• 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 26 Feb 2009 [PDF]
• Feb. 25 airpower summary: F-15Es deter enemy forces AFNS 26 Feb 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and ISAF in Afghanistan during operations.
• Obama to Unveil Iraq Exit Plan Friday VOA 26 Feb 2009 -- President Barack Obama is expected on Friday to unveil his proposal for gradually reducing U.S. troop strength in Iraq.
• Iraqi, U.S. Forces Detain Suspected Criminals, Find Bomb, Weapons AFPS 26 Feb 2009 -- Iraqi security forces and US soldiers detained suspected criminals, averted a bomb attack and seized a mortar cache.
• U.S. Soldiers Train Iraqis to Enforce Border With Iran AFPS 26 Feb 2009 -- When approaching the border with Iran travelers find a distinct lack any landmark letting them know that the border is near.
• Successful Iraqi elections cause for optimism, UN envoy tells Security Council UN News Centre 26 Feb 2009 -- Top UN envoy: Recent peaceful and “remarkable” polls are a crucial step in Iraq’s recovery process.
• Afghan, Coalition Forces Disrupt Terrorist Network AFPS 26 Feb 2009 -- Afghan and coalition forces killed one militant and detained 10 suspected militants in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar and Khowst provinces.
• Coalition Brings Afghan Corps Up to Standard With Weapons, Training AFPS 26 Feb 2009 -- Coalition forces are outfitting the Afghan National Army by providing weapons and up-armored Humvees.
• Afghanistan Operations Not Vulnerable to Supply Line Dangers AFPS 26 Feb 2009 -- Despite dangers U.S. convoys face delivering supplies Afghanistan, military operations there aren’t susceptible to those threats.
• Plans to Close U.S. Air Base Threaten Military Supply Route to Afghanistan VOA 26 Feb 2009 -- Kyrgyzstan's parliament voted last week to end U.S. access to a key logistical air base that services troops in Afghanistan.
• UK delays deployment of Tornado ground attack aircraft in Afghanistan IRNA 26 Feb 2009 -- Plans to replace Harrier ground attack aircraft in Afghanistan with Tornado GR4s this spring have been delayed.
• Security, Development Intertwine in Afghanistan War AFPS 26 Feb 2009 -- Army Lt. Col. Donald Cullison struck an unintentional pose that symbolizes coalition efforts in eastern Afghanistan.
• Int'l community should support "effective" Afghan state, says UK official IRNA 26 Feb 2009 -- There cannot be a purely military solution to the fight against insurgency in Afghanistan.
• Afghan FM Calls Pakistan World's Main Security Concern VOA 26 Feb 2009 -- Afghanistan's FM: Nuclear-armed Pakistan is the world's main security concern.
• Clinton to Review Strategies with Pakistan, Afghan FMs VOA 26 Feb 2009 -- US Secretary of State Clinton meets with the FMs of Afghanistan and Pakistan to discuss new US strategies.
• PAKISTAN: Origins of the violence in Swat Valley IRIN 26 Feb 2009 -- Taliban insurgents have announced an indefinite ceasefire in the troubled Swat Valley of Pakistan's North West Frontier Province.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Transcript: DoD News Briefing with Secretary Gates and Adm. Mullen DoD 26 Feb 2009 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael Mullen
• Obama Announces More Key Defense Appointments AFPS 26 Feb 2009 -- President Barack Obama continued his efforts to fill key Defense Department posts.
• Defense Secretary Confident With Proposed Budget Share AFPS 26 Feb 2009 -- President Barack Obama’s fiscal 2010 budget gives the Defense Department nearly $664 billion, an amount Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said he’s confident will be enough to sustain the department’s programs.
• US Intelligence Director Warns of Economic Crisis Effects on Global Political Stability VOA 26 Feb 2009 -- US director of national intelligence: Global economic crisis could lead to political instability around the world.
• Trident Submariners Conduct Strategic Deterrence Missions Navy NewsStand 26 Feb 2009 -- Trident strategic missile submarine USS Maryland prepared to start a series of underwater practice maneuvers.
• Aeromedical missions bring total force partners together AFNS 26 Feb 2009 -- Almost 56,000 Soldiers, Marines, Sailors since October 2001 have been aeromedically evacuated.
• Defense Department to Allow Photographs of Caskets With Family's Permission AFPS 26 Feb 2009 -- DoD will allow news media to photograph caskets of fallen US troops returning home if families agree.
• Army releases Electronic Warfare field manual Army News 26 Feb 2009 -- "Battlefield events in Iraq and Afghanistan compelled the Army to rebuild an electronic warfare capability that it had allowed to slip," said Lt. Gen. William Caldwell IV, commander of the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center, in conjunction with the rollout of the Army's newest field manual, FM 3-36, Electronic Warfare in Operations.
