1 00:00:00,009 --> 00:00:02,176 Thanks very much for your patience . I 2 00:00:02,176 --> 00:00:04,398 do have a few things to read out at the 3 00:00:04,398 --> 00:00:06,453 top and then we'll get right to your 4 00:00:06,453 --> 00:00:08,565 questions . Uh So first , I'd like to 5 00:00:08,565 --> 00:00:10,787 provide a quick update on dod s efforts 6 00:00:10,787 --> 00:00:12,731 in support of Fema in the state of 7 00:00:12,731 --> 00:00:14,842 Hawaii to support the ongoing federal 8 00:00:14,842 --> 00:00:16,565 and state response to the Maui 9 00:00:16,565 --> 00:00:18,829 wildfires . As of today , more than 725 10 00:00:18,840 --> 00:00:21,420 dod personnel and 100 and 36 coast 11 00:00:21,430 --> 00:00:23,652 guardsmen are currently engaged in this 12 00:00:23,652 --> 00:00:26,010 effort . Us , army Pacific Command and 13 00:00:26,020 --> 00:00:27,850 joint task force 50 continue to 14 00:00:27,860 --> 00:00:30,082 actively conduct eight approved mission 15 00:00:30,082 --> 00:00:32,340 assignments received from FEMA and the 16 00:00:32,349 --> 00:00:34,516 full list of those mission assignments 17 00:00:34,516 --> 00:00:36,460 as well as a breakdown of specific 18 00:00:36,460 --> 00:00:38,405 activities is available on the dod 19 00:00:38,405 --> 00:00:40,516 website . So I would encourage you to 20 00:00:40,516 --> 00:00:42,571 take a look at that separately . The 21 00:00:42,571 --> 00:00:44,571 Department of Defense is announcing 22 00:00:44,571 --> 00:00:46,738 today that the United States will soon 23 00:00:46,738 --> 00:00:48,793 begin training Ukrainians to fly and 24 00:00:48,793 --> 00:00:50,682 maintain F-16 fighter aircraft in 25 00:00:50,682 --> 00:00:52,849 support of the international effort to 26 00:00:52,849 --> 00:00:54,960 develop and strengthen Ukraine's long 27 00:00:54,960 --> 00:00:57,409 term defenses following English 28 00:00:57,419 --> 00:00:59,197 language training for pilots in 29 00:00:59,197 --> 00:01:01,689 September , F-16 , flying training is 30 00:01:01,700 --> 00:01:04,620 expected to begin in October at Morris 31 00:01:04,629 --> 00:01:06,569 Air National Guard base in Tucson 32 00:01:06,580 --> 00:01:09,239 Arizona , facilitated by the National 33 00:01:09,250 --> 00:01:12,870 Guards 162nd Wing . Although we do not 34 00:01:12,879 --> 00:01:15,046 have specific numbers to share at this 35 00:01:15,046 --> 00:01:16,750 time , in regards to how many 36 00:01:16,760 --> 00:01:18,809 Ukrainians will participate in this 37 00:01:18,819 --> 00:01:21,489 training . We do anticipate it will 38 00:01:21,500 --> 00:01:23,556 include several pilots and dozens of 39 00:01:23,556 --> 00:01:25,819 maintainers . Importantly , although 40 00:01:25,830 --> 00:01:27,970 some Ukrainian pilots have English 41 00:01:27,980 --> 00:01:30,091 language skills , we are anticipating 42 00:01:30,091 --> 00:01:32,147 that all of the pilots coming to the 43 00:01:32,147 --> 00:01:34,309 United States will require some level 44 00:01:34,319 --> 00:01:36,041 of additional English language 45 00:01:36,041 --> 00:01:38,097 instruction , given the complexities 46 00:01:38,097 --> 00:01:40,041 and the specialized English that's 47 00:01:40,041 --> 00:01:42,050 required to fly these aircraft . 48 00:01:42,309 --> 00:01:44,379 Therefore , as mentioned , uh these 49 00:01:44,389 --> 00:01:46,556 pilots will also be conducting English 50 00:01:46,556 --> 00:01:48,778 language training at Lackland Air Force 51 00:01:48,778 --> 00:01:50,580 Base in San Antonio , Texas in 52 00:01:50,589 --> 00:01:53,069 September . Prior to attending F-16 53 00:01:53,080 --> 00:01:55,819 flying training in Arizona , the 54 00:01:55,830 --> 00:01:57,997 training provided by the United States 55 00:01:57,997 --> 00:01:59,941 will complement the F-16 pilot and 56 00:01:59,941 --> 00:02:01,941 maintenance training that's already 57 00:02:01,941 --> 00:02:04,108 underway in Europe and further deepens 58 00:02:04,108 --> 00:02:05,997 our support for the F-16 training 59 00:02:05,997 --> 00:02:07,830 coalition led by Denmark and the 60 00:02:07,830 --> 00:02:09,886 Netherlands moving forward . We will 61 00:02:09,886 --> 00:02:11,997 remain in close consultation with the 62 00:02:11,997 --> 00:02:14,108 Danes , the Dutch and other allies to 63 00:02:14,108 --> 00:02:16,052 ensure us training complements the 64 00:02:16,052 --> 00:02:18,770 broader coalition training effort . And 65 00:02:18,779 --> 00:02:20,668 in other Ukraine news secretary , 66 00:02:20,668 --> 00:02:22,723 Austin released a statement today to 67 00:02:22,723 --> 00:02:24,723 commemorate the 32nd anniversary of 68 00:02:24,723 --> 00:02:26,759 Ukraine's independence . The full 69 00:02:26,770 --> 00:02:28,659 statement is available on the dod 70 00:02:28,659 --> 00:02:30,940 website but states in part , the 71 00:02:30,949 --> 00:02:32,893 Ukrainian people have inspired the 72 00:02:32,893 --> 00:02:35,116 world with their courage and resolve to 73 00:02:35,116 --> 00:02:36,893 defend their right to live in a 74 00:02:36,893 --> 00:02:39,005 sovereign democratic and free country 75 00:02:39,005 --> 00:02:41,005 for the past 18 months , Russia has 76 00:02:41,005 --> 00:02:43,020 waged a full scale unprovoked and 77 00:02:43,029 --> 00:02:45,889 indefensible war against Ukraine . The 78 00:02:45,899 --> 00:02:47,843 Kremlin's war of choice has killed 79 00:02:47,843 --> 00:02:49,677 thousands of innocent Ukrainians 80 00:02:49,677 --> 00:02:52,020 displaced millions more and 81 00:02:52,029 --> 00:02:54,360 deliberately inflicted terror , terror 82 00:02:54,369 --> 00:02:56,591 and trauma on Ukraine's men , women and 83 00:02:56,591 --> 00:03:00,160 Children . Secretary Austin goes on to 84 00:03:00,169 --> 00:03:02,270 underscore that today as Ukraine 85 00:03:02,279 --> 00:03:03,890 commemorates another year of 86 00:03:03,890 --> 00:03:05,723 independence , the United States 87 00:03:05,723 --> 00:03:07,890 remains steadfast in our commitment to 88 00:03:07,890 --> 00:03:10,168 ensure that it can celebrate many more . 89 00:03:10,168 --> 00:03:12,335 We will support Ukraine for as long as 90 00:03:12,335 --> 00:03:14,501 it takes in its fight for security and 91 00:03:14,501 --> 00:03:17,289 freedom . Finally , Secretary Austin 92 00:03:17,300 --> 00:03:19,522 welcomed Indonesian Minister of Defense 93 00:03:19,522 --> 00:03:21,633 Prabowo to the Pentagon earlier today 94 00:03:21,633 --> 00:03:23,699 to discuss shared vision , stronger 95 00:03:23,710 --> 00:03:25,821 partnership and shared values between 96 00:03:25,821 --> 00:03:27,679 our two nations together . They 97 00:03:27,690 --> 00:03:29,912 resolved to preserve international laws 98 00:03:29,912 --> 00:03:32,210 and norms , enhance our mutual security 99 00:03:32,220 --> 00:03:34,380 and defense capabilities and remain 100 00:03:34,389 --> 00:03:36,600 guided by our shared values , shared 101 00:03:36,610 --> 00:03:38,639 democratic principles . They share 102 00:03:38,649 --> 00:03:40,371 their determination to further 103 00:03:40,371 --> 00:03:42,538 strengthen our relationship , ensuring 104 00:03:42,538 --> 00:03:44,371 that it is robust and capable of 105 00:03:44,371 --> 00:03:46,205 seizing future opportunities and 106 00:03:46,205 --> 00:03:48,350 tackling emerging emerging challenges 107 00:03:48,360 --> 00:03:50,582 in an increasingly complex geopolitical 108 00:03:50,582 --> 00:03:52,600 climate . A joint statement will be 109 00:03:52,610 --> 00:03:54,721 made available later today on defense 110 00:03:54,721 --> 00:03:56,943 dot gov . And with that , I'll be happy 111 00:03:56,943 --> 00:03:58,999 to take your questions . We'll start 112 00:03:58,999 --> 00:04:01,166 right up here with Liz . Great . Thank 113 00:04:01,166 --> 00:04:03,388 you . Um On the plane that was carrying 114 00:04:03,388 --> 00:04:05,830 Pergo that went down in Russia . Um Was 115 00:04:05,839 --> 00:04:08,250 it a bomb that took the plane down ? Um 116 00:04:08,259 --> 00:04:11,000 So , so a couple things , um I know 117 00:04:11,009 --> 00:04:13,342 there's a lot of interest in this topic . 