1 00:00:00,819 --> 00:00:03,041 All right , good afternoon , everyone . 2 00:00:03,041 --> 00:00:05,639 Just tell here . All right , good 3 00:00:05,650 --> 00:00:07,706 afternoon . Just a few things at the 4 00:00:07,706 --> 00:00:09,872 top and then happy to jump in and take 5 00:00:09,872 --> 00:00:12,094 questions . Tomorrow . Secretary Austin 6 00:00:12,094 --> 00:00:14,094 and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of 7 00:00:14,094 --> 00:00:16,039 Staff , General CQ Brown will join 8 00:00:16,039 --> 00:00:18,261 President Biden to commemorate the 80th 9 00:00:18,261 --> 00:00:20,206 anniversary of the D day operation 10 00:00:20,206 --> 00:00:22,317 operation overlord where thousands of 11 00:00:22,317 --> 00:00:24,428 us and allied service members bravely 12 00:00:24,428 --> 00:00:26,206 fought many making the ultimate 13 00:00:26,206 --> 00:00:28,372 sacrifice to defend future generations 14 00:00:28,372 --> 00:00:30,650 against the spread of tyranny and evil . 15 00:00:31,139 --> 00:00:33,869 The event tomorrow will be live 16 00:00:33,880 --> 00:00:35,991 streamed on defense.gov where you can 17 00:00:35,991 --> 00:00:38,269 tune in and watch it , switching gears . 18 00:00:38,269 --> 00:00:40,324 I'd like to provide an update on our 19 00:00:40,324 --> 00:00:42,436 cost assessment of the temporary pier 20 00:00:42,436 --> 00:00:44,547 or the joint logistics over the shore 21 00:00:44,547 --> 00:00:46,713 capability that is being used to surge 22 00:00:46,713 --> 00:00:48,713 humanitarian assistance into Gaza . 23 00:00:49,150 --> 00:00:50,761 When we first announced this 24 00:00:50,761 --> 00:00:52,761 humanitarian Maritime corridor , we 25 00:00:52,761 --> 00:00:54,317 estimated that the cost was 26 00:00:54,317 --> 00:00:57,849 approximately $320 million . However , 27 00:00:57,860 --> 00:00:59,549 lower than expected costs for 28 00:00:59,560 --> 00:01:01,680 contracted trucks , drivers and 29 00:01:01,689 --> 00:01:03,709 commercial vessels and the United 30 00:01:03,720 --> 00:01:05,800 Kingdom's contribution of a of a 31 00:01:05,809 --> 00:01:07,970 birthing vessel for our soldiers and 32 00:01:07,980 --> 00:01:10,120 sailors have lowered our cost . Our 33 00:01:10,139 --> 00:01:12,629 latest cost assessment to approximately 34 00:01:12,639 --> 00:01:16,199 $230 million . While assessments are 35 00:01:16,209 --> 00:01:18,470 ongoing . This assess , this estimate 36 00:01:18,480 --> 00:01:20,569 does include some of the costs 37 00:01:20,580 --> 00:01:22,358 associated with the repairs and 38 00:01:22,358 --> 00:01:24,870 rebuilding of the pier . And just as a 39 00:01:24,879 --> 00:01:27,430 reminder , these are estimates and 40 00:01:27,440 --> 00:01:29,870 initial assessments and the costs could 41 00:01:29,879 --> 00:01:31,935 fluctuate depending on the length of 42 00:01:31,935 --> 00:01:33,823 the mission and future costs . An 43 00:01:33,823 --> 00:01:35,657 example of that being additional 44 00:01:35,657 --> 00:01:38,690 repairs in other news under Secretary 45 00:01:38,699 --> 00:01:40,421 of Defense for acquisition and 46 00:01:40,421 --> 00:01:42,709 sustainment Bill LaPlante will depart 47 00:01:42,720 --> 00:01:44,750 this week for a trip to Japan to 48 00:01:44,760 --> 00:01:47,510 reinforce the importance of us J Japan 49 00:01:47,519 --> 00:01:50,120 bilateral relationship for advancing 50 00:01:50,129 --> 00:01:51,851 regional peace , stability and 51 00:01:51,851 --> 00:01:54,449 deterrence . While there , he will 52 00:01:54,459 --> 00:01:56,889 conduct the first US Japan defense 53 00:01:56,900 --> 00:01:59,529 industrial co-operation acquisition and 54 00:01:59,540 --> 00:02:03,449 sustainment forum alongside uh Japan's 55 00:02:03,459 --> 00:02:05,626 acquisition , technology and logistics 56 00:02:05,626 --> 00:02:08,289 agency . This important forum will 57 00:02:08,300 --> 00:02:10,839 promote greater us Japan defense 58 00:02:10,850 --> 00:02:13,017 industrial co-operation and accelerate 59 00:02:13,017 --> 00:02:16,149 opportunities for cove co production 60 00:02:16,160 --> 00:02:18,520 and co sustainment . A full readout of 61 00:02:18,529 --> 00:02:20,640 Doctor La Plant's engagements will be 62 00:02:20,640 --> 00:02:22,862 posted on defense.gov at the conclusion 63 00:02:22,862 --> 00:02:26,660 of his trip . And lastly , as many of 64 00:02:26,669 --> 00:02:28,725 you may have seen Secretary Austin's 65 00:02:28,725 --> 00:02:30,836 chief of staff , MS Kelly Maxman will 66 00:02:30,836 --> 00:02:32,947 be stepping down at the end of June . 