• Combined Arms Center designated proponent for stability operations, security force assistance Army News 26 Feb 2009 -- The Army has announced that the commander of the Combined Arms Center has been designated as the Army's proponent for all doctrine, organization, training, materiel, leadership and education, personnel and facilities functions, also known as DOTMLPF functions, for stability operations and security force assistance.
• Army Belvoir leaders focused on recognizing suicide indicators Army News 26 Feb 2009 -- Despite the many successes printed and televised about the Army during its proud history, of ficials are all too aware of the dark cloud hovering above them.
• Virtual Battle Space 2 Army gaming system debuts Army News 26 Feb 2009 -- The Army is currently fielding the new Virtual Battle Space 2 Army gaming system, designed to provide units realistic, integrated training based on lessons learned from the field in Iraq and Afghanistan
• MPs Conduct New ASV Gunnery Army News 26 Feb 2009 -- Military Police Soldiers of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Brigade 3rd Special Troops Battalion, conducted the first Armored Security Vehicle Gunnery on Fort Stewart, Friday. It is the second ASV gunnery, Army-wide.
• After Action Review Focuses on Vanguard OIF Deployment Army News 26 Feb 2009 -- With constant deployments and constant changes to the battlefield, commanders throughout the Army are always looking for ways to better prepare their Soldiers.
• Army looks to thwart building cyber threats Army News 26 Feb 2009 -- undertook numerous initiatives near simultaneously to restore an independent EW capability within the Army.
• Research at Benét Labs where small is BIG Army News 26 Feb 2009
• Clinton Cautious About US-Syria Dialogue VOA 26 Feb 2009 -- Secretary of State Clinton: Too early to say if the US' troubled relationship with Syria is headed for a thaw.
• Missile Defense Capable, but Needs More Testing, Pentagon Official Says AFPS 26 Feb 2009 -- US missile defense is prepared to defend against North Korean threats, but the system needs more testing.
• Patriot missiles in Poland justify CFE moratorium - Russian analyst RIA Novosti 26 Feb 2009 -- Placement of Patriot air defense systems in Poland another reason for Russia to maintain moratorium on arms treaty.
• Poland confirms plans to deploy U.S. Patriot missile systems RIA Novosti 26 Feb 2009 -- US Patriot air defense systems will be placed in Poland regardlessof the deployment of a US missile defense base.
• Russia, NATO content with progress in relations - Rogozin RIA Novosti 26 Feb 2009 -- Russia and NATO are pleased with the pace that relations are progressing within the Russia-NATO Council.
• Voronezh-type radar site put on combat duty in southern Russia RIA Novosti 26 Feb 2009 -- Russia's new Voronezh-type radar site in town of Armavir was put on combat duty.
• Russian defense companies to get $1.6 bln in bank loans RIA Novosti 26 Feb 2009 -- Russian banks will grant 56 billion rubles ($1.6 billion) in loans to defense industry firms.
• Yemen plans to buy more MiG-29 fighters from Russia RIA Novosti 26 Feb 2009 -- President of Yemen said his country plans to buy a number of MiG-29 Fulcrum fighters and other military equipment from Russia.
• India to lay keel of new aircraft carrier on Saturday RIA Novosti 26 Feb 2009 -- The keel-laying ceremony for India's Indigenous Aircraft Carrier will take place this coming Saturday.
• Press Briefing by OMB Director Peter Orszag and CEA Chair Christina Romer The White House 26 Feb 2009

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for February 26, 2009
• BAE SYSTEMS DELIVERS TWO M-ATV PROTOTYPES FOR MILITARY TESTING AND EVALUATION BAE Systems 26 Feb 2009 -- The U.S. Army has awarded BAE Systems a contract to supply more than 5,100 armor kits, known as "B-kits", for the Long Term Armor Strategy (LTAS) configured Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV).
• Mission-Proven Vehicle Components and Technologies Featured in Oshkosh M-ATV Vehicle Design Oshkosh 26 Feb 2009 -- To meet the urgent need for MRAP All Terrain Vehicles (M-ATV) in Afghanistan, Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK), has developed a vehicle that incorporates theater-tested components and technologies, making the Oshkosh® M-ATV the most mission-proven solution available.
• Follow-on order: Mass protection system equipment for additional German Navy mine-hunters Rheinmetall Defence 26 Feb 2009 -- Rheinmetall Defence has received an order to equip two more German Navy mine-hunters with Mass naval protection systems. (Mass stands for "Multi Ammunition Softkill System".) By June 2009, one MJ 333-class vessel and one HL 352-class vessel will each be equipped with a Mass two-launcher configuration with integrated detection unit. The order is worth around €8 million.
• BAE SYSTEMS RECEIVES $45 MILLION U.S. ARMY CONTRACT FOR VEHICLE EMERGENCY ESCAPE WINDOW KITS BAE Systems 26 Feb 2009 -- BAE Systems received an order to provide 5,685 Vehicle Emergency Escape (VEE) Window kits from the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM).
