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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 27 Aug 2008 [PDF]
• MND-B Soldier dies of wounds following IED attack (Baghdad)
• Transcript: DoD News Briefing with Gen. Conway from the Pentagon 27 Aug 2008 -- Presenter: Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. James Conway
• Anbar Handover Could Free Marines for Afghanistan Missions, General Says AFPS 27 Aug 2008 -- Iraq's once-deadly Anbar province could within the next few days become the 11th province to be turned over to Iraqi control, paving the way for a reduced U.S. Marine Corps presence there, the Marine Corps commandant said today.
• Cheney: U.S. Will Keep Afghanistan, Iraq Commitments AFPS 27 Aug 2008 -- The United States will maintain its commitments in Iraq and Afghanistan as part of its offensive strategy to defeat global terrorism, Vice President Richard B. Cheney told American Legion members in Phoenix today.
• Terrorists with Suicide Vests Killed, Cell Leader Detained AFPS 27 Aug 2008 -- Coalition forces killed three terrorists - two of whom were wearing suicide vests - and detained six suspects, including an alleged al-Qaida in Iraq leader, during operations in Iraq's Diyala province today, military officials reported.
• Airmen employ laser joint direct attack munition in Iraq AFPN 27 Aug 2008 -- Airmen employed a guided bomb unit-54 laser joint directed attack munition Aug. 12 against a moving enemy vehicle in the Diyala province to support a combined Iraqi army and U.S. Marine operation.
• Pentagon Says Iraq Withdrawal Must Be Based on Conditions VOA 27 Aug 2008 -- The U.S. Defense Department says it wants to turn over security responsibility to Iraqi forces as quickly as possible, but that the timing should be based on conditions
• Engineers bridge gaps on major Afghan highway Army News 27 Aug 2008 -- Members of the Australian Reconstruction Task Force and Task Force Castle's 420th Engineer Brigade completed the emplacement of two Mabey Johnson bridges near Andar and Moqur in eastern Afghanistan.
• Coalition Forces Detain, Kill Militants in Afghanistan AFPS 27 Aug 2008 -- Coalition and Afghan security forces detained four militants and killed more than a dozen others in separate operations yesterday and Aug. 25, military officials reported.
• Servicemembers strive to brighten future for Afghan youths AFPN 27 Aug 2008 -- Airmen and Soldiers of the Zabul Provincial Reconstruction Team are overhauling a local boy's middle and high school campus to help provide a brighter future for youths in Qalat.
• Afghanistan: UN child rights official voices alarm at high civilian death toll UN News Centre 27 Aug 2008 -- The United Nations envoy for children and armed conflict has strongly condemned the deaths of a large number of civilians, mostly children, as a result of recent military operations in Afghanistan.
• Afghan Police Find Body of Japanese Aid Worker VOA 27 Aug 2008 -- Afghan officials say police have found the body of a Japanese aid worker, kidnapped Tuesday in eastern Nangarhar province.
• Attack on German military patrol in Afghanistan shocks Merkel IRNA 27 Aug 2008 -- Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed 'deep shock' over the attack on a German military convoy in northern Afghanistan which killed one soldier and wounded three others, government spokesman Ulrich Wilhelm told the press here Wednesday.
• Afghanistan still faces long haul to counter drugs, UK warns IRNA 27 Aug 2008 -- The British government has welcomed the latest UN drugs report for Afghanistan showing a 19 percent reduction in poppy cultivation this year but warned there is 'no room for complacency'.
• Afghan Cricket Star Reportedly Killed In U.S.-Led Raid RFE/RL 27 Aug 2008 -- Rahmat Wali, a 28-year-old former member of Afghanistan's national cricket team, reportedly was killed overnight during a raid on his home by coalition troops.
• Pakistani Security Forces Target Militants Along Afghan Border VOA 27 Aug 2008 -- Pakistani forces say they have killed more than 40 militants in fighting along the Afghan border.
• U.S. military delivers 2 million pounds of aid to Georgia AFPN 27 Aug 2008 -- After two weeks of high-tempo humanitarian relief operations, the U.S. military reached another milestone by delivering more than 2 million pounds of aid to Georgia in the wake of conflicts there earlier this month.
• Second U.S. Ship Delivers Aid to Georgia Navy NewsStand 27 Aug 2008 -- U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Dallas (WHEC 716) pulled into port in Batumi, Georgia Aug. 27 to deliver humanitarian relief supplies as part of Operation Assured Delivery, the United States military's ongoing effort to support the Georgian government's request for humanitarian assistance.
• Second US Sea Shipment of Aid Arrives in Georgia VOA 27 Aug 2008 -- A U.S. Coast Guard cutter carrying humanitarian aid to victims of Russia's military incursion into Georgia has arrived in the Georgian port of Batumi.
