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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 05 Mar 2008 [PDF]
• DoD Identifies Air Force Casualty
• PRESS CONFERENCE: Operational Update: Maj. Gen. Kevin J. Bergner, March 5, 2008 MNF-I 05 Mar 2008 -- Maj. Gen. Kevin J. Bergner, Multi-National Force - Iraq spokesman, provides an update on current operations and details on the fight against al-Qaeda in Iraq
• Interview: General David H. Petraeus, Commanding General, MNF-I, March 5, 2008 MNF-I 05 Mar 2008 -- Maj. Gen. Kevin J. Bergner, Multi-National Force - Iraq spokesman, provides an update on current operations and details on the fight against al-Qaeda in Iraq
• March 4 airpower summary: C-17s help sustain operations AFPN 05 Mar 2008
• Coalition Disrupts Al Qaeda in Iraq Operations, Detains 22 Suspects AFPS 05 Mar 2008 -- Coalition forces detained 22 suspects today during operations to disrupt al Qaeda networks operating in northern and central Iraq.
• Coalition Continues Pressure on Al Qaeda Leaders AFPS 05 Mar 2008 -- As security improves across Iraq, Iraqi security forces and coalition forces are continuing to put pressure on the al Qaeda in Iraq network, specifically its senior leaders, a Multinational Force Iraq spokesman said today.
• NMCB 1 Electricians Upgrade 'Seabee Village' in Iraq Navy NewsStand 05 Mar 2008 -- Seabees with U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 1 and NMCB 15, Task Force Sierra Mainbody (TFS MB), completed installation of a new electrical frequency converter, March 4, shifting their work spaces and berthing from generator to shore power.
• Seabees Prove Essential to Joint Task Force in Iraq Navy NewsStand 05 Mar 2008 -- The Seabees of U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 1, Task Force Sierra Main Body Detachment (TFS MB), are leading the way for a joint task force in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
• AFGHANISTAN: New report urges stronger action to stop drugs trade IRIN 05 Mar 2008 -- The government of Afghanistan and neighbouring states must join forces to stop the smuggling of precursor chemicals, particularly acetic anhydride, to Afghanistan where they are used in the illicit manufacture of heroin and morphine, the International Narcotics Control Broad (INCB) said in its annual report on 5 March.
• Afghan Forces Inflict Losses, Detain Local Taliban Leader AFPS 05 Mar 2008 -- Afghan national security forces, advised by coalition forces, killed several insurgents March 2 after a failed Taliban ambush 30 kilometers northeast of Gareshk district in Helmand province, military officials reported yesterday.
• Afghanistan produces 93 percent of global opiates -- INCB IRNA 05 Mar 2008 -- Afghanistan's illicit opium poppy cultivation has increased 17 percent in 2007 and the country now accounts for 93 percent of the global illicit market for opiates, practically all the heroin in Europe comes from Afghanistan, according to International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) Annual Report, released in Vienna, Austria.
• Local Partnerships Provide Key to Success in Iraq, Afghanistan, Mullen Says AFPS 05 Mar 2008 -- The United States is making progress on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan, but what makes that progress real are the partnerships U.S. forces develop with the local security forces and the people, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said here today.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Charges Referred Against Detainee Al Qosi 05 Mar 2008 -- The Defense Department announced today that two charges have been referred against Guantanamo detainee Ibrahim Ahmed Mahmoud al Qosi of Sudan.
• Transcript: Media Roundtable with Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael Mullen from the Pentagon Briefing Room, Arlington, Va. 05 Mar 2008 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Navy Adm. Mike Mullen
• 12th Air Force officials unfurl new flags during redesignation AFPN 05 Mar 2008 -- Airmen from 12th Air Force here sheathed the guidons of several units and unfurled a new banner marking the command's transition from a traditional numbered Air Force to an Air Force component organization Feb. 29 here.
• Airmen prepare to airlift flood clean-up kits to Ecuador AFPN 05 Mar 2008 -- Members of Kentucky's Air National Guard are scheduled to help flood-ravaged parts of Ecuador by transporting 162 clean-up kits in a C-130 Hercules March 6 from Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga., to Manta, Ecuador.
• Air Force Reserve establishes first space wing AFPN 05 Mar 2008 -- Air Force Reserve Command officials are expanding the critical role reservists play in space operations by establishing AFRC's first space wing at Schriever Air Force Base, Colo.
• Navy Hosts Public Forum on Sonar Training Navy NewsStand 05 Mar 2008 -- The Navy hosted a hearing March 4 to gather public comments on the service's plans for how it will train with active sonar along the East Coast and in the Gulf of Mexico.
