BRIGADIER GENERAL PATRICK RYDER: Good afternoon, all people. All proper, earlier than I get to your questions, I might like to offer some essential context on the division’s ongoing efforts to deal with our individuals, which is one among Secretary Austin’s prime priorities. The secretary cares deeply about our troops and their households, and is grateful for all that they do worldwide daily to defend our nation. By way of the course of his duties and through his travels, the secretary has made it some extent to talk with and listen to from service members to thank them and listen to what’s on their minds.
As we speak, he issued a memo outlining a sequence of actions the division will take to enhance how we assist our service members and their households and to handle in a complete manner points that have an effect on stability and household readiness. As Secretary Austin highlights on this memo, army households are the robust basis of our power, and taking good care of them is a nationwide safety crucial. Our army has a few of the most superior gear, ways and warfighting capabilities on the earth, however nothing is achieved with out the women and men who serve in our Armed Forces and the households that assist them.
Over the past 20 months, the secretary has met with service members throughout the nation and all over the world. He is seen their dedication to the mission, however he is additionally heard from them concerning the extraordinary pressures they face. Some, such because the challenges of PCS strikes and spouses having to seek for new jobs are enduring options of army life, whereas others equivalent to speedy will increase in housing value are newer.
As we speak’s actions are a direct response of what the secretary has heard from our service members. A few of these initiatives are concepts that got here immediately from the power, and so they replicate his dedication to the households who sacrifice daily with the intention to serve. The secretary believes these efforts will solely achieve success in the event that they’re simply accessible to the viewers that basically issues: our service members and our army households. To that finish, Secretary Austin met yesterday with Chief Grasp Sergeant Ramon Colon-Lopez, the senior enlisted advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs, and the senior enlisted advisors from every of the army companies. Secretary Austin emphasised the sacred obligation that he and different DOD leaders must deal with our individuals and the significance of speaking to the power about the best way to make the most of the initiatives we’re saying as we speak and our different efforts to assist army households.
Within the months to come back, you may see a wide-ranging effort to offer info and lift consciousness about assets overlaying housing, childcare, grocery payments, job alternatives and extra. The secretary’s memo addresses 4 objectives.
First, ensuring primary wants are extra inexpensive to army households. We’ll increase primary allowance for housing charges in 28 markets the place we have seen common rental price will increase of 20 p.c, and the secretary has directed the division to overview forthcoming 2023 BAH charges to make sure these charges replicate the dynamic nature of the present housing market throughout the board.
We’re surging funding into the commissary system to drop costs on the register in order that army households see financial savings of no less than 25 p.c on grocery payments, in comparison with their native market, an funding which means army households will see decrease grocery payments on the commissary within the subsequent couple of weeks.
Second, making strikes simpler for households. We’ll prolong protection for short-term housing bills whereas shifting to offer army households extra flexibility via the transfer course of, and we’ll enhance dislocation allowance funds for enlisted troops from E-1 via E-6 to offset private bills from PCS strikes.
Third, strengthening assist for households with kids. We proceed investments in childcare services, offering incentives to draw hard-to-find childcare professionals and increase a pilot program that gives charge help — free help for in-home childcare. Fourth — excuse me — charge help for in-home childcare.
Fourth, serving to increase employment choices for army spouses. We’ll speed up efforts to make occupational license — licenses that spouses get hold of in a single state transferable to different states, increasing directing hiring authorities for the division to make use of extra army spouses and launch a brand new Profession Accelerator Fellowship Program that matches army spouses with potential employers, whereas additionally increasing the pool of firms which have made commitments to rent army spouses.
These aren’t the primary steps that Secretary Austin has launched to deal with our individuals. These actions observe an preliminary financial safety memo issued final November, the Meals Safety Initiative that the division launched in July, the proposal for the most important army pay enhance in 20 years included within the president’s F.Y. ’23 Price range Request and historic reforms to curb the scourge of sexual assault and to forestall suicide in our ranks.
