WEBVTT 00:04.162 --> 00:06.912 Three years, with several of you. 00:07.396 --> 00:09.655 The fact that you came here today 00:09.655 --> 00:11.679 means something to me, personally, 00:11.679 --> 00:13.048 but also the fact that you were willing 00:13.048 --> 00:17.046 to go to exercises, where it's cold or hot or dusty 00:17.046 --> 00:20.379 or spartan, and to be willing to do that 00:20.394 --> 00:24.311 also speaks to your professionalism, so thanks. 00:24.834 --> 00:27.498 Really, just a couple points that I want to make today. 00:27.498 --> 00:30.627 Number one, General McGuire, Tim McGuire, is gonna be 00:30.627 --> 00:32.839 the Commander of the US Army Europe 00:32.839 --> 00:37.006 after I am gone for whatever period of time is necessary. 00:37.407 --> 00:38.622 He is the Commander, 00:38.622 --> 00:40.616 and that's how important it is to us 00:40.616 --> 00:43.272 to make sure that we have a Commander here. 00:43.272 --> 00:45.939 Number two, today I'm gonna talk 00:45.995 --> 00:48.668 about the commitment to the United States, 00:48.668 --> 00:51.668 to stability and security in Europe. 00:52.370 --> 00:54.757 Everything that the previous administration said, 00:54.757 --> 00:57.191 the current administration is doing, 00:57.191 --> 01:00.785 Heel-to-Toe rotations, preposition equipment, 01:00.785 --> 01:02.759 an increase of a billion dollars 01:02.759 --> 01:05.028 to the European Deterrence Initiative, 01:05.028 --> 01:07.562 and, of course, our enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group. 01:07.562 --> 01:09.540 So, America's commitment to stability 01:09.540 --> 01:13.498 and security in Europe, those are manifestations 01:13.498 --> 01:15.081 of that commitment, 01:15.148 --> 01:18.824 because security and stability in Europe affects 01:18.824 --> 01:22.153 stability and security in the United States. 01:22.153 --> 01:24.570 Secondly, our great Alliance, 01:24.776 --> 01:27.404 most successful alliance in the history of the world, 01:27.404 --> 01:30.378 the United States is and will continue to be a leader 01:30.378 --> 01:31.378 inside NATO. 01:32.678 --> 01:36.845 I am so proud of what I have seen our Alliance accomplish 01:37.105 --> 01:40.522 and, particularly, the adaptation efforts 01:40.849 --> 01:41.901 that are underway. 01:41.901 --> 01:43.829 If you think about what the Alliance did 01:43.829 --> 01:46.412 after the Wales Summit in 2014, 01:46.665 --> 01:49.582 and then the Warsaw Summit in 2016, 01:50.448 --> 01:54.311 making the significant adjustments to formations, 01:54.311 --> 01:57.604 procedures, capabilities, and now the discussions 01:57.604 --> 01:59.604 that are underway of the 02:01.836 --> 02:05.596 creation of a Rear-Area Command and other new capabilities 02:05.596 --> 02:08.345 necessary to keep the Alliance capable 02:08.345 --> 02:10.692 and relevant in the new security environment. 02:10.692 --> 02:12.609 I'm very proud of that, 02:13.450 --> 02:16.803 and I think all 29 nations are proud of it. 02:16.803 --> 02:18.993 As you can see, the extension that was just announced 02:18.993 --> 02:21.195 of Secretary General Stoltenberg, 02:21.195 --> 02:24.123 what a terrific leader and spokesman 02:24.123 --> 02:25.540 for the Alliance. 02:25.883 --> 02:29.983 Very happy that he's been extended two more years. 02:29.983 --> 02:32.316 And, there's also a momentum 02:32.933 --> 02:36.137 towards improved cooperation with the European Union, 02:36.137 --> 02:39.887 which I think is a great thing for all of us. 02:40.609 --> 02:44.776 I want to comment just briefly on our great diplomatic corp. 02:46.811 --> 02:50.425 The partnership between the military and diplomats, 02:50.425 --> 02:51.422 between the Department of Defense 02:51.422 --> 02:53.908 and the Department of State is essential for us 02:53.908 --> 02:56.158 to achieve our goals, here, 02:57.151 --> 02:58.981 not just in Europe, but around the world, 02:58.981 --> 03:01.854 and we have quality men and women serving 03:01.854 --> 03:04.793 in our diplomatic corp at the Ambassador level, 03:04.793 --> 03:07.876 Consulate level, and in the missions, 03:07.948 --> 03:11.102 and I have enjoyed three years of terrific leadership 03:11.102 --> 03:14.269 by our Ambassadors and I love the fact 03:14.899 --> 03:17.042 that we're able to support them. 03:17.042 --> 03:19.209 And then finally, Germany, 03:19.532 --> 03:21.449 our indispensable ally. 03:22.272 --> 03:24.069 Without Germany supporting us, 03:24.069 --> 03:27.236 allowing us to train, to live, to fly, 03:29.752 --> 03:32.901 we would not be able to effectively carry out 03:32.901 --> 03:36.603 much of our security policy in Europe, Africa, 03:36.603 --> 03:37.578 and the Middle East. 03:37.578 --> 03:39.795 It's an indispensable ally. 03:39.795 --> 03:42.691 The brand made in Germany means something. 03:42.691 --> 03:45.358 It's respected around the world, 03:45.358 --> 03:46.741 and I don't mean just your cars, 03:46.741 --> 03:49.158 I'm talking about healthcare, 03:50.733 --> 03:53.233 your focus on the environment, 03:53.330 --> 03:56.913 German respect for individual human rights, 03:57.375 --> 03:58.958 individual privacy. 04:01.742 --> 04:05.909 There's a moral authority that Germany has around the world, 04:06.080 --> 04:07.271 it's recognized. 04:07.271 --> 04:09.737 Of course, with that prosperity and respect, 04:09.737 --> 04:11.310 comes great responsibility, 04:11.310 --> 04:13.762 and I think German leadership inside the Alliance, 04:13.762 --> 04:16.651 inside the European Union, around the world, 04:16.651 --> 04:18.151 is very important. 04:18.923 --> 04:21.687 There are numerous manifestations of that already 04:21.687 --> 04:24.876 and we're counting on Germany as our indispensable ally 04:24.876 --> 04:29.043 to continue to take on more and more responsibility. 04:29.204 --> 04:31.294 So, I'll look forward to your questions. 04:31.294 --> 04:32.293 I'm very proud of this guy. 04:32.293 --> 04:33.622 I've known him many years. 04:33.622 --> 04:35.436 We've served together twice. 04:35.436 --> 04:36.819 He's exactly the right person 04:36.819 --> 04:40.862 and I look forward to watching him take command today. 04:40.862 --> 04:42.279 - Thank you, sir. 04:42.780 --> 04:46.320 Ladies and gentlemen, thank you so much for coming today. 04:46.320 --> 04:48.078 I am thrilled to be part 04:48.078 --> 04:50.930 of the United State Army Europe team 04:50.930 --> 04:52.594 and part of the strong Europe team. 04:52.594 --> 04:54.462 I've been in position for 18 months now. 04:54.462 --> 04:56.130 So, I've been able to see firsthand 04:56.130 --> 05:00.185 all the great work that's being done across the Alliance. 05:00.185 --> 05:03.102 I've very proud to be part of NATO, 05:03.436 --> 05:05.616 part of the European Command, 05:05.616 --> 05:08.036 and part of the US Army Europe team, here, 05:08.036 --> 05:10.266 and so I'm excited to continue the great work 05:10.266 --> 05:13.349 that General Hodges has put in place. 05:14.115 --> 05:17.590 It is so exciting to see the progress that has been made 05:17.590 --> 05:18.547 in the last several years. 05:18.547 --> 05:22.214 And so, I'm committed to ensure I do my part 05:22.263 --> 05:24.556 to maintain the positive momentum 05:24.556 --> 05:27.070 and make sure that the greatest alliance 05:27.070 --> 05:29.551 in the history of the world stays strong 05:29.551 --> 05:33.718 and is prepared to deter and defend against any adversaries. 05:34.226 --> 05:35.059 Thank you. 05:35.530 --> 05:38.196 - [Spokeswoman} Okay, so now we'll move to questions. 05:38.196 --> 05:41.449 Andy, I'd like to give you the first question. 05:41.449 --> 05:44.616 - [Andy] General, when you depart now, 05:45.412 --> 05:47.379 you've put in place a lot of changes 05:47.379 --> 05:51.546 when it comes to the changes that you've brought here, 05:51.575 --> 05:53.908 your troops better together. 05:54.125 --> 05:56.381 You know, I've simplified a little bit. 05:56.381 --> 06:00.548 How much do you think the threat is still as strong 06:01.248 --> 06:05.415 as we saw it when we basically talked to you a year ago 06:05.892 --> 06:10.059 now when it comes to deterrence of the Russian threat? 