1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:00,000 2 00:00:04,059 --> 00:00:06,281 All right , good afternoon , everyone . 3 00:00:06,489 --> 00:00:08,656 Uh I just have a few things at the top 4 00:00:08,656 --> 00:00:10,489 and then happy to jump into your 5 00:00:10,489 --> 00:00:12,656 questions yesterday , Secretary Austin 6 00:00:12,656 --> 00:00:14,600 spoke with the Minister of Defense 7 00:00:14,600 --> 00:00:16,711 Galant regarding the negotiations for 8 00:00:16,711 --> 00:00:18,933 the release of hostages and a temporary 9 00:00:18,933 --> 00:00:20,850 ceasefire . Secretary Austin also 10 00:00:20,860 --> 00:00:22,416 raised the need to consider 11 00:00:22,416 --> 00:00:24,138 alternatives to a major ground 12 00:00:24,138 --> 00:00:26,110 operation in Rafah while while 13 00:00:26,120 --> 00:00:27,842 reiterating the shared goal of 14 00:00:27,842 --> 00:00:29,889 defeating Hamas . The two also 15 00:00:29,899 --> 00:00:31,732 discussed the need to do more to 16 00:00:31,732 --> 00:00:33,955 protect civilians and urgently increase 17 00:00:33,955 --> 00:00:36,180 the flow of aid into Gaza through land 18 00:00:36,189 --> 00:00:39,340 crossings next week on Tuesday , March 19 00:00:39,349 --> 00:00:41,779 26th , Secretary Austin will host 20 00:00:41,790 --> 00:00:43,901 Minister Gallant here at the Pentagon 21 00:00:43,901 --> 00:00:45,901 for a bilateral meeting to continue 22 00:00:45,901 --> 00:00:48,068 their discussions on a range of topics 23 00:00:48,068 --> 00:00:50,290 including efforts to secure the release 24 00:00:50,290 --> 00:00:52,290 of all hostages held by Hamas . The 25 00:00:52,290 --> 00:00:54,512 need for more humanitarian aid to reach 26 00:00:54,512 --> 00:00:56,457 Palestinian civilians and plans to 27 00:00:56,457 --> 00:00:58,512 ensure the safety of the more than 1 28 00:00:58,512 --> 00:01:00,457 million people sheltering in Rafah 29 00:01:00,457 --> 00:01:02,679 while ensuring Hamas can no longer pose 30 00:01:02,679 --> 00:01:04,679 a threat to Israel . This bilateral 31 00:01:04,679 --> 00:01:06,734 meeting is separate from the meeting 32 00:01:06,734 --> 00:01:08,901 announced by the White House following 33 00:01:08,901 --> 00:01:11,012 a call with President Biden and Prime 34 00:01:11,012 --> 00:01:12,901 Minister Netanyahu in which Prime 35 00:01:12,901 --> 00:01:14,957 Minister in which the Prime Minister 36 00:01:14,957 --> 00:01:16,957 agreed to send a senior interagency 37 00:01:16,957 --> 00:01:19,123 team composed of military intelligence 38 00:01:19,123 --> 00:01:18,669 and humanitarian officials to 39 00:01:18,680 --> 00:01:21,989 Washington . In other news , the Bob 40 00:01:22,000 --> 00:01:24,879 Hope class vehicle cargo ship , Roy P . 41 00:01:24,889 --> 00:01:28,580 Ben Benavidez , a large medium speed 42 00:01:28,589 --> 00:01:31,220 roll on roll off ship departed its pier 43 00:01:31,230 --> 00:01:33,174 in Newport news , Virginia . Today 44 00:01:33,174 --> 00:01:35,529 carrying heavy equipment and material 45 00:01:35,540 --> 00:01:37,707 needed to construct the temporary pier 46 00:01:37,707 --> 00:01:39,929 to support the flow of humanitarian aid 47 00:01:39,929 --> 00:01:42,129 into Gaza . The Benavides is 48 00:01:42,139 --> 00:01:44,339 transporting components for a floating 49 00:01:44,349 --> 00:01:46,330 modular pier system which will be 50 00:01:46,339 --> 00:01:48,290 delivered to the US Army's seventh 51 00:01:48,300 --> 00:01:50,250 Transportation Brigade who will 52 00:01:50,260 --> 00:01:52,260 construct the temporary pier in the 53 00:01:52,260 --> 00:01:54,819 Mediterranean . This capability known 54 00:01:54,830 --> 00:01:57,169 as joint logistics over the shore or J 55 00:01:57,269 --> 00:02:00,000 lots will allow for ship to shore cargo 56 00:02:00,010 --> 00:02:02,440 distribution and is part of the broad 57 00:02:02,449 --> 00:02:04,800 US government's efforts to provide food , 58 00:02:04,809 --> 00:02:06,930 water and other forms of humanitarian 59 00:02:06,940 --> 00:02:10,869 aid to Palestinians in Gaza . In other 60 00:02:10,880 --> 00:02:13,110 news , the department extends its 61 00:02:13,119 --> 00:02:15,175 deepest sympathies to the family and 62 00:02:15,175 --> 00:02:17,699 friends of General Al Gray , the 29th 63 00:02:17,710 --> 00:02:19,654 commandant of the Marine Corps who 64 00:02:19,654 --> 00:02:21,766 passed away yesterday in Alexandria , 65 00:02:21,766 --> 00:02:24,130 Virginia as Commandant General Gray 66 00:02:24,139 --> 00:02:26,250 made significant contributions to the 67 00:02:26,250 --> 00:02:28,250 war fighting capacity of the Marine 68 00:02:28,250 --> 00:02:30,472 Corps . Mo most notably the development 69 00:02:30,472 --> 00:02:32,528 of the maneuver warfighting doctrine 70 00:02:32,528 --> 00:02:34,750 and the publication of the fleet Marine 71 00:02:34,750 --> 00:02:36,417 Force manual that remains the 72 00:02:36,417 --> 00:02:38,417 foundation for how the Marine Corps 73 00:02:38,417 --> 00:02:40,195 thinks about , prepares for and 74 00:02:40,195 --> 00:02:42,970 executes all operations . While he was 75 00:02:42,979 --> 00:02:45,201 responsible for establishing the Marine 76 00:02:45,201 --> 00:02:47,039 Corps University . He was also a 77 00:02:47,050 --> 00:02:49,949 Marines Marine and he famously remarked 78 00:02:49,960 --> 00:02:52,830 that quote , every marine is first and 79 00:02:52,839 --> 00:02:55,050 foremost a rifleman . All other 80 00:02:55,059 --> 00:02:57,699 conditions are secondary end quote . A 81 00:02:57,710 --> 00:02:59,988 full obituary will be released shortly . 