67 00:02:32,947 --> 00:02:35,113 As Secretary Austin stated , Kelly has 68 00:02:35,113 --> 00:02:37,280 been the instrumental in orchestrating 69 00:02:37,280 --> 00:02:39,225 countless strategic initiatives to 70 00:02:39,225 --> 00:02:41,280 defend our nation , take care of our 71 00:02:41,280 --> 00:02:43,391 people and succeed through resilience 72 00:02:43,391 --> 00:02:45,520 and teamwork . Her leadership council 73 00:02:45,529 --> 00:02:47,740 and selflessness service has made our 74 00:02:47,750 --> 00:02:49,949 department stronger , safer and the 75 00:02:49,960 --> 00:02:52,160 lives of our people better . Kelly 76 00:02:52,169 --> 00:02:54,225 provided a steady hand , guiding the 77 00:02:54,225 --> 00:02:56,336 senior staff and the department which 78 00:02:56,336 --> 00:02:58,391 the secretary will remain incredibly 79 00:02:58,391 --> 00:03:00,391 grateful for and with that , I'd be 80 00:03:00,391 --> 00:03:02,502 happy to take your questions . Tara , 81 00:03:02,502 --> 00:03:04,820 thanks . Um On the J Lots cost 82 00:03:04,830 --> 00:03:07,399 reduction does that includes the 83 00:03:07,410 --> 00:03:09,354 overall operation . It wasn't just 84 00:03:09,354 --> 00:03:11,521 sailing everything over there . That's 85 00:03:11,521 --> 00:03:13,577 for the ongoing operations . It does 86 00:03:13,577 --> 00:03:15,639 include salaries of personnel . It's 87 00:03:15,649 --> 00:03:17,593 everything that has to do with the 88 00:03:17,593 --> 00:03:19,720 mission of J Lots . So um that is the 89 00:03:19,729 --> 00:03:22,039 uh total . It does include some of the 90 00:03:22,050 --> 00:03:24,559 repair costs that were , that are being 91 00:03:24,570 --> 00:03:27,119 done um at the port of trod for the 92 00:03:27,130 --> 00:03:29,759 repairing and rebuilding . Um those 93 00:03:29,770 --> 00:03:31,770 repairs are ongoing . So that's our 94 00:03:31,770 --> 00:03:33,881 initial assessment right now . Um But 95 00:03:33,881 --> 00:03:35,714 yes , so it is the total cost to 96 00:03:35,714 --> 00:03:37,929 operate J Lots . Ok . And then do we 97 00:03:37,940 --> 00:03:40,162 have an estimate of when J Lots will be 98 00:03:40,162 --> 00:03:42,107 back up and running more aid going 99 00:03:42,107 --> 00:03:45,720 through ? So , um as we preview earlier 100 00:03:45,729 --> 00:03:47,759 this week , um we're hoping that we 101 00:03:47,770 --> 00:03:50,139 will be able to re anchor the pier um 102 00:03:50,149 --> 00:03:53,259 into Gaza later at the end of the week . 103 00:03:53,270 --> 00:03:55,381 Um I don't have an exact date for you 104 00:03:55,381 --> 00:03:57,492 right now , but when we get closer to 105 00:03:57,492 --> 00:03:59,103 that , um or when we have an 106 00:03:59,103 --> 00:04:01,214 announcement to make , I'll of course 107 00:04:01,214 --> 00:04:03,492 keep you updated . And then separately , 108 00:04:03,492 --> 00:04:05,548 can you confirm that the US provided 109 00:04:05,548 --> 00:04:07,548 weapons to Ukraine have been that , 110 00:04:07,548 --> 00:04:09,603 that the Biden administration is now 111 00:04:09,603 --> 00:04:11,603 allowed to be used to strike inside 112 00:04:11,603 --> 00:04:13,937 Russia have indeed struck inside Russia . 113 00:04:13,937 --> 00:04:16,159 So I've seen the reports of that . Um I 114 00:04:16,159 --> 00:04:18,381 can't confirm that right now . I'd have 115 00:04:18,381 --> 00:04:20,603 to refer you to the Ukrainians to speak 116 00:04:20,603 --> 00:04:22,770 to their operations and any , any uh , 117 00:04:22,770 --> 00:04:24,770 weapons used . Um , in , in the , I 118 00:04:24,770 --> 00:04:24,500 think you're referring to in the 119 00:04:24,510 --> 00:04:26,732 Kharkiv region . Um , I just don't have 120 00:04:26,732 --> 00:04:28,843 anything more for you on that Carla . 121 00:04:28,843 --> 00:04:30,510 Hey , thanks . Um , just some 122 00:04:30,510 --> 00:04:32,732 clarification . I think that John Kirby 123 00:04:32,732 --> 00:04:35,049 had said that there was confusion on 124 00:04:35,059 --> 00:04:37,130 the Ukrainians shooting into Russian 125 00:04:37,140 --> 00:04:39,760 territory and he said that even 126 00:04:39,769 --> 00:04:41,658 aircraft are not , if they're not 127 00:04:41,658 --> 00:04:43,658 necessarily in Ukrainian airspace , 128 00:04:43,658 --> 00:04:45,658 that the Ukrainians had always been 129 00:04:45,658 --> 00:04:48,480 able to shoot at those aircraft . So 130 00:04:48,959 --> 00:04:51,237 just to get some clarification on that , 131 00:04:51,269 --> 00:04:53,950 has it always been acceptable for 132 00:04:53,959 --> 00:04:55,899 Ukrainians to fire into Russian 133 00:04:55,910 --> 00:04:58,260 airspace ? Was it strictly Russian 134 00:04:58,269 --> 00:05:00,799 territory that they were told not to 135 00:05:00,809 --> 00:05:02,976 fire into ? Give us some clarification 136 00:05:02,976 --> 00:05:04,865 on that uh the policy change that 137 00:05:04,865 --> 00:05:06,698 you're referring to and that was 138 00:05:06,698 --> 00:05:09,031 announced last week was more about , um , 139 00:05:09,031 --> 00:05:11,031 the crossfire uh within the Kharkiv 140 00:05:11,031 --> 00:05:12,865 region . Um when it comes to air 141 00:05:12,865 --> 00:05:15,031 defenses and the secretary spoke about 142 00:05:15,031 --> 00:05:17,142 this