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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 16 Oct 2008 [PDF]
• MNC-I Soldier dies of non-battle related causes
• CF Soldier killed in IDF attack (Diyala)
• Oct. 15 airpower summary: A-10s support ground forces AFPN 16 Oct 2008 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and ISAF in Afghanistan during operations.
• EODMU-1 Deploys in Support of Joint, Combined Operations Navy Newstand 16 Oct 2008 -- Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 1 deployed to Middle East to provide control of efforts to counter IEDs.
• Gates Works with Congress on Iraq Status of Forces Agreement AFPS 16 Oct 2008 -- SecDef Gates is consulting with congressional leaders on the US-Iraq status of forces agreement.
• Coalition Forces Detain Six Suspects in Iraq AFPS 16 Oct 2008 -- Coalition forces continued to drive al-Qaida in Iraq out of the country, targeting terrorists during operations in Mosul and Baghdad.
• Iraq Government Set to Pay More Reconstruction Costs AFPS 16 Oct 2008 -- Increased oil price fueling Iraq's ability to pay more for its reconstruction costs.
• Afghan Policeman Kills US Soldier VOA 16 Oct 2008 -- For the second time in a month American troops in eastern Afghanistan have been fired on by a local policeman.
• German MPs approve 14-month extension of Afghan military mandate IRNA 16 Oct 2008 -- The German Parliament gave the go-ahead for the 14-month extension of the military mission in Afghanistan.
• AFGHANISTAN: Attacks force aid agencies to scale down operations IRIN 16 Oct 2008 -- Security incidents involving NGOs all over Afghanistan have reached unprecedented levels.
• Suspected US Missile Strikes Pakistan's South Waziristan VOA 16 Oct 2008 -- Locals in Pakistan's South Waziristan tribal agency say a suspected US drone aircraft has fired a missile into a local home.
• U.S missiles strike kills 6 in Pakistani tribal region: witnesses IRNA 16 Oct 2008 -- American drone fired missiles in Pakistan tribal region, killing 6 people and injuring 5 others, witnesses said.
• Shia, Sunni elders ink peace deal in Pakistan IRNA 16 Oct 2008 -- Shia and Sunni elders Thursday signed a peace deal to end fighting in a Pakistani tribal region.
• Suicide bomber kills 3 policemen in Pakistan IRNA 16 Oct 2008 -- A suspected suicide bomber detonated a car in a police station in Pakistan's restive Swat valley in a pre-dawn attack, killing at least 3 policemen.
• Army kills 16 militants in Bajaur IRNA 16 Oct 2008 -- Pakistan security forces pounded hideouts in a tribal region near the Afghan border on Wednesday killing at least 16 rebels with links to al Qaeda and the Taliban.
• National Guard responds to Hurricane Omar AFNS 16 Oct 2008 -- More than 90 National Guardmembers in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico are on duty Oct. 16 after Hurricane Omar passed through their area as a major Category 3 storm.
• National Guard Responds to Hurricane Omar AFPS 16 Oct 2008 -- National Guard members in the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico on duty after Hurricane Omar passed through their area as Category 3 storm.