118 00:04:13,342 --> 00:04:15,453 I'll , I'll say right up front . Um , 119 00:04:15,453 --> 00:04:17,565 first of all , our initial assessment 120 00:04:17,565 --> 00:04:19,509 is that it's likely , uh , per was 121 00:04:19,509 --> 00:04:21,398 killed . Um , we're continuing to 122 00:04:21,398 --> 00:04:23,453 assess the situation . Um , we don't 123 00:04:23,453 --> 00:04:25,620 have any information to indicate right 124 00:04:25,620 --> 00:04:28,369 now . Um , the press reporting , uh , 125 00:04:28,380 --> 00:04:30,859 stating that there was some type of 126 00:04:30,869 --> 00:04:32,980 surface to air missile that took down 127 00:04:32,980 --> 00:04:34,647 the plane that we assess that 128 00:04:34,647 --> 00:04:36,647 information to be inaccurate . Uh , 129 00:04:36,647 --> 00:04:38,591 again , nothing to indicate and no 130 00:04:38,591 --> 00:04:40,813 information to suggest that there was a 131 00:04:40,813 --> 00:04:42,980 surface to air missile . Um But beyond 132 00:04:42,980 --> 00:04:45,147 that , I'm , I'm really just not gonna 133 00:04:45,147 --> 00:04:47,369 have any further information . What was 134 00:04:47,369 --> 00:04:47,309 it something that came internal from 135 00:04:47,320 --> 00:04:49,376 inside the plane ? Again , I I don't 136 00:04:49,376 --> 00:04:51,264 have any uh additional insight to 137 00:04:51,264 --> 00:04:53,376 provide on that . Thank you or I just 138 00:04:53,376 --> 00:04:55,653 want to check the first thing you said , 139 00:04:55,653 --> 00:04:55,309 our initial assessment is that it's 140 00:04:55,320 --> 00:04:57,320 likely Pergo was killed , you mean 141 00:04:57,329 --> 00:04:59,649 killed intentionally ? All of this may 142 00:04:59,660 --> 00:05:01,549 well have been an assassination , 143 00:05:01,549 --> 00:05:03,940 killed in this airplane was on board . 144 00:05:03,950 --> 00:05:06,172 And what leads you to believe that what 145 00:05:06,172 --> 00:05:08,394 information do you have to suggest that 146 00:05:08,394 --> 00:05:10,617 he was on board ? Or is this base based 147 00:05:10,617 --> 00:05:10,096 on the fact that you have no reason to 148 00:05:10,105 --> 00:05:12,272 doubt Russian reports ? Yeah , I'm not 149 00:05:12,272 --> 00:05:14,383 gonna go into the specifics of how we 150 00:05:14,383 --> 00:05:16,494 gather information other than again , 151 00:05:16,494 --> 00:05:18,575 our initial assessment uh based on a 152 00:05:18,585 --> 00:05:20,476 variety of factors is that he was 153 00:05:20,485 --> 00:05:22,596 likely killed but not just based on , 154 00:05:22,596 --> 00:05:24,818 on Russian statements , I would imagine 155 00:05:24,818 --> 00:05:27,041 uh based on a variety of , of factors . 156 00:05:27,041 --> 00:05:29,205 Thank you . Missy , just uh two 157 00:05:29,216 --> 00:05:31,327 clarifications and that question , um 158 00:05:31,376 --> 00:05:33,575 just to um make sure that I understood 159 00:05:33,585 --> 00:05:35,955 the , the answer to or follow up . So 160 00:05:35,966 --> 00:05:38,111 you , you guys are not willing to say 161 00:05:38,122 --> 00:05:39,622 that you believe it was an 162 00:05:39,622 --> 00:05:41,622 assassination attempt . You're just 163 00:05:41,622 --> 00:05:43,844 being neutral on that right now is that 164 00:05:43,844 --> 00:05:45,566 we're continuing to assess the 165 00:05:45,566 --> 00:05:47,678 situation . I'm not going to have any 166 00:05:47,678 --> 00:05:49,789 further information on how or why the 167 00:05:49,789 --> 00:05:52,011 airplane crashed . Ok . And then on the 168 00:05:52,011 --> 00:05:54,178 F-16 training , the administration had 169 00:05:54,178 --> 00:05:56,344 said previously that it would consider 170 00:05:56,344 --> 00:05:58,400 hosting training for , for Ukrainian 171 00:05:58,400 --> 00:06:00,566 pilots in the US if capacity in Europe 172 00:06:00,566 --> 00:06:04,019 proved to be insufficient . Um But I 173 00:06:04,029 --> 00:06:06,140 think they're just getting going . Is 174 00:06:06,140 --> 00:06:08,251 that , is that what happened ? Were , 175 00:06:08,251 --> 00:06:10,307 were you all , did you guys conclude 176 00:06:10,307 --> 00:06:12,529 that their capacity was insufficient or 177 00:06:12,529 --> 00:06:14,640 was there a decision just to go ahead 178 00:06:14,640 --> 00:06:16,862 with this even though their training is 179 00:06:16,862 --> 00:06:18,918 really just getting off the ground ? 180 00:06:18,918 --> 00:06:21,085 And then my question um just to put it 181 00:06:21,085 --> 00:06:23,085 out there right now is um regarding 182 00:06:23,085 --> 00:06:25,085 these reports that the Saudi border 183 00:06:25,085 --> 00:06:27,196 forces may have attacked , killed the 184 00:06:27,196 --> 00:06:29,910 number of asylum seekers trying to 185 00:06:29,920 --> 00:06:32,087 cross from Yemen into Saudi Arabia . I 186 00:06:32,087 --> 00:06:35,540 know that at least troops under Central 187 00:06:35,549 --> 00:06:37,799 Command authority are not currently 188 00:06:39,160 --> 00:06:41,382 providing training and assisting or any 189 00:06:41,382 --> 00:06:43,382 kind of support to these particular 190 00:06:43,382 --> 00:06:45,493 units or Saudi border guard . But I'm 191 00:06:45,493 --> 00:06:47,604 just wondering if you from the podium 192 00:06:47,604 --> 00:06:49,771 can provide some sort of comment given 193 00:06:49,771 --> 00:06:51,827 that the Saudi government is such an 194 00:06:51,827 --> 00:06:54,049 important security partner and that the 195 00:06:54,049 --> 00:06:55,604 United States has this deep 196 00:06:55,604 --> 00:06:58,510 relationship with Saudi security forces 197 00:06:58,519 --> 00:07:00,741 across the board . What is your comment 198 00:07:00,741 --> 00:07:02,852 on how , how worried or concerned are 199 00:07:02,852 --> 00:07:04,963 you all about this ? And is there any 200 00:07:04,963 --> 00:07:07,297 action that the US government will take , 201 00:07:07,297 --> 00:07:09,408 given the sort of egregious nature of 202 00:07:09,408 --> 00:07:11,352 these alleged actions by the Saudi 203 00:07:11,352 --> 00:07:13,575 border forces ? Thanks , Missy . It's a 204 00:07:13,575 --> 00:07:16,480 lot of questions , everybody settle in 205 00:07:16,489 --> 00:07:19,359 it . All right . Um So on , on your 206 00:07:19,369 --> 00:07:22,399 first question um in terms of um us 207 00:07:22,410 --> 00:07:25,359 providing this training . So , so 208 00:07:25,369 --> 00:07:28,820 really , uh as we looked at our 209 00:07:28,829 --> 00:07:30,662 European allies , providing this 210 00:07:30,662 --> 00:07:33,440 training , um recognizing the fact that 211 00:07:33,450 --> 00:07:36,239 we want to do everything we can to help 212 00:07:36,250 --> 00:07:38,306 move this effort along as quickly as 213 00:07:38,306 --> 00:07:41,570 possible in support of Ukraine . Um We , 214 00:07:41,579 --> 00:07:45,410 we know that as uh as the 215 00:07:45,420 --> 00:07:48,350 Danes and the Dutch uh prepare to train 216 00:07:48,359 --> 00:07:50,829 those pilots uh that at a certain point 217 00:07:50,839 --> 00:07:53,220 in time in the future capacity will be 218 00:07:53,230 --> 00:07:55,630 reached so preemptively , uh 219 00:07:55,640 --> 00:07:58,359 acknowledging that and leaning forward 220 00:07:58,369 --> 00:08:00,269 in order to , to assist with this 221 00:08:00,279 --> 00:08:02,670 effort , uh is the impetus for , for 222 00:08:02,679 --> 00:08:04,940 why we're doing this now . Um As it 223 00:08:04,950 --> 00:08:07,260 relates to Saudi Arabia again , uh 224 00:08:07,269 --> 00:08:09,500 we're aware of the , of the report , 225 00:08:09,510 --> 00:08:11,690 we're aware of the allegations as you 226 00:08:11,700 --> 00:08:14,519 highlighted the US uh is not in any way 227 00:08:14,529 --> 00:08:17,010 training those border forces . Uh 228 00:08:17,019 --> 00:08:19,269 They're not a part of any of the , the 229 00:08:19,279 --> 00:08:21,440 assistance that we provide . Uh I I 230 00:08:21,450 --> 00:08:23,549 don't have a specific comment to say 231 00:08:23,559 --> 00:08:25,837 other than again , we are aware of the , 232 00:08:25,837 --> 00:08:27,948 of those allegations . Uh I know that 233 00:08:27,948 --> 00:08:30,003 the State Department is , is looking 234 00:08:30,003 --> 00:08:32,115 into that , but I don't have anything 235 00:08:32,115 --> 00:08:31,859 further to provide at this point . 