Operations
Defense Policy
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 30 Jan 2006 [PDF]
• MND-B SOLDIER KILLED BY A ROADSIDE BOMB
• ROADSIDE BOMB KILLS U.S. SOLDIER
• DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• DoD Identifies Army Casualty

• CENTAF releases combined airpower summary AFPN 30 Jan 2006 -- U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released the airpower summary for Jan. 28 to 30.
• Air Force evacutes injured ABC News team to Germany AFPN 30 Jan 2006 -- A C-17 Globemaster III from the 172nd Airlift Wing and medical personnel from the 791st Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron evacuated a wounded ABC news team from Balad Air Base, Iraq, to Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Jan. 30, for treatment at the nearby Landstuhl Regional Medical Center.
• Air Force-led convoy hands reins back to Soldiers AFPN 30 Jan 2006 -- As the Air Force has taken on roles traditionally held by the Army, one of the most visible of those tasks has been convoy duty.
• Blast Kills 10 Civilians; Troops Nab Suspects, Find Weapons AFPS 30 Jan 2006 -- A bombing near a candy store in Iraq and the capture of suspected terrorists and weapons top news reported today by military officials in Baghdad.
• Soldiers arrest chief of Baghdad kidnapping cell Army News 30 Jan 2006 -- Acting on a tip, Multi-National Division Baghdad Soldiers were moving to the house of a suspected kidnapping cell leader Saturday night west of Baghdad when they came across the decapitated bodies of three Iraqis on a soccer field.
• Army hospital treating ABC News anchor injured in Iraq Army News 30 Jan 2006 -- ABC News anchor Bob Woodruff and his cameraman Doug Vogt are being treated at Landstuhl Army Medical Center in Germany after the armored personnel carrier in which they were riding Jan. 29 encountered an improvised explosive device near Taji, Iraq.

• AFGHANISTAN: US soldier found guilty of prisoner abuse IRIN 30 Jan 2006 -- A court martial has found a US serviceman in Afghanistan guilty of mistreating detainees and sentenced him to four months detention, the US military said on Saturday.
• Rice Says Afghanistan Set To Enter New Phase of Its Development Washington File 30 Jan 2006 -- Afghanistan, with its freely elected government, is entering a new phase of development with opportunities for the private sector and foreign governments to create sustainable economic growth, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said January 30.
• Russia To Forgive Afghanistan's Soviet-Era Debt RFE/RL 30 Jan 2006 -- Russia's deputy finance minister said today Russia is ready to forgive Afghanistan's Soviet-era debt, estimated at $10 billion.
• Afghanistan: Pakistanis Among Suspected Militants Captured In Kandahar RFE/RL 30 Jan 2006 -- Afghan officials say they have arrested nine suspected terrorists in the southern province of Kandahar in recent days.
• Afghanistan: British Hope New Troop Deployment Boosts Development, Security RFE/RL 30 Jan 2006 -- British military planners are hoping the deployment of 3,300 new troops to Afghanistan's Helman Province improves reconstruction efforts in the war-ravaged south of that country
• Secretary-General says global community has stake to keep Afghanistan stable UN News Centre 30 Jan 2006 -- On the eve of an international conference focused on the future of Afghanistan, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today encouraged Dutch participation in the NATO-led force in the country and said all share an interest in promoting security there.
• Conference in London To Focus on Next Stage of Afghan Development Washington File 30 Jan 2006 -- Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says the international conference January 31 in London on supporting Afghanistan will produce an international plan for the next phase of Afghanistan's development.
• Rice Meets Karzai, Reaffirms US Commitment for Afghanistan VOA 30 Jan 2006 -- Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Monday reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to the Afghan government, saying the two countries' futures are "inextricably linked."
• Suspected Afghan, Pakistani Suicide Plotters Arrested RFE/RL 30 Jan 2006 -- Security forces in southern Afghanistan have arrested seven Afghans and two Pakistanis who they believe were plotting suicide attacks.
• Dutch Legislature Opens Afghan Troop Debate RFE/RL 30 Jan 2006 -- The Dutch parliament has begun a daylong session on a plan to send additional troops to troubled southern Afghanistan.

• US helicopter violates Pakistani airspace IRNA 30 Jan 2006 -- An American helicopter violated Pakistan's airspace by crossing Pakistan-Afghan border in North Waziristan in wee hours of Sunday.

