29 February 2016 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 29 Feb 2016 [PDF]

Department of Defense Press Briefing by Secretary Carter and Gen. Dunford in the Pentagon Briefing Room DoD 29 Feb 2016 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Ash Carter; Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joseph F. Dunford
Military Strikes Target ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 29 Feb 2016 -- 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 Highlights Momentum in ISIL Fight AFPS 29 Feb 2016 -- Momentum is on the side of the coalition fighting the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said today, noting significant gains in Iraq and Syria.
Statement by Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook on US-Russia Video Conference Discussing the Flight Safety Memorandum of Understanding DoD 29 Feb 2016 -- The Department of Defense today held a video conference co-chaired by Acting Assistant Secretary for International Security Affairs Elissa Slotkin and Joint Staff Director for Strategic Plans and Policy Lt. Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie, Jr. with Russian Ministry of Defense counterparts to discuss ongoing implementation of the U.S.-Russia memorandum of understanding (MOU) on flight safety over Syrian airspace.
Dunford: Counter-ISIL Shaping Operations Have Begun in Mosul AFPS 29 Feb 2016 -- Operations against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant have begun in Mosul, Iraq, and the United States will increase support to Iraqi forces, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said today during a news briefing at the Pentagon.
US Delta Force to begin operations in Iraq Press TV 29 Feb 2016 -- The US Army’s elite Delta Force units are preparing for operations to target, detain or kill the main Daesh (ISIL) operators in Iraq, says a US official.

Defense Policy / Programs

C-17 Airmen expand global reach AFNS 29 Feb 2016 -- Forging combat mobility forces is something that the aircrew instructors of the C-17 Globemaster III take extremely serious, but that mission is not just limited to skies over the U.S.
Bombers receive warm welcome for Cold Response AFNS 29 Feb 2016 -- B-52 Stratofortresses from Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, arrived in Europe Feb. 27, in preparation for their participation in a large-scale NATO training exercise.
'Target is in the sky': U.S. Marines, Norwegian forces launch Stingers USMC News 29 Feb 2016 -- U.S. Marines with 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade and Norwegian forces launched Stinger missiles Feb. 24 and 25, 2016, at Ørland, Norway.
Keeping rotors spinning: Aviation mechanics keep 26th MEU ready USMC News 29 Feb 2016 -- The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit isn't just an expeditionary force in readiness. It's an all-purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force capable of responding to a range of military operations with the right force, at the right time, in the right place. To meet these demands, it is imperative that each of the combat elements of the MEU are fully mission capable.
2nd MAW CBRN Marines conduct live training USMC News 29 Feb 2016 -- 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear specialists conducted radiological training at Marine Corps Outlying Field Atlantic and concluded the training evolution at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, Feb. 17-19.
US 7th Fleet Forges Friendships in Osaka NNS 29 Feb 2016 -- The U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), and its embarked 7th Fleet staff, kicked off its spring patrol with a three-day port visit to Japan's cultural center, that concluded Feb. 27.
Mount Whitney Departs Cyprus NNS 29 Feb 2016 -- U.S. 6th Fleet command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) departed Limassol, Cyprus, after a successful port visit Feb. 29.
Hill's F-35s drop first weapons AFNS 29 Feb 2016 -- Airmen from the 388th and 419th fighter wings dropped laser-guided bombs at the Utah Test and Training Range the week of Feb. 25, marking the first time an F-35 Lightning II combat unit has deployed weapons from the F-35A.
Keeping the C-17 in the fight AFNS 29 Feb 2016 -- The C-17 Globemaster III is a versatile aircraft in high demand across the globe. The airframe is used to haul cargo, transport passengers and medically evacuate wounded service members.
Exercise Iron Fist 2016: Final push; U.S. Marines, sailors, Japanese soldiers hit beach, beyond for PHIBLEX USMC News 29 Feb 2016 -- After a month of training at Exercise Iron Fist 2016, U.S. Marines, sailors, and Japanese soldiers concluded Iron Fist training with a scenario based, battalion-sized amphibious landing exercise, or PHIBLEX, at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton on Feb. 24-27, 2016.
Boxer ARG, 13th MEU Arrive in 7th Fleet Area of Operations NNS 29 Feb 2016 -- The Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (13th MEU) team began operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, Feb. 27.
USS Ashland Completes South China Sea Patrol NNS 29 Feb 2016 -- Amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) conducted a routine patrol in international waters of the South China Sea Feb. 26 after participating in exercise Cobra Gold 16.
Ike Successfully Completes INSURV Material Inspection NNS 29 Feb 2016 -- Aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69)(Ike) successfully completed the Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) Material Inspections (MI), Feb 25.

