03 May 2013 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

Combined Security Force Kills Senior Insurgent Leader AFPS 03 May 2013 -- A combined Afghan and coalition security force in the Burkah district of Afghanistan’s Baghlan province killed Jamal, a senior insurgent leader.
Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan US Dept. of State 03 May 2013
Obama Taps Veteran Diplomat As Envoy To Afghanistan, Pakistan RFE/RL 03 May 2013 -- U.S. President Barack Obama has named veteran diplomat James Dobbins as his special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Survey On Afghan Suicide Attacks Hits Raw Nerve RFE/RL 03 May 2013 -- Most Afghans say suicide attacks can never be justified. But a new public opinion poll reports more support in Afghanistan for suicide bombers than ever before.
First drone strike launched from UK soil PressTV 03 May 2013 -- Britain’s Royal Air Force has operated its first drone strike from a base situated on UK soil.
Kyrgyz Search For Crew Of Crashed U.S. Tanker Plane Continues RFE/RL 03 May 2013 -- Search teams in Kyrgyzstan were continuing to look for three crew members of a U.S. KC-135 Stratotanker that crashed near the border with Kazakhstan.
US Refueling Plane Crashes in Kyrgyzstan RIA Novosti 03 May 2013 -- A US military Boeing KC-135 refueling aircraft crashed in a mountainous area in Kyrgyzstan for unspecified reasons.
KC-135 crashes in Kyrgyzstan AFNS 03 May 2013 -- An Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker crashed May 3 in northern Kyrgyzstan. Emergency response crews are on scene. The status of the crew is unknown.
Afghan Interpreters Who Worked For Britain Launch Legal Case RFE/RL 03 May 2013 -- Three Afghans who worked as interpreters for British troops in Afghanistan have launched a legal bid in London to give them the same benefits Britain gave to Iraqi interpreters.
Afghan interpreters launch legal bid for asylum in UK PressTV 03 May 2013 -- Lawyers for three Afghan interpreters, who worked for British forces in Afghanistan, have launched a legal challenge against the British government's decision not to allow them to settle in the UK.
Pakistan: UN warns nearly 13,000 families displaced near Afghan border, many more could follow UN News Centre 03 May 2013 -- The UN emergency relief arm warned that population displacement could surge near the Afghan border.

Airmen deliver food, medicine to Syrian refugees AFNS 03 May 2013 -- Airmen from the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing loaded pallets of humanitarian aid on to a C-17 Globemaster III early April 30 at an undisclosed air base in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

Defense Policy / Programs

Nimitz Strike Group Enters 7th Fleet AOR NNS 03 May 2013 -- The Nimitz Strike Group arrived in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility May 3.
X-51A Waverider achieves breakthrough in final flight AFNS 03 May 2013 -- The final flight of the X-51A Waverider test program has accomplished a breakthrough in the development of flight reaching Mach 5.1 over the Pacific Ocean.
Magicians Reborn as Navy's First Squadron to Operate Manned and Unmanned Aircraft NNS 03 May 2013 -- Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 35 became the first composite expeditionary helicopter squadron to include both helicopter and VTUAV.
ONR Provides Blueprint for Controlling All Military Unmanned Systems NNS 03 May 2013 -- The Office of Naval Research has developed something similar to a master remote control for military ground, air and undersea unmanned systems.
Analysts Concerned Over Impact of Closer US-Russia Anti-Terrorism Cooperation on Caucasus VOA 03 May 2013 -- The U.S. and Russia recognize the need to increase security and intelligence cooperation.
UN: Force-feeding of Gitmo hunger strikers as 'torture' PressTV 03 May 2013 -- The UN human rights body has censured force-feeding at Guantanamo, Cuba as “torture”
HMLA-467 retires Hueys, makes room for more Venoms USMC News 03 May 2013 -- Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 476 inducted three UH-1N Hueys into the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group at Davis Monthan Air Force Base.
Operational Support Airlift carries high-priority assets USMC News 03 May 2013 -- Headquarters Marine Corps released Marine Corps Warfighting Publication 3-27 Operational Support Airlift earlier this year.
US, ROK forces off-load equipment on peninsula USMC News 03 May 2013 -- The U.S. Marines have worked tirelessly for 237 years to be prepared to meet the current and future needs of the U.S.
US, Philippines partner for Exercise Balikatan 2013 Army News 03 May 2013 -- On April 5, soldiers from 3/2nd Infantry Division, joined more than 8,000 U.S. and Filipino service members on the Philippine island of Luzon for Joint Exercise Balikatan.
Field artillery training integrates women into combat specialties Army News 03 May 2013 -- The first class of female Soldiers joined A/1-78th Field Artillery, to learn the 13M, Multiple Launch Rocket System Crewmember military occupational specialty.
U.S., Moroccan, German servicemembers conduct UAV familiarization for African Lion 13 USMC News 03 May 2013 -- U.S. Marines, along with German and Moroccan counterparts, conducted a small unmanned-flying vehicle familiarization course for Exercise African Lion 13.
14th Engineers train with new excavators Army News 03 May 2013 -- Route clearance companies will mainly use the HMEE to clear natural and artificial obstacles to create safe and navigable routes for U.S. forces.
Officials Approve Implementation Guides for Mobile Devices AFPS 03 May 2013 -- Pentagon officials approved the security technical implementation guides for BlackBerry 10 smartphones and BlackBerry PlayBook tablets, as well as Samsung's Android Knox.
DOD Counters Internet Posts on Religion Issue AFPS 03 May 2013 -- Internet posts making the rounds claiming that the Defense Department will court-martial service members who espouse Christianity are not true, a Pentagon spokesman said.
Peleliu ARG Arrives in Pearl Harbor NNS 03 May 2013 -- The Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) with the embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) arrived at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam May 3, after an eight-month deployment to the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility.
USS Reuben James Makes Final Return to Hawaii NNS 03 May 2013 -- The Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate USS Reuben James (FFG 57) returned to its homeport May 3 from a deployment to the western Pacific.

