28 May 2013 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

Combined Security Force Arrests Haqqani Network Leader AFPS 28 May 2013 -- A combined Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Haqqani network leader and seven other insurgents during an operation in the Gardez district of Afghanistan’s Paktia province.
Predator passes 20,000-hour mark in Afghanistan AFNS 28 May 2013 -- An MQ-1 Predator assigned here recently became the first Predator to pass 20,000 flying hours over Afghanistan.
Operation Rising Sun III rounds out company-sized operations for ANA, U.S. partners Army News 28 May 2013 -- Following a four-day operation, soldiers of C/1-38th Infantry and Weapons Company, 6/205th Afghan National Army completed their final company-sized operation.
NATO, Afghan Forces Kill Five Insurgents, Arrest Others RFE/RL 28 May 2013 -- The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force ays coalition forces and Afghan troops have killed five insurgents during military operations in Afghan provinces.
Afghan Police Defectors Return to Fold, Kill 7 Colleagues VOA 28 May 2013 -- Two Afghan police officers who had recently rejoined the force after defecting to the Taliban, fatally shot seven of their sleeping colleagues.
Seven Afghan policemen killed in insider attack: Officials PressTV 28 May 2013 -- At least seven members of Afghan National Police have been shot dead by their colleagues at a police outpost in the troubled southern Afghanistan.
Militants Kill Afghan Police Officers At 'Friendly' Dinner RFE/RL 28 May 2013 -- Local officials say seven police officers have been shot dead by two militants during a "friendly get-together" at a checkpoint in the southern Kandahar Province.
Russia-Led Group to Beef Up Tajik-Afghan Border Security RIA Novosti 28 May 2013 -- The leaders of the Collective Security Treaty Organization have agreed to reinforce the organization’s military capability and step up control at the Tajikistan-Afghanistan border.
Task Force True Grit repairs vital roads Army News 28 May 2013 -- Seabees assigned to Task Force True Grit departed early to execute a Hasty Road Repair operations for Regional Command Southwest in Southwestern Afghanistan.
3 Afghan National Police headquarters facilities now complete in Western Afghanistan Army News 28 May 2013 -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed construction of three Afghan Uniform Police headquarters facilities in Western Afghanistan, well ahead of schedule.
Soldiers-Sailors Train, Deploy As Total Force Army News 28 May 2013 -- Trainer/mentors assigned to First Army Division East's 4th Cav Bde provide Sailors and other members of Provincial Reconstruction Teams with the training they need.
Raising the bar on respect for human rights in Afghanistan UN News Centre 28 May 2013 -- The Canadian-born Director of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan’s Human Rights Unit is now leading the effort to raise the bar.

Gunmen Kill Polio Worker in Pakistan VOA 28 May 2013 -- Officials in northwest Pakistan say gunmen have opened fire on a female polio vaccination team.
Gunmen Kill Pakistani Polio-Eradication Worker, Injure Another RFE/RL 28 May 2013 -- Pakistani officials say gunmen have shot dead a female polio-eradication worker on the outskirts of the northeastern city of Peshawar.
Two anti-polio workers killed in NW Pakistan IRNA 28 May 2013 -- Unknown assailants opened fire on a team of polio workers in the Badbher area of north western city of Peshawar, leaving two women dead.
Bomb blast in NW Pakistan kills peace committee leaders’ son IRNA 28 May 2013 -- A bomb blast took place in Pakistan’s north western Swat district killed son of a peace committee member.

