WEBVTT 00:02.869 --> 00:06.849 Right . Yeah , good afternoon , 00:06.860 --> 00:09.082 everyone . Um Just a few things here at 00:09.082 --> 00:11.082 the top and then I am happy to take 00:11.082 --> 00:13.149 your questions . Um So tomorrow 00:13.159 --> 00:15.326 Secretary Austin will welcome Japanese 00:15.326 --> 00:17.559 Defense Minister Kiara on his first 00:17.569 --> 00:19.625 overseas trip and his first visit to 00:19.625 --> 00:21.389 the Pentagon as minister , the 00:21.399 --> 00:23.399 secretary looks forward to a strong 00:23.399 --> 00:25.455 relationship with Minister Kiara and 00:25.455 --> 00:27.621 working together to advance one of our 00:27.621 --> 00:29.732 strongest alliances . We'll have more 00:29.732 --> 00:31.950 information to share tomorrow . Um And 00:31.959 --> 00:34.126 then switching topics as I'm sure many 00:34.126 --> 00:36.237 folks in the room here are focused on 00:36.237 --> 00:38.070 as you know , over the weekend , 00:38.070 --> 00:40.292 Congress was able to avert a government 00:40.292 --> 00:42.459 shutdown of the government . However , 00:42.459 --> 00:44.348 we once again find ourselves in a 00:44.348 --> 00:46.292 continuing period of uncertainty . 00:46.292 --> 00:48.015 Defense of our nation requires 00:48.015 --> 00:50.237 certainty and resolve . This also means 00:50.237 --> 00:52.348 a commitment to strengthening our own 00:52.348 --> 00:52.150 national security by ensuring that 00:52.159 --> 00:54.450 Ukraine has what it needs to defend its 00:54.459 --> 00:56.830 freedom and protect their people from 00:56.840 --> 00:59.470 Putin's brutal invasion . We have 00:59.479 --> 01:01.423 enough funding authorities to meet 01:01.423 --> 01:03.590 Ukraine's battlefield needs for just a 01:03.590 --> 01:05.368 little bit longer , but we need 01:05.368 --> 01:07.479 Congress to act to ensure there is no 01:07.479 --> 01:09.646 disruption in our support , especially 01:09.646 --> 01:11.701 as the department seeks to replenish 01:11.701 --> 01:13.812 our stocks . As Secretary Austin said 01:13.812 --> 01:15.979 on Saturday , we urge Congress to live 01:15.979 --> 01:18.090 up to America's commitment to provide 01:18.090 --> 01:19.979 urgently needed assistance to the 01:19.979 --> 01:21.923 people of Ukraine as they fight to 01:21.923 --> 01:24.160 defend their own country against forces 01:24.169 --> 01:26.629 of tyranny . America must live up to it . 01:26.940 --> 01:29.360 America must live up to its world and 01:29.370 --> 01:31.790 continue to lead . We have seen 01:31.800 --> 01:33.689 bipartisan support for Ukraine in 01:33.689 --> 01:35.467 Congress and we urge members of 01:35.467 --> 01:37.522 Congress to keep their commitment to 01:37.522 --> 01:39.578 the people of Ukraine and secure the 01:39.578 --> 01:41.467 passage of support needed to help 01:41.467 --> 01:43.578 Ukraine at this critical moment . And 01:43.578 --> 01:45.689 with that , I'd be happy to take your 01:45.689 --> 01:48.220 questions . I'll start with um just on 01:48.230 --> 01:51.069 that issue of um weapons 01:51.379 --> 01:54.926 replacement and refurbishment . In his 01:54.935 --> 01:57.195 letter the other day , the Comptroller 01:57.206 --> 01:59.725 talked about the pressure on 01:59.736 --> 02:01.926 replenishing stocks and said there was 02:01.935 --> 02:05.005 about 1.6 billion , I guess left . How 02:05.015 --> 02:08.555 long will that 1.6 billion last ? 02:08.805 --> 02:11.115 And can you give us a sense of what are 02:11.126 --> 02:13.626 the weapon systems that are under most 02:13.636 --> 02:15.858 strain right now ? Where are you seeing 02:15.858 --> 02:18.091 the biggest that you may not be able to 02:18.102 --> 02:20.591 continue to send to Ukraine now ? So 02:20.602 --> 02:22.769 good question in terms of how long the 02:22.769 --> 02:25.421 1.6 billion will last ? That that's a 02:25.511 --> 02:27.678 determination that will be made by the 02:27.678 --> 02:29.900 Comptroller . And I don't know that I'd 02:29.900 --> 02:31.900 be able to put a time frame on it . 02:31.900 --> 02:34.122 It's really how that funding is used to 02:34.122 --> 02:36.289 replenish our stocks . And of course , 02:36.332 --> 02:39.869 when we're available to enter into 02:39.880 --> 02:43.279 contracts um to refill our , our stocks . 