1 00:00:00,589 --> 00:00:03,640 All right , I just get settled here . 2 00:00:03,650 --> 00:00:06,500 Sorry . Ok , good afternoon , everyone . 3 00:00:06,510 --> 00:00:08,621 I just have a few items to pass along 4 00:00:08,621 --> 00:00:10,621 at the top and then I'd be happy to 5 00:00:10,621 --> 00:00:12,843 take your questions . So first , I just 6 00:00:12,843 --> 00:00:14,454 wanna say that our heartfelt 7 00:00:14,454 --> 00:00:14,239 condolences go out to the people of 8 00:00:14,250 --> 00:00:16,620 Hawaii and the community there . As of 9 00:00:16,629 --> 00:00:19,290 this morning , us Army Pacific as the 10 00:00:19,299 --> 00:00:21,299 theater Joint Forest Land Component 11 00:00:21,299 --> 00:00:23,579 Command . The organization designated 12 00:00:23,590 --> 00:00:25,719 by the Commander of us Indo Pacific 13 00:00:25,729 --> 00:00:28,540 Command as the headquarters to oversee 14 00:00:28,549 --> 00:00:30,327 all defense support to civilian 15 00:00:30,327 --> 00:00:32,950 authorities in the Pacific is executing 16 00:00:32,959 --> 00:00:35,070 six approved mission assignments from 17 00:00:35,070 --> 00:00:37,720 FEMA . These assignments include inter 18 00:00:37,750 --> 00:00:40,599 island air and sea transportation for 19 00:00:40,610 --> 00:00:42,499 the movement of cargo personnel , 20 00:00:42,499 --> 00:00:44,919 supplies and equipment . Setting up a 21 00:00:44,930 --> 00:00:46,930 defense coordinating element office 22 00:00:46,930 --> 00:00:49,990 including liaison officers , use of 23 00:00:50,000 --> 00:00:52,159 Schofield barracks to support 24 00:00:52,169 --> 00:00:54,229 facilities for building life support 25 00:00:54,240 --> 00:00:56,184 and hygiene facilities for federal 26 00:00:56,184 --> 00:00:58,970 emergency responders , standby for 27 00:00:58,979 --> 00:01:01,330 aerial fire suppression , strategic 28 00:01:01,340 --> 00:01:03,284 transportation of personnel and or 29 00:01:03,284 --> 00:01:05,900 cargo and setting up additional staging 30 00:01:05,910 --> 00:01:09,800 areas on Maui and Oahu . Additionally , 31 00:01:09,809 --> 00:01:11,865 Secretary Austin has designated Army 32 00:01:11,865 --> 00:01:13,698 National Guard Brigadier General 33 00:01:13,698 --> 00:01:15,531 Stephen Logan as the dual status 34 00:01:15,531 --> 00:01:18,370 commander of the joint task force . 50 35 00:01:18,760 --> 00:01:21,050 joint task force 50 will synchronize 36 00:01:21,059 --> 00:01:24,080 all dod support to operations . United 37 00:01:24,089 --> 00:01:26,033 States Army Pacific has deployed a 38 00:01:26,033 --> 00:01:28,330 deputy dual status commander forward to 39 00:01:28,339 --> 00:01:30,959 embed with the JTF 50 with the Hawaii 40 00:01:30,970 --> 00:01:33,629 National Guard on Maui . The Hawaii 41 00:01:33,639 --> 00:01:35,250 National Guard has activated 42 00:01:35,250 --> 00:01:38,330 approximately 258 Army National Guard 43 00:01:38,339 --> 00:01:40,339 and air National Guard personnel on 44 00:01:40,339 --> 00:01:42,250 state active duty . This includes 45 00:01:42,260 --> 00:01:44,610 liaison support to the Hawaii emergency 46 00:01:44,620 --> 00:01:46,870 management agency , command and control 47 00:01:46,879 --> 00:01:48,768 elements and support to local law 48 00:01:48,768 --> 00:01:51,059 enforcement . The US Army Corps of 49 00:01:51,069 --> 00:01:53,125 Engineers are currently managing two 50 00:01:53,125 --> 00:01:55,180 operational fema mission assignments 51 00:01:55,180 --> 00:01:57,779 for debris removal and temporary power . 52 00:01:58,139 --> 00:02:00,750 The Corps currently has 27 personnel 53 00:02:00,760 --> 00:02:03,080 deployed a mix of both active duty and 54 00:02:03,089 --> 00:02:05,589 civilians as well as 14 personnel 55 00:02:05,599 --> 00:02:07,760 providing virtual reach back support 56 00:02:07,769 --> 00:02:10,279 from off site locations . In addition , 57 00:02:10,289 --> 00:02:12,500 the Army Corps of Engineers has 41 58 00:02:12,509 --> 00:02:14,565 contractor personnel deployed to the 59 00:02:14,565 --> 00:02:17,360 scene . Our Coast Guard partners have 60 00:02:17,369 --> 00:02:19,480 shifted their focus of their response 61 00:02:19,480 --> 00:02:21,536 to minimizing maritime environmental 62 00:02:21,536 --> 00:02:23,369 impacts while remaining ready to 63 00:02:23,369 --> 00:02:25,036 respond to any new reports of 64 00:02:25,036 --> 00:02:27,360 individuals in the water . Coast Guard , 65 00:02:27,369 --> 00:02:29,369 maritime safety and security team . 66 00:02:29,369 --> 00:02:31,520 Honolulu and the Coast Guard National 67 00:02:31,529 --> 00:02:33,696 Strike Force have established a safety 68 00:02:33,696 --> 00:02:35,529 zone extending one nautical mile 69 00:02:35,529 --> 00:02:37,751 seaward from the shoreline and deployed 70 00:02:37,751 --> 00:02:39,918 pollution response teams and equipment 71 00:02:39,918 --> 00:02:42,990 to affected locations to include a 100 72 00:02:43,000 --> 00:02:45,056 ft boom placed at the mouth of Laina 73 00:02:45,160 --> 00:02:47,520 Harbor to contain any potentially 74 00:02:47,529 --> 00:02:50,600 hazardous contaminants and material in 75 00:02:50,610 --> 00:02:52,850 total . Approximately 140 Coast Guard 76 00:02:52,860 --> 00:02:54,971 men and women are currently assisting 77 00:02:54,971 --> 00:02:57,027 with response efforts in Maui And of 78 00:02:57,027 --> 00:02:58,693 course , moving forward , the 79 00:02:58,693 --> 00:03:00,916 department and the JTF 50 will continue 80 00:03:00,916 --> 00:03:03,082 to work closely with state officials , 81 00:03:03,082 --> 00:03:05,193 fema and other supporting agencies to 82 00:03:05,193 --> 00:03:06,971 support the people of Hawaii in 83 00:03:06,971 --> 00:03:09,027 response to this incredibly terrible 84 00:03:09,027 --> 00:03:11,339 disaster . Separately , as an update to 85 00:03:11,350 --> 00:03:13,294 our response following the volcano 86 00:03:13,294 --> 00:03:15,239 eruption in Papua New Guinea , the 87 00:03:15,239 --> 00:03:17,339 amphibious assault ship us S America 88 00:03:17,350 --> 00:03:19,820 and the 31st marine expeditionary unit 89 00:03:19,850 --> 00:03:21,990 have supported us government efforts 90 00:03:22,000 --> 00:03:23,722 for foreign disaster relief in 91 00:03:23,722 --> 00:03:25,667 Bougainville at the request of the 92 00:03:25,667 --> 00:03:27,667 government of Papua New Guinea . In 93 00:03:27,667 --> 00:03:29,500 consultation with the autonomous 94 00:03:29,500 --> 00:03:31,722 Bougainville government over the course 95 00:03:31,722 --> 00:03:33,833 of the 10 day humanitarian assistance 96 00:03:33,833 --> 00:03:36,000 operation , sailors and marines sailed 97 00:03:36,000 --> 00:03:37,778 to the Solomon Sea and provided 98 00:03:37,778 --> 00:03:40,470 transport via CH 53 and MV . 