News

12 March 2009 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

March 11 airpower summary: B-1Bs disrupt enemy plans AFNS 12 Mar 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and ISAF in Afghanistan during operations.

Iraqi, U.S. Forces Capture Bomb Makers, Seize Weapons in Iraq AFPS 12 Mar 2009 -- Iraqi forces, with coalition support, captured a man wanted for bomb attacks and 9 others.
Hunting in harm's way: 731st EOD Co. Army News 12 Mar 2009 -- On the roads of Baghdad, a Soldier's heart pounds as his convoy halts, having just spotted a suspected improvised explosive device.
Command Takes on Support Role to Aid Iraq AFPS 12 Mar 2009 -- Multinational Security Transition Command Iraq is assuming more of a support and advisory role as Iraq moves toward self-sufficiency.
92nd Chemical Company Redeploys Army News 12 Mar 2009 -- Soldiers with the 92nd Chemical Company, Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Brigade returned home after a 15-month deployment.
U.S. Military Makes Last Payment to 'Sons of Iraq' AFPS 12 Mar 2009 -- US military made its last payment to “Sons of Iraq” civilian security group members.
Iraq Experience Likely to Affect Future Decisions, Gates Says AFPS 12 Mar 2009 -- Gates: The Iraq war experience likely will make Presidents more cautious about authorizing a pre-emptive strike.
Iraqi PM: Terrorists Losing Capability Despite Recent Attacks VOA 12 Mar 2009 -- Iraqi PM al-Maliki: Terrorists are losing in Iraq, despite a recent spike of violence including 2 suicide attacks this week.

AFGHANISTAN: Food still unaffordable for millions IRIN 12 Mar 2009 -- Wheat flour, rice and cooking oil prices have dropped by over 15 percent in the past three months but adequate food is still unaffordable for millions of Afghans living on less than US$1 a day, according to officials.
U.S. Team Helps to Plant Seeds for Afghan Farmers' Success AFPS 12 Mar 2009 -- Children ran from all corners of the village, greeting the group of soldiers from the 28th Forward Agribusiness Development Team.
UN Chief Welcomes President Obama's 'Fresh Thinking' on Afghanistan VOA 12 Mar 2009 -- UN Secretary-General Ban welcomes US President Obama's new focus and "fresh thinking" on Afghanistan.
Missile Attack Targets Suspected Militant Hideout in Pakistan VOA 12 Mar 2009 -- A missile believed to be fired from a US drone aircraft hit a suspected militant hideout in Pakistan Thursday, killing at least 12 people.

Somali Prates Slowed, But Not Stopped by International Effort VOA 12 Mar 2009 -- International Maritime Bureau: international anti-piracy campaign off Somalia has reduced number of successful hijackings.

Defense Policy / Programs

Despite Ship Incident, China Calls for Cooperative Ties with US VOA 12 Mar 2009 -- China is indicating that it will not let contentious issues get in the way of the overall development of relations with the United States.

US-Russia Seek A Fresh Start VOA 12 Mar 2009 -- The administration of President Barack Obama is vigorously reaching out to the world, offering initiatives in keeping with its new diplomatic approach.

