Philippine President Restores Visiting Forces Agreement with U.S.

 July 30, 2021 | BY Jim Garamone , DOD News

After meeting with Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III last night, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte retracted the letter terminating the country's Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States.

Delfin Lorenzana, Philippine national defense secretary, made the announcement following a bilateral defense meeting with Austin today.

"After the meeting between Secretary Austin and the president, the president decided to recall or retract a termination letter for the VFA," Lorenzana said. "So, the VFA is in full force again; there is no termination letter pending, and we are back on track with your secretary to plan for future exercises under the VFA."

The bilateral meeting is a platform for the United States and the Philippines — treaty allies — to discuss the situation in the region and plan for the future, Lorenzana said. "It underscored the significance of the bilateral defense relations between the Philippines and the United States in light of new and emerging challenges that confront our nations," he said.

Spotlight: Focus on Indo-Pacific

Austin said he was pleased to make his first visit to the Philippines as defense secretary. "I'm glad to have the opportunity in person to reaffirm our shared commitment to the U.S.-Philippine alliance," he said. "Let me thank President Duterte for his decision to fully restore the Visiting Forces Agreement. Our countries face a range of challenges from the climate crisis to the pandemic. And as we do, a strong, resilient, U.S.-Philippines alliance will remain vital to the security, stability and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific. A fully restored VFA will help us achieve that goal."

Thanks to the Visiting Forces Agreement, the Defense Department conducts more than 300 bilateral engagements a year with the armed forces of the Philippines. These range from expert exchanges to ship visits to component exercises and major joint/combined training exercises.

The two defense leaders discussed ways to deepen and reinvigorate the security alliance. They discussed maritime cooperation and U.S. support to the Philippines to modernize the armed forces of the Philippines. They also discussed investments that will help the Philippines navigate the region's complex security environment. 

The United States and the Philippines have a robust counterterrorism program. The United States has counterinsurgency efforts in Mindanao, the country's largest island, since 2000.

Like in the rest of Southeast Asia, the United States wants the sovereign right of nations to be respected. During the meeting with Lorenzana, Austin reaffirmed America's commitment to supporting a sovereign and secure Philippines.

"We also talked about how we can work toward a free and open Indo-Pacific rooted in a rules based international order, a region in which countries work together to realize their highest aspirations and to safeguard the rights of all other citizens," he said.

Foggy Flight

 

An MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter takes off from the flight deck of expeditionary sea base USS Lewis B. Puller during flight operations in the Arabian Gulf, July 25, 2021.

Increased Restrictions on the Pentagon Reservation

 July 30, 2021

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Due to the increase in COVID-19 cases and positive test cases in the National Capital Region over the past 15 days, the Pentagon Reservation will move to Health Protection Condition Bravo effective 5 a.m. EDT, Monday, Aug. 2, 2021.  Both Armed Forces Retirement Home campuses, in Washington, D.C., and Gulfport, Mississippi, will transition to HPCON Charlie.

The Secretary of Defense’s number one priority during the COVID-19 pandemic continues to be protecting our workforce while still performing our national security mission. Supervisors will continue to provide maximum telework opportunities and flexible scheduling to optimize the workforce while defending our nation, taking care of our people, and ensuring success through teamwork.

With the change to HPCON Bravo, some of the measures that will be in effect include:

• Service members, federal employees, onsite contractor employees, and visitors, regardless of vaccination status, will wear a mask in an indoor settings on the Pentagon Reservation;
• Physical distancing remains at six feet for unvaccinated personnel; 
• DOD remains at maximum telework;
• Organizations are expected to maintain occupancy rates at less than 50% of normal occupancy in workspaces;
• Medically vulnerable personnel will continue to be permitted to self-declare their condition and pursue telework, when possible, with supervisors taking precautions to limit their exposure while in the workplace;
• Use of the Pentagon Athletic Center remains by reservation only and will limit its maximum workout population and staff members to 255 per 2 ½ hour session; 21 maximum occupancy at Mark Center Gym and 15 at Taylor/ Polk Building Gym per 2 ½ hour session; masking will be required regardless of vaccination status;
• Random COVID-19 entrance screening of workforce will continue at 10-20% levels, with 100% screening of visitors;
• Pentagon Reservation public tours will be closed, and the Pentagon National 9/11 Memorial will also close; 
• Gatherings on the Pentagon Reservation are limited to fewer than 50 persons and by six foot distancing requirements, with masks required for indoor ceremonies regardless of vaccination status, including internal gatherings, meetings in conference centers, and gatherings for ceremonies;
• Current COVID-19 parking permits have been extended for 30 days until Aug. 31, 2021; and
• Food court and concession options remain available with no options for indoor seating;

DOD remains committed to protecting our people, maintaining mission readiness, and supporting the whole-of-government effort response to COVID-19.  COVID-19 vaccinations remain available through DiLorenzo Tricare Health Clinic for Pentagon Reservation personnel. 

We are continually emphasizing to our people the need to get fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and to take actions to protect themselves and those around them by employing protective measures, including practicing good hand washing, social distancing, wearing cloth face coverings, and taking appropriate actions if feeling sick now. These can dramatically decrease the risk of infection and slow COVID-19’s spread, including the Delta variant.

You can see the guidance memo from the Director of Administration & Management here.

For more information on the Pentagon Reservation response to COVID-19, visit https://www.whs.mil/Coronavirus/

We encourage all DOD personnel to visit https://www.defense.gov/Explore/Spotlight/Coronavirus for information on staying healthy during the pandemic.

Pallet Prep

 

Army Pfc. Brett Warwick unclips ratchet straps attached to pallets containing lifesaving equipment and oxygen at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, July 23, 2021. Three pallets containing 25,000 pounds of supplies were loaded onto an aircraft bound for Tunisia to combat the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Climb Concentration

 

Army 1st Lt. Joshua Moeller climbs an obstacle at Camp Johnson, Vt., July 23, 2021, as part of the team selection and training event for the Interallied Confederation of Reserve Officers military competition. Ten Army and Air Force reservists trained in Vermont to prepare for the event, an annual competition among NATO and Partnership for Peace nations.

Sasebo Shot

 

Navy Seaman Valentine Anebere, a hospital corpsman assigned to U.S. Naval Hospital Yokosuka Branch Health Clinic Sasebo, administers doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to an employee at Commander Fleet Activities Sasebo, Japan, July 28, 2021.

