22 August 2013 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 22 Aug 2013 [PDF]

Fighting Insurgency: Fox Company 2/2 remains vital to protecting coalition bases in Helmand USMC News 22 Aug 2013 -- Fox Company has become strategically important to Regional Command (Southwest).
US drone raid kills 5 in northeast Afghanistan PressTV 22 Aug 2013 -- At least five people have been killed in an drone attack carried out by US forces in Afghanistan’s northeastern province of Kunar.
Low-altitude drops cut costs, keep Soldiers safe Army News 22 Aug 2013 -- Since late May, planes have been delivering all kinds of supplies to the base in order to cut costs and keep ground-based convoys off the road and out of harm's way.
Cottonbalers, Mustangs team up to protect Soldiers with unmanned aerial systems Army News 22 Aug 2013 -- During a recent PUMA UAS surveillance mission 6-8th Cavalry personnel, identified enemy personnel preparing an indirect fire attack.
Afghans Testify At Bales Sentencing RFE/RL 22 Aug 2013 -- An Afghan man who lost 11 relatives in the massacre carried out by U.S. soldier Robert Bales has testified at Bales’ sentencing hearing at an American military base in the northwestern state of Washington.
10th Mountain Division Soldiers return home from Afghanistan Army News 22 Aug 2013 -- More than 100 Soldiers from 1st and 2nd Brigade Combat Team arrived at Fort Drum on Tuesday after a nine-month deployment to Afghanistan.

Roadside Bomb In Pakistan Kills Taliban Commander, Guards RFE/RL 22 Aug 2013 -- A senior Taliban commander and three bodyguards have been killed by a roadside bomb in a remote region of northwestern Pakistan.
Pakistani Government Calls On Militants To Disarm Before Talks RFE/RL 22 Aug 2013 -- The Pakistani government says Islamist militants must disarm before there can be any dialogue with Islamabad.

Defense Policy / Programs

Background Briefing En Route to Malaysia DoD 22 Aug 2013
Remarks by Secretary Hagel at a Troop Event at Marine Corps Base Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii DoD 22 Aug 2013
U.S. Military Will Remain Strong Despite Budget Cuts, Hagel Tells Hawaii Marines AFPS 22 Aug 2013 -- Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel assured Marines and sailors in Hawaii that despite deep budget and force cuts, the U.S. military will remain the world’s best.
U.S.-China panel will not discuss Taiwan arms sales: Pentagon CNA 22 Aug 2013 -- American and Chinese defense officials plan to set up a joint task force to deal with issues of mutual concern.
U.S. promises to continue arms sales to Taiwan: foreign ministry CNA 22 Aug 2013 -- The United States has reiterated that it will continue the sale of defensive arms to Taiwan.
Marines prepare for exercise KMEP 13-8 with bang USMC News 22 Aug 2013 -- Artillerymen with 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, fired preparation rounds at the Rodriguez Live-Fire Complex Aug. 16 prior to conducting bilateral training with Republic of Korea Marines.
US reluctant to redeploy Okinawa Marines PressTV 22 Aug 2013 -- US Congress is still concerned about the costs of moving American Marines off the Japanese island of Okinawa, said Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz .
Iconic B-52 Bomber Gets High-Tech Upgrade RIA Novosti 22 Aug 2013 -- The B-52 bomber, one of the most durable and iconic weapons in the US arsenal, is being upgraded with new high-tech equipment.
Fort Hood Shooting Case Goes to Jury VOA 22 Aug 2013 -- The jury is now deliberating in the trial of U.S. Army Major Nidal Hasan, accused of murdering 13 people in a shooting spree at Fort Hood, Texas in November 2009.
Boxer Amphibious Ready Group to Depart for Deployment NNS 22 Aug 2013 -- The Boxer Amphibious Ready Group is scheduled to depart Aug. 23 for a deployment to the 5th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility.
Bonhomme Richard Departs Sydney NNS 22 Aug 2013 -- The forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard departed Sydney Aug. 20 after a four-day port visit.
USS Denver Arrives in Darwin, Australia NNS 22 Aug 2013 -- Amphibious transport dock ship USS Denver, with the embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, arrived in Darwin, Australia, Aug. 22, following scheduled operations in the region.
U.S., South African militaries celebrate completion of successful bilateral exercise Army News 22 Aug 2013 -- The curtain came down Aug. 5, on Shared Accord 2013, a bilateral training exercise between the U.S. military and South African Defense Forces.
U.S. Army South and Salvadoran army wrap up 6th annual staff talks Army News 22 Aug 2013 -- End of the sixth annual army-to-army staff talks between the U.S. and Salvadoran armies in San Salvador, El Salvador, Aug. 14.
Marines take part in PANAMAX training exercise USMC News 22 Aug 2013 -- Marines are a force in readiness allowing them to respond to crises across the globe. This is made possible through constant training and positive relations with partner nations.
3rd Medical Battalion completes MEDEX 13-2 USMC News 22 Aug 2013 -- Marines and sailors with 3rd Medical Battalion completed Cambodia Medical Exercise 13-2 Aug. 17 in Takeo and Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Hammack addresses Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site issues Army News 22 Aug 2013 -- The Army was granted authority in 2007 to expand PCMS, but never acted on that authority.