02:43.289 --> 02:45.456 Um So I can't really put a timeline on 02:45.456 --> 02:47.622 how long that 1.6 billion will stretch 02:47.622 --> 02:50.699 out for . Um in terms of , in terms of 02:50.710 --> 02:53.960 what we would be or how , which systems 02:53.970 --> 02:57.070 or capabilities were are we working to 02:57.080 --> 03:01.059 refill ? Um That depends on again what 03:01.070 --> 03:03.330 we continue to send , Ukraine , whether 03:03.339 --> 03:05.561 it's air defenses , more artillery , we 03:05.561 --> 03:07.779 know that we are working to refill um 03:07.789 --> 03:10.419 artillery and our stocks . Um But it 03:10.429 --> 03:13.059 really depends on what Ukraine requests . 03:13.070 --> 03:14.792 And again , we know that their 03:14.792 --> 03:16.514 priorities are air defense and 03:16.514 --> 03:18.348 artillery and also mine clearing 03:18.348 --> 03:20.570 equipment . Um So that's what our focus 03:20.570 --> 03:22.681 is on . So that , of course , is what 03:22.681 --> 03:24.848 we're inevitably going to be refilling 03:24.848 --> 03:26.959 as well . But you have to remember in 03:26.959 --> 03:26.779 the beginning of the war , we were also 03:26.789 --> 03:29.160 saying , uh sending javelin stingers 03:29.169 --> 03:31.225 other things like that . Um So those 03:31.225 --> 03:33.391 also are being replenished , but we've 03:33.391 --> 03:35.502 done so over time . But the secretary 03:35.502 --> 03:37.613 made the point the other day that air 03:37.613 --> 03:39.780 defense was the key that the US wanted 03:39.780 --> 03:42.002 to continue to send . Is there pressure 03:42.002 --> 03:44.058 on that ? Is there , is that a point 03:44.058 --> 03:47.850 where um the US is having strains 03:47.860 --> 03:50.740 replenishing us stocks at this point ? 03:50.949 --> 03:53.060 And can you at least narrow it down ? 03:53.060 --> 03:56.070 Is it weeks , is it months ? Is it 2025 ? 03:56.080 --> 03:59.270 I mean , give us a sense . Um I 03:59.279 --> 04:01.557 wouldn't say there's a strain . I mean , 04:01.557 --> 04:03.501 we know that . And we've been very 04:03.501 --> 04:05.723 public here from the podium saying that 04:05.723 --> 04:07.835 we're not gonna drop um below certain 04:07.835 --> 04:10.168 levels . Um So not necessarily a strain , 04:10.168 --> 04:12.223 but we do know that replenishing our 04:12.223 --> 04:13.890 stocks is a priority for this 04:13.890 --> 04:16.001 department as we continue to send and 04:16.001 --> 04:18.739 flow aid to Ukraine . Um I really wish 04:18.750 --> 04:20.806 I could give you more of a uh a time 04:20.806 --> 04:23.440 frame on that . Um It's , it's really 04:23.450 --> 04:26.200 hard to say we , a lot of it depends on 04:26.209 --> 04:28.600 when Congress gives us the funding 04:28.609 --> 04:31.140 support we need that we can continue to 04:31.149 --> 04:33.239 use that 1.6 billion . So I just , I 04:33.250 --> 04:35.339 can't give you a certain timeline or 04:35.350 --> 04:37.461 like even forecast weeks or months on 04:37.461 --> 04:39.794 how long it will take to use that money . 04:39.794 --> 04:41.961 Yeah , Liz , on the defense department 04:41.961 --> 04:44.072 official who was arrested last week , 04:44.072 --> 04:46.128 um , he is suspected he was in a dog 04:46.128 --> 04:48.260 fighting ring . Um , what level of 04:48.269 --> 04:50.102 security clearance did Frederick 04:50.102 --> 04:53.149 Mofield have ? Um , I'm not uh sure 04:53.160 --> 04:55.440 what type of security clearance level 04:55.450 --> 04:57.561 he had . Um , that's not something we 04:57.561 --> 04:59.783 would give out . Is that something that 04:59.783 --> 05:01.839 is , um , individual to , you know , 05:01.839 --> 05:03.672 what access that person has ? We 05:03.672 --> 05:05.839 wouldn't really detail um , what types 05:05.839 --> 05:08.172 of security clearance levels . But , um , 05:08.172 --> 05:10.339 we are aware of the criminal complaint 05:10.339 --> 05:12.450 and of course , um , you know , would 05:12.450 --> 05:14.617 refer you to the Department of Justice 05:14.617 --> 05:16.728 as this is an ongoing matter , but he 05:16.728 --> 05:18.783 did have a security clearance . Um , 05:18.783 --> 05:20.839 how was that able to happen . He was 05:20.839 --> 05:23.061 investigated by local police five years 05:23.061 --> 05:25.228 ago when dead dogs were found in his , 05:25.228 --> 05:27.394 in a bag in his property . Um , how is 05:27.394 --> 05:29.672 that able to happen ? Yeah , I , again , 05:29.672 --> 05:31.672 I don't know the level of clearance 05:31.672 --> 05:33.672 that he had . I'm not gonna go into 05:33.672 --> 05:35.839 more specifics on it . It's an ongoing 05:35.839 --> 05:35.489 case . I think these are some things 05:35.500 --> 05:37.722 that , of course , will come out in the 05:37.722 --> 05:39.833 investigation . I think you raised an 05:39.833 --> 05:41.889 excellent point on . Um , you know , 05:41.889 --> 05:44.049 why or were behaviors caught when it 05:44.059 --> 05:46.059 should have been ? That's something 05:46.059 --> 05:48.226 that will be revealed , of course , um 05:48.226 --> 05:50.448 as the Department of Justice , um leads 05:50.448 --> 05:52.559 this investigation . So I'm not going 05:52.559 --> 05:54.670 to comment any further or uh a follow 05:54.670 --> 05:56.781 up on Lita's question she asked about 05:56.781 --> 05:58.781 Ukraine replenishment . I'm curious 05:58.781 --> 06:00.948 about the flip side of that . You said 06:00.948 --> 05:59.730 you have enough funding to meet 05:59.739 --> 06:01.899 Ukraine's battlefield needs just a 06:01.910 --> 06:04.859 little bit longer . What does that mean ? 06:04.869 --> 06:07.091 And when do we start to see the lack of 06:07.091 --> 06:09.440 additional Ukraine funding play out as , 06:09.450 --> 06:11.283 as a detriment to Ukraine on the 06:11.283 --> 06:13.450 battlefield ? So as you know , we're , 06:13.450 --> 06:15.561 we are constantly in contact with the 06:15.561 --> 06:17.672 Ukrainians on their battlefield needs 06:17.672 --> 06:19.549 as you've seen from the 47 other 06:19.559 --> 06:22.320 packages that we have rolled out over 06:22.329 --> 06:25.410 the course of the last year and a half . 06:25.420 --> 06:28.609 Um Each package ranges in dollar value . 06:28.619 --> 06:30.397 Each package also varies in the 06:30.397 --> 06:32.452 capabilities and systems and weapons 06:32.452 --> 06:34.675 that we're giving . So it's hard to say 06:34.675 --> 06:36.850 how long that um additional 06:36.859 --> 06:39.089 recalculated PD A authority will go 06:39.100 --> 06:41.322 because it will depend on the package . 06:41.322 --> 06:43.378 So again , you've seen some packages 06:43.378 --> 06:45.544 that are just over $200 million you've 06:45.544 --> 06:47.433 seen packages that are close to a 06:47.433 --> 06:49.656 billion million dollars . Um If we , we 06:49.656 --> 06:51.656 have five packages that continue to 06:51.656 --> 06:50.945 roll out , that's going to be gone 06:50.954 --> 06:53.915 pretty quick . Um So again , I , I'm , 06:53.924 --> 06:56.684 I'm hesitant to put on a timeline . We , 06:56.695 --> 06:58.695 we do feel that we have the funding 06:58.695 --> 07:01.135 authorities to meet Ukraine's urgent 07:01.144 --> 07:03.375 needs right now , but it's not going to 07:03.385 --> 07:05.663 be able to sustain us in the long term . 07:05.663 --> 07:07.774 We do need Congress to pass a funding 07:07.774 --> 07:10.589 bill . Yeah , Dan , and I'll come with 07:10.679 --> 07:12.901 you , Laura . Thanks for your time . Um 07:13.019 --> 07:14.963 I wanted to address a point that I 07:14.970 --> 07:17.192 think has remained in conflict in the , 07:17.192 --> 07:19.359 in the , the political crisis over the 07:19.359 --> 07:21.637 weekend , I think underscored it again , 07:21.637 --> 07:23.748 which is that President Biden and the 07:23.748 --> 07:25.914 Biden administration has said over and 07:25.914 --> 07:28.081 over again that the United States will 07:28.081 --> 07:30.026 be there for Ukraine as long as it 07:30.026 --> 07:29.730 takes . That's usually the phrase we 07:29.739 --> 07:32.500 hear . Um But there are all these other 07:32.510 --> 07:34.390 reasons that that can be put in 07:34.399 --> 07:36.510 jeopardy uh including other elections 07:36.510 --> 07:38.343 and uh you know , even political 07:38.343 --> 07:40.399 disputes on the hill over whether or 07:40.399 --> 07:42.621 not the fund is , um can you square the 07:42.621 --> 07:44.732 circle on that ? How , how can anyone 07:44.732 --> 07:47.019 take that as long as it takes seriously 07:47.029 --> 07:48.807 considering all of the other uh 07:48.807 --> 07:50.807 pitfalls here . Yeah . No , I think 07:50.807 --> 07:53.130 that's , um , that's a great question . 