1 00:00:02,569 --> 00:00:04,889 All right , good afternoon , everyone . 2 00:00:04,900 --> 00:00:07,960 Thanks for your patience . Uh First off , 3 00:00:07,969 --> 00:00:10,191 let me say it's great to be back in the 4 00:00:10,191 --> 00:00:12,302 press briefing room . I would like to 5 00:00:12,302 --> 00:00:14,520 thank Mr Tom Aston and the defense 6 00:00:14,529 --> 00:00:16,473 press operations team here for all 7 00:00:16,473 --> 00:00:18,590 their hard work over the past four 8 00:00:18,600 --> 00:00:20,656 months to enable us to implement the 9 00:00:20,656 --> 00:00:22,878 long needed renovations to the briefing 10 00:00:22,878 --> 00:00:25,100 room while also enabling us to continue 11 00:00:25,100 --> 00:00:27,267 our briefing cadence without missing a 12 00:00:27,267 --> 00:00:29,378 beat . Uh Needless to say , there's a 13 00:00:29,378 --> 00:00:31,378 lot of work that goes on behind the 14 00:00:31,378 --> 00:00:33,378 scenes . So I know I speak for many 15 00:00:33,378 --> 00:00:35,433 here at OS D Public Affairs . When I 16 00:00:35,433 --> 00:00:35,319 say how grateful we are for their 17 00:00:35,330 --> 00:00:37,386 efforts , I'd also like to thank our 18 00:00:37,389 --> 00:00:39,556 Pentagon Press Corps for your patience 19 00:00:39,556 --> 00:00:41,667 and flexibility and we understand all 20 00:00:41,667 --> 00:00:43,667 the logistical challenges that this 21 00:00:43,667 --> 00:00:46,430 renovation presented . Uh And so we 22 00:00:46,439 --> 00:00:48,106 appreciate your understanding 23 00:00:48,106 --> 00:00:50,272 throughout the process . And finally , 24 00:00:50,272 --> 00:00:52,439 a huge thanks to the Department of the 25 00:00:52,439 --> 00:00:54,495 Air Force for allowing us to use the 26 00:00:54,495 --> 00:00:56,717 Airman's Hall as our temporary briefing 27 00:00:56,717 --> 00:00:58,995 space . Uh Turning to today's briefing , 28 00:00:58,995 --> 00:01:00,995 I do have quite a few items to pass 29 00:01:00,995 --> 00:01:03,050 along on the top . So once again , I 30 00:01:03,050 --> 00:01:05,272 will ask for your patience , uh , while 31 00:01:05,272 --> 00:01:05,190 I kick things off and then be I'll be 32 00:01:05,199 --> 00:01:07,699 happy to take your questions . Uh first 33 00:01:07,709 --> 00:01:09,431 at the direction of the Deputy 34 00:01:09,431 --> 00:01:11,598 Secretary of Defense , Doctor Kathleen 35 00:01:11,598 --> 00:01:14,169 Hicks , the Dod S internal review team 36 00:01:14,180 --> 00:01:16,339 on racial disparities in the 37 00:01:16,349 --> 00:01:18,669 investigative and military justice 38 00:01:18,680 --> 00:01:21,790 systems or I RT has completed and 39 00:01:21,800 --> 00:01:23,744 delivered its report to the deputy 40 00:01:23,744 --> 00:01:26,440 secretary . The I RT was charged with 41 00:01:26,449 --> 00:01:28,282 addressing root causes of racial 42 00:01:28,290 --> 00:01:30,480 disparities in the investigative and 43 00:01:30,489 --> 00:01:33,120 military justice systems and providing 44 00:01:33,129 --> 00:01:35,339 actionable recommendations to improve 45 00:01:35,349 --> 00:01:37,989 department policies , processes and 46 00:01:38,000 --> 00:01:40,699 resources to address such disparities . 47 00:01:41,459 --> 00:01:44,459 The I RT S report details a total of 17 48 00:01:44,470 --> 00:01:47,069 recommendations based on three lines of 49 00:01:47,080 --> 00:01:49,029 effort which include training and 50 00:01:49,040 --> 00:01:51,870 education , service member protections , 51 00:01:51,879 --> 00:01:54,750 oversight and transparency . The I RT 52 00:01:54,760 --> 00:01:56,760 also found that additional data and 53 00:01:56,760 --> 00:01:58,927 research are warranted to identify and 54 00:01:58,927 --> 00:02:01,669 address root causes , mitigate bias and 55 00:02:01,680 --> 00:02:04,040 eliminate disparities . The Department 56 00:02:04,050 --> 00:02:05,939 of Defense is taking a deliberate 57 00:02:05,939 --> 00:02:08,161 approach to the implementation of the I 58 00:02:08,161 --> 00:02:10,649 RT S recommendations with the launch of 59 00:02:10,660 --> 00:02:13,279 a 120 day assessment that will be led 60 00:02:13,300 --> 00:02:15,356 by the undersecretary of defense for 61 00:02:15,356 --> 00:02:17,649 personnel and readiness . Taking care 62 00:02:17,660 --> 00:02:19,604 of our military community is a top 63 00:02:19,604 --> 00:02:21,549 priority for the department and we 64 00:02:21,549 --> 00:02:23,660 remain determined to eliminate racial 65 00:02:23,660 --> 00:02:25,993 disparities throughout our armed forces . 66 00:02:25,993 --> 00:02:28,104 Dod will continue to work to identify 67 00:02:28,104 --> 00:02:30,160 the causes of any racial , ethnic or 68 00:02:30,160 --> 00:02:32,104 gender disparities in the military 69 00:02:32,104 --> 00:02:34,271 justice system . And the I RT memo and 70 00:02:34,271 --> 00:02:36,493 report will be available later today on 71 00:02:36,493 --> 00:02:39,750 defense dot gov separately earlier this 72 00:02:39,759 --> 00:02:41,759 week , Secretary Austin concluded a 73 00:02:41,759 --> 00:02:43,759 successful trip to the Indo Pacific 74 00:02:43,759 --> 00:02:45,981 region and to Europe during which he uh 75 00:02:45,981 --> 00:02:48,092 during which he made stops in Japan , 76 00:02:48,092 --> 00:02:50,630 Singapore , India and France . Each 77 00:02:50,639 --> 00:02:52,750 stop afforded the opportunity to meet 78 00:02:52,750 --> 00:02:54,583 with counterparts to discuss our 79 00:02:54,583 --> 00:02:56,750 continued focus and shared vision of a 80 00:02:56,750 --> 00:02:58,917 free and open Indo Pacific region at a 81 00:02:58,917 --> 00:03:00,750 time of real momentum in our key 82 00:03:00,750 --> 00:03:02,861 relationships . As highlighted in his 83 00:03:02,861 --> 00:03:04,861 speech at the Shangri La Dialogue . 84 00:03:04,861 --> 00:03:06,972 More and more of the countries of the 85 00:03:06,972 --> 00:03:09,139 Indo Pacific have come together around 86 00:03:09,139 --> 00:03:11,139 this shared vision of the future in 87 00:03:11,139 --> 00:03:13,361 which all nations are free to thrive on 88 00:03:13,361 --> 00:03:15,361 their own terms without coercion or 89 00:03:15,361 --> 00:03:17,361 intimidation or bullying . To quote 90 00:03:17,361 --> 00:03:19,539 Secretary Austin . It's a vision of a 91 00:03:19,550 --> 00:03:22,369 free and open and secure Indo Pacific 92 00:03:22,380 --> 00:03:24,436 within a world of rules and rights . 93 00:03:24,436 --> 00:03:26,658 And that vision is anchored in some key 94 00:03:26,658 --> 00:03:28,547 principles to include respect for 95 00:03:28,547 --> 00:03:30,050 sovereignty , adherence to 96 00:03:30,059 --> 00:03:32,115 international law , transparency and 97 00:03:32,115 --> 00:03:34,170 openness , the free flow of commerce 98 00:03:34,170 --> 00:03:36,115 and ideas , human rights and human 99 00:03:36,115 --> 00:03:38,337 dignity , equal rights for all states , 100 00:03:38,337 --> 00:03:40,503 large and small and resolving disputes 101 00:03:40,503 --> 00:03:42,392 through peaceful dialogue and not 102 00:03:42,392 --> 00:03:44,503 coercion or conquest of note . On the 103 00:03:44,503 --> 00:03:46,770 heels of Secretary Austin's travel to 104 00:03:46,779 --> 00:03:49,059 the Indo Pacific under Secretary of 105 00:03:49,070 --> 00:03:51,292 Defense for Policy , Dr Colin call will 106 00:03:51,292 --> 00:03:53,292 depart this weekend for a series of 107 00:03:53,292 --> 00:03:55,626 engagements in Hawaii , Korea and Japan . 