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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 14 Apr 2014 [PDF]
• Apache flies 50,000 hours on operations in Afghanistan UK MOD 14 Apr 2014 -- The British Army's Apache attack helicopters, operated by the Army Air Corps, flew their 50,000th hour on operation in Afghanistan recently.
• HMS Echo continues hunt for missing Malaysian airliner UK MOD 14 Apr 2014 -- The Royal Navy hi-tech survey ship is working as part of an international task force to search for signs of the missing jet.
• Russian Aircraft Flies Near U.S. Navy Ship in Black Sea AFPS 14 Apr 2014 -- A Russian attack aircraft repeatedly flew near the USS Donald Cook in international waters in the Black Sea on April 12, a Pentagon spokesman said today.

Defense Policy / Programs

• 9/11 Proceedings Go Into Recess Before Competency Hearing AFPS 14 Apr 2014 -- Military commission proceedings for five suspects in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States went into recess this morning after a defense attorney said the FBI questioned a member of his team about the suspects.
• Army completes Excalibur 1a-2 production, transitions to 1b Army News 14 Apr 2014 -- On April 3, the Excalibur Program completed assembly of the last Increment Ia-2 projectile and transitioned to Increment Ib production.
• Army awards competitive radio contract Army News 14 Apr 2014 -- In another step to extend digital communications to the tactical edge, the Army has issued its first multiple award, Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract for Soldier Radio Waveform (SRW) Appliqué radio systems.
• 16th SB conducts logistical training in Poland Army News 14 Apr 2014 -- The U.S. Army sent 30 Soldiers to Poland in late March to help train soldiers from the Polish Land Forces in logistical operations during Bagram XV, an exercise held here at the Polish Army International Training Center.
• Bonhome Richard ARG Conducts Operations in the Yellow Sea NNS 14 Apr 2014 -- The USS Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) is conducting maritime operations in the waters west of the Korean Peninsula, April 15-18.
• VMM 265 Supports Amphibious Operations in BHR ARG NNS 14 Apr 2014 -- Mission readiness is an essential part of an amphibious ready group (ARG). The composite Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 (Reinforced) aboard the forward-deployment amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) is a great example of the mission readiness the U.S. Armed Forces strives for.
• Air Force budget focuses on preserving capability, not aircraft AFNS 14 Apr 2014 -- The debate over force structure reductions outlined in the Air Force's fiscal year 2015 budget should be about capabilities and missions, not aircraft, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III told the Senate here April 10.
• DOD Unveils Improved Sexual Assault Prevention Training AFPS 14 Apr 2014 -- As part of efforts to eliminate the crime of sexual assault in the military, Defense Department officials today announced improvements to sexual assault prevention and response training for all members of the armed forces and civilian employees.
• DOD to Award $167 Million in Research Funding DoD 14 Apr 2014 -- The Department of Defense (DOD) today announced plans to issue 24 awards totaling $167 million over the next five years to academic institutions to perform multidisciplinary basic research.
• NAVSEA Establishes New Directorate NNS 14 Apr 2014 -- Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) announced the establishment of the Acquisition and Commonality directorate April 14.
• Multinational participation plays key factor to Exercise African Lion USMC News 14 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, Vietnam Navies Conduct First Search and Rescue Exercise NNS 14 Apr 2014 -- Guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) conducted a search and rescue (SAR) exercise with a Vietnam People's Navy (VPN) minesweeper off the coast of Da Nang, Vietnam, April 12.
• NWC War Game Report: Revise Command and Control Systems NNS 14 Apr 2014 -- War gaming leaders at U.S. Naval War College (NWC) in Newport, R.I., released the Chief of Naval Operations' (CNO) annual Title 10 War Game (Global '13) series report April 11, following six months of post war gaming analysis.
• USS Donald Cook to Arrive in Romania for Port Visit NNS 14 Apr 2014 -- The forward deployed guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) is scheduled to arrive in Constanta, Romania to enhance multinational interoperability with NATO allies in region, April 14.
• Ice Breaker: ONR Researchers Explore a Changing Arctic NNS 14 Apr 2014 -- As sea ice continues to recede at a record pace in the Arctic, officials at the Office of Naval Research (ONR) on April 14 announced new efforts to determine the pace of change in what some are calling Earth's final frontier.
• Russia Tests-Fires Yars Ballistic Missile RIA Novosti 14 Apr 2014 -- The Russian Strategic Missile Forces test-fired on Monday an RS-24 Yars intercontinental ballistic missile from a launch site in northwest Russia, the Defense Ministry said.
• Russian Navy to Begin Sea Trials of 2 New Nuclear Subs in Summer RIA Novosti 14 Apr 2014 -- Two new Russian nuclear-powered submarines will begin sea trials this summer, the country's northern Sevmash shipyard said Monday.
• Russia to take measures in case if NATO's force configuration changes - Russian envoy VoR 14 Apr 2014 -- Russia can take measures necessary to ensure its security, if NATO will expand military forces near Russian borders, Russian Permanent Representative to NATO Alexander Grushko said. 'No grounds exist for such a decision,' the diplomat said.
• U.S. to help Taiwan build its own submarines: defense minister CNA 14 Apr 2014 -- The United States has said it will help Taiwan to build diesel-electric submarines on its own, Defense Minister Yen Ming confirmed Monday at a hearing of the Legislature's Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee.
• Malaysia Potentially Interested In Russian Air Defense Systems RIA Novosti 14 Apr 2014 -- Malaysia is likely highly interested in acquiring Russia's latest air defense missile systems, building on existing bilateral military-technical cooperation, Russia's state arms exporter Rosoboronexport said Monday.
• On Global Day, UN expert urges less military spending, more investment in development UN News Centre 14 Apr 2014 -- Marking the Global Day of Action on Military Spending, the United Nations independent expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order called on all governments to boost transparency and cuts in military expenditures, and increase investments in nutrition, health, environmental protection and other major sustainable development challenges.
• April 14, 2014 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 14 Apr 2014
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, 4/14/2014 The White House 14 Apr 2014

