1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:00,000 2 00:00:05,540 --> 00:00:07,900 Mhm . Good morning . 3 00:00:09,340 --> 00:00:12,900 Thanks for being here each day that 4 00:00:12,910 --> 00:00:15,188 we've been able to provide you updates . 5 00:00:15,188 --> 00:00:17,188 Uh We're glad that we're able to do 6 00:00:17,188 --> 00:00:20,570 that and as from previous days of no 7 00:00:20,570 --> 00:00:22,570 exception . Give you an operational 8 00:00:22,570 --> 00:00:24,792 update and then turn it back over to Mr 9 00:00:24,792 --> 00:00:27,270 Kirby . I don't have a lot of 10 00:00:27,270 --> 00:00:29,440 additional detail to offer you about 11 00:00:29,440 --> 00:00:31,718 the attack yesterday at the Abbey Gate . 12 00:00:32,040 --> 00:00:35,020 But I can confirm for you that we do 13 00:00:35,020 --> 00:00:37,020 not believe that there was a second 14 00:00:37,020 --> 00:00:40,460 explosion at or near the Baron Hotel , 15 00:00:40,880 --> 00:00:44,660 That it was one suicide bomber . 16 00:00:45,140 --> 00:00:47,650 We're not sure how that report report 17 00:00:47,660 --> 00:00:49,716 was provided incorrectly , but we do 18 00:00:49,716 --> 00:00:51,882 know it's not any surprise that in the 19 00:00:51,882 --> 00:00:54,960 confusion of very dynamic events like 20 00:00:54,960 --> 00:00:57,330 this can cause information sometimes to 21 00:00:57,330 --> 00:00:59,497 be misreported or garbled . We felt it 22 00:00:59,497 --> 00:01:02,340 was important to correct the record 23 00:01:02,350 --> 00:01:05,460 with you all here . You've now seen 24 00:01:05,460 --> 00:01:09,160 that we've updated our casualty list to 25 00:01:09,160 --> 00:01:13,090 include a 13th service member killed 26 00:01:13,090 --> 00:01:16,200 in action . Our thoughts and prayers 27 00:01:16,200 --> 00:01:19,710 continue to go out to the families and 28 00:01:19,710 --> 00:01:21,960 to the teammates that we have lost . 29 00:01:22,540 --> 00:01:24,596 This is a devastating time for these 30 00:01:24,596 --> 00:01:27,550 gold star families . A title no one 31 00:01:27,550 --> 00:01:30,720 wants to hold but we absolutely hold in 32 00:01:30,720 --> 00:01:33,980 the utmost respect . I can also report 33 00:01:33,980 --> 00:01:36,750 that two flights landed at Ramstein 34 00:01:36,750 --> 00:01:38,694 today carrying our wounded wounded 35 00:01:38,694 --> 00:01:41,760 personnel from the attack . These 36 00:01:41,760 --> 00:01:43,810 personnel have been transferred to 37 00:01:43,810 --> 00:01:45,920 launch still regional medical center 38 00:01:45,960 --> 00:01:49,550 and are receiving care in Kabul 39 00:01:50,040 --> 00:01:52,207 commanders on the ground . Continue to 40 00:01:52,207 --> 00:01:54,070 assess the risk and the dynamic 41 00:01:54,070 --> 00:01:57,760 situation there as they have been since 42 00:01:57,760 --> 00:02:00,000 the beginning . Force protection 43 00:02:00,010 --> 00:02:03,080 remains paramount with the continued 44 00:02:03,080 --> 00:02:06,360 threat . We've continued the evacuation 45 00:02:06,360 --> 00:02:08,720 mission yesterday as you saw as you 46 00:02:08,720 --> 00:02:10,831 reported last night and I'll give you 47 00:02:10,831 --> 00:02:13,080 an update of how things have gone in 48 00:02:13,080 --> 00:02:16,110 the last 24 hours yesterday . 49 00:02:16,540 --> 00:02:19,600 35 U . S . Military aircraft , 29 C 50 00:02:19,600 --> 00:02:22,320 seventeen's and six C . One thirties 51 00:02:22,580 --> 00:02:26,380 departed with approximately 8500 52 00:02:26,390 --> 00:02:29,900 personnel Combined with 50 for 53 00:02:29,900 --> 00:02:32,120 coalition aircraft departures . An 54 00:02:32,120 --> 00:02:34,770 additional 4000 personnel left Kabul 55 00:02:34,940 --> 00:02:38,260 for various intermediate staging bases . 56 00:02:39,040 --> 00:02:42,270 89 flights total yesterday out of Kabul 57 00:02:42,270 --> 00:02:46,150 totaling approximately 12,500 58 00:02:46,260 --> 00:02:49,780 evacuees now safely out of Afghanistan 59 00:02:49,780 --> 00:02:53,250 in a 24 hour period . In the past 24 60 00:02:53,250 --> 00:02:55,870 hours , more than 300 American citizens 61 00:02:56,110 --> 00:02:57,999 were evacuated from Afghanistan , 62 00:02:57,999 --> 00:02:59,690 bringing our updated total to 63 00:02:59,690 --> 00:03:03,320 approximately 5100 . We 64 00:03:03,320 --> 00:03:05,542 continue to maximize our efficiency and 65 00:03:05,542 --> 00:03:08,170 since US and coalition forces began the 66 00:03:08,170 --> 00:03:10,170 evacuation , approximately 67 00:03:10,180 --> 00:03:14,020 111,000 evacuees have departed 68 00:03:14,030 --> 00:03:17,840 safely . The State Department 69 00:03:17,850 --> 00:03:20,150 consular officers continue to screen 70 00:03:20,160 --> 00:03:22,450 and process people arriving at the 71 00:03:22,460 --> 00:03:25,120 gates around Kabul . Some gates have 72 00:03:25,120 --> 00:03:27,009 been closed and we reported . But 73 00:03:27,009 --> 00:03:29,064 american citizens . S ivy applicants 74 00:03:29,064 --> 00:03:31,064 and vulnerable afghans who have the 75 00:03:31,064 --> 00:03:33,300 designated and proper credentials . We 76 00:03:33,310 --> 00:03:35,660 will continue to be processed for 77 00:03:35,660 --> 00:03:38,380 departure from the airfield . There are 78 00:03:38,380 --> 00:03:41,620 still approximately 5400 individuals on 79 00:03:41,620 --> 00:03:44,100 the airport . As of this report a 80 00:03:44,100 --> 00:03:47,260 waiting for flights out of Afghanistan . 81 00:03:48,340 --> 00:03:51,020 We have the ability to include evacuees 82 00:03:51,020 --> 00:03:54,060 on us military airlift out of 83 00:03:54,060 --> 00:03:57,100 Afghanistan until the very end . The 84 00:03:57,100 --> 00:03:59,410 Department of Defense has the continued 85 00:03:59,410 --> 00:04:01,410 responsibility to support the State 86 00:04:01,410 --> 00:04:03,354 Department in the ongoing movement 87 00:04:03,354 --> 00:04:05,243 evacuees through our intermediate 88 00:04:05,243 --> 00:04:07,280 intermediate staging bases and safe 89 00:04:07,280 --> 00:04:09,530 havens all the way to the United States 90 00:04:09,530 --> 00:04:11,920 in the coming days and weeks . 91 00:04:13,540 --> 00:04:15,651 On that topic , here's a quick update 92 00:04:15,651 --> 00:04:18,040 on the military installations in our 93 00:04:18,040 --> 00:04:19,873 safe havens and staging bases in 94 00:04:19,873 --> 00:04:22,100 centcom and you and you calm that are 95 00:04:22,100 --> 00:04:25,220 helping transition all these flights , 96 00:04:25,640 --> 00:04:27,890 centcom locations including Al Udeid 97 00:04:27,890 --> 00:04:30,950 Air Base , steadily receive process and 98 00:04:30,950 --> 00:04:32,783 transfer passengers to follow on 99 00:04:32,783 --> 00:04:34,970 locations in europe and the United 100 00:04:34,970 --> 00:04:37,520 States . Today , Yukon will receive 101 00:04:37,520 --> 00:04:40,630 about 19 flights and approximately 19 102 00:04:40,630 --> 00:04:43,340 or approximately 5000 passengers in 103 00:04:43,340 --> 00:04:46,130 Germany , Italy and Spain including the 104 00:04:46,130 --> 00:04:48,870 naval station rota . In turn six 105 00:04:48,870 --> 00:04:52,520 flights will transport about 3300 106 00:04:52,520 --> 00:04:55,560 people from Europe to the United States . 107 00:04:56,140 --> 00:04:58,730 I cannot say enough how important that 108 00:04:58,730 --> 00:05:00,897 the contribution of our allies and our 109 00:05:00,897 --> 00:05:03,180 partners has been in this massive 110 00:05:03,190 --> 00:05:07,150 global operation . Additionally , 111 00:05:07,150 --> 00:05:09,040 more evacuees continue to arrive 112 00:05:09,040 --> 00:05:11,630 stateside and are moving to designated 113 00:05:11,630 --> 00:05:13,850 installations throughout North com . 114 00:05:14,340 --> 00:05:16,173 The North com Commanding General 115 00:05:16,173 --> 00:05:18,284 General Van Herck will provide a more 116 00:05:18,284 --> 00:05:20,590 focused briefing on this extensive 117 00:05:20,590 --> 00:05:23,420 effort in his brief later today . In 118 00:05:23,420 --> 00:05:25,330 conclusion , I'll reiterate what 119 00:05:25,330 --> 00:05:27,960 General Mackenzie said yesterday . 120 00:05:28,640 --> 00:05:31,990 There are more than 5000 U.S . service 121 00:05:31,990 --> 00:05:35,830 members in harm's way saving as many 122 00:05:35,830 --> 00:05:38,810 people as they can . It's a noble 123 00:05:38,810 --> 00:05:42,460 mission we have seen firsthand 124 00:05:42,470 --> 00:05:44,900 how dangerous that mission is , but 125 00:05:44,900 --> 00:05:46,720 ISIS will not deter us from 126 00:05:46,720 --> 00:05:49,330 accomplishing this mission , we 127 00:05:49,330 --> 00:05:51,386 appreciate your thoughts and prayers 128 00:05:51,386 --> 00:05:53,552 for all of our service members who are 129 00:05:53,552 --> 00:05:55,910 carrying on this mission today Above 130 00:05:55,910 --> 00:05:59,010 all we remain focused on evacuating 131 00:05:59,010 --> 00:06:01,150 american citizens and other personnel 132 00:06:01,160 --> 00:06:03,440 designated by the Department of State , 133 00:06:03,450 --> 00:06:05,950 safeguarding the lives of those whom we 134 00:06:05,950 --> 00:06:08,020 are providing assistance and keeping 135 00:06:08,020 --> 00:06:09,964 american troops safe . Thank you . 