1 00:00:03,269 --> 00:00:06,469 Hey , good afternoon . Everyone got a 2 00:00:06,480 --> 00:00:09,579 few things to update you uh at the top 3 00:00:09,590 --> 00:00:11,646 here and then I'll get right to your 4 00:00:11,646 --> 00:00:13,757 questions quite a bit to pass along . 5 00:00:13,757 --> 00:00:15,590 So thank you in advance for your 6 00:00:15,590 --> 00:00:17,610 patience . Uh So defense Department 7 00:00:17,620 --> 00:00:20,049 support to the state of Hawaii and Fema 8 00:00:20,059 --> 00:00:22,115 in the aftermath of Maui's wildfires 9 00:00:22,115 --> 00:00:24,770 continues as of today , US Army Pacific 10 00:00:24,780 --> 00:00:26,780 Command and its role as the theater 11 00:00:26,780 --> 00:00:29,040 joint force . Land component command is 12 00:00:29,049 --> 00:00:30,940 conducting six approved mission 13 00:00:30,950 --> 00:00:33,590 assignments for FEMA which include 14 00:00:33,779 --> 00:00:35,939 operation of a defense coordinating 15 00:00:35,950 --> 00:00:38,061 element office which includes liaison 16 00:00:38,061 --> 00:00:40,659 officers , inter island air and sea 17 00:00:40,669 --> 00:00:42,891 transportation , transportation for the 18 00:00:42,891 --> 00:00:45,058 movement of cargo personnel , supplies 19 00:00:45,058 --> 00:00:47,349 and equipment , use of the US Army's 20 00:00:47,360 --> 00:00:49,479 Schofield barracks on Oahu to support 21 00:00:49,490 --> 00:00:51,990 facilities for building life support 22 00:00:52,000 --> 00:00:53,944 and hygiene facilities for federal 23 00:00:53,944 --> 00:00:56,459 emergency responders , strategic 24 00:00:56,470 --> 00:00:58,414 transportation of personnel and or 25 00:00:58,414 --> 00:01:01,299 cargo stand by for aerial fire 26 00:01:01,310 --> 00:01:03,889 suppression and use of the US Army 27 00:01:03,900 --> 00:01:06,720 Reserve Center , Wau and support as a 28 00:01:06,730 --> 00:01:09,160 FEMA incident support base and federal 29 00:01:09,169 --> 00:01:12,360 staging area for FEMA combined joint 30 00:01:12,370 --> 00:01:14,592 task force 50 under the command of Army 31 00:01:14,592 --> 00:01:16,537 National Guard , Brigadier General 32 00:01:16,537 --> 00:01:18,314 Stephen Logan . The dual status 33 00:01:18,314 --> 00:01:20,370 commander is now at full operational 34 00:01:20,370 --> 00:01:22,319 capability and is actively 35 00:01:22,330 --> 00:01:24,379 synchronizing all dod support to 36 00:01:24,389 --> 00:01:27,620 disaster relief operations that support 37 00:01:27,629 --> 00:01:29,462 consists of a variety of ongoing 38 00:01:29,462 --> 00:01:31,629 activities and capabilities to include 39 00:01:31,629 --> 00:01:33,629 the Hawaii National Guards Response 40 00:01:33,629 --> 00:01:35,851 teams trained in a variety of hazardous 41 00:01:35,851 --> 00:01:38,019 material response , providing support 42 00:01:38,029 --> 00:01:40,029 to search and recovery operations . 43 00:01:40,540 --> 00:01:42,596 Additionally , Hawaii National Guard 44 00:01:42,596 --> 00:01:44,818 personnel continue to support local law 45 00:01:44,818 --> 00:01:46,984 enforcement by manning traffic control 46 00:01:46,984 --> 00:01:49,096 points and providing area security in 47 00:01:49,096 --> 00:01:51,860 Hanna . Also to Hawaii Army National 48 00:01:51,870 --> 00:01:54,930 Guard ch 47 Chinooks with aerial fire 49 00:01:54,940 --> 00:01:57,051 suppression buckets remain on standby 50 00:01:57,260 --> 00:01:59,204 to provide additional firefighting 51 00:01:59,204 --> 00:02:01,220 support to Maui . As requested . Of 52 00:02:01,230 --> 00:02:03,286 note , these Army National Guard air 53 00:02:03,286 --> 00:02:05,341 crews have already dropped more than 54 00:02:05,341 --> 00:02:07,286 100 and 89,000 gallons of water in 55 00:02:07,286 --> 00:02:09,508 support of firefighting efforts . Other 56 00:02:09,508 --> 00:02:11,630 dod support includes the US Army's 40 57 00:02:11,639 --> 00:02:14,350 2nd Army Field support Brigade which 58 00:02:14,360 --> 00:02:16,416 has field service representatives on 59 00:02:16,416 --> 00:02:18,471 Oahu for communications and logistic 60 00:02:18,471 --> 00:02:21,669 support to CJ CJ TF 50 if needed . 61 00:02:22,259 --> 00:02:24,259 Additionally , the US Army Corps of 62 00:02:24,259 --> 00:02:26,315 Engineers are currently managing two 63 00:02:26,315 --> 00:02:28,370 operational FEMA mission assignments 64 00:02:28,370 --> 00:02:30,148 for debris , debris removal and 65 00:02:30,148 --> 00:02:32,500 temporary power . The 2 49th engineer 66 00:02:32,509 --> 00:02:34,830 Battalion Prime Power team and their 67 00:02:34,839 --> 00:02:36,728 advanced contracting initiative . 68 00:02:36,728 --> 00:02:38,839 Contractors continue to support power 69 00:02:38,839 --> 00:02:41,172 generation requirements and assessments . 70 00:02:41,172 --> 00:02:43,283 This is a critical capability as FEMA 71 00:02:43,283 --> 00:02:45,283 moved 32 generators to Maui earlier 72 00:02:45,283 --> 00:02:47,729 this week with an additional 61 73 00:02:47,740 --> 00:02:49,919 generators prestaged at Oahu . 74 00:02:50,259 --> 00:02:51,981 Additionally , us army reserve 75 00:02:51,981 --> 00:02:54,037 personnel are supporting by enabling 76 00:02:54,037 --> 00:02:57,059 use of us . Army Reserve center as a 77 00:02:57,070 --> 00:02:58,910 FEMA incident support base and a 78 00:02:58,919 --> 00:03:01,779 federal staging area in addition , the 79 00:03:01,789 --> 00:03:03,956 air force has established an air force 80 00:03:03,956 --> 00:03:06,122 emergency preparedness liaison officer 81 00:03:06,122 --> 00:03:08,233 on station in Oahu while the Navy has 82 00:03:08,233 --> 00:03:10,456 two Navy emergency preparedness liaison 83 00:03:10,456 --> 00:03:12,899 officers on station with one in Maui 84 00:03:13,130 --> 00:03:15,929 and one in Oahu . The navy also has two 85 00:03:15,940 --> 00:03:19,529 MH six Dr Seahawks and three CMB 22 86 00:03:19,539 --> 00:03:21,761 Ospreys on stand by to support incoming 87 00:03:21,761 --> 00:03:24,320 requests . Us Marine Corps . Aviation 88 00:03:24,330 --> 00:03:26,410 assets are also available to support 89 00:03:26,600 --> 00:03:30,350 and include MB 22 Osprey and KC 1 30 J 90 00:03:30,539 --> 00:03:32,669 Super Hercules aircraft for material 91 00:03:32,679 --> 00:03:34,820 and personnel transport as well as an 92 00:03:34,830 --> 00:03:36,990 MQ nine remotely piloted aircraft for 93 00:03:37,000 --> 00:03:39,070 aerial survey . Additionally , the 94 00:03:39,080 --> 00:03:41,860 third Marine regiment has been made 95 00:03:41,869 --> 00:03:43,647 available to provide manpower , 96 00:03:43,647 --> 00:03:45,591 engineering and water purification 97 00:03:45,591 --> 00:03:47,702 support as needed . I would be remiss 98 00:03:47,702 --> 00:03:49,813 if I didn't mention that our US Coast 99 00:03:49,813 --> 00:03:51,869 Guard teammates in the Department of 100 00:03:51,869 --> 00:03:53,869 Homeland Security are also actively 101 00:03:53,869 --> 00:03:55,980 supporting this important effort , of 102 00:03:55,980 --> 00:03:57,813 course defer to them for further 103 00:03:57,813 --> 00:03:57,410 details , but they're maintaining the 104 00:03:57,419 --> 00:03:59,530 focus of their response on minimizing 105 00:03:59,530 --> 00:04:02,050 maritime environmental impacts while 106 00:04:02,059 --> 00:04:04,226 also remaining ready to respond to any 107 00:04:04,226 --> 00:04:06,392 new reports of people in the water . A 108 00:04:06,392 --> 00:04:08,392 safety zone has been implemented by 109 00:04:08,392 --> 00:04:10,448 Coast Guard , Coast Guard , maritime 110 00:04:10,448 --> 00:04:12,880 safety and security team . Honolulu and 111 00:04:12,889 --> 00:04:15,000 the Coast Guard National Strike force 112 00:04:15,000 --> 00:04:17,222 encompassing waters extending 200 yards 113 00:04:17,222 --> 00:04:19,959 from shore in the harbor area . 