1 00:00:02,000 --> 00:00:05,610 Great . Hi , everyone . Good afternoon . 2 00:00:05,880 --> 00:00:08,102 Uh Just a few items here at the top and 3 00:00:08,102 --> 00:00:10,269 then I'd be happy to take some of your 4 00:00:10,269 --> 00:00:11,991 questions . So earlier today , 5 00:00:11,991 --> 00:00:13,769 Secretary Austin spoke with the 6 00:00:13,769 --> 00:00:15,769 Ukrainian Minister of Defense Alesi 7 00:00:15,769 --> 00:00:17,436 Reznikoff to discuss security 8 00:00:17,436 --> 00:00:19,658 assistance to Ukraine and to receive an 9 00:00:19,658 --> 00:00:21,602 update on operations in advance of 10 00:00:21,602 --> 00:00:23,559 tomorrow's Ukraine defense contact 11 00:00:23,569 --> 00:00:25,680 group meeting , a full readout of the 12 00:00:25,680 --> 00:00:27,736 that call will be posted . Hopefully 13 00:00:27,736 --> 00:00:29,902 you've already gotten it in your email 14 00:00:29,902 --> 00:00:32,069 but it should be online at defense dot 15 00:00:32,069 --> 00:00:34,236 gov . And just to reiterate , speaking 16 00:00:34,236 --> 00:00:36,069 of U DC G Secretary , Austin and 17 00:00:36,069 --> 00:00:38,080 Chairman Milley will host a virtual 18 00:00:38,090 --> 00:00:40,257 meeting of the Ukraine defense contact 19 00:00:40,257 --> 00:00:42,479 group tomorrow morning , they will join 20 00:00:42,479 --> 00:00:44,423 Ministers of Defense and Chiefs of 21 00:00:44,423 --> 00:00:46,423 defense from nearly 50 nations from 22 00:00:46,423 --> 00:00:48,479 around the world to discuss Russia's 23 00:00:48,479 --> 00:00:50,479 ongoing war in Ukraine and continue 24 00:00:50,479 --> 00:00:52,590 close coordination to provide Ukraine 25 00:00:52,590 --> 00:00:54,590 with the security assistance . They 26 00:00:54,590 --> 00:00:56,812 need to protect their people and defend 27 00:00:56,812 --> 00:00:59,034 their country . Shifting to the Centcom 28 00:00:59,110 --> 00:01:01,779 area of operations in response to a 29 00:01:01,790 --> 00:01:04,012 number of recent alarming events in the 30 00:01:04,012 --> 00:01:06,012 strait of Hormuz . The Secretary of 31 00:01:06,012 --> 00:01:08,123 Defense has ordered the deployment of 32 00:01:08,123 --> 00:01:10,379 the , of the destroyer US S Thomas Hud 33 00:01:10,819 --> 00:01:14,260 F-35 fighters and F-16 fighters to the 34 00:01:14,269 --> 00:01:15,769 US central command area of 35 00:01:15,769 --> 00:01:18,010 responsibility to defend us interests 36 00:01:18,019 --> 00:01:20,186 and safeguard freedom of navigation in 37 00:01:20,186 --> 00:01:22,800 the region . As you'll remember on July 38 00:01:22,809 --> 00:01:24,980 5th , the Iranian Navy attempted to 39 00:01:24,989 --> 00:01:27,211 illegally seize two merchant vessels in 40 00:01:27,211 --> 00:01:29,267 the strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of 41 00:01:29,267 --> 00:01:31,510 Oman . One attempt included an Iranian 42 00:01:31,519 --> 00:01:34,400 Navy ship firing upon the merchant 43 00:01:34,410 --> 00:01:36,519 vessel in light of this continued 44 00:01:36,529 --> 00:01:38,529 threat and in coordination with our 45 00:01:38,529 --> 00:01:40,751 partners and allies . The department is 46 00:01:40,751 --> 00:01:42,918 increasing our presence and ability to 47 00:01:42,918 --> 00:01:44,862 monitor the strait and surrounding 48 00:01:44,862 --> 00:01:46,529 waters . We call upon Iran to 49 00:01:46,529 --> 00:01:48,640 immediately cease these destabilizing 50 00:01:48,650 --> 00:01:50,817 actions that threaten the free flow of 51 00:01:50,817 --> 00:01:52,594 commerce through this strategic 52 00:01:52,594 --> 00:01:54,761 waterway of which the world depends on 53 00:01:54,761 --> 00:01:56,817 for more than 1/5 of the world's oil 54 00:01:56,817 --> 00:02:00,330 supply . And finally , this week , Air 55 00:02:00,339 --> 00:02:02,620 Mobility Command is participating in 56 00:02:02,629 --> 00:02:05,370 exercise mobility guardian involving 57 00:02:05,379 --> 00:02:07,809 more than 15,000 US and partner and 58 00:02:07,819 --> 00:02:10,429 ally forces across the Pacific . We'd 59 00:02:10,440 --> 00:02:12,384 like to highlight a moment of real 60 00:02:12,384 --> 00:02:14,710 world heroism during the exercise , us 61 00:02:14,720 --> 00:02:17,160 and coalition forces saved 11 lives 62 00:02:17,169 --> 00:02:19,419 last week . In response to a civilian 63 00:02:19,654 --> 00:02:21,914 stress call off the coast of Rota 64 00:02:22,074 --> 00:02:25,044 Northern Mariana Islands . A French , a 65 00:02:25,054 --> 00:02:27,725 400 M Atlas crew launched from Anderson 66 00:02:27,735 --> 00:02:29,975 Air Force Base Guam in less than 10 67 00:02:29,985 --> 00:02:32,207 minutes and located the disabled vessel 68 00:02:32,207 --> 00:02:34,263 in dangerous seas using night vision 69 00:02:34,263 --> 00:02:36,374 goggles . The Atlas team was relieved 70 00:02:36,374 --> 00:02:39,675 by a Canadian CC 1 30 J Hercules also 71 00:02:39,684 --> 00:02:42,684 from Mobility Guardian until a US Navy . 