• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Casualty Update 06 Oct 2015 [PDF]
• Airstrikes Hit ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 06 Oct 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.
• Carter, Campbell Comment on Tragic Kunduz Strike AFPS 06 Oct 2015 -- The investigation into the U.S. airstrike that struck a hospital in Kunduz, Afghanistan, will be thorough and objective, the commander of NATO's Resolute Support mission and U.S. forces in Afghanistan told a Senate panel here today.
• Statement by Secretary of Defense Ash Carter On the Tragedy in Kunduz, Afghanistan DoD 06 Oct 2015
• US general calls Afghan hospital airstrike mistake Press TV 06 Oct 2015 -- The deadly US air strike that hit a hospital in Kunduz, Afghanistan was a mistake made within the US military's chain of command, according to the American commander of NATO forces in Afghanistan.
• US should deploy more troops to Afghanistan: American commander Press TV 06 Oct 2015 -- The United States should deploy more troops to Afghanistan because local forces are not yet ready to take on militants, US Army General John Campbell says.
• Clashes disrupting delivery of food to Kunduz: Afghan officials Press TV 06 Oct 2015 -- Afghan officials have warned that heavy clashes between Taliban militants and government troops in the northern city of Kunduz are hindering the delivery of food and humanitarian aid to the people there.
• U.S. Commander: Deadly Kunduz Hospital Air Strike A Mistake RFE/RL 06 Oct 2015 -- The commander of U.S. and coalition forces in Afghanistan said an air strike on a hospital in the northern city of Kunduz was a mistake, as he reiterated that final approval was made by U.S. officers.
• No humanitarian agencies left in besieged Afghan city of Kunduz after hospital bombing - UN UN News 06 Oct 2015 -- There are currently no humanitarian agencies left in Kunduz, the north-eastern Afghan city where an air strike hit the Médecins sans Frontières (MSF) hospital, causing the deaths and injuries of medical personnel, patients and other civilians, the United Nations said today.
• US Accepts Blame for Afghan Hospital Attack VOA 06 Oct 2015 -- A top U.S. military commander says American forces are responsible for 'mistakenly' hitting a hospital in Kunduz, Afghanistan, in an aerial bombardment Saturday that killed 22 people.
• US, Afghan Forces Commit War Crime in Afghan Kunduz Sputnik 06 Oct 2015 -- The US forces' attack on hospital in Afghan city of Kunduz could not be classified as a mistake because the hospital administration had regularly shared its coordinates with the authorities, according to the tstement of the international medical organization Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF).
• Turkmenistan Braces for Spillover of Violence From Afghanistan Sputnik 06 Oct 2015 -- Turkmenistan is reported to be taking serious measures to shore up its border with instability-torn Afghanistan, sending much of its border guard and other combat-ready forces to the border area, Ferghana Information Agency reports, citing local media.
• National Guard Continues to Battle Storm Flooding in South Carolina AFPS 06 Oct 2015 -- National Guardsmen in South Carolina continue to fight the ravages of historic flooding from Hurricane Joaquin, the National Guard Bureau's current-operations division chief said in a media roundtable yesterday afternoon.