136 00:06:20,340 --> 00:06:23,550 Okay I just have one other thing to add 137 00:06:23,550 --> 00:06:25,740 and it's a good segue from what the 138 00:06:25,740 --> 00:06:28,210 general ended with today . The 139 00:06:28,210 --> 00:06:30,570 Department of Defense can announce that 140 00:06:30,570 --> 00:06:32,530 it is authorized Marine Corps Base 141 00:06:32,530 --> 00:06:35,020 Quantico Virginia , Fort Pickett 142 00:06:35,030 --> 00:06:37,560 Virginia and Holloman Air Force Base 143 00:06:37,560 --> 00:06:39,750 New Mexico to provide additional 144 00:06:39,750 --> 00:06:41,639 support to the U . S . Mission to 145 00:06:41,639 --> 00:06:43,806 evacuate Afghan special immigrant visa 146 00:06:43,806 --> 00:06:45,917 applicants , their families and other 147 00:06:45,917 --> 00:06:49,000 at risk individuals . These 148 00:06:49,000 --> 00:06:51,230 installations joined Fort lee , Fort 149 00:06:51,230 --> 00:06:53,840 McCoy , Fort Bliss and Joint Base 150 00:06:53,840 --> 00:06:56,007 McGuire Dix and providing this support 151 00:06:56,630 --> 00:06:58,852 the Defense Department will continue to 152 00:06:58,852 --> 00:07:00,686 support the State Department and 153 00:07:00,686 --> 00:07:02,908 providing temporary housing sustainment 154 00:07:02,908 --> 00:07:04,963 and support inside the United States 155 00:07:04,963 --> 00:07:07,074 For a capacity of up to 50,000 Afghan 156 00:07:07,074 --> 00:07:09,074 special immigrant visa applicants , 157 00:07:09,074 --> 00:07:10,908 their families and other at risk 158 00:07:10,908 --> 00:07:13,074 individuals . Us Northern Command will 159 00:07:13,074 --> 00:07:15,186 coordinate the details of all of this 160 00:07:15,186 --> 00:07:16,963 with the State Department , the 161 00:07:16,963 --> 00:07:16,960 Department of Homeland Security and of 162 00:07:16,960 --> 00:07:18,960 course the Department of Health and 163 00:07:18,960 --> 00:07:21,182 Human Services as necessary and it will 164 00:07:21,182 --> 00:07:22,738 be providing provided under 165 00:07:22,738 --> 00:07:24,904 presidential drawdown authority to the 166 00:07:24,904 --> 00:07:27,127 maximum extent possible with additional 167 00:07:27,127 --> 00:07:28,682 support being provided on a 168 00:07:28,682 --> 00:07:30,682 reimbursable basis . And as general 169 00:07:30,682 --> 00:07:32,980 taylor let you know we have General Van 170 00:07:32,980 --> 00:07:35,147 Herk the commander of U . S . Northern 171 00:07:35,147 --> 00:07:37,258 Command coming into the briefing room 172 00:07:37,258 --> 00:07:39,369 with you later this afternoon . He'll 173 00:07:39,369 --> 00:07:41,480 be able to provide a lot more context 174 00:07:41,480 --> 00:07:41,420 on that . That will take questions 175 00:07:41,430 --> 00:07:44,440 later . Um this is probably for the for 176 00:07:44,450 --> 00:07:46,970 the general um the president has said 177 00:07:46,980 --> 00:07:50,460 he wants to vow basically get back at 178 00:07:50,470 --> 00:07:52,900 ISIS . How difficult will it be for the 179 00:07:52,900 --> 00:07:55,640 U . S . Military to do that type of 180 00:07:55,640 --> 00:07:57,690 operation . Considering the lower 181 00:07:57,690 --> 00:07:59,857 number of troops and the difficulty in 182 00:07:59,857 --> 00:08:01,912 getting intelligence on the ground . 183 00:08:01,912 --> 00:08:04,023 And then I don't know if this is your 184 00:08:04,023 --> 00:08:07,360 or john can you just talk about the 185 00:08:07,360 --> 00:08:09,600 number of people that will see getting 186 00:08:09,600 --> 00:08:11,767 processed over the next several days ? 187 00:08:11,767 --> 00:08:13,822 Is that number going to gradually go 188 00:08:13,822 --> 00:08:15,878 down ? Do you have out the number of 189 00:08:15,878 --> 00:08:17,878 people you think you're going to or 190 00:08:17,878 --> 00:08:20,156 what's your ballpark estimate ? Mm hmm . 191 00:08:20,156 --> 00:08:22,211 All right on the first question . On 192 00:08:22,211 --> 00:08:25,200 our capabilities and abilities to 193 00:08:25,200 --> 00:08:29,160 protect ourselves or to also to conduct 194 00:08:29,160 --> 00:08:31,460 the strikes . As you said As I've said 195 00:08:31,460 --> 00:08:34,670 all along , we have resources 196 00:08:35,840 --> 00:08:37,840 with the centcom commander with the 197 00:08:37,840 --> 00:08:39,673 commanders on the ground and the 198 00:08:39,673 --> 00:08:43,220 capabilities to allow us to execute any 199 00:08:43,220 --> 00:08:47,190 type of those operations as uh those 200 00:08:47,190 --> 00:08:50,920 are required to do so lead to 201 00:08:50,930 --> 00:08:54,360 um again we're we're still 202 00:08:55,340 --> 00:08:57,780 planning on ending this mission at the 203 00:08:57,780 --> 00:08:59,724 end of the month and as I said the 204 00:08:59,724 --> 00:09:03,020 other day uh as we get closer and we 205 00:09:03,020 --> 00:09:06,880 are getting closer you're going to see 206 00:09:06,890 --> 00:09:09,870 us begin to make those muscle movements 207 00:09:09,870 --> 00:09:13,520 to pull out our troops and some of our 208 00:09:13,530 --> 00:09:16,090 equipment as appropriate with any 209 00:09:16,100 --> 00:09:18,390 retrograde . What we want to do is 210 00:09:18,390 --> 00:09:20,800 preserve as much capability for as long 211 00:09:20,800 --> 00:09:22,633 as we can , both in terms of the 212 00:09:22,633 --> 00:09:25,420 security footprint . But also in terms 213 00:09:25,420 --> 00:09:27,531 of the ability as the general alluded 214 00:09:27,531 --> 00:09:29,698 in his opening statement to moving out 215 00:09:29,698 --> 00:09:31,920 evacuees , lives are still the priority 216 00:09:31,920 --> 00:09:35,240 uh and the lives of our troops . Uh and 217 00:09:35,240 --> 00:09:38,130 of course the lives of the evacuees and 218 00:09:38,130 --> 00:09:40,241 trying to continue to get as many out 219 00:09:40,241 --> 00:09:42,074 as possible . So there will be a 220 00:09:42,074 --> 00:09:44,190 balance over the next few days as we 221 00:09:44,190 --> 00:09:46,090 continue to process through that 222 00:09:46,090 --> 00:09:48,312 transition as we continue to as what we 223 00:09:48,312 --> 00:09:50,970 call retrograde . Um and I can't give 224 00:09:50,970 --> 00:09:54,320 you a specific number on any given day , 225 00:09:54,330 --> 00:09:57,980 but I think you'll see us adjust as 226 00:09:57,980 --> 00:09:59,869 necessary to make sure that we're 227 00:09:59,869 --> 00:10:02,036 achieving that proper balance . But we 228 00:10:02,036 --> 00:10:04,940 will be able to fly out evacuees right 229 00:10:04,940 --> 00:10:07,162 up until the last moment , that's gonna 230 00:10:07,162 --> 00:10:09,273 be the goal . And if I may you didn't 231 00:10:09,273 --> 00:10:11,162 ask this , but I want to take the 232 00:10:11,162 --> 00:10:13,162 opportunity to convey to all of you 233 00:10:13,162 --> 00:10:15,850 that as we did before when we began 234 00:10:15,860 --> 00:10:19,170 retrograde , a withdrawal back in april . 235 00:10:19,180 --> 00:10:23,160 Um we were very judicious about the 236 00:10:23,160 --> 00:10:26,310 detail that we were putting out and I'm 237 00:10:26,310 --> 00:10:28,477 just want to level set with all of you 238 00:10:28,477 --> 00:10:30,699 that you're going to see us become more 239 00:10:30,699 --> 00:10:32,810 judicious now going forward as we get 240 00:10:32,810 --> 00:10:34,866 closer to the end of the month about 241 00:10:34,866 --> 00:10:36,921 what information we're giving you in 242 00:10:36,921 --> 00:10:39,199 terms of how many troops on the ground . 243 00:10:39,199 --> 00:10:41,421 I would not expect us to be giving that 244 00:10:41,421 --> 00:10:43,421 number out , uh , going forward and 245 00:10:43,421 --> 00:10:45,421 what the capabilities are and where 246 00:10:45,421 --> 00:10:47,643 they are and what they're doing . We're 247 00:10:47,643 --> 00:10:49,810 going to be very , very mindful of the 248 00:10:49,810 --> 00:10:51,977 operational security element at this . 249 00:10:51,977 --> 00:10:54,088 And I think yesterday is a stark grim 250 00:10:54,088 --> 00:10:56,254 reminder of why that's important going 251 00:10:56,254 --> 00:10:56,040 forward . I know that's not what you 252 00:10:56,040 --> 00:10:57,818 asked , but I wanted to take an 253 00:10:57,818 --> 00:11:00,151 opportunity to get that out there , jen , 254 00:11:00,151 --> 00:11:01,984 john , how can you say with such 255 00:11:01,984 --> 00:11:04,151 certainty and how can General McKenzie 256 00:11:04,151 --> 00:11:05,984 say with such certainty that the 257 00:11:05,984 --> 00:11:07,873 Taliban were not involved in this 258 00:11:07,873 --> 00:11:09,873 suicide bombing ? I understand that 259 00:11:09,873 --> 00:11:11,984 you're reliant on them for protection 260 00:11:11,984 --> 00:11:14,207 around the airport , but are you ruling 261 00:11:14,207 --> 00:11:16,373 out them being involved because you're 262 00:11:16,373 --> 00:11:18,596 so dependent on the Taliban right now ? 263 00:11:18,596 --> 00:11:20,429 Actually , I didn't hear General 264 00:11:20,429 --> 00:11:22,762 Mackenzie put it that way . And in fact , 265 00:11:22,762 --> 00:11:24,984 I think that uh in one of the questions 266 00:11:24,984 --> 00:11:27,096 he got and I think it was addresses , 267 00:11:27,096 --> 00:11:29,040 you know , he said IDris asked was 268 00:11:29,040 --> 00:11:31,318 there a failure ? And the General said , 269 00:11:31,318 --> 00:11:31,180 of course there was a failure somewhere , 270 00:11:31,190 --> 00:11:33,570 obviously , um , and he even alluded to 271 00:11:33,570 --> 00:11:35,810 the fact that it could have been um , 272 00:11:35,820 --> 00:11:38,510 at a Taliban checkpoint . So I don't , 273 00:11:38,520 --> 00:11:40,742 we've we've not been certain about that 274 00:11:40,742 --> 00:11:42,853 at all . There'll be an investigation 275 00:11:42,853 --> 00:11:44,853 will try to learn as much as we can 276 00:11:44,853 --> 00:11:47,020 about what happened and I really don't 277 00:11:47,020 --> 00:11:49,076 want to get ahead of that process in 278 00:11:49,076 --> 00:11:50,964 terms of ISIS K , how many ISIS K 279 00:11:50,964 --> 00:11:53,260 prisoners were left at bagram and are 280 00:11:53,260 --> 00:11:55,482 believed to have been released from the 281 00:11:55,482 --> 00:11:57,482 prison there ? And why weren't they 282 00:11:57,482 --> 00:11:59,593 removed before the U . S . Pulled out 283 00:11:59,593 --> 00:12:01,704 to someplace like Gitmo ? Well , um I 284 00:12:01,704 --> 00:12:03,816 don't know the exact number , clearly 285 00:12:03,816 --> 00:12:06,038 it's in the thousands when you when you 286 00:12:06,038 --> 00:12:09,000 when you consider uh both prisons 287 00:12:09,290 --> 00:12:11,970 because both of them were taken over by 288 00:12:11,970 --> 00:12:14,160 the taliban and emptied . But I I 289 00:12:14,160 --> 00:12:16,890 couldn't give you a precise figure . Uh 290 00:12:16,890 --> 00:12:19,057 And as for emptying out , remember , I 291 00:12:19,057 --> 00:12:21,168 mean , we were turning things over to 292 00:12:21,168 --> 00:12:23,223 Afghan National Security Forces that 293 00:12:23,223 --> 00:12:25,390 was part of the retrograde process was 294 00:12:25,390 --> 00:12:27,501 to turn over these responsibilities . 