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Current Operations

• Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Casualty Update 18 May 2015 [PDF]
• Military Airstrikes Hit ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 18 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.
• US-Led Coalition Steps Up Airstrikes in Ramadi VOA 18 May 2015 -- Following the Islamic State group's bloody weekend seizure of much of the Iraqi city of Ramadi, the U.S.-led coalition has increased airstrikes and Shi'ite paramility units are preparing to deploy to the predominantly Sunni city.
• US Vows to Help Iraq Retake Ramadi, Critical Fight Looms VOA 18 May 2015 -- The United States is promising to help Iraqi forces retake Ramadi from the Islamic State militant group, though officials worry the looming battles could play to the terror group's advantage, win or lose.
• Analysts: US Airstrikes,Targeted Raids not Enough to Defeat ISIS VOA 18 May 2015 -- Iraq experts warn that unless the United States works to have Sunni Iraqis take up arms against the Islamic State militant group, Washington's policy of airstrikes and targeted raids will do nothing but slow the country's collapse into crippling sectarian warfare.
• Syria Operation Was Highly Successful, Official Says AFPS 18 May 2015 -- The U.S. Special Operations Forces raid that killed a senior leader of the extremist Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in Syria May 15 was a highly successful operation, Pentagon spokesman Army Col. Steve Warren told reporters today.
• Military Cargo Transits Through Russia to Afghanistan Expired - Government Sputnik 18 May 2015 -- The decision was made after the corresponding UN Security Council resolution on the topic expired.
• Task Force Continues Relief Operations in Nepal AFPS 18 May 2015 -- Joint Task Force 505 continues conducting humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations in Nepal, JTF 505 officials said in a news release issued today.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Australian air force pilot flies first partner F-35 sortie AFNS 18 May 2015 -- A pilot with the Royal Australian Air Force made history May 14, by flying the first RAAF F-35A Lightning II sortie at Luke Air Force Base.
• Air Commandos bid farewell to MC-130P Combat Shadows AFNS 18 May 2015 -- The final two MC-130P Combat Shadows in the Air Force landed for the last time here, in front of more than 400 people, during an MC-130P heritage flight May 15.
• Navy Lays Keel for PCU Indiana NNS 18 May 2015 -- The U.S. Navy held a keel laying ceremony for the Virginia-class submarine Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Indiana (SSN 789) at Huntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News Shipbuilding, May 16.
• Eager Lion 2015: A Demonstration of Navy-Marine Corps Integration NNS 18 May 2015 -- The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps are using this year's Eager Lion exercise to experiment with a new evolution of sea-to-land command.
• Americans, Jordanians Express Solidarity Through Exercise Eager Lion NNS 18 May 2015 -- During Exercise Eager Lion 2015, Jordanian and U.S. forces are training shoulder-to-shoulder to be prepared for whatever challenges await.
• AF Installation, Mission Support Center activates detachment at USAFE-AFAFRICA AFNS 18 May 2015 -- Detachment 4 of the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center was activated in a ceremony at Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa here May 15.
• Maritime Prepositioning Force offload sets stage for African Lion 15 USMC News 18 May 2015 -- A joint team of U.S. service members started Exercise African Lion 15 with a Maritime Prepositioning Force offload May 7-8, 2015, at the port of Agadir, Morocco.
• MV-22 hard landing mishap aboard Marine Corps Training Area - Bellows USMC News 18 May 2015 -- One Marine was killed when an MV-22 Osprey from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit experience a hard-landing mishap while conducting training aboard Marine Corps Training Area – Bellows at approximately 11:40 a.m., Hawaii time.
• George Washington CSG Begins Patrol, Increases Maritime Security NNS 18 May 2015 -- The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) departed Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, for its patrol of the Indo-Asia-Pacific region as the flagship for the George Washington Carrier Strike Group (GWCSG), May 18.
• Submarine and Submarine Tender Moor Together in Phuket During Western Pacific Deployment NNS 18 May 2015 -- The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Key West (SSN 722) arrived in Phuket, Thailand, and moored alongside the submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) for a visit as part of its Western Pacific deployment May 14.
• Kerry confirms U.S.-S. Korea alliance against DPRK, favors harmony with Japan People's Daily 18 May 2015 -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and his South Korean counterpart Yun Byung-se on Monday confirmed a firm U.S.-South Korea alliance against any threats from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) during their talks.
• NATO Allies U.S., Bulgaria Demonstrate Capabilities in Eastern Europe AFPS 18 May 2015 -- U.S. and Bulgarian military personnel began an exercise today in the host country of Romania, Pentagon spokesman Army Col. Steve Warren told reporters today.
