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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 15 Oct 2008 [PDF]
• DoD News: DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• DoD News: DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• Oct. 14 airpower summary: C-17s keep coalition supplied AFPN 15 Oct 2008 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and ISAF in Afghanistan during operations.
• USS Abraham Lincoln Returns Home After Deployment Navy Newsstand 15 Oct 2008 -- USS Abraham Lincoln returns to homeport after deployment supporting Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
• PRESS CONFERENCE: Operational Update: Rear Adm. Driscoll, MNF-I, Oct. 15, 2008 MNF-I 15 Oct 2008 -- Rear Adm. Patrick Driscoll, Spokesman, Multi-National Force - Iraq, provides an update from Iraq
• DoD News Briefing with Maj. Gen. Salmon from Iraq US Dept. of Defense 15 Oct 2008 -- BPresenter: The United Kingdom, General Officer Commanding Multinational Division-Southeast Maj. Gen. Andy Salmon
• Al-Qaeda in Iraq’s number two leader killed MNF-I 15 Oct 2008 -- A terrorist killed by Coalition forces during an operation in Mosul on Oct. 5 has been positively identified as Abu Qaswarah.
• Operation Eagle North Point a success (Sa'id Abdullah Corridor) MNF-I 15 Oct 2008 -- Iraqi Army and Rakkasan soldiers carried out Operation Eagle North Point, a combined air assault in the Abu Osage Village of the Sa'id Abdullah Corridor, Oct. 8.
• Iraqi Officials Present Draft Compromise on Status of US Troops VOA 15 Oct 2008 -- Iraqis officials have come up with a draft agreement requiring US troops to leave by 2011, unless asked to stay longer.
• Coalition Forces Kill al-Qaida in Iraq's No. 2 Leader AFPS 15 Oct 2008 -- Coalition forces killed the second-ranking commander of al-Qaida in Iraq in a raid earlier this month.
• US: Senior Al-Qaida in Iraq Militant Killed VOA 15 Oct 2008 -- The U.S. military in Baghdad says man killed by coalition forces earlier this month identified as the second in command of al-Qaida in Iraq.
• Peace Talks Could Be Win-Win For Afghan Government, Taliban RFE/RL 15 Oct 2008 -- There has been an inordinate amount of media speculation about a meeting that purportedly took place at the end of last month in Saudi Arabia involving representatives of the Afghan government, the Taliban, and other insurgent groups
• Coalition Breaks up Bomb Network in Eastern Afghanistan AFPS 15 Oct 2008 -- Coalition forces yesterday captured 3 suspects in a bomb-making ring in Afghanistan's eastern province of Ghazni.
• AFGHANISTAN: Crossed wires in military-humanitarian relations IRIN 15 Oct 2008 -- Differing accounts of a reported attack on aid convoy have highlighted delicate relations between NATO and humanitarian actors.
• Arabs, Pakistanis Identified Among Afghan Insurgents Killed by Air Strike VOA 15 Oct 2008 -- The governor of the province where most of Afghanistan's opium is produced is praising NATO forces for attack against Taliban.
• 18 Taliban Killed in Attack on Afghan Provincial Capital VOA 15 Oct 2008 -- Afghan officials say at least 18 Taliban militants were killed in the second attack this week on a key southern provincial capital.
• Iran criticizes western governments approach to Taliban IRNA 15 Oct 2008 -- Iranian Permanent Ambassador to UN Khazaee: Criticized attempts by Western governments to hold negotiations with Afghan extremist groups.
• Air Guard Wing Prepares for Operation Deep Freeze AFPS 15 Oct 2008 -- The 109th Airlift Wing preparing to begin its 20th year of Operation Deep Freeze, supporting the National Science Foundation in Antarctica.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Bush to View Budget Law in Light of Presidential Authority AFPS 15 Oct 2008 -- President Bush: Will construe restrictions imposed in FY09 budget "in...manner consistent with...constitutional authority."
• Gates: U.S. Toolbox to Confront Threats Requires More Than 'Just Hammers' AFPS 15 Oct 2008 -- SecDef Gates: War on terror has put US to the test as they strive to apply both "soft-" and "hard-power" capabilities.
• Multi-skill crew delivers first C-17 ahead of schedule AFNS 15 Oct 2008 -- The C-17 Globemaster III cargo plane that sat in front of a maintenance hangar here looked no different than any other C-17, but the maintenance crew around it was unique.
