1 00:00:02,869 --> 00:00:06,849 Right . Yeah , good afternoon , 2 00:00:06,860 --> 00:00:09,082 everyone . Um Just a few things here at 3 00:00:09,082 --> 00:00:11,082 the top and then I am happy to take 4 00:00:11,082 --> 00:00:13,149 your questions . Um So tomorrow 5 00:00:13,159 --> 00:00:15,326 Secretary Austin will welcome Japanese 6 00:00:15,326 --> 00:00:17,559 Defense Minister Kiara on his first 7 00:00:17,569 --> 00:00:19,625 overseas trip and his first visit to 8 00:00:19,625 --> 00:00:21,389 the Pentagon as minister , the 9 00:00:21,399 --> 00:00:23,399 secretary looks forward to a strong 10 00:00:23,399 --> 00:00:25,455 relationship with Minister Kiara and 11 00:00:25,455 --> 00:00:27,621 working together to advance one of our 12 00:00:27,621 --> 00:00:29,732 strongest alliances . We'll have more 13 00:00:29,732 --> 00:00:31,950 information to share tomorrow . Um And 14 00:00:31,959 --> 00:00:34,126 then switching topics as I'm sure many 15 00:00:34,126 --> 00:00:36,237 folks in the room here are focused on 16 00:00:36,237 --> 00:00:38,070 as you know , over the weekend , 17 00:00:38,070 --> 00:00:40,292 Congress was able to avert a government 18 00:00:40,292 --> 00:00:42,459 shutdown of the government . However , 19 00:00:42,459 --> 00:00:44,348 we once again find ourselves in a 20 00:00:44,348 --> 00:00:46,292 continuing period of uncertainty . 21 00:00:46,292 --> 00:00:48,015 Defense of our nation requires 22 00:00:48,015 --> 00:00:50,237 certainty and resolve . This also means 23 00:00:50,237 --> 00:00:52,348 a commitment to strengthening our own 24 00:00:52,348 --> 00:00:52,150 national security by ensuring that 25 00:00:52,159 --> 00:00:54,450 Ukraine has what it needs to defend its 26 00:00:54,459 --> 00:00:56,830 freedom and protect their people from 27 00:00:56,840 --> 00:00:59,470 Putin's brutal invasion . We have 28 00:00:59,479 --> 00:01:01,423 enough funding authorities to meet 29 00:01:01,423 --> 00:01:03,590 Ukraine's battlefield needs for just a 30 00:01:03,590 --> 00:01:05,368 little bit longer , but we need 31 00:01:05,368 --> 00:01:07,479 Congress to act to ensure there is no 32 00:01:07,479 --> 00:01:09,646 disruption in our support , especially 33 00:01:09,646 --> 00:01:11,701 as the department seeks to replenish 34 00:01:11,701 --> 00:01:13,812 our stocks . As Secretary Austin said 35 00:01:13,812 --> 00:01:15,979 on Saturday , we urge Congress to live 36 00:01:15,979 --> 00:01:18,090 up to America's commitment to provide 37 00:01:18,090 --> 00:01:19,979 urgently needed assistance to the 38 00:01:19,979 --> 00:01:21,923 people of Ukraine as they fight to 39 00:01:21,923 --> 00:01:24,160 defend their own country against forces 40 00:01:24,169 --> 00:01:26,629 of tyranny . America must live up to it . 41 00:01:26,940 --> 00:01:29,360 America must live up to its world and 42 00:01:29,370 --> 00:01:31,790 continue to lead . We have seen 43 00:01:31,800 --> 00:01:33,689 bipartisan support for Ukraine in 44 00:01:33,689 --> 00:01:35,467 Congress and we urge members of 45 00:01:35,467 --> 00:01:37,522 Congress to keep their commitment to 46 00:01:37,522 --> 00:01:39,578 the people of Ukraine and secure the 47 00:01:39,578 --> 00:01:41,467 passage of support needed to help 48 00:01:41,467 --> 00:01:43,578 Ukraine at this critical moment . And 49 00:01:43,578 --> 00:01:45,689 with that , I'd be happy to take your 50 00:01:45,689 --> 00:01:48,220 questions . I'll start with um just on 51 00:01:48,230 --> 00:01:51,069 that issue of um weapons 52 00:01:51,379 --> 00:01:54,926 replacement and refurbishment . In his 53 00:01:54,935 --> 00:01:57,195 letter the other day , the Comptroller 54 00:01:57,206 --> 00:01:59,725 talked about the pressure on 55 00:01:59,736 --> 00:02:01,926 replenishing stocks and said there was 56 00:02:01,935 --> 00:02:05,005 about 1.6 billion , I guess left . How 57 00:02:05,015 --> 00:02:08,555 long will that 1.6 billion last ? 58 00:02:08,805 --> 00:02:11,115 And can you give us a sense of what are 59 00:02:11,126 --> 00:02:13,626 the weapon systems that are under most 60 00:02:13,636 --> 00:02:15,858 strain right now ? Where are you seeing 61 00:02:15,858 --> 00:02:18,091 the biggest that you may not be able to 62 00:02:18,102 --> 00:02:20,591 continue to send to Ukraine now ? So 63 00:02:20,602 --> 00:02:22,769 good question in terms of how long the 64 00:02:22,769 --> 00:02:25,421 1.6 billion will last ? That that's a 65 00:02:25,511 --> 00:02:27,678 determination that will be made by the 66 00:02:27,678 --> 00:02:29,900 Comptroller . And I don't know that I'd 67 00:02:29,900 --> 00:02:31,900 be able to put a time frame on it . 68 00:02:31,900 --> 00:02:34,122 It's really how that funding is used to 69 00:02:34,122 --> 00:02:36,289 replenish our stocks . And of course , 70 00:02:36,332 --> 00:02:39,869 when we're available to enter into 71 00:02:39,880 --> 00:02:43,279 contracts um to refill our , our stocks . 