82 00:02:59,988 --> 00:03:02,210 But for additional information , please 83 00:03:02,210 --> 00:03:03,932 contact the Marine Corps uh uh 84 00:03:03,932 --> 00:03:06,330 communication director . And finally in 85 00:03:06,339 --> 00:03:09,839 sad news , uh today is Rio Nakamura's 86 00:03:09,850 --> 00:03:12,072 last day here at the briefing room . Uh 87 00:03:12,072 --> 00:03:14,239 He's been an outstanding international 88 00:03:14,239 --> 00:03:16,406 member of the Pentagon Press Corps for 89 00:03:16,406 --> 00:03:18,406 more than over four , for more than 90 00:03:18,406 --> 00:03:20,572 four years now . And we appreciate all 91 00:03:20,572 --> 00:03:22,683 of his professional work reporting on 92 00:03:22,683 --> 00:03:24,683 important issues . Rio safe travels 93 00:03:24,683 --> 00:03:26,906 home to you to Japan and best wishes to 94 00:03:26,906 --> 00:03:29,072 your family . And I think with that we 95 00:03:29,072 --> 00:03:29,039 should give you the first question . 96 00:03:30,550 --> 00:03:33,300 Thank you so much . Thank you very kind 97 00:03:33,490 --> 00:03:37,199 waters . I want to ask you about the 98 00:03:37,750 --> 00:03:41,029 uh the earlier today , the Deputy uh 99 00:03:41,039 --> 00:03:44,339 Secretary of State K Campbell said that 100 00:03:44,350 --> 00:03:46,610 the Japan's participation in August 101 00:03:46,619 --> 00:03:48,889 pillar two is under consideration . 102 00:03:49,119 --> 00:03:52,119 Does the Pentagon uh assess that Japan 103 00:03:52,130 --> 00:03:54,320 has the potential to contribute 104 00:03:54,330 --> 00:03:57,899 significantly to advance cutting edge 105 00:03:57,910 --> 00:03:59,910 uh defense technology development ? 106 00:03:59,910 --> 00:04:01,966 Yeah , thanks Rio for the question . 107 00:04:01,966 --> 00:04:04,188 And again , we'll certainly miss seeing 108 00:04:04,188 --> 00:04:03,779 you here . So you'll have to come visit 109 00:04:03,789 --> 00:04:06,399 and stay in touch . Um in terms of uh 110 00:04:06,410 --> 00:04:08,632 what , what , what you're referencing , 111 00:04:08,632 --> 00:04:10,577 I would refer you to State and the 112 00:04:10,577 --> 00:04:12,466 White House for um any additional 113 00:04:12,466 --> 00:04:14,688 information . Um as you know , Japan is 114 00:04:14,688 --> 00:04:16,966 one of our oldest allies in the region . 115 00:04:16,966 --> 00:04:19,188 Um Our relationship right now is closer 116 00:04:19,188 --> 00:04:21,299 than ever , but at this time , I just 117 00:04:21,299 --> 00:04:23,077 don't have anything to announce 118 00:04:23,077 --> 00:04:25,021 separately from the August 1 , the 119 00:04:25,021 --> 00:04:27,130 nuclear powered submarine that there 120 00:04:27,140 --> 00:04:30,420 are growing concerns that the delivery 121 00:04:30,429 --> 00:04:33,329 of the submarine to Australia could 122 00:04:33,339 --> 00:04:35,940 delay since the administration reduced 123 00:04:35,950 --> 00:04:38,410 their funding request for the submarine 124 00:04:38,679 --> 00:04:40,920 earlier earlier this month . So it 125 00:04:40,929 --> 00:04:43,151 depend on , feel confident that you can 126 00:04:43,151 --> 00:04:45,640 start delivering the submarine in early 127 00:04:45,649 --> 00:04:48,029 2000 thirties . Or are you open to 128 00:04:48,040 --> 00:04:50,470 reviving the timetable moving ahead ? 129 00:04:50,609 --> 00:04:52,829 Well , so our commitment to August is 130 00:04:52,839 --> 00:04:55,459 unwavering um in terms of timeline on 131 00:04:55,470 --> 00:04:57,692 delivery , I'd refer you to the Navy to 132 00:04:57,692 --> 00:04:59,803 speak more to that . But I think this 133 00:04:59,803 --> 00:05:02,859 is a good reminder that um we are well 134 00:05:02,869 --> 00:05:05,500 into fiscal year 2024 and we still 135 00:05:05,510 --> 00:05:08,670 don't have a budget . Um We are in the 136 00:05:08,679 --> 00:05:11,890 process of now going through our fy 137 00:05:11,899 --> 00:05:14,920 25 budget proposal to Congress and we 138 00:05:14,929 --> 00:05:17,151 still don't have a supplemental pass by 139 00:05:17,151 --> 00:05:19,510 Congress . So , um again , I would 140 00:05:19,519 --> 00:05:21,929 refer you to the Navy to speak to the 141 00:05:21,940 --> 00:05:25,119 timelines um of , you know , and , and 142 00:05:25,130 --> 00:05:27,241 more specifics , but it all has to go 143 00:05:27,241 --> 00:05:29,399 back to the budget and the quicker , 144 00:05:29,410 --> 00:05:31,410 the faster that we can get a budget 145 00:05:31,410 --> 00:05:33,632 approved by Congress . We're gonna meet 146 00:05:33,632 --> 00:05:35,743 those benchmarks and we're gonna meet 147 00:05:35,743 --> 00:05:37,966 those timelines if we experience delays 148 00:05:37,966 --> 00:05:40,188 like we are experiencing right now . Um 149 00:05:40,188 --> 00:05:42,132 We're operating with one hand tied 150 00:05:42,132 --> 00:05:44,188 behind our back and um you know , we 151 00:05:44,188 --> 00:05:46,299 certainly could fall behind , but for 152 00:05:46,299 --> 00:05:46,260 more specifics , I'd refer you to the 153 00:05:46,269 --> 00:05:50,170 Navy A P Tara . All right , thank you . 