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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 11 Feb 2009 [PDF]
• Feb. 10 airpower summary: F-15Es bomb enemy positions AFNS 11 Feb 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and ISAF in Afghanistan during operations.
• Car and Roadside Bombings Kill 18 in Baghdad VOA 11 Feb 2009 -- Iraqi police: At least 18 people have been killed in multiple bomb blasts in the capita as Shi'ite pilgrims make their way south of Baghdad.
• Mottaki: Talks with US about Iraq no longer needed IRNA 11 Feb 2009 -- Iranian FM Mottaki: Tehran, Washington and Baghdad no longer need to hold talks on Iraq in view of the improved security conditions.
• Engineers Establish Combat Outpost in Southern Afghanistan AFPS 11 Feb 2009 -- 1st Infantry Division soldiers of 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment secured piece of desert to build Outpost Terminator.
• Coordinated Taliban Attacks Kill At Least 26 In Kabul RFE/RL 11 Feb 2009 -- Near-simultaneous suicide attacks targeting civilians and government personnel in Kabul have left at least 26 dead and 55 wounded.
• Afghan Officials: At Least 19 Killed in Kabul Suicide Attacks VOA 11 Feb 2009 -- Afghan officials say at least 19 people killed and 46 wounded in nearly simultaneous suicide bomb attacks in the capital, Kabul.
• Taliban claims responsibility for two Kabul blasts RIA Novosti 11 Feb 2009 -- The Taliban claimed responsibility on Wednesday for two deadly explosions in the Afghan capital of Kabul.
• UN deplores deadly attacks against government offices in Kabul UN News Centre 11 Feb 2009 -- UN strongly condemned the terrorist attacks against government buildings in the Afghan capital, Kabul.
• Russia May Expand Shipments of NATO Supplies to Afghanistan VOA 11 Feb 2009 -- Russian FM Lavrov: Russia may expand cooperation in shipments of NATO supplies bound for forces in Afghanistan.
• Russia dismisses rumors of talks with U.S. on Manas airbase RIA Novosti 11 Feb 2009 -- Russian Foreign Ministry: Media reports Moscow and Washington holding talks on the issue are false.
• Kyrgyz president says base closure will not harm ties with U.S. RIA Novosti 11 Feb 2009 -- Kyrgyz President Bakiyev: Closure of the US airbase at Manas would not harm relations with the United States and Europe.
• Kyrgyz Parliament Postpones Debate On U.S. Air Base RFE/RL 11 Feb 2009 -- Opposition Social Democratic Party: Parliamentary discussion on agreement with US will not take place this week.
• Kyrgyz party postpones discussion on U.S. base closure RIA Novosti 11 Feb 2009 -- Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan postponed a discussion on the closure of a US base in the country.
• PM asks US to stop incursion into Pakistan IRNA 11 Feb 2009 -- PM Gilani asked Obama's administration to reconsider the policy of the US incursions.
• Afghanistan: Lessons from Soviet Withdrawal VOA 11 Feb 2009 -- Twenty years have passed since the Soviet Union ended its disastrous military venture in Afghanistan.
• Suspected Pirates Apprehended in the Gulf of Aden Navy NewsStand 11 Feb 2009 -- The crew of the guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf apprehended seven suspected pirates in the Gulf of Aden.

Defense Policy / Programs

• U.S. Installation Realignment In Italy Announced</b> DoD 11 Feb 2009 -- The Department of Defense announced today the decision to inactivate and partially return the Monte Orlando Compound, Gaeta, Italy
• Pentagon Official Discusses Kabul Attacks, Possible North Korean Missile Test AFPS 11 Feb 2009 -- Terrorist attacks in Afghanistan and that N Korea soon will conduct another missile test topped briefing.
• Leaders meet for series of high-level 'warfighter talks' AFNS 11 Feb 2009 -- Chief of Staff of the Army General Casey Jr. and Air Force Chief of Staff General Schwartz met to discuss areas of regarding interdependency and interoperability.