72 00:02:43,289 --> 00:02:45,456 Um So I can't really put a timeline on 73 00:02:45,456 --> 00:02:47,622 how long that 1.6 billion will stretch 74 00:02:47,622 --> 00:02:50,699 out for . Um in terms of , in terms of 75 00:02:50,710 --> 00:02:53,960 what we would be or how , which systems 76 00:02:53,970 --> 00:02:57,070 or capabilities were are we working to 77 00:02:57,080 --> 00:03:01,059 refill ? Um That depends on again what 78 00:03:01,070 --> 00:03:03,330 we continue to send , Ukraine , whether 79 00:03:03,339 --> 00:03:05,561 it's air defenses , more artillery , we 80 00:03:05,561 --> 00:03:07,779 know that we are working to refill um 81 00:03:07,789 --> 00:03:10,419 artillery and our stocks . Um But it 82 00:03:10,429 --> 00:03:13,059 really depends on what Ukraine requests . 83 00:03:13,070 --> 00:03:14,792 And again , we know that their 84 00:03:14,792 --> 00:03:16,514 priorities are air defense and 85 00:03:16,514 --> 00:03:18,348 artillery and also mine clearing 86 00:03:18,348 --> 00:03:20,570 equipment . Um So that's what our focus 87 00:03:20,570 --> 00:03:22,681 is on . So that , of course , is what 88 00:03:22,681 --> 00:03:24,848 we're inevitably going to be refilling 89 00:03:24,848 --> 00:03:26,959 as well . But you have to remember in 90 00:03:26,959 --> 00:03:26,779 the beginning of the war , we were also 91 00:03:26,789 --> 00:03:29,160 saying , uh sending javelin stingers 92 00:03:29,169 --> 00:03:31,225 other things like that . Um So those 93 00:03:31,225 --> 00:03:33,391 also are being replenished , but we've 94 00:03:33,391 --> 00:03:35,502 done so over time . But the secretary 95 00:03:35,502 --> 00:03:37,613 made the point the other day that air 96 00:03:37,613 --> 00:03:39,780 defense was the key that the US wanted 97 00:03:39,780 --> 00:03:42,002 to continue to send . Is there pressure 98 00:03:42,002 --> 00:03:44,058 on that ? Is there , is that a point 99 00:03:44,058 --> 00:03:47,850 where um the US is having strains 100 00:03:47,860 --> 00:03:50,740 replenishing us stocks at this point ? 101 00:03:50,949 --> 00:03:53,060 And can you at least narrow it down ? 102 00:03:53,060 --> 00:03:56,070 Is it weeks , is it months ? Is it 2025 ? 103 00:03:56,080 --> 00:03:59,270 I mean , give us a sense . Um I 104 00:03:59,279 --> 00:04:01,557 wouldn't say there's a strain . I mean , 105 00:04:01,557 --> 00:04:03,501 we know that . And we've been very 106 00:04:03,501 --> 00:04:05,723 public here from the podium saying that 107 00:04:05,723 --> 00:04:07,835 we're not gonna drop um below certain 108 00:04:07,835 --> 00:04:10,168 levels . Um So not necessarily a strain , 109 00:04:10,168 --> 00:04:12,223 but we do know that replenishing our 110 00:04:12,223 --> 00:04:13,890 stocks is a priority for this 111 00:04:13,890 --> 00:04:16,001 department as we continue to send and 112 00:04:16,001 --> 00:04:18,739 flow aid to Ukraine . Um I really wish 113 00:04:18,750 --> 00:04:20,806 I could give you more of a uh a time 114 00:04:20,806 --> 00:04:23,440 frame on that . Um It's , it's really 115 00:04:23,450 --> 00:04:26,200 hard to say we , a lot of it depends on 116 00:04:26,209 --> 00:04:28,600 when Congress gives us the funding 117 00:04:28,609 --> 00:04:31,140 support we need that we can continue to 118 00:04:31,149 --> 00:04:33,239 use that 1.6 billion . So I just , I 119 00:04:33,250 --> 00:04:35,339 can't give you a certain timeline or 120 00:04:35,350 --> 00:04:37,461 like even forecast weeks or months on 121 00:04:37,461 --> 00:04:39,794 how long it will take to use that money . 122 00:04:39,794 --> 00:04:41,961 Yeah , Liz , on the defense department 123 00:04:41,961 --> 00:04:44,072 official who was arrested last week , 124 00:04:44,072 --> 00:04:46,128 um , he is suspected he was in a dog 125 00:04:46,128 --> 00:04:48,260 fighting ring . Um , what level of 126 00:04:48,269 --> 00:04:50,102 security clearance did Frederick 127 00:04:50,102 --> 00:04:53,149 Mofield have ? Um , I'm not uh sure 128 00:04:53,160 --> 00:04:55,440 what type of security clearance level 129 00:04:55,450 --> 00:04:57,561 he had . Um , that's not something we 130 00:04:57,561 --> 00:04:59,783 would give out . Is that something that 131 00:04:59,783 --> 00:05:01,839 is , um , individual to , you know , 132 00:05:01,839 --> 00:05:03,672 what access that person has ? We 133 00:05:03,672 --> 00:05:05,839 wouldn't really detail um , what types 134 00:05:05,839 --> 00:05:08,172 of security clearance levels . But , um , 135 00:05:08,172 --> 00:05:10,339 we are aware of the criminal complaint 136 00:05:10,339 --> 00:05:12,450 and of course , um , you know , would 137 00:05:12,450 --> 00:05:14,617 refer you to the Department of Justice 138 00:05:14,617 --> 00:05:16,728 as this is an ongoing matter , but he 139 00:05:16,728 --> 00:05:18,783 did have a security clearance . Um , 140 00:05:18,783 --> 00:05:20,839 how was that able to happen . He was 141 00:05:20,839 --> 00:05:23,061 investigated by local police five years 142 00:05:23,061 --> 00:05:25,228 ago when dead dogs were found in his , 143 00:05:25,228 --> 00:05:27,394 in a bag in his property . Um , how is 144 00:05:27,394 --> 00:05:29,672 that able to happen ? Yeah , I , again , 145 00:05:29,672 --> 00:05:31,672 I don't know the level of clearance 