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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Casualty Update 30 Apr 2015 [PDF]
• Coalition Continues Airstrikes Against ISIL in Syria, Iraq AFPS 30 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.
• US Sends Troops to Train Syrian Rebels in Turkey to Fight ISIL Sputnik 30 Apr 2015 -- Some 40 US members of the Special Forces arrived in Turkey to assist in training the Syrian opposition.
• PACOM deploys humanitarian assistance team to Nepal from Kadena AFNS 30 Apr 2015 -- U.S. Pacific Command deployed a Joint Humanitarian Assistance Survey Team to Nepal from Kadena Air Base early April 29, in an effort to assist earthquake relief efforts.
• DoD Humanitarian Assistance Survey Team Arrives in Nepal AFPS 30 Apr 2015 -- U.S. Pacific Command continues to work closely with the U.S. Embassy in Nepal and U.S. Agency for International Development colleagues to determine how Pacom forces and assets can assist the government of Nepal in the aftermath of an April 25 earthquake that killed thousands of people and has affected millions more.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Eucom Chief: Europe Faces Security Challenges from East, South AFPS 30 Apr 2015 -- With Russia to the East and Islamic extremist fighters infiltrating from the south, Europe is facing a much more challenging security environment, the commander of U.S. European Command said today.
• Breedlove Warns Congress of Russian Aggression AFPS 30 Apr 2015 -- A new and challenging security environment with significant, lasting implications for U.S. national security interests has plagued Europe in the last year, with Russian aggression the top concern, the commander of U.S. European Command said on Capitol Hill today.
• Department of Defense Press Briefing by General Breedlove in the Pentagon Briefing Room DoD 30 Apr 2015 -- Presenters: General Philip Breedlove, commander, U.S. European Command, and NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe
• New Orleans Soars Through Aviation Certification NNS 30 Apr 2015 -- Helicopters roared to life on the flight deck of the amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18) as crew members went to work qualifying and passing the Afloat Training Group (ATG) Pacific Aviation Readiness Qualification (ARQ) 1.4 Bravo, April 23.
• Statement by Secretary of Defense Ash Carter on the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission Report DoD 30 Apr 2015 -- "The Department of Defense commends the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission for its 18-month independent review of the military retirement and compensation programs administered both inside and outside DoD. Their work confirmed many positive changes that we're making to uphold our commitments to our people, and also pointed out areas where we can do better."
• Navy to Christen New Guided Missile Destroyer John Finn DoD 30 Apr 2015 -- The Navy will christen the newest guided missile destroyer, the future USS John Finn (DDG 113), Saturday, May 2, during a 10 a.m. CDT ceremony at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi.
• JCREW Counter IED Program Approved for Operational Testing NNS 30 Apr 2015 -- The Joint Counter Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Electronic Warfare (JCREW) program is approved for operational testing, Naval Sea Systems Command announced, April 30.
• Luke commander brings home flagship F-35 AFNS 30 Apr 2015 -- The 56th Fighter Wing flagship F-35 Lightning II arrived at Luke Air Force Base April 28, it was the base's 22nd F-35.
• Fort Worth Departs Singapore After Scheduled Maintenance NNS 30 Apr 2015 -- The littoral combat ship USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) departed its maintenance and logistics hub in Singapore April 30, after a five-day preventative maintenance availability (PMAV) and a two-week long repair availability (RAV).
