WEBVTT 00:03.950 --> 00:07.320 Great , good afternoon . Uh Just a few 00:07.329 --> 00:09.329 things at the top and then happy to 00:09.329 --> 00:11.869 dive in and take your questions . So US 00:11.880 --> 00:13.936 European command announced yesterday 00:13.936 --> 00:15.760 that the US SWP entered the 00:15.770 --> 00:18.219 Mediterranean Sea , June 26th on a 00:18.229 --> 00:20.729 scheduled deployment to the US naval 00:20.739 --> 00:22.579 forces , Europe Africa area of 00:22.590 --> 00:25.459 operations . The ship will support us 00:25.500 --> 00:27.829 ally us , allied and partner interests 00:27.840 --> 00:30.007 in the region including in the Eastern 00:30.007 --> 00:32.229 Mediterranean Sea to continue promoting 00:32.229 --> 00:34.062 regional stability and deterring 00:34.062 --> 00:36.880 aggression . The US S Wasp and the 00:36.889 --> 00:39.880 embarked 24th marine expeditionary unit 00:39.930 --> 00:42.240 will be joined by the US S Oak Hill 00:42.250 --> 00:44.472 which is currently in the Mediterranean 00:44.472 --> 00:46.709 Sea and the US S New York , which is 00:46.720 --> 00:48.720 currently operating in the Atlantic 00:48.720 --> 00:51.080 Ocean . Together , this Navy and Marine 00:51.090 --> 00:53.400 Corps capability constitutes the Wasp 00:53.409 --> 00:55.465 amphibious ready group that deployed 00:55.465 --> 00:58.130 from the east coast on June 1st . The 00:58.139 --> 00:59.919 presence of an integrated ARG M 01:00.029 --> 01:02.000 provides flexibility and enhanced 01:02.009 --> 01:05.470 capability to NAV and NAF and US six 01:05.480 --> 01:07.313 fleet . You can see U Com's full 01:07.313 --> 01:10.360 statement on their Ucom website and now 01:10.370 --> 01:12.779 switching to a few operational updates 01:12.790 --> 01:14.734 on the temporary pier or the joint 01:14.734 --> 01:16.809 logistics over the shore capability 01:16.819 --> 01:18.375 that is being used to surge 01:18.379 --> 01:21.230 humanitarian assistance into Gaza . In 01:21.239 --> 01:23.550 the past seven days , us central 01:23.559 --> 01:26.330 command delivered more than 4500 metric 01:26.339 --> 01:28.870 tons or £10 million of aid to the 01:28.879 --> 01:31.290 Marshaling Yard in Gaza which works out 01:31.300 --> 01:34.089 to approximately £1.5 million per day 01:35.190 --> 01:37.500 for historical context . Following the 01:37.510 --> 01:40.169 devastating tsunami . In 2011 , dod 01:40.180 --> 01:42.529 delivered about £3 million of aid to 01:42.540 --> 01:45.069 Japan over approximately two months . 01:45.379 --> 01:47.750 So just again for context in the last 01:47.760 --> 01:50.269 week , the temporary pier alone deliver 01:50.279 --> 01:52.370 trip almost tripled that volume . 01:53.239 --> 01:55.295 Additionally , the pier provided the 01:55.295 --> 01:57.406 second highest volume of aid from any 01:57.406 --> 01:59.910 entry point into Gaza this past week in 01:59.919 --> 02:03.120 total since May 17th , Central Command 02:03.129 --> 02:05.185 has assisted in the delivery of more 02:05.185 --> 02:08.610 than 8831 metric tons or 02:08.619 --> 02:11.820 approximately £19.4 million of 02:11.830 --> 02:14.360 humanitarian aid to the shore for 02:14.369 --> 02:16.369 onward distribution by humanitarian 02:16.369 --> 02:19.839 organizations . Now , due to high sea 02:19.850 --> 02:21.906 states expected this weekend Central 02:21.906 --> 02:24.072 Command has removed the temporary pier 02:24.072 --> 02:26.239 from its anchored position in Gaza and 02:26.239 --> 02:28.406 will tow it back to Ashdod Israel . As 02:28.406 --> 02:30.239 always the safety of our service 02:30.239 --> 02:31.906 members is a top priority and 02:31.906 --> 02:33.961 temporarily relocating the pier will 02:33.961 --> 02:35.961 prevent potential structural damage 02:35.961 --> 02:38.128 that could be caused by the heightened 02:38.128 --> 02:40.128 sea state . Us Central Command will 02:40.128 --> 02:42.072 continue to provide updates on the 02:42.072 --> 02:44.294 status of the temporary pier as will we 02:44.294 --> 02:46.517 from this podium and finally , but last 02:46.517 --> 02:48.628 but not least , I want to acknowledge 02:48.628 --> 02:50.683 CBS correspondent David Martin as he 02:50.683 --> 02:52.906 wraps up his time covering the Pentagon 02:52.906 --> 02:54.794 later this summer , David will be 02:54.794 --> 02:56.906 stepping away from the Daily Pentagon 02:56.906 --> 02:58.572 beat after having covered the 02:58.572 --> 02:58.539 Department of Defense for more than 02:58.550 --> 03:00.217 four decades and across seven 03:00.217 --> 03:03.309 administrations . The good thing is 03:03.320 --> 03:05.487 that we'll continue to hear from David 03:05.487 --> 03:07.153 as he continues his long form 03:07.153 --> 03:09.320 storytelling for CBS news broadcasts . 03:09.320 --> 03:11.542 And I just want to say that you are one 03:11.542 --> 03:13.542 of the first people that I speak to 03:13.542 --> 03:15.376 almost on a regular basis in the 03:15.376 --> 03:17.542 morning . So I will , I will certainly 03:17.542 --> 03:17.389 miss seeing you in the building , but I 03:17.399 --> 03:19.770 hope those calls continue as well . Um , 03:19.779 --> 03:22.001 so on behalf of OS D public affairs , I 03:22.001 --> 03:24.223 just wanted to take this opportunity to 03:24.223 --> 03:26.446 congratulate you . David , congratulate 03:26.446 --> 03:28.668 your family , wish you the best in your 03:28.668 --> 03:30.612 next chapter . And with that , why 03:30.612 --> 03:32.668 don't you start us off if you have a 03:32.668 --> 03:34.668 question ? Well , there are reports 03:34.668 --> 03:37.449 that , that once it gets towed into 03:37.460 --> 03:39.682 Ashton , it's not . Ashdot is not going 03:39.682 --> 03:42.820 to go back , uh , because of the 03:42.830 --> 03:45.910 backlog in , uh , in shipments . Is 03:45.919 --> 03:48.949 that correct ? Uh , I wouldn't say 03:48.960 --> 03:51.127 that's correct in terms of the backlog 03:51.127 --> 03:53.919 of shipments . Um , there is a , there 03:53.929 --> 03:56.690 is a need , um , for more aid . I think 03:56.699 --> 03:58.921 what you're referring to is in Cyprus . 03:58.921 --> 04:01.255 We do need more aid to come into Cyprus . 