29 January 2013 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 29 Jan 2013 [PDF]

DOD Press Briefing with George Little from the Pentagon DoD 29 Jan 2013
Air Force Continues Support to France in Mali AFPS 29 Jan 2013 -- The U.S. Air Force continues to back French air operations in Mali through refueling efforts, logistical movements, troop transport and information sharing.

Combined Force Arrests Taliban IED Attack Leader AFPS 29 Jan 2013 -- A combined Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader in the Arghandab district of Afghanistan’s Kandahar province.
Karzai Says Peace Talks With Taliban Must be Through Afghan Government VOA 29 Jan 2013 -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai says that any talks with the Taliban have to be held with the Afghan government.
Karzai Warns Of Foreign Interference In Peace Talks RFE/RL 29 Jan 2013 -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai says peace efforts with the Taliban should go through the High Peace Council set up by the Afghan government.
ANA takes control of VSP Naw Bahar, mission commander impressed with their performance Army News 29 Jan 2013 -- Soldiers assigned to 2-1st Cavalry, along with the 2nd Kandak, 2/205th Corps of the Afghan army, recently completed an extremely tough and delicate retrograde mission.
An Excalibur's first flight over Kandahar Army News 29 Jan 2013 -- Gunners of B/2-3rd Field Artillery shot an Excalibur round out of a M-777 howitzer cannon for the first time at Forward Operating Base Frontenac, Jan. 20.
Afghan National Army forward observer training Army News 29 Jan 2013 -- The most recent training conducted by the Mobile Strike Force SFAT, Jan. 5-10, at Forward Operating Base Eagle, Zabul province, Afghanistan, was artillery observer training.
Afghan troops train on D-30 Howitzer Army News 29 Jan 2013 -- U.S. Army soldiers from SFAT-5 assisted in the training of the Afghan National Army on the D-30 Howitzers at Combat Outpost Monti, Afghanistan, Jan. 18.
3d ESC redeploys from Afghanistan Army News 29 Jan 2013 -- Approximately 200 Soldiers from the 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) celebrated their return from a nine month deployment in Afghanistan at a ceremony Jan. 12.
101st Airborne Division Cases its Colors Army News 29 Jan 2013 -- This deployment, which is scheduled to last 12 months, marks the third time since 2008 that the division headquarters has commanded RC-East.

Pakistan's Islamist Militia Ansar Ul-Islam And Its Fight For Influence RFE/RL 29 Jan 2013 -- A banned Pakistani militia is now positioning itself as the last bastion of hope against extremists intent on controlling regions surrounding the historic Khyber Pass.

Former Iraqi Terrorists Living in Kentucky Sentenced for Terrorist Activities US Dept. of Justice 29 Jan 2013
New Allegations Of Abuse By British Troops In Iraq RFE/RL 29 Jan 2013 -- Lawyers for some 190 Iraqis who claim they were abused by British troops in Iraq between 2003 and 2008 are pushing for a public inquiry.

