WEBVTT 00:02.750 --> 00:04.806 all right . Good afternoon , Friends 00:04.806 --> 00:07.139 Date . Blood heavy back in the building . 00:07.620 --> 00:10.080 Eso Thank you for joining us here today . 00:10.310 --> 00:12.420 I want to begin today By taking a 00:12.420 --> 00:14.642 moment to acknowledge the passing of an 00:14.642 --> 00:16.642 American icon and hero of the civil 00:16.642 --> 00:18.920 rights movement Congressman John Lewis . 00:18.920 --> 00:20.976 Widely regarded as the conscience of 00:20.976 --> 00:22.920 Congress , Lewis marched alongside 00:22.920 --> 00:25.198 Martin Luther King Jr for equal rights . 00:25.198 --> 00:25.030 Under the law , he will be sorely 00:25.030 --> 00:26.919 missed by a grateful nation and a 00:26.919 --> 00:29.086 grateful department that strives to be 00:29.086 --> 00:31.308 a model for the values of diversity and 00:31.308 --> 00:33.530 inclusion that he fought for . His work 00:33.530 --> 00:35.641 remains an inspiration in part of the 00:35.641 --> 00:37.808 foundation on our collective fight for 00:37.808 --> 00:40.086 racial justice and equality . But also , 00:40.086 --> 00:40.080 I take a moment to thank Rob Hood , 00:40.270 --> 00:42.603 assistant secretary for alleged affairs , 00:42.603 --> 00:45.020 for his services . That apartment Rob's 00:45.020 --> 00:46.909 expertise and leadership has been 00:46.909 --> 00:48.631 instrument on the department's 00:48.631 --> 00:50.853 engagement with Congress , particularly 00:50.853 --> 00:52.964 in the efforts to confirm a number of 00:52.964 --> 00:55.131 senior leaders in the department since 00:55.131 --> 00:57.353 he came here almost three years ago . I 00:57.353 --> 00:59.610 don't have any further updates on on 00:59.610 --> 01:01.721 the time honored that , but Robbo are 01:01.721 --> 01:03.777 the who will be filling in for Rob , 01:03.777 --> 01:05.999 but Rob's last State Department will be 01:05.999 --> 01:08.340 on Friday . I want to thank the U . S 01:08.340 --> 01:10.650 Senate for confirming General Hokanson 01:10.650 --> 01:12.594 today as the chief of the National 01:12.594 --> 01:14.761 Guard Bureau . That transfer will take 01:14.761 --> 01:17.490 place in the coming weeks , but we 01:17.490 --> 01:19.601 appreciate them taking action on that 01:19.601 --> 01:21.930 incredibly important position , given 01:21.930 --> 01:24.208 the number that tens of thousands of U . 01:24.208 --> 01:26.430 S . National Guardsmen who are deployed 01:26.430 --> 01:28.597 around the country either dealing with 01:28.597 --> 01:31.680 cove it or civil unrest . Okay , I also 01:31.680 --> 01:33.513 want to give an update regarding 01:33.513 --> 01:35.736 diversity inclusion at the department . 01:35.736 --> 01:37.569 Last week , the Defense Board on 01:37.569 --> 01:39.513 Diversity Inclusion held its first 01:39.513 --> 01:41.402 meeting . In addition , Secretary 01:41.402 --> 01:43.624 release is quick Wins memo on immediate 01:43.624 --> 01:45.513 action items to promote diversity 01:45.513 --> 01:47.680 inclusion in the ranks . These include 01:47.680 --> 01:49.458 obtaining and analysing data on 01:49.458 --> 01:51.569 prejudice and bias within the force , 01:51.569 --> 01:53.791 developing educational requirements for 01:53.791 --> 01:53.610 the military to educate the force on 01:53.610 --> 01:55.570 unconscious bias , reviewing 01:55.570 --> 01:57.570 effectiveness of military service , 01:57.570 --> 01:59.903 equal opportunity offices and much more . 01:59.903 --> 02:01.737 The memo in the full details are 02:01.737 --> 02:03.737 available in the defense stock over 02:03.737 --> 02:05.570 website . We look forward to the 02:05.570 --> 02:07.737 continued engaged on this issue on the 02:07.737 --> 02:07.610 feedback we received from across the 02:07.610 --> 02:09.832 forces we saw from the Secretary's Town 02:09.832 --> 02:12.760 Hall last week , moving on to Cove in 02:13.210 --> 02:15.790 19 duty personal continue to be engaged 02:15.790 --> 02:17.512 in covert response operation , 02:17.512 --> 02:19.568 particularly California , Texas were 02:19.568 --> 02:21.623 approximately seven or 40 department 02:21.623 --> 02:23.846 offense . Medical support professionals 02:23.846 --> 02:25.679 are providing assistance . We're 02:25.679 --> 02:27.568 currently touch with FEMA , whose 02:27.568 --> 02:29.734 identifying mission assignments from a 02:29.734 --> 02:31.846 dish from these states any additional 02:31.846 --> 02:33.957 protecting our personnel continues to 02:33.957 --> 02:36.012 be a top priority for the department 02:36.012 --> 02:38.234 during the pandemic . As we continue to 02:38.234 --> 02:37.920 fly , sail and operate all around the 02:37.920 --> 02:40.910 globe this morning , Secretary s 02:40.910 --> 02:42.910 participate in the international in 02:42.910 --> 02:44.799 super strategic Studies , virtual 02:44.799 --> 02:46.632 dialogue with hundreds of policy 02:46.632 --> 02:48.854 experts and international journalist on 02:48.854 --> 02:51.077 the Indo Pacific strategy and issues in 02:51.077 --> 02:53.077 the South China Sea . In addition , 02:53.077 --> 02:55.299 Secretary noted that he plans to travel 02:55.299 --> 02:57.354 to China later this year . Will have 02:57.354 --> 02:59.466 update for that for you in the coming 02:59.466 --> 03:01.577 months as we firm this plans up . The 03:01.577 --> 03:03.577 full video of this engagement about 03:03.577 --> 03:05.799 secretary is available online on social 03:05.799 --> 03:09.480 media This week , Major General Kenneth 03:09.490 --> 03:11.820 Eckman , deputy commander for Combined 03:11.820 --> 03:14.800 Joint Task Force Oi are is scheduled to 03:14.800 --> 03:16.744 hold a press briefing on joint and 03:16.744 --> 03:18.633 coalition operations in the fight 03:18.633 --> 03:21.320 against the Islamic State Group in Iraq 03:21.320 --> 03:24.320 and Syria . We expect that briefing to 03:24.320 --> 03:26.750 take place tomorrow tomorrow , 03:26.750 --> 03:28.806 Secretary Astral Travel the Whiteman 03:28.806 --> 03:30.972 Air Force Base , where he will receive 03:30.972 --> 03:33.194 a briefing on how the crews of our most 03:33.194 --> 03:33.010 visible strategic defense assets , the 03:33.010 --> 03:35.010 B two bomber , are staying safe and 03:35.010 --> 03:37.177 ready during the Cove in 19 Outbreak . 03:37.177 --> 03:39.288 He will meet with chairman to discuss 03:39.288 --> 03:41.510 diversity . Inclusion the ranks as he's 03:41.510 --> 03:43.677 done installations around the world in 03:43.677 --> 03:45.732 the last month . Finally , I want to 03:45.732 --> 03:47.899 take a moment to remember the lives of 03:47.899 --> 03:49.954 three service members who tragically 03:49.954 --> 03:49.950 lost this month . First attendant 03:49.980 --> 03:52.770 Joseph Trend Allbaugh , 24 from Folsom , 03:52.770 --> 03:54.730 California Private first class . 03:54.740 --> 03:57.500 Alexander Blake , Class 20 from Will 03:57.500 --> 03:59.510 Amina , Oregon . His specialist , 03:59.510 --> 04:02.730 Vincent Sebastian of Aria , 21 from San 04:02.730 --> 04:04.880 Antonio , Texas . We're forever 04:05.270 --> 04:07.381 indebted to these brave young men and 04:07.381 --> 04:09.492 their families . We cannot forget the 04:09.492 --> 04:11.659 sacrifices and commitment they made to 04:11.659 --> 04:13.770 our country At the same time , I also 04:13.770 --> 04:15.826 wanna issue the department's sincere 04:15.826 --> 04:18.470 condolences to the family of specialist 04:18.470 --> 04:20.570 Vanessa G . And onto our entire 04:20.570 --> 04:22.514 community , military community and 04:22.514 --> 04:25.140 friends and family that support . So 04:25.140 --> 04:26.973 with that , I will open it up to 04:26.973 --> 04:29.084 questions . I'm gonna go first to the 04:29.084 --> 04:30.973 phone . I think Bob is on today . 04:32.620 --> 04:34.731 Yes . Uh huh . Thank you , Jonathan . 04:35.780 --> 04:38.002 They've been a number of questions that 04:38.002 --> 04:40.113 have come up in recent weeks about US 04:40.113 --> 04:42.280 force presence abroad Europe as well . 04:42.280 --> 04:45.430 South Korea Question 40 A couple 04:45.430 --> 04:47.486 questions on the South Korea part of 04:47.486 --> 04:49.486 this You do answer directly whether 04:49.486 --> 04:51.486 Secretary Esper has provided to the 04:51.486 --> 04:54.090 White House options for reducing U . S 04:54.090 --> 04:57.550 troops in South Korea and could do in a 04:57.560 --> 05:00.380 similar bank . Do , uh , explain what 05:00.380 --> 05:02.602 he meant this morning when he was asked 05:02.602 --> 05:04.658 about this , he said that he I would 05:04.658 --> 05:06.658 like to make more use of rotational 05:06.658 --> 05:08.990 model . Uh , how would that apply in 05:09.000 --> 05:12.200 South Korea ? So I'll just start with 05:12.200 --> 05:14.478 the big picture with regard our forces . 