295 00:12:27,501 --> 00:12:29,723 And so they did have responsibility for 296 00:12:29,723 --> 00:12:31,779 those prisons and the bases at which 297 00:12:31,779 --> 00:12:33,946 those prisons were located . Uh And of 298 00:12:33,946 --> 00:12:36,600 course as the taliban advanced that we 299 00:12:36,600 --> 00:12:39,020 didn't see the level of resistance by 300 00:12:39,020 --> 00:12:41,131 the Afghans to hold some territory of 301 00:12:41,131 --> 00:12:43,570 some bases . And unfortunately those 302 00:12:43,570 --> 00:12:45,750 were the basis that the Afghans didn't 303 00:12:45,750 --> 00:12:47,083 hold . But all of those 304 00:12:47,083 --> 00:12:49,460 responsibilities were turned over in 305 00:12:49,460 --> 00:12:51,460 accordance with the retrograde plan 306 00:12:51,460 --> 00:12:55,070 back from april injuries . General 307 00:12:56,440 --> 00:12:58,440 yesterday , General McKenzie talked 308 00:12:58,440 --> 00:13:00,496 about wanting to talk to the Taliban 309 00:13:00,496 --> 00:13:02,718 about pushing the perimeter back as one 310 00:13:02,718 --> 00:13:04,960 of the sort of ways to avoid another 311 00:13:04,960 --> 00:13:07,350 incident . Has that happened ? And I 312 00:13:07,360 --> 00:13:09,582 know you can't say how much , but is it 313 00:13:09,582 --> 00:13:11,804 significantly been pushed back and what 314 00:13:11,804 --> 00:13:13,749 are you seeing in terms of flow to 315 00:13:13,749 --> 00:13:15,693 abdicate ? Is it less people being 316 00:13:15,693 --> 00:13:17,638 allowed in ? Is it still a rush of 317 00:13:17,638 --> 00:13:19,860 people um which could lead to a similar 318 00:13:19,860 --> 00:13:22,082 incident ? What are you seeing today at 319 00:13:22,082 --> 00:13:24,193 the gate ? So what I can report as my 320 00:13:24,193 --> 00:13:26,416 discussion with the commanders there on 321 00:13:26,416 --> 00:13:29,970 the ground is that multiple activities 322 00:13:29,970 --> 00:13:33,060 have taken place to increase the force 323 00:13:33,060 --> 00:13:36,280 protection specifically in 324 00:13:36,280 --> 00:13:39,640 communication with the Taliban of how 325 00:13:39,640 --> 00:13:41,890 they are executing their checkpoint 326 00:13:41,890 --> 00:13:44,223 operations and communication when there . 327 00:13:44,223 --> 00:13:46,390 So I would say there's been multiple . 328 00:13:46,390 --> 00:13:48,557 I don't want to go into the details of 329 00:13:48,557 --> 00:13:50,668 the exact of what the communication , 330 00:13:50,668 --> 00:13:52,779 but I know that has happened and what 331 00:13:52,779 --> 00:13:55,320 we have seen today um is a little 332 00:13:55,320 --> 00:13:57,850 lessening of um well , we would say 333 00:13:57,860 --> 00:14:00,050 total capacity of people in and around 334 00:14:00,240 --> 00:14:04,230 gates . Yes , 335 00:14:04,460 --> 00:14:05,860 zero . Thank you john 336 00:14:08,310 --> 00:14:11,280 ISIS since yesterday people were 337 00:14:11,280 --> 00:14:13,350 worried about everything about the 338 00:14:13,360 --> 00:14:15,760 Taliban . They were psychologically 339 00:14:15,760 --> 00:14:17,940 under a lot of situations . Some of my 340 00:14:17,940 --> 00:14:20,450 family get target and tortured by the 341 00:14:20,460 --> 00:14:23,730 Taliban , but since yesterday that ISIS 342 00:14:23,730 --> 00:14:27,350 created Afghan people are more more 343 00:14:27,840 --> 00:14:30,570 would it , Do you think that it's 344 00:14:30,580 --> 00:14:33,780 another several war will start in 345 00:14:33,780 --> 00:14:37,030 Afghanistan ? Most of Afghan people 346 00:14:37,030 --> 00:14:39,660 questions and everybody now wants to 347 00:14:39,670 --> 00:14:42,180 leave the country because now it's 348 00:14:42,190 --> 00:14:44,850 double before was only Taliban . Now , 349 00:14:45,400 --> 00:14:48,700 ISIS also show up one more time their 350 00:14:48,700 --> 00:14:51,240 activity . Do you think that's another 351 00:14:51,240 --> 00:14:53,550 civil war uh 352 00:14:54,140 --> 00:14:57,740 Before I try to answer that question . 353 00:14:57,750 --> 00:14:59,972 Um I do want to take the opportunity on 354 00:14:59,972 --> 00:15:02,139 behalf of the Department of Defense to 355 00:15:02,139 --> 00:15:04,130 also make sure that we express our 356 00:15:04,130 --> 00:15:08,030 condolences for the afghan people who 357 00:15:08,040 --> 00:15:10,440 uh suffered in yesterday's attack . And 358 00:15:10,440 --> 00:15:12,710 we know that there were a number of 359 00:15:12,720 --> 00:15:15,270 killed and wounded afghan civilians at 360 00:15:15,270 --> 00:15:17,240 the airport . And that there are 361 00:15:17,250 --> 00:15:19,472 families that are dealing with the same 362 00:15:19,472 --> 00:15:21,860 devastating , terrible news that now , 363 00:15:22,030 --> 00:15:23,970 gold star families here in the 364 00:15:23,970 --> 00:15:25,914 department are dealing with . So , 365 00:15:25,914 --> 00:15:28,137 again , on behalf of the Secretary , we 366 00:15:28,137 --> 00:15:30,303 offer our condolences and thoughts and 367 00:15:30,303 --> 00:15:32,526 prayers . I wish I had a crystal ball , 368 00:15:32,526 --> 00:15:34,581 I wish we could know for sure what's 369 00:15:34,581 --> 00:15:36,803 what's going to happen in Afghanistan . 370 00:15:36,803 --> 00:15:39,060 We don't um we obviously but don't want 371 00:15:39,060 --> 00:15:42,520 to see the country uh torn 372 00:15:42,530 --> 00:15:46,190 asunder through civil war , but uh 373 00:15:46,200 --> 00:15:49,840 but that's why uh whatever the future 374 00:15:49,840 --> 00:15:51,840 of Afghanistan is from a governance 375 00:15:51,840 --> 00:15:54,090 perspective , uh we're going to stay 376 00:15:54,090 --> 00:15:55,812 engaged with the international 377 00:15:55,812 --> 00:15:58,150 community um uh to make sure that 378 00:15:58,150 --> 00:16:01,650 Afghans Afghanistan's leaders are held 379 00:16:01,650 --> 00:16:03,817 to proper account for the way they are 380 00:16:03,817 --> 00:16:06,030 governing . Uh and that Afghan 381 00:16:06,040 --> 00:16:09,620 Afghanistan's neighbors also uh 382 00:16:09,630 --> 00:16:12,090 try to play a constructive , productive 383 00:16:12,090 --> 00:16:13,812 role in whatever the future of 384 00:16:13,812 --> 00:16:16,090 Afghanistan is going to be . Um though 385 00:16:16,090 --> 00:16:18,146 we will not have a military presence 386 00:16:18,146 --> 00:16:20,201 there , The United States Government 387 00:16:20,201 --> 00:16:23,130 will still want to see what 388 00:16:23,140 --> 00:16:25,420 what we can do in the international 389 00:16:25,420 --> 00:16:27,420 with the international community to 390 00:16:27,420 --> 00:16:30,980 make sure that that that 391 00:16:30,980 --> 00:16:34,410 afghans can , can have uh 392 00:16:34,420 --> 00:16:36,930 the best of all possible outcomes for 393 00:16:36,930 --> 00:16:39,660 their future . But I I I just 394 00:16:41,340 --> 00:16:44,190 I think it would be foolish for us to 395 00:16:44,190 --> 00:16:46,301 try to be too predictive about what's 396 00:16:46,301 --> 00:16:48,540 going to happen right now . Not changed 397 00:16:48,550 --> 00:16:51,010 the policy again to be involved again 398 00:16:51,010 --> 00:16:54,110 in Afghanistan . The Commander in chief 399 00:16:54,110 --> 00:16:57,470 has made a very clear decision 400 00:16:57,480 --> 00:17:00,950 that it it is time to end America's 401 00:17:00,950 --> 00:17:04,940 involvement on the ground and uh in 402 00:17:04,940 --> 00:17:07,890 the war in Afghanistan and and we're 403 00:17:07,890 --> 00:17:10,610 gonna execute that decision as we 404 00:17:10,610 --> 00:17:14,160 should , David for the record . Would 405 00:17:14,160 --> 00:17:16,780 you clear up the confusion over the 406 00:17:16,790 --> 00:17:20,490 service affiliation of the the 407 00:17:20,500 --> 00:17:24,230 dead ? Um , I mean , it sounds 408 00:17:24,230 --> 00:17:27,390 like We have a total number of 13 , but 409 00:17:27,390 --> 00:17:30,910 the breakdown within the 13 , a little 410 00:17:30,910 --> 00:17:32,966 unclear the marine statement said at 411 00:17:32,966 --> 00:17:36,770 this time . So , can you 412 00:17:37,140 --> 00:17:39,307 tell us what it is ? And then I have a 413 00:17:39,307 --> 00:17:41,529 question for the general . I'm not able 414 00:17:41,529 --> 00:17:43,862 to break it down specifically right now , 415 00:17:43,862 --> 00:17:47,330 David . Uh , and I want to defer to the 416 00:17:47,330 --> 00:17:50,810 services to speak to their specific 417 00:17:50,810 --> 00:17:53,220 number of casualties . As you can 418 00:17:53,220 --> 00:17:55,950 imagine they are having to make , 419 00:17:56,740 --> 00:17:58,573 they're having to have difficult 420 00:17:58,573 --> 00:18:00,796 conversations with a number of families 421 00:18:00,796 --> 00:18:02,796 and we here at the department don't 422 00:18:02,796 --> 00:18:05,073 want to get ahead of that process . So , 423 00:18:05,073 --> 00:18:07,184 um , I just , I think on that one , I 424 00:18:07,184 --> 00:18:09,240 would just defer to the services and 425 00:18:09,240 --> 00:18:11,120 you know , you didn't answer the 426 00:18:11,120 --> 00:18:14,520 question about whether the the Taliban 427 00:18:14,530 --> 00:18:18,360 have met General Mackenzie's request to 428 00:18:18,840 --> 00:18:21,870 push the perimeter further out away 429 00:18:21,870 --> 00:18:24,820 from the airport . And he also said 430 00:18:24,820 --> 00:18:26,987 that he was going to ask them to close 431 00:18:27,440 --> 00:18:30,100 some specific roads . Sorry , if I 432 00:18:30,100 --> 00:18:32,267 didn't add that level of specificity , 433 00:18:32,267 --> 00:18:34,211 but I know those just exactly what 434 00:18:34,211 --> 00:18:36,211 General Mackenzie had said had been 435 00:18:36,211 --> 00:18:38,378 passed to his commanders to have those 436 00:18:38,378 --> 00:18:40,433 discussions with the Taliban to take 437 00:18:40,433 --> 00:18:42,600 not only those specific measures as he 438 00:18:42,600 --> 00:18:44,822 mentioned there and you mentioned , but 439 00:18:44,822 --> 00:18:47,880 other activities that will increase the 440 00:18:47,890 --> 00:18:50,570 security and the facilitation of those 441 00:18:50,570 --> 00:18:54,460 getting through the 442 00:18:54,460 --> 00:18:57,560 discussions . Oh no , I cannot report 443 00:18:57,560 --> 00:19:00,130 at this point what actions the Taliban 444 00:19:00,130 --> 00:19:02,540 have taken in the last . But I know 445 00:19:02,540 --> 00:19:06,270 that those discussions are happening 446 00:19:06,270 --> 00:19:08,060 and uh that have happened . 447 00:19:10,040 --> 00:19:12,080 Okay . I gotta get to the phone a 448 00:19:12,080 --> 00:19:13,670 little bit here . 