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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 17 Apr 2006 [PDF]
• DoD Identifies Marine Casualties
• DoD Identifies Marine Casualty
• DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• CENTAF releases combined airpower summary AFPN 17 Apr 2006 -- U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released the airpower summary for April 15 to 17.
• Base defense mission goes beyond perimeter AFPN 17 Apr 2006 -- Most security forces Airmen patrol the base looking for anything out of the ordinary and pull 12-hour shifts in towers along the fenceline.
• Iraqi, Coalition Forces Foil Terrorist Attacks AFPS 17 Apr 2006 -- Iraqi security and coalition forces responded to several attacks in the Baghdad and Ramada areas of Iraq today, officials reported.
• Centaurs keep Falcons flying over Afghanistan Army News 17 Apr 2006 -- It doesn't take a mathematician to know that that if the 277th Aviation Support Battalion continues at its current pace, its yearlong deployment supporting Operation Enduring Freedom will be a hectic one.
• Pakistan steps up security with Afghan border to check infiltration IRNA 17 Apr 2006 -- Pakistan has deployed regular army and paramilitary forces along its unfrequented routes leading to Afghanistan's eastern Kunar province and sealed the border, media reports said on Monday.
• Pakistan deploys regular army personnel along Pak-Afghan border IRNA 17 Apr 2006 -- Pakistan has deployed regular army and Frontier Corps personnel along the unfrequented routes leading to Afghanistan's Kunar province, sealing the two countries' joint border.
• Afghanistan: Senior Adviser Says NATO Is Staying, With Extra Power RFE/RL 17 Apr 2006 -- Insurgents in Afghanistan have intensified attacks on security forces in that country in recent weeks as part of a promised 'spring offensive.'
• US-Backed Coalition Probes Possible Civilian Friendly Fire Deaths in Afghanistan VOA 17 Apr 2006 -- U.S.-backed coalition forces in Afghanistan are investigating two cases in which civilians and Afghan security forces may have been killed by friendly fire during combat operations targeting Taleban insurgents.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Retired Generals Call for Defense Secretary's Resignation VOA 17 Apr 2006 -- President Bush has rejected calls from a group of retired generals for the resignation of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld for alleged mismanagement of the war in Iraq
• Tanker Recapitalization Proceeding 17 Apr 2006 -- The Department of Defense announced today that it has given the Air Force the authority to proceed with the tanker recapitalization program.
• First interrogation battalion activates at Fort Sam Houston Army News 17 Apr 2006 -- The Army's first joint interrogation and debriefing battalion stood up April 12 during a ceremony at MacArthur Parade Field at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
• USS Bonhomme Richard Onloads More Than 2 Million Pounds of Munitions Navy NewsStand 17 Apr 2006 -- During local operations off the coast of Southern California, the San Diego-based Multipurpose Amphibious Assault Ship USS Bonhomme Richard (BHR) (LHD 6) received more than 2 million pounds of munitions.
• Reagan Sets New 3M Standard for Aircraft Carriers Navy NewsStand 17 Apr 2006 -- The crew of USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) earned the highest grade ever given by a Maintenance and Material Management (3M) inspection team, April 11.
• USS Monterey Hosts Reception in Aruba Navy NewsStand 17 Apr 2006 -- USS Monterey’s (CG 61) first port visit of the “Partnership of America’s” deployment began April 12, and marked the end of a successful first week at sea.
• USS Oak Hill Celebrates An Underway Easter Navy NewsStand 17 Apr 2006 -- As the sun rose over the Indian Ocean, USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) was afforded a chance to celebrate Easter while deployed conducting Maritime Security Operations (MSO) in the area.
• U.S. considering setting up 3 naval bases in Turkey - newspaper RIA Novosti 17 Apr 2006 -- The United States is considering setting up three naval bases in Turkey, a Turkish newspaper reported Monday.
• New radio technology keeps troops in touch AFPN 17 Apr 2006 -- Riding as part of a convoy escort team outside the wire, the Airman feels alone. Feeling nervous, he keys his radio mic to check in with his base -- and hears nothing but dead air.
• Program slashes maintenance time for the B-2 fleet AFPN 17 Apr 2006 -- A critical material scale-up problem that directly affected the operational maintainability of the Air Force's B-2 Spirit fleet has been solved, thanks to engineers from the Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, working with the B-2 Systems Group and material processing experts.
• Science Board to Study Internet's Impact on Military Ops AFPS 17 Apr 2006 -- The Defense Science Board will conduct a summer study on a topic that would have been inconceivable when the Defense Department established the board 50 years ago this year: the military implications of Internet search engines, online journals and "blogs."
• Minotaur launch successful AFPN 17 Apr 2006 -- A Minotaur rocket was successfully launched at 6:40 p.m. April 14 from Space Launch Complex-8 on south Vandenberg.
