WEBVTT 00:02.140 --> 00:05.750 Right . Right okay . 00:06.840 --> 00:08.951 Good morning everyone . Thank you for 00:08.951 --> 00:11.284 being here have several updates for you . 00:11.440 --> 00:13.162 I'll start with an Afghanistan 00:13.162 --> 00:15.620 evacuation update uh And then with a 00:15.620 --> 00:18.660 snapshot of relief operations in Haiti 00:19.340 --> 00:22.470 1st Afghanistan specifically Kabul . 00:23.540 --> 00:25.390 I'm pleased to report our best 00:25.390 --> 00:27.660 departure results since evacuation 00:27.670 --> 00:30.380 operations begin have happened in the 00:30.380 --> 00:33.970 last 24 hours where 37 US military 00:33.970 --> 00:37.910 aircraft , 32 c 17 5 C one 00:37.910 --> 00:39.799 thirties departed from Kabul with 00:39.799 --> 00:43.550 approximately 12,700 personnel . 00:44.140 --> 00:47.520 On top of that 57 coalition and partner 00:47.520 --> 00:49.930 aircraft left Kabul aircraft with 00:49.940 --> 00:53.050 8900 personnel . 00:54.440 --> 00:56.730 This tremendous display of a teamwork 00:56.730 --> 01:00.260 and focus resulted in a passenger count 01:00.270 --> 01:03.460 of 21,600 01:03.470 --> 01:06.820 individuals leaving Afghanistan in just 01:06.830 --> 01:09.780 24 hours . to date , 01:10.000 --> 01:13.460 63,900 American 01:13.460 --> 01:16.100 citizens , NATO and other partners 01:16.100 --> 01:19.980 personnel , afghan s ivy applicants and 01:19.980 --> 01:22.740 vulnerable afghans are out of harm's 01:22.740 --> 01:26.520 way now safer and on their journey to 01:26.520 --> 01:29.540 a better life . And the majority of 01:29.540 --> 01:32.620 these people , approximately 5000 or 01:32.620 --> 01:36.180 58,700 of them have left just since 01:36.190 --> 01:40.010 August 14 . I want to reiterate 01:40.020 --> 01:42.131 that we're able to achieve this level 01:42.131 --> 01:44.740 of increased departures because of U . 01:44.740 --> 01:46.962 S . Military personnel and our partners 01:46.962 --> 01:49.610 work around the clock to conduct this 01:49.610 --> 01:51.880 highly important mission including 01:51.890 --> 01:54.460 airport security and flight operation . 01:55.540 --> 01:57.596 To that end . We're seeing increased 01:57.596 --> 01:59.707 pace and increased pace in the flight 01:59.707 --> 02:01.762 schedule at Kabul as of yesterday in 02:01.762 --> 02:04.580 the last 24 hour period . Uh One 02:04.580 --> 02:07.120 aircraft left honor about every 45 02:07.120 --> 02:10.530 minutes as we look beyond Kabul 02:11.140 --> 02:13.307 and in order to maintain a steady flow 02:13.307 --> 02:15.870 out of Afghanistan . We rely on the 02:15.870 --> 02:17.870 intermediate staging bases and safe 02:17.870 --> 02:21.230 havens in both centcom and the um a 02:21.230 --> 02:23.970 ours . We've been focused on building 02:23.970 --> 02:27.560 capacity while also rapidly processing 02:27.640 --> 02:30.920 and facilitating onward movement . It 02:30.920 --> 02:32.976 has been challenging to keep up with 02:32.976 --> 02:35.198 the flow , but we have made progress in 02:35.198 --> 02:37.810 caring for and safeguarding these 02:37.810 --> 02:40.032 vulnerable individuals and getting them 02:40.032 --> 02:43.270 moving onward . We are committed to 02:43.270 --> 02:46.380 doing more and to continue to expand 02:46.390 --> 02:48.840 and improve our facilities from adding 02:48.840 --> 02:51.660 shelter , two additional sanitation 02:51.680 --> 02:53.830 handwashing stations , refrigerator 02:53.830 --> 02:56.420 trucks , providing cold water and the 02:56.420 --> 02:58.476 appropriate food . And we're working 02:58.476 --> 03:00.420 with our partners to increase this 03:00.420 --> 03:04.380 capacity as soon as possible in the UK 03:04.380 --> 03:06.280 are afghans transitioning through 03:06.280 --> 03:08.630 Ramstein Air base Germany has started 03:08.630 --> 03:11.290 departing to onward destinations . So 03:11.290 --> 03:13.930 far five aircraft and more than 800 03:13.930 --> 03:15.986 travelers who have been screened and 03:15.986 --> 03:18.250 cleared for entry , departed for the 03:18.250 --> 03:21.810 United States Um has received nearly 03:21.810 --> 03:24.930 8000 evacuees since August 20 and 03:24.930 --> 03:27.170 considering other installations in 03:27.170 --> 03:29.050 Germany , Italy and Spain and 03:29.050 --> 03:31.560 preparation to receive more flights to 03:31.560 --> 03:34.320 allow greater throughput to the United 03:34.320 --> 03:37.580 States . As I mentioned yesterday , the 03:37.580 --> 03:39.302 number of temporary safe haven 03:39.302 --> 03:41.469 locations across Europe and the Middle 03:41.469 --> 03:44.700 East now stands at 14 . This allows us 03:44.700 --> 03:46.950 to expedite movement out of kabul and 03:46.950 --> 03:49.130 gives us flexibility from these 03:49.140 --> 03:51.750 intermediate staging basis . We are 03:51.750 --> 03:53.750 appreciative of the support in this 03:53.750 --> 03:55.639 global effort from our allies and 03:55.639 --> 03:57.870 partners . We remain focused on the 03:57.870 --> 04:00.400 mission of bringing as many people home 04:00.410 --> 04:02.860 as we can and as quickly as we can . 04:04.640 --> 04:07.990 An update on North column operations In 04:07.990 --> 04:11.300 the past 24 hours Four flights landed 04:11.300 --> 04:13.620 at Dulles International Airport with 04:13.620 --> 04:16.210 more than 1000 passengers . Again , 04:16.410 --> 04:18.410 these passengers and their families 04:18.410 --> 04:20.570 will go to one of the four military 04:20.570 --> 04:23.360 installations designated as processing 04:23.360 --> 04:26.510 locations . All of this progress stems 04:26.510 --> 04:29.160 from the teamwork and professionalism , 04:29.170 --> 04:31.970 especially if our interagency partners 04:31.970 --> 04:34.810 here in the States . We know more hard 04:34.810 --> 04:36.830 work remains that our personnel in 04:36.830 --> 04:39.030 Afghanistan remain vigilant and we 04:39.030 --> 04:41.490 share the sense of urgency in this 04:41.490 --> 04:43.830 effort . We'll continue to keep you 04:43.830 --> 04:46.163 updated on Afghanistan through the week . 04:46.440 --> 04:48.690 Lastly as we look at Haiti , the 04:48.690 --> 04:51.180 Department of Defense continues support 04:51.190 --> 04:53.301 of U . S . A . I . D . Relief efforts 04:53.301 --> 04:56.560 in Haiti over the last 24 hours Joint 04:56.560 --> 05:00.070 Task Force Haiti conducted 56 missions 05:00.080 --> 05:02.590 assisted in the saving of 40 lives and 05:02.590 --> 05:06.310 delivered more than £35,000 of good 05:06.520 --> 05:08.930 supplies and medical supplies to the 05:08.930 --> 05:12.060 people affected by the 7.2 magnitude 05:12.060 --> 05:15.400 earthquake in Haiti For United States 05:15.400 --> 05:17.640 Marine Corps . M . v . Osprey has 05:17.640 --> 05:20.250 arrived to provide additional options 05:20.450 --> 05:22.450 for personnel and supply movement . 05:22.840 --> 05:25.062 These air assets are in addition to the 05:25.062 --> 05:27.510 18 U.S . military and Coast Guard 05:27.510 --> 05:29.200 aircraft already supporting 05:29.210 --> 05:32.790 humanitarian relief operations . U . S . 05:32.790 --> 05:35.450 Maritime vessels continue support . 05:35.450 --> 05:37.350 Also that concludes my up . 05:40.940 --> 05:44.220 Yeah . Okay , before we get to 05:44.220 --> 05:46.820 questions , I just have a slight update 05:46.830 --> 05:50.780 on the on the baby count as the 05:50.780 --> 05:53.930 general . Uh let you know yesterday , 05:53.940 --> 05:56.520 three babies total just to clarify . 05:56.520 --> 05:59.400 one was born on the C17 . That's the 05:59.400 --> 06:01.511 one I think you guys know about . The 06:01.511 --> 06:03.470 other two were born shortly after 06:03.470 --> 06:06.780 arrival at Ramstein in the launch tool 06:06.790 --> 06:09.640 hospital there on base . So too were 06:09.640 --> 06:11.900 born at the hospital shortly after 06:11.900 --> 06:15.720 arrival . I am told that uh moms and 06:15.720 --> 06:17.553 dads and babies are all fine and 06:17.553 --> 06:19.664 healthy and always looking good there 06:19.664 --> 06:21.776 and if we can get more information on 06:21.776 --> 06:23.776 this , I'll be able to provide it a 06:23.776 --> 06:26.980 little bit later . Leader John A couple 06:26.980 --> 06:29.202 questions I know that you are not gonna 06:29.202 --> 06:31.258 be able to answer whether or not the 06:31.258 --> 06:33.480 deadline is going to be extended beyond 06:33.480 --> 06:35.480 the 31st . But can you give us some 06:35.480 --> 06:37.702 perspective from the military ? Can you 06:37.702 --> 06:40.070 get all americans out In the next 06:40.070 --> 06:43.740 several days by the 31st ? Do you need 06:43.750 --> 06:46.100 more military bases in the United 06:46.100 --> 06:48.322 States to house them ? Do you need more 06:48.322 --> 06:50.489 throughput in order to get that done ? 06:50.489 --> 06:52.544 And do you need to increase the pace 06:53.040 --> 06:55.250 and one gun ? No , no , but go ahead , 06:55.260 --> 06:57.660 keep going . You know . And um , mm . 