22 99 00:03:40,479 --> 00:03:43,399 aircraft of 100 and 18 pallets , almost 100 00:03:43,410 --> 00:03:45,889 35 tons of disaster relief and supplies 101 00:03:45,899 --> 00:03:48,259 to remote aid centers . The team also 102 00:03:48,270 --> 00:03:50,270 provided sailors , sorry . The team 103 00:03:50,270 --> 00:03:52,326 also provided sailors and marines to 104 00:03:52,326 --> 00:03:54,103 assist in loading and unloading 105 00:03:54,103 --> 00:03:55,826 supplies . Demonstrating their 106 00:03:55,826 --> 00:03:57,714 commitment to serving as a crisis 107 00:03:57,714 --> 00:03:59,437 response team to the people of 108 00:03:59,437 --> 00:04:01,548 Bougainville . And with that , I'd be 109 00:04:01,548 --> 00:04:03,659 happy to take some questions . I know 110 00:04:03,659 --> 00:04:03,309 we don't have a P in the room so I can 111 00:04:03,320 --> 00:04:05,376 go ahead and get started with anyone 112 00:04:05,376 --> 00:04:07,740 else who's wants to ask . Ok , Dan , 113 00:04:07,750 --> 00:04:09,806 I'll go to Dan and then I'll come to 114 00:04:09,806 --> 00:04:12,028 Janie . Thank you . I know you just put 115 00:04:12,028 --> 00:04:13,972 out uh some numbers and , and some 116 00:04:13,972 --> 00:04:15,972 facts but just to be clear how many 117 00:04:15,972 --> 00:04:17,806 active duty troops are currently 118 00:04:17,806 --> 00:04:20,149 engaged in the effort in Maui . And are 119 00:04:20,160 --> 00:04:22,216 there other other plans , additional 120 00:04:22,216 --> 00:04:24,820 plans to send uh more active duty 121 00:04:24,829 --> 00:04:27,051 personnel ? I don't have an exact count 122 00:04:27,051 --> 00:04:29,218 for you right now , of how many active 123 00:04:29,218 --> 00:04:31,385 duty are currently assisting with um , 124 00:04:31,385 --> 00:04:33,619 operations in Maui right now , the 125 00:04:33,630 --> 00:04:36,660 focus is of course on um search and 126 00:04:36,670 --> 00:04:40,029 rescue . So our active duty teams will , 127 00:04:40,040 --> 00:04:43,600 our active duty personnel will be um uh 128 00:04:44,480 --> 00:04:46,702 the command and control will be through 129 00:04:46,702 --> 00:04:48,790 the joint task force . Uh 50 , but I 130 00:04:48,799 --> 00:04:50,855 just don't have specific numbers for 131 00:04:50,855 --> 00:04:53,077 you yet . I just have what the National 132 00:04:53,077 --> 00:04:55,299 Guard is providing . And then are there 133 00:04:55,299 --> 00:04:57,132 any plans or being considered to 134 00:04:57,132 --> 00:04:59,132 airdrop supplies or is that already 135 00:04:59,132 --> 00:05:01,132 happened to some areas ? Well , the 136 00:05:01,132 --> 00:05:04,429 good thing about um some of the search 137 00:05:04,440 --> 00:05:06,273 and recovery efforts and also um 138 00:05:06,273 --> 00:05:08,660 efforts to get help to the community is 139 00:05:08,670 --> 00:05:10,959 that FEMA did have a lot of 140 00:05:10,970 --> 00:05:13,399 prepositioned assets . So we haven't 141 00:05:13,410 --> 00:05:16,059 had to airdrop or air lift anything yet 142 00:05:16,070 --> 00:05:19,670 in terms of um supplies . Uh I 143 00:05:19,679 --> 00:05:21,750 believe in a 48 hour period , there 144 00:05:21,760 --> 00:05:25,239 were about 100 80,080 100 89,000 145 00:05:25,250 --> 00:05:28,109 gallons um dropped by Air Army National 146 00:05:28,119 --> 00:05:30,209 Guard air crews um to help with 147 00:05:30,220 --> 00:05:32,649 firefighting efforts . But we will , I 148 00:05:32,660 --> 00:05:34,771 mean , as I mentioned at the top , we 149 00:05:34,771 --> 00:05:36,938 will be conducting one of our , one of 150 00:05:36,938 --> 00:05:38,771 the assignments that um approved 151 00:05:38,771 --> 00:05:40,993 assignments that we are doing with FEMA 152 00:05:40,993 --> 00:05:43,160 is conducting Inter Island Air and sea 153 00:05:43,160 --> 00:05:45,382 transportation . So for the movement of 154 00:05:45,382 --> 00:05:47,493 cargo , if there needs to be , um you 155 00:05:47,493 --> 00:05:49,549 know , more bottled water brought in 156 00:05:49,549 --> 00:05:51,660 additional personnel and supplies and 157 00:05:51,660 --> 00:05:53,771 equipment , we'll be providing that , 158 00:05:54,119 --> 00:05:56,589 Jenny . Thank you . I have two 159 00:05:56,600 --> 00:05:59,510 questions North Korea leader Kim Jong 160 00:05:59,519 --> 00:06:02,929 Un recently visited the , their 161 00:06:02,940 --> 00:06:06,739 military Tank Union and ordered the 162 00:06:06,750 --> 00:06:10,570 offensive war preparations . What is 163 00:06:10,579 --> 00:06:13,359 the US reaction to this ? So , we've 164 00:06:13,369 --> 00:06:15,536 been very clear about the threat posed 165 00:06:15,536 --> 00:06:18,799 by North Korea . Um And we've been very 166 00:06:18,809 --> 00:06:21,790 clear in our defense to uh South Korea 167 00:06:21,799 --> 00:06:23,799 and Japan and our commitment to the 168 00:06:23,799 --> 00:06:26,160 region in order to ensure stability . 169 00:06:26,450 --> 00:06:29,109 Um We're going to continue to work with 170 00:06:29,119 --> 00:06:31,420 South Korea and Japan to address the 171 00:06:31,429 --> 00:06:33,485 threats posed by D Pr K . But I just 172 00:06:33,485 --> 00:06:35,899 don't have anything more um additional 173 00:06:35,910 --> 00:06:38,359 to provide on , on that specific visit 174 00:06:38,369 --> 00:06:41,299 that you mentioned . Um we don't harbor 175 00:06:41,309 --> 00:06:44,429 any hostile or ill will towards the D 176 00:06:44,440 --> 00:06:48,415 Pr K , but we do support inner dialogue 177 00:06:48,424 --> 00:06:50,464 and support and engagement as we 178 00:06:50,475 --> 00:06:52,364 continue to work through with our 179 00:06:52,364 --> 00:06:54,434 partners . And the Russian Defense 180 00:06:54,445 --> 00:06:57,644 Minister , Sergei said 181 00:06:57,654 --> 00:07:00,255 military cooperation between North 182 00:07:00,265 --> 00:07:03,734 Korea and Russia . He did not pose a 183 00:07:03,744 --> 00:07:07,325 threat to other countries . How can you 184 00:07:07,334 --> 00:07:09,945 comment on this ? I'm sorry . And who , 185 00:07:09,954 --> 00:07:12,255 who did you cite saying that the 186 00:07:12,265 --> 00:07:16,220 Russian Defense Minister ? So I 187 00:07:16,230 --> 00:07:18,341 mean , I wouldn't be able to speak on 188 00:07:18,341 --> 00:07:20,790 behalf of Russia , but from our 189 00:07:20,799 --> 00:07:23,760 standpoint , of course , any aid that 190 00:07:23,769 --> 00:07:25,769 North Korea or any country gives to 191 00:07:25,769 --> 00:07:29,540 Russia is continuing an unjust and 192 00:07:29,549 --> 00:07:32,130 unprovoked war within Ukraine . So 193 00:07:32,140 --> 00:07:33,918 we've been very clear about our 194 00:07:33,918 --> 00:07:36,350 position . We've made , um , concerns 195 00:07:36,359 --> 00:07:38,581 to other countries that want to provide 196 00:07:38,581 --> 00:07:40,748 support to Russia that , you know , we 197 00:07:40,748 --> 00:07:42,692 certainly discourage that . Um , I 198 00:07:42,692 --> 00:07:44,803 think what's important is that we are 199 00:07:44,803 --> 00:07:46,692 going to continue our support for 200 00:07:46,692 --> 00:07:48,915 Ukraine , as you've heard the president 201 00:07:48,915 --> 00:07:48,579 say for as long as it takes and I'll 202 00:07:48,589 --> 00:07:50,739 just leave it at that . Great . Hey , 203 00:07:50,750 --> 00:07:54,290 Brandy , can you share an assessment ? 204 00:07:54,299 --> 00:07:56,899 Um So far of the impacts the wildfires 205 00:07:56,910 --> 00:07:59,429 have had on Dod S um Maui high 206 00:07:59,440 --> 00:08:01,799 performance computing center and the 207 00:08:01,809 --> 00:08:03,799 associated powerful supercomputing 208 00:08:03,809 --> 00:08:06,089 assets there . Um What's the status 209 00:08:06,100 --> 00:08:08,989 operationally um of that resource ? I 210 00:08:09,000 --> 00:08:11,111 don't have a status update . I direct 211 00:08:11,111 --> 00:08:12,944 you to the Air Force for uh more 212 00:08:12,944 --> 00:08:14,889 details on that . I just don't , I 213 00:08:14,889 --> 00:08:17,222 don't have that right now . Our efforts , 214 00:08:17,222 --> 00:08:19,278 as I mentioned at the top are really 215 00:08:19,278 --> 00:08:21,278 focused on search and rescue and um 216 00:08:21,278 --> 00:08:23,500 working within the community to , to um 217 00:08:23,500 --> 00:08:26,130 whether it's flowing and supplies or um 218 00:08:26,140 --> 00:08:28,140 getting , I mean , knitting closely 219 00:08:28,140 --> 00:08:30,196 together with FEMA to make sure that 220 00:08:30,196 --> 00:08:32,196 they have everything that they need 221 00:08:32,196 --> 00:08:34,362 when they're conducting the search and 222 00:08:34,362 --> 00:08:34,260 rescue operations . That's really our 223 00:08:34,270 --> 00:08:36,830 focus right now . Um a follow up on 224 00:08:36,840 --> 00:08:39,062 that and then a separate question um or 225 00:08:39,090 --> 00:08:41,257 maybe take the question for me because 226 00:08:41,257 --> 00:08:42,979 the Air Force doesn't run that 227 00:08:42,979 --> 00:08:44,812 Supercomputing center . It's the 228 00:08:44,812 --> 00:08:46,979 defense Supercomputing resource center 229 00:08:46,979 --> 00:08:49,146 in Maui . It's associated with the Air 230 00:08:49,146 --> 00:08:51,423 Force , but that's a question for OS D , 231 00:08:51,423 --> 00:08:53,535 um , and then separately , when did , 232 00:08:53,535 --> 00:08:57,205 um , OS D last update its account for 233 00:08:57,215 --> 00:08:59,635 all of its personnel or employees that 234 00:08:59,645 --> 00:09:02,054 are currently based in Maui or based in 235 00:09:02,065 --> 00:09:04,315 Maui before the fires ? Do you have an 236 00:09:04,325 --> 00:09:07,015 update on if there were any , um , 237 00:09:07,025 --> 00:09:09,025 anything that happened to the , the 238 00:09:09,025 --> 00:09:11,539 personnel ? Um , in terms of personnel , 239 00:09:11,549 --> 00:09:14,119 I , I don't have an update in terms of , 240 00:09:14,130 --> 00:09:16,352 uh , anything to read on in terms of if 241 00:09:16,352 --> 00:09:18,574 someone was injured or , or uh lost due 242 00:09:18,574 --> 00:09:21,020 to the fires . Um That's something that 243 00:09:21,030 --> 00:09:22,863 I would direct you more to inter 244 00:09:22,863 --> 00:09:24,808 Pacific command to address , but I 245 00:09:24,808 --> 00:09:26,752 don't have any specific numbers on 246 00:09:26,752 --> 00:09:28,974 personnel impacted . And , um , I would 247 00:09:28,974 --> 00:09:31,030 again direct , direct you to the air 248 00:09:31,030 --> 00:09:30,940 Force on that one . That's not an OS D 249 00:09:30,950 --> 00:09:32,950 question . I would still direct you 250 00:09:32,950 --> 00:09:35,117 there and not gonna take it . Warren . 251 00:09:35,117 --> 00:09:37,117 Did you have a question ? Uh Yeah , 252 00:09:37,117 --> 00:09:39,117 yesterday in , the Military Council 253 00:09:39,117 --> 00:09:41,117 that toppled President Bazo said he 254 00:09:41,117 --> 00:09:43,228 could face the death penalty if found 255 00:09:43,228 --> 00:09:45,283 guilty of treason . Is it still your 256 00:09:45,283 --> 00:09:47,450 position that this isn't a coup ? So , 257 00:09:47,450 --> 00:09:49,672 as you know , we continue to assess the 258 00:09:49,672 --> 00:09:51,729 ongoing situation in , um , we are 259 00:09:51,739 --> 00:09:53,572 hoping that this can be resolved 260 00:09:53,572 --> 00:09:55,906 peacefully and through diplomatic means . 261 00:09:55,906 --> 00:09:58,580 Um uh we've come very close to say 262 00:09:58,590 --> 00:10:00,757 again that this is an attempted coup , 263 00:10:00,757 --> 00:10:03,969 I think , uh by all means from state 264 00:10:03,979 --> 00:10:07,590 department , from dod from other levels 265 00:10:07,599 --> 00:10:09,710 of government . We are trying to work 266 00:10:09,710 --> 00:10:11,988 through this in a peaceful manner , as , 267 00:10:11,988 --> 00:10:14,099 you know , is , um , quite a critical 268 00:10:14,099 --> 00:10:16,266 partner to us in the region . And so , 269 00:10:16,266 --> 00:10:18,488 um , we are hopeful that we can resolve 270 00:10:18,488 --> 00:10:20,710 this in a diplomatic way . But why does 271 00:10:20,710 --> 00:10:22,932 it seem like you're almost bending over 272 00:10:22,932 --> 00:10:25,155 backwards , not to call it a coup ? And 273 00:10:25,155 --> 00:10:27,321 we've seen France the eu and just come 274 00:10:27,321 --> 00:10:29,543 out and call it what it appears to be . 