BRIGADIER GENERAL PAT RYDER: Good afternoon, everyone. All proper, earlier than I get to your questions, I might like to offer some vital context on the division’s ongoing efforts to maintain our folks, which is considered one of Secretary Austin’s high priorities. The secretary cares deeply about our troops and their households, and is grateful for all that they do worldwide on daily basis 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.
Right this moment, he issued a memo outlining a sequence of actions the division will take to enhance how we help our service members and their households and to handle in a complete means points that have an effect on stability and household readiness. As Secretary Austin highlights on this memo, navy households are the robust basis of our pressure, and caring for them is a nationwide safety crucial. Our navy has a few of the most superior gear, techniques and warfighting capabilities on this planet, however nothing is achieved with out the women and men who serve in our Armed Forces and the households that help them.
During the last 20 months, the secretary has met with service members throughout the nation and world wide. 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 navy life, whereas others comparable to speedy will increase in housing price are newer.
Right this moment’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 straight from the pressure, they usually replicate his dedication to the households who sacrifice on daily basis in an effort 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 navy 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 navy providers. Secretary Austin emphasised the sacred obligation that he and different DOD leaders should maintain our folks and the significance of speaking to the pressure about the right way to reap the benefits of the initiatives we’re asserting as we speak and our different efforts to help navy households.
Within the months to return, you will see a wide-ranging effort to offer data and lift consciousness about assets masking housing, childcare, grocery payments, job alternatives and extra. The secretary’s memo addresses 4 objectives.
First, ensuring fundamental wants are extra inexpensive to navy households. We’ll enhance fundamental allowance for housing charges in 28 markets the place we have seen common rental charge will increase of 20 p.c, and the secretary has directed the division to evaluation 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 navy households see financial savings of no less than 25 p.c on grocery payments, in comparison with their native market, an funding which means navy households will see decrease grocery payments on the commissary within the subsequent couple of weeks.
Second, making strikes simpler for households. We’ll lengthen protection for non permanent housing bills whereas shifting to present navy households extra flexibility by the transfer course of, and we’ll enhance dislocation allowance funds for enlisted troops from E-1 by E-6 to offset private bills from PCS strikes.
Third, strengthening help for households with kids. We proceed investments in childcare services, offering incentives to draw hard-to-find childcare professionals and broaden a pilot program that gives price help — free help for in-home childcare. Fourth — excuse me — price help for in-home childcare.
Fourth, serving to broaden employment choices for navy spouses. We’ll speed up efforts to make occupational license — licenses that spouses receive in a single state transferable to different states, increasing directing hiring authorities for the division to make use of extra navy spouses and launch a brand new Profession Accelerator Fellowship Program that matches navy spouses with potential employers, whereas additionally increasing the pool of firms which have made commitments to rent navy spouses.
These usually are not the primary steps that Secretary Austin has launched to maintain our folks. 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 biggest navy pay enhance in twenty years included within the president’s F.Y. ’23 Price range Request and historic reforms to curb the scourge of sexual assault and to stop 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 navy households on extra initiatives and alternatives to maintain our folks, and he’ll proceed listening to our troops and their households concerning the challenges and the pressures they face, and the methods we will help.
Taking good care of our folks strengthens our nationwide protection. It is also the proper factor to do, and Secretary Austin and the whole division are dedicated to assembly that sacred obligation to our troops and their households.
And with that, I am completely satisfied to take your questions. Let’s go forward and begin with A.P., I consider we’ve on the cellphone.
Q (Lita Baldor): Hello, Pat. Thanks. Two issues: One, there’s been growing rhetoric popping out of Russia on the threats to make use of nuclear weapons if Russian territory comes beneath assault. What’s the Pentagon’s touch upon that? Has there been any modifications 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 form of little information query. I believe you mentioned 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 form 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 intently with our worldwide companions and our allies on offering Ukraine with the help that it wants of their combat to defend their nation.
By way of the — the cash, for instance, the USAI cash is two-year cash, so that’s obtainable by 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 speak a bit of bit concerning the Pentagon’s evaluation of the 300,000 reservists — recruits which have been referred to 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 present them any minimal coaching to be minimally-combat-effective and deployed? Any really feel for that but?
GEN. RYDER: Certain. Effectively, I — I believe you are seeing loads of this in open press and by way of what — what the Russians themselves have mentioned 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 navy 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 might take time for Russia to coach and put together and equip these forces. And I believe it is vital additionally to level out right here that whereas in some ways this may increasingly handle a manpower situation for Russia, what’s not clear is whether or not or not it might 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 menace, to what extent has the nuclear — , that menace, 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 principally acquired a strategic victory in that respect, by way of purple traces that the U.S. now’s afraid to cross, by way of weapons shipments?
