18 June 2019 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

Pentagon Approves Deployment of Additional 1,000 Troops to Middle East - Statement Sputnik 18 Jun 2019 -- US Acting Secretary of Defence Patrick Shanahan said in a Monday statement that the Pentagon has authorized the deployment of an additional 1,000 troops for defensive purposes "to address air, naval, and ground-based threats in the Middle East".

Taliban: US Has Agreed to Full Troop Withdrawal From Afghanistan VOA 18 Jun 2019 -- The Taliban says the United States has promised during negotiations to withdraw all troops from Afghanistan.　
Official: 50 Afghans Die Every Day Fighting Terrorism VOA 18 Jun 2019 -- A top official in Afghanistan said Tuesday that at least 50 people die every day fighting terrorist forces in his country, underscoring the intensification in the 17-year-old Afghan conflict.

Defense Policy / Programs

Trump Says Shanahan Out as Acting Defense Secretary VOA 18 Jun 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump announced Tuesday Patrick Shanahan has withdrawn from consideration as secretary of defense, saying he wanted to spend more time with his family.
Acting Secretary of Defense Will Resign as Deputy Secretary of Defense DoD 18 Jun 2019
Statement From Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan DoD 18 Jun 2019
Missile Defense Soldiers get back to basics during situational training exercise Army News 18 Jun 2019 -- To effectively shoot, move and communicate are among the core fundamentals of Soldiering.
NNSY Dedicates Submarine Maintenance Facility NNS 18 Jun 2019 -- Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) dedicated its new Submarine Maintenance Facility, June 14. The dedication marked the next crucial step in the NNSY's realization of the Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Plan that will enhance the ability of the four public shipyards to meet the mission of delivering ships back to the fleet on time and within budget.
U.S., Royal Thai Navy Conduct Joint Submarine Training During CARAT Thailand 2019 NNS 18 Jun 2019 -- The U.S. Navy and Royal Thai Navy (RTN) conducted joint submarine knowledge exchanges and simulations at Sattahip Naval Base during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2019 from May 28 to June 8.
W.Va. Guard Engineers forge international relationships in Romania Army News 18 Jun 2019 -- More than 100 Soldiers of the West Virginia Army National Guard's (WVARNG) 1092nd Engineer Battalion, 601st Engineer Support Company (ESC) and 115th Vertical Construction Company (VCC) are taking part in Resolute Castle 19 at the Joint National Training Center/Cincu Training Area in Cincu, June 10 - 29.
Wasp, Japan Maritime Self Defense Force Ships Sail in Philippine Sea NNS 18 Jun 2019 -- The Wasp Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), with embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), and Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) ships, led by Hyūga-class helicopter destroyer JS Ise (DDH 182), completed a transit through the Philippine Sea, June 16.
Hill AFB's fighter wings demonstrate global reach with F-35A US Air Force 18 Jun 2019 -- From Europe to the Middle East and the high desert of Idaho, the Air Force's first combat-coded F-35A Lightning II squadrons demonstrated their global reach this week.
New York National Guard troops continue to respond to Lake Ontario Army News 18 Jun 2019 -- As water levels in Lake Ontario reached more than 2 feet higher than normal on June 16, the New York National Guard and New York's state military forces had 453 personnel focused on flood control issues around the lake shore.
US Air Force Successfully Flies its Hypersonic Missile for the 1st Time Sputnik 18 Jun 2019 -- The unarmed missile was flown strapped under a B-52 strategic bomber, in order to determine its aerodynamic qualities. The missile, intended to become the American response to Russian and Chinese hypersonic systems, cannot yet fly by itself.

Ecuador to Allow US to Use Galapagos Island as Air Force Base – Report Sputnik 18 Jun 2019 -- Ecuadorian authorities claim the airport will not officially become a US military base and will be used on a periodic basis. US officials deny any negotiations regarding using Ecuadorian territory for military purposes.

