1 00:00:00,270 --> 00:00:04,230 What did I miss go on ? Does 2 00:00:04,239 --> 00:00:06,128 someone wanna show me a phone and 3 00:00:06,128 --> 00:00:08,819 pictures and photos ? Aries ? Ok . All 4 00:00:08,829 --> 00:00:10,996 right . Well , we'll save it for after 5 00:00:10,996 --> 00:00:13,162 or if you wanna come up and you know , 6 00:00:13,162 --> 00:00:15,170 answer some questions . Ok . Uh So 7 00:00:15,180 --> 00:00:17,180 we'll get started and then we'll go 8 00:00:17,180 --> 00:00:18,958 back to that later . Um So good 9 00:00:18,958 --> 00:00:21,124 afternoon . Happy Thursday . So just a 10 00:00:21,124 --> 00:00:23,236 few items at the top and then I'll be 11 00:00:23,236 --> 00:00:25,569 happy to take your questions . So sadly , 12 00:00:25,569 --> 00:00:27,791 as many of , you know , a United States 13 00:00:27,791 --> 00:00:30,055 Air Force CV 22 B Osprey from the , 14 00:00:30,065 --> 00:00:32,724 from Yokota Airbase , Japan assigned to 15 00:00:32,735 --> 00:00:36,084 the 353rd special Operations Wing was 16 00:00:36,095 --> 00:00:38,775 involved in an aircraft mishap Tuesday , 17 00:00:39,215 --> 00:00:41,159 Tuesday eastern while performing a 18 00:00:41,159 --> 00:00:43,326 routine training mission off the shore 19 00:00:43,326 --> 00:00:45,794 of Yakushima Island . Japan . Emergency 20 00:00:45,805 --> 00:00:47,865 personnel remain on scene conducting 21 00:00:47,875 --> 00:00:50,020 search and rescue operations . The 22 00:00:50,029 --> 00:00:52,029 cause of this incident is currently 23 00:00:52,029 --> 00:00:54,196 under investigation . Our thoughts are 24 00:00:54,196 --> 00:00:56,251 with the unit and their families and 25 00:00:56,251 --> 00:00:58,307 we'd like to thank the government of 26 00:00:58,307 --> 00:01:00,473 Japan and the Japanese Coast Guard for 27 00:01:00,473 --> 00:01:02,640 all their assistance . As a reminder , 28 00:01:02,640 --> 00:01:04,807 Secretary Austin will travel this week 29 00:01:04,807 --> 00:01:06,918 to California December 1st and second 30 00:01:06,940 --> 00:01:09,162 on Friday . He will host the Australian 31 00:01:09,169 --> 00:01:11,280 Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of 32 00:01:11,280 --> 00:01:13,169 Defense Richard Marles and the UK 33 00:01:13,169 --> 00:01:15,300 Secretary of State for Defense Grant 34 00:01:15,809 --> 00:01:17,976 Shapps at Moffett Field to discuss the 35 00:01:17,976 --> 00:01:21,080 Australia UK US security partnership or 36 00:01:21,089 --> 00:01:23,309 as you all know it AUS and this is on 37 00:01:23,319 --> 00:01:25,330 the campus of the Dod S Defense 38 00:01:25,339 --> 00:01:27,860 Innovation Unit . And then later that 39 00:01:27,870 --> 00:01:30,037 day , he will travel to Simi Valley to 40 00:01:30,037 --> 00:01:32,559 deliver a keynote address on Saturday 41 00:01:32,569 --> 00:01:34,860 at the 2023 Reagan National Defense 42 00:01:34,870 --> 00:01:37,639 Forum . And shifting to the Middle East , 43 00:01:37,650 --> 00:01:39,872 the United States remains encouraged by 44 00:01:39,872 --> 00:01:41,817 the humanitarian pauses that we're 45 00:01:41,817 --> 00:01:43,928 seeing in Gaza and we remain in close 46 00:01:43,928 --> 00:01:46,094 contact with our Israeli partners . As 47 00:01:46,094 --> 00:01:47,817 you know , on Tuesday , the US 48 00:01:47,817 --> 00:01:49,761 airlifted £54,000 of humanitarian 49 00:01:49,761 --> 00:01:51,650 assistance which included medical 50 00:01:51,650 --> 00:01:53,680 supplies , warm clothing , food and 51 00:01:53,690 --> 00:01:55,801 nutrition assistance to the people of 52 00:01:55,801 --> 00:01:58,300 Gaza . We expect more aircraft carrying 53 00:01:58,309 --> 00:02:00,476 humanitarian assistance to come in the 54 00:02:00,476 --> 00:02:03,169 coming days . And lastly tomorrow , 55 00:02:03,180 --> 00:02:05,989 approximately 100 80 us army soldiers 56 00:02:06,000 --> 00:02:08,279 from the Fifth Corps , second cavalry 57 00:02:08,289 --> 00:02:10,610 regiment will join , exercised brave 58 00:02:10,619 --> 00:02:13,429 partner in North Macedonia concluding 59 00:02:13,440 --> 00:02:16,130 on December 10th , this US army and 60 00:02:16,139 --> 00:02:18,449 Africa led exercise tests the regiment 61 00:02:18,460 --> 00:02:21,000 readiness on short notice , enhancing 62 00:02:21,009 --> 00:02:23,179 interoperability and strengthening our 63 00:02:23,190 --> 00:02:25,600 NATO alliance . The exercise also 64 00:02:25,610 --> 00:02:27,554 demonstrates our commitment to the 65 00:02:27,554 --> 00:02:29,332 Western Balkans aspirations for 66 00:02:29,332 --> 00:02:31,554 European integration , emphasizing that 67 00:02:31,554 --> 00:02:33,666 no nation can face today's challenges 68 00:02:33,666 --> 00:02:35,888 alone . And with that , I'd be happy to 69 00:02:35,888 --> 00:02:37,777 take your questions . Lida . Hi , 70 00:02:37,777 --> 00:02:41,619 Sabrina . Um Japan has suspended its 71 00:02:41,630 --> 00:02:44,419 osprey flights and has asked that the 72 00:02:44,429 --> 00:02:48,169 US also suspend some Osprey osprey 73 00:02:48,179 --> 00:02:51,660 flights . Is there any move or any 74 00:02:51,669 --> 00:02:55,100 decision yet by the department to 75 00:02:55,110 --> 00:02:58,460 suspend pause or otherwise 76 00:02:58,550 --> 00:03:01,250 even slow down in that area ? Flights 77 00:03:01,259 --> 00:03:03,871 of the Osprey until after , even until 78 00:03:03,882 --> 00:03:07,022 after um recovery operations are 79 00:03:07,031 --> 00:03:09,651 finished . And has the department 80 00:03:09,712 --> 00:03:13,162 received an official request from Japan 81 00:03:13,171 --> 00:03:15,651 to , to do some sort of stand down ? So 82 00:03:15,662 --> 00:03:17,884 I'm not tracking an official request uh 83 00:03:17,884 --> 00:03:20,401 receive uh uh here at the department , 84 00:03:20,412 --> 00:03:22,412 we , I've seen some of the comments 85 00:03:22,412 --> 00:03:24,468 that , that you just referenced . Um 86 00:03:24,468 --> 00:03:26,356 Right now , the Ospreys are still 87 00:03:26,356 --> 00:03:28,772 operating um in Japan . But at the time , 88 00:03:28,863 --> 00:03:31,684 right now , our focus on in terms of 89 00:03:31,694 --> 00:03:33,861 what just happened this earlier , this 90 00:03:33,861 --> 00:03:36,063 week remains on search and rescue 91 00:03:36,074 --> 00:03:38,185 efforts . Um So that's the priority . 