07:53.350 --> 07:55.420 Um , I think what's important to 07:55.429 --> 07:57.429 remember is you've seen bipartisan 07:57.440 --> 08:00.190 support for Ukraine on , on both sides 08:00.200 --> 08:02.311 of the aisle . I mean , most recently 08:02.311 --> 08:04.422 we had uh a Republican and Democratic 08:04.422 --> 08:06.644 delegation that went to visit Kiev that 08:06.644 --> 08:08.756 met with , um , leadership there that 08:08.756 --> 08:11.339 saw our weapons and systems that are 08:11.350 --> 08:13.461 going in that Ukraine is using . Um , 08:13.461 --> 08:15.572 so I think it's important to remember 08:15.572 --> 08:17.183 that even though there is um 08:17.500 --> 08:20.049 consternation on the hill , you still 08:20.059 --> 08:22.790 have Republican support in the House 08:22.799 --> 08:24.910 and you still have Republican support 08:24.910 --> 08:27.077 in the Senate and of course Democratic 08:27.077 --> 08:28.966 support . And it is , it's a good 08:28.966 --> 08:31.077 reminder also that it is just a small 08:31.077 --> 08:33.299 minority of folks in the House that are 08:33.299 --> 08:35.466 expressing their opposition . Um So we 08:35.466 --> 08:37.466 do feel confident that we will have 08:37.466 --> 08:39.719 bipartisan support to continue to 08:39.729 --> 08:42.062 support Ukraine for as long as it takes . 08:42.219 --> 08:44.386 And I think it's important and I think 08:44.386 --> 08:46.386 many members on the hill understand 08:46.386 --> 08:48.789 this supporting Ukraine is in our 08:48.799 --> 08:51.349 national interest as well . Um We can't 08:51.359 --> 08:53.415 allow Russia to win . We can't allow 08:53.415 --> 08:55.880 Russia to expand its war outside of the , 08:55.969 --> 08:58.830 the lines of um Ukraine . And that's 08:58.840 --> 09:00.784 why you're seeing the power of the 09:00.784 --> 09:02.618 United States to convene over 50 09:02.618 --> 09:04.500 nations with the Ukraine defense 09:04.510 --> 09:06.677 contact group that the secretary leads 09:06.710 --> 09:08.710 almost every month . Um That's why 09:08.719 --> 09:10.830 you're seeing aid packages continuing 09:10.830 --> 09:13.599 to flow . So I , I do feel confident 09:13.609 --> 09:15.720 that we will have the funding that we 09:15.720 --> 09:17.720 need . Um As Congress works through 09:17.720 --> 09:19.940 this , this point of turmoil on the 09:19.950 --> 09:22.099 hill if I could uh follow up on the 09:22.109 --> 09:24.109 Moorefield case as well . Uh That , 09:24.109 --> 09:27.059 that dog fighting case . Um the , the 09:27.070 --> 09:29.014 phrasing of the Pentagon statement 09:29.014 --> 09:31.181 yesterday left it a little ambiguous . 09:31.181 --> 09:33.014 Is he considered still a defense 09:33.014 --> 09:35.237 department employee ? Is he on terminal 09:35.237 --> 09:37.459 leave ? Is he a former employee ? Where 09:37.459 --> 09:36.780 does he actually fall at this point ? 09:36.809 --> 09:39.031 Um I can confirm that he's no longer in 09:39.031 --> 09:41.253 the workplace . Um I just can't comment 09:41.253 --> 09:43.365 any further on this matter as it's an 09:43.365 --> 09:45.531 ongoing investigation . So I'd have to 09:45.531 --> 09:47.309 refer you to DOJ for , for more 09:47.309 --> 09:49.365 information . Laura , did you have a 09:49.365 --> 09:49.215 question ? Yes . Um , a couple of 09:49.224 --> 09:52.104 questions . Um Just on the aid to 09:52.114 --> 09:54.003 Ukraine , you said you , you have 09:54.003 --> 09:56.058 enough funding authority to keep the 09:56.058 --> 09:58.225 battlefield needs flowing for a little 09:58.225 --> 10:00.445 bit longer . Is DD taking any measures 10:00.455 --> 10:03.294 to make that aid that authority last 10:03.304 --> 10:05.526 longer ? Is there anything that's going 10:05.526 --> 10:07.860 to be delayed uh to make it last longer ? 10:07.860 --> 10:09.915 Um What steps are you taking ? So at 10:09.915 --> 10:12.082 the moment I would say no , um , we're 10:12.082 --> 10:14.137 still putting together packages . Um 10:14.137 --> 10:16.360 You're gonna see our , our , you know , 10:16.360 --> 10:19.010 our regular cadence continue , um which 10:19.020 --> 10:21.900 is usually weekly or every other week , 10:21.909 --> 10:25.049 give or take . Um Unfortunately , even 10:25.059 --> 10:27.489 though , you know , we are having 10:27.500 --> 10:30.059 conversations on the hill and , you 10:30.070 --> 10:32.181 know , with the interagency on how we 10:32.181 --> 10:34.403 get secure , more funding for Ukraine . 