• U.S. warships bring aid to Georgia, fueling tensions with Russia RIA Novosti 27 Aug 2008 -- A second United States naval vessel carrying humanitarian aid docked at the Georgian port of Batumi on Wednesday, amid Russian accusations that the ships are bringing arms to bolster the Georgian military.

Defense Policy / Programs

• 36th OSS weathermen look beyond the clouds AFPN 27 Aug 2008 -- When ominous clouds form overhead, it's a safe bet that the forecasters of the 36th Operations Support Squadron's weather flight here have the inside scoop on sky-high happenings.
• CSA: More dwell time will allow conventional ops training Army News 27 Aug 2008 -- Dwell time for Soldiers between deployments is expected to increase to 17 months next year, and almost to 24 months by 2011, said Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr.
• Patrol Coastal Ships Returned to U.S. Naval Service Navy NewsStand 27 Aug 2008 -- Command of patrol coastal ships USS Tempest (PC 2) and USS Monsoon (PC 4) was returned to the U.S. Navy from the U.S. Coast Guard during a ceremony held at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek Aug. 22.
• Seabees Renovate School Dormitory in Djibouti Navy NewsStand 27 Aug 2008 -- An element of 11 Seabees deployed to Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa began renovations on the Dikhil Elementary School Aug. 15.
• Combined Task Force 152 Conducts Exercise Goalkeeper Navy NewsStand 27 Aug 2008 -- Ships from Bahrain, the United Kingdom and the United States are conducting Exercise Goalkeeper in the Central and Southern Persian Gulf to train across the spectrum of Maritime Security Operations (MSO).
• Kearsarge Completes Continuing Promise Mission in Nicaragua Navy NewsStand 27 Aug 2008 -- Local Nicaraguan officials hosted a ceremony at Municipal Park here Aug. 24 to commemorate the completion of USS Kearsarge's (LHD 3) Continuing Promise (CP) 2008 operations in Nicaragua.
• Technical review improves Minuteman III nozzle builds AFPN 27 Aug 2008 -- A team of scientists and engineers at the Air Force Research Laboratory Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, in collaboration with Ogden Air Logistics Center, Hill AFB, Utah, and industry, have resolved a challenging technical issue confronting the nation's land-based Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile force.
• Russia says number of NATO ships in Black Sea increasing RIA Novosti 27 Aug 2008 -- A Russian naval official reported an increase in NATO warships near the Georgian coast on Wednesday.
• Russia's Ties with NATO Deteriorating VOA 27 Aug 2008 -- Despite long-standing opposition to NATO, Russia cooperated with the Western defense alliance on a number of military, political and humanitarian projects.
• Indonesia buys 20 Russian infantry fighting vehicles RIA Novosti 27 Aug 2008 -- Indonesia will buy 20 Russian BMP-3F infantry fighting vehicles, the Russian ambassador to Jakarta has said.
• S.Ossetian president confirms intention to host Russian base RIA Novosti 27 Aug 2008 -- The South Ossetian president confirmed on Wednesday his intention to allow the Russian military to set up a base in the republic.
• Analysis: Russia's Security Ties in Asia cfr.org 27 Aug 2008 -- Russia's new assertiveness in protecting its "near abroad" interests may find it moving closer to an emerging regional alliance that has been vying with the West for influence in Central Asia
• Russia has no plans to boost its Black Sea naval group RIA Novosti 27 Aug 2008 -- Russia will not reinforce its naval group in the Black Sea, the deputy chief of Russia's General Staff said Wednesday.
• Russia to respond militarily to U.S. missile shield RIA Novosti 27 Aug 2008 -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has said Russia will have to respond militarily to the deployment of elements of a U.S. missile shield in Central Europe.
• Britain Urges Russia Not to Start New Cold War VOA 27 Aug 2008 -- On a trip to Ukraine, Georgia was the main talking point as Britain's Foreign Secretary met with President Yushchenko and others
• Press Gaggle by Tony Fratto The White House 27 Aug 2008
• Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 27 Aug 2008

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for August 27, 2008
• Sikorsky’s X2 TECHNOLOGY™ Demonstrator Achieves First Flight Sikorsky 27 Aug 2008 -- Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation today successfully completed the first flight of its X2 TECHNOLOGYT Demonstrator, maneuvering the prototype aircraft through hover, forward flight, and a hover turn, in a test flight that lasted approximately 30 minutes
• Boeing, US Navy Offer Super Hornet for Denmark Fighter Competition Boeing 27 Aug 2008 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and the U.S. Navy delivered a proposal Aug. 15 offering the advanced F/A-18E/F Super Hornet to the Royal Danish Air Force as part of Denmark's New Combat Aircraft competition.
