19 June 2018 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 19 Jun 2018 [PDF]

Coalition, Partners Continue Progress Against ISIS in Iraq, Syria AFPS 19 Jun 2018 -- The coalition and its partners in Syria and Iraq are continuing to make progress in defeating the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, the spokesman for Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve said today.
Coalition Kills ISIS Criminal Leader, Followers AFPS 19 Jun 2018 -- Four Islamic State of Iraq and Syria members affiliated with the group's oil and gas network were killed May 26 during coalition operations in Syria's Middle Euphrates River Valley, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials announced today.

Uzbekistan 'Fully Ready' To Host Afghan Peace Talks RFE/RL 19 Jun 2018 -- Uzbekistan has emphasized its readiness to host direct peace talks between the government of neighboring Afghanistan and the Taliban, after both sides announced cease-fires for the Eid al-Fitr holiday.
Afghan Officials Hold Security Talks With Pakistan Spy Chief VOA 19 Jun 2018 -- A high-powered Afghan security delegation visited neighboring Pakistan on Tuesday for official talks on how to jointly push peace and reconciliation efforts in Afghanistan.

Defense Policy / Programs

US Senate approves $716bn military budget Press TV 19 Jun 2018 -- The US Senate has almost unanimously approved a massive $716 billion military spending bill for the upcoming financial year, supporting President Donald Trump's calls for expanding the country's war machine.
Air Advisors conduct first-ever BPC mission in Costa Rica AFNS 19 Jun 2018 -- The 571st Mobility Support Advisory Squadron recently conducted their first-ever mission to the Central American country of Costa Rica. The nine member team, executed a three-week building partnership capacity mission with the air vigilance service, of SVA, from May 16 through June 9, 2018.
B-1B fleet resumes flight operations AFNS 19 Jun 2018 -- Air Force Global Strike Command will resume B-1B flight operations this week, following the directed safety stand-down June 7th.
Vice Chairman Discusses Building DoD Partnership With Humanitarian Agencies AFPS 19 Jun 2018 -- The Defense Department is a resource unlike any other in the world for aiding civilian agencies as they confront natural or man-made disasters, and DoD continues to look for better ways to work alongside civilian agencies, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said here yesterday.
National Guard provides unimagined opportunities during Platinum Wolf 18 Army News 19 Jun 2018 -- Military service is a tradition in her family, so it was no surprise when Ohio Army National Guard Spc. Cheyanna Porter enlisted in the spring of 2015 and completed basic training during the summer between her junior and senior year of high school.
Next gen binoculars increase survivability for Recon, EOD Marines USMC News 19 Jun 2018 -- Marines will have better situational awareness on missions in dark areas thanks to new night vision goggles.
Carl Vinson Departs for RIMPAC 2018 NNS 19 Jun 2018 -- Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) departed San Diego, June 18, to participate in the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California.
Pentagon suspends planning for joint military drills with S. Korea in August People's Daily 19 Jun 2018 -- The U.S. Defense Department said on Monday that it has suspended all planning for a joint military exercise with South Korea in August.
Washington, Seoul Suspend Joint Military Drill - Official Sputnik 19 Jun 2018 -- The US and South Korean militaries will not conduct a joint military drill that was scheduled to take place in August, US officials said late Monday, following a historic meeting between US President Donald Trump and North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un in which the two heads of state agreed to make peace on the Korean Peninsula.
Trump orders to build "separate but equal" space force People's Daily 19 Jun 2018 -- The United States President Donald Trump announced Monday that he was moving to establish a space force as the sixth branch of the U.S. armed forces.
Trump orders establishment of new US military 'space force' Press TV 19 Jun 2018 -- US President Donald Trump has announced plans for American dominance in space by ordering the establishment of a sixth branch of the military - a "space force."
NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center Sigonella Conducts Joint Intermodal Operations in Spain NNS 19 Jun 2018 -- Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Sigonella's site in Rota, Spain, supported an intermodal evolution resulting in $2.5 million dollars in government savings.
Pentagon Awards Contract for Virtually Silent Drones That Fly Even Further Sputnik 19 Jun 2018 -- The Pentagon's secret weapons maker has awarded a contract to a company in Boston to build an engine that military officials believe has the potential to make drone aircraft fly for longer periods of time.

Russia may have updraded nuclear weapons storage site in Kaliningrad: Satellite images Press TV 19 Jun 2018 -- Russia may have upgraded a nuclear weapons storage bunker in its Baltic Sea exclave of Kaliningrad amid rising tensions between Moscow and NATO, a report suggests.

U.S. Senate passes bill calling for troops to join Taiwan drills CNA 19 Jun 2018 -- The U.S. Senate on Monday passed an annual defense policy bill for fiscal year 2019, which included recommendations for American troops to participate in Taiwan's military exercises and vice versa.

