Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 29 Mar 2007 [PDF]
• DoD Identifies Marine Casualty
• DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• Transcript: DoD New Briefing On Reconstruction In Iraq With Brigadier General Michael Walsh And Deputy Mayor Ibrahim Mustafa Hussain In The Pentagon Briefing Studio, Arlington, Virginia 29 Mar 2007 -- Presenter: Brigadier General Michael Walsh, Commanding General, Gulf Region Division, Army Corps Of Engineers And Ibrahim Mustafa Hussain, Deputy Mayor, Technical Affairs, Baghdad
• March 29 airpower: A-10s provide overwatch for coalition AFPN 29 Mar 2007 -- U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for March 29.
• Coalition Forces in Iraq Kill Four Terrorists, Capture 67 AFPS 29 Mar 2007 -- Coalition forces in Iraq this week killed four suspected terrorists, captured 67 others and netted scores of weapons in various operations, military officials reported.
• At Least 170 People Killed in Iraq VOA 29 Mar 2007 -- Thursday marked another violent day in Iraq, where at least 170 people were killed or found dead in the war-torn country.
• Britain Presses Demand for Sailors' Release in Standoff with Iran VOA 29 Mar 2007 -- Britain is pressing its demand for the immediate release of 15 sailors and marines, seized by Iranian Revolutionary Guard forces last Friday, while Tehran is warning of delays and says an apology would help speed up the process
• FM: Britain should guarantee not to violate Iran's waters again IRNA 29 Mar 2007 -- Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent on Thursday a message to British embassy in Tehran, calling for guarantee by London to avoid violating Iranian territorial waters in the future.
• Larijani: London's rhetoric might serve to suspend release of British sailor IRNA 29 Mar 2007 -- Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani said on Thursday that the harsh rhetoric and propaganda of British officials might lead to suspension of freedom of a female marine, who was arrested on Friday.
• Security Council calls for 'early resolution' of Iran's detention of British sailors UN News Centre 29 Mar 2007 -- The Security Council today called for an early resolution of the row over Iran's detention of 15 British marines and sailors, voicing grave concern at the situation and calling for their release, while Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon discussed the issue with Iran's Foreign Minister.
• Ban Ki-moon discusses detained British sailors in talks with Iranian official UN News Centre 29 Mar 2007 -- The detention of 15 British marines and sailors in Iran and the Middle Eastern country's nuclear programme topped the agenda today during bilateral talks between Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Motaki.
• Britain Appeals To UN In Sailors' Case RFE/RL 29 Mar 2007 -- Britain has asked the United Nations Security Council to call for the immediate release of 15 naval personnel seized by Iran.
• Britain Asks UN to Condemn Iran for Capture of British Sailors VOA 29 Mar 2007 -- Britain's Foreign Office says it is seeking a statement from the United Nations condemning Iran's capture of 15 British sailors in the northern Persian Gulf last Friday.
• PAKISTAN: Surge of Afghans repatriating IRIN 29 Mar 2007 -- The number of Afghans returning from Pakistan has increased considerably over the past week following the announcement of an increased assistance package for each returnee by the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR).
• Pakistan Tries to Negotiate Peace in Tribal Areas VOA 29 Mar 2007 -- Pakistan is trying a new approach of negotiations and development projects to secure its volatile tribal regions

Defense Policy / Programs

• Bush Repeats Call for War Funding Bill With 'No Strings' AFPS 29 Mar 2007 -- President Bush today repeated his intention to veto an emergency supplemental war spending bill if it includes a deadline for withdrawing U.S. combat forces from Iraq and unrelated domestic spending.
• US Lawmakers Debate Closure of Guantanamo Facility VOA 29 Mar 2007 -- Arguments for and against the closure of the U.S. facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba used for the interrogation and detention of suspected terrorists and trials by military commissions, were heard across Capitol Hill Thursday
• Army position: M4 Carbine is Soldier's battlefield weapon of choice Army News Release 29 Mar 2007 -- The M4 Carbine is the Army's primary individual combat rifle for Infantry, Ranger, and Special Operations forces
• Defense Secretary Says $700 Billion Budget Key to Military Revamp Washington File 29 Mar 2007 -- Defense Secretary Robert Gates tells Congress the administration's comprehensive 2008 defense budget proposal aims to revamp the U.S. military's ability to confront global security challenges.
