 Good afternoon everybody. Just a few things here at the top and we'll get right to your questions. Upfront I want to just express again our condolences to the family members and loved ones of the three US soldiers who were killed in Jordan this weekend in the Iran proxy drone attack at Tower 22. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with them. Secretary Austin will be calling each of the families to personally relay his respects and is planning to attend the dignified transfer of remains at Dover Air Force Base on Friday as well. Of note, the US Army Reserve announced earlier today that specialist Kennedy Sanders and specialist Breona Moffitt have been posthumously promoted to the rank of sergeant. We're also keeping our service members who were wounded in our thoughts and wish them all a speedy recovery. In terms of updates at this time, we're currently tracking more than 40 US service members with reported injuries ranging from lacerations to possible concussions pending TBI assessments. As previously briefed, eight personnel were medically evacuated out of Jordan for follow on care. Three of those eight were transported to Lawnstool Regional Medical Center in Germany, one of whom is reported to be in critical but stable condition. The other two service members are in fair and stable condition. After further examination by the Lawnstool trauma team, a determination will be made by medical staff, whether any of these injured service members will require transfer back to the US for further treatment. In terms of additional details about the drone attack itself, we know there are still many questions to include how the one-way attack drone could have penetrated the facility's air defenses, its point of origin, and which specific Iranian proxy group is responsible. I can tell you that US Central Command is continuing to look into all those important questions and that will keep you updated as new information becomes available as we are able to. What we do know is that I ran back militias are responsible for these continued attacks on US forces and that we will respond at a time and manner of our choosing. While we do not seek to escalate tensions in the region, we will also take all necessary actions to protect our troops, our facilities, and our interests. Shifting gears yesterday, the US ambassador to the Czech Republic, Bijan Sabé, and Czech Defense Minister Yana Chernakova signed a contract for the purchase of 24 F-35 fighter aircraft. The acquisition of these F-35s will increase the combat capability of the Czech military and strengthen NATO and the bilateral security of Czechia and the United States. With the signing, the Czech Republic joins 18 countries, including 10 in Europe, that employ the F-35. As you know, all foreign military sales are coordinated through the US State Department, so I would refer you to my colleagues at State for more information. And finally, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Western Hemisphere Affairs Dr. Daniel Erickson hosted the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Keith Rowley at the Pentagon yesterday. Performing the duties of Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Ms. Melissa Dalton also joined the meeting to emphasize the Department's strong support of the US Defense Partnership with Trinidad and Tobago. DOD leaders expressed appreciation for Trinidad and Tobago's leadership in the Caribbean community and in co-hosting the upcoming Caribbean Nation Security Conference alongside U.S. Southern Command in November of 2024. They further commended the robust partnership between the Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force and Delaware National Guard, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year through the State Partnership Program. The senior officials exchanged views on illicit trafficking, maritime security, defense force modernization and training, cybersecurity, and frameworks to facilitate expanded bilateral security cooperation. The meeting also reaffirmed the U.S. and DOD's commitment to partnership with Trinidad and Tobago and to working together to improve Caribbean regional security and resilience. With that, I'd be happy to take your questions. We'll go to AP Tarkov. Thanks General Rider. Has Secretary Austin provided the President response options at this point, or is the building still looking at the best way to deter future strikes? And I have a few couple others. Yeah, thanks Tar. So I'm not going to get into the specific conversations that the Secretary has had with the President as I've highlighted. We will respond in a time and manner of our choosing. Is the building still evaluating options on how best to respond at this point? I'm not going to get into the specifics as it relates to potential future operations other than, again, to reiterate that we will respond in a time and manner of our choosing. Well then let's take it another way. You said from the podium the U.S. does not seek to widen this war but how do you deter Iran which is clearly supplied and endorsed some of these attacks from keeping from doing this again and leading to another proxy attack on U.S. forces? Yeah, so again as a reminder our forces are in Iraq and Syria