Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh Holds a Press BriefingReadout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Ukrainian Minister of Defense Rustem[...]

DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY SABRINA SINGH: OK. Are we having a party? [Laughter] And am I invited? All right, great.

So, good afternoon. Just a few things at the top and then happy to take your questions. First, the Department of Defense continues to support interagency Hurricane Helene recovery efforts, with North Carolina National Guard and FEMA in the lead. More than 6,700 National Guardsmen from 16 states have been spearheading recovery efforts across the Southeast region in support of their governors, providing critical aid to those impacted by this storm's devastation.

Additionally, as we've said in our statement yesterday, Secretary Austin has authorized 1,000 active duty troops from Fort Liberty to assist FEMA in these response efforts. The department will continue to be fully engaged with FEMA and our federal, state and local partners to ensure we are supporting and coordinating recovery efforts.

Shifting gears, Secretary Austin spoke by phone to his Ukrainian counterpart, Defense Minister Umerov today. The two leaders discussed current battlefield dynamics and security assistance priorities. Minister Umerov also provided an update on Ukraine's operations, battlefield and capability needs. A full readout will be available on Defense.gov later today.

Looking ahead to tomorrow, Secretary Austin will travel to Scott Air Force Base to preside over the U.S. Transportation Command change-of-command ceremony, where Gen. Jacqueline van Ovost will relinquish command to Gen. Randall Reed. I won't get ahead of the secretary's remarks, but the department is very grateful to Gen. Van Ovost for her decades of honorable service to the Air Force, the Department of Defense and to our nation. The ceremony and the secretary's remarks will be live streamed on defense.gov tomorrow.

Shifting gears again, this past weekend the Royal Australian Navy, the Royal Australian Air Force, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, the Royal New Zealand Navy, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the US Navy conducted a maritime cooperation - cooperative activity within the Philippines Exclusive Economic Zone in the South China Sea. Exercises like this demonstrate the strength of relationship between partners and allies and enhance cooperation, interoperability and combined capabilities in the maritime domain, contributing to peace, stability and upholding the freedom of navigation and overflight in the Indo-Pacific region.

Of note, this was the first time New Zealand participated, and it shows that cooperation represents the centerpiece of our approach to our secure - to a secure and more prosperous region, where aircraft and ships of all nations may fly, sail and operate anywhere that international law allows.

And finally - well, actually I have one more thing, so second-to-last thing. In an effort to reduce out of pocket expenses for service members and their families on permanent change of station orders, earlier this week the department launched a new pilot program that will reimburse active duty service members for the transportation expenses of a childcare provider when childcare isn't available at military operated child development center at a new permanent duty station within 30 days of their reporting date.

Service members may be reimbursed up to $500 for PCS [permanent change of station] moves between CONUS [Continental U.S.] locations, and up to $1,500 for moves to or from locations outside the continental United States, including Alaska and Hawaii and U.S. territories and possessions for travel costs of a childcare provider.

Taking care of people is a priority for Secretary Austin and the Department of Defense, and this program reflects our ongoing effort to learn, listen and lead on issues that are critical to meeting the unique challenges of military life. And for more information, please visit Military Childcare - I'm so sorry. Please visit Militarychildcare.com.

And before we move on to questions, I just want to say happy birthday to Mr. Chris Garver, who did not want to be celebrated, but everyone should go say happy birthday to him later today.

All right. With that, happy to turn to questions. Tara?

Q: All right. Thanks, Sabrina. I'm surprised that there wasn't an Israel topper in there. And just wondering, have you had any additional conversations with the Israelis on the - the tension that we are seeing right now? We've got thousands of extra service members in the region. What's going on with them? Are they, you know, shift - are you shifting force posture? You know, it seems like this is kind of a waiting game at this point.

MS. SINGH: So, in terms of, you know, what our forces in the Middle East are doing right now, their mission hasn't changed. They're there, you know, to protect U.S. forces in the region if called upon for the defense of Israel.

But as you saw, that was put into place on Oct. 1 when Iran launched another attack against Israel. Our forces, of course, stood with the IDF and the operation and, you know, engaged, you know, nearly 200 ballistic missiles that were fired from Iran. So, the mission hasn't changed. They continue to operate within the AOR [area of responsibility], and we'll continue to do so. I'm sorry, what was your follow on question?