air defense is something that we 143 00:05:17,142 --> 00:05:19,198 continue to , um , that we know is a 144 00:05:19,198 --> 00:05:21,859 priority for the Ukrainians . Um Look , 145 00:05:21,869 --> 00:05:24,091 I'm not going to go into every specific 146 00:05:24,091 --> 00:05:27,600 incident um of when the Ukrainians , 147 00:05:27,609 --> 00:05:29,831 you know , have engaged , whether it be 148 00:05:29,831 --> 00:05:31,720 Russian aircraft or , or um other 149 00:05:31,720 --> 00:05:33,831 capabilities . What I can tell you is 150 00:05:33,831 --> 00:05:36,053 that we know that is a threat that they 151 00:05:36,053 --> 00:05:38,165 continue to face and that's something 152 00:05:38,165 --> 00:05:40,053 that we continue to work with the 153 00:05:40,053 --> 00:05:42,220 Ukrainians to make sure that they have 154 00:05:42,220 --> 00:05:44,165 the capabilities that they need to 155 00:05:44,165 --> 00:05:44,096 defend themselves . Ok . And I just 156 00:05:44,105 --> 00:05:46,216 want to follow up to us . I just want 157 00:05:46,216 --> 00:05:48,383 to make sure I understand this because 158 00:05:48,383 --> 00:05:50,438 John Kerry said there's never been a 159 00:05:50,438 --> 00:05:52,605 restriction on the Ukrainians shooting 160 00:05:52,605 --> 00:05:54,716 down hostile aircraft , even if those 161 00:05:54,716 --> 00:05:54,325 aircraft are not necessarily in 162 00:05:54,335 --> 00:05:56,865 Ukrainian airspace . So does that mean 163 00:05:56,876 --> 00:05:59,395 that Ukrainians can shoot anywhere ? 164 00:05:59,772 --> 00:06:01,842 Not just the region that was changed 165 00:06:01,851 --> 00:06:04,073 where the policy was changed , they can 166 00:06:04,073 --> 00:06:06,184 shoot anywhere in Russian airspace if 167 00:06:06,184 --> 00:06:08,332 there is a hostile aircraft heading 168 00:06:08,342 --> 00:06:10,611 toward Ukraine Carla . I appreciate the 169 00:06:10,622 --> 00:06:13,171 question . I'm not gonna , uh I have 170 00:06:13,182 --> 00:06:15,511 nothing to contradict what Mr Kirby 171 00:06:15,522 --> 00:06:17,721 said previously . Um , air defense is 172 00:06:17,731 --> 00:06:20,312 something that we know is a priority 173 00:06:20,321 --> 00:06:22,432 for the Ukrainians . That's why we've 174 00:06:22,432 --> 00:06:24,543 given them what we have to be able to 175 00:06:24,543 --> 00:06:26,877 defend themselves . Um Russian aircraft , 176 00:06:26,877 --> 00:06:30,059 Russian air threats , we are well aware 177 00:06:30,070 --> 00:06:32,450 that is something that continues to 178 00:06:32,459 --> 00:06:34,589 threaten Ukrainian cities and towns . 179 00:06:34,690 --> 00:06:36,857 Um I'm just not going to get into more 180 00:06:36,857 --> 00:06:39,079 specifics what we have said and what we 181 00:06:39,079 --> 00:06:41,246 continue to say is that , um right now 182 00:06:41,246 --> 00:06:43,134 our , our policy is that we don't 183 00:06:43,134 --> 00:06:45,190 support the use of a Tums for long , 184 00:06:45,190 --> 00:06:47,412 you know , deep strikes within Russia . 185 00:06:47,412 --> 00:06:49,468 Um But I just don't have more to add 186 00:06:49,468 --> 00:06:51,634 when it comes to anything additional , 187 00:06:51,634 --> 00:06:53,690 when it comes to aircraft , you had 188 00:06:53,700 --> 00:06:56,079 told Tara that they could be ready to 189 00:06:56,089 --> 00:06:58,033 be anchored , you know , this week 190 00:06:58,033 --> 00:07:00,256 later , this week . Does that mean that 191 00:07:00,256 --> 00:07:02,422 the aid will start flowing potentially 192 00:07:02,422 --> 00:07:04,645 later this week as well or will it take 193 00:07:04,645 --> 00:07:06,645 several days after the pier gets re 194 00:07:06,645 --> 00:07:08,867 anchored ? That's a great question . As 195 00:07:08,867 --> 00:07:10,700 soon as the temporary pier is re 196 00:07:10,700 --> 00:07:13,135 anchored to the beach of in Gaza , we 197 00:07:13,144 --> 00:07:15,535 expect aid to flow pretty immediately . 198 00:07:15,625 --> 00:07:18,815 We'll keep you updated on that to any 199 00:07:18,825 --> 00:07:20,825 sense when the F-16s will arrive in 200 00:07:20,825 --> 00:07:22,992 Ukraine . I know some of the Ukrainian 201 00:07:22,992 --> 00:07:25,369 pilots have been giving interviews . Uh 202 00:07:25,380 --> 00:07:27,547 don't have an update yet on , at least 203 00:07:27,547 --> 00:07:30,410 for from our side on on aircraft . Um 204 00:07:30,510 --> 00:07:32,399 Something that , you know , we're 205 00:07:32,399 --> 00:07:34,343 working with the Ukrainians on but 206 00:07:34,343 --> 00:07:36,399 don't have a specific date for you . 207 00:07:36,399 --> 00:07:38,399 Ballpark , weeks , months , I don't 208 00:07:38,399 --> 00:07:40,454 have a date for you . Yeah , Jamie , 209 00:07:40,454 --> 00:07:42,566 thank you , Sabrina . Two questions . 