1 00:00:01,629 --> 00:00:03,851 All right , good afternoon , everyone . 2 00:00:03,851 --> 00:00:06,170 Just a couple of things at the top and 3 00:00:06,179 --> 00:00:09,289 we'll get right to your questions . Uh 4 00:00:09,300 --> 00:00:11,840 First up Secretary Austin currently 5 00:00:11,850 --> 00:00:13,850 remains hospitalized at Walter Reed 6 00:00:13,850 --> 00:00:16,072 National Military Medical Center and is 7 00:00:16,072 --> 00:00:17,906 in good condition . Uh , for the 8 00:00:17,906 --> 00:00:19,850 statements we released yesterday . 9 00:00:19,850 --> 00:00:21,989 Secretary Austin was transported by a 10 00:00:22,000 --> 00:00:24,649 security detail at approximately 220 pm 11 00:00:24,659 --> 00:00:27,530 eastern time yesterday to Walter Reed 12 00:00:27,649 --> 00:00:29,816 National Military Medical Center to be 13 00:00:29,816 --> 00:00:31,705 seen for symptoms , suggesting an 14 00:00:31,705 --> 00:00:34,529 emergent bladder issue at approximately 15 00:00:34,540 --> 00:00:37,409 4:55 p.m. The same day , the secretary 16 00:00:37,419 --> 00:00:39,641 transferred the functions and duties of 17 00:00:39,641 --> 00:00:41,808 the office of the Secretary of Defense 18 00:00:41,939 --> 00:00:43,772 to Deputy Secretary of Defense , 19 00:00:43,772 --> 00:00:46,369 Kathleen Hicks . Deputy Secretary Hicks 20 00:00:46,380 --> 00:00:48,491 continues to retain the functions and 21 00:00:48,491 --> 00:00:50,602 duties of the Secretary of Defense at 22 00:00:50,602 --> 00:00:52,547 this time . According to Secretary 23 00:00:52,547 --> 00:00:54,602 Austin's doctors , after a series of 24 00:00:54,602 --> 00:00:56,824 tests and evaluations , he was admitted 25 00:00:56,824 --> 00:00:58,824 yesterday evening into the critical 26 00:00:58,824 --> 00:01:01,047 care unit at Walter Reed for supportive 27 00:01:01,047 --> 00:01:02,936 care and close monitoring . Now , 28 00:01:02,936 --> 00:01:04,991 shortly before today's briefing , we 29 00:01:04,991 --> 00:01:07,213 released an update from the secretary's 30 00:01:07,213 --> 00:01:09,269 doctors at Walter Reed regarding his 31 00:01:09,269 --> 00:01:11,213 status and to ensure everyone here 32 00:01:11,213 --> 00:01:13,380 today and those watching have the same 33 00:01:13,380 --> 00:01:15,436 information . Uh I will re read that 34 00:01:15,436 --> 00:01:17,658 full statement This is a statement from 35 00:01:17,658 --> 00:01:19,658 Doctor John Maddox Trauma , medical 36 00:01:19,658 --> 00:01:21,713 Director and Doctor Gregory Chestnut 37 00:01:21,713 --> 00:01:23,936 Center for prostate disease Research of 38 00:01:23,936 --> 00:01:25,991 the Murtha Center director at Walter 39 00:01:25,991 --> 00:01:27,880 Reed National Military uh Medical 40 00:01:27,880 --> 00:01:29,713 Center in Bethesda Maryland . Uh 41 00:01:29,713 --> 00:01:31,602 beginning the statement , quote , 42 00:01:31,602 --> 00:01:33,824 Secretary of Defense Lloyd J Austin the 43 00:01:33,824 --> 00:01:36,047 third underwent non surgical procedures 44 00:01:36,047 --> 00:01:38,269 under general anesthesia to address his 45 00:01:38,269 --> 00:01:40,047 bladder issue . We anticipate a 46 00:01:40,047 --> 00:01:42,158 successful recovery and we'll closely 47 00:01:42,158 --> 00:01:44,190 monitor him overnight . A prolonged 48 00:01:44,199 --> 00:01:46,790 hospital stay is not anticipated . We 49 00:01:46,800 --> 00:01:48,911 anticipate the secretary will be able 50 00:01:48,911 --> 00:01:51,078 to resume his normal duties tomorrow . 51 00:01:51,078 --> 00:01:52,911 The current bladder issue is not 52 00:01:52,911 --> 00:01:55,133 expected to change his anticipated full 53 00:01:55,133 --> 00:01:57,356 recovery . His cancer prognosis remains 54 00:01:57,356 --> 00:01:59,633 excellent . End quote . Moving forward , 55 00:01:59,633 --> 00:02:01,800 we will continue to provide updates as 56 00:02:01,800 --> 00:02:03,689 new information becomes available 57 00:02:03,689 --> 00:02:05,911 regarding Secretary Austin's status and 58 00:02:05,911 --> 00:02:08,022 we'll certainly , uh we all certainly 59 00:02:08,022 --> 00:02:10,089 wish him a speedy recovery . In the 60 00:02:10,100 --> 00:02:12,100 meantime , Secretary Austin will no 61 00:02:12,100 --> 00:02:14,267 longer travel to Brussels this week as 62 00:02:14,267 --> 00:02:16,100 originally scheduled . However , 63 00:02:16,100 --> 00:02:18,110 Wednesday's Ukraine Defense contact 64 00:02:18,119 --> 00:02:20,639 group will continue it albeit virtually 65 00:02:20,869 --> 00:02:22,702 while Secretary Austin currently 66 00:02:22,702 --> 00:02:24,925 intends to participate in the virtual U 67 00:02:24,925 --> 00:02:26,750 DC G , he will remain flexible 68 00:02:26,759 --> 00:02:28,870 depending on his health care status . 69 00:02:29,039 --> 00:02:30,983 Assistant Secretary of Defense for 70 00:02:30,983 --> 00:02:33,206 International Security Affairs , Doctor 71 00:02:33,206 --> 00:02:35,150 Celeste Wallander , who will be in 72 00:02:35,150 --> 00:02:37,039 Brussels this week is prepared to 73 00:02:37,039 --> 00:02:39,150 represent the secretary as required . 74 00:02:39,150 --> 00:02:41,372 And the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of 75 00:02:41,372 --> 00:02:43,595 Staff General CQ Brown Junior will also 76 00:02:43,595 --> 00:02:45,317 be participating in the U DC G 77 00:02:45,317 --> 00:02:47,039 virtually from Washington DC . 