1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:00,000 2 00:00:03,880 --> 00:00:06,469 Hi , good afternoon , everyone . Um I 3 00:00:06,480 --> 00:00:08,647 just have a few items to pass along at 4 00:00:08,647 --> 00:00:10,758 the top and then I'd be happy to take 5 00:00:10,758 --> 00:00:12,980 your questions . So earlier today , the 6 00:00:12,980 --> 00:00:15,202 secretary met with his , with Bahrain's 7 00:00:15,202 --> 00:00:17,313 crown Prince and Prime Minister , his 8 00:00:17,313 --> 00:00:19,313 Royal Highness Soloman bin Hamad Al 9 00:00:19,313 --> 00:00:21,569 Khalifa . At the Pentagon Secretary , 10 00:00:21,579 --> 00:00:23,690 Austin congratulated the crown prince 11 00:00:23,690 --> 00:00:25,801 on signing the Comprehensive Security 12 00:00:25,801 --> 00:00:27,857 Integration and Prosperity Agreement 13 00:00:27,857 --> 00:00:29,801 which deepens security and defense 14 00:00:29,801 --> 00:00:31,968 cooperation , expands trade and mutual 15 00:00:31,968 --> 00:00:33,912 investments in global supply chain 16 00:00:33,912 --> 00:00:35,690 infrastructure and promotes the 17 00:00:35,690 --> 00:00:37,801 development and deployment of trusted 18 00:00:37,801 --> 00:00:39,579 technologies . Secretary Austin 19 00:00:39,579 --> 00:00:41,909 recognized Bahrain's role as a leader 20 00:00:41,919 --> 00:00:43,975 in regional integration and maritime 21 00:00:43,975 --> 00:00:45,641 security . He also affirmed , 22 00:00:45,641 --> 00:00:47,752 reaffirmed the enduring us commitment 23 00:00:47,752 --> 00:00:49,530 to Middle East security and the 24 00:00:49,530 --> 00:00:51,659 strength of us bilateral defense 25 00:00:51,669 --> 00:00:54,119 partnership with Bahrain , a major non 26 00:00:54,139 --> 00:00:56,083 NATO ally of the United States . A 27 00:00:56,189 --> 00:00:58,356 readout will be available later on our 28 00:00:58,356 --> 00:01:00,467 website this afternoon at defense dot 29 00:01:00,467 --> 00:01:02,669 gov . Also today , the department 30 00:01:02,680 --> 00:01:04,680 released a combined response to the 31 00:01:04,680 --> 00:01:07,620 fiscal year 2022 NDA . A requirement 32 00:01:07,629 --> 00:01:09,889 for a space policy review and the 33 00:01:09,900 --> 00:01:13,059 fiscal year 2023 NDA . A requirement to 34 00:01:13,069 --> 00:01:15,291 make publicly available an unclassified 35 00:01:15,291 --> 00:01:17,513 strategy for the protection and defense 36 00:01:17,513 --> 00:01:20,889 of on orbit assets informed by the 37 00:01:20,900 --> 00:01:23,339 2022 National defense strategy and 38 00:01:23,349 --> 00:01:25,349 other department and national level 39 00:01:25,349 --> 00:01:27,349 guidance . The response to Congress 40 00:01:27,349 --> 00:01:29,182 communicates the strategy of the 41 00:01:29,182 --> 00:01:31,071 department to defend its national 42 00:01:31,071 --> 00:01:33,127 security interests in space from the 43 00:01:33,127 --> 00:01:35,071 growing scope and scale of counter 44 00:01:35,071 --> 00:01:37,410 space threats by assuring critical 45 00:01:37,419 --> 00:01:40,029 space based missions by accelerating 46 00:01:40,040 --> 00:01:41,873 the transition to more resilient 47 00:01:41,873 --> 00:01:43,873 architectures and by protecting and 48 00:01:43,873 --> 00:01:45,818 defending critical systems against 49 00:01:45,818 --> 00:01:48,500 counter space threats . Strengthen two , 50 00:01:48,510 --> 00:01:50,732 strengthening the ability to detect and 51 00:01:50,732 --> 00:01:53,720 attribute hostile act acts in from and 52 00:01:53,730 --> 00:01:56,540 to space and three protecting the joint 53 00:01:56,550 --> 00:01:58,606 force from adversary hostile uses of 54 00:01:58,606 --> 00:02:00,849 space . The strategy and all additional 55 00:02:00,860 --> 00:02:03,082 information can be found on defense dot 56 00:02:03,082 --> 00:02:05,610 gov . Shifting gears a bit . Tomorrow 57 00:02:05,620 --> 00:02:07,731 marks the two year anniversary of the 58 00:02:07,731 --> 00:02:09,759 United States UK and Australia 59 00:02:09,789 --> 00:02:11,456 establishing the generational 60 00:02:11,456 --> 00:02:14,199 partnership known as a today . I want 61 00:02:14,210 --> 00:02:16,099 to share that all three countries 62 00:02:16,099 --> 00:02:18,321 continue to work tirelessly together to 63 00:02:18,321 --> 00:02:20,432 advance this ambitious program with a 64 00:02:20,432 --> 00:02:22,432 shared goal for a free , secure and 65 00:02:22,432 --> 00:02:24,649 open Indo Pacific region . And just 66 00:02:24,660 --> 00:02:27,009 this summer , you saw the first US port 67 00:02:27,020 --> 00:02:29,250 visit to Australia as part of as part 68 00:02:29,259 --> 00:02:31,589 of this program and as each future 69 00:02:31,600 --> 00:02:33,544 anniversary passes , I think we'll 70 00:02:33,544 --> 00:02:35,267 continue to see the increasing 71 00:02:35,267 --> 00:02:37,489 potential growth and capability of this 72 00:02:37,489 --> 00:02:40,449 groundbreaking partnership . And last 73 00:02:40,460 --> 00:02:43,009 and last item finally looking to next 74 00:02:43,020 --> 00:02:45,076 week , Secretary Austin and Chairman 75 00:02:45,076 --> 00:02:47,242 Milley will travel to Ramstein Germany 76 00:02:47,242 --> 00:02:49,419 on September 18th to host an in person 77 00:02:49,429 --> 00:02:51,596 meeting of the Ukraine defense contact 78 00:02:51,596 --> 00:02:53,860 group . This will be the 15th meeting 79 00:02:53,869 --> 00:02:55,925 of the U DC G since Secretary Austin 80 00:02:55,925 --> 00:02:58,147 formed the International group in April 81 00:02:58,147 --> 00:03:00,580 2022 . The secretary and chairman will 82 00:03:00,589 --> 00:03:02,645 join ministers of defense and senior 