Q: It just seems like right now there's this very tense moment of waiting to see what Israel's response will be. What is this building doing right now to help tamper down that tension? And if it doesn't, if Israel doesn't listen, is the secretary prepared to send U.S. troops to combat to defend Israel?

MS. SINGH: Well, that's something that the president has spoken about. We're not looking for a wider regional conflict. We're not seeking war with any group or organization or country in the region. We continue to engage the Israelis very frequently. We are certainly talking to them about their response, but what their response might be, I'm just not going to speculate further on, but we do continue to engage with them, and I'll just have to leave it at that.

Jen.

Q: Sabrina, how many of the 12 interceptors that were fired from the U.S. warships actually engaged and intercepted the ballistic missiles fired from Iran?

MS. SINGH: So we're still doing our own assessment, so I just don't have exact numbers to provide right now.

Q: And how much would that have cost, 12 interceptors, and do those ships now need to resupply? And then I have a follow up.

MS. SINGH: Sure. So in terms of resupply and cost, that's something that I think CENTCOM should really speak to, or I'm sorry, EUCOM and Sixth Fleet. I just don't have those numbers readily in front of me right now. So I'd defer to them on cost and resupply. But as you know, our ships move in and out of ports.

They get retrofitted, resupplied at any given time. So I would assume as they expended some of those interceptors, eventually, they would have to get backfilled. But in terms of their movements, I'd refer you to Sixth Fleet.

Q: Is there some discussion of maybe needing a supplemental? Because I believe that President Biden's defense requests this year did not have money for missile defense?

MS. SINGH: I'm not tracking additional requests for a supplemental. That doesn't mean that something couldn't happen down the road. But at this moment, I'm just not tracking anything additional. We are three days into operating under a continuing resolution. We still don't have our FY25 budget passed.

So the biggest full - full court press from this building is, of course, urging Congress to pass an appropriations bill, so we don't have to operate under this supplemental, I mean, sorry, this continuing resolution. That's what we're - that's something that's top of mind for this building, and we're going to continue to engage with congress on that.

Idrees.

Q: You sort of hinted at this when you said the U.S would help defend Israel, but - but more specifically, will the U.S. military take part in any offensive operation, Israeli operations, against Iran?

MS. SINGH: So what I can tell you Idrees, is we're certainly consulting with Israel, and talking to them about their response, but I'm just not going to go any further than that.

Q: (Inaudible) rule out the U.S. military could take part?

MS. SINGH: I'm just not going to go any further than what I have.

Q: And then, the secretary and Defense Minister Gallant speak regularly, but there have been many instances or a number of instances in the past where Minister Gallant has not notified the secretary before a major operation, most recently, the killing of Nasrallah. Why do you believe the Israelis will share with you what they're going to do before they do it this time?

MS. SINGH: Well, we've been in, pretty much the last two weeks, almost daily conversations, not every day, but almost daily. In those conversations, without going into the details of what all is shared, we do receive updates on some of their plans and operations. To your point, we were caught off guard by the strike on Nasrallah, but that doesn't mean that we are on other operations.

They're going to continue to call and speak to each other. We don't get a heads up on every single operation that they're conducting every single day. But there's certainly, I think, a good relationship between Mr. Gallant and the secretary and they're going to continue to engage with each other.

Q: Do you expect to get notified if they attack Iran?

MS. SINGH: I think I can tell you that we are talking to them about their response. I think the president spoke to this as well, without - without characterizing his words, but I certainly think that any response from Israel to Iran, we will be part of those discussions.

Joseph.

Q: Thanks. On the Israeli invasion in Lebanon, after for about eight or nine months of the department saying they were against any type of ground operations or invasions over the weekend, that stance changed. Now, the department is saying that they support limited operations from what they understand the Israelis are doing.

What is - I mean, we've seen this before in Gaza. What is it that's limited for you guys? At what point do you push back and say this is no longer limited, this might be against U.S. interests and potentially Israeli interests for whatever they're trying to do? Because we've also had - we reported that U.S. officials are saying that it needs to remain limited or else they'll lose - they could lose U.S. support.

MS. SINGH: So I - to characterize what they're doing along that northern border, is what we - what we see is, and how we assess is, it's limited in the scope and scale. And what they've said to us is that they're going after Hezbollah infrastructure that is along that border where Israeli communities are.

