BRIGADIER GENERAL PAT RYDER: Good afternoon, all people. Just a few objects to move alongside, after which we’ll get proper to your questions.
So tomorrow, Secretary Austin will depart to California and Hawaii, and in California, he’ll meet with sailors and Marines at Naval Base Level Loma and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, respectively. Whereas in Hawaii, he’ll meet with a number of of our key Indo-Pacific allies, to incorporate his counterparts from the Philippines, Japan and Australia to debate our shared dedication to preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific. Secretary Austin can even meet with Rear Admiral John Wade, who leads the Joint Process Drive Pink Hill, to obtain an replace on the trouble to soundly and expeditiously defuel the Pink Hill Bulk Gasoline Storage Facility.
As well as, this afternoon, Secretary Austin will welcome His Excellency David Kabua, president of the Republic of Marshall Islands, for a gathering on the U.S.-Marshall Islands strategic and safety relationship. The secretary seems ahead to the dialogue, after which we’ll present a readout.
Individually, the division continues to observe intently as Florida prepares for the arrival of Hurricane Ian, an especially harmful storm that is anticipated to convey heavy rain, wind and storm surge to the state’s west coast. As of this morning, the Florida Nationwide Guard has greater than 3,200 troopers and airmen on state lively responsibility, with one other 1,800-plus within the pipeline. Florida has pre-positioned Guard troopers, airmen and tools at bases and armories across the state in preparation for deploying them to areas impacted by the storm. These Guardsmen will present route clearing, search-and-rescue groups to assist flood management and safety. Aviation property like helicopters are additionally on standby to help as required.
Moreover, 5 neighboring states are ready to make a further 2,000-plus Guardsmen accessible, ought to the necessity come up. The Federal Emergency Administration Company, FEMA, is the lead federal company on this response, and the Division of Protection stays in shut communication and coordination with FEMA as Ian’s landfall turns into imminent.
In preparation for the storm, the DOD has authorized Maxwell Air Drive Base, Alabama, Moody Air Drive Base, Georgia, Warner Robins Air Drive Base, Georgia, and Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany, additionally in Georgia, as incident assist base federal staging areas. For questions regarding particular person DOD bases I might refer you to the person providers, who can offer you essentially the most up-to-date details about their personnel and their efforts.
Lastly, later at this time, the division will launch our newest report on civilian casualties in reference to the US navy operations in 2021. This report is launched yearly by the division, and that is the fifth yr of its launch. As , the DOD is dedicated to bettering our strategy to mitigating and responding to civilian hurt, and on August twenty fifth this yr, the secretary launched the Civilian Hurt Mitigation and Response Motion Plan, which lays out a collection of actions DOD will implement to mitigate and reply to civilian hurt. The safety of harmless civilians within the conduct of operations stays very important to the final word success of our operations, and is a big strategic and ethical crucial. This report will probably be posted to the protection.gov web site at this time.
And with that, I am completely happy to take your questions. We’ll go forward and begin with Lita. Sure, ma’am?
Q: Thanks, Pat. A pair simply fast follow-ups. Final week, you mentioned you had been going to verify again on whether or not any of both the PDA, USAI — any of the funding related to Ukraine would expire on the finish of this fiscal yr. Do you’ve gotten a solution to that but? And…
GEN. RYDER: Positive.
Q: I am going to provide you with, for those who can — OK.
GEN. RYDER: So what I might say is as I perceive it, so the — the USAI cash, as we talked about, is two-year cash, so — and that’s an appropriation in order that — that will not be affected. The PDA cash is, as I perceive it, an authorization, which signifies that authorization is nice till the tip of the fiscal yr. I might spotlight that it isn’t the tip of the fiscal yr but, so there’s nonetheless time, doubtlessly, to — to make use of that authorization. Ought to we come to the tip of the fiscal yr, as , the administration has requested for supplemental funding, and so primarily what we might look to do is use that new authorization to buy PDA, ought to we go right into a — a separate fiscal yr.
Q: So only a couple different issues. And have you learnt the precise quantity that you simply assume will expire? I imply, you have acquired actually simply a few days.