83 00:03:02,645 --> 00:03:04,533 military officials from nearly 50 84 00:03:04,533 --> 00:03:06,645 nations to discuss the ongoing crisis 85 00:03:06,645 --> 00:03:08,649 in Ukraine and the continued close 86 00:03:08,660 --> 00:03:10,549 coordination by the international 87 00:03:10,549 --> 00:03:12,493 community to provide the Ukrainian 88 00:03:12,493 --> 00:03:14,438 people with the means necessary to 89 00:03:14,438 --> 00:03:16,604 defend their sovereign territory . And 90 00:03:16,604 --> 00:03:18,716 with that , I'd be happy to take your 91 00:03:18,716 --> 00:03:20,938 questions . Um I believe we have a P on 92 00:03:20,938 --> 00:03:23,049 the phone . So uh Tara , are you with 93 00:03:23,049 --> 00:03:25,104 us ? Hi , Sabrina , thanks for doing 94 00:03:25,104 --> 00:03:26,993 this . Um I have a question on uh 95 00:03:26,993 --> 00:03:29,104 yesterday at the Air and Space Forces 96 00:03:29,104 --> 00:03:31,410 Association General Hecker in response 97 00:03:31,419 --> 00:03:34,710 to a question from us um said that uh 98 00:03:34,720 --> 00:03:37,350 counterterrorism surveillance missions 99 00:03:37,360 --> 00:03:39,509 had continued , had resumed from the 100 00:03:39,520 --> 00:03:41,710 two bases in , you know , for a while 101 00:03:41,720 --> 00:03:43,720 they hadn't been doing anything and 102 00:03:43,720 --> 00:03:45,609 they're now getting to do a large 103 00:03:45,609 --> 00:03:47,609 amount of the missions they've been 104 00:03:47,609 --> 00:03:49,776 doing in previous . I understand there 105 00:03:49,776 --> 00:03:51,609 may be some confusion as to what 106 00:03:51,609 --> 00:03:53,664 exactly those missions are . But can 107 00:03:53,664 --> 00:03:55,720 you for certain , say that the US is 108 00:03:55,720 --> 00:03:57,720 not monitoring any of the terrorist 109 00:03:57,720 --> 00:03:59,831 groups that you've been keeping close 110 00:03:59,831 --> 00:04:02,053 watch on in these missions such as Boko 111 00:04:02,053 --> 00:04:05,539 Haram , Al Qaida or Isis . Uh Thanks 112 00:04:05,550 --> 00:04:07,539 Tara for the question . So um to 113 00:04:07,550 --> 00:04:09,720 clarify , the United States has not 114 00:04:09,729 --> 00:04:12,380 restarted counter terrorism operations 115 00:04:12,389 --> 00:04:14,919 or any security force assistance 116 00:04:14,929 --> 00:04:17,899 training with , we can confirm that the 117 00:04:17,910 --> 00:04:21,779 US forces in commenced IISR flight ops 118 00:04:21,790 --> 00:04:24,089 to monitor for threats and for force 119 00:04:24,100 --> 00:04:26,920 protection . Um We have secured these 120 00:04:26,929 --> 00:04:28,651 approvals with the appropriate 121 00:04:28,651 --> 00:04:30,750 authorities and the U SI will say 122 00:04:30,760 --> 00:04:32,816 always reserves the right to conduct 123 00:04:32,816 --> 00:04:34,871 operations to protect our forces and 124 00:04:34,871 --> 00:04:37,279 personnel if required . Um But beyond 125 00:04:37,290 --> 00:04:39,457 that , I just won't be able to provide 126 00:04:39,457 --> 00:04:41,623 any additional information . Ok . I'll 127 00:04:41,630 --> 00:04:43,579 come into the room . Yeah , Jean , 128 00:04:43,899 --> 00:04:46,200 thank you . Thank you . I have two 129 00:04:46,209 --> 00:04:49,910 questions on Russia and North Korea . 130 00:04:50,089 --> 00:04:53,730 Uh Russian Defense Minister acknowledge 131 00:04:53,739 --> 00:04:56,809 the possibility of joint military 132 00:04:56,820 --> 00:05:00,410 exercise with North Korea . And he also 133 00:05:00,420 --> 00:05:03,209 said that he would engage in military 134 00:05:03,220 --> 00:05:06,500 exercise with North Korea in the future . 135 00:05:06,839 --> 00:05:10,179 Do you think this intended to keep the 136 00:05:10,190 --> 00:05:14,040 US and rok joint military exercises 137 00:05:14,049 --> 00:05:17,970 in check ? So um I can't speak to what 138 00:05:17,980 --> 00:05:20,399 their intention is uh behind the joint 139 00:05:20,410 --> 00:05:23,010 military exercise in terms of a message 140 00:05:23,019 --> 00:05:25,290 to us . Um I don't think that deters 141 00:05:25,299 --> 00:05:27,299 any type of exercises that we would 142 00:05:27,299 --> 00:05:29,820 engage with with the Rock or Japan or 143 00:05:29,829 --> 00:05:32,570 any trilateral exercises . Um You saw 144 00:05:32,579 --> 00:05:35,415 some uh exercise as recently as 145 00:05:35,424 --> 00:05:37,480 recently as um earlier this month or 146 00:05:37,484 --> 00:05:39,595 earlier this year , I should say . Um 147 00:05:39,595 --> 00:05:41,262 And we continue to deepen our 148 00:05:41,262 --> 00:05:43,428 partnership with Japan and Rock with , 149 00:05:43,428 --> 00:05:45,428 you know , following the Camp David 150 00:05:45,428 --> 00:05:47,651 summit . Um You've seen a commitment by 151 00:05:47,651 --> 00:05:50,234 all three leaders of each country um to 152 00:05:50,244 --> 00:05:52,244 continue to engage and support each 153 00:05:52,244 --> 00:05:54,300 other . So I don't think any type of 154 00:05:54,300 --> 00:05:56,929 exercise between um the D Pr K and 155 00:05:56,940 --> 00:06:00,350 Russia would deter our own advances and 156 00:06:00,359 --> 00:06:02,679 our own um relationships within , uh 157 00:06:02,690 --> 00:06:05,350 with , with the Rock or Japan . Yes . 