146 00:05:31,672 --> 00:05:33,672 that he had . I'm not gonna go into 147 00:05:33,672 --> 00:05:35,839 more specifics on it . It's an ongoing 148 00:05:35,839 --> 00:05:35,489 case . I think these are some things 149 00:05:35,500 --> 00:05:37,722 that , of course , will come out in the 150 00:05:37,722 --> 00:05:39,833 investigation . I think you raised an 151 00:05:39,833 --> 00:05:41,889 excellent point on . Um , you know , 152 00:05:41,889 --> 00:05:44,049 why or were behaviors caught when it 153 00:05:44,059 --> 00:05:46,059 should have been ? That's something 154 00:05:46,059 --> 00:05:48,226 that will be revealed , of course , um 155 00:05:48,226 --> 00:05:50,448 as the Department of Justice , um leads 156 00:05:50,448 --> 00:05:52,559 this investigation . So I'm not going 157 00:05:52,559 --> 00:05:54,670 to comment any further or uh a follow 158 00:05:54,670 --> 00:05:56,781 up on Lita's question she asked about 159 00:05:56,781 --> 00:05:58,781 Ukraine replenishment . I'm curious 160 00:05:58,781 --> 00:06:00,948 about the flip side of that . You said 161 00:06:00,948 --> 00:05:59,730 you have enough funding to meet 162 00:05:59,739 --> 00:06:01,899 Ukraine's battlefield needs just a 163 00:06:01,910 --> 00:06:04,859 little bit longer . What does that mean ? 164 00:06:04,869 --> 00:06:07,091 And when do we start to see the lack of 165 00:06:07,091 --> 00:06:09,440 additional Ukraine funding play out as , 166 00:06:09,450 --> 00:06:11,283 as a detriment to Ukraine on the 167 00:06:11,283 --> 00:06:13,450 battlefield ? So as you know , we're , 168 00:06:13,450 --> 00:06:15,561 we are constantly in contact with the 169 00:06:15,561 --> 00:06:17,672 Ukrainians on their battlefield needs 170 00:06:17,672 --> 00:06:19,549 as you've seen from the 47 other 171 00:06:19,559 --> 00:06:22,320 packages that we have rolled out over 172 00:06:22,329 --> 00:06:25,410 the course of the last year and a half . 173 00:06:25,420 --> 00:06:28,609 Um Each package ranges in dollar value . 174 00:06:28,619 --> 00:06:30,397 Each package also varies in the 175 00:06:30,397 --> 00:06:32,452 capabilities and systems and weapons 176 00:06:32,452 --> 00:06:34,675 that we're giving . So it's hard to say 177 00:06:34,675 --> 00:06:36,850 how long that um additional 178 00:06:36,859 --> 00:06:39,089 recalculated PD A authority will go 179 00:06:39,100 --> 00:06:41,322 because it will depend on the package . 180 00:06:41,322 --> 00:06:43,378 So again , you've seen some packages 181 00:06:43,378 --> 00:06:45,544 that are just over $200 million you've 182 00:06:45,544 --> 00:06:47,433 seen packages that are close to a 183 00:06:47,433 --> 00:06:49,656 billion million dollars . Um If we , we 184 00:06:49,656 --> 00:06:51,656 have five packages that continue to 185 00:06:51,656 --> 00:06:50,945 roll out , that's going to be gone 186 00:06:50,954 --> 00:06:53,915 pretty quick . Um So again , I , I'm , 187 00:06:53,924 --> 00:06:56,684 I'm hesitant to put on a timeline . We , 188 00:06:56,695 --> 00:06:58,695 we do feel that we have the funding 189 00:06:58,695 --> 00:07:01,135 authorities to meet Ukraine's urgent 190 00:07:01,144 --> 00:07:03,375 needs right now , but it's not going to 191 00:07:03,385 --> 00:07:05,663 be able to sustain us in the long term . 192 00:07:05,663 --> 00:07:07,774 We do need Congress to pass a funding 193 00:07:07,774 --> 00:07:10,589 bill . Yeah , Dan , and I'll come with 194 00:07:10,679 --> 00:07:12,901 you , Laura . Thanks for your time . Um 195 00:07:13,019 --> 00:07:14,963 I wanted to address a point that I 196 00:07:14,970 --> 00:07:17,192 think has remained in conflict in the , 197 00:07:17,192 --> 00:07:19,359 in the , the political crisis over the 198 00:07:19,359 --> 00:07:21,637 weekend , I think underscored it again , 199 00:07:21,637 --> 00:07:23,748 which is that President Biden and the 200 00:07:23,748 --> 00:07:25,914 Biden administration has said over and 201 00:07:25,914 --> 00:07:28,081 over again that the United States will 202 00:07:28,081 --> 00:07:30,026 be there for Ukraine as long as it 203 00:07:30,026 --> 00:07:29,730 takes . That's usually the phrase we 204 00:07:29,739 --> 00:07:32,500 hear . Um But there are all these other 205 00:07:32,510 --> 00:07:34,390 reasons that that can be put in 206 00:07:34,399 --> 00:07:36,510 jeopardy uh including other elections 207 00:07:36,510 --> 00:07:38,343 and uh you know , even political 208 00:07:38,343 --> 00:07:40,399 disputes on the hill over whether or 209 00:07:40,399 --> 00:07:42,621 not the fund is , um can you square the 210 00:07:42,621 --> 00:07:44,732 circle on that ? How , how can anyone 211 00:07:44,732 --> 00:07:47,019 take that as long as it takes seriously 212 00:07:47,029 --> 00:07:48,807 considering all of the other uh 213 00:07:48,807 --> 00:07:50,807 pitfalls here . Yeah . No , I think 214 00:07:50,807 --> 00:07:53,130 that's , um , that's a great question . 