108 00:03:55,919 --> 00:03:57,863 During the visit , he'll meet with 109 00:03:57,863 --> 00:03:59,975 senior Indo peco military leaders and 110 00:03:59,975 --> 00:04:02,086 conduct various counterpart visits in 111 00:04:02,086 --> 00:04:03,975 Japan and Korea that will further 112 00:04:03,975 --> 00:04:06,086 strengthen our ironclad alliances and 113 00:04:06,086 --> 00:04:08,197 partnerships in the region . Readouts 114 00:04:08,197 --> 00:04:10,363 from the under secretary's engagements 115 00:04:10,363 --> 00:04:12,586 will be posted on the dod website . And 116 00:04:12,586 --> 00:04:14,752 another travel news secretary , Austin 117 00:04:14,752 --> 00:04:16,975 will travel again next week to Brussels 118 00:04:16,975 --> 00:04:18,919 where he and chairman of the Joint 119 00:04:18,919 --> 00:04:21,030 Chiefs of Staff , General Milley will 120 00:04:21,030 --> 00:04:22,863 host an in person meeting of the 121 00:04:22,863 --> 00:04:24,975 Ukraine defense contact group on June 122 00:04:24,975 --> 00:04:26,752 15 followed by the NATO defense 123 00:04:26,752 --> 00:04:28,919 ministers meeting on June 16 . We will 124 00:04:28,919 --> 00:04:30,975 provide additional details regarding 125 00:04:30,975 --> 00:04:33,141 the trip in the near future . Shifting 126 00:04:33,141 --> 00:04:35,308 gears in the Middle East region . This 127 00:04:35,308 --> 00:04:37,197 week marks the second week for us 128 00:04:37,197 --> 00:04:39,419 participation in exercise Eagle Resolve 129 00:04:39,419 --> 00:04:41,363 23 for the first time . This multi 130 00:04:41,363 --> 00:04:43,419 domain exercise focused primarily on 131 00:04:43,419 --> 00:04:45,586 integrated air and missile defense and 132 00:04:45,586 --> 00:04:47,920 maritime interdiction is being hosted 133 00:04:47,929 --> 00:04:49,873 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and 134 00:04:49,873 --> 00:04:51,873 includes participation from all six 135 00:04:51,873 --> 00:04:53,818 Gulf Cooperation council countries 136 00:04:54,209 --> 00:04:56,042 separately , nearly a half dozen 137 00:04:56,042 --> 00:04:58,299 partner nation air Forces from across 138 00:04:58,309 --> 00:05:00,142 the US . Central command area of 139 00:05:00,142 --> 00:05:02,420 responsibility came together today in 140 00:05:02,429 --> 00:05:04,649 support of a B one bomber led us 141 00:05:04,660 --> 00:05:06,660 strategic command bomber task force 142 00:05:06,660 --> 00:05:08,716 mission that culminated in a pair of 143 00:05:08,716 --> 00:05:11,010 live fire events on ranges in Jordan 144 00:05:11,019 --> 00:05:14,750 and Saudi Arabia . Taken together these 145 00:05:14,760 --> 00:05:16,927 activities reinforce the US commitment 146 00:05:16,927 --> 00:05:18,927 to contributing to the security and 147 00:05:18,927 --> 00:05:21,149 stability of the Middle East region and 148 00:05:21,149 --> 00:05:23,427 demonstrate the increase in complexity , 149 00:05:23,859 --> 00:05:26,220 deepening military interoperability and 150 00:05:26,230 --> 00:05:27,952 strength of our shared defense 151 00:05:27,952 --> 00:05:30,174 capabilities . And I would refer you to 152 00:05:30,174 --> 00:05:32,230 us central command uh for additional 153 00:05:32,230 --> 00:05:34,341 details . Meanwhile , in the European 154 00:05:34,341 --> 00:05:36,452 region , the 52nd iteration of Baltic 155 00:05:36,452 --> 00:05:38,397 operations also known as Balt Tops 156 00:05:38,397 --> 00:05:40,508 began this week with 19 NATO allies , 157 00:05:40,508 --> 00:05:42,674 one NATO partner nation , 50 ships and 158 00:05:42,674 --> 00:05:44,897 more than 45 aircraft and approximately 159 00:05:44,897 --> 00:05:46,952 6000 personnel participating through 160 00:05:46,959 --> 00:05:50,149 June 16 . This annual maritime focused 161 00:05:50,160 --> 00:05:52,160 exercise provides a unique training 162 00:05:52,160 --> 00:05:54,327 opportunity to strengthen the combined 163 00:05:54,327 --> 00:05:56,104 response capability critical to 164 00:05:56,104 --> 00:05:58,160 preserving freedom of navigation and 165 00:05:58,160 --> 00:05:59,660 security in the Baltic sea 166 00:05:59,660 --> 00:06:01,779 participating nations will exercise a 167 00:06:01,790 --> 00:06:03,846 myriad of capabilities demonstrating 168 00:06:03,846 --> 00:06:05,901 the flexibility of maritime forces . 169 00:06:05,959 --> 00:06:08,181 For more information , please visit the 170 00:06:08,181 --> 00:06:10,292 US Naval forces , Europe , Africa and 171 00:06:10,292 --> 00:06:12,403 US six fleet website and social media 172 00:06:12,403 --> 00:06:14,181 platforms for the latest on the 173 00:06:14,181 --> 00:06:16,015 exercise . And finally on Monday 174 00:06:16,015 --> 00:06:18,309 morning , June 12th , Secretary Austin 175 00:06:18,320 --> 00:06:20,589 and Deputy Secretary Hicks will lead a 176 00:06:20,600 --> 00:06:22,600 Pentagon ceremony Commemorating the 177 00:06:22,600 --> 00:06:25,140 75th anniversary of the Women's Armed 178 00:06:25,149 --> 00:06:28,130 Forces Integration Act of 1948 to 179 00:06:28,140 --> 00:06:30,196 celebrate the enormous contributions 180 00:06:30,196 --> 00:06:32,196 that women have made to us national 181 00:06:32,196 --> 00:06:34,519 security . Over the last 7.5 decades , 182 00:06:34,829 --> 00:06:36,996 the Pentagon Courtyard ceremony begins 183 00:06:36,996 --> 00:06:39,579 at 10 30 will be broadcast on defense 184 00:06:39,589 --> 00:06:42,089 dot gov . And with that , I will take 185 00:06:42,100 --> 00:06:45,619 your questions . All right , Tara , 186 00:06:45,859 --> 00:06:48,519 let's go to associated press kicking it 187 00:06:48,529 --> 00:06:51,179 off of the bang there , aren't you ? Um 188 00:06:53,470 --> 00:06:55,637 Good to be back ? All right . I wanted 189 00:06:55,637 --> 00:06:57,192 to start off with Ukraine , 190 00:06:57,220 --> 00:07:00,130 particularly the dam break and the 191 00:07:00,140 --> 00:07:02,362 catastrophic flooding that's going on . 192 00:07:02,362 --> 00:07:04,670 Um Typically in humanitarian disasters 193 00:07:04,679 --> 00:07:06,790 of this size , there's a role for dod 194 00:07:06,790 --> 00:07:08,512 to play whether it's flying in 195 00:07:08,512 --> 00:07:10,401 humanitarian aid , assisting with 196 00:07:10,401 --> 00:07:12,690 evacuations . Does the ongoing conflict 197 00:07:12,700 --> 00:07:16,369 make that impossible ? Sure . Um So , 198 00:07:16,380 --> 00:07:20,350 so as it pertains to uh aid , um right 199 00:07:20,359 --> 00:07:22,581 now , I don't have anything to announce 200 00:07:22,581 --> 00:07:24,748 in terms of what dod uh is providing , 201 00:07:24,750 --> 00:07:26,917 you know , as , as you well know , our 202 00:07:26,917 --> 00:07:29,250 current focus is on security assistance . 