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Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 05 Feb 2018 [PDF]
• Coalition Announces Shift in Focus as Iraq Campaign Progresses AFPS 05 Feb 2018 -- Enabled by accelerated successes following the liberation of Mosul, the coalition will shift its focus in Iraq from enabling combat operations to sustaining military gains against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials announced today.
• US redeploying troops to Afghanistan from Iraq: Report Press TV 05 Feb 2018 -- The US military is pulling its forces from a base in Iraq and shifting them to Afghanistan following the defeat of Daesh militants in the Arab country, the Associated Press reported on Monday.
• Air Force Logisticians Fuel Air Missions AFPS 05 Feb 2018 -- High above a cold and dusty mountain range in Afghanistan, an Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker flying at more than 30,000 feet. Many man hours and quality control processes are completed by airmen and civilian contractors here to ensure the fighter jets receive the necessary fuel to complete their missions.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Future USS Michael Monsoor Successfully Completes Acceptance Trials NNS 05 Feb 2018 -- The Navy's next generation destroyer, the future USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001), successfully completed acceptance trials Feb. 1.
• USS Preble Conducts Operations with USS Lewis B. Puller NNS 05 Feb 2018 -- Sailors from the Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Preble (DDG 88) and the expeditionary sea base USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB 3) experienced a different side of the U.S. Navy, Jan. 20, during a brief crew swap between the two ships.
• Mission Complete for USNS Leroy Grumman NNS 05 Feb 2018 -- NORFOLK, Va. (February 4, 2018)-Military Sealift Command's fleet replenishment oiler USNS Leroy Grumman (T-AO 195) pulled into Naval Station Norfolk, Feb. 4, thus completing an overseas deployment in support of U.S. Navy and allied forces operating in the U.S. Sixth Fleet's area of responsibility.
• USS San Diego, 15th MEU Return From Deployment NNS 05 Feb 2018 -- The amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego (LPD 22), with the embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), returned to their homeport and namesake city, San Diego, Feb. 2, after completing a seven-month deployment to the Indo-Pacific, Mediterranean, Horn of Africa and Middle East.
• USS Ross Departs Trieste, Italy NNS 05 Feb 2018 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile cruiser USS Ross (DDG 71) departed Trieste, Italy Feb. 4, after completing a scheduled port visit.
• USS Annapolis Arrives at New Homeport of San Diego NNS 05 Feb 2018 -- The Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS Annapolis (SSN 760) arrived at her new homeport, Naval Base Point Loma, after completing an inner-fleet transfer from Groton, Connecticut, Feb. 2.
• Lincoln Completes Carrier Qualifications NNS 05 Feb 2018 -- The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) completed carrier qualifications, Feb. 2.
• Forrest Sherman Participates in COMPTUEX NNS 05 Feb 2018 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98) departed Naval Station Norfolk, Feb. 1, to participate in the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG) Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX).
• Carl Vinson Strike Group Departs Guam NNS 05 Feb 2018 -- The Carl Vinson Strike Group departed Guam, Feb. 3, following a three-day port visit to the island during its Western Pacific deployment.
• US Navy punishes 4 more sailors over last year collisions Press TV 05 Feb 2018 -- The US Navy has punished four more sailors over a string of deadly warship collisions that tarnished the force's image last year.
• Trump sends senior diplomat to promote US arms sales in Asia Press TV 05 Feb 2018 -- The United States has sent its top diplomat overseeing foreign military sales to pitch American weaponry at the largest air show in Asia, amid concerns in Washington over China's growing influence in the region.
• US F-35s Flying Nearly Around the Clock in Indo-Pacific Region Sputnik 05 Feb 2018 -- The US Air Force's F-35A fighter squadron at Kadena Air Base, Japan, has been flying at a relentless pace since the squadron's aircraft started to arrive at the base in late October, according to a new report.
• Audit of Pentagon's Procurement Arm Reveals $800 Million Missing Sputnik 05 Feb 2018 -- An internal audit of the Pentagon has already run into massive discrepancies, as the investigation of the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) found more than $800 million in spending that is unaccounted for in DLA records.
• Russia, U.S. Declare Compliance With Nuclear Treaty By Deadline RFE/RL 05 Feb 2018 -- The United States and Russia have both declared that they complied with a 2010 arms-control treaty limiting the two countries' massive nuclear arsenals, as Moscow criticized President Donald Trump's new nuclear policy.
• US Expects to Continue Implementation of New START Treaty With Russia - DoS Sputnik 05 Feb 2018 -- The United States is looking forward to continuing implementation of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), signed by Washington and Moscow in 2010, US State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert said Monday.
• New START Treaty Central Limits Take Effect US Dept. of State 05 Feb 2018 -- The United States of America and the Russian Federation have implemented the Treaty on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (New START Treaty) for seven years. February 5, 2018 marks the date that the Treaty's central limits on each country's strategic nuclear arsenal take effect.
• Key Facts About New START Treaty Implementation US Dept. of State 05 Feb 2018
• Despite Tensions, US and Russia Complying With Key Nuclear Arms Reduction Treaty VOA 05 Feb 2018 -- The United States says it is confident that both the U.S. and Russia will have honored their commitments under the bilateral Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) by the Monday deadline.
• China firmly opposes U.S. Nuclear Posture Review: spokesman People's Daily 05 Feb 2018 -- China firmly opposes the Nuclear Posture Review (NPR) published by the United States Department of Defense, a spokesman from China's National Defense Ministry said Sunday.
• Deputy Secretary General marks first anniversary of NATO's enhanced forward presence in Lithuania NATO 05 Feb 2018 -- NATO Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller marked the first anniversary of NATO's enhanced forward presence in Lithuania during a ceremony on Monday (5 February 2018). Alongside Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaitė and Allied representatives, Gottemoeller paid tribute to Allied forces in Rukla.
• NATO Secretary General visits Norway NATO 05 Feb 2018 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg visited Oslo on Monday (5 February 2018) to have talks with Prime Minister Erna Solberg, Foreign Minister Ine Eriksen Søreide, and the Minister of Defence Frank Bakke-Jensen.
• Russia deploys Iskander nuclear-capable missiles to Kaliningrad: Report Press TV 05 Feb 2018 -- Russia has reportedly deployed advanced nuclear-capable Iskander missiles to its westernmost region of Kaliningrad that borders the Baltic countries of Poland and Lithuania, in an apparent move to counter US military buildup in the region.
• Finland - RGM-84Q-4 Harpoon Block II+ ER Grade B Surface-Launched Missiles and RGM-84L-4 Harpoon Block II Grade B Surface-Launched Missiles DSCA 05 Feb 2018 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Finland of RGM-84Q-4 Harpoon Block II+ ER Grade B Surface-Launched Missiles and RGM-84L-4 Harpoon Block II Grade B Surface-Launched Missiles for an estimated cost of $622 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• Finland - Evolved SEASPARROW Missiles (ESSM) DSCA 05 Feb 2018 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Finland of sixty-eight (68) Evolved SEASPARROW Missiles (ESSM) and one (1) ESSM inert operational missile for an estimated cost of $112.7 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• Chinese warship reportedly equipped with electromagnetic railgun People's Daily 05 Feb 2018 -- In the sci-fi box office smash "Transformers," the human race defeats the Decepticons in an epic battle by using high-tech electromagnetic weapons – a scenario which is likely to be realized by Chinese military forces, experts noted.
• AI Power: China Designing Sub That Could 'Think for Itself' - Reports Sputnik 05 Feb 2018 -- Chinese researchers believe that equipping nuclear submarines with AI would improve their commanders' thinking skills and their ability to win undersea battles.
• Iran rolls out combat UAV armed with precision-guided bomb IRNA 05 Feb 2018 -- Iran Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami inaugurated the production line of the combat unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) 'Mohajer 6' which is armed with precision-guided bomb.
• Iran starts mass production of Mohajer 6 drone armed with precision-guided bomb Press TV 05 Feb 2018 -- Iran has inaugurated the mass production line of a new tactical unmanned aerial vehicle, which is armed with a precision-guided bomb.
• Stockholm's Defense Dilemma: Too Few Submarines - Swedish Fleet Commander Says Sputnik 05 Feb 2018 -- Sweden's Navy has been slimmed down from twelve submarines 30 years ago to only two currently in service. Today, at least six underwater craft are needed, according to a publication by the Swedish military newspaper Officertidningen.
• Press Gaggle by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Raj Shah en route Cincinnati, Ohio The White House 05 Feb 2018

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for February 05, 2018

Other Conflicts

• 5 February 2018 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 05 Feb 2018
• 6 civilians dead, 7 injured as Saudi warplanes hit Yemen's Sa'ada Press TV 05 Feb 2018 -- At least six civilians have been killed when Saudi military aircraft carried out a string of airstrikes in Yemen's northwestern province of Sa'ada as the Saudi regime presses ahead with an atrocious military campaign against its crisis-hit southern neighbor.
• Saudis strike on Yemen leaves 7 civilians dead, 60 injured IRNA 05 Feb 2018 -- The Saudi air strike on Sanaa city in Yemen claimed the lives of 7 civilians and injured 60 others.
• Turkish forces set up military post southwest of Syria's Aleppo Press TV 05 Feb 2018 -- Turkish forces have set up a military post southwest of the Syrian city of Aleppo as part of the Astana agreement with Iran and Russia on "de-escalation zones."
• Pentagon Sees No Indication of Turkey's Plans to Expand Olive Branch to Manbij Sputnik 05 Feb 2018 -- The Pentagon has seen no indication of Turkey planning to move to the Syrian city of Manbij, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Stability and Humanitarian Affairs Mark Swayne said at a Washington, DC think tank on Monday.
• Turkey Constructs the Fourth Observation Point in Syria's Idlib - General Staff Sputnik 05 Feb 2018 -- Turkish servicemen started to construct the fourth observation point in the northern Syrian province of Idlib, the Turkish General Staff said in a statement.
• Syrian army recaptures Al-Jdayde village IRNA 05 Feb 2018 -- Syrian army has liberated Al-Jdayde village in Hama Province, western Syria.
• US accuses Russia of obstructing UN condemnation of gas attacks in Syria Press TV 05 Feb 2018 -- US Ambassador Nikki Haley to the United Nations has accused Russia of obstructing the adoption of a UN Security Council condemnation of alleged chlorine gas attacks in Syria.
• Proof of chemical weapons use in Syria should be met with 'meaningful response,' UN disarmament chief UN News 05 Feb 2018 -- Evidence of the use, or likely use, of banned chemical weapons in Syria should be met with a "meaningful response" within the Security Council, the United Nations disarmament affairs chief said on Monday.
• Haley: Evidence Shows Syrian Military Used Chlorine in Idlib VOA 05 Feb 2018 -- The U.N. Security Council met to discuss Syria Monday, amid new reports of possible chemical weapons use in that country.
• Russia hits back after jet downed People's Daily 05 Feb 2018 -- Massive Russian air strikes have killed at least 30 militants in northwest Syria, where a Russian fighter jet was shot down, Russia's Defense Ministry said in a statement on Saturday.
• Gov't forces kill 6 Daesh militants in operation in northern Iraq Press TV 05 Feb 2018 -- Iraqi security forces have killed six members of Daesh Takfiri terrorist group in an operation in the northern oil-rich province of Kirkuk as they are joined by allied fighters from Popular Mobilization Units to purge the entire country from the extremists.
• Rohingya persecution could trigger regional conflict: UN Press TV 05 Feb 2018 -- The United Nations (UN)'s human rights chief has warned that the persecution of Rohingya Muslim people in Myanmar could spark a regional conflict.
• Bomb kills one, injures 7 in Pakistan's restive Balochistan Press TV 05 Feb 2018 -- Pakistan's restive southwestern province of Balochistan has been rocked by a bombing as reports say one is killed and seven others are injured in the attack in Makran region.
• Canadian ambassador to South Sudan hails Chinese peacekeepers People's Daily 05 Feb 2018 -- Canada's ambassador to South Sudan, Alan Hamson, lauded the service of Chinese peacekeepers on Friday, after meeting them on an inspection tour to a South Sudanese town.
• Exiled Former Army Chief Refuses to Return to South Sudan VOA 05 Feb 2018 -- South Sudan's former army chief said he has no plans to return to South Sudan after completing his medical examinations in Kenya.
• South Sudan Recalls Ambassador After US Imposes Arms Restrictions VOA 05 Feb 2018 -- South Sudan has recalled its ambassador to the United States, after the Trump administration unilaterally imposed arms restrictions on the government last week.
• 'Cross-border fire causes casualties in Kashmir' Press TV 05 Feb 2018 -- India and Pakistan have each accused the other of firing across the Line of Control (LoC) in the Himalayan region of Kashmir, offering death tolls that they said resulted from the firing.
• Chinese Transgressions Result of Differing Perceptions of Border: Indian Def Min Sputnik 05 Feb 2018 -- 2017 was a year marked by heightened tensions at the India-China border since the 1962 war. The number of transgressions into the Indian side by China's People Liberation Army's (PLA) almost doubled during the year, according to the Indian defense ministry.
• Amid 'difficult reality' in Middle East, two-state solution more important than ever - UN chief UN News 05 Feb 2018 -- International consensus on a two-State solution to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict could be eroding "at a time when it is more important than ever," Secretary-General António Guterres said on Tuesday, calling the 'question of Palestine' one of the longest unresolved issues on the agenda of the United Nations.
• Eruption of Ethnic Violence in DRC Kills 24 VOA 05 Feb 2018 -- An eruption of ethnic violence in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo has killed more than 24 people and left hundreds of homes burned to the ground.
