1 00:00:02,050 --> 00:00:04,060 Good afternoon , everybody . 2 00:00:06,450 --> 00:00:08,172 Alright , before I get to your 3 00:00:08,172 --> 00:00:11,050 questions , I'd like to provide some 4 00:00:11,050 --> 00:00:13,470 important context on the department's 5 00:00:13,470 --> 00:00:15,470 ongoing efforts to take care of our 6 00:00:15,470 --> 00:00:17,430 people which is one of Secretary 7 00:00:17,430 --> 00:00:20,380 Austin's top priorities . The secretary 8 00:00:20,380 --> 00:00:22,602 cares deeply about our troops and their 9 00:00:22,602 --> 00:00:24,713 families and is grateful for all that 10 00:00:24,713 --> 00:00:26,824 they do worldwide every day to defend 11 00:00:26,824 --> 00:00:28,880 our nation through the course of his 12 00:00:28,880 --> 00:00:30,880 duties and during his travels , the 13 00:00:30,880 --> 00:00:33,047 secretary has made it a point to speak 14 00:00:33,047 --> 00:00:35,158 with and hear from service members to 15 00:00:35,158 --> 00:00:34,420 thank them and hear what's on their 16 00:00:34,420 --> 00:00:36,780 minds today . He issued a memo 17 00:00:36,780 --> 00:00:38,669 outlining a series of actions the 18 00:00:38,669 --> 00:00:40,836 department will take to improve how we 19 00:00:40,836 --> 00:00:42,947 support our service members and their 20 00:00:42,947 --> 00:00:44,558 families and to address in a 21 00:00:44,558 --> 00:00:46,613 comprehensive way issues that affect 22 00:00:46,613 --> 00:00:48,613 stability and family readiness . As 23 00:00:48,613 --> 00:00:50,613 Secretary Austin highlights in this 24 00:00:50,613 --> 00:00:52,836 memo , military families are the strong 25 00:00:52,836 --> 00:00:55,058 foundation of our force and taking care 26 00:00:55,058 --> 00:00:56,780 of them as a national security 27 00:00:56,780 --> 00:00:59,002 imperative our military has some of the 28 00:00:59,002 --> 00:01:01,113 most advanced equipment , tactics and 29 00:01:01,113 --> 00:01:03,391 war fighting capabilities in the world , 30 00:01:03,391 --> 00:01:05,613 but nothing is accomplished without the 31 00:01:05,613 --> 00:01:07,669 men and women who serve in our armed 32 00:01:07,669 --> 00:01:09,724 forces and the families that support 33 00:01:09,724 --> 00:01:11,780 them . Over the last 20 months , the 34 00:01:11,780 --> 00:01:13,947 secretary has met with service members 35 00:01:13,947 --> 00:01:13,820 across the country and around the world . 36 00:01:13,830 --> 00:01:15,719 He's seen their dedication to the 37 00:01:15,719 --> 00:01:17,941 mission , but he's also heard from them 38 00:01:17,941 --> 00:01:20,108 about the extraordinary pressures they 39 00:01:20,108 --> 00:01:22,330 face . Some , such as the challenges of 40 00:01:22,330 --> 00:01:24,497 PCS moves and spouses having to search 41 00:01:24,497 --> 00:01:26,608 for new jobs are enduring features of 42 00:01:26,608 --> 00:01:28,774 military life , while others , such as 43 00:01:28,774 --> 00:01:30,830 rapid increases in housing costs are 44 00:01:30,830 --> 00:01:32,830 more recent . Today's actions are a 45 00:01:32,830 --> 00:01:34,941 direct response of what the secretary 46 00:01:34,941 --> 00:01:36,997 has heard from our service members . 47 00:01:36,997 --> 00:01:38,997 Some of these initiatives are ideas 48 00:01:38,997 --> 00:01:41,108 that came directly from the force and 49 00:01:41,108 --> 00:01:43,052 they reflect his commitment to the 50 00:01:43,052 --> 00:01:45,052 families who sacrifice every day in 51 00:01:45,052 --> 00:01:47,274 order to serve . The secretary believes 52 00:01:47,274 --> 00:01:49,386 these efforts will only be successful 53 00:01:49,386 --> 00:01:51,386 if they're easily accessible to the 54 00:01:51,386 --> 00:01:53,219 audience that really matters our 55 00:01:53,219 --> 00:01:55,052 service members and our military 56 00:01:55,052 --> 00:01:56,997 families . To that end , Secretary 57 00:01:56,997 --> 00:01:59,163 Austin met yesterday with Chief Master 58 00:01:59,163 --> 00:02:01,219 Sergeant Ramon , cologne Lopez , the 59 00:02:01,219 --> 00:02:01,100 senior enlisted advisor to the Chairman 60 00:02:01,100 --> 00:02:03,044 of the Joint Chiefs and the senior 61 00:02:03,044 --> 00:02:04,989 enlisted advisors from each of the 62 00:02:04,989 --> 00:02:07,500 military Services Secretary Austin 63 00:02:07,500 --> 00:02:09,611 emphasized the sacred obligation that 64 00:02:09,611 --> 00:02:11,722 he and other D . O . D . Leaders have 65 00:02:11,722 --> 00:02:13,667 to take care of our people and the 66 00:02:13,667 --> 00:02:15,611 importance of communicating to the 67 00:02:15,611 --> 00:02:17,667 force about how to take advantage of 68 00:02:17,667 --> 00:02:19,889 the initiatives we are announcing today 69 00:02:19,889 --> 00:02:21,722 and our other efforts to support 70 00:02:21,722 --> 00:02:23,722 military families and the months to 71 00:02:23,722 --> 00:02:25,944 come . You'll see a wide ranging effort 72 00:02:25,944 --> 00:02:25,670 to provide information and raise 73 00:02:25,670 --> 00:02:27,726 awareness about resources , covering 74 00:02:27,726 --> 00:02:29,837 housing , childcare , grocery bills , 75 00:02:29,837 --> 00:02:31,820 job opportunities and more . The 76 00:02:31,820 --> 00:02:34,250 secretary's memo addresses four goals . 77 00:02:34,270 --> 00:02:36,590 First , making sure basic needs are 78 00:02:36,590 --> 00:02:38,646 more affordable to military families 79 00:02:38,650 --> 00:02:40,850 will boost basic allowance for housing 80 00:02:40,850 --> 00:02:43,450 rates in 28 markets where we've seen 81 00:02:43,450 --> 00:02:46,240 average rental rate increases of 20% 82 00:02:46,250 --> 00:02:48,194 and the secretary has directed the 83 00:02:48,194 --> 00:02:50,910 department to review forthcoming 2023 B . 84 00:02:50,910 --> 00:02:53,620 H . Rates to ensure those rates reflect 85 00:02:53,620 --> 00:02:55,509 the dynamic nature of the current 86 00:02:55,509 --> 00:02:58,230 housing market across the board . We're 87 00:02:58,230 --> 00:03:00,230 surging funding into the commissary 88 00:03:00,230 --> 00:03:02,341 system to drop prices at the register 89 00:03:02,341 --> 00:03:04,452 so that military families see savings 90 00:03:04,452 --> 00:03:06,410 of at least 25% on grocery bills 91 00:03:06,410 --> 00:03:08,521 compared to their local marketplace . 92 00:03:08,521 --> 00:03:10,410 An investment that means military 93 00:03:10,410 --> 00:03:12,521 families will see lower grocery bills 94 00:03:12,521 --> 00:03:14,743 at the commissary in the next couple of 95 00:03:14,743 --> 00:03:16,799 weeks . Second , making moves easier 96 00:03:16,799 --> 00:03:18,910 for families will extend coverage for 97 00:03:18,910 --> 00:03:21,220 temporary housing expenses while moving 98 00:03:21,220 --> 00:03:22,942 to give military families more 99 00:03:22,942 --> 00:03:24,998 flexibility through the move process 100 00:03:24,998 --> 00:03:27,220 and will increase dislocation allowance 101 00:03:27,220 --> 00:03:29,442 payments for enlisted troops from E one 102 00:03:29,442 --> 00:03:31,700 through E six to offset personal 103 00:03:31,700 --> 00:03:34,950 expenses from PCS moves Third , 104 00:03:34,950 --> 00:03:37,172 strengthening support for families with 105 00:03:37,172 --> 00:03:39,283 Children . We continue investments in 106 00:03:39,283 --> 00:03:41,172 child care facilities , providing 107 00:03:41,172 --> 00:03:43,117 incentives to attract hard to find 108 00:03:43,117 --> 00:03:45,172 childcare professionals and expand a 109 00:03:45,172 --> 00:03:48,270 pilot program that provides assist free 110 00:03:48,270 --> 00:03:50,540 assistance for in home childcare 111 00:03:52,020 --> 00:03:54,242 Fourth , excuse me , fee assistance for 112 00:03:54,242 --> 00:03:56,440 in home childcare . Fourth , helping 113 00:03:56,440 --> 00:03:58,607 expand employment options for military 114 00:03:58,607 --> 00:04:01,170 spouses will accelerate efforts to make 115 00:04:01,180 --> 00:04:03,640 occupational license licenses that 116 00:04:03,640 --> 00:04:05,600 spouses obtained in one state , 117 00:04:05,610 --> 00:04:07,560 transferable to other states , 118 00:04:07,560 --> 00:04:09,790 expanding directing hiring authorities 119 00:04:09,790 --> 00:04:11,870 for the department to employ more 120 00:04:11,880 --> 00:04:14,370 military spouses and launch a new 121 00:04:14,370 --> 00:04:16,481 career accelerator fellowship program 122 00:04:16,481 --> 00:04:18,680 that matches military spouses with 123 00:04:18,680 --> 00:04:20,600 prospective employers while also 124 00:04:20,600 --> 00:04:22,656 expanding the pool of companies that 125 00:04:22,656 --> 00:04:24,822 have made commitments to hire military 126 00:04:24,822 --> 00:04:27,044 spouses . These are not the first steps 127 00:04:27,044 --> 00:04:29,156 that Secretary Austin has launched to 128 00:04:29,156 --> 00:04:31,378 take care of our people . These actions 129 00:04:31,378 --> 00:04:33,378 follow an initial economic security 130 00:04:33,378 --> 00:04:35,433 memo issued last november , the food 131 00:04:35,433 --> 00:04:37,656 security initiative that the department 132 00:04:37,656 --> 00:04:39,767 launched in july the proposal for the 133 00:04:39,767 --> 00:04:41,822 largest military pay increase in two 134 00:04:41,822 --> 00:04:43,989 decades included in the president's fy 135 00:04:43,989 --> 00:04:46,156 23 budget request and historic reforms 136 00:04:46,156 --> 00:04:48,267 to curb the scourge of sexual assault 137 00:04:48,267 --> 00:04:50,378 and to prevent suicide in our ranks . 