26 January 2017 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 26 Jan 2017[PDF]

Inherent Resolve Strikes Target ISIL in Syria, Iraq AFPS 26 Jan 2017 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
Pentagon Official Details Counter-ISIL Progress in Iraq, Syria AFPS 26 Jan 2017 -- The coalition and its partners in the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant continue to make gains in Iraq and Syria, a Pentagon spokesman said today.
Squadron serves as strong link in OIR supply chain AFNS 26 Jan 2017 -- Aerial porters from the 870th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron worked steadily alongside loadmasters to load and offload aircraft around the flightline of Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, during a busy January afternoon; as they moved cargo and prepared it for its final destination.

Defense Policy / Programs

Readout of Secretary Mattis' Call with Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman DoD 26 Jan 2017
Readout of Secretary Mattis' Call with German Minister of Defense Ursula von der Leyen DoD 26 Jan 2017
Readout of Secretary Mattis' Call with French Minister of Defense Jean-Yves Le Drian DoD 26 Jan 2017
Department of Defense Announces Changes to Procedures and Policy for Reduction in Force in the Civilian Workforce DoD 26 Jan 2017 -- This month, the Department of Defense released the policy and procedure changes for reduction in force (RIF) for civilian positions in the competitive and excepted service.
Red Flag evolves as ISR, cyber presence increases AFNS 26 Jan 2017 -- The silent warfighters of the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and cyber communities are honing their operational skills and testing new capabilities during Red Flag 17-1 at the Nevada Test and Training Range north of Las Vegas, Jan. 23 through Feb. 10.
Joint air load training enhances readiness Army News 26 Jan 2017 -- With snow on the ground, 6th Battalion, 52nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment Soldiers battled the elements learning the procedures of joint air load operations from Airmen assigned to the 51st Logistics Readiness Squadron at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Jan. 12, 2017.
Kentucky Guard MEDEVAC trains for water rescue Army News 26 Jan 2017 -- Soldiers from Detachment 1, Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 238th Aviation (MEDEVAC) conducted their annual training in a joint-organization effort with the Bluegrass Emergency Response Team (BERT) in Jessamine County, Kentucky, and the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center in Butlerville, Indiana, July 11-25.
MWSS-171 kicks off exercise Kamoshika Wrath 17-1 USMC News 26 Jan 2017 -- Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 arrived at Japan Self-Defense Force's Haramura Maneuver Area in Hiroshima, Japan, to conduct exercise Kamoshika Wrath 17-1, Jan. 22, 2017.
2nd Radio Battalion prepares for SP-MAGTF USMC News 26 Jan 2017 -- Marines with 2nd Radio Battalion participated in embassy reinforcement training at Camp Lejeune, N.C., January 23-27, 2017. The unit is preparing for an upcoming deployment with the Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis-Response North Africa.
AAV Marines hit the water USMC News 26 Jan 2017 -- Marines with 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2nd Marine Division conducted ship-to-shore training with the sailors aboard the USS New York during a training evolution near Onslow Beach at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Jan. 18-20, 2017.
Island Knights Aid in Rescue off Coast of Guam NNS 26 Jan 2017 -- The "Island Knights" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25 assisted during their first rescue operation in 2017 where two small fishing boats were in distress off the coast of Guam, Jan. 23.
Hyten: Deterrence in Space Means No War Will be Fought There AFPS 26 Jan 2017 -- Space capabilities have created a revolution in military affairs, an environment in which information is key to the battlespace and deterrence means war will never be fought in space, the commander of U.S. Strategic Command said this week at Stanford University in California.
Civil Support Teams assisted interagency partners during the 58th Presidential Inauguration Army News 26 Jan 2017 -- The District of Columbia National Guard's 33rd Civil Support Team supplemented by over 1,200 Soldiers and Airmen from CSTs across the country, and supported interagency teams during the 58th Presidential Inauguration.

