WEBVTT 00:02.299 --> 00:05.150 OK . All right , Matt , nice to see you 00:05.159 --> 00:07.369 back . Welcome back and Lita , welcome 00:07.380 --> 00:09.859 back . Um All right , so good afternoon , 00:09.869 --> 00:12.091 everyone . Just a few things at the top 00:12.091 --> 00:13.813 and then be happy to take your 00:13.813 --> 00:15.925 questions . Earlier today , Secretary 00:15.925 --> 00:18.091 Austin participated in the fifth North 00:18.091 --> 00:20.258 American Defense Ministerial virtually 00:20.450 --> 00:23.030 hosted by Mexico's Secretary of the 00:23.040 --> 00:26.680 Navy , Admiral Jose Rafael Ojeda Duran 00:26.709 --> 00:29.469 in Mexico City and attended by Mexico's 00:29.479 --> 00:31.649 Secretary of National Defense General 00:31.659 --> 00:35.639 Luis Crece Crescencio Sandoval and 00:35.650 --> 00:37.761 Canada's Minister of National Defense 00:37.761 --> 00:39.928 Bill Blair to discuss opportunities to 00:39.930 --> 00:41.880 strengthen North American Defense 00:41.889 --> 00:45.209 Cooper operation . The Nam chairs co 00:45.220 --> 00:47.220 chairs discussed deepening regional 00:47.220 --> 00:49.220 defense co-operation , developing a 00:49.220 --> 00:50.998 continental threat assessment , 00:50.998 --> 00:53.360 fortifying cyber defense and supporting 00:53.369 --> 00:55.490 trilateral trilateral humanitarian 00:55.500 --> 00:57.750 assistance and disaster response and 00:57.759 --> 00:59.703 strengthening climate security and 00:59.703 --> 01:01.815 resilience . Secretary Austin and his 01:01.815 --> 01:03.703 Mexican and Canadian counterparts 01:03.703 --> 01:05.870 reaffirmed the importance of the North 01:05.870 --> 01:07.759 American defense relationship and 01:07.759 --> 01:09.759 Secretary Austin agreed to host the 01:09.759 --> 01:12.135 sixth native in 2025 . We will have a 01:12.144 --> 01:14.311 read out uh later today on defense.gov 01:15.230 --> 01:17.550 switching gears us , Northern Command 01:17.559 --> 01:20.319 will conduct Arctic edge 2024 from 01:20.330 --> 01:23.169 February 23rd to March 11th in various 01:23.180 --> 01:25.510 locations throughout Alaska . This 01:25.519 --> 01:27.297 joint and combined multi domain 01:27.297 --> 01:29.297 exercise will focus on operating in 01:29.297 --> 01:31.250 extreme cold and high altitude 01:31.260 --> 01:33.650 environments and will include north com 01:33.660 --> 01:35.830 headquarters , special operations 01:35.839 --> 01:38.410 command , North and Marine Forces North 01:38.580 --> 01:40.247 along with participation from 01:40.247 --> 01:42.302 international allies and interagency 01:42.302 --> 01:44.309 representatives , state and local 01:44.319 --> 01:46.486 partners including the Alaska National 01:46.486 --> 01:48.430 Guard , Alaska State and local law 01:48.430 --> 01:50.486 enforcement . Alaska native tribes , 01:50.486 --> 01:52.652 corporations and communities will also 01:52.652 --> 01:55.010 participate . Arctic Edge is an annual 01:55.019 --> 01:56.630 defense exercise designed to 01:56.630 --> 01:58.852 demonstrate that our forces are engaged 01:58.852 --> 02:01.599 postured and ready to assure deter and 02:01.610 --> 02:03.650 defend the US and Canada in an 02:03.660 --> 02:06.010 increasingly complex Arctic security 02:06.019 --> 02:09.190 environment . In other news , large 02:09.199 --> 02:12.410 scale global exercise 2024 a series of 02:12.419 --> 02:14.910 all domain US military exercises 02:14.919 --> 02:16.910 executed alongside Alazan partners 02:16.919 --> 02:19.089 around the globe begins this month and 02:19.100 --> 02:22.820 will run through June . LSGE 24 is a 02:22.830 --> 02:25.052 global exercise coordinate this year by 02:25.052 --> 02:27.539 us European Command in collaboration 02:27.550 --> 02:29.399 with participating dod combatant 02:29.410 --> 02:31.632 commands . It will incorporate military 02:31.632 --> 02:33.521 personnel from the US Army Navy , 02:33.521 --> 02:35.466 Marine Corps , Air Force and Space 02:35.466 --> 02:37.243 Force and demonstrate joint and 02:37.243 --> 02:39.077 multinational military co cooper 02:39.077 --> 02:42.419 operation . Lsge 24 is comp is 02:42.429 --> 02:44.210 comprised of multiple exercises 02:44.220 --> 02:46.164 designed to strengthen agility and 02:46.164 --> 02:47.998 interoperability with allies and 02:47.998 --> 02:49.776 partners . Collectively , these 02:49.776 --> 02:51.776 activities will highlight America's 02:51.776 --> 02:53.609 robust presence and capabilities 02:53.609 --> 02:55.776 alongside allies , partners and fellow 02:55.776 --> 02:58.529 us . Combatant commands of the multiple 02:58.539 --> 03:02.179 events associated with LSGE 2411 are 03:02.190 --> 03:04.301 set to take place in the Ucom area of 03:04.301 --> 03:06.509 responsibility . The remaining events 03:06.520 --> 03:08.576 will be executed by participating US 03:08.576 --> 03:10.729 combatant commands . This series of 03:10.740 --> 03:12.990 exercises is distinct but complementary 03:13.000 --> 03:16.789 to nato's steadfast defender 2024 Lsge 03:16.800 --> 03:20.029 24 is global and focuses on agility and 03:20.039 --> 03:22.350 interoperability for us led activities . 03:22.660 --> 03:24.382 No nation can confront today's 03:24.382 --> 03:26.327 challenges alone . And this , this 03:26.327 --> 03:28.493 exercises how we affirm our commitment 03:28.500 --> 03:31.380 to global security in other news . 03:31.389 --> 03:33.556 Earlier today , acting under Secretary 03:33.556 --> 03:35.722 of Defense for Policy , MS Sasha Baker 03:35.722 --> 03:37.611 departed for travel to the United 03:37.611 --> 03:39.778 Kingdom . She is scheduled to co-chair 03:39.778 --> 03:41.611 the THIRD US UK Strategic Policy 03:41.611 --> 03:43.710 dialogue alongside UK Ministry of 03:43.720 --> 03:45.609 Defense Director General Security 03:45.609 --> 03:48.830 Policy , Mr Paul Wyatt on Friday , the 03:48.839 --> 03:50.839 two leaders are slated to discuss a 03:50.839 --> 03:52.783 wide range of defense and security 03:52.783 --> 03:55.029 issues that focus on aligning us and UK 03:55.070 --> 03:57.820 geographic and thematic priorities in 03:57.830 --> 03:59.941 the Euro , Atlantic , Middle East and 03:59.941 --> 04:02.179 Indo Pacific regions . A readout from 04:02.190 --> 04:03.912 MS Baker's travel will be made 04:03.912 --> 04:06.220 available on defense.gov later . And 04:06.229 --> 04:08.285 finally , I want to take a moment to 04:08.285 --> 04:10.062 emphasize the critical national 04:10.062 --> 04:12.118 security importance of Congress pass 04:12.118 --> 04:14.285 passing our budget and the impacts for 04:14.285 --> 04:16.309 the compacts of free association . 