1 00:00:02,569 --> 00:00:04,458 Hey , good afternoon , everyone . 2 00:00:04,458 --> 00:00:07,019 Thanks for your patience . Got uh quite 3 00:00:07,030 --> 00:00:09,086 a bit to cover at the top today . So 4 00:00:09,086 --> 00:00:11,659 bear with me here . Uh Se Secretary 5 00:00:11,670 --> 00:00:13,726 Austin returned to the United States 6 00:00:13,726 --> 00:00:15,837 last night after a successful trip to 7 00:00:15,837 --> 00:00:18,059 the Middle East where he had the chance 8 00:00:18,059 --> 00:00:20,003 to meet with leaders from Kuwait , 9 00:00:20,003 --> 00:00:22,226 Bahrain , Qatar and Israel . During his 10 00:00:22,226 --> 00:00:24,392 discussions , the secretary emphasized 11 00:00:24,392 --> 00:00:26,392 the strong and enduring partnership 12 00:00:26,392 --> 00:00:28,614 between the United States and these key 13 00:00:28,614 --> 00:00:30,781 partner nations towards furthering our 14 00:00:30,781 --> 00:00:30,700 shared goals of security and stability 15 00:00:30,709 --> 00:00:32,709 throughout the Middle East region . 16 00:00:32,709 --> 00:00:34,820 Among the topics discussed during the 17 00:00:34,820 --> 00:00:36,931 trip was the importance of freedom of 18 00:00:36,931 --> 00:00:39,042 navigation in international waterways 19 00:00:39,042 --> 00:00:41,265 and the recent threat of Houthi attacks 20 00:00:41,265 --> 00:00:43,431 against commercial shipping in the Red 21 00:00:43,431 --> 00:00:46,139 Sea . Upwards of 10 to 15% of global 22 00:00:46,150 --> 00:00:48,317 shipping transit sea straits and these 23 00:00:48,317 --> 00:00:50,483 attacks are impacting global trade and 24 00:00:50,483 --> 00:00:52,483 commerce , negatively impacting the 25 00:00:52,483 --> 00:00:54,594 economies of nations around the world 26 00:00:54,594 --> 00:00:56,706 and costing commercial shipping firms 27 00:00:56,706 --> 00:00:58,720 billions of dollars to help address 28 00:00:58,729 --> 00:01:00,951 this challenge . While Secretary Austin 29 00:01:00,951 --> 00:01:03,173 was in Bahrain , he announced the stand 30 00:01:03,173 --> 00:01:05,340 up of operation prosperity guardian an 31 00:01:05,340 --> 00:01:07,396 important new multinational security 32 00:01:07,396 --> 00:01:09,396 operation under the umbrella of the 33 00:01:09,396 --> 00:01:11,229 combined maritime forces and the 34 00:01:11,229 --> 00:01:13,396 leadership of its task force 153 which 35 00:01:13,396 --> 00:01:15,451 focuses on security in the Red Sea . 36 00:01:15,690 --> 00:01:17,801 The secretary also convened a virtual 37 00:01:17,801 --> 00:01:19,968 ministerial from NAV sent headquarters 38 00:01:19,968 --> 00:01:22,079 in Bahrain with ministers , chiefs of 39 00:01:22,079 --> 00:01:24,190 defense , senior representatives from 40 00:01:24,190 --> 00:01:26,023 over 40 countries as well as the 41 00:01:26,023 --> 00:01:28,079 European Union and NATO . To discuss 42 00:01:28,079 --> 00:01:29,912 the increased threat to maritime 43 00:01:29,912 --> 00:01:32,023 security . In the Red Sea Secretary , 44 00:01:32,023 --> 00:01:34,246 Austin underscored how the attacks from 45 00:01:34,246 --> 00:01:36,412 the Houthi rebels in Yemen had already 46 00:01:36,412 --> 00:01:38,523 impacted the global economy and would 47 00:01:38,523 --> 00:01:40,301 continue to threaten commercial 48 00:01:40,301 --> 00:01:42,523 shipping if the international community 49 00:01:42,523 --> 00:01:44,634 did not come together to address this 50 00:01:44,634 --> 00:01:46,746 issue . Collectively emphasizing that 51 00:01:46,746 --> 00:01:48,857 this is an international problem that 52 00:01:48,857 --> 00:01:51,079 requires an international response . In 53 00:01:51,079 --> 00:01:53,301 the days ahead , the United States will 54 00:01:53,301 --> 00:01:52,690 continue to consult closely with our 55 00:01:52,699 --> 00:01:54,588 allies and partners who share the 56 00:01:54,588 --> 00:01:56,588 fundamental principle of freedom of 57 00:01:56,588 --> 00:01:58,588 navigation and we expect to see the 58 00:01:58,588 --> 00:02:00,910 coalition continue to grow . Switching 59 00:02:00,919 --> 00:02:03,141 gears . Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of 60 00:02:03,141 --> 00:02:05,252 Staff , General CQ Brown junior spoke 61 00:02:05,252 --> 00:02:07,197 today by video teleconference with 62 00:02:07,197 --> 00:02:09,197 People's Liberation Army of China , 63 00:02:09,197 --> 00:02:11,197 Chief of the joint Staff Department 64 00:02:11,197 --> 00:02:13,419 General Liu Zhen Li . This is the first 65 00:02:13,419 --> 00:02:15,586 time the two leaders have spoken since 66 00:02:15,586 --> 00:02:17,475 General Brown became the chairman 67 00:02:17,475 --> 00:02:19,475 during the teleconference . General 68 00:02:19,475 --> 00:02:21,363 Brown discussed the importance of 69 00:02:21,363 --> 00:02:23,530 working together to responsibly manage 70 00:02:23,530 --> 00:02:25,752 competition , avoid miscalculations and 71 00:02:25,752 --> 00:02:27,752 maintain an open and direct line of 72 00:02:27,752 --> 00:02:29,697 communication for more information 73 00:02:29,697 --> 00:02:31,808 about the call . I'd refer you to the 74 00:02:31,808 --> 00:02:33,808 joint staff and their corresponding 75 00:02:33,808 --> 00:02:35,975 read out . Also today , the Department 76 00:02:35,975 --> 00:02:37,752 of Defense is releasing the dod 77 00:02:37,752 --> 00:02:39,975 instruction on civilian harm mitigation 78 00:02:39,975 --> 00:02:41,919 and response which establishes the 79 00:02:41,919 --> 00:02:43,752 department's enduring policies , 80 00:02:43,752 --> 00:02:45,752 responsibilities and procedures for 81 00:02:45,752 --> 00:02:47,863 mitigating and responding to civilian 82 00:02:47,863 --> 00:02:49,975 harm . As you may recall . In January 83 00:02:49,975 --> 00:02:53,020 of 2022 Secretary Austin directed the 84 00:02:53,029 --> 00:02:55,140 under Secretary of Defense for policy 85 00:02:55,140 --> 00:02:57,251 to develop a civilian harm mitigation 86 00:02:57,251 --> 00:02:59,449 and response action plan . This plan 87 00:02:59,460 --> 00:03:01,571 which was released in August outlined 88 00:03:01,571 --> 00:03:03,738 steps the department will take and the 89 00:03:03,738 --> 00:03:05,529 resources required to implement 90 00:03:05,539 --> 00:03:07,372 appropriate recommendations from 91 00:03:07,372 --> 00:03:09,539 recently completed studies of civilian 92 00:03:09,539 --> 00:03:11,860 harm . The plan also called for the 93 00:03:11,869 --> 00:03:13,889 publication of a dod instruction on 94 00:03:13,899 --> 00:03:16,121 civilian harm mitigation and response , 95 00:03:16,121 --> 00:03:18,288 which is what we're publishing today . 96 00:03:18,288 --> 00:03:20,232 The release of the dod instruction 97 00:03:20,232 --> 00:03:22,399 continues the process of improving the 98 00:03:22,399 --> 00:03:24,621 department's approach to mitigating and 99 00:03:24,621 --> 00:03:26,455 responding to civilian harm . In 100 00:03:26,455 --> 00:03:28,510 addition to the instruction , we are 101 00:03:28,510 --> 00:03:30,677 also launching a public facing website 102 00:03:30,677 --> 00:03:32,899 which will include our current civilian 103 00:03:32,899 --> 00:03:35,121 harm mitigation and response policies , 104 00:03:35,121 --> 00:03:35,080 congressional reports and other related 105 00:03:35,089 --> 00:03:37,550 documents . The website also provides a 106 00:03:37,559 --> 00:03:39,615 link to the previously published web 107 00:03:39,615 --> 00:03:41,448 page with guidance for reporting 108 00:03:41,448 --> 00:03:43,240 civilian casualties for more 109 00:03:43,250 --> 00:03:45,417 information on the civilian mitigation 110 00:03:45,417 --> 00:03:47,306 and response dod instruction . Uh 111 00:03:47,306 --> 00:03:49,361 You'll find these on the defense.gov 112 00:03:49,361 --> 00:03:52,470 website under releases in other news . 113 00:03:52,479 --> 00:03:54,479 Earlier today , a ramp ceremony was 114 00:03:54,479 --> 00:03:56,535 conducted at Dover Air Force Base in 115 00:03:56,535 --> 00:03:58,710 Delaware for a dignified transfer of 116 00:03:58,720 --> 00:04:00,387 remains of three army special 117 00:04:00,387 --> 00:04:02,331 Operations . Aviation soldiers who 118 00:04:02,331 --> 00:04:04,509 returned home to the US . These 119 00:04:04,520 --> 00:04:06,631 soldiers and American heroes perished 120 00:04:06,631 --> 00:04:08,298 in a helicopter mishap in the 121 00:04:08,298 --> 00:04:10,353 Mediterranean on November 10th . The 122 00:04:10,353 --> 00:04:12,298 incident claimed the lives of five 123 00:04:12,298 --> 00:04:14,353 American soldiers , two of whom were 124 00:04:14,353 --> 00:04:16,631 recovered immediately after the mishap . 