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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 6 Oct 2008 [PDF]
• DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• Oct. 5 airpower summary: Predator fires missile AFPN 6 Oct 2008 -- Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations.
• Transcript: DoD News Briefing with Gen. Hertling from Iraq 06 Oct 2008 -- Presenter: Commander, Multinational Division-North and the 1st Armored Division Gen. Mark Hertling
• Coalition Captures 10, Disrupts Cells in Northern, Central Iraq AFPS 6 Oct 2008 -- Coalition forces captured 10 suspected terrorists in northern and central Iraq as they continued to disrupt al-Qaida in Iraq networks.
• Insurgency Fractured in Northern Iraq, Commander Says AFPS 6 Oct 2008 -- Violent attacks in northern Iraq have dropped by 60 percent in the past year, and progress in the region has left the insurgency broken.
• Turkey Launches Air Strikes on Kurdish Rebels in Northern Iraq VOA 6 Oct 2008 -- Turkey's military said that it had carried out an air strike inside northern Iraq overnight against Kurdish separatist rebels.
• Defense Department Activates U.S. Forces-Afghanistan 06 Oct 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the activation of U.S. Forces-Afghanistan (USFOR-A), a functioning command and control headquarters for U.S. forces operating in Afghanistan.
• AFGHANISTAN: Influx of Pakistani refugees could spark crisis – ministry official IRIN 06 Oct 2008 -- Any increase in the flow of refugees from northwestern Pakistan into eastern parts of Afghanistan could lead to a humanitarian crisis unless international aid organisations deliver urgent assistance, a senior official at Afghanistan's Ministry of Refugees and Returnees Affairs (MoRRA) has said
• Insecurity Looms As Afghans Register For 2009 Presidential Vote RFE/RL 06 Oct 2008 -- Officials in Afghanistan have begun registering voters for next year's presidential election, in which Afghan President Hamid Karzai says he will seek a second five-year term
• UN envoy calls for political 'surge' to tackle Afghan security, humanitarian needs UN News 6 Oct 2008 -- Top UN envoy to Afghanistan: Stressed need for a political "surge" to boost the prospects for peace.
• Afghanistan Taliban reject U.S media report on talks IRNA 6 Oct 2008 -- Afghanistan's Taliban dismissed as baseless a report that their representatives joined recent talks in Saudi Arabia with Afghan government.
• Afghan President's Brother Denies Links to Heroin Trade VOA 6 Oct 2008 -- Ahmed Wali Karzai told reporters he will file a lawsuit against the New York Times newspaper, which most recently reported the allegation.
• Ceremony marks beginning of U.S. mission in Baltics AFPN 6 Oct 2008 -- An American flag was raised over the QRF in Lithuania marking the USAF's assumption of responsibility for the NATO Baltic air policing mission.

Defense Policy / Programs

• DoD Revises Purple Heart Eligibility Criteria to Allow Award to POWs Who Die in Captivity 06 Oct 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today it has expanded the Purple Heart eligibility criteria allowing prisoners-of-war who died in captivity to receive the award.
• DoD Develops Compensation & Benefits Handbook 06 Oct 2008 -- DoD announced today it has developed a comprehensive handbook describing compensation and other benefits service members and their families would be entitled to upon separation or retirement as a result of serious injury or illness.
• $1M Wearable Power Prize Competition Winner Announced 06 Oct 2008 -- The Department of Defense (DoD) announced today that the DuPont/Smart Fuel Cell (SFC) Team was awarded a $1 million top prize for winning the Wearable Power Prize competition.
• Special Ops weathermen get new specialty code AFNS 06 Oct 2008 -- Air Force special operations weathermen now have a new specialty code they can call their own.
• Cannon Airmen train for special operations forces resupply AFNS 06 Oct 2008 -- What seems like routine training for 27th Special Operations Wing C-130W Hercules aircrews, loadmasters and logistics Airmen here in reality prepares them to execute missions downrange
• Chinese military delegation visits Hickam AFB AFNS 06 Oct 2008 -- A delegation from China's People Liberation Army visited here as part of a professional exchange with senior U.S. military enlisted personnel Oct. 2.
