A sailor guides a light armored vehicle aboard the USS Portland in the Pacific Ocean, Aug. 21, 2021.
Tuesday, August 31, 2021
Live Fire
Soldiers fire 120 mm infrared illumination mortar rounds during live-fire training at Bucierz Range, Drawsko Pomorskie Training Area, Poland, Aug. 26, 2021.
Anniversary Marks 70 Years of Australia, New Zealand, U.S. Treaty
Aug. 31, 2021 | , DOD News
The U.S. military is marking the 70th anniversary of its alliance with America's closest Pacific allies — Australia and New Zealand.
The Australia, New Zealand and United States Security Treaty was signed in San Francisco on Sept. 1, 1951. The pact formally committed the nations to protect the security of the Pacific together, but its roots go much deeper.
In 1907, U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt sent the Great White Fleet of U.S. warships around the world. The voyage of American battleships and other vessels marked the emergence of the U.S. Navy as a worldwide force to be reckoned with. The fleet visited New Zealand and Australia as part of its swing through the Pacific. Fully 10 percent of the population of the nation of New Zealand turned out to see the ships when they arrived in Auckland in August 1908. In Sydney Harbor later that month, around 500,000 Australians cheered the fleet as it arrived. Sydney, Australia, had a population of 600,000 at the time.
Fast-forward to July 4, 1918, and the muddy Hell of the Western Front in France. Australian and American soldiers went into battle against the Germans side-by-side in one of the first battles involving Americans.
In World War II, American, Australian and New Zealand forces fought alongside each other around the world. From the coast of Java to the sands of North Africa and from the jungles of New Guinea to the mountains of Italy, the nations cooperated. Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands; Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea; the Coral Sea; Okinawa, Japan; Monte Cassino, Italy; Tunis, Tunisia; the Po Valley, Italy; and more were places hallowed by the shared sacrifices of the Kiwis, Aussies and Yanks.
The three nations signed the pact in 1951 at a time when they were fighting alongside each other in Korea. Australian and Kiwis fought in Vietnam and were again operating together during Desert Storm.
When America was attacked on Sept. 11, 2001, Australian Prime Minister John Howard invoked the mutual defense portion of the treaty in support of the United States. Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria became places where the "mates" stood together once again.
The three nations share intelligence, plan together, exercise together, and operate together. It would be hard to find a peacekeeping or humanitarian operation where they don't cooperate.
Today, Australian and New Zealand officers work as integral members of the Joint Staff in the Pentagon and at U.S. Indo-Pacific Command in Hawaii. American officers man positions with Australian forces in the capital of Canberra.
And the partnership continues to grow. U.S. Air Force personnel work closely with their Royal Australian Air Force counterparts. U.S. Marines — who rotate through the northern Australian city of Darwin — train constantly with their counterparts. U.S. Navy ships operate with New Zealand and Australian ships ensuring freedom of navigation throughout the Pacific. American, New Zealand and Australian special operators train together for a variety of missions.
The ANZUS Pact was important in 1951 when the world faced the threat of the Soviet Union. It remains important in 2021 when the international situation is becoming more and more complex.
Sniper Training
A student in the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School's Special Forces Sniper Course looks through a weapon scope during sniper training at Fort Bragg, N.C., Aug. 2, 2021.
Mine Transfer
Airmen transfer an Mk-62 Quickstrike naval mine during a training exercise at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Aug. 25, 2021.
River Riders
Coast Guardsmen participate in a law enforcement training exercise in the Columbia River, Aug. 26, 2021.
Load Ops
Marine Corps Cpl. Cole Strain loads a guided multiple launch rocket system into a launcher during Exercise Koolendong at Bradshaw Field Training Area, Australia, Aug. 29, 2021. The joint exercise with the Australian Defense Force tests ability to conduct a range of crisis response and contingency operations in the Indo-Pacific region.
Ida Ops
Louisiana National Guard members in high-water vehicles and boats work with St. John the Baptist Parish officials to rescue citizens stranded in their homes in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida in New Orleans, Aug. 30, 2021.
Smoky Scene
A soldier fires a weapon during a simulated deployment exercise at Fort Bragg, N.C., Aug. 10, 2021.
Aid for Haiti
Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Kane unloads boxes of food in Saint-Louis-du-Sud, Haiti, Aug. 28, 2021, to support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts following a 7.2 magnitude earthquake.
U.S., Ukraine Leaders Discuss Strategic Partnership During Pentagon Meeting
Aug. 31, 2021 | , DOD News
The United States will continue to urge Russia to end its illegal occupation of Ukraine's Crimea and looks to strengthen bonds between the United States and Ukraine, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III told Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Defense Minister Andrii Taranto at the Pentagon today.
The Ukrainian delegation is in Washington to discuss the larger aspects of the U.S.-Ukraine relationship.
Ukraine is in conflict with Russia, which occupied and annexed Crimea
from Ukraine in 2014. Russia had agreed to respect the sovereignty of
all nations in Europe.
"Our support for Ukraine sovereignty, territorial integrity, and Euro-Atlantic aspirations is unwavering," Austin said at the beginning of the meeting. "We again call on Russia to end the occupation of Crimea and to stop perpetuating the conflict in eastern Ukraine, and we will continue to stand with you in the face of this Russian aggression."
The United States wants to strengthen the strategic defense partnership with Ukraine. To that end, Austin signed a strategic defense framework agreement with Taranto. The document is meant to enhance cooperation between the two nations and "advances shared priorities by ensuring that our bilateral security cooperation continues to help Ukraine counter Russian aggression," Austin said.
The agreement also looks at defense industry reforms in support of Ukraine's NATO membership aspirations, and deepening cooperation in such areas of Black Sea security, cyber defense, and intelligence sharing.
The two men will also sign a research, development, test and evaluation agreement. This will provide a framework for bilateral armaments and military technical cooperative projects.
Since the Russia aggression, the United States has provided Ukraine with more than $2.5 billion in aid. This year, that includes Javelin missiles.
Austin said the United States remains committed to Ukraine, and he thanked the nation for its help in Afghanistan and in the evacuation effort. Austin told Ukraine's president that he looks forward to a more secure, prosperous, democratic and free Ukraine.
Unloading Aid
Haitians, U.S. service members assigned to Joint Task Force Haiti and U.S. Agency for International Development personnel unload humanitarian aid off a CH-47 Chinook in Jeremie, Haiti, Aug. 28, 2021. The task force and USAID have delivered more than 310,000 pounds of humanitarian aid since an earthquake struck the area on Aug. 14.
Statement by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on the 70th Anniversary of the ANZUS Treaty
Aug. 31, 2021
Today marks a special milestone for the U.S. - Australian Alliance. Seventy years ago, we formally established the “Unbreakable Alliance” that continues to provide stability and security for the Indo-Pacific and beyond. While the Alliance itself is 70 years old, Australia and the United States have fought side by side in every major conflict since World War I.
The United States will never forget that twenty years ago, on September 11, Australia invoked, for the first time in its history, the collective defense article of the ANZUS Treaty. Once again, Australia sent troops to fight shoulder-to-shoulder with the United States and other allies and partners through nearly 20 years of combat. It is a testament to the enduring nature of “Mateship.” Our Australian allies stood by with us to the very end of our presence in Afghanistan and the United States will be forever grateful.
As we celebrate the signing of the ANZUS Treaty and the U.S. - Australian Alliance, we are also setting our sights on the future. Our shared interests and values ensure that our Alliance will continue to advance our shared vision for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.
In a few short days, I look forward to hosting Australian Minister for Defence Dutton at the Pentagon, followed by this year’s Australia - United States Ministerial (AUSMIN) consultations here in Washington, D.C. Together, we will work to ensure that our Alliance continues to move forward with strength and purpose for decades to come.
Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Meeting With Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Minister of Defence Andrii Taran
Aug. 31, 2021
Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby provided the following readout:
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III met today with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Minister of Defence Andrii Taran to reaffirm the strategic defense partnership between the United States and Ukraine.
Secretary Austin reiterated unwavering U.S. support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and Euro-Atlantic aspirations. He condemned Russia’s continued occupation of Crimea and perpetuation of the conflict in eastern Ukraine.
With President Biden’s approval of a new $60 million package for additional Javelin anti-armor systems and other defensive lethal and non-lethal capabilities, the United States has committed more than $400 million in security assistance to Ukraine this year alone.
The leaders also discussed the importance of maintaining progress on defense and defense industry reforms in line with NATO principles and standards and exchanged perspectives on Black Sea security.
Secretary Austin and Minister Taran concluded the meeting with a signing ceremony of the U.S.-Ukraine Strategic Defense Framework , which enhances our strategic defense partnership and advances shared priorities, as well as a Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation Projects Agreement that will provide a framework for pursuing bilateral armaments and military-technical cooperation through cooperative projects.
Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Phone Call With German Federal Minister of Defense Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer
Aug. 31, 2021
Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby provided the following readout:
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with German Federal Minister of Defense Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer to discuss the end of U.S operations in Afghanistan. The Secretary thanked Minister Kramp-Karrenbauer for Germany’s support to evacuation operations in Afghanistan, and for Germany’s continuing support to evacuation operations ongoing at U.S. military facilities in Germany. They agreed to continue to closely collaborate as the situation evolves.
Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Phone Call With Canadian Minister of National Defence Harjit S. Sajjan
Aug. 31, 2021
On August 31, 2021, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III held a phone call with Canadian Minister of National Defence Harjit S. Sajjan to express appreciation for Canada’s close cooperation during the operation to evacuate at risk Afghans and the drawdown of coalition forces from Afghanistan.
Secretary Austin recognized Canada’s contributions to one of the largest airlifts in history. Both leaders expressed their shared commitment to help vulnerable Afghans.
Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Phone Call With Norwegian Minister of Defense Frank Bakke-Jensen
Aug. 31, 2021
Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby provided the following readout:
On August 31, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Norwegian Minister of Defense Frank Bakke-Jensen to convey appreciation for Norway’s contributions to evacuation and retrograde operations from Afghanistan, in particular the critical role of Norway’s field hospital at Hamid-Karzai International Airport in treating the wounded, including U.S. service members, following the August 26 terrorist attack at Abbey Gate.
The leaders discussed the close and longstanding cooperation between U.S. and Norwegian forces over the twenty-year mission in Afghanistan and reaffirmed the strong bilateral defense relationship.
Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Amir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar
Aug. 31, 2021
Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby provided the following readout:
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Amir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar to reaffirm the strength of the U.S.-Qatar bilateral relationship, and to discuss the situation in Afghanistan.
Secretary Austin conveyed appreciation for Qatar’s critical support to U.S. operations in Afghanistan, including its generous help in facilitating the safe transit of U.S. citizens, Embassy Kabul personnel, and at-risk Afghans through Qatar. Both leaders pledged to continue cooperation on regional security issues.
Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, H.E. Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali Al-Sabah
Aug. 31, 2021
Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby provided the following readout:
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Kuwaiti Minister of Defense, His Excellency Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali Al-Sabah to reaffirm the strength of the U.S.-Kuwait partnership and to discuss the situation in Afghanistan.
The Secretary expressed gratitude for Kuwait’s generous role as a transit location as the U.S. military conducted the evacuation and retrograde mission from Afghanistan. Both leaders pledged to continue cooperation on regional security issues.
Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Bahrain Crown Prince, His Royal Highness Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa
Aug. 31, 2021
Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby provided the following readout:
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Bahrain Crown Prince, His Royal Highness Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa to reaffirm the strong U.S.-Bahrain partnership and to discuss the situation in Afghanistan.
The Secretary expressed thanks for Bahrain’s critical role as a transit location as the U.S. military conducted the evacuation and retrograde mission from Afghanistan. Both leaders pledged to continue cooperation on regional security issues going forward.
Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates
Aug. 31, 2021
Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby provided the following readout:
On August 31, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke by phone with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to reaffirm the importance of the U.S.-UAE partnership and to discuss the situation in Afghanistan.
Secretary Austin conveyed his appreciation for the UAE’s instrumental role as a transit location as the U.S. military conducted the evacuation and retrograde mission from Afghanistan. The two leaders pledged to continue cooperation on shared regional security objectives.
Command Senior Enlisted Leader Assignment
Aug. 31, 2021
The Office of the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (OSEAC) announced the following assignment:
Army Command Sgt. Maj. Corey J. Perry, currently assigned as the command sergeant major for the U.S. Army Installation Management Command’s Training Directorate, Fort Eustis, Virginia, has been selected to replace Navy Command Master Chief Laura S. Nunley as senior enlisted advisor, Defense Intelligence Agency, Washington, D.C.
Monday, August 30, 2021
DOD Continues Aiding Haitians Following Earthquake, Tropical Storm
Aug. 30, 2021
|
, DOD News
The U.S. military has flown 560 sorties to Haiti, providing rapid
logistical and airlift support, including delivery of more than 348,000
pounds of aid, the Joint Staff deputy director for regional operations
said.
Army Maj. Gen. William D. "Hank" Taylor spoke on this and other topics during a press briefing this morning.
The humanitarian assistance operation comes in the wake of two natural disasters that recently hit the Caribbean island.
First, on Aug. 14, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck the southwest area of Haiti, causing widespread damage, killing over 2,000, and injuring many more.
Haiti also took a direct hit from Tropical Storm Grace on Aug. 16, resulting in flooding and compounding the damage from the earthquake.
Air Force Lt. Col. Ken Hoffman, a Defense Department spokesman, said that as of this morning, the Joint Task Force Haiti team has saved or assisted in saving more than 475 lives. The JTF is composed of personnel, equipment, ships and aircraft from the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Army and Coast Guard.
The U.S. military "has been working around the clock to save lives and deliver aid since Aug. 14," and will continue with that mission, supporting the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, as well as working with international partners and allies to provide life-saving aid and assistance to the people of Haiti, Hoffman said.
Oxygen Replacement
Navy Lt. Cmdr. Leonard Aranas, a critical care nurse with the Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Bethesda in Maryland, replaces an oxygen tank for a COVID-19 patient at Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center during the COVID-19 response operations in Lafayette, La., Aug. 26, 2021.
Humanitarian Aid
Haitian citizens assist U.S. service members with Joint Task Force-Haiti and members of U.S. Agency for International Development unload humanitarian aid from a CH-47 Chinook in Jeremie, Haiti, Aug. 28, 2021.
National Guard Deployed to Areas Ravaged by Hurricane Ida
Aug. 30, 2021 | , DOD News
As of this morning, the National Guard has activated more than 5,200 personnel in Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and Alabama in response to Hurricane Ida, the Joint Staff deputy director for regional operations said.
Army Maj. Gen. William D. "Hank" Taylor spoke on this and other topics at a press briefing this morning.
The majority of those National Guard troops — 5,009 — are in Louisiana, according to Army Lt. Col. Chris Mitchell, a Pentagon press officer. There are currently 150 in Mississippi, 100 in Texas and 40 in Alabama.
The National Guard brings to the region a variety of assets, including high-water vehicles, rotary lift capacity and other transportation support, Taylor said.
The U.S Army Corps of Engineers is operational in New Orleans, and is assessing the storm’s impact, he said, adding that the Defense Department stands ready to assist, if requested by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Coast Guard assets have also been deployed to the region and aircrews conducted overflights to assess damage and identify hazards.