215 00:07:53,350 --> 00:07:55,420 Um , I think what's important to 216 00:07:55,429 --> 00:07:57,429 remember is you've seen bipartisan 217 00:07:57,440 --> 00:08:00,190 support for Ukraine on , on both sides 218 00:08:00,200 --> 00:08:02,311 of the aisle . I mean , most recently 219 00:08:02,311 --> 00:08:04,422 we had uh a Republican and Democratic 220 00:08:04,422 --> 00:08:06,644 delegation that went to visit Kiev that 221 00:08:06,644 --> 00:08:08,756 met with , um , leadership there that 222 00:08:08,756 --> 00:08:11,339 saw our weapons and systems that are 223 00:08:11,350 --> 00:08:13,461 going in that Ukraine is using . Um , 224 00:08:13,461 --> 00:08:15,572 so I think it's important to remember 225 00:08:15,572 --> 00:08:17,183 that even though there is um 226 00:08:17,500 --> 00:08:20,049 consternation on the hill , you still 227 00:08:20,059 --> 00:08:22,790 have Republican support in the House 228 00:08:22,799 --> 00:08:24,910 and you still have Republican support 229 00:08:24,910 --> 00:08:27,077 in the Senate and of course Democratic 230 00:08:27,077 --> 00:08:28,966 support . And it is , it's a good 231 00:08:28,966 --> 00:08:31,077 reminder also that it is just a small 232 00:08:31,077 --> 00:08:33,299 minority of folks in the House that are 233 00:08:33,299 --> 00:08:35,466 expressing their opposition . Um So we 234 00:08:35,466 --> 00:08:37,466 do feel confident that we will have 235 00:08:37,466 --> 00:08:39,719 bipartisan support to continue to 236 00:08:39,729 --> 00:08:42,062 support Ukraine for as long as it takes . 237 00:08:42,219 --> 00:08:44,386 And I think it's important and I think 238 00:08:44,386 --> 00:08:46,386 many members on the hill understand 239 00:08:46,386 --> 00:08:48,789 this supporting Ukraine is in our 240 00:08:48,799 --> 00:08:51,349 national interest as well . Um We can't 241 00:08:51,359 --> 00:08:53,415 allow Russia to win . We can't allow 242 00:08:53,415 --> 00:08:55,880 Russia to expand its war outside of the , 243 00:08:55,969 --> 00:08:58,830 the lines of um Ukraine . And that's 244 00:08:58,840 --> 00:09:00,784 why you're seeing the power of the 245 00:09:00,784 --> 00:09:02,618 United States to convene over 50 246 00:09:02,618 --> 00:09:04,500 nations with the Ukraine defense 247 00:09:04,510 --> 00:09:06,677 contact group that the secretary leads 248 00:09:06,710 --> 00:09:08,710 almost every month . Um That's why 249 00:09:08,719 --> 00:09:10,830 you're seeing aid packages continuing 250 00:09:10,830 --> 00:09:13,599 to flow . So I , I do feel confident 251 00:09:13,609 --> 00:09:15,720 that we will have the funding that we 252 00:09:15,720 --> 00:09:17,720 need . Um As Congress works through 253 00:09:17,720 --> 00:09:19,940 this , this point of turmoil on the 254 00:09:19,950 --> 00:09:22,099 hill if I could uh follow up on the 255 00:09:22,109 --> 00:09:24,109 Moorefield case as well . Uh That , 256 00:09:24,109 --> 00:09:27,059 that dog fighting case . Um the , the 257 00:09:27,070 --> 00:09:29,014 phrasing of the Pentagon statement 258 00:09:29,014 --> 00:09:31,181 yesterday left it a little ambiguous . 259 00:09:31,181 --> 00:09:33,014 Is he considered still a defense 260 00:09:33,014 --> 00:09:35,237 department employee ? Is he on terminal 261 00:09:35,237 --> 00:09:37,459 leave ? Is he a former employee ? Where 262 00:09:37,459 --> 00:09:36,780 does he actually fall at this point ? 263 00:09:36,809 --> 00:09:39,031 Um I can confirm that he's no longer in 264 00:09:39,031 --> 00:09:41,253 the workplace . Um I just can't comment 265 00:09:41,253 --> 00:09:43,365 any further on this matter as it's an 266 00:09:43,365 --> 00:09:45,531 ongoing investigation . So I'd have to 267 00:09:45,531 --> 00:09:47,309 refer you to DOJ for , for more 268 00:09:47,309 --> 00:09:49,365 information . Laura , did you have a 269 00:09:49,365 --> 00:09:49,215 question ? Yes . Um , a couple of 270 00:09:49,224 --> 00:09:52,104 questions . Um Just on the aid to 271 00:09:52,114 --> 00:09:54,003 Ukraine , you said you , you have 272 00:09:54,003 --> 00:09:56,058 enough funding authority to keep the 273 00:09:56,058 --> 00:09:58,225 battlefield needs flowing for a little 274 00:09:58,225 --> 00:10:00,445 bit longer . Is DD taking any measures 275 00:10:00,455 --> 00:10:03,294 to make that aid that authority last 276 00:10:03,304 --> 00:10:05,526 longer ? Is there anything that's going 277 00:10:05,526 --> 00:10:07,860 to be delayed uh to make it last longer ? 278 00:10:07,860 --> 00:10:09,915 Um What steps are you taking ? So at 279 00:10:09,915 --> 00:10:12,082 the moment I would say no , um , we're 280 00:10:12,082 --> 00:10:14,137 still putting together packages . Um 281 00:10:14,137 --> 00:10:16,360 You're gonna see our , our , you know , 282 00:10:16,360 --> 00:10:19,010 our regular cadence continue , um which 283 00:10:19,020 --> 00:10:21,900 is usually weekly or every other week , 284 00:10:21,909 --> 00:10:25,049 give or take . Um Unfortunately , even 285 00:10:25,059 --> 00:10:27,489 though , you know , we are having 286 00:10:27,500 --> 00:10:30,059 conversations on the hill and , you 287 00:10:30,070 --> 00:10:32,181 know , with the interagency on how we 288 00:10:32,181 --> 00:10:34,403 get secure , more funding for Ukraine . 