• Reserve liaison office answers for AOR AFNS 06 Oct 2008 -- When a part-time job becomes a full-time commitment questions usually come along with the transition.
• Readiness center offers personal, professional guidance AFNS 06 Oct 2008 -- Deploying can be difficult on servicemembers for a number of reasons.
• Army Secretary announces 'Year of NCO' at AUSA meeting Army News 06 Oct 2008 -- During his keynote address at the opening of the 2008 Association of the United States Army Annual Meeting and Exposition, Secretary of the Army Pete Geren announced that 2009 would be "the Year Of The Noncommissioned Officer."
• Army unveils new Stability Operations manual Army News 06 Oct 2008 -- The commanding general of the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command, Gen. William S. Wallace, unveiled new Army doctrine today at the annual meeting of the Association of the United States Army in Washington.
• U.S. Navy Charters Kite-Powered Cargo Ship Navy NewsStand 06 Oct 2008 -- For the first time, the U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command (MSC) has chartered a kite-assisted, fuel-saving cargo ship to carry military equipment.
• TACRON 22 Supports Iwo Jima ESG Amphibious Operations Navy NewsStand 06 Oct 2008 -- A detachment of air traffic controllers, operation specialists and six officers from Tactical Air Control Squadron (TACRON) 22 are embarked aboard the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) as part of the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG).
• NMCB 5 Seabees Prep for Deployment to Remote Areas Navy NewsStand 06 Oct 2008 -- U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5 Seabees completed a homeport training project on San Nicolas Island, Calif., Sept 25.
• Gates Says Meetings to Focus on Afghanistan, Russia, Transformation AFPS 6 Oct 2008 -- SecDef Gates said Afghanistan and Russia also on the agenda at a NATO defense ministerial conference in Budapest, Hungary.
• Gates to Attend Meetings in Macedonia, Hungary AFPS 6 Oct 2008 -- Defense Secretary Gates will travel to participate in a defense ministerial conference in Macedonia and a NATO meeting in Hungary.
• DoD Launches Web Site on Chemical-Biological Warfare Exposures AFPS 6 Oct 2008 -- The Defense Department has launched a new Web site to educate the public about chemical and biological testing conducted from the early 1940s through the mid-1970s.
• ACC maintainers expedite A-10 inspection actions AFPN 6 Oct 2008 -- An immediate inspection will begin of all A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft for cracking following a Time Compliance Technical Order issued on Oct. 3.
• China Cancels, Postpones Military Contacts with US Over Taiwan Arms Sale Approval VOA 6 Oct 2008 -- China canceled and postponed some military exchanges to protest the approval of new weapons sales to Taiwan.
• Arms sales demonstration of U.S. commitment to Taiwan: AIT CNA 6 Oct 2008 -- The American Institute in Taiwan expressed support of President Ma's handling of relations across the Taiwan Strait.
• Lavrov says Russia-Venezuela cooperation not targeting U.S. RIA Novosti 6 Oct 2008 -- Russian FM: Strengthening of Russia's bilateral ties with Venezuela is not aimed at any other country.
• Russia denies knowledge of Middle East missile supplies RIA Novosti 6 Oct 2008 -- The Russian arms export monopoly has no information about reported Russian surface-to-air missile deliveries to the Middle East.
• Olmert to discuss Russian arms supplies to Middle East in Moscow RIA Novosti 6 Oct 2008 -- Interim Israeli PM Olmert to discuss ties with Russia and regional security, including Russian arms to the Middle East.
• Russia to sell over 400 armored vehicles to Greece RIA Novosti 6 Oct 2008 -- Russia and Greece are drafting an intergovernmental agreement and a contract for the supply of 420 BMP-3M infantry fighting vehicles.
