Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 25 Oct 2007 [PDF]
• Oct. 24 airpower summary: Supplying the warfighter AFPN 25 Oct 2007
• Three Terrorists Killed, Five Detained in Iraq Operations AFPS 25 Oct 2007 -- Coalition forces killed three terrorists and detained five suspects during a series of operations to disrupt terrorist networks in central Iraq today.
• Coalition Forces Continue to Rebuild Northern Iraq AFPS 25 Oct 2007 -- Coalition forces with Multinational Division North continue to work with the government of Iraq to rebuild infrastructure and improve quality of life for people of northern Iraq.
• Three Militants Caught in Afghanistan Operations AFPS 25 Oct 2007 -- Coalition forces detained three suspected militants in the Nerkh district of Afghanistan's Wardak province yesterday.
• Gates: NATO Must Increase Assets, Cut Caveats in Afghanistan AFPS 25 Oct 2007 -- Defense Secretary Robert M Gates urged European military leaders meeting here today to step up their countries' contributions in Afghanistan and eliminate restrictions on their forces that threaten the mission's success.
• Britain's Brown Vows Long-Term Commitment to Afghanistan VOA 25 Oct 2007 -- For the first time as prime minister, Gordon Brown has met Afghan President Hamid Karzai at 10 Downing Street
• Combined Medical Staff Provides Quality Care AFPS 25 Oct 2007 -- Afghan and American medical staffs recently combined resources to provide quality medical care to the local people.
• Santa Ana Winds Subside; Officials Expect to Make Fire Progress AFPS 25 Oct 2007 -- The Santa Ana winds in Southern California are subsiding, allowing firefighters - both military and civilian - to make progress against wildfires that are rampaging through the area, California National Guard officials said.
• Bush: Military Assets Available for Fire Aid AFPS 25 Oct 2007 -- President Bush pledged today that military assets will continue to be available to state and local authorities fighting wildfires in Southern California.
• Mid-Atlantic Region Firefighters Head to California Navy NewsStand 25 Oct 2007 -- With just 12 hours notice, the Navy Mid-Atlantic Region Fire and Emergency Services Department mobilized a team of eight firefighters from across the Hampton Roads area to deploy to San Diego.
• NASNI Provides Makeshift Shelter Wildfire Victims Navy NewsStand 25 Oct 2007 -- Naval Air Station North Island (NASNI) provided shelter for service members and retirees and their families who were displaced from their homes due to raging wildfires in the greater Southern California area that began Oct. 21.
• Bush Pledges Federal Assistance for California Wildfire Victims VOA 25 Oct 2007 -- President Bush has toured fire-ravaged parts of California, where he met with firefighters and families that have lost their homes to wildfires
• Army Helping Attack California Wildfires Army News 25 Oct 2007 -- Army National Guard helicopters were attacking southern California's ferocious wildfires Tuesday as Soldiers on the ground were manning traffic control points and were prepared to provide people who had lost their homes with some of the necessities of life.
• Coronado Establishes Emergency Operations Center Navy NewsStand 25 Oct 2007 -- Naval Base Coronado (NBC) stood up an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Oct. 22 in response to the San Diego wild fires.
• Strike Team Assembled to Fight California Wildfires Navy NewsStand 25 Oct 2007 -- Units from Federal Fire Department San Diego Station joined forces here Oct. 24, as part of a five-engine strike team to extinguish California wildfires.
• USS Cleveland Supports Fire Victims Navy NewsStand 25 Oct 2007 -- More than 30 Sailors from the amphibious transport dock USS Cleveland (LPD 7) are working closely with the local San Diego community to bring relief to those affected by the California wildfires.