138 00:04:50,378 --> 00:04:52,544 These are also not the last steps that 139 00:04:52,544 --> 00:04:54,378 Secretary Austin and D . O . D . 140 00:04:54,378 --> 00:04:56,600 Leaders plan to take . The Secretary is 141 00:04:56,600 --> 00:04:58,489 committed to working with service 142 00:04:58,489 --> 00:05:00,656 leaders , members of Congress and with 143 00:05:00,656 --> 00:05:02,600 advocates for military families on 144 00:05:02,600 --> 00:05:04,100 additional initiatives and 145 00:05:04,100 --> 00:05:05,989 opportunities to take care of our 146 00:05:05,989 --> 00:05:08,100 people and will continue listening to 147 00:05:08,100 --> 00:05:10,322 our troops and their families about the 148 00:05:10,322 --> 00:05:12,489 challenges and the pressures they face 149 00:05:12,489 --> 00:05:14,711 and the ways we can help taking care of 150 00:05:14,711 --> 00:05:16,711 our people strengthens our national 151 00:05:16,711 --> 00:05:18,878 defense . It's also the right thing to 152 00:05:18,878 --> 00:05:20,767 do . And Secretary Austin and the 153 00:05:20,767 --> 00:05:22,711 entire department are committed to 154 00:05:22,711 --> 00:05:24,822 meeting that sacred obligation to our 155 00:05:24,822 --> 00:05:27,044 troops and their families and with that 156 00:05:27,044 --> 00:05:28,989 I'm happy to take your questions . 157 00:05:28,989 --> 00:05:31,100 Let's go ahead and start with a P . I 158 00:05:31,100 --> 00:05:34,650 believe we have on the phone . Hi Pat , 159 00:05:34,660 --> 00:05:38,300 thank you . Uh two things . One . Um 160 00:05:38,300 --> 00:05:40,522 there's been increasing rhetoric coming 161 00:05:40,522 --> 00:05:44,330 out of Russia on the threats to use 162 00:05:44,330 --> 00:05:46,650 nuclear weapons if Russian territory 163 00:05:46,660 --> 00:05:50,350 comes under attack . Um what is the 164 00:05:50,360 --> 00:05:52,650 pentagon's comment on that ? Has there 165 00:05:52,650 --> 00:05:55,970 been any changes to any 166 00:05:55,980 --> 00:05:59,950 posture at all or any requests from by 167 00:05:59,950 --> 00:06:01,728 any of the allies for increased 168 00:06:01,728 --> 00:06:04,370 protection um in regard to those latest 169 00:06:04,390 --> 00:06:06,700 statements . And then I have 11 sort of 170 00:06:06,700 --> 00:06:09,310 little data question . Um I think you 171 00:06:09,310 --> 00:06:11,600 said the other day that there's 2.2 172 00:06:11,610 --> 00:06:13,880 billion or so remaining in P . D . A . 173 00:06:13,890 --> 00:06:17,590 Until september 30th . Um all of that 174 00:06:17,600 --> 00:06:19,711 expires . I just want to double check 175 00:06:19,711 --> 00:06:23,290 all of that expire if not used by the 176 00:06:23,290 --> 00:06:26,060 30th Or is that is there any move that 177 00:06:26,060 --> 00:06:28,950 that is extended ? Thank you . Yeah , 178 00:06:28,960 --> 00:06:31,760 thanks very much lita . Um in terms of 179 00:06:31,770 --> 00:06:34,260 the statements or the announcements 180 00:06:34,260 --> 00:06:36,800 coming out of Russia . Uh it does it 181 00:06:36,800 --> 00:06:39,320 does not affect the department's 182 00:06:39,320 --> 00:06:41,900 commitment to continue working closely 183 00:06:41,910 --> 00:06:44,132 with our international partners and our 184 00:06:44,132 --> 00:06:46,660 allies on providing Ukraine with the 185 00:06:46,660 --> 00:06:49,210 support that it needs in their fight to 186 00:06:49,210 --> 00:06:52,010 defend their country ? Um in terms of 187 00:06:52,010 --> 00:06:55,850 the money um for example , 188 00:06:55,850 --> 00:06:58,040 the U . S . A . I money is two year 189 00:06:58,040 --> 00:06:59,984 money so that is available through 190 00:06:59,984 --> 00:07:03,780 september of 2023 . Um in terms 191 00:07:03,790 --> 00:07:07,700 of the funding for the P . D . A . S , 192 00:07:07,710 --> 00:07:10,480 I will get back to you on that question . 193 00:07:11,770 --> 00:07:13,826 Okay , let me go ahead and go to the 194 00:07:13,826 --> 00:07:15,770 room here , Tony Talk a little bit 195 00:07:15,770 --> 00:07:17,826 about the Pentagon's analysis of the 196 00:07:17,826 --> 00:07:19,937 300,000 reservists recruits that have 197 00:07:19,937 --> 00:07:21,937 been called up by Putin in terms of 198 00:07:21,937 --> 00:07:23,770 where does this pool come from , 199 00:07:23,770 --> 00:07:25,881 largely ? Where will it come from and 200 00:07:25,881 --> 00:07:27,992 roughly how long will it take to give 201 00:07:27,992 --> 00:07:29,840 them any minimal training to be 202 00:07:29,850 --> 00:07:32,410 minimally combat effective and deployed ? 203 00:07:32,420 --> 00:07:36,060 Any feel for that yet ? Sure . Well I 204 00:07:36,060 --> 00:07:38,282 think you're seeing a lot of this uh in 205 00:07:38,282 --> 00:07:41,080 open press and in terms of um what the 206 00:07:41,080 --> 00:07:43,247 Russians themselves have said in terms 207 00:07:43,247 --> 00:07:45,358 of where these forces would come from 208 00:07:45,358 --> 00:07:47,650 and my understanding is uh these would 209 00:07:47,650 --> 00:07:50,640 primarily be reservists or members of 210 00:07:50,640 --> 00:07:53,370 the Russian military that had retired 211 00:07:53,370 --> 00:07:55,203 and we're in an individual ready 212 00:07:55,203 --> 00:07:58,690 reserve type of status . Um all that to 213 00:07:58,690 --> 00:08:02,160 say it's our assessment that uh it 214 00:08:02,160 --> 00:08:05,290 would take time for Russia to train and 215 00:08:05,290 --> 00:08:07,770 prepare and equip these forces . And I 216 00:08:07,770 --> 00:08:09,937 think it's important also to point out 217 00:08:09,937 --> 00:08:12,980 here uh that while uh in many ways this 218 00:08:12,980 --> 00:08:16,420 may address a manpower issue for Russia , 219 00:08:16,630 --> 00:08:19,460 what's not clear is whether or not it 220 00:08:19,470 --> 00:08:22,330 could significantly address the command 221 00:08:22,330 --> 00:08:24,108 and control the logistics , the 222 00:08:24,108 --> 00:08:26,274 sustainment and importantly the morale 223 00:08:26,274 --> 00:08:28,910 issues that we've seen Russian forces 224 00:08:28,920 --> 00:08:31,530 in Ukraine experience , question the 225 00:08:31,530 --> 00:08:33,586 follow up on leads , question of the 226 00:08:33,586 --> 00:08:35,808 nuclear threat , to what extent has the 227 00:08:35,808 --> 00:08:37,863 nuclear threat that threat veiled or 228 00:08:37,863 --> 00:08:39,919 whatever inhibited the United States 229 00:08:39,919 --> 00:08:42,086 from sending over longer range weapons 230 00:08:42,086 --> 00:08:45,370 like a tax comes tanks of some kind 231 00:08:46,000 --> 00:08:48,190 other weapons . And have the Russians 232 00:08:48,190 --> 00:08:50,246 basically got a strategic victory in 233 00:08:50,246 --> 00:08:52,468 that respect in terms of red lines that 234 00:08:52,468 --> 00:08:54,650 the U . S . Now is afraid to cross in 235 00:08:54,650 --> 00:08:56,910 terms of weapons shipments . So I think 236 00:08:56,910 --> 00:08:58,966 we've been very clear all along that 237 00:08:58,966 --> 00:09:01,021 our focus is on continuing to have a 238 00:09:01,021 --> 00:09:04,280 very open and rigorous dialogue with 239 00:09:04,280 --> 00:09:07,360 our Ukrainian counterparts uh and the 240 00:09:07,360 --> 00:09:09,582 international community in terms of our 241 00:09:09,582 --> 00:09:11,582 allies and our partners on what our 242 00:09:11,582 --> 00:09:14,030 Ukraine's needs . Um and we will 243 00:09:14,030 --> 00:09:16,130 continue to have those conversations 244 00:09:16,130 --> 00:09:18,650 and will continue to think through uh 245 00:09:18,660 --> 00:09:21,240 not only what they need uh in the 246 00:09:21,240 --> 00:09:23,240 medium to long term , but also what 247 00:09:23,240 --> 00:09:25,462 they need now . So so I don't see those 248 00:09:25,462 --> 00:09:27,518 conversations being impacted by this 249 00:09:27,518 --> 00:09:29,518 situation . You know , I think it's 250 00:09:29,518 --> 00:09:31,407 important here to to to provide a 251 00:09:31,407 --> 00:09:33,629 little bit of context in the sense that 252 00:09:33,629 --> 00:09:35,684 if we go back in time a little bit , 253 00:09:35,684 --> 00:09:38,170 you Russia invaded Ukraine and 254 00:09:38,170 --> 00:09:41,050 attempted to annex all of Ukraine , you 255 00:09:41,050 --> 00:09:44,270 know , by virtue of invading them um 256 00:09:44,280 --> 00:09:46,580 failed in that strategic objective . 