Drop Zone

 

Soldiers jump out of a Royal Australian Air Force C-17A Globemaster III during Exercise Talisman Saber 21 in Queensland, Australia, July 28, 2021. The exercise is designed to strengthen capabilities to respond to security concerns in the Indo-Pacific region.

Smoky Scene

 

An airman replenishes the liquid oxygen in an Air Force F-15C Eagle during NATO air policing operations at Keflavik Air Base, Iceland, July 27, 2021.

Starlit Stryker

 

Soldiers position a Stryker vehicle during Rifle Ready 2, an emergency deployment readiness exercise, at Bemowo Piskie Training Area, Poland, July 29, 2021.

Statement by Jamal Brown, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary, on COVID-19 Vaccinations

 July 29, 2021

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“The Department of Defense is moving quickly to meet President Biden’s commitment to defeat COVID-19, and that includes being able to ensure every member of our civilian and military workforce is protected.

“In accordance with the guidance the President issued today, all military and civilian DoD personnel will be asked to attest to their vaccination status. Personnel unable or unwilling to do that will be required to wear a mask, physically distance, comply with a regular testing requirement and be subject to official travel restrictions.

“Secretary Austin will also begin consulting our medical professionals, as well as the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to determine how and when to make recommendations to the President with respect to adding the COVID-19 vaccines to the full list of requirements for military personnel.

“In the meantime, we continue to offer vaccines to our personnel and their families around the world. And we will continue to adjust our protocols to the local conditions of the communities we serve in.

“COVID-19 remains a significant and evolving threat to our nation’s security. The rise of the Delta variant and the speed with which it transmits make these additional protective efforts all the more vital to protecting our force and the nation we defend.

“Vaccines remain the best and most effective way to prevent the spread of COVID, including the Delta variant.”

Force Focus

 

Air Force Senior Airman William Dillard, left, and Staff Sgt. Josh Coll inspect a missile launcher during a weapons load competition at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., July 23, 2021.

Leap of Faith

 

Army Staff Sgt. Devin Crawford jumps across an obstacle as part of team training in Lahti, Finland, July 28, 2021.

DOD Promotes Additive Manufacturing Expansion, Standardization, Training Through New Policies, Collaboration

 July 29, 2021 , DOD News

Through new strategies, policies and inter-departmental collaboration, the Defense Department is harnessing the potential of additive manufacturing — better known as three-dimensional printing — to help our warfighters maintain technological overmatch against our strategic competitors.

AM is a computer-controlled process that creates 3D objects by depositing materials, usually in layers. These materials include but are not limited to polymers and metals.

As cost decreases and AM technology advances, DOD is increasingly taking advantage of this technology to produce such things as spare parts for aircraft and weapons systems; tools; rapid prototyping for research, development and experimentation; and medical supplies, such as face shields for COVID-19 first responders.

Spotlight: Coronavirus: DOD Response

AM technology benefits include the ability to make parts with innovative designs that are lighter and perform more efficiently than parts manufactured by traditional methods like lathes, mills, welding and casting, explained Robert Gold, director of the technology and Manufacturing Industrial Base Office in the office of the undersecretary for research and engineering.

Currently, the military services, the Defense Logistics Agency, and even combatant commands in the field use AM processes, Gold noted.

"What we're trying to do with this highly flexible technology is to align activities across our enterprise, so that there is a sense of harmony and so that our processes work together and we can exchange lessons learned," he said.

In order to do that, DOD published the Department of Defense Additive Manufacturing Strategy in January 2021. The strategy sets a common AM vision and lays out five strategic AM goals. In June 2021, the Department published DOD Instruction 5000.93, Use of Additive Manufacturing in the DOD. The instruction establishes overall AM policy, roles and responsibilities across the Department, and provides overarching AM guidance.

As a follow-on to those documents, DOD is now working with the military services and OSD agencies to develop AM implementation plans and detailed technical guidance, Gold said.

DOD formed a joint steering committee in 2021 to support the publication of an AM guidebook in 2022, Gold added.

"As with any other guidance or policy document, we will continue to mature it as technology itself matures, and DOD will continue to expand the use of this knowledge in conjunction with our industry partners. And, we'll continue to work with the services and collaborative bodies to close gaps, minimize risks in technology adoption and accelerate additive manufacturing use across the department," he stated.

Tracy Frost, director of the Office of the Secretary of Defense Manufacturing Technology Program in the office of the undersecretary for research and engineering, elaborated further on DOD's five AM goals, as described in the DOD AM strategy:

1

Integrate AM into DOD and the organic and commercial industrial bases.

2

Align, promote and advance AM activities across the department and with federal agencies, such as the Federal Aviation Administration.

3

Collaborate with industry and academia to establish a public-private partnership with America Makes, which aims to advance and promote America's global manufacturing competitiveness in AM and other areas.

4

Expand proficiency in the DOD workforce through quality training and sharing best practices.

5

Ensure cybersecurity of the AM workflow within the Department as well as the supply chain.

She noted that the Joint Additive Manufacturing Working Group is working across DOD's acquisition and sustainment and research and engineering communities to determine where DOD can best implement AM policies, and identify key personnel who will assist with that implementation. The JAMWG is made up of representatives from each of the military services and key defense agencies that have AM equities.

At the DOD senior leadership level, the Joint Defense Manufacturing Council is providing oversight of AM implementation department wide, she added.

Spotlight: Science and Technology

"Close collaboration between OSD ManTech and our military services and OSD agencies have allowed us to fully capture AM's potential for our warfighters. With this AM strategy and instruction now in place, we have a firm way ahead for fully integrating AM use in DOD," Frost said. 

Resources:
Department of Defense Additive Manufacturing Strategy 
Use of Additive Manufacturing in the DOD

DOD Awards $64.6 Million Contract to SiO2 Medical Products to Increase Domestic Production Capacity of Pharmaceutical Vials

 July 29, 2021

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On July 26, 2021, the Department of Defense (DOD), on behalf of and in coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), awarded a $64.6 million contract modification to SiO2 Medical Products to increase domestic production of pharmaceutical vials made of hybrid, glass-equivalent materials.

This domestic industrial base expansion effort will allow SiO2 to design, develop, and build a series of three vial production systems in Auburn, Alabama. This effort will increase vial production to 10 million vials per month by July 2024.

Parachute Pose

 

Army Sgt. 1st Class Danny Hellmann, a member of the Army's parachute demonstration team, the Golden Knights, jumps from a CH-47 Chinook helicopter over Hazel Green, Ill., July 3, 2021.

