07 August 2017 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 07 Aug 2017[PDF]

Officials Release Details of Latest Strikes Against ISIS in Syria, Iraq AFPS 07 Aug 2017 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria yesterday, conducting 34 strikes consisting of 40 engagements, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
On Third Anniversary of ISIS Fight, 5 Million are Free from Terrorist Army AFPS 07 Aug 2017 -- Tomorrow marks the third anniversary of the U.S.-led coalition air campaign against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, during which millions of people have been freed from ISIS control, Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. Jeff Davis said today.

Militants brutally kill up to 50 civilians in Shia Afghan village: Reports Press TV 07 Aug 2017 -- Militants have massacred dozens of civilians, mostly Shia Hazaras, in "a brutal, inhumane way" after attacking a village in a remote area of Afghanistan's northern province of Sar-e Pul, officials and locals say.
UN: Inquiries Ongoing into Reports of Afghan Civilian Massacre VOA 07 Aug 2017 -- The United Nations says it is looking into reports insurgents have massacred dozens of people, mostly civilians, in northern Afghanistan in recent days.

Defense Policy / Programs

Mobility Guardian Phase 2 begins AFNS 07 Aug 2017 -- The second half of Exercise Mobility Guardian began Aug. 6, 2017, and will focus on training aircrew on advanced tactical air operations.
Luke graduates first F-35A initial qualification course AFNS 07 Aug 2017 -- The 61st Fighter Squadron made history graduating the first F-35A Lightning II initial qualification course Aug. 5, 2017. After eight months of tremendous teamwork from across the 56th Fighter Wing, Luke Air Force Base produced six F-35A fighter pilots ready for the combat Air Force.
Mobility forces enable joint forcible entry exercise AFNS 07 Aug 2017 -- Air mobility forces partnered with the Army's 82nd Airborne Division for a joint forcible entry exercise Aug. 2, 2017, at both Joint Base Lewis-McChord and Moses Lake as part of Exercise Mobility Guardian.
MV-22 Osprey Goes Down Off Australian Coast, 3 Personnel Missing AFPS 07 Aug 2017 -- An MV-22 Osprey aircraft went down Aug. 5 in water off the eastern coast of Australia with 26 personnel aboard, Pentagon Defense Press Operations director Navy Capt. Jeff Davis told reporters today.
Australia Finds Missing US Aircraft VOA 07 Aug 2017 -- The Australian navy says it has found the missing U.S. aircraft that crashed into the sea Saturday off Australia's east coast.
DoD Cracks Down on Use of Drones Over Installations AFPS 07 Aug 2017 -- The increased use of commercial and privately owned small unmanned aircraft systems has raised Defense Department concerns for the safety and security of its installations, its aviation and its people, a Pentagon spokesman told reporters today.
From Georgia to Georgia: National Guard Engineers train half a world away Army News 07 Aug 2017 -- Less than one year ago, Georgia Army National Guard Soldiers of the Swainsboro-based 810th Engineer Company (Sapper) were conducting debris clearance operations in the coastal counties of the state of Georgia in the wake of Hurricane Matthew. Now, those same engineers are half a world away supporting the armed forces of the country of Georgia with combat engineer training as part of Exercise Noble Partner 17.
The defining role of the National Guard in WWI Army News 07 Aug 2017 -- Over 100 years ago, on August 5, 1917, the entire National Guard was drafted into U.S. Army service for World War I. This represented the culmination of several steps declared by President Woodrow Wilson that would mobilize the National Guard into the "Great War" and which sent troops into Europe for the first time.
Carderock, DOE Collaborate on Advanced Wave Energy Conversion Tests NNS 07 Aug 2017 -- Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division engineers worked with partners from Sandia National Laboratories to test new control strategies for producing, converting and gathering wave energy in the command's Maneuvering and Seakeeping Basin in West Bethesda, Maryland, July 24 through Aug. 4.
USS Preble Sailors Conduct Visit, Board, Search and Seizure Exercise NNS 07 Aug 2017 -- More than 20 Sailors aboard Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Preble (DDG 88) conducted a visit, board, search and seizure exercise, Aug. 3, off the coast of southern California.
Patrol Squadron 16 Returns from Sea Breeze Exercise in Odessa, Ukraine NNS 07 Aug 2017 -- Sailors assigned to Patrol Squadron (VP) 16 returned July 23, 2017 from a 10-day detachment to Odessa, Ukraine, where they participated in exercise Sea Breeze 2017.
VP-16 Participates in U.S. 6th Fleet Expeditionary Ordnance Loading Event in Rota NNS 07 Aug 2017 -- Patrol Squadron (VP) 16 participated in an expeditionary ordnance loading exercise at Naval Station Rota, Spain, July 23, 2017.
Seabees Break Ground on Maritime Operations Center in Ukraine NNS 07 Aug 2017 -- Seabees held a groundbreaking ceremony for a maritime operations center on Ochakiv Naval Base, Ukraine, July 25.
DJI not consulted about US Army's decision to ban its drones People's Daily 07 Aug 2017 -- DJI responded US Army's ban on using its drones due to cyber vulnerabilities on Sunday, saying they were not consulted during the decision and are still trying to reach out to U.S. Army about these so-called "cyber vulnerabilities."
US military relearns Cold War tactics amid Russia tensions Press TV 07 Aug 2017 -- The United States Army is planning to prepare for possible conflicts with Russia by relearning the tactics it used to deter the Soviet Union's armed forces in the Cold War, a new report has revealed.
'Significant Accomplishment': US Starts Building Major Naval Facility in Ukraine Sputnik 07 Aug 2017 -- The US Navy has kicked off the construction of a major maritime operations center in Ukraine, which will serve as a major planning and operation hub during future military drills hosted by the country.
Spy Toys: US Army Orders Troops to Stop Using Chinese Consumer Drones Sputnik 07 Aug 2017 -- The use of some Chinese off-the-shelf consumer drones by the US military has been banned as Pentagon brass fears they may be infected with surveillance tools and spyware.
Ike Enters Norfolk Naval Shipyard for PIA NNS 07 Aug 2017 -- The aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike) departed its homeport of Naval Station Norfolk transiting the Elizabeth River to the Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) in Portsmouth, Virginia for a six-month Planned Incremental Availability (PIA), August 5.
BHR ESG ships, 31st MEU begin Amphibious Integration Training NNS 07 Aug 2017 -- The forward-deployed Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group (BHR ESG), with embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), began Amphibious Integration Training (AIT) on Aug. 2.
USS Pioneer Returns from 2JA Exercise NNS 07 Aug 2017 -- The forward-deployed mine sweeper USS Pioneer (MCM 9) returned to Sasebo Aug. 1 after completing the U.S.-Japan mine countermeasures exercise (MCMEX) 2JA near Ominato, Japan.

