09 August 2018 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 09 Aug 2018 [PDF]

MAFFS: Colorado reservists activated to support fire suppression efforts in Western U.S. AFNS 09 Aug 2018 -- Air Force reservists and one Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System-equipped C-130 Hercules aircraft from the 302nd Airlift Wing deployed to California August 8.

Defense Policy / Programs

Remarks by Vice President Pence on the Future of the U.S. Military in Space The White House 09 Aug 2018
President Donald J. Trump is Building the United States Space Force for a 21st Century Military The White House 09 Aug 2018
Space Force to Become Sixth Branch of Armed Forces AFPS 09 Aug 2018 -- The Defense Department will establish a sixth branch of the armed forces, the U.S. Department of the Space Force, by 2020, Vice President Mike Pence announced today.
U.S. Unveils Plans For Space Force To Counter Russia, China 'Threat' RFE/RL 09 Aug 2018 -- Vice President Mike Pence, citing threats from Russia and China, has presented details of plans to create a U.S. Space Force by 2020 that would become the sixth branch of the military.
New Pentagon Report Names Russia, China as Threats to US Space Capabilities Sputnik 09 Aug 2018 -- A new space report by the Pentagon has named Russia and China as key threats to US space capabilities, according to a document released on Thursday.
Trump Administration Wants Space Force by 2020 VOA 09 Aug 2018 -- U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said Thursday that the Pentagon was taking steps to create a space force by 2020 in order to "meet the emerging threats on this new battlefield."
Media Roundtable on Space Force with Deputy Secretary Shanahan DoD 09 Aug 2018 -- Presenter: Deputy Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan

Defense Audit Provides Improved Accounting for Spending, Inventories AFPS 09 Aug 2018 -- The Defense Department audit that is underway will allow leaders in the White House, the Pentagon and Congress to find better ways to account for taxpayers' dollars, DoD's chief financial officer said yesterday.
Army of the Republic of Macedonia Hosts U.S. Aerial and Mounted Gunnery Army News 09 Aug 2018 -- The Army of the Republic of Macedonia (ARM) began August with assistance and observation of aerial and ground gunnery training by two units under the command of U.S. Army Europe at the Krivolak Training Area (KTA) in the Republic of Macedonia.
Mortarmen Conduct Training in Macedonia Army News 09 Aug 2018 -- U.S. Army mortarmen got the unique opportunity to hone their skills on their weapons at the Krivolak Training Area in Macedonia this month.
Secretary Mattis travels to South America DoD 09 Aug 2018 -- Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis embarks Sunday, Aug. 12 on his first trip to South America while leading the Department of Defense.
Iwo Jima Completes Six Month Deployment NNS 09 Aug 2018 -- Nearly 1,200 Sailors aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) returned to their homeport of Mayport, Fla., Aug. 9, following a six-month deployment to the U.S. 5th and U.S. 6th Fleet areas of operations.
U.S. Navy Dive and Medical Teams Begin Subject Matter Exchanges in Trinidad and Tobago NNS 09 Aug 2018 -- A team of U.S. Navy divers and medical professionals arrived in Port of Spain, Aug. 8 to begin subject matter expert exchanges (SMEE) and partner capacity building engagements with the Trinidad and Tobago military and security forces as part of Southern Partnership Station (SPS) 2018.
NAMRU-Dayton Environmental Physiology Team Tackles Naval Aviation's Top Priority: Physiological Episodes NNS 09 Aug 2018 -- Protecting aircrew against a wide range of physiologic challenges posed by the tactical aviation environment is a primary driver of research priorities at Naval Medical Research Unit (NAMRU) – Dayton. With the growth of unexplained physiologic episodes (PE) being reported across U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force aircraft platforms, NAMRU-Dayton is responding to the challenge. We are rapidly expanding our environmental physiology research capacity by adding experienced altitude effects researchers and developing new laboratory facilities.
US Navy's Attack Subs Have Welding Issues in Their Missile Tubes Sputnik 09 Aug 2018 -- The US Navy's newest submarines under construction have a problem with the welds on their missile tubes, a potentially costly issue to repair that could delay their completion.
Air Force, Army, Navy Cyber Techs Participate in Exercise Patriot Warrior AFPS 09 Aug 2018 -- Exercise Patriot Warrior featured airmen, sailors and soldiers practicing their cyber defense skills in highly challenging environments.