257 00:09:46,590 --> 00:09:50,080 And so they scaled down the scope of 258 00:09:50,090 --> 00:09:52,312 their operational objectives . And even 259 00:09:52,312 --> 00:09:54,330 those aren't going well due to 260 00:09:54,340 --> 00:09:57,090 Ukraine's counter offensive in the 261 00:09:57,090 --> 00:09:59,201 issues that I've highlighted in terms 262 00:09:59,201 --> 00:10:01,257 of logistics and sustainment . So by 263 00:10:01,257 --> 00:10:03,257 making these types of announcements 264 00:10:03,257 --> 00:10:07,070 about um sham referenda or threats 265 00:10:07,080 --> 00:10:10,750 about attacking uh territory , um it 266 00:10:10,750 --> 00:10:12,917 doesn't change the facts , operational 267 00:10:12,917 --> 00:10:14,980 facts on the ground , which are that 268 00:10:14,990 --> 00:10:17,290 the Ukrainians will continue to fight 269 00:10:17,290 --> 00:10:19,260 for their country . The Russian 270 00:10:19,260 --> 00:10:22,610 military is uh dealing with some 271 00:10:22,610 --> 00:10:24,777 significant challenges on the ground , 272 00:10:24,777 --> 00:10:26,832 and the international community will 273 00:10:26,832 --> 00:10:28,943 stand behind Ukraine as they fight to 274 00:10:28,943 --> 00:10:31,054 defend their country from an invasion 275 00:10:31,530 --> 00:10:34,070 weapons . Question . To what extent is 276 00:10:34,070 --> 00:10:36,292 the provision providing of US tanks ? M 277 00:10:36,292 --> 00:10:39,940 one A one or two is that in the 278 00:10:39,940 --> 00:10:42,080 interagency debate right now at any 279 00:10:42,090 --> 00:10:44,770 level in terms of whether to provide or 280 00:10:44,770 --> 00:10:46,937 not . So I'm not going to get into any 281 00:10:46,937 --> 00:10:49,110 specific systems that may be under 282 00:10:49,110 --> 00:10:51,054 discussion . Again , we've provide 283 00:10:51,054 --> 00:10:52,895 variety of capabilities that the 284 00:10:52,895 --> 00:10:55,062 Ukrainians are using to great effect . 285 00:10:55,245 --> 00:10:57,245 Um , and we're going to continue to 286 00:10:57,245 --> 00:10:59,412 have those discussions and and look at 287 00:10:59,412 --> 00:11:01,523 a variety of capabilities in the days 288 00:11:01,523 --> 00:11:03,745 ahead . Thank you . Let me go ahead and 289 00:11:03,745 --> 00:11:03,625 go to gym and then go back out to the 290 00:11:03,625 --> 00:11:07,165 phone general . Just , just to be clear 291 00:11:07,175 --> 00:11:09,855 in your answer to Tony , you're saying 292 00:11:09,855 --> 00:11:11,855 that the Russian military still has 293 00:11:11,855 --> 00:11:14,077 these command and control the logistics 294 00:11:14,077 --> 00:11:17,845 problems , just supply , sustainment , 295 00:11:17,845 --> 00:11:21,350 getting weapons to the places And by 296 00:11:21,520 --> 00:11:24,170 adding 300,000 people there , just 297 00:11:24,170 --> 00:11:27,490 compounding those problems . I mean , 298 00:11:27,490 --> 00:11:30,840 that that's uh , speculation , but 299 00:11:30,840 --> 00:11:33,180 certainly , uh , if you are already 300 00:11:33,180 --> 00:11:35,069 having significant challenges and 301 00:11:35,069 --> 00:11:36,847 haven't addressed some of those 302 00:11:36,847 --> 00:11:40,590 systemic strategic issues that make any 303 00:11:40,600 --> 00:11:43,560 large military force capable , um , 304 00:11:43,570 --> 00:11:45,681 there's nothing to indicate that it's 305 00:11:45,681 --> 00:11:47,848 going to get any easier by adding more 306 00:11:47,848 --> 00:11:50,620 variables to the equation . And just to 307 00:11:50,630 --> 00:11:53,650 be clear , if if President biden called 308 00:11:53,650 --> 00:11:57,130 up 300,000 reservists , he'd get , we 309 00:11:57,140 --> 00:11:59,800 get a group of well trained folks who 310 00:11:59,810 --> 00:12:03,500 many of most of them in , in , in units 311 00:12:03,510 --> 00:12:07,120 able to move out in like days , weeks 312 00:12:07,120 --> 00:12:10,510 or months . Um , that's not what the 313 00:12:10,510 --> 00:12:12,621 Russians are gonna get . Right . Uh , 314 00:12:12,621 --> 00:12:14,690 again , I'm , I'm not in the Russian 315 00:12:14,690 --> 00:12:16,579 military , I've never been in the 316 00:12:16,579 --> 00:12:18,801 Russian military , I don't plan to ever 317 00:12:18,801 --> 00:12:20,857 be in the Russian military . Um , so 318 00:12:20,857 --> 00:12:23,079 I'm not going to speak for them , but I 319 00:12:23,079 --> 00:12:25,190 think we've seen some of the systemic 320 00:12:25,190 --> 00:12:27,134 challenges that they have in their 321 00:12:27,134 --> 00:12:30,390 force . Uh , and I think they will have 322 00:12:30,390 --> 00:12:32,723 their work cut out for them . Thank you . 323 00:12:32,723 --> 00:12:34,668 Let me go ahead and back up to the 324 00:12:34,668 --> 00:12:36,779 phone here . Let's go to Sang Min lee 325 00:12:36,779 --> 00:12:40,540 from Radio Free Asia . Yes . Um , I 326 00:12:40,540 --> 00:12:42,707 have a question on the indication that 327 00:12:42,707 --> 00:12:44,820 Russia actually purchased weapon from 328 00:12:44,820 --> 00:12:47,330 North Korea . You mentioned before that 329 00:12:47,330 --> 00:12:49,497 you do have indication that Russia has 330 00:12:49,497 --> 00:12:51,390 approached North Korea to request 331 00:12:51,390 --> 00:12:53,420 ammunitions . So , do you have 332 00:12:53,420 --> 00:12:55,380 indication that the purchase has 333 00:12:55,380 --> 00:12:58,480 actually occurred ? Now , thanks for 334 00:12:58,480 --> 00:13:00,647 the question segment . So all I'll say 335 00:13:00,647 --> 00:13:02,813 is we stand by the information that we 336 00:13:02,813 --> 00:13:05,036 provided earlier uh , and beyond that , 337 00:13:05,036 --> 00:13:07,202 I don't have any additional updates to 338 00:13:07,202 --> 00:13:10,480 provide . Thank you . So , um , I'm 339 00:13:10,480 --> 00:13:12,480 gonna go back to your , your answer 340 00:13:12,480 --> 00:13:15,130 about the uh , the forces that were 341 00:13:15,140 --> 00:13:18,930 called for service in Russia . So 342 00:13:19,220 --> 00:13:21,053 is your understanding that these 343 00:13:21,053 --> 00:13:23,670 300,000 are the troops that will be 344 00:13:23,670 --> 00:13:26,410 introduced into theater in Ukraine ? Or 345 00:13:26,420 --> 00:13:28,760 some of them might be replacing other 346 00:13:28,760 --> 00:13:31,110 forces that are ready to fight inside 347 00:13:31,110 --> 00:13:33,810 of Russia ? And by and by that , I mean , 348 00:13:33,820 --> 00:13:36,400 are you detecting any movement of new 349 00:13:36,400 --> 00:13:38,590 forces to enter Ukraine from the 350 00:13:38,590 --> 00:13:42,475 Russian side or any indications 351 00:13:42,485 --> 00:13:45,875 there are certain uh , 352 00:13:45,885 --> 00:13:49,825 units are preparing to enter Ukraine . 