Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby briefs the news media at the Pentagon, January 24, 2022

Transcript

Good afternoon everybody. Just one thing here at the top, As you’re all aware, the United States is deeply concerned about the current situation in europe. We remain keenly focused on Russia’s unusual military activities near the Ukrainian border, including in Belarus and consulting extensively with our transatlantic allies and partners. The department continues to support diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation. Now, as the President has said, even as we continue to prioritize diplomacy and dialogue, we must also increase readiness in support of its obligations to the security and defense of NATO and the security of its citizens abroad. At the direction of the President. And following recommendations made by Secretary Austin, the United States has taken steps to heighten the readiness of its forces at home and abroad. So they are prepared to respond to a range of contingencies, including support to the NATO response force if it is activated. As you have heard me describe many times, Our commitment to the security of NATO allies and our article five commitment are ironclad. As the President has also made clear the United States will act firmly in defense of its national interests in response to actions by Russia that harm us our allies, our partners. As part of that commitment, the Department of Defense maintains significant combat capable forces forward in europe. To deter aggression and enhance the alliance’s ability to defend allies and defeat aggression if necessary. The United States also has a commitment to provide forces to the NATO response force or otherwise known as the Nrf. Any event that NATO should activate that construct. As you may know, the NRF is a multinational force made up of land, air, maritime and special operations forces, all components that the alliance can deploy on short notice wherever needed Altogether. The NRF comprises around 40,000 multinational troops within the NRF is something called the very high readiness joint Task Force or V. J. T. F. This NRF element which is about 20,000 strong across all domains, Includes a multinational land brigade of around 5000 troops and air, maritime and special operation forces components. I want to provide some facts on these preparations that will reinforce our commitment to NATO and to the NATO Response force and increase our readiness. Secretary Austin has placed a range of units in the United States on a heightened preparedness to deploy, which increases our readiness to provide forces. If NATO should activate the NRF or if other situations developed, all told The number of forces that the secretary has placed on heightened alert uh comes up to about 80 500 personnel. We’ll continue to provide updates in coming days about uh these decisions. Um but specifically this will ensure that the United States and our commitment to the NRF has is consistent with their readiness for for rapid deployment. Again, if activated in the event of NATO’s activation of the NRF or a deteriorating security environment. The United States would be in a position to rapidly deploy additional brigade combat teams, logistics, medical, aviation, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, transportation, and additional capabilities into europe. Again, I want to reinforce that. As of now, the decision has been made to put these units on higher alert and higher alert. Only no decisions have been made to deploy any forces from the United States at this time. And I say heightened alert in some cases, some of these forces were already on a heightened posture readiness to deploy posture And the secretary decided to make it even more uh shortened to tether even more. So in some cases, units would go from say 10 days prepared to deploy now their at five days. That’s not the case for every unit that is being notified that they are in a heightened alert. Some are are simply more ready and postured that way than others. The idea though, is that all of these units that he is putting on prepare to deploy will be ready to go on a on a shortened timeframe. Again, no final decision has been made to deploy them. The Secretary will continue to consult with the President and the United States will maintain close coordination with allies and partners as we continuously review our force posture and make decisions regarding movement of forces into and within europe. As always we remain in close coordination with allies and partners as well as NATO and other multilateral organizations as we continue to review our force posture as we make decisions regarding potential movements of forces into europe and as we review the disposition of U. S. Forces on the continent and with that we’ll start taking questions bob I think uh you are on the line. Yeah. Yes thank you john um Of that 8500 troops that you’ve mentioned are those us-based only? And would they are they intended only for deployment as part of the activation of the rapid response force or might they be sent for other reinforcement purposes in eastern europe? And lastly, why did the Secretary President president decided to do this? Now? What’s changed just in the last few days since on Friday you mentioned as you had many times before that the U. S. Was prepared to reinforce in eastern europe if there were a Russian incursion only. Okay I think I’ve remembered all three. So let me try first. Yes the up to 8500 and I want to stress it’s up to 8500. Again, no decisions to deploy have been made. So this is about getting units on a advanced heightened alert. That doesn’t mean they’re necessarily going anywhere. But up to 8500 