• Budget Will Recapitalize, Modernize U.S. Forces AFPS 29 Mar 2007 -- The proposed defense budget will modernize and recapitalize the armed forces, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee today.
• US Defense Expenditures Could Exceed $700 Billion VOA 29 Mar 2007 -- As the U.S. Congress draws up the 2008 federal budget, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense is focusing specifically on financial requests by the military
• C-130 airdrops provide critical supplies to U.S. forces AFPN 29 Mar 2007 -- Improved Container Delivery System bundles fall from the cargo compartments of C-130 Hercules aircraft on a frequent basis here.
• GPS-driven drop sondes improves airdrop accuracy AFPN 29 Mar 2007 -- An emerging technology is making airdrops around the world more accurate. Called drop sondes, it not only improves aircrew capabilities, it also keeps troops safe downrange.
• Former NATO, U.S. leaders return to Sheppard for anniversary AFPN 29 Mar 2007 -- Former Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training members reunited and toured Sheppard AFB as part of their 25th anniversary celebration March 26.
• Lajes Airmen tested on readiness capabilities AFPN 29 Mar 2007 -- Airmen here perform one of today's most vital missions -- directly supporting servicemembers going to and from deployed locations fighting the war on terrorism around the world.
• FM Center of Expertise celebrates first anniversary AFPN 29 Mar 2007 -- Last April, after 15 months of studies, surveys, and hard work, the Air Force Financial Management Center of Expertise, or FM CoE, opened its doors and introduced a single stopping point for cost analysis decision support for commanders and senior leaders.
• Nellis officials host threat analysis working group AFPN 29 Mar 2007 -- Officials from the 57th Information Aggressor Squadron hosted the first-ever Information Operations Threat Analysis Working Group at the Threat Training Facility at Nellis March 27 to 29.
• USAFE officials forge relations with Russian air force AFPN 29 Mar 2007 -- Twenty years ago the idea of Russian and U.S. Air Force leaders flying together and exchanging ideas was almost implausible
• DLI Beefs Up Language Skills Army News 29 Mar 2007 -- In the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the Department of Defense took a more serious look at the linguistic and cultural preparedness of America's military.
• Pearl Harbor Joins Partnership of the Americas Navy NewsStand 29 Mar 2007 -- USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) departed Naval Station San Diego on March 28 to begin their role in a U.S. Navy Task Group conducting Partnership of the Americas (POA) 2007.
• Trident Warrior '07 Brings New Technology to the Fleet Navy NewsStand 29 Mar 2007 -- Naval Network Warfare Command (NETWARCOM) is hosting Trident Warrior 2007, the annual FORCEnet sea trial event, from March 16 through March 30, to improve communication and speed vital information to warfighters.
• U.S., Royal Navy Subs Test Tactics Under Polar Ice Pack Navy NewsStand 29 Mar 2007 -- An underwater range in the frigid depths of the Beaufort Sea allowed the U.S. and Royal navies to hone tactics, communication and navigation under the polar ice pack during Ice Exercise 2007 (ICEX-2007).
• Russell Makes Port Call to Chinhae Prior to RSOI/FE 2007 Navy NewsStand 29 Mar 2007 -- USS Russell (DDG 59) arrived in Chinhae, Republic of Korea (ROK) on March 22 for a scheduled port visit prior to the commencement of Exercise Reception, Staging, Onward Movement and Integration/Foal Eagle (RSOI/FE) 2007.
• US, ROK Navies Conduct Combined Rapid Runway Repair Exercise Navy NewsStand 29 Mar 2007 -- U.S. Navy Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3 and Republic of Korea (ROK) Sailors from Air Wing 6 combined forces to rebuild a runway damaged in a simulated bombing March 21-23 at the ROK Marine Corps Base here.