275 00:10:29,543 --> 00:10:29,005 Well , again , I mean , I think we've 276 00:10:29,015 --> 00:10:30,737 been very clear that it's , it 277 00:10:30,737 --> 00:10:32,904 certainly looks like an attempted coup 278 00:10:32,904 --> 00:10:35,085 here . Uh We have assets and , um , 279 00:10:35,094 --> 00:10:37,155 interests in the region and our main 280 00:10:37,164 --> 00:10:39,331 priority is protecting those interests 281 00:10:39,331 --> 00:10:41,664 and protecting those of our allies . So , 282 00:10:41,674 --> 00:10:44,424 um , a designation like , like what 283 00:10:44,434 --> 00:10:46,434 you're suggesting certainly changes 284 00:10:46,434 --> 00:10:48,545 what we'd be able to do in the region 285 00:10:48,545 --> 00:10:50,601 and how we'd be able to partner with 286 00:10:50,601 --> 00:10:52,700 Nigerian military . Um , as you are 287 00:10:52,710 --> 00:10:55,669 well aware , we've conducted training 288 00:10:55,679 --> 00:10:57,901 with the Nigerian military . We conduct 289 00:10:57,901 --> 00:11:00,210 counter , um , our ct operations from 290 00:11:00,219 --> 00:11:03,890 there . Um We have , we continue to 291 00:11:03,900 --> 00:11:05,989 press and we continue to push for a 292 00:11:06,000 --> 00:11:09,890 diplomatic resolve . Um Ecowas has also 293 00:11:09,900 --> 00:11:12,011 said that they don't want to see this 294 00:11:12,011 --> 00:11:14,233 end , um , militarily , they don't want 295 00:11:14,233 --> 00:11:16,233 to see this , um , an escalation in 296 00:11:16,233 --> 00:11:18,456 violence . They want to see this end in 297 00:11:18,456 --> 00:11:20,344 a diplomatic way . So we , we are 298 00:11:20,344 --> 00:11:22,456 supportive of those measures . Yeah , 299 00:11:22,456 --> 00:11:22,090 Laura , and then I'll go to the phones 300 00:11:22,099 --> 00:11:25,049 just to follow up on that . Um If , if , 301 00:11:25,059 --> 00:11:27,226 um , it is designated a what is , what 302 00:11:27,226 --> 00:11:29,115 is the backup plan sort of in the 303 00:11:29,115 --> 00:11:31,820 meantime and going forward for CT in 304 00:11:31,830 --> 00:11:33,941 the region ? And I understand there's 305 00:11:33,941 --> 00:11:36,108 no , no operations out of the , out of 306 00:11:36,108 --> 00:11:38,219 the base right now . Um I assume that 307 00:11:38,219 --> 00:11:40,108 is hindering the counterterrorism 308 00:11:40,108 --> 00:11:42,108 operations in the region . What's , 309 00:11:42,108 --> 00:11:44,386 what's the backup plan ? Yeah . So , I , 310 00:11:44,386 --> 00:11:46,552 I mean , great question , I think as , 311 00:11:46,552 --> 00:11:45,539 you know , we won't engage in 312 00:11:45,549 --> 00:11:47,630 hypotheticals right now . Uh We're 313 00:11:47,640 --> 00:11:50,080 certainly a planning organization . So , 314 00:11:50,090 --> 00:11:53,059 um while we plan for um different 315 00:11:53,070 --> 00:11:55,237 scenarios and different outcomes , I'm 316 00:11:55,237 --> 00:11:57,403 not gonna preview those right now from 317 00:11:57,403 --> 00:11:59,626 here , um what we are hopeful of and we 318 00:11:59,626 --> 00:12:01,792 continue to push for is the diplomatic 319 00:12:01,792 --> 00:12:05,039 resolution um for , for this to end , 320 00:12:05,229 --> 00:12:07,929 um in terms of how we conduct our , our 321 00:12:07,940 --> 00:12:10,162 counter terrorism operations , I mean , 322 00:12:10,162 --> 00:12:12,107 we still maintain over the horizon 323 00:12:12,107 --> 00:12:14,162 capabilities and not just from , but 324 00:12:14,162 --> 00:12:16,496 just from other places around the world . 325 00:12:16,650 --> 00:12:20,070 Um And so we will still be able to have 326 00:12:20,080 --> 00:12:22,302 capabilities within the region , but is 327 00:12:22,302 --> 00:12:24,524 a partner and we don't want to see that 328 00:12:24,524 --> 00:12:26,950 partnership go . Um We've invested um 329 00:12:27,179 --> 00:12:29,123 you know , hundreds of millions of 330 00:12:29,123 --> 00:12:31,659 dollars into uh bases there , trained 331 00:12:31,669 --> 00:12:33,760 with the military there . Um So we 332 00:12:33,770 --> 00:12:35,437 really want to see a peaceful 333 00:12:35,437 --> 00:12:38,119 resolution to um Niger's hard earned 334 00:12:38,130 --> 00:12:40,352 democracy and we're hopeful that we can 335 00:12:40,352 --> 00:12:42,574 come to that . Can you be more specific 336 00:12:42,574 --> 00:12:44,741 though ? What are the over the horizon 337 00:12:44,741 --> 00:12:46,852 options ? Because my understanding is 338 00:12:46,852 --> 00:12:49,074 is the over the horizon option for much 339 00:12:49,074 --> 00:12:51,408 of the region . Yeah , that's certainly , 340 00:12:51,408 --> 00:12:53,686 um , that's certainly true . But again , 341 00:12:53,686 --> 00:12:55,852 if we do need to adjust or shift for a 342 00:12:55,852 --> 00:12:58,019 different scenario that would change . 343 00:12:58,019 --> 00:12:57,159 Right . And I'm not going to preview 344 00:12:57,169 --> 00:12:59,169 that from here on what exactly that 345 00:12:59,169 --> 00:13:01,391 would look like . Um , but as you saw , 346 00:13:01,391 --> 00:13:03,002 when we , uh , withdrew from 347 00:13:03,002 --> 00:13:05,058 Afghanistan , we still maintain over 348 00:13:05,058 --> 00:13:07,169 horizon capabilities there . Um , and 349 00:13:07,169 --> 00:13:09,280 so I just , again , don't want to get 350 00:13:09,280 --> 00:13:11,447 too far ahead of something that hasn't 351 00:13:11,447 --> 00:13:13,447 happened . So I'll just leave it at 352 00:13:13,447 --> 00:13:12,869 that respectfully . It's not a 353 00:13:12,880 --> 00:13:14,602 hypothetical though , if those 354 00:13:14,602 --> 00:13:16,713 operations are not happening from the 355 00:13:16,713 --> 00:13:18,936 drone base and they haven't for several 356 00:13:18,936 --> 00:13:20,936 weeks that , you know , what are we 357 00:13:20,936 --> 00:13:23,158 doing in the meantime , right now , all 358 00:13:23,158 --> 00:13:22,409 I can say is that our activity is 359 00:13:22,419 --> 00:13:24,475 constrained to the base . We're just 360 00:13:24,475 --> 00:13:26,808 gonna , I'm just gonna leave it at that . 361 00:13:26,808 --> 00:13:29,141 Great . I'm gonna go to the phones here . 362 00:13:29,141 --> 00:13:31,363 Um I'm sorry , I do have a phone list . 363 00:13:31,363 --> 00:13:33,630 Just give me one sec . Um MEREDITH Roon 364 00:13:33,809 --> 00:13:34,619 Janes . 