353 00:13:49,835 --> 00:13:52,335 So , so that's really a question for 354 00:13:52,335 --> 00:13:55,865 the Russian military to address in 355 00:13:55,865 --> 00:13:57,995 terms of how exactly they plan to use 356 00:13:57,995 --> 00:14:00,845 those forces again , I think in the 357 00:14:00,845 --> 00:14:02,956 context of the challenges that Russia 358 00:14:02,956 --> 00:14:04,734 finds itself in right now as it 359 00:14:04,734 --> 00:14:07,470 pertains to Ukraine uh and as evidenced 360 00:14:07,470 --> 00:14:10,040 by the the rationale that was provided 361 00:14:10,050 --> 00:14:12,440 by President Putin and others in terms 362 00:14:12,440 --> 00:14:14,718 of why they're calling up these forces , 363 00:14:14,718 --> 00:14:16,829 it's clear that it's intended to help 364 00:14:16,829 --> 00:14:18,970 uh supplement and augment the broader 365 00:14:18,970 --> 00:14:22,390 military as it as they conduct this uh 366 00:14:22,400 --> 00:14:25,340 their their uh operations in Ukraine . 367 00:14:25,340 --> 00:14:27,396 But in terms of the specifics body , 368 00:14:27,396 --> 00:14:29,229 that's just not something I have 369 00:14:29,229 --> 00:14:32,740 insight into . Um and then um second 370 00:14:32,740 --> 00:14:34,962 part of your question , I'm sorry , has 371 00:14:34,962 --> 00:14:37,780 the pentagon detected any uh move new 372 00:14:37,780 --> 00:14:40,640 movement or or indications that new 373 00:14:40,640 --> 00:14:43,740 units are being prepared to to enter 374 00:14:43,750 --> 00:14:46,240 Ukraine ? Yes . So what I would say 375 00:14:46,240 --> 00:14:48,240 again , without getting into a high 376 00:14:48,240 --> 00:14:50,462 level of operational details that we've 377 00:14:50,462 --> 00:14:53,020 seen indications of some small numbers 378 00:14:53,030 --> 00:14:55,720 replacement forces being moved into 379 00:14:55,720 --> 00:14:59,020 Ukraine to essentially help the Russian 380 00:14:59,020 --> 00:15:00,798 military shore up some of their 381 00:15:00,798 --> 00:15:03,040 defensive lines , but but nothing on a 382 00:15:03,050 --> 00:15:05,350 on a large scale at this stage . Again , 383 00:15:05,350 --> 00:15:07,350 the battlefield battlefield remains 384 00:15:07,350 --> 00:15:10,170 very fluid , very dynamic . And so 385 00:15:10,170 --> 00:15:12,170 again , this is something that will 386 00:15:12,170 --> 00:15:14,337 continue to monitor . I know obviously 387 00:15:14,337 --> 00:15:16,281 the Ukrainians are monitoring very 388 00:15:16,281 --> 00:15:19,890 closely as well . Okay , since 389 00:15:19,890 --> 00:15:21,946 President biden's comments on sunday 390 00:15:21,946 --> 00:15:24,112 night on Taiwan , has the U . S . Seen 391 00:15:24,112 --> 00:15:26,334 any sort of military shifts by china in 392 00:15:26,334 --> 00:15:29,230 the Taiwan strait , I'm not aware of 393 00:15:29,230 --> 00:15:32,280 any uh activity that I would 394 00:15:32,290 --> 00:15:34,457 characterize is out of the ordinary at 395 00:15:34,457 --> 00:15:36,512 this stage . So thanks . All right , 396 00:15:36,512 --> 00:15:38,623 let me go to the phone line here real 397 00:15:38,623 --> 00:15:40,790 quick and I'll come back to Barbara uh 398 00:15:40,790 --> 00:15:43,980 idris Hey Pat , um you mentioned in 399 00:15:43,980 --> 00:15:46,202 terms of I think you said it might , it 400 00:15:46,202 --> 00:15:48,369 would take some time for them to train 401 00:15:48,369 --> 00:15:50,202 and equip the folks that they're 402 00:15:50,202 --> 00:15:52,258 mobilizing . Is there a sense of how 403 00:15:52,258 --> 00:15:54,258 long that would be , are we talking 404 00:15:54,258 --> 00:15:56,890 weeks , months uh next year ? And and 405 00:15:56,890 --> 00:15:58,890 and do you have a sense of how many 406 00:15:58,890 --> 00:16:01,057 folks have already been sort of handed 407 00:16:01,057 --> 00:16:03,001 the paper to start mobilizing ? Um 408 00:16:03,001 --> 00:16:06,420 since Thanks . So , so really , you 409 00:16:06,420 --> 00:16:08,642 know , uh what I would say is time will 410 00:16:08,642 --> 00:16:12,150 tell . Um it's just something we'll 411 00:16:12,150 --> 00:16:15,160 have to keep an eye on and uh and I'm 412 00:16:15,160 --> 00:16:17,271 not gonna speculate . Um and in terms 413 00:16:17,271 --> 00:16:20,300 of the current status of that call up , 414 00:16:20,310 --> 00:16:22,532 that that's something that I would have 415 00:16:22,532 --> 00:16:24,754 to refer you to the Russian Ministry of 416 00:16:24,754 --> 00:16:26,421 Defense on , I don't have any 417 00:16:26,421 --> 00:16:28,588 information to provide on that . We go 418 00:16:28,588 --> 00:16:30,643 to Barbara , can I come back and ask 419 00:16:30,643 --> 00:16:32,754 you a few questions on the food price 420 00:16:32,754 --> 00:16:35,080 initiative you laid out ? If I may and 421 00:16:35,080 --> 00:16:37,191 I understand you may have to take the 422 00:16:37,191 --> 00:16:39,580 questions , but are you talking about 423 00:16:39,590 --> 00:16:43,270 actually putting D O . D budget or 424 00:16:43,270 --> 00:16:47,010 federal money into the exchanges 425 00:16:47,320 --> 00:16:49,460 and having them directly . This is my 426 00:16:49,460 --> 00:16:51,840 first question directly address prices 427 00:16:52,210 --> 00:16:54,266 at lower prices themselves . Is that 428 00:16:54,266 --> 00:16:57,480 what you're talking about sort of , let 429 00:16:57,480 --> 00:16:59,702 me let me just give you a little bit of 430 00:16:59,702 --> 00:17:01,813 context and and what I would tell you 431 00:17:01,813 --> 00:17:03,980 is that we're posting some fact sheets 432 00:17:03,980 --> 00:17:05,647 to our website on each of the 433 00:17:05,647 --> 00:17:07,758 initiatives that I laid out that will 434 00:17:07,758 --> 00:17:09,924 deep dive that will provide you uh and 435 00:17:09,924 --> 00:17:11,980 importantly our military members and 436 00:17:11,980 --> 00:17:14,202 their families with a lot of additional 437 00:17:14,202 --> 00:17:16,258 information . But in essence for the 438 00:17:16,258 --> 00:17:18,424 commissaries , specifically what we've 439 00:17:18,424 --> 00:17:20,480 done is we've changed the commissary 440 00:17:20,480 --> 00:17:23,090 funding model to ensure that the 441 00:17:23,090 --> 00:17:25,450 defense commissary agency is able to 442 00:17:25,450 --> 00:17:29,110 provide savings by eliminating the 443 00:17:29,110 --> 00:17:31,670 requirement for them to earn a profit 444 00:17:31,670 --> 00:17:35,120 margin from higher prices to pay their 445 00:17:35,120 --> 00:17:37,340 operating costs . So in other words , 446 00:17:37,340 --> 00:17:40,950 they're able to now um use that money 447 00:17:40,950 --> 00:17:43,890 instead to put into buying down the 448 00:17:43,890 --> 00:17:46,820 cost of food . So let me follow up on 449 00:17:46,820 --> 00:17:50,090 that . Can you provide us with , how 450 00:17:50,090 --> 00:17:52,530 much money are you talking about in 451 00:17:52,530 --> 00:17:55,470 total ? How long do you expect to have 452 00:17:55,470 --> 00:17:59,270 to do this ? Is there a means test or 453 00:17:59,270 --> 00:18:03,030 is it anyone of any rank and income 454 00:18:03,200 --> 00:18:05,080 that is qualified to shop in a 455 00:18:05,080 --> 00:18:07,247 commissary can take advantage of these 456 00:18:07,247 --> 00:18:10,950 savings . Have you identified food 457 00:18:10,960 --> 00:18:14,120 products such as healthy foods uh that 458 00:18:14,120 --> 00:18:16,240 this will apply to or does this also 459 00:18:16,250 --> 00:18:20,210 apply to junk food ? Um Can you 460 00:18:20,210 --> 00:18:22,440 define junk food for me ? Can you 461 00:18:22,440 --> 00:18:24,384 define junk food ? I was gonna say 462 00:18:24,384 --> 00:18:26,329 however the U . S . Military would 463 00:18:26,329 --> 00:18:29,550 define junk , I'll leave that to you . 