236 00:08:31,869 --> 00:08:34,158 Thank you , Ashley . Um I wanted to 237 00:08:34,169 --> 00:08:36,929 follow up on the F-16 training . Um So 238 00:08:36,939 --> 00:08:39,272 as you're looking at the capacity issue , 239 00:08:39,272 --> 00:08:41,383 is there a certain number that you're 240 00:08:41,383 --> 00:08:43,495 working off of how many aircraft that 241 00:08:43,495 --> 00:08:45,550 Ukraine will eventually receive ? Um 242 00:08:45,550 --> 00:08:47,606 Well , as I so short answer is I , I 243 00:08:47,606 --> 00:08:49,717 don't have a number for you today . I 244 00:08:49,717 --> 00:08:51,606 know that uh some of our European 245 00:08:51,606 --> 00:08:53,772 allies have already publicly commented 246 00:08:53,772 --> 00:08:55,883 on the aircraft uh that they're going 247 00:08:55,883 --> 00:08:57,883 to be provide . And so , you know , 248 00:08:57,883 --> 00:09:00,000 step number one is uh identifying 249 00:09:00,010 --> 00:09:02,679 Ukraine identifying the pilots to be 250 00:09:02,690 --> 00:09:05,369 trained and then having those pilots uh 251 00:09:05,400 --> 00:09:07,969 come in and train . Uh and then at , at 252 00:09:07,979 --> 00:09:10,299 that point , we'll be talking about how 253 00:09:10,309 --> 00:09:12,531 many aircraft so more to follow on that 254 00:09:12,531 --> 00:09:16,049 in the future . Um But in terms of uh 255 00:09:16,059 --> 00:09:18,750 training in the United States right now , 256 00:09:18,760 --> 00:09:21,049 what we're looking at is , um you know , 257 00:09:21,059 --> 00:09:22,948 we'll have more to provide in the 258 00:09:22,948 --> 00:09:24,948 future in terms of numbers . Um But 259 00:09:24,948 --> 00:09:26,892 right now we're looking at several 260 00:09:26,892 --> 00:09:29,059 pilots uh with uh upwards of dozens of 261 00:09:29,059 --> 00:09:31,281 maintainers . Sorry if I missed that on 262 00:09:31,289 --> 00:09:33,650 the , are they going to be training at 263 00:09:33,659 --> 00:09:35,820 Luke Air Force Base ? And when do you 264 00:09:35,830 --> 00:09:37,941 anticipate that the language training 265 00:09:37,941 --> 00:09:40,052 would be concluded in the study , the 266 00:09:40,052 --> 00:09:42,219 training in Arizona could start Yeah . 267 00:09:42,219 --> 00:09:44,386 So right now it'll be at uh Morris Air 268 00:09:44,386 --> 00:09:46,849 National Guard Base in Tucson , Arizona . 269 00:09:47,229 --> 00:09:49,396 Uh The language training will start in 270 00:09:49,396 --> 00:09:52,349 September and then we anticipate that 271 00:09:52,369 --> 00:09:54,299 uh flying training will begin in 272 00:09:54,309 --> 00:09:57,320 October . OK . Thank you . Thank you . 273 00:09:59,890 --> 00:10:03,539 Um Did you just on 274 00:10:04,070 --> 00:10:07,580 what role uh have been playing in 275 00:10:07,590 --> 00:10:10,369 Ukraine since , since last June ? And , 276 00:10:10,669 --> 00:10:13,002 and I know this just happened yesterday . 277 00:10:13,002 --> 00:10:14,669 Do you think there's gonna be 278 00:10:14,669 --> 00:10:17,700 implication on uh the group's uh future 279 00:10:17,710 --> 00:10:21,130 role , especially in Africa after 280 00:10:22,000 --> 00:10:25,219 goin and maybe the second man in his 281 00:10:25,229 --> 00:10:28,760 hierarchy as , as you said , got killed . 282 00:10:28,849 --> 00:10:31,799 So , so a few things um as it relates 283 00:10:31,809 --> 00:10:35,479 to Ukraine , their 284 00:10:35,489 --> 00:10:39,059 role as a combat force uh has 285 00:10:39,070 --> 00:10:42,130 largely uh it , it's for all intents 286 00:10:42,140 --> 00:10:44,530 and purposes . Uh no longer a factor on 287 00:10:44,539 --> 00:10:48,039 the battlefield in Ukraine . Um After , 288 00:10:48,049 --> 00:10:50,650 after uh Wagner group's actions two 289 00:10:50,659 --> 00:10:53,950 months ago in Russia . Uh as you know , 290 00:10:54,090 --> 00:10:56,330 uh those , those forces were 291 00:10:56,340 --> 00:10:59,549 essentially removed from combat uh near 292 00:10:59,559 --> 00:11:01,770 Baku where they had been fighting . Um 293 00:11:01,780 --> 00:11:04,739 oh by the way , uh you know , and we've 294 00:11:04,750 --> 00:11:07,270 said this before , the Wagner Forces 295 00:11:07,280 --> 00:11:09,539 essentially were Russia's most 296 00:11:09,549 --> 00:11:11,570 effective combat forces on the 297 00:11:11,580 --> 00:11:14,169 battlefield . Those forces essentially 298 00:11:14,179 --> 00:11:16,179 were removed from the battlefield , 299 00:11:16,179 --> 00:11:18,290 some of them were , were um relocated 300 00:11:18,290 --> 00:11:21,229 to Belarus to provide training uh for 301 00:11:21,239 --> 00:11:24,270 Belarus Forces . Uh But for all intents 302 00:11:24,280 --> 00:11:26,659 and purposes , uh they have , their 303 00:11:26,669 --> 00:11:28,336 combat effectiveness has been 304 00:11:28,336 --> 00:11:30,502 diminished . Uh And they are no longer 305 00:11:30,502 --> 00:11:32,669 a , a significant factor when it comes 306 00:11:32,669 --> 00:11:36,460 to the , the conflict inside Ukraine as 307 00:11:36,469 --> 00:11:38,691 it relates to Africa . Uh We'll , we'll 308 00:11:38,691 --> 00:11:41,090 see uh clearly , we know that the 309 00:11:41,099 --> 00:11:43,330 Wagner group is , has for a while , 310 00:11:43,340 --> 00:11:45,390 been conducting operations , uh has 311 00:11:45,400 --> 00:11:48,000 many tentacles , some military in 312 00:11:48,010 --> 00:11:50,359 nature , some criminal in nature uh in 313 00:11:50,369 --> 00:11:52,599 Africa and places like Burkina faso and 314 00:11:52,609 --> 00:11:55,679 Mali . Uh And so , you know , I don't 315 00:11:55,690 --> 00:11:57,634 think anybody's gonna discount the 316 00:11:57,634 --> 00:12:00,320 potential for uh danger when it comes 317 00:12:00,330 --> 00:12:02,441 to that group or the remnants of that 318 00:12:02,441 --> 00:12:04,441 group . So we'll continue to keep a 319 00:12:04,441 --> 00:12:06,552 close eye on it . Thank you , Janie . 320 00:12:06,552 --> 00:12:08,774 And then we'll go to Matt . Thank you , 321 00:12:08,774 --> 00:12:10,941 Senator . I have a temptation on North 322 00:12:10,941 --> 00:12:13,960 Korea . North Korea admitted failure 323 00:12:13,969 --> 00:12:17,479 two hours after launching the second 324 00:12:17,489 --> 00:12:20,570 reconnaissance satellite and North 325 00:12:20,580 --> 00:12:23,140 Korea also announced that it would 326 00:12:23,390 --> 00:12:27,000 launching third reconnaissance 327 00:12:27,010 --> 00:12:30,330 satellite in October . What is the 328 00:12:30,340 --> 00:12:33,679 Pentagon's reaction ? Um just to 329 00:12:33,690 --> 00:12:36,500 clarify . So are you asking about the 330 00:12:36,510 --> 00:12:38,566 time it took for them to acknowledge 331 00:12:38,566 --> 00:12:40,621 failure ? And what's our reaction to 332 00:12:40,621 --> 00:12:43,510 that ? Um Their communication skills 333 00:12:43,520 --> 00:12:47,179 are improving ? No , no , I mean , I'll , 334 00:12:47,190 --> 00:12:50,960 I'll joking aside . Um you know , again , 335 00:12:50,969 --> 00:12:52,940 what we see here is another failed 336 00:12:52,950 --> 00:12:55,299 space launch . Um You've heard Indo 337 00:12:55,469 --> 00:12:57,691 paycom , you've heard the White House . 