WEBVTT 00:01.060 --> 00:02.360 - Good afternoon everyone. 00:04.300 --> 00:06.410 First, I'd like to pay tribute 00:06.600 --> 00:08.763 to former First Lady, Barbara Bush. 00:09.940 --> 00:13.270 Mrs. Bush had many roles with great significance, 00:13.270 --> 00:14.303 to many people. 00:15.400 --> 00:19.863 To the military, she was a Navy wife, a ship sponsor, 00:20.530 --> 00:24.543 and a devoted advocate of the men and women in uniform, 00:25.050 --> 00:27.233 whom she treated like family. 00:28.370 --> 00:30.870 Our thoughts and prayers are with the Bush family, 00:31.440 --> 00:35.083 as they celebrate the life and memory of Mrs. Bush. 00:38.170 --> 00:40.240 Today I will discuss the 00:40.240 --> 00:43.560 Defense Department cloud initiative, 00:43.560 --> 00:45.663 and provide an update on Syria. 00:46.610 --> 00:47.633 On the cloud, 00:48.240 --> 00:51.110 the current Department of Defense IT infrastructure 00:51.480 --> 00:54.263 is a federated legacy environment, 00:54.480 --> 00:56.523 based on earlier technology. 00:57.470 --> 01:00.880 DoD's move to the cloud will rapidly deliver advantages 01:00.880 --> 01:05.233 to the battlefield by enabling new machine learning, 01:05.580 --> 01:08.173 and artificial intelligence capabilities. 01:08.830 --> 01:11.880 Transitioning from legacy systems to the cloud 01:12.200 --> 01:15.503 will improve security, data assess ability, 01:15.830 --> 01:18.283 affordability, and performance, 01:18.870 --> 01:20.300 for both the war fighter 01:20.940 --> 01:23.553 and business operations across the department. 01:24.750 --> 01:28.520 The department is best served by a highly competitive 01:28.770 --> 01:32.743 and innovative technology industrial base. 01:33.230 --> 01:36.083 We are looking for a fully interoperable, 01:36.350 --> 01:41.083 user friendly, affordable, and secure cloud solution. 01:42.810 --> 01:46.923 Acquiring software is not like acquiring ships or planes, 01:47.610 --> 01:50.260 but we must adhere to the same acquisition language 01:50.260 --> 01:51.173 and laws. 01:51.920 --> 01:55.690 This contract is an example of how we are modernizing 01:55.690 --> 01:58.913 the department, and reforming the way we do business. 01:59.470 --> 02:01.913 So I want to separate fact from fiction. 02:02.470 --> 02:04.523 What it is, and what it is not. 02:05.260 --> 02:08.090 We are conducting a full and open competition 02:08.400 --> 02:12.303 to acquire the best cloud capability for the war fighter. 02:13.502 --> 02:16.113 It is a single award contract. 02:16.830 --> 02:19.823 It is not a sole source contract, 02:19.950 --> 02:23.480 and it is not designed with a specific vendor 02:23.570 --> 02:25.253 or company in mind. 02:26.170 --> 02:30.080 In fact, multiple vendors may form a partnership 02:30.280 --> 02:32.893 to offer us a competitive solution. 02:33.940 --> 02:38.523 It is a two year contract with two option periods. 02:39.040 --> 02:42.963 That means the initial contract award is only two years. 02:43.620 --> 02:45.703 It is not a ten year contract. 02:46.100 --> 02:49.653 The single award strategy is appropriate today, 02:50.210 --> 02:52.163 because of the current marketplace. 02:52.680 --> 02:55.193 After the initial two year contract period, 02:55.400 --> 02:57.403 we will reexamine the marketplace, 02:57.500 --> 03:00.740 and make a decision about the capabilities we need 03:00.810 --> 03:02.993 for the next option period. 03:03.650 --> 03:06.293 We are excited about the future of the DoD cloud. 03:06.760 --> 03:10.253 46 companies have already responded to the draft RFP. 03:10.930 --> 03:13.853 We wanted competition, and now we have it. 03:14.850 --> 03:18.560 Ultimately, we want the best cloud capability, 03:18.560 --> 03:19.653 for the war fighter. 03:22.190 --> 03:26.680 On Syria, our strikes last Friday were successful 03:26.920 --> 03:29.143 in degrading Syria's chemical weapons, 03:29.200 --> 03:31.303 research and storage facilities, 03:31.610 --> 03:35.163 without a single report of a civilian casualty. 03:36.006 --> 03:39.196 This is a testament to the professionalism 03:39.196 --> 03:43.007 and precision of the U.S., U.K., 03:43.080 --> 03:45.983 and French forces that carried out this mission. 03:47.040 --> 03:50.380 As we expected, Russia immediately began 03:50.380 --> 03:53.990 a misinformation campaign to hide its complicity 03:54.150 --> 03:56.363 by sowing doubt and confusion. 03:57.310 --> 04:00.663 Following our operations, Russia falsely claimed, 04:00.910 --> 04:03.770 Syrian air defense has shot down a significant number 04:03.770 --> 04:08.163 of missiles when in fact, we hit all of our targets. 04:08.736 --> 04:10.640 Of the surface to air missiles 04:10.640 --> 04:12.473 that the Assad regime launched, 04:12.630 --> 04:14.320 nearly every one was launched 04:14.320 --> 04:18.653 after the last of our missiles hit their targets. 04:19.340 --> 04:21.610 The Russian manufactured air defense systems 04:21.610 --> 04:22.953 were totally ineffective. 04:23.820 --> 04:27.300 Russia and the regime demonstrated the ineffectiveness 04:27.300 --> 04:30.173 of their systems again, two days later, 04:30.370 --> 04:33.463 when those systems engaged accidentally. 04:34.420 --> 04:36.640 We have seen no indication the Assad regime 04:36.640 --> 04:39.683 is prepared to launch another chemical weapons attack. 