Hurricane Ida, a Category 4 storm, came ashore in Louisiana yesterday, causing a significant amount of flooding and power loss. As of 11a.m. EDT, the National Hurricane Center was listing it as a tropical storm located near Jackson, Mississippi.
Food Donations
Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Jace Borowiak passes boxes of food to Haitian citizens during a humanitarian aid mission in Anse-A-Veau, Haiti, Aug. 25, 2021.
Food Delivery
Marines deliver cases of supplies from an MV-22B Osprey during a disaster relief mission near Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Aug. 27, 2021.
Collecting Data
Air Force 1st Lt. Amaryllis Cotto, aerial reconnaissance weather officer for the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., looks at atmospheric data collected during a flight into Hurricane Ida, Aug. 27, 2021. The data collected helps forecasters better predict the path of a tropical system.
Ready to Roll
The crew of an Army UH-72 helicopter conducts a system inspection before departing from Puerto Rico to assist with earthquake relief efforts in Haiti, Aug. 27, 2021.
Rotor Review
Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Oleg Bylogurov inspects the tail rotor of an MH-60S Seahawk helicopter aboard the USS Charleston in the Philippine Sea, Aug. 28, 2021.
Robot Walk
Airmen conduct a joint patrol with a Boston Dynamics Spot robot at Royal Air Force Leeming, United Kingdom, Aug. 25, 2021.
Washing Work
A Marine prepares for the arrival of Afghan personnel at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., Aug. 26, 2021. The Defense Department through U.S. Northern Command, and in support of the Department of State and Department of Homeland Security, is providing transportation, temporary housing, medical screening and general support for Afghan evacuees.
Relief Efforts
Army Capt. Alix Idrache, a pilot and future operations planner with the 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment, Joint Task Force Bravo, delivers a patient to Zach Pendergast, a paramedic emergency medical service volunteer, during a medical evacuation mission in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Aug. 24, 2021. Task force members are supporting the Agency for International Development by conducting relief efforts for Haitian people affected by the magnitude 7.2 earthquake that struck the island nation Aug. 14.
Search and Rescue
Air Force Senior Airman Katherine Buckallew participates in urban search and rescue training at the Guardian Centers in Perry, Ga., Aug. 4, 2021.
First Aid
Personnel perform first aid on a medevac patient aboard a Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Aug. 24, 2021. Coast Guard helicopters and aircrews are transporting medical personnel and evacuating those requiring higher levels of care.
Soaring Spirit
An Air Force B-2 Spirit flies during training over Royal Air Force Fairford, England, Aug. 25, 2021.
Maintenance Duty
Navy Seaman Ricalin Mondejar conducts maintenance on an emergency breathing air compressor aboard the USS Iwo Jima in the Persian Gulf, Aug. 25, 2021.
Saturday, August 28, 2021
Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Phone Call With Turkish Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar
Aug. 27, 2021
Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby provided the following readout:
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke by phone today with Turkish Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar to thank Turkey for its longstanding and significant support to the mission at Hamid Karzai International Airport. They agreed to stay closely engaged with respect to any future arrangements at the airport. The Secretary thanked Minister Akar for his condolences for the U.S. service members lost in yesterday’s attack in Kabul. The Secretary reaffirmed the enduring U.S.-Turkey defense relationship as demonstrated most recently by the strong cooperation between both countries on Afghanistan.
Friday, August 27, 2021
DOD's Office of Industrial Policy Promotes Defense Industrial Workforce Strategy at Stakeholder Summit
Aug. 27, 2021
On Aug. 25, 2021, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Policy, Jesse Salazar, presented the “Department of Defense’s Perspectives on Industrial Workforce Challenges” at the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) Summit in Danville, Virginia. Mr. Salazar was among a group of U.S. government officials—including U.S. Senator Mark Warner (Virginia), who gave the keynote address; Rear Admiral Scott Pappano, Program Executive Officer for Columbia class submarine program; and Ms. Adele Ratcliff, DOD Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) Program Director—who shared their perspectives on closing defense industrial base workforce skills gaps, particularly in the submarine shipbuilding sector.
In his keynote address, Senator Warner set the tone for the summit by emphasizing that “the whole notion of how we view investment in human capital…has to fundamentally change…if we don’t start viewing investing in human capital in the same kind of broad way that we view investing in research and development or plant equipment, then we’re not going to make it.”
To address some of these human capital challenges, the Office of Industrial Policy, through its IBAS program, recently awarded the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) in Danville, Virginia an additional $4.3 million that expands on the previous IBAS investments. The award supports an ongoing three-year pilot project to develop, exercise, and evaluate ATDM’s ability to accelerate and expand the production of highly skilled workers to meet increasingly demanding defense maritime production requirements. Successful demonstration of this training platform, which aims to reduce the typical 1-2 year training times to only four months, could underpin the creation of an expanded network of similar Regional Training Centers across the United States.
The ATDM project is a prime example of how the Department partners more actively with industry, academia, and state and local governments to address industrial workforce shortages affecting production and sustainment of critical defense systems. This is one of 12 currently funded projects launched under the DOD’s “National Imperative for Industrial Skills” initiative (or “the Skills Imperative”), which has invested over $80 million in the last two fiscal years.
“The advances here in Danville have resonance far beyond shipbuilding and will enable the future of American production by cultivating the people who will build our country back better,” said Jesse Salazar, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Policy. “The ATDM model, led by Team Danville, will help the DOD scale American capacity to manufacture the exceptional parts, machines, and resilient supply chain materials our warfighters need.”
The Skills Imperative is a part of the Department’s broader efforts to build resilient supply chains and a prepared and capable workforce in order to enhance the manufacturing and industrial skills needed to strengthen our economic and national security. Led by the IBAS program in the DOD’s Office of Industrial Policy, the Skills Imperative goals are to promote the prestige of manufacturing and industrial careers, accelerate training development pipelines, and elevate U.S. manufacturing to world-leading status.
Adele Ratcliff, IBAS Director, went on to say, “our Team Danville partners led by the Institute of Advanced Learning and Research, as well as all the world class students in the ATDM program, are on the leading edge of this exciting and innovative effort to rebuild America’s manufacturing and industrial workforce. I look forward to our continued success together.”
Those interested in learning more about the National Imperative for Industrial Skills or how to join the IBAS program’s Cornerstone Consortium of members eligible to propose prototyping efforts in support of the Skills Imperative should email: osd.pentagon.ousd-a-s.mbx.ibas@mail.mil.
Collaboration Between China, Russia Compounds Threat, Stratcom Commander Says
Aug. 27, 2021 | , DOD News
During the Cold War, the U.S. faced one peer competitor, the Soviet Union. Today, Russia and China, both peer competitors, are seen as sometimes collaborating in opportunistic ways, the commander of U.S. Strategic Command said.
Navy Adm. Charles "Chas" A. Richard, commander, U.S. Strategic Command, spoke today at the Hudson Institute.
"China's strategic breakout means that they are now additive to what it takes to deter Russia," he said.
"We're in uncharted waters," he said, referring to the twin threat, "and that threat is growing rapidly.
"Both Russia and China have the ability to unilaterally at their own choosing, go to any level of violence, to go to any domain to go worldwide, with all instruments of national power," Richard said, noting that if they work in tandem, it is even worse.
By domain, Richard referred to threats in the space, cyber, air, ground and sea domains.
The admiral pointed to the path forward for the U.S.
"We need to reexamine any number of our basic operating concepts starting with our escalation control. I think we need to be far more humble about our ability to control escalation in a crisis than we currently do," he said.
