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Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 17 May 2004 [PDF]
• TASK FORCE FIRST ARMORED DIVISION SOLDIER DIES, TWO WOUNDED IN FIREFIGHT
• DoD Identifies Air Force Casualty
• DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• TWO SOLDIERS KILLED IN AL ANBAR PROVINCE
• DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• DoD Identifies Army Casualty

• Transcript: Background Roundtable to Discuss U.S. Forces Deploying from Republic of Korea to Iraq 17 May 2004 -- Senior Defense and Military Officials
• Transcript: Coalition Provisional Authority Briefing 17 May 2004 -- Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt, Deputy Director for Coalition Operations and Dan Senor, Senior Advisor, CPA

• U.S. Brigade in Korea to Deploy to Iraq AFPS 17 May 2004 -- About 3,600 members of the 2nd Brigade of the 2nd Infantry Division will deploy to Iraq from the Republic of Korea, Defense Department officials confirmed today.
• IRAQ WRAP VOA 17 May 2004 -- The head of Iraq's Interim Governing Council along with six others has been killed in a car bomb in central Baghdad, raising new concerns about security just weeks before political power is set to be handed back to Iraqis. Monday's assassination marks the second time that a member of the U-S installed council has been killed in the past year.
• Coalition Provides Broad Security for Iraqi Officials AFPS 17 May 2004 -- The coalition provides the tools for the best security possible for members of the Iraqi Governing Council and is in the process of standing up a protective service for the Iraqi government modeled loosely on the U.S. Secret Service, coalition officials said today.
• Roadside Bomb Releases Sarin Gas in Baghdad AFPS 17 May 2004 -- A roadside bomb containing the nerve agent sarin - a substance Saddam Hussein's regime insisted it had destroyed more than a decade ago - exploded near a U.S. military convoy traveling near Baghdad, coalition officials said today.
• IRAQ / VIOLENCE VOA 17 May 2004 -- A powerful suicide car bombing Monday near the coalition headquarters in Baghdad killed the current leader of the Iraqi Governing Council and at least four others, including the bomber. A previously unknown Iraqi group has claimed responsibility for the assassination.
• Head Of Iraqi Governing Council Killed RFE/RL 17 May 2004 -- The current rotating head of the Iraqi Governing Council has been killed in car bomb attack near a U.S. checkpoint in Baghdad.
• Marines prepare to distribute gear for unbiased Iraqi media Marine Corps News 17 May 2004-- Marines from 1st Marine Division and the Spirit of America charity are working together to help build Iraq's "unbiased" media infrastructure.
• RCT-7 out of the dark thanks to homegrown handyman Marine Corps News 17 May 2004-- Sgt. Joel B. Vankalker rarely sleeps, on call throughout the day and night, and he keeps a radio always near.
• Amtrackers remember one of their own Marine Corps News 17 May 2004-- Marines with Company B, 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion paused May 14 to remember one of their Marines who died in Iraq.
• SARIN ARTILLERY PROJECTILE FOUND CENTCOM Release 17 May 2004-- The Iraq Survey Group confirmed that a 155mm artillery round found here May 15 in the early morning contained Sarin nerve agent.
• EXPLOSIVES DELIVERED TO COALITION FORCES NEAR BAGHDAD CENTCOM Release 17 May 2004-- An unidentified Iraqi dropped the largest single cache, to date, of mortar rounds and triggering devices to a Task Force Baghdad base camp shortly after midnight this morning.
• COALITION EFFORTS IMPROVE LIFE FOR AL ANBAR RESIDENTS CENTCOM Release 17 May 2004-- A variety of Coalition initiatives designed to improve the quality of life for residents of the Al Anbar province are currently underway.
• U.S. SOLDIERS DETAIN 15 SUSPECTS, COLLECT WEAPONS CENTCOM Release 17 May 2004-- U.S. Soldiers detained 15 suspects in two raids May 15 in Northern Iraq, and collected or destroyed large caches of weapons.

• AFGHANISTAN: Disarmament drive enters main phase IRIN 17 May 2004 -- Following several weeks of delay, the UN-backed disarmament demobilisation and reintegration (DDR) main phase was launched on Monday in the capital, Kabul. The programme, which aims to decommission tens of thousands of ex-soldiers, is seen as vital for bringing stability to the country, ahead of Afghanistan's landmark election in September.
• AFGHANISTAN/DISARMAMENT VOA 17 May 2004 -- Afghanistan has launched the main phase of a national campaign to disarm tens-of-thousands of irregular troops loyal to powerful regional commanders, widely known as warlords. The program is seen as crucial to the country's stability before national elections in September.
• 22d MEU (SOC) Secures Khas Oruzgan Marine Corps News 17 May 2004-- Villagers in northern Oruzgan Province curiously watched as a 22d Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) task force rolled through the dusty, unpaved streets in heavily armed vehicles and established a base of operations at the recently-attacked district headquarters May 8, 2004.
• Afghanistan: Can The U.S. Ensure Security For Afghan Elections? RFE/RL 17 May 2004 -- Afghans will elect a president in September, and the U.S. favorite -- incumbent Hamid Karzai -- is widely expected to win. But there is concern that the U.S.-led coalition forces in Afghanistan have not done enough to make the country secure enough for a meaningful vote. The leader of those military forces was in the United States last week and gave an optimistic assessment.

