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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 3 Feb 2009 [PDF]
• Feb. 2 airpower summary: F-15Es deter anti-Afghan forces AFNS 03 Feb 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in ISAF in Afghanistan during operations.
• Airmen aid in Iraqi election ballot transport AFNS 03 Feb 2009 -- Members from the 321st Air Expeditionary Airlift Squadron here did their part in assisting Iraq in the election process Feb. 2.
• Coalition Begins Releasing Detainees Under New Security Agreement AFPS 03 Feb 2009 -- Coalition officials in Iraq have started to release detainees in accordance with security agreement.
• Iraqi Woman Arrested for Recruiting Female Suicide Bombers VOA 03 Feb 2009 -- Iraq's military said police have arrested a woman suspected of recruiting more than 80 female suicide bombers.
• AFGHANISTAN: US$600 million appeal for humanitarian aid IRIN 03 Feb 2009 -- The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the Afghan government and dozens of NGOs jointly launched on 3 February an appeal for over US$600 million in humanitarian aid.
• US Hopes to Continue Use of Base, Despite Kyrgyz President's Statement VOA 03 Feb 2009 -- United States is in talks with Kyrgyzstan for the continued use of an air base to supply efforts in Afghanistan.
• Kyrgyzstan says will close US base, secures Russian loan, aid RIA Novosti 03 Feb 2009 -- Kyrgyzstan will demand the closure of a US military base on its territory, used to support operations in Afghanistan.
• More U.S. Troops Needed in Afghanistan to Set 'Baseline of Security' AFPS 03 Feb 2009 -- More US troops are needed in Afghanistan to confront insurgent violence.
• Afghan Drug Operations Come Under Intensified Scrutiny, Spokesman Says AFPS 03 Feb 2009 -- Pentagon and NATO officials are weighing options to act against Afghanistan's poppy-producing industry.
• NATO General Visits Afghanistan VOA 03 Feb 2009 -- NATO's supreme commander, John Craddock, is in Afghanistan for talks with officials and troops trying to combat an increasingly violent insurgency.
• Afghan Intelligence Breaks Up Alleged Kabul Suicide Bomb Cell VOA 03 Feb 2009 -- Afghan intelligence officials say they have arrested 17 men accused of organizing a series of suicide bomb attacks.
• Pakistan Intensifies Search for Kidnapped UN Official VOA 03 Feb 2009 -- Pakistani authorities say they are questioning about a dozen people in connection with the kidnapping of a UN refugee agency official.
• Bridge Attack Strands Thousands, Severs Afghan Supply Route RFE/RL 03 Feb 2009 -- Bombing of a bridge targeting a Western military supply line has left thousands stranded on both sides of the blast.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Transcript: DoD News Briefing with Press Secretary Geoff Morrell from the Pentagon DoD 03 Feb 2009-- Presenter: Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell
• Maritime Strategy's Core Competencies: Coming Full Circle Navy NewsStand 03 Feb 2009 -- The Navy and Marine Corps boast a heritage of core competencies outlined in the maritime strategy, namely forward presence, deterrence, power projection, sea control and maritime security – all of which are employed as part of Combined Task Force (CTF) 151's counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden.
• Senegalese Officers Help APS Nashville Sailors Prepare for First African Port Visit Navy NewsStand 03 Feb 2009 -- To assist the Africa Partnership Station (APS) Nashville team in preparing for its upcoming port visit to Dakar, Senegal, two international staff members from the Senegalese Navy presented Sailors with a cultural awareness briefing aboard USS Nashville (LPD 13) Feb. 2.
• Southern Partnership Station Returns to Panama Navy NewsStand 03 Feb 2009 -- High speed vessel Swift (HSV 2) returned here yesterday for the second of two instruction evolutions in Panama during Southern Partnership Station (SPS).
• Military Working Dogs Play a Vital Role at Naval Air Station Sigonella Navy NewsStand 03 Feb 2009 -- Military Working Dogs (MWD) have a longstanding history of military service. Since their inception into U.S. military in support of operations, MWDs have performed a variety of functions in every major U.S. conflict.
• Marine Corps Lightens its Load with Office of Naval Research Technology Navy NewsStand 03 Feb 2009 -- At the joint meeting of the Office of Naval Research (ONR) and the Marine Corps Combat Development Command (MCCDC) Jan. 26, ONR showcased current and future technology investments aimed at providing lighter load solutions for warfighters.
