Operations
Defense Policy
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 12 Jan 2006 [PDF]
• DoD Identifies Department of Defense Civilian Casualty
• DoD Identifies Army Casualty

• Transcript: News Briefing with Sec. Rumsfeld and Gen. Pace 12 Jan 2006 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld and Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Peter Pace
• BRIEFING WITH BRIGADIER GENERAL DONALD ALSTON (USAF), DIRECTOR, STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS, MULTINATIONAL FORCE IRAQ MNF-I 12 Jan 2006
• Iraqi, U.S. Soldiers Detain Terror Suspects, Secure Weapons Caches AFPS 12 Jan 2006 -- Iraqi and U.S. soldiers detained terror suspects and seized weapons caches in operations throughout Iraq yesterday and today, military officials reported today.
• CENTAF releases airpower summary AFPN 12 Jan 2006 -- U.S. Central Command Air Forces released today's airpower summary.
• Hostages freed, 3 weapon caches seized in northern Iraq Army News 12 Jan 2006 -- Two kidnapped Iraqi men were freed, three weapons caches discovered and 21 anti-Iraqi suspects were detained in northern Iraq Jan. 11.
• Artillery now `king of roads' in Iraq Army News 12 Jan 2006 -- The field artillery is commonly known as "the king of battle," but artillerymen of Battery C, 3rd Battalion, 13th Field Artillery are more like "kings of the road" as they cruise down the highways of Iraq in heavily armed Humvees, protecting supply convoys from insurgent attacks.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Army Terminates Aerial Common Sensor Development Contract US ARMY GARRISON FORT MONMOUTH 12 Jan 2006 -- The United States Army announced today that it is terminating the $879 million Lockheed Martin, System Design and Development (SDD) contract for the Aerial Common Sensor.

• Rumsfeld Defends US Military's Actions Against Prisoner Abuse VOA 12 Jan 2006 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has defended the military's response to allegations of prisoner abuse, saying those responsible for illegal conduct are being punished.

• Navy Commissions Amphibious Transport Dock Ship San Antonio Navy NewsStand 12 Jan 2006 -- The U.S. Navy will commission the USS San Antonio, lead ship of the latest class of amphibious ships, at 11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 14, at Naval Station Ingleside, Texas.
• HC-4 Departs Sigonella, Joins Navy’s Transformation Navy NewsStand 12 Jan 2006 -- Helicopter Combat Support Squadron (HC) 4's "Black Stallions" began their relocation from Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella to their new homeport of Norfolk, Va. Jan. 7.
• New Destroyer Honors Vietnam War POW and Medal of Honor Recipient 13 Jan 2006 -- The Navy's newest Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer will be named in honor of Vice Adm. James Bond Stockdale (1923-2005), the legendary leader of American prisoners of war (POWs) during the Vietnam War.
• Building Capabilities Key to Defense of Future, Rumsfeld Says AFPS 12 Jan 2006 -- Building military capabilities is the heart of countering threats, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said during a Pentagon news conference today.
• Commanders: Special Forces Must Evolve to Meet New Challenges AFPS 12 Jan 2006 -- Special operations commanders know what is needed to meet the ever-changing challenges facing their forces fighting in the global war on terrorism, a panel of special operations leaders said here yesterday.
• Special Operations Makes Mark on Global War on Terrorism AFPS 12 Jan 2006 -- Demand for special operations forces capabilities has increased dramatically since Sept. 11, 2001, the deputy commander of U.S. Special Operations Command said here yesterday.
• Rumsfeld Says Unconventional Enemies Seek Powerful Weapons Washington File 12 Jan 2006 -- Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says military and civilian leaders share "a great sense of urgency" as they confront enemies who seek increasingly powerful weapons as part of their arsenal of terrorism.
• Accident report: B-1B fire caused by brake AFPN 12 Jan 2006 -- Leaking hydraulic fluid and sparks from its wheel being gouged caused a fire in a B-1B Lancer's right main landing gear as it touched down on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, after a mission Sept. 15, said Air Force investigators.
• Air Force looks to be best in acquisition AFPN 12 Jan 2006 -- The Air Force hopes to be the model within the Department of Defense for how best to procure goods and acquire weapons systems.

