Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 18 Jul 2005 [PDF]
• SOLDIER KILLED BY VBIED NEAR ISKANDARIYAH
• ONE TASK FORCE LIBERTY SOLDIER KILLED BY IED NEAR BALAD
• DoD Identifies Marine Casualties
• ONE TASK FORCE LIBERTY SOLDIER KILLED, TWO WOUNDED BY IED
• MARINE DIES FROM NON-HOSTILE INCIDENT
• DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• DoD Identifies Marine Casualty

• Iraqi Police working with Coalition Forces uncover large weapons cache MNF-I 18 Jul 2005 -- Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Forces from Task Force Freedom seized a large weapons cache, detained eight suspected terrorists, and killed five terrorists during operations in northern Iraq July 17 and 18.
• Operation Warrior's Rage snares dozens of terrorists MNF-I 18 Jul 2005 -- On the evening of July 15, elements of the 256th Brigade Combat Team and 6th Iraqi Army Division successfully detained targets in their areas of operation through cordon-and-search operations and combat patrols.
• Suspected bomber detained in Samarra MNF-I 18 Jul 2005 -- Task Force Liberty Soldiers detained one individual in Samarra after an improvised explosive device detonated in front of their combat patrol July 18.
• Iraq Car Bombings Leave 22 Dead RFE/RL 18 Jul 2005 -- A series of car bombers struck across Iraq yesterday, leaving at least 22 people dead.
• Coordinated Efforts Net 39 Suspects in Iraq AFPS 18 Jul 2005 -- Iraqi and U.S. forces established a joint/combined operations center to develop intelligence and track operations during a series of missions July 15, military officials in Baghdad, Iraq, said.
• Soldier Killed by IED near Balad; Car Bomb Kills 4, Wounds 10 AFPS 18 Jul 2005 -- One Task Force Liberty soldier was killed by an improvised explosive device at about 10 a.m. July 17 near Balad, Iraq, military officials in Iraq reported.
• Two Soldiers Killed, But Coalition, Iraqi Forces Preventing More Attacks AFPS 18 Jul 2005 -- Two American soldiers in Iraq were killed by improvised explosive devices July 16.

• Pakistan Says Dead Militants Had Kazakh Passports RFE/RL 18 Jul 2005 -- The Pakistani military suggested today that a group of militants killed in a firefight near the Afghan border yesterday were Kazakh nationals, while a Kazakh diplomatic source insisted it is too early to be certain that they were Kazakh citizens.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Military Commissions to Resume 18 Jul 2005 -- The Department of Defense today announced it intends to reconvene military commissions in the wake of a unanimous decision by a federal court of appeals that the military commissions process is a proper venue in which to try enemy combatants held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for violations of the laws of war.
• Military Trials for Two Guantanamo Detainees to Resume Soon AFPS 18 Jul 2005 -- Military commissions proceedings "will resume as soon as possible" against two enemy-combatant detainees being held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said today.
• Rumsfeld says Two Terrorism Trials Will Resume Soon VOA 18 Jul 2005 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says the military trials of two terrorism suspects being held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba will resume as soon as possible, following a court ruling that such proceedings are legal
• Defense Officials Answer BRAC List Questions AFPS 18 Jul 2005 -- Defense Department leaders appeared today before the Base Realignment and Closure Commission to explain why certain military facilities were not included among Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's May 13 recommendations.
• U.S. Military To Assist with Darfur Deployment Washington File 18 Jul 2005 -- In order to contribute to the peacekeeping efforts in the Darfur region of Sudan, the U.S. European Command began the deployment of personnel and equipment to Kigali, Rwanda, on July 14.
• Romanian, U.S. Soldiers train together in ROMEX VOA 18 Jul 2005 -- The final group of U.S. and Romanian Soldiers arrived at the Babadag Training Area July 17 in support of ROMEX 05, the largest bi-lateral exercise conducted in Romania with both U.S. and Romanian forces training side by side.
• Malaysia Phase of CARAT Closes Navy NewsStand 18 Jul 2005 -- The Malaysia phase of exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) ended here July 18 with an exercise debrief and closing ceremony at a local resort.
• FFC Showcases Homeland Defense Capabilities Navy NewsStand 18 Jul 2005 -- Increasing awareness and understanding of the Navy's role in homeland defense, U.S. Fleet Forces Command (CFFC) hosted Adm. Timothy Keating, commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) and 25 Colorado community leaders for a visit to showcase FFC's homeland defense capabilities in July.
• Ramstein planes, Airmen depart for Darfur mission AFPS 19 Jul 2005 -- Three C-130 Hercules from the 86th Airlift Wing and about 40 Airmen here left July 16 for Kigali, Rwanda, to begin a monthlong airlift mission to the Darfur region of Sudan.
• U.S., Australia Remain Close Allies in Terror War AFPS 18 Jul 2005 -- Australia remains committed to "military operations that are part of the democratization process in both Afghanistan and Iraq," the country's prime minister said in the Pentagon today.
• Joint IED Task Force helping defuse insurgency's threat Army News 18 Jul 2005 -- In an effort to combat the leading cause of troop casualties in Iraq, the Department of Defense has put together a task force to help minimize the impact of improvised explosive devices.

