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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 17 Feb 2005 [PDF]
• TWO SOLDIERS KILLED IN VEHICLE ACCIDENT
• DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• ONE TASK FORCE FREEDOM SOLDIER KILLED, THREE WOUNDED DURING ATTACK

• TF Liberty Soldiers find weapons cache near Kirkuk MNF-I/MNC-I 17 Feb 2005 -- Task Force Liberty Soldiers seized and destroyed a large weapons cache near Kirkuk about 5 p.m., Feb. 16.
• Fourth rotation of Salvadorian Forces in place in Iraq MNF-I/MNC-I 17 Feb 2005 -- The fourth rotation of Salvadorian Forces took place Feb. 16, and personnel strength reached 380 Salvadorians here.
• Rumsfeld, Myers Describe Enemy in Iraq to House Members AFPS 17 Feb 2005 -- The enemy in Iraq is made up of many different groups, defense leaders said here Feb. 16.
• Rumsfeld Says Number of Iraqi Insurgents Fluctuates Washington File 17 Feb 2005 -- Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld tackled controversial subjects such as the potency of the Iraqi insurgency and the viability of the missile defense program during a second day of congressional testimony on the new defense budget and the Pentagon's supplemental request.
• 3/4 assaultmen open doors in Fallujah USMC News 17 Feb 2005 -- Patrols conducted by 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, have run into a large number of locked doors since the return of Iraqi civilians to the city of Fallujah. This has become a problem for patrols attempting to find weapons still hidden within the city.

• AFGHANISTAN: Thousands choose army after abolition of poppy cultivation IRIN 17 Feb 2005 -- Almost every young man in the Sherzad district of eastern Nangarhar province wants to join the fledging Afghan National Army (ANA) as an alternative means of employment following a ban on poppy cultivation in one of the country's largest poppy-growing provinces.
• UN mission hails new landmark in Afghanistan's disarmament programme UN News Centre 17 Feb 2005 -- Afghanistan has passed a new landmark in its demobilization efforts after two decades of war and factional conflict, with more than 40,000 combatants now disarmed, about four-fifths of the total outside the national army, the United Nations mission announced today.

• HC-11 Supports Operation Unified Assistance Navy NewsStand 17 Feb 2005 -- The Gunbearers of Helicopter Combat Support Squadron (HC) 11, based at Naval Air Station North Island, have played a major role in supporting Operation Unified Assistance to help Southeast Asia recover from the devastating tsunami that struck the region Dec. 26.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Transcript: Secretary Rumsfeld and General Myers, Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Media Availability at Conclusion of Senate Armed Services Committee Hearing 17 Feb 2005 -- Secretary Rumsfeld and General Myers, Chairman Joint Chief of Staff
• Camp Bullis Provides Example in Joint, Cooperative Training AFPS 17 Feb 2005 -- With transformation plans calling for major changes at the military's major combat training centers to make them better able to support joint operations, there's much to be learned from the example being set here.
• Nominee to Head Pacific Command Goes Before Senate Committee AFPS 17 Feb 2005 -- The nominee to become the next commander of the U.S. Pacific Command acknowledged the challenges that face him in the Asia-Pacific theater should he be confirmed to that position.
• AWACS PLANES PLACEMENT IN KIRGHIZIA NEVER DISCUSSED RIA Novosti 17 Feb 2005 -- The United States has never brought up the matter of placement of Early Warning and Control System reconnaissance planes on a base in Kirghizia, American ambassador to Kirghizia Stephen Young told the press conference in Osh (Kirghizia) on Thursday.
• RICE / INDONESIA VOA 17 Feb 2005 -- Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Thursday the Bush administration has decided in principle to restore some U.S. military assistance to Indonesia. Congress restricted military ties more than a decade ago because of that country's human rights record.
• Automated System Helps Guantanamo Guards Track Detainees AFPS 17 Feb 2005 -- An automated system helps guards at the U.S. detention facility here keep track of terror war detainees and has cut down exponentially on paperwork.
• Murray testifies at new quality of life committee AFPN 17 Feb 2005 -- The Air Force's most senior enlisted Airman joined his counterparts and testified Feb. 16 before the new House Appropriations Committee subcommittee on military quality of life and veterans' affairs.
• General Jumper charts course for future AFPN 17 Feb 2005 -- Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper gave a vector for the Air Force's future during a speech Feb. 17 at the Air Force Association's 2005 Air Warfare Symposium here.
• Teets: Air Force confident, strong, ready AFPN 17 Feb 2005 -- The acting secretary of the Air Force assured the Air Force Association here Feb. 17 the service is confident, strong and ready to face any threat.
• SMA testifies on Army's quality of life Army News 17 Feb 2005 -- While Army generals testified on the progress of the Global War on Terrorism last week, Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth O. Preston was fighting for Soldiers on another front - their quality of life.
• USS Iwo Jima Blazes Through INSURV Inspection Navy NewsStand 17 Feb 2005 -- USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) sucessfully completed the Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) Feb. 11.
• Stennis Sailors Settle into New Quarters Navy NewsStand 17 Feb 2005 -- Junior Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) settled into bachelor enlisted quarters (BEQ) after changing homeport from San Diego to Naval Base Kitsap Jan. 8.
• Helicopter Crashes at Naval Air Station Sigonella Navy NewsStand 17 Feb 2005 -- Four crew members were injured when an MH-53E helicopter from Helicopter Combat Support Squadron (HC) 4, based at Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy, crashed on base Feb. 16 at approximately 4:20 p.m. (3:20 GMT).
• MCPON Testifies on Quality of Life Issues to House Subcommittee Navy NewsStand 17 Feb 2005 -- Appearing before the House Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee Feb. 16, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) (SS/AW) Terry Scott emphasized the connection between the global war on terrorism and efforts to provide the resources to support that fight.

