1 00:00:00,009 --> 00:00:03,710 Everyone . Good afternoon . Um I have a 2 00:00:03,720 --> 00:00:05,900 few items to pass up along at the top 3 00:00:05,909 --> 00:00:08,076 here . I think I'm echoing a bit but I 4 00:00:08,076 --> 00:00:10,242 have a few items to pass up at the top 5 00:00:10,242 --> 00:00:12,242 here and then I'll be happy to take 6 00:00:12,242 --> 00:00:14,353 your questions . So today , Secretary 7 00:00:14,353 --> 00:00:16,409 Austin departed on travel to Germany 8 00:00:16,409 --> 00:00:18,353 and Brussels where he and chairman 9 00:00:18,353 --> 00:00:20,465 Millie will host an in person meeting 10 00:00:20,465 --> 00:00:22,687 of the Ukraine defense contact group on 11 00:00:22,687 --> 00:00:24,576 June 15th . And then that will be 12 00:00:24,576 --> 00:00:26,631 followed by a NATO defense ministers 13 00:00:26,631 --> 00:00:28,687 meeting on June 16th . Readouts from 14 00:00:28,687 --> 00:00:30,798 the meeting will be posted on defense 15 00:00:30,798 --> 00:00:32,742 dot gov throughout the week . Also 16 00:00:32,742 --> 00:00:32,520 today , the department announced 17 00:00:32,529 --> 00:00:34,696 additional security assistance to meet 18 00:00:34,696 --> 00:00:36,918 Ukraine's critical security and defense 19 00:00:36,918 --> 00:00:38,819 needs . This is the Biden 20 00:00:38,830 --> 00:00:40,880 administration's 40th presidential 21 00:00:40,889 --> 00:00:43,139 drawdown of equipment from dod 22 00:00:43,150 --> 00:00:45,639 inventories for Ukraine since August 23 00:00:45,650 --> 00:00:48,729 2021 it includes key capabilities to 24 00:00:48,740 --> 00:00:50,740 aid Ukraine's efforts to retake its 25 00:00:50,740 --> 00:00:52,740 sovereign territory as they bravely 26 00:00:52,740 --> 00:00:54,907 protect Ukraine's soldiers , civilians 27 00:00:54,907 --> 00:00:56,880 and critical infrastructure . The 28 00:00:56,889 --> 00:00:59,111 package includes artillery , anti armor 29 00:00:59,111 --> 00:01:01,111 systems and ammunition valued up to 30 00:01:01,111 --> 00:01:04,160 $325 million and additional details can 31 00:01:04,169 --> 00:01:06,819 also be found on defense dot gov . Also 32 00:01:06,830 --> 00:01:08,886 today , the department announced the 33 00:01:08,886 --> 00:01:10,997 results of its foreign military sales 34 00:01:10,997 --> 00:01:12,941 tiger team effort . The tiger team 35 00:01:12,941 --> 00:01:15,209 analyzed all phases of the F MS process 36 00:01:15,220 --> 00:01:17,610 including which illuminated best 37 00:01:17,620 --> 00:01:19,398 practices for the department to 38 00:01:19,398 --> 00:01:21,287 benchmark and identified systemic 39 00:01:21,287 --> 00:01:23,769 challenges in dod S F MS ecosystems . 40 00:01:24,129 --> 00:01:26,129 The team incorporated feedback from 41 00:01:26,129 --> 00:01:28,018 allies and partner nations and us 42 00:01:28,018 --> 00:01:29,796 industry on ways to improve the 43 00:01:29,796 --> 00:01:32,690 efficiency of the F MS process . The 44 00:01:32,699 --> 00:01:35,110 team's recommendations cover six key F 45 00:01:35,120 --> 00:01:37,300 MS areas to include improving the 46 00:01:37,309 --> 00:01:39,476 department's understanding of ally and 47 00:01:39,476 --> 00:01:41,531 partner requirements , providing our 48 00:01:41,531 --> 00:01:43,531 allies and partner nations with the 49 00:01:43,531 --> 00:01:45,642 most relevant priority capability and 50 00:01:45,642 --> 00:01:47,253 accelerating acquisition and 51 00:01:47,253 --> 00:01:50,239 contracting support for F MS of note , 52 00:01:50,459 --> 00:01:52,870 as part of the tiger team's efforts , 53 00:01:52,879 --> 00:01:54,879 the department plans to establish a 54 00:01:54,879 --> 00:01:57,080 dedicated defense security cooperation 55 00:01:57,089 --> 00:01:59,580 service on par with the defense attache 56 00:01:59,589 --> 00:02:01,300 service who will serve as the 57 00:02:01,309 --> 00:02:03,540 department's key F MS link with our 58 00:02:03,550 --> 00:02:05,717 allies and partners around the globe . 59 00:02:06,319 --> 00:02:08,097 Shifting gears just a bit . The 60 00:02:08,097 --> 00:02:09,930 department launched the value of 61 00:02:09,930 --> 00:02:11,986 service spotlight webpage on defense 62 00:02:11,986 --> 00:02:13,986 dot gov . The site highlights dod s 63 00:02:13,986 --> 00:02:15,875 efforts in promoting the value of 64 00:02:15,875 --> 00:02:18,097 service to our nation and Commemorating 65 00:02:18,097 --> 00:02:19,875 the 50th anniversary of the All 66 00:02:19,875 --> 00:02:22,097 Volunteer Force . Since its inception . 