Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 26 Jul 2005 [PDF]
• DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• DoD Identifies Army Casualty

• Transcript: Defense Department Regular Briefing 26 Jul 2005 -- Presenter: Larry Di Rita, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs and Lieutenant General James T. Conway, United States Marine Corps
• Gunmen Kill At Least 16 In Baghdad Bus Ambush RFE/RL 26 Jul 2005 -- Gunmen opened fire today on a bus carrying employees home from a factory in Abu Ghurayb, west of Baghdad, killing at least 16 people, international media report.
• Pressure continues to route terrorists in northern Iraq MNF-I 26 Jul 2005 -- Iraqi Security Forces and Multi-National Forces from Task Force Freedom detained 42 suspected terrorists and seized a number of weapons during operations in northern Iraq July 24.
• Task Force Freedom continues to pressure terrorists, seize weapons MNF-I 26 Jul 2005 -- Task Force Freedom detained seven suspected terrorists and seized a large weapons cache during operations in northern Iraq July 25.

• EU Launches Observer Mission For Afghan Vote RFE/RL 26 Jul 2005 -- The European Union today launched a 100-member election support mission to monitor Afghanistan's upcoming parliamentary and provincial council polls.
• Heavy Taliban Losses Affect Recruiting, Possibly Tactics, General Says AFPS 26 Jul 2005 -- Taliban members who face off against coalition forces or the Afghan National Army are facing heavy losses, so they've resorted to recruiting young teens to join the fight, the Joint Staff's operations director told Pentagon reporters today.
• Officials Meet With Afghans to Address Protesters' Concerns AFPS 26 Jul 2005 -- Afghan police and U.S. military leaders were scheduled to meet with local leaders today to address the concerns of several hundred Afghans who gathered outside the gate of the U.S. base at Bagram Airfield to protest a July 25 military operation by Afghan and U.S. forces.
• Iraqi, Coalition Forces Continue Crackdown AFPS 26 Jul 2005 -- Coalition military and Iraqi security forces continue to crack down on anti-government forces in Iraq, hoping to suppress attacks against U.S. and coalition forces and Iraqi citizens, according to military officials in Baghdad.
• Raid In Southern Afghanistan Nets Militants RFE/RL 26 Jul 2005 -- Uruzgan Province Governor Jan Mohammad Khan has said at least 40 suspected militants were killed yesterday in fighting with U.S. and Afghan forces in southern Afghanistan.
• Afghans Protest Outside U.S. Base RFE/RL 26 Jul 2005 -- Hundreds of angry villagers protested outside the U.S. military headquarters in Afghanistan today, demanding the release of eight villagers detained in a raid.

Defense Policy / Programs

• USS Pennsylvania Wins Omaha Trophy, "Best of the Best" Navy NewsStand 26 Jul 2005 -- Naval Base Kitsap (NBK) Bangor-based fleet ballistic missile submarine USS Pennsylvania (SSBN 735) was recognized as the U.S. Navy's best Trident submarine July 25 when it was presented the 2004 U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) Omaha Trophy.
• MSS 7 Sailors Demonstrate Small Boat Tactics in Indonesia Navy NewsStand 26 Jul 2005 -- Sailors from Mobile Security Squadron (MSS) 7, Det. 72, demonstrated U.S. Navy small boat tactics to the Indonesian Navy's Kopaska Pasukan Katak (Frogman Force) here July 22 as part of a series of events for MSS 7 and their counterparts prior to the Indonesia phase of exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT).
• Naval European Assets Deploy to Black Sea Navy NewsStand 26 Jul 2005 -- Approximately 1,200 U.S. Sailors and Marines kicked off a series of naval training engagements with forces from Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Turkey, and Ukraine in the Black Sea July 23.
• CARAT Indonesia Underway in Surabaya Navy NewsStand 26 Jul 2005 -- The Indonesia phase of the 2005 edition of the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise series got off to a formal start July 26 with a ceremony at the Indonesian naval base here.
• Pentagon Wants to do More Training in Africa and Elsewhere VOA 26 Jul 2005 -- The U.S. Defense Department said Tuesday it is seeking more legal authority to train and equip foreign militaries, particularly in Africa, in order to enhance their ability to fight terrorism.
• Airmen maintain airlift operations in Africa AFPN 26 Jul 2005 -- The early morning roar of eight engines from two C-130 Hercules here is music to the ears of the aircraft maintainers watching over them.
• Reservists protect Airmen at Baghdad base AFPN 26 Jul 2005 -- Two reservists at Baghdad International Airport are shaping force protection for more than 700 people, meshing the future total force with the reality of what is currently around them.
• U.S. Still Welcome at Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan Minister Says AFPS 26 Jul 2005 -- The United States is welcome to continue using Manas Air Force Base, Kyrgyzstan's defense minister said here today during a joint news conference with Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld.
• Virtual convoy, IED training helps Soldiers worldwide Army News 26 Jul 2005 -- The Army has fielded 125 simulation trainers for the detection of improvised explosive devices and to teach other advanced skills needed for tactical convoys in Iraq and Afghanistan.
• Stennis Implements New Procedures for QA Navy NewsStand 27 Jul 2005 -- During its Drydocked Planned Incremental Availability (DPIA) period, Sailors aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) have helped bring about changes in quality assurance (QA).
• Navy Europe Sailors Reach Out in West Africa Navy NewsStand 27 Jul 2005 -- One-hundred ten reserve Sailors from Operational Health Support Unit Great Lakes, Ill., wrapped up the annual West African Training Cruise (WATC) exercise in the countries of Gabon and Cameroon, Africa, July 22.
• U.S.: Myers' Term As Top General Nears End RFE/RL 26 Jul 2005 -- General Richard Myers, as chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, is America's top uniformed officer and the main military adviser to President George W. Bush