Defense Policy / Programs

• CV-22 Osprey flies first search and recovery mission AFPN 25 Oct 2007 -- A CV-22 Osprey assigned to the 58th Special Operations Wing here participated in the aircraft's first search and recovery mission, responding to the fatal crash of a medical aircraft in the mountains of southern Colorado.
• C-17 flight uses synthetic fuel blend AFPN 25 Oct 2007 -- A C-17 Globemaster III took off Oct. 22 on a flight using a blend of synthetic and JP-8 fuels in all four fuel tanks.
• Chairman Supports All-Volunteer Force AFPS 25 Oct 2007 -- The all-volunteer force has made the nation's defense the strongest it's ever been, the U.S. military's top officer said this week, adding that he would not want to return to a Vietnam-era military by implementing a draft.
• USS McClusky Returns Home Navy NewsStand 25 Oct 2007 -- The Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate USS McClusky (FFG 41) returned to San Diego Oct. 22 after completing a six-month deployment as part of the Joint Interagency Task Force, South and U.S. Naval Forces, Southern Command.
• USS Charlotte Returns to Pearl Harbor Navy NewsStand 25 Oct 2007 -- USS Charlotte (SSN 766) returned to Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Oct. 24, after spending almost two years at Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Va.
• 'Active First' Program Offers Up to $60,000 in Bonuses Army News 25 Oct 2007 -- A new Army program dubbed "Active First" promises up to $60,000 in bonuses to recruits who opt for 30 to 48 months of active duty then transfer to the National Guard.
• VP-1 Aircrew Trains with Submarine to Promote Operational Readiness Navy NewsStand 25 Oct 2007 -- Sailors from the Patrol Squadron (VP) 1 "Screaming Eagles," P-3C squadron, of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, conducted anti-submarine warfare training, Oct. 18.
• Space Command welcomes new leader AFPN 25 Oct 2007 -- "Space capabilities have shaped the American way of warfare in the 21st century, just like airpower did in the 20th," said Gen. C. Robert "Bob" Kehler as he assumed command of Air Force Space Command in a ceremony here Oct. 24 presided over by Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Duncan J. McNabb.
• NATO Response Force Depends on Allies' Support, Gates Says AFPS 25 Oct 2007 -- The United States supports the concept of the NATO Response Force but needs NATO allies to do their part so the force can live up to its intended purpose, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told European military leaders here today.
• Relationship With Russia Dominates NATO Session's Closing Day AFPS 25 Oct 2007 -- Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates wrapped up his second day here focusing on NATO's relationship with Russia, as well as Russian objections to some alliance activities.
• NATO defense ministers agree on downsizing rapid reaction force IRNA 25 Oct 2007 -- NATO defense ministers meeting in the Dutch seaside resort of Noordwijk agreed on downsizing the NATO Response Force (NRF), news reports said here Thursday.
• Gates Calls U.S. Offers to Russia on Missile Defense Enough AFPS 25 Oct 2007 -- The United States has given Russia sufficient concessions regarding a proposed missile defense system in Eastern Europe and supports diplomatic and economic measures to rein in the Iranian missile threat, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said today.
• Poland has the right to decide on U.S. missile base - official RIA Novosti 25 Oct 2007 -- Poland has a sovereign right to allow the United States to deploy elements of its missile shield in the country, the Polish national security chief said Thursday.
• NATO states could ratify CFE treaty before deadline - Russia RIA Novosti 25 Oct 2007 -- Russia's defense minister said Thursday that NATO member states could ratify the adapted Conventional Forces in Europe treaty (CFE) before the Russian deadline for a moratorium expires in December.
• Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 25 Oct 2007
• Press Gaggle by Dana Perino The White House 25 Oct 2007