365 00:13:37,539 --> 00:13:40,210 Hi . Thanks for doing this . Um I just 366 00:13:40,219 --> 00:13:42,289 wanted to ask , can you say any more 367 00:13:42,299 --> 00:13:44,355 about the types of tactical vehicles 368 00:13:44,355 --> 00:13:46,669 that were sent in the aid package 369 00:13:46,679 --> 00:13:49,250 yesterday ? Um And if they were all the 370 00:13:49,260 --> 00:13:52,880 same type of tactical vehicle ? Uh 371 00:13:52,890 --> 00:13:55,112 Yes . Thanks for the question . I would 372 00:13:55,112 --> 00:13:57,223 direct you . I'm sorry , I just don't 373 00:13:57,223 --> 00:13:59,390 have the full breakdown in front of me 374 00:13:59,390 --> 00:14:01,390 in terms of , um , the PD A package 375 00:14:01,390 --> 00:14:03,612 that went out I would direct you to our 376 00:14:03,612 --> 00:14:05,489 website for more , um , for more 377 00:14:05,500 --> 00:14:07,667 specifics on that . You can find it on 378 00:14:07,667 --> 00:14:09,889 defense dot gov . We're happy to circle 379 00:14:09,889 --> 00:14:09,669 off with you off offline , but I just 380 00:14:09,679 --> 00:14:11,735 don't have that in front of me right 381 00:14:11,735 --> 00:14:14,890 now . Um , Great Heather Us and I hi , 382 00:14:14,900 --> 00:14:16,989 also a question on a package . Um , 383 00:14:17,169 --> 00:14:19,225 they mentioned that there were water 384 00:14:19,225 --> 00:14:21,280 trailers being sent to Ukraine . Can 385 00:14:21,280 --> 00:14:23,280 you say what water trailers are and 386 00:14:23,280 --> 00:14:25,391 what the expected use is gonna be for 387 00:14:25,391 --> 00:14:27,391 them ? I wouldn't go beyond what we 388 00:14:27,391 --> 00:14:30,729 have specified , um , online . Uh , but 389 00:14:30,739 --> 00:14:32,850 I can , I'm sure I could probably get 390 00:14:32,850 --> 00:14:34,961 you more information just on , on , I 391 00:14:34,961 --> 00:14:37,072 think you said water trailers . I'm , 392 00:14:37,072 --> 00:14:39,183 I'm sure I'd be happy to get you more 393 00:14:39,183 --> 00:14:41,406 information on that . So , um I'll take 394 00:14:41,406 --> 00:14:43,572 that question and , and have to circle 395 00:14:43,572 --> 00:14:45,572 back with you . Ok , great . Dean . 396 00:14:45,572 --> 00:14:48,099 Yeah , Serena following up on Hawaii . 397 00:14:48,109 --> 00:14:50,165 Um You mentioned that you don't have 398 00:14:50,165 --> 00:14:52,331 specific active duty numbers . Can you 399 00:14:52,331 --> 00:14:54,109 say that active duty troops are 400 00:14:54,109 --> 00:14:56,220 participating in the response efforts 401 00:14:56,220 --> 00:14:58,590 though ? Yes , they are . Um , and they 402 00:14:58,599 --> 00:15:00,710 were from the beginning . I think the 403 00:15:00,710 --> 00:15:02,710 White House actually put out a uh a 404 00:15:02,710 --> 00:15:04,766 pretty extensive fact sheet , but it 405 00:15:04,766 --> 00:15:06,877 detailed some of the Navy assets that 406 00:15:06,877 --> 00:15:09,043 were used at the very beginning , some 407 00:15:09,043 --> 00:15:11,266 of the army assets . So active duty was 408 00:15:11,266 --> 00:15:13,919 involved at the beginning . But as with 409 00:15:13,929 --> 00:15:16,580 um a crisis or disaster like this , the 410 00:15:16,590 --> 00:15:18,830 coordinating agency is fema and so 411 00:15:18,840 --> 00:15:22,030 everything that , um , needs to be 412 00:15:22,039 --> 00:15:25,830 searched into Maui for help um , within 413 00:15:25,840 --> 00:15:27,896 the community or fire suppression is 414 00:15:27,896 --> 00:15:29,784 gonna be coordinated through . So 415 00:15:29,784 --> 00:15:32,719 that's why now you have the JTF 50 416 00:15:32,729 --> 00:15:34,507 that's going to help with those 417 00:15:34,507 --> 00:15:36,729 coordination efforts . But yes , active 418 00:15:36,729 --> 00:15:36,510 duty is gonna be part of that and 419 00:15:36,520 --> 00:15:38,520 active duty has been part of that . 420 00:15:38,530 --> 00:15:40,697 Thank you . And just to follow up real 421 00:15:40,697 --> 00:15:42,586 quick , I , I know you don't have 422 00:15:42,586 --> 00:15:44,752 specific numbers . Can you give a uh a 423 00:15:44,752 --> 00:15:46,752 rough sense of how many active duty 424 00:15:46,752 --> 00:15:48,919 service members have been involved ? I 425 00:15:48,919 --> 00:15:51,030 don't want to give a rough sense just 426 00:15:51,030 --> 00:15:53,197 yet because I don't want to misspeak . 427 00:15:53,197 --> 00:15:55,141 Um And you know , we do have a big 428 00:15:55,141 --> 00:15:57,474 presence on the island . Um This is our , 429 00:15:57,474 --> 00:15:59,474 this is one of our biggest military 430 00:15:59,474 --> 00:16:01,697 installations or uh a home to , to many 431 00:16:01,697 --> 00:16:03,808 um uh in Hawaii . And so I just don't 432 00:16:03,808 --> 00:16:05,808 want to get ahead of uh any numbers 433 00:16:05,808 --> 00:16:07,808 because , and they're gonna ebb and 434 00:16:07,808 --> 00:16:10,840 flow as um fema , you know , continues 435 00:16:10,849 --> 00:16:13,559 to request uh service and support or 436 00:16:13,570 --> 00:16:15,799 does not as um you know , the fires 437 00:16:15,809 --> 00:16:18,770 mitigate as there's a need for less um 438 00:16:19,000 --> 00:16:21,820 uh infrastructure , whatever it is that 439 00:16:21,830 --> 00:16:24,052 the community needs , it's going to ebb 440 00:16:24,052 --> 00:16:27,210 and flow . Yeah . Um On Senator Tommy 441 00:16:27,219 --> 00:16:29,770 Tuberville's hold , uh will the 442 00:16:29,780 --> 00:16:32,002 Pentagon , is there any possibility the 443 00:16:32,002 --> 00:16:34,224 Pentagon would change its policy in any 444 00:16:34,224 --> 00:16:37,969 way to compromise with Tuberville ? Ok . 445 00:16:37,979 --> 00:16:41,409 I , I follow up . Yeah . Um Sorry , I 446 00:16:41,419 --> 00:16:43,641 don't mean to be flippant . But uh just 447 00:16:43,641 --> 00:16:46,409 to , just to be more , I guess , a 448 00:16:46,419 --> 00:16:48,590 little bit more uh helpful to your 449 00:16:48,599 --> 00:16:51,919 question . Um No , we're not gonna 450 00:16:51,929 --> 00:16:55,030 change our policy on ensuring that 451 00:16:55,429 --> 00:16:57,840 every single service member has 452 00:16:57,849 --> 00:16:59,960 equitable access to , to reproductive 453 00:16:59,960 --> 00:17:02,340 health care . Um If you are a service 454 00:17:02,349 --> 00:17:04,405 member stationed in a state that has 455 00:17:04,405 --> 00:17:06,516 rolled back or restricted health care 456 00:17:06,516 --> 00:17:08,810 access , um you are often stationed 457 00:17:08,819 --> 00:17:10,763 there uh because you were assigned 458 00:17:10,763 --> 00:17:12,930 there , it is not that you chose to go 459 00:17:12,930 --> 00:17:14,875 there . And so a service member in 460 00:17:14,875 --> 00:17:16,763 Alabama deserves to have the same 461 00:17:16,763 --> 00:17:18,708 access to health care as a service 462 00:17:18,708 --> 00:17:20,597 member in California as a service 463 00:17:20,597 --> 00:17:22,541 member stationed in Korea . And so 464 00:17:22,541 --> 00:17:24,875 that's what that policy does . It's not , 465 00:17:24,875 --> 00:17:26,938 um , it's not a , it's not a uh 466 00:17:26,948 --> 00:17:29,359 abortion policy . The department does 467 00:17:29,369 --> 00:17:31,591 not have an abortion policy . We have , 468 00:17:31,591 --> 00:17:34,609 um , we have a health care policy and 469 00:17:34,619 --> 00:17:36,841 we have a travel policy that allows for 470 00:17:36,841 --> 00:17:38,952 our service members to take advantage 471 00:17:38,952 --> 00:17:40,619 of health care that should be 472 00:17:40,619 --> 00:17:42,841 accessible to them . Uh So my follow up 473 00:17:42,841 --> 00:17:45,390 is then how , how does this end ? I 474 00:17:45,400 --> 00:17:47,733 think you should ask Senator Tuberville . 