78 00:02:47,039 --> 00:02:48,817 Ministers of defense and senior 79 00:02:48,817 --> 00:02:50,706 military officials from nearly 50 80 00:02:50,706 --> 00:02:52,595 nations will convene virtually to 81 00:02:52,595 --> 00:02:54,706 discuss the ongoing crisis in Ukraine 82 00:02:54,706 --> 00:02:56,650 and the continued support from the 83 00:02:56,650 --> 00:02:58,817 international community to provide the 84 00:02:58,817 --> 00:03:00,595 Ukrainian people with the means 85 00:03:00,595 --> 00:03:02,595 necessary to defend their sovereign 86 00:03:02,595 --> 00:03:04,817 territory . Separately . Us , permanent 87 00:03:04,817 --> 00:03:07,039 representative to NATO Ambassador Julie 88 00:03:07,039 --> 00:03:09,150 Smith will represent Secretary Austin 89 00:03:09,150 --> 00:03:10,928 at the NATO defense Ministerial 90 00:03:10,928 --> 00:03:12,928 scheduled for Thursday . We will be 91 00:03:12,928 --> 00:03:14,983 sure to keep you updated on outcomes 92 00:03:14,983 --> 00:03:16,817 for from both of these important 93 00:03:16,817 --> 00:03:19,589 meetings . Switching gears . This month 94 00:03:19,600 --> 00:03:21,656 marks the two year anniversary since 95 00:03:21,656 --> 00:03:23,544 the White House released its Indo 96 00:03:23,544 --> 00:03:25,759 Pacific strategy . In the last two 97 00:03:25,770 --> 00:03:27,881 years , the Department of Defense has 98 00:03:27,881 --> 00:03:30,103 done more than ever to advance a shared 99 00:03:30,103 --> 00:03:32,326 vision for a free and open Indo Pacific 100 00:03:32,326 --> 00:03:33,937 region . We've made historic 101 00:03:33,937 --> 00:03:35,603 advancements in alliances and 102 00:03:35,603 --> 00:03:37,937 partnerships with the Republic of Korea , 103 00:03:37,937 --> 00:03:40,159 Japan , Australia , Philippines , India 104 00:03:40,159 --> 00:03:42,270 and others across the region and even 105 00:03:42,270 --> 00:03:44,381 as we confront challenges elsewhere , 106 00:03:44,381 --> 00:03:46,326 the United States will continue to 107 00:03:46,326 --> 00:03:48,548 prioritize our efforts in this critical 108 00:03:48,548 --> 00:03:50,492 region in support of international 109 00:03:50,492 --> 00:03:52,603 security , stability and prosperity . 110 00:03:52,603 --> 00:03:52,589 For more information , please see our 111 00:03:52,600 --> 00:03:54,940 fact sheet on the dod website and 112 00:03:54,949 --> 00:03:56,893 finally , our prayers are with the 113 00:03:56,893 --> 00:03:59,005 people of the Philippines as our long 114 00:03:59,005 --> 00:04:01,227 standing ally faces severe flooding and 115 00:04:01,227 --> 00:04:03,338 landslides . Landslides from a series 116 00:04:03,338 --> 00:04:05,560 of storms . Us , marines from the third 117 00:04:05,560 --> 00:04:07,338 Marine expeditionary force have 118 00:04:07,338 --> 00:04:09,338 assisted with two C one thirties to 119 00:04:09,338 --> 00:04:11,505 help the Philippine government and USA 120 00:04:11,505 --> 00:04:13,699 ID in delivering 15,000 food packs to 121 00:04:13,710 --> 00:04:15,470 affected families . For more 122 00:04:15,479 --> 00:04:17,479 information , please contact Marine 123 00:04:17,479 --> 00:04:19,646 Corps Public Affairs and Would that be 124 00:04:19,646 --> 00:04:21,868 happy to take your questions ? We'll go 125 00:04:21,868 --> 00:04:23,979 to Associated Press ta Thanks General 126 00:04:23,979 --> 00:04:26,359 Rider . Um , I wanna get a sense of how 127 00:04:26,369 --> 00:04:28,959 serious this is . This is Secretary 128 00:04:28,970 --> 00:04:31,880 Austin's second , uh , trip to the 129 00:04:31,890 --> 00:04:34,179 intensive care unit at Walter Reed 130 00:04:34,290 --> 00:04:37,649 since his surgery . Um , he , he's 131 00:04:37,660 --> 00:04:39,771 canceled his trip . Can you give us a 132 00:04:39,771 --> 00:04:42,049 sense of where he's at in his recovery ? 133 00:04:42,049 --> 00:04:44,271 And is this latest hospitalization part 134 00:04:44,271 --> 00:04:47,540 of ongoing cancer treatments ? Um What 135 00:04:47,549 --> 00:04:49,493 can you give us as a status on his 136 00:04:49,493 --> 00:04:52,500 prostate cancer ? Yeah , thanks Tara . 137 00:04:52,510 --> 00:04:54,566 Uh I'd , I'd point you back to the , 138 00:04:54,566 --> 00:04:56,899 the statement there uh that I just read , 139 00:04:56,899 --> 00:04:58,677 you know , in , in terms of the 140 00:04:58,677 --> 00:05:00,343 secretary's condition , uh as 141 00:05:00,343 --> 00:05:02,288 highlighted he's in good condition 142 00:05:02,288 --> 00:05:04,399 according to his doctors , um he will 143 00:05:04,399 --> 00:05:06,989 remain in the uh IC U ward for the 144 00:05:07,000 --> 00:05:08,833 duration of his stay in order to 145 00:05:08,833 --> 00:05:11,160 provide appropriate privacy , uh and 146 00:05:11,170 --> 00:05:13,337 will continue to receive critical care 147 00:05:13,337 --> 00:05:15,640 support in order to closely monitor his 148 00:05:15,649 --> 00:05:18,290 progress for now . Um And , and as I 149 00:05:18,299 --> 00:05:20,410 highlighted in the statement from his 150 00:05:20,410 --> 00:05:23,359 doctors , uh his current bladder issue 151 00:05:23,369 --> 00:05:25,880 is not expected to uh change his 152 00:05:25,890 --> 00:05:28,649 anticipated full recovery from cancer . 