07 October 2016 Military News

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OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 07 Oct 2016 [PDF]

Pentagon Asked To Explain Reports Of Afghan 'Ghost Soldiers' On Payrolls RFE/RL 07 Oct 2016 -- A U.S. government watchdog is asking the Pentagon to explain reports about tens of thousands of nonexistent troops on the payrolls of Afghanistan's security forces.
Sleeping In Graveyards: Embattled Afghan City Of Kunduz Facing Humanitarian Crisis RFE/RL 07 Oct 2016 -- The roar of rockets and the crackle of gunfire are ringing through the deserted streets of Kunduz, where fierce street-to-street gunbattles have raged since Taliban militants launched a multipronged attack on October 3.

U.S., Military Troops Mobilize in Haiti Following Hurricane Matthew AFPS 07 Oct 2016 -- U.S. military personnel began arriving on the hurricane-ravaged island nation of Haiti today to begin storm response efforts as Combined Task Force Hurricane Matthew mobilizes there, Navy Rear Adm. Cedric Pringle, commander of U.S. Southern Command's Joint Task Force Matthew, told Pentagon reporters today.
Joint Task Force Matthew Arrives in Haiti to Provide Relief Efforts USMC News 07 Oct 2016 -- The personnel of JTF Matthew began planning efforts at Soto Cano Air Base once the storm appeared as if it would make landfall in the Caribbean. JTF Matthew planned for a rapid departure and made sure they had the ability to get affected areas as quickly as possible if requested and to help as many people as possible.
National Guard Ready for Disaster Response Roles in Wake of Hurricane Matthew AFPS 07 Oct 2016 -- More than 6,000 National Guard members are on duty in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina as Hurricane Matthew moves north up the Atlantic Coast, Air Force Maj. Gen. James C. Witham, director of domestic operations for the National Guard Bureau, said here today.
Department of Defense's Preparation, Support, and Recovery Efforts for Hurricane Matthew DoD 07 Oct 2016 -- The Department of Defense continues to monitor Hurricane Matthew closely in order to assess impacts on our installations and our personnel and to be prepared to provide assistance if needed.
Hurricane Hunters fly data-gathering missions through Hurricane Matthew AFNS 07 Oct 2016 -- The Air Force Reserve's 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron has been conducting around-the-clock operations flying into Hurricane Matthew to collect critical weather data for the National Hurricane Center in Miami to improve the center's computer models that forecast movement and intensity.

Defense Policy / Programs

E-4Bs realign under 8th Air Force, 595th CACG stands up AFNS 07 Oct 2016 -- The 8th Air Force has another aircraft in its inventory, and it's not a bomber.
LCS Crew 111 Returns USS Fort Worth to San Diego NNS 07 Oct 2016 -- The littoral combat ship USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) and LCS Crew 111 returned to their homeport of San Diego Oct. 7, following a 23-month rotational deployment to the Indo-Asia-Pacific area of operation.
Navy to Commission Amphibious Transport Dock John P. Murtha DoD 07 Oct 2016 -- The Navy will commission the amphibious transport dock ship John P. Murtha (LPD 26), Saturday, Oct. 8, during a 10 a.m. EDT ceremony at Penn's Landing in Philadelphia.
Joint Humanitarian Assistance Survey Team Showcases Capability USMC News 07 Oct 2016 -- The image most have of the military centers around strength and winning battles. The military, however, and specifically the 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade, boasts some very impressive abilities during a humanitarian crisis.
USS San Antonio Completes Mid-Deployment Voyage Repair in Bahrain NNS 07 Oct 2016 -- Mid-deployment maintenance availabilities are commonly scheduled to allow U.S. naval vessels to complete repairs and maintenance that would normally take place in home port, allowing the ship to continue fully mission capable throughout the remainder of the deployment.
Naval Station Guantanamo Bay Returns to Full Operational Capability NNS 07 Oct 2016 -- Naval Station Guantanamo Bay returned to full operational capability Oct. 6, and offers sincerest condolences to those in Haiti and other areas affected by Hurricane Matthew.
PAC SAG ships USS Decatur and USS Spruance visit Hong Kong NNS 07 Oct 2016 -- The guided-missile destroyers USS Decatur (DDG 73) and USS Spruance (DDG 111) arrived in Hong Kong for a regularly scheduled port visit Oct. 7-11.
US Army to Test New Turret on Stryker Combat Vehicle Sputnik 07 Oct 2016 -- Defense technology officials say that a new modular turret will be tested on the Stryker armored vehicle by the US Army in the next few months.
Japan Authorities Worried by US Decision to Resume Harrier Flights After Crash Sputnik 07 Oct 2016 -- Japanese authorities in the Okinawa prefecture are concerned about the US decision to resume flights of Harrier fighter jets, which were grounded after a crash, local media reported Friday.

