1 00:00:01,799 --> 00:00:04,150 Hi everyone . Good morning , a good 2 00:00:04,159 --> 00:00:06,559 afternoon . Um I have a few items to 3 00:00:06,570 --> 00:00:08,681 pass along at the top and then I'd be 4 00:00:08,681 --> 00:00:10,903 happy to take your questions . So first 5 00:00:10,903 --> 00:00:13,126 on Sunday , Deputy Secretary of Defense 6 00:00:13,126 --> 00:00:15,348 Doctor Kathleen Hicks departs on travel 7 00:00:15,348 --> 00:00:18,200 to Alaska to visit . Um is Air Air 8 00:00:18,209 --> 00:00:20,376 Force Base , Fort Wainwright and joint 9 00:00:20,376 --> 00:00:22,840 base Elmendorf Richardson . At each at 10 00:00:22,850 --> 00:00:24,572 each installation , the deputy 11 00:00:24,572 --> 00:00:26,628 secretary will hold roundtables with 12 00:00:26,628 --> 00:00:28,739 service members to discuss quality of 13 00:00:28,739 --> 00:00:30,850 life issues , access to mental health 14 00:00:30,850 --> 00:00:32,961 care and suicide prevention efforts . 15 00:00:32,961 --> 00:00:35,128 She will also meet with senior leaders 16 00:00:35,128 --> 00:00:37,461 and tour housing , barracks , childcare , 17 00:00:37,461 --> 00:00:39,183 commissaries , health care and 18 00:00:39,183 --> 00:00:41,239 recreational facilities to see first 19 00:00:41,290 --> 00:00:43,457 hand to see first hand how the US Army 20 00:00:43,457 --> 00:00:45,679 and US Air Force are working to improve 21 00:00:45,679 --> 00:00:47,901 quality of life and making sure that we 22 00:00:47,901 --> 00:00:50,012 are taking care of our people serving 23 00:00:50,012 --> 00:00:52,068 in the Arctic . The deputy secretary 24 00:00:52,068 --> 00:00:54,630 will also visit two army cold weather 25 00:00:54,639 --> 00:00:56,930 research facilities in Fairbanks and 26 00:00:56,939 --> 00:00:58,828 the Ted Stevens Center for Arctic 27 00:00:58,828 --> 00:01:00,995 Security Studies in Anchorage to learn 28 00:01:00,995 --> 00:01:02,883 more about the effects of climate 29 00:01:02,883 --> 00:01:04,760 change on military readiness and 30 00:01:04,769 --> 00:01:07,769 research programs focused on improving 31 00:01:07,779 --> 00:01:10,940 resilience in the Arctic . Another item 32 00:01:10,949 --> 00:01:13,069 on May 26th , Secretary , Austin will 33 00:01:13,080 --> 00:01:15,302 deliver the commencement address at the 34 00:01:15,302 --> 00:01:17,809 US Naval Academy's 2023 commencement 35 00:01:17,819 --> 00:01:20,319 ceremony in Annapolis . If you have , 36 00:01:20,330 --> 00:01:22,608 if you would like to attend this event , 37 00:01:22,608 --> 00:01:24,608 please contact the Naval Academy of 38 00:01:24,608 --> 00:01:26,719 Public Affairs . This event will also 39 00:01:26,719 --> 00:01:28,941 be live streamed on defense dot gov and 40 00:01:28,941 --> 00:01:30,886 switching gears . Last item here , 41 00:01:30,886 --> 00:01:33,110 Marine Corps exercise . Burmese Chase 42 00:01:33,120 --> 00:01:36,230 23 is ongoing . Now in North Carolina , 43 00:01:36,339 --> 00:01:38,660 Burmese Chase is a long standing annual 44 00:01:38,669 --> 00:01:40,780 exercise conducted between the Marine 45 00:01:40,780 --> 00:01:42,891 Corps and allied partners to increase 46 00:01:42,900 --> 00:01:45,300 readiness and interoperability while 47 00:01:45,309 --> 00:01:47,790 employing indirect fire and air strikes . 48 00:01:47,800 --> 00:01:49,911 This year's exercise is being held at 49 00:01:49,911 --> 00:01:52,078 Camp Lejeune and includes participants 50 00:01:52,078 --> 00:01:54,244 from the Marine Corps Second Air Naval 51 00:01:54,244 --> 00:01:58,029 Gunfire Liaison company , also sorry , 52 00:01:58,040 --> 00:02:00,730 also known as Alico Battalion and 53 00:02:00,739 --> 00:02:02,906 Forces from France , the Netherlands , 54 00:02:02,906 --> 00:02:05,150 Finland , Norway , the UK and Sweden . 55 00:02:05,589 --> 00:02:07,811 There will be a media day on May 24th . 56 00:02:07,811 --> 00:02:09,645 So if you're interested , please 57 00:02:09,645 --> 00:02:11,867 contact Marine Corps Public Affairs for 58 00:02:11,867 --> 00:02:13,922 additional details . And with that , 59 00:02:13,922 --> 00:02:16,145 I'd be happy to take your questions . I 60 00:02:16,145 --> 00:02:16,089 don't see we have a P here today . So 61 00:02:16,100 --> 00:02:17,100 yeah , go ahead . 62 00:02:20,089 --> 00:02:22,256 Thank you . Uh two questions the first 63 00:02:22,256 --> 00:02:24,979 on um on um the case . So there's a , 64 00:02:24,990 --> 00:02:27,212 there's a paper trail showing that Jack 65 00:02:27,212 --> 00:02:29,046 received multiple warnings about 66 00:02:29,046 --> 00:02:31,268 abusing his access to classified info . 