154 00:05:50,339 --> 00:05:53,730 Um , first on Mr Gallant's visit , 155 00:05:54,250 --> 00:05:56,250 what's different about this visit ? 156 00:05:56,250 --> 00:05:58,361 They talk on the phone all the time . 157 00:05:58,361 --> 00:06:00,139 We still see increased civilian 158 00:06:00,139 --> 00:06:02,306 casualties in Gaza . There's still not 159 00:06:02,306 --> 00:06:02,269 an open gate for additional 160 00:06:02,279 --> 00:06:04,649 humanitarian aid . So why is Mr Gallant 161 00:06:04,660 --> 00:06:06,827 coming here ? And how is the secretary 162 00:06:06,827 --> 00:06:08,882 going to push to try and get some of 163 00:06:08,882 --> 00:06:10,993 these more strategic goals answered ? 164 00:06:10,993 --> 00:06:12,827 Well , the secretary regularly , 165 00:06:12,827 --> 00:06:14,938 regularly engages partners and allies 166 00:06:14,938 --> 00:06:16,827 through phone calls and in person 167 00:06:16,827 --> 00:06:18,993 meetings , Minister Gallant was coming 168 00:06:18,993 --> 00:06:21,104 to Washington DC . This was a meeting 169 00:06:21,104 --> 00:06:23,327 that was uh set up a few weeks ago . Um 170 00:06:23,327 --> 00:06:25,327 So it's just an opportunity to meet 171 00:06:25,327 --> 00:06:27,216 face to face , just like when the 172 00:06:27,216 --> 00:06:29,438 secretary travels to uh the region , he 173 00:06:29,438 --> 00:06:31,964 goes and meets with many of the many of 174 00:06:31,975 --> 00:06:34,065 his counterparts that he has regular 175 00:06:34,075 --> 00:06:36,459 phone calls with as well . Sorry . And 176 00:06:36,470 --> 00:06:38,581 your second question ? Well , so just 177 00:06:38,581 --> 00:06:40,692 to press on that more , I mean , will 178 00:06:40,692 --> 00:06:42,859 this , do you think that the in person 179 00:06:42,859 --> 00:06:44,914 visit will make more of a difference 180 00:06:44,914 --> 00:06:47,081 than these phone calls have in getting 181 00:06:47,081 --> 00:06:49,303 more humanitarian aid through ? I think 182 00:06:49,303 --> 00:06:51,526 it's another opportunity to discuss the 183 00:06:51,526 --> 00:06:53,526 urgent need for humanitarian aid to 184 00:06:53,526 --> 00:06:55,692 flow into Gaza . That's something that 185 00:06:55,692 --> 00:06:57,859 certainly the secretary impressed upon 186 00:06:57,859 --> 00:06:59,748 Mr Gallant , not just in the call 187 00:06:59,748 --> 00:07:01,859 yesterday , but in every single phone 188 00:07:01,859 --> 00:07:03,970 call he has um a face to face meeting 189 00:07:03,970 --> 00:07:06,192 is just another opportunity to engage . 190 00:07:06,192 --> 00:07:08,359 Um It's a good opportunity for them to 191 00:07:08,359 --> 00:07:10,581 see each other in person . Um They will 192 00:07:10,581 --> 00:07:12,859 discuss also what is happening in the 193 00:07:12,869 --> 00:07:14,925 region , what is happening at Rafa . 194 00:07:14,925 --> 00:07:17,036 But again , I just want to remind you 195 00:07:17,036 --> 00:07:19,091 that this is separate from that team 196 00:07:19,091 --> 00:07:21,313 that's going to be , that , um is going 197 00:07:21,313 --> 00:07:23,425 to come following the phone call that 198 00:07:23,425 --> 00:07:25,536 the President had with Prime Minister 199 00:07:25,536 --> 00:07:27,702 Netanyahu . And then on the pier , the 200 00:07:27,702 --> 00:07:30,500 Benavides set sail today . Um So we've 201 00:07:30,510 --> 00:07:32,621 got the peer element moving forward . 202 00:07:32,621 --> 00:07:34,843 You've got the sailors and soldiers are 203 00:07:34,843 --> 00:07:37,135 starting to move forward . Um What is , 204 00:07:37,144 --> 00:07:39,311 what's going to be the Pentagon's role 205 00:07:39,311 --> 00:07:41,366 in kind of that final mile ? Are you 206 00:07:41,366 --> 00:07:44,494 letting contracts for contractors to 207 00:07:44,505 --> 00:07:47,644 then deliver that aid into Gaza ? What , 208 00:07:47,654 --> 00:07:49,654 you know , what's kind of the final 209 00:07:49,654 --> 00:07:51,710 piece looking like ? So that's still 210 00:07:51,710 --> 00:07:53,932 something that's being worked out right 211 00:07:53,932 --> 00:07:55,876 now . Um And , and in terms of the 212 00:07:55,876 --> 00:07:57,876 distribution , that's not something 213 00:07:57,876 --> 00:07:59,987 that the US military will be involved 214 00:07:59,987 --> 00:08:01,876 in . Um , we are , you know , the 215 00:08:01,876 --> 00:08:04,154 logistics setting up coordinating , um , 216 00:08:04,154 --> 00:08:07,339 the movement of the humanitarian aid 217 00:08:07,350 --> 00:08:09,683 from either the floating pier or to the , 218 00:08:09,683 --> 00:08:11,589 that floating causeway . Um , but 219 00:08:11,600 --> 00:08:13,711 that's something that in terms of how 220 00:08:13,711 --> 00:08:15,711 the distribution of aid is going to 221 00:08:15,711 --> 00:08:17,878 happen once it gets into Gaza , that's 222 00:08:17,878 --> 00:08:19,989 not something that , you know , we're 223 00:08:19,989 --> 00:08:22,156 handling um , in terms of contracts or 224 00:08:22,156 --> 00:08:24,156 you know how that's gonna be done , 225 00:08:24,156 --> 00:08:23,519 whether it's through partners and 226 00:08:23,529 --> 00:08:25,529 allies . NGO si just don't have , I 227 00:08:25,529 --> 00:08:27,585 just don't have that