04:16.609 --> 04:18.831 These are important agreements with our 04:18.831 --> 04:20.942 long standing partners in the Pacific 04:20.942 --> 04:23.053 Islands region , the Federated States 04:23.053 --> 04:25.220 of Micronesia , Palau and the Republic 04:25.220 --> 04:27.276 of the Marshall Islands . As part of 04:27.276 --> 04:29.387 the compacts . The US military enjoys 04:29.387 --> 04:31.553 exclusive access to a critical part of 04:31.553 --> 04:33.720 the region that's actually larger than 04:33.720 --> 04:35.720 the continental United States . Our 04:35.720 --> 04:37.553 state Department colleagues have 04:37.553 --> 04:39.442 successfully negotiated a 20 year 04:39.442 --> 04:41.665 extension and now we just need Congress 04:41.665 --> 04:43.831 to fund and enact it . And with that , 04:43.831 --> 04:45.998 I'd be how we take your questions , go 04:45.998 --> 04:48.053 to lead up . Thanks Sabrina . Uh Can 04:48.053 --> 04:50.165 you bring us up to date on the 30 day 04:50.165 --> 04:52.442 review ? When will that be made public ? 04:52.442 --> 04:55.359 And do you expect that we will get to 04:55.369 --> 04:57.769 see the entire review or how much of it 04:57.779 --> 05:00.112 do you think will be sort of classified ? 05:00.112 --> 05:02.279 And then secondarily just with all the 05:02.279 --> 05:06.049 houthi activity um in the region is the 05:06.059 --> 05:08.540 US looking at efforts to expand the 05:08.549 --> 05:11.880 maritime coalition . Uh is there 05:11.890 --> 05:14.239 enough going on ? There are enough 05:14.920 --> 05:17.087 assets in the region or do you need to 05:17.087 --> 05:19.260 add more countries ? Uh Thanks Lia for 05:19.269 --> 05:21.380 your question . So I'll take the last 05:21.380 --> 05:23.436 one first . So in terms of , I think 05:23.436 --> 05:25.547 what you're referring to is operation 05:25.547 --> 05:27.602 Prosperity Guardian . Uh We've , you 05:27.602 --> 05:27.600 know , always welcome more nations to 05:27.609 --> 05:30.089 join that coalition . Um We have seen 05:30.100 --> 05:32.322 growth since December when it was first 05:32.322 --> 05:34.489 announced um when the secretary was in 05:34.489 --> 05:36.656 the region . So of course , we welcome 05:36.656 --> 05:38.822 more nation to join . Uh Just recently 05:38.822 --> 05:40.989 you saw the eu announce a coalition as 05:40.989 --> 05:42.822 well um That will work alongside 05:42.822 --> 05:44.933 operation Prosperity Guardian . Um So 05:44.933 --> 05:47.156 we certainly are seeing an expansion of 05:47.156 --> 05:49.044 assets in the region . Um Even if 05:49.044 --> 05:51.211 they're not under op A , they're still 05:51.211 --> 05:53.510 um OPG I'm sorry , they're still um you 05:53.519 --> 05:55.575 know , working alongside us and it's 05:55.575 --> 05:57.741 like minded nations with the same goal 05:57.741 --> 06:01.399 in mind . Um In terms of uh your first 06:01.410 --> 06:04.100 question on the 30 day review , don't 06:04.109 --> 06:06.165 have an exact timeline of when we're 06:06.165 --> 06:08.920 going to release . Um Either , you know 06:08.929 --> 06:11.096 what , what , what will be released if 06:11.096 --> 06:13.318 it's a full review , if it's redacted , 06:13.318 --> 06:15.373 if it's an executive summary , don't 06:15.373 --> 06:17.485 have that yet , we're working towards 06:17.485 --> 06:17.160 getting you something . Um , hopefully 06:17.170 --> 06:19.281 that soon , but I just don't have the 06:19.281 --> 06:22.209 date yet . Jen Sabrina is the Pentagon 06:22.220 --> 06:24.387 considering what weapons it could send 06:24.387 --> 06:26.498 to Ukraine that would make up for the 06:26.498 --> 06:28.450 past five months of congressional 06:28.559 --> 06:31.329 funding being stalled . And is the 06:31.339 --> 06:33.506 administration finally willing to send 06:33.506 --> 06:35.920 attacks if the long range artillery , 06:35.929 --> 06:38.350 if Congress passes that funding ? So in 06:38.359 --> 06:40.581 terms of weapons that we're considering 06:40.581 --> 06:42.790 sending , we know that Ukraine's top 06:42.799 --> 06:45.329 prior priorities are still air defense 06:45.339 --> 06:47.829 artillery ammunition . So whatever 06:48.200 --> 06:50.367 package comes together , whatever next 06:50.367 --> 06:52.533 PD A , you're gonna see something that 06:52.533 --> 06:54.811 looks like what meets their priorities . 06:54.811 --> 06:56.644 Um And that's something that was 06:56.644 --> 06:58.700 discussed at the U DC G . Um I don't 06:58.700 --> 07:00.756 have anything to preview for you . I 07:00.756 --> 07:02.978 think you've heard others . Um , at the 07:02.978 --> 07:04.867 NSC also talk about how we're not 07:04.867 --> 07:06.978 taking anything off the table , but , 07:06.978 --> 07:06.760 uh , we certainly want to make sure 07:06.769 --> 07:08.713 that we're getting Ukraine what it 07:08.713 --> 07:10.880 needs . Um We can only do that when we 07:10.880 --> 07:13.158 have the supplemental past in Congress . 07:13.158 --> 07:15.380 Um , but of course , whatever we give , 07:15.380 --> 07:17.436 Ukraine will be to meet their urgent 07:17.436 --> 07:19.491 battlefield needs . Ukraine has said 07:19.491 --> 07:21.713 repeatedly that they need attacks . Are 07:21.713 --> 07:23.880 you ruling that out ? We haven't taken 07:23.880 --> 07:26.102 anything off the table and what message 07:26.102 --> 07:28.213 do you have for Ukrainian soldiers on 07:28.213 --> 07:30.436 the front lines that are facing Russian 07:30.436 --> 07:32.602 bombardment right now ? Can you assure 07:32.602 --> 07:34.825 them that the US is still a trustworthy 07:34.825 --> 07:36.991 ally ? Well , I think you've heard the 07:36.991 --> 07:36.329 president speak to this and the 07:36.339 --> 07:38.589 secretary that we will be with Ukraine 07:38.600 --> 07:40.544 for as long as it takes . And just 07:40.544 --> 07:42.600 recently , the vice president was in 07:42.600 --> 07:45.269 Munich speaking directly to , um , 07:45.880 --> 07:48.102 European allies , partners , the entire 07:48.102 --> 07:50.160 world about the United