203 00:07:29,250 --> 00:07:32,429 I would highlight uh that uh you may 204 00:07:32,440 --> 00:07:34,551 have heard the White House talk today 205 00:07:34,551 --> 00:07:36,496 about USA ID uh working with local 206 00:07:36,496 --> 00:07:38,496 agencies and international agencies 207 00:07:38,496 --> 00:07:40,779 that are on the ground to provide some 208 00:07:40,790 --> 00:07:43,309 humanitarian assistance . Uh which 209 00:07:43,320 --> 00:07:46,799 includes things like uh transportation 210 00:07:46,809 --> 00:07:48,809 for people away from the flooding , 211 00:07:48,809 --> 00:07:50,700 distributing water , purification 212 00:07:50,709 --> 00:07:52,809 equipment , water pumps , um boat 213 00:07:52,820 --> 00:07:55,230 motors , other rescue gear . So I would 214 00:07:55,239 --> 00:07:57,461 refer you to USA ID to talk about those 215 00:07:57,461 --> 00:07:59,461 particular efforts . Um but when it 216 00:07:59,461 --> 00:08:01,461 comes to dod right now , um I don't 217 00:08:01,461 --> 00:08:03,517 have anything to announce them . And 218 00:08:03,517 --> 00:08:06,010 then so that sometimes duty aircraft 219 00:08:06,019 --> 00:08:08,241 are used to fly in that aid too is that 220 00:08:08,260 --> 00:08:10,940 it cannot not even be uh it's not 221 00:08:10,950 --> 00:08:13,061 something that , that we're currently 222 00:08:13,061 --> 00:08:15,117 looking at again . If that changes , 223 00:08:15,117 --> 00:08:15,049 we'll be sure to let you know . And 224 00:08:15,059 --> 00:08:17,899 then secondly , there's a lot of 225 00:08:17,910 --> 00:08:19,966 reporting right now that the counter 226 00:08:19,966 --> 00:08:22,500 offensive has begun based on activity 227 00:08:22,510 --> 00:08:25,290 you're seeing on the banks of the river 228 00:08:25,440 --> 00:08:28,140 in Zaria . What can you say about that ? 229 00:08:28,600 --> 00:08:30,822 Yeah , so uh we're certainly monitoring 230 00:08:30,822 --> 00:08:33,130 reports of increased fighting between 231 00:08:33,140 --> 00:08:35,619 Ukrainian and Russian forces at various 232 00:08:35,630 --> 00:08:37,630 locations across the front lines in 233 00:08:37,630 --> 00:08:40,289 Ukraine . But when it comes to 234 00:08:40,299 --> 00:08:42,077 characterizing those particular 235 00:08:42,077 --> 00:08:43,966 operations or talking about those 236 00:08:43,966 --> 00:08:46,188 operations . Uh That's really something 237 00:08:46,188 --> 00:08:48,521 that's best left to the Ukrainians . Ok , 238 00:08:48,521 --> 00:08:50,466 Jennifer , have you assessed who's 239 00:08:50,466 --> 00:08:52,688 responsible for blowing up the dam ? Uh 240 00:08:52,688 --> 00:08:54,855 We have not at this time , we're still 241 00:08:54,855 --> 00:08:57,021 continuing to look at that . And there 242 00:08:57,021 --> 00:08:59,132 are two reports today suggesting that 243 00:08:59,132 --> 00:09:02,030 the Chinese have a new agreement with 244 00:09:02,039 --> 00:09:04,909 Cuba to set up a listening post in Cuba . 245 00:09:05,210 --> 00:09:08,039 Are those reports accurate ? Uh What is 246 00:09:08,049 --> 00:09:10,400 the extent is there a new listening 247 00:09:10,409 --> 00:09:13,640 post in Cuba um that affects the United 248 00:09:13,650 --> 00:09:15,880 States ? Yes . So , so uh I've seen 249 00:09:15,890 --> 00:09:18,057 that , that reporting , I can tell you 250 00:09:18,057 --> 00:09:20,168 based on the information that we have 251 00:09:20,168 --> 00:09:22,279 that that is not accurate . Uh that , 252 00:09:22,279 --> 00:09:24,690 that we are not aware of China and Cuba 253 00:09:24,869 --> 00:09:27,349 uh developing any type of spy station 254 00:09:27,359 --> 00:09:29,248 separately . I would say that the 255 00:09:29,248 --> 00:09:31,359 relationship that those two countries 256 00:09:31,359 --> 00:09:33,581 share is something that we continuously 257 00:09:33,581 --> 00:09:35,940 monitor . Uh I would say that that as 258 00:09:35,950 --> 00:09:38,380 you've heard us say many times China's 259 00:09:38,390 --> 00:09:40,739 activities both in our hemisphere and 260 00:09:40,750 --> 00:09:42,639 around the world , any concerning 261 00:09:42,639 --> 00:09:44,750 activities are something that we will 262 00:09:44,750 --> 00:09:47,770 continue to , to watch closely . Um But 263 00:09:47,780 --> 00:09:49,724 in terms of that , that particular 264 00:09:49,724 --> 00:09:51,780 report , uh no , it's not accurate . 265 00:09:51,780 --> 00:09:54,002 Have you seen China set up any military 266 00:09:54,002 --> 00:09:55,947 base in Cuba or is there any plans 267 00:09:56,000 --> 00:09:58,222 we've seen elsewhere in the region that 268 00:09:58,222 --> 00:10:00,739 they have ? Yeah , none that I'm aware 269 00:10:00,750 --> 00:10:03,359 of at this time . Getting back to 270 00:10:03,369 --> 00:10:05,536 Ukraine , you can't talk about Ukraine 271 00:10:05,536 --> 00:10:07,591 is doing . What about what Russia is 272 00:10:07,591 --> 00:10:09,813 doing . Are you seeing any movements of 273 00:10:09,813 --> 00:10:11,980 troops , shifts of troops , additional 274 00:10:11,980 --> 00:10:14,202 forces coming in along the front line ? 275 00:10:14,202 --> 00:10:16,036 Yeah , Tom , so I appreciate the 276 00:10:16,036 --> 00:10:18,202 question . Um What I'm not going to do 277 00:10:18,202 --> 00:10:20,369 today is provide an operational update 278 00:10:20,369 --> 00:10:22,369 on , on ongoing developments on the 279 00:10:22,369 --> 00:10:24,591 battlefield . You know , clearly Russia 280 00:10:24,591 --> 00:10:26,591 for some time has been building its 281 00:10:26,591 --> 00:10:29,460 defenses in Ukraine and in anticipation 282 00:10:29,469 --> 00:10:32,460 of a Ukrainian counter offensive . Uh 283 00:10:32,469 --> 00:10:34,691 And so , you know , that's about as far 284 00:10:34,691 --> 00:10:37,000 as I'll go right now coming in . Can 285 00:10:37,010 --> 00:10:39,066 you at least say you , you're seeing 286 00:10:39,066 --> 00:10:42,219 some uh beyond what we've seen in terms 287 00:10:42,229 --> 00:10:44,285 of , you know , replacement forces . 288 00:10:44,285 --> 00:10:46,229 I'm not aware of any significant , 289 00:10:46,229 --> 00:10:48,390 large number of additional Russian 290 00:10:48,400 --> 00:10:50,344 forces coming in . But of course , 291 00:10:50,344 --> 00:10:52,567 that's something we'll continue to keep 292 00:10:52,567 --> 00:10:54,622 an eye on . Ok . Yes , ma'am . Thank 293 00:10:54,622 --> 00:10:56,979 you so much , sir . Um First for you , 294 00:10:56,989 --> 00:10:59,489 there has been some reporting that Dod 295 00:10:59,500 --> 00:11:02,280 and D T IC are experimenting with open 296 00:11:02,289 --> 00:11:05,130 A I . And so I wanted to um hear a 297 00:11:05,140 --> 00:11:07,029 little bit more about how they're 298 00:11:07,029 --> 00:11:09,251 experimenting with those large language 299 00:11:09,251 --> 00:11:11,362 models and how they're managing their 300 00:11:11,362 --> 00:11:13,418 risks that we continue to hear about 301 00:11:13,418 --> 00:11:15,473 those emerging capabilities . Yeah , 302 00:11:15,473 --> 00:11:17,418 sure . Um So I don't have anything 303 00:11:17,418 --> 00:11:19,640 specific to provide on that . Um So let 304 00:11:19,640 --> 00:11:21,862 me take that question and we'll , we'll 305 00:11:21,862 --> 00:11:23,973 come back to your CD A O to respond . 