These are additionally not the final steps that Secretary Austin and DOD leaders plan to take. The secretary is dedicated to working with service leaders, members of Congress and with advocates for army households on extra initiatives and alternatives to deal with our individuals, and he’ll proceed listening to our troops and their households concerning the challenges and the pressures they face, and the methods we might help.
Taking good care of our individuals strengthens our nationwide protection. It is also the precise factor to do, and Secretary Austin and the complete division are dedicated to assembly that sacred obligation to our troops and their households.
And with that, I am comfortable to take your questions. Let’s go forward and begin with A.P., I consider now we have on the telephone.
Q (Lita Baldor): Hello, Pat. Thanks. Two issues: One, there’s been rising rhetoric popping out of Russia on the threats to make use of nuclear weapons if Russian territory comes below assault. What’s the Pentagon’s touch upon that? Has there been any adjustments to any posture in any respect, or any requests for — by any of the allies for elevated safety in regard to these newest statements?
After which I’ve one — one type of little information query. I feel you stated the opposite day that there is $2.2 billion or so remaining in PDA till September thirtieth. Does all of that expires — I am simply type of double-check. Does all of that expire if not utilized by the thirtieth, or is that — is there any transfer that that’s prolonged? Thanks.
GEN. RYDER: Yeah, thanks very a lot, Lita. By way of the statements or the bulletins popping out of Russia, it does — it doesn’t have an effect on the division’s dedication to proceed working carefully with our worldwide companions and our allies on offering Ukraine with the assist that it wants of their battle to defend their nation.
By way of the — the cash, for instance, the USAI cash is two-year cash, so that’s obtainable via September of 2023. By way of the — the funding for the PDAs, I’ll get again to you on that query.
OK, let me go forward and go to the room right here. Tony?
Q (Tony): Are you able to discuss a bit of bit concerning the Pentagon’s evaluation of the 300,000 reservists — recruits which were known as up by Putin by way of, the place does the pool come from? Largely, the place will it come from? And roughly how lengthy will it take to offer them any minimal coaching to be minimally-combat-effective and deployed? Any really feel for that but?
GEN. RYDER: Positive. Nicely, I — I feel you are seeing a whole lot of this in open press and by way of what — what the Russians themselves have stated by way of the place these forces would come from, and my understanding is these would primarily be reservists or members of the — the Russian army that had retired and have been in a particular person ready-reserve kind of standing. All of that to say, it is our evaluation that it could take time for Russia to coach and put together and equip these forces. And I feel it is essential additionally to level out right here that whereas in some ways this will likely handle a manpower situation for Russia, what’s not clear is whether or not or not it may considerably handle the command and management, the logistics, the sustainment, and importantly, the morale points that we have seen Russian forces in Ukraine expertise.
Q (Tony): And if I can get a separate query, on the observe up on Lita’s query concerning the nuclear risk, to what extent has the nuclear — , that risk, veiled or no matter, inhibited the USA from sending over longer vary weapons, like ATACMS, tanks of some sort, different weapons? I imply, have the Russians mainly obtained a strategic victory in that respect, by way of crimson traces that the U.S. now could be afraid to cross, by way of weapons shipments?
GEN. RYDER: So I feel we have been very clear all alongside that our focus is on persevering with to have a really open and — and rigorous dialogue with our Ukrainian counterparts and the worldwide neighborhood, by way of our allies and our companions, on what are Ukraine’s wants. And we’ll proceed to have these conversations and we’ll proceed to suppose via not solely what they want within the medium to long run but additionally what they want now.
So — so I do not see these conversations being impacted by this case. You already know, it — it — I feel it is essential right here too to — to offer a bit of little bit of context, within the sense that if we return in time a bit of bit, it — Ukraine — Russia invaded Ukraine and tried to annex all of Ukraine, , by advantage of invading them, failed in that strategic goal, and they also scaled down the scope of their operational aims, and even these aren’t going properly, on account of Ukraine’s counter-offensive and the problems that I’ve highlighted, by way of logistics and sustainment.