that I talked about. They are all us based um ah as and I’m sorry bob your second question was are they intended only for the NATO rapid response force or could they perform other reinforcement functions? The bulk of them are intended for the NATO response force uh that the vast majority of. But as I also said in my opening statement, the secretary wants us postured to be ready for any other contingencies as well? But the bulk of them are aligned for the NATO response force. And then the third question was on timing. I think, you know, we’ve been watching this very, very closely. I also said that right at the top, it’s very clear that the Russians have uh no intention right now of deescalating. Uh and because not every one of these units that we are notifying are in all of them are not in a heightened state of alert. Uh It made prudent sense for the Secretary to want to give them as much time to prepare to be on a shorter tether as he can. Just in case again, I wanna stress particularly with the NATO response force. It has not been activated. It is a NATO call to make, but we have contributions to that response force, as do other nations. Uh you know, as I said, it’s 40,000 some odd strong. Our our our contributions don’t come near the 40,000 number other nations are gonna have to contribute as well. But for our part, unilaterally we wanted to make sure that we were ready in case that call should come. And that means making sure the units that would contribute to it are as ready as they can be on a short of notices as possible. Barb um what’s three quick things. What specific capable military capabilities do these US troops bring to europe These 8500 seconds. Could you say with some specificity, What is the exact mission for these troops? And what will your measure of success be? How will you know when the mission is accomplished? Yeah. So on capabilities Barb I touched this in the opening statement again, when we are able to identify the units for you will do that. The reason why I don’t have specific units today is because uh the units are being notified as well as family members. And I think you can understand, we wouldn’t want to get out ahead of that notification process. But broadly speaking as I mentioned at the top, I mean uh these would be additional brigade combat teams, logistics, personnel, medical support, aviation, support, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance as well as transportation. Uh and and maybe even some additional capabilities after that. Um Again, when we can identify for you the units, I think you’ll see that they kind of cover the broad scope of those capabilities missions haven’t been assigned. I mean, the Ready Response Force hasn’t been hasn’t been activated. And so uh there’s not a mission per se. This is about the secretary wanting to get ahead of the potential activation and making sure that these units have the time to prepare if and only if they’re uh they’re deployed. Um And then uh you had when when when will you know, success? Again? Um there hasn’t there’s been no activation. so there’s been no mission assigned. So it’s very difficult for me to give you a uh an up check or down check on uh you know, and what equates success. What this is about though uh is reassurance to our NATO allies and we’ve been talking about that for quite some time that we’re gonna be ready, we’re gonna be prepared to help bolster our allies with capabilities they might they might need. Uh and we’re going to do this in lockstep with them and with the alliance. Um this this is really about reassuring the eastern flank of NATO and it’s also about and I kind of covered this to Barb back to your question of success. It’s it’s proving how seriously the United States takes our commitment to NATO and to the article five commitment inside NATO. How do you know when your military goals are achieved? Again, Barb, there’s been no mission assigned right now. This is about getting troops ready and back to what we’re trying to achieve is a couple of things. Obviously we still would like to deter Vladimir Putin and the Russians from another incursion. Number one. Number two, it’s to make sure that we’re bolstering and uh and staying unified with the alliance, that the alliance stays strong. And so the large uh bulk of the reason for this, uh these prepare to deploy orders is really to make sure that we’re ready to bolster the NATO alliance and to and to prove the solidarity of the alliance, those are the two sort of big outcomes here. But again, no mission has been assigned to these troops. No deployment orders have been sent to them. What the secretary has ordered them to do is to be ready to go in some cases on a much shorter tether than what they had before. Gen, john, can you rule out sending us troops to Ukraine? That is, I think the president has already spoken to that as you know, jen we already do have advisers and some trainers in Ukraine, they are still there at their work. If you’re not willing to send troops to Ukraine, what makes you think that this is going to deter Vladimir Putin? I think there’s a whole package of things that the administration is looking at to try to deter Vladimir Putin from another incursion, including including very severe economic consequences. Um this is uh this is about sending a strong message uh that we’re committed to NATO and we’re committed to assuring that our allies have the capabilities they need in case they need to defend themselves. Knew a um f to send these troops to these 85 I’m not aware of any such requirement at this point. And again, we have long standing commitment to the NATO response force. We are just one of many nations that will contribute to it. Um This is very much