Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 20 Mar 2017[PDF]
• U.S., Coalition Continue Strikes Against ISIS AFPS 20 Mar 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.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Boeing, Travis partner for KC-46A testing AFNS 20 Mar 2017 -- A Boeing KC-46A Pegasus team conducted testing at Travis Air Force Base from March 7-10, 2017.
• U.S., South Korean Navies to Hold Partnership Exercises AFPS 20 Mar 2017 -- U.S. Navy ships assigned to Commander, Task Force 30 and CTF-70 are scheduled to begin a series of exercises with the South Korean navy tomorrow to strengthen maritime interoperability and tactics, techniques and procedures.
• Army is hiring: Army increases end strength by 28,000 Soldiers US Army Released 20 Mar 2017 -- The Department of the Army will add 28,000 soldiers to its ranks by Sept. 30, 2017, officials announced today. The troop increase was directed by the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2017.
• The Indo-Asia Pacific and the multi-domain battle concept Army News 20 Mar 2017 -- The United States Armed Forces are at a crossroads, facing both institutional and operational challenges. The character of war continues to change at a quick pace, requiring military leaders to reassess some of their core beliefs. This situation has led to the testing and refinement of concepts, capabilities, and people to ensure U.S. forces are ready for the conflicts of today and tomorrow.
• Aircraft protection will be priority if sequestration continues, says G-8 Army News 20 Mar 2017 -- If sequestration continues in fiscal year 2018, active protection systems for Army aircraft will remain a top priority, said the Army's chief resource officer.
• Marine helicopters soar farther than before with auxiliary fuel tanks USMC News 20 Mar 2017 -- ,Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 267 used new auxiliary fuel tanks to fly the AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom helicopters farther than ever, during flights based from Okinawa, March 10-14.
• USNS Fall River Makes Goodwill Visit to Myanmar NNS 20 Mar 2017 -- Military Sealift Command expeditionary fast transport USNS Fall River (T-EPF-4) is slated to make make a goodwill visit to Yangon, Myanmar, March 21-25.
• ROK, US Navies Reinforce Partnership, Bolster Defensive Capabilities in Bilateral Exercise NNS 20 Mar 2017 -- U.S. Navy ships assigned to Commander, Task Force (CTF) 30 and CTF 70 are scheduled to begin a series of exercises with the Republic of Korea (ROK) navy, March 21, to strengthen maritime interoperability and tactics, techniques, and procedures.
• US, ROK Navies Enhance Mine Countermeasure Warfare Capabilities during Foal Eagle NNS 20 Mar 2017 -- The U.S. and the Republic of Korea (ROK) navies are conducting combined mine countermeasures training during exercise Foal Eagle 2017.
• Carl Vinson Departs Republic of Korea NNS 20 Mar 2017 -- The aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2 departed Busan, Republic of Korea, after a scheduled five-day port visit, March 20.
• USS Donald Cook Completes FOST NNS 20 Mar 2017 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) completed Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST) March 16.
  The FOST certification aims to certify NATO ships in advanced warfare areas.
• Carl Vinson Strike Group Hosts Reception in Busan NNS 20 Mar 2017 -- The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group hosted a reception for local guests while conducting a port visit in Busan, Republic of Korea, March 18.
• Marshall Islands, Frank Cable Build Together NNS 20 Mar 2017 -- Sailors assigned to submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40) visited men from Waan Aelon in Maiel (WAM) as part of a community relations project, March 16.
• F-35B Operations, Sustainment Exercise Brings Experts Together NNS 20 Mar 2017 -- Nearly 200 Navy, Marine Corps, and civilian personnel concluded a weeklong exercise aiming to successfully integrate the new F-35B Joint Strike Fighter into the fleet.
• Natural Disaster Response Exercise Vigilant Guard To Begin, Spokesman Says AFPS 20 Mar 2017 -- During the joint natural disaster response exercise Vigilant Guard 2017, the Georgia National Guard and guardsmen from five surrounding states will simulate a hurricane to improve collaborative efforts in the region, Pentagon press operations director Navy Capt. Jeff Davis told reporters today.
• Colorado National Guard joins in aerial battle against Boulder County fire Army News 20 Mar 2017 -- Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, via a verbal executive order, authorized the Colorado National Guard to assist civil authorities in Boulder County with aerial firefighting support of the Sunshine fire.