210 00:07:42,566 --> 00:07:44,790 Uh Do you know uh due to various 211 00:07:45,359 --> 00:07:48,029 applications such as North Korea's 212 00:07:48,079 --> 00:07:51,390 recent tragic balloons , the South 213 00:07:51,399 --> 00:07:54,029 Korean government decided to 214 00:07:54,440 --> 00:07:58,059 completely suspended the September 19 215 00:07:58,070 --> 00:08:01,869 military agreement . Uh I mean , 216 00:08:01,880 --> 00:08:05,250 inter Korean military agreement and the 217 00:08:05,260 --> 00:08:08,929 man was sent to the United States and 218 00:08:08,940 --> 00:08:12,570 Japan allies . Do you agree with the 219 00:08:12,579 --> 00:08:14,910 South Korean government decision on 220 00:08:14,920 --> 00:08:17,031 that ? Yeah . So thanks Janie for the 221 00:08:17,031 --> 00:08:19,253 question . I don't really have anything 222 00:08:19,253 --> 00:08:21,476 to add on to that . What I can tell you 223 00:08:21,476 --> 00:08:23,642 is , you know , we continue and always 224 00:08:23,642 --> 00:08:25,980 will uh consult with our partners in 225 00:08:25,989 --> 00:08:28,100 the region like the Republic of Korea 226 00:08:28,100 --> 00:08:30,809 like Japan . Um obviously have 227 00:08:30,820 --> 00:08:33,042 continued to monitor the recent actions 228 00:08:33,042 --> 00:08:35,153 of the D pr K , but I just don't have 229 00:08:35,153 --> 00:08:37,264 anything to add on that front . Thank 230 00:08:37,264 --> 00:08:40,140 you . At the , at the recent years in 231 00:08:40,559 --> 00:08:44,328 all defense ministerial meeting 232 00:08:44,338 --> 00:08:47,559 at the Sangria Security Conference 233 00:08:47,729 --> 00:08:50,318 Secretary , Austin said that South 234 00:08:50,328 --> 00:08:53,458 Korea , the support for nuclear 235 00:08:53,468 --> 00:08:57,318 powered submarines is different 236 00:08:57,328 --> 00:09:00,898 from Australia's support for 237 00:09:00,908 --> 00:09:04,379 nuclear power , the submarines , South 238 00:09:04,388 --> 00:09:07,059 Korea and the U United States are 239 00:09:07,068 --> 00:09:10,799 allies . So why is the support 240 00:09:10,809 --> 00:09:13,880 different ? Um , sorry Jeanie , I'm not 241 00:09:13,890 --> 00:09:16,119 sure that I fully captured the quote on 242 00:09:16,130 --> 00:09:18,549 that . Um Exactly . I think you're 243 00:09:18,640 --> 00:09:20,869 paraphrasing some of the words that the 244 00:09:20,880 --> 00:09:24,500 secretary used . Um You know , we 245 00:09:24,510 --> 00:09:26,729 continue to work with our partners in 246 00:09:26,739 --> 00:09:29,789 the Indo Pacific . Um in terms of what 247 00:09:29,799 --> 00:09:31,688 the secretary said , I don't have 248 00:09:31,688 --> 00:09:33,688 anything additional to add . So I'm 249 00:09:33,688 --> 00:09:33,320 just gonna let his comments stand for 250 00:09:33,330 --> 00:09:35,441 what they were . I'm just gonna go to 251 00:09:35,441 --> 00:09:37,552 the phones here . Uh Jeff Schole task 252 00:09:37,552 --> 00:09:39,719 and purpose . Well , thank you . And I 253 00:09:39,719 --> 00:09:41,830 apologize if this has already been um 254 00:09:41,830 --> 00:09:43,997 uh addressed in another briefing . But 255 00:09:43,997 --> 00:09:46,270 uh is , is there going to be anything 256 00:09:46,280 --> 00:09:48,479 different when the J lo pier is re 257 00:09:48,590 --> 00:09:51,450 anchored to make sure that it um it , 258 00:09:51,750 --> 00:09:54,070 it deals with the surf and the tides 259 00:09:54,080 --> 00:09:56,070 better ? So the chances of it uh 260 00:09:56,119 --> 00:09:58,559 breaking up again are less . Thank you 261 00:09:58,570 --> 00:10:00,848 so much . Thanks Jeff for the question . 262 00:10:00,869 --> 00:10:02,758 So , um I think it's important to 263 00:10:02,758 --> 00:10:05,909 remember that uh for a little over a 264 00:10:05,919 --> 00:10:08,890 week J Lots was operating um quite 265 00:10:08,900 --> 00:10:11,140 efficiently , we were able to get , you 266 00:10:11,150 --> 00:10:13,830 know , in total over 1000 metric tons 267 00:10:13,909 --> 00:10:17,289 into Gaza . Um What happened was 268 00:10:17,299 --> 00:10:19,577 something that was quite unprecedented . 269 00:10:19,577 --> 00:10:21,577 It was the High sea States and then 270 00:10:21,577 --> 00:10:23,299 that storm that , that changed 271 00:10:23,299 --> 00:10:25,559 direction and created um an untenable 272 00:10:25,570 --> 00:10:27,737 environment for J Lots to operate in . 