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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 07 Mar 2008 [PDF]
• MND-N Soldiers attacked in Salah Ah Din
• March 6 airpower summary: C-130s support coalition forces AFPN 06 Mar 2008
• Death Toll in Baghdad Bombings Climbs as US Military Plans Withdrawal VOA 07 Mar 2008 -- The death toll from twin bombings in Baghdad on Thursday has risen to 68 with at least 120 others wounded, including women and children
• Iraq Ops Leave 10 Terrorists Killed, 16 Captured AFPS 07 Mar 2008 -- Ten terrorists were killed and 16 captured in operations across Iraq today, military officials reported.
• Coalition, Iraqi Forces Neutralize Insurgents in Babil Province AFPS 07 Mar 2008 -- Coalition forces have disrupted extremist activity in the northern part of Iraq's Babil province, a senior military official said yesterday.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Commercial Image-Gathering Banned on Military Installations AFPS 07 Mar 2008 -- A new Defense Department policy prohibits all commercial photography or other image collection on U.S. military bases and installations.
• Army Releases Fifth Mental Health Study Army News 07 Mar 2008 -- "Battlemind" pre-deployment training has helped maintain the mental health of deployed Soldiers, stigma has decreased for those who seek treatment, but troops still need more "dwell time" at home, according to findings of an Army study released this week.
• Army, State Department Partner on Stability Operations Army News 07 Mar 2008 -- When it comes to conducting stability operations, a new core mission for Soldiers, the Army won't be going it alone.
• Makin Island Sailors Focus on Training Navy NewsStand 07 Mar 2008 -- Precommissioning detachment (PCD) Makin Island (LHD 8) Sailors completed Damage Control (DC) Academy Feb. 29, better preparing them for ship's scheduled delivery in November.
• $10 Billion Price Tag Draws Industry Leaders to Guam Navy NewsStand 07 Mar 2008 -- Over 1,300 U.S. and international industry representatives, along with senior representatives from the Joint Guam Program Office (JGPO), the government of Japan, government of Guam and the Department of the Navy converged on Guam March 6-8 for a three-day forum to further explore acquisition strategy, construction phasing, and management practices associated with the impending move of 17,000 Marines and family members from Okinawa, Japan to Guam.
• Navy, Coast Guard Train for Upcoming Deployment Navy NewsStand 07 Mar 2008 -- Navy Maritime Expeditionary Boat Detachment (MEBDET) 211 and 411 conducted exercises with Coast Guard Port Security Unit (PSU) 309 at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Va., Feb. 27 through March 5 as they prepare to deploy to 5th Fleet area of operations later this year.
• AETC commanders meet, discuss way ahead AFPN 07 Mar 2008 -- More than 100 Air Education and Training Command senior leaders gathered at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., to participate in the AETC commanders' and command chiefs' conference Feb. 25-29.
• Council conducts operational review of AFSO 21 AFPN 07 Mar 2008 -- Several top Air Force leaders convened the Air Force Process Council here March 3 for their quarterly operational review of the service's Smart Operations for the 21st century initiatives.
• Air Force officials announce E-8 selections AFPN 07 Mar 2008 -- Air Force officials here announced March 7 that 1,284 master sergeants have been selected for promotion to senior master sergeant.
• Colombia Progresses Against Terrorism; Diplomacy Urged in South American Rift AFPS 07 Mar 2008 -- Coalition forces have disrupted extremist activity in the northern part of Iraq's Babil province, a senior military official said yesterday.
• Defense Language Institute Aids Deploying Troops, DoD Personnel AFPS 07 Mar 2008 -- A Defense Department program is providing some of the department's military and civilian personnel with cultural and linguistic training before they deploy abroad.
• Transcript: Remarks by Secretary of Defense Gates, Secretary of the Army Geren, and the Last Surviving World War I Veteran Frank Buckles 07 Mar 2008 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, Secretary of the Army Pete Green, and World War I Veteran Frank Buckles
• Sea-Air-Space Exposition to Emphasize Importance of Sea Power Navy NewsStand 07 Mar 2008 -- The Navy League's 2008 Sea-Air-Space Exposition, appropriately themed "Global Maritime Security," will be held at the Marriot Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, March 18-20.
• Essex Departs Subic After Successful BK08 Navy NewsStand 07 Mar 2008 -- The forward-deployed amphibious ship USS Essex (LHD 2) departed Subic Bay, the Republic of the Philippines after completing bilateral training during Balikatan 2008 and a scheduled port visit to Subic Bay to backload Marines, March 6.