in keeping with the policies and procedures that have been laid down for activation of the NRF. Again, if it’s activated and it has not been, David Are most of these 8500 ground forces, would they go to the Eastern flight and have you put any units in europe our work? I so I think again, yes, I think the bulk of them would be considered ground forces, David. Um um the as for europe, they, as I’ve said before, there there are lots of force capabilities already on the European continent under general Walters. Um and I’m absolutely not ruling out the possibility that there will be interest theater moves as well uh inside europe to bolster NATO allies on on the eastern flank. Um And the that kind of gets at your second question, which is, we’re still in consultation with the allies about um what they might need. Uh and uh and so I don’t have any decisions to read out in terms of specific locations, but we certainly have made it clear to the eastern flank allies that we’re prepared to bolster their capabilities if they need it. Again, I want to go back to a core foundation here. The bulk of the troops I’m talking about today are are are intended for the NATO response force, the vast majority of them and that response force can only be activated by the alliance. It hasn’t been, it is our contribution to the response force and we want to make sure that they’re ready to go. I think it’s really important to keep remembering that no deployment orders have been sent, no missions have been assigned. This is really about getting folks ready to go in case they’re needed. Courtney, the ones that wouldn’t be assigned to the NATO response force, they would be going in unilaterally on behalf of the United States to some neighbors. Right, Can you give us any number? How many that would be? Yeah, I can’t do that right now, Courtney but I mean it it uh it could it depends on, it really depends on the need and we’re still in consultation with allies about needs. So I really would be reticent to give you a hard number right now. Um but we are in active discussions with with our allies about any additional capabilities they might need on top of or outside of the NATO response force that includes some of these intra theater moves that you’re talking about those. So those so there could be movement within you calm us troops that are moved for going to NATO allies? That would not be part of the NATO response force? Yes, ma’am, that is right. Has there been any consideration or decision about pulling US troops out of Ukraine as the State Department made the decision to pull some Americans out. There has been no decisions about moving our trainers that are in Ukraine out. But as I said, many times we’re constantly looking at the situation. We’re going to do what’s right for their for their safety and security that’s paramount to us. But as of right now they are still on the ground in Ukraine conducting their advise and assist missions. Um and obviously if that changes will certainly we’ll certainly let you know they haven’t changed the number, right? The footprint remains exactly the same. Yes ma’am, let me go to some of the phone. I know there’s lots of questions here. We’ll get to them all Jared suba from that monitor. Hi Mr. Kirby centcom just put out a statement about the ballistic missile attack on the United Arab Emirates saying that U. S. Patriot missile systems at Delta Air base engaged. Um Is the department treating this as a as a potential attack on us forces or was this just done to assist Emirati partners? Can you give us more detail on that? Well look, I I don’t want to get into intelligence assessments. I mean this was obviously this just happened early Monday morning. Um So clearly we have troops at Al Dhafra. So uh we are certainly going to be looking into the possibility that this was directed at at our forces. We obviously take that seriously. You’ve seen the centcom statement, we responded to uh to the attack this ballistic missile attack. Um uh and uh and well will be in close close coordination with our Iraqi partners as we continue to to assess what happened and what we might need to do going forward. But I don’t have a I can’t specifically tell you what the intent of uh of the attack was. But we have to assume, I mean it would be foolish for us not to assume that they’re uh that there was a threat to our people. And as you saw from the results, we took that threat seriously. Um Rio Nikki, mm hmm. Thank you, john uh I have a quick question about china. The U. S. Navy is now operating two carrier strike groups in the western pacific and they recently conducted on a large scale military exercise with Japan. Uh is this a message to china that china should not do something provocative while the U. S. Is working intensively on the situation in Ukraine. Thank you. We engage in joint operations to include uh maritime communications, anti submarine air warfare replenishment at sea, cross deck flight operations, the whole scope when we operate at sea and particularly when we have the opportunity. And it’s not unusual really for us to take advantage of the opportunity when you have two aircraft carriers in the same body of water to exercise together, we do this to strengthen our integrated at sea operations in our combat readiness. Uh And look, the I just reiterate, reiterate, try this again in English. I would reiterate that the all the training will be conducted in accordance with international law and international waters, Janay. Thank you. I have two occasions for one. When is the North Korea? South Korea and China? I said that the south Korean National Intelligence Service mentioned about the possibility of the North Korean I. C. B. M. Test fire. And he