Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Casualty Update 04 Jun 2015 [PDF]
• Airstrikes Hit ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 04 Jun 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.
• Afghanistan's Karzai Blasts Pakistan VOA 04 Jun 2015 -- Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai sat down Thursday with VOA Afghan service reporter Rahim Gul Sarwan in Kabul to talk about incursions of the Islamic State, as well as relations with the U.S., China and, most vociferously, Pakistan.
• Report: Afghanistan Relying On 'Cheap But Dangerous' Militia With Abuse Record RFE/RL 04 Jun 2015 -- Afghanistan is increasingly relying on a 'cheap but dangerous' national militia of some 30,000 fighters, some of whom have committed serious abuses in the communities they are supposed to protect, an international research group says.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Readout of Secretary of Defense Ash Carter's Meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi DoD 04 Jun 2015
• U.S., India Sign 10-Year Defense Framework Agreement AFPS 04 Jun 2015 -- In India, Defense Secretary Ash Carter and Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar signed a 10-year defense framework agreement yesterday, highlighting the growth of defense cooperation between the two countries.
• US, India Sign Defense Pact Countering China's Influence VOA 04 Jun 2015 -- The United States and India signed a new defense pact and a 10-year defense cooperation framework this week that officials say represent a new dynamic in their efforts to speed up their security relationship. They also say the recent aggressive maritime moves by the Chinese in the South China Sea have helped countries in the region align closer with the U.S.
• Kendall to Lead DoD Anthrax Laboratory Review Team AFPS 04 Jun 2015 -- The Defense Department's top acquisitions official will lead a comprehensive review of DoD's laboratory procedures, processes and protocols associated with inactivating spore-forming anthrax, Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work announced yesterday.
• Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group Returns from Western Pacific, U.S. Central Command Deployment NNS 04 Jun 2015 -- The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group (CSG) returned to San Diego June 4, following a nearly 10-month deployment to the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet areas of operations.
• Countries converge for PACANGEL Papua New Guinea AFNS 04 Jun 2015 -- A six-nation Pacific Angel 15-4 team arrived June 1 in the Eastern Highlands province of Papua New Guinea.
• Fairchild, McConnell tankers fuel NORAD exercise AFNS 04 Jun 2015 -- A tanker task force assembled from the 92nd Air Refueling Wing at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, and the 22nd ARW from McConnell AFB, Kansas, joined approximately 300 military personnel and 15 aircraft in exercise Amalgam Dart 15-2 May 26-June 1.
• Remarks by Secretary Carter at a Troop Event, Stuttgart, Germany DoD 04 Jun 2015 -- Presenters: Secretary of Defense Ash Carter; General David Rodriguez, commander, U.S. Africa Command
• Harry S Truman Completes Successful Ordnance On-Load at Sea NNS 04 Jun 2015 -- The aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) conducted an on-load of an estimated 3.9 million pounds of ordnance, June 1-3, preparing the ship for upcoming work-up cycles and follow-on deployment.
• Essex Sailors Complete Intense Weapons Qualifications NNS 04 Jun 2015 -- Sailors aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) completed a massive 10-day firearms qualification course June 2.
• Seabees Complete Boat Ramp on NASNI NNS 04 Jun 2015 -- Seabees, assigned to Underwater Construction Team (UCT) 2, completed the conversion of an old seaplane ramp to create a new boat ramp at Naval Air Station North Island (NASNI), May 27.
• US says no alternative to military base in Okinawa Press TV 04 Jun 2015 -- American officials have told the governor of Okinawa that a US military base on the Japanese island, which he opposes, is fundamental to Washington's commitment to defend Japan against China.
• AF Secretary Describes Space Flight Milestones, Challenges AFPS 04 Jun 2015 -- Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James yesterday outlined the Air Force's contributions to human space flight advancement and discussed projected milestones and investments in space.
• USS Jason Dunham Arrives in Gdynia, Poland NNS 04 Jun 2015 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) arrived in Gdynia, Poland, for a scheduled port visit, June 4.
