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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 20 Jul 2006 [PDF]
• MARINE KILLED IN AL ANBAR PROVINCE
• DoD Identifies Marine Casualty
• DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• Operations Update, July 20, 2006 MNF-I 20 Jul 2006 -- IRAQ OPERATIONAL UPDATE BRIEFING BRIEFER: MAJOR GENERAL WILLIAM CALDWELL, USA, SPOKESMAN, MULTINATIONAL FORCE IRAQ
• Rakkasan Armament Program saves lives in Iraq Army News 20 Jul 2006 -- Soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division have added heavy armor to more than 700 Humvees since January through what they've dubbed the Rakkasan Armament Program.
• CAB Chinooks keep trucks, personnel off perilous roads Army News 20 Jul 2006 -- CH-47 Chinook pilots with the 4th Infantry Division's Combat Aviation Battalion move an average of 40 pallets of equipment and supplies throughout Baghdad every night.
• Iraqi, Coalition Forces Redouble Baghdad Security Efforts Washington File 20 Jul 2006 -- Efforts to secure Baghdad are central to Iraq's future, but will take months to implement fully, says a top coalition spokesman.
• CENTAF releases airpower summary AFPN 20 Jul 2006 -- U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for July 20.
• Iraqi, Coalition Troops Launch Operation, Capture Terrorists AFPS 20 Jul 2006 -- Iraqi and coalition soldiers launched a new operation near Kirkuk, Iraq, this morning, and Iraqi army soldiers have captured more than a dozen terrorists near Baghdad over the past two days.
• Afghanistan: Helmand Battles Cast Doubt On NATO RFE/RL 20 Jul 2006 -- The Taliban's seizure of two remote districts in the Afghan province of Helmand on July 16 has raised concerns about how well NATO can maintain security in remote parts of the country.
• USS Nashville Joins Lebanon Evacuation Operation AFPS 20 Jul 2006 -- The USS Nashville has joined the fleet of ships evacuating U.S. citizens from Lebanon, defense officials said today.
• 341 Americans Successfully Evacuated by Bus From Southern Lebanon AFPS 20 Jul 2006 -- A total of 341 Americans successfully convoyed out of southern Lebanon and are shipping out of Beirut harbor for Cyprus, State Department officials said today.
• Airmen continue Lebanon transport support AFPN 20 Jul 2006 -- A general medical team from U.S. Air Forces Europe departed Ramstein Air Base, Germany, today to support Lebanon transportation operations.
• US Marines in Beirut to Help Americans Fleeing Lebanon VOA 20 Jul 2006 -- U.S. Marines have landed on a beach near Beirut to help evacuate thousands of Americans caught up in the weeklong Israeli bombardment of Lebanon.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Midshipmen Train in Wet Trainer at NB Point Loma Navy NewsStand 20 Jul 2006 -- Midshipmen from various Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) programs around the country experienced the submarine wet trainer at Naval Base Point Loma July 17 as part of their Midshipman summer training program.
• Patriot, EODMU 5 Det 51 Depart Hong Kong Navy NewsStand 20 Jul 2006 -- Sailors of Sasebo, Japan-based USS Patriot (MCM 7) felt refreshed as they left Hong Kong July 15, greatly enjoying the world-class dining, lodging and shopping of the island while a handful were also able to take advantage of a special home-cooked meal.
• U.S. Military Medical Team Arrives in Cyprus Navy NewsStand 20 Jul 2006 -- U.S. military medical personnel, either on standby or already aboard ships, will act as first responders in the assisted departure of American citizens from Lebanon.
• USS Rushmore Unleashes AAV Raid for RIMPAC Navy NewsStand 20 Jul 2006 -- During a Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2006 amphibious warfare scenario, Southern California and Hawaii-based Marine units and Sailors aboard USS Rushmore (LSD 47) conducted an amphibious assault vehicle, sea-based raid on the beach of Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, July 18.