72 00:02:42,695 --> 00:02:44,994 Mh 60 Nighthawk helicopter could safely 73 00:02:45,005 --> 00:02:47,580 recover the passengers . This level of 74 00:02:47,589 --> 00:02:49,645 integration is second to none in the 75 00:02:49,645 --> 00:02:51,478 world and it's what allows us to 76 00:02:51,478 --> 00:02:53,645 represent and to respond to any crisis 77 00:02:53,645 --> 00:02:55,710 any time and anywhere . And for more 78 00:02:55,720 --> 00:02:57,831 information on that , uh please reach 79 00:02:57,831 --> 00:02:59,720 out to Air Force and Air Mobility 80 00:02:59,720 --> 00:03:01,942 Command and with that , I'd be happy to 81 00:03:01,942 --> 00:03:04,164 take your questions . Go to Tara . Hi , 82 00:03:04,164 --> 00:03:06,164 Sabrina , two on Ukraine and one on 83 00:03:06,164 --> 00:03:08,220 another subject . Um Do you have any 84 00:03:08,220 --> 00:03:10,331 updates on the Crimea Bridge attack ? 85 00:03:10,331 --> 00:03:12,498 And whether or not you've been able to 86 00:03:12,498 --> 00:03:14,664 discern whether Ukrainian forces had a 87 00:03:14,664 --> 00:03:16,776 role in it ? Secondly , with Russia's 88 00:03:16,776 --> 00:03:18,942 announcement on that , it's suspending 89 00:03:18,942 --> 00:03:20,998 the ability for grain to move freely 90 00:03:20,998 --> 00:03:23,164 through the Black Sea with the contact 91 00:03:23,164 --> 00:03:24,887 group tomorrow . Are there any 92 00:03:24,887 --> 00:03:26,942 possibilities for finding additional 93 00:03:26,942 --> 00:03:29,109 ways that Ukraine can help Ukraine get 94 00:03:29,109 --> 00:03:31,279 its grain out ? Um And then on a 95 00:03:31,289 --> 00:03:33,649 separate topic , the uh there were 96 00:03:33,660 --> 00:03:35,979 reports in the guardian that several 97 00:03:35,990 --> 00:03:38,910 1000 emails , uh military emails ended 98 00:03:38,919 --> 00:03:41,779 up going to Mali because it was dot Ml 99 00:03:41,789 --> 00:03:44,250 instead of dot Mil and just wondering 100 00:03:44,259 --> 00:03:46,259 what sort of mitigation efforts you 101 00:03:46,259 --> 00:03:48,537 have going on ? Sure . Uh So I'll take , 102 00:03:48,537 --> 00:03:50,592 I'll , I'll take Ukraine first and , 103 00:03:50,592 --> 00:03:52,815 and work my way down . So , in terms of 104 00:03:52,815 --> 00:03:54,926 um , the bridge and who's responsible 105 00:03:54,926 --> 00:03:56,870 for that attack , I just , I can't 106 00:03:56,870 --> 00:03:58,870 verify one way or the other on , on 107 00:03:58,870 --> 00:04:02,070 claims . Um , Crimea has , is part of 108 00:04:02,080 --> 00:04:04,024 Ukraine . Um We'll leave it to the 109 00:04:04,024 --> 00:04:06,449 Ukrainians to speak to their operations . 110 00:04:06,460 --> 00:04:09,559 But in terms of um confirming anything 111 00:04:09,570 --> 00:04:11,737 on that attack , I just , I just don't 112 00:04:11,737 --> 00:04:13,903 have more for you at this time . Um In 113 00:04:13,903 --> 00:04:16,070 terms of the grain deal , what I would 114 00:04:16,070 --> 00:04:18,126 say on that is , um you know , we've 115 00:04:18,126 --> 00:04:20,237 seen Russia now pull out of this deal 116 00:04:20,237 --> 00:04:23,130 that was brokered months ago . Um This 117 00:04:23,140 --> 00:04:25,410 has impacts far reaching beyond Ukraine 118 00:04:25,420 --> 00:04:27,642 and Russia . This impacts countries all 119 00:04:27,642 --> 00:04:29,864 around the world , millions of people , 120 00:04:29,864 --> 00:04:29,540 all around the world that depend on 121 00:04:29,549 --> 00:04:31,910 this grain , um the global South and , 122 00:04:32,089 --> 00:04:34,540 and others . And so , um we certainly 123 00:04:34,549 --> 00:04:38,220 urge Russia to um in good faith 124 00:04:38,230 --> 00:04:40,450 reengage and , and allow these ships 125 00:04:40,459 --> 00:04:43,559 that are carrying grain to pass freely . 126 00:04:43,570 --> 00:04:45,859 But um I think the focus of the 127 00:04:45,869 --> 00:04:47,647 Ukrainian defense contact group 128 00:04:47,647 --> 00:04:49,758 tomorrow is going to be really on the 129 00:04:49,758 --> 00:04:51,980 counter offensive , making sure that um 130 00:04:51,980 --> 00:04:53,925 partners and allies that we're all 131 00:04:53,925 --> 00:04:56,202 talking together on what Ukraine needs , 132 00:04:56,202 --> 00:04:58,945 which we know is um their , their 133 00:04:58,954 --> 00:05:00,954 priorities are air defense and more 134 00:05:00,954 --> 00:05:02,954 artillery . And so that remains the 135 00:05:02,954 --> 00:05:05,176 focus of the U DC G um which we will be 136 00:05:05,176 --> 00:05:07,287 meeting tomorrow . And I'm sure while 137 00:05:07,287 --> 00:05:09,964 the Green Deal or while the um the 138 00:05:09,975 --> 00:05:12,142 stall or the halting of the Green deal 139 00:05:12,142 --> 00:05:14,308 could come up . The real focus is just 140 00:05:14,308 --> 00:05:16,253 on making sure Ukraine has what it 141 00:05:16,253 --> 00:05:18,475 needs for their counter offensive . And 142 00:05:18,475 --> 00:05:20,808 then of course , the long term , um now , 143 00:05:20,808 --> 00:05:22,919 in terms of you had asked about the , 144 00:05:22,919 --> 00:05:24,975 the emails , um we're aware of these 145 00:05:24,975 --> 00:05:26,980 unauthorized disclosures um of 146 00:05:26,989 --> 00:05:28,600 controlled national security 147 00:05:28,600 --> 00:05:31,399 information . Um We uh over the course 148 00:05:31,410 --> 00:05:33,890 of uh I mean , as you've seen from when 149 00:05:33,899 --> 00:05:35,566 we had our first unauthorized 150 00:05:35,566 --> 00:05:37,843 disclosure , um from earlier this year , 151 00:05:37,843 --> 00:05:39,955 we've implemented policy and training 152 00:05:39,955 --> 00:05:42,177 mechanisms um and put in place . And in 153 00:05:42,177 --> 00:05:44,369 terms of what we have here on the dod 154 00:05:44,380 --> 00:05:47,570 systems is that um when you send an 155 00:05:47,579 --> 00:05:49,829 email from a dod email address , it 156 00:05:49,839 --> 00:05:52,850 will not and you send it to a dot Ml 157 00:05:52,859 --> 00:05:54,970 email address , it will bounce back . 