970 continue to try to take and hold 745 00:29:18,970 --> 00:29:22,350 Ukrainian territory ? So until they 746 00:29:22,350 --> 00:29:25,590 decide to depart Ukraine , we will 747 00:29:25,590 --> 00:29:27,940 continue to support Ukraine in their 748 00:29:27,940 --> 00:29:30,800 fight just to follow up and press you 749 00:29:30,800 --> 00:29:33,850 on that . It's been a lot once in the 750 00:29:33,850 --> 00:29:35,906 last couple of weeks and we have the 751 00:29:35,906 --> 00:29:38,050 patriots , you have Bradley's the AMX 752 00:29:38,050 --> 00:29:40,161 tens of the french were sending , you 753 00:29:40,161 --> 00:29:42,217 have german vehicles . It's a lot at 754 00:29:42,217 --> 00:29:44,328 once . Whereas before we were sort of 755 00:29:44,328 --> 00:29:46,439 doing this incrementally . So can you 756 00:29:46,439 --> 00:29:49,760 speak to that shift ? Um , I mean , I 757 00:29:49,760 --> 00:29:51,427 guess that's just a matter of 758 00:29:51,427 --> 00:29:54,630 perspective . Right ? So again , um , 759 00:29:54,640 --> 00:29:57,260 we're going to continually look at what 760 00:29:57,260 --> 00:29:59,371 their needs are . We're gonna look at 761 00:29:59,371 --> 00:30:01,371 the situation on the ground . We're 762 00:30:01,371 --> 00:30:03,482 gonna look at what's available in our 763 00:30:03,482 --> 00:30:03,290 stocks , what's available throughout 764 00:30:03,290 --> 00:30:05,512 the international community . And we're 765 00:30:05,512 --> 00:30:07,734 gonna make decisions based on a variety 766 00:30:07,734 --> 00:30:09,901 of factors and how best we can support 767 00:30:09,901 --> 00:30:12,123 them . So sometimes you're going to see 768 00:30:12,123 --> 00:30:14,068 those security assistance packages 769 00:30:14,068 --> 00:30:16,012 fluctuate in terms of the level of 770 00:30:16,012 --> 00:30:18,179 equipment or the quantity of equipment 771 00:30:18,179 --> 00:30:21,130 that we provide . So thanks to 772 00:30:21,130 --> 00:30:23,186 different questions first , although 773 00:30:23,186 --> 00:30:24,963 there's no Congress quite yet , 774 00:30:24,963 --> 00:30:26,963 republicans have made it abundantly 775 00:30:26,963 --> 00:30:29,019 clear they intend to investigate the 776 00:30:29,019 --> 00:30:28,880 Afghanistan withdrawal Ukraine aid and 777 00:30:28,880 --> 00:30:31,220 oversight there and other topics . What 778 00:30:31,220 --> 00:30:33,331 steps has the pentagon taken to begin 779 00:30:33,331 --> 00:30:35,387 preparing for these investigations ? 780 00:30:35,387 --> 00:30:37,220 And do you intend to comply with 781 00:30:37,220 --> 00:30:39,442 subpoenas from the oversight committees 782 00:30:39,442 --> 00:30:41,498 and then completely separately . Has 783 00:30:41,498 --> 00:30:43,609 the administration's position shifted 784 00:30:43,609 --> 00:30:45,664 on tanks on Abrams given the Bradley 785 00:30:45,664 --> 00:30:47,887 announcement ? Yeah , so on on the , on 786 00:30:47,887 --> 00:30:50,053 your last question . First again , I I 787 00:30:50,053 --> 00:30:52,276 don't have any additional announcements 788 00:30:52,276 --> 00:30:54,442 to make right now again . Well when we 789 00:30:54,442 --> 00:30:56,276 when we're ready to announce the 790 00:30:56,276 --> 00:30:58,442 security assistance package tomorrow , 791 00:30:58,442 --> 00:31:00,553 we'll certainly have more information 792 00:31:00,553 --> 00:31:02,776 to provide . Um we're going to keep all 793 00:31:02,776 --> 00:31:04,831 options on the table again , both in 794 00:31:04,831 --> 00:31:06,860 