Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 15 Aug 2007 [PDF]
• DoD News: DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• DoD News: DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• Operations in Iraq weekly update by Brig. Gen. Kevin J. Bergner, Multi-National Force-Iraq spokesman, Aug. 15, 2007 MNF-I 15 Aug 2007
• Phantom Strike Operations Target Terrorist Safe Havens in Iraq AFPS 15 Aug 2007 -- Iraqi and coalition forces launched combat offensives dubbed "Operation Marne Husky" today and "Operation Lightning Hammer" yesterday to eliminate enemy sanctuaries in Iraq.
• Operation Phantom Strike Builds on Security Progress, Intelligence AFPS 15 Aug 2007 -- Operation Phantom Strike, a joint operation launched this week by coalition and Iraqi forces, is using the information and intelligence gained through operations this summer to more effectively target insurgents throughout Iraq, a Multinational Force Iraq spokesman said today.
• Bomb Attacks On Minority Kill 200 In Northern Iraq RFE/RL 15 Aug 2007 -- Iraqi officials say a series of bomb blasts in northern Iraq on August 14 has claimed the lives of at least 200 people and injured hundreds more.
• US Military Suspects Al-Qaida in Iraqi Bombings VOA 15 Aug 2007 -- The U.S. military says al-Qaida was likely responsible for the multiple bombings in northern Iraq Tuesday that killed more than 200 people.
• US, Afghan Operation Targets Terrorists in Tora Bora VOA 15 Aug 2007 -- The U.S. command in eastern Afghanistan is confirming that U.S. and Afghan forces are conducting an offensive against insurgents in the rugged Tora Bora region
• US Military Operation Targets al-Qaida in Eastern Afghanistan VOA 15 Aug 2007 -- The U.S. military says hundreds of U.S. soldiers have launched an offensive against al-Qaida and other extremists in eastern Afghanistan.
• South Koreans, Taliban To Resume Direct Talks RFE/RL 15 Aug 2007 -- The Taliban and South Korean diplomats are expected to resume direct talks on August 16 on the release of 19 South Korean hostages being held by the militia group.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Navy Embarks on a Warehousing and Storage GSIP Navy NewsStand 15 Aug 2007 -- The Navy has embarked on an ambitious global shore infrastructure plan (GSIP) footprint reduction initiative in support of the CNO's target of a 30 million square feet reduction by 2013.
• Hickam Airmen conduct 4-ship airdrop training AFPN 15 Aug 2007 -- Four C-17 Globemaster III aircrews from the 535th Airlift squadron conducted multi-element airdrop training over the Kahuku training range Aug. 13 here allowing aircrew members to maintain currency while increasing proficiency and capability.
• Exercise Valiant Shield wraps up AFPN 15 Aug 2007 -- Exercise Valiant Shield 2007, the largest exercise of its kind in the Pacific, wrapped up eight days of flying operations Aug.13.
• Lessons From Horn of Africa to Apply in Africa Command AFPS 15 Aug 2007 -- As the war on terrorism moves forward, the lessons of U.S. operations in the Horn of Africa will resonate around the Defense Department and the government, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said here yesterday.
• General Dynamics Awarded $15 Million To Continue Supporting the Excalibur Production Program General Dynamics 15 Aug 2007 -- General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), was recently awarded $15 million for Hi-G 4-Axis Control Actuator Systems as part of its continuing support of Raytheon's Excalibur (XM982) Block 1a production program
• JCSSG Completes Exercise Valiant Shield 2007 Navy NewsStand 15 Aug 2007 -- The John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group (JCSSG) successfully wrapped up Exercise Valiant Shield 2007 while operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) Aug. 14.
• MDSU-2 Chief Selectees Aid I-35 Recovery Navy NewsStand 15 Aug 2007 -- While working at the site of the I-35 bridge collapse, three first class Navy Divers from Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 2 learned they were selected for chief petty officer Aug. 8.
• Tortuga Trains for ULTRA E Navy NewsStand 15 Aug 2007 -- The crew of the dock landing ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46) conducted a main space fire drill on Aug. 8 in preparation for a Unit Level Training Assessment, Engineering (ULTRA E).
• Comfort Completes First Half of Mission Navy NewsStand 15 Aug 2007 -- Personnel deployed with hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) hit the halfway mark of their four-month humanitarian deployment while setting up for medical operations in Ecuador Aug. 15.
• Paul Hamilton Excels in Valiant Shield 2007 Navy NewsStand 15 Aug 2007 -- USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60) began participating in Exercise Valiant Shield 2007 in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) Aug. 9.
• CVW-9 Flies Sorties in Large-Scale Joint Exercise Navy NewsStand 15 Aug 2007 -- As part of Exercise Valiant Shield 2007, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9, embarked aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), has been flying sorties and participating in air operations with components of the Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps in a large-scale exercise in the Guam operating area.
• Preble, HSL-45 Team Up for Valiant Shield Navy NewsStand 15 Aug 2007 -- Guided-missile destroyer USS Preble (DDG 88) and embarked Helicopter Anti-Submarine Light Squadron (HSL) 45 Det. 1, the "Wolfpack," have been working together for more than a year; two commands integrated to complete a unified mission.
• Central Asia: Summit Shows Growing Interest In Shanghai Cooperation Organization RFE/RL 15 Aug 2007 -- The presidents of the six members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization: China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan will meet outside the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek, on August 16 for their annual summit.
• Russian Armed Forces to adopt new communications system by 2015 RIA Novosti 15 Aug 2007 -- Russia's Armed Forces will begin using new-generation command and communications systems by 2015, a first deputy prime minister said Wednesday.
• Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 15 Aug 2007
• Press Gaggle by Dana Perino The White House 15 Aug 2007