158 00:05:54,970 --> 00:05:57,192 So a dod email address will not be able 159 00:05:57,192 --> 00:05:59,519 to send to that email address . Um We 160 00:05:59,529 --> 00:06:02,500 can't control how other domains and how 161 00:06:02,510 --> 00:06:06,089 other um uh websites uh 162 00:06:06,160 --> 00:06:08,700 send information . So if an email was 163 00:06:08,709 --> 00:06:11,540 sent from per a personal gmail or Yahoo 164 00:06:11,549 --> 00:06:14,359 account , um that did likely go through 165 00:06:14,369 --> 00:06:16,700 to the dot Ml account , all we can do 166 00:06:16,709 --> 00:06:18,931 is account for our dod assets and , and 167 00:06:18,931 --> 00:06:22,390 ours remain intact dot Ml . Um 168 00:06:22,399 --> 00:06:24,829 limit . When was that , I guess when 169 00:06:24,839 --> 00:06:26,839 was that fix put in place or has it 170 00:06:26,839 --> 00:06:29,290 always been the dot Ml ? Can't be 171 00:06:29,299 --> 00:06:31,410 forwarded on or can't be , I guess 172 00:06:31,420 --> 00:06:33,720 typed in and sent out ? Yeah , I'd have 173 00:06:33,730 --> 00:06:35,897 to check . Um I mean , I will say that 174 00:06:35,897 --> 00:06:38,230 just from working here in this building , 175 00:06:38,230 --> 00:06:40,174 if you do have a misspelling of an 176 00:06:40,174 --> 00:06:40,040 email address , it does immediately 177 00:06:40,049 --> 00:06:42,216 bounce back . Um , but I'd have to , I 178 00:06:42,216 --> 00:06:44,327 don't know the exact date or month or 179 00:06:44,327 --> 00:06:46,493 year on when that , that went in place 180 00:06:46,493 --> 00:06:48,605 So I'd have to take that and get back 181 00:06:48,605 --> 00:06:50,771 to you . Yeah , Liz , thanks . Um Just 182 00:06:50,771 --> 00:06:52,827 to follow up on those questions . Is 183 00:06:52,827 --> 00:06:54,993 there any updated guidance or any sort 184 00:06:54,993 --> 00:06:57,216 of training um for people that work for 185 00:06:57,216 --> 00:06:59,382 dod not to use their personal emails , 186 00:06:59,382 --> 00:07:01,438 but we always discourage people from 187 00:07:01,438 --> 00:07:00,989 using their personal emails . Official 188 00:07:01,000 --> 00:07:02,944 work should be done on official uh 189 00:07:02,944 --> 00:07:05,000 channels and under official emails . 190 00:07:05,000 --> 00:07:07,970 That's uh also part of the um ensuring 191 00:07:07,980 --> 00:07:09,924 that , you know , there's there uh 192 00:07:09,924 --> 00:07:12,147 maintains official communication remain 193 00:07:12,147 --> 00:07:13,980 on official channels . So that's 194 00:07:13,980 --> 00:07:15,702 something that we've always um 195 00:07:15,702 --> 00:07:17,702 emphasized . And uh again , uh when 196 00:07:17,702 --> 00:07:20,209 using dod accounts , you are not able 197 00:07:20,220 --> 00:07:22,387 to send to dot ml addresses . So there 198 00:07:22,387 --> 00:07:24,498 was that protection put in place from 199 00:07:24,498 --> 00:07:26,553 the beginning or from , from when it 200 00:07:26,553 --> 00:07:28,609 was put in place . Will the guidance 201 00:07:28,609 --> 00:07:30,831 not to use personal emails be increased 202 00:07:30,831 --> 00:07:30,299 after this report , we can keep 203 00:07:30,309 --> 00:07:32,420 reiterating not to use personal email 204 00:07:32,429 --> 00:07:34,429 addresses ? I think we'll certainly 205 00:07:34,429 --> 00:07:36,540 that again . Um That's something that 206 00:07:36,540 --> 00:07:38,825 uh again , when we went through the 207 00:07:38,834 --> 00:07:41,001 unauthorized disclosures that happened 208 00:07:41,001 --> 00:07:43,364 earlier this year , we saw um personal 209 00:07:43,375 --> 00:07:45,375 social media accounts being used to 210 00:07:45,375 --> 00:07:47,431 disseminate classified information . 211 00:07:47,431 --> 00:07:49,653 We've certainly um repeatedly said time 212 00:07:49,653 --> 00:07:52,364 and time again , you know , to , we've 213 00:07:52,375 --> 00:07:54,708 discouraged using personal accounts for , 214 00:07:54,708 --> 00:07:56,653 for that . And then just one short 215 00:07:56,653 --> 00:07:58,819 question on a different topic . Yeah . 216 00:07:58,819 --> 00:08:00,653 Um There are families of service 217 00:08:00,653 --> 00:08:02,708 members who were killed in the Abbey 218 00:08:02,708 --> 00:08:04,875 Gate bombing on Capitol Hill today and 219 00:08:04,875 --> 00:08:06,819 this is following testimony from a 220 00:08:06,819 --> 00:08:09,042 marine saying that he had the Abby gate 221 00:08:09,042 --> 00:08:11,042 bomber in range but was told not to 222 00:08:11,042 --> 00:08:13,042 shoot . Do you have any reaction to 223 00:08:13,042 --> 00:08:15,042 them being on Capitol Hill ? Do you 224 00:08:15,042 --> 00:08:16,986 think that there should be another 225 00:08:16,986 --> 00:08:16,769 investigation into the Abby Gate 226 00:08:16,779 --> 00:08:19,459 bombing ? Uh , no , no real , I mean , 227 00:08:19,470 --> 00:08:22,089 I think it's perfectly acceptable for , 228 00:08:22,100 --> 00:08:24,322 um , members of the public to meet with 229 00:08:24,322 --> 00:08:26,378 members of Congress to express their 230 00:08:26,378 --> 00:08:29,290 concerns or um , uh