And we understand that the strategic purpose of this is so that Hezbollah cannot maintain the capacity to attack Israeli communities right there at that border in that short range. Look, we're still going to have these conversations with them. Right now, what we are observing and assessing is that these are limited in terms of the types of operations and how they're being conducted, as well as the people.

Different militaries conduct operations differently than the United States, just as we do separately from other militaries all around the world. But our assessment still remains that these are limited in scope and scale right now.

Q: And then just one more. Is it fair to say that there's any type of disconnect between the secretary and the NSC or other agencies of the Biden Administration, in terms of how they - in terms of what the secretary believes is the best way to go forward with whatever military operations they're carrying out?

MS. SINGH: I'm not seeing any differences between the White House or this building. The secretary is in regular communication with the NSC and with the president. Having spoken to him this week in weeks previously during this time, I don't see any daylight between the Pentagon or the NSC.

Tom.

Q: Thanks, Sabrina. Two questions. This morning, President Biden was asked if he supports Israel striking Iranian oil facilities. He gave a little bit-it was noisy, I think. He gave it a little bit of a mumbled, not a very clear answer. He said we're discussing that. To be clear, is the Pentagon talking to the Israelis about striking Iranian oil facilities?

MS. SINGH: Yes. So, Tom, as you can appreciate, I'm just - I'm not going to be able to go beyond what I've already said, which is that we are discussing with them what a response to Iran could look like. But detailing out from here what potential targets might look like, I just don't think that serves a purpose or is really that helpful.

Q: OK. Thanks. And second question. There's a growing sense of a double standard regarding evacuations, whereas the U.S. rush to evacuate Americans from Israel. Americans in Lebanon have for the most part been told to find their own way out. I know it's a State Department decision, but could you reassure Americans in Lebanon that the U.S. military is on hand to help them evacuate if needed?

MS. SINGH: Well, Tom, not to just push back a bit on that question, but one, it is a State Department request to issue some type of military assisted departure or a type of NEO [non-combatant evacuation operation]. It also has to do with the demand and if there is a demand signal for that. Right now, the embassy in Beirut continues to operate on regular hours, is still open.

There are still - my understanding is that there are still commercial options available to American citizens to get out.

Q: (Inaudible) like $7,000, $8,000.

MS. SINGH: Yes, well, I believe today, my colleague at the State Department was just briefing that there are tickets available in the hundreds that can be purchased. Or if someone cannot afford that ticket, there is a loan given to them that can be repaid over time. So I mean, some of this is better directed towards the State Department, so they can explain some of the policies and procedures that are put in place.

I think what I would urge you to look at, Tom, though, is from the very beginning or from very early on, the State Department has issued travel warnings against traveling to Lebanon, encouraging American citizens in Lebanon to get out via commercial options.

The U.S. military is of course on the ready and has a whole wide range of plans. Should we need to evacuate American citizens out of Lebanon, we absolutely can, and they can be implemented. We haven't been called to do that. So of course we remain ready, and we'll be in touch with our State colleagues, but that's not something that is - is being considered right now.

Yes?

Q: Thank you, Sabrina. When you say you're talking to the Israelis about their response, does that mean that you are coordinating the details of the response, the scope?

MS. SINGH: Not necessarily.

Q: What do you mean by talking to the Israelis?

MS. SINGH: Sure. So, I think, without going into private conversations, what I could tell you, it's more about trying to understand what their response might be. I'm just not going to be able to go into further details than that.

Q: OK. When you - when you are trying to understand what the response is going to be, are you confident that the Israelis will - will give you a notice in advance when and where the response is going to take place?

MS. SINGH: Yes. So, Joe, what -

Q: Or are they going to keep you in the dark?

MS. SINGH: What I can tell - well, you know, great question. Same question that Idrees asked me. My answer has not really changed.

Q: Then -

MS. SINGH: Well, let me - let me - let me then try and tackle this different question. So, in terms of advance notice, we are in - we are talking to them about their response. I'm just not going to be able to go into more details than that.

In terms of the, you know, advance notice, again, we're talking to them in terms of targets, what they might - you know, what a response might look like. Those aren't things that I'm just going to detail from the podium and, frankly, not going to go into additional private conversations.

Q: OK, last - last thing -

MS. SINGH: Sure.

Q: It's just I'm trying to understand. So, you're talking to the Israelis because you are concerned that their response could escalate the situation in the region, or you're talking to them because you are - you have plans in advance to assist them in their response?

