Press Release
☷Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj Gen Pat Ryder Holds a Press Briefing
U.S. Department of Defense ( By Press Release office)
Mar 15,2024
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Lastly , the Army National Guard is conducting an aviation safety stand down to review safety procedures after recent helicopter incidents . Just wanted to keep you all in the loop . Any questions?Hey , just wanted to give you a heads up about some recent helicopter crashes that led to all helicopters being grounded for safety reasons . The National Guard Bureau can give you more info on that . Also , there are a couple of U . S . Africa Command exercises happening right now , as well as a big joint exercise in Thailand . And in Indo - Pacific news , there was a meeting between U . S . and Mongolian defense officials . Oh , and the U . S . Marine Corps passed their audit for the first time ever , which is a big deal . Just thought you might want to know . The two - year audit pilot allowed the Marine Corps to get its new accounting system in order and take stock of assets at bases worldwide . We ' re thrilled that the Marine Corps was the first military branch to receive a clean audit , bringing us closer to an overall clean report . Now , let ' s hear your questions . Associated Press , Tara Copp , go ahead . Q: Hi , General Ryder . Regarding Ukraine , are there other ways the U . S . can provide weapons , or are we limited by funding? GEN . RYDER: Well , we ' re exploring ways to support Ukraine in their fight for freedom and sovereignty , but funding is crucial for providing them with necessary ammunition and capabilities . We ' ll keep working with Congress on this issue . As for specific initiatives , I don ' t have any updates to share at this time , but we are committed to supporting Ukraine in the long run . Q: With the supplemental funding facing challenges in Congress , is there a possibility of using existing funds to assist Ukraine? GEN . RYDER: I don ' t have any new announcements , but Ukraine remains a priority for us . We will continue to work with international partners to meet their immediate security needs and plan for their future defense requirements . It ' s a quiet group today . Any more questions? Q: ( inaudible ) . I have two questions . Firstly , Secretary Austin has been in touch with Israeli officials to prevent escalations on the Lebanon border . With recent strikes into Lebanon , do you fear further escalation? GEN . RYDER: We have consistently expressed concerns about potential escalation on the Lebanon border and have discussed this with Israeli counterparts . This is an ongoing issue that we are closely monitoring , but I don ' t have specific details on Israeli operations at this time . I would point you to them to discuss that , but nobody wants to see the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza turn into a bigger war in the region . As for the ceasefire deal in Gaza , I can ' t really comment on that , you should ask the White House . Our focus has been on protecting U . S . citizens and service members , supporting Israel ' s right to defend itself , and working to release hostages taken by Hamas . We ' re also trying to prevent a wider regional conflict . Regarding the secretary ' s health , he ' s doing well and hasn ' t been back to the hospital . As for the speculation about the undersea cables in the Red Sea , I ' ve seen the reports but can ' t confirm them . Moving on to a Ukraine - related question , the French president mentioned that donations of weaponry have sometimes been delayed . He also mentioned the possibility of Western nations sending troops to Ukraine . I can ' t really comment on that . Yeah , thanks for the question . Just to clarify , we currently have no plans to send US troops to Ukraine to fight . The president has made that clear and that ' s our stance . In terms of providing assistance to Ukraine , our focus is on getting security aid to them quickly . This is a joint effort with other nations , as seen in the international meetings and groups working on this . We are working hard to ensure Ukraine gets the support they need urgently . Funding is crucial for these efforts , so we are working with Congress to pass the necessary budgets for this . As for the National Guard helicopter grounding and Ospreys , I don ' t have updates on that , but it ' s best to check with the National Guard Bureau . Regarding the Army ' s helicopter crashes and safety stand downs , that ' s a matter for the Army to address specifically . Thanks . RYDER: Well , you know , safety is always something we ' re concerned about and take seriously . It ' s not just in the Army , but in every service , you ' ll see senior leadership prioritizing safety . That ' s why the National Guard Bureau recognizes the need to take a moment to review safety procedures and make sure we can do our mission safely . The secretary has confidence in the service secretaries and chiefs in addressing safety concerns . As for any safety reviews at the Pentagon level , there are no plans for that . The services handle organizing , training , and equipping forces , while the combatant commands operate them . Safety and risk management are taken seriously every day . Thank you . Lara: Thank you . Now , a couple of questions about Secretary Austin . Can he currently travel? And does he still have cancer?RYDER: I would refer you back to what his doctors have said about his excellent prognosis . As for travel , there are no international trips to announce at the moment . However , he is able to travel from home to work daily , indicating that he can travel . I ' m not aware of any restrictions on his travel . He continues to have physical therapy for lingering leg pains , but he is recovering well and working from the Pentagon every day . Thank you . Q: And regarding Ukraine , does the Pentagon believe they need more long - range weaponry?RYDER: We recently convened the Ukraine Defense Contact Group to assess their needs . The top priority remains air defense capabilities , and we have been actively working with the international community to ensure they have those capabilities . They do need various types of capabilities , and we have provided them with some long - range capability . We will continue to communicate with our Ukrainian partners to understand their battlefield needs . Thank you . Q: Now , two questions about the Red Sea . So , regarding the undersea cables , I know you can ' t confirm anything yet , but what is the DOD ' s responsibility in protecting them? Also , there were joint strikes on Saturday with the U . S . and UK , and some minor strikes from Central Command forces . How effective does the DOD think they have been in degrading the Houthis ' ability to strike ships in the Red Sea? And , do you think there will be a pause in their attacks , or should we expect more in the coming days? Additionally , can you provide an update on the budget request for F . Y . ' 25 and if it ' s dependent on the passing of a full appropriations for F . Y . ' 24?Q: - - second question on Ukraine - - can you give us an update on the delivery of F - 16s and the coalition providing them? Any idea when they ' ll arrive? GEN . RYDER: Yeah , I don ' t have a specific timeline to share . The United States is co - chairing an air capability coalition to help Ukraine with air combat . We do anticipate the F - 16s being delivered this year , but I don ' t have any more details at this point . We ' ll keep you informed . Natasha Q: Thanks , General Ryder . Back in October , Central Command announced transferring seized Iranian ammunition to Ukraine . Are there any plans for more transfers to help with their shortages? And any update on the sinking of the Rubymar and the oil spill? GEN . RYDER: Regarding seized ammunition for Ukraine , I don ' t have any announcements . We ' re exploring ways to support them , but no specific plans on that approach . For the Rubymar , please refer to NAVCENT for more details . The company that owns the ship is looking into recovery options . They can provide specifics . However , there is an oil leak creating environmental issues , which emphasizes the reckless nature of Houthi attacks . Thanks . All right . Last question . Yes , ma ' am Q: Thank you . Does the Pentagon believe the Houthis will continue to be a problem long - term? Or will they stop attacking commercial shipping if a ceasefire is implemented? GEN . RYDER: That ' s a question for the Houthis to answer . We ' re focused on maintaining freedom of navigation and protecting lives and livelihoods in the region amidst these attacks . So , as I mentioned before , we ' re not looking to start a conflict with the Houthis . Our main goal is to make sure that ships can safely pass through the waterway according to international law . It ' s a matter of navigation rights , but it ' s also important for the health and economy of the region . Unfortunately , the Houthis ' attacks are causing harm to their own neighborhood , damaging the environment , threatening the fishing industry , coastal communities , and food supplies . Thank you . Oh , and before we finish , I want to welcome our guests from American University . You ' ll be briefing us on Thursday . Okay? Great . Thanks , everyone . Appreciate it . 23:18 .
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