France signs a Letter of Intent with Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Norway for cooperation on strategic airlift, air refueling NATO 18 Jun 2019 -- Today, (18 June 2019) six NATO Allies took a critical step towards making the future Multi Role Tanker and Transport Capability (MRTT-C) more affordable. A Letter of Intent on cooperation around the MRTT-C was signed between France and the five current MRTT-C participants: Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Norway. This will help make maintenance and repair operations for the MRTT-C more affordable. The Letter of Intent sets out areas of cooperation including exchanges of expertise and joint training.
New US Bill Seeks to Upgrade NATO Forces, Reduce Reliance on Russian Equipment Sputnik 18 Jun 2019 -- US lawmakers on Monday introduced new legislation - the NATO Defence Financing Act - to help upgrade the military forces of NATO members who joined the alliance after 1999 while reducing their dependence on Russian equipment.
Polish Landing Ship Suffer Damage to Hull Amid NATO Drills in Baltic Sea Sputnik 18 Jun 2019 -- Over a dozen NATO countries plus 'partner nations' Finland and Sweden are in the midst of the BALTOPS drills, with dozens of surface ships, submarines, aircraft and about 8,600 troops taking part in the maneuvers. The Russian military has said that it is closely monitoring the exercises.

Russia slams latest US nuke test allegations as 'unfounded', 'cover up' Press TV 18 Jun 2019 -- Russia has slammed as "unfounded" repeated US claims accusing Moscow of conducting nuclear tests beyond the the "zero yield" limit agreed in a nuclear test ban treaty, insisting that the move serves as a "cover up" for Washington's own plans to withdraw from the agreement.
Russian Duma Votes In Favor Of Bill To Suspend Participation In INF Treaty RFE/RL 18 Jun 2019 -- Russian lawmakers have voted to support a decree by President Vladimir Putin to suspend the country's participation in the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, which eliminated an entire class of missiles.
Moscow Ready to Repel Possible US Attack But Will Not Be First to Deploy Missiles Sputnik 18 Jun 2019 -- Russia is ready for US possible attempts to destabilise the situation but will abstain from deploying its missiles anywhere until the United States makes a similar step, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Tuesday.

Turkey Unveils New Fifth-Generation Jet TF-X, Indigenous Alternative to F-35 Sputnik 18 Jun 2019 -- Just as Turkey lost access to Lockheed Martin's F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, Turkish Aerospace Industries unveiled a model of its indigenously designed fifth-generation fighter jet, dubbed the TF-X, at the Paris Air Show on Monday.

Iran ballistic missile technology changed balance of power: IRGC Press TV 18 Jun 2019 -- The chief commander of Iran's elite Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says the country managed to change the balance of power in its favor by harnessing the technology required for manufacturing ballistic missiles.
IRGC Commander Says Iran's High Precision Missiles Can Hit Carriers at Sea - Reports Sputnik 18 Jun 2019 -- Tensions between Tehran and Washington are at their highest levels in years amid US claims that Iran was responsible for last week's sabotage attacks against two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman. Iran has categorically rejected US charges.

South Korea Begins Sea Trials for New Attack Submarine Sputnik 18 Jun 2019 -- South Korea's newest attack submarine has begun its first sea trials. The indigenously designed KSS-3-class diesel-electric sub will be Seoul's first ballistic missile-capable boat.

DOD Announces $250M to Ukraine DoD 18 Jun 2019 -- The Department of Defense announced today plans to provide $250 million to Ukraine in security cooperation funds for additional training, equipment, and advisory efforts to build the capacity of Ukraine's armed forces.
Pentagon To Give Additional $250 Million In Military Aid To Ukraine RFE/RL 18 Jun 2019 -- The U.S. Department of Defense says it plans to provide $250 million to enhance Ukraine's military capabilities as the nation continues to battle Russia-backed separatists in its eastern regions.
US to Provide Ukraine With Additional $250Mln for Arms, Training - Pentagon Sputnik 18 Jun 2019 -- The United States will provide additional funds for Ukraine in the amount of $250 million to strengthen the capacity of the Ukrainian military, the Pentagon announced in a statement on Tuesday.
Pentagon Gives More Support To Kyiv As Volker Says Kremlin Not Ready To End War RFE/RL 18 Jun 2019 -- The U.S. Department of Defense will provide $250 million to enhance Ukraine's military capabilities as the nation continues to battle Russia-backed separatists in its eastern regions.

Pompeo keeps Saudi Arabia off US child soldiers list Press TV 18 Jun 2019 -- Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has blocked the inclusion of Saudi Arabia on a list of countries that recruit child soldiers, rejecting the findings of the State Department's anti-human trafficking office that the Saudi-led military coalition engaged in a military campaign on Yemen has been using under-age fighters there.

Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo Remarks to the Press US Dept. of State 18 Jun 2019 -- Remarks by Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State
Remarks by President Trump Before Marine One Departure The White House 18 Jun 2019

Defense Industry

Contracts for June 18, 2019
Saudi Arabian Military Industries company, L-3 Technologies establish joint project in kingdom SPA 18 Jun 2019 -- Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) here today signed a joint project agreement with L-3 Technologies Company for cooperation in the field of Electro-Optical and Infra-Red (EO / IR) technology and special task systems inside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Other Conflicts

UN inspection mechanism to operate in Hudaydah ports, Yemeni transport minister Press TV 18 Jun 2019 -- Yemeni Minister of Transport Zakaria al-Shami says the Houthi Ansarullah movement and the United Nations have agreed on a mechanism to inspect ships docking at ports in the country's strategic western province of Hudaydah following Houthis' withdrawal from three of Yemen's Red Sea ports last month as part of a peace agreement.
Saudi Air Defence Intercepts Two Houthi Drones - Report Sputnik 18 Jun 2019 -- Yemen's Shia Houthi rebels launched a new attack on the international airport in Saudi Arabia's southwest city of Abha, local media reported on Monday. The report is yet to be confirmed by Riyadh.

Syria: Humanitarian disaster in Idlib 'unfolding before our eyes' says top UN relief official UN News 18 Jun 2019 -- Unabating violence, destruction and a downward sprial in overall conditions for the desperate people trapped in north-western Syria's Idlib were in the spotlight as the United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator told the Security Council on Tuesday that "we are faced with a humanitarian disaster unfolding before our eyes".
Syria does not want fighting with Turkey: Muallem Press TV 18 Jun 2019 -- Syria's Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem says Damascus does after any conflict with Ankara after Turkish and Syrian government forces reportedly exchanged fire in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib, the last major bastion of terrorists in the Arab country.
Statement on attacks on health facilities in the Idlib area of Syria UK FCO 18 Jun 2019 -- Statement to Parliament by Dr Andrew Murrison, Minister of State for the Middle East and Minister of State for International Development.

Turkish, Russian Defence Ministers Reaffirm Commitment to Syria Agreements - Statement Sputnik 18 Jun 2019 -- Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar held phone talks with Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu on Monday in which the ministers reaffirmed their two countries' commitment to the agreements reached in Sochi and during the Astana process on the deescalation of violence in Syria, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said.

Council of EU Threatens Turkey With Response Measures Over Drilling Off Cyprus Coast Sputnik 18 Jun 2019 -- The Council of the European Union on Tuesday called upon Turkey to respect the rights of Cyprus in connection with Ankara's drilling for energy reserves off the island's coast and instructed the European Commission and other bodies to immediately submit response options.

300,000 flee flare-up of ethnic violence in north-eastern DR Congo UN News 18 Jun 2019 -- More than 300,000 people have been forced to flee resurgent inter-ethnic violence in north-east Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) just this month, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said on Tuesday.
Hundreds of Thousands Flee Ethnic Violence in DRC's Ituri Province VOA 18 Jun 2019 -- The U.N. refugee agency reports an upsurge of inter-communal violence in northeastern DR Congo's Ituri province has forced more than 300,000 people this month to flee for their lives.

UN report condemns world body's 'systemic failure' in spotting signs of Rohingya ethnic cleansing Press TV 18 Jun 2019 -- A report by the United Nations has censured the world body's 'systemic failure' in spotting the early signs of Myanmar's deadly crackdown on Rohingya Muslims.

Merkel Backs Extending Russia Sanctions During Ukrainian President's Visit RFE/RL 18 Jun 2019 -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed her country's backing for extending sanctions against Russia as she met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Berlin.
Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Says Dutch Investigators To Name First MH17 Suspects On June 19 RFE/RL 18 Jun 2019 -- Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Olena Zerkal says Dutch authorities plan to name suspects in the downing of flight MH17 five years ago, in which all 298 people aboard the passenger jet were killed.

Indian Forces Clash with Militants in South of Kashmir - Reports Sputnik 18 Jun 2019 -- Indian forces skirmished with militants in the village of Waghama in Kashmir's Anantnag district early on Tuesday, local media reported, citing sources.

Message to the Congress on the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to the Western Balkans The White House 18 Jun 2019
Text of a Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to the Western Balkans The White House 18 Jun 2019

News Reports

Explainer: Will Russia Return To PACE Next Week? RFE/RL 18 Jun 2019 -- On June 24, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) will begin its summer session in Strasbourg and it is expected to vote on a report that could welcome Russia back to the chamber after a three-year hiatus.