So by making these kind of bulletins about sham referenda or threats about attacking territory, it does not change the info — operational info on the bottom, that are that the Ukrainians will proceed to battle for his or her nation, the Russian army is coping with some vital challenges on the bottom, and the worldwide neighborhood will stand behind Ukraine as they battle to defend their nation from an invasion.
Q (Tony): Can I ask you one …
(Positive)
… one fast weapons query? To what extent are — is the supply — offering of U.S. tanks, M1A1s or A2s — I suppose it would be A2s although — is that within the interagency debate proper now at — at any stage, by way of whether or not you may present or not?
GEN. RYDER: So I am not going to get into any particular programs that could be below dialogue. Once more, we have supplied a wide range of capabilities that the Ukrainians are utilizing to nice impact and we will proceed to have these discussions and — and have a look at a wide range of capabilities within the days forward. So thanks.
Let me go forward and go to Jim after which I will return out to the telephone.
Q (Jim): Common, simply to — simply to be clear, in your reply to Tony, you are saying that the Russian army nonetheless has these command and management, the logistics issues, the — , simply provide sustainment, getting weapons to the locations, and by including 300,000 individuals they’re simply compounding these issues?
GEN. RYDER: I — I imply, that — that is hypothesis however actually in case you are already having vital challenges and have not addressed a few of these systemic, strategic points that make any massive army power succesful, there may be nothing to point that it may get any simpler by including extra variables to the equation.
Q (Jim): And — and simply to be clear, if — if President Biden known as up 300,000 Reservists, he’d get — he’d get a gaggle of properly skilled people who — a lot of — most of them in — in — in items, capable of transfer out in, like, days, weeks or months. That is not what the Russians are going to get, proper?
GEN. RYDER: Once more, I am — I am not within the Russian army, I’ve by no means been within the Russian army, I do not plan to ever be within the Russian army, so I am not going to talk for them, however I — I feel we have seen a few of the systemic challenges that they’ve of their power and I — I feel they are going to have their work lower out for them. Thanks.
Let me go forward and — again out to the telephone right here. Let’s go to Sangmin Lee from Radio Free Asia.
Q (Sangmin): Sure, I’ve a query on the indication that Russia really bought weapons from North Korea. You talked about earlier than that you just do have indications that Russia has approached North Korea to request munitions. So do you’ve gotten indications that the acquisition has really occurred now?
GEN. RYDER: Thanks for the query, Sangmin. So I — all I will say is we stand by the knowledge that we supplied earlier, and past that, I haven’t got any extra updates to offer. Thanks.
Fadi?
Q (Fadi): … so I am going to return to your — to your reply concerning the — the reviews that there have been (inaudible) service in — in Russia. So is — is your understanding that these 300,000 are the troops that shall be launched into theater in Ukraine or a few of them is perhaps changing different forces which can be able to battle inside Russia? And by — and by that, I imply are you detecting any motion of latest forces to enter Ukraine from the Russian facet or any indications there are — sure items are making ready to enter Ukraine?
GEN. RYDER: Yeah, so — in order that’s actually a query for the — the Russian army to handle, by way of how precisely they plan to make use of these forces. Once more, I feel within the context of the challenges that Russia finds itself in proper now, because it pertains to Ukraine and as evidenced by the — the rationale that was supplied by President Putin and others, by way of why they’re calling up these forces, it is clear that it is supposed to assist complement and increase the broader militaries as they conduct this — their — their operations in Ukraine. However by way of the specifics, Fadi, that — that is simply not one thing I’ve perception into.
After which the second a part of your query? I am sorry.
Q (Fadi): Has the Pentagon detected any transfer — new motion or — or indications that new items are being ready to — to enter in Ukraine?
