23 February 2017 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 23 Feb 2017[PDF]

Military Strikes Continue Against ISIS in Syria, Iraq AFPS 23 Feb 2017 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
Update: air strikes against Daesh UK MOD 23 Feb 2017 -- The RAF are continuing to take the fight to Daesh in Iraq and Syria.

Defense Policy / Programs

US Homeland Security: No Military Force Will Be Used in Immigration Operations Sputnik 23 Feb 2017 -- John Kelly claims that the United States is not going to use military forces to round up and deport undocumented immigrants.

AMC achieves electronic flight bags milestone AFNS 23 Feb 2017 -- Air Mobility Command recently achieved a milestone with its electronic flight bag initiative.
Air Force Chief of Staff Outlines Future Challenges of Military Readiness AFPS 23 Feb 2017 -- Readiness is central to the military services, and the biggest challenge for the U.S. Air Force lies in its growth as its smallest-ever force takes on growing missions, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein said today.
Dunford Discusses Strategy, Threats at Brookings Event AFPS 23 Feb 2017 -- Countering the threats posed by Russia, China, Iran and North Korea -- and countering violent extremism -- is still the correct way to benchmark what the Defense Department must do to prepare the joint force, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said at the Brookings Institute today.
Colorado partners with Jordanian forces for chemical threat exercise Army News 23 Feb 2017 -- Colorado National Guard Soldiers and the Jordan Armed Forces Royal Engineer Corps conducted an exercise at the Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Training Center of Excellence Feb. 6 in Jordan.
DoD Announces the Launch of "Code.mil," an Experiment in Open Source DoD 23 Feb 2017 -- The Department of Defense (DoD) announced the launch of Code.mil, an open source initiative that allows software developers around the world to collaborate on unclassified code written by federal employees in support of DoD projects.
US Marines, Omani Soldiers begin Exercise Sea Soldier 17 USMC News 23 Feb 2017 -- Led by U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and hosted by the Royal Army of Oman, the annual, two-weeklong bilateral exercise aims to enhance communication and coordination between U.S. and Omani forces, build mutual warfighting capability and support long-term regional cooperation.
USS Donald Cook Arrives in Plymouth NNS 23 Feb 2017 -- Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) arrived in Plymouth, United Kingdom, Feb. 22, for a scheduled port visit to complete the Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST) certification.
US, Oman, France, UK Commence Exercise Khunjar Haad NNS 23 Feb 2017 -- The U.S. Navy with the Royal navy of Oman, the Royal navy, and French Marine Nationale kicked off the 22nd iteration of Exercise Khunjar Haad, an annual multilateral mine countermeasures (MCM) exercise in the Gulf of Oman, Feb. 19.
Georgians and Marines meld forces at JMRC Army News 23 Feb 2017 -- Georgian Soldiers of the 23rd Light Infantry Battalion and the U.S. Marine Corps 2nd Detachment Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company (ANGLICO), from North Carolina, recently completed the Georgian Mission Rehearsal Exercise (MRE), Jan. 29 - Feb. 26, at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center.
US Marines, Omani Soldiers Begin Exercise Sea Soldier 17 NNS 23 Feb 2017 -- Launching from amphibious transport dock USS Somerset (LPD 25) off the coast of Oman, more than 250 U.S. Marines and Sailors with the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (MKI ARG)/11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) began training alongside soldiers from the Royal army of Oman's 11th Brigade for Exercise Sea Soldier in Salalah, Oman, Feb. 19.

Montenegrin Foreign Minister Sees NATO Membership By Late May RFE/RL 23 Feb 2017 -- Montenegrin Foreign Minister Srdjan Darmanovic has said he expects his country to become a full member of NATO at a summit in late May.

Number One With a Bullet: Russia's New T-50 Jet Gets Sophisticated Shells Sputnik 23 Feb 2017 -- Russia's fifth generation fighter jet, the T-50, is equipped with new aircraft cannon shells which have been upgraded to enable 'smart' targeting, according to the Russian newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta.
Russia's Polyana Command & Control Post Can Track 500 Targets Simultaneously Sputnik 23 Feb 2017 -- This week Russian civil and defense concern Roselektronika premiered Polyana-D4M1, an automated command and control system for air defense, at the IDEX-2017 defense exhibition in Abu Dhabi. Sputnik gets into the details of what exactly the system is capable of.

Indian Navy Inks Deal for 31 Hi-Tech Surface Surveillance Radars Sputnik 23 Feb 2017 -- Based on the latest solid-state technology, the radar is also suited for coastal surveillance applications. The SSR will be capable of providing target designation data to surface to surface missiles.
Indian Navy Saves Its Massively Damaged Guided Missile Frigate Betwa Sputnik 23 Feb 2017 -- India's Ministry of Defense document shows that more than two dozen accidents have been reported involving naval warships and submarines since 2011.

