WEBVTT 00:08.640 --> 00:10.584 Well , good morning . Uh , we just 00:10.584 --> 00:12.640 finished an update with Admiral Brad 00:12.640 --> 00:14.751 Cooper , the CENTCOM commander across 00:14.751 --> 00:16.807 the CENTCOM AOR , our leadership and 00:16.807 --> 00:18.973 troops , as you would expect , doing a 00:18.973 --> 00:21.370 fantastic job . 2 days ago under the 00:21.370 --> 00:23.209 direction and direct orders of 00:23.209 --> 00:25.042 President Donald J . Trump , the 00:25.042 --> 00:27.098 Department of War launched Operation 00:27.098 --> 00:29.479 Epic Fury . The most lethal , most 00:29.479 --> 00:32.270 complex , and most precise aerial 00:32.270 --> 00:35.919 operation in history . For 47 long 00:35.919 --> 00:38.030 years , the expansionist and Islamist 00:38.030 --> 00:40.680 regime in Tehran has waged a savage 00:40.680 --> 00:42.919 one-sided war against America . They 00:42.919 --> 00:44.979 didn't always declare it openly , 00:45.360 --> 00:47.360 except for their constant chance of 00:47.360 --> 00:49.527 death to America . They did it through 00:49.527 --> 00:52.159 the blood of our people . Car bombs in 00:52.159 --> 00:55.150 Beirut , rocket attacks on our ships , 00:55.479 --> 00:57.479 murders at our embassies , roadside 00:57.479 --> 01:01.279 bombs in Iraq and Afghanistan , funded 01:01.279 --> 01:03.720 and armed by Iranian Quds Force and 01:03.720 --> 01:07.290 IRGC killers . My generation 01:07.290 --> 01:10.230 of veterans carry the names of brothers 01:10.470 --> 01:12.550 who never came home . Brothers 01:12.550 --> 01:14.606 butchered by Iranian-backed roadside 01:14.606 --> 01:16.949 bombs and well-armed militias , 01:17.110 --> 01:21.089 thousands of our own . We didn't start 01:21.089 --> 01:24.010 this war , but under President Trump we 01:24.010 --> 01:26.989 are finishing it . Their war on 01:26.989 --> 01:29.209 Americans has become our retribution 01:29.750 --> 01:32.540 against their Ayatollah . And his death 01:32.540 --> 01:36.059 cult . It took the 47th president , a 01:36.059 --> 01:38.620 fighter who always puts America first , 01:38.940 --> 01:41.919 to finally draw the line after 47 years 01:42.180 --> 01:44.860 of Iranian belligerence . He reminded 01:44.860 --> 01:46.860 the world , as he has time and time 01:46.860 --> 01:48.779 again , being an American means 01:48.779 --> 01:51.580 something unbreakable . If you kill 01:51.580 --> 01:54.120 Americans , if you threaten Americans 01:54.120 --> 01:56.176 anywhere on Earth , we will hunt you 01:56.176 --> 01:58.440 down without apology and without 01:58.440 --> 02:01.559 hesitation , and we will kill you . 02:03.110 --> 02:05.054 President Trump has also been very 02:05.054 --> 02:07.800 consistent . Crazy regimes like Iran , 02:07.889 --> 02:10.130 hell bent on prophetic Islamist 02:10.130 --> 02:13.949 delusions cannot have nuclear weapons . 02:14.250 --> 02:17.089 It's common sense . Many have said it 02:17.960 --> 02:20.071 But it takes guts to actually enforce 02:20.071 --> 02:21.960 it , and our president has guts . 02:23.270 --> 02:25.470 Iran's stubborn and self-evident 02:25.470 --> 02:27.581 nuclear pursuits , their targeting of 02:27.581 --> 02:29.470 global shipping lanes , and their 02:29.470 --> 02:31.637 swelling arsenal of ballistic missiles 02:31.637 --> 02:33.940 and killer drones were no longer , are 02:33.940 --> 02:37.029 no longer tolerable risks . Iran was 02:37.029 --> 02:40.190 building powerful missiles and drones 02:40.550 --> 02:42.789 to create a conventional shield for 02:42.789 --> 02:45.149 their nuclear blackmail ambitions . Let 02:45.149 --> 02:47.509 me say that again , a conventional 02:47.509 --> 02:50.429 shield for their nuclear blackmail 02:50.429 --> 02:53.580 ambitions . Our bases , our people , 02:53.660 --> 02:56.130 our allies , all in their crosshairs . 02:56.460 --> 02:59.119 Iran had a conventional gun to our head 02:59.419 --> 03:01.619 as they tried to lie their way to a 03:01.619 --> 03:05.199 nuclear bomb . It almost worked under 03:05.199 --> 03:08.160 Obama and his terrible deal , but not 03:08.160 --> 03:10.929 under this president . Turns out the 03:10.929 --> 03:14.330 regime who chanted Death to America and 03:14.330 --> 03:17.949 death to Israel . Was gifted death 03:17.949 --> 03:21.089 from America and death from Israel . 03:21.990 --> 03:24.309 This is not a so-called regime change 03:24.309 --> 03:28.289 war . But the regime Sure did change . 03:29.199 --> 03:31.440 And the world is better off for it . 03:32.770 --> 03:34.937 Today in their desperation , the enemy 03:34.937 --> 03:37.830 is unmasked . As Iranian missiles and 03:37.830 --> 03:40.949 drones rained down indiscriminately on 03:40.949 --> 03:44.059 the hotels , airports , apartments , 03:44.190 --> 03:46.350 and other civilian targets of their 03:46.350 --> 03:49.369 neighbors , cowardly terrorist tactics 03:49.690 --> 03:52.309 for regi from a regime that for decades 03:52.309 --> 03:55.009 has trafficked in cowardly terrorist 03:55.110 --> 03:57.889 tactics , lies , death and destruction 03:58.259 --> 04:01.169 to this day . The Iranian leadership 04:01.169 --> 04:04.419 has built nothing . Except proxies and 04:04.419 --> 04:06.539 missiles and drones and deeply buried 04:06.539 --> 04:08.699 nuclear factories and facilities . 04:09.470 --> 04:12.029 Peaceful nuclear ambitions do not need 04:12.029 --> 04:14.669 to be buried underneath mountains . 04:16.309 --> 04:18.929 Last June , Operation Midnight Hammer 04:19.070 --> 04:21.140 obliterated their nuclear program to 04:21.140 --> 04:24.279 rubble . Afterward we told them plainly , 04:24.380 --> 04:26.480 that's it , now make a deal . They 04:26.480 --> 04:29.160 arrogantly refused . We said , rebuild 04:29.160 --> 04:31.399 it and we'll stop you again this time 04:31.399 --> 04:33.679 far worse . Well , President Trump , 04:34.100 --> 04:36.540 Secretary Rubio , Steve Witkopf , Jared 04:36.540 --> 04:39.059 Kushner , they bent over backwards for 04:39.059 --> 04:41.380 real diplomacy , offering pathway after 04:41.380 --> 04:43.602 pathway to peace . I watched it . I was 04:43.602 --> 04:46.910 there . They tried over and over and 04:46.910 --> 04:49.510 over again earnest attempts at peace . 04:50.339 --> 04:52.820 The former regime had every chance to 04:52.820 --> 04:56.720 make a peaceful and sensible deal . But 04:56.720 --> 04:59.100 Tehran was not negotiating . They were 04:59.100 --> 05:01.890 stalling Buying time to reload their 05:01.890 --> 05:04.160 missile stockpiles and restart their 05:04.160 --> 05:07.089 nuclear ambitions . Their goal hold us 05:07.089 --> 05:09.929 hostage , threatening to strike our 05:09.929 --> 05:13.320 forces . Well . President Trump doesn't 05:13.320 --> 05:15.959 play those games . And as Secretary 05:15.959 --> 05:18.440 Rubio said after the Maduro raid , if 05:18.440 --> 05:20.600 you don't know , now you know . 05:21.570 --> 05:24.049 President Trump puts America and 05:24.049 --> 05:26.730 Americans first . He doesn't hesitate 05:26.730 --> 05:29.290 and neither do our troops . The mission 05:29.290 --> 05:32.549 of Operation Epic Fury is laser focused . 05:33.010 --> 05:35.066 Destroy Iranian offensive missiles , 05:35.066 --> 05:37.121 destroy Iranian missile production , 05:37.121 --> 05:39.232 destroy their navy and other security 05:39.232 --> 05:41.288 infrastructure , and they will never 05:41.288 --> 05:44.450 have nuclear weapons . We're hitting 05:44.450 --> 05:47.260 them surgically , overwhelmingly and 05:47.260 --> 05:51.260 unapologetically . With every passing 05:51.260 --> 05:53.482 day , our capabilities get stronger and 05:53.482 --> 05:57.380 Iran's get weaker . We set the terms of 05:57.380 --> 06:00.820 this war from start to finish . Our 06:00.820 --> 06:03.859 ambitions are not utopian . They are 06:03.859 --> 06:06.859 realistic , scoped to our interests and 06:06.859 --> 06:09.179 the defense of our people and our 06:09.179 --> 06:12.359 allies . Speaking of people . 