• Chief of Naval Air Training Halts TH-57 Flight Operations Navy NewsStand 05 Mar 2008 -- Chief of Naval Air Training made a decision to temporarily reduce flight operations of 108 TH-57 Sea Ranger helicopters from Training Wing (TRAWING) 5 at Naval Air Station (NAS) Whiting Field, Fla., March 3, for safety reasons.
• U.S. military medical team provides care in Honduras AFPN 05 Mar 2008 -- A U.S. military medical team deployed conducted more than 70 free surgeries to Hondurans during a two-week U.S. Southern Command-sponsored medical readiness training exercise Feb. 18 through 29 in Tela, Honduras.
• Energy Forum showcases environmental achievements AFPN 05 Mar 2008 -- Approximately 500 Air Force, government and industry leaders gathered to discuss current and future energy and environmental programs during the service's second annual Energy Forum March 3 here.
• Commander holds six 'ACCES ' AFPN 05 Mar 2008 -- Lt. Gen. Stephen G. Wood, the Air Forces Korea and Korea Air Component Command commander, has six 'ACCES' spread out over the Korean peninsula helping him to stack the deck in the Key Resolve Exercise.
• Replace aging aircraft or risk irrelevancy, general says AFPN 05 Mar 2008 -- The commander of Air Force Materiel Command, which is responsible for delivering war-winning capabilities to the rest of the Air Force, said during a visit to Air University here that Air Force officials must develop and buy new aircraft or risk the service becoming irrelevant.
• Coalition Disrupts Al Qaeda in Iraq Operations, Detains 22 Suspects AFPS 05 Mar 2008 -- Coalition forces detained 22 suspects today during operations to disrupt al Qaeda networks operating in northern and central Iraq.
• Lack of Information About China's Military Spending Concerns Gates AFPS 05 Mar 2008 -- China's announcement that it is increasing its military spending by almost 18 percent is a cause of concern because the nation's government hasn't been clear about how it will spend the money, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said here today.
• Soldiers Can Fast Track Careers with Education Programs Army News 05 Mar 2008 -- Soldiers who may be stuck in their careers because of busy schedules or limited educations can turn to the Basic Skills Education Program to help them boost their test skills and get promoted.
• Expeditionary Combat Commander Impressed by Guantanamo Sailors Navy NewsStand 05 Mar 2008 -- The commander of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command visited Joint Task Force (JTF) Guantanamo March 1-4 to spend time with Sailors assigned to guard detainees as members of the Navy Expeditionary Guard Battalion, observe and evaluate NEGB detainee operations, and tour the facilities.
• Pearl Harbor Ships Win Battle "E" Navy NewsStand 05 Mar 2008 -- Pearl Harbor-based ships USS Russell (DDG 59), USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60), USS Chafee (DDG 90), USS Hopper (DDG 70) and USS Lake Erie (CG 70) were announced as the winners of the Battle Effectiveness (Battle "E") award, Feb. 28, by Commander, Naval Surface Forces.
• Norfolk to Receive New Damage Control School Trainer Navy NewsStand 05 Mar 2008 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC), Mid-Atlantic, awarded a $12,030,960 contract, Feb. 28, to the Hascall Company, Jacksonville, Fla., for design and construction of a two-story damage control school trainer facility at Naval Support Activity, Norfolk.
• USS Mustin Prepares for ULTRA-C Navy NewsStand 05 Mar 2008 -- Sailors aboard USS Mustin (DDG 89) prepared for an upcoming Unit Level Training Assessment-Certification (ULTRA-C) March 4, by spending three hours fighting simulated fires, flooding and personnel casualties during an integrated training team (ITT) scenario.
• NMCB 1 Electricians Upgrade 'Seabee Village' in Iraq Navy NewsStand 05 Mar 2008 -- Seabees with U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 1 and NMCB 15, Task Force Sierra Mainbody (TFS MB), completed installation of a new electrical frequency converter, March 4, shifting their work spaces and berthing from generator to shore power.
• New Disaster Recovery Training Facility Coming to Gulfport Navy NewsStand 05 Mar 2008 -- Construction is well underway for the new Naval Construction Training Center (NCTC) Disaster Recover Training (DRT) Facility that is scheduled to open this summer on board Naval Construction Battalion Center (NCBC) Gulfport.
• New Field Medical Services School coming to Camp Lejeune Navy NewsStand 05 Mar 2008 -- The Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC), Mid-Atlantic, awarded a $7,498,902 construction contract, Feb. 28, to Virtexco Corp., Norfolk, for construction of a field medical services school (FMSS) at Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune. Work will be performed in Jacksonville, N.C., and is expected to be completed by December 2009.
