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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 8 Oct 2008 [PDF]
• Oct. 7 airpower summary: B-1Bs strike anti-Afghan forces AFPN 8 Oct 2008 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations.
• PRESS CONFERENCE: Operational Update: Maj. Gen. Hammond, Mr. John Bass, Oct. 8, 2008 MNF-I 08 Oct 2008 -- Maj. Gen. Jeffery Hammond, commander, MND­ - B, and Mr. John Bass, director, PRT - B, provide an operational update
• Coalition Kills Two, Captures 17 in Iraq Operations AFPS 8 Oct 2008 -- Coalition forces in Iraq today killed 2 insurgents and captured 12 suspects, including 2 wanted men, during operations in Mosul.
• Turkey Extends Mandate for Iraq Strikes VOA 8 Oct 2008 -- Turkey's parliament voted to extend the military's authority to conduct operations against Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq.
• AFGHANISTAN: Aid agencies call on Taliban to back new humanitarian agenda IRIN 08 Oct 2008 -- The UN and some aid agencies have called on Taliban insurgents to support a new humanitarian agenda in Afghanistan with the aim of regaining operating space for aid workers
• Military Investigation Finds More Civilians Died in Afghan Attack VOA 8 Oct 2008 -- A newspaper reports that the US military found that an American airstrike in Afghanistan killed more civilians than American acknowledged.
• Inquiry finds US raid killed 30 Afghan civilians IRNA 8 Oct 2008 -- A US inquiry has concluded that American air strikes in August in western Afghanistan killed far more civilians than American commanders acknowledged.
• Official Reaffirms Commitment to Preventing Civilian Casualties AFPS 8 Oct 2008 -- As a follow-on investigation into an operation that claimed civilian lives, the US military emphasized record of accountability.
• Gates Urges Southeastern European Nations to Send Troops to Afghanistan AFPS 8 Oct 2008 -- SecDef Gates called on southeastern European nations to consider helping the military training effort in Afghanistan.

Defense Policy / Programs

• DoD News Briefing with Gen. Sharp from the Pentagon US Dept. of Defense 08 Oct 2008 -- Presenter: Commander, U.S. Forces Korea, Gen. Walter Sharp
• Normalized Tours, Wartime Control Transfer Enhance US-Korean Alliance AFPS 8 Oct 2008 -- Efforts to lengthen US tours in Korea to 3 yrs and to turn operational control of S Korea forces to their own military on track.
• Detainee Transfer Announced US Dept. of Defense 08 Oct 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the transfer of two detainees from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
• Manas Airmen provide aid to earthquake victims AFPN 8 Oct 2008 -- Airmen from Manas AB sent a humanitarian shipment to provide aid to those affected by the recent earthquake in southern Kyrgyzstan.
• Mullen: US Army 'World's Greatest Counterinsurgency Force' AFPS 8 Oct 2008 -- Mullen: As the world's most skilled counterinsurgency warfare force, the US Army has been the catalyst for reduced violence in Iraq.
• Solar energy research could reduce energy needs AFNS 08 Oct 2008 -- Solar energy could be a powerful solution to the energy needs of the future for military and commercial entities.
• Upgrade makes electronic forms more user friendly AFNS 08 Oct 2008 -- Air Force officials recently rolled out a new software upgrade that makes it easier for Airmen to view and print electronic forms.
• Hawgsmoke to continue despite A-10 inspections AFNS 08 Oct 2008 -- "Hawgsmoke 2008," an A-10 Thunderbolt II bombing and gunnery competition scheduled Oct. 15 to 18 in Salina, Kan., will continue despite an Air Force directive to sideline some of the aircraft.
• Vice chief: FCS vehicles will transform warfighting Army News 08 Oct 2008 -- New Army fighting vehicles promise to transform the nature of war as dramatically as the tank did in the 20th Century, said Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli in remarks delivered Monday at an annual breakfast meeting of the Association of the United States Army.
• Chief says NCO corps glue holding Army together Army News 08 Oct 2008 -- During an address at the 2008 Association of the United States Army Annual Meeting and Exposition, Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. George W. Casey said the noncommissioned officer corps is what keeps the Army together.
• Stennis First with New ESSM Navy NewsStand 08 Oct 2008 -- USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) claimed the first successful hit and kill with the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) during a Combat System Ship's Qualification Trials (CSSQT) off the coast of Southern California Oct. 7.
• Pacific Fleet Commander Reflects on Navy Birthday, Service Navy NewsStand 08 Oct 2008 -- In his latest edition of the "Rat-Pac Report" podcast, posted Oct. 8, Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Adm. Robert F. Willard discussed the 233rd birthday of the United States Navy.
• Submarine First U.S. Participant in International Fleet Review Navy NewsStand 08 Oct 2008 -- The city of Pusan hosts this year's International Fleet Review 2008, commemorating the 60th anniversary of the foundation of the Korean government and its armed forces Oct. 5-10.
• USS De Wert Completes Counter-Drug Deployment; Returns to Mayport Navy NewsStand 08 Oct 2008 -- USS De Wert (FFG 45) returned to Naval Station Mayport Oct. 6 after a five-month counter-illicit deployment to the Eastern Pacific with Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 46 Detachment 1 and Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachments (LEDET) 101 and 103.
• Navy Helps Build "Green" Training Facility For Air Force at Naval Air Station Pensacola Navy NewsStand 08 Oct 2008 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southeast, in partnership with the U.S. Air Force Education and Training Command, and NTF, L.L.C., broke ground Oct. 2 for a new training instruction facility aboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola.
• Alaskan long range radar station goes green AFPN 8 Oct 2008 -- In an effort to reduce operating costs engineers completed the construction of a wind turbine generator at Tin City Long Range Radar Station.
• Supreme Court Hears Navy Sonar Case Navy Newsstand 8 Oct 2008 -- The Supreme Court heard oral arguments regarding the Navy's use of active sonar during major training exercises in Southern California.
• Arms sales in accordance with Taiwan Relations Act CNA 8 Oct 2008 -- In an attempt to defuse China's anger over weapons to Taiwan, the US insisted that the sale was in accordance with the Taiwan Relations Act.
• Gates Reaffirms U.S. Commitment to Ukrainian NATO Membership AFPS 8 Oct 2008 -- The US continues to support NATO membership action plans for Ukraine and Georgia.
• U.S. pledges support for any new political coalition in Ukraine RIA Novosti 8 Oct 2008 -- US SecDef Gates: Washington is ready to work with any political coalition in Ukraine in the wake of the political crisis.
• Medvedev stresses importance of new European security deal RIA Novosti 8 Oct 2008 -- Medvedev: New agreement on the European security must lay out criteria for arms control and military force levels.
• Russia to cut military personnel to 1 mln by 2012 RIA Novosti 8 Oct 2008 -- Russia will cut military personnel numbers to 1 million by 2012, four years earlier than the initial target of 2016.
• Russia, Belarus to set up regional air defense system RIA Novosti 8 Oct 2008 -- Russia and Belarus will sign an agreement to set up a joint regional air defense system.
• Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 08 Oct 2008
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Dana Perino The White House 08 Oct 2008

