• 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 15 Oct 2015 [PDF]
• U.S., Coalition Airstrikes Hit ISIL in Syria, Iraq AFPS 15 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.
• Statement by the President on Afghanistan The White House 15 Oct 2015
• On-the-Record Conference Call on Afghanistan The White House 15 Oct 2015
• Department of Defense Press Briefing by Secretary Carter and Press Secretary Cook in the Pentagon Briefing Room DoD 15 Oct 2015 -- Secretary of Defense Ash Carter and Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook
• Obama Adjusts Troop Levels for Continuing Afghanistan Mission AFPS 15 Oct 2015 -- President Barack Obama announced at the White House today that he will keep U.S. troops in Afghanistan through 2016 and a lesser number into 2017 to sustain coalition efforts to train and strengthen Afghan forces.
• Obama Slows US Troop Withdrawal From Afghanistan VOA 15 Oct 2015 -- For an American president who came into office with a promise to end U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the announcement to slow the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan was likely not an easy one.
• NATO Enthusiastic, Others Mixed on Afghanistan VOA 15 Oct 2015 -- President Barack Obama's announcement of a delayed U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan drew an understandably enthusiastic response from NATO's leadership and mixed reviews among U.S. lawmakers and other observers.
• Obama Reverses Course On Afghanistan Withdrawal Plan RFE/RL 15 Oct 2015 -- President Barack Obama has announced a dramatic reversal in the drawdown of U.S. forces serving in Afghanistan, citing growing concerns about a Taliban resurgence and persistent doubts about Afghan forces' fighting ability.
• NATO Secretary General's reaction to President Obama's announcement on Afghanistan NATO 15 Oct 2015
• Russia doubts US troop plan can help Afghanistan Press TV 15 Oct 2015 -- Russian officials have expressed doubt that a new plan by the United States to extend its military presence in Afghanistan could help the war-ravaged country.
• Despite 'relative' calm in Kunduz, full conditions for humanitarian assistance not yet restored - UN UN News 15 Oct 2015 -- While reports indicate that Kunduz city centre in northeast Afghanistan remains relatively quiet, with sporadic fighting taking place on the outskirts, full conditions for the safe delivery of humanitarian assistance have not yet been restored, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
• Taliban: Ready For 'Meaningful' Talks VOA 15 Oct 2015 -- Afghanistan's Taliban says it's ready to open meaningful negotiations for ending the war, provided all its "legitimate demands" are met.
• Some 100 Taliban militants slain across Afghanistan Press TV 15 Oct 2015 -- Afghan army troops backed by security forces have killed nearly 100 Taliban militants and wounded more than three dozen others in a series of clean-up operations across the strife-torn Asian country over the past 24 hours.
• Guard Engineers Aid Flood-Stricken South Carolina Residents AFPS 15 Oct 2015 -- Just a week after historic rainfall caused severe flooding in South Carolina -- devastating lives, cities, and infrastructure -- the examples witnessed here and across the state Oct. 13 were neighbors helping neighbors.

