• 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 24 Feb 2009 [PDF]
• DoD News: DoD Identifies Army Casualties
• Iraq Attack Wounds US Soldiers, Kills Interpreter VOA 24 Feb 2009 -- Four American soldiers were wounded and an interpreter was killed when gunmen attacked a police station in northern Iraq.
• Afghan, Coalition Forces Kill 16 Militants AFPS 24 Feb 2009 -- Soldiers from the Afghan National Army, aided by coalition forces, killed 16 militants in Afghanistan’s Helmand province.
• Bomb Kills Five in Southern Afghanistan VOA 24 Feb 2009 -- A roadside bomb in Helmand province killed 4 soldiers with the US-backed coalition and an Afghan civilian.
• Kuwait Logistics Center Improves Supply Pipeline to Afghanistan AFPS 24 Feb 2009 -- As soldiers and Marines ordered to Afghanistan prepare to deploy, logisticians already orchestrating shipment of supplies.
• European Union delegation visits Manas AFNS 24 Feb 2009 -- A delegation of 5 representatives from the EU visited Manas Air Base to see firsthand how it supports Afghanistan.
• Lawmakers Stress Need for Afghanistan Strategy, Government Reforms VOA 24 Feb 2009 -- US lawmakers just back from Afghanistan say US and its NATO allies must have a clearer strategy.
• Three killed as Pakistan forces bomb house of militant leader IRNA 24 Feb 2009 -- Pakistani security forces destroyed the house of leader of an extremist group in country's tribal region and killed 3 militants.
• Pakistan sets to abolish Musharraf's era army-dominant council IRNA 24 Feb 2009 -- Pakistan will abolish its National Security Council, established by former President Pervez Musharraf Musharraf.
• Top Pakistani, Afghan Diplomats Visit Washington VOA 24 Feb 2009 -- Top diplomats for Pakistan and Afghanistan are in Washington for talks with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
• South Afghans protest death of two children in rocket fire RIA Novosti 24 Feb 2009 -- Afghans in the city of Kandahar protested the deaths of two boys, believed to have been killed by a Canadian rocket.
• Pakistani Taliban Announce Indefinite Truce In Swat RFE/RL 24 Feb 2009 -- Pakistani Taliban militants announced an indefinite cease-fire in the Swat valley.
• Taliban Militants Extend Cease-Fire in Pakistan's Swat Valley VOA 24 Feb 2009 -- Pakistani Taliban in the troubled Swat valley are indefinitely extending a cease-fire with the government.
• Combined Task Force 152 Conducts Exercise Stake Net Navy NewsStand 24 Feb 2009 -- Ships and patrol craft from Australia, the United States and regional Gulf nations conducted a 5-day exercise.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Remarks of President Barack Obama -- Address to Joint Session of Congress The White House 24 Feb 2009
• President Says Budget Signifies New Way Forward for Defense AFPS 24 Feb 2009 -- President Barack Obama: Americans are not quitters, and the country can overcome the difficulties facing it.
• Obama Administration Signals Thaw in Relations with Russia VOA 24 Feb 2009 -- Vice President Joe Biden gave a hint to administration's attitude toward relations with Russia in speech in Munich, Germany.
• Veteran Mideast Envoy Set To Lead New US Strategy On Iran RFE/RL 24 Feb 2009 -- US State Department: Veteran diplomat Dennis Ross to be a special adviser for the Persian Gulf and SW Asia.
• Obama Nominates Defense Acquisition Undersecretary AFPS 24 Feb 2009 -- Ashton Carter nominated to be the next undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics.
• 1,000 Trident Patrols: SSBNs the Cornerstone of Strategic Deterrence Navy NewsStand 24 Feb 2009 -- The Navy commemorated the completion of 1,000 Trident strategic deterrent patrols.
• Ike Strike Group Deploys Navy NewsStand 24 Feb 2009 -- The Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group departed homeports Feb. 21 for a regularly scheduled deployment in support of ongoing, worldwide operations.
• Exercise offers A-10 crews chance to hone warfighting skills AFNS 24 Feb 2009 -- Airmen train to conduct close-air-support missions for ground forces in preparation for deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.
• 43rd EECS passes 20,000 combat hours AFNS 24 Feb 2009 -- Airmen with the 43rd Expeditionary Electronic Combat Squadron clocked their 20,000th combat flight hour.