Swedish Defense Minister Backs Military Build-Up Without NATO Membership Sputnik 07 Aug 2017 -- The Swedish defense minister said on Monday that the countries that choose to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) contribute to growing military tensions worldwide, adding that they should opt for developing multilateral cooperation.

Russia, India to Train Naval, Air Blockade During Joint Exercises Indra-2017 Sputnik 07 Aug 2017 -- According to the press service of Russia's Eastern Military District, ships from the Russian and Indian navies will practice creating a partial naval and air blockade of the simulated enemy during the Indra-2017 military exercises.

Chinese Navy holds live ammunition drills in Bohai, Yellow Sea People's Daily 07 Aug 2017 -- The Chinese Navy conducted live ammunition combat drills in water and air areas above both the Bohai Sea and the Yellow Sea simultaneously on Monday.
Chinese navy's hospital ship docks in Colombo, Sri Lanka People's Daily 07 Aug 2017 -- Chinese navy's hospital ship Peace Ark arrived at the port of Colombo on Sunday for a four-day stopover there.
Chinese experts denounce Indian media's self-claimed military advantage People's Daily 07 Aug 2017 -- Chinese military experts on Monday reiterated the country's military advantage over India after an Indian magazine issued a report insisting that the Indian Army would give China "a bloody nose" if war breaks out.
China's First Home-Grown Aircraft Carrier May Deploy Ahead of Schedule Sputnik 07 Aug 2017 -- Chinese military analysts say that advances and progress with the power generators for its Type 001A aircraft carrier place the massive ship ahead of schedule prior to its first deployment.

India Readies First Fighter Jet With New Age AESA Radar for Flight Sputnik 07 Aug 2017 -- The new AESA radar will significantly improve the Indian Air Force's capability as it allows fighter planes to detect targets at long distance.
India to Deploy Two Ballistic Missile Defense Systems Near Pakistan Border Sputnik 07 Aug 2017 -- The ballistic missile defense grid that will protect the western and northern regions of the country will help guard New Delhi and Mumbai.