pointed out that this was intended to pressure the United States. What is the U. S. Responded to the imminent test fire of the North Korean CBM? Well, I’m not going to get ahead of test fire launches that haven’t happened yet. But we’ve been very clear about our concerns over the advancing nuclear ambitions and ballistic missile capabilities of Pyongyang uh continue to condemn it uh and to call on the North to cease these provocations and to abide by uh international law and these Security Council resolutions and to try to find ways to de escalate the tensions. We’ve said very clearly I won’t speak for my State Department colleagues that will will be willing to sit down with them? No, no. Without preconditions, they’ve shown no desire to move that forward. China justifies North Korea’s missile provocations. Do you think the china’s continue to support for the north Korean provocations is part of the strategic competition with the United States. I think you’d have to ask President xi that I mean, what what look china is a neighbor, direct neighbor of North Korea. They have influence in Pyongyang. We know that they know that Pyongyang knows that. Um and we’ve continued to call on china to to use the influence that it has uh to support the international community and U. N. Security Council resolutions that china themselves have signed up for to help get them enacted and to support the sanctions uh support them and to enforce them uh in a comprehensive cohesive way which the Chinese have not always done. Let me go back to sorry I’ll go to you Nancy and then I’ll go back to the phone. I’m just a couple of clarifying points. Is there a time limit to this pre prepared to deploy order or is it open ended? And would there then if it is open and that therefore be a time when the secretary would issue another order of sort of saying stand out in the central remember what it is, it’s it’s telling a unit or in this case several units To be prepared to deploy on a shorter tether than whatever it was before. In some cases as I said it was 10 days now it’s five. Um And uh there’s no time limit on that preparation order because we don’t know, excuse me if we’re when they would actually be activated and deployed. Um And to Courtney’s question I just want to stress again the vast majority are uh comprise our contribution to the NATO response force. There are some uh that would be that we are advancing their alert posture that are simply unilateral. That we would that we would consider sending on our own again in concert with allies And you’ve got to talk to the folks that are going to host them and make sure that that’s okay. Um But um it’s there’s not a there’s not a specific time limit assigned right now, but it is something that the secretary is going to continue to look at. If you know, certainly if not weekly then even daily um to make sure that it’s still the appropriate tether to have these troops on. And then clarified for me, you mentioned that they would be in support of this NATO mission. Is there any point where they would be under a NATO commander or would general Walters be wearing a different hat potentially when he when he takes command of them? Well, I I couldn’t get into specific command and control here. Again, the response force hasn’t been activated, but you’re right. General Walters is the Supreme allied commander in europe, that the head NATO commander. And so ultimately they would all be reporting up underneath him. But what the exact chain of command would be difficult for me to say when they haven’t even been activated. Let me go back here. Let’s see uh Kelly Meyer from news nation john thanks for taking my question. I know we kept talking here and saying, you know, diplomacy is not dead here but with the U. S. Now preparing to send troops to allies on the eastern flank? Is this just further agitating Russia? And we’re telling diplomats families to leave and Americans to leave? So is this moving on from a diplomatic effort to preparing for an invasion? Again? What we’re, what we’re telling these units to do is to be ready to go on a shorter uh timeline than what they were before. We are not deploying them now. We are not saying diplomacy is dead. You heard Secretary Blinken talked about this on Sunday in many outlets that that he still believes there’s uh there is room for discussion and dialogue. I said that myself in my opening statement, we absolutely still believe that there’s time and space for that. And frankly, uh the Department of Defense fully supports that as being the way forward here to the way to a solution that de escalates the tensions. But it would be irresponsible if given the indications that we have that there there is no intent by the Russians right now to deescalate. Um and given that it takes a matter of time to get units more ready to go on a shorter timeline. Be irresponsible if we didn’t think about making sure that they were that they had plenty of time to prepare and that’s all we’re doing at this point. Um let’s see john turner peck Yes, Can you hear me? Can you hear me? Yes, sir, I got you. Okay. Um so to activate something like this, you’ll probably need to have uh the air force in place? Have you uh increased the number of tankers at Milton Hall or throughout europe? And uh do you anticipate that there could be a bomber task force deployment to europe in the near future? You have any, I refer you to you come for things like bomber task force plans. I don’t have specific things to talk about like that today. And again again, please remember what this is about. This is about placing units on a heightened alert. It does not mean that they’re going to be jumping on great tales tomorrow and leaving. Um So obviously