GEN. RYDER: Yeah, so what — what I might say, once more, with out getting right into a — a excessive stage of operational element, is that we have seen indications of some small numbers of substitute forces being moved into Ukraine to basically assist the Russian army shore up a few of their defensive traces, however — however nothing on a — on a big scale at this stage.
Once more, the battle fleet — battlefield stays very fluid, very dynamic. And so, once more, that is one thing that we’ll proceed to watch, and I do know clearly the Ukrainians are monitoring very carefully as properly.
OK, yeah?
Q (Liz): Thanks for taking my query. Since President Biden’s feedback on Sunday evening on Taiwan, has the U.S. seen any type of army shifts by China within the Taiwan Strait?
GEN. RYDER: I am not conscious of any exercise that I might characterize as out of the abnormal at this stage, so thanks.
All proper, let me exit to the telephone line right here actual fast after which I will come again to Barbara. Idrees?
Q (Idrees): Hey, Pat. You talked about, by way of the — I feel you stated it would — it could take a while for them to coach and — and equip the — the parents that they are mobilizing. Is there a way of how lengthy that might be? Are we speaking weeks, months, subsequent 12 months?
And — and within the different sense of what number of people have already been type of handed the paper to start out mobilizing for the reason that announcement was made?
GEN. RYDER: Thanks, Idrees. So — so actually, , what I might say is time will inform. It is simply one thing we’ll must control and — and I am not going to take a position.
And by way of the present standing of that call-up, that — that is one thing that I might refer — must refer you to that the Russian Ministry of Protection. I haven’t got any info to offer on that.
Let me go to Barbara.
Q (Barbara): Can I come again and ask you a number of questions on the meals value initiative you laid out, if I could? And I perceive you’ll have to take the questions. However are you speaking about really placing DoD funds or federal cash into the exchanges and having them immediately — that is my first query.
GEN. RYDER: Positive.
Q (Barbara): Immediately handle costs and decrease costs themselves, is that what you are speaking about?
GEN. RYDER: Form of. Let me — let me simply offer you a bit of little bit of context. And what I might inform you is that we’re posting some truth sheets to our web site on every of the initiatives that I laid out that may deep dive, that may present you and, importantly, our army members and their households with a whole lot of extra info.
However in essence for the commissaries particularly, what we have performed is we have modified the commissary funding mannequin to make sure that the Protection Commissary Company is ready to present financial savings by eliminating the requirement for them to earn a revenue margin from greater costs to pay their working prices. So in different phrases, they’re capable of now use that cash as an alternative to place into shopping for down the prices of meals.
Q (Barbara): OK. So let me observe up on that. Are you able to present us with how a lot cash are you speaking about in whole? How lengthy do you count on to have to do that? Is there a method take a look at or is it any one among any rank and earnings that’s certified to buy in a commissary, can make the most of these financial savings. Have you ever recognized meals merchandise equivalent to wholesome meals that it will apply to or does this additionally apply to junk meals?
GEN. RYDER: Are you able to outline junk meals for me?
Q (Barbara): I used to be going to say, nevertheless the U.S. army would outline junk meals, I will depart that to you.
Form of actually a a lot deeper have a look at the economics of it, as a result of I feel it has been fairly some time for the reason that federal authorities obtained concerned in a few years in controlling something associated to meals costs. Are you apprehensive the commissaries can have sufficient of a revenue margin to remain in enterprise? Are you apprehensive that this now places you in direct competitors with the personal meals sector? However particularly means exams, how lengthy, how a lot cash? When will ? What do you need to see in meals costs to cease this, to name a conclusion to this effort? Simply…
GEN. RYDER: Sure, so let’s — so there’s a whole lot of questions there, Barbara. However, once more, I feel the actual fact sheet that we’ll be capable of present it is possible for you to to reply a few of the extra detailed features. And, once more, that shall be obtainable on-line to everybody right here afterwards. What I might say initially is with regard to your query who advantages from this, anybody who can store at a commissary will profit from this. It should take impact, you’ll most likely see inside two weeks as a result of each two weeks is when the commissaries go and they’re going to have a look at costs within the , was after they have been shopping for their meals and adjusting costs. However inside two weeks you may see costs drop by 25 p.c within the commissary thus benefiting anyone who retailers there.