• Guantanamo Hearing Opens Amid Legal Issues AFPS 12 Jan 2006 -- A two-and-a-half-hour session yesterday morning raised thorny legal issues in the military commissions proceeding against an accused al Qaeda propagandist held at the U.S. detention facility here.
• Canadian Teen Accused of Murdering U.S. Soldier Appears in Court AFPS 12 Jan 2006 -- Preliminary hearings in the case of a Canadian teen accused of murdering a U.S. Army medic in a 2002 Afghan firefight began here yesterday.

• NATO denies discussion on military action against Iran IRNA 12 Jan 2006 -- The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Thursday categorically denied media reports that the 26-member western alliance was discussing to take military action against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

• White House Briefing, January 12 Washington File 12 Jan 2006 -- U.S. Gulf Coast relief and recovery, Israel/Palestinians, Iran's nuclear program

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts 12 Jan 2006
• Northrop Grumman Takes Delivery of the First MQ-8B Fire Scout UAV Airframe at its New Mississippi Manufacturing Facility Northrop Grumman 12 Jan 2006 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) received the first MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) airframe from its teammate, Schweizer Aircraft Corp., on Jan. 3 at Northrop Grumman's new Unmanned Systems Center in Moss Point, Miss., signaling the start of aircraft production.
• Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Army Successfully Test a New Joint Multi-mission Payload on the Hunter Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Northrop Grumman 12 Jan 2006 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) and the U.S. Army have successfully conducted a series of flights of the RQ-5A Hunter unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) using a new payload that will allow warfighters to more quickly adapt to battlefield changes.
• ATK Successfully Completes Preliminary Design Review of Precision Guided Mortar Munition ATK 12 Jan 2006 -- Minneapolis, January 12, 2006 – Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) and the U.S. Army have successfully completed the preliminary design review (PDR) of the company’s precision guided mortar munition (PGMM). During the PDR, all elements of the system design were thoroughly vetted to ensure the design has the performance capability to meet requirements and the program remains on schedule and on cost.
• BAE Systems to Supply Upgraded Digital Autopilot Systems for Brazilian Air Force P-3 Orion Fleet BAE Systems 12 Jan 2006 -- EADS-CASA of Spain has awarded BAE Systems a contract to provide digital autopilot systems for the Brazilian Air Forces eight P-3 Orion antisubmarine patrol aircraft. The ontract will replace the legacy analog autopilot systems as part of an extensive aircraft modification performed by EADS-CASA. The Digital Autopilot System will be integrated with the EADS-CASA Fully Integrated Tactical System.
• Boeing Signs Lease for Construction of Hangars to Upgrade AWACS Fleet Boeing 12 Jan 2006 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] has signed a lease with MROTC Development Partners to construct three hangars that will be used to upgrade the U.S. Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft fleet.
• Lockheed Martin Receives $16 Million U.S. Navy Contract for EA-6B Training System Lockheed Martin 12 Jan 2006 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has been awarded a $16 million contract to provide the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps with a two-seat EA-6B operational flight and navigational trainer that extends the capabilities of the of the aircraft's weapons training system.
• Lockheed Martin Receives $16 Million U.S. Navy Contract to Upgrade Mine Countermeasures Common Console Lockheed Martin 12 Jan 2006 -- Lockheed Martin has received a $16.4 million U.S. Navy award to add enhanced capabilities to the airborne mine countermeasures (AMCM) Common Console, currently in development for the MH-60S helicopter. To be completed by 2008, the work establishes an additional funding increment to a $76.6 million contract awarded in October to integrate the Common Console with the AMCM system.
• Northrop Grumman, Daronmont Technologies Team to Better Serve Electronic Warfare Simulation Customers Northrop Grumman 12 Jan 2006 -- In a move to better serve its customer base for electronic warfare simulation systems in the Australasian region, Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has selected Daronmont Technologies to provide a range of engineering services and support.
• Northrop Grumman Wins Contract to Integrate Mission Package on New Littoral Combat Ships Northrop Grumman 12 Jan 2006 -- The U.S. Navy has awarded Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) a cost plus award fee/award term contract with a potential dollar value of $159 million to integrate mission packages and evaluate future mission systems technologies for the Littoral Combat Ships (LCS). The Fiscal Year 2006 portion of the contract award is approximately $4.5 million.
• U.S. Air Force Awards F-16 Aircraft Ejection Rack Development Contract to Raytheon Raytheon 12 Jan 2006 -- A subsidiary of Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has been awarded a $2.1 million contract by the U.S. Air Force (Aging Aircraft Systems Squadron, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio) to design and develop an interface modification for the existing Triple Ejection Rack (TER-9A) to expand the munitions capability of the F-16 aircraft. Options included in the contract provide a potential additional value of $6.3 million.
• Raytheon Team Successfully Demonstrates APKWS™ II Rocket Motor Raytheon 12 Jan 2006 -- A Raytheon Company-led team has successfully demonstrated the rocket motor for its Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS™ II) 2.75-inch laser guided weapon system.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 12 Jan 2006
• SOMALIA: Twenty killed, thousands displaced in renewed fighting IRIN 12 Jan 2006 -- At least 20 people have been reported killed and 40 wounded in renewed interclan fighting in Galinsoor town in the Galgadud region of central Somalia.
• EGYPT: 164 Sudanese released, deportation threat still uncertain IRIN 12 Jan 2006 -- At least 164 Sudanese held in Egyptian detention centres since 30 December were released on Wednesday, according to Astrid van Genderen Stort, spokeswoman for UN refugee agency, UNHCR, in Cairo.
• NEPAL: Year in Brief 2005 - Chronology of key events IRIN 12 Jan 2006
• Lankan rebels equipped with international maritime capacity IRNA 12 Jan 2006 -- Sri Lankan rebels, the Liberation Tamil Tigers of Eelam (LTTE), are equipped with international maritime capability.
• UN weighs options for Sudan's Darfur region as funds for African Union force run low UN News Centre 12 Jan 2006 -- With funding running out for the African Union's force in Sudan's troubled western Darfur region, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan and Security Council members today reviewed their options, including having the UN eventually take over the peacekeeping function.
• United Nations Discussing Worsening Conditions in Darfur Washington File 12 Jan 2006 -- The deteriorating situation in Darfur once again has moved to the top of the international agenda as the U.N. Security Council, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan and the African Union examine how to protect and provide humanitarian aid for more than 3 million people caught in the continuous fighting between rebels and government-sponsored forces.
• OSCE: Russia Key To New Presidency's Attempts To Resolve Frozen Conflicts RFE/RL 12 Jan 2006 -- Belgium's Foreign Minister Karel de Gucht said in Brussels today that his country's 2006 presidency of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) sees "openings" in Europe's so-called frozen conflicts.
• Maoist Rebels Attack Town in Nepal VOA 12 Jan 2006 -- Communist rebels have raided a town in western Nepal, attacking several government installations.