06:10.453 --> 06:12.109 Has that eased off a bit? 06:12.109 --> 06:15.681 Do you think we're still facing the same kind of scenario? 06:15.681 --> 06:18.014 - Well, I don't see a change 06:18.939 --> 06:20.939 in the potential threat. 06:22.406 --> 06:26.573 You know, we learned a lot watching the Zapad exercise. 06:29.063 --> 06:32.813 Russia has continued to develop capabilities. 06:33.681 --> 06:37.107 But, what I focus on, the most, is our own efforts, 06:37.107 --> 06:39.060 the Alliance continuing to work together, 06:39.060 --> 06:42.060 the improved, continued improvements 06:42.707 --> 06:44.374 on interoperability. 06:44.901 --> 06:46.755 The exercise we'll do in February, for example, 06:46.755 --> 06:49.464 Dynamic Front, will be a great opportunity 06:49.464 --> 06:50.797 to continue that improvement, 06:50.797 --> 06:53.626 and Germany's gonna play a key role in that exercise. 06:53.626 --> 06:57.709 So, our own deterrent capabilities are improving. 06:59.943 --> 07:04.002 It would sure help if Russian were more transparent. 07:04.002 --> 07:07.252 Were allowed media as well as observers 07:09.012 --> 07:10.580 to come out and see all their exercises, 07:10.580 --> 07:12.938 I think that would do a lot to lower temperature 07:12.938 --> 07:14.460 and concern that people have. 07:14.460 --> 07:17.571 But, in the meanwhile, we're gonna keep working on 07:17.571 --> 07:18.488 what we do. 07:19.428 --> 07:21.748 This cooperation between the EU and NATO, 07:21.748 --> 07:25.102 I think will help, particularly with an increased 07:25.102 --> 07:27.604 or improved cross-border military mobility 07:27.604 --> 07:29.823 that will allow us to move more quickly. 07:29.823 --> 07:32.858 That will, I think, also reduce the risk 07:32.858 --> 07:36.195 of somebody making a terrible miscalculation. 07:36.195 --> 07:37.748 - [Andy] Let me just follow up on that. 07:37.748 --> 07:40.561 What is the, if you could be a little critical 07:40.561 --> 07:42.811 about what's still missing? 07:43.012 --> 07:45.231 What would you like to see more of? 07:45.231 --> 07:46.502 - Well, you have to exercise. 07:46.502 --> 07:50.669 I mean you have to spend the money on large exercises 07:50.842 --> 07:53.009 to really identify and fix 07:55.093 --> 07:58.260 where friction exists or where, maybe, 07:59.233 --> 08:01.316 capacity is insufficient. 08:02.103 --> 08:04.595 I'm very pleased with the deployment 08:04.595 --> 08:06.610 of the rotational brigades, 08:06.610 --> 08:08.891 but that was only one brigade at a time, 08:08.891 --> 08:11.058 and, still, there's not... 08:13.023 --> 08:14.779 We've discovered there's not enough capacity 08:14.779 --> 08:18.946 for the rail network across the continent, for example. 08:19.685 --> 08:23.546 And so, that's an area where I think we can improve. 08:23.546 --> 08:27.213 And again, I think the European Union will play 08:27.213 --> 08:30.469 a critical role in improving rail capacity. 08:30.469 --> 08:32.719 I think that we could be... 08:35.729 --> 08:38.637 If Germany, for example, takes on the responsibility 08:38.637 --> 08:41.733 of NATO's Rear Area Operations Command, 08:41.733 --> 08:43.377 which, to me, seems a logical choice, 08:43.377 --> 08:47.329 given the geography, and the capabilities and capacity. 08:47.329 --> 08:51.097 Some investment in improved infrastructure in rail 08:51.097 --> 08:53.514 that has real military value, 08:54.061 --> 08:56.660 I think that would do a lot to help us address 08:56.660 --> 08:59.493 a thing that I am concerned about. 09:02.598 --> 09:06.493 - [Questioner] Yes, you were talking about the commitment 09:06.493 --> 09:08.243 of the United States. 09:09.891 --> 09:13.154 Do you have enough troops for that still? 09:13.154 --> 09:14.571 Here, this saying 09:14.637 --> 09:16.554 of making 30,000 troops 09:18.204 --> 09:19.704 look like 300,000. 09:21.276 --> 09:23.793 Would you like to have more American soldiers 09:23.793 --> 09:25.280 on the ground in Europe? 09:25.280 --> 09:28.947 - Sure, I think some capabilities that would 09:31.842 --> 09:35.759 be helpful, logistics, you know transportation, 09:38.779 --> 09:39.612 engineers, 09:43.050 --> 09:44.383 missile defense. 