This is applicable to basically, , most merchandise within the commissary however specifically it may have an effect on staples like bread, milk, eggs as in comparison with grocery shops which can be off-installation. And so once more a whole lot of this has to go — goes again to the funding mannequin, in that beforehand, the commissaries had to make use of a whole lot of the cash that they have been bringing in with the intention to keep a revenue margin, with the intention to maintain themselves.
They nonetheless have a requirement to pay for their very own working prices by regulation, they must dedicate roughly — let’s have a look at right here — properly, we are able to get — once more, we are able to get you these numbers — I am sorry — accumulate a surcharge of 5 p.c to pay for commissary building, gear, upkeep, however the backside line is by decreasing the overhead that it takes to run a commissary, we’re now ready to make use of these funds to assist cut back the costs of the meals within the commissary — and the — the important thing level right here being, for our army members and their households, to have the ability to, , handle their — their wants and — and help them.
Q (Barbara): … a really fast observe up — if they’re decreasing, at your route, their revenue margin, what assure do you’ve gotten that they are going to proceed to buy sufficient meals provides for his or her clients and that there will not be shortages, as a result of they will not manage to pay for that they’ll wish to keep their revenue margin and never put cash in the direction of these cheaper meals costs, subsequently maybe having a scarcity as a result of they will not wish to spend the cash on it? What ensures do you’ve gotten from them that they are going to carry via on this and there will not be meals shortages?
GEN. RYDER: We’re — we’re assured with the — with the way in which — with the way in which that the commissaries are managed that basically by altering the — the funding mannequin and going again to the mannequin that had been used some time in the past, we will maintain and there won’t be meals shortages related to this.
Once more, we are able to go forward and take your query. I — I do not wish to spend, — yeah — spend the — the complete briefing on that — however — however, , the underside line here’s what our army members and their households are going to see is, in very brief order, the power to purchase meals at cheaper costs on the commissary, which is a part of our dedication to taking good care of our army households and those that serve.
Let me go to Luis.
Q (Luis): … observe up on the commissary questions and two Ukraine questions, if I could.
Was this motion prompted by the inflation triggers of current months or was this one thing that was already within the work beforehand, was …
GEN. RYDER: Completely not. So that is — precisely like I stated in my — my opening remarks — that is — and I — and I am not exaggerating right here — that is actually private for Secretary Austin. He desires our army women and men to have the ability to come residence, to place meals on the desk, and to have the cash of their pocket that they want to have the ability to reside a wholesome life, a cushty life whereas they serve our nation.
And so that is one among his priorities — I imply, from day one, taking good care of individuals. And so he has been working very carefully with our management throughout the division, with the opposite companies to determine areas the place we are able to transfer out and take actions like this with the intention to assist our service members.
Q (Luis): And once you talked concerning the evaluation concerning the Ukraine — concerning the Russian mobilization, you stated that it could handle a few of their manpower …
GEN. RYDER: I stated that — that my — our evaluation is that it could probably handle a few of their manpower points.
Q (Luis): … Mr. Kahl had stated a few weeks in the past, , between 70 and 80,000, like, Russian casualties. Is there a — a extra correct evaluation of the Russian casualty rely since then?
GEN. RYDER: I — I haven’t got any updates to offer on that.
Q (Luis): Now, what’s the newest operational replace on the scenario in Ukraine?
GEN. RYDER: So broadly talking, Luis — Luis, what I might inform you is that we proceed to see Ukrainian forces conduct their counter-offensive operations within the Kharkiv, within the Kherson areas. The Russians proceed to conduct operations within the Bakhmut space, with the Ukrainians holding a line, however — however largely talking, no vital updates for me to offer as we speak on that.
