Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 21 Jun 2007 [PDF]
• TF Marne Soldiers attacked
• MND-B patrol struck by improvised explosive device
• MNF-W forces attacked
• Improvised explosive device strikes MND-B patrol
• MNC-I vehicle struck by rocket propelled grenade
• Transcript: DoD Media Roundtable With Secretary Gates and Gen. Pace in the Pentagon Briefing Room, Arlington, Va. 21 Jun 2007 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates and Joint Chiefs of Staff General Peter Pace
• June 20 airpower summary: B-1B takes out targets AFPN 21 Jun 2007 -- Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops troops in Afghanistan during operations June 20, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.
• Iraq Operations Kill, Capture Scores of Terrorists AFPS 21 Jun 2007 -- A series of anti-insurgent operations conducted across Iraq by U.S. and Iraqi troops in recent days has resulted in the killing or capture of scores of terrorists and the seizure of copious amounts of enemy ordnance, U.S. military officials reported.
• Marne Torch continues clearing insurgent safe havens MNF-I 21 Jun 2007 -- Task Force Marne continues its sixth day of offensive operations to clear extremist sanctuaries in the Arab Jabour area which is located southeast of Baghdad.
• Operation Commando Eagle starts off strong MNF-I 21 Jun 2007 -- A joint operation geared toward curbing terrorist activity southwest of Baghdad is yielding results almost immediately.
• PRT Khost Launches Diversion Dam Project Navy NewsStand 21 Jun 2007 -- Through a $1.5 million project launched earlier this year, the Provincial Reconstruction Team Khost is finding that providing water for drinking and irrigation can be an effective weapon against terrorism.
• U.S., Afghan Troops Rescue Enemy-Held Hostages AFPS 21 Jun 2007 -- Two people who'd been held hostage by Taliban and al Qaeda militants were rescued today by U.S. and Afghan forces during raids in the Zaghun Shah district of Afghanistan's Paktika province, U.S. officials reported.
• UN-assisted mine clearance enables 1,000 Afghan families to return home UN News Centre 21 Jun 2007 -- Some 1,000 Afghan families can now return to their homes on a hilltop in downtown Kabul and live in a more secure environment thanks to the efforts of the United Nations-supported Mine Action Programme for Afghanistan (MAPA).
• Afghanistan: Taliban Threatens More Attacks In Kabul RFE/RL 21 Jun 2007 -- A Taliban spokesman says militants are changing their tactics in Afghanistan and will increasingly carry out attacks in Kabul.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Transcript: DoD Special Briefing on Africa Command with Mr. Ryan Henry from the Pentagon Briefing Room, Arlington Va. 21 Jun 2007 -- Presenter: Ryan Henry, Principal Deputy Undersecretary Of Defense For Policy
• New US Africa Command Not for Combat, Says Defense Official VOA 21 Jun 2007 -- A senior defense department official says the planned new U.S. military command for Africa is not being organized with combat in mind, and will not immediately result in any changes in U.S. military activity on the continent
• Officials Discuss New U.S. Command with African Leaders AFPS 21 Jun 2007 -- Leaders in five African nations see the U.S. Africa Command, or AFRICOM, as a constructive approach to making the continent more stable, a senior Defense Department official told reporters at the Pentagon today.
• Army Reaches Major Chemical Weapons Convention Milestone Army News 21 Jun 2007 -- The U.S. Army Chemical Materials Agency announced today the safe destruction of 45 percent of the United States' chemical stockpile, accomplishing a major Chemical Weapons Convention milestone well ahead of the other signatory nations with major stockpiles.
• Airborne Laser Aircraft Slated to Provide Missile Defense AFPS 21 Jun 2007 -- A typical-looking 747 aircraft on the tarmac here today -- distinguishable from other 747s only by its glass, bulb-shaped nose -- could one day be the silver bullet that shoots ballistic missiles out of the sky.