• Defense Agency Prepared for 2006 Hurricane Season Support AFPS 17 Apr 2006 -- Following an unprecedented domestic disaster relief effort in 2005, Defense Logistics Agency officials here say DLA is ready to provide support during the 2006 hurricane season, which begins June 1.
• Rumsfeld: U.S. Must Stand by Principles in Face of War Opponents AFPS 17 Apr 2006 -- Nobody likes war and every U.S. conflict since the Revolutionary War has had its critics, but some things are worth fighting for, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said today on the "Rush Limbaugh Show."
• Reports Citing Imminent Attack on Iran Are Wrong, Official Says AFPS 17 Apr 2006 -- Recent news reports citing an imminent U.S. military attack against Iran are flat wrong, a senior Defense Department official said here today.
• State Department Briefing, April 17 Washington File 17 Apr 2006 -- Terrorist attack in Tel Aviv, Palestinian Authority, Qatar, Iran, Russia, Chad, Greece, China, Turkey, Lebanon

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for April 17, 2006
• ATK to Provide Mk44 30mm Cannon to Czech Republic ATK 17 Apr 2006 -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) has received a contract valued at approximately $20 million for Mk44 30mm cannon weapon systems that will be mounted on the Czech Republic’s PANDUR II Wheeled Armored Vehicles. The Mk44 will be mounted in the RCWS-30 (Remote Control Weapon System) manufactured by RAFAEL Armament Development Authority Ltd.
• Broens Aerospace Awarded a Purchase Order on the F136 Interchangeable Engine GE Aviation 17 Apr 2006 -- Broens Aerospace was awarded a Purchase Order (PO) by GE to design and build three tooling mandrels required to manufacture the engine bypass duct during the System Development and Demonstration Phase (SDD) of the F136 engine program. The PO has the potential for follow-on POs in the production phase of the F136 program.
• Lockheed Martin Team Launches Payload For MDA's Critical Measurements/Countermeasures Program Lockheed Martin 17 Apr 2006 -- A Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) team successfully launched a scientific payload April 13 for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency’s (MDA’s) Critical Measurements/Countermeasures Program. Lockheed Martin leads the Targets and Countermeasures industry team, which launched the vehicle and its payload from the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kauai, Hawaii.
• Orbital Successfully Launches Target Vehicle For MDA's Critical Measurements/Countermeasures Program Orbital Sciences Corp. 17 Apr 2006 -- Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB) announced today that it successfully launched a two-stage medium-range target vehicle that supported the U.S. Missile Defense Agency's (MDA) Critical Measurements/Countermeasures Program, Campaign 2 (CMCM-2). The launch of Orbital's target vehicle, which was based on two SR-19 rocket motors, originated from the Pacific Missile Range Facility on April 13, 2006.
• General Dynamics Awarded U.S. Army Information Technology Enterprise Solutions – 2 Services (ITES-2S) Contract General Dynamics 17 Apr 2006 -- 2 Services (ITES-2S) program. The Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract has a performance period of nine years with a $20 billion ceiling. General Dynamics Network Systems is a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD).
• JSF TEAM FINISHES F-35 STRUCTURAL TESTING EARLY, BEGINS GROUND-VIBRATION TESTING AT LOCKHEED MARTIN Lockheed Martin 17 Apr 2006 -- The Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] F-35 Joint Strike Fighter team successfully completed structural-coupling testing five days ahead of schedule on the first F-35, and moved on to the next scheduled series of ground tests. The F-35’s first flight is planned for this fall.
• LOCKHEED MARTIN C-130J ENGINE RECORDS ONE MILLIONTH FLIGHT HOUR Lockheed Martin 17 Apr 2006 -- The powerplant for the Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] C 130J Super Hercules transport fleet, the Rolls-Royce AE2100D3 engine, has achieved the milestone of one million flight hours. The AE2100D3 engine is the only powerplant used on the C-130J, and each Super Hercules aircraft is equipped with four of the high wing-mounted U.S.-built turboprop engines.
• Sikorsky Aircraft Marks Start of CH-53K Development and Demonstration Phase Sikorsky 17 Apr 2006 -- Sikorsky Aircraft marked the recent signing of a new $3 billion contract and start of development for the new CH-53K heavy-lift replacement helicopter with a ceremony today before hundreds of employees, elected officials, government and military representatives.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 17 Apr 2006
• US Condemns Hamas for Condoning Tel Aviv Suicide Attack VOA 17 Apr 2006 -- The United States is condemning officials of Hamas, which now runs the Palestinian Authority, for remarks condoning the suicide attack Monday in Tel Aviv
• Worldwide Condemnation Follows Suicide Bombing In Tel Aviv RFE/RL 17 Apr 2006 -- There has been widespread condemnation by leaders around the world to today's Palestinian suicide bombing in Tel Aviv.