GEN. RYDER: So I believe 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 group, by way of our allies and our companions, on what are Ukraine’s wants. And we are going to proceed to have these conversations and we’ll proceed to assume by not solely what they want within the medium to long run but in addition what they want now.
So — so I do not see these conversations being impacted by this example. You already know, it — it — I believe it is vital 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 targets, and even these aren’t going effectively, 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 would not change the information — operational information on the bottom, that are that the Ukrainians will proceed to combat for his or her nation, the Russian navy is coping with some important challenges on the bottom, and the worldwide group will stand behind Ukraine as they combat to defend their nation from an invasion.
Q (Tony): Can I ask you one …
(Certain)
… one fast weapons query? To what extent are — is the availability — 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 degree, by way of whether or not you will present or not?
GEN. RYDER: So I am not going to get into any particular methods that could be beneath 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 take 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 am going to return out to the cellphone.
Q (Jim): Basic, simply to — simply to be clear, in your reply to Tony, you are saying that the Russian navy nonetheless has these command and management, the logistics issues, the — , simply provide sustainment, getting weapons to the locations, and by including 300,000 folks they’re simply compounding these issues?
GEN. RYDER: I — I imply, that — that is hypothesis however definitely if you’re already having important challenges and have not addressed a few of these systemic, strategic points that make any giant navy pressure succesful, there may be nothing to point that it is going to get any simpler by including extra variables to the equation.
Q (Jim): And — and simply to be clear, if — if President Biden referred to as up 300,000 Reservists, he’d get — he’d get a bunch of effectively educated people who — a lot of — most of them in — in — in items, in a position to 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 navy, I’ve by no means been within the Russian navy, I do not plan to ever be within the Russian navy, so I am not going to talk for them, however I — I believe we have seen a few of the systemic challenges that they’ve of their pressure and I — I believe they may have their work reduce out for them. Thanks.
Let me go forward and — again out to the cellphone 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 simply do have indications that Russia has approached North Korea to request munitions. So do you’ve got indications that the acquisition has really occurred now?
GEN. RYDER: Thanks for the query, Sangmin. So I — all I am going to say is we stand by the data 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 experiences that there have been (inaudible) service in — in Russia. So is — is your understanding that these 300,000 are the troops that might be launched into theater in Ukraine or a few of them could be changing different forces which are able to combat inside Russia? And by — and by that, I imply are you detecting any motion of latest forces to enter Ukraine from the Russian aspect or any indications there are — sure items are getting ready to enter Ukraine?
GEN. RYDER: Yeah, so — in order that’s actually a query for the — the Russian navy to handle, by way of how precisely they plan to make use of these forces. Once more, I believe 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 degree of operational element, is that we have seen indications of some small numbers of substitute forces being moved into Ukraine to primarily assist the Russian navy 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 intently as effectively.
OK, yeah?
Q (Liz): Thanks for taking my query. Since President Biden’s feedback on Sunday night time on Taiwan, has the U.S. seen any form of navy shifts by China within the Taiwan Strait?
GEN. RYDER: I am not conscious of any exercise that I might characterize as out of the odd at this stage, so thanks.
All proper, let me exit to the cellphone line right here actual fast after which I am going to come again to Barbara. Idrees?
Q (Idrees): Hey, Pat. You talked about, by way of the — I believe you mentioned it’d — it might 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 may be? Are we speaking weeks, months, subsequent yr?
And — and within the different sense of what number of people have already been form of handed the paper to begin 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 should control and — and I am not going to invest.
And by way of the present standing of that call-up, that — that is one thing that I might refer — should refer you to that the Russian Ministry of Protection. I haven’t got any data to offer on that.
Let me go to Barbara.
Q (Barbara): Can I come again and ask you just a few questions on the meals worth initiative you laid out, if I could? And I perceive you will have to take the questions. However are you speaking about really placing DoD funds or federal cash into the exchanges and having them straight — that is my first query.
GEN. RYDER: Certain.
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 provide you with a bit of little bit of context. And what I might let you know is that we’re posting some truth sheets to our web site on every of the initiatives that I laid out that can deep dive, that can present you and, importantly, our navy members and their households with loads of extra data.
However in essence for the commissaries particularly, what we have accomplished 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 in a position to 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 complete? How lengthy do you anticipate to have to do that? Is there a method check or is it any considered one of any rank and revenue that’s certified to buy in a commissary, can reap the benefits of these financial savings. Have you ever recognized meals merchandise comparable to wholesome meals that this can 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. navy would outline junk meals, I am going to go away that to you.
