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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 23 Nov 2005 [PDF]
• DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• DoD Identifies Army Casualty

• Iraqi government takes control of base in Tikrit Army News 23 Nov 2005 -- The Iraqi government took control of Saddam Hussein's palace complex in Tikrit from U.S. coalition forces during a ceremony Nov. 22 which continued despite a dud round fired by terrorists.
• CENTAF releases airpower summary AFPN 23 Nov 2005 -- U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released today's airpower summary.
• Detainees released following CRRB review MNF-I 23 Nov 2005 -- Eighty-four detainees will be released from the Theater Internment Facilities Nov. 23 after having their cases reviewed by the Combined Review and Release Board.
• Operation Lion begins in southern Ramadi MNF-I 23 Nov 2005 -- Approximately 200 Iraqi Army Soldiers and 250 Soldiers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team (2-BCT) attached to the 2nd Marine Division, kicked off Operation Asad (Lions) Nov. 22, in the Tammim area of southern ar Ramadi.
• Iraqi government takes control of coalition base in Tikrit MNF-I 23 Nov 2005 -- The Iraqi government took control of Saddam Hussein's palace complex from U.S. Coalition Forces in a historic ceremony Nov. 22 in Tikrit.
• IED attack leads to capture of nine terrorists MNF-I 23 Nov 2005 -- Nine terrorists were captured after an IED attack against a 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division patrol Tuesday afternoon near Balad.
• Air assault mission takes down terrorist stronghold MNF-I 23 Nov 2005 -- A joint Iraqi and U.S. mission against a terrorist hideout near Bayji uncovered a large amount of money and weapons.
• U.S., Iraqi Forces Launch Offensive In Al-Ramadi RFE/RL 23 Nov 2005 -- The U.S. military says American and Iraqi soldiers have begun a fresh military operation south of the Iraqi city of Al-Ramadi, west of Baghdad, in another effort to uproot the insurgency.
• Iraqi Soldiers Capture Insurgents, Disarm Roadside Bombs AFPS 23 Nov 2005 -- Iraqi army troops from the 3rd Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, captured three insurgents Nov. 22 in Baghdad, military officials reported.
• Persistent Presence Creates Secure Environment, Spokesman Says AFPS 23 Nov 2005 -- Operations that have been ongoing in the Iraq's Anbar province since September have had a significant impact nationwide and have limited the ability of terrorists to conduct suicide attacks, a U.S. military spokesman said today in Baghdad.
• Mobile Security Det 31 Works with Iraqi Marines on Oil Terminals Navy NewsStand 23 Nov 2005 -- Mobile Security Detachment (MSD) 31 relieved the Norfolk, Va.,-based MSD 25 on the Al Basra (ABOT) and Khwar Al Amaya (KAAOT) oil terminals in the Persian Gulf in early November, continuing the U.S. and coalition commitment to ensuring security and stability in the region by working with Iraqi marines on the oil terminals.
• Royal Navy Commodore Assumes Command of Task Force 58 Navy NewsStand 23 Nov 2005 -- Royal Navy Commodore Bruce Williams assumed command of Combined Task Force 58, the multinational coalition forces responsible for conducting maritime security operations (MSO) in the Persian Gulf, Nov. 18.
• U.S. raid yields three terror suspects in Risalah MNF-I 23 Nov 2005 -- Task Force Baghdad Soldiers detained three suspected terrorists during an early-morning raid in southern Baghdad Nov. 22.

• U.S. Soldier, Afghan Interpreter Killed by Roadside Bomb AFPS 23 Nov 2005 -- A U.S. servicemember and an Afghan interpreter were killed Nov. 22 when their up-armored Humvee struck a roadside bomb south of Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan, military officials reported.
• Afganhistan: Security Council applauds final election results, refuge agency chief tours UN News Centre 23 Nov 2005 -- The United Nations Security Council this morning congratulated the people of Afghanistan on the confirmation of the final results for the parliamentary and provincial council elections as paving the way toward the timely inauguration of the new parliament and the conclusion of its transitional political phase.
• PRESS CONFERENCE ON AFGHANISTAN OPIUM SURVEY United Nations 23 Nov 2005

