WEBVTT 00:00.649 --> 00:02.649 All right . Well , good afternoon , 00:02.649 --> 00:04.871 everybody . Happy looking group today , 00:05.320 --> 00:07.431 have just a few things at the top and 00:07.431 --> 00:09.209 then I'll be happy to take your 00:09.209 --> 00:11.529 questions in a powerful demonstration 00:11.539 --> 00:13.380 of the United states' unwavering 00:13.390 --> 00:16.219 support for Ukraine . Secretary Austin 00:16.229 --> 00:18.451 visited Kiev yesterday his fourth visit 00:18.451 --> 00:21.180 to Ukraine as Secretary of Defense to 00:21.190 --> 00:23.412 meet with Ukrainian leaders and to show 00:23.412 --> 00:25.634 the Ukrainian people that we stand with 00:25.634 --> 00:27.523 them in their fight for freedom . 00:27.523 --> 00:29.746 During his visit , Secretary Austin met 00:29.746 --> 00:31.968 with President Zelensky Minister Umarov 00:31.968 --> 00:34.134 and other Ukrainian defense leaders to 00:34.134 --> 00:36.301 discuss Ukraine's strategic objectives 00:36.301 --> 00:38.079 for the coming months and other 00:38.079 --> 00:40.023 battlefield developments . He also 00:40.023 --> 00:42.246 engaged staff at the US Embassy in Kiev 00:42.246 --> 00:44.246 and thanked them for their tireless 00:44.246 --> 00:46.357 work in support of Ukraine . And in a 00:46.357 --> 00:48.190 major speech at the uh heda dude 00:48.340 --> 00:50.259 Diplomatic Academy in Ukraine . 00:50.610 --> 00:53.180 Secretary Austin reflected on Ukraine's 00:53.189 --> 00:55.133 remarkable displays of courage and 00:55.133 --> 00:57.356 resiliency in its war of self defense . 00:57.356 --> 00:59.750 To date . He laid out how the outcome 00:59.759 --> 01:01.759 of Ukraine's fight for freedom will 01:01.759 --> 01:03.703 help set the trajectory for global 01:03.703 --> 01:05.537 security in the 21st century and 01:05.537 --> 01:07.703 reiterated that the United States will 01:07.703 --> 01:09.815 continue to stand with Ukraine in the 01:09.815 --> 01:12.037 days ahead . You can read and watch the 01:12.037 --> 01:14.203 secretary's full speech on defense.gov 01:14.940 --> 01:17.218 underscoring our commitment to Ukraine . 01:17.218 --> 01:19.329 Secretary Austin also announced a new 01:19.329 --> 01:21.440 security assistant assistance package 01:21.440 --> 01:23.279 while in Kiev , this latest PD A 01:23.290 --> 01:26.089 package delivers Ukraine $400 million 01:26.099 --> 01:28.330 in additional capabilities including 01:28.339 --> 01:30.172 munitions for rocket systems and 01:30.172 --> 01:32.395 artillery , mortar systems and rounds , 01:32.395 --> 01:34.672 armored vehicles and anti tank weapons . 01:35.010 --> 01:37.010 The secretary is now back in Rome , 01:37.010 --> 01:38.954 Italy . He'll conclude his week of 01:38.954 --> 01:40.899 travel with a visit to the Vatican 01:40.899 --> 01:43.066 tomorrow for a papal engagement before 01:43.066 --> 01:45.066 heading back to the United States . 01:45.120 --> 01:47.342 Turning now to the department's ongoing 01:47.342 --> 01:49.620 support for hurricane recovery efforts . 01:49.790 --> 01:51.734 As of earlier today , the National 01:51.734 --> 01:53.790 Guard has more than 1100 guardsmen . 01:53.790 --> 01:55.901 More than 100 high water vehicles and 01:55.901 --> 01:58.123 helicopters from three states mobilized 01:58.123 --> 02:00.234 for the response and recovery mission 02:00.234 --> 02:01.846 following hurricane Milton . 02:01.846 --> 02:03.846 Additionally , the US Army Corps of 02:03.846 --> 02:06.012 Engineers has approximately 270 people 02:06.012 --> 02:07.846 working nine mission assignments 02:07.846 --> 02:09.790 including temporary roof support , 02:09.860 --> 02:11.889 infrastructure assessment , debris 02:11.899 --> 02:14.010 control , flood response . And more . 02:14.350 --> 02:16.461 Also , the National Guard has roughly 02:16.461 --> 02:18.860 2000 guardsmen , 65 high water vehicles 02:18.869 --> 02:21.036 and eight helicopters from nine states 02:21.036 --> 02:23.258 mobilized for the response to hurricane 02:23.258 --> 02:25.480 Helene . The US Army Corps of Engineers 02:25.480 --> 02:27.647 has more than 450 personnel engaged in 02:27.647 --> 02:29.539 33 missions across the region , 02:29.690 --> 02:31.801 supporting debris control , temporary 02:31.801 --> 02:34.023 power infrastructure assessment , flood 02:34.023 --> 02:36.301 control and safe waterways assessments . 