338 00:12:57,691 --> 00:12:59,580 Um You've heard the US government 339 00:12:59,580 --> 00:13:02,359 condemn these actions um and they're 340 00:13:02,369 --> 00:13:05,020 provocative uh they're destabilizing . 341 00:13:05,229 --> 00:13:07,190 And so again , we'll continue to 342 00:13:07,200 --> 00:13:09,929 consult closely with our Republic of 343 00:13:09,940 --> 00:13:12,162 Korea allies and our Japanese allies to 344 00:13:12,162 --> 00:13:14,140 ensure that we share a common 345 00:13:14,150 --> 00:13:16,372 understanding of the situation and that 346 00:13:16,372 --> 00:13:18,428 we work together to ensure stability 347 00:13:18,428 --> 00:13:20,700 and security in the region . The 348 00:13:20,710 --> 00:13:23,640 supplies launch earlier than the North 349 00:13:23,650 --> 00:13:27,140 Korea announced . Did the United 350 00:13:27,150 --> 00:13:30,739 States South Korea and Japan missile 351 00:13:30,809 --> 00:13:32,869 information ? I mean missile one 352 00:13:32,880 --> 00:13:36,859 information system is work these days . 353 00:13:37,590 --> 00:13:40,469 Yeah , I wouldn't conflate North 354 00:13:40,479 --> 00:13:42,440 Korea's public statements with our 355 00:13:42,450 --> 00:13:45,039 ability to conduct and assess 356 00:13:45,049 --> 00:13:47,469 intelligence broadly speaking in the 357 00:13:47,479 --> 00:13:49,646 region . I'm not going to get into the 358 00:13:49,646 --> 00:13:51,840 specifics or discuss intelligence . Um 359 00:13:51,849 --> 00:13:55,510 But again , I think the Indo 360 00:13:55,659 --> 00:13:58,659 Paycom and the White House statement 361 00:13:58,669 --> 00:14:00,780 speak for themselves . So let me move 362 00:14:00,780 --> 00:14:03,150 on to Matt here . You have the US been 363 00:14:03,159 --> 00:14:05,469 tracking goins movements lately . And 364 00:14:05,479 --> 00:14:07,590 can you confirm whether or not he was 365 00:14:07,590 --> 00:14:09,646 in Africa earlier this week ? Thanks 366 00:14:09,646 --> 00:14:11,757 Matt . I'm just not going to get into 367 00:14:11,757 --> 00:14:13,757 intelligence . Secondly , while you 368 00:14:13,757 --> 00:14:15,923 can't confirm intentionality that this 369 00:14:15,923 --> 00:14:17,979 was a deliberate assassination . Can 370 00:14:17,979 --> 00:14:19,868 you say whether or not the US had 371 00:14:19,868 --> 00:14:21,979 assessed that such an untimely demise 372 00:14:21,979 --> 00:14:24,146 was likely to be in the cards for Mr ? 373 00:14:25,169 --> 00:14:27,280 Yeah , I mean it's a great question . 374 00:14:27,280 --> 00:14:29,447 Uh and I'm gonna resist the temptation 375 00:14:29,447 --> 00:14:32,179 uh to provide my personal opinion on it . 376 00:14:32,190 --> 00:14:34,301 I I again though , I'm just not gonna 377 00:14:34,301 --> 00:14:36,523 be able to go into intelligence . Thank 378 00:14:36,523 --> 00:14:38,746 you . Let me take a call from the phone 379 00:14:38,746 --> 00:14:38,299 here and they'll come back in the room . 380 00:14:38,309 --> 00:14:40,630 Howard Altman War Zone . Hey , thanks , 381 00:14:40,640 --> 00:14:42,751 Pat . I wanna drill down a little bit 382 00:14:42,751 --> 00:14:45,679 on the 16 pilot training . Um The the 383 00:14:45,690 --> 00:14:47,746 danger of providing training to more 384 00:14:47,746 --> 00:14:49,857 seasoned pilots . The in UK it's more 385 00:14:49,857 --> 00:14:52,190 like lieutenants who haven't flown much . 386 00:14:52,190 --> 00:14:54,246 Can you say what level of experience 387 00:14:54,246 --> 00:14:56,440 the uh pilots who are gonna be coming 388 00:14:56,450 --> 00:14:58,339 to the US will have ? What's your 389 00:14:58,339 --> 00:15:00,506 anticipation of that ? Thanks Howard . 390 00:15:00,506 --> 00:15:03,919 Um So part of part of this uh 391 00:15:03,929 --> 00:15:06,780 training will be assessing the 392 00:15:06,789 --> 00:15:09,840 individual pilot's skill , skill level , 393 00:15:09,849 --> 00:15:11,820 uh which will determine help to 394 00:15:11,830 --> 00:15:13,941 determine how long that training will 395 00:15:13,941 --> 00:15:17,409 last . Uh your , your basic uh new 396 00:15:17,419 --> 00:15:19,940 F-16 pilot with not a lot of training 397 00:15:19,950 --> 00:15:22,080 on the US side . Uh That , that 398 00:15:22,090 --> 00:15:24,146 training typically lasts about eight 399 00:15:24,146 --> 00:15:25,960 months uh for a pilot that's 400 00:15:25,969 --> 00:15:29,059 experienced uh that , you know , you're 401 00:15:29,070 --> 00:15:31,840 doing upgrade training . Uh for example , 402 00:15:32,020 --> 00:15:34,859 uh that can range uh within the five 403 00:15:34,869 --> 00:15:36,925 month range . So it's gonna a lot is 404 00:15:36,925 --> 00:15:39,147 gonna depend on those individual pilots 405 00:15:39,147 --> 00:15:41,202 and , and the assessment in terms of 406 00:15:41,202 --> 00:15:43,299 where they're at in that process , I 407 00:15:43,309 --> 00:15:45,510 will highlight that , you know , that 408 00:15:45,520 --> 00:15:47,690 some of you have asked , why does it 409 00:15:47,700 --> 00:15:50,830 take so long to train an F-16 pilot ? 410 00:15:51,000 --> 00:15:53,750 Uh And , and what takes so much time 411 00:15:53,760 --> 00:15:55,538 when it comes to providing this 412 00:15:55,538 --> 00:15:57,593 capability ? You know , just broadly 413 00:15:57,593 --> 00:16:00,760 speaking , uh your , your average F-16 414 00:16:00,770 --> 00:16:03,549 pilot that goes into from basic flying 415 00:16:03,559 --> 00:16:05,337 training or undergraduate pilot 416 00:16:05,337 --> 00:16:07,479 training into fighter training . Uh 417 00:16:07,489 --> 00:16:10,570 There's a series of uh essentially 418 00:16:10,580 --> 00:16:12,636 courses that you're gonna have to go 419 00:16:12,636 --> 00:16:14,524 through . You're gonna have to go 420 00:16:14,524 --> 00:16:14,500 through introduction of fighter 421 00:16:14,510 --> 00:16:16,677 fundamentals where they're gonna teach 422 00:16:16,677 --> 00:16:18,732 you formation flying , basic fighter 423 00:16:18,732 --> 00:16:20,954 maneuvers , weapons employment . Uh and 424 00:16:20,954 --> 00:16:23,121 this is gonna help you transition from 425 00:16:23,121 --> 00:16:25,669 being uh a , you know , basic pilot 426 00:16:25,679 --> 00:16:28,039 mindset to a fighter pilot mindset . Uh 427 00:16:28,049 --> 00:16:30,105 There's gonna be some type of ground 428 00:16:30,105 --> 00:16:32,216 training involved . Um We've all seen 429 00:16:32,216 --> 00:16:34,438 the images of , of people going through 430 00:16:34,438 --> 00:16:36,549 a centrifuge training to learn how to 431 00:16:36,549 --> 00:16:38,660 cope with G forces . Uh There , there 432 00:16:38,660 --> 00:16:40,659 will be additional training on air 433 00:16:40,669 --> 00:16:43,039 combat maneuvering , uh tactical 434 00:16:43,049 --> 00:16:44,882 intercepts , close air support , 435 00:16:44,882 --> 00:16:47,049 suppression of enemy air defenses . Uh 436 00:16:47,049 --> 00:16:49,640 And then all of that leading up to your 437 00:16:49,650 --> 00:16:52,109 mission qualification training uh which 438 00:16:52,119 --> 00:16:54,286 then allows your instructor to certify 439 00:16:54,286 --> 00:16:56,508 that you're combat ready . So tho those 440 00:16:56,508 --> 00:16:58,563 are the kinds of things that go into 441 00:16:58,563 --> 00:17:00,730 training a fighter pilot . Oh , by the 442 00:17:00,730 --> 00:17:02,563 way , this is a high performance 443 00:17:02,563 --> 00:17:04,619 aircraft with a significant logistic 444 00:17:04,619 --> 00:17:06,841 and logistics and maintenance tail . So 445 00:17:06,841 --> 00:17:08,730 training uh training all of those 446 00:17:08,730 --> 00:17:10,730 maintainers on how to maintain this 447 00:17:10,730 --> 00:17:12,952 aircraft so that it can stay in the air 448 00:17:12,952 --> 00:17:15,410 uh training the the uh ground support 449 00:17:15,420 --> 00:17:17,560 air traffic controllers , the the 450 00:17:17,569 --> 00:17:19,719 fuelers . Um you know , the the 451 00:17:19,729 --> 00:17:22,170 communications associated with that all 452 00:17:22,180 --> 00:17:24,236 that is entailed in maintaining this 453 00:17:24,236 --> 00:17:26,458 this platform . So hopefully that gives 454 00:17:26,458 --> 00:17:28,513 you some insight . Ok . Come back in 455 00:17:28,513 --> 00:17:30,680 the room , we'll go to Gordon . Uh You 456 00:17:30,689 --> 00:17:32,856 think F-16s 1 is I know you don't want 457 00:17:32,856 --> 00:17:34,911 to talk about the number of pilots , 458 00:17:34,911 --> 00:17:36,578 but do you think that this uh 459 00:17:36,578 --> 00:17:38,920 announcement will um expand the number 460 00:17:38,930 --> 00:17:42,109 of pilots that can be trained ? 12 , I 461 00:17:42,119 --> 00:17:44,489 think that the estimates for the 462 00:17:44,500 --> 00:17:46,333 original estimates for getting S 463 00:17:46,333 --> 00:17:48,222 sixteens to the Ukrainians on the 464 00:17:48,222 --> 00:17:50,900 ground or whatever was roughly mid 24 465 00:17:50,910 --> 00:17:54,000 to the end of 24 . Do you see that 466 00:17:54,369 --> 00:17:56,536 maybe bringing , you know , brought to 467 00:17:56,536 --> 00:18:00,420 the left a little bit ? And , um , what 468 00:18:00,430 --> 00:18:02,708 about air to air munitions with the US ? 469 00:18:02,708 --> 00:18:05,229 Provide AM rams or something like that 470 00:18:05,420 --> 00:18:07,364 as part of this deal ? Yeah . So a 471 00:18:07,364 --> 00:18:09,587 couple of things in terms of the number 472 00:18:09,587 --> 00:18:11,753 of pilots , Ukraine will determine the 473 00:18:11,753 --> 00:18:13,864 number of pilots that they require to 474 00:18:13,864 --> 00:18:16,031 go through the , the training . Uh And 475 00:18:16,031 --> 00:18:18,031 again , what , what this will do is 476 00:18:18,031 --> 00:18:21,229 essentially uh increase the capacity of 477 00:18:21,239 --> 00:18:24,359 across the coalition for training those 478 00:18:24,369 --> 00:18:26,536 pilots , right ? So it's another venue 479 00:18:26,536 --> 00:18:28,849 by which to train . So , um again , as , 480 00:18:28,859 --> 00:18:31,650 as more information becomes available , 481 00:18:31,660 --> 00:18:33,660 as the program matures if there are 482 00:18:33,660 --> 00:18:35,604 more pilots , you know , certainly 483 00:18:35,604 --> 00:18:37,604 we'll , we'll let you know um as it 484 00:18:37,604 --> 00:18:39,829 relates to the timeline for F-16 485 00:18:39,839 --> 00:18:42,790 deliveries , um we're , we're talking a 486 00:18:42,800 --> 00:18:46,670 matter of uh it , it I'm not gonna 487 00:18:46,680 --> 00:18:48,791 get into specifically , I don't wanna 488 00:18:48,791 --> 00:18:51,949 speculate on when F-16 aircraft will be 489 00:18:51,959 --> 00:18:54,015 delivered other than you've heard us 490 00:18:54,015 --> 00:18:56,209 say that when training is complete , 491 00:18:56,390 --> 00:18:58,530 the Europeans are looking to provide 492 00:18:58,540 --> 00:19:01,130 aircraft F-16 aircraft and the United 493 00:19:01,140 --> 00:19:03,362 States will support that effort through 494 00:19:03,362 --> 00:19:05,739 the third party transfer process . Uh 495 00:19:05,750 --> 00:19:07,861 So , you know , we're , we're talking 496 00:19:07,861 --> 00:19:09,917 months , not weeks obviously . And , 497 00:19:09,917 --> 00:19:11,639 and as we said , from the very 498 00:19:11,639 --> 00:19:13,694 beginning in May , this is about the 499 00:19:13,694 --> 00:19:15,861 long term support to Ukraine . This is 500 00:19:15,861 --> 00:19:17,917 not about the counter offensive that 501 00:19:17,917 --> 00:19:20,510 they're conducting right now . So , no , 502 00:19:20,920 --> 00:19:24,880 no . Are you leaving the 503 00:19:24,890 --> 00:19:27,469 door open to a possible acceleration of 504 00:19:27,479 --> 00:19:30,099 when these , when the fighters could 505 00:19:30,109 --> 00:19:32,276 get there , the jets could get there ? 506 00:19:32,276 --> 00:19:34,387 Um , you know , obviously we're gonna 507 00:19:34,387 --> 00:19:36,553 work as fast as we can . Um , but what 508 00:19:36,553 --> 00:19:38,776 you don't want to do is you don't wanna 509 00:19:38,776 --> 00:19:40,887 brush a pilot and train him in a high 510 00:19:40,887 --> 00:19:42,942 performance combat aircraft and then 511 00:19:42,942 --> 00:19:44,887 put them in harm's way , not fully 512 00:19:44,887 --> 00:19:47,109 prepared . So a lot of this will depend 513 00:19:47,109 --> 00:19:49,220 on uh the pilots where they're at and 514 00:19:49,220 --> 00:19:51,442 experience the training and making sure 515 00:19:51,442 --> 00:19:53,498 that again , that we're providing uh 516 00:19:53,498 --> 00:19:55,520 the right pilots it with the right 517 00:19:55,530 --> 00:19:57,641 aircraft at the right time to be able 518 00:19:57,641 --> 00:19:59,752 to be effective at the end of the day 519 00:19:59,752 --> 00:20:01,808 in combat . So let me go to Brandy . 520 00:20:01,808 --> 00:20:04,160 Thank you , sir . Um Following on 521 00:20:04,170 --> 00:20:06,520 that's line of questioning , uh we know 522 00:20:06,530 --> 00:20:08,869 you won't get into the specifics around 523 00:20:08,880 --> 00:20:11,380 intel , but maybe broadly , could you 524 00:20:11,390 --> 00:20:14,459 speak to what extent has dod been 525 00:20:14,469 --> 00:20:18,010 devoting its ISR assets to tracking the 526 00:20:18,020 --> 00:20:20,410 Wagner group globally ? And um with 527 00:20:20,420 --> 00:20:23,199 this assessment that Perco and his crew 528 00:20:23,209 --> 00:20:25,530 are dead , how will that make it harder 529 00:20:25,540 --> 00:20:28,770 for OS D to keep tabs on that crew ? 530 00:20:29,599 --> 00:20:31,599 Um Thanks Brandy . So , so no , I I 531 00:20:31,599 --> 00:20:34,290 won't get into the specifics in terms 532 00:20:34,300 --> 00:20:36,609 of what percentage or , or level of 533 00:20:36,619 --> 00:20:38,920 assets that we commit on our 534 00:20:38,930 --> 00:20:41,390 intelligence operations . Um Again , 535 00:20:41,400 --> 00:20:43,622 broadly speaking , we have a variety of 536 00:20:43,622 --> 00:20:46,550 methods by which we can assess national 537 00:20:46,560 --> 00:20:48,640 security issues uh and potential 538 00:20:48,650 --> 00:20:51,369 threats uh to include groups like the 539 00:20:51,380 --> 00:20:53,602 Wagner group . And we'll continue to do 540 00:20:53,602 --> 00:20:55,849 that going forward . Um Again , you 541 00:20:55,859 --> 00:20:57,970 know , right now , for understandable 542 00:20:57,970 --> 00:20:59,970 reasons , the media is focused very 543 00:20:59,970 --> 00:21:03,380 much on this um , person known as Mr 544 00:21:03,390 --> 00:21:05,849 Prego . Um But the , the real threat 545 00:21:05,859 --> 00:21:08,650 here is the group , uh which is an 546 00:21:08,660 --> 00:21:10,771 