1 00:00:00,009 --> 00:00:02,299 Thanks very much for your patience . I 2 00:00:02,309 --> 00:00:04,590 do have quite a bit to pass along at 3 00:00:04,599 --> 00:00:06,989 the top today . So once again , 4 00:00:07,000 --> 00:00:09,167 appreciate your patience and then I'll 5 00:00:09,167 --> 00:00:11,222 be happy to take your questions . Uh 6 00:00:11,222 --> 00:00:13,333 First , I'd like to begin by offering 7 00:00:13,333 --> 00:00:15,389 the department's deepest condolences 8 00:00:15,389 --> 00:00:17,500 and our empathy to the people of Maui 9 00:00:17,600 --> 00:00:19,822 and Hawaii who have lost loved ones and 10 00:00:19,822 --> 00:00:21,989 family members along with those who've 11 00:00:21,989 --> 00:00:24,100 been affected by the tragic wildfires 12 00:00:24,100 --> 00:00:25,933 there . As of this morning , the 13 00:00:25,933 --> 00:00:28,440 National Guard has activated 134 14 00:00:28,450 --> 00:00:30,819 National Guard personnel . 99 from the 15 00:00:30,829 --> 00:00:33,290 Army National Guard and 35 from the Air 16 00:00:33,299 --> 00:00:35,259 National Guard to assist with the 17 00:00:35,270 --> 00:00:37,659 Hawaii wildfire response . This 18 00:00:37,669 --> 00:00:39,836 includes liaison support to the Hawaii 19 00:00:39,836 --> 00:00:42,569 Emergency Management agency , support 20 00:00:42,580 --> 00:00:44,939 to local law enforcement and two Army 21 00:00:44,950 --> 00:00:47,009 National Guard ch 47 Chinook 22 00:00:47,020 --> 00:00:48,889 helicopters to support wildfire 23 00:00:48,900 --> 00:00:50,930 response operations and search and 24 00:00:50,939 --> 00:00:53,580 recovery teams . In addition , the 25 00:00:53,590 --> 00:00:56,779 army's 25th Combat Aviation Brigade has 26 00:00:56,790 --> 00:00:59,669 deployed 2 60 Black Hawk helicopters 27 00:00:59,680 --> 00:01:02,569 and one Ch 47 Chinook to Hawaii to 28 00:01:02,580 --> 00:01:04,691 assist with firefighting operations . 29 00:01:04,949 --> 00:01:07,129 Plus navy helicopter , maritime strike 30 00:01:07,139 --> 00:01:10,449 squadron , 37 sent two mh 60 R Seahawk 31 00:01:10,459 --> 00:01:12,949 helicopters to help the US Coast Guard 32 00:01:12,959 --> 00:01:15,126 with search and recovery operations as 33 00:01:15,126 --> 00:01:17,680 well . Also as Testament to their motto , 34 00:01:17,690 --> 00:01:20,690 Semper Para were always ready . A US 35 00:01:20,699 --> 00:01:22,819 Coast Guard , 45 ft response boat 36 00:01:22,830 --> 00:01:25,163 medium crew from US Coast Guard station , 37 00:01:25,163 --> 00:01:28,339 Maui and a Coast guard . Mh 65 dolphin 38 00:01:28,349 --> 00:01:30,349 helicopter from air station Barbers 39 00:01:30,349 --> 00:01:33,160 Point rescued 14 survivors who had 40 00:01:33,169 --> 00:01:35,225 taken shelter from fire and smoke in 41 00:01:35,225 --> 00:01:37,750 the ocean . US coast guard cutters , 42 00:01:37,760 --> 00:01:40,629 Kimba and Joseph Zak remain in the area 43 00:01:40,639 --> 00:01:42,917 to provide additional support capacity . 44 00:01:43,019 --> 00:01:45,075 Again . Our thoughts and prayers are 45 00:01:45,075 --> 00:01:47,130 with the people of Maui at this time 46 00:01:47,130 --> 00:01:49,130 and the department will continue to 47 00:01:49,130 --> 00:01:51,241 work closely with the state of Hawaii 48 00:01:51,241 --> 00:01:53,463 and officials there as we work together 49 00:01:53,463 --> 00:01:53,080 to protect lives and battle these 50 00:01:53,089 --> 00:01:56,330 terrible wildfires elsewhere within the 51 00:01:56,339 --> 00:01:58,228 Indo Pacific region as part of us 52 00:01:58,228 --> 00:02:00,449 emergency assistance to support Papua 53 00:02:00,459 --> 00:02:02,459 New Guinea in the wake of the Mount 54 00:02:02,459 --> 00:02:04,570 Bahana volcanic eruptions there . The 55 00:02:04,570 --> 00:02:06,681 Department of Defense in coordination 56 00:02:06,681 --> 00:02:08,292 with the USA I DS Bureau for 57 00:02:08,292 --> 00:02:10,600 humanitarian assistance will send the 58 00:02:10,610 --> 00:02:13,539 31st Marine Expeditionary unit aboard 59 00:02:13,550 --> 00:02:16,029 the US S America to help deliver 60 00:02:16,039 --> 00:02:17,983 critical relief supplies to remote 61 00:02:17,983 --> 00:02:20,095 locations in the autonomous region of 62 00:02:20,095 --> 00:02:22,389 Bougainville . Us Marines from the unit 63 00:02:22,399 --> 00:02:24,100 will support us aid emergency 64 00:02:24,110 --> 00:02:26,279 assistance efforts by providing 65 00:02:26,289 --> 00:02:30,139 transportation via MV 22 Asbury's Ch 53 66 00:02:30,149 --> 00:02:32,839 E super stallions and with support from 67 00:02:32,850 --> 00:02:35,770 US Navy Sh 60 Seahawks . The 68 00:02:35,779 --> 00:02:37,501 flexibility and rapid response 69 00:02:37,501 --> 00:02:39,668 capability of the marine expeditionary 70 00:02:39,668 --> 00:02:41,779 unit team will allow for the delivery 71 00:02:41,779 --> 00:02:43,946 of immediate and much needed emergency 72 00:02:43,946 --> 00:02:45,723 assistance during this crisis . 73 00:02:46,210 --> 00:02:48,321 Additionally , highlighting the value 74 00:02:48,321 --> 00:02:50,210 that ongoing security cooperation 75 00:02:50,210 --> 00:02:51,932 activities bring to real world 76 00:02:51,932 --> 00:02:54,610 operations . Approximately 200 marines 77 00:02:54,619 --> 00:02:56,786 who are already in Papua New Guinea as 78 00:02:56,786 --> 00:02:59,529 part of task force , Co Moana 23 stand 79 00:02:59,539 --> 00:03:03,190 ready to support if asked . Shifting 80 00:03:03,199 --> 00:03:05,088 gears . The Department of Defense 81 00:03:05,088 --> 00:03:07,143 announced today the establishment of 82 00:03:07,143 --> 00:03:09,032 task force Lima which will assess 83 00:03:09,032 --> 00:03:11,389 synchronize and employ generative 84 00:03:11,460 --> 00:03:13,639 generative artificial intelligence 85 00:03:13,649 --> 00:03:15,720 across the department . Deputy 86 00:03:15,729 --> 00:03:17,840 Secretary of Defense , Kathleen Hicks 87 00:03:17,840 --> 00:03:19,951 directed the organization of the task 88 00:03:19,951 --> 00:03:22,173 force to minimize risk and redundancy . 