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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 15 Aug 2008 [PDF]
• DoD Identifies Marine Casualty
• MNF-W Marine killed in SAF attack
• MNC-I Soldier dies of non-battle related causes (Bagthdad)
• Coalition, Iraqi Forces Detain 10 Suspects, Find Weapons Caches AFPS 15 Aug 2008 -- Coalition and Iraqi forces detained 10 suspected terrorists and found numerous weapons caches in operations in Baghdad and other areas of Iraq.
• Iraq Increases Karbala Security After Another Pilgrim is Killed VOA 15 Aug 2008 -- A roadside bomb killed a Shi'ite pilgrim heading to the holy city of Karbala.
• Iraqi, U.S. Forces Pick Up Georgians' Missions in Iraq's Wasit Province AFPS 15 Aug 2008 -- Iraqi security forces will partner with the U.S. Army's 41st Fires Brigade and occupy the checkpoints and patrol bases in Iraq's Wasit province that 1st Georgian Brigade manned before the unit members redeployed home during their country's domestic crisis.
• Security Improvements Amplify Stability in Iraqi Province AFPS 15 Aug 2008 -- Citizens of Iraq's Babil province feel secure, and overall quality of life in the area is improving due to the efforts of Iraqi and coalition forces, a U.S. commander said yesterday.
• Afghan, Coalition Forces Kill, Detain Militants AFPS 15 Aug 2008 -- Afghan and coalition forces killed dozens of militants and detained eight others in separate operations.
• 'Friendly fire' likely for UK death in Afghanistan - report finds IRNA 15 Aug 2008 -- The death of a British marine in Afghanistan last year was likely caused by so-called friendly fire.
• Transcript: DoD News Briefing with Rear Admiral Romano from the Pentagon 15 Aug 2008 -- Presenter: Pentagon U.S. European Command Director of Logistics and Security Assistance, Rear Admiral Steven Romano
• Humanitarian Assistance for Georgia Continues AFPS 15 Aug 2008 -- Humanitarian aid to the former Soviet republic of Georgia continued today, as two U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules transport aircraft arrived in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi, carrying pallets of cargo, including emergency shelter items and medical supplies.
• Georgia Transportation Plan Demonstrates U.S. Flexibility, Responsiveness AFPS 15 Aug 2008 -- The transport of more than 1,800 Georgian soldiers from Iraq to Tbilisi and humanitarian supplies from Germany to Georgia highlights the flexibility and responsiveness the U.S. military manifests, a senior U.S. Transportation Command officer said today.
• C-130s bring humanitarian assistance to Georgia AFPN 15 Aug 2008 -- Humanitarian aid to the former Soviet republic of Georgia continued today, as two C-130 Hercules aircraft arrived in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi, carrying pallets of cargo, including emergency shelter items and medical supplies.
• Mobility Airmen deliver aid to Georgia AFPN 15 Aug 2008 -- Air Force mobility Airmen and aircraft delivered more than 78 tons of humanitarian aid supplies Aug. 13 and 14 to the people of the Republic of Georgia.

Defense Policy / Programs

• DoD News Briefing with Director, Federal Voting Assistance Program Brunelli and Deputy Director, Federal Voting Assistance Program Wiedmann 15 Aug 2008 -- Presenter: Director, Federal Voting Assistance Program Pauline Brunelli and Deputy Director, Federal Voting Assistance Program Scott Wiedmann
• Byrd Makes Debut Visit to Guam Navy NewsStand 15 Aug 2008 -- The Navy welcomed USNS Richard E. Byrd (T-AKE 4) into Apra Harbor July 31, marking her first official visit to the island since launching from her shipyard at San Diego in May 2007.
• USS Columbia Completes Depot Modernization Period at Pearl Harbor Navy NewsStand 15 Aug 2008 -- USS Columbia (SSN 771) completed her depot modernization period (DMP) at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard (PHNSY) and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (IMF) July 25.