Defense Policy / Programs

• DoD Press Briefing with Geoff Morrell from the Pentagon Briefing Room, Pentagon, VA US Dept. of Defense 16 Oct 2008 -- Presenter: Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell
• Dod Announces Non-Certification Of Armed Reconaissance Helicopter Program US Dept. of Defense 16 Oct 2008 -- Today, the Department of Defense notified the Congress and the contractor, Bell Helicopter, that it will not certify the U.S. Army Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH) program for continuation.
• Financial Crisis Has Military Implications, Vice Chairman Says AFPS 16 Oct 2008 -- Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff: Global financial crisis far-reaching problem that has implications for the US military.
• Gates Pushes for Stronger International, Interagency Relationships AFPS 16 Oct 2008 -- SecDef Gates: Universal interest in stronger ties with the US in roughly 50 countries visited since taking office.
• Guard unit provides 'one-stop' Predator training AFNS 16 Oct 2008 -- As the Air Force's and Air National Guard's unmanned aircraft system mission continues to grow, Airmen with the 163rd Maintenance Group here are stepping up their training program to ensure availability of enough highly-skilled personnel to support these systems, especially the MQ-1 Predator.
• New UH-1Y Huey Takes Flight During Boxer ESG Exercise Navy Newsstand 16 Oct 2008 -- HMM-163 among first squadrons to operate the new Bell UH-1Y helicopter, tested as part of USS Boxer exercise.
• Secretary Donley visits Bagram Airmen AFNS 16 Oct 2008 -- Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley visited with Airmen from Bagram Airfield Oct. 15 during his first visit to the country since being confirmed by Congress earlier this month.
• Air Force secretary wraps up first visit to the AOR AFNS 16 Oct 2008 -- Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley visited with Airmen throughout the Air Forces Central Command area of operations Oct. 9 to 15 during his first trip to the combat zone since being confirmed Oct. 2 as the 22nd secretary of the Air Force.
• Pope energy initiative saves thousands, lights the way AFNS 16 Oct 2008 -- A 43rd Civil Engineer Squadron member here received $10,000 for a proposal of a wireless-ramp-lighting initiative.
• Training bomb strikes vehicle near Nellis AFNS 16 Oct 2008 -- A training weapon fell from an Air Force aircraft on a training mission and struck a vehicle traveling on a road adjacent to the base Oct. 15, said Nellis Air Force Base officials.
• Hawgsmoke 2008 gets into full swing AFNS 16 Oct 2008 -- With the arrival of the last group of A-10 Thunderbolt IIs late in the afternoon, Hawgsmoke 2008 got into full swing Oct. 15 as pilots flew out to the Kansas Air National Guard's Smoky Hill bomb and gunnery range nearby for range familiarization flights.
• Combat hospital conducts last JTF-East humanitarian missions Army News 16 Oct 2008 -- In their last two humanitarian missions in Bulgaria, the 212th Combat Support Hospital extended their efforts beyond the clinic.
• Naval Intelligence Director Visits 4th Fleet, Mayport Navy NewsStand 16 Oct 2008 -- The director of naval intelligence visited Naval Station Mayport Oct. 9 to speak with Sailors and other intelligence personnel.
• Boxer Expeditionary Strike Group Completes First Stage of Work Ups Navy NewsStand 16 Oct 2008 -- The ships and units of Boxer Expeditionary Strike Group (BOXESG) completed their Expeditionary Strike Group Integration (ESGINT) exercise off the coast of Southern California Oct. 16.
• NAVFACEURSWA Awards Contract for Persian Gulf Oil Transfer Platform Modifications Navy NewsStand 16 Oct 2008 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command Europe and Southwest Asia (NAVFAC EURSWA) awarded an $11.5 million contract modification Sept. 30 for the Al Basrah (ABOT) and Khawr Al Amaya Oil Terminal (KAAOT) transfer platforms, located in the North Persian Gulf off the Iraqi shoreline.
• Carl Vinson Launches First Weather Balloon in Three Years Navy NewsStand 16 Oct 2008 -- The operations department aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) launched a weather balloon from the ship's flight deck Oct. 1, an evolution that has not been conducted since the ship entered its refueling complex overhaul (RCOH) shipyard period in late 2005.
• Makin Island Pre-Commissioning Crew Completes Critical Safety Training Navy NewsStand 16 Oct 2008 -- Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Makin Island's (LHD 8) Safety Department concluded two days of mandatory safety training Oct. 2, which boosted the readiness of the shipboard safety program and the safety petty officers who implement it.
• Rushmore Completes ASW Tests on Nanoose Range Navy NewsStand 16 Oct 2008 -- USS Rushmore (LSD 47) completed 10 days of intense torpedo firing exercises and developmental surface ship torpedo defense experimentation at the Canadian Forces Maritime Experimental and Test Ranges (CFMETR) on Oct. 10.
• San Antonio Deck Department Puts New Assets To Work on Deployment Navy NewsStand 16 Oct 2008 -- While deployed in support of maritime security operations (MSO), the amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio's (LPD 17) Deck Department uses new technology and assets that impacts daily shipboard operations.
• Naval Base San Diego Bids Farewell to Commanding Officer Navy NewsStand 16 Oct 2008 -- Naval Base San Diego held a change of command ceremony Oct. 10 on pier two.
• NAVSO/4th Fleet Commander Visits El Salvador, Speaks at FOL Comalapa Change-of-Command Navy NewsStand 16 Oct 2008 -- U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (NAVSO)/ U.S. 4th Fleet Commander spoke at Forward Operating Location (FOL) Comalapa's change-of-command ceremony Oct. 15.
• NATO air chiefs discuss common challenges, solutions AFNS 16 Oct 2008 -- Nineteen NATO air chiefs gathered to discuss how to meet the security demands of a changing world at the chief of staff of the Air Force-hosted 2008 NATO Air Chiefs Conference Oct. 5 through 12 here.
• Russia could resume naval presence in Yemen RIA Novosti 16 Oct 2008 -- The speaker of Russia's upper house of parliament said that Russia could resume a naval presence in Yemen.
• Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 16 Oct 2008
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Dana Perino The White House 16 Oct 2008