India, Russia Discuss Submarine-Building RIA Novosti 22 Aug 2013 -- An Indian military delegation has arrived in St. Petersburg to discuss military-technical collaboration in submarine-building.
Russia's Defense Ministry 'Surprised' by Reports of Merger RIA Novosti 22 Aug 2013 -- Russia's Defense Ministry said it was “surprised” by media reports claiming it was planning to take control of the Emergencies Ministry.
Russia Denies Military Planes Violated Japanese Airspace RIA Novosti 22 Aug 2013 -- Russia denied that two Tupolev Tu-95 bombers violated Japanese airspace when carrying out routine flights earlier that day near Okinoshima Island.

Chang Wanquan: China will never barter away core interests People's Daily 22 Aug 2013 -- Chang Wanquan stated that it is hoped that the U.S.'s rebalancing strategy in the Asia-Pacific region is not directed against China.
Chang Wanquan: Hacker actions never supported by Chinese military People's Daily 22 Aug 2013 -- Chang Wanquan expressed China's stand on network security issues to stress that the Chinese military has never supported any hacker actions.
Fan Changlong: Combat effectiveness the sole criterion of military expenditure management People's Daily 22 Aug 2013 -- Fan Changlong stressed that combat effectiveness is the sole fundamental criterion of the management and use of military expenditure.

U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing, August 22, 2013 US Dept. of State 22 Aug 2013

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for August 22, 2013
Russia to Funnel $1Bln Into Helicopter-Making by 2020 RIA Novosti 22 Aug 2013 -- The Russian government will allocate about 36 billion rubles ($1.12 billion) for the development of the civilian helicopter manufacturing industry up to 2020.

Other Conflicts

Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, 22 August 2013 United Nations 22 Aug 2013

Syria Attack Compared To Chemical Use in Iraq VOA 22 Aug 2013 -- Syrian opposition leaders are saying the attack this week killed hundreds and involved Sarin gas, a banned chemical warfare nerve agent.
UN: Chemical Weapons in Syria Would be 'Crime Against Humanity' VOA 22 Aug 2013 -- U.N. Secretary-General Ban says any use of chemical weapons in Syria would amount to a "crime against humanity" that would result in "serious consequences."
France: World Must Respond if Syria Used Chemical Weapons VOA 22 Aug 2013 -- France says the international community must respond with force if opposition allegations that Syrian forces used chemical weapons in an attack near Damascus prove true.
Syria: Ban sending official request to allow UN probe of alleged chemical weapons use UN News Centre 22 Aug 2013 -- Secretary-General Ban is asking the Syrian Government to allow a team of United Nations experts to investigate the latest allegations regarding the use of chemical weapons.
UN Demands Access to Syria Attack Site VOA 22 Aug 2013 -- The United Nations secretary-general says the U.N. chemical weapons inspection team that is in Syria must be allowed to quickly visit the site of Wednesday’s alleged poison gas attack.
UN Council Seeks 'Clarity' On Syria Incident RFE/RL 22 Aug 2013 -- The United Nations Security Council has called for clarification concerning an alleged chemical weapons attack in Syria.
Security Council Seeks Clarity on Syrian Chemical Attack Claim RIA Novosti 22 Aug 2013 -- The United Nations Security Council is concerned by the Syrian opposition’s recent claim of a chemical attack and is set to closely follow the situation.
UN Chief Requests Swift Probe Into Alleged Syrian Chemical Attack RFE/RL 22 Aug 2013 -- UN Secretary-General Ban has called on the Syrian government to allow UN weapons inspectors to investigate latest alleged chemical-weapons attack in the country's civil war.
Russia Says Syria Chemical Attack Claims May Target Peace Talks RIA Novosti 22 Aug 2013 -- Reports alleging the use of chemical weapons in Syria may be aimed at disrupting the preparation of an international conference on Syria in Geneva.
War Within A War: Kurds, Arabs Battle In Northern Syria RFE/RL 22 Aug 2013 -- Islamist and Kurdish militias are fighting a war within a war in Syria that is not just creating tens of thousands of new refugees.

UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon condemns reported rocket fire into Israel, initiates probe UN News Centre 22 Aug 2013 -- The United Nations peacekeeping force monitoring the Israeli-Lebanese border has sent a helicopter to investigate reports of rockets launched into Israel.
Israel settlement expansion threaten to hinder talks: PLO PressTV 22 Aug 2013 -- A senior Palestinians legislator has warned that the Israeli regime’s expansion of its illegal settlements in the occupied territories threatens to torpedo the US-mediated talks between the two sides.

Turkey's Peace Talks With PKK Begin to Falter VOA 22 Aug 2013 -- Before mass protests in June, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was working to end Turkey's biggest problem: the country's Kurdish conflict.

Fighting Resumes Outside Goma in DRC VOA 22 Aug 2013 -- After a three-week lull, heavy fighting has resumed outside Goma in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Troops, M23 Clash in DRC VOA 22 Aug 2013 -- Fresh clashes have erupted between and army and M23 rebels in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, following a three-week lull in hostilities.
DR Congo: UN peacekeepers ready to protect civilians as clashes continue in North Kivu UN News Centre 22 Aug 2013 -- The head of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in DRC has ordered peacekeepers to take necessary action to protect civilians.

Mali's President-elect Faces Hefty Challenges VOA 22 Aug 2013 -- Mali's president-elect Ibrahim Boubacar Keita says he will reconcile, reunite and rebuild the country after 18 months of crisis and conflict.
Ban pledges UN support to Malian President-elect’s efforts to advance peace, stability UN News Centre 22 Aug 2013 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban has spoken for the first time with Mali’s President-elect, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita.

4 civilians, 10 soldiers killed in bomb blast in central Iraq PressTV 22 Aug 2013 -- At least four civilians and ten soldiers have been killed after a bomb blast rocked the central Iraqi city of Ramadi.

Pakistan: More Soldiers Killed by Indian Fire in Kashmir VOA 22 Aug 2013 -- Pakistan has summoned India’s top diplomat to protest the killing of two of its soldiers in what Islamabad condemned as “continued unprovoked” Indian fire along the disputed Kashmir border.
2 women injured as Pak troops fire at Indian posts in Poonch sector IRNA 22 Aug 2013 -- Two women were injured in indiscriminate firing by Pakistani troops in Kerni area along the Line of Control in Poonch sector in fresh ceasefire violations, drawing retaliation from Indian troops.
Pakistan summons Indian diplomat over soldier’s killing IRNA 22 Aug 2013 -- Pakistan summoned a senior Indian diplomat and a protest was lodged over the killing of an army captain in firing by Indian troops.
Pakistani parliament condemns Indian shelling IRNA 22 Aug 2013 -- Pakistani parliament on Thursday passed a unanimous resolution, condemning the recent firing by Indian forces and killing an army captain.
Pakistan Accuses India Of Another Deadly Border Attack RFE/RL 22 Aug 2013 -- Pakistan's military has blamed Indian troops for killing a Pakistani soldier in the second such incident this week along their disputed border in Kashmir.

Yemen apologizes to separatists for civil war in bid to kick-start talks PressTV 22 Aug 2013 -- Yemen has apologized to the country's separatists for a war launched against them nearly two decades ago.

International community must help Colombia recover from decades of conflict – UN official UN News Centre 22 Aug 2013 -- A senior United Nations official urged providing continued support to ensure the Latin American country fully recovers from decades of conflict.

News Reports

Does Egypt Chaos Signal Death Of Arab Spring? RFE/RL 22 Aug 2013 -- A year ago, Egyptians were voting in their country's first free presidential election.