• C.A.T. Also Spells E.M.T. Navy NewsStand 15 Aug 2008 -- Civic Action Team (CAT) 133-24, a detachment from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 133, continues to break new ground in Palau - except in this case, the 'Runnin' Roos' are not building, but teaching.
• Overseas Troops, Civilians Can Vote By Absentee Ballot AFPS 15 Aug 2008 -- With fall general elections approaching, U.S. servicemembers and civilians living overseas should now be thinking about obtaining absentee ballots to vote, the Defense Department's senior voting official urged today.
• Coast Guardsmen to Join Navy SEAL Teams AFPS 15 Aug 2008 -- Coast Guardsmen soon will be training to join Navy SEAL teams, a senior Coast Guard officer said today.
• Reset program maintains troop readiness Army News 15 Aug 2008 -- The Army reset program is essential to the readiness and combat capability of the Army, said the outgoing director of integration at the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Army Programs (G-8).
• USS Forrest Sherman Trains Alongside Salvadoran Sailors During Visit to El Salvador Navy NewsStand 15 Aug 2008 -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Forrest Sherman (DDG-98) hosted 100 members of El Salvador's Navy aboard for training and partnership activities while underway and at anchor in the harbor off Acajutla Aug. 5 and 6.
• Sandblast Facility Damaged by Hurricane Katrina Under Construction in Gulfport Navy NewsStand 15 Aug 2008 -- A new sandblast facility aboard Naval Construction Battalion Center (NCBC) Gulfport is scheduled for completion November 2008. The new facility will support Naval Facilities Expeditionary Logistics Center (NFELC) Construction Equipment Division (CED) Detachment Gulfport and will replace the facility destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.
• Million-Dollar Competition Triggers Interest at Naval Partnership Science and Technology Conference Navy NewsStand 15 Aug 2008 -- The Office of Naval Research received more than 100 submissions for the Chief of Naval Research (ONR) Challenge at the 2008 Naval Science & Technology (S&T) Partnership Conference, which ended Aug. 14 in Arlington, Va.
• Poland Signs U.S. Missile-Shield Deal RFE/RL 15 Aug 2008 -- The Polish government has signed a deal to host U.S. missiles to complete an antimissile shield the United States says will protect it and Europe from attacks by rogue states.
• Russia's NATO envoy calls U.S. missile shield 'dead cat' RIA Novosti 15 Aug 2008 -- Russia's ambassador to NATO has compared the U.S. missile defense system to "a dead cat," since its effectiveness can only be verified as a result of reciprocal thermonuclear missile strikes.
• U.S., Poland sign missile defense deal RIA Novosti 15 Aug 2008 -- The United States and Poland agree to deploy U.S. interceptor missiles in the former Communist-bloc country.
• U.S. missile shield in Europe targets Russia - Medvedev RIA Novosti 15 Aug 2008 -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev: No doubt U.S. missile defense shield for Central Europe is aimed against Russia.
• Medvedev: US Missile Shield Aimed at Russia VOA 15 Aug 2008
• Ukraine proposes drafting Black Sea fleet deal with Russia RIA Novosti 15 Aug 2008 -- Ukraine's President Viktor Yushchenko sent an urgent proposal to Russia on Friday to draft a bilateral agreement on the Russian Black Sea fleet deployed in Ukraine.
• U.S., U.K. officially pull out of Russia-NATO joint exercise RIA Novosti 15 Aug 2008 -- The U.S. and Britain officially pulled out of a naval exercise slated for August 15-23.
• Russian-Ukrainian talks needed for new rules on Black Sea Fleet RIA Novosti 15 Aug 2008 -- New regulations will only come into force after bilateral talks.
• Press Gaggle by Gordon Johndroe The White House 15 Aug 2008

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for August 15, 2008
• RISE OF THE MACHINES: UNMANNED VEHICLES GO HEAD - TO - HEAD ON SALISBURY PLAIN BAE Systems 15 Aug 2008 -- Hunting down modern day security threats including a sniper, an armed vehicle, an improvised explosive device and a cell of armed terrorists are the focus of a new project involving BAE Systems, automotive design, development and certification consultancy MIRA and other partners from UK industry and academia.