06:58.940 --> 07:01.107 The other day the general told us that 07:01.107 --> 07:03.329 there were about 2500 I think americans 07:03.329 --> 07:05.496 that have gotten out . But that number 07:05.496 --> 07:07.496 has increased over the last several 07:07.496 --> 07:10.220 days about how many have gotten out so 07:10.220 --> 07:14.180 far , about how many ? Uh , okay , okay , 07:14.180 --> 07:17.810 so all the dead , the deadline . I'm 07:17.810 --> 07:19.921 gonna miss some of these leaders . So 07:19.921 --> 07:23.600 just uh walk me back um uh you're right 07:23.610 --> 07:26.350 there's been uh no change 07:26.940 --> 07:29.670 to the timeline of the mission which is 07:29.670 --> 07:31.726 to have this completed by the end of 07:31.726 --> 07:33.503 the month . We continue to make 07:33.503 --> 07:37.020 progress every day in getting americans 07:37.130 --> 07:39.960 as well as S . I . V . 07:39.970 --> 07:42.900 Applicants and vulnerable afghans out . 07:42.910 --> 07:44.854 And you heard the numbers that the 07:44.854 --> 07:48.150 general briefed just a minute ago and 07:48.160 --> 07:50.010 the vast vast majority of these 07:50.010 --> 07:53.720 individuals are are afghans . Um So we 07:53.720 --> 07:56.610 are remained committed to getting uh 07:56.620 --> 07:58.564 any and all americans that want to 07:58.564 --> 08:01.090 leave to get them out . And uh we still 08:01.090 --> 08:03.730 believe certainly now that we have been 08:03.730 --> 08:05.841 able to increase the capacity and the 08:05.841 --> 08:08.890 flow . We believe that we have that uh 08:08.900 --> 08:11.400 that we have the capability the ability 08:11.410 --> 08:13.354 to get that done by the end of the 08:13.354 --> 08:16.610 month . Um You asked for I think bases 08:16.620 --> 08:18.731 here in the United States was another 08:18.731 --> 08:20.842 one of your questions . Well you need 08:20.842 --> 08:22.676 to increase the number that it's 08:22.676 --> 08:25.430 possible that that we might be looking 08:25.430 --> 08:27.250 at additional U . S . Military 08:27.250 --> 08:29.472 installations here in the United States 08:29.472 --> 08:32.260 right now we are looking we're working 08:32.260 --> 08:34.840 with four of them . Fort lee , Fort 08:34.840 --> 08:37.720 McCoy , Fort Bliss and Joint Base 08:37.720 --> 08:39.831 McGuire Dix Lakehurst in New Jersey . 08:39.831 --> 08:42.250 Those are the four that are operating 08:42.250 --> 08:45.560 now and are beginning to see a flow of 08:45.570 --> 08:48.910 uh of S . I . V . Applicants . It is 08:48.920 --> 08:51.440 very well possible that we could need 08:51.440 --> 08:53.384 to use additional U . S . Military 08:53.384 --> 08:56.610 installations here stateside . Uh as we 08:56.620 --> 08:58.787 make those decisions and as we're able 08:58.787 --> 09:00.842 to announce them we certainly will . 09:00.842 --> 09:03.064 But we want to make sure that just like 09:03.064 --> 09:05.120 we wanted to make sure in Kabul that 09:05.120 --> 09:07.231 airlift wasn't A limiting factor . We 09:07.231 --> 09:09.176 want to make sure that when we get 09:09.176 --> 09:11.342 these individuals to the United States 09:11.342 --> 09:14.470 that temporary safe secure . Uh and um 09:14.470 --> 09:17.260 an accessible temporary lodging is not 09:17.270 --> 09:19.270 is not the limiting factor to their 09:19.270 --> 09:21.548 ability to get on with their new lives . 09:21.548 --> 09:23.603 And to finish the process . I'm sure 09:23.603 --> 09:25.659 you had like three other ones that I 09:25.659 --> 09:27.659 forgot the Americans general at one 09:27.659 --> 09:30.160 point told us that 2500 I've gotten out . 09:31.040 --> 09:33.262 What is your assessment now ? Is that a 09:33.262 --> 09:36.510 number that that have gotten out of 09:36.520 --> 09:38.687 Afghanistan ? And do you think you can 09:38.687 --> 09:40.700 get all of them out ? I think I 09:40.700 --> 09:42.756 answered the second part of that . I 09:42.756 --> 09:44.589 think I think we I think for all 09:44.589 --> 09:46.700 americans who want to leave the State 09:46.700 --> 09:48.644 Department is working very hard to 09:48.644 --> 09:50.644 contact them and and we are getting 09:50.644 --> 09:53.080 them out every day . Uh And that's not 09:53.080 --> 09:56.020 gonna change . Um And I understand the 09:56.020 --> 09:58.187 question about the specific detail . I 09:58.187 --> 10:00.460 would just tell you that several 1000 10:00.470 --> 10:03.340 we know several 1000 americans have 10:03.340 --> 10:05.680 been safely evacuated from Afghanistan . 10:05.680 --> 10:07.791 I understand that's not the degree of 10:07.791 --> 10:09.902 specificity that you want but that is 10:09.902 --> 10:11.958 as far as I'm going to be able to go 10:11.958 --> 10:14.180 today . Several 1000 to include I would 10:14.180 --> 10:16.291 you know , several 100 just yesterday 10:16.291 --> 10:18.490 were able to get onto the airport for 10:18.490 --> 10:20.434 follow on transportation . So it's 10:20.434 --> 10:22.550 every day we are moving americans out 10:22.550 --> 10:25.760 of the country . Tara , Barring any 10:25.760 --> 10:28.260 other factors , decides whether do you 10:28.260 --> 10:30.427 anticipate that ? Did you will be able 10:30.427 --> 10:32.593 to keep this pace up another 20,000 in 10:32.593 --> 10:34.704 the next couple of days to maybe have 10:34.704 --> 10:36.927 100,000 evacuated before the end of the 10:36.927 --> 10:39.204 week . That's definitely the plan Tara , 10:39.204 --> 10:41.850 but as you know , the throughput is a 10:41.850 --> 10:43.794 function of many different factors 10:43.794 --> 10:46.200 including even weather . So our plan is 10:46.200 --> 10:48.311 to continue this pace as aggressively 10:48.311 --> 10:50.311 as we can . You heard General Lyons 10:50.311 --> 10:51.922 speak to that ? I think very 10:51.922 --> 10:53.922 specifically yesterday , that's the 10:53.922 --> 10:56.033 goal . That's the intention for you . 10:56.033 --> 10:57.867 The babies that were born on the 10:57.867 --> 11:00.350 aircraft and the U . S . Side of 11:00.350 --> 11:02.350 military base , are they considered 11:02.350 --> 11:04.461 american citizens ? We've gotten that 11:04.461 --> 11:06.794 question a lot . That's a good question . 11:06.794 --> 11:08.961 I do not know the answer to that . I'm 11:08.961 --> 11:08.610 probably gonna have to punt to my 11:08.610 --> 11:10.721 colleagues at the State Department or 11:10.721 --> 11:12.610 or immigration . I don't know the 11:12.610 --> 11:14.721 answer to that and just remind it was 11:14.721 --> 11:16.777 one born on the aircraft actually in 11:16.777 --> 11:19.160 flight two born at launch stool shortly 11:19.160 --> 11:21.680 after the flight arrived into Ramstein 11:21.680 --> 11:23.736 and Ramstein Ramstein , if I can get 11:23.736 --> 11:26.069 you any more details , I certainly will . 11:26.069 --> 11:28.013 One last in the expansion effort . 11:28.013 --> 11:30.069 There's a Fedbizopps opportunity now 11:30.069 --> 11:32.236 for speaking Farsi and pashto speakers 11:32.236 --> 11:34.291 for Keesler Air Force base is Kesler 11:34.291 --> 11:36.402 going to be one of the expansions . I 11:36.402 --> 11:38.569 don't have any announcements on future 11:38.569 --> 11:40.791 possible installations that might might 11:40.791 --> 11:42.910 be of use . We will do this in a 11:42.910 --> 11:45.660 rolling fashion . Tara as as if and 11:45.660 --> 11:47.549 when we decide we need additional 11:47.549 --> 11:49.771 installations will let you guys know as 11:49.771 --> 11:52.550 soon as we possibly can . Yeah , John 11:52.560 --> 11:55.120 has the us started preparations to 11:55.120 --> 11:57.930 leave in order to leave by August 31 . 11:57.930 --> 12:00.630 When does the US military have to begin 12:00.630 --> 12:02.630 making those preps ? When does that 12:02.630 --> 12:04.741 decision have to be made ? So I'm not 12:04.741 --> 12:06.741 going to get into a specific tiktok 12:06.741 --> 12:08.963 here just as when we were talking about 12:08.963 --> 12:11.590 the retrograde out of Afghanistan at 12:11.590 --> 12:13.701 large for the military , we were very 12:13.701 --> 12:15.812 careful about the details we provided 12:15.812 --> 12:17.812 the threat environment is very real 12:17.812 --> 12:19.923 around the airport . So I am going to 12:19.923 --> 12:22.650 be equally as judicious about the kind 12:22.650 --> 12:24.761 of information that we give out . But 12:24.761 --> 12:26.817 roughly speaking , you need at least 12:26.817 --> 12:30.310 several days to get the um , the amount 12:30.320 --> 12:33.120 of forces and equipment that we have at 12:33.120 --> 12:35.064 the airport to get that safely and 12:35.064 --> 12:37.287 effectively retrograde ID , I won't get 12:37.287 --> 12:39.260 into a specific Tiktok and this is 12:39.260 --> 12:42.860 gonna be the pace and 12:42.870 --> 12:45.460 uh , whatever the daily extraction is 12:45.460 --> 12:47.516 going to be that's going to be up to 12:47.516 --> 12:49.293 the commanders on the ground to 12:49.293 --> 12:51.404 determine what they're gonna move and 12:51.404 --> 12:53.627 and how and when they're going to do it 12:53.627 --> 12:55.516 because We have a calm commitment 12:55.516 --> 12:57.738 mission all the way through to continue 12:57.738 --> 12:59.849 these evacuations . So you have to be 12:59.849 --> 12:59.660 able to do both . And it's a balance 12:59.660 --> 13:01.882 and the secretary is going to trust the 13:01.882 --> 13:03.771 judgment of our commanders on the 13:03.771 --> 13:05.938 ground to properly meet that balance . 