04:40.430 --> 04:42.983 However, we remain vigilant. 04:44.390 --> 04:47.593 Yesterday, we were disappointed but not surprised, 04:47.860 --> 04:48.693 to see the organization for the prohibition 04:48.693 --> 04:49.526 of chemical weapons team come under attack 04:49.526 --> 04:54.320 by small arms fire after arriving in Douma. 04:57.920 --> 05:01.420 Assad must know, the world will not tolerate 05:01.600 --> 05:05.313 the use of chemical weapons under any circumstances. 05:06.280 --> 05:10.253 What happens next, is up to Bashar al-Assad. 05:11.500 --> 05:13.730 The strike last Friday was separate 05:13.730 --> 05:16.303 and distinct from our mission in Syria, 05:16.980 --> 05:21.203 which remains the complete annihilation of ISIS. 05:22.330 --> 05:25.300 We remain committed to working by within through, 05:25.300 --> 05:27.863 the Syrian Democratic Forces, 05:28.180 --> 05:30.340 who have proven the most reliable partners 05:30.340 --> 05:32.250 in the fight against ISIS, 05:32.250 --> 05:36.260 to set the conditions for local governments to take root 05:36.310 --> 05:39.003 and thrive in liberated territories. 05:39.590 --> 05:41.640 Therefore, we must maintain the pressure 05:41.640 --> 05:43.060 on the remnants of ISIS, 05:43.060 --> 05:45.493 and the middle Euphrates River Valley. 05:46.390 --> 05:50.833 We must also maintain the 70 nation Defeat ISIS Coalition, 05:51.090 --> 05:53.853 in order to combat the violent terrorist group, 05:54.110 --> 05:56.423 wherever it rears its ugly head, 05:56.930 --> 06:01.373 whether it's the Sahal, Southeast Asia, Afghanistan, 06:01.690 --> 06:04.053 Europe, or the United States. 06:04.850 --> 06:07.103 We will continue to support the United Nations backed 06:07.103 --> 06:10.713 Geneva Peace Process, and it's special envoy, 06:10.930 --> 06:12.513 Staffan de Mistura. 06:13.200 --> 06:15.596 We support our diplomats who are working tirelessly 06:15.596 --> 06:17.883 to bring all parties to the table, 06:17.930 --> 06:21.460 to negotiate a political resolution to the civil war 06:21.690 --> 06:25.943 that has cost far too many innocent Syrians their lives. 06:27.960 --> 06:30.453 However, the process will continue to be stymie, 06:31.110 --> 06:33.713 as long as Moscow thwarts its process, 06:34.260 --> 06:37.200 and fails to hold Assad accountable 06:37.580 --> 06:39.703 for his regime's atrocities. 06:40.210 --> 06:42.460 We call on Russia to fulfill it's commitments 06:42.570 --> 06:45.840 as a guarantor of the Assad regime's obligation 06:45.840 --> 06:47.883 to abandon it's chemical weapons, 06:48.020 --> 06:49.500 and to prevent the regime 06:49.740 --> 06:52.823 from ever using chemical weapons again. 06:53.260 --> 06:55.143 With that, we'll take your question. 06:55.789 --> 06:56.622 Leeda. 06:57.720 --> 06:59.360 - Two things, one, General, 06:59.360 --> 07:01.160 I was wondering if you could give us 07:01.370 --> 07:03.973 some more specific BDA from the strikes. 07:04.832 --> 07:09.823 Dana mentioned that the degrade chemical weapons, 07:09.830 --> 07:11.340 were there chemical weapons 07:11.660 --> 07:13.360 in some of the storage facilities 07:13.360 --> 07:15.723 that you were able to access, 07:15.950 --> 07:20.950 and do you have any further knowledge or convincing 07:21.860 --> 07:25.140 that there was Sarin used as opposed to just, 07:25.140 --> 07:28.453 what was said the other day, the suspected use of sarin? 07:28.990 --> 07:32.243 And then Dana, can you tell us, 07:32.370 --> 07:36.210 did the military and did the Secretary argue 07:36.210 --> 07:39.490 for a more limited strike in Syria 07:40.004 --> 07:43.920 with the knowledge that perhaps a more expansive strike 07:44.100 --> 07:46.883 might require congressional approval. 07:48.220 --> 07:50.210 - So I'll begin by just referring you back 07:50.210 --> 07:51.900 to the photographs that we showed on Saturday. 07:51.900 --> 07:54.205 Those are pretty compelling when you take a look 07:54.205 --> 07:57.223 at the damage that we achieved against the three targets. 07:57.340 --> 08:00.040 So we assess that the weapons hit the target, 08:00.040 --> 08:02.770 we achieved the level of success that we wanted 08:02.770 --> 08:04.170 against those three targets. 08:04.240 --> 08:09.020 We believe that there was probably some chlorine, 08:09.020 --> 08:12.493 and possibility sarin at possibly all of the sites. 08:12.720 --> 08:14.740 As you know, we don't have access to that site, 08:14.740 --> 08:17.920 so it's hard to go in and do that post wreck analysis 08:17.920 --> 08:20.483 except from a distance and with overhead imagery. 08:20.600 --> 08:22.130 So that's probably gonna be an open question 08:22.130 --> 08:23.010 for a little bit of time, 08:23.010 --> 08:24.620 although we continue to look at those sites 08:24.620 --> 08:26.980 very closely through a variety of means. 08:26.980 --> 08:29.730 But I will tell you, we really can improve 08:29.730 --> 08:31.400 in the assessment that we gave you Saturday 08:31.400 --> 08:32.730 and the images were pretty compelling. 08:32.730 --> 08:34.340 Those three targets were knocked out. 08:34.340 --> 08:38.680 - So you don't think you will have any greater knowledge 08:38.680 --> 08:42.640 or assurance that there was indeed sarin used at this point? 