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Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 05 Mar 2018 [PDF]

Defense Policy / Programs

• Aircraft Carrier USS Carl Vinson Makes Vietnam Port Call AFPS 05 Mar 2018 -- The USS Carl Vinson arrived in Danang, Vietnam, today, becoming the first aircraft carrier to dock in the country since the Vietnam War ended in 1975.
• US Aircraft Carrier Arrives in Vietnam for Historic Visit NNS 05 Mar 2018 -- USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) arrived in Da Nang, Vietnam, for a scheduled port call March 5, marking the first time a U.S. aircraft carrier has visited the country in more than 40 years.
• US nuclear aircraft carrier in Vietnam for first time since end of war Press TV 05 Mar 2018 -- An American nuclear-powered aircraft carrier has docked at Danang, Vietnam, for the first time since the end of the war between the former foes, in what is viewed as a push by Washington to challenge Beijing's presence in the disputed South China Sea.
• 3-43 Air Defense Artillery Battalion provides cover for the missions ahead during Roving Sands Army News 05 Mar 2018 -- As Exercise Roving Sands 18 continues, Delta Battery, 3-43 Air Defense Artillery Battalion, 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, are in place and ready to provide coverage at their area of operation. The Soldiers continue to work and train hard, preparing themselves for the missions ahead.
• Admiral Highlights Southcom's Strengthened Partnerships AFPS 05 Mar 2018 -- U.S. Southern Command is strengthening interagency cooperation as well as partnerships in Latin America and the Caribbean to address evolving security threats, Navy Adm. Kurt W. Tidd, the commander of U.S. Southern Command, said at the Pentagon today.
• Department Of Defense Press Briefing By Admiral Kurt Tidd DoD 05 Mar 2018 -- Presenter: Admiral Kurt Tidd, Commander, Southern Command
• Historic First: F35B Lands on Wasp, Launching Era of Increased Navy-Marine Corps Sea-based Capabilities in Indo-Asian-Pacific NNS 05 Mar 2018 -- A detachment of F-35B Lightning II's with Fighter Attack Squadron 121 (VMFA-121) arrived aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) March 5, marking the first time the aircraft has deployed aboard a U.S. Navy ship and with a Marine Expeditionary Unit in the Indo-Asian-Pacific.
• 31st MEU F-35Bs Join USS Wasp for Historic Deployment USMC News 05 Mar 2018 -- A detachment of F-35B Lightning IIs with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, landed on the USS Wasp (LHD-1) here March 5, marking the beginning of the F-35B's first operational deployment with a MEU.
• GHWB Completes INSURV NNS 05 Mar 2018 -- The aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) successfully completed the Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) material inspection (MI), March 2.
• P-8A Poseidon Supports Missions in U.S. 5th Fleet NNS 05 Mar 2018 -- A P-8A Poseidon from the "Mad Foxes" of Patrol Squadron (VP) 5 supported maritime operations in U.S. 5th Fleet under Commander, Task Force (CTF) 57, Feb. 24 - March 3.
• CNO Visits USS Arlington NNS 05 Mar 2018 -- The chief of naval operations (CNO) visited the amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24) for a discussion with major commanders from across the Hampton Roads area, March 2.
• USS Carney Exits the Black Sea NNS 05 Mar 2018 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) departed the Black Sea, March 3, after conducting maritime security operations, enhancing regional maritime stability, and strengthening combined readiness and naval capability among NATO allies and partners.
• USS Mustin Arrives for Port Visit in Guam NNS 05 Mar 2018 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin (DDG 89) arrived in Guam for a scheduled port visit, March 3.
• Bonhomme Richard Arrives in Manila for Port Call NNS 05 Mar 2018 -- The amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), with embarked 3rd Marine Division Marines, arrived in Manila, Philippines, for a scheduled port visit, March 4.
• Wasp Departs Sasebo for Readiness Assessment, Regional Patrol NNS 05 Mar 2018 -- The amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) departed Commander, Fleet Activities Sasebo to complete a pre-deployment readiness assessment before transitioning to conduct operations as part of a routine patrol in the Indo-Pacific region, March 3.
• USNS Mercy Arrives in Hawaii, En Route for Pacific Partnership 2018 NNS 05 Mar 2018 -- Sailors participating in Pacific Partnership 2018 (PP18) aboard Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) arrived at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Hawaii, March 3, while en route for PP18.
