26 January 2018 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 26 Jan 2018 [PDF]

OIR Officials Report Details of Latest Strikes Against ISIS in Syria, Iraq AFPS 26 Jan 2018 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria between Jan. 19-25, conducting 60 strikes consisting of 93 engagements, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.

Indonesia Proposes 3-Nation Panel of Islamic Scholars to Promote Afghan Peace VOA 26 Jan 2018 -- Indonesian President Joko Widodo proposed Friday the establishment of a committee of Islamic scholars from his nation together with others from Afghanistan and Pakistan to promote a peaceful settlement of the Afghan conflict.

Defense Policy / Programs

Moscow Accuses US of Deliberately Delaying Scrapping Own Chemical Weapons Sputnik 26 Jan 2018 -- The United States ia deliberately pushing back the deadline for the complete destruction of its own chemical arsenals, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said Thursday in a commentary on the January 23 Paris meeting of the so-called International Partnership Against Impunity for the Use of Chemical Weapons.
Secretary Mattis Bilat with ROK MOD DoD 26 Jan 2018 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis; Song Young-moo, Republic of Korea Minister of National Defense
ROK-US Defense Ministerial Meeting DoD 26 Jan 2018 -- U.S. Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis and Republic of Korea (ROK) Minister of National Defense Song Young-moo met at Pacific Command in Honolulu, Hawaii, on Jan. 26, 2018. The secretary and the minister reaffirmed the strength of the U.S.-ROK alliance, and its mission to defend the ROK and to maintain peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.
Army secretary talks focus, funding, future Army News 26 Jan 2018 -- The Army's top leader called for continued focus amidst looming budget uncertainty and provided a glimpse of the service's largest reorganization in more than 30 years.
Back to the future: Regiment introduces laser engagement system to Basic Combat Training cycle Army News 26 Jan 2018 -- Even today, two decades into the 21st century, the multiple integrated laser engagement system, or MILES, still sounds like a gadget out of "Star Trek."
TSAE: One-Stop Shop for Opportunity Training Army News 26 Jan 2018 -- "We're like AAFES (Army and Air Force Exchange Service), we go where you go," said Daniel Cintron, a retired master sergeant, who is now the chief of the Training Support Center (TSC) in Hohenfels, Germany.
Fast, lethal, and flexible: Operation Diamond Torrent enhances interoperability Army News 26 Jan 2018 In the chill, pre-dawn hours, Kansas National Guard troops of Alpha Battery, 2nd Battalion, 130th Field Artillery, 75th Field Artillery Brigade, 35th Infantry Division worked tirelessly alongside a team of U.S. Airmen to load two M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and one HMMWV aboard a C-17 aircraft, en-route to the United Arab Emirates, Jan. 21. for Operation Diamond Torrent.
Reserve Marines test their limits in exercise Nordic Frost 18 USMC News 26 Jan 2018 -- In the mountainous terrain of northern Vermont, where temperatures drop below freezing and the snow covers the landscape, Marines were pushed to their limits as they battled against the extreme winter weather.
Okinawa-based Marines refine their skills during Exercise Samurai USMC News 26 Jan 2018 -- KIN BLUE, Okinawa, Japan -- Marines with Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division participated in a five-day exercise called Samurai, Jan. 22-26, 2018.
NSA Washington Gears up to Participate in Annual Force Protection Exercise NNS 26 Jan 2018 -- Naval Support Activity Washington (NSAW) will conduct Exercise Citadel Shield-Solid Curtain 2018 (CS/SC 18) Jan. 29 - Feb. 9.
America Amphibious Ready Group Departs Hawaii NNS 26 Jan 2018 -- The America Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) departed Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, after a scheduled port visit, Jan. 24-25.
US Navy Set to Survey Downed C-2A Greyhound NNS 26 Jan 2018 -- The U.S. Navy contracted Research Vessel (RV) Petrel to survey the location of a C-2A Greyhound aircraft that crashed into the Philippine Sea en route to USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) Nov. 22.
NAVFAC Marianas Awards $19.9 Million Contract to Guam-Based Small Business for Construction on Andersen Air Force Base NNS 26 Jan 2018 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Marianas awarded a $19.9 million contract Jan. 24, to Guam-based small business Reliable Builders Inc., to construct a critical facility on Andersen Air Force Base.
USS Wyoming Arrives at NNSY for an Engineered Refueling Overhaul NNS 26 Jan 2018 -- USS Wyoming (SSBN-742) arrived at Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) Jan. 9 for its 27-month Engineered Refueling Overhaul (ERO). As a critical piece in the country's nuclear deterrence strategy, the submarine will be refueled and upgraded during this major availability.
China 'has no objection' to US warship visit to Vietnam Press TV 26 Jan 2018 -- China says it has no objection to a planned visit in March by a US aircraft career to Vietnam if the visit benefits regional peace and stability.