• Bangor Trident Training Facility Receives NETC Award Navy NewsStand 07 Mar 2008 -- Naval Base Kitsap, Bangor's Trident Training Facility (TTF) learning site and training support department received the Education and Training Excellence Award for 2007 from RADM G. R. Jones, Naval Education and Training Command (NETC), March 6.
• Main Engine Lit Off Aboard Makin Island Navy NewsStand 07 Mar 2008 -- Seven crew members from pre-commissioning unit (PCU) Makin Island (LHD 8) witnessed a construction milestone Feb. 26, when LHD 8 became the first Navy vessel with a 35,000 horsepower LM2500+ gas turbine engine to successfully complete forward main engine light off (MELO).
• Philippine Sea VBSS Team Breaks the Language Barrier Navy NewsStand 07 Mar 2008 -- Guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea's (CG 58) visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) team is armed with more than weapons in achieving their mission.
• Military Sealift Command Ships, Personnel Support Korean-Exercise Navy NewsStand 07 Mar 2008 -- Military Sealift Command (MSC) personnel and ships demonstrated their ability to quickly respond to a breakout of hostilities on the Korean peninsula as part of exercise Key Resolve 2008, March 7.
• Navy Fleet Survey Team Receives New Boats Navy NewsStand 07 Mar 2008 -- Fleet Survey Team (FST) took delivery of two 9-m SAFE Boat Defender-class survey boats on March 4.
• USS Monterey Earns Second Consecutive Battle "E" Navy NewsStand 07 Mar 2008 -- The guided missile cruiser, USS Monterey (CG 61), received its second consecutive Battle Efficiency award on Feb. 29, for the crew's performance during calendar year 2007.
• Guantanamo Bay Detainees Get Respectful Treatment, Commander Says AFPS 07 Mar 2008 -- The nearly 300 captured enemy combatants being held at the Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, detention facility are provided respect and the best quality of life available under the circumstances, the commander of the detention task force said today.
• Charleston aircrews deliver 2,000th MRAP AFPN 06 Mar 2008 -- Charleston Air Force Base aircrews recently delivered the 2,000th mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicle, or MRAP, to warfighters overseas.
• New Center to Boost NORTHCOM, NORAD Capabilities AFPS 07 Mar 2008 -- An integrated command center scheduled to become operational in May will improve the global situational awareness critical to U.S. Northern Command and North American Aerospace Command in protecting the homeland, the commands' top officer said yesterday.
• Seabees Reflect on 66 Years of Tradition Navy NewsStand 07 Mar 2008 -- U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 1, Task Force Sierra Mainbody (TFS MB), part of a joint task force in Iraq, reflected on their time in the Naval Construction Force March 5, 2008, celebrating the 66th anniversary of the U.S. Navy Seabees.
• Jet Shop Fires Up Engines for Air Wing Navy NewsStand 07 Mar 2008 -- The mission of nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (TR) (CVN 71) is to use its aircraft to project power anywhere in the world.
• Civilian Diver picked up off Florida Coast Navy NewsStand 07 Mar 2008 -- A civilian diver was rescued March 6 off the coast of Florida after the U.S. Coast Guard requested USS Theodore Roosevelt's (CVN 71) assistance in a search effort.
• Bulkeley Conducts Anti-Terrorism Force Protection Training Navy NewsStand 07 Mar 2008 -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Bulkeley (DDG 84) is conducting Anti-Terrorism Force Protection (AT-FP) training during their current deployment.
• U.S.-S. Korea Joint Military Exercises Slammed KCNA 07 Mar 2008 -- Key Resolve and Foal Eagle joint military exercises now under way according to a carefully worked out operation plan for invading the north strip bare the bellicose and aggressive nature of the U.S. which has invariably pursued a hostile policy towards the DPRK under the signboard of "dialogue" and "peace".
• Key Resolve and Foal Eagle Enter into Full-Scale Operation Phase KCNA 07 Mar 2008 -- The Key Resolve and Foal Eagle joint military exercises of the war-like elements of the U.S. imperialist aggressor forces and the south Korean forces aiming at a preemptive attack on the DPRK entered a full-scale offensive operation phase from the phase of the deployment in the operational theater, according to a military source.
