24 April 2018 Military News

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Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
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Current Operations

OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 24 Apr 2018 [PDF]

Department Of Defense Press Briefing By Colonel Dillon Via Teleconference From Baghdad, Iraq DoD 24 Apr 2018 -- Presenter: Colonel Ryan Dillon, Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve Spokesman; Eric J. Pahon, Defense Department Spokesman

Taliban militants kill 2 police, capture 6 soldiers in northwestern Afghanistan Press TV 24 Apr 2018 -- Two Afghan policemen have been killed and six soldiers have been captured in operations by the Taliban militant group in the northwestern province of Badghis.

US building huge drone base in Niger Press TV 24 Apr 2018 -- The US military has started construction for a huge military base in the African country of Niger, which officials say will be used for airstrikes and intelligence operations by unmanned aircraft in West Africa.

Defense Policy / Programs

Up for the challenge? Army wants help in applying AI, machine learning to signal detection Army News 24 Apr 2018 -- Digitally speaking, it's loud out there. Cell phones, satellite signals, radars and more are making the electromagnetic spectrum a crowded and congested space.
Lake Champlain Visits Peru after Completing Anti-Submarine Training with Peru, Colombia NNS 24 Apr 2018 -- Sailors from USS Lake Champlain (CG 57) anchored off the coast of Lima, Peru, April 23, after completing a combined anti-submarine training exercise with Peru and Colombia.
USS Bulkeley Arrives In Palma, Spain NNS 24 Apr 2018 -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Bulkeley (DDG 84) arrived in Palma, Spain, for a scheduled port visit April 24 to enhance U.S.-Spain relations as the two nations work together for a stable, secure, and prosperous Europe.
Arleigh Burke Arrives in Tunis NNS 24 Apr 2018 -- The guided missile destroyer USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) anchored out of Tunis, Tunisia, for a scheduled port visit, April 23.
Truman Strike Group, Morocco Team Up for Lightning Handshake 2018 NNS 24 Apr 2018 -- Ships and aircraft of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG) and the Royal Moroccan navy and air force commenced exercise Lightning Handshake 2018, April 23.
Portland Commissioned in Namesake City NNS 24 Apr 2018 -- As medals adorning their chests clang with each running step, Sailors rush past the brow to man their vessel.
Navy Accepts Delivery of Future USS Michael Monsoor NNS 24 Apr 2018 -- The Navy accepted hull, mechanical and electrical (HM&E) delivery of the future USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001) from shipbuilder General Dynamics Bath Iron Works (BIW) April 24.
US, Thailand Kick-Off Anti-Submarine Exercise Guardian Sea NNS 24 Apr 2018 -- The U.S. Navy and Royal Thai Navy (RTN) kick off exercise Guardian Sea in the Andaman Sea, April 25.
US air force F-16 fighter crashes in Arizona, pilot ejects safely Press TV 24 Apr 2018 -- A US F-16 fighter jet has crash landed during a training flight in the country's southwest, with official reports saying that the pilot has managed to eject the aircraft and is currently in good condition.
US struggling to handle excess plutonium Press TV 24 Apr 2018 -- The United States is struggling to handle the excessive amounts of plutonium generated at the cores of its many retired nuclear reactors, according to a new report, raising fears that it might end up in the wrong hands.
Air Guard, Reserve wings kick off annual MAFFS training AFNS 24 Apr 2018 -- As temperatures heated up in northern California, aerial firefighters from four C-130 airlift wings operating the U.S.D.A. Forest Service's Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System, or MAFFS, started a weeklong training April 23, 2018, in anticipation of summer blazes.
DoD Seeks to Make Civilian Agencies More Productive, Efficient AFPS 24 Apr 2018 -- The Defense Department is already looking at ways to make its agencies more productive and efficient, the deputy defense secretary told the Defense Writers Group here today.
Army Reserve brigade maximizes battle assembly training, weapons qualification Army News 24 Apr 2018 -- Units from 361st Civil Affairs Brigade held a weapons qualification battle assembly at Baumholder Training Area, April 12 to 15.
African land force chiefs assemble for annual summit Army News 24 Apr 2018 -- Forty African land force chiefs represented their countries at the sixth African Land Forces Summit here, April 16-19.
Sustaining in Jordan: the MRF takes to KASOTC to brush up on tactics proficiency USMC News 24 Apr 2018 -- Dry wind whispered through the ridgelines and into the urban training town as Marines with security platoon patrolled the empty streets. In the distance, explosions and gunfire, keeping them alert and attentive to their surroundings.
Navy Bases Prepare for Hurricane Season NNS 24 Apr 2018 -- U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFF), headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, and Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) based in Washington, D.C., are conducting a natural disaster preparedness exercise, Hurricane Exercise/Citadel Gale 2018 (HURREX/CG 18), April 24 - May 11.
USS Pearl Harbor Assists Distressed Vessel NNS 24 Apr 2018 -- The Harpers Ferry-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) assisted a distressed vessel in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Southern California April 20.
USS Farragut Arrives in Portsmouth NNS 24 Apr 2018 -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Farragut (DDG 99) arrived in Portsmouth, England, April 23 for a scheduled port visit to enhance U.S. and U.K. relations as the two nations work together for a stable, secure and prosperous Europe.