News Reports

• Israeli PM Remains Stable Following Stroke VOA 12 Jan 2006 -- Physicians treating Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon plan to perform another brain scan to help determine whether to stop administering sedatives, a step toward bringing Mr. Sharon out of his medically induced coma.
• KYRGYZSTAN: Year in Brief 2005 - Chronology of key events IRIN 12 Jan 2006
• TAJIKISTAN: Year in Brief 2005 - Chronology of key events IRIN 12 Jan 2006
• TAJIKISTAN: Year in Review 2005 - Steady progress in a tough neighbourhood IRIN 12 Jan 2006 -- Tajikistan, the poorest country in the Central Asian region, continued to depend heavily on external aid in 2005, although levels remained insufficient to meet the country's needs.
• UZBEKISTAN: Year in Review 2005 - Growing isolation IRIN 12 Jan 2006 -- Significant economic progress was made during 2005 in Uzbekistan, although a worsening security environment and increasing Western criticism and isolation marred these achievements.
• Boeing and NASA Design Oxygen-Saving Equipment for ISS Boeing 12 Jan 2006 -- Boeing (NYSE:BA) has developed an innovative system for the International Space Station (ISS) that will save precious oxygen and prevent unnecessary wear and tear on vital life-support systems within the orbiting laboratory. The Recharge Oxygen Orifice Bypass Assembly (ROOBA). allows for Extravehicular Activity (EVA) crewmembers, spacewalkers, to use Space Shuttle oxygen resources during EVA preparation activities without having to rely solely on Station oxygen. ROOBA will also prolong the life of key system components like the ISS compressor.
• One year ago, Alcatel Alenia Space-built Huygens space probe landed on Titan, Saturn's largest moon Thales 12 Jan 2006 -- One year ago, on January 14, 2005, the Huygens space probe landed on Titan, representing the most ambitious effort in planetary space exploration ever mounted. Alcatel Alenia Space - the probe's prime contractor - leading a consortium of 40 companies and laboratories, is proud to be the first European company to have met the challenge of building a spacecraft designed to resist such harsh conditions.