thoughts to , to 231 00:08:29,299 --> 00:08:31,299 members . And I'll just leave it at 232 00:08:31,299 --> 00:08:33,679 that . Great Travis . Thanks Sabrina on 233 00:08:33,690 --> 00:08:36,059 the F-16s and F-35s heading to the 234 00:08:36,070 --> 00:08:39,309 Middle East . Um When are they expected 235 00:08:39,320 --> 00:08:41,640 to arrive in the region ? And also 236 00:08:41,650 --> 00:08:43,817 what's the duration of this deployment 237 00:08:43,817 --> 00:08:45,983 or is it open ended at this point ? So 238 00:08:45,983 --> 00:08:48,206 in terms of duration of deployment , no 239 00:08:48,206 --> 00:08:50,859 timetable yet , the secretary along 240 00:08:50,869 --> 00:08:52,591 with his commanders are always 241 00:08:52,591 --> 00:08:54,536 assessing how long assets would be 242 00:08:54,536 --> 00:08:56,758 needed in the region , but I just don't 243 00:08:56,758 --> 00:08:58,925 have a timetable for you . Um In terms 244 00:08:58,925 --> 00:09:00,980 of when I think you said , when will 245 00:09:00,980 --> 00:09:03,147 they arrive ? I'd refer you to Centcom 246 00:09:03,147 --> 00:09:05,258 to make that announcement . I believe 247 00:09:05,258 --> 00:09:07,480 some are in route . But um I'd leave it 248 00:09:07,480 --> 00:09:06,893 to Centcom to announce when they 249 00:09:06,903 --> 00:09:09,014 actually arrive in , in where they'll 250 00:09:09,014 --> 00:09:11,181 be coming from . I can't yet . I would 251 00:09:11,181 --> 00:09:13,014 let Centcom speak to that or the 252 00:09:13,014 --> 00:09:15,070 services if you have questions about 253 00:09:15,070 --> 00:09:17,236 individual assets , I'd let them speak 254 00:09:17,236 --> 00:09:19,403 to that . Thank you . Yeah , or just a 255 00:09:19,403 --> 00:09:21,570 follow up , excuse me , just to follow 256 00:09:21,570 --> 00:09:20,853 up on that , you have a tens there and 257 00:09:20,862 --> 00:09:22,918 have sixteens . What , what else are 258 00:09:22,918 --> 00:09:25,084 the F-35 there for ? Is this , is this 259 00:09:25,084 --> 00:09:27,195 this enhanced maritime patrol or , or 260 00:09:27,195 --> 00:09:29,140 what , why bring them in above and 261 00:09:29,140 --> 00:09:29,085 beyond the capabilities you already 262 00:09:29,096 --> 00:09:31,207 have ? Yeah , they're joining another 263 00:09:31,207 --> 00:09:33,374 number of assets already in the region 264 00:09:33,374 --> 00:09:35,429 for securing those vital waterways . 265 00:09:35,429 --> 00:09:37,652 It's just an additional asset to help . 266 00:09:37,652 --> 00:09:40,265 Um Again , with , we've seen Iran 267 00:09:40,276 --> 00:09:41,943 continuing to engage in desta 268 00:09:42,106 --> 00:09:45,166 destabilizing activity . Um So this was 269 00:09:45,176 --> 00:09:47,176 a decision that the secretary along 270 00:09:47,176 --> 00:09:49,955 with um the Centcom Commander made in 271 00:09:49,966 --> 00:09:52,077 terms of sending assets to the region 272 00:09:52,077 --> 00:09:54,188 that they felt it was important to do 273 00:09:54,188 --> 00:09:56,299 at this time . Great . I'm just gonna 274 00:09:56,299 --> 00:09:56,159 go to the phone and then I will come 275 00:09:56,169 --> 00:09:59,020 back into the room . Um Laura Seligman 276 00:09:59,030 --> 00:10:02,849 Politico . Hi Serena , thanks for 277 00:10:02,859 --> 00:10:04,803 doing this . Um Two questions . Um 278 00:10:04,803 --> 00:10:06,748 First of all , just a follow up to 279 00:10:06,748 --> 00:10:09,530 Tara's question about the leaked emails . 280 00:10:09,559 --> 00:10:11,559 So when you said uh that the 281 00:10:11,570 --> 00:10:13,849 misspelling does bounce back , does 282 00:10:13,859 --> 00:10:15,859 that mean that none of those emails 283 00:10:15,859 --> 00:10:18,026 that were leaked came from a dod email 284 00:10:18,026 --> 00:10:19,803 address ? I'm just a little bit 285 00:10:19,803 --> 00:10:21,859 confused about that . Uh None of the 286 00:10:21,859 --> 00:10:23,859 leaked emails that were reported um 287 00:10:23,859 --> 00:10:26,669 came from a dod email address . Ok . So 288 00:10:26,679 --> 00:10:29,150 it was only going to the ones that are 289 00:10:29,159 --> 00:10:31,500 intended to a dot Mail email address 290 00:10:31,799 --> 00:10:34,021 that didn't go through that were leaked 291 00:10:34,021 --> 00:10:36,188 from a dod email address . An official 292 00:10:36,188 --> 00:10:38,469 dod email address went through to a dot 293 00:10:38,479 --> 00:10:40,820 Ml address . Um The only thing that 294 00:10:40,830 --> 00:10:42,997 went through would be something like a 295 00:10:42,997 --> 00:10:45,108 personal account like a dot gmail dot 296 00:10:45,108 --> 00:10:47,330 Yahoo . Um Those are just some examples 297 00:10:47,330 --> 00:10:49,441 that I can think of off the top of my 298 00:10:49,441 --> 00:10:51,608 head . And you had a second question . 299 00:10:51,608 --> 00:10:53,719 Yes , my second question . Um just on 300 00:10:53,719 --> 00:10:56,549 the , the hold by um Senator Tuberville . 301 00:10:56,559 --> 00:10:59,429 I wanted to know if you had any uh 302 00:10:59,440 --> 00:11:02,030 comments about what impact this will 303 00:11:02,039 --> 00:11:05,729 have on the Pentagon after um doctor 304 00:11:05,739 --> 00:11:09,669 call's departure . Um How long is this 305 00:11:09,679 --> 00:11:12,650 going to impact the , um the 306 00:11:12,659 --> 00:11:15,239 confirmation of a replacement ? And how 307 00:11:15,250 --> 00:11:18,530 long can um Sasha Baker and Mara Carlin 308 00:11:18,539 --> 00:11:21,070 fill those roles ? They've moved on up 309 00:11:21,080 --> 00:11:24,809 to on a temporary basis . Um , a few 310 00:11:24,820 --> 00:11:27,098 questions there and thank you for that . 