"Every operational plan in the Department of Defense and every other capability that we have rests on [the] assumption that strategic deterrence is holding. If I can't get strategic deterrence, and in particular nuclear deterrence to hold, no other plan and no other capability in the department is going to work as designed," he said.
Stratcom is currently rewriting deterrence theory operationally, but this effort requires all of the combatant commands' broader focus efforts as well, he said.
"This is a good time to be doing a National Defense Strategy Review, to be doing a Nuclear Posture Review and Missile Defense Review," Richard said, applauding the timing of the revisions to those reviews.
Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call with Qatar Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs, His Excellency Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed Al-Attiyah
Aug. 27, 2021
Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby provided the following readout:
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Qatar Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs, His Excellency Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed Al-Attiyah about the situation in Afghanistan.
The Secretary thanked Minister Al-Attiyah for Qatar’s generous support in facilitating the safe transit of U.S. citizens, Embassy Kabul personnel, and at-risk Afghans through Qatar. Both leaders acknowledged the strong U.S.-Qatar partnership, which quickly enabled Qatar’s critical support to Afghanistan evacuation operations.
Best Practices
Air Force Maj. (Dr.) Andrew Bergland, with the 88th Medical Group, briefs Serbian Col. Danilo Jokovic, center, and Lt. Col. Vladan Zivkovic at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, Aug. 19, 2021. The foreign doctors led a delegation sponsored by the Ohio National Guard’s State Partnership Program and visited the medical center and the 711th Human Performance Wing to learn best practices in combating COVID-19.
Administering a Vaccine
Air Force Master Sgt. Maily Groeschel, right, a care flight chief with the 23rd Medical Group beneficiary, administers a COVID-19 vaccine to Air Force Staff Sgt. Austin Kennedy, 75th Aircraft Maintenance Unit dedicated crew chief, at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., Aug. 17, 2021.
Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby and Major General Hank Taylor, Deputy Director of the Joint Staff For Regional Operations Press Briefing
Aug. 27, 2021
Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby; Major
General Hank Taylor, Deputy Director of the Joint Staff For Regional
Operations, J-35
MAJOR GENERAL HANK TAYLOR: Good morning. Thanks for being here. Each day that we've been able to provide you updates, we're glad that we're able to do that, and as from previous days, I'll, no exception, give you an operational update, then turn it back over to Mr. Kirby.
Don't have a lot of additional detail to offer you about the attack yesterday at the Abbey Gate, but I can confirm for you that we do not believe that there was a second explosion at or near the Baron Hotel; that it was one suicide bomber. We're not sure how that report was provided incorrectly, but we do know -- it's not any surprise -- that in the confusion of very dynamic events like this can cause information sometimes to be misreported or garbled. We felt it was important to correct the record with you all here.
You've now seen that we've updated our casualty lists to include a -- a 13th service member killed in action. Our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to the families and to the teammates that we have lost. This is a devastating time for these Gold Star families, a title no one wants to hold, but we absolutely hold in the utmost respect.
I can also report that two flights landed at Ramstein today carrying our wounded personnel from the attack. These personnel have been transferred to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center and are receiving care.
In Kabul, commanders on the ground continue to assess the risk and the dynamic situation there, as they have -- have been since the beginning. Force protection remains paramount with the continued threat.
We've continued the evacuation mission yesterday, as you saw -- as you reported last night, and I'll give you an update of how things have gone in the last 24 hours. Yesterday, 35 U.S. military aircraft, 29 C-17s and six C-130s departed with approximately 8,500 personnel. Combined with 54 coalition aircraft departures, an additional 4,000 personnel left Kabul for various intermediate staging bases; 89 flights total yesterday out of Kabul, totaling approximately 12,500 evacuees now safely out -- out of Afghanistan in a 24-hour period. In the past 24 hours, more than 300 American citizens were evacuated from Afghanistan, bringing our updated total to approximately 5,100. We continue to maximize our efficiency, and since U.S. and coalition forces began the evacuation, approximately 111,000 evacuees have departed safely.
The State Department consular officers continue to screen and process people arriving at gates around Kabul. Some gates have been closed that we reported, but American citizens, SIV applicants and vulnerable Afghans who have the designated and proper credentials will continue to be processed for departure from the airfield. There are still approximately 5,400 individuals on the airport as of this report, awaiting for flights out of Afghanistan.
We have the ability to include evacuees on U.S. military air -- airlift out of Afghanistan until the very end. The Department of Defense has the continued responsibility to support the State Department in the ongoing movement evacuees through our intermediate-staging basis and safe havens all the way to the United States in the coming days and weeks.
On that topic, here's a quick update on the military installations and our safe havens and staging bases in CENTCOM and you -- and EUCOM that are helping transition all these flights. CENTCOM locations, including Al Udeid Air Base, steadily receive, process and transfer passengers to follow-on locations in Europe and the United States. Today, EUCOM will receive about 19 flights and approximately 19 -- or, and approximately 5,000 passengers in Germany, Italy and Spain, including the Naval Station Rota. In turn, six flights will transport about 3,300 people from Europe to the United States.
I cannot say enough how important the contribution of our allies and our partners has been in this massive global operation.
Additionally, more evacuees continue to arrive stateside and are moving to designated installations throughout NORTHCOM. The NORTHCOM commanding general, General VanHerck, will provide a more focused briefing on this extensive effort in his brief later today.
In conclusion, I'll reiterate what General McKenzie said yesterday. There are more than 5,000 U.S. service members in harm's way, saving as many people as they can. It's a noble mission. We have seen firsthand how dangerous that mission is, but ISIS will not deter us from accomplishing this mission. We appreciate your thoughts and prayers for all of our service members who are carrying on this mission today. Above all, we remain focused on evacuating American citizens and other personnel designated by the Department of State, safeguarding the lives of those whom we are providing assistance in keeping American troops safe. Thank you.
PRESS SECRETARY JOHN F. KIRBY: OK, I just have one other thing to add, and it's a good segue from what the General ended with. Today, the Department of Defense can announce that it has authorized Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, Fort Pickett, Virginia and Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico to provide additional support to the U.S. mission to evacuate Afghan Special Immigrant Visa applicants, their families and other at-risk individuals.
These -- these installations joined Fort Lee, Fort McCoy, Fort Bliss and Joint Base McGuire-Dix in providing this support. The Defense Department will continue to support the State Department in providing temporary housing, sustainment and support inside the United States for a capacity of up to 50,000 Afghan Special Immigrant Visa applicants, their families and other at-risk individuals.
U.S. Northern Command will coordinate the details of all of this with the State Department, the Department of Homeland Security, and of course the Department of Health and Human Services, as necessary, and it will be providing -- provided under presidential drawdown authority to the maximum extent possible, with additional support being provided on a reimbursable basis.
And as General Taylor let you know, we had General VanHerck, the commander of U.S. Northern Command, coming into the briefing room with you later this afternoon. He'll be able to provide a lot more context on that.
With that, we'll take questions. Lita?
Q: This is probably for the -- for the General. The President has said he wants to, vowed, basically get back at ISIS. How difficult will it be for the U.S. military to do that type of operation, considering the lower number of troops and the difficulty in getting intelligence on the ground?
And then I don't -- I don't know if this is you or -- or John -- can you just talk about the number of people that we'll -- we'll see getting processed over the next several days? Is that number going to gradually go down? Do you have out the number of people that you think you're going to or what's your ballpark estimate?
MAJ. GEN. TAYLOR: All right, on the first question, on the -- our capabilities and abilities to protect ourselves or to also -- to conduct the strikes, like you said -- as I've said all along, we have resources with the CENTCOM commander, with the commanders on the ground, and the capabilities to allow us to execute any type of those operations as those are required to do.