Iran allows no West's inspection of military sites: IRGC commander Press TV 07 Aug 2017 -- A senior commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Division says Iran will never allow any Western country to inspect the Islamic Republic's military sites.
Iran's missile program does not breach UN resolution: Foreign Ministry Press TV 07 Aug 2017 -- Iran's missile program is defensive in nature and not in violation of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 2231, says the Iranian Foreign Ministry.
Iran's missiles not violating Resolution 2231: Spokesman IRNA 07 Aug 2017 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi said on Monday that Iranian missile program is only defensive and a deterrent force and does not violate the UN Security Council Resolution 2231 wahtsoever.

South Korea Holds Live-Fire Drills Near Western Border With North Korea Sputnik 07 Aug 2017 -- South Korea staged what military officials called a "routine" exercise near its contentious western border with North Korea, with Seoul's marines using K9 self-propelled howitzers to fire more than 200 artillery rounds and launching a Spike surface-to-surface missile.

Turkey, Qatar wrap up joint military drill Press TV 07 Aug 2017 -- The Turkish and Qatari militaries have wrapped up a joint exercise, flaunting the two sides' alliance in the face of a Saudi-led onslaught targeting Doha.

BALTRON Navy Military Drills Kick Off in Baltic Sea - Lithuanian MoD Sputnik 07 Aug 2017 -- Lithuanian Defense Ministry stated that annual Baltic Naval Squadron naval military drills involving warships from Lithuania, Latvia and Germany are scheduled to begin in the Baltic Sea on Monday.

Bahraini Interior Minister Accuses Qatar of Spying on Country's Military Forces Sputnik 07 Aug 2017 -- Bahrain's Interior Minister Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa stated that Qatar continues to interfere in the domestic affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain and spies on its security and military forces, which threatens Bahraini national security.

Press Availability in Manila, Philippines US Dept. of State 07 Aug 2017 -- Press Availability by Rex W. Tillerson, Secretary of State

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for August 07, 2017

Other Conflicts

7 August 2017 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 07 Aug 2017

US, Japan, Australia Urge Binding Code for South China Sea VOA 07 Aug 2017 -- The United States, Japan and Australia expressed "serious concerns" Monday over disputes concerning the South China Sea, while calling for a halt to land reclamation and military actions in the area that could increase tensions or cause permanent environmental damage.
ASEAN leaders call for 'non-militarization' in South China Sea Press TV 07 Aug 2017 -- In a joint communiqué, leaders of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) have called for "non-militarization" and "self-restraint" in the South China Sea, without making a direct reference to Beijing's role in the disputed waters.
China, ASEAN agree to build higher level of strategic partnership People's Daily 07 Aug 2017 -- China and ASEAN nations on Sunday expressed satisfaction with the achievements made in their strategic partnership during the last 15 years and agreed to further enhance cooperation.

Over 200 children killed in Saudi-led strikes in Yemen in 2017: UN Press TV 07 Aug 2017 -- The United Nations says more than 200 Yemeni children have lost their lives and hundreds more sustained injuries in Saudi-led strikes since the beginning of the current year as Riyadh continues its aerial campaign against its crisis-hit southern neighbor.
Yemen: Senior UN relief official voices concern at reports of airstrikes on civilians UN News 07 Aug 2017 -- Expressing a deep concern about reports of airstrikes on civilians in Yemen's Sa'ada Governorate, a senior United Nations relief official has urged all parties to the conflict and those who influence and support them to uphold their responsibility under international humanitarian law to protect civilians.

Turkey Hints at Military Operation Against Syrian Kurds VOA 07 Aug 2017 -- Turkey is building up military forces on the Syrian border, while Turkish President Recep Erdogan steps up his rhetoric suggesting an imminent military operation into Syria. Ankara is reportedly courting Moscow for its support for a possible operation into Syria's Afrin enclave, which is now under the control of the Kurdish YPG militia.

Syrian army forces strike last militant stronghold near Damascus Press TV 07 Aug 2017 -- Syrian government forces have intensified shelling and airstrikes on the last militant stronghold near the capital city of Damascus as army soldiers and allied fighters from popular defense groups continue to make territorial gains against foreign-sponsored militant groups across the war-battered country.

