1 00:00:03,440 --> 00:00:07,030 afternoon , everybody . Just a couple 2 00:00:07,030 --> 00:00:10,700 of things to start out with 3 00:00:10,700 --> 00:00:11,150 here . 4 00:00:19,940 --> 00:00:22,920 Okay , I would like to take a moment 5 00:00:22,920 --> 00:00:25,960 today to announce that Secretary Austin 6 00:00:25,970 --> 00:00:28,137 has approved the next round of D . O . 7 00:00:28,137 --> 00:00:30,303 D . Advisory boards and committees for 8 00:00:30,303 --> 00:00:32,470 resumption of operations and I'll list 9 00:00:32,470 --> 00:00:35,210 them . Uh They include the Air 10 00:00:35,210 --> 00:00:37,800 University Board of Visitors and we can 11 00:00:37,800 --> 00:00:39,900 get this list to you . Uh You don't 12 00:00:39,900 --> 00:00:42,430 have to write everyone down advisory 13 00:00:42,430 --> 00:00:44,208 committee on Arlington National 14 00:00:44,208 --> 00:00:46,041 Cemetery . The advisory panel on 15 00:00:46,041 --> 00:00:48,263 community support for military Families 16 00:00:48,263 --> 00:00:50,097 with special needs , the Defense 17 00:00:50,097 --> 00:00:52,140 Advisory Committee on diversity and 18 00:00:52,140 --> 00:00:54,720 inclusion . The U . S . Military Board 19 00:00:54,920 --> 00:00:57,180 sorry . U . S . Military Academy Board 20 00:00:57,190 --> 00:00:59,280 of Visitors , National Defense 21 00:00:59,280 --> 00:01:01,447 University Board of Visitors . The U . 22 00:01:01,447 --> 00:01:03,780 S . Air Force Academy Board of Visitors . 23 00:01:03,810 --> 00:01:06,200 U . S . Naval Academy Board of Visitors 24 00:01:06,240 --> 00:01:08,184 positions for these boards will be 25 00:01:08,184 --> 00:01:10,351 filled in the coming weeks and we look 26 00:01:10,351 --> 00:01:12,184 forward to them continuing their 27 00:01:12,184 --> 00:01:14,240 important work . In fact many of you 28 00:01:14,240 --> 00:01:16,570 have been have seen last week that 29 00:01:16,580 --> 00:01:18,590 Deputy Secretary Hicks swore in . 30 00:01:18,590 --> 00:01:20,530 Former Secretary of the Air Force 31 00:01:20,530 --> 00:01:23,280 Deborah Deborah lee James as the chair 32 00:01:23,280 --> 00:01:25,336 of the Defense Business Board . It's 33 00:01:25,336 --> 00:01:27,169 great to have her supporting the 34 00:01:27,169 --> 00:01:28,836 department again , additional 35 00:01:28,836 --> 00:01:31,002 information about the Defense Business 36 00:01:31,002 --> 00:01:33,113 Board and its members can be found on 37 00:01:33,113 --> 00:01:36,500 their website . That's dB BB dot 38 00:01:36,510 --> 00:01:39,170 defense dot gov . These boards and 39 00:01:39,170 --> 00:01:41,770 committees that have been and will 40 00:01:41,770 --> 00:01:45,640 continue to be a valuable resource as 41 00:01:45,640 --> 00:01:47,862 we defend the nation . Take care of our 42 00:01:47,862 --> 00:01:50,140 people uh and succeed through teamwork . 43 00:01:50,240 --> 00:01:52,296 Our leadership team looks forward to 44 00:01:52,296 --> 00:01:54,840 working with them in the future . Now , 45 00:01:54,840 --> 00:01:57,140 on a separate note earlier this week we 46 00:01:57,140 --> 00:02:00,490 welcomed randy Church Key , a retired U . 47 00:02:00,490 --> 00:02:02,657 S . Air Force major General as the new 48 00:02:02,657 --> 00:02:04,810 Senior Advisor for arctic security 49 00:02:04,810 --> 00:02:07,330 Affairs to assist with establishing the 50 00:02:07,330 --> 00:02:09,890 Ted stevens Center for Arctic Security 51 00:02:09,890 --> 00:02:13,320 Studies . The Ted Stevens Center is the 52 00:02:13,320 --> 00:02:15,830 Department of Defense is 6th and Newest 53 00:02:15,840 --> 00:02:18,580 Regional Center . Mr Key is responsible 54 00:02:18,580 --> 00:02:20,636 for supporting the establishment and 55 00:02:20,636 --> 00:02:22,858 early operations of the new D . O . D . 56 00:02:22,858 --> 00:02:25,024 Institution with the mission to engage 57 00:02:25,024 --> 00:02:27,191 in regional and global security issues 58 00:02:27,191 --> 00:02:29,247 through research , communication and 59 00:02:29,247 --> 00:02:29,100 education . He'll also work with 60 00:02:29,100 --> 00:02:31,270 partner nations to ensure a stable 61 00:02:31,270 --> 00:02:34,120 rules based order in in in the arctic 62 00:02:34,130 --> 00:02:36,352 that will benefit the United States and 63 00:02:36,352 --> 00:02:38,800 all arctic nations . And then finally , 64 00:02:38,800 --> 00:02:41,620 on a schedule note um next week , on 65 00:02:41,620 --> 00:02:44,550 monday the secretary will visit Joint 66 00:02:44,550 --> 00:02:46,920 base McGuire Dix Lakehurst , New Jersey 67 00:02:46,920 --> 00:02:49,031 to take a look at the facilities that 68 00:02:49,031 --> 00:02:50,864 are supporting the Department of 69 00:02:50,864 --> 00:02:52,753 Homeland Security's screening and 70 00:02:52,753 --> 00:02:54,531 resettlement efforts for afghan 71 00:02:54,531 --> 00:02:56,753 evacuees . As you know , this is one of 72 00:02:56,753 --> 00:02:58,920 the eight approved locations where the 73 00:02:58,920 --> 00:02:58,510 department is providing temporary 74 00:02:58,510 --> 00:03:00,399 housing and sustainment to afghan 75 00:03:00,399 --> 00:03:02,566 evacuees . While there , the secretary 76 00:03:02,566 --> 00:03:04,788 will visit the various facilities being 77 00:03:04,788 --> 00:03:06,899 provided and he will have a chance to 78 00:03:06,899 --> 00:03:08,621 talk with troops and and other 79 00:03:08,621 --> 00:03:10,343 departmental personnel who are 80 00:03:10,343 --> 00:03:12,566 supporting this important mission . And 81 00:03:12,566 --> 00:03:14,788 I think you'll also have an opportunity 82 00:03:14,788 --> 00:03:14,350 to speak with some of the afghans who 83 00:03:14,350 --> 00:03:16,294 are are now in the middle of their 84 00:03:16,294 --> 00:03:19,080 processing and uh on the uh on a 85 00:03:19,080 --> 00:03:21,191 journey to a new life here in America 86 00:03:21,191 --> 00:03:23,420 that will take questions . Uh Thanks 87 00:03:23,420 --> 00:03:25,540 john , on that same note about the 88 00:03:25,540 --> 00:03:28,380 afghan refugee camps . I was just 89 00:03:28,380 --> 00:03:30,491 wondering as an update as secretary , 90 00:03:30,491 --> 00:03:32,420 often taking any steps to inquire 91 00:03:32,420 --> 00:03:35,500 further about conditions at Fort McCoy 92 00:03:35,500 --> 00:03:37,556 and the problems that were described 93 00:03:37,556 --> 00:03:40,580 there . Uh He has stayed in touch with 94 00:03:40,580 --> 00:03:42,880 General Van Herck throughout this . So 95 00:03:42,880 --> 00:03:45,650 they have a regular dialogue about 96 00:03:46,240 --> 00:03:48,760 how each of the task forces are doing 97 00:03:48,770 --> 00:03:51,300 what the capacity is , what the 98 00:03:51,300 --> 00:03:53,710 population is and any concerns . So 99 00:03:53,710 --> 00:03:55,877 he's in regular touch with General Van 100 00:03:55,877 --> 00:03:57,821 Herk and of course Chairman Millie 101 00:03:57,821 --> 00:04:01,220 about uh conditions at all . 