289 00:10:34,403 --> 00:10:37,130 The war is still ongoing and so those , 290 00:10:37,169 --> 00:10:39,169 the requirements and the needs that 291 00:10:39,169 --> 00:10:41,169 Ukraine has hasn't changed . And so 292 00:10:41,169 --> 00:10:42,947 you're going to continue to see 293 00:10:42,947 --> 00:10:44,669 packages right now , we're not 294 00:10:44,669 --> 00:10:46,725 adjusting anything to , um , I don't 295 00:10:46,725 --> 00:10:48,836 know , maybe have it like dribble out 296 00:10:48,836 --> 00:10:51,002 any longer . Um , we're gonna continue 297 00:10:51,002 --> 00:10:53,113 to flow aid as , as , as we can . And 298 00:10:53,113 --> 00:10:55,169 is there going to be attacks in this 299 00:10:55,169 --> 00:10:57,336 upcoming tranche of aid ? I don't have 300 00:10:57,336 --> 00:10:59,336 any announcement on attacks today . 301 00:10:59,336 --> 00:11:01,502 Thanks . Um I'm gonna go to the phones 302 00:11:01,502 --> 00:11:00,960 and then I'll come back in the room . 303 00:11:01,000 --> 00:11:04,239 Uh Jeff Shog task and purpose . Thank 304 00:11:04,250 --> 00:11:07,260 you very much . Is the US military 305 00:11:07,270 --> 00:11:10,419 going to send any more forces to Kosovo 306 00:11:10,559 --> 00:11:12,615 in light of current tensions there ? 307 00:11:12,615 --> 00:11:14,781 And does the Defense department assess 308 00:11:14,781 --> 00:11:18,179 that Russia may be , may be provoking 309 00:11:18,190 --> 00:11:20,580 uh tensions between Serbia and Kosovo ? 310 00:11:20,590 --> 00:11:23,369 Thank you . Thanks , Jeff . Um I don't 311 00:11:23,380 --> 00:11:25,979 have any uh announcements to make to 312 00:11:25,989 --> 00:11:27,933 make on that or any changes to our 313 00:11:27,933 --> 00:11:30,156 force posture . So , um I'll just leave 314 00:11:30,156 --> 00:11:32,479 it at that um in terms of Russia 315 00:11:32,489 --> 00:11:35,080 provoking um tensions in the region . I 316 00:11:35,090 --> 00:11:37,423 mean , we've certainly seen that before , 317 00:11:37,423 --> 00:11:39,534 but I don't really have more light to 318 00:11:39,534 --> 00:11:41,940 shed in terms of the specifics to um 319 00:11:41,950 --> 00:11:43,950 what's happening in , in Kosovo and 320 00:11:43,950 --> 00:11:46,228 Serbia . Uh I'll take another question , 321 00:11:46,228 --> 00:11:49,530 Heather us and I thanks so much . Um I 322 00:11:49,539 --> 00:11:51,595 was wondering if you could give us a 323 00:11:51,595 --> 00:11:53,706 battlefield assessment of the current 324 00:11:53,706 --> 00:11:55,595 Black sea fleet . Uh I noted that 325 00:11:55,595 --> 00:11:57,549 Russia had experienced multiple um 326 00:11:57,559 --> 00:11:59,670 attacks from the Ukrainians and I was 327 00:11:59,670 --> 00:12:01,726 just wondering if there's an idea of 328 00:12:01,726 --> 00:12:01,489 how many ships they still have and 329 00:12:01,500 --> 00:12:03,833 where they might be keeping their ships . 330 00:12:03,833 --> 00:12:06,000 Yeah , thanks Heather . Um So in terms 331 00:12:06,000 --> 00:12:07,944 of a battlefield assessment on the 332 00:12:07,944 --> 00:12:10,056 Black Sea , I would direct you to the 333 00:12:10,056 --> 00:12:12,056 Ukrainians to speak to that . Um We 334 00:12:12,056 --> 00:12:13,889 know that they have been able to 335 00:12:13,889 --> 00:12:15,889 successfully inflict some damage on 336 00:12:15,889 --> 00:12:17,944 Russian forces in the area . But for 337 00:12:17,944 --> 00:12:20,059 more of a update on , you know , ship 338 00:12:20,070 --> 00:12:22,299 count how , how many , how they , how 339 00:12:22,309 --> 00:12:24,476 successful they have been . I'd really 340 00:12:24,476 --> 00:12:26,587 direct you to the Ukrainians to speak 341 00:12:26,587 --> 00:12:28,753 to that . I'll come back in the room . 342 00:12:28,753 --> 00:12:30,587 Yeah . Brandy more follow ups on 343 00:12:30,587 --> 00:12:32,531 Warfield . He was the Deputy Chief 344 00:12:32,531 --> 00:12:34,753 Information Officer for Command control 345 00:12:34,753 --> 00:12:36,476 and Communications . Um in the 346 00:12:36,476 --> 00:12:39,159 secretary Cio office has Secretary 347 00:12:39,169 --> 00:12:41,539 Austin named someone who's gonna step 348 00:12:41,549 --> 00:12:44,440 in in that capacity . Um or Cio John 349 00:12:44,450 --> 00:12:46,739 Sherman , is anyone stepping in to fill 350 00:12:46,750 --> 00:12:48,528 in that role ? I don't have any 351 00:12:48,528 --> 00:12:50,969 personnel announcements today . So II I 352 00:12:50,979 --> 00:12:53,510 would , I don't that role is making 353 00:12:53,520 --> 00:12:56,419 right now . Yeah , great , Rio . Thank 354 00:12:56,429 --> 00:12:58,318 you . I want to ask you about the 355 00:12:58,318 --> 00:13:00,151 secret meeting with the Japanese 356 00:13:00,151 --> 00:13:02,040 Defense Minister tomorrow . Uh In 357 00:13:02,040 --> 00:13:04,349 January , the US and Japan agreed to 358 00:13:04,359 --> 00:13:06,900 look for more effective command and 359 00:13:06,909 --> 00:13:10,669 control structure then . Uh how much 360 00:13:10,679 --> 00:13:12,890 have you make progress on that ? Is 361 00:13:12,900 --> 00:13:15,210 that the