92 00:03:38,194 --> 00:03:40,194 Uh Of course , and you know , we're 93 00:03:40,194 --> 00:03:42,194 great . We're of course , eternally 94 00:03:42,194 --> 00:03:44,250 grateful for the government of Japan 95 00:03:44,250 --> 00:03:46,305 and their Coast Guard for helping in 96 00:03:46,305 --> 00:03:46,294 our search and recovery efforts . So , 97 00:03:46,304 --> 00:03:48,643 is there no concern within the 98 00:03:48,654 --> 00:03:51,973 department that there are possibly 99 00:03:51,983 --> 00:03:54,150 problems within the Osprey that should 100 00:03:54,150 --> 00:03:56,966 be looked at ? Well , I mean , I would 101 00:03:56,975 --> 00:03:59,197 say as a department and of course , the 102 00:03:59,197 --> 00:04:01,142 secretary values uh there's a true 103 00:04:01,142 --> 00:04:03,253 commitment to safety when it comes to 104 00:04:03,253 --> 00:04:06,055 any of our airmen operating any 105 00:04:06,065 --> 00:04:08,232 aircraft . Um Again , I'm not going to 106 00:04:08,232 --> 00:04:10,343 get ahead of the investigation . It's 107 00:04:10,343 --> 00:04:12,398 currently under investigation to see 108 00:04:12,398 --> 00:04:14,565 exactly what happened . And so until 109 00:04:14,576 --> 00:04:16,743 that concludes , if there are any , um 110 00:04:16,743 --> 00:04:18,743 if the investigation concludes that 111 00:04:18,743 --> 00:04:21,076 there need to be additional steps taken . 112 00:04:21,076 --> 00:04:23,298 We'll make , we'll , we'll certainly do 113 00:04:23,298 --> 00:04:25,243 that . But at this time , um , the 114 00:04:25,243 --> 00:04:27,409 investigation is underway on , on what 115 00:04:27,409 --> 00:04:29,520 happened . There were eight personnel 116 00:04:29,520 --> 00:04:31,576 on board . Do you know how many have 117 00:04:31,576 --> 00:04:33,520 been recovered versus how many are 118 00:04:33,520 --> 00:04:35,743 believed to have died ? I don't have an 119 00:04:35,743 --> 00:04:37,965 update for you on recovery efforts just 120 00:04:37,965 --> 00:04:40,076 yet . Um , again , we know that there 121 00:04:40,076 --> 00:04:42,020 are eight missing , the search and 122 00:04:42,020 --> 00:04:44,132 recovery efforts are ongoing . Um , I 123 00:04:44,132 --> 00:04:46,187 hope that we will have more to share 124 00:04:46,187 --> 00:04:48,354 soon . But at this moment , I just , I 125 00:04:48,354 --> 00:04:50,576 just don't , do you have any updates on 126 00:04:50,576 --> 00:04:53,769 the five Somali Attackers who were on 127 00:04:53,779 --> 00:04:56,410 the Carney over the weekend ? And have 128 00:04:56,420 --> 00:04:58,869 you been able to find any link between 129 00:04:58,880 --> 00:05:02,100 the Somalis and the Yemeni Houthis ? Do 130 00:05:02,109 --> 00:05:05,709 you mean the mason ? That's ok . Um So 131 00:05:05,829 --> 00:05:08,140 in terms of connection , let me take 132 00:05:08,149 --> 00:05:10,427 the second part of your question first . 133 00:05:10,427 --> 00:05:12,427 So in terms of connection , again , 134 00:05:12,427 --> 00:05:14,427 we're still doing our assessments . 135 00:05:14,427 --> 00:05:14,364 We're not , we're not seeing one right 136 00:05:14,375 --> 00:05:16,208 now , but if there is one , we'd 137 00:05:16,208 --> 00:05:19,144 certainly um of course , you know , let 138 00:05:19,154 --> 00:05:22,045 you know . But uh at this time , um 139 00:05:22,054 --> 00:05:25,644 these five armed individuals uh that 140 00:05:25,654 --> 00:05:29,285 the mason was able to um interdict as 141 00:05:29,295 --> 00:05:31,524 they were trying to flee from the 142 00:05:31,535 --> 00:05:33,646 central park . Remain in us custody . 143 00:05:34,160 --> 00:05:36,399 Yeah , Laura . Um can you tell us , 144 00:05:36,410 --> 00:05:38,577 have there been any additional attacks 145 00:05:38,577 --> 00:05:40,743 on us , troops in Iraq and Syria since 146 00:05:40,743 --> 00:05:42,521 Thanksgiving ? The last we were 147 00:05:42,521 --> 00:05:44,632 tracking was 73 I believe . Yes . Let 148 00:05:44,632 --> 00:05:46,910 me see here . I just want to make sure . 149 00:05:46,910 --> 00:05:49,021 Yes . So there was , so we do have an 150 00:05:49,021 --> 00:05:50,966 update . Um There was an attack on 151 00:05:50,966 --> 00:05:53,329 Tuesday , so that was earlier this week . 152 00:05:53,420 --> 00:05:55,587 Um So that brings the total attacks up 153 00:05:55,587 --> 00:05:58,420 to 74 attacks from October 17th until 154 00:05:58,429 --> 00:06:01,750 now . Um We did not see , as you just 155 00:06:01,760 --> 00:06:03,371 mentioned over the period of 156 00:06:03,371 --> 00:06:05,593 Thanksgiving and then over the last two 157 00:06:05,593 --> 00:06:07,260 days , we did not observe any 158 00:06:07,260 --> 00:06:09,427 additional attacks on our troops . Was 159 00:06:09,427 --> 00:06:11,427 the attack that was in Syria ? Were 160 00:06:11,427 --> 00:06:13,538 there any injuries ? No injuries , no 161 00:06:13,538 --> 00:06:16,535 damage to infrastructure if there are 162 00:06:16,545 --> 00:06:18,712 any injuries ? And again , I know that 163 00:06:18,712 --> 00:06:20,934 we provide those updates . I don't have 164 00:06:20,934 --> 00:06:22,823 any more updates to provide on um 165 00:06:23,100 --> 00:06:25,350 additional non serious injuries , but 166 00:06:25,359 --> 00:06:27,415 I'm not tracking that there were any 167 00:06:27,415 --> 00:06:29,470 injuries from that attack on Tuesday 168 00:06:29,470 --> 00:06:31,415 that happened drones , rockets . I 169 00:06:31,415 --> 00:06:33,637 would have to get back to you on that . 170 00:06:33,637 --> 00:06:35,859 II , I just don't have that information 171 00:06:35,859 --> 00:06:39,019 in front of me down , I think was it 172 00:06:39,029 --> 00:06:41,619 yesterday ? Um What type of drone was 173 00:06:41,630 --> 00:06:43,797 it ? I think it was an Iranian drone . 174 00:06:43,797 --> 00:06:45,741 Can you say what type of it was an 175 00:06:45,741 --> 00:06:47,630 Iranian uh manufactured drone ? I 176 00:06:47,630 --> 00:06:50,709 believe that um , I believe that also 177 00:06:50,720 --> 00:06:52,831 there's more information that I think 178 00:06:52,839 --> 00:06:54,950 uh Centcom did put out on the drone , 179 00:06:54,950 --> 00:06:57,369 but it was uh a drone that we know was 180 00:06:57,380 --> 00:06:59,547 headed in the general direction of the 181 00:06:59,547 --> 00:07:01,679 Kearney and was engaged . And because 182 00:07:01,690 --> 00:07:03,690 the commander of the ship obviously 183 00:07:03,690 --> 00:07:05,912 felt that it was a threat . Um , and so 184 00:07:05,912 --> 00:07:08,134 they did take it down , but I , I think 185 00:07:08,134 --> 00:07:10,079 there's more information available 186 00:07:10,079 --> 00:07:09,765 online in terms of the type of drone 187 00:07:09,774 --> 00:07:13,475 that it was constant on that topic . 