11 August 2017 Military News

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Defense Policy / Programs
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OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 11 Aug 2017[PDF]

U.S., Coalition Continue Strikes to Defeat ISIS in Syria, Iraq AFPS 11 Aug 2017 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria yesterday, conducting 38 strikes consisting of 51 engagements, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.

US-Led Coalition Used Several Bases in Iraq for Counter-Daesh Operations Sputnik 11 Aug 2017 -- The US-led coalition had to establish and later close several temporary bases in Iraq to fight Daesh terrorist group, Operation Inherent Resolve spokesperson told Sputnik on Friday amid reports that a new base is being built near Tal Afar.

US Africa Command Confirms Sending Special Forces to Libya to Fight Daesh Sputnik 11 Aug 2017 -- Special forces of the United States and their allies have lately been providing support to Libya's local forces in their fight against the Daesh (banned in Russia) terrorist organization in the country, the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed to Russia's Izvestiya newspaper on Friday.

U.S. confirms airstrikes in Somalia as senior Al-Shabaab leader killed People's Daily 11 Aug 2017 -- The U.S. military has confirmed it conducted two new airstrikes against Al-Shabaab militants in southern Somalia which Mogadishu authorities said killed a senior militant leader.

Defense Policy / Programs

AFRL tests high-efficiency engine for unmanned aircraft AFNS 11 Aug 2017 -- The Air Force Research Laboratory Advanced Power Technology Office, along with Engineered Propulsion Systems and the Arnold Engineering and Development Center, recently concluded ground-based testing of an advanced diesel engine that promises to increase the utility and ease the logistics burden of military aircraft missions.
U.S. Forces Train With British, Allies in Estonia AFPS 11 Aug 2017 -- U.S. soldiers of the 3rd General Support Aviation Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division and airmen with the 175th Wing, Maryland Air National Guard trained with NATO allies during a combined aerial-ground exercise near Jagala, Estonia, yesterday.
Stratcom Commander: Staying Ahead of Multidomain Threat Requires Speed AFPS 11 Aug 2017 -- The U.S. military's senior strategic commander stressed this week that speed is what it is going to take for the nation to stay ahead of the multidomain threat it faces.
U.S. Army Africa conducts Exercise Judicious Activation 17-2 in Gabon Army News 11 Aug 2017 -- Members of the 13th Expeditionary Sustainment Command (ESC), 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), and 79th Sustainment Command (Support) joined U.S. Army Africa (USARAF) exercise planners to conduct Judicious Activation 17-2, by setting up an Early Entry Command Post (EECP), July 24-30, 2017, in Libreville, Gabon.
Northern Viper kicks off for the first time ever USMC News 11 Aug 2017 -- For the first time, more than 2,000 U.S. Marines joined with approximately 1,500 service members with the Japan Self-Defense Force to support the first iteration of Exercise Northern Viper 2017, at Misawa Air Base and the island of Hokkaido, Japan, August 10-28, 2017.
John C. Stennis Underway for Sea Trials Ahead of Schedule NNS 11 Aug 2017 -- Sailors aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) got underway for Sea Trials as the ship's planned incremental availability (PIA) nears its end, August 11.
USS George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group Completes Saxon Warrior NNS 11 Aug 2017 -- Exercise Saxon Warrior 2017, a U.S. and U.K.-led multinational exercise designed to hone the interoperability of NATO allies and partners in conducting combined carrier strike group (CSG) operations, concluded August 10.

Russian Aerospace Forces to Receive 400 Planes, Helicopters Annually Until 2025 Sputnik 11 Aug 2017 -- Russian Aerospace Forces will receive about 400 planes and helicopters per year in accordance with the new state armaments program for 2018-2025, Russian Aerospace Forces Commander Col. Gen. Viktor Bondarev said.
Russia's Fifth-Generation PAK FA Fighter Jet Officially Named Su-57 Sputnik 11 Aug 2017 -- Russia's fifth-generation fighter jet PAK FA has officially been named as the Su-57, Russian Aerospace Forces Commander Col. Gen. Viktor Bondarev said Friday.
Russia Boosts Air Defense in Far East Amid Escalating N Korea Nuclear Situation Sputnik 11 Aug 2017 -- Russia has put on high alert its air defense systems in the country's Far East due to the escalation of the situation around North Korea's recent missile tests.
Admiralty Shipyards to Build Pacific Fleet Submarine Maintenance Base by 2020 Sputnik 11 Aug 2017 -- Admiralty Shipyards will build a maintenance facility for diesel-electric submarines of Russia's Pacific Fleet by 2020, the company's CEO told Sputnik.
Russia's Admiralty Shipyards to Build Compact Shipyard for Subs Manufacture Sputnik 11 Aug 2017 -- Russia's Admiralty Shipyards is building a compact shipyard for submarines' construction, the company's CEO said in an interview to Sputnik.
Russia's Admiralty Shipyards to Sign Deal on Two Lada-Class Subs Constuction Sputnik 11 Aug 2017 -- The Admiralty Shipyards, a part of Russia's United Shipbuilding Corporation, is expecting to sign contracts on building two non-nuclear Lada-class (Project 677) submarines in 2018, the company's CEO, Alexander Buzakov, said in an interview with Sputnik.
Russia to Start Construction of 2 Varshavyanka-Class Subs for Pacific Fleet Sputnik 11 Aug 2017 -- Russia's St. Petersburg-based Admiralty Shipyards is planning to start construction of two more Varshavyanka-class (Project 636.3) diesel-electric attack submarines for the Pacific Fleet in 2019, the company's CEO Alexander Buzakov said.
Russian forces hold major drills in Baltic Sea Press TV 10 Aug 2017 -- The Russian navy has staged major tactical drills in the westernmost region of Kaliningrad, the latest in a series of high-profile war games by the country's military forces in the strategic Baltic Sea.