67 00:02:22,097 --> 00:02:24,263 50 years ago , the all volunteer force 68 00:02:24,263 --> 00:02:26,430 has empowered countless individuals to 69 00:02:26,430 --> 00:02:28,486 step forward and uh leave a positive 70 00:02:28,490 --> 00:02:30,889 impact on the world both at home here 71 00:02:30,899 --> 00:02:33,149 and abroad . Today , more than three 72 00:02:33,160 --> 00:02:34,938 million service members and dod 73 00:02:34,938 --> 00:02:37,160 civilians serve all around the world to 74 00:02:37,160 --> 00:02:39,327 protect and defend the United States , 75 00:02:39,327 --> 00:02:41,216 its citizens and its partners and 76 00:02:41,216 --> 00:02:42,993 allies through their unwavering 77 00:02:42,993 --> 00:02:45,049 commitment . Volunteerism has become 78 00:02:45,049 --> 00:02:47,271 the cornerstone of stability within our 79 00:02:47,271 --> 00:02:49,327 communities , fostering cohesion and 80 00:02:49,327 --> 00:02:51,990 self reliance and finally exercise . 81 00:02:52,000 --> 00:02:54,440 Air Defender . 23 kicked off in Germany 82 00:02:54,449 --> 00:02:57,570 yesterday with more than 235 aircraft 83 00:02:57,580 --> 00:02:59,649 and more than 10,000 service members 84 00:02:59,660 --> 00:03:01,899 from 25 countries taking part in the 85 00:03:01,910 --> 00:03:03,799 largest readiness exercise of the 86 00:03:03,799 --> 00:03:05,860 summer . And the largest air force 87 00:03:05,869 --> 00:03:08,750 deployment in nato's history , led by 88 00:03:08,759 --> 00:03:11,449 the German Air Force , 110 Air National 89 00:03:11,460 --> 00:03:14,309 Guard aircraft from 35 different states 90 00:03:14,320 --> 00:03:16,376 make up the largest contingent in an 91 00:03:16,376 --> 00:03:18,376 exercise that will test command and 92 00:03:18,376 --> 00:03:20,598 control and provide logistic support to 93 00:03:20,598 --> 00:03:22,910 such a large diverse armada of 94 00:03:22,919 --> 00:03:25,160 international aerial assets . The 95 00:03:25,169 --> 00:03:27,113 exercise will take place June 12th 96 00:03:27,113 --> 00:03:29,699 through 23rd , primarily in Germany and 97 00:03:29,710 --> 00:03:31,877 with four operating locations in Czech 98 00:03:31,877 --> 00:03:34,099 Republic , Estonia and Latvia . And for 99 00:03:34,099 --> 00:03:36,321 more information , I'd ask you to reach 100 00:03:36,321 --> 00:03:38,377 out to the Air National Guard Public 101 00:03:38,377 --> 00:03:40,710 Affairs uh for any additional questions . 102 00:03:40,710 --> 00:03:42,766 And with that , I'd be happy to take 103 00:03:42,766 --> 00:03:44,654 your questions here . All right , 104 00:03:44,654 --> 00:03:46,821 thanks . Um , a couple in Ukraine . Uh 105 00:03:46,821 --> 00:03:49,059 First , can you say anything about 106 00:03:49,440 --> 00:03:52,850 Russia reporting that as many as 107 00:03:52,860 --> 00:03:55,389 16 different types of armored vehicles 108 00:03:55,399 --> 00:03:57,860 the US provided has have been destroyed 109 00:03:57,869 --> 00:03:59,925 in these early rounds of the counter 110 00:03:59,925 --> 00:04:02,091 offensive . And then secondly , on the 111 00:04:02,091 --> 00:04:05,899 dam . Um what can you say 112 00:04:05,910 --> 00:04:08,919 now about the attack on the dam and 113 00:04:08,929 --> 00:04:12,910 whether it was indeed Russia ? And what 114 00:04:12,919 --> 00:04:14,919 can you share about what you know . 115 00:04:14,919 --> 00:04:17,252 Sure . Um Thanks Tara for the questions . 116 00:04:17,252 --> 00:04:19,419 So , um , on the report that , uh , 16 117 00:04:19,419 --> 00:04:21,641 vehicles were destroyed , I've seen the 118 00:04:21,641 --> 00:04:23,863 reports but I can't corroborate some of 119 00:04:23,863 --> 00:04:23,690 the video and imagery coming out of 120 00:04:23,700 --> 00:04:25,756 that . Um So we're gonna continue to 121 00:04:25,756 --> 00:04:27,867 monitor that , but I just wouldn't be 122 00:04:27,867 --> 00:04:30,200 able to confirm , um , the reports , uh , 123 00:04:30,200 --> 00:04:32,311 that the , at least what we're seeing 124 00:04:32,311 --> 00:04:34,256 from Russians of putting out those 125 00:04:34,256 --> 00:04:36,359 imagery . Um , in terms of the , the 126 00:04:36,369 --> 00:04:39,269 dam , uh we're continuing to assess uh 127 00:04:39,279 --> 00:04:42,510 who if anyone is responsible for 128 00:04:42,519 --> 00:04:45,839 destroying the dam . Um We don't have , 129 00:04:45,850 --> 00:04:47,683 we , we just don't have anything 130 00:04:47,683 --> 00:04:50,100 additional right now to provide . Um I 131 00:04:50,109 --> 00:04:52,331 