89 00:03:22,173 --> 00:03:24,396 While the department pursues generative 90 00:03:24,396 --> 00:03:26,173 A I initiatives including large 91 00:03:26,173 --> 00:03:28,130 language models led by the Chief 92 00:03:28,139 --> 00:03:30,139 Digital and Artificial Intelligence 93 00:03:30,139 --> 00:03:32,639 Office task force . Lima reflects dod's 94 00:03:32,649 --> 00:03:34,760 commitment to responsibly harness the 95 00:03:34,760 --> 00:03:37,130 power of artificial intelligence and 96 00:03:37,139 --> 00:03:39,250 will ensure the department remains at 97 00:03:39,250 --> 00:03:40,917 the forefront of cutting edge 98 00:03:40,917 --> 00:03:42,695 technologies while safeguarding 99 00:03:42,695 --> 00:03:44,380 national security . The memo 100 00:03:44,389 --> 00:03:46,333 establishing task force , Lima and 101 00:03:46,333 --> 00:03:48,167 associated press release will be 102 00:03:48,167 --> 00:03:50,770 available on defense dot gov . Finally , 103 00:03:50,779 --> 00:03:52,668 as you're aware , President Biden 104 00:03:52,668 --> 00:03:54,835 signed an executive order yesterday on 105 00:03:54,835 --> 00:03:57,001 addressing United States investment in 106 00:03:57,001 --> 00:03:59,168 certain national security technologies 107 00:03:59,168 --> 00:04:01,335 and products in countries of concern . 108 00:04:01,335 --> 00:04:03,501 This order allows the United States to 109 00:04:03,501 --> 00:04:05,612 regulate investments flowing into the 110 00:04:05,612 --> 00:04:07,501 countries of concern for entities 111 00:04:07,501 --> 00:04:09,557 involved in three areas of sensitive 112 00:04:09,557 --> 00:04:11,279 national security technology , 113 00:04:11,279 --> 00:04:13,501 semiconductors , and microelectronics , 114 00:04:13,779 --> 00:04:16,239 quantum information technologies and 115 00:04:16,250 --> 00:04:18,678 artificial intelligence . I'd like to 116 00:04:18,688 --> 00:04:20,410 take a moment to emphasize how 117 00:04:20,410 --> 00:04:22,410 important this action is from a dod 118 00:04:22,410 --> 00:04:24,632 perspective which is why the department 119 00:04:24,632 --> 00:04:26,244 played an active role in the 120 00:04:26,244 --> 00:04:28,021 interagency development of this 121 00:04:28,021 --> 00:04:30,132 executive order . You have no further 122 00:04:30,132 --> 00:04:31,966 than to look at our annual China 123 00:04:31,966 --> 00:04:33,744 Military Power report which has 124 00:04:33,744 --> 00:04:35,910 documented how the PR C has made major 125 00:04:35,910 --> 00:04:37,966 investments to fuse its security and 126 00:04:37,966 --> 00:04:39,910 development strategies and acquire 127 00:04:39,910 --> 00:04:41,744 advanced dual use technology for 128 00:04:41,744 --> 00:04:43,910 coercive actions . It's no secret that 129 00:04:43,910 --> 00:04:46,359 the PR C has a stated goal to acquire 130 00:04:46,369 --> 00:04:48,536 and produce key sensitive technologies 131 00:04:48,536 --> 00:04:50,799 that directly support the PR CS 132 00:04:50,809 --> 00:04:52,753 military modernization and related 133 00:04:52,753 --> 00:04:54,890 activities . And it's no secret that 134 00:04:54,899 --> 00:04:57,630 the Pr C exploits , exploits us capital 135 00:04:57,640 --> 00:04:59,760 and expertise to help develop its 136 00:04:59,769 --> 00:05:02,047 military and intelligence capabilities , 137 00:05:02,429 --> 00:05:04,651 specific implementation and enforcement 138 00:05:04,651 --> 00:05:06,818 of the executive order will be managed 139 00:05:06,818 --> 00:05:09,040 by our Treasury department colleagues . 140 00:05:09,040 --> 00:05:11,151 But the bottom line is that this is a 141 00:05:11,151 --> 00:05:13,429 real concern for our national security . 142 00:05:13,429 --> 00:05:15,373 And the executive order will be an 143 00:05:15,373 --> 00:05:17,485 important component in addressing the 144 00:05:17,485 --> 00:05:19,540 Pr C as dod S pacing challenge . And 145 00:05:19,540 --> 00:05:21,540 with that , I will be happy to take 146 00:05:21,540 --> 00:05:23,651 your questions . We'll start with A P 147 00:05:23,651 --> 00:05:26,630 Thanks Pat um on aid to Ukraine . Um 148 00:05:26,640 --> 00:05:28,807 Can you address I'm guessing you don't 149 00:05:28,807 --> 00:05:30,362 want to talk much about the 150 00:05:30,362 --> 00:05:32,869 supplemental yet but um can you address 151 00:05:34,000 --> 00:05:36,700 the aid looking forward is the 6 152 00:05:36,709 --> 00:05:38,850 billion that you have as part of the 153 00:05:38,859 --> 00:05:42,209 carryover enough to get the US through 154 00:05:42,220 --> 00:05:44,769 the end of this fiscal year as far as 155 00:05:44,779 --> 00:05:48,130 aid to Ukraine goes or do you think 156 00:05:48,140 --> 00:05:50,940 that will run out more quickly than the 157 00:05:50,950 --> 00:05:54,269 end of September and looking forward ? 158 00:05:54,279 --> 00:05:57,010 Also ? Are there things that you think 159 00:05:57,019 --> 00:06:00,410 the military needs to do right now to 160 00:06:00,420 --> 00:06:02,642 aid Ukraine , that you are unable to do 161 00:06:02,642 --> 00:06:05,940 without um any solid funding 162 00:06:05,950 --> 00:06:08,739 solution that's or that's in place . 163 00:06:08,750 --> 00:06:12,100 Yeah , thanks . Um So as it relates to 164 00:06:12,109 --> 00:06:14,440 uh supplementals , uh you're correct . 