09:44.623 --> 09:48.790 I mean, we have these, but to increase the capacity 09:52.298 --> 09:54.478 would make us even more effective, 09:54.478 --> 09:57.145 that's what I would like to see. 09:57.253 --> 10:00.337 I think, you know, what we do have, of course, 10:00.337 --> 10:03.141 you know striker regiments, sustainment brigade, 10:03.141 --> 10:04.811 airborne brigade, aviation, 10:04.811 --> 10:07.528 whether it's stationed or rotational, 10:07.528 --> 10:09.945 gives us a lot of capability. 10:11.673 --> 10:15.423 But, what we call enablers would really help, 10:16.424 --> 10:18.591 also, enable the Alliance. 10:21.381 --> 10:23.410 - [Questioner] Do you see any political will to do... 10:23.410 --> 10:24.993 - Absolutely, yeah. 10:25.318 --> 10:26.151 I do. 10:26.586 --> 10:28.753 I think if the Army grows, 10:30.272 --> 10:32.907 and it looks like the Army is gonna grow a little bit 10:32.907 --> 10:34.820 over the next two or three years, 10:34.820 --> 10:37.170 then, coming to US Army Europe, 10:37.170 --> 10:40.944 I can see the potential for some of those enablers. 10:40.944 --> 10:44.171 Not big numbers, but I do see some growth, 10:44.171 --> 10:47.328 which even small growth is better than it was 10:47.328 --> 10:50.745 two or three years ago which was decline. 10:52.250 --> 10:54.084 - [Questioner] Sir, this past Monday 10:54.084 --> 10:56.559 the EU announced this new initiative 10:56.559 --> 10:59.226 of increased defense cooperation 11:00.036 --> 11:02.520 proposing what they call concrete projects. 11:02.520 --> 11:05.406 How concrete are they from your perspective? 11:05.406 --> 11:09.573 During this statement, I believe, they're saying logistics. 11:09.865 --> 11:10.844 Have you looked into that? 11:10.844 --> 11:14.413 How concrete is that and does that help you? 11:14.413 --> 11:17.278 - First of all, I am very excited and optimistic 11:17.278 --> 11:20.639 about this momentum towards increased cooperation 11:20.639 --> 11:23.837 between the Alliance and the European Union. 11:23.837 --> 11:25.893 It's such a logical thing. 11:25.893 --> 11:28.532 I'm not worried about a parallel armies 11:28.532 --> 11:32.699 or something like that because nobody has the capacity 11:32.996 --> 11:34.996 to have parallel armies. 11:36.287 --> 11:39.621 So, I am confident that we will all figure out 11:39.621 --> 11:40.788 how to achieve 11:43.257 --> 11:47.007 the sort of security effects that we want to, 11:48.082 --> 11:51.249 but there are certain things that are, 11:51.309 --> 11:54.271 I think, are best handled by the European Union. 11:54.271 --> 11:56.823 In this whole infrastructure, for example, 11:56.823 --> 11:58.642 literally, concrete projects. 11:58.642 --> 12:01.355 When you talk about expanding rail capacity, 12:01.355 --> 12:02.938 expanding seaports, 12:04.750 --> 12:07.798 a lot of things that would help all of us, 12:07.798 --> 12:11.695 be more effective in our deterrence, and I think 12:11.695 --> 12:14.790 the European Union is exactly the right place to do that. 12:14.790 --> 12:18.957 I think, also, as Foreign Minister Gabriel talked about, 12:19.619 --> 12:22.194 it makes no sense for every nation to have its own tank, 12:22.194 --> 12:24.688 its own vehicle, its own radio. 12:24.688 --> 12:26.855 Instead, if within the EU, 12:28.438 --> 12:29.852 nations can figure out 12:29.852 --> 12:32.784 how to be more efficient with the billions of Euro 12:32.784 --> 12:35.200 that are spent, then I think we'll get 12:35.200 --> 12:36.748 a better effect out of that. 12:36.748 --> 12:39.804 And so, the EU seems to be the right structure 12:39.804 --> 12:41.279 for doing that, as well. 12:41.279 --> 12:43.174 - [Questioner] Beyond this political statement 12:43.174 --> 12:45.185 of wanting to do these things, 12:45.185 --> 12:49.352 have you actually seen from the European Union side, 12:50.113 --> 12:53.282 papers that make you believe, "Yes, we're gonna have 12:53.282 --> 12:56.083 "concrete work in Bremerhaven/Lustig area." 12:56.083 --> 12:57.083 - Hmm, yeah. 12:57.509 --> 12:59.513 I think that's probably still to come. 12:59.513 --> 13:03.680 I mean, this was an announcement that was just made. 13:04.424 --> 13:07.307 I am very confident from what I've seen 13:07.307 --> 13:10.633 and who I've spoken with at the top level, 13:10.633 --> 13:12.966 everybody's committed to it. 13:13.726 --> 13:15.476 And, I think, I mean, 13:17.742 --> 13:19.659 it's not gonna be easy, 13:19.911 --> 13:21.330 but I am confident it's coming, 13:21.330 --> 13:22.334 because everybody recognizes it. 13:22.334 --> 13:26.334 I mean, you can't afford not to do it, actually. 