Joint press point with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and the Prime Minister of Montenegro, Duško Marković NATO 26 Jan 2017
NATO Chief 'Confident' U.S. Senate Will Ratify Montenegro Bid RFE/RL 26 Jan 2017 -- NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg has dismissed concerns that the U.S. Senate may not ratify the NATO-accession agreement for Montenegro.
NATO Triples Investment in Polish Military, 2017 Support Program to Reach $57Mln Sputnik 26 Jan 2017 -- The budget of the NATO Security Investment Programme for Poland this year will be three times as much as in 2016, a source in the Polish Defense Ministry told the Polish newspaper Rzeczpospolita on Thursday.

Russian Armed Forces to Receive 50,000 Advanced Ratnik Combat Kits in 2017 Sputnik 26 Jan 2017 -- The Russian Armed Forces will receive 50,000 sets of the second generation Ratnik uniform kit in 2017, Col. Gen. Oleg Salyukov, commander-in-chief of Russia's Land Force said Thursday.
Putin Calls For Strengthening of Russian Armed Forces' Combat Capability Sputnik 26 Jan 2017 -- On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin called for strengthening of the Russian Armed Forces' combat capability, including shortening the time of military units' deployment.
Serial Purchases of MiG-35 Fighter Jet to Start in 2019 - UAC Sputnik 26 Jan 2017 -- Serial purchases of Russia's advanced MiG-35 (Fulcrum-F) multirole fighter under the state arms procurement program will begin in 2019, President of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) Boris Slyusar said Thursday.

Poroshenko Signs Decree Allowing NATO Training In Ukraine During 2017 RFE/RL 26 Jan 2017 -- Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has signed a decree allowing troops from the United States and other NATO countries to carry out training missions in Ukraine during 2017.
Ukrainian Army Lacks New Weapons Due to Underfunding - Defense Industry Concern Sputnik 26 Jan 2017 -- The Ukrainian government is underfunding the military which deprives the army of new equipment, the country's Ukroboronprom defense industry association said Thursday.

Xi urges continued efforts to build strong military People's Daily 26 Jan 2017 -- President Xi Jinping called on the military to improve its political awareness, push forward reform, and govern it according to law to aid the building of a strong military.
Chinese Media Suspect Work on New Super-Long-Range Air-to-Air Missile Underway Sputnik 26 Jan 2017 -- China is reportedly testing a beyond-visual-range, air-to-air missile in combat drills capable to engage targets up to 400 kilometers away, China Daily wrote.

Chinese ministries ban military-type exports to N.Korea People's Daily 26 Jan 2017 -- China has released a list of goods that are banned for export to North Korea on Wednesday, including items and technologies that can be used to build weapons of mass destruction, according to the Ministry of Commerce(MOC) website.
China Bans Dual-Use Exports to North Korea - Commerce Ministry Sputnik 26 Jan 2017 -- China has imposed a ban on dual-use technology exports to North Korea, the Chinese Commerce Ministry said Thursday.

India to Buy Hundreds of Missiles for Russian Self Propelled Air Defence System Sputnik 26 Jan 2017 -- The Indian Army has been searching for a replacement of Kvadrat self propelled air defence system for a long time. But it has been unable to find a suitable option for the air defense of 500 vulnerable areas and vulnerable points across the country.
First Ever? India Gives Major Military Contract to Domestic Private Companies Sputnik 26 Jan 2017 -- The Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), India's first indigenous 155mm/52-caliber towed artillery gun, will be a joint project of two private-sector corporations. This is a reversal of the usual practice of giving only state-owned companies these kinds of pricey orders.

Japan Defense Minister Says Tokyo Covers Over 80% of US Military Presence Costs Sputnik 26 Jan 2017 -- The Japanese share in costs spent on US military presence in the Asian country exceeded 80 percent in 2015, Defense Minister Tomomi Inada said.