• US Admiral Frustrated Over Delay in Drone Fleet for Aircraft Carriers Sputnik 05 Jun 2015 -- Admiral Michael Manazir, the director of air warfare for the US Navy, stated on Wednesday that he is frustrated by the delay in a plan to build a fleet of drones on board aircraft carriers.
• NATO Allies begin naval exercise BALTOPS in the Baltic Sea NATO 04 Jun 2015 -- Scores of ships and aircraft from 17 countries are taking part in Baltic Sea naval drills as part of exercise BALTOPS which starts on Friday (5 June 2015) and runs until 20 June. Allied participation demonstrates NATO's resolve to defend the Baltic region, and will hone the ability of Allies and partners to work together.
• BALTOPS 2015 to Kick Off June 5 NNS 04 Jun 2015 -- Seventeen NATO and partner nations will participate in the 43rd iteration of the multinational maritime exercise BALTOPS 2015 in Poland, Sweden, Germany, and throughout the Baltic Sea, June 5-20.
• Colombian Court Invalidates NATO Cooperation Agreement Sputnik 04 Jun 2015 -- The agreement was aimed at allowing NATO and Colombia to explore and develop cooperation and consultations in areas of common interest. However, it did not formally recognize Colombia as a NATO partner.
• Czech Planes to Guard Iceland Instead of Canada Which Is Fighting ISIL Sputnik 04 Jun 2015 -- The Czech Republic is sending five multirole fighter planes to guard Iceland's airspace for six weeks instead of Canada.
• Russian Air Force to Receive Two Il-476 Transport Planes by 2016 Sputnik 04 Jun 2015 -- The Il-76MD-90A is a significantly modernized version of Russia's Il-76 Candid transport plane, featuring a fully-digital flight control system, new avionics and engines with improved fuel efficiency systems.
• Russia's post-Soviet security bloc allies back up proposal on army snap checks TASS 04 Jun 2015 -- Russia's allies in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) have supported the proposal of Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu to conduct CSTO military exercises in the form of snap checks, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov said.
• Post-Soviet security bloc defense ministers agree to change military-technical policy TASS 04 Jun 2015 -- A number of significant measures, including on upgrading the military-technical policy, will be taken following meeting of the Council of Defense Ministers of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) held earlier on Thursday in Dushanbe, CSTO Secretary General Nikolay Bordyuzha told reporters.
• Security in Central Asia depends on Russia, Tajikistan - Russian defense minister TASS 04 Jun 2015 -- Security in Central Asia largely depends on concerted action by the armed forces of Russia and Tajikistan, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said on Thursday.
• Surface Tension: Chinese, US Armies Race to Build Mobile Landing Platforms Sputnik 04 Jun 2015 -- Satellite imagery that surfaced last month appears to show China developing a semi-submersible ship, racing the United States to completion of the concept vessel.
• Turkey trains Iraqi national guards in IS fight: FM People's Daily 04 Jun 2015 -- Turkey has launched a program to train national guards of Iraq to help them fight Islamic State (IS) militants, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Thursday.
• Turkey Starts Training Iraqi National Guard to Fight ISIL Sputnik 04 Jun 2015 -- Turkey has begun training members of Iraq's National Guard in northern Mosul governorate in order to combat Islamic State militants, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Thursday.
• Egypt - Border Security Mobile Surveillance Sensor Security System DSCA 04 Jun 2015 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Egypt for Border Security Mobile Surveillance Sensor Security System and associated equipment, parts and logistical support for an estimated cost of $100 million.
• Lebanon - AGM-114 Hellfire II Missiles DSCA 04 Jun 2015 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Lebanon for AGM-114 Hellfire II missiles and associated equipment, parts and logistical support for an estimated cost of $146 million.