13:29.736 --> 13:31.612 - [Questioner] Looking at the past couple of years 13:31.612 --> 13:35.471 as Commanding General, you oversaw the transformation 13:35.471 --> 13:38.363 particularly after the Russia trip. 13:38.363 --> 13:39.854 Looking forward and those following 13:39.854 --> 13:42.391 in your footsteps now, and what would you tell them? 13:42.391 --> 13:44.914 What's, you know, the next threat? 13:44.914 --> 13:47.504 What's the transformation that needs to continue? 13:47.504 --> 13:50.171 - Hmm, well, whoever follows me, 13:50.369 --> 13:51.542 is gonna have to clean up a big mess 13:51.542 --> 13:54.459 that I've left behind for starters. 13:56.854 --> 13:59.937 We call 2018 the Year of Integration. 14:01.355 --> 14:04.272 I think that I was not as effective 14:05.429 --> 14:08.381 as I could have been on getting more 14:08.381 --> 14:10.835 and more integrated into joint, 14:10.835 --> 14:12.223 in other words, with Navy, Air Force, 14:12.223 --> 14:13.806 Marines, and so on. 14:13.908 --> 14:16.648 We worked it, but there's a lot more to be done, 14:16.648 --> 14:18.898 and I think a focus on that 14:19.741 --> 14:21.991 and continuing to integrate 14:23.993 --> 14:26.326 even more into the Alliance. 14:26.878 --> 14:29.878 So, more joint, more multi-national. 14:30.459 --> 14:31.887 That's why we're calling 2018 14:31.887 --> 14:33.570 the Year of Integration 14:33.570 --> 14:36.634 to make it an effort, a focused effort, 14:36.634 --> 14:38.814 to improve that because none of us 14:38.814 --> 14:40.295 can do anything by ourself, 14:40.295 --> 14:41.598 don't have enough capability or capacity. 14:41.598 --> 14:45.181 So, being joint, as well as multi-national, 14:45.184 --> 14:47.260 in everything that we do. 14:47.260 --> 14:48.639 We are a national headquarters. 14:48.639 --> 14:50.735 I mean, we're not in NATO, 14:50.735 --> 14:52.960 except that our country, obviously, 14:52.960 --> 14:54.509 but that doesn't mean that our headquarters 14:54.509 --> 14:58.092 and our units should not be into the fabric 14:58.297 --> 15:01.178 of what the Alliance does in logistics, 15:01.178 --> 15:03.428 intelligence, particularly, 15:06.336 --> 15:07.623 there's a great opportunity. 15:07.623 --> 15:10.706 That's what I've told General McGuire 15:10.971 --> 15:12.388 and anybody else. 15:13.214 --> 15:15.684 Focus on improved integration. 15:15.684 --> 15:19.529 I think the intelligence sharing is better, now, 15:19.529 --> 15:22.779 than I've seen in three years, as well. 15:23.195 --> 15:26.338 Obviously, we depend on our host nation, 15:26.338 --> 15:28.171 Germany, for security. 15:28.887 --> 15:30.192 And so, the intelligence sharing, 15:30.192 --> 15:34.359 identifying potential threats from Islamic extremism, 15:34.793 --> 15:37.715 I'm very, very pleased with the level 15:37.715 --> 15:41.465 of trust and information intelligence sharing 15:41.714 --> 15:44.881 with our host nation on that, as well. 15:44.998 --> 15:48.779 - [Questioner] I have a question for General McGuire. 15:48.779 --> 15:52.319 So, you've mentioned that you've been here for 18 months. 15:52.319 --> 15:53.152 Could you go into more detail 15:53.152 --> 15:56.069 about how that might help serve you 15:56.664 --> 15:59.987 and serve USAREUR as a kind of a bridge to General Hodges 15:59.987 --> 16:01.567 and his eventual successor? 