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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 16 Jan 2009 [PDF]
• DoD News: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty
• MND-B Soldier dies of wounds from IED attack
• Jan. 15 airpower summary: C-17s key to transport missions AFNS 16 Jan 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and ISAF in Afghanistan during operations.
• EODMU1 Trains Iraqi Army's BDC Navy NewsStand 16 Jan 2009 -- Members of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 1 mentoring and training counterparts with the Iraqi Army Bomb Disposal Command.
• Soldiers Recover Downed Aircraft in Combat Zone AFPS 16 Jan 2009 -- Army aircraft maintainers with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment's 4th Squadron can be called upon to find a downed aircraft in Iraq.
• Coalition Forces, Diplomats 'Engineer' Peace in Baghdad AFPS 16 Jan 2009 -- Coalition and Iraqi partnerships taking advantage of the improved security situation to further reconstruction efforts in Baghdad.
• Wardak, Where Nothing Is What It Seems RFE/RL 16 Jan 2009 -- It's impossible to say when the road snaking southwest from Kabul becomes dangerous.
• CIA Director says Al-Qaida Hampered in Pakistan's Tribal Regions VOA 16 Jan 2009 -- Outgoing director of the US Central Intelligence Agency: agency has hampered al-Qaida's free reign in regions of Pakistan.
• DoD Announces Units for Afghanistan Force Rotation and Deployment DoD 16 Jan 2009-- The Department of Defense announced today that the 4th Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, based in Fort Richardson, Alaska, is scheduled to deploy as part of the next rotation of forces in Afghanistan
• Defense Officials Switch Seabee Deployment from Kuwait to Afghanistan AFPS 16 Jan 2009 -- Instead of deploying to Kuwait, about 500 Navy Seabees will deploy to Afghanistan.
• US to Get Aggressive Against Somali Pirates VOA 16 Jan 2009 -- The commander of US and coalition naval forces in the Middle East says the he will soon order a more aggressive approach to fighting piracy.