Night Patrol

 

Marine Corps Pfc. Tristian Gdisis simulates providing security during a night patrol training event at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., July 23, 2021.

Getting Vaccinated

 

Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Javier Flores, a hospital corpsman assigned to the 3rd Medical Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, vaccinates a master labor contractor at the U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa on Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, July 26, 2021. Vaccinating host-nation employees and military personnel contributes to the prevention of the further spread of COVID-19 in Japa

Marine Drills

Marines maneuver combat rubber raiding crafts after conducting call away drills in the Coral Sea, July 19, 2021.

 

Static Defense

 

Air Force Tech. Sgts. Kenneth Hatton and Timothy White participate in a static defense exercise at Camp James A. Garfield Joint Military Training Center, Ohio, July 22, 2021.

Obstacle Objective

 

Army Maj. Nicole Dallocchio maneuvers over an obstacle at Camp Johnson, Vt., July 20, 2021, during a team selection and training event for the Interallied Confederation of Reserve Officers military competition, an annual competition among NATO and Partnership for Peace nations.

Firing Flares

 

A Marine fires at a target during a deck shoot aboard the USS America in the Coral Sea, July 29, 2021.

Evacuation Training

 

Soldiers conduct medical evacuation hoist training at Fort Drum, N.Y., July 23, 2021.

Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby Holds an Off-Camera Press Briefing en Route to Philippines

 July 29, 2021

Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby

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PRESS SECRETARY JOHN F. KIRBY: OK, what's on your mind?

Q: Can we ask about Vietnam? Since you were in the meetings, I know Secretary Ashton talked about, you know, we're always going to lead with our values: did the issue of human rights come up in any of the meetings and how? How was it addressed?

MR. KIRBY: The Secretary absolutely brought up human rights in his meetings today. And, you know he said it the way you have heard him say it before, we lead with our values as President Biden has made very clear, and that good friends and partners should be able to have open and honest discussions with one another about these difficult, fairly sensitive issues. And he noted, that you know, the United States doesn't always get it right either. And that we have to be, all of us have to be, open and honest about the importance of human rights and civil rights and governing societies where people are empowered to grow and to develop and to be able to freely express themselves.

Q: There is a new government in Vietnam. Did they have specific asks for the Secretary? I mean obviously you guys signed the MOU this time but did they have any ask what they would want the United States to, beyond COVID assistance, perhaps?

MR. KIRBY: There was there was a genuine appreciation in every meeting for the assistance that the United States is providing with vaccines. And as you heard the Secretary say, we've given that Vietnam five million. And as the Secretary made clear that there's no strings attached to that. We're not asking for a quid pro quos here, we're not asking for anything in return. This is a global pandemic and the United States wants to help. But the meetings covered a lot of different issues - maritime security clearly was one. Military cooperation another, but I think in general the way, and without getting too specific or speaking for the Vietnamese, the Secretary came away with a sense that what they really want is a continued and closer relationship with the United States military. And the Secretary made it very clear, on more than one occasion today, that he very much wants that too. 

Q: So will there be more port calls and more exercises between U.S. and Vietnamese troops?

MR. KIRBY: We didn't get into those kinds of details today. It wasn't, you know, the meetings didn't get down to that exact level. There have been port visits, in fact as you know the carrier Carl Vinson, first time ever had a chance to visit here. We certainly would like to see more military-to-military relationship building. One of the things they talked about today was the enhanced defense cooperation agreement. But there were no specifics today about, you know, a port visit here or there or an exercise.

Q: On the SIVs, the flights. do you have any updates? They were supposed to come in on the 29th. Have they landed? Processing at Fort Lee? Anything?

MR. KIRBY- I’m going to have to refer you to the State Department for that. I don’t have any updates for you. As you know, when this first group of special immigrants do get to the United States, they will be temporarily housed at Fort Lee. That is all still moving right along. And we're certainly pleased to be able to contribute to this effort. But our focus really is on the temporary housing of this first group, and I would let the State Department speak to process beyond that. 

Q: Do you know, are there, are there any plans for any other bases or any other temporary housing kind of in the works outside of Fort Lee?

MR. KIRBY: Right now the focus is on Fort Lee. We don't have a specific request from the State Department to pursue another installation. Obviously, this is a State led effort and should there be that need, we will certainly take into consideration. But right now there's no additional request for assistance in terms of U.S., domestic U.S. installations.

Q-Can you talk a little bit about the importance of the U.S. Indonesia exercises that are going right now? Garuda Strait? And I know we're going to the Philippines that we've got U.S. exercises with the Philippines going on now too there. Can you talk about some of the things put in place with the pandemic? What extra precautions are put in place to kind of protect the service members on all sides during these exercises?

MR. KIRBY: Well we're happy to participate in these bilateral exercises. They're important for improving our interoperability. You heard the Secretary talk in his speech the other night about integrated deterrence. And that's not just a U.S. idea; it's not just a U.S. vision. It's about leveraging the capabilities and the interoperability that we have with allies and partners around the world, not just in the Indo-Pacific. And so these exercises allow us to improve that interoperability and those capabilities in this particular region. So we're obviously grateful for any and all opportunities that we get to train. As for COVID protocols, as you know, we are working, continue to work, to increase vaccinations among the force, and we obviously observe CDC guidelines throughout the force, particularly for those who are unvaccinated, so social distancing, the proper wearing of masks as appropriate. Nothing's more important to the Secretary than the health and well-being of our people and their readiness. And that means taking this this virus very very seriously.

Q: At the Pentagon, are you considering any mandatory vaccinations at this point? Is that an option that you're just looking at? 

MR. KIRBY: Right now, the vaccine remains voluntary, but as I said many times, you know, we're certainly watching the approval process and the Secretary has never been about closing down options with respect to the proper vaccination of the force.

Q: Overall, between Singapore and Vietnam, how's the Secretary feel about the trip so far?