02:36.929 --> 02:39.040 Secretary Austin continues to receive 02:39.040 --> 02:41.199 updates on these response efforts and 02:41.210 --> 02:43.377 the department continues to be engaged 02:43.377 --> 02:45.543 with interagency . Partners in support 02:45.543 --> 02:47.543 of FEMA , the White House State and 02:47.543 --> 02:49.654 local governments . I would also like 02:49.654 --> 02:51.766 to highlight that since early October 02:51.766 --> 02:53.932 active duty service members in support 02:53.932 --> 02:55.988 of local state and national partners 02:55.988 --> 02:57.988 have performed more than 100 ground 02:57.988 --> 02:59.710 missions and 70 air missions , 02:59.710 --> 03:01.543 delivering more than 270 tons of 03:01.543 --> 03:03.654 humanitarian aid over land and nearly 03:03.654 --> 03:05.970 another 200 tons through the air . To 03:05.979 --> 03:07.979 put this in terms that are a little 03:07.979 --> 03:09.979 easier to visualize that amounts to 03:09.979 --> 03:13.149 154,415 gallons of water . 03:13.800 --> 03:17.479 53,232 bottles of water and 03:17.490 --> 03:20.210 262 pallets of food which equals 03:20.220 --> 03:23.699 roughly 20,000 meals . Additionally , 03:23.710 --> 03:25.654 the service members were active in 03:25.654 --> 03:27.979 route clearance clearing more than 660 03:27.990 --> 03:31.449 miles , excuse me of roads and opening 03:31.460 --> 03:34.020 27 ground routes allowing for increased 03:34.029 --> 03:36.251 access to some of the hardest hit areas 03:36.251 --> 03:38.610 of the state . In the coming days 03:38.619 --> 03:40.675 following weeks of direct support to 03:40.675 --> 03:42.730 the people of Western North Carolina 03:42.730 --> 03:44.897 active duty service members will begin 03:44.897 --> 03:46.841 transitioning out of the area as a 03:46.841 --> 03:48.841 longer term recovery phase begins . 03:48.841 --> 03:50.730 This transition will be a gradual 03:50.730 --> 03:52.619 phased process . That's carefully 03:52.619 --> 03:54.563 coordinate between state and local 03:54.563 --> 03:56.675 officials . Us Northern Command , the 03:56.675 --> 03:58.730 dual status commander , Fema and the 03:58.730 --> 04:01.119 Federal Coordinating Officer Active 04:01.130 --> 04:03.369 duty assets are released only after a 04:03.380 --> 04:05.602 comprehensive evaluation is conducted . 04:05.602 --> 04:07.547 Confirming with Fema and the North 04:07.547 --> 04:09.658 Carolina governor , that specific dod 04:09.658 --> 04:11.970 support is no longer needed . The US 04:11.979 --> 04:14.035 North . Com Commander approves their 04:14.035 --> 04:16.090 recommendation for release of assets 04:16.090 --> 04:18.201 and civil authorities are prepared to 04:18.201 --> 04:19.979 manage recovery and sustainment 04:19.979 --> 04:22.201 operations independently from the onset 04:22.201 --> 04:24.312 of this mission . The primary goal of 04:24.312 --> 04:26.423 dod title 10 assets and civil support 04:26.423 --> 04:28.423 was to provide immediate short term 04:28.423 --> 04:30.479 assistance . While state authorities 04:30.479 --> 04:32.701 fema and other federal agencies led the 04:32.701 --> 04:34.757 recovery efforts . It's important to 04:34.757 --> 04:36.646 note that while these active duty 04:36.646 --> 04:38.590 assets may be heading back to home 04:38.590 --> 04:40.479 station , the federal mission and 04:40.479 --> 04:42.701 federal support is not ending as active 04:42.701 --> 04:44.923 duty service members transition out the 04:44.923 --> 04:47.035 National Guard fema and other federal 04:47.035 --> 04:46.989 state and local agencies remain 04:47.000 --> 04:49.390 actively engaged to address ongoing 04:49.399 --> 04:51.566 needs , rebuild infrastructure and aid 04:51.566 --> 04:53.621 communities and long term recovery . 04:53.890 --> 04:55.670 The secretary and his team are 04:55.679 --> 04:57.512 incredibly proud of the selfless 04:57.512 --> 04:59.346 service and sacrifice of all dod 04:59.346 --> 05:01.123 service members involved in the 05:01.123 --> 05:03.012 hurricane response efforts and he 05:03.012 --> 05:05.068 remains focused on dod personnel and 05:05.068 --> 05:07.179 their families who may be impacted by 05:07.179 --> 05:09.457 the hurricanes . And finally on Friday , 05:09.457 --> 05:11.235 October 18 US Strategic Command 05:11.235 --> 05:13.123 announced the commencement of its 05:13.123 --> 05:15.068 annual nuclear Command and control 05:15.068 --> 05:17.012 exercise . Global Thunder , Global 05:17.012 --> 05:19.279 Thunder 25 or GT 25 involves personnel 05:19.290 --> 05:21.290 throughout the strategic enterprise 05:21.290 --> 05:23.457 including US , Stratcom components and 05:23.457 --> 05:25.568 subordinate units . The purpose of GT 05:25.568 --> 05:28.109 25 is to enhance nuclear readiness and 05:28.119 --> 05:30.175 ensure a safe , secure and effective 05:30.175 --> 05:32.619 strategic deterrent force . As in 05:32.630 --> 05:35.500 previous years , GT 25 will