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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 27 Mar 2014 [PDF]
• US 7th Fleet Adds Second P-8 Poseidon to MH370 Search NNS 27 Mar 2014 -- In an effort to pinpoint the exact location Malaysian Air MH370 landed in the Indian Ocean, U.S. 7th Fleet is sending a second P-8 Poseidon Patrol aircraft to Perth, Australia to aid in the search efforts.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Statement by the President on the Section 215 Bulk Metadata Program The White House 27 Mar 2014
• FACT SHEET: The Administration's Proposal for Ending the Section 215 Bulk Telephony Metadata Program The White House 27 Mar 2014
• Background Conference Call on the Bulk Telephone Metadata Program The White House 27 Mar 2014
• Snowden: Spying reforms a 'turning point' Iran Press TV 27 Mar 2014 -- Edward Snowden, the former NSA employee-turned-whistleblower has called the proposed reforms on US spying programs as a "turning point".
• Obama calls for reform to NSA Iran Press TV 27 Mar 2014 -- US President Barack Obama has called on Congress to quickly reform the National Security Agency's controversial spying program, a senior official said.
• Obama Unveils Plan to End Bulk Phone Data Collection VOA 27 Mar 2014 -- U.S. President Barack Obama has put forward his plan to end the government's massive collection and storage of phone data, a practice that has drawn criticism in the United States and abroad.
• Defense Department Press Briefing by Senior Air Force Officials on Results of the AFGSC Commander Directed Investigation into Allegations of Compromised Test Materials, and an Update on the Force Improvement Program in the Pentagon Briefing Room DoD 27 Mar 2014 -- Presenters: Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James and Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) Commander Lt. Gen. Stephen Wilsone
• Air Force Relieves, Disciplines Officers in Cheating Scandal AFPS 27 Mar 2014 -- The Air Force has relieved nine officers, allowed a commander to retire and will discipline 91 others as a result of a cheating scandal among intercontinental ballistic missile launch officers at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont.
• Top Commanders Take Fall for Cheating at US Nuclear Base VOA 27 Mar 2014 -- Nine top officers at one of the premier nuclear missile bases in the United States are being stripped of their duties while another has resigned, as the result of a cheating scandal regarding training tests.
• Department of Defense Press briefing by Rear Adm. Kirby in the Pentagon Briefing Room DoD 27 Mar 2014 -- Presenter: Press Secretary Rear Admiral John Kirby
• Alaska National Guard participates in statewide disaster exercise AFNS 27 Mar 2014 -- Approximately 1,150 Air and Army National Guardsmen from Alaska, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Arizona, California, Nevada, Idaho, Minnesota, North Dakota and Utah are set to participate in exercise Alaska Shield 2014 across the state, March 27 through April 2.
• Air Force officials take tactical aviation strategy to Capitol Hill AFNS 27 Mar 2014 -- Air Force officials said on Capitol Hill during a hearing March 26 that while the Bipartisan Budget Act has provided greater stability for technology and acquisition, "hard choices" must continue to maintain current readiness and prime the force over the next 10-15 years.
• Air Force officials stress balance in face of budget constraints AFNS 27 Mar 2014 -- While testifying on Capitol Hill March 25, DoD's top personnel leaders all agreed that in light of likely future budget reductions, slowing compensation and benefits growth is a difficult but necessary step to balance the rising cost of personnel with readiness and modernization requirements.
• Air Force looks to cost-effective technologies to sustain future operations AFNS 27 Mar 2014 -- Focused and balanced investments in science and technology programs across the services were at the center of discussions during a hearing before the House Armed Services Committee's subcommittee on Intelligence, Emerging Threat and Capabilities on Capitol Hill, March 26.
• DARPA's Role to 'Change What's Possible,' Director Says AFPS 27 Mar 2014 -- As part of the Defense Department's science and technology community, the role of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is to change what's possible, the DARPA director said yesterday.