• NATO celebrates 25th anniversary of E-3's arrival AFPN 21 Jun 2007 -- Nearly 130,000 German, Dutch and Belgian citizens flooded the tarmac on Geilenkirchen NATO Air Base June 16 and 17 to celebrate the successful legacy of a multinationally operated airplane that began flying out of the northern German community in February 1982.
• KC-135, C-17 crews rendezvous for refuel readiness AFPN 21 Jun 2007 -- A KC-135 aircrew from the 18th Wing at Kadena Air Base, Japan flew to Hawaii to meet up with Hickam Air Force Base's C-17 Globemaster III crew to practice in-flight refueling procedures.
• Pace Will Stay Focused on Supporting Troops in Combat AFPS 21 Jun 2007 -- The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said today he is going to stay focused on his job of providing the best military advice to the president, vice president, defense secretary and rest of the National Security Council until his term expires at the end of September.
• Camp Humphreys Development Rises from Rice Paddies AFPS 21 Jun 2007 -- As the U.S. military transforms its forces from a cold-war formation in South Korea, nowhere is the growth more visible than here, in what used to be considered a "sleepy little camp with not much happening," officials here said.
• Second Phase of CARAT Begins in Thailand Navy NewsStand 21 Jun 2007 -- The second phase of the 13th annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise series began June 19 with an opening ceremony at Sattahip Naval Base.
• Likely Divisive Hearing Cited in Decision on Joint Chiefs of Staff Washington File 21 Jun 2007 -- Defense Secretary Robert Gates says he recommended against renewing the term of General Peter Pace as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the most senior military officer in the United States, because he wanted to prevent an antagonistic, Iraq-focused Senate hearing that might harm the nation.
• Pentagon Puts Critical Technology on Trial AFPS 21 Jun 2007 -- Defense officials this week are judging innovative tools that provide geospatial imaging, boost network communication and security, or fulfill other warfighter requirements on their utility, security and interoperability with existing and new systems.
• 'New Media' Program Seeks Opportunities in 24/7 Global Networks AFPS 21 Jun 2007 -- As evolving technology enables new links among people and speeds the flow of information around the globe, communications organizations must adapt to those changes to remain relevant and valuable to their core audiences, a Pentagon official said last week.
• Vice Chairman Answers Soldiers' Questions AFPS 21 Jun 2007 -- The vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff met with soldiers of the 1st Cavalry Division here yesterday, thanking them for their service and telling them better equipment is on the way.
• Admiral Surprises Soldiers With Candid, Detailed Answers AFPS 21 Jun 2007 -- When the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff showed up to speak to 1st Cavalry soldiers here yesterday, soldiers were a bit surprised by how in tune he was with the current situation in Iraq.
• Gates, Pace Pledge to Fix Defense Mental Health System AFPS 21 Jun 2007 -- Current Defense Department mental health efforts fall significantly short of adequately serving servicemembers and their families, and Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said fixing the program is an achievable vision.
• Command of 22nd NCR Changes Hands Navy NewsStand 21 Jun 2007 -- Capt. Eric S. Odderstol was relieved as commander, 22nd Naval Construction Regiment (22nd NCR) by Capt. Robert A. McLean III, during a change of command ceremony June 20 aboard Construction Battalion Center Gulfport.
• US Navy Hospital Ship Launches Latin America Mission VOA 21 Jun 2007 -- A U.S. Navy hospital ship is launching a medical and humanitarian mission that will include stops in 12 nations in Latin America
• Air Intelligence Agency becomes Air Force IRS Agency AFPN 21 Jun 2007 -- The Air Intelligence Agency officially became the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Agency in a ceremony held June 15 here consolidating Air Force ISR functions to better serve the warfighter and the nation.
• Russia continues military pullout from Georgia RIA Novosti 21 Jun 2007 -- A train carrying military hardware left a Russian base in Georgia early Thursday as part of a 2006 deal on the withdrawal of Russian bases from the ex-Soviet Caucasus state, the Georgian Defense Ministry said.