449 00:19:16,440 --> 00:19:19,190 Uh Lara Seligman political , 450 00:19:27,540 --> 00:19:28,762 are you there Laura ? 451 00:19:31,840 --> 00:19:33,840 Okay . We'll come back to you or if 452 00:19:33,840 --> 00:19:36,173 you're not able to pipe in there , Tony . 453 00:19:36,840 --> 00:19:39,870 Hi john , can you hear me Okay ? 454 00:19:39,880 --> 00:19:42,100 Yesterday the president said we're 455 00:19:42,100 --> 00:19:44,211 going to be in a circumstance where I 456 00:19:44,211 --> 00:19:46,440 believe numerous opportunities will 457 00:19:46,440 --> 00:19:48,162 continue to provide access for 458 00:19:48,162 --> 00:19:49,996 additional persons to get out of 459 00:19:49,996 --> 00:19:52,670 Afghanistan . This is after the 31st he 460 00:19:52,670 --> 00:19:54,559 said either through means that we 461 00:19:54,559 --> 00:19:56,503 provide or are provided through in 462 00:19:56,503 --> 00:19:58,670 cooperation with the Taliban ? Can you 463 00:19:58,670 --> 00:20:00,837 give me a sense of the planning you're 464 00:20:00,837 --> 00:20:02,948 doing to take that direction to heart 465 00:20:02,948 --> 00:20:05,460 and what are the military implications 466 00:20:05,940 --> 00:20:08,080 Of the president's desire for still 467 00:20:08,080 --> 00:20:10,590 removing people after the 31st . Will 468 00:20:10,590 --> 00:20:12,479 there be continued talks with the 469 00:20:12,479 --> 00:20:14,870 Taliban staging a force in the region 470 00:20:14,870 --> 00:20:18,650 to get more people out , etc . Uh Tony . 471 00:20:18,660 --> 00:20:20,716 Um I think my colleague at the White 472 00:20:20,716 --> 00:20:22,882 House and at the State Department have 473 00:20:22,882 --> 00:20:25,104 addressed this question before . I mean 474 00:20:25,104 --> 00:20:27,510 we um uh the inter agency that the U . 475 00:20:27,510 --> 00:20:30,000 S . Government will pursue a variety of 476 00:20:30,010 --> 00:20:33,850 of ways to help uh any americans 477 00:20:33,850 --> 00:20:36,170 who want to get out after our military 478 00:20:36,170 --> 00:20:38,820 presence at the airport has ended to be 479 00:20:38,820 --> 00:20:40,960 able to help them get out . And it's 480 00:20:40,970 --> 00:20:43,350 while Afghanistan is a unique case , 481 00:20:43,350 --> 00:20:45,860 it's it's not completely separated from 482 00:20:45,860 --> 00:20:47,749 the larger effort that the United 483 00:20:47,749 --> 00:20:49,916 States government pursues all over the 484 00:20:49,916 --> 00:20:52,580 world . When uh when we uh when we know 485 00:20:52,580 --> 00:20:55,120 that americans are at special risk , we 486 00:20:55,130 --> 00:20:57,241 we do what we can to get them out and 487 00:20:57,241 --> 00:20:59,360 that doesn't necessarily involve the 488 00:20:59,360 --> 00:21:01,471 United States military . So I I'm not 489 00:21:01,471 --> 00:21:03,580 gonna I certainly wouldn't speculate 490 00:21:03,580 --> 00:21:05,636 one way or another about what what's 491 00:21:05,636 --> 00:21:07,740 gonna happen after this particular 492 00:21:07,740 --> 00:21:11,270 mission ends , but I would not envision 493 00:21:11,280 --> 00:21:14,490 a significant military role in that 494 00:21:14,490 --> 00:21:18,390 effort going forward . Farm back to 495 00:21:18,390 --> 00:21:21,100 what David was asking if the U . S . 496 00:21:21,110 --> 00:21:23,470 Military knew that there were 497 00:21:23,470 --> 00:21:25,910 improvements to be made such as closing 498 00:21:25,910 --> 00:21:28,610 roads and pushing the perimeter back 499 00:21:28,610 --> 00:21:31,500 further ? Why wasn't this discussion 500 00:21:31,500 --> 00:21:33,560 engaged in before 501 00:21:34,900 --> 00:21:38,330 in before the attack ? Why wasn't the 502 00:21:38,330 --> 00:21:40,108 point pressed why weren't these 503 00:21:40,108 --> 00:21:42,790 improvements asked for by the taliban ? 504 00:21:42,800 --> 00:21:45,022 Because you're saying General Mackenzie 505 00:21:45,022 --> 00:21:47,078 is very clear . He's asking for this 506 00:21:47,078 --> 00:21:50,600 now . Barbara will tell you from the 507 00:21:50,600 --> 00:21:53,160 very get go even before we had 508 00:21:54,140 --> 00:21:58,100 specific threat assessment uh 509 00:21:58,110 --> 00:22:00,000 force protection was of paramount 510 00:22:00,000 --> 00:22:02,520 importance to General Mackenzie to 511 00:22:02,530 --> 00:22:05,540 certainly to the Secretary . And I and 512 00:22:05,540 --> 00:22:07,818 I don't want to speak for the Chairman . 513 00:22:07,818 --> 00:22:10,040 But I think I can for General Milley as 514 00:22:10,040 --> 00:22:12,096 well in this regard , I can tell you 515 00:22:12,096 --> 00:22:14,151 that from the very beginning , force 516 00:22:14,151 --> 00:22:16,262 protection was always at the , at the 517 00:22:16,262 --> 00:22:18,262 front of everybody's mind and force 518 00:22:18,262 --> 00:22:20,207 protection as you well know , uh , 519 00:22:20,207 --> 00:22:22,318 particularly in a dynamic environment 520 00:22:22,318 --> 00:22:24,596 is something that changes all the time . 521 00:22:24,596 --> 00:22:26,762 And so as we got more information , we 522 00:22:26,762 --> 00:22:28,818 made adjustments to force protection 523 00:22:28,818 --> 00:22:31,130 measures to try to do the best we could 524 00:22:31,140 --> 00:22:34,030 at what we thought were the specific 525 00:22:34,040 --> 00:22:36,151 threats we were facing . Um , and you 526 00:22:36,151 --> 00:22:38,318 heard the general talk yesterday about 527 00:22:38,318 --> 00:22:40,610 even Overwatch in the air . I mean , 528 00:22:40,610 --> 00:22:42,777 there was a lot of effort being done , 529 00:22:42,777 --> 00:22:44,943 which included , as the general said , 530 00:22:44,943 --> 00:22:47,054 included daily communication with the 531 00:22:47,060 --> 00:22:49,980 taliban about the nature of the threat 532 00:22:49,990 --> 00:22:52,750 and uh , and sharing with them the 533 00:22:52,750 --> 00:22:55,330 appropriate relevant information about 534 00:22:55,330 --> 00:22:57,770 what we , what we knew now , clearly , 535 00:22:59,640 --> 00:23:01,696 all of that effort . And there was a 536 00:23:01,696 --> 00:23:04,510 lot of effort clearly fell short in 537 00:23:04,510 --> 00:23:07,580 some way because this attack was able 538 00:23:07,580 --> 00:23:10,210 to be perpetrated and we did suffer as 539 00:23:10,220 --> 00:23:12,387 as well as our afghan friends suffered 540 00:23:12,387 --> 00:23:14,276 casualties , were going to do the 541 00:23:14,276 --> 00:23:16,220 forensics on this barb and clearly 542 00:23:16,220 --> 00:23:18,510 tried to figure out what went wrong 543 00:23:18,520 --> 00:23:20,687 because clearly something went wrong . 544 00:23:20,687 --> 00:23:23,270 But it would be irresponsible if we 545 00:23:23,270 --> 00:23:25,920 didn't act immediately to just to 546 00:23:25,920 --> 00:23:28,720 double down and make sure uh , that we 547 00:23:28,720 --> 00:23:31,160 were that that we uh that we were being 548 00:23:31,160 --> 00:23:33,327 as anticipatory as possible because we 549 00:23:33,327 --> 00:23:35,210 still believe there are credible 550 00:23:35,210 --> 00:23:38,230 threats . In fact I'd say specific 551 00:23:38,240 --> 00:23:40,650 credible threats uh and we want to make 552 00:23:40,650 --> 00:23:42,650 sure we're prepared for those and I 553 00:23:42,650 --> 00:23:44,483 don't think and I'm sure you can 554 00:23:44,483 --> 00:23:46,580 understand that that just just by 555 00:23:46,580 --> 00:23:49,870 virtue of the fact that that we may be 556 00:23:49,870 --> 00:23:53,170 taking other steps doesn't mean 557 00:23:53,180 --> 00:23:56,650 that that they that they would have 558 00:23:56,650 --> 00:24:00,450 necessarily been the proper steps for 559 00:24:00,450 --> 00:24:02,228 what we saw yesterday . We have 560 00:24:02,228 --> 00:24:05,020 additional information . And so what I 561 00:24:05,020 --> 00:24:07,020 would tell you is where what you're 562 00:24:07,020 --> 00:24:09,076 seeing us act on two degree , we can 563 00:24:09,076 --> 00:24:10,687 talk about it is based on uh 564 00:24:10,687 --> 00:24:12,853 information that we have and I think I 565 00:24:12,853 --> 00:24:14,909 think leave it at that . You say you 566 00:24:14,909 --> 00:24:17,020 have additional information . Can you 567 00:24:17,020 --> 00:24:19,590 tell us , do you mean you have 568 00:24:19,600 --> 00:24:22,890 developed additional information since 569 00:24:22,890 --> 00:24:25,100 the attack ? Do you still believe 570 00:24:25,100 --> 00:24:28,570 something is potentially imminent ? I 571 00:24:28,570 --> 00:24:30,626 thought General Mackenzie covered it 572 00:24:30,626 --> 00:24:32,459 very well with yesterday . We we 573 00:24:32,459 --> 00:24:35,030 certainly are prepared um and would 574 00:24:35,030 --> 00:24:37,141 expect future attempts . Absolutely . 575 00:24:37,141 --> 00:24:39,252 But I won't get into the specifics of 576 00:24:39,252 --> 00:24:41,474 what those are and why we're doing what 577 00:24:41,474 --> 00:24:44,050 we're doing intelligence since the 578 00:24:44,050 --> 00:24:47,220 attack . We we again , without talking 579 00:24:47,220 --> 00:24:49,164 to intelligence , we're monitoring 580 00:24:49,164 --> 00:24:51,770 these threats very very specifically , 581 00:24:52,240 --> 00:24:54,990 virtually in real time . And I think 582 00:24:54,990 --> 00:24:57,046 you can understand I wouldn't get in 583 00:24:57,046 --> 00:24:59,157 more detail than that . Tara . Um Two 584 00:24:59,157 --> 00:25:01,323 questions for General taylor uh in the 585 00:25:01,323 --> 00:25:04,130 wake of the attacks have the commander 586 00:25:04,140 --> 00:25:06,200 U . S . Commanders on the ground had 587 00:25:06,210 --> 00:25:08,490 improved communications with taliban 588 00:25:08,490 --> 00:25:11,600 commanders not only in improving 589 00:25:11,600 --> 00:25:13,790 security but potentially in getting S 590 00:25:13,790 --> 00:25:15,901 ivy applicants or afghans through the 591 00:25:15,901 --> 00:25:18,350 gates ? And second secondly , in the 592 00:25:18,350 --> 00:25:21,020 wake of the attack , since ISIS is also 593 00:25:21,020 --> 00:25:23,260 a problem for the taliban , is their 594 00:25:23,280 --> 00:25:26,920 potential there to coordinate to 595 00:25:26,920 --> 00:25:30,100 actually target ISIS . So we we say 596 00:25:30,100 --> 00:25:33,140 improve communication . I just wanna , 597 00:25:33,150 --> 00:25:35,039 