MS. SINGH: So, I think what the president has said is that, you know, Israel has a right to respond. I would remind you that on Oct. 1 we saw two - nearly 200 ballistic missiles launched towards Israeli territory with the intention to kill innocent civilians, to do damage to infrastructure. And because of the incredible coordination between the United States and the Israeli military, we were effective in, you know, combating and mitigating damage and preventing, you know, massive casualties from that attack.

So, Iran did fail in its attack against Israel. But I have to, you know, also remind you, when it comes to how we're talking about, you know, how Israel might respond, these are conversations. And these are conversations that don't just happen in 15 minutes. They happen over time. The secretary has been regularly engaging Minister Gallant, you know, pretty much for the last two weeks almost every day.

I'm not going to - while I'm not going to go into those detailed conversations, it's not something that just happens in a vacuum. It happens over conversations not just here at this building but across the interagency, and that includes the White House as well.

Fahdi?

Q: Thank you, Sabrina. If I may ask just -

MS. SINGH: Sure.

Q: Three questions, two related and one separate.

MS. SINGH: OK.

Q: On Iran, as a spokesperson for the Pentagon, you can tell the American people whether the U.S. will take or support offensive action against sovereign nations that did not attack U.S., U.S. forces, or U.S. interests in the region, which is Iran. Don't you need an authorization from Congress to be part of that?

MS. SINGH: So, what I can tell you, Fahdi, is what we've said from the very beginning, is that we don't seek a wider regional war and we definitely don't seek conflict with any country or group. That includes Iran. When it comes to an Israeli response, we're talking to them about their response.

Of course, as you know, we have U.S. forces in the region. The secretary's priority from day one has always been to protect our people and taking care of our people. A response or any type of - you know, whether it's - whether it's trades on the border in the northern border, you know, between Israel and Lebanon, or attacks on U.S. forces from Iran backed militias, that has consequences on U.S. forces. And so, when I tell you that we're in consultations and discussions with the Israelis on that - on our - on their response, that's what I mean.

Q: OK. And then on the Iranian response to the assassination of Haniyeh in Tehran, which is shooting 200 missiles, according to Israeli media these missiles were targeting military infrastructure, and they hit three air bases, not civilian infrastructure. So, is your assessment that the Iranians were after civilian infrastructure in Israel? And what precisely are you talking - which civilian infrastructure are you talking about?

MS. SINGH: I said innocent civilians, and I just said infrastructure. I'd say, broadly speaking, our assessment is that some of the ballistic missiles were targeting military infrastructure. But, you know, for a greater assessment, you know, I'd refer you to the Israelis to speak to that.

Ultimately, the intent and target of that missile Iran would have to speak to, because they're the ones putting in the coordinates. We can only judge the trajectory and where they landed - or where they were shot out of the sky.

Q: Thank you for your responses. You answered the question about your support for the so-called limited operation in southern Lebanon, which is to protect the Israeli, you know, civilians on that border. And, well, we know Hezbollah in their arsenal have missiles that can be launched from tens of kilometers away from the border. So, how does that operation make any sense if the intended or effect or impact or goal is to prevent Hezbollah from launching those attacks?

MS. SINGH: Along that border in some of that infrastructure are C2 [command and control] nodes and, you know, storage facilities that the Israeli's military, you know, and understandably, feels the need to eliminate in order to get, you know, their population back into the north.

And this is not just for the protection of Israeli citizens. These are also, you know, Lebanese citizens that live on the other side of the border, to allow for, you know, them to live in safety free from Hezbollah as well.

Q: So, the Israelis are trying to protect Lebanese civilians?

MS. SINGH: I think they are certainly trying - I'm not going to characterize, you know, all of their operations, but they've been pretty clear that they want to see their people move back into the - into the northern communities, and they are conducting limited operations along that border line.

Charlie?

Q: Yes. Sabrina, we're all sort of referring to the same thing, and you had mentioned consequences. This is where conversations with Iran - of what the Israelis may do with Iran is different than what they've done unannounced in places like Lebanon, because just looking at the geography, you've got Israel, you've got Iran, you've got a U.S. footprint kind of between them. It will have consequences for U.S. forces. Has there been any change in terms of posture or readiness or alertness? Have you seen any activity by Iranian backed militias? Have you seen the Houthis activating in any way?