114 00:04:20,480 --> 00:04:23,160 Altogether nearly 700 dod personnel , 115 00:04:23,170 --> 00:04:25,337 active reserve guard and civilians and 116 00:04:25,337 --> 00:04:27,839 100 and 40 coast guardsmen are actively 117 00:04:27,850 --> 00:04:30,017 engaged in the coordinated response to 118 00:04:30,017 --> 00:04:32,510 the Western Maui wildfire moving 119 00:04:32,519 --> 00:04:34,630 forward the Department of Defense and 120 00:04:34,630 --> 00:04:36,797 CJ TF 50 will continue to work closely 121 00:04:36,797 --> 00:04:39,059 with state officials , fema and other 122 00:04:39,070 --> 00:04:41,014 supporting agencies to support the 123 00:04:41,014 --> 00:04:43,070 people of Hawaii in response to this 124 00:04:43,070 --> 00:04:45,181 terrible disaster . And again , we're 125 00:04:45,181 --> 00:04:47,403 all watching the situation in Maui with 126 00:04:47,403 --> 00:04:49,626 heavy hearts and our continued thoughts 127 00:04:49,626 --> 00:04:51,681 and prayers go out to those who have 128 00:04:51,681 --> 00:04:53,903 been impacted in other news today . The 129 00:04:53,903 --> 00:04:56,014 department released the 2023 military 130 00:04:56,014 --> 00:04:58,070 Service Academy on site installation 131 00:04:58,070 --> 00:04:59,903 evaluation report which includes 132 00:04:59,903 --> 00:05:01,903 recommendations to foster healthier 133 00:05:01,903 --> 00:05:04,126 climates and enhance prevention efforts 134 00:05:04,126 --> 00:05:06,070 at military service academies as a 135 00:05:06,070 --> 00:05:08,070 critical leadership tool across the 136 00:05:08,070 --> 00:05:10,720 department on site , installation 137 00:05:10,730 --> 00:05:12,869 evaluation reports are designed to 138 00:05:12,880 --> 00:05:15,510 understand policies and capabilities to 139 00:05:15,519 --> 00:05:17,859 effectively prevent self directed harm 140 00:05:17,869 --> 00:05:20,869 and prohibited abuse or harmful acts to 141 00:05:20,880 --> 00:05:23,102 include sexual assault , harassment and 142 00:05:23,102 --> 00:05:25,489 suicide . Secretary Austin has made the 143 00:05:25,500 --> 00:05:27,333 prevention of sexual assault and 144 00:05:27,333 --> 00:05:29,333 harassment a top priority since the 145 00:05:29,333 --> 00:05:31,222 first days of his tenure and he's 146 00:05:31,222 --> 00:05:33,222 continued to follow through on that 147 00:05:33,222 --> 00:05:35,556 commitment . As a result of this report , 148 00:05:35,556 --> 00:05:37,278 the secretary is directing the 149 00:05:37,278 --> 00:05:39,278 department's most senior leaders to 150 00:05:39,278 --> 00:05:39,119 move quickly to implement 151 00:05:39,130 --> 00:05:41,100 transformational actions at the 152 00:05:41,109 --> 00:05:43,109 academies intended to reverse these 153 00:05:43,109 --> 00:05:45,140 alarming trends and prevent sexual 154 00:05:45,149 --> 00:05:47,316 assault , harassment and other harmful 155 00:05:47,316 --> 00:05:49,720 behaviors . The department continues a 156 00:05:49,730 --> 00:05:51,952 collaborative and research and research 157 00:05:51,952 --> 00:05:53,959 informed approach to prevention and 158 00:05:53,970 --> 00:05:56,279 more information is available about the 159 00:05:56,290 --> 00:05:58,239 Department of Defense efforts to 160 00:05:58,250 --> 00:06:00,559 prevent harmful behaviors uh on our 161 00:06:00,570 --> 00:06:03,850 website at www dot prevention dot mil . 162 00:06:04,730 --> 00:06:06,730 Finally , the Department of Defense 163 00:06:06,730 --> 00:06:08,730 also released today , its first Bio 164 00:06:08,730 --> 00:06:10,952 Defense Posture review . As many of you 165 00:06:10,952 --> 00:06:12,897 are aware , the department and the 166 00:06:12,897 --> 00:06:14,786 nation are at a pivotal moment in 167 00:06:14,786 --> 00:06:16,841 biological defense as highlighted in 168 00:06:16,841 --> 00:06:19,008 both the national defense strategy and 169 00:06:19,008 --> 00:06:21,174 our national Bio defense strategy . As 170 00:06:21,174 --> 00:06:23,119 a result , this new Posture review 171 00:06:23,119 --> 00:06:25,063 outlines specific reforms aimed to 172 00:06:25,063 --> 00:06:27,286 posture the department to fight and win 173 00:06:27,286 --> 00:06:29,174 in the face of complex future bio 174 00:06:29,174 --> 00:06:31,063 threats . The Bio Defense Posture 175 00:06:31,063 --> 00:06:33,174 Review assesses the biological threat 176 00:06:33,174 --> 00:06:35,174 landscape through 2035 and lays the 177 00:06:35,174 --> 00:06:37,341 foundation for a resilient total force 178 00:06:37,341 --> 00:06:39,679 to de to deter the use of bio weapons 179 00:06:39,980 --> 00:06:42,429 rapidly respond to natural outbreaks 180 00:06:42,640 --> 00:06:44,807 and minimize the global risk presented 181 00:06:44,807 --> 00:06:47,059 by biological threats . For additional 182 00:06:47,070 --> 00:06:48,959 details . Please see the full Bio 183 00:06:48,959 --> 00:06:51,070 Defense Posture review on defense dot 184 00:06:51,070 --> 00:06:53,237 gov . And with that , I'll be happy to 185 00:06:53,237 --> 00:06:55,403 take your questions . We'll start with 186 00:06:55,403 --> 00:06:58,760 Associated Press Lita Bed . Thanks . Uh 187 00:06:58,769 --> 00:07:02,470 Pat two things . One on Hawaii . Do 188 00:07:02,480 --> 00:07:05,459 you understand that there are any 189 00:07:05,670 --> 00:07:08,670 requests or pending requests from the 190 00:07:08,679 --> 00:07:11,489 state that the department is still uh 191 00:07:11,500 --> 00:07:13,890 looking at or reviewing ? Is there any 192 00:07:13,899 --> 00:07:16,850 unanswered requests yet ? And then I 193 00:07:16,859 --> 00:07:19,192 have to have a second question . Thanks . 194 00:07:19,192 --> 00:07:21,248 Thanks Lia . Um I'm not aware of any 195 00:07:21,248 --> 00:07:23,415 unanswered requests . Obviously , it's 196 00:07:23,415 --> 00:07:25,660 a , it's a very uh iterative process as 197 00:07:25,670 --> 00:07:28,570 FEMA identifies what they need from the 198 00:07:28,579 --> 00:07:30,579 Department of Defense to joint task 199 00:07:30,579 --> 00:07:33,429 force 50 . And so as we receive those , 200 00:07:33,440 --> 00:07:35,850 uh we will either work to provide 201 00:07:35,859 --> 00:07:39,850 support from within the um Indo Pacific 202 00:07:39,859 --> 00:07:42,529 command area . Of responsibility uh or 203 00:07:42,540 --> 00:07:44,429 reach out elsewhere if , if those 204 00:07:44,429 --> 00:07:46,596 capabilities are not resident there in 205 00:07:46,596 --> 00:07:49,130 Hawaii . And then my , my second 206 00:07:49,140 --> 00:07:52,519 question um is on Iran and the Gulf 207 00:07:52,529 --> 00:07:55,459 region , have there been any changes uh 208 00:07:55,470 --> 00:07:59,019 to the US Posture in the Gulf region , 209 00:07:59,029 --> 00:08:02,899 either maritime or , or uh air and 210 00:08:02,910 --> 00:08:06,500 have you seen a decline in 211 00:08:06,510 --> 00:08:09,570 Malign activity by Iranian boats and 212 00:08:09,579 --> 00:08:11,660 the Iranian Navy ? Do you believe 213 00:08:11,670 --> 00:08:14,190 deterrence is working there or are you 214 00:08:14,200 --> 00:08:17,670 seeing it start to surge again ? Yeah , 215 00:08:17,679 --> 00:08:19,690 thanks . So I'm uh I don't have 216 00:08:19,700 --> 00:08:21,756 anything new to announce in terms of 217 