158 00:06:05,410 --> 00:06:08,359 Ok . Another one , Kim Jong Un promised 159 00:06:08,369 --> 00:06:11,470 with Putin that it would give a 160 00:06:11,480 --> 00:06:15,299 priority to sending to stock fire 161 00:06:15,549 --> 00:06:19,049 and emission to North Korea . Do you 162 00:06:19,059 --> 00:06:22,559 think this will prolong the war in 163 00:06:22,570 --> 00:06:25,579 Ukraine ? Well , we've certainly seen 164 00:06:25,589 --> 00:06:28,920 Putin and Russia to be , continue to be 165 00:06:28,929 --> 00:06:31,096 more isolated as the war progresses in 166 00:06:31,096 --> 00:06:33,119 Ukraine . And so what we're seeing 167 00:06:33,130 --> 00:06:36,429 right now is Russia , um in a quite a 168 00:06:36,440 --> 00:06:39,739 desperate mode and seeking support from 169 00:06:39,750 --> 00:06:42,083 North Korea when it comes to ammunition . 170 00:06:43,119 --> 00:06:45,660 II , I haven't seen a formal agreement 171 00:06:45,670 --> 00:06:47,837 announced from either country but it's 172 00:06:47,837 --> 00:06:49,559 something that we're certainly 173 00:06:49,559 --> 00:06:51,781 monitoring and , and would expect and I 174 00:06:51,781 --> 00:06:53,837 think that any country that supports 175 00:06:53,837 --> 00:06:56,059 Russia in its unprovoked war in Ukraine 176 00:06:56,059 --> 00:06:58,226 is of course going to not only prolong 177 00:06:58,226 --> 00:07:00,337 the conflict but is directly engaging 178 00:07:00,337 --> 00:07:02,392 in the killing of innocent Ukrainian 179 00:07:02,392 --> 00:07:04,929 civilians and , and officials and , and 180 00:07:04,940 --> 00:07:07,051 those on the battlefield . So we have 181 00:07:07,051 --> 00:07:09,218 been very public about our warnings to 182 00:07:09,218 --> 00:07:11,809 North Korea . Um providing any type of 183 00:07:11,820 --> 00:07:13,987 arms to Russia would again violate the 184 00:07:13,987 --> 00:07:17,500 Un Security Council resolutions that um 185 00:07:17,510 --> 00:07:21,380 Russia itself voted for . So , um we 186 00:07:21,390 --> 00:07:23,660 would encourage that North Korea , you 187 00:07:23,670 --> 00:07:25,837 know , not pursue a deal with Russia , 188 00:07:25,837 --> 00:07:28,250 but um yes , providing any type of 189 00:07:28,260 --> 00:07:30,371 ammunition would further continue the 190 00:07:30,371 --> 00:07:32,709 war . Yeah , great . Yeah . Hi , Chris , 191 00:07:32,929 --> 00:07:35,950 thanks Sabrina uh to clarify on . Um So 192 00:07:35,959 --> 00:07:37,910 what do you define as a counter 193 00:07:37,940 --> 00:07:40,470 terrorism operation ? Is that a kinetic 194 00:07:40,480 --> 00:07:42,970 operation ? Because presumably some of 195 00:07:42,980 --> 00:07:45,399 the threats you are monitoring with ISR 196 00:07:45,410 --> 00:07:48,470 platforms could be terrorist groups . 197 00:07:48,480 --> 00:07:51,279 So I just want to clarify . So that , 198 00:07:51,290 --> 00:07:53,346 that , that's a great question , but 199 00:07:53,346 --> 00:07:56,089 that does get into just some more in 200 00:07:56,109 --> 00:07:58,809 depth um greater questions on our 201 00:07:58,820 --> 00:08:00,940 operational security and for that and 202 00:08:00,950 --> 00:08:04,049 for the protection of our um members of 203 00:08:04,059 --> 00:08:06,115 the military that are in . All I can 204 00:08:06,115 --> 00:08:08,003 say right now is that we have not 205 00:08:08,003 --> 00:08:10,390 restarted counterterrorism operations . 206 00:08:10,399 --> 00:08:14,140 We are just in um flying ISR in order 207 00:08:14,149 --> 00:08:17,190 to monitor uh for any threats . And of 208 00:08:17,200 --> 00:08:19,529 course , we , as I mentioned last week , 209 00:08:19,540 --> 00:08:21,859 we are moving personnel and equipment 210 00:08:21,869 --> 00:08:24,790 from air base 101 to 201 . And during 211 00:08:24,799 --> 00:08:26,855 that process , of course , we are um 212 00:08:26,855 --> 00:08:28,855 wanting to make sure that our , our 213 00:08:28,855 --> 00:08:31,350 troops and our equipment is safe . Yeah . 214 00:08:31,369 --> 00:08:33,969 Yeah , sure . Thanks . Thank you , 215 00:08:33,979 --> 00:08:37,030 Sabrina . Uh In response you said just 216 00:08:37,039 --> 00:08:39,869 now not doing any counter terrorism 217 00:08:39,880 --> 00:08:42,489 operations . And earlier you said , uh 218 00:08:43,489 --> 00:08:45,859 I said we've not restarted any counter 219 00:08:45,869 --> 00:08:47,925 terrorism operations . Sorry , count 220 00:08:47,925 --> 00:08:50,809 with . That led me to think that there 221 00:08:50,820 --> 00:08:53,042 might be some other , but you're saying 222 00:08:53,042 --> 00:08:54,709 there is no counter terrorism 223 00:08:54,709 --> 00:08:57,390 operations occurring . That's right . I 224 00:08:57,419 --> 00:09:00,059 I win the Thank you . Just a quick 225 00:09:00,070 --> 00:09:02,330 follow in . And then Ukraine question , 226 00:09:02,340 --> 00:09:04,229 can you say when the ISR missions 227 00:09:04,229 --> 00:09:06,340 restarted ? And , and are they flying 228 00:09:06,340 --> 00:09:08,562 as frequently as they did before July ? 229 00:09:08,562 --> 00:09:10,729 26th . And then a second question on a 230 00:09:10,729 --> 00:09:12,896 different , I won't get into timelines 231 00:09:12,896 --> 00:09:15,118 and how frequently they're flying . All 232 00:09:15,118 --> 00:09:17,173 I will say is that they are there um 233 00:09:17,173 --> 00:09:20,239 and commenced to monitor any threats to 234 00:09:20,260 --> 00:09:22,479 our uh troops and , and are just there 235 00:09:22,489 --> 00:09:24,656 for force protection . But in terms of 236 00:09:24,656 --> 00:09:26,600 putting it timeline on it , I just 237 00:09:26,600 --> 00:09:26,085 won't get into that . There is 238 00:09:26,094 --> 00:09:28,316 coordination with the Nigerian military 239 00:09:28,316 --> 00:09:30,316 on . We have sought the appropriate 240 00:09:30,316 --> 00:09:32,205 authorities in order to fly or to 241 00:09:32,205 --> 00:09:34,150 operate these ISR flights . But um 242 00:09:34,150 --> 00:09:36,150 beyond that , I just won't get into 243 00:09:36,150 --> 00:09:38,150 more . And then a quick question in 244 00:09:38,150 --> 00:09:39,927 Ukraine on Monday , I'd ask the 245 00:09:39,927 --> 00:09:41,983 question I think was taken . Has the 246 00:09:41,983 --> 00:09:44,205 language training started at Lackland ? 