• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 4 Feb 2009 [PDF]
• DoD News: DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• Feb. 3 airpower summary: A-10s provide top cover AFNS 04 Feb 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and ISAF in Afghanistan during operations.
• PRESS CONFERENCE: Security Update, Elections: Lt. Gen. Lloyd Austin, MNC-I, Feb. 4, 2009 MNF-I 04 Feb 2009 -- Lt. Gen. Lloyd Austin, commander, Multi-National Corps - Iraq, provides an update on security progress, Iraqi provincial elections and development of Iraqi Security Forces
• Iraq Braces for Preliminary Election Results VOA 04 Feb 2009 -- The U.S. military says it is working with Iraqi forces to ensure the transition of power is peaceful after Iraq's election results are released.
• U.S. General Praises 'Successful, Legitimate' Iraqi Elections AFPS 04 Feb 2009 -- Iraq's government and its security forces deserve praise for overseeing the successful and mostly violence-free provincial elections.
• Transcript: DoD News Briefing with Col. Spellmon From Afghanistan DoD 04 Feb 2009-- Presenter: Commander, Task Force Warrior Col. Scott Spellmon
• Security Efforts Promote Development in Eastern Afghanistan AFPS 04 Feb 2009 -- A relatively good security environment and hopes for more US troops on the way are laying conditions for more development.
• Russian aid to Kyrgyzstan not linked to U.S. airbase closure RIA Novosti 04 Feb 2009 -- Russian financial assistance to Kyrgyzstan is not linked to decision to close a US military base.
• Kyrgyzstan Begins Moves to Close US Airbase VOA 04 Feb 2009 -- Kyrgyzstan's government has asked parliament to approve the closure of a US military air base that supplies troops fighting in Afghanistan.
• Kyrgyz Eviction Warnings Intensify Over U.S. Air Base RFE/RL 04 Feb 2009 -- Kyrgyz President Bakiev has threatened to kick US troops out of the strategic Manas air base.
• Potential closure of Manas Air Base won't disrupt operations AFNS 04 Feb 2009 -- Senior US officials hope to continue operations at Manas Air Base in Kyrgyzstan.
• US to respond to Kyrgyz base closure report - embassy RIA Novosti 04 Feb 2009 -- The United States will make an official statement on the decision to close its airbase in Kyrgyzstan.
• Politicians say U.S. airbase closure weakens Kyrgyz independence RIA Novosti 04 Feb 2009 -- A number of Kyrgyz politicians have said the closure of a US basediminishes the country's independence.
• Bagram Airmen recover crippled aircraft AFNS 04 Feb 2009 -- More than 120 Airmen, Defense Department civilians and contractors removed a crippled C-17 Globemaster III from the runway at Bagram Airfield.
• Suspected militants torch more trucks in Pakistan IRNA 04 Feb 2009 -- Suspected militants torched eight trucks in the Pakistani Khyber tribal region after delivering supplies to NATO forces in Afghanistan.
• Pashtun Leader Warns Of Security Breakdown In Swat Valley RFE/RL 04 Feb 2009 -- Pashtun anti-Taliban leader Afzal Khan, who lives in Pakistan's volatile Swat Valley: Police authority "has collapsed" in the region.
• Pakistani Taliban Releases 29 Security Personnel VOA 04 Feb 2009 -- Pakistani Taliban have released 29 police and soldiers kidnapped during a raid on a police station in northwestern Swat Valley.
• UN Chief Voices Concern Over Afghan Civilian Deaths VOA 04 Feb 2009 -- U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says he is deeply concerned about civilian casualties in Afghanistan.
• Senior UK soldier arrested over Afghan 'secrets' IRNA 04 Feb 2009 -- British Army officer arrested in Afghanistan for allegedly supplying sensitive civilian casualty figures to a human rights campaigner.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Digging In, Seabees Support Mission Navy NewsStand 04 Feb 2009 -- Helping ensure the safe and humane treatment of detainees is a responsibility undertaken by more than just the personnel in Joint Task Force (JTF) Guantanamo.