188 00:07:13,494 --> 00:07:15,845 Can you say what the Carney used to 189 00:07:15,855 --> 00:07:18,035 down the drone missiles or guns ? I 190 00:07:18,045 --> 00:07:19,878 would refer you to send for more 191 00:07:19,878 --> 00:07:21,934 information . I just don't have that 192 00:07:21,934 --> 00:07:23,767 one other question . Can you say 193 00:07:23,767 --> 00:07:25,934 whether the mason fired any weapons as 194 00:07:25,934 --> 00:07:27,712 part of its engagement with the 195 00:07:27,712 --> 00:07:29,823 ballistic missile that was headed its 196 00:07:29,823 --> 00:07:31,989 way on the ? Are you , I'm sorry , are 197 00:07:31,989 --> 00:07:34,212 you talking about the event when , uh , 198 00:07:34,212 --> 00:07:36,267 from Wednesday or Tuesday ? No , I'm 199 00:07:36,267 --> 00:07:38,378 not aware that the Mason did fire any 200 00:07:38,378 --> 00:07:40,156 uh uh weapons in regards to the 201 00:07:40,156 --> 00:07:42,899 ballistic missile . Um , again that , 202 00:07:43,079 --> 00:07:45,301 that ballistic missile we know landed , 203 00:07:45,301 --> 00:07:47,301 you know , far away from , from the 204 00:07:47,301 --> 00:07:49,412 ship . Um , I believe it was at least 205 00:07:49,412 --> 00:07:51,357 10 nautical miles away . Um , so I 206 00:07:51,357 --> 00:07:53,468 don't believe there was any need to , 207 00:07:53,468 --> 00:07:55,690 to use any weapons . Yeah , Rio , thank 208 00:07:55,690 --> 00:07:57,912 you following up from the Osprey mishap 209 00:07:57,912 --> 00:07:59,746 in Japan . So are you saying the 210 00:07:59,746 --> 00:08:01,635 Japanese government should not be 211 00:08:01,635 --> 00:08:03,660 worried about the safety of other , 212 00:08:03,869 --> 00:08:06,339 other Osprey aircraft deployed to Japan ? 213 00:08:06,570 --> 00:08:08,674 Well , I'm not gonna speak for the 214 00:08:08,684 --> 00:08:10,906 Japanese government but what I can tell 215 00:08:10,906 --> 00:08:12,795 you as the US government and this 216 00:08:12,795 --> 00:08:14,962 department , of course , safety is our 217 00:08:14,962 --> 00:08:17,184 number one priority and of course we're 218 00:08:17,184 --> 00:08:19,351 concerned when any , when there is any 219 00:08:19,351 --> 00:08:21,517 mishap , which is why we have launched 220 00:08:21,517 --> 00:08:23,462 an investigation into what exactly 221 00:08:23,462 --> 00:08:25,628 happened to try and figure out more of 222 00:08:25,628 --> 00:08:27,517 the facts here . Um At the in the 223 00:08:27,517 --> 00:08:29,573 immediate our focus is on search and 224 00:08:29,573 --> 00:08:31,684 recovery or search and rescue efforts 225 00:08:31,684 --> 00:08:34,565 um for , for our eight missing airmen . 226 00:08:34,840 --> 00:08:37,409 Um But in terms of , you know , the 227 00:08:37,419 --> 00:08:39,586 comfort of the Japanese government , I 228 00:08:39,586 --> 00:08:41,697 would refer you to them to speak to , 229 00:08:41,697 --> 00:08:44,559 to speak to that just to be clear . So , 230 00:08:44,640 --> 00:08:46,929 so does that with the U military 231 00:08:46,940 --> 00:08:50,869 continue to operate Osprey Osprey as 232 00:08:50,880 --> 00:08:53,820 you before this crash happened again ? 233 00:08:53,830 --> 00:08:55,552 As of right now , we are still 234 00:08:55,552 --> 00:08:57,900 continuing to operate the Osprey 235 00:08:58,070 --> 00:09:00,510 aircraft . We have a commitment to 236 00:09:00,520 --> 00:09:02,742 safety . There is an investigation that 237 00:09:02,742 --> 00:09:06,270 is currently um determining and looking 238 00:09:06,280 --> 00:09:09,059 into what exactly happened with this 239 00:09:09,070 --> 00:09:11,500 aircraft and the mishap , should that 240 00:09:11,510 --> 00:09:15,429 investigation uh yield in results 241 00:09:15,440 --> 00:09:17,760 that require the department to change 242 00:09:17,770 --> 00:09:20,229 anything about the Osprey or to take 243 00:09:20,239 --> 00:09:22,559 additional steps ? We will certainly do 244 00:09:22,570 --> 00:09:24,792 that . But at this time , I'm not going 245 00:09:24,792 --> 00:09:26,959 to get ahead of that investigation and 246 00:09:26,959 --> 00:09:29,549 its process . Yeah , I have uh one 247 00:09:29,559 --> 00:09:31,670 clarification about this extra attack 248 00:09:31,670 --> 00:09:33,750 in , in Syria . Did it happen this 249 00:09:33,760 --> 00:09:36,070 Tuesday or Tuesday of last week ? There 250 00:09:36,119 --> 00:09:38,619 was uh there was an attack this past 251 00:09:38,630 --> 00:09:40,960 Tuesday . Ok . Uh And then on the 252 00:09:40,969 --> 00:09:43,520 incident with the drone uh yesterday 253 00:09:43,530 --> 00:09:46,229 with the , with the Carney , um the 254 00:09:46,239 --> 00:09:49,330 statement from uh uh Sancom mentioned 255 00:09:49,340 --> 00:09:51,396 one of the ships that the Carney was 256 00:09:51,396 --> 00:09:55,150 escorting uh was carrying what 257 00:09:55,159 --> 00:09:57,270 equipment , military equipment to the 258 00:09:57,270 --> 00:09:59,437 region . My understanding that this is 259 00:09:59,437 --> 00:10:01,659 not a , a government ship . But are you 260 00:10:01,659 --> 00:10:03,770 able to say whether that shipment was 261 00:10:03,770 --> 00:10:07,630 going to Israel or somewhere 262 00:10:07,640 --> 00:10:10,479 else and maybe try to understand what 263 00:10:10,489 --> 00:10:12,545 actually happened in that incident ? 264 00:10:12,545 --> 00:10:14,433 Sure . All I know that it's not a 265 00:10:14,433 --> 00:10:16,322 military ship , it's a commercial 266 00:10:16,322 --> 00:10:18,545 vessel in terms of where it was going . 267 00:10:18,545 --> 00:10:20,656 I don't have more information for you 268 00:10:20,656 --> 00:10:22,656 on that . I would direct you to the 269 00:10:22,656 --> 00:10:24,711 Centcom team to answer more of those 270 00:10:24,711 --> 00:10:26,878 questions . But yes , the , the Carney 271 00:10:26,878 --> 00:10:29,045 was escorting that ship as a matter of 272 00:10:29,045 --> 00:10:31,211 safety . Um and to ensure , you know , 273 00:10:31,219 --> 00:10:33,219 international passageways obviously 274 00:10:33,219 --> 00:10:35,219 remain open . But in terms of where 275 00:10:35,219 --> 00:10:37,219 that ship was bound for the Central 276 00:10:37,219 --> 00:10:39,386 park , I think that , oh , I'm sorry , 277 00:10:39,386 --> 00:10:41,552 I'm getting , I'm getting my own uh my 278 00:10:41,552 --> 00:10:43,710 own um incidents uh confused here in 279 00:10:43,719 --> 00:10:45,663 terms of where that the Carney was 280 00:10:45,663 --> 00:10:47,886 escorting that commercial ship . I just 281 00:10:47,886 --> 00:10:50,108 don't have more for you on where it was 282 00:10:50,108 --> 00:10:52,219 going . And then lastly , in terms of 283 00:10:52,219 --> 00:10:54,441 the rules of engagement with uh um with 284 00:10:54,441 --> 00:10:57,219 some of the UAV activity . Um What , 285 00:10:57,229 --> 00:10:59,062 what is the threshold ? I mean , 286 00:10:59,062 --> 00:11:01,285 obviously these incidents are happening 287 00:11:01,285 --> 00:11:03,419 in international waters . Um Do you 288 00:11:03,429 --> 00:11:05,651 have information on how far out was the 289 00:11:05,651 --> 00:11:09,390 drone before it was shut down by the 290 00:11:09,799 --> 00:11:12,119 Carney ? I don't have the exact 291 00:11:12,130 --> 00:11:14,352 measurements of how far it was from the 292 00:11:14,352 --> 00:11:16,590 Kearney , but of course , a commander 293 00:11:16,659 --> 00:11:19,465 of ship , if he , if he or she assesses 294 00:11:19,474 --> 00:11:23,354 that the drone or missile is a threat 295 00:11:23,364 --> 00:11:25,354 to that to that ship . And the 296 00:11:25,364 --> 00:11:27,531 personnel on that ship , they have the 297 00:11:27,531 --> 00:11:29,753 authority to shoot it down . So I don't 298 00:11:29,753 --> 00:11:29,715 know that there's a threshold that 299 00:11:29,724 --> 00:11:31,891 needs to be met so much so as that the 300 00:11:31,891 --> 00:11:34,335 commander of that ship feels that it is 301 00:11:34,344 --> 00:11:36,400 under threat and therefore they must 302 00:11:36,400 --> 00:11:39,094 take action and respond in , in , in 303 00:11:39,385 --> 00:11:40,996 whatever is coming its way . 304 00:11:43,840 --> 00:11:46,080 The US S Carney shot down a drone that 305 00:11:46,090 --> 00:11:47,812 was quote , heading towards it 306 00:11:47,812 --> 00:11:49,701 according to the statement we got 307 00:11:49,701 --> 00:11:51,923 yesterday um in the Red Sea and then on 308 00:11:51,923 --> 00:11:55,169 Sunday , um the US S Mason at least one 309 00:11:55,179 --> 00:11:57,290 ballistic missile was heading towards 310 00:11:57,290 --> 00:11:59,909 it . Um But these are not deemed the 311 00:11:59,919 --> 00:12:03,750 targets of these Huy missiles . Um 312 00:12:03,760 --> 00:12:07,530 So my question is , if what makes these 313 00:12:07,539 --> 00:12:09,595 not considered targets , what is the 314 00:12:09,599 --> 00:12:11,590 target ? Why are these not being 315 00:12:11,599 --> 00:12:13,830 considered attacks like the attacks in 316 00:12:13,840 --> 00:12:16,299 Syria and Iraq ? Because the Iranian 317 00:12:16,309 --> 00:12:18,739 proxies are missing there too ? Well , 318 00:12:18,750 --> 00:12:20,917 I don't know that we wouldn't say that 319 00:12:20,917 --> 00:12:23,083 these aren't attacks . I mean , they , 320 00:12:23,083 --> 00:12:25,306 I mean , we are , of course , uh taking 321 00:12:25,306 --> 00:12:27,194 action if we feel that they are a 322 00:12:27,194 --> 00:12:29,219 threat to us . Um But in terms of 323 00:12:29,229 --> 00:12:31,039 intended target , our initial 324 00:12:31,049 --> 00:12:33,105 assessments when it came to what the 325 00:12:33,105 --> 00:12:35,105 mason took down and what the Carney 326 00:12:35,105 --> 00:12:37,216 took down . Our initial assessment is 327 00:12:37,216 --> 00:12:39,271 that the ships were not the intended 328 00:12:39,271 --> 00:12:41,271 target , but they came close enough 329 00:12:41,271 --> 00:12:43,493 where at least the Carney felt the need 330 00:12:43,493 --> 00:12:45,549 that it had to engage the drone that 331 00:12:45,549 --> 00:12:45,280 was coming its way or headed toward , 332 00:12:45,510 --> 00:12:48,780 um , in the general direction . Um , 333 00:12:49,070 --> 00:12:50,903 and I'm sorry , I forgot you had 334 00:12:50,903 --> 00:12:53,070 another question in there that I'm , I 335 00:12:53,070 --> 00:12:55,237 guess just to pinpoint it a little bit 336 00:12:55,237 --> 00:12:57,292 more , um , if it's not the intended 337 00:12:57,292 --> 00:12:59,514 target , then is it an attack or not an 338 00:12:59,514 --> 00:13:02,219 attack ? Well , again , I refer you to 339 00:13:02,229 --> 00:13:05,419 the , to the people who are launching 340 00:13:05,429 --> 00:13:07,960 these drones or missiles , Uh What 341 00:13:07,969 --> 00:13:09,969 their intended target is , we can't 342 00:13:09,969 --> 00:13:12,080 really speak to that . Um What we can 343 00:13:12,080 --> 00:13:14,191 speak to is the fact that our initial 344 00:13:14,191 --> 00:13:16,191 assessment and if that changes , we 345 00:13:16,191 --> 00:13:18,247 would let you know . But our initial 346 00:13:18,247 --> 00:13:20,191 assessment right now is that these 347 00:13:20,191 --> 00:13:22,247 ships are not the intended target if 348 00:13:22,247 --> 00:13:24,469 that changes . And if we continue to go 349 00:13:24,469 --> 00:13:26,580 through our assessments and say , you 350 00:13:26,580 --> 00:13:28,802 know , we , we did another analysis and 351 00:13:28,802 --> 00:13:30,858 it did look like they were targeting 352 00:13:30,858 --> 00:13:33,080 the Carney . We would of course let you 353 00:13:33,080 --> 00:13:35,302 know and , and adjust how we're talking 354 00:13:35,302 --> 00:13:37,413 about these . Um But again , it is up 355 00:13:37,413 --> 00:13:39,525 to the commanders of these ships , if 356 00:13:39,525 --> 00:13:41,747 they feel that they are under attack or 357 00:13:41,747 --> 00:13:43,691 they feel like their personnel are 358 00:13:43,691 --> 00:13:43,419 threatened to be able to respond and 359 00:13:43,429 --> 00:13:46,520 take action and to a separate topic . 360 00:13:46,609 --> 00:13:49,450 Um So President Biden met with Chinese 361 00:13:49,460 --> 00:13:51,627 President Xi earlier this month in San 362 00:13:51,627 --> 00:13:53,960 Francisco . Um and they said that 363 00:13:53,969 --> 00:13:56,320 military to military communication 364 00:13:56,369 --> 00:13:59,200 would continue or would restart . Um 365 00:13:59,210 --> 00:14:01,770 Has Secretary Austin or one in the US 366 00:14:01,780 --> 00:14:03,780 military been in contact with their 367 00:14:03,780 --> 00:14:06,113 Chinese counterparts since that meeting . 368 00:14:06,113 --> 00:14:08,447 I don't have anything to read out today . 369 00:14:08,447 --> 00:14:10,002 Um We certainly welcome the 370 00:14:10,002 --> 00:14:12,002 conversation and that was something 371 00:14:12,002 --> 00:14:14,169 that you saw the president announce in 372 00:14:14,169 --> 00:14:15,947 San Francisco that mail to mail 373 00:14:15,947 --> 00:14:17,891 communications would start back up 374 00:14:17,891 --> 00:14:19,836 again . But again , until the PR C 375 00:14:19,836 --> 00:14:22,002 appoints the secretary's counterpart , 376 00:14:22,002 --> 00:14:24,113 um the secretary doesn't have someone 377 00:14:24,113 --> 00:14:26,224 to necessarily engage with just yet . 