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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 12 Feb 2009 [PDF]
• Feb. 11 airpower summary: F-16 levels bunker complex AFNS 12 Feb 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with Coalition ground forces in Iraq and ISAF in Afghanistan during operations.
• Anbar Sons of Iraq transfer complete MNF-I 12 Feb 2009 -- Anbar's Sons of Iraq joined other members across the country and transferred from the Coalition forces to the responsibility of the Iraqi government.
• Forces in Iraq Detain Suspects, Seize Weapons AFPS 12 Feb 2009 -- Iraqi security forces arrested wanted criminals and, aided by U.S. soldiers, seized several weapons caches in Iraq.
• Bomb Kills Iraqi Shi'ite Pilgrims in Karbala VOA 12 Feb 2009 -- At least six Shi'ite pilgrims were killed in a bomb blast as they observed one of their most important religious holidays.
• Iranian FM Discusses Security in Iraqi Kurdistan VOA 12 Feb 2009 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki has visited Iraqi Kurdistan to discuss security concerns in the semi-autonomous region.
• Iraqi Navy to have state-of-the-art pier facility MNF-I 12 Feb 2009 -- Iraqi Navy has given the US Army Corps of Engineers Gulf Region Division approval to initiate construction of the Umm Qasr pier and seawall project.
• US Lawmakers Voice Concerns About Afghanistan, Lost Weapons VOA 12 Feb 2009 -- Rport says DoD has been unable to account for tens of thousands of weapons supplied to Afghanistan.
• New U.S. Envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan Faces Complex Regional Challenges VOA 12 Feb 2009 -- US Ambassador Holbrooke has undertaken first trip to S. Asia as special envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan.
• NMCB 7 Redeploys to, Focuses on Afghanistan Operations Navy NewsStand 12 Feb 2009 -- Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 7 have redeployed from Iraq to Afghanistan.
• Vella Gulf Crew Captures More Pirates in Gulf of Aden AFPS 12 Feb 2009 -- American forces operating in the Gulf of Aden have foiled another instance of piracy and captured nine suspects.
• More Suspected Pirates Apprehended in the Gulf of Aden Navy NewsStand 12 Feb 2009 -- The guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf intercepted and apprehended 9 suspected pirates.
• Arkansas Guard Supplies Generators to Ice-stricken School District AFPS 12 Feb 2009 -- Generators from the Arkansas Air National Guard enabled the school district to resume classes.
• Oklahoma Guard Aids Community After Devastating Tornado AFPS 12 Feb 2009 -- Tornado season in Oklahoma started more than a month early Feb. 10, as a tornado struck the town of Lone Grove.

Defense Policy / Programs

• US Intelligence Chief Calls Economic Crisis a Security Threat VOA 12 Feb 2009 -- Top US intelligence official: Financial crisis that is spanning the globe is also a security threat.
• Washington, Moscow Edge Toward New Relationship RFE/RL 12 Feb 2009 -- When Kyrgyz President Bakiev announced intention to evict US forces from Manas air base, most observers saw the Kremlin's hand.
• Lynn, Other New Defense Leaders Assume Posts AFPS 12 Feb 2009 -- Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III in-processed through personnel and took the oath of office before starting work this morning.
• AF officials standardize training for nuke inspectors AFNS 12 Feb 2009 -- Inspectors throughout the Air Force attended the first Nuclear Surety Inspector's Course at the Air Force Inspection Agency.
• Military Adapts to Special Operations Mission, Mullen Says AFPS 12 Feb 2009 -- Chairman of the Joint Chiefs: When he thinks about the future and evolution, characteristics of special ops forces comes to mind.
• Satellite Collision Debris May Affect Space Operations, Cartwright Says AFPS 12 Feb 2009 -- Vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff: Collision of two communication satellites may affect future space operations.
• Pacific Command Boss Shares Strategic Goals AFPS 12 Feb 2009 -- U.S. Pacific Command remains vigilant toward the Chinese military while also working toward building a cooperative relationship.