• Naval Forces More Critical Than Ever, Navy Secretary Says AFPS 27 Mar 2014 -- The ever-changing global security environment makes the worldwide presence of naval assets more important than ever, Navy Secretary Ray Mabus told the Senate Armed Services Committee today.
• Fiscal Uncertainty 'Troubling' to Maritime Service Chiefs AFPS 27 Mar 2014 -- Budget challenges and the prospect of continued fiscal uncertainty are troubling and could threaten capacity and capabilities, the Navy and Marine Corps service chiefs told Congress today.
• Obama defends US invasion of Iraq IRNA 27 Mar 2014 -- In an effort to muster Washington's European allies in an "isolation" and sanctions campaign against Russia, US President Barack Obama has defended the US invasion of Iraq in 2003.
• A force of one: LAV-ATs test modernization upgrades USMC News 27 Mar 2014 -- Marine Corps Light Armored Vehicle Anti-Tank prototypes are in the midst of developmental tests of upgrades that could extend their lives for decades to come. The modernization program is taking shape at various sites throughout the country.
• Navy's Most Advanced Command and Control Aircraft Joins the Fleet NNS 27 Mar 2014 -- The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye officially became ready for tasking with Airborne Early Warning Squadron 125 (VAW-125) during a ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk Chambers Field, March 27.
• First Tests at New Submarine Cable Test Site Completed NNS 27 Mar 2014 -- Engineers from the Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division - Ship System Engineering Station completed the first submarine communications cable test at the newly constructed Tow Cable Test Site (TCTS), Naval Sea Systems Command announced March 27.
• USS Gettysburg Wins 2013 Battle 'E' NNS 27 Mar 2014 -- Guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG 64) was awarded the 2013 calendar year Battle Effectiveness Award by Commander, Naval Surface Forces Atlantic, March 21.
• Air Force Chief: Budget Cuts Affect Combatant Commands AFPS 27 Mar 2014 -- Painful budget reductions will reduce the future capabilities of combatant commanders, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III told Congress here yesterday.
• Fiscal Uncertainty Affects DOD Science, Technology AFPS 27 Mar 2014 -- The 100,000 personnel that make up the Defense Department's science and technology workforce have made remarkable achievements in the past, but that workforce is now showing the early signs of stress, the department's chief technology officer said yesterday.
• Welsh Discusses Air Force Capabilities, Missions AFPS 27 Mar 2014 -- The core missions of the Air Force have not changed since the service was established in 1947, but how airmen perform those missions has and will continue to change, the Air Force chief of staff said today.
• ICEX 2014: Navigating the World's Last Frontier NNS 27 Mar 2014 -- The Navy's top admiral, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert, spent time last weekend at the Navy's Arctic Ice Camp and embarked aboard the USS New Mexico (SSN 779) as it participated in Ice Exercise 2014 (ICEX) with USS Hampton (SSN 767) beneath the Arctic Ocean.
• USS Curtis Wilbur Torpedoes Multi-Sail 2014 NNS 27 Mar 2014 -- Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) launched a MK46 exercise torpedo (EXTORP) March 22, during a live-fire anti-submarine warfare event as part of Multi-Sail 2014.
• USS Lassen Tests Teamwork during Multi-Sail 2014 NNS 27 Mar 2014 -- The acrid smell of smoke and gunpowder lingers in the air. Overhead, a propeller plane circles in slow arcs. The air is filled with the wash of rotor blades as helicopters cruise past ships. The helicopter crew looks down and sees rows of warships, advancing across the blue Pacific waters. Sailors move quickly on deck, hurrying to accomplish their next task.
• NCTAMS LANT Announces Completion of Successful Cyber Security Inspection NNS 27 Mar 2014 -- Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station Atlantic (NCTAMS LANT) announced March 27 that it successfully completed its cyber security inspection (CSI) last month, receiving one of the highest CSI scores to date.
• Initial phase of Joint STARS effort begins AFNS 27 Mar 2014 -- The Air Force's Joint STARS recapitalization effort is taking off as a Hanscom Air Force Base-led team moves toward replacing the aging fleet and beefing up its ability to detect threats, process data and distribute information.