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for April 14, 2014

Other Conflicts

• 14 April 2014 - Daily Press Briefing By The Office Of The Spokesperson For The Secretary-General United Nations 14 Apr 2014
• Syria: UN-OPCW mission expects 'intensified efforts' as chemical weapons deadline slips UN News Centre 14 Apr 2014 -- Concerned that Syria has missed the 13 April deadline to remove most of its chemical agents, the Joint Mission of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the United Nations (OPCW-UN) says that it expects "an intensification of efforts" towards meeting the goal of removing all the country's chemical weapons by the end of the month.
• UN: Detainees Tortured in Syria VOA 14 Apr 2014 -- The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay is condemning what she says is the widespread and systematic use of torture in detention facilities in Syria. A report just issued by her office finds detainees are routinely tortured by the government of Bashar Al-Assad and by some armed opposition groups.
• OPCW Chief Hopes for Timely Destruction of Syrian Chemical Arsenal RIA Novosti 14 Apr 2014 -- The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) will expend all effort to guarantee shipments of chemical weapons out of Syria are completed on schedule by the middle of this year, OPCW Director General Ahmet Üzümcü said Monday.
• Moscow Alarmed by Reports of New Poison Gas Attack in Syria - Lavrov RIA Novosti 14 Apr 2014 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov voiced concerns Monday about reports of the recent use of chemical weapons in Syria, calling for an investigation into the matter.
• UN rights chief condemns rampant use of torture by Syrian forces, opposition groups UN News Centre 14 Apr 2014 -- The United Nations human rights chief today condemned the rampant use of torture, including allegedly of children, in detention facilities across Syria by Government forces and some armed opposition groups.
• OPCW: Syria Sends Out More Chemicals, Must Increase Pace VOA 14 Apr 2014 -- The international group overseeing ridding Syria of chemical weapons says 65 percent of the country's declared stockpile has now been removed, but that the pace must be sped up.
• Syria troops retake Christian town of Maalula VoR 14 Apr 2014 -- Syrian troops retook the ancient Christian town of Maalula from rebels Monday, a day after President Bashar al-Assad said the three-year old civil war was turning in his favor.
• UN Secretary-General 'shocked and saddened' by deadly Nigeria bus bombing UN News Centre 14 Apr 2014 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today voiced his shock and sadness after a bomb attack at a bus station near the Nigerian capital of Abuja claimed dozens of lives, and called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.
• At Least 71 Killed in Nigeria Explosion VOA 14 Apr 2014 -- Police in Nigeria say at least 71 people died when a bomb went off at a bus station in the suburbs of the capital, Abuja, on Monday. Some analysts say the latest attack is a sign that Islamist insurgents in Nigeria have expanded their reach.
• At least 60 killed by suspected Boko Haram islamists in Nigeria - official VoR 14 Apr 2014 -- Suspected Boko Haram Islamists on Sunday killed at least 60 people in Nigeria's troubled northeastern Borno state close to the border with Cameroon, a local official said according to AFP.
• World must help people of Central African Republic 'not tomorrow - today,' declares UN chief UN News Centre 14 Apr 2014 -- More than 70,000 people are now living in horrendous conditions crammed into the Central African Republic (CAR) Bangui airport – the lucky ones under weather-beaten tarps just yards from the runway. Others are in the open.
• MSF: Fighting Displaces 7000 in North CAR VOA 14 Apr 2014 -- In the north central Central African Republic, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) says several thousand civilians have fled into the bush following fighting between anti-balaka militia and African Union peacekeepers.