NATO and Kuwait take cooperation to a new level NATO 29 Feb 2016 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed closer cooperation between the Alliance and Kuwait during his first official visit to Kuwait on 29 February 2016. Speaking at the site of the future NATO-Kuwait Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI) Regional Centre, Mr. Stoltenberg praised Kuwait’s commitment and vision in bringing NATO closer to the Gulf region. As the Alliance’s first presence in the Gulf, the NATO-ICI Regional Centre will be a hub for NATO’s practical cooperation with Kuwait and other ICI partners, as well as Saudi Arabia and Oman.
Statement by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the signing of the NATO-Kuwait Transit Agreement with His Excellency Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Sabah, Foreign Minister of Kuwait NATO 29 Feb 2016 -- (As prepared)

Hope for Stripped Ships: Egypt's French Mistrals to Get Russian Equipment Sputnik 29 Feb 2016 -- Russia and Egyprt has reached great progress as a result of negotiatons on the delivery of radio and electronic equipment for the Mistral-class helicopter carriers obtained by the Egyptian Navy.

Radio-Electronic Systems Stripped From Mistrals, Returned to Russian Navy Sputnik 29 Feb 2016 -- According to a spokesman from Rostec’s United Instrument Manufacturing Corporation, Russian radio and electronic equipment stripped from the Mistral-class helicopter carriers that were not delivered by France to Russia has been returned to the Russian Navy.

China's Y-20 to be put into military use in 2016, experts say People's Daily 29 Feb 2016 -- China's own domestically built military cargo jet, Y-20, will likely be put into service in the army this year, a military expert said in an interview with People's Daily Online.
China Arms Exports Double as Regional Tensions Mount VOA 29 Feb 2016 -- A research group says China’s arms exports have almost doubled in five years as the country has moved to become a major player in the global industry.

Royal Navy's newest sub test fires torpedo using £50 million UK-made advanced Combat System UK MOD 29 Feb 2016 -- The Royal Navy’s latest and most advanced hunter killer submarine, Artful, has test fired her first torpedo using a new UK designed and built command and control system.

Pakistan Says It Needs F-16s From US for Counterterrorism VOA 29 Feb 2016 -- Pakistan said Monday at the start of strategic talks with the United States that a contentious sale of F-16 fighter jets would strengthen the South Asian nation's ability to mount counterterrorist operations and promote regional stability.

Iran needs 'no permission' to develop missile program: Zarif Press TV 29 Feb 2016 -- Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says the Islamic Republic will continue to develop its missile program and that Tehran needs “no permission” to enhance the country’s defense capabilities.
Iran unveils five new pieces of defense equipment Press TV 29 Feb 2016 -- Iran has unveiled five new domestically-built pieces of defense equipment during a ceremony attended by top military officials.

Press Briefing by Press Secretary Josh Earnest, 2/29/2016 The White House 29 Feb 2016
February 29, 2016 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 29 Feb 2016

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for February 29, 2016

Other Conflicts

29 February 2016 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 29 Feb 2016
UN and OSCE 'best tools' to prevent disorder, Security Council told UN News 29 Feb 2016 -- The United Nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) continue to give the international community the best tools to prevent disorder and shape a future of a "rules-based international order," the Security Council today heard from the chairperson of the world's largest regional arrangement under the UN Charter.

UN chief condemns Saudi airstrikes killing civilians in Yemen Press TV 29 Feb 2016 -- United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has roundly condemned Saudi Arabia for defying calls to halt airstrikes on Yemen; following a recent air attack that killed dozens of civilians in a market.
Yemeni infrastructure reduced to rubble in Saudi raids: Group Press TV 29 Feb 2016 -- A human rights group in Yemen says the country’s infrastructure has been severely damaged in Saudi Arabia’s atrocious war on the conflict-stricken Arab country.