priority area of cooperation 362 00:13:15,219 --> 00:13:17,275 with Japan ? Well , I'm not going to 363 00:13:17,275 --> 00:13:18,886 get ahead of the secretary's 364 00:13:18,886 --> 00:13:20,886 conversation that's going to happen 365 00:13:20,886 --> 00:13:22,941 tomorrow . Um As you know , Japan is 366 00:13:22,941 --> 00:13:25,163 one of our oldest standing partners and 367 00:13:25,163 --> 00:13:27,549 allies in the region . Um The secretary 368 00:13:27,559 --> 00:13:29,615 certainly looks forward to welcoming 369 00:13:29,615 --> 00:13:31,726 Minister Hamada tomorrow , but um I'm 370 00:13:31,726 --> 00:13:33,337 gonna not get ahead of their 371 00:13:33,337 --> 00:13:35,337 conversation and uh we'll provide a 372 00:13:35,337 --> 00:13:38,609 read out after the meeting . Also in 373 00:13:38,619 --> 00:13:42,520 Japan , the , the Mr Kihara , the 374 00:13:42,530 --> 00:13:44,770 is the third Japanese defense Minister 375 00:13:44,780 --> 00:13:46,960 that the Secretary Austin meet with 376 00:13:46,969 --> 00:13:49,080 since the secretary took the current 377 00:13:49,090 --> 00:13:51,640 position . Uh I wonder how difficult 378 00:13:51,650 --> 00:13:54,570 such Japan's frequent replacement of 379 00:13:54,580 --> 00:13:57,820 the Japanese defense minister uh make 380 00:13:57,830 --> 00:14:00,130 uh for the secretary to develop , for 381 00:14:00,289 --> 00:14:02,345 us to our personal relationship with 382 00:14:02,345 --> 00:14:04,622 the Japanese defense leadership . Well , 383 00:14:04,622 --> 00:14:06,678 we already have a very good and deep 384 00:14:06,678 --> 00:14:08,456 relationship with Japan on , on 385 00:14:08,456 --> 00:14:10,400 different levels from not just the 386 00:14:10,400 --> 00:14:12,289 secretary's level but um across , 387 00:14:12,289 --> 00:14:14,456 across the department , um I'll really 388 00:14:14,456 --> 00:14:16,456 let Japan speak to their changes in 389 00:14:16,456 --> 00:14:18,979 leadership , but um the secretary did 390 00:14:18,989 --> 00:14:21,390 have a strong rapport with minister um 391 00:14:21,840 --> 00:14:25,770 uh when they last spoke . Um and 392 00:14:25,780 --> 00:14:27,947 he looks forward to welcoming minister 393 00:14:27,947 --> 00:14:30,058 tomorrow , but I think it's important 394 00:14:30,058 --> 00:14:32,224 that , you know , this is one of our , 395 00:14:32,224 --> 00:14:34,280 our deep alliances that we have . Um 396 00:14:34,280 --> 00:14:36,780 And I'll just leave it at that . Yeah . 397 00:14:37,419 --> 00:14:40,159 Question 5.4 billion that's left in PD 398 00:14:40,169 --> 00:14:42,200 for Ukraine . So is pen ready to go 399 00:14:42,210 --> 00:14:45,539 beyond uh 1.6 billion mark . Given that 400 00:14:45,549 --> 00:14:47,438 that's the amount that is left to 401 00:14:47,438 --> 00:14:49,605 replenish the uh the American stocks . 402 00:14:49,605 --> 00:14:51,660 I'm sorry , can you repeat the first 403 00:14:51,660 --> 00:14:53,979 part of your question ? So like 5.4 404 00:14:53,989 --> 00:14:56,211 billion that left in pe is spending and 405 00:14:56,211 --> 00:14:58,849 ready to go beyond 1.6 billion mark . 406 00:14:58,859 --> 00:15:00,915 Given that that's the amount that is 407 00:15:00,915 --> 00:15:03,030 left to replenish his own stocks . 408 00:15:03,039 --> 00:15:05,150 That's what we're requesting . We are 409 00:15:05,150 --> 00:15:07,261 requesting more Ukraine funding so we 410 00:15:07,261 --> 00:15:09,428 can replenish our own stocks . The 1.6 411 00:15:09,428 --> 00:15:11,428 billion is specifically to for that 412 00:15:11,428 --> 00:15:14,030 replenishment . And as you noted , um 413 00:15:14,369 --> 00:15:16,900 the 1.6 billion is , is far below , is 414 00:15:16,909 --> 00:15:20,650 much lower than what we have in PD 415 00:15:20,659 --> 00:15:23,979 A authority left . So that is something 416 00:15:23,989 --> 00:15:26,267 that we are urging Congress to look at . 417 00:15:26,267 --> 00:15:28,322 Of course , um because we do need to 418 00:15:28,322 --> 00:15:30,489 replenish our stocks as we continue to 419 00:15:30,489 --> 00:15:34,270 flow . Aid to Ukraine Dave . Yeah . So 420 00:15:34,289 --> 00:15:36,511 would you just stay for the record ? Uh 421 00:15:36,511 --> 00:15:39,289 Exactly how much money is left in the 422 00:15:39,299 --> 00:15:43,270 PD A account ? Yeah . So in the um PD A 423 00:15:43,280 --> 00:15:45,940 account , uh in the evaluation , we 424 00:15:45,950 --> 00:15:49,880 have uh $5.4 billion left um in 425 00:15:49,890 --> 00:15:53,030 PD A funds and um uh 426 00:15:53,039 --> 00:15:56,359 we have no more USA I left and then we 427 00:15:56,369 --> 00:15:58,489 have the 1.6 billion that we will use 428 00:15:58,500 --> 00:16:01,919 to replenish our stocks . Yes , 429 00:16:02,640 --> 00:16:04,751 thank you , Sabrina . Um Regarding to 430 00:16:04,751 --> 00:16:07,429 the nature , um there are like uh 29 431 00:16:07,440 --> 00:16:10,169 major soldiers were killed in an attack 432 00:16:10,179 --> 00:16:12,830 by armed insurgents near the country's 433 00:16:12,840 --> 00:16:15,007 border with Mali . So , uh do you have 434 00:16:15,010 --> 00:16:17,150 concerns about the security of , uh , 435 00:16:17,159 --> 00:16:19,710 security and stability for this country . 