China's Precision-Guided Bombs Get Rocket Booster Sputnik 23 Feb 2017 -- At this week's IDEX exhibition in Abu Dhabi, China's Aerospace Long-March International Trade Co, Ltd (ALIT) revealed the Fei Teng FT-12, a precision-guided glide bomb with rocket boosters.

Germany to Increase NATO Commitment, Up Troop Size to Almost 200,000 Sputnik 23 Feb 2017 -- Germany will increase the size of its military by 10 percent over the next seven years the defense ministry announced Tuesday, just one day after US Vice President Mike Pence called on allies in Europe to increase their commitment to NATO.

Iran possessing optimal security index: Armed Forces chief of staff IRNA 23 Feb 2017 -- Iran, as far as the indexes for national security and peace as well as readiness to address threats are concerned, is in the best condition, says Major General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces.
Iran's IRGC unveils new anti-helicopter mines during drills Press TV 23 Feb 2017 -- Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has unveiled a new model of anti-helicopter mines during its recent military drills that were held in the eastern and central parts of the country.

Drug abuse a problem in Taiwan's military: defense minister CNA 23 Feb 2017 -- Defense Minister Feng Shih-kuan (馮世寬) said Thursday that there was problem of a substance abuse in Taiwan's military.
Defense Ministry asked to conduct 'thorough checks' after drug find CNA 23 Feb 2017 -- Premier Lin Chuan (林全) instructed the Ministry of National Defense Thursday to conduct "thorough checks" on the military as part of heightened anti-drug efforts, following a recent case in which drugs were found at an air force base in Taichung.
Defense Ministry told to report to lawmakers on drug find CNA 23 Feb 2017 -- The Ministry of National Defense (MND) has been told to deliver a report to lawmakers on Taiwan's military policy and a recent incident in which drugs were found at an air base in Taichung earlier this week, a lawmaker on the Legislature's Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee said Thursday.

Turkish Army Will Allow Women to Wear Headscarves With Uniforms Sputnik 23 Feb 2017 -- On Wednesday Turkish defense officials said the country's military will begin allowing women to wear headscarves with their uniforms, despite the country's armed forces historically viewing themselves as secular institutions.

Press Briefing by Press Secretary Sean Spicer, 2/23/2017, #15 The White House 23 Feb 2017

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for February 23, 2017

Other Conflicts

23 February 2017 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 23 Feb 2017

US Claims Beijing Installing Long-Range Missiles in South China Sea Islands Sputnik 23 Feb 2017 -- US officials are reporting that China has almost completed constructing two dozen buildings on its artificial islands in the South China Sea. The structures, according to reports, are intended to contain long-range surface-to-air missiles.
Beijing 'Opposes' US Nuclear-Powered Carrier in South China Sea Sputnik 23 Feb 2017 -- On Thursday, Chinese defense officials announced that they are well aware of the recent deployment of the US Navy's nuclear-powered USS Carl Vinson, to patrol the South China Sea in 'routine operations,' a move one Beijing official said that China opposes.
US Calls on Beijing to Change South China Sea Approach VOA 23 Feb 2017 -- The U.S. State Department is calling for China to alter its approach toward the South China Sea, a strategically important and resource-rich waterway that has long been claimed by several countries.

Yemen's health system another victim of the conflict - UN health agency UN News 23 Feb 2017 -- Acute shortage of critical medicines, limited fuel for electricity and specialized medical staff such as intensive care doctors and nurses having left Yemen have put innocent lives in danger, the United Nations health agency has warned.

Turkey says nearly in full control of Syria's al-Bab Press TV 23 Feb 2017 -- Turkish Defense Minister Fikri Isik says his country's armed forces and allied militants are almost in full control of the Syrian city of al-Bab taking the city from the Daesh Takfiri terrorists.