Defense Policy / Programs

• US Knew Drones Provided Faulty Intelligence, Led to Civilian Massacres Sputnik 15 Oct 2015 -- Secret US government documents acquired by The Intercept showed that the Obama administration's preference for drone strikes took place despite knowledge that the intelligence they provided was faulty, leading to massacres which killed hundreds of innocent civilians.
• Air Force sets weight restrictions for F-35 pilots AFNS 15 Oct 2015 -- Air Force leaders recently made a decision to restrict pilots weighing less than 136 pounds from flying the F-35A Lightning II due to safety concerns about the ejection seat in a portion of the flight envelope.
• Hill commemorates new era in combat airpower AFNS 15 Oct 2015 -- Base officials and the Top of Utah community officially welcomed the F-35 Lightning II at a ceremony here Oct. 14, an event that formally marked the beginning of F-35 operations for the 388th and 419th Fighter Wings.
• Readout of Secretary Carter's Meetings With ROK President Park and ROK Minister of Defense Han DoD 15 Oct 2015
• CENSECFOR and JEBLCFS Unveil New CSW Range NNS 15 Oct 2015 -- The Center for Security Forces took part in a ribbon cutting ceremony that signified the reopening of the outdoor Rodriguez range to crew-served weapons training at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Oct. 14.
• Lincoln Closer to Bringing Flight Deck Back to Life NNS 15 Oct 2015 -- Sailors assigned to Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) V-2 division teamed with shipbuilders from Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) to lower power cylinders into catapult one on Lincoln's flight deck in Newport News, Oct. 7.
• SMC stands up new launch systems directorate AFNS 15 Oct 2015 -- Space and Missile Systems Center leaders officially stood up its newest organization, the Launch Systems Enterprise Directorate (SMC/LE), at a ceremony here Oct. 14.
• USS City of Corpus Christi visits Singapore during Western Pacific Deployment NNS 15 Oct 2015 -- The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS City of Corpus Christi (SSN 705) arrived in Singapore Oct. 5 for a visit as a part of its deployment to the Western Pacific.
• Secretary General encourages Montenegro to keep up with reforms during North Atlantic Council visit NATO 15 Oct 2015 -- Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg encouraged Montenegro to stay the course on reforms on Thursday (15 October 2015) stressing that "full implementation of the reforms is key" to the country's bid to join NATO. "Montenegro has already introduced substantial reforms. You have made important progress in strengthening the rule of law and I encourage you to further build public support for membership," Mr. Stoltenberg said.
• Opening remarks by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the informal meeting of the North Atlantic Council in Montenegro NATO 15 Oct 2015
• Iran Shows Off Underground Missile Arsenal RFE/RL 15 Oct 2015 -- Iranian state television has broadcast unprecedented footage of a deep underground tunnel packed with missiles and launcher units, which officials said could be used if 'enemies make a mistake.'
• US examining ways to limit Pakistan's nuclear weapons stockpile Press TV 15 Oct 2015 -- The administration of US President Barack Obama is examining ways to limit Pakistan's nuclear weapons stockpile, considered as the world's fastest-growing nuclear arsenal.
• Western Militaries Exit Central Asia As Germany Shuts Uzbek Base RFE/RL 15 Oct 2015 -- Germany says it will close its air base in Uzbekistan, shutting the last Western military installation in former Soviet Central Asia.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Josh Earnest, 10/15/2015 The White House 15 Oct 2015
• October 15, 2015 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 15 Oct 2015

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for October 15, 2015
• U.S. Air Force Awards Lockheed Martin $305 Million Contract for JASSM and JASSM-ER Production Lockheed Martin 15 Oct 2015 -- Lockheed Martin has received a $305.4 million contract from the U.S. Air Force for continued production of the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) and its Extended Range (ER) version.