• Unmanned Vehicles Transforming Warfare Navy NewsStand 03 Feb 2009 -- Unmanned vehicles, especially a new generation of highly technical machines, are proving themselves in hostile environments, according to the commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, in his Rat-Pac Report podcast posted Feb. 4.
• Clinton Pledges Ongoing, High-Level US Engagement in Middle East VOA 03 Feb 2009 -- Secretary of State Clinton pledged an ongoing high-level effort to achieve peace between Israel and the Palestinians.
• Clinton, Miliband Discuss Afghanistan, Iran, Middle East VOA 03 Feb 2009 -- Secretary of State Clinton: Iran has an opportunity to break out of its isolation over its nuclear program.
• MQ-1B Predator accident report released AFNS 03 Feb 2009 -- An ignition module failure caused the crash of an MQ-1B Predator east of Ali Base, Iraq, May 2.
• Unmanned Vehicles Transforming Warfare Navy NewsStand 03 Feb 2009 -- Unmanned vehicles, especially a new generation of highly technical machines, are proving themselves in hostile environments.
• Inspector General: Oversight, Accountability Critical to Wartime Contracting AFPS 03 Feb 2009 -- Accountable and properly overseen contracting procedures are critical to supporting war efforts.
• Navy Admiral to Lead Review of Guantanamo Detention Facility AFPS 03 Feb 2009 -- SecDef Gates has selected Navy admiral to lead an assessment of US detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
• Airmen keep B-1B ready for bombs on target AFNS 03 Feb 2009 -- Keeping B-1B Lancers constantly ready to help coalition forces defeat terrorists are Airmen assigned to the 7th Aircraft Maintenance Unit here.
• Foreign recruits in British army capped at 15 per cent IRNA 03 Feb 2009 -- Defence Secretary John Hutton: The number of foreign and Commonwealth recruits in three army regiments is being capped at 15 per cent.
• Russia, Belarus sign joint air defense agreement RIA Novosti 03 Feb 2009 -- Moscow and Minsk signed agreement on joint protection of the Russia-Belarus Union State's airspace and the creation of an integrated regional air defense network.
• Mi-24 combat helicopter crashes in Saratov Region, crew killed RIA Novosti 03 Feb 2009 -- A Mi-24 Hind combat helicopter crashedin the Saratov Region in Russia's Volga Federal District, killing the crew.
• Air Force chief announces greater flight range of fighter aircraft IRNA 03 Feb 2009 -- Commander of the Air Force: Iranian air force has successfully increased the flight range of its fighters to over 2,000 km.
• Army official: Good news to come soon in defense area IRNA 03 Feb 2009 -- A top Iranian army official said good news was to come soon in defense areas.
• Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 03 Feb 2009
• Press Briefing 2/3/09 The White House 03 Feb 2009

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for February 03, 2009
• BAE SYSTEMS RECEIVES CONTRACTS TO DEVELOP CH-53K COCKPIT SEATS AND CABIN ARMOR BAE Systems 03 Feb 2009 -- BAE Systems has received contracts from Sikorsky Aircraft for development and initial deliveries of CH-53K Cockpit Seats and Cabin Armor Systems
• Boeing, US Navy Deliver Proposal to Equip Brazil's Air Force With Super Hornets Boeing 03 Feb 2009 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and the U.S. Navy on Feb. 2 delivered a proposal to the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) offering the advanced, multirole F/A-18E/F Super Hornet as part of Brazil's F-X2 fighter aircraft competition.
• Boeing Receives $45M Follow-on Contract to Upgrade B-1 Bomber Avionics Boeing 03 Feb 2009 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today said it has received a $45 million contract from the U.S. Air Force to upgrade avionics software on the B-1 long-range heavy bomber. The award is Sustainment Block 15 of an upgrade program launched in 2003.
• U.S. Navy Awards General Dynamics $6 Million for Nuclear Submarine Services General Dynamics 03 Feb 2009 -- The U.S. Navy has awarded General Dynamics Electric Boat a $6.3 million modification to a previously awarded contract for management and support of nuclear-maintenance work for submarines homeported at the Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton.
• Order to integrate guided missile technology into new Puma IFV Rheinmetall Defence 03 Feb 2009 -- Germany's Federal Agency for Defence Technology and Procurement (BWB) has placed an order with PSM GmbH of Kassel for a major expansion of the Bundeswehr's new infantry fighting vehicle, the Puma. The Düsseldorf-based Rheinmetall Group has a 50% stake in PSM, the company in charge of the Puma project.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 03 Feb 2009
• Rocket Attack Prompts New Israeli Threats on Gaza VOA 03 Feb 2009 -- Israel says it is prepared to respond with great force after a long-range Grad missile landed in the Israeli city of Ashkelon.