273 00:10:27,737 --> 00:10:31,090 Um There's no change to how J Lots is 274 00:10:31,099 --> 00:10:34,049 going to continue to operate . Um What 275 00:10:34,059 --> 00:10:35,948 we are going to do is continue to 276 00:10:35,948 --> 00:10:38,059 monitor weather conditions if it , if 277 00:10:38,059 --> 00:10:40,059 there is a time and place where the 278 00:10:40,059 --> 00:10:41,948 commander feels that , you know , 279 00:10:41,948 --> 00:10:44,170 there's another storm coming and out of 280 00:10:44,170 --> 00:10:46,392 an abundance of caution . Uh you know , 281 00:10:46,392 --> 00:10:48,615 removes that temporary pier for whether 282 00:10:48,615 --> 00:10:50,615 it be hours or a day . You know , I 283 00:10:50,615 --> 00:10:52,837 could see that , you know , potentially 284 00:10:52,837 --> 00:10:52,710 happening in the future , but obviously , 285 00:10:52,719 --> 00:10:54,941 it's hard to predict the future when it 286 00:10:54,941 --> 00:10:57,390 comes to weather . Um So right now , no , 287 00:10:57,400 --> 00:10:59,289 no change . Um J Lots is going to 288 00:10:59,289 --> 00:11:01,820 operate as it did before . Um And it 289 00:11:01,830 --> 00:11:03,941 was successful in that regard , we're 290 00:11:03,941 --> 00:11:05,774 going to work to continue to get 291 00:11:05,774 --> 00:11:08,020 humanitarian aid um into the 292 00:11:08,030 --> 00:11:10,141 Palestinian people who need it most . 293 00:11:10,141 --> 00:11:12,309 Um And that aid should flow . Um 294 00:11:12,770 --> 00:11:14,992 Hopefully almost immediately as soon as 295 00:11:14,992 --> 00:11:17,489 the uh pier is Reiner into the beach of 296 00:11:17,500 --> 00:11:19,722 Gaza . I'm gonna take one more from the 297 00:11:19,722 --> 00:11:21,889 phone and then I'll come back into the 298 00:11:21,889 --> 00:11:24,056 room . Uh Idris Eli Reuters . Hey , do 299 00:11:24,056 --> 00:11:26,000 you have any update on the service 300 00:11:26,000 --> 00:11:28,056 member who was in critical condition 301 00:11:28,056 --> 00:11:29,833 after um uh the the injury they 302 00:11:29,833 --> 00:11:31,944 suffered ? And then second question . 303 00:11:31,944 --> 00:11:34,278 Um I think it was a couple of weeks ago . 304 00:11:34,278 --> 00:11:36,369 Now you had talked about how the 305 00:11:36,380 --> 00:11:38,436 Pentagon was still assessing whether 306 00:11:38,436 --> 00:11:40,658 the Israeli assessment of what happened 307 00:11:40,658 --> 00:11:42,602 with the World Food Kitchen . Um , 308 00:11:42,602 --> 00:11:45,489 staff was uh something you believe to 309 00:11:45,500 --> 00:11:49,090 be accurate . It's now two months . Um 310 00:11:49,109 --> 00:11:51,387 Do you have an assessment ? And if not , 311 00:11:51,387 --> 00:11:53,387 are you , is it department actually 312 00:11:53,387 --> 00:11:55,553 making a good faith effort to find out 313 00:11:55,553 --> 00:11:57,609 what happened or have you uh kind of 314 00:11:57,609 --> 00:11:59,720 moved on from that ? I'll take the uh 315 00:11:59,720 --> 00:12:01,720 last one first . So in terms of the 316 00:12:01,720 --> 00:12:03,831 World Kitchen strike , um you have to 317 00:12:03,831 --> 00:12:06,165 remember , it's not just the department , 318 00:12:06,165 --> 00:12:08,960 it is an interagency effort . Um So we 319 00:12:08,969 --> 00:12:12,859 have , uh you know , been briefed um 320 00:12:12,869 --> 00:12:15,130 on some of the findings . Uh There were 321 00:12:15,140 --> 00:12:17,140 some delays to additional briefings 322 00:12:17,140 --> 00:12:19,830 that um I think due to some of the 323 00:12:19,840 --> 00:12:21,729 events that were happening on the 324 00:12:21,729 --> 00:12:23,840 ground . Um It's something that we're 325 00:12:23,840 --> 00:12:25,951 still assessing . I know that's not , 326 00:12:25,951 --> 00:12:28,173 um I know that's , that's a frustrating 327 00:12:28,173 --> 00:12:27,880 for you to hear , but it is something 328 00:12:27,890 --> 00:12:29,723 that we are still assessing . We 329 00:12:29,723 --> 00:12:31,890 certainly haven't forgotten about it . 330 00:12:31,890 --> 00:12:34,001 Um But it's not just the department , 331 00:12:34,001 --> 00:12:36,909 the Department of Defense um receiving 332 00:12:36,919 --> 00:12:39,030 this assessment and analyzing it . It 333 00:12:39,030 --> 00:12:41,141 is an interagency effort . And as you 334 00:12:41,141 --> 00:12:44,000 probably know , um uh the National 335 00:12:44,010 --> 00:12:46,066 security adviser , Jake Sullivan was 336 00:12:46,066 --> 00:12:48,121 also in the region , um meeting with 337 00:12:48,121 --> 00:12:50,066 his Israeli counterparts receiving 338 00:12:50,066 --> 00:12:52,177 updates . So , um it's something that 339 00:12:52,177 --> 00:12:54,399 we're certainly attuned to , but I just 340 00:12:54,399 --> 00:12:56,621 don't have a better read out for you uh 341 00:12:56,621 --> 00:12:58,677 Today from the podium . Um Thank you 342 00:12:58,677 --> 00:13:00,788 for asking about the soldier um who , 343 00:13:00,788 --> 00:13:03,500 who was injured . Um So uh an update on 344 00:13:03,510 --> 00:13:05,621 his condition yesterday , the soldier 345 00:13:05,621 --> 00:13:07,621 and his family were transported via 346 00:13:07,621 --> 00:13:09,780 military aircraft from Israel to San 347 00:13:09,789 --> 00:13:12,190 Antonio , Texas . The soldier is 348 00:13:12,200 --> 00:13:14,089 receiving treatment at Brook Army 349 00:13:14,089 --> 00:13:16,256 Medical Center and remains in critical 350 00:13:16,256 --> 00:13:18,619 condition . Um Of course , our thoughts 351 