Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• US-led coalition withdraws from another Nineveh base in Iraq, hands it over to Iraqi army Press TV 30 Mar 2020 -- The US-led military coalition purportedly formed to fight the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group has pulled out of another base in Iraq's northern province of Nineveh and handed it over to the Arab country's government forces.
• US deploys new troops to Iraq's Ain al-Asad base: Report Press TV 30 Mar 2020 -- Iraqi security sources say new US troops have been deployed to Ain al-Asad in the western Iraqi province of Anbar amid reports that the Pentagon is preparing for a new escalation.
• Taliban kill 6 soldiers in southern Afghanistan Press TV 30 Mar 2020 -- Taliban militants have killed at least six Afghan soldiers in an attack in southern Afghanistan, a day after rejecting negotiations with the government's team.
• At Least 28 Afghan Soldiers Killed In Taliban Attacks, Prisoner Release Postponed RFE/RL 30 Mar 2020 -- Militants have killed 28 members of the Afghan security forces, police officials and authorities said on March 30, as the government postponed a release of Taliban prisoners.
• Six Soldiers Killed in Taliban Attack in Southern Afghanistan Sputnik 30 Mar 2020 -- The attack took place in Arghandab district of the province in the late hours of Sunday. Several militants were killed in subsequent clashes with the armed forces, according to the ministry.
• Taliban Attacks Kill 21 Afghan Forces VOA 30 Mar 2020 -- Officials in Afghanistan said Monday at least 21 security forces have died in the latest Taliban attacks, and a planned prisoner swap with the insurgent group has been delayed again.
• Pentagon Has Over 1,000 Cases of COVID-19 Among Service Members, Civilians Sputnik 30 Mar 2020 -- The number of confirmed novel coronavirus (COVID-19) cases among US service members and related civilian population has exceeded 1,000, according to a US Department of Defen?e (DOD) fact sheet released on Monday.
• Hope Sails into New York Harbor Amid COVID Crisis VOA 30 Mar 2020 -- The U.S. Navy hospital ship Comfort sailed into New York Harbor early Monday, bringing hope and relief to the city of 8.6 million, which has become the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic in the United States.
• Comfort Arrives in New York NNS 30 Mar 2020 -- The Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) arrived in New York March 30, 2020 in support of the nation's COVID-19 response efforts.