16:01.567 --> 16:03.295 - Oh, it's a great question, Dean. 16:03.295 --> 16:05.332 It's been fantastic, because in those 18 months 16:05.332 --> 16:08.652 I've been able to get out to over 30 countries, 16:08.652 --> 16:09.702 here, on the continent of Europe, 16:09.702 --> 16:12.668 be able to spend a lot of time seeing our soldiers 16:12.668 --> 16:14.456 interact with their allies and partners, 16:14.456 --> 16:16.539 whether it's at Hohenfels 16:16.617 --> 16:20.119 at a Joint Multi-National Readiness Center exercise 16:20.119 --> 16:21.276 or out in Ukraine 16:21.276 --> 16:23.784 at our Joint Multi-National Training Group 16:23.784 --> 16:26.797 or in an exercise like Noble Partner in Georgia, 16:26.797 --> 16:28.985 being able to see firsthand 16:28.985 --> 16:30.704 the interoperability challenges, 16:30.704 --> 16:33.134 but also those great successes that we're making. 16:33.134 --> 16:35.554 As General Hodges said, on the Year of Integration, 16:35.554 --> 16:38.575 I'm just very excited because, Dynamic Front, 16:38.575 --> 16:40.641 we're gonna have the full joint team there, 16:40.641 --> 16:43.484 but we also have the Allied Rapid Reaction Corp 16:43.484 --> 16:45.389 out of the UK coming down 16:45.389 --> 16:47.432 to the be NATO Corp headquarters 16:47.432 --> 16:50.041 to be able to work systems from NATO Corp 16:50.041 --> 16:52.105 down to EFP battle group. 16:52.105 --> 16:53.910 And so, how do we codify those standards? 16:53.910 --> 16:55.166 How do we get them on paper? 16:55.166 --> 16:58.999 And so, the 18 months you see all the progress 16:59.533 --> 17:01.402 that the Alliance has been making 17:01.402 --> 17:04.930 and it's one where I just think it's gonna be... 17:04.930 --> 17:06.348 I'm excited I'm staying on the team 17:06.348 --> 17:07.651 because it's gonna... 17:07.651 --> 17:09.387 With General Hodge's ultimate successor, 17:09.387 --> 17:12.122 be able to just point out what's been working 17:12.122 --> 17:13.236 and where we just need to continue 17:13.236 --> 17:15.736 to double-down our resourcing. 17:17.785 --> 17:18.908 - [Questioner] And a quick followup, 17:18.908 --> 17:21.937 what's the word integration, the Year of Integration, 17:21.937 --> 17:24.267 what's that mean to you as the acting Commander? 17:24.267 --> 17:26.923 - For integration, I think General Hodges 17:26.923 --> 17:28.153 really laid that out. 17:28.153 --> 17:30.419 Default setting these allies and partners, 17:30.419 --> 17:32.803 but also with our joint teammates. 17:32.803 --> 17:35.886 How do we leverage every opportunity, 17:36.577 --> 17:39.604 whether its an exercise or there's a training event, 17:39.604 --> 17:41.248 or whether it's planning, 17:41.248 --> 17:43.174 to just get stronger as a team? 17:43.174 --> 17:45.153 And so, this one, here, we all bring 17:45.153 --> 17:48.141 different capabilities to our deterrence mission. 17:48.141 --> 17:50.514 And so, how do you leverage everyone's talents? 17:50.514 --> 17:52.942 So, that integration is just making sure 17:52.942 --> 17:56.775 that we have the right folks around the table, 17:57.963 --> 17:59.896 or the right folks at the training event, 17:59.896 --> 18:03.813 so we can just strengthen our interoperability. 18:04.379 --> 18:07.154 - I think, you know, now's a period of reflection 18:07.154 --> 18:08.969 for me, too, kind of looking back and I think 18:08.969 --> 18:10.136 I was probably 18:11.752 --> 18:13.419 a little hard-headed 18:14.397 --> 18:17.564 on certain things and, maybe, earlier 18:18.835 --> 18:22.335 I could have started shaping our exercises 18:22.809 --> 18:24.226 to be more joint. 18:25.537 --> 18:26.370 Instead of saying, "Doggone it, 18:26.370 --> 18:27.341 "we're gonna do this exercise, 18:27.341 --> 18:28.735 "and hopefully the Air Force will come with us, 18:28.735 --> 18:32.359 "or hopefully the Navy or allies want to be a part of it," 18:32.359 --> 18:35.643 and I'm a little bit older now, and a little bit smarter 18:35.643 --> 18:38.560 and I think earlier on I could have 18:41.400 --> 18:44.805 started bending the exercise towards what they needed. 