05:14.478 --> 05:16.422 So overall , with the global force 05:16.422 --> 05:18.644 posture , we have been taking a look at 05:18.644 --> 05:21.750 our lay down in Europe . Centcom , 05:22.830 --> 05:25.570 Indo pay come Africa around the globe 05:25.570 --> 05:28.270 and how our forces are put put in place 05:28.280 --> 05:31.070 because some have legacy missions on 05:31.070 --> 05:33.126 legacy , a efforts that they've been 05:33.126 --> 05:35.348 doing for many , many years , decades , 05:35.348 --> 05:37.459 even and so there's been an effort to 05:37.459 --> 05:39.459 look and see whether we're properly 05:39.459 --> 05:41.681 supporting the missions that we've been 05:41.681 --> 05:41.450 given by Congress and the president . 05:41.840 --> 05:44.340 And so what we're what we're doing is 05:44.340 --> 05:46.173 we're reviewing that I think the 05:46.173 --> 05:48.980 secretary's comments on Korea were 05:48.980 --> 05:50.980 pretty clear that we're continued . 05:50.980 --> 05:52.924 That's a continuous process , that 05:52.924 --> 05:54.924 we're gonna do that . We'll do that 05:54.924 --> 05:57.036 within in conjunction with our allies 05:57.036 --> 05:59.258 on . We'll have recommendations that we 05:59.258 --> 06:01.820 may make in the future . I think as 06:01.820 --> 06:03.820 we've seen with Europe , we made an 06:03.820 --> 06:05.876 announcement a couple weeks ago that 06:05.876 --> 06:08.098 the secretary had made a recommendation 06:08.098 --> 06:09.987 to the president . We hope toe be 06:09.987 --> 06:12.042 updating you guys on that process in 06:12.042 --> 06:14.098 the coming days on . And then as you 06:14.098 --> 06:13.510 guys all know , that we've been doing 06:13.510 --> 06:15.621 the blank slate reviews with regard . 06:15.621 --> 06:18.290 Teoh Africam is the the 1st 1 and then 06:18.290 --> 06:20.630 some others , and we expect to have the 06:20.640 --> 06:22.418 the readouts of what those have 06:22.418 --> 06:25.360 concluded with regard toe rotational 06:25.360 --> 06:28.040 forces . The secretary's goal is to 06:29.400 --> 06:31.980 remove some of the footprint of having 06:31.980 --> 06:35.450 forces for deployed that allow us to 06:35.460 --> 06:37.460 bring them back , work on readiness 06:37.460 --> 06:39.850 issues and be flexible and put us in 06:39.850 --> 06:43.380 mawr locations . The hope is on , and 06:43.390 --> 06:45.612 we can see this in Europe as well as in 06:45.612 --> 06:47.940 the Pacific . It allows us toe train in 06:47.940 --> 06:49.720 additional locations train with 06:49.720 --> 06:51.942 additional ally country . So instead of 06:51.942 --> 06:53.942 being in one country , all the time 06:53.942 --> 06:56.109 doing much of our work there were able 06:56.109 --> 06:58.331 to rotate through and instead of having 06:58.331 --> 07:00.331 ah , facilities or expertise in one 07:00.331 --> 07:02.970 area , were ableto build that expertise 07:02.970 --> 07:04.914 up in that practice in a number of 07:04.914 --> 07:06.970 different areas on and also gives us 07:06.970 --> 07:09.137 flexibility makes us a little bit more 07:09.137 --> 07:11.248 unpredictable weather , rotational or 07:11.248 --> 07:13.192 dynamic force employment on . So I 07:13.192 --> 07:15.248 think that those were kind of two of 07:15.248 --> 07:14.920 the goals the secretary has been 07:14.920 --> 07:16.920 looking at . Um , and I think those 07:16.920 --> 07:18.920 what he was was leaning into in his 07:18.920 --> 07:21.780 comments this morning . All right , 07:22.140 --> 07:24.790 we'll go to the next one actually got 07:24.790 --> 07:28.540 here in the building . Is the 07:28.550 --> 07:31.370 Pentagon concerned about the light 07:31.370 --> 07:34.050 spread perception that those federal 07:34.050 --> 07:37.270 agents in Portland there , in fact , U 07:37.270 --> 07:41.150 S military and has been a gun 07:41.160 --> 07:44.830 asked DHS to do anything two 07:44.830 --> 07:48.630 more clearly ? Martin , their 07:48.640 --> 07:51.170 agents has something other than 07:51.510 --> 07:55.190 soldiers . So we've saw this take 07:55.190 --> 07:58.000 place back in June when there were some 07:58.000 --> 08:01.620 law enforcement that where uniforms 08:01.620 --> 08:03.564 that make them appear military and 08:03.564 --> 08:07.380 appearance . The secretary has ah 08:07.390 --> 08:10.380 has expressed ah concern of this , um 08:10.390 --> 08:12.700 within the administration that we want 08:12.700 --> 08:14.644 a system where people can tell the 08:14.644 --> 08:16.533 difference . I'm not aware of any 08:16.533 --> 08:19.690 direct conversations with with DHS on 08:19.690 --> 08:22.400 this particular deployment or their 08:22.400 --> 08:24.567 particular operations in Portland over 08:24.567 --> 08:26.910 the last week or so . But I can say 08:26.910 --> 08:29.077 that unequivocally there no Department 08:29.077 --> 08:31.140 of Defense assets that have been 08:31.140 --> 08:34.570 deployed to our pending deployment to 08:34.580 --> 08:36.600 or we're looking to deploy Teoh 08:36.610 --> 08:38.721 Portland at this time . You know , if 08:38.721 --> 08:41.620 he's satisfied that the agents of 08:41.630 --> 08:45.010 Borland are , uh , identified as 08:45.010 --> 08:46.954 clearly . I have not talked to him 08:46.954 --> 08:49.232 about that . I can follow up with , um , 08:49.232 --> 08:51.399 but I have not had a conversation with 08:51.399 --> 08:53.454 him . But I think he's satisfied the 08:53.454 --> 08:55.454 fact that unequivocally we tell the 08:55.454 --> 08:57.677 American people that the U . S military 08:57.677 --> 08:59.732 has not been deployed the Portland , 08:59.732 --> 09:01.899 Oregon , in any manner at this point . 09:01.899 --> 09:03.954 All right , Jonathan , the president 09:03.954 --> 09:06.480 says he's going to veto the Indy A . If 09:06.490 --> 09:08.660 the language , including the naming of 09:08.670 --> 09:10.670 the base is named after Confederate 09:10.670 --> 09:14.120 generals is included in that . Is that 09:14.120 --> 09:16.287 a good idea ? What impact will it have 09:16.287 --> 09:18.920 on on this building on the defense 09:18.920 --> 09:21.198 budget if it's delayed over this issue ? 09:21.198 --> 09:23.309 And where does the secretary stand on 09:23.309 --> 09:25.476 the Confederate base issue ? So on the 09:25.476 --> 09:28.320 nd a , the 09:29.240 --> 09:31.310 the issue is now clearly within the 09:31.320 --> 09:33.320 legislative room . I think both the 09:33.320 --> 09:35.264 House and the Senate have included 09:35.264 --> 09:37.487 language regarding that . The president 09:37.487 --> 09:39.598 made his position incredibly clear on 09:39.598 --> 09:41.598 this on DSO . From the department's 09:41.598 --> 09:43.764 perspective , we're confident that the 09:43.820 --> 09:46.570 administration and Congress will reach 09:46.570 --> 09:48.514 an agreement . They understand the 09:48.514 --> 09:50.348 importance of the Indy A . We're 09:50.348 --> 09:52.126 confident that there will be an 09:52.126 --> 09:51.760 agreement and that the India will be 09:51.760 --> 09:54.040 signed Ah , and implemented on time so 09:54.040 --> 09:56.810 that we can have ah budget for forces 09:57.640 --> 09:59.640 just follow up on Afghanistan album 10:02.240 --> 10:03.907 Can you share with us any new 10:03.907 --> 10:06.073 information on this issue of so called 10:06.073 --> 10:07.907 Russian bounties ? Are you still 10:07.907 --> 10:10.750 investigating whether those Marines 10:10.760 --> 10:12.704 were killed as a result of Russian 10:12.704 --> 10:14.927 Valenti's ? Where can you rule that out 10:14.927 --> 10:16.816 at this point ? So thanks for the 10:16.816 --> 10:18.871 question . I think over the last few 10:18.871 --> 10:21.038 weeks we've had a number of our senior 10:21.038 --> 10:20.770 leaders talk about this . I think the 10:20.780 --> 10:22.947 chairman and secretary both were asked 10:22.947 --> 10:25.280 about this last week during the hearing , 10:25.280 --> 10:27.224 and I know General Mackenzie spoke 10:27.224 --> 10:29.169 about this earlier last week in an 10:29.169 --> 10:31.169 interview with ABC on , and I don't 10:31.169 --> 10:33.169 think I can add a terribly much toe 10:33.169 --> 10:35.391 what they cover . I think the important 10:35.391 --> 10:37.447 things to remember with this is that 10:37.447 --> 10:39.558 everybody that on our side has talked 10:39.558 --> 10:41.724 about this has been the , uh the claim 10:41.724 --> 10:43.836 that there was a quote unquote bounty 10:43.836 --> 10:46.002 program has been uncorroborated on the 10:46.002 --> 10:48.169 evidence that the department offensive 10:48.169 --> 10:50.002 scene on that Secondly , that in 10:50.002 --> 10:52.224 General Mackenzie is the expert on this 10:52.224 --> 10:54.224 is that when he was briefed on this 10:54.224 --> 10:57.110 early on , he and General Miller looked 10:57.110 --> 11:00.200 at it . They did not find that there 11:00.200 --> 11:02.144 was a closet of length there . I'm 11:02.144 --> 11:04.144 reading from his quote . I found it 11:04.144 --> 11:03.930 very worrisome . I just didn't find 11:03.930 --> 11:06.152 that there was a causative link there . 