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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 10 Apr 2014 [PDF]
• Afghan Presidential Hopeful Urges Transparent Vote Count VOA 10 Apr 2014 -- A frontrunner in Afghanistan's presidential vote wants to see a transparent vote count in this month's election.
• Corps of Engineers to raise Dahla Dam, provide water essential to southern Afghanistan Army News 10 Apr 2014 -- Water is essential for survival, and in southern Afghanistan, survival hinges on the 250-mile-long Arghandab River and its reservoir.
• 514th Maintenance Company assumes mission in Afghanistan Army News 10 Apr 2014 -- The 536th Support Maintenance Company, from Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, relinquished their authority over field-level maintenance and recovery support operations in Regional Commands - East, North and Capital to the 514th Support Maintenance Company, from Fort Drum, during a transfer of authority ceremony here March 26.
• 10th Mountain helps Afghans counter IED threat Army News 10 Apr 2014 -- ANA soldiers with Route Clearance Company, 1st Brigade, 203rd Corps, were trained and qualified to operate 'Symphony,' a mobile system used to counter the latest IEDs used on today's battlefield.
• RAF foils insurgent bombers in Afghanistan UK MOD 10 Apr 2014 -- Royal Air Force Tornado fast jets have scattered insurgents and helped to capture lethal explosives.
• Pakistan militants attack NATO tankers, kill driver Iran Press TV 10 Apr 2014 -- Gunmen have attacked a NATO supply convoy near Pakistan's northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, killing one driver and wounding another.
• US Navy Logistics Ship Joins Search for MH370 NNS 10 Apr 2014 -- The 7th Fleet supply ship USNS Cesar Chavez (T-AKE 14) joined an international task force led by Australian Defence Force searching for missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 off the Western Coast of Australia today.

Defense Policy / Programs

• 'Ace in the hole,' VMR-1 supports contingency operations USMC News 10 Apr 2014 -- Marines with Marine Transport Squadron 1 departed Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point April 8 in one of the squadron's C-9B Skytrains in support of II Marine Expeditionary Force.
• Army: Funds Fall Short to Restore Lost Readiness AFPS 10 Apr 2014 -- While last year's bipartisan budget act restored some fiscal year 2014 funding to the Army, helping to restore readiness, the funds were not sufficient to bring back capabilities lost during a decade of counterinsurgency operations and through sequestration, the Army's vice chief of staff told a House panel today.
• Naval Forces Stand Ready Despite Threat of Sequestration AFPS 10 Apr 2014 -- Forward presence is the Navy's mandate, the vice chief of naval operations told a House panel today.
• Marine Corps Will Continue to Serve as Nation's Ready Force AFPS 10 Apr 2014 -- The Marine Corps is committed to remaining the nation's force in readiness, capable of responding to a crisis anywhere around the globe at a moment's notice, the assistant commandant of the Marine Corps told a House panel today.
• Readiness Key to Air Force Responsiveness AFPS 10 Apr 2014 -- Air Force readiness is critical, especially as the time or place of the next crisis is never certain and is rarely what was expected, the Air Force vice chief of staff told a House panel today.
• F-35 on time to replace previous tactical aircraft AFNS 10 Apr 2014 -- The F-35 Lightning II will enhance combat capabilities, project U.S. power and deter potential adversaries, Air Force officials told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee's subcommittee on tactical air and land forces in a hearing on tactical aircraft programs there, April 8.
• Air Force Secretary, Chief of Staff, Testify on Air Force Posture AFPS 10 Apr 2014 -- The fiscal and security challenges triggered by budgetary constraints are posing problems for Air Force strategy, the service's secretary told the Senate Armed Services Committee today.
• Navy Accepts Delivery of the future USS America NNS 10 Apr 2014 -- The Navy accepted delivery of the future USS America (LHA 6) from Huntington Ingalls Industries April 10.
• Future USS America Delivered NNS 10 Apr 2014 -- The U.S. Navy officially accepted delivery of the amphibious assault ship America (LHA 6) from Huntington Ingalls Industries during a ship custody transfer ceremony in Pascagoula, Miss., April 10.