13:05.938 --> 13:08.160 But it sounds like you're still working 13:08.160 --> 13:10.271 on August 31 deadline were absolutely 13:10.271 --> 13:12.271 still aiming towards the end of the 13:12.271 --> 13:14.104 month . Public statements by the 13:14.104 --> 13:15.993 taliban , the same as the private 13:15.993 --> 13:17.827 statements being made to U . S . 13:17.827 --> 13:19.938 Officials about the deadline and when 13:19.938 --> 13:22.049 us should leave . What I can tell you 13:22.049 --> 13:25.460 is that the taliban have have 13:25.840 --> 13:27.951 have been very clear about what their 13:27.951 --> 13:29.840 expectations are as well with the 13:29.840 --> 13:31.951 public and private statements are the 13:31.951 --> 13:34.173 same without getting into details . I'm 13:34.173 --> 13:36.460 not seeing much dissonance . Can you 13:36.460 --> 13:38.610 give any more details about the fire 13:38.610 --> 13:40.777 fight that took place today ? A second 13:40.777 --> 13:42.943 firefight outside the airport and that 13:42.943 --> 13:46.540 there were some arrests by the by the 13:46.540 --> 13:49.150 taliban of some so called ISIS . Uh 13:49.240 --> 13:52.830 people taking videos of the airport . I 13:52.840 --> 13:55.040 know I don't have those details were 13:55.040 --> 13:57.207 working with Centcom right now is that 13:57.207 --> 14:00.040 you know , is currently ongoing . So uh 14:00.050 --> 14:02.272 I know that Centcom has continued to do 14:02.272 --> 14:05.550 that and there is no security if you 14:05.550 --> 14:07.661 would breach or any problems there at 14:07.661 --> 14:10.430 security of the airfield providing any 14:10.440 --> 14:12.880 intel to the taliban about an ISIS 14:12.880 --> 14:14.991 threat . I know the commanders on the 14:14.991 --> 14:17.110 ground continue to communicate to 14:17.110 --> 14:20.450 ensure that the safety of not only 14:20.460 --> 14:22.182 around the gates but the other 14:22.182 --> 14:24.990 checkpoints so that we can continue to 14:24.990 --> 14:27.780 process vulnerable afghans , you know 14:27.780 --> 14:29.724 other coalition folks and american 14:29.724 --> 14:32.010 citizens in . Okay here we go over here 14:32.020 --> 14:35.890 David . When this uh evacuation began 14:35.890 --> 14:38.168 there were already close to 1000 U . S . 14:38.168 --> 14:41.670 Troops at that airport . So just to be 14:41.670 --> 14:44.660 clear when we're talking about pulling 14:45.040 --> 14:47.590 U . S . Troops out , we're Talking 14:47.590 --> 14:50.190 about pulling all the troops so you go 14:50.190 --> 14:53.980 to zero at the at the embassy , is that 14:53.980 --> 14:56.790 correct ? That's correct . No I 14:56.790 --> 14:59.720 followed the question . That's correct . 14:59.730 --> 15:02.300 You have to take out more than you put 15:02.300 --> 15:05.460 in . Yes . 15:05.940 --> 15:09.360 Yes . I'm how does how does that happen 15:10.540 --> 15:13.490 without the active cooperation 15:14.440 --> 15:18.360 of the taliban to keep the crowds away 15:19.440 --> 15:22.810 as U . S . Troops for thin out their 15:22.810 --> 15:25.450 perimeter and then pull back . I'm 15:25.450 --> 15:27.672 gonna let the general take that in just 15:27.672 --> 15:30.390 a second because I think he's much more 15:30.400 --> 15:32.620 informed than I am about this . But 15:32.630 --> 15:34.741 don't just make the larger issue that 15:34.940 --> 15:38.840 that any retrograde out 15:38.850 --> 15:42.820 of uh or draw down if you will out 15:42.820 --> 15:45.450 of an environment that you can't 15:46.140 --> 15:48.750 assume is always going to be permissive . 15:49.140 --> 15:51.020 Is one that has to be done very 15:51.030 --> 15:53.400 carefully and it has to be sequenced in 15:53.400 --> 15:56.780 a very methodical way so that the 15:56.790 --> 15:58.901 safety and security of our people and 15:58.901 --> 16:00.957 the people were trying to protect is 16:00.957 --> 16:03.980 considered of paramount importance . 16:03.980 --> 16:07.950 And so we are gonna 16:07.950 --> 16:10.006 and our level set with you now we're 16:10.006 --> 16:12.061 not gonna be able to tell you uh you 16:12.061 --> 16:15.540 know , once we start to affect this uh 16:15.550 --> 16:17.910 withdrawal when you know , and like I 16:17.910 --> 16:20.077 said , we're still planning on the end 16:20.077 --> 16:22.132 of the month . Whenever we started , 16:22.132 --> 16:21.130 we're not gonna be able to provide a 16:21.130 --> 16:23.297 Tiktok every day of exactly what we're 16:23.297 --> 16:26.210 moving out and at what pace so that we 16:26.210 --> 16:29.280 can limit vulnerabilities in the 16:29.280 --> 16:31.440 information space and in the actual 16:31.440 --> 16:33.950 physical space of the airport as we 16:33.950 --> 16:36.117 move out . But it's all done in a very 16:36.117 --> 16:38.283 careful methodical way so that you can 16:38.283 --> 16:40.580 preserve as much capability to the very 16:40.580 --> 16:42.760 end as you need as well as security . 16:42.760 --> 16:45.093 And not just the security for our folks , 16:45.093 --> 16:47.149 but the security for the people that 16:47.149 --> 16:49.204 were trying to safely evacuate . But 16:49.204 --> 16:51.371 I'll turn it over to the general Casey 16:51.371 --> 16:53.593 has more detail . Mr Kirby . I mean you 16:53.593 --> 16:55.816 cover that very well . I just would add 16:55.816 --> 16:57.816 to that is , you know , security is 16:57.816 --> 17:00.550 paramount uh during any , you know , 17:00.550 --> 17:02.717 phase of an operation . So as you look 17:02.717 --> 17:05.040 at , as we go forward here , the 17:05.050 --> 17:07.140 commanders are gonna continually 17:07.150 --> 17:10.330 communicate coordinate to ensure that 17:10.330 --> 17:12.980 security is set to allow all those 17:12.980 --> 17:15.036 flight operations , all those things 17:15.036 --> 17:17.980 continue to the end . Does the 17:17.990 --> 17:21.800 methodical orderly withdrawal that he 17:21.800 --> 17:24.960 just referred to ? Does that require 17:25.640 --> 17:28.210 the assistance of the L . A man ? I 17:28.220 --> 17:30.220 mean , it requires the coordination 17:30.220 --> 17:32.480 that I think we're doing right now to 17:32.480 --> 17:34.910 maintain that security . Yeah , there's 17:34.910 --> 17:37.077 no there's no question that David , as 17:37.077 --> 17:39.620 we work through this , the daily 17:39.620 --> 17:41.342 communication with the taliban 17:41.342 --> 17:43.509 commanders is gonna have to continue . 17:43.509 --> 17:45.900 That's just that's just a hard fact . 17:46.260 --> 17:49.510 There . Promise of 17:49.520 --> 17:52.250 cooperation expire on August 31 . I'm 17:52.250 --> 17:55.350 not going to speculate about or even 17:55.350 --> 17:57.290 speak for for them or for their 17:57.290 --> 18:00.990 intentions that we are . Again , 18:01.740 --> 18:04.410 We are , the mission has been to end on 18:04.410 --> 18:07.040 the 31st . That is the assumption that 18:07.040 --> 18:10.620 we are working towards and uh and and 18:10.620 --> 18:12.787 we'll just have to keep moving forward 18:12.940 --> 18:16.940 carla , you uh are there any additional 18:16.950 --> 18:19.860 air evacuations in the city of Kabul ? 18:19.870 --> 18:21.900 Has the U . S . Military done any 18:21.910 --> 18:25.250 evacuations of any sort outside of the 18:25.250 --> 18:27.472 city of Kabul ? Because there are still 18:27.472 --> 18:29.583 lots of americans that aren't even in 18:29.583 --> 18:31.861 Kabul . I'll let the general take that . 18:31.861 --> 18:34.440 So when you talk about evacuations , 18:34.450 --> 18:37.760 you mean going out and we 18:37.760 --> 18:41.330 continue to closely coordinate to 18:41.330 --> 18:44.930 ensure the safe arrival 18:44.940 --> 18:48.500 of americans and others on Hk area . 18:48.510 --> 18:52.110 So we have not gone any further air 18:52.110 --> 18:54.166 operations this time . But as I said 18:54.166 --> 18:56.166 earlier , we continue to ensure the 18:56.166 --> 18:58.400 capabilities that we've had and as 18:58.400 --> 19:01.060 required that were able to do so , is 19:01.060 --> 19:03.410 there a plan in place to help extract 19:03.420 --> 19:06.180 americans who are outside of Kabul at 19:06.190 --> 19:09.490 this point we are always planning and 19:09.490 --> 19:12.710 assessing what needs to be done to help 19:12.710 --> 19:15.960 americans get to H Guy to Kabul airport . 19:16.940 --> 19:19.051 I haven't gone to the phones at all . 