11:06.152 --> 11:07.910 But at the same time , General 11:07.910 --> 11:10.900 Mackenzie says that took measures 11:11.280 --> 11:13.169 because we have a very high force 11:13.169 --> 11:15.336 protection standard now and that force 11:15.336 --> 11:17.391 protection Sanders going to continue 11:17.391 --> 11:17.200 into the future . General Milley 11:17.200 --> 11:19.770 reiterated the efforts that the 11:19.770 --> 11:21.770 commanders on the ground and put in 11:21.770 --> 11:24.340 place to protect our forces on DSO . I 11:24.350 --> 11:26.461 think the American people should have 11:26.461 --> 11:28.572 confidence that despite the inability 11:28.572 --> 11:30.739 to corroborate some of the allegations 11:30.739 --> 11:32.580 with regard to this , that the 11:32.640 --> 11:34.640 commanders on the ground have taken 11:34.640 --> 11:36.751 every measure they think is necessary 11:36.751 --> 11:38.084 to protect our forces . 11:40.830 --> 11:44.790 The Marines . Yeah . So we would expect 11:44.790 --> 11:48.490 that . Like I said , we have not found 11:48.490 --> 11:50.810 any corroborating evidence that would 11:50.820 --> 11:53.210 indicate that there was a bounty 11:53.210 --> 11:56.140 program on . Therefore , we do not have 11:56.140 --> 11:58.362 any property numbers that indicate that 11:58.362 --> 12:00.251 there were any victims of alleged 12:00.251 --> 12:03.140 bounty program . Um , so I believe that 12:03.140 --> 12:05.084 that we've We've spoken about this 12:05.084 --> 12:07.196 before , That we're going to continue 12:07.196 --> 12:09.196 Teoh , examine any information that 12:09.196 --> 12:11.362 comes in on this . We'll keep at it as 12:11.362 --> 12:13.473 we always do , because it's important 12:13.473 --> 12:15.251 to ensure that we have the best 12:15.251 --> 12:17.307 information available with regard to 12:17.307 --> 12:17.010 our force protection . It's also 12:17.010 --> 12:19.066 something that we have an obligation 12:19.066 --> 12:21.288 toe the families of our service members 12:21.288 --> 12:23.343 in the service members themselves to 12:23.343 --> 12:25.454 hold to account those responsible for 12:25.454 --> 12:27.510 their deaths . All right , let me go 12:27.510 --> 12:29.288 back to the phones for a couple 12:29.288 --> 12:32.880 questions here . Um , so we'll go toe 12:32.890 --> 12:35.930 Tony Cappuccio , Lumber . Hi , John . 12:35.930 --> 12:36.930 Can you hear me ? 12:39.840 --> 12:41.173 Yes , Tony . Go ahead . 12:46.640 --> 12:48.640 Press briefings . All right . We'll 12:48.640 --> 12:52.360 goto Sylvie if he Hello . 12:53.340 --> 12:57.240 Hello . Um yes . You know , I would 12:57.240 --> 13:00.960 like to go back to our them , um , the 13:00.960 --> 13:04.650 announcement by the secretary about a 13:04.870 --> 13:07.380 trip to China . I wanted to know if 13:07.380 --> 13:09.720 it's something that agreed to with the 13:09.730 --> 13:12.320 Chinese camped about . Oh , if it's 13:12.320 --> 13:14.500 something that he wants to agree toe 13:14.510 --> 13:17.350 with Chinese can't countertop . And so 13:17.400 --> 13:20.300 I wanted to know if this is 13:21.170 --> 13:24.490 what is the objective is to defuse . 13:24.500 --> 13:27.380 Tensions are easy to run . 13:27.390 --> 13:30.250 Ah , China even more 13:31.340 --> 13:33.451 so . I'm not gonna characterize where 13:33.451 --> 13:35.451 we are in the negotiation process . 13:35.451 --> 13:37.673 This I know that this is something that 13:37.673 --> 13:37.530 has been talked about at the staff 13:37.530 --> 13:39.752 level . I'm not aware as to whether the 13:39.752 --> 13:42.080 secretary has directly , uh , spoken 13:42.080 --> 13:44.136 with his counterpart on this issue , 13:44.136 --> 13:46.358 but it's something that we've been been 13:46.358 --> 13:48.580 looking at Ah , and anticipating doing 13:48.580 --> 13:50.747 at some point this year looking at the 13:50.747 --> 13:52.802 calendar on where we could make that 13:52.802 --> 13:54.802 happen in terms of what the deliver 13:54.802 --> 13:56.858 Bles are from that trip , our policy 13:56.858 --> 14:00.570 team and Dave Lbr are acting assistant 14:00.570 --> 14:02.820 secretary for its is gonna be working 14:02.820 --> 14:05.000 on this , but part of its gonna be we 14:05.010 --> 14:07.760 seek to maintain mil to mil 14:07.760 --> 14:10.710 relationships with with China and 14:10.710 --> 14:12.700 Russia alike . We believe that's 14:12.700 --> 14:14.400 incredibly important to avoid 14:14.400 --> 14:17.940 misunderstandings in the future s . So 14:17.940 --> 14:20.051 that's something that we work through 14:20.051 --> 14:22.107 Ah , with with a number of different 14:22.107 --> 14:23.884 countries that are that are not 14:23.884 --> 14:25.996 necessarily allies or partners and so 14:25.996 --> 14:28.107 that will be a piece of it on part of 14:28.107 --> 14:30.273 will be talking about some of the some 14:30.273 --> 14:29.680 of the issues . Obviously there are 14:29.690 --> 14:31.912 concerns expressed by the United States 14:31.912 --> 14:34.140 with the Chinese activities in the 14:34.150 --> 14:37.160 South China Sea on the United States 14:37.160 --> 14:39.382 has made it very clear that we're going 14:39.382 --> 14:41.493 to continue to fly , sail and operate 14:41.493 --> 14:43.660 wherever national law allows on . What 14:43.660 --> 14:45.771 we're gonna do is talk to the Chinese 14:45.771 --> 14:47.938 was Secretary Pompeo and his team have 14:47.938 --> 14:50.470 been doing around the world about how 14:50.650 --> 14:52.650 there is an international war rules 14:52.650 --> 14:55.310 based order and that that is ah , that 14:55.310 --> 14:56.977 is the system that has led to 14:56.977 --> 14:59.800 prosperity , prosperity for millions 14:59.800 --> 15:01.800 and billions of people in the world 15:01.800 --> 15:03.911 over the last 75 years that has grown 15:03.911 --> 15:05.800 out of World War Two and has been 15:05.800 --> 15:08.360 helped in part by U S leadership and 15:08.360 --> 15:10.416 that rules based international order 15:10.416 --> 15:13.000 has benefited China potentially more 15:13.000 --> 15:14.944 than most any other country in the 15:14.944 --> 15:17.056 world in terms of its economic growth 15:17.056 --> 15:19.111 over the last 75 years . And then we 15:19.111 --> 15:21.056 believe that China and the Chinese 15:21.056 --> 15:23.056 people are best served by embracing 15:23.056 --> 15:25.770 that that that order as instead of 15:25.780 --> 15:27.947 attempting to replace it with a with a 15:27.947 --> 15:30.240 different set of rules . All right , 15:30.590 --> 15:33.880 we'll keep going on that . So we'll go 15:33.880 --> 15:34.936 to Ah , Courtney . 15:37.840 --> 15:40.000 Hi . Uh , I want to go back to 15:40.010 --> 15:42.121 something . One of Jennifer questions 15:42.121 --> 15:43.899 that didn't get it asked or get 15:43.899 --> 15:45.677 answered . And that's about the 15:45.677 --> 15:47.899 secretary . Support the language in the 15:47.899 --> 15:49.930 nd a that mandates renaming the 15:49.930 --> 15:52.020 military bases . And then on the 15:52.020 --> 15:54.076 announcement on the Confederate flag 15:54.076 --> 15:56.242 last week , I think there was a lot of 15:56.242 --> 15:58.464 of . There are a lot of questions after 15:58.464 --> 16:00.076 the memo came out because it 16:00.076 --> 16:02.131 specifically lays out flags that are 16:02.131 --> 16:04.298 allowed , but it doesn't play out once 16:04.298 --> 16:06.020 that are not specifically so . 