Defense Policy / Programs

• VS-24 Scouts Take S-3B Viking to New Horizons Navy NewsStand 30 Jan 2006 -- During their current deployment with USS Theodore Roosevelt’s (CVN 71) embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8, the “Scouts” of Sea Control Squadron (VS) 24 have taken the capabilities of the S-3B Viking to a new level.
• Air Force Reorganizes Staff Structure 30 Jan 2006 -- The Department of Defense announced today that the staff functions at Headquarters Air Force, major commands and warfighting headquarters will soon all share the same "A-staff" structure.
• Air Force Staff Restructures to Improve Joint Ops, Communication AFPS 30 Jan 2006 -- The Air Force will begin retagging its staff directorates throughout the service this week to bring them more on line with those of the other military services and joint commands so it can operate more effectively with them to support warfighters.
• Chilean air force receives F-16 Peace Puma AFPN 30 Jan 2006 -- The delivery of two new F-16 Peace Puma aircraft from the United States to Chile Jan. 24 kicks off a promising era of interoperability between the two nations.
• Headquarters Air Force realigns similar to 'J-staff' model AFPN 30 Jan 2006 -- The staff functions at Headquarters Air Force, major commands and warfighting headquarters will soon all share the same "A-staff" structure.
• New location, same C-130 airlift mission AFPN 30 Jan 2006 -- Airmen and aircraft have relocated and the name of the squadron has changed. But, the mission of Airmen deployed here from the 463rd Airlift Group at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., has not.
• Army to Test Future Combat Systems at Fort Bliss AFPS 30 Jan 2006 -- To further the development of the Future Combat Systems program, the Army is designating a combat unit to evaluate and test cutting-edge technology.
• Transformed Battlefield Medical Care Saves Lives AFPS 30 Jan 2006 -- The military health system has revolutionized battlefield medical care in the past four years, reducing fatalities and raising the quality of care to all-time high levels, two Defense Department officials said here today.
• Military Health System Headed To Joint Future AFPS 30 Jan 2006 -- "Jointness" is an inescapable reality for future military operations, and the military health care system will be no different, two Defense Department officials said here today.

• White House Briefing, January 30 Washington File 30 Jan 2006 -- Council of Economic Advisors nomination, State of the Union address, budget, Alito nomination, elevating the tone in Washington, terrorist surveillance, Iran, energy, Patriot Act, tax reform, Palestinian election, terrorism, Abramoff
• State Department Briefing, January 30 Washington File 30 Jan 2006 -- Kuwait, Haiti, China/Taiwan, Iran, Venezuela, Palestinian Authority, Cyprus

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for January 30, 2006
• American Eurocopter’s Columbus, Mississippi facility to produce EADS North America’s UH-145 Light Utility Helicopter EADS 30 Jan 2006 -- EADS North America will produce the UH-145 rotary wing aircraft, the company’s offering for the U.S. Army’s Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), at the American Eurocopter state-of-the-art Columbus, Mississippi facility.
• General Dynamics Receives $1.35 Billion Contract Modification For Virginia-class Submarine Procurement General Dynamics 30 Jan 2006 -- The U.S. Navy today awarded General Dynamics Electric Boat a $1.35 billion contract modification that provides funding for the construction of the eighth Virginia-class submarine and advance procurement for the ninth and 10th ships of the class.
• General Dynamics Named Sole U.S. Distributor of SPIDER and CEDAR Intruder Detection Systems General Dynamics 30 Jan 2006 -- General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems has entered into an exclusive teaming agreement with Controp Precision Technologies Ltd. of Israel to become the sole U.S. distributor of the SPIDER and CEDAR Electro-Optic long-range intruder detection systems. The systems provide high-resolution, automated surveillance from either fixed or mobile platforms.
• U.S. Army Awards General Dynamics Contract for Mortar Weapon Systems General Dynamics 30 Jan 2006 -- The U.S. Army TACOM-ARDEC, Picatinny, New Jersey, has awarded General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), a $19.4 million base contract, with up to four option years for the production of Mortar Weapons Systems.
• NAS PAX RIVER FACILITY TO TEST LOCKHEED MARTIN STEALTH FIGHTERS FOR THE NAVY AND MARINE CORPS Lockheed Martin 30 Jan 2006 -- The U.S. Navy has dedicated a $24 million facility at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., for testing of the Navy and Marine Corps’ newest jets: the Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] F-35B and F-35C Joint Strike Fighter.
• Lockheed Martin JASSM Continues Flight Successes Lockheed Martin 30 Jan 2006 -- The Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] JASSM™, a stealthy, air-to-surface missile, recently conducted two successful flight tests at the White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), NM.
• Indian Aeronautical Company and Northrop Grumman to Explore Cooperation Opportunities Northrop Grumman 30 Jan 2006 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) signed an agreement this month with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL), one of India's leading aerospace companies. Under the terms of the agreement, both companies have agreed to work together to identify projects of mutual benefit. This would result in involving HAL in Northrop Grumman's E-2C Hawkeye program by way of sourcing aircraft assemblies and components, digitization and other related service from HAL.
• Northrop Grumman-built Forrest Sherman (DDG 98) Honored in Pensacola Commissioning -- 'Forged in a Hurricane' Northrop Grumman 30 Jan 2006 -- More than 3,000 guests attended a ceremony here January 28 at Naval Air Station Pensacola to commission the Aegis guided missile destroyer USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98).
• Raytheon Delivers Submarine Combat System to Royal Australian Navy Raytheon 30 Jan 2006 -- Raytheon Company has successfully delivered the Collins-class submarine tactical command and control system to Australia, providing enhanced combat management, tactical and weapons control capabilities to the Royal Australian Navy.
• Raytheon Awarded a Follow-On Global Hawk Ground Segments Contract Raytheon 30 Jan 2006 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has been awarded a follow-on contract to produce ground segments for Northrop Grumman's Global Hawk program, which will support the U.S. Air Force Global Hawk unmanned aerial system. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 30 Jan 2006
• Quartet says aid to Palestinian government will be reviewed in light of key conditions UN News Centre 30 Jan 2006 -- Future aid to the Palestinian government will be reviewed in light of a number of conditions, including recognition of Israel and a commitment to non-violence, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan said today in London, reading out a statement on behalf of the diplomatic Quartet, which also includes the Russian Federation, European Union and the United States.
• EU Ministers Say Hamas Win Puts Future Palestinian Aid in Doubt VOA 30 Jan 2006 -- Following last week's Hamas election victory, European foreign ministers met in Brussels Monday and called on Hamas to renounce violence or risk the loss of valuable aid programs.
• Hamas Asks Donors Not to Cut Funds to Palestinians VOA 30 Jan 2006 -- Hamas is urging international donors not to cut off aid to the Palestinian Authority following the militant group's election victory last week.
• Hamas Seeks to Calm Gaza VOA 30 Jan 2006 -- Since winning last week's Palestinian legislative elections, leaders of the Islamic militant group Hamas have said they want to work closely with members of the defeated Fatah Party to govern the Palestinian territories.

