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Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 02 Sep 2008 [PDF]
• Soldier dies of non-combat related causes (Baghdad)
• Coalition Forces in Iraq Round Up Suspects, Find Weapons AFPS 02 Sep 2008 -- Coalition forces captured four suspected members of the Shiite group Kataib Hezbollah and seized weapons caches in operations in Iraq yesterday and today, military officials reported.
• Strike Eagles fly dawn patrol AFPN 02 Sep 2008
• Coalition in Afghanistan Completes Investigation Into Aug. 22 Engagement AFPS 02 Sep 2008 -- Intense enemy fire justified actions taken by Afghan and U.S. forces during an Aug. 22 engagement in which several civilians and more than 30 Taliban fighters were killed in western Afghanistan, a coalition investigation has concluded.
• Mistakes By Afghan Translators Endanger Lives, Hamper Antiterrorism Effort RFE/RL 02 Sep 2008 -- When U.S. or NATO soldiers need to communicate with Afghan villagers, they rely on translators provided by private contractors. But for various reasons -- regional dialects, cultural misunderstandings, or even ethnic animosities -- translators in Afghanistan often don't relate everything they hear.
• U.S. Military Aircraft, Ships Continue Georgian Missions AFPS 02 Sep 2008 -- U.S. military aircraft and ships continue to bring humanitarian supplies to Georgia, defense officials said today.
• Canadian forces assist in hurricane evacuation AFPN 02 Sep 2008 -- Canadian Forces officials deployed three aircraft in support of Air Forces Northern humanitarian efforts during Hurricane Gustav.
• AMC poised to support post-hurricane operations AFPN 02 Sep 2008 -- Air Mobility Command planners and operators held a collective breath as Hurricane Gustav made landfall Sept. 1.
• Intelligence wing supports Gustav efforts AFPN 02 Sep 2008 -- Even though Hurricane Gustav made landfall hundreds of miles away, Airmen from the 480th Intelligence Wing here are playing a critical support role.
• Air Guard Assists Thousands Displaced by Gustav AFPS 02 Sep 2008 -- With tens of thousands of Gulf Coast residents in the potential path of Hurricane Gustav during the Labor Day weekend, Air National Guard members put aside their last-minute school shopping and backyard picnics to bring their states' Guard airpower to the displaced.
• Mullen Praises Military Response to Hurricane Gustav AFPS 02 Sep 2008 -- The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff today praised the U.S. military, in particular the National Guard, for its role in the government’s response to Hurricane Gustav, which lashed the Louisiana coast yesterday.
• Gates OKs Call-up of 50,000 Guard Troops for Hurricane Support AFPS 02 Sep 2008 -- Up to 50,000 National Guard personnel can be called up for the response to Hurricane Gustav if needed, a National Guard Bureau official said yesterday.
• Corps of Engineers Surveys New Orleans Levee System in Gustav’s Wake AFPS 02 Sep 2008 -- Army Corps of Engineers teams have fanned out across New Orleans to survey the 350 miles of levees, floodgates and floodwalls that protect New Orleans, while expressing cautious optimism that the reinforced system successfully withstood Hurricane Gustav.
• Guard supporting Gustav evacuees, patrolling New Orleans Army News 02 Sep 2008 -- More than 7,000 National Guard troops assisted local authorities with evacuation and security efforts in New Orleans and performed dozens of other missions across Louisiana as Hurricane Gustav approached.
• Guard assisting with convention security in Minnesota Army News 02 Sep 2008 -- During the first day of the Republican National Convention here, members of the Minnesota Army National Guard were called upon to provide crowd control.
• Mississippi Guard Responds to Hurricane Gustav AFPS 02 Sep 2008 -- Labor Day began here yesterday with pounding rain and high-velocity winds from a hurricane that many believed would match the devastation that Hurricane Katrina wrought three years ago, but the coast is clear today and damage was minimal from the weaker-than-expected Hurricane Gustav.
• MFR leathernecks prepare evacuation HQ, keep eye on Gustav USMC News 02 Sep 2008 -- An advance party of roughly 80 Marine Forces Reserve personnel arrived here today with the task of preparing a forward headquarters, while family members settled into safe havens and hurricane Gustav bore down on the unit's traditional home in New Orleans.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Detainee Transfer Announced 02 Sep 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the transfer of three detainees from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Two detainees were transferred to Afghanistan and one detainee was transferred to Pakistan.
• Army releases 2008 Modernization Strategy Army News 02 Sep 2008 -- Last week the Army released the 2008 Army Modernization Strategy, the blueprint for the future of Army modernization.
• Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group Deploys Navy NewsStand 02 Sep 2008 -- Approximately 6,000 Sailors and Marines from the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group (Iwo Jima ESG) and embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit deployed Aug. 26-30 for a regularly-scheduled deployment to the Navy's 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation in support of Maritime Security Operations.
• Final Pacific Partnership Mission Renovates Schools, Treats More Than 17,000 Navy NewsStand 02 Sep 2008 -- The villagers of Fefen island gathered around their newly renovated elementary school Sept. 1 to recognize the hard work of Pacific Partnership 2008.
• Secretary of the Navy Visits Camp Lemonier Navy NewsStand 02 Sep 2008 -- The Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) visited Camp Lemonier to discuss Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) operations and to meet the Sailors aboard Camp Lemonier Aug. 22.
• U.S. warship leaves Sevastopol after protests RIA Novosti 02 Sep 2008 -- The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Dallas left Sevastopol Tuesday morning after anti-NATO protests in Ukraine's Crimean port.
• Putin pledges measured response to NATO warships in Black Sea RIA Novosti 02 Sep 2008 -- Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday Russia will respond calmly to the presence of NATO warships in the Black Sea.
• Abkhazia says no plans for new Russian bases RIA Novosti 02 Sep 2008 -- Abkhazia will not host new Russian military bases on its territory, the leader of the region recently recognized by Russia as independent said on Tuesday.
• Ukraine, NATO start military drills in Poland RIA Novosti 02 Sep 2008 -- A joint Ukrainian-Polish-British tactical exercise began on Tuesday at the Nova Demba military training grounds in Poland, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry said.
• Japan 'postpones naval drills' with Russia RIA Novosti 02 Sep 2008 -- The Japanese government has decided to postpone joint exercises with the Russian Navy citing recent events in the Caucasus and tensions between Russia and the West, a Japanese defense source said on Tuesday.
• President says national defense building should not be relaxed CNA 02 Sep 2008 -- President Ma Ying-jeou said Tuesday that the government does not think the building of national defense should be relaxed, as the country must be well prepared for war although it does not want to provoke one.
• Press Briefing by Dana Perino The White House 02 Sep 2008
• Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 02 Sep 2008