Too Early to Withdraw Iraqi Armed Forces From Liberated Mosul - Military Sputnik 07 Aug 2017 -- Brig. Gen. Yehia Rasul, a spokesman for the Iraqi army's joint operations command, said that there are no plans to withdraw military units from recaptured from the Daesh terrorists Mosul.
Iraqi Aircraft Crush Daesh Strongholds in Tal Afar as Part of Offensive on Mosul Sputnik 07 Aug 2017 -- The Iraqi Air Force has crushed Daesh strongholds in the city of Tal Afar as part of a major push on Mosul, the Iraqi militia said.

Libya's Derna suffers as Haftar's LNA tightens siege on city Press TV 07 Aug 2017 -- The Libyan National Army (LNA), a militia group led by General Khalifa Haftar, has tightened a crippling siege on the northeastern city of Derna as the renegade military strongman seeks the permanent ouster of rival militia from the region he controls in eastern Libya.

Daesh fires several rockets into Lebanon, army shells terrorists' positions Press TV 07 Aug 2017 -- The Daesh Takfiri terrorist group has reportedly fired seven Grad rockets into the Lebanese territories from a militant-held enclave on the Syria-Lebanon border.

'Don't turn a blind eye' to dire situation of children in DR Congo's Kasai region - UNICEF UN News 07 Aug 2017 -- The world must not turn a blind eye to the dire situation of children and families in the Grand Kasai region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said today, stressing that nothing can justify terrible acts of abuse against women and children.
Security forces kill at least 14 separatists in DR Congo Press TV 07 Aug 2017 -- At least 14 members of separatist sect Bundu dia Kongo (BDK) have been killed in a series of violent clashes with Congolese security forces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

UN health agency working to boost malaria prevention and control in north-eastern Nigeria UN News 07 Aug 2017 -- The United Nations health agency estimates that if more funds are secured, up to 10,000 lives in Nigeria could be saved by November through targeted steps in malaria prevention and control.
Somali Children Flee Al-Shabab Recruitment VOA 07 Aug 2017 -- More than 100 children fleeing areas controlled by al-Shabab militants in central Somalia have arrived in the coastal town of Adale, seeking the government's protection, officials said.

Wife Claims Former South Sudan Strongman is Under House Arrest VOA 07 Aug 2017 -- The wife of the former head of South Sudan's army says her husband has been under house arrest for months on the direct orders of President Salva Kiir.
South Sudan army captures rebels' main bastion along Ethiopia border Press TV 07 Aug 2017 -- The army of South Sudan says it has managed to recapture the main bastion of the country's rebels following weeks of clashes.

Indian Forces Kill 5 Militants Attempting to Cross Border in Kashmir Region Sputnik 07 Aug 2017 -- Indian Army's Northern Command said that Indian armed forces killed five militants who tried to cross the Pakistani-Indian border in the disputed area of Kashmir.

Colombia: UN-backed team ambushed; one wounded in attack UN News 07 Aug 2017 -- A team from the United Nations Mission in Colombia was ambushed on Sunday while working to uncover explosives left by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC-EP) in the Caloto municipality in the south-west of the country.

News Reports

Tillerson, Lavrov discuss damaged US-Russia ties Press TV 07 Aug 2017 -- Russian meddling in the 2016 US presidential election has created "serious mistrust" between Washington and Moscow and damaged mutual ties, according to American Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.
Tillerson Tells Lavrov Russia's Election Meddling Created 'Serious Mistrust' RFE/RL 07 Aug 2017 -- U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson says he has told his Russian counterpart that Moscow's meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election created "serious mistrust" between the two countries.

Saakashvili Predicts Putin's 'Full Isolation,' Rise of Russian Opposition RFE/RL 07 Aug 2017 -- Mikheil Saakashvili, the former Georgian president and ex-governor of Ukraine's Odesa region who was stripped last month of his Ukrainian citizenship, says Russian President Vladimir Putin will eventually face "full international isolation" as a result of tensions between Moscow and the West.

Venezuela's Armed Forces Crush Assault on Base Led by Renegade Soldier VOA 07 Aug 2017 -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said Sunday his armed forces crushed a brief attack on a military base led by a rebellious former army officer.