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for October 25, 2007
• UK-US defence trade cooperation still under negotiation IRNA 25 Oct 2007 -- The UK government has revealed that it is still in the process of detailing defence trade cooperation with the US, which includes the transfer of sensitive component parts for Washington's national missile defence and nuclear weapons systems.
• Northrop Grumman Awarded Contract for Maintenance and Modernization of the USS Enterprise Northrop Grumman 25 Oct 2007 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has been awarded a contract option by the U.S. Navy to provide planning, execution and continuous maintenance to the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, USS Enterprise (CVN 65).
• BAE SYSTEMS AND GENERAL DYNAMICS SIGN COLLABORATIVE AGREEMENT TO SUPPORT MODERNIZATION OF U.S. ARMY HEAVY COMBAT VEHICLES BAE Systems 25 Oct 2007 -- Systems and General Dynamics Land Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), have signed a memorandum of agreement to work collaboratively in support of the U. S. Army's Heavy Brigade Combat Team modernization plan., which will upgrade, modernize and achieve commonality on BAE Systems' family of Bradley fighting vehicles and General Dynamics M1 Abrams tanks, the primary combat vehicles of the Army's Heavy Brigades.
• BAE Systems and General Dynamics Sign Collaborative Agreement to Support Modernization of U.S. Army Heavy Combat Vehicles General Dynamics 25 Oct 2007 -- BAE Systems and General Dynamics Land Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), have signed a memorandum of agreement to work collaboratively in support of the U. S. Army's Heavy Brigade Combat Team modernization plan, which will upgrade, modernize and achieve commonality on BAE Systems' family of Bradley fighting vehicles and General Dynamics M1 Abrams tanks, the primary combat vehicles of the Army's Heavy Brigades.
• Singapore Acquires Additional F110 Engines For F-15SG Fleet GE Aviation 25 Oct 2007 -- The Government of Singapore has ordered additional F110-GE-129C fighter engines from General Electric Company to power 12 new F-15SG aircraft. This order follows the December 2005 acquisition of F110-GE-129C engines from GE to power the initial 12 F-15SG aircraft. The F-15SG is an advanced version of the U.S. Air Force's F-15E Strike Eagle.
• Future digitized combat systems : Sagem (Safran group) 25 Oct 2007 -- Sagem Défense Sécurité (SAFRAN Group) presented its PHOENIX demo – designed to evaluate the technology of future contact combat systems – from October 13-19 in the mock village at the Mourmelon training camp on the periphery of the 2nd Armored Brigade’s Battlespace Digitization exercise. Sagem Défense Sécurité was responsible for developing PHOENIX, with support from France’s defense procurement agency, the DGA, and its Army Headquarters.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICES OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL AND THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT United Nations 25 Oct 2007
• Turkey determined to crush Kurdish separatists - president, PM RIA Novosti 25 Oct 2007 -- Turkey's prime minister has urged the United States not to exert pressure on Ankara over its cross-border operation against Kurdish insurgents in northern Iraq.
• Erdogan Says Turkey Alone Will Decide on Any Decision for Cross-Border Incursion VOA 25 Oct 2007 -- Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Ankara alone will make any decision on launching a cross-border incursion into northern Iraq to pursue Kurdish rebels.
• Turkish President Determined to Stop Kurdish Rebel Threat VOA 25 Oct 2007 -- Turkish President Abdullah Gul says Ankara is determined to take the steps necessary to end the threat of Kurdish rebels based in northern Iraq.
• ISRAEL-OPT: Gaza residents unable to get medical care, aid workers say IRIN 25 Oct 2007 -- Dozens of patients in the Gaza Strip are unable to receive medical treatment, in some cases life-saving procedures, due to the continued border closures with Israel and Egypt, health officials and international aid workers said.
• Israeli official says Russian arms deals undermine Mideast peace RIA Novosti 25 Oct 2007 -- A top Israeli security adviser said on Thursday that Russia's arms deals with Iran and Syria undermine the Middle East peace process.
• Ivanov says Russia will never harm Israel's security interests RIA Novosti 25 Oct 2007 -- Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov denied on Thursday that Moscow's actions in the Middle East are undermining Israeli security.
• Israeli Defense Minister Approves Gaza Power Cuts VOA 25 Oct 2007 -- Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak has approved a plan to cut power supplies to the Gaza Strip in response to cross-border rocket fire by Palestinian militants.
• DRC: Caught in a web of clashes between armed groups IRIN 25 Oct 2007
• DRC: Nkunda's men fail to show up at integration centre IRIN 25 Oct 2007 -- Some 200 men under the command of dissident Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) General Laurent Nkunda failed to show up at a centre for integrating armed groups into the regular army, a UN official said - a day after Nkunda's top aide announced their handover.
• Bosnia and Herzegovina: Ban Ki-moon urges political leaders to show restraint UN News Centre 25 Oct 2007 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today urged political leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina to show restraint and support the work of the High Representative who is charged with overseeing implementation of the 1995 Dayton Peace Agreement which ended years of brutal conflict in the country.
• SOMALIA: Puntland warns of looming humanitarian crisis IRIN 25 Oct 2007 -- Somalia's northeastern self-declared autonomous region of Puntland has appealed for assistance for hundreds of displaced families from Sool region, which was overrun by forces loyal to the self-declared republic of Somaliland on 15 October.
• SUDAN: Joint Darfur mission short of air transport units IRIN 25 Oct 2007 -- The African Union/UN hybrid mission in Darfur (UNAMID) has received commitments for most of its infantry requirements but has yet to secure pledges for air transport, a senior official said.
• BURUNDI: Villagers flee as rebel fighters attack splinter group's position IRIN 25 Oct 2007 -- Fighters of Burundi's last active rebel group have for the second time in one week attacked a position occupied by a break-away faction, forcing villagers to flee their homes, a senior military official said.
• Pakistan/Iran: The Baluchi Minority's 'Forgotten Conflict' RFE/RL 25 Oct 2007 -- The Baluchi minority in southwestern Pakistan and southeastern Iran is increasingly marginalized, discriminated against by the state, and suffers from limited access to the benefits of citizenship, according to political observers and human rights groups.

News Reports

• UN envoy concludes talks with Chinese officials on Myanmar crisis UN News Centre 25 Oct 2007 -- The United Nations Special Envoy for Myanmar today wrapped up his consultations in Beijing, as he continues his six-nation tour of regional capitals ahead of a planned return to the South-East Asian nation in early November.
• Opposition Leader Aung San Suu Kyi Meets With Burmese Government VOA 25 Oct 2007 -- Reports from Burma say opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been in prison or house arrest for 12 of the past 18 years, left her home to meet with a government official
• Tokelau narrowly rejects self-government option in UN-supervised ballot UN News Centre 25 Oct 2007 -- Tokelau will remain a territory of New Zealand after the citizens of the three small and isolated atolls in the Pacific Ocean fell 16 votes short of gaining self-government in a United Nations-supervised referendum - the second such ballot in less than two years.
• Philippine Government Pardons Former President Joseph Estrada VOA 25 Oct 2007 -- Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has pardoned former President Joseph Estrada who was convicted in September of corruption and sentenced to life in prison.