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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 13 Jun 2014 [PDF]
• Taliban Threats Shutter Hundreds of Afghan Voting Centers VOA 13 Jun 2014 -- Hundreds of voting centers in Afghanistan, mostly in the country's volatile south and east, will be closed due to security concerns as Afghans head to the polls for Saturday's presidential runoff.
• Afghanistan Readies for Presidential Run-off VOA 13 Jun 2014 -- Security is tight in Kabul as Afghans prepare to head to the polls to choose a new president from the two remaining candidates, Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah, in a race that remains too close to call.
• Kabul, Islamabad Vow to Address Challenges VOA 13 Jun 2014 -- On the eve of Afghanistan's runoff election, both presidential hopefuls have tried to reassure neighboring Pakistan they want to improve bilateral ties through enhanced political and economic cooperation. Islamabad has also vowed to strictly adhere to a policy of non-interference, but observers see daunting challenges facing the two nations as they seek to overcome years of mutual suspicion and mistrust.
• Afghanistan gears up for run-off presidential vote Iran Press TV 13 Jun 2014 -- Afghanistan prepares for the run-off presidential election to be held on Saturday as government forces tighten security across the country.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Department of Defense Press Briefing on the second annual Performance of the Defense Acquisition System Report, a Better Buying Power update and the Superior Supplier Incentive Program DoD 13 Jun 2014 -- Presenters: Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Frank Kendall III; Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition Sean Stackley
• Defense Department Releases Acquisitions Performance Report AFPS 13 Jun 2014 -- The Defense Department's top acquisitions official today announced the release of a second annual review of the work the department is doing to improve acquisition outcomes.
• Officials Tap Maintainer Ideas to Reduce F-35 Costs AFPS 13 Jun 2014 -- The Pentagon will continue to seek aircraft maintainer suggestions and industry partner investments to reduce operating and sustainment costs by 10 to 20 percent as F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter improvements develop, the undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics said yesterday in a conference call with reporters.
• Readout of Secretary Hagel's Meeting With Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott DoD 13 Jun 2014
• Department of Defense Press Briefing by Rear Adm. Kirby in the Pentagon Briefing Room DoD 01 Jun 2014 -- Press Secretary Rear Admiral John Kirby
• Hot-climate Areas Begin Testing New Lightweight NWUs NNS 13 Jun 2014 -- Sailors stationed in Bahrain, Guam and Hawaii are wearing the Lightweight Navy Working Uniform (LNWU) Type I as part of an eight-week conformance test focusing on performance, durability and appearance from May 28 to June 12.
• Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group is Ready to Deploy NNS 13 Jun 2014 -- Carrier Strike Group 1 (CSG 1) successfully completed Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) off the coast of Southern California June 9, marking the final step in the strike group's preparation for its upcoming deployment.
• Nations Join Forces to Conduct VBSS During BALTOPS 2014 NNS 13 Jun 2014 -- Danish, Georgian and U.S. visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) teams conducted Maritime Interception Operations (MIO) training during exercise Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2014 June 13.
• 2014 DACOWITS Committee Members Announced DoD 13 Jun 2014-- The Department of Defense announced today the induction of five new members to the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services (DACOWITS).
• Army Statement on Sgt. Bergdahl DoD 13 Jun 2014
• Focus Remains on Bergdahl's Health, Well-being, Spokesman Says AFPS 13 Jun 2014 -- Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, held captive by the Taliban for four years, has arrived at the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio to continue his reintegration process, Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby said.
• VMGR-252 crew members provide unique support role to aircraft USMC News 13 Jun 2014 -- Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 has an important role in support of Marine Corps exercises and operations. The KC-130J Super Hercules squadron provides close-air support, troop and cargo transport and aerial refueling capabilities.
• MTACS-28 conducts first mobility exercise USMC News 13 Jun 2014 -- Members of Marine Tactical Air Control Squadron 28 participated in their first mobility exercise June 2 - 4 in Sunset Park here.
• SECNAV Discusses Maritime Security, Partnerships in Romania NNS 13 Jun 2014 -- Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus visited Romania June 10-11 to reinforce the relationship between the United States Navy and Marine Corps and their NATO ally.
• Navy Awards Contract to Dismantle Constellation NNS 13 Jun 2014 -- The Navy competitively awarded a contract to International Shipbreaking Limited of Brownsville, Texas, for the towing, dismantling and recycling of conventionally powered aircraft carriers stricken from service, June 13.
• AFCEC, AFCYBER partnership boosts infrastructure security AFNS 13 Jun 2014 -- The commander from Air Forces Cyber and the director the Air Force Civil Engineer Center signed an initiative here June 12, designed to strengthen the security of industrial control systems, or ICS, supporting critical Air Force infrastructures.
• Iran naval flotilla berths at Port of Dar es Salaam Iran Press TV 13 Jun 2014 -- The 30th Fleet of the Iranian Navy has docked at Tanzania's Port of Dar es Salaam in line with the Islamic Republic's strategy of expanding its naval presence in international waters.
• June 13, 2014 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 13 Jun 2014

