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"Can the ambulance not show up with lights and sirens? We're
trying to remain a little subtle," the aide, whose name was
redacted from the audio, told the 911 dispatcher.
Austin's trip to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
and subsequent hospitalization was kept secret for days,
including from U.S. President Joe Biden and even Austin's
deputy, Kathleen Hicks.
He spent two weeks in the hospital due to complications from a
Dec. 22 prostate cancer surgery - which was also kept secret -
and was discharged on Monday to his Virginia home.
Austin's secrecy triggered a political uproar. Republicans
seized on the incident to accuse Austin, a retired four-star
general who led forces in Iraq who is America's first Black
defense secretary, with dereliction of duty.
Some prominent Republicans, including Donald Trump, called for
Austin to be removed from his job.
Biden said on Friday he had confidence in Austin despite what
the president agreed was a lapse in judgment.
It remained unclear why Austin, 70, decided against informing
senior Biden administration officials about his cancer and
post-surgical complications, even when they required his
hospitalization.
The audio from the 4-1/2-minute call was released to Reuters by
the Fairfax, Virginia county office that processes Freedom of
Information Act requests.
The aide who called 911 told the dispatcher that Austin did not
feel like he might pass out and was not disoriented or confused.
The aide asked whether the ambulance in Virginia might be able
to take him to Walter Reed, which is located in Bethesda,
Maryland.
The Defense Department's Inspector General's office has said it
will begin a review this month of the handling of Austin's
hospitalization.
(Reporting by Phil Stewart; Editing by Don Durfee and David
Gregorio)
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