• Palestinian rocket lands in densely populated Israeli city RIA Novosti 03 Feb 2009 -- A Grad rocket, launched by Palestinian militants, landed in the city of Ashkelon.
• Israeli Opposition Leader Vows to Crush Hamas if Elected VOA 03 Feb 2009 -- Israeli opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to crush Hamas if he is elected prime minister in next week's elections.
• Egypt to close its Rafah border checkpoint with Gaza RIA Novosti 03 Feb 2009 -- Egypt will close its Rafah border crossing with Gaza from February 5.
• DRC: North Kivu operation a boost for repatriation, peace - president IRIN 03 Feb 2009 -- The joint military operation by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda to dislodge armed militias from North Kivu Province has prompted an increase in combatants willing to be repatriated, President Joseph Kabila said.
• Sri Lanka Tells Civilians to Evacuate to Safe Areas VOA 03 Feb 2009 -- In Sri Lanka, the government says it cannot ensure the safety of civilians living in areas where the army is fighting Tamil Tiger rebels.
• AU Peacekeepers Accused of Firing on Civilians in Somalia VOA 03 Feb 2009 -- Local officials in Somalia have accused African Union peacekeepers of firing on civilians in the capital, Mogadishu.
• Situation in South Darfur Deteriorates VOA 03 Feb 2009 -- The UNHCHR, Navi Pillay alarmed by reports of the rapidly deteriorating conditions facing civilians in Sudan's Muhajeria area of South Darfur.
• Facing shortfall, Ban appeals for more peacekeepers for DR Congo UN News Centre 03 Feb 2009 -- Member States have so far failed to provide nearly enough troops to reinforce the United Nations mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

News Reports

• First African-American US Attorney-General Confirmed by Senate VOA 03 Feb 2009 -- The U.S. Senate on Monday voted 75-21 to confirm Eric Holder as Attorney General of the United States.
• Reports: Christopher Hill to Be US Ambassador to Iraq VOA 03 Feb 2009 -- News outlets in the US reporting Christopher Hill expected to be nominated as the next US ambassador to Iraq.
• Controversy Over Afghan Election Delay Puts Constitution To Test RFE/RL 03 Feb 2009 -- Just days after announcing the postponement of Afghanistan's presidential elections, the country's Independent Election Commission finds itself amidst a storm of controversy.
• Afghan Parliament Speaker Rejects Election Delay RFE/RL 03 Feb 2009 -- The speaker of Afghan's lower house of parliament, Yunos Qanuni, says the decision to postpone the country's presidential election is unconstitutional, RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan reports.
• Iraq Is More Democratic Than Iran RFE/RL 03 Feb 2009 -- At least in terms of free and fair elections, Iraq today is far more democratic than most other Arab countries and neighboring Iran.
• Experts Say Ukraine's Image Tarnished by Gas Dispute with Russia VOA 03 Feb 2009 -- Many analysts say Ukraine did not come out well in its recent dispute with Russia over prices for natural gas.
• The Words And Deeds Of Dmitry Medvedev RFE/RL 03 Feb 2009 -- Conventional wisdom has it that you should judge a person by his or her deeds.
• Islamist Unity in Somalia Tested by New President VOA 03 Feb 2009 -- In Somalia, militant Islamist factions are testing the resolve of the country's new interim president.
• Libya's Gadhafi Takes AU Reins, Promises Union Government VOA 03 Feb 2009 -- Libyan ruler Moammar Gadhafi took over the chairmanship of the African Union on Monday, vowing to create a continental government despite strong opposition among other heads of state.
• African Union to Adopt Proposals to Strengthen Commission VOA 03 Feb 2009 -- The African Union (AU) summit currently underway in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa is expected to adopt a document today that would strengthen commissions to make the African Union effective on the continent.
• Chavez says new phase of revolution starts in Venezuela RIA Novosti 03 Feb 2009 -- Marking 10 years as Venezuela's president, Hugo Chavez said the country has entered a third phase of his "Bolivarian Revolution," local media reported on Tuesday.
• China Steps Up Overtures to Africa VOA 03 Feb 2009 -- China is continuing to push ties with Africa with the Chinese president to make his first overseas trip in 2009 to four African nations and Saudi Arabia.