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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 19 Aug 2008 [PDF]
• DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• MND-C Soldier killed in attack (Amarah)
• Predator passes 400,000 flight hours AFPN 19 Aug 2008 -- The MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft system surpassed 400,000 flight hours during a mission in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Aug. 18.
• Terror Suspect Turns Informant; Coalition Nabs Suspects, Weapons AFPS 19 Aug 2008 -- A suspected member of a "special group" turned informant for coalition forces, and 16 suspected terrorists were detained.
• IRAQ: Threat of ethnic tension, violence in Kirkuk IRIN 19 Aug 2008 -- Ethnic tension and violence could erupt if decisions on the future of the ethnically-mixed city of Kirkuk are imposed without agreement among its residents.
• 10 French Troops Killed in Afghanistan VOA 19 Aug 2008 -- At least 10 French soldiers have been killed in a battle with Taliban insurgents east of the Afghan capital.
• Insurgents Kill 10 French Troops in Afghanistan Attack AFPS 19 Aug 2008 -- Ten French soldiers were killed in Afghanistan when their patrol was attacked by Taliban fighters in Kabul province during fighting that spanned from late yesterday until early today, U.S. officials said.
• Troops in Afghanistan Kill Armed Militants, Seize Suspect AFPS 19 Aug 2008 -- Coalition and Afghan forces killed an unknown number of armed militants and seized a suspect in Afghanistan yesterday, military officials said.
• Coalition Forces Kill, Detain Militants in Afghanistan AFPS 18 Aug 2008 -- Two militants were killed and six were detained during separate coalition operations in Afghanistan.
• UK special forces to spearhead offensive against Taliban - report IRNA 19 Aug 2008 -- Britain's special forces to spearhead offensive against the Taliban in Afghanistan amid plans to increase troop numbers in the country.
• 20 militants killed in Bajaur IRNA 19 Aug 2008 -- At least 20 pro-Taliban militants were killed in a clash with security forces in Bajaur.
• Bomb Blast in Pakistan Kills at Least 23 VOA 19 Aug 2008 -- Pakistan police say a suicide bombing at a hospital in the country's northwest has killed 23 people, in a suspected act of sectarian violence.
• U.S. Military Continues Georgia Humanitarian Aid Effort AFPS 19 Aug 2008 -- U.S. European Command is coordinating sustained airlift support as the United States continues to send humanitarian supplies and medical supplies to the former Soviet republic of Georgia.
• Arizona Guard Evacuates Victims of Canyon Flooding AFPS 19 Aug 2008 -- At least 14 Arizona Army National Guard soldiers and two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters continued to assist in the evacuation and emergency care of residents and campers near the Grand Canyon yesterday after heavy rains overflowed the Redlands Earthen Dam and cut off routes to a remote village and reservation.
• Florida National Guard prepares for Tropical Storm Fay Army News 19 Aug 2008 -- The Florida National Guard activated about 125 Soldiers and Airmen for its planning cells and alerted other units in preparation for Tropical Storm Fay as the storm approached Cuba over the weekend.

