Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 21 Apr 2008 [PDF]
• DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• MND-N Soldiers attacked by IED (Salah ad Din)
• Transcript: DoD News Briefing with Col. Craparotta from Iraq 21 Apr 2008 -- Presenter: Commander, Regimental Combat Team 1 Col. Lewis Craparotta
• April 20 airpower summary: C-130s transport cargo AFPN 21 Apr 2008
• Airmen, reconstruction team improve Iraqi living conditions AFPN 21 Apr 2008 -- Airmen teamed with members of the Kirkuk Air Base Provincial Reconstruction Team during a training session designed to help Iraqis improve waste management practices in the region April 16 here.
• Air traffic controllers keep aircraft soaring AFPN 21 Apr 2008 -- Air traffic controllers of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing here were responsible for more than 1,250 operations on their airfield and in their airspace in just one week in April.
• Coalition, Iraqi Forces Kill, Detain Terrorists AFPS 21 Apr 2008 -- Coalition forces battling al-Qaida terrorists and Iranian-trained "special group" criminals killed 23 terrorists and detained 42 others during multiple engagements and missions across Iraq between April 18 and 21.
• Officials Outline Sadr City Security Plan AFPS 21 Apr 2008 -- Recent operations in Baghdad's Sadr City neighborhood are part of the overall Baghdad security plan and necessary to rebuilding in the area, a Multinational Force Iraq spokesman told reporters yesterday.
• Regimental Combat Team Commander Sees Progress in Anbar AFPS 21 Apr 2008 -- The commander of Multinational Forces West's Regimental Combat Team 1 described the enemy in his area of operations as "neutralized" during a briefing in Camp Fallujah, Anbar province, Iraq.
• Navy Customs Inspectors Return Home After Seven Months in Middle East Navy NewsStand 21 Apr 2008 -- Four hundred Navy Reservists from across the country returned to Norfolk on April 19 and April 21 after a seven-month deployment as customs inspectors supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Campaign Stars to Adorn Afghanistan and Iraq Campaign Medals 21 Apr 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today that campaign stars are authorized for wear on the Afghanistan Campaign Medal (ACM) and Iraq Campaign Medal (ICM).
• 12-Month Deployments to Reduce Stress, Build Depth Army News 22 Apr 2008 -- Soldiers can now look forward to less time away from their families as the Army finalizes plans for shortened deployment lengths in support of the war on terror.
• B-2s return to flight after safety pause AFPN 21 Apr 2008 -- A B-2 Spirit made a successful return to flight April 15 here after a 53-day safety pause for the aircraft following the first-ever crash of a stealth bomber Feb. 23 in Guam.
• New leader of Air Force Materiel Command named AFPN 21 Apr 2008 -- Department of Defense officials announced April 18 Lt. Gen. Donald J. Hoffman, currently the military deputy in the Office of the Assistant Air Force Secretary for Acquisition at the Pentagon, was selected to become the sixth commander of Air Force Materiel Command.
• Deployed defenders show AF mission is more than just aircraft AFPN 21 Apr 2008 -- While typical perceptions associated with the Air Force in combat might involve aircraft dropping bombs on targets, the several hundred security forces Airmen deployed here are proving these stereotypes outdated.
• Medals of Valor Awarded for Sadr City Operation Army News 21 Apr 2008 -- Multiple improvised-explosive devices, rocket-propelled grenades and a hail of gunfire greeted Silver Lions' Soldiers as they conducted route clearance in the southern portion of the Sadr City district of Baghdad April 11.
• Gates Forms Task Force to Promote Intelligence, Surveillance for Warfighters AFPS 21 Apr 2008 -- Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates established a new task force last week to ensure the Defense Department is doing everything possible to provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) assets to support warfighters, he announced today.
• Transcript: Secretary Gates Remarks at Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, Montgomery Alabama 21 Apr 2008 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates
• Marines Gear Up for MAGTF Exercise Navy NewsStand 21 Apr 2008 -- The 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and Amphibious Squadron (CPR) 3 conducted Marine Air Ground Task Force training exercises aboard amphibious assault ships USS Peleliu (LHA 5), USS Dubuque (LPD 8), and USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) in Southern California from April 9-16, for an upcoming combined deployment.