00:08:21,756 --> 00:08:23,644 Force Posture . Uh Since the last 218 00:08:23,644 --> 00:08:27,059 update we provided uh when the uh the 219 00:08:27,070 --> 00:08:29,239 amphibious readiness group arrived in 220 00:08:29,250 --> 00:08:32,330 theater um in , in terms of statistics 221 00:08:32,340 --> 00:08:35,770 as it relates to uh malign activity , 222 00:08:35,929 --> 00:08:38,040 uh you know , this is a trend that we 223 00:08:38,040 --> 00:08:39,873 will follow over time . Uh We do 224 00:08:39,873 --> 00:08:42,150 believe uh that we are having a 225 00:08:42,159 --> 00:08:44,159 deterrent effect by working closely 226 00:08:44,159 --> 00:08:46,381 with our allies and our partners in the 227 00:08:46,381 --> 00:08:48,437 region . Uh But it's something we of 228 00:08:48,437 --> 00:08:50,603 course , have to stay after which is , 229 00:08:50,603 --> 00:08:52,381 which is why we uh located some 230 00:08:52,381 --> 00:08:54,548 additional assets in that region . But 231 00:08:54,548 --> 00:08:56,548 again , this is something that will 232 00:08:56,548 --> 00:08:58,659 continue to monitor our hope would be 233 00:08:58,659 --> 00:09:00,770 that the trend would be downward . Uh 234 00:09:00,770 --> 00:09:02,992 But ultimately , that's up to Iran . In 235 00:09:02,992 --> 00:09:02,750 the meantime , we're going to do 236 00:09:02,760 --> 00:09:05,719 everything that we can to ensure the 237 00:09:05,729 --> 00:09:07,840 safety and security in the region and 238 00:09:07,840 --> 00:09:10,849 the continued ability of commerce to 239 00:09:10,859 --> 00:09:13,150 transit the state of Hormuz unimpeded . 240 00:09:13,390 --> 00:09:15,446 All right , let me go to in the room 241 00:09:15,446 --> 00:09:18,609 here , Jen Pat . Just to follow up on 242 00:09:18,619 --> 00:09:21,030 the deterrent effect . Can you outline 243 00:09:21,039 --> 00:09:24,000 how many incidents between the American 244 00:09:24,010 --> 00:09:26,239 F-35s who have been deployed to Syria 245 00:09:26,250 --> 00:09:28,583 and the Russian Air Force have occurred ? 246 00:09:28,583 --> 00:09:31,229 How close has it come ? Thanks , Jen . 247 00:09:31,239 --> 00:09:33,406 I , I don't have any information . I'm 248 00:09:33,406 --> 00:09:35,517 not aware of any specific incidents , 249 00:09:35,517 --> 00:09:37,628 but let me take that question . We'll 250 00:09:37,628 --> 00:09:39,683 come back to you and um separately , 251 00:09:39,683 --> 00:09:41,906 can you put into context why tomorrow's 252 00:09:41,906 --> 00:09:43,961 summit between the President and the 253 00:09:43,961 --> 00:09:46,940 South Korean and Japanese leaders is so 254 00:09:46,950 --> 00:09:48,909 historically significant from a 255 00:09:48,919 --> 00:09:52,049 military perspective . Uh Sure . Um So 256 00:09:52,400 --> 00:09:55,059 really , this , this historic meeting 257 00:09:55,070 --> 00:09:58,250 really uh proves how important this 258 00:09:58,260 --> 00:10:01,030 relationship is not only to our country 259 00:10:01,039 --> 00:10:03,669 but to international security . Um We 260 00:10:03,679 --> 00:10:05,901 continue to see more and more alignment 261 00:10:05,901 --> 00:10:08,369 between our three nations , between the 262 00:10:08,380 --> 00:10:11,010 US , Japan and the Republic of Korea . 263 00:10:11,210 --> 00:10:13,690 Um As recently as this , June's 264 00:10:13,700 --> 00:10:15,811 trilateral meeting with the Secretary 265 00:10:15,811 --> 00:10:18,270 of Defense and his counterparts . So 266 00:10:18,280 --> 00:10:20,760 what we expect to see uh tomorrow will 267 00:10:20,770 --> 00:10:22,659 be significant outcomes that will 268 00:10:22,659 --> 00:10:24,881 cement our trilateral cooperation going 269 00:10:24,881 --> 00:10:26,969 forward . Uh the deliverables that 270 00:10:26,979 --> 00:10:29,201 you'll see coming out of that will take 271 00:10:29,201 --> 00:10:31,940 that that relationship to a new level 272 00:10:31,950 --> 00:10:34,061 and we will continue to work together 273 00:10:34,061 --> 00:10:36,510 to deliver benefits for not only the 274 00:10:36,520 --> 00:10:38,576 peoples of our three countries , but 275 00:10:38,576 --> 00:10:41,380 also those in the Indo Pacific region . 276 00:10:41,619 --> 00:10:43,786 Uh And certainly you don't want to get 277 00:10:43,786 --> 00:10:45,841 ahead of the White House in terms of 278 00:10:45,841 --> 00:10:48,008 what those specific outcomes will be . 279 00:10:48,008 --> 00:10:47,960 Um But I'm sure we'll have more to say 280 00:10:47,969 --> 00:10:50,191 afterward . Why is this significant and 281 00:10:50,191 --> 00:10:52,413 why is it happening right now ? Is it a 282 00:10:52,413 --> 00:10:54,636 message to North Korea and China ? Uh I 283 00:10:54,636 --> 00:10:56,413 think what you've seen , well , 284 00:10:56,413 --> 00:10:58,525 certainly it's a message to the world 285 00:10:58,525 --> 00:11:00,636 and to the region about how important 286 00:11:00,636 --> 00:11:03,210 these relationships are . Uh I think 287 00:11:03,219 --> 00:11:05,750 it's a continuation of what you've seen 288 00:11:05,929 --> 00:11:08,390 happening in the Indo Pacific region 289 00:11:08,530 --> 00:11:10,697 for a while now , which is to continue 290 00:11:10,697 --> 00:11:13,229 to strengthen those relationships as a 291 00:11:13,239 --> 00:11:15,539 way to deter potential aggression . But 292 00:11:15,549 --> 00:11:17,739 more importantly , to ensure stability 293 00:11:17,979 --> 00:11:20,146 and security in the broader region and 294 00:11:20,146 --> 00:11:22,368 internationally . Thank you and Jamie , 295 00:11:22,368 --> 00:11:24,423 I'm sure you're gonna ask a question 296 00:11:24,423 --> 00:11:26,789 outside the Indo Pacific . Thank you . 297 00:11:26,799 --> 00:11:29,809 I just follow up the , the summit will 298 00:11:29,820 --> 00:11:33,630 be held annually and uh regarding 299 00:11:33,640 --> 00:11:37,190 the of the 300 00:11:37,200 --> 00:11:40,659 rok us and Japan joint military 301 00:11:40,669 --> 00:11:44,369 exercises , do you think this framework 302 00:11:44,380 --> 00:11:47,609 will be maintained permanently or what 303 00:11:47,619 --> 00:11:51,349 will happen if the government changes ? 304 00:11:51,820 --> 00:11:53,764 Yeah , thanks . Uh in terms of the 305 00:11:53,764 --> 00:11:56,169 frequency of a summit like this , you 306 00:11:56,179 --> 00:11:58,346 know , from the White House , I'd have 307 00:11:58,346 --> 00:12:00,290 to refer you to the , to the White 308 00:12:00,290 --> 00:12:02,457 House for that . I , I would certainly 309 00:12:02,457 --> 00:12:02,400 imagine that you'll continue to see 310 00:12:02,409 --> 00:12:04,631 increased cooperation between our three 311 00:12:04,631 --> 00:12:08,000 nations . Um And as it relates to , to 312 00:12:08,010 --> 00:12:10,679 exercises , are you asking about the 313 00:12:12,229 --> 00:12:15,849 I'm sorry , joint ? Right , exactly . 