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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 11 Mar 2009 [PDF]
• DoD News: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty
• Transcript: DoD News Briefing with Geoff Morrell from the Pentagon DoD 11 Mar 2009 -- Presenter: Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell
• On the Ground: Coalition Forces Meet to Move Iraq Forward AFPS 11 Mar 2009 -- U.S. forces in Iraq increasingly fill their days with something not thought of as a traditional military role: meetings.
• Farewell held for 742nd MI group deploying to Iraq Army News 11 Mar 2009 -- On the roads of Baghdad, a Soldier's heart pounds as his convoy halts, having just spotted a suspected improvised explosive device.
• 'Wheel Depot' Rolls Out First Rebuilt Humvee AFPS 11 Mar 2009 -- First M1114 Humvee to be completely rebuilt at the Taji National Maintenance Depot rolled out of Main Wheel Assembly and Disassembly facility.
• Iraq Takes 'Huge Strides' Toward Independence, Coalition General Says AFPS 11 Mar 2009 -- Coalition commander: Building a nation takes time, and progress shouldn’t be measured through Western standards.
• Speech by Ambassador Said T. Jawad at Harvard University Embassy of Afghanistan 11 Mar 2009 -- Speech: A New Strategy for Afghanistan, by Afghan Ambassador to the United States Said T. Jawad at John F. Kennedy Forum, Harvard University.
• Afghan, Coalition Forces Detain 19 Bomb Makers AFPS 11 Mar 2009 -- Afghan commandos, aided by coalition forces, detained 19 suspected bomb makers in eastern Afghanistan.
• Gates: U.S. Won't Allow Taliban Resurgence in Afghanistan AFPS 11 Mar 2009 -- SecDef Gates: US won’t let the Taliban threaten the Afghan government and re-establish safe havens there.
• Talking With Taliban a Tricky Proposition VOA 11 Mar 2009 -- President Obama has indicated the United States might be willing to consider talks with at least some moderate insurgent elements in Afghanistan.
• U.S. Supports Afghan-Taliban Reconciliation, With Caveats AFPS 11 Mar 2009 -- US “is fully supportive” of Afghan attempts to reconcile with Taliban, as long as Taliban accept will of people who elected government.
• GAO Report Recommends Changes to Afghan Police Program AFPS 11 Mar 2009 -- GAO: Effective, honest police force is vital to security progress in Afghanistan, but a shortage of instructors hampers training.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Discussions Aim to Resolve U.S. Survey Ship Incident AFPS 11 Mar 2009 -- Incident in the South China Sea serious enough to merit face-to-face discussions between US and Chinese officials.
• US, China to Work to Avoid Future Naval Disputes VOA 11 Mar 2009 -- US and China say they have agreed to work hard to avoid incidents such as the naval dispute that has raised tensions between the two countries.
• Chinese Military Chiefs Accuse US Navy of Spying VOA 11 Mar 2009 -- Chinese naval officials: US naval ship that was involved in a standoff Sunday near China's southern coast was on a spying mission.
• China protests over U.S. Navy activities RIA Novosti 11 Mar 2009 -- China has lodged an official protest against the US Navy over unauthorized activities in China's exclusive maritime economic zone.
• Navy Names Littoral Combat Ship USS Coronado DoD 11 Mar 2009 -- Secretary of the Navy Donald Winter announced today that the fourth littoral combat ship (LCS) will be named USS Coronado
• Navy Launches Career Guide for Divers Navy NewsStand 11 Mar 2009 -- The Navy dive community now has a roadmap to help enlisted Sailors succeed in their careers with the launch of a new career tool available on Navy Knowledge Online (NKO).
• Green Barracks is Final Project in $770M Boot Camp Recapitalization Navy NewsStand 11 Mar 2009 -- One new building joined the "fleet of ships," at Recruit Training Command (RTC) Great Lakes and another began construction in early March, marking the last two major projects awarded in the 12-year, $770-million recapitalization of RTC.