for you . Right 228 00:08:27,585 --> 00:08:29,585 now , we're , we're gonna get there 229 00:08:29,585 --> 00:08:31,696 though . So just to be clear , like , 230 00:08:31,696 --> 00:08:33,862 but will the Pentagon actually let the 231 00:08:33,862 --> 00:08:35,918 contracts that would distribute that 232 00:08:35,918 --> 00:08:38,140 final mile or is that going to be state 233 00:08:38,140 --> 00:08:40,251 or do we know actually who's gonna be 234 00:08:40,251 --> 00:08:39,989 handling that ? There will be no , I 235 00:08:40,000 --> 00:08:42,167 mean , there will be no us military on 236 00:08:42,167 --> 00:08:44,278 the ground in Gaza . So again , who's 237 00:08:44,278 --> 00:08:46,444 handling that ? I just don't have that 238 00:08:46,444 --> 00:08:48,556 for you . The agencies who's going to 239 00:08:48,556 --> 00:08:50,833 be responsible for doing the contracts . 240 00:08:50,833 --> 00:08:53,056 I'm not , I'm not sure at this time who 241 00:08:53,056 --> 00:08:52,559 would be responsible for doing the 242 00:08:52,568 --> 00:08:54,790 contracts . It might be again a partner 243 00:08:54,790 --> 00:08:58,078 or an ally that uh takes this on . Um 244 00:08:58,088 --> 00:09:00,199 This is an interagency effort , but I 245 00:09:00,199 --> 00:09:02,310 just don't have more uh to provide at 246 00:09:02,310 --> 00:09:04,644 this time . Just one last question here . 247 00:09:04,644 --> 00:09:08,440 Um uh Assistant Secretary Wander said 248 00:09:08,450 --> 00:09:11,309 today that uh CNSP has not officially 249 00:09:11,320 --> 00:09:13,780 asked military or us military troops to 250 00:09:13,789 --> 00:09:15,956 leave . Um Can you give us a status on 251 00:09:15,956 --> 00:09:18,250 the conversations uh with the , the 252 00:09:18,260 --> 00:09:20,371 junta and what are troops doing right 253 00:09:20,371 --> 00:09:22,482 now ? They're just staying inside the 254 00:09:22,482 --> 00:09:24,204 wire . They're , they're still 255 00:09:24,204 --> 00:09:26,316 operating as they were from July when 256 00:09:26,316 --> 00:09:28,690 the initial coup did happen . Um 257 00:09:28,700 --> 00:09:30,756 They've con we've consolidated our , 258 00:09:30,756 --> 00:09:33,739 our presence um to 201 from an 259 00:09:33,750 --> 00:09:35,640 interagency perspective from the 260 00:09:35,650 --> 00:09:37,809 department and uh state Department as 261 00:09:37,820 --> 00:09:39,987 well . There are ongoing conversations 262 00:09:39,987 --> 00:09:41,880 with the CNSP to discuss the path 263 00:09:41,890 --> 00:09:43,946 forward , but I don't have a further 264 00:09:43,946 --> 00:09:46,168 read out of those conversations , all I 265 00:09:46,168 --> 00:09:48,390 can tell you is that um they're ongoing 266 00:09:48,390 --> 00:09:50,390 and when we have more to share , we 267 00:09:50,390 --> 00:09:54,119 certainly will . Great Phil just done a 268 00:09:54,130 --> 00:09:56,690 timeline for the Peer . Um You know , 269 00:09:56,700 --> 00:09:58,756 General Kil says that today that you 270 00:09:58,756 --> 00:10:00,756 thought it would be , he , he seems 271 00:10:00,756 --> 00:10:02,811 just a slightly faster timeline that 272 00:10:02,811 --> 00:10:04,867 they'd perhaps be in place uh in mid 273 00:10:04,890 --> 00:10:07,223 April . Um Can you just give us a sense ? 274 00:10:07,223 --> 00:10:09,334 Has the timeline been shortened or is 275 00:10:09,334 --> 00:10:11,112 it still up to 60 days from the 276 00:10:11,112 --> 00:10:11,030 original date that you announced ? I 277 00:10:11,080 --> 00:10:13,191 think it's , it's still up to 60 days 278 00:10:13,191 --> 00:10:15,302 um from when we initially announced , 279 00:10:15,302 --> 00:10:17,539 uh which was , I think now go go about 280 00:10:17,549 --> 00:10:20,460 two weeks ago , approximately . Um You 281 00:10:20,469 --> 00:10:22,525 know , of course , if that , if that 282 00:10:22,525 --> 00:10:24,580 period shortens or gets expedited in 283 00:10:24,580 --> 00:10:26,636 any way , you know , that's , that's 284 00:10:26,636 --> 00:10:28,691 great and we wanna see that , but uh 285 00:10:28,691 --> 00:10:30,802 we're allowing ourselves some time to 286 00:10:30,802 --> 00:10:32,969 allow those ships to get there . Uh So 287 00:10:32,969 --> 00:10:34,802 we still , I mean , I think what 288 00:10:34,802 --> 00:10:36,913 General Corolla said is approximately 289 00:10:36,913 --> 00:10:36,820 mid April that , that sounds accurate . 290 00:10:36,830 --> 00:10:39,052 I'm not doing the math up here in terms 291 00:10:39,052 --> 00:10:41,330 of like 60 days from when we announced . 292 00:10:41,330 --> 00:10:43,497 But that , that's about right . Yeah , 293 00:10:43,497 --> 00:10:45,497 I'm gonna go to the phones and then 294 00:10:45,497 --> 00:10:44,929 happy to come back in the room . Uh 295 00:10:44,940 --> 00:10:48,340 Jeff Shool task and purpose . Uh 296 00:10:48,349 --> 00:10:50,669 Thank you . I just wanted to double 297 00:10:50,679 --> 00:10:53,460 check to see if uh you were asked 298 00:10:53,469 --> 00:10:56,020 earlier if the , if the dod is making 299 00:10:56,030 --> 00:10:57,940 any plannings for a non combatant 300 00:10:57,950 --> 00:11:00,320 evacuation operation from Haiti . I 301 00:11:00,330 --> 00:11:02,274 just wanted to see if anything has 302 00:11:02,274 --> 00:11:04,390 changed if dod is looking into a 303 00:11:04,400 --> 00:11:06,511 possible need for Haiti . Thank you . 