436 00:16:19,719 --> 00:16:21,608 And is there any change with your 437 00:16:21,608 --> 00:16:23,830 troops posture there ? And are you 438 00:16:23,840 --> 00:16:26,549 planning to maybe rerun your operations 439 00:16:26,559 --> 00:16:29,530 against these groups ? Uh , so I've 440 00:16:29,539 --> 00:16:31,489 seen the reports on , um , what 441 00:16:31,500 --> 00:16:34,000 happened , uh , I think it was 442 00:16:34,010 --> 00:16:37,549 yesterday or overnight . Um , in , in , 443 00:16:37,559 --> 00:16:39,837 I mean , in terms of our force posture , 444 00:16:39,837 --> 00:16:41,892 of course , no , no , us soldiers or 445 00:16:41,892 --> 00:16:44,115 troops were involved in that . Um , our 446 00:16:44,115 --> 00:16:47,830 focus is again continuing to move 447 00:16:47,840 --> 00:16:49,896 our , um , personnel and assets from 448 00:16:49,896 --> 00:16:52,659 air base 101 to 201 , which is mostly 449 00:16:52,669 --> 00:16:56,599 complete . Um And uh we're , 450 00:16:56,609 --> 00:16:58,831 we're focused on our force posture . So 451 00:16:58,831 --> 00:17:00,831 I think you , I think you are force 452 00:17:00,831 --> 00:17:03,053 protection . I should say , I think you 453 00:17:03,053 --> 00:17:02,890 mentioned operations . We're not 454 00:17:02,900 --> 00:17:06,229 conducting any CT operations in . Um 455 00:17:06,239 --> 00:17:08,489 We're just focused on consolidating 456 00:17:08,500 --> 00:17:11,510 from 101 to 201 at this point . Yeah , 457 00:17:11,520 --> 00:17:13,464 of course . I see a question . I'm 458 00:17:13,464 --> 00:17:15,520 gonna come back to you . Um , Mike , 459 00:17:15,520 --> 00:17:18,650 sorry , I'll come back , Arian 460 00:17:19,150 --> 00:17:22,290 Dubai . Last week , Secretary Meyer 461 00:17:22,300 --> 00:17:24,599 testified up on a , that there is an 462 00:17:24,609 --> 00:17:26,720 internal investigator or some sort of 463 00:17:26,720 --> 00:17:28,942 internal investigation going on here in 464 00:17:28,942 --> 00:17:31,053 the building to determine whether all 465 00:17:31,053 --> 00:17:33,109 laws and policies were followed when 466 00:17:33,109 --> 00:17:35,589 she was granted her TSS C I clearance . 467 00:17:35,739 --> 00:17:39,390 My question is , what's her status now ? 468 00:17:39,400 --> 00:17:42,150 And does she , have you suspended her 469 00:17:42,160 --> 00:17:44,849 clearance ? And if not ? Why not ? No , 470 00:17:44,859 --> 00:17:47,109 we haven't . We believe that she was , 471 00:17:47,489 --> 00:17:49,711 uh , went through the vetting process . 472 00:17:49,711 --> 00:17:51,822 Um I think that was , there were many 473 00:17:51,822 --> 00:17:54,099 questions about that on the hill . Um 474 00:17:54,189 --> 00:17:56,189 And , and in the testimony that you 475 00:17:56,189 --> 00:17:58,245 reference , I don't have any more to 476 00:17:58,245 --> 00:18:00,522 provide on that . Great . Um Did I see ? 477 00:18:00,522 --> 00:18:02,578 Yeah , right over here . Do you have 478 00:18:02,578 --> 00:18:04,689 any indication that arms deal between 479 00:18:04,689 --> 00:18:06,911 North Korea and Russia took place after 480 00:18:07,170 --> 00:18:11,000 their summit ? Um We know that they've 481 00:18:11,010 --> 00:18:13,232 been in communication . We would not be 482 00:18:13,232 --> 00:18:16,030 surprised if there was a transfer of 483 00:18:16,040 --> 00:18:19,280 artillery from North Korea to Russia . 484 00:18:19,290 --> 00:18:22,900 We saw the um the heads of both 485 00:18:22,910 --> 00:18:25,188 countries meet and surely discuss that . 486 00:18:25,439 --> 00:18:27,606 Uh We know Russia is going through and 487 00:18:27,606 --> 00:18:29,772 expanding through its artillery pretty 488 00:18:29,772 --> 00:18:31,810 quickly . Um So it wouldn't be a 489 00:18:31,819 --> 00:18:33,819 surprise . I don't have anything to 490 00:18:33,819 --> 00:18:35,930 read out or confirm if like an actual 491 00:18:35,930 --> 00:18:37,986 transfer has taken place . Um But of 492 00:18:37,986 --> 00:18:40,041 course , it would not surprise us if 493 00:18:40,041 --> 00:18:42,097 that , if that does in fact happen . 494 00:18:42,097 --> 00:18:44,208 Sure . So how about the private tribe 495 00:18:44,208 --> 00:18:46,375 tribes king who will return from North 496 00:18:46,375 --> 00:18:48,597 Korea ? So how is he ? And then what is 497 00:18:48,597 --> 00:18:50,708 his next step for to , to do ? And he 498 00:18:50,708 --> 00:18:52,930 went to the military Corp , what is his 499 00:18:52,930 --> 00:18:54,930 next step ? Uh So next step is he's 500 00:18:54,930 --> 00:18:57,041 still going through the reintegration 501 00:18:57,041 --> 00:18:59,152 process . Um As I mentioned , I wanna 502 00:18:59,152 --> 00:19:01,859 say last week , um there's not really a 503 00:19:01,869 --> 00:19:03,869 timeline on that process that takes 504 00:19:03,869 --> 00:19:06,239 time for any individual . Um And it's , 505 00:19:06,510 --> 00:19:09,319 