05 June 2017 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 05 Jun 2017[PDF]

Strikes Continue Against ISIS Targets in Iraq, Syria AFPS 05 Jun 2017 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria yesterday, conducting 23 strikes consisting of 70 engagements, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.

US Military: Qatar Regional Spat Has 'No Impact' on Operations VOA 05 Jun 2017 -- The U.S. military says diplomatic tensions between Qatar and five other Middle East countries has had "no impact" on coalition operations in the region.

Afghan Foreign Minister Calls For Dismissals Of Top Security Chiefs After Kabul Attacks RFE/RL 05 Jun 2017 -- Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani has called for the dismissal of the country's top security chiefs after a wave of deadly attacks in the capital, Kabul.
Afghan Peace Conference Comes Amid Rising Terror, Political Tensions VOA 05 Jun 2017 -- Afghanistan's beleaguered president, Ashraf Ghani, will host an international conference Tuesday in a fresh bid to develop "wider consensus" on how to end an increasingly deadly conflict in the country and collectively fight cross-border terrorism.

Defense Policy / Programs

AF announces Fairchild AFB as preferred location for additional KC-135s AFNS 05 Jun 2017 -- Today, Air Force officials announced Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, as the preferred location for basing 12 KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft, and MacDill AFB, Florida, as the reasonable alternative.
CARAT Thailand Concludes Following Eight Days of Bilateral Training, Operations At Sea NNS 05 Jun 2017 -- After eight days of bilateral training events ashore and at sea, the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and Royal Thai Navy (RTN) concluded the 23rd-annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise, at Sattahip Naval Base in Thailand, June 6.
Pre-sail Portion of Exercise BALTOPS 2017 Concludes NNS 05 Jun 2017 -- The pre-sail portion of exercise BALTOPS 2017 concluded June 3, commencing the at-sea phase of the exercise.
Australian, U.S. Ministers Work Together to Ensure Strength of Alliance AFPS 05 Jun 2017 -- The United States does not take its alliance with Australia for granted, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said here today.
Opening Remarks by Secretary Mattis, Secretary Tillerson, Minister Bishop and Minister Payne at the 2017 AUSMIN Conference in Sydney, Australia DoD 05 Jun 2017 -- Presenter: Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop, Minister for Defence Marise Payne, Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson, and Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis.
Joint Statement AUSMIN 2017 US Dept. of State 05 Jun 2017 -- On 5 June, Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop, and Minister for Defence Senator Marise Payne, hosted U.S. Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson, and Secretary of Defense James Mattis in Sydney for the annual Australia-United States Ministerial (AUSMIN) consultations.
Press Availability With Secretary of Defense James Mattis, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Australian Defense Minister Marise Payne DoD 05 Jun 2017 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense James Mattis, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Australian Defense Minister Marise Payne
Hurricane Hunters take part in Navy operational demonstration AFNS 05 Jun 2017 -- While their typical mission is gathering weather data for the National Hurricane Center, the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron "Hurricane Hunters" spent May 30 to June 1, 2017, providing weather information for the Navy's first Gulf of Mexico oceanography unmanned systems operational demonstration.
Bush Supports OIR Efforts in U.S. 5th Fleet NNS 05 Jun 2017 -- USS George H.W. Bush's (CVN 77) support for Operation Inherent Resolve in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations (AOO) has been "critical" to the efforts to defeat ISIS, shipboard leaders said.
UK, France, US Sign Trilateral Submarine Agreement NNS 05 Jun 2017 -- Naval leaders from the United Kingdom, France and the United States signed an agreement June 1, designed to increase coordination for anti-submarine warfare activities of the three countries as they operate in the 5th Fleet area of operations.
US, UK, France Sign Deal to Boost Anti-Submarine Coordination Sputnik 05 Jun 2017 -- Naval leaders from the United Kingdom, France and the United States signed an agreement, June 1, designed to increase coordination for anti-submarine warfare activities of the three countries as they operate in the 5th Fleet area of operations, according to official statement.

