Military


19 May 2005 Military News


News

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Other Conflicts
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
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Current Operations

Other Conflicts

  • LIBERIA: Government ready to form new army IRIN 19 May 2005 -- The Liberian government will begin the formation of a new 4,000-strong army at the end of the month after having secured the necessary funding to begin the process, deputy Defence Minister Joe Whylee told IRIN on Thursday.
  • UN peacekeeping mission in Timor-Leste comes to an end UN News Centre 19 May 2005 -- The United Nations ends one era of its work in Timor-Leste and begins another this week as its support mission officially closes it doors, while a new UN political office gears up to help ensure the country continues its journey toward self-sufficiency and self-reliance.
  • UN officials in Burundi call for peace during elections UN News Centre 19 May 2005 -- The United Nations envoy for Burundi, Carolyn McAskie, today called on political leaders to refrain from violence or incitement as Burundians move on to much-delayed elections after having approved a national constitution earlier this year.
  • 5 experts named to monitor UN arms embargo on DR of Congo UN News Centre 19 May 2005 -- United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today named five experts to monitor the Security Council arms embargo against the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with a mandate expiring at the end of July.
  • Sudan Accuses Opposition of Inciting Clashes VOA 19 May 2005 -- The Sudanese government accuses the opposition of inciting Wednesday's clashes between police and internally displaced people at a camp near the Sudanese capital, accusations that the opposition denies.
  • Israeli Military to Respond More Aggressively to Palestinian Violence VOA 19 May 2005 -- Senior Israeli officials say the military will respond more aggressively to Palestinian attacks and warn the current flare-up in violence could delay Israel's plans to pull out of the Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank this August.

Defense Policy / Programs

  • Individual Ready Reserve 'Key Component' of Total Military AFPS 19 May 2005 -- The Individual Ready Reserve is "a key component" of America's total military force, a senior Defense Department official noted during a May 17 gathering of reserve-component leaders in Denver.
  • DoD Examines High Operational Tempo's Effect on Equipment AFPS 19 May 2005 -- Equipment that servicemembers are using in Iraq and Afghanistan is getting years worth of use in just one year on the ground, and the Defense Department is taking steps to ensure the tanks, Bradleys, Strykers, Humvees, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles stay in a high state of readiness.
  • Jointness is Key to Victory in Global War on Terror, General Says AFPS 19 May 2005 -- Defense industry leaders got a strong message endorsing joint operations and "netcentric warfare" from a senior military officer at the TechNet International 2005 convention here May 17.
  • U-S ARMY RECRUITMENT CONTROVERSY VOA 19 May 2005 -- Faced with declining wartime enlistment numbers and charges of inappropriate or abusive recruitment practices, the U.S. Army [has] called for a one-day halt to its recruiting operations nationwide this week [on Friday May 20th].
  • Pentagon Has 'MAJIIC' Idea For Intelligence Sharing AFPS 19 May 2005 -- U.S. forces operating in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere may soon be able to use "MAJIIC" to locate an enemy position on the battlefield and share intelligence information and imagery with coalition allies in near-real time.
  • Navy to Christen New Dry Cargo/Ammunition Ship USNS Lewis and Clark 19 May 2005 -- The Navy will christen the lead ship of a new class of underway replenishment ships, the USNS Lewis and Clark, Saturday, May 21, 2005, during an 8 p.m. PDT launching at National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO), San Diego, Calif.
  • DOD tests ‘revolutionary’ biological warfare detection device AFPN 19 May 2005 -- Department of Defense specialists are testing a cutting-edge technology so revolutionary military scientists said it will change the face of biological warfare.
  • Civil engineers train for chemical attacks AFPN 19 May 2005 -- Civil engineers here replaced their shovels, hammers and power tools with gas masks, gloves and chemical warfare ensemble gear during ability to survive and operate training here May 18.
  • BRAC recommendations signify changes ahead for Marine Corps USMC News 19 May 2005 -- Months of rumors and nationwide speculation were finally put to rest when Secretary of Defense, Donald H. Rumsfeld formally submitted the Department of Defense's Base Realignment and Closure recommendations to the BRAC Commission here May 13.
  • BRAC recommendations present beneficial results AFPN 19 May 2005 -- Air Force Base Realignment and Closure recommendations provide an opportunity for the Air Force to effectively organize its total force into a more capable and efficient warfighting organization, transforming the Air Force to better meet future threats.
  • Civil Air Patrol helps test D.C. warning system AFPN 19 May 2005 -- Civil Air Patrol’s national capital wing is helping the Air Force test its new visual warning system for pilots, a security measure set to become operational over the Washington, D.C., area on May 21, officials said.
  • ARMY STATEMENT ON PROPOSED LEGISLATION Army News Release 19 May 2005 -- The Army has thoroughly reviewed the existing law, and Department of Defense and Army policies on women in combat, especially as to how they apply to current operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and to key Army Transformation initiatives, and determined that the Army is in compliance.
  • Women's combat support role could end in Iraq USMC News 19 May 2005 -- Legislation now before Congress is aimed at making sure female Marines like 2nd Lt. Samantha M. Kronschnabel won't accompany their male comrades into a combat zone anymore - or sustain wounds like Cpl. Steinnum Truesdale, a Purple Heart recipient.