• Alaskan Official Stresses Navy, Coast Guard Partnership in Arctic NNS 10 Apr 2014 -- The Arctic Studies Group (ASG) at U.S. Naval War College (NWC) in Newport, R.I., hosted a visit from Alaska Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell, April 9.
• USS McClusky Departs San Diego for Deployment NNS 10 Apr 2014 -- The Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate USS McClusky (FFG 41) departed San Diego for a scheduled deployment to the 4th Fleet area of operations, April 10.
• Navy's X-47B Program Receives Aviation Honor NNS 10 Apr 2014 -- The Navy's X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstration (UCAS-D) team received the 2013 Robert J. Collier Trophy at the U.S. National Aeronautics Association Awards Ceremony, April 9, in Arlington, Va.
• Fleet Replacement Squadron and Training Pilots Complete Carrier Qualifications On Board Carl Vinson NNS 10 Apr 2014 -- Fixed wing Fleet Replacement Squadron pilots and T-45C Goshawk training jet pilots completed carrier qualifications aboard aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) April 9.
• Installation of backup oxygen system in F-22 combat fleet continues AFNS 10 Apr 2014 -- The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center's F-22 Division is on-track to complete installation of the Automatic Back-up Oxygen System, or ABOS, in the Air Force's F-22 Raptor combat fleet by December 2014.
• Navy to Christen future USS Zumwalt, New Class of Destroyer DoD 10 Apr 2014 -- The Navy will christen the future USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) on April 12, during a ceremony at General Dynamics-Bath Iron Works shipyard in Bath, Maine.
• Readout of Secretary Hagel's Call with Republic of Korea Minister of National Defense Kim Kwan-Jin DoD 10 Apr 2014
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel's Call with Ukraine's Acting Minister of Defense Mykhaylo Koval DoD 10 Apr 2014
• Multinational participation plays key factor to Exercise African Lion USMC News 10 Apr 2014 -- In the current global-security environment, one nation isn't enough. After decades of overseas contingency operations, from the sands of Afghanistan to the jungles of Mali, coalitions are a clear indicator of partner nations' commitment to worldwide stability and security.
• US, Hellenic, Israeli Navies Conclude Exercise Noble Dina NNS 10 Apr 2014 -- The U.S Navy concluded the active portion of the regularly-scheduled multinational exercise, Noble Dina, along with Greece and Israel in the Mediterranean Sea, April 10.
• US, French Warships Enroute to Black Sea Pass Dardanelles RIA Novosti 10 Apr 2014 -- The US guided-missile destroyer Donald Cook and French intelligence warship Dupuy de Lôme entered the Sea of Marmara on Thursday on their way to the Black Sea, the Turkish newspaper Jum Hurriyet reported.
• US to send more fighter jets to Poland amid tensions with Russia Iran Press TV 10 Apr 2014 -- The US Air Force plans to deploy 18 fighter jets, already based in Europe, to Poland for joint maritime exercises at Lask Air Base in the Black Sea, US officials say, amid continued tensions between the West and Russia over Ukraine.
• Significant milestone met as progress continues on AWACS upgrade AFNS 10 Apr 2014 -- An important milestone was recently reached on a significant upgrade improving capabilities for the Airborne Warning and Control System, better known as AWACS.
• US pushes stronger military ties with Mongolia to contain China and Russia Iran Press TV 10 Apr 2014 -- US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel has landed in Mongolia to push stronger military ties with the Central Asian nation strategically located between China and Russia.
• As US, China Seek Closer Military Ties, Differences Loom Large VOA 10 Apr 2014 -- U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel's visit to China this week highlighted a rapidly expanding effort between the two nations' militaries to boost ties, despite growing regional disputes. The trip also laid bare some of their sharp differences.
• South Korea, US to hold joint air drill Iran Press TV 10 Apr 2014 -- South Korea says it will hold its largest-ever joint air drill with the United States.
• S Korea, US to hold largest-ever joint air drill VoR 10 Apr 2014 -- South Korea's military said Thursday it would hold its largest-ever joint air drill with the United States as tensions mount over a series of threats from North Korea.