Montenegro joins NATO as 29th Ally NATO 05 Jun 2017 -- Montenegro became NATO's newest member on Monday (5 June 2017), upon depositing its instrument of accession to the North Atlantic Treaty with the US State Department in Washington DC. At a ceremony marking the occasion, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg underlined that Montenegro's accession to the Alliance contributes to international peace and security, and sends a strong signal that NATO's door remains open. The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Duško Marković and by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of Montenegro Srdan Darmanovic and was hosted by the United States Undersecretary for Political Affairs Thomas A. Shannon.
Remarks at the Ceremony for Montenegro's Accession to the North Atlantic Treaty US Dept. of State 05 Jun 2017 -- Remarks by Thomas A. Shannon, Jr., Under Secretary for Political Affairs and Montenegrin Prime Minister Dusko Markovic and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg
Montenegro finally joins NATO amid Russia's anger Press TV 05 Jun 2017 -- Montenegro officially joins NATO, a move which many say could undermine Russia's bid to keep its foothold in southeast Europe.
Montenegro Officially Joins NATO At Ceremony In Washington RFE/RL 05 Jun 2017 -- Montenegro officially became the 29th member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) at a ceremony in Washington on June 5.
In Giant Step Toward West, Montenegro Joining NATO On June 5 RFE/RL 05 Jun 2017 -- Montenegro will take a giant step toward integrating with the West when it officially becomes the 29th member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) at a ceremony in Washington on June 5.

By 2020 All Missile Units of Russia's Ground Forces to be Equipped With Iskander Sputnik 05 Jun 2017 -- By the end of 2020, all missile units of Russia's Ground Forces will be equipped with the Iskander-M mobile ballistic missile system, while the rocket artillery brigades will have the Tornado-S state-of-the-art multiple launch rocket system, according to chief of missile and artillery troops Maj. Gen. Mikhail Matveevsky.
'Works on PAK FA 5-Generation Jet Are at Final Stage' Sputnik 05 Jun 2017 -- The works on the PAK FA jet are at the final stage, Russia's deputy defense minister said.
The Sky is the Limit: Russia to Upgrade Su-35S Jets Based on Syria Experience Sputnik 05 Jun 2017 -- Russia will make its advanced supermaneuverable Su-35S fighter jets even better.

Seriously? Lithuania Begins Fence Construction on Border With Russia Sputnik 05 Jun 2017 -- Lithuania announced it is starting to build a fence on the Russian border on Monday.

North Korean Air Force Practices Sinking Aircraft Carriers Sputnik 05 Jun 2017 -- Facing serious pressure from the United States, North Korea's leadership responded with a new air force exercise which involved strikes against simulated enemy aircraft carriers.

India Test-Fires Next Generation Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile Sputnik 05 Jun 2017 -- Indian defense scientists successfully test-fired homegrown quick reaction surface-to-air missile from the defense base located in the eastern coastal state of Odisha on Sunday afternoon. The missile has been developed by the Defence Research & Development Organisation and manufactured by Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL).
Indian Army Ready to Draft Women Into Combat Roles Sputnik 05 Jun 2017 -- General Bipin Rawat announced Monday that Indian Army will soon start drafting women into combat roles. Currently, the Army doesn't allow women to assume combat positions and restricts them to work in medical, educational, legal, signal and engineering wings.

South Korea suspends senior official over US missile system report Press TV 05 Jun 2017 -- South Korea's newly-elected President Moon Jae-in has suspended a senior defense official for deliberately failing to report the "unauthorized" US deployment of additional missile launchers in the country.

Command of Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen ends Qatar's participation SPA 05 Jun 2017 -- The Command of Coalition to Support the Legitimacy in Yemen announced that it has decided to end the participation of the State of Qatar in the coalition due to its practices that enhance terrorism, support for its organizations in Yemen including Al-Qaeda and Da'esh (ISIS), and dealing with coup militias in Yemen which is contrary to the coalition's objectives of which the most important one is fighting terrorism.

Press Briefing by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Sarah Sanders and VA Secretary David Shulkin, 6/5/2017 The White House 05 Jun 2017

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for June 05, 2017
JL-9 jet rolls off assembly line for foreign trade People's Daily 05 Jun 2017 -- China's famous JL-9 "Shanying" fighter-trainer jet saw its first model for foreign trade roll off the assembly line in Guizhou province on June 5.
China's FTC-2000 aircraft export-version rolls off production line People's Daily 05 Jun 2017 -- The export version of the China-developed light versatile FTC-2000 aircraft rolled off the production line of the state-owned aircraft developer in Anshun in southwest China's Guizhou Province Monday.