Russian military practicing combat skills in Sea of Japan Press TV 24 Apr 2018 -- Ships from Russia's Pacific fleet have been holding live-fire drills in the Sea of Japan, according to video released by the Russian Defense Ministry.

Secretary General: Australia is one of NATO's closest partners NATO 24 Apr 2018 -- On Tuesday (24 April 2018) NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, discussed with the Prime Minister of Australia, Malcolm Turnbull, how the Alliance and Australia can further strengthen their close partnership.

China holds live-fire drill in East China Sea Press TV 24 Apr 2018 -- A Chinese aircraft carrier formation, featuring the carrier Liaoning, has taken part in a "live combat drill" in the East China Sea, where China is involved in a territorial dispute with Japan.

Han Kuang drill firsts: Coast Guard, civilian UAV operators CNA 24 Apr 2018 -- This year's Han Kuang military exercises, Taiwan's largest scale annual drill, will feature Coast Guard officers and civilian Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) operators for the first time to make use of all levers of national power in military planning.

Netherlands - M1156 Precision Guided Kits DSCA 24 Apr 2018 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Netherlands of three thousand five hundred (3,500) M1156 Precision Guided Kits for an estimated cost of $70 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
Netherlands - F-16 Formal Training Unit at Tucson Air National Guard Base (ANGB), Arizona DSCA 24 Apr 2018 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Netherlands of defense articles and services in support of continuation of a Continental United States (CONUS) based Royal Netherlands Air Force F-16 Formal Training Unit for an estimated cost of $110 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.

Remarks by President Trump and President Macron Before Expanded Bilateral Meeting The White House 24 Apr 2018
Remarks by President Trump and President Macron of France Before Restricted Bilateral Meeting The White House 24 Apr 2018
Remarks by President Trump and President Macron of France in Joint Press Conference The White House 24 Apr 2018

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for April 24, 2018

Other Conflicts

24 April 2018 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 24 Apr 2018
World leaders gather at UN to renew commitment to build and sustain peace UN News 24 Apr 2018 -- Calling for more diplomacy, dialogue and mediation to head off conflicts before they break out, United Nations officials urged a gathering of world leaders on Tuesday to help strengthen a new approach to sustaining peace, which aims to put prevention at the heart of the UN's work.