• Russia, France to discuss new Russia-EU agreement in Paris RIA Novosti 07 Mar 2008 -- Foreign and defense ministers from Russia and France are to meet in Paris on March 11 for a session of the Russian-French Council for Security Cooperation.
• Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 07 Mar 2008
• Press Briefing by Dana Perino and Edward Lazear, Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers and Keith Hennessey, Director of the National Economic Council The White House 07 Mar 2008

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for March 07, 2008
• Boeing: Uncertainty About Process Remains After Air Force Tanker Debrief Boeing 07 Mar 2008 -- The U.S. Air Force has completed a debriefing for The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] during which acquisition officials sought to explain why they selected a team of Northrop Grumman and the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) for a contract to replace aerial refueling tankers.
• General Dynamics Awarded $50 Million Contract for Submarine Technical and Engineering Support General Dynamics 07 Mar 2008 -- The U.S. Navy has awarded General Dynamics Electric Boat a $49.8 million contract modification for nuclear-submarine support work. Electric Boat is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD).
• Rheinmetall Defence wins order for GÜZ expansion Rheinmetall Defence 07 Mar 2008 -- Germany's Federal Office for Defence Technology and Procurement (BWB) has awarded Rheinmetall Defence a contract for a major expansion of the German Army's Combat Training Centre (GÜZ) in the Altmark district of Saxony-Anhalt, which has been steadily ramping up operations ever since 2001. The order encompasses new GÜZ system technology for the previously non-instrumented southern part of the Altmark Major Training Area as well as additional mobile online video technology. For Rheinmetall Defence's Simulation and Training Division, the order is worth some €25 million.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 07 Mar 2008
• Thailand: UN anti-crime chief hails arrest of notorious 'Lord of War' UN News Centre 07 Mar 2008 -- The head of the United Nations anti-crime agency today welcomed Thailand's arrest of Viktor Bout, the infamous weapons smuggler, dubbed the "Merchant of Death," who is accused of profiting from some of the most violence conflicts around the globe.
• Thailand Investigates Russian Arms Dealer VOA 07 Mar 2008 -- Thailand says it is investigating an alleged Russian arms dealer, known as the "Merchant of Death," as his lawyer in Moscow and U.S. authorities struggle over his future fate.
• Lawyers for 'Merchant of Death' to seek his extradition to Russia RIA Novosti 07 Mar 2008 -- Lawyers for a Russian businessman who is being held in Thailand on charges of illegal arms trading are to demand his extradition to Russia, his lawyer told a Moscow-based radio station on Friday.
• Iraqi President Visits Turkey to Ease Tensions VOA 07 Mar 2008 -- Iraqi President Jalal Talabani is in Ankara in a bid to ease tensions following Turkey's military assault against Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq.
• Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela Agree to End Border Crisis VOA 07 Mar 2008 -- The presidents of Colombia and Ecuador say they have resolved a dispute sparked by a Colombian attack on a rebel base inside Ecuador last week
• Colombia, Ecuador, Veneuzuela Agree to End Border Crisis VOA 07 Mar 2008 -- The leaders of Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela say they have settled a weeklong crisis that brought them to the brink of military clashes, after Colombian forces attacked FARC rebels inside Ecuador.
• Colombia, Ecuador Exchange New Accusations Over Rebel Attack VOA 07 Mar 2008 -- The presidents of Colombia and Ecuador have again traded charges over a controversial Colombian military strike on rebels inside Ecuador
• Hamas backtracks on Jerusalem attack claims RIA Novosti 07 Mar 2008 -- Palestinian radical group Hamas backtracked Friday on its earlier claim that it was responsible for Thursday's library shooting in Jerusalem that left eight dead and ten injured.
• Siegman: No Peace Possible Between Israel and Palestinians without Hamas cfr.org 07 Mar 2008
• Israel cranks up security in Jerusalem, West Bank after attack RIA Novosti 07 Mar 2008 -- Israeli authorities have imposed major security measures in the West Bank and Jerusalem following a terrorist attack that killed eight students, the Israeli army said on Friday.
• Palestinian gunman kills eight students in Jerusalem seminary RIA Novosti 07 Mar 2008 -- A Palestinian gunman shot at least eight people dead in the library of a Jewish seminary in Jerusalem, in the worst terrorist attack to hit the city in four years.
• Georgia: Tbilisi Outraged At Moscow Withdrawal From Abkhaz Sanctions Treaty RFE/RL 07 Mar 2008 -- Tbilisi officials have decried as "immoral and dangerous" Russia's decision to withdraw from a CIS treaty imposing sanctions on Georgia's breakaway region of Abkhazia.