Other Conflicts

5 June 2017 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 05 Jun 2017

China Coast Guard vessels patrol Diaoyu Islands People's Daily 05 Jun 2017 -- Four China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels conducted a patrol in territorial waters off the Diaoyu Islands on Monday, according to an online statement by the State Oceanic Administration.
Japan Pushed World Leaders to Warn China Over Maritime Expansion VOA 05 Jun 2017 -- On paper, all of the world's seven richest nations warned last month against militarization of the contested South China Sea, where Beijing is building up small islets for combat aircraft and radar systems.
China rejects U.S., Japanese officials' remarks on South China Sea, Taiwan People's Daily 05 Jun 2017 -- China on Sunday expressed strong dissatisfaction with and firm opposition to "irresponsible remarks" made by the U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis and Japanese Defense Minister Tomomi Inada on the South China Sea and Taiwan issues during the just concluded Shangri-La Dialogue.
China rejects 'irresponsible' US remarks on South China Sea Press TV 05 Jun 2017 -- China has denounced as "irresponsible remarks" what US Secretary of Defense James Mattis said about Beijing's "militarization" of the South China Sea during a security forum at the weekend.

100,000 children in dangerous conditions in Iraq's Mosul: UNICEF Press TV 05 Jun 2017 -- The UN has warned that children are bearing the brunt of the intensified fighting between government forces and the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul.
Iraqi Hashd al-Sha'abi forces retake 9 villages west of Mosul from Daesh Press TV 05 Jun 2017 -- Iraqi fighters from the Popular Mobilization Units have managed to regain control over nine villages west of Mosul as they engage in joint military operations with army troops to purge Takfiri Daesh terrorists out of their last urban bastion in the Arab country.

Pakistani troops kill 12 militants southwestern Balochistan province Press TV 05 Jun 2017 -- Pakistani government forces have killed some 12 militants in the country's southwestern Balochistan province.

Turkish Forces Killed 46 PKK Militants in Late May's Anti-Terror Operation Sputnik 05 Jun 2017 -- 46 militants linked to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) during 483 anti-terrorist operations in late May were killed by Turkish security forces, while other 170 PKK members were detained, according to local media.

Cybersleuths Say Convoy Movements Show Link To MH17 Plane Crash RFE/RL 05 Jun 2017 -- A team of open-source researchers investigating the crash of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 has published reports linking the movements of Russian military equipment to the plane's downing.

Indian troops says 4 suspected militants killed in Kashmir attack Press TV 05 Jun 2017 -- Indian forces have killed four suspected militants in the Bandipora district of New Delhi-controlled Kashmir amid rising tensions in the disputed Himalayan region.

'Unacceptable': India Slams China for Alleged Airspace Violation Sputnik 05 Jun 2017 -- India has toughened its stand on the alleged violation of its airspace by two Chinese PLA helicopters which landed in Barahoti area of Chamoli in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand. India has termed it unacceptable and said it will raise this issue with China.

Colombian FARC threatens to delay peace agreement Press TV 05 Jun 2017 -- Rebels with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) have threatened to hold off their demobilization, accusing the government of "repeatedly breaking" the terms of their peace deal.

UN chief Guterres meets with Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders UN News 05 Jun 2017 -- Following a meeting with the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced that they had agreed on the need to reconvene the Conference on Cyprus in June, in line with the 12 January statement of the conference.

Cease-fire in Effect in South Sudan's War-torn Yei River State VOA 05 Jun 2017 -- A cease-fire has taken effect in South Sudan's war-torn Yei River state. The deal was signed Sunday in Uganda between a breakaway faction from the SPLA in opposition and the government. But top opposition SPLM-IO leaders say they do not recognize the deal.

IDPs Flee Cameroon Camps After Militant Attacks VOA 05 Jun 2017 -- Hundreds of internally displaced persons in northern Cameroon are deserting camps near the Nigerian border, saying they no longer feel safe after a series of suicide bombings.

After 50 years of Israeli occupation, 'now is the time' to create Palestinian state - UN chief UN News 05 Jun 2017 -- Marking 50 years since the start of the 1967 Arab-Israeli war, which resulted in Israel's occupation of the Palestinian Territory, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres today reiterated a call for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

News Reports

Putin Denies U.S. Election Meddling, Compromising Material On Trump RFE/RL 05 Jun 2017 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking on a prime-time U.S. TV program, has again denied that Moscow interfered in the presidential election last year and said that the Kremlin has no compromising material on President Donald Trump.

