• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 15 Jan 2015 [PDF]
• Airstrikes Continue Against ISIL in Syria, Iraq AFPS 15 Jan 2015 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria, using attack, bomber, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft to conduct 11 airstrikes, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
• UN-backed mine clearing project in Afghanistan reports 34 killed during 2014 UN News Centre 15 Jan 2015 -- The United Nations-supported Mine Action Programme in Afghanistan (MAPA) has said today that while 2014 could prove to have been a major turning point in the country's long and tortured history, it was also a year that had inflicted "immense and unprecedented tragedy" on the programme's personnel.
• USS Sampson and USS Fort Worth Detach From AirAsia Search NNS 15 Jan 2015 -- After contributing more than 650 search hours to the Indonesian-led search effort for AirAsia flight QZ8501, USS Sampson (DDG 102) and USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) concluded their assistance efforts Jan 15, receiving praise from Indonesian authorities.

Defense Policy / Programs

• State of the Air Force press briefing by Secretary James and General Welsh in the Pentagon Briefing Room DoD 15 Jan 2015 -- Presenters: Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James and Chief of Staff of the Air Force General Mark A. Welsh III
• Air Force senior leadership addresses need to stabilize RPA enterprise AFNS 15 Jan 2015 -- During a State of the Air Force address held at the Pentagon, Jan 15, Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James announced immediate preliminary steps to develop a get-well plan to improve the health of the MQ-1B Predator and MQ-9 Reaper enterprise in light of extensive combatant commander operational needs.
• Air Force Safeguards National Security in Uncertain Budget Environment AFPS 15 Jan 2015 -- At the same time the Air Force is navigating a fragile budget environment, it is actively engaged in addressing critical national security issues, Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James said today.
• Air Force Brings Ideas to Defense Innovation Initiative AFPS 15 Jan 2015 -- In dual remarks during the State of the Air Force press briefing here today, Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James and the Air Force chief of staff announced plans to bring the service's research, science and technology ideas to the Defense Innovation Initiative, led by Deputy Secretary of Defense Bob Work.
• Haney: Strategic Deterrent is More Than a Nuclear Triad AFPS 15 Jan 2015 -- The United States' strategic deterrent includes a triad of nuclear delivery platforms, but other critical elements range from intelligence and missile defense to space and cyber capabilities and a capable workforce, Navy Adm. Cecil Haney said here today.
• Remarks by Secretary Hagel at a Troop Event, Fort Bliss, Texas DoD 15 Jan 2015 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel's call with Australian Defence Minister Kevin Andrews DoD 15 Jan 2015
• Bomber force prepares for new B-52 bomb bay upgrade testing AFNS 15 Jan 2015 -- Since the Air Force's decision in 2013 to increase the B-52H Stratofortress fleet's effectiveness and versatility by increasing the aircraft's smart weapons capacity by over 50 percent, teams from Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, Boeing, and now Edwards AFB, have partnered up to begin developmental testing on the bombers newest upgrade.
• James: New Acquisition Initiative Aims to Cut Costs AFPS 15 Jan 2015 -- Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James announced a new initiative designed to help the Air Force partner with industry, encourage innovation and drive down the cost of systems.
• Hagel: U.S. Military Must Prepare for Challenges AFPS 15 Jan 2015 -- Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, in what was expected to be his last major address to the troops before leaving office, told an Army audience today the world is at a defining moment, with events charging ahead with a new immediacy, creating less margin for error for U.S. leaders and urging the military to "prepare this institution in ways that we've never had to."
• CNO Engaging Chile, Peru and Colombia Navies NNS 15 Jan 2015 -- At the invitation of several South American heads of navies Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert is engaging with the Chilean, Peruvian and Colombian Navies this week, Jan 11-17, in each of their respective countries.
• USNS Mercy Trains, Integrates Core Crew During MERCEX NNS 15 Jan 2015 -- The Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) completed MERCEX (Mercy Exercise) 02-15, Jan. 12.
• John C. Stennis Visits Indian Island NNS 15 Jan 2015 -- The aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) visited Naval Magazine (NAVMAG) Indian Island, the Navy's primary ordnance storage and handling station on the West Coast, to onload six million pounds of ammunition, Jan. 13-15.
• NATO Chief: Military Strength Aids Diplomatic Dialogue AFPS 15 Jan 2015 -- Military strength encourages diplomatic dialogue, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in Berlin yesterday.
• START Treaty Vital for US, Russia Despite Differences on Ukraine Sputnik 15 Jan 2015 -- Complying with the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) and maintaining a transparent relationship with Russia is vital for Washington and Moscow despite current differences on Ukraine, commander of US Strategic Command, Adm. Cecil Haney said on Thursday.
• US Concerned About Russia's Emerging Strategic Military Capabilities Sputnik 15 Jan 2015 -- The United States is concerned about Russia's emerging strategic capabilities in nuclear, space, cyber security spheres, Commander of US Strategic Command Adm. Cecil Haney said on Thursday.
• Russia Will Test Launch Iskander-M Missiles During March Drills Sputnik 15 Jan 2015 -- Two missile battalions of the Central Military District (CMD) will test launch a number of Iskander-M tactical ballistic missiles during exercises in southern Russia in March, CMD spokesperson Col. Yaroslav Roshupkin said Thursday.
• EU Parliament Supports France's Call to Postpone Mistral Delivery to Russia Sputnik 15 Jan 2015 -- The European Parliament welcomed France's decision to postpone the delivery of Mistral-class helicopter carriers to Russia in a resolution issued on Thursday.
• Russia may sue France over delay in warships delivery Iran Press TV 15 Jan 2015 -- Moscow says it may file a lawsuit against Paris over France's decision to suspend the delivery of two Russian-ordered warships under a 2011 contract.
• Russian Defense Minister Says Ready to Sue France Over Mistral Delivery Sputnik 15 Jan 2015 -- Moscow could file a court case against Paris within six months over the latter's nonfulfillment of a contract to deliver the first Mistral-class helicopter carrier to Russia on time, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Thursday.
• Ukraine Expands Military Draft Age to 27 Sputnik 15 Jan 2015 -- The Ukrainian parliament on Thursday expanded the upper limit of compulsory military draft age for male citizens from 25 to 27 years.
• Ukrainian Parliament Approves Three Waves of Military Mobilization for 2015 Sputnik 15 Jan 2015 -- The Ukrainian parliament on Thursday approved a presidential decree to hold three partial military mobilizations in 2015.
• Daily Briefing by the Press Secretary Josh Earnest, 01/15/15 The White House 15 Jan 2015
• January 15, 2015 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 15 Jan 2015

