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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• Oct. 27 airpower summary: KC-135 provides fuel support AFPN 27 Oct 2008 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and ISAF in Afghanistan during operations.
• Transcript: DoD News Briefing with Col. Caraccilo from Iraq US Dept. of Defense 28 Oct 2008 -- Presenter: Commander, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Col. Dominic Caraccilo
• Seabees in Kuwait Support Army While Strengthening Skills Navy NewsStand 28 Oct 2008 -- A team of five equipment operators from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 4 completed placing a foundation Oct. 22 for a building, but they're building a skill set which will last a a lifetime.
• Airmen receive cavalry spurs for building new base AFNS 28 Oct 2008 -- For their efforts in building more than 25,000 square feet of housing and administrative offices for 1st Cavalry Division Soldiers of 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 29 Air Force Airmen received cavalry combat spurs, symbolic of cavalry service in a combat zone, from the squadron's commander at Forward Operating Base Hunter, Iraq, Oct. 20.
• Coalition Forces in Iraq Capture Suspects, Seize Caches AFPS 28 Oct 2008 -- Coalition forces apprehended 11 suspected terrorist as they continued operations to dismantle al-Qaida in Iraq networks.
• Infantry Marines supplement security platoon MCN 28 Oct 2008 -- For most of the Marines of Provisional Rifle Platoon 3, Regimental Combat Team 5, common infantry training is an uncommon virtue.
• Poland ends Iraq military mission, pulls out last troops IRNA 28 Oct 2008 -- Poland ended its 5.5 year military mission in Iraq by withdrawing its last troops from the Middle East country.
• Iraqi Security Forces Increase Footprint in Southern Baghdad AFPS 28 Oct 2008 -- Iraqi forces once needed 10,000 American troops to maintain security, but by next month, the number will drop to fewer than 1,800.
• Iraq Wants US Troop Pact Changes VOA 28 Oct 2008 -- Iraq will propose changes to a controversial draft security pact with the United States.
• US Commander Develops Regional Transition Task Force in Iraq VOA 28 Oct 2008 -- US commander says he developed Transition Task Force to give Iraqi forces responsibility for security in the area.
• US Raid in Syria Targets Al-Qaida Weapons Smuggler VOA 28 Oct 2008 -- US official: Helicopter attack in Syria believed to have killed head of network that had been smuggling weapons and foreign fighters into Iraq.
• Iraq condemns US for Syria air raid IRNA 28 Oct 2008 -- Iraq has denounced a raid into Syria at the weekend, saying it does not want its territory to be used as a launch point for US attacks on its neighbors.
• Iraq 'Rejects' Deadly Helicopter Attack on Eastern Syria VOA 28 Oct 2008 -- The Iraqi government has criticized Sunday's helicopter raid on eastern Syria that Damascus blames on U.S. forces.
• AFGHANISTAN: Little help for civilians repeatedly displaced by conflict IRIN 28 Oct 2008
• Afghan, Pakistani Leaders Offer Olive Branch To Militants RFE/RL 28 Oct 2008 -- Politicians and tribal leaders from Afghanistan and Pakistan have concluded two-day talks in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, offering an olive branch to militants willing to lay down their arms, and warning that action will be taken against those challenging state authority
• U.S. Forces Kill Militants After Helicopter Attack in Afghanistan AFPS 28 Oct 2008 -- US forces assigned to NATO-ISAF killed 12 militants while securing site where helicopter was forced to land after taking enemy fire.
• Afghanistan, Pakistan, US Military Forces Cooperate in Border Region VOA 28 Oct 2008 -- Mutual distrust between Afghanistan and Pakistan has hampered efforts to combat terrorism along their common border.
• US Considers Talks With Some Afghan Taliban Elements VOA 28 Oct 2008 -- State Department officials: US considering contacts with elements of Afghanistan's militant Islamic Taliban movement.
• Pakistani, Afghan Delegates Agree to Talks With Taliban VOA 28 Oct 2008 -- Pakistani and Afghan leaders meeting in Islamabad agreed to seek talks with Taliban in a bid to limit violence along shared border.
• Pak-Afghan cooperation to counter terrorism: FM Qureshi IRNA 28 Oct 2008 -- FM Qureshi emphasized close cooperation between Pakistan and Afghanistan to effectively counter terrorism and extremism Monday.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Gates: Oversight, Modernization Critical to U.S. Nuclear Deterrent AFPS 28 Oct 2008 -- SecDef Gates: As long as others who could potentially threaten the United States possess or seek nuclear weapons, it's critical that the United States does as well.
• Gates Wants New Generation of US Nuclear Weapons VOA 28 Oct 2008 -- US SecDef Gates: Development of a new generation of nuclear weapons to deter potential adversaries, including rogue states and terrorists.
• Coast Guard Gets Expanded Budget for Fiscal 2009 AFPS 28 Oct 2008 -- USCG received large budget increase for FY09 as part of Consolidated Security Disaster Assistance and Continuing Appropriations Act.