• SWCCs Conduct IAD Exercise Navy NewsStand 05 Mar 2008 -- Special warfare combatant-craft crew members (SWCC) assigned to Special Boat Team (SBT) 22 participated in immediate action drills (IAD), Feb. 19-23, in preparation for the next deployment cycle.
• Global Hawk marks 10-year anniversary AFPN 05 Mar 2008 -- A Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle landed after an eight-hour mission Feb. 28 that marked 10 years since base officials witnessed its first flight at Edwards Air Force Base.
• New Directive Contains Political Activity Rules for Servicemembers AFPS 05 Mar 2008 -- A revised Defense Department directive provides sharper definition of what servicemembers may and may not do within the political realm, particularly running for political office, a senior U.S. military officer said here yesterday.
• Newly Returned Soldiers to Begin Training for Next Deployment AFPS 05 Mar 2008 -- As Army Lt. Gen. Raymond T. Odierno was urging the Army's return to 12-month deployments, an Army brigade here just back from Iraq was getting word that it's time to start training for its next combat rotation.
• Odierno, Other Leaders Support 12-Month Army Deployments AFPS 05 Mar 2008 -- The former commander of Multinational Corps Iraq emphasized the need yesterday for longer "dwell time" between Army deployments to reduce the strain on the force and give soldiers more time for training.
• Commander Foresees Growth of Special Operations Forces AFPS 05 Mar 2008 -- The numbers of U.S. special operations forces are expected to grow in the years ahead as the United States continues its fight against global terrorism, a senior U.S. military officer told a Senate panel here yesterday.
• U.S., Romanian Navies Train Together Navy NewsStand 05 Mar 2008 -- Sailors and pilots aboard USS San Jacinto (CG-56) trained with Romanian Navy helicopter pilots during a port visit in Constanta, Feb. 22, as part of the Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe strategic objective to improve maritime safety and security in Europe and Africa.
• U.S. Shooting down of Satellite under Fire KCNA 05 Mar 2008 -- The U.S. recently shot down a spy satellite by spending 60 million U.S. dollars, prompted by the worry that in case the satellite falls down on the earth, the secrets contained in it might come into the hands of "enemies."
• Sea-based BrahMos missile hits ground target in test launch RIA Novosti 05 Mar 2008 -- A sea-based Russian-Indian BrahMos supersonic cruise missile has successfully hit a designated ground target for the first time, a spokesman for the Indian manufacturer of the missile said on Wednesday.
• Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 05 Mar 2008
• Press Briefing by Dana Perino The White House 05 Mar 2008

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for March 05, 2008
• Northrop Grumman Responds to Inaccurate Comments Concerning the U.S. Air Force KC-45A Award Decision Northrop Grumman 05 Mar 2008 -- When the process to replace America's aging fleet of KC-135 aerial refueling tankers began in 2005, the U.S. Air Force made clear that it wanted a full and fair competition.
• Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Awards F6 Satellite Program Contract To Lockheed Martin Lockheed Martin 05 Mar 2008 -- A team headed by Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] Space Systems Company (LMSSC) has received a $5.7 million contract from DARPA to compete in Phase 1 development of their System F6 space technology and demonstration program
• Northrop Grumman Selected for First Phase of DARPA F6 Next-Generation Wireless Satellite Network Northrop Grumman 05 Mar 2008 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has been awarded the first phase of a four phase advanced research contract to design and build a cluster of wirelessly interconnected free flying spacecraft.
• U.S. COAST GUARD ACCEPTS DELIVERY OF FIRST LOCKHEED MARTIN MISSIONIZED HC-130J MARITIME PATROL AIRCRAFT Lockheed Martin 05 Mar 2008 -- Last Friday, Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] delivered the first missionized HC-130J long-range surveillance maritime patrol aircraft to the U.S. Coast Guard.
• BAE Systems Receives Two Follow-On Orders Worth $15.5 Million for MOLLE Components from U.S. Army BAE Systems 05 Mar 2008 -- BAE Systems has been awarded two follow-on orders totaling $15.5 million from the U.S. Army for production of Core Rifleman and Large Rucksack Modular Lightweight Load Carrying Equipment (MOLLE) system sets.
• Boeing Delivers 2nd KC-767 Tanker to Japan Boeing 05 Mar 2008 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] Monday delivered the second Japan KC-767 Tanker to the Itochu Corp. for Japan's Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF), two weeks after delivering the first refueling aircraft to the Japanese military.
• SAIC Awarded $98 M Contract to Provide Support Services to Army Medical Research and Materiel Command SAIC 05 Mar 2008 -- Science Applications International Corporation (NYSE: SAI) today announced it has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Army to provide support services to the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC).