• U.S supports closer cross-strait ties: U.S official CNA 12 Feb 2009 -- US deputy secretary of state: US welcomes closer cross-Taiwan Strait ties and will continue through Washington's "one China" policy.
• U.S. commitment to Pacific region showcased in India AFNS 12 Feb 2009 -- About 150 US military personnel and Department of Defense civilians were among people taking part Aero India 09.
• DESRON 9 NSFS Certified, Ready to Support Maritime Strategy Navy NewsStand 12 Feb 2009 -- Destroyer Squadron 9 completed Naval Surface Fire Support recertification off the coast of San Clemente Island.
• Program keeps heavy-lift aircraft in the air for decades AFNS 12 Feb 2009 -- The first C-5M Super Galaxy signaled the first success of program designed to keep the transport in the air until 2040.
• 380th AEW mission expands with Navy Global Hawk program AFNS 12 Feb 2009 -- The joint mission of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing expanded with addition of Navy Global Hawk unmanned aircraft system.
• Tinker Reserve unit performs vital maintenance mission AFNS 12 Feb 2009 -- The 10th Flight Test Squadron is a unique squadron within its own right.
• Cannon Airmen prepare for gunship arrival AFNS 12 Feb 2009 -- The 27th Special Operations Equipment Maintenance Squadron Munitions Flight completed new training to ensure they are ready when additional aircraft arrive.
• PEO LMW Offers Overview of Unmanned Vehicle Systems Navy NewsStand 12 Feb 2009 -- Officials from the Navy's Program Executive Office Littoral and Mine Warfare provided overview of unmanned vehicles.
• Electronic Warfare Offers New Jobs for Tech-savvy Professionals AFPS 12 Feb 2009 -- New career field makes room for EW professionals for the active-duty Army, the Army Reserve and the Army National Guard.
• Army Recruiting Remains on Track Despite Challenges AFPS 12 Feb 2009 -- Despite challenges in recruiting, Army leaders said yesterday the service is on track to meet recruiting goals this year.
• Air Force Good Conduct Medal reinstated AFNS 12 Feb 2009 -- USAF officials: Reinstatement of the Air Force Good Conduct Medal for enlisted members, effective immediately and retroactive to Feb. 6, 2006.
• Robert G. Bradley VBSS Teams with Mozambican Marines Navy NewsStand 12 Feb 2009 -- Sailors conducted visit, board, search, and seizure and small boat operations training with Mozambican Marines.
• de Hoop Scheffer: Fully Rejoining NATO a 'Win-Win' Situation for France VOA 12 Feb 2009 -- NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer: Paris had nothing to lose by returning to the military wing of the alliance.
• Russia-NATO ties must work, not just exist on paper - Medvedev RIA Novosti 12 Feb 2009 -- Russia wants its relations with NATO to be effective and mutually beneficial, rather than merely existing on paper.
• NATO cannot boost presence in Arctic RIA Novosti 12 Feb 2009 -- Russian envoy on Arctic and Antarctic international cooperation: NATO lacks technical capability to enhance military presence in Arctic.
• Russia, India may form military transport planes JV in 2-3 months RIA Novosti 12 Feb 2009 -- Russia and India could set up a joint venture to produce medium-lift military transport planes.
• Russian strategic bombers fly over Arctic Ocean on routine patrol RIA Novosti 12 Feb 2009 -- Two Russian Tu-95MS Bear-H strategic bombers have carried out a routine patrol flight over the Arctic Ocean.
• MiG Corp. orders hit $2.8 bln, to grow by $1.5 bln - CEO RIA Novosti 12 Feb 2009 -- MiG's portfolio of orders is worth over 100 billion rubles ($2.8 billion).
• Russia to deliver first AWACS plane to India 'soon' RIA Novosti 12 Feb 2009 -- Russia will deliver the first A-50 AWACS aircraft developed on the basis of Il-76MD military transport plane in the near future.
• Russia delivers 4 MiG-29 fighters to India RIA Novosti 12 Feb 2009 -- Russia has delivered the first four MiG-29 Fulcrum-D naval fighters to India and will supply the remaining 12 aircraft by the end of 2009.
