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Military


21 March 2003 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

  • Afghan Ops Continue; Rocket Attacks on U.S. Forces Rise AFPS 21 Mar 2003 -- Operation Valiant Strike continues in the mountains of eastern Afghanistan, Combined Joint Task Force-180 officials said today.
  • AFGHANISTAN / U-S OPS VOA 21 Mar 2003 -- U-S forces in Afghanistan are continuing operations against suspected Taleban and al-Qaida forces in southeastern Kandahar Province. U-S military authorities say a number of rockets were fired at U-S bases over the past 24 hours -- but it is not clear if the attacks are in retaliation for the U-S led military operation against Iraq.
  • Tanker crews launch first combat support missions AMCNS 21 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.
  • BioChem response force hopes they won't be needed in Kuwait USMC News 21 Mar 2003 -- While U.S. troops continue the push north through Iraq and Patriot missiles consistently knock down potentially chemically armed ballistic missiles, one U.S.-led multi-nation task force in Kuwait is anxiously waiting for nothing to happen.

Defense Policy / Programs

  • White House Daily Briefing White House 21 Mar 2003
  • US Military Presence in Europe VOA 21 Mar 2003 -- In Focus today: American military presence in Europe. Among the thousands of American troops deployed against Iraq, many come form the US military bases in Germany. Current disagreement between the United States and some of its NATO allies over Iraq casts a new light on the structure of the American military presence in Europe. But that is not the only reason for calls to restructure and re-deploy U-S forces in the region.
  • Transcript: DoD News Briefing - Secretary Rumsfeld And Gen. Myers 21 Mar 2003 -- On the president's order, coalition forces began the ground war to disarm Iraq and liberate the Iraqi people yesterday. And a few minutes ago, the air war in Iraq began.