• Security Council appeals to weapons exporters to be responsible in small arms deals UN News Centre 17 Feb 2005 -- Stressing its primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security, the United Nations Security Council today appealed to the arms-exporting countries "to exercise the highest responsibility in small arms and light weapons transactions" in accordance with international law.

• US/EURO/CHINA VOA 17 Feb 2005 -- Europe and the United States still differ on plans by the European Union to lift its arms embargo against China.

• INDONESIA/MILITARY VOA 17 Feb 2005 -- President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has made a major change in the Indonesian military command. The move is in keeping with his pledge to reform the powerful armed forces.

• COLOMBIA / BRITAIN VOA 17 Feb 2005 -- The Colombian defense minister, on an official visit to London, says his country will not be drawn into an arms race with neighboring Venezuela.

Defense Industry

• General Dynamics C4 Systems to Build 16 Additional Unit Operations Centers (UOC) for U.S. Marine Corps General Dynamics 17 Feb 2005 -- General Dynamics C4 Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), has received a $13.3 million contract modification from the U.S. Marine Corps System Command (MARCORSYSCOM) for 16 additional unit operation centers (UOC), the mobile command-and-control operations centers that have become the focal point of Marine decision-making during all phases of ground warfare. The centers are expected to be ready for deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom by early 2006.
• General Dynamics Receives Order for Fifth Stryker Brigade Vehicles General Dynamics 17 Feb 2005 -- The U.S. Army has ordered a fifth brigade of Stryker wheeled combat vehicles from General Dynamics Land Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD). The order for 423 vehicles to equip the brigade is valued at $582 million. Vehicle deliveries are slated for January 2006 through January 2007.
• LOCKHEED MARTIN BEGINS TESTING OF FIRST AEGIS WEAPON SYSTEM EQUIPPED WITH SPY-1F RADAR Lockheed Martin 17 Feb 2005 -- F-310IZAR and Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] successfully performed initial activation of the first Aegis Weapon System equipped with the new SPY-1F radar aboard the Norwegian frigate Fridtjof Nansen (F-310) at IZAR’s shipyard in Ferrol, Spain. This signifies the beginning of Integrated Weapon System (IWS) testing for the first of Norway’s five new Aegis-equipped frigates.
• Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems Conduct Successful Sled Test of Tactical Missile System and BROACH Technology Lockheed Martin 17 Feb 2005 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] and BAE Systems successfully conducted a sled test of an Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) with a warhead containing a BROACH lethal payload at Pendine, Wales in February. Incorporating multi-stage warhead technology, the BROACH system consists of a penetrating shaped-charge warhead in front of a standard conventional follow-through bomb. It provides blast/fragmentation effectiveness, as well as hardened target penetration capability.
• Lockheed Martin Awarded $247 Million Arrowhead Production Contract Lockheed Martin 17 Feb 2005 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] was awarded a $247 million Lot 2 follow-on production contract for Arrowhead,TM the Army’s Modernized Target Acquisition and Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (M-TADS/PNVS) system for the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter.
• LOCKHEED MARTIN F-35 DESIGNED FOR LONG-TERM AFFORDABILITY, REDUCED SUPPORT REQUIREMENTS Lockheed Martin 17 Feb 2005 -- With affordability as its cornerstone, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is designed to offer next-generation technologies and capabilities with a price tag comparable to that of current-generation multi-role fighters. Despite its affordable up-front price, the F-35 will deliver the greatest cost savings through long-term ownership.