08:42.640 --> 08:44.960 - You know, well, your question was was sarin at 08:44.960 --> 08:46.290 the three sites that we struck, 08:46.290 --> 08:48.000 so we believe that it probably was, 08:48.000 --> 08:50.340 through careful weaponeering, through plume analysis, 08:50.340 --> 08:51.825 through the modeling that we do. 08:51.825 --> 08:54.750 Within our targeting enterprise is we look at those 08:54.750 --> 08:57.540 targets, we're able to reduce the possibility of that 08:57.560 --> 08:58.940 escaping to a very low level 08:58.940 --> 09:00.990 and we know empirically, in fact, that none did escape. 09:00.990 --> 09:03.320 Just based on the fact there were no casualties around it. 09:03.320 --> 09:04.560 So that's sort of where we are. 09:04.560 --> 09:06.620 It remains, and one of the targets 09:06.620 --> 09:07.760 sits in downtown Damascus, 09:07.760 --> 09:10.860 so I doubt we're gonna get much access to that 09:10.860 --> 09:11.693 in the immediate future. 09:11.693 --> 09:13.420 Although we continue to look through a variety 09:13.420 --> 09:15.270 of means to follow up our assessment. 09:16.020 --> 09:19.593 - And with respect to the Secretary's advice and counsel, 09:19.970 --> 09:21.070 that is discreet 09:21.070 --> 09:22.890 and confidential between him and the President, 09:22.890 --> 09:24.550 however, what I can tell you is 09:24.550 --> 09:27.750 any option that the Secretary provides to the President, 09:27.750 --> 09:29.543 he has confidence in. 09:30.102 --> 09:32.690 Ultimately it is up to the President to decide 09:32.690 --> 09:34.633 what options we actually execute. 09:34.800 --> 09:38.483 So the Secretary has provided options, 09:38.791 --> 09:42.973 and ultimately the President decided how we would do this. 09:43.190 --> 09:46.230 And to remember, we also had two permanent members 09:46.230 --> 09:47.513 of the Security Council. 09:47.930 --> 09:50.113 This was a combined operation, 09:50.350 --> 09:53.513 and this was a successful mission. 09:53.840 --> 09:55.620 So the Secretary is perfectly comfortable 09:55.620 --> 09:57.266 with the options that he provided. 09:57.266 --> 09:58.200 Jennifer. 09:58.200 --> 10:00.010 - Just a follow up on Leeda's question. 10:00.010 --> 10:03.010 General, you say that empirically, none did escape 10:03.010 --> 10:04.512 because there were no casualties, 10:04.512 --> 10:06.500 but couldn't that also mean 10:06.500 --> 10:08.420 that there were no chemical weapons at those sites? 10:08.420 --> 10:11.100 How do you there were chemical weapons at those sites? 10:11.100 --> 10:12.840 - Sure, so based on all source intelligence, 10:12.840 --> 10:15.630 we assessed there were some chemical weapons at those sites. 10:15.630 --> 10:17.070 None escaped that we can see, 10:17.070 --> 10:19.580 but certainly we can't say with 100% certainty 10:19.580 --> 10:20.853 that that's the case. 10:20.890 --> 10:23.420 But we believe the absolute preponderance of the evidence is 10:23.420 --> 10:25.050 that there were chemical weapons at that site, 10:25.050 --> 10:26.950 to include elements of sarin 10:26.950 --> 10:28.280 particularly at the Barzah site. 10:28.280 --> 10:32.070 - Okay, and then, did Russian warships threaten U.S. 10:32.070 --> 10:33.993 or British warships at any time? 10:34.120 --> 10:36.380 Did you take threats from Russia seriously 10:36.380 --> 10:38.090 that they could hit the Donald Cook, 10:38.090 --> 10:41.653 and is that why the Donald Cook wasn't used in this strike? 10:41.950 --> 10:45.310 - So, in no time did the Russians threaten the Donald Cook. 10:45.310 --> 10:47.780 As you know, there were two Russian FFG's, 10:47.780 --> 10:49.600 frigates in the Eastern Mediterranean, 10:49.600 --> 10:52.390 the Donald Cook was our only surface warship 10:52.390 --> 10:53.830 in the Eastern Mediterranean. 10:53.830 --> 10:56.660 During the strike we had a significant combat air patrol 10:56.660 --> 10:57.930 overhead of the Donald Cook, 10:57.930 --> 10:59.743 provided by U.S. European command, 10:59.910 --> 11:03.580 so we didn't feel threatened at any point during that strike 11:03.580 --> 11:05.820 and in fact, no threats were conveyed by the Russians. 11:05.820 --> 11:08.220 Their activities were actually professional, 11:08.220 --> 11:11.003 in that they observed the rules of the road at sea, 11:11.090 --> 11:12.610 and the Cook was never threatened. 11:12.610 --> 11:15.740 - And Dana, why was this not a NATO operation 11:15.740 --> 11:17.133 with the 29 members? 11:17.453 --> 11:18.913 Was that by design? 11:19.930 --> 11:21.753 - It was the fact that NATO, 11:22.678 --> 11:24.810 we've had a lot of support from NATO. 11:24.810 --> 11:26.910 You've seen many NATO nations 11:26.910 --> 11:29.083 express support for the strike. 11:29.763 --> 11:33.433 France and the U.K. were natural allies. 11:33.790 --> 11:36.317 Not only have we worked together for a long time, 11:36.317 --> 11:38.163 but we share common principles. 11:38.392 --> 11:40.303 We had to move quickly, 11:40.550 --> 11:44.783 and France and the U.K. were obvious partners. 11:44.950 --> 11:45.910 - But it was not because 11:45.910 --> 11:47.680 NATO allies didn't want to participate? 11:47.680 --> 11:49.100 - No, it had nothing to do with 11:49.100 --> 11:51.520 whether or not NATO allies wanted to participate. 11:51.520 --> 11:53.923 We wanted to react quickly, 11:53.967 --> 11:58.967 and U.K. and France were obvious natural partners. 