  • Pentagon Seeks Clarity in Environmental Laws Affecting Ranges AFPS 21 Mar 2003 -- At Fort Stewart, Ga., home of the 3rd Infantry Division (Mechanized), heavy tanks coexist with endangered red-cockaded woodpeckers. The San Clemente Island Range complex in California is home to the even more endangered San Clemente Island loggerhead shrike -- and a Navy ship-to-shore live-fire range.
  • Pentagon Officials Tell Congress Missile Defense System "Moving Forward" AFPS 21 Mar 2003 -- Faced with the threat by North Korea of a nuclear warhead reaching the United States, senior Pentagon officials told the House Armed Services Committee March 20 they are moving forward with a billion-dollar missile defense system.
  • Leaders tell Congress relationships key in war on terrorism AFPN 21 Mar 2003 -- Leaders from the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command spoke to members of Congress on March 19 on the personnel issues their organizations face in fighting the global war on terrorism.
  • Innovative training fosters acquisition transformation AFPN 21 Mar 2003 -- The Air Force acquisition community is transforming the way it does business by not only reforming its processes but also changing the way its workforce thinks and acts.
  • New C-17 seating system increases troop-transport capability AMCNS 21 Mar 2003 -- C-17 Systems Program Office experts gave the new C-17 palletized seating system a "thumbs up" during a recent egress test, potentially enabling the aircraft to increase its troop-transport capability from 102 to 189.
  • U.S. Navy's F-14D Tomcats Gain JDAM Capability Navy NewStand 21 Mar 2003 -- Naval Air Systems Command's (NAVAIR) F-14 Program Office announced recently it has accelerated and deployed a software upgrade program allowing the U.S Navy's F-14 D-model Tomcats to carry Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM).
  • Tactical Tomahawk Penetrates Test Range Target Navy NewStand 21 Mar 2003 -- The Navy's next generation cruise missile, the Tactical Tomahawk, took flight March 21 at the White Sands Missile Test Range in New Mexico.
  • Tactical Tomahawk Penetrates Test Range Target NAVAIR 21 Mar 2003 -- The Navy's next generation of Tomahawk Cruise Missiles, the Tactical Tomahawk, took flight today at the White Sands Missile Test Range, New Mexico as part of a Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) sponsored advanced concept technology demonstration (ACTD). This marked the first developmental test flight of the Tactical Tomahawk configured with a live penetration warhead.
  • Warhorse's airframes division goes nonstop Airframes division keeps Stallions flying USMC News 21 Mar 2003 -- If you've ever heard the phrase, "If you break it, you buy it," Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465 airframes Marines have amended that motto to - "You break it, we'll fix it."
  • Not everyone is a 'Wolfe' USMC News 21 Mar 2003 -- The Marine Corps is known worldwide for being a fine-tuned fighting force, but without proper information and messages, leaders would not be able to properly command their troops.
  • MWCS-48 reservists deploy USMC News 21 Mar 2003 -- Mere hours before the 5 p.m. deadline set by Pres. George W. Bush Monday, approximately 80 recently activated Marine reserves departed Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.
  • NAVSEA Teaming a New "Culture of Readiness" Delivery NAVSEA News 21 Mar 2003 -- The days of stove piped systems development are long gone, and Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) is living a new culture of delivering fleet readiness in the 21st century that is breaking many of the old production paradigms of the past.
  • Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Private Industry Initiate Joint Landmark Approach to Superfund Cleanup NAVSEA News 21 Mar 2003 -- A groundbreaking ceremony held on March 18 marked an innovative partnership in which the federal government and private industry are now working together to clean up a co-mingled Superfund site.
  • NSWC Port Hueneme Earns Kudos for USS Nimitz Combat Systems Support NAVSEA News 21 Mar 2003 -- Naval Surface Warfare Center Port Hueneme Division culminated an 18-month long effort in the successful completion of combat systems support to USS Nimitz,/I> (CVN 68) during the ship's recent Inter Deployment Training Cycle.
  • FUELS: Keeping the Marine Corps running worldwide USMC News 21 Mar 2003 -- Throughout its historic existence, the Marine Corps has been known worldwide as America's 911 force in readiness. Marines are ready to go at a moments notice to conduct any mission, in any clime and place, at any given time. But if they ran out of fuel, there would be no mission.
  • Bravo 1/3 gets a taste of PTA at its best USMC News 21 Mar 2003 -- The land is barren and desolate and fierce winds bite your face with waves of dry soil. The terrain is covered with a variety of rocks, making the ground almost impossible to negotiate.
  • CJTF-HOA conducts supporting arms training exercise USMC News 21 Mar 2003 -- Forces from Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) conducted a Supporting Arms Training Exercise (SATEX) Tuesday that included naval surface fire and aerial bombardment at Godoria Range in northern Djibouti.
  • CJTF-HOA Commander attends French CAPEX USMC News 21 Mar 2003 -- Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) Commander, Maj. Gen. John F. Sattler, attended a French armed forces capabilities demonstration Tuesday at the French garrison facilities here.
  • CJTF-HOA Marines keep comm lines secure USMC News 21 Mar 2003 -- Leathernecks with Command Logistics Element, Marine Central Command, here in support of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, are providing vital security - not on the fence line, but through the air, wires and Internet.

  • Afghans Begin Training Their National Army Washington File 21 Mar 2003 -- As of March 27, there will be a seventh new battalion consisting of approximately 700 soldiers added to the ranks of the Afghan National Army (ANA).
  • Transcript: U.S. Donates Training, Equipment to Afghan Police Washington File 21 Mar 2003 -- U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Dr. Robert Finn told a group of Afghan police officers that the United States is "strongly committed" to help Afghanistan build a professional police force "that protects the safety and human rights of the citizens it serves."

Defense Industry

  • BAE SYSTEMS North America Completes Acquisition Of MEVATEC Corporation BAE Systems 21 Mar 2003 -- BAE Systems North America today completed its acquisition of MEVATEC Corporation of Huntsville, Alabama, following receipt of all regulatory approvals. The $82 million cash transaction, which includes an element of potential deferred consideration, complements BAE Systems established business and expands the company's professional services and engineering technology operations.

