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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 21 Oct 2008 [PDF]
• DoD News: DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• DoD News: DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• Oct. 20 airpower summary: Reaper strikes enemy target AFPN 21 Oct 2008 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the ISAF in Afghanistan during operations.
• Coalition Forces in Iraq Apprehend Terrorism Suspects AFPS 21 Oct 2008 -- Coalition forces detained 12 suspects, including members of Iranian-backed illegal militias and the Kataib Hezbollah terrorist group.
• Iraqi air force pilots take flight into history AFPN 21 Oct 2008 -- The first three pilots graduated from Iraq's only fixed-wing flight training school at Kirkuk Regional Air Base Oct. 13.
• Chairman Says Time Has Come for Iraq to Act on Status Agreement AFPS 21 Oct 2008 -- Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff: Iraq running out of time to approve a status of forces agreement.
• Iraq's Cabinet to Seek Changes in Draft US Security Deal VOA 21 Oct 2008 -- Iraqi officials say Cabinet seeking changes to a draft security pact governing the future US troop presence in Iraq.
• Kazakhstan withdraws soldiers from Iraq RIA Novosti 21 Oct 2008 -- Kazakhstan withdrew its 29 sappers and engineers from Iraq, where they had been stationed as part of the Multi-National Force.
• Servicemembers provide dental training for Afghans AFNS 21 Oct 2008 -- Members of the Zabul Provincial Reconstruction Team united with U.S. Public Health Service officials to offer an emergency dental care certification course to Afghan dental professionals from the province in October.
• Landing Accident at Bagram Leaves One Injured AFPS 21 Oct 2008 -- A Navy P-3 Orion airplane overshot the runway while landing at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan injuring one and destroying the airplane.
• NATO chief admits Afghan failure, blames troop shortages IRNA 21 Oct 2008 -- NATO's mission in Afghanistan is being undermined by troop shortages and by the numerous operational restrictions.
• German defense minster says 'no' to withdrawal from Afghanistan IRNA 21 Oct 2008 -- German Defense Minister Franz Josef Jung reiterated his opposition to calls for an early pullout from Afghanistan.
• Pak president says fight against militancy will be fought on all fronts IRNA 21 Oct 2008 -- Pakistani President Zardari: Fight against militants cannot be left to military but will be taken over by the civilian leaders.
• US backs Pakistan's military offensive against militants IRNA 21 Oct 2008 -- The US supports Pakistan's military offensive against militants in tribal regions and Swat valley in the northwest.
• Pakistani forces kill 7 militants in northwest IRNA 21 Oct 2008 -- Pakistani Security Forces continued offensive against pro-Taliban militants, killing seven militants in the country's northwest.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Victim and Family Members To See Military Commissions Proceedings at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba US Dept. of Defense 21 Oct 2008 -- The Defense Department announced today that victims of terrorist attacks and family members who lost loved ones to those attacks will be able to attend military commission proceedings at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
• Charges Dismissed Against Five Guantanamo Detainees US Dept. of Defense 21 Oct 2008 -- The Defense Department announced today that the Office of Military Commissions Convening Authority, Judge Susan Crawford, has dismissed without prejudice the pending charges against five detainees who had charges sworn by prosecutors -- Noor Uthman Mohammed, Binyam Mohammed, Sufyiam Barhoumi, Ghassan Abdullah al Sharbi, and Jabran Said Bin al Qahtani.
• Army unit growing to combat WMD Army News 21 Oct 2008 -- An Army unit originally formed to counter weapons of mass destruction in the United States now has more than 6,000 members and will continue to grow, said Brig. Gen. Jeffrey J. Snow
• FOL Comalapa Changes Command Navy NewsStand 21 Oct 2008 -- Forward Operating Location (FOL) Comalapa held a change of command ceremony Oct. 15.
• Avian Radar Research Aids in Aviation Safety Navy NewsStand 21 Oct 2008 -- A field exercise Sept. 26-28 on Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island's Ault Field tested the operability of avian radars.
• NAVSTA Rota Fire Department Opens Advanced Training Center Navy NewsStand 21 Oct 2008 -- Naval Station (NAVSTA) Rota fire department opened a state-of-the-art fire training center Oct. 17.
• U.S. Defense Official Outlines Lessons Learned In War On Terrorism RFE/RL 21 Oct 2008 -- U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Eric Edelman spoke with RFE/RL senior correspondent Ron Synovitz about the changing dynamics of the war on terrorism and the lessons the U.S. military has learned from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan
• Air Force officials invest $12 million in research program AFPN 21 Oct 2008 -- Air Force Office of Scientific Research officials announced they will award approximately $12.1 million in grants to 39 scientists and engineers who submitted research proposals through the Young Investigator Research Program.
