1 00:00:00,009 --> 00:00:02,930 Good afternoon , everyone . Just a few 2 00:00:02,940 --> 00:00:04,996 things here at the top and we'll get 3 00:00:04,996 --> 00:00:07,289 right to your questions . This morning , 4 00:00:07,300 --> 00:00:09,109 Secretary Austin had his first 5 00:00:09,119 --> 00:00:11,063 engagement with Admiral Dong Jun , 6 00:00:11,239 --> 00:00:13,239 Minister of National Defense of the 7 00:00:13,239 --> 00:00:14,961 People's Republic of China via 8 00:00:14,961 --> 00:00:16,850 teleconference . From here at the 9 00:00:16,850 --> 00:00:19,072 Pentagon . The two leaders discussed us 10 00:00:19,072 --> 00:00:21,239 PRC defense relations and regional and 11 00:00:21,239 --> 00:00:23,579 global security issues . During the 12 00:00:23,590 --> 00:00:25,257 discussion , Secretary Austin 13 00:00:25,257 --> 00:00:27,479 emphasized the importance of continuing 14 00:00:27,479 --> 00:00:29,590 to open lines of military to military 15 00:00:29,590 --> 00:00:31,690 communication between the US and the 16 00:00:31,700 --> 00:00:34,250 People's Republic of China . He also 17 00:00:34,259 --> 00:00:36,370 underscored the importance of respect 18 00:00:36,370 --> 00:00:38,481 for high seas , freedom of navigation 19 00:00:38,481 --> 00:00:40,537 guaranteed under international law , 20 00:00:40,537 --> 00:00:42,648 especially in the South China Sea and 21 00:00:42,648 --> 00:00:44,815 reiterated that the United States will 22 00:00:44,815 --> 00:00:47,037 continue to fly sail and operate safely 23 00:00:47,200 --> 00:00:50,220 and responsibly wherever international 24 00:00:50,229 --> 00:00:53,049 law allows . Secretary Austin also 25 00:00:53,060 --> 00:00:54,949 discussed Russia's unprovoked war 26 00:00:54,949 --> 00:00:57,116 against Ukraine and expressed concerns 27 00:00:57,116 --> 00:00:59,310 about recent provocations from the 28 00:00:59,319 --> 00:01:01,541 Democratic People's Republic of Korea . 29 00:01:02,189 --> 00:01:04,356 In addition , the secretary reiterated 30 00:01:04,356 --> 00:01:06,078 that the United States remains 31 00:01:06,078 --> 00:01:08,022 committed to our long standing one 32 00:01:08,022 --> 00:01:10,133 China policy , which is guided by the 33 00:01:10,133 --> 00:01:12,133 Taiwan Relations Act , the Three US 34 00:01:12,133 --> 00:01:14,339 China joint communiques and the six 35 00:01:14,349 --> 00:01:16,500 assurances . And he reaffirmed the 36 00:01:16,510 --> 00:01:18,500 importance of peace and stability 37 00:01:18,510 --> 00:01:21,029 across the strait , the department will 38 00:01:21,040 --> 00:01:22,651 continue to engage in active 39 00:01:22,651 --> 00:01:24,596 discussions with PR C counterparts 40 00:01:24,596 --> 00:01:26,429 about future engagements between 41 00:01:26,429 --> 00:01:28,318 defense and military officials at 42 00:01:28,318 --> 00:01:30,096 multiple levels as agreed to by 43 00:01:30,096 --> 00:01:32,318 President Biden and Pr C President Xing 44 00:01:32,318 --> 00:01:34,989 Jiping in November 2023 . A full 45 00:01:35,000 --> 00:01:37,222 readout of today's call is available on 46 00:01:37,222 --> 00:01:40,169 defense.gov switching gears . Secretary 47 00:01:40,180 --> 00:01:42,291 Austin spoke with Israeli Minister of 48 00:01:42,291 --> 00:01:44,180 Defense Jav Gallant last night to 49 00:01:44,180 --> 00:01:45,958 discuss the aftermath of Iran's 50 00:01:45,958 --> 00:01:48,124 unprecedented April 13th attacks which 51 00:01:48,124 --> 00:01:50,291 as you know , us , Israeli and partner 52 00:01:50,291 --> 00:01:52,513 forces thwarted in a combined defensive 53 00:01:52,513 --> 00:01:54,379 operation during the call . The 54 00:01:54,389 --> 00:01:56,730 secretary reiterated steadfast us 55 00:01:56,739 --> 00:01:58,930 support for Israel's defense and 56 00:01:58,940 --> 00:02:00,773 reaffirmed the strategic goal of 57 00:02:00,773 --> 00:02:03,209 regional stability as you saw from our 58 00:02:03,220 --> 00:02:05,053 call readouts posted yesterday , 59 00:02:05,053 --> 00:02:06,720 Secretary Austin continues to 60 00:02:06,720 --> 00:02:08,942 communicate with leaders throughout the 61 00:02:08,942 --> 00:02:10,776 Middle East region and beyond to 62 00:02:10,776 --> 00:02:12,942 emphasize that while the United States 63 00:02:12,942 --> 00:02:14,887 does not seek escalation , we will 64 00:02:14,887 --> 00:02:16,720 continue to defend Israel and us 65 00:02:16,720 --> 00:02:19,279 personnel . Separately , Secretary 66 00:02:19,289 --> 00:02:21,122 Austin also spoke with Ukrainian 67 00:02:21,122 --> 00:02:22,956 Defense Minister , Rustam Umarov 68 00:02:22,956 --> 00:02:25,122 earlier today to discuss the situation 69 00:02:25,122 --> 00:02:26,845 on the ground and reaffirm our 70 00:02:26,845 --> 00:02:28,789 unwavering commitment to Ukraine's 71 00:02:28,789 --> 00:02:30,733 defense capabilities and fight for 72 00:02:30,733 --> 00:02:32,733 freedom from Russian aggression . A 73 00:02:32,733 --> 00:02:34,789 full readout will be posted today on 74 00:02:34,789 --> 00:02:36,733 the dod website . And then finally 75 00:02:36,733 --> 00:02:38,845 looking ahead to tomorrow , Secretary 76 00:02:38,845 --> 00:02:38,720 Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs 77 00:02:38,729 --> 00:02:40,673 of Staff , General CQ Brown Junior 78 00:02:40,673 --> 00:02:42,940 Junior will provide testimony before 79 00:02:42,949 --> 00:02:44,782 the House Appropriations defense 80 00:02:44,782 --> 00:02:46,782 sub-committee at 10 a.m. on Capitol 81 00:02:46,782 --> 00:02:49,005 Hill regarding the fiscal year 2025 dod 82 00:02:49,005 --> 00:02:51,116 budget request with that I'd be happy 83 00:02:51,116 --> 00:02:53,282 to take your questions . We'll go to A 84 00:02:53,282 --> 00:02:56,570 P LITA . Thanks , Pat . Um , the 85 00:02:56,580 --> 00:02:58,747 secretary has been speaking to , uh Mr 86 00:02:58,809 --> 00:03:02,089 Lot quite frequently . Um , has he 87 00:03:02,100 --> 00:03:04,211 spoken to him again today ? Are there 88 00:03:04,211 --> 00:03:06,322 plans to do another call today ? Uh , 89 00:03:06,322 --> 00:03:08,544 he has not spoken with him today . Um , 90 00:03:08,544 --> 00:03:10,656 and I don't have a call to read out . 