British and French attack helicopters build strong partnership UK MOD 03 May 2013 -- The working relationship between the British and French Army's attack helicopters has taken off during a major military exercise.

S. Koreans Stage Special Drills KCNA 03 May 2013 -- The south Koreans are staging special drills to stifle the DPRK in Yongchon, North Kyongsang Province.

Australia Outlines Defense Roadmap VOA 03 May 2013 -- The rise of India and continued tensions between the United States and China have dominated a review of Australia’s defense capabilities.
Australia will purchase 12 US Growler fighter jets PressTV 03 May 2013 -- Australia has struck a deal with the United States for the purchase of 12 Boeing EA-18G Growler fighter jets, state authorities say.

Iran to boost navy with indigenous destroyer, minesweeping system: Cmdr. PressTV 03 May 2013 -- Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari has announced an indigenous destroyer and a new naval minesweeping system.

May 3, 2013 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 03 May 2013

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for May 03, 2013
Solar-powered Plane Takes Off For Flight Across US VOA 03 May 2013 -- A solar-powered airplane that developers hope to eventually pilot around the world took off from San Francisco Bay on the first leg of an attempt to fly across the United States with no fuel but the sun's energy.

Other Conflicts

Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, 03 May 2013 United Nations 03 May 2013

Obama: No Scenario for US Troops in Syria VOA 03 May 2013 -- President Barack Obama said Friday he does not foresee sending U.S. ground troops into Syria. The president spoke at a joint news conference with Costa Rican President Laura Chinchilla in San Jose, Costa Rica.
US Treads Carefully on Syria Chemical Weapons Question VOA 03 May 2013 -- The Obama administration's cautious stance regarding Syria's alleged chemical weapons use has created a dilemma.
DOD Officials Continue to Study Options in Syria AFPS 03 May 2013 -- Pentagon officials followed up on Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel’s statement yesterday that the United States is looking at arming the Syrian opposition.
Taking Sides in Syria is Hard Choice for Israel VOA 03 May 2013 -- The dilemma Israel faces in trying to formulate a strategy on Syria two years into its civil war is symbolized by a case being heard in a small courtroom near Tel Aviv.
Syrian Opposition Condemns 'Large-Scale Massacre' VOA 03 May 2013 -- The Syrian opposition is condemning what it calls a "large-scale massacre" by government forces and loyalist militias that reportedly left dozens dead in a northwest city.
Moscow Ready to Talk to Free Syrian Army – Minister RIA Novosti 03 May 2013 -- Moscow is ready to hold talks with all representatives of the Syrian opposition, including Salim Idriss, leader of the Free Syrian Army, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
Two rockets hit Damascus airport, sparking massive fire PressTV 03 May 2013 -- Militants fighting against the Syrian government have fired two rockets at Damascus International Airport, sparking a massive fire at the facility.
U.S. Considering Arming Syria Rebels RFE/RL 03 May 2013 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel says the Obama administration is reconsidering its opposition to arming the Syrian rebels.
Russia urges UN to satisfy Syria’s request for probe into chemical attack PressTV 03 May 2013 -- Russia says the UN must respond to Syria’s ‘specific’ request for an investigation into the use of chemical weapons by militants.
Missing U.S. Journalist's Family Believes He's In Syrian Prison RFE/RL 03 May 2013 -- The family of a U.S. journalist who has been missing in Syria since November 2012 says they believe he is being held by the security services of President Bashar al-Assad.