125 00:04:16,631 --> 00:04:18,576 The team at Dover will work now to 126 00:04:18,576 --> 00:04:20,576 confirm the identities of our three 127 00:04:20,576 --> 00:04:22,687 recovered soldiers before a dignified 128 00:04:22,687 --> 00:04:24,520 transfer to return them to their 129 00:04:24,520 --> 00:04:26,520 families who were present for their 130 00:04:26,520 --> 00:04:28,687 repatriation . The department is proud 131 00:04:28,687 --> 00:04:30,909 of the tireless efforts of all involved 132 00:04:30,909 --> 00:04:33,020 to bring our service members home and 133 00:04:33,020 --> 00:04:32,470 our thoughts and prayers continue to 134 00:04:32,480 --> 00:04:34,702 remain with the families and friends of 135 00:04:34,702 --> 00:04:37,149 our fallen teammates . And finally , as 136 00:04:37,160 --> 00:04:39,049 you all know , the North American 137 00:04:39,049 --> 00:04:40,993 Aerospace Defense Command or NORAD 138 00:04:41,589 --> 00:04:43,829 defends our North American airspace 139 00:04:43,839 --> 00:04:45,970 each and every day . However , on 140 00:04:45,980 --> 00:04:48,202 Christmas Eve , Nora has one additional 141 00:04:48,202 --> 00:04:50,609 special mission tracking Santa as he 142 00:04:50,619 --> 00:04:52,929 makes his way across the globe , this 143 00:04:52,940 --> 00:04:55,609 is Norad's 68th year conducting this 144 00:04:55,619 --> 00:04:57,563 important mission and Children and 145 00:04:57,563 --> 00:04:59,786 families worldwide will be able to call 146 00:04:59,786 --> 00:05:01,786 to ask Norad's live operators about 147 00:05:01,786 --> 00:05:04,008 Santa's location on the 24th , starting 148 00:05:04,008 --> 00:05:06,769 at 6 a.m. Eastern Standard Time . The 149 00:05:06,779 --> 00:05:10,679 phone number to call is 1877 H 150 00:05:10,690 --> 00:05:12,500 I NORAD . Hi NORAD or 151 00:05:12,510 --> 00:05:16,019 8774466723 . 152 00:05:16,690 --> 00:05:18,746 You will also be able to track Saint 153 00:05:18,746 --> 00:05:20,690 Nick's annual journey on the NORAD 154 00:05:20,690 --> 00:05:22,634 track Santa website , Facebook X , 155 00:05:22,634 --> 00:05:24,746 Instagram and youtube . And last year 156 00:05:24,746 --> 00:05:27,089 alone , NORAD answered over 73,000 157 00:05:27,100 --> 00:05:29,559 calls just on December 24th alone . And 158 00:05:29,570 --> 00:05:31,459 the program generated more than 2 159 00:05:31,459 --> 00:05:33,670 million social media followers every 160 00:05:33,679 --> 00:05:35,623 year . More than 1000 American and 161 00:05:35,623 --> 00:05:37,679 Canadian members of NORAD volunteers 162 00:05:37,679 --> 00:05:39,901 and a variety of corporate contributors 163 00:05:39,901 --> 00:05:42,068 are proud to continue the tradition of 164 00:05:42,068 --> 00:05:44,012 tracking Santa and with that , I'm 165 00:05:44,012 --> 00:05:46,068 happy to take your questions . We'll 166 00:05:46,068 --> 00:05:48,290 start with A P . He's on the phone with 167 00:05:48,290 --> 00:05:52,049 Leah Valdor . Thank you , Pat . Um two 168 00:05:52,059 --> 00:05:55,700 things . One , the secretary met 169 00:05:55,730 --> 00:05:59,549 um in Israel with his counterpart , 170 00:05:59,559 --> 00:06:03,359 Minister Galan , can you say in any 171 00:06:03,880 --> 00:06:07,220 um context or detail , what Israel's 172 00:06:07,230 --> 00:06:10,510 reaction was to the 173 00:06:10,519 --> 00:06:13,269 secretary and the chairman's urgings 174 00:06:13,279 --> 00:06:17,230 for a more limited um campaign in 175 00:06:17,239 --> 00:06:19,529 the war uh sort of a scaled back 176 00:06:19,540 --> 00:06:21,540 campaign . Can you just give us any 177 00:06:21,540 --> 00:06:24,549 context on what their reaction may have 178 00:06:24,559 --> 00:06:26,679 been , what we can expect ? And then 179 00:06:26,690 --> 00:06:28,468 just uh secondly , on the , the 180 00:06:28,468 --> 00:06:31,369 maritime uh program that's ongoing , 181 00:06:31,380 --> 00:06:33,989 can you say exactly how many countries 182 00:06:34,000 --> 00:06:36,459 are actively participating right now ? 183 00:06:36,470 --> 00:06:40,329 Should we expect to see um the 184 00:06:40,339 --> 00:06:43,179 US and other ships there all the time ? 185 00:06:43,190 --> 00:06:45,260 Are they gonna take turns ? Can you 186 00:06:45,269 --> 00:06:48,079 just give us a better grasp of how 187 00:06:48,089 --> 00:06:50,880 these countries ? I think you said had 188 00:06:50,890 --> 00:06:53,109 said 10 , they're about 10 initially . 189 00:06:53,119 --> 00:06:56,109 How are they gonna um sort of take part 190 00:06:56,119 --> 00:06:58,559 in this ? How will that work ? Yeah , 191 00:06:58,570 --> 00:07:00,848 thanks Lia . Uh On your first question . 192 00:07:00,848 --> 00:07:02,880 Uh again , I'm not gonna speak for 193 00:07:02,890 --> 00:07:05,600 Minister Gallant . Um I if you had the 194 00:07:05,609 --> 00:07:07,331 chance to , to catch the press 195 00:07:07,331 --> 00:07:09,109 conference in Tel Aviv with the 196 00:07:09,109 --> 00:07:11,739 secretary and the Minister uh Secretary 197 00:07:11,750 --> 00:07:13,694 Austin made made a few things very 198 00:07:13,694 --> 00:07:15,750 clear . First of all , uh he was not 199 00:07:15,750 --> 00:07:18,119 there to dictate timelines Uh this is 200 00:07:18,130 --> 00:07:20,790 Israel's campaign . Um But during their 201 00:07:20,799 --> 00:07:22,410 meetings , they did have the 202 00:07:22,410 --> 00:07:24,632 opportunity to talk about the status of 203 00:07:24,632 --> 00:07:26,355 the campaign . Uh They had the 204 00:07:26,355 --> 00:07:29,000 opportunity to talk about milestones 205 00:07:29,010 --> 00:07:32,579 and um the phasing of the campaign to 206 00:07:32,589 --> 00:07:35,290 include transitioning from higher 207 00:07:35,299 --> 00:07:37,640 intensity operations to lower intensity 208 00:07:37,649 --> 00:07:39,899 operations uh which oh by the way , are 209 00:07:39,910 --> 00:07:42,179 part of any military campaign . Uh And 210 00:07:42,190 --> 00:07:44,649 does not necessarily indicate that a 211 00:07:44,660 --> 00:07:47,500 campaign has ended . Uh So they were , 212 00:07:47,510 --> 00:07:49,121 they were very productive uh 213 00:07:49,121 --> 00:07:51,769 conversations . Uh And again , I think 214 00:07:51,779 --> 00:07:55,170 Minister Galant uh spoke to , to where 215 00:07:55,179 --> 00:07:57,123 the Israeli military is at at this 216 00:07:57,123 --> 00:07:59,123 moment . And so I'd , I'd refer you 217 00:07:59,123 --> 00:08:01,149 back to those comments uh as far as 218 00:08:01,160 --> 00:08:03,216 operation , Prosperity Guardian . Uh 219 00:08:03,216 --> 00:08:06,480 We've had over 20 nations uh now sign 220 00:08:06,489 --> 00:08:09,380 on to participate , uh the nations that 221 00:08:09,390 --> 00:08:12,730 have agreed uh to um publicly 222 00:08:12,739 --> 00:08:15,250 discuss their participation . Um We've 223 00:08:15,260 --> 00:08:16,927 put those out there since the 224 00:08:17,100 --> 00:08:19,619 announcement uh on Tuesday . Uh 225 00:08:19,630 --> 00:08:22,440 Australia and Greece have also uh 226 00:08:22,450 --> 00:08:25,399 highlighted their participation in this 227 00:08:25,410 --> 00:08:27,720 uh this operation . But again , we'll , 228 00:08:27,730 --> 00:08:29,940 we'll allow other countries and defer 229 00:08:29,950 --> 00:08:31,506 to them to talk about their 230 00:08:31,506 --> 00:08:34,309 participation . The key point here is 231 00:08:34,320 --> 00:08:36,542 that this , as I mentioned at the top , 232 00:08:36,542 --> 00:08:39,260 this is a international problem and it 233 00:08:39,270 --> 00:08:41,326 requires an international response . 234 00:08:41,326 --> 00:08:43,548 And so we'll continue to , to work with 235 00:08:43,548 --> 00:08:46,840 this coalition of the willing uh and uh 236 00:08:46,890 --> 00:08:48,557 all countries will be able to 237 00:08:48,557 --> 00:08:50,779 contribute what they feel that they can 238 00:08:50,779 --> 00:08:52,723 uh in some cases that will include 239 00:08:52,723 --> 00:08:54,612 vessels in other cases , it could 240 00:08:54,612 --> 00:08:56,570 include staff uh or other types of 241 00:08:56,580 --> 00:08:58,469 support . And so again , uh we'll 242 00:08:58,469 --> 00:09:00,630 continue to work together uh to 243 00:09:00,640 --> 00:09:02,696 safeguard the shipping lanes through 244 00:09:02,696 --> 00:09:04,918 the Red Sea . Thank you . You go to Liz 245 00:09:04,918 --> 00:09:07,029 here to follow up on that . Uh Is the 246 00:09:07,029 --> 00:09:09,084 US sending more vessels into the Red 247 00:09:09,084 --> 00:09:10,973 Sea to accompany these commercial 248 00:09:10,973 --> 00:09:13,084 vessels ? Uh So I don't have anything 249 00:09:13,084 --> 00:09:14,807 to announce Liz uh in terms of 250 00:09:14,807 --> 00:09:16,696 additional vessels , clearly , we 251 00:09:16,696 --> 00:09:18,862 already have some uh ships that are in 252 00:09:18,862 --> 00:09:21,029 the region . Uh And again , we'll work 253 00:09:21,029 --> 00:09:23,084 with our , with our