Turkey slams US bill to block F-35 sales, hints at alternatives Press TV 19 Jun 2018 -- Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim has denounced an American bill seeking to prohibit the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Ankara, stressing that his country has "alternatives" in the face of such a measure.
Senate Approves Ban On Sale Of U.S. F-35s To Turkey Over Russia Deal RFE/RL 19 Jun 2018 -- The U.S. Senate has passed a major defense bill that would block the sale of U.S. F-35 fighter jets to Turkey unless it abandons a deal to buy S-400 missile-defense systems from Russia, drawing criticism from Ankara.
US Senate's Move to Block F-35 Supplies Won't Stop Turkey From Buying S-400 - PM Sputnik 19 Jun 2018 -- Turkey will find alternatives after the US Senate's decision to suspend Ankara's participation in the F-35 fighter jet production program, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said, after the US Senate decided to stop the jet deliveries over Ankara's intention to buy S-400s.
Dozens of US Lawmakers Protest Delivery of F-35s to Turkey Sputnik 19 Jun 2018 -- A truly bipartisan letter sponsored by 44 members of the US House of Representatives calls for the US to "prevent the planned delivery of F-35 Lightning II jets" to Turkey. "Turkey is actively operating to undermine US interests around the world," the legislators said.

Department Press Briefing - June 19, 2018 US Dept. of State 19 Jun 2018

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for June 19, 2018

Other Conflicts

19 June 2018 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 19 Jun 2018
Rise in violent conflict shows prevention 'more necessary than ever': UN chief UN News 19 Jun 2018 -- With the number of people killed in armed conflict rising tenfold since 2005, preventive action is "more necessary than ever," United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said on Tuesday.
UN: Record 68 Million People Worldwide Displaced in 2017 VOA 19 Jun 2018 -- The United Nations refugee agency says a record 68.5 million people around the world were forced to flee their homes last year due to war, violence and persecution.
Nearly three million more displaced year-on-year, warns refugee agency chief, but solutions are within reach UN News 19 Jun 2018 -- The number of people forced to flee their homes last year rose by nearly three million to 68.5 million, the head of the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said on Tuesday, warning that the world's displacement hotspots "are becoming hotter".

It's time to 'eliminate the scourge of conflict-related sexual violence', urges UN chief UN News 19 Jun 2018 -- The effects of conflict-related sexual violence echo across generations, in the form of trauma, stigma, and unwanted pregnancy, said the UN chief on Tuesday, describing the scourge as "a threat to our collective security" and "a stain on our common humanity."

S.Korea to conduct military exercises near controversial islets claimed by Japan People's Daily 19 Jun 2018 -- The South Korean military planned to conduct defensive exercises near Dokdo islets, called Takeshima in Japan, over which Tokyo has claimed its sovereignty, Seoul's defense ministry said Monday.

Media: Saudi-led Coalition Control Large Parts of Hodeida Airport VOA 19 Jun 2018 -- Arab media are reporting that Saudi-led coalition forces have captured dozens of Houthi militia fighters after taking control of large parts of Yemen's Hodeida airport. Witnesses say the Houthis have been reinforcing their positions around Hodeida's port, the country's largest, as coalition forces try to tighten their noose on the city.
Saudi-led coalition has so far failed to capture Hudaydah airport despite propaganda Press TV 19 Jun 2018 -- The international airport of Yemen's western city of Hudaydah still firmly resists occupation by a Saudi-led military coalition despite scores of airstrikes pouring on the compound, a lifeline to millions of Yemenis, thanks to the impoverished country's army, supported by allied fighters from the Popular Committees and those of the Houthi Ansarullah movement.
Saudi-led forces storm airport compound in Yemen port city: Report Press TV 19 Jun 2018 -- Saudi-led forces claim to have entered the main compound of the airport in the western Yemeni city of Hudaydah as they press ahead with a military offensive to capture the flashpoint port city in defiance of international warnings.
Saudi Air Defense Destroys Missile Fired by Houthis From Yemen – Reports Sputnik 19 Jun 2018 -- Air defense forces of Saudi Arabia destroyed in the country's southwest on Tuesday a ballistic missile fired by Houthi rebels from Yemen, the al-Ekhbariya TV broadcaster reported.
Yemeni Pro-Gov't Forces Plan to Restore Control Over Hodeidah Port - Spokesman Sputnik 19 Jun 2018 -- The next goal of the forces loyal to Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi will be to restore control over the seaport in the city of Hodeidah, Army spokesman Brig. Gen. Abdu Majali told Sputnik on Tuesday.