247 00:09:44,205 --> 00:09:43,520 And I was just wondering if there was 248 00:09:43,530 --> 00:09:45,586 an answer on that yet . The language 249 00:09:45,586 --> 00:09:47,641 training has not started yet . Um We 250 00:09:47,641 --> 00:09:49,640 expect uh language training to 251 00:09:49,650 --> 00:09:51,817 hopefully start later this month , but 252 00:09:51,817 --> 00:09:55,140 I don't have a um a specific date or uh 253 00:09:55,150 --> 00:09:57,317 more specifics when it comes to that . 254 00:09:57,317 --> 00:09:59,594 Yeah , Laura , um just to follow up on . 255 00:10:00,119 --> 00:10:02,489 Um What was the , was there a specific 256 00:10:02,500 --> 00:10:05,049 reason um or trigger that made that 257 00:10:05,059 --> 00:10:07,130 enabled you to start the counter 258 00:10:07,140 --> 00:10:09,809 terrorism uh ISR operations again in ? 259 00:10:10,219 --> 00:10:12,497 I know they've been sort of on and off . 260 00:10:12,500 --> 00:10:14,667 Was there something that happened that 261 00:10:14,667 --> 00:10:16,944 caused you to , to seek this authority ? 262 00:10:16,944 --> 00:10:19,167 So just to clarify , so we're not doing 263 00:10:19,167 --> 00:10:21,333 any counter terrorism . Um Just ISR so 264 00:10:21,333 --> 00:10:23,854 just I won't get into more specifics on 265 00:10:23,864 --> 00:10:25,920 when we started , but it is , we are 266 00:10:25,920 --> 00:10:28,455 flying ISR for force protection 267 00:10:28,465 --> 00:10:31,405 purposes . Um , and that's it . I will 268 00:10:31,414 --> 00:10:33,525 say that , as I mentioned , I believe 269 00:10:33,525 --> 00:10:35,525 it was last , last week that we are 270 00:10:35,525 --> 00:10:37,247 starting to move personnel and 271 00:10:37,247 --> 00:10:39,303 equipment from air base 101 to 201 . 272 00:10:40,145 --> 00:10:43,090 and felt it was appropriate to make 273 00:10:43,099 --> 00:10:45,830 sure that our , our forces are 274 00:10:45,840 --> 00:10:48,007 protected , but that's all I'll say on 275 00:10:48,007 --> 00:10:50,349 that front . Have additional people . 276 00:10:50,359 --> 00:10:54,080 Personnel left . I'm not aware of any 277 00:10:54,090 --> 00:10:57,460 right now um that have uh left since um 278 00:10:57,469 --> 00:10:59,729 we last put out . I think um uh 279 00:10:59,739 --> 00:11:01,799 information on that late last week . 280 00:11:01,809 --> 00:11:03,809 I'm not aware of any more that have 281 00:11:03,809 --> 00:11:05,976 left at this time . Ok , great . Yes , 282 00:11:05,976 --> 00:11:08,770 Tom Sabrina . Uh I , my question , I 283 00:11:08,789 --> 00:11:10,900 think it follows up on the story that 284 00:11:10,900 --> 00:11:13,011 Laura had earlier this week about the 285 00:11:13,011 --> 00:11:15,460 hold that Senator Tuberville has on 300 286 00:11:15,469 --> 00:11:17,590 plus individuals . Uh Laura , you can 287 00:11:17,599 --> 00:11:19,821 correct me if I'm wrong . I , I , she , 288 00:11:19,821 --> 00:11:21,821 I think she said that some of those 289 00:11:21,821 --> 00:11:23,932 individuals are on a 30 day clock , a 290 00:11:23,932 --> 00:11:25,988 30 month clock . Excuse me that once 291 00:11:25,988 --> 00:11:27,988 they're recommended for promotion , 292 00:11:27,988 --> 00:11:30,099 they have to be promoted with in that 293 00:11:30,099 --> 00:11:32,210 period of time or it goes back to the 294 00:11:32,210 --> 00:11:34,377 promotion board at some point . Do you 295 00:11:34,377 --> 00:11:36,377 think the Pentagon could provide us 296 00:11:36,377 --> 00:11:38,488 with a breakdown of how many of those 297 00:11:38,488 --> 00:11:40,710 individuals are among the 300 plus ? Um 298 00:11:40,710 --> 00:11:42,877 I like how many are coming up on their 299 00:11:42,877 --> 00:11:45,030 30 month mark , none of them would be 300 00:11:45,039 --> 00:11:46,928 coming up on 30 because the clock 301 00:11:46,928 --> 00:11:48,872 started in February . And that's a 302 00:11:48,872 --> 00:11:51,039 couple of years . But just , uh , I've 303 00:11:51,039 --> 00:11:51,030 been asked that question a couple of 304 00:11:51,039 --> 00:11:53,206 times to provide a list of how many of 305 00:11:53,206 --> 00:11:55,515 are up for promotion . Plus , uh , 306 00:11:55,525 --> 00:11:58,184 individuals of those x , number of 307 00:11:58,195 --> 00:12:00,924 those fall under that 30 month clock or 308 00:12:00,934 --> 00:12:02,878 did they all fall under that three 309 00:12:02,878 --> 00:12:04,823 month ? Oh , they would . I mean , 310 00:12:04,823 --> 00:12:06,767 everyone that's up for a promotion 311 00:12:06,767 --> 00:12:08,712 would all fall under that 30 month 312 00:12:08,712 --> 00:12:10,934 clock . Sorry , I did not . So it might 313 00:12:10,934 --> 00:12:13,045 be nominated , you know , to be chair 314 00:12:13,045 --> 00:12:15,156 of the Joint Chiefs or something like 315 00:12:15,156 --> 00:12:17,323 that . Yeah , that's right . Yep . I'm 316 00:12:17,323 --> 00:12:19,434 gonna go back to the phones here . Uh 317 00:12:19,434 --> 00:12:22,669 Rio . Hi . Thank you very much for 318 00:12:22,679 --> 00:12:25,650 taking my question . Uh The , the 319 00:12:25,659 --> 00:12:27,770 Japanese and the South Korean Defense 320 00:12:27,770 --> 00:12:31,169 Ministers were depressed this week , a 321 00:12:31,179 --> 00:12:33,010 week after the secretary had a 322 00:12:33,020 --> 00:12:35,750 trilateral call with them . Are there 323 00:12:35,760 --> 00:12:38,650 any concerns within the Pentagon that 324 00:12:38,719 --> 00:12:41,590 those replacement might affect or 325 00:12:41,599 --> 00:12:44,520 delayed , ongoing trilateral defense 326 00:12:44,530 --> 00:12:46,679 cooperation ? And is the secretary 327 00:12:46,690 --> 00:12:49,419 planning to speak with new defense 328 00:12:49,429 --> 00:12:52,880 ministers ? Thank you . Thanks Rio . Um 329 00:12:53,109 --> 00:12:54,998 In terms of a call , I don't have 330 00:12:54,998 --> 00:12:56,998 anything to read out uh today , but 331 00:12:56,998 --> 00:12:59,220 we'll keep you updated um when and if a 332 00:12:59,220 --> 00:13:01,165 call happens . Um I think as I was 333 00:13:01,165 --> 00:13:03,109 explaining to Janie earlier on her 334 00:13:03,109 --> 00:13:05,469 question , um I think you've never seen 335 00:13:05,479 --> 00:13:07,679 a stronger alliance right now between 336 00:13:07,729 --> 00:13:10,219 uh rock and Japan and the United States . 337 00:13:10,340 --> 00:13:13,330 And as you saw at the Camp David Summit , 338 00:13:13,340 --> 00:13:15,929 our leaders charted a very ambitious 339 00:13:15,940 --> 00:13:18,309 course for our mutual defense and for 340 00:13:18,320 --> 00:13:20,789 our security of our people . And so 341 00:13:20,799 --> 00:13:22,966 right now , we're working more closely 342 00:13:22,966 --> 00:13:25,132 than ever um when it comes to the rock 343 00:13:25,132 --> 00:13:27,495 in Japan in support of a common um goal 344 00:13:27,505 --> 00:13:30,245 which is a free and open Indo Pacific . 345 00:13:30,255 --> 00:13:32,366 Um So , yeah , I'll just go ahead and 346 00:13:32,366 --> 00:13:34,477 leave it at that and come back in the 347 00:13:34,477 --> 00:13:36,588 room , Brandy . Thank you , Sabrina . 348 00:13:36,588 --> 00:13:38,422 Um Earlier this morning , NASA'S 349 00:13:38,422 --> 00:13:40,533 independent UAP study panel presented 350 00:13:40,533 --> 00:13:42,533 their final report . Um And in it , 351 00:13:42,533 --> 00:13:44,699 they said that there's still currently 352 00:13:44,699 --> 00:13:46,588 no standardized system for making 353 00:13:46,588 --> 00:13:48,477 civilian UAP reports resulting in 354 00:13:48,477 --> 00:13:50,588 sparse and incomplete data . And that 355 00:13:50,588 --> 00:13:52,366 NASA should play a key role in 356 00:13:52,375 --> 00:13:54,736 assisting Arrow in the development of 357 00:13:54,745 --> 00:13:56,476 this federal system , which is 358 00:13:56,486 --> 00:13:58,319 different than what you recently 359 00:13:58,319 --> 00:14:00,208 announced for pilots and military 360 00:14:00,208 --> 00:14:02,921 specific reporting . Um And that NASA 361 00:14:02,932 --> 00:14:05,442 should support Arrow in this whole of 362 00:14:05,452 --> 00:14:07,341 government framework that they're 363 00:14:07,341 --> 00:14:09,396 creating . And so I was wondering if 364 00:14:09,396 --> 00:14:11,452 you could talk a little bit about if 365 00:14:11,452 --> 00:14:13,619 that's something Os D is supportive of 366 00:14:13,619 --> 00:14:15,882 and just broadly , how are A O and NASA 367 00:14:15,892 --> 00:14:18,114 going to be leaning on each other going 368 00:14:18,114 --> 00:14:20,872 forward ? Um Look , I won't speak to 369 00:14:20,882 --> 00:14:23,492 what nasa's comments I would direct you 370 00:14:23,502 --> 00:14:26,081 back to them . I think we put out a um 371 00:14:26,460 --> 00:14:29,929 as , as you said , uh we put out um a , 372 00:14:29,940 --> 00:14:32,289 a website earlier this year that , um , 373 00:14:32,299 --> 00:14:34,719 allowed folks to access and be able to 374 00:14:34,729 --> 00:14:37,469 report , um , sightings . Um , we 375 00:14:37,479 --> 00:14:40,729 continue to work on , on this issue , 376 00:14:40,739 --> 00:14:42,961 but I don't have any further comment in 377 00:14:42,961 --> 00:14:45,183 terms of what NASA said earlier today . 378 00:14:45,183 --> 00:14:47,072 Can we get a clarification though 379 00:14:47,072 --> 00:14:48,961 between , um , the repository and 380 00:14:48,961 --> 00:14:51,128 system that you guys Arrow has put out 381 00:14:51,128 --> 00:14:53,473 specifically for military pilots and 382 00:14:53,482 --> 00:14:56,473 this required federal system for all 383 00:14:56,482 --> 00:14:58,704 reporting . What's the status ? I would 384 00:14:58,704 --> 00:15:00,704 direct you to the website . There's 385 00:15:00,704 --> 00:15:02,760 more information there and the Arrow 386 00:15:02,760 --> 00:15:04,926 report . So I would direct you there . 387 00:15:04,926 --> 00:15:07,093 And , um , you know , we can obviously 388 00:15:07,093 --> 00:15:07,036 continue the conversation conversation . 389 00:15:07,046 --> 00:15:08,824 But no , I'm not gonna take the 390 00:15:08,824 --> 00:15:10,824 question . Laura , sorry , one more 391 00:15:10,824 --> 00:15:12,824 question . Just earlier today , the 392 00:15:12,824 --> 00:15:14,879 Department of Homeland Security said 393 00:15:14,879 --> 00:15:16,990 that illegal drugs produced in Mexico 394 00:15:16,990 --> 00:15:18,768 like fentaNYL , um , is the top 395 00:15:18,768 --> 00:15:20,990 national security threat to Americans , 396 00:15:20,990 --> 00:15:23,102 uh , here at Dod . Do you see this as 397 00:15:23,102 --> 00:15:25,213 something that's falls into Dod S per 398 00:15:25,213 --> 00:15:27,268 view ? And if so , what is dod doing 399 00:15:27,268 --> 00:15:29,213 about it ? Look , we work with the 400 00:15:29,213 --> 00:15:31,379 Department of , um , we work with DH S 401 00:15:31,379 --> 00:15:33,602 on a range of issues . I would let DH S 402 00:15:33,602 --> 00:15:35,213 speak to the issues that are 403 00:15:35,213 --> 00:15:37,380 