• Estonia ready to station NATO pursuit planes for 8 months – Estonia's DM VoR 10 Apr 2014 -- Estonia is ready to station NATO pursuit planes, Estonia's Minister of Defense Sven Mikser said. 'The fact that we station four NATO pursuit planes from Denmark is the good news as this will make other countries less eager to check Estonia's border security,' Mikser said to Postimees newspaper. He also said that Estonia could station the planes for only eight months.
• Remarks by Assistant Secretary General Kolinda Grabar at the Kyiv Security Forum NATO 10 Apr 2014
• NATO Secretary General discusses collective defence, defence investment and Ukraine crisis in Prague NATO 10 Apr 2014 -- The NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen discussed the Ukraine crisis with the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Boshulav Sobotka during a visit to Prague on Thursday (10 April). "From Prague, I have this message to Russia. You have a choice. To stop blaming others for your own actions. To stop massing your troops. To stop escalating this crisis and start engaging in a genuine dialogue. If Russia is serious about a dialogue, the first step should be to pull back its troops", the Secretary General said at a press conference with Prime Minister Sobotka.
• Ukraine denies it has plans to transfer ICBM technology VoR 10 Apr 2014 -- The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry denied reports claiming that it was engaged in negotiations with foreign countries on a possible transfer of the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) technology.
• Israel launches satellite to spy on Iran, resistance movement Iran Press TV 10 Apr 2014 -- Israeli has launched its latest military spy satellite to conduct espionage activities on Iran's nuclear energy program and anti-Israeli resistance groups in the region.
• Israel Launches New Surveillance Satellite RIA Novosti 10 Apr 2014 -- Israel has launched a new Ofek 10 satellite to enhance its space surveillance capabilities, Jerusalem Post reported Thursday citing a statement by Israeli Defense Ministry.
• Israel launches Ofek 10 spy satellite VoR 10 Apr 2014 -- Israel on Wednesday evening launched a new spy satellite into orbit from an air force base in the center of the country. The spacecraft, the 'Ofek-10,' will reportedly orbit the Earth every 99 minutes from an altitude of 600 kilometers (373 miles). The launch, from the Palmachim IAF base near Rishon Lezion, was visible throughout much of Israel's center. According an Israel Radio report, much of air and sea traffic in the area was temporarily halted in order to facilitate the launch.
• Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Jay Carney en route Austin, TX, 4/10/2014 The White House 10 Apr 2014
• April 10, 2014 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 10 Apr 2014

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for April 10, 2014

Other Conflicts

• 10 April 2014 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 10 Apr 2014
• Security Council establishes UN peacekeeping mission in Central African Republic UN News Centre 10 Apr 2014 -- Deeply concerned about the deteriorating security situation and ongoing human rights abuses in the Central African Republic (CAR), the Security Council today approved the establishment of a nearly 12,000-strong United Nations peacekeeping operation to protect civilians and facilitate humanitarian access in the war-torn country.
• UN Approves New CAR Peacekeeping Force VOA 10 Apr 2014 -- The United Nations Security Council unanimously agreed Thursday to authorize a nearly 12,000 strong U.N. peacekeeping force for the violence-plagued Central African Republic.
• INTERVIEW: WFP chief declares 'the time is now' for Central African Republic UN News Centre 10 Apr 2014 -- Racing against time and bad weather, prodding fickle donors and an indifferent general public, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is working on all fronts to support millions of desperate people in the Central African Republic (CAR) and to keep international attention focused on the escalating crisis.
• Could C.A.R. Violence Lead It to Partition? VOA 10 Apr 2014 -- The United Nations says 19,000 Muslims in the Central African Republic remain in imminent danger and should be relocated to safer towns farther north or outside the country. But it is a complex issue, as tens of thousands of Muslims have already fled their homes in the capital and the western half of the country following attacks.
• Priced out of food in the CAR IRIN 10 Apr 2014 -- The mass exodus of Muslims from the Central African Republic (CAR) amid insecurity is having an adverse impact on access to basic foodstuffs, say retailers and local people.
