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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
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News Reports

Current Operations

• Obama Makes 'No Apologies' on Bergdahl Release VOA 05 Jun 2014 -- President Barack Obama said on Thursday he would make "no apologies" for agreeing to a deal that released Taliban detainee U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, despite controversy in Washington that Congress was not notified ahead of time.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Department of Defense Background Briefing on DOD Reintegration Procedures in the Pentagon Briefing Room DoD 05 Jun 2014 -- Presenter: Senior Defense Officials
• Post POW Reintegration Process Can Be Complicated, Lengthy, Officials Say AFPS 05 Jun 2014 -- When service members or DOD civilians are returned after being captured, separated from their unit or otherwise isolated, they enter a three-step reintegration program designed to assist them as they transition back to normal life, defense officials from the Joint Personnel Recovery Agency said today during a briefing for reporters.
• Space fence contract awarded AFNS 05 Jun 2014 -- The Air Force awarded a $914,699,474 contract to Lockheed Martin on June 2, 2014 to develop a system that will track objects in Earth's orbit with far greater confidence and fidelity.
• Remarks by Secretary Hagel on the Pier with Minister Dusa in Constanta, Romania DoD 05 Jun 2014-- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel
• Aviano F-16 crews train with international JTACs AFNS 05 Jun 2014 -- F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 31st Fighter Wing are conducting close air support training missions this week during Exercise ADRIATIC STRIKE in Postojna, Slovenia.
• Acting VA Secretary Announces Immediate Actions to Improve Service AFPS 05 Jun 2014 -- Acting Veterans Affairs Secretary Sloan D. Gibson today announced immediate steps to address recommendations made by VA's Inspector General who found systemic problems have led to unusually long wait times for veterans seeking health care at facilities around the country.
• Remarks by Secretary Hagel on the Pier with Minister Dusa in Constanta, Romania DoD 05 Jun 2014 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel
• President Obama nominates next commandant of Marine Corps USMC News 05 Jun 2014 -- President Barack Obama has chosen Gen. Joseph Dunford Jr. to serve as the 36th commandant of the Marine Corps, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced today. The decision is pending senate confirmation.
• President Nominates Dunford as Next Marine Corps Commandant AFPS 05 Jun 2014 -- President Barack Obama has nominated Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., who has commanded U.S. and coalition forces in Afghanistan since February 2013, to be the 36th commandant of the Marine Corps, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced today.
• MWSS-271 completes field exercise at Camp Lejeune USMC News 05 Jun 2014 -- More than 100 Marines with Engineer Company, Marine Wing Support Squadron 271 participated in a field exercise here May 27 through June 2.
• UPDATE: US Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet Crashes into Water While on Approach to USS Carl Vinson NNS 05 Jun 2014 -- A U.S. Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 81 based at Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana, Va., crashed into the water while on approach to USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) at approximately 10 p.m. PDT on June 4 while operating off the coast of southern California.
• NAVSEA Schedules FY15 Surface Ship Availabilities NNS 05 Jun 2014 -- As part of a Naval Sea Systems Command effort to improve surface ship maintenance and modernization, NAVSEA fully analyzed surface ship maintenance and modernization needs to better plan the scope and duration of all 44 shipyard availabilities planned for fiscal year 2015.
• Training Accident Occurs at Navy Outlying Field Spencer NNS 05 Jun 2014 -- A mishap involving a Training Air Wing FIVE TH-57 Sea Ranger helicopter occurred at approximately 10:15 a.m. CDT on June 5 at Naval Air Station (NAS) Whiting Field's Navy Outlying Landing Field Spencer in Pace, Fla.
• Hagel Praises Romania as Steadfast U.S. Ally AFPS 05 Jun 2014 -- Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel today praised Romania as a "steadfast friend and ally of the United States," noting several of its contributions to regional and world security.
• Tradewinds Exercise Kicks Off in Caribbean AFPS 05 Jun 2014 -- Members of 11 Caribbean partner nations joined the U.S. and Canadian militaries in Antigua yesterday to kick off Phase I of Tradewinds 2014.
• Shrinking DOD Budget Could Jeopardize Readiness, Officials Say AFPS 05 Jun 2014 -- In remarks at the Defense Communities 2014 National Summit yesterday, Pentagon officials described how force structure reductions will impact the Defense Department and industry partners amid ongoing budget woes and sequestration.
• USS Vella Gulf Hosts Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel NNS 05 Jun 2014 -- The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) welcomed aboard U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel during a scheduled port visit to Constanta, Romania, June 5.
• US Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet Impacts Water During Approach to USS Carl Vinson NNS 05 Jun 2014 -- A U.S. Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 81 based at Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana, Va., impacted the water during an approach to USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) at approximately 10 p.m. PST on June 4 while operating off the coast of Southern California.
• USS Halyburton Returns from Deployment NNS 05 Jun 2014 -- Guided-missile frigate USS Halyburton (FFG 40) returned to Mayport June 4 from a five-month deployment to U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations (AOR).
• Military jet crash sets homes ablaze in California, no injured reported VoR 05 Jun 2014 -- A Marine jet crashed into a residential area in a Southern California desert community Wednesday, exploding and setting two homes on fire. The pilot ejected safely, and there was no immediate word of any injuries on the ground. No one was injured, authorities sai according to AP reports.
• Armed Russian jet buzzed US spy plane: Pentagon Iran Press TV 05 Jun 2014 -- An armed Russian fighter jet buzzed dangerously close to a US military spy plane in late April, triggering private US protests to Moscow, the Pentagon said.
• Russia Says Ukraine Refuses to Return Advance Payments for Defense Contracts RIA Novosti 05 Jun 2014 -- Kiev does not intend to refund Moscow's prepayments for Russian defense orders placed with Ukrainian enterprises, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said Thursday.
• China Continues Military Modernization, Report Says AFPS 05 Jun 2014 -- China continues to modernize and improve its military capabilities, according to an annual DOD report to Congress, and is also preparing for contingencies in the South and East China Seas where Beijing has been involved in increasingly tense territorial disputes with its neighbors.
• Iran flotilla heading for south Indian Ocean: Cmdr. Iran Press TV 05 Jun 2014 -- Iran's naval forces will, for the first time, set sail for the southern waters of the Indian Ocean, says the county's Navy commander.
• June 5, 2014 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 05 Jun 2014
• Press Gaggle by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Josh Earnest and Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes The White House 05 Jun 2014