18:44.805 --> 18:47.758 Because, frankly, we have a lot more flexibility 18:47.758 --> 18:51.925 than many other organizations just by the nature of it. 18:53.402 --> 18:54.844 I could have been a little bit smarter about that. 18:54.844 --> 18:57.755 So, that's why we realized we need to make 2018, 18:57.755 --> 19:01.922 make that a focus and this is the right guy to do it. 19:02.287 --> 19:04.513 - And just on that, we mentioned Dynamic Front, 19:04.513 --> 19:07.068 but mark your calendars for June for Saber Strike 19:07.068 --> 19:09.882 which is the large scale, annual exercise in the Baltic. 19:09.882 --> 19:12.279 - [Questioner] What's the reason you had to stay on 19:12.279 --> 19:13.942 another four months? 19:13.942 --> 19:17.525 - Well, first of all, the Army had the guy. 19:18.911 --> 19:21.240 We had a terrific choice that was gonna be. 19:21.240 --> 19:24.814 So it was gonna be on time, but there's a process. 19:24.814 --> 19:27.190 You're familiar with our process for confirmation, 19:27.190 --> 19:30.620 and we had to move on to a different choice. 19:30.620 --> 19:32.267 And so, that's what set the time back. 19:32.267 --> 19:34.350 It has nothing to do with 19:35.549 --> 19:37.409 a priority or something like that. 19:37.409 --> 19:39.114 So, I trust our process. 19:39.114 --> 19:40.708 For me, personally, I enjoyed, obviously, 19:40.708 --> 19:44.400 getting the extra six months to do some things, 19:44.400 --> 19:46.799 to keep working on certain things, 19:46.799 --> 19:50.966 and I am very confident in who the Army is looking at 19:51.068 --> 19:55.235 that we will have exactly the right guy to be here. 19:57.172 --> 20:00.172 - [Spokeswoman] Any other questions? 20:00.177 --> 20:01.386 - [Questioner] So, were you at all taken aback 20:01.386 --> 20:04.969 by Secretary Gabriel's speech the other day 20:05.947 --> 20:08.280 which has been hotly debated 20:08.937 --> 20:11.437 in security politics, circles, 20:12.068 --> 20:14.568 as if we are moving to another 20:15.842 --> 20:18.396 brand implosion in Germany that 20:18.396 --> 20:20.946 this line of thought might play a role 20:20.946 --> 20:22.779 in positioning Germany 20:24.761 --> 20:25.736 in a more centrous, 20:25.736 --> 20:28.819 rather than a more Atlantic position? 20:31.108 --> 20:35.275 - Well, I have such great confidence in our ally, Germany. 20:36.200 --> 20:39.012 This relationship goes back a long, long time. 20:39.012 --> 20:43.012 It's deep and, you know, there will always be... 20:46.979 --> 20:48.294 Yeah, I just think I'll leave it at that. 20:48.294 --> 20:49.832 I have great confidence in our ally. 20:49.832 --> 20:53.165 We have common interests, common values, 20:53.183 --> 20:56.486 and I think we probably have a shared vision 20:56.486 --> 20:59.720 of, you know, what the world and Europe ought to look like, 20:59.720 --> 21:02.302 which is why it's so important that United States invest 21:02.302 --> 21:04.052 in that relationship. 21:05.008 --> 21:07.191 - [Spokeswoman] In the back center, did you have a question? 21:07.191 --> 21:08.741 - [Questioner] It's a question about program 21:08.741 --> 21:10.408 for German students. 21:11.096 --> 21:12.679 Will this continue? 21:13.630 --> 21:15.383 - It might be an interim thing. 21:15.383 --> 21:16.390 - Absolutely. 21:16.390 --> 21:17.888 It is one coming back. 21:17.888 --> 21:19.316 That's one of the ones, 21:19.316 --> 21:23.246 being able to see the premium General Hodges has made 21:23.246 --> 21:25.893 on transparency and on outreach. 21:25.893 --> 21:27.976 And, just even this week, 21:29.079 --> 21:32.746 General Hodges had some great German leaders 21:33.770 --> 21:35.518 over to his house for dinner, 21:35.518 --> 21:37.909 into our Command Centers, so we could give an update. 21:37.909 --> 21:39.892 And, that's one, just seeing the importance 21:39.892 --> 21:41.642 of that transparency. 21:43.803 --> 21:46.553 So, whether it is senior leaders, 21:47.836 --> 21:51.624 or it is school children, we remain committed. 21:51.624 --> 21:54.982 And, actually earlier today, we were just looking at... 21:54.982 --> 21:57.232 We have spent a lot of time 21:58.585 --> 22:01.232 with the outreach with schools in vicinity 22:01.232 --> 22:03.136 of where our bases are now, 22:03.136 --> 22:04.661 but we acknowledge, we're spending a lot of time... 22:04.661 --> 22:07.791 You know, moving through now Eastern Germany, 22:07.791 --> 22:09.599 and so we're gonna do a concerted effort 22:09.599 --> 22:12.599 on how we can do additional outreach 22:13.369 --> 22:16.360 in the East to make sure they also understand 22:16.360 --> 22:20.179 the importance we put on this great relationship. 