165 00:06:14,450 --> 00:06:16,829 I'd I'd refer you to , to omb for any 166 00:06:16,839 --> 00:06:18,895 questions on that . I , I don't have 167 00:06:18,895 --> 00:06:21,006 anything to provide at this time . Um 168 00:06:21,006 --> 00:06:23,149 When it comes broadly speaking to uh 169 00:06:23,160 --> 00:06:25,920 support for Ukraine , I would say that , 170 00:06:25,929 --> 00:06:28,170 as we have said in the past , uh we 171 00:06:28,179 --> 00:06:30,401 will continue to support Ukraine for as 172 00:06:30,401 --> 00:06:32,899 long as it takes uh in terms of the 173 00:06:32,910 --> 00:06:34,966 kinds of capabilities that they will 174 00:06:34,966 --> 00:06:36,966 need going forward . That will be a 175 00:06:36,966 --> 00:06:39,188 continuing discussion that we have with 176 00:06:39,188 --> 00:06:41,077 the Ukrainians and , and with our 177 00:06:41,077 --> 00:06:43,188 allies and partners as far as funding 178 00:06:43,188 --> 00:06:45,690 goes , uh we currently have uh as you 179 00:06:45,700 --> 00:06:48,679 know , restored uh and are able to use 180 00:06:48,690 --> 00:06:51,839 $6.2 billion in pre uh PD A that was 181 00:06:51,850 --> 00:06:54,320 previously committed . Uh And so that 182 00:06:54,329 --> 00:06:57,690 money is available to us um beyond the 183 00:06:57,700 --> 00:06:59,867 fiscal year going into the next fiscal 184 00:06:59,867 --> 00:07:03,700 year , uh as are approximately $600 185 00:07:03,709 --> 00:07:06,390 million in remaining USA I funds , 186 00:07:06,399 --> 00:07:08,350 which again is a two year funding 187 00:07:08,359 --> 00:07:11,000 stream . Uh So the bottom line in all 188 00:07:11,010 --> 00:07:13,010 of that is we will continue to work 189 00:07:13,010 --> 00:07:14,954 very , very closely with the inter 190 00:07:14,954 --> 00:07:17,190 agency . Uh And with Ukraine to ensure 191 00:07:17,200 --> 00:07:19,100 they get what they need is that 6 192 00:07:19,109 --> 00:07:21,220 billion enough to get you through the 193 00:07:21,220 --> 00:07:23,276 end of this fiscal year . Uh Again , 194 00:07:23,276 --> 00:07:25,420 I'm not gonna get into uh uh a line 195 00:07:25,429 --> 00:07:27,500 item in terms of what and how we may 196 00:07:27,510 --> 00:07:29,566 use that funding . Other than to say 197 00:07:29,566 --> 00:07:31,732 again , we remain confident that we'll 198 00:07:31,732 --> 00:07:33,899 be able to continue to support Ukraine 199 00:07:33,899 --> 00:07:36,010 for as long as it takes . Thank you , 200 00:07:36,010 --> 00:07:38,619 Jamie . Thank you . Uh The North Korean 201 00:07:38,630 --> 00:07:41,290 military commander announced that it 202 00:07:41,299 --> 00:07:44,970 will launch a reconnaissance satellite 203 00:07:45,420 --> 00:07:48,369 at any time very soon . What is good 204 00:07:48,380 --> 00:07:52,049 news is that Pan's posture to North 205 00:07:52,059 --> 00:07:54,790 Korea's certain provocation ? 206 00:07:55,959 --> 00:07:58,181 Um Well , you know , we've , we've been 207 00:07:58,181 --> 00:08:01,279 very clear uh about our concerns when 208 00:08:01,290 --> 00:08:04,519 it comes to uh provocations and 209 00:08:04,529 --> 00:08:06,899 potential provocations by the , the D 210 00:08:06,910 --> 00:08:10,170 pr K . Uh I'm not gonna again speculate 211 00:08:10,179 --> 00:08:12,401 or , or talk about any potential future 212 00:08:12,401 --> 00:08:14,899 actions by the , the D pr K . Other 213 00:08:14,910 --> 00:08:17,489 than to say , uh we have been and will 214 00:08:17,500 --> 00:08:19,500 remain in close contact with our 215 00:08:19,510 --> 00:08:22,570 Republic of Korea and Japanese allies 216 00:08:22,579 --> 00:08:24,600 to ensure that we have a common 217 00:08:24,609 --> 00:08:26,720 understanding of the situation in the 218 00:08:26,720 --> 00:08:28,942 region and that we can continue to work 219 00:08:28,942 --> 00:08:31,220 together to ensure peace and stability . 220 00:08:31,220 --> 00:08:34,369 So what are the limitations of the US 221 00:08:34,380 --> 00:08:37,750 extended deterrence on the South Korea 222 00:08:37,760 --> 00:08:41,090 can South Korea participate in the US 223 00:08:41,099 --> 00:08:44,218 use of nuclear weapons ? I , I think 224 00:08:44,229 --> 00:08:46,638 we've been very clear in terms of the 225 00:08:46,648 --> 00:08:48,848 tenets of extended deterrence and that 226 00:08:48,859 --> 00:08:51,026 we've also been very clear that we are 227 00:08:51,026 --> 00:08:53,568 going to continue to have South Korea's 228 00:08:53,578 --> 00:08:56,338 back uh when it comes to defense and 229 00:08:56,348 --> 00:08:58,570 I'll I'll leave it at that when we move 230 00:08:58,570 --> 00:09:01,780 on . Yes , ma'am . Yes , thanks so much . 231 00:09:02,309 --> 00:09:04,469 Um I have a question um on the 232 00:09:04,479 --> 00:09:07,320 executive order on um the restriction 233 00:09:07,330 --> 00:09:10,010 on us us investment in China . So thank 234 00:09:10,020 --> 00:09:12,909 you for sharing your notes . And um you 235 00:09:12,919 --> 00:09:15,719 mentioned that the Pentagon has played 236 00:09:15,729 --> 00:09:17,785 a role in this executive order . And 237 00:09:17,789 --> 00:09:20,150 could you please elaborate how Pentagon 238 00:09:20,159 --> 00:09:22,190 was involved in this discussion to 239 00:09:22,200 --> 00:09:24,422 draft the executive order ? So , was it 240 00:09:24,422 --> 00:09:27,799 to um target the specific technologies 241 00:09:27,809 --> 00:09:31,479 or products ? Sure . Um 242 00:09:32,460 --> 00:09:34,460 And , and just to make sure , I , I 243 00:09:34,460 --> 00:09:36,627 understand uh your question , you want 244 00:09:36,627 --> 00:09:38,627 to know the role that dod played in 245 00:09:38,627 --> 00:09:40,682 terms of helping ? Uh Sure . So , so 246 00:09:40,682 --> 00:09:42,904 really as the executive order was being 247 00:09:42,904 --> 00:09:45,309 put together , uh we played a key role 248 00:09:45,320 --> 00:09:48,809 within the uh us interagency process 249 00:09:49,140 --> 00:09:52,390 uh in terms of the potential military 250 00:09:52,400 --> 00:09:54,940 use of the kinds of technologies that I 251 00:09:54,950 --> 00:09:57,650 highlighted . So uh protecting our 252 00:09:57,659 --> 00:09:59,650 national security means protecting 253 00:09:59,659 --> 00:10:01,826 technologies that are critical for the 254 00:10:01,826 --> 00:10:03,890 future of military innovation , 255 00:10:03,900 --> 00:10:07,539 