know that something that the Ukrainians 132 00:04:52,331 --> 00:04:54,790 are continuing to look into . Um , it's , 133 00:04:55,239 --> 00:04:57,589 we've seen this type of behavior before , 134 00:04:57,600 --> 00:04:59,656 from Russians of destroying critical 135 00:04:59,656 --> 00:05:01,656 infrastructure . But on this case , 136 00:05:01,656 --> 00:05:03,878 when it comes to the dam specifically , 137 00:05:03,878 --> 00:05:05,989 I just don't have more information at 138 00:05:05,989 --> 00:05:05,799 this moment . Ok . And then just to 139 00:05:05,809 --> 00:05:08,000 follow up on the vehicles , if those 140 00:05:08,010 --> 00:05:10,089 reports are true , does this line up 141 00:05:10,100 --> 00:05:12,119 with what the Pentagon was kind of 142 00:05:12,130 --> 00:05:14,660 planning for as far as losses ? And is 143 00:05:14,670 --> 00:05:16,614 there a plan in place to help um , 144 00:05:16,614 --> 00:05:18,614 backfill some of that for Ukraine ? 145 00:05:18,614 --> 00:05:20,392 Well , I , I think here in this 146 00:05:20,392 --> 00:05:22,337 building , we were always going to 147 00:05:22,337 --> 00:05:24,392 assess that there was going to be um 148 00:05:24,392 --> 00:05:26,503 damage and casualties of capabilities 149 00:05:26,503 --> 00:05:28,670 and systems that have been provided to 150 00:05:28,670 --> 00:05:30,781 the Ukrainians . Um I don't know that 151 00:05:30,781 --> 00:05:33,003 there's going to be a back full of like 152 00:05:33,003 --> 00:05:35,114 a 1 to 1 ratio . But as you're seeing 153 00:05:35,114 --> 00:05:37,226 today , just with our um announcement 154 00:05:37,226 --> 00:05:39,114 of our 40th presidential drawdown 155 00:05:39,114 --> 00:05:41,059 authority , you're , you're seeing 156 00:05:41,059 --> 00:05:43,281 continued support . Um go to Ukraine in 157 00:05:43,281 --> 00:05:45,329 their , in their fight against the 158 00:05:45,339 --> 00:05:47,450 Russians to take back their sovereign 159 00:05:47,450 --> 00:05:49,450 territory again . I don't think , I 160 00:05:49,450 --> 00:05:51,506 don't know that it would be a 1 to 1 161 00:05:51,506 --> 00:05:53,890 ratio every time , but we are something 162 00:05:53,899 --> 00:05:56,121 that went into our calculations when we 163 00:05:56,121 --> 00:05:57,788 provide this equipment to the 164 00:05:57,788 --> 00:05:59,677 Ukrainians is that there could be 165 00:05:59,677 --> 00:06:01,788 battlefield losses and damages , um , 166 00:06:01,788 --> 00:06:03,955 as the fight continues . And so , um , 167 00:06:03,955 --> 00:06:06,121 this is just one of many packages that 168 00:06:06,121 --> 00:06:08,399 we've announced you saw last week . Um , 169 00:06:08,399 --> 00:06:11,230 we rolled out a USA I package and , um , 170 00:06:11,239 --> 00:06:13,744 on , on , um , uh , not tomorrow on 171 00:06:13,755 --> 00:06:15,866 Thursday . Um , the secretary and the 172 00:06:15,866 --> 00:06:18,464 chairman will be meeting in person , 173 00:06:18,475 --> 00:06:20,494 the hosting the Ukrainian defense 174 00:06:20,505 --> 00:06:22,449 contact group where again , that's 175 00:06:22,449 --> 00:06:24,338 another discussion for allies and 176 00:06:24,338 --> 00:06:26,394 partners to decide and to figure out 177 00:06:26,394 --> 00:06:28,616 and hear from the Ukrainians themselves 178 00:06:28,616 --> 00:06:30,283 of what else they need on the 179 00:06:30,283 --> 00:06:32,899 battlefield . All right . So a follow 180 00:06:33,230 --> 00:06:35,286 question on , on the Bradley and the 181 00:06:35,286 --> 00:06:37,230 strikers being provided . Now , it 182 00:06:37,230 --> 00:06:39,286 certainly the , the timing certainly 183 00:06:39,286 --> 00:06:39,109 seems to line up that the counter 184 00:06:39,130 --> 00:06:41,186 offensive begins and suddenly you're 185 00:06:41,186 --> 00:06:43,408 providing armored vehicles again . Um , 186 00:06:43,408 --> 00:06:45,574 is that intentional that that now that 187 00:06:45,574 --> 00:06:47,630 Ukraine will suffer and has suffered 188 00:06:47,630 --> 00:06:49,686 some losses on the battlefield ? You 189 00:06:49,686 --> 00:06:51,519 are , you are providing these to 190 00:06:51,519 --> 00:06:53,779 continue support for the offensive or , 191 00:06:53,790 --> 00:06:55,679 or , or are you saying that was a 192 00:06:55,679 --> 00:06:57,734 coincidence that the timing lined up 193 00:06:57,734 --> 00:06:59,679 like that ? Well , I , I mean , we 194 00:06:59,679 --> 00:07:01,679 consider , uh presidential drawdown 195 00:07:01,679 --> 00:07:03,846 packages , um , a few