MR. KIRBY: He's enjoyed it, he's learned a lot and he's greatly appreciated the chance to interact with his counterparts, right now in Vietnam, of course today he's really looking forward to the next stop with the Philippines. As you know he's going to be meeting with President Duterte this evening and then his counterpart tomorrow as well as other Filipino officials. For the Secretary, this was a very important trip to make. We have been to the Indo-Pacific, his first international trip, but that was largely to the north, Japan, South Korea, India. This is his first chance to engage in person in Southeast Asia. And as you know, Jim, this is a vital region, for economics. He talked about the - he talked about the straits; it's a vital economic part of the world. Obviously it's a part of the world where China continues to be very aggressive in the space. So it was important for the Secretary to get here. And I can tell you that in just the last few days, he feels like - the reason for coming is absolutely validated in the discussions that he's having and the reception that he's getting: both in Singapore and in Vietnam; very warm welcome, very genuine interest in having the United States be engaged in this part of the world, and to listen to them. A large part of what he's been doing is listening and getting a sense of this part of this part of the world from their perspective; the challenges as they see it. So he's been very grateful for the opportunity, very delighted with how it's going so far, and as I said, very excited about our last stop in the Philippines. OK? Alright.

Command Senior Enlisted Leader Assignment

 July 29, 2021

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The Office of the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (OSEAC) announced today the following assignment:

Navy Fleet Master Chief James Honea, currently assigned as fleet master chief of U.S. Pacific Fleet, has been selected to replace Army Command Sgt. Maj. Shane Shorter as command senior enlisted leader, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii.

U.S., Vietnam Discuss COVID-19 Aid, New Program to Find War Dead

July 29, 2021 | BY Jim Garamone , DOD News

Two important partnership initiatives between the United States and Vietnam will continue as both countries look for ways to help Vietnam combat COVID-19 and as both countries step up the Vietnam War-era personnel accounting program, said Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III during meetings with Vietnamese officials today.

Austin is making the first trip to Southeast Asia by a senior Biden administration official. He met with newly elected Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and National Defense Minister Phan Van Giang.

At the meetings, the secretary spoke of the challenging times COVID-19 has created. The U.S. has reached out to the nations of Southeast Asia to help them in their fight against the disease. Austin noted that the U.S. has provided vaccines, laboratory and testing equipment and cold storage freezers.

"We are also proud to have donated 5 million doses of Moderna vaccines to Vietnam," he said during his talks at the prime minister's office. "I look forward to discussing additional ways that the United States can support Vietnam’s response."

Spotlight: Coronavirus: DOD Response

Turning to the Vietnam War-era personnel accounting program, a portion of the meeting at the Ministry of National Defense concerned the Vietnam Wartime Accounting Initiative Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries. It enables the Vietnamese people to search millions of records, "to help search for their own missing, and to recover war dead," a senior Defense official said. At the heart of that memo is the collaboration with Harvard and Texas Tech creating a searchable database containing millions of records.

The importance of this project was clearly evident in the fact that progress was only slowed, not stopped, by the pandemic. U.S. and Vietnamese teams continued to search for those missing even as COVID-19 caused shutdowns.

"The United States and Vietnam have such a complex shared history of sacrifice," Austin said at the National Defense Ministry. "When our two countries resumed normalization, the United States committed itself to respecting Vietnam’s political system and your independent and balanced foreign policy."

The United States has a productive and warm relationship with Vietnam, but the U.S. "does not ask Vietnam to choose between partners," Austin said. "In fact, one of our central goals is ensuring that our allies and partners have the freedom and space to chart their own futures."

Normalization of relations between the two nations occurred in 1995. Austin said the growth in cooperation since then "has been striking and inspiring. We have built a foundation of trust and understanding tied to our decades-long cooperation on war legacy issues."

The U.S. will continue its dioxin clean-up efforts in Vietnam and will work to remove unexploded munitions left over from the Vietnam War. The U.S. will also continue to support disabled veterans of war.

Spotlight: Commemorating the Vietnam War

The United States and Vietnam have grown closer because of their shared interests and belief that peace and prosperity in the region depends on a "free and open Indo-Pacific," Austin said. "We believe the region needs strong and independent Vietnam – a country that can defend its sovereignty and expand the prosperity of its people."

The secretary wanted to get to the region earlier in his time in office, but COVID-19 restrictions prevented that. “For the secretary, this was a very important trip to make,” Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby told reporters travelling with Austin. “This is his first chance to engage in person in Southeast Asia. And as you know, this is a vital region.”

It is a manufacturing heartland and a vital sea line with several choke points in the region. "Obviously, it's a part of the world where China continues to be very aggressive...," Kirby said. 

Austin feels that it is important to meet with these partners. "He feels like that the reason for coming is absolutely validated in the discussions that he's having, and the reception that he's getting,” the press secretary said. “Both in Singapore and in Vietnam, [he received a] very warm welcome, and there is a very genuine interest in having the United States be engaged in this part of the world."

Austin himself said that he came to the region to listen to the leaders of these nations. Kirby said the secretary is getting a sense of the realities in Southeast Asia and the challenges these leaders face.

Science Project

 

Air Force Airman Megan Kearns works on a science project with children from the Boys and Girls Club during a community relations event in Fargo, N.D., July 19, 2021. The event was part of Fargo Navy Week which allowed service members from across the U.S. to meet with members of the community.

Night Signals

 

Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew Leeds uses chemlights to signal an MV-22B Osprey during training at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., July 21, 2021.

Heavy Loads

 

Airmen use forklifts to load equipment on a truck at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich., July 28, 2021.

Thunderbird Three

 

The Thunderbirds, the Air Force's flight demonstration team, conduct an aerial demonstration over F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., July 26, 2021.

Deep Breath

 

Army Sgt. 1st Class Shane Price climbs over a large tube as part of a water obstacle course in Burlington, Vt., July 23, 2021. The training prepared service members for a military competition between the U.S. and other NATO nations.

NORTHCOM Commander Gen. Glen D. VanHerck Conducts Press Briefing on North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command Global Information Dominance Experiments

 July 28, 2021

General Glen D. VanHerck, commander, NORAD and U.S. Northern Command

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STAFF: Okay, good morning, ladies and gentlemen. It is our pleasure to welcome the commander, U.S. Northern Command, General Glen D. VanHerck to the press briefing room today. General VanHerck is here to provide an update on how NORAD and NORTHCOM, in collaboration with all 11 U.S. combatant commands, has executed the third in a series of Global Information Dominance Experiments, also known as GIDE.

With that, I'll turn it over to General VanHerck for his opening comments.

Sir, the floor is yours.

GENERAL GLEN D. VANHERCK: Great. Thank -- thank you very much, and good morning. It's great to be here with you. And thanks for joining me here in person, and those of you that are on the phone.

I'd also like to welcome and point out over here the commands, NORAD and USNORTHCOM have a new command senior enlisted leader, Sergeant Major James Porterfield, United States Marine Corps, and we're happy to have him for the past few weeks, and he's joining me today, so it's good to see you.

