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News Reports

Current Operations

• Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Casualty Update 19 May 2015 [PDF]
• Coalition Airstrikes Target ISIL in Syria, Iraq AFPS 19 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.
• Update: air strikes in Iraq UK MOD 19 May 2015 -- British forces have continued to conduct air operations to assist the Iraqi government in its fight against ISIL.
• New US drone strike kills three in NW Pakistan Press TV 19 May 2015 -- A fresh US drone strike has claimed the lives of at least three people in Pakistan's northwestern restive tribal region near the Afghan border, local intelligence officials say.
• Deployable command, control system critical to Nepal earthquake relief AFNS 19 May 2015 -- With humanitarian assistance and disaster relief as an ongoing mission for Joint Task Force 505 and other organizations in support of Operation Sahayogi Haat in Nepal, the ability to effectively communicate with each other and components in the region is critical.
• U.S. military helicopter teams up with Samaritan's Purse to deliver aid before Nepal monsoons USMC News 19 May 2015 -- Deployed U.S. Military members and a North Carolina faith-based organization provided earthquake disaster relief supplies to Nepalese villagers in Dolakha District, May 16 and 17.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Air Force moves to bring about RPA mission relief AFNS 19 May 2015 -- The Air Force is pursuing a range of options that will, in combination with a reset in the number of sustainable combat air patrols, help alleviate long-term stress on Remotely Piloted Aircraft crews.
• Air Force launches air superiority Enterprise Capability Collaboration Team AFNS 19 May 2015 -- The Air Force recently launched the first Enterprise Capability Collaboration Team (ECCT), kicking off an initiative that integrates expertise from around the service in an effort to deliver innovative solutions to capabilities issues.
• Barksdale B-52s participates in CENTCOM exercise Eager Lion AFNS 19 May 2015 -- Two B-52 Stratofortress bombers assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing in Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, returned May 18, from a 30-plus hour, 14,000 mile nonstop mission to the U.S. Central Command area of operations, where they participated alongside Jordanian and other multinational forces in exercise Eager Lion 2015.
• F-35 pilot training begins at Luke AFNS 19 May 2015 -- The first ever F-35 Lightning II pilot training class was held at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, May 4.
• USMC OT-1 kicks off with Lightning II aircraft landing aboard USS Wasp USMC News 19 May 2015 -- USS Wasp (LHD-1) At Sea- Six Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft initiated the first phase of shipboard operational testing (OT-1) when they landed aboard the USS Wasp at sea on the afternoon of May 18.
• USS New Orleans Completes Sustainment Training NNS 19 May 2015 -- The amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18) completed a four-week underway May 15 as a part of the ship's basic training cycle to prepare for future deployments.
• Future USNS Brunswick (JHSV 6) Launched NNS 19 May 2015 -- The Navy's newest joint high speed vessel (JHSV 6), the future USNS Brunswick, was launched from the Austal USA Shipyard May 19.
• No Decision Yet on East Coast Missile Defense Site, Winnefeld Says AFPS 19 May 2015 -- The Defense Department has not made a decision on the establishment of an East Coast-based missile defense site, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said today.
• U.S. Marine Corps begins F-35B operational trials USMC News 19 May 2015 -- Six U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II jet aircraft arrived Monday evening aboard the USS WASP off the coast of the United States' Eastern Seaboard to mark the beginning of the first shipboard phase of the F-35B Operational Test (OT-1).
• U.S. Pacific Command Symposium Enhances Regional Stability AFPS 19 May 2015 -- The U.S. Pacific Command Amphibious Leaders Symposium, which includes more than 20 nations, will enhance stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, Defense Department spokesman Army Col. Steve Warren said today.