306 00:11:23,973 --> 00:11:26,196 That would be great . Second question . 307 00:11:26,196 --> 00:11:28,362 Um The bolt typhoon China linked cyber 308 00:11:28,362 --> 00:11:30,625 attack that we've been hearing a lot 309 00:11:30,635 --> 00:11:33,494 about how is dod responding if at all ? 310 00:11:33,505 --> 00:11:35,227 And at this point , is it your 311 00:11:35,227 --> 00:11:37,227 assessment that it was contained to 312 00:11:37,227 --> 00:11:39,338 Guam ? Yeah , when it , when it comes 313 00:11:39,338 --> 00:11:41,394 to uh those kinds of activities as a 314 00:11:41,394 --> 00:11:43,338 matter of policy and for operation 315 00:11:43,338 --> 00:11:45,394 security , we're just not gonna talk 316 00:11:45,394 --> 00:11:47,616 about what actions we may or may not be 317 00:11:47,616 --> 00:11:49,561 taking . Obviously , we take cyber 318 00:11:49,561 --> 00:11:51,727 security very seriously , but I'm just 319 00:11:51,727 --> 00:11:51,440 not gonna go into details . Yes , ma'am . 320 00:11:51,460 --> 00:11:53,750 Thank you and uh very happy to be back 321 00:11:53,760 --> 00:11:57,049 this year . Um I just wanted to follow 322 00:11:57,059 --> 00:11:59,359 up um on Jen and your response to Jen's 323 00:11:59,369 --> 00:12:01,770 question . Um So you said it's not 324 00:12:01,780 --> 00:12:03,679 accurate that China and Cuba are 325 00:12:03,690 --> 00:12:05,969 developing uh spying base here ? Is 326 00:12:05,979 --> 00:12:07,979 that , are you aware of discussions 327 00:12:07,979 --> 00:12:10,312 about this or are there , is the report , 328 00:12:10,539 --> 00:12:12,650 are those reports completely just not 329 00:12:12,650 --> 00:12:14,317 accurate again , based on the 330 00:12:14,317 --> 00:12:16,206 information that we have ? Uh the 331 00:12:16,206 --> 00:12:18,739 report is inaccurate ? Certainly , we , 332 00:12:18,750 --> 00:12:20,583 we know that that China and Cuba 333 00:12:20,583 --> 00:12:23,760 maintain a relationship of sorts . But 334 00:12:23,770 --> 00:12:26,409 when it comes to the specific outlined 335 00:12:26,840 --> 00:12:29,179 uh in the press reporting again , based 336 00:12:29,190 --> 00:12:31,357 on the information we have that is not 337 00:12:31,357 --> 00:12:33,357 accurate . And then um one question 338 00:12:33,357 --> 00:12:35,412 just on the F-16 training , I'm just 339 00:12:35,412 --> 00:12:37,820 wondering if you have any update on um 340 00:12:37,830 --> 00:12:40,210 which countries are going to be 341 00:12:40,219 --> 00:12:42,840 providing support for training 342 00:12:42,849 --> 00:12:45,479 Ukrainian pilots on F-16s . And there 343 00:12:45,489 --> 00:12:48,280 was some reporting that F-18s may be 344 00:12:48,289 --> 00:12:50,450 involved as well . Are there any , is 345 00:12:50,460 --> 00:12:52,571 there any truth to that ? And can you 346 00:12:52,571 --> 00:12:54,682 kind of give us an update . Yeah , in 347 00:12:54,682 --> 00:12:56,516 terms of any additional types of 348 00:12:56,516 --> 00:12:58,682 aircraft , nothing to announce on that 349 00:12:58,682 --> 00:13:00,809 front . Um As far as F-16 pilot 350 00:13:00,820 --> 00:13:03,280 training goes , uh no new updates to 351 00:13:03,289 --> 00:13:05,289 provide today . You know , as we've 352 00:13:05,289 --> 00:13:07,011 talked about in the past , the 353 00:13:07,011 --> 00:13:09,178 Netherlands and Denmark have agreed to 354 00:13:09,178 --> 00:13:11,345 take the lead in terms of developing a 355 00:13:11,345 --> 00:13:13,511 training plan for Ukrainian pilots and 356 00:13:13,511 --> 00:13:15,511 maintainers . Um We do have several 357 00:13:15,511 --> 00:13:17,567 other allies who have said that they 358 00:13:17,567 --> 00:13:19,678 are uh interested in participating in 359 00:13:19,678 --> 00:13:22,520 that training . And so uh I I think the 360 00:13:22,530 --> 00:13:24,989 last time we talked uh from the 361 00:13:25,000 --> 00:13:27,010 briefing room , that was a topic of 362 00:13:27,020 --> 00:13:29,242 discussion um or excuse me , actually , 363 00:13:29,242 --> 00:13:31,076 that was before . So at the last 364 00:13:31,076 --> 00:13:33,131 Ukraine defense contact group , that 365 00:13:33,131 --> 00:13:35,353 was a topic of discussion . We've got a 366 00:13:35,353 --> 00:13:37,464 contact group next week , I expect it 367 00:13:37,464 --> 00:13:39,520 will be discussed there as well . Uh 368 00:13:39,520 --> 00:13:41,631 And so we should have more details in 369 00:13:41,631 --> 00:13:43,798 the relatively near future in terms of 370 00:13:43,798 --> 00:13:46,076 when , where , how um but at this time , 371 00:13:46,076 --> 00:13:47,853 no , nothing new to provide any 372 00:13:47,853 --> 00:13:50,076 requested that they be able to transfer 373 00:13:50,076 --> 00:13:53,179 F-16s to Ukraine uh again , much more 374 00:13:53,190 --> 00:13:55,523 to follow in the in the future . Thanks , 375 00:13:55,729 --> 00:13:58,119 go here , Dan , thank you . Um There's 376 00:13:58,130 --> 00:14:00,241 a , there's a new letter , a new push 377 00:14:00,241 --> 00:14:02,463 bipartisan on the hill kind of circling 378 00:14:02,463 --> 00:14:04,352 back to the Pentagon asking about 379 00:14:04,352 --> 00:14:06,869 attacks , trying to expedite Abrams 380 00:14:06,880 --> 00:14:09,330 moves , trying to expedite uh F-16 381 00:14:09,340 --> 00:14:12,179 moves any reaction to that in general . 382 00:14:12,190 --> 00:14:13,968 And then separately , we're all 383 00:14:13,968 --> 00:14:16,190 watching obviously , the wildfire fires 384 00:14:16,190 --> 00:14:18,412 affect a good portion of the East coast 385 00:14:18,412 --> 00:14:20,830 at this point . Um Senate majority 386 00:14:20,840 --> 00:14:23,159 leader Schumer uh raised the point of 387 00:14:23,169 --> 00:14:25,391 having additional American firefighting 388 00:14:25,391 --> 00:14:27,502 capabilities uh assist Canada if they 389 00:14:27,502 --> 00:14:29,900 ask for it . Do you see a role for dod 390 00:14:29,909 --> 00:14:32,076 in that particularly possibly with the 391 00:14:32,076 --> 00:14:34,298 Guard that already does that on a state 392 00:14:34,298 --> 00:14:36,076 level ? Thanks Dan . So uh last 393 00:14:36,076 --> 00:14:38,298 question , first , I'm not aware of any 394 00:14:38,298 --> 00:14:40,131 specific requests at this time . 395 00:14:40,131 --> 00:14:42,298 Obviously , you know , um firefighting 396 00:14:42,299 --> 00:14:44,521 is a capability that , that some of our 397 00:14:44,521 --> 00:14:46,577 forces as you highlight the Guard uh 398 00:14:46,577 --> 00:14:49,830 have provided support for in the past . 