partners and our 254 00:09:23,084 --> 00:09:25,084 allies in terms of what other ships 255 00:09:25,084 --> 00:09:27,140 will come in . I will say that there 256 00:09:27,140 --> 00:09:29,307 has been a a as you know , an increase 257 00:09:29,307 --> 00:09:31,418 in the number of us ships that are in 258 00:09:31,418 --> 00:09:33,529 that region . Um You've got the , the 259 00:09:33,529 --> 00:09:36,409 mason uh the and the uh the Carney and 260 00:09:36,419 --> 00:09:38,586 others that have been there to support 261 00:09:38,586 --> 00:09:40,679 vessels or to support uh commercial 262 00:09:40,690 --> 00:09:42,746 shipping . So uh nothing to announce 263 00:09:42,746 --> 00:09:44,857 right now , but obviously , something 264 00:09:44,857 --> 00:09:47,079 we will continue to keep you updated on 265 00:09:47,079 --> 00:09:48,912 a separate topic to follow up on 266 00:09:48,912 --> 00:09:50,912 General Brown's phone call with his 267 00:09:50,912 --> 00:09:53,023 Chinese counterpart this morning . Um 268 00:09:53,023 --> 00:09:55,134 Are there any plans to reactivate the 269 00:09:55,134 --> 00:09:57,134 uh the military to military hotline 270 00:09:57,134 --> 00:09:59,301 with China ? So I don't , I don't have 271 00:09:59,301 --> 00:10:01,523 anything to announce on that front . Uh 272 00:10:01,523 --> 00:10:03,690 You know , as I highlighted , we think 273 00:10:03,690 --> 00:10:05,801 it's very important to keep the lines 274 00:10:05,801 --> 00:10:05,640 of communication open . So that's 275 00:10:05,650 --> 00:10:07,483 something that we'll continue to 276 00:10:07,483 --> 00:10:11,010 actively do all . Did China agree 277 00:10:11,020 --> 00:10:14,140 to uh continue to regularly communicate 278 00:10:14,400 --> 00:10:16,456 with the US military ? I'm not gonna 279 00:10:16,456 --> 00:10:18,511 speak for China clearly , you know , 280 00:10:18,511 --> 00:10:20,289 our position and we're going to 281 00:10:20,289 --> 00:10:22,456 continue to do everything we can do to 282 00:10:22,456 --> 00:10:24,567 keep those lines of com open . Let me 283 00:10:24,567 --> 00:10:26,789 go over here will um just regarding the 284 00:10:26,789 --> 00:10:29,011 um the Red Sea coalition , can you talk 285 00:10:29,011 --> 00:10:28,344 a little bit more about what , what 286 00:10:28,354 --> 00:10:30,354 specific steps the the coalition is 287 00:10:30,354 --> 00:10:32,576 gonna take to protect shipping ? Are we 288 00:10:32,576 --> 00:10:34,798 talking , you know , escorting ships uh 289 00:10:34,798 --> 00:10:36,854 reflagging , potentially um carrying 290 00:10:36,854 --> 00:10:38,965 out strikes on , on , on launch sites 291 00:10:38,965 --> 00:10:41,243 or what , what is this going to entail ? 292 00:10:41,243 --> 00:10:44,094 Um Yeah , thanks will . Uh so bear with 293 00:10:44,104 --> 00:10:46,326 me here because I'm , I kind of want to 294 00:10:46,326 --> 00:10:48,437 lean into this a little bit and , and 295 00:10:48,437 --> 00:10:50,660 just provide some additional um context 296 00:10:50,660 --> 00:10:52,493 here . So , you know , it's very 297 00:10:52,493 --> 00:10:54,326 important to understand that the 298 00:10:54,326 --> 00:10:56,215 Houthis aren't attacking just one 299 00:10:56,215 --> 00:10:58,382 country , they're really attacking the 300 00:10:58,382 --> 00:11:00,604 international community . Uh They are , 301 00:11:00,604 --> 00:11:02,660 they are attacking the economic well 302 00:11:02,660 --> 00:11:04,826 being and prosperity of nations around 303 00:11:04,826 --> 00:11:06,937 the world . So in effect , uh they've 304 00:11:06,937 --> 00:11:08,715 really become bandits along the 305 00:11:08,715 --> 00:11:10,826 international highway that is the Red 306 00:11:10,826 --> 00:11:12,826 Sea . And so the forces assigned to 307 00:11:12,826 --> 00:11:14,771 operation prosperity Guardian will 308 00:11:14,771 --> 00:11:16,993 serve as a highway patrol of sorts , uh 309 00:11:16,993 --> 00:11:19,048 patrolling the Red Sea and , and the 310 00:11:19,048 --> 00:11:21,160 Gulf of Aden to respond to and assist 311 00:11:21,160 --> 00:11:23,215 as necessary commercial vessels that 312 00:11:23,215 --> 00:11:25,437 are transiting this vital international 313 00:11:25,437 --> 00:11:28,330 waterway . It's a defensive coalition 314 00:11:28,340 --> 00:11:30,451 meant to reassure global shipping and 315 00:11:30,451 --> 00:11:32,229 Mariners that the international 316 00:11:32,229 --> 00:11:34,284 community is there to help with safe 317 00:11:34,284 --> 00:11:38,059 passage . Uh And so in terms of um 318 00:11:38,440 --> 00:11:41,380 the specifics , in terms of tactics , 319 00:11:41,390 --> 00:11:43,390 I'm not gonna get into Roe and what 320 00:11:43,390 --> 00:11:45,557 that entails . But the way to think of 321 00:11:45,557 --> 00:11:47,668 this uh is a highway patrol along the 322 00:11:47,668 --> 00:11:49,830 highway that are there to cover the 323 00:11:49,840 --> 00:11:52,619 zone . Uh As it's been described to me , 324 00:11:52,630 --> 00:11:54,741 the distance we're talking here about 325 00:11:54,741 --> 00:11:57,520 here from the Suez Canal down to the 326 00:11:57,530 --> 00:11:59,789 Gulf of Aden is about the distance from 327 00:11:59,799 --> 00:12:01,799 Boston to Washington DC . So you're 328 00:12:01,799 --> 00:12:03,669 talking about a pretty extensive 329 00:12:03,679 --> 00:12:06,020 stretch of water uh that the 330 00:12:06,030 --> 00:12:07,808 international community will be 331 00:12:07,808 --> 00:12:09,919 covering . Last thing I'd say on this 332 00:12:09,919 --> 00:12:12,820 is that uh the houthis need to stop 333 00:12:12,830 --> 00:12:15,108 these attacks , they need to stop them . 334 00:12:15,108 --> 00:12:16,997 Now , you know , that's clear and 335 00:12:16,997 --> 00:12:18,941 simple and they really need to ask 336 00:12:18,941 --> 00:12:21,052 themselves if they've bitten off more 337 00:12:21,052 --> 00:12:20,820 than they can chew when it comes to 338 00:12:20,830 --> 00:12:22,774 taking on the entire international 339 00:12:22,774 --> 00:12:25,010 community and negatively impacting 340 00:12:25,309 --> 00:12:27,570 billions and billions , billions of 341 00:12:27,580 --> 00:12:29,524 dollars in global trade , economic 342 00:12:29,524 --> 00:12:31,469 prosperity and international law . 343 00:12:31,469 --> 00:12:34,849 Thank you on the , 344 00:12:35,460 --> 00:12:37,516 on the call between the chairman and 345 00:12:37,516 --> 00:12:39,460 his Chinese counterpart , I talk a 346 00:12:39,460 --> 00:12:41,516 little bit about the significance of 347 00:12:41,516 --> 00:12:43,682 presumption of , of , of talks on that 348 00:12:43,682 --> 00:12:45,682 level . Um I know this is something 349 00:12:45,682 --> 00:12:47,904 that , that the the US has pushed for . 350 00:12:47,904 --> 00:12:49,840 So , um how , how , how , how 351 00:12:49,849 --> 00:12:51,960 significant is this that is happening 352 00:12:51,960 --> 00:12:54,127 now ? I guess ? Well , I think it's uh 353 00:12:54,127 --> 00:12:56,293 a positive development . Um You know , 354 00:12:56,293 --> 00:12:58,516 we're clearly working here to implement 355 00:12:58,516 --> 00:13:00,627 what was announced by President Biden 356 00:13:00,627 --> 00:13:02,738 and Chairman Xi in no , in November . 357 00:13:02,738 --> 00:13:05,030 Um But we've said all along that when 358 00:13:05,039 --> 00:13:08,000 you have two large militaries , it's 359 00:13:08,010 --> 00:13:09,843 imperative that we keep lines of 360 00:13:09,849 --> 00:13:12,210 communication open in order to prevent 361 00:13:12,219 --> 00:13:14,760 miscalculation . Uh and the , and the 362 00:13:14,770 --> 00:13:17,580 potential uh that , that , that , that 363 00:13:17,590 --> 00:13:19,539 carries with it as far as risk of 364 00:13:19,549 --> 00:13:22,739 operating in , in um certain areas . So 365 00:13:22,909 --> 00:13:25,020 again , we're gonna continue to press 366 00:13:25,020 --> 00:13:27,020 on that . Thank you , Tom , sorry . 