• Maine National Guard welcomes 146th Cyber Support Team Army News 05 Mar 2018 -- The Maine Army National Guard recently added a new unit, the 146th Cyber Support Team. This team is based in Augusta; however, it is part of the larger 146th Cyber Warfare Company from Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts.
• Russia's Defense Industry Partners Facing Unprecedented Pressure - Putin Sputnik 05 Mar 2018 -- Countries willing to engage in defense industry cooperation with Russia are facing unprecedented pressure, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday.
• Defense budget displays China's steadiness Global Times 05 Mar 2018 -- China will raise its defense budget by 8.1 percent in 2018 and set its GDP growth target for about 6.5 percent this year. These are the most eye-catching figures on the opening day of the first session of the 13th National People's Congress Monday.
• China to increase defense budget by 8.1% in 2018 Press TV 05 Mar 2018 -- China is set to increase its defense budget by 8.1 percent to 1.1 trillion yuan ($173 billion) in 2018, in an effort to further modernize the world's largest army.
• China Completes Military Staff Reduction by 300,000 Soldiers Sputnik 05 Mar 2018 -- China will continue reforming the country's armed forces and it has already completed the reduction of its troops by 300,000 soldiers, State Council Premier Li Keqiang said on Monday.
• India Saves Its Foreign Reserves Over $5 Billion With Homegrown Akash Missiles Sputnik 05 Mar 2018 -- TheAkash, India's surface to air missile system, has 96 percent indigenous component, a range of 25 km, can simultaneously engage multiple targets in all weather conditions, and has a large operational envelope, from a low altitude of 30 meters to a maximum of up to 20 km.
• India Lagging Behind China in Strategic Infrastructure Along Border - Report Sputnik 05 Mar 2018 -- While the 73-day long standoff between the Indian Army and China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) at the Doklam plateau last year put the spotlight on the war preparedness of both forces, it also put the extent of infrastructure development by both sides along the border on the radar screen.
• IRGC's new deterrent approach to use drones: Commander IRNA 05 Mar 2018 -- A senior Iranian military commander announced on Monday that the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has taken a new deterrent approach that is use of drone in military bases in the country.
• Iran missile, defensive power non-negotiable: military spokesman IRNA 05 Mar 2018 -- No one has the right to negotiate with the foreigners about the defensive and missile power of Iran, said the spokesman of the Iranian Armed Forces.
• Aid missions wearing out UK Navy's abilities: Fmr. minister Press TV 05 Mar 2018 -- The UK's Royal Navy should stop cease its overseas aid mission, including saving drowning migrants in the Mediterranean, says a former British armed forces minister, arguing that such operation will wear the force out.
• Background Briefing With Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Alice Wells US Dept. of State 05 Mar 2018
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Sarah Sanders The White House 05 Mar 2018

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for March 05, 2018

Other Conflicts

• 5 March 2018 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 05 Mar 2018
• Yemeni retaliatory attacks left 45 Saudi soldiers dead in February: Report Press TV 05 Mar 2018 -- A recent report has revealed that Yemeni army soldiers and fighters from allied Popular Committees killed and injured dozens of Saudi soldiers in the kingdom's southwestern border regions in February as part of their retaliatory raids against the Riyadh regime's aerial bombardment campaign.
• Turkish airstrikes leave 13 civilians dead in Syria's Afrin Press TV 05 Mar 2018 -- Turkish airstrikes have claimed the lives of more than a dozen civilians in Syria's northwestern region of Afrin as Ankara is continuing its cross-border military operation against the purported positions of US-backed militants from the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) there.
• Battle for Afrin: 48 Pro-Syrian Gov't Fighters Killed Amid Turkish Op Sputnik 05 Mar 2018 -- To date 48 pro-Damascus soldiers have died during the clashes with Turkey and allied opposition groups in Afrin, Behchet Ebdo, the chairman of the Afrin Canton Council told Sputnik. Ankara is continuing on with its Operation Olive Branch regardless of UN Resolution 2401 which stipulates the cessation of hostilities between the warring parties.
• Turkish Troops Gain Control Over Nearly Half of Afrin Operation Area - Official Sputnik 05 Mar 2018 -- The Turkish army in cooperation with militias loyal to Ankara have established their control over almost half of the territory of the Syrian northern district of Afrin, where Turkey is holding a military operation against the Kurdish militants, the Turkish deputy prime minister said Monday.
• US fails to stop Ghouta-based militants from raiding Syrian army, civilians: Russia Press TV 05 Mar 2018 -- The Russian military says Washington is flouting a UN resolution on Syria by failing to prevent the militants it controls from launching daily raids on the Syrian army troops in Eastern Ghouta and shelling the capital Damascus.