• Vinson's Reactor Department Completes Half of SFWP Navy NewsStand 20 Jul 2006 -- USS Carl Vinson’s (CVN 70) Reactor Department completed 50 percent of its ship’s force work package (SFWP), June 30, marking a milestone in the ship’s overall success during its current Refueling Complex Overhaul (RCOH).
• ITs Provide Support at RIMPAC 2006 Navy NewsStand 20 Jul 2006 -- Information technology specialists from the U.S. Navy and seven coalition countries are providing a vital function during the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2006 exercise this summer, by keeping channels of communication among participants up and running.
• Allied Navies Control Supply Sea Lanes for RIMPAC Navy NewsStand 20 Jul 2006 -- For the first time during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC), a coalition effort is serving as the logistical and material support arm of the exercise.
• NBSD Conducts Accountability Exercise Navy NewsStand 20 Jul 2006 -- Naval Base San Diego (NBSD) conducted a 100 percent personnel accountability exercise July 19 for all DoD military and civilian personnel and their families in the San Diego area.
• Cooperative Cope Thunder a massive multilateral air exercise AFPN 20 Jul 2006 -- More than 800 U.S. forces and allies arrived here this week for Cooperative Cope Thunder 06-03, the Air Force's largest multilateral air combat exercise in the Pacific.
• Swedish Gripen fighters arrive at Eielson AFPN 20 Jul 2006 -- The Swedish Air Force endured a long journey to participate in the Pacific Air Forces exercise Cooperative Cope Thunder for the first time.
• AFSOC commander discusses mission with Congress AFPN 20 Jul 2006 -- "We're helping those who cannot stand on their own against tyranny," Lt. Gen. Michael W. Wooley told a roomful of people Tuesday on Capitol Hill.
• Guard, Reserve Make Valued Contributions to Terror War, Other Missions AFPS 20 Jul 2006 -- The reserve components have greatly contributed to the global war on terrorism, while also providing personnel for homeland security and disaster relief missions, senior officials told a congressionally chartered committee yesterday.
• Brazil Takes Control of Western Hemisphere Military Council AFPS 20 Jul 2006 -- The Brazilian military today assumed leadership of the Inter-American Defense Board, the military advisory board to the Organization of American States.
• Vandenberg launches Minuteman III AFPN 20 Jul 2006 -- An unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile was launched from here today at 3:14 a.m.
• Defense weather satellites provide environmental support AFPN 20 Jul 2006 -- Officials from the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center here said they are on track to launch a third satellite in November that will join two others already in orbit essential in tracking global weather conditions and providing data for distribution to Department of Defense and civilian government agencies.
• Ukrainian-U.S. joint exercise called off in Mideast crisis RIA Novosti 20 Jul 2006 -- Sea Breeze 2006, a Ukrainian-U.S. joint naval exercise has been cancelled because of the crisis in the Middle East, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry said Thursday.
• Press Briefing by Tony Snow The White House 20 Jul 2006
• Daily Press Briefing US Department of State 20 Jul 2006

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for July 20, 2006
• CACI Awarded Subcontract on $4 Billion U.S. Army Infrastructure Modernization Program CACI 20 Jul 2006 -- CACI International Inc (NYSE:CAI) announced today that it is a subcontractor on the $4 billion, multiple-award U.S. Army Infrastructure Modernization (IMOD) program. CACI will support Lucent Technologies Inc. under this contract vehicle used by government project managers to meet the requirements of the Installation Information Infrastructure Modernization Program (I3MP) — the master program for consolidating and transforming information technology (IT) and telecommunications infrastructure for the Army and Defense Department, worldwide.
• U.S. Army Awards Lockheed Martin $170 Million Contract for HELLFIRE II Missile Production Lockheed Martin 20 Jul 2006 -- The U.S. Army has awarded a $170 million contract to HELLFIRE Systems, Limited Liability Company (HSLLC) for continued production of the combat-proven HELLFIRE® II air-to-ground missile. Options for additional missile production, if exercised, would bring the contract’s value to more than $500 million.