states' 07:50.170 --> 07:52.429 commitment . And in that speech , I 07:52.440 --> 07:54.607 think she laid out a very good case of 07:54.607 --> 07:56.760 how America cannot turn inward . We 07:56.769 --> 07:58.713 cannot resort to isolationism . Uh 07:58.713 --> 08:00.936 We're best when we are working with our 08:00.936 --> 08:03.102 partners with our allies . Um We can't 08:03.102 --> 08:05.158 stand by as an aggressor invades its 08:05.158 --> 08:07.950 sovereign neighbor . And so um you have 08:07.959 --> 08:09.959 a commitment from the United States 08:09.959 --> 08:12.181 that we are going to be with you for as 08:12.181 --> 08:14.403 long as it takes . Unfortunately , that 08:14.403 --> 08:16.626 is hampered by Congress . Uh We do need 08:16.626 --> 08:18.570 Congress to give us the funding in 08:18.570 --> 08:20.626 order to supply Ukraine with what it 08:20.626 --> 08:22.848 needs . We don't , we not only need the 08:22.848 --> 08:25.126 supplemental , we need a budget passed . 08:25.126 --> 08:24.910 Um And so we're working with Congress 08:24.920 --> 08:26.864 and hopefully we'll be able to get 08:26.864 --> 08:28.864 something done on the Houthis . How 08:28.864 --> 08:30.809 many us ships have been hit by the 08:30.809 --> 08:33.130 Houthis ? Us , ships been hit or 08:33.140 --> 08:36.109 engaged in activity with actually been 08:36.119 --> 08:39.239 hit , either merchant or um uh us , I'm 08:39.250 --> 08:41.361 not aware of . Uh I'm , I'm not aware 08:41.361 --> 08:43.619 of . Um I actually I shouldn't , I 08:43.630 --> 08:45.630 shouldn't speak to something that I 08:45.630 --> 08:47.797 don't have the numbers for . So let me 08:47.797 --> 08:47.369 take that question . I , I can't give 08:47.380 --> 08:49.547 you the exact number on us ships , but 08:49.547 --> 08:51.713 in terms of engagement , um I can also 08:51.713 --> 08:53.769 take that question for you , Tom and 08:53.769 --> 08:55.824 Lauren , the administration has been 08:55.824 --> 08:57.936 pushing Israel for many months now to 08:57.936 --> 08:59.991 allow more aid into Gaza . It's just 08:59.991 --> 09:02.369 not happening . Um I know Jordan has 09:02.380 --> 09:04.809 airlifted some aid and I think the king 09:04.820 --> 09:07.590 was aboard the aircraft and now that 09:07.599 --> 09:09.750 there was an op ed in the post by a 09:09.760 --> 09:11.982 number of senators saying the US should 09:11.982 --> 09:14.250 look at airlifts on its own as well as 09:14.260 --> 09:16.729 sea lift to get more aid into Gaza . 09:17.299 --> 09:19.299 Now , I know the Pentagon , I think 09:19.299 --> 09:21.466 early on sent three plane loads of aid 09:21.466 --> 09:23.609 in for Gaza . Are you looking at at 09:23.619 --> 09:26.169 anything along those lines , sea lift 09:26.179 --> 09:28.401 or airlifting aid in ? That's something 09:28.401 --> 09:30.250 that I mean we would of course 09:30.320 --> 09:32.599 coordinate any aid efforts with other 09:32.609 --> 09:34.665 agencies , but that's something that 09:34.665 --> 09:36.887 the helm would be taken by state and us 09:36.887 --> 09:38.553 aid and depending on what the 09:38.553 --> 09:40.720 requirements are , of course dod would 09:40.720 --> 09:42.776 be on standby willing to assist . Um 09:42.776 --> 09:44.887 But you have folks on the ground like 09:44.887 --> 09:47.109 Ambassador Satterfield , you have other 09:47.109 --> 09:49.109 folks from the NSC in the region as 09:49.109 --> 09:51.220 well . Um urging for humanitarian aid 09:51.220 --> 09:53.442 to get in um should the department said 09:53.794 --> 09:55.961 the same thing it's not happening . So 09:55.961 --> 09:58.072 I'm asking , are you at least looking 09:58.072 --> 10:00.294 at uh providing either more plane loads 10:00.294 --> 10:03.719 of aid or , or going with uh eardrops 10:03.729 --> 10:05.673 or , or seed lift . Again , that's 10:05.673 --> 10:07.785 something that state and us aid would 10:07.785 --> 10:09.840 be the lead on . And if asked dod to 10:09.840 --> 10:12.062 help coordinate to help get aid in , of 10:12.062 --> 10:14.340 course , we would be willing to assist . 10:14.340 --> 10:16.451 But right now I'd direct you to state 10:16.451 --> 10:15.840 and aid for more of those questions . 10:16.309 --> 10:18.253 Laura , thank you , Sabrina . Um A 10:18.280 --> 10:20.502 couple of questions . First of all , on 10:20.502 --> 10:22.565 the , the HD , um do you , does dod 10:22.575 --> 10:25.234 assess that the houthi attacks have 10:25.244 --> 10:27.522 ramped up over the past couple of days ? 10:27.522 --> 10:29.633 It seems like we're seeing a lot more 10:29.633 --> 10:31.744 activity . And then can you also tell 10:31.744 --> 10:33.855 us how many ships both commercial and 10:33.855 --> 10:35.855 military have been damaged or taken 10:35.855 --> 10:38.077 offline by the houthi attacks ? I can , 10:38.077 --> 10:40.244 that's kind of similar to what Jen was 10:40.244 --> 10:40.205 asking . So I'll take that question in 10:40.215 --> 10:42.326 terms of us ships and then commercial 10:42.326 --> 10:44.659 ships so we can get back to you on that , 10:44.659 --> 10:47.135 I think . Um yes , we've certainly seen 10:48.340 --> 10:51.500 in the past 48 72 hours . Um an 10:51.510 --> 10:54.059 increase in attacks from the Houthis um 10:54.270 --> 10:56.619 uh more consistency , but again , I 10:56.630 --> 10:58.940 think it'd be helpful to point out one 10:58.950 --> 11:01.117 of the ships that they did hit was the 11:01.117 --> 11:04.960 Ruby Mar um which has had to have its 11:04.969 --> 11:07.380 uh crew evacuated , um which is 11:07.390 --> 11:10.070 currently still in the water , but um 11:10.080 --> 11:13.719 taking on water as we speak , um It's 11:14.190 --> 11:16.619 creating an environmental hazard with 11:16.630 --> 11:18.741 the leakage of all the fuel that it's 11:18.741 --> 11:20.908 carrying . On top of that , it was car 11:20.908 --> 11:22.852 carrying it to my understanding is 11:22.852 --> 11:24.908 fertilizer . So , um the houthis are 11:24.908 --> 11:27.074 creating an environmental hazard right 11:27.074 --> 11:29.241 in their own backyard on top of that . 