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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 6 Feb 2009 [PDF]
• Feb. 5 airpower summary: F-15Es provide armed overwatch AFNS 06 Feb 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and ISAF in Afghanistan during operations.
• Troops in Iraq Capture Murder Suspect, Seize Weapons AFPS 06 Feb 2009 -- U.S. and Iraqi forces arrested a murder suspect and seized several illegal weapons stockpiles.
• Constructing an air corps from the ground up AFNS 06 Feb 2009 -- Airmen from the U.S. Air Force and the Afghan National Army Air Corps are working side-by-side to provide an airpower capability to the nation of Afghanistan.
• Afghan, Coalition Forces Disrupt Bombing Cells AFPS 06 Feb 2009 -- Afghan and coalition forces killed seven militants and detained 12 suspects during operations designed to disrupt a roadside-bomb cell .
• KC-135 crew airlifts wounded from Afghanistan AFNS 06 Feb 2009 -- A few Airmen from the 931st Air Refueling Group spent weekend resting from a 12-day aeromedical evacuation mission in Afghanistan.
• Tajikistan Offers To Transit NATO Supplies To Afghanistan RFE/RL 06 Feb 2009 -- Tajik President Emomali Rahmon "confirmed his readiness to offer...airspace for nonmilitary NATO supplies bound for Afghanistan."
• US Says Ouster from Kyrgyzstan Base Still Not Official VOA 06 Feb 2009 -- US: Still awaiting a formal notification from the government of Kyrgyzstan that it will no longer allow US forces to use base.
• Kyrgyz Threat Sends U.S. Scrambling For Alternative Supply Routes RFE/RL 06 Feb 2009 -- The United States is scrambling to find alternative supply routes for NATO forces in Afghanistan after Kyrgyzstan's government said that its decision to evict U.S. troops from Manas International Airport is final.
• Kyrgyzstan's Decision to Close US Base 'Final' VOA 06 Feb 2009 -- Kyrgyzstan says its decision to shut down a U.S. military base is "final."
• Kyrgyzstan says no proposals from Pentagon on U.S. airbase RIA Novosti 06 Feb 2009 -- Kyrgyz PM Chudinov dismissed reports that his country had received a set of new proposals from Washington.
• U.S. must agree with Russia on Afghanistan supplies - analyst RIA Novosti 06 Feb 2009 -- The US will be forced to come to an agreement with Russia on alternative supply routes after Kyrgyzstan closes a base.
• Russia ready for transit of non-lethal U.S. goods to Afghanistan RIA Novosti 06 Feb 2009 -- Russia will allow transit of supplies for US troops as soon as Washington provides detailed information on the cargo.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Judge Dismisses Charges Against USS Cole Suspect at Guantanamo AFPS 06 Feb 2009 -- Charges against an accused terrorist being held at the U.S. detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, were dismissed yesterday by the judge who oversees the military commissions system, Defense Department officials said.
• Charges Dropped in Guantanamo Terror Trial VOA 06 Feb 2009 -- Pentagon officials say a U.S. military judge has dropped charges against a Guantanamo Bay detainee accused of participating in the deadly 2000 attack on the USS Cole in Yemen.
• Captain explains SARC program to House subcommittee AFNS 06 Feb 2009 -- Capt. Daniel Katka was on Capitol Hill Jan. 28 to discuss how the Air Force helps victims of sexual assault.
• Mullen Addresses Need for ‘Whole Government’ Approach AFPS 06 Feb 2009 -- All portions of the U.S. government have a role in dealing with any instability that results from the world’s financial crisis, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said here yesterday.
• Mullen: Investing in Military Members Critical AFPS 06 Feb 2009 -- Investing in servicemembers and keeping them “whole” is a critical defense expenditure, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told members of the Princeton University ROTC here yesterday.
• Fitzgerald Arrives in Otaru, Engages Community Navy NewsStand 06 Feb 2009 -- The Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) arrived off the coast of Otaru, Japan Feb. 5 for a scheduled port visit.
