Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 16 Feb 2005 [PDF]
• SOLDIER KILLED IN AL ANBAR PROVINCE
• TASK FORCE LIBERTY SOLDIER DIES OF NON-COMBAT INJURY
• TASK FORCE LIBERTY SOLDIER DIES IN VEHICLE ACCIDENT
• SOLDIER DIES IN VEHICULAR ACCIDENT

• NMCB 1 Returns to Camp Mitchell Navy NewsStand 16 Feb 2005 -- Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 1 from Construction Battalion Center, Gulfport, Miss. returned to Rota, Spain, Feb. 6, kicking off a deployment with units spread from Andros Island and Haiti in the Caribbean Sea to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

• AFGHANISTAN / BRITAIN VOA 16 Feb 2005 -- Britain says it plans to double its spending on anti-drug efforts in Afghanistan. But British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw adds that without a balanced approach, extra funds will do little to solve the problem.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Transcript: Secretary Rumsfeld Media Availability at Conclusion of House Armed Services Committee Hearing 16 Feb 2005 -- Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld
• RUMSFELD / CONGRESS VOA 16 Feb 2005 -- U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld on Wednesday defended his department's 419-billion-dollar budget request for next year, and a more than 70-billion dollar increase for the current year, in testimony to two congressional committees. He said the money is needed for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and to fight terrorists worldwide. But he also said help is needed from U.S. allies, large and small.
• Military Stressed, But Able to Execute Strategy, Myers Says AFPS 16 Feb 2005 -- Despite stresses and strains on the force, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told members of the House Armed Services Committee today that the American military remains able to execute America's national military strategy.
• Rumsfeld Discusses Progress, Future Needs at Budget Hearing AFPS 16 Feb 2005 -- The Defense Department has come a long way, but it has much farther to go, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld told the House Armed Services Committee here today during a budget hearing.
• Rumsfeld Explains Why War Costs Not in Main Budget Request AFPS 16 Feb 2005 -- Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld explained here today why the costs of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan are not included in the president's annual budget request.
• Detainees Living in Varied Conditions at Guantanamo AFPS 16 Feb 2005 -- The detainee population at the U.S. naval base here is a diverse group. The roughly 545 detainees hail from some 40 countries and speak at least 17 different languages.
• Policy allows deployed Soldiers to reenlist 'out of window' for tax-free bonuses while abroad Army News 16 Feb 2005 -- Like any major corporation, the Army is always looking for ways to retain its trained and qualified employees.
• New officers to receive Regular Army commissions Army News 16 Feb 2005 -- All new officers going on active duty will be commissioned "Regular Army" beginning May 1.
• $6K bonuses aim to cut RC officer shortage Army News 16 Feb 2005 -- A new affiliation bonus of $6,000 is now available to officers and warrant officers leaving active duty and signing up for service with National Guard or Army Reserve units.
• FAST mission for security forces AFPN 16 Feb 2005 -- Their job is simple: Cockpit denial and ground security. The training is intense, and only the best will get the assignment.
• Battlelab gives armor 'thumbs up' AFPN 16 Feb 2005 -- Air Mobility Battlelab officials here recently completed their evaluation of a life-saving vehicle armor kit produced by the Army.
• VP-5 Crew Joins SAR Mission Off Coast of Malta Navy NewsStand 16 Feb 2005 -- A Commander Task Force (CTF) 67 P-3 Orion crew from Patrol Squadron (VP) 5 assisted in a search and rescue mission of an exploded civilian cargo vessel off the coast of Malta Feb. 3.
• 26th MEU vies for title USMC News 16 Feb 2005 -- After nearly six months of training, it all comes down to this - a 10-day exercise where the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit will have the opportunity to prove its metal and assume the role of America's "force in readiness."

• Analysis: Armenia, Azerbaijan Confront The Return Of The Private Army RFE/RL 16 Feb 2005 -- In the run-up to, and the years immediately following, the collapse of the USSR, private armies played a key role in political developments across the South Caucasus. Tengiz Kitovani's National Guard was instrumental in ousting Georgian President Zviad Gamsakhurdia in late 1991. Soon afterward, together with Djaba Ioseliani's Mkhedrioni, Kitovani's group triggered wars in Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

• RUSSIA, CHINA PLAN JOINT MILITARY EXERCISES RIA Novosti 16 Feb 2005 -- Russia and China will complete in two months the preparation for the first-ever bilateral military exercises, the head of the Main Department for international cooperation of the Russian Defense Ministry, Colonel-General Anatoly Mazurkevich said Wednesday.