11:59.190 --> 12:00.023 Cara. 12:00.023 --> 12:00.856 - Thank you. 12:02.270 --> 12:04.833 To follow up on Jennifer's question, 12:04.870 --> 12:06.190 at our briefing on Saturday morning 12:06.190 --> 12:08.260 you mentioned that you'd be monitoring the sites 12:08.260 --> 12:10.270 for any sort of, maybe, 12:10.270 --> 12:12.240 signatures of chemical weapons being there. 12:12.240 --> 12:14.350 Has the U.S. been able to employ any of their sensors 12:14.350 --> 12:16.693 to detect if there was any chemicals there? 12:17.050 --> 12:19.823 And then secondly, on the platforms that were used, 12:20.350 --> 12:22.130 could we go back to the air platforms that were used. 12:22.130 --> 12:24.758 We're hearing reports there were F-22's involved 12:24.758 --> 12:26.850 and that the JASSM's that were fired 12:26.850 --> 12:29.637 were not JASSM ER's but regular JASSM's. 12:29.700 --> 12:31.370 - So let me work backwards, 12:31.370 --> 12:33.670 the JASSM's that were fired were standard JASSM's. 12:33.670 --> 12:35.143 They were not JASSM ER's. 12:35.710 --> 12:38.890 So I misspoke when I gave that information the first time. 12:38.890 --> 12:40.780 I think Afsan actually clarified that 12:40.780 --> 12:41.613 and we went out 12:41.613 --> 12:43.560 and clarified that after the press conference. 12:43.624 --> 12:46.260 Any U.S. fighter aircraft that were employed 12:46.260 --> 12:47.293 in this operation, 12:47.360 --> 12:49.710 were employed as part of an integrated package. 12:50.127 --> 12:53.210 And sent for protection of the bombers. 12:53.210 --> 12:56.190 So, no fighter aircraft penetrated further 12:56.190 --> 12:58.360 than where the B-1's actually launched the JASSM's 12:58.360 --> 12:59.300 and then turned away. 12:59.300 --> 13:01.600 So none actually went forward from that point. 13:01.600 --> 13:04.400 They were there simply as part of the integrated package. 13:04.400 --> 13:07.943 - So just one quick and Dana I have a question for you too. 13:08.017 --> 13:09.865 But can you confirm at this time that Raptors 13:09.865 --> 13:11.500 then provided protection 13:11.740 --> 13:13.520 for the Bombers as part of a strike package? 13:13.520 --> 13:15.910 - Sure, I can tell you that a U.S. fighter aircraft 13:15.910 --> 13:17.670 provided protection for the Bombers. 13:17.670 --> 13:20.523 We'll get back to you on whether F-22's were used in that. 13:20.523 --> 13:22.823 I just don't know that off the top of my head. 13:22.867 --> 13:25.856 - And then, Dana we're hearing that one of the soldiers 13:25.856 --> 13:28.490 who has tried to join the U.S. military 13:28.490 --> 13:29.400 through the MAVNI program 13:29.400 --> 13:32.303 has died while waiting to be cleared for duty, 13:32.550 --> 13:34.620 and this brings up several questions 13:34.620 --> 13:37.530 about the number of potential U.S. soldiers 13:37.530 --> 13:38.930 who are waiting in this program 13:38.930 --> 13:40.160 to get through the various clearance. 13:40.160 --> 13:42.576 Can you give us an idea of how many soldiers at this point 13:42.576 --> 13:45.050 are still, kind of stuck in limbo, 13:45.050 --> 13:47.150 as they wait for the different clearances, 13:47.190 --> 13:48.820 and what the department is doing to 13:48.820 --> 13:50.870 hopefully speed this process up for them. 13:51.430 --> 13:52.980 - One, I can tell you that we need 13:52.980 --> 13:55.533 every patriotic heart to serve. 13:57.006 --> 14:00.773 The approximate number is around 10,000. 14:01.590 --> 14:04.260 But as you know, there were some significant 14:04.560 --> 14:07.510 security risks that were identified with the MAVNI program. 14:07.990 --> 14:09.490 But it's an important program. 14:09.600 --> 14:11.840 And it's important to ensure 14:11.960 --> 14:15.883 that we field the best for our military. 14:15.940 --> 14:20.940 So we will continue to work with all of our partners 14:21.280 --> 14:24.273 to ensure that we can vet people effectively, 14:24.290 --> 14:26.150 and we're going to move forward quickly 14:26.150 --> 14:27.450 with respect to all of it. 14:27.870 --> 14:28.736 - Just want to follow up, 14:28.736 --> 14:31.140 the 10,000 I think is the number that have gone through 14:31.140 --> 14:33.190 since its conception in 2009. 14:33.190 --> 14:37.510 What about the 2016, 2017 numbers, 14:37.510 --> 14:41.600 particularly since the increase of clearance procedures 14:41.600 --> 14:45.330 were announced last, I think it was October 2017. 14:45.330 --> 14:47.860 - Cara, let me come back to you on that specific window 14:47.860 --> 14:52.627 of dates, but 2016 to 2017 when the program was suspended. 14:55.751 --> 14:56.584 Right. 14:56.678 --> 14:57.740 - [Cara] And the new rules in 2017. 14:57.740 --> 14:59.432 - Absolutely, I will come back to you with that. 14:59.432 --> 15:00.265 Absolutely. 15:00.265 --> 15:01.098 Jamie. 15:01.300 --> 15:03.760 - You mentioned that the Russian air defenses were, 15:03.760 --> 15:06.110 the Russian made air defenses were ineffective. 