00:13:18,630 --> 00:13:20,741 and prayers are with him and with his 352 00:13:20,741 --> 00:13:22,908 family . Um I just don't have more for 353 00:13:22,908 --> 00:13:25,130 you other than that , that update . But 354 00:13:25,130 --> 00:13:27,297 thank you for the question . Come back 355 00:13:27,297 --> 00:13:29,519 in a Tony question . The New York Times 356 00:13:29,519 --> 00:13:31,352 did a pretty good story over the 357 00:13:31,352 --> 00:13:31,280 weekend about the rafa strike that 358 00:13:31,289 --> 00:13:33,700 killed those 45 or so people . They 359 00:13:33,710 --> 00:13:35,766 identified down to the serial number 360 00:13:35,766 --> 00:13:39,020 that a joint , a small diameter bomb 361 00:13:39,030 --> 00:13:41,469 was used . Can the Pentagon confirm at 362 00:13:41,479 --> 00:13:43,646 this point that yeah , unfortunately , 363 00:13:43,646 --> 00:13:45,757 a small diameter bomb was responsible 364 00:13:45,757 --> 00:13:48,140 for the damage and have small diameter 365 00:13:48,150 --> 00:13:50,659 bomb . Uh , shipments continued 366 00:13:52,049 --> 00:13:54,309 unabated during the conflict . So we've 367 00:13:54,320 --> 00:13:57,159 only paused that one shipment of the , 368 00:13:57,169 --> 00:14:00,039 of the £2000 bombs . Um , I don't have 369 00:14:00,049 --> 00:14:02,419 any updates on , on shipments in terms 370 00:14:02,429 --> 00:14:05,750 of those are through F MS sales and FMF . 371 00:14:05,760 --> 00:14:07,649 So I would refer you to the State 372 00:14:07,649 --> 00:14:09,649 Department on any additional weapon 373 00:14:09,649 --> 00:14:11,914 shipments to Israel . Um , in terms of 374 00:14:11,924 --> 00:14:15,385 your question on the , the 375 00:14:15,395 --> 00:14:17,562 reporting on the small diameter bomb , 376 00:14:17,562 --> 00:14:19,728 I cannot confirm that . Um , I've seen 377 00:14:19,734 --> 00:14:21,678 the reports , but I , I just can't 378 00:14:21,678 --> 00:14:23,567 confirm that I'd refer you to the 379 00:14:23,567 --> 00:14:25,790 Israelis to speak to their operations . 380 00:14:25,790 --> 00:14:27,790 You know , as part of your , your , 381 00:14:27,790 --> 00:14:29,790 your , your guidance or your , your 382 00:14:29,790 --> 00:14:31,567 office that looks at mitigating 383 00:14:31,567 --> 00:14:33,790 civilian harm . Are they looking at the 384 00:14:33,790 --> 00:14:35,790 forensics of this thing in terms of 385 00:14:35,790 --> 00:14:37,956 whether in fact the US bomb was used , 386 00:14:37,956 --> 00:14:40,234 that would seem to be a task of theirs . 387 00:14:40,234 --> 00:14:42,401 I think we've been very clear from the 388 00:14:42,401 --> 00:14:44,456 beginning that there's been too many 389 00:14:44,456 --> 00:14:46,678 civilians that have been killed in this 390 00:14:46,678 --> 00:14:48,901 war . Um It's something that we've said 391 00:14:48,901 --> 00:14:51,219 privately and publicly um are 392 00:14:51,552 --> 00:14:53,441 departments are looking at things 393 00:14:53,441 --> 00:14:55,713 holistically . I don't have more for 394 00:14:55,723 --> 00:14:57,723 you on this particular incident . I 395 00:14:57,723 --> 00:14:59,890 can't confirm the reports . What I can 396 00:14:59,890 --> 00:15:02,393 tell you is that in every single call 397 00:15:02,403 --> 00:15:04,681 that the secretary has with Mr Gallant , 398 00:15:04,681 --> 00:15:06,893 this comes up the use of how they're 399 00:15:06,903 --> 00:15:08,792 conducting their operations , the 400 00:15:08,792 --> 00:15:10,847 importance of upholding humanitarian 401 00:15:10,847 --> 00:15:13,014 law and the laws of armed con . I just 402 00:15:13,014 --> 00:15:14,792 don't have more for you on this 403 00:15:14,792 --> 00:15:17,014 particular incident . I need to ask you 404 00:15:17,014 --> 00:15:16,505 about Miss Magnusson exit too . You 405 00:15:16,515 --> 00:15:18,515 know , her name came up quite a bit 406 00:15:18,515 --> 00:15:20,716 during the uh January fiasco about the 407 00:15:20,726 --> 00:15:23,145 hospital stay . Uh and the IG is still 408 00:15:23,156 --> 00:15:25,489 working on the report , they serve exit . 409 00:15:25,489 --> 00:15:27,323 It all connected with an looming 410 00:15:27,323 --> 00:15:29,545 release of a Pentagon Inspector general 411 00:15:29,545 --> 00:15:31,489 report that may be critical of her 412 00:15:31,489 --> 00:15:34,666 conduct . I think the chief of staff to 413 00:15:34,676 --> 00:15:36,976 the secretary has served uh in this 414 00:15:36,986 --> 00:15:40,280 position for , I think upwards of 3.5 415 00:15:40,289 --> 00:15:42,989 years also served on transition . Um I 416 00:15:43,000 --> 00:15:45,369 think she has deserved some well time , 417 00:15:45,380 --> 00:15:47,436 uh well deserved time off before she 418 00:15:47,436 --> 00:15:49,658 pursues other opportunities . I have no 419 00:15:49,658 --> 00:15:51,713 idea when the IG is going to release 420 00:15:51,713 --> 00:15:53,602 