04:01.255 --> 04:03.477 Um , we are pretty close to full on the 04:03.477 --> 04:05.532 marshaling yard in terms of how much 04:05.532 --> 04:08.979 aid is there . Um , as I mentioned at 04:08.990 --> 04:12.460 the top this pier has provided um you 04:12.470 --> 04:14.692 know , the second amount most volume of 04:14.692 --> 04:17.350 aid over , you know , all the other 04:17.359 --> 04:19.526 crossings in Gaza . So we've certainly 04:19.526 --> 04:21.581 seen its capability . We've seen the 04:21.581 --> 04:24.170 importance of what it can do . Um As 04:24.179 --> 04:26.068 high sea states are impacting the 04:26.068 --> 04:28.123 operability of the pier . That's why 04:28.123 --> 04:29.957 it's being removed . Um When the 04:29.957 --> 04:32.123 commander decides that it is the right 04:32.123 --> 04:34.123 time to reinstall that pier , we'll 04:34.123 --> 04:36.179 keep you updated on that . So it may 04:36.179 --> 04:38.068 not go back as of right now . The 04:38.068 --> 04:40.390 intention is to continue to get aid 04:40.399 --> 04:43.029 into Gaza by any means necessary that 04:43.040 --> 04:45.709 includes the pier , uh airdrops and of 04:45.720 --> 04:47.776 course , as we've always said , with 04:47.776 --> 04:50.053 the pier , it is meant to be temporary . 04:50.053 --> 04:52.220 Um It is not the long term solution or 04:52.220 --> 04:54.329 solve for land routes . Um We know 04:54.339 --> 04:56.506 that's the most effective way in . But 04:56.506 --> 04:58.339 uh that's really a decision that 04:58.339 --> 05:00.561 commander will make as , as we continue 05:00.561 --> 05:02.783 to evaluate the High Sea States . But I 05:02.783 --> 05:04.783 don't have a date of when the , the 05:04.783 --> 05:06.783 pier would be reinstalled . I don't 05:06.783 --> 05:08.950 right now as well , the commander will 05:08.950 --> 05:11.117 continue to assess the Sea States over 05:11.117 --> 05:13.228 the weekend that could lead into next 05:13.228 --> 05:15.283 week . So we're going to continue to 05:15.283 --> 05:15.095 monitor the environmental and weather 05:15.105 --> 05:16.994 factors and once we have a better 05:16.994 --> 05:18.827 update , we'll , we'll certainly 05:18.827 --> 05:20.716 provide that . So , on a separate 05:20.716 --> 05:24.304 subject of this , 05:26.690 --> 05:29.799 is there any indication that that uh 05:29.809 --> 05:32.959 satellite came apart as a result of 05:32.970 --> 05:35.790 some kind of Russian anti satellite 05:35.799 --> 05:37.855 test . As of right now , we're still 05:37.855 --> 05:40.359 evaluating why this um satellite came 05:40.369 --> 05:42.600 apart . Uh satellite breakups can 05:42.790 --> 05:44.760 result from a variety of different 05:44.769 --> 05:46.880 cases . But right now , we just don't 05:46.880 --> 05:49.010 have um an assessment of what broke 05:49.019 --> 05:51.279 this one apart , uh which I believe 05:51.290 --> 05:54.709 happened on June 26 . Ok . All right . 05:54.859 --> 05:57.339 Thanks Sabrina . Um , back to the pier . 05:57.880 --> 06:01.089 The marshaling yard is almost full and 06:01.100 --> 06:02.989 it doesn't seem like any delivery 06:02.989 --> 06:05.329 trucks are going to take that aid . So 06:05.660 --> 06:08.010 would uh putting the pier back in place 06:08.019 --> 06:10.241 be contingent upon there actually being 06:10.241 --> 06:12.186 room to put more aid ? Because how 06:12.186 --> 06:14.241 could you move aid if you don't have 06:14.241 --> 06:16.408 anywhere to put it ? Yes , I mean , of 06:16.408 --> 06:16.339 course . Um , if there's not enough 06:16.350 --> 06:18.700 room on the marshaling yard , then , uh , 06:18.709 --> 06:20.765 it doesn't make sense to put our men 06:20.765 --> 06:22.859 and women um out there when there's 06:22.869 --> 06:25.019 nothing to move . Um , there is still 06:25.029 --> 06:26.859 room . I don't want to give the 06:26.869 --> 06:29.220 impression that um , it's at capacity . 06:29.230 --> 06:32.700 It is certainly full . Um , but we do 06:32.709 --> 06:34.989 need to see that marshaling yard open 06:35.000 --> 06:37.940 up um , to allow for aid groups to 06:37.950 --> 06:40.061 continue that distribution so that we 06:40.061 --> 06:42.172 can get more aid in um , as we get it 06:42.172 --> 06:44.440 from Cyprus . So is there anything that 06:44.450 --> 06:46.720 the US can do to help get that aid 06:46.730 --> 06:49.070 moving out of the marshaling yard ? So 06:49.079 --> 06:51.079 that's something that we've , we've 06:51.079 --> 06:53.357 been having ongoing conversations with . 06:53.357 --> 06:55.579 Um , the WFP . And by we , I , I should 06:55.579 --> 06:57.690 say the larger uh broader , we , it's 06:57.690 --> 06:59.690 an interagency effort that's really 06:59.690 --> 07:01.869 being spearheaded by us . A ID . Um So 07:01.880 --> 07:04.630 for more um updates on those 07:04.640 --> 07:06.751 conversations , I'd refer you to them 07:06.751 --> 07:08.973 to speak to how those conversations are 07:08.973 --> 07:11.084 going with WFP . But we all know that 07:11.084 --> 07:13.084 this is a priority . We want to see 07:13.084 --> 07:15.084 distribution , um pick back up , we 07:15.084 --> 07:17.307 want to see aid delivered to the people 07:17.307 --> 07:19.307 that need it most . Um We certainly 07:19.307 --> 07:21.473 know and understand and are monitoring 07:21.473 --> 07:23.640 the dire humanitarian situation on the 07:23.640 --> 07:25.696 ground . So we certainly want to see 07:25.696 --> 07:27.640 that distribution back up . The co 07:27.640 --> 07:29.862 ordination cell of the US has a role in 07:29.862 --> 07:32.140 to help you with the convoys . Um What , 07:32.140 --> 07:34.307 what's going on there as far as uh how 07:34.307 --> 07:36.473 us officials , us , military officials 07:36.473 --> 07:38.640 are working with ID F to maybe try and 07:38.640 --> 07:40.751 streamline communications between the 07:40.751 --> 07:42.973 ID F and the aid groups . Well , that's 07:42.973 --> 07:45.307 part of what the deconfliction cells do . 