UN Rights Office: Saudi-Led Yemen Strikes Kill Dozens of Civilians VOA 24 Apr 2018 -- The U.N. Human Rights Office is calling for an investigation into the killings of dozens of civilians in Yemen during the past four days by Saudi-led Coalition airstrikes.
Yemeni Forces Vow 'Crushing Response' For Killing Houthis' Top Official Sputnik 24 Apr 2018 -- Houthi-run Al Masirah television has reported on the death of a senior Houthi official, following a weekend of continued Saudi airstrikes that have left at least 33 civilians dead and 55 others injured.
Saudi air attack on NW Yemen kills 18 civilians IRNA 24 Apr 2018 -- Saudi jet fighters bombarded a gas station in Hajjah, northwestern Yemen on Monday and killed at least 18 civilians.
Yemeni Army shoots missile at Saudi positions IRNA 24 Apr 2018 -- Yemeni missile unit fired a ballistic missile at Saudi mercenaries in Taiz on Tuesday, Yemeni TV Channel 'Almasirah' reported.
Yemeni resistance will defeat aggressors soon: Iran Press TV 24 Apr 2018 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi says the Yemeni people's resistance will achieve a final victory in the face of aggressors soon.
Yemen vows 'crushing response' to top Houthi official murder Press TV 24 Apr 2018 -- Yemen's Defense Ministry has vowed a "crushing response" to the assassination of a senior official from the Houthi Ansarullah movement, saying Saudi Arabia and the US will regret their "criminal adventurism."

Turkish president vows to continue with Syria operation Press TV 24 Apr 2018 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has rejected calls for his country to stop a controversial military operation in Syria, saying the fight would continue as part of Ankara's broader crackdown on Kurdish militants.

WFP: Battle for Syria's Idlib Would Trigger Humanitarian Nightmare VOA 24 Apr 2018 -- A senior World Food Program official warns that a Syrian government offensive to wrest the besieged province of Idlib from rebel armed groups would be catastrophic and trigger a humanitarian crisis.
5 killed in rocket attack on Syria's Damascus Press TV 24 Apr 2018 -- Syrian authorities say at least five people have been killed and 22 more have been injured when terrorists targeted residential areas in the capital Damascus.
Syrian forces hit militant positions, destroy Daesh trenches near Damascus Press TV 24 Apr 2018 -- Syrian government troops, supported by Syrian Air Force fighter jets, have launched a new operation in the country's southwestern province of Rif Dimashq, targeting underground tunnels and fortified positions used by Takfiri Daesh terrorists.
'US planning long-term stay in Syria, taking up position on east of Euphrates' Press TV 24 Apr 2018 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says the US has no intention of leaving Syrian soil, but on the contrary it is seeking to strengthen its foothold on the eastern bank of the Euphrates.
UN, EU hold conference to gather more aid for Syrian people Press TV 24 Apr 2018 -- The EU and UN have held a two-day conference in Brussels in an attempt to boost humanitarian aid for Syria from international donors, as the seven-year crisis continues to take its toll on millions of people in the country.
No deals for remaining Daesh terrorists in southern Damascus: Syria minister Press TV 24 Apr 2018 -- A Syrian minister has said remaining militants in southern Damascus will not be offered reconciliation deals by the government.
EU, UN Kick Off Two-Day Aid Conference For Syria In Brussels RFE/RL 24 Apr 2018 -- A two-day international conference aimed at securing humanitarian support for victims of the seven-year conflict in Syria has opened in Brussels.
Syrian Army Set to Liberate North Homs Pocket After Damascus – Minister Sputnik 24 Apr 2018 -- Government forces have made sweeping gains against a coalition of hardline Islamist militants in Damascus' East Ghouta region, with the pocket entirely liberated in around two months via operation Damascus Steel. The Syrian Army is set to continue its counterterrorism operations in other parts of the country, in both Damascus and Homs.

Iran vows to punish Israel for Syria air raid Press TV 24 Apr 2018 -- A senior Iranian official has pledged that the Islamic Republic will punish Israel for the recent airstrikes on Syria that killed over a dozen people, including seven Iranian military advisors.

Palestinian state without al-Quds as capital will not be accepted: PA spox Press TV 24 Apr 2018 -- The spokesman of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says Palestinians will not accept any attempt aimed at the solution of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict without occupied Jerusalem al-Quds being the capital of Palestine.

UN Appeal Judges Urged To Hand Life Sentence To Karadzic RFE/RL 24 Apr 2018 -- United Nations prosecutors have urged appeals judges to convict former Bosnian Serb wartime leader Radovan Karadzic on a second genocide count and increase his 40-year prison term to a life sentence.