88 basis 102 00:04:01,220 --> 00:04:04,720 what I would tell you is in . And we we 103 00:04:04,720 --> 00:04:06,776 looked into this too , there's never 104 00:04:06,776 --> 00:04:09,590 been a time um that the building at 105 00:04:09,590 --> 00:04:13,450 Fort McCoy was not heated . Um And 106 00:04:13,450 --> 00:04:15,617 Fort McCoy was selected I think as you 107 00:04:15,617 --> 00:04:17,839 know , as a location to support afghans 108 00:04:17,839 --> 00:04:20,150 because of its very mature training 109 00:04:20,540 --> 00:04:22,651 Infrastructure , they train routinely 110 00:04:22,651 --> 00:04:25,050 more than 125,000 joint service 111 00:04:25,050 --> 00:04:27,050 personnel throughout a given year . 112 00:04:27,430 --> 00:04:29,374 They did not have to construct any 113 00:04:29,374 --> 00:04:32,160 additional ability dining facilities , 114 00:04:32,540 --> 00:04:34,540 Recreational facilities , religious 115 00:04:34,540 --> 00:04:36,373 areas or any other structures to 116 00:04:36,373 --> 00:04:38,040 support what is roughly now a 117 00:04:38,040 --> 00:04:41,440 population of about 13,000 Afghans . Um 118 00:04:41,440 --> 00:04:43,662 And I would also point out that our own 119 00:04:43,662 --> 00:04:45,829 service members because this is such a 120 00:04:45,829 --> 00:04:47,829 big training base , our own service 121 00:04:47,829 --> 00:04:50,070 members stay live in the same building 122 00:04:50,080 --> 00:04:53,190 that these afghan evacuees are are are 123 00:04:53,190 --> 00:04:55,800 staying in . Um and look , I mean one 124 00:04:55,800 --> 00:04:57,800 of our top priorities in this whole 125 00:04:57,800 --> 00:04:59,744 operation is providing shelter and 126 00:04:59,744 --> 00:05:01,856 security . Um and we're going to stay 127 00:05:01,856 --> 00:05:03,800 focused on that going forward . So 128 00:05:03,800 --> 00:05:05,856 there were no shortcomings that over 129 00:05:05,856 --> 00:05:07,856 the exaggerated or I don't know , I 130 00:05:07,856 --> 00:05:09,967 mean , I can't , I can't speak to the 131 00:05:09,967 --> 00:05:11,856 specific claims other than I said 132 00:05:11,856 --> 00:05:13,967 yesterday or the other day that we're 133 00:05:13,967 --> 00:05:16,133 aware of it , We take them seriously , 134 00:05:16,133 --> 00:05:18,411 but we did look into it and at no time . 135 00:05:18,411 --> 00:05:21,000 Was there no heating ? Um , no heating ? 136 00:05:21,010 --> 00:05:23,700 I mean , uh , and and we know that 137 00:05:23,700 --> 00:05:26,070 there are lots of aid groups and and 138 00:05:26,080 --> 00:05:29,610 communities locally and not just in 139 00:05:29,620 --> 00:05:31,510 Wisconsin , but at all the other 140 00:05:31,510 --> 00:05:35,400 facilities to that , um , that are 141 00:05:35,410 --> 00:05:38,510 contributing winter weather , clothing 142 00:05:38,510 --> 00:05:41,460 and other items , donating other items , 143 00:05:41,460 --> 00:05:44,070 comfort items to the afghans . And so 144 00:05:44,070 --> 00:05:46,620 we're working closely with the private 145 00:05:46,620 --> 00:05:50,360 sector and the nonprofit sector uh to 146 00:05:50,360 --> 00:05:52,416 make sure that that kind of material 147 00:05:52,416 --> 00:05:54,560 gets to the afghans as well . Yeah , 148 00:05:55,440 --> 00:05:57,920 thank you . Um looking ahead to over 149 00:05:57,920 --> 00:06:01,030 horizon strikes in Afghanistan , is the 150 00:06:01,040 --> 00:06:02,818 airspace over Afghanistan being 151 00:06:02,818 --> 00:06:05,270 considered sovereign Taliban airspace ? 152 00:06:05,280 --> 00:06:07,480 Are there gonna be coordination for 153 00:06:07,480 --> 00:06:10,280 permission to fly into do strikes ? How 154 00:06:10,280 --> 00:06:12,336 is that going to work ? What I would 155 00:06:12,336 --> 00:06:15,050 tell you Megan is that we retain all 156 00:06:15,050 --> 00:06:17,310 necessary authorities to execute over 157 00:06:17,310 --> 00:06:19,643 the horizon counterterrorism operations . 158 00:06:19,643 --> 00:06:23,180 Uh and we remain confident um , in 159 00:06:23,180 --> 00:06:25,069 these capabilities moving forward 160 00:06:25,069 --> 00:06:27,280 without speaking to specific rules of 161 00:06:27,280 --> 00:06:29,280 engagement surrounding airstrikes . 162 00:06:29,740 --> 00:06:32,170 There is currently no requirement to 163 00:06:32,170 --> 00:06:34,281 clear airspace with the taliban . And 164 00:06:34,281 --> 00:06:36,392 we do not expect that any future over 165 00:06:36,392 --> 00:06:38,614 their eyes and counterterrorism strikes 166 00:06:38,614 --> 00:06:40,670 would hinge on such a clearance . Is 167 00:06:40,670 --> 00:06:42,892 there any concern about the taliban not 168 00:06:42,892 --> 00:06:44,892 knowing what's going on , trying to 169 00:06:44,892 --> 00:06:47,003 shoot down drones or anything ? I was 170 00:06:47,003 --> 00:06:49,226 just in general say that in the conduct 171 00:06:49,226 --> 00:06:53,090 of any operation we factor in all 172 00:06:53,090 --> 00:06:56,130 manner of force protection um 173 00:06:56,140 --> 00:06:59,600 uh into the into the actual execution 174 00:06:59,600 --> 00:07:01,656 of it and that would be no different 175 00:07:01,656 --> 00:07:05,390 here in Afghanistan . Um can I ask you 176 00:07:05,390 --> 00:07:07,612 about Havana syndrome ? Have there been 177 00:07:07,612 --> 00:07:09,834 any more U . S . Military personnel who 178 00:07:09,834 --> 00:07:12,057 have been affected by Havana syndrome ? 