• Abkhazia asks UN, Russia to recognize its independence RIA Novosti 07 Mar 2008 -- The parliament of Georgia's breakaway republic of Abkhazia appealed on Friday to the United Nations and Russia to recognize its independence, citing Kosovo as a precedent.
• Georgia protests Russia's decision to lift sanctions on Abkhazia RIA Novosti 07 Mar 2008 -- The Georgian Foreign Ministry said on Friday it was seriously concerned over Russia's decision to lift sanctions against Georgia's breakaway republic of Abkhazia.
• Georgia Criticizes Russia for Lifting Trade Restrictions on Abkhazia VOA 07 Mar 2008 -- Georgia has criticized Russia for lifting trade and financial sanctions on the Georgian separatist region of Abkhazia, which is seeking recognition as an independent country.
• UN Security Council set to hold Kosovo session RIA Novosti 07 Mar 2008 -- On Serbia's request, Russia has called for a session of the UN Security Council to be held next Tuesday to discuss Kosovo, a spokesperson for Russia's office to the UN told reporters on Friday.
• UN agency moves Darfur refugees in Chad away from perilous border UN News Centre 07 Mar 2008 -- The United Nations refugee agency said today that it has started to move Sudanese refugees who had fled a new wave of attacks in Darfur further inside Chad and away from the strife-torn frontier.
• Chad, Sudan Leaders to Meet in Senegal VOA 07 Mar 2008 -- Chadian President Idriss Deby is expected to meet with Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir next week on the sidelines of an international conference in the Senegalese capital, Dakar.

News Reports

• Bush: Cuba Embargo to Continue VOA 07 Mar 2008 -- President Bush says he will not end the U.S. trade embargo against Cuba until the government there releases all political prisoners
• On second day in Myanmar, UN envoy meets with State officials UN News Centre 07 Mar 2008 -- Cooperation between the United Nations and Myanmar and the country's ongoing constitutional process were on the agenda today as the Secretary-General's Special Adviser, Ibrahim Gambari, continued his latest mission to the South-East Asian nation.
• Musharraf vows to support new government IRNA 07 Mar 2008 -- President Pervez Musharraf Friday announced that he would support the new government and hoped that the new set up will continue his economic policies as well as fight against extremism and terrorism.
• Musharraf Promises to Back New Pakistan Coalition VOA 07 Mar 2008 -- Pakistan, in the midst of an attempt to form a new government, will see the parliament convened within two weeks. President Pervez Musharraf says he will call the national and provincial assemblies together and he is pledging to support the new government that will be formed by lawmakers
• Belarus Demands U.S. Ambassador Leave Minsk RFE/RL 07 Mar 2008 -- Relations between Belarus and the United States worsened today when the government of President Alyaksandr Lukashenka recalled its ambassador from Washington and demanded that the U.S. envoy leave Minsk.
• Belarus advises U.S. ambassador to leave over sanctions RIA Novosti 07 Mar 2008 -- Belarus advised the United States ambassador to leave the capital, Minsk, and recalled its ambassador from Washington for consultations, the Foreign Ministry said on Friday.
• Russia: How The Kremlin Manages To Get The Right Results RFE/RL 07 Mar 2008 -- One day after the March 2 presidential ballot in Russia put the final seal of approval on Dmitry Medvedev's carefully orchestrated win, the head of the country's election commission, Vladimir Churov, had warm words of praise for the vote, saying: "There is no more open, more transparent, and more organized election system than the election system of the Russian Federation."
• Medvedev wins 70.28% at Russian presidential elections - results RIA Novosti 07 Mar 2008 -- Russia's Central Election Commission (CEC) announced the official results Friday of the March 2 presidential elections with Kremlin-backed Dmitry Medvedev gaining 70.28% of the vote.
• Ukraine: Gas Crisis Averted, But Underlying Problems Remain RFE/RL 06 Mar 2008 -- Russia on March 5 resumed natural-gas supplies to Ukraine, ending the latest gas feud between the ex-Soviet neighbors.
• Kazakhstan: Ukraine Wins Promises Of Cooperation, But No Energy Deal RFE/RL 06 Mar 2008 -- Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko arrived in Kazakhstan hoping to secure new deals for Kazakh energy supplies, but he is set to leave with no agreement for more natural gas or oil anytime soon.