  • QUR'AN DESECRATION ALLEGATION: DIFFICULT TO 'PACIFY ENRAGED MUSLIMS' US Dept. of State IIP, Foreign Media Reaction 19 May 2005

  • State Department Briefing, May 19 Washington File 19 May 2005 -- Statement on Upcoming Meeting Under Broader Middle East North Africa Initiative on Education, Committee Minority Report on Nomination of John Bolton, North Korea, Department's Position on Religious Freedom, Allegations of Desecration of Holy Koran, Mechanisms in Place to Ensure Respect for Religious Rights of Detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Afghanistan, Denmark/Greenland, Iraq, Israel/Palestinians, Nepal, Greece, Kosovo
  • White House Daily Briefing, May 19 Washington File 19 May 2005 -- President's schedule, Bush/security, U.S. and North Korean officials/meeting, Senator Roberts/expand the Patriot Act, judicial nominees/filibuster, energy bill, Homeland Security/color-coded system, House Armed Services Committee/women in combat

Defense Industry

News Reports

  • US Congress Warns Uzbekistan on Violence VOA 19 May 2005 -- A US lawmaker is warning Uzbekistan that the United States may have to reevaluate its military ties to that country if violence continues in that Central Asian republic.
  • Afghanistan: Was Taliban Involved In Uzbek Violence? RFE/RL 19 May 2005 -- On 13 May, Uzbek security forces fired on demonstrators in the eastern city of Andijon, following attacks on a police station, military barracks, and prison. The government has said that 169 people were killed, including more than 50 foreign fighters, though opposition groups say as many as 750 people were killed.
  • Uzbekistan: Calls In U.S. For Stricter Policy RFE/RL 19 May 2005 -- Since shortly after the attacks of 11 September 2001, Uzbekistan and the United States have been allies in the U.S.-led war on terror. There has been a U.S. military base in Uzbekistan for more than 3 1/2 years and Washington shares with Tashkent intelligence on Islamic militants. The United States also has helped train and equip Uzbek forces.
  • Uzbekistan: UN, EU Call For International Probe Into Violence RFE/RL 19 May 2005 -- The United Nations, European Union, and Britain have all called for an independent inquiry into last week's events in Uzbekistan, where witnesses say police shot dead at least 745 people during protests in the eastern town of Andijon.
  • Uzbek Government Troops Enter Eastern Border Town RFE/RL 19 May 2005 -- Reports say Uzbek troops have reclaimed control of the eastern border town of Karasu, where protesters last week had chased out federal authorities following a bloody military crackdown in the nearby city of Andijon.
  • Arrests Reported As Uzbek Government Troops Enter Border Town RFE/RL 19 May 2005 -- Uzbekistan's government forces today reclaimed control of the eastern border town of Karasu, where protesters last week had chased out authorities following a bloody military crackdown in the nearby city of Andijon. Local residents say security troops have already arrested dozens of people in the town.

  • Togo's Foes Meet in Nigeria VOA 19 May 2005 -- African leaders have brought together Togo's political adversaries to end a crisis following deadly and flawed elections which gave victory to the son of the country's late leader.