15:06.470 --> 15:09.270 Point of clarification and then another policy question, 15:09.441 --> 15:10.910 were they ineffective 15:10.910 --> 15:15.300 because the Russians chose not to engage them 15:15.300 --> 15:18.863 against the incoming missiles, their S-400 system, 15:19.030 --> 15:20.680 or was it because it didn't work? 15:21.160 --> 15:24.393 - Also, in the attack on Friday night, 15:24.880 --> 15:27.370 Russian air defenses were energized, they were standing, 15:27.370 --> 15:29.803 they had a mainstay air defense aircraft up. 15:30.020 --> 15:32.800 They did not choose to engage, 15:32.800 --> 15:35.700 so I can't speculate about why they did or didn't do that. 15:35.810 --> 15:38.210 I can tell you though, that the rest of Syrian air defense 15:38.210 --> 15:40.860 capability, which is completely Russian made, 15:40.860 --> 15:43.793 Russian designed, Russian supported, 15:43.820 --> 15:46.623 engaged extensively, and comprehensively failed. 15:46.902 --> 15:49.280 So there's a station there, and I recognize that. 15:49.280 --> 15:50.707 The Russian's didn't do anything 15:50.707 --> 15:52.900 although they were very closely allied 15:52.900 --> 15:55.933 to all the systems that the Syrians employed to no effect. 15:55.990 --> 15:58.014 - So that brings me to the policy question which is, 15:58.014 --> 16:00.700 what progress has been made in trying 16:00.700 --> 16:03.589 to convince Turkey not to go ahead with it's purchase 16:03.589 --> 16:08.310 of Russian air defenses that would be incompatible with NATO 16:08.310 --> 16:11.840 and U.S. air defenses, and find some other solution 16:12.670 --> 16:15.025 so that we don't have a situation where a NATO ally 16:15.025 --> 16:17.280 is buying Russian defenses, 16:17.280 --> 16:19.080 that perhaps aren't as good as ours. 16:19.990 --> 16:21.290 - Well we have talked to the Turks 16:21.290 --> 16:23.783 about the issue of interoperability. 16:23.980 --> 16:25.680 But ultimately, the Turks have to decide 16:25.680 --> 16:27.870 what's in their best strategic interest, 16:27.870 --> 16:30.413 and that's for Ergodon to determine. 16:30.450 --> 16:32.660 - Is the United States still trying to get Turkey 16:32.660 --> 16:35.560 to not go forward with that purchase? 16:35.560 --> 16:38.050 - We continue to be in conversations about our concerns 16:38.050 --> 16:41.003 with the respect to the interoperability with NATO. 16:42.800 --> 16:44.050 Right here in the middle. 16:44.500 --> 16:45.830 - Hi, I'm Amanda from CNBC. 16:45.830 --> 16:48.830 General can you shed a little bit more light on 16:48.830 --> 16:51.193 how many aerial refueling aircraft's were used, 16:51.310 --> 16:52.720 where the B-1B's deployed from, 16:52.720 --> 16:54.360 and how long everything was up in the air 16:54.360 --> 16:57.210 for the Syria strike, and then a follow up on North Korea. 16:57.210 --> 17:00.230 - Sure, so we can get you the numbers on the tankers. 17:00.230 --> 17:02.060 I don't have them right now but, as you know, 17:02.060 --> 17:04.090 the way the strikes start, you launch the tankers first, 17:04.090 --> 17:05.214 you're gonna build a tanker bridge, 17:05.214 --> 17:07.520 all those assets are gonna be well forward. 17:07.520 --> 17:10.760 I just don't have those numbers at the tip of my tongue 17:10.760 --> 17:12.490 right now, but we can certainly come back to you 17:12.490 --> 17:13.440 with those numbers. 17:13.570 --> 17:15.670 The B-1's launch from where they're based 17:15.670 --> 17:16.757 in the sit com AOR. 17:18.266 --> 17:21.040 - And then on North Korea, was Secretary Mattis aware of 17:21.040 --> 17:23.543 Mike Pompeo's trip to speak to Kim Jong Un? 17:24.450 --> 17:26.480 - As Secretary Mattis said just yesterday, 17:26.480 --> 17:28.690 it's best that the people who are dealing directly 17:28.690 --> 17:31.693 with those conversations talk to all of those issues. 17:32.050 --> 17:32.883 Tony. 17:33.397 --> 17:35.206 - You started out with a relatively clear statement 17:35.206 --> 17:37.206 about the cloud subject. 17:37.803 --> 17:38.970 I think, I need you to clarify one things 17:38.970 --> 17:41.153 'cause I think you may be saying that, 17:41.280 --> 17:43.090 signaling a major policy change here. 17:43.090 --> 17:45.040 I think you said the original contract, 17:45.810 --> 17:47.780 the winner's gonna get the first two years, 17:47.780 --> 17:50.610 but if I heard you right, they're not necessarily guaranteed 17:50.610 --> 17:54.143 the second five year option and the third three year option. 17:54.460 --> 17:55.320 I'm I hearing you right? 17:55.320 --> 17:56.520 - [Dana] That's correct. 17:56.810 --> 17:58.000 - Is that a change in strategy? 17:58.000 --> 18:02.683 'Cause the gastralthrough was ten year, winner take all, 18:02.938 --> 18:06.563 it's an amazonzal, they're gonna get it kind of a. 18:06.691 --> 18:09.983 - So this goes back to we're doing things differently. 18:10.183 --> 18:15.183 As you know, acquiring software is a dynamic situation. 18:16.060 --> 18:21.060 It's not the same as buying planes and major weapon systems. 18:21.250 --> 18:23.270 So, yes, that's exactly what it means. 18:23.270 --> 18:25.770 For two years, the first two years will be awarded 18:25.800 --> 18:27.403 as a single award contract. 18:27.800 --> 18:31.600 After those two years, we have the option to determine 18:31.740 --> 18:35.583 what happens next in that five year option period. 18:35.650 --> 18:40.527 - So a second team could win the five year option 18:40.527 --> 18:43.063 and the second third year option. 18:43.090 --> 18:44.053 - That is possible. 18:45.110 --> 18:47.300 - For the General, this is a non-cloud question. 18:47.300 --> 18:49.693 The other day you energized the world when you said 18:49.693 --> 18:52.723 that Syria retained a residual capability. 