international criminal organization , 547 00:21:10,849 --> 00:21:14,040 uh and has conducted horrific acts both 548 00:21:14,050 --> 00:21:16,560 on the battlefield and elsewhere . And 549 00:21:16,569 --> 00:21:19,290 so again , like many threats , uh We 550 00:21:19,300 --> 00:21:21,356 will continue to monitor that one as 551 00:21:21,356 --> 00:21:24,130 well , potentially expanding um How you 552 00:21:24,140 --> 00:21:27,430 are tracking with ISR post post um 553 00:21:27,439 --> 00:21:30,180 Pergo stuff . Um I'm not sure I follow 554 00:21:30,189 --> 00:21:32,800 what you mean locations on actually how 555 00:21:32,810 --> 00:21:34,977 you're tracking with ISR . Is it gonna 556 00:21:34,977 --> 00:21:37,143 be harder now that he and his crew are 557 00:21:37,143 --> 00:21:39,254 not there ? Are you gonna be devoting 558 00:21:39,254 --> 00:21:41,199 more capabilities to tracking that 559 00:21:41,199 --> 00:21:43,421 group ? Yeah . Again , I won't get into 560 00:21:43,421 --> 00:21:45,532 the specifics of how and where and we 561 00:21:45,532 --> 00:21:47,366 conduct any type of intelligence 562 00:21:47,366 --> 00:21:49,532 operations . Thank you very much , let 563 00:21:49,532 --> 00:21:51,532 me and then I'll come back to you . 564 00:21:51,532 --> 00:21:53,699 Thank you very much on the South China 565 00:21:53,699 --> 00:21:55,810 Sea . The Philippines carried out the 566 00:21:55,810 --> 00:21:58,569 resupply operations to their outpost in 567 00:21:58,579 --> 00:22:00,849 the Second Thomas show earlier this 568 00:22:00,859 --> 00:22:03,489 week , which was successful . Did the 569 00:22:03,500 --> 00:22:05,890 US military provide any assistance to 570 00:22:05,900 --> 00:22:08,010 the Philippines for their operations 571 00:22:08,020 --> 00:22:11,219 this time ? Yeah , thanks . So , um I , 572 00:22:11,229 --> 00:22:13,285 I don't have anything to read out in 573 00:22:13,285 --> 00:22:15,285 terms of us military assistance . I 574 00:22:15,285 --> 00:22:17,396 think uh the Philippines are can talk 575 00:22:17,396 --> 00:22:19,618 about their operations . Certainly , uh 576 00:22:19,618 --> 00:22:22,239 you've heard us publicly express our 577 00:22:22,250 --> 00:22:24,361 support for the Philippines and their 578 00:22:24,361 --> 00:22:26,528 right to sovereignty and their , their 579 00:22:26,528 --> 00:22:28,639 right uh to be able to operate within 580 00:22:28,639 --> 00:22:31,989 their , their own uh waters . Um 581 00:22:32,000 --> 00:22:34,380 Broadly speaking , again , we will 582 00:22:34,410 --> 00:22:36,319 continue to work closely with the 583 00:22:36,329 --> 00:22:38,329 Philippines to support them as they 584 00:22:38,329 --> 00:22:40,640 request . Uh And let's just leave it at 585 00:22:40,650 --> 00:22:44,589 that . There is a reporting that the 586 00:22:44,599 --> 00:22:47,719 US , Japan and Australia will do a 587 00:22:47,729 --> 00:22:50,239 joint exercises in the South China Sea 588 00:22:50,250 --> 00:22:52,239 later this week . So , is this a 589 00:22:52,250 --> 00:22:55,449 response to the uh is this a response 590 00:22:55,459 --> 00:22:57,849 to the China's continued unsafe 591 00:22:57,859 --> 00:23:00,040 maneuvers to really being shifted 592 00:23:00,050 --> 00:23:02,770 around ? The second show is the 593 00:23:02,780 --> 00:23:05,989 exercise in response . I mean , our 594 00:23:06,000 --> 00:23:08,189 exercises are long planned uh 595 00:23:08,199 --> 00:23:10,739 coordinated well in advance . And again , 596 00:23:10,750 --> 00:23:13,030 they're designed to ensure that our 597 00:23:13,040 --> 00:23:15,699 countries can work together , that we 598 00:23:15,709 --> 00:23:18,130 can be interoperable . We can learn 599 00:23:18,140 --> 00:23:20,251 from one another , we can improve and 600 00:23:20,251 --> 00:23:21,918 bolster the the security coop 601 00:23:21,918 --> 00:23:24,810 cooperation relationships that we have . 602 00:23:24,819 --> 00:23:27,041 Uh And , and again , I mean , it , this 603 00:23:27,041 --> 00:23:29,069 is one of many exercises that we do 604 00:23:29,079 --> 00:23:31,301 with partners and allies throughout the 605 00:23:31,301 --> 00:23:34,300 region . Thank you very much based on 606 00:23:34,329 --> 00:23:37,180 what you said . Does the dod consider 607 00:23:37,189 --> 00:23:39,719 the Second Thomas Shoal as part of 608 00:23:39,729 --> 00:23:42,469 sovereign territory of the Philippines ? 609 00:23:42,719 --> 00:23:44,775 I think uh the Philippines have been 610 00:23:44,775 --> 00:23:46,997 clear in terms of what their view is on 611 00:23:46,997 --> 00:23:49,239 that ship . And the second Thomas Shoal 612 00:23:50,000 --> 00:23:52,079 regardless , we , we support the 613 00:23:52,089 --> 00:23:53,756 Philippines defending their , 614 00:23:53,756 --> 00:23:56,089 protecting their sovereign waters . Yes , 615 00:23:56,089 --> 00:23:58,033 ma'am . Thank you , sir , Kimberly 616 00:23:58,033 --> 00:24:00,145 Underwood from FC Signal Magazine . I 617 00:24:00,145 --> 00:24:02,033 wanted to ask more about the F-16 618 00:24:02,033 --> 00:24:04,256 fighter um training in the US . Can you 619 00:24:04,256 --> 00:24:06,478 go into why Morris and the Air National 620 00:24:06,478 --> 00:24:08,780 Guards ? 162nd Wing was chosen ? Um I 621 00:24:08,790 --> 00:24:10,901 think for the flight training and you 622 00:24:10,901 --> 00:24:13,012 mentioned the language training would 623 00:24:13,012 --> 00:24:14,846 be at lackland . Obviously , San 624 00:24:14,846 --> 00:24:16,957 Antonio does tons of training for the 625 00:24:16,957 --> 00:24:16,510 Air Force . But can you go into the 626 00:24:16,520 --> 00:24:18,631 reasoning behind that choice ? Yeah , 627 00:24:18,631 --> 00:24:21,750 sure . Um The the 162nd Wing um 628 00:24:21,760 --> 00:24:24,670 is the International Guards premier 629 00:24:24,680 --> 00:24:27,689 F-16 Training Wing . Uh and they have 630 00:24:27,699 --> 00:24:29,921 deep experience in terms of training uh 631 00:24:29,921 --> 00:24:32,079 international pilots . They um for 632 00:24:32,089 --> 00:24:34,033 example , have trained upwards , I 633 00:24:34,033 --> 00:24:36,367 think of 25 different nations um before . 634 00:24:36,367 --> 00:24:38,422 So they they have experience in this 635 00:24:38,422 --> 00:24:41,729 type of uh effort . Thank you . Yes , 636 00:24:41,800 --> 00:24:43,578 sir . Thank you General General 637 00:24:43,578 --> 00:24:46,560 regarding to the F-16 . So my question 638 00:24:46,569 --> 00:24:49,050 is , does the Ukraine has like the 639 00:24:49,060 --> 00:24:52,680 special infrastructures to have 640 00:24:52,689 --> 00:24:55,089 these kinds of jets in the , in their 641 00:24:55,099 --> 00:24:57,300 country or it's gonna be used the same 642 00:24:57,310 --> 00:25:00,390 infrastructures for the uh so uh by 643 00:25:00,569 --> 00:25:03,040 jets that already they are using in 644 00:25:03,050 --> 00:25:05,217 their part . That's a great question . 645 00:25:05,217 --> 00:25:07,328 So the short answer is no , right ? I 646 00:25:07,328 --> 00:25:09,161 mean , they they don't currently 647 00:25:09,161 --> 00:25:11,272 operate the F-16 . Uh they don't have 648 00:25:11,272 --> 00:25:13,328 the training to maintain and sustain 649 00:25:13,328 --> 00:25:15,579 the F-16 . Uh And so that's part of the 650 00:25:15,589 --> 00:25:17,756 process here , right ? Is the training 651 00:25:17,756 --> 00:25:19,922 of the pilots is one piece of it , the 652 00:25:19,922 --> 00:25:22,200 maintainers , the other piece of it is , 653 00:25:22,200 --> 00:25:24,145 you know , at the appropriate time 654 00:25:24,145 --> 00:25:26,089 ensuring that they have the ground 655 00:25:26,089 --> 00:25:28,540 equipment that they have , um , the 656 00:25:28,550 --> 00:25:31,780 ability to control , uh and sustain 657 00:25:31,829 --> 00:25:34,900 these aircraft from Ukrainian airfields , 658 00:25:34,910 --> 00:25:36,966 all of which will be down the road . 