Obama Calls on Leaders to Develop Ideas to Confront New Threats AFPS 12 Mar 2009 -- President Obama used the dedication of a hall to talk about the new threats confronting America.
Obama Says US Military Will Change, But Remain World's Strongest VOA 12 Mar 2009 -- President Obama: US will continue to maintain the strongest military in the world and will on unconventional threats.
Gates Describes Operational, Managerial Challenges, Strides Made AFPS 12 Mar 2009 -- SecDef Gates: Confidence that Iraq in a better place and warfighters and wounded are better provided for than 2 years ago.
Obama Considers Deploying National Guard to U.S.-Mexico Border AFPS 12 Mar 2009 -- President Barack Obama considers deploying National Guard troops to the US-Mexico border to control escalating violence.
No margin for error at Tinker bomber egress shop AFNS 12 Mar 2009 -- 565th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron's bomber egress shop have just one chance to maintain B-52 and B-1B egress systems.
Officials visit depot to discuss rail center move from Hill AFB Army News 12 Mar 2009 -- Tooele Army Depot received a visit from the Assistant Deputy Undersecretary of Defense, Maintenance Policy and Programs on Jan. 22 to meet with depot leaders to discuss the possibility of relocating the Defense Generator and Rail Equipment Center from its current location at Hill Air Force Base, Utah
405th AFSB announces LBE PMO office opening Army News 12 Mar 2009 -- The 405th Army Field Support Brigade announces the opening of its Left Behind Equipment Program Management Office in Kaiserslautern.
AOAP MLC obtains first ISO recertification Army News 12 Mar 2009 -- The Army Oil Analysis Program Mannheim Laboratory Center recently became the first AOAP laboratory worldwide to receive recertification under the newest International Organization for Standardization 9001:2008 criteria.
TASM-E increases operations to support warfighting units Army News 12 Mar 2009 -- The Theater Aviation Sustainment Manager - Europe is meeting the challenge of an increased operational demand with dedication, perseverance and a commitment to the mission.
USASMDC/ARSTRAT and Boeing Collaborate on Space and Missile Defense Research Army News 12 Mar 2009 -- The U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command (USASMDC/ARSTRAT) and The Boeing Company have initiated a joint research-and-development effort to manipulate and fuse multiple types of sensor data in a secure environment for Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) and space situational awareness concept exploration.
Measuring success: Army R&D Center supports Marine CALFAC Reset Army News 12 Mar 2009 -- They say, "Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades"; this is especially true in modern warfare where precision is everything -- hence the importance of proper calibration
Abrams led CAC-T through challenges Army News 12 Mar 2009 -- "The future is bright for the Combined Arms Center for Training and the Army," Brig. Gen. Robert Abrams, deputy commanding general of CAC-T, told the all-hands crowd March 9 before leaving Fort Leavenworth to command the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif.
Army Training Network ready to go live Army News 12 Mar 2009 -- The Army Training Network goes online March 16 with the mission of becoming the one-stop shop and information source for Army training.
Brain injuries: doctor battles stigma Army News 12 Mar 2009
New battle tank rolls into TACOM LCMC Rock Island Army News 12 Mar 2009 -- The TACOM Life Cycle Management Command caught a glimpse of its largest new resident, an M1A2 System Enhancement Package version two battle tank, on Feb. 27 when it was delivered to support TACOM's training and maintenance missions here.
New Electronic Warfare courses to be taught at Sill Army News 12 Mar 2009 -- Immediate openings are available for the Army's premier training courses in Electronic Warfare, as announced in an Army message March 10.
1/3 Aviators Hone Up for Future Training Army News 12 Mar 2009 -- The silhouette of an Apache slowly comes into focus as it begins its descent on the range, a dark spot against a background of Georgia stars. It rotates to face the range, three miles of open field, perfect for training.
Policy supports cost reductions Army News 12 Mar 2009 -- With the global economic downturn effecting businesses and governments throughout the planet, U.S. Army Garrison Bamberg and other Installation Management - Europe organizations are being more cognizant about reducing operating expenses.
RDECOM NCOs conduct quartely traingin at Aberdeen Proving Ground Army News 12 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
