Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 27 Mar 2006 [PDF]
• SOLDIER DIES DUE TO CARDIAC ARREST
• DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• Officials Release More Details on Weekend Operation AFPS 27 Mar 2006 -- U.S. officials in Iraq have released further details on an operation in a Baghdad neighborhood yesterday.
• Controllers bring airpower directly to fight AFPN 27 Mar 2006 -- Airmen working side-by-side with the Army has become common place these days.
• Operation Swarmer goes full circle Army News 27 Mar 2006 -- Operation Swarmer wrapped up March 22 and accomplished the tactical objectives set out by combatant commanders on the ground without any casualties, Multinational Force Iraq officials said March 23.
• Jabouri Peninsula continues to yield weapons, IED materials Army News 27 Mar 2006 -- Task Force Band of Brothers continued to thwart Anti-Iraqi Forces efforts to attack coalition forces and Iraqi Security Forces by discovering a weapons cache in Salah al Din province on the Jabouri Peninsula March 26.
• Soldiers capture IED triggermen Army News 27 Mar 2006 -- Task Force Band of Brothers Soldiers captured two men near Balad Thursday night before they could detonate an IED they had buried alongside a road leading to the city.
• U.S. Accused Of Killing Iraqi Worshippers RFE/RL 27 Mar 2006 -- The United States has said Iraqi military special forces killed 16 insurgents and captured 15 other people in northeastern Baghdad on March 26.
• 16 Insurgents Killed in Joint US, Iraqi Raid in Baghdad VOA 27 Mar 2006 -- The U.S. military in Iraq says 16 insurgents have been killed during a raid by U.S. and Iraqi forces in northeast Baghdad.
• Suicide Bomb Attack Kills 40 at US-Iraqi Military Base VOA 27 Mar 2006 -- Iraqi officials say a suicide bomber killed 40 Iraqis Monday at a joint U.S.-Iraqi base north of Baghdad.

Defense Policy / Programs

• USNS Mercy Installing New Helo Pad, Hangar Navy NewsStand 27 Mar 2006 -- A new temporary helicopter shelter is being installed aboard the San Diego-based hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19), to improve mission readiness.
• General Specifications for Ship Overhaul Now Available on the Web Navy NewsStand 27 Mar 2006 -- Sailors now have an easier way to access overhaul and repair standards for surface ships with the release of the General Specifications for Overhaul of Surface Ships (GSO) on the World Wide Web in March.
• Harbeson Relieves Miranda as DESRON 50 Commodore Navy NewsStand 27 Mar 2006 -- Capt. Jeffrey Harbeson relieved Capt. Enrique F. Miranda as Commander, Middle East Force/Commander, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 50 in a change of command ceremony aboard U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Wrangell (WPB 1332) March 24.
• Chancellorsville Volunteers in Singapore, Thailand Navy NewsStand 27 Mar 2006 -- During port calls to Singapore and Pattaya, Thailand, in February, Sailors from USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) volunteered some of their liberty time for community service projects at homes that provide for disadvantaged children.
• Stethem Supports Nagasaki Orphanage Navy NewsStand 27 Mar 2006 -- Sailors touched by a February visit to the Myojoen Orphanage during USS Stethem’s (DDG 63) port visit to Nagasaki, Japan, continued to reach out to the children there by raising more than $500 to buy the orphanage new sports equipment, March 16.
• ESD Members Conduct Training Exercise Navy NewsStand 27 Mar 2006 -- Sailors from Embarkation Security Detachment (ESD) 263, assigned to the Navy and Marine Corps Operational Support Center here, participated in a two-week Annual Training exercise in Virginia in February.
• CSG 9 Participates in Foal Eagle 06 Navy NewsStand 27 Mar 2006 -- Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 9, led by Rear Adm. J. W. Goodwin, embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), is currently participating in Reception Staging Onward Movement and Integration and Foal Eagle 2006 (RSOI/FE 06), which began March 26 and runs through the end of the month.
• Vandegrift Boarding Team Demonstrates Capabilities Navy NewsStand 27 Mar 2006 -- USS Vandegrift (FFG 48) hosted more than 50 U.S. Navy and Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) Sailors, Feb. 27, to showcase the capabilities of both Vandegrift and JDS Ikazuchi’s (DD 107) Maritime Interception Operations (MIO) boarding teams.
• Spangdahlem mechanics fix jet engines on 'the line' AFPN 27 Mar 2006 -- Mechanics at this base fix F-16 Fighting Falcon engines on a production line that makes the process of getting engines back in service more predictable.
• Maintainers multi-task to keep C-17s safe AFPN 27 Mar 2006 -- In a dusty tent in the middle of maintenance town, computers are humming and a lone radio squawks the status of an incoming C-17 Globemaster III.
• U-2 maintainers boast streaking hot record AFPN 27 Mar 2006 -- In the world of sports, there have been some incredible streaks. Cal Ripken Jr. played in 2,632 consecutive major league baseball games.
• Wing modifies Phase II tactics, sharpens Airmen's combat skills AFPN 27 Mar 2006 -- Hundreds of Airmen sucking air through gas masks or hours while hunkered down in work centers during scenarios, disaster training is considered a rite of passage in the Air Force.
• U.S. Security Needs International Support, Official Says Washington File 27 Mar 2006 -- In a period of ever greater uncertainty, no country can address its security requirements without international support, the deputy secretary of defense says.
• Security Cooperation Essential to DoD Mission, Deputy Secretary Says AFPS 27 Mar 2006 -- Partnerships and cooperation with allies and friendly nations are essential for the U.S. to address threats in the global war on terrorism, the deputy defense secretary said here today.
• Missile Defense Key Security Element, Says U.S. Official Washington File 27 Mar 2006 -- Missile Defense Key Security Element, Says U.S. Official
• White House Briefing, March 27 Washington File 27 Mar 2006 -- Iraq, immigration reform, Iraq/war justification, China/trade, Israel/elections, Bulgaria/U.S. military cooperation
• State Department Briefing, March 27 Washington File 27 Mar 2006 -- Iran, Iraq, Nigeria/Liberia, Ukraine, Nigeria, Palestinian Authority, Afghanistan, North Korea, Japan