Defense Policy / Programs

Background Briefing on Secretary of Defense Hagel's Upcoming Trip to Shangri-La Dialogue from the Pentagon Briefing Room DoD 28 May 2013
Statement by NSC Spokesperson Caitlin Hayden on the National Security Advisor’s Trip to China The White House 28 May 2013
In China, U.S. Official Promotes Military Ties RFE/RL 28 May 2013 -- The United States has called for deeper military relations with China that would "contribute to greater mutual confidence and understanding."
Top US official calls for deeper Sino-US military ties ahead of summit PressTV 28 May 2013 -- A top US national security official has called for deeper military ties with China in areas such as fighting piracy, disaster relief and peacekeeping.
Readout of Secretary Hagel and Deputy Secretary Carter’s Meeting with Tunisian Minister of Defense Rachid Sabbagh DoD 28 May 2013
F-35B celebrates 1 year at Eglin AFNS 28 May 2013 -- The Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron-501 celebrated the one-year anniversary of flying the F-35B Lightning II by continuing to train up the pilots and maintainers on the nation's newest fifth-generation fighter.
Camp Novo Selo welcomes new command Army News 28 May 2013 -- Responsibility for the Multinational Battle Group-East Forward Command Post transferred from 1-118th Infantry to 1-38th Cavalry.
JRD-East changes hands for KFOR mission Army News 28 May 2013 -- Joint Readiness Detachment-East changed hands from 1-8th Infantry to the 525th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade.
Task Force Medical transfers authority at Camp Bondsteel Army News 28 May 2013 -- Task Force Medical 16 transferred authority to Task Force Medical 17 at a ceremony held at Camp Bondsteel May 25.
U.S. Navy and Indonesian Navy Ships Get Underway for At Sea Phase of 19th CARAT Indonesia Exercise NNS 28 May 2013 -- Three U.S. Navy ships and two TNI-AL ships got underway to participate in the at sea phase of the CARAT Indonesia exercise.
MFE, MCSCG, Air Ground Integration conference takes off USMC News 28 May 2013 -- Marine Forces Europe launched the first ever Polish Air-Ground Integration conference.
Fading 14th MI Battalion trains other intelligence units Army News 28 May 2013 -- The 14th Military Intelligence Battalion has maintained a full schedule in helping to train other intelligence units over the last few months.
Proliferation Security Initiative 10th Anniversary High-Level Political Meeting Outcomes US Dept. of State 28 May 2013
U.S., EU Lead Global Nonproliferation, Biosurveillance Efforts AFPS 28 May 2013 -- As nuclear, biological and chemical threats continue to evolve worldwide, partnership between the United States and European Union countries to counter such threats remains critical.
Four-Star General in Eye of US Cyber Storm VOA 28 May 2013 -- Depending on your point of view, U.S. General Keith Alexander is either an Army four-star trying to stave off a cyber Pearl Harbor attack, or an overreaching spy chief.
FACT SHEET: United States Support for the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative The White House 28 May 2013
Army North's Task Force 51 tackles homeland mission from Fort Bliss, Fort Sam Houston Army News 28 May 2013 -- In any disaster, local first responders start the recovery process.
Corps of Engineers begins post-Sandy comprehensive study of North Atlantic coast Army News 28 May 2013 -- As directed by Congress, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers scientists and engineers launched a collaborative study on the North Atlantic coast.
New commander at 911th takes change Army News 28 May 2013 -- The 911th Technical Rescue Engineer Company has a new commanding officer.
Future Decision Makers Get 'Crash Course' on Unmanned Robotics NNS 28 May 2013 -- U.S. Naval War College students participated in a presentation and discussion of unmanned robotic systems with ReconRobotics, Inc. and Hydroid, Inc. at NWC in Newport, R.I., May 23.
F-15 crashes in Pacific, pilot safe AFNS 28 May 2013 -- Japan Air Self Defense Force rescue squadron crews safely recovered the pilot who ejected from a Kadena-based F-15 aircraft over the Pacific Ocean approximately 70 miles east of Okinawa at around 9 a.m. May 27.
US F-15 fighter jet crashes in waters off Japan PressTV 28 May 2013 -- An American F-15 fighter jet has crashed in waters off US-run Kadena Air Base on Okinawa Island in southern Japan due to a “technical malfunction.”
VR-62 'Nomads' Rescue Five Adrift Sailors NNS 28 May 2013 -- A crew from Fleet Logistics Support Squadron Six Two helped rescue a boat and five people who were adrift and lost at sea last week.

CSTO Holds Informal Summit RFE/RL 28 May 2013 -- An informal summit of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) has been held in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek.
Russia, NATO to Hold Joint Black Sea Drills RIA Novosti 28 May 2013 -- Russia and NATO will conduct a joint naval exercise in the Black Sea this coming fall, Russia’s envoy to NATO said.
Russian Warplanes Go on 24-Hour Duty in Snap Alert Drill RIA Novosti 28 May 2013 -- MiG-31 Foxhound interceptors are going on round-the-clock duty in northern Russia as part of a snap combat readiness check of the nation's aerospace defense capabilities.
Russian Military Helicopter Crash Kills One RFE/RL 28 May 2013 -- Russia's Defense Ministry says that a military helicopter has crashed during a training mission.