Commentary: US, Japan, Australia still troublemakers in South China Sea People's Daily 11 Aug 2017 -- ASEAN countries and China recently approved a framework for a code of conduct in the South China Sea at a ministerial meeting between the two parties.
China defends military activities in Sea of Japan Press TV 11 Aug 2017 -- China has defended its military maneuvers in the Sea of Japan in response to a recent warning by Japan against increasing military activities in the waters.

India Test Flies Its First AESA Equipped Jaguar DARIN III Sputnik 11 Aug 2017 -- The retrofit will enhance the capability of the Indian Air Force in terms of tracking multiple enemy and jamming enemy radars and communication gadgets.

South Korea needs own nukes: Korean media Press TV 11 Aug 2017 -- Media in South Korea have started floating the idea that the country may have to develop nuclear weapons of its own, as fears escalate of a potential conflict with North Korea.
South Korean Army Pledges to Increase Forces' Combat Readiness Sputnik 11 Aug 2017 -- Newly appointed South Korean Army chief Gen. Kim Yong-woo vowed in his inauguration speech on Friday to boost the national forces' preparedness to fight and enhance troops reserves.

Press Briefing Call on the Vice President's Trip to Latin America The White House 11 Aug 2017

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for August 11, 2017

Other Conflicts

11 August 2017 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 11 Aug 2017

China resolutely opposes U.S. provocation in South China Sea: spokesperson People's Daily 11 Aug 2017 -- Chinese Defense Ministry strongly objects to the illegal entry of a U.S. warship into China's waters off the Nansha Islands, said a ministry spokesperson Friday.
China slams US Navy's new 'provocation' in South China Sea Press TV 11 Aug 2017 -- China has blasted the US Navy for sending yet another warship close to Chinese-held territories in the South China Sea, saying it amounted to a breach of China's sovereignty.

UAE military chopper crashes in southern Yemen, kills 4 Press TV 11 Aug 2017 -- A Black Hawk helicopter, belonging to the United Arab Emirate (UAE), has crashed in southern Yemen, killing four of its crew.

US alliance with Syria Kurds strengthens other terror groups: Turkey Press TV 11 Aug 2017 -- The Turkish foreign minister has warned that the US partnership with Kurdish militants in Syria's northern province of Raqqah will pave the way for "other terror organizations" in the region to strengthen their positions.
Syrian Airstrikes Destroy Daesh Supply Lines Near Lebanese Border - Reports Sputnik 11 Aug 2017 -- Syria's air force has inflicted significant damage to the Daesh supply lines in a series of raids carried out in the Qalamoun mountain range near the Lebanese border, Iranian media reported Friday.
Syrian Army Gains Control Over Checkpoint on Border With Jordan Sputnik 11 Aug 2017 -- According to the Al Mayadeen broadcaster, the Syrian army established control over the checkpoint of Abu Sharshouh on the border with Jordan.
Over 600,000 displaced Syrians returned home so far this year - UN agency UN News 11 Aug 2017 -- More than 600,000 displaced Syrians returned home in the first seven months of 2017, the United Nations migration agency and partners have found.
Aid Agencies Warn Displaced Against Premature Returns to Syria VOA 11 Aug 2017 -- The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is warning people against returning prematurely to war-torn Syria as the number of displaced going back to their homes reaches a record high.

Iraq: UN refugee agency steps up humanitarian support for families returning to Mosul UN News 11 Aug 2017 -- The United Nations refugee agency has been stepping up its assistance for people, including thousands of returnees, in the Iraqi city of Mosul, which had until recently been the scene of a fierce battle for control between terrorist fighters and the Government forces.
UN Steps Up Aid to Iraqis Returning to Battle-scarred Mosul VOA 11 Aug 2017 -- The U.N. Refugee agency reports it is stepping up humanitarian aid for thousands of Iraqis who are returning to Mosul in the aftermath of the government's recapture of the former Islamic State stronghold.