the near medium and long term uh in 795 00:31:06,860 --> 00:31:10,280 terms of efforts uh to prepare for 796 00:31:10,290 --> 00:31:12,123 congressional oversight . As you 797 00:31:12,123 --> 00:31:14,179 highlight , I would tell you that uh 798 00:31:14,179 --> 00:31:17,040 the D . O . D . Respects Congress is uh 799 00:31:17,050 --> 00:31:20,440 important oversight rule and always as 800 00:31:20,440 --> 00:31:22,496 always will continue to work closely 801 00:31:22,496 --> 00:31:24,718 with Congress and respond appropriately 802 00:31:24,718 --> 00:31:26,940 to legitimate congressional inquiries . 803 00:31:26,940 --> 00:31:28,996 But beyond that , I'm not gonna have 804 00:31:28,996 --> 00:31:31,051 anything else for you time for a few 805 00:31:31,051 --> 00:31:34,190 more . Yes ma'am , thank you for the 806 00:31:34,200 --> 00:31:36,422 question . I'll direct you follow up on 807 00:31:36,422 --> 00:31:39,410 the upcoming US Japan meeting . So last 808 00:31:39,410 --> 00:31:41,740 month Japan released new strategic 809 00:31:41,750 --> 00:31:44,610 documents including adopting counter 810 00:31:44,610 --> 00:31:47,580 strike capability and establishment of 811 00:31:47,580 --> 00:31:50,900 our new joint command in Japan . So 812 00:31:52,810 --> 00:31:55,980 what kind of discussions do you expect 813 00:31:56,030 --> 00:31:58,150 in order to modernize the US Japan 814 00:31:58,160 --> 00:32:01,230 alliance and integrate US force . And 815 00:32:02,680 --> 00:32:06,140 sure again we'll have much more detail 816 00:32:06,140 --> 00:32:08,150 in the days ahead . I think as I 817 00:32:08,150 --> 00:32:11,890 highlighted , the focus will be looking 818 00:32:11,890 --> 00:32:14,920 at where we can work closely as always 819 00:32:14,920 --> 00:32:17,142 with Japan to modernize the alliance to 820 00:32:17,142 --> 00:32:20,610 take into account uh the regional 821 00:32:20,620 --> 00:32:24,240 security situation as it relates to 822 00:32:24,240 --> 00:32:26,700 china . Um but also as it relates to 823 00:32:26,700 --> 00:32:28,867 working closely with other partners in 824 00:32:28,867 --> 00:32:31,340 the region . Um as we have said many 825 00:32:31,340 --> 00:32:34,060 times before , our focus is on a free 826 00:32:34,060 --> 00:32:36,550 and open indo pacific region and 827 00:32:36,550 --> 00:32:38,661 working with like minded nations like 828 00:32:38,661 --> 00:32:41,220 Japan to ensure that people that 829 00:32:41,230 --> 00:32:43,341 countries can sail the seas , fly the 830 00:32:43,341 --> 00:32:45,650 skies uh and operate wherever 831 00:32:45,650 --> 00:32:48,240 international law allows and so again 832 00:32:48,240 --> 00:32:50,573 much more to come in in the coming days . 833 00:32:50,573 --> 00:32:52,462 But we look very forward to those 834 00:32:52,462 --> 00:32:54,573 discussions . Let me just do a couple 835 00:32:54,573 --> 00:32:57,760 more sir On the F- 35 deliveries of 836 00:32:57,770 --> 00:32:59,881 both the aircraft and the engine have 837 00:32:59,890 --> 00:33:02,320 been halted after the mishap in 838 00:33:02,320 --> 00:33:04,487 December . Um and additionally this is 839 00:33:04,487 --> 00:33:06,653 the second time and a couple of months 840 00:33:06,653 --> 00:33:08,764 deliveries have been halted on the F- 841 00:33:08,764 --> 00:33:10,960 35 . So does the pentagon have any 842 00:33:10,970 --> 00:33:13,890 readiness concerns about your ability 843 00:33:13,900 --> 00:33:16,700 to reliably procure these aircraft 844 00:33:16,710 --> 00:33:20,450 