weeks out . They 196 00:07:03,846 --> 00:07:05,790 don't , they're not something that 197 00:07:05,790 --> 00:07:05,589 happens , you know , two or three days 198 00:07:05,600 --> 00:07:08,250 beforehand , um , packages are , are 199 00:07:08,260 --> 00:07:10,482 something that we have to consider what 200 00:07:10,482 --> 00:07:12,489 we're pulling off of our shelves in 201 00:07:12,500 --> 00:07:14,722 order to give the Ukrainians and , um , 202 00:07:14,722 --> 00:07:16,944 how long that will take . And so , um I 203 00:07:16,944 --> 00:07:18,944 wouldn't say that , you know , each 204 00:07:18,944 --> 00:07:21,125 package is , is time directly for um 205 00:07:21,135 --> 00:07:23,302 what you alluded to . But , you know , 206 00:07:23,302 --> 00:07:26,045 as , as President Zelinsky said , um 207 00:07:26,225 --> 00:07:28,404 they , they have , they're continuing 208 00:07:28,415 --> 00:07:30,785 to engage in um offensive operations . 209 00:07:30,795 --> 00:07:33,017 I'll let the Ukrainians speak to that . 210 00:07:33,017 --> 00:07:35,184 But in terms of this package , this is 211 00:07:35,184 --> 00:07:37,351 something that meets the priorities of 212 00:07:37,351 --> 00:07:39,462 the Ukrainians , um armor artillery , 213 00:07:39,462 --> 00:07:41,184 uh air defense , these are all 214 00:07:41,184 --> 00:07:43,239 priorities that they've laid out and 215 00:07:43,239 --> 00:07:43,195 something that will be continued to be 216 00:07:43,204 --> 00:07:45,644 discussed at the contact group on on 217 00:07:45,654 --> 00:07:48,239 Thursday . Great . Oh , address . And 218 00:07:48,279 --> 00:07:51,299 then um just going back to last week 219 00:07:51,309 --> 00:07:53,420 when there was a press conference and 220 00:07:53,799 --> 00:07:56,029 general writer was asked about reports 221 00:07:56,040 --> 00:07:59,529 um about China setting up uh a spy base 222 00:07:59,540 --> 00:08:01,500 in Cuba . And he said , we are not 223 00:08:01,510 --> 00:08:03,677 aware of China and Cuba developing any 224 00:08:03,677 --> 00:08:05,788 type of spice stations . And then was 225 00:08:05,788 --> 00:08:08,010 further asked , have you seen China set 226 00:08:08,010 --> 00:08:10,288 up any military base in Cuba ? He said , 227 00:08:10,288 --> 00:08:12,621 not that I'm aware of at this time . So , 228 00:08:12,621 --> 00:08:14,732 was he not aware of what had happened 229 00:08:14,732 --> 00:08:16,843 in the Trump administration or was it 230 00:08:16,843 --> 00:08:19,066 uh an attempt to mislead reporters ? It 231 00:08:19,066 --> 00:08:21,288 was certainly not an attempt to mislead 232 00:08:21,288 --> 00:08:23,510 reporters by any means . Um , and , and 233 00:08:23,510 --> 00:08:25,677 general writer , I believe what he was 234 00:08:25,677 --> 00:08:27,899 referring to was the reporting that had 235 00:08:27,899 --> 00:08:27,890 come out that day . Um , the Wall 236 00:08:27,899 --> 00:08:30,290 Street Journal story that um had 237 00:08:30,299 --> 00:08:34,190 outlined um the , the , and 238 00:08:34,200 --> 00:08:36,609 I'm , I'm paraphrasing here , but um 239 00:08:36,619 --> 00:08:39,260 the idea that China was setting up a 240 00:08:39,270 --> 00:08:42,440 type of base near Cuba , a new one . Um 241 00:08:42,450 --> 00:08:44,394 as we've said from the podium many 242 00:08:44,394 --> 00:08:46,561 times , you've heard the secretary say 243 00:08:46,561 --> 00:08:48,561 this many times . Um It's no secret 244 00:08:48,561 --> 00:08:51,799 that the PR C um wants to uh 245 00:08:51,809 --> 00:08:55,059 set up further infrastructure um in the 246 00:08:55,070 --> 00:08:57,820 western hemisphere and to um expand 247 00:08:57,830 --> 00:08:59,774 their capabilities . I mean , just 248 00:08:59,774 --> 00:09:01,830 recently earlier this year , we were 249 00:09:01,830 --> 00:09:03,941 talking about a Chinese spy balloon . 250 00:09:03,941 --> 00:09:06,108 Um So it's not a secret that they want 251 00:09:06,108 --> 00:09:08,330 to expand their capabilities here . But 252 00:09:08,330 --> 00:09:10,497 I , no , in no means was General Rider 253 00:09:10,497 --> 00:09:12,497 trying to mislead in any way he was 254 00:09:12,497 --> 00:09:14,608 directly referring to the Wall Street 255 00:09:14,608 --> 00:09:16,441 Journal report that had come out 256 00:09:16,441 --> 00:09:18,330 earlier that um that afternoon or 257 00:09:18,330 --> 00:09:20,386 morning , the question is , have you 258 00:09:20,386 --> 00:09:22,608 seen China set up any military bases in 259 00:09:22,608 --> 00:09:22,539 Cuba ? And