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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 22 Dec 2008 [PDF]
• Marine killed in action
• DoD News: DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• DoD News: DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• Dec. 21 airpower summary: F-15Es deter anti-Afghan forces AFNS 22 Dec 2008 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 21, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.
• Iraqi, Coalition Forces Detain Six Terrorist Suspects AFPS 22 Dec 2008 -- Coalition and Iraqi security forces detained six terrorist suspects in operations in recent days, military officials said.
• Daily Attacks in Iraq Drop Nearly 95 Percent AFPS 22 Dec 2008 -- The number of daily attacks in Iraq has dropped nearly 95 percent since last year, a U.S. military official said yesterday.
• Coalition forces continue drawdown in Iraq MNF-I 22 Dec 2008 -- In September 2008, the President of the United States announced an American military force drawdown in Iraq
• Scout snipers demonstrate proficiency, adapt to climate change USMC News 22 Dec 2008 -- A shot is fired and it resonates across the open desert. Through his high powered scope, a scout sniper confirms a hit
• Marines Facilitate Regional Security Meeting USMC News 22 Dec 2008 -- Reserve Marines from 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5 based here worked with local Iraqi leadership to hold the first-ever regional security meeting for the Rutbah district Dec. 20



• DoD Announces Afghanistan Force Deployment DoD 22 Dec 2008 -- The Department of Defense announces today the deployment of the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, from Ft. Bragg, N.C.
• Pentagon Confirms Reports More US Forces to be Sent to Afghanistan VOA 22 Dec 2008 -- The Pentagon has confirmed reports that it will send a helicopter unit to Afghanistan early next year to support thousands of additional ground troops it plans to deploy to join NATO's force in the country.
• Afghans, Coalition Respond to Bombs, Drugs in Southern Afghanistan AFPS 22 Dec 2008 -- Afghan and coalition forces traded fire with insurgents in southern Afghanistan yesterday after responding to a roadside bomb explosion, military officials said.
• Predators on patrol in Afghanistan AFNS 22 Dec 2008 -- As the demand for intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance assets in Afghanistan increases, a small group of Airmen at a base in the southern region of the country are working to meet the demand.
• NATO Operations Chief Discusses Deployments, Caveats AFPS 22 Dec 2008 -- Most American troops deploying to Afghanistan in the next year will go to Regional Command South, the deputy chief of staff for operations for NATO’s International Security Assistance Force said here today.
• NATO Allows Forces to Cooperate in Attacking Drug/Taliban Nexus AFPS 22 Dec 2008 -- Opium poppy is a crippling problem for the Afghan government, and a NATO decision in October is having an effect on the battlefield, officials of the alliance’s International Security Assistance Force said today.
• Command Changes Hands for Afghan Security Forces Training AFPS 22 Dec 2008 -- The effort to train Afghanistan’s security forces got new leadership here Dec. 18 when Army Maj. Gen. Richard P. Formica assumed command of Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan.
• Gates Approves Deployment of Aviation Brigade to Afghanistan AFPS 22 Dec 2008 -- Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates has approved the deployment of an Army aviation brigade to Afghanistan this spring, a Defense Department official said today.
• U.S. Troop Increase, Apparent Openness To Talks Could Indicate New Afghan Strategy RFE/RL 22 Dec 2008 -- U.S. Ambassador to the UN Zalmay Khalilzad has given his endorsement to reaching out to "elements of the Taliban who are reconcilable."
• At Least 8 Killed in Suspected US Drone Attack in Pakistan VOA 22 Dec 2008 -- Pakistani security officials say at least 8 people have been killed in a suspected US missile strike in northwest Pakistan.
• Foreign forces, root cause of Afghan insecurity: Larijani IRNA 22 Dec 2008 -- Majlis Speaker Larijani expressed concern over presence of foreign forces in Afghanistan.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Iraqi Parliament Delays Vote to Extend Presence of Non-US Forces VOA 22 Dec 2008 -- A dispute in Iraq's parliament forced a delay in the approval of a resolution that would allow non-US troops to remain.
• Closing Guantánamo Bay will end ‘dark chapter’ for US, stress UN experts UN News Centre 22 Dec 2008 -- A group of independent United Nations human rights experts have welcomed United States President-elect Barack Obama’s announced decision close the Guantánamo Bay detention centre, stressing it will end “a dark chapter in the country’s history.”