Putin: Russia aims to stabilize legitimate authority in Syria Press TV 23 Feb 2017 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin says his country has no plans to interfere in Syria's internal affairs and its aim is to stabilize the legitimate government in the Arab country which is battling terrorists.
Syria peace talks start in Geneva amid low expectations Press TV 23 Feb 2017 -- A fresh round of peace negotiations has started between representatives of the Damascus government and the foreign-backed opposition in the Swiss city of Geneva under the auspices of the United Nations.
Senator McCain secretly visited Syria last weekend Press TV 23 Feb 2017 -- US Republican Senator John McCain secretly visited war-ravaged Syria last weekend.
Russia Open To U.S. Plan To Create Safe Zones, If Syria Is Involved RFE/RL 23 Feb 2017 -- Russia is open to dialogue with the United States on creating safe zones in Syria, but believes that any such plan needs to be coordinated with the Syrian government, Moscow's top diplomat said.
Daesh Announces Withdrawal From Syria's Al Bab Sputnik 23 Feb 2017 -- The Daesh has announced the start of its withdrawal from northern Syrian town of Al Bab, which is currently under siege by Turkish and Syrian forces, according to local media.
De Mistura Calls on Parties to Geneva Talks to Work Toward Peaceful Syria Sputnik 23 Feb 2017 -- UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura urged all parties at the intra-Syrian talks "to end horrible conflict and lay foundation for country peaceful and unified."
Syrian Army May Launch Offensive in Damascus Suburb Unless Militants Surrender Sputnik 23 Feb 2017 -- Syria's minister for reconciliation said Damascus hopes for a peaceful settlement in the neighbourhood of Qaboun but does not rule out a military action.
Damascus Hopes to Resolve Issue of Turkish Troops' Presence in Syria Politically Sputnik 23 Feb 2017 -- Syria's Minister for National Reconciliation Ali Haidar told Sputnik that Damascus has not changed its stance on the presence of Turkish troops and considers it to be occupation of the country.
'We need to start now' on road to peace, UN envoy says as Syria negotiations open in Geneva UN News 23 Feb 2017 -- Welcoming the representatives of the Syrian Government and its opposition to the United Nations-facilitated negotiations that opened today in Geneva, Staffan de Mistura reiterated the need to work together for a political solution.
No Breakthrough Expected as Syrian Peace Talks Resume VOA 23 Feb 2017 -- The U.N.'s special envoy for Syria met Thursday with a Syrian government delegation and envoys for the opposition in Geneva, as he launched the latest effort to find an end to the country's nearly six-year civil war.

Iraqi forces liberate Mosul airport from Daesh: Media reports Press TV 23 Feb 2017 -- Iraqi ground troops, backed by the army's air force, have reportedly taken control of the Mosul air port amid a new offensive to liberate the Daesh-held western half of the city, which serves as the last urban stronghold of the terror group in the Arab state.
Iraqi Forces Reportedly Capture Mosul Airport RFE/RL 23 Feb 2017 -- Iraqi forces pushing to capture the western part of Mosul from Islamic State (IS) militants have taken control of the city's disused airport, Iraqi state television is reporting.
US-backed Iraqi Forces Take Control of Mosul Airport VOA 23 Feb 2017 -- Iraq said Thursday that its U.S.-backed forces had retaken the airport in Mosul, which Islamic State extremists had controlled since 2014.
Kurdistan Regional Government Could Support Autonomy for Iraq's Yazidis Sputnik 23 Feb 2017 -- The Kurdistan Regional Government Representative to the United States Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman said that KRG was not opposed to autonomous areas for Iraq's Yazidi and Christian minorities.

Head of US Africa Command: Rival Libyan Factions Must Work Together VOA 23 Feb 2017 -- The commander of the United States Africa Command – which oversees military operations across Africa – has told VOA that the only way to peace in Libya is by bringing together rival governments. General Thomas Waldhauser made the remarks at the recent Munich Security Conference, ahead of Operation Flintlock, a joint military exercise being hosted by seven African nations.

Three Indian soldiers, one civilian killed in Kashmir Press TV 23 Feb 2017 -- Three Indian soldiers and a woman have been killed in a suspected militant attack on a military convoy in Indian-controlled Kashmir.

No peace with Myanmar government in sight, powerful rebel group warns Press TV 23 Feb 2017 -- The head of Myanmar's most powerful ethnic rebel group has threatened to derail the government's wobbling push for peace as fierce fighting in the country's restive borderlands has reached a critical point.

Everyone Seems To Have A Peace Plan For Ukraine RFE/RL 23 Feb 2017 -- It seems that peace plans for Ukraine are everywhere these days.
OSCE Chief Warns of Risk of Escalation in E Ukraine VOA 23 Feb 2017 -- The head of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe warned this week that if the parties to the Ukraine conflict do not clearly commit to implementing the Minsk agreement, the situation in eastern Ukraine could quickly escalate.

Russia Has No Intention to Use Military on Kuril Islands Against Japan Sputnik 23 Feb 2017 -- Russia does not intend to use its division which will be deployed to the Kuril Islands against Japan and is ready for military cooperation with Tokyo on the issue, Viktor Ozerov, chairman of the defense committee in the Russian upper house of parliament, told Sputnik on Thursday.
Japan Lodges Protest Over Russia's Plan to Deploy Division on Kurils Sputnik 23 Feb 2017 -- Japan sent a note of protest against Russia over its plan to deploy a division on the Kuril Islands later in the year, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said Thursday.

Hundreds of protesters demand departure of Guinea-Bissau president Press TV 23 Feb 2017 -- Hundreds of protesters have marched through the capital of Guinea-Bissau, demanding the departure of embattled President Jose Mario Vaz.
Security Council extends mandate of UN Guinea-Bissau peacebuilding office through 2018 UN News 23 Feb 2017 -- The United Nations Security Council today extended for another year the mandate of the UN Integrated Peace-Building Office in Guinea-Bissau, known as UNIOGBIS, and urged all political actors in the country to implement the provisions of the Conakry Agreement signed last October.