• US, India Talks at White House VOA 18 Jul 2005 -- President Bush and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh have agreed to enhance cooperation in security, economic and energy matters.
• Bush Welcomes India's Prime Minister to White House VOA 18 Jul 2005 -- President Bush has welcomed Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to the White House for an official visit expected to focus on terrorism, commercial ties, and technology issues.

• AIDS / PENTAGON / AFRICA VOA 18 Jul 2005 -- The Pentagon says a program designed to help combat HIV/AIDS within African militaries is beginning to show signs of progress.

• Putin, Turkish Premier To Discuss Economic, Military Cooperation RFE/RL 18 Jul 2005 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin begins two days of talks today with visiting Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the southern Russian resort town of Sochi.

• Shanghai Cooperation Organization Flexes Political Muscle VOA 18 Jul 2005 -- regional group bringing together China, Russia and several central Asian countries has called for the withdrawal of American troops from bases in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan

• White House Daily Briefing, July 18 Washington File 18 Jul 2005 -- Supreme Court vacancy, CIA leak, India, North Korea, Economy, Saddam Hussein
• State Department Briefing, July 18 Washington File 18 Jul 2005 -- Iran/Iraq/Syria, Indonesia, Lebanon, Israel/Palestinians, North Korea, Iraq
• White House Report, July 18: Iraq, North Korea Washington File 18 Jul 2005 -- IRAQIS TO CONTROL TRIAL; NO U.S. AID TO ELECTION CANDIDATES / PYONGYANG URGED TO BE "PREPARED TO MOVE FORWARD" AT TALKS

Defense Industry

• BAE Systems Selected to Develop Humvee On-Board Vehicle Power System BAE Systems 18 Jul 2005 -- Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 6YU, UK -- The U.S. Office of Naval Research has selected BAE Systems to begin development of an on-board vehicle power system for the Marine Corps High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, known commonly as the Humvee®.
• Boeing Awarded $41.5 Million Apache Reset Contract Boeing 18 Jul 2005 -- The U.S. Army awarded Boeing [NYSE:BA] a $41.5 million contract for the refurbishment of 70 Apache AH-64 Helicopters under the Reset program.
• Airbus Military Signs Agreement With Chile EADS 18 Jul 2005 -- The FUERZA AEREA DE CHILE has signed a Declaration of Intent (DOI) with Airbus Military under which it indicates its intention to purchase up to three A400M military transport aircraft.
• LOCKHEED MARTIN UPGRADES EIGHT P-3C AIP AIRCRAFT WITH TACTICAL COMMON DATA LINK SYSTEMS Lockheed Martin 18 Jul 2005 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] completed the installation of ten systems that provide real-time air-to-ground transmission of sensor videos and other data on Navy P-3C aircraft – a capability that will support the Navy’s role in the Global War on Terrorism.
• Lockheed Martin Receives $120 Million Contract for Navy's Long-Range Land Attack Projectile Lockheed Martin 18 Jul 2005 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has received a five-year contract valued at $120 million from BAE Systems for further development and test of the Long-Range Land Attack Projectile (LRLAP) for the Advanced Gun System (AGS) on the U.S. Navy’s next-generation destroyer, the DD(X).
• Initial Critical Design Review Finds DD(X) Total System Design Ready for Detail Design and Production Northrop Grumman 18 Jul 2005 -- The DD(X) National Team, led by Northrop Grumman Corporation and Raytheon Company, in partnership with General Dynamics, BAE Systems and Lockheed Martin, has successfully completed the initial critical design review for the overall system design for the DD(X) multi-mission destroyer. The milestone event demonstrated that the program is ready for the Flag level review in September and that the DD(X) Flight 1 system design is complete, stable and mature enough to enter detail design.
• Northrop Grumman Awarded $109.8 million Long Lead Material Contract for LHA(R) Northrop Grumman 18 Jul 2005 -- The U.S. Navy has awarded a contract valued at $109.8 million to Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) for advanced planning, long-lead material and systems engineering on the LHA(R) amphibious assault ship program. The total contract value, if all options are exercised, will be $264 million. This is the first LHA(R) construction-related contract awarded and the funds will go toward purchasing major equipment and material, as well as advanced planning and systems engineering.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 18 Jul 2005
• Implementing existing agreements key for combating small arms trade - UN UN News Centre 18 Jul 2005 -- A meeting at United Nations Headquarters in New York on progress to curb the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons under a 2001 agreement has wrapped up with UN Member States stressing the need to cooperate on combating the scourge, which continues to kill, maim and displace thousands of innocent people every year.