19:19.051 --> 19:21.260 So let me start doing that . 19:23.540 --> 19:25.880 Uh I need my glasses again . Jack Jack 19:25.880 --> 19:28.950 Death from foreign policy . Thanks john 19:28.960 --> 19:30.960 I'm just wondering um do you have a 19:30.960 --> 19:33.182 specific update on the throughput now , 19:33.182 --> 19:35.349 obviously you've obviated the 5000 and 19:35.349 --> 19:37.516 9000 number . I know you mentioned the 19:37.516 --> 19:39.360 30 C 17 eVAC flights , but just 19:39.360 --> 19:41.527 wondering if there's a specific update 19:41.527 --> 19:43.749 on on what your goals are for for daily 19:43.749 --> 19:46.850 throughput , I think as you go back to 19:46.850 --> 19:49.017 what General Lyons said last night and 19:49.017 --> 19:51.420 for those that right now the pace , you 19:51.420 --> 19:53.531 know , the throughput that we're able 19:53.531 --> 19:55.960 to maintain uh as I said earlier is 19:55.970 --> 19:59.640 about a plane every uh 45 minutes , but 19:59.650 --> 20:02.830 also that is also driven upon the 20:02.840 --> 20:05.270 requirement of what needs to be taken 20:05.270 --> 20:08.100 out . So right now , uh we assess that 20:08.100 --> 20:10.840 we have the required airflow , not only 20:10.840 --> 20:13.062 us military , but as you said , you saw 20:13.062 --> 20:15.284 those numbers of our coalition or other 20:15.284 --> 20:17.730 partners that are coming in , we assess 20:17.730 --> 20:20.110 that we will be able to maintain the 20:20.120 --> 20:22.680 throughput that we've seen the last Uh 20:22.690 --> 20:24.870 two days uh and then we will continue 20:24.870 --> 20:27.530 to assess what those requirements are 20:27.540 --> 20:30.360 from here forward of what we have to 20:30.370 --> 20:33.800 get that through put into Kabul . So 20:33.800 --> 20:36.000 you're you're looking at about 20,000 20:36.000 --> 20:39.870 per day . I actually I feel my 20:39.880 --> 20:43.070 uh we're trying to get as many out as 20:43.070 --> 20:46.960 we can uh and so uh if we can exceed 20:47.340 --> 20:50.570 what what our previous expectations 20:50.570 --> 20:52.681 were and we have over the last couple 20:52.681 --> 20:54.903 of days , that's a good thing and we're 20:54.903 --> 20:56.848 going to continue to drive at that 20:56.848 --> 20:59.060 injuries . Two good questions firstly 20:59.270 --> 21:01.437 is the intention to get every american 21:01.437 --> 21:03.437 out who wants to leave plus as many 21:03.440 --> 21:06.110 five holders or applicants or is it to 21:06.110 --> 21:08.830 get out all americans plus as many 21:08.830 --> 21:10.997 afghans as possible ? By the august as 21:10.997 --> 21:13.108 many americans who want to leave that 21:13.108 --> 21:15.108 we can get as fast as possible . As 21:15.108 --> 21:18.190 many of our S . I . V . Applicants who 21:18.200 --> 21:21.020 who we can get to the airport and get 21:21.020 --> 21:23.560 them out as fast as possible . As many 21:23.560 --> 21:26.270 vulnerable afghans that we can also 21:26.440 --> 21:29.710 work towards getting . But it's 21:30.140 --> 21:33.570 we understand the the challenges of 21:33.570 --> 21:35.737 time and space here . We're mindful of 21:35.737 --> 21:38.600 that . That's why we are uh trying to 21:38.600 --> 21:41.520 continue to keep up this capacity and 21:41.520 --> 21:44.580 even improve it . If we can to lead 21:44.580 --> 21:46.691 this question , you said you have the 21:46.691 --> 21:48.802 ability to get all americans who want 21:48.802 --> 21:50.913 to leave . And he said several 1000 . 21:50.913 --> 21:53.024 Do you have a percentage for how many 21:53.024 --> 21:52.650 americans have been removed without 21:52.650 --> 21:54.928 giving a number more than half removed ? 21:54.928 --> 21:57.170 I can't give you that number address 21:57.170 --> 21:59.590 because I don't think there's a perfect 21:59.590 --> 22:03.590 number that that we that we know with 22:03.590 --> 22:05.540 certainty of all americans in 22:05.540 --> 22:08.870 Afghanistan . Uh There's no 22:08.880 --> 22:11.047 requirement that can't you can't force 22:11.047 --> 22:13.158 an american when they go to a foreign 22:13.158 --> 22:15.324 country to tell you that they're there 22:15.324 --> 22:17.436 um and we encourage them to do that . 22:17.436 --> 22:19.547 The State Department has a robust set 22:19.547 --> 22:21.491 of communication vehicles at their 22:21.491 --> 22:21.480 disposal to , especially in a country 22:21.480 --> 22:23.920 like Afghanistan to , we want to know 22:23.920 --> 22:26.253 when americans are there but they don't , 22:26.253 --> 22:28.476 you know , they don't have to tell us . 22:28.476 --> 22:30.642 So um that's why it's difficult for us 22:30.642 --> 22:33.410 to give you , you know the denominator 22:33.410 --> 22:36.000 here , how many are there ? And what I 22:36.000 --> 22:38.270 can tell you is and this is out of my 22:38.270 --> 22:40.492 lane but I'll do it anyway . I mean the 22:40.492 --> 22:42.659 State Department has been working very 22:42.659 --> 22:44.659 hard to reach out to those who they 22:44.659 --> 22:46.714 know are there or even who they here 22:46.714 --> 22:48.900 are there to communicate to them . Let 22:48.900 --> 22:51.610 them know what evacuation plans are 22:51.610 --> 22:55.030 possible and achievable for them . So 22:55.030 --> 22:57.252 they're working very hard at this . Our 22:57.252 --> 22:59.690 job at the Defense Department is to is 22:59.690 --> 23:02.160 to help facilitate them . They're safe 23:02.160 --> 23:04.980 passage to the airport . Uh and then 23:04.980 --> 23:06.813 getting them manifested them and 23:06.813 --> 23:08.869 getting them on a plane out once you 23:08.869 --> 23:11.110 have registered have more or less than 23:11.110 --> 23:13.221 half of the americans have registered 23:13.221 --> 23:16.180 have been evacuated . I do not know . I 23:16.190 --> 23:18.079 don't you have to go to the State 23:18.079 --> 23:20.079 Department for what they think they 23:20.079 --> 23:22.301 have on the registry . But I think even 23:22.301 --> 23:21.750 they would tell you address that that 23:21.750 --> 23:24.770 is an imperfect database because not 23:24.770 --> 23:27.650 every american has to register . So 23:27.650 --> 23:29.650 it's perfectly conceivable that you 23:29.650 --> 23:31.817 might have an american who nobody knew 23:31.817 --> 23:33.928 was in Afghanistan but still pipes up 23:33.928 --> 23:36.150 on the net and says , I want to get out 23:36.150 --> 23:38.206 and we're gonna help that person get 23:38.206 --> 23:40.317 out to the best ability that we can . 23:40.317 --> 23:42.428 Barbara understand this . This is the 23:42.428 --> 23:44.539 answer we've gotten for days and days 23:44.539 --> 23:46.872 and days from every podium in this town . 23:47.140 --> 23:49.390 Even if this administration does not 23:49.400 --> 23:51.600 have the denominator , that is not my 23:51.600 --> 23:54.000 question . My question is , can this 23:54.000 --> 23:56.222 administration tell the american people 23:56.222 --> 23:59.690 how many americans it has evacuated 23:59.800 --> 24:02.760 from Afghanistan ? And if you cannot , 24:02.770 --> 24:05.840 can you please explain not the 24:05.840 --> 24:08.510 denominator ? Why ? Why can't you just 24:08.510 --> 24:10.732 say the number ? But I think we're just 24:10.732 --> 24:12.788 gonna leave it at several 1000 right 24:12.788 --> 24:14.677 now and I understand that's not a 24:14.677 --> 24:16.899 satisfying answer to you . I would tell 24:16.899 --> 24:18.843 you that that the number literally 24:18.843 --> 24:22.070 changes almost by the hour . It else I 24:22.070 --> 24:24.292 understand Barbara we're going to leave 24:24.292 --> 24:26.403 it at several 1000 for right now . We 24:26.403 --> 24:28.514 have a follow up since everybody else 24:28.514 --> 24:32.010 asked like eight questions . Thank you . 24:32.260 --> 24:34.960 I have two other follow ups . If I may 24:35.540 --> 24:38.230 um just to clarify , general taylor's 24:38.230 --> 24:40.397 answer , if there had been no missions 24:40.397 --> 24:42.940 outside of Kabul , can you tell us 24:42.950 --> 24:46.070 about missions that have taken place at 24:46.070 --> 24:49.190 least outside essentially the fence 24:49.190 --> 24:51.650 line of the airport and my other follow 24:51.650 --> 24:55.150 up is um as you prepare to depart 24:55.150 --> 24:57.890 whenever that happens , your previous 24:57.890 --> 25:00.760 retrograde as you called , it included 25:00.770 --> 25:03.170 provisions for destruction of weapons 25:03.170 --> 25:05.950 in place . Can we assume that this ? 25:06.440 --> 25:10.170 Mhm mitt , This part of the effort to 25:10.180 --> 25:12.360 leave Afghanistan will also include 25:12.740 --> 25:15.460 that what you cannot put on an airplane ? 