07:45.307 --> 07:47.362 Um Both uh we have one in Cyprus and 07:47.362 --> 07:49.529 one in Israel . They are there to help 07:49.529 --> 07:49.415 with the distribution of aid . Um It's 07:49.424 --> 07:53.035 more how groups NGO SWFP also plugs 07:53.045 --> 07:55.267 into that . Um I don't want to speak on 07:55.267 --> 07:57.378 behalf of , of those groups and , and 07:57.378 --> 07:59.434 USA ID in particular . But right now 07:59.445 --> 08:01.556 there is good communication between , 08:01.556 --> 08:03.612 you know , our military personnel in 08:03.612 --> 08:05.834 those deconfliction cells and uh the ID 08:05.834 --> 08:08.769 F , Phil . So just to clarify really 08:08.809 --> 08:10.920 quick and then I have a question . So 08:10.920 --> 08:13.253 is the marshaling area full or , or not , 08:13.253 --> 08:15.309 I wouldn't say it's at capacity . Um 08:15.309 --> 08:17.587 There's still some room there but it's , 08:17.587 --> 08:19.698 it's , it's , I would say uh majority 08:19.698 --> 08:21.910 is pretty full right now . And then 08:21.920 --> 08:24.109 secondly , in yesterday's debate , 08:24.119 --> 08:26.175 President Biden said he was the only 08:26.175 --> 08:28.397 president this century that didn't have 08:28.397 --> 08:30.397 any troops dying uh anywhere in the 08:30.397 --> 08:32.452 world . And I'm just wondering , you 08:32.452 --> 08:34.397 know , how , how the Pentagon , uh 08:34.397 --> 08:36.452 whether the Pentagon stands by those 08:36.452 --> 08:38.563 remarks , given that three us service 08:38.563 --> 08:38.520 members died in Jordan this year . And 08:38.530 --> 08:40.363 then of course , that's not even 08:40.363 --> 08:42.586 counting at the gate and just wondering 08:42.586 --> 08:44.863 what the Pentagon's comment is on that . 08:44.863 --> 08:46.752 Sure . No . And thank you for the 08:46.752 --> 08:48.808 question . Um You know , for more on 08:48.808 --> 08:48.799 the President's comments and , and on 08:48.809 --> 08:50.920 the debate itself , I , I'd refer you 08:50.920 --> 08:54.059 to the White House but um in terms of , 08:54.070 --> 08:56.919 uh you know , our service members who 08:56.929 --> 08:59.090 have been killed in um some of these 08:59.099 --> 09:01.419 tragic events around the world . Um 09:01.429 --> 09:03.540 I've , you know , and you've seen the 09:03.540 --> 09:05.373 president call these families to 09:05.373 --> 09:07.207 express condolences . Um This is 09:07.207 --> 09:10.020 someone that has um intimately 09:10.030 --> 09:12.419 experienced , um you know , the 09:12.429 --> 09:14.596 commitment and dedication of , of what 09:14.596 --> 09:16.707 our military does and , you know , he 09:16.707 --> 09:18.762 has his own personal experience with 09:18.762 --> 09:20.929 that . Um So , uh you know , I've seen 09:20.929 --> 09:23.096 him express great compassion and , and 09:23.096 --> 09:25.151 um condolences to families who are , 09:25.151 --> 09:27.040 who have been impacted and that's 09:27.040 --> 09:29.096 something that he's not only done as 09:29.096 --> 09:28.690 President , but of course , as Vice 09:28.700 --> 09:31.030 President as well . Um But for more on 09:31.039 --> 09:33.261 those comments , I just , I'd refer you 09:33.261 --> 09:35.150 to the White House on that is the 09:35.150 --> 09:34.979 secretary reaching out to any families 09:34.989 --> 09:37.045 to provide any additional context to 09:37.045 --> 09:39.211 the President's remarks . I don't have 09:39.211 --> 09:41.211 any calls to read out or just to be 09:41.211 --> 09:43.211 clear was the President's statement 09:43.211 --> 09:46.270 incorrect ? I again , just not trying 09:46.280 --> 09:49.179 to get involved in uh uh campaign 09:49.190 --> 09:52.039 events or really go further on comments 09:52.049 --> 09:54.349 on the debate . If the President had 09:54.359 --> 09:56.359 more context , I'd refer you to the 09:56.359 --> 09:58.590 White House to speak to his comments . 09:58.789 --> 10:01.270 Um I think you and others have reported 10:01.280 --> 10:04.690 on some of the um tragic 10:04.700 --> 10:07.210 losses of life that we have seen from 10:07.219 --> 10:09.590 service members , whether it be as Phil 10:09.599 --> 10:11.760 referenced in Jordan , um or in other 10:11.770 --> 10:13.826 places around the world . And you've 10:13.826 --> 10:16.049 seen this president express his deepest 10:16.059 --> 10:18.281 condolences to those families as well . 10:18.281 --> 10:20.392 So I , I would refer you to the White 10:20.392 --> 10:22.503 House for , for More Bush here . This 10:22.503 --> 10:24.503 is a question to the Pentagon . Has 10:24.503 --> 10:26.726 President Biden had service members die 10:26.726 --> 10:28.837 anywhere in the world during his time 10:28.837 --> 10:30.948 in office . We , as you have reported 10:30.948 --> 10:30.500 on , we have certainly had service 10:30.510 --> 10:33.979 members um pass uh 10:34.119 --> 10:36.452 during our , during this administration . 10:36.659 --> 10:38.840 Um And you've seen not just the 10:38.849 --> 10:40.849 secretary but the president himself 10:40.849 --> 10:43.739 also uh weigh in and comment and offer 10:43.750 --> 10:45.806 condolences whether it's calling the 10:45.806 --> 10:48.028 families or through statements . Um But 10:48.028 --> 10:49.972 I just don't have more to offer in 10:49.972 --> 10:52.083 terms of the debate itself . And then 10:52.083 --> 10:54.139 one question on the Peer , six weeks 10:54.139 --> 10:53.960 ago today , the Peer began operating if 10:53.969 --> 10:55.969 my , if my math is right . And it's 10:55.969 --> 10:58.710 been down for roughly 2.5 weeks . Has 10:58.719 --> 11:00.969 the Peer lived up to its expectations ? 11:01.250 --> 11:03.361 I would say it certainly has . Oren . 11:03.361 --> 11:06.159 Um , I mean , just , it , it , it , it 11:06.169 --> 11:08.690 might have been operating for , you 11:08.700 --> 11:10.922 know , six weeks and during that time , 11:10.922 --> 11:13.144 yes , we have had periods of time where 11:13.144 --> 11:15.256 we've had to pull it off line because 11:15.256 --> 11:17.311 of weather . Uh We've had periods of 11:17.311 --> 11:19.644 time where we , we've had to do repairs . 