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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 16 May 2006 [PDF]
• TASK FORCE BAND OF BROTHERS SOLDIERS KILLED
• MND-B SOLDIER KILLED BY ROADSIDE BOMB
• DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• DoD Identifies Army Casualties
• 14 Killed in Baghdad Garage Attack VOA 16 May 2006 -- Iraqi authorities say at least 14 people were killed in an insurgent attack in a Baghdad car garage Tuesday.
• IPs, MND-B Soldiers discover, destroy large weapons cache Army News 16 May 2006 -- The 506th Regimental Combat Team discovered a huge weapons cache today in the New Baghdad neighborhood of eastern Baghdad.
• Oldest Amphib Serves as Base for Iraq’s Future Navy NewsStand 16 May 2006 -- USS Ogden (LPD 5), the Navy’s oldest active amphibious ship, is currently serving as the Afloat Forward Staging Base (AFSB) for the multinational maritime coalition operating in the North Persian Gulf.
• Air Force flexibility on display in Iraq and Afghanistan AFPN 16 May 2006 -- Air Force fighters no longer just swoop down from the sky to drop their deadly weapons in support of ground troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
• RFE/RL Afghanistan Report, Volume 5, Number 14 16 May 2006
• 3 Pakistani security men among 11 dead in clashes IRNA 16 May 2006 -- Pakistani security forces clashed with miscreants in the country's restive tribal region on Tuesday, killing eight of them, correspondents in the region and a TV channel reported.
• Militants Attack Near Afghan-Pakistani Border VOA 16 May 2006 -- Suspected Islamic militants have attacked security forces on both sides of the Afghanistan - Pakistan border.
• UK denies shortage of choppers in Iraq, Afghanistan IRNA 16 May 2006 -- Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram is unwilling to specify how many helicopters are available in Iraq and Afghanistan but has denied that there is a shortage to protect the separate deployments of ground troops.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Army Announces Reserve Civil Affairs and PSYOPs units to align with U.S. Army Reserve Command Army News Release 16 May 2006 -- The Army announced May 16 a decision to immediately transfer operational command and control of the U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command, its Army Reserve civil affairs and psychological operations forces and resources from U.S. Army Special Operations Command to the U.S. Army Reserve Command
• VAQ-137 Changes Command Aboard “Big E” Navy NewsStand 16 May 2006 -- The “Rooks” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 137 held an airborne change of command ceremony aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65) at sea May 15.
• Theodore Roosevelt Welcomes Sailors and Marines of VFA-106 Navy NewsStand 16 May 2006 -- The “Gladiators” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 106, home-based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Va., are an integrated squadron performing carrier qualifications underway on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71).
• Juneau Sailors Participate in Blue-Green Training Navy NewsStand 16 May 2006 -- Marines of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) embarked on USS Juneau (LPD 10) and gave their "blue" brothers some "green" training at sea May 12 as the ship continued en route to the Kingdom of Thailand for Exercise Cobra Gold 2006.
• EPMAC Disestablishes, Merges with Navy Personnel Command Navy NewsStand 16 May 2006 -- The Enlisted Placement Management Center (EPMAC) began its merger into Navy Personnel Command (NPC) after a May 12 disestablishment ceremony at the Cook Convention Center in Memphis.
• Army to Purchase and Test 30 Pinnacle Armor "Dragon Skin" Vests Army News Release 16 May 2006 -- The Army announced today that PEO Soldier has contracted with Pinnacle Armor to purchase 30 of its latest body armor vests, known as "Dragon Skin," for delivery no later than May 17.
• President orders Guard troops to support southern border security Army News 16 May 2006 -- President George W. Bush has called for up to 6,000 National Guard troops to be deployed along the United States' border with Mexico to help the U.S. Border Patrol stem the flow of illegal immigrants into this country and to support the efforts to reform the immigration system.
• Combat Feeding Directorate improves MREs Army News 16 May 2006 -- Driven by Warfighter preferences, DoD Combat Feeding Directorate keeps improving and adding items to Meals, Ready-to-Eat.