innovation . Uh And so the types of 256 00:10:07,549 --> 00:10:09,979 things that this executive order does 257 00:10:09,989 --> 00:10:13,010 uh will help make sure that American 258 00:10:13,020 --> 00:10:15,239 taxpayer dollars don't inadvertently 259 00:10:15,250 --> 00:10:17,840 support the pr CS military 260 00:10:17,849 --> 00:10:19,849 modernization and technologies that 261 00:10:19,849 --> 00:10:21,738 really do matter for our national 262 00:10:21,738 --> 00:10:23,960 security . Thank you very much . Let me 263 00:10:23,960 --> 00:10:25,960 go to the phone here real quick and 264 00:10:25,960 --> 00:10:25,380 I'll come back in the room here , 265 00:10:25,390 --> 00:10:28,229 Howard Altman . Hey , thanks , Pat , I 266 00:10:28,239 --> 00:10:30,650 got a couple of questions about ongoing 267 00:10:30,659 --> 00:10:33,799 situations in Ukraine . One regards the 268 00:10:33,809 --> 00:10:37,059 advance of Ukrainian forces across the 269 00:10:37,190 --> 00:10:40,179 uh Nepro river into occupied her . So 270 00:10:40,190 --> 00:10:43,380 almost around the Kazai Legare area . 271 00:10:43,789 --> 00:10:46,640 The second regards um Kans 272 00:10:47,099 --> 00:10:50,520 in the Khaki has announced the 273 00:10:50,530 --> 00:10:53,340 mandatory evacuation as Russian forces 274 00:10:53,349 --> 00:10:55,409 are approaching . Um Can you say how 275 00:10:55,419 --> 00:10:57,789 concerned the Pentagon is about the 276 00:10:57,799 --> 00:11:01,099 Russian approach towards uh Kans and 277 00:11:01,109 --> 00:11:04,289 and towards uh deeper into uh Kharkiv 278 00:11:04,299 --> 00:11:06,410 and how that might affect the counter 279 00:11:06,410 --> 00:11:08,521 offensive ? Yeah , thanks Howard . So 280 00:11:08,521 --> 00:11:10,410 when , when it comes to Ukrainian 281 00:11:10,410 --> 00:11:12,577 combat operations , I'll defer to them 282 00:11:12,577 --> 00:11:15,150 to talk about the specifics uh more 283 00:11:15,159 --> 00:11:17,630 broadly speaking , when it comes to the 284 00:11:17,640 --> 00:11:20,679 situation in Ukraine , you know , we've 285 00:11:20,690 --> 00:11:22,857 been concerned for a very long time in 286 00:11:22,857 --> 00:11:25,539 terms of Russia's activities uh and 287 00:11:25,549 --> 00:11:28,630 their efforts to uh hold and occupy uh 288 00:11:28,640 --> 00:11:31,580 Ukrainian territory . Uh And so that is 289 00:11:31,590 --> 00:11:34,419 why you see us continuously working 290 00:11:34,429 --> 00:11:37,150 very hard with Ukraine and our allies 291 00:11:37,159 --> 00:11:39,326 and partners to ensure that , that the 292 00:11:39,326 --> 00:11:41,326 Ukrainian armed forces and that the 293 00:11:41,326 --> 00:11:43,270 Ukrainian people have the means to 294 00:11:43,270 --> 00:11:45,381 defend themselves and take back their 295 00:11:45,381 --> 00:11:47,548 sovereign territory . Let me go to one 296 00:11:47,548 --> 00:11:49,715 more here on the phone , Jeff CHG task 297 00:11:49,715 --> 00:11:53,409 and purpose . Thank you . Sorry about 298 00:11:53,419 --> 00:11:56,409 the delay . Uh Ecowas has apparently 299 00:11:56,419 --> 00:11:58,299 mobilized or is starting the 300 00:11:58,309 --> 00:12:02,059 mobilization of its standby force for a 301 00:12:02,070 --> 00:12:04,969 possible intervention in . Is , does 302 00:12:04,979 --> 00:12:07,390 this affect the disposition of the 303 00:12:07,400 --> 00:12:09,690 roughly 1100 US troops in ? 304 00:12:12,099 --> 00:12:14,099 Yeah , thanks uh Jeff . So I , I've 305 00:12:14,099 --> 00:12:16,266 seen the , I've seen the reports about 306 00:12:16,266 --> 00:12:18,210 that . Um I don't have anything to 307 00:12:18,210 --> 00:12:21,229 provide in terms of eco O . I will tell 308 00:12:21,239 --> 00:12:24,890 you as it relates to right now . Um We 309 00:12:24,900 --> 00:12:27,011 are continuing to closely monitor the 310 00:12:27,011 --> 00:12:29,289 situation . Uh There has been no change 311 00:12:29,299 --> 00:12:32,390 to the US Military Force Posture uh in 312 00:12:32,400 --> 00:12:34,640 the country and it has been and has , 313 00:12:34,650 --> 00:12:36,710 has been the case . Uh The US 314 00:12:36,719 --> 00:12:38,570 government focus remains on a 315 00:12:38,580 --> 00:12:42,169 diplomatic solution . Thank you , Carla . 316 00:12:42,640 --> 00:12:46,250 Thanks just to follow up on . So I know 317 00:12:46,260 --> 00:12:48,770 you just said that concerning , but 318 00:12:48,780 --> 00:12:51,210 just in general , um what's the status 319 00:12:51,219 --> 00:12:53,163 has , have any US troops moved out 320 00:12:53,163 --> 00:12:55,219 since our last briefing ? Have there 321 00:12:55,219 --> 00:12:57,330 been any ct operations since our last 322 00:12:57,330 --> 00:12:59,386 briefing ? And then I could follow . 323 00:12:59,386 --> 00:13:01,608 Yeah , again , as it , as it relates to 324 00:13:01,608 --> 00:13:03,780 uh US forces , there's been no force 325 00:13:03,789 --> 00:13:06,200 posture , change of our forces there 326 00:13:06,210 --> 00:13:08,510 and you're you're following . So the 327 00:13:08,520 --> 00:13:10,809 junta , as I understand they came into 328 00:13:10,820 --> 00:13:12,709 power saying that they could do a 329 00:13:12,709 --> 00:13:14,820 better job protecting the people from 330 00:13:14,820 --> 00:13:16,709 these Islamist extremist groups . 331 00:13:16,709 --> 00:13:19,330 Should the junta refuse mediation 332 00:13:19,340 --> 00:13:21,159 attempts to reestablish the 333 00:13:21,169 --> 00:13:23,169 democratically elected government ? 334 00:13:23,169 --> 00:13:25,502 What will that mean for the US military ? 335 00:13:25,502 --> 00:13:27,336 Will the US military continue to 336 00:13:27,336 --> 00:13:29,558 support their battle with groups linked 337 00:13:29,558 --> 00:13:31,725 to Al Qaeda and Islamic state ? Yeah . 