18:52.970 --> 18:55.270 It became Syria can still gas it's own people. 18:55.434 --> 18:57.883 How large is the residual capability, 18:57.910 --> 19:00.603 and is it spread throughout the country, 19:00.778 --> 19:03.470 and does the U.S. have a fairly good grasp 19:03.470 --> 19:06.763 of where the residual capability is located? 19:06.870 --> 19:09.963 - Sure, so they do retain a residual capability. 19:10.060 --> 19:12.080 It is probably spread throughout the country 19:12.080 --> 19:13.363 at a variety of sites. 19:13.460 --> 19:16.200 It will be hard for them to continue centralized R&D. 19:16.200 --> 19:18.143 That facility not existing. 19:18.310 --> 19:20.940 So their ability to work and improve their product 19:20.940 --> 19:22.310 is probably gonna be damaged. 19:22.310 --> 19:23.950 They're probably, they will have the ability 19:23.950 --> 19:26.013 to conduct limited attacks in the future. 19:26.210 --> 19:28.093 I would not rule that out. 19:28.160 --> 19:30.980 However, as they contemplate the dynamics of conducting 19:30.980 --> 19:32.750 those attacks, they've got to look over their shoulder 19:32.750 --> 19:34.440 and be worried that we're looking at them 19:34.440 --> 19:35.960 and we'll have the ability to strike them again, 19:35.960 --> 19:37.110 should it be necessary. 19:37.250 --> 19:41.380 - Has they been given the authority to do preemptive strikes 19:41.380 --> 19:44.210 if they get intelligence saying that there's a strong 19:44.210 --> 19:46.873 possibility and another chemical attack using sarin. 19:48.310 --> 19:50.350 - Sir, I can't comment on future operations. 19:50.350 --> 19:51.183 - Joe. 19:52.128 --> 19:57.128 - In the last few hours, military officials from Iran, 19:57.660 --> 20:01.273 Russia, also from the Syrian regime, 20:01.860 --> 20:06.860 met with Iraqi officials at the Iraqi Defense Ministry 20:09.030 --> 20:13.240 in Baghdad to discuss intelligence sharing, 20:13.240 --> 20:15.253 that's what this statement says. 20:15.920 --> 20:20.840 I just would like to know if the DoD has any comment on that 20:21.033 --> 20:22.866 (microphone cuts out) 20:22.866 --> 20:24.393 the Iranian Defense Minister. 20:26.641 --> 20:29.120 - I can come back to you on that, 20:29.120 --> 20:32.020 but what I would say is our priority in the region 20:32.350 --> 20:36.163 is to ensure that ISIS never reemerges. 20:36.760 --> 20:39.173 And with respect to Iran, as we've said, 20:40.090 --> 20:43.563 Iran wherever you look, there is chaos that follows Iran. 20:44.220 --> 20:47.040 So we will continue to be vigilant 20:47.170 --> 20:50.883 and we will continue to work with the Iraqi security forces, 20:51.141 --> 20:54.253 but as far as that particular meeting, 20:54.260 --> 20:56.360 I'd have to come back to you with any specifics 20:56.360 --> 20:58.060 once I know more details about it. 20:58.090 --> 20:58.923 Jeff. 20:59.230 --> 21:00.063 - Thank you. 21:00.063 --> 21:01.660 Has Secretary Mattis completed his review 21:01.660 --> 21:03.010 of the Niger investigation? 21:03.520 --> 21:05.263 - He has completed his review. 21:05.520 --> 21:09.983 And we are currently in the process of scheduling 21:09.983 --> 21:12.913 the next of kin notifications. 21:13.247 --> 21:15.497 (mumbling) 21:16.130 --> 21:17.703 I cannot, because again, 21:17.703 --> 21:21.663 we want to ensure that the families are fully briefed. 21:21.930 --> 21:25.363 And when that's complete, Africom, 21:25.480 --> 21:30.230 General Waldhauser will come, as well as Colonel Kludea 21:30.400 --> 21:33.950 will also come to brief after congressional notifications 21:33.950 --> 21:35.650 and briefings have been completed. 21:36.190 --> 21:37.023 Tom. 21:38.200 --> 21:40.900 - General, can you give us a sense of what you saw through 21:40.900 --> 21:45.053 ISR and observation of the Syrian regimes movement, 21:45.153 --> 21:48.400 after the strikes, what were they doing around the sites 21:48.400 --> 21:50.310 of the strikes, what did you see in terms of 21:50.310 --> 21:53.347 Syrian air assets coming from Russian bases and so on? 21:53.778 --> 21:57.220 - I would characterize the Syrian response as confused 21:57.220 --> 21:58.053 and chaotic. 21:58.780 --> 22:01.240 They had no clear picture 22:01.240 --> 22:03.030 of what was actually happening to them. 22:03.030 --> 22:04.530 Over a period of several days 22:04.530 --> 22:06.750 they returned to a relative state of normalcy. 22:06.750 --> 22:10.263 I would note that on the evening of the 16th, 22:10.510 --> 22:13.100 we noticed a spaz on Syrian air defenses where they again 22:13.100 --> 22:16.036 fired six surface to air missiles against no targets 22:16.036 --> 22:19.150 and probably without any kind of fire direction, 22:19.150 --> 22:20.480 which means the missiles go ballistic, 22:20.480 --> 22:23.503 travels to either British blowsion air or continues forward. 22:23.540 --> 22:26.580 So that indicates a pretty serious dislocation 22:26.580 --> 22:27.783 of Syrian air defense. 22:27.850 --> 22:30.250 Now I think that's a pretty consistent pattern with them. 22:30.250 --> 22:32.110 - What do you say about this period of normalcy? 22:32.110 --> 22:34.900 Is that implied that the strikes haven't actually changed 22:34.900 --> 22:36.050 anything on the ground? 22:36.090 --> 22:38.890 - Well, now I'm talking purely about Syrian air defense. 