Other Conflicts

  • DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 21 Mar 2003

  • EDITORIAL: ROAD MAP FOR PEACE IN MIDEAST VOA 21 Mar 2003 -- As President George W. Bush said, the time is right to work toward peace between Israelis and Palestinians. After its recent elections, said Mr. Bush, "Israel has a new government. And the Palestinian Authority has created the new position of prime minister." But as Mr. Bush stressed, "To be a credible and responsible [peace] partner, the new Palestinian prime minister must hold a position of real authority."

  • ERITREA-ETHIOPIA: Ethiopia rejects accusations of laying mines IRIN 21 Mar 2003 -- Eritrea has accused Ethiopia of laying mines in the buffer zone between the two countries, an allegation Addis Ababa described as "surprising".
  • ERITREA-ETHIOPIA: Islamic group says it planted mines IRIN 21 Mar 2003 -- An armed Eritrean Islamic group has claimed responsibility for a mine blast last month which killed five Eritrean militia, including a colonel, in the buffer zone separating Eritrea and Ethiopia.
  • ERITREA-ETHIOPIA: Countries' commitment to peace process hailed IRIN 21 Mar 2003 -- The Ethiopian and Eritrean armed forces were praised on Friday for their “disciplined and faultless” commitment to the peace process.

  • UGANDA: Gov't overspending on defence, says IMF IRIN 21 Mar 2003 -- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that Uganda must stick to its budget plans, particularly in the area of defence.
  • UGANDA: Museveni to discuss ceasefire with peace team IRIN 21 Mar 2003 -- President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda will decide on Saturday whether to extend the ceasefire in two locations in Pader district, in the north of the country, to allow for peace talks with the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) rebel group.

  • DRC-RWANDA: MONUC unable to confirm Rwandan troop presence IRIN 21 Mar 2003 -- A spokesman for the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), known as MONUC, said on Thursday that MONUC was unable to confirm reports that Rwandan troops had re-entered the country after their withdrawal earlier this year.
  • DRC: Boost MONUC's presence in Ituri, Security Council tells Annan IRIN 21 Mar 2003 -- The UN Security Council asked Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Thursday to increase the presence of the peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), known as MONUC, especially in the northeastern Ituri District of Orientale Province, where violence has escalated in the recent past.

  • SRI LANKA / PEACE VOA 21 Mar 2003 -- The government of Sri Lanka and Tamil Tiger rebels wrapped up their sixth round of peace talks in Japan with no progress on political issues. But they renewed their commitment to the 13-month cease-fire, amid news of a deadly sea clash involving suspected rebels.
  • ACEH / PEACE MONITORS VOA 21 Mar 2003 -- Indonesia's restive Aceh Province has enjoyed more than three months of relative stability, due to a peace deal brokered by a Swiss organization, the Henri Dunant Center, which is providing international cease-fire monitors.
  • SUDAN: Rebels appeal for dialogue on Darfur insurrection IRIN 21 Mar 2003 -- The Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) rebel group has appealed to the government of Sudan to engage in dialogue regarding the rebellion in Darfur instead of seeking a military solution to the problem.
  • LIBERIA: Elections will go ahead in October, saysTaylor IRIN 21 Mar 2003 -- General elections in Liberia will go ahead as scheduled on 14 October "even in the midst of war" between government soldiers and rebels of the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD), President Charles Taylor said on Friday.
  • NIGERIA: At least 60 reported killed as troops battle Delta militants IRIN 21 Mar 2003 -- At least 60 people were killed on Thursday in Nigeria's volatile Niger Delta oil region during a pitched battle between troops and ethnic Ijaw militants fought a pitched battle, military sources and militants said.
  • COTE D'IVOIRE: Humanitarian situation still worrying IRIN 21 Mar 2003 -- Recent political developments judged positive by some observers have not improved the general humanitarian situation in Cote d'Ivoire, in particular in the west of the country, where the recent deaths of four humanitarian workers, along with the killing of another three just across the border in Liberia, has demonstrated the volatility of the area.