GEN. RYDER: Yeah.
Q: After which I am going to…
GEN. RYDER: Positive. So proper now, we now have $2.275 billion till September 30.
Q: After which on Ukraine, two issues: Have you ever seen any change or any motion by Russia to prepared their nuclear forces in any manner? I do know that this can be a repetitive query, however simply to ask it once more. And have you ever seen any shifts in Russian pressure posture general as these annexations votes begin to get launched? And something about any extra troops coming in, any effort to shore up areas — something like that?
GEN. RYDER: Positive. So broadly talking, , as — as we have mentioned, we clearly take these threats critically. However at this stage, we have not seen something that will trigger us to regulate our personal nuclear posture presently. And as — and as we have mentioned beforehand, our focus continues to stay on supporting Ukraine of their struggle and dealing intently with our allies and companions.
By way of Russian pressure posture, broadly talking, with out moving into an in depth operational replace, no, no main shifts apart from we proceed to see, significantly within the Donbas area, the Russians’ try to conduct offensive operations in — in that space, with Ukraine efficiently holding the road.
OK, we’ll go to Janne.
Q: Thanks.
I’ve a (inaudible) that in China and Taiwan and Korea our first (pressure ?) they had been (inaudible) a nuclear plane provider arrived there to (inaudible) port, and US and ROK have maritime workouts going proper now. On the meantime, China additionally conduct counter-response train within the west sea. Concerning these, how are you going to touch upon these? What sort of a message does this train give to North Korea?
GEN. RYDER: Positive. So does — let — let me make certain I absolutely perceive. You are asking concerning the — the plane provider, the Reagan, what message does that ship?
Nicely, only for the — the advantage of the group, so the Ronald Reagan Service Strike Group started a collection of workouts within the East Sea with the Republic of Korea Navy September twenty sixth, they usually’ll undergo the twenty ninth. And these are meant to strengthen maritime interoperability and ways, strategies and procedures between our — our two navies. And as , the U.S. routinely conducts provider strike group operations within the waters across the Republic of Korea to train maritime maneuvers, strengthen the U.S. and ROK alliance and enhance regional safety.
Q: And China — when China invaded Taiwan, concerning the contingent plan with U.S. contingency plan on the China and Taiwan battle, and may the US Forces in South Korea be concerned with the — in case of a dispute between China and Taiwan, below the mutual protection treaty between the U.S. and South Korea?
GEN. RYDER: OK. Sorry there, Janne, I — I used to be ready in your query. So that you’re asking if — if this…
Q: … this battle between China and Taiwan, is that this, , below the mutual protection treaty between U.S. and South Korea, so South Korea must be concerned with this?
GEN. RYDER: So I’ve seen the — the press reporting on that. Actually, I might — I might refer you to the federal government of the Republic of Korea for feedback on — on that. Broadly talking, what I might say is that U.S. Forces Korea stays dedicated to the U.S.-ROK alliance and sustaining the excessive degree of readiness and strong mixed protection posture to defend ROK’s sovereignty and to assist U.S. nationwide pursuits within the area.
Q: As a result of lots of professional from Korean peninsula and in addition former USFK commanders in the US, they’re saying that if something occurs between China and Taiwan, there will probably be USFK involvement…
GEN. RYDER: Yeah, so I — no, I admire it. I am not going to invest on hypotheticals. So once more, I believe that the U.S. presence in Korea — we now have a really longstanding alliance and a protracted historical past of working intently collectively to defend the Korean Peninsula and defend U.S. pursuits within the area.
So let me go forward and go to the subsequent query. Tony?
Q: I wish to return to the nuke query first. Are you — are you able to say categorically that the US has not seen any motion by tactical nuclear Russian navy models that will trigger alarm?
GEN. RYDER: Yeah, thanks, Tony. So I do not wish to get into intelligence particularly, apart from to once more simply say that we have seen nothing that will point out that we have to change our posture.