Defense Policy / Programs

• White House Report, May 17: U.S. May Redeploy Troops from Korea to Iraq Washington File 17 May 2004 -- President Bush has spoken with Republic of Korea President Roh Moo-hyun "to consult with him about the possibility of moving a (U.S.) brigade from South Korea to Iraq," White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan told reporters May 17.
• SOKOR / U-S TROOPS VOA 17 May 2004 -- South Korean officials say they have been notified by the United States that the Pentagon plans to redeploy some of its troops on the Korean peninsula to Iraq.

• Newest force protection system named for mythological beast Army News Service 17 May 2004-- With a nod to Greek mythology, Army researchers and engineers touted the latest advancement in force protection in demonstrations on the Pentagon's parade field.
• BLT 1/6 remembers fallen Marine in Afghanistan Marine Corps News 17 May 2004-- Standing six foot seven inches tall and weighing a muscular 270 pounds, Cpl. Ronald S. Payne had a hard time fitting through the rear hatch of his light armored vehicle (LAV).
• 9th Engineer Support Battalion 'tools up' for endurance challenge Marine Corps News 17 May 2004-- On the battlefields of the modern world, combat engineers are expected to search for mines, build bridges, and assist ground forces in overcoming natural and man-made obstacles. However, Marines with 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Force Service Support Group, switched roles April 30 by leaving their tools in storage and picking up rifles, machineguns and grenades.
• Familiarization is key in preparing for unit deployment to Mongolia Marine Corps News 17 May 2004-- Marines currently with the Exercise Khaan Quest '04 detachment conducted combat skills training May 3-7 in the Central Training Area in preparation for their upcoming deployment to Mongolia.

• NATO MINE-COUNTER-MEASURE Exercise off The Coast of TURKEY NATO JFC Naples 15 May 2004 -- NATO Mine Countermeasures Exercise will take place in the Kudasi Bay, off the West coast of Turkey from 20 to 28 May 2004.

• White House Daily Briefing, May 17 Washington File 17 May 2004 -- President's schedule, Bush phones President Roh/Prime Minister Koizumi, South Korea/transfer of U.S. troops to Iraq, Iraq/assassination of Iraqi Governing Council leader, Iraq/transfer of sovereignty, Iraq/sarin gas, Seymour Hersh report/prison abuse scandal
• State Department Noon Briefing, May 17 Washington File 18 May 2004 -- Iraq, Israel/Palestinians, Geneva Convention, Sudan, North Korea, China, Greece, Venezuela

Defense Industry

• Boeing X-45A Unmanned Aircraft Flies with T-33 Boeing 17 May 2004 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] X-45A unmanned aircraft took a major step forward in aviation when it successfully communicated with a manned T-33 aircraft while in flight May 7 at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
• EADS’ C-295 MILITARY AIRLIFTER WILL BE DEMONSTRATED TO THE U.S. ARMY DURING MONTH-LONG “ALL AMERICAN” TOUR EADS 17 May 2004 -- The EADS C-295 military transport aircraft will begin a month-long “All American” tour this week to demonstrate the medium-sized airlifter’s capabilities for the U.S. Army and National Guard.
• Northrop Grumman Delivers 200th Fuselage Section for Navy F/A-18 Aircraft Northrop Grumman 17 May 2004 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) observed another milestone in its continuing production work on the U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet by delivering the 200th center/aft fuselage section to The Boeing Company, the F/A-18 prime contractor. The Super Hornet is the United States' newest and most advanced fighter/attack aircraft.
• ATK Test Validates Pulse-capable Solid Divert and Attitude Control System Design ATK 17 May 2004 -- ATK (NYSE: ATK) and Honeywell (NYSE: HON) have successfully completed a critical hot-fire test of an ATK solid Divert and Attitude Control System (DACS) employing a modified valve design. DACS technology is used to control the yaw, pitch, and roll of Missile Defense Agency anti-missile warheads.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 17 May 2004
• U-N/PEACEKEEPING VOA 17 May 2004 -- U-N Secretary General Kofi Annan is asking for a budget increase of at least one billion dollars a year for peacekeeping operations. Peacekeeping forces and budgets are stretched thin as the world body expands its role in conflict resolution.
• UN peacekeeping budget needs extra $1 billion by year's end, Annan says UN News Centre 17 May 2004 -- United Nations peacekeeping missions, which are becoming increasingly numerous and more complex, will need an extra $1 billion by the end of 2004, bringing up the total funds available to nearly $4 billion, Secretary-General Kofi Annan told the Security Council today.
• U.N. Peacekeeping Being Taxed by New Demands, U.S. Says Washington File 17 May 2004 -- The U.N. Security Council must be careful not to assign tasks to U.N. peacekeepers that they are not prepared for or not adept at doing, U.S. Ambassador Stuart Holliday said May 17.

