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Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 18 Oct 2007 [PDF]
• Task Force Lightning Soldiers attacked
• Oct. 17 airpower summary: B-1B targets multiple enemies AFPN 18 Oct 2007 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 17, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.
• Customs Battalion Sierra Returns Home Navy NewsStand 18 Oct 2007 -- More than 450 Sailors with Navy Customs Battalion Sierra, mobilized by Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group (NAVELSG), returned home to Naval Station Norfolk Oct. 16.
• Coalition Forces Capture 15 Insurgents in Iraq Operations AFPS 18 Oct 2007 -- Coalition forces detained 15 suspected terrorists today during a series of operations targeting al Qaeda networks throughout Iraq.
• Operation Greywolf Hammer II clears al-Suk, Muqdadiya MNF-I 18 Oct 2007 -- In an effort to rid al-Qaeda from their perceived safe havens, Iraqi Security Forces, with support from Coalition Forces assigned to 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, conducted Operation Market Fury in support of Operation Greywolf Hammer II, focusing on Muqdadiyah’s Al Suk market area.
• Transcript: DoD Press Briefing with Maj. Gen. Cone and Gen. Wardak from the Pentagon, Arlington, Va 18 Oct 2007 -- Presenter: Major General Robert Cone, USA, Commanding General, Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan and General Abdul Rahim Wardak, Afganistan Minister of Defense
• Afghanistan Investigating Iran Link to High-Powered Taliban Bombs VOA 18 Oct 2007 -- Afghanistan's defense minister says his government is gathering evidence on the source of sophisticated weapons found in the hands of Taliban fighters
• US Military: Intercepted Afghan Weapons Came From Iran VOA 18 Oct 2007 -- The top commander of NATO forces in Afghanistan says weapons intercepted in the country last month originated in Iran.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Transcript: Defense Department Background Briefing on Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles (MRAPS) 18 Oct 2007 -- Presenter: A Senior Defense Official
• Transcript: DoD News Briefing with Secretary Gates and Adm. Mullen from the Pentagon, Arlington, Va. 18 Oct 2007 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael Mullen
• DLA-Warner Robins activated Oct. 15 AFPN 18 Oct 2007 -- The Defense Logistics Agency gained 240 employees Oct. 15 when DLA-Warner Robins stood up here.
• Predictable Deployments, Future Fleets Crucial to New Navy Chief AFPS 18 Oct 2007 -- Sailors can continue to expect predictable deployment lengths and new ships on which to serve, the new chief of naval operations said today.
• AFRICOM Won’t Change Defense Department Security Policy in Africa AFPS 18 Oct 2007 -- The new U.S. unified command being established for Africa will consolidate Defense Department efforts on the continent, but will not change the department’s long-standing policy of partnership with African nations, the department official in charge of African affairs said today.
• Gates Aims to Resolve Disconnect Between Military, Security Contractors AFPS 18 Oct 2007 -- Multinational Force Iraq and private security contractors too often are working at cross purposes, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told Pentagon reporters today.
• New Maritime Strategy for the 21st Century Presented in San Diego Navy NewsStand 18 Oct 2007 -- Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Patrick Walsh discussed the nation’s new maritime strategy for the 21st century during the Fleet Week Foundation Breakfast at Naval Base Point Loma Oct. 17.
• Sixth Fleet JFMCC Ready for Action Navy NewsStand 18 Oct 2007 -- The U.S. 6th Fleet Joint Forces Maritime Component Command (JFMCC) staff wrapped up a two-week training evolution while embarked aboard USS Mount Whitney (LCC/JCC 20) Oct. 14.
• HS 14 Completes SAR Drops at Yokosuka Navy NewsStand 18 Oct 2007 -- Search and Rescue (SAR) swimmers from Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 14 completed semi-annual proficiency training at Fleet Activities Yokosuka Oct. 15.
• PCU George H.W. Bush Sailors Experience Mobile Damage Control Trainer Navy NewsStand 18 Oct 2007 -- Pre-commissioning Unit (PCU) George H. W. Bush (CVN 77) Sailors took part in damage control training with Afloat Training Group’s Atlantic (ATG) Mobile Damage Control Trainer “War Wagon” in Newport News, Oct. 12.
• Former Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Passes Away Navy NewsStand 18 Oct 2007 -- Former Chairman of the Joints Chiefs of Staff, retired Adm. William James Crowe Jr., died Oct. 18, at Bethesda Naval Hospital. He was 82.
• C-130s hit the ice AFPN 18 Oct 2007 -- A pair of specially equipped C-130 Hercules aircraft, belonging to the New York Air National Guard's 109th Airlift Wing, left here headed for Antarctica Oct. 17.
• Eielson's last A-10 carried on final flight AFPN 18 Oct 2007 -- The last Eielson Air Force Base A-10 Thunderbolt II was strapped in and transported via C-5 Galaxy Oct. 6 from here to its new home at the Museum of Aviation Flight and Technology Center at Robins Air Force Base, Ga.
• German general strengthens partnership with U.S. AFPN 18 Oct 2007 -- During a 10-day visit to the U.S., the commander of the German air force training command said he wanted to strengthen the German-U.S. military partnership.
• Air Force armada all about the ammo AFPN 18 Oct 2007 -- But the fact is the Air Force does have ships. Called the Afloat Pre-positioned Fleet, the program consists of four freighter-style ships that sail around the world loaded with various types of ammunition.
• U.S. Navy, Partners Provide Humanitarian Aid in Southeast Asia Washington File 18 Oct 2007 -- A partnership involving personnel from governments and nongovernmental groups from several nations bordering the Pacific Ocean came together for four months in early 2007 to provide medical, dental, construction and humanitarian assistance programs in the Philippines, Vietnam, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Marshall Islands.
• Total force Airmen participate in Chilean exercise AFPN 18 Oct 2007 -- Active duty, Reserve and National Guard Airmen from across the Southwest came together Oct 15 to 19 in Iquique, Chile, to participate in WILLKA, Chile's first exercise with their new F-16 Fighting Falcons, F-5 Freedom Fighters and the U.S. Air Force.
• Air Force clarifies post-deployment stand-down policy AFPN 18 Oct 2007 -- The Air Force post-deployment stand-down policy allows Airmen returning from deployments and lengthy temporary duty assignments time off work for recuperation and reconstitution upon their return, said the deputy chief of staff of personnel recently at the Pentagon.
• Air Force provides global GPS coverage AFPN 17 Oct 2007 -- The Air Force successfully launched a United Launch Alliance Delta II booster carrying the fourth modernized GPS satellite into space Oct. 17 at 8:23 a.m. EDT from Space Launch Complex 17A here.
• U.S. trying to ease Russian concerns on missile shield - Putin RIA Novosti 18 Oct 2007 -- Recent talks between Russia and the U.S. showed Washington is trying to reach a compromise with Moscow over plans to deploy missile shield elements in Europe, the Russian president said Thursday.
• Russia to continue developing defense capability - Putin RIA Novosti 18 Oct 2007 -- President Vladimir Putin said Thursday Russia will continue to develop both nuclear and conventional components of its armed forces.
• Russia announces successful Topol ballistic missile test RIA Novosti 18 Oct 2007 -- Russia has successfully test-fired an RS-12 Topol intercontinental ballistic missile from the Plesetsk space center, a spokesman for the Strategic Missile Forces announced on Thursday.
• Press Briefing by Dana Perino The White House 18 Oct 2007