• Aerial Common Sensor Gets Green Light from Army Leadership Army News 29 Mar 2007 -- The Army's next-generation airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platform has a new runway to get off the ground.
• Whiteman Reserve unit teams up with Spangdahlem pilots AFPN 29 Mar 2007 -- The Reserve's 442nd Fighter Wing is once again partnering with the 81st Fighter Squadron from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany.
• Joint Warfare Center tests new tools in exercise AFPN 29 Mar 2007 -- The Joint Warfare Center in Stavanger, Norway, might be half a world away from Afghanistan, but it's where the journey begins for a NATO battle staff headed downrange to fight the war on terrorism.
• New facility aids transition to enduring presence AFPN 29 Mar 2007 -- The transition toward an enduring presence in Southwest Asia requires efficient long-term planning, such as prepositioning equipment in warehouses similar to back at home stations in order to meet the high operations tempo.
• EU foreign policy chief calls for debate on U.S. missile plans RIA Novosti 29 Mar 2007 -- The European Union's foreign policy chief said Thursday that EU states should discuss Washington's plans to deploy elements of its missile defense system in Central Europe.
• Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 29 Mar 2007
• Press Briefing by Dana Perino The White House 28 Mar 2007

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for March 29, 2007
• First Centre Wing Box Delivered For A400M Final Assembly EADS 29 Mar 2007 -- The first centre wing box, the 'structural heart' of the A400M military transport aircraft, has been delivered from the Airbus Nantes site in France to Seville in Spain, where it arrived yesterday, Wednesday 28th March
• Future Combat Systems Team Selects Centralized Controller Provider Boeing 29 Mar 2007 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] and partner Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) [NYSE: SAI], acting as the Lead Systems Integrator for the U.S. Army's Future Combat Systems (FCS) program, today announced the selection of Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Grand Prairie, Texas, as provider of the FCS Centralized Controller device.
• General Dynamics Awarded $22 Million Medium Caliber Ammunition Contract General Dynamics 29 Mar 2007 -- The U.S. Army Joint Munitions Command at Rock Island Arsenal, Ill., has awarded General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems a $21.8 million contract to produce 25mm Bushmaster M793 Target Practice-Traced, 25mm M910 Target Practice Discarding Sabot-Traced and 30mm M788 Target Practice ammunition
• First Australian NH90 Multi role helicopter (MRH90) successfully performed its maiden flight at Eurocopter in Marignane EADS 29 Mar 2007 -- Eurocopter has passed a central milestone in the Australian MRH90 helicopter procurement programme, having yesterday (March 28th) successfully undertaken the initial flight of the first MRH90 produced and assembled in Marignane, France
• L-3 Communications WESCAM Selected to Provide Electro-Optical Technology for the United Kingdom's Future Lynx Program L-3 Communications 29 Mar 2007 -- L-3 Communications (NYSE: LLL) announced today that its WESCAM (L-3 WESCAM) subsidiary has been selected by Agusta Westland to provide 56 MX(R)-15Di turrets as the Electro-Optical Laser Designator system for the United Kingdom's Future Lynx program.
• Raytheon Awarded $10.7 Million Contract To Produce Missile Launchers For U.S. Navy Raytheon 29 Mar 2007 -- Raytheon Technical Services Company LLC (RTSC), a subsidiary of Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN), has been awarded a $10.7 million contract to produce missile launchers in support of the U.S. Navy's F/A-18 E/F and EA-18G aircraft.
• The consolidation of naval activities in France between Thales and DCN is operational DCN 29 Mar 2007 -- DCN and Thales have finalised with the French government the agreement concerning the consolidation of their activities within the French naval defence sector. This major step is aimed at the constitution of a consolidated European naval defence industry in which DCN and Thales will have a major role to play.
• First new training aircraft arrived at the EADS Cognac Aviation Training Services Centre in Cognac EADS 29 Mar 2007 -- The first new Grob 120A training aircraft has arrived at the French Air Force Flight Training School on the Cognac Air Base. This event marks an important step in the EADS programme which aims at the modernisation of the ab initio pilot training for the French Air Force (FAF).