399 00:14:50,039 --> 00:14:52,559 Um But I'm not aware of any specific 400 00:14:52,570 --> 00:14:56,570 asks at this time . Um in terms of 401 00:14:56,580 --> 00:15:00,080 uh congressional requests for or , you 402 00:15:00,090 --> 00:15:01,812 know , highlighting additional 403 00:15:01,812 --> 00:15:04,146 capabilities for Ukraine . I , you know , 404 00:15:04,146 --> 00:15:05,923 I'm not gonna get into specific 405 00:15:05,923 --> 00:15:08,034 conversations or requests between the 406 00:15:08,034 --> 00:15:10,201 Hill and the Pentagon and will respond 407 00:15:10,201 --> 00:15:13,190 appropriately to , to uh Congress when , 408 00:15:13,200 --> 00:15:15,256 when and as those requests come in . 409 00:15:15,256 --> 00:15:17,200 But more broadly speaking , what I 410 00:15:17,200 --> 00:15:19,200 would tell you is uh nothing new to 411 00:15:19,210 --> 00:15:21,789 announce today in that regard . Uh As 412 00:15:21,799 --> 00:15:23,966 we have been from the very beginning , 413 00:15:23,966 --> 00:15:25,966 we'll continue to talk very closely 414 00:15:25,966 --> 00:15:28,021 with our Ukrainian partners with our 415 00:15:28,021 --> 00:15:30,510 allies on what Ukrainians most pressing 416 00:15:30,520 --> 00:15:33,450 needs are . Uh And so , you know , as , 417 00:15:33,460 --> 00:15:35,571 as we've talked about many times , we 418 00:15:35,571 --> 00:15:37,682 are committed to supporting them both 419 00:15:37,682 --> 00:15:39,904 in the near term and in the long term , 420 00:15:39,904 --> 00:15:41,793 uh and we'll continue to keep you 421 00:15:41,793 --> 00:15:43,904 updated as there are new developments 422 00:15:43,904 --> 00:15:45,849 on that front . Thank you . Sure . 423 00:15:45,849 --> 00:15:48,182 Thanks Liam Cosgrove with the gray zone . 424 00:15:48,182 --> 00:15:50,182 Quick question on the coke of a dam 425 00:15:50,182 --> 00:15:51,960 explosion . So several European 426 00:15:51,960 --> 00:15:53,904 politicians have come out and were 427 00:15:53,904 --> 00:15:56,127 quick to blame Russia saying you know , 428 00:15:56,127 --> 00:15:58,460 this is an example of Russian terrorism . 429 00:15:58,460 --> 00:16:00,627 But if you look at the context the dam 430 00:16:00,627 --> 00:16:02,793 was in Russian occupied territory . Um 431 00:16:02,840 --> 00:16:05,489 The Ukrainian Ecological League said 432 00:16:05,500 --> 00:16:07,611 this could leave Crimea without water 433 00:16:07,611 --> 00:16:10,000 for over a decade . And there were 434 00:16:10,010 --> 00:16:12,010 reports in the Washington Post last 435 00:16:12,010 --> 00:16:13,899 year that Ukrainian soldiers were 436 00:16:13,899 --> 00:16:15,954 explicitly looking at targeting this 437 00:16:15,954 --> 00:16:18,121 dam as part of a strategy to flood the 438 00:16:18,121 --> 00:16:20,066 region and prevent further Russian 439 00:16:20,066 --> 00:16:22,121 advancements . And they even fired a 440 00:16:22,121 --> 00:16:24,288 couple Haimar missiles into it to test 441 00:16:24,288 --> 00:16:26,454 that theory . So can the dod share any 442 00:16:26,454 --> 00:16:28,788 evidence as to who might have done this ? 443 00:16:28,788 --> 00:16:30,399 And are you entertaining the 444 00:16:30,399 --> 00:16:32,399 possibility that it might have been 445 00:16:32,399 --> 00:16:34,510 Ukraine ? Yeah . Well , I like as you 446 00:16:34,510 --> 00:16:34,210 heard us say , I mean , we're 447 00:16:34,219 --> 00:16:36,609 continuing to assess how this could 448 00:16:36,619 --> 00:16:38,786 have happened . Uh So , you know , all 449 00:16:38,786 --> 00:16:41,063 great questions . Uh but at this point , 450 00:16:41,063 --> 00:16:44,000 it's all speculation . Um And so , you 451 00:16:44,010 --> 00:16:45,677 know , I'm not gonna get into 452 00:16:45,677 --> 00:16:47,788 hypotheticals or speculate . Um I , I 453 00:16:47,788 --> 00:16:50,710 think it's very clear , however , uh 454 00:16:50,719 --> 00:16:53,010 the reason we're in this situation is 455 00:16:53,020 --> 00:16:56,039 because Russia invaded Ukraine . Uh And , 456 00:16:56,049 --> 00:16:57,909 and so it's obviously a terrible 457 00:16:57,919 --> 00:16:59,960 humanitarian tragedy and you , you 458 00:16:59,969 --> 00:17:01,969 heard me talk here a little bit ago 459 00:17:01,969 --> 00:17:03,691 about how the US government is 460 00:17:03,691 --> 00:17:06,359 attempting to assist the Ukrainians on 461 00:17:06,369 --> 00:17:09,040 the humanitarian front . Um but in 462 00:17:09,050 --> 00:17:12,260 terms of how this uh dam could have 463 00:17:12,270 --> 00:17:14,270 been destroyed , you know , again , 464 00:17:14,270 --> 00:17:16,492 it's something that we're continuing to 465 00:17:16,492 --> 00:17:18,959 look into . We have seen before where 466 00:17:18,969 --> 00:17:22,670 Ukraine , you know , a avoids 467 00:17:22,680 --> 00:17:24,569 culpability and is quick to blame 468 00:17:24,569 --> 00:17:26,791 Russia like that missile that went into 469 00:17:26,791 --> 00:17:28,902 Poland . Um that they said was Russia 470 00:17:28,902 --> 00:17:31,124 turned out , it was actually Ukraine by 471 00:17:31,124 --> 00:17:33,236 accident . So is there a concern that 472 00:17:33,236 --> 00:17:35,347 they're not being totally transparent 473 00:17:35,347 --> 00:17:37,458 with us and that , you know , efforts 474 00:17:37,458 --> 00:17:39,780 like this , um with the dam , you know , 475 00:17:39,790 --> 00:17:41,957 putting the dam aside because we don't 476 00:17:41,957 --> 00:17:44,179 know who did it , but that , you know , 477 00:17:44,229 --> 00:17:46,451 and never like that with the missile in 478 00:17:46,451 --> 00:17:48,173 Poland and perhaps the dam are 479 00:17:48,173 --> 00:17:50,285 attempting to draw us deeper into the 480 00:17:50,285 --> 00:17:52,507 conflict by blaming Russia , you know , 481 00:17:52,507 --> 00:17:54,840 when we don't know yet . Yeah . So , uh , 482 00:17:54,840 --> 00:17:56,729 you know , you , you started your 483 00:17:56,729 --> 00:17:58,951 question with , you know , more broadly 484 00:17:58,951 --> 00:18:01,173 speaking . So I'll , I'll do the same . 485 00:18:01,173 --> 00:18:01,000 I'll talk more broadly here . I mean , 486 00:18:03,000 --> 00:18:04,889 as we say , in the Air force from 487 00:18:04,889 --> 00:18:08,550 10,000 ft again , why are we in this 488 00:18:08,560 --> 00:18:11,310 situation in February of 2022 Russia 489 00:18:11,319 --> 00:18:13,199 invaded Ukraine and attempted to 490 00:18:13,209 --> 00:18:15,153 eliminate it as a country . So the 491 00:18:15,153 --> 00:18:17,209 Ukrainians naturally have a right to 492 00:18:17,209 --> 00:18:19,376 defend themselves . Uh , and we have a 493 00:18:19,376 --> 00:18:21,376 right to be able to support them to 494 00:18:21,376 --> 00:18:23,431 defend themselves . I'm not going to 495 00:18:23,431 --> 00:18:25,653 speak for the Ukrainians in terms of uh 496 00:18:25,653 --> 00:18:27,653 their various activities . Um , you 497 00:18:27,660 --> 00:18:29,604 know , when , when it comes to the 498 00:18:29,604 --> 00:18:31,771 things that you highlight , other than 499 00:18:31,771 --> 00:18:33,716 to say , it's very clear that on a 500 00:18:33,716 --> 00:18:35,882 daily basis , there are Russian forces 501 00:18:35,882 --> 00:18:38,160 attempting to kill innocent Ukrainians . 