11:29.241 --> 11:31.241 Um As I mentioned at the podium the 11:31.241 --> 11:33.463 other day , uh they hit a ship that was 11:33.463 --> 11:35.463 carrying grain towards Yemen uh for 11:35.463 --> 11:37.352 their own citizens for a starving 11:37.352 --> 11:39.519 population . So again , they're saying 11:39.519 --> 11:41.630 that they're conducting these attacks 11:41.630 --> 11:43.630 against ships that are connected to 11:43.630 --> 11:45.686 Israel . Um These are ships that are 11:45.686 --> 11:47.797 literally bringing goods , services , 11:47.797 --> 11:49.963 aid uh to their own people and they're 11:49.963 --> 11:49.659 creating their own international 11:49.669 --> 11:51.619 problem . And just secondly , um I 11:51.630 --> 11:54.549 wanted to ask you about Rafa has um has 11:54.559 --> 11:56.989 the ID F provided any plans to dod 11:57.000 --> 11:59.700 about about for its plan to protect 11:59.710 --> 12:01.821 civilians ahead of any kind of ground 12:01.821 --> 12:03.877 invasion ? I'm not aware of any plan 12:03.877 --> 12:05.932 fully presented to the to the United 12:05.932 --> 12:08.099 States to review . Again , we're not , 12:08.280 --> 12:10.058 we're not asking to check their 12:10.058 --> 12:12.280 homework . What we're asking them to do 12:12.280 --> 12:14.280 is put forward a credible plan that 12:14.280 --> 12:16.558 they will be able to , as we have said , 12:16.558 --> 12:16.390 in many conversations , protect the 12:16.400 --> 12:19.289 over 1 million innocent Palestinians 12:19.299 --> 12:21.609 that are there . Um And of course , any 12:21.619 --> 12:23.730 credible plan would have to take into 12:23.730 --> 12:26.539 account um food medicine services . How 12:26.549 --> 12:28.750 are you going to provide those as you 12:28.760 --> 12:31.429 move a population ? Um I know that's 12:31.440 --> 12:33.607 something that they're working through 12:33.607 --> 12:35.607 the secretary , of course , remains 12:35.607 --> 12:37.662 engaged with Minister Gallant . Um , 12:37.662 --> 12:39.773 not just at his level but levels here 12:39.773 --> 12:41.773 at this building and throughout the 12:41.773 --> 12:43.718 inter agency . But um I'm just not 12:43.718 --> 12:43.520 going to get ahead of any plans that 12:43.530 --> 12:45.641 Israel is working on right now . That 12:45.641 --> 12:47.863 plan , no , we're not , we haven't seen 12:47.863 --> 12:50.086 the plan , but we're not also asking to 12:50.086 --> 12:52.197 grade homework here . Uh , we want to 12:52.197 --> 12:54.474 make sure that whatever plan that they , 12:54.474 --> 12:56.363 uh you know , do brief us on does 12:56.363 --> 12:58.086 include um protecting innocent 12:58.086 --> 13:00.789 civilians in that in that region . Yes , 13:00.799 --> 13:04.039 Phil . Um excuse me , one question on 13:04.049 --> 13:07.609 Ukraine and one on the Red Sea on 13:07.619 --> 13:09.619 Ukraine . Would you describe uh the 13:09.619 --> 13:12.369 situation uh facing Ukrainian forces as 13:12.380 --> 13:14.859 an eroding stalemate right now ? And if 13:14.869 --> 13:17.091 not , how would you describe it ? And , 13:17.091 --> 13:19.258 and then on the Red Sea , can you give 13:19.258 --> 13:21.313 us a sense of how much uh so far has 13:21.313 --> 13:23.258 been spent by the United States on 13:23.258 --> 13:25.147 Prosperity operation , Prosperity 13:25.147 --> 13:27.313 Guardian and the US naval mission ? Do 13:27.313 --> 13:27.159 you have a daily estimate ? A weekly 13:27.169 --> 13:29.280 estimate ? Um Is there some , is that 13:29.280 --> 13:31.502 something you could take ? I don't have 13:31.502 --> 13:33.780 a daily or weekly estimate as you know , 13:33.780 --> 13:33.559 operation prosperity Guardian is 13:33.570 --> 13:35.570 ongoing . So when I think we have a 13:35.570 --> 13:37.681 better sense of when we can feel like 13:37.681 --> 13:39.792 we can provide more of a figure , I'd 13:39.792 --> 13:42.059 be happy to do that . Um In terms of uh 13:42.070 --> 13:45.190 your question on assessing 13:45.770 --> 13:47.937 Ukraine right now in the battlefield , 13:47.937 --> 13:49.714 I mean , I'd leave it up to the 13:49.714 --> 13:51.770 Ukrainians to assess their positions 13:51.770 --> 13:53.992 and how their , their , um , you know , 13:53.992 --> 13:55.992 general assessment of the war , but 13:55.992 --> 13:58.214 they do continue to make strides within 13:58.214 --> 14:00.437 the east and the south . We do continue 14:00.437 --> 14:02.659 to see them make progress , continue to 14:02.659 --> 14:04.603 push the Russian forces back . The 14:04.603 --> 14:06.548 issue is what they're running into 14:06.548 --> 14:08.659 right now is the fact that they don't 14:08.659 --> 14:10.826 have enough ammunition and artillery . 14:10.826 --> 14:10.539 And that's partly because we're not 14:10.549 --> 14:12.660 able to supply it . We're not able to 14:12.660 --> 14:14.771 be able to give it to them because uh 14:14.771 --> 14:17.150 frankly of congressional inaction . Um 14:17.159 --> 14:18.969 So we have seen the strategic 14:18.979 --> 14:21.409 withdrawal from Avdiivka . Uh We don't 14:21.419 --> 14:23.419 want to see them have to make those 14:23.419 --> 14:25.641 tough decisions again . So , you know , 14:25.641 --> 14:27.752 you heard me say it , but I'll say it 14:27.752 --> 14:27.200 again . We're continuing to urge 14:27.210 --> 14:29.432 Congress to pass the supplemental so we 14:29.432 --> 14:32.039 can flow PD A packages um as urgently 14:32.049 --> 14:34.119 as possible . But I let Ukraine 14:34.210 --> 14:36.154 characterize their own , their own 14:36.154 --> 14:39.059 efforts on the battlefield . Matt . 14:39.080 --> 14:41.390 Yeah , welcome back . Thank you . Um 14:41.489 --> 14:43.545 Just wondering , have there been any 14:43.545 --> 14:46.250 new attempted attacks on us forces in 14:46.260 --> 14:48.482 the Middle East in , in Iraq or Syria ? 14:48.809 --> 14:50.476 Um And is it the department's 14:50.476 --> 14:52.698 assessment that there's essentially a , 14:52.698 --> 14:55.210 a credible deterrence that's taken hold 14:55.219 --> 14:57.497 at this point ? Uh Not to my knowledge , 14:57.497 --> 14:59.386 there hasn't been an attack since 14:59.386 --> 15:01.599 February 4th . Um So we certainly 15:01.609 --> 15:03.553 welcome that there hasn't been any 15:03.553 --> 15:05.750 attacks . Uh I think we send a very 15:05.760 --> 15:09.320 strong message with our um strikes 15:09.330 --> 15:11.929 and , you know , we will continue to do 15:11.940 --> 15:14.051 so if we need to and we'll do so at a 15:14.051 --> 15:16.107 time and place of our choosing . But 15:16.107 --> 15:17.884 haven't seen any activity since 15:17.884 --> 15:20.107 February 4th . Yeah , of course . Yes . 