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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 15 Dec 2004 [PDF]
• SOLDIER DIES OF FATAL WOUNDS
• MARINE KILLED IN AL ANBAR PROVINCE
• DoD Identifies Marine Casualty
• DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• DoD Identifies Marine Casualty

• Transcript: Special Defense Department Briefing on CENTCOM Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan 15 Dec 2004 -- Lieutenant General Lance Smith, CENTCOM Deputy Commander
• Transcript: Special Defense Department Briefing on Iraq Reconstruction Update 15 Dec 2004 -- Charlie Hess, Director, Iraq Project and Contracting Office
• Transcript: Special Defense Department Briefing 15 Dec 2004 -- Major General Stephen Speakes, U.S. Army G-8, Force Development; Brigadier General (P) Jeffrey Sorenson, Deputy for Acquisition Systems Management to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology; Colonel John Rooney, Chief of Staff, Army Test and Development Command
• ING soldiers and Multi-National Forces Detain Five in Raid MNF-I/MNC-I 15 Dec 2004 -- Iraqi National Guard soldiers from the 201st ING Battalion detained five individuals during a joint raid with Multi-National Forces near Bayji at about 10 p.m. on Dec. 14. The Soldiers were searching for suspected bomb makers.
• Task Force Danger Soldiers Detain 3 Near Tuz MNF-I/MNC-I 15 Dec 2004 -- Task Force Danger Soldiers from E Troop, 196th Cavalry Regiment, detained three suspected anti-Iraqi forces in the village of Yanijah about 11:30 p.m., Dec. 14.
• Iraqi Security Forces Foil 2 Insurgent Attacks MNF-I/MNC-I 15 Dec 2004 -- Iraqi Security Forces defeated two attacks in Mosul by anti-Iraqi insurgents as they attempted to seize two police stations on Dec. 14, while in other operations Multi-National Forces detained 10 people wanted for anti-Iraqi activities in northern Iraq.
• Marines kill three, capture 13 south of Baghdad MNF-I/MNC-I 15 Dec 2004 -- U.S. Marines killed three insurgents and captured 13 suspected others in action south of Baghdad on Dec. 14.
• Marines Find Multiple Insurgent Arms Caches South of Baghdad MNF-I/MNC-I 15 Dec 2004 -- U.S. Marines uncovered five weapons stockpiles south of Baghdad Wednesday, continuing to ferret out the hidden tools militants are using to sustain their campaign of chaos and terror.
• Convoys help win logistics victory for Marine Air Wing USMC News 15 Dec 2004 -- Driving across Iraq is not like the typical car-pool or commute to work. Snipers, unpredictable local traffic, roadside bombs and ambushes by insurgents are just a few of the hazards.

• Blast In Karbala Kills at Least Seven People RFE/RL 15 Dec 2004 -- A bomb explosion in the holy city of Karbala in central Iraq has killed at least seven people and wounded more than 30 others.
• Three Polish Soldiers Die In Iraq Helicopter Crash RFE/RL 15 Dec 2004 -- Three Polish soldiers were killed in a helicopter crash in Iraq.
• Increased C-130, C-17 flights relieve Army ground convoys AFPN 15 Dec 2004 -- Airmen are moving more cargo, including armored vehicles, repair parts and ammunition, to assist Soldiers in getting needed materiel to troops in the Iraq theater.
• Corps' top leaders address concerns in Iraq USMC News 15 Dec 2004 -- From future troop rotations to new weaponry, Marines got their chance to ask any and every question to the Commandant and Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps during their recent visit to Iraq.
• Commandant sees how Marines at Al Asad use technology to fight war on terror USMC News 15 Dec 2004 -- Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Michael W. Hagee and Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. John L. Estrada recently visited Al Asad, Iraq to see how and if the Marine Corps' new technologies are helping their Marines during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

• 2004 And Beyond: Progress In Afghanistan Points To Challenges Ahead RFE/RL 15 Dec 2004 -- The past year has been an historic one for Afghanistan with the country successfully carrying out its first direct presidential election. The ballot followed three years of post-Taliban reforms mapped out at the UN-sponsored Bonn conference in December 2001. President Hamid Karzai, winner of the 9 October vote, said strong turnout by men and women voters shows that Afghans prefer the rule of law to the rule of the gun. But despite the progress, there are difficult challenges ahead in Afghanistan. In his inauguration speech in early December, Karzai said central government security forces need to expand further across the country. He said militia factions must be disarmed and demobilized, with militia fighters reintegrated into civilian life. Karzai also has launched what he calls a "holy war" against the growing influence of Afghan drug lords. In the year ahead, one final goal of the Bonn process still must be reached. A legislative branch of government needs to be created through parliamentary elections scheduled for April.
• AFGHANISTAN/U.S. PRISONERS VOA 15 Dec 2004 -- The U.S. military in Afghanistan says an inspection of its detention centers shows no sign of recent abuse against those in custody. The review came in response to allegations by a human rights group of alleged mistreatment.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Missile Defense Flight Test Conducted Missile Defense Agency 15 Dec 2004 -- The Missile Defense Agency announced today it was unable to complete a planned flight test after the interceptor missile experienced an anomaly shortly before it was to be launched from the Ronald Reagan Test Site, Republic of the Marshall Islands, in the central Pacific Ocean.