Defense Policy / Programs

• SMC awards $500 million contracts to Raytheon and L3 Technologies Inc. SMC 30 Mar 2020 -- The Space and Missile Systems Center awarded Raytheon Company – Space and Airborne Systems and L3 Technologies Inc. two indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multi-award contracts with ceiling values of $500 million each, totaling $1 billion, for development and production of Protected Tactical Waveform (PTW)-capable modems, over 120 days ahead of schedule, March 27.
• Corps of Engineers Teams Evaluate Sites as Possible Alternate Care Facilities DoD News 30 Mar 2020 -- At the request of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers teams are evaluating facilities for possible conversion into alternate care facilities as part of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Air Force update for COVID-19 US Air Force 30 Mar 2020 -- In an effort to minimize the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 and to prioritize the health and safety of Department of the Air Force personnel, the following modifications have been made:
• President signs executive order calling up Air Force Reserve medics, other specialties US Air Force 30 Mar 2020 -- On March 27, the president signed an executive order authorizing mobilization of the Reserve Component in response to COVID-19 operations.
• Newest MV-22B Osprey Squadron, The "Ugly Angels," Are Ready USMC News 30 Mar 2020 -- Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 362, known as the "Ugly Angels," were declared fully operational capable on Feb. 28, 2020, signifying that the Marine Corps' newest MV-22B Osprey squadron is prepared to support the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. Following the certification, they continued to work together to accomplish additional training and readiness objectives while conducting precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.
• Future USS Fort Lauderdale Amphibious Transport Dock Ship Launched NNS 30 Mar 2020 -- The future USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28) was successfully launched at the Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) Ingalls Division shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi, March 28. Fort Lauderdale is the Navy's 12th San Antonio class amphibious transport dock ship.
• Pentagon Asks US Congress to Classify Future Years Defense Program Spending Sputnik 30 Mar 2020 -- The US Department of Defense is seeking to have Congress revoke a previous requirement which forced the Pentagon to release an unclassified version of its projections database containing estimates of future spending on forces, resources and equipment.
• Pentagon Orders EUCOM Not to Report Military Coronavirus Cases Over Security Concerns Sputnik 30 Mar 2020 -- The US Pentagon on Sunday ordered that the US European Command (EUCOM) headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, stop reporting the number of COVID-19 coronavirus infections within its military community, citing security concerns.
• Yokota AB performs first-ever C-130J assault landing on Foxtrot taxiway US Air Force 30 Mar 2020 -- For the first time, Yokota Air Base personnel conducted a C-130J Super Hercules assault landing on the Foxtrot taxiway March 26.
• Space Fence Surveillance Radar Ready For Use - US Space Force Sputnik 30 Mar 2020 -- The surveillance radar, capable of tracking tiny objects in low Earth orbit, took five years to complete and was said to cost $1.5 billion.
• North Macedonia's flag raised at NATO Headquarters, following accession to NATO NATO 30 Mar 2020 -- The flag of North Macedonia was raised at NATO Headquarters on Monday (30 March 2020), in a special ceremony to mark the country's accession to NATO.
• Welcome into the NATO family, North Macedonia! - Op-ed article by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg NATO 30 Mar 2020
• Secretary Pompeo's Call with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg US Dept. of State 30 Mar 2020
• NATO Alliance Marks North Macedonia Accession DoD News 30 Mar 2020 -- NATO welcomed its 30th member nation as Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg presided over the ceremonial accession of North Macedonia to the alliance during a ceremony in Brussels.
• Coronavirus response: additional Czech medical aid arrives in Italy NATO 30 Mar 2020 -- A truck from the Czech Republic carrying medical equipment to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic – including 10,000 pieces of protective suits and samples of newly developed hi-tech respirators printable on 3D printers - has arrived today (Monday 30 March 2020) to Milan, for further distribution of the supplies by the Italian authorities.
• Chinese military defines sectoral regulators' duties in fighting corruption People's Daily 30 Mar 2020 -- China's Central Military Commission has released regulations defining duties of the supervisory department of each sector within the military in rooting out corruption.
• Chinese military releases revised regulations on social organization affairs PLA Daily 30 Mar 2020 -- China's Central Military Commission has released a set of revised regulations on the work related to social organizations for military personnel.
• Test-Fire of Super-large Multiple Rocket Launchers Conducted in DPRK KCNA 20 Mar 2020 -- The Academy of Defence Science of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea carried out a test-fire of super-large multiple rocket launchers on Sunday to verify once again the tactical and technological specifications of the launch system to be delivered to units of the Korean People's Army.
• North Korea confirms test-firing of 'super-large' rocket launchers Press TV 30 Mar 2020 -- North Korea has confirmed the "successful" firing of rockets to test "super-large" rocket launchers.
• Korea - F-16 Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) & Link 16 Upgrades DSCA 30 Mar 2020 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Republic of Korea to upgrade its F-16 Block 32 aircraft with Mode 5 Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) and Link 16 Tactical Datalink (TDL) and related equipment for an estimated cost of $194 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• Threat to Terminate US-Philippine Pact Resonates Around Southeast Asia Radio Free Asia 30 Mar 2020 -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's threat to terminate a lynchpin military pact with longtime treaty ally the United States -- if implemented -- could not only shake Manila's defense policy but impact the delicate balance in ties between Southeast Asia and U.S. and China, analysts say.