£600 million Royal Navy contract secures more than 500 jobs UK MOD 28 May 2013 -- The contract to maintain the eyes and ears of the Navy's ships and submarines will sustain 530 defence jobs across the UK.
New bespoke kit for military aircrews UK MOD 28 May 2013 -- Military aircrews are set to benefit from new personal equipment designed specifically to meet their flying needs.

Computerized war games to be staged annually: Taiwan CNA 28 May 2013 -- Computerized war games will continue to be held every year to strengthen inter-agency communication and coordination, the National Security Council said.
President Ma takes part in computerized war games CNA 28 May 2013 -- President Ma participated in a virtual military exercise that simulated conflicts in the East and South China Seas.
6 female soldiers to serve on South China Sea islands CNA 28 May 2013 -- Six female volunteer soldiers are to be posted on remote Taiwan-controlled islands in the South China Sea, the Coast Guard Administration said.

Iran assumes presidency of UN Disarmament Conference IRNA 28 May 2013 -- The Islamic Republic of Iran has undertaken presidency of the UN Conference on Disarmament.
Iran Army to install reactive armor on all armored vehicles PressTV 28 May 2013 -- The Iranian Army says it plans to equip all its armored vehicles with reactive armor to reduce damage from anti-tank missiles.

U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing, May 28, 2013 US Dept. of State 28 May 2013

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for May 28, 2013

Other Conflicts

Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, 28 May 2013 United Nations 28 May 2013
Successful peacekeeping operations require forward planning, strategic focus – UN official UN News Centre 28 May 2013 -- Getting operations up and running is a joint venture that takes many months and involves several actors.

Obstacles Hinder International Peace Conference on Syria VOA 28 May 2013 -- The US and Russia are trying to arrange a conference to bring about a political settlement.
Syria Crisis Deepens With Arms Race, Assad Gains VOA 28 May 2013 -- It has been a tough couple of days for the Syria conflict.
Russia Says Missile System for Syria Will Deter Foreign Attacks VOA 28 May 2013 -- A senior Russian diplomat says Moscow plans to provide advanced air defenses to Damascus to deter foreign military action against Syria's pro-Russian government.
Missile Delivery Prevents Foreign Meddling in Syria – Russia RIA Novosti 28 May 2013 -- Russia’s delivery of S-300 air defense systems to Syria is a restraining factor against possible foreign interference in the Syrian conflict.
S-300 missiles stabilizing factor in Syria: Russia PressTV 28 May 2013 -- Russia has defended its decision to supply Syria with sophisticated S-300 anti-aircraft missiles, saying the system will help deter foreign intervention in the Arab country.
Russia Criticizes EU for Dropping Syrian Rebel Arms Ban VOA 28 May 2013 -- Russia has criticized the European Union's decision to amend its arms embargo on Syria, saying the move will hurt efforts to hold a peace conference aimed at ending the country's violence.
Russia 'Disappointed' By EU's Move To Lift Syria Arms Embargo RFE/RL 28 May 2013 -- Russia says the lifting of a European Union arms embargo on Syria will "directly harm" the prospects of holding a peace conference.
Moscow Slams EU Move to Lift Syria Arms Ban RIA Novosti 28 May 2013 -- The European Union’s decision to end the embargo on arms supplies to the Syrian opposition is illegitimate and at odds with the norms of international law.
Russia slams EU's lifting of arms ban on Syria militants PressTV 28 May 2013 -- Russia says that the European Union’s decision to lift a ban on arming the militants in Syria “directly harms” the prospects of a forthcoming peace conference in Geneva.
Scrapped Syrian Arms Ban May Draw Terrorism to EU - Iran RIA Novosti 28 May 2013 -- The European Union’s failure to extend the arms embargo on Syria has brought the threat of terrorism from Syria to the borders of the EU.
EU Ends Embargo On Arms To Syria Rebels RFE/RL 28 May 2013 -- The European Union is ending its embargo on supplying arms to Syria’s rebels.
Lavrov Says Syria Peace Talks A 'Tall Order' RFE/RL 28 May 2013 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says arranging a Syria peace conference has been a "tall order."
Syria: UN delivers essential aid to civilians affected by recent fighting near Homs UN News Centre 28 May 2013 -- The United Nations refugee agency said it has delivered aid for thousands of people in an embattled suburb of Homs, Syria.
Russian Jet Evacuates Some 130 People from Syria RIA Novosti 28 May 2013 -- A Russian government plane left Syria with some 130 people from Russia and other former Soviet republics who decided to leave the country amid the ongoing conflict.