OK, let me return onto the telephone line after which I will come over right here to Carla. Do now we have Ellen from Synopsis?
Q (Ellen): Hello. Thanks a lot. There have been a few calls on — from congressmen to have the DOD drop the COVID vaccine mandate, in response to recruiting issues and in response to the President calling the pandemic over. I used to be questioning if the Pentagon has an official response to this?
GEN. RYDER: So I haven’t got any particular feedback to make, in — by way of congressional requests. Broadly talking, what I might inform you is that the DOD nonetheless requires that army members be vaccinated. As — as we have stated earlier than, it is a readiness situation, it is a warfighting situation.
If now we have to deploy forces all over the world, much like the opposite varieties of vaccinations that we’re required to have, we have to be sure that our forces are — are able to go. Thanks, ma’am.
GEN. RYDER: … after which I will come again to Heather at USNI — Heather
Q: Hello …
Q: Carla Babb.
(CROSSTALK)
Q: … there’s a Heather Babb so I perceive that.
(LAUGHTER)
GEN. RYDER: Yeah. That is the issue with studying this …
(CROSSTALK)
Carla after which (Heather ?)?
Q (Carla Babb): … simply actual rapidly on Syria, the assault that was thwarted close to Al-Hol by SDF forces — did the U.S. army have any position or have any enter into serving to the SDF with that assault? And if that’s the case, are you able to give us some extra particulars on that?
GEN. RYDER: Thanks, Carla. So what I might say is I am not conscious of any U.S. or DOD involvement in that. I’m conscious of CENTCOM’s assertion on that, so I might — I might refer you to them and so they can give you some extra particulars on that. Thanks.
OK, now for actual, let me go to Heather, USNI.
Q (Heather) : Nice, thanks a lot. Two questions unrelated to one another. However the first is that there’s a — been reporting on social media and in some shops a couple of USV that appeared on a seashore in Crimea. I used to be questioning if you happen to can verify that this USV did seem? And likewise, if that was one of many USVs that the USA supplied again in April?
After which on the vaccine mandate, I used to be questioning if you happen to’re capable of — and also you might need to take this for the file — I used to be questioning if if the army and the Pentagon even have the power to offer the FDA licensed Pfizer and Moderna pictures or in the event that they’re nonetheless utilizing EUA licensed of these pictures?
GEN. RYDER: … on — in your second query, we’ll — we’ll take that one and — and are available again to you.
By way of the — the — the reviews on the market a couple of — I feel you name it — name it a sea car — yeah, we — I haven’t got something on that. Thanks.
OK, sir?
Q: … only a fast query about — one other congressional query. Republicans are saying that shifting the Taiwan desk from the East Asia workplace and into the portfolio of the brand new Deputy — Deputy Assistant Secretary of Protection for China sends a sign to Beijing that we’re — is perhaps prioritizing their issues over Taiwan’s? What is the DOD’s response to individuals who may maintain that view?
GEN. RYDER: Yeah, so what I — what I might say — and — and I feel, , we have — we have supplied this to others as properly — is that this was merely an administrative transfer throughout the division, by way of simply serving to to higher handle it — their — nobody ought to actually learn into it an excessive amount of. Thanks.
Courtney?
Q (Courtney): Only a fast observe up on the questions from a few days in the past concerning the abortion companies. The VA introduced that they’ve supplied their first abortion at a V.A. facility. Has DoD — are you able to present any details about army remedy services? And is there any effort — I imply, is there going to be any try to offer that info going ahead?
GEN. RYDER: Whenever you say present that info?
Q (Courtney): If any army remedy services have supplied abortion companies to — for the reason that Dobbs determination?
GEN. RYDER: I am not conscious of any. Once more, Courtney, let me take that query for you. Sure, and I haven’t got any updates to offer from the final time we — we talked. So thanks.