304 00:11:06,534 --> 00:11:08,756 Thanks Jeff for the question . So right 305 00:11:08,756 --> 00:11:11,315 now the mission is um securing that 306 00:11:11,325 --> 00:11:13,445 embassy uh augmenting our security as 307 00:11:13,455 --> 00:11:15,645 you saw with the Marine fast that went 308 00:11:15,655 --> 00:11:18,455 in um just earlier , last , last week . 309 00:11:18,544 --> 00:11:20,674 Um That's the mission right now . 310 00:11:20,684 --> 00:11:22,835 There's , the embassy is still open 311 00:11:22,844 --> 00:11:25,674 operating as it normally would . Um The 312 00:11:25,684 --> 00:11:29,025 State Department has uh contracted some 313 00:11:29,034 --> 00:11:32,349 um flights for American citizens who 314 00:11:32,359 --> 00:11:34,760 are looking to leave . Um But that is , 315 00:11:34,770 --> 00:11:36,937 you know , if that is their decision , 316 00:11:36,937 --> 00:11:39,349 it's not that a uh a Neo has taken 317 00:11:39,359 --> 00:11:42,169 place again . Our focus right now is 318 00:11:42,179 --> 00:11:44,429 just the embassy and embassy security 319 00:11:44,440 --> 00:11:46,662 and that's what our folks on the ground 320 00:11:46,662 --> 00:11:49,979 are doing uh heather us and I , hi , 321 00:11:49,989 --> 00:11:52,156 thanks so much . Um So I wanted to get 322 00:11:52,156 --> 00:11:54,378 some information about the Red Sea . Um 323 00:11:54,378 --> 00:11:56,545 I'm seeing reports by the Houthis that 324 00:11:56,545 --> 00:11:58,711 they have targeted an Israeli ship and 325 00:11:58,711 --> 00:12:00,933 an American ship , but that didn't come 326 00:12:00,933 --> 00:12:03,045 out in the Centcom um releases . So I 327 00:12:03,045 --> 00:12:05,211 wanted to see if you've heard anything 328 00:12:05,211 --> 00:12:07,211 about Houthis um targeting this . I 329 00:12:07,211 --> 00:12:09,045 think this is the motto and then 330 00:12:09,045 --> 00:12:11,045 Pacific one were the two ships that 331 00:12:11,045 --> 00:12:13,378 they announced that they were targeting . 332 00:12:13,378 --> 00:12:15,600 Um If you've heard anything on that and 333 00:12:15,600 --> 00:12:17,933 then just in terms of the Syncom Briefs , 334 00:12:17,933 --> 00:12:17,239 I wanted to see if it would be possible 335 00:12:17,250 --> 00:12:19,306 to get some more information when we 336 00:12:19,306 --> 00:12:21,306 get those briefs . Uh It seems that 337 00:12:21,306 --> 00:12:21,239 we're getting less and less information 338 00:12:21,250 --> 00:12:25,000 each day . Uh Thanks Heather . So , um 339 00:12:25,299 --> 00:12:27,355 I'm certainly happy to look into the 340 00:12:27,355 --> 00:12:29,577 information that you're looking for and 341 00:12:29,577 --> 00:12:31,799 to provide any more details um that you 342 00:12:31,799 --> 00:12:35,020 need in terms of the um targeting of uh 343 00:12:35,030 --> 00:12:37,179 an Israeli or US ship . I , if it's 344 00:12:37,190 --> 00:12:39,246 something that just happened earlier 345 00:12:39,246 --> 00:12:41,023 today , it's likely going to be 346 00:12:41,023 --> 00:12:43,023 included in um you know , our daily 347 00:12:43,023 --> 00:12:45,246 round up that we do of our engagement . 348 00:12:45,246 --> 00:12:47,134 Um Whether it be uh these dynamic 349 00:12:47,134 --> 00:12:49,190 tricks that we do or any action that 350 00:12:49,190 --> 00:12:51,301 we've taken to shoot down any uh UAVS 351 00:12:51,301 --> 00:12:53,815 that the Houthis um shoot towards 352 00:12:53,825 --> 00:12:56,625 commercial ships or our ships . Um But 353 00:12:56,635 --> 00:12:58,802 I just don't have more for you on what 354 00:12:58,802 --> 00:13:00,913 you specifically referenced . So , um 355 00:13:00,913 --> 00:13:03,024 happy to get back to you on that . Uh 356 00:13:03,024 --> 00:13:05,079 And last question from the phone and 357 00:13:05,079 --> 00:13:04,125 then I'm happy to come in the room , 358 00:13:04,135 --> 00:13:06,309 Eric Schmidt , New York Times uh 359 00:13:06,369 --> 00:13:09,890 Sabrina , you mentioned uh ni in , the 360 00:13:09,960 --> 00:13:12,127 US forces are continue to do what they 361 00:13:12,127 --> 00:13:14,238 were doing . Does that include the uh 362 00:13:14,238 --> 00:13:17,109 the , the uh the drone flights for 363 00:13:17,119 --> 00:13:19,341 force protection ? Are those continuing 364 00:13:19,341 --> 00:13:21,563 out of 201 ? Yeah , thanks Eric . So we 365 00:13:21,563 --> 00:13:23,750 are continuing to fly ISR for force 366 00:13:23,760 --> 00:13:25,816 protection , but it is only for that 367 00:13:25,816 --> 00:13:28,038 reason . Thanks . I'll come back in the 368 00:13:28,038 --> 00:13:30,038 room . Yeah , I have a couple of on 369 00:13:30,038 --> 00:13:31,982 Ukraine . Um We hear more and more 370 00:13:31,982 --> 00:13:34,093 talks on the hill about providing aid 371 00:13:34,093 --> 00:13:36,093 to Ukraine as alone . And even some 372 00:13:36,093 --> 00:13:38,093 Democrats that are saying that they 373 00:13:38,093 --> 00:13:40,093 might be open to this idea . Do you 374 00:13:40,093 --> 00:13:42,093 consider such an option , providing 375 00:13:42,093 --> 00:13:44,427 military assistance to Ukraine as alone , 376 00:13:44,427 --> 00:13:46,482 as alone ? Um That's still something 377 00:13:46,482 --> 00:13:45,770 