without issue . Um So as you know , the 845 00:33:20,460 --> 00:33:23,710 the joint program office did release a 846 00:33:23,710 --> 00:33:27,040 statement , they have agreed uh with 847 00:33:27,040 --> 00:33:30,210 Pratt and Whitney to uh delay the 848 00:33:30,210 --> 00:33:32,570 scheduled delivery and acceptance of F 849 00:33:32,570 --> 00:33:35,780 1 35 engines until further information 850 00:33:35,780 --> 00:33:37,970 from the investigation is known in 851 00:33:37,970 --> 00:33:40,180 safety of flight can be assured in the 852 00:33:40,180 --> 00:33:42,200 meantime , our F 35 that are in the 853 00:33:42,200 --> 00:33:44,490 operational fleet continue to operate . 854 00:33:44,620 --> 00:33:46,731 Uh So you know , we'll keep an eye on 855 00:33:46,731 --> 00:33:49,070 that and uh you know , continue to keep 856 00:33:49,070 --> 00:33:51,350 you updated . Thanks very much Tony 857 00:33:51,870 --> 00:33:54,060 back in the Bradley Fast , can you 858 00:33:54,060 --> 00:33:56,171 confirm that 50 will be sent over and 859 00:33:56,171 --> 00:33:58,393 will they be from the U . S . Stocks in 860 00:33:58,393 --> 00:34:01,210 the U . S . Or from europe ? Yeah 861 00:34:01,220 --> 00:34:03,340 thanks Tony we'll be sure to provide 862 00:34:03,340 --> 00:34:06,430 you with more information once we're uh 863 00:34:06,440 --> 00:34:08,662 once we make an official announcement , 864 00:34:08,662 --> 00:34:10,884 okay a couple about a month ago you and 865 00:34:10,884 --> 00:34:12,940 I had a colloquy about the abuse and 866 00:34:12,940 --> 00:34:14,884 overuse of controlled unclassified 867 00:34:14,884 --> 00:34:17,170 information . You said at the time you 868 00:34:17,170 --> 00:34:19,700 couldn't comment on pending legislation . 869 00:34:19,710 --> 00:34:23,380 Which okay the president signed the N . 870 00:34:23,380 --> 00:34:25,710 D . A . And then the spending bill . 871 00:34:25,720 --> 00:34:27,942 These are the guys that sign your check 872 00:34:27,942 --> 00:34:31,530 warned of excessive use of see you . I 873 00:34:31,540 --> 00:34:33,760 was going to result in less oversight 874 00:34:33,770 --> 00:34:35,881 and transparency and accountability . 875 00:34:35,881 --> 00:34:38,103 They asked the deputy Defense Secretary 876 00:34:38,103 --> 00:34:40,900 within 30 days to come up with a report 877 00:34:40,900 --> 00:34:43,520 on whether things are being over 878 00:34:43,530 --> 00:34:46,300 overdone . Can you give me a sense of 879 00:34:46,310 --> 00:34:49,810 where that stands and can we expect you 880 00:34:49,810 --> 00:34:51,780 to release that review once it's 881 00:34:51,780 --> 00:34:55,660 completed ? Sure . Um So um yes we 882 00:34:55,660 --> 00:34:57,660 will conduct a review in accordance 883 00:34:57,660 --> 00:35:00,980 with the the uh the act that you 884 00:35:00,980 --> 00:35:03,340 highlighted . Um not going to comment 885 00:35:03,340 --> 00:35:05,340 on the review prior to be completed 886 00:35:05,340 --> 00:35:07,507 that the Deputy Secretary of course is 887 00:35:07,507 --> 00:35:10,520 is tracking that . Um and we will once 888 00:35:10,520 --> 00:35:12,520 we present the findings to Congress 889 00:35:12,520 --> 00:35:14,742 will be in a better position to be able 890 00:35:14,742 --> 00:35:16,853 to talk about . Um you know what that 891 00:35:16,853 --> 00:35:19,600 review will find . I will say broadly 892 00:35:19,600 --> 00:35:22,070 speaking when it comes to uh 893 00:35:22,080 --> 00:35:24,910 information . We do remain committed to 894 00:35:24,910 --> 00:35:27,240 transparency uh to promote 895 00:35:27,250 --> 00:35:29,472 accountability and and public trust and 896 00:35:29,472 --> 00:35:31,361 we have to balance that also with 897 00:35:31,361 --> 00:35:33,320 protecting critical and sensitive 898 00:35:33,320 --> 00:35:36,140 nonpublic information . And you know , 899 00:35:36,150 --> 00:35:38,910 again reflecting back on our previous 900 00:35:38,910 --> 00:35:41,132 conversation now that it is not pending 901 00:35:41,132 --> 00:35:43,299 legislation , I would just point out a 902 00:35:43,299 --> 00:35:45,870 couple of things just to put this into 903 00:35:45,870 --> 00:35:47,981 broader context so context . So first 904 00:35:47,981 --> 00:35:50,148 of all , the classification of C . U . 905 00:35:50,148 --> 00:35:52,481 I . As you know is is not something new . 906 00:35:52,481 --> 00:35:54,890 This was actually enacted in 2010 by 907 00:35:54,890 --> 00:35:57,270 executive order . It was in March of 908 00:35:57,270 --> 00:35:59,159 2020 that the office of the Under 909 00:35:59,159 --> 00:36:01,380 Secretary of Defense for Intelligence 910 00:36:01,380 --> 00:36:04,040 and Security provided implementation 911 00:36:04,040 --> 00:36:07,170 guidance for the department . Uh And in 912 00:36:07,170 --> 00:36:10,250 that policy it specifically prohibits 913 00:36:10,260 --> 00:36:13,140 several things uh specifically 914 00:36:13,140 --> 00:36:15,196 prohibits designating information as 915 00:36:15,196 --> 00:36:18,720 Ceo I uh under certain conditions to 916 00:36:18,720 --> 00:36:22,320 include uh concealing violations of law , 917 00:36:22,320 --> 00:36:24,487 inefficiency or administrative error , 918 00:36:24,487 --> 00:36:26,542 preventing embarrassment to a person 919 00:36:26,542 --> 00:36:29,040 organization or agency preventing open 920 00:36:29,040 --> 00:36:31,990 competition or controlling information 921 00:36:31,990 --> 00:36:34,230 that's not required under protection of 922 00:36:34,230 --> 00:36:36,119 law regulation or government wide 923 00:36:36,119 --> 00:36:39,220 policy . Um So what examples of C . O . 924 00:36:39,220 --> 00:36:41,320 I . Information would include pre 925 00:36:41,320 --> 00:36:42,990 decisional D . O . D . Policy 926 00:36:42,990 --> 00:36:44,879 information , meeting minutes and 927 00:36:44,879 --> 00:36:46,546 communications describing pre 928 00:36:46,546 --> 00:36:48,434 decisional D . O . D . Policies , 929 00:36:48,434 --> 00:36:50,212 future calendars of D . O . D . 930 00:36:50,212 --> 00:36:52,268 Executives leaders and commanders or 931 00:36:52,268 --> 00:36:53,990 current and future D . O . D . 932 00:36:53,990 --> 00:36:56,212 Operational information . Um You know , 933 00:36:56,212 --> 00:36:58,323 we work very hard every day to try to 934 00:36:58,323 --> 00:37:00,546 be as transparent as we can again while 935 00:37:00,546 --> 00:37:02,710 balancing uh sensitive nonpublic 936 00:37:02,720 --> 00:37:06,440 information . Uh and um I would like to 937 00:37:06,440 --> 00:37:09,660 think that um in any large bureaucracy 938 00:37:09,660 --> 00:37:11,716 you're gonna be challenged sometimes 939 00:37:11,716 --> 00:37:13,938 but we will work very hard to try to be 940 00:37:13,938 --> 00:37:16,104 as transparent as we can when it comes 941 00:37:16,104 --> 00:37:18,290 to public information related to the 942 00:37:18,930 --> 00:37:21,152 push back a second . You've been in the 943 00:37:21,152 --> 00:37:23,208 building quite a while , here hasn't 944 00:37:23,208 --> 00:37:26,190 