• Blue Ridge Visits Singapore to Strengthen Multilateral Relationships NNS 30 Apr 2015 -- The U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) and embarked staff arrived in Singapore, April 30, to emphasize the U.S. Navy's commitment to building and strengthening relationships in the Indo-Asia Pacific region.
• USS Mustin Arrives in Hong Kong, Gives Back to the Community NNS 30 Apr 2015 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin (DDG 89) arrived in Hong Kong for a port visit, April 30.
• Norway takes the lead in NATO's Baltic Air Policing mission NATO 30 Apr 2015 -- Norway will assume lead responsibility for NATO's air policing mission over the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania on Friday (1 May 2015). The United Kingdom will also rejoin the mission while Italy and Belgium will continue their participation. A handover ceremony is taking place on Thursday (30 April 2015) at Šiauliai airbase in Lithuania, where Italy will formally transfer lead responsibility for the mission to Norway.
• NATO Commander Backs US Providing Offensive Weapons to Ukraine Sputnik 30 Apr 2015 -- NATO Supreme Allied Commander Gen. Philip Breedlove said that he supports the idea to provide offensive weapons to Ukraine.
• Lithuania Protests Russia's Disruptive Naval Activities VOA 30 Apr 2015 -- Lithuania sent a protest note to Russia Thursday for repeated naval activities in its exclusive economic zone in the Baltic Sea.
• Ready to Go: Russian Army to Get New Amphibious Armored Engineer Vehicles Sputnik 30 Apr 2015 -- Russian army is to get new amphibious armored engineer vehicles, equipped with machine-guns, electronic countermeasure devices and GLONASS navigation system and able to withstand temperatures ranging from -40°C to +40°C.
• Russia's Northern Fleet holds large-scale drills TASS 30 Apr 2015 -- Russia's Northern Fleet is conducting a large-scale comprehensive exercise to test the readiness of its forces to protect a submarine base. According to the fleet's spokesman, Captain 1st Class Vadim Serga, the naval forces are practising anti-sabotage defense of the fleet's forces and coastal infrastructures.
• China, Russia to stage joint naval drills in Mediterranean Press TV 30 Apr 2015 -- The navies of Russia and China are planning to hold their first-ever joint naval drills in the Mediterranean Sea within weeks, military sources in China say.
• China's J-11D Fighter Copied From Russian Su-27 Jet Makes Maiden Flight Sputnik 30 Apr 2015 -- China's high-end J-11D fighter aircraft, a copy of the Russian Sukhoi Su-27 jet, made a maiden flight.
• Qatar set to buy 36 Rafale warplanes from France Press TV 30 Apr 2015 -- Qatar is set to purchase 36 Rafale jet fighters from France's leading arms maker, Dassault Aviation, under a multi-billion-dollar deal.
• France, Qatar to Sign Rafale Fighter Jet Deal May 4 Sputnik 30 Apr 2015 -- Paris will sell 24 French Rafale multirole fighter aircraft to Qatar, according to the statement of the French presidency.
• Iran foreign, defense policies complementary to one another: Cmdr. Press TV 30 Apr 2015 -- A high-ranking Iranian military official says Iran's foreign and defense policies go hand-in-hand with one another, as each props up the other.
• Iran destroyer patrolling entrance to Bab al-Mandab: Cmdr. Press TV 30 Apr 2015 -- Iran's Alborz destroyer is patrolling the Bab al-Mandab Strait, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, the Iranian Navy chief says.
• Iraqi Government Opposes US Congress Proposal to Arm Kurds - Prime Minister Sputnik 30 Apr 2015 -- The Iraqi government has strongly opposed a bill proposed by the US Congress that allows the Iraqi Kurds to be armed directly, bypassing Iraq's central government, Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi said in a press release.
• US Mulls More Funding for Kurds Fighting IS Group VOA 30 Apr 2015 -- U.S. lawmakers in the House of Representatives are considering legislation to increase funding to Kurdish Peshmerga and Sunni forces fighting Islamic State militants in Iraq.
• Daily Briefing by the Press Secretary Josh Earnest, 04/30/15 The White House 30 Apr 2015
• April 30, 2015 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 30 Apr 2015