06:13.440 --> 06:15.218 We hope the Iranian people take 06:15.218 --> 06:16.839 advantage of this incredible 06:16.839 --> 06:19.006 opportunity . President Trump has been 06:19.006 --> 06:22.989 clear , now is your time . To 06:22.989 --> 06:24.980 Iranian Iranian security forces . 06:25.940 --> 06:29.500 Choose wisely . President Trump has 06:29.500 --> 06:32.790 also been clear about your fate in 06:32.790 --> 06:36.500 either direction . To the media 06:36.500 --> 06:38.556 outlets and political left screaming 06:38.556 --> 06:41.940 endless wars , stop . This is not Iraq 06:42.920 --> 06:45.760 This is not endless . I was there for 06:45.760 --> 06:48.519 both . Our generation knows better and 06:48.519 --> 06:51.459 so does this president . He called the 06:51.459 --> 06:53.570 last 20 years of nation building wars 06:53.570 --> 06:57.429 dumb . And he's right . This is the 06:57.429 --> 07:00.660 opposite . This operation is a clear , 07:01.200 --> 07:03.359 devastating , decisive mission . 07:03.600 --> 07:05.656 Destroy the missile threat . Destroy 07:05.656 --> 07:09.019 the navy . No nukes . Israel has clear 07:09.019 --> 07:11.619 missions as well for which we are 07:11.619 --> 07:15.049 grateful . Capable partners , as we've 07:15.049 --> 07:17.130 said since the beginning , capable 07:17.130 --> 07:20.230 partners are good partners . Unlike so 07:20.230 --> 07:22.549 many of our traditional allies who 07:22.549 --> 07:24.493 wring their hands and clutch their 07:24.493 --> 07:26.869 pearls , hemming and hawing about the 07:26.869 --> 07:30.589 use of force . America , regardless of 07:30.589 --> 07:32.410 what so-called international 07:32.410 --> 07:34.466 institutions say , is unleashing the 07:34.466 --> 07:36.390 most lethal and precise air power 07:36.390 --> 07:39.609 campaign in history . B-twos , fighters , 07:39.690 --> 07:41.690 drones , missiles , and of course , 07:42.049 --> 07:45.790 classified effects . All on 07:45.790 --> 07:48.519 our terms . With maximum authorities , 07:48.720 --> 07:50.664 no stupid rules of engagement , no 07:50.664 --> 07:52.887 nation building quagmire , no democracy 07:52.887 --> 07:55.480 building exercise , no politically 07:55.480 --> 07:58.440 correct wars . We fight to win and we 07:58.440 --> 08:02.320 don't waste time . Or lives . As the 08:02.320 --> 08:04.376 president warned , an effort of this 08:04.376 --> 08:08.359 scope will include casualties . War 08:08.359 --> 08:12.250 is hell and always will be . A 08:12.250 --> 08:14.140 grateful nation honors the four 08:14.140 --> 08:16.140 Americans we have lost thus far and 08:16.140 --> 08:20.100 those injured . The absolute best of 08:20.109 --> 08:23.779 America . May we prosecute the 08:23.779 --> 08:26.001 remainder of this operation in a manner 08:26.001 --> 08:29.119 that honors them . No apologies . 08:29.970 --> 08:33.450 No hesitation Epic fury 08:34.169 --> 08:36.969 for them and the thousands of Americans 08:36.969 --> 08:40.250 before them taken too soon by Iranian 08:40.250 --> 08:43.080 radicals . Before I turn it over to 08:43.080 --> 08:45.413 General Kane for the operational update , 08:45.413 --> 08:47.719 let me speak straight to you , the 08:47.719 --> 08:50.630 joint force , our warriors on the front 08:50.630 --> 08:54.369 lines . This is your moment . This is 08:54.369 --> 08:56.536 the generational turning point America 08:56.536 --> 08:58.758 has waited for since 1979 and since the 08:58.758 --> 09:01.049 rudderless wars of hubris , my 09:01.049 --> 09:03.160 generation , our generation endured . 09:03.640 --> 09:05.900 Don't listen to the noise . Just stay 09:05.900 --> 09:08.140 focused . Our commander in chief is 09:08.140 --> 09:11.229 steady at the wheel . We face a 09:11.229 --> 09:13.549 determined enemy , but you are better . 09:14.690 --> 09:16.912 But we must prove it every single day . 09:16.912 --> 09:19.023 History doesn't care if we're tired , 09:19.023 --> 09:21.246 if we're scared , or if the fight feels 09:21.246 --> 09:23.530 big . It demands warriors who rise 09:23.530 --> 09:26.919 anyway . Peace through strength , the 09:26.919 --> 09:29.799 warrior ethos , lethality , unity of 09:29.799 --> 09:32.039 purpose , those are not slogans . 09:32.859 --> 09:35.179 They're the beating heart Of what it 09:35.179 --> 09:37.012 means to wear the uniform , that 09:37.012 --> 09:40.219 uniform . You think clearly under fire , 09:40.270 --> 09:42.549 you act decisively in chaos . You 09:42.549 --> 09:45.039 uphold the Constitution . And you 09:45.039 --> 09:47.261 uphold our country without hesitation . 09:48.159 --> 09:51.650 We are not defenders anymore . We are 09:51.659 --> 09:53.960 warriors . Trained to kill the enemy 09:53.960 --> 09:55.849 and break their will . History is 09:55.849 --> 09:58.140 watching , be the force you swore an 09:58.140 --> 10:00.989 oath to be focused , disciplined , 10:01.280 --> 10:03.619 lethal , and unbreakable . 10:05.280 --> 10:08.950 We will finish this On America first 10:08.950 --> 10:11.000 conditions of President Trump's 10:11.000 --> 10:14.500 choosing , nobody else's . As it should 10:14.500 --> 10:16.690 be . And know this above all , 10:16.840 --> 10:19.789 President Trump and I have your back , 10:20.169 --> 10:23.469 always . Through fire , through 10:23.469 --> 10:27.150 criticism , through fake news , through 10:27.150 --> 10:29.372 everything , we unleash you because you 10:29.372 --> 10:32.309 are the best , most powerful , most 10:32.309 --> 10:34.630 lethal fighting force the world has 10:34.630 --> 10:38.369 ever seen . May Almighty 10:38.369 --> 10:41.440 God watch over you . And his 10:41.440 --> 10:44.820 providential arms of protection extend 10:44.979 --> 10:48.630 over you . Godspeed warriors and keep 10:48.630 --> 10:51.000 going . General Kane , over to you . 10:51.210 --> 10:53.432 Thank you , Mr . Secretary , and , uh , 10:53.432 --> 10:55.543 good morning , everyone . The purpose 10:55.543 --> 10:57.710 of my portion of the briefing today is 10:57.710 --> 10:59.821 to update you and the American people 10:59.821 --> 11:01.821 on the actions taken thus far . The 11:01.821 --> 11:04.043 briefing will discuss the preparation , 11:04.043 --> 11:06.210 the planning , setting the force , the 11:06.210 --> 11:08.043 early operations , and how we're 11:08.043 --> 11:10.210 assessing the progress thus far . Uh , 11:10.229 --> 11:12.289 so let's get started . On Saturday , 11:12.710 --> 11:16.640 28th February at 01:15 11:16.750 --> 11:19.869 Eastern Standard Time , 9:45 a.m. local 11:19.869 --> 11:21.813 Tehran time , on the orders of the 11:21.813 --> 11:23.813 President of the United States , US 11:23.813 --> 11:25.869 Central Command under the command of 11:25.869 --> 11:28.036 United States Navy Admiral Brad Cooper 11:28.036 --> 11:30.710 commenced Operation Epic Fury . As I 11:30.710 --> 11:32.821 said , I'm gonna walk you through the 11:32.821 --> 11:34.932 initial phases of the operation . But 11:34.932 --> 11:36.729 first I want to express my deep 11:36.729 --> 11:39.210 condolences and the condolences of the 11:39.210 --> 11:41.570 joint force to the Department of War 11:41.570 --> 11:44.090 personnel killed and wounded in action 11:44.090 --> 11:46.369 thus far . As the Secretary said , 11:46.450 --> 11:48.650 they're heroes and represent the best 11:48.650 --> 11:51.130 of our nation has to offer . They're 11:51.130 --> 11:53.609 true examples of what selfless service 11:53.609 --> 11:55.650 means . Our deepest and heartfelt 11:55.650 --> 11:57.761 condolences are with their families , 11:58.010 --> 12:00.210 their friends , and their units . We 12:00.210 --> 12:02.099 grieve with you and we will never 12:02.099 --> 12:04.419 forget you . Additionally , I stand 12:04.419 --> 12:06.700 here before you today grateful for each 12:06.700 --> 12:08.978 service member , planner , logistician , 12:08.978 --> 12:11.450 operator across our joint force , for 12:11.450 --> 12:13.561 our Department of War civilians , our 12:13.561 --> 12:15.859 intelligence community teammates , our 12:15.859 --> 12:18.659 interagency teammates who continue to 12:18.659 --> 12:22.140 stand in harm's way alongside us . I am 12:22.140 --> 12:24.140 proud of all of you as you take the 12:24.140 --> 12:26.140 fight to the enemy , and we are the 12:26.140 --> 12:28.084 best in the world at integrating , 12:28.109 --> 12:31.070 period . I want to extend my personal 12:31.070 --> 12:34.340 gratitude to the dedicated commanders 12:34.530 --> 12:36.650 and senior enlisted leaders and the 12:36.650 --> 12:39.130 enlisted members of the joint force who 12:39.130 --> 12:41.074 are fighting this fight across the 12:41.074 --> 12:43.650 CENCOMAOR . In addition to Admiral 12:43.650 --> 12:46.570 Cooper and Fleet Master Chief Compton , 12:46.820 --> 12:49.409 I want to highlight a few today . US 12:49.409 --> 12:51.242 Army Central Command Commander , 12:51.242 --> 12:53.500 Lieutenant General Pat Frank , who 12:53.500 --> 12:55.570 along with his team are fighting the 12:55.570 --> 12:57.903 counter missile and counter drone fight . 12:58.510 --> 13:01.260 United States Navy Central Command 13:01.320 --> 13:04.039 Commander Vice Admiral Kurt Renshaw and 13:04.039 --> 13:06.039 his team , who are engaged with the 13:06.039 --> 13:08.919 Iranian Navy in projecting American 13:08.919 --> 13:12.200 naval combat power from the seas , and 13:12.200 --> 13:14.422 United States Air Force Central Command 13:14.422 --> 13:16.367 commander Lieutenant General Derek 13:16.367 --> 13:19.159 France and his leadership team who are 13:19.159 --> 13:21.381 crushing Iranian targets from the air . 13:21.950 --> 13:24.117 I want to highlight the support to the 13:24.117 --> 13:26.179 CENTCOM fight from other combatant 13:26.179 --> 13:28.401 commands who are directly involved with 13:28.401 --> 13:31.510 this effort to include US SpaceCom , US 13:31.510 --> 13:35.500 CyberCom , and US UCO . I also wanna 13:35.500 --> 13:38.260 specifically call out United States 13:38.260 --> 13:40.590 Transportation Command and US StratCom 13:41.260 --> 13:43.482 for their contributions to this fight . 13:43.900 --> 13:47.099 We cannot project American combat power 13:47.099 --> 13:49.210 at the time and place of our choosing 13:49.210 --> 13:51.780 without both . And finally I want to 13:51.780 --> 13:53.950 express how deeply thankful I am for 13:53.950 --> 13:56.659 the continued service and sacrifice of 13:56.659 --> 13:58.979 the entire joint force and their 13:58.979 --> 14:01.979 families . Their unwavering commitment 14:01.979 --> 14:04.580 and dedication are the cornerstones of 14:04.580 --> 14:07.500 this effort . So let me start with a 14:07.500 --> 14:10.500 few details . First , to be clear , as 14:10.500 --> 14:12.739 the secretary said , this is not a 14:12.739 --> 14:15.260 single overnight operation . The 14:15.260 --> 14:17.460 military objectives that CENTCOM and 14:17.460 --> 14:19.571 the Joint Force have been tasked with 14:19.571 --> 14:21.900 will take some time to achieve and in 14:21.900 --> 14:24.659 some cases will be difficult and gritty 14:24.659 --> 14:27.380 work . We expect to take additional 14:27.380 --> 14:30.500 losses and as always we will work to 14:30.500 --> 14:33.380 minimize US losses , but as the 14:33.380 --> 14:36.380 secretary said , this is major combat 14:36.380 --> 14:38.580 operations . So let me talk about the 14:38.580 --> 14:41.090 preparation and the planning . On 14:41.090 --> 14:43.500 February 28th , the full strength of 14:43.500 --> 14:45.722 America's armed forces came together in 14:45.722 --> 14:48.460 a unified purpose against a capable and 14:48.460 --> 14:50.700 determined adversary . The United 14:50.700 --> 14:53.940 States Army , Navy , Marine Corps , Air 14:53.940 --> 14:56.500 Force , Space Force , Coast Guard , and 14:56.500 --> 14:58.700 our reserve components integrated 14:58.700 --> 15:01.859 across our combatant commands and began 15:01.859 --> 15:04.500 coordinated operations with the Israeli 15:04.500 --> 15:07.020 Armed Forces of an unprecedented scale . 15:07.679 --> 15:09.457 As the secretary laid out , our 15:09.457 --> 15:11.599 military objectives are clear . Our 15:11.599 --> 15:13.530 mission is to protect and defend 15:13.530 --> 15:15.308 ourselves and together with our 15:15.308 --> 15:18.270 regional partners , prevent Iran from 15:18.650 --> 15:21.289 the ability to project power outside of 15:21.289 --> 15:24.039 its borders and be ready for follow-on 15:24.039 --> 15:27.049 actions as appropriate across every 15:27.049 --> 15:29.830 domain land , air , sea , cyber , the 15:29.830 --> 15:32.190 US Joint Force delivered synchronized 15:32.409 --> 15:34.849 and layered effects designed to disrupt . 15:35.309 --> 15:38.669 Degrade , deny , and destroy Iran's 15:38.669 --> 15:41.710 ability to conduct and sustain combat 15:41.710 --> 15:45.039 operations on the US side . This marked 15:45.039 --> 15:47.880 the culmination of months and in some 15:47.880 --> 15:50.559 cases years of deliberate planning and 15:50.559 --> 15:52.760 refinement against this particular 15:52.760 --> 15:55.619 target set . From precision strikes 15:55.619 --> 15:58.099 against key military infrastructure to 15:58.099 --> 16:00.700 persistent intelligence and targeting 16:00.700 --> 16:03.520 integration to the close coordination 16:03.520 --> 16:06.450 of the components across vast distances , 16:06.739 --> 16:09.820 this operation again demonstrated 16:09.820 --> 16:11.780 America's reach , readiness , and 16:11.780 --> 16:14.130 professionalism and that of our joint 16:14.130 --> 16:17.299 united force . It was historic not only 16:17.299 --> 16:19.599 in the operational scope , but in the 16:19.599 --> 16:22.469 level of joint integration displayed 16:22.469 --> 16:25.500 across every element of the joint force . 16:25.840 --> 16:27.896 And as I said earlier , this work is 16:27.896 --> 16:30.590 just beginning and will continue . So 16:30.590 --> 16:32.757 now to talk a little bit about setting 16:32.757 --> 16:35.369 the force and setting the theater on 16:35.369 --> 16:37.536 the order of the Secretary of War over 16:37.536 --> 16:39.489 the last 30 days to reinforce 16:39.489 --> 16:41.849 deterrence and provide the President 16:41.849 --> 16:44.729 with credible options should action be 16:44.729 --> 16:47.010 required , the joint force began to 16:47.010 --> 16:49.489 systematically reposition assets and 16:49.489 --> 16:52.609 personnel across the region . These 16:52.609 --> 16:55.169 movements ensured that US forces 16:55.169 --> 16:58.250 remained postured , protected , and 16:58.250 --> 17:01.210 ready to respond decisively for any 17:01.210 --> 17:03.880 emerging threat . This deployment 17:03.880 --> 17:05.991 included thousands of service members 17:05.991 --> 17:07.770 from all branches , hundreds of 17:07.770 --> 17:10.010 advanced 4th and 5th generation 17:10.010 --> 17:12.390 fighters , dozens of refueling tankers , 17:12.650 --> 17:14.969 the Lincoln and Ford carrier strike 17:14.969 --> 17:17.189 group , and their embarked air wings 17:17.369 --> 17:19.675 sustained . Flow of munitions , fuel , 17:19.744 --> 17:22.194 supplies , all supported with command 17:22.194 --> 17:23.805 and control , intelligence , 17:23.805 --> 17:26.138 surveillance and reconnaissance network , 17:26.138 --> 17:28.775 and the flow of forces continues today . 