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Ash Carter's Meeting with Polish Minister of Defense Tomasz Siemoniak DoD 19 May 2015
• Docked! USS Constitution Shifts Colors for Multi-Year Restoration NNS 19 May 2015 -- The world's oldest commissioned warship afloat is no longer afloat after entering dry dock May 19 for a planned multi-year restoration.
• US Seeks Deal on Use of Air Base in Spain Before December's Election Sputnik 19 May 2015 -- Washington is pushing to accelerate talks on the use of a Spanish air base in order to secure a deal before December's general election that may see the ruling Conservative Party lose its majority, a retired senior Spanish Army officer told Sputnik.
• Statement by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg following his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov NATO 19 May 2015
• Sweden to Participate in Jet Exercises With NATO Members Sputnik 19 May 2015 -- The Arctic Challenge Exercise 2015 is one of the largest of its kind. Six of the countries engaged are NATO member states, including the United States, Britain, Norway, France, Germany and the Netherlands.
• Russia's Armed Forces Set to Create Unified Flight Safety System Sputnik 19 May 2015 -- Russia's Ministry of Defense is developing hardware and software for the unification of information and analytical flight safety systems for the air force.
• State Trials of Russia's 'Sosna' Air Defense System to Begin in Summer Sputnik 19 May 2015 -- The new short-range air defense system Sosna can eliminate all types of air threats including high-precision weapons like cruise missiles and guided aircraft missiles.
• Russia's state contract for missile forces implemented according to plan - deputy PM TASS 19 May 2015 -- The work under the state defense contract for the strategic missile defense force and air and space defense, as well as the creation of a unified space system of warning of a missile attack proceeds according to the original plan, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin told the State Duma on Tuesday.
• Russian Navy's new destroyer to be nuclear-powered, gas turbine option dropped - source TASS 19 May 2015 -- Russia's Defense Ministry has amended a technical assignment for developing the Leader-type missile destroyer for the Navy, which will have a nuclear power unit as the sole option, a source in the defense industry said on Tuesday.
• Work on Russia's Unitary System of Missile Warning on Schedule - Deputy PM Sputnik 19 May 2015 -- Russia is working on its unitary space system of early warning missile strikes according to the schedule.
• Israel - Joint Direct Attack Munition Tail Kits and Munitions DSCA 19 May 2015 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Israel for Joint Direct Attack Munition Tail Kits, munitions, and associated equipment, parts and logistical support for an estimated cost of $1.879 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on May 18, 2015.
• Iran's Navy to beef up presence in int'l waters: Commander IRNA 19 May 2015 -- Commander of Iran's Navy Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said on Tuesday that the force plans to promote its presence in international waters.
• Iran to further expand naval presence in high seas: Navy commander Press TV 19 May 2015 -- Iran's Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari says the Islamic Republic will expand its naval presence in international waters.
• US General Frederick Hodges Promises to Train Ukrainian Servicemen Sputnik 19 May 2015 -- The general said that the US will help Ukrainian forces protect their country. He also pledged to use every effort to share US Army's experience with Ukraine.
• Seoul Wants to Make Sure THAAD is the Real Thing Sputnik 19 May 2015 -- South Korea is looking into whether a US advanced missile-defense system could boost its defense capabilities against North Korea, a government official said Tuesday.
• May 19, 2015 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 19 May 2015
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Josh Earnest, 5/19/15 The White House 19 May 2015