Sort of actually a a lot deeper take a look at the economics of it, as a result of I believe it has been fairly some time for the reason that federal authorities acquired 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 assessments, how lengthy, how a lot cash? When will ? What do it’s important 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 loads of questions there, Barbara. However, once more, I believe the very fact sheet that we’ll be capable of present it is possible for you to to reply a few of the extra detailed elements. And, once more, that might 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 is going to 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 take a look at costs within the , was once they have been shopping for their meals and adjusting costs. However inside two weeks you will see costs drop by 25 p.c within the commissary thus benefiting anyone who retailers there.*
This is applicable to primarily, , most merchandise within the commissary however specifically it is going to have an effect on staples like bread, milk, eggs as in comparison with grocery shops which are off-installation. And so once more loads of this has to go — goes again to the funding mannequin, in that beforehand, the commissaries had to make use of loads of the cash that they have been bringing in in an effort to keep a revenue margin, in an effort to maintain themselves.
They nonetheless have a requirement to pay for their very own working prices by legislation, they should dedicate roughly — let’s have a look at right here — effectively, we are able to get — once more, we are able to get you these numbers — I am sorry — gather a surcharge of 5 p.c to pay for commissary development, gear, upkeep, however the backside line is by decreasing the overhead that it takes to run a commissary, we’re now in a position to make use of these funds to assist scale back the costs of the meals within the commissary — and the — the important thing level right here being, for our navy 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 got that they may proceed to buy sufficient meals provides for his or her prospects and that there will not be shortages, as a result of they will not have the funds for that they are going to wish to keep their revenue margin and never put cash in 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 got from them that they may carry by on this and there will not be meals shortages?
GEN. RYDER: We’re — we’re assured with the — with the best way — with the best way that the commissaries are managed that primarily by altering the — the funding mannequin and going again to the mannequin that had been used some time in the past, we can 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 whole briefing on that — however — however, , the underside line here’s what our navy members and their households are going to see is, in very brief order, the flexibility to purchase meals at cheaper costs on the commissary, which is a part of our dedication to caring for our navy 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 mentioned in my — my opening remarks — that is — and I — and I am not exaggerating right here — that is actually private for Secretary Austin. He needs our navy women and men to have the ability to come house, to place meals on the desk, and to have the cash of their pocket that they want to have the ability to stay a wholesome life, a cushty life whereas they serve our nation.
And so that is considered one of his priorities — I imply, from day one, caring for folks. And so he has been working very intently with our management throughout the division, with the opposite providers to establish areas the place we are able to transfer out and take actions like this in an effort to assist our service members.
Q (Luis): And whenever you talked concerning the evaluation concerning the Ukraine — concerning the Russian mobilization, you mentioned that it might handle a few of their manpower …
GEN. RYDER: I mentioned that — that my — our evaluation is that it might doubtlessly handle a few of their manpower points.
Q (Luis): … Mr. Kahl had mentioned 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 depend 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 state of affairs in Ukraine?
GEN. RYDER: So broadly talking, Luis — Luis, what I might let you know 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 important updates for me to offer as we speak on that.
OK, let me return onto the cellphone line after which I am going to come over right here to Carla. Do we’ve 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 let you know is that the DOD nonetheless requires that navy members be vaccinated. As — as we have mentioned earlier than, it is a readiness situation, it is a warfighting situation.
If we’ve to deploy forces world wide, much like the opposite forms 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 am going to 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. navy have any function 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 they usually can offer 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 retailers a few USV that appeared on a seaside in Crimea. I used to be questioning in the event you 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 in the event you’re in a position to — and also you might need to take this for the file — I used to be questioning if if the navy and the Pentagon even have the flexibility to offer the FDA licensed Pfizer and Moderna photographs or in the event that they’re nonetheless utilizing EUA licensed of these photographs?
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 experiences on the market a few — I believe 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 — could be prioritizing their considerations 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 believe, , we have — we have supplied this to others as effectively — is that this was merely an administrative transfer throughout the division, by way of simply serving to to raised 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 providers. 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 navy therapy services? And is there any effort — I imply, is there going to be any try to offer that data going ahead?
GEN. RYDER: Whenever you say present that data?
Q (Courtney): If any navy therapy services have supplied abortion providers 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 cellphone actual fast, after which I am going to — I am going to come to you. All proper. Sylvie from AFP.
Q (Sylvie): Hi there. Thanks. I wish to return to Putin’s nuclear menace. 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 needs to annex?