• Heithold assumes command of Air Force ISR Agency AFNS 11 Feb 2009 -- Maj. Gen. Bradley A. Heithold assumed command of the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency.
• Special Ops 'Fight' Persistent Conflicts Around the World, Panelists Say AFPS 11 Feb 2009 -- A panel of experts provided insights in the 20th Annual Special Operations/Low-Intensity Conflict symposium.
• Exercise demonstrates special ops capabilities AFNS 11 Feb 2009 -- Air Force Special Operations Command officials hosting a field exercise at Hurlburt Field designed to train forces in combat scenarios.
• AFTAC continues excellence as part of Air Force nuclear enterprise AFNS 11 Feb 2009 -- Gen. Norton Schwartz emphasized a renewed focus on the nuclear enterprise as one of the Air Force's top priorities.
• Malmstrom completes Limited Nuclear Surety Inspection AFNS 11 Feb 2009 -- Col. Michael Fortney, 341st Missile Wing commander: Much progress has been made, but you can't stop here.
• Pakistan, US to constitute group to undertake strategic review IRNA 11 Feb 2009 -- Pakistan and US decided to constitute one group from each side to undertake the strategic review of the existing policy.
• Spirit of Global Reach lands at Dover AFNS 11 Feb 2009 -- The Spirit of Global Reach arrived at Dover Air Force Base Feb. 9, putting itself in the history books as Team Dover's first C-5M Super Galaxy.
• USS Port Royal Returns to Homeport Navy NewsStand 11 Feb 2009 -- The guided-missile cruiser USS Port Royal returned to its homeport after being freed from shoal waters off Honolulu Airport.
• End Strength Mitigates Army Guard's January Recruiting Shortfall AFPS 11 Feb 2009 -- The Army National Guard missed its recruiting goal for January, but remains slightly over mandated end strength of 358,200.
• Minister of People's Armed Forces and Chief of General Staff Newly Appointed in DPRK KCNA 11 Feb 2009 -- DPRK National Defence Commission and the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea was released decision on February 11.
• N.Korea's Kim Jong-il names new defense minister RIA Novosti 11 Feb 2009 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has appointed a new defense minister.
• Kim Jong Il Inspects KPA Unit KCNA 11 Feb 2009 -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il inspected Unit No. 681 under the KPA Artillery Command and watched its firing exercise.
• Russia ready to fix ties with NATO - Lavrov RIA Novosti 11 Feb 2009 -- Russia ready to mend relations with NATO, linking any improvement in ties to a return to the founding principles of the NATO-Russia Council.
• US missile shield deployment would force Iskander move RIA Novosti 11 Feb 2009 -- Russia's FM reiterated Moscow would be forced to position missiles if US missile defense components were deployed.
• Russia can launch ICBMs at minute's notice RIA Novosti 11 Feb 2009 -- ICBMs in service with the Russian Strategic Missile Forces could be launched within a minute if Russia's security is threatened.
• Russia expands production of precision guided weapons RIA Novosti 11 Feb 2009 -- Russia is expanding production of precision guided weapons, including Iskander tactical missiles.
• Russia's Yury Dolgoruky submarine to start sea trials in spring RIA Novosti 11 Feb 2009 -- Sea trials of Russia's first Borey-class strategic nuclear submarine will start when navigation opens in the White Sea.
• Russian state to order naval fighters to support MiG company RIA Novosti 11 Feb 2009 -- Russian government will order MiG-29 KUB Fulcrum-D carrier-based fighters as part of state support for MiG.
• Ailing MiG Corp. to get $308 mln under state contract, other aid RIA Novosti 11 Feb 2009 -- The MiG aircraft-building corporation will receive a 17.3 billion-ruble ($485 million) state defense contract.