• UK signs defence cooperation deal with the US IRNA 21 Jun 2007 -- Outgoing Prime Minister Tony Blair signed a treaty with US President George W. Bush Thursday that ends the requirement to grant an individual export license for every piece of American defence equipment and technology.
• Global NATO: Congressman Suggests Creating Worldwide Alliance Washington File 21 Jun 2007 -- NATO's 26 nations should consider expanding membership well outside of Europe and North America -- perhaps inviting Pacific-region democracies to join -- the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee told NATO's senior commander June 22.
• Press Gaggle by Dana Perino The White House 21 Jun 2007
• Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 21 Jun 2007

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for June 21, 2007
• Eurocopter and UK Ministry of Defence Sign Contract for Puma Upgrade Assessment EADS 21 Jun 2007 -- Eurocopter has today been awarded by the UK's Ministry of Defence an Assessment Phase (AP) contract for the Life Extension Programme for the RAF's fleet of Puma Mk1 helicopters.
• LOCKHEED MARTIN GMLRS PROGRAM RECEIVES CERTIFICATION AND $125 MILLION U.S. ARMY PRODUCTION ORDER Lockheed Martin 21 Jun 2007 -- The Department of Defense has officially advanced Lockheed Martin's [NYSE: LMT] Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) - Unitary into low-rate production. Additionally, the U.S. Army awarded the company a $125 million contract for production of GMLRS rockets.
• U.S. Air Force Awards Northrop Grumman Battle Management Contract Modification Northrop Grumman 21 Jun 2007 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has been awarded a contract modification by the U.S. Air Force for the Battle Management Command and Control (BMC2) mission execution program
• Israeli Air Force Awards Pratt & Whitney Materials Management Agreement Pratt & Whitney 21 Jun 2007 -- Pratt & Whitney, a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX) company, and the Government of Israel - Ministry of Defense on behalf of the Israeli Air Force (IAF), signed an agreement for a Materials Management Program (MMP) to support the IAF's F100-PW-229 powered F-15 and F-16 front line fighters as part of the just-in-time contract between the parties.
• U.S. Army Awards General Dynamics $18 Million for Command Post of the Future General Dynamics 21 Jun 2007 -- The U.S. Army has awarded a contract to General Dynamics C4 Systems for contractor support and engineering services for the Command Post of the Future (CPOF)
• Northrop Grumman Successfully Completes Major Milestone Towards Delivering and Launching MDA's Space Tracking and Surveillance System Satellites Northrop Grumman 21 Jun 2007 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC), the prime contractor for the Missile Defense Agency's (MDA) missile detecting Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS), announced today the successful completion of thermal vacuum testing of space vehicle number 1.
• Boeing Showcases Operational TSAT System during Critical Review Boeing 21 Jun 2007 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and its industry teammates recently demonstrated the advanced capabilities the Transformational Satellite Communications System (TSAT) will offer the nation's warfighters during a critical Space Segment Design Review (SSDR).
• Northrop Grumman Hunter Achieves 50,000 Hours of Flight Time Northrop Grumman 21 Jun 2007 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) Hunter Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), in use with the U.S. Army since 1996, recently surpassed 50,000 flight hours in service, over half of which were flown in combat.
• Spain Chooses GE Engines for its NH90 Helicopters GE Aviation 21 Jun 2007 -- Spain Ministry of Defense has selected GE engines to power 45 NH90 helicopters with its advanced CT7-8F5 engine and related services. These aircraft are included in the Armed Forces Modernization Program (procurement approved by the Minister Council in May 2005.)