• Predator passes 500,000 flight hours AFNS 24 Feb 2009 -- The 432d Air Expeditionary Wing flew an MQ-1B Predator unmanned aircraft, and the flight surpassed the 500,000 flight-hour mark for the aircraft.
• UAV Brings Mahan to Forefront of 21st Century Readiness Navy NewsStand 24 Feb 2009 -- The UAV capability aboard USS Mahan provides capability to pace threats during its counter-piracy mission.
• New Presidential Helicopter Faces Scrutiny AFPS 24 Feb 2009 -- The VH-71 helicopter being developed as the next-generation presidential helicopter could get the ax before it ever takes flight.
• Obama Orders Review of Helicopter Project VOA 24 Feb 2009 -- US President Obama says he has ordered a review of plans to replace the fleet of decades-old presidential helicopters at a cost of about $11 billion.
• Halawa Firing Range Keeps Hawaii-Based Security Qualified Navy NewsStand 24 Feb 2009 -- Sailors who teach weapons training help maintain security aboard Naval Station Pearl Harbor.
• Services See Challenges, Opportunities in Military Land Use AFPS 24 Feb 2009 -- Acquiring land for US military training is fraught with human and fiscal obstacles.
• More Troops, Families Likely to Qualify for New GI Bill Benefits AFPS 24 Feb 2009 -- Troops nearing retirement eligibility may be able to tap into the transferability benefits provided in the new Post-9/11 GI Bill.
• South Korea warns North satellite launch would breach UN order RIA Novosti 24 Feb 2009 -- The launch of even a non-military satellite by N Korea would be considered a breach of a UN Security Council resolution.
• North Korea Announces Plans for 'Satellite' Launch VOA 24 Feb 2009 -- North Korea has spelled out in its clearest terms yet its intention to launch what it describes as a "communications satellite."
• Russian Navy to continue important patrols around the world RIA Novosti 24 Feb 2009 -- The Russian Navy will continue its important duties in the seas and oceans of the world.
• Russia's Yaroslav Mudry frigate to begin trials in Baltic Sea RIA Novosti 24 Feb 2009 -- Yaroslav Mudry frigate has left Yantar shipyard in Russia's Kaliningrad Region and heading to Baltic Sea to begin sea-trials.
• UAE signs $1 bln contracts at Idex-2009 arms show RIA Novosti 24 Feb 2009 -- The United Arab Emirates has signed a series of arms deals worth more than $1 billion at an international defense exhibition.
• Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 24 Feb 2009

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for February 24, 2009
• Boeing Statement on United Arab Emirates C-17 Announcement Boeing 24 Feb 2009 -- The Boeing Company is pleased that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced its intent to acquire the C-17 Globemaster III, the world's most advanced airlifter
• C4 Advanced Solutions and EADS Defence & Security create a Joint Venture EADS 24 Feb 2009 -- C4 Advanced Solutions (C4AS) a wholly owned subsidiary of the Emirates Advanced Investments group and EADS Defence & Security (DS) create a Joint Venture company in Abu Dhabi to develop and market High Tech solutions in the field of Defence and Security applications.
• Northrop Grumman Successfully Redelivers USS Toledo (SSN 769) Northrop Grumman 24 Feb 2009 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NSYE:NOC) has successfully redelivered the Los Angeles-class submarine USS Toledo (SSN 769) to the U.S. Navy. The redelivery took place Feb. 21 following successful sea trials.
• SAIC Awarded $115 Million Subcontract to Support Tactical Biometrics Systems (TBS) SAIC 24 Feb 2009 -- Science Applications International Corporation (NYSE: SAI) today announced it has been awarded a subcontract by Sensor Technologies Incorporated (STI) to support the U.S. Army Communications and Electronics Command (CECOM) by providing operations and user maintenance support to Tactical Biometrics Systems (TBS).

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 24 Feb 2009
• Israel's Peres Urges New Parliament to Reach Peace VOA 24 Feb 2009 -- Israeli President Peres urged the country's new parliament to reach a peace deal with the Palestinians by the end of its four-year term.
• Israeli prime minister sacks special envoy in Gaza peace talks RIA Novosti 24 Feb 2009 -- Israeli PM Olmert has sacked Amos Gilad, who headed the ceasefire talks in Gaza with the militant group Hamas.