Defense Policy / Programs

9/11 Terror Suspects Absent From Hearing VOA 29 Jan 2013 -- The five accused masterminds of the terrorist attacks on the United States in 2001 failed to appear at a pretrial hearing in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Special Operators Depend on Good Partners, Commander Says AFPS 29 Jan 2013 -- Close partnership with U.S. geographic combatant commanders will be crucial to keeping the nation’s special operations forces effective as budgets and formations dwindle.
Officials to Study More Roles for Women in Special Ops AFPS 29 Jan 2013 -- With women already providing direct support in special operations, officials are studying how to open more positions that currently are open only to men.
Female paratroopers talk about DOD policy change Army News 29 Jan 2013 -- The U.S. Secretary of Defense, Leon E. Panetta, in collaboration with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, rescinded the 1994 Direct Ground Combat Definition and Assignment Rule.
USMC Female Marine PFT training program online USMC News 29 Jan 2013 -- Training and Education Command has developed a website to help female Marines meet the new requirements set forth in All Marine Message 046/12.
Ambassadors Visit Stennis at Sea NNS 29 Jan 2013 -- The U.S. ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain visited aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) underway in the Arabian Gulf Jan. 23-24.
Fighting Eagles deliver legacy to Fort Carson Army News 29 Jan 2013 -- The Army's newest Combat Aviation Brigade moved one step closer to being a fully equipped and manned formation Jan. 28.
USS Halsey and USS Russell Finish Hull Swap NNS 29 Jan 2013 -- The crews of guided-missile destroyers USS Halsey and USS Russell finished swapping hulls at Naval Base San Diego Jan. 25.
USS Curts Decommissioned After 29 Years of Service NNS 29 Jan 2013 -- Guided-missile frigate USS Curts concluded 29 years of service to the Navy during a decommissioning ceremony Jan. 25 at Naval Base San Diego.
SPDF Tazar Special Forces, US Marines share combative practices USMC News 29 Jan 2013 -- U.S. Marines from Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force 13.1, Marine Forces Africa, conducted a bilateral exercise with the Seychelles People’s Defense Force Tazar Special Forces unit.
Carter Hall Gets Underway for Unit Training NNS 29 Jan 2013 -- USS Carter Hall got underway to participate in Composite Training Unit Exercise Jan. 28 as part of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group led by Amphibious Squadron Four.
San Antonio Gets Underway For COMPTUEX NNS 29 Jan 2013 -- The amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio began Composite Training Unit Exercise Jan. 28.
Kearsarge Underway for COMPTUEX NNS 29 Jan 2013 -- Sailors from USS Kearsarge and Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit began a Composite Training Unit Exercise off the East Coast of the United States, Jan. 28.
USS Tortuga Sailors, 31st MEU Marines Complete AIT NNS 29 Jan 2013 -- Sailors aboard USS Tortuga, along with Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, completed amphibious integration trainingwhile on deployment in the 7th Fleet area of operations, Jan. 30.
Vigilance begins at home Army News 29 Jan 2013 -- The Random Anti-terrorism Measure program, or RAM, is used to deter against terrorist attacks or surveillance attempts by employing security measures that alter the security signature of the installation, thereby disrupting the terrorist's attack-planning cycle.
Recovered debris thought to be wreckage of missing aircraft AFNS 29 Jan 2013 -- Italian search teams have recovered debris in the Adriatic Sea believed to belong to an F-16 Fighting Falcon which went missing during a nighttime training mission Jan. 28.
Search and rescue effort continues for missing aircraft AFNS 29 Jan 2013 -- U.S. military officials are coordinating search and rescue efforts with Italian military and civilian teams following the loss of communication with an Aviano F-16 Fighting Falcon jet the evening on Jan. 28.
US Fighter Jet Missing in Adriatic RIA Novosti 29 Jan 2013 -- A search in underway for a US F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jet that has gone missing on a training flight off the coast of Italy.

IL-476 Airlifter Makes First Long Test Flight RIA Novosti 29 Jan 2013 -- A prototype Ilyushin Il-76MD-90A (also known as the Il-476) heavy-lift transport plane completed its first prolonged test flight.

RAF squadron takes delivery of 100th Typhoon UK MOD 29 Jan 2013 -- The unit, No 1 (Fighter) Squadron, which was reformed just 4 months ago at RAF Leuchars in Scotland, is now home to the 100th Typhoon to enter service.

Taiwan's MND vows to gradually make defense budget more transparent CNA 29 Jan 2013 -- The Ministry of National Defense pledged to gradually reduce the secret portion of its budget to enhance transparency and prevent corruption.

Secretary Clinton Interview With Michele Kelemen of NPR US Dept. of State 29 Jan 2013
Secretary Clinton Interview With Greta Van Susteren of FoxNews US Dept. of State 29 Jan 2013
Secretary Clinton Interview With Elise Labott and Jill Dougherty of CNN US Dept. of State 29 Jan 2013
Secretary Clinton Interview With Cynthia McFadden of ABC US Dept. of State 29 Jan 2013
Secretary Clinton Interview With Andrea Mitchell of NBC US Dept. of State 29 Jan 2013

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for January 29, 2013
Watchdog: Corruption Widespread in Defense Sectors Globally RIA Novosti 29 Jan 2013 -- Two-thirds of the world's nations, including Russia and other leading global arms traders, lack the tools to counter corruption in their defense sectors.
Transparency International Says Corruption Widespread In Defense Sector RFE/RL 29 Jan 2013 -- Transparency International says 70 percent of governments fail to protect against graft in the defense sector, leaving the door wide open to waste and security threats.