include uh 05:35.510 --> 05:37.339 an increase in bomber and other 05:37.350 --> 05:39.128 aircraft flights throughout the 05:39.128 --> 05:42.660 exercise exercises such as GT 25 which 05:42.670 --> 05:44.503 also involves personnel from the 05:44.503 --> 05:46.720 Pentagon , reinforce the importance of 05:46.730 --> 05:48.897 resiliency throughout the entire chain 05:48.897 --> 05:51.063 of command and are key to ensuring the 05:51.063 --> 05:52.897 department's ability to continue 05:52.897 --> 05:54.730 performing its mission essential 05:54.730 --> 05:56.508 functions in any situation . In 05:56.508 --> 05:58.760 addition to us , personnel , GT 25 will 05:58.769 --> 06:00.936 involve key allied and NATO partners , 06:00.936 --> 06:02.936 including personnel from the United 06:02.936 --> 06:05.102 Kingdom who will integrate into senior 06:05.102 --> 06:07.047 leadership teams and work across a 06:07.047 --> 06:08.991 broad spectrum of areas , offering 06:08.991 --> 06:11.269 policy support and operational insight . 06:11.420 --> 06:13.587 I do want to emphasize that this is an 06:13.587 --> 06:15.899 annual exercise and is not in response 06:15.910 --> 06:17.929 to actions by any nation or other 06:17.940 --> 06:20.260 actors or current world events . For 06:20.269 --> 06:22.436 any questions regarding the exercise . 06:22.436 --> 06:24.491 I recommend you contact us Strategic 06:24.491 --> 06:26.547 Command , public affairs with that . 06:26.547 --> 06:28.547 I'll be glad to take your questions 06:28.547 --> 06:30.436 first question . We'll go to Lita 06:30.436 --> 06:32.547 Baldur Associated Press . Thank you , 06:32.547 --> 06:34.850 Pat a couple of questions on the leak . 06:35.609 --> 06:38.309 Can you say whether or not the 06:38.320 --> 06:40.589 secretary has had any discussions with 06:40.600 --> 06:43.029 his counterpart or any other Israeli 06:43.040 --> 06:46.649 leaders on this leak and to sort of 06:46.660 --> 06:48.882 fill them in on what the US at least as 06:48.882 --> 06:51.489 of now thinks happened . And 06:52.519 --> 06:55.899 has the Pentagon or the military taken 06:55.910 --> 06:58.160 any steps at this point to either 06:58.170 --> 07:00.670 determine if there are other leaks out 07:00.679 --> 07:03.529 there or to sort of stop or prevent 07:03.540 --> 07:06.070 anything additional from going out ? 07:06.399 --> 07:08.880 And I have one follow up . Ok . So just 07:08.890 --> 07:11.112 to confirm you're asking whether or not 07:11.112 --> 07:13.334 the department has been in contact with 07:13.334 --> 07:16.760 the Israelis . Yes , we have , but I'm 07:16.769 --> 07:18.880 just not going to be able to get into 07:18.880 --> 07:21.047 private discussions on that . And then 07:21.047 --> 07:23.158 I'm sorry . The second part , can you 07:23.158 --> 07:25.325 say if it was actually the secretary , 07:25.325 --> 07:27.213 the secretary has spoken with his 07:27.213 --> 07:29.380 counterpart ? But again , I'm just not 07:29.380 --> 07:32.130 able to get into details on that . And 07:32.140 --> 07:34.570 the second part was , can you talk 07:34.579 --> 07:36.690 about any steps of the department has 07:36.690 --> 07:38.857 taken either to shut down any possible 07:38.857 --> 07:42.709 additional leaks where this 07:42.720 --> 07:44.664 came from ? Yeah , look , I mean , 07:44.664 --> 07:46.887 again , uh as you heard earlier today , 07:46.887 --> 07:48.942 the FBI is investigating the alleged 07:48.942 --> 07:50.776 leak of classified documents and 07:50.776 --> 07:52.942 working closely with the Department of 07:52.942 --> 07:55.109 Defense and the intelligence community 07:55.109 --> 07:57.164 on this . Um The investigation is in 07:57.164 --> 07:59.331 its first few days , so it's important 07:59.331 --> 08:01.220 to let that investigation run its 08:01.220 --> 08:03.559 course um as it relates to the , the 08:03.570 --> 08:05.899 safety uh or the safeguarding of 08:05.910 --> 08:08.132 sensitive information that is of course 08:08.132 --> 08:10.188 something that we take uh incredibly 08:10.188 --> 08:12.188 seriously here at the Department of 08:12.188 --> 08:14.299 Defense . Uh And we'll continue to do 08:14.299 --> 08:16.188 so , but as it relates to this um 08:16.188 --> 08:18.410 particular allegation , as I'm sure you 08:18.410 --> 08:20.466 can appreciate uh because it's under 08:20.466 --> 08:20.359 investigation , I'm just not gonna be 08:20.369 --> 08:22.425 able to offer any more comment . And 08:22.425 --> 08:24.536 you said you had a follow up . I have 08:24.536 --> 08:26.758 one quick follow up . There's obviously 08:26.758 --> 08:28.647 been uh one defense department uh 08:28.647 --> 08:30.820 employee who has been named on social 08:30.829 --> 08:33.280 media . Can you say whether or not that 08:33.289 --> 08:35.679 person or anyone else has had either 08:35.690 --> 08:37.690 their security clearance limited or 08:37.690 --> 08:39.301 anything as a result of this 08:39.301 --> 08:41.768 investigation so far . Um Yeah , again , 08:41.778 --> 08:44.018 as I , as I just highlighted , uh this 08:44.028 --> 08:46.468 investigation is in its first few days . 