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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• U.S. Navy Ships Fire Tomahawks in Gulf Navy NewStand 20 Mar 2003 -- By order of President George W. Bush, four ships and two submarines currently assigned to the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet launched Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAMs) March 19.
• Stealth bomber joins team AFPN 20 Mar 2003 -- The B-2 Spirit multirole bomber has joined forces with the B-52 Stratofortress and KC-135 Stratotanker at a forward-deployed location.
• Tanker crews launch first combat support operations USAFENS 20 Mar 2003 -- While most people were just waking up and drinking their first cup of coffee, the first of several KC-135 aircrews from the 401st Air Expeditionary Wing launched combat support missions over the skies of Southwest Asia March 19.

• AFGHAN / U-S VOA 20 Mar 2003 -- U-S military officials in Afghanistan say a new operation against the remnants of the Taleban and al-Qaida in southeastern Afghanistan will continue for some time. About one-thousand U-S troops are involved in operation "Valiant Strike" near Afghanistan's border with Pakistan.
• Coalition Forces Launch Operation in Afghanistan AFPS 20 Mar 2003 -- Coalition forces in Afghanistan launched another offensive in the global war on terror, DoD officials said today.
• AFGHANISTAN / U-S MILITARY VOA 20 Mar 2003 -- U-S combat forces in Afghanistan have begun a new offensive in southern parts of the country along the border with Pakistan. The move is said to be part of the search for remnants of Taleban and al-Qaida terrorist network hiding in the region.
• AFGHANISTAN/U-S MILITARY VOA 20 Mar 2003 -- U-S troops have gone into action in Afghanistan, apparently hunting remnants of the Taleban or the al-Qaida terror network.
• RFE/RL Afghanistan Report, Vol 2, Number 10 20 Mar 2003 -- WILL THE SECOND PHASE OF THE WAR ON TERRORISM REVERSE THE GAINS OF THE FIRST? / AFGHAN DEFENSE MINISTER FAVORED DIPLOMACY... / ...AND SAID AFGHANISTAN OPPOSES WAR IN IRAQ... / ...BUT GOVERNMENT CHANGED POSITION AT THE LAST MOMENT / AFGHAN AND RUSSIAN OFFICIALS CALLED FOR POLITICAL SOLUTION TO IRAQ CRISIS... / AFGHAN FOREIGN MINISTER WARNED OF 'ANOTHER WAR IN ASIA.' / KABUL PAPER CAUTIONED OF IMPACT OF IRAQ WAR ON AFGHANISTAN... / ...AND UN SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE CONCURRED / AFGHAN LEADER URGED U.S. NOT TO FORGET AFGHANISTAN / AFGHANS AGREE WITH PRESIDENT ON IRAQ FALLOUT / DEPUTY DEFENSE SECRETARY PLEDGED LASTING SUPPORT FROM THE U.S. / ISAF'S FORMER COMMANDER EXPRESSED UNEASE IN EVENT OF WAR IN IRAQ / GERMANS VOWED TO REMAIN IN AFGHANISTAN / GERMAN CONTRIBUTION TO ISAF UNRELATED TO GERMAN POLICY ON IRAQ / GERMANY, NETHERLANDS THREATENED TO WITHDRAW FROM ISAF / GERMAN MILITARY OFFICIAL WARNED OF ATTACKS IN KABUL... / ...AS U.S. MILITARY SPOKESMAN SAID AL-QAEDA MIGHT INCREASE ACTIVITIES IN AFGHANISTAN
• AFGHANISTAN: UN announces 48 hours security alert IRIN 20 Mar 2003 -- Following the start of hostilities in Iraq, the United Nations in Afghanistan on Thursday announced a 48-hour precautionary security alert and instructed staff to stay away from places of work for two days.
• AFGHANISTAN: Interview with interior minister IRIN 20 Mar 2003 -- One of the key challenges facing the Afghan government is ensuring peace and security in a country devastated by over two decades of war. If that challenge is not met, experts warn that international assistance will never have the necessary impact for long-term sustainability. In an interview with IRIN, Afghan Interior Minister Ali Ahmad Jalali, appointed almost two months ago, shared some of his concerns regarding security in the country, as well as details of efforts to improve it.