News Reports

  • SHAPE News Morning Update SHAPE 21 Mar 2003
  • SHAPE News Summary Analysis SHAPE 21 Mar 2003
  • E-U / SUMMIT VOA 21 Mar 2003 -- European Union leaders have reconfirmed their commitment to create jobs and go ahead with reforms to make the E-U the most competitive economy by 2010. The development comes at the close of a two day E-U summit in Brussels.
  • Cases of Fast-Moving Flu Still Rising Washington File 21 Mar 2003 -- The international medical network tracking a fast-moving flu-like illness reports 350 suspected and probable cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) as of March 21.
  • ASIAN PNEUMONIA TEST VOA 21 Mar 2003 -- The World Health Organization says scientists have taken a step that might help curtail the mysterious Asian illness that has killed 10 people and sickened 359 in 15 nations as of Friday. The researchers have created what might be the first test to diagnose the pneumonia-like ailment
  • NIGERIA/UNREST VOA 21 Mar 2003 -- The death toll continues to rise in southwestern Nigeria after more than a week of ethnic unrest. Several multinational oil companies have shut down their operations in the region, at a time when more oil is needed to make up for losses due to the war in Iraq.
  • NIGERIA/UNREST VOA 21 Mar 2003 -- The death toll continues to rise in southwestern Nigeria after more than a week of ethnic unrest. Several multinational oil companies have shut down their operations in the region, at a time when more oil is needed to make up for losses due to the war in Iraq.
  • EDITORIAL: ZIMBABWE SUFFERS VOA 21 Mar 2003 -- This month, President George W. Bush issued an executive order freezing the assets of Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe and seventy-six other Zimbabwean officials. This latest action underlines the United States' rejection of the Zimbabwe government's efforts to undermine the country's democratic institutions and repress its political opposition.
  • ZIMBABWE/HUMAN RIGHTS VOA 21 Mar 2003 -- A new report by a human rights group in Zimbabwe says the country's police are among the leading abusers of human rights in Zimbabwe.
  • ASIA / PNEUMONIA VOA 21 Mar 2003 -- The World Health Organization says that China's recent outbreak of deadly pneumonia is likely related to the mystery virus in Hong Kong and Vietnam - which is now spreading to North America. The illness, called Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, is still on the rise despite intensive international efforts.
  • THAI / CAMBODIAN RELATIONS VOA 21 Mar 2003 -- Almost two months after anti-Thai riots in Cambodia nearly severed bilateral relations, the two countries have agreed to reopen their border to normal trading. Friday's agreement marks a major step toward full normalization of diplomatic ties.
  • CHINA / FALUN GONG VOA 21 Mar 2003 -- China has sentenced an American member of the banned Falun Gong meditation sect to jail for interfering with television broadcasts. The American also has been ordered deported.
  • CENTRAL ASIA: Weekly news wrap IRIN 21 Mar 2003 -- In Central Asia this week Tashkent received a boost to its fight against drugs with an announcement that Washington will disburse over US $10m dollars to Uzbek authorities towards the eradication of drug trafficking. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Soros-Kazakhstan Foundation theOpen Society Institute in Uzbekistan and the Open Society Institute in Tajikistan will implement the anti-drug programme, Interfax reported on Wednesday. The programme focuses on a healthy lifestyle and developing state policy for preventing drug-abuse.
  • CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: Former ruling party supports new leader IRIN 21 Mar 2003 -- The former ruling Mouvement de liberation du peuple centrafricain (MLPC) of ousted President Ange-Felix Patasse has recognised Francois Bozize as the new president of the Central African Republic (CAR), and declared itself ready to take part in a consensual transitional government, provided that the security of its leaders and militia is guaranteed.
  • DRC: Official inquiry contradicts UN report on resources plunder IRIN 21 Mar 2003 -- The attorney-general of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Luhonge Kabindangoyi, said on Thursday that he had found no evidence to substantiate a report by the UN of widespread plundering of the country's natural resources and minerals by means of irregular business contracts.
  • The World’s Largest Antenna Measuring Range: Astrium and EurasSpace Deliver Compact Range to China EADS 21 Mar 2003 -- The European space company Astrium and its subsidiary “EurasSpace – Gesellschaft für Raumfahrttechnik mbH“ (Munich) will deliver the world’s largest antenna measuring range to China.



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