I'm honored to serve as the commander of two distinct commands, North American Aerospace Defense Command, turned 63 year old -- 63 years old in -- in May, and the commander of the United States Northern Command, with two incredibly noble missions: defending North America primarily in the air domain for NORAD, also providing maritime warning; and obviously, defending our homeland, to include Alaska, for North -- for United States Northern Command; and providing defense support of civil authorities on a routine basis, and the coordination we do with the nations in the NORTHCOM AOR with Canada, Mexico and the Bahamas.

Today, our peer competitors hold the homeland at risk in every vector and every domain. The Global Information Dominance Experiment that we're going to talk about, and more specifically, the recent Global Information Dominance Experiment 3 was a cross-command event seeking to leap forward our ability to maintain domain awareness, achieve information dominance and provide decision superiority in competition and crisis. GIDE 3 included representatives from all 11 combatant commands, and later today, I'll conduct an outbrief with most of the commanders and certainly, their representatives. And I can tell you, each combatant command is very excited about what we're doing, and I look forward to that outbrief.

As the secretary of defense recently said, integrated deterrence is about using the right mix of technology, operational concepts and capabilities, all woven together in a networked way that -- so -- that is credible, flexible and formidable that will give any adversary pause, especially to think about attacking our homeland. So I fundamentally believe that integrated deterrence, which you're hearing the secretary talk a lot about today, allows for the increase of decision space, and that GIDE, the Global Information Dominance Experiments, embodies a fundamental change in how we use information and data to increase decision space for leaders from the tactical level to the strategic level -- not only military leaders, but also gives opportunity for our civilian leaders.

GIDE also makes a concerted effort to create global integration, shifting the department away from today's regionally-focused plans, strategies, the way we do force management and force design paradigms, and budgetary and acquisition processes. We're shifting our focus away from pure defeat mechanisms for homeland defense towards earlier, deter-and-deny actions well outside a conflict. GIDE spurs faster decisions and provides proactive options by making new technologies more accessible and more effective.

Right now, the threats we face and the pace of change in the geostrategic environment continues to advance at really alarming rates. We've entered a era of new and renewed strategic competition, and this time, we're facing two peer competitors, both nuclear-armed, that are competing against us on a daily basis. We must outpace our competitors by accelerating our own efforts to transform our culture, including factoring in homeland defense into every strategy, every plan, force management, force design decision, as well as aspects of acquisition and budget so that we can deter in competition, de-escalate in crisis and if required, defeat in conflict.

In addition to the work we're doing with global information dominance as we defend our homelands, United States Northern Command has been actively executing our defense support of civil authorities mission, whether supporting our whole-of-nation effort that we recently wrapped up in June with COVID support, not only medical support, but vaccinations, we're actively engaged in fighting wildland firefighting today, supporting the Department of State with Afghan special immigrants as well.

We're also building military-to-military partnerships, outstanding relationships with key neighbors such as Mexico, Canada and the Bahamas. And I look forward to discussing all of these important efforts and topics with you.

So thanks again for being here and also being on the phone. Let's get to your questions.

STAFF: Thanks, sir. So we'll go to questions. (Patrick ?), we'll start with you.

Q: Thank you.

(Patrick ?) from Defense One. Good to see you again, General.

Can you tell us what happened in the GIDE experiment? And can you also address how you used artificial intelligence in the experiment and your plans for that going forward?

GEN. VANHERCK: Absolutely.

So the experiment -- we won't name nations but let's just say it was focused on a peer competitor. This time in GIDE 3 we focused a lot on contested logistics, to give us a scenario where maybe a line of communication such as the Panama Canal may be challenged. It enabled us to rapidly collaborate amongst all 11 combatant commands and across the department to see that data and information. We're taking sensors from around the globe, not only military sensors but commercially available information, and utilizing that for domain awareness.

Specific to your question about artificial intelligence and what I call information dominance, we would take artificial intelligence and use machine learning to take a look and assess, for example, the average number of cars in a parking lot that may be there in a specific location to a competitor or a threat. And we monitor that over a period of time.

The machine learning and the artificial intelligence can detect changes in that and we can set parameters where it will trip an alert to give you the awareness to go take another sensor such as GEOINT on-satellite capability to take a closer look at what might be ongoing in a specific location. 

Does that -- does that make sense?

Q: Yes. Did that -- was it something specifically that you did as part of this experiment --

GEN. VANHERCK: Absolutely. We've been doing that for over a year now.

What -- what we've seen is the ability to get way further what I call left, left of being reactive to actually being proactive. And I'm talking not minutes and hours, I'm talking days.

The ability to see days in advance creates decision space. Decision space for me as an operational commander to potentially posture forces to create deterrence options to provide that to the secretary or even the president. To use messaging, the information space to create deterrence options and messaging and if required to get further ahead and posture ourselves for defeat.

Please.

STAFF: Hey, (Ram ?) go ahead.

Q: Thank you so much. Thanks for taking my question, General.

In this experiment you said all of the 11 combatant commands were involved. Can you talk about how you worked with SPACECOM and what sort of capabilities came online that showed you how you're going to be able to solve problems moving forward that you wouldn't be able to solve as easily before?

And then I have a second question.

GEN. VANHERCK: Well, SPACECOM was intimately involved. And SPACECOM is a crucial partner to United States Northern Command and NORAD. We rely on Space Command sensors and capabilities for our threat warning, our attack assessment and the domain awareness that we need to conduct our missions.

SPACECOM was intimately involved in providing sensor awareness, that domain awareness that we talk about. But just as importantly, as you're creating and coordinating globally to create global dilemmas, to create deterrence, SPACECOM offers unique capabilities for deterrence in the space environment as well. And so the -- they work closely to provide deterrence options and de-escalation options against a peer competitor in an experiment like this.

Q: Any specifics to that?

And also, sir, can you give an update on the status of the radars and the missile interceptors that coming online in Alaska?

GEN. VANHERCK: So I can give you specifics.

So for example, SPACECOM can come up with options to potentially hold at risk a competitor's -- not only their terrain on Earth their space capabilities, but also potentially taking a look at domain awareness of space capabilities, where a competitor may be attempting hold our capabilities at risk.

Q: Sorry, and then the update for the radars and the -- and missile interceptors in Alaska?