464 00:18:29,560 --> 00:18:32,800 Uh kind of really a 465 00:18:32,800 --> 00:18:35,730 much deeper look at the economics of it 466 00:18:35,740 --> 00:18:37,962 because I think it's been quite a while 467 00:18:37,962 --> 00:18:39,796 since the federal government got 468 00:18:39,796 --> 00:18:42,380 involved in many years in um 469 00:18:43,120 --> 00:18:46,100 um , controlling anything related to 470 00:18:46,100 --> 00:18:47,989 food prices . Are you worried the 471 00:18:47,989 --> 00:18:49,933 commissaries will have enough of a 472 00:18:49,933 --> 00:18:52,156 profit margin to stay in business ? Are 473 00:18:52,156 --> 00:18:54,267 you worried that this now puts you in 474 00:18:54,267 --> 00:18:56,267 direct competition with the private 475 00:18:56,267 --> 00:18:59,140 food sector , but especially means test 476 00:18:59,150 --> 00:19:02,150 how long , how much money , when will 477 00:19:02,150 --> 00:19:04,710 you know , what do you have to see in 478 00:19:04,710 --> 00:19:07,520 food prices to stop this to call a 479 00:19:07,520 --> 00:19:11,460 conclusion to this effort ? Just so , 480 00:19:11,670 --> 00:19:13,781 so there's a lot of questions there , 481 00:19:13,781 --> 00:19:15,948 Barbara . But again , I think the fact 482 00:19:15,948 --> 00:19:18,003 sheet that will be able to provide , 483 00:19:18,003 --> 00:19:20,226 you will will be able to answer some of 484 00:19:20,226 --> 00:19:22,170 the more detailed aspects . Um and 485 00:19:22,170 --> 00:19:21,890 again , that will be available online 486 00:19:21,890 --> 00:19:23,946 to everyone here afterwards . What I 487 00:19:23,946 --> 00:19:25,834 would say , first of all is uh in 488 00:19:25,834 --> 00:19:28,057 regards to your question , who benefits 489 00:19:28,057 --> 00:19:31,980 from this , anyone who can shop at a uh , 490 00:19:31,990 --> 00:19:35,100 commissary will benefit from this . Uh 491 00:19:35,110 --> 00:19:38,240 It will take effect . You will probably 492 00:19:38,240 --> 00:19:40,800 see within two weeks because every two 493 00:19:40,800 --> 00:19:42,990 weeks is when the commissaries go and 494 00:19:42,990 --> 00:19:45,480 they will look at prices and then 495 00:19:45,480 --> 00:19:47,424 they'll , you know , when they are 496 00:19:47,424 --> 00:19:49,702 buying their food and adjusting prices , 497 00:19:49,702 --> 00:19:51,869 but within two weeks you'll see prices 498 00:19:51,869 --> 00:19:55,200 drop by 25% in the commissary . Uh thus 499 00:19:55,200 --> 00:19:57,630 benefiting anybody who shops there . 500 00:19:57,640 --> 00:20:00,000 This applies to essentially , you know , 501 00:20:00,390 --> 00:20:02,960 most products in the commissary , but 502 00:20:02,960 --> 00:20:05,810 in particular , it's going to affect 503 00:20:05,810 --> 00:20:08,670 staples like bread , milk , eggs , uh 504 00:20:08,680 --> 00:20:10,900 as compared to grocery stores that are 505 00:20:10,910 --> 00:20:13,830 um off installation . And so again , a 506 00:20:13,830 --> 00:20:16,580 lot of this has to go , goes back to 507 00:20:16,590 --> 00:20:18,560 the funding model . Uh and that 508 00:20:18,560 --> 00:20:20,860 previously the commissaries had to use 509 00:20:20,870 --> 00:20:22,759 a lot of the money that they were 510 00:20:22,759 --> 00:20:25,760 bringing in uh in order to maintain a 511 00:20:25,770 --> 00:20:27,860 profit margin in order to sustain 512 00:20:27,860 --> 00:20:29,582 themselves , they still have a 513 00:20:29,582 --> 00:20:31,416 requirement to pay for their own 514 00:20:31,416 --> 00:20:33,638 operating costs . By law , they have to 515 00:20:33,638 --> 00:20:37,610 uh dedicate approximately . Um um 516 00:20:38,130 --> 00:20:40,910 let's see here . Well , we can again , 517 00:20:40,910 --> 00:20:42,854 we can get you those numbers , I'm 518 00:20:42,854 --> 00:20:45,310 sorry , collect a surcharge of 5% to 519 00:20:45,310 --> 00:20:47,199 pay for commissary , construction 520 00:20:47,199 --> 00:20:49,160 equipment , maintenance . But the 521 00:20:49,160 --> 00:20:51,880 bottom line is by reducing the overhead 522 00:20:51,890 --> 00:20:53,890 that it takes to run a commissary , 523 00:20:53,890 --> 00:20:56,050 we're now able to use those funds to 524 00:20:56,050 --> 00:20:58,650 help reduce the prices of the food in 525 00:20:58,650 --> 00:21:00,872 the commissary . And the key point here 526 00:21:00,872 --> 00:21:02,890 being for our military members and 527 00:21:02,890 --> 00:21:06,100 their families to be able to uh you 528 00:21:06,100 --> 00:21:08,410 know , address their their needs and 529 00:21:08,420 --> 00:21:11,250 assist them one very quick follow up if 530 00:21:11,250 --> 00:21:13,450 they are reducing your direction , 531 00:21:13,460 --> 00:21:17,430 their profit margin , what guarantee do 532 00:21:17,430 --> 00:21:20,340 you have , that they will continue to 533 00:21:20,340 --> 00:21:23,710 purchase enough food supplies for their 534 00:21:23,710 --> 00:21:25,750 customers and that there won't be 535 00:21:25,750 --> 00:21:28,240 shortages because they won't have 536 00:21:28,250 --> 00:21:30,472 enough money that they're gonna want to 537 00:21:30,472 --> 00:21:32,550 maintain their profit margin and not 538 00:21:32,550 --> 00:21:34,717 put money towards these less expensive 539 00:21:34,717 --> 00:21:37,090 food prices . Therefore perhaps having 540 00:21:37,090 --> 00:21:39,201 a shortage because they won't want to 541 00:21:39,201 --> 00:21:41,423 spend the money on it . What guarantees 542 00:21:41,423 --> 00:21:43,479 do you have from them that they will 543 00:21:43,479 --> 00:21:43,360 carry through on this and there won't 544 00:21:43,360 --> 00:21:46,170 be food shortages , were confident 545 00:21:46,180 --> 00:21:49,410 with the way that the commissaries are 546 00:21:49,410 --> 00:21:53,250 managed um that essentially by changing 547 00:21:53,260 --> 00:21:56,370 the the funding model uh and going back 548 00:21:56,370 --> 00:21:59,450 to um the model that had been used a 549 00:21:59,450 --> 00:22:03,390 while ago , um we will be able to 550 00:22:03,390 --> 00:22:05,334 sustain and there will not be food 551 00:22:05,334 --> 00:22:07,501 shortages associated again . We can go 552 00:22:07,501 --> 00:22:09,668 ahead and take your question . I don't 553 00:22:09,668 --> 00:22:11,890 want to spend , you know , yeah , spend 554 00:22:11,890 --> 00:22:14,001 the entire briefing on that . But but 555 00:22:14,001 --> 00:22:16,223 you know , the bottom line here is what 556 00:22:16,223 --> 00:22:18,446 our military members and their families 557 00:22:18,446 --> 00:22:20,779 are going to see is in very short order , 558 00:22:20,779 --> 00:22:22,723 the ability to buy food at cheaper 559 00:22:22,723 --> 00:22:24,890 prices at the commissary which is part 560 00:22:24,890 --> 00:22:27,112 of our commitment to taking care of our 561 00:22:27,112 --> 00:22:29,334 military families and those who serve . 562 00:22:29,334 --> 00:22:32,500 Let me go to louis uh quick follow up 563 00:22:32,500 --> 00:22:34,710 on commentary questions in Ukraine 564 00:22:34,710 --> 00:22:37,890 questions if I may . Um was this action 565 00:22:37,890 --> 00:22:40,620 prompted by the inflation um triggers 566 00:22:40,620 --> 00:22:42,787 in recent months or was this something 567 00:22:42,787 --> 00:22:45,120 that was already in the work previously ? 568 00:22:45,120 --> 00:22:47,770 Was absolutely not . So uh this is 569 00:22:47,780 --> 00:22:50,540 exactly like I said in my my opening 570 00:22:50,550 --> 00:22:53,820 remarks . Um this 571 00:22:53,820 --> 00:22:56,050 and I'm not exaggerating here . This is 572 00:22:56,050 --> 00:22:58,420 really personal for Secretary Austin . 573 00:22:58,430 --> 00:23:02,360 Uh he want our military men and 574 00:23:02,360 --> 00:23:04,416 women to be able to come home to put 575 00:23:04,416 --> 00:23:06,582 food on the table uh to have the money 576 00:23:06,582 --> 00:23:08,638 in their pocket that they need to be 577 00:23:08,638 --> 00:23:12,450 able to uh live a healthy life , 578 00:23:12,460 --> 00:23:14,580 a comfortable life . And while they 579 00:23:14,580 --> 00:23:17,570 serve our nation . And so um this is 580 00:23:17,570 --> 00:23:19,792 one of his priorities . I mean from day 581 00:23:19,792 --> 00:23:22,014 one , taking care of people . And so he 582 00:23:22,014 --> 00:23:24,181 has been working very closely with our 583 00:23:24,181 --> 00:23:26,403 leadership within the department , with 584 00:23:26,403 --> 00:23:28,459 the other services to identify areas 585 00:23:28,459 --> 00:23:30,348 where we can move out uh and take 586 00:23:30,348 --> 00:23:32,870 actions like this in order to help our 587 00:23:32,880 --> 00:23:35,670 service members . And when you talked 588 00:23:35,670 --> 00:23:37,948 about the assessment about the Ukraine , 589 00:23:37,948 --> 00:23:40,003 about the Russian mobilization , you 590 00:23:40,003 --> 00:23:41,948 said that it would address some of 591 00:23:41,948 --> 00:23:45,730 their manpower . I said that that 592 00:23:45,740 --> 00:23:48,610 my our assessment is that It would 593 00:23:48,610 --> 00:23:50,499 potentially address some of their 594 00:23:50,499 --> 00:23:52,880 manpower issues . Mr Carl had said a 595 00:23:52,880 --> 00:23:54,890 couple of weeks ago between 70 and 596 00:23:54,890 --> 00:23:58,830 80,000 Russian casualties . Is there a 597 00:23:58,840 --> 00:24:01,200 more accurate assessment of the Russian 598 00:24:01,200 --> 00:24:03,630 casualty counts ? Since then , I don't 599 00:24:03,630 --> 00:24:05,850 have any updates to provide on that . 