6 Countries, Including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE Cut Diplomatic Ties With Qatar VOA 05 Jun 2017 -- Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen and Maldives cut diplomatic ties Monday with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorism.
What Is Happening in Qatar? VOA 05 Jun 2017 -- Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen and Maldives cut diplomatic ties Monday with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorism.
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia severs diplomatic and consular relations with Qatar SPA 05 Jun 2017 -- An official source stated that the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia emanating from exercising its sovereign rights guaranteed by the international law and protecting its national security from the dangers of terrorism and extremism has decided to sever diplomatic and consular relations with the State of Qatar, close all land, sea and air ports, prevent crossing into Saudi territories, airspace and territorial waters, and start immediate legal procedures for understanding with fraternal and friendly countries and international companies to implement the same procedure as soon as possible for all means of transport to and from the State of Qatar for reasons relating to Saudi national security.
United Arab Emirates severs relations with Qatar SPA 05 Jun 2017 -- The United Arab Emirates has issued the following statement:
Saudi, UAE, Bahrain, Egypt cut ties with Qatar Press TV 05 Jun 2017 -- Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt have cut diplomatic ties and all land sea and air contacts with Qatar, accusing the Persian Gulf country of supporting terrorism and interfering in their internal affairs.
Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, U.A.E. Cut Contacts With Qatar, Citing 'Terrorism' RFE/RL 05 Jun 2017 -- Several Arab nations have cut diplomatic ties with Qatar, citing the country's alleged support for Islamist groups and its close relations with Iran.
Bahrain severs relations with Qatar SPA 05 Jun 2017 -- Based on the insistence of the State of Qatar to continue to undermine the security and stability of the Kingdom of Bahrain and to interfere in its domestic affairs, as well as on the escalation and incitement of its media and its support to acts of terror and to financing armed groups associated with Iran to carry out subversive attacks and spread chaos in the Kingdom in flagrant violation of all agreements, covenants and principles of international law without any regard to values, law, morals or consideration of the principles of good neighbourliness or pledge to the premises of Gulf relations, and the denial of previous commitments, the Kingdom of Bahrain announces the severing of its diplomatic relations with the State of Qatar in order to preserve its national security.
Yamen severs relations with Qatar SPA 05 Jun 2017 -- The Yemeni government has announced severing diplomatic relations with the State of Qatar after it has been clear its practices and dealing with the coup militias and its support for extremist groups in Yemen which contradicts the objectives agreed upon by the countries supporting the legitimate Yemeni government.
Egypt Severs Diplomatic Relations with Qatar SPA 05 Jun 2017 -- The Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt decided to sever diplomatic relations with the State of Qatar in the wake of Qatar's insistence on taking a hostile course against Egypt and the failure of all attempts to dissuade it from supporting the terrorist organizations, especially the terrorist Muslim Brotherhood and harboring its leaders.
Libya Severs Diplomatic Relations with Qatar SPA 05 Jun 2017 -- The Government of Libya decided to sever diplomatic relations with the State of Qatar.
Saudi-Qatar diplomatic dispute escalates People's Daily 05 Jun 2017 -- The political tug-of-war between a Saudi-led group of Arab countries and the Gulf state of Qatar escalated on early Monday when Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Egypt said they cut their diplomatic relations with Doha after a week of tit-for-tats and accusations on "terrorism support."
UAE cuts ties with Qatar, following Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt People's Daily 05 Jun 2017 -- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday announced its decision to cut diplomatic ties with Qatar, following a similar move by Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt.
Yemeni government cuts diplomatic ties with Qatar over supporting "extremist groups" People's Daily 05 Jun 2017 -- The internationally recognized government of Yemen announced Monday the severing of diplomatic ties with Qatar following similar decisions made by Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Libya and the United Arab Emirates.
Diplomatic crisis escalates as Qatar expresses regret People's Daily 05 Jun 2017 -- Qatar said on Monday that it regretted Arab nations' decisions to sever relations, calling the actions "unjustified" and "baseless" amid an escalating diplomatic row that deepens differences between the Gulf Arab states.
Qatar slams campaign of lies, regrets Arab states' decision to cut ties Press TV 05 Jun 2017 -- Qatar has expressed "regret and utter surprise" over the move by a number of Arab states to close their borders and airspace and sever diplomatic relations with Doha, stressing that the Persian Gulf kingdom has been subjected to a campaign of lies.
Yemen Severs Diplomatic Relations With Qatar Sputnik 05 Jun 2017 -- The government of Yemen has cut diplomatic ties with Qatar, thus following a similar decision by Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.
Egypt Severs Ties With Qatar Due to Support for Muslim Brotherhood-Led Terrorism Sputnik 05 Jun 2017 -- Cairo severed diplomatic relations with Doha due to its support for Muslim Brotherhood-led terrorists, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
UAE Cuts Ties With Qatar Over Support for Muslim Brotherhood Terrorists Sputnik 05 Jun 2017 -- The United Arab Emirates explained its decision to severe ties with Qatar due to Doha's support for the Muslim Brotherhood terrorist organization.
Four Arab States Cut Diplomatic Ties With Qatar Sputnik 05 Jun 2017 -- Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates on Monday decided to sever diplomatic ties with Qatar.
Saudi Arabia Cuts Diplomatic Relations With Qatar Following Bahrain Sputnik 05 Jun 2017 -- Saudi Arabia reportedly severed diplomatic relations with Qatar.
Bahrain Severs Diplomatic Relations With Qatar Sputnik 05 Jun 2017 -- Bahrain announced that it is cutting diplomatic relations with Qatar.