Defense Policy / Programs

• USS Carl Vinson Begins Crew Move Aboard Navy NewsStand 19 Aug 2008 -- USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) Sailors enjoyed their first meal served aboard the aircraft carrier and marked the initiation of the crew move aboard (CMA) evolution Aug. 18 after more than three years in overhaul.
• GW Welcomes Nearly 600 New Shipmates From Kitty Hawk Navy NewsStand 19 Aug 2008 -- USS George Washington (CVN 73) Sailors welcomed nearly 600 new shipmates Aug. 12 as former USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) Sailors reported to their new ship.
• Medical Support Efforts Wrap Up in Tuapi, Nicaragua Navy NewsStand 19 Aug 2008 -- Joint military and interagency medical personnel currently embarked aboard USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) for Continuing Promise 2008 provided care to more than 1,000 local residents at the three-day clinic in Tuapi, Aug. 12-15.
• First Navy Humanitarian Relief Aircraft Arrives in Georgia Navy NewsStand 19 Aug 2008 -- A U.S. Navy C-9 jet carrying humanitarian assistance arrived Tbilisi Aug. 18 marking the Navy's first humanitarian assistance mission to the region.
• Navy, Air Force and Panamanian Personnel Rescue Eight Aircraft From Burning Hangar During PANAMAX Navy NewsStand 19 Aug 2008 -- United States and Panamanian service members saved up to eight aircraft from a nearby cargo hangar that had become engulfed in flames at Tocumen International Airport Aug. 16.
• Seventh Annual SEACAT Exercise Begins Navy NewsStand 19 Aug 2008 -- The seventh annual Southeast Asia Cooperation Against Terrorism (SEACAT) exercise began in Singapore, Aug. 18. Designed to focus information sharing, cooperation and coordination, SEACAT brings six countries together for simultaneous bilateral exercises with the United States.
• Scientists, Battlefield Medics Share Ideas AFPS 19 Aug 2008 -- Scientists and battlefield medical clinicians shared their knowledge and experiences to advance medicine during the military's premier trauma care conference here.
• Soldiers improve force protection training Army News 19 Aug 2008 -- A base defense operations center (BDOC) responsible for monitoring the security of a U.S. forward operating base (FOB) spots an unknown civilian pickup truck that suddenly stops just outside of their perimeter and begins lobbing mortars at personnel within the FOB.
• Kearsarge, Continuing Promise Begin Surgeries Aboard Navy NewsStand 19 Aug 2008 -- The first surgical patient from Nicaragua embarked USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) Aug. 15 to undergo a life-changing procedure to remove an abnormal growth in his right eye as part of Continuing Promise (CP) 2008.
• Rice says Russia playing 'dangerous game' with bomber flights RIA Novosti 19 Aug 2008 -- Condoleezza Rice: Administration unhappy with flights by Russian bombers and accused Moscow of playing "dangerous game."
• Russian Behavior in Georgia Isolates Moscow, Rice Says at NATO Meeting AFPS 19 Aug 2008 -- Russia's actions in Georgia are isolating Moscow from the international community, Secretary of State of Condoleezza Rice said today in Brussels, Belgium.
• Russia shuns Baltic drills, refuses to receive U.S. ship RIA Novosti 19 Aug 2008 -- Russia will not participate in the NATO-led Open Spirit 2008 naval exercise in the Baltic Sea.
• Russia, Belarus to sign unified air defense pact this fall RIA Novosti 19 Aug 2008 -- Russia and Belarus will sign an agreement this fall on creating a unified air defense system.
• Press Briefing by Gordon Johndroe The White Hosue 19 Aug 2008