600 00:24:05,940 --> 00:24:08,051 What is the latest operational update 601 00:24:08,051 --> 00:24:10,780 on the situation in Ukraine ? So 602 00:24:10,780 --> 00:24:13,002 broadly speaking , Louie Louie , what I 603 00:24:13,002 --> 00:24:15,113 would tell you is that we continue to 604 00:24:15,113 --> 00:24:17,870 see Ukrainian forces conduct their 605 00:24:17,870 --> 00:24:20,180 counter offensive operations in Kharkiv 606 00:24:20,190 --> 00:24:22,300 in the horse on regions . Uh the 607 00:24:22,310 --> 00:24:25,240 Russians continue to conduct operations 608 00:24:25,240 --> 00:24:28,150 in the bar area with Ukrainians holding 609 00:24:28,150 --> 00:24:30,261 the line , but but largely speaking , 610 00:24:30,261 --> 00:24:32,530 uh no significant updates for me to 611 00:24:32,540 --> 00:24:34,760 provide today on that . Okay , let me 612 00:24:34,760 --> 00:24:36,982 go back into the phone line then . I'll 613 00:24:36,982 --> 00:24:39,204 come over here to Carla . We have Ellen 614 00:24:39,204 --> 00:24:40,260 uh from synopsis . 615 00:24:42,910 --> 00:24:45,830 Hi , thank you so much . Um there's 616 00:24:45,830 --> 00:24:47,830 been a couple of calls on kong from 617 00:24:47,830 --> 00:24:50,340 congressman to have the D . O . D . 618 00:24:50,340 --> 00:24:54,250 Drop the covid vaccine mandate um in 619 00:24:54,250 --> 00:24:57,410 response to recruiting problems and in 620 00:24:57,410 --> 00:24:59,521 response to the president calling the 621 00:24:59,521 --> 00:25:02,110 pandemic over wondering if the pentagon 622 00:25:02,110 --> 00:25:05,370 has an official response to this . Um 623 00:25:05,370 --> 00:25:07,690 So I don't have any specific comments 624 00:25:07,690 --> 00:25:10,430 to make in in terms of congressional 625 00:25:10,440 --> 00:25:14,120 requests . Um broadly speaking , what I 626 00:25:14,120 --> 00:25:16,860 would tell you is that the D . O . D . 627 00:25:16,870 --> 00:25:20,350 Uh still requires that military members 628 00:25:20,350 --> 00:25:23,170 be vaccinated . Uh As we've said before , 629 00:25:23,170 --> 00:25:26,030 this is a readiness issue . Uh It's a 630 00:25:26,030 --> 00:25:28,900 war fighting issue . Uh If we have to 631 00:25:28,900 --> 00:25:31,067 deploy forces around the world similar 632 00:25:31,067 --> 00:25:33,289 to the other types of vaccinations that 633 00:25:33,289 --> 00:25:35,420 were required uh to have , we need to 634 00:25:35,420 --> 00:25:38,340 ensure that our forces are ready to go . 635 00:25:38,350 --> 00:25:40,980 Thank you , ma'am . Alright . Uh let me 636 00:25:40,980 --> 00:25:43,091 go to heather and then I'll come back 637 00:25:43,091 --> 00:25:45,250 to heather us and I heather babb . 638 00:25:47,130 --> 00:25:49,720 So I understand that problem with 639 00:25:49,720 --> 00:25:53,600 reading this and I just real quickly 640 00:25:53,600 --> 00:25:57,360 on Syria , the attack that was 641 00:25:57,370 --> 00:25:59,940 thwarted neural hall by sdf forces . 642 00:25:59,950 --> 00:26:02,170 Did the U . S . Military have any role 643 00:26:02,170 --> 00:26:05,340 or have any input into helping the sdf 644 00:26:05,350 --> 00:26:07,406 with that attack ? And if so can you 645 00:26:07,406 --> 00:26:09,572 give us some more details on that . Uh 646 00:26:09,572 --> 00:26:11,739 Thanks Carlos . So what I would say is 647 00:26:11,739 --> 00:26:14,130 I'm not aware of any U . S . Or D . O . 648 00:26:14,130 --> 00:26:16,790 D . Involvement in that . I am aware of 649 00:26:16,790 --> 00:26:18,790 centcom's statement on that . So I 650 00:26:18,800 --> 00:26:20,856 would refer you to them and they can 651 00:26:20,856 --> 00:26:22,689 provide you with some additional 652 00:26:22,689 --> 00:26:24,856 details on that . Thank you . Okay now 653 00:26:24,856 --> 00:26:27,022 for real let me go to heather us and I 654 00:26:27,022 --> 00:26:28,856 great thank you so much . Um Two 655 00:26:28,856 --> 00:26:31,078 questions unrelated to each other . But 656 00:26:31,078 --> 00:26:32,967 the first is um that there's been 657 00:26:32,967 --> 00:26:35,078 reporting on social media and in some 658 00:26:35,078 --> 00:26:37,790 outlets about a USB that appeared on a 659 00:26:37,800 --> 00:26:40,022 beach in Crimea . Um I was wondering if 660 00:26:40,022 --> 00:26:42,050 you can confirm that this USB did 661 00:26:42,060 --> 00:26:44,470 appear and also if that was one of the 662 00:26:44,480 --> 00:26:46,950 USPS of the United States provided back 663 00:26:46,950 --> 00:26:49,850 in april and then on the vaccine 664 00:26:49,850 --> 00:26:52,017 mandate I was wondering if you're able 665 00:26:52,017 --> 00:26:54,072 to and you have to take this for the 666 00:26:54,072 --> 00:26:56,183 record . Um uh I was wondering if you 667 00:26:56,183 --> 00:26:58,530 know the military the pentagon actually 668 00:26:58,530 --> 00:27:00,752 have the ability to provide the F . D . 669 00:27:00,752 --> 00:27:03,250 A . License fighter and moderna shots 670 00:27:03,250 --> 00:27:05,472 or if they're still using eu a licensed 671 00:27:05,472 --> 00:27:09,120 of shots on your second question 672 00:27:09,130 --> 00:27:12,260 we'll take that one uh and come back to 673 00:27:12,260 --> 00:27:15,710 you . Um in terms of the um 674 00:27:16,700 --> 00:27:19,810 the reports out there um about 675 00:27:19,810 --> 00:27:23,550 a I think you call 676 00:27:23,560 --> 00:27:25,671 call it a C . Vehicle . Yeah we don't 677 00:27:25,671 --> 00:27:27,671 have anything on that . Thank you . 678 00:27:28,490 --> 00:27:32,290 Okay uh just a quick question about 679 00:27:32,300 --> 00:27:34,133 another congressional question . 680 00:27:34,133 --> 00:27:36,300 Republicans are saying that moving the 681 00:27:36,300 --> 00:27:38,411 Taiwan desk from the east Asia office 682 00:27:38,411 --> 00:27:40,300 and into the portfolio of the new 683 00:27:40,300 --> 00:27:42,356 deputy Deputy Assistant Secretary of 684 00:27:42,356 --> 00:27:44,522 defense for china uh sends a signal to 685 00:27:44,522 --> 00:27:46,633 Beijing that we might be prioritizing 686 00:27:46,633 --> 00:27:48,856 their concerns over Taiwan's what's the 687 00:27:48,856 --> 00:27:50,911 D . O . D . S response to people who 688 00:27:50,911 --> 00:27:53,133 might hold that view . Yeah . So what I 689 00:27:53,133 --> 00:27:55,356 what I would say and and I think uh you 690 00:27:55,356 --> 00:27:57,467 know we we provided this to others as 691 00:27:57,467 --> 00:27:59,244 well is that this was simply an 692 00:27:59,244 --> 00:28:01,140 administrative move within the 693 00:28:01,140 --> 00:28:04,180 department uh in terms of just helping 694 00:28:04,180 --> 00:28:06,760 to better manage their no one should 695 00:28:06,760 --> 00:28:08,816 really read into it too much . Thank 696 00:28:08,816 --> 00:28:11,620 you . I just want to follow up on the 697 00:28:11,630 --> 00:28:13,574 question from a couple of days ago 698 00:28:13,574 --> 00:28:15,352 about the abortion services via 699 00:28:15,352 --> 00:28:17,297 announced that they provided their 700 00:28:17,297 --> 00:28:19,850 first abortion at a V . A . Facility . 701 00:28:19,860 --> 00:28:22,250 Has D . O . D . Can you provide any 702 00:28:22,250 --> 00:28:24,306 information about military treatment 703 00:28:24,306 --> 00:28:26,500 facilities ? And is there any effort I 704 00:28:26,500 --> 00:28:28,333 mean is there going to be in any 705 00:28:28,333 --> 00:28:30,333 attempt to provide that information 706 00:28:30,333 --> 00:28:32,556 going forward when you say provide that 707 00:28:32,556 --> 00:28:35,090 information if any military treatment 708 00:28:35,090 --> 00:28:36,979 facilities have provided abortion 709 00:28:36,979 --> 00:28:40,650 services to um since the Dobbs decision ? 