• Daily Press Briefing by Press Secretary Josh Earnest, 6/4/2015 The White House 04 Jun 2015
• June 4, 2015 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 04 Jun 2015

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for June 04, 2015

Other Conflicts

• 4 June 2015 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 04 Jun 2015
• Philippine media accuse president of playing with fire over S. China Sea People's Daily 04 Jun 2015 -- Philippine President Benigno Aquino III's recent remarks on the South China Sea disputes have not only aroused deep dissatisfaction among the Chinese, but also prompted domestic criticism, as local media warned him against playing with fire over these issues.
• China reiterates maintenance of peace, stability on South China Sea People's Daily 04 Jun 2015 -- China on Thursday reiterated its willingness to jointly maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea with southeast Asian neighbors.
• Philippines Naval Base Construction Makes Progress Amid S China Sea Dispute Sputnik 04 Jun 2015 -- The construction of the Philippines naval base opposite the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea is making progress despite the pitfalls.
• Death toll from Saudi airstrikes on Yemen's Sa'ada rises to 42 Press TV 04 Jun 2015 -- The death toll from the recent Saudi aerial offensive in the northwestern Yemeni province of Sa'ada has risen to 42, including eight children.
• UN envoy 'mustering' required support for consultations to resolve Yemen conflict UN News 04 Jun 2015 -- The United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, is working intensively to bring the parties to the conflict together as soon as possible in Geneva, a spokesperson for the world body said today.
• UN Tries to Rally Support for Peace Talks in Yemen VOA 04 Jun 2015 -- Bombs from a Saudi-led air offensive continued to fall across Yemen on Thursday, as the United Nations' envoy to the country scrambled to get its warring, marginalized and exiled factions around a negotiating table in Geneva later this month.
• Iraqi forces foil ISIL terrorist attacks in Fallujah Press TV 04 Jun 2015 -- Iraqi security forces have foiled two separate attacks by the ISIL Takfiri terrorists in the central city of Fallujah.
• Briefing: How 2.9 million Iraqis were displaced in 18 months IRIN 04 Jun 2015 -- Nearly three million Iraqis have been displaced since January 2014 due to fighting between the self-proclaimed Islamic State and government forces. We explain the different waves of displacement.
• One year after Mosul's fall, Iraq's worsening displacement crisis IRIN 04 Jun 2015 -- One year after Islamist militants seized control of Iraq's second city Mosul, the country is sinking into an ever-deepening quagmire with more than eight million people now in need of "life-saving assistance."
• Major funding gap has left Iraq on brink of 'catastrophe,' UN warns as new humanitarian appeal launched UN News 04 Jun 2015 -- Critical aid operations supporting millions of people affected by the conflict in Iraq are at risk of shutting down unless funds are made available immediately, the United Nations official overseeing relief operations in the country warned today as she joined an international appeal for nearly $500 million to cover the immediate needs of 5.6 million Iraqis for the next six months.
• IS Closes Dam Gates, Reducing Water to Government VOA 04 Jun 2015 -- Islamic State militants have closed gates of a dam on the Euphrates River in western Iraq, reducing the amount of water flowing to government-held areas in Iraq's western Anbar province, an official said Thursday.
• Syria army kills 40 militants in Idlib Province Press TV 04 Jun 2015 -- At least 40 Takfiri militants have been killed in a series of operations by Syrian army troops in the northwestern Idlib Province.
• 'Underground Clinic' In Russia Reportedly Treating Ukrainian Rebels RFE/RL 04 Jun 2015 -- Training bases, border crossings, and burials on the sly - the southern Russian region of Rostov has been buzzing with reports of covert military activity since conflict broke out in neighboring eastern Ukraine last spring.
• Ukraine's Poroshenko Warns Of 'Colossal Threat' RFE/RL 04 Jun 2015 -- Ukraine's president has warned his country there is a 'colossal threat' that large-scale fighting could resume in the east, and said the military should be prepared to defend Ukraine against a possible invasion along its border with Russia.
• Is the Philippines about to miss its chance at peace? IRIN 04 Jun 2015 -- With a bill aimed at ending a decades-long Muslim separatist insurgency in the southern Philippines floundering in congress, observers warn that failure to pass the legislation could reignite the conflict.