• War on Terror Dominates Bush-Howard Summit VOA 16 May 2006 -- President Bush met Tuesday at the White House with one of his closest allies in the war on terror - Australian Prime Minister John Howard
• US Cites Venezuelan Links to Iran, Cuba in Arms Sales Ban VOA 16 May 2006 -- The Bush administration is citing alleged Venezuelan intelligence links to Iran and Cuba as a reason behind its decision Monday to ban arms sales to the Caracas government
• Radar upgrade key to future B-1 combat capability AFPN 16 May 2006 -- The Air Force recently awarded a $180-million contract to the Boeing Company to upgrade the fire-control radar on the service's fleet of 67 B-1B Lancer long-range bomber aircraft.
• Press Briefing on the President's Immigration Reform Plan The White House 16 May 2006
• Press Briefing by Tony Snow The White House 16 May 2006
• Daily Press Briefing US Department of State 16 May 2006
• SCO set to clarify relations with observer countries at summit RIA Novosti 16 May 2006 -- Relations with observer countries in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization will be spelled out during a June summit of the regional security organization, Russia's foreign minister said Tuesday.
• No plans to expand SCO - Russian defense minister RIA Novosti 16 May 2006 -- There are no plans to expand the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to include Iran, Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said Tuesday.

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for May 16, 2006
• Joint Command System (Logistic) enhancement contract for BAE Systems BAE Systems 16 May 2006 -- BAE Systems has been awarded a contract by the UK Ministry of Defence to enhance the current capability of Phase 1 of the Joint Command System (JCS) (Logistic), following its successful delivery in March 2005. The contract is valued at approximately £10m with final delivery due in May 2009.
• Boeing JTRS Team Delivers Key Network-Centric Waveform Boeing 16 May 2006 -- The Boeing [NYSE: BA] Joint Tactical Radio System Ground Mobile Radio (JTRS GMR) team has successfully delivered the Very High Frequency/Ultra High Frequency Line-of-Sight (VHF/UHF LOS) waveform to the JTRS Network Enterprise Domain Program Office. The delivery marks the first JTRS Ground Domain legacy waveform application to pass testing by a joint board that includes the government's Network Enterprise Domain Program Office, the JTRS Ground Domain Program Office, Boeing and its industry teammates, BAE and Harris.
• New EADS planning system enhances mission capabilities of the German NH90 helicopters EADS 16 May 2006 -- The new planning system developed by EADS for the Tiger and NH90 helicopters of the German Armed Forces combines for the first time operational command and control with technical logistic support of a weapon system. This means the system increases operational efficiency and enhances the deployment capabilities of helicopter squadrons at the same time.
• Hamilton Sundstrand to supply major systems for Boeing P-8A Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft Hamilton Sundstrand 16 May 2006 -- Hamilton Sundstrand, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX), announced today that it has been selected to supply major systems for the Boeing P-8A Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft (MMA).
• LOCKHEED MARTIN COMPLETES MAJOR MILESTONE ON TERRESTRIAL COMPONENT OF SPACE-BASED MISSILE WARNING SYSTEM Lockheed Martin 16 May 2006 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] today announced that it has successfully completed development of the Highly Elliptical Orbit (HEO) Interim Operations software for the Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS). This is an important achievement in delivering capability to operate new SBIRS HEO payloads and geosynchronous (GEO) satellites.
• LOCKHEED MARTIN C-5M "SUPER GALAXY" EXPANDS U.S. AIR FORCE "GLOBAL REACH" CAPABILITY AT LOWER COST Lockheed Martin 16 May 2006 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] showcased the first C-5M Super Galaxy transport aircraft today in a ceremony marking the completion of the first of 111 aircraft to be modernized by the company. The massive cargo aircraft has been the workhorse for the U.S. Air Force’s global reach capability for nearly 40 years and with new engines and avionics is designed to provide strategic airlift capability for America into the future.
• Raytheon Completes Closed-Loop Firings of Precision Guidance Kit Solution Raytheon 16 May 2006 -- Raytheon Company successfully completed closed-loop gun firing tests of its low-cost XM1156 Precision Guidance Kit (PGK) solution at Yuma Proving Grounds, Ariz., May 3.
• SAIC Opens Quantico Facility to Support Marine Corps Customer SAIC 16 May 2006 -- Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) recently announced the opening of a new facility in Dumfries, Va., outside the Marine Corps Base, Quantico. The 17,000 square-foot facility, which includes large conference rooms and laboratories, will support SAIC's Marine Corps customers in the area.