Q: Shifting gears to the NASAM — on Sunday, there was a substantial amount of worldwide confusion about whether or not the US had delivered NASAM programs to Ukraine. That is based mostly on a defective Face The Nation transcript, that they later corrected, nevertheless it brought about a tither all through the world. Are you able to give us a actuality verify right here? When will the primary NASAMS truly be delivered? Gained’t it take about two years from the August twenty sixth contract date?
GEN. RYDER: So — and I briefed this a pair weeks in the past — yep, completely — so simply to make clear, the U.S. has not delivered NASAMS to Ukraine at this stage. We anticipate the primary two to be delivered throughout the subsequent two months or so.
Q: Two months?
GEN. RYDER: Two months or so, proper. That’ll be from tranche three. After which the remaining six that had been a part of the USAI are anticipated to be delivered sooner or later. I haven’t got a date to offer however these will probably be long term.
Q: Might I ask — as a result of the contract, when it got here out in August, mentioned it might be accomplished by August of 2024, implying two years.
GEN. RYDER: Once more, I believe there’s — nothing’s modified. I believe it is two totally different tranches of NASAMS that we’re speaking about right here. So we are able to get you the small print, however once more, the primary two are anticipated to be supplied throughout the subsequent two months or so.
Q: Are they going to return from U.S. shares, from the…
GEN. RYDER: No, these are those produced by trade, as I perceive it. OK.
Sure, sir?
Q: On the civilian casualty report, clearly I have not seen it, might you give us sort of the broad outlines of that report? I am assuming the numbers should be comparatively low trigger there’s not a lot taking place overseas.
But additionally, I am questioning if a few of the adjustments that we have seen not too long ago on making an attempt to scale back civilian casualties, is that going to be mirrored on this report? And the way ought to we view that?
GEN. RYDER: Positive. No, I admire the query. What I might ask you to do is obtain the report, check out it. Actually, once more, after this briefing, we are able to get that to you after which be completely happy to entertain a extra detailed dialogue.
Given the truth that — , the scope of the work, I do not wish to essentially offer you half info right here from the rostrum. So we’ll make certain to get that for you proper after this. Thanks.
Let me go to Carla after which I am going to go to Kasim.
Q: Thanks. On Ukraine, in regards to the Nord Stream pipeline, there leaking. European officers are saying it was sabotage, pointing to Russia. Ukraine has mentioned it’s — it was Russian sabotage. Russia is pointing to the US. What can the Pentagon say about that? Do you’ve gotten any proof that vessels within the Baltic Sea might have been answerable for this?
GEN. RYDER: Yeah, thanks, Carla. Seen the press reporting on this at this level however I haven’t got any info on it to offer. We’ll proceed to observe intently clearly. Thanks.
Let me go to Kasim.
Q: Common, thanks. Turkey yesterday issued a diplomatic protest to the US for Greece deploying U.S.-provided armored tactical automobiles to the islands with no navy standing (inaudible) below two — (inaudible) standing below two treaties. Is there — is there any U.S. navy exercise, coaching, happening within the japanese area? My — that is my first query.
And second, what’s your response to the Turkish protest to the US?
GEN. RYDER: Yeah, thanks, Kasim. So I am not conscious of any workouts. You realize, actually would encourage you to succeed in out to U.S. European Command. However I am not conscious of any particular workouts in the mean time.
After which broadly talking, as all the time, , Greece and Turkey are each crucial NATO allies. We’d encourage either side to proceed to have interaction in constructive dialogue to ease potential tensions. However past that, I haven’t got something additional to offer. Thanks.
Let me go to Lara after which I am going to…
Q: Only a follow-up query, Common
GEN. RYDER: One observe up.
Q: Yeah, one observe up. Thanks. So there’s an rising criticism in Ankara that theUnited States navy deployment in japanese Greece is definitely inflicting — exacerbating the tensions, contributing to the escalation between the 2 international locations. Do you agree with that? What’s your…
GEN. RYDER: So by way of the bilateral relationship between the U.S. and Turkey, I believe, , clearly Turkey’s an extremely vital NATO companion and ally, however I am not going to, from this podium, have interaction in diplomacy. So once more, we’ll proceed to work intently with our NATO companions, to incorporate Turkey, and positively I might encourage you to succeed in out to the State Division for any sort of official U.S. response. Thanks.