153 00:05:28,660 --> 00:05:30,970 Uh And his prognosis for cancer remains 154 00:05:30,980 --> 00:05:32,924 excellent . Is the bladder issue a 155 00:05:32,924 --> 00:05:35,290 complication from his surgery to treat 156 00:05:35,299 --> 00:05:37,299 prostate cancer or is it part , you 157 00:05:37,299 --> 00:05:39,355 know , is it related to his prostate 158 00:05:39,355 --> 00:05:41,243 cancer ? Uh , Tara , I don't have 159 00:05:41,243 --> 00:05:43,132 anything to provide at this point 160 00:05:43,132 --> 00:05:45,299 beyond what I've shared with you . But 161 00:05:45,299 --> 00:05:44,910 certainly again , as we have more 162 00:05:44,920 --> 00:05:47,087 information , we'll be sure to pass it 163 00:05:47,087 --> 00:05:48,864 along . Um you know , since his 164 00:05:48,864 --> 00:05:51,087 hospitalization in an effort to be more 165 00:05:51,087 --> 00:05:53,198 transparent , can you give us a sense 166 00:05:53,198 --> 00:05:55,420 of what stage his prostate cancer was ? 167 00:05:55,420 --> 00:05:57,531 How early was this detected ? Is this 168 00:05:57,531 --> 00:05:59,587 something that you know , hospital , 169 00:05:59,587 --> 00:05:59,489 you're expecting future 170 00:05:59,500 --> 00:06:01,333 hospitalizations because of this 171 00:06:01,333 --> 00:06:03,333 ongoing fight ? Yeah , I think a as 172 00:06:03,333 --> 00:06:05,333 you've heard us say before , uh his 173 00:06:05,333 --> 00:06:07,556 cancer was detected very early . Uh And 174 00:06:07,556 --> 00:06:10,179 so uh as his doctors have previously 175 00:06:10,190 --> 00:06:12,730 highlighted , uh he is expected to make 176 00:06:12,739 --> 00:06:16,230 a full recovery from uh his cancer 177 00:06:16,239 --> 00:06:19,309 diagnosis , uh there is no further 178 00:06:19,320 --> 00:06:21,376 treatment associated with his cancer 179 00:06:21,376 --> 00:06:23,376 expected other than uh the physical 180 00:06:23,376 --> 00:06:25,598 therapy uh that he's been undergoing uh 181 00:06:25,598 --> 00:06:28,309 to deal with some lingering leg pains 182 00:06:28,320 --> 00:06:30,542 which again , he highlighted during his 183 00:06:30,542 --> 00:06:32,709 press briefing . So a as you highlight 184 00:06:32,709 --> 00:06:34,931 uh we will continue to keep you updated 185 00:06:34,931 --> 00:06:36,987 with as much information as possible 186 00:06:36,987 --> 00:06:39,153 regarding the secretary and his health 187 00:06:39,153 --> 00:06:41,264 status and , and be as transparent as 188 00:06:41,264 --> 00:06:43,376 we can warn . Uh Has Secretary Austin 189 00:06:43,376 --> 00:06:45,542 spoken to the president since his most 190 00:06:45,542 --> 00:06:47,709 recent hospitalization since yesterday 191 00:06:47,709 --> 00:06:47,350 afternoon ? Has he expressed any 192 00:06:47,359 --> 00:06:49,192 reservations about his , his own 193 00:06:49,192 --> 00:06:51,415 ability to serve to the president or to 194 00:06:51,415 --> 00:06:53,637 anyone else in the administration ? And 195 00:06:53,637 --> 00:06:55,470 then when he is released , is he 196 00:06:55,470 --> 00:06:55,220 expected to work from home or we'll be 197 00:06:55,230 --> 00:06:57,397 straight back to the Pentagon ? Yeah , 198 00:06:57,397 --> 00:06:59,619 thanks . Or uh he has not spoken to the 199 00:06:59,619 --> 00:07:01,786 president to my knowledge . Uh again , 200 00:07:01,786 --> 00:07:03,952 he went into the hospital yesterday to 201 00:07:03,952 --> 00:07:06,174 get checked out . And , and again , I'd 202 00:07:06,174 --> 00:07:05,920 refer you back to our , our statements 203 00:07:05,929 --> 00:07:08,151 and , and what I just read out , uh , I 204 00:07:08,151 --> 00:07:10,207 can assure you the secretary uh , is 205 00:07:10,207 --> 00:07:12,820 continue or continues to , uh , be 206 00:07:12,829 --> 00:07:14,996 eager to perform his duties . Uh And , 207 00:07:15,109 --> 00:07:18,339 and I have no doubt of that . Uh But in 208 00:07:18,350 --> 00:07:21,730 terms of uh what's next regarding his 209 00:07:21,739 --> 00:07:23,795 health care , again , we'll keep you 210 00:07:23,795 --> 00:07:26,017 updated . Jennifer European allies have 211 00:07:26,017 --> 00:07:28,239 expressed a great deal of consternation 212 00:07:28,239 --> 00:07:30,559 in recent days uh due to the ongoing 213 00:07:30,570 --> 00:07:32,792 debate in Congress about whether the US 214 00:07:32,792 --> 00:07:34,737 will continue to fund Ukraine . Uh 215 00:07:34,737 --> 00:07:36,899 recent comments by former President 216 00:07:36,910 --> 00:07:39,750 Trump over the weekend about uh what he 217 00:07:39,760 --> 00:07:42,670 would do to NATO and , and messaging to 218 00:07:42,679 --> 00:07:44,846 Putin and Russia , what he would allow 219 00:07:44,846 --> 00:07:47,209 them to do to NATO . Why isn't Deputy 220 00:07:47,220 --> 00:07:49,709 Defense Secretary Kath Hicks or 221 00:07:49,720 --> 00:07:52,130 somebody of a senior stature going to 222 00:07:52,140 --> 00:07:54,214 Brussels and participating in these 223 00:07:54,295 --> 00:07:56,785 meetings ? Yeah . Again , first of all , 224 00:07:56,795 --> 00:07:58,924 uh our , our support for Ukraine 225 00:07:58,934 --> 00:08:02,515 continues to be uh ironclad as you 226 00:08:02,524 --> 00:08:04,413 heard , you know , me highlight , 227 00:08:04,413 --> 00:08:06,135 you're gonna have uh nearly 50 228 00:08:06,135 --> 00:08:08,357 countries come together as they have on 229 00:08:08,357 --> 00:08:10,413 almost a monthly basis to talk about 230 00:08:10,413 --> 00:08:12,524 how we support Ukraine . Uh And , and 231 00:08:12,524 --> 00:08:14,135 as I also highlighted is the 232 00:08:14,135 --> 00:08:16,404 secretary's intent uh to participate in 233 00:08:16,415 --> 00:08:18,637 the virtual U DC G . Again , we'll keep 234 00:08:18,637 --> 00:08:20,970 you updated on that front . Uh And 235 00:08:21,040 --> 00:08:23,096 Doctor Wallander , as you know , has 236 00:08:23,096 --> 00:08:24,984 been at the , at the center of uh 237 00:08:24,984 --> 00:08:27,096 working for the Department of Defense 238 00:08:27,096 --> 00:08:29,207 to represent the United States uh and 239 00:08:29,207 --> 00:08:32,099 our support for the U DC G . Uh So she 240 00:08:32,109 --> 00:08:34,419 is uh well experienced , well equipped 241 00:08:34,590 --> 00:08:36,757 uh to represent the secretary . Should 242 00:08:36,757 --> 00:08:38,979 she need to do that ? Uh And she , as I 243 00:08:38,979 --> 00:08:41,201 mentioned , will also be in Brussels uh 244 00:08:41,201 --> 00:08:43,559 to support there both virtually but 245 00:08:43,570 --> 00:08:45,514 also support the ambassador as she 246 00:08:45,514 --> 00:08:47,570 represents the Secretary at the NATO 247 00:08:47,570 --> 00:08:49,880 Defense Minister . You just just follow 248 00:08:49,890 --> 00:08:52,112 up on that . Uh Obviously , the , the , 249 00:08:52,112 --> 00:08:54,390 the Celeste and and Julie Smith are 250 00:08:54,400 --> 00:08:56,849 well qualified . But um deputy 251 00:08:56,859 --> 00:08:58,359 Secretary Hicks would be a 252 00:08:58,359 --> 00:09:00,710 representation of how seriously uh the 253 00:09:00,719 --> 00:09:02,775 administration takes Ukraine and its 254 00:09:02,775 --> 00:09:04,799 needs . So just secretary not have 255 00:09:04,809 --> 00:09:07,210 confidence in his deputy to send her 256 00:09:07,219 --> 00:09:09,219 while she's performing his duties . 257 00:09:09,219 --> 00:09:11,108 Yeah , I reject that notion . The 258 00:09:11,108 --> 00:09:12,830 secretary of course , has full 259 00:09:12,830 --> 00:09:14,941 confidence in the Deputy Secretary of 260 00:09:14,941 --> 00:09:16,775 Defense . He has transferred his 261 00:09:16,775 --> 00:09:18,663 functions and duties to her uh as 262 00:09:18,663 --> 00:09:20,719 evidence of that . And , and again , 263 00:09:20,719 --> 00:09:22,886 anyone who questions our commitment to 264 00:09:22,886 --> 00:09:24,941 Ukraine uh just needs to look at the 265 00:09:24,941 --> 00:09:27,163 facts in terms of the amount of support 266 00:09:27,163 --> 00:09:29,219 and the amount of assistance we have 267 00:09:29,219 --> 00:09:31,052 provided and continue to provide 268 00:09:31,052 --> 00:09:33,108 Ukraine and will continue to provide 269 00:09:33,108 --> 00:09:35,108 going forward . Um How long was the 270 00:09:35,108 --> 00:09:37,275 secretary unconscious or under general 271 00:09:37,275 --> 00:09:36,859 anesthesia for since yesterday ? Is it 272 00:09:37,070 --> 00:09:39,126 throughout , is it a couple of hours 273 00:09:39,126 --> 00:09:41,292 here and there give a sense of that at 274 00:09:41,292 --> 00:09:43,348 this time ? I don't have anything to 275 00:09:43,348 --> 00:09:45,570 provide beyond what I relate to you but 276 00:09:45,570 --> 00:09:47,514 again , we'll continue to keep you 277 00:09:47,514 --> 00:09:47,364 updated as new information comes in 278 00:09:47,375 --> 00:09:50,344 David . So when in that sequence from 279 00:09:50,445 --> 00:09:53,265 220 being taken to the hospital , 280 00:09:53,294 --> 00:09:55,924 455 turning over his 281 00:09:55,934 --> 00:09:58,255 responsibilities , did he inform the 282 00:09:58,265 --> 00:10:01,099 White House ? Um , the White House was 283 00:10:01,109 --> 00:10:03,331 informed that he was being taken to the 284 00:10:03,331 --> 00:10:05,442 hospital . So that happened before he 285 00:10:05,442 --> 00:10:07,776 actually departed to go to the hospital . 286 00:10:07,776 --> 00:10:10,929 Um And uh in addition , uh in that 287 00:10:10,940 --> 00:10:13,080 period , congressional notifications 288 00:10:13,090 --> 00:10:16,690 were made as well . The statement says , 289 00:10:16,700 --> 00:10:18,922 uh , we'll be able to resume his normal 290 00:10:18,922 --> 00:10:21,089 duties tomorrow , but you just told us 291 00:10:21,089 --> 00:10:23,719 that he's canceled a planned trip . How 292 00:10:23,729 --> 00:10:27,390 do you square those two ? Um , David A 293 00:10:27,400 --> 00:10:29,869 again , uh , we'll keep you updated on 294 00:10:29,880 --> 00:10:31,979 his status . Uh This is a statement 295 00:10:31,989 --> 00:10:34,100 from his doctors explaining that they 296 00:10:34,100 --> 00:10:36,322 expect that he'll be able to resume his 297 00:10:36,322 --> 00:10:38,433 normal duties . Uh Again , we'll keep 298 00:10:38,433 --> 00:10:40,489 you updated on whether that includes 299 00:10:40,489 --> 00:10:42,545 from the hospital or if that is from 300 00:10:42,545 --> 00:10:44,267 home . Uh But again , uh , all 301 00:10:44,267 --> 00:10:46,156 indications based on the , on the 302 00:10:46,156 --> 00:10:48,322 doctor's statements is that , uh , you 303 00:10:48,322 --> 00:10:50,545 know , he's gonna recover . Well , he's 304 00:10:50,545 --> 00:10:52,600 in good condition and we'll keep you 305 00:10:52,600 --> 00:10:54,711 updated . Yeah , secretary has , uh , 306 00:10:54,711 --> 00:10:56,767 the secretary received any radiation 307 00:10:56,767 --> 00:10:58,822 treatment and what caused him ? What 308 00:10:58,822 --> 00:11:00,989 symptoms did he have before going into 309 00:11:00,989 --> 00:11:03,100 the hospital ? Was he , um , in a lot 310 00:11:03,100 --> 00:11:05,156 of pain , was he bleeding ? And then 311 00:11:05,156 --> 00:11:07,322 can you say exactly the procedure that 312 00:11:07,322 --> 00:11:09,600 was done when he got there ? And again , 313 00:11:09,600 --> 00:11:11,600 I'd point you back to the statement 314 00:11:11,600 --> 00:11:13,656 from his doctors . Uh as we get more 315 00:11:13,656 --> 00:11:15,656 information , we'll certainly share 316 00:11:15,656 --> 00:11:17,767 that with you again , as I understand 317 00:11:17,767 --> 00:11:19,767 it , this was related to a emergent 318 00:11:19,767 --> 00:11:21,878 bladder issue . It was not related to 319 00:11:21,878 --> 00:11:23,989 his cancer treatment . Uh again , and 320 00:11:23,989 --> 00:11:26,100 as the statement that I just read out 321 00:11:26,100 --> 00:11:28,100 to you highlights his prognosis for 322 00:11:28,100 --> 00:11:30,045 that is good and , and the bladder 323 00:11:30,045 --> 00:11:32,100 issue should not affect his recovery 324 00:11:32,100 --> 00:11:31,799 from that . And you can't say whether 325 00:11:31,809 --> 00:11:33,976 or not he's gotten radiation therapy . 326 00:11:33,976 --> 00:11:36,087 Uh , to my knowledge he is not . Uh , 327 00:11:36,087 --> 00:11:37,976 again , I'd point you back to the 328 00:11:37,976 --> 00:11:40,142 statement , uh , in terms of the , the 329 00:11:40,142 --> 00:11:42,365 treatment that he's received related to 330 00:11:42,365 --> 00:11:44,198 his cancer treatment . This is a 331 00:11:44,198 --> 00:11:46,420 complication of the surgery . Correct ? 332 00:11:46,420 --> 00:11:48,476 Again , I'm , I'm not a doctor . I'm 333 00:11:48,476 --> 00:11:50,753 not going to try to uh speak , medical , 334 00:11:50,753 --> 00:11:52,976 speak . I was just gonna point you back 335 00:11:52,976 --> 00:11:54,976 to the statement and as we get more 336 00:11:54,976 --> 00:11:57,087 information to provide , we certainly 337 00:11:57,087 --> 00:11:59,109 will have I told you this is a or 338 00:11:59,119 --> 00:12:01,119 anybody on his staff that this is a 339 00:12:01,619 --> 00:12:04,010 complication . He was admitted , he 340 00:12:04,020 --> 00:12:06,131 went to the hospital yesterday for an 341 00:12:06,131 --> 00:12:08,229 emergent bladder issue . His doctors 342 00:12:08,239 --> 00:12:10,340 have said previously that he is 343 00:12:10,349 --> 00:12:12,460 expected to make a full recovery from 344 00:12:12,460 --> 00:12:14,729 his cancer diagnosis , uh which is what 345 00:12:14,739 --> 00:12:16,906 I just highlighted in the , the top of 346 00:12:16,906 --> 00:12:19,017 the statement . So again , as we have 347 00:12:19,017 --> 00:12:21,017 more information to provide , we'll 348 00:12:21,017 --> 00:12:21,010 certainly do that , Courtney . It's my 349 00:12:21,020 --> 00:12:23,076 question too . So just to be clear , 350 00:12:23,076 --> 00:12:25,187 you're , you're , you're leaving open 351 00:12:25,187 --> 00:12:27,187 the possibility . This is a totally 352 00:12:27,187 --> 00:12:29,750 separate issue from his complication 353 00:12:29,760 --> 00:12:32,750 from his , his prostate cancer surgery 354 00:12:32,760 --> 00:12:35,330 in December . What I'm saying is what 355 00:12:35,340 --> 00:12:37,396 is in the statement that the current 356 00:12:37,396 --> 00:12:40,030 bladder issue is not expected to change 357 00:12:40,039 --> 00:12:42,090 his anticipated full recovery . His 358 00:12:42,099 --> 00:12:44,450 cancer prognosis remains excellent . So 359 00:12:44,460 --> 00:12:46,682 again , as we get more information from 360 00:12:46,682 --> 00:12:48,849 his doctors to provide , we'll be sure 361 00:12:48,849 --> 00:12:50,960 to share that if it's possible to get 362 00:12:50,960 --> 00:12:52,849 the question of , of , of I think 363 00:12:52,849 --> 00:12:55,071 there's an assumption that that this is 364 00:12:55,071 --> 00:12:57,293 that this , this emergent bladder issue 365 00:12:57,293 --> 00:12:59,516 is related to the complications that he 366 00:12:59,516 --> 00:13:01,571 had on New Year's Day . So if that's 367 00:13:01,571 --> 00:13:01,349 not the case and this is something 368 00:13:01,359 --> 00:13:03,500 completely separate , I'll take the 369 00:13:03,510 --> 00:13:06,299 question . Thank you . Two questions on , 370 00:13:06,309 --> 00:13:08,179 on Rafa yesterday , the Israelis 371 00:13:08,190 --> 00:13:10,289 attempted like a rescue mission . It 372 00:13:10,299 --> 00:13:13,489 seems and up until now information uh 373 00:13:13,500 --> 00:13:15,722 still being updated , but it seems like 374 00:13:16,020 --> 00:13:18,489 uh maybe up to 100 Palestinians were 375 00:13:18,500 --> 00:13:21,770 killed in , in that operation . The US 376 00:13:21,780 --> 00:13:25,419 have assets in terms of uh UAV uh 377 00:13:25,429 --> 00:13:27,485 doing some work to help the Israelis 378 00:13:27,485 --> 00:13:30,190 recover . Some of the captives was the 379 00:13:30,200 --> 00:13:31,978 US involved in involved in that 380 00:13:31,978 --> 00:13:34,219 operation . Um And do you have any 381 00:13:34,229 --> 00:13:36,396 comments about the civilian death toll 382 00:13:36,396 --> 00:13:38,729 from , from that uh the aftermath of it ? 383 00:13:39,219 --> 00:13:41,163 So Fadi when it , when it comes to 384 00:13:41,163 --> 00:13:43,330 Israeli operations , I'll refer you to 385 00:13:43,330 --> 00:13:45,530 them in terms of talking about that . 