• TIPS industries establish AGS Industries GmbH joint venture Thales 16 May 2006 -- The joint venture company, AGS Industries GmbH, will be the prime contractor for the program. A contract for the design and development (D&D) phase is expected from NATO later this year.
• Raytheon's Vigilant Eagle Incorporates Fielded Military Technology Adapted to Urban Environments Raytheon 16 May 2006 -- Raytheon Company recently developed a version of the Vigilant Eagle Airport Protection System that employs the fire distribution center (FDC) of the Norwegian Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS).

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 16 May 2006
• Security Council Expedites Planning for Darfur Peacekeepers Washington File 16 May 2006 -- The Security Council voted unanimously May 16 to accelerate planning for a U.N. peacekeeping mission in Darfur and called for the deployment of a peacekeeping planning mission to the region within a week.
• Security Council unanimously adopts resolution paving way for UN force in Darfur UN News Centre 16 May 2006 -- The Security Council took a major step forward today towards establishing a robust United Nations peacekeeping force in Sudan's war-torn Darfur region by unanimously adopting a resolution calling for the deployment on the ground of a joint UN-Africa Union (AU) team to pave the way for the operation, which would take over from the AU mission (AMIS) now monitoring the vast region.
• Security Council Gives Sudan One Week to Allow UN Assessment Team into Darfur VOA 16 May 2006 -- The United Nations Security Council has unanimously passed a resolution giving Sudan's government one week to allow an assessment team into the troubled Darfur region.
• Sudan Peace Agreement Provides for Compensation, Elections VOA 16 May 2006 -- The government of Sudan and the largest faction of the Sudan Liberation Movement and Army (SLA), one of three rebel groups in Sudan's Darfur region, signed a comprehensive peace agreement in early May.
• Security Council calls for ceasefire and end to violence in Somali capital UN News Centre 16 May 2006 -- Expressing deep concern at the recent reports of violence in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, which have led to a large number of casualties and the displacement of thousands of people, the United Nations Security Council today called for an unconditional and immediate ceasefire by the warring parties.
• CHAD: UN warns humanitarian pull out possible IRIN 16 May 2006 -- Unless the security situation along the 1,000 kilometre desert border between Chad and Sudan improves "drastically" aid agencies supporting 350,000 people in eastern Chad will be forced to pull out, the UN's senior emergency coordination chief Jan Egeland has warned.
• GUINEA-BISSAU: UN launches emergency appeal after fighting in north IRIN 16 May 2006 -- United Nations agencies on Tuesday launched a joint appeal for over US $3.6 m to help some 20,000 people in northern Guinea Bissau made vulnerable by fighting between Guinea Bissau military and rebels from neighbouring Senegal.
• Key Israeli Bank Cuts Ties with Palestinians VOA 16 May 2006 -- Israel's third largest bank says it is cutting ties with financial institutions operating in the Palestinian territories - a new blow to the embattled Palestinian government.
• DRC: ECHO resumes humanitarian flights IRIN 16 May 2006 -- The European Commission's Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO) has resumed its humanitarian flights in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

News Reports

• Nepal's FM reveals embezzlement of state fund by royal gov't IRNA 16 May 2006 -- Saying that the royal government did not utilize public expenditure in the productive sector but only increased public expenditures in a haphazard manner, Finance Minister Ram Sharan Mahat Monday revealed that following the dissolution of Nepal's House of Representatives expenditures related to the royal palace skyrocketed from Rs 126.3 million in the fiscal year (FY) 2002/03 to 751.2 million in FY 2004/2005.
• NIGERIA: Senate kills bill seeking to prolong Obasanjo's tenure IRIN 16 May 2006 -- Nigerian senators voted on Tuesday to throw out a bill seeking to amend the country's constitution to give President Olusegun Obasanjo the chance to run for a third successive term in office next year.
• Nigerian Senate Denies Third Term for Obasanjo VOA 16 May 2006 -- The Nigerian senate Tuesday voted to throw out a bill to give President Olusegun Obasanjo the option to stand for elections next year
• JORDAN: Observers sceptical about Hamas plot in kingdom IRIN 16 May 2006 -- A leading Islamist on Tuesday said relations between native Jordanians and Palestinian refugees would be "in great danger" if Jordan did not quickly contain the "weapons crisis" with Hamas, following allegations by Amman that the Palestinian group had smuggled weapons into the kingdom with the intent to destabilise it.