GEN. VANHERCK: So give me the specific question. When -- when you --

Q: Oh, sure. The new middle -- missile interceptors are coming online in Alaska and new radars that are -- that are coming online up there, could you give us an update? Are they on schedule? And what type of capabilities would that bring --

GEN. VANHERCK: Sure, I'll talk about the interceptors first. But the Missile Defense Agency is really your best point of contact for that.

But the next-generation interceptor is, I think, what you're talking about. That's planning on being fielded in 2028. To my knowledge it is absolutely on schedule at this time.

I'm encouraged by the -- the -- the process that they've set up that creates competition and actually rewards innovation and pulling further left to field the capabilities sooner. I'm looking forward to that.

The Missile Defense Agency's also focused on a new long-range discriminating radar which will be crucial for the missile defense capabilities. And they're on track with that. They're in the stages right now of moving into their initial operations capability. I look forward to that coming on line here in the near future.

Q: Thank you, sir.

STAFF: Okay. And let's go to the phones. (Jack ?), FedScoop.

Q: Yes, thank you. Thank you very much for taking my question -- I've got a multi-parter here.

But broadly, I'm hoping to know: what's the difference between what you can take away from the experiments being North America-based versus what other COCOMs can take away on a -- on a technical level? And do you have more capability be it in cloud storage or other type of technical abilities that you can have being based here in the U.S. versus a more (austere ?) environment or environment outside the U.S.?

And secondly, what are the cloud capabilities that supported this experiment? And how would the Joint Warfighting Cloud Capability that's successor to the JEDI contract change what you could actually implement here?

GEN. VANHERCK: So I'll answer your first part of that. First of all, all 11 combatant commands are using the exactly same environment, single pane of glass. There's no difference between what United States Northern Command NORAD have than SOUTHCOM, or SPACECOM, or anybody. We're all collaborating in the same information space using the same exact capabilities.

As far as the technical questions about the specifics of the -- you know, the cloud, I don't have those details to give you. I can get an expert to get back with you on those.

And as far as the policy aspects of JEDI, I won't go into that. What we're doing is utilizing capabilities that are available right now. Okay? These are not capabilities for future technology. These capabilities we could absolutely field tomorrow and, I believe, be significantly more capable to create that decision space that I talked about.

I hope that makes sense.

Q: And if I could just -- if I could follow-up on that last point. Would having an enterprise cloud that the Joint Warfighting Cloud Capability would provide -- is that going to expand the aperture of possibilities here of what, maybe, you could experiment with or eventually implement? And what would that change be to having a (fully enterprised ?) warfighting edge cloud?

GEN. VANHERCK: So to make sure I understand -- so the question specific to the cloud and what advantages that would bring in future competition, crisis, and conflict. Is that right?

Q: Correct.

GEN. VANHERCK: Yes, so the cloud brings significant advantages and we're -- we are utilizing cloud. You can actually use multiple clouds and share information, and we've demonstrated that.

You know, there's been a significant focus on having data standards and getting the data right before you share it. What we found, by using the cloud and innovative solutions with innovative companies out there, is that as long as you make the data and information available in the cloud today, we can then share that information from a cloud to any user.

The other advantages, they're -- they're significant. You can limit who gets access, whether you want foreign nations to have it or select foreign nations. Those are things that you can do with today's software technology that you can almost do in a matter of hours and days vice months and years through the processes that we've typically utilized.

So I'm really encouraged with where we're going with soft base -- software-based capabilities utilizing the cloud.

For my homeland defense design, allies and partners have to be part of the homeland defense design. I don't want to defend starting in the homeland. I want to defend starting forward.

And using a cloud with an architecture that you can decide, by who logs in, what information they're going to get and capabilities they're going to see. That's incredibly powerful today that you can utilize right now.

STAFF: All right. Jason Sherman, Inside Defense.

Q: Thanks very much. General, what is the -- what is the key material component here? What's the new technology that was demonstrated that -- that -- that wasn't available before? Who are the main industry partners supporting you in that? And is there a -- is there a trajectory here for a program of record for a new capability that could proliferate across combatant commands?

GEN. VANHERCK: Okay, Jason, thanks. As far as the new technology, I'm not sure there's new technology here, to be candid with you. You know, Amazon's been doing it this way -- Google. A lot of people have been figuring out how to pool and share data and information.

What -- what we've done is take it and not approach it from a military or a capability problem. But we approach this from a data and software problem. And we stitched everything together to make this happen.

As far as partners, I'm not going to go into details on what companies. I'm agnostic to who provides these capabilities. We've partnered with some exceptional companies out there.

I would also tell you that support from across the department, the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center and Project Maven. Under Secretary of Defense for I&S has been crucial. The Department of the Air Force and their Chief Architect Office provided resources to include funding and personnel, which were tremendously helpful to get us where we are. And of course, all 11 combatant commands.

The last part of your question -- I forgot that one. We got the tech and the partners. What was the final portion?

Q: Is -- is what -- does this package that you've put together, like, a definitive shape that leads towards a program of record that you would then kind of replicate across the combatant commands?

GEN. VANHERCK: Yes, so tomorrow I'm going to talk to the Deputy Secretary and we'll see. And we'll give her an out brief as well on the way forward.

I wouldn't think of this as a thing or a -- you know, a gadget we're going to buy and move forward. This is a software-based capabilities utilizing technology that is readily available today.

As far as a program of record, you're well aware that I'm not an acquisition authority in my combatant command hat. And my ultimate goal would be to hand this off to somebody that can move out, field it sooner than later so that we can collaborate and create decision space and deterrence options for our senior leaders right now.

I don't know what that's going to look like, to be candid with you. I'll talk to the deputy. I'll talk to the vice chairman. We'll see what happens in today's out brief as we move forward.

But I believe in the near future that we can kind of build the bike while we ride it, if you read my recent article.

And what I mean by that is we can use a new paradigm, a new way going forward, and field these capabilities across the combatant commands today, and develop the tactics, techniques, and procedures that oftentimes take us years to develop through developmental testing, operational testing before we field capabilities.

But I believe with software-based capabilities we're ready to field these and move out. And I think next spring when we do our Globally Integrated Exercise -- that'll be led by the chairman with play across the department -- we could validate these capabilities in that exercise.

And those are some things that I'm thinking about and will talk about with the vice chairman and the deputy secretary. But I'm incredibly encouraged that we can move much quicker than we historically have.

Q: Is it fair to say you think there's a valid requirement for this capability?

GEN. VANHERCK: Absolutely. There's a -- this is JADC2, okay, Joint All-Domain Command and Control. It's done at the operational and strategic level. You've heard the -- the vice chairman talk about it. You've heard all the services moving out to develop these capabilities.