and in the region supporting the lasting defeat of ISIS. That's the mission that we've been focused on. When we need to we will protect our forces. Again, I'm not going to get into telegraphing or discussing potential future operations other than to say, again, we will respond in a time and manner of our choosing. Jennifer. General Ryder have you attributed to Koteb Hezbollah or any other group who is responsible for this drone strike? So Jennifer, Central Command is still assessing but again we are confident that this attack was sponsored by Iranian back proxies. So Koteb Hezbollah has just put out a message on telegram suggesting that telling its fighters not to attack U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria suggesting that they will support the fight in Gaza in other ways and suggesting that even if the U.S. strikes them not to respond what is your response to that? Yeah, we've seen those reports. I don't have a specific comment to provide other than action speak louder than words. Thanks, Laura. Thank you. A couple questions. First of all, can you speak a little bit about the drones that are based at Terror 22 in Al-Tanth? We saw some, we had some reporting yesterday that that there was some confusion over whether the drone coming into the base was friendly or was friend or foe and I know that these most of these drones should have IFF software enabling them to distinguish between the two so I'm just wondering if you could tell me whether those drones do have that software. Yeah, thanks, Laura. So no, I'm not going to get into the specifics on the kind of capabilities as it relates to intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, capabilities that we have. In terms of the reasons behind how this one-way attack drone was able to penetrate the facility's air defenses that's something that Central Command is looking at now and I'm just not going to get in be able to get into the specifics of that. Second question then actually on a different topic there was another report today saying that the U.S. is open to reopening discussions with Turkey to let them buy F-35s. I was wondering if you can speak on that from the DOD's perspective. Are you aware of those discussions? I've seen the the comments by our State Department colleagues on that. I'd refer you to State to discuss as you know right now with Turkey maintaining the S-400. That is currently not something that that is on the table but I'd refer you to State. Let me go to Missy. Just a couple questions Pat, thank you. Is there any update on whether Secretary Austin will come and talk to us sometime soon? First question. Again I don't I don't have a date to announce. Certainly aware of the request and we'll keep you updated. And on Jordan can you just clarify is are the troops in Jordan at Tower 22 and other bases? Are they under OIR authority or are they there under some other authority? Can you specify that? And is it right that there are about 3,000 troops in Jordan? Missy I'll have to come back to you on the total number of U.S. forces deployed to Jordan so we'll take that question. The forces that were you know the three soldiers that were killed again as we've highlighted they were there in support of Operation Inherent Resolve supporting the Defeat ISIS mission. That means that they're under OIR authority? Operating in support of OIR. Okay so that mean they report to the commander of OIR? It's I mean I don't want to get into the chain of command process here but if they're there supporting OIR then certainly OIR commander can request assistance from those forces. So and then the last question and I think we asked Sabrina this yesterday and I think it was maybe something that you guys are still looking at just wanted to ask if there had been any new information about any steps that may be taken to protect American forces in the region like in terms of air defense or new steps to make sure that something like this doesn't happen again. Yeah so you know for operation security reasons I'm not going to be able to go into specifics other than to say that U.S. Central Command of course is taking this very seriously and that we will take necessary measures and steps to ensure that our forces are protected recognizing as well that that this is a dangerous neighborhood but again yes to answer your question we will take steps to ensure that our forces are protected. Go to Will. Two questions. First Calter's Prime Minister expressed some concerns yesterday that the U.S. response to the Jordan attack could potentially affect the negotiations over a new hostage deal. Is that part of the Pentagon's calculus and in determining a U.S. response to this? So well I don't have anything specifically on that other than to say again you know as part of any decision-making process we take a wide range of considerations into account again to include what our broader regional goals are which from the very beginning has been to prevent the situation in Israel and Gaza from you know expanding into a broader conflict. I'll just leave it there. Second it's been it's been two days since the the attack in Jordan. Is there concern that this that delay in responding could give these groups time to prepare to disperse from