• White House Daily Briefing, February 16 Washington File 16 Feb 2005 -- President meeting with congressional/bipartisan congressional leadership, President's schedule, Social Security, Iran/explosion, Syria, Council of Economic Advisors/Greg Mankiw's letter of resignation, Lebanon, United Nations Security Council

Defense Industry

• FIRST F136 SHORT TAKE-OFF VERTICAL LANDING DEVELOPMENT ENGINE BEGINS TESTING GE Aviation 16 Feb 2005 -- The first GE Rolls-Royce F136 Short Take-off Vertical Landing (STOVL) development engine has successfully begun testing at GE's outdoor facility in Peebles, Ohio.
• U.S. Army Merges General Dynamics’ Land Warrior and Future Force Warrior ATD to Expedite Fielding General Dynamics 16 Feb 2005 -- The U.S. Army has merged its dismounted soldier activities, consolidating its Land Warrior and Future Force Warrior Advanced Technology Demonstration (ATD) programs. The consolidation will enable the Army to spiral new technology into the hands of U.S. soldiers sooner and create cost efficiencies.
• General Dynamics Awarded Contract Worth Up To USD $78 Million for RG-31 Vehicles General Dynamics 16 Feb 2005 -- The U.S. Army Communication and Electronics Command, on behalf of the U.S. Army Program Manager for Close Combat Systems, has awarded General Dynamics Land Systems – Canada a contract with a potential value not to exceed USD $78 million (CAD $97 million) for 148 RG-31 Medium Mine Protected Vehicles. Included in this price is USD $3 million in spare parts. General Dynamics Land Systems, the Canadian company’s parent corporation, is a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD).
• Lockheed Martin Receives $108 Million Contract for Guided MLRS Rocket Production Lockheed Martin 16 Feb 2005 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has received a $108 million Low-Rate Initial Production-3 (LRIP-3) contract from the U.S. Army to produce 1,014 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) rockets.
• LOCKHEED MARTIN F-35 TEAM ON TRACK FOR FINAL-ASSEMBLY START IN LATE SPRING Lockheed Martin 16 Feb 2005 -- The four major subassemblies for the first F-35 Joint Strike Fighter are taking shape as the program progresses toward final assembly in late spring at Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] in Fort Worth.
• Northrop Grumman Successfully Demonstrates Moving Target Engagement Capability for the U.S. Air Force Northrop Grumman 16 Feb 2005 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) recently performed successful high-speed captive flight tests of its multi-mode air-to-ground terminal guidance seeker during moving-target engagement exercises at Eglin Air Force Base.
• Oshkosh Truck Enhances Logistics Capabilities for Future Army with New HEMTT A3 Oshkosh 16 Feb 2005 -- The introduction of the new Oshkosh Truck Corporation [NYSE: OSK] Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT) A3 provides a revolutionary logistics platform for the increasingly mobile U.S. Army. Designed to support the Army’s Brigade Combat Teams, led by the armored Stryker combat vehicle, the new third-generation HEMTT A3 offers several logistical developments over previous heavy transports.
• Oshkosh Truck Introduces Next-Generation Tactical Defense Truck, the HEMTT A3, To U.S. Army Oshkosh 16 Feb 2005 -- Oshkosh Truck Corporation [NYSE: OSK], a leading manufacturer of trucks and truck bodies, announced it has developed the next generation of its Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT) for the U.S. Army. Known as the HEMTT A3, this third-generation design features numerous advanced technologies such as hybrid-electric drive, an enhanced load handling system and independent suspension to improve performance and enhance the U.S. Army’s deployability and mobility.
• Army Awards Raytheon $151.3 Million Patriot Engineering Services Contract Raytheon 16 Feb 2005 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has been awarded a $151.3 million contract from the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command to provide engineering services support to the Patriot air and missile defense program.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 16 Feb 2005
• UN/Sudan VOA 16 Feb 2005 -- U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan has described Darfur as " little short of hell on earth", and urged the Security Council to take immediate action to stop the killing there. But the Council is deadlocked over the question of how to prosecute those responsible for Darfur's atrocities.
• Annan urges Security Council to take action against killings, displacement in Darfur, Sudan UN News Centre 16 Feb 2005 -- United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, saying the evidence pointed to crimes committed by the Sudanese Government, militia and rebel forces, today urged the Security Council to act urgently to stop further death and suffering in the strife-torn Darfur region and "to do justice for those whom we are already too late to save."
• CHAD / DARFUR VOA 16 Feb 2005 -- Four African heads of state and other officials are meeting in Chad to discuss the security situation in the war-torn Darfur region of western Sudan. At least one rebel group is set to meet with Sudanese government officials on the sidelines.
  