The primary difference, (Jeff ?), between what I'm doing and what the services are doing is I'm focused at the operational to strategic level. Taking data and information that is available today. That's key.

This data and information -- we're not creating new capabilities to go get data and information. This information exists from today's satellites, today's radar, today's undersea capabilities, today's cyber, today's intel capabilities.

The data exists. What we're doing is making that data available, making that data available and shared into a cloud where machine learning and artificial intelligence look at it. And they process it really quickly and provide it to decision-makers, which I call decision superiority.

This gives us days of advanced warning and ability to react. Where, in the past, we may not have put eyes on with an analyst of a GEOINT satellite image, now we are doing that within minutes or near real-time. That's the primary difference that I'm talking about.

STAFF: Thanks, sir. (Oriana ?), military.com.

Q: Thanks so very much. I'm curious how -- if you could speak a little bit to this, how this supplements what you all have been trying to do with Canada to upgrade the North Warning System.

I know you had created a bilateral committee to study (what best ?) upgrades you would need. But I'm just curious where that study is and how this may change your framework of how to move forward.

GEN. VANHERCK: Well, the North Warning System is a sensor that provides data and information like any other sensor capability. And so, the North Warning System can be fed into this.

We -- we have taken what we developed called Pathfinder and applied that to our North Warning System, not in the data coming out that we get say at our air defense sectors but the raw data. So what we're doing is now we're analyzing the physical raw data that comes off those radar sensors.

And that's very important because what we found is about 98 percent of the data and information was not being actually analyzed or assessed under the prior way we conducted operations.

Now by taking the raw data and applying Pathfinder, which uses machine learning and artificial intelligence, we're actually able to assess 100 percent of the data. And that gives us a much better capability.

As far as NORAD modernization, those discussions are ongoing. The president -- President Biden and Prime Minister Trudeau talked about NORAD modernization in their first meeting. I'm encouraged by that.

Now, we've got to move forward at the department level to see what the way forward is for NORAD modernization. Those are policy decisions that I'll absolutely stay out of. I'll provide input when asked.

But any sensor capability that NORAD modernization provides such as over-the-horizon radar technology -- a polar over-the-horizon radar would be able to fit right into this as long as you make the data and information available to share.

STAFF: All right, (Kristina ?), AWPS.

Q: Thank you for taking my question. So I'm wondering if there are any concerns about self-fulfilling prophecy, where you get into a loop and there's some assumptions made. Is there a thought about that?

And then I had another question as well -- it slips my mind at the moment. So that -- that would be the first question.

GEN. VANHERCK: Yes. So I -- I think I understand what you're saying. You're worried about basically escalating due to use of machine learning artificial intelligence gets us in a loop. Is that correct?

Q: Yes. That -- that there is some kind of intrinsic assumptions that are made maybe on -- on the human decision-making side. Because you're getting this information -- it's a lot of information and it's against a biased perception or a worry that's about an adversary's intention.

GEN. VANHERCK: Yes. So, the first thing I would tell you that humans still make all the decisions in what I'm talking about. We don't have any machines making decisions. Certainly, machines can provide options.

So for example, if you -- if you collaborate in real-time and develop deterrence options that utilize force structures such as airplanes or ships, the database can have the information of the readiness, the availability, the capability of those ships available.

So any options you create, you'll know if they're available immediately. That's the advantage of having a cloud and a software environment.

With regards to, you know, the self-fulfilling prophecy, what I'd tell you is I think it's exactly the opposite.

Today, we end up in a reactive environment because we're late with the data and information. And so all too often we end up reacting to a competitors move. And in this case, it actually allows us to create deterrence, which creates stability by having awareness sooner of what they're actually doing.

And you can utilize the information space, pick up the phone, call, and create actual deterrence options by doing so or positioning forces to do that.

So I see this not as something new that would create concern about utilizing this information to escalate. It actually is the opposite.

And -- and -- and keep in mind that it's not new information. It's information that today is just not analyzed and processed until later in the -- the -- the time cycle, if you will.

And all we're doing is taking it and sharing it and making it available sooner. So that our key decision-makers will have options vice being reactive where they may be forced to take some kind of escalation option. I hope that makes sense.

Q: Awesome. So my follow-up question is about our international partners. Are there -- looking ahead, is there kind of a way in which they would be integrated and there (would be ?) sort of a -- a level of integration that would sliding scale, as you might have it, depending on what the scenario is? Or how would that work?

GEN. VANHERCK: Thanks for bringing that up because I didn't address that. But we actually had partners -- our allies and partners play in GIDE 3. So they're already in with us.

Going forward, as the secretary has said, integrated deterrence is crucial. And integrated deterrence not only relies on all levers of national influence that we have here in the United States but it also relies on a network of allies and partners, which is our asymmetric advantage globally, in my mind.

And so absolutely, they have to be part of this. They have to be brought in. I met with the Supreme Allied Commander Transformation General Lanata as well. And they see it the same way. They're encouraged by where we're going. They're all in with his hat as well from a NATO perspective. I think that is crucial.

From my homeland defense design -- and I -- I already alluded to this a little bit. You know, I don't want to be shooting down cruise missiles over the National Capital Region or in our -- in our country.

I believe the best way to keep a safe homeland is to have that network of allies and partners -- that integrated deterrence that Secretary Austin talks about -- and with my fellow combatant commands to have a global and all-domain picture to create deterrence and focus on competition.

But if required, the way you defend the homeland is, prior to that threat becoming a threat to the homeland, you give options to our senior leaders to negate that, whether that be through deterrence, de-escalating, or -- if required -- defeating.

STAFF: Lara, Politico.

Q: Hey, (Marty ?). Thanks, General, for doing this. I wanted to ask two questions, one on this experiment. Can you tell me -- can you provide us any detail on upcoming experiments? I think this is third one. Is there a fourth one planned and when is that happening?

And then, it's sort of off topic, but hoping you can answer some questions about the COVID response, as NORTHCOM the coordinator for that -- that response, I believe.

Can you tell us whether you anticipate mandating the troops get vaccinated? And sort of following on that, if the -- if the federal government mandates the vaccine, can you explain whether the troops and DOD civilians are automatically included in that mandate?

Thank you.

GEN. VANHERCK: Okay, thanks, Lara.

First on your question, certainly we're looking to the future and what a Global Information Dominance Experiment 4 would look like. We haven't scheduled it.