Fears Rise in Lebanon of Syrian War Spillover VOA 28 May 2013 -- Clashes on both sides of the Syrian-Lebanese border have raised fears Syria's civil war may be spreading into Lebanon.
Militants give Hezbollah 24-hour deadline to stop assisting Syria army PressTV 28 May 2013 -- Militants fighting the Syrian government have given the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah 24 hours to stop fighting alongside the Syrian army.
Hezbollah condemns recent rocket attacks on Beirut PressTV 28 May 2013 -- The Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah has condemned the recent rocket attacks on the capital, Beirut, carried out by ‘coward’ perpetrators.
Three injured in Lebanon’s Hermel rocket attack PressTV 28 May 2013 -- At least three people have been injured after two rockets reportedly fired from the Syrian side of the border landed in the eastern Lebanese town of Hermel.
Lebanon determined to defend sovereignty: Caretaker Premier Miqati PressTV 28 May 2013 -- Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati says the recent attack on three soldiers near the Syrian border will not prevent Lebanon from defending its sovereignty.

Study: Small Senegal Minority Supports Mali Jihadists VOA 28 May 2013 -- Researchers in Senegal say a small minority of Senegalese support last year's takeover of northern Mali by al-Qaida-linked jihadist groups.
Mali Presidential Vote Set for July 28 VOA 28 May 2013 -- Mali will hold a presidential election on July 28, as the West African country tries to recover from its ongoing political crisis.
Severe Water Shortage Hits Malian City of Gao VOA 28 May 2013 -- The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs warns that inhabitants of Gao in eastern Mali are suffering from a severe water shortage.
UN warns of acute humanitarian needs in eastern Mali UN News Centre 28 May 2013 -- The United Nations relief wing today warned of severe humanitarian needs in Gao in eastern Mali, including the need to rehabilitate the water supply and increase food assistance.

Suspected US Drone Crashes in Southern Somalia VOA 28 May 2013 -- A suspected U.S. drone has crashed in southern Somalia.
Bickering Continues Over Who Controls Somali Port City VOA 28 May 2013 -- Today al-Shabab militants are nowhere to be seen in the Somali port city of Kismayo, which was once their financial hub and their last major stronghold in Somalia.

Sudan Stalling on Abyei, South Sudan Official says VOA 28 May 2013 -- A South Sudanese official Tuesday said Sudan is dragging its heels on implementing agreements the two countries reached last year, especially on issues related to disputed border areas, including Abyei.
Bashir Could Again Stop South Sudans' Oil Flow VOA 28 May 2013 -- South Sudan is urging Sudan to use dialogue instead of action amid new threats from Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir to cut the south's access to his country's oil pipelines and port.
UN peacekeepers cannot protect civilians in South Sudan: UN envoy PressTV 28 May 2013 -- Due to lack of troops and aircraft, the United Nations peacekeepers in South Sudan are not able to protect civilians affected by fighting in the east of the country.

M23 Rebels in DRC Say They Can Hit Goma Airport VOA 28 May 2013 -- The rebel group M23 in the Democratic Republic of Congo has repeated its call for a ceasefire after last week’s fighting outside the city of Goma.
Senior UN humanitarian official urges end to ‘horrors’ in eastern DR Congo UN News Centre 28 May 2013 -- A senior United Nations relief official touring the region called for an end to the fighting.
Hidat Teklom: Expanding civilian protection capacity with ‘flying cameras’ UN News Centre 28 May 2013 -- The United Nations starts to make use of unmanned aerial vehicles in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo this summer.

France Calls for Action Against Islamists in Southern Libya VOA 28 May 2013 -- France urged African nations on Tuesday to make a concerted effort to tackle a growing Islamist threat in the deserts of southern Libya.