25:15.940 --> 25:18.060 Any weapons you can't put on an 25:18.060 --> 25:20.790 airplane or dangerous items you would 25:20.790 --> 25:23.510 destroy in place . I think the general 25:23.510 --> 25:25.732 answered your first question that there 25:25.732 --> 25:27.788 is no other additional operations to 25:27.788 --> 25:30.760 speak to . Uh we continue to facilitate 25:31.140 --> 25:34.170 safe passage . I believe 25:35.240 --> 25:37.760 there are no there are no additional 25:37.760 --> 25:40.070 operations to speak to that I'm aware 25:40.070 --> 25:42.940 of . Not outside outside outside the 25:42.940 --> 25:44.950 airport either but we continue to 25:44.950 --> 25:48.190 facilitate uh safe passage for 25:48.200 --> 25:51.340 americans uh S . I . V . S as they as 25:51.340 --> 25:53.451 they need to get to the airport . And 25:53.451 --> 25:55.520 as I mentioned to lead a just in the 25:55.520 --> 25:57.520 last 24 hours , I can tell you that 25:57.520 --> 26:00.110 several 100 americans have made it 26:00.110 --> 26:03.200 safely to airport gates for further on 26:03.200 --> 26:04.922 transportation , us government 26:04.922 --> 26:07.144 assistance that I'm just going to leave 26:07.144 --> 26:09.740 it at that barb . Um And uh as for your 26:09.740 --> 26:13.000 question on retrograde um the short 26:13.000 --> 26:16.350 answer is yes as a part of any 26:16.540 --> 26:18.262 retrograde and I know that's a 26:18.262 --> 26:21.440 technical pentagon term that uh the 26:21.450 --> 26:24.670 drawdown of both people and equipment 26:24.680 --> 26:26.910 will be done in the same manner that we 26:26.910 --> 26:28.688 would do it anywhere else . And 26:28.688 --> 26:31.560 obviously uh there's a strong bias to 26:31.560 --> 26:34.620 be able to get our material out with 26:34.620 --> 26:37.450 our people . Um If there needs to be 26:37.460 --> 26:40.370 destruction or other disposition 26:40.380 --> 26:43.710 of of equipment there at Hamid Karzai 26:43.710 --> 26:45.710 International Airport then we'll do 26:45.710 --> 26:47.877 that and we'll do that appropriately . 26:47.877 --> 26:50.830 Carl and I get you already . I'm sorry . 26:50.840 --> 26:54.790 Okay we'll come back to my fault . 26:54.790 --> 26:57.650 My fault . My fault , Helene . Um can 26:57.650 --> 27:00.070 we , can I ask you both about the 27:00.080 --> 27:02.191 bottlenecks because you've got 20,000 27:02.191 --> 27:04.680 people out in the last 24 hours , which 27:04.680 --> 27:06.736 is a big number , the biggest you've 27:06.736 --> 27:10.010 had yet . Do you have 20,000 people now 27:10.010 --> 27:12.066 inside the airport to get out in the 27:12.066 --> 27:14.970 next 24 hours ? Or are there 27:14.970 --> 27:17.137 bottlenecks that are preventing people 27:17.137 --> 27:19.290 from getting in and getting people on 27:19.290 --> 27:21.346 planes and those planes in the air ? 27:21.346 --> 27:23.679 Because there's nowhere to receive them . 27:23.679 --> 27:25.846 I'll talk about just bottlenecks . And 27:25.846 --> 27:27.846 I think I talked a little bit about 27:27.846 --> 27:31.710 that earlier and as we uh those 27:31.710 --> 27:35.460 that depart kabul and get to those 27:35.460 --> 27:39.280 staging bases within um or you know , 27:39.280 --> 27:41.820 centcom a or that is the coordination 27:41.820 --> 27:43.820 that I was talking about earlier to 27:43.820 --> 27:47.410 ensuring that we place uh you know , 27:47.420 --> 27:50.130 evacuees In one of those 14 locations 27:50.130 --> 27:52.352 there to prevent a bottleneck . So that 27:52.352 --> 27:55.140 as our increased throughput , as you 27:55.140 --> 27:56.973 know , increase that number that 27:56.973 --> 28:00.260 they're able to hold their centcom and 28:00.260 --> 28:02.810 eucom are continuing to coordinate 28:02.810 --> 28:05.032 together uh and with the joint staff in 28:05.032 --> 28:08.200 Transcom of where to put those evacuees 28:08.200 --> 28:11.160 to allow flights to continue to leave 28:11.160 --> 28:14.450 kabul . So as we look at those on kabul , 28:14.450 --> 28:17.910 there is no a constraint of allowing 28:17.910 --> 28:19.970 flights to leave today , we still 28:19.970 --> 28:22.630 expect the throughput that we saw in 28:22.630 --> 28:25.460 the last two days uh to be able to 28:25.460 --> 28:28.660 continue with no bottleneck and others , 28:28.670 --> 28:32.030 we continue to manage that on an hourly 28:32.040 --> 28:35.940 minute basis to ensure uh we know where 28:35.940 --> 28:38.090 to fly people to and you have enough 28:38.100 --> 28:40.960 people in the airport compound now in 28:40.960 --> 28:43.100 Kabul and you don't have the exact 28:43.100 --> 28:45.920 number in Kabul it , there are evacuees 28:45.930 --> 28:48.350 on kabul right now being processed 28:48.400 --> 28:51.000 through all stages of , you know , the 28:51.010 --> 28:54.080 process there to be ready to fly , but 28:54.080 --> 28:57.100 you don't have the number . Yeah , it's , 28:57.190 --> 28:59.412 I don't have the exact number , I don't 28:59.412 --> 29:01.579 just when I left here , but we have uh 29:01.579 --> 29:03.746 folks ready to evacuate , we can get , 29:03.746 --> 29:05.912 you know , that's on the airport now , 29:05.912 --> 29:08.040 it does general said it literally 29:08.040 --> 29:10.040 changes by the hour . I mean if you 29:10.040 --> 29:12.040 think about what we did yesterday , 29:12.040 --> 29:14.207 It's virtually just do the math . It's 29:14.207 --> 29:16.262 almost 1000 people per hour over the 29:16.262 --> 29:18.373 last 24 hours . So it changes a lot . 29:18.373 --> 29:20.420 So uh well , it's a fair question . 29:20.430 --> 29:22.319 We'll take it , we'll get you the 29:22.319 --> 29:24.430 number of what there is now , I would 29:24.430 --> 29:26.430 just caution you to understand that 29:26.430 --> 29:28.652 that number constantly changes . That's 29:28.652 --> 29:30.652 the whole goal is to is to keep the 29:30.652 --> 29:32.874 throughput so you get , you get down to 29:32.874 --> 29:35.097 a certain level and then you know , you 29:35.097 --> 29:37.152 get more and you're so you just keep 29:37.152 --> 29:36.750 you keep moving people through , its 29:36.750 --> 29:39.470 constantly fluid . Yeah , thanks john 29:39.470 --> 29:41.700 good morning , I know you said your 29:41.700 --> 29:44.540 fixed on August 31 after departure 29:44.940 --> 29:47.051 Brooke , I think we can probably find 29:47.051 --> 29:49.162 that number now . Can you just go get 29:49.162 --> 29:51.162 it and bring it up here so we don't 29:51.162 --> 29:52.996 have to wait till the end of the 29:52.996 --> 29:54.884 briefing . I'm sorry you had said 29:54.884 --> 29:57.051 earlier , your fixed on August 31 as a 29:57.051 --> 29:59.162 departure date . Nevertheless , there 29:59.162 --> 29:58.710 is some discussion of the possibility 29:58.710 --> 30:00.840 of changing that mission . There's 30:00.840 --> 30:03.062 something like that fall under what you 30:03.062 --> 30:05.062 would call sometimes speculation or 30:05.062 --> 30:07.062 that fall under what you would call 30:07.062 --> 30:09.284 planning . Because you've always made a 30:09.284 --> 30:11.507 distinction between those two . When we 30:11.507 --> 30:13.729 ask you about the possibility of things 30:13.729 --> 30:15.840 and I'm just trying to get clarity on 30:15.840 --> 30:18.062 that . Thanks . I'm not completely sure 30:18.062 --> 30:20.173 I understand the question . So let me 30:20.173 --> 30:19.710 take a stab at it . If I fail , you can 30:19.710 --> 30:23.690 tell me I failed . The the 30:23.700 --> 30:26.240 President's direction has been to 30:26.250 --> 30:28.860 complete this , withdraw this 30:28.860 --> 30:32.660 evacuation and withdraw by the 31st of 30:32.660 --> 30:35.140 august , that is the that is the 30:35.140 --> 30:37.430 direction that we are operating under 30:37.440 --> 30:39.840 and therefore that is driving a lot of 30:39.840 --> 30:42.850 our plans . Uh you heard the 30:43.240 --> 30:45.407 US say and you heard the Secretary say 30:45.407 --> 30:49.230 that uh that uh that if there needed to 30:49.230 --> 30:51.790 be a conversation about changing that 30:51.790 --> 30:53.401 that that he would have that 30:53.401 --> 30:55.401 conversation . I'm not going to get 30:55.401 --> 30:58.160 into internal deliberations 30:58.170 --> 31:01.730 about uh what people may be 31:01.730 --> 31:03.952 thinking one way or the other . But you 31:03.952 --> 31:06.008 heard the national Security advisors 31:06.008 --> 31:08.008 say yesterday that that he believes 31:08.008 --> 31:10.174 that we can accomplish this mission by 31:10.174 --> 31:12.341 the end of the month . So we are still 31:12.341 --> 31:12.150 driving towards the end of the month , 31:12.160 --> 31:14.216 that's where we are now . And if and 31:14.216 --> 31:16.327 when there is any change to that will 31:16.327 --> 31:18.549 certainly make it clear to the american 31:18.549 --> 31:20.771 people is because in the past couple of 31:20.771 --> 31:22.660 weeks the pentagon has come under 31:22.660 --> 31:24.716 rightly or wrongly criticism for not 31:24.716 --> 31:26.216 quote unquote planning for 31:26.216 --> 31:27.993 eventualities that seem to have 31:27.993 --> 31:30.104 happened in Kabul . And so