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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 23 Mar 2009 [PDF]
• Transcript: DoD News Briefing with Maj. Gen. Salmon from Iraq DoD 23 Mar 2009 -- Presenter: General Officer Commanding Multinational Division Southeast Maj. Gen. Andy Salmon
• Baghdad University gets spring cleaning: Keystone troops and Iraqi police sweep area for UXO Army News 23 Mar 2009 -- Iraqi police and US Soldiers used shovels and mine detectors to sweep for UXO.
• Baghdad Bomb Kills 8 VOA 23 Mar 2009 -- Iraqi police say a bomb explosion west of Baghdad has killed at least eight people and wounded 16 others.
• Iraqis Maintain Pace of Progress in Basra AFPS 23 Mar 2009 -- Iraqi security forces are performing high-level and fast-paced operations in Basra, making progress in other areas possible.
• Soldiers don Keystone combat patch Army News 23 Mar 2009 -- The 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, marked another milestone in its yearlong mobilization, train-up and deployment to Iraq.
• U.S. Government Seeks Justice in Iraqi Court AFPS 23 Mar 2009 -- US Army officials filed a formal complaint in the Central Criminal Court of Iraq in an effort to bring 12 suspects to justice.
• Turkish President Makes Historic Visit to Iraq VOA 23 Mar 2009 -- Turkey's President Abdallah Gul is making the first visit to Iraq by a Turkish head of state in 33 years.
• Coalition, Afghan Forces Kill Six, Detain 14 in Afghanistan Operations AFPS 23 Mar 2009 -- Coalition and Afghan forces have killed six enemy fighters and detained 14 others in operations in Afghanistan.
• NATO Kills 10 Insurgents in Southern Afghanistan VOA 23 Mar 2009 -- NATO says its troops have killed a senior insurgent and nine of his associates in southern Afghanistan.
• Can NATO and Russia Cooperate on Afghanistan? VOA 23 Mar 2009 -- FM from NATO have recently agreed to resume ties with Russia that were suspended last August as a result of Moscow's 5-day war with Georgia.
• Afghans Welcome Obama Focus on Security, Exit Strategy VOA 23 Mar 2009 -- Afghanistan's FM welcomed statements from President Obama indicating US working on plan for dealing with violence in Afghanistan.
• Afghans Must Be 'Center of Gravity' in U.S. Strategy for Afghanistan, Mullen Says AFPS 23 Mar 2009 -- US strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan must “put the Afghan people at the center.”
• Obama Calls For 'Exit Strategy' As Part Of New Afghan Policy RFE/RL 23 Mar 2009 -- US President Obama announced that an "exit strategy" should be part of a new comprehensive policy on Afghanistan.
• Afghanistan Mission Critical to Protecting United States, Obama Says AFPS 23 Mar 2009 -- President Obama: Decision to send an additional 17,000 troops to Afghanistan the toughest so far in his presidency.
• U.S., French Team Up to Offer Artillery Training to Afghan Soldiers AFPS 23 Mar 2009 -- Artillerymen from France and US teamed up to teach their Afghan counterparts how to operate American artillery weapons.
• UK to send specialist troops to Afghanistan to counter bomb threat IRNA 23 Mar 2009 -- Britain is to deploy 200 specialist troops to Afghanistan to counter the growing threat from improvised explosive devices.
• US Denies Seeking to Bypass Afghanistan's Karzai VOA 23 Mar 2009 -- The State Department rejected as nonsense a report that the US and key allies want to create a new senior post in the Afghan government.
• Security Council calls for credible and secure Afghan polls, extends UN mission UN News Centre 23 Mar 2009 -- The Security Council extended UN presence in Afghanistan for another year.
• Suicide Bomber Hits Police Station in Pakistan Capital VOA 23 Mar 2009 -- A suicide bomber targeted a police station in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, Monday evening, killing himself and one officer.
• Pakistani Taliban ask NGOs to leave Swat valley IRNA 23 Mar 2009 -- Insurgents in Pakistan's volatile Swat Valley who recently made a peace deal with the government now want all NGOs to leave the area.
• Vella Gulf Wrapping Up Rewarding Seven-Month Deployment Navy NewsStand 23 Mar 2009 -- USS Vella Gulf nearing the end of a successful 7-month deployment to the Navy's 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation.
• Ramage Proves Multi-Mission Capability During Deployment Navy NewsStand 23 Mar 2009 -- USS Ramage wrapping up its 7-month deployment to the Navy's 5th and 6th Fleet Areas of Operation.
• San Antonio Demonstrates Capabilities During Maiden Deployment Navy NewsStand 23 Mar 2009 -- Amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio readies to return to its homeport.
• North Dakota, Minnesota Guard Troops Respond to Red River Valley Flooding AFPS 23 Mar 2009 -- Almost 500 Army and Air National Guard troops from 2 states were called out to help stem the flow of floodwaters.