• PRESS CONFERENCE ON WOMEN’S ROLE IN PEACE PROCESSES United Nations 18 Jul 2005
• US Urges Israeli, Palestinian Restraint in Run-Up to Gaza Pullout VOA 18 Jul 2005 -- The United States Monday again appealed for restraint by Israel and the Palestinians in advance of Israel's withdrawal from Gaza and parts of the West Bank, planned for mid-August. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will hold talks with both sides in the region later this week
• Disengagement Opponents Vow to March on Gaza Despite Police Ban VOA 18 Jul 2005 -- Israeli security forces have begun stopping buses filled with disengagement opponents from heading to a mass protest march to Gaza.

• Senior UN envoy Brahimi calls for peaceful return to constitutional order in Nepal UN News Centre 18 Jul 2005 -- With Nepal facing a "very serious crisis," senior United Nations envoy Lakhdar Brahimi has said that a solution is "not beyond reach," and urged all political forces to work together to restore constitutional order and multi-party democracy in the strife-torn Himalayan kingdom, where Maoist rebels have been battling the Government for nine years.
• RWANDA-UGANDA: Neighbours sign extradition treaty IRIN 18 Jul 2005 -- Uganda and Rwanda have signed an extradition treaty applying to criminals in each others' country, a senior official of the Ugandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said.
• COTE D IVOIRE: Rebels, opposition in wait-and-see over political reforms IRIN 18 Jul 2005 -- President Laurent Gbagbo announced at the weekend that he had legislated by decree a series of political reforms demanded as a prelude to disarmament by rebels occupying the north of Cote d'Ivoire.
• Lebanon Frees Christian Militia Leader From Prison VOA 18 Jul 2005 -- Lebanon's newly-elected parliament has voted overwhelmingly to free a top Christian civil-war leader jailed more than 11-years ago on what were widely viewed as trumped up charges.
• Indonesian Government, Rebels Express Cautious Optimism over Aceh Peace Deal VOA 18 Jul 2005 -- Both the Indonesian government and separatist rebels say they are encouraged by a tentative peace agreement aimed at ending nearly 29 years of fighting in the country's Aceh province.
• UGANDA: Nineteen killed as army, warriors clash in northeast IRIN 18 Jul 2005 -- At least 19 people, including seven government soldiers, were killed during two days of clashes between local warriors and soldiers over control of livestock in the Karamoja region of northeastern Uganda, a military spokesman said on Monday.
• KENYA: 9,000 now displaced in tense Marsabit - Kenya Red Cross IRIN 18 Jul 2005 -- The number of people displaced following clashes between two communities in the northern Kenyan district of Marsabit has risen as villagers continue to move to locations they consider safer, the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) said on Monday.
• GUINEA-BISSAU: Two killed in mystery assault on Interior Ministry IRIN 18 Jul 2005 -- Two security guards were killed and one was injured when a group of about 20 armed men in military uniform attacked the Interior Ministry in the capital of Guinea-Bissau before dawn on Saturday, Interior Minister Mumine Embalo said.
• Bosnia-Herzegovina: What Future For Bosnia? RFE/RL 18 Jul 2005 -- Most observers of the situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina agree that there is room for improvement. That, however, seems to be where agreement both begins and ends.

News Reports

• Northrop Grumman Demonstrates JWST Telescope Control System at Keck Observatory Northrop Grumman 18 Jul 2005 -- The Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) team developing the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has successfully tested software that will be used to bring the space observatory's 18 mirror segments into alignment following launch. The test is a key step in verifying that the mirrors will produce clear images of the first stars and galaxies formed in the universe following the rough vibrations and disturbances during launch.