this seems 31:30.104 --> 31:31.993 to be a possible eventuality of a 31:31.993 --> 31:34.049 mission that may have to extend past 31:34.049 --> 31:36.160 the deadline . So I was just asking , 31:36.160 --> 31:38.382 is there planning going on in the event 31:38.382 --> 31:40.382 that this has to happen ? We are at 31:40.382 --> 31:42.438 planning organization tom we we plan 31:42.438 --> 31:44.660 for all manner of contingencies even as 31:44.660 --> 31:46.771 we execute the orders that we've been 31:46.771 --> 31:48.993 given and that's what we're doing right 31:48.993 --> 31:51.160 now , Megan . Uh So you've always said 31:51.160 --> 31:53.382 that airlift is not the limiting factor 31:53.382 --> 31:55.382 here . Obviously there's a lot more 31:55.382 --> 31:55.070 people getting into the airport and 31:55.070 --> 31:57.070 getting out . What do you attribute 31:57.070 --> 31:58.848 that to ? Is that expanding the 31:58.848 --> 32:01.070 perimeter or their checkpoints that are 32:01.070 --> 32:03.126 getting more people through ? Um and 32:03.126 --> 32:05.292 you know , we don't have the number of 32:05.292 --> 32:05.050 how many people are on each car right 32:05.050 --> 32:06.939 now , but about how long are they 32:06.939 --> 32:09.050 spending there Before they're able to 32:09.050 --> 32:11.217 get on a plane ? So within the last 48 32:11.217 --> 32:13.383 hours , That timeline of staying uh in 32:13.383 --> 32:16.290 Kabul has been very short as as soon as 32:16.290 --> 32:18.401 we're getting people in and processed 32:18.401 --> 32:20.520 as you can see a flight every 45 32:20.520 --> 32:22.900 minutes is a lot in getting people out 32:22.900 --> 32:26.680 of there . Um , so as we look at what 32:26.680 --> 32:30.060 have been the factors behind that , um 32:30.540 --> 32:33.220 numerous weather continues to play in 32:33.220 --> 32:35.980 everybody's factor , great coalition 32:35.990 --> 32:37.657 and partners and other people 32:37.657 --> 32:39.970 volunteering aircraft and as General 32:39.970 --> 32:42.200 Lyons said yesterday , the ability to 32:42.210 --> 32:44.321 get not only the aircraft coming into 32:44.321 --> 32:48.180 Kabul but others providing aircraft to 32:48.180 --> 32:51.160 fly , you know , people from the , from 32:51.440 --> 32:53.830 the lily pads or the safe havens into 32:53.830 --> 32:55.997 the States and then moving them around 32:55.997 --> 32:58.130 has has allowed us to keep that 32:58.140 --> 33:00.230 throughput going . And then also , I 33:00.230 --> 33:03.840 think the continued ability to 33:03.840 --> 33:06.440 inform and get the word out of how to 33:06.440 --> 33:08.700 get into the gates , where to come the 33:08.700 --> 33:12.150 processing of the , those , not only 33:12.150 --> 33:13.928 through the gates , but they're 33:13.928 --> 33:17.440 processing internally on Kabul by our 33:17.450 --> 33:19.630 our troops that are , there continues 33:19.630 --> 33:21.686 to become more efficient . Are there 33:21.686 --> 33:23.797 more people showing up now than there 33:23.797 --> 33:25.908 were last week when there was so much 33:25.908 --> 33:28.130 panic , I would say as we look at those 33:28.130 --> 33:30.074 that are showing up with the right 33:30.074 --> 33:32.186 documentation , the right people that 33:32.186 --> 33:34.800 have come , I think is one factor that 33:34.800 --> 33:37.140 has allowed us to increase the 33:37.150 --> 33:39.270 throughput . There also have been , 33:39.280 --> 33:42.690 there's there's the um , the crush of 33:42.690 --> 33:45.820 those first few days has reduced um as 33:45.820 --> 33:47.980 more order and structure around the 33:47.980 --> 33:51.340 airport has increased security . Uh the 33:51.350 --> 33:54.190 processing flow itself has just gotten 33:54.190 --> 33:56.301 better . Uh and the crowds around the 33:56.301 --> 33:58.246 airport are smaller than they were 33:58.246 --> 34:01.850 before . Um So the situation around the 34:01.850 --> 34:04.017 airport right now is it's just not the 34:04.017 --> 34:06.239 same . It's not as chaotic as it was in 34:06.239 --> 34:08.550 those first couple of days , Theresa , 34:10.140 --> 34:12.362 thank you for taking my question . I've 34:12.362 --> 34:14.473 spoken to service members and spouses 34:14.473 --> 34:16.640 on one of the bases where evacuees are 34:16.640 --> 34:18.751 expected to be housed and they have a 34:18.751 --> 34:20.862 serious concern about covid . So what 34:20.862 --> 34:23.480 our service members or anyone living on 34:23.480 --> 34:25.480 these bases being briefed to try to 34:25.480 --> 34:27.647 ease that concern because obviously as 34:27.647 --> 34:29.536 of yesterday , they're still very 34:29.536 --> 34:31.758 concerned about that issue . Sure . And 34:31.758 --> 34:33.924 they have every right to be . We're in 34:33.924 --> 34:36.091 the midst of a pandemic and conducting 34:36.091 --> 34:38.860 one of the largest airlift operations 34:38.870 --> 34:42.730 in recent american history is no small 34:42.730 --> 34:44.952 feat in the best of circumstances . And 34:44.952 --> 34:47.063 this one is obviously not the best of 34:47.063 --> 34:49.119 circumstances because in addition to 34:49.119 --> 34:51.230 this , we're doing it in the midst of 34:51.230 --> 34:53.452 covid pandemic . What I can tell you is 34:53.452 --> 34:56.210 that uh screening occurs at every stop 34:56.210 --> 35:00.100 at every stage of the process . Um And 35:00.100 --> 35:03.550 uh and we're doing the best we can to 35:03.560 --> 35:06.730 uh to make sure that we've got enough 35:06.730 --> 35:10.270 visibility on on everyone's health . 35:10.280 --> 35:13.540 Uh But uh but again , we're really the 35:13.540 --> 35:15.651 focus is on getting the numbers out . 35:15.651 --> 35:18.280 And so there's an elementary elementary 35:18.280 --> 35:20.410 screening done at kabul for those who 35:20.410 --> 35:22.950 are symptomatic . Um Additional 35:22.950 --> 35:25.460 screening takes place at the temporary 35:25.470 --> 35:28.100 safe havens and then of course upon 35:28.100 --> 35:31.160 arrival here at the United States . Um 35:31.170 --> 35:33.480 uh there's a screening that's done as 35:33.480 --> 35:35.870 well . So it's on everybody's mind , 35:35.880 --> 35:38.260 believe me , I mean we're also mindful 35:38.260 --> 35:40.316 of the health of our our aircrew and 35:40.316 --> 35:42.371 our and our and our troops at the at 35:42.371 --> 35:44.482 the airport . It's a constant process 35:44.482 --> 35:47.290 and we're not we're not um we're not 35:47.300 --> 35:49.356 leaving anything for granted . We're 35:49.356 --> 35:52.910 taking it seriously . Sylvie , I 35:55.360 --> 35:57.480 their flag for covid any stuff in the 35:57.480 --> 36:00.230 way they pulled I don't know the exact 36:00.230 --> 36:02.452 medical process . Let me go over here . 36:02.452 --> 36:05.230 Apparently I'm missing out Sylvia . 36:05.230 --> 36:07.230 I'll come back to you . I promise . 36:07.230 --> 36:10.040 Okay , thank you . Mr Kirby you are 36:10.050 --> 36:12.570 hearing different statements from the 36:12.570 --> 36:14.720 White House pentagon , for example , 36:14.720 --> 36:17.500 number of troops operation in Kabul 36:17.500 --> 36:19.930 etcetera . Can you talk about why there 36:19.930 --> 36:22.097 is a consensus among the highest level 36:22.097 --> 36:24.097 of the United States ? Is there any 36:24.097 --> 36:27.740 communication issue ? I'm sorry I 36:27.740 --> 36:31.010 misunderstood . What what's the 36:31.010 --> 36:33.177 dissonance that you're talking about ? 36:33.177 --> 36:35.280 So for example , biden Al Qaeda gone 36:35.280 --> 36:37.530 from Afghanistan but Blinken say yes , 36:37.530 --> 36:40.360 there is Al Qaeda . So we can see 36:40.360 --> 36:42.304 different statement from the White 36:42.304 --> 36:44.304 House , different comments from the 36:44.304 --> 36:46.416 pentagon . Is there any communication 36:46.416 --> 36:48.810 issue from the highest level ? No , I 36:48.820 --> 36:50.764 think you're reading way more into 36:50.764 --> 36:52.931 things than you need to think were all 36:52.931 --> 36:55.153 cited on the fact that there's still an 36:55.153 --> 36:58.810 Al Qaeda threat uh in Afghanistan . Uh 36:58.820 --> 37:01.690 and as well as Al Qaeda affiliates that 37:01.690 --> 37:04.140 we we know are there nobody is we've 37:04.140 --> 37:06.140 said that consistently . Uh there's 37:06.140 --> 37:08.307 there's no gap in understanding here . 37:08.307 --> 37:11.230 Just for example , sake say 11,000 37:11.230 --> 37:13.380 American in Afghanistan . But you say 37:13.390 --> 37:16.840 10,000 between 5000 between 10,000 . 