1 00:00:03,700 --> 00:00:05,700 All right . Well , good afternoon , 2 00:00:05,700 --> 00:00:07,700 everyone . I've got a few things to 3 00:00:07,700 --> 00:00:09,867 pass along and we'll get right to your 4 00:00:09,867 --> 00:00:12,033 questions . As most of you are aware , 5 00:00:12,033 --> 00:00:14,033 Secretary Austin welcomed Ukrainian 6 00:00:14,033 --> 00:00:15,978 President Zelinsky to the Pentagon 7 00:00:15,978 --> 00:00:18,144 earlier today and reaffirmed the stead 8 00:00:18,144 --> 00:00:20,311 steadfast support of the United States 9 00:00:20,311 --> 00:00:22,644 for Ukraine and their fight for freedom . 10 00:00:22,644 --> 00:00:24,867 During their meeting , Secretary Austin 11 00:00:24,867 --> 00:00:26,756 provided an update on us security 12 00:00:26,756 --> 00:00:28,644 assistance to meet Ukraine's most 13 00:00:28,644 --> 00:00:30,756 urgent battlefield needs and reviewed 14 00:00:30,756 --> 00:00:32,978 the outcomes of the 15th meeting of the 15 00:00:32,978 --> 00:00:35,200 Ukraine Defense contact Group which was 16 00:00:35,200 --> 00:00:37,256 con conducted at Ramstein Air Base , 17 00:00:37,256 --> 00:00:39,422 Germany earlier this week afterwards , 18 00:00:39,422 --> 00:00:41,533 President Zalenski , Secretary Austin 19 00:00:41,533 --> 00:00:43,533 and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of 20 00:00:43,533 --> 00:00:45,700 Staff , General Milley participated in 21 00:00:45,700 --> 00:00:44,919 a wreath laying ceremony at the 22 00:00:44,930 --> 00:00:48,049 Pentagon's 9 11 memorial . A read out 23 00:00:48,060 --> 00:00:50,282 of today's meeting will be available on 24 00:00:50,282 --> 00:00:52,889 our website later today . In other news 25 00:00:52,900 --> 00:00:54,789 earlier today , the United States 26 00:00:54,789 --> 00:00:56,900 delivered more than 13 metric tons of 27 00:00:56,900 --> 00:00:58,789 critical life saving humanitarian 28 00:00:58,789 --> 00:01:01,580 supplies to north eastern Libya . The 29 00:01:01,590 --> 00:01:03,840 US Air Forces 86th Airlift Wing 30 00:01:03,849 --> 00:01:06,209 conducted the C 1 30 airlift mission in 31 00:01:06,220 --> 00:01:07,889 support of the US Agency for 32 00:01:07,900 --> 00:01:10,122 International Development's response to 33 00:01:10,122 --> 00:01:12,400 the devastating floods in that country . 34 00:01:12,870 --> 00:01:15,019 Of note US Africa , Commander General 35 00:01:15,029 --> 00:01:17,500 Michael Langley and US special envoy , 36 00:01:17,510 --> 00:01:19,660 Ambassador Richard Norland were on 37 00:01:19,669 --> 00:01:21,725 board the C 1 30 flight to accompany 38 00:01:21,725 --> 00:01:24,370 the aid into Benghazi . To date the US 39 00:01:24,379 --> 00:01:26,699 has provided $12 million in response to 40 00:01:26,709 --> 00:01:28,765 this humanitarian disaster . And the 41 00:01:28,765 --> 00:01:30,931 supplies were immediately consigned to 42 00:01:30,931 --> 00:01:32,876 the International Organization for 43 00:01:32,876 --> 00:01:35,098 Migration and other relief agencies and 44 00:01:35,098 --> 00:01:37,153 distribution to people displaced and 45 00:01:37,153 --> 00:01:39,320 affected by the floods . I would refer 46 00:01:39,320 --> 00:01:41,265 you to us Africo press release for 47 00:01:41,265 --> 00:01:43,265 further details . Separately , as a 48 00:01:43,265 --> 00:01:45,431 quick recap , the department announced 49 00:01:45,431 --> 00:01:47,320 yesterday , a proactive effort to 50 00:01:47,320 --> 00:01:49,320 review military records of veterans 51 00:01:49,320 --> 00:01:51,376 whose service records indicate their 52 00:01:51,376 --> 00:01:53,265 administrative separation was the 53 00:01:53,265 --> 00:01:55,431 result of their sexual orientation and 54 00:01:55,431 --> 00:01:57,376 who received a less than honorable 55 00:01:57,376 --> 00:01:59,500 conditions discharge . This new 56 00:01:59,510 --> 00:02:01,677 initiative will significantly simplify 57 00:02:01,677 --> 00:02:03,677 the process for . Don't ask , don't 58 00:02:03,677 --> 00:02:05,732 tell era veterans and demonstrates . 59 00:02:05,732 --> 00:02:08,039 Secretary Austin's continued focus on 60 00:02:08,050 --> 00:02:10,217 taking care of our people . One of his 61 00:02:10,217 --> 00:02:12,439 key priorities since becoming Secretary 62 00:02:12,439 --> 00:02:14,550 of Defense , you can learn more about 63 00:02:14,550 --> 00:02:16,494 this at the don't ask , don't tell 64 00:02:16,494 --> 00:02:18,550 resource page located on defense dot 65 00:02:18,550 --> 00:02:21,250 gov . Also yesterday , Deputy Secretary 66 00:02:21,259 --> 00:02:23,481 of Defense Kathleen Hicks announced the 67 00:02:23,481 --> 00:02:26,570 award of $238 million in creating 68 00:02:26,580 --> 00:02:28,247 helpful incentives to produce 69 00:02:28,247 --> 00:02:31,190 semiconductors and Science Act funding 70 00:02:31,199 --> 00:02:33,255 for the establishment of eight Micro 71 00:02:33,255 --> 00:02:35,477 Electronics Commons regional innovation 72 00:02:35,477 --> 00:02:37,477 hubs . This is the largest award to 73 00:02:37,479 --> 00:02:39,646 date under President Biden's Chips and 74 00:02:39,646 --> 00:02:41,949 Science Act . The Micro Electronics 75 00:02:41,960 --> 00:02:44,182 Commons program has been spearheaded by 76 00:02:44,182 --> 00:02:46,182 the Office of the Undersecretary of 77 00:02:46,182 --> 00:02:48,404 Defense for Research and engineering in 78 00:02:48,404 --> 00:02:50,349 conjunction with the Naval Surface 79 00:02:50,349 --> 00:02:52,460 Warfare Center crane division and the 80 00:02:52,460 --> 00:02:54,071 National Security Technology 81 00:02:54,071 --> 00:02:56,182 Accelerator . More information on the 82 00:02:56,182 --> 00:02:57,849 program can be found at micro 83 00:02:57,849 --> 00:03:01,169 electronics Commons dot org . Looking 84 00:03:01,179 --> 00:03:03,235 to next week , Secretary Austin will 85 00:03:03,235 --> 00:03:05,012 travel to Africa beginning this 86 00:03:05,012 --> 00:03:07,068 Saturday , September 23rd for a week 87 00:03:07,068 --> 00:03:09,012 long trip to underscore the United 88 00:03:09,012 --> 00:03:10,957 states' commitment to building and 89 00:03:10,957 --> 00:03:13,123 reinforcing security partnerships with 90 00:03:13,123 --> 00:03:15,290 African nations and to promote African 91 00:03:15,290 --> 00:03:17,850 led initiatives and regional regional 92 00:03:17,860 --> 00:03:20,210 solutions to security issues . The 93 00:03:20,220 --> 00:03:22,387 countries he'll visit include Djibouti 94 00:03:22,387 --> 00:03:25,059 Kenya and Angola . We posted a travel 95 00:03:25,070 --> 00:03:26,903 advisory to the dod website with 96 00:03:26,903 --> 00:03:29,126 additional details regarding the trip . 