• United States Deplores Hamas' Defense of Tel Aviv Terror Attack Washington File 17 Apr 2006 -- The United States condemned the deadly terrorist bombing of a sandwich shop in Tel Aviv, Israel, April 17.
• Suicide Bomber Kills 9, Injures Dozens in Tel Aviv VOA 17 Apr 2006 -- A Palestinian suicide bomber has killed at least nine people and wounded dozens more in central Tel Aviv.
• Suicide Bomber Kills 8, Injures Dozens in Tel Aviv VOA 17 Apr 2006 -- A Palestinian suicide bomber has killed at least eight people and wounded more than 30 others in central Tel Aviv
• Hamas Renews Calls for Unity Government Amid Growing Financial Crisis VOA 17 Apr 2006 -- Hamas has renewed calls for other Palestinian political factions to join in a unity coalition government.
• Iran: Tehran To Donate $50 Million To Hamas-Led Palestinian Government RFE/RL 17 Apr 2006 -- Iranian officials announced at the end of an international conference on aid to Palestinians on April 16 that Tehran is donating $50 million to the cash-strapped Palestinian Authority to fill gaps left by Western aid cuts
• Chad reassures UN it will not forcibly return 200,000 Sudanese refugees UN News Centre 17 Apr 2006 -- Chadian President Idriss Deby, who last week threatened to expel 200,000 Sudanese following clashes with rebels, has assured the United Nations refugee agency that they will not be forcibly returned and that Chad will abide by international principles.
• Chad's Deby Blames Sudan for Domestic Woes VOA 17 Apr 2006 -- Idriss Deby, Chad's embattled president, blames Sudan for the country's current political crisis, but many here say the real problems are closer to home: corruption, poverty, and President Deby's own drive to cling to power.
• CHAD: President retracts refugee threat, closes Sudan border IRIN 17 Apr 2006 -- The government of Chad has backed down on threats to expel 200,000 Sudanese refugees after linking a series of rebel attacks to Khartoum, but has closed the border with Sudan, threatening aid distribution.
• UNHCR Says Chad Will Not Expel Sudanese Refugees VOA 17 Apr 2006 -- The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio Guterres, says Chad's president, Idriss Deby, has withdrawn his threat to expel some 200-thousand Sudanese refugees who fled the conflict in Darfur.
• Côte d'Ivoire: top UN envoy sees 'narrow window' for progress UN News Centre 17 Apr 2006 -- Recent political agreements in Côte d'Ivoire and the engagement of the international community there have opened a window for progress toward elections and peace in the divided West African country - but only if all commitments are kept, a top United Nations envoy said today.
• Norwegian Envoy Vows to Continue Peace Talks in Sri Lanka VOA 17 Apr 2006 -- A top Norwegian envoy facilitating Sri Lanka's peace talks says mediators will continue to talk to representatives of both the government and the Tamil Tigers
• SENEGAL: Armed assailants hijack UN vehicle IRIN 17 Apr 2006 -- Armed men made off with cash and vehicles, including one belonging to the UN's Children's Agency UNICEF, after staging a highway robbery in the troubled Casamance region of Senegal.
• Supplies Scarce in Nepal as Protests Continue Against King VOA 17 Apr 2006 -- In Nepal, shortages of essential supplies are becoming severe as a general strike called by the political opposition to pressure the king to step down drags on.

News Reports

• Japan Asks China for Clarification of Reported Ban on East China Sea Traffic VOA 17 Apr 2006 -- Japan has asked China to explain reports that the Chinese have banned ships from entering a disputed area of the East China Sea while they lay a pipeline and cables under the sea
• S. Korea Warns of 'Stern Measures' to Prevent Japanese Survey of Disputed Islands VOA 17 Apr 2006 -- South Korean authorities are vowing to use all legal measures to stop Japan from carrying out a survey in what they view as South Korean territorial waters
• ATK Motors Perform Flawlessly in Launch of Minotaur Rocket ATK 17 Apr 2006 -- Two Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) Orion motors performed flawlessly in this weekend’s successful flight of a Minotaur launch vehicle from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. The launch placed a constellation of six microsatellites into orbit. The satellites will collect data for weather prediction, and ionosphere, climate and gravity research. This data will be available to the international scientific community in near real-time.
• Lockheed Martin Goes-R Program Team To Include SAIC And IBM Lockheed Martin 17 Apr 2006 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] announced today that Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) and IBM Business Consulting Services have joined the GOES-R Lockheed Martin Team in competition for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES-R) program.
• Orbital Successfully Launches Minotaur Rocket Carrying Array Of Small Scientific Satellites Into Orbit Orbital Sciences Corp. 17 Apr 2006 -- Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB) announced today that its Minotaur I space launch vehicle successfully delivered six small scientific satellites into low-Earth orbit in a mission that originated from Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB), CA on April 14.