475 00:17:47,733 --> 00:17:49,956 Um , we've certainly asked him how this 476 00:17:49,956 --> 00:17:53,209 ends . The secretary has , um , had , I 477 00:17:53,219 --> 00:17:55,670 think three calls with him . Um , uh , 478 00:17:55,680 --> 00:17:59,390 this year , uh , early on when the 479 00:17:59,400 --> 00:18:01,511 department was going through , how we 480 00:18:01,511 --> 00:18:03,789 were going to address the dos decision . 481 00:18:03,789 --> 00:18:06,122 One of the things that we did was brief , 482 00:18:06,122 --> 00:18:08,178 uh , members of the committee . Um , 483 00:18:08,178 --> 00:18:10,400 our team went up , there was very clear 484 00:18:10,400 --> 00:18:12,750 about how and why we needed to ensure 485 00:18:12,760 --> 00:18:14,982 that our service members all across the 486 00:18:14,982 --> 00:18:17,239 board have access to health care . And 487 00:18:17,250 --> 00:18:19,194 um we were very clear with Senator 488 00:18:19,194 --> 00:18:21,361 Tuberville's staff about how um how we 489 00:18:21,361 --> 00:18:23,417 could do that , how we could achieve 490 00:18:23,417 --> 00:18:25,417 that end goal . And so , um we were 491 00:18:25,420 --> 00:18:27,587 very clear from the beginning , um , a 492 00:18:27,587 --> 00:18:30,510 few weeks ago , I mid July , our um 493 00:18:30,520 --> 00:18:33,010 policy experts went up there and also 494 00:18:33,020 --> 00:18:35,187 briefed the members again to give them 495 00:18:35,187 --> 00:18:37,609 more information on the policy . Um So 496 00:18:37,619 --> 00:18:39,730 we've been very clear , we don't have 497 00:18:39,730 --> 00:18:42,609 anything to negotiate with here . Um We 498 00:18:42,619 --> 00:18:44,786 continue to urge the Senate to confirm 499 00:18:44,786 --> 00:18:46,920 our outstanding nominees . These are 500 00:18:46,930 --> 00:18:49,430 nominees that have enjoyed bipartisan 501 00:18:49,439 --> 00:18:51,959 support in , in multiple 502 00:18:51,969 --> 00:18:54,619 administrations . Um So I would really 503 00:18:54,630 --> 00:18:57,050 pose that question to the senator , uh 504 00:18:57,060 --> 00:18:59,004 you know , right there in his home 505 00:18:59,004 --> 00:19:01,004 state . We have the defense missile 506 00:19:01,004 --> 00:19:02,893 agency that right now um is being 507 00:19:02,893 --> 00:19:04,939 dutifully commanded by a one star 508 00:19:04,949 --> 00:19:07,280 general , but he's filling the role of 509 00:19:07,290 --> 00:19:09,346 a three star . It's right in Senator 510 00:19:09,346 --> 00:19:12,060 Tuberville's backyard . Um He really 511 00:19:12,069 --> 00:19:14,869 has the , the power . Um And , and I 512 00:19:14,880 --> 00:19:17,380 would say , you know , uh his party has 513 00:19:17,390 --> 00:19:19,390 the power to end these holes and we 514 00:19:19,390 --> 00:19:21,630 would urge him to do that . Great . 515 00:19:21,800 --> 00:19:24,119 Yeah , thank you . I want to ask you 516 00:19:24,130 --> 00:19:26,410 about the trilateral cooperation with 517 00:19:26,420 --> 00:19:29,280 Japan and Australia uh earlier this 518 00:19:29,290 --> 00:19:31,630 week , the defense agreement between 519 00:19:31,640 --> 00:19:34,119 Japan and Australia known as the 520 00:19:34,130 --> 00:19:37,430 reciprocal access agreement came into 521 00:19:37,439 --> 00:19:39,599 force . The agreement is intending to 522 00:19:39,609 --> 00:19:42,229 facilitate the combined training and 523 00:19:42,239 --> 00:19:44,645 joint exercises in the two countries . 524 00:19:44,844 --> 00:19:48,645 I wonder how helpful such bilateral 525 00:19:48,655 --> 00:19:51,305 defense arrangement would be for the US 526 00:19:51,314 --> 00:19:53,584 to advance a trilateral defense 527 00:19:53,594 --> 00:19:55,761 cooperation . The secretary is working 528 00:19:55,761 --> 00:19:58,094 on now . Yeah , thanks for the question . 529 00:19:58,094 --> 00:20:00,038 I mean , in terms of the agreement 530 00:20:00,038 --> 00:20:02,150 between Japan and Australia , I would 531 00:20:02,150 --> 00:20:04,205 refer you to those countries to , to 532 00:20:04,205 --> 00:20:06,427 speak more to their own agreement . But 533 00:20:06,427 --> 00:20:08,650 um this agreement certainly shows us as 534 00:20:08,650 --> 00:20:10,816 the department , the desire for a free 535 00:20:10,816 --> 00:20:13,349 and open Indo Pacific and it's clearly 536 00:20:13,359 --> 00:20:15,359 one that's shared by our allies and 537 00:20:15,359 --> 00:20:18,270 partners . So um agreements like this 538 00:20:18,280 --> 00:20:20,447 will help us enforce the international 539 00:20:20,447 --> 00:20:22,558 rule based order and will continue to 540 00:20:22,558 --> 00:20:24,724 provide security and prosperity to the 541 00:20:24,724 --> 00:20:26,724 region . So we welcome it . But for 542 00:20:26,724 --> 00:20:28,780 more details , I would direct you to 543 00:20:28,780 --> 00:20:31,058 those two countries to speak to . Yeah , 544 00:20:31,058 --> 00:20:30,780 I'll go to Tom and then over to you . 545 00:20:31,589 --> 00:20:33,849 Thank you . Um Could you share with us 546 00:20:33,859 --> 00:20:36,170 some of the uh some of the criteria the 547 00:20:36,180 --> 00:20:39,640 Pentagon has to designate a coup when 548 00:20:39,650 --> 00:20:41,790 it moves from attempted coup to an 549 00:20:41,800 --> 00:20:44,030 actual coup . What what is the criteria 550 00:20:44,040 --> 00:20:46,270 the Pentagon uses to differentiate 551 00:20:46,280 --> 00:20:48,890 between an attempted coup and when it 552 00:20:48,900 --> 00:20:50,956 comes to coup , I asked that because 553 00:20:51,939 --> 00:20:55,890 has had coups in 74 96 99 2010 , 554 00:20:55,900 --> 00:20:59,560 2021 a coup attempt . And now this and 555 00:20:59,569 --> 00:21:01,513 so at some point in the past , the 556 00:21:01,513 --> 00:21:03,847 Pentagon has designated coups . And now , 557 00:21:03,847 --> 00:21:06,180 so what's some of the criteria , please ? 