• Discussions Aim to Resolve U.S. Ship Incident Navy NewsStand 11 Mar 2009 -- The incident in the South China Sea involving a U.S. ocean surveillance ship is serious enough to merit face-to-face discussions between U.S. and Chinese officials, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said March 11.
• U.S. 3rd Fleet Hosts Staff Talks for Maritime Defense Navy NewsStand 11 Mar 2009 -- The commander of U.S. 3rd Fleet met with U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and Canadian maritime commanders Feb. 25-27 during three-party staff talks at his fleet headquarters located in Point Loma, Calif.
• Modernized Sub to Participate in Fort Lauderdale Fleet Week Navy NewsStand 11 Mar 2009 -- The commander of the Submarine Force announced that the Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Toledo (SSN 769) will participate in the 2009 Fleet Week Port Everglades to be held in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., April 27-May 1.
• Navy Message Announces Updates to Physical Readiness Policy Navy NewsStand 11 Mar 2009 -- The Navy announced additional changes to the Physical Readiness Program (PRP) March 11, which remains focused on performance and enhances the culture of fitness for Sailors.
• Explosives + Safety = USATECS Army News 11 Mar 2009 -- Bullets, bombs and grenades are the Joint Munitions Command's business. And if there's any group of people comfortable with things that go "boom," it's the JMC.
• 'Wheel Depot' Rolls Out First Rebuilt Humvee Army News 11 Mar 2009 -- Many at Joint Munitions Command may not realize that we have an ammunition expert stationed at Fort Hood, Texas.
• A historical look at McAlester AAP Army News 11 Mar 2009 -- commonly referred to as "Jim Crow" laws. Bitter resentment was expressed when it was learned that negro enlisted personnel, both Navy and Marines, were being assigned to the depot, but the commanding officer declined to request their removal when it was obviously the department's policy to use these ratings at this depot.
• At Tooele, work that makes a difference Army News 11 Mar 2009 -- BThe commanding general of the Joint Munitions Command, Brig. Gen. Larry Wyche, visited Tooele Army Depot in mid-February, praising employees at the depot for their hard work and support to warfighters around the world
• Refreshing Way Around Acquisition Process Army News 11 Mar 2009 -- are teamed with AMCOM to re-engineer spare parts while two other companies are AMCOM's production partners for those parts. Electronic parts are produced by Alaskan-native owned Tyonek, which has a facility in Madison, and mechanical parts are produced by a small disadvantaged business known as Adept of Huntsville.
• Planning for disaster: Garrison activates EOC during force protection exercise Army News 11 Mar 2009
• RDECOM NCOs conduct quarterly training at Aberdeen Proving Ground Army News 11 Mar 2009 -- United in focus and in their mission, the noncommissioned officers of the U.S. Research Development and Engineering Command gathered at Aberdeen Proving Ground to conduct their quarterly professional development training
• Army site project manager acccepts new challenge Brubaker moving from CMA/Indiana to ACWA/Kentucky Army News 11 Mar 2009 -- The U.S. Army Chemical Materials Agency announced today the impending reassignment of one of its successful site project managers.
• Walter Reed Army Medical Center to mark centennial in April Army News 11 Mar 2009 -- Walter Reed Army Medical Center will kick-off a weeklong celebration in late April in honor of the medical center's 100 years of care for America's service members and their families
• Army NCO History (Part 1): American Revolution Army News 11 Mar 2009 -- The history of the U.S. Army noncommissioned officer dates back to 1775 with the birth of the Continental Army
• Army NCO History (Part 2): War of 1812 & Mexican-American War Army News 11 Mar 2009 -- In the years following the American Revolutionary War, the noncommissioned officer corps continued to evolve and adapt with time
• Army NCO History (Part 3): Civil War Army News 11 Mar 2009 -- After the Mexican-American War, noncommissioned officers found themselves leading small units into the new frontier to defend settlements against Indian raids and set up in the newly gained land out west
• Army NCO History (Part 4): Indian War & Spanish-American War Army News 11 Mar 2009 -- In the years following the Civil War, the Army found itself involved in numerous engagements across the nation while fighting in the Indian Wars of the 1870's - 1890's
• Army NCO History (Part 5): World War I Army News 11 Mar 2009 -- In June 1914, the Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, was assassinated; an event that many attribute as one of the main underlining moments that led to what would be known as "The War to End All Wars," World War I
• Army NCO History (Part 6): World War II Army News 11 Mar 2009 -- In September 1939, the world again was thrust into a global conflict after Germany unexpectedly attacked Poland, officially starting World War II.