659 00:25:37,109 --> 00:25:39,979 Thank you very much . Uh Second 660 00:25:39,989 --> 00:25:42,209 question about the Wagner group . So 661 00:25:42,219 --> 00:25:44,439 I'm concerned that Wagar Group today 662 00:25:44,449 --> 00:25:47,160 they are without a leader and it's 663 00:25:47,170 --> 00:25:49,680 gonna be more dangerous from this group 664 00:25:49,689 --> 00:25:51,920 if they're gonna be under the Kremlin 665 00:25:51,930 --> 00:25:54,859 leadership . Um You know , uh 666 00:25:54,869 --> 00:25:57,619 look , I'd , I'd refer you to the , the 667 00:25:57,630 --> 00:25:59,741 Wagner group if you're able to get in 668 00:25:59,741 --> 00:26:02,074 touch with them uh for any questions on , 669 00:26:02,074 --> 00:26:04,130 on what their current business model 670 00:26:04,130 --> 00:26:06,310 and path for it is . Um you know , 671 00:26:06,319 --> 00:26:10,150 we've seen uh the Russian government uh 672 00:26:10,180 --> 00:26:13,739 shortly after the events uh near Moscow 673 00:26:13,750 --> 00:26:16,680 two months ago , say to some of these 674 00:26:17,089 --> 00:26:19,560 members that , you know , sign a 675 00:26:19,569 --> 00:26:21,791 contract with the Ministry of Defense , 676 00:26:21,791 --> 00:26:23,829 um were aware that some members of 677 00:26:23,839 --> 00:26:27,020 Wagner left Wagner uh and others stayed , 678 00:26:27,030 --> 00:26:29,420 but as it relates to the future of this 679 00:26:29,430 --> 00:26:32,030 company , uh this mercenary company , I 680 00:26:32,040 --> 00:26:34,262 really don't have anything to provide . 681 00:26:34,262 --> 00:26:36,318 Thank you very much , sir . And then 682 00:26:36,318 --> 00:26:38,484 we'll come back with you guys . Sure . 683 00:26:38,484 --> 00:26:40,540 Could you let us know when it became 684 00:26:40,540 --> 00:26:42,540 clear that capacity was going to be 685 00:26:42,540 --> 00:26:44,818 reached in terms of training in Europe ? 686 00:26:44,818 --> 00:26:44,729 Um Just just when that decision um 687 00:26:44,739 --> 00:26:47,017 became clear . Yeah , again , you know , 688 00:26:47,017 --> 00:26:49,119 we've been working and uh consulting 689 00:26:49,130 --> 00:26:51,130 very closely with the Danes and the 690 00:26:51,130 --> 00:26:54,290 Dutch all along . Uh and as we assess 691 00:26:54,300 --> 00:26:56,630 the program , this is a preemptive move 692 00:26:56,640 --> 00:26:58,862 to say , you know what , let's go ahead 693 00:26:58,862 --> 00:27:00,862 and lean forward , recognizing that 694 00:27:00,862 --> 00:27:03,084 eventually , uh we want , we , we don't 695 00:27:03,084 --> 00:27:05,150 even want it to become an issue in 696 00:27:05,160 --> 00:27:07,382 terms of capacity . We don't wait until 697 00:27:07,382 --> 00:27:09,549 you reach capacity and then say , ok , 698 00:27:09,549 --> 00:27:11,716 let's do this . So again , proactively 699 00:27:11,716 --> 00:27:14,540 uh making this facility uh available to 700 00:27:14,550 --> 00:27:16,800 train Ukrainian pilots . Thank you . We 701 00:27:16,829 --> 00:27:19,979 go to Karla and then or two questions . 702 00:27:19,989 --> 00:27:22,211 So first going back to what you said on 703 00:27:22,211 --> 00:27:24,211 the Wagner Group Force is no longer 704 00:27:24,211 --> 00:27:26,433 being a significant factor in Ukraine . 705 00:27:26,433 --> 00:27:28,322 And that coupled with the raid in 706 00:27:28,322 --> 00:27:30,322 Crimea that Ukraine announced their 707 00:27:30,322 --> 00:27:32,545 naval raid yesterday or overnight , the 708 00:27:32,545 --> 00:27:34,767 s 400 hit that they had . How would the 709 00:27:34,767 --> 00:27:37,709 Pentagon describe Ukraine's progress at 710 00:27:37,719 --> 00:27:40,180 this moment in time ? Is it , is it 711 00:27:40,189 --> 00:27:42,619 slow progress ? Is it still stalled ? 712 00:27:43,780 --> 00:27:47,010 Yeah , thanks . Thanks Carl . Um So 713 00:27:47,199 --> 00:27:49,366 talked about this a little bit earlier 714 00:27:49,366 --> 00:27:51,366 this week . Um You know , I'm gonna 715 00:27:51,366 --> 00:27:53,477 refrain from providing an operational 716 00:27:53,477 --> 00:27:55,310 update . I will say that broadly 717 00:27:55,310 --> 00:27:57,421 speaking . Uh Ukraine continues to uh 718 00:27:57,421 --> 00:27:59,790 get after it and , and fight uh they 719 00:27:59,800 --> 00:28:02,000 are making some progress along the 720 00:28:02,010 --> 00:28:04,177 front line , but it's gonna be tough . 721 00:28:04,177 --> 00:28:06,232 It will continue to be tough for all 722 00:28:06,232 --> 00:28:08,288 the reasons we've talked about . Not 723 00:28:08,288 --> 00:28:10,343 the least of which is uh significant 724 00:28:10,343 --> 00:28:12,399 obstacles to include minefields . Uh 725 00:28:12,399 --> 00:28:14,530 And so , um you know , our focus is 726 00:28:14,540 --> 00:28:16,762 going to be on consulting with them and 727 00:28:16,762 --> 00:28:18,984 ensuring they have what they need to be 728 00:28:18,984 --> 00:28:21,151 successful on the battlefield and then 729 00:28:21,151 --> 00:28:24,000 to follow on . Just an update to that . 730 00:28:24,010 --> 00:28:26,180 Is there any change to us military 731 00:28:26,189 --> 00:28:29,859 posture at this point in ? Uh at what 732 00:28:29,869 --> 00:28:32,089 point does this coup become a coup in 733 00:28:32,099 --> 00:28:34,369 the eyes of the Pentagon ? Yeah , 734 00:28:34,380 --> 00:28:36,602 thanks . Um So I don't have any updates 735 00:28:36,602 --> 00:28:38,969 to provide on again . Uh As we've said 736 00:28:38,979 --> 00:28:41,329 before , the focus continues to be on 737 00:28:41,349 --> 00:28:44,050 uh finding a diplomatic solution to the 738 00:28:44,060 --> 00:28:46,310 situation there . Um If we have 739 00:28:46,319 --> 00:28:48,569 significant updates to provide uh and 740 00:28:48,579 --> 00:28:50,579 are able to provide those , we'll , 741 00:28:50,579 --> 00:28:52,635 we'll certainly let you know . Um So 742 00:28:52,770 --> 00:28:54,826 nothing beyond that at this point or 743 00:28:55,030 --> 00:28:57,319 two quick , I have 16 questions . Will 744 00:28:57,329 --> 00:28:59,689 the Ukrainian pilots be get the full 745 00:28:59,699 --> 00:29:01,421 training ? The US would get on 746 00:29:01,421 --> 00:29:03,532 everything A US F-16 pilot would need 747 00:29:03,532 --> 00:29:05,532 to do or , or will that be stripped 748 00:29:05,532 --> 00:29:07,477 down ? Meaning like , do they need 749 00:29:07,477 --> 00:29:09,532 things like aerial refueling ? Uh or 750 00:29:09,532 --> 00:29:11,588 will that simply be taken out of the 751 00:29:11,588 --> 00:29:13,755 trade and to expedite it ? And then is 752 00:29:13,755 --> 00:29:15,921 there an overall goal for the US , the 753 00:29:15,921 --> 00:29:15,760 Dutch Danes and , and everybody else or 754 00:29:15,770 --> 00:29:17,548 are you trying to create 1 F-16 755 00:29:17,548 --> 00:29:20,010 squadron 23 , is that determined yet ? 756 00:29:20,819 --> 00:29:23,989 Um So Oren on the , the 757 00:29:24,000 --> 00:29:27,030 particular curriculum for the pilots , 758 00:29:27,040 --> 00:29:29,096 again , I think part of that will be 759 00:29:29,096 --> 00:29:31,207 determined by their experience levels 760 00:29:31,207 --> 00:29:33,429 Uh And we'll , we'll know more in the , 761 00:29:33,429 --> 00:29:35,596 in the days ahead as it relates to how 762 00:29:35,596 --> 00:29:38,390 Ukraine uh organizes this force . 