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for June 06, 2014
• Oversight of military firms on rise People's Daily 05 Jun 2014 -- Supervision of China's military enterprises is increasing, as is evident from recent investigations of several senior managers on suspicion of corruption, analysts said.

Other Conflicts

• 5 June 2014 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 05 Jun 2014
• China urges political settlement on Syria issue People's Daily 05 Jun 2014 -- China on Thursday called for all parties involved to adhere to a political settlement on the Syria issue after the country's incumbent President Bashar al-Assad was reelected.
• Supporters of Syria militants to lose power: Assad Iran Press TV 05 Jun 2014 -- President Bashar al-Assad says the clout of supporters of terrorists operating inside Syria is in decline.
• Libya's Supreme Court Declares PM's Election Illegal VOA 05 Jun 2014 -- Libya's Supreme Court says one of the country's two rival prime ministers, Ahmed Maitiq, was named 'illegally,' due to the absence of a quorum during the vote. In the country without a permanent constitution and a disputed parliament, the decision appears to leave caretaker Prime Minister Abdallah Thani in charge. But, Thani says no final decision will be made until Monday.
• Hundreds Killed in Nigeria Militant Attack VOA 05 Jun 2014 -- Gunmen believed to be Boko Haram militants have killed hundreds of civilians in new attacks in northeastern Nigeria.
• Cameroon Villages Fear Boko Haram Infiltration VOA 05 Jun 2014 -- There is growing concern in Cameroon that the Nigerian extremist group Boko Haram is infiltrating villages along the border. The arrest of 18 suspected members of the group has sparked wide criticism that the army is focused only on northern part of the country, and is ignoring other parts of Cameroon's long, winding border with Nigeria.
• In Nigeria, World Cup Excitement Tempered With Fear VOA 05 Jun 2014 -- As the World Cup in Brazil approaches, Nigerians are looking forward to watching their team compete for the fifth time in the country's history. Recent attacks on football 'viewing centers' have cast a shadow on the event, however, and many fans in Nigeria say for this World Cup, they will stay home.
• World Leaders 'Deeply Concerned' about Asia Maritime Tensions VOA 05 Jun 2014 -- The Group of Seven industrialized nations said it is 'deeply concerned' about tensions in the East and South China Sea, where Beijing is involved in territorial disputes with its neighbors.
• Vietnam Shows Boat Ramming Video, China Opposes VOA 05 Jun 2014 -- Vietnam has released a video showing a Chinese vessel sinking a Vietnamese fishing boat last week in the South China Sea.
• UN tribunals crucial for delivering justice for Rwanda, former Yugoslavia, Security Council told UN News Centre 05 Jun 2014 -- What began as 'bold experiments' in international justice two decades ago have resulted in ensuring accountability for the worst of crimes, officials from the United Nations tribunals dealing with the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda told the Security Council today, as they highlighted ongoing efforts to bring the work of their respective bodies to a close.
• South Sudan: as rains set in, UN agency boosts aid operations to reach remote areas UN News Centre 05 Jun 2014 -- As the rainy season begins in South Sudan, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has scaled up its emergency response operations with large-scale airdrops to provide remote communities with livelihood kits that will allow them to plant crops, fish waterways and protect livestock from fatal diseases.
• Iraqi forces repel Samarra terror attack Iran Press TV 05 Jun 2014 -- Iraqi forces in the city of Samarra have foiled an effort by a notorious al-Qaeda-link terrorist group to wage an attack on one of the holiest sites of Shia Muslims.