• US THAAD missile system poses 'serious risks' to Asia-Pacific region: Russia FM Press TV 20 Mar 2017 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has taken a swipe at the deployment of a US missile system in South Korea, warning that it poses "serious risks" to the Asia-Pacific region.
• Russian Defense Ministry Has No Plans to Create New Bases in Syria Sputnik 20 Mar 2017 -- The Russian Defense Ministry commented on reports claiming Russia is creating a new base in Syria.
• Impenetrable: Russia Testing a New Taifun-Airborne APC Sputnik 20 Mar 2017 -- Russian Airborne Troops will soon be bolstered by new mine-resistant, ambush-protected Taifun armed vehicles.
• Russian Airborne Forces Launch Drills in Crimea - Commander Sputnik 20 Mar 2017 -- The Russian Airborne Forces launched live-fire combat exercises involving the Black Sea Fleet and the Aerospace Forces, and where three divisions were simultaneously deployed for the first time, the Airborne Forces commander said Monday.
• Russia strikes deal to train Syria's Kurdish forces Press TV 20 Mar 2017 -- Russia has signed an agreement with the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) to set up a military base in northwestern Syria and train the forces in the war-ravaged country.
• Kurdish YPG Hope to Strengthen Cooperation With Russia in Syria Sputnik 20 Mar 2017 -- The Kurdish People's Protection Units General Command spokesperson Redur Xelil says that YPG hope to strengthen collaboration with Russia to combat terrorism in Syria.
• Taiwan confirms China's deployment of DF-16 missiles CNA 20 Mar 2017 -- Defense Minister Feng Shih-kuan (馮世寬) on Monday confirmed that there is a growing military threat from China, which he said has been deploying a new type of medium-range ballistic missiles capable of hitting Taiwan.
• China Has Medium Range Dongfeng Missiles Possibly Targeting Taiwan Sputnik 20 Mar 2017 -- China may be keeping Dongfeng 16 medium range missiles trained on its breakaway region of Taiwan, local media reported Monday, citing Taiwanese Defense Minister Feng Shih-kuan.
• North Korea's Recent Test of Rocket Engine is 'Pursuing Some Unclear Goal' Sputnik 20 Mar 2017 -- On March 19, North Korea announced that it had successfully tested a new powerful rocket engine. The peculiarity of the current test unlike previous ones was that Pyongyang made ambiguous statements regarding the purpose of this test.
• North Korea Tests High Performance Rocket Engine, Ignoring US Threat Sputnik 20 Mar 2017 -- North Korea has seemingly ignored US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's warning that military action against the country is "on the table" by proceeding with a ground jet test of a new high performance rocket engine.
• Indian Security Forces Get Home-Grown AK-47 Clone Sputnik 20 Mar 2017 -- The government factory-made AK-47 clone will see action with security forces against Maoist rebels in the hinterland. After the failure of the INSAS rifle, much hope is being placed on the AK-47 clone as the rifle for security forces.
• Israel launches surprise military exercises in south Press TV 20 Mar 2017 -- The Israeli army has conducted two drills in the southern part of the occupied territories amid recent tensions in the besieged Gaza Strip and Egypt's Sinai Peninsula.
• Saudi General Hails US Pledge to Boost Intel, Military Support Against Iran Sputnik 20 Mar 2017 -- A top Saudi military general says the Trump Administration has vowed it will significantly increase US intelligence support and defense cooperation with Riyadh against "Iran-backed" Houthis in Yemen.
• A-29s arrive at Kabul in time for fighting season AFNS 20 Mar 2017 -- Four A-29 Super Tucano light-attack aircraft arrived for duty at Kabul Air Wing, Kabul, Afghanistan, March 20, 2017, where they will be used by the Afghan Air Force for close-air attack, air interdiction, escort and armed reconnaissance.
• Afghan Air Forces Receive Four Light Attack Aircraft From US - Pentagon Sputnik 20 Mar 2017 -- Four A-29 Super Tucano aircraft for the Afghanistan Air Force (AAF) have arrived in Kabul from a base in the US state of Georgia, raising the fledgling air force's inventory of the light-attack aircraft from eight to 12, the US Department of Defense said in a press release on Monday.
• Department Press Briefing - March 20, 2017 US Dept. of State 20 Mar 2017
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Sean Spicer, 3/20/2017 The White House 20 Mar 2017