he said , not that I'm aware 260 00:09:22,549 --> 00:09:24,827 of at this time . And I'm just curious , 261 00:09:24,827 --> 00:09:27,169 was it something that I guess what I'm 262 00:09:27,179 --> 00:09:29,290 getting at did the White House direct 263 00:09:29,290 --> 00:09:31,401 the Pentagon to say what it said ? Um 264 00:09:31,401 --> 00:09:34,280 on June 8th . No , I mean , we can we 265 00:09:34,289 --> 00:09:36,289 of course coordinate with the White 266 00:09:36,289 --> 00:09:38,400 House um when we saw the report and , 267 00:09:38,400 --> 00:09:40,511 and this is um something that happens 268 00:09:40,511 --> 00:09:42,599 pretty naturally whenever there's um 269 00:09:42,609 --> 00:09:44,690 reporting on very sensitive 270 00:09:44,700 --> 00:09:47,770 intelligence in a story . Um it's the 271 00:09:47,780 --> 00:09:50,002 all the inter agencies , they they work 272 00:09:50,002 --> 00:09:53,150 together and um coordinate on um you 273 00:09:53,159 --> 00:09:55,215 know how best to approach this was a 274 00:09:55,215 --> 00:09:57,437 this is very sensitive intelligence you 275 00:09:57,437 --> 00:09:59,989 saw um at the podium yesterday . Um 276 00:10:00,000 --> 00:10:01,944 John Kirby addressed this in great 277 00:10:01,944 --> 00:10:04,111 detail . Um At the time when the story 278 00:10:04,111 --> 00:10:06,333 broke , you know , the White House us , 279 00:10:06,333 --> 00:10:08,444 we were able to provide what we could 280 00:10:08,444 --> 00:10:10,611 and as we were able to declassify more 281 00:10:10,611 --> 00:10:12,944 information , we provided that last one , 282 00:10:12,944 --> 00:10:15,000 why not just say we don't comment on 283 00:10:15,000 --> 00:10:17,056 intelligence rather than saying no , 284 00:10:17,056 --> 00:10:19,111 we're not aware of any bases in , in 285 00:10:19,111 --> 00:10:21,111 Cuba . I think again , what general 286 00:10:21,111 --> 00:10:23,590 rider was was referring to on that was 287 00:10:23,599 --> 00:10:25,940 I believe the actual story itself , not 288 00:10:25,950 --> 00:10:28,172 just a , not just a blanket statement , 289 00:10:28,172 --> 00:10:30,679 I understand how um when you read it 290 00:10:30,690 --> 00:10:32,746 back , it could , it could look like 291 00:10:32,746 --> 00:10:34,857 that . But again , this was something 292 00:10:34,857 --> 00:10:36,634 that he was I and I believe the 293 00:10:36,634 --> 00:10:36,630 question and I'd have to go back and 294 00:10:36,640 --> 00:10:38,584 check the transcript was about the 295 00:10:38,584 --> 00:10:42,030 reporting itself . Yes , over here . Hi 296 00:10:42,039 --> 00:10:44,630 Sam with us N I News . Um So I'm 297 00:10:44,640 --> 00:10:46,729 following up on the half mark up 298 00:10:46,739 --> 00:10:48,906 yesterday . Their calls for abolishing 299 00:10:48,906 --> 00:10:52,150 Kate uh today . Uh a group of senators 300 00:10:52,159 --> 00:10:54,270 sent a letter to the Secretary of the 301 00:10:54,280 --> 00:10:57,510 Navy over this issue of hitting the 302 00:10:57,520 --> 00:11:00,650 floor 31 amphibious ships . And so 303 00:11:00,659 --> 00:11:02,881 what's coming back from Congress is why 304 00:11:02,881 --> 00:11:04,548 is Kate defying the statutory 305 00:11:04,548 --> 00:11:06,715 requirements set by Congress ? I think 306 00:11:06,715 --> 00:11:08,937 Dan Sullivan's been pretty public about 307 00:11:08,937 --> 00:11:10,937 it , but this is a Dan or this is , 308 00:11:10,937 --> 00:11:13,103 this is a bipartisan issue that why is 309 00:11:13,103 --> 00:11:15,215 this organization , Kate calling into 310 00:11:15,215 --> 00:11:17,326 question the statutory requirement uh 311 00:11:17,326 --> 00:11:19,326 put by , put out by Congress to the 312 00:11:19,326 --> 00:11:21,326 point where the bill is calling for 313 00:11:21,326 --> 00:11:23,548 abolishing the office altogether . So , 314 00:11:23,548 --> 00:11:25,659 thank you for the question . I'm just 315 00:11:25,659 --> 00:11:27,826 not , I have not done my due diligence 316 00:11:27,826 --> 00:11:29,881 on the statutory obligation . So I'm 317 00:11:29,881 --> 00:11:29,364 gonna have to take that question and , 318 00:11:29,375 --> 00:11:32,580 and get back to you on that . Um I'm 319 00:11:32,590 --> 00:11:34,757 gonna try going to the phones and then 320 00:11:34,757 --> 00:11:36,646 I'll come back into the room . Uh 321 00:11:36,646 --> 00:11:38,840 Howard Altman War . Thanks . So I want 322 00:11:38,849 --> 00:11:41,127 to get back to the uh the issue of the , 323 00:11:41,127 --> 00:11:42,738 the Bradley and the other uh 324 00:11:42,738 --> 00:11:44,627 battlefield vehicle and equipment 325 00:11:44,627 --> 00:11:47,530 losses . Is the Pentagon tracking those 326 00:11:47,539 --> 00:11:49,761 losses ? And , and can you tell me , is 327 00:11:49,761 --> 00:11:51,983 it part of the , the monitoring process 328 00:11:51,983 --> 00:11:53,983 or is there some other way that the 329 00:11:53,983 --> 00:11:55,983 Pentagon has an idea of , of what's 330 00:11:55,983 --> 00:11:58,039 being lost in Ukraine in terms of uh 331 00:11:58,109 --> 00:12:00,442 you know what's lost in the battlefield ? 