that's being worked out through 378 00:13:45,780 --> 00:13:47,891 Congress . I'm not going to get ahead 379 00:13:47,891 --> 00:13:50,113 of that process . Um I think I spoke to 380 00:13:50,113 --> 00:13:52,336 this recently but you know , Ukraine is 381 00:13:52,336 --> 00:13:54,502 right now in the fight of its life and 382 00:13:54,502 --> 00:13:56,780 um every day trying to fight back for 383 00:13:56,789 --> 00:13:59,599 its sovereign territory , uh very 384 00:13:59,609 --> 00:14:01,498 difficult to also burden a nation 385 00:14:01,498 --> 00:14:03,553 that's in the middle of a war with , 386 00:14:03,553 --> 00:14:05,553 with a loan program . Uh That being 387 00:14:05,553 --> 00:14:07,887 said that's something that's , you know , 388 00:14:07,887 --> 00:14:10,109 being worked out with Congress . Um I'm 389 00:14:10,109 --> 00:14:10,059 just not going to get ahead of that 390 00:14:10,070 --> 00:14:12,489 process . I have another one . So the 391 00:14:12,500 --> 00:14:14,611 Atlantic report is that the Ukrainian 392 00:14:14,611 --> 00:14:17,039 military believes that Russia is using 393 00:14:17,049 --> 00:14:19,260 satellite imagery provided by private 394 00:14:19,270 --> 00:14:21,869 uh us companies like Makar and Planet 395 00:14:21,880 --> 00:14:23,769 to conduct its missile strikes on 396 00:14:23,769 --> 00:14:25,324 Ukraine . Uh have Ukrainian 397 00:14:25,324 --> 00:14:27,547 counterparts raised this issue with the 398 00:14:27,547 --> 00:14:29,769 Bandon . And if yes , is there anything 399 00:14:29,769 --> 00:14:31,880 that could be done to limit access to 400 00:14:31,880 --> 00:14:33,991 satellite imagery over Ukraine ? I've 401 00:14:33,991 --> 00:14:35,880 seen those reports . I just can't 402 00:14:35,880 --> 00:14:37,936 confirm that at this time . Um We'll 403 00:14:37,936 --> 00:14:37,760 continue to look into that and then 404 00:14:37,770 --> 00:14:39,937 when I , if I have more , I'm happy to 405 00:14:39,937 --> 00:14:42,103 get back to you on that . Yeah , there 406 00:14:42,103 --> 00:14:44,640 are reports that us troops are 407 00:14:44,650 --> 00:14:47,099 stationed permanently uh in the Taiwan 408 00:14:47,109 --> 00:14:50,380 Street . Uh Can you confirm that at all 409 00:14:50,390 --> 00:14:52,334 and like , say anything about what 410 00:14:52,334 --> 00:14:54,446 their role is and how many troops are 411 00:14:54,446 --> 00:14:56,557 there ? I don't have anything for you 412 00:14:56,557 --> 00:14:58,612 on that . You maintain a presence in 413 00:14:58,612 --> 00:15:00,779 the region . Um Again , where we're uh 414 00:15:00,779 --> 00:15:03,030 we conduct , you know , different uh 415 00:15:03,280 --> 00:15:05,570 Taiwan straight transits at times . Uh 416 00:15:05,580 --> 00:15:07,691 But I just don't have more for you on 417 00:15:07,691 --> 00:15:10,840 that . Really ? Um you mentioned the go 418 00:15:10,940 --> 00:15:13,599 on to visit but uh will there be a , a 419 00:15:13,609 --> 00:15:16,369 dod component to this visiting team ? 420 00:15:16,380 --> 00:15:18,510 We will , in other words , will there 421 00:15:18,520 --> 00:15:20,742 be a visit to the Pentagon ? Will there 422 00:15:20,742 --> 00:15:22,964 be military members and representatives 423 00:15:22,964 --> 00:15:25,131 of the dod who will partake as part of 424 00:15:25,131 --> 00:15:27,298 those discussions ? Yeah . No , thanks 425 00:15:27,298 --> 00:15:29,353 for the question . I just don't have 426 00:15:29,353 --> 00:15:31,242 more for you at this time on that 427 00:15:31,242 --> 00:15:33,576 meeting . Um It's still coming together . 428 00:15:33,576 --> 00:15:35,631 I of course , don't know exactly who 429 00:15:35,631 --> 00:15:37,798 will comprise the Israeli delegation . 430 00:15:37,798 --> 00:15:40,020 So when we have more information , I'll 431 00:15:40,020 --> 00:15:39,969 be happy to get back to you on that . 432 00:15:40,309 --> 00:15:42,476 So there is a possibility that the dod 433 00:15:42,476 --> 00:15:44,753 could participate in those discussions . 434 00:15:44,753 --> 00:15:46,920 I think the , the the department would 435 00:15:46,920 --> 00:15:49,031 be involved in some way , but I can't 436 00:15:49,031 --> 00:15:48,250 tell you if there are gonna be 437 00:15:48,260 --> 00:15:50,482 discussions here if they're gonna be at 438 00:15:50,482 --> 00:15:52,093 the White House . This is an 439 00:15:52,093 --> 00:15:53,982 interagency . This is gonna be an 440 00:15:53,982 --> 00:15:56,316 interagency conversation . Yeah , great . 441 00:15:56,316 --> 00:15:58,880 Yeah . Um It has announced the first 442 00:15:59,219 --> 00:16:01,052 Territorial Us Japan Philippines 443 00:16:01,052 --> 00:16:04,080 Readers Summit on April 11th . So given 444 00:16:04,090 --> 00:16:06,146 the Chinese provocation in the South 445 00:16:06,146 --> 00:16:08,146 China Sea . What kind of trilateral 446 00:16:08,150 --> 00:16:10,210 defense cooper operation among these 447 00:16:10,219 --> 00:16:12,052 three countries ? Do you hope to 448 00:16:12,052 --> 00:16:14,515 promote ? Are you referencing the um 449 00:16:14,525 --> 00:16:16,692 the state visit that's happening later 450 00:16:16,692 --> 00:16:19,025 this month or sorry ? Next month ? Yeah , 451 00:16:19,025 --> 00:16:20,803 Japanese Prime Minister and the 452 00:16:20,803 --> 00:16:23,025 Philippines president . Yes . So um I'm 453 00:16:23,034 --> 00:16:25,090 not going to get ahead of that visit 454 00:16:25,090 --> 00:16:27,201 that's happening soon . Um There will 455 00:16:27,201 --> 00:16:29,034 be of course engagement from the 456 00:16:29,034 --> 00:16:31,145 department and some of those meetings 457 00:16:31,145 --> 00:16:33,034 taking place . But uh until those 458 00:16:33,034 --> 00:16:35,256 meetings happen , I'm just not going to 459 00:16:35,256 --> 00:16:35,215 get ahead of that . I'm sure you can 460 00:16:35,224 --> 00:16:37,335 appreciate that . Uh But when we have 461 00:16:37,335 --> 00:16:39,979 more to share , we , we will . Yes . Hi . 