11:19.644 --> 11:21.867 Uh But as I mentioned in my topper , um 11:21.867 --> 11:24.210 since May 17th , we've had over £19 11:24.219 --> 11:27.320 million of aid delivered to the shore 11:27.330 --> 11:30.539 in Gaza . That is I'd say a great 11:30.549 --> 11:32.739 success . Um And you have to remember 11:32.750 --> 11:35.820 that at the beginning of this year and 11:35.919 --> 11:37.739 uh the state of the Union , the 11:37.750 --> 11:39.583 president directed this Maritime 11:39.583 --> 11:41.750 Corridor be established and I think it 11:41.750 --> 11:43.917 has been successful because at the end 11:43.917 --> 11:46.083 of the day , not enough aid is getting 11:46.083 --> 11:48.306 into the people of Gaza . This is meant 11:48.306 --> 11:50.528 to be an additive measure . This is not 11:50.528 --> 11:52.583 meant to be the only route where aid 11:52.583 --> 11:54.472 can get in and we've been able to 11:54.472 --> 11:56.639 deliver £19 million . And yes , there 11:56.639 --> 11:58.694 is still aid that is sitting in that 11:58.694 --> 12:00.528 marshaling area awaiting further 12:00.528 --> 12:02.417 distribution . We're working with 12:02.417 --> 12:04.583 groups to make sure that happens . But 12:04.583 --> 12:06.979 um I would say that our men and women 12:06.989 --> 12:10.429 in uniform have done really heroic work 12:10.440 --> 12:12.662 to get that aid to the people that need 12:12.662 --> 12:14.718 it most , Carla , I , I just have to 12:14.718 --> 12:16.829 follow up . Um , you talked about how 12:16.829 --> 12:19.051 it was a success , but you've also said 12:19.051 --> 12:22.020 that there what £19 million they 12:22.030 --> 12:24.197 haven't reached the people . So how is 12:24.197 --> 12:26.308 that defined success ? Well , not all 12:26.308 --> 12:28.252 of them , but you have to remember 12:28.252 --> 12:30.030 Carla , that uh in terms of the 12:30.030 --> 12:32.252 distribution efforts , that is not what 12:32.252 --> 12:34.197 the United States or United States 12:34.197 --> 12:36.252 military is doing . The president at 12:36.252 --> 12:38.419 the outset said there will be no boots 12:38.419 --> 12:40.141 on the ground in Gaza . So the 12:40.141 --> 12:42.308 distribution ef efforts are being done 12:42.308 --> 12:44.890 by WFP and , and the UN . Um these 12:44.900 --> 12:47.330 groups are put a , put a pause in place , 12:47.340 --> 12:49.507 they're doing an assessment um so that 12:49.507 --> 12:51.784 they can continue their own operations . 12:51.784 --> 12:54.289 £19 million is still not nothing . And 12:54.299 --> 12:57.200 I think we have to commend uh the 12:57.210 --> 12:58.932 donations , whether it be from 12:58.932 --> 13:01.154 countries around the world , from other 13:01.154 --> 13:03.377 aid groups that went to CY that got aid 13:03.377 --> 13:05.599 to Cyprus that has moved to the pier or 13:05.599 --> 13:07.821 to the floating pier and then on to the 13:07.821 --> 13:09.932 here into the marshaling area that is 13:09.932 --> 13:12.154 still aid that is going to save lives . 13:12.154 --> 13:14.266 And I think our , our Central command 13:14.266 --> 13:16.266 and , and um you know , Ucom forces 13:16.266 --> 13:18.377 should be commended for their , their 13:18.377 --> 13:20.543 work on that and the ships that are in 13:20.543 --> 13:22.654 the Mediterranean . Um What would you 13:22.654 --> 13:24.488 define as their purpose are they 13:24.488 --> 13:26.599 capable of evacuating people ? Should 13:26.599 --> 13:29.169 war break out in between Israel's North 13:29.179 --> 13:31.290 and Hezbollah ? Yeah . So I've seen a 13:31.290 --> 13:33.123 lot of reporting on , you know , 13:33.123 --> 13:35.290 evacuation efforts that could happen . 13:35.290 --> 13:37.512 I think it's important to remember that 13:37.512 --> 13:39.640 uh a capability like the argument can 13:39.650 --> 13:42.890 provide and do many other things . Um 13:43.070 --> 13:45.403 One being a military assisted departure , 13:45.403 --> 13:47.626 but that is not their only capability . 13:47.626 --> 13:50.030 They are there in the region to um 13:50.500 --> 13:53.549 ensure regional stability , to deter 13:53.559 --> 13:55.615 aggression . And I think you have to 13:55.615 --> 13:57.781 remember as you reported early on , um 13:58.049 --> 14:00.271 you'll remember the Ford moved into the 14:00.271 --> 14:02.438 Eastern Med . Uh You know , I think it 14:02.438 --> 14:04.919 was um dedicated October 8th . It 14:04.929 --> 14:07.151 started moving towards Eastern Med . We 14:07.151 --> 14:09.096 also had the 26 me in the , in the 14:09.096 --> 14:11.318 Eastern Med and all around . Um that uh 14:11.318 --> 14:13.540 it made its way through the Red Sea and 14:13.540 --> 14:15.762 Gulf of Aden . Um And we didn't have to 14:15.762 --> 14:17.985 do a military assisted departure during 14:17.985 --> 14:20.207 that time . So these are capabilities , 14:20.207 --> 14:22.309 these are um deployments that are 14:22.320 --> 14:25.289 prescheduled and they are there in case , 14:25.299 --> 14:27.410 you know , there is something that is 14:27.410 --> 14:29.466 needed for them . But right now they 14:29.466 --> 14:31.688 are there to ensure stability and deter 14:31.688 --> 14:34.059 Constantine . Thanks Sabrina . Um So 14:34.070 --> 14:36.909 you just uh said today and I I think 14:36.919 --> 14:38.697 folks from the podium have said 14:38.697 --> 14:40.919 repeatedly that the , the Gaza Pier was 14:40.919 --> 14:43.030 meant to always be additive that it's 14:43.760 --> 14:45.982 and that the land roots are supposed to 14:45.982 --> 14:48.316 be the most efficient way to get aid in . 14:48.316 --> 14:50.427 But you know , you're saying that the 14:50.427 --> 14:52.649 pier has , I guess inadvertently become 14:52.649 --> 14:55.820 the second most uh productive entry 14:55.830 --> 14:57.719 point for aid . I mean , does the 14:57.719 --> 15:00.090 Pentagon have any thoughts on how that 15:00.099 --> 15:02.340 came to be , that this additive measure 15:02.349 --> 15:05.349 has become one of the most uh effective 15:05.359 --> 15:07.637 ways to get aid into , into the region ? 15:07.637 --> 15:09.803 I think it shows the capability of our 15:09.803 --> 15:11.470 military and being able to be 15:11.470 --> 15:13.692 incredibly efficient and also the inner 15:13.692 --> 15:15.748 agency being able to work to solicit 15:15.748 --> 15:17.859 donations to get into Cyprus and then 15:17.859 --> 15:20.026 move that through the temporary pier . 