15:20.107 --> 15:22.530 Concert yesterday , the Navy revealed 15:22.539 --> 15:24.483 that uh they're prosecuting one of 15:24.483 --> 15:26.539 their chief petty officers under the 15:26.539 --> 15:29.400 UCMJ for espionage charges . Um In 15:29.409 --> 15:32.080 August , the DOJ indict or last August , 15:32.090 --> 15:33.940 the DOJ indicted two sailors for 15:33.950 --> 15:37.179 espionage charges as well . Um Does the 15:37.190 --> 15:39.289 Pentagon feel like there's a problem 15:39.299 --> 15:42.039 here that , you know , there's a sort 15:42.049 --> 15:44.059 of this growing drumbeat of service 15:44.070 --> 15:46.181 members being charged for espionage . 15:46.270 --> 15:48.603 Look , these are ongoing investigations . 15:48.603 --> 15:50.770 So I'm just going to have to refer you 15:50.770 --> 15:52.881 to the Navy for that . Ok , great . I 15:52.881 --> 15:55.103 will come to the , go to the phones and 15:55.103 --> 15:54.349 then come back in the room . Dan la 15:54.440 --> 15:57.179 Moth Washington Post . Hi , Sabrina . 15:57.190 --> 15:59.450 Thank you . Uh I wanted to uh check 15:59.460 --> 16:03.000 back on at a DKA um number of reports 16:03.010 --> 16:05.232 over the last couple of days suggesting 16:05.232 --> 16:07.177 anywhere from a couple of dozen to 16:07.177 --> 16:09.919 several 100 or even 1000 uh Ukrainian 16:09.929 --> 16:12.539 soldiers have been left behind missing , 16:12.549 --> 16:15.039 captured various characterizations . 16:15.210 --> 16:17.210 What's the Pentagon's assessment at 16:17.210 --> 16:19.377 this point ? What are you hearing from 16:19.377 --> 16:21.543 your Ukrainian counterparts ? Thanks . 16:21.543 --> 16:23.766 Yeah , thanks Dan for the question . Um 16:23.766 --> 16:23.280 Unfortunately , I don't , we don't have 16:23.289 --> 16:25.345 an assessment just yet . I'd have to 16:25.345 --> 16:27.567 refer you to the Ukrainians to speak to 16:27.567 --> 16:29.622 um Avdiivka and their own operations 16:29.622 --> 16:33.500 there . Uh Heather us and I thanks so 16:33.510 --> 16:35.950 much . Uh It seems that with the uptick 16:35.960 --> 16:38.440 and houthi attacks that they seem to be , 16:38.760 --> 16:40.704 I guess a little bit more accurate 16:40.704 --> 16:42.927 given what happened with Ruby Ma . Um , 16:42.927 --> 16:44.704 and it doesn't seem that the US 16:44.704 --> 16:46.704 deterrence efforts are working . Is 16:46.704 --> 16:48.816 there any plans to step up efforts or 16:48.816 --> 16:50.927 change in tactic to , in order to try 16:50.927 --> 16:53.140 to stop these houthi attacks on ships 16:53.150 --> 16:55.440 in the Red Sea . Well , thanks Heather . 16:55.450 --> 16:58.869 Um We always reserve the right uh 16:59.609 --> 17:01.720 to respond at a time and place of our 17:01.720 --> 17:03.831 choosing . I'm certainly not going to 17:03.831 --> 17:05.998 get ahead of any action that we may or 17:05.998 --> 17:08.109 may not take . Um I think what you're 17:08.109 --> 17:10.165 seeing though in the Red Sea and the 17:10.165 --> 17:14.069 Gulf of Aden is a coalition of like 17:14.079 --> 17:16.023 minded countries coming together , 17:16.023 --> 17:18.023 including most recently with the eu 17:18.023 --> 17:20.135 announcing their own coalition that's 17:20.135 --> 17:21.801 working alongside operation , 17:21.801 --> 17:23.949 prosperity Guardian um in working to 17:23.959 --> 17:25.949 defend innocent Mariners that are 17:25.959 --> 17:28.015 transiting the Red Sea , the Gulf of 17:28.015 --> 17:30.070 Aden and to allow for the freedom of 17:30.070 --> 17:32.126 navigation and upholding the rule of 17:32.126 --> 17:34.348 law . Um And so we're very proud of our 17:34.348 --> 17:36.570 efforts there . Um Our men and women in 17:36.570 --> 17:38.737 uniform are putting their lives on the 17:38.737 --> 17:40.903 line every single day um alongside our 17:40.903 --> 17:43.070 coalition partners and allies and I'll 17:43.070 --> 17:45.126 just leave it at that . Uh I'll take 17:45.126 --> 17:44.359 one more from the phone and then come 17:44.369 --> 17:46.536 back in the room . Uh Jeff Schole task 17:46.536 --> 17:49.170 and purpose . Thank you . Has the 17:49.180 --> 17:51.410 Pentagon seen any indications that the 17:51.420 --> 17:54.209 cell phone outage that's affecting AT&T 17:54.219 --> 17:56.540 customers may have been caused by a 17:56.550 --> 17:58.959 foreign adversary like China , Russia , 17:58.969 --> 18:02.319 North Korea Iran . Uh Thanks Jeff . I , 18:02.329 --> 18:04.551 I'm not aware of us doing an assessment 18:04.551 --> 18:06.496 on this . Um I know the cell phone 18:06.496 --> 18:08.607 companies are are looking into this . 18:08.607 --> 18:10.607 Um We've seen the reporting but not 18:10.607 --> 18:12.496 aware of um it being because of a 18:12.496 --> 18:14.607 foreign actor or entity in any way at 18:14.607 --> 18:17.099 this point . Thanks Rio , thanks 18:17.109 --> 18:20.239 Sabrina . Uh This week , a USB 52 18:20.250 --> 18:22.729 bomber flew over the South China Sea 18:22.739 --> 18:25.060 with Philippine fighter aircraft . So 18:25.069 --> 18:27.291 what message is dependent on sending to 18:27.291 --> 18:29.770 China by having a strategic bomber 18:29.780 --> 18:32.469 participate in air joint air patrol 18:32.479 --> 18:35.060 with Philippines design . So Rio , I 18:35.069 --> 18:37.236 think what you're referring to is just 18:37.236 --> 18:39.349 the regular rotation of A B 52 in the 18:39.359 --> 18:42.810 region . Um These B 52 bombers are part 18:42.819 --> 18:45.000 of the bomber task force to support 18:45.020 --> 18:47.739 strategic deterrence missions aimed at 18:47.760 --> 18:49.816 reinforcing the rules based order in 18:49.816 --> 18:52.349 the Indo Pacific region . Uh The 23rd 18:52.359 --> 18:54.192 expeditionary bomb squadron will 18:54.192 --> 18:56.415 integrate alongside allies and partners 18:56.415 --> 18:58.192 to demonstrate us commitment to 18:58.192 --> 19:00.303 security and stability throughout the 19:00.303 --> 19:02.415 region . But for more information , I 19:02.415 --> 19:04.248 direct you to stratcom um or the 19:04.248 --> 19:06.989 Pacific Air Forces . Have you seen any 19:07.000 --> 19:10.380 cases of China's unsafe right against 19:10.390 --> 19:13.500 us and rise aircraft since the 19:13.510 --> 19:15.709 beginning of the year ? I'm not aware 19:15.719 --> 19:17.719 of any recent examples or since the 19:17.719 --> 19:20.000 beginning of the year as you know , uh 19:20.010 --> 19:21.954 I think it was late last year . Dr 19:21.954 --> 19:23.566 Ratner briefed on a few um , 19:23.566 --> 19:25.788 unprofessional , unsafe risky behaviors 19:25.788 --> 19:27.788 that we had witnessed , but I'm not 19:27.788 --> 19:29.899 aware of any recent examples of one . 