BRIGADIER GENERAL PAT RYDER: Good afternoon, everyone. All right, a couple of items to pass along at the highest, after which I will be joyful to take your questions.
First, let me go ahead and highlight up front that we’re aware of the press reports alleging that two Russian missiles have struck a location inside Poland near the Ukraine border. I can let you know that we haven’t any information right now to corroborate those reports, and are looking into this further. And so once we do have an update to offer, we’ll you’ll want to accomplish that.
Individually, one yr ago this month, families on Oahu faced a crisis when fuel spills on the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility resulted in contamination of the Navy’s drinking water system. The Department of Defense recognizes that the 2021 incidents at Red Hill created a trust deficit between the DOD and the people of Hawaii, and that it’s incumbent upon the department to earn back that trust.
On March 7, 2022, Secretary Austin, after close consultation with senior civilian and military leaders, directed the defueling and everlasting closure of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility. Since then, the department has stood up a joint task force to concentrate on the protected and expeditious defueling of Red Hill. The JTF Red Hill recently accomplished a critical preliminary step within the defueling process from October 25 to November third, and removed over a million gallons of fuel from the power’s fuel pipelines. The operation, generally known as unpacking, concluded with none issues involving the handling, transport or storage of the fuel.
The following phase includes performing all mandatory repairs, modifications, and enhancements to the Red Hill infrastructure to cut back risk in the course of the defueling of the Red Hill storage tanks. JTF Red Hill is currently on course to finish defueling by June of 2024. The JTF will proceed to work with the Hawaii Department of Health and Environmental Protection Agency to search out ways to securely reduce and expedite the defueling timeline.
As well as, on November 1st, the Navy announced its plans to perform the everlasting closure of the majority storage facility. Following Hawaii Department of Health approval, the Navy will start fuel tank closures as early as possible, once the joint task force completes the defueling process. It’s currently estimated that the power closure process will take three years to finish. Because the Navy moves forward, it should work in lockstep with the area people and closely coordinate with the Hawaii Department of Health to finalize the closure plan and determine a possible helpful non-fuel reuse for the Red Hill facility site.
Secretary Austin and senior leaders at DOD are committed to making sure that the Department follows through on its promise of increased transparency and coordination with military families and the residents of Hawaii. Because the secretary has said previously, defueling and shutting Red Hill is the correct thing to do for our servicemembers, our families, the people of Hawaii, the environment, and our national security.
Individually, Secretary Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Milley will host the seventh meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group tomorrow. The meeting might be hosted virtually here within the Pentagon and permit — will allow for the secretary, the chairman, and senior defense leaders from world wide to debate ongoing efforts to produce Ukraine with the means it must defend its sovereignty from further Russian aggression. Additional information might be forthcoming.
And at last, Secretary Austin will depart Friday for a visit to Canada, Indonesia, and Cambodia. In Nova Scotia, he’ll deliver keynote remarks on the 2022 Halifax International Security Forum centered on the Department’s efforts to construct a more resilient security architecture in concert with allies and partners across the Indo-Pacific and Europe. He’ll also meet with Canadian Minister of National Defense Anita Anand to debate the close defense relationship between the U.S. and Canada and the importance of strategic investments in defense capabilities.
From there, Secretary Austin will travel to Jakarta, where he’ll meet with senior government and military leaders as the US and Indonesia work to chart an ambitious course in our mutual defense partnership. And in Cambodia, Secretary Austin will take part in the ninth ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting, also generally known as ADMM-Plus, alongside the ten ASEAN member states and eight dialogue partners. This might be Secretary Austin’s first in-person participation on the forum, which was conducted virtually last yr attributable to the — attributable to the COVID pandemic, and one which continues a protracted tradition of U.S. Secretary of Defense representation on the ADMM-Plus.
And with that, I will be joyful to take your questions. We’ll start with Associated Press, Lita Baldor.
Q: Hey, Pat. Thanks very much.