179 00:07:12,057 --> 00:07:14,610 I don't have any additional data . Um 180 00:07:14,620 --> 00:07:18,050 We continue to get reports um and we 181 00:07:18,050 --> 00:07:19,883 continue to investigate them . I 182 00:07:19,883 --> 00:07:22,770 couldn't give you a number today . Um 183 00:07:22,780 --> 00:07:25,050 but there have been there have been 184 00:07:25,050 --> 00:07:28,410 additional uhh 185 00:07:28,590 --> 00:07:31,060 claims of those kinds of 186 00:07:31,840 --> 00:07:35,430 phenomena over recent 187 00:07:35,430 --> 00:07:37,597 months . And we look at each and every 188 00:07:37,597 --> 00:07:39,541 one of them and we talked to every 189 00:07:39,541 --> 00:07:42,160 individual , some of them uh are 190 00:07:42,170 --> 00:07:44,840 inconclusive to be honest about whether 191 00:07:44,840 --> 00:07:46,970 it really was a guy . But I think you 192 00:07:46,970 --> 00:07:49,700 saw that just recently , the secretary 193 00:07:49,700 --> 00:07:51,922 put out a memo to the entire work force 194 00:07:51,922 --> 00:07:53,922 that he too wants them to take this 195 00:07:53,922 --> 00:07:56,144 seriously and to make sure that if they 196 00:07:56,144 --> 00:07:58,730 believe that they have fallen victim to 197 00:07:58,730 --> 00:08:01,750 this health phenomena that they 198 00:08:01,760 --> 00:08:04,350 reported both through the medical 199 00:08:04,840 --> 00:08:06,784 service providers as well as their 200 00:08:06,784 --> 00:08:09,370 chain of command . So we can log it in 201 00:08:09,370 --> 00:08:11,640 and again investigate them . Which 202 00:08:11,640 --> 00:08:13,862 regions were you hearing complaints the 203 00:08:13,862 --> 00:08:15,807 most ? I don't have a breakdown of 204 00:08:15,807 --> 00:08:18,390 regions , jen there were complaints 205 00:08:18,390 --> 00:08:20,390 that the State Department officials 206 00:08:20,390 --> 00:08:22,557 were not allowed to use walter reed in 207 00:08:22,557 --> 00:08:25,710 the National Intrepid Center of 208 00:08:25,710 --> 00:08:27,766 Excellence for their traumatic brain 209 00:08:27,766 --> 00:08:30,099 injuries resulting from Havana syndrome . 210 00:08:30,099 --> 00:08:31,877 Is that because walter reed has 211 00:08:31,877 --> 00:08:33,654 restrictions , the pentagon has 212 00:08:33,654 --> 00:08:35,710 restrictions or the State Department 213 00:08:35,710 --> 00:08:37,710 has restrictions who's denying them 214 00:08:37,710 --> 00:08:39,932 that ? Well , as you know , walter reed 215 00:08:39,932 --> 00:08:41,988 is designed for active duty families 216 00:08:41,988 --> 00:08:45,470 and uh , and of course veterans . So 217 00:08:45,470 --> 00:08:48,630 it's , it's a military hospital and uh , 218 00:08:48,640 --> 00:08:50,990 it provides care to military and 219 00:08:50,990 --> 00:08:53,101 veteran populations . But let me take 220 00:08:53,101 --> 00:08:55,323 your question , I'm not aware of this , 221 00:08:55,323 --> 00:08:57,850 this issue complaint . So rather than 222 00:08:57,860 --> 00:09:00,027 spitballing here , let me find out for 223 00:09:00,027 --> 00:09:02,193 you and we'll get back to you . Okay ? 224 00:09:02,340 --> 00:09:04,650 Yeah , Christina . Hi , thanks for 225 00:09:04,660 --> 00:09:06,910 taking my question . You bet . I just 226 00:09:06,910 --> 00:09:09,021 want to clarify something from recent 227 00:09:09,021 --> 00:09:11,440 briefings on monday . You said the 228 00:09:11,440 --> 00:09:14,210 decision to conduct the august 29th 229 00:09:14,220 --> 00:09:16,610 drone strike was made by the strike 230 00:09:16,610 --> 00:09:19,660 sell commander in Kabul and Mackenzie 231 00:09:19,660 --> 00:09:22,890 said on friday , General Mackenzie said 232 00:09:22,890 --> 00:09:25,750 that the target engagement authority is 233 00:09:25,750 --> 00:09:28,030 held by the over the horizon Strike 234 00:09:28,030 --> 00:09:30,990 sell commander whose forward in theater . 235 00:09:31,000 --> 00:09:33,100 So I'm just wondering if there's if 236 00:09:33,100 --> 00:09:36,950 that's the same thing . No , 237 00:09:36,980 --> 00:09:40,370 it's not . Um , I was an error . The 238 00:09:40,370 --> 00:09:42,960 Strike Sale Commander was not in Kabul 239 00:09:42,970 --> 00:09:45,026 uh , as I understand it , the strike 240 00:09:45,026 --> 00:09:47,400 Sale commander is in was in another 241 00:09:47,400 --> 00:09:51,350 country in the region . So I'm pretty 242 00:09:51,350 --> 00:09:53,572 sure you're right . That's exactly what 243 00:09:53,572 --> 00:09:55,683 I said and that would make me wrong . 244 00:09:55,683 --> 00:09:58,830 Okay . We don't know what country the 245 00:09:58,830 --> 00:10:01,510 Strike sell Commander . No , I do . I 246 00:10:01,510 --> 00:10:04,180 just not at liberty to discuss that . 247 00:10:04,190 --> 00:10:07,010 Just one more thing . The president has 248 00:10:07,010 --> 00:10:09,066 vowed to hunt down those responsible 249 00:10:09,066 --> 00:10:12,090 for the August 26 uh strike that killed 250 00:10:12,100 --> 00:10:15,470 13 Americans ? Or is the pentagon still 251 00:10:15,470 --> 00:10:17,420 planning to do that ? Are we still 252 00:10:17,420 --> 00:10:19,420 looking for those who conducted the 253 00:10:19,420 --> 00:10:23,270 strike ? Yes , Thanks . Yes . Check 254 00:10:23,280 --> 00:10:25,169 how about to follow up on Megan's 255 00:10:25,169 --> 00:10:27,058 question about airspace . And I'm 256 00:10:27,058 --> 00:10:29,169 wondering what the situation was with 257 00:10:29,169 --> 00:10:31,280 Pakistan and the US used in Pakistani 258 00:10:31,280 --> 00:10:33,770 airspace for operations inside of 259 00:10:33,770 --> 00:10:35,826 Afghanistan . Do you have a standing 260 00:10:35,826 --> 00:10:37,937 agreement with them that you can come 261 00:10:37,937 --> 00:10:39,826 through their airspace or is that 262 00:10:39,826 --> 00:10:41,826 something that's under negotiations 263 00:10:41,826 --> 00:10:43,992 with ? Yeah , without getting into the 264 00:10:43,992 --> 00:10:46,103 details of it . I mean , obviously we 265 00:10:46,103 --> 00:10:48,730 continue to uh to uh communicate with 266 00:10:48,730 --> 00:10:50,730 Pakistan about the range of threats 267 00:10:50,730 --> 00:10:52,841 there in the region , particularly in 268 00:10:52,841 --> 00:10:54,952 the border region between Afghanistan 269 00:10:54,952 --> 00:10:58,840 and Pakistan . And um uh , and um it's 270 00:10:58,840 --> 00:11:02,290 a shared interest for both of us . And 271 00:11:02,290 --> 00:11:05,110 I I don't think it would be useful here 272 00:11:05,110 --> 00:11:07,690 at the podium to talk about all the 273 00:11:07,690 --> 00:11:11,220 particulars of how bilaterally we 274 00:11:11,220 --> 00:11:14,840 think going after those threats can be 275 00:11:14,840 --> 00:11:17,620 done in the most effective way you said 276 00:11:17,620 --> 00:11:19,287 that the pentagon has all the 277 00:11:19,287 --> 00:11:21,509 authorities it needs at this point . So 278 00:11:21,840 --> 00:11:24,173 the Pakistani airspace is not a concern . 279 00:11:24,173 --> 00:11:26,284 That was the question was asked about 280 00:11:26,284 --> 00:11:29,470 Afghan airspace but john 281 00:11:29,830 --> 00:11:32,250 Havana Center , do you have a number of 282 00:11:32,260 --> 00:11:34,310 US troops affected by it ? I do not 283 00:11:34,310 --> 00:11:36,532 have a total number . Also . What's the 284 00:11:36,532 --> 00:11:38,810 level of concern within the department ? 