Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder Talks to Media | September 12, 2024.

Watch as Pentagon Press Secretary, Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, addresses the media on September 12, 2024, providing updates and insights on important national security matters. Stay informed with the latest information straight from the source. #PentagonBriefing #AirForce #MajGenPatRyder #NationalSecurity #MilitaryNews #PressSecretary #DefenseUpdates #USArmedForces #MediaBriefing #pentagon

PENTAGON PRESS SECRETARY MAJOR GENERAL PAT RYDER: All right, good afternoon, everyone. I have just a few things at the top and then I'll be happy to take your questions. First, taking a look at the Middle East region, the department continues to maintain a robust force posture throughout the US European Command and US Central Command areas of responsibility to protect US forces, enable our support for the defense of Israel, and to ensure the United States is prepared to respond to various contingencies.

As we've discussed previously, US forces in the region include, but aren’t limited to, an amphibious ready group and marine expeditionary unit, multiple destroyers, fighter aircraft and carrier strike group presence. Of note, following a period of dual carrier coverage by the Theodore Roosevelt, CSG and the Abraham Lincoln, CSG in the CENTCOM region, the Theodore Roosevelt has departed and begun its transit into the Indo-Pacific command area of operations. As we have been since the beginning of the crisis in the Middle East following Hamas's vicious October 7th attacks, we remain intensely focused on working with regional partners to deescalate tensions and deterring a wider regional conflict. The United States also remains very focused on securing a ceasefire as part of a hostage deal to bring all of the hostages home and to end the war in Gaza.

Closer to home, as you may have seen reported, what is now called Tropical Storm Francine made landfall in Louisiana yesterday as a category two hurricane bringing storm surges, flash and urban flooding, hurricane force winds and tornado watches. The governor of Louisiana declared a state emergency earlier this week and brought nearly 3,000 Louisiana National Guardsmen onto state active duty.

These Guardsmen, along with 134 high-wheeled vehicles, 65 watercraft and 32 army guard helicopters, were positioned around the state to support response and recovery operations. As of this morning, five parishes are still under mandatory evacuation and more than 390,000 homes are without power. For more information about the response and recovery, I would encourage you to reach out to the Louisiana National Guard.

And finally, Secretary Austin will travel to Maxwell Air Force Base Alabama tomorrow and will accompany First Lady Dr. Jill Biden to highlight the new universal pre-kindergarten program being implemented at Department of Defense Education Activity schools. Secretary Austin will also provide remarks at Maxwell to announce the multiple new initiatives in support of his Taking Care of People effort, emphasizing the department's

commitment to the overall well-being and quality of life of our service members and their families.

We'll have much more to provide tomorrow, but you can anticipate these new initiatives will be focused on actions that improve the quality of life for our service members, enhance their economic security, support the careers of military spouses and make moves to new assignments easier. And with that, I'll be glad to take your questions. We'll start with Tara.

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Pentagon Press Secretary Holds Briefing
Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder briefs the news media at the Pentagon.

Film Credits: Defense.gov