• University of Southern California Welcomes New Maritime Strategy Discussions Navy NewsStand 21 Apr 2008 -- Students and faculty from the University of Southern California (USC) gathered inside the campus library, April 15, to discuss the new joint-service Maritime Strategy with representatives of the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Corps during a "Conversations with the Country" public forum.
• CNO Concludes First Official Counterpart Visit Navy NewsStand 21 Apr 2008 -- Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Gary Roughead concluded his first official counterpart visit wApril 19, while traveling in the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command area of responsibility.
• Iron Nickel Sailors and 15th MEU Conduct NEO Navy NewsStand 21 Apr 2008 -- Sailors aboard USS Peleliu (LHA 5) and the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) conducted a Non-Combatant Evacuation Operation (NEO) exercise, April 14, in preparation for an upcoming combined deployment.
• Kearsarge Prepares for AVCERT Navy NewsStand 21 Apr 2008 -- The crew of the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) is demonstrating their ability to conduct successful aircraft operations as they prepare for their aviation certification (AVCERT).
• Carrier Strike Group 10 Changes Hands Navy NewsStand 21 Apr 2008 -- Rear Adm. Mark I. Fox relieved Rear Adm. Bill Gortney as Commander, Carrier Strike Group 10 during a change of command ceremony held at sea in the Persian Gulf April 19.
• USS Shoup Holds Change of Command Ceremony Navy NewsStand 21 Apr 2008 -- USS Shoup (DDG 86) held a change of command ceremony April 19 in Singapore.
• Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 21 Apr 2008
• Press Gaggle by Dana Perino and Paul Conway, Chief of Staff to Gulf Coast Coordinator The White House 21 Apr 2008

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for April 21, 2008
• Boeing Awarded DARPA Contract to Develop Ultra-Long-Endurance Aircraft Technologies Boeing 21 Apr 2008 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] has been awarded a $3.8 million Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) contract for Phase 1 of the Vulture air vehicle program, an effort to create a new category of ultra-long-endurance aircraft.
• CACI Awarded $49 Million Contract to Help U.S. Navy Provide Operational Support for Federal Bureau of Investigation CACI 21 Apr 2008 -- CACI International Inc (NYSE:CAI) announced today that it has been awarded a $49 million prime contract by the U.S. Navy's Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center (SPAWAR) in Charleston, SC to help the Navy provide operational support to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
• General Dynamics Awarded $57 Million for Abrams Tank Survivability Kit Work General Dynamics 21 Apr 2008 -- General Dynamics Land Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), has been awarded two contracts valued at $57 million for Abrams Tank Urban
• Northrop Grumman KC-45: Why We Won -- Mission Capability Northrop Grumman 21 Apr 2008 -- The U.S. Air Force found Northrop Grumman's (NYSE:NOC) bid to build the next generation of aerial refueling tankers superior to Boeing's in four of the five most important selection criteria
• SAIC Completes Acquisition of Icon Systems, Inc. SAIC 21 Apr 2008 -- Science Applications International Corporation (NYSE: SAI) announced today that it has completed the acquisition of Icon Systems, Inc. (Icon), a recognized leader in the design, development and production of state-of-the-art laser-based systems and products for military training and testing.
• Boeing and Ball Aerospace Achieve New Milestone for SBSS Program Boeing 21 Apr 2008 -- The Space Based Space Surveillance (SBSS) System Block 10 team, led by Boeing [NYSE: BA] with Ball Aerospace and Technologies Corp. [NYSE: BLL] providing the space vehicle, today announced completion of the payload electronics, high-speed gimbal and testing of the space vehicle's visible sensor, enabling the start of payload integration and test.
• Raytheon Awarded $241 Million to Provide South Korea Patriot Air and Missile Defense Capabilities Raytheon 21 Apr 2008 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has received a $241 million U.S. Foreign Military Sales contract to provide the Republic of Korea with command and control, communications, maintenance support, and training equipment for the Patriot air and missile defense system.

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 21 Apr 2008
• Hamas ready to accept Israel as neighbor - Carter RIA Novosti 21 Apr 2008 -- Ex-U.S. president Jimmy Carter said on Monday the radical Islamist group Hamas was ready to live in peace with Israel if an agreement was supported by a Palestinian referendum.