Readout of Deputy Secretary of Defense Bob Work's meetings in Helsinki, Finland DoD 07 Oct 2016 -- Deputy Secretary of Defense Bob Work held a series of meetings today in Helsinki, Finland, as part of ongoing U.S. efforts to strengthen bilateral and multilateral security relationships with the nations of the Nordic-Baltic region.
Russian Airspace Violations in Nordic-Baltic Region Dangerous, Work Says AFPS 07 Oct 2016 -- Russia's alleged violations of airspace in the Nordic-Baltic region are unacceptable, dangerous and unprofessional, Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work said here today, after both Finland and Estonia accused Russia of breaches.
Joint Press Conference with Deputy Secretary Work and Secretary Juusti in Helsinki, Finland DoD 07 Oct 2016 -- Presenter: Deputy Secretary of Defense Bob Work; Finnish Permanent Secretary Jukka Juusti
Finland Deepens Military Ties With U.S. After Alleged Airspace Violations By Russia RFE/RL 07 Oct 2016 -- Finland and the United States have signed a defense cooperation pact on increased military collaboration amid alleged violations of Finnish airspace by Russian fighter jets.
Finnish Air Force Suspects Two Airspace Violations by Two Different Su-27 Planes Sputnik 07 Oct 2016 -- The Finnish Air Force suspects that there has been another alleged violation of its airspace by a Russian aircraft.
Finland Accuses Russia of Violating Its Airspace VOA 07 Oct 2016 -- Finland and the U.S. signed an agreement Friday to strengthen their military collaboration, in the wake of accusations that Russian fighter jets violated Finnish airspace the day before.

Philippines says joint drills with US put on hold Press TV 07 Oct 2016 -- Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana says plans for joint patrols and naval exercises with the United States in the disputed South China Sea have been put on hold.
Philippines says wants liberation from US shackles Press TV 07 Oct 2016 -- The president of the Philippines says the US and the EU can stop aid to his country if they wanted, while his foreign minister says Manila wants to break free from a "shackling dependency" on Washington.

Russian Parliament Ratifies Indefinite Deployment of Air Force in Syria Sputnik 07 Oct 2016 -- Russia's lower house of parliament ratified on Friday an agreement with Syria that authorizes the deployment of a Russian air group at the Hmeimim airbase for an indefinite period of time.
Putin Submits Deal on Joint Air-Defense System With Armenia to Parliament Sputnik 07 Oct 2016 -- According to the draft laws database of the State Duma, Vladimir Putin on Friday submitted an agreement reached with Armenia to create a joint air defense system in the Caucasus to the lower house of the Russian parliament for ratification.
Russian Official: We Are Working on Reopening Cuba, Vietnam Bases VOA 07 Oct 2016 -- With relations between Washington and Moscow deteriorating, Russian news agencies are quoting a top defense official as saying the possibility of reopening Russian military facilities in Cuba and Vietnam is under consideration.

Government of Egypt - Common Missile Warning System (CMWS) for AH-64E Apache, UH-60 Blackhawks, and CH-47 Chinook Helicopters DSCA 07 Oct 2016 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Egypt for Common Missile Warning System (CMWS) for AH-64E Apache, UH-60 Blackhawks, and CH-47 Chinook Helicopters and related equipment, training, and support. The estimated cost is $81.4 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on October 6, 2016.

