Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 27 Jul 2005 [PDF]
• Four Task Force Baghdad Soldiers killed in bomb attack

• Transcript: Secretary Rumsfeld Media Availability Enroute to Iraq 27 Jul 2005 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld
• Algerian Diplomats Killed In Baghdad RFE/RL 27 Jul 2005 -- Algeria has confirmed that two of its diplomats in Iraq have been killed by their kidnappers.
• General Says US Forces Could Begin Withdrawal Next Year VOA 27 Jul 2005 -- The commanding general of U.S. and coalition forces in Iraq says there could be a significant reduction in the number of U.S. troops in the country by this time next year, if the political process remains on track.
• Troop Withdrawals Could Begin Next Year, Casey Says AFPS 27 Jul 2005 -- A "fairly substantial" withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq could take place next spring or summer if the insurgency doesn't grow and the country's political process continues as scheduled, the commander of coalition forces said here today.
• Iraqi, U.S. Soldiers Capture Insurgents; Find Weapons Caches AFPS 27 Jul 2005 -- Iraqi army and coalition soldiers failed to find a known terrorist responsible for mortar attacks against Iraqi police stations during a July 26 combined cordon-and-search mission, Multinational Security Transition Command Iraq officials said today.

• New U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Sworn In AFPS 27 Jul 2005 -- Saying he has the "ability to work hand in hand" with the U.S. military in the country, the new U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan took his oath of office from Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice here today.
• Afghanistan: Large Protest Held At Main U.S. Air Base RFE/RL 27 Jul 2005 -- On 26 July, a crowed estimated to number at least 1,000, chanted slogans against the United States at the main U.S. military facility in Afghanistan located in Bagram, in the northern Parwan Province.
• Rice Swears-In New U.S. Envoy to Afghanistan VOA 27 Jul 2005 -- Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice led swearing-in ceremonies Wednesday for the new U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan, veteran diplomat Ronald Neumann. He replaces Zalmay Khalilzad in the Kabul post, who has gone on to be U.S. ambassador to Iraq

Defense Policy / Programs

• Army Unveils Active Component Brigade Combat Team Stationing 27 Jul 2005 -- The Department of the Army announced today the locations for the active component modular brigade combat teams. The modular design and their stationing are both critical to ensure the Army is properly postured to maintain the high degree of readiness needed to meet its strategic commitments, including ongoing operations globally in the war on terror.
• Transcript: Defense Department Special Briefing on Announcement of New Locations for The Active Duty Army's Modular Brigade Combat Teams 27 Jul 2005 -- Presenter: Special Assistant to The Secetary of The Army Ray Bubois; Army Vice Chief of Staff Richard Cody
• Army Announces Repositioning Plans AFPS 27 Jul 2005 -- The Army announced its plans today for repositioning its forces to accommodate a new modular structure, which includes transferring more than 50,000 soldiers to the United States by the decade's end.
• Army unveils active Brigade Combat Team stationing plan Army News 27 Jul 2005 -- As part of its largest restructuring since World War II, the Army announced its plan today for stationing its active component modular Brigade Combat Teams.
• BCT Stationing Brief Slides 27 July 2005

• Task Force: US Should Make Nation-Building Urgent Priority VOA 27 Jul 2005 -- An independent task force headed by two former U.S. national security advisors says nation-building is no longer just a humanitarian concern for the United States, but needs to be an urgent national security priority equal to fighting wars