• Raytheon's ERGM Guides into Success Raytheon 17 Feb 2005 -- Raytheon Company successfully fired two tactical ERGM (Extended Range Guided Munition) rounds at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., Feb. 16.
• Boeing, AATD to Study UAV Challenges During Weapons Tests Aboard Unmanned Little Bird Boeing 17 Feb 2005 -- When Boeing [NYSE: BA] begins testing weapons on its Unmanned Little Bird in the coming weeks, company engineers will be focused well beyond the aircraft's ability to launch ordnance.
• Northrop Grumman Receives $103 Million to Begin Upgrade to Joint STARS Air-Traffic Management Systems Northrop Grumman 17 Feb 2005 -- The U.S. Air Force's fleet of E-8C aircraft will receive updated air-traffic management systems under a $103 million, three-year system design and development contract recently awarded by the Electronic Systems Center at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., to Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC).
• Boeing Awarded $46.5 Million Contract Extension for Minuteman Peacekeeper Sustaining Engineering Boeing 17 Feb 2005 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] has been awarded a $46.5 million extension of its Minuteman Sustaining Engineering contract to sustain the nation's intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). The Boeing contract is part of an effort led by Northrop Grumman.
• Northrop Grumman Conducts Wargame in Support of Anti-Missile System at the Joint National Integration Center (JNIC) Northrop Grumman 17 Feb 2005 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC), in partnership with the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, completed a five-day wargame this month at the Joint National Integration Center (JNIC), where many operator crews trained for the first time on the nation's anti-missile system equipment -- from their home bases -- via a link to the wargame center.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 17 Feb 2005
• ALL AIRBORNE TROOPS UNITS EXCEPT SPECIAL FORCES WITHDRAWN FROM CHECHNYA RIA Novosti 17 Feb 2005 -- "All Airborne Troops units, except special units, have been withdrawn from Chechnya," Commander of the Airborne Troops Alexander Kolmakov said at a news conference in Moscow.
• Russia: Army Testing New Equipment In Chechnya' RFE/RL 17 Feb 2005 -- Russia's Defense Ministry has admitted the army is testing new military equipment and weaponry in Chechnya, where federal forces have been battling separatist militants for more than five years. Deputy Defense Minister Aleksandr Belousov says some of the weapons that have been tested will enter mass production this year. Russian military analysts say the admission comes as little surprise.
  
  
• U.N. Security Council Urged To Act To Stop Darfur Atrocities Washington File 17 Feb 2005 -- Senior U.N. officials are pressing the Security Council to take action immediately to protect the people of Sudan's Darfur region from further abuse and to stop, in Secretary-General Kofi Annan's words, the "hell on earth" that is occurring there.
  
  
• UGANDA: Army explains recruitment of former rebel child fighters IRIN 17 Feb 2005 -- The Ugandan army allows former child soldiers from the rebel Lords' Resistance Army (LRA) into its ranks because it is a better option for them than remaining with the insurgents, Shaban Bantariza, army spokesman, said on Wednesday.
• UGANDA: Top rebel negotiator surrenders to government IRIN 17 Feb 2005 -- The principal negotiator for the rebel Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) in protracted talks with the Ugandan government, Sam Kolo, gave himself up on Wednesday, an army spokesman said.
  
