09 May 2017 Military News

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OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 09 May 2017[PDF]

Military Strikes Continue Against ISIS Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 09 May 2017 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria yesterday, conducting 27 strikes consisting of 84 engagements, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
Counter-ISIS Campaign to Intensify, Mattis Says AFPS 09 May 2017 -- The U.S.-led coalition will accelerate its campaign to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said today in a joint press conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, with Defense Minister Claus Hjort Frederiksen.
Update: air strikes against Daesh UK MOD 09 May 2017 -- The RAF are continuing to take the fight to Daesh in Iraq and Syria.

U.S. Officials Studying Force Size in Afghanistan, Dunford Says AFPS 09 May 2017 -- No decisions on whether to increase U.S. forces in Afghanistan have been made yet, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told reporters in Israel today.
US officials recommend 3,000 to 5,000 more troops for Afghanistan Press TV 09 May 2017 -- US military officials and the State Department have recommended sending 3,000 to 5,000 additional troops, including hundreds of Special Operations forces, to Afghanistan, according to American media reports.
U.S. May Send Thousands Of Additional Troops To Afghanistan, Media Report RFE/RL 09 May 2017 -- Senior officials in President Donald Trump's administration and the U.S. military are recommending sending at least 3,000 additional U.S. troops to Afghanistan to fight Taliban militants, U.S. media report.
Mattis: US Faces 'Determined Enemy' in Afghanistan VOA 09 May 2017 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Tuesday that American forces in Afghanistan face "a determined enemy" but are dealing significant blows to the enemy.

Defense Policy / Programs

DNI Releases Updated Budget Figure for FY 2017 Appropriations Requested for the National Intelligence Program Director of National Intelligence 09 May 2017 -- Consistent with Section 601 of the Implementing the Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007, as amended (50 U.S.C. 3306), the Director of National Intelligence disclosed to the public on February 9, 2016, the aggregate amount of appropriations requested for Fiscal Year 2017.
DoD Releases Revised Military Intelligence Program (MIP) Request for Fiscal Year 2017 DoD 09 May 2017 -- The Department of Defense released today the revised Military Intelligence Program (MIP) top line budget request for Fiscal Year 2017 that was disclosed to the public on Feb. 9, 2016. The $16.8 billion is now updated to include additional funding above the initial president's budget request for the MIP.

Abraham Lincoln Begins Sea Trials Following Refueling Complex Overhaul NNS 09 May 2017 -- USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) got underway from Newport News, Virginia, May 9, departing for sea trials after completing a 49.5-month refueling complex overhaul (RCOH).
Accelerating hypersonics development AFNS 09 May 2017 -- The Air Force has always been about speed. Less than one month after the Air Force became its own service 70 years ago in September 1947, Capt. Chuck Yeager became the first person to fly faster than the speed of sound – a barrier once considered impenetrable – in the Bell Aircraft X-1.
Airborne unit brings new perspective to network modernization event Army News 09 May 2017 -- Just four months after the last Soldiers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (2/101 Air Assault) returned home from an advise and assist mission in Iraq, the 2/101 "Strike" Brigade is gearing up for a new mission as they bring a light infantry perspective to integrating and evolving communications systems during the Army's signature operational network exercise.
US, Romanian engineers build firing range for Resolute Castle Army News 09 May 2017 -- Rainy weather in early May is just another obstacle to overcome for the soldiers of Resolute Castle 2017, an engineering exercise underway here and in Poland.
Alaska National Guard hosts hazardous response exercise Army News 09 May 2017 -- The Alaska National Guard's 103rd Weapons of Mass Destruction-Civil Support Team tested its ability to react to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive threats in Anchorage May 1-3 in conjunction with four other civil support teams from other states and several other agencies.
Alabama National Guard Sustainment Unit participates in Vibrant Response 17 Army News 09 May 2017 -- Alabama Army National Guard's 167th Theater Sustainment Command is participating in this year's Vibrant Response 17 from April 22 to May 12, 2017, at Fort McClellan Readiness Center in Anniston, Alabama. Vibrant Response 17 is an annual U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) Response Command Post Exercise. The exercise allows various agencies to practice working together in order to properly respond to a disaster scenario. The exercise scenario this year was a large-scale terrorist attack on a major U.S. city.
Wyoming National Guard & Tunisia continue to perfect partnership Army News 09 May 2017 -- In the early nineties the Department of Defense stood up the National Guard-managed State Partnership Program whose goal was to connect NG units from each state with a partner nation in hopes of mutually beneficial civil-military affairs.
Readout of Secretary Mattis' Meeting with New Zealand Minister for Defense Mark Mitchell DoD 09 May 2017
Remarks by Secretary Mattis and Prime Minister Rasmussen in Copenhagen, Denmark DoD 09 May 2017 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis; Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen
Joint Press Conference with Secretary Mattis and Minister Frederiksen in Copenhagen, Denmark DoD 09 May 2017 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis; Danish Minister of Defence Claus Hjort Frederiksen
USS Abraham Lincoln Underway for Sea Trials NNS 09 May 2017 -- Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) got underway for sea trails, May 9, following a four-year refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH) at Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News, Virginia.
Pacific Fleet Commander Stresses Commitment to Region, Strong Defense Ties During Visit to Singapore NNS 09 May 2017 -- Adm. Scott Swift, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, visited the Republic of Singapore May 6-8 to reaffirm the U.S. Navy's strong partnership and ties with the Singapore Armed Forces.
USS Lake Champlain Collision at Sea NNS 09 May 2017 -- A South Korean fishing vessel collided with USS Lake Champlain (CG 57) while the guided-missile cruiser was conducting routine operations in international waters.
USS Vella Gulf Participates in Exercise with the Royal Moroccan Navy NNS 09 May 2017 -- The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) participated in a cooperation exercise with the Royal Moroccan Navy May 5, 2017 while on deployment in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations. Vella Gulf and the P306 RMNS Commandant El Harti conducted maritime interdiction operations (MIO) and small boat defense procedures during the exercise.
USS Ross hosts Israel Defense Forces for Reception NNS 09 May 2017 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ross (DDG 71) hosted Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) representatives for a reception aboard the ship, May 8, 2017. The Ross crew welcomed more than 90 host-nation guests including IDF Brig. Gen. Hadi Zilberman, head of Planning Division, and Rear Adm. Ido Ben Moshe, head of Naval Operations. The Charge d'Affaires, U.S. Embassy Tel Aviv, Ms. Leslie Tsou, was also in attendance. Ross is currently moored in Haifa for a scheduled port visit to enhance U.S.-Israel relations as the two nations work together for a stable, secure and prosperous region.
Cyber Command Increases Readiness to Hold Targets at Risk AFPS 09 May 2017 -- With help from the services, U.S. Cyber Command continually increases its Cyber Mission Forces' readiness to hold targets that are at risk amid the intensified pace of international conflict in cyberspace threats, the Cybercom commander told a Senate panel here today.

Secretary General discusses the fight against terrorism with Tunisian Foreign Minister NATO 09 May 2017 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Tunisian Foreign Minister Khemaies Jhinaoui to NATO Headquarters on Tuesday (9 May 2017) for talks on regional security and the partnership between the Alliance and Tunisia.

Tokyo Seeks Tomahawk Cruise Missiles to Offset Pyongyang Nuke Threats Sputnik 09 May 2017 -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is continuing Japan's pivot from a pacifist security policy to a more active defense posture. Abe is eyeing the addition of land-attack Tomahawk missiles to neutralize the threat of a missile attack from North Korea, according to the Sankei Shimbun Japanese newspaper.
Abe Wants to Strengthen Cooperation With Seoul to Counter N Korea Threat Sputnik 09 May 2017 -- The Japanese prime minister said that Tokyo hoped to consolidate cooperation with Seoul on addressing the threat posed by North Korea.

China tests new missile near Korean Peninsula Press TV 09 May 2017 -- China's military has tested a new type of missile in an area close to the Korean Peninsula, where tensions have been running high over Washington's deployment of a missile system in South Korea.
China Carries Out Test Launch of New Generation Missile - Defense Ministry Sputnik 09 May 2017 -- The Chinese Defense Ministry confirmed Tuesday that the Rocket Force of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) had conducted a test launch of the new generation missile in the Bohai Gulf of the Yellow Sea, near the Korean peninsula.

Defense Minister: Iran self-sufficient in defense industry IRNA 09 May 2017 -- Defense Minister said that Iran is now enjoying a vast national network which enables the country to meet all its needs in a short time with an acceptable quality and cost.