378 00:14:26,224 --> 00:14:28,336 Um But of course , we welcome Mill to 379 00:14:28,336 --> 00:14:30,391 Mill Communications at the very high 380 00:14:30,391 --> 00:14:32,391 levels from the secretary uh to our 381 00:14:32,391 --> 00:14:34,502 lower levels and , and of course , in 382 00:14:34,502 --> 00:14:36,724 the Indo Pacific as well , I'm gonna go 383 00:14:36,724 --> 00:14:38,780 to Ali uh General Van Herk opened an 384 00:14:38,780 --> 00:14:40,947 investigation into alcohol consumption 385 00:14:40,947 --> 00:14:43,130 at no A north com um is Secretary 386 00:14:43,140 --> 00:14:45,349 Austin aware of that investigation and 387 00:14:45,359 --> 00:14:47,380 is the Pentagon confident that uh 388 00:14:47,599 --> 00:14:50,729 drinking in the workplace ? Has it not 389 00:14:50,739 --> 00:14:52,989 impacted national security ? Yeah , the 390 00:14:53,000 --> 00:14:55,222 secretary is aware of the investigation 391 00:14:55,222 --> 00:14:57,549 and I think it shows just how seriously 392 00:14:57,619 --> 00:15:01,580 the commander is taking this 393 00:15:01,590 --> 00:15:04,419 by immediately launching one . and of 394 00:15:04,429 --> 00:15:06,540 course , we are aware of the , of the 395 00:15:06,540 --> 00:15:08,799 reports of allegations of alcohol being 396 00:15:08,809 --> 00:15:11,530 in the workplace . Um again , NORAD 397 00:15:11,539 --> 00:15:13,761 North com , they continue their mission 398 00:15:13,761 --> 00:15:16,119 um uninterrupted . I'm not going to get 399 00:15:16,130 --> 00:15:18,074 ahead of the investigation as it's 400 00:15:18,074 --> 00:15:20,186 ongoing now , but um we are certainly 401 00:15:20,186 --> 00:15:22,130 tracking it here . What is the dod 402 00:15:22,130 --> 00:15:25,049 policy on alcohol consumption on duty ? 403 00:15:25,559 --> 00:15:27,726 Uh I would have to get back to you but 404 00:15:27,726 --> 00:15:29,837 II , I think you would probably guess 405 00:15:29,837 --> 00:15:32,059 that we're not supportive of uh alcohol 406 00:15:32,059 --> 00:15:34,115 consumption on duty while performing 407 00:15:34,115 --> 00:15:36,226 certain tasks . But , um , you know , 408 00:15:36,226 --> 00:15:38,170 I'd have to get back to you on the 409 00:15:38,170 --> 00:15:40,849 exact policy . Yeah , to do quick 410 00:15:40,859 --> 00:15:43,026 follow ups , please . You said earlier 411 00:15:43,026 --> 00:15:45,070 that you all are not tracking an 412 00:15:45,080 --> 00:15:47,024 official request from the Japanese 413 00:15:47,024 --> 00:15:48,969 government regarding law if such a 414 00:15:48,969 --> 00:15:51,191 request is , does that come from to the 415 00:15:51,191 --> 00:15:53,413 Department of Defense or does that come 416 00:15:53,413 --> 00:15:55,302 through state Department ? Such a 417 00:15:55,302 --> 00:15:54,919 request ? Would you , do you know ? I 418 00:15:54,929 --> 00:15:56,873 don't know . I think it could come 419 00:15:56,873 --> 00:15:58,929 through varying levels . So , yeah . 420 00:15:58,929 --> 00:16:01,096 And my second follow up . Thank you on 421 00:16:01,096 --> 00:16:03,318 that . My second follow up is regarding 422 00:16:03,318 --> 00:16:03,000 the drill in North Macedonia . Is this 423 00:16:03,010 --> 00:16:04,843 the first time us troops will be 424 00:16:04,843 --> 00:16:07,066 participating in NATO exercise in North 425 00:16:07,066 --> 00:16:09,969 Macedonia ? Certainly not . First time . 426 00:16:09,979 --> 00:16:12,340 Uh , us troops are participating in a , 427 00:16:12,349 --> 00:16:14,710 in a NATO exercise . I I in North 428 00:16:14,719 --> 00:16:16,997 Macedonia . I don't know . I'd have to , 429 00:16:16,997 --> 00:16:19,219 I can take that question . Ok , great . 430 00:16:19,219 --> 00:16:19,080 I'm gonna go to the phones and then 431 00:16:19,090 --> 00:16:21,034 we'll come back into the room . Uh 432 00:16:21,034 --> 00:16:23,510 Howard Altman , thanks . Is the 433 00:16:23,520 --> 00:16:26,969 Pentagon tracking an attack on a Houthi 434 00:16:26,979 --> 00:16:29,349 base in Yemen ? And if so , do you know 435 00:16:29,359 --> 00:16:31,820 who might be behind it ? I've seen the 436 00:16:31,830 --> 00:16:34,809 reports of an attack within Yemen . I 437 00:16:34,820 --> 00:16:36,739 can tell you that it was not a US 438 00:16:36,750 --> 00:16:40,239 military that conducted that . Do you 439 00:16:40,250 --> 00:16:42,306 know who might have been behind it ? 440 00:16:43,140 --> 00:16:46,330 Jeff Fogel task on purpose ? Thank you . 441 00:16:46,340 --> 00:16:49,169 Can the defense department confirm that 442 00:16:49,179 --> 00:16:51,500 one of the crew members from the 443 00:16:51,510 --> 00:16:53,566 missing from the Osprey that crashed 444 00:16:53,566 --> 00:16:55,843 has been recovered and pronounced dead ? 445 00:16:55,843 --> 00:16:57,899 And are the re are efforts right now 446 00:16:57,899 --> 00:16:59,954 still search and rescue or have they 447 00:16:59,954 --> 00:17:02,121 transitioned to recovery ? Thanks Jeff 448 00:17:02,121 --> 00:17:04,232 for the question . So I I've seen the 449 00:17:04,232 --> 00:17:06,232 reports . I can't confirm um what's 450 00:17:06,232 --> 00:17:09,270 being reported about um a death . What 451 00:17:09,280 --> 00:17:11,169 I can tell you is this is still a 452 00:17:11,169 --> 00:17:13,280 search and recovery uh search and I'm 453 00:17:13,280 --> 00:17:15,169 sorry , sorry , search and rescue 454 00:17:15,169 --> 00:17:17,391 mission . Um For the eight that were on 455 00:17:17,391 --> 00:17:19,502 board that aircraft when we have more 456 00:17:19,502 --> 00:17:21,613 to share , we certainly will do . But 457 00:17:21,613 --> 00:17:23,724 again , um this is still a search and 458 00:17:23,724 --> 00:17:25,836 rescue mission and last question from 459 00:17:25,836 --> 00:17:28,449 the phones heather us and I thank you 460 00:17:28,459 --> 00:17:30,626 so much . Um So this is the first time 461 00:17:30,626 --> 00:17:32,792 that Sam has actually said that or sin 462 00:17:32,792 --> 00:17:34,959 or the dod has said that uh the drones 463 00:17:34,959 --> 00:17:37,250 are Iranian made . Um And I was just 464 00:17:37,260 --> 00:17:39,482 wondering what that tells the dod about 465 00:17:39,482 --> 00:17:41,689 what the Houthis have in terms of 466 00:17:41,699 --> 00:17:43,643 drones and weapons that we've been 467 00:17:43,643 --> 00:17:47,579 seeing uh launched at near the US 468 00:17:47,589 --> 00:17:50,439 ships . Thanks , thanks Heather for the 469 00:17:50,449 --> 00:17:52,616 question . So again , when it comes to 470 00:17:52,616 --> 00:17:54,838 drones or other equipment , I mean , we 471 00:17:54,838 --> 00:17:57,060 have been very clear from the beginning 472 00:17:57,060 --> 00:18:00,319 that Iran equips funds , supports 473 00:18:00,329 --> 00:18:03,989 trains , um various I RGC militia 474 00:18:04,000 --> 00:18:06,260 groups has supported the Houthis has 475 00:18:06,270 --> 00:18:10,140 supported um uh Hezbollah . So I 476 00:18:10,150 --> 00:18:13,099 think what you saw is us directly . Um 477 00:18:13,109 --> 00:18:15,170 Calling that out in a statement 478 00:18:15,180 --> 00:18:18,089 yesterday . Um , we have not shied away 479 00:18:18,099 --> 00:18:20,266 from doing that . We've certainly done 480 00:18:20,266 --> 00:18:22,432 that . Um , again , when we have taken 481 00:18:22,432 --> 00:18:24,321 our own , uh , defensive , self , 482 00:18:24,321 --> 00:18:26,660 defensive strikes , uh , within Syria 483 00:18:26,670 --> 00:18:28,726 and Iraq , we have said that we know 484 00:18:28,726 --> 00:18:32,170 that these are , um , Iranian used I 485 00:18:32,229 --> 00:18:35,869 RGC used facilities that fund 486 00:18:36,130 --> 00:18:38,019 and support many of these militia 487 00:18:38,019 --> 00:18:40,119 groups . So that was just , just us 488 00:18:40,130 --> 00:18:42,074 doing that again . All right , I'm 489 00:18:42,074 --> 00:18:44,241 going to come back in the room . Yes , 490 00:18:44,241 --> 00:18:47,780 quick one on another one on list . As 491 00:18:47,949 --> 00:18:49,905 far as the U India relations are 492 00:18:49,915 --> 00:18:52,165 concerned , military to military now in 493 00:18:52,175 --> 00:18:54,275 the midst of two wars , Ukraine , 494 00:18:54,285 --> 00:18:56,275 Russia and Ukraine . And also , of 495 00:18:56,285 --> 00:18:59,135 course , Israel and Hamas , anybody or 496 00:18:59,145 --> 00:19:01,314 secretary or anybody in touch with the 497 00:19:01,755 --> 00:19:05,435 Indian defense minister or anybody 498 00:19:05,444 --> 00:19:08,020 in connection of these two wars . Uh , 499 00:19:08,030 --> 00:19:10,550 as you know , the secretary was just uh 500 00:19:10,560 --> 00:19:13,430 in the region . Um , it feels like , uh , 501 00:19:13,439 --> 00:19:15,661 three months ago , but it was literally 502 00:19:15,661 --> 00:19:17,772 just , I think three weeks ago , um , 503 00:19:17,772 --> 00:19:19,772 the secretary was in India engaging 504 00:19:19,772 --> 00:19:21,772 with his counterparts , of course , 505 00:19:21,772 --> 00:19:23,939 world events came up . Um , and we put 506 00:19:23,939 --> 00:19:26,272 out detailed readouts of those meetings . 507 00:19:26,272 --> 00:19:28,161 So he is , you know , of course , 508 00:19:28,161 --> 00:19:30,050 regularly engaged with his Indian 509 00:19:30,050 --> 00:19:32,328 counterparts as recently as , you know , 510 00:19:32,328 --> 00:19:34,550 last month and second madam , as far as 511 00:19:34,550 --> 00:19:37,930 Israel's war against Hamas , Hamas has 512 00:19:37,939 --> 00:19:40,989 been designated as the international 513 00:19:41,000 --> 00:19:43,290 terrorist organization , but they have 514 00:19:43,300 --> 00:19:46,410 a political office in Doha . And so did 515 00:19:46,420 --> 00:19:49,790 maybe even still today , Talibans . So 516 00:19:49,800 --> 00:19:52,390 if anybody is talking to the Qataris or 517 00:19:52,400 --> 00:19:55,819 Doha people that why they still have 518 00:19:55,829 --> 00:19:58,051 the political office there and they are 519 00:19:58,051 --> 00:20:00,051 running this terrorist organization 520 00:20:00,051 --> 00:20:01,996 against innocent people around the 521 00:20:01,996 --> 00:20:04,420 globe , including India or US or Israel 522 00:20:04,430 --> 00:20:08,150 among others . And Qatari Qatar , they 523 00:20:08,160 --> 00:20:11,079 are friends of our friends , us , 524 00:20:11,089 --> 00:20:13,200 friends , India , friends , Israeli , 525 00:20:13,200 --> 00:20:15,530 friends among others . So and they , 526 00:20:15,540 --> 00:20:18,390 the actors in this area still have not 527 00:20:18,400 --> 00:20:21,489 condemned these terrorist organizations . 528 00:20:22,589 --> 00:20:24,700 I think the actors in the region have 529 00:20:24,700 --> 00:20:26,756 certainly condemned the actions that 530 00:20:26,756 --> 00:20:28,811 Hamas took on October 7th . And what 531 00:20:28,811 --> 00:20:31,589 you're seeing with Qatar is engagement 532 00:20:31,599 --> 00:20:34,849 and them uh working and , and with the 533 00:20:34,859 --> 00:20:36,748 Egyptian government as well as of 534 00:20:36,748 --> 00:20:38,803 course , with this administration to 535 00:20:38,803 --> 00:20:41,500 free hostages and to continue this 536 00:20:41,510 --> 00:20:44,829 enduring um humanitarian pause that is 537 00:20:44,839 --> 00:20:46,950 happening right now . Um I don't have 538 00:20:46,950 --> 00:20:48,950 anything further to say about where 539 00:20:48,950 --> 00:20:51,540 they're located . Um But I think we've 540 00:20:51,550 --> 00:20:54,380 been very definitive on the um 541 00:20:55,280 --> 00:20:57,939 grotesque and disgusting actions that 542 00:20:57,949 --> 00:21:00,171 were taken on October 7th and I'll just 543 00:21:00,171 --> 00:21:03,630 leave it at that . Yeah . Um 972 544 00:21:03,640 --> 00:21:05,862 magazine this morning reported that the 545 00:21:05,862 --> 00:21:08,084 ID F has been hitting what it describes 546 00:21:08,084 --> 00:21:10,084 as quote power targets in Gaza . Uh 547 00:21:10,084 --> 00:21:12,084 that includes high rise complexes , 548 00:21:12,084 --> 00:21:14,140 civilian homes in some cases without 549 00:21:14,140 --> 00:21:16,307 prior warning , in order to quote , uh 550 00:21:16,307 --> 00:21:18,196 according to their sources , lead 551 00:21:18,196 --> 00:21:20,362 civilians to put pressure on Hamas not 552 00:21:20,362 --> 00:21:22,418 to co locate with combatant with non 553 00:21:22,418 --> 00:21:24,196 combatants . Excuse me , is the 554 00:21:24,196 --> 00:21:23,790 department aware that the ID F has been 555 00:21:23,800 --> 00:21:25,856 using this tactic and has this issue 556 00:21:25,856 --> 00:21:27,911 come up in the conversations between 557 00:21:27,911 --> 00:21:27,540 department officials and their 558 00:21:27,550 --> 00:21:29,772 counterparts in this ? Uh I'm not , I'm 559 00:21:29,772 --> 00:21:31,828 sorry , I'm not aware of this report 560 00:21:31,828 --> 00:21:33,994 that you mentioned or where it's being 561 00:21:33,994 --> 00:21:36,106 reported in the magazine . Um I think 562 00:21:36,106 --> 00:21:38,217 we've been very clear on our , in all 563 00:21:38,217 --> 00:21:40,383 of our engagements that the secret had 564 00:21:40,383 --> 00:21:42,619 on a near daily basis basis with 565 00:21:42,630 --> 00:21:44,797 Minister Gallant . He just had another 566 00:21:44,797 --> 00:21:46,852 call yesterday with Minister Gallant 567 00:21:46,852 --> 00:21:50,160 that um Id F operations that they are 568 00:21:50,260 --> 00:21:52,538 precise , that they're targeting Hamas . 