Defense Policy / Programs

• AF leaders testify before Congress on bomber structure AFNS 06 Oct 2015 -- Military experts in Air Force long-range strike capabilities testified Sept. 29 before a House Armed Services subcommittee on the Air Force bomber force structure.
• Annual Report Shows Progress in Acquisition AFPS 06 Oct 2015 -- Data-driven acquisition and procurement policies are creating savings in production and development programs, lowering large-program costs and moving contract costs and management in positive directions, the Defense Department's acquisition chief said this morning.
• 377th ABW transfers to AF Global Strike Command AFNS 06 Oct 2015 -- The 377th Air Base Wing at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, became part of 20th Air Force Oct. 1, as it shifts from Air Force Materiel Command to Air Force Global Strike Command.
• Media Availability with Secretary Carter following a Troop Event at Morón Air Base, Spain DoD 06 Oct 2015 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Ash Carter
• USS Benfold Departs for Forward Deployment to 7th Fleet NNS 06 Oct 2015 -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) departed San Diego, Oct. 2 for Yokosuka, Japan, where the ship will join U.S. 7th Fleet's Forward Deployed Naval Forces.
• Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group Departs on Deployment NNS 06 Oct 2015 -- More than 4,000 Sailors and Marines from the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (KSGARG) and 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (26 MEU) departed from Norfolk and Little Creek, Virginia and Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Oct 6.
• NATO Leader Says Russia Building 'Arc of Steel' in Europe AFPS 06 Oct 2015 -- In the same vein as Winston Churchill's Iron Curtain metaphor, a NATO commander said today that Russia is building an "arc of steel" from the Arctic to the Mediterranean Sea.
• Pre-ministerial press conference by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg NATO 06 Oct 2015
• US, Turkey Threaten to Shoot Down Russian Jets for Airspace Violations Sputnik 06 Oct 2015 -- The US and Turkey have threatened to shoot down Russian warplanes if they stray into Turkish airspace, following two accidental, momentary violations of the Syria-Turkey border by Russian military aircraft.
• Erdogan Says Turkey Cannot Endure Violation Of Its Airspace By Russia RFE/RL 06 Oct 2015 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that his country 'cannot endure' Russian aircraft violating its airspace along the Syrian border, warning that 'an attack on Turkey means an attack on NATO.'
• US Concerned About Russian Military Deployment in Mediterranean Sputnik 06 Oct 2015 -- Commander of the Allied Joint Force Command Naples Adm. Mark Ferguson said that Russia has introduced air defense cruise missile systems and new platforms in the Mediterranean as it is "building the capability to project power into the maritime domain."
• Russia looking into Turkey airspace violation claims Press TV 06 Oct 2015 -- Moscow says it is investigating the allegation by Ankara that Russian jets targeting terrorists in Syria have violated Turkish airspace for a second time, reports say.
• US Seeks 'Constructive' Response from Russia VOA 06 Oct 2015 -- A State Department spokesman says the U.S. would not want to see Russia transfer its "formula" in Syria to Iraq.
• Lukashenka Says Belarus Doesn't Need Russian Base RFE/RL 06 Oct 2015 -- President Alyaksandr Lukashenka has said he is not aware of plans to establish a Russian military air base in Belarus.
• Foreigners Can Serve In Ukrainian Army RFE/RL 06 Oct 2015 -- Lawmakers in Kyiv have legalized the service of foreigners in the Ukrainian armed forces.
• Ukraine Adopts Law Allowing Foreigners to Serve in the Country's Army Sputnik 06 Oct 2015 -- Over the past year, foreigners have been engaged in Kiev's military operation in Donbass as part of 'volunteer battalions'.
• Spain - MQ-9 Block 5 aircraft DSCA 06 Oct 2015 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Spain for MQ-9 Block 5 aircraft and associated equipment, parts and logistical support for an estimated cost of $243 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on October 5, 2015.
• Latvia Buys Multi-Role Radars From US Defense Contractor Lockheed Martin Sputnik 06 Oct 2015 -- Latvia's Ministry of Defense has signed a contract with Lockheed Martin to purchase three TPS-77 Multi-Role Radars.
• Joint Press Availability With Haitian President Michel Martelly US Dept. of State 06 Oct 2015
• Daily Press Briefing by Press Secretary Josh Earnest, 10/6/2015 The White House 06 Oct 2015
• October 6, 2015 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 06 Oct 2015

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for October 06, 2015
• Russia to Start Development of New-Generation Engines for Rockets, Aircraft Sputnik 06 Oct 2015 -- Russia's United Engine Corporation plans to start work on the development of advanced aircraft and rocket engines.