Defense Policy / Programs

• General Counsel Nominee to Promote Collaboration AFPS 16 Jan 2009 -- Nominee for DoD's general counsel: Will foster collaborative relationships between himself and military lawyers at all levels.
• Defense Policy Nominee Pledges Work on Iraq, Afghanistan, National Security AFPS 16 Jan 2009 -- Pick to become undersecretary of defense for policy vowed to rebalance US efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
• Comptroller Nominee Pledges to Make Budget Reviews First Priority AFPS 16 Jan 2009 -- Choice to be DoD's chief financial officer: First priority will be to review the department's FY09 and FY10 budget requests.
• Lynn Vows to Reform Processes if Confirmed as Deputy Secretary AFPS 16 Jan 2009 -- Nominee to be deputy SecDef promised utmost to improve processes in the 'sometimes vast and unwieldy bureaucracy.'
• Scorpions, Growlers Find a Place to Call Home Navy NewsStand 16 Jan 2009 -- After nearly two years, the Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 132 "Scorpions" began their return to their permanent home of Hangar 5 on Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island Jan. 11.
• Seabees Participate in Operation Bearing Duel Navy NewsStand 16 Jan 2009 -- Approximately 600 Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5 traveled to Fort Hunter Liggett, Calif. to participate in the annual field training exercise (FTX) Operation Bearing Duel Dec. 1.
• USS Nebraska (Blue) Welcomes New Commanding Officer Navy NewsStand 16 Jan 2009 -- USS Nebraska (SSBN 739) (Blue) hosted a change of command ceremony at Naval Base Kitsap Jan. 12.
• Leverette Turns Over the Helm of Riverine Squadron 2 to Britt Navy NewsStand 16 Jan 2009 -- Riverine Squadron (RIVRON) 2 changes hands during a change of command ceremony Jan. 16 at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek.
• Naval Safety Center Strives to Prevent Bird Strikes Navy NewsStand 16 Jan 2009 -- When US Airways Flight 1549 crashed into the Hudson River January 15, people learned about the dangers of bird strikes to jet engines for the first time. The Navy has long been aware of this danger in aviation. Bird and other hazards have cost money and lives.
• Seabees Construct the Walela Apita Low Water Crossing Navy NewsStand 16 Jan 2009 -- Seventeen Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 4, Det. Horn of Africa, currently deployed to Lira, Uganda, are not alone at this project site. They are joined by additional engineers that are indigenous to Uganda.
• Naval War College Supports African Professional Military Education Navy NewsStand 16 Jan 2009 -- Naval War College (NWC) professors wrapped up a weeklong visit to Uganda Jan. 16, where they promoted professional military education at the Ugandan Senior Command and Staff College.
• Bradley First U.S. Navy Ship to Visit Bata, Equatorial Guinea Navy NewsStand 16 Jan 2009 -- USS Robert G. Bradley (FFG 49) became the first U.S. Navy ship to anchor in Bata, Equatorial Guinea while conducting Africa Partnership Station (APS) initiative Jan. 15.
• Rushmore Conducts Change of Command Navy NewsStand 16 Jan 2009 -- USS Rushmore (LSD 47), held an official change of command ceremony at Naval Station San Diego Jan. 12.
• Newest Guided Missile Destroyer Successfully Completes Combat Trials Navy NewsStand 16 Jan 2009 -- USS Sterett completing Combat Systems Ship Qualification Trial with new Aegis 7.1R combat suite.
• F-22s begin training in Japan AFNS 16 Jan 2009 -- F-22 Raptors took to the sky over Japan as members of the 27th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron began flight operations with Kadena Air Base officials.
• Air Force officials announce demographic snapshot AFNS 16 Jan 2009 -- Air Force Personnel Center officials published a demographics report offering a snapshot of the service's active-duty and civilian force.
• Russia hopes US will review missile defense RIA Novosti 16 Jan 2009 -- Moscow is hoping that US President-elect Obama will review Russia's proposal for a collective missile defense network.
• War on terror was mistaken, admits Miliband IRNA 16 Jan 2009 -- Foreign Secretary David Miliband admitted that the so-called 'war on terror' was wrong and may have caused "more harm than good".
• UK has no need for nuclear weapons, says former army chiefs IRNA 16 Jan 2009 -- The claim that Britain's nuclear weapons are still vital to the security of the country a "fallacy," according to 3 former military chiefs.
• Russia sends another two warships to tackle Somali pirates RIA Novosti 16 Jan 2009 -- Russia has sent 2 Black Sea Fleet vessels to take part in an anti-piracy operation in the Gulf of Aden.
• Russian Navy denies plans for bases in Mediterranean countries RIA Novosti 16 Jan 2009 -- A spokesman for the Russian Navy denied rumors about the possible establishment of naval facilities in the Mediterranean.
• Moscow confirms talks on foreign naval bases RIA Novosti 16 Jan 2009 -- Russia believes it is too early to name any countries where its Navy would like to deploy "basing points."
• Russia Looks Forward to Working With Obama VOA 16 Jan 2009 -- Russian FM Lavrov: Been listening to and reviewing statements by US President-elect Barack Obama.
• Attack on Mumbai Jewish Center Raises Questions About Israeli-Indian Military Ties VOA 16 Jan 2009 -- Militant who attacked a Jewish community center in Mumbai called local television during assault to complain about Israel providing military support in Kashmir.
• Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 16 Jan 2009
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Dana Perino The White House 16 Jan 2009

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for January 16, 2009
• DCNS: completion of the Singapore Formidable-Class Frigates Programme DCNS 16 Jan 2009 -- Senior representatives from DCNS today attended the commissioning ceremony of RSS Stalwart and RSS Supreme at Changi Naval Base, marking the completion of the Formidable-Class Frigate Programme for the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN).