• Sagem Défense Sécurité : integration firing of AASM air-to-ground weapon by Rafale from the aircraft carrier Charles-de-Gaulle Sagem (Safran group) 21 Jun 2007 -- On June 5, 2007, a French Navy Rafale carried out the second integration firing of the AASM air-to-ground modular weapon during a maritime test campaign of the CdG7 Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 21 Jun 2007
• PRESS CONFERENCE BY OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS ON SITUATION IN GAZA, WEST BANK United Nations 21 Jun 2007
• OPT: UN warns of food shortages unless key crossing point reopened IRIN 21 Jun 2007 -- The Gaza Strip will face a general food shortage within two-four weeks if the main commercial Karni Crossing is not reopened, the UN has warned.
• Rice to Discuss Gaza, Lebanon, Sudan in Paris VOA 21 Jun 2007 -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice flies to Paris early next week for meetings with top French officials and Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora
• Abbas, Olmert to Meet in Egypt VOA 21 Jun 2007 -- Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas are to hold talks in Egypt, early next week
• Sri Lanka poised to capture final Tiger base in the east IRNA 21 Jun 2007 -- Sri Lankan security forces were about to recapture the final stronghold of Tamil Tigers in the country's east after 14 years, the military said today after a fresh wave of fierce fighting in the region and in the waters off the northern coast.
• Russia Ruled Responsible For Killings Of Four Chechens RFE/RL 21 Jun 2007 -- The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that Russian forces were responsible for the killings of four members of a Chechen family in 2003.
• Security Council lauds accord between Burundian Government and rebel group UN News Centre 21 Jun 2007 -- The United Nations Security Council today welcomed the 17 June agreement between Burundi's President Pierre Nkurunziza and Agathon Rwasa, leader of the Palipehutu-National Liberation Forces (PALIPEHUTU-FNL), to implement the ceasefire they reached last year.
• Lebanese Defense Minister Says Fighting at Refugee Camp Over VOA 21 Jun 2007 -- Lebanon's defense minister says the operation against Islamic militants in a Palestinian refugee camp is over.
• UGANDA: Government to seek review of ICC indictments against LRA leaders IRIN 21 Jun 2007 -- Uganda will "engage" the International Criminal Court (ICC) to seek a review of the indictments for war crime charges against leaders of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), internal affairs minister Ruhakana Rugunda said.
• LEBANON: Rights group calls for probe into Palestinian abuse claims IRIN 21 Jun 2007 -- Tens of thousands of Palestinians have fled the Lebanese army's month-long siege and shelling of the north Lebanon Nahr al-Bared refugee camp, as its battle against Islamist militants continues.
• Chechnya: Rights Situation May Be Improving RFE/RL 21 Jun 2007 -- The current war in Chechnya that began in the fall of 1999 has, to a far greater degree than the 1994-1996 conflict, been accompanied by systematic, widespread, and egregious human rights violations committed by both the Russian military and pro-Moscow Chechen forces.
• Russia opposes artificial deadlines for Kosovo settlement RIA Novosti 21 Jun 2007 -- Russia opposes artificial timeframes for settling Kosovo's status, a deputy foreign minister said Thursday at a meeting with Serbian Ambassador Stanimir Vukicevic.
• Thailand Government Says Secret Talks Progress as Insurgency Escalates VOA 21 Jun 2007 -- The violence in Thailand's southern border provinces has escalated in recent months, the death toll rising from almost daily attacks, with schools and state officials especially targeted

News Reports

• Analysis: Smiles in Damascus and Tehran cfr.org 21 Jun 2007 -- Syria and Iran seem like unnatural allies. Syria is a predominantly Sunni state run by Alawites, a secular Baathist offshoot; Iran is a mainly Shiite state, run by religious mullahs.
• Thales Alenia Space and Arianespace sign launch contract for first pan-African satellite RASCOM 1 Thales 21 Jun 2007 -- Thales Alenia Space and Arianespace today announced the signature of the launch Service & Solutions contract for the first pan-African communications satellite, RASCOM 1, dedicated to the African continent. The satellite is scheduled for launch into a geostationary transfer orbit in the last quarter of 2007 by an Ariane 5 launcher from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.