Defense Policy / Programs

• White House Daily Briefing White House 20 Mar 2003
• ACC releases Article 32 recommendations ACCNS 20 Mar 2003 -- Col. Patrick Rosenow, the Article 32 hearing officer investigating the Tarnak Farms Friendly Fire charges against Majors Harry Schmidt and William Umbach, has completed his investigation and has made the following non-binding recommendations to Lt. Gen. Bruce Carlson, Commander, 8th Air Force and the General Court-Martial Convening Authority:
• U.S. NAVY'S F-14D TOMCATS GAIN JDAM CAPABILITY 20 Mar 2003 -- Naval Air Systems Command's (NAVAIR) F-14 Program Office announced today that it has accelerated and deployed a software upgrade program that will allow U.S Navy's F-14 D model Tomcats to carry Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM).
• Secretary's Message to the Troops on Operation Iraqi Freedom 20 Mar 2003 -- "On Monday night, President George W. Bush, our Commander in Chief delivered an ultimatum to Saddam Hussein: to leave Iraq within 48 hours. Refusal to do so will result in military conflict. In rejecting the President's ultimatum, the Iraqi regime has chosen war over peaceful disarmament. Saddam Hussein's regime will be now removed from power -- and the Iraqi people will be liberated."
• Transcript: DoD News Briefing - Secretary Rumsfeld And Gen. Myers 20 Mar 2003 -- "The United States and the international community have made every effort to avoid war. Diplomacy and sanctions over more than a decade have not worked. And now, by rejecting President Bush's ultimatum, the Iraqi regime has chosen military conflict over peaceful disarmament."
• USS Arthur W. Radford Decommissioned Navy NewStand 20 Mar 2003 -- The Spruance-class destroyer USS Arthur W. Radford (DD 968) was decommissioned here in a ceremony March 18 at Naval Station Norfolk.
• PHILIPPINES U-S EXERCISES VOA 20 Mar 2003 -- Philippine and U-S defense officials are negotiating the details of proposed large military exercises aimed at helping fight terrorist activities in the Philippines. The exercises come as the Philippine military is renewing its offensive against Muslim separatist rebels in the south after the collapse of a ceasefire. The government wants the exercises moved to the frontlines of the war against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which Manila may label a terrorist group.
• NAVSEA Repair Program Enhancing Fleet Readiness, Saving Money NAVSEA News 20 Mar 2003 -- A Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA)-managed program for repairing shipboard circuit cards and electronic modules is reaping benefits for the Navy and keeping the Fleet operationally ready.
• NUWC Keyport Provides Any Time, Any Place Test, Training and Evaluation Services to the Fleet NAVSEA News 20 Mar 2003 -- Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Keyport recently provided valuable support to Commander, Destroyer Squadron Fifteen, in the multi-ship exercise WESTPAC 2003.
• NAVSEA Helps Validate Significant Advances in Facial Recognition Technology NAVSEA News 20 Mar 2003 -- Working with the Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards (NIST), Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) has tested facial recognition systems and has found that the best applications are accurate about 90 percent of the time.
• NAVSEA Leadership, Technologies Featured at ASNE Day 2003 NAVSEA News 20 Mar 2003 -- The American Society of Naval Engineers (ASNE) will host its annual conference and exhibition, ASNE Day 2003, on March 24-25 at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City Hotel in Arlington, Va.
• USS Arthur W. Radford Decommissions to Become DD(X) Test Platform NAVSEA News 20 Mar 2003 -- The Norfolk-based Spruance-class destroyer USS Arthur W. Radford (DD 968) decommissioned on March 18 at Naval Station Norfolk. The ship will now serve as the test platform for the U.S. Navy's future destroyer, DD(X).
• Security forces remain undaunted in England AFPN 20 Mar 2003 -- Through shifts of 13-plus hours, endless walks across the tarmac, cold wind and demonstrators lurking on the fence line, security forces here are undaunted.
• Signal 'Predators' spread out to provide commo Army News 20 Mar 2003 -- For members of the tropospheric platoon of V Corps' 578th Signal Company, moving to points unknown is part of the reality of their mission.
• Leaders tell Congress about new aircraft, missions AFPN 20 Mar 2003 -- The Air Force's senior leaders presented their vision of the service's next-generation fighter and a new mission for an old warhorse to members of Congress on March 19.
• New Supercarrier Pier and Recreation Facility in Northwest Navy NewStand 20 Mar 2003 -- A surprise is awaiting USS Carl Vinson's (CVN 70) crew when she returns from deployment. A new carrier pier and pierside recreation facility opened recently at Naval Station Bremerton, Wash., Vinson's home port.
• USS Cowpens Launches First Missiles in Operation Iraqi Freedom Navy NewStand 20 Mar 2003 -- USS Cowpens (CG 63) successfully fired 11 Tomahawk land attack cruise missiles (TLAM) just before dawn today (Mar. 20) in the Arabian Gulf, as part of the first strikes in what is now being called Operation Iraqi Freedom.
• Reservists activated, motivated to aid station USMC News 20 Mar 2003 -- If you have noticed a lot of unfamiliar faces aboard the station in the past few weeks, don't be alarmed.
• MSSG-13 license Command Element, BLT 1/1, HMM-163 (Rein) Marines for tactical vehicles USMC News 20 Mar 2003 -- Motor transportation plays a key role in the Marine Corps' mission, whether it is transporting troops or equipment. For the limited motor transportation Marines assigned to the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, supporting all three MEU components is a great responsibility.
• VMR-1 Marines lend Coast Guard a hand USMC News 20 Mar 2003 -- Marines from Marine Transport Squadron 1 worked together with Coastguardsmen from Cost Guard Group Ft. Macon to remove equipment from the light house which is no longer in use.
• 2/25: "None better" for possible deployment ahead USMC News 20 Mar 2003 -- The Reserve Marines and sailors of 2nd Battalion, 25th Marines (2/25), headquartered here, were called back to active-duty March 8 to begin preparations for a deployment to Southwest Asia.
• Incirlik begins voluntary return of dependents USAFENS 20 Mar 2003 -- The voluntary departure of family members and non-mission essential civilian employees at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, began March 20 in response to a U.S. European Command directive authorizing the departure due to increased security concerns in Southwest Turkey.
• Night Owls: Night shift brings out nocturnal workers USAFENS 20 Mar 2003 -- From handling cargo for the planes to checking IDs at the gate, Kaiserslautern Military Community night owls are there to do it all. Most career fields set up 24-hour operations at one time or another for exercises, but then there are the few where this is a regular part of their job.
• 86th MMS works with host nations to accomplish mission USAFENS 20 Mar 2003 -- The 86th Material Maintenance Squadron, based at Sembach Air Base, is among the many 86th Airlift Wing units contributing to preparations for a possible contingency. The squadron manages, stores and maintains the centrally stored non-munitions war reserve materiel for U.S. Air Forces in Europe.
• Legendary group enhances defense at Fairford USAFENS 20 Mar 2003 -- Security here has taken on a formidable new dimension. After adding layers of concertina wire, K-9s and four contingents of law enforcement, officials at the British installation have added a regiment nothing short of legendary.