97 00:03:29,300 --> 00:03:31,356 And finally , on behalf of Secretary 98 00:03:31,356 --> 00:03:33,467 Austin , the department congratulates 99 00:03:33,467 --> 00:03:35,467 us Army General Randy George on his 100 00:03:35,467 --> 00:03:37,689 confirmation today by the Senate as the 101 00:03:37,689 --> 00:03:39,911 Army Chief of Staff . As you know , the 102 00:03:39,911 --> 00:03:42,078 secretary also issued a statement last 103 00:03:42,078 --> 00:03:44,300 night congratulating Air Force Chief of 104 00:03:44,300 --> 00:03:46,356 Staff General CQ Brown Junior on his 105 00:03:46,356 --> 00:03:48,467 confirmation by the Senate last night 106 00:03:48,467 --> 00:03:48,279 to be the next chairman of the Joint 107 00:03:48,289 --> 00:03:51,179 Chiefs of Staff Secretary , Austin also 108 00:03:51,190 --> 00:03:53,468 expressed his thanks to General Milley , 109 00:03:53,468 --> 00:03:55,412 his wife Holly Anne and the entire 110 00:03:55,412 --> 00:03:57,634 Milly family for their selfless decades 111 00:03:57,634 --> 00:03:59,246 long service to our nation . 112 00:03:59,490 --> 00:04:01,323 Importantly , while this is very 113 00:04:01,323 --> 00:04:03,740 positive news , Secretary Austin also 114 00:04:03,750 --> 00:04:05,917 emphasized that we have over 300 other 115 00:04:05,917 --> 00:04:08,139 military nominees awaiting confirmation 116 00:04:08,250 --> 00:04:10,100 and reaffirmed his commitment to 117 00:04:10,110 --> 00:04:12,332 staying personally engaged with members 118 00:04:12,332 --> 00:04:14,499 of Congress and both parties until all 119 00:04:14,499 --> 00:04:16,832 general and flag officers are confirmed . 120 00:04:16,832 --> 00:04:18,943 And with that , I'll be happy to take 121 00:04:18,943 --> 00:04:21,166 your questions . We'll go to Associated 122 00:04:21,166 --> 00:04:23,277 Press Tara . Thank you , General . Um 123 00:04:23,277 --> 00:04:25,499 Can you talk to us about the purpose of 124 00:04:25,499 --> 00:04:27,610 President Zelinsky visit today ? What 125 00:04:27,619 --> 00:04:30,799 was he and Secretary Austin trying to 126 00:04:30,809 --> 00:04:32,940 accomplish in this meeting ? And also 127 00:04:34,130 --> 00:04:36,352 the Polish Prime Minister has announced 128 00:04:36,352 --> 00:04:38,019 that Poland will no longer be 129 00:04:38,019 --> 00:04:40,130 transferring weapons to Ukraine . How 130 00:04:40,130 --> 00:04:42,352 does this affect ? How does this create 131 00:04:42,352 --> 00:04:44,574 additional pressure on us stockpiles or 132 00:04:44,574 --> 00:04:46,574 European stockpiles to keep weapons 133 00:04:46,574 --> 00:04:49,320 flowing there ? So in terms of the 134 00:04:49,329 --> 00:04:51,551 conversation , and again , we'll have a 135 00:04:51,551 --> 00:04:53,920 read out later today uh as , as I 136 00:04:53,929 --> 00:04:56,151 highlighted in our top or it was really 137 00:04:56,151 --> 00:04:58,151 an opportunity for the secretary to 138 00:04:58,151 --> 00:05:00,096 provide President Zelinsky with an 139 00:05:00,096 --> 00:05:02,262 update on the security assistance that 140 00:05:02,262 --> 00:05:04,207 we're providing to Ukraine . Uh He 141 00:05:04,207 --> 00:05:06,429 reaffirmed that we're going to continue 142 00:05:06,429 --> 00:05:08,596 to work very hard with Ukraine and our 143 00:05:08,596 --> 00:05:10,651 international allies and partners to 144 00:05:10,651 --> 00:05:12,762 ensure they have what they need to be 145 00:05:12,762 --> 00:05:12,720 successful on the battlefield . Uh 146 00:05:12,730 --> 00:05:14,869 Highlighting his personal commitment 147 00:05:14,880 --> 00:05:16,713 and involvement and working with 148 00:05:16,713 --> 00:05:18,824 international leaders on that front . 149 00:05:18,824 --> 00:05:20,491 Uh And then there was also an 150 00:05:20,491 --> 00:05:22,713 opportunity to discuss Ukraine's longer 151 00:05:22,713 --> 00:05:25,269 term uh capability requirements and how 152 00:05:25,279 --> 00:05:27,489 to support them uh in the future in 153 00:05:27,500 --> 00:05:29,959 terms of deterring Russian aggression . 154 00:05:31,269 --> 00:05:33,420 And then on Poland uh on Poland , um 155 00:05:33,429 --> 00:05:36,320 you know , obviously , um I'll refer 156 00:05:36,329 --> 00:05:38,496 you to Poland to speak about their own 157 00:05:38,496 --> 00:05:41,000 internal decisions . Uh You know , 158 00:05:41,010 --> 00:05:43,329 we've always said that that it's a 159 00:05:43,339 --> 00:05:45,450 sovereign decision for any country to 160 00:05:45,450 --> 00:05:47,339 decide what level of support that 161 00:05:47,339 --> 00:05:49,061 they're gonna provide , I will 162 00:05:49,061 --> 00:05:51,228 highlight however , uh that Poland has 163 00:05:51,228 --> 00:05:53,339 been uh one of the leading countries 164 00:05:53,350 --> 00:05:55,350 when it comes to providing security 165 00:05:55,350 --> 00:05:58,089 assistance to Ukraine and not only 166 00:05:58,100 --> 00:06:00,540 security assistance , but also in terms 167 00:06:00,549 --> 00:06:02,839 of providing significant humanitarian 168 00:06:02,850 --> 00:06:05,149 aid and support for more than a million 169 00:06:05,160 --> 00:06:08,269 displaced Ukrainians who have gone to 170 00:06:08,279 --> 00:06:10,501 Poland as a result of Russia's invasion 171 00:06:10,690 --> 00:06:13,339 of Eastern Flank nations who were very 172 00:06:13,350 --> 00:06:15,406 early providers of weapons were very 173 00:06:15,406 --> 00:06:17,461 vocal out front even a year ago that 174 00:06:17,579 --> 00:06:19,690 the pressures on their