Mexico - Evolved Seasparrow Missiles DSCA 09 Aug 2018 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Mexico of six (6) Evolved Seasparrow tactical missiles (ESSM) and two (2) Evolved Seasparrow telemetry missiles for an estimated cost of $41 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on August 8, 2018.

India Places $39 Million Order for Saab's Defense Aids Suite for Army Choppers Sputnik 09 Aug 2018 -- This is a follow-up purchase of the 2013 contract worth $33 million. Saab's IDAS systems provide self-protection to airborne platforms like the Agusta-Westland A109, Super Lynx 300, Boeing CH-47 Chinook, Denel Rooivalk Oryx, and Eurocopter Cougar.
Indian Auditor Reveals Naval Spy Jets Procured From US Can be Tracked Online Sputnik 09 Aug 2018 -- India's apex auditor has pointed out a suspected irregularity in the 2009 purchase of the "easily detectable" P-8I Poseidon. It suggested that the then government tweaked the procurement rules to award the contract to Boeing while enhancing a financial bid by EADS CASA of Spain to include a 20-year support package.

Military official: Iran's powerful PG presence is source of hope for region IRNA 09 Aug 2018 -- Senior spokesman of the armed forces General Abolfazl Shekarchi says powerful presence of Iran in the Persian Gulf is source of hope for regional countries.
U.S. Commander Says Iranian Naval Drills Sent 'Message' About Sanctions RFE/RL 09 Aug 2018 -- An Iranian naval exercise involving dozens of small boats around the Strait of Hormuz last week was intended as a message to the United States for reimposing economic sanctions on Tehran, a top U.S. commander has said.

Department Press Briefing - August 9, 2018 US Dept. of State 09 Aug 2018

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for August 09, 2018

Other Conflicts

9 August 2018 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 09 Aug 2018

UN chief condemns Saudi attack on Yemeni children, calls for independent probe Press TV 09 Aug 2018 -- UN Secretary General António Guterres has condemned a recent deadly airstrike by Saudi warplanes on a bus carrying Yemeni school children, calling for an independent investigation into the case.
Death toll from airstrikes on Yemen rises to 52 IRNA 09 Aug 2018 -- Yemeni Ministry of Health announced on Thursday that death toll from Saudi-led coalition's airstrikes on Saada province has risen to 52.
Jizan targeted with Yemeni missile IRNA 09 Aug 2018 -- Yemeni Army's missile unit and popular committees hit the Saudi Arabian industrial city of Jizan in southwest of the country Wednesday night.
UNICEF chief 'horrified' at air strike that hit school bus in northern Yemen UN News 09 Aug 2018 -- The Head of the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) has strongly condemned the airstrike against a school bus in northern Yemen on Thursday, which according to news reports has killed more than two dozen children.
Saudi-led Airstrikes Hit Bus in Yemen, Killing 43, Many Children VOA 09 Aug 2018 -- International relief agencies expressed outrage and disgust at a Saudi-led coalition airstrike on Houthi rebels that killed at least 43 people Thursday in Yemen, many of them children.

Syrian army make advance in depth of Sweida Badiyah IRNA 09 Aug 2018 -- Syrian army units, in cooperation with backup forces, managed to advance more in the southern province of Sweida, canvassing large areas after cleansing them from Daesh (ISIS) terrorists, SANA reported.
Russia downs militant drone near Syria's Hmeimim airbase Press TV 09 Aug 2018 -- The Russian military has announced that its forces in Syria downed a drone flying near the airbase in the Syrian city of Hmeimim.
Iran, Russia and Turkey keen to avoid battle in Syria's Idlib: UN Press TV 09 Aug 2018 -- A UN official says Iran, Russia and Turkey have assured that they would do their utmost to avoid a battle for the recapture of Idlib in northwestern Syria, which is being held by foreign-backed Takfiri terrorists.
Russian Air Defenses Destroy UAV Launched by Syrian Militants at Hmeymim Base Sputnik 09 Aug 2018 -- Russian air defenses at the Hmeymim airbase shot down on Thursday an aerial drone launched by militants operating in Syria's province of Latakia, the Russian Center for Syrian Reconciliation said.
Millions at risk if Syria's war moves to last redoubt of Idlib, warns senior aid official UN News 09 Aug 2018 -- Aid access to embattled Syrians may soon improve following recent military gains by the Government, but the war "cannot be allowed to go to Idlib", the head of the UN's Humanitarian Task Force said on Thursday.
UN: Full-Scale War in Syria's Idlib Province Would Be Bloodbath VOA 09 Aug 2018 -- Amid reports of shelling and bombing by Syrian government forces of rebel positions in Idlib, a senior U.N. official warns of a bloodbath if a full-scale war breaks out in this northwestern province.