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for May 19, 2015
• Russia, Belarus Join Hands on Advanced Anti-Aircraft Missile System Sputnik 19 May 2015 -- Russia and Belarus will jointly develop a new short-range anti-aircraft missile complex, it was announced on Tuesday.

Other Conflicts

• 19 May 2015 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 19 May 2015
• UN says conflict forces 545,000 Yemenis from homes Press TV 19 May 2015 -- The United Nations (UN) says more than half a million people in Yemen have been displaced since Saudi Arabia began its military aggression against the country in late March.
• Saudi warplanes pound various cities across Yemen Press TV 19 May 2015 -- Saudi warplanes have once again pounded various cities across Yemen as Riyadh's brutal military campaign against the impoverished Arab country continues unabated.
• Amid ongoing fighting in Yemen, UN agencies urge 'predictable pauses' for humanitarian aid UN News 19 May 2015 -- Yemen's five-day ceasefire aimed at allowing the delivery of critical aid to the country's beleaguered civilian population did not last long enough for providing the necessary relief, according to the United Nations humanitarian agencies.
• Iran has no troops in Yemen: Velayati IRNA 19 May 2015 -- Visiting Iranian Supreme Leader's Advisor in International Affairs Ali-Akbar Velayati said on Tuesday that Iran has no troops in Yemen.
• UN Watchdog blasts Iraq over IDP treatment IRIN 19 May 2015 -- A UN watchdog has blasted the Iraqi authorities for their failure to adequately support and protect the nearly three million people displaced within its borders by the so-called Islamic State, citing examples of restricted movement, detention without due process and an 'ad hoc' approach to aid delivery.
• Iraq and global community must protect internally displaced as crisis deepens - UN expert UN News 19 May 2015 -- A United Nations human rights expert today urged the Government of Iraq to step-up its efforts and give a higher priority to nearly three million internally displaced persons (IDPs).
• In Ramadi's Wake, No Hint of New US Strategy VOA 19 May 2015 -- Despite the Islamic State militants' defeat of U.S.-backed Iraqi security forces in Ramadi, the Obama administration says it does not plan to change its strategy – a resolute stance that has drawn sharp criticism from a top congressional Republican and some military analysts.
• Analysts Say Loss of Ramadi Shows Inherent Iraqi Army Weakness VOA 19 May 2015 -- Analysts say the fall of the Iraqi city of Ramadi to Islamic State insurgents has again demonstrated inherent weaknesses in the Iraqi army.
• Iraq security forces control 30 percent of Ramadi: Official Press TV 19 May 2015 -- Iraqi security forces are in control of as much as 30 percent of the city of Ramadi in the western Iraqi province of Anbar, says a senior official in the restive province, which is facing an offensive by Takfiri ISIL terrorists.
• 60,000 Shia fighters protecting Iraqi capital: Security body Press TV 19 May 2015 -- At least 60,000 Shia volunteer forces, known as members of the Popular Mobilization units, are protecting Iraq's capital, Baghdad, an Iraqi security committee says.
• Shi'ite Fighters Mass For Counterattack On IS-Held Ramadi RFE/RL 19 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.
• No US Armament Left in Ramadi After 2011 Pullout - Pentagon Spokeswoman Sputnik 19 May 2015 -- The US Armed Forces did not leave any military equipment after the 2011 withdrawal from the Iraqi city of Ramadi, which was recently captured by Islamic State militants, a US Department of Defense spokeswoman Cmdr. Elissa Smith told Sputnik on Tuesday.
• Shi'ite Militias Mass for Possible Ramadi Offensive VOA 19 May 2015 -- Iraqi security forces, as well as several thousand Shi'ite militia members, massed Tuesday outside the Iraqi city of Ramadi ahead of a possible offensive to try to recapture the Anbar provincial capital from Islamic State militants.
• Russian POW Video Raises War Crime Questions For Ukraine RFE/RL 19 May 2015 -- The treatment of prisoners of war (POWs) in the Ukraine conflict has repeatedly sparked concerns ever since fighting erupted last year in eastern Ukraine between Kyiv's forces and Russian-backed separatists.
• Insecurity fuels food shortages in northern Cameroon IRIN 19 May 2015 -- It's becoming more and more difficult to find food in Cameroon's Far North region, residents say, not only because the annual lean season is underway, but insecurity caused by Boko Haram has severely disrupted farming and cross-border trade.
• Sudan denies accusations that it backs rebels in South Sudan People's Daily 19 May 2015 -- Sudan has rejected accusations that it supported rebels in South Sudan.
• At Security Council, senior UN official warns Middle East status quo 'not tenable' UN News 19 May 2015 -- The Middle East is threatened by "a vicious tide of terror and extremism" amid stalled peace negotiations and growing regional tensions, a United Nations envoy on the region warned today.
• World must not 'squander' opportunity in Somalia, UN envoy tells Security Council UN News 19 May 2015 -- While it is too soon to celebrate definitive success in Somalia, and while the situation remains challenging, progress is being made and the international community would be missing a strategic opportunity if it failed to realize how much is being achieved, the top United Nations in the country told the Security Council today.