I realize that is going to be irritating, but I do know you said you haven’t any information on the Russian strikes. Is there any suggestion or sense that the U.S. believes this just isn’t accurate? Are you looking into it? Are you able to give us just a few sense of whether or not these reports are deemed believable? And what, if any, calls could also be happening straight away?
GEN. RYDER: Yeah, thanks very much, Lita. In order I discussed, straight away, we’re aware of the press reporting on this. Now we have no information right now to corroborate those reports, but again, are — are taking them seriously and looking out into them. And so, I’ll be certain that we give you any updates as soon as we’ve got them.
Did you’ve a follow-up, Lita?
Q: I — only one quick, kind of unrelated follow-up to that. We’re — do you’ve any estimate on the variety of Russian troops which are currently in Ukraine? Is it 100,000? Fewer than 100,000? Are you able to give us any sense of that? And — and that is it. Thanks.
GEN. RYDER: Yeah, thanks, Lita. I — I haven’t any numbers to offer from the rostrum here. Clearly, tens of 1000’s of Russian forces still on Ukrainian territory, to incorporate Russian forces which have recently been mobilized. We have seen a rise of those forces being sent to the front lines as replacements recently. But — but no overall number that I’m capable of provide. Thanks.
All right, Idrees?
Q: Could you only — on the calls — so is there any call along with his Polish counterpart planned right now?
GEN. RYDER: I even have nothing to read out at — at this point.
Q: I feel President Biden has said a couple of times that the U.S. will defend every inch of NATO territory. If these reports are true, what does that appear like for the Administration?
GEN. RYDER: Yeah, thanks, Idrees. So, you realize, as I discussed, we’re looking into these reports. Have no information to corroborate them right now. So I don’t need to invest or get into hypotheticals.
In relation to our security commitments and Article 5, we have been crystal clear that we are going to defend every inch of NATO territory. Thanks.
Sir?
Q: Hi. Travis Tritten, Military.com. I even have a Red Hill query. You said a million gallons of fuel have been faraway from the pipes. And just so I understand it — so is that this, like, the residual fuel that was, like, out within the pipes after which…
GEN. RYDER: That is exactly what it’s.
Q: … it leaves the fuel that is actually within the tanks to be removed?
GEN. RYDER: That is exactly right. So the — the method is generally known as unpacking, and it’s to do exactly that. Before they will remove the fuel from the tanks themselves, taking out that residual fuel from those lines to be sure that there is no such thing as a environmental damage or hazards and — and — or leaks as they conduct that process.
Q: OK. And do you’ve a — an amount of the overall fuel that is left within the tanks themselves?
GEN. RYDER: I haven’t got that in front of me. JTF Red Hill may have the option to offer that information for you.
Q: OK.
GEN. RYDER: Thanks.
OK. Ma’am?
Q: Hi. Brandi Vincent from DefenseScoop. On his trip to the Middle East this week, Undersecretary for Defense Policy Dr. Colin Kahl is stopping in Bahrain and visiting Task Force 59, which really focuses on maturing the Pentagon’s unmanned and uncrewed systems. Are you able to provide some specifics on us — for us on what he’s seeing, the technology exercises or operations that is perhaps happening there?
GEN. RYDER: Yeah, thanks very much for the query. In order — as you mentioned, the Undersecretary is within the Middle East on a visit straight away. We’ll aim to offer a readout of that trip and positively can get back with you when it comes to among the things that he was capable of accomplish during that point. I haven’t got anything to offer specifically for you straight away, but we are able to get back to you on that.
Q: Thanks. And since he’s the Undersecretary of Policy, are you able to tell us a bit of bit about what he’s doing to tell policies while he’s there as well? Why there and why him?
GEN. RYDER: Sure. Well, it’s totally common for the Undersecretary and plenty of our defense leaders to travel and to fulfill with various DOD and international leaders to assist higher inform the decision-making and the policies of the Department. And so, that is a protracted planned for trip and it provides him with a possibility to realize insight into the sorts of key defense decisions that we’re making here before we make them. So thanks.