17:29.035 --> 17:31.146 In fact , Admiral Cooper will receive 17:31.146 --> 17:33.755 additional forces even today . This 17:33.755 --> 17:36.535 rapid buildup of forces demonstrated 17:36.915 --> 17:39.994 the joint forces' ability to adapt and 17:39.994 --> 17:42.161 project power at the time and place of 17:42.161 --> 17:44.050 our nation's choosing . I want to 17:44.050 --> 17:46.161 highlight a couple specific cases for 17:46.161 --> 17:48.069 you . The Gerald R . Ford carrier 17:48.069 --> 17:50.180 strike group , which many of you know 17:50.180 --> 17:52.236 was down in the Western Hemisphere , 17:52.236 --> 17:55.150 redeployed across the Atlantic to set 17:55.150 --> 17:57.790 the theater . The ship , her crew , 17:57.949 --> 18:00.116 their families , and the entire strike 18:00.116 --> 18:02.380 group took a deep breath and , as they 18:02.380 --> 18:05.589 always do , began planning to conduct 18:05.589 --> 18:08.510 combat operations . The integrated 18:08.510 --> 18:11.300 reserve and National Guard forces have 18:11.300 --> 18:13.900 continued to demonstrate the value of 18:13.900 --> 18:15.956 America's reserve forces , including 18:15.956 --> 18:18.119 the Wisconsin Army National Guard 18:18.119 --> 18:20.459 operating in Kuwait and Iraq , and Air 18:20.459 --> 18:23.140 National Guard units from a variety of 18:23.140 --> 18:25.660 states to include Vermont and Virginia . 18:26.260 --> 18:28.482 In the case of the Vermont Air National 18:28.482 --> 18:31.020 Guard and the 158th Fighter Wing , they 18:31.020 --> 18:33.420 were mobilized for Operation Absolute 18:33.420 --> 18:35.699 Resolve and then were tasked to take 18:35.699 --> 18:38.979 their F-35A's across the Atlantic 18:38.979 --> 18:41.201 instead of going home to be prepared to 18:41.201 --> 18:43.619 support this operation . The same is 18:43.619 --> 18:45.619 with our Air National Guard and Air 18:45.619 --> 18:47.452 Force Reserve Command tanker and 18:47.452 --> 18:49.563 mobility forces who stepped right out 18:49.563 --> 18:52.540 of their civilian jobs to deploy and to 18:52.540 --> 18:55.989 protect the region . Lastly , I want to 18:55.989 --> 18:58.729 highlight the unsung heroes of warfare , 18:59.020 --> 19:00.989 our American logisticians and 19:00.989 --> 19:03.949 sustainment Force , those who quietly 19:03.949 --> 19:07.069 work every day behind the scenes to 19:07.069 --> 19:10.030 project and sustain America's combat 19:10.030 --> 19:12.670 power . Our leaders from World War II 19:12.670 --> 19:14.892 were right when they said professionals 19:14.892 --> 19:17.359 do logistics . As regional tensions 19:17.359 --> 19:19.589 rose , the joint force elevated our 19:19.589 --> 19:21.756 force protection measures on the order 19:21.756 --> 19:24.140 of the Secretary . And repositioned 19:24.140 --> 19:26.459 discreetly civilians and nonessential 19:26.459 --> 19:29.000 personnel designed to ensure the safety 19:29.339 --> 19:31.849 and security of our joint force . By 19:31.849 --> 19:34.140 the time operations began , only 19:34.140 --> 19:36.307 essential forces remained on our bases 19:36.307 --> 19:39.540 and in theater , already capable to 19:39.540 --> 19:42.849 respond . So now let me move to HR . 19:44.189 --> 19:47.660 At 1:15:38 , 3:38 p.m. 19:48.040 --> 19:51.520 on Friday , February 27th , the United 19:51.520 --> 19:53.464 States Central Command through the 19:53.464 --> 19:55.800 Secretary of War received the final go 19:55.800 --> 19:57.959 order from President Trump . The 19:57.959 --> 19:59.903 president directed , and I quote , 19:59.903 --> 20:02.160 Operation Epic Fury is approved , no 20:02.160 --> 20:05.660 aborts , good luck , close quote . In 20:05.660 --> 20:07.882 the region , every element of the joint 20:07.882 --> 20:09.993 force made their final preparations . 20:09.993 --> 20:11.780 Air defense batteries readied 20:11.780 --> 20:13.979 themselves , checking their systems to 20:13.979 --> 20:16.739 respond to Iranian attacks . Pilots and 20:16.739 --> 20:18.850 crews rehearsed their strike packages 20:18.850 --> 20:20.906 for the final time . Air crews began 20:20.906 --> 20:23.339 loading their final weapons , and two 20:23.339 --> 20:25.339 carrier strike groups began to move 20:25.339 --> 20:27.579 towards their launching points . Across 20:27.579 --> 20:29.746 the globe . Our operation centers came 20:29.746 --> 20:31.912 alive in Tampa , Florida , here at the 20:31.912 --> 20:34.135 Pentagon , and of course forward in the 20:34.135 --> 20:37.040 Central Command AR . As always , 20:37.939 --> 20:41.099 operational security was paramount as 20:41.099 --> 20:44.119 we sought to maintain and sustain the 20:44.119 --> 20:46.540 element of surprise . This operation 20:46.540 --> 20:48.651 was highly classified so that at each 20:48.651 --> 20:50.739 hour , uh , the enemy would see one 20:50.739 --> 20:53.380 thing speed , surprise , and violence 20:53.380 --> 20:56.170 of action . The first movers were US 20:56.170 --> 20:59.280 CyberCom and US SpaceCom , layering 20:59.280 --> 21:01.729 non-kinetic effects , disrupting and 21:01.729 --> 21:04.130 degrading and blinding Iran's ability 21:04.130 --> 21:07.880 to see , communicate , and respond . At 21:07.880 --> 21:09.920 each hour , the beginning of major 21:09.920 --> 21:13.849 combat operations , 0 1:15 21:14.000 --> 21:17.599 local Eastern Daylight Time , 9:45 21:17.599 --> 21:20.780 local AM Tehran time as dawn crept up 21:21.079 --> 21:23.395 across the Central Command AOR . The 21:23.395 --> 21:26.035 skies surged to life . More than 100 21:26.035 --> 21:28.155 aircraft launched from land , sea , 21:28.354 --> 21:30.354 fighters , tankers , airborne early 21:30.354 --> 21:32.875 warning , electronic attack , bombers 21:32.875 --> 21:34.597 from the states , and unmanned 21:34.597 --> 21:37.834 platforms forming a single synchronized 21:37.834 --> 21:41.155 wave . This was a daylight strike based 21:41.155 --> 21:43.635 on a trigger event conducted by the 21:43.635 --> 21:46.505 Israeli Defense Forces enabled by the 21:46.505 --> 21:49.219 US intelligence community . The first 21:49.219 --> 21:51.040 shooters at sea were tomahawks 21:51.040 --> 21:53.151 unleashed by the United States Navy , 21:53.660 --> 21:56.170 closed in on Iranian naval forces , and 21:56.170 --> 21:58.540 began to conduct strikes across the 21:58.540 --> 22:01.420 southern flank in Iran . On the ground , 22:01.579 --> 22:04.650 forces fired precision standoff weapons , 22:04.900 --> 22:07.459 measured , deliberate , precise , and 22:07.459 --> 22:09.709 lethal . This was a massive , 22:09.760 --> 22:12.550 overwhelming attack across all domains 22:12.550 --> 22:15.000 of warfare , striking more than 1000 22:15.000 --> 22:18.170 targets in the 1st 24 hours . We are 22:18.170 --> 22:21.969 now roughly 57 hours into the 22:21.969 --> 22:23.913 operation . In the initial phase , 22:23.969 --> 22:26.689 CEO's focus was systematic targeting of 22:26.689 --> 22:28.430 Iranians command and control 22:28.599 --> 22:31.130 infrastructure , naval forces , 22:31.479 --> 22:33.569 ballistic missile sites , and 22:33.569 --> 22:35.869 intelligence infrastructure designed to 22:35.869 --> 22:39.449 daze and confuse them . Coordinated 22:39.449 --> 22:42.569 space and cyber operations effectively 22:42.569 --> 22:45.369 disrupted communications and sensor 22:45.369 --> 22:46.925 networks across the area of 22:46.925 --> 22:49.810 responsibility , leaving the adversary 22:49.810 --> 22:52.569 without the ability to see , coordinate , 22:52.579 --> 22:55.530 or respond effectively . The combined 22:55.530 --> 22:57.419 impact of these strikes , swift , 22:57.419 --> 22:59.410 precise , and overwhelming , has 22:59.410 --> 23:01.577 resulted in the establishment of local 23:01.577 --> 23:04.579 air superiority . This air superiority 23:04.579 --> 23:06.801 will not only enhance the protection of 23:06.801 --> 23:09.339 our forces but also allow them to 23:09.339 --> 23:12.599 continue the work over Iran . Over the 23:12.599 --> 23:14.710 course of the last 2 days , the joint 23:14.710 --> 23:16.932 force has launched hundreds of missions 23:16.932 --> 23:19.599 from land and sea and delivered tens of 23:19.599 --> 23:21.959 thousands of pieces of ordnance . The 23:21.959 --> 23:24.760 effort continues to scale . This 23:24.760 --> 23:27.359 included American B-2 bombers which 23:27.359 --> 23:29.719 again similar to Midnight Hammer flew a 23:29.719 --> 23:32.479 37 hour round trip sortie from the 23:32.479 --> 23:34.760 continental United States , dropping 23:34.760 --> 23:37.800 precision penetrating munitions on 23:37.800 --> 23:40.420 Iranian underground facilities across 23:40.420 --> 23:43.260 the southern flank and slightly deeper . 23:43.810 --> 23:45.930 Additionally , Israel has separately 23:45.930 --> 23:48.359 executed hundreds of sorties against 23:48.359 --> 23:51.760 hundreds of targets . Beyond Air Force 23:51.939 --> 23:54.300 and Navy aircraft strike packages , 23:54.459 --> 23:56.459 coordinated salvos of precision 23:56.459 --> 23:58.979 standoff weapons from across the region 23:59.219 --> 24:00.830 have neutralized hundreds of 24:00.830 --> 24:03.260 pre-planned targets . As I mentioned 24:03.260 --> 24:05.204 earlier , uh , in support of these 24:05.204 --> 24:07.540 kinetic operations , US CyberCom and 24:07.540 --> 24:10.300 SpaceCom have continuously layered 24:10.300 --> 24:12.859 effects to disrupt , disorient , and 24:12.859 --> 24:15.660 confuse the enemy . I will note that 24:15.660 --> 24:18.890 this operation had several combat 24:18.890 --> 24:21.140 firsts , which I'll allow at some point 24:21.140 --> 24:23.307 in the future , Admiral Cooper to talk 24:23.307 --> 24:26.930 about since he owns the AOR . While 24:26.930 --> 24:30.449 we've prosecuted a relentless offensive 24:30.449 --> 24:33.290 campaign , our defense has been equally 24:33.290 --> 24:35.979 important . Across the theater 24:35.979 --> 24:37.979 operations have remained steady and 24:37.979 --> 24:39.890 disciplined . Once again , our 24:39.890 --> 24:42.089 integrated air and missile defense 24:42.089 --> 24:45.170 network is performing exactly , exactly 24:45.170 --> 24:48.400 as it's intended . US Patriot and THAAD 24:48.400 --> 24:51.479 batteries along with ballistic missile 24:51.479 --> 24:54.060 defense capable Navy destroyers 24:54.599 --> 24:56.719 continue to coordinate and execute 24:56.719 --> 24:58.386 intercepts with precision and 24:58.386 --> 25:01.569 consistency . I wish that 25:01.569 --> 25:04.810 every American could hear the voice 25:04.810 --> 25:08.089 communications like I have as these 25:08.089 --> 25:11.810 joint operation centers remain calm , 25:12.290 --> 25:15.310 focused , and cool while executing 25:15.449 --> 25:18.609 under fire , uh , over and over again . 25:19.660 --> 25:21.438 Collectively these systems have 25:21.438 --> 25:23.327 intercepted hundreds of ballistic 25:23.327 --> 25:26.500 missiles targeting US forces , our 25:26.500 --> 25:30.069 partners , and regional stability . The 25:30.069 --> 25:32.540 threat from one-way attack UAVs has 25:32.540 --> 25:34.989 remained persistent . Our systems have 25:34.989 --> 25:37.045 proven effective in countering these 25:37.045 --> 25:39.211 platforms , engaging targets rapidly . 25:39.430 --> 25:42.699 Each intercept represents hundreds of 25:42.699 --> 25:45.229 hours of training , readiness , and 25:45.229 --> 25:47.396 technology all coming together to work 25:47.396 --> 25:50.510 as designed . We remain vigilant in the 25:50.510 --> 25:53.430 counter UAV fight , and the defense of 25:53.430 --> 25:56.760 the region is not ours alone . As the 25:56.760 --> 25:59.199 threat grew , our partners surged in 25:59.199 --> 26:02.119 beside us . Air defense batteries in 26:02.119 --> 26:04.930 Qatar , the UAE , Kuwait , Jordan , and 26:04.930 --> 26:07.489 Saudi Arabia joined the fight , proof 26:07.489 --> 26:10.280 positive that years of training , trust , 26:10.359 --> 26:13.859 and hard earned integration pay off . I 26:13.859 --> 26:17.689 am aware of the loss of 3 US Air Force 26:17.689 --> 26:21.130 F-15Es overnight in the region . I am 26:21.130 --> 26:23.479 grateful for the safety of the crews , 26:23.530 --> 26:26.160 and we know that this was not from 26:26.160 --> 26:29.089 hostile enemy fire . As this matter is 26:29.089 --> 26:31.290 under investigation , I'll not comment 26:31.290 --> 26:34.369 further on this . Let me close . 26:34.790 --> 26:37.630 Operations will remain active across 26:37.630 --> 26:41.579 the theater and across the globe . The 26:41.579 --> 26:43.550 US forces are postured not only to 26:43.550 --> 26:46.709 maintain pressure but to respond and 26:46.709 --> 26:50.390 adapt as required . Operation Epic Fury 26:50.390 --> 26:52.670 stands as a reminder of what the United 26:52.670 --> 26:56.260 States military uniquely delivers the 26:56.260 --> 26:58.689 ability to project power on a global 26:58.689 --> 27:01.689 scale with speed . Surprise , 27:02.020 --> 27:05.640 precision , and overwhelming force when 27:05.760 --> 27:09.219 and where our nation requires it . What 27:09.219 --> 27:11.052 we've demonstrated over the past 27:11.052 --> 27:12.775 several days reflects years of 27:12.775 --> 27:14.699 investment in readiness , joint 27:14.699 --> 27:17.099 integration , and professionalism of 27:17.099 --> 27:20.650 the joint force . As major combat 27:20.650 --> 27:22.872 operations continue across CENTCOM , we 27:22.872 --> 27:25.300 remain engaged globally . America's 27:25.300 --> 27:27.500 Joint Force retains the credibility , 27:27.859 --> 27:31.020 capacity , and flexibility to respond 27:31.020 --> 27:33.859 to any contingency anywhere in the 27:33.859 --> 27:37.689 world at any time . To those who would 27:37.689 --> 27:40.530 test our resolve or threaten the United 27:40.530 --> 27:44.000 States , our allies , or our interests , 27:44.890 --> 27:47.790 understand clearly we can reach you , 27:48.130 --> 27:50.449 we can sustain the fight , and we can 27:50.449 --> 27:53.219 scale the fight , and we will prevail . 27:54.000 --> 27:56.609 To the American people , your joint 27:56.609 --> 28:00.160 force remains steady , frosty , 28:00.449 --> 28:03.369 calm , and focused . Your service 28:03.369 --> 28:06.729 members are trained . Disciplined and 28:06.729 --> 28:09.569 determined , we understand the risks of 28:09.569 --> 28:12.089 this mission and the weight of the 28:12.089 --> 28:15.770 responsibility that we carry . We also 28:15.770 --> 28:18.699 recognize that our families also 28:18.930 --> 28:21.810 shoulder the burden at home . You are a 28:21.810 --> 28:25.689 part of this too . I am proud today as 28:25.689 --> 28:28.849 I am every day to stand as a member of 28:28.849 --> 28:31.089 America's joint force . There is no 28:31.089 --> 28:34.089 mission too complex , no distance too 28:34.089 --> 28:37.109 great , and no adversary too determined 28:37.290 --> 28:39.369 for the men and women who wear our 28:39.369 --> 28:42.930 nation's uniform . We mourn our fallen , 28:43.380 --> 28:45.829 we honor their families , and we 28:45.829 --> 28:48.550 continue our mission with focus , unity , 28:48.670 --> 28:50.670 and strength . And now I'm happy to 28:50.670 --> 28:52.781 take any questions . Thank you , Mr . 