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for October 18, 2007
• The Power of Three - Work Starts On Carrier Variant of F-35 Lightning II BAE Systems 18 Oct 2007 -- BAE Systems has started manufacture of the F-35 Lightning II Carrier Variant (CV). The CV aircraft is the final F-35 variant to start production and means that all three variants of the world’s most advanced fighter aircraft are now being produced concurrently by BAE Systems.
• EADS Defence & Security and Astrium win contract to supply access portal for satellite intelligence EADS 18 Oct 2007 -- EADS Defence & Security (DS) and ASTRIUM have been notified by the French armaments directorate (DGA) that they have been awarded a contract worth € 28 million for the design, development, installation and operational maintenance of the PHAROS system.
• NSA Certifies General Dynamics Encryptor with Embedded Router to Secure Information on Government Networks General Dynamics 18 Oct 2007 -- General Dynamics C4 Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), announced today that the TACLANE®-Router (KG-175R) has been certified by the National Security Agency (NSA) to protect classified information transmitted through military and government networks at the Top Secret level and below.
• The Chilean Navy purchases EADS CASA C-295 aircraft EADS 18 Oct 2007 -- The Chilean Navy has purchased three (3) units of the EADS CASA maritime surveillance aircraft C-295 with an option for another five (5).
• LOCKHEED MARTIN AND PATRIA JOIN FORCES FOR MARINE PERSONNEL CARRIER OFFERING Lockheed Martin 18 Oct 2007 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] and Patria have teamed to compete for the U.S. Marine Corps’ Marine Personnel Carrier (MPC). The MPC will be the Marines' next generation medium armored vehicle.
• Pratt & Whitney F119 Engine Achieves 50,000 Flight Hours Pratt & Whitney 18 Oct 2007 -- The Pratt & Whitney F119 engine has logged more than 50,000 operational flight hours, a major milestone for the engine program.
• SAIC Awarded Naval Surface Warfare Contract to Support Small Arms Weapons Division SAIC 18 Oct 2007 -- Science Applications International Corporation (NYSE: SAI) announced today it won a contract from the Crane Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC), Crane, Ind., in support of the Small Arms Weapons Division.
• Russia, India sign advanced fighter jet agreement RIA Novosti 18 Oct 2007 -- Russia and India have closed a deal to jointly develop a fifth-generation fighter plane, a spokesman for the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation said on Thursday.