Lara?
Q: Positive. I had two questions.
One, I needed to get your evaluation of the Iranian drones that we now have seen. We noticed movies out of Ukraine that they’ve hit Odesa, in concentrating on civilian infrastructure and concentrating on the Ukrainian Armed Forces. What’s your evaluation of the injury that these drones are doing? And might you give us extra details about what sorts of drones that we’re seeing? And do you anticipate any extra deliveries of those types of weapons from Iran?
GEN. RYDER: Positive. So we do assess that the Russians now are utilizing the Iranian drones that we have talked about previously — that had been delivered to Russia, that we do assess that they’re now utilizing them in Ukraine.
By way of their effectiveness, I do not wish to present a battle injury evaluation right here from the rostrum or get into particular intelligence, apart from to say once more we have seen them make use of them.
I – we have additionally seen reviews of the Ukrainians capturing down a few of these drones. Once more, I am not going to get into particular numbers however we assess that these are credible.
And so I believe, once more, it is simply indicative of the Russians using a functionality that we all know they’ve sought out from Iran they usually’re utilizing the best way they indicated they might use them, proper, for each kinetic assaults and ISR.
However past that, at this level I am actually not going to have the ability to get on to extra element.
Q: Have you ever see the missiles from North Korea arrive in Russia but?
GEN. RYDER: So past the knowledge we supplied earlier than, which is that we now have indications that Russia is looking for assist from North Korea for ammunition, I am not going to have something additional at this stage.
OK. Let me soar out to the telephones right here after which I am going to come again within the room. Let’s go along with Heather from USNI.
Q: Nice. Thanks a lot. I used to be questioning for those who can share anymore particulars about what the Secretary of Protection will probably be doing in Hawaii when he meets with John Wade about Pink Hill?
GEN. RYDER: Positive. So actually the important thing factor right here is that this continues to be a prime precedence for the Secretary and for the Division. He desires to fulfill with Admiral Wade to obtain an replace on efforts to soundly and expeditiously defuel the Pink Hill facility. So this would be the alternative for the secretary to offer his ‘secretary’s intent’ so to talk, first hand, and get an opportunity to speak with the duty pressure management staff.
OK, let me do another from the cellphone right here. Let’s go to Hye Jun Search engine marketing from Radio Free Asia.
Q: Hello, thanks for taking my query. I’ve two, if I’ll. First, the ROK vice nationwide protection minister mentioned that the U.S. and ROK are intently monitoring the actions of North Korea making ready a SLBM launch. Did the U.S. see any indications of North Korea’s SLBM assessments?
And second, the U.S. vp is touring to the DMZ and Seoul on the twenty ninth. Is the Pentagon placing extra safety measures to North Korea’s potential missile check throughout her go to?
GEN. RYDER: Yeah, so in your final query, clearly for safety causes I am not going to enter particulars on the sorts of assist to offer apart from the Division of Protection helps our senior management wherever they go and gives no matter assist is required.
In your first query, I admire the query, I am not going to have the ability to speak about any potential intelligence that we could or could not have because it pertains to North Korea and any potential future missile launches. However thanks.
OK. Let me return to the room right here. Oren?
Q: Common, I used to be simply questioning for those who might give a bit extra element, you talked about on the finish of Lita’s query, Russian offensive operations, significantly in Donbas. Is that the one place at this level they’re making an attempt to conduct or conducting offensive operations?
Are they having any success there whether or not it is a few kilometers or none in any respect? And have their operations been in a position to have an effect on in any manner Ukraine’s counter offensive, disrupt it in some style?
GEN. RYDER: So once more, recognizing that actually the Ukrainians are the precise of us to speak intimately, typically talking what you see is, once more, within the Donbas area there, the Russians with parts of the Wagner group trying to primarily take territory. I believe I’ve talked about beforehand we have seen a whole bunch of meters, in some instances, however nothing that I might take into account vital.