South Korea mulls taking China to WTO over THAAD 'retaliation' Press TV 26 Jan 2017 -- A South Korean Foreign Ministry official says Seoul is considering countermeasures against what it says is Chinese retaliation for Seoul's decision to allow the deployment of an advanced US missile system on Korean soil.
S Koreans' Support for Preemptive Strike Against Pyongyang Rises 6.6% Since 2013 Sputnik 26 Jan 2017 -- Support for a preemptive strike against North Korea has risen among South Koreans from 36.6 percent in 2013 to 43.2 percent, a poll revealed on Thursday.

Saudi Arabia Showcases Newly Received US F-15SA Fighters - Reports Sputnik 26 Jan 2017 -- The Royal Saudi Air Force fleet is getting new US-developed F-15SA Strike Eagle multirole fighters, local media report.

President Tsai visits servicemen on Matsu Islands CNA 26 Jan 2017 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) flew to Taiwan's Matsu Islands on Thursday to visit military personnel posted there and wish them a happy Lunar New Year. The president was accompanied by National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu (吳釗燮), Defense Minister Feng Shih-kuan (馮世寬), Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces Chiu Kuo-cheng (邱國正) and other government officials.

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for January 26, 2017

Other Conflicts

26 January 2017 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 26 Jan 2017
Amid hate speech, negative media spin 'real stories' of refugees and migrants must be told - UN official UN News 26 Jan 2017 -- With hate speech and rhetoric against migrants and refugees on the rise in various parts of the world, and the increased role of media in shaping perceptions towards them, the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) today co-sponsored with the European Union (EU) a symposium drawing attention to this growing challenge and explore efforts to combat it.

Yemeni snipers kill 2 Saudi troopers in retaliatory attacks Press TV 26 Jan 2017 -- Yemeni army soldiers, backed by fighters from allied Popular Committees, have shot dead two Saudi troops in the kingdom's southwestern border region of Najran as the Riyadh regime pushes ahead with its aerial bombardment campaign against its crisis-hit southern neighbor.

UN aid officials urge Security Council to push for greater humanitarian access in Syria UN News 26 Jan 2017 -- Senior United Nations relief officials today urged the Security Council to do more to ensure the support of the Syrian Government to deliver life-saving aid, warning that aid workers are "blocked at every turn" while some 4.6 million people live in hard-to-reach areas across the war-ravaged country.
Syria: UN chief Guterres clarifies tasks of panel lay groundwork for probe into possible war crimes UN News 26 Jan 2017 -- Following the approval late last year of an independent panel to assist in the investigation and prosecution of those responsible for war crimes or crimes against humanity in Syria, the United Nations today announced that the mechanism will be headed by a senior judge or prosecutor with extensive criminal investigations and prosecutions experience.
Turkey, Russia Taking Wait-And-See Approach on Trump's Syria Safe Zones VOA 26 Jan 2017 -- Turkey says it is too early to comment on U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to establish safe zones in Syria.
UN Struggles to Reach Needy Syrians VOA 26 Jan 2017 -- The United Nations said Thursday that it is still facing significant Syrian government-imposed obstacles that are hampering the delivery of life-saving aid to scores of civilians in the war-torn country.
UK foreign secretary signals shift in policy on Syrian president Press TV 26 Jan 2017 -- Britain has accepted that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad should be allowed to run for re-election in the event of a peace deal in Syria, UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has said, a major shift in British policy which London had pursued since the beginning of the conflict that Assad must go.
Russia urges US to 'weigh consequences' of Syria 'safe zones' plan Press TV 26 Jan 2017 -- Russia has called on the United States to thoroughly consider the outcome of its plan to establish "safe zones" in conflict-ridden Syria, where both sides are engaged in aerial military campaigns.
Syrian troops inflict heavy losses on Takfiri militants Press TV 26 Jan 2017 -- Syrian government forces, backed by fighters from allied popular defense groups, have carried out fresh operations against foreign-backed Takfiri militants across the country, delivering serious blows to them.
Putin meets Jordan king, says no military solution to Syria crisis Press TV 26 Jan 2017 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed optimism over cessation of hostilities in Syria and rejected military options as a solution to the crisis.
Trump ordering Pentagon to establish 'safe zones' in Syria Press TV 26 Jan 2017 -- US President Donald Trump is ordering the Pentagon to establish a series of "safe zones" in Syria, a move that could risk confrontation with the Syrian government as well as Russian forces in the Arab country.
Kremlin Cautious On U.S. Plan For Syria 'Safe Zones' RFE/RL 26 Jan 2017 -- Russia has reacted cautiously to a U.S. plan for "safe zones" in Syria, saying that Washington did not consult with Moscow on the matter and that all possible consequences should be examined.
Russia, Turkey Exchange Intel Data, Jointly Bomb Daesh in Syria's Al-Bab Sputnik 26 Jan 2017 -- Russia and Turkey conducted a joint aerial operation in Syria's Al-Bab after exchanging intelligence data on Daesh targets, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Thursday.