their report . Um That is why the 421 00:15:53,602 --> 00:15:55,989 independent , uh that is why the IG is 422 00:15:56,000 --> 00:15:59,489 independent and separate . Um I have no 423 00:15:59,500 --> 00:16:01,650 idea when that's coming . So , no , I 424 00:16:01,659 --> 00:16:05,159 think uh Kelly decided to 425 00:16:05,179 --> 00:16:07,679 leave when she did because after 3.5 426 00:16:07,690 --> 00:16:09,857 years , I think she's earned some well 427 00:16:09,857 --> 00:16:12,549 deserved time off . Yeah , Liz , thanks 428 00:16:12,940 --> 00:16:14,996 to follow up on Andres's question on 429 00:16:14,996 --> 00:16:17,051 the injured service member . Can you 430 00:16:17,051 --> 00:16:19,273 say how they were injured ? Um It was a 431 00:16:19,273 --> 00:16:21,329 non combat injury that happened on a 432 00:16:21,329 --> 00:16:23,849 ship that was away from the pier , but 433 00:16:23,859 --> 00:16:25,970 for more specifics , I just , I don't 434 00:16:25,970 --> 00:16:28,137 have that for you right now . Ok . And 435 00:16:28,137 --> 00:16:30,137 separately , um today the Five Eyes 436 00:16:30,137 --> 00:16:31,970 Intelligence Alliance released a 437 00:16:31,970 --> 00:16:34,081 bulletin warning of China's increased 438 00:16:34,081 --> 00:16:36,248 efforts to recruit um Western pilots . 439 00:16:36,248 --> 00:16:38,415 What is the US military doing to deter 440 00:16:38,415 --> 00:16:40,248 its own pilots , former pilots , 441 00:16:40,248 --> 00:16:42,137 service members from , you know , 442 00:16:42,137 --> 00:16:43,970 taking these bribes and training 443 00:16:43,970 --> 00:16:45,970 Chinese pilots ? I think also , you 444 00:16:45,970 --> 00:16:47,915 know , loyalty to your country , I 445 00:16:47,915 --> 00:16:50,026 think is , is , is certainly one that 446 00:16:50,026 --> 00:16:52,081 we always , you know , impart on our 447 00:16:52,081 --> 00:16:54,248 service members . Um uh It's something 448 00:16:54,248 --> 00:16:56,415 that we're certainly aware of . You've 449 00:16:56,415 --> 00:16:56,159 seen it . It's a joint report . I don't 450 00:16:56,169 --> 00:16:59,780 really have more to add . Um but , uh , 451 00:16:59,830 --> 00:17:01,719 you know , it's something that we 452 00:17:01,719 --> 00:17:03,997 certainly take seriously and , um , we , 453 00:17:03,997 --> 00:17:06,308 of course , you know , always expect 454 00:17:06,318 --> 00:17:08,096 that our pilots will uphold the 455 00:17:08,096 --> 00:17:10,207 standards that they are trained under 456 00:17:10,207 --> 00:17:12,659 and that they , uh , you know , keep 457 00:17:12,668 --> 00:17:14,779 their training specific to the United 458 00:17:14,779 --> 00:17:17,409 States and just to follow up in general , 459 00:17:17,529 --> 00:17:19,529 um , generally speaking , why is it 460 00:17:19,529 --> 00:17:22,139 concerning that Western pilots would be 461 00:17:22,149 --> 00:17:24,316 training Chinese pilots ? Can you just 462 00:17:24,316 --> 00:17:26,093 explain if there's any national 463 00:17:26,093 --> 00:17:28,260 security risks from that ? I think you 464 00:17:28,260 --> 00:17:30,427 answered your own question with that . 465 00:17:30,427 --> 00:17:29,900 I think there are national security 466 00:17:29,910 --> 00:17:32,021 risks there . Um I don't have more to 467 00:17:32,021 --> 00:17:34,077 add . I think the report goes into a 468 00:17:34,077 --> 00:17:36,243 few more details on , on like warnings 469 00:17:36,243 --> 00:17:38,243 and um sort of our concerns . But I 470 00:17:38,243 --> 00:17:40,354 just , I don't , I don't have more to 471 00:17:40,354 --> 00:17:42,577 add to it . I just wanted to ask follow 472 00:17:42,577 --> 00:17:44,854 up on Tony's question just to be clear . 473 00:17:44,854 --> 00:17:46,910 Um Kelly Maxim's was Kelly Maximum's 474 00:17:46,910 --> 00:17:49,219 departure her own decision and was it 475 00:17:49,229 --> 00:17:51,507 in any way related to the notification , 476 00:17:51,507 --> 00:17:53,930 failures , complete own decision ? And 477 00:17:53,939 --> 00:17:57,540 no , um I'd have to remind you that uh 478 00:17:57,550 --> 00:17:59,717 what you're referring to happened much 479 00:17:59,717 --> 00:18:01,939 earlier in this year in January . It is 480 00:18:01,939 --> 00:18:04,161 June . Uh The secretary has conducted , 481 00:18:04,161 --> 00:18:06,383 I don't know how many trips off the top 482 00:18:06,383 --> 00:18:08,494 of my head this year , but uh he just 483 00:18:08,494 --> 00:18:10,494 concluded his 10th trip to the Indo 484 00:18:10,494 --> 00:18:12,717 Pacific . He is in France . Kelly is on 485 00:18:12,717 --> 00:18:15,650 that trip . Um She has been on many 486 00:18:15,660 --> 00:18:18,930 trips this year , so No . Um , and you 487 00:18:18,939 --> 00:18:20,995 saw his statement , I think there is 488 00:18:20,995 --> 00:18:23,300 truly some that is truly someone that 489 00:18:23,310 --> 00:18:25,979 has um demonstrated