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for August 15, 2007
• BAE SYSTEMS UNVEILS HYBRID ELECTRIC DRIVE SYSTEM FOR FUTURE COMBAT SYSTEMS BAE Systems 15 Aug 2007 -- BAE Systems demonstrated the first hybrid electric drive system for ground combat vehicles as part of the U.S. Army's Future Combat Systems (FCS) program.
• Northrop Grumman's KC-30 Tanker Will Bolster Economic Growth and Create Aerospace Jobs in Mississippi Northrop Grumman 15 Aug 2007 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) KC-30 Tanker program will contribute nearly $12 million annually to Mississippi's economy if the KC-30 Tanker aircraft is selected by the U.S. Air Force.
• LOCKHEED MARTIN SUCCESSFULLY DEMONSTRATES OPEN ARCHITECTURE FOR U.S. NAVY'S MK 41 MISSILE LAUNCHING SYSTEM Lockheed Martin 15 Aug 2007 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] recently demonstrated how the application of open architecture to the U.S. Navy's MK 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) can reduce life-cycle costs while perpetually maintaining its state-of-the art capabilities.
• Northrop Grumman Completes Delivery of Antenna Wings for First Advanced EHF Communications Satellite Northrop Grumman 15 Aug 2007 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has completed delivery of the antenna wings for the first Advanced Extremely High Frequency (EHF) military communications satellite
• Fighter plane maker MiG to become joint stock company soon RIA Novosti 15 Aug 2007 -- Russian state-owned military aircraft building corporation MiG will become a joint stock company in the next few months, a top manager of the company said Wednesday.
• Boeing to Transfer Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense Production to Alabama Boeing 15 Aug 2007 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced that it will transfer production supporting the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) program from Anaheim, Calif., to its facility in Huntsville, Ala.
• BAE SYSTEMS CONDUCTS SUCCESSFUL DEMONSTRATION OF 'FAST' WAVEFORM BAE Systems 15 Aug 2007 -- BAE Systems has completed another successful demonstration of its Flexible Access Secure Transfer (FAST) networking waveform
• Rafael Supplies Advanced Armor to Polish Armed Forces Rafael 15 Aug 2007 -- Rafael Armament Development Authority Ltd. announces that it has supplied the Polish Armed Forces with advanced armor for its Patria ROSOMAK AFVs that serve the overseas peacekeeping forces.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 15 Aug 2007
• Tension Rises Between North, South Sudan Over Abyei Region VOA 15 Aug 2007 -- The government of south Sudan says dialogue with the Sudanese government in Khartoum has completely broken down and a peace deal signed in 2005 is in jeopardy
• At Least Seven Dead in Somalia Violence VOA 15 Aug 2007 -- Witnesses in Somalia's capital say a landmine explosion has killed at least five government security personnel.
• Russian experts to take part in missile attack probe with Georgia RIA Novosti 15 Aug 2007 -- Russian experts will take part in a probe into the alleged firing of a missile August 6 near Georgia's border with breakaway South Ossetia along with Georgia, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Wednesday.
• Palestinian PM denies Fatah-Hamas contacts RIA Novosti 15 Aug 2007 -- The prime minister of the Palestinian National Authority has denied any contacts between the pro-presidential Fatah movement and the radical Islamic movement Hamas.

News Reports

• Saudi Arabia: U.S. Ties At Odds With Expanding Regional Role? RFE/RL 15 Aug 2007 -- Senior U.S. officials have recently criticized Saudi Arabia's role in Iraq, which they see as supporting the Sunni insurgency.