Iran will remain on Syria side in post-war reconstruction: VP Press TV 19 Jun 2018 -- Iranian First Vice President Es'haq Jahangiri says the Islamic Republic will stand by Syria in the reconstruction plans of the war-stricken country.
Israeli spy drone crashes in southwestern Syria Press TV 19 Jun 2018 -- An Israeli spy drone has crashed in southwestern Syria as the Tel Aviv regime defies calls to end its violations of the airspace of the Arab country.
Syria strongly condemns presence of US, Turkish forces around Manbij Press TV 19 Jun 2018 -- Syria has strongly denounced the presence of Turkish and US troops around the Arab country's northern town of Manbij, a day after soldiers of both countries entered the outskirts of the flashpoint town as part of a deal reached between Ankara and Washington to purportedly remove US-backed Kurdish militants from the area and "secure" the region.
US, Turkey Start Coordinated Patrols in Syrian Town of Manbij Sputnik 19 Jun 2018 -- The People's Protection Units (YPG), which Turkey considers a terrorist group, agreed to retreat to the east side of the Euphrates River, meeting a longstanding demand by Ankara.

Israel bombed Syria's al-Hari killing Iraqi PMUs: US Press TV 19 Jun 2018 -- Israel was behind the bombing raid on the Syrian town of al-Hari where over 22 members of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) were killed, claims a US official.

'Turkish jets kill 26 militants in southeast Turkey, Iraq' Press TV 19 Jun 2018 -- The Turkish military says it has conducted airstrikes on southeast Turkey and northern Iraq, killing 26 militants and destroying their positions.

Sudan: The Troika Condemns Continued Clashes in Jebel Marra, Darfur US Dept. of State 19 Jun 2018 -- The Troika (Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States) condemns the ongoing clashes between the Sudan Liberation Army-Abdul Wahid (SLA-AW) and Government of Sudan forces as well as inter-tribal violence in the Jebel Marra region of Darfur.

'No steps taken' so far to end Israel's illegal settlement activity on Palestinian land – UN envoy UN News 19 Jun 2018 -- A senior United Nations official on Tuesday urged Israel to reverse course over illegal settlement construction on occupied Palestinian land, and for both parties to return to the negotiating table in pursuit of a lasting peace deal.

UN mobilizes in Rohingya camps to support babies born of rape; young mothers face stigma UN News 19 Jun 2018 -- Despite challenges brought on by the arrival of the monsoon season this month, United Nations agencies in Bangladesh continue to support nearly one million Rohingya refugees, including thousands of victims of sexual violence.

News Reports

US Leaves UN Human Rights Council, Citing Bias VOA 19 Jun 2018 -- The United States has announced its official withdrawal from the United Nations Human Rights Council, saying the organization is no longer worthy of its name.
UN chief hails 'very important role' of Human Rights Council, as US withdraws, citing alleged bias UN News 19 Jun 2018 -- In response to the withdrawal of the United States on Tuesday from the United Nations body which is designed to promote and protect human rights around the globe, Secretary-General António Guterres said that he would have "much preferred" the US remain.

Trump Vows To Keep U.S. Ahead Of China, Russia On Space Endeavors RFE/RL 19 Jun 2018 -- U.S. President Donald Trump has vowed to maintain U.S. dominance in space as China, Russia, and other countries make advances in the race to explore the moon, Mars, and other planets.

Migrant children at US border have right to protection and 'be with their families': UNICEF chief UN News 19 Jun 2018 -- Separating children from their families is in no-one's best interest – the head of UN Children's Fund UNICEF said on Tuesday – pointing to "heartbreaking" stories of infants who have been reportedly removed from their parents after entering the US from Mexico illegally.
Congressional Action Urged to Halt Family Separations at US Border VOA 19 Jun 2018 -- U.S. lawmakers of both political parties on Tuesday urged congressional action to halt the separation of migrant families at the U.S.-Mexico border, a practice ordered by the Trump administration that has sparked a ferocious outcry on Capitol Hill.

DPRK's Kim Jong Un visits China People's Daily 19 Jun 2018 -- Kim Jong Un, leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), visits China from June 19 to 20.
President Xi tells North Korea's Kim China backs peace on Korean Peninsula Press TV 19 Jun 2018 -- North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un, who has traveled to the Chinese capital, was told by China's President Xi Jinping on Tuesday that Beijing is willing to play a positive role in the promotion of peace on the Korean Peninsula.
North Korean leader in China after summit with US Press TV 19 Jun 2018 -- North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un has arrived in the Chinese capital of Beijing for talks with President Xi Jinping and is likely to brief President Xi on his summit last week with US President Donald Trump.
Kim Meets With Xi Amid Surprise Visit to China, Week After Singapore Summit Sputnik 19 Jun 2018 -- This is the first meeting between Xi Jinping and Kim Jong-un after the historic summit where the North Korean leader met with the US president in Singapore to discuss the prospects for denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula and lifting the sanctions on the DPRK.
China's Xi Hosts North Korea's Kim for Talks VOA 19 Jun 2018 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping says he hopes North Korea and the United States can implement the agreement they reached at last week's historic summit in Singapore, according to China's state broadcaster CCTV. Xi made his comments as he welcomed North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to China.