Q: Could I follow that, sir?
GEN. RYDER: Absolutely, Tom.
Q: Thanks. Is he going to attend the Bahrain gathering that — that Secretary Austin went to last yr?
GEN. RYDER: The Manama Dialogue?
Q: Yes, sir.
GEN. RYDER: I — I’ll confirm that. I think that is the case but allow us to come back to you on that.
Q: And — and on the — the duty force that Brandi mentioned, is that similar to the — the unmanned drones that — that — surface drones that the U.S. has employed within the Arabian Sea?
GEN. RYDER: The — the USVs?
Q: Yeah.
GEN. RYDER: I’ll — we’ll double check on…
(CROSSTALK)
GEN. RYDER: Thanks.
Oren?
Q: In relation to Poland, what other information are you in search of to corroborate whether or not this was a — a missile, or missiles, that landed in Poland? And if, actually, it’s because it appears to be, does that necessitate a military response?
GEN. RYDER: Again, I’m not going to get into hypotheticals or speculate. As I discussed, we’ve got no information straight away to corroborate that there was a missile strike. Again, we’re looking into it. As you realize, we’ve got a wide selection of means at our disposal to confirm information. And so when we’ve got something to offer, we’ll. Thanks.
Kasim?
Q: Only a…
GEN. RYDER: Then I will go to the phones here.
Q: Yeah, the (inaudible) — just as a policy, do you concentrate on these kinds of — like, as we see in Poland’s case, these kinds of landings as a miscalculation or something that triggered the Article 5?
GEN. RYDER: So…
Q: Only a policy. I’m not asking you…
GEN. RYDER: Right. And again, I — as I’m sure you possibly can appreciate, I’m not going to invest about potential ifs and thens, right? I will take care of facts. And so let — let’s get the facts after which we’ll go from there.
Q: After which everybody’s reporting there’s indifference to the U.S. intelligence. So U.S. intelligence has already disseminated the knowledge that truly those missiles …
GEN. RYDER: Is that a press release of fact or are you asking a matter?
Q: No, I’m asking a — I’m saying that it is a — it is a — is not it interesting that the U.S. intelligence has something the U.S. military doesn’t have?
GEN. RYDER: Well — and I’m telling you, because the Pentagon Press Secretary, that I don’t have any information to corroborate that and that we’re looking into it. So just leave it there until we are able to get more information. Let me exit to the phones.
Carla Babb, VOA?
Q: Hey, Pat. Thanks for doing this. Apologies on also asking in regards to the Russian missiles in Poland, but in lieu of those reports, how concerned are you in regards to the force protection of U.S. troops in Poland? Would the U.S. need to regulate its force posture there should these reports be confirmed?
GEN. RYDER: Yeah, thanks, Carla. So again, you realize, to reply your first query, with regards to force protection, we at all times take the protection and security of our troops, regardless of where they’re serving, very seriously. And so we’re — we’re very confident in any force protection measures that we take, whether it’s Poland or elsewhere.
But again, you realize, we’re not going to get ahead of ourselves here. We will get the facts, and — and when we’ve got more to offer, we’ll. Thanks.
All right, let me go to Marcin, TV Poland. Are you there?
OK, nothing heard. Let me go to Caitlin Doornbos.
Q: Hi there. Hey, this is going on, this — the reports of this Polish attack is going on right before the Ukraine defense contact briefing — or group meeting. I’m wondering if there’s any plans to discuss this at that meeting as well?
GEN. RYDER: Yeah, thanks, Caitlin. So the — the Contact Group meeting will concentrate on a few things. One, our Ukrainian partners will provide an update when it comes to a battlefield assessment. What they’re seeing on the battlefield. After which the conversation will pivot to a sturdy discussion on Ukraine’s security needs. And so following the conclusion of tomorrow’s contact group we’ll definitely have rather more information to offer when it comes to the outcomes of that. However it needs to be a very good discussion and, again, a possibility to attach with our Ukrainian partners to see how we are able to best support them of their ongoing fight against Russian aggression. Thanks.