• First Minerva Research Initiative Awards Announced DoD 22 Dec 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced plans today to make awards to academic institutions to perform scholarly research in the social sciences under the department's Minerva Research Initiative
• AFSO 21 experts tour Robins AFNS 22 Dec 2008 -- Military and civilian leaders came to Robins Air Force Base Dec. 16 to see how Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century efforts have found better ways to get things done here.
• Airlift delivers for warfighters AFNS 22 Dec 2008 -- Massive cargo jets rumble onto austere landing strips at forward operating bases throughout Southwest Asia. Aircrews unload the life sustaining supplies efficiently that thousands of servicemembers rely on, and then take off as quickly as possible.
• JABS knock out communication problems for warfighters AFNS 22 Dec 2008 -- Joint Airborne Battle Staff members here are similar to 911 operators in the air as they ensure convoys operating throughout Iraq are never without communications.
• Officials streamline overseas outprocessing guidelines AFNS 22 Dec 2008 -- Air Force Personnel Center officials here recently introduced a new initiative that will streamline final processing for Airmen retiring or separating from overseas areas.
• Peacekeeping Training Focuses Less on Combat, More on Control, Compliance AFPS 22 Dec 2008 -- Soldiers who deploy to Iraq and Afghanistan must be trained to engage in combat using the latest in lethal-weapons technology.
• Mullen Thanks Pakistani Leaders for Anti-terror Efforts AFPS 22 Dec 2008 -- The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff thanked Pakistani military and intelligence officials here today for their continued efforts to fight terrorism.
• Installations to receive new SWET training devices Army News 22 Dec 2008 -- Power-projection platforms across the Army will soon receive a new training device designed to keep deploying Soldiers from drowning when their vehicles overturn into water.
• Force Reconnaissance Company activates USMC News 22 Dec 2008 -- 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, held a ceremony here Dec. 19 to activate Force Reconnaissance Company
• Leadership course shapes 3/9 Marines for deployment USMC News 22 Dec 2008 -- Marines with 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, recently conducted a small unit leaders' course here as part of their annual predeployment training
• Reuben James Returns in Time for Holidays Navy NewsStand 22 Dec 2008 -- More than 220 Sailors aboard the Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided missile frigate USS Reuben James (FFG 57) received an early holiday gift as they arrived to the waiting arms of friends and family on the Bravo Pier of Naval Station (NAVSTA) Pearl Harbor Dec. 19.
• USS Higgins Holds Change of Command in San Francisco Navy NewsStand 22 Dec 2008 -- USS Higgins (DDG 76) during a change of command ceremony in San Francisco Dec. 12.
• Cash Relieves Kastner During San Antonio Change of Command Navy NewsStand 22 Dec 2008 -- USS San Antonio (LPD 17) changed command during a ceremony held at sea Dec. 17.
• Ashland Back in Norfolk Following Maintenance Availability Navy NewsStand 22 Dec 2008 -- Following a three-month stint at Earl Industries in Portsmouth, Va., USS Ashland (LSD 48) departed the shipyard Dec. 17 and made the brief trip up the Elizabeth River, bringing her to Naval Station Norfolk where the ship will berth for the remainder of the year.
• Sasebo Ships Repair Facility Receives Meritorious Unit Commendation Navy NewsStand 22 Dec 2008 -- Ship Repair Facility (SRF) Sasebo received a Meritorious Unit Commendation from Secretary of the Navy, the Honorable Dr. Donald C. Winter presented by Commander, Amphibious Forces 7th Fleet at a Dec. 18 ceremony.
• Navy Signs Third Virginia-Class Construction Contract: Meets Cost-Reduction Goal Navy NewsStand 22 Dec 2008 -- The Navy signed a five-year, $14 billion Multi-Year Procurement (MYP) contract for eight Virginia-class submarines Dec. 22.
• Chief of Naval Operations Visits Iwo Jima ESG Navy NewsStand 22 Dec 2008 -- Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Gary Roughead and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Rick West visited ships from the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) to meet deployed Sailors and Marines Dec. 19.
• CNO and MCPON Visit Troops in Afghanistan Navy NewsStand 22 Dec 2008 -- Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Gary Roughead and newly appointed Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Rick D. West met with Sailors at International Security Assistance Force Headquarters in Kabul, Afghanistan, at the start of their Christmas greetings tour of the country, Dec. 20.
• UAS students graduate from inaugural class AFNS 22 Dec 2008 -- Nine lieutenants graduated from the first combat familiarization program for pilots slated to fly unmanned aircraft systems Dec. 22 at Randolph Air Force Base.