been overused in your in your view , 945 00:37:26,200 --> 00:37:28,256 you laid out all these where you can 946 00:37:28,256 --> 00:37:30,256 properly use it . But it seems like 947 00:37:30,256 --> 00:37:32,144 it's been a security blanket that 948 00:37:32,144 --> 00:37:34,311 people roll themselves up in . Um Well 949 00:37:34,311 --> 00:37:36,367 again I you know , I can't speak for 950 00:37:36,367 --> 00:37:38,478 every single person that works in the 951 00:37:38,478 --> 00:37:40,700 Department of Defense . I can say my my 952 00:37:40,700 --> 00:37:42,756 personal view on it is uh like again 953 00:37:42,756 --> 00:37:44,922 like any large bureaucracy , uh you're 954 00:37:44,922 --> 00:37:47,144 going to have situations in which there 955 00:37:47,144 --> 00:37:49,256 is information that could potentially 956 00:37:49,256 --> 00:37:51,311 be over classified . And again we'll 957 00:37:51,311 --> 00:37:53,422 we'll take this review very seriously 958 00:37:53,422 --> 00:37:55,311 uh and will take the request from 959 00:37:55,311 --> 00:37:57,533 Congress very seriously . We are all in 960 00:37:57,533 --> 00:37:59,644 D . O . D . Required to take training 961 00:37:59,644 --> 00:38:01,533 on proper use of classification , 962 00:38:01,533 --> 00:38:03,644 proper protection of information . Uh 963 00:38:03,644 --> 00:38:06,970 And so um I would say that again , the 964 00:38:06,980 --> 00:38:10,380 points that I outlined in terms of uh 965 00:38:10,390 --> 00:38:12,350 when classifying something is 966 00:38:12,350 --> 00:38:14,517 prohibited . I would say throughout my 967 00:38:14,517 --> 00:38:17,630 own career has been away away Point a 968 00:38:17,630 --> 00:38:19,352 North Star in terms of whether 969 00:38:19,352 --> 00:38:21,574 something can or cannot be classified . 970 00:38:21,574 --> 00:38:24,730 Um But again , you know , it's a large 971 00:38:24,730 --> 00:38:27,140 large bureaucracy , we're not perfect 972 00:38:27,150 --> 00:38:29,261 and we're going to continue to try to 973 00:38:29,261 --> 00:38:31,428 be better . Thank you . Alright , take 974 00:38:31,428 --> 00:38:33,594 a couple more . Let me go to the phone 975 00:38:33,594 --> 00:38:35,428 here real quick . We've got Jeff 976 00:38:35,428 --> 00:38:38,210 showgirl task and purpose . Thank you . 977 00:38:38,210 --> 00:38:41,340 At the risk of opening up Pandora's box . 978 00:38:41,350 --> 00:38:43,017 Could you please describe the 979 00:38:43,017 --> 00:38:45,128 difference between a Bradley fighting 980 00:38:45,128 --> 00:38:47,350 vehicle and a tank ? Thank you . Sure . 981 00:38:47,350 --> 00:38:50,960 So , uh , you know , I won't 982 00:38:50,970 --> 00:38:53,140 attribute it to a certain name , but I 983 00:38:53,150 --> 00:38:56,450 but I saw uh somebody on uh in the 984 00:38:56,450 --> 00:38:59,380 media who I thought did a pretty good 985 00:39:00,280 --> 00:39:02,460 job describing it . It's not a tank , 986 00:39:02,470 --> 00:39:05,420 but it's a tank killer . Um , Bradley 987 00:39:05,430 --> 00:39:08,980 is a armored vehicle that has 988 00:39:08,990 --> 00:39:11,500 firepower capability that can deliver 989 00:39:11,500 --> 00:39:14,790 troops into combat . Uh , so again , it 990 00:39:14,790 --> 00:39:18,650 will provide a significant boost to 991 00:39:18,650 --> 00:39:20,980 Ukraine's Cape . Already impressive 992 00:39:20,980 --> 00:39:23,320 armor capabilities . Uh , and we're 993 00:39:23,320 --> 00:39:25,520 confident that it will aid them on the 994 00:39:25,520 --> 00:39:28,650 