Military


16 May 2003 Military News


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    • PALESTINIANS / RESIGNATION VOA 16 May 2003 -- The top Palestinian negotiator, Saeb Erekat, has quit his post on the eve of crucial talks with Israel.
    • EDITORIAL: U.S.-MIDEAST FREE TRADE AREA VOA 16 May 2003 -- The dictator Saddam Hussein has been removed from power in Iraq. The extremist Taleban regime and its al-Qaida terrorist sponsors have been routed from Afghanistan. Terrorists around the world have been killed, captured, or are on the run. Reformers in the Middle East are beginning to be heard. As President George W. Bush said, "A time of historic opportunity has arrived."
    • IVORY COAST SECURITY VOA 16 May 2003 -- Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo has agreed to the deployment of a neutral force in western Ivory Coast to rid the area of mercenaries. Peace mediators believe this could be one of the final steps to end an eight-month civil war.
    • D-R-C / U-N VOA 16 May 2003 -- The International Red Cross reports two local volunteers in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo were killed this week during fighting for the town Bunia. The two volunteers were part of a massive effort to provide aid to people in the area, including thousands who have fled their homes.
    • EDITORIAL: BUSH ON THE MIDDLE EAST VOA 16 May 2003 -- In Iraq, the Saddam Hussein regime that aided terrorists is no longer in power. The fall of the dictator has created an unprecedented opportunity for Arab countries to look to a new and brighter, more prosperous future.
    • PALESTINIAN RESIGNATION VOA 16 May 2003 -- The top Palestinian peace negotiator, Saeb Erekat, has resigned on the eve of crucial talks with Israel.
    • D-R-C/CEASE-FIRE VOA 16 May 2003 -- Rival militia groups that have been fighting for control of the eastern Congolese town of Bunia signed a cease-fire in Tanzania Friday. The cease-fire is due to take effect at midnight local time (22 UTC).
    • IVORY COAST TRAIN VOA 16 May 2003 -- A train linking southern Ivory Coast to northern rebel-held zones has made its first round trip since the start of the civil war eight months ago. It was a test run, and the train had no passengers or cargo on board. But the trip could be an important step toward a return to normal life in a country that is important to the whole region's economy.
    • INDONESIA / ACEH VOA 16 May 2003 -- Indonesian authorities in have arrested negotiators from the Free Aceh Movement as they were leaving to attend talks in Tokyo aimed at saving Aceh's peace accord.

    Defense Policy / Programs

    • RELEASE/TRANSFER OF DETAINEES COMPLETED 16 May 2003 -- The Department of Defense announced today the release of one detainee from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and the transfer of four Saudi detainees for continued detention by the Government of Saudi Arabia, on May 14, 2003.
    • U.S., Spanish EOD Combine for Exercise Navy Newsstand 16 May 2003-- Each year, Rota's Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) Detachment (Det) 8 teams with its Spanish counterparts for an exercise to hone their skills in two different areas: Improvised Explosive Ordnance response and Surface Ordnance Disposal with Unidad Especial Desactivado de Explosivos (U.E.D.E.) unit, and mine countermeasures and harbor defense diving with Unidad De Buceadores de MCM. Both of these elite units are stationed in Cartegena.
    • 32nd AOG integral element during OIF USAFE News 16 May 2003-- Working as a group during peacetime, and transforming themselves into an air operations center during combat, the members of the 32nd Air Operations Group here were a crucial link in the success of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
    • Hampton Roads Cutter Interdicts 139 Migrants USCG Atlantic Area 16 May 2003-- A local cutter home ported in Portsmouth, Va., stopped a 40-foot sailing vessel south of the Great Inagua, Bahamas Wednesday with 139 Haitian migrants on board.
    • CNO Sees Unmanned Systems Integrating Mine, Antisub Warfare NAVSEA News Wire 16 May 2003-- In today's dangerous world, America's 'asymmetric advantage' is the brilliance of our people and their ability to apply technology to rapidly changing situations and environments, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Vern Clark told members of the Mine Warfare Association (MINWARA) here May 5.
    • Reagan 'Sweeps' Builder Trials NAVSEA News Wire 16 May 2003-- The newest aircraft carrier, Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), earned a "clean sweep" during its Builder's Trials on May 5-8, 2003.
    • Tactical Tomahawk Completes Penetration Testing NAVAIR News Release 16 May 2003-- The Navy's next generation of Tomahawk Cruise Missile, the Tactical Tomahawk, took flight today at the White Sands Missile Test Range, New Mexico in the final phase of a Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) sponsored advanced concept technology demonstration (ACTD). This was the second of two demonstration test flights of the Tactical Tomahawk configured with a live penetration warhead and completes the scheduled ACTD testing effort. Additionally, today marked the sixth successful test flight for Tactical Tomahawk.
    • Darkness no match for India 3/3 Marine Corps News 16 May 2003-- When 2nd Lt. Dan Ryan led third Platoon, India Co., 3rd Bn., 3rd Marine Regiment, into the dense jungles of Vietnam during the hours of darkness, and bravely fought against the Viet Cong Army, he earned the company of elite warriors the title "Night Fighters."
    • Tanker lease vital to global operations AFPN 16 May 2003-- To quickly begin the recapitalization of its tanker fleet, the Air Force is pursuing a deal to lease 100 Boeing 767s converted into tankers.
    • KC-135 to gain communications relay capability Air Mobility Command News 16 May 2003-- While predominantly known as a "flying gas station," the KC-135 aircraft has served in many mission roles throughout its 45-plus years of service.
    • Coast Guard's Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) to be formally commissioned USCG Atlantic Area Release 16 May 2003-- Vice Admiral James Hull, Commander of Coast Guard Atlantic Area in Portsmouth, Va., will formally commission HITRON Jacksonville in a ceremony at 10:00 a.m. Monday, May 19 at the Cecil Commerce Center (the former Cecil Field) in Jacksonville, Fla.

    News Reports

    • SHAPE News Morning Update SHAPE 16 May 2003
    • SHAPE News Summary & Analysis SHAPE 16 May 2003
    • BUSH RE-ELECTION VOA 16 May 2003 -- President Bush Friday filed papers formally launching his bid for re-election in 2004.
    • ZIMBABWE / POLITICS VOA 16 May 2003 -- American reporter Andrew Meldrum, a veteran correspondent for Britain's Guardian newspaper, received a deportation order from Zimbabwe Friday. Immediately after he was informed of his deportation the High Court issued an order to allow him to appeal.
    • EUROPE / NEW DIVISIONS VOA 16 May 2003 -- Voters in Slovakia are expected to approve E-U membership in a referendum (Friday and Saturday). But in neighboring countries like Ukraine, some people are concerned that E-U enlargement might lead to new divisions in Europe.
    • ZIMBABWE / SERVICES VOA 16 May 2003 -- In Zimbabwe, the Harare city council is struggling to keep essential service vehicles running during the country's severe fuel shortage. This is causing suffering and anxiety in the country's capital city.
    • TOGO ELECTIONS VOA 16 May 2003 -- Togo's presidential campaign has begun with opposition leaders accusing the government of preventing free and fair elections.
    • SARS/ ADOPT VOA 16 May 2003 -- China is suspending adoptions by foreigners to help stop the spread of SARS. The move is a sharp emotional blow to families who have been waiting years to adopt Chinese children.