Army forces launch operation to capture Daesh militants in eastern Iraq IRNA 09 Aug 2018 -- Iraqi government forces have mounted an offensive in eastern part of the war-ravaged Arab country to hunt down the remnants of the Daesh terrorist group on Thursday.
Iraqi troops kill 14 Daesh terrorists, destroy 4 armored vehicles in Anbar Press TV 09 Aug 2018 -- More than a dozen members of the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group have been killed after Iraqi security forces launched a counter-terrorism operation in the country's troubled western province of Anbar as government troops are trying to flush the last remnants of the extremist outfit out of the crisis-hit Arab country.

As Myanmar Launches New Rakhine Commission, Criticism Continues VOA 09 Aug 2018 -- The most recent commission formed by the Myanmar government to try and bring a solution to the issues in Rakhine State has come under criticism from international and domestic actors, highlighting the complexity of dealing with challenges in the beleaguered state.

Hamas, Israel agree Egypt-mediated truce to end Gaza flare-up: Officials Press TV 09 Aug 2018 -- Palestinian officials have confirmed that the resistance movement Hamas and the Israeli regime have agreed on a ceasefire mediated by Egypt to stop cross-border fire in the Gaza Strip.
Israeli jets bomb Gaza again amid threat of new war Press TV 09 Aug 2018 -- Israeli aircraft have bombed a multi-story building in Gaza City amid threats of another full-scale military offensive against the besieged coastal enclave.
Israeli Jets Attack Over 140 Targets in Gaza, Israel Defense Forces Report Sputnik 09 Aug 2018 -- Israeli jets attacked over 140 of strategic targets overnight belonging to Hamas militants in the Palestinian enclave of Gaza under their control, the Israel Defense Forces said Thursday.
Jordan warns of catastrophic consequences of UNRWA budget crisis Press TV 09 Aug 2018 -- Jordan has warned that a severe cash crisis facing the UN agency for Palestinian refugees could have a "catastrophic" impact on the lives of millions of Palestinian refugees in the region.

Kiir Gives Amnesty to Opposition Groups VOA 09 Aug 2018 -- Opposition politicians' reactions are mixed regarding South Sudan President Salva Kiir's decision to give amnesty to rebel leader Riek Machar and other groups who have been fighting to topple his government for years.
US Cheers South Sudan's Progress Toward Peace, Expects 'Long Process' VOA 09 Aug 2018 -- While the Trump administration applauds this week's progress in South Sudan's peace talks, it expects that ending nearly five years of civil war and rebuilding confidence in the eastern African nation's governance will be "a long process," the top U.S. diplomat there says.
South Sudan's Kiir Grants Pardon to Bitter Rival, All Rebels VOA 09 Aug 2018 -- South Sudanese President Salva Kiir has granted a blanket amnesty to rival Riek Machar and other rebels.

UN Envoy urges Burundi leaders to 'seize opportunities for national unity and peace' UN News 09 Aug 2018 -- The Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Burundi, Michel Kafando, has called on the country's leaders to "seize the opportunity" offered by the recent adoption of a new constitution, to create a new political environment that is "conducive to the consolidation of national unity and peace".

Shabab militants 'kill 5 soldiers' in Kenya's north Press TV 09 Aug 2018 -- Al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab militants in Kenya have killed at least five soldiers in a roadside bomb attack in the country's north, a senior government official says.

News Reports

Russian Operatives Have Penetrated Florida's Election System, U.S. Senator Says RFE/RL 09 Aug 2018 -- Russian operatives have penetrated the election system of one of the largest U.S. states, and could delete voters' registration documents ahead of the November elections if the systems are not adequately protected, the state's U.S. senators are warning.

Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Moscow, August 9, 2018 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 09 Aug 2018
New US sanctions not based on evidence Press TV 09 Aug 2018 -- Russia says a round of new sanctions imposed on Moscow by the United States over the alleged poisoning of a former Russian spy in the UK are not based on evidence and are "draconian."
Russia Considers Retaliation For 'Categorically Unacceptable' New U.S. Sanctions RFE/RL 09 Aug 2018 -- Russia says it is preparing "countermeasures" to what it calls "categorically unacceptable" new sanctions being imposed by the United States over the poisoning of an ex-Russian spy in England.
Russian Markets Plummet On U.S. Moves To Impose More Sanctions RFE/RL 09 Aug 2018 -- The U.S. announcement of new sanctions against Moscow over its alleged use of a chemical weapon against a Russian ex-spy has roiled global markets and helped send the Russian ruble, bonds, and stocks plummeting.
Kremlin Rejects US Claims of Skripal Case Links, Calls Sanctions 'Unacceptable' Sputnik 09 Aug 2018 -- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has addressed the most recent round of sanctions introduced by the US against Moscow.
Russia Denounces US 'Novichok' Sanctions VOA 09 Aug 2018 -- Faced with a new round of U.S.-sanctions over alleged chemical weapons use, Russia denounced the move as an "illegal" gesture that defied attempts by President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin aimed at improving relations during a recent summit.
U.S. To Impose New Sanctions On Russia Over Skripal Attack RFE/RL 09 Aug 2018 -- The United States has said it will hit Russia with new sanctions aimed at punishing Moscow for the March nerve-agent poisoning in Britain of a former Russian spy and his daughter.

Press Statement of Spokesperson for DPRK Foreign Ministry KCNA 09 Aug 2018 -- The spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea made public the following press statement on Thursday:
S.Korea, DPRK to hold high-level talks on Aug. 13 People's Daily 09 Aug 2018 -- South Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) agreed Thursday to hold high-level talks on Aug. 13 at the border village of Panmunjom, according to Seoul's unification ministry.
Iran, North Korea seek closer ties amid US bans Press TV 09 Aug 2018 -- On an official visit to Tehran, North Korea's foreign minister highlights his country's cordial and old-age relations with Iran, expressing satisfaction with growing bilateral relations amid US economic pressure on both states.
North Korea Praises Trump, Slams Other US Officials for Sabotaging Peace Sputnik 09 Aug 2018 -- The North Korean Foreign Ministry accused "high-level officials within the US administration" of "going against the intention of President Trump to advance the DPRK-US relations" in a statement Thursday. Meanwhile, the socialist state renewed calls for a permanent peace treaty so that "a mood will be created for creating trust."

Restoring Iran bans entails 'destructive' repercussions, Russia warns US Press TV 09 Aug 2018 -- Russia has once again hit out at the US for re-imposing its unilateral sanctions against Iran after scrapping the 2015 multilateral nuclear deal, describing it as a "destructive step" that could destabilize the already-volatile Middle East region.

China decides to impose additional tariffs on 16 bln USD of U.S. imports People's Daily 09 Aug 2018 -- China has decided to impose additional tariffs on imported products from the United States worth about 16 billion U.S. dollars, according to an official statement released Wednesday.

Dissent in IS Ranks; Al-Baghdadi Still in Charge? VOA 09 Aug 2018 -- In an extraordinary breach of the Islamic State's culture of unquestioning obedience, an IS writer calling himself Ibn Jubayr has penned a series of five scathing articles leveling direct and unprecedented criticism at the militant group's leadership, according to a respected monitoring group.

Turkish Lira Plummets Amid Deadlock in US Talks VOA 09 Aug 2018 -- The value of the Turkish lira hit a record low Thursday amid reports of a deadlock during talks in Washington between Turkey and the United States.

DR Congo's Kabila 'not to stand for re-election' Press TV 09 Aug 2018 -- President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Joseph Kabila has reportedly announced that he will not be seeking a third term in long-delayed elections in December.
Progress Toward DRC's Elections US Dept. of State 09 Aug 2018

Zimbabwe Opposition Official Free on Bail VOA 09 Aug 2018 -- A Zimbabwe opposition leader, who had fled the country to seek political asylum in neighboring Zambia, has been freed on bail after being deported back to Zimbabwe. But his lawyers say their client was abducted.
Recent Events in Zimbabwe US Dept. of State 09 Aug 2018

Nicaragua must end 'witch-hunt' against dissenting voices - UN human rights experts UN News 09 Aug 2018 -- Following weeks of civil unrest in Nicaragua, a group of 11 UN independent human rights experts urged the Government on Thursday to stop the violent repression of protestors, which has left at least 317 people dead and 1,830 injured, stressing that "no one should be detained for the exercise of their human rights".

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