Other Conflicts

• 6 October 2015 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 06 Oct 2015
• US warns China over freedom of navigation in South China Sea Press TV 06 Oct 2015 -- The United States has warned China again not to threaten the stability of the South China Sea since Washington is committed to protecting the freedom of navigation in the Asia-Pacific region.
• IS Claims Deadly Yemen Attacks VOA 06 Oct 2015 -- The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for a series of deadly attacks on government headquarters and positions of the Saudi-led coalition in the Yemeni port city of Aden.
• Russia rejects Palmyra strike claims as 'absolute lie' Press TV 06 Oct 2015 -- Russia has dismissed as 'absolute lies' reports that its warplanes have targeted the world-renowned ancient city of Palmyra in Syria.
• US says Russia striking CIA-backed militants in Syria Press TV 06 Oct 2015 -- A new US intelligence assessment says Russia has been targeting militant groups backed by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in Syria, deepening US anger at Moscow.
• Russia Says No Ground Troops In Syria, Not Recruiting Volunteers RFE/RL 06 Oct 2015 -- Russian officials stressed on October 6 that Moscow will not deploy ground troops in Syria, and said it is not recruiting volunteers to fight on the side of President Bashar al-Assad.
• Russia Asks Anti-ISIL Coalition to Share Intelligence Sputnik 06 Oct 2015 -- The Russian Defense Ministry asked military attaches of the anti-ISIL coalition member-countries to share their intelligence on Islamic State militant positions in Syria.
• US Prepared to Continue Deconfliction Talks With Russia on Syria Sputnik 06 Oct 2015 -- The United States stands ready to continue the deconfliction discussions on Syria with Russia.
• Russian Airstrikes in Syria on Tuesday Wreak Havoc Among ISIL Militants Sputnik 06 Oct 2015 -- Russian precision airstrikes on Islamic State munition depots, armored vehicles and command posts have created panic among the militants, according to the Russian Defense Ministry's spokesman.
• Russian Warplanes Destroy ISIL HQ Near Palmyra, Up To 40 Militants Killed Sputnik 06 Oct 2015 -- A Russian military spokesman dismissed earlier reports that Russian warplanes had bombed the ancient city of Palmyra, as was claimed by several international media outlets.
• Russia Deploys Mi-24 Helicopter Gunships to Syria Anti-ISIL Operation Sputnik 06 Oct 2015 -- Russia has deployed Mi-24 helicopter gunships to Syria as part of its operation against ISIL targets.
• Russia Attacking Syrian Opposition, Not ISIL Militants - Stoltenberg Sputnik 06 Oct 2015 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that he urged Russia to play a constructive and cooperative role in the fight against ISIL.
• Analysts: US Syria Proxy Army Not Reliable VOA 06 Oct 2015 -- A loosely-coordinated group of Syrian rebel factions earmarked by U.S. officials as a proxy army to partner with in northern Syria lacks coherence and reliability, warn analysts and rival rebel commanders.
• Special US Envoy in Iraq for Talks on Islamic State VOA 06 Oct 2015 -- The special U.S. envoy to the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL (Islamic State) is in the Iraqi capital for talks on the coalition's support of Iraqi-led efforts to degrade and defeat the terrorist group.
• Libya: Ban calls for urgent agreement on formation of Government of National Accord UN News 06 Oct 2015 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today urged participants in the Libyan political dialogue to urgently conclude the process and sign an agreement leading to the formation of a Government of National Accord.
• Ukraine's eastern region of Donbass postpones local elections Press TV 06 Oct 2015 -- Pro-Russia fighters in Ukraine's eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk have postponed disputed local elections to the next year.
• Pro-Russian Donbas Rebels Agree To Postpone Elections RFE/RL 06 Oct 2015 -- Pro-Russian separatists say they have decided to postpone disputed local elections in territory they control until next year, a move the European Union called a 'fundamental step' toward full implementation of an accord aimed at resolving the deadly conflict in eastern Ukraine.
• Majority of Tanks Withdrawn From Contact Line in East Ukraine's Lugansk Sputnik 06 Oct 2015 -- According to a spokesman from the special operations headquarters stationed in the LPR, the majority of tanks on the line of contact in the eastern Ukrainian self-proclaimed Lugansk People's Republic has been withdrawn.
• East Ukraine Rebels Postpone Local Polls VOA 06 Oct 2015 -- Russia-backed rebels in eastern Ukraine agreed on Tuesday to postpone unofficial elections planned for October 18 and November 1 until February 2016, backing off a move that could have derailed a shaky peace deal.
• Israeli Forces, Palestinians Clash at West Bank Checkpoint VOA 06 Oct 2015 -- Israeli forces clashed with Palestinian youth during demonstrations Tuesday at a major checkpoint between Jerusalem and the West Bank city of Ramallah.
• Israeli forces again attack Palestinians in West Bank Press TV 06 Oct 2015 -- Israeli forces have once again attacked Palestinian demonstrators protesting Tel Aviv's wave of aggression across the occupied West Bank.
• Ban voices 'profound alarm' at growing number of deadly incidents in West Bank UN News 06 Oct 2015 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon voiced "profound alarm" today at the growing number of deadly incidents in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
• Eleven Chadian soldiers killed in Boko Haram ambush Press TV 06 Oct 2015 -- Nearly a dozen Chadian soldiers have lost their lives in a surprise attack by the Takfiri Boko Haram militant group against them in the volatile Lake Chad region.
• Twelve more PKK militants slain in southeast Turkey Press TV 06 Oct 2015 -- At least 12 members of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) have been killed in Turkish military strikes in the southeastern part of Turkey.
• Mali: peace process 'back on track' but vigilance necessary, says UN envoy UN News 06 Oct 2015 -- The road towards peace and the implementation of an accord to end instability and violence in Mali is full of obstacles, the United Nations envoy for the country today told the Security Council, noting that these difficulties have been encountered sooner than he had expected.
• Central African Republic goes back to square one IRIN 06 Oct 2015 -- Six days of fighting that ended in Central African Republic's capital last week has left a heavy toll: dozens dead, hundreds wounded, thousands displaced, and hope of an imminent resolution to the country's protracted and complex political crisis fading fast.
• Despite looting of aid agencies in Central African Republic UN pledges continued support UN News 06 Oct 2015 -- Despite worsening security conditions and the recent looting of international aid offices in the Central African Republic (CAR), prompting the temporarily relocation of 200 personnel, the United Nations today pledged to keep bringing aid into the war-torn country, where over half the population urgently needs assistance.

