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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 28 Mar 2014 [PDF]
• In Kabul, UN peacekeeping chief voices solidarity with Afghans ahead of crucial polls UN News Centre 28 Mar 2014 -- The United Nations peacekeeping chief today expressed his solidarity with the Afghan people on the eve of next week's elections and reaffirmed the world body's support for the country through the polls and beyond.
• Explosion, Gunfire Rock Kabul RFE/RL 28 Mar 2014 -- Fighting is continuing between Afghan security forces and armed militants inside a guest house in west Kabul.
• US: Not Providing Excess Equipment to Pakistan VOA 28 Mar 2014 -- The U.S. military in Afghanistan said media reports that the U.S. has decided to hand over surplus armored vehicles and other military equipment to Pakistan are incorrect.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Air Force leaders announce accountability actions, way forward for ICBM force AFNS 28 Mar 2014 -- In a press briefing at the Pentagon March 27, Air Force officials announced the findings from the Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont., test compromise investigations, to include accountability actions and a way forward for the ICBM force.
• US Air Force fires nine nuclear missile officers in cheating investigation VoR 28 Mar 2014 -- The US Air Force on Thursday said it has fired nine mid-level nuclear missile officers at a base in Montana after an investigation of a test-cheating scandal. The officers were expected to continue to serve in other jobs but were relieved of their nuclear command jobs, The Washington Post reported.
• Hagel Thanks Alexander, Cyber Community for Defense Efforts AFPS 28 Mar 2014 -- Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has paid tribute to retiring Army Gen. Keith B. Alexander, who is stepping down as head of U.S. Cyber Command and the National Security Agency, crediting him with leading key assets in the intelligence community through one of the most challenging periods in history.
• FIDAE Air Show, subject matter expert exchanges kick-off in Chile AFNS 28 Mar 2014 -- Chilean President Michelle Bachelet presided over a ceremony March 25 officially marking the start of the International Air & Space Fair FIDAE 2014, one of the largest international trade and air shows in the world, being held in Santiago, Chile, until March 30.
• DOD Announces Recruiting And Retention Numbers For Fiscal 2014, Through February 2014 DoD 28 Mar 2014 -- The Department of Defense announced today recruiting and retention statistics for the active and reserve components for fiscal 2014, through February 2014.
• Navy to Christen Research Vessel Neil Armstrong DoD 28 Mar 2014 -- Tomorrow afternoon, the Navy will christen the Auxiliary General Oceanographic Research (AGOR) R/V Neil Armstrong (AGOR 27) during a ceremony held at the Port of Anacortes Transit Shed in Anacortes, Wash.
• US, Spanish Marines train together in Sierra del Retin USMC News 28 Mar 2014 -- A platoon of U.S. Marines from Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response conducted bilateral training in Sierra del Retin with their Spanish Marine brethren, March 18-21.
• Marines, Romanians conduct first live-fire exercise of current BSRF iteration USMC News 28 Mar 2014 -- Marines with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division assigned to Black Sea Rotational Force 14 got their first taste of what BSRF is all about by participating in their first international military exercise aboard Babadag Training Area in Romania March 26, 2014.
• US, ROK Forces Kick off Exercise Ssang Yong 2014 NNS 28 Mar 2014 -- U.S. Sailors and Marines from Amphibious Force 7th Fleet and the 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade (3d MEB) kicked off Exercise Ssang Yong 2014 March 27 in the Republic of Korea (ROK).
• CNO Talks LCS Survivability NNS 28 Mar 2014 -- Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert assured members of the Senate Armed Services (SASC) Committee March 27 on the survivability of the littoral combat ship (LCS).
• Robert G. Bradley is Decommissioned NNS 28 Mar 2014 -- Nearly 30 years after she was commissioned in 1984, Cmdr. Pete Ehlers, commanding officer of USS Robert G. Bradley (FFG 49), decommissioned the ship March 28, at a Naval Station Mayport ceremony.
• Blue Ridge Holds Force Protection Training During Patrol NNS 28 Mar 2014 -- Sailors assigned to U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) participated in Security Reaction Force-Basic (SRF-B) training while on patrol supporting theatre security operations in the Indo-Asia Pacific region.
• Snipes Save the Day as Blue Ridge Wraps Up Successful Patrol NNS 28 Mar 2014 -- The engineering department aboard U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) worked arduous hours ensuring all operational requirements were met throughout the duration of the ship's first patrol of the year which successfully concluded March 28.
• Lincoln Completes First Year in RCOH NNS 28 Mar 2014 -- March 28, 2014 marks the end of the first year in the refueling complex overhaul (RCOH) for the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) at Newport News Shipyard in Newport News, Va.
• Navy Decommissions USS Miami NNS 28 Mar 2014 -- The Navy formally decommissioned Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Miami (SSN 755), March 28, during an indoor ceremony at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine.
• Statement by Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel on the Selection of Former Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg as the Next NATO Secretary General DoD 28 Mar 2014
• Former Norwegian Prime Minister Designated to Lead NATO AFPS 28 Mar 2014 -- Former prime minister of Norway, Jens Stoltenberg, was designated today to serve as the next secretary general of NATO.
• Next stage of Russian Army development should include Arctic group - Putin VoR 28 Mar 2014 -- Next stage of the Russian Armed Forces training should include developing a combat group in the Arctic region, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
• Complex Ties: Russia's Armed Forces Depend On Ukraine's Military Industry RFE/RL 28 Mar 2014 -- It is an ironic fact that much of the equipment used by the Russian troops in Crimea, and those maneuvering on Ukraine's border, is produced by Kyiv's military industry.
• Farewell (for now) to 2 historic RAF squadrons UK MOD 28 Mar 2014 -- Today, the RAF's 12 (Bomber) Squadron and 617 Squadron bid farewell to active service with a disbandment parade at RAF Lossiemouth.
• IRGC chief inspects readiness of Saravan border guards IRNA 28 Mar 2014 -- Following commissioning of Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) forces the responsibility of safeguarding Saravan region borders security IRGC Commander Brigadier General Mohammad-Ali Jafari visited that regions borders on Friday.
• March 28, 2014 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 28 Mar 2014
• FACT SHEET: United States-Saudi Arabia Bilateral Relationship The White House 28 Mar 2014
• Press Briefing by Senior Administration Officials on the President's Bilateral Meeting with His Majesty King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia The White House 28 Mar 2014
• Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Jay Carney and Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications Ben Rhodes en route Riyadh, Saudi Arabia The White House 28 Mar 2014