67 00:02:31,268 --> 00:02:33,434 Um While there's an investigation into 68 00:02:33,434 --> 00:02:35,601 this ongoing more generally , is is it 69 00:02:35,601 --> 00:02:37,657 reasonable in the opinion of dod for 70 00:02:37,657 --> 00:02:39,879 anyone to maintain access to , to their 71 00:02:39,879 --> 00:02:39,559 clearance under those circumstances ? 72 00:02:40,229 --> 00:02:42,340 I'm sorry , repeat your question from 73 00:02:42,340 --> 00:02:44,229 the top that he's still maintains 74 00:02:44,229 --> 00:02:46,118 access . He maintained his access 75 00:02:46,118 --> 00:02:45,940 despite multiple warnings , ok , 76 00:02:45,949 --> 00:02:48,116 because he doesn't maintain his access 77 00:02:48,116 --> 00:02:50,227 currently right now . So , uh again , 78 00:02:50,227 --> 00:02:52,338 as you mentioned , right at the top , 79 00:02:52,338 --> 00:02:54,505 this is an ongoing investigation , not 80 00:02:54,505 --> 00:02:54,039 just by the Department of Justice , but 81 00:02:54,050 --> 00:02:56,161 the Air Force has also launched their 82 00:02:56,161 --> 00:02:58,630 own internal investigation . Um So that 83 00:02:58,639 --> 00:03:00,583 is what we're waiting for . That's 84 00:03:00,583 --> 00:03:02,639 exactly what this investigation will 85 00:03:02,639 --> 00:03:04,361 uncover . As you know , as you 86 00:03:04,361 --> 00:03:06,583 mentioned , there were reports um filed 87 00:03:06,583 --> 00:03:08,770 by others in his unit , um uh citing 88 00:03:08,779 --> 00:03:12,479 some of these um uh violations . And 89 00:03:12,490 --> 00:03:14,800 so what didn't happen when that's part 90 00:03:14,809 --> 00:03:17,410 of what the report will uncover ? And 91 00:03:17,419 --> 00:03:19,419 then second on the , on the Patriot 92 00:03:19,419 --> 00:03:21,641 system in Ukraine , is there any update 93 00:03:21,641 --> 00:03:23,863 as to the , the type of projectile that 94 00:03:23,863 --> 00:03:23,779 hit the battery and , or the state of 95 00:03:23,789 --> 00:03:25,956 the system at this point ? So for more 96 00:03:25,956 --> 00:03:27,956 specifics on the Patriot itself , I 97 00:03:27,956 --> 00:03:30,220 would refer you to the Ukrainians . Um 98 00:03:30,229 --> 00:03:32,839 What I can confirm is that one Patriot 99 00:03:32,850 --> 00:03:35,089 system was damaged but it has now been 100 00:03:35,100 --> 00:03:37,130 fixed and is fully fully back and 101 00:03:37,139 --> 00:03:38,861 operational . But for anything 102 00:03:38,861 --> 00:03:40,750 additional , I'd refer you to the 103 00:03:40,750 --> 00:03:42,806 Ukrainians . I think so . Yeah , not 104 00:03:42,806 --> 00:03:46,389 yet . Hi , Sabrina of Arabia . 105 00:03:46,720 --> 00:03:49,350 Um Can you give us a current assessment 106 00:03:49,360 --> 00:03:51,779 of Iran supplying the houthis with 107 00:03:51,789 --> 00:03:54,089 weapons ? And in other words , has it 108 00:03:54,100 --> 00:03:56,490 decreased or increased ? Um after 109 00:03:56,500 --> 00:03:58,833 signing the agreement with Saudi Arabia ? 110 00:03:58,833 --> 00:04:01,410 And also can you elaborate on the uh 111 00:04:01,419 --> 00:04:03,641 the drugs that are being confiscated in 112 00:04:03,641 --> 00:04:05,697 the Arabian Gulf . Sure . So , uh in 113 00:04:05,697 --> 00:04:07,863 terms of anything from the agreement , 114 00:04:07,863 --> 00:04:09,863 I just have nothing new to announce 115 00:04:09,863 --> 00:04:12,360 regarding us policy towards Yemen or 116 00:04:12,369 --> 00:04:14,647 our support to the Saudi led coalition . 117 00:04:15,080 --> 00:04:17,247 What we've said before , not just from 118 00:04:17,247 --> 00:04:18,913 this podium , but across this 119 00:04:18,913 --> 00:04:21,136 administration is that Iran's transfers 120 00:04:21,136 --> 00:04:23,191 of weapons to the houthis violate un 121 00:04:23,191 --> 00:04:26,690 Security Council resolutions . And the 122 00:04:26,700 --> 00:04:28,922 support for armed groups throughout the 123 00:04:28,922 --> 00:04:31,019 region continues to undermine 124 00:04:31,029 --> 00:04:33,140 international and regional security . 125 00:04:33,869 --> 00:04:36,489 And you know what hurts our allies and 126 00:04:36,500 --> 00:04:38,489 partners in the region ? I'll just 127 00:04:38,500 --> 00:04:40,611 leave it at that . I'm gonna go ahead 128 00:04:40,611 --> 00:04:43,329 to Carla . What , what's the Pentagon's 129 00:04:43,339 --> 00:04:46,950 latest position on 130 00:04:47,059 --> 00:04:50,059 F-16s to Ukraine ? There are reports 131 00:04:50,070 --> 00:04:52,181 out there that are saying that the US 132 00:04:52,181 --> 00:04:54,126 is opposed to even the training of 133 00:04:54,126 --> 00:04:56,348 Ukrainian pilots on F-16s right now . I 134 00:04:56,350 --> 00:04:58,461 have nothing new to announce on F-16s 135 00:04:58,461 --> 00:05:00,239 at this time . So , so does the 136 00:05:00,239 --> 00:05:03,429 Pentagon , does the Pentagon agree that 137 00:05:03,709 --> 00:05:05,876 the