28:52.781 --> 28:54.726 Chairman . Right here . Go ahead . 28:55.060 --> 28:56.782 Thank you for your time . What 28:56.782 --> 28:58.838 percentage of Iranian longs straight 28:58.838 --> 29:00.959 capabilities are still in the fight , 29:01.020 --> 29:03.420 and what is our exit strategy here and 29:03.420 --> 29:06.189 when will it be deployed ? Well , they , 29:06.310 --> 29:07.866 they have long range strike 29:07.866 --> 29:09.977 capabilities , um , which we're hyper 29:09.977 --> 29:12.199 focused on . The brief we got just this 29:12.199 --> 29:14.366 morning , Admiral Cooper knows exactly 29:14.366 --> 29:16.643 and precisely what kind of threat , uh , 29:16.643 --> 29:18.754 matrix he's looking at , the way they 29:18.754 --> 29:18.630 might change their techniques and how 29:18.630 --> 29:21.199 we adapt to that . Uh , so we're making 29:21.199 --> 29:22.921 sure the theater commander has 29:22.921 --> 29:24.977 absolutely everything he needs , and 29:24.977 --> 29:26.699 one of the things the chairman 29:26.699 --> 29:26.589 mentioned is for months and months , 29:26.640 --> 29:28.696 even before we built up , we ensured 29:28.696 --> 29:30.362 that we had maximum defensive 29:30.362 --> 29:32.418 capabilities in theater to allow the 29:32.418 --> 29:34.418 president the decision space in the 29:34.418 --> 29:36.529 future . So even before this build up 29:36.529 --> 29:38.640 in the last 30 days , we discreetly . 29:38.640 --> 29:40.640 Brought defensive assets in to make 29:40.640 --> 29:42.529 sure understanding that there are 29:42.529 --> 29:44.529 Iranian capabilities as far as time 29:44.529 --> 29:46.696 frame . I would never hang hang a time 29:46.696 --> 29:48.529 frame from our perspective . The 29:48.529 --> 29:50.751 commander in chief sets the up tempo in 29:50.751 --> 29:50.750 terms of this fight . As I said , it's 29:50.750 --> 29:53.189 on his terms , and we'll make sure that 29:53.189 --> 29:55.030 Admiral Cooper and his team have 29:55.030 --> 29:56.974 everything they need , not just to 29:56.974 --> 29:59.197 defend . I mean , the best defense is a 29:59.197 --> 30:01.363 good offense and so we're aggressively 30:01.363 --> 30:03.419 pushing into that airspace over that 30:03.419 --> 30:05.252 southern flank to ensure that we 30:05.252 --> 30:07.474 control it and we destroy anything that 30:07.474 --> 30:09.641 moves that would attempt to shoot us . 30:09.641 --> 30:09.449 Think of it as , uh , shooting the 30:09.449 --> 30:11.959 archer instead of the arrows . Uh , 30:12.010 --> 30:14.066 that's where we wanna be and we have 30:14.066 --> 30:16.177 the kind of exquisite intelligence to 30:16.177 --> 30:18.010 get over the top , find that and 30:18.010 --> 30:20.288 destroy it . It won't happen overnight . 30:20.288 --> 30:22.454 This is a big battle space , uh , with 30:22.454 --> 30:24.621 a lot of capabilities . That's part of 30:24.621 --> 30:26.788 the reason why it's such a threat . To 30:26.788 --> 30:26.479 us , that's why I talk about 30:26.479 --> 30:29.699 conventional umbrella to blackmail 30:29.699 --> 30:31.959 nuclear ambitions . They were building 30:31.959 --> 30:34.599 up this conventional arsenal in order 30:34.599 --> 30:36.766 to ensure that no one would ever block 30:36.766 --> 30:38.932 them from their ability to get nuclear 30:38.932 --> 30:40.877 weapons . So we're very clear-eyed 30:40.877 --> 30:43.210 about the nature of this Iranian threat , 30:43.210 --> 30:43.199 and we're going to get after it . I 30:43.199 --> 30:45.366 don't know if you have anything to add 30:45.366 --> 30:47.588 to that , Mr . Chairman . Thank you for 30:47.588 --> 30:46.719 the question . The only thing I'll add 30:46.719 --> 30:49.819 is . Unlike an operation , a single 30:49.819 --> 30:51.708 operation like Midnight Hammer or 30:51.708 --> 30:53.819 Absolute Resolve , uh , we'll , it'll 30:53.819 --> 30:56.041 take some time for us to conduct battle 30:56.041 --> 30:58.041 damage assessment and the targeting 30:58.041 --> 31:00.097 cycle that CENCOM will run will take 31:00.097 --> 31:02.041 those things into effect . Admiral 31:02.041 --> 31:04.152 Cooper will adjust his plan and fires 31:04.152 --> 31:04.140 accordingly to ensure that we're 31:04.140 --> 31:06.239 treating that . He's focused on 31:06.239 --> 31:08.461 long-range strike capability coming out 31:08.461 --> 31:10.599 of the enemy , um , And , uh , and 31:10.599 --> 31:12.821 that's a key and essential part of it , 31:12.821 --> 31:15.160 the capabilities that still exist from 31:15.160 --> 31:17.327 the enemy front . Yeah , that's what I 31:17.327 --> 31:19.549 mean when I say we're still doing BDA . 31:19.549 --> 31:21.716 Normally , you know , normally we'd be 31:21.716 --> 31:23.827 able to see a singular thing and we'd 31:23.827 --> 31:25.771 assess pretty quickly . He's doing 31:25.771 --> 31:27.993 offense and assessment simultaneously , 31:27.993 --> 31:30.104 so it'll take longer for us to assess 31:30.104 --> 31:32.216 than it would in a single operation . 31:32.550 --> 31:34.550 Secretary Hexa , thank you . Reagan 31:34.550 --> 31:36.717 Reese with the Daily Caller . Um , two 31:36.717 --> 31:38.883 questions for you . The president said 31:38.883 --> 31:41.050 yesterday in his video message that we 31:41.050 --> 31:43.272 will leave Iran when we complete all of 31:43.272 --> 31:44.939 our objectives . What are our 31:44.939 --> 31:46.939 objectives , and can you share more 31:46.939 --> 31:48.939 information on how the soldiers who 31:48.939 --> 31:51.161 were killed were killed ? Well , I laid 31:51.161 --> 31:53.217 out the objectives , uh , as did the 31:53.217 --> 31:55.439 chairman . They're , they're completely 31:55.439 --> 31:57.550 nested . I mean , Iran has an ability 31:57.550 --> 31:57.410 to project power against us and our 31:57.410 --> 31:59.739 allies in ways that we can't , um , we 31:59.739 --> 32:01.683 can't tolerate . So whether that's 32:01.683 --> 32:03.628 ballistic missiles and drones , so 32:03.628 --> 32:05.295 offensive capabilities , uh , 32:05.295 --> 32:07.461 effectively their , their navy , which 32:07.461 --> 32:09.517 would attempt to set other terms and 32:09.517 --> 32:11.517 impose different costs , uh , drone 32:11.517 --> 32:13.628 capabilities which we , which we laid 32:13.628 --> 32:15.683 out there and ultimately though this 32:15.683 --> 32:17.859 tying it back to Midnight Hammer , the 32:17.859 --> 32:19.915 president has been willing to make a 32:19.915 --> 32:22.081 deal . You can't have a nuclear bomb . 32:22.359 --> 32:24.526 Radical Islamists can't have a nuclear 32:24.526 --> 32:26.803 bomb that they wield against the world . 