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for March 28, 2014

Other Conflicts

• 28 March 2014 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 28 Mar 2014
• Syria: UN official cites 'bleak' humanitarian situation, urges unhindered access to civilians UN News Centre 28 Mar 2014 -- The United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator warned the Security Council today that as the Syrian civil war grinds on and millions of desperate people remain cut off from aid, "the humanitarian situation remains bleak, and will continue to be bleak, unless we are granted full and unhindered access, through the most efficient and direct means."
• Moldovan PM Warns Of Transdniester 'Provocations' RFE/RL 28 Mar 2014 -- Moldova's pro-European Prime Minister Iurie Leanca has warned of 'a series of provocations' from Transdniester, which NATO has warned could be Russia's next target.
• Israel's Reluctance on Prisoner Release Threatens Peace Talks VOA 28 Mar 2014 -- U.S. officials are trying to salvage Mideast peace talks threatened by Israeli demands that Palestinians agree to extend the process before Israel releases more prisoners. President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry are expected to discuss the peace process with King Abdullah in Saudi Arabia.
• Malian returnees face economic hardship IRIN 28 Mar 2014 -- Displaced Malians who have recently returned to their homes in the north of the country say they are facing economic difficulty as their businesses, livestock and other forms of livelihood have been wiped out, while those still displaced also say financial assistance is their main need.
• Conflict in Indonesia's Papua Region IRIN 28 Mar 2014 -- The clearing of forests inhabited by indigenous people in Indonesia's Papua* Region by agribusinesses is fuelling conflict in the southern Merauke Regency, say campaigners.
• UN official calls for immediate halt to demolitions in East Jerusalem UN News Centre 28 Mar 2014 -- A senior United Nations official expressed deep concern today about the ongoing displacement of Palestinians in East Jerusalem and the destruction of their private property following the Israeli authorities' recent demolition of a two-story building there, which affected a family of refugees as well as some Palestinian 15 children.
• DR Congo: Security Council extends UN mission, intervention force for one year UN News Centre 28 Mar 2014 -- The Security Council today extended for one year the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) – along with its Intervention Brigade – noting the need for the Mission to strengthen its support so the Congolese Government can address security challenges in line with the aims of a regional peace and security accord.
• Central African Republic marked by rising hatred, violence and trauma - UN officials UN News Centre 28 Mar 2014 -- One year after rebels seized power in the Central African Republic (CAR), the situation in the country is marked by rising hatred between communities, deteriorating security and humanitarian conditions, and increasing fear and trauma among the population, United Nations relief officials warned today.
• Kenya urged to reconsider measure ordering all refugees back to camps - UN agency UN News Centre 28 Mar 2014 -- The United Nations refugee agency today denounced as "scapegoating" the Kenyan Government's decision earlier this week to order some 50,000 refugees, believed to be mostly Somalis, to report to two camps after a recent upsurge in violence in the region.
• Amid fears 'South Sudan is imploding,' UN agencies launch urgent operation to reach remote areas UN News Centre 28 Mar 2014 -- Two United Nations agencies launched today an urgent operation to deliver food, vaccines, nutrition supplements and other vital relief supplies to one of the most isolated areas of conflict-affected South Sudan, as part of a joint response to boost emergency distribution as the crisis escalates.