• Police Deny IS Presence Near Mogadishu VOA 05 Feb 2018 -- Security officials in the Somali town of Afgoye say they are not aware of the presence of pro-Islamic State militants in the town, despite a series of social media posts by the group claiming responsibility for attacks in the area.
• Tensions Flare in Cameroon's Anglophone Regions VOA 05 Feb 2018 -- Tensions continue to climb in the Anglophone regions of Cameroon as separatist groups demand the release of their leader and 46 other prisoners extradited last month from Nigeria. The government has sought to reassure the population.

News Reports

• Democrats, Republicans Dispute Trump 'Vindication' Claim RFE/RL 05 Feb 2018 -- Democratic lawmakers and several Republicans have disputed U.S. President Donald Trump's contention that a GOP-produced classified memo on FBI surveillance powers cleared him in the Russia investigation.
• House Committee Votes to Send Democratic Version of Memo to Trump VOA 05 Feb 2018 -- The House Intelligence Committee has voted to release the Democratic rebuttal to a Republican-approved memo alleging that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) abused its power in probing Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
• China prohibits export of more dual-use goods to North Korea Press TV 05 Feb 2018 -- China has released yet another list of commodities prohibited from export to North Korea, saying the items could likely be used to develop weapons of mass destruction, amid a persisting standoff between the North and the US over Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programs.
• China Expands Sanctions Against North Korea, Bans Exports of Dual-Use Products Sputnik 05 Feb 2018 -- China has released an enhanced list of goods banned for export to North Korea, saying the items could be used to build weapons of mass destruction, amid a dead heat between North Korea and the US over weapons programs.
• German Intelligence Accuses North Korean of Smuggling Weapons Through Embassy Sputnik 05 Feb 2018 -- The director of Germany's domestic intelligence agency has accused North Korea of using their Berlin embassy to acquire and smuggle parts for their missile and nuclear weapons programs.
• Spy Sentenced in Iran for Selling Nuclear Data Sputnik 05 Feb 2018 -- A court in Iran has sentenced a spy to six years in prison for working for the US and European intelligence services and passing on Tehran's sensitive nuclear information, Prosecutor General Abbas Jafari Dowlatabadi said.
• Iran rejects 'US dreams' of joint talks on nuclear deal Press TV 05 Feb 2018 -- Iran says it has no information on the formation of working groups on fixing what the US sees as flaws in the Iranian nuclear deal.
• Iran has no information on JCPOA amendment working group ISNA 05 Feb 2018 -- Iran had no information on formation of a joint working group to amend the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and had not received such remarks formally from the European Union, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman said.
• Turkey Frees Members of Medical Association Who Criticized Syrian Military Offensive VOA 05 Feb 2018 -- Turkey has freed eight top members of the country's main medical association, who were detained for denouncing Ankara's military offensive in northern Syria.
• Turkey arrests nearly 600 over criticism of Afrin operation in Syria Press TV 05 Feb 2018 -- The Turkish government has so far detained nearly 600 people accused of using social media to protest the country's military offensive against US-backed Kurdish militants in Syria.
• Ukraine Court Rejects Saakashvili's Plea For Protection From Extradition RFE/RL 05 Feb 2018 -- A Kyiv court has rejected opposition politician Mikheil Saakashvili's appeal for protection against possible extradition, a ruling his lawyer says increases the chances he will be deported or handed over to the Georgian authorities.
• US weighing oil sanctions on Venezuela: Tillerson Press TV 05 Feb 2018 -- US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson says Washington is considering oil sanctions against Venezuela, in a bid to put further pressure on the government of President Nicolas Maduro.
• Serbia, Montenegro 'Could Potentially' Join EU In 2025 RFE/RL 05 Feb 2018 -- Serbia and Montenegro "could potentially be ready" for European Union membership by 2025, according to the final draft of the European Commission's Western Balkans strategy seen by RFE/RL.
• EU, Georgia Vow To 'Deepen Friendship' RFE/RL 05 Feb 2018 -- After meeting in Brussels, EU and Georgian officials expressed satisfaction over the progress made in the implementation of their Association Agreement and pledged to deepen cooperation.
• Azerbaijan Schedules Snap Presidential Election In April RFE/RL 05 Feb 2018 -- Long-ruling President Ilham Aliyev has brought the date of Azerbaijan's presidential election forward by more than six months, to April 11, in a move that swiftly drew sharp criticism from his beleaguered opponents.
• Maldives Leader Declares State of Emergency, Ex President Arrested - Reports Sputnik 05 Feb 2018 -- Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen on Monday declared a state of emergency following the Supreme Court's decision to release jailed opposition members and reports about possible impeachment motions, the Avas media reported.