22:39.290 --> 22:42.700 I think, we take a look at the targets that we hit, 22:42.700 --> 22:44.830 we don't have continuous observation on it, 22:44.830 --> 22:45.957 we continue to access. 22:45.957 --> 22:48.120 You've actually seen media that's going out there 22:48.120 --> 22:50.390 and walked around the outside of some of those sites. 22:50.390 --> 22:51.909 We continue to look at those sites, 22:51.909 --> 22:53.630 we don't have a perfect picture of it 22:53.630 --> 22:55.570 because we're not actually on the ground there. 22:55.570 --> 22:57.250 So there's not much more I can give you on that, 22:57.250 --> 22:59.460 except to tell you as often as we can, 22:59.460 --> 23:02.110 given our ability to revisit, we look at those sites. 23:02.180 --> 23:03.460 - How have the strikes changed 23:03.460 --> 23:05.281 the strategic balance of the Syria conflict, 23:05.281 --> 23:06.310 or have they not? 23:06.310 --> 23:08.220 - I don't think we sought to change the strategic balance 23:08.220 --> 23:09.670 of the Syria conflict with those strikes. 23:09.670 --> 23:11.840 We sought to send a lesson that it's bad practice 23:11.840 --> 23:13.140 to gas women and children. 23:13.740 --> 23:14.590 - [Dana] Barbara. 23:14.940 --> 23:16.793 - We're gonna go back to Secretary Mattis's relationship 23:16.793 --> 23:17.690 with the White House. 23:17.690 --> 23:20.810 So yesterday, I think maybe for the first time, 23:20.810 --> 23:22.830 we saw the White House, Sarah Sanders, 23:22.830 --> 23:27.080 issue a statement about Secretary Mattis 23:27.100 --> 23:30.780 and this whole question of targeting in Syria. 23:30.780 --> 23:34.270 So that sort of is like, the first fact on the table. 23:34.270 --> 23:39.270 We know the President wanted a strong response, 23:39.340 --> 23:44.240 he talked about this could be the beginning 23:44.240 --> 23:47.543 of a series of responses to Syria, that from the President. 23:48.300 --> 23:52.710 We know that the President wanted public knowledge, 23:52.710 --> 23:55.890 quick withdraw of U.S. troops from Syria 23:55.890 --> 23:57.909 and going back several months, 23:57.909 --> 24:00.590 the President had publicly spoken about 24:00.590 --> 24:05.030 how he wanted quicker options from the U.S. military 24:05.840 --> 24:07.573 respective to North Korea. 24:07.870 --> 24:10.838 So the President has been out there several times 24:10.838 --> 24:14.463 about the Pentagon in public. 24:15.710 --> 24:17.670 And if you go back to the statement yesterday, 24:17.670 --> 24:18.503 quite unusual, 24:18.503 --> 24:20.078 I don't think we've seen a White House statement 24:20.078 --> 24:22.990 where they felt they needed to come out 24:22.990 --> 24:24.440 and talk about the Secretary. 24:25.000 --> 24:29.430 What's your view Dana, are the knives out for the Secretary? 24:29.430 --> 24:31.540 Why are we seeing all these stories 24:32.443 --> 24:36.413 of his disagreements with the White House. 24:36.670 --> 24:39.313 What do you assess is going on? 24:39.546 --> 24:43.600 Can you tell us anything about his relationship with Bolton 24:43.600 --> 24:46.183 now that they've had some time to work together? 24:46.820 --> 24:49.223 Can you give us a picture of what you see there? 24:49.870 --> 24:54.653 - What I see is a very comprehensive review of decisions. 24:54.730 --> 24:57.660 And what the Secretary has said often is 24:57.660 --> 25:00.460 that the President brings together people 25:00.460 --> 25:03.883 from different perspectives, and he challenges them. 25:04.250 --> 25:06.113 He challenges every assumption. 25:06.800 --> 25:11.763 And as far as his relationship, the Secretary has said, 25:12.070 --> 25:14.720 John Bolton is an American, and he can work with him. 25:17.000 --> 25:21.113 With respect to this town or speculation about you know, 25:21.250 --> 25:24.113 the Secretary is focused on his three priorities. 25:24.160 --> 25:27.350 He is focused on the lethality of this force. 25:27.350 --> 25:30.210 He is focused on allies and partnerships. 25:30.210 --> 25:33.343 And he is focused on reforming how we do business. 25:33.480 --> 25:35.373 That is the Secretary's focus. 25:36.207 --> 25:39.650 He believes in everyone's right to have an opinion, 25:39.650 --> 25:43.303 and to write, but at the end of the day, 25:43.440 --> 25:44.630 that is his focus. 25:44.630 --> 25:48.590 - I understand that, but nonetheless, yesterday, 25:48.590 --> 25:52.773 we saw the White House feel compelled enough to come out, 25:53.150 --> 25:55.293 I think perhaps for the first time, 25:55.620 --> 25:59.153 with a public statement on the Secretary. 25:59.670 --> 26:03.593 So you say that the President challenges all assumptions? 26:03.910 --> 26:07.550 Is the Secretary, is the department getting it, 26:07.550 --> 26:11.010 on these subjects, getting its assumptions challenged 26:11.080 --> 26:12.030 by the White House? 26:12.400 --> 26:13.923 I assume the answer is yes. 26:14.426 --> 26:17.723 - This department provides options. 26:18.140 --> 26:20.820 And we provide those options in a timely fashion 26:20.820 --> 26:23.220 and every option that the Secretary presents, 26:23.220 --> 26:24.393 he believes in. 26:25.380 --> 26:26.883 But at the end of the day, 26:26.920 --> 26:29.570 it's the President of the United States that decides. 