News Reports

U.S. Senate Committee Approves Pompeo For Secretary Of State RFE/RL 24 Apr 2018 -- The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee has approved the nomination of CIA Director Mike Pompeo to become President Donald Trump's second secretary of state.

US Supreme Court to Hear Travel Ban Case VOA 24 Apr 2018 -- The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments Wednesday on whether President Donald Trump can limit travelers from mostly Muslim-majority countries – Iran, Libya, North Korea, Syria, Venezuela, Somalia and Yemen – from coming to the U.S.

U.S. Offers To Lift Sanctions On Russia's Rusal If Deripaska Cedes Control RFE/RL 24 Apr 2018 -- A senior Russian official says the government has not ruled out buying a stake in aluminum giant Rusal from tycoon Oleg Deripaska in order to protect the company from U.S. sanctions.
US Pushing World Toward New Arms Race - Shoigu Sputnik 24 Apr 2018 -- Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Tuesday that Washington was not ready for partnership on an equitable basis even with its own traditional allies.

In Armenia, Cautious Optimism, Uncertainty Follow Shock Resignation VOA 24 Apr 2018 -- From the streets of the Armenian capital to think tanks across the Atlantic, activists and experts alike grappled with implications of Monday's shock resignation of Armenian Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan after 11 straight days of protest over the former president's new political appointment.
Armenian Protest Leader Pashinian Says He's Ready To Rule If Country Wants It RFE/RL 24 Apr 2018 -- Armenian lawmaker Nikol Pashinian, the leader of opposition protests that pushed longtime leader Serzh Sarkisian to abruptly step down as prime minister, says he is ready to step in and lead the country if people want.
Armenian Prime Minister Sargsyan Resigns Amid Mass Protests in Yerevan Sputnik 24 Apr 2018 -- Armenian Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan on Monday announced his resignation against the backdrop of large-scale protests that had gathered tens of thousands of people in the Armenian capital.
Armenia: Welcoming peaceful nature of protests, UN chief asks for continued stability UN News 24 Apr 2018 -- Following the resignation of Armenia's Prime Minister in the wake of mass protests, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for the continued respect of the rule of law and human rights, as well as for the maintenance of peace and stability in Armenia and the wider region.

Trump: Kim Jung-un is 'very honorable' person Press TV 24 Apr 2018 -- US President Donald Trump has called North Korea Kim Jung-un's leader a "very honorable" person, expressing hope their meeting will occur "as soon as possible."
Trump: North Korea's Kim 'Very Honorable' VOA 24 Apr 2018 -- President Donald Trump says he expects to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un "very soon" and praised Kim as being "very open" and "very honorable."
Dialogue With N Korea Possible After S Korea, US Summits With Pyongyang - Abe Sputnik 24 Apr 2018 -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told South Korean President Moon Jae-in that Japan could begin a dialogue with North Korea if the upcoming talks of the leader of North Korea with those of South Korea and the United States were successful, the South Korean presidential administration said Tuesday.