311 00:11:27,098 --> 00:11:29,209 I would say , um Sasha Baker and Mark 312 00:11:29,209 --> 00:11:31,250 are incredible women and I gonna be 313 00:11:31,260 --> 00:11:33,482 doing an amazing job as they split this 314 00:11:33,482 --> 00:11:35,640 responsibility um with leading our 315 00:11:35,650 --> 00:11:37,890 policy department . Um You know , I 316 00:11:37,900 --> 00:11:40,619 would let uh Senator Tuberville speak 317 00:11:40,630 --> 00:11:43,400 to um any additional holds he has right 318 00:11:43,409 --> 00:11:45,770 now . Um As far as we know his holds 319 00:11:45,780 --> 00:11:49,344 just to general and flag officers . And 320 00:11:49,354 --> 00:11:51,515 as of just last week , there are more 321 00:11:51,525 --> 00:11:54,275 than 275 general and flag officers that 322 00:11:54,284 --> 00:11:57,184 have been held up by the Senate . And 323 00:11:57,195 --> 00:11:59,414 um if again , we have emphasized this 324 00:11:59,424 --> 00:12:01,591 here from this podium and , and you've 325 00:12:01,591 --> 00:12:03,535 heard others in the administration 326 00:12:03,535 --> 00:12:05,257 speak to this , um These holds 327 00:12:05,257 --> 00:12:07,313 jeopardize our national security and 328 00:12:07,313 --> 00:12:09,257 our readiness . Uh You already are 329 00:12:09,257 --> 00:12:11,146 seeing that with , um , an acting 330 00:12:11,146 --> 00:12:12,980 commandant of the Marine Corps , 331 00:12:12,980 --> 00:12:15,091 something that we haven't experienced 332 00:12:15,091 --> 00:12:17,257 in over a century , we have one person 333 00:12:17,257 --> 00:12:19,313 doing the job of two . And , um , if 334 00:12:19,313 --> 00:12:21,480 these holds continue , you're going to 335 00:12:21,480 --> 00:12:23,702 see many more positions in which , um , 336 00:12:23,702 --> 00:12:25,813 people are , are performing , do dual 337 00:12:25,813 --> 00:12:27,702 headed roles . Um , and that does 338 00:12:27,702 --> 00:12:29,757 impact our readiness and also , um , 339 00:12:29,757 --> 00:12:31,757 certainly impacts our relationships 340 00:12:31,757 --> 00:12:33,757 with , with allies and partners all 341 00:12:33,757 --> 00:12:35,980 around the world . Um So we continue to 342 00:12:35,980 --> 00:12:37,980 urge Senator Tuberville to lift his 343 00:12:37,980 --> 00:12:41,094 hold . Uh The , as you are well aware , 344 00:12:41,104 --> 00:12:43,575 the secretary had a brief conversation 345 00:12:43,585 --> 00:12:45,752 with Senator Tuberville just last week 346 00:12:45,752 --> 00:12:48,015 and they committed to engaging again um 347 00:12:48,025 --> 00:12:50,315 this week and no , I don't have a date 348 00:12:50,325 --> 00:12:52,658 or time for when that call is scheduled . 349 00:12:52,658 --> 00:12:54,936 Um But when I do , I will let you know . 350 00:12:55,349 --> 00:12:57,405 Ok . Um We'll take one more question 351 00:12:57,405 --> 00:13:00,700 from the phones . Uh uh Howard Altman 352 00:13:00,710 --> 00:13:03,409 War . Hey , thank you so much Sabrina . 353 00:13:03,419 --> 00:13:05,760 Um I got a question about , um , in 354 00:13:05,770 --> 00:13:07,881 Puan , the Ukrainians are saying that 355 00:13:07,881 --> 00:13:10,760 Russia's masked about 100,000 troops . 356 00:13:10,770 --> 00:13:13,103 And I wanted to know if the uh Pentagon , 357 00:13:13,103 --> 00:13:15,159 what is the Pentagon's assessment of 358 00:13:15,159 --> 00:13:17,429 Russia's ability to uh mount and 359 00:13:17,440 --> 00:13:20,429 sustain its own counter offensive and 360 00:13:20,440 --> 00:13:22,162 how dangerous would that be to 361 00:13:22,162 --> 00:13:24,440 Ukraine's uh ongoing counter offensive ? 362 00:13:25,700 --> 00:13:28,440 Well , we don't see signs of , um , the 363 00:13:28,450 --> 00:13:30,799 Russians uh slowing down . I mean , 364 00:13:30,809 --> 00:13:32,976 we've seen the Russians have certainly 365 00:13:32,976 --> 00:13:35,142 dug in in the east and in the south um 366 00:13:35,142 --> 00:13:38,390 with the laying of , of minefields , um 367 00:13:38,479 --> 00:13:41,530 we know that this is a true and very 368 00:13:41,630 --> 00:13:44,820 real artillery fight . Um That's why we 369 00:13:44,830 --> 00:13:47,390 uh are , are , have , have been 370 00:13:47,400 --> 00:13:49,830 prioritizing getting more 155 unitary 371 00:13:49,840 --> 00:13:52,210 rounds to Ukraine um through the course 372 00:13:52,219 --> 00:13:54,441 of many different presidential drawdown 373 00:13:54,441 --> 00:13:56,275 packages . Um And that's what we 374 00:13:56,275 --> 00:13:59,429 continue to emphasize . And this um the , 375 00:13:59,440 --> 00:14:01,607 the , the U DC G , the Ukraine defense 376 00:14:01,607 --> 00:14:03,773 contact group comes at a critical time 377 00:14:03,773 --> 00:14:05,940 tomorrow as , as the counter offensive 378 00:14:05,940 --> 00:14:08,107 is underway , it's another opportunity 379 00:14:08,107 --> 00:14:10,162 for allies and partners to meet , to 380 00:14:10,162 --> 00:14:12,329 meet with the secretary to discuss the 381 00:14:12,329 --> 00:14:14,384 ongoing work needs that Ukraine will 382 00:14:14,384 --> 00:14:17,090 need on the battlefield . And um you 383 00:14:17,099 --> 00:14:19,460 know , certainly this war could today 384 00:14:19,469 --> 00:14:21,609 if Vladimir Putin chose to call his 385 00:14:21,619 --> 00:14:24,440 troops back to Russia , but we don't 386 00:14:24,450 --> 00:14:26,283 see any sign of that right now , 387 00:14:26,283 --> 00:14:28,228 unfortunately . And so we are , as 388 00:14:28,228 --> 00:14:30,283 you've heard the president say , and 389 00:14:30,283 --> 00:14:32,394 the secretary say we are with Ukraine 390 00:14:32,394 --> 00:14:34,617 for as long as it takes and we're going 391 00:14:34,617 --> 00:14:34,299 to keep , keep that commitment true . 