I would answer that with , we are 598 00:25:35,039 --> 00:25:37,960 continuing uh you know , communication , 599 00:25:37,960 --> 00:25:41,520 so uh improve , I would say every day 600 00:25:41,530 --> 00:25:44,470 uh that is improving because we have 601 00:25:44,470 --> 00:25:46,380 more repetitions , we're able to 602 00:25:46,380 --> 00:25:48,640 continue to have open lines of 603 00:25:48,640 --> 00:25:51,800 communication . So the specificity of 604 00:25:51,800 --> 00:25:54,160 what is being passed back and forth 605 00:25:54,340 --> 00:25:57,520 tactically to allow for a better uh 606 00:25:57,530 --> 00:25:59,700 security environment , I would say is 607 00:25:59,700 --> 00:26:02,530 improving because uh those repetitions 608 00:26:02,540 --> 00:26:05,170 are happening and the understanding of 609 00:26:05,180 --> 00:26:09,030 the taliban of what needs to take place 610 00:26:09,070 --> 00:26:12,470 is being reinforced and so I think , 611 00:26:12,470 --> 00:26:14,970 yes , and then your second question of 612 00:26:14,970 --> 00:26:17,470 passing on specifics like what are we 613 00:26:17,470 --> 00:26:19,690 looking for here , what is the threat 614 00:26:19,940 --> 00:26:22,020 that we need you to look for ? Yes , 615 00:26:22,140 --> 00:26:25,530 that is absolutely being passed from 616 00:26:25,530 --> 00:26:27,641 the commanders on the ground to those 617 00:26:27,641 --> 00:26:29,697 taliban commanders to ensure . As Mr 618 00:26:29,697 --> 00:26:31,697 Kirby said , you know , things like 619 00:26:31,697 --> 00:26:33,863 yesterday , we understand what to look 620 00:26:33,863 --> 00:26:36,030 for , We understand what the threat is 621 00:26:36,030 --> 00:26:38,086 to try to prevent it specifically to 622 00:26:38,086 --> 00:26:40,363 target ISIS to any those threats . Yes , 623 00:26:40,363 --> 00:26:42,586 those ISIS threats that could come in . 624 00:26:42,586 --> 00:26:45,740 Okay . And then secondly there was a 625 00:26:45,740 --> 00:26:48,330 secondary explosion later yesterday 626 00:26:48,340 --> 00:26:51,290 where U . S . Forces were doing 627 00:26:51,290 --> 00:26:53,410 controlled detonations of equipment . 628 00:26:53,410 --> 00:26:55,132 Can you talk about the type of 629 00:26:55,132 --> 00:26:57,188 equipment that is being destroyed in 630 00:26:57,188 --> 00:26:59,299 the retrograde ? So you don't have to 631 00:26:59,299 --> 00:26:59,130 fly it out but it doesn't fall into the 632 00:26:59,130 --> 00:27:02,230 wrong hands either . So the actual 633 00:27:02,230 --> 00:27:05,300 specifics of what type of equipment was 634 00:27:05,300 --> 00:27:07,300 destroyed . I don't have that . But 635 00:27:07,300 --> 00:27:09,467 what we have said is that , you know , 636 00:27:09,467 --> 00:27:11,578 the commander has the authority there 637 00:27:11,640 --> 00:27:14,750 uh to destroy equipment that that they 638 00:27:14,750 --> 00:27:17,820 feel is responsible . So as we talked 639 00:27:17,820 --> 00:27:19,990 about controlled detonations and I 640 00:27:20,000 --> 00:27:22,111 think that was your specific question 641 00:27:22,111 --> 00:27:23,833 and that's what we call that a 642 00:27:23,833 --> 00:27:25,944 controlled detonation that could take 643 00:27:25,944 --> 00:27:28,110 place if the commander decided to 644 00:27:28,110 --> 00:27:31,240 destroy some type of equipment . I only 645 00:27:31,240 --> 00:27:34,550 had that as I mentioned earlier , 646 00:27:35,440 --> 00:27:37,607 lives are gonna be the priority Tara . 647 00:27:37,607 --> 00:27:41,190 So there will be , you can expect 648 00:27:41,200 --> 00:27:44,260 that there will be other equipment 649 00:27:44,270 --> 00:27:47,630 and material things that will not be 650 00:27:47,630 --> 00:27:50,580 brought back with us . We're going to 651 00:27:50,580 --> 00:27:52,940 do this in a judicious way . Some stuff 652 00:27:52,940 --> 00:27:55,107 will obviously come back with us . But 653 00:27:55,107 --> 00:27:57,273 uh for the aircraft that are departing 654 00:27:57,273 --> 00:27:59,218 as we get closer to the end of the 655 00:27:59,218 --> 00:28:01,051 month , we want to prioritize uh 656 00:28:01,051 --> 00:28:03,162 passenger seats as much as possible . 657 00:28:03,162 --> 00:28:05,107 So you're going to continue to see 658 00:28:05,107 --> 00:28:07,329 things disposed of in a responsible way 659 00:28:07,329 --> 00:28:09,440 as as we get closer to the end of the 660 00:28:09,440 --> 00:28:11,496 mission and I think that that people 661 00:28:11,496 --> 00:28:14,440 would expect us to do that . Yeah john 662 00:28:14,440 --> 00:28:17,270 what's the department's assessment of 663 00:28:17,570 --> 00:28:21,350 their capabilities ? IsIS K . And 664 00:28:21,360 --> 00:28:23,416 there's a real concern that they can 665 00:28:23,416 --> 00:28:26,830 use Afghanistan to launch attacks 666 00:28:26,830 --> 00:28:28,630 against the United States 667 00:28:30,040 --> 00:28:33,610 Post August 31 . Well , obviously there 668 00:28:33,610 --> 00:28:36,960 are serious terrorist threat . Um and 669 00:28:37,540 --> 00:28:40,170 and that was I was brought home to us 670 00:28:40,700 --> 00:28:43,200 in pretty stark ways yesterday . We we 671 00:28:43,200 --> 00:28:45,422 take the threat very , very seriously . 672 00:28:45,422 --> 00:28:48,100 I I don't want to I'm not gonna 673 00:28:48,100 --> 00:28:51,630 speculate about future threats . What I 674 00:28:51,630 --> 00:28:54,250 will tell you , The president has made 675 00:28:54,250 --> 00:28:56,417 this clear . The Secretary has made it 676 00:28:56,417 --> 00:28:58,639 clear to the leadership at the pentagon 677 00:28:58,639 --> 00:29:00,950 that uh We're going we're not going to 678 00:29:00,950 --> 00:29:03,270 allow attacks on the Homeland to 679 00:29:03,270 --> 00:29:05,381 emanate from Afghanistan again , like 680 00:29:05,381 --> 00:29:07,740 they did 20 years ago . And we do have 681 00:29:07,770 --> 00:29:09,659 over the horizon counterterrorism 682 00:29:09,659 --> 00:29:11,881 capability available to us to make sure 683 00:29:11,881 --> 00:29:14,048 that that doesn't happen . And I think 684 00:29:14,048 --> 00:29:16,103 I'd leave it at that really , do you 685 00:29:16,103 --> 00:29:18,214 believe that the Taliban can stand to 686 00:29:18,214 --> 00:29:22,190 escape can defeat them ? I think 687 00:29:22,190 --> 00:29:25,460 that the threat from ISIS is real . 688 00:29:25,840 --> 00:29:28,860 Um and nobody wants to see that threat 689 00:29:29,540 --> 00:29:33,010 grow . I cannot speak , would not begin 690 00:29:33,010 --> 00:29:35,160 to speak for the taliban capabilities 691 00:29:35,160 --> 00:29:38,810 or taliban intent . Obviously , they 692 00:29:38,820 --> 00:29:40,820 there there's significant animosity 693 00:29:40,820 --> 00:29:43,990 between these two groups uh and they 694 00:29:43,990 --> 00:29:47,740 don't share interests . But I'm 695 00:29:47,740 --> 00:29:50,660 not , it would be foolish for me to try 696 00:29:50,660 --> 00:29:53,270 to predict the degree to which the what 697 00:29:53,280 --> 00:29:55,502 what operations the taliban may conduct 698 00:29:55,502 --> 00:29:57,860 against ISIS K , all I can tell you is 699 00:29:58,640 --> 00:30:00,918 the direction that this department has , 700 00:30:00,918 --> 00:30:03,140 is to not allow attacks on the homeland 701 00:30:03,140 --> 00:30:05,362 to emanate from Afghanistan again . And 702 00:30:05,362 --> 00:30:07,584 and we are committed to that as well as 703 00:30:07,584 --> 00:30:09,696 counterterrorism operations elsewhere 704 00:30:09,696 --> 00:30:11,918 around the world because the threat has 705 00:30:11,918 --> 00:30:13,918 metastasized outside Afghanistan to 706 00:30:13,918 --> 00:30:15,862 other places where we also have to 707 00:30:15,862 --> 00:30:17,918 maintain a focus in a degree of over 708 00:30:17,918 --> 00:30:20,251 the horizon counterterrorism capability . 709 00:30:20,251 --> 00:30:22,529 We go back over here in the back there . 710 00:30:22,529 --> 00:30:24,640 Thanks sean two questions first . Can 711 00:30:24,640 --> 00:30:26,751 you speak to any rescue ops that have 712 00:30:26,751 --> 00:30:28,751 happened since the attack ? I don't 713 00:30:28,751 --> 00:30:30,807 think there's been any , you mean by 714 00:30:30,807 --> 00:30:33,020 rotary nothing additional . And the 715 00:30:33,020 --> 00:30:35,187 second question which is probably more 716 00:30:35,187 --> 00:30:37,409 for the general over the last five days 717 00:30:37,409 --> 00:30:39,298 we've seen anywhere from 89 to 94 718 00:30:39,540 --> 00:30:41,850 flights leave Kabul . But we've seen 719 00:30:42,240 --> 00:30:45,480 somewhere between 12 5 and 21 6 . Can 720 00:30:45,480 --> 00:30:47,300 you explain why the number of 721 00:30:47,300 --> 00:30:49,670 evacuations fluctuates so much ? But 722 00:30:49,670 --> 00:30:51,614 the number of flights has remained 723 00:30:51,614 --> 00:30:53,860 relatively steady . So I think what you 724 00:30:53,860 --> 00:30:56,027 have seen is the I'll just break those 725 00:30:56,027 --> 00:30:58,210 into two bins first as you look at the 726 00:30:58,210 --> 00:31:00,154 U . S . Flights have stayed pretty 727 00:31:00,154 --> 00:31:02,154 steady right in those numbers . You 728 00:31:02,154 --> 00:31:04,488 know , as other countries are coming in , 729 00:31:04,740 --> 00:31:08,400 uh they are evacuating certain numbers , 730 00:31:08,400 --> 00:31:11,400 you know of where they are in their 731 00:31:11,400 --> 00:31:13,567 capability or requirement . So I think 732 00:31:13,567 --> 00:31:15,678 that is where you've seen some of the 733 00:31:15,678 --> 00:31:18,860 um the differences in the outward flow . 734 00:31:19,240 --> 00:31:21,351 And I think I mean you really have to 735 00:31:21,351 --> 00:31:24,400 go back to is my number today 110,000 736 00:31:24,410 --> 00:31:26,960 total . So you know , as as we started , 737 00:31:26,970 --> 00:31:29,420 you know , just under almost you know , 738 00:31:29,430 --> 00:31:31,652 just a few weeks ago . zero all the way 739 00:31:31,652 --> 00:31:34,370 up to 110,000 we would see some of 740 00:31:34,370 --> 00:31:37,360 those numbers uh start to to come down . 741 00:31:38,640 --> 00:31:41,770 You go back to the phone Sam Lagrone . 