News Reports

• Chinese Professors Among Six Defendants Charged with Economic Espionage and Theft of Trade Secrets for Benefit of People's Republic of China US Dept. of Justice 19 May 2015 -- The 32-count indictment, which had previously been sealed, charges a total of six individuals with economic espionage and theft of trade secrets for their roles in a long-running effort to obtain U.S. trade secrets for the benefit of universities and companies controlled by the PRC government.
• US Charges 6 Chinese With Economic Espionage VOA 19 May 2015 -- The U.S. Department of Justice has charged six Chinese nationals with economic espionage and theft of trade secrets for allegedly accessing secret U.S. technologies and sharing them with universities and companies controlled by the Chinese government.
• Pakistan, Afghanistan Sign Intelligence Cooperation Pact RFE/RL 19 May 2015 -- The intelligence agencies of Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to cooperate with each other in their fight against Islamist militants, apparently ending years of hostile relations between the two organizations.
• Russian Lawmakers Pass 'Undesirable' NGOs Bill RFE/RL 19 May 2015 -- Russia's lower house of parliament has given final approval to a bill on so-called 'undesirable organizations' that critics say will deal a fresh blow to a nongovernmental sector that already faces considerable pressure.
• Thailand approves referendum on new constitution Press TV 19 May 2015 -- Thailand's military government has approved the holding of a referendum on the country's newly drafted constitution, thereby delaying general elections.
• Yingluck Shinawatra attends Thai supreme court's first hearing on rice scandal People's Daily 19 May 2015 -- Former Thai premier Yingluck Shinawatra appeared in the Supreme Court on Tuesday, dismissing duty-negligence charges which had allegedly incurred an enormous financial loss in a previous government's rice subsidy program.
• North Korea Retracts Invitation to UN Chief VOA 19 May 2015 -- North Korea on Wednesday abruptly cancelled an invitation to United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to visit the isolated state.
• UN chief announces rare visit to DPR Korea to help boost cooperation on Peninsula UN News 19 May 2015 -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today announced he will visit an industrial complex in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Thursday, saying that he hoped the rare trip "will provide positive impetus to further develop it and expand to other areas" to promote inter-Korean relations.
• Analysts: China, US Split on N. Korea Sanctions VOA 19 May 2015 -- During his visit to South Korea Monday, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry indicated that China is considering supporting new sanctions against North Korea, but analysts are skeptical that Beijing will take any punitive measures that might cause instability on the Korean peninsula.
• Macedonia's Gruevski Vows To Fight Critics, Stay In Power RFE/RL 19 May 2015 -- Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski told tens of thousands of supporters gathered in Skopje on May 18 that he will not leave office or otherwise surrender to the opposition.
• Macedonian Leaders to Hold Crisis Meeting VOA 19 May 2015 -- Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski and main opposition leader Zoran Zaev are expected to meet for European mediated discussions late Tuesday in an attempt to find a solution to the crisis in the country.
• Burundi humanitarian crisis worsens as political tensions in country grow UN News 19 May 2015 -- The humanitarian crisis caused by the "escalating political tensions" in Burundi has worsened, according to the United Nations which today reported an uptick in the number of Burundian refugees seeking asylum and a deterioration in health conditions at refugee camps receiving them.
• Ukraine Gets New State Property Chief RFE/RL 19 May 2015 -- Ukraine's parliament has appointed Ihor Bilous to head the State Property Fund despite a damning report on his performance in his previous job as the nation's chief tax man.