S. Korean president urges DPRK to come to dialogue table after UN resolution adoption People's Daily 07 Aug 2017 -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Monday urged the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to come to a dialogue table following the UN Security Council's unanimous adoption of a resolution toughening sanctions on Pyongyang.
North Korea Rejects Calls to Halt Nuclear Weapons Development VOA 07 Aug 2017 -- North Korea vowed Monday to persist in its nuclear weapons development program, rejecting calls from the international community to rein in its aggressive military actions.
Trump's 'Maximum Pressure' North Korea Policy Gains Support in Seoul VOA 07 Aug 2017 -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in is voicing strong support for the U.S. policy of maximum pressure against North Korea, after Pyongyang rejected his outreach efforts as "insincere."
DPRK rejects new UNSC resolution People's Daily 07 Aug 2017 -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Monday rejected the new United Nations Security Council resolution on its nuclear and missile program.
DPRK says no intention to use nuke weapons against any country except U.S. People's Daily 07 Aug 2017 -- The foreign minister of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Ri Hong-Yo, said on Monday that his country has no intention to use nuclear weapons against any other country except the United States.
S. Korea, Japan leaders talk over phone on Korean Peninsula issues People's Daily 07 Aug 2017 -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held talks over the phone on the Korean Peninsula issues, Moon's office said Monday.
North Korea threatens 'severe' revenge on US if attacked Press TV 07 Aug 2017 -- North Korea says it is ready to teach the United States a "severe lesson" with its strategic nuclear force if Washington dares opt for military action against Pyongyang.
Philippine capital hosts high-level talks on North Korea Press TV 07 Aug 2017 -- Foreign ministers of North and South Korea have briefly met on the sidelines of a regional summit in the Philippines amid international pressure on Pyongyang to stop its nuclear and missile programs.
South Korea, U.S. Agree To Step Up Pressure on North RFE/RL 07 Aug 2017 -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in and U.S. President Donald Trump agreed in a telephone call on August 7 to apply maximum pressure and sanctions on North Korea, as Pyongyang defiantly vowed to bolster its nuclear arsenal.
US Handles North Korea Crisis Like 'Spoiled Child' - Moscow Sputnik 07 Aug 2017 -- Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said that the US resembles a temperamental, "spoiled child" when it assigns other nations the responsibility of tackling the North Korean nuclear crisis.
N Korea Denounces UN Sanctions, Denies Talks on Nuclear Issue Due to US Threat Sputnik 07 Aug 2017 -- North Korea denounces the UN Security Council resolution with new sanctions as a violation of its sovereignty and denies to hold talks on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, according to a statement by the country's government published by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
US, S. Korean Presidents Say N. Korea Poses Growing Threat to Global Security Sputnik 07 Aug 2017 -- US President Donald Trump held a telephone conversation with South Korean President Moon Jae-in and the two leaders called the North Korea a growing threat to the global security, the White House press service said Sunday.
N. Korean Foreign Minister Denies Seoul Initiatives to Normalize Relations Sputnik 07 Aug 2017 -- North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho held a short meeting with South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and denied Seoul's recent initiatives aimed at normalization of the bilateral relations, media reported Monday citing its source.

Iraq to Postpone Local Elections Until April 2018 Sputnik 07 Aug 2017 -- The Iraqi parliament voted to conduct local elections with parliamentary elections in April 2018, according to a lawmaker from Iraq's Shia National Alliance bloc.

India Eyes Big Business with Africa in Space Exploration Sputnik 07 Aug 2017 -- The recent foray of Ghana into space exploration provides immense business opportunities for the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), which boasts the most cost-effective launch vehicle.

Mauritanians vote to abolish Senate, boost president powers Press TV 07 Aug 2017 -- Mauritanians have voted to abolish the upper house of the country's parliament and change the national flag in a controversial referendum boycotted by the opposition.

On eve of elections, UN experts call on Kenyan authorities to ensure peaceful polls UN News 07 Aug 2017 -- The Government of Kenya should urge all parties to maintain the highest standards of behaviour before, during and after Tuesday's general elections to avoid a repeat of the violence that took place in 2007, three United Nations human rights experts have said.
Kenyans Cross into Uganda for Fear of Post-Election Violence VOA 07 Aug 2017 -- The Uganda Red Cross says it has begun registering Kenyans who have fled their country in anticipation of violence surrounding elections set for Tuesday. The Uganda Red Cross says it plans to set up receiving sites at the border towns of Busia and Tororo.

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