• US, South Korea launching massive war games Iran Press TV 27 Mar 2014 -- South Korea and the United States are staging a 12-day military drill amid rising tensions on the troubled Korean Peninsula.
• Multi-million-pound investment in Royal Navy missiles UK MOD 27 Mar 2014 -- The Royal Navy will benefit from advanced new anti-ship missiles thanks to a £500 million joint investment by the UK and French governments.
• U.S.-Russian Helicopter Deal In Spotlight After Crimean Annexation RFE/RL 27 Mar 2014 -- Pressure is mounting in Washington to axe a $550 million contract with a Russian state arms dealer for military helicopters after Moscow's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea territory.
• Inspection of Ukrainian Ships Entering Russia's Black Sea Fleet To Be Done by Year's End RIA Novosti 27 Mar 2014 -- Technical inspections of Ukraine's naval vessels entering Russia's Black Sea Fleet could be complete by the end of 2014, a source in the Black Sea Fleet Headquarters said on Thursday.
• Over 30 Ukrainian Ships To Enter Russian Navy Service after Inspection – Source RIA Novosti 27 Mar 2014 -- More than 30 warships and support vessels formerly in the Ukrainian navy could enter into Russia's Black Sea Fleet by the end of the year, but only after they pass inspections, a source in the fleet's headquarters said Thursday.
• N Korea stages drills with mock S Korea targets VoR 27 Mar 2014 -- Korean soldiers participate in the South Korea-US 'Key Resolve and Foal Eagle' annual joint military exercises at the Mugeon-ri drill field on Paju, S. Korea
• The world needs a new nuclear security system People's Daily 27 Mar 2014 -- The 3rd Nuclear Security Summit (NSS) was held in The Hague from March 24 to 25, 2014, with the participation of leaders from more than 50 countries and international organizations. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte presided over the summit. Chinese President Xi Jinping was invited to deliver a keynote opening speech.
• March 27, 2014 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 27 Mar 2014

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for March 27, 2014

Other Conflicts

• 27 March 2014 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 27 Mar 2014
• Syria rid of over half of chemical arms: OPCW Iran Press TV 27 Mar 2014 -- The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has confirmed that over half of Syria's chemical arms arsenal has been either destroyed or shipped out of the country.
• Syria army continues mop-up operations against militants Iran Press TV 27 Mar 2014 -- The Syrian army continues mop-up operations against foreign-backed militants across the country.
• Leaked: Turkey officials discuss military strike on Syria Iran Press TV 27 Mar 2014 -- A new audio recording has emerged online, playing a discussion by top Turkish officials of possible military operations in Syria.
• Turkey Warns of Syrian Intervention to Protect Ancient Tomb VOA 27 Mar 2014 -- Turkey has warned it will take any necessary steps to protect the Suleyman Shah tomb in Syria if it comes under attack. The tomb, which is protected by Turkish soldiers, is located in the city of Aleppo in Syria near the Turkish border and Ankara considers it to be Turkish territory.
• Half of Syrian chemical weapons removed - watchdog VoR 27 Mar 2014 -- The world's chemical weapons watchdog says more than 49 percent of the raw materials for Syria's poison gas and nerve agent program scheduled for destruction have been shipped overseas, with the rest expected to leave by the end of April. The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons said in a report to the United Nations that the total percentage of chemicals either removed or already destroyed inside the war-torn country is 53.6 percent.
• Philippines, MILF Rebels Sign Historic Peace Deal VOA 27 Mar 2014 -- The Philippine government and the country's largest Muslim rebel group have signed a historic peace deal to formally end decades of fighting that has left over 120,000 people dead.
• Philippines signs long-awaited peace deal with rebels Iran Press TV 27 Mar 2014 -- The Philippine government and the country's largest Muslim group have signed a landmark peace deal after 17 years of negotiations.