• Address by NATO Deputy Secretary General Ambassador Alexander Vershbow at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Spring Session, Budapest, Hungary NATO 18 May 2015
• Doorstep statement by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg prior to the meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in the format of Ministers of Defence and Ministers of Foreign Affairs NATO 18 May 2015
• Russian drones to be armed with special weapons under targeted program - designer TASS 18 May 2015 -- Russia's targeted program for the development of unmanned aircraft envisages the creation of special weapons for such machines, the CEO and general designer of the Vega concern, which participated in drafting the document, Vladimir Verba, has told TASS.
• First comprehensive program for drones manufacturing created in Russia - official TASS 18 May 2015 -- The first-ever program for developing the unmanned aircraft industry has been developed in Russia for the coordination of the corresponding activities under the 2016-2025 state program for armaments, a senior official of the United Instrument Manufacturing Corporation (UIMC is an affiliate of Rostec), which took part in the work on the document, has told TASS.
• Combat robots of the Uran family have been armed with anti-tank system TASS 18 May 2015 -- The multi-functional combat robots of the Uran family have been armed with the remote-controlled weapon systems Ataka, a source in the defence-industrial complex has told TASS.
• Russian, Chinese ships begin exercise in Mediterranean to ensure shipping safety TASS 18 May 2015 -- Russian and Chinese naval ships on Monday morning began a joint exercise in the eastern Mediterranean to practise measures to ensure the safety of shipping, the executive chief of the exercise Joint Sea-2015 for Russia, chief of the Navy's combat training department, Rear Admiral Viktor Kochemazov, has told the media.
• Poland to Inspect Russian, Belarusian Airspace Under Open Skies Treaty Sputnik 18 May 2015 -- Polish inspectors will conduct an observation flight over Russian and Belarusian territory on May 18-22, Russia's National Nuclear Risk Reduction Center head said Monday.
• Tajikistan chosen as ground for CSTO drills due to situation in Afghanistan - official TASS 18 May 2015 -- The choice of Tajikistan as grounds for holding snap drills of Collective Rapid Reaction Force (CRRF) of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) is due to deteriorating situation in Afghanistan, CSTO Deputy Secretary General Valery Semerikov told journalists on Monday.
• Defense line at Tajik-Afghan border defined at CSTO drills - Tajikistan's Defense Ministry TASS 18 May 2015 -- Collective Rapid Reaction Force (CRRF) of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) have completed the first stage of anti-terrorism drills after arriving in the area of Tajik-Afghan border, Tajikistan's Defense Ministry Faridun Makhmadaliev told journalists on Monday.
• North Korean Repressions Continue Amid Low Army Rations - Reports Sputnik 18 May 2015 -- The purported execution of a senior North Korean Army chief has led to more purges because of low rations and military brass' dissatisfaction with the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's demands, a South Korean news outlet reported Monday.
• Iraqi Defense Minister: Iraq in dire need of Iran's help IRNA 18 May 2015 -- Iraqi Defense Minister Khalid al-Obeidi on Monday appreciated Iranian defense assistance to Iraq and said under the current sensitive situation, Baghdad is in dire need of Iranian defense assistance.
• Iran to continue backing Iraq integrity: Defense chief Press TV 18 May 2015 -- Iran's Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan says the Islamic Republic has always supported Iraq's territorial integrity and the establishment of security and peace in the country and will continue to do so.
• Iran, Iraq defense ministers vow to broaden defense cooperation IRNA 18 May 2015 -- Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan conferred on Monday with his Iraqi counterpart Khaled al-Obeidi on expansion of defense cooperation between the two countries.
• Russian FM does not consider supplying S-300 air defense systems to Iran political mistake TASS 18 May 2015 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has told Rossiyskaya Gazeta newspaper Monday that he totally disagrees with the opinion that Russia's decision to supply S-300 missiles systems to Iran was a political mistake.
• US Considering All Options for Arming Ukraine - Pentagon Sputnik 18 May 2015 -- The Pentagon is considering all the options for military assistance to Ukraine and no option is out, a senior Defense Department official said in a radio interview on Sunday.
• Russia to Supply More MIL-171SH Helos to Peru Sputnik 18 May 2015 -- Another seven 24 Russian MIL-171SH military transport helicopters will be delivered to Peru later this month, the deputy head of Russia's main arms exporter said on Monday.
• EU Approves Military Plan to Target Migrant Smugglers VOA 18 May 2015 -- Faced with calls for quick action after the deaths of hundreds of migrants on the Mediterranean this year, the European Union agreed Monday to set up a naval mission to crack down on smuggling rings at sea.