  
• Top UN peacekeeper hopeful of resumption of talks in Georgian-Abkhaz conflict UN News Centre 17 Feb 2005 -- The top United Nations peacekeeping official has voiced optimism over a resumption of stalled talks between the Georgian Government and Abkhaz separatists in efforts to resolve a decade-old conflict that forced nearly 300,000 people to flee their homes.
• ISRAEL / DISENGAGEMENT AFTERMATH VOA 17 Feb 2005 -- Opponents of Israel's plan to withdraw from Gaza later this year say they'll continue their rallies and demonstrations to make their case. Their pledge comes after Israel's parliament, the Knesset, gave its final approval for the disengagement.
• THAILAND / THAKSIN MUSLIMS VOA 17 Feb 2005 -- Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has threatened to cut off government funds to villages in southern Thailand if they continue support for Muslim militants. He made the statement before shortening to 24 hours, what was to be a three-day visit to the region in order to campaign for a candidate in a rerun of a district election. Human rights groups say the prime minister's increasingly tough stance to eradicate more than a year of violence is likely to backfire.
• Middle East: Lebanon's Future Depends On Syria, And On Washington's Intentions RFE/RL 17 Feb 2005 -- Events in Lebanon this week have highlighted the volatility of the situation in the Middle East. The assassination on 14 February of Rafiq Hariri, the former Lebanese prime minister and architect of its post-civil-war reconstruction, also demonstrated the complexity of both relations within the region and America's policy toward the region. The scenario is reminiscent of the 1980s, with Lebanon once again looking like a battlefield locked between its larger neighbors and global powers like the United States.

News Reports

• BUSH / SYRIA VOA 17 Feb 2005 -- President Bush is urging Syria to pull its forces out of Lebanon and get in step with moves toward democracy in the Middle East.

• SOMALIA/INSECURITY VOA 17 Feb 2005 -- A bomb exploded in the Somali capital, where an African Union delegation is visiting to assess security for the deployment of peacekeepers. Officials say at least two people were killed and five wounded. While authorities investigate whether the attack targeted the A.U. delegation, the government of Somalia says it is still determined to relocate to Mogadishu from its temporary headquarters in Kenya.

• U.S.-NEPAL ENVOY VOA 17 Feb 2005 -- U.S. Ambassador to Nepal James Moriarity, recalled last week after King Gyanendra's state-of-emergency declaration, says the Nepalese monarch needs to move quickly to restore democracy. If not, he says international security assistance to Nepal will be at risk.
• NEPAL AMNESTY VOA 17 Feb 2005 -- Amnesty International is calling for the international community to suspend military aid to Nepal. The rights organization says King Gyanendra's power seizure has worsened the human-rights situation in Nepal.

• TOGO VOA 17 Feb 2005 -- Togo's military-installed president, Faure Gnassingbe, has met with the head of the African Union, Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, who is pressuring Mr. Gnassingbe to step down from the presidency.
• ATK Successfully Tests Full-scale Space Shuttle Motor ATK 17 Feb 2005 -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) tested a full-scale Reusable Solid Rocket Motor (RSRM) today in support of NASA’s Return to Flight program. Initial results indicate the test was completely successful. The test, conducted at ATK’s Promontory, Utah, facility, was designed to validate the performance of a mid-life rocket motor. Shuttle RSRMs are certified for flight for five years after the propellant is cast. This is the last scheduled test before the expected return to flight, which could occur as early as May 2005.
• LOCKHEED MARTIN TO DEVELOP SENSOR FOR INTERSTELLAR BOUNDARY EXPLORER MISSION Lockheed Martin 17 Feb 2005 -- The Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] Advanced Technology Center (ATC) will lead the development of the Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX)-Lo sensor for the recently selected NASA Small Explorer mission. The Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) awarded the contract to the ATC. Contract terms are not being disclosed. IBEX is the first mission designed to globally image the extreme edge of our solar system. Launch of the IBEX spacecraft will occur in 2008.