• Russia to test launch Bulava ICBM in 2 days - defense source RIA Novosti 22 Dec 2008 -- Russia is to hold another test launch of the Bulava intercontinental ballistic missile in 2 days time.
• Russia denies supplying S-300 missile systems to Iran RIA Novosti 22 Dec 2008 -- Russian federal service for military cooperation: Russia is not selling S-300 surface-to-air missile systems to Iran.
• Russia only sells defensive weapons to Iran - Rosoboronexport RIA Novosti 22 Dec 2008 -- Russia only sells defensive weapons to Iran, in strict compliance with the international nonproliferation regime.
• Turkey to buy 32 Mi-28 attack helicopters from Russia - report RIA Novosti 22 Dec 2008 -- Turkey plans to buy 32 used Mi-28 (Havoc) helicopters from Russia in a deal worth a total of $1 billion.



• Iran reaffirms measures to combat piracy IRNA 22 Dec 2008 -- Iran on Monday affirmed national resolve to confront Somali pirates who have hijacked Iranian leased cargo ship.
• Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 22 Dec 2008
• Press Briefing by Deputy Press Secretary Tony Fratto The White House 22 Dec 2008

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for December 22, 2008
• Lockheed Martin SBIRS Team Delivers Major Subsystems For Second GEO Satellite Lockheed Martin 22 Dec 2008 -- The Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT]-led team developing the U.S. Air Force's Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) has achieved major milestones on the second geosynchronous orbit (GEO-2) spacecraft with the completion and delivery of the remaining major spacecraft bus subsystems.
• U.S. Navy Awards General Dynamics $14 Billion Contract for Eight Virginia-Class Submarines General Dynamics 22 Dec 2008 -- The U.S. Navy today reaffirmed the strategic need for a robust, adaptable submarine force by awarding General Dynamics Electric Boat a contract valued at $14 billion for the construction of eight Virginia-class submarines.
• Navy Awards $14 Billion Contract for Eight Virginia-Class Submarines Northrop Grumman 22 Dec 2008 -- The U.S. Navy today reaffirmed the strategic need for a robust, adaptable submarine force by awarding General Dynamics Electric Boat a contract valued at $14 billion for the construction of eight Virginia-class submarines
• BAE SYSTEMS COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF TENIX TOLL DEFENCE LOGISITICS BAE Systems 22 Dec 2008 -- BAE Systems has completed its acquisition from Tenix Pty Limited (“Tenix”) of 100% of Tenix Toll Defence Logistics Pty Limited (TTDL), formerly a joint venture company of Tenix and Toll Holdings Limited, for A$24 million in cash, after receiving all required approvals.
• SAIC Awarded $17 Million Task Order By Space And Naval Warfare System Center - Atlantic SAIC 22 Dec 2008 -- Science Applications International Corporation (NYSE: SAI) today announced it has been awarded a task order by the Space and Naval Warfare (SPAWAR) System Center - Atlantic, Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence Division to provide improvised explosive device-defeat (IED-D) training services.
• SAIC Announces Acceptance of Greek Command, Control, Communications, Coordination, and Integration (C4I) System SAIC 22 Dec 2008 -- Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) (NYSE: SAI) announced today that the Greek Government formally accepted the Command, Control, Communications, Coordination, and Integration (C4I) system designed to address public safety and security needs of the Greek Police, Fire Brigade, Coast Guard and Ambulance Service
• Lockheed Martin’s Aegis Combat System Enters Operation in Republic of Korea Lockheed Martin 22 Dec 2008 -- Lockheed Martin’s [NYSE: LMT] 94th Aegis System entered active service today under the flag of the fifth nation to join the worldwide Aegis fleet – the Republic of Korea (ROK).
• U.S. Air Force E-8C Joint STARS Takes Off With New Engines Northrop Grumman 22 Dec 2008 -- The U.S. Air Force E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS) test bed aircraft took to the air Saturday, powered by new Pratt & Whitney JT-8D-219 engines.
• ThalesRaytheonSystems Awarded $217 Million to Upgrade U.S. Army Firefinder Radar Raytheon 22 Dec 2008 -- ThalesRaytheonSystems has been awarded a $217 million U.S. Army firm-fixed-price contract to provide production modification kits and power amplifier modules as part of the Reliability Maintainability Improvement program for the AN/TPQ-37 Firefinder weapon locating radar.