• FUTURE COMBAT SYSTEMS PROGRAM NON-LINE-OF-SIGHT CANNON FIRES EXCALIBUR SIMULATION ROUNDS BAE Systems 26 Feb 2009 -- BAE Systems successfully fired Excalibur simulation rounds from the first XM1203 Non-Line-of-Sight (NLOS) Cannon prototype at a U.S. Army test site.
• Boeing Delivers 1st CH-47F Chinook Manufactured Under Multiyear Contract Award Boeing 26 Feb 2009 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced delivery of the first CH-47F Chinook manufactured under a five-year U.S. Army contract awarded in August 2008.
• Future Combat Systems Program Completes Integrated Mission Test-1 Boeing 26 Feb 2009 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Science Applications International Corp. [NYSE: SAI], together the Lead Systems Integrator for the U.S. Army's Future Combat Systems (FCS) program, have successfully completed Integrated Mission Test-1 (IMT-1), verifying that the integration of FCS systems and Battle Command software is proceeding as planned.
• Lockheed Martin’s VUIT Technology Provides Network Interoperability for Multiple Aviation Platforms Lockheed Martin 26 Feb 2009 -- Lockheed Martin’s [NYSE: LMT] Video from Unmanned Aircraft Systems for Interoperability Teaming (VUIT™) technology is now available as a standard kit for use across multiple aviation platforms.
• Lockheed Martin Receives $324 Million For C-5M Super Galaxy Program Lockheed Martin 26 Feb 2009 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] recently received two contracts totaling $324 million for the C-5M Super Galaxy program.
• Lockheed Martin F-35 Production, Testing And International Participation Shift Into High Gear In 2009 Lockheed Martin 26 Feb 2009 -- In a single calendar year, the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lighting II program will complete all remaining System Development and Demonstration aircraft, deliver the first production-model F-35s to the armed services and initiate full-scale flight test operations at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., and Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md.
• Lockheed Martin Successfully Validates ATACMS Missile Long-Term Reliability Lockheed Martin 26 Feb 2009 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] successfully fired a U.S. Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missile in a recent stockpile verification test at Fort Bliss, TX.
• Raytheon to Produce GPS-Related Advanced Anti-Jamming Antenna System Raytheon 26 Feb 2009 -- A subsidiary of Raytheon Company has received a U.S. Air Force contract for initial production of the GPS Advanced Digital Antenna Production system.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 26 Feb 2009
• US Special Envoy Meets With Turkish Leaders VOA 26 Feb 2009 -- US Middle East special envoy Mitchell has met with the president of Turkey Thursday as part of his quest for peace in the region.
• Fatah, Hamas Agree on Path to Unity Government VOA 26 Feb 2009 -- Rival Palestinian factions, including Fatah and Hamas, have signed a deal in Cairo aimed at healing their divisions and creating a unity government.
• Palestinian unity conference begins in Cairo RIA Novosti 26 Feb 2009 -- Palestinian national unity talks involving the rival Fatah and Hamas movements began on Thursday in the Egyptian capital of Cairo.
• Hamas must be involved in political process IRNA 26 Feb 2009 -- Former international peace negotiators joined together in a united call for Hamas to be included in the Middle East peace process.
• Bangladesh Says Mutinous Guards Surrender VOA 26 Feb 2009 -- The Bangladesh government says border guards have laid down their weapons after two days of street fighting for better pay and new bosses.
• Bangladesh mutiny over in capital - reports RIA Novosti 26 Feb 2009 -- A border guard mutiny that left at least 50 people dead in the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka has been brought under control
• B'desh PM grants amnesty to BDR jawans as 9 hr standoff ends IRNA 26 Feb 2009 -- A nine-hour gun battle at the Bangladesh Rifles Headquarters in Dhaka ended after PM Hasina declared a general amnesty.
• 50 feared killed in BDR revolt in Bangladesh IRNA 26 Feb 2009 -- At least 50 Bangladeshi army officers are feared dead in a mutiny after rebellious Bangladesh Rifles troops opened fire on them over a pay dispute.
• Bangladeshi mutiny no longer confined to capital - reports RIA Novosti 26 Feb 2009 -- A Bangladeshi border guard mutiny that has left 50 people dead in the capital of Dhaka has now spread to other cities.
• Bangladesh Prime Minister Issues Warning to Mutinous Border Guards VOA 26 Feb 2009 -- Call by Prime Minister Sheik Hasina for rebels inside to lay down their weapons.
• Bangladesh PM urges BDR rebels to surrender IRNA 26 Feb 2009 -- Bangladesh Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina Thursday urged the Bangladesh Rifles rebels to surrender.
• India says its border with Bangladesh is safe, secure IRNA 26 Feb 2009 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman man announced here on Thursday that India's joint border with Bangladesh is safe and secure.