Burma Resumes Peace Talks with Kachin Rebels VOA 28 May 2013 -- Burma's government has started a new round of talks with ethnic Kachin rebels who are fighting for greater autonomy and political rights in their resource-rich northern region bordering China.

Iraqi leaders must immediately stop violence UN News Centre 28 May 2013 -- The top United Nations official in Iraq urged the country’s leaders to stop the bloodshed.
18 killed, 37 injured in fresh Iraq attacks PressTV 28 May 2013 -- At least 18 people have been killed and 37 others injured in a series of bombings and shootings across Iraq.
More Deadly Attacks Hit Baghdad Area RFE/RL 28 May 2013 -- At least seven people have been reported killed in fresh attacks in Iraq, a day after a wave of violence left scores dead.

Philippines acknowledges shooting location in dispute CNA 28 May 2013 -- The Philippine Coast Guard on acknowledged that there is some dispute over the location of a fatal shooting incident at sea.

Social, economic situation of Palestine refugee Bedouins is ‘nonviable,’ UN reports UN News Centre 28 May 2013 -- The transfer of Palestine Bedouin families to an urban location has deprived them of social cohesion and is destroying their traditional economic base.

Kadyrov Says Dream Is To Eliminate Insurgency Leader RFE/RL 28 May 2013 -- The Kremlin-backed leader of Russia's republic of Chechnya has said his dream is to eliminate Islamic insurgent leader Doku Umarov.

Georgia Angry Over Russian Installation Of Fence Along South Ossetian Territory RFE/RL 28 May 2013 -- Georgia's foreign minister has expressed concern over the installation by Russian troops of barbed-wire fencing along the administrative boundary of South Ossetia.

News Reports

Remarks to the Press by Vice President Joe Biden in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago The White House 28 May 2013

Iran's Presidential Candidates Clash Over Nuclear Approach VOA 28 May 2013 -- A former Iranian nuclear negotiator running for president used his first television appearance of the campaign to reject accusations.
No reformist alliance envisaged: Aref PressTV 28 May 2013 -- Iranian reformist presidential candidate Mohammad Reza Aref has dismissed rumors about having met with his reformist rival, Hassan Rohani, in order to forge an alliance.
Over 50 million Iranians eligible to vote: Interior Minister PressTV 28 May 2013 -- Iran's Interior Minister Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar says that nearly 50.5 million Iranians are eligible to vote in the upcoming presidential election.

Noth Korea Invites South's Businesses for Talks on Kaesong VOA 28 May 2013 -- North Korea says it is willing to hold talks with South Korean business owners on re-opening a joint industrial complex.
CPRK Spokesman Urges S. Korean Authorities to Face Up to Trend of Times KCNA 28 May 2013 -- The south Korean authorities in a statement of the Ministry of Unification and press briefing totally declined the DPRK's offer for a joint event to mark June 15.
Laos Deports 9 North Korean Defectors to China VOA 28 May 2013 -- Laos has sent back to China nine North Koreans who fled their impoverished homeland.

Gunmen kill Shia lawyer, sons in Pakistan PressTV 28 May 2013 -- Gunmen in the Pakistani port city of Karachi have shot dead a Shia Muslim lawyer of the High Court of Sindh and his two sons.
Pakistan's New Government Plans $5 Billion Debt Issue VOA 28 May 2013 -- Pakistan's new government plans to sell $5 billion in treasury bills to pay off a chain of debt choking the country's power sector and its economy.

Burma's '2 Child Policy' for Muslims Criticized as Discriminatory VOA 28 May 2013 -- Rights activists are calling for Burma to end a two-child policy imposed on the Muslim minority Rohingya people to control their population growth in western Rakhine state.

Libya's Congress Chief Steps Down Over Former Role VOA 28 May 2013 -- The head of Libya's national assembly said he was stepping down.

African Neighbors to Help Fund Zimbabwe Vote VOA 28 May 2013 -- Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe said regional leaders will hold a summit to discuss how to fund an election later this year.

Turkmenistan has long way to go in ensuring human rights, says UN official UN News Centre 28 May 2013 -- Despite some progress, Turkmenistan still has a long way to go in promoting human rights.

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