Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Casualty Update 15 May 2015 [PDF]
• Department of Defense Press Briefing with General Weidley via teleconference from Southwest Asia DoD 15 May 2015 -- Presenters: Brigadier General Thomas D. Weidley (USMC), Chief of Staff, Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve; Colonel Steve Warren, Director, Defense Press Office
• Airstrikes Continue Against ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 15 May 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.
• Strategy to Defeat ISIL is Working, Military Official Says AFPS 15 May 2015 -- The coalition and Iraqi security forces strategy to defeat and dismantle the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant extremist group is clear and on track, the chief of staff of Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve said today.
• No Survivors in Nepal US Helicopter Crash VOA 15 May 2015 -- Searchers in Nepal have found the wreckage of a U.S. Marine Corps helicopter that crashed during an earthquake relief flight, and officials said it is apparent that all aboard were killed.
• Missing helicopter found in Nepal, investigation ongoing USMC News 15 May 2015 -- Joint Task Force 505 personnel identified the wreckage of a missing Marine Corps UH-1Y Huey helicopter that went missing May 12 in Nepal.
• Harsh Weather Hampers Helo Recovery Mission in Nepal AFPS 15 May 2015 -- Harsh weather conditions and darkness are hampering efforts in Nepal to recover the Marine Corps UH-1Y helicopter and its crew that went missing May 12.
• Behind the scenes: Yokota supports Nepal AFNS 15 May 2015 -- Members of Yokota Air Base, serving at the primary airlift hub in the Pacific region, often deploy to provide humanitarian aid to countries stricken by natural disasters. In recent years alone, the 374 Airlift Wing has deployed to support regional countries such as Japan after the Tohoku earthquake in 2011, the Philippines after typhoon Haiyan in 2013, and most recently, Nepal after the Gorkha earthquake April 25.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Dispelling remotely piloted aircraft myths AFNS 15 May 2015 -- Public interest in remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) continues to grow thanks to increasing non-military uses and portrayal in popular culture. For the Air Force, remotely piloted aircraft are and will continue to be a vital mission set delivering vital airpower to combatant commanders throughout the world.
• Navy Declares Initial Operational Capability for New Rolling Airframe Missile NNS 15 May 2015 -- The U.S. Navy successfully achieved Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for the Block 2 Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24) May 15.
• Navy Announces Successful Test of Electromagnetic Catapult on CVN 78 NNS 15 May 2015 -- The Navy conducted the first-ever, shipboard, full-speed catapult shots using the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) aboard the aircraft carrier Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), Naval Sea Systems Command announced May 15.
• Navy's Air and Missile Defense Radar (AMDR) Completes System Critical Design Review NNS 15 May 2015 -- The Air and Missile Defense Radar (AMDR) program, AN/SPY-6(V), successfully completed its System Critical Design Review (CDR) April 29 the Navy reported May 15.
• U.S. 3rd Fleet Participates in Exercise Ardent Sentry 2015 NNS 15 May 2015 -- Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet participated in training exercise Ardent Sentry 15 (AS15), May 11-15.
• New NEX Opens in Romania NNS 15 May 2015 -- The Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) announced May 15 the opening of its newest NEX in Deveselu, Romania.
• Congress Votes to Suspend Funds for US Implementation of New START Treaty Sputnik 15 May 2015 -- The US House of Representatives voted on Friday to withhold funding for the US implementation of the New START nuclear reduction agreement in the 2016 US National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), according to the US House record.
• DoD Announces Installation Realignment in Europe AFPS 15 May 2015 -- Defense Department officials announced today that the department will fully return the U.S. Army-Europe site in Stuttgart, Germany, to the host nation in 2015.
• Navy Research Lab Develops New Body Armor for 2016 AFPS 15 May 2015 -- New lightweight, flexible and buoyant body armor developed at the Naval Research Laboratory could be in field use by 2016, the lead scientist who has overseen the armor's two-year development said yesterday.
• PMINT: 26th MEU, PHIBRON 4 conduct integration exercise at sea USMC News 15 May 2015 -- U.S. Marines and sailors with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked aboard the USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), USS Arlington (LPD 21) and USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) via sea on landing craft air cushion and air in MV-22B Osprey initiating Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON), MEU integration training (PMINT).
• Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group Completes PMINT NNS 15 May 2015 -- The amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) and the Kearsarge Amphibious Readiness Group (KSGARG), Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 4 and the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), returned to Norfolk, May 15, following the completion of its PHIBRON-MEU Integrated Training (PMINT) exercise.