• Lockheed Martin Receives $15.8 Million Contract for New High Mobility Artillery Rocket System Cab Lockheed Martin 20 Jul 2006 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has received a $15.8 million contract from the U.S. Army to provide Increased Crew Protection (ICP) cab development for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS).
• NAVY AWARDS LOCKHEED MARTIN $150 MILLION CONTRACT TO SUPPORT SAILOR TRAINING ON ALL SURFACE COMBAT SYSTEMS Lockheed Martin 20 Jul 2006 -- A team led by Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] was awarded a $150 million Seaport-e task order by the U.S. Navy to provide training support to Sailors across the full spectrum of surface ship combat systems. The Lockheed Martin team includes 12 companies, comprised of international and small business partners.
• Rheinmetall books €24 million aircraft ammunition order from Royal Air Force Rheinmetall Defence 20 Jul 2006 -- The British armed forces have awarded Rheinmetall a €24 million contract for 244,000 rounds of FAP 27 mm x 145 aircraft ammunition. Earmarked for the Royal Air Force's Tornado fighter aircraft the ammunition will be used for training and combat operations alike. It will be delivered in series during the period 2008-2010.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICES OF THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL AND SPOKESPERSON FOR THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT United Nations 20 Jul 2006
• Secretary-General's briefing to the Security Council on the situation in the Middle East United Nations Secretary-General - Office of the Spokesman 20 Jul 2006
• LEBANON: UN Secretary-General briefs Security Council to mixed reaction IRIN 20 Jul 2006 -- United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan made a strong call for an immediate cessation of hostilities to preserve lives with a broad, negotiated political solution between Israel and Lebanon in his briefing to the Security Council Thursday, prompting a mixed reaction from members of the Council and regional actors.
• LEBANON: UNIFIL facing 'serious restrictions' in movement IRIN 20 Jul 2006 -- The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) says fighting in the south between Israel and Hizbullah militants is taking a heavy toll on civilians and infrastructure, especially roads and bridges, and hampering its activities.
• Syria Blocks U.N. Efforts To End Lebanon Crisis, U.S. Envoy Says Washington File 20 Jul 2006 -- Syria is becoming a serious stumbling block in international diplomatic efforts to end the fighting in Lebanon, U.S. officials say.
• United States To Study U.N. Report as Rice Plans Mideast Trip Washington File 20 Jul 2006 -- U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton said July 20 that the United States will consider fully the suggestions of U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan and the July 20 report of the U.N. special mission to the Middle East as Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice prepares for a trip to the region that could occur as early as the week of July 24.
• 11 Israeli Soldiers Wounded in Several Clashes With Hezbollah VOA 20 Jul 2006 -- At least 11 Israeli soldiers have been wounded in several clashes with Hezbollah militants on the Lebanese side of the Israel-Lebanon border
• Analysts Say Lebanese Crisis Is Getting Worse VOA 20 Jul 2006 -- The Israeli military has been bombing southern Lebanon since two Israeli soldiers were captured by the Lebanese-based militant group, Hezbollah, a week ago
• Israel Sees Lebanon Conflict Linked Directly to Syria, Iran VOA 20 Jul 2006 -- For over a week now - day after day - Israeli missiles and artillery shells have struck deep into Lebanon, while Katyusha rockets rained down on cities and towns of northern Israel
• UK conditions calls for a ceasefire in Lebanon IRNA 20 Jul 2006 -- Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett admitted for the first time Thursday that the British government was seeking a ceasefire in Lebanon but suggested that conditions had to be first met.
• European Parliament calls for immediate ceasefire in Lebanon IRNA 20 Jul 2006 -- The European Parliament voiced Thursday 'extreme alarm' at the military escalation and the resulting humanitarian crisis in Lebanon and called for an immediate ceasefire.