Next Few Days Critical to Success of Syrian Cease-fire VOA 29 Feb 2016 -- The overall success of a fragile cease-fire in Syria will largely depend on the steps taken by the major stakeholders in the conflict over the next few days, say analysts monitoring the crisis.
Saudi Arabia trying to thwart truce in Syria: Damascus Press TV 29 Feb 2016 -- The Syrian government has warned against Saudi Arabia’s attempts to undermine a cessation of hostilities agreement that recently came into effect across the war-hit country.
Syrian forces regain control of strategic road in Aleppo Press TV 29 Feb 2016 -- Syrian government forces have managed to retake control of a strategic road in northern Syria in a new major advancement that paves the way for purging the northern city of Aleppo of the Takfiri Daesh terrorists.
Turkey's Reinforcement of Syria Border May Derail Truce - Russian Military Sputnik 29 Feb 2016 -- The commander of the Russian center on reconciliation in Syria stated that the deployment of reinforcements, including armed vehicles, by Turkey on the Syrian border could lead to the derailment of a fragile truce in war-torn Syria.
Syrian Government Blasts Saudi Attempts to Undermine Ceasefire Sputnik 29 Feb 2016 -- Damascus condemns Saudi Arabia’s Plan B as a delusion designed to "boost morale of terrorists."
Russian Jets Bomb Nusra Front Near Aleppo to Stabilize Situation - MoD Sputnik 29 Feb 2016 -- The Russian center on Syrian reconciliation said Monday that Russian combat jets have carried out airstrikes against the Nusra Front militant group, which is forbidden in Russia, north of the Syrian city of Aleppo to stabilize the situation.
Russian MoD Says Truce in Syria 'Holding in General' Sputnik 29 Feb 2016 -- The ceasefire regime in Syria has been respected in general by the government forces and armed opposition groups, only seven violations have been registered, the commander of the Russian center on reconciliation in Syria said Monday.
Russia Refutes Reports Moscow, Damascus Violating Syria Truce - Ministry Sputnik 29 Feb 2016 -- Sergei Ryabkov dismissed reports that Moscow and Damascus are violating the ceasefire in Syria.
Moscow Disturbed Over Military Preparations Along Syria's Borders Sputnik 29 Feb 2016 -- Deputy Foreign Minister said that Russia is very disturbed by the military preparations along the Syrian border which threaten fragile ceasefire agreement.
Syrian Army Drives Terrorists Out of Key Areas in Hama Province Amid Truce Sputnik 29 Feb 2016 -- The Syrian Army and the country's National Defense Force have managed to liberate more strategic territories in Hama Province from Daesh terrorists, media reports said.
Nusra Front Terrorists Attack Kurdish Residential Areas in Syria’s Aleppo Sputnik 29 Feb 2016 -- According to a source in a local militia, Nusra Front extremist fighters on Monday fired rockets at several mainly Kurdish-populated residential areas in city of Aleppo in northern Syria.
UN agency restores full rations in Syria with boost in donor funding UN News 29 Feb 2016 -- The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) announced today that new funding pledged during a conference in London earlier this month will enable the agency to fully reinstate its food assistance to Syrians.
Carter: Cease-Fire in Syria Could Be 'First Step' in Ending Civil War AFPS 29 Feb 2016 -- The cessation of hostilities in Syria could be a "first step" in ending Syria's civil war, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said today during a Pentagon news conference.
UN: Syria Cease-fire Largely Holding Despite 'Incidents' VOA 29 Feb 2016 -- U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Monday that despite "some incidents" the cessation of hostilities in Syria is largely holding on its third day.
Refugee Crisis Deepens Amid Shaky Syria Cease-fire VOA 29 Feb 2016 -- On the Greek side of the border with Macedonia on Monday, refugees and other migrants tried to break through a border fence as anger boiled over at barriers impeding their access. Police in Macedonia fired tear gas hoping to keep the throngs of people out of the country.
UN Plans Syria Aid Deliveries as Cease-fire Continues VOA 29 Feb 2016 -- The United Nations plans to begin aid deliveries Monday in hopes of reaching more than 150,000 Syrians as a cessation of hostilities in the country stretches into a third day.

UN condemns recent spate of deadly terrorist attacks in Iraq UN News 29 Feb 2016 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the recent terrorist attacks in Baghdad and Muqdadiya in Iraq that killed scores of civilians and injured many more.

Covert Affairs: UK 'Commandos' Deployed in Libya to Tackle Daesh Sputnik 28 Feb 2016 -- The United Kingdom has secretly deployed a group of special forces commandos to advise Libya on repelling the Daesh advance, Western officials and sources on the ground told British media.

Turkey's 'Hidden War' Against Kurds May Be Deadlier Than Syria Sputnik 29 Feb 2016 -- According to numbers supplied by Turkey's Human Rights Association, Turkey's military operation against Kurds in the country has been deadlier than the opening of the Syrian conflict.

UK military personnel train Tunisian forces UK MOD 29 Feb 2016 -- UK military personnel are providing mobile patrolling and surveillance training in Tunisia, the Defence Secretary has announced.

At least a dozen killed by Ugandan rebels in Congo Press TV 29 Feb 2016 -- An attack by Ugandan rebels has left at least 12 civilians killed in a village in the restive east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, officials say.

6 Arrested in Al-Shabab Attack on Somali Town VOA 29 Feb 2016 -- Somali authorities arrested six people in connection with Sunday's double bomb attack by al-Shabab in the town of Baidoa that killed at least 32 people and wounded more than 60 others.

Kosovo: time to shift focus to development, rule of law, human rights, says UN envoy UN News 29 Feb 2016 -- With Kosovo set to face "complex challenges" this year, it is an opportune time to perhaps shift local and international focus away from political battles towards more fundamental issues, such as the intrinsic links between post-conflict development, enforcement of the rule of law, and human rights, the head of the United Nations political mission there said today.

News Reports

Rohani, Reformist Allies Win Control Of Iran's Powerful Assembly Of Experts RFE/RL 29 Feb 2016 -- Final results from Iran’s February 26 elections show relative moderate President Hassan Rohani and his allies winning a majority in the powerful Assembly of Experts and making a strong return to parliament as one of three dominant blocs.
Iran Vote Likely To Usher In Record Number Of Women RFE/RL 29 Feb 2016 -- Long-beleaguered reformists weren't the only grouping to have gained ground in Iran's February 26 elections.
Rouhani, Allies Win Majorities in Iranian Elections VOA 29 Feb 2016 -- Iranian hard-liners have been dealt an electoral setback, with moderates winning a majority in the country's top clerical body, the Assembly of Experts, and parliament.
Final results of Expert Assembly voting in Tehran province IRNA 29 Feb 2016 -- The final results of vote counting in Tehran province for Experts Assembly election was released on Monday.
Iran's twin elections results announced ISNA 29 Feb 2016 -- The winners of Iran's 5th Assembly of Experts and 10th parliamentary elections have been announced.

American Arrestee Interviewed KCNA 29 Feb 2016 -- Otto Frederick Warmbier, student at the University of Virginia, the U.S., was interviewed with domestic and foreign journalists in Pyongyang Monday. He was arrested for committing anti-DPRK hostile acts.
DPRK arrests American student for attempt to take political slogan from hotel People's Daily 29 Feb 2016 -- An American student held by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) since January told a press conference here Monday that he tried to take a political slogan from a hotel and was later arrested.
Detained American in North Korea Makes 'Public Confession' VOA 29 Feb 2016 -- An American college student detained in North Korea has publicly confessed to attempting to steal a political banner from a Pyongyang hotel.
Sanctions on North Korea Hurting Businesses in South Korea VOA 29 Feb 2016 -- South Korean factories that were forced to halt operations in North Korea’s Kaesong Industrial Complex are asking the Seoul government to compensate them for their losses.

EC Unveils Legal Safeguards for Europeans After Spying Scandal Sputnik 29 Feb 2016 -- The European Commission published a variety of arrangements aimed at intencifying data protection and privacy rules, after dialogue with Washington.

China to conduct more than 20 satellite launches in 2016 People's Daily 29 Feb 2016 -- The year 2016 is a big year for China's aerospace industry, as several rockets will be sent into space, including Tiangong-2, an orbiting space lab and Shenzhou-11, a manned spacecraft with two people on board.
China Silences ‘The Cannon,’ Others Speak Out VOA 29 Feb 2016 -- China has shut down the social media accounts of outspoken real estate tycoon Ren Zhiqiang after he dared to openly criticize communist party leader Xi Jinping and recent efforts to further tighten already stifling media controls.
CPC to drill members in self-discipline, socialist values People's Daily 29 Feb 2016 -- The Communist Party of China (CPC) has launched a year-long campaign to instill the values it wants in its 88 million members.
Eight topics to dominate China's "two sessions" People's Daily 29 Feb 2016 -- As the annual sessions of National People's Congress (NPC) and Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), also referred as the "two sessions," are just around the corner, eight agendas have been laid out which can summarize the country's policy objectives.

India to Allocate $440Mln Annually for Nuclear Power Investments Sputnik 29 Feb 2016 -- India will increase its investment in nuclear power to up to 30 billion rupees (almost $440 million) per year, the country's finance minister, Arun Jaitley, said on Monday, unveiling a budget for the 2016-2017 fiscal year.

US Warning of 'Catastrophic Failure' of Iraq's Mosul Dam VOA 29 Feb 2016 -- Iraq's Mosul Dam risks "catastrophic failure" and a massive wall of water that would sweep downstream anything in its path, including bodies, buildings, cars, unexploded ordnances and hazardous chemicals, the U.S. is warning.

AU to Send Monitors to Burundi VOA 29 Feb 2016 -- The African Union says it will send 200 military advisers and human rights observers to Burundi, 10 months into the country’s violent political crisis over President Pierre Nkrunziza’s third term. International diplomatic efforts appear to be making little headway.

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