• Ongoing siege against civilians reveals Syrian parties contempt for human life UN official UN News Centre 10 Apr 2014 -- Speaking out strongly against yesterdays deadly car bomb attacks on a busy shopping street in the Syrian city of Homs, the United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator said such brutality serves to remind us again of the contempt the parties to this conflict show for human life.
• Infighting erupts between al-Qaeda-linked groups in Syria Iran Press TV 10 Apr 2014 -- Infighting rages on between al-Qaeda-linked groups near a Syrian town on the border with Iraq, reports say.
• US could supply Syrian rebels with anti-tank weapons to increase pressure on Assad VoR 10 Apr 2014 -- Supplying Syrian opposition forces with the anti-tank weapons (TOW) is an indication of a major transition in US Middle Eastern policy and could be used as tool to unobtrusively exercise pressure on current regime, Carnegie's senior Middle East analyst told RIA Novosti.
• UN concerned at 'troubling' political developments in Burundi UN News Centre 10 Apr 2014 -- The United Nations today called on the Government of Burundi to address ongoing political violence and restrictions on human rights, saying it is receiving "troubling" information about recent developments in the country.
• With millions facing hunger in Sudan, UN urges support to prevent further crisis UN News Centre 10 Apr 2014 -- The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) today called for urgent support for farmers and herders in Sudan in order to help prevent a further worsening of the food security situation in the country.
• Myanmar: UN welcomes establishment of probe into recent attacks on aid workers UN News Centre 10 Apr 2014 -- The top United Nations official in Myanmar welcomed the Government's condemnation of the recent attacks against UN and non-governmental organization (NGO) premises in Sittwe, and its commitment to see perpetrators brought to justice through a newly established investigation commission.
• Russia's FSB Confirms Doku Umarov's Militant Group Eliminated RIA Novosti 10 Apr 2014 -- The militant group led by Chechen warlord Doku Umarov was eliminated late last year, Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) said Thursday.
• Libya Reaches Agreement to Reopen Two Ports VOA 10 Apr 2014 -- The Libyan military says it has regained control of at least one oil exporting port in the east of the country, following days of negotiations with separatists demanding a larger share of oil revenues.
• With millions facing hunger in Sudan, UN urges support to prevent further crisis UN News Centre 10 Apr 2014 -- The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) today called for urgent support for farmers and herders in Sudan in order to help prevent a further worsening of the food security situation in the country.
• DRC Military Offensives Reduces Number of Armed Groups VOA 10 Apr 2014 -- The Democratic Republic of Congo's (DRC) information minister says joint military offensives launched by the national army (FARDC) and the United Nations Mission to the country (MONUSC) to protect unarmed civilians have sharply reduced the number of rebel groups from 55 to about 20.

News Reports

• Pro-Russia Separatists Reject Amnesty Offer in Ukraine Standoff VOA 10 Apr 2014 -- Armed pro-Russia separatists in the eastern Ukrainian city of Luhansk rejected Kyiv's offer of amnesty for those who seized government buildings this week and called on others to defy the pro-European government in Kyiv.
• Imagery Reveals Destabilizing Russian Forces Near Ukraine Border NATO-ACO 10 Apr 2014 -- Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) released a package of satellite imagery to media outlets from across Europe on Thursday, 10 April 2014, that shows details of the location and type of Russian units NATO has observed along the border with Ukraine.
• NATO warns Russia against intervention in Ukraine Iran Press TV 10 Apr 2014 -- The chief of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has warned Russia against what he called further intervention in volatile Ukraine.
• Pro-Russian protesters occupy Ukraine buildings Iran Press TV 10 Apr 2014 -- Pro-Russian activists have maintained their seizure of government buildings in major eastern Ukrainian cities, vowing to continue until the start of a referendum on independence.
• Putin Tells European Leaders Ukraine Debt May Affect Gas Transit RFE/RL 10 Apr 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent a letter to leaders of 18 European countries warning of a suspension of gas supplies to Ukraine if Kyiv does not pay off its $2.2 billion gas debt.