if there’s a need for additional air transport, you know, we’ll deal with that. Transcom is certainly Transportation command, sorry, is tracking uh these prepare to deploy orders and will obviously be postured as appropriate to support if needed? But that’s if needed. All we’re doing at this point is placing these units on a heightened alert posture. Um Tom Squitieri. Hey, thanks Sean, good afternoon. Um is NATO and NATO support of its eastern members as well as Ukraine? Is that support more complicated today because of general Walters and Yukon have concurred, there’s not one, but now several folder gaps on possible evasion rounds. Um I’m gonna try repeating your question cause I’m not sure. I totally got it. Tom is it are you are you talking about evacuation routes of Americans leaving Ukraine? And is that harder to do now, Is that, can you hear me? Okay? You hear me now? But I’m not sure I got your question. Okay, let me repeat it. Um, is the preparations by NATO and more complicated now to support its eastern members and Ukraine, because unlike during the Cold War, when there was only one folder gap, there are now more than one fold of gaps. Well, I would just tell you without getting into a historical comparison. Um and it’s usually not useful to go back into history and try to find exact comparisons. Um, the actions that Russia appears to be taking to threaten its neighbor further, uh and to violate potentially violate further Ukraine’s territorial integrity certainly uh make things more tense on the European continent writ large. Um, what I can tell you is that we remain committed to the alliance, uh and we absolutely remain committed to bolstering the capabilities of our of our of NATO’s eastern flank to the degree that they desire uh, that extra support. Um and uh, it’s not about, look, I don’t think it, I don’t think anybody wants to see another war on the European continent. And there’s no reason why that has to occur. This could be solved very easily by the Russians deescalating by by moving some of these forces away, um which they haven’t done. Uh And so NATO as a defensive alliance and it is a defensive alliance has a responsibility to its members to make sure that they’re able to defend themselves if needed. And that’s what and that’s, that’s a um that’s the spirit in which the secretary has made these early uh heightened alert decisions, jen point of clarification. If NATO is a defensive alliance and these troops, if they are activated, our defensive and therefore frontline NATO states, how does this protect Ukraine? How does it stop Putin from going into Ukraine? It’s it’s designed to reassure our NATO allies, jen it’s it’s designed to reassure our NATO allies and we are taking and we are how does it protect Ukraine Janet? It sends a very clear signal to Mr. Putin uh that we take our responsibilities to NATO seriously. Um and we are also working inside the international community uh to uh implement severe consequences for Mr. Putin if he were to go. Uh and again into Ukraine, largely those are of an economic uh economic consequences. So, I get what your your your question is, I’m trying to be very clear, this is good too. Um Barbara’s question about what success looks like. Uh we obviously don’t want to see another incursion in Ukraine were using uh lots of levels to try to communicate uh why that would be a bad thing for Russia to do. But number two, and it’s not an insignificant. Number two is to make sure that NATO stays unified and that NATO our allies are able to defend themselves and that is what this decision is all about. It’s about putting these forces on heightened alert in case NATO needs them. David, is there a process by which this NATO response force is activated? Does there have to be a a meeting? Is it a political decision or is it just a tactical military decision? What is it I mean, Well, it’s a NATO decision, David, I I’d refer you to NATO to go through the puts and takes of exactly how that decision gets made, but I’m sure it’s going to have to be one where all the allies are are are consulted and uh and you know, it’s a political military thing. I don’t, again, I don’t, I think I better just refer you to NATO on the specifics of it About about how how they activate the NRF require unanimity. I’m gonna refer you to NATO. I’m gonna refer you to NATO. Yeah, John Um two questions. One is what kind of action would spark in order to deploy? What what needs to be, what would be seen that that could lead to a deployment. As I said, as I said that the vast majority of these troops that we’ve put on, prepare to deploy our or to support the NRF, the NATO response force. And so what would what would, what would engender a deployment order to them would be a decision by NATO to activate the Nrf, can you say? What might activate the new NRF again? That’s that’s a NATO decision again. Please keep this in context. This is our contribution to the NATO response force. I won’t speak for the alliance? I’d refer you to NATO to speak to how and what uh a decision to activate is made and under what circumstances they would make it. Um our job is to make sure that if they do we’re ready to go. Second question is you’ve you’ve said a couple of times that the Russians show no sign of de escalation. Are they escalating? Are they taking are they adding any more forces equipment? Are they from from a week ago from two weeks ago. Have their has their presence on the border in large or changed in a qualitative way. That is escalatory. Yes, it’s gotten bigger. Absolutely. I’d refer you to the Russian Ministry of Defense. They can speak for their force movements. But uh and we’ve been very clear from the podium and I’m not gonna get into