Rising moves detected in DPRK's missile launch site: S.Korea People's Daily 07 Oct 2016 -- Rising moves of personnel and vehicles have been detected in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s main missile launch site, indicating preparations for a long-range missile launch in the near future, Yonhap news agency reported on Friday.
N Korea could be preparing for another nuclear test Press TV 07 Oct 2016 -- A US-based monitoring group says Pyongyang could be preparing to conduct another major nuclear test soon, after detecting increased activities at North Korea's known test site.

South Korea on High Alert Amid Claims North Readying New Weapon Test Sputnik 07 Oct 2016 -- According to media reports, south Korea's Defense Ministry braces for a possible new nuclear detonation or a missile launch by the North ahead of an upcoming anniversary next week.

Republic of Iraq - AC-208 Aircraft DSCA 07 Oct 2016 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Iraq for AC-208 aircraft and related equipment, training, and support. The estimated cost is $65.3 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on October 6, 2016.

UK and Germany step up Defence cooperation on day of unity UK MOD 07 Oct 2016 -- UK and German Armed Forces will work more closely on exercises and operations as part of the firm partnership between the two countries.

Germany grounds half of its Tornado jets due to loose screws Press TV 07 Oct 2016 -- A technical defect has forced Germany to ground nearly half of its fleet of Tornado aircraft, including six reconnaissance jets used in the US-led coalition purportedly targeting Daesh militants in Syria and Iraq.

October 7, 2016 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 07 Oct 2016

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for October 07, 2016
'The Potential is Zero and There's No Money': Ukraine Can't Create Its Own Plane Sputnik 07 Oct 2016 -- Ukraine has lost its military-industrial potential and is unable to create a domestically made aircraft, according to Sergey Pashinsky, head of the Ukrainian parliament's Committee on National Security and Defense.

Other Conflicts

7 October 2016 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 07 Oct 2016

Yemeni artillery fire kills 3 pro-Saudi commanders Press TV 07 Oct 2016 -- Yemeni forces have fired a barrage of artillery rounds at Saudi positions in the impoverished country, killing three top commanders, in retaliation for Riyadh's deadly onslaught against the Arabian Peninsula country.
Riyadh using starvation as tactic against people of Yemen, Saudi Arabia: UN Press TV 07 Oct 2016 -- The United Nations (UN) says Riyadh is using starvation as a tactic in its ongoing war against Yemen as well as against the Shia population inside Saudi Arabia itself.
UN Envoy for Yemen Says Houthis Agree to 3-Day Ceasefire Sputnik 07 Oct 2016 -- UN Special Envoy for Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed said that the United Nations is expected to prepare an integrated plan for Yemeni reconciliation during the next two weeks.

Syrian, Russian Actions in Aleppo 'Incomprehensible,' Work Says AFPS 07 Oct 2016 -- The actions of the Syrian and Russian governments against the besieged Syrian city of Aleppo are "incomprehensible," Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work said yesterday.
Russia warns of possible downing of U.S. missiles in Syria People's Daily 07 Oct 2016 -- The Russian Defense Ministry warned Thursday that it could shoot down U.S. missiles in Syria if they were used against the Syrian government forces.
US military brushes off Russia's warning on Syria Press TV 07 Oct 2016 -- The US military has brushed off Russia's warning not to strike Syrian government targets, saying Washington will continue to carry out its current operations in Syria Daesh (ISIL) terrorists.
Syrian army forces, allies liberate strategic hilltop in Aleppo Press TV 07 Oct 2016 -- Syrian army forces, backed by fighters from popular defense groups, have carried out a broad military operation against terrorists' positions in Aleppo, and taken control of a strategic hilltop overlooking militant-held districts in the conflict-plagued northwestern city.
Syrian army liberates two more areas in troubled Aleppo Press TV 07 Oct 2016 -- Syrian government forces have managed to liberate two more areas in Aleppo from the clutches of foreign-sponsored Takfiri militants as they are trying to flush the extremists out of the strategic northwestern city.
Kerry Calls For War Crimes Investigations Of Russia, Syria Over Aleppo RFE/RL 07 Oct 2016 -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has called for a war crimes investigation into the devastating offensive being waged by Syrian and Russian forces on the city of Aleppo.
Russia Placed S-300 Missiles in Syria After Learning of US Plan to Bomb Airbases Sputnik 07 Oct 2016 -- According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the decision to deploy S-300 anti-air missile system in Syria came after receiving leaked data on US intentions to bomb Syrian airbases.
Kerry Calls for War Crimes Probe Into Russian Activity in Syria VOA 07 Oct 2016 -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is calling for a war crimes investigation of Russia and Syria. He made the comment in a meeting in Washington with visiting French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault Friday.