• DESRON 15 Completes Change of Command Navy NewsStand 06 Feb 2009 -- Commander, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15 held a change of command ceremony at Fleet Activities Yokosuka Feb. 5.
• Navy Mandates Electronic Service Record Accounts Fleetwide Navy NewsStand 06 Feb 2009 -- The Chief of Navy Personnel released a NAVADMIN Feb. 5 announcing the requirement for all active-duty and Reserve personnel to establish and maintain a self-service Electronic Service Record (ESR) account within the next 60 days.
• Environmentally-friendly Waste-disposal System Saves Money, Resources Navy NewsStand 06 Feb 2009 -- An environmentally friendly and cost-effective solution to the disposal of oily sludge waste has been developed by engineers, microbiologists, and chemists from Naval Facilities Engineering Command Hawaii (NAVFAC) Hawaii and NAVFAC Engineering Service Center (ESC).
• On Key Security Issues, 45th Munich Conference Awaits Signal From Washington RFE/RL 06 Feb 2009 -- The Munich Security Conference will be overshadowed by the emerging policy priorities of new US president.
• Biden to Urge Greater Security Cooperation at Weekend Conference AFPS 06 Feb 2009 -- Vice President Biden to urge stronger allied cooperation to confront mutual security and economic challenges.
• New Navy Ship's Cost Overstated in News Reports, Official Says AFPS 06 Feb 2009 -- The projected unit cost of the next-generation U.S. Navy destroyer is much lower than the figures being cited in some reports.
• Record of Decision signed on beddown of Joint Strike Fighter AFNS 06 Feb 2009 -- USAF officials decided to allow associated construction at Eglin Air Force Base to begin, implementing a BRAC 2005 decision.
• Obama will not reject European missile shield plans - expert RIA Novosti 06 Feb 2009 -- Washington unlikely to scrap Bush administration's plans to deploy elements of missile defense shield in Central Europe.
• CIA Director Nominee Outlines Goals, If Confirmed VOA 06 Feb 2009 -- President Obama's choice to head the CIA appeared before the Senate, where he outlined his agenda for the agency if confirmed.
• CIA Nominee Retracts Remarks on Prisoner Rendition VOA 06 Feb 2009 -- President Obama's choice to lead the CIA retracted comments that Bush administration sent detainees knowing they would be tortured.
• Indonesian, US navies conclude joint exercise IRNA 06 Feb 2009 -- The Indonesian naval frogmen squad (Kopaska) and the US Navy Seal concluded a month-long joint exercise.
• Russia boosts production of engines for Iskander-M missiles RIA Novosti 06 Feb 2009 -- Russia's Omsk engine design and production bureau started large-scale production of engines for the Iskander-M.
• Some 70% of Russia's MiG-29 fighters unable to fly - experts RIA Novosti 06 Feb 2009 -- At least 200 MiG-29 Fulcrum fighters, or 70% of the total in service with the Russian Air Force, are too old to take to the skies.
• Russian frigate due home after anti-piracy duty off Somalia RIA Novosti 06 Feb 2009 -- The Russian missile frigate Neustrashimy will return to its home port of Baltiysk.
• Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 06 Feb 2009
• PRESS BRIEFING BY PRESS SECRETARY ROBERT GIBBS The White House 06 Feb 2009

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for February 06, 2009
• Wounded Warrior kicks off new Armor for HMMWV at AM General’s FRAG 7 packaging facility AM General 06 Feb 2009
• BAE SYSTEMS AWARDED CONTRACTS WORTH £119 MILLION TO ENHANCE SUPPORT OF RAF AIRCRAFT BAE Systems 06 Feb 2009 -- BAE Systems has been awarded two contracts worth £119 million by the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) to provide additional support to current in-service Tornado and Harrier aircraft under a strategy known as CAPS (Commodity Availability Procurement Strategy).