• LIFE: lunar radio telescope looks back in space and time to the Dark Ages of our Universe EADS 16 May 2006 -- For a long time now it has been acknowledged that the Moon is an unrivalled site for science and research in various areas, such as solar system science, space physics, space weather, biomedical research, search of life in the Universe, research of the origin of the Universe, search of exoplanets.
• TerraSAR-X Services – Germany’s New Radar Satellite for Multiple Applications EADS 16 May 2006 -- Infoterra GmbH was founded in 2001 as part of the TerraSAR-X Programme: The industry partner, EADS Astrium, had agreed to create a subsidiary for the specific purpose of establishing a commercial market for TerraSAR-X data as well as TerraSAR-X-based geo-information products and services. This will ensure the commercial success of the TerraSAR-X mission and pave the way towards financing the follow-on mission TerraSAR-X-2.
• EADS SPACE: a leader of GMES with Infoterra and EADS Astrium EADS 16 May 2006 -- EADS Astrium, along with its European subsidiaries Infoterra are playing a leading role in the EU/ESA's major initiative on Global Monitoring for Environment and Security, or GMES..
• The European satellite navigation system Galileo EADS 16 May 2006 -- Exact positioning at any time and in any place, secure and precise navigation – in future one name will be the byword for this: Galileo. The new European satellite navigation system is to be ready for operation in the year 2011.
• TanDEM-X – Land Survey from Space EADS 16 May 2006 -- Innovation in the field of geodesy, i.e. the measurement of the Earth, has a long tradition in Germany. With the new TanDEM-X satellite, the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) and Europe's leading satellite manufacturer, EADS Astrium in Friedrichshafen, want to open a new chapter in 'Earth measurement'.
• Venus Express can start its Mission in June EADS 16 May 2006 -- The European Venus Express space probe is ready to begin its scientific mission in June. After a journey of nearly five months and 400 million kilometres, Venus Express successfully entered orbit around Venus on 11 April.
• EADS Astrium awarded €317 million Gaia spacecraft contract by ESA to map one billion stars EADS 16 May 2006 -- EADS Astrium has signed a contract with the European Space Agency (ESA) to develop and build the satellite for the Global Astrometric Interferometer for Astrophysics (Gaia) mission. Gaia will create an extraordinarily precise 3-D map of the Galaxy, mapping and recording more than one billion stars over a five year period. The satellite, worth €317 million, is due to be launched in 2011.
• TerraSAR-X – The New Radar Eye for Earth Observation EADS 16 May 2006 -- TerraSAR-X, the German Earth observation satellite, will be launched into space from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on 31 October this year. The satellite will circle the Earth at an altitude of approximately 514 kilometres and will scan the surface of our planet with a radar beam day and night regardless of weather and cloud conditions. It will quickly and reliably deliver data for a wide range of applications, thus opening up completely new opportunities for commercial, public and scientific users.
• Aurora programme to explore the solar system EADS 16 May 2006 -- Aurora is an optional European Space Agency (ESA) framework programme for long-term exploration of the solar system. A preparatory phase was approved at the ESA Council of Ministers meeting in Edinburgh in 2001 and agreement on implementation of the first Aurora mission, ExoMars, was reached in Berlin in 2005.
• NIRSpec: the super eye for the Hubble successor JWST EADS 16 May 2006 -- When the US space administration NASA launches the successor to the legendary Hubble space telescope in 2013, an instrument from EADS Astrium will be on board. EADS space engineers in Ottobrunn and Friedrichshafen are currently building the Near Infrared Spectrograph NIRSpec for the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). This instrument, which will cost about €70 million, is due to become the "super eye" of the new telescope.
• Raytheon Engineering Innovation TopAct Enables Lighter, Cheaper Space Hardware Raytheon 16 May 2006 -- Raytheon Company has patented a breakthrough software tool called TopAct that enables space hardware manufacturers to use lighter and cheaper designs with more readily available parts, thus providing better value for the space customer.