19:29.899 --> 19:31.954 Yeah . Natasha , thanks Sabrina . So 19:31.954 --> 19:33.788 the US has conducted a number of 19:33.788 --> 19:36.010 strikes against the houthis . There are 19:36.010 --> 19:37.954 near daily occurrence now , but it 19:37.954 --> 19:40.121 seems like they're not working and I'm 19:40.121 --> 19:42.066 just wondering what the Pentagon's 19:42.066 --> 19:41.810 assessment is of how the houthis seem 19:41.819 --> 19:43.763 to be adapting to this kind of new 19:43.763 --> 19:45.986 reality . These daily strikes by the US 19:45.986 --> 19:47.986 and some by the UK . Are they going 19:47.986 --> 19:50.290 underground more ? Are they stockpiling 19:50.300 --> 19:52.467 and shoring up their weapon supplies ? 19:52.467 --> 19:54.633 What is the assessment of how they are 19:54.633 --> 19:56.856 essentially preparing to dig in for the 19:56.856 --> 19:58.633 long haul ? Well , some of that 19:58.633 --> 20:00.810 assessment , um also includes our own 20:00.819 --> 20:02.652 intelligence assessments which I 20:02.652 --> 20:04.652 wouldn't be able to speak to from , 20:04.652 --> 20:07.000 from here . Um , what I will say and I , 20:07.010 --> 20:09.121 and I know you've heard this , but we 20:09.121 --> 20:11.489 never said we've wiped off the map all 20:11.500 --> 20:13.556 of their capabilities . We know that 20:13.556 --> 20:15.949 the houthis maintain a large arsenal . 20:16.079 --> 20:18.246 Um , they are very capable , they have 20:18.246 --> 20:20.079 sophisticated weapons and that's 20:20.079 --> 20:22.246 because they continue to get them from 20:22.246 --> 20:24.079 Iran . Um , in terms of an adapt 20:24.079 --> 20:26.190 adaptation from tactics , I , I don't 20:26.190 --> 20:28.246 think we've seen anything new . It's 20:28.246 --> 20:30.301 more when we see missiles on rails . 20:30.301 --> 20:32.301 When we see them about to launch an 20:32.301 --> 20:34.246 attack , we are able to take these 20:34.246 --> 20:36.301 proactive dynamic strikes . Uh We've 20:36.301 --> 20:36.140 been able to do it more regularly 20:36.150 --> 20:38.250 because they frankly have been 20:38.260 --> 20:40.538 conducting more attacks more regularly . 20:40.540 --> 20:42.880 Um , and we always reserve that right . 20:42.890 --> 20:46.109 I think the most , uh , sort of more 20:46.119 --> 20:48.286 unique or different , uh , tactic that 20:48.286 --> 20:50.640 we saw was with the unmanned underwater 20:50.650 --> 20:52.594 vehicle that they employed for the 20:52.594 --> 20:54.706 first time a few days ago . But other 20:54.706 --> 20:56.706 than that , I mean , they've pretty 20:56.706 --> 20:58.983 much stuck to the same playbook . Yeah . 20:58.983 --> 21:01.094 Did you have a question ? Do you have 21:01.094 --> 21:03.150 any of it or anything on the ongoing 21:03.150 --> 21:05.261 discussions with your Iraqi questions 21:05.261 --> 21:07.539 regarding the High Military Commission ? 21:07.589 --> 21:09.645 I know that there were meetings last 21:09.645 --> 21:11.756 week , but I don't have an update for 21:11.756 --> 21:13.756 you on any meetings that have taken 21:13.756 --> 21:15.978 place since then . Well , us forces are 21:15.978 --> 21:17.867 in Iraq to assist Iraq's security 21:17.867 --> 21:20.959 forces in the ISIS with the Iraqi of 21:21.130 --> 21:23.390 top officials say including Iraq Prime 21:23.400 --> 21:26.199 Minister just said yesterday that we 21:26.209 --> 21:28.510 don't more need us forces and alliance 21:28.520 --> 21:30.798 forces . Do you have any comment on it ? 21:30.798 --> 21:33.020 Look , we're in Iraq at the pleasure of 21:33.020 --> 21:35.187 the Iraqi government . Um We value the 21:35.187 --> 21:37.409 partnership that we have with the ISF , 21:37.409 --> 21:39.576 we continue to work alongside them and 21:39.576 --> 21:41.742 it's part of the DI I mission . Uh The 21:41.750 --> 21:45.479 H MC is there as to discuss what our 21:45.489 --> 21:47.711 relationship , what our footprint looks 21:47.711 --> 21:49.711 like in Iraq . Um Those are ongoing 21:49.711 --> 21:51.933 conversations and we're certainly going 21:51.933 --> 21:54.100 to be part of those , but I just don't 21:54.100 --> 21:56.211 have more for you . I'm gonna go back 21:56.211 --> 21:55.239 to the phones and then happy to come 21:55.250 --> 21:57.361 back in the room . Uh Ashley breaking 21:57.361 --> 22:00.540 defense . Hi , Sabrina . Um , I wanted 22:00.550 --> 22:03.050 to ask there's been a slew of dod ig 22:03.060 --> 22:05.338 reports that have come out lately . Um , 22:05.338 --> 22:07.449 pointing out some flaws in either the 22:07.449 --> 22:09.359 flow of weapons into Ukraine or 22:09.369 --> 22:12.119 sustains and training to keep them up 22:12.130 --> 22:15.079 and running is a larger look from dod 22:15.229 --> 22:17.969 at the actual logistics or , um , you 22:17.979 --> 22:20.035 know , sustaining the weapons within 22:20.035 --> 22:22.420 Ukraine . So , I mean , thanks Ashley 22:22.430 --> 22:24.430 for the question . Uh You know , we 22:24.430 --> 22:26.597 welcome these IG reports . They , they 22:26.597 --> 22:28.819 certainly shed light on more of what we 22:28.819 --> 22:31.041 can be doing and what we could be doing 22:31.041 --> 22:33.208 better . I think it's important to put 22:33.208 --> 22:35.319 the context or put the IG report that 22:35.319 --> 22:37.208 you're referring to into a bit of 22:37.208 --> 22:39.041 context . Um I think what you're 22:39.041 --> 22:41.208 referring to is the one that just came 22:41.208 --> 22:43.374 out a day or two ago . Uh We have sent 22:43.374 --> 22:45.430 unprecedented security assistance to 22:45.430 --> 22:49.079 Ukraine at such a rapid rate . Um And 22:49.089 --> 22:51.469 Ukraine is right now modernizing its 22:51.479 --> 22:53.839 military in the middle of a war . On 22:53.849 --> 22:55.905 top of that , we don't have boots on 22:55.905 --> 22:58.016 the ground in Ukraine . We don't have 22:58.016 --> 23:00.127 people out in the field being able to 23:00.127 --> 23:02.293 do sustain sustainment and maintenance 23:02.293 --> 23:04.293 alongside the Ukrainians . So we do 23:04.293 --> 23:07.540 offer um teleport , but again , we're 23:07.550 --> 23:09.839 not on the ground and this is something 23:09.849 --> 23:11.682 that the secretary has been very 23:11.682 --> 23:13.793 focused on since the very beginning . 