Ministry dismisses media report on Donglang People's Daily 11 Aug 2017 -- The Foreign Ministry has dismissed a media report that China offered to reposition its troops to resolve the tension with India in the Donglang (Doklam) area.
Bhutan Asks India to Amicably Resolve Standoff with China Sputnik 11 Aug 2017 -- While calling for peace between India and China, Bhutan has made it clear that it wants status-quo at Doklam unless the territorial dispute between itself and China is settled as per an earlier agreement.
Bhutan Denies Ceded Claim Over Doklam Sputnik 11 Aug 2017 -- Wang Wenli of China's foreign ministry had said Bhutan accepted China's claim over Doklam.

Myanmar deploys 500 soldiers to Rakhine, military sources say Press TV 11 Aug 2017 -- Myanmar has deployed 500 soldiers to the Muslim-majority northern part of Rakhine state amid fears of another wave of crackdown on Rohingya Muslims.
India 'to deport 40,000 Rohingya Muslims' Press TV 11 Aug 2017 -- India is planning to deport tens of thousands of Rohingya Muslims it says are living in the country illegally.
UN rights expert urges restraint in security operation in Myanmar's Rakhine state UN News 11 Aug 2017 -- A United Nations human rights expert has expressed alarm over reports that an army battalion has flown into Rakhine state in western Myanmar to help local authorities boost security in the region.

Somali Military Commander Survives Apparent Assassination Attempt VOA 11 Aug 2017 -- The commander of Somalia's Custodial Corps, General Hussein Hassan Osman, has survived an apparent assassination attempt inside Mogadishu's central prison, security sources have told VOA Somali.

After four years of conflict, uncertainty lingers for displaced Ukrainians - UN refugee agency UN News 11 Aug 2017 -- As the conflict in Ukraine enters its fourth year, nearly 1.6 million internally displaced people are struggling to find safety, adequate housing and access to employment, according to the United Nations refugee agency.

UN rights office 'deeply concerned' about deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Gaza UN News 11 Aug 2017 -- The United Nations human rights office today expressed deep concern about the steadily deteriorating humanitarian and human rights conditions in Gaza, especially the restrictions on the enclave's power supply.

US Calls for Confidence-building Measures in Nagorno-Karabakh VOA 11 Aug 2017 -- Sixteen months after deadly clashes erupted in Azerbaijan's autonomous breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh, international mediators are saying it's time for all parties to undertake confidence-building measures to jump-start the political settlement process.

News Reports

US Special Counsel Mueller Probes Trump Finances VOA 11 Aug 2017 -- What does President Donald Trump's 2008 sale of a Florida mansion to a Russian billionaire have to do with collusion during the 2016 election?

Trump thanks Putin for kicking out US diplomats Press TV 11 Aug 2017 -- US President Donald Trump has thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for kicking out hundreds of American diplomats, because the United States is "trying to cut down [its] payroll."
Trump: 'Very Thankful' To Putin For Cutting U.S. Diplomatic Staff In Russia RFE/RL 11 Aug 2017 -- President Donald Trump on August 10 shrugged off Russian President Vladimir Putin's demand for deep cuts in staff at U.S. diplomatic missions in Russia, thanking Putin for a move he said would help cut U.S. payroll costs.

'Think Twice': Russian FM Warns US Against Interfering in 2018 Presidential Vote Sputnik 11 Aug 2017 -- Russia hopes that the United States will not meddle in its presidential election in 2018 after groundless accusations that Moscow interfered in the US November 2016 vote, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Friday.