US Calls for Shutting Down Iran, North Korea Arms Networks VOA 03 May 2013 -- The United States said that Iran and North Korea were trying to obtain high-tech materials linked to their nuclear programs in violation of U.N. sanctions.
North Korea’s nuclear weapons could hit US: Pentagon PressTV 03 May 2013 -- The Pentagon says North Korea’s developing nuclear technology and its long-range ballistic missiles will move the country closer to a nuclear strike against the United States.
Last S. Korean Workers Leave Kaesong Factory Complex VOA 03 May 2013 -- The last seven South Korean workers left a shuttered factory complex in North Korea and arrived in the city of Paju.
S. Korean Authorities to Blame for Crisis in KIZ: KCNA Commentary KCNA 03 May 2013 -- The south Korean regime is persistently pulling up the DPRK over the responsibility for the crisis in the Kaesong Industrial Zone now in the danger of its closure.
Rodong Sinmun Hails New Line of WPK KCNA 03 May 2013 -- The new line of the Workers' Party of Korea on simultaneously pushing forward economic construction and the building of nuclear force serves as a strategic line to be held fast.
US urges North Korea to free American PressTV 03 May 2013 -- The United States has called for North Korea to release a US citizen recently sentenced to 15 years of compulsory prison labor for hostile acts against the Pyongyang government.

UK sends more troops to Mali to back up French war PressTV 03 May 2013 -- A group of British and Irish soldiers has been deployed to Mali to help France’s war on the West African country, UK media reports suggest.

UN human rights office ‘very concerned’ by heavy fighting in northeast Nigeria UN News Centre 03 May 2013 -- The United Nations reiterated its calls on the Nigerian Government to abide by human rights principles during security patrols.

Patients and MSF Staff Flee Fighting in Pinga VOA 03 May 2013 -- Renewed fighting in the DRC’s North Kivu Province town of Pinga has forced thousands of residents to flee into the surrounding forests once again.
DR Congo: UN food relief agency warns of ‘Triangle of Death’ UN News Centre 03 May 2013 -- The United Nations World Food Programme warned that the security situation remains volatile in the so-called “Triangle of Death”.
UN envoy urges sustained political will for DR Congo peace framework UN News Centre 03 May 2013 -- Mary Robinson, Special Envoy for Africa’s Great Lakes Region, urged leaders to keep working towards the success of the new eastern DRC peace plan.

At least 80 killed in inter-tribal clashes in Sudan's Darfur PressTV 03 May 2013 -- At least 80 people have been killed in a fresh outbreak of tribal clashes over land ownership in Sudan's western region of Darfur, leaders of the fighting tribes say.

16 killed, many injured in two separate attacks in Iraq PressTV 03 May 2013 -- At least 16 people have been killed and dozens injured in two separate terrorist attacks in Iraq.
Iraqi Kurdish ministers end boycott of cabinet: Kurdish official PressTV 03 May 2013 -- Iraqi Kurdish ministers have attended a cabinet meeting for the first time in two months, ending a boycott of Iraq's central government.

Libyan Army Stationed for Pro-Government Rally VOA 03 May 2013 -- Libyan soldiers have been stationed at Tripoli's main square to protect a rally in support of the government.

Taiwan-Japan fishery pact shows peace initiative works: MOFA CNA 03 May 2013 -- Taiwan said that the fishery agreement signed in April between Taiwan and Japan reflected the spirit of President Ma's East China Sea initiative.

Analysis: A long road ahead for justice in Côte d’Ivoire IRIN 03 May 2013 -- Wary of a backlash, Côte d’Ivoire’s government has hesitated to charge its own supporters of crimes committed during the 2010-2011 poll violence.

Diehard South Sudan Rebels Warn of More Attacks VOA 03 May 2013 -- Rebels led by David Yau Yau have claimed responsibility for an attack in Pibor earlier this week, in which a South Sudanese soldier was killed, and warned civilians and NGOs to leave the areas around Pibor and Kapoeta, threatening to mount more attacks.