• Boeing Delivers Super Hornet Proposal to Brazil For F-X2 Competition Boeing 15 Aug 2008 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] delivered a detailed proposal July 30 offering its advanced F/A-18E/F Super Hornet to the Brazilian Air Force as part of Brazil's F-X2 fighter competition.
• EADS Defence & Security Provides Lockheed Martin with Naval Radar for U.S. Coast Guard "Deepwater" Programme EADS 15 Aug 2008 -- EADS Defence & Security provides Lockheed Martin with its proven TRS-3D naval radar in order to enhance situational awareness, and thus the security in littoral waters, for the U.S. Coast Guard's "Deepwater" programme.
• Thales Successful in ESSM live firing test Thales 15 Aug 2008 -- In the Live Firing Test, the Thales STIR fire control system guided the ESSM missile with such accuracy to an IRIS drone at a range of approximately 5 NM, that the missile fully hit the drone. This test demonstrates once again the high level of accuracy provided by Thales systems and the experience Thales possesses with controlling ESSM missiles.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 15 Aug 2008
• President Bush Discusses Situation in Georgia The White House 15 Aug 2008
• South Ossetia Conflict Holds Lessons For Kyiv RFE/RL 15 Aug 2008 -- Analysts have begun to weigh the significance of the Russian-Georgian conflict for Russia's other neighbors and for Western relations with those countries
• Georgian President Signs Truce, But Rhetoric Continues RFE/RL 15 Aug 2008 -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said in Tbilisi that now that Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has placed his signature on a cease-fire agreement, the time has come for Russia to pull its troops from Georgia.
• Cease-Fire Accord Specifies Russian Troop Withdrawal from Georgia AFPS 15 Aug 2008 -- A cease-fire agreement signed today by the president of the former Soviet republic of Georgia calls for Russian troops to immediately leave his country, America's senior diplomat said in the Georgian capital today.
• After Ossetia, Some Things Change And Some Remain The Same RFE/RL 15 Aug 2008 -- Russia's military intervention in Georgia this past week has led to two diametrically opposed predictions about what that action will mean for the future of the international system.
• Senior U.S. Official Calls Russian Actions 'Ill-Advised And Simply Stupid' RFE/RL 15 Aug 2008 -- U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Matthew Bryza tells RFE/RL Tbilisi bureau chief Marina Vashakmadze in a face-to-face interview that Washington is committed to maintaining a partnership with both sides to the conflict
• Germany: Western Integration Is Georgia's 'Natural Right' RFE/RL 15 Aug 2008 -- Speaking to RFE/RL on the eve of German Chancellor Angela Merkel's visit to Russia on August 15, the foreign-policy spokesman of the Christian Democrat Union/Christian Social Union faction in the German Bundestag, Eckart von Klaeden, said Georgia has a "natural right" to choose its own allies
• As Smoke Clears In Georgia, Humanitarian Concerns Come Into Focus RFE/RL 15 Aug 2008 -- As Western diplomats focus on finalizing a fragile cease-fire between Russia and Georgia, humanitarian organizations are scrambling to help the estimated 118,000 civilians displaced by the conflict.
• Did Russia Plan Its War In Georgia? RFE/RL 15 Aug 2008 -- Before the guns of August, there were the maneuvers of July.
• Georgia's president says signed S.Ossetia peace plan RIA Novosti 15 Aug 2008 -- President Mikheil Saakashvili said Friday he had signed the peace plan to resolve Georgia's conflict with its breakaway republic of South Ossetia earlier in the day.
• Georgia: UN continues to press for humanitarian access to victims UN News Centre 15 Aug 2008 -- As urgent supplies continue to arrive for those affected by the conflict in Georgia, the United Nations refugee agency has repeated its call for free and unhindered humanitarian access and safe passage for uprooted civilians and the aid workers trying to help them.