Daesh Terrorists Use Attack Drones in Iraq Sputnik 26 Jan 2017 -- Daesh took to social media recently to show off a new drone, bragging that the terror group has an air force.

Libyan forces recapture key Benghazi district Press TV 26 Jan 2017 -- Forces belonging to the so-called Libyan National Army (LNA) say they have taken complete control of a long-contested district in the flashpoint city of Benghazi.

Myanmar Shrugs Off International Pressure Over Rohingya Crackdown VOA 26 Jan 2017 -- Myanmar has been under growing international pressure over its months-long, brutal security operations in Rohingya Muslim communities in Rakhine State, and last week saw another barrage of criticism from Malaysia and a United Nations human rights rapporteur.

Israel approves 153 illegal settler homes in occupied territories Press TV 26 Jan 2017 -- Emboldened by the new US administration's support, the Israeli regime has given the go-ahead to the construction of 153 new settler units in the occupied Palestinian territories in flagrant disregard of international opposition.
PLO slams US silence over Israel settlement plans Press TV 26 Jan 2017 -- The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) has expressed shock over the US silence with regard to the new Israeli plans to build more illegal settlements in the West Bank.

South Sudan: Head of UN mission meets President Kiir, pledges commitment to regional force UN News 26 Jan 2017 -- The newly arrived head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, David Shearer, has met with President Salva Kiir in the country's capital of Juba, where he reiterated the Mission's commitment to supporting peace efforts.
South Sudan says rebels attack army troops near Malakal Press TV 26 Jan 2017 -- South Sudan says fresh fighting has broken out between government troops and rebel forces near the restive northern city of Malakal.

Security Council approves six-month extension of UN peacekeeping mission in Cyprus UN News 26 Jan 2017 -- Welcoming the progress thus far in negotiations led by Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot leaders, as well as ongoing efforts, the United Nations Security Council today encouraged the sides to "grasp the current opportunity with determination" to secure a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus.

UN-backed measles vaccination campaign to reach 4.7 million children in north-east Nigeria UN News 26 Jan 2017 -- A major vaccination campaign against a measles outbreak in northeast Nigeria is reaching 4.7 million children, according to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

News Reports

Trump voices support for reinstating waterboarding Press TV 26 Jan 2017 -- US President Donald Trump says he is considering reinstating the use of torture, including the banned interrogation technique of waterboarding against terrorist suspects.
Trump Says Pentagon, CIA Will Decide About Reinstating Waterboarding RFE/RL 26 Jan 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump says he thinks waterboarding and other interrogation techniques widely seen as torture "absolutely" work but that he will defer to his CIA and Pentagon chiefs on whether to reinstate them.