386 00:13:45,539 --> 00:13:47,372 Uh And when it comes to civilian 387 00:13:47,372 --> 00:13:49,483 casualties , as you've heard me say , 388 00:13:49,483 --> 00:13:51,880 many times , uh we do not want to see 389 00:13:51,929 --> 00:13:54,080 civilian casualties or innocent 390 00:13:54,090 --> 00:13:56,034 civilians killed , whether they be 391 00:13:56,034 --> 00:13:58,257 Palestinian or Israeli . Uh , and , and 392 00:13:58,257 --> 00:14:00,479 that will continue to be our view going 393 00:14:00,479 --> 00:14:03,559 forward . And , uh , but did the US 394 00:14:04,330 --> 00:14:06,849 play any role in that operation ? Uh , 395 00:14:06,859 --> 00:14:08,970 Fadi I'm not aware of any role in the 396 00:14:08,970 --> 00:14:11,137 United States . Uh , yeah . And , um , 397 00:14:11,137 --> 00:14:13,260 as you probably heard from , uh , 398 00:14:13,270 --> 00:14:15,619 Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu seems 399 00:14:15,630 --> 00:14:18,859 like he's , uh , planning to invade 400 00:14:18,869 --> 00:14:21,219 ground invasion of , of Rafah where 401 00:14:21,229 --> 00:14:23,309 more than 1 million people uh are 402 00:14:23,320 --> 00:14:25,840 taking refuge . Amnesty International 403 00:14:25,849 --> 00:14:28,530 is warning of an imminent risk of 404 00:14:28,539 --> 00:14:31,309 genocide . Um Does the Pentagon support 405 00:14:31,320 --> 00:14:33,264 an Israeli ground invasion of , of 406 00:14:33,264 --> 00:14:35,469 Rafah at this moment ? Uh Again , you 407 00:14:35,479 --> 00:14:37,535 know , I'm going to refer you to the 408 00:14:37,535 --> 00:14:39,868 Israelis to talk about their operations . 409 00:14:39,868 --> 00:14:42,035 I think Mr Kirby has addressed this in 410 00:14:42,035 --> 00:14:44,035 his press briefings . You know , we 411 00:14:44,035 --> 00:14:46,369 certainly do not want to see any more 412 00:14:46,380 --> 00:14:48,929 suffering , human suffering among those 413 00:14:48,940 --> 00:14:50,829 in Gaza , which is why again , we 414 00:14:50,829 --> 00:14:53,090 continue to communicate actively with 415 00:14:53,099 --> 00:14:55,266 our Israeli partners on the importance 416 00:14:55,266 --> 00:14:57,321 of taking civilians into account and 417 00:14:57,321 --> 00:14:58,988 planning and conducting their 418 00:14:58,988 --> 00:15:01,619 operations . So who is communicating 419 00:15:01,630 --> 00:15:03,408 that ? Who you said we , we are 420 00:15:03,408 --> 00:15:05,519 communicating with them ? Who who can 421 00:15:05,519 --> 00:15:07,686 you give us a sense ? I know there was 422 00:15:07,686 --> 00:15:07,609 a point where General Glenn was there 423 00:15:07,619 --> 00:15:09,563 and we kind of got a little bit of 424 00:15:09,563 --> 00:15:11,897 fidelity on that . Well , yeah , I mean , 425 00:15:11,897 --> 00:15:14,989 I think , I think all echelons Courtney , 426 00:15:15,000 --> 00:15:17,222 I mean , you've had the president speak 427 00:15:17,222 --> 00:15:19,000 to his counterpart , you've had 428 00:15:19,000 --> 00:15:20,667 Secretary Austin speak to his 429 00:15:20,667 --> 00:15:22,667 counterpart . You've got us central 430 00:15:22,667 --> 00:15:24,944 command speaking to their counterparts . 431 00:15:24,944 --> 00:15:24,799 The chairman of the Joint Chiefs speaks 432 00:15:24,809 --> 00:15:27,031 to his counterpart . So there's ongoing 433 00:15:27,031 --> 00:15:29,179 discussions as it relates to Israel's 434 00:15:29,219 --> 00:15:32,150 defense of its nation , as well as the 435 00:15:32,159 --> 00:15:33,937 support we're providing and the 436 00:15:33,937 --> 00:15:35,492 importance of ensuring that 437 00:15:35,492 --> 00:15:37,659 humanitarian assistance gets through . 438 00:15:37,659 --> 00:15:39,992 Mrs question about Rafa though , I mean , 439 00:15:39,992 --> 00:15:42,048 is there , is there a level of , are 440 00:15:42,048 --> 00:15:41,229 there , are there people in the 441 00:15:41,239 --> 00:15:43,128 military right now or the defense 442 00:15:43,128 --> 00:15:45,183 department or wherever it is who are 443 00:15:45,183 --> 00:15:47,128 providing like technical , I'm not 444 00:15:47,128 --> 00:15:48,795 aware , I'm not aware of us . 445 00:15:48,795 --> 00:15:50,850 Understand their plan . Again . What 446 00:15:50,850 --> 00:15:52,961 he's talking about is public comments 447 00:15:52,961 --> 00:15:54,850 by the Prime Minister saying what 448 00:15:54,850 --> 00:15:54,690 they're going to do . And again , 449 00:15:54,700 --> 00:15:56,922 that's something that they need to talk 450 00:15:56,922 --> 00:15:58,922 about . Let me OK . And then let me 451 00:15:58,922 --> 00:16:01,089 move over to the side room . Did , did 452 00:16:01,089 --> 00:16:03,580 the Israelis share any planning with 453 00:16:03,590 --> 00:16:06,710 the Pentagon about this uh uh 454 00:16:07,909 --> 00:16:10,750 ground invasion again , f I'm not gonna 455 00:16:10,760 --> 00:16:12,816 have anything to provide beyond what 456 00:16:12,816 --> 00:16:14,816 I've talked about already . And I'd 457 00:16:14,816 --> 00:16:17,038 refer you back to Mr Kirby's comments , 458 00:16:17,038 --> 00:16:19,038 Joseph . Um Can I just ask , do you 459 00:16:19,038 --> 00:16:18,979 have any updates to provide on 460 00:16:18,989 --> 00:16:21,960 yesterday's H MC ? Um The Iraqis . 