91 00:03:10,656 --> 00:03:09,940 Of course , we'll , we'll keep you 92 00:03:09,949 --> 00:03:13,240 updated . And can you describe in any 93 00:03:13,250 --> 00:03:17,149 way what the secretary leaves 94 00:03:17,160 --> 00:03:20,009 is whether or not the Israelis and 95 00:03:20,020 --> 00:03:23,130 Minister Gallant are heeding us 96 00:03:23,139 --> 00:03:26,419 entreaties to not trigger a 97 00:03:26,429 --> 00:03:29,929 wider conflict in the Middle East . Is 98 00:03:29,940 --> 00:03:32,410 there , is there a sense that Israel is 99 00:03:32,419 --> 00:03:35,229 listening to that message ? Um Well , I 100 00:03:35,240 --> 00:03:37,351 appreciate the question . I don't , I 101 00:03:37,351 --> 00:03:39,351 don't want to speak for Israel , of 102 00:03:39,351 --> 00:03:41,210 course . Um You know , the , the 103 00:03:41,220 --> 00:03:43,276 secretary has been very clear in his 104 00:03:43,276 --> 00:03:45,498 conversations with Minister Gallant per 105 00:03:45,498 --> 00:03:48,000 our readouts uh that we uh will firmly 106 00:03:48,009 --> 00:03:50,339 support Israel's defense . Um But 107 00:03:50,350 --> 00:03:52,580 you've also heard us say that we do not 108 00:03:52,589 --> 00:03:54,811 want to see a wider regional conflict . 109 00:03:54,869 --> 00:03:57,479 Uh And I'll just leave it there . Is it 110 00:03:57,490 --> 00:03:59,712 expected that Israel would give the USA 111 00:03:59,712 --> 00:04:02,860 heads up if it does a counterattack and 112 00:04:02,869 --> 00:04:06,160 give the US um any formal warning ? Uh 113 00:04:06,169 --> 00:04:08,391 as , as I'm sure you can appreciate , I 114 00:04:08,391 --> 00:04:11,080 can't go into specific uh diplomatic uh 115 00:04:11,089 --> 00:04:13,500 discussions . Uh Again , we maintain 116 00:04:13,509 --> 00:04:15,731 frequent contact . Uh not only with our 117 00:04:15,731 --> 00:04:17,620 Israeli partners but our partners 118 00:04:17,620 --> 00:04:19,620 throughout the region . Thank you . 119 00:04:20,230 --> 00:04:22,609 Thank you , General So according to the 120 00:04:22,619 --> 00:04:25,850 readout in what you just stated that um 121 00:04:26,059 --> 00:04:28,059 the secretary reaffirmed the strate 122 00:04:28,309 --> 00:04:31,720 strategic goal of regional stability uh 123 00:04:31,730 --> 00:04:34,929 in light of this uh call is um 124 00:04:34,940 --> 00:04:38,369 Secretary Austin , uh more or less uh 125 00:04:38,380 --> 00:04:41,049 hopeful that this goal can be achieved . 126 00:04:41,920 --> 00:04:43,920 Um Well , look , I'm not gonna uh 127 00:04:44,549 --> 00:04:47,859 characterize uh the Secretary Simon 128 00:04:47,869 --> 00:04:50,091 other than to say what , what we've put 129 00:04:50,091 --> 00:04:52,091 out there , we've been working very 130 00:04:52,091 --> 00:04:54,147 hard uh for many months to prevent a 131 00:04:54,147 --> 00:04:56,369 wider regional conflict in the region . 132 00:04:56,679 --> 00:04:58,735 Uh And we'll continue to work toward 133 00:04:58,735 --> 00:05:01,420 that end . Does the secretary see uh a 134 00:05:01,429 --> 00:05:05,329 way to achieve this option if 135 00:05:05,339 --> 00:05:09,190 Israel decides to strike Iran ? Um Well , 136 00:05:09,200 --> 00:05:11,422 you know , again , without getting into 137 00:05:11,422 --> 00:05:13,478 hypotheticals , um I guess much will 138 00:05:13,478 --> 00:05:16,059 depend on , on what happens exactly and 139 00:05:16,070 --> 00:05:18,559 how Iran might respond . So , again , 140 00:05:18,570 --> 00:05:20,792 as you've heard us say , while we don't 141 00:05:20,792 --> 00:05:23,339 seek to escalate , we don't seek 142 00:05:23,350 --> 00:05:25,294 escalation in the region . We will 143 00:05:25,294 --> 00:05:27,461 continue to support Israel's defense , 144 00:05:27,461 --> 00:05:29,183 we will continue to defend our 145 00:05:29,183 --> 00:05:31,959 personnel . Uh And you've also heard us 146 00:05:31,970 --> 00:05:34,192 say , as I just mentioned that we don't 147 00:05:34,192 --> 00:05:36,250 want to see this spiral into a wider 148 00:05:36,260 --> 00:05:39,660 regional war nor do we seek conflict 149 00:05:39,670 --> 00:05:41,790 with Iran . So again , we'll continue 150 00:05:41,799 --> 00:05:43,820 to work toward that end . It , it's 151 00:05:43,829 --> 00:05:45,996 interesting that you said this depends 152 00:05:45,996 --> 00:05:49,980 on how Iran reacts , isn't it , doesn't 153 00:05:49,989 --> 00:05:52,267 it depend as well on how Israel reacts ? 154 00:05:52,309 --> 00:05:55,019 I appreciate you commenting on my 155 00:05:55,029 --> 00:05:57,359 commentary being interesting . Um But I 156 00:05:57,369 --> 00:05:59,660 mean , my words speak for themselves , 157 00:05:59,670 --> 00:06:01,910 right ? I mean , you , you're asking if 158 00:06:01,920 --> 00:06:04,579 Israel does something , uh how will the 159 00:06:04,589 --> 00:06:06,709 US respond ? Well , a lot will depend 160 00:06:06,720 --> 00:06:09,149 on what happens and as you know , right 161 00:06:09,160 --> 00:06:11,160 now nothing has happened . So we'll 162 00:06:11,160 --> 00:06:13,438 have to see . Thanks Clara . Thank you . 