• The consolidation of Naval activities in France between Thales and DCN is operational Thales 29 Mar 2007 -- This major step is aimed at the constitution of a consolidated European naval defence industry in which DCN and Thales will have a major role to play. The agreement also approves the acquisition by Thales of a 25% stake in DCN.
• Raytheon to Pursue U.S. Air Force Network and Space O&M Contract Raytheon 29 Mar 2007 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) will lead an industry team in pursuit of Network and Space Operations & Maintenance, or NSOM, a program to provide operations and maintenance services to the Air Force Satellite Control Network.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 29 Mar 2007
• U.S. Calls Re-launch of Arab Peace Initiative "Very Positive" Washington File 29 Mar 2007 -- Reaffirmation of the 2002 Arab initiative offering Israel recognition and permanent peace in exchange for a withdrawal from territory captured in 1967 and a resolution to the issue of Palestinian refugees is "very positive," according to State Department spokesman Sean McCormack.
• Arab States Reaffirm Peace Proposal VOA 29 Mar 2007 -- The Arab League has urged Israel to accept a revived Arab peace proposal aimed at ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
• ISRAEL-OPT: Schoolbooks say 'fighting Israel is Islamic duty' IRIN 29 Mar 2007 -- Palestinian schoolchildren are being taught to hate Israel and to see fighting Israelis as a holy Islamic duty, according to a report by an Israeli media monitoring group.
• COTE D'IVOIRE: UN endorses peace plan but troops will remain IRIN 29 Mar 2007 -- Cote d'Ivoire's efforts to take control of its peace process took a step forward on Wednesday as the United Nations Security Council endorsed a change of government, but diplomats told IRIN the presence of international troops monitoring a line of control between north and south would not be radically changed.
• DRC-GREAT LAKES: Opposition militias join army in Equateur province IRIN 29 Mar 2007 -- Militias loyal to opposition leader Jean-Pierre Bemba have been integrated into the national army in Equateur province, in the northern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), United Nations officials said.
• Georgia: Tbilisi Ups The Ante Over South Ossetia RFE/RL 29 Mar 2007 -- The Georgian leadership has announced at least three successive proposals since September 2004 for resolving its conflict with the breakaway unrecognized republic of South Ossetia.
• As civilians flee Somalia's capital, Ban Ki-moon calls for immediate end to fighting UN News Centre 29 Mar 2007 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called on all sides in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, to put an immediate end to the fighting as the United Nations refugee agency reported that over 12,000 people had fled the strife-torn city in just the last week, bringing the total since the beginning of February to 57,000.
• Ethiopian Helicopters Fire on Somali Insurgents in Mogadishu VOA 29 Mar 2007 -- After several days of relative calm, heavy fighting resumed in the Somali capital, Mogadishu
• No reduction of federal troops in Chechnya - deputy minister RIA Novosti 29 Mar 2007 -- A contingent of Russian federal troops stationed in Chechnya will not be reduced until all armed groups are eliminated in the troubled North Caucasus republic, a Russian interior deputy minister said Thursday.

News Reports

• Orbital Awarded Contract For A Third Communications Satellite By Optus Of Australia Orbital Sciences Corp. 29 Mar 2007 -- Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB) announced today that one of its current satellite customers, Australia’s Optus Networks, has placed a firm order for its third STAR™ communications satellite as an addition to its in-orbit fleet.
• Boundary Dispute Seen as Root of Iranian Seizure of British Sailorsy VOA 29 Mar 2007 -- Britain continues to insist that it was within Iraqi territorial waters when Iranian Revolutionary Guards seized two small patrol craft and 15 sailors and marines. Iran maintains the boats were in Iranian waters
• Arriving in Lebanon, Ban Ki-moon says dialogue is key to national unity UN News Centre 29 Mar 2007 -- Continuing a diplomatic tour of the Middle East, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon arrived in Beirut today, where he said dialogue and compromise are key to Lebanon's national unity.
• LEBANON: Campaigners push electoral reform to end sectarian politics IRIN 29 Mar 2007 -- Electoral reform would combat the sectarianism that blights Lebanon and provide an exit from its political crisis, NGOs say.