462 00:16:41,510 --> 00:16:43,621 Um In Europe today , there were a lot 463 00:16:43,621 --> 00:16:45,788 of talks about , still talk about what 464 00:16:45,788 --> 00:16:47,788 President Macron said about sending 465 00:16:47,788 --> 00:16:51,020 troops to Ukraine . Um A lot of 466 00:16:51,030 --> 00:16:53,820 obviously European States do not agree 467 00:16:53,909 --> 00:16:56,940 in that . Um Do you have anything to , 468 00:16:56,950 --> 00:16:59,619 to say uh from the Pentagon side ? So I 469 00:16:59,630 --> 00:17:01,463 can only speak on behalf of this 470 00:17:01,463 --> 00:17:03,352 department ? And you've heard the 471 00:17:03,352 --> 00:17:05,519 president be very clear that we're not 472 00:17:05,519 --> 00:17:07,408 putting us boots on the ground in 473 00:17:07,408 --> 00:17:09,699 Ukraine . Um We continue to support 474 00:17:09,709 --> 00:17:12,439 Ukraine through um different 475 00:17:12,449 --> 00:17:14,949 presidential drawdown packages . Uh We 476 00:17:14,959 --> 00:17:17,390 did just do an emergency uh emergency 477 00:17:17,400 --> 00:17:19,810 drawdown package a few weeks ago . Um 478 00:17:19,819 --> 00:17:22,560 But , you know , consistently we had uh 479 00:17:22,569 --> 00:17:25,000 packages going almost weekly to Ukraine 480 00:17:25,010 --> 00:17:27,232 and that stopped in December because we 481 00:17:27,232 --> 00:17:29,399 don't have any more money left because 482 00:17:29,399 --> 00:17:31,510 we don't have a supplemental . Um But 483 00:17:31,510 --> 00:17:33,566 that's the best way we're supporting 484 00:17:33,566 --> 00:17:35,732 Ukraine . Um We know Ukraine right now 485 00:17:35,732 --> 00:17:37,843 is having to make strategic decisions 486 00:17:37,843 --> 00:17:39,677 about having to withdraw um from 487 00:17:39,677 --> 00:17:41,900 certain uh areas in order to fortify 488 00:17:41,910 --> 00:17:45,209 their defensive lines . Um Those are 489 00:17:45,219 --> 00:17:47,108 really hard , tough decisions and 490 00:17:47,108 --> 00:17:49,219 decisions that they're having to make 491 00:17:49,219 --> 00:17:51,386 because we are not able to supply them 492 00:17:51,386 --> 00:17:53,552 with um the capabilities , the systems 493 00:17:53,552 --> 00:17:55,608 that they need because we don't have 494 00:17:55,608 --> 00:17:57,830 that authorization from Congress . So , 495 00:17:57,830 --> 00:17:59,997 um the best way we can support Ukraine 496 00:17:59,997 --> 00:18:02,650 is to have Congress pass a supplemental 497 00:18:02,660 --> 00:18:05,229 so we can continue to draw down um 498 00:18:05,239 --> 00:18:07,461 these packages . And you've heard the , 499 00:18:07,510 --> 00:18:09,677 the Secretary of Defense , he was just 500 00:18:09,677 --> 00:18:12,250 um he just convened the Ukraine Defense 501 00:18:12,260 --> 00:18:14,427 contact group earlier this week and he 502 00:18:14,427 --> 00:18:16,427 said very forcefully that we're not 503 00:18:16,427 --> 00:18:18,760 going to let Ukraine fail and we're not , 504 00:18:18,760 --> 00:18:20,982 but we do need Congress's help in order 505 00:18:20,982 --> 00:18:23,149 to get Ukraine what it needs . So , so 506 00:18:23,149 --> 00:18:25,204 no sending , there's no intention to 507 00:18:25,204 --> 00:18:27,316 send in the , in the near future . At 508 00:18:27,316 --> 00:18:29,482 least any troops . President Biden has 509 00:18:29,482 --> 00:18:31,593 been very clear that there will be no 510 00:18:31,593 --> 00:18:33,816 boots on the ground in Ukraine . Yeah , 511 00:18:33,816 --> 00:18:33,729 of course . Yes . And then I'll come 512 00:18:33,790 --> 00:18:36,849 over to you . Good . Thank you . 513 00:18:37,989 --> 00:18:40,020 Thank you , Sabri . Uh An Iraqi 514 00:18:40,030 --> 00:18:43,660 delegation headed by Deputy Prime 515 00:18:43,670 --> 00:18:45,689 Minister and Foreign Minister is 516 00:18:45,699 --> 00:18:48,089 visiting Washington DC to acknowledge , 517 00:18:48,099 --> 00:18:50,155 do they have any scheduled meeting , 518 00:18:50,155 --> 00:18:52,043 meeting with the secretary or any 519 00:18:52,043 --> 00:18:55,030 defense official ? About H MC ? I don't 520 00:18:55,040 --> 00:18:56,818 have any meetings to preview or 521 00:18:56,818 --> 00:18:59,270 announce today ? Yeah . 