NATO Secretary General visits Portugal NATO 26 Jan 2018 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg arrived in Lisbon on Friday (26 January 2018) to meet President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Prime Minister António Costa, Foreign Minister Augusto Santos Silva, and Defence Minister José Azeredo Lopes. He also visited NATO education, cyber and maritime facilities.
Joint press conference with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and the Minister of Defence of Portugal, José Azeredo Lopes - Secretary General's opening remarks NATO 26 Jan 2018

New Shetland radar to better protect UK Northern airspace UK MOD 26 Jan 2018 -- A new RAF radar facility reinforcing the UK's ability to track unidentified military or civilian aircraft will be powered up ready to operate soon, the head of the RAF heard today.

Japan's F-35A Makes First Deployment to Spy, Defend Airspace Sputnik 26 Jan 2018 -- The Japanese Air Self-Defense Force's first F-35A aircraft has deployed to northeastern Japan "at a time when neighboring countries have been quickly building up their air force capabilities," the island nation's defense minister told reporters Friday.
Japan Deploys First of Ten F-35A Jets Purchased From US - Defense Minister Sputnik 26 Jan 2018 -- The first of the F-35A fighters Japan had purchased from the United States has been deployed at the Misawa Air Force Base in the north-east of the island of Honshu, Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera said at a press conference on Friday.

Military rebuts "China military threat" People's Daily 26 Jan 2018 -- China's military authorities on Thursday scoffed the parlance of "Chinese military threat" after a U.S. think tank ranked the country as the biggest risk for the world in 2018, noting that "such sick mentality needs to be adjusted."
China issues new training guideline for military People's Daily 26 Jan 2018 -- China issued its new guideline on military training, signaling a significant achievement on building a new military training system and offering regulation and rules on military training in the new era.
China Upgrades Its Ballistic Missiles Sputnik 26 Jan 2018 -- A Chinese military spokesman has stated that the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force has completed upgrades to its ballistic missiles.

U.S. Urges Russia To Reconsider Reported Jet Sale To Burma RFE/RL 26 Jan 2018 -- The United States on January 25 urged Moscow to reconsider an agreement to supply Russian fighter planes to Burma, the Southeast Asian country hit by instability caused by ethnic conflict.

Mattis Promises to 'Hold the Line' on North Korea VOA 26 Jan 2018 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis says the United States will continue to "hold the line and provide credible military options" to diplomats working to de-escalate tensions on the Korean Peninsula and address Pyongyang's nuclear and missile threat.
U.S. Urged to Completely Stop Joint Military Exercises KCNA 26 Jan 2018 -- The permanent representative of the DPRK to the UN Office and international organizations in Geneva, at the first session of the Geneva Disarmament Conference that opened on Jan. 23, clarified the following principled stand as regards military moves going against the atmosphere for detente on the Korean Peninsula:

UN Security Council to View Alleged Iranian Missile Parts VOA 26 Jan 2018 -- The U.N. Security Council will visit Washington on Monday for a working lunch with U.S. President Donald Trump and to conduct a visit to examine alleged Iranian missile parts.

Russian MoD on UK Defense Minister's Claims: 'Beyond Common Sense' Sputnik 26 Jan 2018 -- UK's new Defense Secretary Gavin Williamson claimed a potential Russian "attack" on the nation's critical infrastructure could kill thousands.

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for January 26, 2018
Lockheed Martin Receives $459 Million THAAD Interceptor Contract Lockheed Martin 26 Jan 2018 -- The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has awarded Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) a $459 million contract modification for production and delivery of interceptors for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) weapon system. The modification brings the total contract value to $1.28 billion with funding provided in 2017 and 2018. The new interceptors support U.S. Army THAAD units and growing operational requirements.

Other Conflicts

26 January 2018 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 26 Jan 2018

Yemeni snipers kill three Saudi troopers in retaliatory attacks Press TV 26 Jan 2018 -- Yemeni army soldiers, backed by fighters from allied Popular Committees, have shot dead three Saudi soldiers in the kingdom's southwestern border region of Jizan, in retaliation for the Riyadh regime's military campaign against the crisis-hit country.