• Bishkek Assures Rumsfeld That U.S. Air Base Can Stay RFE/RL 26 Jul 2005 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's talks today in Bishkek resulted in a pledge by Kyrgyzstan's defense minister that the United States can maintain its air base in Kyrgyzstan as long as needed for its operations in Afghanistan.
• US Wins Reprieve for Military Base in Kyrgyzstan VOA 26 Jul 2005 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has obtained assurances from Kyrgyz officials that U.S. military forces supporting anti-terrorism efforts in Afghanistan will not have to withdraw from an air base near the Kyrgyz capital anytime soon.

• State Department Briefing, July 26 Washignton File 26 Jul 2005 -- Sudan/special representative appointment, Bolton/nomination, North Korea, Burma, Israel/Palestinians, Iraq, UN reform, terrorism
• White House Daily Briefing, July 26 Washignton File 26 Jul 2005 -- NASA/Space Shuttle Discovery, Judge Roberts/attorney-client privilege, Bolton/nomination, CAFTA, terrorism, Iran, Valerie Plame issue/concerns of agents in the field, bin Laden, North Korea, Boys Scouts Jamboree/accident

Defense Industry

• U.S. Army Awards General Dynamics $23 Million in Combat Vehicle-Related Contracts General Dynamics 26 Jul 2005 -- The U.S. Army TACOM Lifecycle Management Command has awarded General Dynamics Land Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), two contracts valued at $23 million for work related to the Stryker combat vehicle and the Abrams tank system. Vehicle support, resets and upgrades are a continuing portion of General Dynamics combat systems-related business.
• U.S. Navy Announces Plans to Convert Fleet to 'Paperless' Navigation Northrop Grumman 26 Jul 2005 -- The U.S. Navy today unveiled plans for a major transformation in military marine navigation over the next few years, in which traditional paper nautical charts will be replaced with advanced, interactive, electronic navigation systems throughout the fleet.
• Raytheon Delivers First Increment of MicroLight(TM) Radios for Land Warrior Raytheon 26 Jul 2005 -- Raytheon Company has delivered the first increment of its new MicroLight radio and ancillary equipment to General Dynamics C4 Systems for the U.S. Army's Land Warrior program.
• Turkey awards Thales a major Maritime Patrol and Surveillance System program Thales 26 Jul 2005 -- Thales was selected as the preferred supplier in 2001 and the final contract was signed 6th September in Ankara by Prof.Ali Dursun Ercan - Undersecretary for Defence Industries (SSM)and Jos é Massol,Senior Vice-President,Group Executive,Thales AirborneSystems Business Group.
• Boeing Awards Multiple Contracts for First Phase of FCS Class II and III Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Development Boeing 26 Jul 2005 -- Boeing (NYSE: BA), teamed with Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) as the Lead Systems Integrator (LSI) for the U.S. Army's Future Combat Systems (FCS) program, today awarded four multimillion-dollar contracts to three premier industry partners to participate in the first phase of development for two classes of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). The UAVs -- a key battlespace asset and integral part of the FCS system-of-systems solution -- are slated for fielding in 2014 with the first fully-equipped FCS brigade-sized combat teams.
• Boeing-led Industry Team and Missile Defense Agency Dedicate Sea-Based X-Band Radar Boeing 26 Jul 2005 -- The Boeing-led [NYSE: BA] Sea-Based X-Band Radar (SBX) industry team and the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) officially dedicated the SBX radar, a key component of Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) program.
• CACI Awarded $89 Million in Previously Unannounced Contracts to Support National Security and Intelligence CACI 26 Jul 2005 -- CACI International Inc (NYSE:CAI) announced today that it has won approximately $89 million in contracts to support national security and intelligence activities for clients in the federal government. The awards call for CACI to provide systems engineering, knowledge management, and intelligence support, among other solutions. All the contracts were awarded in the fourth quarter of CACI's fiscal year 2005, which ended June 30, 2005.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 26 Jul 2005
• PRESS BRIEFING BY SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR CHILDREN AND ARMED CONFLICT United Nations 26 Jul 2005
• UN Security Council approves mechanism to protect children in war UN News Centre 26 Jul 2005 -- With 2 million children killed and 6 million injured in wars over the past decade, the United Nations Security Council, in a landmark resolution, today unanimously condemned the continued recruitment of child soldiers and approved setting up a mechanism for monitoring, reporting on and punishing those responsible.
• UN Moves to Protect Children in Armed Conflict VOA 26 Jul 2005 -- The U.N. Security Council has adopted a resolution aimed at protecting children caught up in armed conflict.