• Kazakhstan to get S-300 air defense systems from Russia soon RIA Novosti 12 Feb 2009 -- Russia will supply Kazakhstan with S-300 air defense systems in the near future.
• Pak's nukes not a deterrent: India IRNA 12 Feb 2009 -- Defence Minister A K Antony dismissed suggestions that Pakistan's nuclear capabilities a factor in any hesitation by India to carry out a surgical strike.
• Indian air force to receive BrahMos cruise missiles in 2012 RIA Novosti 12 Feb 2009 -- The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile will be commissioned by the Indian air force in 2012.
• South Korea Issues New Warning to North VOA 12 Feb 2009 -- South Korea: Ties with North Korea could be harmed if the regime goes through with a test-launching of a long-range ballistic missile.
• IRGC Air Force Commander: Enemies are desperate to counter Iran IRNA 12 Feb 2009 -- IRGC Air Force Commander Brigadier General Salami: Iran has attained technologies beyond expectations of big powers.
• Oath-Taking Rally Held in Paektusan Secret Camp KCNA 12 Feb 2009 -- An oath-taking rally took place in the Paektusan Secret Camp to celebrate the birthday of General Secretary Kim Jong Il.
• Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 12 Feb 2009
• Robert Gibbs Gaggle Aboard Air Force One 2-12-09 The White House 12 Feb 2009

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for February 12, 2009
• BAE SYSTEMS LEADS TEAM TO CONSOLIDATE U.S. NAVY COMPUTER NETWORK BAE Systems 12 Feb 2009 -- BAE Systems has formed a team to compete for a new U.S. Navy contract to consolidate dissimilar networks aboard naval ships into a common, secure computing environment, further ensuring mission success and reducing maintenance costs
• Successful first firing test of the Sagem AASM 125 air-to-ground weapon Sagem (Safran group) 12 Feb 2009 -- On January 27, 2009, Sagem (SAFRAN Group) and the French defense procurement agency DGA successfully carried out the first firing test of the 125-kilogram version of the AASM modular air-to-ground weapon. This successful test was a major step forward in the development of the AASM family.
• United Kingdom selects Thales`s S1850M radar for new aircraft carriers Thales 12 Feb 2009 -- The first radar system is scheduled to be delivered during 2011 and the second radar system in 2013. The scope includes minor enhancements to the earlier Type 45 design to meet the specific needs of aircraft carrier operation.
• EADS Defence & Security supports French Air Force in SIDM UAV deployment to Afghanistan EADS 12 Feb 2009 -- EADS Defence & Security (DS) plays a decisive role in the deployment of the SIDM UAV of the French Air Force to Afghanistan. SIDM, the "Système de Drone MALE" or medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle, was officially taken over by the French customer from the DS Business Unit Military Air Systems in end January 2009.
• General Dynamics Awarded $27 Million for RG-31 MRAP Spare Parts General Dynamics 12 Feb 2009 -- The Marine Corps Systems Command has awarded General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada a $27.2 million contract modification for spare parts in support of RG-31 Mk5E vehicles under the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) program.
• Northrop Grumman Subsidiary AMSEC LLC Wins U.S. Navy Engineering Design Services Contract Northrop Grumman 12 Feb 2009 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) subsidiary AMSEC LLC has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Navy for Shipyard, Ship Alteration Installation and Marine/Mechanical Engineering Design Services.
• Raytheon Wins Contract to Develop Next-Generation Jammer Technology Raytheon 12 Feb 2009 -- The U.S. Navy has awarded Raytheon Company a $5.5 million contract for a technology maturation study of next-generation jammer capability.
• First Lockheed Martin-Built Milstar Satellite Marks 15 Years On Orbit Lockheed Martin 12 Feb 2009 -- The first U.S. Air Force Milstar communications satellite, built by a Lockheed Martin [NTSE:LMT] team, has achieved 15 years of on-orbit operations.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 12 Feb 2009
• Hamas Says Long-Term Gaza Truce Agreed Upon VOA 12 Feb 2009 -- The Palestinian militant group Hamas says a long-term truce with Israel on the Gaza Strip will be announced in the next few days.