News Reports

• Lavrov: 'No Intention' To Cross Ukraine's Border RFE/RL 28 Mar 2014 -- Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says Russia has "absolutely no intention and no interests" in ordering its armed forces to cross over the Ukrainian border.
• Ban warns against escalation of crisis in Ukraine, saying 'small sparks' could 'ignite larger flames' UN News Centre 28 Mar 2014 -- Reiterating his strong call for a diplomatic solution to the crisis over Ukraine, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon this evening warned the concerned parties – and the wider international community – that "at this time of heightened tensions, even small sparks can ignite larger flames of unintended consequences."
• Readout of the President's Call with President Putin The White House 28 Mar 2014
• Moscow Condemns UN Resolution On Ukraine RFE/RL 28 Mar 2014 -- Russia's Foreign Ministry has issued a statement condemning the adoption of a resolution 'On the Territorial Integrity of Ukraine' by the United Nations General Assembly.
• Obama: Russia Must Pull Back Troops From Ukrainian Border VOA 28 Mar 2014 -- U.S. President Barack Obama says Russia must pull back its troops from the Ukrainian border and begin negotiating to defuse tensions.
• UN 'counterproductive' resolution make it difficult to settle Ukrainian crisis - Moscow VoR 28 Mar 2014 -- The Russian Foreign Ministry has described the UN General Assembly's resolution concerning Ukraine as 'counter-productive' and has said that the large number of UN General Assembly member countries that abstained or were not present during the vote altogether indicates that they refuse to accept this one-sided interpretation of the Ukrainian events.
• Professional actions by Russian military saved Crimea from bloodshed - Putin VoR 28 Mar 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that the events in Crimea have demonstrated a high level of readiness of the Russian Armed Forces and he thanked the military service members stationed in the peninsula for their stamina and professionalism. 'The recent events in Crimea were a serious test. They demonstrated both the completely new capabilities of our Armed Forces and the high morale of the personnel,' the president said at a ceremony introducing the top officers on the occasion of new appointments and rank awarding.
• Putin: Crimea Showed 'Professionalism' Of Russian Military RFE/RL 28 Mar 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has said the actions of Russian military forces in the Ukrainian region of Crimea have demonstrated the 'high level of preparedness' in the Russian armed forces.
is produced by Kyiv's military industry.
• Freeze Settles On U.S.-Russia Commission Amid Ukraine Standoff RFE/RL 28 Mar 2014 -- A bilateral commission that served as a cornerstone for U.S. President Barack Obama's 'reset' policy with Moscow, facilitating cooperation on issues such as arms reductions and counterterrorism, has ground to a standstill following Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea territory.
• In UN Vote, Russia's 'Sphere of Influence' Hedges Its Bets RFE/RL 28 Mar 2014 -- The Kremlin may be wondering where some of its neighbors were during a UN vote rebuking Russia's annexation of Crimea.
• UN agency urges vigilance amid Ebola outbreak in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia UN News Centre 28 Mar 2014 -- With a total of 103 suspected and confirmed cases of Ebola in Guinea, including 66 deaths, the outbreak must be watched very carefully, a spokesperson for the United Nations health agency said today, noting that there is no treatment or cure for the frequently fatal disease.