Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 11 Jul 2008 [PDF]
• DoD Announces Change In Status Of Army Soldiers
• July 10 airpower summary: F-15Es provide close-air support AFPN 11 Jul 2008 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations July 10, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.
• Coalition Troops in Iraq Detain Nine Suspected Terrorists AFPS 11 Jul 2008 -- Coalition forces in Iraq detained an alleged al-Qaida leader and eight other suspected terrorists during separate operations in Mosul, Beiji and Baghdad today, military officials said.
• Airmen use explosives to dismantle C-130 in Iraq AFPN 11 Jul 2008 -- Airmen used explosives to dismantle a C-130 Hercules stuck in a barren field northeast of Baghdad International Airport, July 7.
• Police Training Teaches Afghans About Service, Colonel Says AFPS 11 Jul 2008 -- Coalition trainers and mentors are making progress turning around corrupt police forces in southern Afghanistan, a military official said.
• Pakistani Minister: Afghanistan Shares Blame for Border Unrest VOA 11 Jul 2008 -- Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Friday Afghanistan bears a heavy share of blame for unrest along their mutual border
• Security Council voices support for boosting UN presence in Afghanistan UN News Centre 11 Jul 2008 -- The Security Council has endorsed Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's recommendations to strengthen the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) so that it can better assist the people of the strife-torn nation rebuild their country and their lives.
• Eight Pakistani soldiers injured in U.S-led coalition shelling IRNA 11 Jul 2008 -- At least eight Pakistani soldiers have been injured in artillery shelling from the U.S-led coalition in the border region, residents and local authorities said Friday.
• Former Pakistani Generals Ask 'Who Benefits?' From Kabul Attack RFE/RL 11 Jul 2008
• Afghan Report Says 47 Civilians Died in US Airstrike VOA 11 Jul 2008 -- An Afghan government commission says a U.S. airstrike this week that American commanders claimed had targeted militants instead killed 47 civilians
• California Air Guard Unit Hosts Fire Retardant Reloading Station AFPS 11 Jul 2008 -- The 146th Airlift Wing at this station in Port Hueneme isn't equipped to drop fire retardant, but the California Air National Guard unit has found another mission that will keep them involved in the effort to battle wildfires.
• California Governor Calls Additional Guard Troops for Fire Duty AFPS 11 Jul 2008 -- California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger ordered an additional 2,000 National Guard troops to state active duty today to boost the state's ongoing firefighting efforts and prepare for the threat of additional fires over the next several months.
• Military aircraft provide surge capability for wildfire response AFPN 11 Jul 2008 -- A continuing heat wave and an ongoing need for aircraft to support ground firefighters will likely keep Department of Defense aircraft very busy for the foreseeable future in support of the national wildland firefighting effort, the Army colonel in charge of coordinating that support said July 9.
• Fire retardant reload operations moved to Channel Islands AFPN 11 Jul 2008 -- The 302nd Air Expeditionary Group moved some critical fire retardant reloading equipment to the Channel Islands Air National Guard Station July 8 to increase the efficiency of modular airborne firefighting systems-equipped C-130 Hercules in battling wildfires in California.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Mercy Launches Pacific Partnership in Timor Leste Navy NewsStand 11 Jul 2008 -- USNS Mercy arrived in Dili July 12 to provide humanitarian civic assistance in a planned, coordinated effort with the government of Timor Leste, partner nations and non-governmental relief organizations in the region.
• Chief of staff retires after 37 years AFPN 11 Jul 2008 -- In a ceremony filled with military tradition, the 18th chief of staff of the Air Force, General T. Michael Moseley, retired July 11 after 37 years of service.
• Hurricane Hunters fly first storm of 2008 season AFPN 11 Jul 2008 -- As the Hurricane Hunters prepared to fly their first storm of the 2008 hurricane season July 11, Hurricane Bertha lumbered on a wide path toward Bermuda.
• System helps determine 'health' of Air Force aircraft AFPN 11 Jul 2008 -- Military aircraft must be safe, reliable, and ready at a moment's notice to complete their mission. Unexpected maintenance, and even scheduled maintenance checks, can keep an aircraft out of service when needed most.
• Chairman Commends Marines for Impact, New Mission AFPS 11 Jul 2008 -- The U.S. military's top-ranking officer met today with U.S. Marines based just northwest of here who are charged with the "critical, top-priority mission" of training the Afghan National Police.
• Chemical robot ready for its in-theater debut Army News 11 Jul 2008 -- Coming soon to theaters: A robot destined for the junk pile after being replaced by a more current model gains new life and a new purpose - going into potentially contaminated areas so Soldiers don't need to risk their lives.