• NEPAL: Second election candidate attacked by rebels IRIN 30 Jan 2006 -- As the royal government prepares for municipal polls scheduled for 8 February, Maoist rebels are intensifying their campaign against the election, which has been boycotted by the Himalayan kingdom's main political parties.
• CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC-CHAD: Budget shortfalls loom as more refugees flee into Chad IRIN 30 Jan 2006 -- The UN refugee agency in Chad says new waves of refugees from the Central African Republic are putting a strain on funds already stretched thin in a country where the UN is assisting almost a quarter of a million refugees.
• NIGERIA: Militants free foreign oil workers but vow more attacks IRIN 30 Jan 2006 -- Four foreign oil workers were released on Monday after being held hostage for 19 days by ethnic Ijaw militants in Nigeria's turbulent Niger Delta.
• COTE D IVOIRE: Annan rebukes Gbagbo for decision on National Assembly IRIN 30 Jan 2006 -- In a strongly worded statement, UN secretary-general Kofi Annan has expressed concern over a decree issued by Cote d'Ivoire President Laurent Gbagbo allowing parliament to remain in office beyond its official mandate.
• GREAT LAKES: Gearing up for regional summit IRIN 30 Jan 2006 -- The final preparatory meeting for an international conference on Africa's Great Lakes region began on Monday in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, with delegates from 11 countries in attendance.
• ETHIOPIA-ERITREA: Eritrea criticises US over "bias" towards Ethiopia IRIN 30 Jan 2006 -- Eritrea has criticised the United States for allegedly encouraging Ethiopia to disregard the international border commission ruling that delineated the boundary between the neighbouring countries following a 1998-2000 war over their disputed frontier.
• Russia Says Top Chechen Commander Killed In Daghestan RFE/RL 30 Jan 2006 -- Russian authorities claim a top Chechen separatist field commander was killed today during a security operation in the southern republic of Daghestan.
• Violence Ebbs in Sri Lanka Following Agreement to Hold Talks VOA 30 Jan 2006 -- In Sri Lanka, violence has declined since the government and Tamil Tiger rebels agreed to hold talks to save a tottering truce.
• Bosnia's New High Representative Outlines His Plans RFE/RL 30 Jan 2006 -- The new international administrator in Bosnia, Christian Schwarz-Schilling, said today he hopes he will not need to impose his wide-ranging powers.
• New clashes in Sudan's Darfur region signal continuing tensions, UN mission says UN News Centre 30 Jan 2006 -- The security situation in Sudan's western Darfur region remains tense, with new incidents reported there over the weekend that left three Sudanese soldiers wounded and two attackers dead, the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) said today.
• UN envoy for Somalia calls on all sides to unite ahead of February meeting UN News Centre 30 Jan 2006 -- Welcoming an historic decision by Somali leaders to convene parliament for the first time inside the country on 26 February, the UN's top envoy for Somalia today called on all sides to put the interests of the nation first and work together to rebuild the devastated country.

• UN police strive for quality over quantity as role changes - top adviser UN News Centre 30 Jan 2006 -- As the role of UN police on peacekeeping missions evolves towards capacity building for local forces and away from strictly monitoring and observing, the need to recruit better quality officers becomes paramount, says the United Nations Police Adviser, citing this as one of the main challenges the division faces.

News Reports

• Sea Launch Departs Home Port for EchoStar X Mission Boeing 30 Jan 2006 -- The Odyssey Launch Platform and the Sea Launch Commander have departed Home Port in Long Beach, Calif., for Sea Launch's first mission of the year. The Sea Launch team is preparing to launch the EchoStar X broadcast satellite on Feb. 8, at the opening of a 49-minute launch window, at 3:35 pm Pacific Time (23:35 GMT).