461 00:16:22,869 --> 00:16:26,630 Um what I would tell you is that um you 462 00:16:26,640 --> 00:16:28,473 know , yesterday's meeting marks 463 00:16:28,473 --> 00:16:30,584 another important step along the path 464 00:16:30,584 --> 00:16:32,584 of transition as military technical 465 00:16:32,584 --> 00:16:34,584 talks as you highlight were held in 466 00:16:34,584 --> 00:16:36,751 Baghdad . Uh As I understand it , they 467 00:16:36,751 --> 00:16:38,862 discussed three areas of assessment , 468 00:16:38,862 --> 00:16:40,862 uh the threat of ISIS the operating 469 00:16:40,862 --> 00:16:42,973 environment and Iraqi security forces 470 00:16:42,973 --> 00:16:45,650 capabilities . Uh And so , uh you know , 471 00:16:45,659 --> 00:16:47,770 we'll continue to keep you updated as 472 00:16:47,770 --> 00:16:49,659 appropriate , but these talks are 473 00:16:49,659 --> 00:16:51,770 important again as we look to discuss 474 00:16:51,770 --> 00:16:54,130 the transition of the coalition 475 00:16:54,140 --> 00:16:57,489 military mission to the longer term us , 476 00:16:57,500 --> 00:17:00,289 Iraq bilateral security relationship . 477 00:17:00,469 --> 00:17:02,691 Do you have any updates on the tower 22 478 00:17:02,691 --> 00:17:04,747 investigation ? I do not . I'd refer 479 00:17:04,747 --> 00:17:06,691 you to s for any updates on that . 480 00:17:06,691 --> 00:17:08,747 Missy , just to follow up on justice 481 00:17:08,747 --> 00:17:11,589 question . The Iraqi military spokesman 482 00:17:11,599 --> 00:17:14,219 said that giving a readout of that of 483 00:17:14,229 --> 00:17:16,340 those talks yesterday said that based 484 00:17:16,340 --> 00:17:18,118 on the discussion yesterday , a 485 00:17:18,118 --> 00:17:20,229 timetable will be set for the gradual 486 00:17:20,310 --> 00:17:22,366 reduction of international coalition 487 00:17:22,366 --> 00:17:24,366 advisor and an end of the coalition 488 00:17:24,366 --> 00:17:26,660 mission . Is that correct ? That there 489 00:17:26,670 --> 00:17:29,500 was that the outcome was an agreement 490 00:17:29,510 --> 00:17:31,677 that there would be a timeline set for 491 00:17:31,677 --> 00:17:33,843 that ? And then separately , could you 492 00:17:33,843 --> 00:17:35,899 give us an update on um the review , 493 00:17:35,899 --> 00:17:37,843 the internal review about Austin's 494 00:17:37,843 --> 00:17:40,066 hospitalization . Did you have a chance 495 00:17:40,066 --> 00:17:39,739 to review that yet ? And could you 496 00:17:39,750 --> 00:17:41,917 update us on the publication of that ? 497 00:17:41,917 --> 00:17:44,139 Yeah , on your first question , Missy , 498 00:17:44,139 --> 00:17:46,417 I I don't have any information on that , 499 00:17:46,417 --> 00:17:48,639 so I'll take that question uh As far as 500 00:17:48,639 --> 00:17:50,806 the review , uh no changes from what I 501 00:17:50,806 --> 00:17:53,028 provided on Thursday . Uh The secretary 502 00:17:53,028 --> 00:17:54,972 does have that review . Uh He will 503 00:17:54,972 --> 00:17:57,083 continue to take a look at it again . 504 00:17:57,083 --> 00:17:59,250 Our commitment is to try to provide as 505 00:17:59,250 --> 00:18:01,472 much information about the review uh to 506 00:18:01,472 --> 00:18:03,583 you , uh , when we can . So certainly 507 00:18:03,583 --> 00:18:05,806 we'll continue to endeavor to do that . 508 00:18:05,806 --> 00:18:07,750 Laura . Um First of all , is Cic's 509 00:18:07,750 --> 00:18:09,806 acting se now and at what point does 510 00:18:09,806 --> 00:18:12,028 she become acting se can you just clear 511 00:18:12,028 --> 00:18:14,139 up what her role title is right now ? 512 00:18:14,239 --> 00:18:17,250 Yes , she has uh uh assumed the duties 513 00:18:17,260 --> 00:18:19,149 and functions of the secretary of 514 00:18:19,149 --> 00:18:21,260 Defense . So , in that sense , she is 515 00:18:21,260 --> 00:18:23,427 acting as the Secretary of Defense and 516 00:18:23,427 --> 00:18:25,316 I still don't understand why they 517 00:18:25,316 --> 00:18:27,427 couldn't have had the Ukraine contact 518 00:18:27,427 --> 00:18:29,704 group meeting without Secretary Austin . 519 00:18:29,704 --> 00:18:29,660 I mean , what was , what was the reason 520 00:18:29,670 --> 00:18:32,859 for making it virtual ? I'm not sure I 521 00:18:32,869 --> 00:18:35,091 understand your question . So why , I , 522 00:18:35,091 --> 00:18:37,258 I guess what was the reason for making 523 00:18:37,258 --> 00:18:39,480 the contact group meeting virtual ? Was 524 00:18:39,480 --> 00:18:41,258 it solely because the secretary 525 00:18:41,258 --> 00:18:41,060 couldn't attend because there's many 526 00:18:41,069 --> 00:18:43,291 other people that attend that meeting ? 527 00:18:43,291 --> 00:18:45,513 Right . You know , Laura , I think , uh 528 00:18:45,513 --> 00:18:47,680 the , as I highlighted , the secretary 529 00:18:47,680 --> 00:18:50,030 intends to participate , um and again , 530 00:18:50,040 --> 00:18:53,250 uh given the , um , the importance as 531 00:18:53,260 --> 00:18:55,482 we've already discussed about , uh , we 532 00:18:55,482 --> 00:18:57,704 want to ensure that this continues . Uh 533 00:18:57,704 --> 00:19:00,239 And , you know , as we've done in the 534 00:19:00,250 --> 00:19:02,472 past , we're going to be uh flexible in 535 00:19:02,472 --> 00:19:04,849 terms of the format . And so , yeah , 536 00:19:05,260 --> 00:19:07,316 we have attended , I'm not gonna get 537 00:19:07,316 --> 00:19:09,482 into hypotheticals are , I'm not gonna 538 00:19:09,482 --> 00:19:11,599 get in for that . Well , I've read to 539 00:19:11,609 --> 00:19:13,831 you what we're doing and there you go . 