Erdogan: Syria offensive could expand as far as Iraq border Press TV 26 Jan 2018 -- President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Turkey may extend its operation against the Afrin region in Syria to other cities as far east as the Iraqi border.
Olive Branch Op: Battle to 'Continue Till Victorious End for the Turkish People' Sputnik 26 Jan 2018 -- Deputy of the Turkish ruling AKP party, Metin Kulunk, in an interview with Sputnik Turkey said that the operation in Manjib will continue until the complete destruction of the Kurdish YPG forces.
Turkey Not to Limit Anti-Terrorist Op to Syria, Ready to Fight in Iraq - Ankara Sputnik 26 Jan 2018 -- Turkey is not going to limit its military operation to the Syrian Afrin region, and is ready to fight in Iraq, if necessary, in its effort to destroy terrorism, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Friday.
SDF Forces Claim 308 Turkish Soldiers Have Died During Olive Branch Op in Afrin Sputnik 26 Jan 2018 -- The Syrian Defense Forces' press service reported of 308 Turkish servicemen killed since the start of the Olive Branch operation in Afrin. This number contradicts Ankara's reports.
Erdogan: Turkey's Battles to Continue Until No Terrorist is Left on Iraqi Border Sputnik 26 Jan 2018 -- Friday marks the seventh day of Turkey's third military operation in Syria, dubbed the Olive Branch. According to Turkish military, a total of "343 terrorists" have been neutralized in the course of the campaign.

Syrian Kurds call for Damascus help in face of Turkish operation Press TV 26 Jan 2018 -- Kurdish authorities in Syria's Afrin district have called on the Syrian government to send troops to help defend them from a Turkish incursion in line with protecting the country's sovereignty.

Palestinians feel 'backstabbed' after Trump's Jerusalem al-Quds decision Press TV 26 Jan 2018 -- US President Donald Trump "backstabbed" Palestine by recognizing Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel's "capital," says the Palestinian envoy to Washington, accusing the American head of state of breaking his promise to help resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

7,000 flee Congo to Burundi in just three days Press TV 26 Jan 2018 -- Thousands of asylum seekers from the Democratic Republic of the Congo have fled to Burundi in the past three days over fierce fighting in the eastern parts of the country, Burundi police say.

US imposes sanctions on Russian firms, individuals Press TV 26 Jan 2018 -- The United States has expanded its sanctions against Russia by adding more individuals and companies to its blacklist because of what Washington calls Moscow's continued interference in Ukraine.
U.S. Imposes New Sanctions Over Ukraine Conflict As U.S., Russian Envoys Set To Meet RFE/RL 26 Jan 2018 -- The United States hit 21 people and nine companies linked to the Russia-backed conflict in eastern Ukraine with new economic sanctions, the latest effort by Washington to put pressure on groups most actively involved in the nearly 4-year-old conflict.
Treasury Sanctions Additional Individuals and Entities in Connection with the Conflict in Ukraine and Russia's Occupation of Crimea US Treasury 26 Jan 2018 -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) today designated 21 individuals and 9 entities under four Executive Orders (E.O.s) related to Russia and Ukraine, including three individuals and two entities related to Russia's transfer of four turbines made by a Russian-German joint venture to Crimea.
US Slaps New Sanctions on Russian, Ukrainian Separatist Officials VOA 26 Jan 2018 -- The U.S. Treasury has announced new sanctions against Russian and Ukrainian citizens involved in the Russian annexation of Crimea, barring them from doing business with Americans and freezing any assets they hold under U.S. jurisdiction.

Russia's Violations of Georgian Sovereignty US Dept. of State 26 Jan 2018
U.S. Condemns Russian Military Deal With Georgian Breakaway Region RFE/RL 26 Jan 2018 -- The United States has condemned an agreement between Russia and the leaders of Georgia's breakaway region of South Ossetia concerning a joint military force.

US Envoy to UN Calls South Sudan Government 'Unfit Partner' VOA 26 Jan 2018 -- The South Sudan government has reacted angrily to remarks made by U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, in which she called the government an "unfit partner" to the U.N.

News Reports

Remarks by President Trump to the World Economic Forum The White House 26 Jan 2018
Background Briefing Previewing the President's Address to the World Economic Forum The White House 26 Jan 2018
Trump Defends 'America First' Policy at Davos Forum VOA 26 Jan 2018 -- In a strong defense of his "America First" policies, U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday told a gathering of global business and political luminaries that the world would benefit from U.S. economic power and invited them to embrace his growth-oriented philosophy.
Trump Comments Overshadow Annual Summit of African Leaders VOA 26 Jan 2018 -- Dozens of African leaders will convene in Ethiopia on January 28 for the annual summit of the African Union, with the official theme of combating corruption. But already, one man has taken the spotlight at the gathering – and he isn't even attending.
'America First' Is Not 'America Alone,' Trump Tells Davos Gathering RFE/RL 26 Jan 2018 -- President Donald Trump has told the global business elite at the World Economic Forum that his America First slogan does not mean he wants an isolationist United States.