332 00:12:00,442 --> 00:12:02,665 Thanks , Howard . So we are in constant 333 00:12:02,669 --> 00:12:04,859 communication at all different levels 334 00:12:04,869 --> 00:12:07,679 uh with the Ukrainians . And of course , 335 00:12:07,690 --> 00:12:09,857 when it comes to presidential drawdown 336 00:12:09,857 --> 00:12:11,912 authorities and the packages that we 337 00:12:11,912 --> 00:12:14,023 put together . One of the things that 338 00:12:14,023 --> 00:12:15,801 we're doing is working with the 339 00:12:15,801 --> 00:12:17,968 Ukrainians to determine what they need 340 00:12:17,968 --> 00:12:19,968 um to meet their requirements , not 341 00:12:19,968 --> 00:12:22,134 just in the short term , but also long 342 00:12:22,134 --> 00:12:24,190 term goals . So , of course , one of 343 00:12:24,190 --> 00:12:25,912 the things that um we would be 344 00:12:25,912 --> 00:12:28,234 discussing with the Ukrainians is um 345 00:12:28,244 --> 00:12:30,125 loss of battlefield equipment 346 00:12:30,135 --> 00:12:32,544 capabilities , anything not working any 347 00:12:32,554 --> 00:12:34,665 systems , not performing the way they 348 00:12:34,665 --> 00:12:36,776 should be . So there is a direct line 349 00:12:36,776 --> 00:12:38,832 of communication um at all different 350 00:12:38,832 --> 00:12:40,832 levels here in this building with , 351 00:12:40,832 --> 00:12:42,887 with the Ukrainians . I'm just gonna 352 00:12:42,887 --> 00:12:45,110 take , we have one last question on the 353 00:12:45,110 --> 00:12:44,244 phone , then I'm gonna come back in the 354 00:12:44,255 --> 00:12:45,984 room . Uh Wafa Al . 355 00:12:53,929 --> 00:12:57,219 OK . Um Laura , thank you . Um I just 356 00:12:57,229 --> 00:12:59,659 wanna follow up on question and I want 357 00:12:59,669 --> 00:13:02,380 to just read from the Dod S transcript . 358 00:13:02,390 --> 00:13:04,612 What was said during the briefing ? The 359 00:13:04,612 --> 00:13:06,779 question was , have you seen China set 360 00:13:06,779 --> 00:13:08,809 up any military base in Cuba or is 361 00:13:08,820 --> 00:13:10,653 there any plans afoot for seeing 362 00:13:10,653 --> 00:13:12,931 elsewhere in the region that they have ? 363 00:13:12,931 --> 00:13:15,153 General writer says none that I'm aware 364 00:13:15,153 --> 00:13:17,419 of at this time . So my question is , 365 00:13:17,429 --> 00:13:20,260 is it a concern that dod intentionally 366 00:13:20,270 --> 00:13:22,326 or not did provide wrong information 367 00:13:22,326 --> 00:13:24,780 from this podium to reporters and to 368 00:13:24,789 --> 00:13:26,845 the public and what is being done to 369 00:13:26,845 --> 00:13:28,956 make sure that doesn't happen again ? 370 00:13:28,956 --> 00:13:31,011 So I would say that in , in terms of 371 00:13:31,349 --> 00:13:33,405 our relationship with the press , we 372 00:13:33,405 --> 00:13:35,571 certainly value this relationship , we 373 00:13:35,571 --> 00:13:37,627 believe in being transparent . Uh we 374 00:13:37,627 --> 00:13:39,849 certainly believe in being able to , in 375 00:13:39,849 --> 00:13:41,516 being able to provide you the 376 00:13:41,516 --> 00:13:43,682 information that we have when we can . 377 00:13:43,682 --> 00:13:45,571 Um , if we can . And I think that 378 00:13:45,571 --> 00:13:47,682 doesn't just go for dod . I think you 379 00:13:47,682 --> 00:13:49,793 heard the White House speak to that , 380 00:13:49,793 --> 00:13:52,016 um , yesterday as well . Um , you heard 381 00:13:52,016 --> 00:13:54,071 general writer say at the time ? I , 382 00:13:54,071 --> 00:13:56,349 I'm sorry , I'm like paraphrasing here , 383 00:13:56,349 --> 00:13:58,516 but I believe when he was , and I know 384 00:13:58,516 --> 00:14:00,571 from speaking with him , what he was 385 00:14:00,571 --> 00:14:02,793 referring to was the report itself like 386 00:14:02,793 --> 00:14:04,849 the Wall Street Journal uh story . I 387 00:14:04,849 --> 00:14:07,016 