285 00:11:39,540 --> 00:11:41,707 Significant concerns ? Secretary would 286 00:11:41,707 --> 00:11:43,596 have sent a memo to the workforce 287 00:11:43,596 --> 00:11:45,707 advising them to take it seriously if 288 00:11:45,707 --> 00:11:47,873 he didn't take it seriously . And also 289 00:11:47,873 --> 00:11:50,096 a separate question . President Erdogan 290 00:11:50,096 --> 00:11:52,207 today said that the United States has 291 00:11:52,207 --> 00:11:54,610 increased its support to terror groups . 292 00:11:54,610 --> 00:11:56,980 Apparently was referring to the sdf Y . 293 00:11:56,980 --> 00:12:00,280 P . G . In Syria . Is there a new kind 294 00:12:00,280 --> 00:12:02,930 of supply of equipment or financial 295 00:12:02,930 --> 00:12:05,152 support to the I don't have anything to 296 00:12:05,152 --> 00:12:07,097 speak to today about that . Yeah , 297 00:12:07,097 --> 00:12:09,041 thank you . I have two questions . 298 00:12:09,041 --> 00:12:11,740 First . The U . S . Has branched orcas 299 00:12:11,750 --> 00:12:14,510 last week and the president is holding 300 00:12:14,520 --> 00:12:18,360 hosting the quad , read a meeting now 301 00:12:18,370 --> 00:12:22,100 at the White House . I'm wondering I'm 302 00:12:22,100 --> 00:12:23,822 wondering if there is a policy 303 00:12:23,822 --> 00:12:26,044 coordination policy cooperation between 304 00:12:26,044 --> 00:12:29,060 the quad and august in the future . 305 00:12:29,640 --> 00:12:33,390 I think fundamentally These 306 00:12:33,390 --> 00:12:35,760 are two different arrangements . 307 00:12:36,510 --> 00:12:39,150 They're not alliances . Aucas is a new 308 00:12:39,150 --> 00:12:42,000 defence relationship forged between the 309 00:12:42,000 --> 00:12:43,944 United States , United Kingdom and 310 00:12:43,944 --> 00:12:46,300 Australia . And the first effort of 311 00:12:46,300 --> 00:12:49,970 that new defence relationship is going 312 00:12:49,970 --> 00:12:52,280 to be to pursue a nuclear submarine 313 00:12:52,280 --> 00:12:54,336 capability for the Australian Navy . 314 00:12:54,336 --> 00:12:57,390 The quad is an arrangement of our four 315 00:12:57,390 --> 00:13:00,750 countries um across a range of issues 316 00:13:00,750 --> 00:13:03,140 not just security related . Um So I 317 00:13:03,140 --> 00:13:06,710 wouldn't conflate the two . Um And uh 318 00:13:06,720 --> 00:13:10,480 and try to read more into these two 319 00:13:10,480 --> 00:13:12,591 separate arrangements than than there 320 00:13:12,591 --> 00:13:16,060 is . The big takeaway is that we are 321 00:13:16,440 --> 00:13:19,310 um very focused on the indo pacific 322 00:13:19,310 --> 00:13:21,366 region and on making sure a free and 323 00:13:21,366 --> 00:13:24,070 indo a free and open indo pacific 324 00:13:24,070 --> 00:13:26,470 region is the outcome . And and there's 325 00:13:26,470 --> 00:13:28,581 a lot that goes into that real , it's 326 00:13:28,581 --> 00:13:31,010 not just about uh security equities or 327 00:13:31,010 --> 00:13:33,288 just defense equities and capabilities . 328 00:13:33,288 --> 00:13:36,120 It's it really goes to all of the 329 00:13:36,120 --> 00:13:38,490 levers of the government's power and 330 00:13:38,490 --> 00:13:41,360 influence . Just quickly go up . Is the 331 00:13:41,360 --> 00:13:44,460 U . S . Open to expanding august to 332 00:13:44,470 --> 00:13:47,250 include other allies and partners in 333 00:13:47,250 --> 00:13:49,250 the region moving forward . I'm not 334 00:13:49,250 --> 00:13:51,417 aware of any effort to change this new 335 00:13:51,417 --> 00:13:53,306 defence relationship that we just 336 00:13:53,306 --> 00:13:55,250 announced last week . And and that 337 00:13:55,250 --> 00:13:57,417 really would be more of a question put 338 00:13:57,417 --> 00:13:59,710 to the State Department . Our focus is 339 00:13:59,710 --> 00:14:02,470 on the arrangement as it is now and on 340 00:14:02,480 --> 00:14:05,980 helping the Australian Navy obtained 341 00:14:05,980 --> 00:14:07,980 this nuclear submarine capability . 342 00:14:07,980 --> 00:14:09,980 That's that's what the department's 343 00:14:09,980 --> 00:14:12,202 gonna be focused on right now as well . 344 00:14:12,202 --> 00:14:11,930 As and you heard the secretary say this 345 00:14:12,340 --> 00:14:14,451 a week or so ago , in fact , almost a 346 00:14:14,451 --> 00:14:16,618 week ago , a week ago today that we uh 347 00:14:16,618 --> 00:14:18,410 we also intend to uh work with 348 00:14:18,410 --> 00:14:21,490 Australia bilaterally to improve 349 00:14:21,500 --> 00:14:23,667 capabilities between our two countries 350 00:14:23,667 --> 00:14:25,833 to include , you know , greater access 351 00:14:25,833 --> 00:14:29,760 uh to parts of Australia and to pursue 352 00:14:29,770 --> 00:14:31,960 bilateral capabilities as well . 353 00:14:32,240 --> 00:14:35,420 Aircraft , missile defense does the 354 00:14:35,430 --> 00:14:38,240 requirement to clear airspace with the 355 00:14:38,250 --> 00:14:42,150 taliban depend on whether or not the 356 00:14:42,160 --> 00:14:44,750 US recognizes the taliban as legitimate , 357 00:14:44,760 --> 00:14:46,538 there's no requirement to clear 358 00:14:46,538 --> 00:14:48,482 airspace with the taliban . He was 359 00:14:48,482 --> 00:14:51,650 because it depends on whether we 360 00:14:51,650 --> 00:14:54,200 recognize the taliban is that's a 361 00:14:54,200 --> 00:14:57,350 hypothetical David . That would that 362 00:14:57,350 --> 00:14:59,294 would be about speculation whether 363 00:14:59,294 --> 00:15:01,517 they're going to be recognized . That's 364 00:15:01,517 --> 00:15:03,683 not a call that the Defense Department 365 00:15:03,683 --> 00:15:05,628 makes . Why is there no required ? 366 00:15:05,628 --> 00:15:09,010 There is no requirement to why is there 367 00:15:09,020 --> 00:15:11,620 no requirement now ? Because we have 368 00:15:11,620 --> 00:15:14,430 the authorities that we need to be able 369 00:15:14,440 --> 00:15:17,280 to uh defend ourselves 370 00:15:17,290 --> 00:15:20,860 uh in the skies above Afghanistan in 371 00:15:20,860 --> 00:15:22,971 terms of the counter counterterrorism 372 00:15:22,971 --> 00:15:25,390 capability . Yeah . Is that because the 373 00:15:25,390 --> 00:15:27,557 taliban have given you the authorities 374 00:15:27,557 --> 00:15:29,390 are because you've given them to 375 00:15:29,390 --> 00:15:31,612 yourself , we have the authorities . We 376 00:15:31,612 --> 00:15:35,410 need Jeff struggle . Thank you . If the 377 00:15:35,410 --> 00:15:37,550 United States defaults on its debt , 378 00:15:37,560 --> 00:15:39,449 how would that affect the Defense 379 00:15:39,449 --> 00:15:43,070 Department ? Yeah , 380 00:15:43,080 --> 00:15:46,060 Jeff um I'm uh 381 00:15:47,540 --> 00:15:49,790 I think that's a question really better 382 00:15:49,790 --> 00:15:53,520 put to two other agencies than us . 