MS. SINGH: So, no change to our posture or readiness. You know, I'll remind you that, as you said, we have forces throughout the region. Any type of action has potential impacts for our forces wherever they might be stationed.

In terms of, you know, Houthis or IMG groups in, you know, Syria and Iraq, you know, I think as of most recently, you know, the Houthis have continued to target commercial ships in the Red Sea. You know, we have seen from the - almost the beginning, I think since Oct. 17, you know, sustained periods of attacks on U.S. forces from these groups in Iraq and Syria. But I don't have anything recent to point to you on, if that's what the question was.

But we certainly have continued to see activity. And, you know, we always reserve the right to defend ourselves, and that's what our forces will do in the region if attacked.

Q: You haven't seen any uptick in that region?

MS. SINGH: I mean, could you give me something specific that you're referencing, or is there, like, a specific date? Because we saw a sustained period since Oct. 17.

Q: (Inaudible) … Iran launched the largest ballistic missile attack that Israel has ever seen. It didn't activate any of its proxies to perhaps take a poke at U.S. forces in the region at the same time?

MS. SINGH: Yes, I don't have anything for you on that. I mean, we - if our forces are attacked or if there is something in the vicinity that, you know, could land on the base, our forces have the authority - like, the ability to shoot it down, and they'll take the measures needed to protect themselves. But I don't have any - I don't - there was no - as far as I'm aware, there was not a coordinated attack, that Iran launched its ballistic missile attack and then also coordinated with its proxy groups. I'm not tracking that there was a coordination there.

Yes.

Q: Thank you, Sabrina. Due to the increasing tensions in Lebanon, you deployed new reinforcements to the region, mostly from the Air Force. Do you use the air bases in Cyprus for those? And you were monitoring the latest attack of Iran on Israel. And in your reconnaissance, when you found out the attack is starting, did you use the bases in Cyprus as well?

MS. SINGH: So, I'm just not going to speak to our basing options and where our aircraft are located.

Konstantin?

Q: Thanks, Sabrina. Following up on Jen's line of questioning from earlier, so the destroyers, in helping to repel this attack, fired off 12 Interceptor missiles. You know, granted I'm sure these destroyers can get resupplied. But if this were a more prolonged conflict, does the Department of Defense feel confident in its supply chain to be able to provide, you know, more Interceptor missiles in a longer term conflict?

MS. SINGH: I think you've seen the secretary made the - make the commitment to - of course, always taking into account U.S. forces and the protection of U.S. forces, but also the commitment to defend Israel. When it comes to the supply chain, there's certainly - that is - the defense industrial base is certainly being pressure tested and we saw that from Ukraine. So we're still confident in our abilities.

We're still confident that we're able to - to resupply, but I will point you to the fact that we've had delays in funding from Congress that haven't allowed us to backfill our shelves, which delay - which impact what can go out into our different AORs, and of course that has an impact on the mission.

Those are all things that the secretary thinks about when he makes these decisions and when carrier strike groups are moved, different air - different squadrons are moved into the region. So to answer your question, we're going to do what we need to do, and we believe that we have the capabilities that we need to defend our forces.

But when it comes to the defense industrial base, we've seen that from Ukraine, especially, that the base is catching up and we still have a backlog, and it doesn't help that also we're operating under a CR.

Q: So just to sort of follow up on that.

MS. SINGH: Sure.

Q: So is there any truth to sort of this criticism that any missile fired in defense of Israel or Central Command takes away from Adm. Paparo and the notion of defending against China in the Indo-Pacific?

MS. SINGH: No. I mean every COCOM [combatant command], there are different mission requirements. I think you have to also remember, as a planning organization, while we didn't see Oct. 7 and that that attack-what happened on Oct. 7 was absolutely devastating and wasn't something that was built into the department's plans.

We plan for a range of crises all around the world. Whether it be Hurricane Helene, or it doesn't-I mean events all around the world. The department is able to surge resources and move capability at a rapid pace, which I think is - shows, quite frankly, the power of the United States military.

Of course, that's going to impact us down the line, but we're able to make those adjustments and that's something that the secretary considers in every decision that he makes. And of course, with the consultation of the chairman and other departments in this building.

Noah.

Q: Have the two remaining fighter squadrons arrived in CENTCOM yet, or are they still in transit?