15:20.026 --> 15:22.026 And I think at the end of the day , 15:22.026 --> 15:24.137 this was a capability that um whether 15:24.137 --> 15:26.303 it be nations around the world . NGO s 15:26.303 --> 15:28.715 other groups that saw this is another 15:28.724 --> 15:31.294 method to get aid to people that need 15:31.304 --> 15:33.415 it most and they want to partner with 15:33.415 --> 15:35.748 the United States . Um I can't speak to , 15:35.748 --> 15:38.026 you know , every nation that's donated , 15:38.026 --> 15:39.915 but it's certainly uh meant to be 15:39.915 --> 15:42.137 additive . It's meant to be temporary . 15:42.137 --> 15:44.082 We continue to urge for those land 15:44.082 --> 15:46.137 routes to be opened . Um That is the 15:46.137 --> 15:48.082 most effective way to get aid in , 15:48.082 --> 15:50.026 right ? And so I mean , I guess my 15:50.026 --> 15:49.815 question , my follow up to that would 15:49.825 --> 15:51.992 be , you know , that does the Pentagon 15:51.992 --> 15:54.414 not see this as a failure of getting 15:54.424 --> 15:56.646 the land routes open , that the peer is 15:57.000 --> 15:59.056 the most effective way to get aid in 15:59.056 --> 16:01.278 right now or one of the land routes not 16:01.278 --> 16:03.444 being open is certainly something that 16:03.444 --> 16:05.500 we're concerned about and we want to 16:05.500 --> 16:07.722 see more trucks getting in every single 16:07.722 --> 16:09.833 day . And that is something that , um 16:09.833 --> 16:09.830 I've heard the secretary continue to 16:09.840 --> 16:11.951 emphasize with Minister Galan and not 16:11.951 --> 16:13.896 just from this building across the 16:13.896 --> 16:15.896 inter agency . So that is something 16:15.896 --> 16:17.673 that we continue to um urge the 16:17.673 --> 16:19.896 Israelis to open up those crossing that 16:19.896 --> 16:22.118 is the best way in . And we're going to 16:22.118 --> 16:24.229 continue to do that in the meantime , 16:24.229 --> 16:26.340 while that's not , while that's not , 16:26.340 --> 16:28.507 you know , flowing the way it should , 16:28.507 --> 16:30.507 this is an additive measure that is 16:30.507 --> 16:32.396 going to help people and that has 16:32.396 --> 16:34.618 helped people uh moving £19 million of 16:34.618 --> 16:36.618 aid . Um I think is not nothing , I 16:36.618 --> 16:38.507 think that , you know , our , our 16:38.507 --> 16:40.562 forces that are doing that hard work 16:40.562 --> 16:42.562 out there . Um You know , they're , 16:42.562 --> 16:42.229 they're putting their sweat and tears 16:42.239 --> 16:44.500 into this every single day . Um And 16:44.510 --> 16:46.677 that is aid that's going to get to the 16:46.677 --> 16:48.788 people that need it most eventually . 16:48.788 --> 16:51.520 Uh Laura , thank you . How much aid has 16:51.530 --> 16:55.090 actually gotten into Gaza to the people 16:55.099 --> 16:56.988 of Gaza , to Gaza . That would be 16:56.988 --> 16:59.099 something that I would let us aid and 16:59.099 --> 17:01.321 World Food Program speak to because the 17:01.321 --> 17:03.543 um once it goes off from the marshaling 17:03.543 --> 17:05.766 area , goes into different distribution 17:05.766 --> 17:07.988 centers . So from there , that's really 17:07.988 --> 17:10.210 more for WFP and the UN to speak to and 17:10.210 --> 17:13.319 USA ID . And can you tell me is the 17:13.329 --> 17:15.551 military preparing for an evacuation of 17:15.551 --> 17:17.718 American citizens or us personnel from 17:17.718 --> 17:20.069 Lebanon . No , uh , just to follow up 17:20.079 --> 17:22.430 on the pier . Um , so it seems like the 17:22.439 --> 17:24.949 US military is doing a ton of work and 17:24.959 --> 17:27.070 it's not confirmed if this has gotten 17:27.070 --> 17:29.237 to people who need it or not . Is that 17:29.237 --> 17:30.959 frustrating ? No , I mean , we 17:30.959 --> 17:32.959 understand the concerns that groups 17:32.959 --> 17:35.670 like WFP , um , have while operating 17:35.680 --> 17:37.599 within Gaza . Um , we certainly 17:37.609 --> 17:39.609 understand their concerns and , and 17:39.609 --> 17:41.776 they're really theirs to speak to . Um 17:41.979 --> 17:44.201 Our priority is making sure that we are 17:44.201 --> 17:46.257 getting aid across to that pier . So 17:46.257 --> 17:48.790 when distribution starts back up , um 17:48.810 --> 17:51.239 it's there , it's ready . Um And it can 17:51.250 --> 17:53.250 be , it can go , you know , far and 17:53.250 --> 17:55.417 wide to Lara's question , it goes into 17:55.417 --> 17:57.472 these distribution centers where the 17:57.472 --> 17:59.583 notice is further distributed . Um So 17:59.583 --> 18:01.750 I'd let you know WFP and the , and the 18:01.750 --> 18:03.917 really the UN speak to those efforts , 18:03.917 --> 18:05.750 but no , I don't consider this a 18:05.750 --> 18:07.861 failure . This was always meant to be 18:07.861 --> 18:09.972 an additive measure . This was always 18:09.972 --> 18:12.028 meant to be a way to help supplement 18:12.028 --> 18:14.194 aid getting in . Um It is not the most 18:14.194 --> 18:16.306 effective way it is really those land 18:16.306 --> 18:18.472 routes um on a separate topic . Uh The 18:18.472 --> 18:20.694 South by Southwest Festival in Austin , 18:20.694 --> 18:22.806 Texas has barred the US military from 18:22.806 --> 18:24.972 sponsoring next year's festival um due 18:24.972 --> 18:27.194 to the US military support of Israel . 18:27.354 --> 18:29.744 Um Does the Pentagon disagree or agree 18:29.755 --> 18:31.811 with that decision ? Any comment ? I 18:31.811 --> 18:33.977 don't really have a comment to offer . 18:33.977 --> 18:36.088 It's , um , up to private companies , 18:36.088 --> 18:38.311 private organizations to make their own 18:38.311 --> 18:40.533 decisions . Um , we are certainly , you 18:40.533 --> 18:43.280 know , working to get aid into Gaza to 18:43.290 --> 18:45.401 the Palestinian people that need it , 18:45.401 --> 18:47.401 uh , that need it most . That's our 18:47.401 --> 18:49.568 priority when it comes to humanitarian 18:49.568 --> 18:51.734 aid and we're focused on that . Uh I'm 18:51.734 --> 18:53.901 gonna keep going around here , Nancy . 18:53.901 --> 18:53.579 And then I'll go to you . I just had a 18:53.589 --> 18:55.645 quick follow up to Phil's question . 