16:06.020 --> 16:09.790 Questions about a 13 flag , 16:10.160 --> 16:13.310 the pride flag . So are you going to be 16:13.310 --> 16:15.421 offering Will d o d . B providing any 16:15.421 --> 16:18.260 additional guidance on on 16:18.940 --> 16:22.520 non political glad that 16:22.530 --> 16:26.140 can or cannot be displayed 16:26.150 --> 16:28.520 publicly on basis ? Well , that we left 16:28.520 --> 16:31.040 it for the services . So I take the 1st 16:31.040 --> 16:33.262 1 and I'm gonna reiterate that the view 16:33.262 --> 16:35.330 of the department is that , uh , the 16:35.340 --> 16:38.060 issue on base names is clearly within 16:38.060 --> 16:39.893 the legislative realm is they've 16:39.893 --> 16:41.838 they're continuing to debate those 16:41.838 --> 16:43.893 bills on the hill today and and this 16:43.893 --> 16:45.893 week and next week on . But we have 16:45.893 --> 16:48.116 confidence that at the end of the day , 16:48.116 --> 16:50.171 the president Congress will reach an 16:50.171 --> 16:52.650 agreement that will will have the nd a 16:52.650 --> 16:55.960 be signed on time on fully fund the 16:55.960 --> 16:59.260 department with regard Teoh the 16:59.260 --> 17:01.440 Confederate flag members just a couple 17:01.440 --> 17:03.551 things Just remember from that member 17:03.551 --> 17:05.718 like the intention of the memo is Teoh 17:05.718 --> 17:07.884 layout Ah , policy that is designed to 17:07.884 --> 17:10.051 unite everyone in the department under 17:10.051 --> 17:11.996 that one flag of the United States 17:11.996 --> 17:14.162 flying . And this represents all of us 17:14.162 --> 17:16.051 in the department of all creeds , 17:16.051 --> 17:18.051 religions , ethnicities , races and 17:18.051 --> 17:19.996 sexual orientation of the American 17:19.996 --> 17:22.230 people . Second , the policies intended 17:22.230 --> 17:24.410 to be a political . It isn't partisan 17:24.410 --> 17:26.521 in any way , and it isn't involved in 17:26.521 --> 17:28.577 supporting or opposing any political 17:28.577 --> 17:30.688 philosophy . Instead , it is intended 17:30.688 --> 17:33.100 to ah , unify the d o . D behind our 17:33.100 --> 17:35.211 common mission and oath to defend the 17:35.211 --> 17:37.211 American people represented by that 17:37.211 --> 17:39.780 flag . It's perspective , so it's not 17:39.780 --> 17:41.836 just looking at things that in place 17:41.836 --> 17:43.836 now , but things that could come in 17:43.836 --> 17:46.002 place , or flags or symbols that could 17:46.002 --> 17:45.920 evolve in the future and the attention 17:45.920 --> 17:48.087 is that it's enduring so that it could 17:48.087 --> 17:51.290 withstand legal scrutiny in a way that 17:51.300 --> 17:53.189 that will allow us to have , ah , 17:53.189 --> 17:55.078 policy unifying policy in place . 17:55.390 --> 17:58.040 That's not gonna be picked apart down 17:58.040 --> 18:01.290 the road . So to your point about what 18:01.290 --> 18:03.290 is including what is not . The memo 18:03.290 --> 18:05.290 clearly outlines a list of approved 18:05.290 --> 18:07.290 flags . Service members of civilian 18:07.290 --> 18:10.190 employees can display a Dio do defense 18:10.200 --> 18:12.422 facilities . And so that's the American 18:12.422 --> 18:14.311 flag , the flag of the states and 18:14.311 --> 18:16.478 territories , military service flags , 18:16.478 --> 18:18.478 general officer flags . A number of 18:18.478 --> 18:20.144 other ones appear W M . I A . 18:20.144 --> 18:22.478 Ceremonial flags of allies and partners . 18:22.478 --> 18:24.478 So it's generally flies that have a 18:24.478 --> 18:26.756 military nexus that could be displayed . 18:26.756 --> 18:29.050 Uh , meet those four parameters that 18:29.060 --> 18:31.900 Secretary laid out about unifying a 18:31.900 --> 18:35.400 political perspective , enduring So 18:35.670 --> 18:37.781 with regard to implementation of this 18:37.781 --> 18:39.948 number of the services of already on . 18:39.948 --> 18:42.170 I believe all the service have actually 18:42.170 --> 18:44.226 already issued Gen admin how they're 18:44.226 --> 18:46.448 going to implement this . There will be 18:46.448 --> 18:48.559 a period for implementation this that 18:48.559 --> 18:50.726 people have additional questions on on 18:50.726 --> 18:52.670 on how it's gonna be implemented . 18:53.270 --> 18:55.437 Obviously , the first step is gonna be 18:55.437 --> 18:57.659 their chain of command and then working 18:57.659 --> 18:59.937 with the Jags and through the services . 18:59.937 --> 18:59.860 But they will take the lead and putting 18:59.860 --> 19:01.916 this in place and provide additional 19:01.916 --> 19:04.760 guidance if necessary . All right , 19:04.770 --> 19:07.290 we'll go to Ah Lloris Sullivan . 19:14.100 --> 19:16.322 I don't know if you heard me , but just 19:16.322 --> 19:18.489 to be clear , the teen 14 flags are no 19:18.489 --> 19:20.850 longer allowed to be displayed . Prince 19:20.850 --> 19:24.630 incident in an office or in a in any 19:24.630 --> 19:26.890 kind of public way on your car on base 19:27.470 --> 19:29.710 memo clearly outlines a list of 19:29.710 --> 19:31.766 approved flags . Service members and 19:31.766 --> 19:33.654 civilian employees are authorized 19:33.654 --> 19:35.766 displaying the department defense and 19:35.766 --> 19:37.766 so I could could go through for you 19:37.766 --> 19:39.710 again . But it's going to be those 19:39.710 --> 19:41.710 flags that have ah generally have a 19:41.710 --> 19:44.050 military nexus that are on that list . 19:44.240 --> 19:46.780 Um , socially , that leave it there . 19:47.640 --> 19:49.584 So go back to Laura trial Oregon . 19:54.110 --> 19:58.030 Hey , Politico , um , I wanted 19:58.080 --> 20:00.860 to just go back to the issue of , um 20:01.530 --> 20:04.330 ah , federal law in person troops in 20:04.390 --> 20:06.168 places like Portland . I'm just 20:06.168 --> 20:09.550 wondering if the president has asked 20:10.120 --> 20:12.230 the Secretary suspend active duty 20:12.230 --> 20:14.890 military or National Guard troops , um , 20:14.900 --> 20:17.540 to enhance the presence of federal law 20:17.540 --> 20:19.151 enforcement in these cases . 20:21.440 --> 20:22.884 Conversation about that . 20:25.330 --> 20:28.140 Okay . In the room . Brian . Actually , 20:28.140 --> 20:30.362 that was my question was gonna be about 20:30.362 --> 20:33.090 the whether you included National Guard 20:33.090 --> 20:35.201 when you were talking about there had 20:35.201 --> 20:37.368 been no Department of Defense assets . 20:37.368 --> 20:39.423 But you would include that . Doesn't 20:39.423 --> 20:41.534 that doesn't include National Guard , 20:41.534 --> 20:40.730 that there's been no discussion about 20:40.730 --> 20:44.020 sending my National Guard on if the 20:44.020 --> 20:46.242 national was activated on behalf of the 20:46.242 --> 20:48.298 governor ? I'm not necessarily . I'm 20:48.298 --> 20:50.464 not a part of those conversations that 20:50.464 --> 20:52.687 the governor may be having with his own 20:52.687 --> 20:54.798 forces in the state . I was referring 20:54.798 --> 20:54.720 to whether lowers question about 20:54.720 --> 20:57.020 whether the president had directed or 20:57.200 --> 20:59.830 had any conversations about that . Just 20:59.830 --> 21:01.830 a follow up on David's question . I 21:01.830 --> 21:03.886 mean , clear . Clearly . You've seen 21:03.886 --> 21:06.680 the photographs of these long personal 21:06.680 --> 21:08.402 from DHS . They're wearing the 21:08.402 --> 21:10.736 operational camouflage pattern . I mean , 21:10.736 --> 21:12.860 it's there's no , I mean , is this 21:12.860 --> 21:14.916 something you say ? Hasn't spoken to 21:15.210 --> 21:17.432 that yet ? I mean , is it did you dizzy 21:17.432 --> 21:19.766 plan the secretary plan to address this , 21:20.240 --> 21:22.900 um , or issue a statement about this 21:23.050 --> 21:25.930 city concerned ? Is it so ? It is part 21:25.930 --> 21:29.130 of the after action review for what 21:29.130 --> 21:32.040 took place . First week last week of ah , 21:32.050 --> 21:34.940 May 1st week of June , Um , the 21:34.950 --> 21:37.700 Department of the Army and on the other 21:37.700 --> 21:39.867 entities . Doing the review is to look 21:39.867 --> 21:42.089 at some of the concerns we have and one 21:42.089 --> 21:44.144 of the ones I know the secretary did 21:44.144 --> 21:46.311 raise on that he wanted to have looked 21:46.311 --> 21:49.010 at was Thea identification and , uh , 21:49.020 --> 21:51.890 how , how visible and people's ability 21:51.890 --> 21:53.946 to understand who is who I know . He 21:53.946 --> 21:56.112 has expressed his concern that in some 21:56.112 --> 21:58.950 cases , law enforcement , appropriately 21:58.950 --> 22:01.260 performing law enforcement duties were 22:01.260 --> 22:03.316 misconstrued with military personnel 22:03.500 --> 22:05.810 who who would not be appropriately 22:05.810 --> 22:07.820 doing those roles . And so he has 22:07.820 --> 22:09.931 raised that . I don't know where that 22:09.931 --> 22:12.098 is in the review , but I can I can get 22:12.098 --> 22:13.987 back to you on that last with the 22:13.987 --> 22:16.870 secretary . Like to see law enforcement 22:16.880 --> 22:19.260 personnel , not where the same 22:19.540 --> 22:22.370 camouflage pattern uniforms military 22:22.380 --> 22:24.547 person . So I think that it's gonna be 22:24.547 --> 22:26.713 part of the question of the review . I 22:26.713 --> 22:28.936 think that'll be something . We'll talk 22:28.936 --> 22:31.480 Teoh , um , Teoh , the those who are 22:31.480 --> 22:33.591 doing the review , and then maybe you 22:33.591 --> 22:35.702 have a conversation with the attorney 22:35.702 --> 22:37.869 general and his team and and Secretary 22:37.869 --> 22:39.702 Wolf it DHS . But I don't have a 22:39.702 --> 22:41.702 timeline on that . I don't have any 22:41.702 --> 22:41.030 guidelines from the secretary on what 22:41.030 --> 22:42.919 that would look like , but he has 22:42.919 --> 22:44.974 expressed on interest in the topic . 