likely targets etc? So well would I you know again I'm not going to get into any details about what a potential future operation could look like. You've heard both the President and Secretary Austin say that we will respond in a time in a manner of our choosing. Three U.S. service members were killed over 40 wounded. Oh by the way these service members were deployed into the region to contribute to regional security and stability in support of the international coalition to ensure the lasting defeat of ISIS. So there will be consequences and I'll just leave it at that sir. Yeah thank you just a quick question on the Red Sea. Since the Houthis are mainly attacking like foreign ships what what authorization does the Pentagon have to strike targets in Yemen? Again in terms of the strikes these are all being taken under United Nations section 51 in terms of right to self-defense and you know again our focus there is is twofold. One it's to protect international shipping and mariners that are transiting the Red Sea as well as to degrade and disrupt Houthi capability to conduct these kinds of attacks. Fadi. I just have a follow-up on this and then I have separate topic. The section 51 that you mentioned I mean before strikes on Yemen Yemenis did not attack any U.S. ship so what self-defense are you talking about defending international commerce is not part of the international law? Well so what are you suggesting what are you suggesting what are you suggesting? I'm suggesting that when you refer to this section from the UN you're saying U.S. was attacked by Houthis before the first strike. You're saying that the international community has been attacked by Houthis and the U.S. working alongside international allies and partners are working together to help deter degrade and disrupt their ability to conduct these attacks. You referenced something in the UN that does not apply to this situation prior to the January 1st wave of attacks in Yemen? Fadi, I think that international mariners have the ability or have the right to be defended transiting international waterways so happy to engage with the offline but their country is not I mean okay okay but my question can I ask a different topic? I'll come back to you. Tom. Thanks general. Just going back to Qatay Hezbollah. You have a pro-Iranian militia saying they're going to pause attacks on the U.S. forces and then you say action speak louder than words. I just was wondering if you could talk a little bit about how that might change the calculus in the building. Would you be concerned that if you do strike KH or any other groups then you are escalating in the face of them saying they're standing down given that you've said repeat or the administration has said that you do not seek to escalate. Yeah thanks Tom. I'm just not going to get into hypotheticals and I'm going to refrain from editorializing on those kinds of comments after 160 plus attacks against U.S. forces. Sir but the same question following on Tom's question do you welcome the Qatay Hezbollah statement for suspicion of their attacks on your forces in Iraq, Syria? Yeah I've already provided a comment on that. So yesterday the Pentagon officials met with the Peshmerga forces in Iraqi Kurdistan and the committee reviewed the purchase paid towards Peshmerga reform. Could you speak of the nature of your cooperation with the Peshmerga forces and how do you assess the reforms in the Peshmerga ministry? Yeah well as you know I mean we have a long-standing relationship going back many years with the Peshmerga as as it pertains to its association with the Iraqi security forces and so the statement that we posted yesterday I think lays out what efforts are being made to further bolster and strengthen that relationship within the auspices of the government of Iraq and the Iraqi security forces and so we'll continue to to use that opportunity to help ensure that our Peshmerga partners have the capabilities they need to support broader Iraqi security and stability and you know when we have updates we'll certainly pass that along. Let me go to the phone here real quick. Eric Schmidt, New York Times. Pad can you give us a little bit of chronology on Sunday morning? What time did this attack the drone attack take place? How quickly were the most seriously injured? Were they be where they medivac'd to Iraq and and then just kind of looking ahead in terms of any additional air defenses that you may be moving to the region or realigning the region to do this to help protect forces in place there? Yeah thanks Eric. On the last question again you know if we have details provide on the specific types of air defense systems that we would be moving into the the area I don't have anything to announce right now other than to say again central command is going to take and is taking necessary steps to ensure our forces are protected. As far as timelines I will take that question and we'll come back to you again this this attack happened Saturday night our time Sunday morning Iraq time and again we'll we'll come back to you with what we're able to provide on that. Fadi. Thank you. I want to go back to the KH statement it's really unusual and some of the messages in this statement refer to suspension