26:29.890 --> 26:33.050 And the Secretary has utmost confidence 26:33.050 --> 26:35.850 in all of the options that this department puts forward. 26:36.530 --> 26:39.363 With respect to Sarah's statement, 26:39.500 --> 26:41.410 I think that demonstrates that 26:41.410 --> 26:43.333 there are some things just false. 26:43.630 --> 26:45.573 Secretary is a very honest man, 26:45.799 --> 26:50.799 and he conducts himself in a very open and honest way. 26:51.940 --> 26:56.250 It simply wasn't true, and that is really all to it. 26:56.250 --> 26:57.250 It just wasn't true. 26:57.380 --> 27:02.380 - So, the Secretary did present multiple options on Syria, 27:04.060 --> 27:05.770 because the military typically 27:06.040 --> 27:08.380 would not present a single option, 27:08.380 --> 27:10.780 they would present a range of courses of action, 27:10.940 --> 27:12.380 and have the President decide, 27:12.380 --> 27:15.010 so he did present multiple options to the President? 27:15.010 --> 27:17.462 - The Secretary presents several different options 27:17.462 --> 27:19.630 to the President, on a number of different things. 27:19.630 --> 27:20.463 Cory. 27:20.463 --> 27:21.760 - [Man] We have time for a few more questions. 27:21.760 --> 27:22.593 - Cory. 27:23.330 --> 27:27.230 - [Cory] Does Secretary Mattis support proposed cuts 27:27.230 --> 27:30.110 to the so called Fourth Estate programs 27:30.110 --> 27:35.110 that past Chairman Thornberry has raised as a possibility? 27:37.110 --> 27:40.423 - So we are you know, it's pending legislation. 27:40.520 --> 27:44.310 But the Secretary supports that Chairman Thornberrry's 27:44.310 --> 27:48.040 initiative to identify where we can find greater value 27:48.040 --> 27:49.363 for the American people. 27:49.370 --> 27:52.410 I think you saw our support when Congress 27:52.410 --> 27:54.533 decided to break ATNL. 27:55.540 --> 27:58.683 For many years, this department ignored that. 27:58.818 --> 28:02.090 It has shown to be a very effective way 28:02.090 --> 28:04.110 to better manage the department. 28:04.110 --> 28:06.420 So we'll continue to work with Hask, 28:06.420 --> 28:09.323 and with the Chairman to determine the best way forward. 28:10.060 --> 28:12.963 But, we are going to do things differently. 28:13.540 --> 28:15.653 To begin with the cloud initiative. 28:15.770 --> 28:18.360 So we look forward to working with the Hask. 28:18.360 --> 28:21.760 - Were Pentagon officials worked with 28:21.760 --> 28:24.103 before this was brought forward? 28:24.310 --> 28:26.670 - There is a consistent and constant conversation 28:26.670 --> 28:29.800 that goes on between the staff as well as here, 28:29.800 --> 28:32.500 as well as with the professional staffers on the Hask. 28:32.500 --> 28:33.333 Jeanie. 28:33.470 --> 28:36.973 - Thank you (microphone cuts out) 28:37.260 --> 28:40.610 On North Korea, and you know that North Korea 28:40.610 --> 28:45.610 cooperated with Syria to develop chemical weapons, 28:46.420 --> 28:51.420 then if United States and North Korea talk is not working, 28:54.570 --> 28:59.570 then North Korea will be a next precedence strike? 29:00.570 --> 29:02.160 - So Jeanie, I again, 29:02.160 --> 29:05.570 I want to ensure that there's the best chance 29:05.570 --> 29:07.620 for these conversations to be successful. 29:07.684 --> 29:09.630 It's our diplomats in the White House 29:09.630 --> 29:11.020 that are leading those conversations, 29:11.020 --> 29:13.630 so I would prefer if all of those questions 29:14.039 --> 29:16.700 be addressed to the department. 29:16.700 --> 29:18.920 - What do you think, two quick breaking news questions, 29:18.920 --> 29:21.030 things have happened while we're in the briefing room. 29:21.030 --> 29:22.340 One of them is that. 29:22.340 --> 29:24.590 - Sure Jamie, I'll take it. 29:24.663 --> 29:26.800 - Well for the General maybe, or either one you, 29:26.800 --> 29:28.790 the task news agency is reporting 29:29.030 --> 29:31.607 that Syria has turned over to Russia 29:31.607 --> 29:35.170 two unexploded U.S. cruise missiles 29:35.170 --> 29:36.750 that they say are in pretty good shape. 29:36.750 --> 29:38.913 Can you tell us if that's accurate? 29:39.000 --> 29:41.253 - News to me, I don't know. 29:41.450 --> 29:42.660 - Okay, this one might be news to you too, 29:42.660 --> 29:44.960 but while we're in here, the President tweeted 29:45.560 --> 29:48.440 quote, "Governor Jerry Brown announced he will deploy 29:48.567 --> 29:51.493 "up to 400 National Guard troops to do nothing. 29:51.957 --> 29:53.877 "The federal government will not be paying 29:53.877 --> 29:57.067 "for Governor Brown's charade, we need border security 29:57.067 --> 29:58.597 "and action, not words." 29:58.840 --> 30:03.450 Does that mean the Pentagon won't be providing 30:03.450 --> 30:05.943 federal funds for the deployment to California? 30:06.323 --> 30:08.610 - The Pentagon will continue to support 30:08.610 --> 30:10.120 the Department of Homeland Security 30:10.120 --> 30:13.763 as they identify their needs and their requirements. 30:13.770 --> 30:15.203 We are in a support role. 30:15.760 --> 30:18.920 National Guard troops are under Title 32, 30:18.920 --> 30:22.203 and they are under the Governor's command and control. 30:22.410 --> 30:26.023 The Department of Defense will stand ready to support DHS. 30:26.340 --> 30:28.120 Okay, thank you everybody.