Other Conflicts

• IRAQ: Turkish offensive would lead to humanitarian crisis, ICRC warns IRIN 18 Oct 2007 -- A humanitarian crisis will accompany any large-scale Turkish military operations aimed at pursuing Turkish-Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) warned on 17 October.
• Turkish troops ready for Kurdish operation on Iraqi border RIA Novosti 18 Oct 2007 -- Some 40,000 strong Turkish troops comprising helicopter, artillery and special forces units are ready to launch a full-scale operation against Kurdish militants on the Iraqi border, Turkish media reported.
• Thousands of Iraqi Kurds Rally Against Threat of Turkish Incursion VOA 18 Oct 2007 -- Thousands of Kurds have rallied in northern Iraq to protest a Turkish parliament decision authorizing military incursions against Kurdish rebels in Iraq.
• Jordan's King Abdullah Backs Mideast Peace Talks After Meeting Rice VOA 18 Oct 2007 -- Jordan's King Abdullah has voiced his support for a U.S.-sponsored Mideast peace conference after meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in London.
• Congo Rebels Demand Negotiations VOA 18 Oct 2007 -- Dissident Congolese General Laurent Nkunda and his National Congress for the People's Defense will not surrender or agree to integrate in Congo's national army without formal negotiations, a spokesman says
• Rice 'Encouraged' by Mideast Talks VOA 18 Oct 2007 -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says she has been encouraged by talks with Israeli and Palestinian leaders, despite tensions between the two sides as they prepare for an upcoming U.S.-sponsored peace conference.
• CONGO: Antonov ban brings hardship to many IRIN 18 Oct 2007 -- The indefinite grounding of all Antonov aircraft in the Republic of Congo has brought much of the country’s domestic aviation to a standstill and many people who depended on the sector are feeling the pinch.
• DRC: Displaced in North Kivu could face epidemics due to limited access IRIN 18 Oct 2007 -- Aid workers in the strife-torn east of the Democratic Republic of Congo fear measles and cholera epidemics may break out among displaced people who cannot be reached by humanitarian agencies because of fighting between government forces and dissident soldiers in North Kivu province.
• SUDAN: Southern leaders in talks to salvage unity government IRIN 18 Oct 2007 -- Leaders of the two major coalition partners in the Sudanese government of national unity were meeting in the capital, Khartoum, on 18 October to try to resolve a stalemate surrounding participation by the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), sources said.
• DRC: International Court takes second ex-rebel commander into custody over war crimes IRIN 18 Oct 2007 -- A former rebel commander accused of committing atrocities in the Ituri district of northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been flown to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague as part of continuing efforts by the tribunal to tackle the culture of impunity in the volatile country.
• Georgian media seek to discredit Russian peacekeepers - Army RIA Novosti 18 Oct 2007 -- Georgian media are conducting a massive campaign to discredit Russian peacekeepers in the zone of the Georgian-Abkhazian conflict, a Russian Army official said Thursday.

News Reports

• Support For Armenian Genocide Measure Wanes In Washington RFE/RL 18 Oct 2007 -- U.S. congressional support appears to be fading for a controversial resolution that defines the mass killing of Armenians during the final throes of the Ottoman Empire as genocide.
• Kuril issue should not spoil Russia-Japan relations - Kamynin RIA Novosti 18 Oct 2007 -- Cooperation between Russia and Japan should not suffer from the unresolved territorial dispute over the Kuril Islands, a spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.
• Incentives might lead Myanmar to ‘do the right thing’ – UN envoy UN News Centre 18 Oct 2007 -- Continuing his consultations with Myanmar’s regional partners, United Nations Envoy Ibrahim Gambari has suggested that incentives, along with strong encouragement, might persuade authorities in the South-East Asian nation to move towards democratization and reconciliation.
• Burma's Military Government Appoints Commission to Draft Constitution VOA 18 Oct 2007 -- Burma's military government says it has appointed a committee tasked with drafting the country's constitution.
• UN Envoy Says Burma Should be Offered Incentives VOA 18 Oct 2007 -- The United Nations envoy to Burma says incentives should be offered to the country's military rulers in exchange for democratic reforms.
• Can Bhutto's Return To Pakistan Boost Afghan Security? RFE/RL 18 Oct 2007 -- Defying threats from Taliban militants, former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto has returned home after eight years of exile, vowing to help push Pakistan in a democratic direction -- and win the war on terrorism.
• Pakistan's Bhutto Ends 8-Year Exile with Jubilant Homecoming VOA 18 Oct 2007 -- Hundreds of thousands of supporters of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto are cheering her homecoming after eight years in self-imposed exile