of these attacks they don't want to basically embarrass a Sudanese government at the same time they're saying Iran was not always happy by escalation against U.S. forces. Would you credit the department and the administration at large pressure or messaging to Iran and Iraqi authorities as maybe a direct result for for issuing such a statement? Again look we've seen that and I'm just gonna stay where I was earlier action speak louder than words so okay. Orrin. I just want to be clear on a point part of your answer to Missy and part of your answer to Eric you said to Missy we will take steps to make sure our forces are protected then you said if we have something to announce we will announce it but I want to ask specifically you you are adding air defense or force protection measures you make it sound like there there will be changes coming. I'm saying that we will take necessary step steps to ensure that our forces are protected I don't have any specifics to announce right now. But above and beyond the measures that are currently in place? We're always assessing force protection and so you know I'll just leave it broad like that especially again in light of you know recent events. Constantine. Thanks Pat. The forces at tower 22 are they receiving hazardous duty incentive pay? I'll have to take that question. My assumption is yes but I'll have to take that question. And then my other question would be are they eligible for combat action ribbons? Again I'll have to take that one. Nancy. Yesterday Sabrina said that the secretary is going for a follow-up appointment. Can you tell us what the status of that is and if that means any changes to his health? Yeah so he went to the appointment last night left the doctor's office as I understand it this is part of his plan physical therapy so still recovering well still healthy still in the building. And then you mentioned that he was going to the dignified transfer on Friday will that be open any part of that be open? So you can contact the Air Force mortuary operations they manage press access to the dignified transfer to my knowledge those are again up to the families whether it's open or not but certainly you can put that request in with them. And one other thing I didn't understand yesterday there was some issue around filming part of the arrival of Secretary Stoltenberg can you help me understand what the challenges were in terms of filming his actual arrival? I'm not tracking any specific challenges so well we weren't allowed as I understand it to film the walk-up but only at the upstairs I'm just trying to understand that's a we followed normal protocol for a visit as I understand it by the NATO secretary general so typically because it's not a country it's not afforded honors per se so it was the standard arrival the secretary arrived in the building per standard procedure and process and the pool because of the size of the room was invited to come in and cover the top of that meeting. Right I'm just trying to understand were they allowed to film the the outside part the arrival part? I don't know that they were not I'm not tracking anybody saying that they couldn't we've just followed normal procedure for any type of DV visit to the Pentagon thanks sir. Thank you I have a couple of Ukraine then on middle age so do you have any updates on weapons deliveries to Ukraine under USAI or some of the capabilities currently being delivered to Ukraine despite no PDA announcements? No no new PDA announcements of course we're we're still standing by on a supplemental from from Congress. But USAI deliveries that was they were procured before that? I don't have anything specific to announce right now of course we're going to continue to work with Ukraine to deliver those capabilities as they come online. Also can you tell us more about the ongoing inspector general's visit to Ukraine what they will be looking into will they go to the front lines? I'd have to refer you to the inspector general's office. Let me go back to the phone here Jeff Shogle task and purpose. Thank you the National Defense Authorization Act includes a lot of funding to replenish the Defense Department stockpiles of munitions like artillery shells and SM-6 missiles but there can't be any new starts until Congress passes a spending bill so does the fact that the Defense Department is still on a continuing resolution mean that it hasn't been able to replenish or any of its stocks of shells and missiles or at least get started on new contracts? Yeah thanks Jeff you're talking about in terms of Ukraine or just in general? For each of the services has funding for shells missiles to especially considering that so many has been given to Ukraine this is the the ammunition buildup for the U.S. military. Yeah so I'd refer you to each of the services to talk about their current status but as you highlight during a continuing resolution we are limited in terms of you know in many ways in terms of being able to extend contracts it disrupts training delays maintenance it imposes uncertainty on the workforce so again each of the services can talk about their individual impacts. Let me go to Phil Stewart Reuters. Hey there thanks at the White House today there was some talk that there