367 00:13:27,020 --> 00:13:28,965 Yeah , just to follow up on Will's 368 00:13:28,965 --> 00:13:31,187 question . Um , since the uh task force 369 00:13:31,187 --> 00:13:33,242 of operation Prosperity Guardian was 370 00:13:33,242 --> 00:13:35,409 stood up on Tuesday , I believe . Um , 371 00:13:35,409 --> 00:13:37,690 have there been any strikes or has 372 00:13:37,700 --> 00:13:39,867 there been any kinetic action that you 373 00:13:39,867 --> 00:13:41,978 can uh update us on over the last few 374 00:13:41,978 --> 00:13:44,349 days by the United States by , by the 375 00:13:44,359 --> 00:13:46,729 coalition as a whole ? I'm not tracking 376 00:13:46,739 --> 00:13:48,989 any . Again , this is a defensive 377 00:13:49,000 --> 00:13:52,429 coalition that is there to help 378 00:13:52,440 --> 00:13:55,369 reassure global shipping and Mariners 379 00:13:55,380 --> 00:13:57,659 as they transit the straits . The fact 380 00:13:57,669 --> 00:13:59,836 that you haven't seen anything . Would 381 00:13:59,836 --> 00:14:02,058 you read into that , that it's having a 382 00:14:02,058 --> 00:14:04,169 deterrent effect ? Oh , I'm sorry , I 383 00:14:04,169 --> 00:14:04,000 misunderstood your question . Attacks 384 00:14:04,010 --> 00:14:06,210 by the Houthis against shipping . My 385 00:14:06,219 --> 00:14:08,330 first question I was asking , sorry , 386 00:14:08,330 --> 00:14:10,552 was um if there has been any kind of uh 387 00:14:10,552 --> 00:14:13,320 any action from the US against the 388 00:14:13,330 --> 00:14:15,608 Houthis in retaliation for any strikes , 389 00:14:15,608 --> 00:14:17,441 they may have done , we have not 390 00:14:17,441 --> 00:14:19,330 conducted any strikes against the 391 00:14:19,330 --> 00:14:19,039 Houthis and the fact that you haven't 392 00:14:19,049 --> 00:14:21,271 seen any , if you haven't seen any , is 393 00:14:21,271 --> 00:14:23,271 that , would you say that you , the 394 00:14:23,271 --> 00:14:25,605 task force is having a deterrent effect ? 395 00:14:26,080 --> 00:14:28,247 The fact that the US has not conducted 396 00:14:28,247 --> 00:14:30,080 any strikes , the fact that they 397 00:14:30,080 --> 00:14:32,460 haven't conducted any strikes . Uh You 398 00:14:32,469 --> 00:14:35,700 know , I hope so . Um , but , uh , you 399 00:14:35,710 --> 00:14:37,821 know , again , what we're gonna do is 400 00:14:37,821 --> 00:14:39,932 we're gonna continue to work with the 401 00:14:39,932 --> 00:14:41,988 international community to safeguard 402 00:14:41,988 --> 00:14:44,210 those vessels that are transiting those 403 00:14:44,210 --> 00:14:46,266 waterways . Uh And I would hope that 404 00:14:46,266 --> 00:14:48,780 the Houthis would understand , you know , 405 00:14:48,789 --> 00:14:50,733 the pressure that they are bring , 406 00:14:50,733 --> 00:14:52,956 going to bring on to themselves if they 407 00:14:52,956 --> 00:14:55,122 don't stop these attacks . But again , 408 00:14:55,122 --> 00:14:57,345 we'll continue to monitor closely . Let 409 00:14:57,345 --> 00:14:59,511 me go to Chris and then I'll go to the 410 00:14:59,511 --> 00:14:59,200 phone hearing . Thanks , Pat . Uh two 411 00:14:59,210 --> 00:15:01,679 questions on uh operation uh Prosperity 412 00:15:01,690 --> 00:15:04,150 Guardian . Uh Is this coalition of the 413 00:15:04,159 --> 00:15:06,440 willing under any sort of unified 414 00:15:06,450 --> 00:15:09,159 command for these nations ? How are you , 415 00:15:09,169 --> 00:15:11,336 how is that being coordinate ? So this 416 00:15:11,336 --> 00:15:13,558 is under combined maritime forces which 417 00:15:13,558 --> 00:15:16,229 is already an existing coalition of the 418 00:15:16,239 --> 00:15:18,640 willing of 39 different nations . Ok . 419 00:15:18,650 --> 00:15:21,280 So that , that is uh a coalition that , 420 00:15:21,289 --> 00:15:23,289 that has been around for a while uh 421 00:15:23,289 --> 00:15:25,719 that brings nations together to address 422 00:15:26,190 --> 00:15:28,510 uh regional security and stability when 423 00:15:28,520 --> 00:15:30,780 it comes to maritime operations . A 424 00:15:30,789 --> 00:15:34,000 subset of the coalition maritime forces 425 00:15:34,010 --> 00:15:37,419 is task force 153 which has been in 426 00:15:37,429 --> 00:15:39,609 existence for about 18 months , uh 427 00:15:39,619 --> 00:15:43,289 which provides uh the leadership 428 00:15:43,299 --> 00:15:46,609 command and control for uh red Sea 429 00:15:46,619 --> 00:15:48,849 security operations . Now , the 430 00:15:48,859 --> 00:15:50,859 question that you know , that we've 431 00:15:50,859 --> 00:15:52,859 gotten the question . Well , if you 432 00:15:52,859 --> 00:15:52,330 already had this , why do you need 433 00:15:52,349 --> 00:15:55,109 prosperity Guardian ? Uh It's , it's an 434 00:15:55,119 --> 00:15:57,397 important question and a good question . 435 00:15:57,489 --> 00:15:59,600 By virtue of the fact that we already 436 00:15:59,600 --> 00:16:01,822 have a standing structure , a framework 437 00:16:01,822 --> 00:16:03,656 upon which to build prosperity . 438 00:16:03,656 --> 00:16:06,190 Gardening is an operation that is 439 00:16:06,200 --> 00:16:09,799 underneath 153 task force , 153 can do 440 00:16:09,809 --> 00:16:12,869 other things . Um But it's an operation 441 00:16:12,880 --> 00:16:15,809 un nested underneath task force 153 . 442 00:16:15,900 --> 00:16:18,011 And by virtue of it being a coalition 443 00:16:18,011 --> 00:16:19,859 of the willing , that means that 444 00:16:19,869 --> 00:16:22,900 countries can provide uh what they feel 445 00:16:23,059 --> 00:16:25,809 they can contribute um based on their 446 00:16:25,929 --> 00:16:27,950 uh national priorities and , and 447 00:16:27,960 --> 00:16:31,739 national domestic decisions . Uh so as 448 00:16:31,830 --> 00:16:35,030 certain requirements um start to 449 00:16:35,039 --> 00:16:36,928 present themselves in this case , 450 00:16:36,928 --> 00:16:39,095 addressing the threat that the Houthis 451 00:16:39,095 --> 00:16:43,010 um are , are uh you know , providing or 452 00:16:43,020 --> 00:16:45,242 you know , doing here in the uh the Red 453 00:16:45,242 --> 00:16:47,353 Sea nations have a framework now upon 454 00:16:47,353 --> 00:16:49,298 which to pull together and address 455 00:16:49,298 --> 00:16:51,076 these together . And the second 456 00:16:51,080 --> 00:16:53,669 question on that , um are any us air 457 00:16:53,679 --> 00:16:56,549 assets uh part of operation prosperity 458 00:16:56,559 --> 00:16:59,049 guardian or is this purely uh surface 459 00:16:59,059 --> 00:17:01,219 vessels ? Um Does it include include 460 00:17:01,229 --> 00:17:03,679 the U or carrier strike groups , for 461 00:17:03,690 --> 00:17:06,223 example . Um And if you don't all those 462 00:17:06,234 --> 00:17:09,703 details , um could you take the Yeah , 463 00:17:09,713 --> 00:17:11,880 so I'm not , I'm not gonna go into the 464 00:17:11,880 --> 00:17:13,435 specifics in terms of which 465 00:17:13,435 --> 00:17:15,602 capabilities uh or which assets per se 466 00:17:15,602 --> 00:17:18,093 but yes , air will be uh a part of this 467 00:17:18,104 --> 00:17:20,326 um you know , when , especially when it 468 00:17:20,326 --> 00:17:22,548 comes to Maritime Domain Awareness , uh 469 00:17:22,548 --> 00:17:24,413 air power is , is always uh a 470 00:17:24,423 --> 00:17:26,764 significant contribute uh contributor 471 00:17:26,774 --> 00:17:28,718 to that . So , uh let me go to the 472 00:17:28,718 --> 00:17:30,941 phones here . Let me go to uh Jeff Scel 473 00:17:30,941 --> 00:17:33,089 task and purpose . Uh Thank you , the 474 00:17:33,099 --> 00:17:35,210 United States recently launched a , a 475 00:17:35,210 --> 00:17:38,180 drone strike in Somalia targeting an Al 476 00:17:38,189 --> 00:17:41,030 Shabaab leader . Can you say who is 477 00:17:41,040 --> 00:17:43,760 that leader and who exactly was killed 478 00:17:43,770 --> 00:17:46,189 in the strike ? Yeah , thanks . Thanks 479 00:17:46,199 --> 00:17:50,199 Jeff . Um So you saw uh Africom um you 480 00:17:50,209 --> 00:17:52,209 know what they put out on , on this 481 00:17:52,209 --> 00:17:54,265 strike ? I don't have any additional 482 00:17:54,265 --> 00:17:56,487 details to provide at this time . Um If 483 00:17:56,487 --> 00:17:58,709 and when we do , we'll certainly uh put 484 00:17:58,709 --> 00:18:00,820 that out . Um You go to Howard Altman 485 00:18:00,820 --> 00:18:03,109 War Zone . Hey , thanks Pat Co couple 486 00:18:03,119 --> 00:18:05,390 of questions . Does the uh any concerns 487 00:18:05,400 --> 00:18:08,229 about the Navy having enough vessels to 488 00:18:08,239 --> 00:18:11,479 an the staff uh operation ? Prosperity 489 00:18:11,489 --> 00:18:14,530 Guardian . And today the Houthis , the 490 00:18:14,560 --> 00:18:16,560 Houthi leader came out and directly 491 00:18:16,560 --> 00:18:18,727 threatened the US . Uh should there be 492 00:18:18,727 --> 00:18:20,893 an attack ? Does that raise the stakes 493 00:18:20,893 --> 00:18:23,060 here ? And are you developing any kind 494 00:18:23,060 --> 00:18:24,949 of strike packages uh against the 495 00:18:24,949 --> 00:18:27,469 Houthis in Yemen ? Thanks , thanks 496 00:18:27,479 --> 00:18:29,257 Howard . So on , on your latter 497 00:18:29,257 --> 00:18:31,257 question , you know , as you know , 498 00:18:31,257 --> 00:18:33,312 long standing policy , I'm not gonna 499 00:18:33,312 --> 00:18:35,535 telegraph forecast or speculate on , on 500 00:18:35,535 --> 00:18:38,050 any type of kinetic action . Um A and 501 00:18:38,060 --> 00:18:41,719 as far as uh you know , the US Navy and 502 00:18:41,729 --> 00:18:44,310 its ability to provide the