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for January 15, 2015

Other Conflicts

• 15 January 2015 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 15 Jan 2015
• Warring sides agree to truce near Syria's Homs Iran Press TV 15 Jan 2015 -- Syrian opposition sources say local officials and militants have agreed on a temporary truce deal in a district near the western flashpoint city of Homs.
• Islamic State Beheads, Crucifies Five in Deir Ezzor Province of Syria Sputnik 15 Jan 2015 -- Three men have been executed by the Islamic State in the city of al-Mayadeen, in Syria's Deir Ezzor province on Thurday, Reuters reported.
• UN envoy says Syria set back 40 years by war, calls for renewed push towards solution UN News Centre 15 Jan 2015 -- With the "devastating conflict" in Syria entering its fourth year, the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Syria said today that continued fighting in the country is a "disgrace" that has set the country back 40 years.
• UN Envoy Urges Restart of Syrian Peace Process VOA 15 Jan 2015 -- The U.N. Special Envoy for Syria Staffan De Mistura is proposing a freeze on fighting in the Syrian city of Aleppo as a first step toward re-igniting the failed Syrian peace process. He says it is urgent to take concrete action to end the devastating conflict, which is now in its fourth year.
• Libya: UN-mediated peace talks resume in Geneva as parties seek political settlement UN News Centre 15 Jan 2015 -- The new round of United Nations-led political talks aimed at easing the deepening political and security crisis afflicting Libya continued into its second day of dialogue today as national stakeholders and the United Nations Support Mission (UNSMIL) in the North African country resumed their meetings in Geneva amid encouraging developments.
• UN: Refugees From Baga Fighting Could Reach 20,000 VOA 15 Jan 2015 -- The United Nations says about 13,000 refugees fled into Chad after last week's attack on the northeastern Nigeria town of Baga, and thousands more could be on their way.
• Nigerian President Pays Visit to Volatile Northeast VOA 15 Jan 2015 -- Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has made a surprise visit to northeastern Borno state, the center of the Boko Haram insurgency.
• Nigerian lives matter - the Baga controversy IRIN 15 Jan 2015 -- Two thousand killed or 150? Controversy surrounds the death toll in the northern Nigerian town of Baga and nearby villages following an attack in early January by the Islamist militant group Boko Haram.
• EU Parliament Accuses Russia of 'Acts of Terrorism' in Ukraine VOA 15 Jan 2015 -- The European Parliament is accusing Russia of what it calls 'acts of terrorism' in Ukraine. Meeting in Brussels, the European Union legislative body passed a resolution condemning what it called Russia's 'aggressive and expansionist policy' and 'the acts of terrorism and criminal behavior' by Russian-backed rebels in east Ukraine.
• Cows and conflict: South Sudan's "slow motion" livestock crisis IRIN 15 Jan 2015 -- At 11 million head, cattle outnumber people in South Sudan and are central to the country's economy and society. Now, 13 months of civil war have disrupted traditional migration routes and disease patterns in a way that has sparked fresh cycles of violence and jeopardized the country's broader social cohesion.
• China Peacekeepers in South Sudan to Focus on Protecting Civilians, UN Says VOA 15 Jan 2015 -- A battalion of 700 Chinese soldiers will deploy in South Sudan soon to boost the current U.N. peacekeeper force of about 10,000 in the country, the U.N. Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said Thursday.
• UN Official Warns of Israeli-Palestinian 'Downward Spiral' VOA 15 Jan 2015 -- A senior United Nations official warned Thursday that Israeli and Palestinian leaders are engaged in a "downward spiral," making the quick resumption of peace talks unlikely.
• Israeli-Palestinian conflict heads into uncharted territory as mistrust deepens, UN official warns UN News Centre 15 Jan 2015 -- The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is now entering uncharted territory as tensions between the two sides escalate and an "ever-widening trust deficit" risks hampering future peace talks, a senior United Nations political official told the Security Council today as he urged Palestinians and Israelis to "plot a course" and work towards a negotiated resolution.