Ukrainian pilots should be trained 138 00:05:05,876 --> 00:05:08,109 on F-16s ? Are , are you actively 139 00:05:08,119 --> 00:05:10,286 saying no to Western nations ? Because 140 00:05:10,286 --> 00:05:12,119 we know that the Pentagon has to 141 00:05:12,119 --> 00:05:14,119 approve before they can be sold and 142 00:05:14,119 --> 00:05:15,952 transferred . But what about the 143 00:05:15,952 --> 00:05:18,063 training ? So again , I mean , you've 144 00:05:18,063 --> 00:05:20,063 seen that we've rolled out multiple 145 00:05:20,063 --> 00:05:22,175 presidential drawdown authorities and 146 00:05:22,175 --> 00:05:24,008 including USA I assistance . Our 147 00:05:24,008 --> 00:05:26,175 priority remains on supporting Ukraine 148 00:05:26,175 --> 00:05:28,341 with what it needs and for whatever it 149 00:05:28,341 --> 00:05:28,269 takes and forever how , how long it 150 00:05:28,279 --> 00:05:31,489 takes our priority has been 151 00:05:31,679 --> 00:05:33,859 giving Ukraine the air defense systems 152 00:05:33,869 --> 00:05:36,160 that they need . And also their other 153 00:05:36,170 --> 00:05:38,549 priorities include armor and artillery . 154 00:05:38,559 --> 00:05:40,726 That's what we've been focused on with 155 00:05:40,726 --> 00:05:42,726 our packages . But when it comes to 156 00:05:42,726 --> 00:05:44,670 F-16s , I just have nothing new to 157 00:05:44,670 --> 00:05:46,726 announce today . Ok . And what about 158 00:05:46,726 --> 00:05:48,781 the transfer authority ? Anything to 159 00:05:48,781 --> 00:05:48,079 update on us there ? Politico is 160 00:05:48,089 --> 00:05:50,145 reporting that the administration is 161 00:05:50,145 --> 00:05:52,145 not opposed to transferring a third 162 00:05:52,145 --> 00:05:53,978 party , transferring it F-16s to 163 00:05:53,978 --> 00:05:56,200 Ukraine . I've seen those reports but I 164 00:05:56,200 --> 00:05:58,145 have nothing to add at this time . 165 00:05:58,145 --> 00:06:02,140 Thanks Oren . Uh where 166 00:06:02,149 --> 00:06:04,316 do the department's efforts related to 167 00:06:04,316 --> 00:06:06,538 extremism stand ? A new D D instruction 168 00:06:06,538 --> 00:06:08,482 was released back in December 2021 169 00:06:08,482 --> 00:06:10,705 along with some immediate actions . But 170 00:06:10,705 --> 00:06:12,927 there were medium and long term efforts 171 00:06:12,927 --> 00:06:14,982 yet , we've heard little if anything 172 00:06:14,982 --> 00:06:14,869 about where the implementation of those 173 00:06:14,880 --> 00:06:17,519 longer term efforts stand is dod still 174 00:06:17,529 --> 00:06:19,696 following through on those recommended 175 00:06:19,696 --> 00:06:21,807 actions and , and when will we get an 176 00:06:21,807 --> 00:06:23,751 update on to the implementation of 177 00:06:23,751 --> 00:06:25,973 those ? So uh 11 piece that has been or 178 00:06:25,973 --> 00:06:28,085 has already started to be implemented 179 00:06:28,085 --> 00:06:30,029 is the training piece . Um but the 180 00:06:30,029 --> 00:06:32,140 countering extremist activity working 181 00:06:32,140 --> 00:06:34,085 group developed , I believe of six 182 00:06:34,085 --> 00:06:37,000 recommendations and actions across four 183 00:06:37,010 --> 00:06:39,177 lines of effort which include military 184 00:06:39,177 --> 00:06:41,232 justice and , and policy support and 185 00:06:41,232 --> 00:06:43,343 oversight of insider threat program , 186 00:06:43,343 --> 00:06:45,621 investigative processes and screenings , 187 00:06:45,621 --> 00:06:47,843 capability and education and training . 188 00:06:47,843 --> 00:06:50,066 And so one portion of that the training 189 00:06:50,066 --> 00:06:51,954 piece has been implemented and it 190 00:06:51,954 --> 00:06:54,121 continues to be implemented across the 191 00:06:54,121 --> 00:06:55,677 department . Um Again , all 192 00:06:55,677 --> 00:06:57,843 recommendations have been assigned and 193 00:06:57,843 --> 00:06:59,566 are with the appro appropriate 194 00:06:59,566 --> 00:07:01,788 principal staff . Um But at this time , 195 00:07:01,788 --> 00:07:03,954 I just have nothing more to announce . 196 00:07:03,954 --> 00:07:06,010 Yeah , toss him in the back and then 197 00:07:06,010 --> 00:07:08,232 I'll come up to the front . Sabrina . I 198 00:07:08,232 --> 00:07:10,510 was wondering about the patriot system . 