don't think there was any intention by 388 00:14:07,016 --> 00:14:09,127 any means to mislead from this podium 389 00:14:09,127 --> 00:14:11,405 or from this building . Um , and again , 390 00:14:11,405 --> 00:14:13,627 we work really , really hard to try and 391 00:14:13,627 --> 00:14:15,738 provide you um , with the information 392 00:14:15,738 --> 00:14:18,109 that we can and of course , um , if we 393 00:14:18,119 --> 00:14:20,409 get something wrong , we will certainly 394 00:14:20,419 --> 00:14:22,586 correct that . And I think you've seen 395 00:14:22,586 --> 00:14:24,808 me do that with you and other reporters 396 00:14:24,808 --> 00:14:26,530 here . Uh , we make mistakes . 397 00:14:26,530 --> 00:14:28,308 Absolutely . But , um , we will 398 00:14:28,308 --> 00:14:30,363 certainly uh take accountability for 399 00:14:30,363 --> 00:14:32,475 that . And I , I , I know that , um , 400 00:14:32,475 --> 00:14:34,641 what General Rider was again referring 401 00:14:34,641 --> 00:14:36,863 to and , and , um , was speaking to was 402 00:14:36,863 --> 00:14:38,919 the actual Wall Street Journal story 403 00:14:38,919 --> 00:14:41,252 that came out that morning or afternoon . 404 00:14:41,252 --> 00:14:43,363 So , did he give wrong information or 405 00:14:43,363 --> 00:14:45,586 did he not do that ? Well , I think you 406 00:14:45,586 --> 00:14:47,586 saw the , on the , on the story , I 407 00:14:47,586 --> 00:14:49,586 don't think he was giving the wrong 408 00:14:49,586 --> 00:14:51,808 information . I think you saw the White 409 00:14:51,808 --> 00:14:51,619 House speak to that yesterday . I think 410 00:14:51,710 --> 00:14:55,659 there are points that were um uh what's 411 00:14:55,669 --> 00:14:57,558 the right word um being conflated 412 00:14:57,558 --> 00:15:00,690 within the story that um uh were 413 00:15:00,700 --> 00:15:02,811 further clarified that you saw at the 414 00:15:02,811 --> 00:15:04,922 podium yesterday at the White House . 415 00:15:04,922 --> 00:15:06,922 And um I will just leave it at that 416 00:15:07,719 --> 00:15:11,640 great real uh thank you . Uh I want 417 00:15:11,650 --> 00:15:14,590 to ask you about the P D A for Taiwan 418 00:15:14,619 --> 00:15:16,780 for Taiwan . Uh a month ago , the 419 00:15:16,789 --> 00:15:18,929 secretary said the new security 420 00:15:18,940 --> 00:15:21,830 assistance package will come soon . So 421 00:15:21,840 --> 00:15:24,500 is there anything that has this new 422 00:15:24,510 --> 00:15:28,440 package on hold for now ? Um So again , 423 00:15:28,450 --> 00:15:30,672 I don't have any specific announcements 424 00:15:30,672 --> 00:15:32,506 to make today . You've heard the 425 00:15:32,506 --> 00:15:35,630 secretary say that the US will be 426 00:15:35,640 --> 00:15:37,650 providing a significant additional 427 00:15:37,659 --> 00:15:40,340 security assistance to Taiwan and it 428 00:15:40,349 --> 00:15:42,571 will be through a presidential drawdown 429 00:15:42,571 --> 00:15:44,293 authority . But in terms of an 430 00:15:44,293 --> 00:15:46,016 announcement , that's just not 431 00:15:46,016 --> 00:15:48,127 something that I have today . But our 432 00:15:48,127 --> 00:15:50,293 commitment to Taiwan of course has not 433 00:15:50,293 --> 00:15:52,349 um waived . This is part of our long 434 00:15:52,349 --> 00:15:54,571 standing um commitment under the Taiwan 435 00:15:54,571 --> 00:15:57,325 Relations Act . The secretary 436 00:15:58,614 --> 00:16:02,215 is to Beijing . So reportedly , so does 437 00:16:02,224 --> 00:16:05,085 the content or timing of this package 438 00:16:05,094 --> 00:16:07,316 could change depending on the result of 439 00:16:07,316 --> 00:16:10,364 the secretary trip to Beijing ? No , 440 00:16:10,375 --> 00:16:12,431 our our timing is when we're , we're 441 00:16:12,431 --> 00:16:14,542 ready to announce , I don't , I don't 442 00:16:14,542 --> 00:16:16,708 have any updates unfortunately today , 443 00:16:16,708 --> 00:16:18,819 but when , if I do , I will certainly 444 00:16:18,819 --> 00:16:21,239 let you know . Great . Yes , thanks 445 00:16:21,250 --> 00:16:23,472 Liam Cosgrove with the gray zone . So a 446 00:16:23,472 --> 00:16:26,669 former D D contract negotiator she 447 00:16:26,679 --> 00:16:29,119 assad came out , spoke with 60 minutes 448 00:16:29,130 --> 00:16:31,241 and has accused arms manufacturers as 449 00:16:31,241 --> 00:16:33,463 well as the government of price gouging 450 00:16:33,463 --> 00:16:36,880 for Ukraine war related purchases with 451 00:16:36,890 --> 00:16:39,112 pointing out specifically that Lockheed 452 00:16:39,112 --> 00:16:41,334 and Boeing are briefing margins as high 453 00:16:41,334 --> 00:16:43,446 as 40% . He pointed to one electrical 454 00:16:43,446 --> 00:16:45,668 switch that allegedly cost $10,000 when 455 00:16:45,668 --> 00:16:48,869 the market rate was about 325 . So how 456 00:16:48,880 --> 00:16:51,213 would you respond to these negotiations ? 