10:34.403 --> 10:37.130 The war is still ongoing and so those , 10:37.169 --> 10:39.169 the requirements and the needs that 10:39.169 --> 10:41.169 Ukraine has hasn't changed . And so 10:41.169 --> 10:42.947 you're going to continue to see 10:42.947 --> 10:44.669 packages right now , we're not 10:44.669 --> 10:46.725 adjusting anything to , um , I don't 10:46.725 --> 10:48.836 know , maybe have it like dribble out 10:48.836 --> 10:51.002 any longer . Um , we're gonna continue 10:51.002 --> 10:53.113 to flow aid as , as , as we can . And 10:53.113 --> 10:55.169 is there going to be attacks in this 10:55.169 --> 10:57.336 upcoming tranche of aid ? I don't have 10:57.336 --> 10:59.336 any announcement on attacks today . 10:59.336 --> 11:01.502 Thanks . Um I'm gonna go to the phones 11:01.502 --> 11:00.960 and then I'll come back in the room . 11:01.000 --> 11:04.239 Uh Jeff Shog task and purpose . Thank 11:04.250 --> 11:07.260 you very much . Is the US military 11:07.270 --> 11:10.419 going to send any more forces to Kosovo 11:10.559 --> 11:12.615 in light of current tensions there ? 11:12.615 --> 11:14.781 And does the Defense department assess 11:14.781 --> 11:18.179 that Russia may be , may be provoking 11:18.190 --> 11:20.580 uh tensions between Serbia and Kosovo ? 11:20.590 --> 11:23.369 Thank you . Thanks , Jeff . Um I don't 11:23.380 --> 11:25.979 have any uh announcements to make to 11:25.989 --> 11:27.933 make on that or any changes to our 11:27.933 --> 11:30.156 force posture . So , um I'll just leave 11:30.156 --> 11:32.479 it at that um in terms of Russia 11:32.489 --> 11:35.080 provoking um tensions in the region . I 11:35.090 --> 11:37.423 mean , we've certainly seen that before , 11:37.423 --> 11:39.534 but I don't really have more light to 11:39.534 --> 11:41.940 shed in terms of the specifics to um 11:41.950 --> 11:43.950 what's happening in , in Kosovo and 11:43.950 --> 11:46.228 Serbia . Uh I'll take another question , 11:46.228 --> 11:49.530 Heather us and I thanks so much . Um I 11:49.539 --> 11:51.595 was wondering if you could give us a 11:51.595 --> 11:53.706 battlefield assessment of the current 11:53.706 --> 11:55.595 Black sea fleet . Uh I noted that 11:55.595 --> 11:57.549 Russia had experienced multiple um 11:57.559 --> 11:59.670 attacks from the Ukrainians and I was 11:59.670 --> 12:01.726 just wondering if there's an idea of 12:01.726 --> 12:01.489 how many ships they still have and 12:01.500 --> 12:03.833 where they might be keeping their ships . 12:03.833 --> 12:06.000 Yeah , thanks Heather . Um So in terms 12:06.000 --> 12:07.944 of a battlefield assessment on the 12:07.944 --> 12:10.056 Black Sea , I would direct you to the 12:10.056 --> 12:12.056 Ukrainians to speak to that . Um We 12:12.056 --> 12:13.889 know that they have been able to 12:13.889 --> 12:15.889 successfully inflict some damage on 12:15.889 --> 12:17.944 Russian forces in the area . But for 12:17.944 --> 12:20.059 more of a update on , you know , ship 12:20.070 --> 12:22.299 count how , how many , how they , how 12:22.309 --> 12:24.476 successful they have been . I'd really 12:24.476 --> 12:26.587 direct you to the Ukrainians to speak 12:26.587 --> 12:28.753 to that . I'll come back in the room . 12:28.753 --> 12:30.587 Yeah . Brandy more follow ups on 12:30.587 --> 12:32.531 Warfield . He was the Deputy Chief 12:32.531 --> 12:34.753 Information Officer for Command control 12:34.753 --> 12:36.476 and Communications . Um in the 12:36.476 --> 12:39.159 secretary Cio office has Secretary 12:39.169 --> 12:41.539 Austin named someone who's gonna step 12:41.549 --> 12:44.440 in in that capacity . Um or Cio John 12:44.450 --> 12:46.739 Sherman , is anyone stepping in to fill 12:46.750 --> 12:48.528 in that role ? I don't have any 12:48.528 --> 12:50.969 personnel announcements today . So II I 12:50.979 --> 12:53.510 would , I don't that role is making 12:53.520 --> 12:56.419 right now . Yeah , great , Rio . Thank 12:56.429 --> 12:58.318 you . I want to ask you about the 12:58.318 --> 13:00.151 secret meeting with the Japanese 13:00.151 --> 13:02.040 Defense Minister tomorrow . Uh In 13:02.040 --> 13:04.349 January , the US and Japan agreed to 13:04.359 --> 13:06.900 look for more effective command and 13:06.909 --> 13:10.669 control structure then . Uh how much 13:10.679 --> 13:12.890 have you make progress on that ? Is 