569 00:21:52,538 --> 00:21:54,704 Um But let's be very clear and just to 570 00:21:54,704 --> 00:21:56,816 go off the last question , Hamas is a 571 00:21:56,816 --> 00:21:58,760 terrorist organization that embeds 572 00:21:58,760 --> 00:22:00,871 deeply within civilian infrastructure 573 00:22:00,969 --> 00:22:03,920 and uses civilians as a way of 574 00:22:03,930 --> 00:22:06,310 shielding their operations . So they 575 00:22:06,319 --> 00:22:09,839 are making it incredibly difficult 576 00:22:10,069 --> 00:22:12,180 for the ID F of course , to conduct 577 00:22:12,189 --> 00:22:14,589 their own operations . But in all of 578 00:22:14,599 --> 00:22:18,099 the secret's calls and engagements 579 00:22:18,109 --> 00:22:22,060 with um the Israelis , uh we 580 00:22:22,069 --> 00:22:24,579 continue to of course , emphasize that 581 00:22:24,589 --> 00:22:28,569 innocent lives um that , that 582 00:22:28,579 --> 00:22:30,801 they are taking into consideration with 583 00:22:30,801 --> 00:22:32,857 any military operation . Um civilian 584 00:22:32,857 --> 00:22:35,689 lives and innocent lives reporting that 585 00:22:35,699 --> 00:22:37,921 one of the examples that's given in the 586 00:22:37,921 --> 00:22:41,589 article is that um Id officials are 587 00:22:41,599 --> 00:22:43,710 instructed to find a building , say a 588 00:22:43,710 --> 00:22:46,560 high rise that has civilian inhabitants . 589 00:22:46,640 --> 00:22:48,939 And if they find half a single floor of 590 00:22:48,949 --> 00:22:51,260 the building occupied by Hamas offices , 591 00:22:51,270 --> 00:22:53,381 then it's a target . Wipe it out . Is 592 00:22:53,381 --> 00:22:55,548 that something the department condones 593 00:22:55,548 --> 00:22:57,548 again , I have not seen this report 594 00:22:57,548 --> 00:22:56,839 that you're referencing . I do not , 595 00:22:56,849 --> 00:23:00,010 I'm not aware of this . I think what I 596 00:23:00,020 --> 00:23:02,353 just said and I'm happy to reiterate it , 597 00:23:02,353 --> 00:23:04,353 but we have been very clear when it 598 00:23:04,353 --> 00:23:07,939 comes to um , engagement and the need 599 00:23:07,949 --> 00:23:10,699 to protect innocent civilian lives . Um 600 00:23:10,709 --> 00:23:14,300 But again , finding and targeting , um 601 00:23:14,329 --> 00:23:16,609 any member of a terror network is going 602 00:23:16,619 --> 00:23:18,786 to be any challenge for any military . 603 00:23:18,786 --> 00:23:21,380 Um , especially when that network is 604 00:23:21,390 --> 00:23:23,557 operating in an urban environment like 605 00:23:23,557 --> 00:23:25,446 in Gaza . So we're continuing our 606 00:23:25,446 --> 00:23:27,779 engagements with the Israeli government . 607 00:23:27,779 --> 00:23:31,180 Um We're continuing to again support 608 00:23:31,189 --> 00:23:33,300 them in their operations against this 609 00:23:33,300 --> 00:23:35,479 terrorist organization , but it is in 610 00:23:35,489 --> 00:23:37,656 all of our conversations and as you've 611 00:23:37,656 --> 00:23:39,989 seen in the readouts that we've put out , 612 00:23:39,989 --> 00:23:42,045 the secretary continues to emphasize 613 00:23:42,045 --> 00:23:42,020 the need to uphold the law of armed 614 00:23:42,030 --> 00:23:44,141 conflict and protect innocent lives . 615 00:23:44,250 --> 00:23:48,099 Chris , you thanked the 616 00:23:48,109 --> 00:23:50,276 government of Japan and in their Coast 617 00:23:50,276 --> 00:23:52,442 Guard . But to clarify this search and 618 00:23:52,442 --> 00:23:54,498 rescue effort , is this being led by 619 00:23:54,498 --> 00:23:56,609 the US military at this point ? Yes . 620 00:23:57,500 --> 00:24:00,030 How many assets roughly do you have ? I 621 00:24:00,040 --> 00:24:02,207 don't have more on how many assets are 622 00:24:02,207 --> 00:24:04,262 being used for the search and rescue 623 00:24:04,262 --> 00:24:06,484 efforts . Um It's ongoing again when we 624 00:24:06,484 --> 00:24:08,207 have more to share . Um I will 625 00:24:08,207 --> 00:24:10,262 certainly let you know , but I don't 626 00:24:10,262 --> 00:24:12,318 have more to provide on that front . 627 00:24:12,318 --> 00:24:14,373 Yes , in the back and then I'll come 628 00:24:14,373 --> 00:24:16,596 over here , you know . Thank you . Just 629 00:24:16,596 --> 00:24:15,869 a quick question . So the House is 630 00:24:15,880 --> 00:24:18,520 voting today to freeze the $6 billion 631 00:24:18,530 --> 00:24:20,780 in , in funds that the US release for 632 00:24:20,790 --> 00:24:22,819 Iran earlier this year . Can you 633 00:24:22,829 --> 00:24:25,160 respond to what lawmakers are saying ? 634 00:24:25,170 --> 00:24:27,390 Do you think the unb money has 635 00:24:27,400 --> 00:24:29,622 emboldened Iran and its proxy groups in 636 00:24:29,630 --> 00:24:31,241 the Middle East ? Especially 637 00:24:31,241 --> 00:24:33,408 considering all the clashes that we've 638 00:24:33,408 --> 00:24:35,352 seen . I would say that's really a 639 00:24:35,352 --> 00:24:37,352 question for Treasury and the state 640 00:24:37,352 --> 00:24:39,574 Department . But to my knowledge , Iran 641 00:24:39,574 --> 00:24:41,741 hasn't been able to access those funds 642 00:24:41,741 --> 00:24:43,686 there still remained frozen and or 643 00:24:43,686 --> 00:24:45,908 sorry , uh They still remain intact and 644 00:24:45,908 --> 00:24:47,852 that they have not been able to be 645 00:24:47,852 --> 00:24:50,019 tapped into . Um Again , I'm not gonna 646 00:24:50,019 --> 00:24:52,130 just comment on pending legislation . 647 00:24:52,130 --> 00:24:52,000 Uh And that's really something that I 648 00:24:52,010 --> 00:24:53,899 think Treasury would be better to 649 00:24:53,899 --> 00:24:56,800 answer . Yeah , and then I'll come and 650 00:24:56,810 --> 00:24:58,699 then last one over you , Japanese 651 00:24:58,699 --> 00:25:00,755 Defense Minister Kihara has publicly 652 00:25:00,755 --> 00:25:02,755 stated that he has requested the US 653 00:25:02,755 --> 00:25:04,921 military to halt operations of Ospreys 654 00:25:04,921 --> 00:25:06,977 in Japan while there hasn't been any 655 00:25:06,977 --> 00:25:09,088 official requests . I was wondering , 656 00:25:09,088 --> 00:25:08,819 has there been , has that concern been 657 00:25:08,829 --> 00:25:10,996 communicated directly to this building 658 00:25:10,996 --> 00:25:13,273 through other informal channels ? Yeah , 659 00:25:13,273 --> 00:25:15,440 again , I think I answered this but um 660 00:25:15,440 --> 00:25:17,329 appreciate the question . Haven't 661 00:25:17,329 --> 00:25:19,440 received a formal request that I that 662 00:25:19,440 --> 00:25:21,662 I'm aware of . Um again , we are taking 663 00:25:21,662 --> 00:25:24,329 what happened the , the mishap um of 664 00:25:24,339 --> 00:25:26,672 one of our aircraft extremely seriously . 