710 00:28:41,320 --> 00:28:44,970 Um I'm not aware of any again . Corey 711 00:28:44,970 --> 00:28:47,026 let me let me take that question for 712 00:28:47,026 --> 00:28:49,310 you . Um Yeah and I don't have any 713 00:28:49,310 --> 00:28:51,421 updates provide from the last time we 714 00:28:51,421 --> 00:28:53,477 we talked . So thank you . Let me go 715 00:28:53,477 --> 00:28:55,588 back to the phone real quick and then 716 00:28:55,588 --> 00:28:57,588 I'll come to you . Alright , Sylvie 717 00:28:57,588 --> 00:29:00,390 from a . F . P . No thank you . I would 718 00:29:00,390 --> 00:29:03,610 like to go back to putting a nuclear 719 00:29:03,610 --> 00:29:06,940 threat . Um Is it the assessment of the 720 00:29:06,940 --> 00:29:10,070 pentagon that it 721 00:29:10,080 --> 00:29:13,650 has put in as shifted ? 722 00:29:13,660 --> 00:29:17,390 Uh the the Russia's um 723 00:29:17,400 --> 00:29:20,840 nuclear weapon use policy 724 00:29:20,850 --> 00:29:24,220 um and that it will apply 725 00:29:24,230 --> 00:29:27,430 to the you to the 726 00:29:27,430 --> 00:29:29,930 Ukraine , Ukrainian territories that 727 00:29:29,940 --> 00:29:33,400 Moscow wants to annex . Yeah . Thanks , 728 00:29:33,400 --> 00:29:35,344 Sylvie . Um yeah , I'm not I'm not 729 00:29:35,344 --> 00:29:37,590 going to comment on Russian nuclear 730 00:29:37,590 --> 00:29:40,070 policy . Um what I would tell you is 731 00:29:40,070 --> 00:29:43,130 that that you know from where we sit 732 00:29:43,130 --> 00:29:45,186 right now , we have we have not seen 733 00:29:45,186 --> 00:29:48,460 anything that would cause us to change 734 00:29:48,460 --> 00:29:50,780 our own posture uh , certainly will 735 00:29:50,780 --> 00:29:53,430 continue to to watch this closely uh 736 00:29:53,430 --> 00:29:56,880 and take any kind of rhetoric seriously . 737 00:29:56,890 --> 00:29:59,050 But again , at this stage we've seen 738 00:29:59,050 --> 00:30:01,770 nothing that would indicate that we 739 00:30:01,770 --> 00:30:03,950 need to change any approach from our 740 00:30:03,950 --> 00:30:07,860 perspective . Thank you . Uh , Ukraine 741 00:30:07,860 --> 00:30:10,470 asked for four Mq one C gray eagles . 742 00:30:10,480 --> 00:30:12,970 And yesterday Secretary Austin got a 743 00:30:12,970 --> 00:30:15,870 letter asking the Secretary to review 744 00:30:15,880 --> 00:30:18,770 from from Congress asking to speed the 745 00:30:18,770 --> 00:30:20,992 review or to go with that review in the 746 00:30:20,992 --> 00:30:22,937 last 24 hours . Has there been any 747 00:30:22,937 --> 00:30:24,780 progress on on looking at that 748 00:30:24,790 --> 00:30:27,360 particular case for Ukraine ? Um Thank 749 00:30:27,360 --> 00:30:29,527 you first of all , what I would say in 750 00:30:29,527 --> 00:30:31,749 terms of congressional correspondence . 751 00:30:31,749 --> 00:30:33,804 You know , it would be inappropriate 752 00:30:33,804 --> 00:30:35,749 for me to talk about that from the 753 00:30:35,749 --> 00:30:37,804 podium and will certainly respond to 754 00:30:37,804 --> 00:30:40,027 Congress accordingly . What I would say 755 00:30:40,027 --> 00:30:39,870 in terms of providing any kind of 756 00:30:39,870 --> 00:30:42,860 specific equipment to Ukraine . Uh , 757 00:30:42,870 --> 00:30:44,703 it's something that we're always 758 00:30:44,703 --> 00:30:46,814 discussing . Um we are aware that the 759 00:30:46,814 --> 00:30:49,670 Ukrainians have asked for gray eagles 760 00:30:49,680 --> 00:30:51,791 or have an interesting great eagles . 761 00:30:51,791 --> 00:30:53,791 No decisions have been made in that 762 00:30:53,791 --> 00:30:55,810 regard . Deputy undersecretary for 763 00:30:55,810 --> 00:30:57,754 policy baker recently , as you may 764 00:30:57,754 --> 00:31:01,110 recall uh indicated that we are things 765 00:31:01,110 --> 00:31:03,277 that we're considering as we look into 766 00:31:03,277 --> 00:31:06,700 this include technology , um protection , 767 00:31:06,710 --> 00:31:10,630 um Survivability in the Ukrainian , uh 768 00:31:10,640 --> 00:31:14,210 battle space and so um and then of 769 00:31:14,210 --> 00:31:16,432 course the other thing we have to think 770 00:31:16,432 --> 00:31:18,377 through , like on any system , our 771 00:31:18,377 --> 00:31:20,488 readiness impacts on our own force in 772 00:31:20,488 --> 00:31:22,654 this case , particularly the army . So 773 00:31:22,654 --> 00:31:24,877 um again , no decision has been made in 774 00:31:24,877 --> 00:31:26,877 that regard . I would highlight the 775 00:31:26,877 --> 00:31:29,150 fact that throughout the course of this 776 00:31:29,160 --> 00:31:32,140 conflict , going as far back to the 777 00:31:32,140 --> 00:31:35,800 first tranche of usa I 778 00:31:35,810 --> 00:31:38,600 um Ukraine Security Assistance 779 00:31:38,610 --> 00:31:41,140 initiative , we've been providing 780 00:31:41,140 --> 00:31:43,140 Ukraine with a variety of I . S . R 781 00:31:43,140 --> 00:31:45,070 capabilities , 22 pumas . We've 782 00:31:45,070 --> 00:31:47,480 provided scan eagles , we've provided 783 00:31:47,480 --> 00:31:50,170 switchblades , phoenix ghost . Uh and 784 00:31:50,170 --> 00:31:53,650 so again we continue to maintain a 785 00:31:53,650 --> 00:31:55,706 robust dialogue with Ukraine and the 786 00:31:55,706 --> 00:31:57,928 international community about what we , 787 00:31:57,928 --> 00:32:00,039 the international community can do to 788 00:32:00,039 --> 00:32:01,983 support Ukraine , but that's where 789 00:32:01,983 --> 00:32:04,039 we're at at this point . So on those 790 00:32:04,039 --> 00:32:05,983 couple of points from MS baker the 791 00:32:05,983 --> 00:32:08,206 other day , survivability and readiness 792 00:32:08,206 --> 00:32:10,206 impact going just off the top of my 793 00:32:10,206 --> 00:32:12,317 head , I think there are about 286 of 794 00:32:12,317 --> 00:32:14,261 those systems in the United States 795 00:32:14,261 --> 00:32:16,510 Army's arsenal right now And they're 796 00:32:16,510 --> 00:32:18,990 going through a pretty uh costly tech 797 00:32:18,990 --> 00:32:21,200 refresh . So should the taxpayer be 798 00:32:21,200 --> 00:32:23,256 concerned about the survivability of 799 00:32:23,256 --> 00:32:26,810 those 280 some odd systems or the four 800 00:32:26,810 --> 00:32:29,050 that the Ukraine is the Ukrainian 801 00:32:29,050 --> 00:32:31,420 balance , based particularly 802 00:32:31,430 --> 00:32:35,300 uh costly 803 00:32:35,310 --> 00:32:37,820 for for those . So let's so let's not 804 00:32:37,820 --> 00:32:40,080 mix apples and oranges here . Um You 805 00:32:40,080 --> 00:32:42,330 know what we're talking about is uh 806 00:32:42,340 --> 00:32:44,560 security assistance to Ukraine when it 807 00:32:44,560 --> 00:32:46,504 comes to the employment of U . S . 808 00:32:46,504 --> 00:32:48,727 Military capabilities . Again I'd refer 809 00:32:48,727 --> 00:32:50,727 to the army to talk about their own 810 00:32:50,727 --> 00:32:52,838 systems . Um certainly we're going to 811 00:32:52,838 --> 00:32:55,004 consider a variety of options in terms 812 00:32:55,004 --> 00:32:55,000 of how we employ those kinds of 813 00:32:55,000 --> 00:32:56,611 capabilities , the operating 814 00:32:56,611 --> 00:32:58,722 environments that we employ them in . 815 00:32:58,722 --> 00:33:01,950 Um No . Uh and just broadly speaking , 816 00:33:01,950 --> 00:33:05,210 as an airman , when we do employ aerial 817 00:33:05,210 --> 00:33:07,820 systems , uh it's more than just the 818 00:33:07,820 --> 00:33:09,431 aircraft . It's a variety of 819 00:33:09,431 --> 00:33:11,598 capabilities that are supporting those 820 00:33:11,598 --> 00:33:13,709 aircraft . So there's a lot that goes 821 00:33:13,709 --> 00:33:15,820 into employing any type of aircraft . 822 00:33:15,820 --> 00:33:18,042 Um So I just highlight those as factors 823 00:33:18,042 --> 00:33:21,200 that uh like any system we would have 824 00:33:21,200 --> 00:33:23,200 to take into account before we 825 00:33:23,210 --> 00:33:25,380 introduce it to the battlefield . 826 00:33:25,390 --> 00:33:29,270 Thanks . Okay , let me go ahead here 827 00:33:29,270 --> 00:33:31,492 and then I'll go back up to the phone . 