08:46.559 --> 08:48.619 Uh and it's important to let the 08:48.629 --> 08:51.198 investigation run its course . Uh to my 08:51.208 --> 08:53.388 knowledge , this official is not a 08:53.398 --> 08:55.559 subject of interest . Uh and the 08:55.568 --> 08:57.679 department remains fully committed to 08:57.679 --> 08:59.790 supporting the investigation and I'll 08:59.790 --> 09:01.790 just leave it there . Matt . Matt , 09:01.790 --> 09:04.159 there have been reports of a joint US 09:04.169 --> 09:08.159 Iraq operation against Isis and the 09:08.169 --> 09:10.280 Iraqi Prime Minister said that at the 09:10.280 --> 09:12.225 top Isis leader in the country was 09:12.225 --> 09:14.225 killed . What can you tell us about 09:14.225 --> 09:16.391 this ? Thanks , Matt . What I can tell 09:16.391 --> 09:19.179 you is that overnight , Sam and Iraqi 09:19.190 --> 09:21.299 security forces conducted a partner 09:21.309 --> 09:24.349 raid in Iraq targeting several senior 09:24.359 --> 09:27.000 Isis leaders . Uh The , the raid 09:27.010 --> 09:29.530 resulted in the death of multiple Isis 09:29.539 --> 09:32.210 operatives . Uh Post mission analysis 09:32.219 --> 09:34.270 is ongoing . So we'll provide more 09:34.280 --> 09:36.390 details once we have confirmed 09:36.400 --> 09:38.511 information and uh we'll have more to 09:38.511 --> 09:40.622 follow on that . Thank you . Now , in 09:40.622 --> 09:42.733 Israel , we've also seen reports that 09:42.733 --> 09:44.733 the country requested another thaad 09:44.733 --> 09:46.956 system from the United States . Are you 09:46.956 --> 09:49.067 tracking any such request ? I've seen 09:49.067 --> 09:51.233 those reports but I'm not aware of a , 09:51.233 --> 09:53.710 a request for a second thud , Tony . 09:53.719 --> 09:55.830 And then Charlie Z President Zelinsky 09:55.830 --> 09:57.830 said the United States has promised 09:57.830 --> 10:00.080 $800 million to Ukraine to produce long 10:00.090 --> 10:02.590 range drones . Can you flush that out a 10:02.599 --> 10:04.969 little bit ? Will this be U SI A money 10:04.979 --> 10:08.219 or some kind of FMF grant , foreign 10:08.229 --> 10:11.000 military financing grant ? Yeah , 10:11.010 --> 10:12.899 thanks Tony . Um Let me take that 10:12.899 --> 10:15.010 question for you because I wanna make 10:15.010 --> 10:17.121 sure we get you the facts . Can I ask 10:17.121 --> 10:19.288 you a leak question ? I mean , uh this 10:19.288 --> 10:21.288 is a two page document . You've had 10:21.288 --> 10:23.288 instances where like to share where 10:23.288 --> 10:25.232 hundreds of pages can you help the 10:25.232 --> 10:27.232 public understand why this two page 10:27.232 --> 10:30.020 document is causing such a kerfuffle 10:30.030 --> 10:32.690 error compared , you know , compared to 10:32.890 --> 10:35.989 Teixeira Wikileaks , there's been over 10:36.000 --> 10:38.222 the decades , there's been this kind of 10:38.222 --> 10:40.444 a sit a situation but what made this so 10:40.444 --> 10:43.429 sensitive ? Um Well , again , this is 10:43.440 --> 10:45.799 currently under investigation . So I'm 10:45.809 --> 10:47.976 going to be very limited in what I can 10:47.976 --> 10:49.809 say , Tony , I would say anytime 10:49.809 --> 10:51.753 there's an allegation of potential 10:51.753 --> 10:53.920 unauthorized disclosures , we're going 10:53.920 --> 10:56.031 to take it seriously . That's exactly 10:56.031 --> 10:58.365 what we're doing and I'll just leave it . 10:58.365 --> 11:00.309 There is a media leak right now or 11:00.309 --> 11:02.440 almost a for an espionage leak by a 11:02.929 --> 11:05.700 foreign government documents . Again , 11:05.710 --> 11:07.766 Tony , it's under investigation . So 11:07.766 --> 11:09.599 I'm just not going to be able to 11:09.599 --> 11:11.710 comment on an ongoing investigation . 11:11.710 --> 11:13.766 Charlie . Ok , thank you , General . 