Trump Renews Calls for Travel Ban VOA 05 Jun 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday he wants a quick Supreme Court ruling to reinstate his ban on travel to the United States from six majority-Muslim countries where terrorist attacks have occurred.

Federal Government Contractor in Georgia Charged With Removing and Mailing Classified Materials to a News Outlet US Dept. of Justice 05 Jun 2017 -- A criminal complaint was filed in the Southern District of Georgia today charging Reality Leigh Winner, 25, a federal contractor from Augusta, Georgia, with removing classified material from a government facility and mailing it to a news outlet, in violation of 18 U.S.C. Section 793(e).

India Enters Big League In Space Tech, Launches Its Heaviest Rocket Ever Sputnik 05 Jun 2017 -- Following the agenda of achieving self-sufficiency in space technology, India launched the GSLV Mark III carrying the 3,136kg GSAT-19 communication satellite from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, on Monday.
India Launches Heavy Lift Rocket VOA 05 Jun 2017 -- India's heaviest, newly-developed rocket hurtled into space Monday evening carrying a communication satellite of more than three tons from Sriharikota in eastern India. It marks another milestone in the country's ambitious space program and brings India a step closer to sending astronauts into space.

British Police Name 2 London Attackers VOA 05 Jun 2017 -- London Metropolitan police have named two of the three attackers who killed seven people and wounded more than 50 others Saturday.
One of London Bridge Attackers Was Known to Police VOA 05 Jun 2017 -- British police have named two of the three men who carried out Saturday's terror attack in London.

British Security Services Questioned About Surveillance Priorities VOA 05 Jun 2017 -- For the second time in a month Britain's security services are facing awkward questions about their surveillance policies, after it emerged the ringleader of Saturday's terror attack in the heart of London was known to them and had been interrogated in the past.

Iran, Pakistan Crucial to al-Qaida's Long-term Success VOA 05 Jun 2017 -- For many, the whereabouts and machinations of al-Qaida founder Osama bin Laden following the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks until his death remain shrouded in mystery.

Turkey to strip 130 people of citizenship on terror charges Press TV 05 Jun 2017 -- Turkey says it will revoke the citizenship of 130 overseas nationals, including the US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, over allegations of terror activities and crimes against the constitutional order, unless they return to the Anatolian country within a three-month period beginning from June 5.
Turkey Demands 130 Expats Return to Face Trial or Lose Citizenship Sputnik 05 Jun 2017 -- One hundred and thirty Turkish citizens, including exiled cleric Fethullah Gulen and two pro-Kurdish parliamentarians who fled the country, have been given 90 days to return to the country and face prosecution, or else suffer a revocation of their citizenship.

MP: Arak heavy water plant waiting for redesigning IRNA 05 Jun 2017 -- "Arak heavy water plant maintenance is the first step of redesigning its structure,' said Rapporteur of Iranian Parliament's Foreign Policy and National Security Commission Hossein Naqavi Hosseini on Monday.

Jailed Venezuela opposition leader urges more anti-Maduro rallies Press TV 05 Jun 2017 -- A jailed Venezuelan opposition leader has called for more street protests against the government of President Nicolas Maduro, which he accused of "tyranny."

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