• Raytheon Receives $115 Million for Patriot Engineering Support Raytheon 05 Mar 2008 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has been awarded a U.S. Army contract modification worth $115 million to provide engineering services in support of the Patriot Air and Missile Defense program, the premier air and missile defense system for the U.S. and its allies.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 05 Mar 2008
• PRESS CONFERENCE TO LAUNCH UNITED NATIONS STANDBY TEAM OF MEDIATION EXPERTS United Nations 05 Mar 2008
• Iraqi Officials: Turkey Drops Bombs on Northern Iraq VOA 05 Mar 2008 -- Iraqi Kurdish officials in northern Iraq say Turkish military aircraft have dropped bombs in the region, a week after Ankara conducted a major offensive against Kurdish PKK rebels in the area.
• US Defense Secretary Does Not Expect Fighting on Colombia-Venezuela Border VOA 05 Mar 2008 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates says he does not expect fighting to break out between Colombia and Venezuela, and that if it does he believes the Colombian military can successfully defend its country
• US Concerned About Fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh VOA 05 Mar 2008 -- The United States Wednesday expressed concern about this week's outbreak of fighting between Azerbaijani and Armenian soldiers near the disputed Armenian-held territory of Nagorno-Karabakh
• Analysis: Trouble in the Andes cfr.org 05 Mar 2008 -- At first blush, the Colombian incursion into Ecuador this weekend to kill a top leader of the FARC guerrilla group had nothing to do with Venezuela
• Spain Assumes Diplomatic Role in Latin American Crisis VOA 05 Mar 2008 -- A top Spanish official says Spain is helping to mediate the conflict between its former colonies, Ecuador and Colombia, following Saturday's attack by Colombian forces on FARC (the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) rebels inside Ecuador.
• Venezuela Sends Troops to Colombian Border VOA 05 Mar 2008 -- Venezuelan military officials say they have now sent almost 6,000 soldiers to the country's border with Colombia.
• Rice says Israelis, Palestinians plan to resume peace talks RIA Novosti 05 Mar 2008 -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Wednesday that the Palestinians and Israelis plan to return to negotiating table, but did not specify a concrete timeframe for the future talks.
• Condoleezza Rice Says Mideast Peace Negotiations Back on Track VOA 05 Mar 2008 -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says Israelis and Palestinians have agreed to resume peace talks
• Georgia: South Ossetia Cites Kosovo 'Precedent' In Call For International Recognition RFE/RL 05 Mar 2008 -- Georgia's breakaway region of South Ossetia has called upon the international community to recognize its independence.
• Russia says international force in Kosovo must follow UN mandate RIA Novosti 05 Mar 2008 -- Moscow insists that the international peacekeeping force in Kosovo operates strictly under the UN mandate, and that it shows "impartiality" and "objectivity," Russia's envoy to NATO said on Wednesday.
• KENYA: Focus shifting to recovery, resettlement of IDPs IRIN 05 Mar 2008 -- After two months of post-election violence, the humanitarian focus is shifting to help the hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to recover and rebuild their lives.
• Sudan Finds Body Believed to Be of Missing French Soldier VOA 05 Mar 2008 -- Sudanese authorities believe they have found the body of a French European Union peacekeeper who disappeared Monday after a clash with Sudanese forces.

News Reports

• Clinton Wins Ohio, Texas; McCain Clinches Republican Nomination VOA 05 Mar 2008 -- Senator Hillary Clinton scored crucial primary wins Tuesday in Texas, Ohio and Rhode Island, reviving her campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination
• Ukraine: Yushchenko Seeks Energy Imports In Kazakhstan RFE/RL 05 Mar 2008 -- Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko is on a visit to Kazakhstan this week, ostensibly to help kick off the "Year of Ukraine in Kazakhstan."
• Ukraine, Russia Resolve Gas Dispute RFE/RL 05 Mar 2008 -- Europe heaved a sigh of relief on March 5 as Ukraine and Russia clinched a deal to resolve a bitter dispute threatening to disrupt natural-gas supplies to European markets.
• Ukraine: Gazprom Urges Kyiv To Resolve Gas Dispute RFE/RL 05 Mar 2008 -- Western Europe is watching warily as Russia and Ukraine lock horns in a new standoff that threatens to disrupt the flow of natural gas to European customers.
• Gazprom resumes gas supplies to Ukraine in full RIA Novosti 05 Mar 2008 -- Russian natural gas giant Gazprom resumed on Wednesday full gas supplies to Ukraine after a two-day reduction in deliveries, the company's spokesman said.
• Armenia: Crisis Spotlights 'Karabakh Clan' RFE/RL 05 Mar 2008 -- As Armenia's first post-Soviet president in the 1990s, Levon Ter-Petrossian brought in top officials from Nagorno-Karabakh to serve in his government.