• Tinker, community celebrate aerospace complex partnership AFNS 28 Oct 2008 -- Air Force, Tinker Air Force Base, state and community leaders celebrated the Tinker Aerospace Complex lease signing Oct. 23 here.
• Personnel center adds new mission; helps veterans, VA AFNS 28 Oct 2008 -- Air Force officials announced an added mission for the Air Force Personnel Center at Randolph AFB, Texas, beginning Oct. 30 to improve the accountability of medical records and aid in the timely processing of veterans' disability claims.
• Hanscom team works to lower person-borne IED threat AFPN 28 Oct 2008 -- Members of an Electronic Systems Center office are working to minimize the threat of suicide bombings at the entry points of controlled-access zones in Iraq and Afghanistan.
• AW2 opens its doors to more wounded warriors Army News 28 Oct 2008 -- The Army Wounded Warrior Program has expanded it's criteria so more severely wounded, ill and injured Soldiers can participate, the program's leaders said in an interview Friday
• Speech: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (Washington, D.C.) US Dept. of Defense 28 Oct 2008 -- As Delivered by Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates, Washington, D.C., Tuesday, October 28, 2008
• New Commander for Navy Region Hawaii, Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific Navy NewsStand 28 Oct 2008 -- Commander, Navy Region Hawaii (CNRH) and Commander, Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific (CNSG MIDPAC) held a change of command ceremony aboard Naval Station Pearl Harbor Oct. 24.
• Stennis Bomb Builders Certified to Support Maritime Security Efforts Navy NewsStand 28 Oct 2008 -- Weapons department bomb assembly division (G-3) aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) earned their Mine Readiness Certification Oct. 22.
• Assault Craft Unit 4 Enables Maritime Strategy's Power Projection Capability Navy NewsStand 28 Oct 2008 -- A detachment of Sailors and Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) from Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 4 embarked aboard the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) to support amphibious operations for the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG).
• Navy Medicine Info Systems Center Relocates to San Antonio Navy NewsStand 28 Oct 2008 -- The Navy Medicine Information Systems Support Activity (NAVMISSA) held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Oct. 21 to celebrate the command's arrival in San Antonio.
• 82nd Airborne Trains to Re-assume Global Response Force Mission AFPS 28 Oct 2008 -- Competing requirements could threaten ability to project no-notice combat power and conduct forced-entry missions.
• New Simulator Provides Realistic Training, Improves Readiness Navy Newsstand 28 Oct 2008 -- Helicopter Maritime Strike Sqdrn 41 unveiled MH-60R flight simulator, the Tactical Operational Flight Trainer III, Oct. 6.
• Medvedev says 'U.S. sanctions will not hurt Russia' RIA Novosti 28 Oct 2008 -- Russian President Medvedev: Sanctions on state arms exporter shortsighted, and will not have negative impact on Russia.
• Russia, EU to continue unofficial talks on pan-European security RIA Novosti 28 Oct 2008 -- Russia and the EU have agreed to continue unofficial talks on a pan-European security treaty.
• Russia to boost ties within CSTO, form joint air defense network RIA Novosti 28 Oct 2008 -- Russia planning to expand military-technical cooperation and build a CSTO integrated air defense network.
• Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 28 Oct 2008
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Dana Perino The White House 28 Oct 2008

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for October 28, 2008
• L-3 Awarded $92 Million Task Order by U.S. Army L-3 Communications 28 Oct 2008 -- L-3 Communications (NYSE: LLL) announced that its Global Security & Engineering Solutions (GS&ES) unit has been awarded a five-year, $92.2 million task order by the General Services Administration's Federal Acquisition Service for the U.S. Army's Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC).
• Lockheed Martin Wins IT Contract to Support Defense Media Activity Lockheed Martin 28 Oct 2008 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has been selected by the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) to provide Information Technology support across its Defense Media Activity (DMA) organization.
• Lockheed Martin Completes Modernization Of Air Defense System For Romania Lockheed Martin 28 Oct 2008 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has completed installation of an air defense and communications network modernization project for the Romanian Air Force.
• Northrop Grumman Wins Contract to Upgrade Steering Systems for USS Carl Vinson Northrop Grumman 28 Oct 2008 -- The U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command has awarded a contract to Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) Sperry Marine business unit to upgrade the steering control systems for the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70).
• Raytheon Team Successfully Demonstrates Information Sharing Firsts at Empire Challenge 2008 Raytheon 28 Oct 2008 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) accomplished several industry firsts including enhancing data sharing with coalition forces and multiple coalition sites worldwide at the Empire Challenge 2008.
• Sagem Défense Sécurité Vampir NG infrared search & track system chosen for Australia’s new LHD amphibious assault ships Sagem (Safran group) 28 Oct 2008 -- Sagem Défense Sécurité (SAFRAN Group) has won a contract from BAE Systems Australia, in an international call for tenders, to supply VAMPIR NG* infrared surveillance systems for the Royal Australian Navy’s future Canberra class LHD (Landing Helicopter Deck) amphibious assault ships.