• Colombia clarifies minister's 'Cold War' remarks RIA Novosti 6 Oct 2008 -- Colombia clarified a statement by the defense minister suggesting that Russia's military presence in the region would result in a "Cold War."
• Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 06 Oct 2008
• Press Gaggle by Scott Stanzel The White House 06 Oct 2008

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for October 06, 2008
• Northrop Grumman Successfully Fields Guardrail Ground Baseline 2.0 Hardware and Software Northrop Grumman 06 Oct 2008 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has successfully fielded Guardrail Ground Baseline (GGB) 2.0 hardware and software to U.S. Army military intelligence battalions, standardizing Guardrail ground components across the service.
• ATK Rocket Motors Support Successful Flight Demonstrations of Non Line-of-Sight Launch System (NLOS-LS) Precision Attack Missile (PAM) ATK 06 Oct 2008 -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) has successfully demonstrated an innovative propulsion system for the Non Line-of-Sight Launch System (NLOS-LS) Precision Attack Missile (PAM).
• ATK and Elbit Systems Conduct Successful Flight Test of GATR ATK 06 Oct 2008 -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) and Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ: ESLT) announced today that they have successfully conducted flight tests of the Guided Advanced Tactical Rocket (GATR) at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.
• ATK Expands Its Reach With the Palletized Autonomous Weapon System ATK 06 Oct 2008 -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) has developed the Palletized Autonomous Weapons System (PAWS) and will introduce it to the military market during AUSA's 2008 Annual Meeting and Exposition in Washington, D.C. the week of Oct. 6.
• BAE SYSTEMS FIRES FIRST SHOT FROM NON-LINE-OF-SIGHT CANNON PROTOTYPE BAE Systems 06 Oct 2008 -- BAE Systems successfully fired the first round from the first XM1203 Non-Line-of-Sight (NLOS) Cannon prototype at a U.S. Army test site.
• Boeing Awarded Initial Phase of Estimated $3 Billion Contract for C-17 Support Boeing 06 Oct 2008 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has been awarded the initial phase of a new three-year U.S. Air Force contract to continue the C-17 Globemaster III Sustainment Partnership (GSP) program following a decade of comprehensive logistics support of C-17 fleets around the world.
• EADS North America to Provide the U.S. Navy with Eurocopter UH-72 Lakota Light Utility Helicopters EADS 06 Oct 2008 -- The U.S. Navy has become a new military user of the Eurocopter UH-72 Light Utility Helicopter, provided by EADS North America, with the service ordering five aircraft for use in pilot training at the Naval Test Pilot School at Patuxent River, Maryland.
• Lockheed Martin Wins $41 Million U.S. Defense Contract to Sustain the Global Transportation Network Lockheed Martin 06 Oct 2008 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has won a $41-million contract from the U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) to extend sustainment of the Global Transportation Network (GTN) command and control system.
• Northrop Grumman Awarded Contract to Provide New Rate Sensor Assembly for the M1A1 Abrams Tank Northrop Grumman 06 Oct 2008 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) was awarded a contract by General Dynamics (NYSE:GD) Land Systems to develop the LRS-2000, a Rate Sensor Assembly (RSA) for the Stabilized Commander's Weapon Station (SCWS) on the U.S. Army M1A1 Abrams tank.
• Northrop Grumman Remains On Schedule to Deliver STARLite Radars to the U.S. Army Northrop Grumman 06 Oct 2008 -- The U.S. Army Robotics and Unmanned Systems program office continues to validate Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) progress on the critical technologies necessary for delivery of the first, fully qualified STARLite(tm) Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)/Ground Moving Target Indication (GMTI) sensor system.
• Northrop Grumman Receives $128 Million Contract to Supply Army With Lightweight Laser Designator Rangefinders Northrop Grumman 06 Oct 2008 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has received a $128 million firm fixed-priced contract from the U.S. Army to provide Lightweight Laser Designator Rangefinder (LLDR) systems, which provide battle-proven targeting capability for laser-guided, GPS-guided and conventional munitions.