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for March 27, 2006
• F-15K Makes History with SLAM-ER Release Boeing 27 Mar 2006 -- The F-15K multi-role fighter, built by Boeing [NYSE: BA] for the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF), has become the first F-15 to release a Standoff Land Attack Missile-Expanded Response (SLAM-ER) weapon.
• CACI Signs Merger Agreement to Acquire AlphaInsight Corporation CACI 27 Mar 2006 -- CACI International Inc (NYSE:CAI) announced today that it has signed a definitive merger agreement to acquire all of the outstanding shares of AlphaInsight Corporation, a privately owned business headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia. AlphaInsight is an award-winning information technology company that specializes in serving the federal government primarily in the areas of software and systems engineering, network engineering and management, and information assurance and security. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Closing is anticipated during CACI's fourth fiscal quarter.
• LOCKHEED MARTIN DELIVERS MULTI-MISSION RADAR FOR U.S. NAVY'S ACOUSTIC NAVAL RESEARCH CENTER Lockheed Martin 27 Mar 2006 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] delivered its Multi-Mission Surveillance Radar (MMSR) system to the U.S. Navy for use at its Atlantic Underwater Test and Evaluation Center (AUTEC).
• ATK and Boeing Form Team to Compete for New Israeli Short-Range Ballistic Missile Defense System ATK 27 Mar 2006 -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) and Boeing (NYSE: BA) have signed a teaming agreement to support the new Israeli Short-Range Ballistic Missile Defense (SRBMD) system, which Boeing is pursuing in partnership with Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI).
• Boeing, ATK Team for Israeli Short Range Ballistic Missile Defense Competition Boeing 27 Mar 2006 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] announced today an exclusive agreement with Alliant Techsystems [NYSE: ATK] to support the new Israeli Short Range Ballistic Missile Defense (SRBMD) program, which Boeing is pursuing with partner Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI).
• U.S. Air Force Selects Northrop Grumman for Mentor-Protege Program Northrop Grumman 27 Mar 2006 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has signed a new U.S. Department of Defense mentor-protege agreement with the U.S. Air Force mentor-protege program office at Brooks City-Base, Texas.
• Raytheon Team Successfully Demonstrates APKWS™ II Rocket Motor Tailfin Improvement Raytheon 27 Mar 2006 -- A Raytheon Company-led team has successfully tested a significant improvement to a rocket motor tailfin that will reduce design complexity and the cost of the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS™ II) 2.75-inch guided weapon system.