I'll figure out the way forward after we meet today with the -- at the out brief and I talk to the deputy and the vice chairman in the near future on the way forward. That, kind of, ties back to my overarching question -- or comments earlier about the future of fielding this and the way forward. But we look forward to moving the ball down the field.

With regards to COVID, first I can tell you that I'm really proud of United States Northern Command, our team, all of the department for our response.

You know, we had over 20,000 personnel respond across over the last 15, 16 months. Providing support to the lead federal agencies in their response, whether that be from repatriating citizens that were coming from overseas, the cruise ships as you remember, embedding into hospitals, and providing nearly 5 million vaccines across the nation. So I'm proud of that.

With regards to your policy questions, I'm aware of the reports on the street. I'll defer to OSD on the specific policy on mask mandate and wearing. That's not my call.

I will tell you though, I'm incredibly proud of what our teammates here at the United States Northern Command and NORAD have done. We're nearly 90 percent vaccinated in our headquarters. That's significant, 90 percent. Okay?

When you look across the nation, the vaccine works. If you look hospitalization rates, you look at death rates right now from COVID the vast majority -- high percentages are form unvaccinated.

And so, I'm encouraged by that. I'll defer to policy on the mask wear. CDC obviously will get a piece of that and the department. I have ultimate confidence they'll put out health protection guidance. And we'll follow that policy.

Q: So I wasn't actually asking about the mask mandate. I was asking about a vaccine mandate for -- for troops. And I understand if you can't get ahead of any announcements. But can you say that -- if there is a mandate for federal workers, does that mean that U.S. troops and DOD civilians are automatically included in that or would that be a different discussion?

GEN. VANHERCK: Lara, I don't know from my combatant command position. I'm -- my awareness on this is probably just what yours is -- what I've read in the media.

We'll see what the president comes out with as far as direction and what that direction is to the department, and I'll salute smartly to Secretary Austin's guidance, and we'll move out. I will tell you, I'll go back to my comments. The vaccine works. We continue to encourage people to -- to take the vaccine, moving forward.

STAFF: Okay, (Anson ?), Asashi Shimbun. Might have lost him.

(Jonathan, DOD News ?).

All right, Abraham Mahshie.

Q: Thank you, sir.

I wonder if you could detail any of the challenges or lessons learned from this experiment. And also, how did you work with INDOPACOM during the experiment?

GEN. VANHERCK: Yeah, so INDOPACOM -- I'll address the second -- was absolutely all-in and a great partner in this experiment. We did focus to the West this time. I will tell you that. And INDOPACOM was critical to being part of the overall solution.

As far as -- remind me the first one. I should --

Q: Challenges and lessons learned.

GEN. VANHERCK: Challenges, so challenges. Let me just talk real quick about that. So I -- I think some of the challenges -- we first have to have secure network and backbone to ride on. And so CYBERCOM understands that, National Security Agency -- everybody understands that. So going forward, the I.T. infrastructure has to be secure and reliable to execute future data and information capability. So I think that's something we have to focus on.

I also think that we need to build confidence and understanding of A.I. and machine learning across not only the department, but within Congress and the American people to ensure they understand that machines aren't making decisions. We're not relying on computers to take us to create deterrence options or defeat options.

I do think a challenge is that we have to work simultaneously while we build the bike while we ride it, if you will, is to work in the policy aspect and the law aspect, where what we don't want to do is field capabilities, and the policy and the laws have not kept up with the capabilities that we have, or there's a lack of competence in the capabilities, or trust, more importantly, with the American people and Congress, and within the department.

So those are things that we'll continue to work. I'm heavily-engaged when I do my posture hearings and talking to the congressional members on the committees about the -- the future of data and information.

Q: When you say policy keeping up, can you be more specific?

GEN. VANHERCK: Policy with regards to the use of artificial intelligence, machine learning to ensure that the data-sharing is available. So for example, in the intelligence communities, you know, historically, we've taken that intelligence. We've allowed an analyst to pore over that for days, sometimes, before we made that intelligence available. We may have to make that intelligence available sooner in the future by sharing the raw data, the real-time data, and allowing machines to look at that data, things that today, analyst may do. The machine can take a look and tell you exactly how many cars are in a parking lot, or how many airplanes are parked on a ramp, or if the submarine's getting ready to leave, or if a missile's going to launch. Where that may have taken days before, or hours, today, it can take seconds or less than minutes. Those are policy issues that we'll have to sort through and build trust and confidence.

Q: Thank you, sir.

Q: Thanks. This is a question that -- that might annoy you. When you go about this cloud environment, the point of the JEDI contract was to move the department away from a federation of little, tiny clouds that didn't connect well, had bad APIs, to a cloud environment that represented, like, best of what was available in industry, so really, large -- a -- a coherent cloud environment on par with Amazon, Google or Microsoft. For this experiment, did you use a -- a large, coherent, singular cloud environment, or maybe a multi-cloud environment of two large clouds, or was it a multi-cloud environment of lots of little clouds, all stitched together?

GEN. VANHERCK: I don't that information, but I am not the technical expert on this. I would tell you, I think there's multiple clouds. I'm agnostic to how we do this, candidly. Ultimately, these capabilities, as long as there's a cloud to share information that can accept that data and information, the tools that we can utilize for A.I. and M.L. can be applied, and then you can share that data. But I -- I don't have those. I'm -- I'm sorry. I don't have that technical data.

Q: Thank you.

STAFF: All right, sir, over to you for closing comments.

GEN. VANHERCK: Okay, great. Hey -- hey, thanks for being here, everybody. I appreciate your time. I'd love to have a -- a room full. I think we have an important message at NORAD and NORTHCOM: Defending our homelands is an absolutely noble mission that we do each and every day, and providing support to our civil authorities and the people of our nation, so I think that's -- that's about as noble as it gets.

You know, I'm really encouraged with where the secretary's going with the integrated deterrence as he continues to talking about that. I think we -- we must shift away from focusing on conflict and create deterrence during competition. I think that's where the secretary's going, and that competition involves all levels of national influence. It involves our allies and partners, and it involves all the combatant commands on a daily basis.

My homeland defense design is set up perfect for that, and this experiment, Global Information Dominance Experiment and the capabilities feed right into that to give the secretary exactly what he needs to have that global integrated deterrence, and what our combatant commanders need to create those deterrence options in day-to-day competition, de-escalation options in crisis, and if we have to fight, defeat options in conflict.

So I appreciate your time.