News Reports

• Turkey, EU Discuss Measures To Curb Syrian Migrant Flows RFE/RL 06 Oct 2015 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and top European officials discussed ways to stem the spiraling migrant crisis in Brussels on October 5.
• Tusk: 3 Million More Refugees Could Flee Syria RFE/RL 06 Oct 2015 -- EU Council President Donald Tusk says that Turkey has warned the European Union that millions of more refugees could flee the civil war in Syria.
• UNHCR: Migrant 'Hot Spots' Must Not Be Detention Centers in Disguise VOA 06 Oct 2015 -- The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights called Tuesday on EU member states to ensure that all discussions of migration policy are grounded in the need to protect the human rights of all migrants.
• Camel Breeding, Melon Harvesting, Stonemasonry: How IS Sells Its 'Utopia' RFE/RL 06 Oct 2015 -- What do camel-breeding, melon harvesting, and stonemasonry have in common? They all featured in the extremist group Islamic State's propaganda this summer.
• Foreign terrorist fighters pose 'significant and evolving' global threat, warns new UN report UN News 06 Oct 2015 -- In the wake of last week's meeting of world leaders at United Nations Headquarters on countering violent extremism, a new UN report released today throws into stark relief the growing threat posed by foreign terrorist fighters, especially in an era where extremist groups freely use social media and the Internet to disseminate their ideologies and even raise funds.
• Special briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Moscow, October 6, 2015 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 06 Oct 2015
• Maldives Officials: Blast on President's Boat Was Assassination Attempt VOA 06 Oct 2015 -- Maldives officials said Tuesday that last month's explosion aboard a boat carrying President Abdullah Yameen was an assassination attempt.