• Colombian govt., FARC rebels agree to form truth commission Press TV 04 Jun 2015 -- The Colombian government and Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebels have agreed to establish a truth commission to investigate crimes committed throughout the country's half-century conflict.
• India rebels' ambush kills 20 troops in northeast Press TV 04 Jun 2015 -- A group of heavily armed rebels has ambushed a convoy of military vehicles in India's restive northeastern state of Manipur, killing at least 20 soldiers and injuring more than a dozen others, security sources say.
• DR Congo: UN voices support for Government offensive against militia UN News 04 Jun 2015 -- The United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) has welcomed the latest military operation by the country's armed forces against members of an independent militia group following the collapse of political negotiations.
• UN's Rwanda and ex-Yugoslav tribunals flag challenges as mandates near end UN News 04 Jun 2015 -- The top officials of the United Nations International Criminal Tribunals for Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia today outlined a number of challenges to their work, ranging from the health of the defendants to the "daunting" task of trying to relocate those acquitted or who have already served their sentences.
• Nigeria President Vows War Crimes Probe VOA 04 Jun 2015 -- Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday said his government will leave 'no stone unturned' investigating allegations of widespread torture, abuse and the killing of more than 8,000 prisoners during a military offensive against Boko Haram militants.

News Reports

• Concerned over potential violence in Burundi, UN chief urges resumption of dialogue UN News 04 Jun 2015 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon remains concerned about the potential for escalating violence in Burundi and has reiterated his call for calm and restraint amid the African country's simmering political tensions.
• Burundi President Welcomes Election Postponement VOA 04 Jun 2015 -- Burundi's President, Pierre Nkurunziza, has welcomed a decision by the electoral commission to postpone both presidential and legislative elections following unrest in the country, according to presidential spokesman Willy Nyamitwe.
• Turkish President Attacks Pro-Kurdish Party as Election Nears VOA 04 Jun 2015 -- Turkey's general election set for Sunday is predicted to be one of closest in more than a decade for the ruling AK Party. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan increasingly is targeting the HDP, the pro-Kurdish opposition party, which is seeking for the first time to enter parliament as a political party. A surge in political attacks on the HDP has coincided with an increase in the number of violent attacks against the party.
• U.S. spy agency secretly expands warrantless Internet surveillance: report People's Daily 05 Jun 2015 -- The U.S. government has secretly expanded the National Security Agency's warrantless Internet surveillance to search for evidence of what it called 'malicious cyberactivity,' The New York Times reported Thursday, citing classified documents provided by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden.
• Chinese Students in US Urge Justice for Tiananmen Massacre VOA 04 Jun 2015 -- A group of Chinese college students studying overseas is distributing an open letter calling for Communist Party leaders to be held accountable for the atrocities committed 26 years ago Thursday, when Chinese forces violently dispersed pro-democracy protesters in Tiananmen Square.
• Iran allows controlled access to nuclear facilities: Araqchi IRNA 04 Jun 2015 -- Iranian senior nuclear negotiator Abbas Araqchi said Thursday that as per the Additional Protocol to Non-Proliferation Treaty, Iran would allow controlled access to its nuclear facilities, which he said is fully different from what is known as inspection.
• New MERS cases close over 700 schools in South Korea Press TV 04 Jun 2015 -- More than 700 education centers have been temporarily closed in South Korea amid a surge in the number of people infected by the deadly Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) virus.
• Chinese Hackers Suspected in Cyber Attack on US Federal Agency VOA 04 Jun 2015 -- U.S. officials said Thursday that hackers in China launched a massive cyber attack on the federal agency responsible for collecting background information and issuing security clearances for millions of government employees.
• Poroshenko Admits Failure to Fight Corruption in Ukraine Sputnik 04 Jun 2015 -- Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko admitted Thursday that the country has failed to successfully fight corruption, and asked for help from the public.
• North Korea to launch advanced Earth observation satellite Press TV 04 Jun 2015 -- Pyongyang says it aims to launch its second Earth observation satellite, while stressing the peaceful function of the North Korean aerospace program.