314 00:12:15,859 --> 00:12:17,915 We're gonna continue to look at ways 315 00:12:17,915 --> 00:12:19,692 that we can work together uh to 316 00:12:19,692 --> 00:12:21,915 increase interoperability . Um But as I 317 00:12:21,915 --> 00:12:23,915 highlighted to Jen , also to ensure 318 00:12:23,915 --> 00:12:27,710 that we can continue to um um meet our 319 00:12:27,719 --> 00:12:29,941 alliance commitments and ensure peace , 320 00:12:29,941 --> 00:12:32,052 stability and security in the broader 321 00:12:32,052 --> 00:12:34,219 region . This is permanently , even if 322 00:12:34,219 --> 00:12:36,441 it changes government like Korean , you 323 00:12:36,450 --> 00:12:40,190 know , president changes or , 324 00:12:40,770 --> 00:12:42,326 yeah , I , I think that the 325 00:12:42,326 --> 00:12:44,548 relationships between our three nations 326 00:12:44,548 --> 00:12:46,659 continue to get better and better and 327 00:12:46,659 --> 00:12:48,770 stronger and stronger . These are two 328 00:12:48,770 --> 00:12:51,150 of our staunchest allies . And so I , I 329 00:12:51,159 --> 00:12:53,849 think uh you know , that will not 330 00:12:53,859 --> 00:12:55,970 change any time soon . Now , let me , 331 00:12:55,970 --> 00:12:57,970 let me move on here to Matt because 332 00:12:57,970 --> 00:13:00,081 he's looking really impatient . Thank 333 00:13:00,081 --> 00:13:02,303 you , Pat . Um on private Travis King , 334 00:13:02,303 --> 00:13:04,303 have there been any new substantive 335 00:13:04,303 --> 00:13:06,526 communications from the D pr K , either 336 00:13:06,526 --> 00:13:08,859 to the US or the United Nations Command ? 337 00:13:08,859 --> 00:13:11,010 And does the US have any knowledge on 338 00:13:11,020 --> 00:13:13,590 the state , the status or well being of 339 00:13:13,599 --> 00:13:15,877 private King ? Yeah , thanks . I don't , 340 00:13:15,877 --> 00:13:18,043 I don't have any updates to provide in 341 00:13:18,043 --> 00:13:19,932 terms of any new communications . 342 00:13:19,932 --> 00:13:22,349 Certainly . Uh our priority remains 343 00:13:22,359 --> 00:13:24,900 private King's well being uh and 344 00:13:24,909 --> 00:13:26,965 efforts to , to get him home , but I 345 00:13:26,965 --> 00:13:29,298 don't have any specific updates on that . 346 00:13:29,298 --> 00:13:31,187 Thank you very much . Go to Tom . 347 00:13:31,187 --> 00:13:33,020 Thanks Pat . Um Last night , the 348 00:13:33,020 --> 00:13:35,049 Pentagon sent out a note on a taken 349 00:13:35,059 --> 00:13:36,781 question regarding the cluster 350 00:13:36,781 --> 00:13:40,119 munitions , uh testing and survey . I , 351 00:13:40,130 --> 00:13:42,900 I have two related questions to that , 352 00:13:42,909 --> 00:13:45,099 please . One is that uh you're not 353 00:13:45,109 --> 00:13:47,442 gonna give it to us . I understand that . 354 00:13:47,442 --> 00:13:49,553 Will the information from those tests 355 00:13:49,553 --> 00:13:51,498 be provided to Ukrainian officials 356 00:13:51,498 --> 00:13:53,720 since obviously they'll be using them . 357 00:13:53,720 --> 00:13:55,720 And they promised to map , they had 358 00:13:55,720 --> 00:13:55,599 said they're going to map where they 359 00:13:55,609 --> 00:13:57,831 use clusters . Will that information be 360 00:13:57,831 --> 00:13:59,887 given to the Ukrainian officials for 361 00:13:59,887 --> 00:14:01,776 their use and consumption ? Since 362 00:14:01,776 --> 00:14:03,776 basically , their civilians will be 363 00:14:03,776 --> 00:14:05,887 impacted by it possibly as well . And 364 00:14:05,887 --> 00:14:08,053 the second one , I am a little curious 365 00:14:08,053 --> 00:14:10,619 maybe you can without straying into the 366 00:14:10,630 --> 00:14:12,969 security issues . What is it about the 367 00:14:12,979 --> 00:14:15,849 testing rates that , that rate that has 368 00:14:15,859 --> 00:14:17,581 to be classified ? Why is that 369 00:14:17,581 --> 00:14:19,637 classified ? What should be given to 370 00:14:19,637 --> 00:14:22,580 the adversaries ? Yeah , so I'll , I'll 371 00:14:22,590 --> 00:14:24,969 start with your second question first . 372 00:14:24,979 --> 00:14:26,960 Um Why , why is it classified ? Um 373 00:14:26,969 --> 00:14:29,136 because I mean , you answered your own 374 00:14:29,136 --> 00:14:31,413 question , that's , that's information . 375 00:14:31,413 --> 00:14:33,691 Yeah , there you go . So next question . 376 00:14:33,691 --> 00:14:36,539 No . So the uh that information , any 377 00:14:36,549 --> 00:14:38,919 type of sensitive technical data that 378 00:14:38,929 --> 00:14:41,010 could provide a potential adversary 379 00:14:41,020 --> 00:14:44,929 with insight into the specifics of um 380 00:14:44,940 --> 00:14:47,520 down to an nth degree as far as the 381 00:14:47,530 --> 00:14:49,586 effectiveness of those weapons , the 382 00:14:49,586 --> 00:14:51,474 range of those weapons . I mean , 383 00:14:51,474 --> 00:14:53,697 there's gonna be an unclassified aspect 384 00:14:53,697 --> 00:14:55,974 to it that gives broad general numbers , 385 00:14:55,974 --> 00:14:57,808 but it's not gonna get into deep 386 00:14:57,808 --> 00:15:00,640 technical data . It's the effectiveness 387 00:15:00,650 --> 00:15:02,630 aspect of it . That would , is the 388 00:15:02,640 --> 00:15:04,862 classified element . All , all the data 389 00:15:04,862 --> 00:15:06,862 combined in the aggregate makes the 390 00:15:06,862 --> 00:15:09,179 reports classified uh in terms of 391 00:15:09,190 --> 00:15:11,134 whether or not we're gonna provide 392 00:15:11,134 --> 00:15:13,301 those reports to , to the Ukrainians . 393 00:15:13,301 --> 00:15:14,968 I , I think again , you're um 394 00:15:14,968 --> 00:15:17,079 appreciate the question . But I think 395 00:15:17,079 --> 00:15:19,246 you're conflating two things . Right . 396 00:15:19,246 --> 00:15:21,412 There's the , there's the research and 397 00:15:21,412 --> 00:15:23,523 testing aspect of any weapon system , 398 00:15:23,523 --> 00:15:25,857 uh , that we will do on our own weapons . 399 00:15:25,857 --> 00:15:27,750 Right . Then there's , that's not 400 00:15:27,760 --> 00:15:29,982 information that's necessarily relevant 401 00:15:29,989 --> 00:15:33,780 to an end user , um , that's receiving 402 00:15:33,789 --> 00:15:36,140 the product . Ok . That they , they 403 00:15:36,150 --> 00:15:38,250 know that it works , they know , you 404 00:15:38,260 --> 00:15:40,250 know , uh , well , obviously what 405 00:15:40,260 --> 00:15:42,482 they'll need to know in terms of , uh , 406 00:15:42,482 --> 00:15:44,482 the classified aspects of range and 407 00:15:44,482 --> 00:15:46,649 things like that , but not necessarily 408 00:15:46,649 --> 00:15:48,316 research and development , uh 409 00:15:48,316 --> 00:15:50,830 statistics and , and on that topic , uh 410 00:15:50,840 --> 00:15:53,599 all indications are right now based on 411 00:15:53,609 --> 00:15:55,331 the , the information that the 412 00:15:55,331 --> 00:15:57,669 Ukrainians are providing to us on using 413 00:15:57,679 --> 00:15:59,901 those weapons that they're living up to 414 00:15:59,901 --> 00:16:02,012 their commitment , that they're using 415 00:16:02,012 --> 00:16:04,068 those weapons appropriately . And so 416 00:16:04,068 --> 00:16:06,123 there , there's no concerns from our 417 00:16:06,123 --> 00:16:08,346 perspective to be clear before you move 418 00:16:08,346 --> 00:16:10,512 on and I appreciate your patience with 419 00:16:10,512 --> 00:16:12,290 me . Uh So I understand now the 420 00:16:12,290 --> 00:16:11,669 classifying because you know the 421 00:16:11,679 --> 00:16:13,790 effectiveness of , you don't want the 422 00:16:13,790 --> 00:16:15,957 adversary the enemy to know the effect 423 00:16:15,957 --> 00:16:17,957 of this . But conversely , once you 424 00:16:17,957 --> 00:16:20,409 want your ally in this case , Ukraine 425 00:16:20,419 --> 00:16:22,530 to know how effective they would be . 