Other Conflicts

Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, 29 January 2013 United Nations 29 Jan 2013
Security Council stresses need for further cooperation in Central Asia UN News Centre 29 Jan 2013 -- The Security Council stressed the need for cooperation and coordination between governments in Central Asia and regional organizations.

British forces to support military training mission to Mali UK MOD 29 Jan 2013 -- The UK is to support the EU military training mission to Mali by providing up to 40 British personnel either in a headquarters or training team role.
Looters Go on Rampage in Timbuktu VOA 29 Jan 2013 -- Residents of the newly liberated Malian city of Timbuktu looted stores owned by Arabs and Tuaregs suspected of collaborating with Islamist militants who fled earlier this week.
Donors Pledge $455 Million for Mali Force VOA 29 Jan 2013 -- African nations and members of the wider international community pledged more than $455 million Tuesday to assist an African-led military intervention in Mali.
International Donors Pledge Aid for Mali Force VOA 29 Jan 2013 -- International donors have pledged hundreds of millions of dollars to support a force to fight Islamist militants in northern Mali.
Japan Offers New Aid to Mali, Sahel Region VOA 29 Jan 2013 -- Japan is offering $120 million in new aid to help counter the influence of Islamists in Mali and to stabilize the Sahel region of Africa.
IMF Approves $18.4 Mln Emergency Loan for Mali RIA Novosti 29 Jan 2013 -- The International Monetary Fund approved the disbursement of about $18.4 million under the Rapid Credit Facility to Mali.
Analysis: Cash-strapped ICC takes on Mali IRIN 29 Jan 2013 -- Concerns are being raised that the International Criminal Court investigation into alleged war crimes in Mali is placing a serious strain on an already over-stretched and cash-strapped institution.
Mali: UN gears up to assist possible return of thousands of displaced people UN News Centre 29 Jan 2013 -- The United Nations refugee agency announced it is urgently preparing for a possible spontaneous return of thousands of conflict-displaced people in northern Mali.

Security Council must act now to address Syria crisis, UN-Arab League envoy stresses UN News Centre 29 Jan 2013 -- The Joint Special Representative of the United Nations and the League of Arab States on the Syrian crisis, Lakhdar Brahimi, called on the Security Council to take action to advance a solution to the ongoing conflict, warning against any further delay.
UN Syrian Envoy: Syria 'Breaking Apart' VOA 29 Jan 2013 -- The United Nations-Arab League envoy for Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, warned that Syria “is being destroyed.”
Bombs Target Syrian Bakeries, Customers VOA 29 Jan 2013 -- President Bashar al-Assad’s military is attacking bakery facilities in rebel-held areas of the country in an attempt to undermine support for insurgents who have been trying for two years to topple his government.
Syrian Activists Say Dozens of Bodies Found in River VOA 29 Jan 2013 -- Syrian opposition activists say the bodies of at least 65 people apparently shot in the head have been found in a river in the northern city of Aleppo.
Syrian Rebels Say Dozens Found Shot Execution-Style In Aleppo RFE/RL 29 Jan 2013 -- Syria's opposition says the bodies of some 65 men and boys executed with their hands bound have been found in the city of Aleppo.
Syrian Rebels Hail Russia’s ‘New Stance’ on Syria RIA Novosti 29 Jan 2013 -- The rebel Free Syrian Army said it considers Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev's statement on Syria as a “new stance” by Moscow, which will speed up the ousting of the embattled Assad regime.
Ukraine to Evacuate 24 Nationals from Syria RIA Novosti 29 Jan 2013 -- Ukraine will evacuate another 24 nationals from Syria, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said.
Statement by the President Announcing $155 Million in Additional Humanitarian Assistance for the Syrian People The White House 29 Jan 2013
The U.S. Announces Additional Humanitarian Assistance in Response to the Syrian Crisis US Dept. of State 29 Jan 2013
UN Reports Sharp Rise in Syrian Refugees VOA 29 Jan 2013 -- The U.N. refugee agency reports a sharp rise in the number of Syrian refugees in neighboring countries.
Syrian refugees head to Lebanon’s Shia south IRIN 29 Jan 2013 -- Syrian refugees (mostly Sunnis) are increasingly settling further south, in Lebanon’s Shia heartland, dominated by the political and militant group Hezbollah, a long-time ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