540 00:19:13,831 --> 00:19:16,109 All right , let's go to the phone here , 541 00:19:16,109 --> 00:19:18,165 Jeff Shog Task . And purpose . Thank 542 00:19:18,165 --> 00:19:20,160 you . Uh On what day did Secretary 543 00:19:20,170 --> 00:19:22,640 Austin undergo this procedure on when 544 00:19:22,650 --> 00:19:25,369 he was under general anesthesia ? And 545 00:19:25,380 --> 00:19:27,158 uh Secretary Austin is sixth in 546 00:19:27,158 --> 00:19:29,324 presidential line of succession . Does 547 00:19:29,324 --> 00:19:31,213 that mean that secretary hicks is 548 00:19:31,213 --> 00:19:33,660 temporarily until the , the secretary 549 00:19:33,849 --> 00:19:36,119 resumes duties that she is now sixth in 550 00:19:36,130 --> 00:19:39,209 line in succession ? Yeah , thanks , 551 00:19:39,219 --> 00:19:41,275 Jeff . Uh , on your , on your latter 552 00:19:41,275 --> 00:19:43,552 question there , I'll , I'll take that , 553 00:19:43,552 --> 00:19:45,497 uh , and we'll come back to you in 554 00:19:45,497 --> 00:19:47,859 terms of , uh my understanding is uh 555 00:19:47,869 --> 00:19:49,890 that that procedure would have been 556 00:19:49,900 --> 00:19:53,180 today . Um So just leave it there . Ok . 557 00:19:54,619 --> 00:19:56,675 Thank you . Follow up question about 558 00:19:56,675 --> 00:19:59,439 the secretary's health . So I wonder if 559 00:19:59,449 --> 00:20:01,689 uh it is difficult for the secretary to 560 00:20:01,709 --> 00:20:03,939 travel to the in the Pacific for a 561 00:20:03,949 --> 00:20:07,369 while because uh in general , the 562 00:20:07,380 --> 00:20:09,436 traveling to the region takes longer 563 00:20:09,436 --> 00:20:12,250 than any other region . Uh You , are 564 00:20:12,260 --> 00:20:14,520 you asking me why he hasn't traveled to 565 00:20:14,849 --> 00:20:17,099 because of the secretary's , you know , 566 00:20:17,109 --> 00:20:19,880 health program ? I wonder if it is 567 00:20:19,890 --> 00:20:22,420 difficult for the secretary to travel 568 00:20:22,430 --> 00:20:24,430 to the region to the in the Pacific 569 00:20:24,430 --> 00:20:27,180 region for a while ? Yeah , thanks Ro . 570 00:20:27,189 --> 00:20:29,500 So at this point , you know , clearly , 571 00:20:29,510 --> 00:20:32,530 uh the secretary is focused on getting 572 00:20:32,540 --> 00:20:34,939 better . Uh as I highlighted , he's not 573 00:20:34,949 --> 00:20:37,739 traveling to Brussels . Um but I 574 00:20:37,750 --> 00:20:40,780 certainly expect uh that he will travel 575 00:20:40,790 --> 00:20:42,679 to the Asia Pacific region in the 576 00:20:42,679 --> 00:20:45,180 future uh When he is able to , we don't 577 00:20:45,189 --> 00:20:47,900 have any travel to announce . Uh And so 578 00:20:47,910 --> 00:20:50,819 again , he continues to , I'm sure uh 579 00:20:50,829 --> 00:20:53,199 remain eager to perform his duties to 580 00:20:53,209 --> 00:20:55,431 include travel uh when , when he's able 581 00:20:55,431 --> 00:20:57,598 to do that . So , thank you , time for 582 00:20:57,598 --> 00:20:59,765 one more . Yes , sir . Uh Thank you uh 583 00:20:59,765 --> 00:21:01,839 regarding H MC combat like uh 584 00:21:01,849 --> 00:21:04,939 discussions , if you know how long the 585 00:21:04,949 --> 00:21:07,439 discussions will continue . And just 586 00:21:07,449 --> 00:21:09,560 Iraqi Prime Minister has said that we 587 00:21:09,560 --> 00:21:12,369 are ahead of ending the mission of 588 00:21:12,380 --> 00:21:14,869 allied forces like even the United 589 00:21:14,880 --> 00:21:18,050 States Forces in Iraq . Uh So I don't 590 00:21:18,060 --> 00:21:20,282 have a timeline um to my knowledge that 591 00:21:20,282 --> 00:21:22,449 that hasn't necessarily been bounded . 592 00:21:22,449 --> 00:21:24,449 Of course , that will be a decision 593 00:21:24,449 --> 00:21:26,616 between um the , you know , within the 594 00:21:26,616 --> 00:21:28,671 H MC to include in consultation with 595 00:21:28,671 --> 00:21:30,893 the government of Iraq . Um And then as 596 00:21:30,893 --> 00:21:33,229 far as us presence in Iraq again , I'd , 597 00:21:33,239 --> 00:21:35,128 I'd point you back to what I said 598 00:21:35,128 --> 00:21:37,739 earlier . The H MC will , will discuss 599 00:21:38,199 --> 00:21:41,869 uh the uh transition from a 600 00:21:41,880 --> 00:21:45,180 military coalition mission to the um 601 00:21:45,209 --> 00:21:47,376 what the US presence will look like as 602 00:21:47,376 --> 00:21:50,260 it relates to a , a bilateral US Iraq 603 00:21:50,270 --> 00:21:53,579 relationship . Our forces continue to 604 00:21:53,589 --> 00:21:55,478 be there at the invitation of the 605 00:21:55,478 --> 00:21:57,589 government of Iraq . I'm not aware of 606 00:21:57,589 --> 00:21:59,700 any specific official request at this 607 00:21:59,700 --> 00:22:01,756 point in time for us forces to leave 608 00:22:01,756 --> 00:22:04,033 and we'll continue to keep you updated . 609 00:22:04,033 --> 00:22:06,033 So , all right , thanks very much . 610 00:22:06,033 --> 00:22:08,200 Everybody . Appreciate it to hear from 611 00:22:08,200 --> 00:22:10,256 the Deputy Defense Secretary . Now , 612 00:22:10,256 --> 00:22:12,367 acting Defense Secretary Kath Hicks , 613 00:22:12,367 --> 00:22:14,422 we've never had a chance to question 614 00:22:14,422 --> 00:22:16,645 her at the podium or hear from her Ok . 615 00:22:16,645 --> 00:22:18,700 Thank you , Jennifer . Appreciate it 616 00:22:20,489 --> 00:22:22,949 just to get an update on his status . I 617 00:22:23,060 --> 00:22:25,400 will . Thank you very much . Thank you .