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for September 15, 2008
• ATK Awarded $97 Million Contract to Develop the Multi-Stage Supersonic Target for the U.S. Navy ATK 02 Sep 2008 -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) announced today that it has been awarded a $97 million contract for the design, development, integration, and test of the Multi-Stage Supersonic Target (MSST) by the Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland
• CACI Awarded $150 Million Contract to Modernize Maintenance Applications for Naval Sea Systems Command CACI 02 Sep 2008 -- CACI International Inc (NYSE:CAI), announced today that it has been awarded a prime $150 million task order by the U.S. Navy's Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) to modernize maintenance applications used at shipyards and maintenance centers through information technology (IT) upgrades and software development
• General Dynamics Awarded $47 Million for MRAP Vehicle Support General Dynamics 02 Sep 2008 -- General Dynamics Land Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), has been awarded contracts worth $47 million by Force Protection Inc. to provide supplies and support for the U.S. Marine Corps’ Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle program.
• General Dynamics Awarded $41 Million for U.S. Marine Corps Combat Operations Centers General Dynamics 02 Sep 2008 -- General Dynamics C4 Systems has been awarded a $41 million contract modification from the U.S. Marine Corps System Command for the production of nine capability set II Combat Operations Centers and 18 common modules
• L-3 Selected to Produce New Outer P-3 Wings for U.S. Navy L-3 Communications 02 Sep 2008 -- L-3 Communications (NYSE: LLL) today announced that its Integrated Systems Group has been awarded a $60.6 million contract to produce new outer wings for U.S. Navy P-3 aircraft.
• Lockheed Martin Completes Acquisition Of Aculight Corporation Lockheed Martin 02 Sep 2008 -- Lockheed Martin Corporation [NYSE: LMT] has completed its acquisition of Aculight Corporation. Based in Bothell, Wash., Aculight is focused on providing laser-based solutions for national defense and aerospace customers
• Lockheed Martin’s First Aegis Open Architecture Weapon System Lockheed Martin 02 Sep 2008 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT]’s new Aegis Open Architecture Weapon System came to life during the week of Aug. 25 – on schedule and exactly as planned – aboard the U.S. Navy’s guided missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52).