Wearing their wartime service on their sleeve: MND-B troopers don First Team combat patch Army News 12 Mar 2009 -- A former commanding general for the 1st Cavalry Division, Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli who now serves as the Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, once said that wearing the 1st Cavalry Division "First Team" patch "changes its wearers to some extent, making them walk a little prouder and talk a little louder because of the pride they feel for their unit."
Camp Zama Rolls Out Red Carpet for 8th TSC Soldiers Army News 12 Mar 2009 -- More than 200 Soldiers, Department of the Army Civilians, and contractors converged on this small Army post, located in the southern part of Tokyo, for a two-week command post exercise which began March 9
Southern Partnership Station Makes Final Project Handclasp Delivery Navy NewsStand 12 Mar 2009 -- High speed vessel Swift (HSV 2) completed its final Southern Partnership Station (SPS) Project Handclasp delivery here today with a shipment of walkers and bed sheets to a home for elderly retired nurses and boxes of medical supplies to a local military clinic.
Sailor-Civilian Teams Enhance Warfighter Effectiveness at New Center Navy NewsStand 12 Mar 2009 -- The Wallops Island Engineering and Test Center opened
March 6 during a ceremony at Surface Combat Systems Center (SCSC), Wallops Island, Va.
Consolidated Maintenance Organization Disestablished at NAS Jacksonville Navy NewsStand 12 Mar 2009 -- Naval Air Station Jacksonville said goodbye to the Black Tips when Consolidated Maintenance Organization (CMO) 11 held its disestablishment ceremony March 6.
Joint, Combined Training Increases Interoperability with Partner Nations Navy NewsStand 12 Mar 2009 -- Naval Small Craft Instruction and Technical Training School (NAVSCIATTS) and the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC) conducted a joint field training exercise March 6 at Stennis Space Center, Miss.
Expeditionary Forces, Industry Discuss How to Increase Warfighter Readiness Navy NewsStand 12 Mar 2009 -- Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC), along with three subordinate commands, participated in the Naval Expeditionary Forces (NAVEXFOR) Symposium & Expo held at the Virginia Beach Convention Center, March 10-12.
Integrated Exercise Tests Emergency Response Capability in Jacksonville Navy NewsStand 12 Mar 2009 -- Firefighters, security and medical personnel provided an integrated response March 3 to a crisis scenario involving a wild fire, injured personnel and a hostage situation at the Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville Antenna Farm.
Air Force, Navy Pilots Train Together Over Okinawa Navy NewsStand 12 Mar 2009 -- Air Force and Navy pilots are sharpening their aerial combat skills in simulated dogfights and strike missions in the skies over Okinawa March 1-21.
SRB Award Levels Adjusted Navy NewsStand 12 Mar 2009 -- Navy is seeing the highest reenlistment rates in a decade and is projecting to meet most required reenlistment needs for Sailors with critical skills this fiscal year (FY).
APS Nashville Team Celebrates Ghana Independence Day Navy NewsStand 12 Mar 2009 -- Just seven weeks into its deployment in support of Africa Partnership Station (APS), the APS Nashville team took a break March 6 from their mission of helping to develop maritime safety and security in the West and Central African regions to celebrate Ghanaian Independence Day.
Partnership Mission Shows U.S. Commitment to Africa, Commander Says Navy NewsStand 12 Mar 2009 -- USS Robert G. Bradley (FFG 49) completed the first Africa Partnership Station (APS) mission to East Africa, signifying the U.S. commitment to helping African nations achieve stability and prosperity, the APS East Africa commander said.
Navy Names Littoral Combat Ship USS Coronado Navy NewsStand 12 Mar 2009 -- Secretary of the Navy Donald Winter announced March 12 that the fourth littoral combat ship will be named USS Coronado.
Boarding Exercises Enhance Fleet Irregular Warfare Training Navy NewsStand 12 Mar 2009 -- Visit, board, search and seizure teams participated in comprehensive fleet irregular warfare training.
Embarked Forces Provide Security for High Value Assets Navy NewsStand 12 Mar 2009 -- The Navy has more than 6,000 active and Reserve Sailors who make up the Maritime Expeditionary Security Force.
Reserve Harbor Security Teams Put Tip on Spear Navy NewsStand 12 Mar 2009 -- Reserve Sailors and Coast Guardsmen assigned to Maritime Expeditionary Security 1 underwent a heavy pre-deployment training schedule.
1/64 Armor Returns to Korea After 58 Years Army News 12 Mar 2009 -- In 1951, Soldiers of 1-64th Armor took part in Task Force Hawkins, an operation during the Korean War key to securing Korea's Iron Triangle.