• Navy Awards Contract Option for First Littoral Combat Ship 15 Dec 2004 -- The Department of Navy today awarded Lockheed Martin Corp., Maritime Systems & Sensors, Moorestown, N.J., a $188.2 million contract option for detail design and construction of the first Flight 0 Littoral Combat Ship (LCS).

• U.S.: As Bush Remakes Cabinet, Defense Secretary Remains -- Despite New Controversy RFE/RL 15 Dec 2004 -- Donald Rumsfeld has long been a focus of controversy in the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush. Critics have blamed the defense secretary for a series of miscues in Iraq, including scandals involving abuse of Iraqi prisoners by U.S. soldiers. But criticism of the Pentagon chief is again on the rise as Bush shuffles his cabinet in preparation for another four years in office. Critics ask why nine of 15 cabinet secretaries are leaving yet Rumsfeld is not, despite remaining a key focus of controversy.
• Fort McHenry Provides Fueling Support During Aid Efforts in the Philippines Navy NewsStand 15 Dec 2004 -- In support of humanitarian relief efforts in the Republic of the Philippines, USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) is currently providing assistance to Marine helicopters ferrying aid to victims of recent typhoons, flooding and landslides on the island of Luzon.
• USS Bonhomme Richard Deploys In Support of Global War On Terrorism Navy NewsStand 15 Dec 2004 -- The multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) deployed Dec. 6 with Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 5 for a six-month deployment in support of the global war on terrorism.
• Coalition Maritime Forces Deter Pirate Attack off Yemen Navy NewsStand 15 Dec 2004 -- Coalition aircraft, while on patrol in the Gulf of Aden, deterred pirates from attacking a civilian sailing yacht in international waters off the coast of Yemen, Dec. 12.
• NSPS Implementation Set to Start Next Summer AFPS 15 Dec 2004 -- Implementation of the first phase of the Defense Department's new National Security Personnel System is slated for next summer, senior officials said here this week.
• Army Pushes Forward on Up-Armoring Wheeled Vehicles AFPS 15 Dec 2004 -- Up-armoring tactical wheeled vehicles continues to be a priority for the Army, officials involved in the effort told reporters today at the Pentagon.
• Officials select first for National Security Personnel System AFPN 15 Dec 2004 -- Navy Secretary Gordon England announced Dec. 15 the units selected to take part in the initial implementation of the human resources and appeals elements of the Department of Defense's National Security Personnel System.
• New agreement will strengthen network security AFPN 15 Dec 2004 -- In an initiative to secure computers and networks worldwide, Air Force officials entered into an agreement with Microsoft to purchase software and support for more than a half-million computers.
• Kadena Airmen aid Philippine typhoon victims AFPN 15 Dec 2004 -- Airmen from Kadena Air Base, Japan, are helping the Philippines recover from the devastating effects of a series of typhoons that have left 1,400 dead or missing and displaced about 170,000 people.
• Army employees among first to test NSPS Army News 15 Dec 2004 -- Army employees at several arsenals and depots will be among the first to test a new DoD civilian personnel system.
• USS Vicksburg Returns to Naval Station Navy NewsStand 15 Dec 2004 -- The guided-missile cruiser USS Vicksburg (CG 69) and its embarked Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron, Light (HSL) 42, Det. 8 will return to Mayport Dec. 17.

• State Department Noon Briefing, December 15 Washington File 15 Dec 2004 -- North Korea, Cuba, Iraq, Russia, Turkey, Venezuela, Israel/Palestinians, United Nations