would be a a tiered response to the drone strike in Jordan and that could be multiple actions instead of a single action could you just confirm that that you're expecting a tiered response with multiple actions and then secondly on the on the KH statement I mean could could you go for a little more I mean what do you mean by actually speak a lot of the words you would you like to see them make good on this this promise to suspend operations on U.S. forces but you just elaborate what you meant by that thanks. Yeah thanks Phil on your on your first question again we're not going to telegraph or discuss details associated with any future operations and again on on the the statement that's out there you know I don't think we could be any more clear that we have called on the Iranian proxy groups to stop their attacks they have not and so we will respond in a time in manner of our choosing when I say actions speak louder than words you know there has been three attacks to my knowledge since the 28th of January and I'll just leave it there okay got time for just a few more here let's go to Howard Altman war zone thanks Pat a couple questions one do have you can you confirm the political reporting and have to ground along a small diameter bomb could be delivered to Ukraine as soon as tomorrow and then has the Pentagon been informed by Ukraine of any change at the top of its command there's been a lot of discussion about general delusion being replaced as as Ukraine said anything definitive to the Pentagon yeah thanks Howard on your latter question there I'm not tracking any changes obviously it's it's for Ukraine to discuss their internal domestic affairs as far as the small diameter bomb as we acknowledged last year we will provide Ukraine with the ground launch small diameter bomb as part of our USAI funded security assistance efforts however due to operation security reasons we're not going to confirm specific timelines we'll defer to Ukraine to talk about any delivery but we do as I mentioned continue to work closely with Ukraine with our industry partners to ensure that Ukraine receives and is ready to use the capabilities that we're delivering to them and as quickly as possible thanks sir so recognizing there's an ongoing investigation into it is there any indication at this point with the drone attack that this was a result of a technology failure or gap or versus human error in terms of recognizing what the technology and information was saying yeah again I appreciate the question Sincum is looking into all of that the other aspect of this which which I know you all appreciate is the operations force protection aspect in terms of you know vulnerabilities it's not something we would talk about certainly from the podium here all that to say we do recognize and appreciate the interest and I can tell you that Sincum is looking into all of that yes ma'am do you have any concern that while you are responding to this attack any party whether it's ally or adversary would exploit this situation to their benefit and did you convey any message to that effect I'm not sure I understand what you're asking I mean do you have any concern while you are responding to that attack to this attack on the American troops on American troops in Jordan that any party whether it's ally or adversary would exploit this situation to their own benefit you've been saying you don't want to widen this war and did you convey any message to any party speaking here specifically about Lebanon again you know we are not first of all taking a step back looking at the broader region we fully recognize the tensions right now that are in the Middle East from the very beginning of the Israel Hamas conflict we've been very clear that we're going to work very hard with our allies and our partners in the region to prevent a broader conflict when it comes to the situation in Iraq and Syria in Jordan our troops were attacked and three U.S. service members were killed and over 40 wounded the president and the secretary have both said that we will respond in a time in place of our choosing again not going to go into details of of what that could look like other than the fact that there will be consequences and and I'm just going to again leave it right there Nancy last question you've been familiar that Sankam is investigating you tell us who is investigating is there one person can you give us some we've heard several references yeah so you know term of art here I would not use the word investigation they're reviewing it of course investigation has a specific you know connotation obviously it's up to Sankam whether or not they open a formal investigation typically after any type of incident there is always some type of review or investigation but my point is you know U.S. central command and leaders within the command are are looking at this I don't have a specific name to pass along to you but I can tell you what we're taking it very seriously right but we heard the term yesterday so what you're telling us is there's not one person who's looking into this is there some sort of like I don't know there's no like 15 there's no kind of I'll have to get back to you on that Nancy okay thank you very much everybody appreciate it