• PRESS BRIEFING ON MEETING BETWEEN UN, REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS United Nations 26 Jul 2005
• UN stresses key role of regional groups in peacebuilding UN News Centre 26 Jul 2005 -- Regional and other intergovernmental organizations are increasingly important, even key partners, for the ultimate success in dealing with the challenges of peace and security, participants in the 6th High-Level Meeting between the United Nations, Regional and other Inter-governmental Organizations said in a joint statement today.

• Côte d'Ivoire: UN forces enter town after being blocked for 48 hours UN News Centre 26 Jul 2005 -- United Nations peacekeeping forces in Côte d'Ivoire today entered the town of Agboville, 70 kilometres north of Abidjan, the strife-torn West African country's major city, after being blocked for 48 hours in their efforts to help restore calm following attacks by unidentified assailants.
• Tensions Rise In Ivory Coast VOA 26 Jul 2005 -- Tensions are high in Ivory Coast's main city, Abidjan, where youths loyal to the president and opposition militants have come out onto the streets

• Sudan: African Union to investigate weekend Darfur violence - UN mission UN News Centre 26 Jul 2005 -- With the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) reporting persistent banditry and deadly attacks on civilians throughout war-torn Darfur, the African-led force working to maintain peace in the vast region has begun investigating a spate of weekend violence, including armed clashes between government and rebel forces
• US Names Special Envoy for Sudan VOA 26 Jul 2005 -- The State Department said Tuesday veteran diplomat Roger Winter has been named to be a U.S. special representative for Sudan.
• Violence Flares Up in Sudan's Darfur VOA 26 Jul 2005 -- There has been a sharp rise in armed attacks in Sudan's western Darfur region, less than a week after a visit by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and less than a month after the government and rebel groups agreed to enter another round of peace talks.
• SUDAN: Fresh violence could affect Darfur peace process, warns UN IRIN 26 Jul 2005 -- The recent outbreak of violence in the western Sudanese region of Darfur could threaten ongoing efforts to bring lasting peace to the strife-torn region, the UN warned on Tuesday.

• Report Faults Palestinian Security Forces VOA 26 Jul 2005 -- Weeks before Israel's planned evacuation of Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip and a portion of the West Bank, the U.S.-appointed coordinator for reforming Palestinian security forces is describing the task as a "long term proposition."
• Israeli Troops Train for Gaza Disengagement VOA 26 Jul 2005 -- Thousands of Israeli soldiers and police have begun exercises to train for removing Jewish settlers from Gaza
• MIDEAST: SECRETARY RICE ENCOUNTERS 'DISCORD WITHIN REGIMES' US Dept. of State IIP, Foreign Media Reaction 26 Jul 2005

• UN Calls For Prosecution of Liberia's Ex-President Taylor VOA 26 Jul 2005 -- The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, Louise Arbour, is calling on African leaders to push for the prosecution of former Liberian President, Charles Taylor
• Lebanese Militia Leader Released, Calls for National Reconciliation VOA 26 Jul 2005 -- The former head of Lebanon's main Christian militia urged national reconciliation on his release from prison after 11 years.
• SOMALIA: Dozens killed in clashes in southwestern town IRIN 26 Jul 2005 -- Dozens of people were feared dead and many more injured in clashes that broke out on Friday and continued over the weekend in the town of Boru-Hache, also known as El-Waaq, in southwestern Somalia's Gedo region, sources said.
• ETHIOPIA: Five killed in grenade attacks in Somali region IRIN 26 Jul 2005 -- A series of grenade attacks on Sunday that killed five people in Ethiopia's Somali region was designed to disrupt forthcoming elections there, officials said.

News Reports

• US Welcomes Burmese Decision to Forego ASEAN Chairmanship VOA 26 Jul 2005 -- The United States Tuesday welcomed Burma's decision to forego its turn next year as chairman of ASEAN, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
• ATK Supports Successful Return to Flight of Space Shuttle Discovery ATK 26 Jul 2005 -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) reusable solid rocket motors (RSRM) provided more than 6 million pounds of thrust in the first two minutes of flight to help send the Space Shuttle Discovery on its historic return to flight mission.