426 00:16:22,530 --> 00:16:24,530 Again , it depends if we're talking 427 00:16:24,530 --> 00:16:26,641 about operational use versus research 428 00:16:26,641 --> 00:16:28,975 and testing . It's two different things , 429 00:16:28,975 --> 00:16:31,086 right ? Every single weapon system in 430 00:16:31,086 --> 00:16:33,308 the inventory probably has a classified 431 00:16:33,308 --> 00:16:33,210 aspect in terms of the research and 432 00:16:33,219 --> 00:16:35,809 development and the testing as opposed 433 00:16:35,820 --> 00:16:38,030 to the operational execution of that 434 00:16:38,039 --> 00:16:40,309 capability , which is a separate set of 435 00:16:40,320 --> 00:16:44,239 data ? Um Yeah , so , ok , let me go 436 00:16:44,250 --> 00:16:47,289 to Rio here . Thank you . The South 437 00:16:47,299 --> 00:16:49,580 Korean government said North Korea is 438 00:16:49,590 --> 00:16:52,340 preparing the ICBM test probably in 439 00:16:52,349 --> 00:16:55,270 response to the trilateral meeting and 440 00:16:55,280 --> 00:16:57,960 the joint exercises between the US and 441 00:16:57,969 --> 00:17:00,380 South Korea next week . So does the 442 00:17:00,390 --> 00:17:02,700 Pentagon agree to South Korea's 443 00:17:02,710 --> 00:17:04,949 assessment ? I'm sorry . What was that 444 00:17:04,959 --> 00:17:07,209 last part ? Agree to ? Oh , yeah . Does 445 00:17:07,219 --> 00:17:09,386 the Pentagon agree ? Does the Pentagon 446 00:17:09,386 --> 00:17:12,449 share South Korea's assessment ? South 447 00:17:12,459 --> 00:17:15,519 Korea's assessment ? Um I again , I 448 00:17:15,529 --> 00:17:17,529 apologize for my ignorance and then 449 00:17:17,529 --> 00:17:19,473 maybe I missed it . What , what is 450 00:17:19,473 --> 00:17:21,529 their assessment ? The North Korea , 451 00:17:21,529 --> 00:17:23,696 the South Korean government said North 452 00:17:23,696 --> 00:17:25,696 Korea is preparing , I see what you 453 00:17:25,696 --> 00:17:27,807 saying . OK . Yeah . So I'm not going 454 00:17:27,807 --> 00:17:29,362 to comment on any potential 455 00:17:29,362 --> 00:17:31,529 intelligence in terms of what we think 456 00:17:31,529 --> 00:17:33,529 North Korea may or may not be doing 457 00:17:33,529 --> 00:17:35,751 clearly . There's a , there's a history 458 00:17:35,751 --> 00:17:37,807 there of provocative acts . Um We've 459 00:17:37,807 --> 00:17:39,807 been very clear that we're going to 460 00:17:39,807 --> 00:17:42,349 maintain um robust communication with 461 00:17:42,359 --> 00:17:44,390 our Republic of Korea and Japanese 462 00:17:44,400 --> 00:17:47,030 allies as well as those other countries 463 00:17:47,040 --> 00:17:48,929 and uh partners and allies in the 464 00:17:48,929 --> 00:17:52,020 region to make sure that we can deter 465 00:17:52,030 --> 00:17:54,020 potential aggression . But more 466 00:17:54,030 --> 00:17:56,170 importantly , again , uh ensure 467 00:17:56,180 --> 00:17:58,347 stability and security in the region , 468 00:17:58,347 --> 00:18:00,729 the exercises that we are doing . And 469 00:18:00,739 --> 00:18:02,906 it's very important to understand this 470 00:18:02,906 --> 00:18:05,017 is that those are defensive in nature 471 00:18:05,017 --> 00:18:07,072 and they are meant to again , enable 472 00:18:07,072 --> 00:18:08,795 our commitments , our alliance 473 00:18:08,795 --> 00:18:11,017 commitments and ensure that we can work 474 00:18:11,017 --> 00:18:13,072 together . We have the us government 475 00:18:13,079 --> 00:18:15,190 has on many occasions highlighted the 476 00:18:15,190 --> 00:18:17,280 fact that we are willing to engage 477 00:18:17,290 --> 00:18:20,630 diplomatically with North Korea without 478 00:18:20,640 --> 00:18:23,020 any preconditions to which this point 479 00:18:23,030 --> 00:18:26,420 they have chosen not to do that . So 480 00:18:26,729 --> 00:18:28,896 hopefully that answers your question . 481 00:18:28,896 --> 00:18:31,020 One , follow up on the trilateral 482 00:18:31,030 --> 00:18:33,308 cooperation with Japan and South Korea . 483 00:18:33,500 --> 00:18:35,400 Do you expect this trilateral 484 00:18:35,410 --> 00:18:38,680 cooperation will focus more on China 485 00:18:38,689 --> 00:18:42,219 militarily ? Um Again , I I would say 486 00:18:42,229 --> 00:18:44,451 to take a step back , right ? And , and 487 00:18:44,451 --> 00:18:46,673 if you look at the broad efforts of the 488 00:18:46,673 --> 00:18:48,507 United States and our allies and 489 00:18:48,507 --> 00:18:50,840 partners across the Indo Pacific region , 490 00:18:50,840 --> 00:18:54,189 it's really focused on ensuring that we 491 00:18:54,199 --> 00:18:55,755 can all work together in an 492 00:18:55,755 --> 00:18:57,699 international rules based order to 493 00:18:57,709 --> 00:19:01,140 ensure stability and security in the 494 00:19:01,150 --> 00:19:03,261 region . It's not directed at any one 495 00:19:03,261 --> 00:19:05,094 particular nation . If there are 496 00:19:05,094 --> 00:19:07,261 nations that choose to , to try to use 497 00:19:07,261 --> 00:19:10,170 coercion uh and try to create 498 00:19:10,180 --> 00:19:12,890 instability or violate sovereign rights . 499 00:19:13,109 --> 00:19:14,942 Uh We want to work together with 500 00:19:14,942 --> 00:19:17,109 nations to try to prevent that kind of 501 00:19:17,109 --> 00:19:19,276 activity , but certainly we would hope 502 00:19:19,276 --> 00:19:21,053 that all nations would act in a 503 00:19:21,053 --> 00:19:23,109 responsible professional manner to 504 00:19:23,119 --> 00:19:25,469 enable everyone to live in peace and 505 00:19:25,479 --> 00:19:27,646 prosperity throughout the region . Let 506 00:19:27,646 --> 00:19:30,300 me go to Jim here . So what you're 507 00:19:30,310 --> 00:19:32,532 saying is you can't really just look at 508 00:19:32,532 --> 00:19:36,189 this trilateral group alone . I mean , 509 00:19:36,199 --> 00:19:40,040 there are many other groupings 510 00:19:40,050 --> 00:19:42,920 throughout the region and in order to , 511 00:19:42,930 --> 00:19:46,319 to really assess what the trilateral 512 00:19:46,329 --> 00:19:48,390 group does , you have to include it 513 00:19:48,400 --> 00:19:51,239 with all those other groupings . Am I 514 00:19:51,250 --> 00:19:54,040 wrong . No , I mean the United States 515 00:19:54,050 --> 00:19:56,739 is a Pacific nation . We obviously have 516 00:19:56,750 --> 00:19:58,972 a very long coastline along the Pacific 517 00:19:58,979 --> 00:20:01,310 and we have many allies and partners in 518 00:20:01,319 --> 00:20:03,486 the region of with whom we're going to 519 00:20:03,486 --> 00:20:07,109 work toward common goals of a peaceful , 520 00:20:07,119 --> 00:20:11,020 stable Indo Pacific region . Thank 521 00:20:11,030 --> 00:20:13,197 you . Let me go to the phone here . Uh 522 00:20:13,197 --> 00:20:15,419 Howard Altman War Zone . Hey , thanks , 523 00:20:15,419 --> 00:20:17,586 Pat . I got a couple of very divergent 524 00:20:17,586 --> 00:20:20,130 questions . The first one is um has 525 00:20:20,140 --> 00:20:22,420 Ukraine asked for and does the Pentagon 526 00:20:22,430 --> 00:20:25,430 have any plans to provide the uh M 527 00:20:25,439 --> 00:20:28,689 26 the pick round ? That's for the uh 528 00:20:28,699 --> 00:20:32,260 high Mars to Ukraine . The second set 529 00:20:32,270 --> 00:20:34,437 of questions I have pertains to the uh 530 00:20:34,437 --> 00:20:37,229 recent B two flight uh from Iceland to 531 00:20:37,239 --> 00:20:40,069 Alaska . Did that traverse the uh North 532 00:20:40,079 --> 00:20:41,857 Pole and can you talk about the 533 00:20:41,857 --> 00:20:44,023 significance of that flight ? Thanks . 534 00:20:44,050 --> 00:20:46,328 Yeah , thanks , Howard . Unfortunately , 535 00:20:46,328 --> 00:20:48,550 I'm gonna be incredibly disappointing . 536 00:20:48,550 --> 00:20:50,828 Uh In my response is on , on the picks . 