13:12.900 --> 13:15.210 that the priority area of cooperation 13:15.219 --> 13:17.275 with Japan ? Well , I'm not going to 13:17.275 --> 13:18.886 get ahead of the secretary's 13:18.886 --> 13:20.886 conversation that's going to happen 13:20.886 --> 13:22.941 tomorrow . Um As you know , Japan is 13:22.941 --> 13:25.163 one of our oldest standing partners and 13:25.163 --> 13:27.549 allies in the region . Um The secretary 13:27.559 --> 13:29.615 certainly looks forward to welcoming 13:29.615 --> 13:31.726 Minister Hamada tomorrow , but um I'm 13:31.726 --> 13:33.337 gonna not get ahead of their 13:33.337 --> 13:35.337 conversation and uh we'll provide a 13:35.337 --> 13:38.609 read out after the meeting . Also in 13:38.619 --> 13:42.520 Japan , the , the Mr Kihara , the 13:42.530 --> 13:44.770 is the third Japanese defense Minister 13:44.780 --> 13:46.960 that the Secretary Austin meet with 13:46.969 --> 13:49.080 since the secretary took the current 13:49.090 --> 13:51.640 position . Uh I wonder how difficult 13:51.650 --> 13:54.570 such Japan's frequent replacement of 13:54.580 --> 13:57.820 the Japanese defense minister uh make 13:57.830 --> 14:00.130 uh for the secretary to develop , for 14:00.289 --> 14:02.345 us to our personal relationship with 14:02.345 --> 14:04.622 the Japanese defense leadership . Well , 14:04.622 --> 14:06.678 we already have a very good and deep 14:06.678 --> 14:08.456 relationship with Japan on , on 14:08.456 --> 14:10.400 different levels from not just the 14:10.400 --> 14:12.289 secretary's level but um across , 14:12.289 --> 14:14.456 across the department , um I'll really 14:14.456 --> 14:16.456 let Japan speak to their changes in 14:16.456 --> 14:18.979 leadership , but um the secretary did 14:18.989 --> 14:21.390 have a strong rapport with minister um 14:21.840 --> 14:25.770 uh when they last spoke . Um and 14:25.780 --> 14:27.947 he looks forward to welcoming minister 14:27.947 --> 14:30.058 tomorrow , but I think it's important 14:30.058 --> 14:32.224 that , you know , this is one of our , 14:32.224 --> 14:34.280 our deep alliances that we have . Um 14:34.280 --> 14:36.780 And I'll just leave it at that . Yeah . 14:37.419 --> 14:40.159 Question 5.4 billion that's left in PD 14:40.169 --> 14:42.200 for Ukraine . So is pen ready to go 14:42.210 --> 14:45.539 beyond uh 1.6 billion mark . Given that 14:45.549 --> 14:47.438 that's the amount that is left to 14:47.438 --> 14:49.605 replenish the uh the American stocks . 14:49.605 --> 14:51.660 I'm sorry , can you repeat the first 14:51.660 --> 14:53.979 part of your question ? So like 5.4 14:53.989 --> 14:56.211 billion that left in pe is spending and 14:56.211 --> 14:58.849 ready to go beyond 1.6 billion mark . 14:58.859 --> 15:00.915 Given that that's the amount that is 15:00.915 --> 15:03.030 left to replenish his own stocks . 15:03.039 --> 15:05.150 That's what we're requesting . We are 15:05.150 --> 15:07.261 requesting more Ukraine funding so we 15:07.261 --> 15:09.428 can replenish our own stocks . The 1.6 15:09.428 --> 15:11.428 billion is specifically to for that 15:11.428 --> 15:14.030 replenishment . And as you noted , um 15:14.369 --> 15:16.900 the 1.6 billion is , is far below , is 15:16.909 --> 15:20.650 much lower than what we have in PD 15:20.659 --> 15:23.979 A authority left . So that is something 15:23.989 --> 15:26.267 that we are urging Congress to look at . 15:26.267 --> 15:28.322 Of course , um because we do need to 15:28.322 --> 15:30.489 replenish our stocks as we continue to 15:30.489 --> 15:34.270 flow . Aid to Ukraine Dave . Yeah . So 15:34.289 --> 15:36.511 would you just stay for the record ? Uh 15:36.511 --> 15:39.289 Exactly how much money is left in the 15:39.299 --> 15:43.270 PD A account ? Yeah . So in the um PD A 15:43.280 --> 15:45.940 account , uh in the evaluation , we 15:45.950 --> 15:49.880 have uh $5.4 billion left um in 15:49.890 --> 15:53.030 PD A funds and um uh 15:53.039 --> 15:56.359 we have no more USA I left and then we 15:56.369 --> 15:58.489 have the 1.6 billion that we will use 15:58.500 --> 16:01.919 to replenish our stocks . Yes , 16:02.640 --> 16:04.751 thank you , Sabrina . Um Regarding to 16:04.751 --> 16:07.429 the nature , um there are like uh 29 16:07.440 --> 16:10.169 major soldiers were killed in an attack 16:10.179 --> 16:12.830 by armed insurgents near the country's 16:12.840 --> 16:15.007 border with Mali . So , uh do you have 16:15.010 --> 16:17.150 concerns about the security of , uh , 16:17.159 --> 16:19.710 security and stability for this country . 