163 00:06:13,438 --> 00:06:15,709 Can you speak generally about how long 164 00:06:15,720 --> 00:06:19,130 it takes to set up J lots once they 165 00:06:19,140 --> 00:06:21,489 arrive ? Like typically , what kind of 166 00:06:21,500 --> 00:06:23,640 time frame are we looking at ? Yeah . 167 00:06:23,649 --> 00:06:26,970 So , um , you know , a lot of the 168 00:06:27,390 --> 00:06:29,929 components are already in the theater . 169 00:06:29,940 --> 00:06:32,162 Uh And as I'm sure you can appreciate , 170 00:06:32,162 --> 00:06:34,329 there's sort of a sequencing that will 171 00:06:34,329 --> 00:06:36,220 take place to , to construct and 172 00:06:36,230 --> 00:06:38,970 implement J lots . Um based on the 173 00:06:38,980 --> 00:06:40,980 information that I have right now , 174 00:06:40,980 --> 00:06:43,202 we're , we're still on track uh to have 175 00:06:43,202 --> 00:06:45,369 J lots achieve operating capability by 176 00:06:45,369 --> 00:06:47,536 the end of the month or early May . Uh 177 00:06:47,536 --> 00:06:50,040 And so what you will probably see uh in 178 00:06:50,049 --> 00:06:53,459 the next 2 to 3 weeks is components of 179 00:06:53,470 --> 00:06:56,399 J lots starting to be uh constructed . 180 00:06:56,809 --> 00:06:58,809 Uh But again , planners are working 181 00:06:58,809 --> 00:07:01,119 through those details and we'll 182 00:07:01,790 --> 00:07:03,568 certainly provide you much more 183 00:07:03,568 --> 00:07:05,869 information as we get closer to date 184 00:07:05,880 --> 00:07:07,936 shifted though because originally it 185 00:07:07,936 --> 00:07:10,047 was third week of April , then it was 186 00:07:10,047 --> 00:07:12,158 end of April . Now , it's maybe early 187 00:07:12,158 --> 00:07:14,436 May . I'm telling you that um you know , 188 00:07:14,436 --> 00:07:16,491 there's IOC and there's FOC um right 189 00:07:16,491 --> 00:07:18,713 now we're , we're tracking that it will 190 00:07:18,713 --> 00:07:20,769 be operational , which means it will 191 00:07:20,769 --> 00:07:22,936 have some initial operating capability 192 00:07:22,936 --> 00:07:25,213 by the end of the month . Or early May . 193 00:07:25,869 --> 00:07:27,925 Uh what we said when we announced it 194 00:07:27,925 --> 00:07:30,147 was that it would be operational within 195 00:07:30,147 --> 00:07:32,202 60 days and we're still on track for 196 00:07:32,202 --> 00:07:33,899 that . Thanks Chris uh in the 197 00:07:33,910 --> 00:07:36,809 secretary's call . Um uh PR C uh 198 00:07:36,820 --> 00:07:38,989 Minister today . Did he bring up the , 199 00:07:39,000 --> 00:07:41,109 the issue of the air intercepts with 200 00:07:41,119 --> 00:07:44,700 American aircraft ? Um And uh 201 00:07:44,709 --> 00:07:48,089 he uh press for an explanation of why 202 00:07:48,100 --> 00:07:50,070 those occurred and what the , the 203 00:07:50,079 --> 00:07:52,589 Chinese reasoning was for those . Yeah , 204 00:07:52,600 --> 00:07:54,600 thanks Chris . I'm really not gonna 205 00:07:54,600 --> 00:07:56,711 have much more to provide beyond what 206 00:07:56,711 --> 00:07:58,600 we included in our readout , as I 207 00:07:58,600 --> 00:08:00,544 mentioned . Uh there , there was a 208 00:08:00,544 --> 00:08:02,656 discussion uh about the fact that the 209 00:08:02,656 --> 00:08:04,878 United States will continue to fly sail 210 00:08:04,878 --> 00:08:06,910 and operate safely and responsibly 211 00:08:06,920 --> 00:08:08,920 wherever international law allows . 212 00:08:09,980 --> 00:08:13,609 Thank you , General uh Iran and Israel , 213 00:08:13,760 --> 00:08:16,200 Iran and North Korea are working 214 00:08:16,209 --> 00:08:19,760 together to pursue the performance of 215 00:08:19,769 --> 00:08:22,660 nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles . 216 00:08:23,010 --> 00:08:25,950 And uh is it possible that these 217 00:08:25,959 --> 00:08:29,670 weapons was used to , to attack 218 00:08:29,679 --> 00:08:32,849 Israel ? Um I , I , you know , I can't 219 00:08:32,929 --> 00:08:36,770 speculate Janie certainly . Um you know , 220 00:08:36,780 --> 00:08:40,450 when it comes to threats posed by uh 221 00:08:40,460 --> 00:08:42,840 the D pr K in Iran , something that we 222 00:08:42,849 --> 00:08:44,849 take very seriously , which , which 223 00:08:44,849 --> 00:08:46,905 should be obvious . But again , just 224 00:08:46,905 --> 00:08:49,127 for the , the sake of restating it , uh 225 00:08:49,127 --> 00:08:51,238 we will continue to work very closely 226 00:08:51,238 --> 00:08:53,405 with our partners , both in the Middle 227 00:08:53,405 --> 00:08:55,349 East region as well as in the Indo 228 00:08:55,349 --> 00:08:57,520 Pacific region uh to address potential 229 00:08:57,530 --> 00:09:00,580 threats uh to our , our peoples . Uh 230 00:09:00,590 --> 00:09:02,590 And work very hard towards regional 231 00:09:02,590 --> 00:09:04,599 security and stability and on that 232 00:09:04,609 --> 00:09:06,665 front , uh when it comes to the Indo 233 00:09:06,665 --> 00:09:08,831 Pacific region , uh just to make clear 234 00:09:09,030 --> 00:09:12,169 uh similar to uh our uh 235 00:09:12,219 --> 00:09:14,729 ironclad defense of Israel , our 236 00:09:14,739 --> 00:09:16,906 relationship and our alliance with the 237 00:09:16,906 --> 00:09:19,219 Republic of Korea and Japan are also 238 00:09:19,229 --> 00:09:21,396 ironclad and we will stand beside them 239 00:09:21,396 --> 00:09:23,451 uh to work together towards security 240 00:09:23,451 --> 00:09:25,750 and stability throughout