Trump prepares orders to cut UN funding, leave treaties Press TV 26 Jan 2017 -- The administration of US President Donald Trump is preparing two executive orders to drastically reduce funding for the United Nations and other international organizations, as well as begin a process to review and potentially leave some multilateral treaties, according to a new report.
White House Said Weighing Pullout From Treaties, Deep Cuts In UN Funding RFE/RL 26 Jan 2017 -- The New York Times is reporting that the White House has drafted measures ordering deep cuts in U.S. funding for the United Nations and a moratorium on "multilateral" treaties with an eye toward pulling out of some agreements.

White House: Trump Has 'Buffet of Options' to Get Mexico to Pay for Border Wall VOA 26 Jan 2017 -- The White House says President Donald Trump has a "buffet of options" on how to get Mexico to pay for the wall he wants to build along the U.S.-Mexican border.
Ryan on Trump's Mexico wall: 'We're going to pay for it' Press TV 26 Jan 2017 -- The United States will fund the initial construction of a wall President Donald Trump plans to build on the Mexican border, according to Paul Ryan, the speaker of the US House of Representatives.
Trump Calls For 20 Percent Tax On Mexican Imports Amid Border Wall Payment Dispute RFE/RL 26 Jan 2017 -- The White House says U.S. President Donald Trump is calling for a 20 percent tax on imports from Mexico to pay for his proposed southern border wall.

Reports: Second FSB Agent Arrested; Possible Links To U.S. Election Hacking RFE/RL 26 Jan 2017 -- Russian media have reported that another Federal Security Service (FSB) officer has been arrested on treason charges in a case that may be linked to cyberattacks targeting the U.S. presidential election campaign.

Gambia's Barrow arrives home from Senegal Press TV 26 Jan 2017 -- The Gambia's newly-elected President Adama Barrow has returned to the nation after his predecessor finally agreed to cede power under international pressure and went into exile.
Jubilant Welcome Greets Gambia's President on His Return to Banjul VOA 26 Jan 2017 -- Gambia's new President Adama Barrow returned to his country Thursday, accompanied by heavy security and greeted by jubilant crowds.

Defector: North Korean Regime Crumbling VOA 26 Jan 2017 -- Declaring that "Kim Jong Un's days are numbered," one of the highest-ranking North Korean officials to ever defect to South Korea shared rare firsthand knowledge and insight into the what he describes as the deteriorating situation inside the secretive and repressive Kim Jong Un regime.
North Korean Defector: Kim Jong-Un Would Nuke LA if Threatened Sputnik 26 Jan 2017 -- A North Korean defector and former diplomat has claimed that DPRK leader Kim Jong Un could launch a nuclear missile aimed at Los Angeles, knowing that Washington would retaliate. During a BBC interview, Thae Yong-ho claimed Kim was liable to press "the button on these dangerous weapons when he thinks that his rule and his dynasty is threatened."

Lebanon arrests five Israeli Mossad spies Press TV 26 Jan 2017 -- Lebanese security forces have arrested five people over working for the Israeli spy agency Mossad.

Ma's request to visit U.S. in February approved CNA 26 Jan 2017 -- Former President Ma Ying-jeou's (馬英九) request to visit the United States in February has been approved, Presidential Office spokesman Alex Huang (黃重諺) said on Thursday.

Turkey Protests Ruling of Greek Court to Not Extradite Turkish Soldiers Sputnik 26 Jan 2017 -- The Turkish Foreign Ministry on Thursday lodged an objection against the ruling of the Greek Supreme Court against the extradition of eight Turkish soldiers that fled their home country after the failed military coup in July 2016.

Africa's Top Diplomat to be Chosen at Upcoming Africa Summit VOA 26 Jan 2017 -- The five-way contest for the African Union's top job is a packed field, with four foreign ministers and a U.N. special envoy.

Haiti's President-elect Questioned on Money-laundering Allegations VOA 26 Jan 2017 -- Haiti's president-elect, after appearing at a lengthy hearing to address allegations of money laundering, insisted that those accusations were politically motivated and that the country's "justice system will function without bias" under his administration.

NEWSLETTER

Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list