confronting , uh , national , our 404 00:15:37,390 --> 00:15:39,557 national security and our interests at 405 00:15:39,557 --> 00:15:41,779 the border . I would , I would defer to 406 00:15:41,779 --> 00:15:43,890 them on that . I think it's certainly 407 00:15:43,890 --> 00:15:45,779 an issue that you've seen growing 408 00:15:45,779 --> 00:15:47,890 within the United States and an issue 409 00:15:47,890 --> 00:15:47,690 that this administration takes 410 00:15:47,700 --> 00:15:49,867 seriously , but it's not really , uh , 411 00:15:49,867 --> 00:15:51,700 for the Department of defense to 412 00:15:51,700 --> 00:15:54,440 comment on unless we are being asked to 413 00:15:54,630 --> 00:15:56,797 weigh in or to assist in any way . But 414 00:15:56,797 --> 00:15:58,963 right now there's been no request , so 415 00:15:58,963 --> 00:16:01,186 I'll just leave it at that . This isn't 416 00:16:01,186 --> 00:16:03,352 something the secretary sees as in his 417 00:16:03,352 --> 00:16:05,574 purview . Well , I think it is under DH 418 00:16:05,574 --> 00:16:07,686 SS right now . I mean , they are uh , 419 00:16:07,686 --> 00:16:11,580 the , the agency responsible for um , 420 00:16:11,590 --> 00:16:13,812 maintaining and , and monitoring what's 421 00:16:13,812 --> 00:16:15,979 happening at , uh , you're referencing 422 00:16:15,979 --> 00:16:17,868 what's coming across and over the 423 00:16:17,868 --> 00:16:19,534 border , but we certainly are 424 00:16:19,534 --> 00:16:21,701 supportive of their efforts . And um I 425 00:16:21,701 --> 00:16:23,868 think this administration has taken um 426 00:16:23,868 --> 00:16:27,400 the issue of drugs and , and um the 427 00:16:27,409 --> 00:16:30,549 usage of uh you know , narcotics and 428 00:16:30,559 --> 00:16:32,859 other materials coming over the border 429 00:16:32,869 --> 00:16:35,091 very seriously . But I would direct you 430 00:16:35,091 --> 00:16:37,202 to DH S for , for more information on 431 00:16:37,202 --> 00:16:39,559 that . Yeah , thanks . 432 00:16:40,770 --> 00:16:42,830 Thanks Sabrina . Um earlier this 433 00:16:42,840 --> 00:16:45,849 morning , um Admiral Lisa Franti at her 434 00:16:45,859 --> 00:16:48,229 confirmation hearing mentioned that um 435 00:16:48,239 --> 00:16:51,679 from her perspective , uh the hold by 436 00:16:51,690 --> 00:16:53,690 Senator Tuber Tuberville would take 437 00:16:53,690 --> 00:16:56,250 years to recover from . Um I'm assuming 438 00:16:56,260 --> 00:16:58,538 that those remarks are made , you know , 439 00:16:58,538 --> 00:17:00,704 her speaking to the Navy . But is that 440 00:17:00,704 --> 00:17:03,820 true ? Dod y is this in this ? Yeah , I 441 00:17:03,830 --> 00:17:05,774 mean , her comments are absolutely 442 00:17:05,774 --> 00:17:08,219 right . Um What you are going to see is , 443 00:17:08,229 --> 00:17:10,439 I mean , as these promotions continue 444 00:17:10,449 --> 00:17:12,671 to get delayed , that pushes back other 445 00:17:12,671 --> 00:17:15,160 promotions um which is going to cause 446 00:17:15,319 --> 00:17:18,199 uh you know , other of our officers , 447 00:17:18,209 --> 00:17:20,320 our senior level officers to consider 448 00:17:20,320 --> 00:17:22,431 whether they should retire and you're 449 00:17:22,431 --> 00:17:24,320 going to really see potentially a 450 00:17:24,320 --> 00:17:26,542 hollowing out of our military . So this 451 00:17:26,542 --> 00:17:28,839 absolutely has um hugely consequential , 452 00:17:28,849 --> 00:17:32,219 consequential impacts um for years to 453 00:17:32,229 --> 00:17:34,118 come . And of course , as she was 454 00:17:34,118 --> 00:17:35,951 speaking on behalf of the Navy , 455 00:17:35,951 --> 00:17:38,109 completely agree with that across all 456 00:17:38,119 --> 00:17:40,739 military services . And so , um I know 457 00:17:40,750 --> 00:17:42,972 General Ryder spoke about this a little 458 00:17:42,972 --> 00:17:45,139 bit more at the podium um earlier this 459 00:17:45,139 --> 00:17:46,972 week , but we've been constantly 460 00:17:46,972 --> 00:17:49,139 engaging with the hill with members on 461 00:17:49,139 --> 00:17:51,139 both sides of the aisle . Um urging 462 00:17:51,139 --> 00:17:53,417 Senator Tuberville to lift these holds . 463 00:17:53,417 --> 00:17:55,528 Um They're incredibly damaging . Um I 464 00:17:55,528 --> 00:17:57,954 think we've laid out in pretty uh great 465 00:17:57,964 --> 00:18:00,131 detail , just the impacts to readiness 466 00:18:00,131 --> 00:18:02,242 and national security and also to our 467 00:18:02,242 --> 00:18:04,575 military families . And so , absolutely , 468 00:18:04,575 --> 00:18:06,694 what the admiral said is , is right , 469 00:18:07,045 --> 00:18:09,505 Liz . Did you have something ? Yes . Um 470 00:18:09,535 --> 00:18:12,145 The there's a report out that the US is 471 00:18:12,155 --> 00:18:14,594 looking to redirect $55 million from 472 00:18:14,604 --> 00:18:17,569 Egypt to Taiwan . Um Is that true ? I 473 00:18:17,579 --> 00:18:19,746 have not seen the report so I , I just 474 00:18:19,746 --> 00:18:21,690 haven't , I haven't heard anything 475 00:18:21,690 --> 00:18:23,912 about that . Um I'd have to take a look 476 00:18:23,912 --> 00:18:26,079 at that and get back to you . Ok . And 477 00:18:26,079 --> 00:18:25,650 then just to follow up on Tuberville . 478 00:18:25,660 --> 00:18:28,089 Um There's a report out um that just 479 00:18:28,099 --> 00:18:30,210 came out a few minutes ago . Um based 480 00:18:30,210 --> 00:18:32,321 on General Flynn's comments yesterday 481 00:18:32,321 --> 00:18:35,750 to reporters um in the Tuberville , uh 482 00:18:35,760 --> 00:18:38,979 Press police is citing Flynn is saying 483 00:18:38,989 --> 00:18:41,156 it's not a huge deal . It's not really 484 00:18:41,156 --> 00:18:43,378 impacting the readiness of his forces . 