Work Remains as Balkans Progress, Stavridis Says AFPS 03 May 2013 -- It’s not yet time to take an eye off the Balkans, the top U.S. military commander in Europe wrote.

News Reports

US, S. Korea Summit to Focus on Security, Economic Ties VOA 03 May 2013 -- South Korea's president, who took office in late February, begins her first official visit to Washington on Sunday.

Iran’s Jalili agrees to meet P5+1’s Ashton in mid-May PressTV 03 May 2013 -- Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili has agreed to meet European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton.
Iran's Presidential Election Poses Dilemma For Voters RFE/RL 03 May 2013 -- Like many Iranians, 31-year-old Amir is pondering what to do on June 14, when Iran chooses a new president.
Kashani: Presidential Election hopefuls must have plans, programs IRNA 03 May 2013 -- Interim Friday Prayer Imam of Tehran Ayatollah Mohammad Emami-Kashani said upcoming IRI Presidential Election hopefuls must have detained and prioritized programs.
Hopefuls incompetent to talk about Iran-US ties: Top cleric PressTV 03 May 2013 -- Senior Iranian cleric Ayatollah Mohammad Emami Kashani says presidential hopefuls are not competent to talk about ties between Iran and the United States.

Who Are the Candidates in Pakistan's Election? VOA 03 May 2013 -- On May 11, Pakistan will hold national elections to to elect members of the country's national assembly and four provincial assemblies. After decades of military rule and political instability, this will be the first time in the country's history that a civilian government will transfer power through the ballot box.
Gunmen Kill Pakistani Prosecutor in Bhutto Case VOA 03 May 2013 -- Unknown gunmen in Pakistan have killed the lead prosecutor investigating the 2007 assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto and the deadly attacks on Mumbai in 2008.
Prosecutor In Musharraf-Bhutto Case Shot Dead RFE/RL 03 May 2013 -- The lead prosecutor in the case of the murder of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto has been shot dead.
Investigator in Benazir Bhutto’s Murder Case Murdered RIA Novosti 03 May 2013 -- The prosecutor who investigated the murder of Pakistan’s ex-Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was himself slain in a drive-by shooting in Islamabad.
Musharraf Arrested Over Baloch Leader's Killing RFE/RL 03 May 2013 -- Pakistani police have arrested former military ruler Pervez Musharraf over the killing of a senior Baloch leader in 2006.
Another Pakistani Election Candidate Shot Dead RFE/RL 03 May 2013 -- A candidate in Pakistan's legislative elections later this month has been shot dead, along with his young son.
Election Candidate Assassinated in Pakistan RIA Novosti 03 May 2013 -- A candidate standing for the May 11 elections to the Pakistan parliament was shot dead in the southern city of Karachi on Friday, in the second high-profile assassination in the country in one day.
Pakistan's Religious Parties Vie for Votes in National Elections VOA 03 May 2013 -- Pakistan is a deeply conservative and traditional society, and religious political parties easily rally thousands in support of their causes.

Myanmar’s Sein to visit US amid growing violence against Rohingyas PressTV 03 May 2013 -- Myanmar president plans to visit Washington to hold talks with his US counterpart, Barack Obama, whose administration is lending unprecedented support for the southeast Asian country.

Young Voters Key to Malaysia’s Hotly Contested Election VOA 03 May 2013 -- Malaysia is gearing up for a cliffhanger election Sunday, one that is expected to be the closest in its history.

Kenyan Leader, Charged by ICC, Invited to Somalia Meeting in London VOA 03 May 2013 -- Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, who faces charges of crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court, is expected to visit London at Britain's invitation next week.

Venezuela opposition wants new election PressTV 03 May 2013 -- Venezuela’s opposition has challenged the election victory of President Nicolas Maduro before the country’s Supreme Court, calling for ‘new presidential elections.’
Venezuela Opposition Leader Contests Election Results RIA Novosti 03 May 2013 -- Henrique Capriles, the leader of Venezuela’s opposition, has formally contested the results of the recent presidential election.

Political Crackdown Marks Putin’s First Year Back in Kremlin VOA 03 May 2013 -- One year ago, on May 7, Vladimir Putin returned to the Kremlin to serve another term as president.

South Africa Row Sparks Debate Over Foreign Aid In Britain VOA 03 May 2013 -- South Africa has criticized Britain's announcement that it will cut aid payments by 2015.

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