South China Sea Dispute Poses Challenge for US VOA 29 Jan 2013 -- President Barack Obama begins his second term facing fresh tensions in the South China Sea as the Philippines takes its maritime dispute with China to the United Nations.

Al-Shabab Claims Responsibility for Mogadishu Bombing VOA 29 Jan 2013 -- Somali militant group al-Shabab has claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing in Mogadishu Tuesday that killed at least two people, including the bomber.
Suicide Bomber Kills 2 in Somali Capital VOA 29 Jan 2013 -- Somali officials say at least two people have been killed and three others wounded after a bomber blew himself up outside the Somali prime minister’s office.
As peace returns to Somali town, UN food relief agency resumes assistance UN News Centre 29 Jan 2013 -- The United Nations World Food Programme has resumed food assistance to the region’s port city of Kismayo.

Nigeria’s Boko Haram Militants Announce Cease-Fire VOA 29 Jan 2013 -- A man who claims to be a commander from the Islamist militant group known as Boko Haram declared a unilateral cease-fire Monday in Maiduguri in northern Nigeria.

Clinton Sees Opening for Revived Mideast Peace Talks VOA 29 Jan 2013 -- Outgoing U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says a new coalition government in Israel could lead to resumption of talks toward a two-state peace accord with Palestinians.
In face of non-cooperation, UN calls on Israel to take part in human rights review UN News Centre 29 Jan 2013 -- The top United Nations human rights body voiced regret at Israel’s decision not to participate in the scheduled review of its human rights record.

Rohingya in Thailand - safe for now IRIN 29 Jan 2013 -- The future of more than 1,500 recent Rohingya boat arrivals in Thailand is unclear, despite a government reprieve allowing them to stay for another six months.

Libya: national consensus needed for building institutions, security UN News Centre 29 Jan 2013 -- While the new Government of Libya has evinced determination to tackle the many challenges faced by the nascent democracy, national dialogue must be held so that difficult decisions on a range of issues can be taken with broad popular support.

UN seeks funds to deliver humanitarian aid to growing number of Yemenis in need UN News Centre 29 Jan 2013 -- Amid continuing conflict and a breakdown in healthcare services, the number of people in need of assistance in Yemen has shot up to over 13 million.

UN envoy for Western Sahara heads to Moscow after talks in Washington UN News Centre 29 Jan 2013 -- The United Nations envoy dealing with Western Sahara is on his way to the Russian capital, Moscow.

News Reports

U.S. Questions Iran 'Monkey Launch' RFE/RL 29 Jan 2013 -- The United States says Iran may have violated a United Nations resolution if its claims of successfully launching a live monkey to the edge of space are true.
Iranian Guardians Council Approves Watered-Down Election Law RFE/RL 29 Jan 2013 -- Iran's top legislative body, the Guardians Council, has approved a new election law that strips the Interior Ministry of responsibility for organizing elections.
EU Foreign Policy Chief Concerned By Confirmation of Ahwazi Activists' Death Sentences RFE/RL 29 Jan 2013 -- EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton says she is greatly concerned that the Iranian High Court has upheld the sentences of five Ahwazi Arab activists who could face imminent execution.
Interview: Levinson Lawyer Urges Iran To Investigate Local Contact RFE/RL 29 Jan 2013 -- Mohammad-Hossein Aghasi, the Tehran-based lawyer for the family of the former FBI agent who went missing in Iran in 2007, Robert Levinson, says Tehran should question another American allegedly involved in the case.