capabilities 503 00:18:44,319 --> 00:18:46,609 that we need . Uh I mean , this , this 504 00:18:46,619 --> 00:18:50,060 is one of the um significant aspects 505 00:18:50,069 --> 00:18:52,125 about the US militaries that we have 506 00:18:52,125 --> 00:18:54,180 the ability to surge capabilities to 507 00:18:54,180 --> 00:18:56,349 where we need them to address uh 508 00:18:56,359 --> 00:18:59,000 situations around the globe . And the 509 00:18:59,010 --> 00:19:00,510 US central command area of 510 00:19:00,510 --> 00:19:02,900 responsibility is no different . Uh And 511 00:19:02,910 --> 00:19:06,079 so as we require capabilities , uh we 512 00:19:06,089 --> 00:19:08,145 have a very long standing process in 513 00:19:08,145 --> 00:19:09,959 place by which to determine 514 00:19:09,969 --> 00:19:12,579 requirements , make decisions . Uh and 515 00:19:12,589 --> 00:19:15,119 then , and then surge forces into the 516 00:19:15,130 --> 00:19:16,963 theater . And so this will be no 517 00:19:16,963 --> 00:19:19,019 different in that , in that sense of 518 00:19:19,019 --> 00:19:21,241 the word . Let me come back to the room 519 00:19:21,241 --> 00:19:24,569 f um So , so you're talking about an 520 00:19:24,579 --> 00:19:27,729 international uh coalition to address 521 00:19:27,739 --> 00:19:30,319 the attacks by Houthis in the Red Sea . 522 00:19:30,329 --> 00:19:32,869 Are you able to say whether any country 523 00:19:32,880 --> 00:19:34,880 on the Red Sea is , is part of this 524 00:19:34,880 --> 00:19:36,880 coalition and why none of the major 525 00:19:36,880 --> 00:19:39,410 Arab states um um announced their 526 00:19:39,420 --> 00:19:41,729 participation in the coalition ? Yeah , 527 00:19:41,739 --> 00:19:44,790 again , um we will defer to individual 528 00:19:44,800 --> 00:19:46,770 countries uh within their level of 529 00:19:46,780 --> 00:19:48,709 comfort to talk about uh their 530 00:19:48,719 --> 00:19:50,775 participation in this coalition . So 531 00:19:50,775 --> 00:19:52,997 beyond the countries that we've already 532 00:19:52,997 --> 00:19:54,941 highlighted , I don't have any new 533 00:19:54,941 --> 00:19:57,163 countries to , to flag for here today . 534 00:19:57,163 --> 00:19:59,163 And then again on the uh warning by 535 00:19:59,163 --> 00:20:01,275 Abdel Malik Al Houthi , the leader of 536 00:20:01,275 --> 00:20:03,497 the Houthis in Yemen , he warned the us 537 00:20:03,497 --> 00:20:05,719 not to take any military actions inside 538 00:20:05,719 --> 00:20:07,719 Yemen . I'm not asking about future 539 00:20:07,719 --> 00:20:10,415 operations but within the framework of 540 00:20:10,425 --> 00:20:13,640 the Prosperity Guardian . Um Do 541 00:20:13,650 --> 00:20:16,839 nations have any type of authority or 542 00:20:16,849 --> 00:20:20,030 mission to attack Houthi targets inside 543 00:20:20,040 --> 00:20:22,400 Yemen in response to attacking uh 544 00:20:22,410 --> 00:20:25,219 commercial vessels ? Or is it mainly uh 545 00:20:25,229 --> 00:20:27,760 defensive against any projectiles that 546 00:20:27,770 --> 00:20:29,959 might be uh you know , going in the 547 00:20:29,969 --> 00:20:33,000 direction of us Navy or , or French or 548 00:20:33,010 --> 00:20:35,010 whoever is there ? Yeah , this is a 549 00:20:35,010 --> 00:20:37,520 defensive coalition again . Uh think of 550 00:20:37,530 --> 00:20:39,500 it as the highway patrol to help 551 00:20:39,510 --> 00:20:42,260 safeguard uh maritime , you know , 552 00:20:42,270 --> 00:20:44,548 vessels going through the , the strait . 553 00:20:45,219 --> 00:20:48,119 Thank you . Thank you , Senator . Uh 554 00:20:48,130 --> 00:20:50,640 regarding North Korea , the long range 555 00:20:50,650 --> 00:20:54,239 ICBM launches , what is the final 556 00:20:54,250 --> 00:20:57,579 result of the United States analyst of 557 00:20:57,589 --> 00:21:00,239 North Korea , the long range ICBM 558 00:21:00,250 --> 00:21:03,770 launches um Janie , you know , uh 559 00:21:03,780 --> 00:21:06,040 we've highlighted the , the fact uh 560 00:21:06,050 --> 00:21:08,839 that , that uh we condemn this launch 561 00:21:08,849 --> 00:21:11,619 uh and any destabilizing actions by 562 00:21:11,630 --> 00:21:13,797 North Korea . But I'm not going to get 563 00:21:13,797 --> 00:21:17,770 into any intelligence to North 564 00:21:17,939 --> 00:21:21,574 Korea joint air exercise 565 00:21:21,584 --> 00:21:25,155 between us and South Korea . Japan 566 00:21:25,375 --> 00:21:28,344 is being conducted in South Korea with 567 00:21:28,354 --> 00:21:31,474 the B one B strategic 568 00:21:31,484 --> 00:21:35,035 bombers . Can you say that uh our 569 00:21:35,045 --> 00:21:38,555 allies ultimate goal to the North 570 00:21:38,564 --> 00:21:42,265 Korea is to behead Kim Jong Un . 571 00:21:43,839 --> 00:21:47,079 Look , Janie , we remain committed to a 572 00:21:47,089 --> 00:21:50,739 diplomatic uh approach and uh continue 573 00:21:50,750 --> 00:21:53,189 to call on the D pr K to engage in 574 00:21:53,199 --> 00:21:55,819 dialogue . We have harbor no hostile 575 00:21:55,869 --> 00:21:58,609 intent to North Korea and we've made 576 00:21:58,619 --> 00:22:01,839 that very clear um what we're focused 577 00:22:01,849 --> 00:22:04,050 on is regional security and stability 578 00:22:04,060 --> 00:22:06,339 and working closely with our rok and 579 00:22:06,349 --> 00:22:08,293 Japanese allies , as well as other 580 00:22:08,293 --> 00:22:10,829 allies and partners in the region to 581 00:22:10,839 --> 00:22:13,061 ensure that everyone in that region can 582 00:22:13,061 --> 00:22:15,283 live peacefully and safely . And that's 583 00:22:15,283 --> 00:22:17,561 what we'll continue to stay focused on . 584 00:22:17,561 --> 00:22:19,783 Let me go . Yes , sir . Thank you . Two 585 00:22:19,783 --> 00:22:21,783 questions . If you don't mind , has 586 00:22:21,783 --> 00:22:23,950 been any new attacks on your forces in 587 00:22:23,950 --> 00:22:26,910 Iraq . I , I don't have anything right 588 00:22:26,920 --> 00:22:29,400 in front of me . So I , I'd refer you 589 00:22:29,410 --> 00:22:31,466 to our press desk and we can get you 590 00:22:31,466 --> 00:22:33,243 those details . Do you have any 591 00:22:33,243 --> 00:22:37,199 information that Iranian drones 592 00:22:37,420 --> 00:22:39,699 uh used by these groups in Iraq and 593 00:22:39,709 --> 00:22:42,619 Syria forces ? I'm sorry , say that 594 00:22:42,630 --> 00:22:44,463 again . I mean , do you have any 595 00:22:44,463 --> 00:22:46,880 information that Iranian made drones 596 00:22:47,140 --> 00:22:49,469 used by like militant groups in Iraq 597 00:22:49,479 --> 00:22:51,646 and Syria even by Houthis against your 598 00:22:51,646 --> 00:22:53,770 forces ? Yeah , I mean , we , we know 599 00:22:53,780 --> 00:22:56,469 that Iranian proxies are trained 600 00:22:56,479 --> 00:23:00,359 resourced equipped by Iranian forces , 601 00:23:00,369 --> 00:23:02,536 obviously , that's why they're Iranian 602 00:23:02,536 --> 00:23:05,119 proxies . And so , uh again , you know , 603 00:23:05,130 --> 00:23:07,420 all roads lead to Iran when it comes to 604 00:23:07,430 --> 00:23:10,160 uh sponsoring these attacks ? Thank you 605 00:23:10,170 --> 00:23:12,448 very much . Let me go here . Yes , sir . 606 00:23:14,189 --> 00:23:16,449 You clearly describe the mission of the 607 00:23:16,459 --> 00:23:20,449 task force of being defensive and the 608 00:23:20,459 --> 00:23:22,949 forces are patrolling the region . Uh 609 00:23:22,959 --> 00:23:26,170 but are they going to uh 610 00:23:26,180 --> 00:23:29,219 prevent these kind of attacks ? Only 611 00:23:29,260 --> 00:23:32,920 limited with this force task or in 612 00:23:32,930 --> 00:23:36,125 case of uh continuation of , of these 613 00:23:36,135 --> 00:23:37,834 threats ? Are there any other 614 00:23:37,844 --> 00:23:40,015 possibilities that the Pentagon is 615 00:23:40,025 --> 00:23:43,574 considering uh to avoid increasing 616 00:23:43,584 --> 00:23:45,528 threat ? That's it since it's a uh 617 00:23:45,625 --> 00:23:47,454 putting a big pressure on the 618 00:23:47,464 --> 00:23:51,375 international trade and markets as 619 00:23:51,385 --> 00:23:53,775 well . Yeah . So uh again , I'm not 620 00:23:53,785 --> 00:23:56,614 going to speculate or talk about , you 621 00:23:56,625 --> 00:23:58,903 know , any potential future operations . 622 00:24:00,500 --> 00:24:02,750 The the point I'm trying to make here 623 00:24:02,760 --> 00:24:05,560 is that as the houthis conduct these 624 00:24:05,569 --> 00:24:07,625 attacks , they need to realize their 625 00:24:08,229 --> 00:24:10,451 attacking the international community , 626 00:24:10,500 --> 00:24:12,489 they are negatively affecting the 627 00:24:12,500 --> 00:24:14,444 economic prosperity of millions of 628 00:24:14,444 --> 00:24:16,667 people , billions of people worldwide . 