MR. KIRBY: So Lita, again, we're -- we're still planning on ending this mission at the end of the month. And as I said the other day, as we get closer -- and we are getting closer -- you're -- you're going to see us begin to make those muscle movements to pull out our troops and some of our equipment, as appropriate with any retrograde.
What we want to do is preserve as much capability for as long as we can, both in terms of the security footprint but also in terms of the ability, as the General alluded in his opening statement, to moving out evacuees. Lives are still the priority and -- the lives of our troops and of course the -- the lives of evacuees and trying to continue to get as many out as possible.
So there will be a balance over the next few days as we continue to process through that transition, as we continue to -- as what we call retrograde, and -- and I can't give you a specific number on any given day but I think you'll see us adjust as necessary to make sure that we're achieving that proper balance, but we will be able to fly out evacuees right up until the last moment. That's going to be the goal.
And if I may -- you didn't ask this but I want to take the advantage -- opportunity to convey to all of you that as we did before, when we began a retrograde, a withdrawal back in April, we were very judicious about the detail that we were putting out, and I'm -- just want to level set with all of you that you're going to see us become more judicious now going forward, as we get closer to the end of the month, about what information we're giving you in terms of how many troops are on the ground.
I would not expect us to be giving that number out in -- going forward and what the capabilities are and where they are and what they're doing. We're going to be very, very mindful of the operational security element of this and I think yesterday is a stark, grim reminder of why that's important going forward.
I know that's not what you asked but I wanted to take an opportunity to get that out there.
Jen?
Q: John, how can you say with such certainty and how can General McKenzie say with such certainty that the Taliban were not involved in this suicide bombing? I understand that you're reliant on them for protection around the airport but are you ruling out them being involved because you're so dependent on the Taliban right now?
MR. KIRBY: Actually, I didn't hear General McKenzie put it that way, Jen. In fact, I think in -- in one of the questions he got -- and I think it was Idrees' -- you know, he said -- Idrees asked "was there a failure?" and the General said "of course there was a failure somewhere, obviously," and he even alluded to the fact that it -- it could've been at a -- a Taliban checkpoint.
So I don't -- we've -- we've not been certain about that at all. There will be an investigation, we'll try to learn as much as we can about what happened, and I really don't want to get ahead of that process.
Q: And in terms of ISIS-K, how many ISIS-K prisoners were left at Bagram and are believed to have been released from the prison there? And why weren't they removed before the U.S. pulled out, to some place like Gitmo?
MR. KIRBY: Well -- well, I -- I don't know the exact number. Clearly, it's in the thousands, when you -- when you -- when you consider both prisons, cause both of them were taken over by the Taliban and emptied, but I -- I couldn't give you a precise figure.
And as for emptying out, remember -- I mean, we were turning things over to Afghan National Security Forces. That was part of the retrograde process, was to turn over these responsibilities. And so they did have responsibility for those prisons and the bases at which those prisons were located.
And, of course, as the Taliban advanced, the -- the -- we didn't see the level of resistance by the Afghans to hold some territory, some bases, and unfortunately, those were bases that the Afghans didn't hold. But all of those responsibilities were turned over, in accordance with the retrograde plan back from April.
Idrees?
Q: I think this is more to the General -- yesterday, General McKenzie talked about wanting to talk to the Taliban about pushing the perimeter back as -- as one of the sort of ways to avoid another incident. Has that happened? And (inaudible) you can't say by how much but has it significantly been pushed back?
And what are you seeing in terms of flow to Abbey Gate? Is it less people being allowed in? Is it still a rush of people, which could lead to a similar incident? What do you see today at the gates?
MAJ. GEN. TAYLOR: So what I can report as my discussion with the commanders there on the ground is that multiple activities have taken place to increase the force protection, specifically in communication with the Taliban of how they are executing their checkpoint operations and communication within there. So I -- I would say there's been multiple -- I don't want to go into the details of the exact -- of what -- that communication but I know that has happened.
And what we have seen today is a -- is a little lessing (sic) of what we would say total capacity of people in and around gates.
MR. KIRBY: Yes, Nazira?
Q: Thank you, John. As Jen said, I just -- since yesterday, people were worried about everything about the Taliban. They were psychologically under a lot of situations, some of my family they target and tortured by the Taliban. But since yesterday, that ISIS created, Afghan people are more -- more worried. Do you think that this - another civil war was started in Afghanistan? That's what most of Afghan people question, and everybody now want to leave the country, because now it’s doubled -- before was only Taliban. Now, ISIS also show up one more time their activity. Do you think that another civil war (inaudible) start soon?
MR. KIRBY: Nazira, before -- before I try to answer that question, I do want to take the opportunity, on behalf of the Department of Defense, to also make sure that we express our condolences for the Afghan people who suffered in yesterday's attack. We know that there were a number of killed and wounded Afghan civilians at the airport, and that there are families that are dealing with the same devastating, terrible news that now Gold Star families here in the department are dealing with. So again, on behalf of the secretary, we offer our condolences and thoughts and prayers.
I -- I wish I had a crystal ball. I wish we could know for sure what's -- what's going to happen in Afghanistan. We don't. We -- we obviously don't want to see the country torn asunder through civil war. But -- but that's why whatever the future of Afghanistan is from a governance perspective, we are going to stay engaged with the international community to make sure that Afghans -- Afghanistan's leaders are held to proper account for the way they are governing, and that Afghan -- Afghanistan's neighbors also try to play a -- a constructive, productive role in whatever the future of Afghanistan is going to be. Though we will not have a military presence there, the United States government will still want to see what -- what we can do in the international -- with the international community to make sure that -- that Afghans can -- can have the best of all possible outcomes for their future. But I -- I just -- I think it would be foolish for us to try to be too predictive about what's going to happen right now.
Q: You have not changed the policy again to be involved again in Afghanistan?
MR. KIRBY: The commander-in-chief has made a very clear decision that it -- it is time to end America's involvement on the ground in -- in a war in Afghanistan, and -- and we're going to execute that decision, as we should.
David?
Q: John, for the record, would you clear up the confusion over the service affiliation of the -- the dead. It sounds like we -- we have a total number of 13...
MR. KIRBY: That's right.
Q: ... but the breakdown within the 13 is not clear. The Marine statement said "at this time, 10".
MR. KIRBY: Yeah.
Q: So can you tell us what it is? And then I have a question for the general.
MR. KIRBY: Actually I'm -- I'm not able to break it down specifically right now, David, and I want to defer to the services to speak to their specific number of casualties. As you can imagine, they are having to make -- they -- they're having to have difficult conversations with a number of families, and we here at the department don't want to get ahead of that process. So I -- I just -- I think on that one, I would just defer to the services.
Q: And General, you didn't answer the question about whether the Taliban has met General McKenzie's request to push the perimeter further out, away from the airport, and he also said that he was going to ask them to close some specific roads. Have they done...
MAJ. GEN. TAYLOR: Sorry if I didn't add that level of specificity, but I know those -- just exactly what General McKenzie had said had been passed to his commanders to have those discussions with the Taliban to take not only those specific measures, as he mentioned there and you mentioned, but other activities that will increase the security and -- and the facilitation of those getting through, so...
Q: How do you know if they haven't?
MAJ. GEN. TAYLOR: To the discussions?
Q: No, no. (inaudible)...
MAJ. GEN. TAYLOR: Oh, no, I cannot report at this point what actions the Taliban have taken in the last -- but I know that those discussions have -- are happening in the -- that have happened.
MR. KIRBY: OK, I've got to get to the phones a -- a little bit here. Lara Seligman, Politico? Are you there, Lara? OK, we'll come back to you, Lara, if you're not able to pipe in there.
Tony?
Q: Hi, John. Can you hear me?