Egypt Grapples with Mubarak's Release From Jail VOA 22 Aug 2013 -- As a helicopter ferried ex-president Hosni Mubarak from prison to house arrest on Thursday, the case has raised questions whether Egypt is headed forward - or back to its past.
Mubarak Moved to House Arrest VOA 22 Aug 2013 -- Former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak has been released from prison Thursday, adding another potentially complicating element to the country's ongoing turmoil.
Mubarak Released From Prison, Transferred To Hospital RFE/RL 22 Aug 2013 -- Egypt's former ruler Hosni Mubarak has been released from prison and transferred to a Cairo military hospital.
Egypt's Mubarak flown out of prison: Interior Ministry PressTV 22 Aug 2013 -- Egypt's Interior Ministry says former dictator Hosni Mubarak has been flown out of Cairo's Tora Prison by a military helicopter to a military hospital in the capital.
Mubarak to Be Released, Placed Under House Arrest RIA Novosti 22 Aug 2013 -- Egypt’s ex-president Hosni Mubarak, who is to be released from prison within the next 48 hours, will be placed under house arrest, the Ahram Online news website said on Wednesday.
Turkey rejects US criticism of Erdogan's anti-Israel position PressTV 22 Aug 2013 -- Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has expressed anger over the United States’ criticism of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
‘Egyptian forces arrest 75 MB members’ PressTV 22 Aug 2013 -- Egyptian security forces have arrested 75 senior members of the Muslim Brotherhood amid simmering tensions in the North African country, says the Egyptian interior minister.
Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood spokesman arrested PressTV 22 Aug 2013 -- Egypt’s security forces have arrested Muslim Brotherhood spokesman Ahmed Aref in the capital, Cairo.

Bo Xilai's Wife Testifies as China Trial Continues VOA 22 Aug 2013 -- A Chinese court trying former Communist Party politician Bo Xilai has released video testimony of his wife in an attempt to bolster the claim that he knowingly accepted bribes.
China’s Bo Xilai Denies Taking Bribes VOA 22 Aug 2013 -- The trial of fallen political star Bo Xilai has begun in the eastern Chinese coastal city of Jinan - one of China’s biggest political cases in decades.
New study reveals corruption pattern People's Daily 22 Aug 2013 -- Many fallen officials had occupied high-level posts, report Tang Yue, Zhang Yuchen and Wu Wencong.

UK seeking renewed ban on Iran’s Bank Mellat PressTV 22 Aug 2013 -- The British government is seeking to renew sanctions against Iran's Bank Mellat regardless of a court ruling branding the ban as unlawful.

North, South Korea Finalize Talks on Family Reunions VOA 22 Aug 2013 -- North and South Korea have finalized an agreement to hold talks on reuniting families separated by the Korean War.
Rodong Sinmun Calls for North-South Dialogue, Cooperation KCNA 22 Aug 2013 -- Dialogue and cooperation between the north and south of Korea is an important work to be thoroughly pushed forward.

Voting Under Way In Pakistan By-Elections Amid Tight Security RFE/RL 22 Aug 2013 -- Pakistanis are voting for more than 40 seats of the federal and provincial legislatures amid tight security.

Burma Disputes Allegation of Attack on UN Envoy VOA 22 Aug 2013 -- Burma is disputing allegations that it failed to protect a U.N. envoy during his 10-day visit to the country this month.
Myanmar: UN expert urges reconciliation, curbing spread of religious hatred UN News Centre 22 Aug 2013 -- A United Nations independent expert urged greater inclusion of women and other minority voices in the peace efforts in Myanmar.

Is Mugabe an Entrenched Leader or a Changed Man? VOA 22 Aug 2013 -- Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe has been sworn in after another election that critics and observers say was marred.
Mugabe Takes Oath as Zimbabwe Inauguration Proceeds VOA 22 Aug 2013 -- Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe has taken the oath of office again, weeks after a poll that was widely criticized and even challenged in court.
Robert Mugabe sworn in as Zimbabwe president PressTV 22 Aug 2013 -- Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has taken the oath of office in a ceremony attended by thousands of his supporters at a sports stadium in the capital Harare.

Cambodia Urges Closer ASEAN Ties With China VOA 22 Aug 2013 -- Cambodia's foreign minister says a special meeting between ASEAN ministers and China is "crucial," following meetings with his Chinese counterpart this week.

Official: 22 Russian NGOs Recognized as 'Foreign Agents' VOA 22 Aug 2013 -- A top Russian official says 22 non-governmental organizations have been labeled "foreign agents."

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