Now let me return to the telephone actual fast, after which I will — I will come to you. All proper. Sylvie from AFP.
Q (Sylvie): Howdy. Thanks. I wish to return to Putin’s nuclear risk. Is it the evaluation of the Pentagon that it has — Putin has shifted the — Russia’s nuclear weapon use coverage and that it’s going to apply to the — to the Ukrainian territories that Moscow desires to annex?
GEN. RYDER: Sure, thanks, Sylvie. Sure, I am not going to touch upon Russian nuclear coverage. What I might inform you is that — that, , from the place we sit proper now now we have not seen something that might trigger us to alter our personal posture. Definitely we’ll proceed to — to look at this carefully and take any type of rhetoric severely. However once more at this stage we have seen nothing that might point out that we have to change any strategy from our perspective. Thanks.
Q: Thanks.
GEN. RYDER: OK.
Sir?
Q (Mike): Ukraine requested for 4 MQ1C Grey Eagles and yesterday Secretary Austin obtained a letter asking the secretary to overview — from Congress asking to hurry the overview or to go along with that overview. Within the final 24 hours has there been any progress on — on taking a look at that exact case for Ukraine?
GEN. RYDER: Thanks. To start with, what I might say by way of congressional correspondence, , it could be inappropriate for me to speak about that from the rostrum and will definitely reply to Congress accordingly. What I might say by way of offering any type of particular gear to Ukraine, it is one thing that we’re at all times discussing. We’re conscious that Ukrainians have requested for Grey Eagles or have an curiosity in Grey Eagles. No choices have been made in that regard. Deputy Beneath Secretary for Coverage Baker lately, as chances are you’ll recall, indicated that we’re — issues that we’re contemplating as we glance into this embrace expertise, safety, survivability within the Ukrainian battlespace. And so — after which after all the opposite factor now we have to suppose via like on any system are readiness impacts on our personal power, on this case significantly the Army. So, once more, no choices have been made in that regard.
I might spotlight the truth that all through the course of this battle, going as far again to the primary tranche of USAI, Ukraine Safety Help Initiative, we been offering Ukraine with a wide range of ISR capabilities: 22 Pumas, we supplied ScanEagles, we supplied Switchblades, Phoenix Ghost. And so once more we proceed to take care of a strong dialogue with Ukraine and the worldwide neighborhood about what we, the worldwide neighborhood, can do to assist Ukraine. However that is the place we’re at at this level.
Q (Mike): So on these couple of factors from Ms. Baker the opposite day, survivability and readiness impacts, going simply off the highest of my head, I feel that there are about 286 of these programs in the USA Army’s arsenal proper now. They usually’re going via fairly expensive tech refresh. So ought to the taxpayer be involved concerning the survivability of these 280-some odd programs or the 4 that the Ukraine — it is the Ukrainian battle house, significantly expensive for — for these programs …
GEN. RYDER: Yeah, so let’s — so let’s not combine apples and oranges right here. You already know, what we’re speaking about is safety help to Ukraine. Relating to the employment of U.S. army capabilities, once more, I might refer you to the Army to speak about their very own programs.
Definitely, we will contemplate a wide range of choices, by way of how we make use of these sorts of capabilities, the working environments that we make use of them in. No — and simply broadly talking as an airman, after we do make use of aerial programs, it is extra than simply the plane, it is a wide range of capabilities which can be supporting these plane. So there’s so much that goes into using any kind of plane.
So I simply spotlight these as elements that, like all system, we must have in mind earlier than we introduce it to the battlefield. Thanks.
OK, let — let me go forward right here after which I will return out to the telephone. Sure, sir?
Q : Thanks, Common. Relating to to different space, like Syria, do you’ve gotten any communications or contact with the Russia counterpart to keep away from any conflicts between the 2 armies, particularly, , now we have a — a — U.S. bases in Syria, and extra for — that now we have even Russian troops there.