MS. SINGH: I'm only tracking that only the - only one squadron has arrived, so I'd refer you to CENTCOM for more on that.

Q: Secondarily, do you have a more specific number of U.S. forces that are in CENTCOM right now, other than a few thousand above 40,000?

MS. SINGH: I don't. I'm sorry, Noah. I'm going to go to the phones, and I'll come back in the room here.

Jeff Schogol, Task and Purpose.

Q: Thank you. When you say the U.S. and - and Israel are consulting, are both sides working collaboratively to come up with a list of targets that Israel should strike?

MS. SINGH: Yes. Thanks, Jeff, for the question. I'm just not going to be able to provide more details on what those conversations look like. Other than that we are in close coordination and consultation with our Israeli counterparts.

Lara Seligman, Wall Street Journal.

Q: Hey, Sabrina. My question is, does Secretary Austin support an Israeli strike on Iran's oil fields or its nuclear facilities?

MS. SINGH: Yes. Thanks, Lara, for the question. I'm just not going to get into hypotheticals or speculate on what an Israeli response could look like, other than to say that we continue to talk with them about a potential response. Last question on the phone. I believe it's Patrick Tucker, Defense One.

Q: Thanks, Sabrina, I probably know the answer to this, but can you comment on reports that Israel has bombed a Russian air base in Syria? And following up on that, the Defense Department has shown that it's willing to take preemptive kinetic action against Houthi militants that are preparing to stage missile attacks against Israeli targets or targets in the Red Sea.

Would that same policy apply to Russian forces that are clearly preparing to stage attacks against Israel or other targets in the region or would they get a slightly different policy even if they're engaging in the same preparatory strike action?

MS. SINGH: Thanks, Patrick, for your question. So I'm not tracking the strike that you referenced in Syria. So I just don't have anything to add on that. The actions that we take in the Red Sea are defensive in nature. And when, you know, U.S. forces are threatened or there is a threat to commercial shipping, that's why the secretary stood up Operation Prosperity Guardian.

It is in self-defense, and it is a coalition that has come together of like-minded nations to combat that Houthi threat. I'm not going to speculate on other threats down the line. This department, as you have seen, can make adjustments at any time all over the world, and I'll just leave it at that.

Happy to-yes, (inaudible).

Q: Thank you. So today, President Zelenskyy urged NATO allies to help intercept Iranian missiles and drones over Ukraine, as they do with Israel. Can the United States and allies help Ukraine with that? I mean since it's possible Israel, why cannot it be done with Ukraine?

MS. SINGH: So thank you for the question. While I appreciate the question, we are talking about two very different landscapes and battlefields. The president, at the very beginning of when Russia invaded Ukraine, has directed this department to provide Ukraine what it needs on the battlefield.

They have been very successful in employing, whether it be air defenses or other capabilities, to continue to take back their territory. The secretary just had a call with Mr. Umerov, getting that battlefield update, getting to better understand what other capabilities they might need, if any. The president has made a commitment that the United States is not putting boots on the ground into Ukraine, but we are supporting Ukraine in their efforts to take back their sovereign territory.

Q: Well, shooting those targets, say from Polish or Romanian territory, would that be putting boots on the ground?

MS. SINGH: That would be involving us in a war in a different way. And right now, we feel that Ukraine has been able to successfully defend against Russian strikes to their cities, to their populations, to their infrastructure. And we're going to continue to make sure that they have the support that they need to do that.

Q: Separately, one more. On the F-16 training for Ukraine, of those 18 additional pilots, do you have any timeframe for that? Will it begin this year, next year? Any details?

MS. SINGH: I don't have any time frame for you on that. As you know, one of the requirements for pilot training is a proficiency in the English language. So once those pilots are trained and ready, we will start working with them. But I just don't have an update or timeline for you.

Yes, sir.

Q: Thank you, Sabrina. Two questions. First, if Iran failed in its attack on Israel, what's the logic behind a response from Israel? And do you believe that an Israeli attack on Iran is imminent?

MS. SINGH: Look, we're continuing to consult with them. So in terms of something imminent, that remains to be seen. Iran did fail in its attack against Israel, but I think it's important to put it in to context that they launched nearly 200 ballistic missiles towards Israel. Israel has a right to respond to that, and I'll leave it at that.