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for June 13, 2014

Other Conflicts

• 13 June 2014 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 13 Jun 2014
• Hagel Continues to Monitor Extremist Violence in Iraq AFPS 13 Jun 2014 -- Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel continues to monitor the situation in Iraq, where an armed militant extremist group called the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, or ISIL, has taken over several cities and routed segments of the Iraqi armed forces, Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Adm. John Kirby said today.
• Obama: No Ground Troops in Iraq VOA 13 Jun 2014 -- While promising to pursue diplomacy, U.S. President Barack Obama said Americans 'will do our part' to help Iraq confront the Islamic insurgents rampaging through that country.
• ISIL's Rapid Advance Shocks Iraq, US VOA 13 Jun 2014 -- U.S. military planners are drawing up options to present to President Barack Obama to "break the momentum" of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, also known as ISIL, as its fighters push toward Baghdad.
• Statement by the President on Iraq The White House 13 Jun 2014
• Obama: US Considering 'Range of Options' on Iraq VOA 13 Jun 2014 -- While promising to pursue diplomacy, U.S. President Barack Obama said Americans 'will do our part' to help Iraq confront the Islamic insurgents rampaging through that country.
• Iraq Militants Make Strides, Shi'ite Cleric Issues Call to Arms VOA 13 Jun 2014 -- A crowd of Shi'ite worshipers in the iconic shrine city of Karbala applauded Friday, as senior cleric Abdel Mehdi al Karbalaie, representing Iraq's top Shi'ite spiritual leader Sheikh Ali Sistani, urged Iraqi citizens to volunteer and defend their country against Sunni ISIL militants:
• UN: Iraq Bloodshed Is 'Alarming' VOA 13 Jun 2014 -- U.N. Human Rights chief Navi Pillay says the dramatic deterioration of the situation in Iraq is alarming.
• Obama Weighs Options for Intervention in Iraq AFPS 13 Jun 2014 -- Citing the "huge investments and sacrifices" Americans have made in Iraq, President Barack Obama said today that he has asked his national security team to prepare a range of options to help Iraqi security forces stop rapidly advancing Sunni insurgents who have overrun much of the country's north, control most of Anbar province and are now threatening the capital, Baghdad.
• More Iraqi volunteers help army to defend Baghdad Iran Press TV 13 Jun 2014 -- More Iraqi volunteers flock to recruitment centers in order to join the army in its fight against Takfiri militants, officials say.
• Iraq boosts measures to confront ISIL terrorists Iran Press TV 13 Jun 2014 -- Iraq is carrying out a new plan to protect the capital, Baghdad, against a major militant offensive pushing closer to the southern regions of the country.
• Iraq troops clashing with Takfiris north of Baghdad Iran Press TV 13 Jun 2014 -- Iraqi armed forces are engaged in heavy clashes with Takfiri militants advancing on the city of Baquba, located north of Baghdad.
• UK rules out military action in Iraq Iran Press TV 13 Jun 2014 -- The UK will not get militarily involved in Iraq to help contain the recent surge of violence by militants from the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), British Foreign Secretary William Hague says.
• Iran Enters The Fray In Iraq RFE/RL 13 Jun 2014 -- Iranian government officials including President Hassan Rohani have expressed readiness to help the government of their Iraqi ally, Nuri al-Maliki, fight the militants of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) amid Western media reports that the country's powerful Revolutionary Guard has already dispatched forces to Iraq.
• Iraq's Top Shi'ite Cleric Issues Call To Take Up Arms RFE/RL 13 Jun 2014 -- Iraq's most senior Shi'ite cleric has issued a call to take up arms after Sunni-led militants overran swathes of the country.
• As Iraq's insurgency spreads beyond Mosul, UN rights chief 'alarmed' by reported abuses UN News Centre 13 Jun 2014 -- As insurgents continue to overrun parts of northern Iraq, the United Nations human rights chief expressed "extreme alarm" today at reports of summary executions and extrajudicial killings, and the massive displacement of some half a million people, many of whom are now in urgent need of shelter.
• China army recruitment eyes high-quality young People's Daily 13 Jun 2014 -- China's 2014 army recruitment will last from Aug. 1 to Sept. 30, focusing on recruiting youngsters with higher educational and physical credentials.
• China urges Japan to stop provocations after jet encounter People's Daily 13 Jun 2014 -- China on Friday urged Japan to stop provocative actions and words after a close encounter between Chinese and Japanese military planes over the East China Sea.
• Fishermen recount Vietnamese provocations People's Daily 13 Jun 2014 -- Chinese fishermen involved in recent clashes with Vietnamese vessels in waters off China's Xisha Islands have witnessed Vietnamese provocations to harass and disturb oil drilling operations.
• Israel plans to build 1,083 new settler units Iran Press TV 13 Jun 2014 -- The Israeli regime is pushing ahead with plans to build over 1,000 more settler units in the occupied West Bank in an attempt to pile more pressure on the newly-formed Palestinian unity government.
• UN appeals for safe haven for civilians fleeing violence in Central African Republic UN News Centre 13 Jun 2014 -- As ongoing violence in the Central African Republic (CAR) continues to drive civilians to seek safety elsewhere, the United Nations refugee agency is appealing to neighbouring countries to keep their borders open and allow access to safe haven for people on the run.
• UN envoy reiterates commitment to stability of Nigeria, Lake Chad basin region UN News Centre 13 Jun 2014 -- While efforts are underway to safely release the abducted Nigerian school girls, more civilians are killed and many others are being displaced by Boko Haram insurgents, the United Nations envoy for West Africa today warned, reiterating the Organization's commitment to helping stabilize the country.
• Obasanjo: Some Nigerian Schoolgirls May Never Return VOA 13 Jun 2014 -- Some of the schoolgirls abducted by militant group Boko Haram may never return home, Nigeria's influential former president Olusegun Obasanjo said, in some of the most pessimistic comments yet on their fate from a member of the country's elite.
• Preventing and Responding to Sexual Violence in Conflict US Dept. of State 13 Jun 2014
• Myanmar: senior UN official urges greater access to people in need of humanitarian aid UN News Centre 13 Jun 2014 -- The United Nations Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator today stressed the need for improved access to people in need of humanitarian assistance in Myanmar, as she wrapped up a visit to the states of Rakhine and Kachin.