• Secretary: Army accelerating future technology, on path to 'balanced force' Army News 11 Jul 2008 -- Secretary of the Army Pete Geren said Thursday that while the Army is stretched, the service is on a path toward balance on a number of fronts, including modernization.
• Military Child Education Agreement Now in Effect 11 Jul 2008 -- Delaware Governor Ruth Ann Minner signed into law Wednesday legislation to ease the transition for military children as their service member parents move from assignment to assignment during their careers.
• MLG home of second largest ISMT USMC News 11 Jul 2008 -- With operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom underway, training is vital to a Marine's success on the battlefield
• Company F recruits train for Crucible with depot sustainment hike USMC News 11 Jul 2008 -- While depot personnel slept in a few hours extra on the weekend to recover from the busy work week, Company F recruits were geared up and ready to train.
• Depot takes action in water conservation USMC News 11 Jul 2008 -- Last year was a historically dry year throughout the western United States. Because San Diego imports more than 85 percent of its water it is very important to conserve every precious drop.
• Center for Security Forces Holds Change of Command Ceremony Navy NewsStand 11 Jul 2008 -- The Center for Security Forces held a change of command ceremony July 24 at the Snug Harbor Ballroom aboard Naval Amphibious Base in Norfolk.
• DoD Breaks Ground on Historic Medical Education Training Campus Navy NewsStand 11 Jul 2008 -- An historic ground-breaking ceremony was held at Ft. Sam Houston, July 10, marking the official beginning of the facilities construction phase of the tri-service Medical Education Training Campus (METC).
• New Service Uniform Available July 31 Navy NewsStand 11 Jul 2008 -- The new E1-E6 Service Uniform (SU) will be available for purchase in Great Lakes and California Navy Exchanges starting July 31, according to NAVADMIN 190/08.
• Russia, Kazakhstan to sign three-year war games deal RIA Novosti 11 Jul 2008 -- Russia and Kazakhstan are to sign a three-year agreement on joint military drills in the near future, the Russian defense minister said on Friday.
• Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 11 Jul 2008

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for July 11, 2008
• Boeing, U.S. Army Celebrate 1st Flight of AH-64D Apache Block III Helicopter Boeing 11 Jul 2008 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA], U.S. Army leaders, supplier representatives and other guests celebrated the first flight of the AH-64D Apache Block III helicopter this week in Mesa, Ariz
• General Dynamics Awarded $374 Million Light Armoured Vehicle Lifecycle Support Contract by the Government of Canada General Dynamics 11 Jul 2008 -- The Government of Canada has awarded a contract valued at $374 million (US $367 million) to General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada for a full range of lifecycle support services for the Canadian Forces fleet of Wheeled Light Armoured Vehicles. General Dynamics Land Systems, the Canadian company's parent corporation, is a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD).
• Oshkosh Corporation Awarded Highest Recognition for Employee Support Oshkosh 11 Jul 2008 -- Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE: OSK) announced that it received the 2008 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award from the Department of Defense. The Freedom Award is the highest recognition given by the U.S. Government to employers for their outstanding support of their employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve. Oshkosh and 14 other employers will be honored at a ceremony Sept. 18 in Washington, D.C.
• Brazil's Mirage 2000 maintenance contract now effective Thales 11 Jul 2008 -- Dassault Aviation, Snecma and Thales announce that the contract with the Brazilian Ministry of Defence to maintain the Mirage 2000 aircraft operated by the Brazilian Air Force is now effective.
• Minister for Defence Equipment & Support opens new Thales major programmes facility in Bristol Thales 11 Jul 2008 -- Baroness Taylor named the building ‘Cambrai House', after the famous battle in 1917. The Battle of Cambrai is widely recognised as the first major combined action in military history, where the co-ordinated use of armour, infantry, artillery and air power by the British Army and its allies led to the breaching of the Hindenburg Line.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 11 Jul 2008
• PRESS CONFERENCE BY EMERGENCY RELIEF COORDINATOR ON CRISIS IN HORN OF AFRICA United Nations 11 Jul 2008
• CHAD: Oxfam and MSF suspend activities in Kerfi following attacks IRIN 11 Jul 2008 -- Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) Oxfam and Médecins sans Frontières (MSF) have suspended their activities in Kerfi, near Goz Beida in eastern Chad, following attacks on the staff and compounds of several NGOs, both agencies announced in press statements on 10 July.
• Human rights situation in Darfur 'remains grim' - UN rights expert UN News Centre 11 Jul 2008 -- Government forces and rebel groups continue to commit human rights violations in the Darfur region of Sudan, while populations in the southern part of the country also suffer from ongoing violence, according to an independent United Nations rights official.