MR. KIRBY: Sure.
Q: OK, yesterday, the president said, "We're going to be in a circumstance where I believe numerous opportunities will continue to provide access for additional persons to get out of Afghanistan..." -- this is after the 31st -- he said, "... either through means that we provide or are provided through in cooperation with the Taliban." Can you give me a sense of the planning you're doing to take that direction to heart? And what are the military implications of the president's desire for still removing people after the 31st? Will there be continued talks with the Taliban, staging a force in the region to get more people out, et cetera?
MR. KIRBY: Yeah, Tony, I think my colleagues at the White House and at the State Department have addressed this question before. I mean, we -- the interagency, the -- the U.S. government will pursue a variety of -- of ways to help any Americans who want to get out after our military presence at the airport has ended to be able to help them get out, and it's -- while Afghanistan is a unique case, it's -- it's not completely separated from the larger effort that the United States government pursues all over the world when -- when we -- when we know that Americans are at special risk. We -- we do what we can to get them out, and that doesn't necessarily involve the United States military. So I -- I don't -- I'm not going to -- certainly wouldn't speculate one way or another about what -- what's going to happen after this particular mission ends. But I would not envision a significant military role in that effort, going forward.
Barbara?
Q: Going back to what David was asking, if the U.S. military knew that there were improvements to be made such as closing roads and pushing the perimeter back further, why wasn't this discussion engaged in before -- in -- in -- before the attack? Why wasn't the point pressed? Why weren't these improvements asked for by the Taliban? Because you're saying General McKenzie was very clear. He's asking for this now.
MR. KIRBY: Barb, I'll tell you, from -- from the very get-go, even before we had a specific threat assessment, force protection was of paramount importance to General McKenzie, to -- certainly, to the Secretary, and I -- and I don't want to speak for the Chairman, but I think I can -- for General Milley, as well in this regard. I -- I can tell you that from the very beginning, force protection was always at the -- at the front of everybody's mind, and force protection, as you well know, as particularly in a dynamic environment, is something that changes all the time.
And so as we got more information, we made adjustments to force protection measures to try to do the -- the best we could at what we thought were the specific threats we were facing. And you heard the General talk yesterday about even overwatch in the air. I mean, there was a lot of effort being done, which included -- as the General said, included daily communication with the Taliban about the nature of the threat and -- and sharing with them the appropriate, relevant information about what we -- what we knew.
Now -- now clearly, all of that effort -- and there was a lot of effort -- clearly fell short in some way because this attack was able to be perpetrated, and we did suffer -- as -- as well as our Afghan friends, suffered casualties.
We're going to do the forensics on this, Barb, and clearly try to figure out what went wrong, cause clearly something went wrong, but it would be irresponsible if we didn't act immediately to just -- to -- to double down and make sure that we were -- that -- we were being as anticipatory as possible because we still believe there are credible threats -- in fact, I'd say specific credible threats -- and we want to make sure we're prepared for those.
And I -- I don't think -- and I -- I'm sure you can understand that -- that just -- just by virtue of the fact that -- that we may be taking other steps doesn't mean that -- that they -- that they would've necessarily been the proper steps for what we saw yesterday.
We have additional information and so what I would tell you is we're -- what you're saying us act on, to the degree we can talk about it, is based on information that we have, and I think I'd -- I think I'd leave it at that.
Q: (inaudible) say you have additional information, can you tell us do you mean you have developed additional information since the attack? Do you still believe something is potentially imminent?
MR. KIRBY: I thought General McKenzie covered it very well with you yesterday. We -- we certainly are prepared and would expect future attempts, absolutely, but I won't get into the specifics of what those are and why we're doing what we're doing.
Q: Do you have additional intelligence since the attack?
MR. KIRBY: We -- we -- again, without talking to intelligence, we're monitoring these threats very, very specifically, virtually in real time, and I think you can understand I wouldn't get into more detail than that.
Tara)?
Q: Two questions for General Taylor. In the wake of the attacks, have the commander -- U.S. commanders on the ground had improved communications with Taliban commanders, not only in improving security but potentially in getting SIV applicants or Afghans through the gates?
And second -- secondly, in the wake of the attack, since ISIS is also a problem for the Taliban, is there potential there to coordinate to actually target ISIS?
MAJ. GEN. TAYLOR: So when we -- when we say "improved communication," I just want to -- I would answer that with we are continuing, you know, communication. So improve -- I would say every day that is improving because we have more repetitions, we're -- we're able to continue to have open lines of communication.
So the specificity of what is being passed back and forth tactically to allow for a better security environment I would say is improving because those repetitions are happening and the understanding of the Taliban, of what needs to take place, is being reinforced. And so I think yes.
And then your second question of passing on specifics, like what are we looking for here, what is the threat that we need you to look for, yes, that is absolutely being passed from the commanders on the ground to those Taliban commanders to ensure, as Mr. Kirby said, you know, things like yesterday, we understand what to look for, we understand what the threat is to try to prevent it.
Q: Specifically to target ISIS, though?
MAJ. GEN. TAYLOR: To any -- those threats -- yeah, those ISIS threats that could come in.
Q: OK. And then secondly, there was a -- a secondary explosion later yesterday, where U.S. forces were doing controlled detonations of equipment. Could you talk about the type of equipment that is being destroyed in the retrograde so you don't have to fly it out or it doesn't fall into the wrong hands either?
MAJ. GEN. TAYLOR: Yeah. So the -- the actual specifics of what type of equipment was destroyed, I -- I don't have that, but you -- what we have said is that, you know, the commander has the authority there to destroy equipment that -- that they feel is responsible.
So as we talked about controlled detonations -- I think that was your specific question -- that's what we call that, a controlled detonation, that could take place if the commander decided to destroy some type of equipment.
MR. KIRBY: I'd only add that, as I mentioned earlier, lives are going to be the priority, Tara). So there will be -- you can expect that there will be other equipment and -- and material things that will not be brought back with us.
We're going to do this in a judicious way. Some stuff will obviously come back with us but for the aircraft that are departing, as we get closer to the end of the month, we want to prioritize passenger seats as much as possible.
So you're going to continue to see things disposed of in a responsible way as -- as we get closer to the end of the mission and I think that -- that people would expect us to do that.
Yeah, Wafaa?
Q: John, what's the department's assessment -- that -- of the capability of ISIS-K? And is there any concern that they can use Afghanistan to launch attacks against the United States post-August 31st?
MR. KIRBY: Well, obviously they're a serious terrorist threat and that was obvious -- brought home to us in pretty stark ways yesterday. We -- we take the threat very, very seriously.
I -- I don't want to -- I'm not going to speculate about future threats. What I will tell you -- and the President has made this clear, the Secretary has made it clear to the leadership at the Pentagon -- that we're going -- we're not going to allow attacks on the homeland to emanate from Afghanistan again like they did 20 years ago. And we do have over-the-horizon counter-terrorism capability available to us to make sure that that doesn't happen, and I think I'd leave it at that.
Q: Do you believe -- do you believe that the Taliban can stand to ISIS-K, can defeat them?
MR. KIRBY: I -- I think that the threat by -- from ISIS is real and nobody wants to see that threat grow. I -- I cannot speak -- would not begin to speak for Taliban capabilities or Taliban intent. Obviously they -- there's -- there's significant animosity between these two groups and they don't share interests. I'll -- but I -- I'm not -- it would be foolish for me to try to predict the -- the degree to which the -- what operations the Taliban may conduct against ISIS-K.
All I can tell you is the direction that this department has is to -- to not allow attacks on the homeland to emanate from Afghanistan again, and -- and we are committed to that, as well as counter-terrorism operations elsewhere around the world because the threat has metastasized outside Afghanistan to other places where we also have to maintain a focus and a degree of over-the-horizon counter-terrorism capability.