Other Conflicts

• Interview: Cheney's Aims In The Caucasus RFE/RL 02 Sep 2008 -- As the United States and Russia continued their diplomatic sparring over Moscow's war with Georgia, Washington announced that Vice President Dick Cheney would visit the region in early September
• Georgia-Russia Conflict Changes The Energy Equation RFE/RL 02 Sep 2008 -- Officials at the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline announced last week that the pipeline is fully functional and work has started to refill it.
• The Commonwealth Of Weak States RFE/RL 02 Sep 2008 -- With the exception of Ukraine and, of course, the Baltic states, none of the republics of the former Soviet Union has vigorously protested Russia's recent aggression in Georgia and its subsequent recognition of the breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
• Russia Expresses Regret Over EU's Decision To Freeze New Partnership Talks RFE/RL 02 Sep 2008 -- Moscow has sent a mixed message following the EU's stronger-than-expected response to Russia's recent military action in Georgia.
• Georgia mobilizes commando units near S.Ossetia - Russian military RIA Novosti 02 Sep 2008 -- Georgia is mobilizing commando units near its border with South Ossetia, a senior Russian military official said on Tuesday.
• Georgia officially notifies Russia of severed ties RIA Novosti 02 Sep 2008 -- Georgia has officially notified Russia of its decision to sever diplomatic relations, the Georgian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.
• Russia regrets EU declaration, but welcomes 'responsible approach' RIA Novosti 02 Sep 2008 -- Russia believes the declaration adopted by the EU at its summit on Monday fails to recognize Georgia's role in the recent conflict over South Ossetia, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.
• Russia to sign cooperation deal with S. Ossetia RIA Novosti 02 Sep 2008 -- Russia's upper house of parliament, the Federation Council, will sign an agreement on cooperation with the parliament of South Ossetia in Moscow on Tuesday.
• Russia Reacts Mildly to EU Condemnation VOA 02 Sep 2008 -- Russia has offered a muted response to Monday's European Union special summit meeting on Georgia, saying the majority of European countries confirmed the path toward partnership with Russia.
• North Caucasus Resistance Spills Over Into Azerbaijan RFE/RL 02 Sep 2008 -- Over the past decade, what coalesced during the 1994-96 Chechen war as an overwhelmingly Chechen armed resistance movement has spread to neighboring North Caucasus republics, first to Daghestan, then Ingushetia, then to Kabardino-Balkaria
• SOMALIA: Southern town tense after clashes IRIN 02 Sep 2008 -- Tension is high in the strategic town of Jowhar, 90km north of Mogadishu, two days after factions of opposition militia clashed in the area, locals told IRIN.
• NIGER: Food needs grow as conflict continues IRIN 02 Sep 2008 -- An on-going desert conflict continues to ground agricultural activities in the mountainous desert, where more than 10,000 people have been displaced by sporadic fighting and landmine explosions.
• 83 killed in Sri Lanka clashes IRNA 02 Sep 2008 -- At least 81 Tamil Tigers and two army personnel were killed in fierce fighting in Sri Lanka's restive northern areas as troops gained control of several LTTE outposts in the rebel stronghold of Mullaittivuamidst bombardment by Air Force fighter jets.

News Reports

• African Union Urges Speedy Conclusion to Zimbabwe Power-Sharing Talks VOA 02 Sep 2008 -- Tanzania, currently holding the chairmanship of the African Union, on Tuesday urged a rapid resolution of Zimbabwe's extended power-sharing negotiations so that all parties involved can turn their attention to the country's accelerating economic meltdown.
• Rice Schedules First Libya Visit by US Secretary of State in 55 Years VOA 02 Sep 2008 -- The U.S. State Department says Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will visit Libya later this week, the first visit of its kind since 1953
• France's Sarkozy to Meet With Syrian President in Damascus VOA 02 Sep 2008 -- French President Nicolas Sarkozy will fly to Damascus for meetings Wednesday with Syrian President Bashar Assad in an effort to restore diplomatic ties that were cut three years ago
• Russia Criticizes EU Decision to Suspend 'Partnership' Talks VOA 02 Sep 2008 -- Russian President Dmitri Medvedev says his country will not agree to any contacts with Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili.
• ZIMBABWE: Promotion of democracy banned IRIN 02 Sep 2008 -- Strict operating procedures for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working in Zimbabwe have been introduced since a ban on their operations was lifted, but pro-democracy organisations - perceived by President Robert Mugabe's government as fronts for the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) - remain banned.
• Thai Army Chief Says Force Will Not Be Used Against Protests VOA 02 Sep 2008 -- Thailand's army chief vows the military will not use force against protesters in Bangkok.
• DRC: 17 feared dead in plane crash near Bukavu IRIN 02 Sep 2008 -- An airplane carrying humanitarian workers crashed on approach to Bukavu, the capital of Democratic Republic of Congo’s South Kivu province, on 1 September.
• Seeking A Way Forward On Trans-Caspian Pipeline RFE/RL 02 Sep 2008 -- As the United States and the European Union strive to build an energy export route from the Caspian region, and specifically from Turkmenistan, through the proposed trans-Caspian gas pipeline, the question remains as to whether the project will ever come to fruition