Chinese College Students Being Forced to Spy on US VOA 18 Jun 2019 -- Chinese university students in the United States are increasing being pressured to act as pawns in the ever-expanding espionage war that Beijing is running against Washington and its allies.

Iran's Ministry of Intelligence deals 1st blow to CIA spy network ISNA 18 Jun 2019 -- Iran's Ministry of Intelligence has successfully dealt first blow to US cyber-espionage network run by Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
Iran details destroying CIA spy network in world first Press TV 18 Jun 2019 -- Iran's Intelligence Ministry details how it recently delivered an unprecedented destructive blow to an integrated network of operatives serving the US spy agency via the Internet.
Iran Says Used Recruited CIA Cyberspies to Take Down Wider Network - Reports Sputnik 18 Jun 2019 -- Iran's intelligence agents were able to bust a CIA cyberespionage network allegedly operating in the country by recruiting spies from that very network to infiltrate the ring, Tasnim news agency reported on Tuesday, citing an official from the Iranian Intelligence Ministry.

China president's North Korea visit to send strong message to US Press TV 18 Jun 2019 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to travel to North Korea this week for a two-day visit, ahead of a possible meeting between Xi and President Donald Trump of the United States at next week's G-20 summit in Japan.

US' withdrawal, Europe's inactiveness preventing dialogue to solve challenges: Shamkhani ISNA 18 Jun 2019 -- Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), Ali Shamkhani insisted that US' modern terrorist policies are targeting the identity and sovereignty of states.
Iran Says It Fell Deeper Into Recession Last Year Than Previously Known VOA 18 Jun 2019 -- Iran says its economy fell into a worse recession last year than international organizations expected, as the United States began re-imposing tough sanctions on Tehran's vital oil industry and other financial sectors.
US: 'All Evidence Points to Iran' in Tanker Attacks as More Troops Head to Region VOA 18 Jun 2019 -- U.S. military officials are insisting all evidence points to Iran for a series of attack on oil tankers in the Persian Gulf, warning Tehran is attempting to send a "very powerful signal" even as the President Donald Trump described the attacks as "very minor."
Mideast Tensions Rise Over US Troop Deployment, Iranian Warning on Uranium Stockpile Limits VOA 18 Jun 2019 -- Tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate as the U.S. plans to deploy more troops to the region and Iran warns it would exceed uranium stockpile limits imposed by a 2015 nuclear deal.
Germany calls for honoring JCPOA, de-escalation IRNA 18 Jun 2019 -- Germany's Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that all signatories to the nuclear deal should keep the agreement alive, calling for de-escalation.
Iranian nation to win war of willpower: President Rouhani ISNA 18 Jun 2019 -- Iran's President said that the enemies' war with the Iranian nation is based on the war of hope and willpower, adding, "The goal of their ominous plans is to disappoint the people of Iran from the future and their country's development".
Russia warns US against attempts to provoke war with Iran Press TV 18 Jun 2019 -- Russia has urged the United States to drop its "provocative" plans to deploy more troops to the Middle East, warning Washington against its "conscious" course of attempts to "provoke war" with Iran.
Iran urges global resistance against 'illegal US bullying' Press TV 18 Jun 2019 -- Iran's top security official has blasted the US for targeting the national identity and sovereignty of the world countries, calling for global resistance against Washington's "illegal bullying."
Iran will not go to war with any nation: Rouhani Press TV 18 Jun 2019 -- President Hassan Rouhani reaffirms that Iran does not seek war with any state, but stresses that the Iranian nation will be the ultimate winner of any warfare against the Islamic Republic.
China warns US to stop 'extreme pressure' on Iran Press TV 18 Jun 2019 -- China has denounced the US for exerting "extreme pressure" on Iran, warning Washington against opening a "Pandora's box" in the Middle East, after the Pentagon announced a new troop deployment to the region amid tensions with Tehran.
China Warns U.S. Over 'Extreme Pressure' On Iran, Amid Heightened Tensions RFE/RL 18 Jun 2019 -- China has warned the United States to ease what it calls its "extreme pressure methods" on Iran as concerns about a possible confrontation between Washington and Tehran mount.
Is Washington's 'Maximum Pressure' Bringing An End To Iran's 'Strategic Patience?' RFE/RL 18 Jun 2019 -- Iran is turning up the heat on the United States and its allies by shifting away from a policy of "strategic patience" and pushing back against Washington's campaign of "maximum pressure" -- which has significantly cut Iran's oil exports, a major source of income, and caused the economy to shrink.
Iran Refuses to Engage in Military Confrontation with Any Nation - President Rouhani Sputnik 18 Jun 2019 -- The United States Defence Department previously announced the dispatching of additional troops to the Middle East amid a reported attack on two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman last week, which the US authorities quickly blamed on Iran.
China Warns of Unpredictable Consequences Amid US Troop Deployment to Middle East - FM Sputnik 18 Jun 2019 -- US Acting Secretary of Defence Patrick Shanahan previously announced that the Pentagon had greenlighted the deployment of an additional 1,000 troops, citing "defensive purposes".
Japanese Gov't Expresses Concern Over US Sending Additional 1,000 Troops to Middle East Sputnik 18 Jun 2019 -- The Japanese government expressed concern on Tuesday over the United States' plans to deploy additional 1,000 troops to the Middle East following the recent attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman.