• APS Nashville Kicks Off Mission in Senegal Navy NewsStand 04 Feb 2009 -- USS Nashville (LPD 13), along with its embarked Destroyer Squadron 60 and international staff, arrived in Dakar, Senegal, Feb. 3 for the in-country kickoff of Africa Partnership Station (APS) Nashville.
• MCPON Testifies Before Congressional Subcommittee Navy NewsStand 04 Feb 2009 -- Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON)(SS/SW) Rick West testified before Congress Feb. 4, in his first appearance before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies.
• Lassen Sailors Maximize Visit Before Departing Bali Navy NewsStand 04 Feb 2009 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) departed Bali Feb. 3, where the crew spent three days taking advantage Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) opportunities and interacting with sailors from the Indonesian Navy in the world-class tourist resort.
• Blue Coach improves security forces Airmen tactics, training AFNS 04 Feb 2009 -- Airmen from the 5th Security Forces Squadron are participating in a series of classes in an initiative to improve security forces.
• Air Force to save millions by prepositioning weapons AFNS 04 Feb 2009 -- A new U.S. Air Forces Central logistics program is set to save the Air Force about $1.2 million every four months.
• Guard Leaders Discuss Successes, Challenges AFPS 04 Feb 2009 -- Having enough equipment for domestic response missions and forging international partnerships just a few topics discussed.
• US Military Commander Issues Warning to North Korea VOA 04 Feb 2009 -- The top US military commander in South Korea is urging North Korea to lower tensions on the divided peninsula.
• Russia awaiting U.S. proposals on nuclear warhead cuts - MP RIA Novosti 04 Feb 2009 -- Moscow has not yet received any official proposals from Washington on the simultaneous reduction of their nuclear arsenals.
• Elmendorf officials prepare for possible volcano eruption AFNS 04 Feb 2009 -- People throughout Elmendorf Air Force Base are preparing for the possibility of volcanic ash fall.
• Bataan ESG Partners with French, Launches COMPTUEX Navy NewsStand 04 Feb 2009 -- Amphibious assault ship USS Bataan departed Norfolk to participate in a Composite Unit Training Exercise.
• Ramstein Airmen show C-130 capabilities to Polish military AFNS 04 Feb 2009 -- Members of the 2 countries' air forces strengthened their bonds by way of the C-130 Hercules.
• CSTO's rapid-reaction force to equal NATO's - Medvedev RIA Novosti 04 Feb 2009 -- Medvedev: Force to be created by a post-Soviet regional security bloc will be just as good as comparable NATO force.
• Russia Announces Military Initiatives in Eurasia VOA 04 Feb 2009 -- Three international military initiatives have been announced in the Kremlin over the past 2 days.
• Russian-Led CSTO Grouping Adds Military Dimension RFE/RL 04 Feb 2009 -- A summit of the Collective Security Treaty Organization has produced an agreement to set up a joint rapid-reaction force.
• Post-Soviet security bloc agrees to set up rapid response force RIA Novosti 04 Feb 2009 -- A post-Soviet regional security bloc has agreed to create a collective rapid reaction force.
• Russian arms exports to China may drop significantly RIA Novosti 04 Feb 2009 -- Russian arms sales to China could shrink from 40% to 10%, the head of a state-controlled arms exporter said on Wednesday.
• Russia may build more Krivak class frigates for India RIA Novosti 04 Feb 2009 -- Russia and India are negotiating a new contract on the delivery of additional Project 11356 frigates for the Indian navy.
• Russian military, technical cooperation with Iran transparent IRNA 04 Feb 2009 -- Director General of Russian state company "Russia Abaronexport": Russian technical and military cooperation with Iran is completely transparent and legal.
• Recent Russian Mi-24 crash caused by technical failure RIA Novosti 04 Feb 2009 -- Preliminary investigation into a recent Mi-24 combat helicopter crash indicated that it was caused by a technical failure.
• Russian strategic bombers fly over Norwegian Sea on routine patrol RIA Novosti 04 Feb 2009 -- Russian Tu-95MS Bear-H strategic bombers carried out a routine patrol flight over the Norwegian Sea last night
• Minju Joson Assails Dangerous Military Exercise of Japan SDF KCNA 04 Feb 2009 -- The "first airborne unit" of the Ground "Self-Defence Force" of Japan recently staged a parachuting exercise.
• Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 04 Feb 2009
• PRESS BRIEFING BY PRESS SECRETARY ROBERT GIBBS The White House 04 Feb 2009

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for February 04, 2009
• ATK Receives $25.5 Million for Production of 20mm PGU Ammunition ATK 04 Feb 2009 -- Alliant Techsystems has received a $25.5 million order from the U.S. Army Sustainment Command, Rock Island, Ill., to produce five variants of 20mm PGU ammunition. If all options are exercised, ATK's contract could exceed $170 million over five years.
• Boeing Submits A-10 Sustainment/Integration Contract Proposal to US Air Force Boeing 04 Feb 2009 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today submitted a proposal to the U.S. Air Force to participate as an associate prime contractor in the projected $1.6 billion A-10 Thunderbolt Life-Cycle Program Support (TLPS) contract to support the sustainment of the A-10 Thunderbolt II weapon system and integration of current and future requirements.
• U.S. Army Extends Lockheed Martin’s M299 Launcher Contract Lockheed Martin 04 Feb 2009 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has received a $31.3 million contract modification to provide additional M299 Launchers and related equipment to the U.S. Army. The M299 is used aboard a variety of platforms to launch all variants of the HELLFIRE missile.
• SAIC Awarded $50 Million Contract to Support Navy Reserve Forces Command SAIC 04 Feb 2009 -- Company to Provide Professional Support Services Including Strategy, Information Technology, Logistics, Maintenance, Engineering Analysis and Training
• Boeing Ships 2nd Wideband Global SATCOM Satellite to Launch Site Boeing 04 Feb 2009 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced that it has shipped the second in a series of new, high-capacity military communications satellites to Cape Canaveral Air Station in Florida, where it will be readied for a March launch.
• Boeing Awarded $250 Million Missile Defense Support Contract Boeing 04 Feb 2009 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] has been awarded a one-year, $250 million Missile Defense Agency (MDA) contract for Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) maintenance and operations support, ensuring the United States' only defense against long-range ballistic missiles remains ready for operational service.
• Upgraded Early Warning Radar in Greenland Achieves Satellite Tracking in Record Time Raytheon 04 Feb 2009 -- Raytheon Company's Upgraded Early Warning Radar (UEWR) at Thule Air Base, Greenland, has achieved a significant milestone on its path toward operational status, successfully tracking its first satellite in an operational space surveillance mission configuration.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 04 Feb 2009
• Palestinian Leader Says Israeli Attacks on Gaza Were War Crimes VOA 04 Feb 2009 -- Palestinian Authority President Abbas: Israeli attacks on Gaza were war crimes and that Israeli officials should be held accountable.
• Israel Admits Killing 3 Palestinian Girls in Gaza VOA 04 Feb 2009 -- The Israeli military has admitted that one of its tanks killed three daughters of a Palestinian doctor during the Gaza war.
• UN agency demands immediate return of seized Gaza aid UN News Centre 04 Feb 2009 -- The UN agency tasked with assisting Palestinian refugees demanded the return of relief items confiscated by police.
• UN: Hamas Seized Aid Meant for Gaza Civilians VOA 04 Feb 2009 -- UN: Palestinian militant group Hamas has seized blankets and food meant for hundreds of civilian families in the Gaza Strip.
• SRI LANKA: Civilian death toll rises as fighting continues IRIN 04 Feb 2009 -- As Sri Lankan government troops close in on the rebel Tamil Tigers, the UN has reported a rising number of civilian deaths in the northern battle zone.
• SOMALIA: Thousands of Somalis fleeing to Ethiopia IRIN 04 Feb 2009 -- An estimated 10,000 Somalis fleeing instability in their home country have reached Dollo Ado, in the Somali Region of southern Ethiopia, and more are expected in the next few weeks, Save the Children (US) has said.
• SUDAN: Conditions getting worse for Darfur civilians IRIN 04 Feb 2009 -- Conditions for civilians caught up in fighting between the Sudanese government and rebels in the South Darfur town of Muhajiriya are getting worse, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights warned.
