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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 22 Oct 2008 [PDF]
• Oct. 21 airpower summary: A-10s provide escort for convoys AFPN 22 Oct 2008 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and ISAF in Afghanistan during operations.
• Transcript: DoD News Briefing with Col. Hickman from Iraq US Dept. of Defense 22 Oct 2008 -- Presenter: U.S. Army, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Multinational Division-Baghdad, Colonel William Hickman, Col. William Hickman
• Transcript: DoD News Briefing with Geoff Morrell from the Pentagon US Dept. of Defense 22 Oct 2008 -- Presenter: Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell
• Al-Qaida Linked Militants Confirm Commander's Death in Iraq VOA 22 Oct 2008 -- A militant group linked to al-Qaida in Iraq confirmed top commander killed in a military raid earlier this month.
• Britain's airforce criticized over deaths of servicemen in Iraq IRNA 22 Oct 2008 -- An inquest into deaths of 10 British servicemen killed in Iraq when their aircraft was shot down condemned behaviour of country's air force.
• Pentagon Remains Focused on Iraqi Agreement, Official Says AFPS 22 Oct 2008 -- Pentagon remains focused on getting a status of forces agreement with Iraq, and not on contingency plans.
• US Presses Iraq to Accept Draft Forces Agreement VOA 22 Oct 2008 -- The United States pressed the Iraqi government to accept the draft agreement governing the future presence of U.S. troops in that country.
• 'Not a Lot of Give' in Draft Iraq Agreement, Mullen Says AFPS 22 Oct 2008 -- Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff: "not a lot of give" in putting in place the draft status of forces agreement between Iraq and US.
• Iraq Status of Forces Draft Protects U.S. Servicemembers, Gates Says AFPS 22 Oct 2008 -- SecDef Gates: Draft status of forces agreement contains adequate protections for US military members.
• FM: Iraq issue should be removed from UN chapter 7 IRNA 22 Oct 2008 -- Iranian FM Manouchehr Mottaki: Iraq should be removed from chapter seven of the UN Charter and no reason for continuation of status quo.
• AFGHANISTAN: Rights body accuses Taliban IRIN 22 Oct 2008 -- The Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) has accused Taliban insurgents of systematic and widespread attacks on civilians
• Once A Sign Of Hope, Afghan Highway Becomes A Taliban Hunting Ground RFE/RL 22 Oct 2008 -- Following its reconstruction in 2003, the Kabul-to-Kandahar highway was seen as a logistical lifeline that would bring hope and promise for Afghanistan's future
• Purported Survivor Recounts Horror Of Afghan Bus Ambush RFE/RL 22 Oct 2008 -- Nearly a week after an ambush on a bus en route from the southern city of Kandahar to the western city of Herat, Taliban militants have claimed responsibility for killing 27 passengers that they claim were Afghan National Army soldiers
• Coalition, Afghans Kill Taliban Commanders, Dozens More AFPS 22 Oct 2008 -- Coalition and Afghan forces killed dozens of militants, including two Taliban commanders.
• AF officials agree to ship 18 cargo planes to Afghanistan AFPN 22 Oct 2008 -- Deal done for the Air Force officials to ship 18 G-222 cargo planes to the Afghan National Air Corps.
• NATO airstrike kills 9 Afghan soldiers by mistake RIA Novosti 22 Oct 2008 -- NATO warplanes mistakenly bombed an Afghan National Army checkpoint, killing 9 soldiers and wounding 3.
• Afghan Soldiers Accidentally Killed in Friendly Fire Attack VOA 22 Oct 2008 -- A number of Afghan soldiers have died in a so-called friendly fire air strike in the eastern part of Afghanistan.
• The Trouble with the U.S.-Iraq Pact; Saudis Broker Taliban-Karzai Talks cfr.org 22 Oct 2008
• British Defense Secretary Visits Troops, Meets Afghan Leaders VOA 22 Oct 2008 -- Britain's defense secretary met in Kabul with President Karzai and members of Afghanistan's Cabinet.
• Pakistan, Afghan FMs begin talks on security cooperation IRNA 22 Oct 2008 -- Pakistan and Afghan Foreign Ministers opened talks in Islamabad to step up cooperation against Taliban.
• Pentagon Spokesman Cites Pakistan's Improved Security Efforts AFPS 22 Oct 2008 -- US defense leaders noted Pakistan's improved efforts to crack down on al-Qaida and other terrorists operating there.
• Pakistan Parliament Calls For Security Strategy Review VOA 22 Oct 2008 -- Pakistan's parliament called for urgent review of the nation's security strategy, with an emphasis on dialogue aimed at reducing violence.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Navy Commissions Submarine New Hampshire US Dept. of Defense 22 Oct 2008 -- The Navy's newest attack submarine New Hampshire (SSN 778) will be commissioned Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008, during a 10 a.m. EDT ceremony at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine.
• Officials call energy efficiency 'huge priority' for Air Force AFPN 22 Oct 2008 -- As the largest consumer of energy in the federal government, the Air Force has made conserving resources a priority.