GEN. RYDER: Sure, thanks, Sylvie. Sure, I am not going to touch upon Russian nuclear coverage. What I might let you know is that — that, , from the place we sit proper now we’ve not seen something that may trigger us to alter our personal posture. Definitely we’ll proceed to — to look at this intently and take any sort of rhetoric significantly. However once more at this stage we have seen nothing that may 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 acquired a letter asking the secretary to evaluation — from Congress asking to hurry the evaluation or to go along with that evaluation. Within the final 24 hours has there been any progress on — on taking a look at that exact case for Ukraine?
GEN. RYDER: Thanks. Initially, what I might say by way of congressional correspondence, , it might 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 sort of particular gear to Ukraine, it is one thing that we’re all the time 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 it’s possible you’ll recall, indicated that we’re — issues that we’re contemplating as we glance into this embody expertise, safety, survivability within the Ukrainian battlespace. And so — after which after all the opposite factor we’ve to assume by like on any system are readiness impacts on our personal pressure, on this case notably 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 keep up a sturdy dialogue with Ukraine and the worldwide group about what we, the worldwide group, can do to help 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 believe that there are about 286 of these methods in the USA Army’s arsenal proper now. And so they’re going by fairly expensive tech refresh. So ought to the taxpayer be involved concerning the survivability of these 280-some odd methods or the 4 that the Ukraine — it is the Ukrainian battle area, notably expensive for — for these methods …
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. On the subject of the employment of U.S. navy capabilities, once more, I might refer you to the Army to speak about their very own methods.
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 methods, it is extra than simply the plane, it is a wide range of capabilities which are supporting these plane. So there’s lots that goes into using any kind of plane.
So I simply spotlight these as elements that, like all system, we must keep in mind earlier than we introduce it to the battlefield. Thanks.
OK, let — let me go forward right here after which I am going to return out to the cellphone. Sure, sir?
Q : Thanks, Basic. Relating to to different space, like Syria, do you’ve got any communications or contact with the Russia counterpart to keep away from any conflicts between the 2 armies, particularly, , we’ve a — a — U.S. bases in Syria, and extra for — that we’ve even Russian troops there.
GEN. RYDER: Yeah, so we do keep common military-to-military contact with Russia, the Russian navy, because it pertains to Syria. You already know, I talked about — the opposite day about the truth that notably 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 they usually can offer you rather more element.
Let me exit to the cellphone 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 in the event you might — if I might ask particularly what does the Pentagon assess is the — extra — the standard of the people who Putin is asking up? I do know these are speculated to be former troops however what sort of coaching have that they had and how much 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 precise people that could be affected by a Russian partial mobilization, once more, I am seeing loads of the identical press reporting that you’re that is — that is popping out of Russia. And so I — I definitely wouldn’t wish to speculate or generalize about particular people. I — I simply do not have that data 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 help 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 in opposition to 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 data on that, so let me take that query for you. Thanks.
OK, let me do yet one more for the cellphone right here after which do final couple right here within the room. Kasim from Anadolu?
Q (Kasim): Yeah, thanks very a lot, Basic, for taking my query. I used to be going to ask concerning the — this prisoner swap. Primarily based on the — the data you’ve got, might you simply inform us if — what number of different U.S. veterans are presently combating in Ukraine? Are — are — are there some 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 data that we monitor essentially right here within the Division of Protection. Clearly, our focus is on our — our actively serving navy 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 may observers take a look at that as a lower than refined message to China of this new U.S. functionality that, later this decade, might be flying?
GEN. RYDER: Yeah, so the Secretary’s definitely conscious of the Air Drive’s announcement. I — I might refer you to the Air Drive to speak by the specifics. After all, a part of that is the — the traditional 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 aptitude that it’s going to present to the USA navy and to our allies and companions world wide, it — it definitely does ship a message, by way of our potential to offer world strike anyplace, 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 all the time, we’ll proceed to make it possible for after we do have one thing to announce, we are going to announce it.
So — all proper, thanks very a lot, everyone. I respect it.
* ED. NOTE: Following the briefing, Brig Gen Ryder subsequently clarified that service members and their households will quickly see a 3-5 p.c lower in pricing on most grocery objects of their commissaries. DoD is altering the commissary funding mannequin to make sure the Protection Commissary Company can present the best financial savings attainable, which is able to reduce grocery costs on the register to realize no less than 25% financial savings for commissary patrons. Please see DoD’s truth sheet for extra data relating to this initiative at: https://obtain.militaryonesource.mil/12038/MOS/Factsheets/commissary-factsheet.pdf)