Q: And lastly, Iran use Iraqi airspace to launch its missile towards Israel. To your knowledge, any missiles intercepted in Iraq? And if I may add, you have enough airspace, enough defense capabilities in Iraq not just to defend your forces but to respond to Iranian missiles if launched on Israel?

MS. SINGH: We have deep air defense capability in Iraq. In terms of anything that was shot down over Iraqi airspace, the U.S. engagement, when it came to the attack on Oct. 1, came from our two destroyers in the Eastern Med. So anything shot down in the air or over Iraqi airspace, I'd refer you to the Israeli government to speak to that.

Yes, in the back.

Q: Thank you. President of Ukraine, Zelenskyy, said today that the West is dragging out long-range missile supplies. Is the U.S. dragging out long-range missile supplies?

MS. SINGH: No. What I would say is we have a limited supply of long-range missiles, and only a few nations have that supply, whether it be ATACMS, Storm Shadows, SCALP, you name it. They are limited in their supply. So we're not dragging it out. I think in fact you've seen this administration, this building, be very committed to making sure Ukraine gets what it needs to defend itself.

But you are talking about interceptors that we have a limited amount on our shelves. And so we also have to always assess our own readiness whenever we make decisions when it comes to presidential drawdown packages or USAIs [Ukraine Security Assistance Initiatives], which are long term, and that's the secretary's-in his mind, he's always assessing our readiness and what U.S. forces need.

Goyal.

Q: Thank you. Two questions, please. One, India's foreign minister was here meeting with the secretary of state during the time at the same time when Iranian missiles went on Israel, or attacking Israel.

My question is here that India have also, of course, good relations with Iran and - as well as with the Middle East countries and all that, if secretary of defense or anybody from the department have spoken with him or met with him to bring some kind of peace, or India can help in the Middle East or between Russia and Ukraine, or now Iranian missile attack?

MS. SINGH: I don't have any conversations to read out from Secretary Austin. And, you know, any country that wanted to, you know, work to de-escalate tensions in the region, we certainly welcome that.

Q: And second one, as far as Bangladesh is concerned, Bangladesh interim prime minister, Mr. Yunus Mohammad, was also at the United Nations, of course, and also met President Biden. Any role the DOD or Defense Department playing as far as Bangladesh's situation is concerned there, or bring the new prime minister or elections and ongoing discussion as far as U.S. and Bangladesh military to military relations?

MS. SINGH: I'm not tracking any DOD involvement. I would refer you to the State Department for more. I think that's happening more in the diplomatic channels.

I'll come back. I just - we'll keep going around and then happy to come back here. Yes.

Q: Thank you.

MS. SINGH: And then Luis.

Q: As you mentioned that you are engaging in discussions with the Israeli about what - their response to Iran, did you get any commitment from Israel that any actions that will take it against Iran will not lead to a wider war, which is your concerns, of course?

MS. SINGH: So, I'm not going to go into more details on the conversations. But what I will tell you is what we stress publicly and privately, is that we don't want to see a wider regional conflict. So, you can absolutely assume that that is something that is brought up in every conversation with Minister Gallant or, you know, across this administration.

Q: My next question, regarding what's going on now at the border of Lebanon, how long do you believe has DOD with their assessment Israel need to achieve their goals? Is it, like, months, or we can maybe see like what's happened in Gaza, and it's still, like, over - almost a year and we see the war is still going on there?

MS. SINGH: That's up to Israel to defined - to define, what their strategic objectives and goals are. They've laid that out in terms of they want to allow citizens to return safely to their homes on that northern border region. But how those strategic objectives are met from a military means, that's for them to define. Just as we don't define success, you know, for Ukraine either, that is for them to define for themselves. So, in terms of strategic goals being met, I'd refer you to Israel to speak more to that.

Luis?

Q: A totally different question.

MS. SINGH: Wow. OK.

Q: I mean, I want to give you a break here.

MS. SINGH: You're gonna ask me something that I'm going to have to take, aren't you?

Q: I'm hoping you can - hoping you can answer this. Yesterday there was an announcement of the deployment of 1,000 active duty forces for Hurricane Helene relief, which you noted in your topper. Can you tell us what the progress is? I mean, we know they're coming from the 18th Airborne. We know they're coming from 82nd Airborne. But what exactly is their role? How will they work with Guardsmen? Are they complementary? Are they on their own? And I know they fall under the TAG [The Adjutant General], but, I mean, can you just explain to us what it is exactly they're going to do?