199 00:07:10,510 --> 00:07:12,621 How do you have any insight , how the 200 00:07:12,621 --> 00:07:14,890 patriot system failed to intercept the 201 00:07:14,899 --> 00:07:17,269 incoming missile ? I'm sorry , could 202 00:07:17,279 --> 00:07:19,720 you repeat your last part ? Do you have 203 00:07:19,730 --> 00:07:22,440 any insight how the patriot system in , 204 00:07:22,450 --> 00:07:24,850 in Ukraine failed to capture or to 205 00:07:24,859 --> 00:07:28,000 intercept the incoming missile ? Um I 206 00:07:28,010 --> 00:07:30,066 would refer you to the Ukrainians to 207 00:07:30,066 --> 00:07:32,288 speak more on how they're operating the 208 00:07:32,288 --> 00:07:34,343 patriot . All I can tell you is I if 209 00:07:34,343 --> 00:07:36,399 you're referring to the patriot that 210 00:07:36,399 --> 00:07:38,621 was um damaged , it was , you know , it 211 00:07:38,621 --> 00:07:42,410 was , it was uh temporarily or there 212 00:07:42,420 --> 00:07:44,476 was minor damage to the patriot . It 213 00:07:44,476 --> 00:07:46,531 has been repaired , it is fully back 214 00:07:46,531 --> 00:07:48,587 online and operational . But for any 215 00:07:48,587 --> 00:07:50,753 more specifics on that , I would refer 216 00:07:50,753 --> 00:07:52,920 you to the Ukrainians to speak to that 217 00:07:52,920 --> 00:07:52,559 if , if the patriot system was the 218 00:07:52,570 --> 00:07:54,970 target of that missile or somehow it 219 00:07:54,980 --> 00:07:57,147 was a part of the collateral damage of 220 00:07:57,147 --> 00:07:59,313 the missile . You know , I wouldn't be 221 00:07:59,313 --> 00:08:01,536 able to speak to that . That would be a 222 00:08:01,536 --> 00:08:01,290 question for the Ukrainians to speak to . 223 00:08:02,850 --> 00:08:06,380 Yeah , real . Ah , 224 00:08:06,390 --> 00:08:08,501 thank you very much . Two questions . 225 00:08:08,850 --> 00:08:11,660 First . The president canceled a trip 226 00:08:11,670 --> 00:08:13,726 to Papua , New Guinea . How much are 227 00:08:13,726 --> 00:08:16,220 you concerned that his cancellation 228 00:08:16,230 --> 00:08:18,600 might affect the ongoing defense 229 00:08:18,609 --> 00:08:20,942 cooperation with Pacific Island nations , 230 00:08:20,942 --> 00:08:23,820 including the signing of the Defense 231 00:08:23,829 --> 00:08:25,885 Cooperation Agreement with Papua New 232 00:08:25,885 --> 00:08:28,107 Guinea . Well , you probably heard from 233 00:08:28,107 --> 00:08:30,329 the White House on this , but the US is 234 00:08:30,329 --> 00:08:32,859 a Pacific nation and we have deep 235 00:08:32,869 --> 00:08:35,500 historical ties to the Pacific Islands . 236 00:08:35,750 --> 00:08:37,917 Now , while the president canceled his 237 00:08:37,917 --> 00:08:40,028 trip , we know that Secretary Blinken 238 00:08:40,028 --> 00:08:42,139 is continuing on and we will continue 239 00:08:42,139 --> 00:08:44,139 the trip and we look forward to the 240 00:08:44,139 --> 00:08:46,250 results of that meeting . But we know 241 00:08:46,250 --> 00:08:48,472 we understand that this is an important 242 00:08:48,472 --> 00:08:50,528 relationship and we will continue to 243 00:08:50,528 --> 00:08:50,140 work closely with our international 244 00:08:50,150 --> 00:08:52,359 partners and allies in the region um 245 00:08:52,369 --> 00:08:54,147 when it comes to sustaining the 246 00:08:54,147 --> 00:08:56,147 security and stability within the , 247 00:08:56,147 --> 00:08:59,469 within the Indo Pacific . Ok . 248 00:08:59,479 --> 00:09:02,239 Secondly , uh the Chinese military 249 00:09:02,250 --> 00:09:04,500 aircraft and Chinese ships are 250 00:09:04,510 --> 00:09:07,750 operating actively around Japan over 251 00:09:07,760 --> 00:09:10,609 the last one week . Uh Do you assess 252 00:09:10,619 --> 00:09:13,229 the Chinese are demonstrating their 253 00:09:13,239 --> 00:09:17,150 opposition to the G7 G7 leaders 254 00:09:17,159 --> 00:09:19,190 meeting in Hiroshima ? Well , I 255 00:09:19,200 --> 00:09:21,311 wouldn't be able to get into the mind 256 00:09:21,311 --> 00:09:23,367 of the PR C . You'd have to ask them 257 00:09:23,367 --> 00:09:25,533 for their intention . Um The president 258 00:09:25,533 --> 00:09:27,700 and other leaders are there for the G7 259 00:09:27,840 --> 00:09:30,330 um And they're there to discuss an open 260 00:09:30,340 --> 00:09:32,340 and free Indo Pacific , but I would 261 00:09:32,340 --> 00:09:34,562 refer you to the PR C for , for comment 262 00:09:34,562 --> 00:09:36,618 on , on their actions specifically . 263 00:09:36,618 --> 00:09:36,450 Yeah , I'll come right here on the 264 00:09:36,460 --> 00:09:39,260 front . Thanks , Sabrina Conine with 265 00:09:39,270 --> 00:09:42,190 military dot com . Thank you . Uh Just 266 00:09:42,200 --> 00:09:44,311 to follow up on Oren's question , are 267 00:09:44,311 --> 00:09:46,256 you able to talk a little bit more 268 00:09:46,256 --> 00:09:48,311 about the ex extremism training that 269 00:09:48,311 --> 00:09:50,478 you say is now been implemented across 270 00:09:50,478 --> 00:09:53,010 the department . I would have to get 271 00:09:53,020 --> 00:09:55,076 back to you a little bit more on the 272 00:09:55,076 --> 00:09:57,242 specifics of that training . Um So I'm 273 00:09:57,242 --> 00:09:57,010 happy to take that question and get 274 00:09:57,020 --> 00:09:59,187 back to you . Thank you . No problem . 