own stockpiles 175 00:06:19,690 --> 00:06:22,359 were immense . Are you concerned that 176 00:06:22,369 --> 00:06:24,480 ultimately it's going to be up to the 177 00:06:24,480 --> 00:06:26,536 US to keep providing the weapons for 178 00:06:26,536 --> 00:06:28,536 this war ? Yeah , I would , I would 179 00:06:28,536 --> 00:06:30,425 point back to the Ukraine defense 180 00:06:30,425 --> 00:06:33,820 contact group as uh a prime example of 181 00:06:33,829 --> 00:06:36,880 the fact that unity and resolve is 182 00:06:36,890 --> 00:06:38,589 still very strong within the 183 00:06:38,600 --> 00:06:40,711 international community . We had more 184 00:06:40,711 --> 00:06:43,070 than 50 nations participate uh in that 185 00:06:43,079 --> 00:06:45,829 contact group , the 15th contact group 186 00:06:45,839 --> 00:06:48,750 as I highlighted . Uh And so we still 187 00:06:48,760 --> 00:06:51,040 see very strong international support 188 00:06:51,049 --> 00:06:53,190 across the board when it comes to 189 00:06:53,200 --> 00:06:55,367 ensuring Ukraine has what they need to 190 00:06:55,367 --> 00:06:57,679 defend themselves . Thank you . Um 191 00:06:57,690 --> 00:06:59,690 Questions on two different topics . 192 00:06:59,690 --> 00:07:02,440 First . Why has the US not decided to 193 00:07:02,450 --> 00:07:04,809 send attacks to Ukraine and why not 194 00:07:04,820 --> 00:07:07,089 send them ? Now ? Look , I don't have 195 00:07:07,100 --> 00:07:09,267 anything to announce . I will say that 196 00:07:09,267 --> 00:07:11,549 that later today . Um The dod will 197 00:07:11,559 --> 00:07:13,448 announce an additional tranche of 198 00:07:13,448 --> 00:07:16,059 security assistance uh to meet 199 00:07:16,070 --> 00:07:18,292 Ukraine's critical security and defense 200 00:07:18,292 --> 00:07:20,514 needs on the battlefield , not going to 201 00:07:20,514 --> 00:07:22,514 get ahead of that announcement . Um 202 00:07:22,514 --> 00:07:24,459 What you can expect the package to 203 00:07:24,459 --> 00:07:26,514 include will be more air defense and 204 00:07:26,514 --> 00:07:28,626 artillery capabilities to support the 205 00:07:28,626 --> 00:07:30,848 Ukrainian armed forces . Um , but as it 206 00:07:30,848 --> 00:07:32,959 pertains to attack him , I just don't 207 00:07:32,959 --> 00:07:35,126 have anything to announce second topic 208 00:07:35,126 --> 00:07:37,690 on the , um , the past , the 209 00:07:37,700 --> 00:07:40,109 confirmation of General Brown . Um , 210 00:07:40,119 --> 00:07:42,559 and General George are these one by one 211 00:07:42,570 --> 00:07:44,848 confirmations , something to celebrate . 212 00:07:45,299 --> 00:07:47,619 Um , Well , I , I think Secretary 213 00:07:47,630 --> 00:07:49,790 Austin's statement was very clear and 214 00:07:49,799 --> 00:07:52,029 that uh it's positive news and , and we 215 00:07:52,040 --> 00:07:54,079 welcome the confirmation of General 216 00:07:54,089 --> 00:07:57,109 Brown and now General George . Um but 217 00:07:57,119 --> 00:08:00,000 the statement was also uh clear and 218 00:08:00,010 --> 00:08:02,470 that these holds present a national 219 00:08:02,480 --> 00:08:05,459 security and military readiness risk . 220 00:08:05,750 --> 00:08:07,869 Uh And so , if you will allow me to 221 00:08:07,880 --> 00:08:10,500 extend my football analogy that I used 222 00:08:10,510 --> 00:08:12,950 recently , uh with the , with the 223 00:08:12,959 --> 00:08:15,019 confirmation of the chairman of the 224 00:08:15,029 --> 00:08:17,209 Joint chiefs of staff , we have a 225 00:08:17,220 --> 00:08:20,190 quarterback solo on the field on the 226 00:08:20,200 --> 00:08:23,079 line of scrimmage uh facing players of 227 00:08:23,089 --> 00:08:25,720 the opposing team and we owe it to our 228 00:08:25,730 --> 00:08:29,070 team to and to the coach to put 229 00:08:29,440 --> 00:08:31,551 all of our other players on the field 230 00:08:31,551 --> 00:08:33,662 and enable them to win the game . And 231 00:08:33,662 --> 00:08:35,662 so as I highlighted , the secretary 232 00:08:35,662 --> 00:08:37,551 remains committed to working with 233 00:08:37,551 --> 00:08:39,718 members of Congress to do exactly that 234 00:08:39,718 --> 00:08:41,773 and how will it be determined who is 235 00:08:41,773 --> 00:08:43,829 voted on one by one and who is still 236 00:08:43,829 --> 00:08:45,996 held up ? Uh , again , that's really a 237 00:08:45,996 --> 00:08:48,162 question for for Congress to address . 238 00:08:48,162 --> 00:08:50,799 Thank you . A follow up question on 239 00:08:50,809 --> 00:08:52,698 Senator Tuberville as part of the 240 00:08:52,698 --> 00:08:54,531 statement we got last night from 241 00:08:54,531 --> 00:08:54,369 Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin . He 242 00:08:54,380 --> 00:08:56,602 said he'd continue to personally engage 243 00:08:56,602 --> 00:08:58,436 with members of Congress in both 244 00:08:58,436 --> 00:09:00,658 parties since the confirmation vote for 245 00:09:00,658 --> 00:09:02,436 General Brown . Has he had more 246 00:09:02,436 --> 00:09:04,713 conversations with members of Congress ? 247 00:09:04,713 --> 00:09:04,159 And is there another conversation 248 00:09:04,169 --> 00:09:06,349 planned with Senator Tuberville ? Now 249 00:09:06,359 --> 00:09:08,919 that we've seen two or three soon 250 00:09:10,090 --> 00:09:12,770 votes advanced ? Thanks or ? Well , as 251 00:09:12,780 --> 00:09:15,119 you know , the , the confirmation came 252 00:09:15,130 --> 00:09:17,299 late last night , the secretary was on 253 00:09:17,309 --> 00:09:20,090 the hill yesterday , uh , in a closed 254 00:09:20,099 --> 00:09:22,400 session , uh , with the full Senate . 255 00:09:22,619 --> 00:09:25,059 Um , so he will continue to stay 256 00:09:25,070 --> 00:09:27,403 engaged with , with members of Congress . 