338 00:13:31,725 --> 00:13:33,669 So at this stage , Carl , I really 339 00:13:33,669 --> 00:13:35,780 don't want to speculate or get in the 340 00:13:35,780 --> 00:13:38,002 hypotheticals . Um As I mentioned , our 341 00:13:38,002 --> 00:13:40,169 focus remains on a diplomatic solution 342 00:13:40,390 --> 00:13:42,890 in restoring Niger's hard earned 343 00:13:42,900 --> 00:13:45,280 democracy . And so that will continue 344 00:13:45,289 --> 00:13:47,511 to be our focus . Certainly as the , as 345 00:13:47,511 --> 00:13:49,678 the situation evolves and develops and 346 00:13:49,679 --> 00:13:51,901 if there are updates to provide , we'll 347 00:13:51,901 --> 00:13:54,068 be sure to pass those along . How long 348 00:13:54,068 --> 00:13:56,346 is this situation going to be in limbo ? 349 00:13:56,346 --> 00:13:58,401 I mean , it's been two weeks at this 350 00:13:58,401 --> 00:14:00,623 point since the junta took over and the 351 00:14:00,623 --> 00:14:02,623 US position has remained the same . 352 00:14:02,623 --> 00:14:04,401 Yeah . Again , I'm not going to 353 00:14:04,401 --> 00:14:06,512 speculate on that . Thank you , Liz . 354 00:14:06,512 --> 00:14:08,568 Thank you . Um , earlier this week , 355 00:14:08,568 --> 00:14:10,401 Gold Star families of 13 service 356 00:14:10,401 --> 00:14:12,235 members killed in the Abbey Gate 357 00:14:12,235 --> 00:14:14,123 bombing held public testimony and 358 00:14:14,123 --> 00:14:16,068 they're looking for answers on why 359 00:14:16,068 --> 00:14:18,235 their sons and daughters were killed . 360 00:14:18,235 --> 00:14:20,346 I'm wondering was the ab gate bombing 361 00:14:20,346 --> 00:14:23,070 preventable and what mistakes were made 362 00:14:23,080 --> 00:14:25,191 leading up to the chaotic Afghanistan 363 00:14:25,191 --> 00:14:27,358 withdrawal could have been prevented . 364 00:14:27,969 --> 00:14:31,710 So first let me just say upfront , you 365 00:14:31,719 --> 00:14:35,210 know , we , we obviously uh uh send our , 366 00:14:35,890 --> 00:14:38,979 you know , deepest condolences uh and 367 00:14:39,570 --> 00:14:41,903 thoughts and prayers to the families of , 368 00:14:41,903 --> 00:14:44,070 of those 13 fallen . Um Any , any time 369 00:14:44,070 --> 00:14:46,181 we lose one of our lawyers . It's not 370 00:14:46,181 --> 00:14:48,348 an easy , easy thing and we understand 371 00:14:48,348 --> 00:14:50,403 the implications that it has on , on 372 00:14:50,403 --> 00:14:52,403 family members uh going well beyond 373 00:14:52,403 --> 00:14:55,380 immediate family um as it relates to uh 374 00:14:55,390 --> 00:14:57,557 the Abbey Gate bombing , as you know , 375 00:14:57,557 --> 00:14:59,779 Central Command did do an investigation 376 00:14:59,779 --> 00:15:01,946 on those . And so I , I'd refer you to 377 00:15:01,946 --> 00:15:05,909 those reports . Um but again , 378 00:15:05,919 --> 00:15:09,369 um I think we all watched the situation 379 00:15:09,380 --> 00:15:11,450 in Afghanistan and in those closing 380 00:15:11,460 --> 00:15:15,309 days , um and it , it was a mix of both . 381 00:15:15,320 --> 00:15:18,159 Um you know , grief for the loss of our , 382 00:15:18,169 --> 00:15:21,549 our fallen comrades . Um but also uh a 383 00:15:21,559 --> 00:15:23,869 deep appreciation for the service 384 00:15:23,880 --> 00:15:26,609 members uh that were able to continue 385 00:15:26,619 --> 00:15:29,890 to operate in such a professional and 386 00:15:29,900 --> 00:15:33,049 disciplined fashion uh in a challenging 387 00:15:33,059 --> 00:15:34,892 situation and evacuate more than 388 00:15:34,892 --> 00:15:38,619 124,000 Afghans from the country 389 00:15:38,760 --> 00:15:41,590 uh in those those final days of the US 390 00:15:41,599 --> 00:15:43,880 presence there . Thank you . All right , 391 00:15:44,150 --> 00:15:47,679 Chris Us , military medical officials 392 00:15:47,690 --> 00:15:50,429 found some harmful and potentially 393 00:15:50,440 --> 00:15:53,809 carcinogenic materials at ICBM 394 00:15:53,820 --> 00:15:56,140 facilities in Montana . And Senator 395 00:15:56,150 --> 00:15:57,928 Tester has sent a letter to the 396 00:15:57,928 --> 00:16:00,900 Pentagon um expressing his concern and , 397 00:16:00,909 --> 00:16:03,650 and um asking for answers from the 398 00:16:03,659 --> 00:16:06,260 Pentagon is Secretary Austin does 399 00:16:06,270 --> 00:16:08,960 Secretary Austin plan to have any 400 00:16:08,969 --> 00:16:12,179 conversations with folks at Malmstrom 401 00:16:12,190 --> 00:16:15,039 with the Senator or is this going to 402 00:16:15,049 --> 00:16:18,580 remain an Air Force investigation ? But 403 00:16:18,590 --> 00:16:21,369 now that this is , yeah , well , well , 404 00:16:21,380 --> 00:16:25,049 certainly uh any congressional request 405 00:16:25,059 --> 00:16:27,549 for information as we always do , we 406 00:16:27,559 --> 00:16:30,030 will respond accordingly to that . Uh 407 00:16:30,039 --> 00:16:32,210 Secretary Austin is , is of course 408 00:16:32,219 --> 00:16:34,469 being kept up to date uh on the 409 00:16:34,479 --> 00:16:37,640 situation . Um and is confident that US 410 00:16:37,650 --> 00:16:39,650 Strategic Command and , and the Air 411 00:16:39,650 --> 00:16:41,706 Force are taking this seriously . Um 412 00:16:41,706 --> 00:16:43,817 You know , I I'd refer you to the Air 413 00:16:43,817 --> 00:16:45,817 Force for the specifics . Um but do 414 00:16:45,817 --> 00:16:47,872 know that uh Air Force Global Strike 415 00:16:47,872 --> 00:16:49,817 Command , uh the commander and his 416 00:16:49,817 --> 00:16:52,039 staff are , are taking this very , very 417 00:16:52,039 --> 00:16:54,659 seriously . Uh And so um no doubt that 418 00:16:54,669 --> 00:16:57,002 they will continue to do so . Thank you . 