392 00:14:34,549 --> 00:14:36,493 All right , I'm gonna come back in 393 00:14:36,493 --> 00:14:38,605 there . Yeah , Erin . So according to 394 00:14:38,605 --> 00:14:40,869 the Japan U Committee , um the US 395 00:14:40,880 --> 00:14:43,239 military MP 22 in Japan will be 396 00:14:43,250 --> 00:14:45,760 conducting flight training now at the 397 00:14:45,770 --> 00:14:49,409 altitude of 200 ft instead of 500 ft . 398 00:14:50,039 --> 00:14:52,309 And in the mountains , the mountainous 399 00:14:52,320 --> 00:14:55,479 region of Japan only . So that does not 400 00:14:55,489 --> 00:14:57,656 include Okinawa . Is there a reason it 401 00:14:57,656 --> 00:14:59,822 does not include Okinawa . Well , that 402 00:14:59,822 --> 00:15:02,380 is a very specific question . Um As you 403 00:15:02,390 --> 00:15:04,446 know , Japan is one of our strongest 404 00:15:04,446 --> 00:15:06,950 allies and our air assets are a crucial 405 00:15:06,960 --> 00:15:09,409 um component and piece of our mutual 406 00:15:09,419 --> 00:15:12,630 defense capabilities . Um We continue 407 00:15:12,640 --> 00:15:14,418 to work together to improve our 408 00:15:14,418 --> 00:15:16,251 exercises , our training and our 409 00:15:16,251 --> 00:15:18,251 readiness . But for more on um more 410 00:15:18,251 --> 00:15:20,307 specifics on that , I'd refer you to 411 00:15:20,307 --> 00:15:22,473 the Marine Corps or um us forces Japan 412 00:15:22,473 --> 00:15:24,640 to just discuss the specifics of the , 413 00:15:24,640 --> 00:15:26,844 the , the flight operations . Great . 414 00:15:26,905 --> 00:15:28,794 Yes . Right . Thank you , ma'am . 415 00:15:28,794 --> 00:15:31,127 Kimberly Underwood from Signal Magazine . 416 00:15:31,127 --> 00:15:33,183 I wanted to ask a question about the 417 00:15:33,183 --> 00:15:32,835 graphite mining agreement that was 418 00:15:32,844 --> 00:15:34,900 announced this morning . Do you have 419 00:15:34,900 --> 00:15:37,122 any plan or does the secretary have any 420 00:15:37,122 --> 00:15:39,835 plans about pursuing any other 421 00:15:39,844 --> 00:15:42,065 agreements for other minerals in this 422 00:15:42,075 --> 00:15:44,131 fiscal year or next fiscal year like 423 00:15:44,131 --> 00:15:46,297 that graphite agreement ? I don't have 424 00:15:46,297 --> 00:15:48,464 anything to announce today . Yeah , in 425 00:15:48,464 --> 00:15:50,686 the back . Yeah , two quick follow up . 426 00:15:50,686 --> 00:15:52,853 One on the emails has dod been working 427 00:15:52,853 --> 00:15:54,964 with other um agencies , whether it's 428 00:15:54,964 --> 00:15:57,131 State Department or the White House to 429 00:15:57,131 --> 00:15:59,297 put in a similar fix where it can't go 430 00:15:59,297 --> 00:16:01,859 to the ML address . And when , if so 431 00:16:01,869 --> 00:16:04,140 when and then on tube , is there plans 432 00:16:04,150 --> 00:16:06,580 to brief this asks this week ? And do 433 00:16:06,590 --> 00:16:08,590 you have any details of the message 434 00:16:08,590 --> 00:16:10,923 that you're gonna be presenting to this ? 435 00:16:10,923 --> 00:16:13,257 A ? Sure . Um So on the first part , it , 436 00:16:13,257 --> 00:16:15,590 we're always coordinating with um the 437 00:16:15,599 --> 00:16:18,090 interagency and uh working together on 438 00:16:18,099 --> 00:16:20,266 best practices . I don't have anything 439 00:16:20,266 --> 00:16:22,432 specific when it comes to this case on 440 00:16:22,432 --> 00:16:24,543 the dot ml address , all I can really 441 00:16:24,543 --> 00:16:26,710 speak to is what the dod is doing . Um 442 00:16:26,710 --> 00:16:28,710 So I'd , I'd refer you to different 443 00:16:28,710 --> 00:16:30,821 agencies that you're interested in if 444 00:16:30,821 --> 00:16:30,690 they , if they have more information . 445 00:16:30,909 --> 00:16:33,159 Um There are , yes , there will be a 446 00:16:33,169 --> 00:16:34,947 briefing . Um I'm sorry to your 447 00:16:34,947 --> 00:16:37,640 question on the SAS C and briefings on 448 00:16:37,650 --> 00:16:39,761 the hill . There will be a a briefing 449 00:16:39,761 --> 00:16:41,428 later this week that um SAS C 450 00:16:41,428 --> 00:16:44,729 membership requested on um the dod S 451 00:16:44,739 --> 00:16:46,795 policy when it comes to reproductive 452 00:16:46,795 --> 00:16:48,906 health . Um That will be coming later 453 00:16:48,906 --> 00:16:51,128 this week and I believe that's a closed 454 00:16:51,128 --> 00:16:53,295 hearing . It's just to give uh members 455 00:16:53,295 --> 00:16:55,517 who had any further questions about our 456 00:16:55,517 --> 00:16:57,850 policy um to really talk to the experts . 457 00:16:57,850 --> 00:17:00,114 So yeah , we'll be doing the briefing . 