Blue Grass Chemical Agent Destruction Pilot Plant to Welcome New Site Project Manager in July Army News 12 Mar 2009 -- Jeffrey L. Brubaker has been selected as the project site manager for the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant in Richmond, Ky.

NATO Chief Touts Alliance Expansion VOA 12 Mar 2009 -- NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer: Alliance expansion remains a necessity for the stabilization of Europe.
Germany welcomes France return to NATO command RIA Novosti 12 Mar 2009 -- German Chancellor Merkel welcomed France's decision to rejoin NATO's military command after 43 years.

Russia seeks to extend lease agreement for Azerbaijan radar RIA Novosti 12 Mar 2009 -- Russia's FM: Russia wants to continue using the Gabala early-warning radar after the current lease expires in 2012.
Russia Seeks New Lease of Azerbaijani Radar Site VOA 12 Mar 2009 -- Russia said it wants to renew its lease of a Soviet-built radar station in Azerbaijan.
Russia's Yaroslav Mudry frigate to enter service before year-end RIA Novosti 12 Mar 2009 -- Russia's newest frigate, the Yaroslav Mudry, will begin service before the end of this year.

Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 12 Mar 2009
Briefing by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 3/11/09 The White House 12 Mar 2009

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for March 12, 2009
BAE SYSTEMS TO ACQUIRE ADVANCED CERAMICS RESEARCH, INC. BAE Systems 12 Mar 2009 -- BAE Systems today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Advanced Ceramics Research, Inc., a Tucson, Arizona-based producer of small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and advanced ceramic materials.
BAE SYSTEMS COMMITTED TO NOWRA FOR SEAHAWK SUPPORT CONTRACT BAE Systems 12 Mar 2009 -- BAE Systems plans to establish a world class aviation maintenance facility in Nowra, NSW, if it secures the contract to support the Royal Australian Navy’s S-70B-2 Seahawk helicopter fleet.
Eurocopter’s EC135 Flight Simulator Ready for Use in Germany EADS 12 Mar 2009 -- Eurocopter is offering its customers around the world the opportunity to use an EC135 flight simulator at its site in Donauwörth (Germany).
Force Dynamics, LLC Receives Award for Cheetah M-ATV Vehicles General Dynamics 12 Mar 2009 -- Force Dynamics, LLC, a joint venture between Force Protection, Inc. (NASDAQ: FRPT) and General Dynamics Land Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), today announced that it was awarded a contract for two Cheetah light weight, high mobility Production Representative Vehicles (PRVs) as part of the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) Mine Resistant Ambush Protected All Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV) program
Lockheed Martin Awarded Multi Year Contract Lockheed Martin 12 Mar 2009 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE:LMT] and Australian Aerospace signed a multi-year contract at the Avalon Air Show to provide Through Life Support (TLS) for the C-130J Super Hercules fleet operated by the Royal Australian Air Force.
Lockheed Martin Partnerships Enhance Military Aircraft Readiness Lockheed Martin 12 Mar 2009 -- In a changing operational landscape, there is an increased need for contractor partnerships to enhance military aircraft readiness, a Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] official said today during a briefing at the Avalon Air Show.
Northrop Grumman Global Hawk Maritime Demonstration Team Receives Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division Commander's Award Northrop Grumman 12 Mar 2009 -- The Global Hawk Maritime Demonstration (GHMD) team has been recognized with the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) Commander's Award in a ceremony at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md.
Boeing and US Army Collaborate on Space and Missile Defense Research Boeing 12 Mar 2009 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] and the U.S. Army's Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command (SMDC/ARSTRAT) have launched a joint research-and-development effort to coordinate and fuse multiple types of sensor data in a secure environment for Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) and space situational awareness concept exploration.

Other Conflicts

Israel continues airstrikes on Gaza smuggling tunnels RIA Novosti 12 Mar 2009 -- The Israeli military carried out new airstrikes on tunnels used to smuggle weapons into the Gaza Strip.
UN Sec Gen asks for "immediate, permanent" end of Gaza seige IRNA 12 Mar 2009 -- Secretary General of UN Ban asked for putting an immediate and permanent end to inhumane siege of Gaza Strip.

UN Chief Calls for Release of Kidnapped Aid Workers in Sudan VOA 12 Mar 2009 -- UN Secretary-General Ban deeply concerned over the abductions of 3 aid workers in Sudan.
MSF confirms 3 international staff abducted in Darfur RIA Novosti 12 Mar 2009 -- The nongovernmental aid agency Medecins Sans Frontieres confirmed 3 of its international staff have been abducted in Darfur.
Aid Workers Kidnapped in Darfur VOA 12 Mar 2009 -- Three foreigners working for the group Doctors Without Borders have been abducted in the western Darfur region of Sudan.
SUDAN: Other NGOs ready to move into Darfur - official IRIN 12 Mar 2009 -- Several relief organisations from Arab and Asian countries have applied to work in the western Sudanese Darfur region.
Sudan: top envoy welcomes withdrawal of groups from disputed area UN News Centre 12 Mar 2009 -- Top United Nations envoy to Sudan today welcomed the withdrawal of the last remaining forces from disputed town of Abyei,.

Why Is No One Watching The Balkans? RFE/RL 12 Mar 2009 -- "Radovan Karadzic is a lucky man," wrote one reader of the website of RFE/RL's South Slavic and Albanian Languages Service, referring to the former Bosnian Serb leader who is currently on trial at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in The Hague
OSCE to fold its work in Georgia by June 2009 RIA Novosti 12 Mar 2009 -- Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in Tbilisi will terminate its work by June 2009.
Lankan army kills LTTE finance chief IRNA 12 Mar 2009 -- Advancing military troops conducting offensive operations against LTTE successfully captured Puthukkudirippu Hospital.
SRI LANKA: UN denounces misuse of food destined for children IRIN 12 Mar 2009 -- UN has deplored the diversion of food supplies intended for children to Liberation Tigers of Tamils Eelam fighters.
AU Security Body Asks UN to Lift Somalia Arms Embargo VOA 12 Mar 2009 -- AU: Lift an arms embargo on Somalia's government to allow it to equip defense forces facing well-armed Islamist radicals.
DRC: Waiting for militias to leave the Kivus IRIN 12 Mar 2009 -- Civilians affected by recent violence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo's South Kivu Province are facing continuing insecurity.
Bangladesh Links Some Mutineers to Extremist Group VOA 12 Mar 2009 -- In Bangladesh, the coordinator of investigations into border guard mutiny said there is evidence that a banned Islamist militant group may have been involved.