Defense Industry

• Contracts For March 30, 2020

Other Conflicts

• 30 March 2020 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 30 Mar 2020
• Discovery of Unusual Natural Gas Sharpens China's Maritime Sovereignty Claims VOA 30 Mar 2020 -- Repeated discoveries of an obscure, offshore natural gas known as flammable ice will bolster Chinese claims to a sea that's contested by five other Asian governments.
• Yemeni army, allies advance in north, seize base from pro-Hadi militiamen Press TV 30 Mar 2020 -- Yemeni army troops, supported by allied fighters from Popular Committees, have managed to make further progress, capturing a strategic base in the northern province of al-Jawf from Saudi-sponsored militiamen loyal to former pro-Saudi president, Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi.
• Saudi warplanes target residential areas, military college in Yemeni capital Press TV 30 Mar 2020 -- Saudi warplanes have carried out nearly 20 airstrikes against the Yemeni capital Sana'a as the war on the impoverished country continues unabated.
• The Joint Forces Command of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen: Execution of A Military Operation Targeting Legitimate Military Targets of the Terrorist Iran-Backed Houthi militia in Response to Ballistic Threats, Gross Violations Against Civilians in the Kingdom SPA 30 Mar 2020 -- Statement by the Official Spokesman of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen COL Turki Al-Malki:
• Saudi-led Coalition in Yemen Carries Out Several Strikes on Sanaa - Reports Sputnik 30 Mar 2020 -- On 29 March, the Saudi military shot down three rockets during attempted strikes on the capital city of Riyadh and the port city of Jazan, near the border with Yemen, the broadcaster Al-Arabiya reported.
• Saudi Coalition Launches Air Strike on Yemen Capital VOA 30 Mar 2020 -- The Saudi-led coalition has launched air strikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen's capital, according to witnesses who told Reuters.
• 'Immediate nationwide ceasefire' needed for all-out effort to counter COVID-19 in Syria UN News 30 Mar 2020 -- Syria is at "high risk" of being unable to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, the UN Special Envoy for the country said on Monday, reiterating calls for a "complete, immediate nationwide ceasefire" to enable an all-out-effort to counter the march of the new coronavirus.
• Russia, Turkey Register No Ceasefire Violations in Syria in 24 Hours - Defence Ministry Sputnik 30 Mar 2020 -- Both sides of the Russian-Turkish commission monitoring the implementation of the Syrian truce has recorded no ceasefire violations in Syria over the past 24 hours, the Russian Defence Ministry said in its daily bulletin on Monday.
• Islamic State Militants Riot, Escape Prison in Syria VOA 30 Mar 2020 -- U.S.-backed Kurdish forces searched for an unknown number of prisoners who escaped Sunday from a prison in northeastern Syria.
• Daesh terrorists riot, escape from SDF-run prison in northeast Syria Press TV 30 Mar 2020 -- Members of the Daesh Takfiri militant group have provoked a riot at a prison run by the US-backed so-called Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Syria's northeastern province of Hasakah, with a number of the terrorists managing to escape from the detention center.
• Myanmar Villagers Tell of 150 Homes Burned in Deadly Army Air Attacks Radio Free Asia 30 Mar 2020 -- Artillery fire and aerial bombardments by Myanmar forces killed three civilians and burned scores of houses in their communities in mid-March amid fighting between Myanmar forces and the rebel Arakan Army in war-ravaged Rakhine state, villagers recounted Monday at a press conference.
• Al-Shabaab bomb attack kills governor in Somalia Press TV 30 Mar 2020 -- A governor in Somalia's Puntland has been killed in a bomb attack by militants from the Takfiri al-Shabab group.
• Donbas Development: Will 'Advisory Council' Unlock Door To Direct Talks Between Kyiv and Russia-Backed Separatists? RFE/RL 30 Mar 2020 -- No talks with Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine: That has been a mantra for leaders in Kyiv throughout the six-year war that has killed more than 13,000 people in the Donbas and displaced more than 1 million.