11:13.766 --> 11:15.766 You have said that the dod is fully 11:15.766 --> 11:17.988 supporting the investigation led by the 11:17.988 --> 11:21.359 FBI who at the dod , which departments , 11:21.369 --> 11:24.919 which personnel ? Yeah , what , what I 11:24.929 --> 11:26.873 would tell you , Charlie is dod is 11:26.873 --> 11:29.739 fully supporting the FBI is the lead on 11:29.750 --> 11:31.861 this investigation . So I'd refer you 11:31.861 --> 11:33.806 to them for any questions ? Aren't 11:33.806 --> 11:35.917 there representatives of the dod that 11:35.917 --> 11:38.083 are part of the investigation ? I just 11:38.083 --> 11:37.950 said that the department is fully 11:37.960 --> 11:40.127 supporting , but I'm not going to have 11:40.127 --> 11:42.349 any more details to go to provide me on 11:42.349 --> 11:45.539 that so done . Thanks general . Um 11:45.549 --> 11:48.809 22 different questions . Um We have a 11:48.820 --> 11:51.760 story today showing that 15 unifil 11:51.770 --> 11:54.090 peacekeepers were injured when the ID F 11:54.099 --> 11:56.321 apparently deployed white phosphorus by 11:56.321 --> 11:58.321 their base in southern Lebanon this 11:58.321 --> 12:00.488 month . Um Can I ask what is the dod s 12:00.488 --> 12:02.655 view on the use of white phosphorus in 12:02.655 --> 12:04.979 war ? And would the Pentagon have any 12:04.989 --> 12:07.780 concerns about it being used by or near 12:08.450 --> 12:11.460 uh unifil basis ? Uh So , you know , as 12:11.469 --> 12:14.570 far as Israeli operations go , uh Tom , 12:14.580 --> 12:16.691 I'd have to refer you to them to , to 12:16.691 --> 12:18.747 talk about that , you know , broadly 12:18.747 --> 12:20.747 speaking , white phosphorus is used 12:20.747 --> 12:23.049 essentially as a , a signaling uh uh 12:23.059 --> 12:25.369 you know , uh capability that you can 12:25.380 --> 12:28.900 use to uh hone in on targets or to uh 12:28.909 --> 12:32.869 also uh provide smoke uh capability . 12:33.190 --> 12:36.539 Um But yeah , so it does have a 12:36.549 --> 12:39.369 legitimate use uh in combat operations . 12:40.280 --> 12:43.750 Ok . And then um separately 64 12:43.760 --> 12:45.871 Democrats in Congress yesterday wrote 12:45.871 --> 12:47.982 to President Biden calling for him to 12:47.982 --> 12:50.093 push Israel to allow unimpeded access 12:50.093 --> 12:51.816 for American and international 12:51.816 --> 12:54.760 journalists in Gaza into Gaza . Um The 12:54.770 --> 12:56.770 letter has been endorsed by CPJ and 12:56.770 --> 12:58.881 many other journalist organizations . 12:58.881 --> 13:01.390 Does the secretary support the call for 13:01.400 --> 13:03.567 journalists to be allowed in unimpeded 13:03.567 --> 13:06.369 into Gaza Yeah , I I don't have a 13:06.380 --> 13:08.330 comment to provide on the specific 13:08.340 --> 13:10.451 letter itself . Tom , I will say that 13:10.451 --> 13:12.451 the department and Secretary Austin 13:12.451 --> 13:14.507 fully support a free and independent 13:14.507 --> 13:16.562 press uh and the important role that 13:16.562 --> 13:18.729 journalists play in providing facts to 13:18.729 --> 13:20.951 audiences worldwide . And that includes 13:20.951 --> 13:23.284 reporting from conflict zones like Gaza . 13:23.284 --> 13:25.562 Thank you . Come back , Carla , thanks . 13:25.562 --> 13:27.618 Just a few follow ups on the raid in 13:27.618 --> 13:30.049 Iraq . Can you tell us was the ISIS 13:30.059 --> 13:32.003 leader in the country ? Was he the 13:32.003 --> 13:34.170 target ? Where was this raid ? And was 13:34.170 --> 13:36.289 this us led or was this Iraqi led ? 13:37.150 --> 13:39.309 Yeah , thanks , Carla . Um So on the 13:39.320 --> 13:42.010 raid , uh again , we'll have more 13:42.020 --> 13:44.770 details to follow . Um Again , my 13:44.780 --> 13:46.947 understanding this was a , a partnered 13:46.947 --> 13:50.130 raid . Um And so as we have more 13:50.140 --> 13:51.862 information to provide , we'll 13:51.862 --> 13:53.973 certainly get that up . Ok . And then 13:53.973 --> 13:56.140 just to follow up on the leak , I know 13:56.140 --> 13:58.196 you mentioned that the individual is 13:58.196 --> 14:00.418 not under investigation just so there's 14:00.418 --> 14:00.070 no ambiguity . Are we talking about 14:00.119 --> 14:03.609 Ariana to again look for the , for the 14:03.619 --> 14:07.059 purposes of reporting here ? I don't 14:07.070 --> 14:08.959 wanna start throwing out names to 14:08.959 --> 14:11.559 perpetuate uh information that uh again , 14:11.570 --> 14:14.039 as , as I highlighted to my knowledge , 14:14.440 --> 14:16.162 uh the official that was being 14:16.162 --> 14:18.496 referenced is not a subject of interest . 