• Backgrounder: Lebanon's Weak Government cfr.org 20 Jul 2006
• Backgrounder: Profile: Hassan Nasrallah cfr.org 20 Jul 2006
• Red Cross, UNICEF, WHO seriously concerned about civilian casualties in Lebanon, Israel IRNA 20 Jul 2006 -- Geneva-based United Nations children's and health agencies, said Wednesday they were seriously concerned about civilian casualties and new health risks because of escalating violence in Lebanon and Israel.
• Annan Demands Immediate End To Israel-Hizballah Fighting RFE/RL 20 Jul 2006 -- UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan today called for an immediate end to "indiscriminate and disproportionate" violence between Israeli and Hizballah forces to stop "further loss of innocent life and the infliction of further suffering."
• Annan proposes package of actions to staunch bloodshed in Lebanon UN News Centre 20 Jul 2006 -- Renewing his urgent appeal for an end to the civilian carnage in Lebanon and northern Israel and condemning both that country's use of excessive force as well as Hizbollah's recklessness, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today proposed elements for a political framework aimed at achieving a lasting solution to the conflict.
• UN force in southern Lebanon says heavy fire continues near its positions UN News Centre 20 Jul 2006 -- The United Nations peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon said today that heavy exchanges of fire have continued unabated over the past 24 hours along the length of the line of withdrawal that separates the country from Israel.
• Secretary of State Rice to Go to Mideast VOA 20 Jul 2006 -- Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is heading to the Middle East, which has been the scene of renewed, intense violence
• Annan Appeals for Immediate End to Israel / Hezbollah Conflict VOA 20 Jul 2006 -- U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan has called for an immediate end to fighting between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah militia.
• India launches `Operation Sukoon' to evacuate Indians from Lebanon IRNA 20 Jul 2006 -- Four Indian naval ships, as part of Operation Sukoon, have reached Beirut, where 1,000 Indian nationals are ready to be evacuated from the Lebanese war zone, amid reports three Indians have been killed.
• Heavy Fighting Reported on Israel-Lebanon Border VOA 20 Jul 2006 -- At least two Israeli troops were wounded, Thursday, in heavy fighting with Hezbollah militants, as Israeli air strikes continued in Lebanon and Hezbollah fired rockets into northern Israel
• LEBANON: Humanitarian crisis unfolds in south IRIN 20 Jul 2006 -- Relief agencies working in the south of Lebanon say there is a shortage of medical supplies, particularly for infants and children.
• LEBANON: Aid agencies hampered by Israeli strikes IRIN 20 Jul 2006 -- Humanitarian agencies working in Lebanon say their work is being hampered by continued Israeli attacks on aid convoys and access routes.
• Middle East: Diplomatic Efforts Accelerate Amid Calls For Cease-Fire RFE/RL 20 Jul 2006 -- Lebanon's Prime Minister Fouad Siniora on July 19 issued his most impassioned appeal yet to the international community.
• Middle East: Hizballah -- Past And Present RFE/RL 20 Jul 2006 -- Hizballah, in Arabic, means Party of God.
• Wrap: Israel may evacuate children, vows to destroy Hizbollah - envoy RIA Novosti 20 Jul 2006 -- Israel is considering evacuating thousands of children from the north of the country, and has resolved to continue its military operation against radical Islamic group Hizbollah for as long as it takes to destroy the organization's terrorist infrastructure, the Israeli ambassador in Russia said Thursday.
• Israel hoping for Russian aid to free seized soldiers in Mideast RIA Novosti 20 Jul 2006 -- Israel is hoping for Russian assistance to secure the release of two soldiers seized by Lebanon-based radical group Hizbollah, the Israeli ambassador in Russia said Wednesday.
• Russia says UN may call for humanitarian aid to Lebanon, PA soon RIA Novosti 20 Jul 2006 -- Russia's deputy foreign minister said Thursday the UN could soon call for humanitarian aid to be sent to Lebanon and the Palestinian Authority.
• Israel sets no timeline on operation against Hizbollah-envoy RIA Novosti 20 Jul 2006 -- Israel is not setting a deadline on its military operation against Hizbollah, the country's ambassador to Moscow said Thursday.