• A-10s ready as Hawgsmoke 2008 begins AFNS 15 Oct 2008 -- Two A-10 Thunderbolt IIs broke through the overcast skies of central Kansas Oct. 15 and crossed over the center point of the Salina Airport's north-south runway officially kicking off Hawgsmoke 2008, the Air Force's biennial A-10 bombing and tactical gunnery competition.
• Secretary tours Joint Base Balad, shares Air Force vision AFNS 15 Oct 2008 -- The secretary of the Air Force visited Joint Base Balad Oct. 13 to learn about the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing's contributions to the war on terrorism and to share his vision for the future of the Air Force.
• SECAF gains insight into diverse missions at deployed wing AFNS 15 Oct 2008 -- Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley spent the day at the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing at an air base in Southwest Asia Oct. 12.
• FCS gets full funding in Authorization Act Army News 15 Oct 2008 -- The testing of Future Combat Systems equipment and testimonials from Soldiers using it may have helped the program receive full funding for the first time.
• Speech: Dean Acheson Lecture - U.S. Institute of Peace (Washington D.C.) US Dept. of Defense 15 Oct 2008
• Naval Station Crews Assist City of Rota After Violent Storm Navy NewsStand 15 Oct 2008 -- Naval Station Rota emergency responders assisted the local community after a massive thunderstorm pounded the area with more than 10 inches of rain and winds of more than 92 mph Oct. 11, downing trees and flooding intersections.
• Army to Activate First Company of Native Linguists-Turned-Soldiers AFPS 15 Oct 2008 -- The Army will activate first company of native linguists-turned-soldiers to act as interpreters and translators.
• Ex-Soviet states to hold joint air defense drills in 2009 RIA Novosti 15 Oct 2008 -- Members of the Commonwealth of Independent States agreed to conduct joint air defense exercises in the summer of 2009.
• Russian combat aircraft to join military drills with Belarus RIA Novosti 15 Oct 2008 -- Russian military aircraft and helicopters will conduct joint exercises with the Belarusian Air Force.
• Argentina wants Russian helicopters, space assistance RIA Novosti 15 Oct 2008 -- Russian Security Council secretary: Argentina is seeking to buy Russian helicopters and send an astronaut into space.
• Russia, Venezuela may sign infantry vehicle deal within month RIA Novosti 15 Oct 2008 -- Russia and Venezuela may finalize within a month a deal for a large number of BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles.
• Lithuania set to double peacekeepers deployed abroad RIA Novosti 15 Oct 2008 -- Lithuania plans to double its contingents participating in international peacekeeping operations after 2009.
• Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 15 Oct 2008
• Press Gaggle by Deputy Press Secretary Tony Fratto The White House 15 Oct 2008

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for October 15, 2008
• Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules Achieves 75,000 Flight Hours With Italian Air Force Lockheed Martin 15 Oct 2008 -- The Italian Air Force has achieved 75,000 flight hours with its fleet of Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft, amassing an impressive record that includes the first combat missions flown in the C-130J and the delivery of humanitarian relief supplies.
• Raytheon AIM-120C7 Air-to-Air Missile Enters U.S. Navy's Weapons System User Program Raytheon 15 Oct 2008 -- Raytheon Company's (NYSE: RTN) AIM-120C7 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile entered the U.S. Navy's Weapon System User Program.
• Raytheon Awarded $165 Million for Light- and Heavyweight Torpedoes Raytheon 15 Oct 2008 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has been awarded a $165 million U.S. Navy contract to provide MK54 lightweight and MK48 heavyweight torpedo hardware, engineering and support services.
• SAIC Awarded $18 Million Contract by Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency SAIC 15 Oct 2008 -- Science Applications International Corporation (NYSE: SAI) today announced it has been awarded a contract by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Defense Sciences Office to design and develop a sensor inspired by a canine's olfactory system, or sense of smell.
• Israel Aerospace Industries announces delivery of the 1st Heron UAV to Canada Israel Aerospace Industries 15 Oct 2008 -- Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) delivered today the first Heron UAV system to the Canadian Air Force.
• Toplite's Updated Capabilities at LWC Rafael 15 Oct 2008 -- Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd will display the Toplite E/O surveillance, reconnaissance and weapon direction system with its new imaging processing capabilities at the Land Warfare Conference, taking place in Brisbane, Australia at the end of the month.

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 15 Oct 2008
• Transcript: State's Daniel Fried on Georgia Talks US Department of State 15 Oct 2008
• Georgia-Russia Talks Break Down in Geneva VOA 15 Oct 2008 -- Authorities in Geneva say talks aimed at resolving tensions between Georgia and Russia have broken down.