18:55.645 --> 18:58.510 Has the secretary made any calls to 18:58.520 --> 19:00.709 allies related to , to the debate , 19:00.719 --> 19:03.510 either reassuring allies or received 19:03.520 --> 19:05.742 any calls from allies who expressed any 19:05.742 --> 19:07.798 concerns related to the debate ? I'm 19:07.798 --> 19:09.853 not aware of any calls . Thank you . 19:09.853 --> 19:11.964 Yes , thank you , Sabrina . Um I have 19:11.964 --> 19:14.131 two questions . First one regarding to 19:14.131 --> 19:16.298 the escalation of the Lebanon border . 19:16.298 --> 19:15.859 Um Have you seen any progress uh 19:15.869 --> 19:18.250 regarding to the diplomatic solution 19:18.260 --> 19:21.020 that Secretary Austin has been 19:21.030 --> 19:23.260 announced during his meeting with the 19:23.270 --> 19:27.109 Israeli counterpart Gallant ? And do 19:27.119 --> 19:29.119 you still believe that a diplomatic 19:29.119 --> 19:31.230 solution is still possible ? We still 19:31.230 --> 19:33.063 believe a diplomatic solution is 19:33.063 --> 19:35.290 possible and the best way to avoid a 19:35.300 --> 19:38.469 wider regional war in the ? Um I would 19:38.479 --> 19:40.201 refer you to actually what the 19:40.201 --> 19:42.368 secretary said in his opening comments 19:42.368 --> 19:44.439 um that we don't want to see a wider 19:44.449 --> 19:46.227 regional war . We want to see a 19:46.227 --> 19:48.393 deescalating of tensions . And part of 19:48.393 --> 19:51.270 the reason why you're seeing the wasp 19:51.280 --> 19:55.030 uh move into the UAOR 19:55.599 --> 19:57.979 is to deter aggression to deescalating 19:57.989 --> 20:00.119 tensions in the region . So we 20:00.130 --> 20:01.852 certainly believe that through 20:01.852 --> 20:04.019 diplomatic channels , that is the best 20:04.019 --> 20:06.186 way of resolving any conflict question 20:06.186 --> 20:08.910 in regard to our topic . The Russia 20:08.920 --> 20:12.630 Defense Minister ordered his officials 20:12.640 --> 20:15.660 to prepare a response to us drone 20:15.670 --> 20:18.930 flights over the Black Sea . Uh How 20:18.939 --> 20:21.050 much that could escalate the tensions 20:21.050 --> 20:23.099 and does the dod prepare for any 20:23.109 --> 20:25.331 scenario ? Yeah , I , I've seen some of 20:25.331 --> 20:27.387 that reporting in those comments . I 20:27.387 --> 20:29.498 don't , I don't really have a comment 20:29.498 --> 20:31.553 to offer uh for you on that . Um You 20:31.553 --> 20:33.498 know , we continue to fly sail and 20:33.498 --> 20:35.498 operate in international waters and 20:35.498 --> 20:37.665 international spaces um where the laws 20:37.665 --> 20:40.319 allow . Um I just don't have anything 20:40.329 --> 20:42.218 more to add at this time . Yeah . 20:43.380 --> 20:45.609 Excuse me . Um I'm just trying to 20:45.619 --> 20:47.689 understand in terms of the 20:47.699 --> 20:49.810 communications , obviously military , 20:49.810 --> 20:51.810 military , the uh Israel and the US 20:51.810 --> 20:53.969 have a great conflicting relationship 20:54.020 --> 20:56.420 is the Pentagon not able to assist USA 20:56.430 --> 20:58.640 ID in that conflict , deconfliction to 20:58.650 --> 21:00.317 allow some of this aid of the 21:00.317 --> 21:02.317 marshaling area and to the people . 21:02.640 --> 21:04.751 Could you just help elaborate more on 21:04.751 --> 21:06.969 like the deconfliction between what 21:06.979 --> 21:09.339 you're asking on USA ID ? No role for 21:09.349 --> 21:12.229 dod in assisting with the deconfliction 21:12.239 --> 21:16.219 between USA ID and WFP and Israel 21:16.229 --> 21:18.451 because that's part of the concern from 21:18.451 --> 21:20.500 WFP . So you us aid has the 21:20.510 --> 21:22.677 relationships with the NGO S that is , 21:22.677 --> 21:24.677 you know , I don't want to speak on 21:24.677 --> 21:26.843 behalf of us aid , but that is their , 21:26.843 --> 21:29.010 their role . They are the coordinating 21:29.010 --> 21:28.910 humanitarian organization , not just 21:28.920 --> 21:30.976 for what's happening in Gaza , but , 21:30.976 --> 21:32.976 you know , countries all around the 21:32.976 --> 21:34.587 world . Um So they have that 21:34.587 --> 21:36.809 relationship and they're really plugged 21:36.809 --> 21:38.864 in with the UN . Um dod S mission is 21:38.864 --> 21:40.809 the Maritime Corridor . We all fit 21:40.809 --> 21:42.976 together in different pieces , but you 21:42.976 --> 21:44.976 have to remember that USA ID is the 21:44.976 --> 21:47.319 lead when it comes to working with um 21:47.329 --> 21:50.449 humanitarian organizations um dod S 21:50.459 --> 21:52.681 role when it comes to the deconfliction 21:52.681 --> 21:54.640 is , is really the pure operations 21:54.650 --> 21:57.949 itself . Um We have a , we , we have 21:57.959 --> 22:00.199 set up deconfliction cells that I think 22:00.270 --> 22:03.449 um certainly model a good way forward 22:03.459 --> 22:05.459 on , on , you know , how to operate 22:05.459 --> 22:07.515 within Gaza . Um But of course , the 22:07.515 --> 22:10.300 WFP has its own , you know , request 22:10.310 --> 22:12.540 concerns . Um And that's something that 22:12.550 --> 22:14.550 they are working through and I just 22:14.550 --> 22:16.606 wouldn't go , wanna go beyond that . 22:16.606 --> 22:18.920 Yeah , go . Yeah , thank you . 22:20.160 --> 22:23.329 Um There is a uh according to reports 22:23.339 --> 22:25.506 and also in Pakistan , also there is a 22:25.506 --> 22:27.672 resolution on the Capitol Hill against 22:27.672 --> 22:29.895 Pakistan . Pakistan is still still like 22:29.895 --> 22:32.117 in the past , have been supporting Iran 22:32.117 --> 22:34.449 on the nuclear programs . Now we hear 22:34.459 --> 22:37.689 that Iran is uh ready to uh 22:37.750 --> 22:40.319 near as far as their nuclear program is 22:40.329 --> 22:42.551 concerned . So where do we stand as far 22:42.551 --> 22:46.010 as usa supporting Pakistan or Pakistan 22:46.020 --> 22:48.353 wants us support ? But at the same time , 22:48.353 --> 22:51.239 they are helping Iran and others in 22:51.250 --> 22:54.680 their nuclear . I I don't have much 22:54.689 --> 22:56.911 more to provide than what General Ryder 22:56.911 --> 22:58.967 provided . Uh I think on Tuesday was 22:58.967 --> 23:01.189 that , you know , we work with Pakistan 23:01.189 --> 23:03.300 on a range of different issues . Have 23:03.300 --> 23:05.245 uh you know , deep military cooper 23:05.245 --> 23:04.800 operation , but I don't have more to 23:04.810 --> 23:06.699 offer on , you know , any nuclear 23:06.699 --> 23:08.754 assistance or , or programs . Um I'm 23:08.754 --> 23:10.643 sorry , I should have gone to the 23:10.643 --> 23:12.810 phones and then I'm happy to come back 23:12.810 --> 23:11.839 in the room for any additional 23:11.849 --> 23:13.839 questions . Uh Jared Zuba , I'll 23:13.849 --> 23:14.849 monitor . 