537 00:20:50,828 --> 00:20:52,994 I don't , I don't have anything new to 538 00:20:52,994 --> 00:20:55,161 announce . Certainly uh when and if we 539 00:20:55,161 --> 00:20:57,272 do , you know , we'll , we'll be sure 540 00:20:57,272 --> 00:20:59,106 to do that um on the , the B two 541 00:20:59,106 --> 00:21:01,328 flights . Uh I'd , I'd refer you to Air 542 00:21:01,328 --> 00:21:03,494 Force Global Strike Command or , or us 543 00:21:03,494 --> 00:21:05,606 strategic Command to talk about the , 544 00:21:05,606 --> 00:21:07,828 the particulars of that , that flight . 545 00:21:07,828 --> 00:21:10,106 Sorry , I don't have more info on that . 546 00:21:10,106 --> 00:21:12,949 Let me go to uh idris at Reuters . Ok . 547 00:21:13,109 --> 00:21:17,060 Um uh Belarus's President earlier today 548 00:21:17,069 --> 00:21:19,209 said that Belarus would use tactical 549 00:21:19,219 --> 00:21:22,239 nukes if they were threatened . Um Just , 550 00:21:22,250 --> 00:21:25,020 just going back a bit . Have you seen 551 00:21:25,030 --> 00:21:27,252 Russia physically move tactical nuclear 552 00:21:27,252 --> 00:21:30,160 weapons into Belarus uh so far or is 553 00:21:30,170 --> 00:21:32,448 that something you haven't seen ? Yeah , 554 00:21:32,448 --> 00:21:34,503 thanks . Thanks Idris . So , um , as 555 00:21:34,503 --> 00:21:36,614 I'm sure you can appreciate , I'm not 556 00:21:36,614 --> 00:21:38,503 gonna get into , uh , any type of 557 00:21:38,503 --> 00:21:40,849 intelligence . We have seen those press 558 00:21:40,859 --> 00:21:43,390 reports coming out of Russia saying 559 00:21:43,400 --> 00:21:45,567 that , uh , that they were going to do 560 00:21:45,567 --> 00:21:47,760 this . Um But I , you know , again , 561 00:21:47,770 --> 00:21:49,826 I'm I'm not going to comment on that 562 00:21:49,826 --> 00:21:51,992 specifically . I will tell you broadly 563 00:21:51,992 --> 00:21:54,048 speaking , we have not seen anything 564 00:21:54,048 --> 00:21:56,270 that would cause us to change the , the 565 00:21:56,270 --> 00:21:58,550 posture of our own strategic forces . 566 00:21:58,569 --> 00:22:01,589 Nor have we seen any indication that 567 00:22:01,599 --> 00:22:04,550 Russia has made a decision to employ 568 00:22:04,829 --> 00:22:07,420 nuclear weapons as it relates to the 569 00:22:07,680 --> 00:22:10,630 conflict in Ukraine ? All right , let 570 00:22:10,640 --> 00:22:12,489 me go to uh Laura at Politico . 571 00:22:18,660 --> 00:22:20,882 Hey , sorry , I'm just trying to unmute 572 00:22:20,882 --> 00:22:22,993 myself . Uh Thanks for doing this . I 573 00:22:22,993 --> 00:22:25,229 wanted to um follow up with you just 574 00:22:25,239 --> 00:22:28,979 about um excuse me , I'm 575 00:22:28,989 --> 00:22:32,000 coughing um just about the trilateral 576 00:22:32,010 --> 00:22:33,969 meeting and I wonder , and I'm 577 00:22:33,979 --> 00:22:36,146 wondering if you can give us some more 578 00:22:36,146 --> 00:22:38,969 details about this hotline that was 579 00:22:38,979 --> 00:22:41,550 reported that's going to be set up 580 00:22:41,560 --> 00:22:43,616 between the three nations , the US , 581 00:22:43,616 --> 00:22:46,339 Japan and Korea . Um How exactly is 582 00:22:46,349 --> 00:22:49,099 that intelligence sharing going to work ? 583 00:22:49,109 --> 00:22:51,109 Um Can you anything you can tell us 584 00:22:51,109 --> 00:22:53,099 about the the mechanisms of that 585 00:22:53,109 --> 00:22:55,220 hotline as they're calling ? It would 586 00:22:55,220 --> 00:22:57,442 be very helpful . Yeah , thanks Laura . 587 00:22:57,442 --> 00:22:59,498 Um So , you know , again , I'm gonna 588 00:22:59,498 --> 00:23:01,442 defer to the White House right now 589 00:23:01,442 --> 00:23:03,609 since this is their summit . Uh And uh 590 00:23:03,609 --> 00:23:05,665 again , we , we may have more to say 591 00:23:05,665 --> 00:23:07,665 after that summit concludes , but I 592 00:23:07,665 --> 00:23:09,776 don't , I don't want to get out ahead 593 00:23:09,776 --> 00:23:11,776 of any uh trilateral discussions or 594 00:23:11,776 --> 00:23:15,089 specific outcomes . Ok , let me come 595 00:23:15,099 --> 00:23:17,489 back . Yes , ma'am . Um I have two 596 00:23:17,680 --> 00:23:19,624 questions . The first is there are 597 00:23:19,624 --> 00:23:21,347 reports , a plea deal is being 598 00:23:21,347 --> 00:23:23,569 negotiated for the suspected mastermind 599 00:23:23,569 --> 00:23:25,680 of the September 11th attacks and his 600 00:23:25,680 --> 00:23:27,902 fellow defendants . What message do you 601 00:23:27,902 --> 00:23:29,902 have for the families who have been 602 00:23:29,902 --> 00:23:32,013 waiting for nearly 22 years for their 603 00:23:32,013 --> 00:23:34,180 trials ? And is justice being served ? 604 00:23:34,180 --> 00:23:36,439 Yeah , thank you . Um We , we are aware 605 00:23:36,449 --> 00:23:38,719 uh that a letter was recently sent by 606 00:23:38,729 --> 00:23:40,896 the office of the Chief Prosecutor for 607 00:23:40,896 --> 00:23:43,118 Military Commissions to the families of 608 00:23:43,118 --> 00:23:46,250 the victims of the 9 11 attack . Um 609 00:23:46,420 --> 00:23:50,339 However , because uh this specific , 610 00:23:50,349 --> 00:23:52,571 you know , specific cases are ongoing , 611 00:23:52,571 --> 00:23:54,793 it would be really inappropriate for me 612 00:23:54,793 --> 00:23:56,905 to discuss it at this point . So , uh 613 00:23:56,905 --> 00:23:58,905 any questions on that , I'd have to 614 00:23:58,905 --> 00:23:58,540 refer you to the Office of Military 615 00:23:58,550 --> 00:24:01,880 Commissions on um I was 616 00:24:01,890 --> 00:24:05,060 curious , you know , this happened 617 00:24:05,390 --> 00:24:08,099 early last week . What kind of action 618 00:24:08,109 --> 00:24:10,300 was taken ? Um You know , the US Navy 619 00:24:10,310 --> 00:24:14,099 there bases military helicopters . Was 620 00:24:14,109 --> 00:24:16,989 there any action taken sooner for those 621 00:24:17,000 --> 00:24:18,944 on the ground ? I know some of the 622 00:24:18,944 --> 00:24:21,000 response from people on the ground . 623 00:24:21,000 --> 00:24:23,056 There is where is the government and 624 00:24:23,056 --> 00:24:25,229 they felt forgotten . I , I can assure 625 00:24:25,239 --> 00:24:27,390 you from a dod perspective . I mean , 626 00:24:27,400 --> 00:24:30,160 no one has been forgotten and we have 627 00:24:30,170 --> 00:24:32,930 leaned into this heavily , uh almost 628 00:24:32,939 --> 00:24:34,828 from the very beginning to try to 629 00:24:34,828 --> 00:24:36,939 ensure that we're providing the state 630 00:24:36,939 --> 00:24:38,939 of Hawaii and FEMA the support that 631 00:24:38,939 --> 00:24:41,170 they need . And so , um I , I think 632 00:24:41,180 --> 00:24:43,347 it's also important to understand that 633 00:24:43,430 --> 00:24:45,652 what you don't want to do in a disaster 634 00:24:45,652 --> 00:24:49,140 situation is put additional people and 635 00:24:49,150 --> 00:24:51,459 capabilities in a situation where 636 00:24:51,469 --> 00:24:53,747 you're not sure whether they're needed . 