• US Secretary of State, Kosovo Leaders Meet in Washington VOA 26 Feb 2009 -- U.S. Secretary of Hillary Clinton has reaffirmed American support for Kosovo as it seeks to build a democratic multi-ethnic state in the Balkans.
• UN tribunal convicts five top Serbian officials of war crimes in Kosovo UN News Centre 26 Feb 2009 -- UN war crimes tribunal convicted 5 former high-ranking officials for crimes against humanity, while former Serbian president Milutinović was acquitted.
• Sierra Leone: UN-backed court convicts three rebel leaders for war crimes UN News Centre 26 Feb 2009 -- Three men who led a rebel movement during Sierra Leone’s civil war have been found guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
• Lack of Funding Dogs Khmer Rouge Tribunal VOA 26 Feb 2009 -- The Khmer Rouge Tribunal in Cambodia began hearings less than two weeks ago.
• Analyst: Uganda's LRA Leaders Must be Captured to Stop Killings VOA 26 Feb 2009 -- Uganda's Lord's Resistance Army rebels crossed into Central African Republic after fleeing northern Congo.
• Darfur: after last month's flare-ups, relative calm returns, UN-African mission says UN News Centre 26 Feb 2009 -- Joint AU-UN peacekeeping force Darfur reported that relative calm had returned to region although concern remained over continuing violence.
• AMISOM to Back Somali Clerics Peace Effort VOA 26 Feb 2009 -- AU Peace keeping mission in Somalia will provide support for Islamic peace conference aimed to ending the ongoing clashes in the capital, Mogadishu.
• European Meeting on Somalia Opens VOA 26 Feb 2009 -- A meeting hosted by the European Commission on Somalia's peace process has opened in Brussels.
• Security Council extends Timor-Leste peacekeeping mission UN News Centre 26 Feb 2009 -- The Security Council extended for one more year the mandate of the peacekeeping mission sent fledgling nation of Timor-Leste.
• Moldovan President Proposes Talks With Russia, Transdniester RFE/RL 26 Feb 2009 -- Moldovan President Voronin would like to hold 3-way meeting with Russian President Medvedev and separatist leader Smirnov.

News Reports

• Lebanon tribunal set to begin work next week, says UN report UN News Centre 26 Feb 2009 -- The international tribunal being set up to try those responsible for political killings in Lebanon is ready to begin its work next week, says a new United Nations report released today.
• Obama Unveils $3-Trillion Budget Plan VOA 26 Feb 2009 -- U.S. President Barack Obama says his first budget proposal, which projects spending of more than $3 trillion dollars, seeks to address the country's most immediate needs.
• Secretary-General dispatches senior UN political aide to Madagascar UN News Centre 26 Feb 2009 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has dispatched a senior United Nations political aide to Madagascar, following a request from the Government for a more active role by the world body in dealing with the political tensions in the Indian Ocean island nation.
• Ukraine asks Gazprom to reduce gas supplies in 2009 RIA Novosti 26 Feb 2009 -- Ukraine's national oil and gas company Naftogaz has asked Russia's Gazprom to reduce gas supplies to the country in 2009.
• China Rejects US Report on Human Rights Record VOA 26 Feb 2009 -- China is rejecting criticism of its human rights record in the State Department's latest annual report on human rights around the world.
• Russia responds calmly to U.S. human rights criticism RIA Novosti 26 Feb 2009 -- Russia responded with FM acknowledging that the country has problems in the sphere.
• U.S. Chides China, Iran, Central Asian States Over Rights RFE/RL 26 Feb 2009 -- US officials sharply criticized China's human rights record as they presented the annual State Department Human Rights Report.
• U.S. Assesses Russia, Belarus, Caucasus States In Rights Report RFE/RL 26 Feb 2009 -- US Secretary of State Clinton wants report to act as a catalyst for changes that improve conditions.
• Pakistani Lawmakers Protest VOA 26 Feb 2009 -- Opposition lawmakers in Pakistan have scuffled with police during a demonstration against court rulings that barred two of their leaders from elected office.
• Pressure On Georgian President Intensifies RFE/RL 26 Feb 2009 -- In recent weeks, the opposition to Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has aligned in two main camps.
• Lebanese Official Confident Hariri Case Solvable VOA 26 Feb 2009 -- Lebanon's justice minister says he is confident a United Nations tribunal will determine who killed former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
• Madagascar Opposition Leader Calls for More Protests after Breakdown of Peace Talks VOA 26 Feb 2009 -- Deposed Mayor Ranjoelina has called on his supporters to begin another round of street protest.
• COMOROS: Reforming 'the coup-coup islands' IRIN 26 Feb 2009 -- Comoros is facing an unenviable catch-22 situation in its attempt to reform a governance system that devours four-fifths of its GDP.