News Reports

• Readout of the President's Call with President Putin The White House 14 Apr 2014
• Additional Assistance for Ukraine US Dept. of State 14 Apr 2014
• Pro-Russia Demonstrators Defy Ukraine's Ultimatum VOA 14 Apr 2014 -- Pro-Russia demonstrators on Monday defied a government deadline to vacate occupied buildings in exchange for amnesty, as Ukraine's interim president threatened a military crackdown.
• Q&A with US Amb. Geoffrey Pyatt: Ukraine Crisis Escalates as War Fears Grow VOA 14 Apr 2014 -- The escalating situation in Ukraine appears to be on the verge of armed conflict as Acting President Oleksandr Turchynov asked the United Nations Monday to send peacekeeping troops to the east of the country, where pro-Russia militias have seized government buildings and blocked major highways with impunity.
• White House confirms CIA Director visited Kiev over the weekend VoR 14 Apr 2014 -- The White House confirmed that the CIA chief John Brennan visited Kiev last weekend, where he held a series of secret meetings with the current leaders of Ukraine, Reuters reports.
• Kerry Adviser: Arming Ukraine Forces Is an Option VOA 14 Apr 2014 -- The United States is considering supplying arms to Ukraine, where unrest in eastern cities bears the hallmarks of a Russian destabilization drive, an adviser to Secretary of State John Kerry said on Monday.
• If Kiev uses force, Russian cooperation over Ukraine will be undermined – Lavrov VoR 14 Apr 2014 -- 'If the authorities in Kiev will use force, our entire cooperation on the Ukrainian issue will be undermined,' Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at a meeting of the World Coordinating Council of Russian Compatriots. 'We are now discussing the possibility of holding a meeting of Russia, the United States, the European Union and Ukraine,' Lavrov said.
• Kiev hopes to resolve crisis in eastern Ukraine soon – acting president VoR 14 Apr 2014 -- Kiev hopes to resolve the crisis in eastern Ukraine soon, acting President Turchynov said Monday, a day after the country's special forces launched an operation to suppress pro-federalization protesters in the region.
• EU, U.S. Approve Ukraine Support Measures RFE/RL 14 Apr 2014 -- The European Union has formally approved an assistance package for cash-strapped Ukraine and a plan to provide temporary tariff preferences for Ukrainian goods, as Washington announced the signing of a $1 billion loan guarantee for Ukraine
• Ukrainian President 'Not Against' Referendum RFE/RL 14 Apr 2014 -- Ukraine's acting President Oleksandr Turchynov has said that the Ukrainian government is 'not against' a national referendum on the country's form of government.
• Ukraine's Interim Leader Hopes to Resolve Crisis in East Soon RIA Novosti 14 Apr 2014 -- Kiev hopes to resolve the crisis in eastern Ukraine soon, acting President Olexander Turchynov said Monday, a day after the country's special forces launched an operation to suppress pro-federalization protesters in the region.
• Use of Force in Ukraine Threatens Moscow-Kiev Cooperation - Lavrov RIA Novosti 14 Apr 2014 -- The use of force against protesters in Ukraine will undermine the prospects of cooperation between Moscow and Kiev, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Monday.
• Donetsk Region Protesters Detain Trucks Carrying Government Rocket Ammo RIA Novosti 14 Apr 2014 -- Supporters of federalization, who continue to control the town of Slaviansk in eastern Ukraine, said Monday that two trucks with rocket launcher ammunition for government troops were stopped at a local checkpoint.
• CIA Denies Director Brennan's Role in Protest Crackdown in Ukraine RIA Novosti 14 Apr 2014 -- The Central Intelligence Agency rejected reports Monday that its director, John Brennan, orchestrated an operation in southeast Ukraine over the weekend against protesters rallying in support of federalization.
• Leaked UN Report Claims Russia 'Rigged' Crimea Referendum RIA Novosti 14 Apr 2014 -- A draft UN report on human rights in Ukraine reportedly acquired by US-based political magazine Foreign Policy claims Russia "rigged" the referendum in Crimea, the news outlet said on its website.