14:18.496 --> 14:20.607 So just leave it there . And does the 14:20.607 --> 14:22.590 Pentagon feel that the leak did 14:22.599 --> 14:24.979 originate in the , again , this is 14:24.989 --> 14:27.156 under investigation ? So I'm not going 14:27.156 --> 14:29.211 to have any comment to provide on an 14:29.211 --> 14:31.929 ongoing investigation just to follow up 14:31.940 --> 14:33.607 on the leak . Can you help us 14:33.607 --> 14:35.496 understand why the Pentagon isn't 14:35.496 --> 14:37.662 conducting its own investigation ? You 14:37.662 --> 14:39.718 said you're supporting the FBI ? Why 14:39.718 --> 14:41.829 isn't dod conducting its own , either 14:41.829 --> 14:43.884 joint or separate investigation into 14:43.884 --> 14:46.051 the leak or , or how the system failed 14:46.051 --> 14:48.273 or broke down in this case ? Well , I'm 14:48.273 --> 14:50.273 just giving you a statement of fact 14:50.273 --> 14:52.496 here . Uh or , and that is that the FBI 14:52.496 --> 14:54.607 is investigating the alleged leak and 14:54.607 --> 14:56.773 working closely with the Department of 14:56.773 --> 14:58.940 Defense and the Intelligence community 14:58.940 --> 15:01.051 and I'll just leave it there . Let me 15:01.051 --> 15:03.630 go back . Yes , ma'am . Thank you . Uh 15:03.640 --> 15:06.229 On Sunday , us seventh fleet destroyer 15:06.239 --> 15:08.869 conducted transit through the Taiwan 15:08.880 --> 15:11.210 Strait with Canadian Navy . So what 15:11.219 --> 15:13.275 message was the US trying to send to 15:13.275 --> 15:15.570 China ? Given the China's recent 15:15.580 --> 15:18.070 military DS around Taiwan ? Yeah , 15:18.080 --> 15:21.789 thanks for the question . The uh Arley 15:21.799 --> 15:24.132 Burke class guided missile destroyer US . 15:24.132 --> 15:26.520 S Higgins and Royal Canadian Navy , 15:26.530 --> 15:29.250 Halifax class frigate . Uh hm CS 15:29.260 --> 15:32.059 Vancouver conducted a routine Taiwan 15:32.070 --> 15:34.299 Strait transit on October 20 through 15:34.309 --> 15:36.198 waters where high seas freedom of 15:36.198 --> 15:38.309 navigation and overflight apply in 15:38.320 --> 15:40.599 accordance with international law . The 15:40.609 --> 15:42.498 ship's transit through the Taiwan 15:42.498 --> 15:44.720 Strait demonstrates the US and Canada's 15:44.720 --> 15:46.665 commitment to a free and open indo 15:46.665 --> 15:48.780 pacific , the United States military 15:48.789 --> 15:50.619 fly sails and operates anywhere 15:50.630 --> 15:54.030 international laws allows . So , thank 15:54.039 --> 15:56.261 you very much . Yes , sir . Thank you , 15:56.261 --> 15:59.559 General . Um uh yesterday , uh a Austin , 15:59.570 --> 16:02.900 the envoy of the President Biden said 16:02.909 --> 16:05.059 in when he was in Beirut , that the 16:05.070 --> 16:07.181 conflict between Israel and Hezbollah 16:07.419 --> 16:10.479 had escalated out of control . So , 16:10.489 --> 16:12.600 does the Secretary Austin still there 16:12.600 --> 16:15.500 is a bad way for the diplomatic , like 16:15.510 --> 16:19.489 a ceasefire in any way in Lebanon ? Um , 16:19.500 --> 16:21.940 the , the short answer is yes . You 16:21.950 --> 16:24.419 know , he , he does . Uh , and , and we 16:24.429 --> 16:27.900 think that it's important that we get 16:27.909 --> 16:31.200 to a cessation of hostilities through 16:31.210 --> 16:33.043 diplomatic means as , as soon as 16:33.043 --> 16:35.043 possible . Um , you know , and he , 16:35.043 --> 16:37.099 he's made that very clear as has the 16:37.099 --> 16:39.266 department and other US officials . Uh 16:39.266 --> 16:41.154 You've got Secretary Blinken , of 16:41.154 --> 16:43.377 course , in the Middle East right now , 16:43.377 --> 16:45.432 uh working toward that end . So , uh 16:45.432 --> 16:47.543 ultimately , again , we fully support 16:47.543 --> 16:49.599 Israel's right to defend itself . Um 16:49.599 --> 16:51.710 But we also believe that the best way 16:51.710 --> 16:53.654 to reduce the tensions that we see 16:53.654 --> 16:55.654 right now uh are through diplomatic 16:55.654 --> 16:57.766 means . And so we'll continue to work 16:57.766 --> 16:59.877 closely uh throughout the interagency 16:59.877 --> 17:01.988 and with our partners in the region . 17:01.988 --> 17:03.979 Toward that end . There are some 17:03.989 --> 17:06.880 reports claiming that the US and Israel 17:06.890 --> 17:09.290 have been reached an understanding on 17:09.300 --> 17:12.540 the specific targets that could be uh 17:12.790 --> 17:14.869 for the Israeli if they want to 17:14.880 --> 17:18.500 reiterate Iranian in the maybe coming 17:18.510 --> 17:21.010 times . Do you confirm that report ? 