Clinton Hopes North Korea Can Be Dissuaded From Nuclear Test VOA 29 Jan 2013 -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says there is still hope that North Korea can be dissuaded from taking such a provocative step as conducting another nuclear test.
N. Korea Threatens 'Merciless' War VOA 29 Jan 2013 -- North Korea issued new threats against the South and its allies, saying it views a recent expansion of United Nations Security Council sanctions as an act of war.
Kim Jong Un Makes Important Speech Calling for Increasing Function and Role of Party Cells KCNA 29 Jan 2013 -- The dear respected Kim Jong Un made an important speech calling for decisively increasing the function and role of the party cells as required by the developing party and revolution at the Fourth Conference of Cell Secretaries of the Workers' Party of Korea.
Kim Jong Un Makes Closing Address at Fourth Conference of Cell Secretaries of WPK KCNA 29 Jan 2013 -- The dear respected Kim Jong Un made a closing address at the Fourth Conference of Cell Secretaries of the WPK.
Fourth Conference of Cell Secretaries of WPK Closes KCNA 29 Jan 2013 -- The Fourth Conference of Cell Secretaries of the Workers' Party of Korea closed Tuesday.
KCNA Commentary Urges S. Korea to Heed DPRK's Warning KCNA 29 Jan 2013 -- The U.S. and its allies through the UN Security Council adopted a "resolution on sanctions" against the DPRK.

UN rights chief urges all parties in Egypt to engage in dialogue and end use of force UN News Centre 29 Jan 2013 -- The United Nations human rights chief today urged all parties in Egypt to engage in dialogue and stop the use of excessive force.
Egyptian Army Chief Warns of State Collapse VOA 29 Jan 2013 -- The head of Egypt's military has warned that the country's political crisis could lead to the "collapse of the state."
Egyptian Army Chief Warns State Could Collapse If Crisis Continues RFE/RL 29 Jan 2013 -- The head of the Egyptian armed forces has warned that the current political crisis could lead to the collapse of the state.
Egypt Protesters Defy Curfew, Battle Police RFE/RL 29 Jan 2013 -- Unrest has continued in Egypt, with protesters battling police in Cairo and directly defying a nighttime curfew imposed in three Suez Canal cities.

Uganda Parliament to Summon Officials for Coup Rhetoric VOA 29 Jan 2013 -- Uganda’s parliament plans to call on the nation’s defense minister and military chief to explain whether they had threatened to overthrow the government in recent statements.

Haiti: Security Council calls for timely elections, security sector reform UN News Centre 29 Jan 2013 -- Reaffirming its commitment to Haiti as the United Nations seeks to complete its peacekeeping mission in the crisis-beset country, the Security Council has urged all political actors to work constructively on priorities, including credible 2013 elections and security sector reform.

Russia Expands ‘Blacklist’ Targeting Americans - Lavrov RIA Novosti 29 Jan 2013 -- Russia confirmed it is extending its "Dima Yakovlev" blacklist to include more US citizens deemed to be human rights violators, who will be banned from entering the country.
Putin's Little Helper RFE/RL 29 Jan 2013 -- When Vladimir Putin decided to detain reputed crime boss Semyon Mogilevich back in January 2008, he didn't use regular police, special forces, the Investigative Committee, or even the Federal Security Service.

Tymoshenko's Lawyers Say Not Allowed to Study Case RIA Novosti 29 Jan 2013 -- Eleven days after Ukraine’s ex-premier Yulia Tymoshenko was officially notified of being a suspect in a lawmaker’s murder, her defense team still has no access to materials in the Evgeny Shcherban case.

Statement from the President on the Confirmation of John Kerry as the next Secretary of State The White House 29 Jan 2013
Senate Confirms Kerry As Secretary of State VOA 29 Jan 2013 -- The U.S. Senate has voted 94 to 3 to confirm one of its own, Massachusetts Senator John Kerry, as secretary of state.
Senate Panel Approves Kerry Nomination for Secretary of State VOA 29 Jan 2013 -- A U.S. Senate committee has approved the nomination of Senator John Kerry to be the next secretary of state, with the full Senate to vote possibly later Tuesday.
Senate Panel Approves Kerry For Secretary Of State RFE/RL 29 Jan 2013 -- U.S. Senator John Kerry has won the support of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to replace Hillary Clinton as secretary of state during President Barack Obama's second term.

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