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for October 08, 2008
• Day & Zimmermann and ATK Joint Venture Awarded Contracts to Operate Army Ammunitions Plants in Iowa and Tennessee ATK 08 Oct 2008 -- American Ordnance, a joint venture led by Day & Zimmermann, has been awarded a contract with the U.S. Army to continue to operate and maintain the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant in Burlington, Iowa, and the Milan Army Ammunition Plant in Milan, Tennessee
• ATK Receives $94 Million to Continue Modernization of the Radford Army Ammunition Plant ATK 08 Oct 2008 -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) has received an additional $94 million in funding for critical modernization projects at the Radford Army Ammunition Plant (RFAAP), where it serves as the operating contractor.
• ATK Receives Additional $197 Million in Military Small-Caliber Ammunition Orders ATK 08 Oct 2008 -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) has received an additional $197 million in small-caliber ammunition orders from the U.S. Army Sustainment Command in Rock Island, Ill.
• ATK and FN Herstal SA Announce Cooperative Agreements ATK 08 Oct 2008 -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) and FN Herstal (FNH) of Belgium announced today they have entered into cooperative agreements that strengthen their respective capabilities and proven expertise as designers, developers, producers and suppliers of small caliber weapons, ammunition, ammunition components and tactical accessories.
• General Dynamics Awarded $34 Million Contract from U.S. Army for Small-Caliber Ammunition General Dynamics 08 Oct 2008 -- General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), has been awarded a $33.6 million contract by the U.S. Army Field Support Command, Rock Island, Ill. for production of small-caliber ammunition.
• Lockheed Martin Announces Industry Team for Joint Air-to-Ground Missile Program Lockheed Martin 08 Oct 2008 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has announced the industry team it will lead to execute its recently awarded $122 million technology development contract for the Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) system, the next-generation missile that will be carried on U.S. Armed Forces rotary-wing, fixed-wing and unmanned aerial system (UAS) platforms.
• Raytheon's Laser Guided Rocket Completes Wind Tunnel Test Raytheon 08 Oct 2008 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) completed a Laser Guided Rocket wind tunnel test that produced both high fidelity flight simulations and data for development of the aerodynamic model required for autopilot design.
• Raytheon Assembles Team to Pursue U.S. Army Operations, Planning, Training and Resource Support Services contract Raytheon 08 Oct 2008 -- Raytheon Technical Services Company LLC (RTSC), a subsidiary of Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN), has signed teaming agreements with more than 45 large and small business partners to pursue the Army's Operations, Planning, Training and Resource Support Services (OPTARSS) II contract.