32:26.839 --> 32:29.061 He gave them every single opportunity , 32:29.061 --> 32:31.117 then we precisely took it away . And 32:31.117 --> 32:33.339 even , even then after that they didn't 32:33.339 --> 32:35.339 have that . They didn't come to the 32:35.339 --> 32:37.339 table with a willingness to give it 32:37.339 --> 32:39.561 away . So ultimately that those nuclear 32:39.561 --> 32:41.783 ambitions which never ceased , uh , are 32:41.783 --> 32:43.895 something that had to be addressed as 32:43.895 --> 32:45.950 well . So that's a discrete sense of 32:45.950 --> 32:48.061 what's being addressed here to ensure 32:48.061 --> 32:50.172 that they can't use that conventional 32:50.172 --> 32:52.061 umbrella to continue a pursuit of 32:52.061 --> 32:54.339 nuclear ambitions , uh , and then . As , 32:54.339 --> 32:56.450 as it pertains to the US casualties , 32:56.450 --> 32:58.839 that particular incident , uh , was , 32:59.000 --> 33:01.167 you know , you have air defenses and a 33:01.167 --> 33:03.444 lot's coming in and you hit most of it , 33:03.444 --> 33:02.969 and we absolutely do . We have 33:02.969 --> 33:05.080 incredible air defenders . Uh , every 33:05.080 --> 33:07.025 once in a while you might have one 33:07.025 --> 33:09.025 unfortunately we call it a squirter 33:09.025 --> 33:11.302 that , that makes its way through , uh , 33:11.302 --> 33:13.413 and in that particular case , uh , it 33:13.413 --> 33:15.525 happened to hit , uh , a , a tactical 33:15.525 --> 33:17.525 operations center , uh , that was , 33:17.525 --> 33:19.636 that was fortified , but , um , these 33:19.636 --> 33:21.802 are powerful weapons , so we , uh , we 33:21.802 --> 33:23.747 certainly . We'll do , as I said , 33:24.050 --> 33:26.161 moments like that as we remember them 33:26.161 --> 33:28.328 and we take care of them and take care 33:28.328 --> 33:30.272 of their families only stiffen our 33:30.272 --> 33:32.439 resolve to ensure that we , uh . We do 33:32.439 --> 33:34.383 this properly . Thank you . Yeah , 33:34.383 --> 33:36.606 we're here . Thank you , uh , Secretary 33:36.606 --> 33:38.828 Hecketh . I had two questions for you . 33:38.828 --> 33:40.883 First , um , are there currently any 33:40.883 --> 33:43.050 American boots on the ground in Iran ? 33:43.050 --> 33:45.969 Um No , but we're not gonna go into the 33:45.969 --> 33:48.302 exercise of what we will or will not do . 33:48.302 --> 33:50.525 I think it's one of those fallacies for 33:50.525 --> 33:52.530 a long time that this department or 33:52.530 --> 33:54.586 presidents or others should tell the 33:54.586 --> 33:56.752 American people this and our , and our 33:56.752 --> 33:56.449 enemies , by the way , here's exactly 33:56.449 --> 33:58.671 what we'll do . Here's exactly how long 33:58.671 --> 34:00.893 we'll go , here's exactly how far we'll 34:00.893 --> 34:02.949 go , here's what we're willing to do 34:02.949 --> 34:05.116 and not do , it's foolishness . And so 34:05.116 --> 34:06.949 President Trump ensures that our 34:06.949 --> 34:09.060 enemies understand we'll go as far as 34:09.060 --> 34:11.010 we need to go to advance American 34:11.010 --> 34:13.343 interests , but we're not dumb about it . 34:13.343 --> 34:15.454 You don't have to roll 200,000 people 34:15.454 --> 34:17.621 in there and stay for 20 years . We've 34:17.621 --> 34:19.788 proven that you can achieve objectives 34:19.788 --> 34:22.010 that advance American interests without 34:22.010 --> 34:21.570 being foolish about it . Now , will we 34:21.570 --> 34:23.939 be bold about it ? Are we willing to be 34:23.939 --> 34:25.995 decisive about it ? Do we put months 34:25.995 --> 34:28.106 and months of planning into what kind 34:28.106 --> 34:29.883 of effects we want to achieve ? 34:29.883 --> 34:32.106 Absolutely . But going forward , why in 34:32.106 --> 34:35.519 the world would we tell you , you , the 34:35.519 --> 34:37.638 enemy , anybody what we will or will 34:37.638 --> 34:39.948 not do in pursuit of an objective ? We 34:39.948 --> 34:42.569 fight to win . We fight to achieve the 34:42.569 --> 34:44.736 objectives the president of the United 34:44.736 --> 34:46.958 States has laid out , and we will do so 34:46.958 --> 34:49.180 unapologetically . Thank you . Is there 34:49.180 --> 34:49.168 any significance to Israel carrying out 34:49.168 --> 34:51.335 the strike to kill the Ayatollah ? And 34:51.335 --> 34:53.224 um I wanted to know what was your 34:53.224 --> 34:55.446 immediate reaction to finding out about 34:55.446 --> 34:57.557 his killing . I , uh , I think Israel 34:57.557 --> 34:59.899 did a great job in the conduct of that 34:59.899 --> 35:02.121 operation . Trump put a 4 week timeline 35:02.121 --> 35:05.830 right here , please . Uh , yeah , thank 35:05.830 --> 35:08.129 you . Um , you , you mentioned during 35:08.129 --> 35:10.351 the briefing , uh , General Kane , that 35:10.351 --> 35:12.462 there would be additional troops sent 35:12.462 --> 35:14.629 to the region . Could you say how many 35:14.629 --> 35:16.851 troops , uh , currently are involved in 35:16.851 --> 35:19.018 this operation and how many additional 35:19.018 --> 35:21.018 troops are planned to go in in , in 35:21.018 --> 35:23.429 this next phase ? Uh , I don't want to 35:23.429 --> 35:25.540 talk specifics because that would tip 35:25.540 --> 35:27.707 the enemy off . Um , we , we have more 35:27.707 --> 35:30.469 tactical aviation flowing into theater 35:30.469 --> 35:32.580 just based on the time it took to get 35:32.580 --> 35:34.747 it out there . Um , I think we're just 35:34.747 --> 35:36.858 about where we want to be in terms of 35:36.858 --> 35:39.025 total combat capacity and total combat 35:39.025 --> 35:41.136 power for Admiral Cooper . One of the 35:41.136 --> 35:43.302 things though that a commander , he'll 35:43.302 --> 35:45.850 consistently assess the trajectory of 35:45.850 --> 35:47.929 the campaign . Is he on or off 35:47.929 --> 35:50.409 trajectory , and then make an ask of 35:50.409 --> 35:53.070 the joint force , which will then , uh , 35:53.090 --> 35:55.449 develop options for consideration by 35:55.449 --> 35:57.393 the secretary and the president to 35:57.393 --> 35:59.227 either increase or in some cases 35:59.227 --> 36:00.893 decrease the amount of combat 36:00.893 --> 36:03.250 capability that we have over there . I 36:03.250 --> 36:05.472 heard the question about , uh , about 4 36:05.472 --> 36:07.810 weeks . It's the typical , typical NBC 36:07.810 --> 36:09.532 sort of gotcha type question . 36:09.532 --> 36:11.754 President Trump has all the latitude in 36:11.754 --> 36:13.977 the world to talk about how long it may 36:13.977 --> 36:16.088 or may not take 4 weeks , 2 weeks , 6 36:16.088 --> 36:18.088 weeks . It could move up , it could 36:18.088 --> 36:20.310 move back . Uh , we're going to execute 36:20.310 --> 36:20.250 at his command the objectives we've set 36:20.250 --> 36:22.590 out to achieve and what he has shown an 36:22.590 --> 36:24.590 ability to do that other presidents 36:24.590 --> 36:26.701 can't quite seem to have the aperture 36:26.701 --> 36:28.590 to do . Well , I mean , Joe Biden 36:28.590 --> 36:30.923 didn't even know what he was doing . Uh , 36:30.923 --> 36:32.757 is to look for opportunities and 36:32.757 --> 36:34.646 off-ramps and escalations for the 36:34.646 --> 36:34.620 United States that creates new 36:34.620 --> 36:37.040 opportunities to execute what we need 36:37.379 --> 36:39.490 on our own timeline . So you can play 36:39.490 --> 36:41.657 games about 4 weeks , 5 weeks . He has 36:41.657 --> 36:43.879 all the latitude , and I'm glad he does 36:43.879 --> 36:43.750 because there's no better communicator 36:43.750 --> 36:45.750 than our president expressing those 36:45.750 --> 36:47.806 things the Daily Mail . I've been in 36:47.806 --> 36:49.806 meetings with the president for the 36:49.806 --> 36:51.917 last 2.5 days . We know exactly where 36:51.917 --> 36:53.639 his headspace is , and he will 36:53.639 --> 36:56.514 communicate as he should exactly what 36:56.514 --> 36:58.458 he would like , and we will follow 36:58.458 --> 37:00.236 those orders , and I think he , 37:00.236 --> 37:02.236 everything he said on that is right 37:02.236 --> 37:04.292 down the middle . Absolutely , yes , 37:04.292 --> 37:06.292 right there . Yes , sir . Thank you 37:06.292 --> 37:08.181 very much , Secretary . I left my 37:08.181 --> 37:11.139 hometown of Saka in Iranian Kurdistan 37:11.139 --> 37:15.139 in 1996 . Can you promise that 37:15.139 --> 37:18.719 I will be able to return home safely 37:18.899 --> 37:20.860 this year ? And I have a following 37:20.860 --> 37:22.916 question too , please . I appreciate 37:22.916 --> 37:24.860 the question . I , I'm not here to 37:24.860 --> 37:27.027 place guarantees on that , but I think 37:27.027 --> 37:29.249 the message the president has given has 37:29.249 --> 37:31.582 been clear , uh , to the people of Iran . 