Let me go back over here. In the back there?
Q: Thanks, John. Two questions. First, can you speak to any rescue ops that have happened since the attack?
MR. KIRBY: I -- I don't think there's been any -- you mean by rotary -- no -- nothing additional.
Q: And then the second question, which is probably more for the General -- over the last five days, we've seen anywhere from 89 to 94 flights leave Kabul but we've seen somewhere between 12, 5 and 21, 6. Can you explain why the number of evacuations fluctuates so much but the number of flights has remained relatively steady?
MAJ. GEN. TAYLOR: Yeah, so I -- I think what you have seen is the -- I'll just break those in two -- two bins. First, as you look at the U.S. flights -- have stayed pretty steady, right, in the -- those numbers. You know, as other countries are coming in, they are evacuating certain numbers, you know, of where they are in the -- their capability or requirement. So I think that is where you've seen some of the -- the differences in the outward flow.
And -- and I think, I mean, you'd really have to go back to my number today, 110,000 total. So, you know, as -- as we started, you know, just under -- almost -- you know, just a few weeks ago, at zero all the way up to 110,000, we would see some of those numbers start to -- to come down.
MR. KIRBY: Let me go back to the phones. Sam LaGrone?
Q: Hey, John. As -- as part of the exit, is it the U.S. intention to leave a -- a functioning airport with, like, radars that work, computers that work? I mean, what's -- what's the obligation for what you all leave behind? Thanks.
MR. KIRBY: The airport is functioning, Sam, and we're going to need it to continue to function right up until the very end. So I think the general assumption is as we -- as we depart, I mean, we're going to need to depart from a -- a functional, completely operational airport. That's our assumption going forward, that it'll -- -- that'll be operational right up until -- until we're gone.
And as you probably heard Secretary Blinken say the other day, the -- that we're working with the international community. There are several nations that want to contribute to the effort to keep it operational and that are willing to work with the Taliban to that end. Certainly I'd let them speak to that effort.
Gordon?
Q: Taliban (inaudible) operations against ISIS aside, any future things or whatever, do you have any assessment of what ISIS fighters at the prisons -- that they may have taken action against or killed, other than some of the ones that we know about?
MR. KIRBY: I do not.
Q: Is that something that's knowable, like, that you guys have sought to find out and can't find out ...
MR. KIRBY: I don't know if that's knowable, Gordon. I mean, I'm happy to take that question but I don't want to raise expectations here on our level of the granularity of intelligence we may have gotten from these -- these prison releases. I -- I don't want to over-promise here. I'm happy to ask that question but I can't promise you a good answer.
Nayera?
Q: Thank you, John. The 50,000 SIV capacity that you referenced earlier, can we expect those folks to be processed at the same four -- in the same four states that previously were reported, or will it be the capacity beyond -- I think it's New Jersey, Virginia, Texas and Wisconsin?
MR. KIRBY: No, I think I added some extra facilities here to -- today that I -- that I -- one -- one's in New Mexico, Holloman Air Force Base, and then two in Virginia, Quantico and Fort Pickett, and the Secretary's been clear that if we need more because the demand's there, that we'll work with the states and we'll work with the services to identify potential future U.S. military installations, but those are the ones that we are operating from now.
Q: And as a quick follow up -- currently, it's a 14 step process to get the SIV application validated. Given the security challenges yesterday, is -- is there going to be a change in where those are processed? Are those entirely folks being processed overseas and then brought to U.S. bases for, you know, final relocation?
MR. KIRBY: I -- I honestly can't answer that question, Nayera. That's really what -- for the State Department. They run the SIV process. It's not a Department of Defense equity.
Janne?
Q: Thank you, John. May I ask the General please -- thank you. Sorry, next time I will bring more.
(LAUGHTER)
President Biden said that -- also the -- I mean, President Biden said, also the -- General McKenzie said yesterday that he had consulted with international partners. Has he discussed about military options with the international partners or our allies, including South Korea? What are the primary -- U.S. primary military options?
MAJ. GEN. TAYLOR: Yeah, so I -- I can't speak for General McKenzie and the -- you know, the discussions, other than what he said yesterday, is, you know, continuing to coordinate with all of our, you know, allies and partners that are helping us with this right now, is extremely important.
You know, to the ability to continue to synchronize all of the airlift that continues to come in and, you know, ensuring that as timing goes forward, all of that is well planned together is extremely important.
I -- I think I'd have to turn it over to -- back to General McKenzie for any of those other specifics -- questions, so.
Q: And -- and another one -- what are the U.S' special wishes for our allies and international partners? Do you have any wishes for -- from them?
MAJ. GEN. TAYLOR: Say -- I'm sorry, I -- I ...
Q: ... what -- what wishes do you ...
MAJ. GEN. TAYLOR: You know, from a -- from the operational side, I think our wish -- are -- is -- just like I said earlier, is continue that -- the support and the work together, as we continue this mission forward, is extremely important. Thank you.
Q: Can I -- can I follow up, sir, about something that Gordon asked about, which is I have been hearing some reports that there have been some attacks by ISIS-K against Taliban checkpoints in the city. Are you seeing any evidence of attacks that ISIS-K is attacking those Taliban checkpoints?
MAJ. GEN. TAYLOR: I have not seen those reports.
Q: And can you give us any more clarification on the sharing of American citizens' information, as well as SIV information with the Taliban? There were reports yesterday that the U.S. officials were sharing that information.
MAJ. GEN. TAYLOR: Yeah, I don't think there is sharing information, as you would say in that question, of, like, we were giving information. What information is very important right now is at the ground level to ensure that as people approach checkpoints, that those Taliban checkpoint leaders have and understand who's coming, what documentation they're supposed to have, and go cause that's really important for us, to ensure the time that people are not in areas and just, you know, staying there for long periods of time. You know, the commanders on the ground are continuing to coordinate how do we continue to increase that throughput through checkpoints, through gates to get on HKIA as fast as we can, that's very safe, you know, to get them there. Thanks.
MR. KIRBY: Meghan?
Q: How many troops -- U.S. troops are still on the ground at HKAIA? And how has the security posture at the gates changed? Are there more or fewer troops going in and out of the gates? Is there more overwatch of the crowd for -- for suspicious activity?
MAJ. GEN. TAYLOR: So kind of back -- what Mr. Kirby said earlier as we talked about troop numbers and capability. Capability does -- has not changed for us to secure all the gates, to be able to process evacuees and our ability to rapidly turn aircraft as they arrive and get those out. And as we talk about force protection at the gate, I'm not going to get into the specific TTPs that those, you know, junior leaders are taking down there, other than we continue to learn every day from the day before, and we work within all -- all the capabilities we have to ensure, one, that we can continue people to come in, but also stay safe.
Q: When you say "continue to learn", does that mean that you have switched things up in order to make it more safe?
MAJ. GEN. TAYLOR: I would say patterns are things that we -- to -- we try not to, you know, get into. So you know, I would just tell you, as the most simple operational piece there, we're always doing things that we can to keep us safe and -- and not create patterns.
MR. KIRBY: I'd only add to that, Meghan, as I mentioned to Barb, you know, but we still have active threat streams and we're taking steps that we believe are appropriate to those -- to the streams, and I think I'd leave it at that.
And I want to foot-stomp the boots on the ground number. As the general mentioned in his opening statement today, more than 5,000 today. We are not going to get in, going forward, to a daily count of what's on the ground, just going forward, as we get closer now to the end of the month and the end of the mission. Don't -- don't expect daily updates on what -- exactly how many troops are there at any given moment.
Mike?