828 00:33:31,492 --> 00:33:33,270 Yes , sir , Thank you . General 829 00:33:33,270 --> 00:33:35,437 regarding two other areas like Syria , 830 00:33:35,437 --> 00:33:37,326 do you have any communications or 831 00:33:37,326 --> 00:33:39,580 contact with the Russian counterpart to 832 00:33:39,580 --> 00:33:42,710 avoid any conflict between the two 833 00:33:42,720 --> 00:33:44,980 armies , especially , you know , we 834 00:33:44,980 --> 00:33:47,330 have U . S . Bases in Syria and 835 00:33:47,340 --> 00:33:49,560 additional for that , we have even 836 00:33:49,570 --> 00:33:53,110 Russian troops there . Yes . So 837 00:33:53,120 --> 00:33:55,840 uh we do maintain regular military to 838 00:33:55,840 --> 00:33:59,010 military contact with Russia . The 839 00:33:59,010 --> 00:34:01,670 Russian military uh as it pertains to 840 00:34:01,670 --> 00:34:03,837 Syria . Uh you know I talked about the 841 00:34:03,837 --> 00:34:05,503 other day about the fact that 842 00:34:05,503 --> 00:34:07,726 particularly the airspace there is , is 843 00:34:07,726 --> 00:34:10,030 contested uh and so going as far back 844 00:34:10,030 --> 00:34:12,030 as the counter ISIS campaign in the 845 00:34:12,030 --> 00:34:14,252 early days of the Counter ISIS campaign 846 00:34:14,252 --> 00:34:16,490 when Russia introduced forces that has 847 00:34:16,490 --> 00:34:19,210 been a longstanding policy and approach 848 00:34:19,220 --> 00:34:21,276 and I would encourage you to contact 849 00:34:21,276 --> 00:34:23,387 Central Command or air forces central 850 00:34:23,387 --> 00:34:25,609 and they can provide you with much more 851 00:34:25,609 --> 00:34:27,609 detail . Let me go out to the phone 852 00:34:27,609 --> 00:34:30,580 here , Lara Seligman political . Hey 853 00:34:30,580 --> 00:34:32,680 Pat , thanks for doing this . Um two 854 00:34:32,680 --> 00:34:34,624 questions . One , I just wanted to 855 00:34:34,624 --> 00:34:36,680 follow up on the questions about the 856 00:34:36,680 --> 00:34:38,791 mobilization and I'm wondering if you 857 00:34:38,791 --> 00:34:40,902 could , if I could ask specifically , 858 00:34:40,902 --> 00:34:42,902 what does the pentagon assesses the 859 00:34:42,902 --> 00:34:44,958 quality or the quality of the people 860 00:34:44,958 --> 00:34:47,180 that Putin is calling up . I know these 861 00:34:47,180 --> 00:34:49,347 are supposed to be former troops , but 862 00:34:49,347 --> 00:34:52,020 what kind of training have they had and 863 00:34:52,020 --> 00:34:54,187 what kind of difference will they make 864 00:34:54,187 --> 00:34:56,353 on the battlefield and then um related 865 00:34:56,353 --> 00:34:58,242 question , what is the pentagon's 866 00:34:58,242 --> 00:35:00,464 assessment of what Ukrainian forces are 867 00:35:00,464 --> 00:35:02,631 going to need for the winter ? And how 868 00:35:02,631 --> 00:35:04,798 are we helping them with that ? Yeah , 869 00:35:04,798 --> 00:35:06,687 thanks Laura . Um in terms of the 870 00:35:06,687 --> 00:35:08,520 specific individuals that may be 871 00:35:08,520 --> 00:35:10,920 affected by a Russian partial 872 00:35:10,920 --> 00:35:13,620 mobilization . Again , I'm seeing a lot 873 00:35:13,620 --> 00:35:16,180 of the same press reporting that you 874 00:35:16,180 --> 00:35:18,069 are , that's that's coming out of 875 00:35:18,069 --> 00:35:20,180 Russia . And so I certainly would not 876 00:35:20,180 --> 00:35:23,160 want to speculate or generalize about 877 00:35:23,160 --> 00:35:25,650 specific individuals , just don't have 878 00:35:25,650 --> 00:35:27,650 that information to provide . Uh in 879 00:35:27,650 --> 00:35:30,790 terms of Ukraine and the winter 880 00:35:30,800 --> 00:35:33,950 um as evidenced by 881 00:35:33,960 --> 00:35:36,410 the pd announcement that we put out 882 00:35:36,410 --> 00:35:39,480 recently . We are we are we do continue 883 00:35:39,480 --> 00:35:41,690 to communicate with the Ukrainians and 884 00:35:41,700 --> 00:35:43,644 and our international partners and 885 00:35:43,644 --> 00:35:45,867 allies in terms of what their needs may 886 00:35:45,867 --> 00:35:48,160 be for the winter time . Uh and again 887 00:35:48,160 --> 00:35:50,300 we're providing some winter gear but 888 00:35:50,300 --> 00:35:51,911 we'll continue to have those 889 00:35:51,911 --> 00:35:54,133 conversations and support them as we as 890 00:35:54,133 --> 00:35:56,244 we head into the winter months here . 891 00:35:56,244 --> 00:35:58,190 Thank you . Right yes ma'am . 892 00:35:58,750 --> 00:36:02,340 Uh is the D . O . D going to launch an 893 00:36:02,550 --> 00:36:06,470 investigation to look into the 894 00:36:06,790 --> 00:36:10,640 accusations made against the US forces 895 00:36:10,640 --> 00:36:13,300 in Iraq of the killing of an Iraqi 896 00:36:13,300 --> 00:36:16,330 teenagers in Abu Ghraib recently by a 897 00:36:16,330 --> 00:36:19,160 bullet . Um I don't have any 898 00:36:19,160 --> 00:36:21,216 information on that . So let me take 899 00:36:21,216 --> 00:36:23,216 that question for you . Thank you . 900 00:36:23,216 --> 00:36:25,327 Okay let me do one more for the phone 901 00:36:25,327 --> 00:36:27,382 here and then do last couple here in 902 00:36:27,382 --> 00:36:30,750 the room . Kassem from Anadolu . Yeah 903 00:36:30,760 --> 00:36:32,649 thank you very much . General for 904 00:36:32,649 --> 00:36:34,871 taking my question . I was going to ask 905 00:36:34,871 --> 00:36:38,250 about this prisoner swap based on 906 00:36:38,260 --> 00:36:40,330 the information you have . Could you 907 00:36:40,330 --> 00:36:43,600 just tell us if how many other U . S . 908 00:36:43,600 --> 00:36:45,544 Veterans are currently fighting in 909 00:36:45,544 --> 00:36:47,433 Ukraine ? Are are there any other 910 00:36:47,433 --> 00:36:50,760 veterans at the hands of Russians ? 911 00:36:51,570 --> 00:36:54,690 Yeah thanks Kassem . So I would refer 912 00:36:54,690 --> 00:36:56,912 you to the State Department in terms of 913 00:36:56,912 --> 00:36:59,600 the status of US citizens overseas that 914 00:36:59,600 --> 00:37:02,470 that's not information that we track uh 915 00:37:02,480 --> 00:37:04,591 necessarily here in the Department of 916 00:37:04,591 --> 00:37:07,800 Defense . Obviously our focus is on are 917 00:37:07,810 --> 00:37:10,160 actively serving military members . 918 00:37:10,170 --> 00:37:12,850 Thank you . Alright , do one or two 919 00:37:12,850 --> 00:37:14,961 more here . Yes , Tony . Your service 920 00:37:14,961 --> 00:37:17,183 this week made a big splash saying that 921 00:37:17,183 --> 00:37:19,517 the B 21 bomber is going to be unveiled , 922 00:37:19,517 --> 00:37:19,340 rolled out in the first week of 923 00:37:19,340 --> 00:37:21,490 december . Did Secretary Austin have 924 00:37:21,490 --> 00:37:23,601 any hand in that decision to allow it 925 00:37:23,601 --> 00:37:26,370 to be rolled out ? And should observers 926 00:37:26,370 --> 00:37:28,314 look at that as a less than subtle 927 00:37:28,314 --> 00:37:30,410 message to china of this new U . S . 928 00:37:30,410 --> 00:37:32,577 Capability that later this decade will 929 00:37:32,577 --> 00:37:34,910 be flying ? Yes . So the Secretary is 930 00:37:34,910 --> 00:37:37,830 certainly aware of the Air Force's 931 00:37:37,840 --> 00:37:40,320 announcement . I would refer to the Air 932 00:37:40,320 --> 00:37:42,431 Force to talk through the specifics . 933 00:37:42,431 --> 00:37:44,598 Of course . Part of this is the normal 934 00:37:44,598 --> 00:37:47,300 maturation of the B 21 program . Uh And 935 00:37:47,310 --> 00:37:50,020 in terms of sending a message , I would 936 00:37:50,020 --> 00:37:52,242 just broaden the aperture here and just 937 00:37:52,242 --> 00:37:54,550 say , you know , by virtue of the B 21 938 00:37:54,640 --> 00:37:56,807 the capability that it will provide to 939 00:37:56,807 --> 00:37:59,010 the United States military uh and to 940 00:37:59,010 --> 00:38:00,954 our allies and partners around the 941 00:38:00,954 --> 00:38:03,100 world ? Uh It certainly does send a 942 00:38:03,100 --> 00:38:05,290 message in terms of our ability to 943 00:38:05,290 --> 00:38:08,510 provide global strike anywhere anytime 944 00:38:08,670 --> 00:38:11,300 this decade . Obviously housekeeping . 945 00:38:11,310 --> 00:38:13,199 What's the status of the National 946 00:38:13,199 --> 00:38:15,310 Defense Strategy which you control of 947 00:38:15,310 --> 00:38:17,310 the White House ? Thanks Tony . I I 948 00:38:17,310 --> 00:38:19,421 don't have any updates to provide for 949 00:38:19,421 --> 00:38:21,588 you now but as always will continue to 950 00:38:21,588 --> 00:38:23,310 make sure that when we do have 951 00:38:23,310 --> 00:38:25,477 something to announce we will announce 952 00:38:25,477 --> 00:38:27,699 it . So All right , thank you very much 953 00:38:27,699 --> 00:38:27,070 everybody . I appreciate it .