Turkish Troops Doing Very Useful Work in Iraq – Turkish Prime Minister Sputnik 07 Oct 2016 -- Turkish Prime Minister stated that Turkish troops are doing a really useful work in Iraq and Ankara has no claims to the Iraqi territorial integrity.
Iraq army may respond if Turkey hinders Mosul battle: Security source Press TV 07 Oct 2016 -- Iraqi security officials warn the army may attack occupying Turkish forces deployed to the north should they intervene in an upcoming operation to liberate the city of Mosul from Daesh terrorists.

Pakistani MPs condemn India's 'use of force' in Kashmir Press TV 07 Oct 2016 -- Pakistan's parliament has unanimously passed a resolution denouncing the "brutal use of force" by Indian army troops in Kashmir.
India to Seal Border With Pakistan by Late 2018 to Prevent Hostilities Sputnik 07 Oct 2016 -- Indian Interior Minister Rajnath Singh said that Indian government was considering "technical" options for fencing off the 651-mile-long border with Pakistan.

Gov't Troops, Donetsk Militia Begin Petrivske Pullout in East Ukraine Sputnik 07 Oct 2016 -- According to reports, Ukraine government troops and self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) militia have begun withdrawals from the Petrivske disengagement area.

Colombian President Vows to Keep Striving for Peace After Winning Nobel Prize VOA 07 Oct 2016 -- Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for his efforts to broker an end to more than a half-century of civil war – the Western Hemisphere's longest-running conflict.
Nobel Peace Prize goes to Colombia President for FARC peace deal Press TV 07 Oct 2016 -- Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos has been awarded the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to seal a landmark peace agreement with the country's largest rebel group, although it was rejected in a post-deal referendum.
Nobel Peace Prize a timely message to all Colombians who have toiled so hard for peace - UN chief UN News 07 Oct 2016 -- Following the awarding of the 2016 Nobel Prize for Peace to Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today that the award is a timely message to all who have strived hard for peace, and that it provides needed hope and encouragement to all Colombians.
Colombian Government and FARC-EP request UN to authorize Mission to continue supporting ceasefire UN News 07 Oct 2016 -- The Colombian Government and the country's largest rebel group announced today that they are willing to press ahead on the goals of the historic peace accord that was rejected by voters this past weekend, while the two sides also requested that the United Nations Mission in the country continue its work, particularly relating to monitoring the ceasefire.

26 Soldiers Killed At Refugee Camp in Niger VOA 07 Oct 2016 -- At least 26 Niger government soldiers have been killed in an attack at a refugee camp.
22 soldiers killed in attack on Malian refugee camp in Niger Press TV 07 Oct 2016 -- More than 20 soldiers in Niger have been killed in an attack by gunmen on a camp for Malian refugees in the West African country.
UN condemns deadly attack on 'refugee hosting area' in western Niger UN News 07 Oct 2016 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the attack against a security post at a refugee hosting area in Tazalit, in the Tahoua region of Niger, bordering Mali, on 6 October, in which at least 22 members of Niger's security forces were killed and several others were injured.

Citing 'serious protection gaps,' UN refugee agency assists traumatized populations in northern Nigeria UN News 07 Oct 2016 -- Most civilians living in areas of northern Nigeria recaptured by the armed forces from Boko Haram since the start of the year still face serious protection problems and lack the most basic assistance, with women particularly at risk, the United Nations refugee agency warned today.