22:45.740 --> 22:49.200 Okay . Um , all right . Carla . Carla 22:49.200 --> 22:53.180 Bob , thank you so much for 22:53.180 --> 22:55.170 doing this . Um , before I ask my 22:55.170 --> 22:57.170 question that I'm a little confused 22:57.170 --> 22:59.226 about your exchange with Courtney TV 22:59.226 --> 23:01.281 about the flag . So our sports teams 23:01.281 --> 23:04.020 flag not allowed on basis because 23:04.020 --> 23:06.242 they're not military related , And then 23:06.242 --> 23:08.610 I'll ask my questions . Well , I'm glad 23:08.610 --> 23:10.610 you asked this question . So I will 23:10.610 --> 23:12.610 give you the list of flags that are 23:12.610 --> 23:15.360 allowed the American flag , the flags 23:15.360 --> 23:17.249 of U S states and territories and 23:17.249 --> 23:19.360 additional coming . I'm happy to read 23:19.360 --> 23:21.693 through the states . I have a list here . 23:21.693 --> 23:21.430 Mississippi does not have a flied right 23:21.430 --> 23:23.652 now , so they're not included in that . 23:23.652 --> 23:25.819 But I have the other three other state 23:25.819 --> 23:27.819 flags . The military service flight 23:27.819 --> 23:29.541 supplies of general officers , 23:29.541 --> 23:29.390 presidentially appointed Senate 23:29.390 --> 23:31.557 confirmed civilian flags , SCS flags , 23:31.680 --> 23:33.902 military department specific SCS fights 23:33.902 --> 23:36.124 the POW am I flag , which is authorised 23:36.124 --> 23:38.236 by statute . Flags of other countries 23:38.236 --> 23:40.347 forced The U . S . Is now I'm partner 23:40.347 --> 23:42.291 or for official protocol reasons . 23:42.291 --> 23:44.513 Flags of organizations of which the U . 23:44.513 --> 23:46.736 S . Is a member . I eat NATO ceremonial 23:46.736 --> 23:48.958 command unit , branch flags or guide on 23:48.958 --> 23:51.069 So that is the list of flags that are 23:51.069 --> 23:53.180 allowed . That memo is on our website 23:53.180 --> 23:55.291 encourager . They take a look at it . 23:55.291 --> 23:58.510 It's it's intended to be pretty clear 23:58.520 --> 24:01.830 with regard to that . But , um , you 24:01.830 --> 24:03.663 said you had a second question . 24:05.740 --> 24:08.430 So on the situation with Iraq , the US 24:08.430 --> 24:10.430 Iraq dialogue was just having a few 24:10.430 --> 24:12.652 days , and it's coming abundantly clear 24:12.652 --> 24:14.708 that that's not going to happen this 24:14.708 --> 24:16.930 month . Can you confirm ? I noticed the 24:16.930 --> 24:16.500 State Department lead , but this very 24:16.500 --> 24:19.410 heavily supported by D o d as well is 24:19.410 --> 24:22.180 that pushed to August now ? And do we 24:22.180 --> 24:24.513 have a date ? And will that be in D . C ? 24:24.513 --> 24:26.680 So I don't have I don't have an update 24:26.680 --> 24:28.902 I can share with you today , but I just 24:28.902 --> 24:30.791 just note that General Ah , Major 24:30.791 --> 24:32.624 General Beckman will be briefing 24:32.690 --> 24:35.130 tomorrow on may be a more appropriate 24:35.130 --> 24:37.186 person . But as you mentioned that , 24:37.186 --> 24:39.519 this generally a State Department issue , 24:39.519 --> 24:39.160 so I would direct you to them as well . 24:40.440 --> 24:42.260 All right , Nancy . Yourself . 24:44.410 --> 24:46.466 Thanks . Um , I had a question about 24:46.466 --> 24:49.210 the Indy A . You know , it includes 24:49.490 --> 24:51.601 bipartisan measures that was with the 24:51.601 --> 24:53.768 administration from drawing down U S . 24:53.768 --> 24:55.657 Forces in Germany and Europe , or 24:55.657 --> 24:57.879 completely withdrawing from Afghanistan 24:57.879 --> 24:57.720 without first according to Congress , 24:57.720 --> 25:00.050 and sort of find that it won't hurt us 25:00.530 --> 25:02.660 or allies security . The legislation 25:02.660 --> 25:04.660 also bars logistical support of the 25:04.660 --> 25:06.604 Saudi led coalition for strikes in 25:06.604 --> 25:08.438 Yemen and denies funding for any 25:08.438 --> 25:10.327 nuclear testing in 2021 I have to 25:10.327 --> 25:13.260 question one . Are there anything in 25:13.260 --> 25:15.482 the Indy A . The House version that you 25:15.482 --> 25:17.593 consider problematic for the military 25:17.593 --> 25:19.927 or deal breakers for the administration ? 25:19.927 --> 25:21.927 And does the passage of this bill , 25:21.927 --> 25:24.038 which again is bipartisan , show that 25:24.038 --> 25:26.149 there's little support on either side 25:26.149 --> 25:25.880 of the aisle for the kinds of troop 25:25.880 --> 25:27.991 withdraw down that the administration 25:27.991 --> 25:30.660 is discussed ? Um , critically by this 25:30.670 --> 25:32.730 department ? Can you Can you repeat 25:32.730 --> 25:35.008 that second part of the question there ? 25:35.008 --> 25:37.230 Sure , I'd like to understand from your 25:37.230 --> 25:39.341 perspective , does the bill's passage 25:39.341 --> 25:41.510 and getting with bipartisan court so 25:41.510 --> 25:43.677 that there is little support on either 25:43.677 --> 25:45.899 side of the aisle for the kind of troop 25:45.899 --> 25:45.810 reductions that the administration and 25:45.810 --> 25:48.210 secretary effort and particular have 25:48.250 --> 25:51.010 have floated as possibilities . If you 25:51.010 --> 25:53.121 spoke earlier about rotating forces , 25:53.121 --> 25:55.520 for example , so so with regard to the 25:55.530 --> 25:57.697 provisions in the bill , I'm not gonna 25:57.697 --> 25:59.919 mention specific provisions . Right now 25:59.919 --> 26:02.086 I know that there is Ah , um uh , work 26:02.086 --> 26:03.808 on ah , potential statement of 26:03.808 --> 26:05.919 administration position , which would 26:05.919 --> 26:08.030 lay out concerns . I know that Robin 26:08.030 --> 26:10.340 Hood and the team here on the White 26:10.340 --> 26:11.896 House team have been having 26:11.896 --> 26:14.118 conversations with members and with the 26:14.118 --> 26:16.340 committee's on languages and provisions 26:16.340 --> 26:18.396 that we have concerns with . I'm not 26:18.396 --> 26:20.562 gonna not negotiate the bill here from 26:20.562 --> 26:22.784 the podium today . That's not my role . 26:22.784 --> 26:24.451 So I'll leave that Teoh those 26:24.451 --> 26:26.673 statements or those documents when they 26:26.673 --> 26:28.729 come out . I will say , I think with 26:28.729 --> 26:31.990 regard to the provisioning and the the 26:32.000 --> 26:35.370 movement or redeployment or 26:36.380 --> 26:38.740 right sizing of our footprints around 26:38.740 --> 26:41.720 the globe is something that is 26:41.720 --> 26:43.664 important to the department . It's 26:43.664 --> 26:45.720 important to the country . Yeah , we 26:45.720 --> 26:47.776 have a universal support on the hill 26:47.776 --> 26:50.010 for the NDS , the national defense 26:50.010 --> 26:52.066 strategy , which makes it very clear 26:52.066 --> 26:54.066 that we have to have a pivot toward 26:54.066 --> 26:56.066 China and Russia . So we hear often 26:56.066 --> 26:58.288 from members on the hill and from staff 26:58.288 --> 27:00.066 that their support for it was a 27:00.066 --> 27:02.970 bipartisan plan . And and so you have 27:02.970 --> 27:05.550 members who voice support for that . Um , 27:06.230 --> 27:08.286 but if we're going to support that , 27:08.286 --> 27:10.230 we've got . We've got to take some 27:10.230 --> 27:09.960 action , and some of that action 27:09.960 --> 27:11.904 involved moving forces from places 27:11.904 --> 27:13.904 where they are . We understand that 27:13.904 --> 27:16.150 it's ah , it's an issue where it takes 27:16.150 --> 27:18.206 time . And that's why one of the big 27:18.206 --> 27:20.150 commitments that secretary has had 27:20.150 --> 27:22.372 throughout his time here and why I know 27:22.372 --> 27:24.317 some people are frustrated