763 00:29:38,400 --> 00:29:40,890 Obviously , that's gonna be a Ukrainian 764 00:29:40,900 --> 00:29:44,060 decision . Um I'm , I'm confident , you 765 00:29:44,069 --> 00:29:46,180 know , in consultation with us on how 766 00:29:46,180 --> 00:29:48,347 best to employ that capability . Uh So 767 00:29:48,347 --> 00:29:50,569 that's really a question that , that uh 768 00:29:50,569 --> 00:29:52,625 we'll be able to better address down 769 00:29:52,625 --> 00:29:54,625 the road at some point . Will we be 770 00:29:54,625 --> 00:29:54,469 able to see this training at , at 771 00:29:54,479 --> 00:29:56,590 Morris International Guard Base ? I'm 772 00:29:56,590 --> 00:29:58,757 surprised it took that long for you to 773 00:29:58,757 --> 00:30:02,369 ask this . Um I will take that 774 00:30:02,380 --> 00:30:05,060 request uh and we'll see what we can do . 775 00:30:05,270 --> 00:30:07,859 All right . Yes , ma'am . Defense one . 776 00:30:08,310 --> 00:30:10,810 for the F-16 training , is any of it 777 00:30:10,819 --> 00:30:14,469 going to be um is it just the basics of 778 00:30:14,479 --> 00:30:16,709 fighter pilot training for the aircraft 779 00:30:16,719 --> 00:30:18,552 or are you also going to include 780 00:30:18,552 --> 00:30:21,209 anything for like um Russian specific 781 00:30:21,219 --> 00:30:23,560 tact aerial tactics for the pilots ? 782 00:30:24,089 --> 00:30:25,867 Yes , it's a good , it's a good 783 00:30:25,867 --> 00:30:27,922 question . What um what I would tell 784 00:30:27,922 --> 00:30:29,978 you uh right now for the training in 785 00:30:29,978 --> 00:30:32,145 the US uh will be the , you know , the 786 00:30:32,145 --> 00:30:34,400 fundamental fighter pilot training . Uh 787 00:30:34,410 --> 00:30:36,632 you raise a good point , right ? That , 788 00:30:36,632 --> 00:30:38,632 that step one in becoming a fighter 789 00:30:38,632 --> 00:30:41,119 pilot is going through fighter pilot 790 00:30:41,130 --> 00:30:43,241 training , but that combat experience 791 00:30:43,241 --> 00:30:45,270 in combat training uh is , is also 792 00:30:45,280 --> 00:30:48,160 important . So , uh again , we more to 793 00:30:48,170 --> 00:30:50,420 follow , uh the coalition will continue 794 00:30:50,430 --> 00:30:52,939 to look at how best to prepare these 795 00:30:52,949 --> 00:30:55,060 pilots so that they can be successful 796 00:30:55,060 --> 00:30:57,005 in the air when those aircraft are 797 00:30:57,005 --> 00:30:59,171 employed in Ukraine for the maintainer 798 00:30:59,171 --> 00:31:01,338 uh training . Is it even gonna involve 799 00:31:01,338 --> 00:31:03,449 like how to do like 3D printing for , 800 00:31:03,449 --> 00:31:05,505 for parts ? I'm assuming that supply 801 00:31:05,505 --> 00:31:07,727 chain might be restricted . Yeah , so I 802 00:31:07,727 --> 00:31:09,671 don't , I don't have that level of 803 00:31:09,671 --> 00:31:11,616 granularity yet . So uh as as more 804 00:31:11,616 --> 00:31:13,227 details become available and 805 00:31:13,227 --> 00:31:15,393 importantly as they're releasable , uh 806 00:31:15,393 --> 00:31:17,282 we'll , we'll be sure to keep you 807 00:31:17,282 --> 00:31:19,393 updated on that front . Take , take a 808 00:31:19,393 --> 00:31:21,449 couple more here . Yes , sir . Hey , 809 00:31:21,449 --> 00:31:23,116 sir . Um You mentioned the uh 810 00:31:23,116 --> 00:31:24,949 persistent threat by Wagner is a 811 00:31:24,949 --> 00:31:27,060 transnational criminal organization . 812 00:31:27,060 --> 00:31:29,282 Does the department assess that there's 813 00:31:29,282 --> 00:31:31,449 a sort of a heightened threat posed by 814 00:31:31,449 --> 00:31:30,959 Wagner personnel in the , in the wake 815 00:31:30,969 --> 00:31:33,136 of Pergo death ? Like are us forces in 816 00:31:33,136 --> 00:31:34,858 Syria in any way in a state of 817 00:31:34,858 --> 00:31:36,913 heightened alert ? Uh I haven't seen 818 00:31:36,913 --> 00:31:39,247 anything to indicate that at this point . 819 00:31:39,247 --> 00:31:41,358 Thank you . And last question . Yes , 820 00:31:41,358 --> 00:31:43,525 ma'am . Uh I wanted to follow up on uh 821 00:31:43,525 --> 00:31:46,400 providing F-16s to Ukraine and when 822 00:31:46,410 --> 00:31:48,466 that determination is made , is that 823 00:31:48,466 --> 00:31:50,466 going to be like a blanket reexport 824 00:31:50,466 --> 00:31:52,632 authorization or is that going to be a 825 00:31:52,632 --> 00:31:55,880 country by country basis ? Um So , uh 826 00:31:55,890 --> 00:31:57,946 you know , as we've highlighted that 827 00:31:57,946 --> 00:31:59,946 the Danes and the Dutch are leading 828 00:31:59,946 --> 00:32:02,180 this F-16 training coalition . Uh And 829 00:32:02,189 --> 00:32:05,550 so they've already publicly come out 830 00:32:05,560 --> 00:32:08,060 and said that they will provide F-16 831 00:32:08,069 --> 00:32:10,280 aircraft to Ukraine . And so the , the 832 00:32:10,290 --> 00:32:12,599 way that process will work is they will 833 00:32:12,609 --> 00:32:15,199 submit the , the third party transfer 834 00:32:15,209 --> 00:32:17,153 request to the United States . And 835 00:32:17,153 --> 00:32:19,320 you've already heard Secretary Blinken 836 00:32:19,320 --> 00:32:21,098 say that we will expedite those 837 00:32:21,098 --> 00:32:23,376 requests in consultation with Congress . 838 00:32:23,376 --> 00:32:25,487 So as they identify specific aircraft 839 00:32:25,487 --> 00:32:28,339 uh to go to Ukraine , uh and a key 840 00:32:28,349 --> 00:32:30,849 piece of this is our allies have said , 841 00:32:30,859 --> 00:32:32,637 you know , when the training is 842 00:32:32,637 --> 00:32:34,581 complete . So the idea would be to 843 00:32:34,581 --> 00:32:36,526 marry up the train pilots with the 844 00:32:36,526 --> 00:32:38,637 aircraft . That's when you would look 845 00:32:38,637 --> 00:32:40,748 at seeing those aircraft go forward . 846 00:32:40,748 --> 00:32:42,748 So , uh again , when we get to that 847 00:32:42,748 --> 00:32:44,581 point , I'm sure we'll have more 848 00:32:44,581 --> 00:32:46,760 updates to provide . Thank you , only 849 00:32:46,770 --> 00:32:49,048 for you . Five . Thank you . Thank you . 850 00:32:49,319 --> 00:32:51,670 Does the US is the US offering this 851 00:32:51,680 --> 00:32:54,969 training with the idea that the F-16 852 00:32:55,449 --> 00:32:57,727 will enter this current war in Ukraine . 853 00:32:58,760 --> 00:33:00,949 What , what do you mean by that ? Do 854 00:33:00,959 --> 00:33:04,400 you envision whether through what the , 855 00:33:04,410 --> 00:33:06,890 and , and the Dutch are providing , 856 00:33:07,250 --> 00:33:09,739 danish and the Dutch are providing and 857 00:33:09,750 --> 00:33:13,280 the training in here that the F-16s 858 00:33:13,530 --> 00:33:15,790 and the pilots will be ready to enter 859 00:33:15,800 --> 00:33:18,290 this war in Ukraine . Well , I know 860 00:33:18,300 --> 00:33:20,300 we're gonna do everything we can to 861 00:33:20,300 --> 00:33:22,189 ensure that those pilots have the 862 00:33:22,189 --> 00:33:24,089 training , uh and the knowledge 863 00:33:24,099 --> 00:33:26,260 necessary to be able to effectively 864 00:33:26,270 --> 00:33:28,849 employ uh this very sophisticated 865 00:33:28,859 --> 00:33:32,089 combat weapon . Uh And so , uh 866 00:33:32,099 --> 00:33:35,209 that's our part . Uh and we'll work 867 00:33:35,219 --> 00:33:37,280 with our allies in Europe to ensure 868 00:33:37,290 --> 00:33:39,346 they have that training so that when 869 00:33:39,346 --> 00:33:41,179 they do go into combat , they're 870 00:33:41,179 --> 00:33:43,346 prepared to do it . Thank you . Thanks 871 00:33:43,346 --> 00:33:43,459 very much , everybody appreciate it .