um um talking about their troop movements but they continue to add uh battalion tactical groups too to the western to their western border to the border with Ukraine. And in Belarus as well the numbers there are increasing. So they have not only shown no signs of de escalating but they are in fact adding more force capability. The NATO response force is the assumption that that’s something that could be activated in advance of an invasion or only would have been activated if I know that it’s a NATO decision. I mean what what’s your understanding is your understanding that it’s possible that this is something that could be called up that these are troops that could be called up and sent forward. Again, I’d refer you to brussels court. It’s really a decision for NATO to make and what the criteria are for activating it is really for them to to speak to, not not for us. Um There’s no I don’t I don’t know of a specific, I mean it’s it’s an existing response force, right? And uh you know, when it was established, you know, it wasn’t established uh specifically for the purposes of Russia invading Ukraine again. So I don’t know that there’s a specific limitation that, you know, they can only be activated. But that would be a an alliance decision. That’s that would be a discussion inside uh inside NATO and inside the political leadership of NATO. Again, I I just don’t know what what we’re trying to do is make sure that if it is whenever that is, we’re ready to go, can I go back on one thing for the troops, the U. S. Troops that might deploy while they may get some kind of extra pay for deployment, Can you find out for us whether or not they will get any kind of hazard pay or e combat pay Since there would be going into a situation where you clearly see potential hostile intent. Can you find that out? I’ll take the question. I have no idea today. Um Jogo told defense news. Hey john, thanks for taking my question. Thanks for doing this. Um, You talked about troops being on high alert, but what kinds of quip equipment is being ready to participate in the NRF, which is as NATO bills at a land, air and maritime force. And also does the department have any plans for industry to search production or deliveries of equipment that’s already approved for sale? The European allies, Maybe like the F 30 five’s for Finland or Poland or patriots for Poland, Sweden and Romania. Thank you. Military sales, joe. You’re gonna have to talk to the State Department that’s their province, not Harz. Um As for the kinds of, I guess you were asking about systems. As I said, these are brigade combat teams, um logistics, personnel, medical, aviation and aviation support, of course, all the uh kinds of logistical and sustainment support that would go to to be able to keep these forces in the field for an extended period of time. Um transportation, um uh command and control capabilities, communication capabilities, um as well as the systems themselves. I think a lot more specificity will be clear. Once we can start identifying for you the units. Um, we’re just not able to do that today because unit notification is ongoing and I think you can understand we wouldn’t want them to find out from me at the podium that they’re being put on a shorter tether, we want to do this the right way. But as we start to identify the units, I think uh the answers specific answers to your question will become a lot more clear. Jeff Seldin vo a hey john thanks very much for doing this. Can you give an update on U. S. Support for the Syrian Democratic Forces as fighting with ISIS in Osaka is now extending into a six day our U. S. Or coalition ground forces firing on engaging with ISIS on the ground. Some reports from Osaka seems to seem to suggest they are and is the pentagon reviewing its force posture in Syria given the size and scope of this attack? And separately on Burkina Faso, what impact is the attempted ongoing coup they’re having on us cooperation with the Burkina. Faso is military on counterterrorism methods? Yeah, on Burkino Faso, I’m gonna have to take the question and get back to, I’m not aware of any uh impact right now. Um so let me just take that question on coalition support for uh the Syrian Syrian Democratic forces, uh ongoing efforts um to deal with this prison break. Um uh and I would refer you to, oh Ir for more detail here, but just broadly speaking and I’ve already talked about this a little bit uh we have helped provide real time surveillance during the event. We have conducted a series of strikes through this days long operation to include the precision targeting of ISIS fighters who were attacking the sdf from buildings in the area and we have provided limited ground support, uh, strategically positioned to assist security in the area, for instance, putting Bradley fighting vehicles across access points, uh to help block as obstacles. So there’s been some limited ground support beyond that I would refer you to. Oh, I r to get into more details uh, Tony to paseo. Hi Jon, two quick questions Are the 8500, a blend of active duty and national guard or all national guard or excuse me, are all active duty. I uh, I think the large, the large portion of them is going to be active duty Tony, but I can’t uh I swear to you that there won’t be reservists involved in this as well. Again, all this will become more clear once we’re able to identify the specific units, but the vast majority will be active duty. Louis Martinez. Hey, john, I’m sorry, I only ask another question if you want, Tony wants to go, Okay, john, is that alright? Another one, my apologies. Okay, Jack, is that alright? How detailed the ground picture of Russian forces along the Ukraine? Does the U. S. Does the pentagon at this