742 00:31:44,340 --> 00:31:48,200 Hey john um as uh as part of the 743 00:31:48,200 --> 00:31:51,690 exit um is it the u . S 744 00:31:51,750 --> 00:31:53,900 intention to leave a functioning 745 00:31:53,900 --> 00:31:56,080 airport with like radars at work , 746 00:31:56,090 --> 00:31:57,979 computers at work ? I mean what's 747 00:31:57,979 --> 00:32:00,146 what's the obligation for what you all 748 00:32:00,146 --> 00:32:02,368 leave behind the airport is functioning 749 00:32:02,368 --> 00:32:04,257 SAM and we're going to need it to 750 00:32:04,257 --> 00:32:06,479 continue to function right up until the 751 00:32:06,479 --> 00:32:08,423 very end . So I mean , I think the 752 00:32:08,423 --> 00:32:10,590 general assumption is that as we as we 753 00:32:10,590 --> 00:32:12,757 depart , I mean we're going to need to 754 00:32:12,757 --> 00:32:14,868 depart from a functional , completely 755 00:32:14,868 --> 00:32:16,701 operational airport . That's our 756 00:32:16,701 --> 00:32:18,701 assumption going forward that it'll 757 00:32:18,701 --> 00:32:20,868 that that will be operational right up 758 00:32:20,868 --> 00:32:23,290 until until until we're gone . And as 759 00:32:23,290 --> 00:32:25,346 you probably heard Secretary Blinken 760 00:32:25,346 --> 00:32:27,457 say the other day the that that we're 761 00:32:27,457 --> 00:32:29,179 working with the international 762 00:32:29,179 --> 00:32:31,290 community , there are several nations 763 00:32:31,290 --> 00:32:33,401 that want to contribute to the effort 764 00:32:33,401 --> 00:32:35,401 to keep it operational and that are 765 00:32:35,401 --> 00:32:35,020 willing to work with the taliban to 766 00:32:35,020 --> 00:32:36,964 that end , certainly have let them 767 00:32:36,970 --> 00:32:40,200 speak to that effort . Gordon ? Um 768 00:32:40,210 --> 00:32:42,330 Taliban , Any taliban operations 769 00:32:42,330 --> 00:32:45,210 against ISIS aside , any future things , 770 00:32:45,210 --> 00:32:47,321 whatever . Do you have any assessment 771 00:32:47,321 --> 00:32:49,980 of what ISIS fighters at the prisons 772 00:32:49,980 --> 00:32:53,670 that they may have uh 773 00:32:53,680 --> 00:32:55,900 taking action against or killed other 774 00:32:55,900 --> 00:32:57,844 than some of the ones that we know 775 00:32:57,844 --> 00:32:59,844 about . And that's something that's 776 00:32:59,844 --> 00:33:02,370 knowable like that you guys have sought 777 00:33:02,370 --> 00:33:04,314 to find out and can't find out . I 778 00:33:04,314 --> 00:33:06,592 don't know if that's knowable . Gordon ? 779 00:33:06,592 --> 00:33:08,370 I mean , I'm happy to take that 780 00:33:08,370 --> 00:33:10,314 question but I don't want to raise 781 00:33:10,314 --> 00:33:12,426 expectations here on our level of the 782 00:33:12,426 --> 00:33:14,648 granularity of intelligence we may have 783 00:33:14,648 --> 00:33:16,981 gotten from these these prison releases . 784 00:33:16,981 --> 00:33:19,092 I I don't want to over promise here . 785 00:33:19,092 --> 00:33:21,148 I'm happy to ask that question but I 786 00:33:21,148 --> 00:33:23,259 can't promise you a good answer . And 787 00:33:23,259 --> 00:33:25,460 ira thank you john the 50,000 s ivy 788 00:33:25,460 --> 00:33:27,627 capacity that you referenced earlier . 789 00:33:27,627 --> 00:33:29,571 Um can we expect those folks to be 790 00:33:29,571 --> 00:33:31,730 processed at the same four of in the 791 00:33:31,740 --> 00:33:33,720 same four states that previously 792 00:33:33,720 --> 00:33:36,470 reported or will be the capacity beyond 793 00:33:36,480 --> 00:33:38,760 against New Jersey , Virginia texas and 794 00:33:38,760 --> 00:33:41,100 Wisconsin ? No , I think I added some 795 00:33:41,110 --> 00:33:43,880 extra facilities here today that I that 796 00:33:43,880 --> 00:33:46,110 I that I want ones in New Mexico 797 00:33:46,110 --> 00:33:48,390 holloman Air Force Base and then two in 798 00:33:48,390 --> 00:33:51,150 Virginia Quantico and for Pickett . Um 799 00:33:51,160 --> 00:33:54,290 and the secretary has been clear that 800 00:33:54,300 --> 00:33:56,430 if we need more because the demand is 801 00:33:56,430 --> 00:33:58,597 there , that will work with the States 802 00:33:58,597 --> 00:34:01,650 and we'll work with the services To 803 00:34:01,650 --> 00:34:04,580 identify potential future us military 804 00:34:04,580 --> 00:34:06,747 installations . But those are the ones 805 00:34:06,747 --> 00:34:08,913 that we are operating from now . Quick 806 00:34:08,913 --> 00:34:10,860 follow up currently is a 14 step 807 00:34:10,870 --> 00:34:13,370 process to get an s ivy application 808 00:34:13,380 --> 00:34:16,170 validated given the security challenges 809 00:34:16,170 --> 00:34:18,114 yesterday . Is there going to be a 810 00:34:18,114 --> 00:34:20,281 change in where those are processed or 811 00:34:20,281 --> 00:34:22,003 those entirely our folks being 812 00:34:22,003 --> 00:34:24,980 processed overseas and then brought to 813 00:34:24,980 --> 00:34:27,100 US bases for you know , final 814 00:34:27,100 --> 00:34:29,280 relocation . I honestly can't answer 815 00:34:29,280 --> 00:34:31,447 that question . That's really what for 816 00:34:31,447 --> 00:34:33,669 the State Department they run the S ivy 817 00:34:33,669 --> 00:34:35,613 process . It's not a Department of 818 00:34:35,613 --> 00:34:37,836 Defense Equity jenny . Thank you . John 819 00:34:37,836 --> 00:34:41,170 may I ask the janitor Pete ? Thank you . 820 00:34:41,940 --> 00:34:44,640 Sorry . Next time I will bring one 821 00:34:46,840 --> 00:34:50,110 where um President biden 822 00:34:50,120 --> 00:34:54,080 said that also the , let me let me take 823 00:34:54,080 --> 00:34:57,710 care of this . President Biden 824 00:34:57,720 --> 00:35:01,090 said . Also the General Mckinsey said 825 00:35:01,100 --> 00:35:04,430 yesterday that he had 826 00:35:04,440 --> 00:35:07,670 consulted with international partners . 827 00:35:08,040 --> 00:35:11,560 Had he discussed about 828 00:35:11,570 --> 00:35:14,610 military options with the international 829 00:35:14,610 --> 00:35:17,180 partners or our allies , including the 830 00:35:17,180 --> 00:35:20,450 south Korea . What are the 831 00:35:20,460 --> 00:35:24,460 primary US primarily military options ? 832 00:35:25,440 --> 00:35:28,380 So I can't speak for General Mackenzie . 833 00:35:28,390 --> 00:35:30,570 Uh , and the , you know , the 834 00:35:30,570 --> 00:35:32,690 discussions other than what he said 835 00:35:32,690 --> 00:35:35,900 yesterday is uh , you know , continuing 836 00:35:35,900 --> 00:35:37,970 to coordinate with all of our , you 837 00:35:37,970 --> 00:35:39,970 know , allies and partners that are 838 00:35:39,970 --> 00:35:41,859 helping us with this right now is 839 00:35:41,859 --> 00:35:44,081 extremely important . You know , to the 840 00:35:44,081 --> 00:35:46,520 ability to continue to synchronize all 841 00:35:46,520 --> 00:35:48,680 of the airlift that continues to come 842 00:35:48,680 --> 00:35:52,470 in uh and ensuring that his timing goes 843 00:35:52,470 --> 00:35:54,880 forward . All of that is well planned 844 00:35:54,880 --> 00:35:56,880 together is extremely important . I 845 00:35:56,880 --> 00:35:59,102 think I have to turn it over to back to 846 00:35:59,102 --> 00:36:01,047 General Mackenzie for any of those 847 00:36:01,047 --> 00:36:03,380 other specifics questions . Another one . 848 00:36:03,380 --> 00:36:05,630 What are the U . S . Special Louise is 849 00:36:05,640 --> 00:36:08,940 for our allies and international 850 00:36:08,940 --> 00:36:11,850 partners . Do you have any wishes for 851 00:36:12,230 --> 00:36:15,270 from them ? I'm sorry , I wishes 852 00:36:15,560 --> 00:36:17,920 wishes you know from from the 853 00:36:17,920 --> 00:36:20,031 operational side ? I think the I wish 854 00:36:20,031 --> 00:36:22,540 there is just like I said is continue 855 00:36:22,540 --> 00:36:25,250 that the support and the work together 856 00:36:25,250 --> 00:36:27,630 as we continue this mission forward is 857 00:36:27,630 --> 00:36:29,519 extremely important . Thank you . 858 00:36:29,920 --> 00:36:32,300 Follow up sir about something that 859 00:36:32,310 --> 00:36:34,477 Gordon asked about , we just have been 860 00:36:34,477 --> 00:36:36,532 hearing some reports that there have 861 00:36:36,532 --> 00:36:38,670 been some attacks by ISIS K . Against 862 00:36:38,670 --> 00:36:40,781 Taliban checkpoints in the city . Are 863 00:36:40,781 --> 00:36:43,003 you seeing any evidence of attacks that 864 00:36:43,003 --> 00:36:45,003 ISIS K . Is attacking those taliban 865 00:36:45,003 --> 00:36:47,170 checkpoints ? Not seen those reports . 866 00:36:47,170 --> 00:36:49,337 Can you give us any more clarification 867 00:36:49,337 --> 00:36:52,640 on the sharing of american citizens 868 00:36:52,640 --> 00:36:54,340 information as well as s ivy 869 00:36:54,340 --> 00:36:56,396 information with the taliban . There 870 00:36:56,396 --> 00:36:58,618 were reports yesterday that the U . S . 871 00:36:58,618 --> 00:37:00,951 Officials were sharing that information . 872 00:37:01,030 --> 00:37:03,120 I don't think there is sharing 873 00:37:03,120 --> 00:37:05,176 information as you would say in that 874 00:37:05,176 --> 00:37:06,898 question of like we are giving 875 00:37:06,898 --> 00:37:09,064 information . What information is very 876 00:37:09,064 --> 00:37:11,710 important right now uh is at the ground 877 00:37:11,710 --> 00:37:14,530 level to ensure that as people approach 878 00:37:14,530 --> 00:37:17,670 checkpoints uh that those Taliban 879 00:37:17,670 --> 00:37:20,290 checkpoint leaders have and understand 880 00:37:20,290 --> 00:37:22,179 who's coming , what documentation 881 00:37:22,179 --> 00:37:24,401 they're supposed to have and go because 882 00:37:24,401 --> 00:37:26,420 that's really important for us to 883 00:37:26,420 --> 00:37:29,980 ensure the time that people are not in 884 00:37:29,980 --> 00:37:32,091 areas and just you know staying there 885 00:37:32,091 --> 00:37:34,650 for long periods of time . Uh you know 886 00:37:34,650 --> 00:37:36,483 the commanders on the ground and 887 00:37:36,483 --> 00:37:38,428 continue to coordinate . How do we 888 00:37:38,428 --> 00:37:40,483 continue to increase that throughput 889 00:37:40,483 --> 00:37:42,539 through checkpoints through gates to 890 00:37:42,539 --> 00:37:45,380 get on H Kaya as fast as we can that's 891 00:37:45,380 --> 00:37:47,660 very safe to get them there . Thanks 892 00:37:48,330 --> 00:37:50,870 Megan . How many troops ? U . S . 