• US Warns Russia To Halt 'Invasion' Of Georgia VOA 15 Aug 2008 -- United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has condemned Russian military operations in the former Soviet republic of Georgia, saying the action reminds her of the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968
• Russia's President Says Breakaway Regions Not Likely to Return to Georgia VOA 15 Aug 2008 -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said Friday it is unlikely that the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia will rejoin Georgia after a week of violent clashes
• Georgia Conflict Casts Shadow Over US-Russian Relations VOA 15 Aug 2008 -- Diplomatic efforts are continuing in an effort to secure a cease-fire in Georgia and the withdrawal of Russian troops from the former Soviet Republic
• Russian Convoy Moves Deeper Into Georgia VOA 15 Aug 2008 -- A Russian convoy has moved deeper into Georgia, advancing to about 50 kilometers from the capital, Tbilisi.
• Rice: Russian Troops Must Leave Georgia Now VOA 15 Aug 2008 -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says Russian troops must immediately withdraw from Georgia under a cease-fire agreement.
• UN High Commissioner for Refugees to Visit Georgia, Russia VOA 15 Aug 2008 -- The UN refugee agency says High Commissioner Antonio Guterres will travel to Georgia and the Russian Federation next week to assess the agency's humanitarian operations in both countries and determine the most critical needs
• The Stakes in the Caucasus Conflict are Huge - for All Parties VOA 15 Aug 2008
• Bush Repeats Call for Russian Troop Withdrawal from Georgia VOA 15 Aug 2008 -- U.S. President George Bush: America stands with Georgia government.
• S.Ossetia peacekeepers to be beefed up with armor, tanks RIA Novosti 15 Aug 2008
• S. Ossetia says Georgian refugees unable to return to region RIA Novosti 15 Aug 2008
• Medvedev doubts S.Ossetia, Abkhazia will stay within Georgia RIA Novosti 15 Aug 2008 -- Medvedev: Any decision on their future status should reflect the people's will.
• Russia denies use of cluster bombs in Georgia RIA Novosti 15 Aug 2008
• No formal CIS pullout statement from Georgia yet - CIS official RIA Novosti 15 Aug 2008.
• PRESS CONFERENCE ON SERBIA’S INTENTIONS VIA-À-VIS INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE, UNILATERAL DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE BY KOSOVO United Nations 15 Aug 2008
• Serbia Requests ICJ Opinion on Legality of Kosovo Independence VOA 15 Aug 2008 -- Serbia is seeking the International Court of Justice's (ICJ) opinion on the legality of Kosovo's independence and says it will abide by its decision
• Ethiopian forces to join UN-African Union force in Darfur UN News Centre 15 Aug 2008 -- Ethiopian forces will shortly join the joint United Nations-African Union peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID), bringing with them their engineering skills to be used in the areas of water installation and the erection of tents and electric power lines.
• African Union to Mediate Somalia Peace Talks VOA 15 Aug 2008 -- The African Union will chair a meeting between Somalia's transitional government and opposition.

News Reports

• Pakistan Says 460 Militants, 22 Troops Killed in Bajaur VOA 15 Aug 2008 -- Pakistani officials say security forces have killed at least 460 al-Qaida-linked militants in a tribal region bordering Afghanistan
• Presidential camp rules out Musharraf's resignation to avoid impeachment IRNA 15 Aug 2008 -- Pakistani Presidential spokesman Rashid Qureshi ruled out the possibility of resignation of Pervez Musharraf.
• Authorities Pose Obstacles at Critical Phase of Zimbabwe Negotiating Process VOA 15 Aug 2008
• Maoist chief Prachanda all set to be next Nepal PM IRNA 15 Aug 2008 -- Maoists' chief Prachanda all set to be elected as Nepal's Prime Minister, a breakthrough that will end a stand off.