• Air Force chief of staff visits Southwest Asia AFPN 21 Oct 2008 -- The Air Force's top officer addressed manning, service priorities and success in the war on terrorism during visit to the US CENTOM AOR.
• Integrated Antiterrorism Exercise Conducted in Norfolk Navy Newsstand 21 Oct 2008 -- Commander Navy Installations Command took part in Citadel Protect '08 antiterrorism exercise.
• Defense Department at Forefront of Energy Conservation, Official Says AFPS 21 Oct 2008 -- The Defense Department is constantly looking for ways to proactively conserve and reuse energy.
• E-9A crews survey gulf, track missiles AFPN 21 Oct 2008 -- Tyndall Air Force Base crews help ensure the Gulf of Mexico waters are clear of boats and aircraft for live-fire missile launches during Air Force exercises.
• Dominican Republic Joins Global Maritime Info Sharing System Navy Newsstand 21 Oct 2008 -- US Navy and Dominican Republic officials met to launch Republic's involvement in the MSSIS.
• NATO fighters practice air defense over Baltic skies RIA Novosti 21 Oct 2008 -- NATO fighters started exercises aimed at policing the airspace over the Baltic countries as part of the Baltic air-policing mission.
• Mullen Offers Reassurance to Baltic Republics AFPS 21 Oct 2008 -- Following meeting with his Russian counterpart, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff traveled to Latvia.
• US, Russian Military Chiefs Meet to Discuss Georgia VOA 21 Oct 2008 -- The top US and Russian military officers met in Helsinki Tuesday to discuss Russia's invasion of Georgia and related issues.
• Dialogue With Russian Defense Chief Encourages Mullen AFPS 21 Oct 2008 -- Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff: Encouraged that Russian counterpart reached out to keep the dialogue open.
• Mullen Meets With Russian Counterpart in Helsinki AFPS 21 Oct 2008 -- Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff met with Russian counterpart in the first meeting since Russia's invasion of Georgia.
• Serbian, U.S. Officials View Balkans Regionally, Mullen Says AFPS 21 Oct 2008 -- Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff: Serbia and US disagree about Kosovo, but recognize relationship has to be about more.
• Russian warship passes through Suez on way to Somalia coast RIA Novosti 21 Oct 2008 -- A frigate from Russia's Baltic Fleet en route to the Somalia coast to join an international naval group fighting sea piracy.
• Russia denies talks on purchase of missile cruiser from Ukraine RIA Novosti 21 Oct 2008 -- Russia is currently not involved in talks with Ukraine over the purchase of an unfinished cruiser for the Russian Navy.
• Russia has over $5 bln in foreign naval orders RIA Novosti 21 Oct 2008 -- Foreign orders for Russian naval hardware for the next three years exceed $5 billion.
• Russia plans to sell $8 bln worth of weaponry in 2008 RIA Novosti 21 Oct 2008 -- Russia is expecting to increase its arms exports to $8 billion in 2008.
• Indonesia navy chief to discuss military ties in Moscow RIA Novosti 21 Oct 2008 -- Indonesia's navy chief of staff will start an official visit to Russia to discuss bilateral military-technical cooperation.
• Taiwan will not dispense with defense force: premier CNA 21 Oct 2008 -- Even if Taiwan signs peace pact with China the country should still maintain strong defense force.
• DPP lawmakers challenge president on "no war" statement CNA 21 Oct 2008 -- Opposition Democratic Progressive Party expressed concern over President Ma's assurance of "no war across the Taiwan Strait."
• No war in Taiwan Strait in next four years: president CNA 21 Oct 2008 -- President Ma reassured nation of strong commitment to preserving peace across the Taiwan Strait during his term.
• Ill-fated IDF fighter may have stalled before crash: Air Force officer CNA 21 Oct 2008 -- Air Force Official: Judging by the debris it left behind, an indigenous defense fighter may have stalled before crashing into sea.
• Anti-submarine helicopter crashes in eastern Taiwan CNA 21 Oct 2008 -- An anti-submarine helicopter carrying 5 officers crashed in waters off Hualien County in eastern Taiwan.
• UK extends non-proliferation inquiry to include conventional weapons IRNA 21 Oct 2008 -- The Foreign Affairs Committee announced amending the terms of reference in its inquiry into the British government's non-proliferation strategy to include conventional weapons.
• Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 21 Oct 2008
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Dana Perino The White House 21 Oct 2008

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for October 21, 2008
• Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM) Receives Milestone C Approval for Entry Into Low Rate Initial Production ATK 21 Oct 2008 -- The AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM) program has successfully completed a Milestone C review and received approval for entry into Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP).
• Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne to Boost Italian Defense and Disaster Prevention Satellite Pratt & Whitney 21 Oct 2008 -- Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) company, will help Italy further its national defense and disaster prevention by boosting a radar satellite into space on Oct. 24.
• BAE SYSTEMS DEMONSTRATES TECHNOLOGY LINKING DISSIMILAR RADIOS TO IMPROVE MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS BAE Systems 21 Oct 2008 -- BAE Systems has demonstrated networked communications technology that bridges dissimilar radio systems to give pilots and soldiers greater access to intelligence data, imagery, and video
• Boeing Partner Selected for Saudi Air Force C-130 Maintenance Contract Boeing 21 Oct 2008 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] partner Alsalam Aircraft Co. was recently awarded a three-year, $29 million contract to provide programmed depot maintenance (PDM) for the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) C-130 fleet.
• U.S. Navy Launches Raytheon Tomahawk Block IV From Virginia Class Submarine Raytheon 21 Oct 2008 -- A U.S. Navy Virginia class submarine fired a Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) Tomahawk Block IV missile from the Gulf of Mexico to engage a simulated target.
• Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Awards $46 Million Contract to SAIC SAIC 21 Oct 2008 -- Science Applications International Corporation (NYSE: SAI) today announced it has been awarded a contract by the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center (SSC) - Pacific to provide tactical data link (TDL) systems support.

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 21 Oct 2008
• World Court tells UN members to state their views on Kosovo's independence UN News 21 Oct 2008 -- ICJ has given UN Member States until April next year to submit written statements on the question of Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence.
• Israel Shuts Gaza After Rocket Strike VOA 21 Oct 2008 -- Israel has closed border crossings into the Gaza Strip, after militants fired a rocket from the territory, threatening a shaky four-month cease-fire.
• Fatah, Hamas accept Egypt's settlement proposals RIA Novosti 21 Oct 2008 -- Warring Palestinian factions, Fatah and Hamas, agreed to accept Egyptian mediators' proposals as a basis for the formation of a unity government.
• PHILIPPINES: Child soldiers in spotlight as Mindanao battle rages IRIN 21 Oct 2008 -- Muslim separatist rebels engaged in battle with Philippines troops on Mindanao island since August have continued to use children as combatants, despite international appeals to stop the practice, sources say
• NEPAL: Talks crucial to prevent upsurge in Terai violence – rights groups IRIN 21 Oct 2008 -- Rights activists are worried that delays in long-awaited peace talks between ethnic Madhesi, fighting for greater autonomy of the Terai region in the south, and the Nepalese government, could unleash more violence
• SUDAN: Preparing for massive demobilisation IRIN 21 Oct 2008 -- Sudan is planning to disarm, demobilise and re-integrate over 180,000 soldiers into civilian life, but the ambitious scheme to rebuild war-shattered communities could raise false expectations, observers warn
• SUDAN: Plight of Darfur's displaced worse than ever IRIN 21 Oct 2008 -- As Sudan lobbies the international community for support in its fight to ward off looming charges of genocide against its president, arguing they would endanger the "great strides" the government is making towards peace, people displaced by more than five years of fighting in Darfur tell a different story
• DRC-UGANDA: Congolese refugees flee to Uganda IRIN 21 Oct 2008 -- About 5,600 people who fled clashes in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have crossed into neighbouring Uganda, according to the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR
• Defection Of Lawmakers to Rebels Shocks Congolese VOA 21 Oct 2008 -- Democratic Republic of Congo President Kabila's government describing the defection of some lawmakers to join renegade army general Nkunda's rebel group treasonous.

News Reports

• Rice Warns Against Foreign Aid Cuts, Protectionism VOA 21 Oct 2008 -- US Secretary of State Rice appealing to wealthy countries not to cut development aid or resort to protectionist trade practices in the face of the global economic crisis.
• Rice, Zuma, Agree on Need to Complete Zimbabwe Power-Sharing Deal VOA 21 Oct 2008 -- US Sec of State Rice discussed the situation in Zimbabwe with Jacob Zuma, leader of South Africa's ruling ANC.
• Zimbabwe Ruling Party Accuses Opposition of Stalling VOA 21 Oct 2008 -- Zimbabwe's ruling party accused opposition leader Tsvangirai of stalling on a power-sharing deal, after Tsvangirai refused to attend a regional summit to save the accord.
• Tymoshenko Allies Block Ukrainian Parliament Session VOA 21 Oct 2008 -- Supporters of Ukrainian PMTymoshenko blocked a parliamentary session the president called on economic crisis funding.
• Decree to reopen Ukrainian parliament comes into force RIA Novosti 21 Oct 2008 -- Decision to suspend the dissolution of parliament to respond to the country's financial crisis came into force on Tuesday.