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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 2 Feb 2009 [PDF]
• Feb. 1 airpower summary: B-1B pounds target AFNS 02 Feb 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the ISAF in Afghanistan during operations.
• Transcript: DoD News Briefing with Maj. Gen. Salmon from Iraq DoD 02 Feb 2009 -- Presenter: General Officer Commanding Multinational Division Southeast Maj. Gen. Andy Salmon
• Iraqi Forces Prove Successful in Providing Election Security AFPS 02 Feb 2009 -- Iraqi security forces, backed up by U.S and coalition troops, helped ensure safety as Iraqi citizens voted during provincial elections.
• Basra Polling Was 'Litmus Test' for Security Forces, General Says AFPS 02 Feb 2009 -- Iraqi police and soldiers in Basra performed well during the Jan. 31 provincial elections.
• Report: US Learns 'Hard Lessons' From $51 Billion Iraq Reconstruction Effort VOA 02 Feb 2009 -- U.S. taxpayers have spent almost $51 billion on post-war reconstruction in Iraq.
• Iraq's Main Shi'ite Party Denies Election Setback VOA 02 Feb 2009 -- Iraq's main Shi'ite religious party has denied reports that it suffered a major setback to rival Shi'ite parties in provincial elections.
• Iraq's Main Shi'ite Party Denies Election Setback VOA 02 Feb 2009 -- Iraq's main Shi'ite religious party has denied reports that it suffered a major setback to rival Shi'ite parties in provincial elections.
• Ban congratulates Iraqis on violence-free provincial elections UN News Centre 02 Feb 2009 -- Secretary-General Ban congratulated the people of Iraq for "strongly exercising" their right to vote in provincial elections.
• Coalition Troops, Afghan Police Rescue Captive, Detain Kidnappers AFPS 02 Feb 2009 -- Afghan National Police and coalition forces rescued a man held against his will and detained his captors.
• AFGHANISTAN: Winter crisis averted in north? IRIN 02 Feb 2009 -- Prompt distribution of food aid, improved coordination among aid agencies and a relatively mild winter have prevented mass displacements in the drought-stricken northern provinces of Afghanistan, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has said.
• Bomber Kills 25 Police Officers in Southern Afghanistan VOA 02 Feb 2009 -- Officials: Suicide bomber has attacked a police training center, killing at least 25 officers and wounding 20 others.
• At least 21 police killed in suicide attack in Afghanistan RIA Novosti 02 Feb 2009 -- At least 21 police officers were killed in a suicide attack on a police compound in the southern Afghan city of Tarin Kot.
• American UN Official Kidnapped In Southwest Pakistan VOA 02 Feb 2009 -- Gunmen in southwest Pakistan have kidnapped an American working for the U.N. refugee agency and killed his Pakistani driver.
• Indiana Guard Sends Humvees to Winter Storm Recovery Effort AFPS 02 Feb 2009 -- The Indiana National Guard provided 100 Humvees to the Kentucky National Guard to aid in relief efforts after crippling storm.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Reports: White House Weighs Iraq Withdrawal Options VOA 07 Feb 2009 -- Senior U.S. defense officials say the White House is considering three different timelines for withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq.
• Program office makes first FAB-T delivery this week AFNS 02 Feb 2009 -- This week, officials here provided the first of a new family of satellite communication terminals to the B-2 bomber program office.
• Final Sunset For Sea Control Wing, U.S. Atlantic Fleet Navy NewsStand 02 Feb 2009 -- Commander, Sea Control Wing, U.S. Atlantic Fleet disestablished with a Jan. 30 ceremony aboard NAS Jacksonville.
• VS-22 'Checkmates' Stand Down Proudly Navy NewsStand 02 Feb 2009 -- The Navy's last S-3B Viking sea control squadron, VS 22, made its final mark in aviation history with deactivation at NAS Jacksonville.
• Alaska-based aircraft fly south as precaution to volcano AFNS 02 Feb 2009 -- Airmen at McChord Air Force Base are receiving a precautionary redeployment of Air Force aircraft from Elmendorf AFB, Alaska.