• DoD to Notify Gulf War Vets on Latest Chem Agents Study AFPS 27 Jul 2005 -- The Defense Department is again sending letters to thousands of Gulf War veterans exposed to low levels of chemical agents contained in munitions destroyed at a weapons depot in Khamisiyah, Iraq, in March 1991.
• HSL-60 "Jaguars" Support Maritime Security Operations Navy NewsStand 27 Jul 2005 -- The Sailors who make up Navy Reserve Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron (Light) (HSL) 60, the squadron embarked aboard USS Philippine Sea (CG 58), play a key role assisting active-duty counterparts in conducting maritime security operations (MSO).
• USS Mustin Visits French Polynesia Navy NewsStand 27 Jul 2005 -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin (DDG 89), made a scheduled port visit to Papeete, Tahiti, July 18.
• Safeguard, Malaysian Navy Combine Forces Navy NewsStand 27 Jul 2005 -- USS Safeguard (ARS 50) completed diving and salvage operations July 18 with the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) as part of exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2005's Malaysian segment held off of Tioman Island, Malaysia.
• TR Earns Combat Operations Efficiency Certification Navy NewsStand 27 Jul 2005 -- USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) (TR) officially achieved Combat Operations Efficiency (COE) certification July 17, proving that the carrier/air wing team has met the criteria needed to fly in the open ocean without a divert airfield.
• Cope North bilateral exercise wraps up in Guam AFPN 27 Jul 2005 -- The thunder in the Guam sky has subsided with the conclusion of Cope North, a bilateral exercise between Airmen from the U.S. Air Force and the Japan air self-defense force.
• Shaw F-16s intercept shuttle airspace violator AFPN 27 Jul 2005 -- Two F-16 Fighting Falcons, enforcing a temporary no-fly zone around the Space Shuttle Discovery launch site at Cape Canaveral, Fla., intercepted and escorted a small civilian aircraft from the area July 26.
• AF experiments to return home with Discovery AFPN 27 Jul 2005 -- After existing nearly four years on the International Space Station, more than 800 Air Force experiments will finally return home with the Space Shuttle Discovery on Aug. 7.
• Medics overcome shortage through aeromedical evacuation AFPN 27 Jul 2005 -- U.S. Air Force aeromedical evacuation teams coordinated the first airlift for the transfusion of blood platelets for two patients in Iraq and Afghanistan recently.
• Predictability added to deployed travel AFPN 27 Jul 2005 -- U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have implemented this new program providing visibility on when incoming Airmen are supposed to arrive and, therefore, when departing Airmen should leave
• First Future Total Force wing proves successful AFPN 27 Jul 2005 -- The first Future Total Force wing, the 116th Air Control Wing, is nearing its third birthday since merging active-duty Air Force, Army and Air National Guard units to form a "blended wing."
• GW Reaches Overhaul Milestone as Last Propeller Reinstalled Navy NewsStand 27 Jul 2005 -- USS George Washington (CVN 73) (GW) reached a major milestone during its Docked Planned Incremental Availability (DPIA) July 25 as Northrop Grumman Newport News (NGNN) shipyard workers reinstalled the last of the ship's four propellers.
• NORTHCOM Stands Ready, Able to Defend Country AFPS 27 Jul 2005 -- Deterring, preventing and defeating attacks against the homeland is an around-the-clock job, the commander of U.S. Northern Command told the Pentagon Channel here July 26.

• US Losing Ground in Fight for Public Opinion in Pakistan VOA 27 Jul 2005 -- Karen Hughes, a close adviser to President Bush, takes on the job as Washington's top public relations official this week as undersecretary of state for public diplomacy.

• Lawmakers Condemn Egypt Attacks, Urge Women's Rights in Iraq VOA 27 Jul 2005 -- The U.S. House of Representatives has approved resolutions dealing with democratic progress in Iraq, and the recent terrorist attacks in Egypt
• Four key ambassadorial nominees appear on Capitol Hill VOA 27 Jul 2005 -- A U.S. Senate panel has held a confirmation hearing for ambassadorial nominees to four key nations, Israel, Egypt, Russia and Germany
• White House Daily Briefing, July 27 Washington File 27 Jul 2005 -- Readout on meeting with House Republican members, Greenhouse gas agreement?, Roberts confirmation process, Karl Rove, Iraq/Rumsfeld remarks, Social Security, CAFTA, Troops in Iraq/Iraq Prime Minister, General Casey
• State Department Briefing, July 27 Washington File 27 Jul 2005 -- Israel, Cuba, Algeria/Iraq, Iraq, Iraq/Syria, Secretary Rice's Involvement in Encouraging Congress to Ratify CAFTA Agreement/Attempts to Build a More Prosperous Hemisphere/Free Trade, Deputy Secretary Zoellick's Announcement of a Climate Pact in Laos, North Korea, Iran

Defense Industry

• U.S. Marine Corps Awards General Dynamics $43 Million Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle Contract General Dynamics 27 Jul 2005 -- The U.S. Marine Corps Systems Command in Quantico, Va., has awarded General Dynamics Land Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), a $43 million contract to continue the systems development and demonstration (SDD) phase and full-up system live-fire testing of the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV).
• Navy Picks General Dynamics to Continue Providing Support to Defense Property Accountability System General Dynamics 27 Jul 2005 -- The U.S. Navy Supply Information Systems Activity (NAVSISA) has awarded General Dynamics Network Systems a contract to continue supporting the development and maintenance of the Defense Property Accountability System (DPAS). The time-and-materials contract, valued at $1.2 million annually, has a base performance period of one year with a one-year option. General Dynamics Network Systems is a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE:GD).
• U.S. Navy Awards General Dynamics $10 Million for Automatic Gun Systems General Dynamics 27 Jul 2005 -- General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), has been awarded a $10 million contract from the Naval Air Systems Command (Patuxent River, Md.) for the production of 42 M61A2 20mm gun systems for the F/A-18E/F fighter aircraft. This award is part of a planned multi-year procurement with a potential quantity of up to 183 units through 2010.
• Airbus A400M: Major defence contract for Rheinmetall Rheinmetall Defence 27 Jul 2005 -- Rheinmetall Defence Electronics (RDE) GmbH of Bremen has been awarded a contract to supply equipment for the new A400M military transport aircraft. Acting as subcontractor, the Bremen-based electronics specialist will be responsible for the complete Loadmaster Control System of the new aircraft throughout the entire period of production.
• Northrop Grumman-Led Kinetic Energy Interceptors Team Selects ATK's Utah Production Facility to Perform Critical Stage 1 Motor Work Northrop Grumman 27 Jul 2005 -- The Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) and Raytheon Company (NYSE:RTN) team for the Kinetic Energy Interceptor (KEI) program has selected Alliant Techsystem's (NYSE:ATK) Utah manufacturing site to perform the critical solid-propellant manufacturing process for the KEI Stage 1 motor. This move will reduce risk for this critically important stage and optimize the interceptor's ability to perform its mission.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 27 Jul 2005
• UNICEF commends Security Council resolution on children in armed conflict UN News Centre 27 Jul 2005 -- The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has applauded the UN Security Council resolution that establishes a monitoring and reporting system for children affected by armed conflict.