• $200-Plus Million Congressional Cut to E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Puts 350 U.S. Jobs, Troops' Security At Risk Northrop Grumman 06 Feb 2009 -- Calling a $200-plus million cut to production procurement for the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye a "high risk" move that will put U.S. jobs and global security at risk, Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) and its 280-member supplier team is calling on Congressional leaders to restore the funding.
• $200-Plus Million Congressional Cut to E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Puts 350 U.S. Jobs At Risk Northrop Grumman 06 Feb 2009 -- Calling a $200-plus million cut to production procurement for the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye a "high risk" move that will put U.S. jobs and global security at risk, Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) and its 280-member supplier team is calling on Congressional leaders to restore the funding.
• Modernization of Bundeswehr Combat Training Centre complete Rheinmetall Defence 06 Feb 2009 -- Rheinmetall Defence has completed its modernization of the German Army's GÜZ Combat Training Centre at the Altmark Training Area (ATA), officially transferring the new technology to the Federal Agency for Defence Technology and Procurement (BWB).
• Thales to modernize Netherlands' M-Frigates radar suite Thales 06 Feb 2009 -- The modernization will take place in 2011 and 2012 in the scope of the M-frigates' upkeep program. Simultaneously, a contract was signed for the delivery of a GATEKEEPER system that will be installed on the LPD Johan de Witt.
• ATK Propulsion and Composite Technologies Key to Successful Delta II Launch ATK 06 Feb 2009 -- Alliant Techsystems played a key role in the successful launch of United Launch Alliance's Delta II rocket today from NASA's Space Launch Complex 2 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., carrying the NOAA-N Prime satellite for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 06 Feb 2009
• Gaza: UN suspends aid operation after second Hamas-linked theft of supplies UN News Centre 06 Feb 2009 -- The main United Nations relief agency responsible for feeding 900,000 Palestinian refugees in Gaza today suspended all imports of desperately needed aid after Hamas confiscated hundreds of tons of food, the second such seizure in three days.
• Obama Endorses Two-State Solution for Arab-Israeli Conflict VOA 06 Feb 2009 -- US President Obama sent his Middle East envoy to the region to kick-start a process to end the decades-long Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
• Israel hands over aid from Lebanese ship to Gaza, deports crew RIA Novosti 06 Feb 2009 -- Israeli authorities transferred to Gaza humanitarian supplies from a Lebanese aid ship and deported its crew.
• UN Agency Halts Aid Shipments to Gaza VOA 06 Feb 2009 -- The United Nations says it has suspended aid shipments to the Gaza Strip after the Palestinian militant group Hamas intercepted supplies for the second time this week.
• Gaza: UN suspends aid operation after second Hamas-linked theft of supplies UN News Centre 06 Feb 2009 -- UN relief agency responsible for feeding 900,000 Palestinian refugees in Gaza today suspended all imports of desperately needed aid.
• SRI LANKA: Hundreds escape fighting, thousands still trapped IRIN 06 Feb 2009 -- Some 1,600 civilians escaped fighting in the combat zone in northeastern Sri Lanka on 5 February, and fled to government-held areas, according to the Sri Lankan army.
• Ban calls Sri Lanka’s president as humanitarian crisis worsens in conflict zone UN News Centre 06 Feb 2009 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon spoke to the president of Sri Lanka by telephone yesterday about the worsening humanitarian crisis in the northern area of the country where some 250,000 civilians are trapped by fighting between Government forces and the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
• UN rushing relief supplies for Somali refugees in Ethiopia UN News Centre 06 Feb 2009 -- The United Nations refugee agency and its partners are sending staff and vital relief supplies to assist some 10,000 new asylum-seekers who have arrived in the Somali Region of south-east Ethiopia since the beginning of the year after fleeing insecurity in neighbouring Somalia.