Iraq further developing its capabilities in the fight against terrorism, with NATO support NATO 09 May 2017 -- Today (9 May 2017) marks another important step in the consolidation of NATO's support to Iraqi security institutions in strengthening their capabilities in the fight against terrorism.

Senior officer in alleged espionage once headed missile command (update) CNA 09 May 2017 -- A high-ranking military officer being questioned by prosecutors Tuesday for alleged breach of national security has raised concerns because he once served as head of the nation's missile command.
Senior military officer probed for alleged national security violation CNA 09 May 2017 -- A high-ranking military officer is being questioned by prosecutors for alleged breach of national security.
Military conducts live-fire rehearsal in Penghu CNA 09 May 2017 -- Taiwan's military, including the Army, Navy and Air Force, conducted its first live-fire rehearsal on the shores of Penghu County on Tuesday.
Two Perry-class military frigates to arrive in Taiwan soon CNA 09 May 2017 -- Two Perry-class guided missile frigates Taiwan purchased from the United States are expected to arrive in Kaohsiung later this week and be commissioned into service next year, according to the military.

Turkey, Qatar agree on terms of joint military base deal: Official Press TV 09 May 2017 -- Turkey and Qatar have agreed on the terms of a deal to set up a joint military base in Doha and deploy hundreds of Turkish forces to the camp, an official in Ankara says.

Thailand purchases Chinese submarine, the country's first since WWII People's Daily 09 May 2017 -- The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) on May 8 signed a contract with a Chinese company to procure a S26T diesel-electric submarine, a move experts believe will promote China's export of conventional submarines.

Dunford, Israeli Leaders Discuss Regional Issues AFPS 09 May 2017 -- Israeli officials today welcomed Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to the country and presented him with an award for his personal leadership in strengthening U.S.-Israeli military-to-military ties.

India-Indonesia Joint Patrol of Indian Ocean Kicks Off Sputnik 09 May 2017 -- Hoping to win consent from countries patrolling the Strait of Malacca, India and Indonesia have begun coordinated patrol near Andaman and Nicobar Islands. An Indonesian Maritime Patrol Aircraft and naval vessel KRI Sutedi Senoputra have arrived in Port Blair for the 29th series of IND-INDO CORPAT.

Daily Press Briefing by Press Secretary Sean Spicer -- #46 The White House 09 May 2017

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for May 09, 2017

Other Conflicts

9 May 2017 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 09 May 2017

Satellite Images: Beijing Installing Missile Systems on South China Sea Islands Sputnik 09 May 2017 -- Satellite images captured on Monday show Chinese military installments being placed on a crucial islet in the contested waterway.

US ignores Turkey's objection, approves arming Kurdish forces in Syria Press TV 09 May 2017 -- US President Donald Trump has authorized the arming of Kurdish forces in Syria despite fierce opposition from Turkey.
Pentagon Reassures Turkey on Equipping Kurdish Elements in Syria AFPS 09 May 2017 -- A Pentagon official today offered reassurances to Turkey following President Donald J. Trump's authorization yesterday for the Defense Department to equip Kurdish elements in Syria fighting the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.
U.S. Approves Supplying Weapons To Syrian Kurdish Fighters RFE/RL 09 May 2017 -- The United States has agreed to supply weapons to the main Kurdish opposition group in Syria, a move likely to anger Turkey just days before a meeting between the U.S. and Turkish leaders in Washington.
Turkey to play role in battle for Raqqah: Pentagon chief Press TV 09 May 2017 -- US Defense Secretary James Mattis says the United States will work with Turkey to liberate the Daesh-held northeastern Syrian city of Raqqah.
Trump Approves US Plan to Arm Syrian Kurds Over Turkish Objection - Pentagon Sputnik 09 May 2017 -- According to a statement issued by Pentagon, the US president approved a plan to arm Kurdish groups fighting Daesh in Syria despite objections from Turkey.
US Arming Syrian Kurds VOA 09 May 2017 -- President Donald Trump has authorized the Pentagon to equip the Kurdish elements of the Syrian Democratic Forces, a move that places the United States at odds with NATO ally Turkey.
US, UK, Jordan deploy troops, tanks in southern Syria: Reports Press TV 09 May 2017 -- Reports coming out of Syria suggest that a joint military force of US, British, and Jordanian troops, equipped with tanks and helicopters, have reportedly been deployed in the war-torn country's southern border areas from Jordan's northern region.
IS Video Purportedly Shows Beheading Of Russian Officer In Syria RFE/RL 09 May 2017 -- The extremist group Islamic State (IS) has issued a video showing the beheading of a man it described as a Russian intelligence officer captured in Syria, but the Russian Defense Ministry suggests no such killing has taken place.
IS Video Shows Execution of Alleged Russian Intel Officer VOA 09 May 2017 -- The Islamic State group released a video Monday night through its social media channels purporting to show the beheading of a Russian intelligence officer in Syria.
Syria Says Russian Military, Not UN Troops, To Police Safe Zones RFE/RL 09 May 2017 -- Syria's foreign minister said on May 8 that Russian troops, not UN-supervised international forces, will enforce the cease-fire in safe zones established under a Russian-led agreement.