275 00:09:59,187 --> 00:10:01,242 What about right here on the front ? 276 00:10:02,900 --> 00:10:05,067 Thank you . Um Have any contracts been 277 00:10:05,067 --> 00:10:06,789 awarded yet for the commercial 278 00:10:06,789 --> 00:10:08,844 satellite imagery services that were 279 00:10:08,844 --> 00:10:10,900 part of this latest USA I uh package 280 00:10:10,900 --> 00:10:14,539 for Ukraine , the USA I that was rolled 281 00:10:14,549 --> 00:10:17,039 out uh just a few like two weeks ago . 282 00:10:17,390 --> 00:10:21,239 Um Yes , I believe , I don't know . I'm 283 00:10:21,250 --> 00:10:23,472 sorry , I don't know that any contracts 284 00:10:23,472 --> 00:10:25,583 have been awarded . Only that we have 285 00:10:25,583 --> 00:10:27,417 announced that we plan to , to a 286 00:10:27,417 --> 00:10:29,306 contract , but in terms of actual 287 00:10:29,306 --> 00:10:28,770 contracts that have been awarded , 288 00:10:28,780 --> 00:10:31,058 we'll , we'll keep you updated on that , 289 00:10:31,058 --> 00:10:30,820 but I don't have an announcement on 290 00:10:30,830 --> 00:10:32,997 that . You don't have any timeline for 291 00:10:32,997 --> 00:10:34,997 when you expect that I don't not at 292 00:10:34,997 --> 00:10:37,052 this time . Yeah , over there in the 293 00:10:37,052 --> 00:10:38,997 back . Sure . Thanks for taking my 294 00:10:38,997 --> 00:10:40,774 question . Thanks for taking my 295 00:10:40,774 --> 00:10:42,941 question . Uh Are there any dod policy 296 00:10:42,941 --> 00:10:45,108 speaking up a little bit ? I'm sorry . 297 00:10:45,108 --> 00:10:47,219 Are there any dod policy changes that 298 00:10:47,219 --> 00:10:49,330 have been made regarding the handling 299 00:10:49,330 --> 00:10:51,552 of our access to classified information 300 00:10:51,552 --> 00:10:51,469 in the wake of the leaks ? Well , 301 00:10:51,479 --> 00:10:53,701 pretty immediately we did and , and I , 302 00:10:53,701 --> 00:10:55,923 I think a few of us have spoken to this 303 00:10:55,923 --> 00:10:58,789 um when the leaks first came to light , 304 00:10:58,799 --> 00:11:00,688 one of the things that we did was 305 00:11:00,688 --> 00:11:03,169 immediately call down our , just our um , 306 00:11:03,609 --> 00:11:07,440 email list , um , and updated those to 307 00:11:07,450 --> 00:11:09,283 make sure that there were active 308 00:11:09,283 --> 00:11:11,394 participants on that list . And , but 309 00:11:11,394 --> 00:11:13,561 also to make sure that um , the people 310 00:11:13,561 --> 00:11:15,672 who needed access to that information 311 00:11:15,672 --> 00:11:17,783 had that , uh , that it was the right 312 00:11:17,783 --> 00:11:19,950 person , uh , part of those lists . Um 313 00:11:19,950 --> 00:11:21,728 We've also taken steps to limit 314 00:11:21,728 --> 00:11:24,090 printing capabilities . Um , we've uh 315 00:11:24,099 --> 00:11:27,940 started to reeducate people on , 316 00:11:27,950 --> 00:11:29,965 on what it means to work in a 317 00:11:29,994 --> 00:11:32,161 classified space and handle classified 318 00:11:32,161 --> 00:11:34,327 information . For example , every time 319 00:11:34,327 --> 00:11:36,383 I open my computer right now I get a 320 00:11:36,383 --> 00:11:38,050 notice that says you are in a 321 00:11:38,050 --> 00:11:39,994 classified space and therefore you 322 00:11:39,994 --> 00:11:42,105 should , you know , abide by handling 323 00:11:42,105 --> 00:11:44,327 this information in the way that you've 324 00:11:44,327 --> 00:11:46,327 been trained to . Um So yes , there 325 00:11:46,327 --> 00:11:48,438 have been immediate steps . Um One of 326 00:11:48,438 --> 00:11:50,661 the benefits that we have is that there 327 00:11:50,661 --> 00:11:50,565 is an ongoing investigation with the 328 00:11:50,575 --> 00:11:53,705 DOJ and also the Air Force . So , um 329 00:11:54,369 --> 00:11:56,619 as the investigation continues and we 330 00:11:56,630 --> 00:11:58,580 get those results , of course , we 331 00:11:58,590 --> 00:12:00,757 could make more adjustments and that's 332 00:12:00,757 --> 00:12:02,940 sort of what leads to um better 333 00:12:02,950 --> 00:12:05,820 practices in the future . Great . Yep . 334 00:12:05,830 --> 00:12:09,719 In the hat . Thank you . 