• NATO Strengthens Rules of Engagement for Forces in Turkey Washington File 20 mar 2003 -- In response to the "evolving situation" in Iraq, the NATO Defense Planning Committee has approved changes to strengthen the rules of engagement for NATO forces in Turkey, NATO Secretary General Lord Robertson announced March 20.

Defense Industry

• CACI Awarded Estimated $100 Million-Plus Contract With U.S. Army Forces Command CACI 20 Mar 2003 -- CACI International Inc (NYSE:CAI) announced today that it has been selected as a prime contractor to support the United States Army Forces Command (FORSCOM) on the $650 million, multiple-award Operations, Planning, Training, and Resource Support Services (OPTARSS) contract
• Northrop Grumman Receives U.S. Army Award for Smart Card Middleware Northrop Grumman 20 Mar 2003 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) is expanding its smart card systems and services for the Department of the Army. Through a task order from the General Services Administration, Northrop Grumman Information Technology (IT) will deliver middleware that allows smart cards to communicate with computers and computer applications for the Army's Common Access Card (CAC) program.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 20 Mar 2003
• Burns: U.S.-Middle East Partnership Would Bring Hope to the Region Washington File 20 mar 2003 -- The United States hopes to enter into a partnership with the people of the Middle East to build a region that is "stable, prosperous and open," says William J. Burns, assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs.