• Central African Republic refugees pouring into Chad in dire need of help – UN UN News Centre 06 Feb 2009 -- Thousands of refugees from the strife-torn Central African Republic (CAR) have flooded into south-eastern Chad, fleeing renewed violence between the Government and rebel militia, the United Nations refugee agency announced today.
• More Rwandan civilians in DR Congo seeking repatriation, says UN agency UN News Centre 06 Feb 2009 -- As an offensive against Rwandan Hutu militias continues in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a growing number of Rwandan civilians, many of whom have been there since the 1994 genocide in their country, are emerging from remote areas to go home, the United Nations refugee agency said today.
• More than 3 million Somalis will need humanitarian aid in 2009, UN reports UN News Centre 06 Feb 2009 -- More than three million people in Somalia, a third or more of the total population, will remain dependent on humanitarian assistance this year, according to a United Nations analysis.
• S.Ossetia denies Georgian accusations of anti-terror operations RIA Novosti 06 Feb 2009 -- S. Ossetian interior minister rejected Georgian accusations Russia had carried out anti-terrorism operations.
• UN envoy in DR Congo defends efforts to protect civilians UN News Centre 06 Feb 2009 -- MONUC: The UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has fulfilled its duties in regard to protecting civilians.
• Uganda Rejects Massacre Charge Against Peacekeepers VOA 06 Feb 2009 -- Uganda has categorically rejected media reports that its peacekeepers in Somalia shot and killed civilians this week after a troop convoy was struck by a bomb.
• Officials Ponder Offer by Hunted LRA Deputy to Leave the Bush VOA 06 Feb 2009 -- Authorities continue to await the surrender of a top deputy to Lord's Resistance Army rebel commander Joseph Kony.
• Kinshasa and Kigali Hold Talks over Extradition of Rebel Leader VOA 06 Feb 2009 -- Negotiations between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda over the extradition of Laurent Nkunda expected to end today.
• Somali Islamist Groups Merge to Fight Unity Government VOA 06 Feb 2009 -- Somalia's new leader is appealing for peace and unity after 4 insurgent factions agreed to merge and continue fighting.
• Cyprus President: No "Plan B" If Talks Fail VOA 06 Feb 2009 -- Greek Cypriot President Demitris Christofias says Turkey has no chance of joining the European Union as long as its troops occupy the northern third of the island.

News Reports

• Three Decades Later, Why Can't The West And Tehran Be Friends? RFE/RL 06 Feb 2009 -- In the 30 years since Iran's Islamic Revolution, the world has grown used to Iranian leaders denouncing the United States.
• Iran ready to cooperate with U.S. on global issues - Ahmadinejad RIA Novosti 06 Feb 2009 -- Iran is ready to cooperate with the new U.S. administration in tackling global issues on the basis of "mutual respect."
• Top UN officials welcome release of six Colombian hostages UN News Centre 06 Feb 2009 -- Secretary-General Ban and top UN human rights official welcomed the recent liberation of six Colombian hostages.
• Final Polls Show Close Race in Israeli Elections VOA 06 Feb 2009 -- Final polls show a tight race ahead of Israeli elections next week.
• Treason Charges Dropped Against Zimbabwe Party Leader VOA 06 Feb 2009 -- A court has withdrawn treason charges against Tendai Biti, secretary-general of the Movement for Democratic Change.
• U.S. Navy Provides Humanitarian Assistance to Faina Navy NewsStand 06 Feb 2009 -- Following Motor Vessel Faina's release by Somali pirates Feb. 5, the U.S. Navy is providing humanitarian assistance support to the merchant vessel and its crew.
• Faina crew healthy, cargo undamaged RIA Novosti 06 Feb 2009 -- The health of the crew of a Ukrainian cargo ship released by pirates is satisfactory, and its military cargo is intact.
• Russia loan not linked to Abkhazia, S.Ossetia recognition RIA Novosti 06 Feb 2009 -- Belarus's president: Loan from Russia would have no influence over decision to recognize Abkhazia and S. Ossetia.