• George Washington Ready for 2015 Patrol NNS 15 May 2015 -- The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) completed its selective reserve availability (SRA) period and pre-patrol preparations, May 15.
• USS Helena Returns Home from Deployment NNS 15 May 2015 -- The Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Helena (SSN 725) returned to its homeport at Naval Station Norfolk from a deployment May 15.
• US plan to deploy Osprey aircraft in Japan sparking anger Press TV 15 May 2015 -- The United States is planning to deploy controversial CV-22 Osprey aircraft at Yokota Air Base, located just outside of Tokyo, Japan.
• US Coast Guard Lacks Funds to Buy Needed Ships, Planes Sputnik 15 May 2015 -- The US Coast Guard's plans to buy more ships and aircraft outstrip the available funds that are needed to purchase them, according to new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report.
• Latvia Installs NATO Air Defense Radar System Sputnik 15 May 2015 -- A long-range air surveillance radar has been installed in northwestern Latvia as part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO) air defense system, local media reported Friday.
• NATO harms itself by suspending practical cooperation with Russia - envoy TASS 15 May 2015 -- The North Atlantic Treaty Alliance (NATO) hurt itself by turning away from practical cooperation with Russia, thus 'shooting itself in a leg,' Alexander Grushko, Russia's NATO envoy, said on Friday.
• NATO's interference in Arctic affairs fraught with serious consequences - Russian diplomat TASS 15 May 2015 -- NATO's involvement into the Arctic affairs is fraught with serious consequences for global security, Russia's Permanent Representative at NATO Alexander Grushko said on Friday.
• No objective reasons to keep tactical nuclear arms in Europe - Russia's NATO ambassador TASS 15 May 2015 -- There are no objective reasons to keep tactical nuclear arms in Europe, Russia's Permanent Representative at NATO Alexander Grushko said on Friday.
• Moscow Says No Objective Reasons for Keeping US Nuclear Arms in Europe Sputnik 15 May 2015 -- Russia's envoy to NATO, Alexander Grushko said that there are not objective reasons for the United States to keep tactical nuclear arms in Europe.
• France offers bid to terminate Russia warships contract Press TV 15 May 2015 -- Paris has reportedly submitted a proposal to Moscow officials on ways to cancel a contract for the delivery of two Mistral-class warships to Russia.
• France Submits Proposals to Terminate Deal on Mistral Ships With Russia Sputnik 15 May 2015 -- Paris handed over its proposals to Russia on possible ways to terminate the contract for the delivery of two Mistral-class helicopter carriers to Russian Navy, Kommersant newspaper reported Friday.
• Russia to Strengthen Crimea's Defense Amid NATO Expansion Plans – Envoy Sputnik 15 May 2015 -- Everything that we do in Crimea is fully in line with Russia's obligations under international treaties, according to Russia's envoy to NATO.
• Russia's military infrastructure on Cape Schmidt, Wrangel Island to be built by late 2015 TASS 15 May 2015 -- The development of the military towns' infrastructure on Cape Schmidt and Wrangel Island in the Arctic zone of Russia's Eastern Military District will be completed in 2015, the military district spokesman Alexander Gordeyev said on Friday.
• Russia's Moskva missile cruiser passes Black Sea straits for joint drills with China TASS 15 May 2015 -- The Black Sea Fleet's Moskva guided missile cruiser has started passing through the Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits for joint drills with the Chinese navy in the Mediterranean Sea, Russian Navy spokesman Capitan First Rank Igor Dygalo said on Friday.
• Russian, Chinese combat ships enter Aegean Sea for Mediterranean joint drills TASS 15 May 2015 -- A group of combat ships from the Russian and Chinese navies have entered the Aegean Sea and are heading for the area of their Joint Sea 2015 naval drills, Russia's Navy spokesman Captain First Rank Igor Dygalo said on Friday.
• Afghan aviation wings clipped under US Press TV 15 May 2015 -- The US has poured more than $500 million into the Afghan civil aviation since 2002 but the sector is unable to operate independently, an American audit has found.
• Germany to Decide on MEADS Missile Systems Purchase by Late June Sputnik 15 May 2015 -- According to ministry spokesperson, Germany Defense Ministry will decide whether to purchase the Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS), a replacement for the US-developed Patriot.
• Obama Pledges To Stand By Gulf Allies Against Iran RFE/RL 15 May 2015 -- U.S. President Barack Obama pledged on May 14 to stand by Persian Gulf allies, defending them against external attacks and helping them deal with 'destabilizing activities' by Iran in the region.
• Russia, Peru in Talks on Modernizing T-55 Tanks Sputnik 15 May 2015 -- Deputy director of the Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation said that Russia and Peru are holding talks on modernizing T-55 tanks in Peru's military service.
• Press Briefing by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Eric Schultz, 5/15/2015 The White House 15 May 2015
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Josh Earnest, 5/13/2015 The White House 15 May 2015
• May 15, 2015 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 15 May 2015