• Army NCO History (Part 7): Korean and Vietnam Wars Army News 11 Mar 2009 -- In the years following World War II, a strong emphasis was placed on education for noncommissioned officers and junior Soldiers to help with their career progression.
• Army NCO History (Part 8): Post Vietnam, 1980s and 90s Army News 11 Mar 2009 -- After the creation of the Noncommissioned Officer Education System in 1971, NCOs continued to see growth in their professional development schooling with the creation of the Primary Leadership Development Course
• Army NCO History (Part 9): OEF, OIF and the future of the NCO Army News 11 Mar 2009 -- On Sept. 11, 2001, the entire nation watched as terrorists struck the World Trade Towers in New York, the Pentagon in D.C. and attempted to use another plane to strike the White House
• DPRK to Take Every Necessary Measure to Protect Its Sovereignty KCNA 11 Mar 2009 -- Spokesman for the DPRK Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Situation hardens the will of the DPRK to bolster its defence capability.
• South Korea sends letter to North calling for calm RIA Novosti 11 Mar 2009 -- S Korea called upon the North to defuse tensions, in a letter sent to the country's titular head of state, Kim Yong-nam.
• Russia, China urge restraint over tensions on Korea peninsula RIA Novosti 11 Mar 2009 -- Russian and Chinese FMs expressed concern over rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
• Sarkozy: France to Return to NATO Military Command VOA 11 Mar 2009 -- French President Sarkozy: France will rejoin NATO's military command, more than 4 decades after quitting to protest US dominance.
• Defense Decisions to be Subject to 'Hard Scrutiny' During Budget Process AFPS 11 Mar 2009 -- SecDef Gates will await the results of a thorough review process before making decisions about major systems.
• Expect more testing in skies over Redstone Army News 11 Mar 2009 -- Much of the Army's test and evaluation resources will be channeled through the Aviation Technical Test Center.
• Growing threat of ballistic missiles drives agency's efforts Army News 11 Mar 2009 -- The growing threat of ballistic missile proliferation around the world is a concern not only of military leaders.
• Air Force, Navy pilots train together over Okinawa AFNS 11 Mar 2009 --USAF and Navy pilots are sharpening their aerial combat skills in simulated dogfights and strike missions from March 1 through 21 over Okinawa.
• CSAF signs official charter for Expeditionary Center AFNS 11 Mar 2009 -- Official charter for the USAF Expeditionary Center was signed by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz on March 3.
• C-130s undergoing inspections AFNS 11 Mar 2009 -- An immediate action time compliance technical order was issued by Air Force Materiel Command officials March 4 to inspect all C-130 Hercules aircraft.
• Budget Would Transform VA to 21st-century Organization, Shinseki Says AFPS 11 Mar 2009 -- President Obama’s fiscal 2010 budget proposal is necessary to transform the Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Insects Inspire New Generation of Australian Weapons VOA 11 Mar 2009 -- Australian researchers have studied the navigation skills of insects to develop a pioneering weapons-guidance system.
• Russia set to build fast attack boats for Libya RIA Novosti 11 Mar 2009 -- Russia will build Molniya class missile boats for Libya under a new contract, a source in the defense industry said on Wednesday.
• Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 11 Mar 2009
• Briefing by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 3/11/09 The White House 11 Mar 2009

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for March 11, 2009
• BAE SYSTEMS ACHIEVES PROJECT ECHIDNA TEST MILESTONE BAE Systems 11 Mar 2009 -- Delivery of an Electronic Warfare Self Protection (EWSP) capability for the Australian Army’s fleets of Blackhawk and Chinook aircraft is a major step closer following a successful test of key components.
• Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Program Completes Infrared Search and Track System Tests Boeing 11 Mar 2009 -- The Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Infrared Search and Track (IRST) program has successfully completed a series of risk-reduction flight tests that demonstrated the compatibility and effectiveness of the IRST system on the Super Hornet strike fighter.
• Team Aero Wins C-130J Support Contract EADS 11 Mar 2009 -- With proven capability and experience in Deep Maintenance and Through-Life-Support (TLS) to large military fixed-wing aircraft, “Team Aero” members Australian Aerospace, Lockheed Martin and StandardAero have been selected as the contractors for the Through Life Support (TLS) of the RAAF’s fleet of C130J Hercules transports.
• General Dynamics Awarded $33 Million for Iraqi Abrams Tank Work General Dynamics 11 Mar 2009 -- General Dynamics Land Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), has been awarded a contract worth $33 million to purchase long-lead materials for the production of 140 M1A1 SA (Situational Awareness) tanks for the Iraq program.
• U.S. Navy Awards Lockheed Martin Six-year Contract Worth Up To $72 Million For Advanced Display Systems Support Lockheed Martin 11 Mar 2009 -- Lockheed Martin has received a six-year contract from the U.S. Navy to provide performance-based logistics support for the AN/UYQ-70 (Q-70) Advanced Display System.
• Pratt & Whitney to Wash Royal Australian Air Force F117 Engines for C-17 Globemaster III Fleet with EcoPower® Service Pratt & Whitney 11 Mar 2009 -- Pratt & Whitney, a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) company, will provide EcoPower engine wash services at Australia’s Amberley Air Force Base for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) C-17 fleet..
• Raytheon Wins Non-Lethal Weapons Solid-State Source Contract Raytheon 11 Mar 2009 -- Raytheon Company's Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) business has been awarded a phase-two contract to develop a gallium nitride (GaN) solid-state source for use in non-lethal weapons.
• SAIC Awarded $12 Million Contract to Support U.S. Air Force Network Operations SAIC 11 Mar 2009 -- Science Applications International Corporation (NYSE: SAI) today announced it has been awarded a prime contract by the U.S. Air Force (AF) Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR) Agency to support AF Network Operations (AFNETOPS) with management and analytical support.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 11 Mar 2009
• Does U.S. Charter Protect Georgia Against Renewed Conflict With Russia? RFE/RL 11 Mar 2009 -- Recent media reports in Georgia and the West have fueled speculation that a second round of military conflict between Moscow and Tbilisi could resume as early as the spring.
• Somalia committed to reconciliation, but hurdles ahead - Ban UN News Centre 11 Mar 2009 -- Secretary-General Ban has lauded the resolve of Somalia’s leaders and people to press ahead with reconciliation efforts.
• Blast Kills Security Official in Somali Capital VOA 11 Mar 2009 -- A roadside explosion has killed a senior security official in Mogadishu, along with at least two other people.
• Obama Warns of Greater Darfur Crisis VOA 11 Mar 2009 -- U.S. President Barack Obama is warning of an even greater humanitarian crisis in Sudan's troubled Darfur region.
• UN supports deployment of police to help stabilize eastern DR Congo UN News Centre 11 Mar 2009 -- Hundreds of newly trained national police officers are being deployed to the strife-torn eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo as part of UN-backed stabilization plan.
• Uganda Army Says it Has Killed LRA Commander VOA 11 Mar 2009 -- The Ugandan military says it has killed a senior commander of the rebel Lord's Resistance Army.
• Over 240 militants killed in south Russia in 2008 RIA Novosti 11 Mar 2009 -- Special forces in south Russia killed 243 militants including 23 gang leaders in 2008.

News Reports

• Obama Signs 'Imperfect' US Spending Bill VOA 11 Mar 2009 -- US President Obama has signed what he has described as an "imperfect" spending bill to keep the government running through September 30.