um you know , it can be as long or as 506 00:19:09,329 --> 00:19:12,290 short as , as a person needs . Um He's 507 00:19:12,300 --> 00:19:15,619 been reunited with his family . I , you 508 00:19:15,630 --> 00:19:17,741 know , I think I read out that he was 509 00:19:17,741 --> 00:19:19,890 in good spirits when he landed uh in 510 00:19:19,900 --> 00:19:22,011 the United States . Um but this is an 511 00:19:22,011 --> 00:19:24,122 ongoing process and so for any follow 512 00:19:24,122 --> 00:19:26,400 up on what happens to him , his status , 513 00:19:26,400 --> 00:19:28,622 I would refer you to the army for , for 514 00:19:28,622 --> 00:19:30,789 further questions on that . Yeah , and 515 00:19:30,789 --> 00:19:32,733 then I'll come to Warren . Um I'll 516 00:19:32,733 --> 00:19:34,844 follow up on Mofield just to be extra 517 00:19:34,844 --> 00:19:36,789 clear . You mentioned he's no , no 518 00:19:36,789 --> 00:19:38,844 longer in the workplace that usually 519 00:19:38,844 --> 00:19:40,956 works . Does that mean still employed 520 00:19:40,956 --> 00:19:40,430 but not showing up to work or does that 521 00:19:40,439 --> 00:19:42,495 mean not employed anymore and not in 522 00:19:42,495 --> 00:19:44,661 the workforce ? He is no longer in the 523 00:19:44,661 --> 00:19:46,717 workplace but in terms of his actual 524 00:19:46,717 --> 00:19:48,772 status or anything like that because 525 00:19:48,772 --> 00:19:50,828 this is an ongoing investigation . I 526 00:19:50,828 --> 00:19:52,883 would just refer you to DOJ . I just 527 00:19:52,883 --> 00:19:55,050 don't have any more details to provide 528 00:19:55,050 --> 00:19:57,217 at this time , but just so not showing 529 00:19:57,217 --> 00:19:59,383 up to work just to be clear . He is no 530 00:19:59,383 --> 00:20:01,661 longer working in this building , Oren . 531 00:20:01,661 --> 00:20:03,772 Last question to you . Ok . I'll come 532 00:20:03,772 --> 00:20:05,995 to you and then , or you first and then 533 00:20:05,995 --> 00:20:07,883 I'll come to you on . Ukraine has 534 00:20:07,883 --> 00:20:10,050 secretary Austin engaged with the Hill 535 00:20:10,050 --> 00:20:12,106 since the shutdown was averted um to 536 00:20:12,106 --> 00:20:14,217 ensure bipartisan support and get any 537 00:20:14,217 --> 00:20:16,328 update on on when that would happen . 538 00:20:16,328 --> 00:20:18,383 Uh Well , the secretary was actively 539 00:20:18,383 --> 00:20:20,890 engaging with the Hill uh throughout 540 00:20:20,900 --> 00:20:23,067 the , since last Friday and throughout 541 00:20:23,067 --> 00:20:25,459 the weekend , um engaging with folks uh 542 00:20:25,469 --> 00:20:28,699 to encourage um not only funding for 543 00:20:28,709 --> 00:20:31,042 Ukraine but to keep the government open , 544 00:20:31,042 --> 00:20:33,320 I don't have any more specifics to add , 545 00:20:33,320 --> 00:20:35,760 but I will say that our legislative 546 00:20:35,770 --> 00:20:37,659 team here along with other senior 547 00:20:37,659 --> 00:20:39,714 leaders in the building , constantly 548 00:20:39,714 --> 00:20:41,659 engage with the hill on a frequent 549 00:20:41,659 --> 00:20:43,770 basis on behalf of the secretary . Um 550 00:20:43,770 --> 00:20:45,603 So I think our , I think our dod 551 00:20:45,603 --> 00:20:47,770 presence is , is certainly felt on the 552 00:20:47,770 --> 00:20:50,103 hill . Yeah , last question , thank you . 553 00:20:50,103 --> 00:20:50,020 You saw the Turkish strikes against the 554 00:20:50,030 --> 00:20:52,252 PKK in northern Iraq over the weekend . 555 00:20:52,252 --> 00:20:54,474 Has the secretary spoken to his Turkish 556 00:20:54,474 --> 00:20:56,930 or Iraqi counterparts is focus on the 557 00:20:56,939 --> 00:20:59,079 PKK in any way , make the US support 558 00:20:59,089 --> 00:21:01,089 for the SDF untenable in the longer 559 00:21:01,089 --> 00:21:03,089 term . So I don't have any calls to 560 00:21:03,089 --> 00:21:05,089 read out uh in terms of uh what you 561 00:21:05,089 --> 00:21:07,880 asked about the secretary . Um What 562 00:21:07,890 --> 00:21:09,819 I'll say again and what I've said 563 00:21:09,829 --> 00:21:12,880 before is that um any 564 00:21:13,229 --> 00:21:15,619 actions that further destabilize our 565 00:21:15,630 --> 00:21:17,797 mission , which is the enduring defeat 566 00:21:17,797 --> 00:21:20,079 of ISIS um don't serve that mission . 567 00:21:20,319 --> 00:21:24,020 And so , um the United States is of 568 00:21:24,030 --> 00:21:26,030 course focused on that mission . We 569 00:21:26,030 --> 00:21:28,030 continue to do . So you saw Centcom 570 00:21:28,030 --> 00:21:30,141 over the weekend sent out a few um uh 571 00:21:30,141 --> 00:21:32,630 statements um uh that announced some of 572 00:21:32,640 --> 00:21:34,910 their uh progress that they're making 573 00:21:34,920 --> 00:21:37,031 in the defeat ISIS mission . Um But I 574 00:21:37,031 --> 00:21:38,864 just don't have anything else to 575 00:21:38,864 --> 00:21:41,087 provide in terms of calls . That's it . 576 00:21:41,087 --> 00:21:42,209 Thanks all . I'll leave it at that .