Iran Nuclear Deal's Fate Remains Unresolved Following Trump-Macron Talks VOA 24 Apr 2018 -- The leaders of the United States and France are calling for expanded negotiations with Iran, but in remarks to reporters on Tuesday they gave no indication whether President Donald Trump would pull his country out of the existing nuclear deal with Tehran.
Trump Vows 'Bigger Problems' For Iran If It Restarts Nuclear Program RFE/RL 24 Apr 2018 -- U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that Iran "will have bigger problems than they have ever had before" if it follows through with threats to restart its nuclear program.
US, French presidents call for changes to Iran nuclear deal Press TV 24 Apr 2018 -- The US and French presidents have called for major changes to Iran's nuclear deal, despite Tehran's repeated assertions that the agreement is non-negotiable.
Iran to pursue US violations of commitment under Article 36 of JCPOA IRNA 24 Apr 2018 -- Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said that Iran will file complaint with JCPOA Joint Commission as one of the probable options after Donald Trump declares his decision regarding extension of the country's sanctions waivers.
Trump warns Iran against restarting nuclear program Press TV 24 Apr 2018 -- US President Donald Trump has called on Iran not to restart its nuclear program, shortly after Iranian President Hassan Rouhani warned Washington against violating the 2015 nuclear deal, saying any failure to respect the multinational agreement would entail "grave consequences."
Russia, China urge UN members states to support Iran's nuclear deal Press TV 24 Apr 2018 -- Russia and China have issued a draft statement, calling on the UN member states to express their "unwavering support" for Iran's nuclear agreement amid the US efforts to scrap the deal.
Iran vows to punish Israel for Syria air raid Press TV 24 Apr 2018 -- A senior Iranian official has pledged that the Islamic Republic will punish Israel for the recent airstrikes on Syria that killed over a dozen people, including seven Iranian military advisors.
Trump, Macron discuss Iran deal in White House meeting Press TV 24 Apr 2018 -- US President Donald Trump and visiting French President Emmanuel Macron have met at the White House, in a summit that is expected to revolve around the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and Washington's plans to leave it.
US possible withdrawal from JCPOA would free Iran of any commitment: Zarif Press TV 24 Apr 2018 -- Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says the US, under President Donald Trump, has violated almost all of its commitments as part of the 2015 nuclear deal, and that Washington's withdrawal would only set Iran free of any obligation to stay in the accord.
Any violation of Iran deal entails grave consequences: President Rouhani Press TV 24 Apr 2018 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has once again warned the United States against violating the 2015 nuclear deal, saying any failure to respect the multinational agreement would entail "grave consequences."
Iran's President Warns Trump To Stay In Nuclear Deal Or 'Face Severe Consequences' RFE/RL 24 Apr 2018 -- Iranian President Hassan Rohani has warned U.S. President Donald Trump not to pull out of a landmark nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers, saying that the United States will face "severe consequences" if it violates the pact.
Zarif Says Neither Saudis Nor Iran Can Dominate Middle East; Talks Needed RFE/RL 24 Apr 2018 -- Iran's foreign minister has said that neither Iran nor Saudi Arabia can be the dominant power in the Middle East and called on countries in the Persian Gulf region to start talking to each other.
Trump Warns Iran Against Restarting Nuclear Program Sputnik 24 Apr 2018 -- Iran will have bigger problems than ever before if it attempts to restart its nuclear program, US President Donald Trump said during a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in the Oval Office on Tuesday.
Iran Warns Trump: If Nuclear Deal Betrayed, There'll Be Severe Consequences Sputnik 24 Apr 2018 -- US President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) as being perhaps the worst deal in US history and threatened to withdraw Washington from the deal if it was not amended.
Tehran Will 'Never Bow' to US Pressure - Iranian General Sputnik 24 Apr 2018 -- Iran's most senior military commander blasted the US and its allies for intervening across the Middle East and West Asia while speaking at the 6th Indian Ocean Naval Symposium on Monday.

Ankara tells European rights body not to meddle in Turkey's domestic issues Press TV 24 Apr 2018 -- Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim has called on the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) Monitoring Committee to "to mind its own business" after the continental body expressed concerns over the freedom and fairness of the country's snap elections, recommending that the polls be postponed.

Belarusian Leader Has Harsh Words For Russia, West -- And Warning For Moscow RFE/RL 24 Apr 2018 -- Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka has used an annual address to criticize both the West and Russia, accusing Western countries of "inciting trade wars" and charging that Moscow has blocked Belarusian goods from the Russian market.

Turkmen President Berdymukhammedov Wraps Up Official Visit To Uzbekistan RFE/RL 24 Apr 2018 -- Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov has visited Uzbekistan's western region of Khorezm, which neighbors Turkmenistan, on the last day of his official visit.

Meeting of SCO Foreign Ministers' Council Kicks Off in Beijing Sputnik 24 Apr 2018 -- The meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has kicked off in Beijing in Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, a Sputnik correspondent reported Tuesday

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