Q: Thanks. Only a follow up on that. When the last contact group meeting happened, the form of priority was air defense. Is that also the case now? What kind of is the most important thing the U.S. is seeking to achieve out of this meeting? If there are any more details you possibly can discuss?
GEN. RYDER: Sure. What I’d say up front that in plenty of ways Ukraine will drive the prioritization when it comes to what’s most significant to them. They’re those which are on the battlefield they usually’re those that proceed to press the attack when it comes to their counter offensive. And so definitely as evidenced today by Russia’s air strikes, missile strikes against civilian targets in places like Kyiv, air defense continues to stay a priority and we’ll proceed to work with Ukraine on how we are able to best support them from an air defense standpoint.
But we’re also going into winter. So we’ll be discussing other facets when it comes to what form of support can we offer when it comes to their ground combat capabilities, their cold weather capabilities, and likewise addressing what we are able to do to support them from an energy infrastructure standpoint. Okay?
Ma’am?
Q: Yes. Is North Korea still transporting artillery to Russia? And if that’s the case, is there other, have they began transporting other things than simply artillery? Is also it only through North Africa, Middle East, another areas?
GEN. RYDER: Yeah, so I appreciate that. So I haven’t any specific updates to offer apart from, again, we do assess that Russia is searching for to acquire ammunition from North Korea and that North Korea is seeking to covertly provide that. Again, as you highlight through North Africa and the Middle East, but right now that is about as much information as I will have the option to offer.
Q: And a follow up. Would any of our allies be willing to stop this transportation?
GEN. RYDER: That is an amazing query, but I don’t need to talk for our allies. Again, it’s something that we’ll proceed to take a look at very closely. And again it’s just indicative of the proven fact that Russia finds itself having to take care of countries like Iran and North Korea when it comes to replenishing its own stocks. Contrast that to what you see with the US, the international community in Ukraine when it comes to the robust defense industrial base that we’ve got at our disposal to support Ukraine in its fight. Thanks.
Lara?
Q: Thanks. You talked in regards to the (inaudible) on Kyiv today. Was Ukraine capable of intercept any of those missiles?
GEN. RYDER: So that is something that we’re continuing to watch. It’s still very early. As you highlight, we all know that there have been a variety of missile attacks. We assess straight away that those were launched from airborne platforms, so Russian aircraft. But at this cut-off date we just haven’t any details to offer. So we’ll proceed to watch.
Q: Only a follow up. Does the proven fact that the Russians are using their air force now, are they using their air force now greater than they were before? Is that something that may be a concern to the Department?
GEN. RYDER: So I feel in the course of this campaign Russia has used a mixture of capabilities with regards to its strikes to incorporate surface-to-surface missile systems, airborne platforms, in addition to sea-launched missiles. In order that in and of itself just isn’t unusual. But within the situation that we’re seeing straight away, again we’re seeing them employ each ground-based and air-based assets for these strikes today. But again, still early, we’re continuing to follow it. Thanks.
Q: Sorry, only a follow up.
GEN. RYDER: Mm-hmm.
Q: However the Department has said that neither side has air superiority in over Ukraine. So the proven fact that they’re dropping bombs from airplanes now, does that indicate that that picture could also be changing?
GEN. RYDER: So the air space over Ukraine continues to be contested. Again without going into plenty of detail I might say that we assess that these strikes are probably being conducted outside of Ukrainian territory. So in other words, standoff kinds of strikes. Thanks.
Alright, let me go to the phone here real quick and I’ll come back to the room.
Karoun, Washington Post?
Q: Hi. So I do know that you do not need to speak in hypotheticals, but the opportunity of there having been either an errant or intentional strike on NATO territory has been at the back of people’s minds for a very long time. Are you able to walk us through at the least what steps the Pentagon goes through to attempt to confirm whether or not you realize that is … to attempt to confirm the specifics of what is happening? Like what is occurring now? As you are attempting to get more clarity on whether you possibly can or cannot corroborate that these strikes landed in Poland?