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for April 30, 2015

Other Conflicts

• 30 April 2015 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 30 Apr 2015
• Ban calls for civilian protection in Yemen, urges ceasefire as fuel shortages hamper relief efforts UN News 30 Apr 2015 -- The United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, said today that he is gravely concerned about continued ground fighting and aerial bombardment in Yemen and the impact it has on innocent civilians.
• Saudi warplanes target main TV station in Yemen Press TV 30 Apr 2015 -- Saudi Warplanes have reportedly targeted the bureau of a major TV station in Yemen as Riyadh's illegal aggression continues to take its toll on civilians.
• Saudi aircraft pound southern Yemen Press TV 30 Apr 2015 -- Saudi aircraft have carried out new airstrikes against Yemen, as Riyadh continues its illegal military aggression against the impoverished country.
• NATO Commander: Russia May Be Preparing New Ukraine Offensive VOA 30 Apr 2015 -- The NATO supreme allied commander said Thursday that the alliance needs better military intelligence on the ground in eastern Ukraine, where he said Russian forces appeared to be fortifying military gains despite a two-month cease-fire.
• Carter Pleased with Russia's Embrace of Minsk Agreement VOA 30 Apr 2015 -- Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter says he is pleased with Russia's commitment to implement the Minsk agreement.
• Briefing: Is Mali's peace process in peril? IRIN 30 Apr 2015 -- The last few years in Mali have been busy: an independence declaration, a coup, a mutiny, a northern takeover by Islamist groups, a French military intervention, a hostage crisis, a guerrilla campaign, a preliminary peace deal, and finally, in February, a ceasefire.
• Arriving for talks in Gaza, new UN envoy urges Palestinian unity, end to Israeli blockade UN News 30 Apr 2015 -- On his first visit to Gaza, the new United Nations envoy on the Middle East peace process pledged today the Organization's ongoing support for efforts to reconstruct the war-ravaged enclave, lift Israel's years-long blockade there and help strengthen Palestinian unity.
• Rice: Obama Administration Firm on Two-State Israeli-Palestinian Solution VOA 30 Apr 2015 -- U.S. National Security Advisor Susan Rice strongly reaffirmed the Obama administration's commitment to the two-state solution that leads to a sovereign Palestinian state.
• CAR Refugees Pessimistic About Reconciliation Efforts VOA 30 Apr 2015 -- Cameroon is home to about 200,000 Central African Republic (C.A.R.) refugees who fled the carnage in their country. As the C.A.R. prepares for next week's National Reconciliation Forum, VOA spoke to some refugees in Cameroon to learn what they expect from the initiative.
• Ugandan rebel leader's arrest a shot in the arm for justice IRIN 30 Apr 2015 -- The announced arrest in Tanzania of the leader of one of the longest-standing insurgencies in Africa's Great Lakes region marks a step forward for justice and accountability but is unlikely to bring an end to the transnational network he leads.
• Congo Kidnap Victims Describe Killings by ADF Rebels VOA 30 Apr 2015 -- The discovery of four mass graves in Beni territory in eastern Congo has raised questions about the fate of nearly 1,000 people abducted by Ugandan Islamist ADF rebels.
• Nigerian Army Says Another 150 Freed From Boko Haram VOA 30 Apr 2015 -- The Nigerian army says it has freed another 150 people who were held captive by the militant group Boko Haram.
• About 160 more hostages rescued from Boko Haram stronghold: Nigerian army Press TV 30 Apr 2015 -- Government troops in Nigeria have rescued about 160 more hostages from Boko Haram's Sambisa Forest stronghold in northeast Nigeria.
• US, Japan Prepare Joint Air Patrols in South China Sea Sputnik 30 Apr 2015 -- Japan may join the United States in air patrols in the South China Sea in response to China's growing intent to make good on land claims, according to Japanese and US sources who spoke to Reuters.
• Pakistan Tries to Publicly Widen Gap with Taliban VOA 30 Apr 2015 -- Pakistan on Thursday condemned "the spike in violence" stemming from the 'spring offensive' the Taliban recently unleashed in Afghanistan. The unusual public criticism is yet another indication Islamabad is distancing itself from the Islamist insurgent group it once helped take control of most of the war-torn neighboring country.
• Fight Against al-Shabab a Focus of Kerry Trip VOA 30 Apr 2015 -- A senior State Department official says the Somalia-based militant group al-Shabab has been launching "asymmetrical attacks" in neighboring countries because of the success that African and U.S. forces have had against the group in Somalia.

News Reports

• US Senate's Iran Nuclear Bill Surviving 'Poison Pill' Amendments VOA 30 Apr 2015 -- A bill subjecting any nuclear deal with Iran to U.S. congressional review has, so far, survived a barrage of proposed amendments by Republican senators that, if adopted, would erode bipartisan support for the legislation and likely trigger a veto by President Barack Obama.
• Pakistan drops charges against former CIA officials Press TV 30 Apr 2015 -- Pakistani police say they have dropped charges of murder, conspiracy, waging war and terrorism against a former CIA station chief and a former agency lawyer over a 2009 drone strike that killed two people.
• German Turmoil Over Spy Allegations Sputnik 30 Apr 2015 -- Germany has been thrown into turmoil in the latest of a string of revelations over what its Chancellor, Angela Merkel, and its government knew about its own intelligence services working together with US spies.
• North Korea's Kim Will Not Come To Moscow For Victory Day RFE/RL 30 Apr 2015 -- The Kremlin says North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will not come to Moscow for May 9 Victory Day ceremonies.
• Experts: Trip Cancellation Unlikely To Affect Moscow-Pyongyang Ties VOA 30 Apr 2015 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's sudden cancellation of a tentative trip to Moscow is not likely to affect overall relations between Moscow and Pyongyang, experts say.
• Liberia Burials Key in Ebola Fight VOA 30 Apr 2015 -- The World Health Organization is set to declare Liberia Ebola free. It will make that declaration on May 9th if no new cases are reported. In a sign of how the situation has improved, the Liberian Red Cross has handed back responsibility for safe burials to the Ministry of Health.
• Nepal: quake's impact on food security likely 'very high,' warns UN agency UN News 30 Apr 2015 -- Some eight million dollars is urgently needed to help disaster-struck Nepalese farmers rapidly recover lost agricultural inputs and resume preparations for the imminent rice sowing season, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said today.
• UN relief wing says unrest continues in Burundi, requests funds for humanitarian contingency planning UN News 30 Apr 2015 -- Civil unrest continued for a fourth day in areas of Burundi's capital, Bujumbura, after current President Nkurunziza was nominated by the ruling National Council for the Defence of Democracy – Forces for the Defence of Democracy (CNDD-FDD) party as their candidate for upcoming presidential elections, the United Nations relief arm reported today.
• Nigeria Transitional Teams Disagree Over Handover Process VOA 30 Apr 2015 -- Nigeria's All Progressives Congress (APC) says officials with outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan's administration are thwarting the transitional process ahead of President-Elect General Muhammadu Buhari's official swearing-in.