257 00:09:27,409 --> 00:09:30,950 Uh , as for again , as for what's next , 258 00:09:30,960 --> 00:09:33,460 uh , for the Senate , in terms of any 259 00:09:33,469 --> 00:09:35,247 potential votes , that's really 260 00:09:35,247 --> 00:09:37,413 something I'd have to refer you to the 261 00:09:37,413 --> 00:09:39,636 Senate on you see a window opening here 262 00:09:39,636 --> 00:09:42,190 to advance 300 plus other nominees from 263 00:09:42,200 --> 00:09:44,533 a department of Defense standpoint . Uh , 264 00:09:44,533 --> 00:09:46,533 we've been very clear that we would 265 00:09:46,533 --> 00:09:48,700 like the holds to be lifted so that we 266 00:09:48,700 --> 00:09:50,589 can ensure that we have the right 267 00:09:50,589 --> 00:09:52,700 officers , uh , and the right jobs at 268 00:09:52,700 --> 00:09:54,811 the right time . But again , in terms 269 00:09:54,811 --> 00:09:56,978 of any type of , uh , senate actions , 270 00:09:56,978 --> 00:09:58,978 it would be inappropriate for me to 271 00:09:58,978 --> 00:10:01,089 tell Congress , uh , how to do it and 272 00:10:01,089 --> 00:10:03,409 when to do it . Thank you . Laura think 273 00:10:03,590 --> 00:10:05,909 that , um , just on Ukraine , can you 274 00:10:05,919 --> 00:10:08,299 tell us when you expect the Abrams 275 00:10:08,309 --> 00:10:10,630 tanks to arrive on the battlefield and 276 00:10:10,640 --> 00:10:12,862 then separately . Um Can you give us an 277 00:10:12,862 --> 00:10:14,862 update on when the F-16 training is 278 00:10:14,862 --> 00:10:16,809 going to begin ? Sure . So , uh in 279 00:10:16,820 --> 00:10:18,542 terms of the Abrams tanks , um 280 00:10:18,542 --> 00:10:21,080 everything is , is on schedule for 281 00:10:21,090 --> 00:10:23,146 operation security reasons . I'm not 282 00:10:23,146 --> 00:10:25,257 going to be able to go into specifics 283 00:10:25,257 --> 00:10:27,312 in terms of when exactly those tanks 284 00:10:27,312 --> 00:10:29,534 will arrive . Uh Other than to say , we 285 00:10:29,534 --> 00:10:31,757 expect them to arrive in Ukraine in the 286 00:10:31,757 --> 00:10:33,979 coming days and weeks . And then on the 287 00:10:33,979 --> 00:10:37,659 F-16 on F-16 training , um uh to my 288 00:10:37,669 --> 00:10:40,059 knowledge uh that training in Denmark 289 00:10:40,159 --> 00:10:42,210 has already begun . Uh But as it 290 00:10:42,219 --> 00:10:44,219 relates to the training here in the 291 00:10:44,219 --> 00:10:46,010 United States , we do expect uh 292 00:10:46,020 --> 00:10:48,640 Ukrainian pilots and maintainers to uh 293 00:10:48,650 --> 00:10:51,049 arrive in the United States soon to 294 00:10:51,059 --> 00:10:53,460 conduct uh the initial English language 295 00:10:53,469 --> 00:10:55,320 training . Uh and then the pilot 296 00:10:55,330 --> 00:10:58,119 training to start in the , in the weeks 297 00:10:58,130 --> 00:11:00,297 after that . So again , we'll continue 298 00:11:00,297 --> 00:11:02,519 to keep you updated as we have relevant 299 00:11:02,519 --> 00:11:04,686 updates to provide . Can you tell us , 300 00:11:04,686 --> 00:11:06,797 tell us how the potential shutdown is 301 00:11:06,797 --> 00:11:09,019 going to impact that training ? Is that 302 00:11:09,019 --> 00:11:11,186 something that um you know , typically 303 00:11:11,186 --> 00:11:13,186 training would not continue under a 304 00:11:13,186 --> 00:11:15,186 shutdown ? Is that something that's 305 00:11:15,186 --> 00:11:14,950 important enough that the defense 306 00:11:14,960 --> 00:11:17,609 secretary would create an exemption for 307 00:11:17,619 --> 00:11:20,679 it ? So as I understand it , um for 308 00:11:20,690 --> 00:11:24,520 F-16 training , um work or delivery of 309 00:11:24,530 --> 00:11:27,840 any um equipment uh 310 00:11:27,869 --> 00:11:30,619 funded on previous USA I notifications 311 00:11:30,630 --> 00:11:32,940 such as F-16 pilot training that would 312 00:11:32,950 --> 00:11:36,409 continue um execution could be 313 00:11:36,419 --> 00:11:39,440 impacted by furloughs , uh and dod s 314 00:11:39,450 --> 00:11:42,039 suspension of non accepted activities . 315 00:11:42,049 --> 00:11:44,309 So in other words , the training would 316 00:11:44,320 --> 00:11:47,380 happen , but depending on , on uh 317 00:11:47,390 --> 00:11:49,279 whether or not there were certain 318 00:11:49,279 --> 00:11:51,446 personnel that were not able to report 319 00:11:51,446 --> 00:11:53,390 for duty , for example , that that 320 00:11:53,390 --> 00:11:55,668 could have an impact on it . But again , 321 00:11:55,668 --> 00:11:57,834 we'll keep you updated . The secretary 322 00:11:57,834 --> 00:11:59,946 make an ex exception for some of that 323 00:11:59,946 --> 00:12:02,001 training and some of those furloughs 324 00:12:02,001 --> 00:12:04,168 for that specific mission . So at this 325 00:12:04,168 --> 00:12:03,599 stage , I don't , I don't want to get 326 00:12:03,609 --> 00:12:06,169 into the hypotheticals . Um So we'll 327 00:12:06,179 --> 00:12:09,090 keep you posted . Chris , thanks Pat , 328 00:12:09,099 --> 00:12:11,619 I follow up on the F-16 question . Um 329 00:12:11,630 --> 00:12:13,797 When you announced it originally , you 330 00:12:13,797 --> 00:12:16,219 said um about several pilots would be 331 00:12:16,229 --> 00:12:18,460 coming over . Um Do you have any update 332 00:12:18,469 --> 00:12:22,169 for us in terms of numbers 10 ish more 333 00:12:22,179 --> 00:12:24,512 or is it ? Yeah , at this point , Chris , 334 00:12:24,512 --> 00:12:26,830 I don't uh as , as you highlight , we 335 00:12:26,840 --> 00:12:29,090 expect uh several Ukrainian pilots and 336 00:12:29,099 --> 00:12:31,510 dozens of maintainers . So again , as 337 00:12:31,520 --> 00:12:33,742 we have more to provide , we will thank 338 00:12:33,742 --> 00:12:36,169 you . Um I wanted to ask for an update 339 00:12:36,179 --> 00:12:39,270 on the missing F-35 . Uh That's now 340 00:12:39,280 --> 00:12:41,969 been found , what exactly happened that 341 00:12:41,979 --> 00:12:44,390 caused the pilot to eject himself . Uh 342 00:12:44,400 --> 00:12:46,820 Where does the no fly order stand ? Now , 343 00:12:46,869 --> 00:12:49,091 what does all this mean in terms of our 344 00:12:49,091 --> 00:12:51,258 broader national security and things ? 