383 00:15:54,940 --> 00:15:57,310 We're focused on executing the budget . 384 00:15:57,310 --> 00:16:00,360 That we have certainly focused on 385 00:16:00,940 --> 00:16:03,420 obtaining the budget for next year . Um 386 00:16:03,420 --> 00:16:05,450 and uh and making sure that we can 387 00:16:05,460 --> 00:16:08,320 defend the nation well , troops still 388 00:16:08,320 --> 00:16:11,210 get paid . Well , look where nobody 389 00:16:11,210 --> 00:16:13,280 wants to see a shutdown . Uh and 390 00:16:13,290 --> 00:16:17,060 obviously uh I would point you to O . M . 391 00:16:17,060 --> 00:16:19,390 B . For any specific guidance about 392 00:16:19,390 --> 00:16:21,450 that , but as you have seen in past 393 00:16:21,460 --> 00:16:23,460 shutdowns , people have continued , 394 00:16:23,460 --> 00:16:25,571 particularly troops have continued to 395 00:16:25,571 --> 00:16:27,571 get paid and I wouldn't expect that 396 00:16:27,571 --> 00:16:29,571 there will be uh any change to that 397 00:16:29,571 --> 00:16:31,571 going forward . Right . So when you 398 00:16:31,571 --> 00:16:33,682 talk about helping Australia with its 399 00:16:33,682 --> 00:16:35,571 nuclear sub capabilities , are we 400 00:16:35,571 --> 00:16:37,793 talking about selling them some old Los 401 00:16:37,793 --> 00:16:39,793 Angeles class subs ? Are we talking 402 00:16:39,793 --> 00:16:41,904 about having electric boat build some 403 00:16:41,904 --> 00:16:43,960 for them or helping them start their 404 00:16:43,960 --> 00:16:45,904 own capability in Australia ? As I 405 00:16:45,904 --> 00:16:49,480 understand it ? This is uh well the 406 00:16:49,480 --> 00:16:51,591 Navy will be working closely with the 407 00:16:51,591 --> 00:16:54,510 Australian navy uh to work out what the 408 00:16:54,510 --> 00:16:56,790 requirements are . But I think you 409 00:16:56,790 --> 00:16:59,520 heard uh the Cno Admiral guild talk 410 00:16:59,520 --> 00:17:02,490 about this uh during their seapower 411 00:17:02,490 --> 00:17:04,379 symposium up in Newport , this is 412 00:17:04,379 --> 00:17:07,100 really about helping them construct uh 413 00:17:07,110 --> 00:17:10,940 and build a new nuclear submarine . Yes , 414 00:17:10,940 --> 00:17:13,850 ma'am . When you talk about authority 415 00:17:13,860 --> 00:17:16,860 to contact counterterrorism 416 00:17:17,440 --> 00:17:19,870 operations , are we just talking about 417 00:17:19,880 --> 00:17:22,110 Afghanistan or any place in the world , 418 00:17:22,120 --> 00:17:24,440 which the question that Megan asked was 419 00:17:24,440 --> 00:17:26,720 about Afghanistan ? And that that was 420 00:17:26,730 --> 00:17:28,897 that was the question that I responded 421 00:17:28,897 --> 00:17:30,730 to . We conduct over the horizon 422 00:17:30,730 --> 00:17:32,897 strikes elsewhere around the world and 423 00:17:32,897 --> 00:17:35,250 we do so with the proper authorities to 424 00:17:35,260 --> 00:17:37,149 help defend our interests and our 425 00:17:37,149 --> 00:17:39,038 people . One more question is the 426 00:17:39,038 --> 00:17:42,360 evaluation of the August 29 427 00:17:42,740 --> 00:17:46,720 strike that the body is conducting . 428 00:17:46,730 --> 00:17:49,970 Is it different from the review of the 429 00:17:49,970 --> 00:17:53,550 centcom investigation uh that 430 00:17:53,550 --> 00:17:56,140 Secretary Austin ordered last week , Is 431 00:17:56,140 --> 00:17:58,690 it different ? Yes , final question . 432 00:18:00,340 --> 00:18:03,580 Mhm . Can you confirm that Secretary 433 00:18:03,590 --> 00:18:07,070 Austin received a letter from uh 434 00:18:07,080 --> 00:18:10,570 Congressman Macron requesting the 435 00:18:10,580 --> 00:18:13,390 release of uh intelligence reports 436 00:18:13,400 --> 00:18:16,800 related to the withdrawal from 437 00:18:16,800 --> 00:18:18,967 Afghanistan ? Yes , I can confirm , We 438 00:18:18,967 --> 00:18:21,078 received the letter will reply to the 439 00:18:21,078 --> 00:18:22,800 congressman . And due course , 440 00:18:22,800 --> 00:18:24,800 inappropriately just like we do all 441 00:18:24,800 --> 00:18:27,022 members of contention in the pentagon . 442 00:18:27,022 --> 00:18:28,689 I'm not going to reply to the 443 00:18:28,689 --> 00:18:30,633 congressman here from the podium . 444 00:18:30,633 --> 00:18:32,689 We've received the letter will reply 445 00:18:32,689 --> 00:18:35,940 appropriately . Yeah . Qualification . 446 00:18:36,110 --> 00:18:38,210 Uh Do your response to a previous 447 00:18:38,210 --> 00:18:41,520 question about the The other day , you 448 00:18:41,520 --> 00:18:43,576 said that Secretary Austin and asked 449 00:18:43,576 --> 00:18:45,200 for a review of the symptom 450 00:18:45,200 --> 00:18:48,250 investigation of August 29 in the Air 451 00:18:48,250 --> 00:18:51,210 Force said that there was doing I 452 00:18:51,210 --> 00:18:53,377 thought they said they were doing that 453 00:18:53,377 --> 00:18:55,432 but I thought you told her that that 454 00:18:55,432 --> 00:18:57,377 was different then it is different 455 00:18:57,377 --> 00:19:01,180 a separate or D . O . D . G . 456 00:19:01,410 --> 00:19:04,980 Yes the Department of Defense Egg has 457 00:19:04,990 --> 00:19:08,040 opened up an investigation on this . I 458 00:19:08,050 --> 00:19:09,994 can't speak to that . They have to 459 00:19:09,994 --> 00:19:13,050 speak to that but that's a separate 460 00:19:13,640 --> 00:19:16,450 process than the one that the Secretary 461 00:19:16,450 --> 00:19:18,672 asked the Secretary of the Air Force to 462 00:19:18,672 --> 00:19:21,670 assist with . Yeah okay , Tony 463 00:19:21,670 --> 00:19:25,490 Cappuccio . Hi john 464 00:19:25,500 --> 00:19:27,750 quick one on the two the two 465 00:19:27,750 --> 00:19:29,972 investigations and then I had to follow 466 00:19:29,972 --> 00:19:31,917 up why would two investigations be 467 00:19:31,917 --> 00:19:34,083 going on on the same attack . It seems 468 00:19:34,083 --> 00:19:36,640 counterproductive . Well again to bob's 469 00:19:36,650 --> 00:19:39,250 question , Tony , I can't speak for the 470 00:19:39,260 --> 00:19:42,750 departments Inspector general . Um That 471 00:19:42,750 --> 00:19:45,150 is an independent body so I would point 472 00:19:45,150 --> 00:19:47,500 you to to them to speak to what 473 00:19:47,500 --> 00:19:49,910 prompted them to to launch their own 474 00:19:49,910 --> 00:19:51,780 investigation . Again it's not 475 00:19:51,790 --> 00:19:54,040 appropriate for us to speak to . All I 476 00:19:54,040 --> 00:19:57,080 can speak to is the review that 477 00:19:57,090 --> 00:19:59,940 Secretary Austin ordered to be done 478 00:19:59,950 --> 00:20:02,190 with respect to the Central Command ? 