• May 18, 2015 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 18 May 2015
• Press Gaggle with Principal Deputy Press Secretary Eric Schultz en route Camden, NJ The White House 18 May 2015

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for May 18, 2015

Other Conflicts

• 18 May 2015 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 18 May 2015
• Ban urges all sides in Yemen to renew commitment for extension of humanitarian pause UN News 18 May 2015 -- Stressing that Yemenis have faced "tragic levels of suffering and violence" in recent months, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called on all sides in the conflict to refrain from any actions that undermine the safety and security of the country's airports, seaports and transportation infrastructure, and to join consultations without preconditions.
• Humanitarian Pause Is Over, Arab Coalition Resumes Airstrikes in Yemen Sputnik 18 May 2015 -- The Arab coalition's aircraft renewed strikes against targets in the southern Yemeni city of Aden after the expiration of a five-day humanitarian truce in the country, a senior Yemeni army official said Monday.
• Pentagon: Iraqi, Coalition Forces Will Retake Ramadi AFPS 18 May 2015 -- Iraqi security forces and coalition partners will retake the Iraqi city of Ramadi, now "largely under control" of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant extremists since yesterday, Pentagon spokesman Army Col. Steve Warren told reporters today.
• Nearly 25,000 flee Ramadi amid ISIL attacks and heavy fighting, says UN relief wing UN News 18 May 2015 -- With stocks running low and funds running out, United Nations aid agencies are rushing humanitarian assistance to people fleeing the city of Ramadi in central Iraq for the second time this month, according to the UN office tasked with coordinating relief operations.
• IS militants take full control of Iraq's Ramadi People's Daily 18 May 2015 -- The Islamic State (IS) militant group on Sunday took full control of the city of Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province, Iraq, after the Iraqi security forces withdrew from their positions, a provincial security source said.
• ISIL terrorists kill up to 500 Iraqis in Ramadi in 3 days Press TV 18 May 2015 -- The ISIL Takfiri militants have in three days killed more than 500 Iraqis, including civilians and soldiers, and forced 8,000 others to flee their homes in the Iraqi city of Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province, which has reportedly been seized by the terrorists, a provincial official says.
• Shia volunteers converge on Ramadi to dislodge ISIL Press TV 18 May 2015 -- Shia volunteer forces, also known as the Popular Mobilization Units, have converged on the Iraqi city of Ramadi to help security forces fight the ISIL Takfiri terrorists who have reportedly seized the city.
• Iraqi Battle Plans Altered By IS Capture Of Ramadi RFE/RL 18 May 2015 -- The capture of Iraq's Sunni city of Ramadi by Islamic State (IS) militants has fundamentally changed how war is being waged against the extremists in Iraq's Sunni areas.
• Shi'ite Fighters Mass For Counterattack On IS-Held Ramadi RFE/RL 18 May 2015 -- Thousands of Shi'ite militia fighters have arrived at a military base near Ramadi in preparation for what they say will be a counteroffensive to retake the western Iraqi city seized by Islamic State (IS) militants on May 17.
• Shi'ite Militias Set Course for Ramadi After IS Victory VOA 18 May 2015 -- Shi'ite militias are headed to the outskirts of the Iraqi city of Ramadi on Monday after Prime Minster Haider al-Abadi called for support in the aftermath of an Islamic State victory there.
• Islamic State Captures Iraq's Ramadi Sputnik 18 May 2015 -- The Islamic State jihadist group has captured the central Iraqi city of Ramadi in its entirety amid disputed claims from US and local officials, according to Monday's media reports.
• In Geneva, UN envoy on Syria meets with international stakeholders amid ongoing consultations UN News 18 May 2015 -- The United Nations Special Envoy for Syria has continued to meet with Syrian, regional and international interlocutors today in the framework of the Geneva Consultations, according to a spokesperson for the Organization.
• Hezbollah, Syria push to purge terrorists from Jord Flita Press TV 18 May 2015 -- Fighters from the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah, backed by Syrian armed forces, are tightening the noose on militants in the border region of Qalamoun, pressing to recapture Jord Flita, the last major position still under the control of the al-Nusra Front terrorist group.
• Civilians in Yarmouk facing vulnerability of 'highest severity,' says UN agency UN News 18 May 2015 -- As the United Nations agency assisting Palestinian refugees in the Middle East continued humanitarian operations in around the Yarmouk Camp, deep concerns remained about violence that continues to profoundly threaten the lives and safety of Palestine refugees.
• Ukraine army claims to have captured 2 Russia troops in east Press TV 18 May 2015 -- The Ukrainian army claims to have captured two "Russian soldiers" in the country's east, where Kiev is fighting pro-Russia forces.
• Ukraine Seeks Terrorism Charges Against Alleged Russian Soldiers RFE/RL 18 May 2015 -- Ukraine says it will level terrorism charges against two alleged Russian soldiers it says were captured fighting alongside pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine.
