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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Dec. 12 airpower summary: Reapers watch or strike AFNS 13 Dec 2008 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 12, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.
• NATO troops fire on bus in Afghanistan, killing 4 RIA Novosti 13 Dec 2008 -- NATO forces in Afghanistan have killed four passengers on a bus that failed to stop when driving toward their patrol, the ISAF press service said.
• British Prime Minister Visits Afghanistan VOA 13 Dec 2008 -- The British prime minister is in the Afghan capital, Kabul, for talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai.

Defense Policy / Programs

• US Commander Says Some Troops to Remain in Iraq Cities Past Deadline VOA 13 Dec 2008 -- The top U.S. commander in Iraq says U.S. forces will remain in Iraqi cities beyond the June deadline set for their withdrawal from urban areas.
• U.S. Forces on Track to Be out of Iraqi Cities by Summer, General Says AFPS 13 Dec 2008 -- U.S. combat forces are on track to be out of Iraqi cities by June 30 in accordance with the recently signed status of forces agreement between the United States and Iraq, the top U.S. general in Iraq said today.
• Gates Travels to Iraq, Talks With Leaders, Troops AFPS 13 Dec 2008 -- The mission in Iraq is still relevant despite the recent political attention on the fight in Afghanistan, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told troops here today.
• Admiral Skeptical as US Seeks to Pursue Pirates onto Land VOA 13 Dec 2008 -- The Pentagon says it is looking into how it might act on a draft U.N. Security Council resolution, being circulated by the United States, that would, for the first time, authorize military action against pirate bases inside Somalia.
• Defense Secretary Reassures US Allies in Gulf, Iraq; Warns Iran VOA 13 Dec 2008 -- During a trip to Bahrain, U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates reassured U.S. allies in the Gulf that Washington is prepared to defend them in the event of any unforeseen conflict. Mr. Gates then made an unannounced visit to Baghdad.
• U.S. delegation to visit Moscow for strategic security talks RIA Novosti 13 Dec 2008 -- A U.S. delegation will visit Moscow next week for talks on missile defense in Europe, arms reduction and other strategic security issues, the State Department said.
• Gates Promises Continuity, Urges Cooperation for Middle East Initiatives AFPS 13 Dec 2008 -- Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates opened the first session of the Manama Dialogue here today, pledging continued U.S. participation in the security of the Gulf and encouraging the Arab world to embrace Iraq and Afghanistan diplomatically and economically.
• NMCB 21 Seabees Refine Small-Unit Skills During Operation Cool Breeze Navy NewsStand 13 Dec 2008 -- Neither freezing temperatures nor an overnight snowfall could stop more than 100 Seabees from Alfa Company of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 21 from successful completion of Operation Cool Breeze Dec. 4-7.
• USS Jacksonville Commanding Officer Retires; Welcomes New CO Aboard Navy NewsStand 13 Dec 2008 -- The crew of USS Jacksonville (SSN 699) held a change-of-command ceremony Dec. 12 on Naval Station Norfolk's Pier 3.
• Trident Warrior Includes International Partners, Increases Warfighting Capability Navy NewsStand 13 Dec 2008 -- The commander of U.S. 2nd Fleet addressed attendees at the opening session of the main planning conference for exercise Trident Warrior 09 (TW 09) at Norfolk Naval Station Dec. 9.
• Marines Maintain Proficiency with New Orleans' Indoor Weapons Trainer Navy NewsStand 13 Dec 2008 -- Marines aboard amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18) have the unique opportunity to train with a variety of weapons indoors, unaffected by elements or time of day.
• VP-46 Returns From Multi-Theater Deployment, Maintains Stellar Safety Record Navy NewsStand 13 Dec 2008 -- The "Grey Knights" of Patrol Squadron (VP) 46 returned to Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island Dec. 10 after a six-month deployment in support of operations in Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
• New Facility will be Dedicated to Littoral Warfare Systems Navy NewsStand 13 Dec 2008 -- The Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSWC PCD), a field activity of Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), held a ground-breaking ceremony Dec. 11 for the Littoral Warfare Systems Facility (LWSF).
• Experimental Divers Take Part in Multinational Exercise Navy NewsStand 13 Dec 2008 -- Naval Experimental Diving Unit (NEDU), a field activity of the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), returned Dec. 3 from an international deep diving exercise on the island of Curacao in the Netherland Antilles.
• Gulfport Recapitalization Project on Track Navy NewsStand 13 Dec 2008 -- Naval Construction Battalion Center (NCBC) Gulfport is seeing remarkable change to many of its facilities due to Hurricane Katrina recapitalization. Many projects are underway or already completed, with the next noticeable change being the demolition of the old armory.

Defense Industry

• Northrop Grumman Christens Sixth Virginia-Class Submarine, New Mexico (SSN 779) Northrop Grumman 13 Dec 2008 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) christened today the sixth submarine of the Virginia class, New Mexico (SSN 779), at the company's Shipbuilding sector in Newport News, Va.

Other Conflicts

News Reports

• 'It Is All The Same Games,' Turkmen Activist Says About Elections RFE/RL 13 Dec 2008 -- Sazak Durdymuradov, a journalist, teacher, and activist from Bakharden district in Turkmenistan's Akhal Province, had his candidacy to run in the country's parliamentary elections on December 14 rejected by Turkmen officials, for unknown reasons
• Former Thai PM Thaksin Demands Army Avoid Politics VOA 13 Dec 2008 -- Thousands of supporters of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra filled a Bangkok stadium Saturday to watch a pre-recorded speech in which he demanded the military stay out of politics.