• First UN aid convoy reaches Syria's militant-held Ghouta Press TV 05 Mar 2018 -- The first UN aid convoy began to cross into Syria's Eastern Ghouta, carrying desperately needed items to the flashpoint enclave as government troops secured a humanitarian corridor for trapped civilians to leave the militant-held area near the capital city of Damascus.
• Militants agree to allow civilians to leave Ghouta: Russia Press TV 05 Mar 2018 -- Russia says militants based in the Damascus suburb of Eastern Ghouta have promised to allow civilians to leave the enclave as Syrian troops are in the midst of an operation to drive out terrorists.
• U.S. Condemns Russia For 'Brutal' Complicity In Syrian Deaths RFE/RL 05 Mar 2018 -- The United States has accused Moscow of "brutal" complicity in civilian deaths in Syria's eastern Ghouta region, saying that Russian aircraft have flown bombing missions targeting the rebel-held enclave in defiance of a United Nations cease-fire.
• Big Break: Syrian Army Advances Further in Ghouta Following String of Successes Sputnik 05 Mar 2018 -- Though the situation in Eastern Ghouta has been deteriorating day after day, ever since February 18, the Syrian regular army appears to be seeing at least some light at the end of the tunnel.
• UN food relief agency and partners deliver much-needed aid to Syria's east Ghouta UN News 05 Mar 2018 -- A United Nations-Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) humanitarian convoy arrived in the besieged Syrian enclave of Eastern Ghouta on Monday bringing life-saving aid to thousands of desperate people, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) has reported.
• Aid Convoys Reach Syria's Eastern Ghouta, but Attacks on Rebels Continue VOA 05 Mar 2018 -- An international convoy of humanitarian aid trucks has reached besieged eastern Ghouta, in Syria, but government forces continue their aerial bombardment and ground assault against the rebel enclave.
• New Ukraine Cease-Fire 'Violated Almost Immediately' RFE/RL 05 Mar 2018 -- The Ukrainian military has accused Russia-backed separatists in the eastern region known as the Donbas of violating a new cease-fire agreement shortly after it went into force.
• China concludes 14-year peacekeeping operations in Liberia People's Daily 05 Mar 2018 -- The fifth Chinese peacekeeping police team to Liberia withdrew from the peacekeeping area on Wednesday 28 February this year after finishing their missions, marking the end of China's 14-year peacekeeping operations in Liberia.
• Kashmir Seething Again Over Alleged Civilian Deaths in Indian Army Operation Sputnik 05 Mar 2018 -- Rail services and telecommunication facilities have been cut in the Kashmir Valley as protests have erupted over the killing of six alleged militants by the Indian Army. The local governments, as well as separatist leaders, claim that all of those killed were not militants but civilians.
• Fearing protests, India places Kashmir under curfew after army killings Press TV 05 Mar 2018 -- Authorities have imposed a curfew in the Indian-administered Kashmir in anticipation of fresh public protests after New Delhi's soldiers killed at least six people in the restive Himalayan region.
• Cameroon Assigns Road Construction to Military Over Boko Haram Threats VOA 05 Mar 2018 -- Cameroon's military took over the construction of roads at its northern borders with Chad and Nigeria after Chinese contractors abandoned the work following repeated attacks from armed Boko Haram fighters.

News Reports

• Ex-Trump Aide Nunberg Won't Cooperate With Subpoena in Russia Probe Sputnik 05 Mar 2018 -- Former campaign aide to US President Donald Trump, Sam Nunberg, said he will not comply with a subpoena to appear before a federal grand jury in connection with the Russia investigation by Special Counsel Robert Mueller.
• Steele Says Russia Blocked Trump from Choosing Romney as Sec of State - Reports Sputnik 05 Mar 2018 -- Former British spy Christopher Steele, the author of an unverified dossier on US President Donald Trump, has claimed that Russia prevented Trump from choosing former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney as secretary of state, US media reported on Monday.
• Mueller subpoenas target Trump, ex-aides over Russia probe Press TV 05 Mar 2018 -- A grand-jury subpoena from the US Justice Department's Special Counsel Robert Mueller has targeted President Donald Trump and the majority of his election campaign team, according to a report.
• Russian 'Ex-Spy' Critically Ill In Britain After Exposure To 'Unknown Substance' RFE/RL 05 Mar 2018 -- Reports from Britain say a man who is critically ill after being exposed to an unknown substance is the alleged former Russian spy Sergei Skripal.