17:21.479 --> 17:23.890 Look , I'm not going to speak for the 17:23.900 --> 17:26.011 Israelis and what they may or may not 17:26.011 --> 17:28.500 do in terms of uh any operations . I 17:28.510 --> 17:30.621 I'd refer you to the Israelis to talk 17:30.621 --> 17:32.621 about that . Let me go to the phone 17:32.621 --> 17:34.732 here real quick . Um Jeff schole task 17:34.732 --> 17:37.589 and purpose . Uh Thank you . Uh Our 17:37.599 --> 17:39.710 sister publication of the War Zone is 17:39.710 --> 17:42.619 reporting that 11,800 North Koreans 17:42.630 --> 17:44.800 have deployed to Russia to fight in 17:44.810 --> 17:46.949 Ukraine . Uh including some that are 17:46.959 --> 17:49.479 expected to uh fight in the Kursk 17:49.489 --> 17:52.520 region in Russia . I want to know now 17:52.530 --> 17:56.020 that the dod has had time . Can it say 17:56.030 --> 17:58.260 whether North Korea has deployed troops 17:58.270 --> 18:00.437 to Russia to fight in Ukraine ? I know 18:00.437 --> 18:02.492 you might say this is a question for 18:02.492 --> 18:04.437 Russia and North Korea , but their 18:04.437 --> 18:06.659 public affairs apparatus is lacking and 18:06.659 --> 18:09.800 quite frankly , you're nicer . Thanks 18:09.810 --> 18:11.829 Jeff . Um you know , in terms of 18:11.839 --> 18:14.859 updates , uh Jeff uh you know , in , in 18:14.869 --> 18:17.339 order to uh you know , give you the 18:17.349 --> 18:19.627 facts as I know . Uh Right now , we're , 18:19.627 --> 18:21.738 we're looking into those reports . Um 18:22.040 --> 18:24.207 you know , uh as you've heard us say , 18:24.207 --> 18:27.189 uh that uh this development would mark 18:27.199 --> 18:29.280 a dangerous and highly concerning 18:29.290 --> 18:32.410 development . Um But we'll continue to 18:32.420 --> 18:34.949 uh keep you updated on information as 18:34.959 --> 18:37.310 we are able to make it available . Uh 18:37.319 --> 18:39.152 And of course , are , you know , 18:39.152 --> 18:41.375 consulting with our allies and partners 18:41.375 --> 18:43.486 uh in the region and around the world 18:43.486 --> 18:45.597 on this topic ? Thank you . Let me go 18:45.597 --> 18:47.790 to uh Mike from Washington Times . 18:48.579 --> 18:50.690 Thank you , Pat to change the subject 18:50.690 --> 18:52.729 for a second uh DJ I systems . The 18:52.739 --> 18:55.119 Chinese drone company has filed a 18:55.130 --> 18:57.449 lawsuit against uh the , the Pentagon 18:57.459 --> 18:59.660 and Secretary Austin for your decision 18:59.670 --> 19:01.726 to designate them as a quote Chinese 19:01.726 --> 19:03.726 military company , they say it hurt 19:03.726 --> 19:05.892 their bottom line . I was wondering if 19:05.892 --> 19:07.892 y'all have a , a statement or about 19:07.892 --> 19:10.114 that ? Can you , can you confirm any of 19:10.114 --> 19:12.709 that ? Yeah , thanks Mike . Uh as uh 19:12.869 --> 19:15.091 I'm aware of the , the press reports on 19:15.091 --> 19:18.400 this . Uh but um we are uh not gonna be 19:18.410 --> 19:20.930 able to comment uh due to ongoing 19:20.939 --> 19:24.060 litigation on this issue . So um just 19:24.069 --> 19:26.236 have to leave it there for right now . 19:26.236 --> 19:30.040 Come back to J two K on this 19:30.109 --> 19:32.920 pet of North Korean troops , North 19:32.930 --> 19:35.609 Korea and fighter pilots were already 19:35.619 --> 19:38.930 training in Russia and it was revealed 19:39.150 --> 19:42.500 that this pet of 1500 19:43.589 --> 19:47.010 forces and several 1000 ground 19:47.020 --> 19:50.699 troops and already been playing 19:51.790 --> 19:54.530 uh even though the United States 19:55.069 --> 19:57.859 has , you know , severance , you know , 19:59.140 --> 20:02.079 attached but the why the White House 20:02.089 --> 20:04.319 and the State Department even know the 20:04.709 --> 20:07.689 answer to this . And what is the 20:07.699 --> 20:11.250 Pentagon's uh position on this ? I , 20:11.270 --> 20:13.326 I'm not sure I fully understand your 20:13.326 --> 20:16.329 question , Jenny , can you about North 20:16.339 --> 20:18.599 Korean pilots training in 20:20.050 --> 20:23.969 pilots in training in Russia already 20:24.239 --> 20:26.420 been through ? Why 20:27.550 --> 20:30.790 United States assets 20:30.849 --> 20:34.140 cannot catch this issue ? 