502 00:18:38,160 --> 00:18:40,327 And so we the United States government 503 00:18:40,327 --> 00:18:39,319 are going to work with the 504 00:18:39,329 --> 00:18:40,996 international community to do 505 00:18:40,996 --> 00:18:43,107 everything we can to help them defend 506 00:18:43,107 --> 00:18:45,218 their country and take back sovereign 507 00:18:45,218 --> 00:18:47,385 territory . So let me go to Rio behind 508 00:18:47,385 --> 00:18:49,440 you there . Uh Thank you very much , 509 00:18:49,440 --> 00:18:51,449 General . Uh on NATO , NATO is 510 00:18:51,459 --> 00:18:53,800 considering a new office in Tokyo , 511 00:18:53,810 --> 00:18:56,530 Japan to show its alignment with the 512 00:18:56,709 --> 00:18:59,439 Pacific region . But the France is 513 00:18:59,449 --> 00:19:01,689 opposing this initiative . Does the 514 00:19:01,699 --> 00:19:04,239 Pentagon support a new NATO office in 515 00:19:04,250 --> 00:19:07,000 Tokyo ? Um What I would tell you is 516 00:19:07,010 --> 00:19:09,177 that , you know , we certainly welcome 517 00:19:09,177 --> 00:19:11,399 the increasing cooperation between NATO 518 00:19:11,399 --> 00:19:14,569 and our and our Asian allies . Um Japan 519 00:19:14,579 --> 00:19:17,050 is a cornerstone of our security in the 520 00:19:17,060 --> 00:19:19,227 Indo Pacific region . Our , our shared 521 00:19:19,227 --> 00:19:21,560 vision for a free and open Indo Pacific . 522 00:19:21,560 --> 00:19:23,660 Uh We certainly welcome them as a uh 523 00:19:23,670 --> 00:19:26,150 NATO global partner . But when it comes 524 00:19:26,160 --> 00:19:28,420 to whether or not NATO is gonna open an 525 00:19:28,430 --> 00:19:31,170 office in Japan , uh That's really a 526 00:19:31,180 --> 00:19:34,219 question for NATO and Japan and , and 527 00:19:34,229 --> 00:19:36,118 France in this case to address it 528 00:19:36,118 --> 00:19:38,310 follow up when the secretary was in 529 00:19:38,319 --> 00:19:40,550 France this week . Did the secretary 530 00:19:40,560 --> 00:19:42,560 have a chance to discuss this issue 531 00:19:42,560 --> 00:19:44,782 with , with his French counterpart ? Uh 532 00:19:44,782 --> 00:19:47,004 This particular issue did not come up ? 533 00:19:47,050 --> 00:19:50,719 OK . Yes , ma'am . Thank you . My name 534 00:19:50,729 --> 00:19:54,410 is Ariana from T P A Angola . So 535 00:19:54,670 --> 00:19:56,560 can you tell us what could be the 536 00:19:56,569 --> 00:20:00,390 consequences if China and Cuba indeed 537 00:20:00,400 --> 00:20:03,709 building a more stronger relationship 538 00:20:03,719 --> 00:20:05,830 other than the one that you are aware 539 00:20:05,830 --> 00:20:07,663 of ? Well , you know , without , 540 00:20:07,663 --> 00:20:09,552 without getting into , you know , 541 00:20:09,552 --> 00:20:11,569 hypothetical situations , I think 542 00:20:11,579 --> 00:20:14,050 broadly speaking , uh as I mentioned 543 00:20:14,060 --> 00:20:17,430 before , uh any type of activity , 544 00:20:17,439 --> 00:20:19,880 coercive activity or belligerent 545 00:20:19,890 --> 00:20:22,339 activity within our hemisphere is 546 00:20:22,349 --> 00:20:24,293 something that we're watching very 547 00:20:24,293 --> 00:20:26,405 closely when it comes to China . It's 548 00:20:26,405 --> 00:20:28,405 something that we've been concerned 549 00:20:28,405 --> 00:20:28,119 about for a while . It's something that 550 00:20:28,130 --> 00:20:30,352 we continue to work with our allies and 551 00:20:30,352 --> 00:20:32,574 partners to counter in the hemisphere . 552 00:20:32,709 --> 00:20:34,876 Uh And so , uh again , without getting 553 00:20:34,876 --> 00:20:37,260 into hypothetical situations , it's 554 00:20:37,270 --> 00:20:39,492 something that we will continue to take 555 00:20:39,492 --> 00:20:41,603 very serious . In the beginning , you 556 00:20:41,603 --> 00:20:44,400 mentioned a few trip , successful trip 557 00:20:44,410 --> 00:20:46,979 uh made by the secretary is any 558 00:20:46,989 --> 00:20:49,199 upcoming visit of the secretary to 559 00:20:49,209 --> 00:20:51,459 Africa . Uh I don't have anything to 560 00:20:51,469 --> 00:20:53,580 announce on that front . Um Obviously 561 00:20:53,580 --> 00:20:55,550 Africa continues to play a very 562 00:20:55,560 --> 00:20:58,040 important role when it comes to our 563 00:20:58,050 --> 00:21:01,000 partnerships uh and our in our national 564 00:21:01,010 --> 00:21:03,250 security interest . Um you know , we 565 00:21:03,260 --> 00:21:05,479 have a lot of very valued partners 566 00:21:05,489 --> 00:21:07,600 throughout the African continent . Uh 567 00:21:07,600 --> 00:21:09,656 And so when the opportunity presents 568 00:21:09,656 --> 00:21:11,810 itself , um you know , the secretary 569 00:21:11,819 --> 00:21:14,097 certainly uh will look forward to that , 570 00:21:14,097 --> 00:21:16,208 but I don't have anything to announce 571 00:21:16,208 --> 00:21:18,486 right now . Thank you very much , Tony . 572 00:21:18,486 --> 00:21:20,597 Well , you were traveling last week , 573 00:21:20,597 --> 00:21:20,530 the the nation came together on the 574 00:21:20,540 --> 00:21:22,229 debt ceiling agreement 575 00:21:24,099 --> 00:21:26,979 afterwards , Mr mccarthy , the House 576 00:21:26,989 --> 00:21:29,510 speaker threw cold water on the idea of 577 00:21:29,520 --> 00:21:32,189 defense supplemental to uh overcome the 578 00:21:32,199 --> 00:21:36,140 $886 billion national security cap . He 579 00:21:36,150 --> 00:21:38,317 became the latest politician to invoke 580 00:21:38,317 --> 00:21:40,428 the fact that the Pentagon has failed 581 00:21:40,428 --> 00:21:43,660 five audits in a row . His point was 582 00:21:44,130 --> 00:21:46,297 they failed five audits in a row . You 583 00:21:46,297 --> 00:21:48,352 don't think there's waste . This has 584 00:21:48,352 --> 00:21:50,630 become a recurring theme among members . 