the region one 241 00:09:25,760 --> 00:09:29,570 more . Uh Do you predict that Israel or 242 00:09:29,590 --> 00:09:33,210 Iran might use nuclear weapons 243 00:09:33,650 --> 00:09:36,549 in the future ? Uh You know , again , I 244 00:09:36,559 --> 00:09:39,479 can't get into predicting the future 245 00:09:39,489 --> 00:09:41,711 Jie other than we're going to work very 246 00:09:41,711 --> 00:09:43,878 hard again to , to ensure security and 247 00:09:43,878 --> 00:09:46,369 stability and , and uh prevent the 248 00:09:46,380 --> 00:09:49,229 proliferation of nuclear weapons or uh 249 00:09:49,330 --> 00:09:51,274 two different questions ? One , is 250 00:09:51,274 --> 00:09:53,386 there any more clarity or information 251 00:09:53,386 --> 00:09:55,608 on whether there was or wasn't a 50 50% 252 00:09:55,608 --> 00:09:57,608 failure rate from Iranian ballistic 253 00:09:57,608 --> 00:09:59,497 missiles ? And second in the call 254 00:09:59,497 --> 00:10:01,608 between Secretary Austin and Minister 255 00:10:01,608 --> 00:10:03,989 Umarov , uh on the unwavering 256 00:10:04,000 --> 00:10:05,833 commitment , we're , we're still 257 00:10:05,833 --> 00:10:08,000 unclear if Congress is going to pass a 258 00:10:08,000 --> 00:10:10,000 supplemental and it looks like that 259 00:10:10,000 --> 00:10:12,222 commitment is very much wavering . What 260 00:10:12,222 --> 00:10:14,389 did Secretary Austin tell Mr Umarov on 261 00:10:14,389 --> 00:10:16,500 that ? And does the secretary believe 262 00:10:16,500 --> 00:10:18,900 the , the supplemental will pass ? So , 263 00:10:18,909 --> 00:10:21,020 on that , on the 50% number , I don't 264 00:10:21,020 --> 00:10:23,539 have anything uh new for you or in 265 00:10:23,549 --> 00:10:26,080 other than to say , uh as I highlighted 266 00:10:26,090 --> 00:10:28,969 yesterday , uh that uh 267 00:10:29,630 --> 00:10:33,359 the air threats that Iran launched 268 00:10:33,369 --> 00:10:35,690 toward Israel , the vast majority of 269 00:10:35,700 --> 00:10:38,250 those uh were taken down . Uh and 270 00:10:38,260 --> 00:10:40,479 clearly Iran failed to achieve their 271 00:10:40,489 --> 00:10:43,719 objective of uh causing destruction 272 00:10:43,729 --> 00:10:45,951 within Israel , you know , very minimal 273 00:10:45,951 --> 00:10:48,260 damage on the ground when it comes to 274 00:10:48,270 --> 00:10:50,492 the unwavering commitment of the United 275 00:10:50,492 --> 00:10:53,400 States for Israel . Um I , I think it's 276 00:10:53,409 --> 00:10:55,298 important , first of all , as you 277 00:10:55,298 --> 00:10:57,929 highlight , I'm sorry , so many 278 00:10:57,940 --> 00:11:00,590 countries to talk about today . Um The 279 00:11:00,599 --> 00:11:02,821 unwavering support of the United States 280 00:11:02,821 --> 00:11:05,000 for Ukraine . Um you know , look , we 281 00:11:05,010 --> 00:11:07,500 absolutely need the supplemental , but 282 00:11:07,510 --> 00:11:09,677 I think it's also important to look at 283 00:11:09,677 --> 00:11:11,899 what the United States is doing uh with 284 00:11:11,899 --> 00:11:14,232 many other countries to support Ukraine . 285 00:11:14,232 --> 00:11:16,399 In fact , I mean , we're , we're about 286 00:11:16,399 --> 00:11:20,010 to uh conduct uh the 21st 287 00:11:20,020 --> 00:11:23,400 Ukraine defense contact group and two 288 00:11:23,409 --> 00:11:25,409 years after Russia's invasion , you 289 00:11:25,409 --> 00:11:28,340 have a coalition of nearly 50 nations 290 00:11:28,349 --> 00:11:31,030 that have worked together for over two 291 00:11:31,039 --> 00:11:33,539 years to support Ukraine and the United 292 00:11:33,549 --> 00:11:35,216 States continues to provide a 293 00:11:35,216 --> 00:11:37,216 significant leadership role when it 294 00:11:37,216 --> 00:11:39,438 comes to working with those partners to 295 00:11:39,438 --> 00:11:41,549 ensure Ukraine has the capabilities , 296 00:11:41,549 --> 00:11:43,605 it needs as well as helping with the 297 00:11:43,605 --> 00:11:45,827 capability coalitions that looks at not 298 00:11:45,827 --> 00:11:47,827 only the near term requirements but 299 00:11:47,827 --> 00:11:50,049 also the long term defense requirements 300 00:11:50,049 --> 00:11:51,993 that Ukraine will have . And so we 301 00:11:51,993 --> 00:11:54,105 absolutely are committed to Ukraine's 302 00:11:54,105 --> 00:11:53,559 defense and we will continue to work 303 00:11:53,570 --> 00:11:55,729 closely with Congress to , to get the 304 00:11:55,739 --> 00:11:57,906 resources we need to support them , to 305 00:11:58,390 --> 00:12:00,334 getting back to JAY laws . Has the 306 00:12:00,334 --> 00:12:02,446 security arrangements been worked out 307 00:12:02,446 --> 00:12:04,612 about who will , you know , secure the 308 00:12:04,612 --> 00:12:06,668 aid once it gets into presumably the 309 00:12:06,668 --> 00:12:08,668 idea , but any other countries , we 310 00:12:08,668 --> 00:12:10,946 expect to get involved in that as well . 311 00:12:10,946 --> 00:12:13,140 And also as far as who will be driving 312 00:12:13,150 --> 00:12:15,261 the aid and where the , you know , is 313 00:12:15,261 --> 00:12:18,000 that USA ID doing that in contracting 314 00:12:18,010 --> 00:12:20,232 out ? Do we have any details on the way 315 00:12:20,232 --> 00:12:22,454 ahead ? Yeah , Tom . Um , we'll , we'll 316 00:12:22,454 --> 00:12:24,621 certainly have much more to provide in 317 00:12:24,621 --> 00:12:26,900 the near future . Um , right now , um , 318 00:12:27,250 --> 00:12:29,250 you know what I would tell you is , 319 00:12:29,250 --> 00:12:31,361 again , we're making progress on that 320 00:12:31,361 --> 00:12:33,694 front , front when it comes to security . 