629 00:24:16,890 --> 00:24:20,680 Uh And uh that has got to stop . 630 00:24:20,780 --> 00:24:22,836 So we will continue to work with our 631 00:24:22,836 --> 00:24:25,058 allies and partners . Uh The purpose of 632 00:24:25,058 --> 00:24:27,380 prosperity , Guardian is to help 633 00:24:27,390 --> 00:24:29,910 reassure commercial shipping and 634 00:24:29,920 --> 00:24:33,699 Mariners as they transit the Red Sea uh 635 00:24:33,709 --> 00:24:35,487 in the Gulf of Aden . And we'll 636 00:24:35,487 --> 00:24:37,320 continue to stay focused on that 637 00:24:37,739 --> 00:24:41,020 question about Gaza . Um just the 638 00:24:41,030 --> 00:24:42,919 number of the civilian casualties 639 00:24:42,919 --> 00:24:45,160 according to the local authorities is 640 00:24:45,170 --> 00:24:48,829 over 2000 casualties 641 00:24:48,839 --> 00:24:52,579 amongst civilians , only 20,000 , sorry . 642 00:24:52,630 --> 00:24:55,895 So uh just at the eve of the Christmas , 643 00:24:56,035 --> 00:24:59,854 is Gaza going to enter a new year with 644 00:24:59,864 --> 00:25:02,505 the same bombardment and the operation 645 00:25:02,675 --> 00:25:05,834 causing threat for the civilians . Is 646 00:25:05,844 --> 00:25:08,244 the secretary , did the secretary 647 00:25:08,255 --> 00:25:12,175 actually made contact with his 648 00:25:12,185 --> 00:25:14,454 Israeli counterparts to avoid this 649 00:25:14,464 --> 00:25:18,119 threat within the upcoming days . Yeah . 650 00:25:18,130 --> 00:25:20,880 Well , first of all , um I mean , you 651 00:25:20,890 --> 00:25:24,109 know , again , we think it is 652 00:25:24,119 --> 00:25:27,709 tragic when any innocent civilian is 653 00:25:27,719 --> 00:25:29,869 killed , whether that's Palestinian 654 00:25:30,239 --> 00:25:33,689 Israeli . Uh and you know , no one 655 00:25:33,699 --> 00:25:36,250 wants to see that . So we will continue 656 00:25:36,260 --> 00:25:38,038 to communicate with our Israeli 657 00:25:38,038 --> 00:25:40,229 partners on the importance of taking 658 00:25:40,239 --> 00:25:42,350 civilian safety into account in their 659 00:25:42,350 --> 00:25:46,000 operations . Uh As for timelines again , 660 00:25:46,010 --> 00:25:48,121 that's really something I'd refer you 661 00:25:48,121 --> 00:25:50,288 to the Israelis to talk about . And as 662 00:25:50,288 --> 00:25:52,454 I highlighted , the secretary did have 663 00:25:52,454 --> 00:25:54,454 a conversation with his counterpart 664 00:25:54,454 --> 00:25:56,609 part on phasing of operations , 665 00:25:56,859 --> 00:25:58,829 thinking through transitions of 666 00:25:58,839 --> 00:26:01,006 operations . Um But really , I'd , I'd 667 00:26:01,006 --> 00:26:03,283 have to refer you to the idea for that . 668 00:26:03,283 --> 00:26:05,959 Thank you . Ok . Yes , sir . Yeah . So 669 00:26:05,969 --> 00:26:08,130 with the new Ukraine aid package not 670 00:26:08,140 --> 00:26:10,140 coming anytime soon and the last of 671 00:26:10,140 --> 00:26:12,362 your funds running out , uh Do you have 672 00:26:12,362 --> 00:26:14,473 an assessment of like what the impact 673 00:26:14,473 --> 00:26:16,696 will be for Ukraine , especially on the 674 00:26:16,696 --> 00:26:18,862 battlefield ? Um Yeah , thanks for the 675 00:26:18,862 --> 00:26:20,584 question . Well , as our , our 676 00:26:20,584 --> 00:26:22,584 Comptroller recently uh said in his 677 00:26:22,584 --> 00:26:24,699 letter to Congress , uh we will be uh 678 00:26:24,709 --> 00:26:27,660 obligating the remaining $1 billion in 679 00:26:27,670 --> 00:26:30,439 replacement funds by the end of this 680 00:26:30,449 --> 00:26:32,430 month and once those funds are 681 00:26:32,439 --> 00:26:34,550 obligated , uh we will have exhausted 682 00:26:34,560 --> 00:26:36,782 the funding available for us to provide 683 00:26:36,782 --> 00:26:38,949 security assistance to Ukraine . So it 684 00:26:38,949 --> 00:26:41,060 really does underscore the importance 685 00:26:41,060 --> 00:26:43,227 of congressional support for Ukraine . 686 00:26:43,227 --> 00:26:45,359 Uh We would again uh continue to urge 687 00:26:45,369 --> 00:26:47,480 the passage of the , the supplemental 688 00:26:47,480 --> 00:26:50,709 that we've submitted . Um As you 689 00:26:50,719 --> 00:26:53,359 look at the situation that Ukraine 690 00:26:53,369 --> 00:26:55,939 finds itself in , we will obviously 691 00:26:55,949 --> 00:26:58,119 continue to support them , but it is 692 00:26:58,130 --> 00:27:00,019 imperative that we have the funds 693 00:27:00,019 --> 00:27:02,241 needed to ensure that they get the most 694 00:27:02,241 --> 00:27:04,297 urgent battlefield capabilities that 695 00:27:04,297 --> 00:27:06,408 they require . You don't know what it 696 00:27:06,408 --> 00:27:08,519 will look like on the battlefield you 697 00:27:08,519 --> 00:27:10,519 know , if Congress doesn't pass any 698 00:27:10,519 --> 00:27:10,359 time soon , I'm not going to speculate 699 00:27:10,369 --> 00:27:13,760 clearly , Ukraine has been able to 700 00:27:13,770 --> 00:27:17,739 develop a very capable military . Um 701 00:27:17,750 --> 00:27:20,400 but you know , the war continues to be 702 00:27:20,410 --> 00:27:22,354 difficult , continues to be a very 703 00:27:22,354 --> 00:27:24,380 challenging fight and to be able to 704 00:27:24,390 --> 00:27:26,501 maintain and sustain that force going 705 00:27:26,501 --> 00:27:28,612 into the future against an enemy that 706 00:27:28,612 --> 00:27:30,779 has said its objective is to eliminate 707 00:27:30,779 --> 00:27:32,779 Ukraine . Uh We feel that it's very 708 00:27:32,779 --> 00:27:34,612 important to be able to have the 709 00:27:34,612 --> 00:27:36,723 resources necessary to enable them to 710 00:27:36,723 --> 00:27:38,946 continue engaging in the fight . Thanks 711 00:27:38,946 --> 00:27:41,112 very much , sir . Thank you . Uh Japan 712 00:27:41,112 --> 00:27:43,168 government will revise guideline for 713 00:27:43,168 --> 00:27:45,223 three principles on Friday . It mean 714 00:27:45,223 --> 00:27:47,119 tomorrow at earliest for patriot 715 00:27:47,140 --> 00:27:50,349 missile shipment to us . So in terms of 716 00:27:50,359 --> 00:27:52,248 this issue , what is the Pentagon 717 00:27:52,248 --> 00:27:54,470 reaction ? And uh how does the Pentagon 718 00:27:54,470 --> 00:27:57,469 Asses , Japan , Japan decision ? Yeah . 719 00:27:57,479 --> 00:27:59,646 So I've seen the , the press reporting 720 00:27:59,646 --> 00:28:01,869 on that . Um You know , look , Japan is 721 00:28:01,880 --> 00:28:04,790 one of our strongest allies . Uh We 722 00:28:04,800 --> 00:28:07,390 discuss a wide range of issues in the 723 00:28:07,400 --> 00:28:10,339 Indo Pacific and beyond when it comes 724 00:28:10,349 --> 00:28:13,479 to things like patriots . Uh That , 725 00:28:13,489 --> 00:28:15,600 that's really something I'd refer you 726 00:28:15,600 --> 00:28:17,545 to the government of Japan to talk 727 00:28:17,545 --> 00:28:19,767 about . Um The only other thing I'd say 728 00:28:19,767 --> 00:28:21,933 on this is , you know , we continue to 729 00:28:21,933 --> 00:28:23,822 see our alliance grow uh and it's 730 00:28:23,822 --> 00:28:25,878 stronger than it's ever been . Thank 731 00:28:25,878 --> 00:28:28,050 you . Yeah , thank you . And I'd like 732 00:28:28,060 --> 00:28:30,290 to ask about Ospreys Osprey crash in 733 00:28:30,300 --> 00:28:33,209 Japan . Um Could you give us an update 734 00:28:33,219 --> 00:28:35,939 on the osprey stand down and like how 735 00:28:35,949 --> 00:28:39,280 long we uh last ? And um , is there any 736 00:28:39,290 --> 00:28:41,310 update on the investigation of the 737 00:28:41,319 --> 00:28:44,079 crash itself ? Sure . I , I don't have 738 00:28:44,089 --> 00:28:46,256 any updates to provide in terms of the 739 00:28:46,256 --> 00:28:47,811 investigation , the ongoing 740 00:28:47,811 --> 00:28:49,645 investigation , certainly at the 741 00:28:49,645 --> 00:28:51,756 appropriate time , um , the , the Air 742 00:28:51,756 --> 00:28:53,922 Force will release more information on 743 00:28:53,922 --> 00:28:56,089 that uh as we've talked about before , 744 00:28:56,089 --> 00:28:57,867 we do continue to stay in close 745 00:28:57,867 --> 00:28:59,922 communication with the government of 746 00:28:59,922 --> 00:29:01,922 Japan and are committed to being as 747 00:29:01,922 --> 00:29:04,089 transparent as we can in terms of that 748 00:29:04,089 --> 00:29:06,200 investigation . Uh As far as the this 749 00:29:06,200 --> 00:29:08,200 uh status of the individual service 750 00:29:08,200 --> 00:29:10,422 stand downs and the Ospreys , I'd refer 751 00:29:10,422 --> 00:29:12,422 you to those services to talk about 752 00:29:12,422 --> 00:29:14,589 that . Let me go to the phone and I'll 753 00:29:14,589 --> 00:29:16,811 come to mic here um Heather from us and 754 00:29:16,811 --> 00:29:15,500 I 755 00:29:21,810 --> 00:29:24,069 let me go to uh Megan military Times . 