• Russian, Indian navies complete INDRA-2009 exercises RIA Novosti 11 Feb 2009 -- Russian and Indian warships completed final stage of the INDRA-2009 joint naval exercises, practicing anti-piracy operations.
• Russia to deliver first Mi-171 helicopter to India in 2010 RIA Novosti 11 Feb 2009 -- Russia will deliver the first of 80 Mi-171 transport helicopters to India under a recent contract in 2010.
• Indian delegation visits Russian dock, Nerpa sub RIA Novosti 11 Feb 2009 -- An Indian delegation has visited the dock where the Nerpa nuclear submarine has been kept since a fatal accident on board last year.
• Surgical strikes, war with Pakistan out of place options IRNA 11 Feb 2009 -- Former Kashmiri chief minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed: Peace should dominate the national debate rather than confrontation rhetoric.
• Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 11 Feb 2009
• PRESS BRIEFING BY PRESS SECRETARY ROBERT GIBBS The White House 11 Feb 2009

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for February 11, 2009
• Boeing Delivers EA-18G Maintenance Trainer Ahead of Schedule Boeing 11 Feb 2009 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] delivered its first EA-18G Growler maintenance trainer to Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, Wash., on Nov. 21 -- two weeks ahead of an already tight schedule.
• Boeing and Bharat Electronics to Open Analysis & Experimentation Center in India Boeing 11 Feb 2009 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Bharat Electronics Limited, one of India's leading defense companies, will jointly develop an analysis and experimentation center in India to offer customers the ability to make better-informed decisions in modernizing India's defense forces.
• CACI Awarded Prime Position to Support U.S. Army Simulation, Training, and Instrumentation Program CACI 11 Feb 2009 -- CACI International Inc (NYSE:CAI) announced today that it has been awarded a prime contract to support the U. S. Army's Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training, and Instrumentation (PEO STRI).
• IAI's ELTA Systems Awarded Contract by Spanish Air Force to Supply Deployable Image Intelligence (IMINT) Exploitation Station Israel Aerospace Industries 11 Feb 2009 -- The Spanish Air Force (SAF) awarded Israel Aerospace Industries' ELTA Systems Ltd. (IAI/ELTA) a contract worth $6.3 million (€4.5 million) for a mobile deployable image intelligence (IMINT) exploitation station. The SAF purchased IAI/ELTA's Deployable (Mobile) Multi-Sensor Ground Exploitation Station to enhance its on-the-move IMINT capabilities.
• IAI’s ELTA Systems Group Awarded $120 Million in Contracts for Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Based IMINT Systems in 2008 Israel Aerospace Industries 11 Feb 2009 -- Israel Aerospace Industries’ ELTA Systems Group (IAI/ ELTA) was awarded $120 million in contracts for Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) based Image Intelligence (IMINT) systems in 2008, from various customers worldwide.
• Lockheed Martin Awarded $78.6 Million Contract To Produce Upgrades For Aegis Weapon System Lockheed Martin 11 Feb 2009 -- MOORESTOWN, NJ, February 11, 2009 – Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] was awarded a $78.6 million contract from the U.S. Navy to produce the next evolution of hardware that will be incorporated into the Aegis Modernization and Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) programs.
• Northrop Grumman's Land Navigation System Selected for Future Combat Systems Development Contract Northrop Grumman 11 Feb 2009 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has been competitively selected by General Dynamics Robotic Systems (NYSE:GD) to supply the navigation system solution for the Phase II Global Positioning System (GPS) / Inertial Navigation System (INS), a major component of the Autonomous Navigation System (ANS) for the U.S. Army's Future Combat Systems (FCS) program.
• Pratt & Whitney Awarded $285 Million Contract Option for F119 Engine Support Pratt & Whitney 11 Feb 2009 -- Pratt & Whitney has been awarded a $285 million contract option from the U.S. Air Force to maintain F119 engines for the F-22 Raptor. This Support Program for the Raptor Engine (SPaRE) involves sustainment for fielded engines in 2009.