321 00:12:33,694 --> 00:12:33,619 Uh again , with the , with the 322 00:12:33,630 --> 00:12:35,852 important point here that there will be 323 00:12:35,852 --> 00:12:37,908 no US forces on the ground in Gaza . 324 00:12:37,908 --> 00:12:40,359 Israel has signed up to provide 325 00:12:40,369 --> 00:12:43,409 security . Uh And so we're obviously 326 00:12:43,419 --> 00:12:45,919 working through with USA ID , who is 327 00:12:45,929 --> 00:12:48,760 going to receive that aid , uh how it's 328 00:12:48,770 --> 00:12:51,909 going to be uh offloaded onto land and 329 00:12:51,919 --> 00:12:54,141 then distributed throughout Gaza . So , 330 00:12:54,270 --> 00:12:56,437 uh again , I'm not in a position right 331 00:12:56,437 --> 00:12:58,492 now to go into much more detail than 332 00:12:58,492 --> 00:13:00,603 that other than progress continues to 333 00:13:00,603 --> 00:13:02,826 be made . And , and like I said , we're 334 00:13:02,826 --> 00:13:04,770 on track right now . Uh for a late 335 00:13:04,770 --> 00:13:06,770 April , early May initial operating 336 00:13:06,770 --> 00:13:08,826 capability , let me go to Carlin and 337 00:13:08,826 --> 00:13:10,881 I'll come to Consti Pat um is sitcom 338 00:13:10,881 --> 00:13:13,103 Commander General Eric Corella still in 339 00:13:13,103 --> 00:13:15,326 the region ? And is he still working to 340 00:13:15,326 --> 00:13:17,437 coordinate a potential uh defense for 341 00:13:17,437 --> 00:13:19,659 any future attacks ? Uh I'd , I'd refer 342 00:13:19,659 --> 00:13:22,340 you to Sam on his specific whereabouts . 343 00:13:22,349 --> 00:13:24,429 Uh I I do know that he's traveling 344 00:13:24,440 --> 00:13:26,760 right now uh overseas , but I'd refer 345 00:13:26,770 --> 00:13:28,770 you to them for the specifics . And 346 00:13:28,770 --> 00:13:30,809 then on the video call , uh did 347 00:13:30,820 --> 00:13:32,709 Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin 348 00:13:32,709 --> 00:13:35,690 mention the surge in sales uh that you 349 00:13:35,700 --> 00:13:37,811 confirmed yesterday uh that China has 350 00:13:37,811 --> 00:13:40,020 been doing uh supporting Russia's war 351 00:13:40,030 --> 00:13:42,141 against Ukraine . Did he mention that 352 00:13:42,141 --> 00:13:44,363 at all ? And did he ask China to stop ? 353 00:13:44,429 --> 00:13:47,780 Um you know , again , as I highlighted 354 00:13:47,789 --> 00:13:50,250 uh in the , in the topper , um the 355 00:13:50,260 --> 00:13:53,169 secretary did raise uh Russian 356 00:13:53,179 --> 00:13:56,200 aggression in Ukraine . But beyond that , 357 00:13:56,210 --> 00:13:58,377 I'm , I'm not gonna be able to provide 358 00:13:58,377 --> 00:14:00,488 any further details . Thank you . I'm 359 00:14:00,488 --> 00:14:02,710 sorry , Constantine . Then I'll come to 360 00:14:02,710 --> 00:14:04,932 your thanks . Just a quick follow up on 361 00:14:04,932 --> 00:14:04,929 Tom's question . Has any decision been 362 00:14:04,940 --> 00:14:07,450 made in terms of security being 363 00:14:07,460 --> 00:14:09,627 provided at sea ? So , you know , navy 364 00:14:09,627 --> 00:14:12,580 ships or other security arrangements 365 00:14:12,590 --> 00:14:15,219 for the sea , sea , sea word component 366 00:14:15,229 --> 00:14:18,150 of J Lots . Yeah . So , um you know , 367 00:14:18,159 --> 00:14:20,215 first , let me just say that when it 368 00:14:20,215 --> 00:14:22,437 comes to J Lots and when it comes to us 369 00:14:22,437 --> 00:14:24,603 forces supporting this effort , it's , 370 00:14:24,603 --> 00:14:26,492 it's important to understand that 371 00:14:26,492 --> 00:14:28,659 safety of our forces is paramount . So 372 00:14:28,659 --> 00:14:30,770 that is something that is being taken 373 00:14:30,770 --> 00:14:32,881 into consideration um throughout this 374 00:14:32,881 --> 00:14:35,080 planning process . Uh And so , uh in 375 00:14:35,090 --> 00:14:38,119 addition to uh some Israeli support 376 00:14:38,130 --> 00:14:40,989 when it comes to uh the , the maritime 377 00:14:41,000 --> 00:14:43,380 aspect of security , uh certainly , you 378 00:14:43,390 --> 00:14:45,446 know , uh within six fleet , we have 379 00:14:45,446 --> 00:14:48,070 capabilities there as well . And uh as 380 00:14:48,080 --> 00:14:50,419 I understand it the J lots , uh uh 381 00:14:50,429 --> 00:14:53,809 vessels and personnel have organic um 382 00:14:53,820 --> 00:14:55,931 force protection capability as well . 383 00:14:55,931 --> 00:14:57,764 So again , not gonna go into the 384 00:14:57,764 --> 00:14:59,542 specifics on that , but that is 385 00:14:59,542 --> 00:15:01,764 something that , that is fundamental to 386 00:15:01,764 --> 00:15:03,987 the entire planning of this operation . 387 00:15:03,987 --> 00:15:06,209 Go to Rio and then I'll go to the phone 388 00:15:06,209 --> 00:15:08,320 real quick . So I have a follow up on 389 00:15:08,320 --> 00:15:10,431 the secretary's call with the Chinese 390 00:15:10,431 --> 00:15:12,320 Defense Minister this morning and 391 00:15:12,320 --> 00:15:14,320 during the call , did the secretary 392 00:15:14,320 --> 00:15:16,098 receive any explanations or any 393 00:15:16,098 --> 00:15:17,931 commitment from the Chinese side 394 00:15:17,931 --> 00:15:19,987 regarding the recent tensions in the 395 00:15:19,987 --> 00:15:22,264 Second Thomas show in the South ? Yeah , 396 00:15:22,264 --> 00:15:24,487 I appreciate the question . I'll , I'll 397 00:15:24,487 --> 00:15:26,264 let the , the PR C uh speak for 398 00:15:26,264 --> 00:15:28,487 themselves again . I'd refer you to the 399 00:15:28,487 --> 00:15:28,409 readout in terms of , of what was 400 00:15:28,419 --> 00:15:31,190 discussed in our positions . Thank you . 