• Russia completes key infrastructure at South Ossetian base RIA Novosti 04 Feb 2009 -- Russia's military has finished building the key infrastructure at the Russian base in the capital of South Ossetia.
• 52 civilians killed in shelling in Sri Lanka IRNA 04 Feb 2009 -- At least 52 civilians killed in shelling in Sri Lanka's embattled northern Wanni region.
• Sri Lankan President Says Tamil Tiger Rebels Almost Defeated VOA 04 Feb 2009 -- Asia's longest-running war appears to be coming to an end.
• Sudanese Military Claims Control of Darfur Town VOA 04 Feb 2009 -- Army spokesmen say Sudanese troops are in the town of Muhajiriya and are pursuing fighters from the rebel Justice and Equality Movement.
• Shooting, bombing, displacement continue near UN camp in South Darfur UN News Centre 04 Feb 2009 -- Weapons fire, aerial bombing and armed patrols were observed throughout the day near a major camp of the African Union-United Nations mission in Darfur.
• Sudan's north-south peace accord at critical juncture as referendum looms, Ban warns UN News Centre 04 Feb 2009 -- Situation remains fragile and unpredictable as a 2011 referendum looms on whether the South should secede or remain united with the rest of the country.
• Repatriation of former Rwandan Hutu fighters from DR Congo picks up, UN reports UN News Centre 04 Feb 2009 -- The United Nations has repatriated 335 former Rwandan Hutu fighters and their dependents from the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the past month.
• Red Cross Mission Waits in Colombia for Expected Hostage Release VOA 04 Feb 2009 -- A Red Cross humanitarian mission has arrived in Cali, Colombia in preparation for the expected release of a politician held by leftist FARC rebels for more than 6 years.

News Reports

• ZIMBABWE: President Robert Mugabe's money men IRIN 04 Feb 2009 -- The former captain of the Rhodesian rugby side and an alleged "sanction-buster" for Ian Smith's white minority government in what is now Zimbabwe, as well as a South African-born businessman wanted in his home country for fraud, are some of the latest additions to the European Union's (EU) sanctions targeting Zimbabwe's ruling elite.
• Hardliner Netanyahu Poised to Become Israel's New Prime Minister VOA 04 Feb 2009 -- Public opinion polls before Israel's national elections have consistently shown former Prime Minister Netanyahu in the lead.
• Zuma to Remain S. African Presidential Candidate Despite Corruption Charges VOA 04 Feb 2009 -- Jacob Zuma's trial on corruption charges has been scheduled for August, long after he is expected to be chosen South Africa's president.
• AU Leaders Agree to Disagree on Gaddafi's Union Government Proposal VOA 04 Feb 2009 -- An African Union summit has ended in confusion over the future of Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi's dream of establishing a continental government.
• Zimbabwe Parliament Puts Off Constitutional Vote until Next Week VOA 04 Feb 2009 -- Zimbabwe has postponed today's parliament vote on a unification government constitutional amendment until next week.
• MOFA reaffirms sovereignty over Spratlys in South China Sea CNA 04 Feb 2009 -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement reiterating the Republic of China's historical claim to islands and reefs.
• Somalia President Sheikh Ahmed to Begin Process of Selecting Prime Minister VOA 04 Feb 2009 -- Somalia's newly elected President Sheikh Ahmed expected in Djibouti to begin the process of nominating a new prime minister.
• Central Asia's Great Water Game RFE/RL 04 Feb 2009 -- Apples are a valuable source of income for Khadija and her family in summer, but desperate times call for desperate measures.
• Astrium and Thales Alenia Space partners of Arabsat for two more satellites Thales 04 Feb 2009 -- ARABSAT has selected the consortium of Astrium and Thales Alenia Space to build and deliver in orbit two new satellites, Arabsat 5C and Arabsat 6B. The manufacturing contracts were signed in Riyadh on 4 February 2009 by Eng. Khalid Balkheyour ARABSAT president and François Auque, CEO of Astrium, and Reynald Seznec, CEO of Thales Alenia Space.