• UN probe into Gaza incidents begins work UN News Centre 12 Feb 2009 -- A United Nations investigation into events incidents in Gaza during Israel’s recent three-week offensive kicked off.
• Palestinians Demand ICC Investigate Possible Gaza War Crimes VOA 12 Feb 2009 -- The International Criminal Court in The Hague is examining a demand by the Palestinian Authority to investigate war crimes during offensive in Gaza.
• Abkhazia agrees to extend UN mission mandate RIA Novosti 12 Feb 2009 -- The foreign minister of Abkhazia officially notified the UN that the former Georgian republic approves the extension of the UN mission.
• OSCE Extends Georgian Monitoring Mandate VOA 12 Feb 2009 -- Security organization agreed to extend the mandate in Georgia of 20 unarmed military observers monitoring a Russian-Georgian cease-fire.
• OSCE extends mandate of Georgia monitors RIA Novosti 12 Feb 2009 -- The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe extended mandate for unarmed military observers in Georgia.
• SRI LANKA: Civilians evacuated by sea from combat zone IRIN 12 Feb 2009 -- Second transport in 3 days on 12 February to evacuate 140 wounded and sick civilians from the combat zones in northern Sri Lanka.
• ICC Says No Decision Reached on Bashir VOA 12 Feb 2009 -- The ICC chief prosecutor, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, is seeking to charge President al-Bashir with war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.
• Special envoy says UN-backed Congolese peace talks will resume shortly UN News Centre 12 Feb 2009 -- United Nations envoy: Peace talks between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and rebel group expected to restart soon.
• Woman fighter first in line in Sudan's UN-backed demobilization programme UN News Centre 12 Feb 2009 -- A woman was the first ex-combatant to be demobilized in this week’s historic launch of a United Nations-backed programme.
• Russia calls on Moldova, Transdnestr to reject unilateral path RIA Novosti 12 Feb 2009 -- Russian Foreign Ministry: Moldova and its breakaway region of Transdnestr should put aside any thoughts of unilateral solutions.
• Senior UN official to go to Serbia for more talks on Kosovo UN News Centre 12 Feb 2009 -- Senior UN official will meet with Serbian ministers for wide-ranging discussions on Kosovo.

News Reports

• Russia's Woes, Neighborhood Weaknesses To Complicate EU Policy, Panel Hears RFE/RL 12 Feb 2009 -- Fears of Russia may be overstated in Europe message of Anders Aslund, a leading expert on Russia and Eastern Europe.
• China Admits Need to Improve Regional Autonomy VOA 12 Feb 2009 -- China: Going to work on improving regional autonomy, a rare acknowledgment that its protection of minority group interests still needs work.
• SOMALIA: "The Somali people do not want any more fighting" IRIN 12 Feb 2009 -- Sheikh Ahmed was recently elected President of Somalia at a parliamentary meeting in Djibouti.
• Somali President Expected to Name New Prime Minister Thursday VOA 12 Feb 2009 -- Somali President Sheikh Ahmed is expected to name a new prime minister today after interviewing prospective candidates in Djibouti.
• Clashes in Srinagar IRNA 12 Feb 2009 -- Protests again broke out in sensitive Maisuma quarter with federal police deployed there clashing with the people who are demanding their eviction from the area.
• Nepal Maoists to mark 14th anniversary of 'People's War' IRNA 12 Feb 2009 -- The armed wing of the Maoists in Nepal People's Liberation Army will mark the 14th Anniversary of the "People's War."
• Chavez Reports Alleged Coup Plot VOA 12 Feb 2009 -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is reporting a new coup plot against his government, just days before a referendum on allowing him to seek re-election.
• Hijacked Arms Ship Arrives in Kenya VOA 12 Feb 2009 -- An arms-laden freighter, freed after being held by pirates off the coast of Somalia since September, has docked in the Kenyan port of Mombasa.