News Reports

• Ken McCallum Named New Chief of UK's MI5 Security Service Sputnik 30 Mar 2020 -- McCallum replaces Andrew Parker, who is set to retire in April, at the post. He has occupied the position since 2013.
• New MI5 director general appointed at a time of high crisis Press TV 30 Mar 2020 -- The British Security Service (MI5) is set for a new director general as the country struggles to cope with the coronavirus pandemic.
• Britain's Spymaster: What Do We Know About MI5's New Director General Ken McCallum Sputnik 30 Mar 2020 -- Sir Andrew Parker, 58, is stepping down as head of MI5 - Britain's internal intelligence service. Sir Andrew will be replaced by Ken McCallum, who led the Sergei Skripal inquiry.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying's Regular Press Conference on March 30, 2020 PRC MofA 30 Mar 2020
• Army of PRC Twitter Bots Peddles Disinformation About Virus Origins Radio Free Asia 30 Mar 2020 -- China has set up multiple fake bot accounts on Twitter using Radio Free Asia's logo and descriptions to tweet fake news in recent months, including allegations that the coronavirus came from the U.S., a recent investigative report has found.
• Concerns linger for virus-plagued businesses in China Global Times 30 Mar 2020 -- Nationwide efforts to restart the coronavirus-battered Chinese economy seem to have proceeded by fits and starts amid an explosion in confirmed cases in Europe and the US, with authorities and industry insiders voicing concerns over the plight of life services providers, exporters as well as small and micro businesses.
• Should China stand by idly as other countries fight COVID-19?: FM spokesperson Global Times 30 Mar 2020 -- When asked if China intends to manipulate other countries' public opinions by providing assistance to those hit by COVID-19, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying asked, do those asking the question hope China stands by idly while remaining indifferent in the face of the pandemic?
• Isolated quality issues regarding Chinese medical aids should not be politicized, goodwill matters: FM Global Times 30 Mar 2020 -- Isolated issues related to Chinese made medical supplies and materials sent to other countries to help in the battle against COVID-19 should not be interpreted in a politicized fashion, and China's goodwill to assist other nations is sincere, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said on Monday.
• Taiwan 'Capable and Willing' to Cooperate on Coronavirus, Despite WHO Slight Radio Free Asia 30 Mar 2020 -- Taiwan is "capable and willing" to cooperate with every country to combat the spread of the coronavirus, President Tsai Ing-wen said Monday, following a kerfuffle over the weekend in which a World Health Organization (WHO) official appeared to dodge a question about granting the democratic island membership.
• WHO sticks to position, says Taiwan membership up to member states CNA 30 Mar 2020 -- The World Health Organization (WHO) on Sunday remained firm on the subject of Taiwan's exclusion, reiterating that its membership is up to member states and not a decision made by the WHO itself.
• New Department Director General of DPRK Foreign Ministry for Negotiations with U.S. Issues Statement KCNA 20 Mar 2020 -- The new department director general of the DPRK Foreign Ministry for negotiations with the U.S. released the following statement on Mar. 30
• N Korea: Pompeo's sanction remarks 'ludicrous'; 'We will walk our way' Press TV 30 Mar 2020 -- North Korea has denounced as "ludicrous" US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's remarks on maintaining international sanctions on the country, warning that Pyongyang could abandon denuclearization talks with Washington.
• The Kingdom raises its oil exports to 10.6 million barrels per day starting from May SPA 30 Mar 2020 -- Saudi Arabia Energy Ministry official said the Kingdom intends to increase its crude oil exports, starting from May, by about 600 thousand barrels per day, bringing the total of Saudi petroleum exports to 10.6 million barrels per day.
• Sanctions on Syria Should be Waived Amid COVID-19 Pandemic - UN Humanitarian Chief Sputnik 30 Mar 2020 -- United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Mark Lowcock on Monday called for lifting the sanctions against Syria that could undermine the country's capacity to suppress the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
• UAE Crown Prince Chats With Syrian President in Apparent Bid to Improve Ties VOA 30 Mar 2020 -- United Arab Emirates Crown Prince Mohammed Ben Zayed spoke with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad by phone over the weekend to express solidarity over the ongoing coronavirus crisis. Some analysts said the call may also signify support from the UAE for reintegrating Damascus into the Arab League, from which it was expelled in 2011.
• Ukrainian Lawmakers Fire Finance, Health Ministers, Fail To Approve Replacements RFE/RL 30 Mar 2020 -- Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, has approved the firing of Finance Minister Ihor Umanskiy and Health Minister Illya Yemets just weeks into their mandates, but failed to approve new candidates to the posts.
• Ukraine's Parliament To Hold Special Session On IMF Bills Amid Coronavirus Pandemic RFE/RL 30 Mar 2020 -- Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, has scheduled an extraordinary session for the afternoon of March 30 to adopt legislation that would protect the Eastern European country during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Kyrgyz Court Postpones Ex-President's Trial Amid State Of Emergency RFE/RL 30 Mar 2020 -- The trial of former Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambaev and 13 co-defendants over deadly clashes with security forces last year at Atambaev's compound in a Bishkek suburb has been postponed because of the state of emergency announced in the country because of the coronavirus outbreak.
• Hungary's Orban Seeks Rule-By-Decree Powers Amid Virus Outbreak RFE/RL 30 Mar 2020 -- Hungary's parliament is expected on March 30 to endorse a bill giving right-wing Prime Minister Viktor Orban sweeping new powers during the state of emergency declared to fight the coronavirus pandemic.