• Obama Nominates Ambassadors for Iraq, Afghanistan VOA 11 Mar 2009 -- U.S. President Barack Obama has announced his choices for several key foreign policy positions, including ambassadors to Afghanistan and Iraq.
• Clinton, Chinese Counterpart, Discuss World Economy, Human Rights VOA 11 Mar 2009 -- Secretary of State Clinton and Chinese FM Yang held "productive talks" in preparation for President Obama's first meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao.
• Obama Administration Overhauls US Mideast Policy VOA 11 Mar 2009 -- The Obama administration is moving quickly to overhaul American policy on the Middle East.
• US to Ease Some Cuba Restrictions VOA 11 Mar 2009 -- The U.S. Congress has approved a spending bill that includes easing trade and travel restrictions against Cuba.
• Former US Official Denies Role in 2002 Venezuela Coup VOA 11 Mar 2009 -- Former senior official of the Bush administration denied US involvement in failed 2002 coup that briefly toppled Venezuelan President Chavez.
• Top Saddam Officials, Half-Brothers Sentenced VOA 11 Mar 2009 -- Iraq's top court has sentenced the main spokesman for Saddam Hussein's regime, Tariq Aziz, to 15 years in prison for crimes against humanity.
• Supreme Leader: No sign of change in US wrong policies IRNA 11 Mar 2009 -- Ayatollah Ali Khamenei: US is now pursuing its previous policies and no sign of it making good on in its past mistakes.
• China Rejects US Criticism of Human Rights in Tibet VOA 11 Mar 2009 -- China has rejected U.S. criticism of the human rights situation in Tibet and has accused Washington of interfering in China's affairs.
• Pakistani PM Offers Concessions Ahead of Opposition Protests VOA 11 Mar 2009 -- Pakistani PM Gilani offered some concessions to supporters of opposition leader Nawaz Sharif.
• Political crises in Pakistan, serious threat to country's stability IRNA 11 Mar 2009 -- Current round of political wrestling in Pakistan with upcoming lawyers long march, poses serious threat to democratic system.
• Pakistani Politician Escapes Assassination Attempt VOA 11 Mar 2009 -- In northwestern Pakistan, a provincial minister narrowly escaped an assassination attempt in the city of Peshawar.
• Pakistan cracks down on opposition ahead of anti-government march IRNA 11 Mar 2009 -- Opposition parties in Pakistan say government launched a country-wide crackdown ahead of an anti-government march.
• Georgian Opposition Leader Warns Against 'Radicalism' RFE/RL 11 Mar 2009 -- Irakli Alasania, the former Georgian ambassador to the UN now seen as a potential successor to President Mikheil Saakashvili, warned in an extensive March 10 interview that "we should not become hostages" to the radicalism that he said pervades "a large part" of Georgian society.
• Rwandan Court to Decide Fate of Congolese Rebel Leader VOA 11 Mar 2009 -- Rwandan court expected to rule on possibly releasing Democratic Republic of Congo renegade army general Laurent Nkunda.
• Zimbabwe Prime Minister's Wife Buried VOA 11 Mar 2009 -- The funeral came one day after a mass memorial attended by thousands of people.
• Madagascar Army Replaces Chief After Ultimatum VOA 11 Mar 2009 -- Madagascar's army has replaced its own chief of staff, one day after he warned feuding leaders to resolve the nation's political crisis.
• Libyan Leader Gadhafi Presides Over Mauritania Talks VOA 11 Mar 2009 -- Libyan head of state Moammar Gadhafi is in Mauritania, where he opened multi-lateral talks aimed at resolving the months-old political crisis there.
• Thales Alenia Space to cooperate with JSC-ISS of Russia for Telkom-3 satellite Thales 11 Mar 2009 -- Thales Alenia Space announces a contract with JSC "ISS - Reshetnev Company" (formerly NPO-PM) to supply the Telkom-3 communications satellite payload. ISS, prime contractor, is building the satellite for Indonesian operator PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk, the largest full information and communications (InfoCom) service and network provider in Indonesia.