665 00:25:26,689 --> 00:25:29,500 Um Our focus right now is on search and 666 00:25:29,510 --> 00:25:31,677 rescue of the eight that are missing . 667 00:25:31,890 --> 00:25:34,910 Um There is an investigation . Uh I'm 668 00:25:34,920 --> 00:25:36,642 not going to get ahead of that 669 00:25:36,642 --> 00:25:38,864 investigation but when those results um 670 00:25:38,910 --> 00:25:41,132 you know , are concluded if there's any 671 00:25:41,132 --> 00:25:43,299 action or additional action that needs 672 00:25:43,299 --> 00:25:45,521 to be taken , we will certainly let you 673 00:25:45,521 --> 00:25:47,632 know . But at this time , our efforts 674 00:25:47,632 --> 00:25:49,577 are on . Uh of course , you know , 675 00:25:49,577 --> 00:25:51,521 thinking of these families who are 676 00:25:51,521 --> 00:25:51,170 missing their eight loved ones right 677 00:25:51,180 --> 00:25:53,180 now . And last question over here . 678 00:25:53,260 --> 00:25:55,482 Thank you , Sabrina . There are reports 679 00:25:55,482 --> 00:25:57,371 claiming that the White House has 680 00:25:57,371 --> 00:25:59,939 requested the removal of restrictions 681 00:25:59,949 --> 00:26:02,040 on all categories of weapons and 682 00:26:02,050 --> 00:26:04,239 ammunition . Israel is allowed to 683 00:26:04,250 --> 00:26:07,609 access from us weapons stockpiles 684 00:26:07,619 --> 00:26:10,170 stored in Israel itself . So do you 685 00:26:10,180 --> 00:26:14,099 confirm that things ? And if so how 686 00:26:14,109 --> 00:26:16,890 that will affect providing weapons to 687 00:26:16,900 --> 00:26:20,209 Ukraine ? Uh So I'm not exactly sure on 688 00:26:20,219 --> 00:26:21,941 the report or , or what you're 689 00:26:21,941 --> 00:26:23,997 referencing , but I think we've been 690 00:26:23,997 --> 00:26:26,163 very clear from this podium . Um And , 691 00:26:26,163 --> 00:26:27,719 and again , throughout this 692 00:26:27,719 --> 00:26:29,941 administration that um we are providing 693 00:26:29,941 --> 00:26:32,108 Israel with what it needs in its fight 694 00:26:32,108 --> 00:26:34,219 against a terrorist organization like 695 00:26:34,219 --> 00:26:36,386 Hamas . Um We've provided the contours 696 00:26:36,386 --> 00:26:38,386 of what we are providing , which is 697 00:26:38,386 --> 00:26:40,219 ammunition , uh precision guided 698 00:26:40,219 --> 00:26:43,040 munitions and air defenses . These are 699 00:26:43,050 --> 00:26:45,410 the requirements that the , that the ID 700 00:26:45,420 --> 00:26:48,369 F needs when it comes to engaging in 701 00:26:48,459 --> 00:26:52,319 its fight with Hamas in Gaza . Um in 702 00:26:52,329 --> 00:26:55,829 terms of Ukraine , different 703 00:26:55,839 --> 00:26:57,783 different area of responsibility , 704 00:26:57,783 --> 00:26:59,869 different ward , uh very different 705 00:26:59,880 --> 00:27:02,640 landscapes too . Um We continue to 706 00:27:02,650 --> 00:27:06,310 provide Ukraine with what we can on 707 00:27:06,319 --> 00:27:08,486 what's remaining from the presidential 708 00:27:08,486 --> 00:27:10,739 drawdown authority that we have . Um We 709 00:27:10,750 --> 00:27:12,829 are running low as you know , that's 710 00:27:12,839 --> 00:27:15,099 why we requested a supplemental package 711 00:27:15,109 --> 00:27:17,540 um to that we submitted to the hill 712 00:27:17,550 --> 00:27:20,359 that has still not been passed . Um But 713 00:27:20,369 --> 00:27:22,369 the authorities that we're using to 714 00:27:22,369 --> 00:27:24,589 provide Ukraine with the weapons and 715 00:27:24,599 --> 00:27:26,770 capabilities and systems it needs are 716 00:27:26,780 --> 00:27:28,669 coming from presidential drawdown 717 00:27:28,669 --> 00:27:30,930 authorities . What Israel um and what 718 00:27:30,939 --> 00:27:32,939 we're providing to Israel is coming 719 00:27:32,939 --> 00:27:35,939 mainly through F MS and F MS . Um So 720 00:27:35,949 --> 00:27:39,589 Israel is purchasing um equipment . So 721 00:27:39,599 --> 00:27:41,543 again , we're going to continue to 722 00:27:41,543 --> 00:27:43,543 provide both countries with what it 723 00:27:43,543 --> 00:27:46,630 needs um in , in each of their 724 00:27:47,310 --> 00:27:49,270 areas of them fighting for their 725 00:27:49,280 --> 00:27:51,002 sovereign territory against an 726 00:27:51,002 --> 00:27:54,689 aggressive neighbor . Um And we've had 727 00:27:54,699 --> 00:27:56,890 that long term commitment to them from 728 00:27:56,900 --> 00:27:58,956 the very beginning . I mean , you've 729 00:27:58,956 --> 00:28:01,011 seen the president , you've seen the 730 00:28:01,011 --> 00:28:03,122 secretary committed to Ukraine for as 731 00:28:03,122 --> 00:28:05,289 long as it takes , but also feels like 732 00:28:05,289 --> 00:28:07,511 three months ago , but just last week , 733 00:28:07,511 --> 00:28:09,178 he was in Kiev reassuring the 734 00:28:09,178 --> 00:28:11,400 Ukrainians that the US is with them for 735 00:28:11,400 --> 00:28:13,456 the long haul . And so I'll just , I 736 00:28:13,456 --> 00:28:15,567 guess , leave it on this note that we 737 00:28:15,567 --> 00:28:17,567 are , um , would hope that Congress 738 00:28:17,567 --> 00:28:19,622 over these next few weeks , not only 739 00:28:19,622 --> 00:28:21,733 pass a full time appropriations , but 740 00:28:21,733 --> 00:28:23,956 also passes our supplemental because we 741 00:28:23,956 --> 00:28:25,956 need to keep providing Ukraine with 742 00:28:25,956 --> 00:28:28,067 what it needs on the battlefield . We 743 00:28:28,067 --> 00:28:30,289 need to keep supporting Israel . And of 744 00:28:30,289 --> 00:28:32,400 course , we are always looking to the 745 00:28:32,400 --> 00:28:34,511 Indo Pacific um to , to shore up what 746 00:28:34,511 --> 00:28:36,622 we need there . Ok , great . And I'll 747 00:28:36,622 --> 00:28:40,000 leave it at that . Sure . You saw the 748 00:28:40,310 --> 00:28:42,421 report of an attack in San or are you 749 00:28:42,421 --> 00:28:44,643 confirming an attack happened ? But the 750 00:28:44,643 --> 00:28:46,754 US was not involved in it . I've seen 751 00:28:46,754 --> 00:28:48,810 the reports out there . Um , I can't 752 00:28:48,810 --> 00:28:50,977 confirm that the attack happened . All 753 00:28:50,977 --> 00:28:53,143 I can tell you is that the US military 754 00:28:53,143 --> 00:28:55,199 did not initiate any attack . Yeah . 755 00:28:55,199 --> 00:28:57,143 Thank you . Everyone . Have a good 756 00:28:57,143 --> 00:28:55,949 Thursday .