• THE INTERNATIONAL CONTACT GROUP AND A WAY FORWARD FOR LIBERIA Remarks by Ambassador Pamela Bridgewater, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Africa March 20, 2003 - The UN Security Council and the International Contact Group have agreed with the United States on the need for a comprehensive stabilization strategy for Liberia. Since the underlying causes of the current conflict must be addressed if lasting stability and peace are to be achieved, our mutual simultaneous goals should be to achieve and enforce a cease-fire, and to assure internal reform and good governance in Liberia.
• Press Statement by John W. Blaney III To Liberian Press March 20, 2003 - First, on the war, the Contact Group is urging both the Government of Liberia and the LURD to enter immediately and without any preconditions into negotiations on a cease-fire.
• LIBERIA: US warns both government and rebels IRIN 20 Mar 2003 -- The United States ambassador to Liberia, John William Blaney, on Thursday strongly warned both the Liberian government and the rebel Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) to cease hostilities and engage in direct negotiations without preconditions, saying the country needed peace now.
• Security Council strongly condemns military coup in Central African Republic UN News Centre 20 Mar 2003 -- The United Nations Security Council today forcefully condemned the coup d'état and accompanying violence and pillaging that took place last weekend in the Central African Republic (CAR).
• CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: Chad sends troops, France says coup "absolutely unacceptable" IRIN 20 Mar 2003 -- Chad sent 100 soldiers to the Central African Republic (CAR) on Wednesday to reinforce the Economic and Monetary Community of Central African States (CEMAC) forces, Parfait Mbaye, the spokesman for Francois Bozize, the leader of the 15 March coup, told IRIN that day.
• CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: Opposition salutes coup, opposes reinstatement of Patasse IRIN 20 Mar 2003 -- The opposition alliance, the Concertation des partis politiques d'opposition, which groups 12 parties, has offered its full support to Francois Bozize, the former army chief of staff who declared himself the new leader of the Central African Republic after overthrowing President Ange-Felix Patasse in a coup last Saturday.
• CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: UN withdraws nonessential staff IRIN 20 Mar 2003 -- The UN system in the Central African Republic has withdrawn its nonessential personnel following last week's coup that brought Francois Bozize to power, a UN official has said.
• Security Council seeks boost in UN mission to monitor situation in DR of Congo UN News Centre 20 Mar 2003 -- With the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continuing to pose a threat to international peace and security in the region, the Security Council today asked Secretary-General Kofi Annan to boost the number of United Nations military observers and humanitarian staff throughout the country to help monitor developments on the ground.
• DRC: UPC refuses to sign ceasefire accord IRIN 20 Mar 2003 -- The rebel Union des patriotes congolais (UPC), which Ugandan troops expelled from Bunia earlier in March, did not sign the Ituri Cessation of Hostilities Agreement reached on Tuesday by rival governments, political, ethnic and militia groups.
• DRC: Final session of Dialogue to start 1 April IRIN 20 Mar 2003 -- The final session of the inter-Congolese dialogue will be held in Sun City, South Africa, on 1 and 2 April, the facilitator of the talks and former Botswana president, Ketumile Masire, has announced.
• DRC: Committee formed to set up Ituri Pacification Commission IRIN 20 Mar 2003 -- A preparatory technical committee for the establishment of the long-awaited Ituri Pacification Commission in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) convened its first meeting on Thursday in the northeastern city of Bunia.
• IVORY COAST / POLITICS VOA 20 Mar 2003 -- For the second time in a row, rebels in Ivory Coast have skipped a meeting of the new unity government. The rebel factions did send a delegation, but only to carry a message to the prime minister.
• COTE D'IVOIRE: Rebels again boycott government meeting IRIN 20 Mar 2003 -- Cote d'Ivoire's government of national unity met for the second time on Thursday in the capital, Yamoussoukro, but again without the presence of rebel nominees to the cabinet. The main opposition group, which boycotted last week's meeting, this time attended. Prime Minister Seydou Diarra chaired the meeting.
• Annan recommends 2-month extension for UN mission in Western Sahara UN News Centre 20 Mar 2003 -- Seeking to give the parties more time to consider a proposal for a political solution to the situation in Western Sahara, Secretary-General Kofi Annan postponed his latest report on the matter and proposed a two-month mandate extension for the United Nations mission responsible for organizing a referendum for the territory.
• INDONESIA EAST TIMOR VOA 20 Mar 2003 -- Indonesia's former president, B-J Habibie, has told a human rights court that his government did not try to sway the outcome of East Timor's 1999 vote for independence. United Nations investigators and human rights activists charge that some government officials orchestrated a campaign of violence to keep East Timor a part of Indonesia.
• RWANDA: Government calls for help on demobilisation, reintegration IRIN 20 Mar 2003 -- The Rwandan government is appealing to NGOs and public and private institutions to help thousands of former soldiers and militiamen needing advice on how to reintegrate themselves into their communities after demobilisation.
• SUDAN: Ceasefire reportedly breaks down in Darfur IRIN 20 Mar 2003 -- A ceasefire between a rebel group known as the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLM/A) operating in Darfur, western Sudan, and the Sudanese government was broken on Thursday, SLM secretary general Mini Arkoi Minawi told IRIN.
• NIGERIA: Troops deployed in Niger Delta as unrest worsens IRIN 20 Mar 2003 -- Hundreds of troops were being deployed on Thursday to contain unrest in the waterways near the southern Nigerian town of Warri, located in the troubled Niger Delta, where communal violence has killed more than 15 people over the past week and disrupted the operations of oil transnationals.
• SIERRA LEONE: Annan stresses need for UNAMSIL pullout to be gradual IRIN 20 Mar 2003 -- The UN Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) should be extended by six months and its peacekeepers withdrawn gradually because the country is still not capable of maintaining its security without international help, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan recommended on Monday.