Defense Policy / Programs

• Aerial port center making air movements easier AFPN 23 Nov 2005 -- Aerial port center making air movements easier
• NORAD: No 'gaps and seams' secures North America AFPN 23 Nov 2005 -- Identifying and eliminating "gaps and seams" within North American Aerospace Defense Command is key to preventing future terrorist attacks, the command's director of operations said.
• McConnell completes first refurbishment project AFPN 23 Nov 2005 -- Several Airmen here joined the 22nd Maintenance Squadron's equipment excellence section in a Refurb Rollout ceremony Nov. 21, which celebrated the end of McConnell's first complete KC-135 Stratotanker refurbishment.
• Innovation Cuts Through 'Crust and Rust,' Vice Chairman Says AFPS 23 Nov 2005 -- Change and innovation are a necessary part of the military culture, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said Nov. 22.
• Forward Deployed ARG Returns to Sasebo Navy NewsStand 23 Nov 2005 -- Sailors of the Forward Deployed Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) returned to Sasebo Nov. 21, after completing a successful fall deployment.
• Blue Ridge Successfully Completes Sea Trials Navy NewsStand 23 Nov 2005 -- After wrapping up a short Ship's Repair Availability (SRA) from Sept. 12 to Nov. 19, USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) steamed away from its berth in Yokosuka for three days of sea trials, testing new systems and equipment in an operational environment.
• Navy Submarine Makes First Launch of Underwater Glider Navy NewsStand 23 Nov 2005 -- In a first for the U.S. Navy, an underwater glider was launched with the aid of Navy divers from the Dry Deck Shelter aboard USS Buffalo (SSN 715) Nov. 14.

• Uzbekistan Bans Some NATO Use Of Territory, Airspace RFE/RL 23 Nov 2005 -- NATO said today that the Uzbek government has told the alliance it can no longer use Uzbekistan's territory or airspace for operations in neighboring Afghanistan.

• Jakarta Welcomes US Decision to Increase Military Sales VOA 23 Nov 2005 -- In Jakarta, officials are welcoming a U.S. decision to allow the sale of weapons and other military goods to Indonesia.

• Government agrees to allow exports of missiles IRNA 23 Nov 2005 -- The government of India has agreed in principle to allow exports of missiles but clearances to which country they can be exported has yet to come, said Dr Prahalada, chief controller of research and development and director of Defence of Research and Development Laboratories (DRDL).

• PRESS CONFERENCE ON 2006 MINE ACTION PROJECTS United Nations 23 Nov 2005
• Annan urges governments to ratify instrument against landmines, other explosive devices UN News Centre 23 Nov 2005 -- Despite the efforts of the international community, landmines, booby-traps and other explosive devices are victimizing civilians, causing excessive suffering to combatants and hindering the socio-economic reconstruction of societies struggling to emerge from the ravages of war, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan said today.

Defense Industry

• CRITICAL PAYLOAD TESTING BEGINS FOR FIRST MISSILE WARNING SATELLITE BUILT BY LOCKHEED MARTIN Lockheed Martin 23 Nov 2005 -- The Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT]-led team developing the nation's next-generation missile warning system announced today that it has completed preparations to enable the payload for the first Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) geosynchronous orbit (GEO) satellite to begin engineering thermal vacuum testing.
• Countering terror with high tech: Rheinmetall HPEM systems foil the bombers Rheinmetall Defence 23 Nov 2005 -- Improvised explosive devices – or IEDs – are among the most dangerous weapons used by terrorists and extremists, posing a global threat to civilians, military personnel and police – and not just in crisis regions. Moreover, this is a threat to which there has been no effective answer.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICES OF THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL AND THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT United Nations 23 Nov 2005
• Nepalese parties, Maoists agree to establish "full democracy" IRNA 23 Nov 2005 -- In what is seen as a major political development in Nepal, the underground Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) Tuesday announced that it had entered into an agreement with seven agitating Nepalese political parties to "abolish the autocratic monarchy," and offered to accept "full democracy" as demanded by the parties.
• Nepal Political Parties, Maoists Agree to Work Toward Democracy VOA 23 Nov 2005 -- In Nepal, political analysts say people are welcoming an agreement between Maoist rebels and opposition parties to step up efforts to end direct rule by King Gyanendra.
• Annan welcomes steps toward resolving civil conflict in Nepal UN News Centre 23 Nov 2005 -- United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today welcomed the understanding that has been reached between Nepalese parliamentary parties and the Maoist Communist Party of Nepal (CPN-M) aimed at restoring multiparty democracy in the Himalayan country.