• Former Russian Spy Critically Ill After Exposure to Unknown Substance in Britain VOA 05 Mar 2018 -- A former Russian spy is in critical condition after being exposed to an unknown substance in the English town of Salisbury.
• Putin Claims Hundreds Of Spies Thwarted, Urges Focus On Cybersecurity RFE/RL 05 Mar 2018 -- President Vladimir Putin has claimed that Russia thwarted nearly 500 spies in 2017, and urged the Federal Security Service (FSB) to step up cybersecurity efforts and strengthen measures to protect secret communications.
• Putin Calls on FSB to Thwart Attempts to Hinder Russia's Strategic Development Sputnik 05 Mar 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the board of the Federal Security Service (FSB); he addressed key aspects of the agency's work and set goals for the development of the country's security apparatus.
• US trying to meddle in Russian presidential election, sow chaos: Ryabkov Press TV 05 Mar 2018 -- Russia says it has proof in its possession showing that the United States is trying to interfere in the country's upcoming presidential election.
• What's the big deal? China's most important annual political meetings, the "Two Sessions," are underway People's Daily 05 Mar 2018 -- China has kicked off its most important annual political meetings, commonly known as the "Two Sessions," or "Lianghui". The "Two Sessions" are: CPPCC, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, which is the country's top advisory body; and NPC, National People's Congress, which is the China's top legislature body.
• Highlights of Chinese Premier's annual gov't work report People's Daily 05 Mar 2018 -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang delivered a government work report to the first session of the 13th National People's Congress, China's national legislature, Monday morning at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
• China Builds Case for Long-Term Xi Rule VOA 05 Mar 2018 -- The opening session of China's annual meetings for its top legislature began with familiar pomp and pledges on Monday; however, what many will be watching in the coming days is a proposal that paves the way for Chinese leader Xi Jinping to become president for life.
• North Korea Sanctions Impact Mitigated By Illicit Trade VOA 05 Mar 2018 -- It is difficult to gauge the impact of the increased sanctions imposed on North Korea, with reports of both plummeting exports in the last year and increasing illicit trade of banned minerals and arms.
• UN Report Decries Iran 'Pattern' Of Abuses In Prisons RFE/RL 05 Mar 2018 -- A new United Nations report criticizes the Iranian government for its continued crackdown on freedom of expression and restrictions on access to information, while detainees appeared to be systematically subjected to abuse, including torture and rape.
• CTBTO has no sites, monitoring system in Iran: FM Spox IRNA 05 Mar 2018 -- Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) has no site or monitoring system active in Iran and no information is being sent to the secretariat of the treaty, said the spokesman of the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday.
• France opposes to US stance toward JCPOA: Le Drian ISNA 05 Mar 2018 -- French foreign minister met with secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran on Monday, discussing the ways of improving bilateral ties, regional issues and international security.
• Amano once again affirms Iran compliance with JCPOA ISNA 05 Mar 2018 -- International Atomic Energy Agency chief Yukiya Amano on Monday once again affirmed Iran compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal and said inspectors had had access to all the sites and locations which they needed to visit.
• All to regret nuclear deal failure: Iran president Press TV 05 Mar 2018 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says everyone will regret the possible collapse of the landmark nuclear agreement reached between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries in 2015 as the US continues its efforts to sabotage the deal and issues threats to pull out of it.
• Europe must pressure US to comply with Iran nuclear deal: Zarif Press TV 05 Mar 2018 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says Europe must pressure the United States to fulfill its obligations under the 2015 nuclear agreement amid Washington's threat to pull out of it.
• IAEA chief warns of 'great loss' if nuclear deal collapses Press TV 05 Mar 2018 -- The head of the UN nuclear agency has once again confirmed Iran's compliance with the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries, warning that any collapse of the deal would be a "great loss."
• UN Nuclear Watchdog: Iran-Accord Failure Would Be 'Great Loss' RFE/RL 05 Mar 2018 -- The failure of a landmark 2015 agreement between Iran and world powers to restrict Tehran's nuclear program would represent a "great loss," the head of the UN's atomic watchdog has said.
• Iran: We Can Resume Enriching Weapons-Grade Uranium in 'Less than 48 Hours' Sputnik 05 Mar 2018 -- Iran's atomic authority warned that they could produce highly enriched uranium in just two days, should the United States bow out of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), meant to put a halt to Tehran's atomic ambitions.