585 00:21:50,630 --> 00:21:52,852 He's the highest ranking to bring it up 586 00:21:52,852 --> 00:21:54,908 again . What , how do you respond to 587 00:21:54,908 --> 00:21:56,908 that ? The Pentagon can't they fail 588 00:21:56,908 --> 00:21:58,963 five audits ? Is there a correlation 589 00:21:58,963 --> 00:22:01,074 between the failure of the audits and 590 00:22:01,074 --> 00:22:02,963 effectively spending appropriated 591 00:22:02,963 --> 00:22:05,209 dollars from Congress ? Should I be 592 00:22:05,219 --> 00:22:06,941 concerned ? If I don't live in 593 00:22:06,941 --> 00:22:09,329 Washington , you fail five audits and 594 00:22:09,339 --> 00:22:11,506 you're wasting my money you're getting 595 00:22:11,506 --> 00:22:13,506 and you're getting more money every 596 00:22:13,506 --> 00:22:15,506 year . Yeah , thanks Tony . Uh So a 597 00:22:15,506 --> 00:22:15,439 couple of things . So , first of all , 598 00:22:15,449 --> 00:22:17,616 when it comes to audits , I would tell 599 00:22:17,616 --> 00:22:19,890 you that the department welcomes the 600 00:22:19,900 --> 00:22:21,956 scrutiny and the transparency that , 601 00:22:21,956 --> 00:22:25,359 that audits provide . Um these audits 602 00:22:25,369 --> 00:22:27,609 are part of a long term effort to 603 00:22:27,619 --> 00:22:30,229 transform and modernize the , the dod 604 00:22:30,569 --> 00:22:33,520 uh and help us transform . Uh you know , 605 00:22:33,699 --> 00:22:35,930 in , in terms of providing the kinds of 606 00:22:36,079 --> 00:22:38,339 capabilities that the country expects 607 00:22:38,510 --> 00:22:40,177 uh any entity as large as the 608 00:22:40,177 --> 00:22:41,843 department , there's gonna be 609 00:22:41,843 --> 00:22:44,150 challenges uh in terms of uh when you 610 00:22:44,160 --> 00:22:46,510 conduct these types of audits , audits 611 00:22:46,520 --> 00:22:48,742 and it's gonna take time and it's gonna 612 00:22:48,742 --> 00:22:51,209 take investment um while we currently 613 00:22:51,219 --> 00:22:53,630 fall short of having a clean audit of 614 00:22:53,640 --> 00:22:55,473 our financial statements , we do 615 00:22:55,473 --> 00:22:57,584 receive favorable audit opinions on a 616 00:22:57,584 --> 00:22:59,696 significant amount of our resources . 617 00:22:59,696 --> 00:23:01,807 Uh And there are controls in place to 618 00:23:01,807 --> 00:23:04,029 help ensure that taxpayer resources are 619 00:23:04,029 --> 00:23:06,140 being spent as intended by Congress . 620 00:23:06,319 --> 00:23:08,541 Uh So , uh this is something that we're 621 00:23:08,541 --> 00:23:10,763 gonna continue to take very seriously . 622 00:23:10,763 --> 00:23:12,763 Uh We understand uh what we've been 623 00:23:12,763 --> 00:23:14,875 charged with as a department in terms 624 00:23:14,875 --> 00:23:17,041 of national security and the , and the 625 00:23:17,041 --> 00:23:19,263 appropriate use of taxpayer resources . 626 00:23:19,263 --> 00:23:21,541 And so we'll continue to stay after it . 627 00:23:21,541 --> 00:23:23,763 You hear correctly . There's not a real 628 00:23:23,763 --> 00:23:25,875 correlation between failed audits and 629 00:23:25,875 --> 00:23:28,949 effectively spending obligating dollars . 630 00:23:28,959 --> 00:23:31,869 Congress authorizes and appropriates 631 00:23:31,880 --> 00:23:33,936 every year . There are two different 632 00:23:34,020 --> 00:23:36,160 entities , two different mechanisms , 633 00:23:36,770 --> 00:23:38,770 right ? I mean , uh again , when it 634 00:23:38,770 --> 00:23:41,439 comes to uh managing the resources of 635 00:23:41,449 --> 00:23:43,671 the department , um again , we're gonna 636 00:23:43,671 --> 00:23:45,671 do everything we can to effectively 637 00:23:45,671 --> 00:23:48,099 manage and spend uh those , do those 638 00:23:48,109 --> 00:23:50,880 dollars . Um when it comes to the audit . 639 00:23:50,890 --> 00:23:52,890 Uh again , that's something that we 640 00:23:52,890 --> 00:23:55,057 going to continue to work very hard in 641 00:23:55,057 --> 00:23:57,057 terms of ensuring that we can track 642 00:23:57,057 --> 00:23:59,279 where those dollars are being spent and 643 00:23:59,279 --> 00:24:00,946 how they're being spent . One 644 00:24:00,946 --> 00:24:03,168 transparency question to a couple about 645 00:24:03,168 --> 00:24:05,334 a week and a half ago , the department 646 00:24:05,334 --> 00:24:07,168 disclosed that SpaceX received a 647 00:24:07,168 --> 00:24:10,160 contract for Starlink terminals . They 648 00:24:10,170 --> 00:24:12,239 refuse your , your , your body , you 649 00:24:12,250 --> 00:24:14,949 refused to even allow how much of it 650 00:24:14,959 --> 00:24:17,181 was the contract was worth . Can you go 651 00:24:17,181 --> 00:24:19,439 back and revisit that these are white 652 00:24:19,449 --> 00:24:21,689 systems ? It's not classified and I 653 00:24:21,699 --> 00:24:23,755 think the public had a right to know 654 00:24:23,755 --> 00:24:25,866 roughly how much money is being spent 655 00:24:25,866 --> 00:24:27,699 by on the Sterling terminals for 656 00:24:27,699 --> 00:24:29,866 Ukraine . Yeah , I'll , I'll take your 657 00:24:29,866 --> 00:24:31,921 question . Um , you know , as you've 658 00:24:31,921 --> 00:24:33,866 heard us talk about for reasons of 659 00:24:33,866 --> 00:24:35,977 operational security and , and due to 660 00:24:35,977 --> 00:24:37,810 the critical nature of satellite 661 00:24:37,810 --> 00:24:39,866 communication systems , uh it's just 662 00:24:39,866 --> 00:24:41,977 something that we're just not able to 663 00:24:41,977 --> 00:24:44,310 get into , to details at , at this time . 664 00:24:44,310 --> 00:24:43,630 So all those are different than 665 00:24:43,640 --> 00:24:45,640 technologies and how many and where 666 00:24:45,640 --> 00:24:47,640 they're being placed . That's all I 667 00:24:47,640 --> 00:24:49,751 wanna do . Yeah . No , I understand . 668 00:24:49,751 --> 00:24:51,918 Thank you . Ok , time for a few more . 669 00:24:51,918 --> 00:24:53,973 Let me go to Tom . Welcome back from 670 00:24:53,973 --> 00:24:56,084 your trip . Two follow up questions , 671 00:24:56,084 --> 00:24:58,029 please . Um uh Putting on your Air 672 00:24:58,029 --> 00:24:59,973 Force hat again , as you said from 673 00:24:59,973 --> 00:25:01,807 10,000 ft . Follow up on Laura's 674 00:25:01,807 --> 00:25:04,029 question regarding the F-18s from a Air 675 00:25:04,035 --> 00:25:06,146 Force point of view . What would they 676 00:25:06,146 --> 00:25:09,135 bring to a conflict like Ukraine ? Uh I 677 00:25:09,145 --> 00:25:11,256 appreciate the question , Tom , but I 678 00:25:11,256 --> 00:25:13,256 don't want to get into hypothetical 679 00:25:13,256 --> 00:25:15,256 discussions about capabilities that 680 00:25:15,256 --> 00:25:17,367 Yeah . No , I understand . I , I just 681 00:25:17,367 --> 00:25:19,423 by me answering that question though 682 00:25:19,423 --> 00:25:21,756 implies that we're now gonna , you know , 683 00:25:21,756 --> 00:25:21,750 go down a fictional road where Yeah . 684 00:25:21,760 --> 00:25:23,982 No , I understand . Yeah . So follow up 685 00:25:23,982 --> 00:25:25,989 was to Brandy's question about the 686 00:25:26,040 --> 00:25:28,270 attack on Guam and one of the parts you 687 00:25:28,359 --> 00:25:30,869 didn't respond to was uh whether it was 688 00:25:30,880 --> 00:25:33,109 beyond Guam , the attack . Could you 689 00:25:33,119 --> 00:25:35,341 address that again ? I'm not gonna talk 690 00:25:35,341 --> 00:25:37,563 about , you know , whether or not there 691 00:25:37,563 --> 00:25:39,008 are particular attacks or 692 00:25:39,008 --> 00:25:41,063 vulnerabilities . Uh That that's our 693 00:25:41,063 --> 00:25:43,230 policy when it comes to uh any type of 694 00:25:43,230 --> 00:25:45,520 cyber activities . And yeah , thanks 695 00:25:45,530 --> 00:25:47,697 very much . Yes , sir . No , Robertson 696 00:25:47,697 --> 00:25:49,752 with the Christian science monitor . 