• Israel Aerospace Industries' Conformal Airborne Early Warning & Control Aircraft to be Presented at Aero India 2009 Air Show Israel Aerospace Industries 11 Feb 2009 -- Israel Aerospace Industries' (IAI) Conformal Airborne Early Warning & Control (CAEW) Aircraft will be presented at the Aero India 2009 Air Show (February 11-15, 2009) being held at the Air Force Station Yelahanka, Bengaluru, India.
• IAI’s ELTA Systems Group Awarded $300 Million Israel Aerospace Industries 11 Feb 2009 -- Israel Aerospace Industries’ ELTA Systems Group (IAI/ELTA) was awarded $300 million in contracts for Air Defense Radar systems in 2008 from various customers worldwide.
• United Kingdom selects Thales's S1850M radar for new aircraft carriers Thales 11 Feb 2009 -- Thales Nederland has formalised a contract with BAE Systems Integrated System Technologies Limited for two S1850M Long Range Volume Search Radars to be installed on the new aircraft carriers for the Royal Navy. The carriers are being built by the Aircraft Carrier Alliance comprising the UK Ministry of Defence, BVT Surface Fleet, Babcock Marine, BAE Systems and Thales.
• Raytheon's JLENS Passes Key Milestone Raytheon 11 Feb 2009 -- Raytheon Company's JLENS (Joint Land Attack Cruise Missile Defense Elevated Netted Sensor System) has successfully conducted a critical design review representing a key milestone in the U.S. Army program to provide cruise missile defense capability for U.S. warfighters.
• SAIC Awarded Task Order to Support U.S. Joint Forces Command SAIC 11 Feb 2009 -- Science Applications International Corporation (NYSE: SAI) today announced it has been awarded a task order by the Department of Defense (DoD) to support the U.S. Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM) Joint Capability Development (JCD) Directorate (J8) in the areas of engineering, analysis, test, and evaluation.
• IAI’s ELTA Systems Group Awarded $65 Million in Contracts for Homeland Security Systems in 2008 Israel Aerospace Industries 11 Feb 2009 -- Israel Aerospace Industries’ ELTA Systems Group (IAI/ELTA) was awarded $65 million in contracts for Homeland Security (HLS) systems in 2008, from various customers worldwide.
• Northrop Grumman Fields Service Oriented Architecture-Based DCGS Capability for the Intelligence Community Northrop Grumman 11 Feb 2009 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) set a new standard in intelligence networked processing systems recently when its Distributed Common Ground System-Intelligence Community (DCGS-IC) Beta Operational Capability (BOC) became a cutting edge operational Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) for the U.S. government.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 11 Feb 2009
• OPT: Gaza aid groups run into trouble with Hamas IRIN 11 Feb 2009 -- The Hamas government in Gaza has ordered international and local aid organisations providing emergency assistance to coordinate relief efforts with it.
• Diplomats Expect Key UN Vote on Monitors in Georgia VOA 11 Feb 2009 -- Key diplomats on the United Nations Security Council say the council could soon vote on a draft resolution extending the UN monitoring mission in Georgia.
• Russia says unaware of plans for S.Ossetia-Georgia border fence RIA Novosti 11 Feb 2009 -- Russia's Foreign Ministry: No information on the construction of a fence along South Ossetia's border with Georgia.
• DR Congo: group of Rwandan ex-militia still missing but repatriation continues UN News Centre 11 Feb 2009 -- Group of fighters who disappeared from a camp in the eastern DR Congo, are still missing, but many others have returned home.
• Ban calls on Member States to make up critical shortfalls in Darfur mission UN News Centre 11 Feb 2009 -- AU-UN Hybrid Operation in Darfur still lacks critical logistical equipment, especially air power, and is only at some 60 per cent of its mandated strength.
• Nigerian Troops Seize Stolen Oil in Niger Delta VOA 11 Feb 2009 -- The Nigerian military says it intercepted 22 barges of stolen crude oil in the creeks of the Niger Delta.

