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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 03 Dec 2007 [PDF]
• DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• Transcript: DoD News Briefing with Col. Ferrell at the Pentagon Briefing Room, Arlington, Va. 03 Dec 2007 -- Presenter: U.S. Army Commander, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division Col. Terry Ferrell
• Dec. 2 airpower summary: F-16s support ground troops AFPN 03 Dec 2007
• Leaflets urge Iraqis to help capture insurgents AFPN 03 Dec 2007 -- More than one million leaflets were pushed out of a 40th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron C-130 Hercules over ten designated drop zones urging local citizens to provide information on three top leaders of an armed insurgent militia in Iraq.
• Coalition Forces Disrupt Terrorist Operations, Detain Seven AFPS 03 Dec 2007 -- Coalition forces detained seven suspects during operations today to disrupt al Qaeda operations in Tarmiyah, Iraq.
• Brigade Has Lifted 'Blanket of Fear' in Southern Baghdad AFPS 03 Dec 2007 -- Less than six months after arriving in Baghdad for its third tour of duty, the 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the 3rd Infantry Division has "lifted the blanket of fear" that al Qaeda imposed on the Sunni communities under its protection, the brigade's commander said today.
• DoD Announces Force Adjustments 03 Dec 2007 -- The Department of Defense announced today the alert of replacement forces scheduled to deploy in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom
• DoD Announces Units for Upcoming Afghanistan Rotation 03 Dec 2007 -- The Department of Defense announced today that the 53rd and 48th Brigade Combat Teams have been alerted to deploy in support of Operation Enduring Freedom to continue ongoing operations and training of the Afghan National Security Forces.
• Precision Coalition Strike Kills Several Militants in Afghanistan AFPS 03 Dec 2007 -- Several militants were killed during a coalition operation yesterday targeting Taliban command-and-control networks in Afghanistan's Helmand province.
• Afghanistan: UN mission to boost dialogue with former insurgents, envoy says UN News Centre 03 Dec 2007 -- The United Nations Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said today it intends to continue reaching out to a number of groups previously involved in the insurgency that are now seeking to end the violence and participate in rebuilding the fledgling democracy.
• US Defense Secretary Visits Afghanistan VOA 03 Dec 2007 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates is in Afghanistan to discuss efforts to stem continuing violence caused by an apparently resurgent Taliban
• Afghan Government Says Larger Army Needed RFE/RL 03 Dec 2007 -- Afghanistan's Defense Ministry says the country needs a 200,000-strong national army to stand against external threats and to tackle the Taliban-led insurgency.
• AFGHANISTAN: UN ready to aid dialogue to boost prospects for peace IRIN 03 Dec 2007 -- The UN is ready to facilitate dialogue between the Afghan government and anti-government elements who want to end violence and be part of Afghanistan's current political process, with the aim of strengthening peace and development in the country, according to a top UN official.
• US Defense Secretary Visits Afghanistan VOA 03 Dec 2007 -- U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates is in Afghanistan - his third visit since taking over as head of the Pentagon earlier this year.
• Five Guard Brigades Alerted for 2009 Deployments AFPS 03 Dec 2007 -- Defense officials announced today the deployment of five National Guard brigade combat teams to begin in summer 2009.
• Tarawa Arrives to Aid in Tropical Cyclone Humanitarian Efforts Navy NewsStand 03 Dec 2007 -- The amphibious assault ship USS Tarawa (LHA 1) and its embarked 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) arrived off the coast of Bangladesh, Dec. 3, to support ongoing humanitarian assistance/disaster relief (HA/DR) operations
• Kearsarge Delivers 162,000 lbs. of Supplies to Bangladesh Navy NewsStand 03 Dec 2007 -- More than 162,000 lbs. of relief supplies have been delivered to Bangladesh by USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) and the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) as of Dec. 2.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Successful Missile Defense Intercept Test Takes Place at White Sands Missile Range MDA 03 Dec 2007 -- Missile Defense Agency Director Lieutenant General Henry "Trey" Obering III, announced that a seeker characterization test for the Net-Centric Airborne Defense Element (NCADE) was successfully conducted today at approximately 11:07 a.m. EST at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), NM. Preliminary indications are that planned flight test objectives were achieved
• Bush, Senate Democrats Resume Sparring on Iraq War Funding VOA 03 Dec 2007 -- The U.S. Congress has returned from a two-week recess to face a busy agenda before it completes its session later this month
• Bush Asks Congress to Pass Funds for Troops AFPS 03 Dec 2007 -- Congress needs to act soon to approve emergency funding for troops in the war on terror, President Bush said here today.