335 00:12:10,010 --> 00:12:12,010 Uh What is the status of the army's 336 00:12:12,010 --> 00:12:14,177 investigation into last month's Apache 337 00:12:14,177 --> 00:12:16,121 collision in Alaska ? And will the 338 00:12:16,121 --> 00:12:18,066 deputy Secretary's visit to Alaska 339 00:12:18,066 --> 00:12:20,288 involve any discussion or inspection on 340 00:12:20,288 --> 00:12:22,343 the issue ? I'd have to refer you to 341 00:12:22,343 --> 00:12:24,510 the army on more specifics on that . I 342 00:12:24,510 --> 00:12:26,621 just don't have any update on um , on 343 00:12:26,621 --> 00:12:26,580 the collision itself or where the 344 00:12:26,590 --> 00:12:28,646 investigation stands and in terms of 345 00:12:28,646 --> 00:12:30,534 what the deputy secretary will be 346 00:12:30,534 --> 00:12:32,646 seeing , you know , I'll let her team 347 00:12:32,646 --> 00:12:34,868 speak to that . Um , I'm sure that will 348 00:12:34,868 --> 00:12:37,090 be part of the conversation a lot among 349 00:12:37,090 --> 00:12:36,890 many other things that she'll be going 350 00:12:36,900 --> 00:12:39,440 up there to discuss on that Senator 351 00:12:39,450 --> 00:12:41,640 Gillibrand has requested that the dod 352 00:12:41,789 --> 00:12:45,090 commit to a review of fatal rotary wing 353 00:12:45,099 --> 00:12:47,432 aircraft training incidents in the last , 354 00:12:47,432 --> 00:12:49,488 at least over the last year of which 355 00:12:49,488 --> 00:12:51,710 there's been at least three in the last 356 00:12:51,710 --> 00:12:53,877 five months . Uh Is the the department 357 00:12:53,877 --> 00:12:55,988 considering doing that ? I just don't 358 00:12:55,988 --> 00:12:58,155 have an update for you at this time on 359 00:12:58,155 --> 00:12:57,780 that . Yeah . Yeah . Right here , 360 00:13:03,690 --> 00:13:05,979 Secretary Austin and his testimony 361 00:13:05,989 --> 00:13:08,211 earlier this week said that there was a 362 00:13:08,211 --> 00:13:10,211 presidential drawdown that would be 363 00:13:10,211 --> 00:13:12,433 announced , I guess relatively soon for 364 00:13:12,433 --> 00:13:14,211 Taiwan without getting into the 365 00:13:14,211 --> 00:13:16,549 specifics of that . Could you elaborate 366 00:13:16,559 --> 00:13:18,989 on the detail on the types of weapons 367 00:13:19,000 --> 00:13:21,020 that could be in that or the or 368 00:13:21,030 --> 00:13:23,141 timeline ? Uh We don't , I just don't 369 00:13:23,141 --> 00:13:25,197 have right now more specifics to add 370 00:13:25,197 --> 00:13:27,419 than what the secretary uh laid out at 371 00:13:27,429 --> 00:13:29,869 his testimony . Um as he mentioned that 372 00:13:29,880 --> 00:13:32,679 a package will be coming soon . Um And 373 00:13:32,690 --> 00:13:34,579 this is part of our long standing 374 00:13:34,579 --> 00:13:36,634 obligations that we have to Taiwan , 375 00:13:36,634 --> 00:13:38,746 but I just , in terms of what's gonna 376 00:13:38,746 --> 00:13:38,559 be included in the package , I just 377 00:13:38,570 --> 00:13:40,626 don't have anything to preview right 378 00:13:40,626 --> 00:13:42,792 now . And just secondly , um could you 379 00:13:42,792 --> 00:13:44,514 update us on the status of the 380 00:13:44,514 --> 00:13:46,514 investigation into the drone strike 381 00:13:46,514 --> 00:13:48,626 that targeted a US convoy in Iraq . I 382 00:13:48,626 --> 00:13:50,792 guess it was a little over a month ago 383 00:13:50,792 --> 00:13:53,159 now . Uh Yes , I know . Sorry . Um I 384 00:13:53,169 --> 00:13:55,280 don't have any further update at this 385 00:13:55,280 --> 00:13:57,113 time . I'd refer you to for more 386 00:13:57,113 --> 00:14:00,780 details . Yeah , right here . Hm . 387 00:14:02,520 --> 00:14:05,549 Thank you Sabrina . Regarding to F-16 . 388 00:14:05,559 --> 00:14:08,520 To my colleague's question . Um Does we 389 00:14:08,530 --> 00:14:10,929 understand that the dod is still 390 00:14:10,940 --> 00:14:13,330 believe that the F-16 are not what 391 00:14:13,340 --> 00:14:15,780 Ukraine needs for the stage of the 392 00:14:15,789 --> 00:14:18,190 conflict ? We believe what Ukraine 393 00:14:18,200 --> 00:14:20,640 needs is what Ukraine has asked us for 394 00:14:20,650 --> 00:14:22,679 and has prioritized , which are air 395 00:14:22,690 --> 00:14:24,857 defense systems , which we continue to 396 00:14:24,857 --> 00:14:26,857 give , which we continue to provide 397 00:14:26,857 --> 00:14:28,634 either through pre presidential 398 00:14:28,634 --> 00:14:30,746 drawdown authorities or through USA I 399 00:14:30,746 --> 00:14:32,857 packages . But air defense systems is 400 00:14:32,857 --> 00:14:35,479 something that we've prioritized and 401 00:14:35,489 --> 00:14:37,600 something that the Ukrainians you see 402 00:14:37,600 --> 00:14:39,960 employing on the battlefield every day . 403 00:14:40,200 --> 00:14:42,390 Um And then it's also artillery and 404 00:14:42,400 --> 00:14:44,869 armor . Um Those are their not 405 00:14:44,880 --> 00:14:47,102 necessarily in that order but their top 406 00:14:47,102 --> 00:14:49,269 three requests . Those are some things 407 00:14:49,269 --> 00:14:51,436 that we continue to honor um with each 408 00:14:51,436 --> 00:14:53,658 package and we continue to prioritize . 