• Darfur: UN-AU officials voice concern at escalating violence, constraints on aid delivery UN News Centre 27 Mar 2014 -- United Nations and African Union officials today voiced deep concern at increasing violence affecting civilians in Sudan's Darfur region and the growing constraints on the international community's ability to help those affected.
• UN rights council approves inquiry into alleged abuses in Sri Lanka war UN News Centre 27 Mar 2014 -- The United Nations Human Rights Council today voted to open an international inquiry into alleged war crimes committed by both the Sri Lankan Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the final stages of a decades-long conflict that ended in 2009.
• Impartial justice key to reconciliation in Côte d'Ivoire ahead of polls - UN expert UN News Centre 27 Mar 2014 -- The United Nations independent expert tasked with assessing the human rights situation in Côte d'Ivoire, expressed concern over unresolved issues in the national reconciliation process as the country prepares for presidential elections next year, and stressed that "impartial justice for all" is the key to stability and recovery from the unrest after the disputed 2010 disputed.
• Recent crisis in Anbar most serious challenge to state-building in Iraq - UN envoy UN News Centre 27 Mar 2014 -- The crisis in Iraq's Anbar province, where three months of fighting has displaced over 66,000 families, poses the most serious challenge to the Government's efforts to maintain the stability and security needed to build a democratic State, a United Nations envoy told the Security Council today.
• 'Get a grip,' UN chief tells CAR leaders IRIN 27 Mar 2014 -- Amid an upsurge in attacks on African Union (AU) peacekeepers, the UN special representative in the Central African Republic (CAR) has called on the population and leaders to "get a grip" and not allow blind hatred to destroy the country.

News Reports

• Observers Say Partnership, Not Policy, Dominated Obama Speech RFE/RL 27 Mar 2014 -- U.S. President Barack Obama's high-profile speech on trans-Atlantic ties offered little new on the West's response to Russia's incursion into Ukraine but sent a strong signal of commitment to European partners in the standoff with Moscow, analysts said.
• Russia Reinforcing Units on Border with Ukraine AFPS 27 Mar 2014 -- Russia continues to reinforce units along the eastern and southern Ukraine border, Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby said during a news conference today.
• IMF Announces Staff Level Agreement with Ukraine on US$14-18 Billion Stand-By Arrangement IMF 27 Mar 2014 -- An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission worked in Kyiv during March 4-25, to assess the current economic situation and discuss the authorities' economic reform program that could be supported by the IMF. At the conclusion of the visit, Nikolay Gueorguiev, Mission Chief for Ukraine, issued the following statement today in Kyiv:
• Statement by the Press Secretary on Ukraine The White House 27 Mar 2014
• Backing Ukraine's territorial integrity, UN Assembly declares Crimea referendum invalid UN News Centre 27 Mar 2014 -- In a vote that reaffirmed Ukraine's unity and territorial integrity, the United Nations General Assembly today adopted a measure underscoring that the mid-March referendum in Crimea that led to the peninsula's annexation by Russia "has no validity" and that the parties should "pursue immediately a peaceful resolution of the situation."
• UN General Assembly Rejects Crimea Annexation VOA 27 Mar 2014 -- A majority of U.N. member states told Moscow Thursday that they will not recognize the annexation of Ukraine's Crimea region.
• US Congress Approves Ukraine Aid; Final Action Pending VOA 27 Mar 2014 -- The U.S. Congress has spoken loudly to condemn Russia's annexation of Crimea and underscore America's support for Ukraine. The House and Senate on Thursday passed similar bills providing aid to Ukraine and sanctioning Russia. Final congressional approval could come on Friday.
• Ukraine-Russia Tension Hampers Chernobyl Cleanup VOA 27 Mar 2014 -- The tensions between Russia and Ukraine have begun complicating the ongoing cleanup at the site of one of the world's worst nuclear disasters.
• Moscow opposes confrontational draft resolution on Ukraine VoR 27 Mar 2014 -- Moscow is opposed to Kiev's UN General Assembly draft resolution on Ukraine due to its confrontational character. Russia could not interfere with the realization of Crimean citizens' right to self-determination, Said Russia's ambassador to the United Nations, Vitaly Churkin.