News Reports

• SHAPE News Morning Update SHAPE 20 Mar 2003
• SHAPE News Summary Analysis SHAPE 20 Mar 2003
• US / CUBA DISSIDENTS VOA 20 Mar 2003 -- The United States expressed alarm Thursday over the Cuba's widening arrests of pro-democracy dissidents, which the State Department described as the worst act of repression by the Fidel Castro government in the last decade.
• Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome VOA 20 Mar 2003 -- Scientists are investigating a mysterious kind of pneumonia. They call it Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS. Most of the cases have been among health care workers in Hong Kong, Hanoi and Singapore. These workers were directly involved in the care of people infected with the disease. Family members of those infected have also gotten sick. Several people have died.
• U.S. Arrests Alleged Hijackers of Cuban Plane in Florida Washington File 20 mar 2003 -- Six accused hijackers of a Cuban airliner that landed in the United States have been arrested and are being held in a county jail in Key West, Florida, says the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
• CUBA / PLANE / U-S VOA 20 Mar 2003 -- U-S authorities say six Cubans who hijacked an airliner to Florida late Wednesday face air piracy charges.
• ZIMBABWE / STRIKE VOA 20 Mar 2003 -- Military and civilian authorities in Zimbabwe moved into smaller towns in force early Thursday at the end of a two-day general strike across the nation.
• ASIA PNEUMONIA VOA 20 Mar 2003 -- Investigators have found that a deadly pneumonia outbreak in Hong Kong originated in a hotel where a visitor from mainland China spread the virus. The discovery links outbreaks in Hong Kong, Canada, Singapore and Vietnam to one that started in southern China four months ago.
• TAJIKISTAN: Constitutional referendum set for June IRIN 20 Mar 2003 -- Tajikistan’s parliament on Wednesday said the country would hold a referendum in June on proposed changes to its constitution.
• SOMALIA: Presidential contender urges support for Somaliland poll IRIN 20 Mar 2003 -- As campaigning kicked off for Somaliland's first multiparty presidential elections, leading opposition contender Ahmed Muhammad Silaanyo said the international community should support the self-declared republic's fledgling democratic process.
• GUINEA-BISSAU: Elections to be postponed IRIN 20 Mar 2003 -- Guinea-Bissau's legislative election, scheduled for 20 April, could be postponed. Media sources quoted the Ministry of Internal Administration as saying on Wednesday that the voters' list would be updated from 17 April to 6 May to ensure a transparent electoral process.
• ZIMBABWE: Opposition gives ultimatum for change IRIN 20 Mar 2003 -- The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has given the Zimbabwean government until 31 March to meet a list of demands or "face popular mass action to regain the people's liberties, freedoms and dignity".
• Sea Launch Ready to Fly Boeing 20 Mar 2003 -- Sea Launch President James G. Maser has informed customers and insurers that Sea Launch is ready to resume flight, following the completion of the Sea Launch Failure Review Oversight Board (FROB) investigation into the failure of the ILS Proton Astra-1K mission.