Q: Yeah, so now, when you said that there was going to be an investigation of -- into what happened yesterday, were you talking about a full, like a criminal inquiry with forensics people on the ground and interviewing possible witnesses? Who would be doing that, and how do you do that in the middle of a war zone?
MR. KIRBY: I don't -- I wouldn't characterize it as a criminal investigation, but it'll be as comprehensive as General McKenzie needs it to be to -- to try to do the forensics here and figure out what happened and what we can learn from it going forward. It'll be a -- a very complete, thorough investigation. It'll -- and I will leave it to General McKenzie to describe for you sort of the architecture of what that's going to be. But it's -- it's not like we haven't, sadly, had to do this before.
Q: Right.
MR. KIRBY: And we know how to conduct these investigations.
Yes, sir, you...
Q: Thank you very much, Mr. Kirby. (inaudible) communication network and (inaudible). These U.S. service members doing incredible job with sacrificing their life. With consideration of that, my question is some (inaudible) strategic. Do you think the removal from Afghanistan, it will reduce your control within the Indo-Pacific, the U.S. control?
MR. KIRBY: It's not about U.S. control in the Indo-Pacific; it's about protecting our country from threats and challenges that emanate from that part of the world, and it's about revitalizing our network of alliances and partnerships to help our -- our partners in the international community do the same. That's why the Secretary's first trip was to the region. He just came back from the region. The Vice President just returned literally this morning from the region. We are laser-focused on the Indo-Pacific and the -- the security challenges, as well as the opportunities that are there. It's not about U.S. control; it's about U.S. partnership.
Sylvie, you've been very patient.
Q: I -- I know you -- you don't want to speak about the details of the circumstances of the attack. But can you tell us if it was at the gate itself, or in the middle of the crowd, or at a checkpoint? Was the guy walking or he was in a bus? Can you give us a little – some little details?
MAJ. GEN. TAYLOR: First, I'll start off with, details are -- continuing to be collected. It goes back to the question about continuing to learn as much as we can. Because as you know, when an attack initially starts, you know, you have to fight the fight, then -- and we're at right now, ensuring, you know, the respect and dignity of our -- our wounded and those that were killed in action, so...
But as we look at the details, at approximately -- as we saw yesterday, at about 17:40 Kabul time, there was what we reported as a -- a suicide-borne vest there that was exploded right at and around the gate. We don't know the exact location, you know. But it was right outside the vicinity of that gate, and then followed by direct fire from an any -- enemy position that is not exactly known. That was outside in what we call just north of that gate area also.
Q: How many assailants were killed? Was it just a suicide bomber plus the shooter, or how many people (inaudible)?
MAJ. GEN. TAYLOR: It just goes back to what I said. Right now, what we know, there was shooters, you know, shoot -- don't know the exact number, but one with the suicide vest.
MR. KIRBY: Luis, go ahead. Wait, wait, wait, Gordon. We've already got you. Luis, go ahead.
Q: Were there any troops killed by that gunfire?
MAJ. GEN. TAYLOR: Like I said, we're asking, you know, very detailed questions about the fight. That -- that will continue to be collected. I can't answer, you know, numbers of -- that's just, I would say, you know, that could come out. But just knowing the facts, the incredible, you know, devastation that happened there, I think we should just leave it there.
(CROSSTALK)
MR. KIRBY: Hang on just a second. Go ahead.
Q: I'm sorry. So my question, kind of following on Lita's earlier. Yesterday, the president said that he will hunt down and basically get revenge on the ISIS attackers yesterday. Can you just explain to the American public who might be wondering, "Hey, we had 25 troops on the ground.” What will that look like if we go into a situation where we're going to go and hunt down these ISIS...?
MAJ. GEN. TAYLOR: Yeah. I think, you know, as we look at currently -- I've already -- I think I've answered that question of, we have, you know, options there right now that we can, you know, ensure the commander has the ability to take action as, you know, those opportunities present themself. But I'm not going to go into, you know, and try to think about the, you know -- how -- a decision General McKenzie would make in the -- in future operations.
MR. KIRBY: Luis?
Q: Oh, just a quick follow-up on -- on the gunman. Was there more than one gunman? And was that gunman killed or whatever...?
MAJ. GEN. TAYLOR: Like I said, you know, those -- information is still coming in. I would say what we do know after the fact, there was a, you know, a suicide-borne IED right there and gunfire. That's -- that's for sure that we know.
Q: My other question is going to be this: You know, 31 American casualties overall. That's a significant number at one location. I mean, what -- how can we explain why they were -- were they concentrated in one area? Was there a shift change underway? I mean, how -- how is it -- or were they spread apart in one line, and that's just how the blast was?
MAJ. GEN. TAYLOR: Yeah. You know, the -- use a line. This answer's not going to be, you know, rewarding to you, that -- but it goes back to, you know, the commander will figure all those out at -- at the due time, right? You know, and those are the questions that I think are very appropriate, you know, and people, you know, will want to know this. But right now, what I can tell you is the commander's continuing to execute the mission and make sure that, you know, other forces in there can continue there and ensure that those information, as I think a couple of the questions we answered earlier, will -- will come at the proper time.
MR. KIRBY: Terace?
Q: Yes, good morning, John. A question for General Taylor. I know it's been said numerous times that the focus of the mission is to get evacuees and Americans out as quickly as possible. But for those that were injured during the attack yesterday and taken to the local hospital, has there been any talks about setting up security for those individuals? I'm hearing reports on the ground that there are concerns that ISIS may attack that hospital. So are there any talks to possibly help keep those Afghans -- civilians, excuse me, safe from a potential attack? And then once they are well enough to travel, how will they get to the U.S. as well?
MAJ. GEN. TAYLOR: You're talking about Afghans that were injured in the attack. First of all what I can report is that there were some Afghans there that were a part of that were treated by U.S. and other forces immediately there. I'm not fully aware of the reports of -- on the hospitals in Kabul because I do know that there were Afghans taken to multiple locations in Kabul.
MR. KIRBY: There is time for just a couple more. Yes, ma'am.
Q: Mr. Kirby, you said that lives are the priority. So my question is pretty straight forward. Should the U.S. or should Americans expect more U.S. casualties in the next few days?
MR. KIRBY: We obviously don't want to see any more casualties that why we are monitoring the threat streams very closely and taking what we believe are the best possible steps to prevent another tragedy like this from happening. I mean that's obvious -- the Secretary was -- made that very clear to leadership last night and this morning. That force protection will remain a paramount -- obviously a paramount concerns as it always does.
Q: And just to add to that, apparently, there's a bottleneck at Dulles Airport with these -- the U.S. airlines coming in with refugees at Dulles Airport. Are you aware of this? Or are refugees being stuck on the tarmac for hours and hours?
MR. KIRBY: Yes, we are aware of those reports and they have proven accurate in the last couple of days. It's really more an issue for Customs and Border Patrol and the process. So I don't want to speak to them or their process. But as we understand it this morning they have worked through the difficulties and we believe that wait time now upon landing is going to get much, much shorter.
But I would refer you to my colleagues at Customs and Border Patrol to speak to that.
OK, thanks very much. One more, go ahead.
Q: How many Afghan SIV have been flown out so far? Or are there Afghans without green cards or permanent status?
MR. KIRBY: Check me on this but we looked at the number just before coming out. It's just -- we have just under 7,000 now that are in the states and being processed. And that number will change every day obviously as it should.
OK, thanks everybody. We'll see you again at -- I'm sorry, I said 3 o'clock, it's 3:30 this afternoon. General VanHerck will be joining me. I do apologize for the delay this morning. We were getting updates literally as we were getting ready to come out to see you. We'll do the best we can to be more punctual. But, thanks, all, see you later.
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