Defense Industry

• Airbus Military Signs Agreement With First Export Nation EADS 15 Dec 2004 -- Following an initial declaration made on December 9th this year, the South African government has today signed a Declaration of Intent (DOI) with Airbus Military which will lead to participation by South Africa in the A400M military transport aircraft programme and is worth at least 750 million Euros.
• Two Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters (ARH) Delivered to the Australian Army & Achievement of AIR 87 in Service Date Demonstration EADS 15 Dec 2004 -- Named ARH1 and ARH2, the two Tigers were manufactured in France and delivered to Australian Aerospace (AA) in Brisbane on the 23rd November 2004. Australian Aerospace finalized the re-assembly and flight testing of the two platforms before the hand over to Army for formal acceptance.
• EADS welcomes South Africa's intention to become an A400M partner EADS 15 Dec 2004 -- EADS welcomes South Africa's intention to become a partner in the A400M programme. The signature of a Declaration of Intent (DOI) in Pretoria is a landmark demonstrating the export potential of the A400M military transport aircraft.
• LOCKHEED MARTIN F-16 CONTINUES RECORD AS SAFEST SINGLE-ENGINE MULTIROLE FIGHTER Lockheed Martin 15 Dec 2004 -- The U.S. Air Force (USAF) F-16 fleet achieved its safest flying year in history during the 2004 fiscal year, with three F-16 units receiving top safety awards.
• Orbital Completes Third Successful Flight Test For U.S. Navy's "Coyote" Sea-Skimming Target Missile Orbital Sciences Corp. 15 Dec 2004 -- Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB) announced today that it successfully flight-tested the U.S. Navy's GQM-163A "Coyote" Supersonic Sea-Skimming Target (SSST) system for the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) on December 14, 2004. The flight test was conducted at the Navy's missile test range at Point Mugu in southern California and was the third consecutive successful flight in a series of progressively demanding missions that Orbital has carried out during the last two years.
• Raytheon Awarded $29 Million Contract for Airborne Low Frequency Sonar Raytheon 15 Dec 2004 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has been awarded a $29.7 million contract to provide 10 AN/AQS-22 Airborne Low Frequency Sonar (ALFS) systems for the U.S. Navy's MH60R multi- mission helicopter.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 15 Dec 2004
• LIBERIA: Transitional parliament finally adopts election bill IRIN 15 Dec 2004 -- After international pressure and a veto from Liberia's interim leader, the transitional parliament has finally ended five months of wrangling and removed a controversial amendment, to pass an electoral reform bill that paves the way for polls to take place on schedule in October 2005.
• COTE D IVOIRE: Annan says UN mission needs more troops after latest flare-up IRIN 15 Dec 2004 -- The UN Mission in Cote d'Ivoire (ONUCI) needs reinforcing with more than 1,200 military personnel after days of mob violence in the West African nation last month left it "strained to the limit", Secretary-General Kofi Annan said on Tuesday.
• UN troops in DR of Congo exchange fire with persons coming from Rwanda UN News Centre 15 Dec 2004 -- Unidentified people aboard three dug-out canoes coming from Rwanda opened fire on United Nations peacekeeping forces in Bukavu in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) early today, but were forced to turn back when the UN troops returned fire, the UN mission said.
• Historic Opening for Peace in Sudan, U.S. Official Says Washington File 15 Dec 2004 -- Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Michael Ranneberger sees a "historic" opportunity for a peace settlement that will end Sudan's 21-year-long civil war, which has killed two million people and displaced millions more, and have far-reaching effects on the region and the war on terror.
• CONGO / FIGHTING VOA 15 Dec 2004 -- The United Nations says fighting in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo continued Wednesday. The Congolese government and neighboring Rwanda have traded accusations yet again over who is involved.
• DARFUR / TALKS VOA 15 Dec 2004 -- African Union mediators at Darfur peace talks in Nigeria are trying to have rebel groups end their boycott, after receiving assurances from Sudan's government it will stop its offensive.
• SUDAN / AID VOA 15 Dec 2004 -- There appears to be growing antagonism between the Sudanese government and U.N. and Western aid agencies. The rift often makes it difficult for aid workers to deliver food and medicine to many of the nearly two million people displaced by violence in the country's volatile west.
• DRC: MONUC foils attack from Rwanda IRIN 15 Dec 2004 -- Armed men from Rwanda attempted to enter the town of Bukavu in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on Wednesday, but were repelled by the UN peacekeeping mission in the Congo, known as MONUC.
• SUDAN: Southern agreement key to Darfur peace - UN IRIN 15 Dec 2004 -- The settlement of the long-running conflict in southern Sudan between Khartoum and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A), is key to solving the humanitarian crisis in the western Sudanese region of Darfur, a UN envoy said.
• ERITREA-ETHIOPIA: Asmara tells Addis to comply with border ruling IRIN 15 Dec 2004 -- Eritrea has called on Ethiopia to abide by the ruling of an independent commission that delineated their disputed border in 2002 and urged the international community to help secure peace and stability in the Horn of Africa.
• DRC-RWANDA: Rwandan military in Goma for joint verification IRIN 15 Dec 2004 -- Four Rwandan military officers have been in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since November as part of a new joint verification committee that also includes Congolese and UN officials, Rwanda's envoy to the Great Lakes region, Richard Sezibera, told IRIN on Wednesday.
• SRI LANKA DONORS VOA 15 Dec 2004 -- The United States and two other international donors have criticized Sri Lanka's coalition government, after one of its partners made statements the donors say could disrupt efforts to restart peace talks with separatist rebels.

News Reports