20:34.579 --> 20:38.319 Well , look clearly , North Korea and 20:38.329 --> 20:41.189 Russia have a relationship uh as to the 20:41.199 --> 20:43.366 each is of that relationship and , and 20:43.366 --> 20:45.477 the kinds of exchanges of information 20:45.477 --> 20:47.890 and training that they've had over the 20:47.900 --> 20:51.089 years . Um You know , that that in and 20:51.099 --> 20:52.988 of itself is not something that's 20:52.988 --> 20:55.390 necessarily new . Um But obviously , 20:55.400 --> 20:57.622 we're continuing to keep a close eye on 20:57.622 --> 20:59.789 this uh as it relates to the situation 20:59.789 --> 21:01.844 in Ukraine . And as I highlighted to 21:01.844 --> 21:03.900 your colleague , uh when we have any 21:03.900 --> 21:05.678 updates on that to provide , we 21:05.678 --> 21:07.789 certainly will South Korean president 21:07.789 --> 21:09.789 and the NATO Secretary General head 21:10.010 --> 21:13.704 upon conversation yesterday . And he 21:13.714 --> 21:16.714 mentioned the possibility of providing 21:16.724 --> 21:19.925 Ukraine with weapons of mass 21:19.935 --> 21:23.734 destruction , including 155 21:23.744 --> 21:26.175 millimeters shells . How would you 21:26.185 --> 21:29.775 react to ? I'll let you said the South 21:29.785 --> 21:33.734 Korean , I'll let the speak for itself 21:33.744 --> 21:35.466 in terms of its decisions . We 21:35.466 --> 21:37.522 certainly welcome uh the Republic of 21:37.522 --> 21:40.939 Korea's support for Ukraine's uh fight 21:40.949 --> 21:43.116 for freedom and sovereignty , but I'll 21:43.116 --> 21:45.171 let them speak to any decisions they 21:45.171 --> 21:47.227 may make on that front a couple more 21:47.227 --> 21:49.449 Charlie . Yeah , I had another question 21:49.449 --> 21:51.839 I want to ask earlier in terms of 21:51.949 --> 21:55.109 Israeli retaliation , Iranian counter 21:55.160 --> 21:58.520 retaliation . We've seen this pattern 21:58.530 --> 22:00.699 where it's been a matter of weeks 22:00.709 --> 22:02.765 before either side would retaliate . 22:02.765 --> 22:04.931 Are you expecting that this might be a 22:04.931 --> 22:06.931 more immediate , in fact , possibly 22:06.931 --> 22:09.219 even simultaneous from the Iranians if 22:09.229 --> 22:12.180 attacked um Charlie , you know , I'm , 22:12.189 --> 22:15.150 I'm not going to speculate um or , or 22:15.160 --> 22:17.180 try to predict the future . Um 22:19.109 --> 22:21.109 We , we prepare for a wide range of 22:21.109 --> 22:23.449 contingencies . And so , uh again , our 22:23.459 --> 22:25.869 focus has been on working with partners 22:25.880 --> 22:28.102 throughout the region to try to prevent 22:28.102 --> 22:30.269 uh the current tensions from spiraling 22:30.269 --> 22:32.491 into a wider conflict . I will say that 22:32.491 --> 22:34.547 that continues to be our overarching 22:34.547 --> 22:36.819 aim . Uh Recognizing again , that 22:36.829 --> 22:39.569 Israel faces multiple threats and we'll 22:39.579 --> 22:41.468 do our part to help support their 22:41.468 --> 22:43.468 defense . But as far as far as what 22:43.468 --> 22:45.699 Israel may or may not do and Iran may 22:45.709 --> 22:47.876 or may not do , I'm just not gonna get 22:47.876 --> 22:49.729 into speculating or talk about 22:49.739 --> 22:51.850 hypotheticals , for instance , having 22:51.850 --> 22:54.619 the thaad in place before Israel 22:54.630 --> 22:56.739 retaliates . Does that play into the 22:56.750 --> 22:59.229 calculus ? Look , I think that , that 22:59.239 --> 23:01.350 as we've highlighted augments the air 23:01.350 --> 23:03.689 defense capability that we already have 23:03.699 --> 23:06.780 in the theater and the context is twice 23:06.790 --> 23:09.500 now , Iran has conducted massive 23:09.510 --> 23:12.040 missile and drone barrages against Iran . 23:12.050 --> 23:13.883 So this augments the air defense 23:13.883 --> 23:15.994 capability that we have in the region 23:15.994 --> 23:17.717 as well as provides additional 23:17.717 --> 23:19.606 protection for our forces and our 23:19.606 --> 23:21.828 American citizens who are in the Middle 23:21.828 --> 23:23.772 East . Last question , Matt . So a 23:23.772 --> 23:25.661 quick follow up on that partnered 23:25.661 --> 23:28.189 operation in Iraq . Um Did you have any 23:28.199 --> 23:30.569 battle damage assessment on ISIS ? And 23:30.579 --> 23:32.670 were there any American or partnered 23:32.680 --> 23:34.902 force casualties that you're aware of ? 23:35.219 --> 23:37.900 Um So the uh mission analysis is 23:37.910 --> 23:41.319 ongoing . Um We do have uh reports of 23:41.329 --> 23:43.162 two US service members that were 23:43.170 --> 23:45.337 injured . I don't have more to provide 23:45.337 --> 23:46.892 at this time . Matt . Uh My 23:46.892 --> 23:49.059 understanding is that both of them are 23:49.059 --> 23:48.920 in stable condition , being treated for 23:48.930 --> 23:51.152 their injuries . Um But certainly we'll 23:51.152 --> 23:53.097 have more to provide on that as it 23:53.097 --> 23:56.849 becomes available . Um Yeah , where are 23:56.859 --> 23:59.130 they being treated ? Uh again , that's 23:59.140 --> 24:01.084 the information I have right now . 24:01.084 --> 24:03.251 We'll keep you updated on that front . 24:03.251 --> 24:05.251 Ok . All right . Thanks very much . 24:05.251 --> 24:05.079 Everybody . Appreciate it .