• UN General Assembly didn't recognize Crimean referendum's results VoR 27 Mar 2014 -- The 193-nation UN General Assembly passed Thursday a resolution declaring invalid Crimea's referendum that led to the region's reunification with Russia. Moscow is opposed, Russia's ambassador to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin said earlier. 'The draft attempts to cast doubt on the significance of the referendum held in Crimea, which has already played a historical role. It is counter-productive to dispute this,' Churkin said. At the same time, the draft resolution has 'some right provisions,' he said.
• Yulia Timoshenko announces intention to run for Ukranian presidency VoR 27 Mar 2014 -- Yulia Tymoshenko, leader of the Batkivshchyna party and former prime minister of Ukraine, says she intends to run for Ukraine's presidency. 'Yes, I plan to run,' she told a press conference in Kiev on Thursday. Tymoshenko said she intends to ask to be nominated as a presidential candidate at the Batkivshchyna congress on March 29. Early presidential elections are scheduled in Ukraine on May 25.
• Ukraine on brink of economic bankruptcy - Acting PM Yatsenyuk VoR 27 Mar 2014 -- Ukraine is standing on the verge of the economic and financial bankruptcy, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, the acting prime minister of Ukraine, said at a parliamentary session on Thursday.
• Obama Condemns Russia, Hails IMF Loan to Ukraine VOA 27 Mar 2014 -- Hailing the U.S. partnership with Italy all of Europe as "cornerstone of our security, President Barack Obama hailed the transatlantic unity on the issue of Russia'sannexation of Crimea and welcomed the International Monetary Fund's assistance package for Ukraine.
• Obama: Freedom Will Triumph in Ukraine AFPS 27 Mar 2014 -- President Barack Obama appealed to logic and emotion to explain the American position on events in Ukraine and again laid out the case for Russia to disengage and rescind its annexation of Crimea.
• IMF Agrees On $14-18 Billion Bailout Package For Ukraine RFE/RL 27 Mar 2014 -- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has promised to loan of between $14 billion and $18 billion to cash-strapped Ukraine.
• Tymoshenko Announces Presidential Run in Ukraine RIA Novosti 27 Mar 2014 -- Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko announced Thursday she would run for president in upcoming elections scheduled for May 25.
• Crimea to Draft Constitution Within 2 Weeks – Lawmaker RIA Novosti 27 Mar 2014 -- Lawmakers in Crimea, which became part of Russia last week, are expected to draft a constitution for the region within two weeks, a senior Crimean official said Thursday.
• Ukraine on Brink of Economic Bankruptcy – Acting PM RIA Novosti 27 Mar 2014 -- Ukraine is facing default if the country's parliament fails to approve unpopular anti-crisis measures proposed by the government, Ukraine's interim prime minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk said Thursday.
• Russia-Ukraine Atomic Energy Cooperation Continues – Rosatom RIA Novosti 27 Mar 2014 -- Russian nuclear fuel deliveries to power plants in Ukraine are continuing without interruption, the head of Russia's state nuclear corporation said Thursday.
• EU Presents Progress Reports On Eastern Partnership States RFE/RL 27 Mar 2014 -- The European Commission has presented updates on the progress made by the countries in its Eastern Partnership program.
• North Korea Slams South's President as Tensions Mount VOA 27 Mar 2014 -- North Korea has made a blistering verbal attack on South Korean President Park Geun-hye, calling her a 'faithful servant and stooge' of the U.S. and comparing her to a 'blabbering' peasant woman.
• US Calls for Egyptian Voting Free From Intimidation Following el-Sissi Bid VOA 27 Mar 2014 -- Egyptian General Abdel Fattah el-Sissi's decision to run for president comes as the United States is pushing Cairo to improve its treatment of journalists and political opponents. The Obama administration is trying to balance support for Egyptian democracy with security concerns in Saudi Arabia in an awkward position.