  
• UGANDA / CHILD SOLDIERS VOA 16 Feb 2005 -- Uganda's military admits minors may have joined the ranks of its army, but denies it is the government's policy to recruit children. Debate over recruitment of children under the age of 18 is taking place in Uganda just as the U.N. Security Council is scheduled to look into the matter.
• UGANDA: Gov't warns of pending offensive should LRA talks collapse IRIN 16 Feb 2005 -- The Ugandan government is certain of military success against the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) should the rebel group prove to be less serious about dialogue, the defence minister said.
  
  
• ISRAEL / DISENGAGEMENT VOA 16 Feb 2005 -- Israel's parliament, the Knesset, handed Prime Minister Ariel Sharon a victory Wednesday night giving final approval to his controversial plan to dismantle all Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip and four smaller ones in the West Bank.
• India under no obligation to supply arms to Nepal: Mukherjee IRNA 16 Feb 2005 -- India is under no contractual obligation to supply arms to Nepal and any request for weapons is considered only after taking into consideration the situation in the Himalayan kingdom, Defense Minister Pranab Mukherjee said here.
• ETHIOPIA-ERITREA: Security Council warns over border situation IRIN 16 Feb 2005 -- The military build-up on the border between Ethiopia and Eritrea could "aggravate" simmering tensions, the president of the UN Security Council said.

News Reports

• CONGRESS/HARIRI VOA 16 Feb 2005 -- The House of Representatives has paid tribute to former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, who was assassinated in a bomb attack in Beirut Monday. Lawmakers combined their tributes to Mr. Hariri with calls for Syria to withdraw troops from Lebanon
• RICE-SYRIA-LEBANON VOA 16 Feb 2005 -- Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Wednesday endorsed an international investigation of Monday's assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. In Senate testimony, the Secretary also said the U.S. ambassador to Syria, recalled for consultations, will remain in Washington indefinitely.
• LEBANON / REACTION VOA 16 Feb 2005 -- In an unprecedented outpouring of national grief, hundreds of thousands of Lebanese attended the funeral of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in Beirut. Mr. Hariri, who is credited with rebuilding post-war Lebanon, was assassinated two days ago in a suspected suicide car bombing.
• ISRAEL / SYRIA / LEBANON VOA 16 Feb 2005 -- Israel says it is waging a diplomatic battle to stop Russian missiles from being sold to Syria. Israel's announcement comes amid growing international pressure on Syria following the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
• Middle East: UN To Probe Hariri Killing As Diplomatic Pressure Mounts On Syria RFE/RL 16 Feb 2005 -- The UN Security Council has called for an immediate UN investigation into the 14 February bombing that killed former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri. The council also renewed its call for the withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon. U.S. officials said the Syrian presence in Lebanon was a destabilizing factor and recalled the U.S. ambassador from Damascus to protest. Underlying the moves was deep concern about Lebanon's stability as it prepares for national elections in the spring.

• UN / TSUNAMI VOA 16 Feb 2005 -- The chief of the U.N. tsunami task force says current international aid pledges will cover as little as 40-percent of the reconstruction costs in Indian Ocean countries hit by December's disaster.

• THAILAND THAKSIN SOUTH VOA 16 Feb 2005 -- Violence flared in southern Thailand, as Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra arrived for a three-day visit. The prime minister pledged to continue a crackdown on Muslim separatists, while offering help to the needy in the south.

• AFRICAN MEDIA CONDEMN 'COUP D'ÉTAT' IN TOGO US Dept. of State IIP, Foreign Media Reaction 16 Feb 2005
• TOGO VOA 16 Feb 2005 -- The West African regional grouping ECOWAS says that efforts to mediate what it calls an illegal presidency in Togo have been 'fruitful'. People in Togo are waiting for embattled President Faure Gnassingbe, who came to power with the help of the military, to make a speech on whether he will call elections for the country.