• UN Takes Steps toward Addressing Peacekeeping Sex Scandal VOA 27 Jul 2005 -- United Nations peacekeeping officials Wednesday briefed members of the U.S. Congress on progress made toward addressing a scandal involving sexual exploitation and abuse by U.N. peacekeeping troops

• UN Says Darfur Flare Ups Are Serious VOA 27 Jul 2005 -- The United Nations has said that recent clashes between Sudanese militia and rebels may derail progress toward ending the Darfur crisis
• Report to Security Council says Uganda, Rwanda delay answers on DR of Congo UN News Centre 27 Jul 2005 -- Faced with Rwandan and Ugandan delays in providing information on a variety of security and economic matters relating to neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), United Nations-appointed monitors have recommended that the UN Security Council extend DRC arms and other sanctions well beyond the elections scheduled to take place later this year.
• Côte d'Ivoire: UN finds no evidence of combat in reported town attacks UN News Centre 27 Jul 2005 -- The commander of the United Nations peacekeeping force in Côte d'Ivoire has found no evidence of significant combat operations between Ivorian security forces and alleged assailants in two towns that reportedly came under attack on Saturday, potentially jeopardizing nascent peace prospects in the strife-torn West African country.
• WESTERN SAHARA: New UN envoy named after 13-month gap IRIN 27 Jul 2005 -- UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has confirmed Dutch Ambassador Peter Van Walsum as his personal envoy for the Western Sahara where a territorial dispute has raged for nearly 30 years.
• USAID Works To Facilitate Israeli Withdrawal from Gaza Washington File 27 Jul 2005 -- The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is working to facilitate the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and lay the foundation for a Palestinian state, according to James Bever, USAID mission director for the West Bank and Gaza.
• Turkey: Prime Minister Rules Out Immediate Recognition Of Cyprus RFE/RL 27 Jul 2005 -- Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was in London today to discuss Ankara's EU accession bid with his British counterpart Tony Blair, whose country currently holds the rotating EU Presidency.
• Violence in Ethiopia's East Draws Attention to Somalis' Plight VOA 27 Jul 2005 -- Terrorist attacks in eastern Ethiopia this week have drawn attention to the plight of ethnic Somalis living in Ethiopia's Ogaden region, where opposition groups have accused Ethiopia's government of massive human rights abuses over the last decade, including hundreds of killings and disappearances
• ANGOLA: Painful period of transition IRIN 27 Jul 2005 -- After three years of peace, Angola - rich in diamonds and oil - still faces a complex mix of humanitarian and developmental challenges.
• Seven Alleged Kurdish Rebels Killed In Turkey RFE/RL 27 Jul 2005 -- Turkish security officials say the military has killed seven suspected rebels from the banned Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK.

News Reports

• Uzbek Asylum Seekers in Kyrgyzstan to be Repatriated VOA 27 Jul 2005 -- Hundreds of Uzbek refugees who fled across the border to Kyrgyzstan amid the recent unrest in Andijan are being resettled in third countries, rather than returned to Uzbekistan, where international officials say they face possible persecution.
• Uzbekistan: Tashkent Demands Deportation Of Andijon Refugees RFE/RL 27 Jul 2005 -- The UN refugee agency, or UNHCR, says Uzbek authorities have reiterated their call to Kyrgyzstan to hand over Uzbek citizens being held in detention in the border city of Osh and facing deportation.
• Uzbekistan Calls On Kyrgyzstan To Hand Over Detainees RFE/RL 27 Jul 2005 -- The UN refugee agency says Uzbek authorities today reiterated their call on Kyrgyzstan to hand over some of the Uzbek citizens being held in detention in the border city of Osh.

• CHINA THREAT: PENTAGON REPORT REVEALS 'GROWING SUSPICION' OF BEIJING US Dept. of State IIP, Foreign Media Reaction 27 Jul 2005

• PRESS CONFERENCE BY JAPAN’S FOREIGN MINISTER United Nations 27 Jul 2005
• LOCKHEED MARTIN SOLAR X-RAY IMAGER TO BE LAUNCHED ON NOAA GOES-N SPACECRAFT Lockheed Martin 27 Jul 2005 -- The Solar X-ray Imager (SXI) instrument, designed and built at the Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] Space Systems Advanced Technology Center (ATC) for the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) in Greenbelt, Md., is awaiting launch on the NOAA GOES-N spacecraft from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. SXI is one of a suite of instruments that resides on the current generation of Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES).