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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 14 Jul 2008 [PDF]
• MNF-W Marine dies of non-combat related incident (Fallujah)
• Transcript: DoD News Briefing with Maj. Gen. Barney White-Spunner from the Pentagon Briefing Room, Arlington, Va. 14 Jul 2008 -- Presenter: United Kingdom Army General Officer Commanding Multinational Division Southeast Maj. Gen. Barney White-Spunner
• July 13 airpower summary: A-10s fire on anti-Afghan forces AFPN 14 Jul 2008
• Coalition Forces in Iraq Detain Five Suspected al-Qaida Terrorists AFPS 14 Jul 2008 -- Coalition forces in Iraq detained five suspected al-Qaida terrorists during operations in Mosul and the Tigris River Valley today, military officials said.
• Deaths Highlight Need for Pakistani Cooperation in Afghanistan AFPS 14 Jul 2008 -- The deaths of nine NATO International Security Assistance Force soldiers in Afghanistan's Kunar province yesterday highlight the need for cooperation with Pakistan's military and a tougher Pakistani government stance against extremists, Defense officials said today.
• Transcript Of President Karzai's Interview With Radio Free Afghanistan RFE/RL 14 Jul 2008
• Raid on NATO Base Kills 9 US Troops in Eastern Afghanistan VOA 14 Jul 2008 -- NATO officials say insurgents who carried out Sunday's deadly assault on a remote NATO outpost in eastern Afghanistan were able to penetrate the base before they were driven away by U.S. air strikes. Nine American soldiers were killed in the assault
• California calls more Guard troops for fire duty Army News 14 Jul 2008 -- An additional 2,000 National Guard troops were ordered to state active duty by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger Friday to boost the state's ongoing firefighting efforts and prepare for the threat of additional fires over the next several months, according to a press release from his office.
• Military aircrews continue California wildfire suppression support AFPN 15 Jul 2008 -- Airmen from the 302nd Air Expeditionary Group began their 18th day of aerial firefighting support missions July 12 in a coordinated effort to control wildfires in California.
• Colorado-Based Reserve Airmen Combat California Wild Fires AFPS 15 Jul 2008 -- It's not always easy for members of the 302nd Airlift Wing at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., to remember they're an Air Force Reserve unit.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Obama Calls for Withdrawal of Troops From Iraq By 2010 VOA 14 Jul 2008 -- Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama is calling for U.S. combat troops to be withdrawn from Iraq by mid-2010.
• Pentagon Funds National Security Research AFPS 14 Jul 2008 -- The Defense Department is continuing its efforts to finance university research on national security-related issues, a senior Pentagon official said.
• Medical team deploys to Mali for MEDFLAG 08 AFPN 14 Jul 2008 -- More than 90 servicemembers deployed to Bamako, Mali, July 11 for MEDFLAG 08, a multinational medical training exercise designed to enhance medical capabilities and readiness for U.S. and African forces.
• Officials conduct 'Road Show' for acquisition transformation AFPN 14 Jul 2008 -- The Installation Acquisition Transformation initiative, a comprehensive restructuring of continental U.S. installation acquisition practices, is moving forward as Air Force contracting officials continue traveling to affected bases to explain the changes ahead.
• NASA researchers evaluate sensor technology AFPN 14 Jul 2008 -- NASA researchers are evaluating an advanced, fiber optic-based sensing technology that could aid development of active control of wing shape.
• Multinational Exercise Sea Breeze 2008 Begins Navy NewsStand 14 Jul 2008 -- Ships from numerous nations, including USS McFaul (DDG 74), have been arriving Odessa, Ukraine since July 11 as part of Combined Task Force (CTF) 367 in support of Exercise Sea Breeze.
• Bonhomme Richard Back At Sea for RIMPAC Navy NewsStand 14 Jul 2008 -- Following a 14-day port visit to Pearl Harbor, USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) (BHR) returned to sea July 11 to participate in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise.
• McInerney, HSL 44 Det 8 Conduct SAR Training in Eastern Pacific Navy NewsStand 14 Jul 2008 -- The crew of USS McInerney (FFG 8)(MCI)conducted a valuable training event, June 30, allowing the SH-60B "Swamp Foxes" of Naval Station Mayport to become a certified search and rescue (SAR) platform to be used in support of counter-narcoterrorism.
• USS Momsen Assists Motor Vessel in Arabian Sea Navy NewsStand 14 Jul 2008 -- USS Momsen (DDG 92) and its embarked helicopter detachment is providing assistance at sea to Motor Vessel Lehmann Timber.
• Carrier Strike Group 7 Arrives in Republic of Korea Navy NewsStand 14 Jul 2008 -- Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 7, including four ships and more than 5,500 Sailors, arrived in Republic of Korea ports July 14 for routine port visits.
• First LCS Gun System Demonstration Held at NSWC Dahlgren Navy NewsStand 14 Jul 2008 -- The Navy rolled out the first Surface Warfare Mission Package (SUW MP) for the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) in a ceremony July 11 at Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren, Va.
• Partnership of the Americas 2008 Transits Panama Canal Navy NewsStand 14 Jul 2008 -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Farragut (DDG 99) and the frigate USS Kauffman (FFG 59), assets assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 40, transited the Panama Canal July 9-11 en route Mayport, Fla.
• Russian Navy resumes military presence near Spitsbergen RIA Novosti 14 Jul 2008 -- The Russian Navy has resumed a military presence around the Arctic Ocean archipelago of Spitsbergen, which belongs to Norway, a navy statement said on Monday.
• Russia and Kazakhstan to hold joint war games in 2009-2011 RIA Novosti 14 Jul 2008 -- Russia and Kazakhstan will hold joint military exercises in 2009-2011, the two countries' defense ministers announced in Moscow on Monday.
• Russia's Sukhoi to produce Su-35 fighter up to 2020 RIA Novosti 14 Jul 2008 -- Russia's leading aircraft maker Sukhoi plans to produce its new state-of-the-art Su-35 Flanker-E multirole fighter plane over a period of 10 years up to 2020, the company's general director said.
• Georgia plans to raise army strength amid tensions with Russia RIA Novosti 14 Jul 2008 -- Georgia plans to increase the strength of its armed forces by 5,000 personnel to 37,000 amid growing tensions with Russia over two breakaway provinces, a senior lawmaker said Monday.
• Stance on arms purchase remains the same: Presidential Office CNA 14 Jul 2008 -- Taiwan's government has never wavered in its desire to procure defensive arms from the United States, Presidential Office spokesman Wang Yu-chi said Monday.
• NATO military exercise begins in Ukraine RIA Novosti 14 Jul 2008 -- Sea Breeze 2008, a NATO military exercise, will begin on Monday in Ukraine's Odessa region, the Crimea, and Black Sea coastal regions.
• PRESS CONFERENCE ON 2008 SMALL ARMS SURVEY United Nations 14 Jul 2008
• Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 14 Jul 2008
• Press Briefing by Dana Perino The White House 14 Jul 2008

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for July 14, 2008
• Over 60 Russian defense firms take part in Farnborough air show RIA Novosti 14 Jul 2008 -- More than 60 Russian defense-industry companies are taking part in the Farnborough air show that opened on Monday, southwest of the British capital.
• ATK Advances Composite Technology for Next Generation Commercial Aircraft ATK 14 Jul 2008 -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) announced the development of a patented automated stiffener forming machine (ASFM) that provides automation technology for the manufacture of composite stiffeners.
• FINAL INDIAN AIR FORCE STUDENTS GRADUATE FROM RAF VALLEY BAE Systems 14 Jul 2008 -- The final four Indian Air Force pilots have graduated from an innovative joint RAF-BAE Systems training programme based at RAF Valley in Wales, marking the last chapter in a unique four-year project which has trained over 70 top-quality pilots for front-line duty.
• BAE SYSTEMS AWARDED CONTRACT FOR ADDITIONAL VIKING VEHICLES BAE Systems 14 Jul 2008 -- BAE Systems has been awarded a UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) contract for six additional BvS10 VIKING amphibious armoured all-terrain vehicles
• BAE SYSTEMS RECEIVES $32 MILLION CONTRACT FOR AIRBORNE COUNTERMEASURES BAE Systems 14 Jul 2008 -- BAE Systems has been awarded a $32 million low rate initial production contract by the U.S. Navy to build hundreds of countermeasures systems to protect the Navy's F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet aircraft from enemy missiles.
• NIMROD MRA4 IN POLE POSITION BAE Systems 14 Jul 2008 -- Nimrod MRA4 development aircraft PA02 has successfully completed its longest and furthest flight to date, heading deep into the Arctic to investigate polar navigation.
• FIRST SIMULATED LANDINGS ON NEW ROYAL NAVY CARRIERS BAE Systems 14 Jul 2008 -- Engineers at BAE Systems, a major partner in the F35 Lightning II fighter programme, have successfully simulated the aircraft performing a shipborne rolling vertical landing manoeuvre (SRVL) to the deck of the Royal Navy's new aircraft carrier (CVF) using the BAE Systems simulation facility at its Warton site in North West of England.
• BAE SYSTEMS ENTERS PRODUCTION PHASE OF F-35 LIGHTNING II PROGRAMME BAE Systems 14 Jul 2008 -- BAE Systems has completed, on schedule, the first detailed machining component for the first production F-35 Lightning II aircraft, signalling a major milestone for the F-35 programme.
• VIRTUAL BATTLEFIELD FOR AIRCREW TRAINING BAE Systems 14 Jul 2008 -- BAE Systems has held a live demonstration of the latest developments in integrated aircrew training (IAT).
• BAE SYSTEMS WEAPON DEVELOPMENT ON TARGET; PRODUCTION PHASE PLANNED BAE Systems 14 Jul 2008 -- BAE Systems' Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System is meeting its development objectives, and plans are under way to produce and deliver the rocket-guidance capability to the field.
• Electronics from EADS Defence & Security offer German military helicopters improved protection EADS 14 Jul 2008 -- EADS Defence & Security (DS) will modernise 40 German helicopters of the type CH-53 as part of a product improvement project
• Lockheed Martin Integrates Pathfinder Advanced Pilotage Sensor on HH-60L Black Hawk MEDEVAC Helicopter Lockheed Martin 14 Jul 2008 -- The Lockheed Martin [NYSE:LMT] Pathfinder flight team established operations at Felker Army Airfield, Fort Eustis, VA, this week in preparation for the system's developmental and limited-user evaluation by the U.S. Army's Aviation Applied Technology Directorate
• Northrop Grumman Tanker Team Will Complete All Four Tanker Airframes in 2009, Two Airframes Ready to Begin Military Modification Now Northrop Grumman 14 Jul 2008 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) Tanker team announced today that all four initial tanker System Design and Development (SDD) airframes are scheduled for final assembly and initial flight testing by the end of 2009
• Northrop Grumman Delivers New Advanced Data-Link to U.S. Marine Corps for LITENING Targeting Pods Northrop Grumman 14 Jul 2008 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) today announced the delivery of the first of its next generation video data-link product to the U.S. Marine Corps for use in their LITENING Advanced Targeting (AT) and LITENING NEXT GENERATION (G4) pods.
• Raytheon Delivers First Open Architecture Ship Self Defense System Raytheon 14 Jul 2008 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has completed the first delivery of its open architecture Ship Self Defense System (SSDS) Mk 2 hardware configuration for installation onboard the U.S. Navy's aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68).
• Raytheon Broadens AESA Product Line with Revolutionary Radar Aimed at More Aircraft Raytheon 14 Jul 2008 -- A new version of its revolutionary active electronically scanned array radar technology positions Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) to broaden the market substantially with a product designed to fit numerous fighter aircraft requiring AESA capabilities.
• Raytheon Completes ASTOR Capabilities Testing With U.K. Ministry of Defence Raytheon 14 Jul 2008 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN), Raytheon Systems Limited and the U.K. Ministry of Defence have successfully completed capabilities assurance mission (CAM) testing of the Airborne Stand-Off Radar system.
• Raytheon Leads Team to Evaluate Impact of New Classes of Aircraft for NASA Raytheon 14 Jul 2008 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) will lead a team of air transportation experts from industry and academia to study the impact of new classes of aircraft on the next generation air transportation system, or NextGen.
• Russia's Irkut has 80 solid orders for Yak-130 combat trainers RIA Novosti 14 Jul 2008 -- Russia's Irkut corporation, the manufacturer of the famed Sukhoi fighters, has 80 solid orders for Yak-130 combat trainers, the company director said on Monday during the Farnborough air show currently being held near London.
• BAE SYSTEMS TO PROVIDE SURVEILLANCE SENSORS TO U.S. ARMY BAE Systems 14 Jul 2008 -- BAE Systems has received a $14.5 million U.S. Army contract to develop surveillance sensors.
• BAE SYSTEMS HARNESSES GLOBAL UAS EXPERTISE BAE Systems 14 Jul 2008 -- BAE Systems is harnessing its company-wide expertise in unmanned air systems (UAS) as part of a sharply focussed strategy to become a major player in what is poised to become a multi-billion dollar a year international market.
• BAE SYSTEMS AND UK MOD ANNOUNCE MANTIS UAS DEMONSTRATOR PROGRAMME BAE Systems 14 Jul 2008 -- BAE Systems has entered into a jointly funded 1st phase of a programme with the UK Ministry of Defence to develop an Unmanned Autonomous System (UAS) that will help shape technology development for the UK's future UAS capability.
• General Dynamics Awarded Gun System Contract by Raytheon General Dynamics 14 Jul 2008 -- Raytheon Missile Systems of Louisville, Ky., has awarded General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products a $22 million contract to produce gun systems for the Phalanx Block 1B Close-In Weapon System and the Centurion Land-Based Phalanx Weapon System
• Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor Showcases Aerodynamics At Farnborough Lockheed Martin 14 Jul 2008 -- The Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] F-22 Raptor air dominance fighter showcased its unique capability performing unequaled aerodynamic maneuvers during the opening day at the 2008 Farnborough Air Show.
• Lockheed Martin Breaks Ground On $15 Million Advanced Radar Test And Measurement Facility Lockheed Martin 14 Jul 2008 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] broke ground July 11 on a $15 million, 9,600 square foot radar test facility that will provide the company with one of the world's most advanced, large-antenna measurement systems.
• Pratt & Whitney Awarded Unmanned Combat Air System Contract Pratt & Whitney 14 Jul 2008 -- Northrop Grumman has awarded Pratt & Whitney a $54 million contract to develop and integrate the engine and exhaust system for the U.S. Navy's X-47 Unmanned Combat Air System Carrier Demonstration (UCAS-D) air vehicle
• Sikorsky Aircraft and U.K. Royal Household Sign Agreement For New S-76® Helicopter Sikorsky 14 Jul 2008 -- The Royal Household of the United Kingdom will continue to use Sikorsky helicopters as its preferred supplier for the Royal Family's transportation, Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. announced today from the Farnborough International Air Show. Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX).
• Experience, New Technology Fueling Ongoing CF6 Military Engine Success GE Aviation 14 Jul 2008 -- With more than 300 million hours of operating experience and infusion of new technology for added life and durability, General Electric Company's CF6 military engine family is enjoying widespread success in the tanker-transport, refueling and VIP communities.
• Growing Requirements, Tech Insertions Mark Increased GE Fighter Engine Presence GE Aviation 14 Jul 2008 -- General Electric Company's F110 and F404/F414 fighter engine families have successfully powered combat aircraft since the 1980s. Infused with new technology and backed by hours of experience, these programs are enjoying unprecedented success as customers are increasingly relying on a growing range of platforms to satisfy near-term mission demands.
• GE38 Engine on Fast Track for First Engine to Test GE Aviation 14 Jul 2008 -- Component rig tests of GE's GE38 turboshaft engine, chosen by Sikorsky Aircraft to power the CH-53K heavy-lift helicopter that is under development for the U.S. Marine Corps, have started in preparation for First Engine to Test (FETT) in early 2009. This testing follows an internal review of more than 100 design and program management criteria that led to finalization of component drawings and release of parts for manufacture. Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX).
• GE Turboshaft Engines Are Flying High GE Aviation 14 Jul 2008 -- GE continues to demonstrate its ongoing commitment to produce the world's best helicopter engines, both for today's aircraft and those just around the corner. Its Aviation business is investing significantly in technology to ensure its turboshaft product line provides top performance, reliability and durability for its ever-expanding customer base.
• Hamilton Sundstrand to provide Advanced Flight Control Computers for UH-60A/L helicopters Hamilton Sundstrand 14 Jul 2008 -- The U.S. Army CECOM Life Cycle Management Command has chosen Hamilton Sundstrand, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX), to supply Advanced Flight Control Computers for the continued upgrade of Sikorsky UH-60A/L helicopters.