• West Has Chance to Avert Civil War in Ukraine - Russian UN Envoy RIA Novosti 14 Apr 2014 -- Russia calls on the international community to demand that Ukrainian authorities stop civil war in the crisis-hit country, Russian UN envoy Vitaly Churkin said Monday.
• Russian Security Service Has No Plans to Tighten Border With Ukraine RIA Novosti 14 Apr 2014 -- Russia plans no further tightening of the border with Ukraine, a representative of Russia's Border Service told RIA Novosti on Monday, a day after Ukrainian troops violently suppressed protests in the eastern town of Slaviansk.
• Holding Geneva Talks Depends on Kiev, Russia Ready to Participate - Foreign Ministry RIA Novosti 14 Apr 2014 -- Moscow plans to take part in this week's four-party negotiations on the situation in Ukraine, but holding the talks will depend on the actions of the new Kiev authorities, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement Monday.
• Lavrov Blasts US, EU Attempts to Blame Russia for Ukraine Crisis RIA Novosti 14 Apr 2014 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has criticized the United States and European countries for attempting to blame Moscow for events in southeastern Ukraine, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement Monday.
• Quadrilateral meeting on Ukraine in jeopardy, UNSC session ended in vain VoR 14 Apr 2014 -- International community must demand that those who are in power in Kiev stop war on their own citizens in south-eastern Ukraine, Russia's envoy to the UN, Vitaly Churkin, said during the UN Security Council urgent session.'Stop spreading tales that we built up military armadas on the border with this country, ready at any moment, within a few hours to reach almost as far as La Manche, that we sent hordes of agents to coordinate actions of the protesting people of Ukraine,' Churkin said not even trying to hide his indignation.
• Ukraine on brink of civil war, US partly to blame for bloodshed - Yanukovych VoR 14 Apr 2014 -- Ukraine is a foot in the door to civil war, ousted President Viktor Yanukovych said in his address from the Russian city Rostov-on-Don, where he has been residing for over a month after fleeing Kiev amid protests. 'During my time in Kiev, we never used such methods against radicals or extremists,'the former President added.
• Over 200 Tons of Radioactive Water Dumped Into Wrong Fukushima Reservoir RIA Novosti 14 Apr 2014 -- Around 240 tons of highly radioactive groundwater stored at the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan has been dumped into an unprepared facility due to a technical malfunction, Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported Monday.
• Manning's Conviction Upheld in WikiLeaks Case VOA 14 Apr 2014 -- A U.S. Army judge has upheld the conviction and 35-year prison sentence for the WikiLeaks informant formerly known as Private Bradley Manning.
• Libya's Interim Prime Minister Quits VOA 14 Apr 2014 -- Libya's interim Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thani, who has held the post for less than three weeks, has excused himself from forming a new government, after he and his family came under attack at their home on Saturday.
• Jury Chosen for US Terror Trial of Egyptian Cleric VOA 14 Apr 2014 -- A jury has been chosen in the New York terror trial of a radical Islamic cleric, Mustafa Kamel Mustafa, also known as Abu Hamza al-Masri.
• Deadly Virus Surges Through Arab Gulf VOA 14 Apr 2014 -- Saudi Arabia says a deadly virus is rippling through the kingdom as additional cases were reported over the weekend in the United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
• Ex-army chief Sisi submits bid for Egypt's presidency - spokesman VoR 14 Apr 2014 -- Egypt's ex-army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Monday officially submitted his bid to run for president, with his lawyer handing over the required documents to the authorities, a spokesman said. Sisi, who is riding on a wave of popularity after ousting Islamist leader Mohamed Morsi in July, is widely expected to win the May 26-27 election.