479 00:20:02,190 --> 00:20:04,840 15 6 . he asked the Secretary of the 480 00:20:04,840 --> 00:20:08,260 Air Force to uh nominate to name 481 00:20:08,270 --> 00:20:11,410 a three or four star officer to conduct 482 00:20:11,410 --> 00:20:13,790 that review . The Air Force Secretary , 483 00:20:13,860 --> 00:20:17,180 uh the Air Force Kendall uh named 484 00:20:17,190 --> 00:20:19,357 Lieutenant General , say the Air Force 485 00:20:19,357 --> 00:20:22,140 Inspector General to run that review . 486 00:20:22,140 --> 00:20:24,400 And uh he is hard at work on it right 487 00:20:24,400 --> 00:20:26,980 now . That's , we can't speak to that . 488 00:20:26,990 --> 00:20:29,440 And uh and that's what what we're 489 00:20:29,440 --> 00:20:32,120 focused on . My main question is this 490 00:20:32,120 --> 00:20:34,231 it's on mergers and acquisition , the 491 00:20:34,231 --> 00:20:36,287 business of the department . What is 492 00:20:36,287 --> 00:20:38,453 the status of the Defense Department's 493 00:20:38,453 --> 00:20:41,390 review of the Lockheed Aerojet merger , 494 00:20:41,400 --> 00:20:43,890 Is it in the end game or are you still 495 00:20:43,890 --> 00:20:46,740 mulling and in fact finding in terms of 496 00:20:46,740 --> 00:20:49,080 what to recommend to the Federal Trade 497 00:20:49,080 --> 00:20:51,330 Commission . What I can tell you , Tony 498 00:20:51,330 --> 00:20:53,552 is the investigation is ongoing and the 499 00:20:53,552 --> 00:20:55,608 department continues to work closely 500 00:20:55,608 --> 00:20:57,830 with the Federal Trade Commission , who 501 00:20:57,830 --> 00:20:59,386 is the lead agency for that 502 00:20:59,386 --> 00:21:01,608 investigation . So , out of respect for 503 00:21:01,608 --> 00:21:03,663 that process . Um , I'm not gonna go 504 00:21:03,663 --> 00:21:05,330 into more details here in the 505 00:21:05,330 --> 00:21:07,441 department mergers and acquisitions . 506 00:21:07,441 --> 00:21:09,552 Fall under the industrial Policy team 507 00:21:09,552 --> 00:21:11,497 in our acquisition and sustainment 508 00:21:11,497 --> 00:21:13,774 directory is Miss Hicks , Deputy Hicks . 509 00:21:13,774 --> 00:21:15,941 So involved in the review , we don't I 510 00:21:15,941 --> 00:21:17,997 don't have any more information than 511 00:21:17,997 --> 00:21:20,940 that , Tony , thank you . Uh let's see , 512 00:21:20,950 --> 00:21:23,750 Jeff Selden V away , john thanks very 513 00:21:23,750 --> 00:21:26,780 much . Um two questions . One . How 514 00:21:26,780 --> 00:21:28,836 concerned are you about the reported 515 00:21:28,836 --> 00:21:31,002 deal between the interim government of 516 00:21:31,002 --> 00:21:33,224 mali and Russia's Wagner groups . Bring 517 00:21:33,224 --> 00:21:35,280 in about 1000 Russian mercenaries to 518 00:21:35,280 --> 00:21:37,502 the country . And is the feeling at the 519 00:21:37,502 --> 00:21:39,669 pentagon any better following visit of 520 00:21:39,669 --> 00:21:42,560 Africom commander to mali yesterday ? 521 00:21:42,640 --> 00:21:45,430 Ah Second question . Uh , U . S 522 00:21:45,430 --> 00:21:47,486 intelligence has talked that they're 523 00:21:47,486 --> 00:21:49,652 already seeing early signs of uh would 524 00:21:49,652 --> 00:21:51,819 be foreign fighters already picking up 525 00:21:51,819 --> 00:21:53,980 and heading to Afghanistan with your 526 00:21:53,980 --> 00:21:55,369 over the over the rising 527 00:21:55,369 --> 00:21:57,591 counterterrorism capabilities . Are you 528 00:21:57,591 --> 00:21:59,600 seeing any indications that any of 529 00:21:59,600 --> 00:22:01,600 those foreign fighters are reaching 530 00:22:01,600 --> 00:22:03,920 Afghanistan and and boosting either al 531 00:22:03,920 --> 00:22:05,809 Qaeda Isis or other groups in the 532 00:22:05,809 --> 00:22:07,864 region ? I'm gonna have to take your 533 00:22:07,864 --> 00:22:10,840 first question , Jeff . And on your 534 00:22:10,840 --> 00:22:13,870 second question , I won't speak to 535 00:22:13,870 --> 00:22:16,092 intelligence assessments one way or the 536 00:22:16,092 --> 00:22:18,970 other . All I can tell you is that uh , 537 00:22:18,980 --> 00:22:22,670 we we have and we will continue to try 538 00:22:22,670 --> 00:22:24,970 to improve our counterterrorism 539 00:22:24,970 --> 00:22:27,192 capabilities , be they over the horizon 540 00:22:27,192 --> 00:22:29,303 or otherwise ? Uh and we're not gonna 541 00:22:29,303 --> 00:22:31,414 lose focus on the terrorist threat as 542 00:22:31,414 --> 00:22:33,192 it emanates from Afghanistan or 543 00:22:33,192 --> 00:22:35,414 anywhere else . And I would remind that 544 00:22:35,414 --> 00:22:37,637 uh , that we have largely seen that the 545 00:22:37,637 --> 00:22:39,748 terrorist threat metastasized outside 546 00:22:39,748 --> 00:22:41,970 of Afghanistan and to other places . So 547 00:22:41,970 --> 00:22:44,026 we're going to stay vigilant on it . 548 00:22:44,026 --> 00:22:46,137 We're going to stay focused on it and 549 00:22:46,137 --> 00:22:46,050 we're gonna continue to try to improve 550 00:22:46,050 --> 00:22:49,060 our capabilities , mm . Yeah , Louis , 551 00:22:49,540 --> 00:22:53,170 john , General Milley gave an interview 552 00:22:53,180 --> 00:22:56,290 traveling Prosperi spoke about possibly 553 00:22:56,360 --> 00:22:58,340 broadening military to military 554 00:22:58,340 --> 00:23:01,390 contacts with Russia um , is that 555 00:23:01,390 --> 00:23:03,279 something that secretary supports 556 00:23:03,279 --> 00:23:05,446 because generally seemed indicated , I 557 00:23:05,446 --> 00:23:07,446 don't know that he and his chairman 558 00:23:07,446 --> 00:23:09,168 have talked about that idea in 559 00:23:09,168 --> 00:23:11,279 particular . I think as you know , uh 560 00:23:11,279 --> 00:23:13,168 the department suspended military 561 00:23:13,168 --> 00:23:15,057 cooperation with Russia both as a 562 00:23:15,057 --> 00:23:17,279 matter of policy and as a matter of law 563 00:23:17,279 --> 00:23:20,760 uh as a result of Russian Russia's 564 00:23:20,770 --> 00:23:23,710 aggressive act actions in Ukraine . So 565 00:23:23,710 --> 00:23:26,250 our communications with Russian 566 00:23:26,250 --> 00:23:28,390 military counterparts are limited to 567 00:23:28,390 --> 00:23:30,334 just over a dozen engagements that 568 00:23:30,334 --> 00:23:32,720 reduce the risk of miscalculation or 569 00:23:32,720 --> 00:23:35,660 deconflict military operations . Uh and 570 00:23:35,660 --> 00:23:39,290 such senior leader discussions uh as uh 571 00:23:39,300 --> 00:23:41,960 as in Syria for instance where the U . 