458 00:17:00,125 --> 00:17:02,347 I I don't have that list in front of me 459 00:17:02,347 --> 00:17:04,458 but happy to get back to you . Yeah , 460 00:17:04,458 --> 00:17:06,625 in the back here and then I'll come to 461 00:17:06,625 --> 00:17:09,010 you . Thank you um regarding to Syria . 462 00:17:09,020 --> 00:17:11,020 There , there are some reports says 463 00:17:11,020 --> 00:17:13,242 that the United States is considering a 464 00:17:13,242 --> 00:17:15,969 possible military options to respond to 465 00:17:15,979 --> 00:17:18,489 Russia military prison in Syria . Have 466 00:17:18,500 --> 00:17:20,722 you seen these reports ? Do you confirm 467 00:17:20,722 --> 00:17:22,889 them ? And the other question , do you 468 00:17:22,889 --> 00:17:24,979 still have the communication lies 469 00:17:24,989 --> 00:17:27,100 between military to military to avoid 470 00:17:27,100 --> 00:17:29,267 any conflict could be happened between 471 00:17:29,267 --> 00:17:31,509 the two parties ? Thank you . I haven't 472 00:17:31,519 --> 00:17:33,718 seen the report you're referring to . 473 00:17:33,859 --> 00:17:37,088 We have seen continued harassment from 474 00:17:37,098 --> 00:17:40,000 Russian aircraft in , um , Syria when 475 00:17:40,010 --> 00:17:42,699 it comes to our own air assets . Um , 476 00:17:42,709 --> 00:17:45,109 but I , I haven't seen the particular 477 00:17:45,119 --> 00:17:47,452 report you're referencing and I'm sorry , 478 00:17:47,452 --> 00:17:49,508 your second question . Do you have , 479 00:17:49,508 --> 00:17:51,452 you still have communication lines 480 00:17:51,452 --> 00:17:53,563 between the two military to avoid any 481 00:17:53,563 --> 00:17:55,286 conflict ? I mean , you know , 482 00:17:55,286 --> 00:17:57,452 especially in Syria we always maintain 483 00:17:57,452 --> 00:17:59,675 and , and try to maintain an open lines 484 00:17:59,675 --> 00:18:01,730 of communication . Um , we encourage 485 00:18:01,730 --> 00:18:03,989 that the Russians use that . But , um , 486 00:18:04,000 --> 00:18:06,167 at at least the secretary's level that 487 00:18:06,167 --> 00:18:09,880 that has not remained open . Um On 488 00:18:09,890 --> 00:18:12,001 Tuesday , the first meeting of the US 489 00:18:12,001 --> 00:18:14,719 RK Nuclear Consultative Group NCZ will 490 00:18:14,729 --> 00:18:16,562 be held in . So , and I have two 491 00:18:16,562 --> 00:18:19,000 questions first . What kind of agendas 492 00:18:19,010 --> 00:18:21,199 do you expect on this first meeting ? 493 00:18:21,209 --> 00:18:24,510 And second , how much do you expect NCG 494 00:18:24,584 --> 00:18:27,755 to make South Korea be involved in us 495 00:18:27,765 --> 00:18:31,045 nuclear operations ? Yep . So um as you 496 00:18:31,055 --> 00:18:32,888 mentioned , tomorrow will be the 497 00:18:32,888 --> 00:18:35,844 inaugural US Rok Nuclear Consultative 498 00:18:35,854 --> 00:18:38,021 Group . So the goal of that meeting is 499 00:18:38,025 --> 00:18:40,081 to begin implementing the Washington 500 00:18:40,081 --> 00:18:41,914 Declaration , the groundbreaking 501 00:18:41,914 --> 00:18:44,594 agreement between the president and 502 00:18:44,604 --> 00:18:48,244 President Yun during uh the Rok 503 00:18:48,255 --> 00:18:51,055 state visit in April which reaffirms 504 00:18:51,655 --> 00:18:53,711 our joint extended deterrence in the 505 00:18:53,711 --> 00:18:55,750 region . Uh The meeting will be co 506 00:18:55,780 --> 00:18:57,669 chaired by us , National security 507 00:18:57,669 --> 00:18:59,502 Coordinator for the Indo Pacific 508 00:18:59,502 --> 00:19:01,613 Affairs , Kurt Campbell . And I would 509 00:19:01,613 --> 00:19:03,558 refer you to the NSC for just more 510 00:19:03,558 --> 00:19:06,510 specifics on that . Yeah . OK . Uh 511 00:19:06,520 --> 00:19:08,687 Thank you for , for doing this . Um So 512 00:19:08,687 --> 00:19:10,909 congress is allegedly holding up uh the 513 00:19:10,909 --> 00:19:12,853 department's omnibus reprogramming 514 00:19:12,853 --> 00:19:14,964 request due to concerns the Air Force 515 00:19:14,964 --> 00:19:17,076 hasn't yet made a basing decision for 516 00:19:17,076 --> 00:19:19,489 space command . Um So has , excuse me , 517 00:19:19,500 --> 00:19:21,449 has dod formally notified that its 518 00:19:21,459 --> 00:19:24,109 omnibus reprogramming request which was 519 00:19:24,119 --> 00:19:26,119 sent to Congress on June 30th is on 520 00:19:26,119 --> 00:19:28,286 hold . And is the department concerned 521 00:19:28,286 --> 00:19:30,397 about the impact that hold could have 522 00:19:30,397 --> 00:19:32,563 on key modernization efforts , bonuses 523 00:19:32,563 --> 00:19:34,397 and yes . Well , we're certainly 524 00:19:34,397 --> 00:19:36,563 concerned about what any hold would do 525 00:19:36,563 --> 00:19:38,810 on any of our programs . Um And I , I 526 00:19:38,819 --> 00:19:40,763 think hold is blanket here . We're 527 00:19:40,763 --> 00:19:42,708 seeing holds in the Senate , we're 528 00:19:42,708 --> 00:19:44,875 seeing holds , you know , being put on 529 00:19:44,875 --> 00:19:47,041 in the house . Um It certainly impacts 530 00:19:47,041 --> 00:19:49,208 our own readiness , it impacts , um as 531 00:19:49,208 --> 00:19:48,839 you mentioned , our modernization 532 00:19:48,849 --> 00:19:51,010 efforts . Um You know , we're hoping 533 00:19:51,020 --> 00:19:53,020 that there can be a resolution that 534 00:19:53,020 --> 00:19:55,131 