• New Sonar 2076 contract for Astute Boat 4 Thales 28 Oct 2008 -- The contract is to supply Thales' Sonar 2076 system to BAE Systems, to be fitted to the latest submarine during build at the shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness. The Thales contract is for a complete sonar system, comprising both inboard and outboard of Bow, Fin, Intercept and Flank Arrays and the associated inboard processing. The total value of this contract now stands at more than £18 million.
• Harbour security - DUBM-44 new generation mine hunting sonar Thales 28 Oct 2008 -- This mine detection system employs state-of-the-art synthetic aperture sonar technology to deliver real-time imagery with unparalleled levels of resolution to users on the host vessel.

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 28 Oct 2008
• Russia: No EU Monitors in Georgian Breakaway Territories VOA 28 Oct 2008 -- Russia says it opposes the deployment of EU monitors inside two Georgian breakaway territories that Moscow now recognizes as independent countries.
• Russia warns Georgia not to shun Geneva talks RIA Novosti 28 Oct 2008 -- Russia's FM warned Georgia that refusal to attend Geneva talks along with S Ossetian and Abkhazian representatives would threaten region.
• Georgian general who announced S.Ossetia attack faces pressure RIA Novosti 28 Oct 2008 -- Georgian general who announced Georgia's 'counterattack' against S Ossetia before an official decision faced a grilling in Tbilisi.
• Ex-Georgian leader's son released on bail RIA Novosti 28 Oct 2008 -- The son of Georgia's first post-Soviet president, Zviad Gamsakhurdia, arrested on suspicion of spying for Russia, has been released on bail.
• Georgians Contemplate Future Five Years After Rose Revolution VOA 28 Oct 2008 -- Its famous Rose Revolution in November 2003 was to usher in a new era for the former Soviet Republic of Georgia.
• EU mission in Kosovo may be fully deployed in December RIA Novosti 28 Oct 2008 -- EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana: European Union justice mission to Kosovo could be fully deployed in December.
• Sudan Urges Condemnation of Darfur Rebel Group for Oil Worker Deaths VOA 28 Oct 2008 -- Sudan urged international community to condemn the Justice and Equality Movement rebel group, which it accuses of executing Chinese oil workers.
• Progress in Darfur undermined by ongoing conflict, UN peacekeeping chief says UN News 28 Oct 2008 -- UN and AU making good progress in the deployment of force in Darfur, but the war-wracked region of western Sudan remains beset by fighting.
• Lack of mutual trust main obstacle to north-south peace in Sudan - UN report UN News 28 Oct 2008 -- A lack of mutual trust between the signatories remains the main challenge to implementing the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement.
• Regional Conference on Somalia Security Opens in Kenya VOA 28 Oct 2008 -- A regional conference on security in Somalia has opened in Nairobi.
• Russian frigate begins anti-piracy patrols off Somalia coast RIA Novosti 28 Oct 2008 -- A missile frigate from Russia's Baltic Fleet started patrolling waters in the Gulf of Aden to protect Russian ships from pirate attacks.
• Press conference by Secretary-General’s Special Representative On Democratic Republic of Congo United Nations 28 Oct 2008
• Force not the solution in violence-ridden eastern DR Congo, top UN envoy says UN News 28 Oct 2008 -- Top UN envoy: Diplomacy not military action only solution to the fighting that has engulfed the volatile far east of the country.
• DRC Rebels Accuse UN Mission of Abdicating Neutral Role in Conflict VOA 28 Oct 2008 -- Rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo loyal to renegade army General Laurent Nkunda accusing MONUC of backing the national army.
• Rebels Continue Offensive in Eastern DRC VOA 28 Oct 2008 -- Witnesses say government troops are retreating in the face of a rebel offensive in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
• Nepalese-driven peace process globally acclaimed, says Ban UN News 28 Oct 2008 -- Secretary-General Ban: World has recognized the strides towards peace Nepalis have made, commending parties in the Asian country for commitment to democracy.

News Reports

• Zimbabwe Opposition Says Ruling Party Not 'Genuine' in Power-Sharing Deal VOA 28 Oct 2008 -- Secretary general of Zimbabwe's Movement for Democratic Change: President Mugabe not ready to enter "genuine" cooperative government under power-sharing agreement.
• Tymoshenko bloc halts lawsuit against election decree RIA Novosti 28 Oct 2008 -- Ukraine's Tymoshenko Bloc has withdrawn lawsuit against a decree dissolving parliament and calling early parliamentary elections.
• Israeli Parties Call for February 10 Election VOA 28 Oct 2008 -- Two of Israel's main political parties are calling for early elections to be held in February.
• PRESS CONFERENCE BY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF RUSSIAN FEDERATION ON CURRENT ISSUES OF SIXTY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY SESSION United Nations 28 Oct 2008