Iraqi CTS forces wrest control over another west Mosul neighborhood Press TV 09 May 2017 -- Members of the Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service (CTS) have established full control over another district in western Mosul as government forces, backed by volunteer fighters from Popular Mobilization Units, are battling to force Takfiri Daesh terrorists out of their last urban stronghold in the country.
UN humanitarians concerned about civilians in Mosul threatened by Iraqi forces, ISIL UN News 09 May 2017 -- As a new front opens in the fight between Iraqi forces and the group known as the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da'esh) in north-western Mosul city, United Nations humanitarian sources are raising concern about hundreds of thousands of civilians still living in the area.

Turkey Launches Airstrikes in Northern Iraq, Destroys PKK Camps - Reports Sputnik 09 May 2017 -- The Turkish Air Force destroyed camps of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militant group in Iraq in the early hours of Tuesday, local media reported.
Turkey must inform Iran of any border wall construction: Source Press TV 09 May 2017 -- An informed source at the Iranian Foreign Ministry says Turkey must keep Iran updated on any construction of a wall along the two countries' border.

Iran entitled to destroy terrorists' hideout in Pakistan: commander Press TV 09 May 2017 -- A senior Iranian military commander says the country reserves the right to destroy the lairs of terrorists in Pakistan following a recent terrorist crime against Iranian border guards serving on the country's southeastern frontier.

Abbas Confirms Readiness to Meet Netanyahu Under US Auspices Sputnik 09 May 2017 -- Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday said he was ready to carry out talks with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu under the auspices of US President Donald Trump.

Briefing on Nigeria US Dept. of State 09 May 2017 -- Special Briefing by Nathan Holt, Deputy Director, Office of West African Affairs, Bureau of African Affairs

Central African Republic: UN Mission condemns deadly attack on peacekeepers UN News 09 May 2017 -- The United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic (CAR) has strongly condemned yesterday's attack on one of its convoys in the country's south that killed one Cambodian peacekeeper.

At Least 13 Killed in Somalia Fighting VOA 09 May 2017 -- At least 13 people were killed in fighting Tuesday between government forces and Islamist insurgents in southwestern Somalia, according to witnesses and officials.

News Reports

Trump Fires FBI Director Comey VOA 09 May 2017 -- The director of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, James Comey, has been fired.
Trump Fires FBI Director Comey Amid Probe Of Russian Election Meddling RFE/RL 09 May 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump made the shocking decision to fire FBI director James Comey on May 9, the man who leads the agency charged with investigating his campaign's ties with Russia.
Statement from the Press Secretary The White House 09 May 2017 -- "Today, President Donald J. Trump informed FBI Director James Comey that he has been terminated and removed from office. President Trump acted based on the clear recommendations of both Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and Attorney General Jeff Sessions."

Ex-attorney general says had warned Trump of Flynn's contacts Press TV 09 May 2017 -- The former US acting attorney general says she had warned about contacts between President Donald Trump's ex-national security adviser and Russian government officials.

Putin ordered influence campaign to 'advantage' Trump: Clapper Press TV 09 May 2017 -- Former Director of US National Intelligence James Clapper has defended the assessment by the intelligence community that Russian President Vladimir Putin directly interfered in last year's presidential election to help Donald Trump.

Cyber Command Chief Says U.S. Warned France About Russia-Backed Hackers During Election RFE/RL 09 May 2017 -- The United States' top cybersecurity official says Washington warned French officials during the recent presidential election that Russia-backed hackers were penetrating French computer networks.