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 27 Mar 2006
• Haniyah Calls For Dialogue To End Israeli-Palestinian Conflict RFE/RL 27 Mar 2006 -- Palestinian Prime Minister-designate Ismail Haniyah is calling for renewed dialogue with international mediators to try to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
• Middle East: Israelis To Vote Amid Frozen Peace Process RFE/RL 27 Mar 2006 -- Israelis go to the polls for parliamentary elections on March 28.
• Hamas Presents Palestinian Cabinet VOA 27 Mar 2006 -- The Islamic militant group Hamas presented its government to the Palestinian Parliament on Monday.
• High Security Ahead of Israeli Elections VOA 27 Mar 2006 -- Security forces in Israel are on high alert, as Israelis prepare to vote, Tuesday, in general elections to choose a new government
• NIGERIA: Delta militants free remaining foreign hostages, vow fresh attacks IRIN 27 Mar 2006 -- Armed militants in Nigeria's oil-rich Niger Delta on Monday freed three remaining foreign hostages held captive for five weeks, but vowed to continue attacks on oil installations.
• Oil Hostages Released in Nigeria VOA 27 Mar 2006 -- Nigerian militants have released three Western hostages held in the troubled Niger Delta for more than a month.
• LIBERIA-NIGERIA-SIERRA LEONE: What next for Taylor? IRIN 27 Mar 2006 -- President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf said on Monday that her government is not seeking her predecessor Charles Taylor's extradition to Liberia as it is the UN-backed Special Court in Sierra Leone that has indicted him for war crimes.
• Taylor Supporters Seek New Asylum Deal VOA 27 Mar 2006 -- Supporters close to deposed Liberian leader Charles Taylor say they are seeking a new asylum deal for the former warlord, as pressure mounts for his extradition
• Annan says it is 'crucial' that UN Côte d'Ivoire mission gets more troops, police UN News Centre 27 Mar 2006 -- In the run-up to October's elections in divided Côte d'Ivoire, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has repeated his call that almost 4,000 extra troops and police be sent to the UN mission there, saying they were "crucial" both to shore up the fledgling peace process and to prevent an already precarious security situation from getting worse and spreading to neighbouring Liberia.
• Peace monitor in S Lanka warns nation could slip back to war IRNA 27 Mar 2006 -- Independent monitors in Sri Lanka have warned that an alleged LTTE attack that sank a navy gunboat along with eight sailors, the first major incident since the two sides met in Switzerland last month, could slip the island nation back to war.
• SUDAN: SC urges quick planning for proposed UN Darfur mission IRIN 27 Mar 2006 -- The United Nations Security Council has asked the Secretary-General to expedite planning for the proposed transition of the African Union peacekeeping mission in Sudan's troubled western region of Darfur to a UN-led operation.
• SOMALIA: Uneasy calm as guns fall silent in Mogadishu IRIN 27 Mar 2006 -- The Somali capital of Mogadishu was calm on Monday as a ceasefire that came into effect after four days of heavy militia fighting continued to hold, but hundreds of families who fled their homes were yet to return, local sources said.
• CONGO: Pool may be excluded from 2007 polls, offical says IRIN 27 Mar 2006 -- Voters in the Pool region in southern Republic of Congo may not be able to participate in the 2007 legislative elections because the former rebel group there is still armed and dangerous, a senior Congolese official has said.

News Reports

• PRESS CONFERENCE BY PRESIDENT-ELECT OF HAITI United Nations 27 Mar 2006
• UN envoy leaves Lebanon encouraged by its course toward new era UN News Centre 27 Mar 2006 -- Following a series of high-level meetings in Beirut, a senior United Nations envoy has said he is encouraged that Lebanon is charting the proper course towards stability and urging all concerned to forge ahead in unity.