• Putin Warns of Ukrainian Default, Urges Talks RIA Novosti 10 Apr 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent a letter to leaders of 18 states, in which he says that unbalanced trade with EU members has brought Ukraine to the brink of economic collapse and calls for urgent ministerial meetings on the issue.
• Putin Denies Planning Crimean Reunification in Advance RIA Novosti 10 Apr 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has denied that Russia covertly prepared for the reunification of Crimea last month, saying that the final decision was taken only after residents in the region clearly expressed their desire to rejoin Russia.
• Putin Says Further Violations by Ukraine Will Compel Russia to Cut Off Gas RIA Novosti 10 Apr 2014 -- Russian energy giant Gazprom will be compelled to switch over to prepaid gas deliveries to Ukraine or completely cut off natural gas supplies, should the country further violate its terms of payment, Russian President Vladimir Putin wrote Thursday in an open letter to 18 European leaders.
• Putin Calls on Europe for Urgent Talks on Ukraine's Economy, Russian Gas RIA Novosti 10 Apr 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin called on European leaders to hold high-level talks to stabilize Ukraine's economy in a letter sent to 18 heads of state on Thursday.
• Ukraine Steadfastly Heading Toward Default – Putin RIA Novosti 10 Apr 2014 -- In a letter to European leaders revealed on Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin painted a bleak picture of Ukraine's economy, saying the country is "steadfastly heading toward default" because of its unbalanced trade with Europe.
• Ukraine Promises Protesters Who Surrender Weapons Won't Be Prosecuted RIA Novosti 10 Apr 2014 -- Ukrainian authorities will not prosecute the protesters occupying government buildings in eastern regions of the country if they lay down their weapons, interim Ukrainian President Olexander Turchinov said Thursday.
• US Mercenaries and Right Sector Fighters Move Into Donetsk – Militia Leader RIA Novosti 10 Apr 2014 -- A ragtag band of US mercenaries, Ukrainian National Guard soldiers, and fighters from the radical Right Sector movement have arrived in the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk to raid a building occupied by anti-government protestors, a leader of a local militia group told RIA Novosti on Thursday.
• NATO Double Standard Undermines Ukraine's Stability – Russian Foreign Ministry RIA Novosti 10 Apr 2014 -- Recent statements by NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen on the situation in Ukraine as well as the alliance's double standard on Crimea have hindered a de-escalation of tensions in the country, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Thursday.
• Putin Pledges To Protect All Ethnic Russians Anywhere. So, Where Are They? RFE/RL 10 Apr 2014 -- In recent weeks, the Russian government has articulated what might be called the Putin Doctrine, a blanket assertion that Moscow has the right and the obligation to protect Russians anywhere in the world.
• PACE Deprives Russia Of Voting Rights RFE/RL 10 Apr 2014 -- The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has deprived the Russian delegation of its voting rights in the body.
• PACE Excludes Russia From Assembly's Administration For 2014 RIA Novosti 10 Apr 2014 -- The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on Thursday voted to exclude Russia from the Assembly's managerial bodies through the end of the year.
• IRGC 'not to allow' acts of terror in Iran Iran Press TV 10 Apr 2014 -- Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says it will not allow terrorist groups and foreign-sponsored mercenaries to carry out acts of terror in the country.
• Iran Rejects U.S. Criticism Over UN Pick RFE/RL 10 Apr 2014 -- Iran has rejected U.S. reservations over Tehran's proposed UN ambassador. Washington objects to Hamid Abutalebi entering the United States because of his suspected role in the 1979 U.S. Embassy takeover in Tehran and the hostage-taking of 52 Americans there for 444 days.
• NASA Says Human Landing on Mars on Track for 2030s VOA 10 Apr 2014 -- The U.S. space agency's head of human space exploration has outlined broad brush plans to put humans on Mars in the 2030s.
• Providing West African communities with sound information crucial to curbing spread of Ebola - UN UN News Centre 10 Apr 2014 -- Together with Ministries of Health and other partners across seven countries in West Africa, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is using culturally-sensitive communication strategies to disseminate life-saving information in order to contain the often-fatal Ebola virus, through text-messaging, radio shows, TV programmes and door-to-door campaigns.