that we 27:24.317 --> 27:24.290 haven't shared more information about 27:24.290 --> 27:26.346 the potential plans in Germany . But 27:26.400 --> 27:28.511 Secretary's got a commitment to brief 27:28.511 --> 27:30.733 the Hill have kind of conversations and 27:30.733 --> 27:32.900 consultations with members of Congress 27:32.900 --> 27:35.030 about what that looks like on and to 27:35.030 --> 27:37.197 get their buying . And so I think with 27:37.197 --> 27:39.940 our our respect on some of these these 27:40.580 --> 27:42.302 rotations is there may be some 27:42.790 --> 27:46.340 potential skepticism a start , 27:46.350 --> 27:49.550 But we're committed . And , ah , and 27:49.550 --> 27:52.990 working to , uh , ally any concerns 27:52.990 --> 27:55.380 that members have to make our case for , 27:55.380 --> 27:57.602 why this would put the U . S . Military 27:57.602 --> 27:59.547 in a better position to respond to 27:59.547 --> 28:01.990 future threats on why this is the right 28:01.990 --> 28:04.212 move for the country at this time . And 28:04.212 --> 28:05.990 so we'll continue to have those 28:05.990 --> 28:08.157 conversations with the with the hill , 28:08.157 --> 28:08.020 and we'll have the patina of this 28:08.020 --> 28:09.853 conversation with our allies and 28:09.853 --> 28:13.620 partners as well . All right , Um , so 28:13.620 --> 28:16.040 we'll come back here to the room 28:18.780 --> 28:21.760 on the real literal Kenshin or read 28:21.760 --> 28:24.240 improvement of U . S . Military . Does 28:24.250 --> 28:27.930 there means that the reductions are 28:27.940 --> 28:31.720 yes , F k South Korea . Eso , as I 28:31.720 --> 28:33.776 mentioned before , were undergoing a 28:33.776 --> 28:36.690 global force posture review . Uh , and 28:36.700 --> 28:38.922 and looking at what our footprint needs 28:38.922 --> 28:40.978 to be in the future at I don't wanna 28:40.978 --> 28:42.922 add anything more than that to the 28:42.922 --> 28:45.089 Secretary's comments from this morning 28:45.089 --> 28:47.033 at the I S s summit , where he was 28:47.033 --> 28:49.144 asked the same question on I think he 28:49.144 --> 28:51.340 he answered appropriately . United 28:51.340 --> 28:53.940 States and South Korea joint military 28:53.940 --> 28:57.500 exercise resume in next month . I was 28:58.110 --> 29:01.610 no Marie , so we haven't We haven't 29:01.940 --> 29:04.640 stopped exercising and stopped operator 29:04.640 --> 29:07.030 training with with the Koreans with the 29:07.030 --> 29:09.252 Republic of Korea throughout the covert 29:09.252 --> 29:11.474 effort , we've modified some of some of 29:11.474 --> 29:15.050 those efforts to reflect the need for 29:15.240 --> 29:17.430 restriction of movements or the 29:17.440 --> 29:19.607 footprints that we can have involved . 29:19.607 --> 29:23.120 But we haven't stopped , so we're gonna 29:23.120 --> 29:25.120 continue toe train . We continue to 29:25.120 --> 29:27.176 exercise . Those may change . We may 29:27.176 --> 29:29.064 have additional plans and initial 29:29.064 --> 29:31.287 announcements , but I don't have any to 29:31.287 --> 29:35.020 make today You start . Pantic assets 29:35.250 --> 29:38.950 have recently gathering in the 29:39.100 --> 29:42.260 so it's could hear they throw over Thio 29:42.410 --> 29:46.110 was Korea are and aircrafts coming . 29:46.260 --> 29:49.940 What is the reason for the most s its 29:49.940 --> 29:53.360 content ? Can you repeat that ? Yes , 29:53.370 --> 29:56.610 32 Guess it's come to so scudi it . 29:56.620 --> 29:58.990 What is the reason ? Well , I'm not 29:58.990 --> 30:01.550 gonna talk about where are strategic 30:01.550 --> 30:05.170 assets are . But I think you will see 30:05.180 --> 30:07.420 we often do a dynamic force employment 30:07.420 --> 30:09.480 around the globe to remain 30:09.480 --> 30:11.840 unpredictable for adversaries and also 30:11.840 --> 30:13.951 toe to build up the capability in the 30:13.951 --> 30:16.062 practice and having assets and having 30:16.062 --> 30:18.229 our forces practice in different areas 30:18.229 --> 30:20.630 of the world if needed . That's first 30:20.630 --> 30:22.797 for cuts . That's four questions . Has 30:22.797 --> 30:26.300 four questions ago us right now is 30:26.300 --> 30:28.467 either just wrapping up . We're in the 30:28.467 --> 30:31.660 midst of operations with Australia , 30:32.290 --> 30:36.270 India , uh , Japan . I think it you're 30:36.270 --> 30:39.070 giving you any plans for similar kind 30:39.070 --> 30:41.237 of training with Vietnam since they're 30:41.237 --> 30:43.292 now being sort of pulled into this . 30:43.510 --> 30:45.677 This sort of , you know , our interest 30:45.677 --> 30:49.260 is the countering China . So I'm not 30:49.260 --> 30:52.500 aware of any any exercises that I think 30:52.500 --> 30:55.900 is everyone's aware . We had Thea USS 30:56.320 --> 30:59.090 Roosevelt visit Vietnam this year , 30:59.430 --> 31:02.800 along with the with the boxer , Um and 31:02.800 --> 31:06.550 so that was a important 31:06.550 --> 31:08.661 visit on building that relationship . 31:08.661 --> 31:11.730 The secretary was actually met with the 31:11.740 --> 31:15.440 Vietnamese men deaf when we were in a 31:15.440 --> 31:18.630 CNN last year on that conference . 31:18.630 --> 31:20.686 Supposed to take place things . Your 31:20.686 --> 31:23.580 match visited Vietnam last year . Way 31:23.580 --> 31:25.830 have lots of conversations . It is 31:25.830 --> 31:28.020 important partnership . We hear from a 31:28.020 --> 31:30.242 number of countries in that region that 31:30.242 --> 31:32.353 are interested in additional exercise 31:32.353 --> 31:34.242 that they all have faced the same 31:34.242 --> 31:36.290 concern . And that is unconstrained 31:36.290 --> 31:38.920 China operating in the South China Sea 31:39.180 --> 31:42.240 on and taking extreme and excessive 31:42.700 --> 31:46.130 maritime claims . And so whether it's 31:46.130 --> 31:48.130 the Philippines to Viet , Vietnam , 31:49.280 --> 31:51.391 Indonesia and other countries in that 31:51.391 --> 31:53.502 area , we've had interest from others 31:53.502 --> 31:55.280 and participated in fine office 31:55.280 --> 31:57.502 particularly , and we encourage them to 31:57.502 --> 31:59.502 do so . We encourage them toe toe , 31:59.502 --> 32:01.336 participate This Last year , the 32:01.336 --> 32:03.502 secretary mentioned 2019 . We had mawr 32:03.502 --> 32:05.558 fine up operations than we've had at 32:05.558 --> 32:07.724 any point in the last 40 years on . We 32:07.724 --> 32:09.836 have partners and allies participated 32:09.836 --> 32:09.230 in those every year , and we would like 32:09.230 --> 32:12.600 to see more of that . All right , I 32:12.600 --> 32:15.800 will go go back to the phone address . 32:19.140 --> 32:22.240 Uh , hi . Quick question about the 32:22.350 --> 32:25.440 memo Secretary s percent about all 32:25.440 --> 32:27.218 media engagements needing to be 32:27.218 --> 32:29.380 coordinated through d . O . D . Um 32:29.490 --> 32:31.434 Secret has repeatedly talked about 32:31.434 --> 32:33.630 transparency . Some of the confused , 32:33.730 --> 32:35.952 If he does believe so , why release the 32:35.952 --> 32:38.420 memo ? That sort of sounds Pentagon and 32:38.420 --> 32:40.620 the transparency it's been going on . 32:41.560 --> 32:43.616 So I think there's a couple a couple 32:43.616 --> 32:46.490 things having got completed in the 32:46.490 --> 32:49.140 coverage of the memo that the secretary 32:49.140 --> 32:52.990 release . So one was a memo 32:53.000 --> 32:55.830 on on coordination of media activities 32:55.830 --> 32:57.997 and coordination engagement activities 32:58.080 --> 33:01.280 that separate from the OPSEC issue . So 33:01.290 --> 33:03.401 assume any of , you know , within the 33:03.401 --> 33:05.401 Office of Public Affairs . Over the 33:05.401 --> 33:07.346 last couple years , we built out a 33:07.346 --> 33:09.346 strategic plans and assessment team 33:09.346 --> 33:11.568 that is kind of a strategic calms group 33:11.568 --> 33:13.734 on . The intention was that that would 33:13.734 --> 33:13.540 help within the building within the 33:13.540 --> 33:15.596 department ensure that whether we're 33:15.596 --> 33:18.680 doing announcements or rollouts or or 33:18.680 --> 33:20.569 ah , big events that we were well 33:20.569 --> 33:22.791 coordinated as a department , we've got 33:22.791 --> 33:24.902 three million people . We've got 5000 33:24.902 --> 33:27.124 public affairs officials throughout the 33:27.124 --> 33:29.347 billions . It was an opportunity to try 33:29.347 --> 33:31.291 to say , How can we better share a 33:31.291 --> 33:33.458 message ? Just an example . You know , 33:33.458 --> 33:35.402 when we have an announcement about 33:35.402 --> 33:37.624 Afghanistan , um , about the peace plan 33:37.624 --> 33:37.290 that involves that involves the 33:37.290 --> 33:39.401 commander on the ground , Afghanistan 33:39.401 --> 33:41.512 that involves Centcom , that involves 33:41.512 --> 33:43.734 our policy teams here that involves the 33:43.734 --> 33:45.568 Office of the Secretary that may 33:45.568 --> 33:47.734 involve other people in the building . 