419 00:16:57,349 --> 00:16:59,979 Yes , sir , thanks , general . So , um 420 00:17:00,250 --> 00:17:02,760 this one is on . So for the last couple 421 00:17:02,770 --> 00:17:05,030 of years , the military there has 422 00:17:05,040 --> 00:17:07,151 participated in Flint Lock , which is 423 00:17:07,151 --> 00:17:09,989 an , a training exercise . And so I'm 424 00:17:10,000 --> 00:17:12,167 just wondering if the Pentagon has any 425 00:17:12,167 --> 00:17:14,167 knowledge of whether leaders in the 426 00:17:14,167 --> 00:17:16,689 current military junta may have , you 427 00:17:16,699 --> 00:17:19,032 know , received us training in the past , 428 00:17:19,032 --> 00:17:21,199 whether it's whether it's Flintlock or 429 00:17:21,199 --> 00:17:23,530 another exercise . Yeah , we , we do 430 00:17:23,540 --> 00:17:25,707 know that uh several Nigerian military 431 00:17:25,707 --> 00:17:28,000 personnel uh associated with the events 432 00:17:28,010 --> 00:17:30,650 there uh have received us training in 433 00:17:30,660 --> 00:17:33,660 the past . Uh There is no correlation 434 00:17:33,839 --> 00:17:35,728 uh between the training that they 435 00:17:35,728 --> 00:17:38,589 received and their activities . Uh Any 436 00:17:38,599 --> 00:17:40,766 training we provide uh whether through 437 00:17:40,766 --> 00:17:42,877 national Defense University or others 438 00:17:43,060 --> 00:17:45,489 uh or exercises always adheres to the 439 00:17:45,500 --> 00:17:47,611 principles of democratic governance , 440 00:17:47,611 --> 00:17:49,722 civilian rule of the military rule of 441 00:17:49,722 --> 00:17:51,889 law , military civilian relations . Uh 442 00:17:51,889 --> 00:17:54,056 And so I just leave it at that . Thank 443 00:17:54,056 --> 00:17:56,167 you very much . Yes , sir . Thank you 444 00:17:56,167 --> 00:17:58,222 general . Um the military leaders in 445 00:17:58,222 --> 00:18:00,420 nature um declared that there's a , a 446 00:18:00,430 --> 00:18:03,520 new government . So how much that uh 447 00:18:03,530 --> 00:18:05,920 decision put the diplomacy solution in 448 00:18:05,930 --> 00:18:08,750 a tough way ? And um does there any 449 00:18:08,760 --> 00:18:10,982 communication between the leaders of us 450 00:18:10,982 --> 00:18:13,579 troops in nature and the nature uh 451 00:18:13,589 --> 00:18:16,219 military ? Um What , what kind of 452 00:18:16,229 --> 00:18:17,951 communications if there is any 453 00:18:17,951 --> 00:18:19,951 communication between them ? Yeah , 454 00:18:19,951 --> 00:18:22,062 thanks for the question . Well , as , 455 00:18:22,062 --> 00:18:23,896 as I mentioned again , from a US 456 00:18:23,896 --> 00:18:26,007 standpoint , uh we are gonna continue 457 00:18:26,007 --> 00:18:28,459 to focus on a diplomatic solution to 458 00:18:28,469 --> 00:18:32,109 the situation in . Um I think our 459 00:18:32,119 --> 00:18:34,341 colleagues at the State Department have 460 00:18:34,341 --> 00:18:36,510 talked about some of those efforts uh 461 00:18:36,520 --> 00:18:39,020 in terms of communication . Uh In the 462 00:18:39,030 --> 00:18:42,800 meantime , uh our forces uh remain no 463 00:18:42,810 --> 00:18:44,866 change to force posture . They're on 464 00:18:44,866 --> 00:18:46,866 the bases there . They're , they're 465 00:18:46,866 --> 00:18:49,032 cooperating with Nigerian uh officials 466 00:18:49,032 --> 00:18:51,366 there to keep those bases operating and , 467 00:18:51,366 --> 00:18:54,589 and keep services running . Uh has , as 468 00:18:54,599 --> 00:18:56,949 I mentioned , had uh a hard earned 469 00:18:56,959 --> 00:18:59,181 democracy . And so we're gonna continue 470 00:18:59,181 --> 00:19:01,439 to stay focused on , on working toward 471 00:19:01,449 --> 00:19:03,671 that end . Uh But again , the situation 472 00:19:03,671 --> 00:19:05,838 remains fluid uh and we'll continue to 473 00:19:05,838 --> 00:19:08,550 monitor uh and , and when we have more 474 00:19:08,560 --> 00:19:10,727 to provide , we'll do that . Thank you 475 00:19:10,727 --> 00:19:12,838 very much . Let me take a couple more 476 00:19:12,838 --> 00:19:15,004 from the phone here and I'll come back 477 00:19:15,004 --> 00:19:16,949 into the room . Um I've got George 478 00:19:16,949 --> 00:19:16,310 Castle 479 00:19:21,859 --> 00:19:24,689 George . Are you there ? Yes , sir . Uh 480 00:19:24,699 --> 00:19:27,520 Sorry about that Brigit General . Um My 481 00:19:27,530 --> 00:19:31,150 question is mainly on the US side of uh 482 00:19:31,530 --> 00:19:33,790 the protecting the US United States . 483 00:19:34,069 --> 00:19:36,339 Uh We have uh military bases around 484 00:19:36,349 --> 00:19:40,250 here and they're allowing the Chinese 485 00:19:40,260 --> 00:19:42,609 government to purchase up land that is 486 00:19:42,619 --> 00:19:45,930 located near these air force bases . Um 487 00:19:45,939 --> 00:19:49,670 Why isn't the dod concerned about 488 00:19:49,680 --> 00:19:52,849 them purchasing these lands near our 489 00:19:52,859 --> 00:19:56,430 air force bases ? Yeah , thanks very 490 00:19:56,439 --> 00:19:59,030 much . Um I'm not sure specifically uh 491 00:19:59,040 --> 00:20:01,096 what , where you're at or which base 492 00:20:01,096 --> 00:20:03,096 you're talking about , but I , I do 493 00:20:03,096 --> 00:20:05,318 know uh that this is something that the 494 00:20:05,318 --> 00:20:07,869 department uh does take seriously uh 495 00:20:07,880 --> 00:20:09,991 really department of commerce are the 496 00:20:09,991 --> 00:20:12,047 right folks to talk to in terms of a 497 00:20:12,047 --> 00:20:14,660 policy standpoint , uh when it comes to 498 00:20:14,890 --> 00:20:18,300 uh foreign investment or uh foreign 499 00:20:18,310 --> 00:20:21,239 purchase of uh property in the United 500 00:20:21,250 --> 00:20:23,439 States . Um But , but look at the end 501 00:20:23,449 --> 00:20:25,671 of the day , the United States military 502 00:20:25,671 --> 00:20:27,989 um when it comes to our bases , uh we 503 00:20:28,000 --> 00:20:30,540 will take appropriate measures uh to 504 00:20:30,550 --> 00:20:32,550 safeguard our facilities as , as we 505 00:20:32,550 --> 00:20:34,939 always do . Uh But when it comes to the 506 00:20:34,949 --> 00:20:36,616 the potential for any foreign 507 00:20:36,616 --> 00:20:38,671 government to purchase property , uh 508 00:20:38,671 --> 00:20:40,838 I'd I'd refer you to the Department of 509 00:20:40,838 --> 00:20:43,171 Commerce for more details on that front . 