News Reports

• Arabs Pessimistic About Israeli Elections VOA 11 Feb 2009 -- Arab newspapers and Palestinians are expressing dissatisfaction and pessimism at Israel's election results.
• Israel in Political Limbo As Livni, Netanyahu Each Claim Victory VOA 11 Feb 2009 -- Israel in political uncertainty following elections in which hardliner Netanyahu and centrist Livni are each claiming victory.
• Israeli parliamentary election rivals both claim victory RIA Novosti 11 Feb 2009 -- Centrist Kadima party and the opposition right-wing Likud party both claimed victory in Israel's early parliamentary polls.
• Dalai Lama Says Tibet 'Very Tense,' Another Uprising Possible VOA 11 Feb 2009 -- Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, says the situation inside Tibet is very tense, and that a new uprising may happen there at any moment.
• US Cautious on Zimbabwe Unity Government VOA 11 Feb 2009 -- US withholding judgment on the Zimbabwe unity government that was sworn into office until it sees evidence of true power-sharing and good governance.
• ZIMBABWE: Pro-democracy campaigners stay in jail IRIN 11 Feb 2009 -- Group of 30 human rights activists, members of Morgan Tsvangirai's own party, and journalists remain in detention.
• ZIMBABWE: Devil in the detail IRIN 11 Feb 2009 -- Morgan Tsvangirai: Has managed to win key concessions from President Robert Mugabe ahead of being sworn into office as Prime Minister on 11 February.
• Tsvangirai Sworn In as Zimbabwe's Prime Minister VOA 11 Feb 2009 -- Morgan Tsvangirai, the leader of the Movement for Democratic Change has been sworn in as Zimbabwe's prime minister.
• Rise of Zimbabwe's Morgan Tsvangirai VOA 11 Feb 2009 -- Zimbabwe's veteran opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, has been sworn-in as prime minister, setting the stage for the installation of a power-sharing government on Friday.
• Groups Urge Caution in Bringing ICC to Kenya VOA 11 Feb 2009 -- Consideration of a bill to create a tribunal to try the alleged perpetrators of post-election violence in Kenya has been put off for another week.
• Obama Administration Asked to Change Course on Somalia VOA 11 Feb 2009 -- A new report calls on the Obama administration to overhaul its strategy on Somalia.
• MADAGASCAR: What went wrong? IRIN 11 Feb 2009 -- As emotions continue to run high in Madagascar's capital, Antananarivo, many people are asking who is to blame for the political turmoil.
• Kyrgyz President Announces Election Bid Far Ahead Of Schedule RFE/RL 11 Feb 2009 -- Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiev has announced his intention to seek reelection when the country next holds a presidential election.
• EU, Tajikistan Move Toward Closer Cooperation RFE/RL 11 Feb 2009 -- The European Union is ready to improve its relationship with Tajikistan in keeping with broader efforts to expand its role in Central Asia.
• Kashmir Govt paralyzed for second day IRNA 11 Feb 2009 -- Government function throughout the state of Jammu and Kashmir remained paralyzed for the second consecutive day on Wednesday as government employees stayed away from work.
• Russian deserter's mother still unable to meet with son RIA Novosti 11 Feb 2009 -- The mother of a Russian deserter who recently left his unit in S Ossetia and fled to Georgia has been unable to meet with her son.
• Successful launch of Express-AM44 & Express-MD1 telecom satellites with Thales Alenia Space Thales 11 Feb 2009 -- The AM44 telecommunication satellite has been successfully launched today by a Proton-M rocket from the Baikonour Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. ISS Reshetnev (formerly NPO-PM) is the satellite prime contractor and platform provider. Thales Alenia Space built the payload. The Express-AM44 satellite, dedicated to the Russian Satellite Communication Company (RSCC), was launched with its Express-MD1 co-passenger, also equipped with a Thales Alenia Space payload on board a Khrunichev satellite.