37:17.330 --> 37:19.552 So different statement is why I want to 37:19.552 --> 37:21.730 ask , look , the Defense Department 37:21.730 --> 37:24.440 can't speak specifically to the number 37:24.450 --> 37:26.561 of americans in Afghanistan . I think 37:26.561 --> 37:28.617 we already addressed this earlier in 37:28.617 --> 37:30.783 the briefing . Well , you know , there 37:30.783 --> 37:33.190 is no uh , firm certain hard number on 37:33.190 --> 37:35.246 that because not every american that 37:35.246 --> 37:37.246 goes to Afghanistan has to tell the 37:37.246 --> 37:39.357 government that there there , we have 37:39.357 --> 37:41.490 made it clear that any american that 37:41.490 --> 37:43.657 wants to leave . We're going to find a 37:43.657 --> 37:45.879 way to get to them or find a way to get 37:45.879 --> 37:47.934 the information to them to help them 37:47.934 --> 37:49.879 make the right decisions for , for 37:49.879 --> 37:52.101 transportation out of the country . But 37:52.101 --> 37:54.268 everybody's cited on the car that this 37:54.268 --> 37:56.379 is a dangerous perilous environment . 37:56.379 --> 37:58.379 There is , it's very dynamic , It's 37:58.379 --> 38:00.490 very fluid . Uh , and we're doing the 38:00.490 --> 38:02.601 best we can to move as many people as 38:02.601 --> 38:05.090 we can as fast as we can follow up . If 38:05.090 --> 38:07.257 they cannot reach the airport who live 38:07.257 --> 38:10.030 in Afghanistan , the americans don't 38:10.030 --> 38:12.310 taliban isis threat for them . If they 38:12.310 --> 38:14.143 stuck somewhere . If they cannot 38:14.143 --> 38:16.310 communicate , we absolutely understand 38:16.310 --> 38:18.421 that Afghanistan is a dangerous place 38:18.421 --> 38:20.532 right now , which is why we're trying 38:20.532 --> 38:22.699 to move as many americans as we can as 38:22.699 --> 38:22.520 fast as we can . And we want to get 38:22.520 --> 38:24.742 that done before the end of the month . 38:24.742 --> 38:28.380 Gordon The situation in the conditions 38:28.390 --> 38:30.740 at Alloudi and cutter which have been 38:30.740 --> 38:32.920 described as squalid for a lot of 38:32.930 --> 38:35.670 people coming through there . Um and 38:35.680 --> 38:38.840 then if if you could um I didn't quite 38:38.840 --> 38:41.007 understand what the general was saying 38:41.007 --> 38:43.173 earlier about the 14 different station 38:43.173 --> 38:45.396 like a way station because I understood 38:45.396 --> 38:47.284 the kind of three main hubs to be 38:47.380 --> 38:51.270 Ramstein , Qatar and bahrain . So 38:51.270 --> 38:54.110 are their way more now . I'll let the 38:54.120 --> 38:56.287 general come up here in a second . But 38:56.287 --> 38:59.120 let me just just just set this a little 38:59.120 --> 39:02.970 bit . So yes , those are three main 39:02.970 --> 39:05.420 hubs . But we are adding to that . 39:05.420 --> 39:08.970 You've seen italy uh , U . S . Military 39:08.970 --> 39:10.803 installations in Italy . U . S . 39:10.803 --> 39:12.859 Military installations at spain also 39:12.859 --> 39:14.859 provide additional capability . And 39:14.859 --> 39:16.970 there are other countries in the gulf 39:16.970 --> 39:18.970 region who are willing to take on a 39:18.970 --> 39:21.081 temporary basis some individuals . So 39:21.081 --> 39:23.850 uh it's a it's a bigger broader sort of 39:23.850 --> 39:26.070 hub and spoke network than it was just 39:26.070 --> 39:28.292 a few days ago and I'll let the general 39:28.292 --> 39:30.292 fill that out for you on your first 39:30.292 --> 39:33.420 question . Just let me level set it 39:33.420 --> 39:37.240 right away . We are aware of and 39:37.250 --> 39:40.810 as concerned as anybody about what 39:40.820 --> 39:44.250 what what it would have been some uh 39:45.620 --> 39:49.020 terrible sanitation conditions at Qatar 39:49.200 --> 39:52.870 that were facilitated by 39:52.880 --> 39:55.350 the sheer numbers and the speed with 39:55.350 --> 39:57.630 which those numbers got there . Uh and 39:57.630 --> 40:00.240 we all recognize that and nobody , 40:00.610 --> 40:04.410 nobody here wants anyone to be 40:04.420 --> 40:06.570 less than safe , secure , comfortable 40:06.580 --> 40:08.691 and well cared for as they go through 40:08.691 --> 40:10.413 this process . We take it very 40:10.413 --> 40:12.413 seriously but we'll be the first to 40:12.413 --> 40:15.520 admit uh that uh that that there were 40:15.530 --> 40:17.670 conditions at L . U . D . Could have 40:17.670 --> 40:20.160 been better . They are improving now 40:20.170 --> 40:22.226 I'm not gonna stand up here and tell 40:22.226 --> 40:24.059 you that they're perfect because 40:24.059 --> 40:26.170 they're not because evacuees continue 40:26.170 --> 40:29.320 to flow into Qatar . Uh And there's a 40:29.320 --> 40:31.487 lot on the ground right now and as the 40:31.487 --> 40:33.542 general said , we're working hard to 40:33.542 --> 40:35.598 clear out that population so that we 40:35.598 --> 40:37.940 can ease the pressure there uh and and 40:37.940 --> 40:39.940 continue to move these people along 40:39.940 --> 40:42.162 their way to their to their new lives . 40:42.162 --> 40:45.040 Uh Nobody's making excuses . Nobody's 40:45.040 --> 40:47.740 ducking from this . We recognize that 40:47.750 --> 40:50.340 things were were and in many ways still 40:50.340 --> 40:53.480 are not at the level of sanitation and 40:53.480 --> 40:55.770 good hygiene that we want . I can I can 40:55.770 --> 40:57.770 tell you that from the secretary on 40:57.770 --> 40:59.881 down everybody's focused on trying to 40:59.881 --> 41:02.048 improve that . And as a matter of fact 41:02.048 --> 41:04.103 and you saw a statement from Central 41:04.103 --> 41:06.159 Command last night , they are taking 41:06.159 --> 41:08.270 measures to ease that pressure and to 41:08.270 --> 41:10.270 improve conditions there . But it's 41:10.270 --> 41:10.170 something we're gonna watch , not just 41:10.170 --> 41:13.070 there but every other temporary safe 41:13.070 --> 41:15.070 haven that were that were operating 41:15.070 --> 41:17.292 from before . The general speaks to the 41:17.292 --> 41:19.459 hubs . Can you just clarify , you said 41:19.459 --> 41:21.681 you don't think there is a crush around 41:21.681 --> 41:23.903 each kaya currently or less of one . Or 41:23.903 --> 41:26.680 can you clarify what you uh that the uh 41:26.690 --> 41:30.560 that the crowd sizes smaller uh now 41:30.570 --> 41:32.681 than it was in those first few days . 41:32.681 --> 41:35.270 Um , and uh , and so we're not 41:35.270 --> 41:37.660 experiencing to the degree we did , you 41:37.660 --> 41:41.020 know , last monday , um , the physical 41:41.210 --> 41:44.170 crush and chaos . I'm not suggesting , 41:44.170 --> 41:46.226 Gordon ? That there aren't desperate 41:46.226 --> 41:48.559 people outside that airport who want in . 41:48.559 --> 41:50.392 Absolutely , we're not we're not 41:50.392 --> 41:52.614 ignoring that . I'm just saying that to 41:52.614 --> 41:54.503 Megan's question , that we're not 41:54.503 --> 41:56.503 seeing the same pressure put on the 41:56.503 --> 41:58.448 system . Now that there was in the 41:58.448 --> 42:02.210 early days , john first go back to the 42:02.220 --> 42:05.520 question . So approximately right now 42:05.530 --> 42:09.450 5000 little 5000 or on 42:09.450 --> 42:12.920 h chi going through the processing uh , 42:12.930 --> 42:15.041 continuing to be manifested and ready 42:15.041 --> 42:17.740 to fly . So , uh , gates are still open . 42:17.750 --> 42:20.580 We will continue to assess those 42:20.580 --> 42:23.120 numbers throughout the day . When we go 42:23.120 --> 42:26.890 back to hubs and spokes , I'll give you 42:26.890 --> 42:29.170 the macro and then we can possibly get 42:29.170 --> 42:31.114 back with you on the , on the real 42:31.114 --> 42:33.220 details of their so it's both within 42:33.220 --> 42:36.250 the centcom and the UK . Um , a are , 42:36.250 --> 42:38.472 we have main hubs , you know , think of 42:38.472 --> 42:40.610 it Ramstein and then going into Qatar 42:41.000 --> 42:44.490 But from there within the last 24-72 42:44.490 --> 42:47.660 hours , both of those commands have 42:47.670 --> 42:50.530 started building up and going from an 42:50.530 --> 42:53.460 initial operating capability uh to get 42:53.460 --> 42:55.320 full what we would call smaller 42:55.320 --> 42:58.990 satellite , uh areas to ensure that 42:58.990 --> 43:01.320 with the throughput that we've had , 43:01.500 --> 43:04.650 that we can safely and humanitarian lee , 43:04.660 --> 43:06.604 you know , keep those people there 43:06.604 --> 43:09.350 until their flights go back into the 43:09.350 --> 43:11.730 States when you specifically talk about . 43:12.300 --> 43:14.411 And I can just bring it up just , you 43:14.411 --> 43:16.411 know , when talking to centcom this 43:16.411 --> 43:18.467 morning as we look at capabilities . 43:18.467 --> 43:20.578 And I just talked about this a little 43:20.578 --> 43:22.970 bit earlier , but a lot of work has 43:22.970 --> 43:25.470 been done in the last 48 hours of , you 43:25.470 --> 43:28.150 know , bringing in more portable hand 43:28.150 --> 43:30.810 washing stations , refrigeration trucks 43:30.990 --> 43:34.080 to ensure there's cool water and the 43:34.080 --> 43:36.700 food is there to ensure that people 43:36.700 --> 43:39.610 have these humanitarian capabilities . 