The Ukrainians have, to this point, performed a very good job of holding the road there and repulsing these offensive operations. The way in which I might characterize the north and the south on the Russian aspect is basically defensive at this stage. The Ukrainians proceed to make deliberate motion ahead.
And so, sure, that is the place I might depart it. Thanks.
OK, let me return out to the cellphone and I am going to come again within the room right here. Phil Stewart from Reuters.
Q: Hey there, thanks. Pay attention, I notice you’ll be able to’t go into intel issues however there’s numerous concern concerning the Russian nuclear threats. I am questioning, , does the assertion that the Pentagon doesn’t see something that will trigger it to regulate this nuclear posture imply that there hasn’t been any Russian exercise? Is that definitive?
And likewise how does the Russian threats of nuclear escalation play into how NATO’s nuclear alliance is considering transferring ahead with its assist to Ukraine? Thanks.
GEN. RYDER: Yeah, certain. So Phil, I might say to your first query, I am not going to have something totally different to offer apart from, once more, we now have not seen something — or have any motive to regulate our posture at this stage.
By way of the impression on U.S. and worldwide unity and efforts to assist Ukraine, as we have mentioned earlier than, our focus will proceed to be on working collectively to assist Ukraine as they struggle to defend their nation.
And so I do not see any change in that presently.
Thanks. OK. Dan.
Q: Thanks, sir. Two hurricane associated questions please. First, with the storm showing to be heading towards the headquarters of CENTCOM and Particular Operations Command, any lodging you’ll be able to converse to there, any considerations the secretary has about what that might imply, how you intend for that. After which on the second, we have seen loads of storms previously that lively responsibility forces all the time additionally become involved; do you anticipate that right here as effectively?
GEN. RYDER: So by way of, , in your final query, by way of lively responsibility forces; so actually proper now, once more, DOD is in assist to FEMA. And naturally, the Florida state authorities additionally performs a key function in that is effectively proper. So we’ll proceed to remain intently aligned with FEMA and dealing with the state authorities and the Nationwide Guard. So I do not actually wish to speculate on what sort of assist could also be required sooner or later.
By way of CENTCOM and SOCOM, once more, actually they may reply in additional element however what I might let you know is that hurricanes hitting the state of Florida usually are not new. There are very complete contingency plans which might be put collectively to deal with these kind of eventualities to insure that there is 24/7 connectivity and command and management functionality.
So the underside line is neither of these instructions will miss a beat no matter whether or not the storm hits within the Tampa space or not. Thanks.
OK. Let me return as much as the cellphone. Luis Martinez, ABC.
Q: Hello, sir. Simply two fast questions. One on Hurricane and one on Ukraine. Do you’ve gotten a — have you learnt what number of ships or what number of forces or bases have been reorganized or moved round on account of, upfront of, the hurricanes coming?
GEN. RYDER: I haven’t got that proper in entrance of me, Luis, however we are able to get that for you.
Q: OK. And on Ukraine, it is truly extra a Russia query, you have spoken previously about how the Russian mobilization could not impression the battlefield. Are you able to discuss to us about these photographs that we’re seeing inside Russia of those lengthy convoys at border checkpoints, individuals being upset with these native mobilization officers. What does that talk to? What’s the Pentagon’s tackle that? Thanks.
GEN. RYDER: Nicely, it is actually one thing that we’re keeping track of because it pertains to Russia’s general readiness and skill to mobilize forces, primarily, once more, as a result of that is a part of the broader battle in Ukraine and positively might impression future situations there on the battlefield.
As for the response of the Russian individuals, that is actually not for me to say. I believe you’ll be able to all watch that and make your individual conclusions on that. From a operational standpoint, from a navy standpoint, as we mentioned beforehand, main and managing any massive navy group is a monumental enterprise in and of itself which requires a excessive diploma of experience relating to issues like logistics, sustainment, recruiting, equipping, et cetera. And so once more, we simply proceed to see a few of the challenges that the Russian navy faces and can proceed to face. All that mentioned, it’s one thing that we must proceed to take critically, and I do know the Ukrainians will proceed to take critically by way of what the impression will probably be longer-term on the battlefield. Thanks.