558 00:21:06,180 --> 00:21:08,291 Yeah , I actually would direct you to 559 00:21:08,291 --> 00:21:08,250 state department more for that because 560 00:21:08,260 --> 00:21:10,427 they would be the ones to . Can I just 561 00:21:10,427 --> 00:21:12,593 actually finish Tom really quick . The 562 00:21:12,593 --> 00:21:14,871 State Department because we don't , we , 563 00:21:14,871 --> 00:21:16,982 this is an interagency effort . We're 564 00:21:16,982 --> 00:21:18,927 coordinating with , um , our State 565 00:21:18,927 --> 00:21:18,725 Department , colleagues with the White 566 00:21:18,735 --> 00:21:20,846 House on this as well . But the State 567 00:21:20,846 --> 00:21:23,013 Department would actually be the one I 568 00:21:23,013 --> 00:21:26,416 think to um officially change a country 569 00:21:26,426 --> 00:21:28,648 status or the US relationship with that 570 00:21:28,648 --> 00:21:30,870 country . And therefore that would kick 571 00:21:30,870 --> 00:21:32,426 into effect um The dod s uh 572 00:21:32,426 --> 00:21:34,482 relationship , I hear what you say . 573 00:21:34,482 --> 00:21:36,426 However , the State Department has 574 00:21:36,426 --> 00:21:38,962 never used the language attempted coup 575 00:21:38,972 --> 00:21:41,250 in regards to the current situation as , 576 00:21:41,250 --> 00:21:43,305 as the Department of Defense , as if 577 00:21:43,305 --> 00:21:45,361 you have personally . So therefore , 578 00:21:45,361 --> 00:21:47,583 it's incumbent upon you who's using the 579 00:21:47,583 --> 00:21:49,694 term to describe how you move it from 580 00:21:49,694 --> 00:21:51,861 attempted coup to coup , not the state 581 00:21:51,861 --> 00:21:53,916 department which has not uttered the 582 00:21:53,916 --> 00:21:55,861 word coup in any form or fashion . 583 00:21:55,861 --> 00:21:57,861 Appreciate the comment . Was that a 584 00:21:57,861 --> 00:21:59,916 question ? Was there a question ? So 585 00:21:59,916 --> 00:22:01,972 again , I think I've answered that , 586 00:22:01,972 --> 00:22:04,139 I'm not gonna go into more details . I 587 00:22:04,139 --> 00:22:06,194 would again , not gonna get ahead of 588 00:22:06,194 --> 00:22:08,416 any decisions that this department that 589 00:22:08,416 --> 00:22:10,639 the State Department or the White House 590 00:22:10,639 --> 00:22:12,750 makes right now . I can tell you that 591 00:22:12,750 --> 00:22:14,916 our force posture has not changed in . 592 00:22:14,916 --> 00:22:17,028 Um We are certainly hopeful that this 593 00:22:17,028 --> 00:22:19,028 is resolved in a diplomatic way and 594 00:22:19,028 --> 00:22:21,250 while I appreciate your frustration . I 595 00:22:21,250 --> 00:22:23,739 hopefully , I , I hope you understand 596 00:22:23,964 --> 00:22:27,454 that um we are hoping for a peaceful 597 00:22:27,464 --> 00:22:29,824 and a diplomatic outcome here . And um 598 00:22:29,834 --> 00:22:33,145 if that doesn't happen , I will some 599 00:22:33,155 --> 00:22:35,266 one of us will be back at this podium 600 00:22:35,266 --> 00:22:37,044 and would be happy to take your 601 00:22:37,044 --> 00:22:39,295 questions , but I'm gonna go ahead and 602 00:22:39,305 --> 00:22:42,974 move on . Yeah , there are reports said 603 00:22:42,984 --> 00:22:46,175 that the US now is in talks with Turkey 604 00:22:46,185 --> 00:22:49,729 and Ukraine and other partners to 605 00:22:49,739 --> 00:22:52,400 increase the use of alternative export 606 00:22:52,410 --> 00:22:54,930 routes for Ukraine and grain . So do 607 00:22:54,939 --> 00:22:57,540 you um confirm that and with your 608 00:22:57,550 --> 00:22:59,550 assessment , does the Black Sea now 609 00:22:59,550 --> 00:23:02,040 become like a bot of ground and how 610 00:23:02,050 --> 00:23:04,400 much your concerns have about that ? 611 00:23:05,030 --> 00:23:07,197 I'm sorry , I just have not seen those 612 00:23:07,197 --> 00:23:09,197 reports . So um I just can't really 613 00:23:09,197 --> 00:23:11,308 comment on , on any more specifics on 614 00:23:11,308 --> 00:23:14,180 that . I'm I'm sorry . Well , the Black 615 00:23:14,189 --> 00:23:16,245 Sea in terms of , in terms of what's 616 00:23:16,245 --> 00:23:18,467 happening in the Black Sea , you know , 617 00:23:18,467 --> 00:23:20,633 there's no us assets there operating . 618 00:23:20,633 --> 00:23:22,911 Um We have certainly urged Russia both , 619 00:23:23,359 --> 00:23:26,599 I mean , pretty publicly but also 620 00:23:26,609 --> 00:23:29,130 through different agencies to return to 621 00:23:29,140 --> 00:23:32,479 the grain deal . Um The the risk that 622 00:23:32,489 --> 00:23:34,739 Russia is taking is starving other 623 00:23:34,750 --> 00:23:37,010 countries out of , of needed grain that 624 00:23:37,020 --> 00:23:39,890 that they depend on Ukraine for . So 625 00:23:39,900 --> 00:23:41,900 we've urged Russia to return to the 626 00:23:41,900 --> 00:23:44,011 grain deal to honor its commitment to 627 00:23:44,011 --> 00:23:46,011 ensure safe passage of grain out of 628 00:23:46,011 --> 00:23:48,011 Ukraine and into the countries that 629 00:23:48,079 --> 00:23:50,630 need it the most . Um But we don't have 630 00:23:50,640 --> 00:23:52,862 any US assets within the Black Sea . So 631 00:23:52,862 --> 00:23:54,918 I I just don't have more to share on 632 00:23:54,918 --> 00:23:57,069 that . Yeah , of course , Dan kind of 633 00:23:57,079 --> 00:24:00,770 related . So in , in the Gulf , the US 634 00:24:00,780 --> 00:24:03,189 has deployed as you've described 635 00:24:03,199 --> 00:24:06,500 additional assets , troops to ensure 636 00:24:06,510 --> 00:24:08,859 the safety of commercial shipping in 637 00:24:08,869 --> 00:24:12,089 the strait of Hormuz . So , so far , 638 00:24:12,160 --> 00:24:15,219 have you seen a decline in , in kind of 639 00:24:15,229 --> 00:24:17,795 hostile acts or threats to commercial 640 00:24:17,805 --> 00:24:20,944 shipping in that region over weeks 641 00:24:20,954 --> 00:24:23,214 since like since the last incident , or 642 00:24:23,224 --> 00:24:25,335 like since we last positioned marines 643 00:24:25,335 --> 00:24:27,502 there over the past several weeks . Um 644 00:24:27,502 --> 00:24:29,704 I don't have specific updates on like 645 00:24:29,714 --> 00:24:32,520 any um interactions or unsafe , 646 00:24:32,530 --> 00:24:34,641 unprofessional behavior . But I think 647 00:24:34,641 --> 00:24:37,550 the fact that we did surge in , um I , 648 00:24:37,569 --> 00:24:40,699 I think it was 3000 sailors and marines . 