572 00:23:41,960 --> 00:23:43,960 S . Led coalition maintains air and 573 00:23:43,960 --> 00:23:46,127 ground deconfliction channels with the 574 00:23:46,127 --> 00:23:48,349 Russian military . Since those contacts 575 00:23:48,349 --> 00:23:50,571 are limited as just laid out . Is there 576 00:23:50,571 --> 00:23:52,600 uh something that within his own 577 00:23:52,600 --> 00:23:54,910 purview , General Milley might be able 578 00:23:54,910 --> 00:23:57,490 to do to broaden contacts within his 579 00:23:57,490 --> 00:23:59,712 structure ? I am confident that General 580 00:23:59,712 --> 00:24:01,730 Milley well understands what these 581 00:24:01,730 --> 00:24:04,220 limits are by both as I said , stated 582 00:24:04,220 --> 00:24:07,520 by policy and by law and he understands 583 00:24:07,530 --> 00:24:10,400 those limits and we have every 584 00:24:10,400 --> 00:24:12,289 confidence in Secretary has every 585 00:24:12,289 --> 00:24:14,340 confidence that the chairman will 586 00:24:14,350 --> 00:24:17,090 continue to communicate and deconflict 587 00:24:17,100 --> 00:24:18,711 with the Russian military as 588 00:24:18,711 --> 00:24:20,600 appropriate , inside those limits 589 00:24:20,600 --> 00:24:24,100 separately , gen uh 590 00:24:24,110 --> 00:24:26,950 Senator in half sent a letter as well 591 00:24:26,960 --> 00:24:30,100 requesting a long list of requested 592 00:24:30,100 --> 00:24:33,200 items . Is everything that he requested ? 593 00:24:33,210 --> 00:24:35,990 Is everything on that list possibly can 594 00:24:35,990 --> 00:24:38,330 you deliver all of those items that he 595 00:24:38,330 --> 00:24:41,110 has requested ? Well , we we have the 596 00:24:41,110 --> 00:24:44,060 letter obviously from uh , the center , 597 00:24:44,070 --> 00:24:45,560 we take all congressional 598 00:24:45,560 --> 00:24:47,880 correspondence , uh , seriously and 599 00:24:47,880 --> 00:24:50,000 we'll respond appropriately . Uh , we 600 00:24:50,000 --> 00:24:52,410 also , as you know , will be testifying , 601 00:24:52,420 --> 00:24:55,270 uh , secretary will be testifying in 602 00:24:55,270 --> 00:24:57,214 front of the Senate Armed Services 603 00:24:57,214 --> 00:24:59,437 committee on Tuesday . And he's looking 604 00:24:59,437 --> 00:25:01,603 forward to that opportunity as well to 605 00:25:01,603 --> 00:25:03,826 talk about operations in Afghanistan to 606 00:25:03,826 --> 00:25:05,548 include the retrograde and the 607 00:25:05,548 --> 00:25:08,180 evacuation and uh , to to be able to 608 00:25:08,180 --> 00:25:10,850 answer some of those very questions in 609 00:25:10,850 --> 00:25:12,961 the back there . Hi atmosphere . Just 610 00:25:12,961 --> 00:25:16,370 follow up on that . Did Chairman Billy 611 00:25:17,240 --> 00:25:19,410 speak with General Gerasimov on Syria 612 00:25:19,420 --> 00:25:21,587 during their meeting and they speak on 613 00:25:21,587 --> 00:25:23,809 anything beyond deconfliction issue ? I 614 00:25:23,809 --> 00:25:25,976 would point you to the joint staff and 615 00:25:25,976 --> 00:25:28,198 Chairman Millie's uh , spokesperson for 616 00:25:28,198 --> 00:25:30,309 that . I I wasn't , we're not , we're 617 00:25:30,309 --> 00:25:32,420 part of that meeting and I think they 618 00:25:32,420 --> 00:25:34,760 offer to read out of it . I certainly 619 00:25:34,760 --> 00:25:36,871 would point you to that . It couldn't 620 00:25:36,871 --> 00:25:38,982 go beyond it . And I'd recommend that 621 00:25:38,982 --> 00:25:41,038 you talked to the chairman staff for 622 00:25:41,038 --> 00:25:42,760 that general john , what's the 623 00:25:42,760 --> 00:25:44,982 punishment for navy seals or any active 624 00:25:44,982 --> 00:25:46,704 duty service members who go on 625 00:25:46,704 --> 00:25:48,816 television and talk about not wanting 626 00:25:48,816 --> 00:25:51,720 to take the vaccine . And um , there 627 00:25:51,730 --> 00:25:53,841 have been some recent incidents and I 628 00:25:53,841 --> 00:25:55,897 just wondered if that's risen to the 629 00:25:55,897 --> 00:25:58,063 level of any sort of punishment here . 630 00:25:58,440 --> 00:26:00,560 I know of nothing that's risen to the 631 00:26:00,560 --> 00:26:02,630 level of the , of the second at the 632 00:26:02,630 --> 00:26:05,260 secretary's level in terms of reaction 633 00:26:05,260 --> 00:26:09,160 to this , jen , um , uh , 634 00:26:10,340 --> 00:26:14,310 a couple of thoughts here . One , the 635 00:26:14,310 --> 00:26:16,750 secretary has made it clear that this 636 00:26:16,750 --> 00:26:20,610 is a lawful order . Two to receive this 637 00:26:20,610 --> 00:26:24,260 vaccine . It's mandatory now that 638 00:26:24,260 --> 00:26:27,550 said , he's also made it clear two , 639 00:26:27,940 --> 00:26:30,310 the entire department that he wants 640 00:26:30,940 --> 00:26:34,890 this lawful order to be executed in 641 00:26:34,890 --> 00:26:38,360 a fair minded , compassionate way 642 00:26:38,740 --> 00:26:42,010 and that he knows that commanders have 643 00:26:42,010 --> 00:26:43,990 a range of tools available to them 644 00:26:44,000 --> 00:26:46,270 short of using the uniform code of 645 00:26:46,270 --> 00:26:47,980 military justice , short of 646 00:26:47,980 --> 00:26:51,010 disciplinary action to help individuals 647 00:26:51,020 --> 00:26:52,964 make the best decision , the right 648 00:26:52,964 --> 00:26:54,964 decision for themselves , for their 649 00:26:54,964 --> 00:26:57,131 families and for their teammates . And 650 00:26:57,131 --> 00:26:59,260 that's how the secretary wants to see 651 00:26:59,440 --> 00:27:02,730 this . Uh , this order executed 652 00:27:02,740 --> 00:27:04,900 uh , in a compassionate way , in a 653 00:27:04,900 --> 00:27:07,350 thoughtful way . Um , and he knows that 654 00:27:07,350 --> 00:27:09,572 there's other tools available to them . 655 00:27:09,572 --> 00:27:11,628 But look , uh , it is a lawful order 656 00:27:11,628 --> 00:27:13,572 and uh , and one of the tools that 657 00:27:13,572 --> 00:27:16,000 commanders have available to them is is 658 00:27:16,000 --> 00:27:17,944 the , the uniform code of military 659 00:27:17,944 --> 00:27:20,167 justice . And there's a range of things 660 00:27:20,167 --> 00:27:22,860 inside that gen um , let's just take 661 00:27:22,860 --> 00:27:24,749 the covid vaccine out of it for a 662 00:27:24,749 --> 00:27:27,430 second . Um , so , and by the way , I 663 00:27:27,430 --> 00:27:30,110 mean , we're 93% of the active duty 664 00:27:30,110 --> 00:27:32,830 force with with one dose . I mean , 665 00:27:32,840 --> 00:27:36,580 uh , we are seeing as we expected to 666 00:27:36,580 --> 00:27:40,520 see um , our troops do 667 00:27:40,520 --> 00:27:43,390 what is expected of them . Um , but 668 00:27:43,400 --> 00:27:46,040 take the vaccine out of it for a second . 