News Reports

Joint Statement from the Department Of Homeland Security and Office of the Director of National Intelligence on Election Security Department of Homeland Security 07 Oct 2016 -- The U.S. Intelligence Community (USIC) is confident that the Russian Government directed the recent compromises of e-mails from US persons and institutions, including from US political organizations.
U.S. Accuses Russia Of Directing Cyberattacks To 'Interfere' With Elections RFE/RL 07 Oct 2016 -- The United States for the first time has publicly accused Russia of orchestrating a string of cyberattacks targeting U.S. political organizations and prominent current and former officials in what Washington called a bid "to interfere with the U.S. election process."
US Accuses Russia of Hacking Attempts on Political Groups VOA 07 Oct 2016 -- The U.S. government on Friday formally accused Russia of a campaign of recent cyber attacks against Democratic Party organizations.
U.S. Accuses Russia Of Directing Cyberattacks To 'Interfere' With Elections RFE/RL 07 Oct 2016 -- The United States for the first time has publicly accused Russia of orchestrating a string of cyberattacks targeting U.S. political organizations and prominent current and former officials in what Washington called a bid "to interfere with the U.S. election process."

Reports that Yahoo aided US e-mail surveillance draw concern of UN human rights expert UN News 07 Oct 2016 -- The top United Nations expert of free expression said today that reports that Yahoo complied with United States intelligence demands by searching the e-mails of hundreds of millions of customers "raise serious human rights concerns."

US judge orders top CIA officials to testify over torture program Press TV 06 Oct 2016 -- A US federal judge has ordered former high-ranking CIA officials to testify in a lawsuit against the psychologists who designed the spy agency's torture techniques after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Failing North Korea Policies Being Criticized in Both the US, China VOA 07 Oct 2016 -- North Korea's relentless pursuit of nuclear weapons is forcing both its allies and adversaries to rethink their strategies for maintaining regional peace and security.
DPRK blasts U.S. for stepping up pressure, sanctions People's Daily 07 Oct 2016 -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Thursday blasted U.S. President Barack Obama and his administration for stepping up pressure on and sanctions against it.
US pressure, sanctions prompted North Korea to become nuclear power: N Korean media Press TV 07 Oct 2016 -- North Korean media say the US administration's hostile policies toward North Korea led Pyongyang toward becoming a "confident nuclear power."
Children in flood-ravaged DPRK face 'second wave of danger' as winter rapidly closes in - UNICEF UN News 07 Oct 2016 -- After two months of intense flooding, the Democratic Republic of Korea (DPRK) is now facing another looming danger as a severe winter is closing with thousands of children still in need of urgent assistance, according to the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and partner agency Save the Children.

Small failures in JCPOA implementation can create big issues: IAEA chief Press TV 07 Oct 2016 -- The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says the implementation of last year's landmark nuclear agreement between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries is still "fragile," warning that small failures in the process can have grave consequences.
Tehran Issues Stern Warning as Saudis Launch Persian Gulf War Games Sputnik 07 Oct 2016 -- As Riyadh conducts military drills in the Persian Gulf, Iran's Revolutionary Guards have called the exercises an unnecessary provocation that risks escalating tensions in the region.

Turkey Insists on Immediate Transfer of $3.3 Bln Under Refugee Deal With EU Sputnik 07 Oct 2016 -- Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that Ankara expects that the European Union will transfer €3 billion stipulated in the refugee accord without further delays.

Georgian Elections Hard To Predict Amid Voter Indecision, Weak Economy RFE/RL 07 Oct 2016 -- Georgians go to the polls on October 8 to decide whether to stick with the ruling Georgian Dream party or give controversial ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili's allies a second chance to rule the post-Soviet Caucasus country.

New EU Border Force Aims to Curb Migrant Crisis VOA 07 Oct 2016 -- Following the influx of millions of migrants and refugees in recent years, the European Union has launched a task force charged with securing the bloc's external frontiers. A ceremony at the Kapitan Andreevo Border Checkpoint on Bulgaria's border with Turkey – the far eastern edge of the EU – marked the official launch of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency on Thursday.

Who Are the Chinese Trolls of the '50 Cent Army'? VOA 07 Oct 2016 -- On every major public occasion in China, like the current National Day Golden Week holiday that began Oct. 1, the nation's military is deployed to appear in endless parades and public outreach events.

Tsai hopes Beijing will show more wisdom on cross-strait issues CNA 07 Oct 2016 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) has expressed hope that China will display more wisdom in resolving its differences with Taiwan and called for cross-strait relations to be dealt with calmly and rationally.

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