• Army Addresses Patient Privacy and Legal Concerns in Recent Story Army News Release 03 Dec 2007 -- Regarding the Dec. 2 story in a Washington, D.C., newspaper about Army Lt. Elizabeth Whiteside's medical and legal case, the U.S. Army position is very clear
• U.S.-China Consultative Talks Under Way in Pentagon AFPS 03 Dec 2007 -- The United States-Peoples' Republic of China Defense Consultative Talks got under way at the Pentagon today in the shadow of China's refusal to let U.S. ships make port calls in Hong Kong.
• Brig. Gen. Pinckney to Head New Diversity Task Force Army News 03 Dec 2007 -- Brig. Gen. Belinda Pinckney will head up a new task force to review the Army's diversity policies, practices and progress.
• Ghurkhas Train with U.S. Soldiers in India Army News 03 Dec 2007 -- More than 120 U.S. Soldiers trained in the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains with their Indian counterparts during Exercise Yudh Abhyas in November, building on existing skills and sharing tactics.
• Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe Changes Command Navy NewsStand 03 Dec 2007 -- Adm. Mark Fitzgerald relieved Adm. Harry Ulrich III as Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe during a ceremony at Joint Forces Command Naples on Nov. 30.
• Gates Assesses 'Soft,' 'Hard' Power Applications in Djibouti AFPS 03 Dec 2007 -- Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates traveled here today to see firsthand how combining multiple elements of U.S. national power toward a common goal is helping to prevent terrorism from taking a foothold in the Horn of Africa.
• Putin says Russia ready to return to CFE if the West ratifies it RIA Novosti 03 Dec 2007 -- Russia will resume its participation in the Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE) treaty if the West starts observing its provisions, President Vladimir Putin said Monday.
• Russia's law on CFE moratorium enters force RIA Novosti 03 Dec 2007 -- Russia's law suspending its participation in the Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE) Treaty officially came into force on Monday.
• Russia's army chief to talk missile defense in U.S. December 3-7 RIA Novosti 03 Dec 2007 -- Gen. Yury Baluyevsky, chief of the Russian General Staff, will discuss bilateral military issues, including the U.S. missile shield in Europe, during a five-day visit to the U.S., which starts on Monday, a military source said.
• Russian Air Force to receive 20 modernized Su-24 bombers RIA Novosti 03 Dec 2007 -- An Air Force regiment deployed in Russia's Far East will be equipped with 20 upgraded Su-24M Fencer tactical bombers in the near future, a spokesman said Monday.
• Iran's President Calls for Security Pact with Gulf Arab States VOA 03 Dec 2007 -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has called for economic and security cooperation deals between the states bordering the Persian Gulf
• Press Briefing by National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley The White House 03 Dec 2007

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for December 03, 2007
• CACI Awarded Three Task Orders Valued at $57.4 Million to Support U.S. Army Night Vision & Electronic Sensors Directorate CACI 03 Dec 2007 -- CACI International Inc (NYSE:CAI) announced today that it has been awarded three new task orders, totaling an estimated $57.4 million in value, under its Strategic Services Sourcing (S3) contract with the U.S. Army
• BAE Systems At The Forefront of Air Defence Radar Technology BAE Systems 03 Dec 2007 -- BAE Systems is a leader in air defence radar technology with the new Commander SL radar which will be displayed at the LIMA exhibition.
• BAE Systems Promotes A Family of Naval Combat Systems to Suit the Surface Fleet BAE Systems 03 Dec 2007 -- BAE Systems has developed considerable capability in the area of Naval Combat System Integration and will be displaying the Combat Management System (CMS-1) at LIMA.
• General Dynamics Awarded $91 Million Contract to Continue U.S. and U.K. Submarine Control Systems Work General Dynamics 03 Dec 2007 -- The U.S. Navy has awarded General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems a $91 million contract to continue providing modifications and support for fire control systems aboard U.S. and U.K. ballistic missile submarines (SSBN) and for the attack weapons control system aboard U.S. guided missile submarines (SSGN).
• LOCKHEED MARTIN DEMONSTRATES SPY-1F NAVAL RADAR EXTREME SHORT RANGE (ESR) MODE CAPABILITY Lockheed Martin 03 Dec 2007 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] successfully demonstrated a new Extreme Short Range (ESR) mode for its family of SPY-1 naval radars - a radar family most noted for its unmatched performance detecting and tracking ballistic and supersonic cruise missiles.