comes quickly , but I just don't have 535 00:19:55,131 --> 00:19:57,242 more to speak to at , at this time on 536 00:19:57,242 --> 00:19:59,599 and on that specifically with 537 00:20:00,709 --> 00:20:03,420 France and Britain's decision to send 538 00:20:03,510 --> 00:20:05,780 the scal PG and the storm shadow 539 00:20:05,790 --> 00:20:08,069 missile to Ukraine apparently not 540 00:20:08,079 --> 00:20:10,270 causing any escalation there . Why is 541 00:20:10,280 --> 00:20:12,447 the US dragging its feet on the attack 542 00:20:12,447 --> 00:20:14,770 missile ? Well , sorry . Did you have a 543 00:20:14,780 --> 00:20:16,979 question on the first part or just on 544 00:20:16,989 --> 00:20:20,050 the attacks ? So , on the attacks again , 545 00:20:20,060 --> 00:20:22,227 I wouldn't say that we're dragging our 546 00:20:22,227 --> 00:20:24,060 feet on anything . Um We've been 547 00:20:24,060 --> 00:20:26,640 providing Ukraine a , a steady support 548 00:20:26,650 --> 00:20:28,706 of security assistance . Um from the 549 00:20:28,706 --> 00:20:30,928 beginning of the war , uh we rolled out 550 00:20:30,928 --> 00:20:33,094 our 42nd package just last week , have 551 00:20:33,094 --> 00:20:36,199 committed over $40 billion to Ukraine , 552 00:20:37,300 --> 00:20:39,349 they have the combat power to be 553 00:20:39,359 --> 00:20:41,415 successful on the battlefield . They 554 00:20:41,415 --> 00:20:43,319 have what it needs to take to be 555 00:20:43,329 --> 00:20:45,440 successful in the counter offensive . 556 00:20:45,440 --> 00:20:48,099 Um We are incredibly grateful for what 557 00:20:48,109 --> 00:20:50,209 other nations and other partners and 558 00:20:50,219 --> 00:20:52,330 allies have committed to Ukraine . Um 559 00:20:52,330 --> 00:20:54,729 But in terms of a , we haven't taken 560 00:20:54,739 --> 00:20:57,017 anything off the table , but right now , 561 00:20:57,017 --> 00:20:59,183 we are continuing to move forward with 562 00:20:59,183 --> 00:21:01,461 what we have been supplying to Ukraine . 563 00:21:01,461 --> 00:21:03,517 And tomorrow there's another defense 564 00:21:03,517 --> 00:21:05,739 contact group where allies and partners 565 00:21:05,739 --> 00:21:07,739 will discuss what more we can do to 566 00:21:07,739 --> 00:21:09,739 provide Ukraine in terms of some of 567 00:21:09,739 --> 00:21:11,795 their priority needs , which we know 568 00:21:11,795 --> 00:21:14,128 are air defense and artillery . Why not ? 569 00:21:15,969 --> 00:21:18,025 Well , that particular , why is that 570 00:21:18,025 --> 00:21:20,319 system ? If not on , it's definitely 571 00:21:20,329 --> 00:21:22,479 not on the table if it's not off the 572 00:21:22,489 --> 00:21:24,500 table ? Well , I wouldn't say that 573 00:21:24,510 --> 00:21:26,732 again , I would say that nothing is off 574 00:21:26,732 --> 00:21:28,454 the table , but again , we are 575 00:21:28,454 --> 00:21:32,150 confident in the um capabilities and 576 00:21:32,160 --> 00:21:34,160 the weapons that we've been able to 577 00:21:34,160 --> 00:21:36,382 provide Ukraine to be successful in the 578 00:21:36,382 --> 00:21:40,290 battlefield . Ok . Yeah . Um On the uh 579 00:21:40,300 --> 00:21:43,630 assets moving to the straits of Hormuz . 580 00:21:43,640 --> 00:21:46,189 Um So I think the last major sort of 581 00:21:46,199 --> 00:21:48,280 announcement of Iran , Iranian 582 00:21:48,290 --> 00:21:50,920 harassment was earlier this month , 583 00:21:50,930 --> 00:21:54,449 July by July 6th . Um You know , it's 584 00:21:54,459 --> 00:21:56,570 July 17th that we're seeing this , uh 585 00:21:56,570 --> 00:21:59,140 is there a reason why this , either 586 00:21:59,150 --> 00:22:01,261 this announcement or this decision is 587 00:22:01,270 --> 00:22:03,489 coming so far after the 588 00:22:04,459 --> 00:22:06,660 harassment ? Well , it's not too far . 589 00:22:06,670 --> 00:22:08,448 I would say , um you know , the 590 00:22:08,448 --> 00:22:12,349 department regularly makes um , posture 591 00:22:12,359 --> 00:22:14,890 adjustments based on current and future 592 00:22:14,900 --> 00:22:17,760 operational needs . Uh We've seen Iran 593 00:22:17,770 --> 00:22:20,959 continue to harass um vessels in the 594 00:22:20,969 --> 00:22:23,449 strait of Hormuz . And so the secretary 595 00:22:23,459 --> 00:22:25,449 and the commander felt it was 596 00:22:25,459 --> 00:22:27,839 appropriate to move more assets into 597 00:22:27,849 --> 00:22:31,459 the region to um uh you know , help 598 00:22:31,469 --> 00:22:33,580 bolster what , what they needed there 599 00:22:33,580 --> 00:22:35,939 and , and just to follow up the , the , 600 00:22:36,099 --> 00:22:38,849 this decision I'm assuming was made 601 00:22:38,859 --> 00:22:42,329 recently , the secretary and the 602 00:22:42,520 --> 00:22:44,576 commander . I'm not gonna get into a 603 00:22:44,576 --> 00:22:46,742 timeline of when decisions were made . 604 00:22:46,742 --> 00:22:48,909 All I can say is when it was announced 605 00:22:48,909 --> 00:22:50,853 and that's today . And I'm sorry , 606 00:22:50,853 --> 00:22:50,670 that's , that's all I got for you . 607 00:22:51,239 --> 00:22:53,461 Great . All right . Ok . Short briefing 608 00:22:53,461 --> 00:22:55,683 today . Um Thanks everyone . We will be 609 00:22:55,683 --> 00:22:57,850 back tomorrow with the Ukraine Defense 610 00:22:57,850 --> 00:22:58,199 Contact Group .