23:18.630 --> 23:20.852 Hi , Sabrina . I just wanted to check . 23:20.852 --> 23:22.630 Um uh I think there's been some 23:22.630 --> 23:24.519 reporting that uh Israeli Defense 23:24.519 --> 23:26.519 Minister Galant may have pitched uh 23:26.519 --> 23:28.463 perhaps a limited tailored Israeli 23:28.463 --> 23:30.519 campaign in Southern Lebanon against 23:30.519 --> 23:32.686 Hezbollah . Is there any room for that 23:32.686 --> 23:34.852 uh in the discussions ? Uh or in the , 23:34.852 --> 23:37.074 from the perspective of Washington , is 23:37.074 --> 23:39.380 the United States uh willing to see uh 23:39.390 --> 23:42.250 a limited Israeli operations in 23:42.260 --> 23:44.593 Southern Lebanon to secure their border . 23:44.593 --> 23:46.649 Thanks , Jared . I just haven't seen 23:46.649 --> 23:48.704 that um or those comments . So I'm , 23:48.704 --> 23:50.927 I'm a little uh uh I just don't want to 23:50.927 --> 23:52.927 comment on something that I haven't 23:52.927 --> 23:55.359 seen . Uh I think bottom line is , we 23:55.369 --> 23:58.069 don't want to see an expanded uh front 23:58.079 --> 24:00.160 open on the northern border between 24:00.170 --> 24:02.010 Israel and Lebanon . Um That's 24:02.020 --> 24:04.242 something that I direct you to directly 24:04.242 --> 24:06.298 what the secretary said earlier this 24:06.298 --> 24:08.520 week when he had his bout with Minister 24:08.520 --> 24:10.631 Galant . Uh We are concerned about 10 24:10.631 --> 24:12.742 continuing to rise there . We want to 24:12.742 --> 24:14.853 see a de escalation of those tensions 24:14.853 --> 24:14.655 and we believe that the best way 24:14.665 --> 24:16.974 forward is through diplomatic channels 24:16.984 --> 24:19.694 to resolve that um to , to , to avoid 24:19.704 --> 24:21.935 any further conflict . Um I'll take one 24:21.944 --> 24:24.635 more from the phone . Uh JJ Green WTO P . 24:28.209 --> 24:30.380 Thank you Sabrina for taking this . Um 24:30.400 --> 24:33.550 We heard , heard and have been 24:33.560 --> 24:35.719 reporting recently that the President 24:35.930 --> 24:37.810 is considering allowing Pentagon 24:37.819 --> 24:40.199 contractors to deploy to Ukraine . Is 24:40.209 --> 24:42.153 that a done deal ? Where does that 24:42.153 --> 24:44.939 stand ? And what are the limits uh on 24:44.949 --> 24:47.239 what they would do if and when they are 24:47.300 --> 24:50.079 deployed there ? Thanks JJ for the 24:50.089 --> 24:52.200 question . So , uh , we have not made 24:52.200 --> 24:54.790 any decisions when it comes to uh us 24:54.800 --> 24:56.800 contractors . I've seen some of the 24:56.800 --> 24:58.967 reporting out there . Um The president 24:58.967 --> 25:01.189 of course has been absolutely firm that 25:01.189 --> 25:03.078 there will be no US troops on the 25:03.078 --> 25:05.454 ground in Ukraine . Um But I'm just not 25:05.464 --> 25:07.242 going to comment any further on 25:07.242 --> 25:10.104 internal discussions or reports over 25:10.114 --> 25:12.594 something that may or may not even be 25:12.604 --> 25:14.715 under consideration . So , thanks for 25:14.715 --> 25:16.882 the question . JJ , happy to come back 25:16.882 --> 25:19.104 in the room if there's any additional , 25:19.104 --> 25:21.314 I think this is a little different . 25:23.395 --> 25:25.864 So President Putin has said that Russia 25:25.875 --> 25:27.931 will once again resume production of 25:27.931 --> 25:29.986 short range and medium range nuclear 25:29.986 --> 25:32.760 capable missiles , uh which had been a 25:32.770 --> 25:35.089 unilateral moratorium until in their 25:35.099 --> 25:37.439 words , the United States deployed 25:37.449 --> 25:39.479 these types of weapons . Um I guess 25:39.489 --> 25:41.880 he's citing reports that some weapons 25:41.890 --> 25:43.779 similar weapons have been sent to 25:43.779 --> 25:45.723 Denmark and to the Philippines for 25:45.723 --> 25:48.760 exercises . Um What is your comment on 25:49.099 --> 25:51.043 number one . Can you confirm those 25:51.043 --> 25:53.210 deployments ? Number two ? Can you say 25:53.210 --> 25:55.432 that ? Yes . Um , I mean , what kind of 25:55.432 --> 25:57.660 an impact this would have on you ? So , 25:57.689 --> 25:59.800 because I haven't seen these comments 25:59.800 --> 26:01.967 and I'm sorry , I just , I haven't , I 26:01.967 --> 26:04.189 haven't seen this , so I , I don't want 26:04.189 --> 26:06.356 to comment on something that I haven't 26:06.356 --> 26:06.209 seen . I can't confirm the deployments 26:06.219 --> 26:08.275 of those weapons . I'm happy to look 26:08.275 --> 26:10.497 into this for you though . Can I follow 26:10.497 --> 26:12.608 up on all these questions about J and 26:12.880 --> 26:15.979 um is this um a decision that the 26:15.989 --> 26:18.380 United States government would make as 26:18.390 --> 26:20.612 a whole ? In other words , since you've 26:20.612 --> 26:22.668 been talking about how USA ID is the 26:22.668 --> 26:24.779 lead humanitarian recognition , would 26:24.779 --> 26:26.946 they be , would they along with you in 26:26.946 --> 26:29.112 support of them be the ones that makes 26:29.112 --> 26:31.057 this decision or recommendation to 26:31.057 --> 26:33.670 continue uh with the Peer ? Should the 26:33.680 --> 26:36.013 staging area continue to fill up ? Yeah , 26:36.013 --> 26:38.180 this is an interagency effort . Uh The 26:38.180 --> 26:40.402 Peer wouldn't be successful without the 26:40.402 --> 26:42.180 efforts of us aid uh with state 26:42.180 --> 26:44.430 department with others um including the 26:44.439 --> 26:47.750 WFP other countries , NGO So absolutely 26:47.760 --> 26:50.093 any decisions when it comes to the peer . 