Iran completes full space technology cycle IRNA 19 Jun 2018 -- Iran has managed to complete the full cycle of space technology, according to head of the Iranian Space Agency.
Minister: French firms 'won't be able to stay' in Iran Press TV 19 Jun 2018 -- France's finance minister says Europe has to build independent financial institutions immunized from US penalties which are making business in Iran impossible for European companies.
Most French Companies 'Won't be Able to Stay' in Iran - Minister Sputnik 19 Jun 2018 -- As EU officials have sought to bypass potential secondary sanctions by the United States over the past month, France's Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire stated Tuesday that the lion's share of French firms "will not be able to stay" in Iran.

China MOC spokesperson makes remarks on White House trade statement People's Daily 19 Jun 2018 -- A spokesperson of China's Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said Tuesday that if the United States loses its rationality and unveils another list of Chinese products for additional tariffs, China will have no choice but to take comprehensive measures combining quantitative and qualitative ones to resolutely strike back.
China accuses Trump of blackmail with new tariff threats Press TV 19 Jun 2018 -- China's Commerce Ministry has accused US President Donald Trump of seeking "blackmail" by threatening to impose new tariffs on Chinese products, warning of retaliatory measures.
China Calls Trump Threat of More Tariffs 'Blackmail' VOA 19 Jun 2018 -- China calls President Donald Trump's threat to slap more tariffs on Chinese exports to the U.S. "extreme pressure and blackmail" and threatens to retaliate.

CIA employee leaked intel on US hacking tools to WikiLeaks Press TV 19 Jun 2018 -- The US Justice Department has charged a former computer engineer at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) with leaking intelligence on US government hacking tools to the anti-secrecy group WikiLeaks.

Ex-Israeli minister charged with 'spying for Iran' Press TV 19 Jun 2018 -- A former Israeli energy minister has been charged with "passing information" to Iran and engaging in acts of "espionage" against the Tel Aviv regime.
Former Israeli Energy Minister Charged With Spying For Iran RFE/RL 19 Jun 2018 -- Israeli authorities have arrested a former cabinet minister once imprisoned for trying to smuggle drugs, this time on suspicion of spying for archfoe Iran, the country's internal security service says.

Reports: Executive At Russian Energy Giant Inter Arrested On Spying Charges RFE/RL 19 Jun 2018 -- Russian news reports say an executive with energy holding company Inter RAO has been arrested and charged with spying for an unnamed foreign country.

Wanted Terrorist Mokhtar Belmokhtar Said to Still Be Alive VOA 19 Jun 2018 -- Late last week, a report suggested that wanted terrorist leader Mokhtar Belmokhtar, who has been declared dead at least three times, might still be alive.

As DRC Grapples with Ebola, Guinea Keeps Up Its Guard VOA 19 Jun 2018 -- Just after a morning rain, Gourma Mamadou was shopping in this capital city's crowded, open-air Kaloum market. The young man said he was well aware of the current Ebola outbreak simmering some 4,000 kilometers to the southeast in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where the World Health Organization reports it has killed 28 people since April.

S7 Space Mulls Restoring Production of Heavy Soviet Rocket Engines in Russia Sputnik 19 Jun 2018 -- Russia's S7 Space, part of the S7 Group, plans to build a plant in Samara to produce Soviet-designed NK-33 and NK-43 rocket engines for super heavy-lift launch vehicles and intends to purchase production capacities from the state-owned United Engine Corporation (UEC) for this purpose, S7 Space General Director Sergey Sopov said in an interview.

President Tsai thanks Belize, St. Lucia for support of Taiwan CNA 19 Jun 2018 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on Tuesday expressed gratitude to Belize and Saint Lucia, two of Taiwan's diplomatic allies, for their support of Taiwan's efforts to expand its international participation.

Turkey can consider early election: Nationalist party leader Press TV 19 Jun 2018 -- Leader of Turkey's Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) says an early election could be called in the country if an alliance between the MHP and the ruling Justice and Development party (AKP) fails to form a majority in the parliament after the June 24 elections.

Macedonian Parliament Starts Debating 'Name' Deal RFE/RL 19 Jun 2018 -- Macedonian lawmakers have started debating an agreement with Greece to change the former Yugoslav republic's name, as hundreds of protesters gathered in the center of Skopje for a third day to vent anger over the deal.

Second Ex-PM Jailed As Kyrgyz Power-Plant Corruption Case Grows RFE/RL 19 Jun 2018 -- Kyrgyz authorities have jailed a second former prime minister in a corruption case that is making waves in the Central Asian country.

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