• Assistant Secretary Burns Addresses Mideast Frustration and Uncertainty Washington File 17 May 2004 -- Assistant Secretary of State William Burns spoke of a "deep sense of frustration and uncertainty throughout the [Middle East] region right now" as he addressed journalists at the World Economic Forum in Jordan May 16.
• MIDEAST PEACE VOA 17 May 2004 -- Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia has welcomed the offer of an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, but says he wants to return to the negotiating table as soon as possible. And, in talks with National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice, he also appealed for help to end the Israeli demolition of Palestinian homes to enlarge a security zone in Gaza.
• U-N/ANNAN/ISRAEL VOA 17 May 2004 -- U-N Secretary General Kofi Annan is urging Israel to stop bulldozing Palestinian homes in the Gaza Strip.
• ISRAEL/PALESTINIANS VOA 17 May 2004 -- Israel has launched a massive military operation in the southern Gaza strip aimed at stopping alleged arms smuggling from Egypt and attacks by Palestinian militants. Israel says troops are under orders to seal off the town of Rafah, which it claims is a major base of support for armed Palestinian groups, from the rest of Gaza.

• LIBERIA: Disarmed fighters riot to demand cash payment IRIN 17 May 2004 -- Ex-combatants loyal to former Liberian president Charles Taylor rioted for five hours in the capital Monrovia on Monday to demand the full payment of their US$300 resettlement grant.
• CHAD: Army mutiny quelled in N'djamena IRIN 17 May 2004 -- Forces loyal to President Idriss Deby appear to have quelled an army mutiny in Chad which led to a shortlived outbreak of intense gunfire in the capital N'djamena in the early hours of Monday morning.
• Constitutional talks in Myanmar not credible without full participation - Annan UN News Centre 17 May 2004 -- Constitutional talks in Myanmar would not be credible without the full participation of democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's party and other political groups, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan warned today.
• Armed groups in northeastern DR of Congo sign peace agreement - UN UN News Centre 17 May 2004 -- Representatives of armed militia groups from the embattled Ituri District in northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have signed an agreement with the government to disarm and participate in the country's transitional process towards democracy, according to the United Nations mission in the country.
• SUDAN/REBELS VOA 17 May 2004 -- Rebel groups operating in the war-torn western Sudan region of Darfur are reported threatening to expand the conflict unless they are included in the Sudanese peace talks being held in Kenya.
• UGANDA: Rebels attack IDPs camp in Gulu District IRIN 17 May 2004 -- Rebels of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) attacked a camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in war-ravaged northern Uganda on Sunday evening, killing scores of people and abducting others, Ugandan army officials and humanitarian workers reported.

News Reports

• SHAPE News Morning Update SHAPE 17 May 2004 -- NATO's Admiral Johnson visits Kosovo, urges 'healing process' / U.S. to command post-July 1 Iraqi troops / German chancellor says NATO not well suited to take over Iraq security / U.S. to shift 4,000 troops from South Korea to Iraq / Portuguese police help Italians fight off attack / Russia wants faster aid for 'rotting' nuclear subs / Gulf leaders denounce terrorism, pledge support for Saudi Arabia
• SHAPE News Summary & Analysis SHAPE 17 May 2004 -- EU defense chiefs consider new goals for stronger military / German commentary on NATO's response to current crises / Baghdad blast kills Iraqi leader

• BURMA CONVENTION VOA 17 May 2004 -- In Burma, the military government has opened a national convention that is part of its road map toward democracy. Correspondent Scott Bobb reports from our Southeast Asia bureau in Bangkok that the meeting is going ahead despite a boycott by the pro-democracy party of Aung San Suu Kyi and eight ethnic groups.
• Lockheed Martin-Built AMC-11 Satellite Ready For Launch From Cape Canaveral Aboard Atlas IIAS Lockheed Martin 17 May 2004 -- The AMC-11 telecommunications satellite, designed and built by Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] for SES AMERICOM of Princeton, NJ, is ready for launch May 19 from Cape Canaveral aboard an Atlas IIAS rocket provided by International Launch Services, a Lockheed Martin joint venture.