• CACI Opens Research and Development Facility to Support U.S. Army Ft. Monmouth BRAC Transition CACI 22 Dec 2008 -- CACI International Inc (NYSE:CAI) announced that it has opened the CACI Research and Development Labs (CRaDL), a new facility on the U.S. Army's Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., to continue CACI's ongoing support for the Army's Ft. Monmouth, N.J.
• Oshkosh Defense Awarded $5 Million Contract Modification to Recap Common Bridge Transporter HEMTTs Oshkosh 22 Dec 2008 -- Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK), has been awarded a contract modification with the U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) to recap approximately 30 Common Bridge Transporter (CBT) variants of the Oshkosh Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT).

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 22 Dec 2008
• India keeps military option on table for terrorists in Pakistan RIA Novosti 22 Dec 2008 -- India has not ruled out military operations against terrorists in Pakistan if Islamabad does not deal with terrorists.
• India Says Prepared for All Measures if Pakistan Fails to Act Against Extremists VOA 22 Dec 2008 -- India has demanded that Pakistan act against Islamic extremists responsible for terror attack in Mumbai.
• OSCE to Close Georgian Mission, Cites Russian Opposition VOA 22 Dec 2008 -- Europe's largest security organization says it will begin closing its observer mission in Georgia when its current mandate expires at the end of the month after Russia blocked its extension.
• OSCE To Dissolve Georgia Mission After Russia Blocks Extension RFE/RL 22 Dec 2008 -- The civilian mission in Georgia of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) is to be dissolved after 16 years, after Russia blocked the extension of the mission's mandate at a meeting in Vienna
• Belarus may recognize Abkhazia, S.Ossetia in deal with Moscow RIA Novosti 22 Dec 2008 -- Belarus could recognize the independence of disputed Georgian regions in exchange for moderate prices for natural gas.
• Russia against extending OSCE mission in Georgia RIA Novosti 22 Dec 2008 -- Russia said it is against extending the mandate for the Organization for the Security and Cooperation in Europe mission in Georgia.
• Hamas Calls 24-Hour Truce with Israel VOA 22 Dec 2008 -- After days of fighting with Israel, Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have called a brief truce.
• No supplies getting through as Gaza crossings remain closed – UN UN News Centre 22 Dec 2008 -- No humanitarian aid, fuel or other commodities were able to get into Gaza today, as the border crossings into the area remained closed, the United Nations reported.
• Israel Considers Major Offensive in Response to Gaza Rocket Fire VOA 22 Dec 2008 -- Israel has begun a diplomatic effort to justify its threats to launch a military response to rocket attacks launched from Gaza Strip.
• Israel launches diplomatic campaign to back Gaza offensive RIA Novosti 22 Dec 2008 -- Israeli FM ordered the country's embassies to start diplomatic campaign to gather support for an offensive in the Gaza Strip.
• Palestinians declare 24-hour ceasefire to allow aid into Gaza RIA Novosti 22 Dec 2008 -- Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip unilaterally called a ceasefire in order to let humanitarian aid into the enclave.
• Security Council tells UN Mission in DR Congo to step up protection of civilians UN News Centre 22 Dec 2008 -- The Security Council today told United Nations peacekeepers in strife-torn eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to prioritize the protection of civilians, including humanitarian personnel, as the number of attacks on aid workers, some of them deadly, passed 100 since the start of 2008.
• DRC Rebels Deny Planned Attack on UN-Monitored Buffer Zones VOA 22 Dec 2008 -- Democratic Republic of Congo rebels loyal to renegade army general Laurent Nkunda denied reports that they would advance into United Nations-monitored buffer zones in eastern Congo.
• Ban forwards possible next steps on Somalia to Security Council UN News Centre 22 Dec 2008 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in a letter to the Security Council, has set out some proposals for the next steps on security and on considerations for a possible peacekeeping option for strife-torn Somalia, which has been beset by fighting and has not had a functioning central government since 1991.
• Pakistani troops arrive in Darfur to boost UN-African Union force UN News Centre 22 Dec 2008 -- Eighty-five Pakistani troops arrived in Darfur during the past two days to bolster the strength of the joint United Nations-African Union peacekeeping force, known as UNAMID, deployed earlier this year to try to end the violence and suffering in the war-ravaged Sudanese region.