News Reports

Austrian Diplomat Chosen As Bosnia's High Representative RFE/RL 12 Mar 2009 -- Austria's Valentin Inzko can expect a mixed reception as he settles into work as the new international peace envoy in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
ZIMBABWE: Aid money almost too tight to mention IRIN 12 Mar 2009 -- The international humanitarian community's most important tool for raising resources for action in Zimbabwe, the Consolidated Appeals Process (CAP), is out of date and in need of revision. The question is whether appealing for more funds to keep pace with worsening conditions will actually translate into enough money to remedy them.
Obama Nominates Hill, Eikenberry for Posts AFPS 12 Mar 2009 -- President Barack Obama nominated Christopher R. Hill as ambassador to Iraq and Army Lt. Gen. Karl W. Eikenberry to serve as U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan.
US Diplomat Leaves Bolivia on Expulsion Order VOA 12 Mar 2009 -- A US diplomat has left Bolivia, three days after President Evo Morales declared him persona non-grata.
On Eve Of Partnership Offer, Belarus Stands Up EU RFE/RL 12 Mar 2009 -- EU ambassadors were caught unawares as well.
Russia says no plans to fine Ukraine over reduced gas intake RIA Novosti 12 Mar 2009 -- Putin: Russia will not seek reparations from Ukraine for importing less natural gas than stipulated in contract with Gazprom.
Former Hostages Honored With Defense of Freedom Medal AFPS 12 Mar 2009 -- US defense contractors held captive for more than 5 years by Colombian narcoterrorists presented the civilian equivalent of the Purple Heart .
Shoe-throwing Iraqi journalist to appeal 3-year jail term RIA Novosti 12 Mar 2009 -- Lawyers for the Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at then-U.S. President George Bush intend to appeal prison sentence.
Activists Detained in Pakistan Ahead of Protest VOA 12 Mar 2009 -- Pakistani police arrested dozens of political activists in Karachi, just as a massive four-day, anti-government march was to set to begin.
Tibetan Groups Urgently Appeal for UN Intervention VOA 12 Mar 2009 -- Tibetan groups are calling for urgent intervention in Tibet by UN human rights bodies.

Iraqi Shoe-Thrower Sentenced to Three Years in Prison VOA 12 Mar 2009 -- Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at former US President George W. Bush sentenced by an Iraqi court to three years in prison.
Iraq Shoe-Thrower Jailed for 3 Years VOA 12 Mar 2009 -- A Baghdad court has sentenced the Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at former U.S. President George W. Bush to three years in prison.
Afghan President's Brother Denies Business Success Built On Family Ties RFE/RL 12 Mar 2009 -- "The New York Times" described the 54-year-old brother of Kabul's preeminent politician as "one of Afghanistan's most prosperous businessmen."

Madagascar President Calls On Army to Stay Neutral VOA 12 Mar 2009 -- Madagascar's President Marc Ravalomanana has appealed to the army to stay neutral in the nation's political crisis.
Madagascar Opposition Refuses to Join U-N Organized Talks with Government VOA 12 Mar 2009 -- The United Nations mission in Antananarivo in conjunction with Madagascar's clergy is expected to hold peace negotiations with political parties today to resolve the ongoing political crisis.
MADAGASCAR: Too late to talk? IRIN 12 Mar 2009 -- US ambassador has warned that the country risks sliding into civil war as the security situation becomes increasingly uncertain.
Secretary-General calls for dialogue in Madagascar as tensions spiral UN News Centre 12 Mar 2009 -- Secretary-General Ban called for dialogue between the parties to a high-level dispute in Madagascar.

Mauritania Talks Breakdown as Gadhafi Accused of Siding with Coup Leader VOA 12 Mar 2009 -- Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi left Mauritania after failing to bring the political crisis there any closer to a resolution.

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