756 00:29:26,109 --> 00:29:28,220 I was gonna ask for an Iraq and Syria 757 00:29:28,220 --> 00:29:30,109 update , but I will send an email 758 00:29:30,109 --> 00:29:31,776 instead . Ok . Thanks Megan . 759 00:29:31,776 --> 00:29:33,780 Appreciate it , Mike . I change the 760 00:29:33,790 --> 00:29:36,160 subject a little bit . Uh 2023 was the 761 00:29:36,170 --> 00:29:38,337 worst recruiting year for the military 762 00:29:38,337 --> 00:29:40,448 since the end of the all or since the 763 00:29:40,448 --> 00:29:42,670 start of the all volunteer force as you 764 00:29:42,670 --> 00:29:44,781 as you well know , there's a Pentagon 765 00:29:44,781 --> 00:29:46,948 uh as , as we move into the new Year , 766 00:29:46,948 --> 00:29:49,170 it's gonna , the Pentagon is gonna have 767 00:29:49,170 --> 00:29:51,281 the smallest military since pre world 768 00:29:51,281 --> 00:29:53,170 war two levels . Does the defense 769 00:29:53,170 --> 00:29:55,337 department ? Is , it is a concern that 770 00:29:55,337 --> 00:29:57,503 these numbers are to then you trending 771 00:29:57,503 --> 00:29:59,226 down in 2024 or are you at all 772 00:29:59,226 --> 00:30:01,226 optimists ? Are there any signs for 773 00:30:01,226 --> 00:30:03,281 optimism that maybe you'll see , you 774 00:30:03,281 --> 00:30:05,226 know , the light at the end of the 775 00:30:05,226 --> 00:30:05,089 tunnel kind of thing ? Well , Mike , 776 00:30:05,099 --> 00:30:08,439 I'm an internal optimist . Um So I'm 777 00:30:08,449 --> 00:30:11,359 gonna say we're optimistic but , um , 778 00:30:12,489 --> 00:30:14,520 you know , we know uh that this 779 00:30:14,530 --> 00:30:16,419 continues to be a challenge for a 780 00:30:16,419 --> 00:30:19,000 multitude of reasons . Um , you know , 781 00:30:19,010 --> 00:30:21,599 COVID did not help in the sense of our 782 00:30:21,609 --> 00:30:25,500 efforts to recruit . Um And , you 783 00:30:25,510 --> 00:30:27,677 know , obviously , now that we're past 784 00:30:27,677 --> 00:30:29,399 that we're starting to see our 785 00:30:29,399 --> 00:30:31,770 recruiters be able to , to be able to 786 00:30:32,030 --> 00:30:33,586 do the face to face kind of 787 00:30:33,586 --> 00:30:35,419 communication that is absolutely 788 00:30:35,419 --> 00:30:37,979 essential uh to recruiting efforts . Uh 789 00:30:38,000 --> 00:30:41,229 You're seeing the services , uh look at 790 00:30:41,390 --> 00:30:43,910 many different types of ways to get out 791 00:30:43,920 --> 00:30:46,869 and engage with today's youth . Uh As 792 00:30:46,880 --> 00:30:49,300 far as highlighting the opportunities 793 00:30:49,310 --> 00:30:52,119 that military service and the benefits 794 00:30:52,130 --> 00:30:54,074 that it can provide . Uh And , and 795 00:30:54,074 --> 00:30:56,130 there's a wide range of things , you 796 00:30:56,130 --> 00:30:58,352 know , to include um the army's efforts 797 00:30:58,352 --> 00:31:01,300 to um you know , help , help young 798 00:31:01,310 --> 00:31:04,790 people um get physically fit . And at 799 00:31:04,800 --> 00:31:06,356 the same time , explore the 800 00:31:06,356 --> 00:31:08,578 opportunities about the military on the 801 00:31:08,578 --> 00:31:10,522 air force side , uh aviation camps 802 00:31:10,522 --> 00:31:12,189 where young people can get to 803 00:31:12,189 --> 00:31:14,540 experience aviation , uh et cetera , et 804 00:31:14,550 --> 00:31:16,979 cetera . So uh the services continue to 805 00:31:16,989 --> 00:31:20,260 be uh very active and creative and 806 00:31:20,270 --> 00:31:22,579 looking at how we can communicate with 807 00:31:22,589 --> 00:31:25,119 the , the public that we serve . Uh And 808 00:31:25,130 --> 00:31:27,979 so you know , Secretary Austin has said 809 00:31:27,989 --> 00:31:29,767 we didn't get into this problem 810 00:31:29,767 --> 00:31:31,933 overnight and it's not gonna be solved 811 00:31:31,933 --> 00:31:34,045 overnight , but we are confident that 812 00:31:34,045 --> 00:31:35,878 we will continue to uh see those 813 00:31:35,878 --> 00:31:37,600 numbers increase . Uh And it's 814 00:31:37,600 --> 00:31:39,767 something that will obviously continue 815 00:31:39,767 --> 00:31:41,822 to work very hard at , at the end of 816 00:31:41,822 --> 00:31:43,878 the day . Uh you know , the , the US 817 00:31:43,878 --> 00:31:46,010 military uh provides something that 818 00:31:46,020 --> 00:31:48,410 very few employers can , which is the 819 00:31:48,420 --> 00:31:52,170 opportunity to have amazing uh benefits , 820 00:31:52,180 --> 00:31:54,069 amazing experience and training , 821 00:31:54,069 --> 00:31:55,847 whether you want to stay in the 822 00:31:55,847 --> 00:31:58,013 military for a short term or do it for 823 00:31:58,013 --> 00:32:00,890 a career . Um But , but it also enables 824 00:32:00,900 --> 00:32:02,956 you to be a part of something that's 825 00:32:02,956 --> 00:32:05,122 bigger than yourself and contribute to 826 00:32:05,122 --> 00:32:07,233 something important . And so , uh you 827 00:32:07,233 --> 00:32:09,400 know , a lot of young people when they 828 00:32:09,400 --> 00:32:08,810 talk about the kinds of things they 829 00:32:08,819 --> 00:32:10,763 wanna do , they wanna do something 830 00:32:10,763 --> 00:32:12,875 impactful , they want to be a part of 831 00:32:12,875 --> 00:32:12,849 something bigger than themselves . The 832 00:32:12,859 --> 00:32:14,915 military is a place where you can do 833 00:32:14,915 --> 00:32:17,081 that . And so we'll continue to try to 834 00:32:17,081 --> 00:32:19,303 get that message out . Uh And we'll see 835 00:32:19,303 --> 00:32:22,959 where 2024 takes us , Liz , renewed 836 00:32:23,189 --> 00:32:25,411 Ukraine funding , um hurt us stockpiles 837 00:32:25,411 --> 00:32:29,310 at all . Um So again , 838 00:32:29,319 --> 00:32:31,699 you know , when it comes to uh the 839 00:32:31,709 --> 00:32:34,189 budget and , and the NDA A , you know , 840 00:32:34,199 --> 00:32:36,589 certainly we'll be looking for uh our 841 00:32:36,599 --> 00:32:39,050 ability to uh replenish our own 842 00:32:39,060 --> 00:32:41,060 stockpiles and we'll continue to do 843 00:32:41,060 --> 00:32:43,282 that , the , the Ukraine supplemental , 844 00:32:43,282 --> 00:32:45,589 of course , um would help us replenish 845 00:32:45,599 --> 00:32:48,140 those uh fund those stockpiles . Um But 846 00:32:48,150 --> 00:32:50,372 we'll continue to do what we need to do 847 00:32:50,372 --> 00:32:52,261 to make sure our own readiness uh 848 00:32:52,261 --> 00:32:54,428 levels stay at , at where they need to 849 00:32:54,428 --> 00:32:57,199 be . Thank you . Sure . Thank you very 850 00:32:57,209 --> 00:32:59,265 much general um general regarding to 851 00:32:59,265 --> 00:33:01,810 the uh uh these developments in the IC . 852 00:33:01,819 --> 00:33:04,439 Um Does the dod still in its position ? 853 00:33:04,640 --> 00:33:06,751 Which is , they are not in a war with 854 00:33:06,751 --> 00:33:09,270 the Houthis ? And um do you have a 855 00:33:09,280 --> 00:33:11,910 concern that maybe the uh conflict they 856 00:33:11,920 --> 00:33:13,839 are getting escalation or more 857 00:33:13,849 --> 00:33:16,119 escalated because of what's going on 858 00:33:16,130 --> 00:33:18,750 there ? I mean , for the maritimes and 859 00:33:18,760 --> 00:33:21,300 you know , prosperity with the Houthis 860 00:33:21,359 --> 00:33:23,526 sides ? Thank you . Uh So just to make 861 00:33:23,526 --> 00:33:25,692 sure I understand your , your question 862 00:33:25,692 --> 00:33:27,915 correctly , are we concerned about this 863 00:33:27,915 --> 00:33:30,137 escalating uh into a broader conflict ? 864 00:33:30,137 --> 00:33:32,359 Well , that's exactly what we're trying 865 00:33:32,359 --> 00:33:36,040 to prevent . Um , you know , look , we , 866 00:33:36,050 --> 00:33:39,560 we don't want to see uh these types of 867 00:33:39,569 --> 00:33:42,170 uh reckless , dangerous and illegal 868 00:33:42,180 --> 00:33:45,800 activities uh affecting uh freedom of 869 00:33:45,810 --> 00:33:48,630 navigation through the Red Sea . Um And 870 00:33:48,640 --> 00:33:51,599 so , you know , we would obviously call 871 00:33:51,609 --> 00:33:53,776 on the Houthis and as I did earlier to 872 00:33:53,776 --> 00:33:56,989 cease this activity uh and to safeguard 873 00:33:57,000 --> 00:33:59,810 innocent lives uh and the economic 874 00:33:59,819 --> 00:34:02,089 prosperity of nations around the world 875 00:34:02,339 --> 00:34:04,589 um to include nations in the Middle 876 00:34:04,599 --> 00:34:07,239 East region uh that rely on the , the 877 00:34:07,250 --> 00:34:10,360 trade and economic impact uh that these 878 00:34:10,370 --> 00:34:12,679 straits provide . Thank you . Last 879 00:34:12,689 --> 00:34:14,969 question . We'll go to Jim . I'd just 880 00:34:14,979 --> 00:34:17,429 like to jump on uh Mike's question a 881 00:34:17,439 --> 00:34:19,495 little bit . One of the , one of the 882 00:34:19,495 --> 00:34:21,550 problems with recruiting is that the 883 00:34:21,550 --> 00:34:24,070 veterans population is also the 884 00:34:24,080 --> 00:34:28,040 smallest in memory and there are a 885 00:34:28,050 --> 00:34:30,320 lot of Americans who don't understand 886 00:34:30,639 --> 00:34:32,919 the benefits of joining the military . 