345 00:12:51,429 --> 00:12:54,400 Uh So as it , as it relates to the F-35 , 346 00:12:54,409 --> 00:12:56,299 uh as you , as you're aware , the 347 00:12:56,309 --> 00:12:58,531 Marine Corps is currently investigating 348 00:12:58,531 --> 00:13:00,753 that . So it would be inappropriate for 349 00:13:00,753 --> 00:13:02,809 me to , to provide any comment while 350 00:13:02,809 --> 00:13:04,920 they conduct their investigation . Um 351 00:13:04,920 --> 00:13:06,865 We have no doubt that it will be a 352 00:13:06,865 --> 00:13:09,087 thorough investigation and when there's 353 00:13:09,087 --> 00:13:11,309 information to share , they will . Um , 354 00:13:11,309 --> 00:13:13,476 and similarly for the , the stand down 355 00:13:13,476 --> 00:13:15,587 that the uh Marine Corps , the acting 356 00:13:15,587 --> 00:13:17,809 comment on the Marine Corps initiated , 357 00:13:17,809 --> 00:13:19,865 I'd refer you to the Marine Corps to 358 00:13:19,865 --> 00:13:22,031 talk about that . Um It's important to 359 00:13:22,031 --> 00:13:24,253 take a step back , you know , as far as 360 00:13:24,253 --> 00:13:26,198 national security goes , it , it's 361 00:13:26,198 --> 00:13:28,365 always unfortunate any time we lose an 362 00:13:28,365 --> 00:13:30,420 aircraft . In this case , we're very 363 00:13:30,420 --> 00:13:32,476 thankful that the pilot was ok . But 364 00:13:32,476 --> 00:13:34,729 broadly speaking , we're confident that 365 00:13:34,739 --> 00:13:36,795 we can continue to defend the nation 366 00:13:36,795 --> 00:13:38,461 and do what we need to do . I 367 00:13:38,461 --> 00:13:40,683 understand . You said the investigation 368 00:13:40,683 --> 00:13:40,460 is still ongoing with the Marines , but 369 00:13:40,469 --> 00:13:42,636 there's a lot of questions surrounding 370 00:13:42,636 --> 00:13:44,858 this and a lot of headlines right now . 371 00:13:44,858 --> 00:13:47,080 Is there anything that you can share to 372 00:13:47,080 --> 00:13:46,960 people that are wondering what happened 373 00:13:46,969 --> 00:13:49,080 here ? Well , that's exactly what the 374 00:13:49,080 --> 00:13:51,191 investigation will tell us and that's 375 00:13:51,191 --> 00:13:53,358 why it's important that we not jump to 376 00:13:53,358 --> 00:13:55,358 conclusions that we not speculate , 377 00:13:55,358 --> 00:13:57,525 that we don't allow our imagination to 378 00:13:57,525 --> 00:13:59,247 fill gaps . And we have a very 379 00:13:59,247 --> 00:14:01,358 methodical , very deliberate and very 380 00:14:01,358 --> 00:14:03,358 uh tried and true process that will 381 00:14:03,358 --> 00:14:05,136 take a look at exactly what the 382 00:14:05,136 --> 00:14:07,191 situation was , uh get the facts and 383 00:14:07,191 --> 00:14:09,413 then as appropriate , apply those facts 384 00:14:09,413 --> 00:14:11,525 to prevent these kinds of things from 385 00:14:11,525 --> 00:14:13,747 happening again . Thank you very much . 386 00:14:13,747 --> 00:14:13,729 Bill ? Um Could you just going back to 387 00:14:13,739 --> 00:14:16,090 the visit ? Could , could you uh let us 388 00:14:16,099 --> 00:14:18,266 know , was he briefed on this upcoming 389 00:14:18,266 --> 00:14:19,988 announcement on the package of 390 00:14:19,988 --> 00:14:22,155 assistance ? Does he knew was going to 391 00:14:22,155 --> 00:14:24,210 be announced later on today and then 392 00:14:24,210 --> 00:14:26,266 separately ? Um Is there any kind of 393 00:14:26,266 --> 00:14:26,010 anecdote or anything that struck you 394 00:14:26,020 --> 00:14:28,150 from that meeting ? Um that , that we 395 00:14:28,159 --> 00:14:30,103 should know ? Yeah , so you know , 396 00:14:30,103 --> 00:14:32,215 again , we we'll have a read out that 397 00:14:32,215 --> 00:14:34,437 will go into more details . What I what 398 00:14:34,437 --> 00:14:36,492 I would tell you is that uh it was a 399 00:14:36,492 --> 00:14:38,381 very warm meeting , it was a very 400 00:14:38,381 --> 00:14:40,492 engaging meeting . Um Both leaders uh 401 00:14:40,492 --> 00:14:42,659 had a great conversation . Uh It was , 402 00:14:42,669 --> 00:14:46,520 it was very clear uh that uh President 403 00:14:46,599 --> 00:14:48,543 Zelinsky very much appreciates the 404 00:14:48,543 --> 00:14:50,599 support that the United States , the 405 00:14:50,599 --> 00:14:52,432 people of the United States have 406 00:14:52,432 --> 00:14:54,599 provided to Ukraine . And again , as I 407 00:14:54,599 --> 00:14:56,543 mentioned , the secretary gave his 408 00:14:56,543 --> 00:14:58,710 personal commitment to stay engaged to 409 00:14:58,710 --> 00:15:00,932 work with uh our allies and partners to 410 00:15:00,932 --> 00:15:03,099 ensure that they have what they need . 411 00:15:03,099 --> 00:15:05,266 Um And just leave it at that as far as 412 00:15:05,266 --> 00:15:07,432 the announcement did he was he briefed 413 00:15:07,432 --> 00:15:09,432 on the upcoming package ? Uh Phil , 414 00:15:09,432 --> 00:15:09,289 what I would tell you again is that 415 00:15:09,299 --> 00:15:11,500 what they were focused on was uh an 416 00:15:11,510 --> 00:15:13,454 update on security assistance that 417 00:15:13,454 --> 00:15:15,510 we've provided . Uh And then again , 418 00:15:15,510 --> 00:15:18,210 talking briefly about what , what we 419 00:15:18,219 --> 00:15:20,386 will do to work with Ukraine to ensure 420 00:15:20,386 --> 00:15:22,663 they have what they need in the future . 