• Officials Work to Meet Pentagon's Need for Space Capabilities AFPS 02 Feb 2009 -- Adapting new capabilities within the changing military space environment increasingly important to national security.
• Navy, Google Share Information on the World's Oceans Navy NewsStand 02 Feb 2009 -- The Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command entered a agreement to share information through Google Earth.
• California Guard Gets Green Light for New Airborne Firefighting System AFPS 02 Feb 2009 -- A long-anticipated upgrade to the modular airborne firefighting system was approved for operational use.
• Reserves Play Key Role in U.S. Military Might, Mullen Says AFPS 02 Feb 2009 -- Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff: Reserve components are now an integral part of American military might.
• New GI Bill Carries Different Eligibility, Benefits AFPS 02 Feb 2009 -- Educational assistance programs administered by the VA Department have helped servicemembers pursue post-secondary learning.
• Russia to show MiG-35 jet fighter at Aero India 2009 RIA Novosti 02 Feb 2009 -- Russia will use an upcoming air show in India to showcase its MiG-35 advanced jet fighter, a contender to win an Indian tender.
• Russia formally hands over 3 multi-role fighters to Indonesia RIA Novosti 02 Feb 2009 -- Russia and Indonesia finalized on Monday the handover of three Russian-made Su-30MK2 Flanker multi-role fighters.
• Russia to deliver first Mi-171 helicopter to India by yearend RIA Novosti 02 Feb 2009 -- Russia will deliver the first of the 80 Mi-171 transport helicopters to India under a recent contract by the end of this year.
• Defense ministry announces high-level military reshuffle CNA 02 Feb 2009 -- The MND announced a high-level military reshuffle, with Deputy Defense Minister Adm. Lin promoted to post of chief of the General Staff.
• Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 02 Feb 2009
• Press Briefing 2/2/09 The White House 02 Feb 2009

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for February 02, 2009
• Boeing Successfully Completes Flights of 2 Wedgetail AEW&C Aircraft Modified in Australia Boeing 02 Feb 2009 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has conducted successful functional check flights of two 737-700 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft modified in Australia for Project Wedgetail.
• Boeing Receives $19.1 Million F2AST Contract From US Air Force Boeing 02 Feb 2009 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today announced its first contract award under the U.S. Air Force Future Flexible Acquisition and Sustainment Tool (F2AST) program.
• U.S. Army Awards General Dynamics $81 Million for Abrams Tank Upgrades General Dynamics 02 Feb 2009 -- The U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command has awarded General Dynamics Land Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), a multi-year contract valued at $81 million to upgrade 30 M1 Abram tanks to the M1A2 Systems Enhancement Package Version 2 (SEPv2) configuration.
• Lockheed Martin Receives Contracts Totaling $603 Million for GMLRS Rockets and HIMARS Launchers Lockheed Martin 02 Feb 2009 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has received contracts totaling $603 million from the U.S. Army Aviation & Missile Command for the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) and the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), both combat proven and highly successful in the current Global War on Terror.
• Lockheed Martin Awarded $35.8 Million Navy Contract To Expand Submarine Communication Capabilities Lockheed Martin 02 Feb 2009 -- Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $35.8 million contract by the U.S. Navy to design and produce antenna buoy systems that will significantly expand the communications capabilities of submarines while they are submerged.
• Germany Requests Addition Of Secondary Missile; Accelerates Meads Plug-And-Fight Demonstration Lockheed Martin 02 Feb 2009 -- MEADS International (MI) has received a request from the German government to integrate a European air defense missile into the Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS).
• Northrop Grumman Pointing System Enhances Protection to Soldiers Northrop Grumman 02 Feb 2009 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) LN-270 inertial navigator, a pointing-locating-navigating system, has been selected to support upgrades of additional U.S. Army AN/TPQ-48(V)2s (Lightweight Counter Mortar Radar) under a contract for LN-270 inertial navigation systems and non-recurring engineering from SRCTec, Inc.