FM office slams foreign media reports on HK Global Times 18 Jun 2019 -- The Office of the Commissioner of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) made stern representations over false reports by some foreign media on the suspension of the extradition bill in the past two consecutive days, and also criticized the US and the UK for interfering in China's domestic affairs in Hong Kong on Tuesday.
Hong Kong Leader Offers Apology to Protesters VOA 18 Jun 2019 -- Hong Kong's pro-Beijing leader Carrie Lam offered an apology Tuesday for the political crisis and unrest sparked by a proposed law that would allow extraditions to mainland China. But she did not give in to protester's demands that she leave office over her handling of the controversial bill.
China strongly opposes using rare earth resources against its development People's Daily 18 Jun 2019 -- China's economic planner on Monday expressed strong opposition to attempts to use products made with China's rare earth resources against the country's development.

UN calls for 'thorough, independent' investigation into death of Egypt's Morsi Press TV 18 Jun 2019 -- The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has called for an "independent and thorough" investigation into the sudden death of Egypt's former President Mohamed Morsi, who died during a trial court session.
Egyptian State TV Says Former President Morsi Died of Heart Attack - Report Sputnik 18 Jun 2019 -- Earlier in the day, the Egyptian Prosecutor General's office said in a statement that it had ordered its employees to establish the cause of death of former President Mohammed Morsi, who died during a trial.

Number Of Kazakhs Detained In Postpresidential Election Protests Nears 4,000 RFE/RL 18 Jun 2019 -- Kazakh Interior Minister Erlan Turghymbaev says the number of protesters detained during five days of rallies against the results of a recent presidential election has risen to almost 4,000.

Ebola Slows Uganda-DRC Border Trade VOA 18 Jun 2019 -- Last week, the Ebola virus crossed from the Democratic Republic of Congo into Uganda. Since then, the virus has not only claimed two lives, but also brought trade along the border region to a virtual halt.

Turkey issues arrest warrants for 128 military personnel over alleged Gulen ties Press TV 18 Jun 2019 -- Turkey has ordered the arrest of 128 military personnel suspected of supporting US-based opposition figure Fethullah Gulen, whom Ankara blames for the failed 2016 coup attempt against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

EU Fears British Conservatives Not Realistic About Brexit VOA 18 Jun 2019 -- European Union officials are warning the October 31 Brexit deadline will likely have to be extended - if Britain is to leave the bloc in an orderly way - whoever the British Conservatives pick as their next leader and the country's prime minister.

EU Delays Decision On North Macedonia, Albania Membership Talks RFE/RL 18 Jun 2019 -- The European Union has postponed a decision on whether to open accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania until later this year.
EU Council Delays Start of Accession Talks With Albania, North Macedonia - Commissioner Sputnik 18 Jun 2019 -- The Council of the European Union decided at its meeting on Tuesday to postpone the launch of accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania and will revert to this issue no later than October, the European commissioner said.

Former Egyptian President Morsi Buried Day After Dying in Court VOA 18 Jun 2019 -- Former Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi, the country's first democratically elected head of state who was later ousted from power, was buried Tuesday after his dramatic collapse and death inside a Cairo courthouse Monday.

Defendant Who Conspired to Murder U.S. Soldiers Sentenced to 26 Years Imprisonment US Dept. of Justice 18 Jun 2019 -- Defendant Was Part of a Plot to Conduct Suicide Attacks Against Coalition Forces

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