• Collapse of Iran nuclear deal would be 'great loss,' says UN atomic agency chief UN News 05 Mar 2018 -- Iran is implementing a series of commitments under the nuclear agreement reached with key countries in 2015, the head of the United Nations nuclear energy agency said Monday.
• Kazakh President Suggests He Won't Leave Office Soon RFE/RL 05 Mar 2018 -- Amid persistent speculation that he may be preparing for a political transition, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev has suggested he is not going anywhere soon.
• Brother Of IS 'War Minister' Resigns From Tajik Prisons Department RFE/RL 05 Mar 2018 -- The brother of Gulmurod Halimov, the fugitive Tajik colonel who joined the Islamic State (IS) group, has resigned from his post at Tajikistan's department of prisons after three of his close relatives were sentenced on terrorism-related charges, Tajik government sources say.
• Taiwan reaffirms commitment to cross-strait stability CNA 05 Mar 2018 -- Taiwan reaffirmed Monday its policy and stance on maintaining stability across the Taiwan Strait and striving for regional peace.
• China won't tolerate any 'separatist schemes,' Beijing warns Taipei Press TV 05 Mar 2018 -- Mainland China has warned self-ruled Taiwan that it has zero tolerance for any "separatist schemes" amid mounting tensions between the two sides over a US bill that seeks to improve ties between Washington and Taipei.
• China Warns Taiwan It Will 'Never Tolerate Any Separatist Schemes' Sputnik 05 Mar 2018 -- Earlier, the US Senate approved a bill that is aimed at strengthening ties between Washington and Taipei and simplifying the procedure for the implementation of contacts between US officials and the administration of Taiwan.
• Taiwan Visits by US Officials Could Become More Common, Strategic VOA 05 Mar 2018 -- The U.S. government would find it easier to exchange high-level visits with diplomatically isolated Taiwan after approval of a new congressional bill, but experts say the legislation will just turn Taiwan into a bargaining chip in Sino-U.S. relations.
• Turkey asks Germany to detain, extradite Kurdish leader Saleh Muslim Press TV 05 Mar 2018 -- Turkey has asked Germany to detain and extradite Salih Muslim, a senior Kurdish figure from Syria whom Ankara blames for two terror attacks in the capital Ankara that killed dozens.
• EU Sanctions Against Ukrainian Ex-President Prolonged RFE/RL 05 Mar 2018 -- EU ministers have prolonged sanctions against former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and 12 of his associates by another year, but lifted restrictive measures against former Justice Minister Olena Lukash and businessman Serhiy Klyuyev.
• Italian centre-left leader Renzi resigns after election defeat Press TV 05 Mar 2018 -- Former Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi has announced his resignation as leader of the ruling center-left Democratic Party (PD) after suffering a crushing defeat in the country's general election.
• Anti-immigrant League party claims right to lead Italy's future coalition govt. Press TV 05 Mar 2018 -- Leader of Italy's League party Matteo Salvini says his far-right group has the right to lead a coalition government after no party managed to secure a majority in the weekend general election.
• Riyadh, Cairo set up $10bn fund to develop Saudi megacity: Report Press TV 05 Mar 2018 -- Saudi Arabia and Egypt have reportedly set up a joint fund worth more than $10 billion to develop a megacity and business zone planned to be built by Riyadh on more than 1,000 square kilometers of land in the southern Sinai Peninsula.
• Hunger rates remain high amid conflict, climate shocks, warns UN food security report UN News 05 Mar 2018 -- Increased hunger and food insecurity, fuelled by conflict and climatic challenges, continues to inflict suffering on populations in different parts of the world, forcing them to remain dependent on humanitarian assistance, a new United Nations report has warned.
• Netanyahu to Trump: Israel, US Have a Common Challenge to Stop Iran VOA 05 Mar 2018 -- "Iran must be stopped; that is our common challenge," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday.
• Promised Revolution Italians May End Up With Little Change VOA 05 Mar 2018 -- With no outright winner and the Italian parliament appearing to be hung based on early seat projections Monday, the already fractious country will be thrown into weeks of tortuous backroom deal-making and behind-the-scenes horse trading as coalition negotiations drag on, prolonging political instability in one of Europe's biggest economies.
• Sierra Leone Votes for New President, Parliament VOA 05 Mar 2018 -- Decked in red, green, and yellow, supporters of Sierra Leone's biggest parties wrap up their campaigns this week, before general elections on Wednesday. Up for grabs is the presidency, parliament, and local council positions.