37:31.582 --> 37:33.638 This is your moment . There were the 37:33.638 --> 37:35.693 world was seized by these crowds and 37:35.693 --> 37:37.638 then seized by the reality of this 37:37.638 --> 37:39.638 regime killing tens of thousands of 37:39.638 --> 37:41.638 innocent protesters . So we saw the 37:41.638 --> 37:43.916 nature of the regime yet again exposed . 37:43.916 --> 37:45.860 We saw many , many of the Iranian 37:45.860 --> 37:48.739 people seek a change there . This is 37:48.739 --> 37:50.795 their moment to take advantage of it 37:50.795 --> 37:54.199 for sure . You served in Iraq and know 37:54.500 --> 37:57.860 that no American soldiers were killed 37:57.860 --> 38:00.879 in Kurdistan . The Kurdish people are 38:00.879 --> 38:04.419 very pro-American . Will you continue 38:04.419 --> 38:06.959 protect Kurdistan and Peshmerga as 38:06.959 --> 38:10.510 loyal ally ? Of the United States . Why 38:10.510 --> 38:12.820 I'm asking this question ? Because now 38:12.820 --> 38:16.030 Kurdistan is under attack by Iranian 38:16.030 --> 38:19.350 drones and by proxies in Iraq and on 38:19.350 --> 38:21.669 the region . I think I can speak to 38:21.669 --> 38:23.669 allies generally in the region who 38:23.669 --> 38:25.725 we've been in constant communication 38:25.725 --> 38:27.836 with . We have been standing shoulder 38:27.836 --> 38:30.058 to shoulder with them and we appreciate 38:30.058 --> 38:32.280 their capabilities . Absolutely , yes , 38:32.280 --> 38:34.502 right here . Thank you Cameron Rin with 38:34.502 --> 38:34.139 the Daily Wire . My question is about 38:34.139 --> 38:36.361 some of the domestic threats , if any , 38:36.361 --> 38:38.528 regarding this right now . Would there 38:38.528 --> 38:40.639 be any concerns about Iranian sleeper 38:40.639 --> 38:42.750 cells and kind of what is the Trump 38:42.750 --> 38:44.806 administration been doing to kind of 38:44.806 --> 38:46.972 monitor these across the interagency , 38:46.972 --> 38:49.083 uh , in full coordination , of course 38:49.083 --> 38:50.750 we're paying attention to any 38:50.750 --> 38:52.917 potentialities there . Um , there this 38:52.917 --> 38:54.972 is a former regime , a regime , uh , 38:54.972 --> 38:57.139 that seeks to export that ideology and 38:57.139 --> 38:59.889 try to , uh , sow terror . Um , uh , 38:59.969 --> 39:02.136 we're ready for that . We've , we've , 39:02.136 --> 39:04.413 we've seen these types of folks before , 39:04.413 --> 39:03.760 and the American people can rest 39:03.760 --> 39:05.649 assured that , uh , we're , we're 39:05.649 --> 39:07.899 vigilant on that . Right , thank you . 39:08.080 --> 39:10.191 Um , kind of a follow up on that last 39:10.191 --> 39:12.191 question . There was just this what 39:12.191 --> 39:14.191 appears to be a terrorist attack in 39:14.191 --> 39:16.302 Austin yesterday . Um , how does that 39:16.302 --> 39:18.247 change the operation at all ? What 39:18.247 --> 39:20.413 effect does that have ? And it doesn't 39:20.413 --> 39:22.413 change the operation at all , and I 39:22.413 --> 39:21.840 know the authorities are , are 39:21.840 --> 39:24.062 executing exactly the way they should . 39:24.062 --> 39:26.173 Secretary Hickset , and , and one for 39:26.173 --> 39:28.396 Chairman Kane as well . I understand to 39:28.396 --> 39:30.562 your point here that you don't want to 39:30.562 --> 39:32.173 broadcast everything for our 39:32.173 --> 39:34.340 adversaries to hear , but the American 39:34.340 --> 39:36.451 people also want to know what they're 39:36.451 --> 39:38.729 sending their men and women to war for . 39:38.729 --> 39:40.784 is there a concern of this spiraling 39:40.784 --> 39:42.951 into a longer war and then one for the 39:42.951 --> 39:45.173 chairman when you're done ? Did you not 39:45.173 --> 39:48.149 hear my remarks ? I mean we're ensuring 39:48.149 --> 39:50.149 the mission gets accomplished , but 39:50.149 --> 39:52.316 we're very clear eyed as the president 39:52.316 --> 39:54.538 has been unlike other presidents , uh , 39:54.538 --> 39:56.729 about the foolish policies of the past 39:57.270 --> 39:59.492 that recklessly pulled us in the things 39:59.492 --> 40:01.714 that we're not tethered to actual clear 40:01.714 --> 40:05.050 objectives , um , so we , we know . 40:05.979 --> 40:08.090 We have plans . We have generals . We 40:08.090 --> 40:10.201 have chairmans . We have commanders , 40:10.201 --> 40:12.146 CEOM commanders , Admiral Cooper , 40:12.146 --> 40:14.423 who's executing very deliberately , uh , 40:14.423 --> 40:16.590 to ensure outcomes that I laid out are 40:16.590 --> 40:18.646 accomplished , but we would never in 40:18.646 --> 40:20.701 front of a press pool , um , lay out 40:20.701 --> 40:22.923 how long that may take . Uh , our , the 40:22.923 --> 40:22.770 mission for our warfighters , which is 40:22.770 --> 40:25.060 what matters to us , is very , very 40:25.060 --> 40:27.171 clear . Uh , and they're executing it 40:27.171 --> 40:29.338 right now violently . And just for the 40:29.338 --> 40:31.560 chairman , quickly , I have one for the 40:31.560 --> 40:33.671 chairman . You said this is not a one 40:33.671 --> 40:35.838 night operation . It will take time to 40:35.838 --> 40:38.090 achieve the goals . What would be the , 40:38.229 --> 40:40.389 the goal line here for you ? I think 40:40.389 --> 40:42.389 the secretary laid out the military 40:42.389 --> 40:44.611 objectives , and that's what we execute 40:44.611 --> 40:46.667 against is the military objectives . 40:46.667 --> 40:48.722 Last one right here , rich uranium . 40:48.722 --> 40:50.667 Thank you , sir . As you've said , 40:50.667 --> 40:52.833 there are a large amount of US service 40:52.833 --> 40:54.889 members that are in harm's way right 40:54.889 --> 40:57.222 now . What is your prayer for them ? Uh , 40:57.222 --> 40:59.278 first of all , my prayer for them is 40:59.278 --> 41:01.445 that I do pray for them . Um , my wife 41:01.445 --> 41:03.556 prays for them , our family prays for 41:03.556 --> 41:05.833 them , our cabinet prays for them . Um , 41:05.833 --> 41:08.719 none of this is done , um , on a whim . 41:09.449 --> 41:11.338 Uh , having been in their boots , 41:11.338 --> 41:13.338 having been in their shoes , having 41:13.338 --> 41:15.338 been in their flight suits , um , I 41:15.338 --> 41:17.338 think we , I mean , I know we think 41:17.338 --> 41:19.505 about them with every decision that we 41:19.505 --> 41:21.616 make and every recommendation that we 41:21.616 --> 41:21.290 make , uh , to the president of the 41:21.290 --> 41:23.401 United States . Those , those , those 41:23.401 --> 41:25.568 recommendations are made prayerfully , 41:25.919 --> 41:28.969 uh , and when I pray every day for them 41:28.969 --> 41:31.199 and for this mission , I pray simply 41:31.199 --> 41:33.366 for the biblical wisdom to see what is 41:33.366 --> 41:35.588 right . And the courage to do it , it's 41:35.588 --> 41:37.810 gonna take courage to follow through on 41:37.810 --> 41:40.088 this . There's gonna be a lot of noise , 41:40.088 --> 41:42.199 uh , and we pray for that and we hope 41:42.199 --> 41:44.366 all of you do , do as well . Thank you 41:44.366 --> 41:43.729 very much . Appreciate it . Thank you .