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for October 16, 2008
• Boeing to Acquire Federated Software Group to Enhance Logistics Command and Control, Supply Chain Operations Boeing 16 Oct 2008 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today announced an agreement to acquire Federated Software Group, a St. Louis-based company whose engineering services and software systems help track and distribute equipment and personnel for the U.S. Department of Defense.
• Pratt & Whitney Awarded $1.4 Billion Contract for F117 Engine Support Pratt & Whitney 16 Oct 2008 -- The Boeing Company awarded Pratt & Whitney a contract with a value of up to $1.4 billion to support the C-17 aircraft fleet.
• Raytheon Receives $24.3 Million for Production of Towed Decoys Raytheon 16 Oct 2008 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has received a $24.3 million contract for continued production of its ALE-50 line of towed decoys.
• U.S. Army and Lockheed Martin Support Second Successful International PAC-3 Missile Test at White Sands Missile Range Lockheed Martin 16 Oct 2008 -- Airmen of the German Air Force (Luftwaffe), supported by Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] and the U.S. Army Lower Tier Project Office, successfully conducted the second international PAC-3 Missile flight test today at White Sands Missile Range, NM.
• Ministry of Emergencies of Ukraine and Eurocopter sign contract for rescue and emergency missions helicopters EADS 16 Oct 2008 -- The Ukrainian “Ministry of Emergencies and Affairs of Population Protection from the Consequences of Chernobyl Catastrophe” will be able to react quickly and efficiently to emergency situations that require the use of helicopters.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 16 Oct 2008
• 10 Killed in Turkey - Kurd Clashes VOA 16 Oct 2008 -- Turkey's military says 5 Turkish soldiers and 5 Kurdish rebels have been killed in clashes near the country's southeastern borders with Iraq and Iran.
• S.Ossetians file over 200 suits with European human rights court RIA Novosti 16 Oct 2008 -- Over 200 applications have been lodged to the European Court of Human Rights on behalf of S Ossetians.
• Brussels to hold Georgian donor conference on Oct. 22 RIA Novosti 16 Oct 2008 -- An international donor conference to raise funds to help rebuild Georgia's damaged infrastructure will be held in Brussels.
• International Criminal Court seeks more material on Darfur arrest warrant UN News 16 Oct 2008 -- ICC has given prosecutors month to submit additional materials to their request for arrest warrant for Sudanese President al-Bashir.
• Bashir Begins Darfur Peace Conference, Without Rebels VOA 16 Oct 2008 -- Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir has opened a three-day conference he says is aimed at finding peace in the war-ravaged Darfur region.
• Heavy Fighting in Somali Capital Kills at Least 18 VOA 16 Oct 2008 -- Heavy fighting has broken out in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, leaving at least 18 people dead, many of them civilians.
• Ethiopia Rejects Somalia Withdrawal Timetable VOA 16 Oct 2008 -- Ethiopia's Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has rejected opposition calls for a timetable for withdrawing his country's troops from Somalia.
• Next round of talks to cement UN-backed Somali peace deal announced UN News 16 Oct 2008 -- Top UN envoy announced upcoming talks between 2 key committees set up as part of the agreement.
• Nigerian Military Repels Armed Gang in Oil Region VOA 16 Oct 2008 -- The Nigerian army says suspected militants in speedboats attacked troops guarding the country's main crude oil and liquified natural gas export terminal.
• Thailand, Cambodia Working to Resolve Border Dispute VOA 16 Oct 2008 -- Thailand and Cambodia moved to end hostilities by agreeing to joint patrols in diplomatic efforts to end a border dispute.
• OPT: Gaza’s illegal tunnels - a dangerous but vital lifeline IRIN 16 Oct 2008 -- Underground explosions have become a real threat to life in the Gaza Strip, as smugglers bring basic goods, such as fuel, through illegal underground tunnels from Egypt into the blockaded enclave

News Reports

• Medvedev or Putin: Who Holds Real Power in Russia? VOA 16 Oct 2008 -- Four months since Medvedev inaugurated as Russia's new president questions persist over who really wields power in Russia.
• Zimbabwe's Mugabe Stalling On Power-Sharing - US Ambassador VOA 16 Oct 2008 -- US Ambassador James McGee offered a bleak assessment of the dynamics of the uneasy relationship between the partners in the proposed unity government.
• Zimbabweans Anticipate Thursday Resolution of Political Stalemate VOA 16 Oct 2008 -- Zimbabwe's ruling ZANU-PF party and opposition Movement for Democratic Change reportedly close to resolving the political impasse that has stalled unity government.
• Zimbabwe Talks Move Toward Compromise VOA 16 Oct 2008 -- Zimbabwe President Mugabe has made some compromises over distribution of cabinet portfolios according to the state controlled and owned Herald newspaper.
• Former Iranian President Khatami Urged to Run Again VOA 16 Oct 2008 -- Supporters of former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami have urged him to run for the office again.
• Ukrainian premier makes u-turn to save coalition RIA Novosti 16 Oct 2008 -- Ukraine's PM ready to accept any conditions set by president to salvage the ruling coalition and avoid early elections.
• Ukrainian government allocates funds for snap elections RIA Novosti 16 Oct 2008 -- Ukraine's Cabinet of Ministers approved state budget amendments to disburse funding for early parliamentary elections.
• GLOBAL: Defining the Rights of the Internally Displaced IRIN 16 Oct 2008 -- At least 26 million people across the world are displaced within their own countries because of armed conflict
• EU Summit Defers Decision Over Relations With Russia RFE/RL 16 Oct 2008 -- The bloc's "Georgian camp" has scored a small victory, forcing the EU to delay resuming talks on a new Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with Russia by at least another month