401 00:15:31,299 --> 00:15:33,521 All right . Let me go to the phone here 402 00:15:33,521 --> 00:15:36,320 real quick . Uh JJ from WTO P General , 403 00:15:36,330 --> 00:15:38,441 thank you for the chance to do this . 404 00:15:38,441 --> 00:15:40,386 Uh Two quick questions , Israel it 405 00:15:40,386 --> 00:15:42,608 seems is planning a limited response to 406 00:15:42,608 --> 00:15:44,719 Iran's attack . The Pentagon has said 407 00:15:44,719 --> 00:15:46,774 it doesn't want a wider war . How do 408 00:15:46,774 --> 00:15:48,830 Israel's plans impact the Pentagon's 409 00:15:48,830 --> 00:15:52,099 plans in the region ? Yeah , a again , 410 00:15:52,109 --> 00:15:54,989 um you know , see those reports . Um 411 00:15:55,000 --> 00:15:57,167 and , and certainly would refer you to 412 00:15:57,167 --> 00:15:59,669 the Israelis uh JJ when it comes to uh 413 00:15:59,679 --> 00:16:01,735 anything they might do . Um which of 414 00:16:01,735 --> 00:16:04,729 course is an Israeli decision . Um You 415 00:16:04,739 --> 00:16:07,390 know , as I've highlighted , uh we do 416 00:16:07,400 --> 00:16:09,619 not seek escalation in the region . Um 417 00:16:09,630 --> 00:16:12,020 But we will not hesitate to defend 418 00:16:12,030 --> 00:16:14,429 Israel and protect our personnel . Um 419 00:16:14,440 --> 00:16:16,551 Again , we do not want to see a wider 420 00:16:16,551 --> 00:16:18,607 regional war . We don't see conflict 421 00:16:18,607 --> 00:16:20,662 with Iran , but we won't hesitate to 422 00:16:20,662 --> 00:16:22,773 take necessary actions to protect our 423 00:16:22,773 --> 00:16:22,419 forces . 424 00:16:26,770 --> 00:16:30,640 I'm sorry JJ , I can't hear you . Yeah , 425 00:16:30,650 --> 00:16:32,706 Iran and Russia have developed a , a 426 00:16:32,706 --> 00:16:34,761 military partnership which may be to 427 00:16:34,761 --> 00:16:38,369 Iran's benefit as is Israel prepares 428 00:16:38,380 --> 00:16:40,380 for whatever response it's going to 429 00:16:40,380 --> 00:16:42,436 give . Iran also helps Russia in its 430 00:16:42,436 --> 00:16:44,436 war with Ukraine . So how does that 431 00:16:44,436 --> 00:16:46,602 partnership impact the Pentagon's view 432 00:16:46,602 --> 00:16:48,547 and plans for dealing with both of 433 00:16:48,547 --> 00:16:50,602 those countries ? Well , you raise a 434 00:16:50,602 --> 00:16:53,340 really good point . Uh And uh I think 435 00:16:53,349 --> 00:16:56,039 it's often forgotten about the fact 436 00:16:56,049 --> 00:16:58,799 that Iran has been providing Russia uh 437 00:16:58,809 --> 00:17:01,090 with capabilities to include one way 438 00:17:01,099 --> 00:17:03,719 attack drones as you know , uh to uh 439 00:17:03,780 --> 00:17:07,439 conduct its illegal uh war inside 440 00:17:07,449 --> 00:17:10,079 Ukraine . Uh And so while you see the 441 00:17:10,089 --> 00:17:12,200 United States and other international 442 00:17:12,200 --> 00:17:15,239 partners working together uh to promote 443 00:17:15,250 --> 00:17:18,030 regional security and stability uh and 444 00:17:18,040 --> 00:17:20,096 deliver humanitarian assistance , uh 445 00:17:20,096 --> 00:17:21,818 You see countries like Iran uh 446 00:17:21,818 --> 00:17:23,939 exporting terror and destruction . 447 00:17:24,239 --> 00:17:28,160 Thank you , Eunice . This 448 00:17:28,170 --> 00:17:30,392 administration has been calling for one 449 00:17:30,392 --> 00:17:32,614 thing since Saturday and that , that is 450 00:17:32,614 --> 00:17:34,781 the escalation , which sounds like the 451 00:17:34,781 --> 00:17:36,892 perfect reasonable thing for hundreds 452 00:17:36,892 --> 00:17:36,760 of millions of people in the region . 453 00:17:37,329 --> 00:17:39,440 But you're also saying that we're not 454 00:17:39,440 --> 00:17:41,662 going to hesitate to defend Israel . So 455 00:17:41,662 --> 00:17:43,885 doesn't that give enough freedom to the 456 00:17:43,885 --> 00:17:45,996 Netanyahu government to escalate this 457 00:17:45,996 --> 00:17:48,107 as much as they'd like because the US 458 00:17:48,107 --> 00:17:47,939 is going to be there under any 459 00:17:47,949 --> 00:17:51,300 circumstances to defend . Well , again , 460 00:17:51,310 --> 00:17:53,477 certainly , uh , we don't , you know , 461 00:17:53,477 --> 00:17:55,477 the , the bottom line up front , we 462 00:17:55,477 --> 00:17:57,643 don't want to see a wider regional war 463 00:17:57,643 --> 00:17:57,520 and we've been working very hard toward 464 00:17:57,530 --> 00:17:59,699 that end , uh , ever since the , the 465 00:17:59,709 --> 00:18:01,820 Hamas Israel conflict as , you know , 466 00:18:01,820 --> 00:18:05,300 kicked off back in October . Um , and 467 00:18:05,310 --> 00:18:08,199 when it comes to , uh , a potential 468 00:18:08,209 --> 00:18:10,959 Israeli response , uh , again , that is 469 00:18:10,969 --> 00:18:13,589 a sovereign decision for Israel to make . 470 00:18:13,689 --> 00:18:16,099 Uh they were attacked by Iran in an 471 00:18:16,109 --> 00:18:18,469 unprecedented attack over 300 air 472 00:18:18,479 --> 00:18:21,520 threats . Um So that , that is their 473 00:18:21,530 --> 00:18:23,770 decision . Um But again , we've been 474 00:18:23,780 --> 00:18:27,430 very clear uh that we don't want to see 475 00:18:27,439 --> 00:18:30,510 things escalate . Um What I'm saying is 476 00:18:30,520 --> 00:18:33,719 that if Iran were to conduct an attack , 477 00:18:33,729 --> 00:18:36,849 another attack against Israel , uh just 478 00:18:36,859 --> 00:18:39,081 to be crystal clear , the United States 479 00:18:39,081 --> 00:18:41,192 uh will support the defense of Israel 480 00:18:41,192 --> 00:18:43,303 just as we did this last weekend that 481 00:18:43,329 --> 00:18:45,640 make a potential Israeli government 482 00:18:45,650 --> 00:18:47,660 decision binding for the Pentagon . 