409 00:14:53,658 --> 00:14:56,780 Um The Ukrainians are , are in being 410 00:14:56,789 --> 00:14:59,719 incredibly um creative on the 411 00:14:59,729 --> 00:15:01,729 battlefield using different systems 412 00:15:01,729 --> 00:15:03,785 provided by countries all across the 413 00:15:03,785 --> 00:15:06,049 world . Um And what you're seeing is an 414 00:15:06,059 --> 00:15:08,115 air , a layered air defense system , 415 00:15:08,115 --> 00:15:10,226 not just using the patriots . Patriot 416 00:15:10,226 --> 00:15:12,392 is one aspect , but they're using NASA 417 00:15:12,392 --> 00:15:15,669 S and other capabilities um to combat 418 00:15:15,679 --> 00:15:17,790 against Russian aggression So we feel 419 00:15:17,790 --> 00:15:20,123 confident in what we've provided . Yeah , 420 00:15:20,123 --> 00:15:21,123 I'll go to Tom . 421 00:15:23,770 --> 00:15:25,937 Thanks Sabrina . Good afternoon . Uh I 422 00:15:25,937 --> 00:15:28,048 have a couple of very quick uh follow 423 00:15:28,048 --> 00:15:30,159 ups to questions already asked during 424 00:15:30,159 --> 00:15:32,381 this briefing . One uh in the repair of 425 00:15:32,381 --> 00:15:34,548 the patriot system to the best of your 426 00:15:34,548 --> 00:15:37,940 knowledge . Did us help remotely ? You 427 00:15:37,950 --> 00:15:40,006 know how we talked about ? Sometimes 428 00:15:40,006 --> 00:15:42,061 the US would provide maintenance and 429 00:15:42,061 --> 00:15:44,117 stuff uh suggestions . You know , if 430 00:15:44,117 --> 00:15:46,172 they , if the US was able to provide 431 00:15:46,172 --> 00:15:48,006 assistance to repair the patriot 432 00:15:48,006 --> 00:15:50,228 remotely , we have been able to provide 433 00:15:50,228 --> 00:15:52,339 assistance in the past with different 434 00:15:52,339 --> 00:15:54,394 capabilities . That's something that 435 00:15:54,394 --> 00:15:56,283 we've offered in training . And I 436 00:15:56,283 --> 00:15:58,394 believe the United States did provide 437 00:15:58,394 --> 00:16:00,394 some assistance when it came to the 438 00:16:00,394 --> 00:16:02,561 repair of the patriot and on to follow 439 00:16:02,561 --> 00:16:04,728 up on the the extremist questions that 440 00:16:04,728 --> 00:16:06,894 have been asked , uh two sub questions 441 00:16:06,894 --> 00:16:09,780 quickly . One is that uh in the ensuing 442 00:16:09,789 --> 00:16:12,049 investigation , if there is one of 443 00:16:12,059 --> 00:16:14,320 possible superiors who may have known 444 00:16:14,469 --> 00:16:17,960 of the alleged actions by there 445 00:16:17,969 --> 00:16:19,913 wouldn't be AD O G investigation , 446 00:16:19,913 --> 00:16:22,080 right ? That would be either Air Force 447 00:16:22,080 --> 00:16:24,450 or dod . I'm sorry , can you repeat the 448 00:16:24,460 --> 00:16:27,250 question ? Uh the , the investigation 449 00:16:27,260 --> 00:16:29,640 of the share is the D O G and Air Force . 450 00:16:29,650 --> 00:16:31,760 We know that but in subsequent 451 00:16:31,770 --> 00:16:33,492 investigations , to find those 452 00:16:33,492 --> 00:16:35,326 adjustments that you referred to 453 00:16:35,326 --> 00:16:37,548 earlier in the briefing , would that be 454 00:16:37,548 --> 00:16:39,714 a dod investigation as to why those in 455 00:16:39,714 --> 00:16:42,520 the Air Force did not properly respond 456 00:16:42,530 --> 00:16:46,020 to comments by a um um 457 00:16:46,030 --> 00:16:48,460 coworkers that this was happening . 458 00:16:48,469 --> 00:16:50,691 Would that be purely a dod or air force 459 00:16:50,691 --> 00:16:52,802 investigation or would that be also ? 460 00:16:52,802 --> 00:16:55,270 Doj , I think you might be parsing it a 461 00:16:55,280 --> 00:16:58,119 bit too much and trying to . Ok . Well , 462 00:16:58,130 --> 00:17:00,297 then , maybe I'm not understanding the 463 00:17:00,297 --> 00:17:02,630 question , uh , properly , but I'll try . 464 00:17:02,630 --> 00:17:04,741 So both investigations are running in 465 00:17:04,741 --> 00:17:06,797 tandem with each other , but they're 466 00:17:06,797 --> 00:17:09,019 separate , each investigation will have 467 00:17:09,019 --> 00:17:11,019 its own findings that we , that the 468 00:17:11,019 --> 00:17:12,908 department will be able to use to 469 00:17:12,908 --> 00:17:14,852 inform form better practices going 470 00:17:14,852 --> 00:17:17,689 forward . So , for instance , thank you . 