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 08 Oct 2008
• Two Months After Outbreak Of Hostilities, Georgian Humanitarian Situation Still Dire RFE/RL 08 Oct 2008
• HRW Researcher Examines Brutality, Indiscriminate Use Of Force In Georgia Conflict RFE/RL 08 Oct 2008 -- Two months ago, Russian and Georgian forces were engaged in a brief war over Georgia's pro-Russian breakaway region of South Ossetia
• Russia to pull troops out from Georgia by end of day RIA Novosti 8 Oct 2008 -- President Medvedev: Russia will complete withdrawal of peacekeeping troops from zones near South Ossetia and Abkhazia by the end of the day.
• Russia Begins Withdrawing Forces Around South Ossetia VOA 8 Oct 2008 -- Russian forces have begun pulling back from buffer zone outside the Georgian breakaway region of South Ossetia.
• Russia renews call for arms embargo on Georgia RIA Novosti 8 Oct 2008 -- Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov reiterated Russia's call for a ban on the sale of offensive weapons to Georgia.
• Ukrainian MP links possible early poll to arms sales to Georgia RIA Novosti 8 Oct 2008 -- Opposition MP: Dissolution of parliament may be attempt to cover up deliveries aair defense system to Georgia.
• New UN peacekeeping chief, on first official visit, confers in South Sudan UN News 8 Oct 2008 -- Top UN peacekeeping official met with Southern Sudan officials as part of familiarization tour of Africa's largest country.
• DRC: Agencies unable to reach thousands displaced in North Kivu IRIN 08 Oct 2008 -- Thousands of people who fled renewed fighting in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), between government forces and the rebel Congrès National pour la defense du people (CNDP), have yet to be located by aid agencies, a medical charity said
• DRC: Government forces, rebels clash in Ituri IRIN 08 Oct 2008 -- Thirteen fighters have died in clashes between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) army and rebel Front Populaire pour la Justice au Congo (FPJC) militia in the north-eastern Ituri region, an army spokesman said
• Government troops will respect ceasefire in eastern DR Congo, UN told UN News 8 Oct 2008 -- Authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo assured UN of commitment to ceasefire in eastern part of the country.
• 49 people die in Assam violence IRNA 8 Oct 2008 -- The death toll in ethnic clashes in India's state of Assam have mounted to 49 with authorities claiming the situation was limping back to normal.
• Tibetan Envoy Warns of Possible Split, Violence if Beijing Talks Fail VOA 8 Oct 2008 -- The Dalai Lama's Special Envoy for the dialogue with Beijing warned there is growing sentiment against engagement in parts of Tibetan community and failed talks with China could lead to violence.

News Reports

• McCain, Obama Clash On Foreign Policy At Debate RFE/RL 08 Oct 2008 -- In their second debate of the U.S. presidential campaign, Republican candidate John McCain and his Democratic opponent, Barack Obama, found little to agree on, except whether Russia might be turning back into an "evil empire
• Ukraine's President Dissolves Parliament VOA 8 Oct 2008 -- Ukraine's president has dissolved parliament, after failing to agree with parliamentary leaders on forming a new coalition.
• Ukraine's president gives parties more time to form coalition RIA Novosti 8 Oct 2008 -- The Ukrainian president announced more time to form a new ruling coalition or agree to dissolve parliament, but did not say how long.
• Zimbabwean Parties Still Arguing Over Cabinet Posts VOA 8 Oct 2008 -- The parties to Zimbabwe's power sharing agreement have failed to agree on the allocation of cabinet posts.
• African National Congress Split Looms VOA 8 Oct 2008 -- Former ANC chairperson Lekota planning conference to discuss serious departures by current ANC leadership from core principles.
• Thai Public Calls for Talks to End Violence VOA 8 Oct 2008 -- In Thailand, the government and opposition groups are being urged to restart talks after bloody street clashes.
• Thailand riots leave two dead, hundreds injured RIA Novosti 8 Oct 2008 -- At least 2 people were killed and 443 others injured in violent clashes between anti-government protesters and police in Bangkok.
• THAILAND: Clash toll mounts to two dead and 443 injured IRIN 08 Oct 2008 -- The Narenthorn Emergency Centre of the Thai Public Health Ministry reported on 8 October that 443 people had been injured in violent clashes between anti-government protesters led by the Peoples Alliance for Democracy (PAD) and police on 7 October
• Belarusian Opposition Backs EU U-Turn On Lukashenka RFE/RL 08 Oct 2008 -- Politicians in Brussels are openly talking of a "shift" in EU policy toward Belarus.
• Maldives Holds Its First Democratic Presidential Election VOA 8 Oct 2008 -- Maldives is holding its first-ever democratic presidential election.
• PRESS CONFERENCE BY FOREIGN MINISTER OF SERBIA United Nations 08 Oct 2008
• PRESS CONFERENCE ON REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PANEL ON ACCOUNTABILITY RELATED TO ATTACK ON UNITED NATIONS PREMISES IN ALGIERS IN DECEMBER 2007 United Nations 08 Oct 2008