Other Conflicts

• 15 October 2015 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 15 Oct 2015
• UN deputy chief urges 'transformation' in collective effort to tackle 'staggering' humanitarian needs UN News 15 Oct 2015 -- Warning of the huge, almost uncontrollable human disasters facing the world – with a staggering 100 million people in urgent need of humanitarian assistance – United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson has urged global solidarity to meet "the heavy but inspiring responsibility" today's global challenges demand.
• Vietnam accuses China of sinking fishing boat Press TV 15 Oct 2015 -- Vietnam has accused China of sinking one of its fishing boats near a disputed archipelago in the South China Sea.
• US: South China Sea Missions Not Provocative VOA 15 Oct 2015 -- A top U.S. Navy official says it should not be considered provocative that the U.S. is considering sending warships around artificial islands that China claims as its territory.
• UN Pushes for Quick Start of Yemen Talks VOA 15 Oct 2015 -- U.N. Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson said he is hopeful U.N.-mediated peace talks on Yemen can begin within a few weeks, possibly by the end of the month. Eliasson has just returned from a tour of several key countries in the Middle East, where he held crisis talks on the conflicts in Yemen and Syria.
• Yemeni forces launch Scud missile at Saudi military base Press TV 15 Oct 2015 -- Yemeni army soldiers backed by Popular Committees have fired a Scud ballistic missile at a Saudi military base in retaliation for Riyadh's unrelenting military campaign against its impoverished Arab neighbor.
• Yemeni forces down Saudi warplane in Sada'a Province Press TV 15 Oct 2015 -- Yemeni army forces, backed by allied popular committees loyal to the Houthi Ansarullah movement, have shot down a Saudi warplane in the northern province of Sada'a.
• Key Terrorist Leader Reportedly Killed by Russian Airstrike in Syria Sputnik 15 Oct 2015 -- Chechen-born Abu Bakr al-Shishani, leader of the Ahrar ash-Sham terrorist group, was reportedly killed in a Russian airstrike.
• Pentagon: Sunday's Airdrop to Syrian Arabs Successfully Delivered VOA 15 Oct 2015 -- The Pentagon said Thursday that an airdrop of ammunition and equipment last Sunday was successfully delivered to Syrian Arab forces.
• Next Phase of Iran-led Ground Offensive in Syria 'Coming' VOA 15 Oct 2015 -- Russia appears to have at least doubled the number of military personnel on the ground in Syria ahead of an expected pro-regime offensive to retake the city of Aleppo.
• Turkey, Saudi issue fresh warnings over Russia's Syria action Press TV 15 Oct 2015 -- Turkish and Saudi foreign ministers have once again warned Russia over its ongoing military action in Syria, with Ankara branding the air campaign a "big mistake."
• Daesh withdrawing from positions in Syria: Russia Press TV 15 Oct 2015 -- Moscow says Daesh Takfiri terrorists appear to be abandoning their positions in Syria, as army forces, backed by Moscow's air support, continue to make more gains against the militants on different fronts.
• Syria army fighting to liberate towns north of Homs Press TV 15 Oct 2015 -- Syrian government forces backed by Russian airstrikes have mounted an operation to liberate towns north of the western city of Homs from the grips of foreign-backed militants.
• 100s of Takfiri militants killed in Syrian army operations Press TV 15 Oct 2015 -- Foreign-sponsored militant groups operating inside Syria have suffered major losses and lost hundreds of members as Syrian government troops continue to gain more ground in their fight against the extremists.
• Two More Iranian Revolutionary Guards Commanders Killed In Syria RFE/RL 15 Oct 2015 -- Two Iranian military commanders were killed in Syria amid reports that Iran has sent troops to join a planned offensive against insurgents by the Syrian Army.
• Syrian Army, Backed By Russian Warplanes, Launches Homs Offensive RFE/RL 15 Oct 2015 -- The Syrian Army has launched a long-planned offensive in northern Homs Province.
• Putin: US Stance on Syria 'Unconstructive' VOA 15 Oct 2015 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin slammed the U.S. stance on the Syrian conflict as 'unconstructive,' after Washington declined to take part in high-level, bilateral negotiations on coordinating military activity in Syria, as Syrian forces, supported by Russian jets, launched an attack on rebel-held towns north of the city of Homs Thursday.
• Most parts of Baiji back under control of Iraqi forces: Officials Press TV 15 Oct 2015 -- Iraqi army soldiers, backed by volunteer Shia forces, have liberated most parts of the northern town of Baiji and the country's largest oil refinery there from the grip of Daesh terrorists, security sources say.
• Myanmar ceasefire met with scepticism IRIN 15 Oct 2015 -- The signing of a ceasefire between Myanmar's government and ethnic armed groups unfolded with pomp and ceremony today, following a week of clashes that displaced about 1,000 people in northern Shan State.
• Myanmar: UN chief welcomes 'milestone' signing of ceasefire agreement UN News 15 Oct 2015 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed today the signing of a ceasefire agreement in Myanmar as "a milestone" and expressed his hope that the new government formed after next month's elections will keep moving forward along the present path of negotiations.
• China supports Myanmar's peace process from start to finish: negotiator People's Daily 15 Oct 2015 -- China has supported Myanmar's peace process from the start to the finish and there remains much to be done in cooperation with China to realize peace in the entire country, a Myanmar government peace negotiator said Thursday.
• Truce signed between rebels, Myanmar government Press TV 15 Oct 2015 -- The government of Myanmar has signed a ceasefire agreement with several ethnic minority militia groups in the hope of ending decades of civil war.