News Reports

• Obama, Cameron Vow To Stand Firm Against Islamist Extremists RFE/RL 15 Jan 2015 -- The United States and Britain are promising to maintain a united front against Islamist extremists after militants killed 17 people in three days of attacks last week in Paris.
• International experts, led by UN, kick off Ebola recovery assessment in Sierra Leone UN News Centre 15 Jan 2015 -- Spearheaded by the United Nations, a team of international experts has begun an Ebola Recovery Assessment (ERA) mission in Sierra Leone as part of an effort to partner with Governments to address the impact of the virus on affected countries.
• 2 Dead in Belgium Anti-terror Raid VOA 15 Jan 2015 -- Belgian police have stopped what they call an 'imminent' terrorist attack, killing two heavily armed suspects and arresting one.
• Kerry in Paris to Give 'Big Hug' to France VOA 15 Jan 2015 -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is in Paris to give what he has called a 'big hug' to the French capital after last week's terror attacks by Islamic extremists.
• German Spies Abroad At Risk As Double Agent Steals List of Their Real Names Sputnik 15 Jan 2015 -- Up to 3,500 German intelligence officers working abroad, posing as diplomats and serving in countries where Germany has its military missions, now risk being uncovered, according to a report published by the German tabloid Bild.
• Senate Torture Report Staffers Should Have Been Aware of Monitoring: Report Sputnik 15 Jan 2015 -- The CIA's accountability board found the intelligence agency did not illegally spy on Senate staffers conducting an investigation into the agency's enhanced interrogation techniques as they were informed of possible monitoring, according to declassified top secret documents released by the CIA on Wednesday.
• Report: No Software Alternative to Bulk Data Collection VOA 15 Jan 2015 -- No software-based technique can fully replace bulk collection of communications data for electronic intelligence gathering, the U.S. National Research Council said in a report released on Thursday.
• US Relaxation of Cuba Sanctions Begins Friday VOA 15 Jan 2015 -- The United States Treasury says new rules relaxing trade and travel restrictions to Cuba will be implemented beginning Friday.
• Another senior Chinese military logistics officer under investigation People's Daily 15 Jan 2015 -- Liu Zheng, deputy head of the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) General Logistics Department is under investigation for 'suspected legal violations,' the PLA announced Thursday.
• Mission Control Confirms No Ammonia on International Space Station Sputnik 15 Jan 2015 -- No ammonia has been detected in the air of the US segment of the International Space Station after Wednesday's false alarm, Mission Control in Moscow told RIA Novosti on Thursday.