• Temporary release approved by UN tribunal for former Yugoslav army chief UN News Centre 11 Jul 2008 -- Dragoljub Ojdanic, the former Chief of the General Staff of the Yugoslav Army, has been granted temporary provisional release on compassionate grounds by the United Nations tribunal set up to deal with the worst war crimes committed during the Balkan conflicts of the 1990s.
• Fears of Military Clash Growing Between Somaliland and Puntland VOA 11 Jul 2008 -- Residents in the town of Las Qoray in a disputed region between Somaliland and Puntland say there are signs of an impending military clash between the two regional rivals, following the take over of the strategic coastal town two days ago by Somaliland troops
• US Warns Sudan Against Retaliation for Genocide Charges VOA 11 Jul 2008 -- The United States Friday warned Sudan against retaliating against U.N. peacekeepers, foreign diplomats or others for expected genocide charges against the country's president, Omar al-Bashir
• 3 killed, 22 injured as LTTE opens fire on passenger bus in Lanka IRNA 11 Jul 2008 -- At least three civilians were killed and 22 others injured when suspected Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants opened fire at a passenger bus in Galge town in south-central Sri Lanka on Friday.
• Russia pledges to prevent Georgia-S.Ossetia armed conflict RIA Novosti 11 Jul 2008 -- Russia will do everything in its power to prevent a military conflict breaking out between Georgia and its breakaway republic of South Ossetia, the foreign minister said on Friday.
• Georgia refuses to discuss S.Ossetia in Moscow RIA Novosti 11 Jul 2008 -- Georgia has declined Russia's invitation to a meeting in Moscow later this month on easing tensions between Georgia and its breakaway republic of South Ossetia, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday.
• S.Ossetia could repel Georgia attack without Russian help - envoy RIA Novosti 11 Jul 2008 -- The de facto independent republic of South Ossetia would be capable of repelling on its own any attack by Georgia, without help from Moscow, a South Ossetian envoy to Russia said on Friday.
• Georgia accuses Russia of 'outright aggression' RIA Novosti 11 Jul 2008 -- Georgia's Foreign Ministry said Friday the intrusion of Russian warplanes into Georgian airspace was an act of "military aggression."
• Abkhazia, Georgia talks possible if Tbilisi withdraws troops RIA Novosti 11 Jul 2008 -- Dialogue between Georgia and its breakaway republic of Abkhazia can only be resumed if Tbilisi withdraws troops from the Kodori gorge, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday.

News Reports

• Donor Countries Pledge $1.9 Billion in Kosovo Aid VOA 11 Jul 2008 -- A donors' meeting in Brussels Friday has raised hundreds of millions of dollars for Kosovo, to help it get on its feet
• Lebanon Forms Unity Government after Months of Political Deadlock VOA 11 Jul 2008 -- After weeks of political deadlock, Lebanon's Prime Minister announced Friday that a new 30-member cabinet had been formed, opening the door to reconciliation among fighting factions
• China and Russia Veto Sanctions Resolution Against Zimbabwe VOA 11 Jul 2008 -- Russia and China have vetoed a proposed U.N. Security Council resolution that would have imposed sanctions against Zimbabwe.
• MALI: Food situation looks positive despite insecurity IRNA 11 Jul 2008 -- Despite high global food prices, conflict in the north and the onset of the lean season which lasts from July to September, the food security situation in the north and elsewhere, looks positive this year in Mali.
• Convenient 'Suicide' Removes Key Witness In Kazakh Scandal RFE/RL 11 Jul 2008 -- General Zhomart Mazhrenov spent more than 25 years in the service of the Soviet KGB, then Kazakhstan's National Security Committee (KNB).
• Lebanon announces national unity government RIA Novosti 11 Jul 2008 -- Lebanon formed a national unity government Friday, ending more than a year of political stalemate and six weeks of arguments over the makeup of the 30-member Cabinet.
• Lebanon Forms Unity Government After Months of Political Deadlock VOA 11 Jul 2008 -- Lebanon has formed a national unity government as part of a deal that brought the country's rival political factions back from the brink of civil war.
• Zimbabwe Warns of Civil War if UN Sanctions Approved VOA 11 Jul 2008 -- Zimbabwe is warning that any international sanctions against the ruling government could lead to civil war.
• European Union Pledges $789 Million at Kosovo Donors' Conference VOA 11 Jul 2008 -- The European Union has pledged $789 million at a donors conference to help newly independent Kosovo.
• Police Question Israeli PM Olmert in Expanding Corruption Scandal VOA 11 Jul 2008 -- Investigators have disclosed new allegations against Israel's embattled prime minister in a corruption probe
• Analysis: A Mediterranean Rendezvous cfr.org 11 Jul 2008 -- Nicolas Sarkozy is nothing if not ambitious