OK, let me go to J.J. Inexperienced, after which I am going to come again to the room right here.
Q: Common, thanks for the prospect to ask this query. You have spoken earlier than about Russia making an attempt to drag — making an attempt to assert itself because the sufferer and utilizing that as a name to attempt to rally assist, however these lengthy strains that Luis talked about appear to recommend that that will not be working, however that will simply be a small slice of what is actually happening. Do you’ve gotten a broader image of how this immobilization goes?
GEN. RYDER: Nicely, once more, yeah, to your earlier remark there, I imply, if we step again by way of what we have all been watching play out over the past yr or so, Russia invaded Ukraine, not the opposite manner round. And so it — they’re the aggressor right here, and clearly haven’t achieved their strategic goals when it got here to their preliminary navy goals inside Ukraine. And consequently, , we have seen them battle with command and management. We have seen them battle with logistics. We have seen them battle with sustainment and with troop morale. And now with this mobilization, it is an effort to deal with the general manpower challenges that the Russian navy is dealing with. And once more, it provides one other degree of complexity to an already-challenging systemic scenario relating to using these troops.
So we’ll proceed to regulate it. Within the meantime, our focus, the U.S. focus is working very intently with the worldwide group to assist Ukraine of their struggle, which is able to proceed to be a troublesome and tough struggle within the days forward.
GEN. RYDER: Thanks, J.J.
Sir?
Q: Thanks, Common. Two separate questions, first on the mobilization. There are, , reviews and video footage of, as you talked about, Russia having a difficult time, truly using these troops and sending them out and supplying them, primarily, whether or not it is ballistic vests or medical tools. Lots of these troops are having to go and procure these themselves. Does the DOD assess that the Russian navy would not even be capable to maintain a full mobilization, since they’re having a lot bother with a partial one?
GEN. RYDER: So, , I do not wish to essentially overstate it and say that we’re — , or touch upon Russia’s capacity to totally mobilize. I believe undoubtedly, based mostly on what you are seeing on — , play out within the open press is that they are going to have challenges assembly these numbers. All that mentioned, , we’ll proceed to observe and we’ll proceed to see how this performs out. Thanks.
Let me do — yeah, go forward.
Q: All proper, then, the U.S. Coast Guard introduced that they’ve noticed Chinese language and Russian ships off the coast of Alaska. I am curious what the DOD is seeing on that entrance, and if that is a standard prevalence that is been taking place, or has that spiked not too long ago?
GEN. RYDER: So we have seen Russia and China, , sail collectively earlier than, and so my understanding is that these — sailings, — they had been crusing in worldwide waters, so no points there. However clearly, , we’ll proceed to observe that and within the meantime, , I might suggest you contact the Coast Guard. They might have extra info on that. Thanks.
All proper, let me soar again out to the cellphone right here actual fast. I’ve acquired Caitlin from the New York Put up.
Q: Hello. I’ve truly been requested and answered. Thanks a lot.
GEN. RYDER: All proper, Jeff Schogol, Process & Function?
Q: Thanks. In August, a senior navy official estimated that the Russians have suffered 80,000 casualties. Are you able to present an up to date estimate of what number of casualties the Russians have suffered, and embrace a breakdown of what number of of these are killed?
GEN. RYDER: Yeah, thanks for the query, Jeff. I haven’t got any updates to offer at this time past what we have supplied beforehand. Clearly, the battlefield continues to be a really harmful place and a variety of casualties, however I haven’t got any particular numbers to offer. Thanks.
GEN. RYDER: OK, let me go to Sylvie, AFP.
Q: Howdy. Thanks. I want to observe up on Phil’s query on the nuclear risk. You say that you do not see something that will make U.S. change its nuclear posture. Do — what would set off a change of posture? Wouldn’t it be easy Russian actions, or would you await Russia to make use of a nuclear weapon?