• No Russian Troops in Donbass - Kremlin Sputnik 18 May 2015 -- There are no Russian troops in Donbass, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday after Ukrainian media outlets had published a video interrogation of a captured soldier who introduced himself as a Russian soldier serving in the Special Forces.
• US Official: Ukraine Cease-fire Being Violated 'Daily' VOA 18 May 2015 -- A senior U.S. diplomat says a cease-fire deal in eastern Ukraine 'is being violated on a daily basis.'
• South Sudan: UN says 650,000 at risk due to renewed violence, as Security Council threatens sanctions UN News 18 May 2015 -- Gravely concerned at the ongoing violence in South Sudan, the Security Council has condemned both the renewed Government-led offensive in Unity state, as well as a recent large-scale attack by opposition forces on the war-torn town of Malakal, threatening to impose sanctions on all those threatening the country's peace, security and stability.
• UN Security Council slams renewed violence in S. Sudan People's Daily 18 May 2015 -- The UN Security Council on Sunday condemned renewed violence in Unity State, South Sudan, which resulted in the displacement of more than 100,000 people and the suspension of aid delivery.
• Egyptian soldiers kill 11 militants in Sinai Peninsula Press TV 18 May 2015 -- Units of Egyptian ground forces, backed by the air force, have carried out separate operations in the violence-plagued Sinai Peninsula, where 11 militants were killed.

News Reports

• Protests Resume in Burundi Capital After Failed Coup VOA 18 May 2015 -- Protesters took to the streets of the capital in Burundi Monday for the first time since a failed coup attempt against the president last week. Military forces took a stronger, leading role in keeping a damper on demonstrations against the government.
• Leader's full speech on Mab'ath Press TV 18 May 2015 -- The following is the full text of a speech by Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on the occasion of Mab'ath on May 16.
• Iran not to accept inspection of non-nuclear facilities ISNA 18 May 2015 -- A member of Iranian nuclear negotiating team Hamid Baidi-Nejad said the country would not accept any inspection of non-nuclear centers, including military facilities, which do not deal with nuclear material.
• Zarif: Additional Protocol does not provide unreasonable access IRNA 18 May 2015 -- Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said that the Additional Protocol never allows illogical and unfounded access to a country's institutes but rather provides a systematic framework which is currently being implemented in 124 countries.
• Iran not to let IAEA inspect military sites: Official Press TV 18 May 2015 -- A senior Iranian nuclear negotiator says the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will not be allowed to inspect Iran's military sites.
• DPRK blasts S.Korean media amid rumors of defense chief's execution People's Daily 18 May 2015 -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Sunday condemned South Korean media for 'hurting its highest dignity,' after they have stirred up a rumor that a senior DPRK defense official has been executed.
• Kerry: US, Allies 'Not Even Close' to Resuming N. Korea talks VOA 18 May 2015 -- After diplomatic consultations in Seoul, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry virtually ruled out any possibility for renewed dialogue with North Korea over its nuclear program. Instead he called for strengthening U.S. military alliances in the region, and increasing international pressure to counter what he called Pyongyang's provocative and disturbing behavior and disregard for human rights.
• Kerry Decries N. Korea's Internet Repression VOA 18 May 2015 -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry denounced North Korea Monday for repressing Internet freedom for its citizens, and condemned the communist country for last year's hacking attack on Sony Pictures in Hollywood.
• S. Korea proposes talks with DPRK on Kaesong wage row People's Daily 18 May 2015 -- South Korea offered to hold talks with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on the management of an inter-Korean economic zone, including the ongoing row over a wage hike for DPRK workers, the Unification Ministry said Monday.
• Joint Press Availability With Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se US Dept. of State 18 May 2015
• Remarks With Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 18 May 2015
• CIA Operated Black Sites With Full Knowledge of Host Countries Sputnik 18 May 2015 -- The countries that participated in the US Central Intelligence Agency's (CIA) terrorist detainee interrogation and transfer program had full knowledge of what was being done within their borders, former CIA Deputy Director Michael Morell told Sputnik on Monday.
• Hacking Laws Hushed Up in the UK Sputnik 18 May 2015 -- Without debate but with exemption, the UK government has quietly passed a new law making the government's spying agency, police and intelligence officials exempt from prosecution for hacking into computers and mobile phones.
• In Turkey, Erdogan's Election Rhetoric Draws Ire VOA 18 May 2015 -- As campaigning for next month's parliamentary poll heats up, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been pictured waving a Quran at an election rally and weeping during the reciting of an Islamic prayer, prompting opposition politicians to accuse him of breaking with the secular traditions of modern Turkey's founder, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and enflaming religious passions.
• US, Cuba to Focus on Re-opening Embassies VOA 18 May 2015 -- The United States and Cuba resume talks this week on the steps needed for re-opening embassies and fully re-establishing diplomatic relations after a break of more than 50 years.