point possess? I mean, is it possible that we will know the US will know if in fact an invasion occurs in real time versus a bolt from the blue that catches everybody by surprise, kind of like Pearl Harbor. What I would tell you, Tony is we’re watching it very, very closely and we believe that we have a pretty good sight picture on what they have there and what they continue to add both in terms of the western part of Russia as well as into Belarus, we’re watching this very, very closely. Um uh and obviously um we’re mindful of, of things that the Russians uh could do that would potentially give us indications of some sort of imminent incursion. Um we’re not there yet, but we are watching for those indicators very very closely. Go ahead, Louie, thanks john. Um just following up on what you said so far that no decisions have been made and that the bulk of these forces are pegged to the NATO rapid response force. Um are they mutually exclusive? In other words, can the president decide that he wants these forces now that they’re on a short tether to head to europe for some kind of unilateral purpose without having to await uh NATO to even bring this up. He’s the Commander in Chief. He can make um whatever force decisions he believes is most prudent. What he has decided is that our commitment to NATO uh is paramount right now and that’s why uh he approved Secretary Austin’s recommendation that these additional units be put on heightened alert and that’s where we are right now. Again, I won’t speculate or hypothesize about future force deployment decisions that the Commander in chief might make, but he obviously has the purview to shape uh force posture decisions as he sees fit, given the advice and recommendations that he gets from the secretary and from the chairman. Okay, I’ll take a couple more. Yeah, go ahead. Following up on jen’s question earlier. Um the if you’re talking about reinforcing NATO’s eastern front, um do the names to the countries on Russia’s border. The NATO countries say they are threatened by this Russian positioning against Ukraine so that they need the reinforcements, you would have to talk to. Each of those governments were in touch with them. I can tell you that they, by and large. Again, I won’t speak for other countries, but by and large they’re equally as concerned about what Russia is doing as we are and as so many of their other allies are, I would stress again, um that even even in the event that we provide additional resources unilaterally that is outside the NATO response force and that’s a possibility. Even from inside europe, it would be done in full consultation and coordination with a given ally partner nation. We wouldn’t do it. You know, you you just don’t go walking into another country just just for the sake of of being there, it’s a it’s a thing you do in coordination and consultation with them. So to answer your question, uh in terms of whatever force deployments we might do, it would be at the request and with the support of a nation that did feel, for whatever reason that they needed these extra capabilities, is there any sense that the Russian troop presence on Ukraine borders actually threatens a NATO partner? I believe? Again, I won’t speak for other countries. I believe they have spoken for themselves about the concerns they have um about Mr. Putin’s potentially aggressive moves here. Um and we want to make sure again, back to my answer to Barb, one of the key uh one of the key criteria here is being able to make it clear Uh that we take our article Article five commitments to NATO very, very seriously. Yeah. Jim, john what effect does the secretary’s decision have On the 8500 service members concerned. I mean, I imagine all leaves and passes will be canceled right now. Are they packing up here? Are they anticipating having that they’re just being notified today? Some of these units are already just by nature of who they are and where they are on shortened a shortened tether. Um You know that um what the secretary decided to do in many of these cases is shorten it even more so from in some cases 10 days prepared to deploy, you gotta be ready to go in 10 days to now five. So they will, it depends on the unit, but they will have to make whatever preparations they feel they need to make to be able to meet that five day commitment? That doesn’t mean that in five days from now they’re going. Um It just means that that they need to be ready to go in as little as five days if asked for. So they will be doing all kinds of different things to help get them ready for that. And again it would depend on the unit whether it’s maintenance on vehicles and uh and uh and systems whether it’s um uh you know getting you know getting some things pre positioned and packaged packaged up and ready to go. Um Certainly they’ll be for the forces involved, I’m sure personal readiness things that they have to do. Uh And that’s again one of the reasons why I’m not giving units today because the units are getting notified and and we want to also give them time to talk about this with their families so that their families are ready for this potential and I say potential deployment order that could come. But what’s happening now is just getting them ready on a shorter tether. Not all of the units are already on such an advanced P. T. D. O. Status and so it will take them a little bit longer to get into a heightened alert posture. That’s why we’re doing it now so that they they have ample time to prepare. Okay. Alright No one is deploying in the next 72 hours today. We’re not talking about deployment orders were we we have no deployment orders to speak to barb and I think I’m just gonna leave it at that. Alright. Thanks everybody.