Millions in Lake Chad suffering 'at no fault of their own' need world's support, urges UN aid chief UN News 23 Feb 2017 -- Ahead of a major donor conference in the Norwegian capital, Oslo, seeking to generate global action to tackle the complex crisis in Africa's Lake Chad Basin, the top United Nations relief official highlighted that investing in support for the region will in turn help strengthen broader security around the world for all to benefit.

Central African Republic: Senior UN relief official urges access to civilians in north-eastern provinces UN News 23 Feb 2017 -- Amid renewed violence that has led to "successive gross violations" of international humanitarian law in two north-eastern provinces of the Central African Republic (CAR), the most senior United Nations relief official in the country has called for free and unhindered access to civilians impacted by the clashes between rival armed groups.

News Reports

Joint Statement by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly on Bilateral Discussions in Mexico City US Dept. of State 23 Feb 2017
Statements to the Press US Dept. of State 23 Feb 2017 -- Remarks by Rex W. Tillerson, Secretary of State, Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly, Mexican Foreign Secretary Luis Videgaray Caso, and Mexican Government Secretary Miguel Angel Osorio Chong
Mexico rejects Trump's 'unilateral' move on immigration Press TV 23 Feb 2017 -- The government of Mexico rejects any "unilateral" measures by the administration of President Donald Trump on immigration.

Key U.S. Senator Open To Subpoena Of Trump Records In Russia Probe RFE/RL 23 Feb 2017 -- A Republican member of the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee said she's open to using a subpoena to investigate President Donald Trump's tax returns for possible connections to Russia.
Who Is Paul Manafort's Man In Kyiv? An Interview With Konstantin Kilimnik RFE/RL 23 Feb 2017 -- An elusive Ukrainian associate of Paul Manafort says he briefed the former campaign chairman for U.S. President Donald Trump on Ukraine during last year's presidential race.

Full US Review of Policy Toward North Korea Expected VOA 23 Feb 2017 -- The Trump White House has ordered a review of U.S. policy toward North Korea, looking at all the options Washington has for its future dealings with Pyongyang and the Kim Jong Un regime, well-informed diplomatic sources told VOA this week.
Pyongyang claims death of DPRK citizen "conspiratorial racket" by S. Korea People's Daily 23 Feb 2017 -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Thursday said the death of a DPRK citizen at Kuala Lumpur last week was an "anti-DPRK conspiratorial racket" launched by South Korea.
North Korean media break silence on Kim's death Press TV 23 Feb 2017 -- North Korea has lambasted Malaysia for performing an "immoral and illegal" autopsy on the dead body of the North Korean leader's exiled half-brother, who was murdered in Kuala Lumpur last week.
Police Officials to Obtain DNA Sample From Son of Killed Kim Jong-nam Sputnik 23 Feb 2017 -- Malaysian police officials plan to get a DNA sample from the son of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's half-brother Kim Jong-nam, killed earlier this month, media report.
What Effect Will Kim Jong Nam's Death Have on China-North Korea Relations? VOA 23 Feb 2017 -- Following the airport assassination of Kim Jong Nam, the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, the question being asked by much of the world is, "Why?" And with China often regarded as a nation that might be able to exert pressure over Pyongyang's actions, however, what impact could Jong Nam's death have on China-North Korean relations?

MAC urges Beijing to resume talks on joint combat against crime CNA 23 Feb 2017 -- Taiwan on Thursday called on China to resume cross-strait consultations as soon as possible and not allow politics to impede joint efforts to combat crime.

Bomb blasts hit Pakistan's Lahore, leave casualties Press TV 23 Feb 2017 -- Two bomb explosions have occurred in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore, with authorities announcing a death toll of six from one of the blasts.
In Face Of Threats And Attacks, Pakistani Media Establish 'Safety Hubs' RFE/RL 23 Feb 2017 -- In Pakistan, a country where journalists are often the targets of threats and deadly attacks and have little protection from authorities, many reporters are left to fend for themselves.

Somali president Farmajo appoints Khayre as new prime minister Press TV 23 Feb 2017 -- Somalia's new president has picked Hassan Ali Khayre, a former aid worker and oil executive, to serve as the prime minister in the war-torn country.
Oil Executive Chosen as Somalia's New Prime Minister VOA 23 Feb 2017 -- Somalia's new president has picked an oil executive and former aid agency director to be the country's next prime minister.

Philippines to arrest ex-justice minister over drugs Press TV 23 Feb 2017 -- A court in the Philippines has ordered the arrest of a former justice minister strongly opposed to President Rodrigo Duterte's anti-drugs campaign.

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