16:19.719 --> 16:21.608 And is there any change with your 16:21.608 --> 16:23.830 troops posture there ? And are you 16:23.840 --> 16:26.549 planning to maybe rerun your operations 16:26.559 --> 16:29.530 against these groups ? Uh , so I've 16:29.539 --> 16:31.489 seen the reports on , um , what 16:31.500 --> 16:34.000 happened , uh , I think it was 16:34.010 --> 16:37.549 yesterday or overnight . Um , in , in , 16:37.559 --> 16:39.837 I mean , in terms of our force posture , 16:39.837 --> 16:41.892 of course , no , no , us soldiers or 16:41.892 --> 16:44.115 troops were involved in that . Um , our 16:44.115 --> 16:47.830 focus is again continuing to move 16:47.840 --> 16:49.896 our , um , personnel and assets from 16:49.896 --> 16:52.659 air base 101 to 201 , which is mostly 16:52.669 --> 16:56.599 complete . Um And uh we're , 16:56.609 --> 16:58.831 we're focused on our force posture . So 16:58.831 --> 17:00.831 I think you , I think you are force 17:00.831 --> 17:03.053 protection . I should say , I think you 17:03.053 --> 17:02.890 mentioned operations . We're not 17:02.900 --> 17:06.229 conducting any CT operations in . Um 17:06.239 --> 17:08.489 We're just focused on consolidating 17:08.500 --> 17:11.510 from 101 to 201 at this point . Yeah , 17:11.520 --> 17:13.464 of course . I see a question . I'm 17:13.464 --> 17:15.520 gonna come back to you . Um , Mike , 17:15.520 --> 17:18.650 sorry , I'll come back , Arian 17:19.150 --> 17:22.290 Dubai . Last week , Secretary Meyer 17:22.300 --> 17:24.599 testified up on a , that there is an 17:24.609 --> 17:26.720 internal investigator or some sort of 17:26.720 --> 17:28.942 internal investigation going on here in 17:28.942 --> 17:31.053 the building to determine whether all 17:31.053 --> 17:33.109 laws and policies were followed when 17:33.109 --> 17:35.589 she was granted her TSS C I clearance . 17:35.739 --> 17:39.390 My question is , what's her status now ? 17:39.400 --> 17:42.150 And does she , have you suspended her 17:42.160 --> 17:44.849 clearance ? And if not ? Why not ? No , 17:44.859 --> 17:47.109 we haven't . We believe that she was , 17:47.489 --> 17:49.711 uh , went through the vetting process . 17:49.711 --> 17:51.822 Um I think that was , there were many 17:51.822 --> 17:54.099 questions about that on the hill . Um 17:54.189 --> 17:56.189 And , and in the testimony that you 17:56.189 --> 17:58.245 reference , I don't have any more to 17:58.245 --> 18:00.522 provide on that . Great . Um Did I see ? 18:00.522 --> 18:02.578 Yeah , right over here . Do you have 18:02.578 --> 18:04.689 any indication that arms deal between 18:04.689 --> 18:06.911 North Korea and Russia took place after 18:07.170 --> 18:11.000 their summit ? Um We know that they've 18:11.010 --> 18:13.232 been in communication . We would not be 18:13.232 --> 18:16.030 surprised if there was a transfer of 18:16.040 --> 18:19.280 artillery from North Korea to Russia . 18:19.290 --> 18:22.900 We saw the um the heads of both 18:22.910 --> 18:25.188 countries meet and surely discuss that . 18:25.439 --> 18:27.606 Uh We know Russia is going through and 18:27.606 --> 18:29.772 expanding through its artillery pretty 18:29.772 --> 18:31.810 quickly . Um So it wouldn't be a 18:31.819 --> 18:33.819 surprise . I don't have anything to 18:33.819 --> 18:35.930 read out or confirm if like an actual 18:35.930 --> 18:37.986 transfer has taken place . Um But of 18:37.986 --> 18:40.041 course , it would not surprise us if 18:40.041 --> 18:42.097 that , if that does in fact happen . 18:42.097 --> 18:44.208 Sure . So how about the private tribe 18:44.208 --> 18:46.375 tribes king who will return from North 18:46.375 --> 18:48.597 Korea ? So how is he ? And then what is 18:48.597 --> 18:50.708 his next step for to , to do ? And he 18:50.708 --> 18:52.930 went to the military Corp , what is his 18:52.930 --> 18:54.930 next step ? Uh So next step is he's 18:54.930 --> 18:57.041 still going through the reintegration 18:57.041 --> 18:59.152 process . Um As I mentioned , I wanna 18:59.152 --> 19:01.859 say last week , um there's not really a 19:01.869 --> 19:03.869 timeline on that process that takes 19:03.869 --> 19:06.239 time for any individual . Um And it's , 19:06.510 --> 