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for August 19, 2008
• Boeing Awarded Contract to Continue Developing Mobile Laser Weapon Boeing 19 Aug 2008 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has been awarded a U.S. Army contract valued at approximately $36 million to continue developing a truck-mounted, high-energy laser weapon system that will destroy rockets, artillery shells and mortar rounds.
• CACI Awarded $26 Million Contract to Support U.S. Army Force Management System CACI 19 Aug 2008 -- CACI International Inc (NYSE:CAI), announced today that it has been awarded an estimated $26 million task order contract to support the U.S. Army Deputy Chief of Staff, G-3, Director of Force Management.
• L-3 Awarded United Kingdom C-130 Contract L-3 Communications 19 Aug 2008 -- L-3 Communications (NYSE: LLL) announced today that its SPAR subsidiary has been awarded an $18 million contract by the U.K. Ministry of Defence, Royal Air Force to perform outer wing replacements on three C-130K aircraft.
• Lockheed Martin Awarded $8.9 Million Thermal Camera Contract Lockheed Martin 19 Aug 2008 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has received an $8.9 million production order for 150 Integrated Dewar Cooler Assembly thermal cameras from Gyrocam Systems
• Northrop Grumman Completes Center Fuselage for First U.S. Navy F-35 Aircraft Northrop Grumman 19 Aug 2008 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) today completed -- on budget and on schedule -- the center fuselage for the first U.S. Navy F-35C Lightning II aircraft, an aircraft carrier-capable variant designated CF-1.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 19 Aug 2008
• Does U.S. Share Blame For Russia-Georgia Crisis? RFE/RL 19 Aug 2008 -- The Russian invasion of Georgia has generated a storm of editorials and commentaries in the U.S. media.
• Georgian peace accord must be fully implemented, Security Council hears UN News Centre 19 Aug 2008 -- The full implementation of the principles enshrined in last week's peace plan that ended fighting in Georgia remains the best way to defuse tensions, find a lasting solution to the conflict and allow humanitarian assistance to those in need, the top United Nations political official told the Security Council today.
• NATO Tells Moscow To Keep Its Word In Georgia, Or Face The Music RFE/RL 19 Aug 2008 -- NATO has come close to delivering an ultimatum to Moscow -- pull out of Georgia or face the music.
• NATO, Russia Exchange Sharp Words Over Georgia RFE/RL 19 Aug 2008 -- Meeting in Brussels, NATO foreign ministers have said they could not have normal relations with Russia as long as Moscow had troops in Georgia.
• Russia, Georgia Exchange Prisoners, Amid Tensions Over Withdrawal RFE/RL 19 Aug 2008 -- Russian and Georgian forces have started exchanging prisoners amid continued tension over Russia's promised withdrawal from positions in Georgia.
• Confusion Arises Over Status Of South Ossetia Cease-Fire Plan RFE/RL 19 Aug 2008 -- The endorsement last week by Russia and Georgia, and by France as guarantor on behalf of the EU, of the EU-drafted plan for a cease-fire and military disengagement in South Ossetia was hailed by the international community as a first step toward restoring a political and security framework within which Georgia's relations with both Russia and its breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia could be reassessed.
• Captured Russian Pilots Leave Georgia Voicing Gratitude, Regret RFE/RL 19 Aug 2008 -- Georgia and Russia have carried out their first prisoner swap since their conflict began. Five Russian prisoners, including two pilots, were exchanged for 15 Georgians at a checkpoint near the Georgian capital, Tbilisi
• UN refugee chief begins mission to Georgia UN News Centre 19 Aug 2008 -- The top United Nations refugee official arrived today in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, to assess humanitarian operations and meet some of the people displaced by last week's fighting - now estimated to be around 158,700.
• OSCE to send another 20 military observers to Georgia RIA Novosti 19 Aug 2008
• Russia to enhance anti-terror security over 'Georgian threat' RIA Novosti 19 Aug 2008 -- Russia is boosting security measures over reports that Georgian special forces may be plotting terrorist acts.
• Russia says Georgia failing to withdraw troops from S.Ossetia RIA Novosti 19 Aug 2008 -- Georgian troops are not implementing President Mikheil Saakashvili's orders on their withdrawal.
• Russia, Georgia Exchange Prisoners of War VOA 19 Aug 2008 -- Russia and Georgia have begun exchanging prisoners of war taken during fighting in Georgia in the past two weeks.
• Reports from Georgia say Russian Troops Begin Moving from City of Gori VOA 19 Aug 2008 -- Reports from Georgia say Russian tanks are leaving the city of Gori, in compliance with a cease-fire agreement.
• CIS committee receives Georgia's withdrawal request RIA Novosti 19 Aug 2008 -- The CIS Executive Committee has received a note from Georgia on its intention to pull out of the organization.
• NATO Warns Russia to Adhere to Agreement, Remove Troops From Georgia VOA 19 Aug 2008 -- NATO foreign ministers warn no business as usual with Russia unless Moscow withdraws its troops from Georgia.
• Somali Gov't Signs Deal With Opposition Figures VOA 19 Aug 2008 -- Somalia's interim government signed a peace deal with some opposition figures in Djibouti, although fighting continues in Mogadishu.
• Sides in Somalia Conflict Remain Deeply Divided Despite Peace Deal VOA 19 Aug 2008 -- Somalia's transitional government and some opposition have formally signed a peace deal reached two months ago at talks in Djibouti.
• Sudan Denies Threatening UN Staff Over ICC Arrest Warrants VOA 19 Aug 2008 -- President al-Bashir's government is denying threatening United Nations staff and facilities in the country over an ICC arrest warrant against him.
• Niger's Tuareg Fighters Disagree Over Cease-Fire Agreement VOA 19 Aug 2008 -- The leader of a large faction of ethnic Tuareg rebels in Niger has declared a cease-fire with the government of Niger.
• Tens Of Thousands Flee Fighting In Pakistani Tribal Districts RFE/RL 19 Aug 2008 -- Pakistani authorities say that recent fighting between the military and Taliban insurgents in the Bajaur tribal district has displaced at least 250,000 ethnic Pashtuns from the region.
• UN-brokered peace deal signed in Somalia UN News Centre 19 Aug 2008 -- Somalia's Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and an opposition group have formally agreed to end all armed confrontation between them in a peace deal mediated by the top United Nations envoy to the war-ravaged Horn of Africa nation.

News Reports

• Musharraf's Resignation Raises Hopes For Pakistan, But Also Concerns RFE/RL 19 Aug 2008 -- The resignation of Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf on August 18 has raised questions about the future foreign-policy directions of Pakistan toward its neighbors -- Afghanistan to the west and India to the east.