MS. SINGH: Sure. So, the secretary authorized their movement of nearly a thousand active duty soldiers. Their role is that they're going to fit into the larger apparatus, which is being led by FEMA and the North Carolina government. So, between - I'm sorry, or NGB, North Carolina National Guard.

So, between those entities, you know, they're - they're going to work with them to ensure that the North Carolina communities wherever these soldiers go are supported. And some of their - you know, some of the things that they're going to be doing is delivery of food and water and other critical aid. I believe this is something that's still being, you know, worked on exactly where they will be. But as you know, they're in state. They're ready to go. You know, we - we're going to continue to work with the federal, local and state level officials to ensure that, you know, they're fitting in where the need is the most critical.

Q: So, the - North Carolina has already activated 1,000 Guardsmen to assist with this. Was the thinking that these 1,000 - an additional 1,000 active duty personnel - would bring capabilities that they don't have right now?

MS. SINGH: Yes, and augment as well. My understanding is that they bring - they bring additional capabilities. I think certainly, you know, the National Guard has its own capabilities, but these will augment those. And I think, as we're all seeing some of the devastation, you know, roads, bridges, it's not easy to access, so this is another, you know, group of men and women that can go in with an amazing capability that will augment the National Guards and help get, you know, critical need in and also support, you know, getting into isolated communities where it's even harder. So, yes.

Jen?

Q: So, a follow up on what Luis asked.

MS. SINGH: Sure.

Q: Have those 1,000 active duty troops from Fort Liberty arrived on the scene in North Carolina? Are they working yet?

MS. SINGH: Not to my knowledge. I believe that that is still being worked with the state. So, for more on when they actually depart, you know, I'd refer you to FEMA for more on their efforts.

Q: What is taking so long? They are a couple of hours away from Asheville where they don't have helicopters to get in. It seems a little strange that the 82nd Airborne can't deploy a little faster.

MS. SINGH: I think they're certainly ready to go. They're - they've been authorized. It's more a matter of making sure that the state and FEMA are ready to, you know, knit them in to the structure that's in place. The last thing you want to do is have a bunch of people show up and kind of, you know, exacerbate the system any - even more.

They're authorized. They're ready to go, but it is ultimately the state's call on when and how they are - they are moved into the state.

I'm going to come back and then - yes. Go ahead.

Q: Hi.

MS. SINGH: Hi.

Q: Jessica with News Nation.

MS. SINGH: Yes. Hi. Nice to see you.

Q: Hi. Some military bases were impacted due to the hurricane. I was just wondering if you have a timeline as to how soon they might be back up and running?

MS. SINGH: Some military bases - you mean in terms of evacuation?

Q: Yes, some of the troops were -

MS. SINGH: Yes. So, there were precautionary measures taken to evacuate some of our bases and move our people out due to the storm. I don't have a timeline on when folks will be able to go back to those bases. That's obviously an assessment that the commander would make.

So for, you know, each base that you're interested in, I'd probably reach out to the base itself or NORTHCOM. But I just don't - I don't have those details and timelines in front of me. Sorry.

Joseph?

Q: Do you have any updates on the Truman, where it's going to deploy? And does the secretary have any plans to call for another two aircraft carrier or strike groups to be in the Middle East?

MS. SINGH: So, right now I don't have more than what Sixth Fleet had announced in that, you know, the Truman will be continuing into the EUCOM AOR, I think probably participating in an exercise soon. The secretary always reserves the right to change her orders, but right now she's continuing as planned.

OK, one more. OK, yes?

Q: Just kind of adding to Luis' question, how common is it for active duty soldiers to participate in disaster response? Is this a new thing, or in disasters of the past, has that been pretty common?

MS. SINGH: No, we - you've seen participation of active duty. I don't have - I will be honest, I don't have a full rundown of - for you here. But I think in 2018 was when maybe the 18th was activated for a response. It's not uncommon. It's on the needs on the state, and of course what, you know, the local and state leaders assess what they need and in consultation with NGB, but it is common.

It's what - you know, they can be used for a range of - you know, whether it be a crisis in a different part of the world or a national disaster - natural disaster, I should say, you know, they are there to help support their communities. And so, it's - it's not uncommon, is my bottom line, is what I'm trying to say.

OK. Thanks, everyone.

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