battlefield . Alright , last question 995 00:39:29,010 --> 00:39:31,760 and then I'll go to Courtney . Happy 996 00:39:31,760 --> 00:39:35,500 New Year . Just two quick questions 997 00:39:35,760 --> 00:39:39,230 how dangerous Tiktok for the duty . And 998 00:39:39,230 --> 00:39:41,860 second , as far as Afghanistan , 999 00:39:41,870 --> 00:39:43,926 Taliban's are concerned according to 1000 00:39:43,926 --> 00:39:45,703 many experts and also people in 1001 00:39:45,703 --> 00:39:48,020 Afghanistan Taliban's have failed what 1002 00:39:48,020 --> 00:39:50,242 they promised to the U . S . And to the 1003 00:39:50,242 --> 00:39:53,630 global community . Okay . Um , so I 1004 00:39:53,630 --> 00:39:55,519 think your first question was how 1005 00:39:55,519 --> 00:39:58,910 dangerous is Tiktok to the D O . D . Um 1006 00:39:59,620 --> 00:40:01,842 you know , I'm not gonna make a blanket 1007 00:40:01,842 --> 00:40:04,009 statement about whether it's dangerous 1008 00:40:04,009 --> 00:40:06,176 or not . We're certainly aware of some 1009 00:40:06,176 --> 00:40:08,176 of the security concerns associated 1010 00:40:08,176 --> 00:40:10,287 with Tiktok when it comes to official 1011 00:40:10,287 --> 00:40:12,460 government networks . Uh and so , you 1012 00:40:12,460 --> 00:40:14,682 know , I think we've been very clear in 1013 00:40:14,682 --> 00:40:16,571 terms of what our policy is is in 1014 00:40:16,571 --> 00:40:18,904 regards to that . Um And then I'm sorry , 1015 00:40:18,904 --> 00:40:21,360 your last kind of the taliban if they 1016 00:40:21,360 --> 00:40:23,471 have failed according to many experts 1017 00:40:23,471 --> 00:40:26,290 here in the US and also people in 1018 00:40:26,300 --> 00:40:28,520 Afghanistan what they promised to the 1019 00:40:28,520 --> 00:40:30,520 global community and to the U . S . 1020 00:40:30,910 --> 00:40:32,880 Yeah . I mean I look I think the 1021 00:40:32,890 --> 00:40:35,760 situation on the ground um in 1022 00:40:35,760 --> 00:40:38,620 Afghanistan in terms of um what we've 1023 00:40:38,620 --> 00:40:41,710 seen um from the taliban speaks for 1024 00:40:41,710 --> 00:40:44,210 itself and I'm you know , I'm A D . O . 1025 00:40:44,210 --> 00:40:46,432 D . Spokesperson . I'm not going to get 1026 00:40:46,432 --> 00:40:48,654 into diplomatic relations as it relates 1027 00:40:48,654 --> 00:40:51,120 to the taliban , but it's certainly um 1028 00:40:51,130 --> 00:40:53,241 very disappointing to see in terms of 1029 00:40:53,241 --> 00:40:55,660 some of the human rights violations and 1030 00:40:55,660 --> 00:40:58,460 the way that uh that people in 1031 00:40:58,460 --> 00:41:00,571 particular women and Children are are 1032 00:41:00,571 --> 00:41:02,520 treated . So I'll leave it at that 1033 00:41:02,530 --> 00:41:05,890 Courtney Courtney 1034 00:41:06,560 --> 00:41:10,330 on the uh Covid vaccine mandate 1035 00:41:10,340 --> 00:41:13,150 repeal for the N . D . A . So can you 1036 00:41:13,160 --> 00:41:15,327 number one um is there any guidance on 1037 00:41:15,327 --> 00:41:17,104 that yet ? And can you clear up 1038 00:41:17,104 --> 00:41:19,730 congressman waltz last night um at a 1039 00:41:19,740 --> 00:41:22,040 press conference , said that he it's 1040 00:41:22,040 --> 00:41:24,040 his understanding that the National 1041 00:41:24,040 --> 00:41:26,930 Guard isn't this doesn't apply to Guard 1042 00:41:26,940 --> 00:41:29,640 Guard men and women . Can you clear 1043 00:41:29,640 --> 00:41:31,696 that up ? Is that your understanding 1044 00:41:31,696 --> 00:41:33,918 that this is gonna apply to all Service 1045 00:41:33,918 --> 00:41:35,918 members ? Active Duty Guard Reserve 1046 00:41:35,918 --> 00:41:38,196 everyone . Um So on your last question , 1047 00:41:38,196 --> 00:41:40,084 Courtney um let me take that back 1048 00:41:40,084 --> 00:41:42,251 because I'm not aware of the comment . 