• CACI Awarded $36 Million Modeling and Simulation Contract With U.S. Army Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate CACI 27 Aug 2008 -- CACI International Inc (NYSE:CAI), announced today that it has been awarded a $36 million prime contract to support the Modeling and Simulation Division of the U.S. Army's Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate (NVESD).
• EADS Defence & Security to enhance Philippine air traffic security EADS 27 Aug 2008 -- EADS Defence & Security (DS) has delivered the most advanced secondary radar system for air traffic control purposes to the Philippine Air Transportation Office (ATO).
• General Dynamics Awarded $13 Million for Abrams Tank System Technical Support General Dynamics 27 Aug 2008 -- General Dynamics Land Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), has been awarded a $12.6 million contract for Abrams Tank Systems Technical Support (STS).
• Lockheed Martin Receives $61 Million Contract for Guided MLRS Unitary Rockets Lockheed Martin 27 Aug 2008 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has received a $61 million follow-on contract for Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) Unitary rockets.
• Raytheon Systems Excel as LPD 20 Passes US Navy Acceptance Trials Raytheon 27 Aug 2008 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) today announced satisfactory system performance onboard the USS Green Bay (LPD 20) as it completed its acceptance trials.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 27 Aug 2008
• UN emphasizes role of blue helmets in combating organized crime UN News Centre 27 Aug 2008 -- Policing and law enforcement experts from around the world have gathered in Stockholm for today's start of a two-day conference examining the threats posed by organized crime to United Nations peace operations.
• Cheney Calls Georgia Victim of 'Unjustified' Russian Assault AFPS 27 Aug 2008 -- Russia's invasion of the former Soviet republic of Georgia was unjustified, Vice President Richard B. Cheney told members of the American Legion veterans group in Phoenix today.
• Russia Expands Area of Georgia Occupation Toward Tbilisi VOA 27 Aug 2008 -- Russia's recognition of independence for two breakaway regions of Georgia has sparked fresh attacks against ethnic Georgians living in and around the territories, forcing thousands to flee their homes
• G-7 Industrial Powers Condemn Russian Recognition of Georgian Regions VOA 27 Aug 2008 -- Foreign Ministers of the Group of Seven major industrial powers Wednesday issued a joint condemnation of Russia's recognition of two breakaway Georgian regions as independent
• Is Georgia Becoming West Berlin In The South Caucasus? RFE/RL 27 Aug 2008 -- This plucky little South Caucasus nation -- strategically located along key energy transit routes -- has found itself on the front lines of an emerging high-stakes confrontation between Russia and the West.
• Georgia Woes Could Send Ripple Through Other Frozen Conflicts RFE/RL 27 Aug 2008 -- Separatist leaders in South Ossetia and Abkhazia had been eagerly awaiting a sign from the Kremlin after the Russian parliament urged President Dmitry Medvedev to recognize Georgia's two separatist regions.
• U.S. warships bring aid to Georgia, fueling tensions with Russia RIA Novosti 27 Aug 2008 -- A second United States naval vessel carrying humanitarian aid docked at the Georgian port of Batumi on Wednesday, amid Russian accusations that the ships are bringing arms to bolster the Georgian military.
• Russia Condemned For Recognition Of Rebel Regions RFE/RL 27 Aug 2008 -- Western powers have condemned Russia's recognition of the Georgian separatist regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent countries.
• Diplomatic Standoff Over Georgia Heads To Kyiv, Dushanbe RFE/RL 27 Aug 2008 -- The diplomatic standoff over Moscow's conflict with Tbilisi looks set to move to two other capitals today, amid Western condemnation of Russia's recognition of Georgia's two rebel regions.
• Is This A New Cold War? RFE/RL 27 Aug 2008 -- A new era of East-West confrontation, a big chill, a Cold War-style face-off.
• Britain Shares Eastern Europe's View Of Russia RFE/RL 27 Aug 2008 -- Britain has been one of Europe's most outspoken critics of Russia over its actions in Georgia
• EU Unlikely To Find Common Stance Over Russia RFE/RL 27 Aug 2008 -- France, the current president of the European Union, has called a special summit of European leaders for September 1 to discuss what to do about Georgia
• The West Needs To Make Up For Past Mistakes On Russia RFE/RL 27 Aug 2008 -- Against its best intentions, the United States is pushing the Kremlin to take the harshest possible steps in defense of its perceived interests
• Forging Unity 'Among The Powerless' RFE/RL 27 Aug 2008 -- Germany, the largest economy in the European Union and also one of the bloc's political heavyweights, has taken a strong line on the Russia-Georgia conflict.