471 00:17:17,859 --> 00:17:20,081 So they're in tandem . In other words , 472 00:17:20,081 --> 00:17:21,970 the Air Force investigation is by 473 00:17:21,970 --> 00:17:24,137 itself , it's not working with the D O 474 00:17:24,137 --> 00:17:26,359 G . Ok , thank you . And then the final 475 00:17:26,359 --> 00:17:28,303 one is in the adjustments that are 476 00:17:28,303 --> 00:17:30,192 going on in regards to classified 477 00:17:30,192 --> 00:17:32,137 information . Uh , there are three 478 00:17:32,137 --> 00:17:34,248 marine active duty marines , uh , who 479 00:17:34,248 --> 00:17:36,415 were charged in regards to January 6th 480 00:17:36,415 --> 00:17:38,415 activities on Capitol Hill , one of 481 00:17:38,415 --> 00:17:40,470 which , uh , had a hearing yesterday 482 00:17:40,470 --> 00:17:42,692 Wednesday . Uh , all three of those are 483 00:17:42,692 --> 00:17:44,748 involved in intelligence collections 484 00:17:44,748 --> 00:17:46,692 and are still on active duty doing 485 00:17:46,692 --> 00:17:48,803 intelligence collections . Uh , would 486 00:17:48,803 --> 00:17:50,915 this be some area take stepping aside 487 00:17:50,915 --> 00:17:53,026 from these three marines on a broadly 488 00:17:53,026 --> 00:17:52,880 speaking , would this be one of the 489 00:17:52,890 --> 00:17:55,001 adjustment areas that would be looked 490 00:17:55,001 --> 00:17:57,112 upon that people who are charged with 491 00:17:57,189 --> 00:17:59,290 incidents like January 6th or still 492 00:17:59,300 --> 00:18:01,300 have access to intelligence who are 493 00:18:01,300 --> 00:18:03,709 linked to the extremism ? It certainly 494 00:18:03,719 --> 00:18:05,886 could be something that we look into . 495 00:18:05,886 --> 00:18:08,560 But again , everyone is , uh , is um 496 00:18:08,569 --> 00:18:11,199 innocent until proven guilty . This is 497 00:18:11,209 --> 00:18:13,265 a , uh , a case that's going through 498 00:18:13,265 --> 00:18:15,487 the court . I'm gonna just finish right 499 00:18:15,487 --> 00:18:17,709 here . So again , this is a case that's 500 00:18:17,709 --> 00:18:19,653 going through the courts . I'm not 501 00:18:19,653 --> 00:18:21,931 gonna comment on an ongoing litigation , 502 00:18:21,931 --> 00:18:23,931 but we will take any piece from the 503 00:18:23,931 --> 00:18:25,931 investigation , both either the Air 504 00:18:25,931 --> 00:18:27,987 Force or what is happening at DOJ to 505 00:18:27,987 --> 00:18:30,098 inform our best practices . Uh moving 506 00:18:30,098 --> 00:18:31,987 forward when it comes to handling 507 00:18:31,987 --> 00:18:34,153 classified documents or , or accessing 508 00:18:34,153 --> 00:18:36,153 classified systems . Great . Yeah , 509 00:18:36,153 --> 00:18:40,030 Mike one sec , hold on , Mike . You 510 00:18:40,180 --> 00:18:42,339 said the US provided uh quote some 511 00:18:42,349 --> 00:18:44,349 assistance to Ukraine regarding the 512 00:18:44,349 --> 00:18:46,459 Patriot repair work . Is that on the 513 00:18:46,469 --> 00:18:48,358 ground there in Ukraine ? Because 514 00:18:48,358 --> 00:18:50,469 that's where the repairs were done or 515 00:18:50,729 --> 00:18:52,840 was it done remotely or can you , can 516 00:18:52,840 --> 00:18:54,896 you be sort of uh specified a little 517 00:18:54,896 --> 00:18:56,729 bit about how would the level of 518 00:18:56,729 --> 00:18:58,951 assistance you ? I'm not gonna get into 519 00:18:58,951 --> 00:19:01,062 more specifics on the assistance that 520 00:19:01,062 --> 00:19:03,285 was provided only that we did offer our 521 00:19:03,285 --> 00:19:05,451 support and , and provide assistance , 522 00:19:05,451 --> 00:19:07,562 but this is not just , you know , one 523 00:19:07,562 --> 00:19:09,507 case we have done this before with 524 00:19:09,507 --> 00:19:12,219 other um us provided systems . And um 525 00:19:12,229 --> 00:19:14,989 again , we have offered training to the 526 00:19:15,000 --> 00:19:18,359 Ukrainians uh that you are aware of 527 00:19:18,369 --> 00:19:20,959 both at Fort Sill and in Gravier . Um 528 00:19:21,010 --> 00:19:23,219 that helps them maintain these , these 529 00:19:23,229 --> 00:19:25,007 weapons and capabilities on the 530 00:19:25,007 --> 00:19:27,619 battlefield ? Great . Yeah . Or 531 00:19:29,180 --> 00:19:31,347 is the defense department aware of any 532 00:19:31,347 --> 00:19:33,458 other cases in which a service member 533 00:19:33,458 --> 00:19:35,402 has been reprimanded ? One or more 534 00:19:35,402 --> 00:19:37,513 times ? For inappropriate handling of 535 00:19:37,513 --> 00:19:39,569 classified info and yet has retained 536 00:19:39,569 --> 00:19:39,540 access to that information . Would that 537 00:19:39,550 --> 00:19:43,219 be common ? I'm not aware of that . Um , 538 00:19:43,229 --> 00:19:45,340 I would have to check . I mean , that 539 00:19:45,340 --> 00:19:47,396 would be a question for each service 540 00:19:47,396 --> 00:19:49,451 and I just don't know the answer off 541 00:19:49,451 --> 00:19:51,562 the top of my head on that one . Ok , 542 00:19:51,562 --> 00:19:53,618 great . Anyone else ? All right , we 543 00:19:53,618 --> 00:19:53,469 can call today . Thanks .