14 April 2015 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Casualty Update 14 Apr 2015 [PDF]

Airstrikes Continue Against ISIL in Syria, Iraq AFPS 14 Apr 2015 -- U.S. and coalition military forces have continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.

Defense Policy / Programs

AF announces KC-46A candidate bases AFNS 14 Apr 2015 -- Air Force officials announced April 14 that Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma; Seymour-Johnson AFB, North Carolina; Westover Air Reserve Base, Massachusetts; and Grissom ARB, Indiana are candidate bases for the first Air Force Reserve-led KC-46A Pegasus location.
Eielson AFB retains aggressor mission AFNS 14 Apr 2015 -- Air Force officials announced April 14 that Eielson Air Force Base will retain the 18th Aggressor Squadron and its assigned 18 F-16 Fighting Falcon aggressor aircraft.
Readout of Secretary of Defense Ash Carter's Phone Call with Spanish Minister of Defense Pedro Morenés DoD 14 Apr 2015
DOD Announces Decision to Disinter USS Oklahoma Unaccounted For Service Members DoD 14 Apr 2015 -- The Department of Defense (DoD) announced today that the remains of up to 388 unaccounted for sailors and Marines, associated with the USS Oklahoma, will be exhumed later this year. Upon disinterment, the remains will be transferred to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) laboratory in Hawaii for examination.
F-35C Conducts First Detachment Visit at NAS Lemoore NNS 14 Apr 2015 -- Sailors and members of the community had the opportunity to observe an F-35C Lightning II aircraft static display at Naval Air Station (NAS) Lemoore, California, April 14.
New DoD Cyber Strategy Nears Release, Official Says AFPS 14 Apr 2015 -- The Defense Department will release a new cyber strategy next week to guide the way ahead for cyber in the foreseeable future, a senior Pentagon official told Congress today.
18th Wing conducts joint NEO exercise with Navy, Army AFNS 14 Apr 2015 -- Members from the Air Force, Navy and Army processed 150 families while participating in a joint Non-combatant Evacuation Operation exercise (NEO) here April 8.
Medical Leaders Warn of 2016 Sequestration Effects AFPS 14 Apr 2015 -- The president's fiscal year 2016 defense budget proposal supports the Military Health Systems' core values, Air Force Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Douglas J. Robb, director of the Defense Health Agency, told the House Appropriations Committee's defense subcommittee today.
MCSCG deploys to the Republic of Georgia USMC News 14 Apr 2015 -- Marines from Marine Forces Reserve completed the Marine Corps Security Cooperation Group pre-deployment training program at MCSCG on Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek– Fort Story, Virginia, March 26, 20The Marines are currently deployed to the Republic of Georgia for six months in support of the Georgia Deployment Program's Resolute Support Mission.
Combined Philippine-US force continues humanitarian efforts in Panay USMC News 14 Apr 2015 -- The Combined-Joint Civil-Military Operations Task Force, located on the island of Panay, completed a three-day cooperative health engagement with a train-the-trainer first responder medical course as part of exercise Balikatan, April 9.
Navy Accepts Delivery of USNS Trenton (JHSV 5) NNS 14 Apr 2015 -- The Navy accepted delivery of the USNS Trenton (JHSV 5), its fifth joint high speed vessel, April 13.
HSC-25 Rescues Distressed Mariners NNS 14 Apr 2015 -- Sailors from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25 conducted a search-and-rescue (SAR) operation and retrieved five distressed mariners west of Apra Harbor on U.S. Naval Base Guam April 11.
USS Porter Departs Faslane for Joint Warrior NNS 14 Apr 2015 -- Following a port visit to Faslane, Scotland, the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) departed Her Majesty's Naval Base, Clyde, en route to the coastal waters off the United Kingdom to participate in Exercise Joint Warrior 15-1, April 12.
Cybercom Chief Discusses Importance of Cyber Operations AFPS 14 Apr 2015 -- Cyber is an operational domain, and military leaders are going to have to understand its importance and the opportunities and challenges of operating in the domain, Navy Adm. Michael S. Rogers said here today.
Army's Benét Laboratories leads DOD challenge to improve the defense industrial base Army News 14 Apr 2015 -- The Army's Benét Laboratories announced today that it was selected by the Department of Defense to spearhead a science and engineering challenge that will pit higher education students from throughout the United States in a competition to develop software applications that may improve the efficiency of defense manufacturing.