893 00:37:50,870 --> 00:37:52,981 Troops are still on the ground at H . 894 00:37:52,981 --> 00:37:55,203 Kaya and how is the security posture at 895 00:37:55,203 --> 00:37:57,259 the gate changed ? Are there more or 896 00:37:57,259 --> 00:37:59,314 fewer troops going in and out of the 897 00:37:59,314 --> 00:38:01,537 gates ? Is there more over watching the 898 00:38:01,537 --> 00:38:03,980 crowds for suspicious activity kind of 899 00:38:03,980 --> 00:38:06,250 back ? What Mr Kirby said earlier as we 900 00:38:06,250 --> 00:38:08,583 talk about troop numbers and capability , 901 00:38:08,583 --> 00:38:11,500 capability has not changed for us to 902 00:38:11,500 --> 00:38:14,320 secure all the gates to be able to 903 00:38:14,320 --> 00:38:18,040 process evacuees and our ability to 904 00:38:18,420 --> 00:38:21,390 rapidly turn aircraft as they arrive 905 00:38:21,450 --> 00:38:24,110 and get those up . And as you talk 906 00:38:24,110 --> 00:38:26,360 about force protection at the gate , 907 00:38:26,400 --> 00:38:28,900 I'm not going to get into the specific 908 00:38:28,910 --> 00:38:32,090 T . T . P . S . That those , you know , 909 00:38:32,090 --> 00:38:34,146 junior leaders are taking down there 910 00:38:34,146 --> 00:38:36,730 other than uh we continue to learn 911 00:38:36,740 --> 00:38:39,800 every day from the day before . And we 912 00:38:39,800 --> 00:38:42,300 work within all the capabilities . We 913 00:38:42,300 --> 00:38:45,360 have to ensure one that we can continue 914 00:38:45,360 --> 00:38:47,710 people to come in but also stay safe , 915 00:38:48,110 --> 00:38:50,332 continue to learn . Does that mean that 916 00:38:50,332 --> 00:38:52,554 you have switched things up in order to 917 00:38:52,554 --> 00:38:54,332 make it more safe ? I would say 918 00:38:54,332 --> 00:38:57,200 patterns are things that we two we try 919 00:38:57,200 --> 00:39:00,500 not to uh you know , get into . So you 920 00:39:00,500 --> 00:39:02,722 know , I would just tell you , it's the 921 00:39:02,722 --> 00:39:04,722 most simple operational piece there 922 00:39:04,722 --> 00:39:06,944 were always doing things that we can uh 923 00:39:06,944 --> 00:39:08,889 to keep us safe and and not create 924 00:39:08,889 --> 00:39:10,889 patterns . I would only add to that 925 00:39:10,889 --> 00:39:13,222 Megan as I mentioned the bar , you know , 926 00:39:13,222 --> 00:39:15,444 but we still have active threat streams 927 00:39:15,444 --> 00:39:17,611 and we're taking steps that we believe 928 00:39:17,611 --> 00:39:19,500 are appropriate to those to those 929 00:39:19,500 --> 00:39:21,611 streams . Uh and I think I'd leave it 930 00:39:21,611 --> 00:39:24,010 at that and I want to put stop the 931 00:39:24,020 --> 00:39:26,020 boots on the ground number , as the 932 00:39:26,020 --> 00:39:27,853 general mentioned in his opening 933 00:39:27,853 --> 00:39:30,131 statement today , more than 5000 today . 934 00:39:30,131 --> 00:39:31,964 We are not going to get in going 935 00:39:31,964 --> 00:39:34,076 forward to a daily count of what's on 936 00:39:34,076 --> 00:39:36,187 the ground . Just going forward as we 937 00:39:36,187 --> 00:39:38,353 get closer now to the end of the month 938 00:39:38,353 --> 00:39:40,520 and the end of the mission . You don't 939 00:39:40,520 --> 00:39:40,490 don't expect daily updates on what 940 00:39:40,500 --> 00:39:42,556 exactly how many troops are there at 941 00:39:42,556 --> 00:39:44,960 any given moment , Like Yeah . When you 942 00:39:44,960 --> 00:39:46,849 said that there is going to be an 943 00:39:46,849 --> 00:39:48,682 investigation into what happened 944 00:39:48,682 --> 00:39:50,960 yesterday , we're talking about a full , 945 00:39:50,960 --> 00:39:52,793 like a criminal inquiry with the 946 00:39:52,793 --> 00:39:54,738 forensics people on the ground and 947 00:39:54,738 --> 00:39:56,738 interviewing possible witnesses who 948 00:39:56,738 --> 00:39:58,960 would be doing that . And how do you do 949 00:39:58,960 --> 00:40:01,016 that in the middle of a war zone ? I 950 00:40:01,016 --> 00:40:03,127 don't I wouldn't characterize it as a 951 00:40:03,127 --> 00:40:05,349 criminal investigation , but it will be 952 00:40:05,349 --> 00:40:07,460 as comprehensive as General Mackenzie 953 00:40:07,460 --> 00:40:09,571 needs it to be too , to try to do the 954 00:40:09,571 --> 00:40:11,516 forensics here and figure out what 955 00:40:11,516 --> 00:40:13,682 happened and what we can learn from it 956 00:40:13,682 --> 00:40:15,571 going forward . It will be a very 957 00:40:15,571 --> 00:40:17,682 complete thorough investigation . And 958 00:40:17,682 --> 00:40:19,460 and I will leave it the General 959 00:40:19,460 --> 00:40:21,840 Mackenzie to describe for you , sort of 960 00:40:21,850 --> 00:40:23,961 the architecture of what that's going 961 00:40:23,961 --> 00:40:25,850 to be . But it's it's not like we 962 00:40:25,850 --> 00:40:28,072 haven't sadly had to do this before and 963 00:40:28,072 --> 00:40:29,683 we know how to conduct these 964 00:40:29,683 --> 00:40:32,140 investigations . Yes sir . You thank 965 00:40:32,140 --> 00:40:35,400 you very much . Mr my name is 966 00:40:36,290 --> 00:40:38,401 representing her name's communication 967 00:40:38,401 --> 00:40:42,020 network and is U . S . 968 00:40:42,030 --> 00:40:44,086 Service members doing incredible job 969 00:40:44,086 --> 00:40:45,919 with sacrificing their life with 970 00:40:45,919 --> 00:40:48,086 consideration of that . My question is 971 00:40:48,086 --> 00:40:50,520 some strategic . Do you think the 972 00:40:50,520 --> 00:40:53,860 removal from Afghanistan it will reduce 973 00:40:53,860 --> 00:40:55,916 your control within the Asia and the 974 00:40:55,916 --> 00:40:59,840 pacific the U . S . Control ? So it's 975 00:40:59,840 --> 00:41:02,330 not about US control in the indo 976 00:41:02,330 --> 00:41:05,390 pacific , it's about protecting our 977 00:41:05,390 --> 00:41:07,390 country from threats and challenges 978 00:41:07,390 --> 00:41:09,334 that emanate from that part of the 979 00:41:09,334 --> 00:41:11,446 world and it's about revitalizing our 980 00:41:11,446 --> 00:41:13,557 network of alliances and partnerships 981 00:41:13,557 --> 00:41:15,334 to help our our partners in the 982 00:41:15,334 --> 00:41:17,334 international community do the same 983 00:41:17,510 --> 00:41:19,732 while the secretary's first trip was to 984 00:41:19,732 --> 00:41:21,954 the region . He just came back from the 985 00:41:21,954 --> 00:41:21,490 region . The Vice president just 986 00:41:21,490 --> 00:41:23,546 returned literally this morning from 987 00:41:23,546 --> 00:41:25,990 the region . We are laser focused on 988 00:41:25,990 --> 00:41:27,880 the indo pacific and the security 989 00:41:27,880 --> 00:41:30,102 challenges as well as the opportunities 990 00:41:30,102 --> 00:41:32,047 that are there . It's not about US 991 00:41:32,047 --> 00:41:34,520 control , it's about US partnership 992 00:41:35,410 --> 00:41:37,410 Sylvie , you've been very patient . 993 00:41:37,550 --> 00:41:41,360 I know you you don't want to speak 994 00:41:41,360 --> 00:41:44,700 about the details of the circumstances 995 00:41:44,710 --> 00:41:47,540 of the attack . But can you tell us 996 00:41:47,550 --> 00:41:50,980 if it was at the 997 00:41:50,990 --> 00:41:53,700 gate itself or in the middle of the 998 00:41:53,710 --> 00:41:57,300 crowd or at the checkpoint was the 999 00:41:57,300 --> 00:42:01,240 guy walking or he was in a bus . Can 1000 00:42:01,240 --> 00:42:03,270 you give us a little some little 1001 00:42:03,270 --> 00:42:04,010 details 1002 00:42:07,100 --> 00:42:10,280 1st . I'll start off with details are 1003 00:42:10,280 --> 00:42:12,391 continuing to be collected as it goes 1004 00:42:12,391 --> 00:42:14,502 back to the question about continuing 1005 00:42:14,502 --> 00:42:16,613 to learn as much as we can because as 1006 00:42:16,613 --> 00:42:18,613 you know , uh when attack initially 1007 00:42:18,613 --> 00:42:20,840 starts , you know , you have to fight 1008 00:42:20,840 --> 00:42:23,062 the fight And then where we're at right 1009 00:42:23,062 --> 00:42:26,080 now ensuring , you know , the respect 1010 00:42:26,080 --> 00:42:28,080 and dignity of our wounded in those 1011 00:42:28,080 --> 00:42:30,780 that were killed in action . So , but 1012 00:42:30,780 --> 00:42:32,391 as we look at the details at 1013 00:42:32,391 --> 00:42:34,447 approximately as we saw yesterday at 1014 00:42:34,447 --> 00:42:38,360 about 1748 Kabul time , uh , there was 1015 00:42:38,370 --> 00:42:41,650 what we reported as a a suicide 1016 00:42:41,660 --> 00:42:44,130 born best there , that was exploded 1017 00:42:44,140 --> 00:42:46,362 right at and around the gate . We don't 1018 00:42:46,362 --> 00:42:50,020 know the exact location , uh you know , 1019 00:42:50,020 --> 00:42:52,440 but it was right outside the vicinity 1020 00:42:52,450 --> 00:42:55,730 of that gate and then followed by um 1021 00:42:56,300 --> 00:42:59,600 direct fire from an any enemy position . 1022 00:42:59,610 --> 00:43:02,510 That is not exactly known . That was 1023 00:43:02,520 --> 00:43:05,340 outside in what we call , just north of 1024 00:43:05,340 --> 00:43:07,780 that gate area also , how many 1025 00:43:07,780 --> 00:43:09,947 assailants were killed ? Was it just a 1026 00:43:09,947 --> 00:43:12,113 suicide bomber ? Plus the shooter ? Or 1027 00:43:12,113 --> 00:43:14,460 how many people just goes back to what 1028 00:43:14,460 --> 00:43:16,571 I said right now , what we know there 1029 00:43:16,571 --> 00:43:18,571 was shooters , you know , shoot , I 1030 00:43:18,571 --> 00:43:20,738 don't know the exact number but one uh 1031 00:43:20,738 --> 00:43:24,680 with the suicide vest , louis go ahead , 1032 00:43:25,080 --> 00:43:27,302 but what Gordon ? We've already got you 1033 00:43:27,302 --> 00:43:29,810 louis go ahead killed by that gun fire . 1034 00:43:31,100 --> 00:43:33,600 Um like I said , we're asking , you 1035 00:43:33,600 --> 00:43:36,040 know , very detailed questions about 1036 00:43:36,050 --> 00:43:38,272 the fight that that will continue to be 1037 00:43:38,272 --> 00:43:40,390 collected . Uh , I can't answer , you 1038 00:43:40,390 --> 00:43:44,130 know , uh numbers of that's just I 1039 00:43:44,130 --> 00:43:46,297 would say , you know , that could come 1040 00:43:46,297 --> 00:43:48,920 out , but just knowing the facts , the 1041 00:43:48,930 --> 00:43:51,180 the incredible , you know , devastation 1042 00:43:51,180 --> 00:43:53,402 that happened there . I think we should 1043 00:43:53,402 --> 00:43:54,624 just leave it there . 