510 00:20:43,171 --> 00:20:45,282 Thank you very much . Ok . Uh Heather 511 00:20:45,282 --> 00:20:49,109 Mano US N I , thanks so much . Um Today , 512 00:20:49,119 --> 00:20:51,119 Ukraine , Ukraine's Naval Force has 513 00:20:51,119 --> 00:20:53,008 announced that there will be some 514 00:20:53,008 --> 00:20:55,063 temporary routes in the Black Sea to 515 00:20:55,063 --> 00:20:57,119 allow civilian ships to leave . Just 516 00:20:57,119 --> 00:20:59,175 wondering if you have any additional 517 00:20:59,175 --> 00:21:01,063 information about these routes or 518 00:21:01,063 --> 00:21:01,010 what's going on in the Black Sea in 519 00:21:01,020 --> 00:21:03,439 terms of the Green Deal . Yeah , thanks 520 00:21:03,449 --> 00:21:05,171 Heather . I , I don't have any 521 00:21:05,171 --> 00:21:07,393 additional details to provide . Um I've 522 00:21:07,393 --> 00:21:10,369 seen those reports uh clearly from a US 523 00:21:10,380 --> 00:21:12,510 government standpoint . Uh We would 524 00:21:12,520 --> 00:21:15,199 call on Russia to , to honor uh the 525 00:21:15,209 --> 00:21:18,430 grain deal . Recognizing that that the 526 00:21:18,439 --> 00:21:21,800 impact goes well beyond Europe uh in 527 00:21:21,810 --> 00:21:24,032 two places like Africa where people are 528 00:21:24,032 --> 00:21:26,349 relying on that grain uh to be able to 529 00:21:26,359 --> 00:21:28,415 feed themselves and , and feed their 530 00:21:28,415 --> 00:21:30,489 families . Thank you , take a couple 531 00:21:30,500 --> 00:21:32,770 more here in the room . Yes , sir . Um 532 00:21:32,780 --> 00:21:34,947 you mentioned in , you're hoping for a 533 00:21:34,947 --> 00:21:37,489 diplomatic solution . But with the 534 00:21:37,500 --> 00:21:39,556 Ecowas mobilization , are , is there 535 00:21:39,556 --> 00:21:41,556 military to military communications 536 00:21:41,556 --> 00:21:43,729 with those countries ? Forces between 537 00:21:43,739 --> 00:21:45,739 the United States and them ? Yeah , 538 00:21:45,739 --> 00:21:47,850 again , look , I'm not going to speak 539 00:21:47,850 --> 00:21:49,906 for eco O the United States military 540 00:21:49,906 --> 00:21:52,128 through us , Africa command maintains a 541 00:21:52,128 --> 00:21:54,239 range of relationships throughout the 542 00:21:54,239 --> 00:21:56,829 continent . But again , um not to 543 00:21:56,839 --> 00:21:58,950 belabor the point , but when it comes 544 00:21:58,950 --> 00:22:00,950 to right now , from a US government 545 00:22:00,950 --> 00:22:03,172 standpoint , our focus will continue to 546 00:22:03,172 --> 00:22:05,117 remain on identifying a diplomatic 547 00:22:05,117 --> 00:22:07,283 solution . If anything changes , we'll 548 00:22:07,283 --> 00:22:06,510 certainly be sure to let you know , 549 00:22:06,569 --> 00:22:08,680 asking them to hold off . Again . I'm 550 00:22:08,680 --> 00:22:10,347 not gonna get into diplomatic 551 00:22:10,347 --> 00:22:12,291 discussions . I'd refer you to the 552 00:22:12,291 --> 00:22:14,689 State Department for that , but like , 553 00:22:14,699 --> 00:22:17,739 ok , uh Pat , uh thanks . I want to 554 00:22:17,750 --> 00:22:19,694 talk about the , asked about these 555 00:22:19,694 --> 00:22:21,694 reports that the Ukraine is sort of 556 00:22:21,694 --> 00:22:23,917 reverting back to the style of fighting 557 00:22:23,917 --> 00:22:25,972 that they've been practice that they 558 00:22:25,972 --> 00:22:28,859 have much practice with um the sort of 559 00:22:28,869 --> 00:22:32,270 the heavy artillery focused or Soviet 560 00:22:32,280 --> 00:22:34,160 style . My question is , and in 561 00:22:34,170 --> 00:22:36,829 retrospect , was it really realistic to 562 00:22:36,839 --> 00:22:40,030 expect that they could master uh the 563 00:22:40,040 --> 00:22:42,780 style of maneuver warfare that the US 564 00:22:42,790 --> 00:22:46,520 has spent decades learning um 565 00:22:46,530 --> 00:22:48,863 over such a short period of time ? Yeah , 566 00:22:48,863 --> 00:22:51,310 thank you . So , um let me kind of 567 00:22:51,319 --> 00:22:53,430 approach that from a couple different 568 00:22:53,430 --> 00:22:55,763 angles if you'll bear with me here . So , 569 00:22:55,763 --> 00:22:58,339 so first of all , um when it comes to 570 00:22:58,349 --> 00:23:00,900 the Ukrainians and uh the fight that 571 00:23:00,910 --> 00:23:04,439 they're , uh conducting right now . 572 00:23:04,650 --> 00:23:06,680 Um , you know , I'm not gonna stand 573 00:23:06,689 --> 00:23:08,869 here at this podium and second guess a 574 00:23:08,880 --> 00:23:11,229 front line commander in the , in the 575 00:23:11,239 --> 00:23:14,219 Ukrainian military . Um , they're in a 576 00:23:14,229 --> 00:23:17,619 tough fight . Um , we've known they've 577 00:23:17,630 --> 00:23:20,050 known from the beginning , uh , that 578 00:23:20,410 --> 00:23:22,132 regardless of when any counter 579 00:23:22,132 --> 00:23:24,243 offensive started , it was gonna be a 580 00:23:24,243 --> 00:23:26,800 tough fight . So , uh , that , that's 581 00:23:26,810 --> 00:23:28,866 why you hear us say , and it has the 582 00:23:28,866 --> 00:23:31,032 benefit of being true that we're gonna 583 00:23:31,032 --> 00:23:33,143 continue to work with them to provide 584 00:23:33,143 --> 00:23:35,310 them with the capabilities . They need 585 00:23:35,310 --> 00:23:38,000 to include training when it comes to uh 586 00:23:38,489 --> 00:23:40,939 that training and the kinds of training 587 00:23:40,949 --> 00:23:43,060 we're providing . So , first of all , 588 00:23:43,060 --> 00:23:45,227 you know , let's take a step back here 589 00:23:45,227 --> 00:23:47,393 and recognize that this is a less than 590 00:23:47,393 --> 00:23:49,616 ideal situation . Nobody in their right 591 00:23:49,616 --> 00:23:51,838 mind ever would have wished that Russia 592 00:23:51,838 --> 00:23:53,949 would have invaded Ukraine , but they 593 00:23:53,949 --> 00:23:56,680 did and the Ukrainians against all odds 594 00:23:56,689 --> 00:24:00,050 were able to push the Russians back uh 595 00:24:00,060 --> 00:24:02,680 into a position , a defensive position 596 00:24:02,689 --> 00:24:04,411 which in and of itself is , is 597 00:24:04,411 --> 00:24:06,589 miraculous given the state of the 598 00:24:06,599 --> 00:24:08,939 Ukrainian military as Russia invaded . 