26:50.160 --> 26:52.849 Um of course , it's an interagency 26:52.859 --> 26:55.099 conversation that happens . Um The 26:55.109 --> 26:57.165 actual operations , logistics of the 26:57.165 --> 26:59.420 Peers , for example , went to remove it 26:59.430 --> 27:01.652 for high sea States . That's a decision 27:01.652 --> 27:03.541 that the commander makes . But of 27:03.541 --> 27:05.540 course , like the viability um aid 27:05.550 --> 27:07.439 being able to flow off of it , we 27:07.439 --> 27:09.550 wouldn't have been able to do what we 27:09.550 --> 27:11.717 were able to do without the support of 27:11.717 --> 27:13.828 us aid . Um So of course , this is an 27:13.828 --> 27:16.050 interagency effort . Can you comment on 27:16.050 --> 27:18.161 the , uh , yesterday , the inspectors 27:18.161 --> 27:20.540 general from USA ID and um depending on 27:20.550 --> 27:23.010 launching reviews of J lots and the 27:23.020 --> 27:25.770 humanitarian aid delivery system , we 27:25.780 --> 27:27.891 certainly , uh , I , I mean , I can't 27:27.891 --> 27:30.002 comment on the specifics because it's 27:30.002 --> 27:32.169 an on , you know , the IG has launched 27:32.169 --> 27:34.391 its investigation . We're aware that it 27:34.391 --> 27:36.391 has launched an investigation um or 27:36.391 --> 27:39.130 review into the pure . Um you know , we 27:39.140 --> 27:42.140 certainly welcome that not opposed to 27:42.150 --> 27:44.180 any anyone looking into our efforts 27:44.189 --> 27:46.189 because I think we do have a lot of 27:46.189 --> 27:48.579 successes to speak to . Um not to 27:48.589 --> 27:50.533 mention the fact that I've already 27:50.533 --> 27:52.700 mentioned this , but I will mention it 27:52.700 --> 27:54.867 again of getting over £19 million you 27:54.867 --> 27:57.033 know , to the marshaling area um since 27:57.033 --> 27:59.380 May 17th . So I'm aware of it , but I 27:59.390 --> 28:01.501 just don't have more to add on that . 28:01.501 --> 28:03.557 Uh We'll go go to Phil , then you in 28:03.557 --> 28:05.779 the back and then we'll close that just 28:05.779 --> 28:07.723 a quick clarification . You'd said 28:07.723 --> 28:09.779 earlier to Laura that the US was not 28:09.779 --> 28:11.668 preparing uh any uh non combatant 28:11.668 --> 28:13.890 evacuation from Lebanon . But does that 28:13.890 --> 28:16.112 include like just general planning that 28:16.112 --> 28:18.223 the Pentagon would do in the event of 28:18.223 --> 28:20.223 any hostilities anywhere or are you 28:20.223 --> 28:19.359 talking about just the actual the 28:19.369 --> 28:22.089 movement of , of ships to carry one out ? 28:22.099 --> 28:24.321 I'm just trying to clear up what you're 28:24.321 --> 28:26.266 talking about , you're not talking 28:26.266 --> 28:28.488 about . So the purpose of the , the the 28:28.488 --> 28:30.989 wasp um are moving into towards the 28:31.000 --> 28:32.944 Eastern Mediterranean is not , its 28:32.944 --> 28:35.099 purpose is to not , is not to conduct 28:35.260 --> 28:37.839 um a type of neo or military assisted 28:37.849 --> 28:41.180 departure . Um It is there to ensure 28:41.189 --> 28:43.709 regional stability and deter aggression . 28:43.719 --> 28:46.060 It has many other capabilities . One 28:46.069 --> 28:48.800 being if there was a need for any type 28:48.810 --> 28:51.089 of departure , um it can be there to 28:51.099 --> 28:53.266 assist in that . But as you know , has 28:53.266 --> 28:55.266 a range of capabilities and , and a 28:55.266 --> 28:57.432 range of different mission sets it can 28:57.432 --> 28:59.377 accomplish . Um we are of course a 28:59.377 --> 29:01.488 planning organization . So we all are 29:01.488 --> 29:03.599 always thinking through those plans . 29:03.599 --> 29:07.109 But the purpose of moving um the Wasp 29:07.119 --> 29:10.050 into that into this A or one , I will 29:10.060 --> 29:12.116 also , you know , reiterate it was a 29:12.116 --> 29:14.116 scheduled deployment . Um and two , 29:14.116 --> 29:16.338 it's not , its purpose is again just to 29:16.338 --> 29:18.338 ensure regional stability and deter 29:18.338 --> 29:20.449 aggression . Yes , last question . Um 29:20.449 --> 29:22.616 This is kind of a broad question but I 29:22.616 --> 29:24.838 wanted to ask kind of an fy 2025 how is 29:24.838 --> 29:27.060 the secretary gonna continue to advance 29:27.060 --> 29:28.393 convergence and interop 29:28.393 --> 29:30.004 interoperability in terms of 29:30.004 --> 29:32.060 technologies and capabilities in the 29:32.060 --> 29:34.430 Indo Pacific region ? If there's 29:34.530 --> 29:36.641 anything you can highlight about what 29:36.641 --> 29:38.810 he's planning ? Well , I I mean , I 29:38.819 --> 29:41.689 think as you know , the Indo Pacific 29:41.699 --> 29:44.500 region and , and the N DS , which is 29:44.510 --> 29:47.349 our North Star um is always top of mind 29:47.359 --> 29:50.449 for the secretary and Um He just 29:50.535 --> 29:52.813 concluded his 10th visit to the region . 29:52.813 --> 29:54.479 So I think that shows you the 29:54.479 --> 29:57.015 importance of our priority theater . Um 29:57.125 --> 30:00.025 in terms of , you know , fy 25 I , I 30:00.035 --> 30:02.035 certainly wouldn't get ahead of the 30:02.035 --> 30:03.868 secretary , but I think the N Ds 30:03.868 --> 30:06.202 certainly guides our priorities and our , 30:06.202 --> 30:08.750 and our principles here . Um We are , 30:08.760 --> 30:10.871 of course , always monitoring what is 30:10.871 --> 30:13.189 happening in the , in the Indo Pacific 30:13.199 --> 30:15.088 you've seen under the secretary's 30:15.088 --> 30:17.310 leadership and expanded Cooper with the 30:17.310 --> 30:19.421 Philippines . You've seen a deepening 30:19.421 --> 30:21.643 of Cooper operation with India . Um You 30:21.643 --> 30:23.588 know , our , our commitment to the 30:23.588 --> 30:25.866 Korean Peninsula is stronger than ever . 30:25.866 --> 30:28.143 Um So I'll just leave it at that , but , 30:28.143 --> 30:30.199 you know , not getting ahead of , of 30:30.199 --> 30:32.310 the secretary , of course . Yeah , of 30:32.310 --> 30:31.660 course . All right . We'll wrap it 30:31.670 --> 30:32.469 there . Thanks everyone .