News Reports

• US: Russia Sends Tanks to Rebels in Ukraine VOA 13 Jun 2014 -- The U.S. State Department has confirmed that Russia has sent tanks and other heavy weapons to separatists in Ukraine.
• Former NATO Commander Wesley Clark: Crimea Is Not Kosovo VOA 13 Jun 2014 -- When NATO jets attacked Serbian military targets in Kosovo in 1999, relations between the West and Russia plummeted to lows not seen since before the Soviet collapse eight years earlier.
• Deadly clashes erupt in Ukraine's Mariupol Iran Press TV 13 Jun 2014 -- Ukrainian government forces have reportedly recaptured the southeastern city of Mariupol, following deadly clashes with pro-Russian activists.
• Ukrainian Troops Take Control Of Mariupol; Five Rebels Killed RFE/RL 13 Jun 2014 -- The Ukrainian government says its forces have regained control of the rebel-held port city of Mariupol.
• Ukraine Forces Regain Control of Mariupol VOA 13 Jun 2014 -- Ukraine's government said Friday that its security forces regained control of Mariupol, a port city in the Donetsk region that has changed hands several times.
• Ukrainian military violates Russian border, Kremlin says VoR 13 Jun 2014 -- Russia on Friday claimed that the Ukrainian military had violated its border with at least one infantry combat vehicle. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the Interfax news agency that the incursion took place on Friday, a day after Ukraine hit out over an alleged border violation by Russian tanks. President Vladimir Putin 'has told the foreign ministry to contact the Ukrainian side on the issue of the border violation by Ukrainian troops,' Peskov said.
• Five people injured and one killed in Mariupol – local authorities VoR 13 Jun 2014 -- Five people were injured and one killed during this morning's special operation of the Ukrainian security task forces in Mariupol, Donetsk Region of Ukraine, the local administration reports citing the health department. The Ukrainian forces started a special operation in Mariupol on Friday morning, after which they reported having detained several dozens of resistance fighters.
• NATO Secretary General concerned about reports of escalation of the crisis in Eastern Ukraine NATO 13 Jun 2014
• NATO: Photos Confirm Russian Tanks Near Ukraine VOA 13 Jun 2014 -- NATO on Saturday released photos that it said showed recent Russian tank movements near the Ukrainian border, one day after the U.S. State Department asserted Russia had sent tanks and heavy weaponry to separatists in Ukraine.
• Intelligence minister: All enemies movements closely monitored IRNA 13 Jun 2014 -- Intelligence Minister Hojjatoleslam Seyyed Mahmoud Alavi underlined that his colleagues closely monitor all movements of the enemies of the Islamic system.