421 00:15:22,663 --> 00:15:25,450 So I just stay there . Yeah . Pat the , 422 00:15:25,460 --> 00:15:27,516 I guess there are polls out now that 423 00:15:27,516 --> 00:15:30,869 are showing uh eroding 424 00:15:30,880 --> 00:15:34,590 support for support to Ukraine 425 00:15:35,250 --> 00:15:37,650 is , um , Secretary Austin worried 426 00:15:37,659 --> 00:15:39,826 about that and is there something that 427 00:15:39,826 --> 00:15:41,826 he can do to perhaps , uh , buck up 428 00:15:41,826 --> 00:15:44,048 that support ? Yeah , thanks Jim . Um , 429 00:15:44,048 --> 00:15:46,215 so , uh I , I think you're alluding to 430 00:15:46,215 --> 00:15:48,437 some of the , the press reports about , 431 00:15:48,437 --> 00:15:51,780 um , congressional support as it , as 432 00:15:51,789 --> 00:15:53,011 it relates to Ukraine 433 00:15:56,840 --> 00:15:59,859 with the poll saying roughly 50% of 434 00:15:59,869 --> 00:16:01,925 Americans say that we've done enough 435 00:16:01,925 --> 00:16:04,479 for Ukraine , which is down from like 436 00:16:04,489 --> 00:16:08,000 68% of 24 . Yeah . Um So , so I'll 437 00:16:08,010 --> 00:16:10,121 touch on both those things then , you 438 00:16:10,121 --> 00:16:12,232 know , certainly from a congressional 439 00:16:12,232 --> 00:16:14,454 standpoint , we have enjoyed bipartisan 440 00:16:14,454 --> 00:16:16,566 congressional support . We don't take 441 00:16:16,566 --> 00:16:19,510 that for granted uh as evidenced by the 442 00:16:19,520 --> 00:16:21,742 secretary and the chairman being on the 443 00:16:21,742 --> 00:16:23,576 hill yesterday to talk about the 444 00:16:23,576 --> 00:16:25,464 Ukraine supplemental . Uh We will 445 00:16:25,464 --> 00:16:27,409 continue to work very closely with 446 00:16:27,409 --> 00:16:29,242 Congress to ensure they have the 447 00:16:29,242 --> 00:16:31,409 information they need to make informed 448 00:16:31,409 --> 00:16:33,576 decisions . Um And , and when it comes 449 00:16:33,576 --> 00:16:35,742 to the public , I think it's important 450 00:16:35,742 --> 00:16:37,576 again to reemphasize why Ukraine 451 00:16:37,576 --> 00:16:40,359 matters . Um in addition to helping our 452 00:16:40,390 --> 00:16:42,612 Ukrainian partners to defend themselves 453 00:16:42,612 --> 00:16:44,609 from unprovoked aggression . The 454 00:16:44,619 --> 00:16:46,869 implications not only on European 455 00:16:46,880 --> 00:16:48,820 security , but also on us . And 456 00:16:48,830 --> 00:16:51,010 international security are very stark 457 00:16:51,809 --> 00:16:53,976 and , and you've heard me say before , 458 00:16:53,976 --> 00:16:55,587 if Russia were to succeed in 459 00:16:55,587 --> 00:16:58,090 eliminating Ukraine as a nation , they 460 00:16:58,099 --> 00:17:00,155 won't stop there . I mean , you only 461 00:17:00,155 --> 00:17:02,760 have to look at other gray zone efforts 462 00:17:02,770 --> 00:17:06,150 in places like Moldova Belarus , 463 00:17:06,650 --> 00:17:09,540 Georgia , uh and other places to see 464 00:17:09,550 --> 00:17:11,272 that if they can get away with 465 00:17:11,272 --> 00:17:14,380 subsuming or invading other nations , 466 00:17:14,390 --> 00:17:16,380 uh their neighbors not to include 467 00:17:16,390 --> 00:17:18,920 threatening NATO nations , they will . 468 00:17:19,780 --> 00:17:21,920 Uh and , and I have no doubt that 469 00:17:21,930 --> 00:17:24,041 countries like China are watching and 470 00:17:24,041 --> 00:17:26,263 seeing how the US and the international 471 00:17:26,263 --> 00:17:28,097 community have rallied and , and 472 00:17:28,097 --> 00:17:30,310 responded in support of and aiding 473 00:17:30,319 --> 00:17:32,430 Ukraine . So there's definitely a 474 00:17:32,439 --> 00:17:34,930 deterrent effect there as well . Thank 475 00:17:34,939 --> 00:17:38,280 you . Sure . Yeah , just a follow up on 476 00:17:38,290 --> 00:17:40,880 the Tuberville confirmation uh holds 477 00:17:40,890 --> 00:17:43,112 you mentioned that 300 others are still 478 00:17:43,112 --> 00:17:45,279 held up and Senator Tuberville said he 479 00:17:45,279 --> 00:17:47,501 was pleased to have those nominees move 480 00:17:47,501 --> 00:17:49,501 forward on an individual basis . So 481 00:17:49,501 --> 00:17:51,723 does the dod worry that confirming this 482 00:17:51,723 --> 00:17:53,557 batch of nominees only emboldens 483 00:17:53,557 --> 00:17:55,670 Senator Tuberville's holds and will 484 00:17:55,680 --> 00:17:57,624 make him dig in until the Pentagon 485 00:17:57,670 --> 00:17:59,726 rescinds or changes its reproductive 486 00:17:59,726 --> 00:18:01,670 health care policy with regards to 487 00:18:01,670 --> 00:18:03,781 travel . Yeah , again , when it comes 488 00:18:03,781 --> 00:18:07,489 to um how the Senate handles the 489 00:18:07,500 --> 00:18:09,556 holds . Again , I'd refer you to the 490 00:18:09,556 --> 00:18:11,750 Senate on on the way to what the dod 491 00:18:11,760 --> 00:18:13,927 worries about is ensuring that we have 492 00:18:13,927 --> 00:18:17,510 qualified capable leaders confirmed by 493 00:18:17,520 --> 00:18:19,464 the Senate in place so that we can 494 00:18:19,464 --> 00:18:21,630 carry out the mission that the nation 495 00:18:21,640 --> 00:18:23,529 has entrusted us to do , which is 496 00:18:23,529 --> 00:18:25,529 defending the nation . And so we'll 497 00:18:25,529 --> 00:18:27,770 continue to stay focused on working 498 00:18:27,780 --> 00:18:30,002 with the hill uh and providing whatever 499 00:18:30,010 --> 00:18:32,449 information is necessary to ensure that 500 00:18:32,510 --> 00:18:34,732 that those holes are lifted uh and that 501 00:18:34,732 --> 00:18:36,788 we can continue to do the work we've 502 00:18:36,788 --> 00:18:39,121 been interested to do . Thank you , sir . 503 00:18:39,569 --> 00:18:42,420 Uh So last month , um I asked you about 504 00:18:42,430 --> 00:18:44,652 uh Pentagon language about fighting and 505 00:18:44,652 --> 00:18:46,874 winning our nation's wars . And I asked 506 00:18:46,874 --> 00:18:49,041 you given that language in the context 507 00:18:49,041 --> 00:18:51,152 of Afghanistan , did we win or lose ? 