• New Talks Aim to Resolve Georgia, Russia Tensions VOA 15 Oct 2008 -- Talks aimed at resolving tensions between Georgia and Russia after this summer's brief war get underway in Geneva.
• Talks Between Moscow And Tbilisi Break Down RFE/RL 15 Oct 2008 -- International negotiations in Geneva designed to build confidence between Russia and Georgia have broken down over Moscow's demand that representatives from the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia be allowed to participate fully
• Georgia accuses Russia of violating airspace again RIA Novosti 15 Oct 2008 -- Georgia accused the Russian military on Wednesday of violating Georgian airspace, while Russia's Air Force denied the allegation.
• Russia wants security guarantees for Abkhazia, S.Ossetia RIA Novosti 15 Oct 2008 -- Russia expects agreements ensuring security in Abkhazia and South Ossetia to be developed during talks in Geneva.
• Conflict in eastern DR Congo will not be resolved by force alone - UN envoy UN News 15 Oct 2008 -- Head of UN peacekeeping force: Use of force alone will not bring about a solution to the problems in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
• Fresh Clashes in DRC Displace Scores in North Kivu Province VOA 15 Oct 2008 -- UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo says fresh clashes between government forces and rebels have contributed to more than 150,000 internally displaced.
• Darfur: UN police conduct night patrols at displaced persons' camp UN News 15 Oct 2008 -- The joint UN-AU peacekeeping mission in Darfur conducting night patrols at camp that was the scene of deadly clashes with Sudanese police.
• UN mission monitoring Ethiopia-Eritrea border nearing close UN News 15 Oct 2008 -- The UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea has almost completed withdrawal, with the last group of blue helmets having returned to their home country.
• Two Cambodian Soldiers Killed in Border Clash With Thailand VOA 15 Oct 2008 -- Cambodian officials say 2 soldiers have been killed and 2 wounded in clashes with Thailand along a disputed stretch of the border between the 2 countries.
• PHILIPPINES: "Humanitarian crisis" risk in Mindanao IRIN 15 Oct 2008 -- The troubled island of Mindanao is at risk of a full-scale humanitarian crisis unless immediate contingency efforts are made, warn humanitarian agencies
• ISRAEL-OPT: Medical mission denied entry into Gaza IRIN 15 Oct 2008 -- Israel has denied a group of Israeli medical volunteers entry into the Gaza Strip, affecting the group’s ability to reach patients in the beleaguered enclave, an official told IRIN
• Balkars In North Caucasus Air Grievances RFE/RL 15 Oct 2008 -- On October 8, Arsen Kanokov met for the first time since his appointment as president of the Kabardino-Balkaria Republic (KBR) three years ago with representatives of the Balkar minority, who have long alleged discrimination at the hands of the Kabardian majority, to which Kanokov belongs

News Reports

• US Officials Meet With American Detained in Pakistan VOA 15 Oct 2008 -- Officials with the US State Department have met with an American detained earlier this week near Pakistan's border with Afghanistan.
• Where did America's missing millions go? Holodomor Lessons Russia Today 15 Oct 2008 -- US history contains serious crime against its own people: the Great American Holodomor of 1932/33.
• Syria, Lebanon Formally Launch Diplomatic Relations VOA 15 Oct 2008 -- Syria and Lebanon have formally established diplomatic relations, 6 decades after the Mideast neighbors gained independence from France.
• Tymoshenko aides under probe for pressuring court on early polls RIA Novosti 15 Oct 2008 -- A criminal case opened over allegations the Ukrainian prime minister's bloc put pressure on a Kiev court to block elections.
• Zimbabwe Power-Sharing Talks Resume VOA 15 Oct 2008 -- Zimbabwe's political leaders holding a second day of talks in an effort to rescue last month's power-sharing agreement.
• S. Africa Ruling Party Dissidents Gain New Supporter VOA 15 Oct 2008 -- Another prominent politician has resigned from South Africa's African National Congress, in a sign of growing division in the ruling party.
• Turkmen Gas Riches Revive Pipe Dreams RFE/RL 15 Oct 2008 -- The announcement this week that Turkmen gas riches may exceed the West's wildest dreams is likely to focus attention back on pipeline projects that bypass Russia in pumping Caspian energy supplies to European markets
• PRESS CONFERENCE BY UNITED NATIONS COORDINATOR IN HAITI United Nations 15 Oct 2008