637 00:24:53,747 --> 00:24:55,747 And all you're doing is creating an 638 00:24:55,747 --> 00:24:57,858 additional logistics burden . Because 639 00:24:57,858 --> 00:24:59,913 when you send people forward , those 640 00:24:59,913 --> 00:25:01,913 people also have to have a place to 641 00:25:01,913 --> 00:25:03,969 sleep , a place to eat , uh a way to 642 00:25:03,969 --> 00:25:06,302 get to places . So it , it's , you know , 643 00:25:06,302 --> 00:25:08,525 there a lot of expertise and experience 644 00:25:08,525 --> 00:25:10,469 uh in terms of crisis response and 645 00:25:10,469 --> 00:25:12,636 making sure that we're doing this in a 646 00:25:12,636 --> 00:25:14,747 coordinated way . Uh And so the , the 647 00:25:14,747 --> 00:25:16,580 things that I highlighted at the 648 00:25:16,580 --> 00:25:18,469 beginning there as this situation 649 00:25:18,469 --> 00:25:18,170 evolves , I'm sure there will be 650 00:25:18,180 --> 00:25:20,347 additional requests and we'll continue 651 00:25:20,347 --> 00:25:22,458 to lean very far forward to make sure 652 00:25:22,458 --> 00:25:24,569 that we're supporting uh the state of 653 00:25:24,569 --> 00:25:26,680 Hawaii and FEMA and other federal and 654 00:25:26,680 --> 00:25:28,958 state agencies as they respond to this . 655 00:25:28,958 --> 00:25:31,770 But uh by no means , uh have any of us 656 00:25:31,780 --> 00:25:34,930 forgotten or will forget um that this 657 00:25:34,939 --> 00:25:37,050 is a , a very tragic situation and we 658 00:25:37,050 --> 00:25:39,650 wanna help uh any way we can thank you 659 00:25:39,660 --> 00:25:41,900 very much I'm sorry , Jamie , there's 660 00:25:41,910 --> 00:25:44,132 other folks with the questions . So let 661 00:25:44,132 --> 00:25:46,243 me come back to you . Yes , ma'am . I 662 00:25:46,243 --> 00:25:48,188 wanted to follow up on the Cluster 663 00:25:48,188 --> 00:25:50,410 nations question . Um When you say that 664 00:25:50,410 --> 00:25:53,260 all indications um are saying that the 665 00:25:53,270 --> 00:25:55,159 Ukrainians are living up to their 666 00:25:55,159 --> 00:25:57,326 commitments , is that coming from data 667 00:25:57,326 --> 00:25:59,548 that Ukrainians are reporting to you in 668 00:25:59,548 --> 00:26:02,699 real time uh or us intelligence or some 669 00:26:02,709 --> 00:26:05,042 kind of combination of those two things . 670 00:26:05,042 --> 00:26:08,140 Um Next question . Yeah . So , um you 671 00:26:08,150 --> 00:26:10,094 know , joking aside , uh we have a 672 00:26:10,094 --> 00:26:11,761 variety of means uh to gather 673 00:26:11,761 --> 00:26:13,983 information to include reports that the 674 00:26:13,983 --> 00:26:16,770 Ukrainians are sending uh to us as well 675 00:26:17,079 --> 00:26:19,246 in accordance with the commitment that 676 00:26:19,246 --> 00:26:21,135 they've made . Again , we have no 677 00:26:21,135 --> 00:26:23,510 indication that they're using these uh 678 00:26:23,520 --> 00:26:26,510 in ways that would target civilian 679 00:26:26,520 --> 00:26:28,650 populations . And I guess again , I 680 00:26:28,660 --> 00:26:30,827 probably don't even need to say this , 681 00:26:30,827 --> 00:26:33,140 but um why would they do that ? It's 682 00:26:33,150 --> 00:26:35,150 their people , they're fighting for 683 00:26:35,150 --> 00:26:37,261 their country . Uh And so in addition 684 00:26:37,261 --> 00:26:39,206 to providing , so that information 685 00:26:39,206 --> 00:26:41,317 recording where they've done this for 686 00:26:41,317 --> 00:26:43,539 future demining efforts , so to speak . 687 00:26:43,539 --> 00:26:45,483 Um So we're , we're confident that 688 00:26:45,483 --> 00:26:47,428 they're using them appropriately . 689 00:26:47,428 --> 00:26:49,317 Thank you , sir . Follow up on an 690 00:26:49,317 --> 00:26:51,317 earlier question , returning to the 691 00:26:51,317 --> 00:26:53,317 trilateral summit that's gonna take 692 00:26:53,317 --> 00:26:55,428 place . I wanted to know if you could 693 00:26:55,428 --> 00:26:57,594 offer any more details on the reported 694 00:26:57,594 --> 00:26:57,030 uh increased missile defense 695 00:26:57,040 --> 00:26:59,160 cooperation exercises that uh will 696 00:26:59,170 --> 00:27:01,337 likely take place . Yeah . Again , I , 697 00:27:01,337 --> 00:27:03,448 I hate to sound like uh I'm beating a 698 00:27:03,448 --> 00:27:05,550 dead horse here , but um , once the 699 00:27:05,560 --> 00:27:07,930 summit occurs and , and you know , the 700 00:27:07,939 --> 00:27:09,550 readouts come out from those 701 00:27:09,550 --> 00:27:11,883 discussions at the , at the White House . 702 00:27:11,883 --> 00:27:13,995 Uh Well , I'm sure have a lot more to 703 00:27:13,995 --> 00:27:15,995 talk about . Um , but , but again , 704 00:27:15,995 --> 00:27:17,828 it's a White House summit and uh 705 00:27:18,020 --> 00:27:20,298 there'll be much more to follow in the , 706 00:27:20,298 --> 00:27:22,631 in the days and hours ahead . Thank you . 707 00:27:22,631 --> 00:27:24,631 Let me just take a couple more . Go 708 00:27:24,631 --> 00:27:26,853 back to , to the phone to uh Jared from 709 00:27:26,853 --> 00:27:30,699 monitor . Hey sir , thanks for 710 00:27:30,709 --> 00:27:32,876 doing this . Just wanted to check in . 711 00:27:32,876 --> 00:27:35,042 There have been some scattered reports 712 00:27:35,042 --> 00:27:37,209 in Arabic language media coming out of 713 00:27:37,209 --> 00:27:39,320 Iraq saying that there's been uh over 714 00:27:39,320 --> 00:27:41,376 the past week or so a movement of us 715 00:27:41,376 --> 00:27:43,209 coalition forces from the Altaaf 716 00:27:43,209 --> 00:27:45,209 garrison possibly to the Al Kaim uh 717 00:27:45,209 --> 00:27:47,439 area which is uh an area in which US 718 00:27:47,449 --> 00:27:49,616 forces used to be based . I think they 719 00:27:49,616 --> 00:27:51,838 withdrew out of there back in 2020 made 720 00:27:51,838 --> 00:27:53,671 a bit of bit of a , a broader uh 721 00:27:53,671 --> 00:27:55,727 drawdown . I'm just wondering if you 722 00:27:55,727 --> 00:27:57,782 can confirm any of this , if this is 723 00:27:57,782 --> 00:27:59,949 involved with sort of the deescalation 724 00:27:59,949 --> 00:28:02,116 reports of a deescalation with Iranian 725 00:28:02,116 --> 00:28:04,171 forces . Uh what the purpose of this 726 00:28:04,171 --> 00:28:06,393 might be if , if it's accurate ? Yeah , 727 00:28:06,393 --> 00:28:08,616 thanks Jared . So um I I'd refer you to 728 00:28:08,616 --> 00:28:10,671 Centcom for , for more details , but 729 00:28:10,671 --> 00:28:12,930 I'm not tracking any 730 00:28:13,260 --> 00:28:16,520 significant shift in forces as it 731 00:28:16,530 --> 00:28:19,790 pertains to the defeat ISIS mission uh 732 00:28:19,800 --> 00:28:23,020 in , in Syria . Again , that , that 733 00:28:23,030 --> 00:28:25,141 remains our focus there . I know that 734 00:28:25,141 --> 00:28:27,197 there had been some uh stray voltage 735 00:28:27,197 --> 00:28:29,439 out there , some inaccurate reporting 736 00:28:29,449 --> 00:28:31,449 uh coming out of that , that region 737 00:28:31,449 --> 00:28:33,810 earlier suggesting that somehow US 738 00:28:33,819 --> 00:28:36,660 forces were involved in border security 739 00:28:36,670 --> 00:28:38,726 between Iraq and Syria , which are , 740 00:28:38,726 --> 00:28:40,614 are false that there is no border 741 00:28:40,614 --> 00:28:42,559 security . We don't provide border 742 00:28:42,559 --> 00:28:45,140 security . That's , that's the um brit 743 00:28:45,150 --> 00:28:47,209 of the Iraqi government . So uh 744 00:28:47,219 --> 00:28:49,275 hopefully that addresses your , your 745 00:28:49,275 --> 00:28:51,689 question . OK . Time for more janie 746 00:28:51,699 --> 00:28:54,310 final question . Then I'll get to , can 747 00:28:54,319 --> 00:28:57,829 you tell us about the more freedom 748 00:28:57,839 --> 00:29:01,709 shield like UFS between South Korea and 749 00:29:01,719 --> 00:29:03,441 the US have a joint military ? 