599 00:24:09,319 --> 00:24:12,540 Uh And so you've seen a uh 600 00:24:13,369 --> 00:24:15,480 you know , outpouring of support from 601 00:24:15,480 --> 00:24:17,591 around the world to provide them with 602 00:24:17,591 --> 00:24:19,790 incredible and significant combat 603 00:24:19,800 --> 00:24:22,339 capabilities and training . So all 604 00:24:22,349 --> 00:24:24,182 things considered , I think it's 605 00:24:24,182 --> 00:24:26,349 important to put it into a perspective 606 00:24:26,349 --> 00:24:28,516 in terms of the capabilities that they 607 00:24:28,516 --> 00:24:30,682 have been able to develop and they not 608 00:24:30,682 --> 00:24:32,849 able to execute in a very , very short 609 00:24:32,849 --> 00:24:35,280 period of time . Um So outstanding 610 00:24:35,290 --> 00:24:37,579 results in a less than ideal situation 611 00:24:37,810 --> 00:24:40,032 going forward . We're gonna continue to 612 00:24:40,032 --> 00:24:41,810 consult with them . We're gonna 613 00:24:41,810 --> 00:24:44,032 continue to provide them training uh so 614 00:24:44,032 --> 00:24:45,921 that they can take back sovereign 615 00:24:45,921 --> 00:24:48,088 sovereign territory and ultimately win 616 00:24:48,088 --> 00:24:51,400 this fight . Thank you . Yes , ma'am . 617 00:24:52,310 --> 00:24:54,310 Uh I wanted to follow up on cluster 618 00:24:54,310 --> 00:24:57,760 munitions on uh Monday army acquisition 619 00:24:57,770 --> 00:25:01,760 chief Doug Bush said that the 155 620 00:25:01,770 --> 00:25:04,030 millimeter rounds uh production won't 621 00:25:04,040 --> 00:25:06,040 be up to full capacity that they're 622 00:25:06,040 --> 00:25:08,969 hoping for until 2025 . And I know that 623 00:25:09,290 --> 00:25:11,401 uh the cluster munitions are supposed 624 00:25:11,401 --> 00:25:13,512 to be kind of a a bridging capability 625 00:25:13,512 --> 00:25:16,150 for that . Um Are the cluster munitions 626 00:25:16,160 --> 00:25:18,271 something that are gonna have to be a 627 00:25:18,271 --> 00:25:20,609 bridging capability until 2025 or is 628 00:25:20,619 --> 00:25:22,550 the Pentagon weighing other 629 00:25:22,560 --> 00:25:25,550 capabilities that can also do that job ? 630 00:25:26,099 --> 00:25:29,069 Sure . Um So in , in terms of 631 00:25:29,079 --> 00:25:32,920 155 , we've provided to date over 632 00:25:32,930 --> 00:25:36,209 2 million uh 155 millimeter ammo rounds 633 00:25:36,219 --> 00:25:38,552 to Ukraine since the start of the fight . 634 00:25:38,552 --> 00:25:40,859 Um We've also enabled a rapid increase 635 00:25:40,869 --> 00:25:44,089 in 155 AM production . So from 14,000 a 636 00:25:44,099 --> 00:25:46,310 month in February of 22 to 637 00:25:46,319 --> 00:25:48,819 approximately 24,000 a month currently . 638 00:25:48,880 --> 00:25:51,390 And we plan to be at over 80,000 a 639 00:25:51,400 --> 00:25:53,567 month over the following year . Uh And 640 00:25:53,567 --> 00:25:57,199 so , um while these stockpiles are not 641 00:25:57,209 --> 00:26:00,099 unlimited , uh we are comfortable that 642 00:26:00,319 --> 00:26:02,375 uh where we're at right now with our 643 00:26:02,375 --> 00:26:04,541 stockpiles and we are comfortable that 644 00:26:04,541 --> 00:26:06,541 we will be , be able to continue to 645 00:26:06,541 --> 00:26:08,652 work closely with allies and partners 646 00:26:08,652 --> 00:26:10,875 around the world on that front . Um The 647 00:26:10,875 --> 00:26:14,800 on , on the uh DP IC MS . Um Again , 648 00:26:14,810 --> 00:26:16,619 this right now has provided the 649 00:26:16,630 --> 00:26:18,519 Ukrainians with the capability to 650 00:26:18,519 --> 00:26:20,852 continue to take the fight to the enemy . 651 00:26:20,852 --> 00:26:23,074 Um We have all indications that they're 652 00:26:23,074 --> 00:26:25,297 employing those weapons properly on the 653 00:26:25,297 --> 00:26:27,910 battlefield as , as they indicated they 654 00:26:27,920 --> 00:26:31,510 would . Um but 155 , 655 00:26:33,099 --> 00:26:35,043 aside , whatever they need , we're 656 00:26:35,043 --> 00:26:37,099 going to continue to work closely to 657 00:26:37,099 --> 00:26:39,266 ensure that they have what's necessary 658 00:26:39,266 --> 00:26:41,432 to continue the fight and to take back 659 00:26:41,432 --> 00:26:43,543 sovereign territory . Thank you . All 660 00:26:43,543 --> 00:26:45,655 right . Uh Take one last question and 661 00:26:45,655 --> 00:26:45,290 then we'll go one more question on 662 00:26:45,300 --> 00:26:47,411 Ukraine . Um It's being reported that 663 00:26:47,411 --> 00:26:49,522 the Biden administration is gonna ask 664 00:26:49,522 --> 00:26:51,633 for , um , 13 more billion dollars to 665 00:26:51,633 --> 00:26:54,050 send to Ukraine and , um , given that 666 00:26:54,060 --> 00:26:56,199 reporting what weapons are taking 667 00:26:56,209 --> 00:26:58,320 precedent now in the fight in Ukraine 668 00:26:58,320 --> 00:27:00,431 that the US would want to send in the 669 00:27:00,431 --> 00:27:02,598 future . Yeah . Thank you again . As I 670 00:27:02,598 --> 00:27:04,765 mentioned earlier , anything regarding 671 00:27:04,765 --> 00:27:06,931 supplementals ? I'd refer you to OMB . 672 00:27:06,931 --> 00:27:06,729 I'm just not going to have anything to 673 00:27:06,739 --> 00:27:08,683 provide at this time . Thank you . 674 00:27:08,683 --> 00:27:09,040 Thanks very much , everybody .