• UN envoy visits Chad to assess humanitarian situation, meet with local leaders UN News Centre 22 Dec 2008 -- The United Nations envoy for Chad has just concluded a mission to the eastern town of Dogdoré to assess humanitarian challenges there resulting from internal strife, rebel activity and a spill-over from the conflict in neighbouring Darfur.
• Security Council demands that Ugandan rebels sign peace accord UN News Centre 22 Dec 2008 -- The United Nation Security Council today strongly condemned recent attacks by the rebel Ugandan Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Southern Sudan, and demanded that it immediately sign a previously negotiated peace accord.
• Burundi: Council calls on Government, rebels to complete peace process by end of year UN News Centre 22 Dec 2008 -- The United Nations Security Council today called on the Government of Burundi and the last major rebel holdout to complete the final phase of their peace process by the end of this year and desist from any action that could lead to a resumption of hostilities in a country that has been torn by ethnic conflicts for over four decades.
• UN: Millions of Refugees Languish in Camps for Decades VOA 22 Dec 2008 -- More than two-thirds of the world's refugees, some six million people, are living in limbo. Many have been in exile for decades with no hope of going home.
• Top US Africa Envoy Meets With Feuding Somali Leaders VOA 22 Dec 2008 -- The top U.S. diplomat for Africa has met with Somalia's feuding leaders in an attempt to resolve the war-torn nation's political crisis.
• Report from Somalia: Islamists Oppose Pirates on Somali Coast VOA 22 Dec 2008 -- On Sunday, the remote pirate stronghold of Hobyo in the Galmudug region of central Somalia fell to Islamist militants.
• Russia completes mine clearing operation in southern Serbia RIA Novosti 22 Dec 2008 -- Russian sappers completed an operation to clear an airport near Nisof unexploded ordnance left after the 1999 NATO bombing.
• Nepalese Maoists Attack Publishing Company VOA 22 Dec 2008 -- Nepalese Maoist activists have stormed the headquarters of a publishing company near Kathmandu, assaulting journalists and vandalizing offices.

News Reports

• Analysis: Imagining Obama's Africa Policy cfr.org 22 Dec 2008 -- Shortly after Barack Obama's election, South Africa's Mail & Guardian newspaper ran a special issue depicting the president-elect as a superhero
• Cheney Calls Absence of Post-9/11 Attacks ‘Remarkable Achievement’ AFPS 22 Dec 2008 -- The absence of new terrorist attacks on the United States since 9/11 reflects the success of the nation’s anti-terror programs and policies, Vice President Richard B. Cheney said yesterday on the “Fox News Sunday” television show.
• Jury Convicts 5 Men in US Army Base Plot VOA 22 Dec 2008 -- A U.S. federal jury has convicted five men of conspiring to kill soldiers in a planned attack on an Army base in the northeastern state of New Jersey.
• US Plans New Diplomatic Push on Zimbabwe Sanctions VOA 22 Dec 2008 -- The Bush administration said Monday it will make a new diplomatic push in the first days of the new year to step up sanctions aimed at forcing Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe from power.
• UN: Zimbabwe May Have Received Chinese Weapons Via Congo VOA 22 Dec 2008 -- The United Nations says it has "credible information" that Zimbabwe may have received Chinese weapons by way of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
• Britain: Mugabe Must Quit as Zimbabwe President VOA 22 Dec 2008 -- Britain has called on the president of its former colony, Zimbabwe, to step down, saying the president has made a power-sharing deal with the opposition "impossible."
• Zimbabwe's Mugabe Dismisses Washington's Pronouncement VOA 22 Dec 2008 -- Zimbabwean President Mugabe dismissed pronouncement by the United States that a power sharing deal wouldn't work while Mugabe remains the president.



• Russian arms dealer testifies in Thai court extradition hearings RIA Novosti 22 Dec 2008 -- A Thai court heard testimony from Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout on Monday.



• Chavez sets date for referendum on Venezuela's Constitution RIA Novosti 22 Dec 2008 -- Venezuela's leader has set February 15 to hold a national referendum on the country's Constitution allowing the president to be reelected for an infinite number of terms.
• Secretary-General welcomes reported release of deposed Mauritanian leader UN News Centre 22 Dec 2008 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed the reported release from house arrest of the President of Mauritania, Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi, who was overthrown by the country’s military in August, and called for the restoration of constitutional order as soon as possible.
• Ousted Mauritania President Freed VOA 22 Dec 2008 -- Mauritanian officials say ousted President Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi has been released from house arrest.