And likewise, is that this going to alter potentially the ask of what the US makes on the contact group tomorrow, at that meeting? Do you anticipate that this alteration is either the … that the pressure on countries to pony up more military assistance or the speed at which that military assistance might need to return together?
GEN. RYDER: Thanks, Karoun. So so far as the contact group goes, I don’t need to get ahead of the discussion or speculate, especially since we’ve got no information at this cut-off date to corroborate the press reports regarding allegations of a Russian missile strike on Polish territory.
With reference to your first query, any time there is a situation, again we’ve got quite a lot of methods at our disposal when it comes to verifying information, to incorporate contacting allies and partners to collect information. And so again, we’re looking into these reports and when we’ve got more to offer we’ll you’ll want to accomplish that. Thanks.
Q: Verifying query.
GEN. RYDER: Mm-hmm.
Q: You said you possibly can’t corroborate reports of Russian missiles going into Poland. Do you’ve any reports of explosions happening on the Polish side in that area?
GEN. RYDER: Again, nothing at this point to corroborate those press reports. And again at this point that is what we’ve got are press reports.
Yes, ma’am.
Q: What number of U.S. troops are stationed in Poland? And what number of U.S. troops are on the Polish border with Ukraine?
GEN. RYDER: Let me get back to you on that one. Thanks.
Q: Can I follow up on —
GEN. RYDER: Sure, no. Already got you (inaudible). Let me get some other people within the room. Then if we’ve got time I’ll come back to you.
Q: If I could just follow up on a previous query. I do know you do not need to talk for U.S. allies and partners within the Middle East and the (inaudible) region. Just wondering if regarding the South Korean artillery shipment or shipments, just wondering in the event you could say whether the Department has reached out to counterparts in those countries about potential intervention.
GEN. RYDER: So I don’t need to get into specific conversations with allies and partners. Actually we’ve got flagged concerns about North Korea, and we’ll proceed to work with our allies and partners with regards to anything that would destabilize or cause issues within the region. But I haven’t any specifics to offer.
Q: Sure. And can Undersecretary Kahl be meeting with Saudi officials during his trip to the region?
GEN. RYDER: Allow us to get back to you on that one. Thanks. Let me return to the phone here.
Sasha from Newsy?
Q: Hi. Thanks a lot. Regarding the Russian missiles in Poland, the hesitancy here to invest; are you able to speak a bit of bit about, you realize, fears of escalation here? As was mentioned earlier, the thought of the U.S. defending every inch of NATO territory, is there some hesitancy here due to fear of that?
GEN. RYDER: Well I feel we wish to take care of facts, and so again we have seen the press reports. And as I discussed before I walked in here, no information to corroborate these reports right now. But again, we’re taking them seriously and we’re looking into them. And so I feel it’s incumbent on all of us to get the facts before we start speculating or jumping to conclusions. After which we’ll go from there. Thanks.
John Ismay, Recent York Times?
Q: Yes, hi. Yesterday we heard that missile and drone strikes, or sorry, Russia’s missile and drone strikes have slowed a bit because the end of October and I used to be wondering in the event you could provide any more detail with that, when it comes to numbers or say percentage reduction, really any additional detail could be helpful.
GEN. RYDER: Yes. I haven’t any specific numbers to offer from the rostrum here. If you happen to just take a look at the previous few weeks, what we had seen was from, you realize, essentially going from the post-Kerch Bridge explosion, a rise within the variety of missile strikes against civilian infrastructure and military targets in Ukraine, and over the past couple of weeks because the end of October, those had slowed down a bit. But again, today we’re seeing that Russia continues to focus on civilian infrastructure and is using missiles really as a tool of terror to strike civilian infrastructure, especially as Ukraine goes into the winter. So again, something we’ll proceed to watch closely. But that is really about all I can provide you on that. Thanks.
Let me go to Anton from the Economist.