19:09.319 um you know , it can be as long or as 19:09.329 --> 19:12.290 short as , as a person needs . Um He's 19:12.300 --> 19:15.619 been reunited with his family . I , you 19:15.630 --> 19:17.741 know , I think I read out that he was 19:17.741 --> 19:19.890 in good spirits when he landed uh in 19:19.900 --> 19:22.011 the United States . Um but this is an 19:22.011 --> 19:24.122 ongoing process and so for any follow 19:24.122 --> 19:26.400 up on what happens to him , his status , 19:26.400 --> 19:28.622 I would refer you to the army for , for 19:28.622 --> 19:30.789 further questions on that . Yeah , and 19:30.789 --> 19:32.733 then I'll come to Warren . Um I'll 19:32.733 --> 19:34.844 follow up on Mofield just to be extra 19:34.844 --> 19:36.789 clear . You mentioned he's no , no 19:36.789 --> 19:38.844 longer in the workplace that usually 19:38.844 --> 19:40.956 works . Does that mean still employed 19:40.956 --> 19:40.430 but not showing up to work or does that 19:40.439 --> 19:42.495 mean not employed anymore and not in 19:42.495 --> 19:44.661 the workforce ? He is no longer in the 19:44.661 --> 19:46.717 workplace but in terms of his actual 19:46.717 --> 19:48.772 status or anything like that because 19:48.772 --> 19:50.828 this is an ongoing investigation . I 19:50.828 --> 19:52.883 would just refer you to DOJ . I just 19:52.883 --> 19:55.050 don't have any more details to provide 19:55.050 --> 19:57.217 at this time , but just so not showing 19:57.217 --> 19:59.383 up to work just to be clear . He is no 19:59.383 --> 20:01.661 longer working in this building , Oren . 20:01.661 --> 20:03.772 Last question to you . Ok . I'll come 20:03.772 --> 20:05.995 to you and then , or you first and then 20:05.995 --> 20:07.883 I'll come to you on . Ukraine has 20:07.883 --> 20:10.050 secretary Austin engaged with the Hill 20:10.050 --> 20:12.106 since the shutdown was averted um to 20:12.106 --> 20:14.217 ensure bipartisan support and get any 20:14.217 --> 20:16.328 update on on when that would happen . 20:16.328 --> 20:18.383 Uh Well , the secretary was actively 20:18.383 --> 20:20.890 engaging with the Hill uh throughout 20:20.900 --> 20:23.067 the , since last Friday and throughout 20:23.067 --> 20:25.459 the weekend , um engaging with folks uh 20:25.469 --> 20:28.699 to encourage um not only funding for 20:28.709 --> 20:31.042 Ukraine but to keep the government open , 20:31.042 --> 20:33.320 I don't have any more specifics to add , 20:33.320 --> 20:35.760 but I will say that our legislative 20:35.770 --> 20:37.659 team here along with other senior 20:37.659 --> 20:39.714 leaders in the building , constantly 20:39.714 --> 20:41.659 engage with the hill on a frequent 20:41.659 --> 20:43.770 basis on behalf of the secretary . Um 20:43.770 --> 20:45.603 So I think our , I think our dod 20:45.603 --> 20:47.770 presence is , is certainly felt on the 20:47.770 --> 20:50.103 hill . Yeah , last question , thank you . 20:50.103 --> 20:50.020 You saw the Turkish strikes against the 20:50.030 --> 20:52.252 PKK in northern Iraq over the weekend . 20:52.252 --> 20:54.474 Has the secretary spoken to his Turkish 20:54.474 --> 20:56.930 or Iraqi counterparts is focus on the 20:56.939 --> 20:59.079 PKK in any way , make the US support 20:59.089 --> 21:01.089 for the SDF untenable in the longer 21:01.089 --> 21:03.089 term . So I don't have any calls to 21:03.089 --> 21:05.089 read out uh in terms of uh what you 21:05.089 --> 21:07.880 asked about the secretary . Um What 21:07.890 --> 21:09.819 I'll say again and what I've said 21:09.829 --> 21:12.880 before is that um any 21:13.229 --> 21:15.619 actions that further destabilize our 21:15.630 --> 21:17.797 mission , which is the enduring defeat 21:17.797 --> 21:20.079 of ISIS um don't serve that mission . 21:20.319 --> 21:24.020 And so , um the United States is of 21:24.030 --> 21:26.030 course focused on that mission . We 21:26.030 --> 21:28.030 continue to do . So you saw Centcom 21:28.030 --> 21:30.141 over the weekend sent out a few um uh 21:30.141 --> 21:32.630 statements um uh that announced some of 21:32.640 --> 21:34.910 their uh progress that they're making 21:34.920 --> 21:37.031 in the defeat ISIS mission . Um But I 21:37.031 --> 21:38.864 just don't have anything else to 21:38.864 --> 21:41.087 provide in terms of calls . That's it . 21:41.087 --> 21:42.209 Thanks all . I'll leave it at that .