News Reports

• Remarks by President Obama and Prime Minister David Cameron of the United Kingdom in Joint Press Conference The White House 05 Jun 2014
• Remarks With Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 05 Jun 2014
• Ukraine's New President Faces Daunting Challenges VOA 05 Jun 2014 -- Petro Poroshenko, a billionaire businessman and politician, is scheduled to be sworn in as Ukraine's president next week.
• Donetsk militia claims to have shot down Ukrainian army's plane, 2 helicopters over Slavyansk VoR 05 Jun 2014 -- Militiamen of the self-proclaimed 'Donetsk People's Republic' claim they have shot down two helicopters and one airplane of the Ukrainian Armed Forces over Slavyansk in the past 24 hours. 'Occasional random artillery strikes have been launched in Slavyansk. An airplane and two helicopters belonging to Ukrainian security forces have been brought down over the city in the past 24 hours,' 'Southeast Front' spokesman Kostyantyn Knyrik told Interfax on Thursday.
• Russia urges US to stop involvement of mercenaries in conflict in Ukraine VoR 05 Jun 2014 -- Russia is calling on the United States to take steps to curb involvement of foreign mercenaries in the ongoing military operation in Ukraine, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said.
• Russia's premier raps G7 for backing Kiev Iran Press TV 05 Jun 2014 -- Russia's Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has slammed the group of seven developed countries, also known as the G7, for backing Ukraine's military actions in the country's eastern parts.
• Obama Calls On Russia To Open Talks With Ukraine RFE/RL 05 Jun 2014 -- U.S. President Barack Obama has urged Moscow to engage with Ukrainian President-elect Petro Poroshenko.
• Luhansk Dispatch: Nowhere To Hide RFE/RL 05 Jun 2014 -- People in Luhansk have largely tried to keep their heads down and go about their business during the two months that armed separatists have occupied this city's administration building and declared independence from Kyiv.
• Russia Blasts UN's Western Members for Closing Eyes to Ukrainian Humanitarian Issues RIA Novosti 05 Jun 2014 -- The West's denial of humanitarian problems in Ukraine reflects its double standards, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said Thursday.
• Russia Rejects Ukraine's Arms Traffic Claims RIA Novosti 05 Jun 2014 -- Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Alexander Lukashevich has dismissed as "baseless" Kiev's allegations of Russian arms supplies to independence supporters in eastern Ukraine.
• Kiev's Use of Heavy Weapons in Crackdown Violates International Law – Russia RIA Novosti 05 Jun 2014 -- Moscow has raised the issue of Kiev using heavy armaments in its special operations against independence supporters in eastern Ukraine at OSCE session, Russia's envoy Andrei Kelin said on Wednesday.
• Military Operation in East Ukraine to Last Longer Than Expected RIA Novosti 05 Jun 2014 -- Ukraine's acting Head of the Presidential Administration Serhiy Pashinsky said Thursday that the military operation in eastern Ukraine was likely to last longer than originally hoped.
• Around 4,000 Refugees Flee from Ukraine to Russia – Medvedev RIA Novosti 05 Jun 2014 -- Russia has already received around 4,000 Ukrainian refugees as Kiev turned a blind eye to the looming humanitarian crisis in the violence-hit east, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said Thursday.
• G7 Warns Of Tougher Russian Sanctions RFE/RL 05 Jun 2014 -- The Group of Seven (G7) has warned that it could escalate sanctions against Russia if the situation in eastern Ukraine spins further out of control.
• Obama: Russia Must Work With New Ukraine Leader VOA 05 Jun 2014 -- U.S. President Barack Obama said that Russian President Vladimir Putin must recognize and work with Ukraine's newly-elected government and stop 'provocations' along its border, or face tougher sanctions from members of the Group of Seven nations.
• Russia never annexed Crimea, no plans to intervene Ukraine, it's Western delusion - Putin VoR 05 Jun 2014 -- On June 6 Russian President Vladimir Putin will attend a ceremony commemorating the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy. Ahead of his visit to France Russian leader gave an extensive interview to Radio Europe 1 news program author and frontman Jean-Pierre Elkabbach and anchor of the evening news on TF1 TV channel Gilles Bouleau covering burning issues from Ukraine and Crimea to the US foreign policy. The interview was recorded on June 3 in Sochi.
• DOD Tracking Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Virus AFPS 05 Jun 2014 -- The Defense Department is closely monitoring the spread of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome which has infected more than 800 people worldwide, Air Force Col. Carol Fisher, DOD's director of Public Health, said today.
• China Begins Releasing Dissidents Following Tiananmen Anniversary VOA 05 Jun 2014 -- China has begun releasing activists it rounded up before Wednesday's 25th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre.
• Russia Urges Abkhazia to Ensure Free Presidential Election RIA Novosti 05 Jun 2014 -- Moscow hopes that Abkhazia will hold a free and fair snap election after its president was asked to vacate the office earlier this month, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said Thursday.
• Russia Mulls Privatizing ERA-GLONASS Emergency Network RIA Novosti 05 Jun 2014 -- The Russian government will consider privatizing the state-owned ERA-GLONASS emergency calls network, according to the Russian newspaper Kommersant.