22:20.179 --> 22:22.103 - [Spokeswoman] Does anybody have any other questions? 22:22.103 --> 22:23.774 - [Questioner] Do we have time for one? 22:23.774 --> 22:24.607 - [Spokeswoman] Do one more 22:24.607 --> 22:27.881 and then we've got to get him to the ceremony. 22:27.881 --> 22:29.915 - [Questioner] We've seen in the last, say, 22:29.915 --> 22:33.415 two decades a shift of American priorities 22:33.665 --> 22:36.082 away from Europe, militarily. 22:37.191 --> 22:41.081 And that's what you've been doing the last three years, 22:41.081 --> 22:44.248 the focus is coming back a little bit. 22:45.045 --> 22:47.878 Seeing what is happening in Korea, 22:49.323 --> 22:53.240 and in Asia, in general, do you, perhaps, have, 22:53.671 --> 22:57.504 or are you confident that the focus on Europe 22:57.803 --> 22:59.970 will not shift away again? 23:01.529 --> 23:02.547 - Well, I think, first of all, 23:02.547 --> 23:04.871 the United States is big enough 23:04.871 --> 23:06.621 and has enough vision 23:09.684 --> 23:11.934 to remain engaged in Europe 23:13.487 --> 23:17.407 where all of our most important, reliable allies are, 23:17.407 --> 23:19.574 plus Canada and Australia. 23:20.514 --> 23:24.374 Our economic prosperity is tied directly to Europe. 23:24.374 --> 23:26.339 The trade between the European Union 23:26.339 --> 23:29.256 and North America is so much larger 23:29.505 --> 23:32.255 than any other part of the world. 23:32.313 --> 23:35.954 So, the Pacific, of course, is extremely important. 23:35.954 --> 23:38.287 You've got a emerging China. 23:38.709 --> 23:40.292 You've got markets. 23:41.082 --> 23:42.658 It's strategically important for us, 23:42.658 --> 23:45.158 but it's not one or the other. 23:46.434 --> 23:48.755 For economic reasons, for political reasons, 23:48.755 --> 23:52.885 for strategic reasons, we cannot do anything by ourself, 23:52.885 --> 23:56.022 and those allies, most of whom are in Europe. 23:56.022 --> 23:58.755 And so, I think that you're gonna continue 23:58.755 --> 24:00.255 to see investment. 24:01.458 --> 24:05.287 We've had 120 members of Congress come to Europe, 24:05.287 --> 24:06.764 come just this year. 24:06.764 --> 24:10.262 That's more than I've ever seen in a year, anywhere. 24:10.262 --> 24:11.845 120 have come here. 24:12.086 --> 24:15.610 That's about a quarter of the entire House and Senate, 24:15.610 --> 24:18.468 and their support for everything that we are doing, 24:18.468 --> 24:20.169 we, the United States, is unanimous. 24:20.169 --> 24:23.243 Not one single member of Congress, not one Senator, 24:23.243 --> 24:25.591 not one staffer said, "Whew, why are we doing this? 24:25.591 --> 24:27.304 "You know, why are we here?" 24:27.304 --> 24:30.116 And, in fact, they increased a billion dollars this year 24:30.116 --> 24:32.691 for the European Deterrence Initiative. 24:32.691 --> 24:36.295 To me, that's a powerful message of commitment 24:36.295 --> 24:40.462 and the importance that's attached to being in Europe. 24:42.803 --> 24:43.636 Yeah. 24:44.075 --> 24:44.908 - [Spokeswoman] Okay, so, 24:44.908 --> 24:47.187 we're gonna close the press conference, 24:47.187 --> 24:48.074 ladies and gentlemen. 24:48.074 --> 24:49.851 I thank you for your time, 24:49.851 --> 24:52.357 and we'll get you to the ceremony in few minutes. 24:52.357 --> 24:55.522 - Great, I really appreciate all of you. 24:55.522 --> 24:57.739 Coming here, I've seen all of you 24:57.739 --> 24:59.906 in different crazy places. 25:00.368 --> 25:04.118 I appreciate that, and even when Andy knocked 25:04.350 --> 25:06.208 on my door at three o'clock in the morning, one time, 25:06.208 --> 25:08.454 there was... (laughter) 25:08.454 --> 25:11.454 So, I mean, this was very important. 25:12.620 --> 25:13.787 So, thank you. 25:14.206 --> 25:15.873 I'll see you there.