• GREAT LAKES: DRC poll vital to region's stability - UN delegation IRIN 23 Nov 2005 -- Successful elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) would not only help the country's peace and transition process but would also greatly contribute to the achievement of stability in Africa's Great Lakes region, according to a UN Security Council delegation that visited the region from 4-11 November.
• DRC: Fighting displaces 60,000 in Katanga Province, bishop says IRIN 23 Nov 2005 -- Some 60,000 people fleeing fighting between the Congolese army and local Mayi-Mayi militiamen resisting demobilisation have now arrived in the village of Dubie in the Democratic Republic of Congo's Katanga Province, Roman Catholic Bishop Fulgence Muteba said on Tuesday.
• UN: Fighting in Congo Forces at Least 50,000 People to Flee VOA 23 Nov 2005 -- United Nations officials say clashes between government troops and militia fighters in the Democratic Republic of Congo have forced at least 50,000 people to flee their homes.

• Security Council demands Eritrea, Ethiopia retreat from hostile postures UN News Centre 23 Nov 2005 -- The Security Council today threatened actions - which could include sanctions - against Eritrea and Ethiopia if, in the case of Eritrea, it does not immediately rescind its ban on United Nations flights in its airspace, and against both parties in the recently rekindled Horn of Africa border dispute if they do not reverse their military build up.
• UN Threatens Sanctions Against Eritrea, Ethiopia VOA 23 Nov 2005 -- The U.N. Security Council has threatened Ethiopia and Eritrea with sanctions if either side uses force to settle their border dispute.

• COTE D IVOIRE: New peace hitch as African heavyweights fail to overcome stalemate on PM IRIN 23 Nov 2005 -- Despite their combined political clout, three of Africa's most prominent heads of state failed to clear the way to peace by securing agreement on the name of a new prime minister for war-torn Cote d'Ivoire on Wednesday.
• Liberia Declares Johnson-Sirleaf Election Winner VOA 23 Nov 2005 -- Liberia's elections commission has officially declared Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf the winner of the country's first post-war presidential poll, making the former finance minister Africas first female head of state.
• Annan recommends extending UN mission in Burundi until next May UN News Centre 23 Nov 2005 -- Urging the Government of Burundi and the international community to adopt a common approach on ending the armed conflict in the country, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has recommended extending the mandate of a reduced peacekeeping UN Operation in Burundi, (ONUB) until next May.
• Annan briefs Security Council on recent Middle East trip UN News Centre 23 Nov 2005 -- Secretary-General Kofi Annan today briefed the Security Council on his recent trip to the Middle East, touching on the issues of terrorism, Syria and Lebanon and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
• Kosovo: Annan's envoy on final status for UN-run province meets with Serbs UN News Centre 23 Nov 2005 -- Secretary-General Kofi Annan's special envoy leading the process to decide the future status of Kosovo today met with Serb political leaders in the Serbian province, which the UN has run since Western forces drove out Yugoslav troops amid grave human rights abuses in fighting between majority Albanians and Serbs in 1999.

News Reports

• Activists Want Release of Memo with Alleged Al-Jazeera Threat VOA 23 Nov 2005 -- A journalist rights group has called for the release of a British memo in which President Bush allegedly suggests bombing the headquarters of Al-Jazeera television.
• EGYPT: Violence reported in second phase of parliamentary elections IRIN 23 Nov 2005 -- Violence between candidates and their supporters dominated the second phase of Egyptian parliamentary elections, which ended on 20 November.