Moscow comments on Sweden's acknowledging 'Russian submarine' hunt was vain TASS 14 Apr 2015 -- Russia hopes the Swedish military and civil authorities will be soberer in assessing the security situation in the Baltic Sea region, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Monday.
Russia Denies Holding Naval Exercises in English Channel - Northern Fleet Sputnik 14 Apr 2015 -- Russia's Northern Fleet has denied it is holding or is planning to hold any naval exercises in the English Channel, but will pass through the waterway on its course to the North Atlantic to hold drills, the head of the Northern Fleet's press service told RIA Novosti on Tuesday.
Russian Fighter Pilots Hold Air Combat Drills Over Kamchatka Peninsula Sputnik 14 Apr 2015 -- Russian MiG-31 (Foxhound) interceptor jet pilots have held air combat exercises over the Kamchatka Peninsula, the Russian Defense Ministry's Eastern Military District's press service said Tuesday.
Second Russian Borei-class nuclear sub with 16 Bulava missiles combat ready - source TASS 14 Apr 2015 -- The Alexander Nevsky nuclear submarine, the second Borei-class vessel, has entered service with the Russian Navy combat ready forces, a Defense Ministry source told TASS on Tuesday.

Joint Statement by the United States of America and the Republic of Iraq The White House 14 Apr 2015
Readout of Meeting Between Secretary of Defense Ash Carter and Iraqi Minister of Defense Khalid Al-Obeidi DoD 14 Apr 2015
Obama Offers Iraq $200 Million In Humanitarian Aid RFE/RL 14 Apr 2015 -- U.S. President Barack Obama has offered Iraq $200 million in humanitarian aid to help those displaced by Islamic State (IS) militants, but declined to say whether Washington would provide Apache helicopters and other weapons to Baghdad.
Obama Pledges More Humanitarian Aid, Not Military Help, for Iraq VOA 14 Apr 2015 -- President Barack Obama pledged $205 million in new humanitarian aid to Iraq on Tuesday but didn't mention providing additional weapons and military support sought by Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi.
Iraq's Abadi To Seek More U.S. Support As IS Loses More Ground RFE/RL 14 Apr 2015 -- Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi is expected to ask for more U.S. military support in the war against Islamic State (IS) militants when he meets with U.S. President Barack Obama in Washington.
Obama, Iraqi PM Discuss Foreign Fighters, Aid VOA 14 Apr 2015 -- President Barack Obama discussed the threat of foreign fighters in Iraq and U.S. aid to Baghdad during a visit to the White House by the country's prime minister, Haidar al-Abadi.
US Troops Return to Iraq to Find Security Forces They 'Trained' in Shambles Sputnik 14 Apr 2015 -- As Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi travels to Washington to request billions in loans from the US, American troops are making the opposite trip, traveling back to Iraq for the first time since 2011. Surveying the military they once trained, the US finds an army in disarray.
Hungary to send 150 soldiers to northern Iraq Press TV 14 Apr 2015 -- Hungarian lawmakers have voted to dispatch up to 150 soldiers to help guard a military training center in Iraq's Kurdistan region as part of the so-called US-led military campaign against the ISIL Takfiri terrorists.

Netanyahu Tells Putin Israel 'Dismayed' By Missile Decision RFE/RL 14 Apr 2015 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called Russian President Vladimir Putin to express Israel's "dismay" with the Kremlin decision to supply S-300 missiles to Iran.
Shamkhani confers with Russian president on S-300 IRNA 14 Apr 2015 -- President Vladimir Putin said Russia's decision to lift ban on delivery of S-300 air defense systems to Iran had a clear message to all nations.
Lifting S-300 ban proves bilateral will to boost ties IRNA 14 Apr 2015 -- Iran's defense minister said Russian presidential order to remove ban on providing S-300 aerial defense missile system to Iran shows the firm determination of leaders of both countries for promotion of cooperation in all fields.
Iran's Army drones to be armed with missile, rocket: Cmdr. ISNA 14 Apr 2015 -- Commander of the Iranian Army Ground Force's Drone Group Colonel Reza Khaki said the force's drones would be armed with missile and rocket.
Putin signs decree lifting ban on S-300 missiles supplies to Iran ISNA 14 Apr 2015 -- Supplies of Russian S-300 air defense missile systems to Iran may begin any moment in line with the relevant decree signed by the Russian president, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
Iran welcomes Putin's decree on S-300 ISNA 14 Apr 2015 -- Iran hailed Russian President Vladimir Putin's decree for lifting ban on S-300 missile systems delivery to Iran.
Russia to deliver S-300 systems to Iran this year: Iranian official Press TV 14 Apr 2015 -- The secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) says Russia will supply Iran with advanced S-300 surface-to-air missile systems in 2015.
Iran Hopes For Missiles Soon, Russia Says Supplies Will Take Months RFE/RL 14 Apr 2015 -- An Iranian official says that Tehran believes Russia will deliver S-300 missile systems to the Middle East state this year, but a top ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested it could take at least six months.
S-300 Sales to Iran Undermine Middle East Stability, Netanyahu Tells Putin Sputnik 14 Apr 2015 -- The planned delivery of the S-300 air defense systems to Iran will undermine stability in the Middle East and increase Tehran's belligerence, the Israeli prime minister told the Russian president in a phone conversation.
Iran to Drop Court Case Against Russia Once S-300 Missile Systems Delivered Sputnik 14 Apr 2015 -- Iran will recall its legal suit against Russia as soon as the earlier ordered S-300 missile defense systems are delivered, Secretary of the Iranian Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani said Tuesday.
Moscow's decision to deliver S-300 to Iran will not affect nuclear talks - EU commission TASS 14 Apr 2015 -- The European Union is concerned about Russia's decision to lift the ban on the supplies of S-300 air defense missiles to Iran but it will not affect negotiations on the Islamic Republic's nuclear program, a spokesperson for EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said on Tuesday.
Russia expects Iran to drop S-300 lawsuit TASS 14 Apr 2015 -- Moscow expects Tehran to withdraw its lawsuit over supplies of S-300 air defense systems, Yevgeny Lukyanov, a deputy chief of the Russian Security Council, said on Tuesday.
Kremlin names no date of S-300 delivery to Iran but stresses no restrictions apply TASS 14 Apr 2015 -- The Kremlin names no specific dates when Russia may begin to deliver air defence missile launchers S-300 to Iran but at the same time points out that no restrictions apply any more.
Iran expects S-300 supplies in 2015 - Security Council chief TASS 14 Apr 2015 -- Iran expects Russia to deliver S-300 air defense missile systems in 2015, the head of the Islamic Republic's Supreme National Security Council said on Tuesday.
US concerned over Russian S-300 supplies to Iran - State Department TASS 14 Apr 2015 -- The United States is concerned over Russia's possible deliveries of S-300 air defense missile systems to Iran in connection with Tehran's actions in the region, although such developments would not violate sanctions imposed against the Islamic Republic by the UN Security Council, US State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf has said.
Israel Troubled by Planned Russian Missile Sales to Iran VOA 14 Apr 2015 -- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed Israel's 'grave concerns' over Russia's decision to sell sophisticated S-300 air defense systems to Iran in a phone conversation Tuesday with President Vladimir Putin, who responded that the missiles are 'strictly defensive' weapons.

Canada Joins Ukraine National Guard Training Program AFPS 14 Apr 2015 -- The Defense Department announced today that Canada will be joining the DoD-State Department initiative to help train members of the Ukrainian National Guard which was announced last month.
Canada Announces Deployment of Military Instructors to Ukraine Sputnik 14 Apr 2015 -- Canada will deploy 200 troops to Ukraine as part of a training mission, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Tuesday.

Daily Briefing by the Press Secretary Josh Earnest, 04/14/15 The White House 14 Apr 2015
April 14, 2015 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 14 Apr 2015

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for April 14, 2015
Russian arms exporter ready to sell Iskander ballistic missile systems abroad TASS 14 Apr 2015 -- Russia's main arms exporter Rosoboronexport is ready to sell Iskander tactical ballistic missile systems abroad once the necessary amount of production has been reached under the state defense order, a specialist from the company designing the Iskander-E export modification told TASS at LAAD 2015 Defense and Security International Exhibition.

Other Conflicts

14 April 2015 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 14 Apr 2015
UN Report Denounces Use Of Sexual Violence As War Tactic RFE/RL 14 Apr 2015 -- A new UN report says 2014 was marked by 'harrowing accounts of rape, sexual slavery, and forced marriage' being used by extremist groups such as Islamic State (IS), the Nigerian extremist group Boko Haram, and Al-Qaeda affiliates.

Security Council imposes arms embargo on Yemen rebels, demands all parties resume UN-backed talks UN News 14 Apr 2015 -- Alarmed at the military escalation by Houthis in many parts of Yemen and the "significant and rapidly deteriorating' humanitarian situation, the United Nations Security Council today approved an arms embargo against the rebel group's leadership and demanded that all parties refrain from unilateral actions that could undermine the country's UN-facilitated political transition.
Yemeni civilians pay price of war IRIN 14 Apr 2015 -- As a Saudi-led bombing campaign in Yemen heads towards its third week and fighting across the country intensifies, humanitarian agencies are increasingly unable to provide aid, while food and water prices are spiking. Civilians caught up in the conflict are struggling to survive.
Iran categorically rejects Saudi claim on meddling in Yemen ISNA 14 Apr 2015 -- Iran categorically rejected Saudi claims on Iran's intervention in Yemen.
UN slaps sanctions on Yemen Houthis, Russia abstains Press TV 14 Apr 2015 -- The UN Security Council has passed a resolution targeting the Houthi Ansarullah movement in Yemen, amid ongoing deadly airstrikes on the nation by Saudi Arabia.
Saudi warplanes strike military academy, stadium in southwestern Yemen Press TV 14 Apr 2015 -- Saudi warplanes have pounded a military academy as well as a stadium in Yemen's southwestern province of Dhamar, as Riyadh pushes ahead with its military campaign against members of Popular Committees loyal to Houthi Ansarullah movement.
Yemen army, Ansarullah make gains despite Saudi strikes Press TV 14 Apr 2015 -- Yemen's Ansarullah fighters and army forces have made fresh gains in their battle against al-Qaeda-linked militants despite ongoing Saudi airstrikes against the country, Press TV reports.
Tribesmen seize Yemen's only gas terminal in Shabwa Press TV 14 Apr 2015 -- Armed Yemeni tribesmen have reportedly taken control of Yemen's sole gas export terminal at the Gulf of Aden as crisis continues unabated in the country.
Iran Proposes Peace Plan to End Yemeni Conflict Sputnik 14 Apr 2015 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif proposed on Tuesday a four-point peace plan aimed at ending the ongoing violent conflict in Yemen, Iran's Press TV reported.
Arab Coalition Airdrops Weapons for Yemeni President Supporters Sputnik 14 Apr 2015 -- The Saudi-led coalition of Arab states has airdropped lethal aid to supporters of the Yemeni president fighting some 200 kilometers east of the capital Sanaa, a military source told Sputnik Tuesday.
Turkey Unlikely to Engage in Yemen Military Operation - Parliamentarian Sputnik 14 Apr 2015 -- Turkey is highly unlikely to participate directly in military operation in Yemen and will limit its involvement to providing logistical support to Saud-led coalition at the very most, Member of Turkish Republican Party (CHP) Osman Faruk Logoglu told Sputnik Monday.
UN Warns of War Crimes in Yemen VOA 14 Apr 2015 -- The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights is warning that some attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure in Yemen may amount to war crimes.

Pentagon: IS-held Territory in Iraq Shrinking VOA 14 Apr 2015 -- U.S. defense officials are touting slow, but steady gains in the effort to degrade and destroy the group known as the Islamic State.

UN delivers much needed humanitarian supplies to vulnerable groups Syria UN News 14 Apr 2015 -- Despite huge challenges in getting access, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has managed to deliver much-needed humanitarian supplies to Qamishli in north-east Syria, a spokesperson for the agency said today.
ISIL losing ground in Yarmouk: Palestinian sources Press TV 14 Apr 2015 -- ISIL militants have lost ground at the Palestinian Yarmouk refugee camp in Syria, where different Palestinian factions have joined the fight against the Takfiri terrorists operating there.
HRW: 'Strong' Evidence of CW Attacks in Syria VOA 14 Apr 2015 -- Human Rights Watch said Tuesday that its investigations into attacks by Syrian government forces last month in Idlib province 'strongly suggest' the military dropped barrel bombs with toxic chemicals.

Libyan political parties, activists conclude second round of UN-backed talks UN News 14 Apr 2015 -- A second meeting of Libyan political parties and activists, facilitated by the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), concluded its deliberations today in the Algerian capital by reiterating the commitment to the political dialogue as the only option to resolve the crisis in Libya.

Clashes kills 6 government troops in east Ukraine Press TV 14 Apr 2015 -- Fresh clashes in eastern Ukraine have left six soldiers dead as concerns grow over the repeated violation of a shaky ceasefire aimed at ending the conflict in the volatile area.
Kiev Moves Military Equipment Closer to Donetsk - DPR Sputnik 14 Apr 2015 -- More than 100 pieces of military hardware have been deployed in the vicinity of the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk, the head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) said Tuesday.
Donetsk Ready to Withdraw Tanks, Arms From Contact Line to Ease Tension Sputnik 14 Apr 2015 -- The eastern Ukrainian self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) is prepared to withdraw tanks and weapons with 100-millimeter caliber or less from the contact line in order to ease tensions in the region, DPR negotiator Denis Pushilin told RIA Novosti on Tuesday.

UN: Forced Repatriation of Somalis in Dadaab Violates International Law VOA 14 Apr 2015 -- The United Nations refugee agency says Kenya's plan to forcibly repatriate hundreds of thousands of Somalis from the Dadaab refugee camp would violate international law. The UNHCR is urging the Kenyan government to reconsider its decision to close Dadaab, the world's largest refugee complex, within the next three months.
UN urges Kenya to reconsider Dadaab camp closure, displacing some 350,000 refugees UN News 14 Apr 2015 -- The United Nations refugee agency today urged Kenyan authorities to reconsider their decision to shut down within the next three months Dadaab refugee camps, a decision that would require some 350,000 Somalis to return to their country and would cause "extreme" humanitarian consequences.
Al-Shabab Attack on Somali Ministry Kills 18 VOA 14 Apr 2015 -- Somali militant group al-Shabab has claimed responsibility for Tuesday's bombing and assault of a government complex in the capital, Mogadishu.

At Security Council, UN official says Central African Republic transition at 'critical stage' UN News 14 Apr 2015 -- Amidst a tentative political transition, the situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) remains tenuous as sectarian tensions continue to simmer and the severity of the country's humanitarian crisis increases, the top United Nations official in the African country warned today.

Spate of violent attacks in Mali draws UN rights office concern UN News 14 Apr 2015 -- The United Nations human rights office today said it is "deeply disturbed" at the series of violent attacks that have occurred in the Gao and Kidal regions of northern Mali, making an already precarious security situation more volatile.

UN rights experts welcome Blackwater sentencing, urge greater accountability for private security UN News 14 Apr 2015 -- The outsourcing of national security to private firms creates risks for human rights and accountability, the United Nations working group on the use of mercenaries confirmed today as it welcomed the sentencing of four former Blackwater Worldwide personnel for the 2007 killing of 14 unarmed Iraqi civilians.

Thousands of Burundians flee as election tensions rise IRIN 14 Apr 2015 -- Thousands of Burundians have fled their country, fearing it might descend into violence ahead of a presidential election scheduled for June.

News Reports

Background Briefing on the Report Required To Rescind Cuba's State Sponsor of Terrorism Status US Dept. of State 14 Apr 2015 -- Special Briefing by Senior Administration Officials
Recommendation to Rescind Cuba's Designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism US Dept. of State 14 Apr 2015
Obama to Remove Cuba From State Sponsors of Terrorism List VOA 14 Apr 2015 -- President Barack Obama said Tuesday that he intended to take communist Cuba off the United States' list of state sponsors of terrorism, part of his effort to normalize relations with the island nation after five decades of hostilities.

U.S. Senate Panel Backs Bill Giving Congress Say On Iran Nuclear Deal RFE/RL 14 Apr 2015 -- A U.S. Senate panel has unanimously approved a bill that would give Congress a say on any final nuclear deal with Iran. The Foreign Relations Committee voted 19-0 on April 14 in favor of an amended version of the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015, after Democrats and Republicans reached a compromise on the measure.
US Senate Panel Approves Bill on Iran Nuclear Deal VOA 14 Apr 2015 -- A U.S. Senate panel has unanimously approved bipartisan legislation subjecting any final nuclear accord with Iran to congressional review and a potential vote approving or rejecting the deal.

US Dismisses Disagreement With Seoul on N Korea Nuclear Threat VOA 14 Apr 2015 -- The U.S. has dismissed media reports that Washington and Seoul have different assessments of Pyongyang's nuclear ability to miniaturize a nuclear weapon.

Turkey begins to construct first nuclear power plant Press TV 14 Apr 2015 -- Turkey has started the controversial construction of its first nuclear power plant, which Ankara hopes will bring a new era of greater energy self-sufficiency for the country.

Turkey's Erdogan voices anger over Pope's 'mistake' Press TV 14 Apr 2015 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has expressed anger over Pope Francis' recent controversial remarks, where he used the word "genocide" to describe the 1915 killing of Armenians.

Slim Chance of Turkish-Kurd Talks Before June Election VOA 14 Apr 2015 -- Clashes between the outlawed Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) and Turkey's military that left at least five dead in recent days are casting doubt on the chances of a long-running peace process advancing before parliamentary elections in June.

Ukrainian President Poroshenko Dismisses Envoy To U.S. RFE/RL 14 Apr 2015 -- Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has dismissed his ambassador to the United States, whose tenure in Washington began under ousted former President Viktor Yanukovych and spanned the duration of Kyiv's year-long conflict with Russia.

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