669 00:27:46,050 --> 00:27:50,020 Um , violating a lawful order doesn't 670 00:27:50,030 --> 00:27:51,586 automatically jump you to a 671 00:27:51,586 --> 00:27:53,641 dishonorable discharge . I mean , it 672 00:27:53,641 --> 00:27:55,697 depends on the order , it depends on 673 00:27:55,697 --> 00:27:57,919 the circumstances and quite frankly gen 674 00:27:57,919 --> 00:28:00,086 it depends on the unit commander , the 675 00:28:00,086 --> 00:28:02,320 chain of command to make a rational 676 00:28:02,320 --> 00:28:04,431 decision about what's the appropriate 677 00:28:04,431 --> 00:28:07,060 form of discipline to apply when 678 00:28:07,060 --> 00:28:09,116 somebody doesn't obey an order . And 679 00:28:09,116 --> 00:28:12,320 the secretary as a former soldier and 680 00:28:12,320 --> 00:28:14,610 commander himself understands those 681 00:28:14,620 --> 00:28:16,731 those roles and responsibilities very 682 00:28:16,731 --> 00:28:18,890 well and has every expectation that 683 00:28:18,890 --> 00:28:22,080 commanders at local levels will will 684 00:28:22,090 --> 00:28:24,146 make these decisions based on what's 685 00:28:24,146 --> 00:28:26,368 best for for them and for their units . 686 00:28:27,240 --> 00:28:29,407 Uh take a couple more from the phone . 687 00:28:29,407 --> 00:28:31,407 I haven't been good about that . Uh 688 00:28:31,407 --> 00:28:34,300 Tara . Hi john , thanks for taking this . 689 00:28:34,740 --> 00:28:37,340 Um Yesterday the White House began 690 00:28:37,350 --> 00:28:40,140 advising agencies to begin preparing 691 00:28:40,140 --> 00:28:42,230 for potential shutdown for the 692 00:28:42,230 --> 00:28:44,397 Department of Defense . What does that 693 00:28:44,397 --> 00:28:46,508 look like ? What is D . O . D . Doing 694 00:28:46,508 --> 00:28:48,563 uh in case there is a shutdown , you 695 00:28:48,563 --> 00:28:51,020 know , in the next couple weeks . Yeah . 696 00:28:51,030 --> 00:28:53,000 So I mean obviously we hope that 697 00:28:53,000 --> 00:28:55,440 Congress will prevent a costly shutdown . 698 00:28:55,450 --> 00:28:57,700 Um The administration's efforts remain 699 00:28:57,700 --> 00:29:01,470 focused on preventing a shutdown and a 700 00:29:01,480 --> 00:29:03,910 catastrophic default . In the meantime , 701 00:29:03,920 --> 00:29:05,531 O and B is preparing for any 702 00:29:05,531 --> 00:29:07,420 contingency as is consistent with 703 00:29:07,420 --> 00:29:09,531 longstanding practice across multiple 704 00:29:09,531 --> 00:29:11,531 administrations . And certainly I'd 705 00:29:11,531 --> 00:29:13,198 point you to to them for more 706 00:29:13,198 --> 00:29:15,198 information on that . As for how it 707 00:29:15,198 --> 00:29:16,753 would impact the department 708 00:29:16,753 --> 00:29:18,920 determinations about specific programs 709 00:29:18,920 --> 00:29:20,976 are being reviewed , consistent with 710 00:29:20,976 --> 00:29:23,031 longstanding practice across again , 711 00:29:23,031 --> 00:29:25,198 multiple administrations . Our efforts 712 00:29:25,198 --> 00:29:28,770 uh remain again on trying to 713 00:29:28,780 --> 00:29:32,690 prevent a costly shutdown and we 714 00:29:32,690 --> 00:29:35,320 obviously will take seriously as we 715 00:29:35,320 --> 00:29:37,487 always do . And as I think you've seen 716 00:29:37,487 --> 00:29:39,487 through previous shut down , Should 717 00:29:39,487 --> 00:29:41,598 there be one that we have to continue 718 00:29:41,598 --> 00:29:43,598 to defend the nation and we have to 719 00:29:43,598 --> 00:29:46,530 make sure that that the capabilities 720 00:29:46,530 --> 00:29:48,697 the resources that people are in place 721 00:29:48,697 --> 00:29:50,863 to continue to look after our national 722 00:29:50,863 --> 00:29:52,752 security interests . And so we're 723 00:29:52,752 --> 00:29:52,670 working our way through that right now 724 00:29:53,440 --> 00:29:55,690 and just to follow up on that um in 725 00:29:55,690 --> 00:29:58,010 previous shutdowns there there's been a 726 00:29:58,010 --> 00:30:00,930 lot of hand wringing or work on who is 727 00:30:00,930 --> 00:30:03,300 an essential government employee who is 728 00:30:03,300 --> 00:30:07,190 furloughed um are doing a kind of 729 00:30:07,190 --> 00:30:09,860 deep scrub on who would really be asked 730 00:30:09,860 --> 00:30:12,590 to come in and who would potentially be 731 00:30:12,590 --> 00:30:14,812 furloughed ? We're working through that 732 00:30:14,812 --> 00:30:16,701 right now . Tara I don't have any 733 00:30:16,701 --> 00:30:18,812 specific details for that for today . 734 00:30:18,812 --> 00:30:20,923 But we're working through all that as 735 00:30:20,923 --> 00:30:22,979 you would expect . We would and have 736 00:30:22,979 --> 00:30:22,750 done in the past . Again . Hopefully 737 00:30:23,040 --> 00:30:25,207 there won't be one nobody wants to see 738 00:30:25,207 --> 00:30:27,040 that . And the administration is 739 00:30:27,040 --> 00:30:29,151 working hard to try to prevent that . 740 00:30:29,151 --> 00:30:32,190 But uh this the core essential task of 741 00:30:32,190 --> 00:30:35,030 the department will uh will carry on 742 00:30:35,030 --> 00:30:37,270 and that is to defend the nation ? I 743 00:30:37,270 --> 00:30:39,103 want to follow up on the earlier 744 00:30:39,103 --> 00:30:41,048 vaccine question . Do you have any 745 00:30:41,048 --> 00:30:43,370 update on the requirement for civilian 746 00:30:43,370 --> 00:30:45,648 D . O . D . Personnel to be vaccinated ? 747 00:30:45,648 --> 00:30:47,814 Are you telling them that they need to 748 00:30:47,814 --> 00:30:49,814 be vaccinated by the White House is 749 00:30:49,814 --> 00:30:51,981 november 22nd date . And have you come 750 00:30:51,981 --> 00:30:54,037 up with an enforcement mechanism for 751 00:30:54,037 --> 00:30:56,037 that . How ? No , that's a that's a 752 00:30:56,037 --> 00:30:58,203 great question . We're working through 753 00:30:58,203 --> 00:31:00,426 that right now , Travis . We don't have 754 00:31:00,426 --> 00:31:00,010 implementation guidance out to the 755 00:31:00,010 --> 00:31:02,232 force yet , but we expect to be able to 756 00:31:02,232 --> 00:31:04,670 do that pretty soon . Mhm . Okay . 757 00:31:05,040 --> 00:31:07,096 Thanks , everybody . Have a terrific 758 00:31:07,096 --> 00:31:09,660 weekend . Yeah , yeah .