um an incredible 490 00:18:25,989 --> 00:18:27,656 dedication to service to this 491 00:18:27,656 --> 00:18:29,433 department and of course to the 492 00:18:29,433 --> 00:18:31,959 secretary . Um And so , you know , we , 493 00:18:31,969 --> 00:18:34,191 we certainly wish her well and she is , 494 00:18:34,191 --> 00:18:36,358 uh , I hope whatever she does next , I 495 00:18:36,358 --> 00:18:38,413 hope it's filled with a lot of sleep 496 00:18:38,413 --> 00:18:40,580 and hopefully catching up with friends 497 00:18:40,580 --> 00:18:42,580 and family , Tara just to follow on 498 00:18:42,580 --> 00:18:45,229 that . Um , what is the update on the 499 00:18:45,239 --> 00:18:47,439 secretary's cancer treatment ? Is he 500 00:18:47,449 --> 00:18:49,560 completely in remission ? Is he still 501 00:18:49,560 --> 00:18:51,671 seeking treatment ? I know we've seen 502 00:18:51,671 --> 00:18:53,671 that we've seen previous statements 503 00:18:53,671 --> 00:18:55,979 saying , you know , it's being handled 504 00:18:55,989 --> 00:18:58,400 but his prognosis remains excellent . 505 00:18:58,410 --> 00:19:02,380 Um , I mean , as someone 506 00:19:02,390 --> 00:19:05,449 that , uh , has a family member that 507 00:19:05,459 --> 00:19:07,681 has gone through something similar when 508 00:19:07,681 --> 00:19:09,570 your prognosis is excellent , you 509 00:19:09,570 --> 00:19:11,403 continue to be monitored by your 510 00:19:11,403 --> 00:19:13,237 doctors . You're not necessarily 511 00:19:13,237 --> 00:19:15,126 getting treatment . Um , but your 512 00:19:15,126 --> 00:19:17,237 doctors are continuing to monitor for 513 00:19:17,237 --> 00:19:19,403 you in case anything . Um , you know , 514 00:19:19,403 --> 00:19:21,459 were to come up if it's six months a 515 00:19:21,459 --> 00:19:20,959 year check ins , whatever that is , I'm 516 00:19:20,969 --> 00:19:23,025 not a medical professional , I'm not 517 00:19:23,025 --> 00:19:25,136 gonna pretend to speak on behalf of , 518 00:19:25,136 --> 00:19:27,080 you know , give you a , a doctor's 519 00:19:27,080 --> 00:19:29,080 analysis from here , but , um , his 520 00:19:29,080 --> 00:19:31,413 cancer prognosis remains excellent . Um , 521 00:19:31,413 --> 00:19:33,413 every time that he's gone to Walter 522 00:19:33,413 --> 00:19:35,358 Reed Medical Center or any type of 523 00:19:35,358 --> 00:19:37,358 doctor's appointment , we certainly 524 00:19:37,358 --> 00:19:39,469 read that out . Um , and let you know 525 00:19:39,469 --> 00:19:41,691 about that . Uh , but I just don't have 526 00:19:41,691 --> 00:19:40,974 more to add on that . But I guess my 527 00:19:40,984 --> 00:19:43,265 question is , has he continued to get 528 00:19:43,275 --> 00:19:46,535 some form of cancer treatment to keep 529 00:19:46,545 --> 00:19:48,712 things in check or did everything kind 530 00:19:48,712 --> 00:19:50,819 of stop after that one ? Not to my 531 00:19:50,829 --> 00:19:53,219 knowledge , uh , his cancer prognosis . 532 00:19:53,229 --> 00:19:55,285 I know I'm not trying to be a broken 533 00:19:55,285 --> 00:19:57,562 record here , but it is excellent . Um , 534 00:19:57,562 --> 00:19:59,507 doctors will obviously continue to 535 00:19:59,507 --> 00:20:01,510 monitor anyone's cancer prognosis 536 00:20:01,520 --> 00:20:04,150 whenever you're diagnosed . Um , but , 537 00:20:04,160 --> 00:20:06,327 uh I'm not aware that he's still being 538 00:20:06,327 --> 00:20:08,438 treated for anything in , in relation 539 00:20:08,438 --> 00:20:10,459 to that . All right . Ok . One more 540 00:20:10,469 --> 00:20:13,020 question . Yeah . So what's your 541 00:20:13,030 --> 00:20:15,780 assessment of the shooting at the US 542 00:20:15,790 --> 00:20:18,310 Embassy in Lebanon ? Probably US State 543 00:20:18,319 --> 00:20:20,541 Department has more to say . But do you 544 00:20:20,541 --> 00:20:22,208 have anything ? So we , we're 545 00:20:22,208 --> 00:20:24,375 monitoring what happened on the ground 546 00:20:24,375 --> 00:20:26,541 there . I would refer you to the State 547 00:20:26,541 --> 00:20:28,319 Department to speak more to the 548 00:20:28,319 --> 00:20:30,541 incident . Um , I believe it was around 549 00:20:30,541 --> 00:20:32,041 the US Embassy and that an 550 00:20:32,041 --> 00:20:34,839 investigation is being conducted . But , 551 00:20:35,060 --> 00:20:37,319 um , I think we're very grateful and 552 00:20:37,329 --> 00:20:39,819 thankful for the , um , the , the 553 00:20:39,829 --> 00:20:41,496 Lebanese armed Forces and the 554 00:20:41,496 --> 00:20:43,662 International Security Forces that are 555 00:20:43,662 --> 00:20:45,829 there , all of our US personnel at the 556 00:20:45,829 --> 00:20:47,829 embassy are safe . Um , but I would 557 00:20:47,829 --> 00:20:49,996 direct you to the State Department for 558 00:20:49,996 --> 00:20:51,996 more information . Ok . All right . 559 00:20:51,996 --> 00:20:52,180 Thanks , everyone .