• Palestinian Residents Brace for Demolition of Homes in East Jerusalem VOA 24 Feb 2009 -- Palestinians in East Jerusalem are protesting what they say are preparations by Israel to demolish scores of Arab homes.
• LTTE may target India: Sri Lankan Army Chief IRNA 24 Feb 2009 -- After being battered by Sri Lanka, a desperate Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) may target India, Sri Lankan Army Chief has warned.
• India offers assistance to Lanka for evacuation of IDPs IRNA 24 Feb 2009 -- India: Sanctity of the safe zones must be respected by Sri Lankan forces and the LTTE for the evacuation of the IDPs.
• Sri Lanka govt rejects cease-fire call by LTTE IRNA 24 Feb 2009 -- The Sri Lankan Government says, it has no intention of entering into a ceasefire, but will accept laying down of arms by the LTTE.
• Russia to send military hospital to UN mission in Chad RIA Novosti 24 Feb 2009 -- Russia is to send a military hospital to Chad and engineers to the Central African Republic in support of UN missions.
• EU warns Minsk recognition of Abkhazia could affect ties RIA Novosti 24 Feb 2009 -- Relations between the EU and Belarus will be suspended if Minsk recognizes Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent.
• Russia may hold trilateral meeting on Transdnestr RIA Novosti 24 Feb 2009 -- Russia does not rule out the possibility of holding a trilateral meeting with Moldova and the unrecognized republic of Transdnestr.
• Mortars Greet Somali President's Return to Capital VOA 24 Feb 2009 -- Heavy fighting in Somalia's capital between Islamist rebels and government forces has killed at least 13.
• Darfur: Ban welcomes commitment on prisoner release by Government, rebels UN News Centre 24 Feb 2009 -- Secretary-General Ban welcomed commitment to release prisoners agreed upon by the Government of Sudan and a major rebel movement.
• Congolese Target of Hutu Rebel Attacks VOA 24 Feb 2009 -- Increased violence against civilians in the eastern DRC has caused thousands more people to flee their towns and villages.
• Rwandan rebel attacks lead to more displacement in eastern DR Congo, UN says UN News Centre 24 Feb 2009 -- UN High Commissioner for Refugees: Extremely worried about rising violence against civilians in the eastern Congolese province of North Kivu.
• Mogadishu Fighting Kills at Least 13 VOA 24 Feb 2009 -- Reports from Somalia's capital say at least 13 people are dead after insurgents attacked government and African Union forces, Tuesday.
• Nigeria Seeks Gulf of Guinea Cooperation to Stop Attacks VOA 24 Feb 2009 -- Nigeria says countries around the Gulf of Guinea should work together to make the region safer.

News Reports

• UK to 'vigorously defend' legal challenge to Israel policy IRNA 24 Feb 2009 -- A historic legal case effectively challenging the British government's relations with Israel launched.
• Tajik Leader Arrives In Moscow With More Leverage, Less Faith RFE/RL 24 Feb 2009 -- Emomali Rahmon appears to have more than small talk on his mind as he arrives in Moscow to meet with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.
• Dalai Lama Urges Tibetans in China to be Patient VOA 24 Feb 2009 -- Dalai Lama urging Tibetans in China to be patient and not rise up against a crackdown authorities are carrying out.
• China Criticizes Dalai Lama on Eve of Tibetan New Year VOA 24 Feb 2009 -- China is accusing Tibet's exiled spiritual leader of trying to undermine stability, even as Chinese security forces are on high alert.
• Prosecutor Says Former Liberian President Charles Taylor May Go Free VOA 24 Feb 2009 -- The chief prosecutor in the trial of former Liberian president Charles Taylor says Taylor may go free because of a funding shortage at the court trying him for war crimes.
• EU includes Belarus in Eastern Partnership program RIA Novosti 24 Feb 2009 -- The European Union has announced the inclusion of Belarus in its Eastern Partnership (EaP) program.
• Former Thai PM Supporters Hold Rally in Bangkok VOA 24 Feb 2009 -- Government opponents and supporters of Thailand's former prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, launched a rally by blockading the government's main administrative building.
• Kurd Leader Defies Ban, Speaks in Kurdish to Parliament VOA 24 Feb 2009 -- The head of Turkey's main Kurdish party has addressed lawmakers in the Kurdish language, defying a Turkish ban on the practice.