GEN. RYDER: Yeah, so we do keep common military-to-military contact with Russia, the Russian army, because it pertains to Syria. You already know, I talked about — the opposite day about the truth that significantly the airspace there may be — is contested. And so going way back to the counter-ISIS marketing campaign — the early days of the counter-ISIS marketing campaign, when Russia launched forces, that has been a longstanding coverage and strategy.
And I might encourage you to contact Central Command or Air Forces Central and so they can give you rather more element.
Let me exit to the telephone right here. Lara Seligman, Politico?
Q (Lara): Hey, Pat. Thanks for doing this. Two questions.
One, I simply wished to observe up on the questions concerning the mobilization, and I am questioning if you happen to may — if I may ask particularly what does the Pentagon assess is the — extra — the standard of the those who Putin is asking up? I do know these are alleged to be former troops however what sort of coaching have that they had and what sort of distinction will they make on the battlefield?
After which a associated query, what’s the Pentagon’s evaluation of what Ukrainian forces are going to want for the winter? And the way are we serving to them with that?
GEN. RYDER: Yeah. Thanks, Lara. By way of the particular people that could be affected by a Russian partial mobilization, once more, I am seeing a whole lot of the identical press reporting that you’re that is — that is popping out of Russia. And so I — I actually wouldn’t wish to speculate or generalize about particular people. I — I simply do not have that info to offer.
By way of Ukraine and the winter, as, , evidenced by the PDA announcement that we put out lately, we’re — we’re — we do proceed to speak with the Ukrainians and — and our worldwide companions and allies by way of what their wants could also be for the wintertime — and once more, we’re offering some winter gear — however we’ll proceed to have these conversations and assist them as we — as we head into the winter months right here. Thanks.
All proper. Sure, ma’am?
Q (Wafaa): Is the DOD going to launch investigations to look into the accusations made towards the U.S. forces in Iraq of the killing of Iraqi youngsters in Abu Ghraib lately by a bullet?
GEN. RYDER: I haven’t got any info on that, so let me take that query for you. Thanks.
OK, let me do another for the telephone right here after which do final couple right here within the room. Kasim from Anadolu?
Q (Kasim): Yeah, thanks very a lot, Common, for taking my query. I used to be going to ask concerning the — this prisoner swap. Primarily based on the — the knowledge you’ve gotten, may you simply inform us if — what number of different U.S. veterans are at present combating in Ukraine? Are — are — are there every other veterans by the hands of Russians?
GEN. RYDER: Yeah, thanks, Kasim. So I — I might refer you to the State Division, by way of the standing of U.S. residents abroad. That — that is not info that we monitor essentially right here within the Division of Protection. Clearly, our focus is on our — our actively serving army members. Thanks.
All proper, do one or two extra right here. Sure, Tony?
Q (Tony): … service this week made an enormous splash, saying that their B-21 bomber’s going to be unveil — rolled out in first week of December. Did Secretary Austin have any hand in that call to permit it to be rolled out? And will observers have a look at that as a lower than refined message to China of this new U.S. functionality that, later this decade, shall be flying?
GEN. RYDER: Yeah, so the Secretary’s actually conscious of the Air Power’s announcement. I — I might refer you to the Air Power to speak via the specifics. After all, a part of that is the — the conventional maturation of the B-21 program.
And in — by way of sending a message, I — I might simply broaden the aperture right here and simply say, , by advantage of the B-21 and the potential that it’s going to present to the USA army and to our allies and companions all over the world, it — it actually does ship a message, by way of our skill to offer world strike wherever, anytime.
Q (Tony): … this decade clearly.
A fast housekeeping — what is the standing of the Nationwide Protection Technique, which you management versus the White Home?
GEN. RYDER: Thanks, Tony. I — I haven’t got any updates to offer for you now, however as at all times, we’ll proceed to ensure that after we do have one thing to announce, we’ll announce it.
So — all proper, thanks very a lot, all people. I recognize it.