• UAS volunteers sought for Air Force test program; deadline approaching AFNS 22 Oct 2008 -- Air Force officials are seeking up to 20 captains with four to six years of experience to volunteer for the unmanned aircraft systems beta test program.
• Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center Receives Unit's First F/A-18F Super Hornet Navy Newsstand 22 Oct 2008 -- Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center (NSAWC) landed unit's first F/A-18F Super Hornet Oct 21.
• Agility, flexibility, teamwork: Key components of airpower AFNS 22 Oct 2008 -- Examine most successful business or sports teams, and you may find their foundation is based on flexibility, agility and teamwork
• Congressional team evaluates Airmen's living quarters AFNS 22 Oct 2008 -- A two-person House Appropriations Committee Studies and Investigations team spoke to Airmen and inspected dormitories on Ramstein Air Base and Kapaun Air Station in Germany in October.
• Language company first in Army Army News 22 Oct 2008 -- The recently formed 51st Translator Interpreter Company at Fort Irwin, Calif., is the first unit of its kind in the Army.
• Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command Addresses Current Events Navy NewsStand 22 Oct 2008 -- Adm. Jonathan Greenert, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFF) recorded a podcast Oct. 17 to discuss current events and the recent Great White Fleet celebration in New York City.
• Continuing Promise Team Has Eyes on Curacao Navy NewsStand 22 Oct 2008 -- Medical personnel from USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) conducted a two-day optometry clinic in Willemstad Oct. 20-21 in support of the humanitarian/civic assistance mission Continuing Promise (CP) 2008.
• U.S. says NATO warplanes to patrol Baltic airspace through 2011 RIA Novosti 22 Oct 2008 -- NATO will continue patrolling Baltic airspace until at least 2011.
• US Military Chief Says NATO to Defend Baltics in Any Military Attack VOA 22 Oct 2008 -- The US assured the 3 Baltic countries bordering Russia they can rely on NATO protection in case of a military attack.
• Mullen Continues Talks with Baltic Allies in Lithuania AFPS 22 Oct 2008 -- Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff reaffirmed America's commitment to collective defense of NATO during meetings with Baltic allies.
• Russia's new-generation RS-24 ICBM to enter service in 2009 RIA Novosti 22 Oct 2008 -- A new-generation RS-24 multiple-warhead missile system will enter service with Russia's Strategic Missile Forces in 2009.
• Russia test launches RS-18 ICBM from Baikonur in Kazakhstan RIA Novosti 22 Oct 2008 -- Russia's Strategic Missile Forces successfully launched an RS-18 ICBM in Kazakhstan.
• Russia Test-Fires Soviet-era Missile VOA 22 Oct 2008 -- Russia has test-fired an old Soviet intercontinental ballistic missile as part of efforts to check on the weapon's reliability and extend its service.
• Russian warship en route for anti-piracy mission off Somalia RIA Novosti 22 Oct 2008 -- A missile frigate from Russia's Baltic Fleet passed through Suez Canal on its way to join naval group fighting piracy.
• Russia may discuss Black Sea Fleet base extension 'closer to 2017' RIA Novosti 22 Oct 2008 -- Moscow will be ready to discuss the extension of its naval presence in Sevastopol, Ukraine 'at a later stage.'
• Russia says media reports on possible Arctic conflict 'alarmist' RIA Novosti 22 Oct 2008 -- Russia's Foreign Ministry believes media speculation possibility of war over the Arctic ungrounded and "alarmist."
• 22 Navy officers disciplined over grounding of missile boat CNA 22 Oct 2008 -- 22 naval officers, including the commander of the ROC Navy, have been disciplined over grounding of Kuang Hua No. 6 Missile boat.
• Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 22 Oct 2008
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Dana Perino The White House 22 Oct 2008

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for October 22, 2008
• CACI Awarded $406 Million in Previously Unannounced Contracts to Support National Security and Intelligence CACI 22 Oct 2008 -- CACI International Inc (NYSE:CAI) announced today that it has been awarded approximately $406 million in previously unannounced contracts with federal government clients in the national security and intelligence communities.
• BAE SYSTEMS, GENERAL DYNAMICS TEAM ON U.S. NAVY SYSTEM TO DEFEAT SOPHISTICATED MARITIME THREATS BAE Systems 22 Oct 2008 -- BAE Systems has teamed with General Dynamics to compete for the U.S. Navy's upcoming Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program (SEWIP) Block 2 upgrade effort
• FIRST FLIGHT OF TYPHOON IN ROYAL SAUDI AIR FORCE LIVERY BAE Systems 22 Oct 2008 -- A Eurofighter Typhoon fighter aircraft in the full two-tone grey livery of the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) has flown for the first time today at BAE Systems' Warton Aerodrome in Lancashire, North West England
• Lockheed Martin's Joint Air-To-Surface Standoff Missile Extended Range Successful in Latest Flight Test Lockheed Martin 22 Oct 2008 -- A Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile Extended Range (JASSM-ER) successfully completed a recent integration flight test at White Sands Missile Range, NM.