649 00:24:40,709 --> 00:24:43,042 I think that helps serve as a deterrent . 650 00:24:43,042 --> 00:24:45,265 Um , but I don't have any thing to read 651 00:24:45,265 --> 00:24:47,376 out in terms of any actions that have 652 00:24:47,376 --> 00:24:49,431 been taken . Would , would something 653 00:24:49,431 --> 00:24:51,765 similar be considered for the Black Sea ? 654 00:24:51,765 --> 00:24:54,910 Isn't , isn't the a blockade or 655 00:24:54,920 --> 00:24:57,810 disruption and grain shipments really a 656 00:24:57,819 --> 00:25:00,709 threat to international commerce in the 657 00:25:00,719 --> 00:25:02,775 same way that Iranian actions in the 658 00:25:02,775 --> 00:25:04,775 state of Hormuz would be . Yeah , I 659 00:25:04,775 --> 00:25:06,997 don't have any decision or announcement 660 00:25:06,997 --> 00:25:09,108 to make on that . It's something that 661 00:25:09,108 --> 00:25:11,275 we can , we need to monitor . Um , you 662 00:25:11,275 --> 00:25:13,441 know , we're not , we , we are , we've 663 00:25:13,441 --> 00:25:15,441 been very clear , we don't seek war 664 00:25:15,441 --> 00:25:17,441 with Russia and that this is um you 665 00:25:17,441 --> 00:25:17,150 know , a fight that we are helping 666 00:25:17,160 --> 00:25:19,493 support Ukraine in . But at this moment , 667 00:25:19,493 --> 00:25:21,660 I don't have any announcements to make 668 00:25:21,660 --> 00:25:23,827 when it comes to the Black Sea or , or 669 00:25:23,827 --> 00:25:26,049 any secure of um helping shipments move 670 00:25:26,049 --> 00:25:28,939 out . And then I'm gonna go to one last 671 00:25:28,949 --> 00:25:31,869 question , a different angle on . So 672 00:25:32,140 --> 00:25:34,560 take it . Uh what about U uh 673 00:25:35,219 --> 00:25:38,910 Defense Department consultations with 674 00:25:38,920 --> 00:25:40,864 the West African countries and eco 675 00:25:41,449 --> 00:25:43,569 because even though all sides are 676 00:25:43,579 --> 00:25:45,746 saying they want a peaceful solution , 677 00:25:45,746 --> 00:25:47,801 as you know , those governments have 678 00:25:47,801 --> 00:25:49,635 also held out the possibility of 679 00:25:49,635 --> 00:25:52,260 military intervention is the US in 680 00:25:52,270 --> 00:25:54,560 consultation with those countries and 681 00:25:54,569 --> 00:25:56,849 have they made requests for any kind of 682 00:25:56,859 --> 00:25:59,900 us military assistance , secondary or 683 00:25:59,910 --> 00:26:02,077 logistical support in any way ? Um I'm 684 00:26:02,077 --> 00:26:03,910 not aware of any requests for us 685 00:26:03,910 --> 00:26:07,114 military support , but the countries 686 00:26:07,125 --> 00:26:09,765 that are part of ecowas have , have all 687 00:26:09,775 --> 00:26:11,831 said that military intervention is a 688 00:26:11,831 --> 00:26:13,886 last resort . They don't want to see 689 00:26:13,886 --> 00:26:15,942 that happen . So we're supportive of 690 00:26:15,942 --> 00:26:18,053 that stance . We , we also don't want 691 00:26:18,053 --> 00:26:19,775 to see um this end in military 692 00:26:19,775 --> 00:26:22,025 intervention . We want to see a 693 00:26:22,045 --> 00:26:24,635 peaceful resolution to , to this ending . 694 00:26:24,645 --> 00:26:27,724 And um we certainly have not closed any 695 00:26:27,734 --> 00:26:31,599 doors to diplomacy . Um I 696 00:26:31,609 --> 00:26:33,831 think , you know , the State Department 697 00:26:33,831 --> 00:26:36,053 had a representative in the country . I 698 00:26:36,053 --> 00:26:38,220 want to say it was a week or two ago . 699 00:26:38,220 --> 00:26:40,109 Um So we're continuing to explore 700 00:26:40,109 --> 00:26:42,310 avenues of diplomacy . Um But , you 701 00:26:42,319 --> 00:26:44,430 know , and we're going to continue to 702 00:26:44,430 --> 00:26:46,763 explore all options that we can . Great . 703 00:26:46,763 --> 00:26:48,819 I'll take one last question and then 704 00:26:48,819 --> 00:26:50,930 we'll wrap it up . Thanks . Um , it's 705 00:26:50,930 --> 00:26:50,510 been two years since the Taliban 706 00:26:50,520 --> 00:26:52,631 returned to power and the US withdrew 707 00:26:52,631 --> 00:26:54,742 from Afghanistan . So I wanted to ask 708 00:26:54,742 --> 00:26:56,798 you if you can provide any update on 709 00:26:56,798 --> 00:26:58,909 the , uh , 7 $7 billion worth of us , 710 00:26:58,909 --> 00:27:00,576 weapons and equipment left in 711 00:27:00,576 --> 00:27:02,687 Afghanistan . And can you share where 712 00:27:02,687 --> 00:27:02,479 we have seen these weapons in the 713 00:27:02,489 --> 00:27:04,390 region as well ? I don't have any 714 00:27:04,400 --> 00:27:07,469 update on , um , any specifics from the 715 00:27:07,479 --> 00:27:10,760 region . Um It's a pretty somber and 716 00:27:10,770 --> 00:27:13,770 solemn day and month . Of course , as 717 00:27:13,780 --> 00:27:15,947 we remember the two year anniversary , 718 00:27:16,310 --> 00:27:18,939 I think it's something that , um , you 719 00:27:18,949 --> 00:27:20,949 know , of course , we , we remember 720 00:27:20,949 --> 00:27:23,060 those who paid the ultimate sacrifice 721 00:27:23,060 --> 00:27:25,171 and not just in the time that we were 722 00:27:25,171 --> 00:27:27,227 um conducting an evacuation but also 723 00:27:27,227 --> 00:27:31,119 throughout the 20 year war . Um And so 724 00:27:31,130 --> 00:27:33,270 we , you know , we wanna honor those 725 00:27:33,280 --> 00:27:36,140 service members and we wanna also honor 726 00:27:36,150 --> 00:27:38,039 the fact that our service members 727 00:27:38,039 --> 00:27:40,239 performed an evacuation like no other 728 00:27:40,250 --> 00:27:42,417 military in the world could because we 729 00:27:42,417 --> 00:27:44,306 were able to use our partners and 730 00:27:44,306 --> 00:27:46,528 allies . Um I don't have more specifics 731 00:27:46,528 --> 00:27:48,750 beyond that . We submitted , you know , 732 00:27:48,750 --> 00:27:50,750 our after action review that was um 733 00:27:50,750 --> 00:27:52,806 classified , but we did give that to 734 00:27:52,806 --> 00:27:55,028 Congress . And I , you know , I think , 735 00:27:55,028 --> 00:27:57,028 I think we've been pretty outspoken 736 00:27:57,028 --> 00:27:59,083 about our efforts in Afghanistan and 737 00:27:59,083 --> 00:28:01,417 I'll just leave it at that . Ok , great . 738 00:28:01,417 --> 00:28:01,640 Thanks . All