News Reports

• Iran Nuclear Deal Moves to Implementation Stage - Kerry Sputnik 15 Oct 2015 -- US Secretary of State John Kerry said that the restrictions on Iran's nuclear program under the agreement will never die out.
• Iran has provided all needed data to resolve issues: IAEA Press TV 15 Oct 2015 -- The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says the Islamic Republic has supplied all information needed for the completion of the clarification of past and present outstanding issues regarding Iran's nuclear program.
• In Rome, Ban says refugee and migration crisis is a 'defining moment for Europe and the world' UN News 15 Oct 2015 -- The current refugee and migration crisis is a "defining moment" for Europe and the world, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon declared in Rome today, where in an address to Italian Government officials, he thanked Italy for its "compassionate and courageous response" while continuing his strong call on all countries to bear more of the responsibility.
• Pakistan's Prime Minister to Visit US VOA 15 Oct 2015 -- Pakistan's prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, will pay a three-day official visit to the United States starting October 20 to discuss bilateral ties with President Barack Obama.
• Ukraine Vows To Challenge Russia During Stint On UN Council RFE/RL 15 Oct 2015 -- Ukraine is expected to win a seat on the UN Security Council in an October 15 vote and is vowing to stand up to Russia, which has used its veto power to wage a strategic tug-of-war with Ukraine and the West.
• Security whistleblower leaks classified documents on US drones Press TV 15 Oct 2015 -- An American whistle-blower, who the media refer to as the "New Snowden," has released a series of documents that contain highly sensitive intelligence on US drones.
• EU Parliament Lifts Immunity Of Suspected Spy For Russia RFE/RL 15 Oct 2015 -- The European Parliament has lifted the immunity of a Hungarian deputy suspected of spying on European Union institutions for Russia.
• Burundi: Ban condemns killing of 11 people in Bujumbura, urges prompt investigation UN News 15 Oct 2015 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today condemned the recent killing of nine civilians and two police officers in Burundi's capital Bujumbura, amid exchanges of heavy gunfire in several neighbourhoods of the city.
• European Rights Court Says Turk Had Right To Deny Armenian Genocide RFE/RL 15 Oct 2015 -- In a landmark freedom-of-speech case, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has ruled that a Turkish politician had the right to deny that the mass killing of Armenians a century ago amounted to genocide.
• Ebola virus persists in body fluids of survivors for months - UN health agency UN News 15 Oct 2015 -- The Ebola virus can persist in the eye, semen, the placenta, breast milk and central nervous system of survivors of the disease for as long as 9 and a half months, according to a new study supported by the World Health Organization (WHO).
• US Charges Kosovo Man with Computer Hacking for IS VOA 15 Oct 2015 -- In what the Justice Department calls the first case of its kind, the United States has charged a Kosovo citizen with computer hacking and handing over the personal information of more than 1,300 U.S. military members to Islamic State.
• Scotland Identifies 2 More Libyan Lockerbie Suspects VOA 15 Oct 2015 -- Scottish prosecutors have identified two more Libyan suspects in the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, which killed 270 people.
• Moldova's Ex-PM Detained After Parliament Lifts His Immunity RFE/RL 15 Oct 2015 -- Moldovan authorities have detained former Prime Minister Vlad Filat, a leader of the ruling pro-European coalition, in connection with the purported theft of some $1 billion from the banking system that jolted the ex-Soviet country's political and economic life.