• Raytheon Begins Deliveries of Zumwalt Mission System Production Equipment Raytheon 02 Feb 2009 -- Raytheon Company has delivered the first production equipment for the U.S. Navy's DDG 1000 Zumwalt-class destroyer. The Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) planar array antenna assembly was delivered to the Navy on cost and ahead of schedule.
• U.S. Navy Tests New Raytheon Warhead for JSOW C-1 Raytheon 02 Feb 2009 -- The U.S. Navy tested a new Raytheon Company shaped-charge warhead being considered for the Joint Standoff Weapon C-1. The new warhead delivers the same effect as the warhead currently planned for the JSOW C-1 at a reduced cost to the warfighter.
• U.S. Army Corp of Engineers Awards SAIC Energy Savings Performance Contract SAIC 02 Feb 2009 -- Company to Implement Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy and Water Conservation Projects at Government Facilities Throughout the U.S.
• NGA and Lockheed Martin Deliver 4,000th Geospatial-Intelligence Workstation Lockheed Martin 02 Feb 2009 -- The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) and Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] recently reached a major milestone in the integration and delivery of geospatial data, installing the 4,000th user workstation under the Integrated Exploitation Capability (IEC) program and NGA’s Federated Partner contracts.
• GE Rolls-Royce Fighter Engine Team Beats Test Schedule with First Engine GE Aviation 02 Feb 2009 -- The GE Rolls-Royce Fighter Engine Team has begun testing its first production-configuration F136 engine for the F-35 Lightning II aircraft a month ahead of contract schedule, a major milestone in the development program.
• Oshkosh M-ATV Provides Superior Survivability For Afghanistan Battlefields Oshkosh 02 Feb 2009 -- Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK), will continue to provide superior protection for soldiers and Marines serving in Afghanistan’s rugged battlefields through its newest offering of the Oshkosh® MRAP All Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV). Oshkosh Defense has joined forces with Plasan North America to outfit the M-ATV with a battle-tested, mission-proven armor system that provides maximum survivability. Survivability is an essential requirement of the M-ATV, a new combat vehicle that the U.S. Department of Defense is calling for to meet survivability and mobility needs in the region.
• Northrop Grumman Prototype Ground Control System Successfully Controls GPS Test Satellite Northrop Grumman 02 Feb 2009 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has successfully demonstrated command and control of a Global Positioning System (GPS) IIR-M satellite using its Next Generation Operational Control Segment (OCX) engineering model.
• Northrop Grumman Begins MP-RTIP Radar Performance Verification Flights Northrop Grumman 02 Feb 2009 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has received U.S. Air Force approval to begin a portion of Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program (MP-RTIP) Radar System Level Performance Verification (RSLPV) flight testing

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 02 Feb 2009
• Hamas to take Israel to court over Gaza attack RIA Novosti 02 Feb 2009 -- A Syrian-based Hamas leader: Group planning to file charges in an international court against the Israeli leadership over offensive in Gaza.
• Israeli Air Strike Kills Palestinian VOA 02 Feb 2009 -- Medical officials in Gaza say an Israeli air strike on a vehicle has killed a Palestinian militant.
• Israel Bombs Hamas Targets After Fresh Rocket Fire VOA 02 Feb 2009 -- Israel bombed Hamas targets hours after its Cabinet threatened a "harsh and disproportionate" response to fresh attacks.
• Israeli aircraft attack Gaza, killing one RIA Novosti 02 Feb 2009 -- Israel's Air Force has attacked southern Gaza in response to mortar fire by a group of militants, an Israeli army spokeswoman said on Monday.
• Israeli planes attack Gaza Strip RIA Novosti 02 Feb 2009 -- Israel carried out airstrikes on the Gaza Strip overnight after Palestinian militants launched rockets on southern Israel, local media said.
• Israel says no major Gaza operations planned RIA Novosti 02 Feb 2009 -- Israel is not planning any large-scale operations in the Gaza Strip despite rocket attacks in the south.
• UN war crimes tribunal confirms life imprisonment for former Rwandan leader UN News Centre 02 Feb 2009 -- The Appeals Chamber of the United Nations tribunal dealing with the 1994 Rwandan genocide today confirmed the life sentence imposed on a former provincial leader convicted for his role in the killings.