522 00:19:00,800 --> 00:19:04,400 J Lo is there a estimated budget of 523 00:19:04,410 --> 00:19:06,719 what this is gonna cost yet ? I know a 524 00:19:06,729 --> 00:19:08,729 few of you have asked and I haven't 525 00:19:08,729 --> 00:19:10,618 forgotten about this question . I 526 00:19:10,618 --> 00:19:12,840 promise . Um I don't have that in front 527 00:19:12,840 --> 00:19:14,840 of me right now . I'm happy to take 528 00:19:14,840 --> 00:19:16,840 that question and we will , we will 529 00:19:16,840 --> 00:19:18,618 answer it . Would you need more 530 00:19:18,618 --> 00:19:20,562 supplemental spending than already 531 00:19:20,562 --> 00:19:22,562 requested to help pay for it if you 532 00:19:22,562 --> 00:19:24,785 could like , let us know the details of 533 00:19:24,785 --> 00:19:27,040 that when you sure . Well , what we , 534 00:19:27,050 --> 00:19:29,520 what we actually need is a budget . So 535 00:19:29,589 --> 00:19:31,811 we're six months . Yeah , we're halfway 536 00:19:31,811 --> 00:19:33,922 into the fiscal year . We still don't 537 00:19:33,922 --> 00:19:37,010 have uh appropriated funds for fy 24 . 538 00:19:37,680 --> 00:19:39,902 You saw , we , we've had over I think a 539 00:19:39,902 --> 00:19:42,510 dozen engagements on the hill . Um 540 00:19:42,569 --> 00:19:45,319 Either today or in the last 48 hours of 541 00:19:45,329 --> 00:19:47,420 our commanders giving their budget 542 00:19:47,430 --> 00:19:49,959 proposals of what they need for fy 25 . 543 00:19:50,060 --> 00:19:53,459 Um So great question when it comes to 544 00:19:53,469 --> 00:19:55,680 budgeting and the reality is , is that 545 00:19:55,689 --> 00:19:58,089 right now the services are 546 00:19:59,329 --> 00:20:01,900 paying for all of this ? Um And having 547 00:20:01,910 --> 00:20:05,160 to make decisions about programs or 548 00:20:05,170 --> 00:20:08,880 other um you know , uh items to 549 00:20:08,890 --> 00:20:11,060 fund in order because we don't have a 550 00:20:11,069 --> 00:20:13,619 budget yet . Um So that's what you're 551 00:20:13,630 --> 00:20:15,630 seeing across this administration , 552 00:20:15,630 --> 00:20:17,741 urging Congress to pass a budget . We 553 00:20:17,741 --> 00:20:19,908 certainly welcome the progress that we 554 00:20:19,908 --> 00:20:21,963 saw . We saw a bill text come , come 555 00:20:21,963 --> 00:20:24,369 down uh early this morning . Um We're 556 00:20:24,380 --> 00:20:26,324 continuing to review that . But we 557 00:20:26,324 --> 00:20:28,770 would just urge Congress to give us the 558 00:20:28,780 --> 00:20:31,160 fy 24 appropriation so we can continue 559 00:20:31,170 --> 00:20:34,040 on and fund programs like uh whether it 560 00:20:34,050 --> 00:20:35,772 be replicator or the Office of 561 00:20:35,772 --> 00:20:37,661 Strategic Capital to , you know , 562 00:20:37,661 --> 00:20:39,494 making sure that we can get this 563 00:20:39,494 --> 00:20:41,717 floating pier set up outside the cosign 564 00:20:41,717 --> 00:20:43,828 of Gaza . Yeah , of course . Yes . In 565 00:20:43,828 --> 00:20:45,994 the back . Thank you . I'd like to ask 566 00:20:45,994 --> 00:20:48,219 about the meeting of secretary with 567 00:20:48,229 --> 00:20:51,060 Israel . Is Galant . Um , are they 568 00:20:51,069 --> 00:20:53,280 going to have a press conference after 569 00:20:53,290 --> 00:20:55,780 their meeting next , uh , next Tuesday 570 00:20:55,949 --> 00:20:58,359 or are you going to issue a statement 571 00:20:58,369 --> 00:21:00,425 or read out ? Yeah , we usually do a 572 00:21:00,425 --> 00:21:02,819 readout following any bilateral meeting . 573 00:21:02,829 --> 00:21:05,290 I don't have anything to preview on any 574 00:21:05,300 --> 00:21:07,660 type of press event but uh usually with 575 00:21:07,670 --> 00:21:09,640 all bilateral meetings , we have a 576 00:21:09,650 --> 00:21:11,706 press spray component that's open at 577 00:21:11,706 --> 00:21:14,119 the top of the meeting . Yeah , great . 578 00:21:14,709 --> 00:21:16,987 All right . Short briefing . Oh , yeah , 579 00:21:16,987 --> 00:21:19,265 we got one more . Ok . No , no problem , 580 00:21:19,609 --> 00:21:21,498 Kimberly Underwood from FC Signal 581 00:21:21,498 --> 00:21:23,387 Magazine . I wanted to ask if the 582 00:21:23,387 --> 00:21:26,189 secretary or deputy Secretary Hicks had 583 00:21:26,199 --> 00:21:28,959 any reactions to um , her trip to 584 00:21:28,969 --> 00:21:31,160 project Convergence four and kind of 585 00:21:31,170 --> 00:21:33,339 what they saw in the technologies and 586 00:21:33,349 --> 00:21:35,293 kind of experimenting at the joint 587 00:21:35,293 --> 00:21:37,719 theater level . Um , and what their , 588 00:21:37,729 --> 00:21:39,839 um , what they were , I don't guess 589 00:21:39,849 --> 00:21:42,369 pleased with from that . Are you 590 00:21:42,380 --> 00:21:44,602 talking to me about , um , the deputies 591 00:21:44,602 --> 00:21:48,390 travel earlier in the week or last week ? 592 00:21:48,400 --> 00:21:50,622 Yeah . Um , I think there was a readout 593 00:21:50,622 --> 00:21:52,789 from that trip . Um I would direct you 594 00:21:52,789 --> 00:21:54,956 to that . I just don't have more , but 595 00:21:54,956 --> 00:21:57,178 again , um , the deputy is very focused 596 00:21:57,178 --> 00:21:56,119 on some of the issues that you 597 00:21:56,130 --> 00:21:58,352 mentioned , but I just wouldn't be able 598 00:21:58,352 --> 00:22:00,241 to go beyond the readout that was 599 00:22:00,241 --> 00:22:02,297 issued . All right . Thanks everyone 600 00:22:02,297 --> 00:22:04,408 and a Rio again . Congratulations and 601 00:22:04,408 --> 00:22:04,229 look forward to staying in touch . 602 00:22:04,239 --> 00:22:05,150 Thanks everyone .