750 00:29:05,640 --> 00:29:07,849 I , I don't have anything to announce 751 00:29:07,859 --> 00:29:10,081 on that right now . I I'd encourage you 752 00:29:10,081 --> 00:29:12,248 to get with the US FK and they can get 753 00:29:12,248 --> 00:29:14,339 you more details as that uh as any 754 00:29:14,349 --> 00:29:16,571 exercise comes up , but appreciate your 755 00:29:16,571 --> 00:29:18,738 understanding and let me go to Ben and 756 00:29:18,738 --> 00:29:20,849 then we'll close it out . Thank you . 757 00:29:20,849 --> 00:29:22,960 Has uh Dod provided on Hawaii has Dod 758 00:29:22,960 --> 00:29:25,329 provided sort of a slate of things that 759 00:29:25,339 --> 00:29:27,719 are available to fema and the governor , 760 00:29:27,729 --> 00:29:29,896 a list . Uh I know sort of like a menu 761 00:29:29,896 --> 00:29:32,062 of what could be on offer . I know the 762 00:29:32,062 --> 00:29:34,229 Marine Corps you mentioned they've got 763 00:29:34,239 --> 00:29:36,530 Ospreys uh transport aircraft and have 764 00:29:36,540 --> 00:29:38,869 also offered up the third electoral 765 00:29:38,880 --> 00:29:41,047 regimen and that's been on offer for a 766 00:29:41,047 --> 00:29:43,102 couple of days now . And I wonder if 767 00:29:43,102 --> 00:29:45,213 Dod has provided that writ large to , 768 00:29:45,213 --> 00:29:47,491 to the Hawaiian um Hawaiian government ? 769 00:29:47,491 --> 00:29:49,713 Yeah . So , so just to kind of lay this 770 00:29:49,713 --> 00:29:51,936 out at the top of the briefing , I laid 771 00:29:51,936 --> 00:29:53,991 out the six mission assignments from 772 00:29:53,991 --> 00:29:55,991 FEMA , right ? Each , each of which 773 00:29:55,991 --> 00:29:58,250 essentially can entail a variety of 774 00:29:58,260 --> 00:30:01,829 capabilities uh that could be met by uh 775 00:30:01,839 --> 00:30:05,109 various aspects of the way dod is 776 00:30:05,119 --> 00:30:07,175 comprised , whether it's active duty 777 00:30:07,175 --> 00:30:09,760 guard reserve , um contracted , et 778 00:30:09,770 --> 00:30:13,400 cetera . So , so as uh 779 00:30:13,410 --> 00:30:16,109 combined joint task force , 50 meets 780 00:30:16,119 --> 00:30:18,819 with FEMA , uh and they assess the 781 00:30:18,829 --> 00:30:20,718 situation and they look at what's 782 00:30:20,718 --> 00:30:23,530 needed . Uh That is the venue by which 783 00:30:23,540 --> 00:30:25,762 dod can say , here's how we can help do 784 00:30:25,762 --> 00:30:27,984 that . Here's , here's what we can do . 785 00:30:27,984 --> 00:30:30,207 So , um and , and oh , by the way , the 786 00:30:30,207 --> 00:30:34,189 fact that J CJ TF 50 is being run 787 00:30:34,199 --> 00:30:36,869 by uh us Army Pacific Command , they're , 788 00:30:36,880 --> 00:30:38,991 they're right there . They understand 789 00:30:38,991 --> 00:30:40,991 what's in their backyard . And they 790 00:30:40,991 --> 00:30:43,102 also understand that they have the uh 791 00:30:43,102 --> 00:30:45,269 full force and might of the , the rest 792 00:30:45,269 --> 00:30:45,170 of the Department of Defense by 793 00:30:45,180 --> 00:30:47,013 reaching out to joint staff . If 794 00:30:47,013 --> 00:30:48,958 there's a capability that's not in 795 00:30:48,958 --> 00:30:51,630 theater , that's required . So , um I'm , 796 00:30:51,640 --> 00:30:53,584 we're , we're confident that we're 797 00:30:53,584 --> 00:30:55,362 gonna continue to receive those 798 00:30:55,362 --> 00:30:57,584 requests . Uh We'll look at it , assess 799 00:30:57,584 --> 00:30:59,807 it , make sure that we can support it . 800 00:30:59,807 --> 00:31:01,473 And if we can't look at other 801 00:31:01,473 --> 00:31:03,640 opportunities or other , other ways to 802 00:31:03,640 --> 00:31:05,862 do that and just to follow on on that , 803 00:31:05,862 --> 00:31:07,862 uh is there any forward planning in 804 00:31:07,862 --> 00:31:09,807 place right now for use of some of 805 00:31:09,807 --> 00:31:09,150 these things that have been on offer 806 00:31:09,160 --> 00:31:11,160 again , I know for the at least the 807 00:31:11,160 --> 00:31:13,382 past two days , the marines had offered 808 00:31:13,382 --> 00:31:15,549 up . Um What you mentioned was there , 809 00:31:15,549 --> 00:31:17,660 is there any plan in place for use of 810 00:31:17,660 --> 00:31:19,604 them going on after the search and 811 00:31:19,604 --> 00:31:21,827 rescue period ? Uh when it becomes more 812 00:31:21,827 --> 00:31:23,920 uh relief and recovery uh or is 813 00:31:23,930 --> 00:31:25,930 everything just kind of on stand by 814 00:31:25,930 --> 00:31:28,263 waiting for somebody to ask for its use ? 815 00:31:28,263 --> 00:31:30,374 You know , again , I I'd refer you to 816 00:31:30,374 --> 00:31:32,530 to the CJ TF to really get to a 817 00:31:32,540 --> 00:31:35,010 granular level of detail . But , but 818 00:31:35,020 --> 00:31:38,069 conceptually again , as , as any crisis 819 00:31:38,079 --> 00:31:40,329 situation evolves , as you shift from 820 00:31:40,339 --> 00:31:42,739 search and rescue and recovery to 821 00:31:42,750 --> 00:31:45,489 assessing uh the debris and debris 822 00:31:45,500 --> 00:31:47,722 removal and power requirements and long 823 00:31:47,729 --> 00:31:49,840 term water requirements and , and all 824 00:31:49,840 --> 00:31:52,550 the myriad other things that it takes . 825 00:31:52,810 --> 00:31:54,979 Um Is there a capability that we can 826 00:31:54,989 --> 00:31:57,219 provide to help um firefighting is 827 00:31:57,229 --> 00:31:59,229 another example , if , if there's a 828 00:31:59,229 --> 00:32:01,520 situation where uh Hawaii's Fire 829 00:32:01,530 --> 00:32:03,641 department has it and they don't need 830 00:32:03,641 --> 00:32:05,641 any specific support , you wouldn't 831 00:32:05,641 --> 00:32:07,863 just show up and start doing it because 832 00:32:07,863 --> 00:32:09,474 it's uncoordinated and could 833 00:32:09,474 --> 00:32:11,474 potentially create problems . So if 834 00:32:11,474 --> 00:32:13,474 they say , yeah , we need it , then 835 00:32:13,474 --> 00:32:13,020 we're right there and we're gonna help 836 00:32:13,030 --> 00:32:15,030 do it . But uh I'd encourage you to 837 00:32:15,030 --> 00:32:17,359 reach out to the CJ TF and they can 838 00:32:17,369 --> 00:32:19,536 really get down to a granular level of 839 00:32:19,536 --> 00:32:21,459 detail . Um Finally , before we 840 00:32:21,469 --> 00:32:23,691 conclude today , I just wanna highlight 841 00:32:23,691 --> 00:32:25,747 uh some guests uh joining us today , 842 00:32:25,747 --> 00:32:27,636 we've got some Air Force students 843 00:32:27,636 --> 00:32:29,802 currently attending the Public Affairs 844 00:32:29,802 --> 00:32:29,800 and Communications Strategy 845 00:32:29,810 --> 00:32:32,209 qualification course at the Defense 846 00:32:32,219 --> 00:32:34,163 Information School at Fort Meade . 847 00:32:34,170 --> 00:32:35,726 These officers , senior non 848 00:32:35,726 --> 00:32:37,726 commissioned officers and civilians 849 00:32:37,726 --> 00:32:39,670 have been in the Pentagon today to 850 00:32:39,670 --> 00:32:41,614 learn more about how the Air Force 851 00:32:41,614 --> 00:32:43,448 Space Force and dod level public 852 00:32:43,448 --> 00:32:45,392 affairs operations are planned and 853 00:32:45,392 --> 00:32:47,614 executed . And so we're glad to welcome 854 00:32:47,614 --> 00:32:49,781 them here today . Um Next time they'll 855 00:32:49,781 --> 00:32:52,003 be doing this brief , but uh that's all 856 00:32:52,003 --> 00:32:54,226 we have . Thanks very much , ladies and 857 00:32:54,226 --> 00:32:52,819 gentlemen .