1049 00:41:42,251 --> 00:41:44,196 Uh so , you know , I don't want to 1050 00:41:44,196 --> 00:41:46,150 necessarily misspeak um you know , 1051 00:41:46,150 --> 00:41:48,261 again , my understanding is that what 1052 00:41:48,261 --> 00:41:50,539 we're looking at here applies to D . O . 1053 00:41:50,539 --> 00:41:53,140 D . Members . Right ? So just in terms 1054 00:41:53,140 --> 00:41:55,500 of where things stand . So uh just to 1055 00:41:55,500 --> 00:41:57,850 level set as you know , the N . D . A . 1056 00:41:57,860 --> 00:42:00,270 Requires that not later than 30 days 1057 00:42:00,270 --> 00:42:02,540 after the enactment Uh that the 1058 00:42:02,540 --> 00:42:04,760 Secretary of Defense will rescind the 1059 00:42:04,760 --> 00:42:06,780 COVID-19 vaccination mandate . So 1060 00:42:06,780 --> 00:42:08,724 subsequently we have rescinded the 1061 00:42:08,724 --> 00:42:10,558 mandate . We're currently in the 1062 00:42:10,558 --> 00:42:12,724 process of developing further guidance 1063 00:42:12,724 --> 00:42:14,891 for the force . And while that process 1064 00:42:14,891 --> 00:42:17,058 takes place , we've paused all actions 1065 00:42:17,058 --> 00:42:20,650 related to the COVID-19 vaccine mandate . 1066 00:42:20,740 --> 00:42:22,962 So we'll be sure to keep members of the 1067 00:42:22,962 --> 00:42:25,184 force will keep you and keep the public 1068 00:42:25,184 --> 00:42:27,129 updated as we have new information 1069 00:42:27,129 --> 00:42:29,296 available to provide . I will say that 1070 00:42:29,296 --> 00:42:31,351 we will continue to encourage all of 1071 00:42:31,351 --> 00:42:33,073 our service members , civilian 1072 00:42:33,073 --> 00:42:35,240 employees and our contractor personnel 1073 00:42:35,240 --> 00:42:37,462 to get vaccinated and boosted to ensure 1074 00:42:37,462 --> 00:42:39,940 the readiness of our force . And as 1075 00:42:39,940 --> 00:42:42,107 we've said , as I've said , the health 1076 00:42:42,107 --> 00:42:43,940 and readiness of our forces will 1077 00:42:43,940 --> 00:42:46,051 continue to be crucial to our ability 1078 00:42:46,051 --> 00:42:48,273 to defend the nation . Just to be clear 1079 00:42:48,273 --> 00:42:50,496 when you say so that you've stopped all 1080 00:42:50,496 --> 00:42:50,310 action . So no one's being kicked out 1081 00:42:50,320 --> 00:42:52,376 for refusing at this point . Right . 1082 00:42:52,376 --> 00:42:54,320 And that but that's again just for 1083 00:42:54,320 --> 00:42:56,320 active duty and for DEA civilians . 1084 00:42:56,320 --> 00:42:58,542 It's at this point , you can't say that 1085 00:42:58,542 --> 00:43:00,542 for the National Guard . Is that my 1086 00:43:00,542 --> 00:43:02,598 understanding uh apply again . We'll 1087 00:43:02,598 --> 00:43:04,709 we'll double check . My understanding 1088 00:43:04,709 --> 00:43:06,653 is applies to the Total Force , so 1089 00:43:06,653 --> 00:43:09,340 Guard Reserve National Guard . But let 1090 00:43:09,340 --> 00:43:11,062 us go back and we'll get you a 1091 00:43:11,062 --> 00:43:13,062 clarification on that . All right , 1092 00:43:13,062 --> 00:43:14,840 thank you very much . Everybody 1093 00:43:14,840 --> 00:43:13,700 appreciate it .