508 00:18:51,152 --> 00:18:53,152 And you said at the time last month 509 00:18:53,152 --> 00:18:55,208 that you didn't want to oversimplify 510 00:18:55,208 --> 00:18:57,208 our experiences in Afghanistan this 511 00:18:57,208 --> 00:18:57,180 past Sunday General Milley gave an 512 00:18:57,189 --> 00:18:59,619 interview to ABC News . He was asked , 513 00:18:59,630 --> 00:19:01,630 you know , uh , to characterize the 514 00:19:01,630 --> 00:19:03,630 withdrawal . He said it didn't , he 515 00:19:03,630 --> 00:19:05,797 said , quote , it didn't end the way I 516 00:19:05,797 --> 00:19:07,963 wanted it , that it didn't end the way 517 00:19:07,963 --> 00:19:10,130 any of us wanted it unquote . And then 518 00:19:10,130 --> 00:19:11,963 he goes on to say , quote in the 519 00:19:11,963 --> 00:19:14,074 broader sense , the war was lost . Uh 520 00:19:14,074 --> 00:19:16,241 We were fighting the Taliban and their 521 00:19:16,241 --> 00:19:18,241 allies for 20 plus years . Um So my 522 00:19:18,241 --> 00:19:20,463 question is , uh , is this the personal 523 00:19:20,463 --> 00:19:22,574 view of General Milley or is this the 524 00:19:22,574 --> 00:19:24,939 view of the Department of Defense ? And 525 00:19:25,069 --> 00:19:27,236 given this , can you now say , whether 526 00:19:27,890 --> 00:19:29,890 is it a win or loss ? Yeah , thanks 527 00:19:29,890 --> 00:19:32,223 James . Um , so , you know , again , uh , 528 00:19:32,223 --> 00:19:35,000 General Milley uh provides his 529 00:19:35,010 --> 00:19:37,060 perspective . Uh and I'm not gonna 530 00:19:37,069 --> 00:19:39,291 speak for General General Milley , uh , 531 00:19:39,291 --> 00:19:41,790 or try to analyze his words from the 532 00:19:41,800 --> 00:19:43,800 podium . I think he's very clear in 533 00:19:43,800 --> 00:19:45,911 terms of how he feels , uh , and very 534 00:19:45,911 --> 00:19:48,133 clear , uh , and very well respected in 535 00:19:48,133 --> 00:19:51,500 terms of uh his experience in that war . 536 00:19:51,619 --> 00:19:53,841 Uh , and , and so I'll just leave it at 537 00:19:53,841 --> 00:19:56,008 that . But look , I mean , you've been 538 00:19:56,008 --> 00:19:57,897 following , uh , the situation in 539 00:19:57,897 --> 00:20:00,230 Afghanistan just as long as I have . Um , 540 00:20:00,230 --> 00:20:02,286 I know you served , I know you fully 541 00:20:02,286 --> 00:20:05,099 understand , um , the , the blood sweat 542 00:20:05,109 --> 00:20:07,479 and tears that went into the mission in 543 00:20:07,489 --> 00:20:10,099 Afghanistan . Um , and , and again , 544 00:20:10,109 --> 00:20:12,400 what I'm talking about when I say , 545 00:20:12,410 --> 00:20:15,819 don't oversimplify it is , um , let's 546 00:20:15,829 --> 00:20:18,051 not reduce this to ones and zeros . I , 547 00:20:18,051 --> 00:20:20,273 I think that dishonors , everybody that 548 00:20:20,273 --> 00:20:22,440 ever served there and anything we were 549 00:20:22,440 --> 00:20:24,718 trying to accomplish there in terms of , 550 00:20:24,718 --> 00:20:26,440 uh , look at the good that was 551 00:20:26,440 --> 00:20:28,640 accomplished , uh , granted to General 552 00:20:28,650 --> 00:20:30,872 Millie's point . It did not end the way 553 00:20:30,872 --> 00:20:33,094 that we wanted it to end , but you also 554 00:20:33,094 --> 00:20:35,750 cannot discount uh the efforts that , 555 00:20:35,760 --> 00:20:38,359 that service men and women , uh , the 556 00:20:38,369 --> 00:20:40,609 interagency , the world actually , uh , 557 00:20:40,619 --> 00:20:42,670 what , what we did and what we were 558 00:20:42,680 --> 00:20:44,902 trying to do to help support the people 559 00:20:44,902 --> 00:20:46,736 of Afghanistan and also regional 560 00:20:46,736 --> 00:20:48,902 security and stability when it came to 561 00:20:48,902 --> 00:20:51,124 the broader reason we were there in the 562 00:20:51,124 --> 00:20:53,236 first place , which was when Al Qaeda 563 00:20:53,236 --> 00:20:55,569 attacked the United States on 9 11 , uh , 564 00:20:55,569 --> 00:20:57,489 which was planned from inside 565 00:20:57,500 --> 00:21:00,329 Afghanistan , uh , and to be able to , 566 00:21:00,339 --> 00:21:04,069 to stop and check that external threat 567 00:21:04,079 --> 00:21:06,140 of terrorism , we did that we 568 00:21:06,150 --> 00:21:09,199 accomplished that , um , that said 569 00:21:09,209 --> 00:21:11,265 again to General Miller's point , it 570 00:21:11,265 --> 00:21:13,376 did not end the way anybody wanted it 571 00:21:13,376 --> 00:21:15,859 to end . Thank you , sir . Thank you , 572 00:21:15,869 --> 00:21:18,091 sir . Um , on the Abrams . Can you tell 573 00:21:18,091 --> 00:21:20,313 us what the immediate impact will be on 574 00:21:20,313 --> 00:21:22,369 the Ukrainian uh counter offensive ? 575 00:21:22,369 --> 00:21:24,258 And do you believe this will be a 576 00:21:24,258 --> 00:21:26,425 catalyst that could change the pace of 577 00:21:26,425 --> 00:21:25,839 the counter offensive ? Yeah , thanks 578 00:21:25,849 --> 00:21:27,960 for the question . So , I mean , that 579 00:21:27,960 --> 00:21:30,071 will really be up to the Ukrainians . 580 00:21:30,071 --> 00:21:32,238 Um We are , we are providing them with 581 00:21:32,238 --> 00:21:34,339 a significant combat capability . Um 582 00:21:34,349 --> 00:21:36,460 You know , in terms of whether or not 583 00:21:36,460 --> 00:21:38,571 they will choose to apply that to the 584 00:21:38,571 --> 00:21:40,460 current uh operation again , that 585 00:21:40,460 --> 00:21:42,571 that's a tactical decision for them . 586 00:21:42,571 --> 00:21:44,571 Um but it will be another weapon in 587 00:21:44,571 --> 00:21:46,349 their arsenal that they'll have 588 00:21:46,349 --> 00:21:48,849 available to them . Thank you . Go back 589 00:21:48,949 --> 00:21:51,171 to the question of Ukraine assistance . 590 00:21:51,171 --> 00:21:53,227 One of the pieces of assistance that 591 00:21:53,227 --> 00:21:55,227 you guys have repeatedly not talked 592 00:21:55,227 --> 00:21:57,369 about is the June Starlink contract . 593 00:21:57,689 --> 00:21:59,633 This keeps coming up in every musk 594 00:21:59,633 --> 00:22:01,745 story that the Pentagon refuses to do 595 00:22:01,745 --> 00:22:03,839 any kind of details . Three months 596 00:22:03,849 --> 00:22:05,738 later , what was the value of the 597 00:22:05,738 --> 00:22:07,849 contract and broadly , can you talk a 598 00:22:07,849 --> 00:22:09,793 little bit about what the sterling 599 00:22:09,793 --> 00:22:12,127 services are providing ? Uh Thanks Tony . 600 00:22:12,127 --> 00:22:15,680 So , um to your point , you know , we 601 00:22:15,689 --> 00:22:17,578 we do try to be as transparent as 602 00:22:17,578 --> 00:22:19,959 possible when it comes to our contracts . 