23:13.793 --> 23:15.571 Uh He is very familiar with the 23:15.571 --> 23:17.738 Bradleys , the strikers , the Abrams , 23:17.738 --> 23:20.130 he understands intimately what it takes 23:20.140 --> 23:22.910 to maintain , um , these systems . And 23:22.920 --> 23:25.790 so part of every PD A package is 23:25.800 --> 23:27.911 ensuring that the Ukrainians have the 23:27.911 --> 23:29.744 support and the maintenance that 23:29.744 --> 23:31.856 they're going to need . And also part 23:31.856 --> 23:33.800 of that is training . And so we're 23:33.800 --> 23:36.022 certainly aware that , uh , we could be 23:36.022 --> 23:38.244 doing more . Uh , but we've been saying 23:38.244 --> 23:40.411 from the beginning , they need to make 23:40.411 --> 23:39.300 that we need to make sure that the 23:39.310 --> 23:41.532 Ukrainians have every tool available to 23:41.532 --> 23:44.119 them uh to maintain these systems . And 23:44.130 --> 23:46.199 we're doing that . Uh Last question 23:46.209 --> 23:48.431 from the phones . I'm sorry , I lost my 23:48.431 --> 23:51.530 sheet here . Uh Carla Bab Vo a hey , 23:51.540 --> 23:53.651 thanks Sabrina . Uh I have a question 23:53.651 --> 23:55.707 on Pakistan actually . And then if I 23:55.707 --> 23:57.651 can , I'd like to follow up on the 23:57.651 --> 23:59.429 Houthis . But uh the Pakistan's 23:59.429 --> 24:01.709 ambassador to the US was talking this 24:01.719 --> 24:03.959 week about uh calling for fast track 24:03.969 --> 24:05.969 approval to restore the defensive 24:05.979 --> 24:08.050 equipment deal between the US and 24:08.060 --> 24:10.069 Pakistan . So is the Pentagon 24:10.079 --> 24:12.930 considering restoration of uh defense 24:12.939 --> 24:15.106 assets between these two countries and 24:15.106 --> 24:17.106 you know , considering that they're 24:17.106 --> 24:19.217 getting their um weapons from China ? 24:19.217 --> 24:21.699 Now , how concerned is the US on 24:21.709 --> 24:24.510 Pakistan's reliance uh on China for 24:24.520 --> 24:26.969 defense equipment ? Thanks , Carla . Um 24:26.979 --> 24:28.757 I would direct you to the State 24:28.757 --> 24:30.923 Department . I believe they're engaged 24:30.923 --> 24:33.090 in those conversations . So I , I just 24:33.090 --> 24:32.270 don't have more to add at this time . 24:32.670 --> 24:34.837 And you said you had a question on the 24:34.837 --> 24:38.119 Houthis ? Yeah , if I can . Um But the 24:38.130 --> 24:40.380 concerning thing is that the ships keep 24:40.390 --> 24:42.446 getting hit and as I understood it , 24:42.446 --> 24:44.501 the , the goal of the US mission out 24:44.501 --> 24:46.849 there is to protect the ships that are 24:46.859 --> 24:50.609 sailing in this vital waterway is the 24:50.619 --> 24:52.841 US and its allies . Are they failing at 24:52.841 --> 24:54.675 their mission right now ? And if 24:54.675 --> 24:56.841 they're not failing because you know , 24:56.841 --> 24:58.730 ships being hit , if that's not a 24:58.730 --> 25:00.841 failure , then how would the Pentagon 25:00.841 --> 25:02.841 characterize it ? Thanks Carla . Uh 25:02.841 --> 25:04.841 Respectfully uh take a bit of issue 25:04.841 --> 25:07.063 with the question . Uh When you say the 25:07.063 --> 25:09.369 ships keep getting hit , um there are 25:09.609 --> 25:11.609 hundreds thousands of ships that go 25:11.609 --> 25:13.560 through the Red Sea , the ba m um 25:14.209 --> 25:16.209 throughout this time period , since 25:16.209 --> 25:18.431 these Houthis launched their attacks on 25:18.431 --> 25:21.359 November 19th , I think it's important 25:21.369 --> 25:23.729 to remember that our service members 25:23.739 --> 25:25.628 out there alongside our coalition 25:25.628 --> 25:28.060 partners and our allies every single 25:28.069 --> 25:30.229 day are engaging in attacks from the 25:30.239 --> 25:33.459 Houthis and shooting down UAVS 25:33.469 --> 25:37.040 missiles , an un an unmanned underwater 25:37.050 --> 25:40.310 vehicle um and protecting ships . Do 25:40.319 --> 25:42.486 some of the missiles get through every 25:42.486 --> 25:44.541 now and then ? Yes , we've seen that 25:44.541 --> 25:46.763 happen . Uh But for the majority of the 25:46.763 --> 25:48.869 time our , our engagements have been 25:48.880 --> 25:50.880 successful , our allies engagements 25:50.880 --> 25:52.936 have been successful and we know the 25:52.936 --> 25:55.047 importance of this water , right ? We 25:55.047 --> 25:56.991 know that 10 to 15% of the world's 25:56.991 --> 25:59.270 commerce flows right through here . Um 25:59.459 --> 26:01.920 So again , II I would push back 26:01.930 --> 26:03.930 respectfully on the idea that ships 26:03.930 --> 26:05.652 keep getting hit and that this 26:05.652 --> 26:07.819 operation isn't successful . If we did 26:07.819 --> 26:09.819 nothing , then these ships would be 26:09.819 --> 26:11.986 getting hit every single day . Uh So I 26:11.986 --> 26:14.208 think we have to remember that commerce 26:14.208 --> 26:13.890 does continue to flow through the Red 26:13.900 --> 26:16.122 Sea , through the Gulf of Aden . Uh And 26:16.122 --> 26:18.178 we want to continue to see that . Um 26:18.178 --> 26:20.344 But yes , absolutely . The Houthis are 26:20.344 --> 26:22.569 every single day putting at risk , um 26:22.579 --> 26:24.810 Innocent Mariners transiting uh putting 26:24.819 --> 26:27.041 at risk , the freedom of navigation and 26:27.041 --> 26:28.875 therefore operation prosperity , 26:28.875 --> 26:30.930 Guardian is there to protect against 26:30.930 --> 26:33.150 that um Alongside other allies and 26:33.160 --> 26:35.104 partners who have formed their own 26:35.104 --> 26:37.150 coalitions . Um And I'm sorry , I 26:37.160 --> 26:39.382 forgot the second part of your question 26:39.382 --> 26:41.604 if you wouldn't mind repeating that . I 26:41.604 --> 26:43.771 mean , that was , that was pretty much 26:43.771 --> 26:45.716 it . But I mean , uh if ships keep 26:45.716 --> 26:47.719 getting hit are more resources not 26:47.729 --> 26:50.020 needed to stop these ships from getting 26:50.030 --> 26:51.919 hit . I mean , this is the United 26:51.919 --> 26:53.808 States in a massive international 26:53.808 --> 26:56.040 coalition going up against a small 26:56.050 --> 26:58.560 militant group and they're managing to 26:58.569 --> 27:01.609 hit , you know , about a ship a day . 