GEN. RYDER: Yeah, thanks, Sylvie. So I do not wish to essentially get into our ways or our procedures apart from to say that we preserve an entire host of capabilities and confirmed processes to deal with any potential threats of that sort. So within the meantime, once more, simply to reiterate, we have seen nothing that will trigger us to alter our posture. We’ll proceed to observe this very intently. We’ll proceed to take it very critically. However within the meantime, once more, there — we have seen nothing that will point out a necessity to alter our specific posture. Thanks.
OK, let me go to Fadi, after which Jim.
Q: Thanks, Common. So we’re watching two occasions unfolding on the similar time at this time, the tip of the so-called referendum within the territories that had been occupied by Russia. However, you’ve gotten the mobilization no matter the kind of challenges the Russians are dealing with. Is your evaluation that the Russians nonetheless have the urge for food or the strategic goal of capturing extra Ukrainian territories, or in mild of the referendum and the mobilization, the purpose of this extra manpower is to carry what they’ve now inside Ukraine?
GEN. RYDER: Yeah, so two issues on that. One, , initially, finally, that is for Russia to resolve. Nonetheless, we have seen no indication that they’ve any intention of fixing their general purpose, which is to take over Ukraine, proper?
And so I believe, once more, what we noticed from the, , earlier a part of this battle was they weren’t in a position to meet these broader strategic goals, and they also scaled again and altered these goals. And so this newest effort to conduct the sham referenda are an effort to primarily attempt to change the narrative and distract from the truth that they aren’t assembly their goals.
All that to say, no indication that they intend to cease preventing anytime quickly, and as I’ve talked about, and others have talked about, Russia might finish this battle tomorrow, however within the meantime, we’ll proceed to assist the Ukrainians of their struggle to defend their nation and their sovereign territory. Thanks.
Let me go to Jim after which I am going to return out to the cellphone.
Q: Yeah, thanks, Common. Previously, you have been speaking concerning the Russians not studying from their errors and never, , fixing their logistical issues or fixing their personnel issues. And it strikes me that the Ukrainians are studying from this and their ways, strategies and procedures have gotten truly higher as they’ve gone alongside within the final six months.
What is the distinction? Why is one aspect studying, the opposite aspect not?
GEN. RYDER: Yeah — no, I admire the query, Jim. So I — , I do not wish to attempt to get contained in the minds of the Russians or the Ukrainians, apart from to say you are proper, the Ukrainians have improvised, overcome and tailored very effectively on the battlefield. And I believe partly is that they’re defending their sovereign territory, they’re preventing for his or her homeland. They’ve one thing very pricey to struggle for and in opposition to a neighbor who has invaded them.
So by way of why the Russian navy has carried out so poorly, that is a query they’re going to should reply. It’s a reality, and within the meantime, we’ll simply proceed to assist the Ukrainians of their struggle. Thanks.
Let me do another on the cellphone right here after which we’ll shut it off within the room right here. Ashley from Janes.
Q: Hello. It has been about two months for the reason that Air Drive was named the acquisition authority for homeland and cruise missile protection and I needed to form of get an replace of form of the place issues stand with getting — it isn’t simply going to be the Air Drive however the different providers coming collectively, probably MDA, after which wanting on the finances — simply to see form of what the OSD strategy is and the timeline for transferring ahead on such an structure?
GEN. RYDER: Thanks for the query, Ashley. As you spotlight, with the Air Drive being the manager agent on that, I might refer you to them and they need to be capable to offer you the most recent on that. Thanks.
OK, we are able to do another within the room right here after which gesundheit. Sir?
Q: Only a observe up on Russia, we now have seen for over months Russians have faltered so much on the battlefield, they misplaced so much, they provide a variety of casualties — however we’ve not seen Russians present — utilizing their superior arms that they’ve showcased for a very long time, like S-400s, Su-35s, and all different superior missiles. What’s the evaluation? What’s the perception on the Pentagon? Why Russians usually are not utilizing these?
GEN. RYDER: Yeah, I actually — Kasim, I actually cannot reply that. That is a — actually a query for the Russian navy to deal with. Yeah, I actually cannot reply that. So — OK, thanks very a lot, all people. Admire it.