603 00:22:20,310 --> 00:22:23,449 Um We have acknowledged publicly that 604 00:22:23,459 --> 00:22:25,859 we do contract with Starlink for 605 00:22:25,869 --> 00:22:28,949 services and support of Ukraine , but 606 00:22:29,339 --> 00:22:31,339 as we've also stated previously for 607 00:22:31,339 --> 00:22:33,450 operation security reasons due to the 608 00:22:33,450 --> 00:22:35,979 critical nature of these systems , uh 609 00:22:36,310 --> 00:22:38,532 we're just not gonna be able to provide 610 00:22:38,532 --> 00:22:40,588 additional information regarding the 611 00:22:40,588 --> 00:22:42,199 specific capabilities or the 612 00:22:42,199 --> 00:22:44,729 operational details of these services . 613 00:22:45,040 --> 00:22:48,020 Um We'll continue to review the current 614 00:22:48,030 --> 00:22:50,270 operational context to determine if 615 00:22:50,280 --> 00:22:52,391 more information can be released at a 616 00:22:52,391 --> 00:22:54,447 later date . But for right now , I'm 617 00:22:54,447 --> 00:22:56,613 just not able to go into more detail , 618 00:22:56,613 --> 00:22:58,780 rough value of the contract . It's tax 619 00:22:58,780 --> 00:23:00,836 dollars again . Right now , I'm just 620 00:23:00,836 --> 00:23:02,891 not able to go into more . I need to 621 00:23:02,891 --> 00:23:04,947 ask you on the Isaacson book . You , 622 00:23:04,947 --> 00:23:07,058 you field , there are questions about 623 00:23:07,058 --> 00:23:09,058 the attack on the Crimea area . But 624 00:23:09,058 --> 00:23:11,169 within the book , they also talk , he 625 00:23:11,169 --> 00:23:14,430 quotes the uh Star SpaceX uh CEO who's 626 00:23:14,439 --> 00:23:16,619 saying that back in October , the 627 00:23:16,630 --> 00:23:19,109 Pentagon was ready to award 100 and $45 628 00:23:19,119 --> 00:23:21,819 million contract to Mosque for Sterling 629 00:23:21,829 --> 00:23:23,773 services that he had threatened to 630 00:23:23,773 --> 00:23:25,773 withdraw . You were up here talking 631 00:23:25,773 --> 00:23:28,260 about taking questions on it , but the 632 00:23:28,270 --> 00:23:30,430 Pentagon , the Starling pulled back 633 00:23:30,439 --> 00:23:33,060 when the Pentagon leaked the story that 634 00:23:33,069 --> 00:23:35,069 the $145 million contract was gonna 635 00:23:35,069 --> 00:23:37,290 come back , come , come out . Was the 636 00:23:37,300 --> 00:23:39,619 Pentagon prepared at that time to issue 637 00:23:39,650 --> 00:23:42,359 100 $45 million contract as this book 638 00:23:42,369 --> 00:23:44,709 claims . Yeah , thanks Tony . So , so 639 00:23:44,719 --> 00:23:47,670 I'm just not gonna uh address any types 640 00:23:47,680 --> 00:23:49,989 of allegations or assertions uh from a 641 00:23:50,000 --> 00:23:53,390 book again , I can confirm that we do 642 00:23:53,400 --> 00:23:56,660 contract for Starlink for services in 643 00:23:56,670 --> 00:23:59,439 support of Ukraine uh with the ultimate 644 00:23:59,449 --> 00:24:01,560 objective to be ensuring that Ukraine 645 00:24:01,560 --> 00:24:03,338 has the satellite communication 646 00:24:03,338 --> 00:24:06,010 infrastructure that it needs . Confirm 647 00:24:06,020 --> 00:24:08,131 if this story was baloney or not that 648 00:24:08,910 --> 00:24:11,132 I'm not gonna entertain the , the , the 649 00:24:11,132 --> 00:24:13,243 assertions or the , the allegations . 650 00:24:13,243 --> 00:24:15,577 Thank you . Ok , time for a couple more , 651 00:24:15,577 --> 00:24:18,640 sir . Um So on September 6th , there 652 00:24:18,650 --> 00:24:20,761 was the missile strike in the Donetsk 653 00:24:20,761 --> 00:24:23,039 region which killed about 15 civilians . 654 00:24:23,039 --> 00:24:25,094 Initially , the Ukrainian government 655 00:24:25,094 --> 00:24:27,150 came out and said this was a Russian 656 00:24:27,150 --> 00:24:29,317 missile this week , the New York Times 657 00:24:29,317 --> 00:24:31,094 put out an analysis that it was 658 00:24:31,094 --> 00:24:33,261 probably an errant Ukrainian missile . 659 00:24:33,261 --> 00:24:32,920 Does the , do , do you have any intel 660 00:24:32,930 --> 00:24:34,819 to share on that situation ? Uh I 661 00:24:34,819 --> 00:24:37,041 really don't . I saw the New York Times 662 00:24:37,041 --> 00:24:39,374 story . Uh You know , and in that story , 663 00:24:39,374 --> 00:24:41,208 it said that the Ukrainians were 664 00:24:41,208 --> 00:24:43,430 investigating it . So I , I'd refer you 665 00:24:43,430 --> 00:24:45,486 to Ukraine to talk about that . Ok , 666 00:24:45,486 --> 00:24:47,708 we'll do one more from the phone here . 667 00:24:47,708 --> 00:24:49,652 Uh Heather from us and I , great , 668 00:24:49,652 --> 00:24:51,986 thank you so much . Um To the Black Sea , 669 00:24:51,986 --> 00:24:53,930 there's been a lot of um different 670 00:24:53,930 --> 00:24:55,874 attacks going on there uh with the 671 00:24:55,880 --> 00:24:57,890 Ukraine uh knocking out some of the 672 00:24:57,900 --> 00:25:00,170 assets over at Sevastopol . Is there 673 00:25:00,180 --> 00:25:02,180 anything that these attacks tell us 674 00:25:02,180 --> 00:25:04,347 about what uh Ukraine and Russia might 675 00:25:04,347 --> 00:25:06,458 be doing in the Black Sea and whether 676 00:25:06,458 --> 00:25:08,513 or not this might be a new front for 677 00:25:08,513 --> 00:25:10,800 them ? Yeah , thanks Heather . So , um 678 00:25:10,810 --> 00:25:13,130 you know , really Ukraine is in the 679 00:25:13,140 --> 00:25:15,719 best position to talk about uh their , 680 00:25:15,729 --> 00:25:19,040 their overall approach . Um You know , 681 00:25:19,680 --> 00:25:22,280 it's not the first time that we've seen 682 00:25:22,479 --> 00:25:24,646 combat action in the Black Sea as , as 683 00:25:24,646 --> 00:25:26,646 you've seen , uh the Russian attack 684 00:25:26,646 --> 00:25:29,469 Ukrainian targets uh in their , uh you 685 00:25:29,479 --> 00:25:31,660 know , most notably putting at risk 686 00:25:31,670 --> 00:25:34,569 grain going out of the region . Um But 687 00:25:34,579 --> 00:25:36,746 I would refer you to the Ukrainians to 688 00:25:36,746 --> 00:25:39,023 talk about um their , their operations . 689 00:25:39,180 --> 00:25:41,069 All right . Thank you very much , 690 00:25:41,069 --> 00:25:41,349 ladies and gentlemen , I appreciate it .