• 1,407 Russians already evacuated from Lebanon - ministry RIA Novosti 20 Jul 2006 -- Russia has evacuated 1,407 of its nationals and citizens of former Soviet Republics from Lebanon, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Thursday.
• Russia brands Israel's attacks on Lebanon disproportionate RIA Novosti 20 Jul 2006 -- The scale of destruction caused in Lebanon by the Israeli military has gone far beyond Israel's stated goals, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement Thursday.
• Sudanese Leader Confers with Bush, Rice on Peace Agreement Washington File 20 Jul 2006 -- President Bush met July 20 with a leader of Sudan's new national unity government to discuss how the United States can help Sudan build on the political progress and extend the benefits of peace throughout the war-torn country.
• Bush Calls Sudan's Govt to Approve UN Peacekeeping Presence in Darfur VOA 20 Jul 2006 -- President Bush is again calling on Sudan's government to approve a U.N. peacekeeping presence in the troubled Darfur region
• US Closely Watching Situation in Somalia VOA 20 Jul 2006 -- The United States is expressing concern about the situation in Somalia, and the possible involvement of troops from neighboring Ethiopia
• Witnesses Say Ethiopian Troops Enter Somali Government Town VOA 20 Jul 2006 -- Witnesses in Somalia say Ethiopian troops have entered the transitional government's base in the town of Baidoa to protect it from a feared advance by Islamic militiamen.
• SOMALIA: Alarm in Baidoa over militia movements IRIN 20 Jul 2006 -- Tensions are rising in the southern Somali town of Baidao where the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) is based, amid fears that the Islamists who control the capital, Mogadishu, could attack the town.
• U.S. Official Discusses Latest U.N. Efforts on Cyprus Washington File 20 Jul 2006 -- The U.S. official responsible for Cyprus issues at the State Department believes the recent visit to the region by U.N. Under Secretary-General for Political Affairs Ibrahim Gambari has "created an opening" for progress towards resolution of the 32-year conflict, but that the parties must move to take advantage of that opening quickly.
• High-level UN team to leave for Nepal to discuss assistance for the peace process UN News Centre 20 Jul 2006 -- A high-level United Nations team will travel to Nepal next week to discuss proposed UN assistance for the peace process, after Secretary-General Kofi Annan said today that recent developments have provided an "unprecedented opportunity" to achieve a negotiated solution to the 10 years of conflict in the Himalayan kingdom.
• European Soldiers in Congo Flex Muscles Ahead of Polls VOA 20 Jul 2006 -- The European Union's Congo force carried out exercises Thursday to show what it could do to help secure historic elections at the end of the month

News Reports

• PRESS CONFERENCE BY PANEL ON UNITED NATIONS INTERNAL JUSTICE SYSTEM United Nations 20 Jul 2006
• G-8 Summit Overshadowed by Middle East Crisis VOA 20 Jul 2006 -- Experts say very little was accomplished at the just completed G-8 summit bringing together leaders of the world's major industrialized democracies
• LOCKHEED MARTIN CELEBRATES 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF NASA'S VIKING 1 LANDING ON THE SURFACE OF MARS Lockheed Martin 20 Jul 2006 -- Viking The National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Viking 1 mission to Mars captured the world’s imagination 30 years ago when the first U.S. spacecraft to ever land on another planet came to rest on the surface of the red planet on July 20, 1976. Forty-five days later the second lander, Viking 2, joined its sibling on the other side of the planet and together began to rewrite the history books on Mars.
• Northrop Grumman/Ball Aerospace Team Completes Critical Vibro-Acoustic Tests on James Webb Space Telescope Primary Mirror Northrop Grumman 20 Jul 2006 -- In an ongoing demonstration of the technological readiness of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), a team led by Northrop Grumman Corp. (NYSE:NOC) and Ball Aerospace & Technologies successfully completed several rigorous tests that proved the primary mirror for the science community's premier space telescope can successfully withstand launch and function as planned in its space environment.