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for March 20, 2017

Other Conflicts

• 20 March 2017 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 20 Mar 2017
• Saudis urge UN to control Yemeni port after botch Press TV 20 Mar 2017 -- Saudi Arabia and its allies have urged the United Nations to assume control of a Houthi-held Yemeni port where scores of refugees were killed Friday in an aerial attack blamed on Riyadh.
• Assad Believes Russia Will Provide Additional Military Assistance Sputnik 20 Mar 2017 -- Syrian President Bashar Assad told Russian journalists that he is confident Damascus will receive additional military assistance from Russia if it is required to fight terrorism, but so far the current level of support is sufficient.
• Syrian forces retake Damascus areas from militants Press TV 20 Mar 2017 -- Syrian government forces have managed to retake control of areas of Damascus hours after they were captured by foreign-backed Takfiri militants on Sunday.
• Syria to Consider Any Military Op Without Gov't Approval As 'Invasion' - Assad Sputnik 20 Mar 2017 -- Damascus will consider any military operation without the approval of the Syrian authorities to be an invasion, be it Raqqa or any other city, Syrian President Bashar Assad told Russian journalists.
• US Received No Notification on Russian Presence in Syria's Afrin - Pentagon Sputnik 20 Mar 2017 -- The Pentagon spokesman said that the US Department of Defense hadn't received any official notification from Russia on the country's presence in the Syrian town of Afrin.
• Syrian Warplanes Annihilate Militant Supply Lines East of Damascus Sputnik 20 Mar 2017 -- Syrian military aircraft carried out a series of strikes on militant supply lines in the eastern suburbs of Damascus, state television reported Monday.
• Iraqis Closing In On Symbolic Mosque, Strategic Bridge AFPS 20 Mar 2017 -- Iraqi forces are advancing into the old city of Mosul as they move closer to the Iron Bridge that will take them to the modern city center, Pentagon press operations director Navy Capt. Jeff Davis told reporters today.
• Iraqi PM: No coalition, Iranian forces present in war on Daesh IRNA 20 Mar 2017 -- Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has brushed off claims that tens of thousand international coalition and Iranian forces are involved in war against Daesh.
• UN aid 'pushed to limits' as 320,000 more civilians may flee west Mosul UN News 20 Mar 2017 -- Humanitarian agencies are bracing for the possibility that in coming weeks about 300,000 to 320,000 civilians may flee the western districts of Iraqi's Mosul city where Government forces are fighting to oust the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da'esh) terrorists, a senior United Nations aid official in the country has said.
• Thousands Flee Mosul Daily as IS Battle Intensifies VOA 20 Mar 2017 -- Every day, thousands of people are fleeing Mosul, Iraq – many running as the walls of their homes collapse.
• Abadi, Trump Set to Discuss Islamic State Battle VOA 20 Mar 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump will host Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi for talks Monday that are likely to include the ongoing offensive to recapture the key northern city of Mosul from Islamic State militants.
• Put Libya ahead of 'narrow interests,' UN envoy urges as situation worsens across the country UN News 20 Mar 2017 -- Warning of escalating tension across the North African country due to mobilization of forces, worsening security situation in capital, Tripoli, as well as recent violence in Misrata and Benghazi, the United Nations envoy for Libya today called on all parties to unite and to put the country ahead of their "own narrow interests."
• Pakistan Reopens Afghan Border as 'Goodwill Gesture' VOA 20 Mar 2017 -- Pakistan opened all border crossings with landlocked Afghanistan for travelers and trade convoys Monday, a month after closing them on grounds terrorists were using Afghan soil for plotting deadly attacks against the country.

News Reports

• FBI Chief Confirms Probe Of Trump Aides' Links With Russia RFE/RL 20 Mar 2017 -- The director of the FBI has confirmed ongoing investigations into communications between Russian officials and President Donald Trump's aides.
• FBI Director Debunks Trump Wiretap Claim, Confirms Russia Probe VOA 20 Mar 2017 -- FBI Director James Comey has debunked President Donald Trump's explosive claim that former President Barack Obama wiretapped him in the weeks before last year's presidential election.
• Africa Aid Officials Concerned at Proposed US Aid Cuts VOA 20 Mar 2017 -- As the U.S. government proposes severe cuts in foreign aid, Africa and its neighbors are experiencing a massive hunger crisis, with 20 million people facing possible starvation in Somalia, South Sudan, Nigeria and Yemen.
• May to trigger Brexit process on March 29 Press TV 20 Mar 2017 -- UK Prime Minister Theresa May will trigger the process of Britain's withdrawal from the European Union on March 29, launching the two year exit negotiations likely to be the most complex London has held since World War Two.
• Pyongyang Threatens to Reduce US to 'Ashes' If It Conducts Preemptive Strike Sputnik 20 Mar 2017 -- As tensions between the US and North Korea continue to escalate, leader Kim Jong Un threatens to reduce America "to ashes" if "even a single bullet" from Washington is fired toward Pyongyang.
• Russia, Japan Agree to Put Pressure on N Korea to Refrain From Provocations Sputnik 20 Mar 2017 -- Japan and Russia pledged to put pressure on North Korea to abstain from further provocative actions and to comply with the UN Security Council resolutions at talks between the two countries' foreign and defense ministers, Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said Monday.
• Trump Continues US Policy of Sanctions Against North Korea VOA 20 Mar 2017 -- Despite U.S. President Donald Trump's strong rhetoric about restraining the North Korean nuclear threat, U.S. policy options seem to be essentially the same as they were under former President Obama's Strategic Patience strategy.
• Former Moldovan Deputy Arrested Amid Allegations of Spying For Russia RFE/RL 20 Mar 2017 -- A former member of the Moldovan parliament has been arrested amid allegations he spied for Russia, according to news reports on March 19 that cited unidentified law-enforcement officials.
• Pakistan, India Revive Talks on Indian Hydropower Plants VOA 20 Mar 2017 -- Pakistan and India, after a gap of nearly two years, have revived talks on a World Bank-mediated treaty that regulates sharing of the Indus river and its tributaries between the nuclear-armed rivals.