• Russia expresses concern over Georgian troops near S.Ossetia RIA Novosti 02 Feb 2009 -- Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko expressed concern over the build-up of Georgian troops on the border with South Ossetia.
• Ban calls on Sudanese and rebel forces to halt military activities in South Darfur UN News Centre 02 Feb 2009 -- Secretary-General Ban called on the Government of Sudan and the rebel Justice and Equality Movement to cease all military activities in South Darfur.
• UN mission in DR Congo urges Rwandan Hutu militia to disarm and return home UN News Centre 02 Feb 2009 -- UN peacekeeping mission in DRC has extended an olive branch to the ethnic Rwandan Hutu militia involved in armed conflict in the east of the country.
• In Sri Lanka, Aid Agencies Say Hospital Hit by Shells VOA 02 Feb 2009 -- In Sri Lanka, aid agencies say a crowded hospital in the northern war zone has been shelled, killing at least nine people.
• SRI LANKA: Nine killed as hospital shelled - ICRC IRIN 02 Feb 2009 -- Hospital in an area of heavy fighting between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam was hit by shell fire.
• KENYA: Drought exacerbating conflict among pastoralists IRIN 02 Feb 2009 -- Clashes over water and pasture have significantly increased in the drought-affected pastoralist areas of north-eastern Kenya.

News Reports

• Iran's Revolution: Islamic Republic Proves Durable, But Is It Successful? RFE/RL 02 Feb 2009 -- Thirty years after the Islamic Revolution, the world is still trying to understand just what it was -- and is.
• Possibility Of Warmer U.S. Relations Buoy Iran's Rights Activists RFE/RL 02 Feb 2009 -- Human rights activists believe they could benefit from improved relations between Iran and the United States.
• Syria Profits from Regional Diplomatic Upheaval after Gaza Conflict VOA 02 Feb 2009 -- Syria appears to be profiting from the recent Gaza conflict and is emerging from several years of diplomatic isolation.
• Chavez gives Venezuela new holiday to mark 10 years as president RIA Novosti 02 Feb 2009 -- Venezuela declared a new national holiday for Monday to mark 10 years since Hugo Chavez first became president, but with Venezuelans - and Latin America - increasingly divided over his policies.
• ZIMBABWE: Underwhelming confidence in power-sharing deal IRIN 02 Feb 2009 -- The jury is still out in Zimbabwe about how effective the leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, Morgan Tsvangirai, will be in the role of prime minister.
• Trip Cancellation Fuels Rumors Of Rift In Tajik-Russian Relations RFE/RL 02 Feb 2009 -- Domestic problems, including severe electricity shortages, were the official reasons cited for the cancellation of Tajik President Emomali Rahmon's trip to Moscow.
• Qaddafi elected African Union chairman, wants U.S. of Africa RIA Novosti 02 Feb 2009 -- Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi, the new head of the African Union, said on Monday he would continue to press for the creation of a pan-African state.
• African Union Demands Sanctions against Mugabe Regime Be Lifted VOA 02 Feb 2009 -- Zimbabweans are reportedly hopeful that Washington and the European Union will soon lift sanctions imposed on the country that they claim have led to untold hardships.
• SOMALIA: Hope for displaced if new president can boost security IRIN 02 Feb 2009 -- The best hope for Somalia's 1.3 million displaced is if the new president, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, can boost security and stability, a parliamentarian close to him said.
• New Somali President Gets Generally Favorable Reaction VOA 02 Feb 2009 -- In Somalia, the former chairman of the Islamic Courts Union (ICU) was elected as the country's new president over the weekend.
• COROT: delivering a rich harvest of data to scientists around the world Thales 02 Feb 2009 -- The COROT satellite developed by French space agency CNES and Thales Alenia Space has been in orbit since December 27, 2006. It scans predetermined swatches of the sky to detect exoplanets when they pass in front of their suns, and also explore the internal structure of these suns by measuring micro-fluctuations in their luminosity.