1044 00:43:57,900 --> 00:44:00,490 I'm sorry . So my question kind of 1045 00:44:00,490 --> 00:44:02,712 following on lita's earlier yesterday , 1046 00:44:02,712 --> 00:44:04,768 the president said that we will hunt 1047 00:44:04,768 --> 00:44:07,200 down and basically get revenge on the 1048 00:44:07,200 --> 00:44:09,940 ISIS Attackers yesterday . Can you just 1049 00:44:09,950 --> 00:44:11,894 explain to the American public who 1050 00:44:11,894 --> 00:44:13,950 might be wondering , Hey , we had 25 1051 00:44:13,950 --> 00:44:16,061 troops on the ground , what will that 1052 00:44:16,061 --> 00:44:18,061 look like if we go into a situation 1053 00:44:18,090 --> 00:44:20,201 where we're going to go and hunt down 1054 00:44:20,201 --> 00:44:22,423 these ISIS ? I think , you know , as we 1055 00:44:22,423 --> 00:44:25,020 look at currently , I've already , I 1056 00:44:25,020 --> 00:44:27,187 think I've answered that question of , 1057 00:44:27,187 --> 00:44:29,131 we have , you know , options there 1058 00:44:29,131 --> 00:44:32,010 right now that we can , you know , 1059 00:44:32,390 --> 00:44:35,640 ensure the commander has the ability to 1060 00:44:35,640 --> 00:44:38,150 take action as uh , you know , those 1061 00:44:38,150 --> 00:44:40,317 opportunities present themselves . But 1062 00:44:40,317 --> 00:44:42,750 I'm not gonna go into , you know , and 1063 00:44:42,760 --> 00:44:45,110 try to think about the , you know , how 1064 00:44:45,110 --> 00:44:47,332 a decision General Mackenzie would make 1065 00:44:47,332 --> 00:44:50,610 in the in future operations louis just 1066 00:44:50,610 --> 00:44:53,970 a quick follow up on on the gunman . 1067 00:44:53,980 --> 00:44:56,036 Was there more than one gunman . And 1068 00:44:56,036 --> 00:44:58,740 was that gunman killed or whatever ? 1069 00:44:58,750 --> 00:45:00,472 Like I said , you know , those 1070 00:45:00,472 --> 00:45:02,690 information is still coming in , I 1071 00:45:02,700 --> 00:45:04,756 would say what we do know , absolute 1072 00:45:04,756 --> 00:45:07,090 fact . There was a , you know , a 1073 00:45:07,090 --> 00:45:11,080 suicide born I d right there and uh 1074 00:45:11,090 --> 00:45:14,070 gunfire that's uh that's for sure that 1075 00:45:14,070 --> 00:45:16,250 we know my other question was going to 1076 00:45:16,250 --> 00:45:18,670 be this , You have 31 American 1077 00:45:18,670 --> 00:45:20,560 casualties overall ? That's a 1078 00:45:20,560 --> 00:45:23,170 significant number at one location . I 1079 00:45:23,170 --> 00:45:25,392 mean , what how can we explain why they 1080 00:45:25,392 --> 00:45:28,200 were they concentrated in one area ? 1081 00:45:28,200 --> 00:45:30,700 Was there a shift change underway ? I 1082 00:45:30,700 --> 00:45:32,820 mean , how how is it or were they 1083 00:45:32,820 --> 00:45:34,931 spread apart in one line ? And that's 1084 00:45:34,931 --> 00:45:38,510 just how the last was . You know , 1085 00:45:38,890 --> 00:45:41,080 use a line . This answer is not going 1086 00:45:41,080 --> 00:45:43,080 to be , you know , rewarding to you 1087 00:45:43,080 --> 00:45:45,302 that , but it goes back to , you know , 1088 00:45:45,590 --> 00:45:48,160 the commander will figure all those out 1089 00:45:48,170 --> 00:45:50,226 at the due time , right ? You know , 1090 00:45:50,226 --> 00:45:52,170 and those are the questions that I 1091 00:45:52,170 --> 00:45:54,392 think are very appropriate , you know , 1092 00:45:54,392 --> 00:45:56,503 and people , you know , we don't know 1093 00:45:56,503 --> 00:45:58,559 this . But right now , uh what I can 1094 00:45:58,559 --> 00:46:00,726 tell you is the commander's continuing 1095 00:46:00,726 --> 00:46:03,059 to execute the mission , Make sure that , 1096 00:46:03,059 --> 00:46:05,114 you know , other forces in there can 1097 00:46:05,114 --> 00:46:07,170 continue their and ensure that those 1098 00:46:07,170 --> 00:46:09,226 information . As I think a couple of 1099 00:46:09,226 --> 00:46:11,448 questions we I answered earlier , we'll 1100 00:46:11,448 --> 00:46:13,760 come at the proper time . Therese 1101 00:46:15,720 --> 00:46:18,190 for general taylor . I know it's been 1102 00:46:18,190 --> 00:46:20,530 said numerous times that the focus of 1103 00:46:20,530 --> 00:46:22,830 the mission is to get evacuees and 1104 00:46:22,840 --> 00:46:25,080 americans out as quickly as possible . 1105 00:46:25,100 --> 00:46:27,267 But for those that were injured during 1106 00:46:27,267 --> 00:46:29,378 the attack yesterday and taken to the 1107 00:46:29,378 --> 00:46:31,378 local hospital , has there been any 1108 00:46:31,378 --> 00:46:33,378 talks about setting up security for 1109 00:46:33,378 --> 00:46:35,600 those individuals . I'm hearing reports 1110 00:46:35,600 --> 00:46:37,767 on the ground that their concerns that 1111 00:46:37,767 --> 00:46:40,000 ISIS may attack , that um hospital . So 1112 00:46:40,000 --> 00:46:43,190 are there any talks to possibly help 1113 00:46:43,200 --> 00:46:45,470 keep those um afghan civilians ? Excuse 1114 00:46:45,470 --> 00:46:48,150 me um safe from a potential attack . 1115 00:46:48,150 --> 00:46:50,261 And then once they are well enough to 1116 00:46:50,261 --> 00:46:52,594 travel , how will they get to the U . S . 1117 00:46:52,594 --> 00:46:55,200 As well ? You're talking about afghans 1118 00:46:55,280 --> 00:46:57,960 that were injured in the attack . First 1119 00:46:57,960 --> 00:46:59,950 of all , what I can report is that 1120 00:46:59,960 --> 00:47:02,350 there were some afghans there that were 1121 00:47:02,350 --> 00:47:05,030 part of that were treated by you know , 1122 00:47:05,040 --> 00:47:07,010 the U . S . And other forces 1123 00:47:07,020 --> 00:47:09,820 immediately there . Um I'm not fully 1124 00:47:09,820 --> 00:47:12,770 aware of the reports of you know , on 1125 00:47:12,770 --> 00:47:14,992 the the hospitals in Kabul because I do 1126 00:47:14,992 --> 00:47:18,510 know that there were afghans taken to 1127 00:47:18,520 --> 00:47:21,710 multiple locations in Kabul . 1128 00:47:22,780 --> 00:47:24,669 Okay , we have to have for just a 1129 00:47:24,669 --> 00:47:26,840 couple more . Yes , ma'am mr Kirby you 1130 00:47:26,840 --> 00:47:29,800 said that lives are the priority . So 1131 00:47:29,800 --> 00:47:32,022 my question is pretty straightforward . 1132 00:47:32,022 --> 00:47:34,189 Should the U . S . Or should americans 1133 00:47:34,189 --> 00:47:36,300 expect more us casualties in the next 1134 00:47:36,300 --> 00:47:38,300 few days ? We don't want to see any 1135 00:47:38,300 --> 00:47:40,300 more casualties . That's why we are 1136 00:47:40,300 --> 00:47:42,244 monitoring the threat streams very 1137 00:47:42,244 --> 00:47:44,411 closely and taking what we believe are 1138 00:47:44,411 --> 00:47:47,210 the best possible steps to prevent 1139 00:47:47,210 --> 00:47:48,932 another tragedy like this from 1140 00:47:48,932 --> 00:47:51,154 happening . I mean that's obviously the 1141 00:47:51,154 --> 00:47:54,270 secretary , it was made that very clear 1142 00:47:54,280 --> 00:47:56,700 uh to leadership last night and this 1143 00:47:56,700 --> 00:47:58,644 morning that force protection will 1144 00:47:58,644 --> 00:48:00,478 remain a paramount . Obviously a 1145 00:48:00,478 --> 00:48:02,589 paramount concern as it always does . 1146 00:48:02,589 --> 00:48:04,422 Just to add to that . Apparently 1147 00:48:04,422 --> 00:48:06,589 there's a bottleneck at Dulles Airport 1148 00:48:06,589 --> 00:48:08,700 with these uh the U . S . Airlines um 1149 00:48:08,700 --> 00:48:10,589 coming in with refugees at Dulles 1150 00:48:10,589 --> 00:48:12,533 airport . Are you aware of this Or 1151 00:48:12,540 --> 00:48:14,596 refugees refugees being stuck on the 1152 00:48:14,596 --> 00:48:16,818 tarmac for hours and hours . Yes we are 1153 00:48:16,818 --> 00:48:19,000 aware of those reports . Um And they 1154 00:48:19,000 --> 00:48:21,460 have proven accurate in the last couple 1155 00:48:21,460 --> 00:48:25,200 of days . It's it's really uh 1156 00:48:25,670 --> 00:48:27,820 more an issue for customs and border 1157 00:48:27,820 --> 00:48:30,450 patrol and and the process . So I don't 1158 00:48:30,450 --> 00:48:32,770 want to speak to them or their process . 1159 00:48:32,790 --> 00:48:34,970 But as we understand it this morning 1160 00:48:34,980 --> 00:48:36,680 they have worked through the 1161 00:48:36,680 --> 00:48:39,500 difficulties . Uh And uh we believe 1162 00:48:39,500 --> 00:48:42,010 that wait time now upon landing is is 1163 00:48:42,010 --> 00:48:44,230 going to get much much shorter . But I 1164 00:48:44,230 --> 00:48:46,650 would refer you to my colleagues at uh 1165 00:48:46,660 --> 00:48:48,771 customs and border Patrol to to speak 1166 00:48:48,771 --> 00:48:51,310 to that . Okay thanks very much . One 1167 00:48:51,310 --> 00:48:53,520 more . Go ahead . How many afghans s . 1168 00:48:53,520 --> 00:48:56,040 I . V . S have been flowing out so far 1169 00:48:56,050 --> 00:48:58,370 or other afghans without green cards or 1170 00:48:58,380 --> 00:49:02,060 or check me on this . But we looked at 1171 00:49:02,060 --> 00:49:04,280 the number just before coming out . 1172 00:49:04,770 --> 00:49:08,310 It's just we have just under 7000 now 1173 00:49:08,320 --> 00:49:10,830 that are in the states and being being 1174 00:49:10,830 --> 00:49:12,941 processed and that number will change 1175 00:49:12,941 --> 00:49:15,052 every day obviously as as it should . 1176 00:49:15,052 --> 00:49:17,163 Okay thanks everybody . We'll see you 1177 00:49:17,163 --> 00:49:19,400 again at uh at uh I'm sorry I said 1178 00:49:19,400 --> 00:49:21,678 three o'clock it's 3 30 this afternoon . 1179 00:49:21,678 --> 00:49:24,190 General will be joining me . I do 1180 00:49:24,190 --> 00:49:26,357 apologize for the delay this morning . 1181 00:49:26,357 --> 00:49:28,579 We were getting updates literally as we 1182 00:49:28,579 --> 00:49:30,690 were getting ready to come out to see 1183 00:49:30,690 --> 00:49:32,746 you . We'll do the best we can to be 1184 00:49:32,746 --> 00:49:34,912 more punctual . But thanks , we'll see 1185 00:49:34,912 --> 00:49:33,590 you later .