33:47.734 --> 33:49.679 And so it's important to know what 33:49.679 --> 33:51.734 everybody is doing . Um , we've been 33:51.734 --> 33:53.846 pushing for that that group to have a 33:53.846 --> 33:56.540 little bit more visibility and to be 33:56.540 --> 33:58.930 used more regularly . But during Cove 33:58.930 --> 34:02.860 it it actually was used very , very 34:02.860 --> 34:05.027 broadly because covert effective , the 34:05.027 --> 34:07.138 entire department didn't matter where 34:07.138 --> 34:09.360 you were geographically , didn't matter 34:09.360 --> 34:11.416 what you were working on . The Covad 34:11.416 --> 34:13.360 messaging piece was something that 34:13.360 --> 34:13.300 everybody was doing with from day to 34:13.300 --> 34:15.522 day . And so I think what the secretary 34:15.522 --> 34:18.040 saw you know through March and April 34:18.040 --> 34:19.890 was that we were relatively well 34:19.890 --> 34:22.112 coordinated on our messaging because it 34:22.112 --> 34:24.223 was important to make sure we had the 34:24.223 --> 34:24.000 right numbers out every day . It was 34:24.000 --> 34:26.750 important to make sure that we were the 34:26.760 --> 34:28.482 right policies that were being 34:28.482 --> 34:30.649 implemented . Everyone understood what 34:30.649 --> 34:32.816 was going on because it affected every 34:32.816 --> 34:34.816 member of the of the department and 34:34.816 --> 34:34.650 changed on a regular basis . And 34:34.650 --> 34:36.872 because of that , I think secretary saw 34:36.872 --> 34:39.140 the value in that that group being able 34:39.140 --> 34:41.140 to coordinate messaging . So if you 34:41.140 --> 34:43.120 actually see the memo , it's not 34:43.130 --> 34:45.130 restricting anything . For the most 34:45.130 --> 34:47.074 part of it's not restricting at ST 34:47.074 --> 34:49.186 please coordinate . And so what it is 34:49.186 --> 34:51.297 is for the generally for the services 34:51.297 --> 34:53.241 the combatant commands and for the 34:53.241 --> 34:55.408 undersecretaries within the department 34:55.408 --> 34:57.463 to coordinate with public affairs on 34:57.463 --> 34:59.574 major announcements and policies . So 34:59.574 --> 34:59.290 that's that's the intent of that memo . 34:59.510 --> 35:01.343 I think that's been misconstrued 35:01.343 --> 35:04.250 somewhat . But I can see how that that 35:04.260 --> 35:06.316 took place , given the fact that the 35:06.316 --> 35:08.482 other memos came out at about the same 35:08.482 --> 35:10.371 time dealing with the operational 35:10.371 --> 35:12.538 security issues . So , um , separately 35:12.538 --> 35:14.704 talking about the operational security 35:14.704 --> 35:16.871 memos , the secretary is concerned and 35:16.871 --> 35:18.593 rightfully so with illegal and 35:18.593 --> 35:20.593 inappropriate lease of a variety of 35:20.593 --> 35:22.649 nonpublic information without proper 35:22.649 --> 35:24.704 authorization . And so while it is a 35:24.704 --> 35:26.927 crime to release classified information 35:26.927 --> 35:29.149 without proper position is important to 35:29.149 --> 35:31.260 remember , it is also inappropriate a 35:31.260 --> 35:32.871 violation of duty employment 35:32.871 --> 35:35.149 requirements as well as potential laws , 35:35.149 --> 35:36.982 Eos , regulations and government 35:36.982 --> 35:38.816 policies to release unclassified 35:38.816 --> 35:40.982 information without proper clearance . 35:40.982 --> 35:43.410 And so the focus on that was Teoh Oneto 35:43.420 --> 35:45.476 reassure people in the building that 35:45.476 --> 35:47.920 they have a requirement Teoh to 35:48.540 --> 35:50.740 safeguard classified information . I 35:50.740 --> 35:52.796 mean , you guys see these memos on a 35:52.796 --> 35:54.573 regular basis just to re up and 35:54.573 --> 35:57.090 reinstitute the commitment of senior 35:57.090 --> 36:00.550 leaders Toe Opsec and Teoh ensure that 36:00.550 --> 36:03.060 there is a process for the authorized 36:03.060 --> 36:05.390 release of information . Eso to make 36:05.390 --> 36:07.390 sure that information that has been 36:07.390 --> 36:09.501 vetted is cleared with the legal team 36:09.501 --> 36:11.557 Could with policy teams contains the 36:11.557 --> 36:13.668 full context is not pre decisional is 36:13.668 --> 36:15.779 not information that's going to cause 36:15.779 --> 36:17.980 confusion or or interference with some 36:17.980 --> 36:21.230 of our efforts . So I hope that helps . 36:21.230 --> 36:23.452 There's a couple different things going 36:23.452 --> 36:25.563 there . There's a coordination memo . 36:25.563 --> 36:27.674 There's opsec with regard to criminal 36:27.674 --> 36:29.674 issues and classified information . 36:29.674 --> 36:31.674 There's opsec with regard Thio Thio 36:31.674 --> 36:34.430 unclassified information as well , so I 36:34.430 --> 36:36.541 have no doubt that there's gonna be a 36:36.541 --> 36:38.763 follow up to that one . So address I'll 36:38.763 --> 36:40.874 give you first crack at a follow up . 36:40.874 --> 36:42.874 So we're gonna say I appreciate the 36:42.874 --> 36:45.130 explanation . You can see why this may 36:45.130 --> 36:47.410 have a chilling effect on does their 36:47.410 --> 36:50.000 weight . You can rectify that by making 36:50.000 --> 36:53.210 clear that didn't not a blanket ban on 36:53.210 --> 36:55.099 talking to the press . It's not a 36:55.099 --> 36:57.390 blanket ban on talking to the for 36:57.390 --> 36:59.501 authorized disclosures to the press . 36:59.501 --> 37:01.770 No , not at all . And it's not and you 37:01.770 --> 37:03.937 guys will see the coordination memo is 37:03.937 --> 37:06.500 not a um you cannot do things without 37:06.500 --> 37:08.611 authorization from from this office . 37:08.611 --> 37:10.833 It's it's the commanders are gonna have 37:10.833 --> 37:12.889 the same ability to go out . I would 37:12.889 --> 37:15.056 just point you back to the secretary's 37:15.056 --> 37:17.222 1st 1 of this first , if not the first 37:17.222 --> 37:19.111 memo he put out last year when he 37:19.111 --> 37:21.333 became secretary , was directing senior 37:21.333 --> 37:23.389 leaders to regularly engage with the 37:23.389 --> 37:25.860 media on . And I think that we've seen 37:25.860 --> 37:27.690 that take place . Hey , saw the 37:27.690 --> 37:30.160 commitment , Andi , I'll just read to 37:30.160 --> 37:32.382 you . The last line of the coordination 37:32.382 --> 37:34.760 is memos . The department benefits when 37:34.760 --> 37:36.538 we thoughtfully engage with the 37:36.538 --> 37:38.704 American public in the media in a well 37:38.704 --> 37:38.550 planned manner , and I want to 37:38.550 --> 37:40.661 encourage all of you to continue your 37:40.661 --> 37:42.661 public facing efforts . And I would 37:42.661 --> 37:44.606 just further note , you know , the 37:44.606 --> 37:44.220 secretary himself . He testified to 37:44.220 --> 37:47.130 Congress last week in a public setting . 37:47.140 --> 37:50.760 He , he , uh , participated in Town 37:50.760 --> 37:53.050 Hall that included duty personnel as 37:53.050 --> 37:55.050 well as a question from the general 37:55.050 --> 37:57.217 public , and I participated in a think 37:57.217 --> 37:59.050 tank session today that included 37:59.050 --> 38:01.161 thought leaders from around the world 38:01.161 --> 38:03.161 as well as media members . So we're 38:03.161 --> 38:05.328 committed to being out there . This is 38:05.328 --> 38:07.106 just an effort . Teoh . Protect 38:07.106 --> 38:09.217 sensitive information in an effort to 38:09.217 --> 38:08.620 make sure the department's better 38:08.620 --> 38:11.980 coordinated . So we'll do a couple more 38:12.040 --> 38:15.080 and then we'll call today . I thank you 38:15.090 --> 38:17.312 for the evening . I am generally of the 38:17.312 --> 38:19.479 daily newspaper . Just like to ask one 38:19.479 --> 38:21.646 follow up question about South Korea . 