US Bracing for Continued Russian Cyberattacks VOA 09 May 2017 -- The United States and its Western allies are still searching for a way to make countries like Russia pay a price for potentially destabilizing cyber attacks, even as those attacks keep coming.

Appeals judges hear Trump administration's arguments on Muslim ban Press TV 09 May 2017 -- The administration of US President Donald Trump has defended his proposed travel ban against citizens of several Muslim countries at an appeals court.
Court Judges Focus On Whether Trump Travel Order Targets Muslims RFE/RL 09 May 2017 -- U.S. appeals court judges asked tough questions about President Donald Trump's temporary ban on travelers from six predominantly Muslim countries, with several voicing skepticism that national security was the measure's true goal.

U.S., Georgia Sign Deal To Boost Intelligence Sharing RFE/RL 09 May 2017 -- The United States says it has signed a "milestone" security agreement with Georgia that will boost intelligence sharing and counterterrorism efforts with the former Soviet republic.
United States and Georgia Sign General Security of Information Agreement US Dept. of State 09 May 2017 -- Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Kvirikashvili signed a U.S.-Georgia General Security of Information Agreement (GSOIA) this morning at the U.S. Department of State.

Moon Jae-in Winner Declares Victory in S. Korean Election VOA 09 May 2017 -- Liberal Moon Jae-in has declared victory in South Korea's presidential election, vowing to represent all of the country's people.
Moon Jae-in leads exit polls in S. Korean presidential election by large margin People's Daily 09 May 2017 -- Moon Jae-in of the liberal Minjoo Party led media exit polls in South Korea's presidential election by a large margin, an official survey from three local broadcasters showed Tuesday.

North Korea vows revenge over failed attempt to poison Kim Press TV 09 May 2017 -- North Korea has vowed retaliation for an alleged failed assassination attempt against its leader Kim Jong-un.

Rohani Chides 'Executioners And Jailers' In 'Risky' Campaign Gambit RFE/RL 09 May 2017 -- Less than two weeks before voting in Iran's presidential election, incumbent Hassan Rohani has risked crossing the political establishment's "red lines" in an unusually blunt attack against two conservative rivals.

The 'Russophobia' Weapon RFE/RL 09 May 2017 -- Sergei Lavrov sees "Russophobia" everywhere.

Germany Arrests Second Soldier In 'Strange' Alleged Right-Wing Assassination Plot RFE/RL 09 May 2017 -- German authorities say a second soldier has been arrested on suspicion of involvement in a far-right plot to assassinate politicians and blame the killings on asylum-seekers.

U.S. calls for constructive dialogue, flexibility across Taiwan Strait CNA 09 May 2017 -- The United States on Monday reiterated its support for Taiwan to expand its contributions to the world community and urged Taipei and Beijing to engage in dialogue as Taiwan looked set to be excluded from the World Health Assembly gathering later this month due to China's obstruction.
Tsai regrets exclusion from World Health Assembly CNA 09 May 2017 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on Tuesday tweeted a message criticizing the World Health Organization (WHO) for "excluding Taiwan from WHA" (World Health Assembly), saying such an act "contravenes the very founding principles of" the WHO.
Tsai policy to blame for Taiwan's absence at World Health Assembly People's Daily 09 May 2017 -- Taiwan's leader Tsai Ing-wen tweeted nine times for Taiwan's participation in the World Health Assembly (WHA) and claimed that "health issues don't stop at the border," but experts said she was playing politics to gain sympathy.

Ex-French PM Valls Wants to Be Majority Candidate at Legislative Election Sputnik 09 May 2017 -- Former French PM Manuel Valls would like to participate in the upcoming parliamentary election as part of President-elect Emmanuel Macron future support group.

Germany gives asylum to 'coup-linked' Turkish soldiers: Media reports Press TV 09 May 2017 -- Germany has reportedly granted refugee status to several Turkish soldiers and their families based in NATO facilities as Ankara keeps up its massive purge in the aftermath of last July's failed military coup.
Turkey Interested in Continuation of EU Accession Bid With 'Win-Win' Outcome Sputnik 09 May 2017 -- Turkey interested in the continuation of the process of its accession to the EU membership with the mutually beneficial outcome for both sides, the country's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a statement Tuesday.

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