27:01.619 --> 27:04.199 It seems over the last few days I 27:04.209 --> 27:06.209 haven't spoke to them , but I would 27:06.209 --> 27:08.042 imagine they would consider that 27:08.042 --> 27:10.290 successful . So what more can the US do 27:10.300 --> 27:12.439 or should the US do on this issue ? 27:12.680 --> 27:14.624 Well , thanks Carla again . We are 27:14.624 --> 27:16.680 certainly welcome to more allies and 27:16.680 --> 27:18.513 partners joining our coalition , 27:18.513 --> 27:20.736 like-minded nations that want to uphold 27:20.736 --> 27:22.569 the rule of law . Uh Right now , 27:22.569 --> 27:24.569 Central Command is working uh every 27:24.569 --> 27:26.569 single day to ensure the freedom of 27:26.569 --> 27:28.791 navigation with the resources that they 27:28.791 --> 27:30.719 have um and working al alongside 27:30.729 --> 27:32.939 partner nations . And so , um I'm just 27:32.949 --> 27:35.005 gonna leave it at that Constantine . 27:35.005 --> 27:38.160 And then , yeah , my simple question is 27:38.180 --> 27:42.160 uh my simple question is as far as 27:42.170 --> 27:44.660 uh attacks in the Middle East on these 27:44.670 --> 27:48.060 ship lines and also on innocent people 27:48.069 --> 27:50.119 and all that , there are many bad 27:50.130 --> 27:53.300 actors in the area who is financing 27:53.310 --> 27:56.050 these bad actors or terrorists who are 27:56.060 --> 27:58.227 attacking , attacking these ships in a 27:58.227 --> 28:01.280 sense with the financing and also 28:01.290 --> 28:04.800 weapons . Iran , Russia , 28:04.989 --> 28:08.699 China or all three or more in terms of 28:08.709 --> 28:10.598 the Houthis , I think what you're 28:10.598 --> 28:12.598 referring to is the Houthis and the 28:12.598 --> 28:14.820 activity in the Red Sea and the Gulf of 28:14.820 --> 28:16.931 Aden . We know that Iran funds groups 28:16.931 --> 28:19.099 like the Houthis , like these other 28:19.109 --> 28:21.331 militant groups that we see in Iraq and 28:21.331 --> 28:23.220 Syria . So Iran certainly has its 28:23.220 --> 28:25.109 fingerprints behind the support , 28:25.109 --> 28:26.942 whether it be financial training 28:26.942 --> 28:28.776 equipping . Uh Iran certainly is 28:28.776 --> 28:30.887 supporting these groups and the mic . 28:31.439 --> 28:33.439 Um So earlier this week , there was 28:33.439 --> 28:35.661 some reporting um that the OSP that the 28:35.661 --> 28:37.772 Air Force has identified a mechanical 28:37.772 --> 28:39.772 failure in as part of the Osprey uh 28:39.772 --> 28:42.310 investigation . Does the , you know , 28:42.520 --> 28:44.576 as of right now , does the dod still 28:44.576 --> 28:46.520 have confidence in the Osprey as a 28:46.520 --> 28:49.119 platform ? Look , it is a very capable 28:49.140 --> 28:52.869 um unique agile 28:52.880 --> 28:55.160 platform um in terms of confidence , 28:55.170 --> 28:57.281 that's why the services are doing the 28:57.281 --> 28:59.503 stand down and evaluating , uh , that I 28:59.503 --> 29:01.114 know that there's an ongoing 29:01.114 --> 29:03.337 investigation . Um So I won't get ahead 29:03.337 --> 29:03.310 of that , but it's really up to the 29:03.319 --> 29:05.500 services to decide whether they deem 29:05.510 --> 29:07.930 that these ospreys are , um , you know , 29:08.500 --> 29:10.667 that they should continue to fly , but 29:10.667 --> 29:12.722 these are very unique platforms that 29:12.722 --> 29:15.000 offer the commander a range of options . 29:15.000 --> 29:17.111 And so , um , you know , I'll let the 29:17.111 --> 29:19.167 investigation continue , Mike , have 29:19.167 --> 29:21.389 there been any countries other than the 29:21.389 --> 29:23.500 US and the UK that have struck that , 29:23.500 --> 29:25.556 that have attacked any of the houthi 29:25.556 --> 29:27.611 targets or is it all just the US and 29:27.611 --> 29:29.778 the UK of all the allies operating for 29:29.778 --> 29:31.722 prosperity Guardian or the other ? 29:31.722 --> 29:31.449 There have been other engagements for 29:31.459 --> 29:33.515 other countries , but we'll let them 29:33.515 --> 29:35.849 speak for themselves . Right . Louie uh 29:35.859 --> 29:37.692 Sabrina just uh I know you spoke 29:37.692 --> 29:39.748 earlier about the incident with this 29:39.748 --> 29:41.869 navy charges against the sailor for 29:41.880 --> 29:43.936 espionage . Can you tell us anything 29:43.936 --> 29:46.102 specifically about this , uh this case 29:46.102 --> 29:48.436 as far as you are aware of it ? I can't , 29:48.436 --> 29:50.602 unfortunately , I just don't have more 29:50.602 --> 29:50.410 information . I would refer you to the 29:50.420 --> 29:52.859 Navy for further details and this is 29:52.869 --> 29:54.647 now would be the third incident 29:54.647 --> 29:56.647 involving a navy sailor in the last 29:56.647 --> 29:59.859 year um with similar types of charges . 30:00.040 --> 30:04.030 Um is their concern here that uh you 30:04.040 --> 30:06.920 may need to reinforce some of the poli 30:06.930 --> 30:09.319 existing policies , uh reinforce the 30:09.329 --> 30:12.819 training uh for service members um 30:12.829 --> 30:15.839 across dod uh reaffirming what they 30:15.849 --> 30:17.770 should be . Uh uh careful of in 30:17.780 --> 30:20.099 disclosing information . Again , it's 30:20.109 --> 30:22.331 an ongoing investigation . I'd refer to 30:22.331 --> 30:24.442 the Navy , but if the navy feels like 30:24.442 --> 30:26.442 they need to do , you know , better 30:26.442 --> 30:28.498 reinforcement of , um , whether it's 30:28.498 --> 30:30.959 ethics or regulations . Um , I'll let 30:30.969 --> 30:33.302 the navy speak to that . Um , but again , 30:33.302 --> 30:35.636 it's on , it's an ongoing investigation , 30:35.636 --> 30:37.691 so I don't wanna get ahead of that . 30:37.691 --> 30:39.469 Great . All right . Thank you , 30:39.469 --> 30:38.150 everyone .