485 00:18:43,378 --> 00:18:45,660 Your response to that . Look , I would 486 00:18:45,670 --> 00:18:48,380 say that you've heard from many people 487 00:18:48,390 --> 00:18:51,189 in military uniform and our civilian 488 00:18:51,199 --> 00:18:53,729 leadership here on the incredible 489 00:18:53,739 --> 00:18:57,599 impact that this has up and down . Um 490 00:18:57,609 --> 00:18:59,665 The chairman has spoken about this . 491 00:18:59,665 --> 00:19:01,831 You've heard General Brown speak about 492 00:19:01,831 --> 00:19:03,720 this . You've heard um our acting 493 00:19:03,720 --> 00:19:05,887 commandant of the Marine Corps General 494 00:19:05,887 --> 00:19:07,942 Smith speak about this in detail and 495 00:19:07,942 --> 00:19:10,109 just today , Admiral Fran Ketty at her 496 00:19:10,109 --> 00:19:12,331 testimony . Look , I think the military 497 00:19:12,331 --> 00:19:14,579 and I think um what General Flynn is 498 00:19:14,589 --> 00:19:16,770 referring to is that we are taking 499 00:19:16,780 --> 00:19:20,500 incredibly bold steps to mitigate 500 00:19:20,650 --> 00:19:23,869 um what we can from these holds and , 501 00:19:23,880 --> 00:19:26,239 and our nominees being impacted . Uh we 502 00:19:26,250 --> 00:19:28,260 are doing everything we can to um 503 00:19:28,270 --> 00:19:31,079 mitigate risk and to ensure that things 504 00:19:31,089 --> 00:19:34,160 can continue to operate . Um It's not 505 00:19:34,170 --> 00:19:36,640 like our , you know , our commanders of 506 00:19:36,650 --> 00:19:38,872 the 5th and 7th fleet who are up , it's 507 00:19:38,872 --> 00:19:40,983 not like those fleet stop sailing and 508 00:19:40,983 --> 00:19:43,150 operating where they are , of course , 509 00:19:43,150 --> 00:19:45,372 the military is going to keep doing its 510 00:19:45,372 --> 00:19:47,539 job , but you're putting an incredible 511 00:19:47,539 --> 00:19:49,761 amount of strain on our leadership . Um 512 00:19:49,761 --> 00:19:51,872 You have uh the chairman of the joint 513 00:19:51,872 --> 00:19:54,094 chiefs retiring at the end of the , the 514 00:19:54,094 --> 00:19:56,261 month , which means Admiral Grady will 515 00:19:56,261 --> 00:19:58,483 be in an acting chairman role , wearing 516 00:19:58,483 --> 00:20:01,055 a dual hatted role of both the vice and 517 00:20:01,064 --> 00:20:04,515 the chairman . And so um in a time when 518 00:20:04,525 --> 00:20:07,114 you have Russia and China and growing 519 00:20:07,125 --> 00:20:10,114 threats from Iran and North Korea , you 520 00:20:10,125 --> 00:20:12,181 really need your leadership , your , 521 00:20:12,181 --> 00:20:14,181 your senate confirmed leadership in 522 00:20:14,181 --> 00:20:16,125 place . And so while we are taking 523 00:20:16,125 --> 00:20:17,903 steps to do what we can to , to 524 00:20:17,903 --> 00:20:20,454 mitigate um our impacts , it's having 525 00:20:20,464 --> 00:20:23,819 an impact . Yes , thank you , Sabrina . 526 00:20:23,829 --> 00:20:27,380 Um Taiwan's Defense Ministry said that 527 00:20:27,410 --> 00:20:29,910 it had detected 40 Chinese air force 528 00:20:29,920 --> 00:20:32,260 aircraft entering the islands air 529 00:20:32,270 --> 00:20:35,369 defense zone and our warships . How 530 00:20:35,380 --> 00:20:37,979 concerned are you about any potential 531 00:20:37,989 --> 00:20:40,859 conflict could be with China between ? 532 00:20:41,430 --> 00:20:44,290 Well , we certainly are uh continue to 533 00:20:44,300 --> 00:20:46,411 monitor what is happening in the Indo 534 00:20:46,411 --> 00:20:49,819 Pacific . Uh Our goal is not to see uh 535 00:20:49,829 --> 00:20:53,449 conflict arise there and um you know , 536 00:20:53,459 --> 00:20:56,310 we continue to engage for de escalation . 537 00:20:56,530 --> 00:20:59,140 Um but I think we've been very clear 538 00:20:59,150 --> 00:21:01,372 that we don't , we certainly don't seek 539 00:21:01,372 --> 00:21:03,539 conflict with the PR C . We don't want 540 00:21:03,539 --> 00:21:06,300 the PR C to engage or see conflict in 541 00:21:06,310 --> 00:21:08,366 the region and I'll just leave it at 542 00:21:08,366 --> 00:21:10,421 that . Did I see ? Sure , right over 543 00:21:10,421 --> 00:21:12,359 here , thanks , Japanese outlet 544 00:21:12,369 --> 00:21:14,480 reported today that the US is looking 545 00:21:14,480 --> 00:21:16,702 to establish a US Space Force , Japan , 546 00:21:16,702 --> 00:21:18,869 which will among many things help with 547 00:21:18,869 --> 00:21:20,980 information sharing of D PR K missile 548 00:21:20,980 --> 00:21:23,036 launches . Is there anything to that 549 00:21:23,036 --> 00:21:25,147 reporting ? I don't have anything for 550 00:21:25,147 --> 00:21:24,890 you right now . I would direct you to 551 00:21:24,900 --> 00:21:26,622 the Space Force for , for more 552 00:21:26,622 --> 00:21:29,069 information . Yeah . Um Thank you . So 553 00:21:29,079 --> 00:21:31,900 tomorrow's National Powmi A recognition 554 00:21:31,910 --> 00:21:34,150 day is the Pentagon confident , given 555 00:21:34,160 --> 00:21:36,271 communication issues with North Korea 556 00:21:36,271 --> 00:21:38,382 over repatriation of remains and also 557 00:21:38,382 --> 00:21:40,493 other things that have been happening 558 00:21:40,493 --> 00:21:42,549 with the country that it can restart 559 00:21:42,549 --> 00:21:44,660 its recovery operations soon in North 560 00:21:44,660 --> 00:21:44,550 Korea . And is there anything else 561 00:21:44,560 --> 00:21:46,616 you'd like to share to families that 562 00:21:46,616 --> 