38:21.646 --> 38:23.650 Yeah , I heard what Secretary Asper 38:24.070 --> 38:27.170 said this morning , and I s but still 38:27.170 --> 38:29.337 they're a speculations . Dirk would be 38:29.337 --> 38:31.392 reducing , not withdrawing troops in 38:31.392 --> 38:34.460 Peninsular and eso especially went both 38:34.460 --> 38:36.460 U . S and Korea side cannot reached 38:36.460 --> 38:38.516 every Monday nights and a So can you 38:38.516 --> 38:40.682 confirm that this issue is not lead to 38:40.682 --> 38:44.070 any kind of SME negotiations for Can 38:44.070 --> 38:46.440 you live right more on that ? Well , 38:46.450 --> 38:48.561 look , I'll just once again say we're 38:48.561 --> 38:50.672 always looking our force posture . Um 38:50.672 --> 38:53.330 and , uh , the department's commitment . 38:53.340 --> 38:55.970 Teoh , Republic of Korea strong . We've 38:55.970 --> 38:59.420 been allies and we've been there for on 38:59.420 --> 39:02.510 the on the peninsula for decades . 39:02.810 --> 39:05.750 Three U . S . Military is committed to 39:05.750 --> 39:07.861 the problem . Korea . We're committed 39:07.861 --> 39:10.028 to being prepared toe fight tonight if 39:10.028 --> 39:12.250 necessary , were prepared Teoh with the 39:12.250 --> 39:14.472 op con transfer . We're working through 39:14.472 --> 39:16.528 issues on that . So the relationship 39:16.528 --> 39:18.583 and our commitment toe the problem . 39:18.583 --> 39:20.917 Korea has not changed . Other than that , 39:20.917 --> 39:22.750 I don't have the information for 39:22.750 --> 39:22.740 anything . Secretary answered this 39:22.740 --> 39:25.073 question directly this morning , though . 39:25.073 --> 39:27.860 All right , Jeff , quick question of 39:27.870 --> 39:30.700 the school memos that says that the 39:30.710 --> 39:32.821 Pentagon will open schools on base is 39:32.821 --> 39:35.270 kids . Can you explain the policy and 39:35.280 --> 39:37.640 the in the event that those schools are 39:37.640 --> 39:39.862 on basis where cove It is on the rise . 39:39.862 --> 39:42.910 So I don't want to get ahead off Dodea 39:42.920 --> 39:45.087 on this because I know they're putting 39:45.087 --> 39:47.309 out information today and they're going 39:47.309 --> 39:47.300 to be talking to toe parents and 39:47.300 --> 39:49.467 teachers on the school communities . I 39:49.467 --> 39:51.689 would get very broad brushes on this of 39:51.689 --> 39:53.800 my understanding . And that is , um , 39:53.880 --> 39:56.102 remember , Dodea has schools around the 39:56.102 --> 39:58.269 world . So if you look at Dodea , they 39:58.269 --> 40:00.158 have schools in the Americas , in 40:00.158 --> 40:02.213 Europe and in the Pacific is kind of 40:02.213 --> 40:04.324 their three traunch is . What they're 40:04.324 --> 40:05.991 gonna look at is what are the 40:05.991 --> 40:07.936 conditions in the area . And those 40:07.936 --> 40:09.991 dodea schools are gonna be linked to 40:09.991 --> 40:12.213 the d o d installation hep con status . 40:12.213 --> 40:14.550 So if the facility is open for business , 40:14.560 --> 40:18.380 Aziz usual than then The schools will 40:18.380 --> 40:21.410 be as well . But the goal of Dodea is 40:21.410 --> 40:24.940 to is to have in person classes or 40:24.940 --> 40:27.051 making available for having in person 40:27.051 --> 40:29.162 classes and if not to conduct virtual 40:29.162 --> 40:31.200 schooling . So the plan that I have 40:31.200 --> 40:33.900 seen so far has that forced condition 40:33.900 --> 40:36.250 and B Dodea students . Teachers will be 40:36.250 --> 40:38.194 present in person in classrooms or 40:38.194 --> 40:40.410 social distancing . But if it's , ah , 40:40.420 --> 40:42.580 hip con cnd dodea , students and 40:42.580 --> 40:44.858 teachers will conduct virtual learning . 40:44.858 --> 40:47.080 So that's the general framework of it . 40:47.080 --> 40:50.190 It's obviously gonna be we've said 40:50.190 --> 40:52.301 throughout that a lot of the guidance 40:52.301 --> 40:55.770 with with regard to how the 40:55.770 --> 40:58.440 local officials and local commanders 40:58.440 --> 41:00.607 will make decisions with regard . Teoh 41:00.607 --> 41:03.020 Hip con levels has been delegated down . 41:03.310 --> 41:05.366 They know what the standards are for 41:05.366 --> 41:08.750 moving between the BNC on the the 41:08.760 --> 41:12.040 security ladder . It is . Part of it is 41:12.040 --> 41:15.460 I just want to try by , uh , state thes 41:15.460 --> 41:18.880 correctly . It's ah , it's gonna be 41:18.880 --> 41:21.000 whether there's been a downward trend 41:21.210 --> 41:23.432 over the last 14 days , whether they're 41:23.432 --> 41:25.720 seven . If there's sufficient hospital 41:25.720 --> 41:28.660 bed space , uh , and medical care 41:28.670 --> 41:32.610 available and whether and whether our 41:32.610 --> 41:34.610 forces were getting , they have the 41:34.610 --> 41:36.777 care or access to the care they need . 41:36.777 --> 41:39.110 And so the commanders will look at that . 41:39.110 --> 41:41.221 We've seen some places that initially 41:41.221 --> 41:43.221 went to Green , so they were all in 41:43.221 --> 41:45.332 help . Kansi they went down toe to be 41:45.332 --> 41:47.499 that of going back up in some of these 41:47.499 --> 41:49.554 states where we've seen the dramatic 41:49.554 --> 41:51.777 rise in the number of covert infections 41:51.777 --> 41:53.666 and that's that's up to the local 41:53.666 --> 41:55.721 commanders . So all right , we'll go 41:55.721 --> 41:57.666 back to the phone . I got a couple 41:57.666 --> 41:59.332 people . Uh , Jeff Showgirl , 42:02.590 --> 42:04.490 Thank you so much . I'm a little 42:04.490 --> 42:06.990 confused in your answer to addresses 42:06.990 --> 42:09.550 question . On July 9th , Secretary 42:09.550 --> 42:12.180 invoked opsec in talking about not 42:12.190 --> 42:13.970 releasing pre decisional and 42:13.970 --> 42:16.080 unclassified information and use the 42:16.080 --> 42:20.000 word unclassified . So can you explain 42:20.000 --> 42:22.410 how this memo on dealing with the press 42:22.440 --> 42:25.270 does not restrict information that gets 42:25.280 --> 42:29.270 to go to the press ? Sure . I 42:29.280 --> 42:31.336 mean , I'll just tell you that right 42:31.336 --> 42:33.940 now the memo on ah on public engagement 42:33.940 --> 42:37.760 coordination is literally about 42:38.200 --> 42:41.160 internal D . O D personnel coordinating 42:41.380 --> 42:43.870 their messaging campaigns . Um , 42:44.960 --> 42:47.120 it's if you don't if you've read the 42:47.120 --> 42:49.231 memo yet , I'll be happy toe to share 42:49.231 --> 42:51.231 it with you as well . But it's just 42:51.231 --> 42:52.953 about the coordination of that 42:52.953 --> 42:55.280 messaging The secretary , Like I said , 42:55.280 --> 42:57.447 there's a additional guidance that was 42:57.447 --> 42:59.290 given on opsec on you raise one 42:59.290 --> 43:02.060 category of the opsec , which is which 43:02.060 --> 43:04.280 is the sense controlled unclassified 43:04.280 --> 43:06.630 information on . And then there's also 43:06.640 --> 43:08.862 classified information . So there's two 43:08.862 --> 43:10.807 categories there that are that are 43:10.807 --> 43:12.918 important to note , and the secretary 43:12.918 --> 43:14.918 did mention and it is appropriately 43:14.918 --> 43:17.640 concerned with the unauthorized leaks 43:17.640 --> 43:20.190 of criminal leaks of classified 43:20.190 --> 43:23.370 information in the unauthorized leaks 43:23.370 --> 43:25.648 of controlled unclassified information . 43:25.648 --> 43:29.230 So different issues . I understand the 43:29.570 --> 43:33.270 the the the conflation of them to the 43:33.270 --> 43:35.840 extent . But I could just reiterate my 43:35.960 --> 43:38.071 commitment to you that we're gonna be 43:38.071 --> 43:40.293 talking with you guys about issues that 43:40.293 --> 43:42.404 come up . You're gonna be ableto have 43:42.404 --> 43:44.404 conversations with the p A owes and 43:44.404 --> 43:46.238 with senior officials and others 43:46.238 --> 43:48.460 throughout the building . And look , if 43:48.460 --> 43:51.780 if if this is ah uh is in 43:51.780 --> 43:53.891 implementation in practice becomes an 43:53.891 --> 43:56.113 issue for you guys , please , My door's 43:56.113 --> 43:58.280 always open . I'm happy to talk to all 43:58.280 --> 44:00.391 of you about that . I've made it very 44:00.391 --> 44:02.613 clear that my commitment to you guys on 44:02.613 --> 44:01.900 trying to get as much information out 44:01.900 --> 44:04.590 as possible on the secretary has been 44:04.590 --> 44:06.646 driving that as well since his first 44:06.646 --> 44:09.020 day is Secretary . So with that , I got 44:09.020 --> 44:11.131 ahead to a meeting in 10 minutes . So 44:11.131 --> 44:13.320 appreciate everybody for being in the 44:13.320 --> 44:15.570 building today and taking time . Teoh , 44:15.910 --> 44:17.010 participate . Thank you .