• Thales launches next-generation threat warning system Thales 14 Jul 2008 -- The equipment, which is at an advanced stage of development through a Technology Demonstrator Programme (TDP) jointly funded by Thales UK and the Ministry of Defence (MoD), provides enhanced situational awareness and survivability for helicopters and sub-sonic fixed-wing aircraft.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 14 Jul 2008
• ICC Prosecutor seeks charges against Sudanese President for Darfur crimes UN News Centre 14 Jul 2008 -- Three years after the United Nations Security Council requested him to investigate atrocities committed in Darfur, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court today presented evidence against Sudan's President for alleged war crimes in the strife-torn region, including genocide.
• Sudan Rejects ICC Darfur Crimes Prosecution VOA 14 Jul 2008 -- The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court at The Hague Monday charged Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir with masterminding and implementing the genocide of the last five years against the people of Darfur
• International Court Seeks Indictment of Sudanese President VOA 14 Jul 2008 -- The prosecutor for the International Criminal Court, Luis Moreno-Ocampo has asked for an arrest warrant for Sudan President Omar Hassan al-Bashir, accusing him of masterminding genocide and war crimes in Sudan's Darfur region
• ICC Prosecutor Charges Sudan's President with Genocide VOA 14 Jul 2008 -- The International Criminal Court's, ICC, prosecutor has filed charges of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes against Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir.
• PRESS CONFERENCE BY SPECIAL COURT FOR SIERRA LEONE PROSECUTOR United Nations 14 Jul 2008
• UN awaiting clarification on future support to Nepalese peace process UN News Centre 14 Jul 2008 -- While Nepal's interim Government has requested that the United Nations continue its presence there - albeit in a smaller form - to help the South Asian nation consolidate its hard-won peace, the world body is seeking clarification on the scope of any future support, according to a new report made public today.
• Côte d'Ivoire: Ban lauds parties for committing to peace pact UN News Centre 14 Jul 2008 -- Côte d'Ivoire's political leaders are to be commended for their commitment to a peace agreement reached last year, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today, calling on the sides to continue their efforts to cement the pact.
• Ban applauds progress on control of small arms trade, but sees challenges ahead UN News Centre 14 Jul 2008 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today that states have made considerable progress in combating the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons, but cautioned that many challenges still remain.
• Taylor trial at UN-backed court a model for international justice, says Prosecutor UN News Centre 14 Jul 2008 -- The Chief Prosecutor of the United Nations-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL), which is trying former Liberian President Charles Taylor for war crimes and crimes against humanity, says many commentators refer to the court as a model for international justice.
• Rights Group Says Thai Military, Insurgents Becoming Increasingly Brutal in South VOA 14 Jul 2008 -- An international rights group says violence is rising as the Thai military battles Muslim insurgents in the country's south
• SOMALIA: Thousands flee Beletweyne as clash fears mount IRIN 14 Jul 2008 -- Fears of major clashes in the town of Beletweyne in central Somalia's Hiiraan Region have sparked a mass exodus from the town, sources there told IRIN on 14 July.
• Israel Moves Lebanese Prisoners Ahead of Swap VOA 14 Jul 2008 -- Israel says it has moved four Lebanese detainees to a new facility to prepare for a prisoner swap with the Shi'ite militant group Hezbollah on Wednesday.

News Reports

• Zimbabwe Crisis Resolution In African Hands Now - US Ambassador VOA 14 Jul 2008 -- Following last week's defeat in the United Nations Security Council of a U.S. resolution calling for more sanctions on the Zimbabwean government, the responsibility for finding a solution to the country's post-election crisis lies with the Southern African Development Community and the African Union, U.S. Ambassador to Zimbabwe James McGee said Monday.
• Euro-Med Summit Diplomatic Triumph, But With Little Effect RFE/RL 14 Jul 2008 -- President Nicolas Sarkozy and France, which currently holds the EU Presidency, scored a diplomatic triumph on July 13, successfully negotiating an EU summit with other Mediterranean countries.
• Turkey Charges Alleged Coup Plotters VOA 14 Jul 2008 -- Istanbul's chief prosecutor says 86 people will be prosecuted under terrorism laws for attempting to overthrow the government