• Carter Says Hamas Willing to Accept Peace Agreement with Israel VOA 21 Apr 2008 -- Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter wrapped up a week-long trip to the Middle East Monday by telling a Jerusalem news conference that Hamas Islamic militants are prepared to accept a negotiated peace agreement with Israel
• UN and Saudi Arabia stress importance of Arab Peace Initiative UN News Centre 21 Apr 2008 -- The senior United Nations envoy on the Middle East and Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister have underscored the continued importance of the Arab Peace Initiative during a meeting in Riyadh on the latest developments in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
• US Sees No Change From Hamas After Carter Talks VOA 21 Apr 2008 -- The U.S. State Department says it sees no policy changes by the Palestinian militant group Hamas in the wake of former President Jimmy Carter's meetings with Hamas leaders
• PRESS CONFERENCE BY GEORGIA United Nations 21 Apr 2008
• Georgia: UN mission observes no build-up of forces on either side UN News Centre 21 Apr 2008 -- The United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) has stepped up its monitoring but said today that it has not seen anything so far to confirm recent media reports of a build-up of either Georgian or Abkhaz forces along the ceasefire line or in the Kodori Valley.
• Georgia Accuses Russia of Shooting Down Unmanned Spy Plane VOA 21 Apr 2008 -- Georgia has accused neighboring Russia of sending a Russian Air Force plane into Georgian airspace to shoot down an unmanned Georgian spy plane.
• TIMOR-LESTE: Security concerns stop coffee growers from harvesting IRIN 21 Apr 2008 -- Military restrictions on civilians in Timor-Leste are putting the multi-million dollar coffee industry in jeopardy as authorities have ordered growers to stay away from their plantations, preventing them from preparing for the annual May coffee bean harvest.
• Ban Ki-moon sounds alarm on violence in Somali capital UN News Centre 21 Apr 2008 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today voiced deep concern over this weekend's heavy fighting in Mogadishu, Somalia's capital, and deplored the substantial number of civilian deaths and injuries that have been suffered.
• DR Congo and Rwanda assess progress in dealing with armed groups - UN UN News Centre 21 Apr 2008 -- Representatives of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda met in New York in United Nations-chaired talks to review progress in dealing with armed groups.
• Bodies of Several Clerics Found In, Around Somali Mosque After Heavy Fighting VOA 21 Apr 2008 -- At least nine people have been found dead at a mosque in the Somali capital, Mogadishu
• SOMALIA: Weekend clashes claim dozens of lives IRIN 21 Apr 2008 -- Hundreds of families fled their homes in Mogadishu over the weekend as intense fighting between Ethiopian troops and insurgents raged on, claiming the lives of up to 100 people, local sources told IRIN.

News Reports

• PRESS CONFERENCE BY PRESIDENT OF BOLIVIA, EVO MORALES AYMA United Nations 21 Apr 2008
• Secretary-General meets with Zimbabwean opposition leader over election crisis UN News Centre 21 Apr 2008 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has held talks today with Zimbabwean opposition leader and presidential contender Morgan Tsvangirai over the protracted post-election crisis in the Southern African country.
• Dalai Lama Asks for US Help On Tibet VOA 21 Apr 2008 -- Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, says Tibetans need U.S. help in resolving their conflict with the Chinese government.
• Widespread Political Violence Reported in Zimbabwe's Rural Areas VOA 21 Apr 2008 -- Zimbabwe's private hospitals are full of people who have suffered violence since results of parliamentary elections were announced early this month
• Britain Accuses Zimbabwe of Using Violence to Steal Election VOA 21 Apr 2008 -- Britain is accusing Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe of trying to steal the country's election and of unleashing a campaign of violence against Zimbabweans who voted against him.
• SOUTHERN AFRICA: Zimbabwe not on summit agenda IRIN 21 Apr 2008 -- Norway and the European Union on Sunday urged southern African leaders to resolve the political crisis in Zimbabwe as their credibility was at stake.
• Kyrgyzstan: Russian Soldier's Shooting Sparks Diplomatic Row RFE/RL 21 Apr 2008 -- A Russian soldier serving at a CIS counterterrorism base in Kyrgyzstan is in serious condition after what local authorities are describing as a justified shooting at the hands of a Kyrgyz policeman.
• Kyrgyzstan says Russian officer accidentally shot by traffic cop RIA Novosti 21 Apr 2008 -- Kyrgyzstan's Interior Ministry said on Monday a Russian airbase serviceman hospitalized after a clash with a Kyrgyz traffic policeman was accidentally shot.