• Lockheed Martin UK Conducts Successful Warrior Fightability & Lethality Improvement Programme Live Firing Trials Lockheed Martin 03 Dec 2007 -- Lockheed Martin UK - INSYS has successfully tested its design for the Warrior Fightability & Lethality Improvement Programme (WFLIP) in a series of limited live firing trials at the Cranfield Ordnance Test & Evaluation Centre on Salisbury Plain Training Area
• NGA and Lockheed Martin Work to Improve Delivery of Geospatial Data to UsersLockheed Martin 04 Dec 2007 -- The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) and Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] are working to streamline and speed the delivery of critical maps, imagery and other geospatial data to users worldwide. The Demand-Based Geospatial Intelligence (DBGI) program is an automated supply chain management system that allows users to request and access geospatial data in the format and delivery method of their choosing.
• ATK Receives $23 Million of Modernization Funds to Enhance the Efficiency and Ensure the Longevity of the Radford Army Ammunition Plant (RFAAP) ATK 03 Dec 2007 -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) has received $23 million from the Program Executive Office for Ammunition, Picatinny, New Jersey and the U.S. Army Sustainment Command, Rock Island, IL, to design a new Nitric Acid Concentrator/Sulfuric Acid Concentrator (NAC/SAC) for the Radford Army Ammunition Plant (RFAAP) and to install new cutters and deflakers in the nitrocellulose production facility.
• Boeing Wins $45 Million U.S. Air Force B-1B Upgrade Contract Boeing 03 Dec 2007 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has been awarded a $45 million U.S. Air Force contract to upgrade the B-1B bomber's avionics software.
• EADS Defence & Security supplies network segment for the German Army's mobile communications system EADS 03 Dec 2007 -- EADS Defence & Security (DS) has received a contract from the Federal Office for Information Management and Information Technology of the Bundeswehr to supply the network segment for MobKommSysBw, the Bundeswehr's mobile communications system
• DGA orders 68 NH90 helicopters for French army EADS 03 Dec 2007 -- The French Defence Procurement Agency DGA has ordered via NAHEMA 68 NH90 helicopters in the terrestrial version i.e TTH (Tactical Transport Helicopter) from the NHIndustries consortium (Eurocopter 62.5%, AgustaWestland 32% and Stork Fokker 5.5%).
• General Dynamics Awarded $270 Million for Virginia-Class Submarine Advance Procurement General Dynamics 03 Dec 2007 -- The U.S. Navy has awarded General Dynamics Electric Boat a $270 million contract modification to buy long lead time material (LLTM) for the FY 09 Virginia-Class submarine, SSN-784. Electric Boat is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD).

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 03 Dec 2007
• International community should help Africa with border issues - Ban Ki-moon UN News Centre 03 Dec 2007 -- The international community should support efforts by the African Union to address border issues so that they will no longer be a potential source of disputes, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said.
• President Bush Sets Economic Development Effort for Palestinians Washington File 03 Dec 2007 -- A new, joint effort by the U.S. government and private businesses will focus on creating new jobs for Palestinians, President Bush said December 3.
• Israel postpones armor supplies to Palestinians - radio RIA Novosti 03 Dec 2007 -- Israel has postponed supplies of 25 armored vehicles to Palestinian security forces scheduled for this week, over concerns the hardware could end up in the hands of radical groups, local radio reported Monday.
• Israel releases 429 Palestinians under amnesty RIA Novosti 03 Dec 2007 -- Israeli authorities released 429 Palestinian prisoners on Monday in amnesty that followed last week's U.S.-sponsored peace conference, local radio said.
• Israel Releases 429 Palestinian Prisoners VOA 03 Dec 2007 -- Israel has released 429 Palestinian prisoners, in a bid to boost support for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, following the Annapolis Mideast peace conference last week
• CHAD: Rebel fronts multiply in the east IRIN 03 Dec 2007 -- After a week of intense fighting between the Chadian army and the rebel Union of Forces for Democracy and Development (UFDD) in mountainous Hadjar Marfaine near the Chad-Sudan border, another rebel group has opened a second front farther north.
• Chadian Rebel Faction Clashes With Army, Others Retreat VOA 03 Dec 2007 -- A third Chadian rebel faction has engaged in combat with the Chadian army in the east of the country
• DR Congo: UNICEF estimates 1,000 children remain active in warfare UN News Centre 03 Dec 2007 -- As violence flared in the troubled North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) today said an estimated 1,000 young people remain involved in fighting across the country.
• Aid Agencies Prepare for Imminent Attack in North Kivu VOA 03 Dec 2007 -- A senior official of the U.N. Children's Fund says aid agencies are making contingency plans to help a possible new wave of displaced people in North Kivu
• Fighting Heats Up in Eastern Congo VOA 03 Dec 2007 -- Fighting has again erupted in eastern Congo's North Kivu province between forces loyal to dissident General Laurent Nkunda and the Congolese army
• DRC: Concern over IDPs amid claims of rebels seizing town IRIN 03 Dec 2007 -- Concern is growing over the fate of an estimated 30,000-40,000 internally displaced people (IDPs) in Nyanzale in North Kivu, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, after mobile phone communications between the town and the provincial capital of Goma were cut on 3 December, the UN said.
• CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC-CAMEROON: CAR refugees in Cameroon diseased, malnourished, lack water IRIN 03 Dec 2007 -- Most of the 45,000 Central African Republic (CAR) refugees living in eastern Cameroon are diseased, malnourished and generally in bad health, non-governmental organisation (NGO) and UN workers say.
• Darfur: UN, African Union peace envoys hold talks with regional partners UN News Centre 03 Dec 2007 -- The United Nations and African Union Special Envoys for Darfur are meeting tomorrow in Egypt with regional partners to the peace process in the war-torn Sudanese region to assess the progress so far and help forge agreement on the way forward.
• GUINEA-MALI: Authorities move to prevent border clashes IRIN 03 Dec 2007 -- After months of pleas to authorities from village leaders, the Malian and Guinean governments say they will take steps to prevent further violence over land rights along their border, where three clashes in less than six months have killed 11 people and injured at least 30 others.
• Kosovo: What Happens Now That Talks Have Foundered? RFE/RL 03 Dec 2007 -- As expected, a final round of internationally sponsored talks on Kosovo's future status has ended without agreement.

News Reports

• Russia: Nashi Celebrates Victory; Public Steers Clear RFE/RL 03 Dec 2007 -- About 5,000 members of the pro-Kremlin youth group Nashi gathered at Vasilievsky Spusk beneath Red Square in Moscow this morning to celebrate the landslide victory claimed by the Unified Russia party and President Vladimir Putin, who was running as its top candidate.
• Russia: Moscow Shifts From 'Managed Democracy' To 'Manual Control' RFE/RL 03 Dec 2007 -- No one was surprised that preliminary official results of the December 2 Duma elections gave a resounding victory to the pro-Kremlin Unified Russia party
• Pro-Putin Party Wins Landslide In Russian Elections RFE/RL 03 Dec 2007 -- In elections marred by allegations of intimidation and fraud, the pro-Kremlin Unified Russia party has won a landslide victory.
• Wrap: Pro-Kremlin party wins landslide victory in Sunday polls RIA Novosti 03 Dec 2007 -- Preliminary results show that the ruling pro-Kremlin United Russia party has emerged with a massive 64.1% of the vote after Sunday's elections to the lower house of parliament, the election commission said Monday.
• Putin says Duma polls were sign of trust in his rule RIA Novosti 03 Dec 2007 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday the weekend's parliamentary elections were a demonstration of confidence in his rule.
• International election watchdogs slam Russian polls RIA Novosti 03 Dec 2007 -- Top international observers said on Monday that elections to Russia's lower house had failed to meet European standards.
• European Monitors Say Russian Election Unfair VOA 03 Dec 2007 -- Election monitors from the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe say Sunday's parliamentary balloting in Russia was unfair and failed to meet democratic election standards
• Russia's Ruling Party Wins Majority in Disputed Parliamentary Election VOA 03 Dec 2007 -- Four political parties have gained representation in the Russian parliament, with President Vladimir Putin's ruling United Russia Party taking about 315 of 450 seats in national legislature
• Walsh: Venezuelan Vote a 'Victory' for Democracy cfr.org 03 Dec 2007
• Analysis: Blow to Oil-Fueled Socialism cfr.org 03 Dec 2007 -- Venezuela's December 2 referendum on constitutional reforms followed street protests (CSMonitor) by thousands of Venezuelan university students
• BANGLADESH: Muslim countries rush relief to cyclone-hit south IRIN 03 Dec 2007 -- Muslim countries and Islamic relief organisations have shown unprecedented solidarity with the people of Bangladesh after a devastating cyclone struck the country's southwestern coast on 15 November, killing over 3,000 and rendering millions more homeless.
• UGANDA: Fears of Ebola spread as more cases reported IRIN 03 Dec 2007 -- Medical authorities in Uganda have expressed concern over the possible spread of the deadly Ebola disease in the western region after suspected cases were reported in two neighbouring districts.
• War Crimes Tribunal Denies Bail to Former Khmer Rouge Prison Chief VOA 03 Dec 2007 -- A United Nations-backed tribunal formed to hear charges against Cambodia's former Khmer Rouge leaders has denied bail to the first defendant it has seen
• Chavez loses referendum on presidential term limits RIA Novosti 03 Dec 2007 -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has lost a referendum on abolishing presidential term limits and removing the Central Bank's autonomy, the Venezuelan electoral authority reported on Monday.
• Venezuela Rejects Constitutional Changes VOA 03 Dec 2007 -- Venezuelan voters have rejected a sweeping constitutional reform project launched by President Hugo Chavez