483 00:18:48,369 --> 00:18:50,589 Again , look , I'm not gonna get into 484 00:18:50,599 --> 00:18:52,821 the Israeli decision making . I'd refer 485 00:18:52,821 --> 00:18:54,821 you to them . Um I think we've been 486 00:18:54,821 --> 00:18:57,043 very clear uh that we don't want to see 487 00:18:57,043 --> 00:18:59,210 escalation that we don't want to see a 488 00:18:59,210 --> 00:19:01,377 wider regional war and I'll just leave 489 00:19:01,377 --> 00:19:05,060 it at that . Um Thank you . Uh So China 490 00:19:05,069 --> 00:19:07,291 has continued to become more aggressive 491 00:19:07,291 --> 00:19:09,619 towards the Philippines . And in the 492 00:19:09,630 --> 00:19:12,319 past M MC A US , officials stated that 493 00:19:12,329 --> 00:19:14,900 we'll continue to press the PR C on 494 00:19:14,910 --> 00:19:18,380 those issues . Did Austin uh press him 495 00:19:18,420 --> 00:19:22,239 on this particular issue ? Well , again , 496 00:19:22,250 --> 00:19:24,583 I'd , I'd refer you back to the readout . 497 00:19:24,583 --> 00:19:26,750 Um You know , the secretary uh as I 498 00:19:26,760 --> 00:19:28,538 highlighted , made clear in the 499 00:19:28,538 --> 00:19:31,310 discussion uh that it is important uh 500 00:19:31,319 --> 00:19:34,520 for the , to respect the high seas , 501 00:19:34,530 --> 00:19:36,197 freedom of navigation that is 502 00:19:36,197 --> 00:19:38,252 guaranteed under international law , 503 00:19:38,252 --> 00:19:40,419 especially in the South China Sea . Uh 504 00:19:40,419 --> 00:19:42,530 And , and that the United States will 505 00:19:42,530 --> 00:19:44,939 continue to fly sail and operate safely 506 00:19:44,949 --> 00:19:47,116 and responsibly wherever international 507 00:19:47,116 --> 00:19:49,619 law allows . Correct ? But did he press 508 00:19:49,630 --> 00:19:52,689 him on the uh Thomas Shoal ? Like the 509 00:19:52,699 --> 00:19:55,540 Philippines ? Not just , yeah , I 510 00:19:55,550 --> 00:19:57,772 appreciate the question . I'd I'd refer 511 00:19:57,772 --> 00:19:59,939 you back to the readout . That's about 512 00:19:59,939 --> 00:19:59,660 the extent of what I can provide today , 513 00:20:00,089 --> 00:20:02,979 Liz . And so you've said several times , 514 00:20:03,150 --> 00:20:05,839 excuse me that the US does not seek a 515 00:20:05,849 --> 00:20:08,099 wider regional war . Is that a message 516 00:20:08,109 --> 00:20:10,339 to Iran or a message to Israel ? I 517 00:20:10,349 --> 00:20:12,460 think it's just a statement of fact , 518 00:20:12,460 --> 00:20:15,949 Carla , thank you , Pat the ID F is now 519 00:20:15,959 --> 00:20:18,369 saying that an Israeli airstrike killed 520 00:20:18,380 --> 00:20:21,609 a Hezbollah commander in Lebanon today . 521 00:20:21,619 --> 00:20:24,439 Can you confirm was the secretary given 522 00:20:24,449 --> 00:20:26,650 any sort of notification in his call 523 00:20:26,819 --> 00:20:29,097 with his Israeli counterpart yesterday ? 524 00:20:29,540 --> 00:20:32,069 That's news to me , Carly . I I'd have 525 00:20:32,079 --> 00:20:34,135 to refer you to the Israelis to talk 526 00:20:34,135 --> 00:20:36,135 about that . Let me go to the phone 527 00:20:36,135 --> 00:20:38,135 here , Jeff Shog task and purpose . 528 00:20:38,135 --> 00:20:40,301 Thank you . Just two quick questions . 529 00:20:40,301 --> 00:20:42,301 Has there been any change to the US 530 00:20:42,301 --> 00:20:44,670 military's footprint in . And also 531 00:20:44,680 --> 00:20:46,510 there was a fire at the army's 532 00:20:46,520 --> 00:20:48,989 ammunition plant in Scranton yesterday 533 00:20:49,180 --> 00:20:51,560 at the risk of invoking Billy Joel . Do 534 00:20:51,569 --> 00:20:53,291 we know who started the fire ? 535 00:20:56,170 --> 00:20:59,310 Uh , on Nazer Jeff ? Um , no change in 536 00:20:59,319 --> 00:21:02,150 the US Force Posture at this time . Uh , 537 00:21:02,160 --> 00:21:04,890 on the , uh , the fire , uh , I'd have 538 00:21:04,900 --> 00:21:07,329 to refer you to the army , um , because 539 00:21:07,339 --> 00:21:11,329 we didn't start the fire . Yes , ma'am . 540 00:21:11,819 --> 00:21:14,041 Uh , just to clarify and follow up . So 541 00:21:14,041 --> 00:21:15,986 is the message that no matter what 542 00:21:15,986 --> 00:21:18,152 Israel does , if it reacts the US will 543 00:21:18,152 --> 00:21:20,430 defend it regardless . Well , look , I , 544 00:21:20,430 --> 00:21:22,652 I think the president and the secretary 545 00:21:22,652 --> 00:21:24,900 have been clear uh that the United 546 00:21:24,910 --> 00:21:27,150 States , uh and our support for 547 00:21:27,160 --> 00:21:29,739 Israel's defense is ironclad . So , 548 00:21:29,750 --> 00:21:31,861 doesn't that take away any leverage , 549 00:21:31,861 --> 00:21:34,083 you might have had to try and influence 550 00:21:34,083 --> 00:21:36,028 the Israeli decision ? Look , uh , 551 00:21:36,028 --> 00:21:37,583 Israel lives in a dangerous 552 00:21:37,583 --> 00:21:39,694 neighborhood and again , I think it's 553 00:21:39,694 --> 00:21:41,861 important to take a step back here and 554 00:21:41,861 --> 00:21:41,599 look at the US , Israel defense 555 00:21:41,609 --> 00:21:43,859 relationship , the , the multi decades 556 00:21:43,869 --> 00:21:45,869 long relationship that we have with 557 00:21:45,869 --> 00:21:48,560 Israel . Uh And understand again , uh 558 00:21:48,569 --> 00:21:50,400 that , that the United States 559 00:21:50,410 --> 00:21:52,632 recognizes the neighborhood that Israel 560 00:21:52,632 --> 00:21:54,699 lives in , uh the , the threats to 561 00:21:54,709 --> 00:21:56,765 regional security and stability that 562 00:21:56,765 --> 00:21:59,500 exist . Uh if Israel is not able to 563 00:21:59,510 --> 00:22:02,170 defend itself . Uh And so I'll , I'll 564 00:22:02,180 --> 00:22:04,291 just leave it there . Give them carte 565 00:22:04,291 --> 00:22:06,458 blanche then just to go as big as they 566 00:22:06,458 --> 00:22:08,513 want . Uh I'm not gonna get into the 567 00:22:08,513 --> 00:22:10,513 hypotheticals . I like I said , you 568 00:22:10,513 --> 00:22:12,624 know , whether or not Israel responds 569 00:22:12,624 --> 00:22:14,569 is a , is an Israeli decision . We 570 00:22:14,569 --> 00:22:16,513 don't want to see a wider regional 571 00:22:16,513 --> 00:22:18,402 conflict . You , you see , uh the 572 00:22:18,402 --> 00:22:20,513 Department of Defense and the broader 573 00:22:20,513 --> 00:22:22,291 us , government working hard to 574 00:22:22,291 --> 00:22:22,260 deescalating tensions in the region . 575 00:22:22,510 --> 00:22:24,566 You can see that in all the readouts 576 00:22:24,566 --> 00:22:26,454 that the secretary's had with his 577 00:22:26,454 --> 00:22:28,566 counterparts uh throughout the Middle 578 00:22:28,566 --> 00:22:28,550 East region and I'll just leave it 579 00:22:28,560 --> 00:22:30,393 there . All right . let me go uh 580 00:22:30,393 --> 00:22:34,380 Heather from us and I uh thank you so 581 00:22:34,390 --> 00:22:38,020 much . Uh Just wanted to check in on 582 00:22:38,030 --> 00:22:40,086 what we're seeing right now with the 583 00:22:40,086 --> 00:22:42,308 houthis . It seems like they're getting 584 00:22:42,308 --> 00:22:41,979 quieter . Um Do you think that's 585 00:22:41,989 --> 00:22:44,045 related to what , what happened over 586 00:22:44,045 --> 00:22:45,822 the weekend with Iran or are we 587 00:22:45,822 --> 00:22:48,709 expecting to see more ? Um I , I don't 588 00:22:48,719 --> 00:22:50,886 have any updates to provide heather uh 589 00:22:50,886 --> 00:22:53,052 as it relates to the houthis clearly , 590 00:22:53,052 --> 00:22:55,739 you know , we , we continue uh to uh 591 00:22:55,790 --> 00:22:58,550 have forces there that , that work 592 00:22:58,560 --> 00:23:00,782 together as part of prosperity guardian 593 00:23:00,782 --> 00:23:03,310 to uh deter uh disrupt and degrade 594 00:23:03,319 --> 00:23:05,541 houthi capability . But , uh you know , 595 00:23:05,541 --> 00:23:07,541 I'd refer you to Centcom . They may 596 00:23:07,541 --> 00:23:09,652 have more uh and heather while I have 597 00:23:09,652 --> 00:23:11,763 you on the phone here too . And , and 598 00:23:11,763 --> 00:23:11,609 the , and the group , I just want to 599 00:23:11,619 --> 00:23:13,897 clarify a question you asked yesterday . 600 00:23:13,900 --> 00:23:16,239 Uh You asked about whether or not uh 601 00:23:16,670 --> 00:23:18,670 air based or excuse me , land based 602 00:23:18,670 --> 00:23:21,410 seabased uh fighter aircraft . Uh I 603 00:23:21,420 --> 00:23:23,587 don't think you said fighter . I think 604 00:23:23,587 --> 00:23:25,753 you just said aircraft um participated 605 00:23:25,753 --> 00:23:28,089 in the taking down of um , or in the 606 00:23:28,099 --> 00:23:30,043 action yesterday . What I , what I 607 00:23:30,043 --> 00:23:32,300 thought you were asking was , uh , were 608 00:23:32,310 --> 00:23:34,819 sea based aircraft part of the 609 00:23:34,829 --> 00:23:36,496 capabilities we had that were 610 00:23:36,496 --> 00:23:38,607 supporting this overall effort . That 611 00:23:38,607 --> 00:23:40,773 is true . Um But just to clarify the , 612 00:23:40,773 --> 00:23:43,069 the fighter aircraft that were um 613 00:23:43,079 --> 00:23:45,260 participating in the operation of take 614 00:23:45,270 --> 00:23:47,270 down drones were , were land based 615 00:23:47,280 --> 00:23:49,447 aircraft , not sea based aircraft . So 616 00:23:49,447 --> 00:23:51,670 just to clarify that . All right , any 617 00:23:51,680 --> 00:23:53,902 other questions ? Last question ? Yes , 618 00:23:53,902 --> 00:23:55,939 sir . Uh Just uh thanks Pat . Uh I 619 00:23:55,949 --> 00:23:58,530 didn't think of it the first time . Um 620 00:23:58,589 --> 00:24:00,645 uh a point of clarification on the , 621 00:24:00,645 --> 00:24:02,969 you said there'd be Israeli support um 622 00:24:02,979 --> 00:24:05,459 for the maritime aspect of security on 623 00:24:05,469 --> 00:24:07,839 J lots . Um Does that include aerial 624 00:24:07,849 --> 00:24:09,910 support for those ships uh such as 625 00:24:09,920 --> 00:24:11,976 monitoring for threats , et cetera ? 626 00:24:13,869 --> 00:24:17,469 Um You don't want to get into the 627 00:24:17,479 --> 00:24:19,719 specifics in terms of air coverage . I 628 00:24:19,729 --> 00:24:21,896 mean , clearly the , the United States 629 00:24:21,896 --> 00:24:23,951 is going to do what we need to do to 630 00:24:23,951 --> 00:24:26,173 protect our forces . Um You know , as I 631 00:24:26,173 --> 00:24:28,396 understand it , Israel has signed up to 632 00:24:28,396 --> 00:24:30,507 provide uh maritime security and land 633 00:24:30,507 --> 00:24:32,840 based security , so just leave it there . 634 00:24:32,840 --> 00:24:34,840 Ok , thanks very much , everybody . 635 00:24:34,840 --> 00:24:33,390 Appreciate it .