887 00:34:33,030 --> 00:34:34,863 Is there gonna be any kind of an 888 00:34:34,863 --> 00:34:38,260 outreach to the General American public 889 00:34:38,270 --> 00:34:40,600 by the department to perhaps educate 890 00:34:40,610 --> 00:34:43,010 them on what the military does and 891 00:34:43,120 --> 00:34:45,959 perhaps , uh , uh , get these 892 00:34:45,969 --> 00:34:48,399 influencers to , to , uh , talk to 893 00:34:48,409 --> 00:34:51,040 their Children doing this type thing . 894 00:34:51,459 --> 00:34:53,348 Yeah , Jim . Well , that , that's 895 00:34:53,348 --> 00:34:55,515 happening every day . I mean , whether 896 00:34:55,515 --> 00:34:57,626 it's the Department of Defense proper 897 00:34:57,626 --> 00:34:59,903 here out of the Pentagon . As you know , 898 00:34:59,903 --> 00:35:01,570 we have a strategic strategic 899 00:35:01,570 --> 00:35:03,570 engagement division that does a , a 900 00:35:03,570 --> 00:35:05,737 multitude of community activities that 901 00:35:05,737 --> 00:35:08,439 are , that are meant to communicate uh 902 00:35:08,449 --> 00:35:11,860 and inform many different influential 903 00:35:11,870 --> 00:35:13,981 groups like veterans organizations or 904 00:35:13,981 --> 00:35:16,879 military service organizations . Um But 905 00:35:16,889 --> 00:35:19,919 importantly , the individual services 906 00:35:19,929 --> 00:35:22,449 also do those things both from a macro 907 00:35:22,459 --> 00:35:24,070 and a micro level , from the 908 00:35:24,070 --> 00:35:26,292 headquarters level down to the , to the 909 00:35:26,292 --> 00:35:28,515 unit level . Um , you know , in my , in 910 00:35:28,515 --> 00:35:30,570 my own experiences , um working at a 911 00:35:30,570 --> 00:35:32,959 base , conducting things like base 912 00:35:32,969 --> 00:35:35,439 tours or going out to local schools or 913 00:35:35,449 --> 00:35:38,189 when you have air shows or parades or 914 00:35:38,350 --> 00:35:40,406 sporting events . I mean , there are 915 00:35:40,406 --> 00:35:42,760 many different ways for people to learn 916 00:35:42,770 --> 00:35:45,270 about the military . Now , you know , 917 00:35:45,280 --> 00:35:47,336 the , the analysis has shown that at 918 00:35:47,336 --> 00:35:48,891 the end of the day , it's a 919 00:35:48,891 --> 00:35:51,224 conversation with someone versus just a , 920 00:35:51,224 --> 00:35:53,391 you know , it's important websites and 921 00:35:53,391 --> 00:35:55,280 billboards and advertisements are 922 00:35:55,280 --> 00:35:57,502 important . But at the end of the day , 923 00:35:57,502 --> 00:35:59,613 it's the conversation about , tell me 924 00:35:59,613 --> 00:35:59,540 more about it . What does this mean ? 925 00:35:59,550 --> 00:36:01,550 What does this look like ? Breaking 926 00:36:01,550 --> 00:36:03,661 down some of the stereotypes in terms 927 00:36:03,661 --> 00:36:05,550 of what military life actually is 928 00:36:05,550 --> 00:36:07,828 versus what the perception is based on , 929 00:36:07,828 --> 00:36:09,994 you know , um popular programming or , 930 00:36:09,994 --> 00:36:12,300 or TV . And so by the ability to have 931 00:36:12,310 --> 00:36:14,366 those conversations is , and this is 932 00:36:14,366 --> 00:36:16,588 where having recruiters being able to , 933 00:36:16,588 --> 00:36:18,810 to go back to schools and en and engage 934 00:36:18,810 --> 00:36:20,921 with people face to face , um becomes 935 00:36:20,921 --> 00:36:22,977 critical . And so , uh we don't take 936 00:36:22,977 --> 00:36:25,143 anything for granted . Look at the end 937 00:36:25,143 --> 00:36:27,199 of the day , one of the strengths of 938 00:36:27,199 --> 00:36:29,366 the US military is the fact that it is 939 00:36:29,366 --> 00:36:31,588 an all voluntary military . Uh And that 940 00:36:31,588 --> 00:36:33,477 each of us here takes the oath of 941 00:36:33,477 --> 00:36:35,421 office , uh an oath to protect and 942 00:36:35,421 --> 00:36:37,588 defend the constitution by choice . No 943 00:36:37,588 --> 00:36:39,588 one's making us do this . Uh And it 944 00:36:39,588 --> 00:36:41,810 makes us more resilient . It makes us a 945 00:36:41,810 --> 00:36:43,921 more powerful military because we are 946 00:36:43,921 --> 00:36:46,254 defending the people from which we come . 947 00:36:46,429 --> 00:36:48,949 So , um we're gonna continue to , to 948 00:36:48,959 --> 00:36:51,379 stay after that . Um Because at the end 949 00:36:51,389 --> 00:36:53,500 of the day , we have a very important 950 00:36:53,500 --> 00:36:55,722 mission and the American public expects 951 00:36:55,722 --> 00:36:57,722 us to do that . Um But what I would 952 00:36:57,722 --> 00:36:59,969 tell any prospective recruit is the 953 00:36:59,979 --> 00:37:01,923 United States military provides an 954 00:37:01,923 --> 00:37:04,479 opportunity unlike any you will ever 955 00:37:04,489 --> 00:37:06,600 get to experience . Uh It's , it's an 956 00:37:06,600 --> 00:37:09,100 amazing place to uh to develop and 957 00:37:09,110 --> 00:37:11,221 really again , be a part of something 958 00:37:11,221 --> 00:37:13,554 bigger than yourself . And on that note , 959 00:37:13,554 --> 00:37:15,499 before we conclude , I just have a 960 00:37:15,499 --> 00:37:17,554 couple other things I'd like to , to 961 00:37:17,554 --> 00:37:19,777 say , um I would like to highlight that 962 00:37:19,777 --> 00:37:21,832 this will be the last press briefing 963 00:37:21,832 --> 00:37:21,520 from the podium before the end of the 964 00:37:21,530 --> 00:37:23,752 year . Next briefing in here will be on 965 00:37:23,752 --> 00:37:26,620 January 4th . Uh And on behalf of 966 00:37:26,629 --> 00:37:28,796 Secretary Austin and the Department of 967 00:37:28,796 --> 00:37:30,962 Defense , I'd like to recognize all of 968 00:37:30,962 --> 00:37:32,907 our soldiers , sailors , marines , 969 00:37:32,907 --> 00:37:34,962 airmen , guardians , coast Guard men 970 00:37:34,962 --> 00:37:36,851 and dod civilians who are serving 971 00:37:36,851 --> 00:37:38,962 around the world . Many of them under 972 00:37:38,962 --> 00:37:40,907 austere and dangerous conditions , 973 00:37:40,907 --> 00:37:43,073 protecting our nation and safeguarding 974 00:37:43,073 --> 00:37:45,185 the freedoms we enjoy . We also wanna 975 00:37:45,185 --> 00:37:47,073 thank the families of our service 976 00:37:47,073 --> 00:37:49,296 members for their service and sacrifice 977 00:37:49,296 --> 00:37:51,296 and support of our military and our 978 00:37:51,296 --> 00:37:53,296 nation . As I mentioned to Jim , uh 979 00:37:53,296 --> 00:37:55,419 today's us armed forces . Uh They 980 00:37:55,429 --> 00:37:57,830 really comprise the most lethal combat 981 00:37:57,840 --> 00:37:59,951 capable military . The world has ever 982 00:37:59,951 --> 00:38:02,449 known thanks to our service members and 983 00:38:02,459 --> 00:38:04,681 the families who support them and we're 984 00:38:04,681 --> 00:38:06,903 grateful for all that they do every day 985 00:38:06,903 --> 00:38:08,929 for a nation . And I , I would also 986 00:38:08,939 --> 00:38:10,995 like to thank you and the members of 987 00:38:10,995 --> 00:38:13,106 the Pentagon Press Corps for what you 988 00:38:13,106 --> 00:38:15,272 do to keep the American public and the 989 00:38:15,272 --> 00:38:17,439 international community informed about 990 00:38:17,439 --> 00:38:19,217 our Department of Defense . Our 991 00:38:19,217 --> 00:38:21,217 republic is well served . Thanks to 992 00:38:21,217 --> 00:38:23,383 your efforts as a free and independent 993 00:38:23,383 --> 00:38:25,383 press to report on critical defense 994 00:38:25,383 --> 00:38:27,310 issues , promote transparency and 995 00:38:27,320 --> 00:38:29,487 ensure that the American people have a 996 00:38:29,487 --> 00:38:31,709 good understanding of what its military 997 00:38:31,709 --> 00:38:33,876 is doing every day around the world in 998 00:38:33,876 --> 00:38:36,209 support of our nation and our interests . 999 00:38:36,209 --> 00:38:35,979 I want to wish you all a merry 1000 00:38:35,989 --> 00:38:37,989 Christmas happy holidays and I look 1001 00:38:37,989 --> 00:38:40,156 forward to seeing you on January 4th . 1002 00:38:40,156 --> 00:38:42,100 Please don't call me before then . 1003 00:38:42,100 --> 00:38:43,949 Thank you . All right . No .