• Northrop Grumman to Upgrade Accident Data Recording System for UK's Sentry E-3D AWACS Aircraft Northrop Grumman 22 Oct 2008 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has been awarded a contract by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to develop and install a replacement Accident Data Recording System (ADRS) for the Sentry E-3D Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft based at RAF Waddington
• Key Flight Software Delivered For Missile Warning Satellite Built By Lockheed Martin Lockheed Martin 22 Oct 2008 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has delivered the latest block of flight software for the first geosynchronous orbit (GEO-1) spacecraft in the Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) program.
• Northrop Grumman Awarded Equipment and Logistics Services Contract Northrop Grumman 22 Oct 2008 -- The U.S. Department of State has awardedNorthrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) a task order under the AfricanContingency Operations Training and Assistance (ACOTA) contract toprovide equipment and logistics services.
• Northrop Grumman and Digital Fountain Fortify Airborne Network With Increased Range and Throughput Northrop Grumman 22 Oct 2008 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) and Digital Fountain announced that they have again successfully demonstrated the ability to improve military data link range, reliability and throughput using advanced forward error correction (FEC) technology.
• Navy Awards Contract to Raytheon for Continued Support for LPD 17 Raytheon 22 Oct 2008 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has been awarded a U.S. Navy contract for up to $23 million for lifecycle engineering and support for the LPD 17 class of amphibious warfare ships.
• SkyLite B Breaks World Records Rafael 22 Oct 2008 -- Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. together with Bluebird Aero Systems Ltd., announces that the SkyLite B, mini-UAV, reached the remarkable flight ceiling of 36,000 ft during recent demonstrations of operational flight capabilities for a tactical reconnaissance team operating in mountainous areas.

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 22 Oct 2008
• Italy pledges 3 mln euros in aid to Georgia RIA Novosti 22 Oct 2008 -- Italy will provide 3 million euros ($3.8 million) worth of humanitarian aid to Georgia this year to help rebuild the country.
• Israel closes Gaza border in response to rocket attack RIA Novosti 22 Oct 2008 -- Israeli Defense Minister Barak ordered temporary closure of border crossings with Gaza Strip after Palestinian militants fired a rocket into Israel.
• Riots in Acre Expose Israeli Arabs' Frustrations VOA 22 Oct 2008 -- Clashes between Jews and Israeli Arabs highlight tensions between Arabs and Jews in areas where the two have coexisted peacefully.
• Ugandan rebels kill six civilians in DR Congo, UN mission reports UN News 22 Oct 2008 -- Ugandan rebel forces operating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo killed six civilians in a deadly attack in the north-east.
• Niger Delta Governor Defends The Use Of Force Against Miitants VOA 22 Oct 2008 -- Violence down in the Niger Delta and the government says security operations made it impossible for militants to attack at will.
• Report Warns of Renewed Threat of Conflict in Central Sudan VOA 22 Oct 2008 -- A new International Crisis Group report warning of risk of conflict in the Sudanese state of Southern Kordofan.
• SUDAN: LRA rebels put Congo civilians to flight IRIN 22 Oct 2008 -- The recent attack on Dungu town in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo by the Ugandan rebel Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) occurred on a quiet morning, displaced civilians said
• African Union Backs EU Ultimatum to Mauritania Military Junta VOA 22 Oct 2008 -- The AU reportedly backing EU's ultimatum to military junta to restore democracy by the end of the month or face stiff sanctions.
• Cambodians Favor Diplomatic Solution to Temple Standoff With Thailand VOA 22 Oct 2008 -- Nationalist fervor rising in Cambodia over what Cambodians consider to be an illegal occupation of their land around the Preah Vihear temple by Thai troops.
• Rival Cyprus Leaders Hold New Round of Talks VOA 22 Oct 2008 -- Rival leaders in Cyprus held new round of talks in Nicosia as they continue to discuss a power-sharing agreement to resolve the division of the Mediterranean island.
• SOMALIA: Conflict, drought force more children onto Hargeisa streets IRIN 22 Oct 2008 -- Conflict, drought and economic hardships have led to an unprecedented increase in the number of street children in Hargeisa, capital of Somalia’s self-declared independent republic of Somaliland, with government and aid agencies calling for urgent steps to stem the increase

News Reports

• PRESS CONFERENCE BY UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME ADMINISTRATOR United Nations 22 Oct 2008
• Zimbabwe Crisis Summit in Danger VOA 22 Oct 2008 -- Zimbabwe PM-Designate Tsvangirai says he may not take part in Monday's planned summit of southern African leaders to resume Zimbabwe crisis talks.
• AFRICA: Red Cross broadens its range of assistance IRIN 22 Oct 2008 -- African governments are failing to make proper use of local Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, despite their capacity to provide much-needed broad humanitarian support, including funding and local volunteers, the agencies concluded at a conference this week
• Values, Energy Compete As European Parliament Debates Russia Policy RFE/RL 22 Oct 2008 -- During a broad European Parliament debate in Strasbourg on October 21, senior EU officials said Russia's recent actions in Georgia cannot go unchallenged
• Ukraine opposition chief accuses government over financial crisis RIA Novosti 22 Oct 2008 -- A opposition party leader demanded dismissal of PM Tymoshenko's government over handling of global economic crisis.