00:21:48,616 are still waiting to recover , lost 563 00:21:48,616 --> 00:21:50,616 loved ones ? Well , in terms of the 564 00:21:50,616 --> 00:21:52,838 families , I mean , certainly our , you 565 00:21:52,838 --> 00:21:54,949 know , our deepest thoughts go out to 566 00:21:54,949 --> 00:21:57,116 them and it's obviously a very painful 567 00:21:57,116 --> 00:21:59,338 process to wait and to continue to keep 568 00:21:59,338 --> 00:22:02,359 waiting . Um , you know , we continue 569 00:22:02,369 --> 00:22:04,800 to do what we can . I would direct you 570 00:22:04,810 --> 00:22:07,579 to the uh POW agency just for more 571 00:22:07,589 --> 00:22:09,849 information . But um I don't have 572 00:22:09,859 --> 00:22:12,026 anything , any more details to provide 573 00:22:12,026 --> 00:22:14,199 it at this time . I'll take one last 574 00:22:14,209 --> 00:22:16,431 question . Yeah , I'm sorry , you had a 575 00:22:16,431 --> 00:22:18,598 question too . I'll come back to you . 576 00:22:18,598 --> 00:22:20,709 Um So this is just a quick clarifying 577 00:22:20,709 --> 00:22:22,876 one . This was in news week last month 578 00:22:22,876 --> 00:22:25,042 and it , it reported that there's a US 579 00:22:25,042 --> 00:22:27,265 citizen who this transgender woman is , 580 00:22:27,265 --> 00:22:29,265 is an allegedly a spokesperson , an 581 00:22:29,265 --> 00:22:28,839 official spokesperson , person of the 582 00:22:28,849 --> 00:22:31,071 armed forces of Ukraine . I just wanted 583 00:22:31,079 --> 00:22:33,135 to see if the dod could confirm that 584 00:22:33,135 --> 00:22:35,190 because I haven't been able to other 585 00:22:35,190 --> 00:22:38,400 than that Newsweek article , I'm not 586 00:22:38,410 --> 00:22:40,577 sure , but I'm not sure what someone's 587 00:22:40,577 --> 00:22:42,243 gender has to do with being a 588 00:22:42,243 --> 00:22:44,466 spokesperson to identify her . Her name 589 00:22:44,466 --> 00:22:47,869 is Sarah Ashton Cillo . I direct you to 590 00:22:47,880 --> 00:22:50,102 the Ukrainians for that . But again , I 591 00:22:50,102 --> 00:22:52,269 don't understand what someone's gender 592 00:22:52,269 --> 00:22:54,380 or who , how they identify surprising 593 00:22:54,380 --> 00:22:57,410 to see an American be . I didn't know 594 00:22:57,420 --> 00:22:59,142 if it was true or not . So can 595 00:23:03,750 --> 00:23:06,979 confirm that . Um It's looking best 596 00:23:06,989 --> 00:23:09,211 case scenario , continuing resolution , 597 00:23:09,630 --> 00:23:12,000 potential of shutdown increasing . Can 598 00:23:12,010 --> 00:23:14,232 you discuss any steps the department is 599 00:23:14,232 --> 00:23:16,399 taking to kind of gird for a potential 600 00:23:16,399 --> 00:23:20,319 shutdown ? Um In , in terms of the 601 00:23:20,329 --> 00:23:23,079 shutdown , I mean , right now , as far 602 00:23:23,089 --> 00:23:25,145 as we can tell and our conversations 603 00:23:25,145 --> 00:23:28,819 with ale conversations continue to be 604 00:23:28,829 --> 00:23:30,829 ongoing . So we're not gonna insert 605 00:23:30,829 --> 00:23:32,996 ourselves into those conversations . I 606 00:23:32,996 --> 00:23:35,209 think um everyone including on both 607 00:23:35,219 --> 00:23:37,219 sides of the aisle wants to avoid a 608 00:23:37,219 --> 00:23:39,441 shutdown as much as possible . So do we 609 00:23:39,449 --> 00:23:42,229 um that said if there is a shutdown , 610 00:23:42,239 --> 00:23:45,329 um we will take the proper um uh 611 00:23:45,349 --> 00:23:47,829 measures in order to ensure that , you 612 00:23:47,839 --> 00:23:49,950 know , we can keep operating , we can 613 00:23:49,950 --> 00:23:52,117 still ensure our readiness um that our 614 00:23:52,117 --> 00:23:54,228 national security interests are still 615 00:23:54,228 --> 00:23:56,900 protected and um intact , but I don't 616 00:23:56,910 --> 00:23:59,132 wanna get ahead of anything that hasn't 617 00:23:59,132 --> 00:24:01,077 happened yet . Um And so I'll just 618 00:24:01,077 --> 00:24:03,299 leave it at that and let Congress , you 619 00:24:03,299 --> 00:24:05,410 know , continue to work through the , 620 00:24:05,410 --> 00:24:07,243 the process when it comes to any 621 00:24:07,243 --> 00:24:09,466 potential shutdown . Great . One more . 622 00:24:09,466 --> 00:24:11,521 Ok . One more follow up on that . Um 623 00:24:11,521 --> 00:24:13,770 How do these cr affect readiness ? So , 624 00:24:13,780 --> 00:24:16,040 the CRS are just short term , 625 00:24:16,050 --> 00:24:18,161 essentially band aid solutions . They 626 00:24:18,161 --> 00:24:20,494 don't allow us to start up new programs . 627 00:24:20,494 --> 00:24:22,661 Um They keep funding levels the same . 628 00:24:22,661 --> 00:24:25,760 So , um it's never a good thing to 629 00:24:25,770 --> 00:24:29,290 continue operating under AC R . Uh We 630 00:24:29,300 --> 00:24:31,411 hope that's not the case . We've done 631 00:24:31,411 --> 00:24:33,522 it before . Um It's certainly not the 632 00:24:33,522 --> 00:24:35,744 path that we would choose . But again , 633 00:24:35,744 --> 00:24:38,729 this is a , um , something that needs 634 00:24:38,739 --> 00:24:40,517 to work , be worked out through 635 00:24:40,517 --> 00:24:42,572 legislation . This is something that 636 00:24:42,572 --> 00:24:44,850 has to be worked out in Congress . And , 637 00:24:44,850 --> 00:24:44,339 you know , I don't want to get ahead of 638 00:24:44,349 --> 00:24:46,238 anything that hasn't happened and 639 00:24:46,238 --> 00:24:50,209 hopefully we can avert a uh a AC R 640 00:24:50,219 --> 00:24:52,650 or a potential shutdown . Ok . Great . 641 00:24:52,660 --> 00:24:53,839 I'll leave it that . Thank you all .