• Raytheon Completes Successful Intercept Tests for Future Combat Systems Active Protection System Raytheon 06 Oct 2008 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN), working in partnership with the Army, the Future Combat Systems Lead Systems Integration team of Boeing and Science Applications International, and BAE Systems, has passed a major milestone by completing successful stationary and moving target intercept tests for the FCS Active Protection System (APS).
• Raytheon Awarded First Phase of Army's Integrated Battle Command System Raytheon 06 Oct 2008 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has won the first stage of a competitive, multi-phase U.S. Army award for the Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS).
• Sikorsky Aerospace Services and Army Announce $11.8 Million in Contracts for UH-60 Helicopter Support Sikorsky 06 Oct 2008 -- Sikorsky Aerospace Services today announced the signing of nearly $11.8 million in contracts to provide the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM) with support work for UH-60A and UH-60L helicopters. Sikorsky Aerospace Services is the worldwide aftermarket division of Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).
• Thales announces CVF power & propulsion agreement Thales 06 Oct 2008 -- Thales UK is pleased to announce that it has today signed an agreement with Rolls-Royce, Converteam and L-3 for the manufacture of an integrated power and propulsion system for the UK's Future Aircraft Carrier (CVF) programme.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICES OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL AND THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT United Nations 06 Oct 2008
• US Cautions Syria on Lebanon Border Moves VOA 6 Oct 2008 -- The United States is cautioning Syria against new intervention in Lebanon following a terrorist attack in Damascus late last month that Syria has blamed on Lebanon-based militants.
• DRC: Diarrhoea outbreak kills IDPs in North Kivu IRIN 06 Oct 2008 -- Scores of people have died while hundreds have been affected by an outbreak of acute watery diarrhoea in internally displaced people’s (IDP) camps in North Kivu Province
• Top UN peacekeeping official begins week-long Sudan visit UN News 6 Oct 2008 -- The head of UN peacekeeping began a week-long visit to Sudan, where the world body currently has 2 operations.
• Sudan Ready to Cooperate Without Preconditions Over ICC Warrant VOA 6 Oct 2008 -- Sudan's government says it is ready to work with the international community to improve the security situation in the Darfur region.
• Darfur: UN peacekeepers ambushed during patrol UN News 6 Oct 2008 -- A group of peacekeepers serving with the joint UN-AU operation in Darfur were ambushed on patrol in the south of the war-torn Sudanese region.
• Nigeria's President Yar'Adua Calls Insecurity In Niger Delta a Nightmare VOA 6 Oct 2008 -- Nigerian President Yar'Adua reportedly described the escalating violence in Niger Delta as a nightmare facing his administration.
• Mauritania Leaders Dismiss AU Deadline VOA 6 Oct 2008 -- Leaders of the military coup that overthrew the elected president of Mauritania show no sign of meeting AU deadline to relinquish power.
• U.S.-based Mauritanians Want Stronger African Union Action After Ultimatum VOA 6 Oct 2008 -- The AU's ultimatum to Mauritania's new military leaders to free ousted President Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi and return the country constitutional rule expires Monday.
• Death toll in weekend ethnic clashes in Assam mounts to 40 IRNA 6 Oct 2008 -- The death toll in weekend ethnic clashes in Assam have mounted to 40 with authorities claiming the situation was limping back to normal.

News Reports

• Analysis: Splits in South Africa's Democracy cfr.org 06 Oct 2008 -- It's been a tough year for South Africa. Severe power shortages in January ground business to a halt (NYT), xenophobic violence in the spring forced thousands of immigrants to flee their homes (AP), and in late September, months of tensions in the ruling party spilled into the open with the resignation of President Thabo Mbeki.
• Zimbabwe Power-Sharing Talks Drag VOA 6 Oct 2008 -- President Robert Mugabe is holding out against losing control of the police to prime-minister designate Morgan Tsvangirai.