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for May 11, 2015

Other Conflicts

• 15 May 2015 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 15 May 2015
• Yemen Aid Pause Holds; Fuel Shortage Critical VOA 15 May 2015 -- The United Nations reports the 5-day humanitarian pause in Yemen is generally holding, but it warns the needs of the conflict-ridden population remain overwhelming and people will continue to suffer from a lack of lifesaving assistance when this period of relative tranquility ends.
• Yemeni Conflict Leaves Over 1,600 Dead in 2 Months - UN Official Sputnik 15 May 2015 -- UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen Johannes Van Der Klaauw said that than 1,600 people were killed and more than 6,200 were injured in Yemen since the civil conflict intensified in late March.
• Yemen Army threatens response to truce violation Press TV 15 May 2015 -- Yemen's Army has issued a stern threat against Saudi Arabia, saying any further violation of a five-day-long ceasefire in the war-wracked country will be met with a strong response.
• As humanitarian pause holds in Yemen, UN aid airlift arrives with critical supplies UN News 15 May 2015 -- The first of six airplanes from the United Nations refugee agency bringing urgently needed aid supplies landed safely in Yemen today boosting relief stocks in the war-ravaged country, on the third day of the temporary humanitarian pause, the Organization has confirmed.
• ISIL Seizes Iraqi City of Ramadi 110 Km From Baghdad Sputnik 15 May 2015 -- Islamic State militants have seized the government compound in the Iraqi city of Ramadi, raising their black and white flag in the city center on Friday afternoon, AFP reports, citing government officials.
• Islamic State Raises Flag Over Ramadi VOA 15 May 2015 -- Islamic State militants took over the local government compound in the Iraqi city of Ramadi on Friday, raising their black flag in the Anbar province capital, after months of protracted conflict.
• UN chief applauds resumption of 'full-fledged' talks on Cyprus UN News 15 May 2015 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed the resumption of full-fledged negotiations between Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot Leader Mustafa Akinci, the United Nations spokesperson has confirmed.
• BRIEFING: Can new pact bring peace to the CAR? IRIN 15 May 2015 -- Can the Central African Republic finally turn the page on decades of instability and conflict?
• Ban hails Mali peace agreement as 'important step' towards stability UN News 15 May 2015 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed the signature of a peace agreement between the Government of Mali and members of the Plateforme coalition of armed groups in a key step towards bringing stability and security back to the beleaguered country.
• IGAD: South Sudan Army 'Conducting Full-Scale Offensive' in Unity State VOA 15 May 2015 -- East African bloc IGAD on Friday blamed the recent surge in violence in South Sudan on forces loyal to President Salva Kiir.
• Pakistani army air raids kill 17 pro-Taliban militants Press TV 15 May 2015 -- Pakistani fighter jets have bombed militant positions in the country's rugged northwestern tribal region close to the border with Afghanistan, killing at least 17 pro-Taliban militants.

News Reports

• Reporter's Notebook: Ex-CIA Official Talks Bin Laden, Drones, Intel VOA 15 May 2015 -- Former Deputy CIA director Michael Morell was a willing witness to some of the greatest events in my generation, and an unwilling participant in others. He stood next to President Bush on September 11, 2001; he was beside CIA Director Leon Panetta during the raid that killed Osama Bin Laden; and at times he was at the center of the political firestorm surrounding the 2012 Benghazi attack.
• Over 100k leave Burundi amid unrest: UN Press TV 15 May 2015 -- The United Nations (UN) says more than 100,000 Burundians have been forced to leave their violence-stricken country, which recently witnessed a coup attempt.
• Leaders of failed coup in Burundi surrender Press TV 15 May 2015 -- Attempts to force the Burundian president from power have been foiled, with coup leaders conceding and being arrested or hunted down by loyalist troops.
• Burundi at risk of prolonged crisis, warns UN, urging attention to human rights and humanitarian situation UN News 15 May 2015 -- The United Nations human rights chief has voiced concern over the developments in Burundi over the past two days following a reportedly failed coup d'état in the country's capital and urged all armed forces and non-state actors to refrain from actions that may endanger civilians.
• Burundi's Nkurunziza Thanks Security Forces for Thwarting Coup VOA 15 May 2015 -- Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza on Friday thanked his security forces for stopping a military coup against his government.
• Boston Bomber Sentenced to Death VOA 15 May 2015 -- Convicted Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev has been sentenced to death over the April 2013 attack that killed three people and wounded 264 others.
• Iran calls on UAE to seize Singapore-flagged vessel IRNA 15 May 2015 -- An Oil Ministry official called on the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to seize a Singapore-flagged vessel and hand it over to the country for seriously damaging an Iranian oil rig and fleeing the scene.