Russian lawmaker says Moscow will act in retaliation for new US sanctions Press TV 26 Jan 2018 -- A senior lawmaker at Russia's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, says Moscow will retaliate in the wake of the latest sanctions imposed by the United States.
Jailed Ex-Governor Belykh Asks Russian Court To Acquit Him Of Bribery RFE/RL 26 Jan 2018 -- Jailed former Russian regional Governor Nikita Belykh maintained his innocence as his bribery trial drew to a close, calling the case against him the result of a "police provocation" and asked the court to acquit him.
Russian Supreme Court Denies Navalny's Appeal To Run For President RFE/RL 26 Jan 2018 -- Russia's Supreme Court has declined opposition leader Aleksey Navalny's appeal to be allowed to run for president in the March election, the court told the media on January 26.
FBI Releases Files Into Death Of Former Russian Press Minister Lesin RFE/RL 26 Jan 2018 -- The FBI has released dozens of pages from its investigation into the death of Mikhail Lesin, files that largely corroborate earlier police and other reports about the circumstances behind the former Russian press minister's 2015 death.

EU urges Venezuela to reverse decision on Spanish envoy expulsion Press TV 26 Jan 2018 -- The European Union has lashed out at Venezuela for expelling Spain's ambassador, urging Caracas to reverse the decision and retain diplomatic relations.
Venezuela Excludes Opposition from Presidential Snap Election VOA 26 Jan 2018 -- Venezuela's top court has excluded the opposition coalition from the upcoming presidential election, a move that virtually ensures that unpopular leftist president Nicolas Maduro will win another term.

Spain appeals Puigdemont's candidacy to lead Catalonia Press TV 26 Jan 2018 -- Spain has challenged the candidacy of former Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont to lead Catalonia in the Constitutional Court.

Czechs Face Stark Choice In Presidential Runoff RFE/RL 26 Jan 2018 -- Czech voters will choose a president in a two-day runoff election that pits pro-European academic Jiri Drahos against ex-communist incumbent Milos Zeman.

Russia helping North Korea export coal, Western sources claim Press TV 26 Jan 2018 -- Western European intelligence sources claim that Russia is helping North Korea bypass sanctions – pushed primarily by the United States – by acting as an intermediary to transfer North Korean coal to South Korea and Japan.
Russia Said To Have Helped North Korea Export Coal, Despite Sanctions RFE/RL 26 Jan 2018 -- North Korea has exported coal to Japan and South Korea via Russian ports in a probable violation of UN sanctions, Reuters is reporting.

We call on partners to block 'Iran's path to nuclear weapon': Trump Press TV 26 Jan 2018 -- US President Donald Trump has once again accused Iran of seeking nuclear weapons despite confirmations by the United Nations' atomic agency that Tehran complies with the 2015 nuclear deal.
Iran Leader Said Eyeing Ways To Muzzle 'Mad Dog' Internet RFE/RL 26 Jan 2018 -- Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei met recently with "cyberspace experts" to discuss challenges that the Internet poses to Iran's leadership, the head of the powerful Guardians Council said.

China publishes Arctic policy, eyeing vision of "Polar Silk Road" People's Daily 26 Jan 2018 -- China published a white paper on its Arctic policy Friday, pledging cooperative governance and elaborating a vision of "Polar Silk Road."
Analysts Skeptical of China's Boast on Industrial Performance VOA 26 Jan 2018 -- The Chinese government recently claimed that 98 major state-run industries have turned in the best industrial and financial performance in 2017 compared to the past five years. These companies, which have assets totaling $9 trillion, produced a remarkable profit of $218 billion, an increase of 15.2 percent in profit in 2017, more than double the rate of national economic growth.
Xi's 'shared future' now a consensus People's Daily 26 Jan 2018 -- President Xi Jinping's vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind has become an important international consensus echoed by many countries, organizations and political parties in the past year, according to international relations analysts.

Convicted Chinese spy loses appeal against extended detention CNA 26 Jan 2018 -- A convicted Chinese spy's appeal against his extended detention was rejected Friday by Taiwan's Supreme Court.

WikiLeaks founder Assange asks UK court to lift arrest warrant Press TV 26 Jan 2018 -- WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who has been living in Ecuador's embassy in London for five years, has asked a court to remove the arrest warrant hanging over him.

U.S. reiterates commitment to Taiwan, despite flag removal CNA 26 Jan 2018 -- The United States said Thursday that its policy and commitment toward Taiwan remains unchanged, despite the recent removal of the Republic of China (Taiwan) national flag from two U.S. government websites.

Protesters Disrupt Kyiv Court As It Imposes Curfew On Saakashvili RFE/RL 26 Jan 2018 -- Protesters have disrupted a crowded Kyiv courtroom as it imposed a curfew on Ukrainian opposition figure Mikheil Saakashvili by placing him under house arrest every night from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Poland won't give in to EU's demands, PiS party says Press TV 26 Jan 2018 -- The leader of Poland's ruling party has played down pressure exerted by the European Union on Warsaw in an ongoing conflict over an overhaul of the nation's judiciary.

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