• EU Will Not Engage In New Cold War RFE/RL 27 Aug 2008 -- France, which currently holds the EU Presidency, has been very much involved in the Georgian conflict
• Italy Will Remain Silent In Showdown With Russia RFE/RL 27 Aug 2008 -- As the EU finds itself in a showdown with Moscow over Georgia, one key EU state is rarely heard in the debate: Italy.
• Russia says recognition of S.Ossetia, Abkhazia irreversible RIA Novosti 27 Aug 2008 -- Russia's NATO envoy said on Wednesday the country will stand by its decision to recognize the independence of Georgia's separatist provinces of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
• Russia may accept more foreign observers in Georgian 'buffer zone' RIA Novosti 27 Aug 2008 -- Russia may decide to accept more international military observers in the Georgian 'buffer zone' between Abkhazia and South Ossetia, where Russia maintains a peacekeeping presence, the foreign minister said on Wednesday.
• Georgia threatens to sever all ties with Russia RIA Novosti 27 Aug 2008 -- Georgia may sever all diplomatic relations with Russia, Reintegration Minister Timur Yakobashvili warned Wednesday.
• Saakashvili says afraid to leave Georgia for EU summit RIA Novosti 27 Aug 2008 -- Georgia's president has said he will not attend a European Union summit to address his country's conflict with Russia, as he fears Moscow would not let him return.
• Leaders from Shanghai group to discuss situation in Georgia RIA Novosti 27 Aug 2008 -- The leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) will discuss the situation in Georgia's breakaway South Ossetia at a two-day summit which opens on Wednesday in Tajikistan's capital Dushanbe.
• Bush calls Russia's recognition of rebel regions 'irresponsible' RIA Novosti 27 Aug 2008 -- U.S. President George Bush has condemned Russia's decision to recognize the independence of the breakaway Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as "irresponsible."
• Kosovo refuses to back sovereignty for S.Ossetia, Abkhazia RIA Novosti 27 Aug 2008 -- The fact that Kosovo's independence has been acknowledged by some 50 countries does not justify Russia's decision to recognize Georgia's breakaway regions, the Kosovan president said.
• Russia Defends Recognition of South Ossetia; Abkhazia VOA 27 Aug 2008 -- Russia's U.N. envoy has defended his government's decision to recognize two breakaway Georgian provinces, saying Tblisi's attack on South Ossetia earlier this month canceled existing U.N. resolutions that assure Georgia's territorial integrity and created a "new reality".
• Former staffer at UN's Balkans war crimes tribunal facing contempt charges UN News Centre 27 Aug 2008 -- A former prosecution spokesperson at the United Nations war crimes tribunal set up to deal with the Balkan conflicts of the 1990s was today charged with contempt of court for allegedly disclosing confidential information relating to the case of Slobodan Milosevic.
• UN tries to rebuild confidence after deadly attack at displaced camp in Darfur UN News Centre 27 Aug 2008 -- The head of the joint United Nations-African Union peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID) set up meetings today with the residents of a camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in a bid to ease tensions after dozens of people were shot dead there earlier this week during clashes with Sudanese security forces.
• Security Council extends UN force in southern Lebanon for another year UN News Centre 27 Aug 2008 -- The Security Council today extended until the end of August 2009 the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), stating that the deployment of the mission together with the country's armed forces has helped to establish "a new strategic environment in southern Lebanon."
• Pirate Ransom Helped Somalia Islamist Militants Seize Port VOA 27 Aug 2008 -- New details are emerging of a link between rising piracy off the coast of Somalia and insurgent activities on shore
• India lodges protest with Pak over pushing in of militants IRNA 27 Aug 2008 -- India on Wednesday lodged a strong protest with Pakistan for pushing in militants in Jammu and Kashmir in the cover of firing from across the border and presented evidence at a meeting between the border guards of the two countries.
• 10 Sri Lankan navy personnel injured in air attack by LTTE IRNA 27 Aug 2008 -- Sri Lankan military has confirmed that 10 navy personnel were injured in last night's air attack by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on the eastern port city of Trincomalee.
• SOMALIA: Humanitarian situation "increasingly acute" IRIN 27 Aug 2008 -- Somalia is moving more rapidly than expected into a serious humanitarian crisis, with an estimated 3.2 million people both in urban and rural areas facing extreme poverty, according to humanitarian officials.
• SRI LANKA: Newly displaced, rising food costs prompt UN, NGO plea for more aid IRIN 27 Aug 2008 -- The rising cost of food and the urgent humanitarian needs of newly displaced people in Sri Lanka's war-torn districts have forced the UN and other aid organisations to appeal for increased donor funding.

News Reports