43:40.400 --> 43:42.580 I would also say just as a scheduling 43:42.580 --> 43:44.691 note that this afternoon's briefing , 43:44.691 --> 43:46.858 I'll be joined by General Van Herck of 43:46.858 --> 43:48.858 Northern Command as well as general 43:48.858 --> 43:50.969 Walters of european command . So they 43:50.969 --> 43:53.191 will also be able to address in greater 43:53.191 --> 43:55.413 detail some of these specific questions 43:55.413 --> 43:54.890 about the temporary safe havens and 43:54.900 --> 43:56.956 you'll have a chance to talk to them 43:56.956 --> 44:00.630 directly laura commit to evacuating 44:00.630 --> 44:02.780 the afghan commandos and other troops 44:02.780 --> 44:04.836 that are helping with the evacuation 44:04.836 --> 44:08.710 currently . Yes , follow them . Any 44:09.090 --> 44:11.423 anyone , any of them that want to leave . 44:11.423 --> 44:13.312 And uh and we have to assume that 44:13.312 --> 44:16.080 that's that's all of them . Uh they 44:16.080 --> 44:19.000 will be evacuated . Yes , I don't have 44:19.000 --> 44:21.222 an exact number as I think we've talked 44:21.222 --> 44:23.380 about Before . The general has 44:23.380 --> 44:25.658 somewhere in the neighborhood of 5-600 . 44:25.658 --> 44:28.430 We know Afghan forces are there at the , 44:28.440 --> 44:30.670 at the airport with us and and actually 44:30.670 --> 44:33.760 helping us in the security mission and 44:33.760 --> 44:37.050 they will all be able to come out . 44:37.060 --> 44:39.410 They will all be able to come out and 44:39.410 --> 44:41.521 then also just as a follow up on what 44:41.521 --> 44:43.466 is happening to the money that was 44:43.466 --> 44:45.632 intended to go for the Afghan security 44:45.632 --> 44:48.840 fund . Yeah , obviously , uh , and 44:48.840 --> 44:51.007 we're working closely with Congress on 44:51.007 --> 44:53.118 that . But that , that money is being 44:53.118 --> 44:55.010 held now . Yeah , absolutely , 44:55.010 --> 44:57.177 absolutely . Let me go to the phones . 44:57.177 --> 44:59.232 I haven't in addition to not getting 44:59.232 --> 45:01.399 one side of the room , I have not done 45:01.399 --> 45:03.399 a good job here on the phones . Dan 45:03.399 --> 45:05.454 them off . Hey john , good morning . 45:05.454 --> 45:07.288 Thanks for taking my call . Um , 45:07.288 --> 45:09.310 looking to check in , uh , just get 45:09.310 --> 45:11.254 some additional fidelity on what's 45:11.254 --> 45:13.199 going on at the gates . Uh , we've 45:13.199 --> 45:15.254 heard a lot of uh , frustration with 45:15.254 --> 45:17.580 some of these veterans groups and other 45:17.580 --> 45:19.802 organizations that are trying to assist 45:19.802 --> 45:21.969 people to get to the Gates and through 45:21.969 --> 45:24.191 the gates . Sounds like there's uh , at 45:24.191 --> 45:25.858 least to some degree insisted 45:25.858 --> 45:28.480 inconsistencies on who's being allowed 45:28.480 --> 45:30.536 in when they're being allowed in and 45:30.536 --> 45:32.860 just some chaos there . That's do a 45:32.860 --> 45:34.693 degree understandable , but also 45:34.693 --> 45:36.010 frustrating . Thanks 45:38.190 --> 45:40.830 Gates , uh , continue the coordination 45:40.830 --> 45:42.970 there is the critical piece of 45:42.980 --> 45:46.000 understanding uh , getting through the 45:46.000 --> 45:48.167 checkpoints and that has been a lot of 45:48.167 --> 45:51.140 the work that's been done over the last 45:51.150 --> 45:54.750 48 hours is the coordination between 45:54.760 --> 45:57.210 us forces forward there . The 45:57.210 --> 46:00.930 commanders to ensure who comes through 46:00.930 --> 46:03.680 and what checkpoints that people are 46:03.680 --> 46:06.980 coming through to expedite . Um , and 46:06.980 --> 46:09.190 the key has been , we have had an 46:09.200 --> 46:12.430 increase in information coming uh 46:12.440 --> 46:14.560 to the Forster's commanders on the 46:14.560 --> 46:16.920 ground of who needs to come . I think 46:16.920 --> 46:20.070 that has been one of the uh increase in 46:20.080 --> 46:23.530 our throughput is understanding in all 46:23.530 --> 46:26.020 of , you know , the populations of who 46:26.020 --> 46:28.187 is wearing , who needs to come through 46:28.187 --> 46:30.880 the gates so that we can provide better 46:30.880 --> 46:33.290 information which gate , when to come 46:33.290 --> 46:35.890 in , make sure those the conditions are 46:35.890 --> 46:37.800 set to come onto each guy . 46:39.380 --> 46:42.770 Okay , um get time for a couple more 46:42.780 --> 46:45.410 sylvie , you have been very patient . 46:46.080 --> 46:49.100 Um I wanted to go back to the airport 46:49.580 --> 46:53.120 and I know you don't want to speak 46:53.120 --> 46:56.610 about the Dateline and the 46:56.620 --> 46:59.870 Dateline deadline and you know , August 46:59.870 --> 47:03.840 31 or not , but whenever the U . S . 47:03.840 --> 47:07.330 Troops are living . Um are you 47:07.330 --> 47:11.020 speaking about with the taliban's about 47:11.030 --> 47:13.380 the taliban or a third party , the 47:13.380 --> 47:17.170 third country about the security of the 47:17.170 --> 47:20.420 airport to allow the airport to 47:20.430 --> 47:24.290 remain open ? I'll let the 47:24.300 --> 47:26.510 general uh take it , I would just say 47:26.510 --> 47:29.240 that we are in daily communication with 47:29.250 --> 47:30.972 the taliban about the security 47:30.972 --> 47:34.310 situation at the airport . Now , um our 47:34.310 --> 47:36.366 focus from a military perspective is 47:36.366 --> 47:38.590 going to be whenever and right now 47:38.590 --> 47:40.701 we're The plan is to end this mission 47:40.701 --> 47:43.920 on 31 August , I don't want to suggest 47:43.920 --> 47:46.087 that that's not what we're planning on 47:46.087 --> 47:48.830 as we get there . As I said earlier , 47:48.840 --> 47:51.740 we want to preserve as much capability 47:51.750 --> 47:54.220 as long as we can to continue to 47:54.220 --> 47:56.610 conduct evacuations while safely 47:56.610 --> 47:59.360 removing our people and our equipment 47:59.370 --> 48:02.000 all at the same time , that's our focus 48:02.000 --> 48:05.700 right now is on uh properly uh 48:05.870 --> 48:08.080 executing the mission and effectively 48:08.080 --> 48:10.200 and safely drawing it down . But I'll 48:10.210 --> 48:12.210 ask the general if he has any other 48:12.210 --> 48:14.510 thoughts . I just think when you talk 48:14.520 --> 48:17.940 about transition , um absolutely . 48:17.950 --> 48:20.670 Uh there's planning going on of how to 48:20.670 --> 48:24.350 transition uh all of the space that we 48:24.350 --> 48:27.090 currently occupy uh here in the future . 48:28.070 --> 48:31.950 Okay , Okay , Theresa Good . It's just 48:31.950 --> 48:34.270 a follow up to my previous question for 48:34.270 --> 48:36.381 those that are symptomatic . What are 48:36.381 --> 48:38.890 they being told when , when they arrive 48:38.900 --> 48:40.956 for processing and then once they're 48:40.956 --> 48:43.870 being told they're arriving , are they 48:43.880 --> 48:46.580 being told ? Hey , you know , like 48:46.590 --> 48:48.646 what's the process for those who may 48:48.646 --> 48:50.701 have symptoms ? I don't know how the 48:50.701 --> 48:52.812 information , how they're getting the 48:52.812 --> 48:55.146 information about where they need to go , 48:55.146 --> 48:57.479 which gates they need to go to etcetera , 48:57.479 --> 48:59.757 etcetera . So what are they being told ? 48:59.757 --> 48:58.810 Let me take the question and see if we 48:58.810 --> 49:01.120 can get a more contextual answer that I 49:01.120 --> 49:04.090 suspect what they're being told and how 49:04.270 --> 49:06.270 the process is being done varies at 49:06.270 --> 49:08.048 each location because there are 49:08.048 --> 49:10.159 different demands . Obviously the man 49:10.159 --> 49:12.492 that Hamid Karzai International Airport , 49:12.492 --> 49:16.010 in terms of timing is a much more 49:16.020 --> 49:18.630 urgent than it would be , you know at 49:18.630 --> 49:21.060 Ramstein . So where there is obviously 49:21.070 --> 49:23.540 much greater medical capability . So I 49:23.540 --> 49:26.330 think it's gonna vary . But I let me 49:26.330 --> 49:28.552 see if we can get you a better answer . 49:28.552 --> 49:30.663 Okay , I'm gonna have to wrap it up . 49:30.663 --> 49:32.830 Uh We'll see you again at 1500 again . 49:32.830 --> 49:36.810 Uh three o'clock , sorry , uh with 49:36.820 --> 49:39.080 General Van Herck from Northern Command 49:39.090 --> 49:41.680 and general Walters of european command , 49:41.690 --> 49:44.170 um I will basically turn the podium 49:44.170 --> 49:47.900 over to them and uh I assume that that 49:47.910 --> 49:50.077 will be the focus of of the briefing . 49:50.077 --> 49:52.720 If I need to stick around after for for 49:52.720 --> 49:54.831 other issues , I'll do that as well . 49:54.831 --> 49:57.053 So we'll see you later this afternoon . 49:57.053 --> 49:58.000 Thank you . Yeah .