457 00:16:51,213 --> 00:16:53,269 These were from last month And is it 458 00:16:53,269 --> 00:16:55,213 possible certain groups are taking 459 00:16:55,213 --> 00:16:57,269 advantage of the humanitarian crisis 460 00:16:57,269 --> 00:16:59,213 over there in Ukraine ? Um I would 461 00:16:59,213 --> 00:17:01,380 certainly hope that people do not take 462 00:17:01,380 --> 00:17:03,491 advantage of the , um the war that is 463 00:17:03,491 --> 00:17:05,602 happening in Ukraine and the war that 464 00:17:05,602 --> 00:17:08,199 um Russia started when it invaded its 465 00:17:08,209 --> 00:17:09,876 sovereign neighbor . Um We do 466 00:17:09,876 --> 00:17:11,987 everything we can in this building to 467 00:17:11,987 --> 00:17:14,609 um account not only for taxpayer 468 00:17:14,619 --> 00:17:17,359 dollars and , and , and um authorities 469 00:17:17,369 --> 00:17:19,536 given to us by Congress , which we are 470 00:17:19,536 --> 00:17:21,839 very grateful , but um we intend to use 471 00:17:21,849 --> 00:17:24,016 those funds um diligently . And you're 472 00:17:24,016 --> 00:17:26,182 seeing that in Ukraine , you're seeing 473 00:17:26,182 --> 00:17:28,750 us continuing our end use monitoring 474 00:17:28,869 --> 00:17:31,091 and working with the Ukrainians to make 475 00:17:31,091 --> 00:17:32,925 sure that we're keeping track of 476 00:17:32,925 --> 00:17:35,147 equipment on the battlefield and that's 477 00:17:35,147 --> 00:17:34,969 flowing into the country . Are you 478 00:17:34,979 --> 00:17:37,201 aware of the specific allegations , the 479 00:17:37,201 --> 00:17:39,312 40% margins or I'm not aware , I have 480 00:17:39,312 --> 00:17:41,312 not seen this interview that you're 481 00:17:41,312 --> 00:17:43,599 referring to anyone else . Yeah . Uh 482 00:17:43,609 --> 00:17:45,776 Are you able to offer any more details 483 00:17:45,776 --> 00:17:47,887 on the injuries in the uh Syrian ? Uh 484 00:17:47,887 --> 00:17:49,998 helicopter crash at Centcom , I think 485 00:17:49,998 --> 00:17:52,165 Centcom reported something to the tune 486 00:17:52,165 --> 00:17:55,239 of 22 folks injured . Can you give any 487 00:17:55,250 --> 00:17:57,250 more details on the nature of those 488 00:17:57,250 --> 00:17:59,369 injuries ? So , um on June 11th , as 489 00:17:59,380 --> 00:18:01,602 you're aware , Centcom did put out a um 490 00:18:01,944 --> 00:18:04,074 statement that in northeastern Syria 491 00:18:04,084 --> 00:18:07,074 there was a um AAA 492 00:18:07,084 --> 00:18:10,244 crash um that injuries , uh I believe 493 00:18:10,255 --> 00:18:12,477 there were 22 service members that were 494 00:18:12,477 --> 00:18:14,255 injured . Um They're , they are 495 00:18:14,255 --> 00:18:16,199 retrieving receiving treatment for 496 00:18:16,199 --> 00:18:17,977 their injuries and 10 have been 497 00:18:17,977 --> 00:18:21,584 evacuated . Um uh out of the Centcom A 498 00:18:21,594 --> 00:18:24,369 O R . Um in terms of further details , 499 00:18:24,380 --> 00:18:27,050 I can tell you that this was an MH 47 500 00:18:27,060 --> 00:18:29,670 Chinook um that had a problem with one 501 00:18:29,680 --> 00:18:31,902 rotor that caused a hard landing during 502 00:18:31,902 --> 00:18:35,339 takeoff . Um Again , this is under 503 00:18:35,349 --> 00:18:38,060 investigation . Um So we will hopefully 504 00:18:38,069 --> 00:18:40,630 learn more soon . But um as of right 505 00:18:40,640 --> 00:18:43,050 now , uh all of the service members 506 00:18:43,060 --> 00:18:45,116 involved in that crash are in stable 507 00:18:45,116 --> 00:18:47,790 condition . Ok . And um can you uh 508 00:18:47,800 --> 00:18:50,189 commit to giving us an update on their 509 00:18:50,199 --> 00:18:52,310 situation when you can ? Yeah , I can 510 00:18:52,310 --> 00:18:54,477 do that . No problem . And I will make 511 00:18:54,477 --> 00:18:56,849 a note . Ok . We can wrap that up if 512 00:18:56,859 --> 00:18:58,692 that's uh if no one else has any 513 00:18:58,692 --> 00:19:00,915 questions . Ok , great . Thanks . All . 514 00:19:00,915 --> 00:19:02,970 Uh We're gonna wrap it up . Thanks , 515 00:19:02,970 --> 00:19:02,609 all .