Q: Thanks, Pat. Are you able to say, do you realize, have you ever reports that the parts of the ability grid in Moldova have been knocked out as a part of this wave of Russian strikes? And secondly, on the explosions in Poland, how long do you think that it will take you to establish what the case is, whether it was a deliberate attack, an accidental one? A stray missile going off? Or kind of something hit by Ukrainian air defenses?
GEN. RYDER: Thanks, Anton. So nothing to offer on Moldova. When it comes to how long it should take to look into these; I mean we’re looking into it straight away. I’m sure that lots of your colleagues as will you, are reaching out to the federal government of Poland as well, to see what they might have to offer on this. But again, when we’ve got an update to offer we’ll aim to try this as quickly as possible.
Alright, let me go to Nick Schifrin, and I’ll come back within the room here.
Q: Pat, can I am going back to Lara’s line of questioning? Are you able to talk more about standoff strikes, the character of the missile strikes that we have seen in Ukraine today? Are you able to confirm a few of them did attack Lviv? Obviously near the Poland border. Anything unusual about these strikes and do you’ve a way of what the Ukrainians say, which is that this might be the biggest variety of strikes in a pair weeks, upwards of 100; is that a number that you would be able to confirm give or take?
GEN. RYDER: Yeah, thanks Nick. That just isn’t a number that I can confirm at this cut-off date. Again, you realize these strikes began today. I do know that it’s something that we’ll proceed to look at closely. We’re aware of the strikes in Kyiv and in other locations. So when we’ve got more to offer in that regard, we definitely will. But again, at this cut-off date, it’s — it’s something that we’re watching closely, and again, we’ll keep you — keep you updated, as able. Thanks.
Q: Quick follow: Can you only confirm even that there have been strikes that you just’re tracking within the western a part of the country, near Lviv?
GEN. RYDER: I — I cannot from here because I do not — I haven’t got a real-time update. But again, we’ll try to maintain you as best informed as we are able to. Thank, Nick — thanks, Nick.
Luis?
Q: Last week, there was reporting that the US and South Korea have worked out a deal for the US to buy artillery shells from South Korea, after which potentially pass them on to the Ukrainians. Has there been any progress in that, simply to your other statement that we got last week on that?
GEN. RYDER: Yeah, so what I might — would say is that the U.S. works with plenty of different countries when it comes to working with their defense industrial base to discover opportunities to buy munitions with regards to not only providing them to Ukraine, but additionally replenishing each other’s stocks. And so I haven’t any announcements to make straight away, but when and once we do, we’ll you’ll want to try this. Thanks.
Q: So there might be an announcement when a deal is concluded? Is that what you are saying?
GEN. RYDER: If and when we’ve got something to announce, we’ll try this. Thanks.
All right, got time for a pair more. Yes, sir, after which I’ll go to you, Tom.
Q: Thanks, sir. Gary Raynaldo with the Diplomatic Times. Query of the U.S. defense posture within the Horn of Africa: In May, President Biden authorized the Pentagon to redeploy American troops into Somalia. Are you able to tell us what number of U.S. troops have actually deployed to Somalia as of yet, and what are their role? And likewise, on these USAFRICOM airstrikes in Somalia, where are they originating from? Thanks.
GEN. RYDER: In order you highlight, the U.S. does have a defense relationship with Somalia when it comes to advising in a — and training. When it comes to the numbers, I haven’t any specific numbers to offer. But again, that is a crucial counterterrorism relationship, and we’ll proceed to work with the Somali government when it comes to addressing terrorist threats like Al-Shebaab. Thanks very much.
All right, and Tom?
Q: Yeah, just desired to follow up what you said. Tomorrow, that you just might discuss some winter supplies for the Ukrainians, and last week when Sabrina briefed, she mentioned that there was supplies from winter there. Could you sooner or later break that down for us like you probably did the primary time, what exactly that you just’re sending up?
GEN. RYDER: Sure. Absolutely.
OK, thanks very much, everybody. Appreciate it.