Trump: Military 'Locked and Loaded' Should North Korea Take Military Action VOA 11 Aug 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump has issued yet another warning to North Korea, saying the U.S. military is "locked and loaded" and prepared to retaliate against Pyongyang if initiates warfare against the U.S.
DPRK accuses U.S., Japan of tightening military alliance People's Daily 11 Aug 2017 -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Friday accused the United States and Japan of reckless behavior, saying the two are strengthening their military alliance.
Trump says maybe his warning to DPRK "wasn't tough enough" People's Daily 11 Aug 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday escalated his threat to the Democratic People' s Republic of Korea (DPRK), saying maybe his previous warning "wasn't tough enough."
US, North Korea warned against escalating rhetoric Press TV 11 Aug 2017 -- The United States and North Korea have been warned against escalating rhetoric and making threats against one another.
Military option with North Korea 'locked and loaded': Trump Press TV 11 Aug 2017 -- US President Donald Trump has said a military option against North Korea is "locked and loaded," ratcheting up his war of words against the Asian nation.
Trump says 'fire and fury' comment on North Korea 'wasn't tough enough' Press TV 11 Aug 2017 -- US President Donald Trump has issued another provocative warning to North Korea, declaring that his threat to unleash "fire and fury" on the country was not "tough enough," as tensions mount between the two nations over Pyongyang's nuclear and missile program.
Trump Says Military Option Against North Korea 'Locked And Loaded' RFE/RL 11 Aug 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump has said a military option against North Korea was "locked and loaded," in the latest escalation of rhetorical brinkmanship between the two nations.
US State Dept. Tones Down Trump's Rhetoric on N Korea as Tensions Escalate Sputnik 11 Aug 2017 -- North Korea must first stop its pursuit of nuclear tipped missiles before any dialogue can take place to avoid a looming US military threat that was signaled by President Donald Trump earlier on Friday, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Southeast Asia Patrick Murphy told reporters.
China Urges US, N Korea to Stay Balanced in Korean Peninsula Crisis Sputnik 11 Aug 2017 -- China hopes that the United States and North Korea will be cautious in their words and actions and will do more to alleviate tensions on the Korean peninsula, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said Friday.

Trump criticizes Iran for violating spirit of 2015 nuclear deal People's Daily 11 Aug 2017 -- US President Donald Trump criticized Iran on Thursday for allegedly not fulfilling its obligations under the 2015 nuclear deal reached with world powers, including the US and China, branding it again as a "horrible agreement".
Trump wants JCPOA nullified at Iran's expense: Zarif Press TV 11 Aug 2017 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has lashed out at US President Donald Trump for seeking to scrap at the expense of the Islamic Republic the landmark nuclear agreement reached between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries, including the US, in 2015.
Serious costs await nuclear deal violators: Iran deputy FM Press TV 11 Aug 2017 -- A senior Iranian official has warned against serious ramifications of breaching the 2015 nuclear deal, expressing Tehran's preparedness to respond to any such scenario.
Trump says doesn't think Iran is in compliance with nuclear deal Press TV 11 Aug 2017 -- US President Donald Trump says he believes Iran is not in compliance with the international nuclear deal reached in 2015, accusing Tehran of not "living up to the spirit" of the "horrible agreement."

Tillerson Allegedly Urged Iraqi Kurdistan Leadership to Delay Independence Vote Sputnik 11 Aug 2017 -- US State Secretary Rex Tillerson has asked Iraqi Kurdistan's President Masoud Barzani in a telephone conversation to postpone holding the region's independence referendum, which is scheduled to take place in September.

Deposed Pakistani Leader's Wife To Run For His Seat In Parliament RFE/RL 11 Aug 2017 -- The wife of Pakistan's deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif will run for the parliamentary seat he was forced to vacate after the Supreme Court disqualified him from holding office last month, party officials said.
Pakistan's Sharif Criticizes Supreme Court For Forcing Him From Office RFE/RL 11 Aug 2017 -- Deposed Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif criticized the country's Supreme Court for disqualifying him from office over undisclosed wealth on the second day of his "caravan of democracy" on August 10.

Nuclear power not an option for Taiwan: president CNA 11 Aug 2017 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said Friday that the government will use all possible means to ensure a stable electricity supply but will not consider opening the fourth nuclear power plant, which has been mothballed since 2014 amid anti-nuclear protests, according to a statement released by the Presidential Office.

Trump won't rule out 'military option' in Venezuela Press TV 11 Aug 2017 -- US President Donald Trump says he will not "rule out" military option for Venezuela to solve the ongoing crisis in the country.
Maduro to resist 'imperialistic' US, seeks to meet Trump Press TV 11 Aug 2017 -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has vowed to stand up to the United States for its "imperialistic" behavior but has said he seeks to meet US President Donald Trump for a "personal conversation."
Venezuelan President Maduro Submits Draft Constitution to Constituent Assembly Sputnik 11 Aug 2017 -- Venezuelan President has submitted a draft constitution to the country's newly elected Constituent Assembly.
Venezuelan Constituent Assembly Approves Maduro as President Sputnik 11 Aug 2017 -- The Venezuelan Constituent Assembly has approved Nicolas Maduro as president, head of state and government, and commander-in-chief of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces, media reported on Friday.

Kenya's Kenyatta declared winner of disputed presidential election Press TV 11 Aug 2017 -- Kenya's election commission has declared incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta as the winner of the country's disputed presidential election.

Uzbek President Starts Using New Residence East Of Tashkent RFE/RL 11 Aug 2017 -- President Shavkat Mirziyoev has declined to move into the presidential palaces of his predecessor Islam Karimov, and has instead begun using a newly renovated residence to the east of the capital, Tashkent, RFE/RL has learned.

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