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 16 Jan 2009
• US, Israel, Sign Accord to Curb Gaza Arms Traffic VOA 16 Jan 2009 -- The United States and Israel signed an agreement Friday providing for US technical assistance to help end the flow of weapons to Hamas militants in Gaza.
• Hamas Vows Not to Accept Israeli Cease-Fire Conditions VOA 16 Jan 2009 -- Hamas says it will not accept Israeli conditions for a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip.
• Ban urges unilateral Israeli ceasefire in Gaza; meets with Palestinian leaders UN News Centre 16 Jan 2009 -- On the third day of his intensive diplomatic mission to secure a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict, UN Secretary-General called on Israel to unilaterally cease hostilities.
• UN Secretary-General Calls for Unilateral Cease-Fire in Gaza VOA 16 Jan 2009 -- U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is calling on Israel to carry out a unilateral cease-fire in the Gaza Strip.
• Hamas renews rocket attacks on Israel, ignores ceasefire conditions RIA Novosti 16 Jan 2009 -- Palestinian militants renewed firing rockets and mortars into the southern region of Israel.
• Bitter Divisions Among Arab Leaders Spawn Rival Diplomatic Talks VOA 16 Jan 2009 -- Two rival Arab gatherings have been taking place in Kuwait and Qatar, reflecting the deep divide among Arab leaders over conflict in Gaza.
• Hamas rejects Israel's conditions for Gaza truce at Qatar summit RIA Novosti 16 Jan 2009 -- Syrian-based Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal rejected Israel's conditions for a ceasefire .
• Israel withdraws troops from neighborhood in Gaza City RIA Novosti 16 Jan 2009 -- Israeli troops and tanks withdrew from a densely populated southwest suburb of Gaza City.
• UK minister finally condemns Israel IRNA 16 Jan 2009 -- Foreign Office Minister Lord Malloch-Brown broke the British government's reluctance to criticise Israel by unequivocally condemning bombing of the UN in Gaza.
• EGYPT-ISRAEL-OPT: Confusion at Rafah border over who can enter Gaza IRIN 16 Jan 2009 -- For aid workers and volunteers anxious to accompany humanitarian aid into Gaza through Egypt's Rafah border crossing, 15 January was another day of waiting.
• Bosnian Serb commander to serve out UN-passed sentence in Germany UN News Centre 16 Jan 2009 -- The United Nations tribunal set up to try those responsible for atrocities committed during the Balkan conflicts of the 1990s has transferred a former senior Bosnian Serb army commander to Germany to serve his life sentence for war crimes committed in Sarajevo from 1992 to 1994.
• Tens of thousands face food shortage in Burundi due to drought – UN aid agency UN News Centre 16 Jan 2009 -- After crops in the north of Burundi withered during a drought between September and October 2008, an estimated 16,500 households in the tiny East African country are facing a severe food shortage, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) said today.
• Moscow concerned by Georgian buildup near S.Ossetia, Abkhazia RIA Novosti 16 Jan 2009 -- Russia is concerned by the buildup of Georgian forces near the borders of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
• Azerbaijan Concerned By Russian Arms Delivery To Armenia RFE/RL 16 Jan 2009 -- Azerbaijan's Foreign Affairs Ministry is expressing concern over the delivery of Russian military equipment and ammunition to Armenia.
• Pakistani PM rules out war with India IRNA 16 Jan 2009 -- PM Gilani: Pakistan and India are nuclear powers and there is no possibility of war between the two neighbourly countries.
• SRI LANKA: More civilians fleeing fighting IRIN 16 Jan 2009 -- The residents of Mullaithivu, deep in the conflict-affected areas known as the Vanni, in the north, have witnessed an escalation of clashes between government troops and cadres from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the past year.
• Civilians face increasing risk amid Sri Lanka fighting, warns UN humanitarian chief UN News Centre 16 Jan 2009 -- The United Nations is increasingly concerned for the well-being of tens of thousands of civilians caught up in the conflict raging in the northern Vanni area of Sri Lanka.
• Security Council to strengthen African force in Somalia, signals eventual UN deployment UN News Centre 16 Jan 2009 -- Renewing the authorization of the African Union peacekeeping force in Somalia, the Security Council called for action to bolster those troops.
• African Union Troops Claim They're Ready to Maintain Peace in Mogadishu VOA 16 Jan 2009 -- The African Union forces in Somalia (AMISOM) say they are prepared to ensure stability in Mogadishu now that Ethiopian troops have completed their troop withdrawal from the Somali capital.
• Islamists Take Over Ethiopian Bases in Mogadishu VOA 16 Jan 2009 -- In Somalia, Islamist fighters loyal to the Islamic Courts Union have taken control of several bases vacated by Ethiopian troops in the Somali capital.
• UN appalled by Ugandan rebel militia's trail of devastation in DR Congo UN News Centre 16 Jan 2009 -- The Ugandan rebel militia terrorizing villagers in north-eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has killed over 500 people and forced some 115,000 to flee.

News Reports

• EU Gives Russia, Ukraine Final Warning Over Gas Dispute VOA 16 Jan 2009 -- EU giving Russia and the Ukraine until Monday to settle their gas dispute, saying it will reassess relations with the 2 countries if dispute not resolved.
• EU says could review ties with Moscow, Kiev over gas delays RIA Novosti 16 Jan 2009 -- The European Commission said that the EU could review ties with Russia and Ukraine if they failed to promptly resolve their gas dispute.
• Ukraine calls for EU probe into gas transit issue RIA Novosti 16 Jan 2009 -- Ukrainian President Yushchenko proposed setting up a special EU commission to investigate claims Ukraine stole Russian gas.
• Activists Welcome New Thai Government's Policy Stance on Burma VOA 16 Jan 2009 -- Burmese pro-democracy activists have welcomed the stated policy approach by the new Thai government and its call for political change in Burma ahead of Burma's general elections, scheduled for 2010.
• Zimbabwe Welcomes Return of Tsvangirai for Crisis Talks VOA 16 Jan 2009 -- A senior Zimbabwean official says he is pleased that Prime Minister-designate Morgan Tsvangirai is returning home for talks with President Robert Mugabe on reviving the stalled efforts to form a unity government.