697 00:25:49,752 --> 00:25:51,919 Thank you . Um President Zelinsky said 698 00:25:51,919 --> 00:25:53,697 earlier in an interview that uh 699 00:25:53,697 --> 00:25:55,863 humanitarian rescue workers were being 700 00:25:55,863 --> 00:25:58,030 shot at by Russians . They tried to do 701 00:25:58,030 --> 00:25:59,974 work in the flooded area um in the 702 00:25:59,974 --> 00:26:02,141 south of the country . Can you confirm 703 00:26:02,141 --> 00:26:04,197 that and offer any more details of ? 704 00:26:04,197 --> 00:26:04,119 Unfortunately , I can't , I just don't 705 00:26:04,130 --> 00:26:06,241 have that level of detail . Thank you 706 00:26:06,241 --> 00:26:08,241 very much . OK , go to the last two 707 00:26:08,241 --> 00:26:10,619 questions here . Uh Quick question on 708 00:26:10,630 --> 00:26:12,859 North Korean so-called space launch . 709 00:26:12,869 --> 00:26:15,500 Um What is the current U U V analysis 710 00:26:15,510 --> 00:26:17,979 assessment on how soon North Korea is 711 00:26:17,989 --> 00:26:20,459 prepared to conduct the next launch ? I 712 00:26:20,469 --> 00:26:22,810 mean , does D U D assess that it's 713 00:26:22,819 --> 00:26:25,500 technically possible for them to launch 714 00:26:25,750 --> 00:26:28,339 uh conduct the next launch very soon ? 715 00:26:28,869 --> 00:26:30,980 Yeah , so , so I'm not gonna get into 716 00:26:30,980 --> 00:26:33,459 any discussion of intelligence that , 717 00:26:33,469 --> 00:26:35,469 that we may or may not have on that 718 00:26:35,469 --> 00:26:37,413 front . I mean , as you know , the 719 00:26:37,413 --> 00:26:39,580 North Koreans have stated their intent 720 00:26:39,580 --> 00:26:41,802 to do that . You heard multiple leaders 721 00:26:41,802 --> 00:26:44,025 to include us and international leaders 722 00:26:44,030 --> 00:26:45,863 to include Secretary Austin from 723 00:26:45,863 --> 00:26:48,939 Singapore , condemn North Korea's 724 00:26:48,949 --> 00:26:52,880 recent launch . It's destabilizing uh 725 00:26:52,890 --> 00:26:55,680 it is in violation of un Security 726 00:26:55,689 --> 00:26:57,745 Council resolutions . And so again , 727 00:26:57,745 --> 00:26:59,522 we'll continue to stay in close 728 00:26:59,522 --> 00:27:01,890 consultation with our Republic of Korea 729 00:27:01,900 --> 00:27:03,956 and Japanese allies as well as other 730 00:27:03,956 --> 00:27:05,900 allies and partners throughout the 731 00:27:05,900 --> 00:27:08,011 region to continue to discuss uh this 732 00:27:08,011 --> 00:27:10,233 situation and continue to work together 733 00:27:10,233 --> 00:27:12,344 to deter potential aggression . Yes , 734 00:27:12,344 --> 00:27:14,567 sir . Last question . Uh thanks . Uh So 735 00:27:14,567 --> 00:27:16,733 last week , uh the Pentagon rolled out 736 00:27:16,733 --> 00:27:18,678 a policy that aimed at uh that was 737 00:27:18,678 --> 00:27:20,622 aimed at ban banning drag shows on 738 00:27:20,622 --> 00:27:23,810 military installations . Um You know , 739 00:27:23,819 --> 00:27:27,520 what message does the secretary hope 740 00:27:27,530 --> 00:27:30,109 service members take away from this 741 00:27:30,119 --> 00:27:32,560 policy change , especially in light of 742 00:27:32,569 --> 00:27:34,680 the fact that it came at the start of 743 00:27:34,680 --> 00:27:36,791 Pride Month . So um first let me just 744 00:27:36,791 --> 00:27:39,630 reiterate upfront that Dod recognizes 745 00:27:39,640 --> 00:27:43,260 June as LGBT Q I Plus Pride Month and 746 00:27:43,270 --> 00:27:45,339 that we are very grateful for and 747 00:27:45,349 --> 00:27:47,460 acknowledge the many contributions of 748 00:27:47,460 --> 00:27:49,293 service members and dod civilian 749 00:27:49,293 --> 00:27:51,650 employees from the LGBT Q I plus 750 00:27:51,660 --> 00:27:53,890 community who serve our country . And 751 00:27:53,900 --> 00:27:55,956 as , as you well know , those of you 752 00:27:55,956 --> 00:27:58,050 who've covered Dod uh we conduct 753 00:27:58,060 --> 00:28:00,599 special observance months to recognize 754 00:28:00,609 --> 00:28:02,553 the continuous achievements of all 755 00:28:02,553 --> 00:28:04,849 Americans uh and to American culture 756 00:28:04,859 --> 00:28:06,989 for increased awareness , mutual 757 00:28:07,000 --> 00:28:09,056 respect and understanding to include 758 00:28:09,056 --> 00:28:11,111 Pride Month uh when it comes to drag 759 00:28:11,111 --> 00:28:13,111 shows . However , uh you know , I I 760 00:28:13,111 --> 00:28:15,339 would take exception uh this has been a 761 00:28:15,349 --> 00:28:18,699 long standing policy uh in terms of uh 762 00:28:18,709 --> 00:28:22,280 of a activities like this uh 763 00:28:22,290 --> 00:28:24,910 that dod will not host drag events at 764 00:28:24,920 --> 00:28:26,689 us , military installations or 765 00:28:26,699 --> 00:28:29,680 facilities . We became aware uh of the 766 00:28:29,689 --> 00:28:32,579 drag events uh during uh an April 767 00:28:32,589 --> 00:28:36,030 congressional hearing uh at that that 768 00:28:36,119 --> 00:28:38,341 there were a uh drag event scheduled to 769 00:28:38,341 --> 00:28:40,341 take place at dod installations and 770 00:28:40,341 --> 00:28:42,880 facilities . And so , uh again , the 771 00:28:42,890 --> 00:28:45,001 secretary advised that the department 772 00:28:45,001 --> 00:28:48,849 will not host such events and you know , 773 00:28:48,859 --> 00:28:51,469 uh drawing on my , you know , just as a 774 00:28:51,479 --> 00:28:53,646 quick follow up draw drawing on my own 775 00:28:53,646 --> 00:28:55,757 navy background . I know , you know , 776 00:28:55,757 --> 00:28:57,701 crossing the line ceremonies , for 777 00:28:57,701 --> 00:28:59,812 example , feature one of the elements 778 00:28:59,812 --> 00:29:01,979 is oftentimes male sailors dressing in 779 00:29:01,979 --> 00:29:05,859 female garb is there is does the 780 00:29:05,869 --> 00:29:08,209 policy go so far as to address 781 00:29:08,219 --> 00:29:10,500 activities like that at the ? So , so 782 00:29:10,510 --> 00:29:12,621 again , what we're talking about here 783 00:29:12,621 --> 00:29:15,020 is um using dod installations and 784 00:29:15,030 --> 00:29:17,250 facilities uh to host these type of 785 00:29:17,260 --> 00:29:20,140 events . And so per dod joint ethics 786 00:29:20,150 --> 00:29:22,410 regulations , certain criteria must be 787 00:29:22,420 --> 00:29:24,476 met for persons or for organizations 788 00:29:24,476 --> 00:29:27,209 acting in a non federal capacity to use 789 00:29:27,219 --> 00:29:30,189 dod facilities and equipment . So 790 00:29:30,479 --> 00:29:32,368 hosting these types of events and 791 00:29:32,368 --> 00:29:34,090 federally funded facilities is 792 00:29:34,090 --> 00:29:36,829 inconsistent with regulations regarding 793 00:29:36,839 --> 00:29:39,520 the use of dod resources . Ok . Thank 794 00:29:39,530 --> 00:29:41,697 you very much , everybody . Appreciate 795 00:29:41,697 --> 00:29:40,869 it .