• USS Truxtun Aids Mariners in Gulf of Mexico Navy NewsStand 23 Mar 2009 -- USS Truxtun responding to direction from Commander, US 2nd Fleet, rendered assistance to a sailing vessel in the Gulf of Mexico.

Defense Policy / Programs

• USS Harry S. Truman Onloads 1,800 Tons of Ammo Navy NewsStand 23 Mar 2009 -- USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) completed the onload of more than 1,800 tons of ammunition March 21, preparing the ship for upcoming work-up cycles and eventual deployment.
• Boxer ICs Maintain Ship's Communications Navy NewsStand 23 Mar 2009 -- USS Boxer (LHD 4) interior communications electricians work to keep Boxer's many communications systems running smoothly while deployed to the Gulf of Aden in support of maritime security operations (MSO).
• Annapolis Sailors Visit Ice Station as Part of Arctic Exercise Navy NewsStand 23 Mar 2009 -- Sailors participating in Ice Exercise (ICEX) 2009 aboard the Los Angeles fast attack submarine USS Annapolis (SSN 760) visited the Applied Physics Laboratory Ice Station (APLIS) in the Arctic Sea for an overnight stay March 21.
• Crews Raise Growler Proficiency During Critical Training Navy NewsStand 23 Mar 2009 -- Members of Electronic Attack Squadrons (VAQ) 132 and 129 returned to Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island March 11 from a training detachment to Naval Air Facility El Centro, Calif.
• Blue-Green Team Approaches Final Stages of Seven-Month Deployment Navy NewsStand 23 Mar 2009 -- Sailors aboard the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) and embarked Marines of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (26 MEU) make the final preparations to return to homeport as their seven-month deployment to the Navy's 5th and 6th Fleet Areas of Operation comes to a close.
• Mullen: Iraq Drawdown, Stop-Loss Phaseout Will Relieve Stress on Force AFPS 23 Mar 2009 -- Force drawdown in Iraq will enable the military to build more dwell time into deployment cycles.
• Three-Year Korea Tours Good for Servicemembers, Alliance, Commander Says AFPS 23 Mar 2009 -- Being assigned to Korea will soon be the same as being assigned to Japan or Europe.
• 'One Voice' coordinates Air Force positions on joint and interagency issues AFNS 23 Mar 2009 -- USAF officials announced the establishment of capability devoted to providing leaders with coordinated positions for use in communicating with non-Air Force entities.
• Navy Contracts Announced Navy NewsStand 23 Mar 2009 -- The Department of Defense announced several contract awards March 23, including a couple for the U.S. Navy.
• Navy Projects to Stimulate Economy in Southwest Region Navy NewsStand 23 Mar 2009 -- DoD announced a list of Navy construction and technology projects as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
• ISR operations: 'Eye in the sky' AFNS 23 Mar 2009 -- At the tip of innovation are the revolutionary changes being seen in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations.
• SDDC celebrates 10K MRAPs moved via surface Army News 23 Mar 2009 -- Ceremony held to celebrate the 10,000th mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicle shipped via surface by Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command.
• National Guard Airmen augment Misawa maintenance AFNS 23 Mar 2009 -- ANG Airmen volunteered to help members of the 35th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron maintain F-16 Fighting Falcons returning from Iraq.
• Airmen help aircrews return if all goes awry AFNS 23 Mar 2009 -- When Staff Sgt. Eric Zwoll presents his briefing, aircrew members know if a mission goes awry then their lives will depend on his every word.
• Fort Polk MPs train for real-world missions Army News 23 Mar 2009 -- A U.S. Army military police squad rolls into an Iraqi town, pulls security and dismounts its vehicles.
• Joint training exercise strengthens AF, civilian partnerships AFNS 23 Mar 2009 -- Law enforcement officials teamed up with 66th Security Forces Squadron personnel for a joint training exercise.
• Norwegian foreign minister to discuss Russia-NATO ties in Moscow RIA Novosti 23 Mar 2009 -- Russia-NATO relations and the future of the Arctic will be discussed between the Russian and Norwegian FMs.
• China confirms plans to build aircraft carrier RIA Novosti 23 Mar 2009 -- China's defense minister has reaffirmed the country's plans to build its own aircraft carrier, the Sina news agency reported.
• Russia could focus on tactical nuclear weapons for subs RIA Novosti 23 Mar 2009 -- Russia may prioritize development of nuclear-powered submarines armed with nuclear-capable missiles in the future.
• Russia reduces list of arms subject to export control RIA Novosti 23 Mar 2009 -- Russia has adopted a resolution reducing the list of arms and military equipment subject to export control.
• Russian warships to set sail soon for Horn of Africa RIA Novosti 23 Mar 2009 -- Task force from Russia's Pacific Fleet ready to travel to the Gulf of Aden in late March to take part in ongoing anti-piracy operations.
• Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 23 Mar 2009

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for March 23, 2009
• CACI Responds to Court's Decision in Iraq Lawsuit CACI 23 Mar 2009 -- CACI International Inc (NYSE:CAI) announced today that it respectfully disagrees with the ruling by the U.S District Court in Virginia denying CACI's motion to dismiss a case alleging abuse at Abu Ghraib prison.
• Hellenic Navy orders more Thales systems Thales 23 Mar 2009 -- After a contract for the construction of three Roussen class FACs in 2000, and an additional two in 2003, the total number of vessels to be delivered to the Hellenic Navy will be seven. Similar to the earlier contracts, these two FACs will be built by Elefsis Shipbuilding & Industrial Enterprises in Greece on behalf of BVT Surface Fleet International Ltd.
• ATK Pioneers the Development of Materials and Processes for Manufacturing Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMC) ATK 23 Mar 2009 -- Alliant Techsystems has received multiple contract awards from the ManTech Program office of United States Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio to continue development of manufacturing process improvements for ceramic matrix composite (CMC) components./li>
• BAE SYSTEMS SELECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN U.S. ARMY’S $17.5 BILLION SIMULATION AND TRAINING PROGRAM BAE Systems 23 Mar 2009 -- BAE Systems has been selected to participate in the U.S. Army’s omnibus contract to provide equipment to the service’s Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation.
• Boeing Demonstrates Net-Centric Capabilities of Tactical Network in Australia Boeing 23 Mar 2009 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] has demonstrated for the first time the ability to deliver streaming video over a mobile, ad hoc tactical network from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to a Chinook helicopter and ground troops.
• General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems Fields Expeditionary Fire Support System General Dynamics 23 Mar 2009 -- General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), announced today that they have successfully fielded the Expeditionary Fire Support System (EFSS) with the United States Marine Corps (USMC) Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 10th Marine Artillery Regiment located at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
• Lockheed Martin Team Awarded Contract for Construction of U.S. Navy’s Next Littoral Combat Ship Lockheed Martin 23 Mar 2009 -- The U.S. Navy has awarded a Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT]-led industry team a fixed price incentive fee contract to construct the Navy’s third Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). Marinette Marine Corporation in Marinette, WI, will construct the ship.
• Northrop Grumman to Supply Land Navigation Systems for Republic of Korea's New Infantry Fighting Vehicle Northrop Grumman 23 Mar 2009 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has announced that it has been awarded a contract by Korean military systems and vehicle manufacturer Doosan DST Co., Ltd. to deliver inertial navigation units for the Republic of Korea's new K21 infantry fighting vehicle (IFV).
• SAIC Awarded $41 Million Delivery Order by the U.S. Army Evaluation Center SAIC 23 Mar 2009 -- Science Applications International Corporation (NYSE: SAI) today announced it has been awarded a delivery order by the U.S. Army Evaluation Center (AEC) to provide technical and business process support for planning, development and execution of Joint Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Defeat Test Board (JTB) objectives.
• U.S. Air Force/Lockheed Martin Team Set to Launch Modernized GPS Satellite With New Demonstration Payload Lockheed Martin 23 Mar 2009 -- A U.S. Air Force/Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] team is gearing up to launch a modernized Global Positioning System Block IIR (GPS IIR-M) satellite, which includes a demonstration payload that will transmit a new third civil signal, known as L5.
• Lockheed Martin to Offer Operations And Sustainment Capabilities For Ground-Based Midcourse Defense Lockheed Martin 23 Mar 2009 -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) announced today that it will offer its extensive capabilities to the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) in the competitive acquisition the agency intends to conduct for future operations and sustainment of the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system and associated support facilities.
• Raytheon Awarded $27 Million for Missile Defense Support Raytheon 23 Mar 2009 -- Raytheon Company has been awarded a $27 million contract by The Boeing Company to support the Ground Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) program.
• Northrop Grumman Awarded a Subcontract for Work for the Savannah River Site's Defense Waste Processing Facility Northrop Grumman 23 Mar 2009 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has been awarded a subcontract by Washington Savannah River Company for work for the Defense Waste Processing Facility, located at the Department of Energy's (DOE) Savannah River Site (SRS) in Aiken, S.C.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 23 Mar 2009
• UN Rights Expert Accuses Israel of War Crimes VOA 23 Mar 2009 -- A special U.N. investigator says Israel's military assault on the densely populated Gaza Strip appears to constitute a war crime.
• Palestinian official, 4 bodyguards killed in south Lebanon blast RIA Novosti 23 Mar 2009 -- An explosion in south Lebanon killed at least 5 people, including a senior representative of Palestinian refugees.
• Lebanon Blast Kills Palestinian Official VOA 23 Mar 2009 -- An explosion in southern Lebanon has killed a senior Palestinian official and at least three other people.
• Sudan's Wanted President Goes Abroad, But Sticks To Friendly Ground VOA 23 Mar 2009 -- Sudanese President al-Bashir has made his fist trip abroad since the ICC issued a warrant for his arrest.
• Sudan's President Visits Eritrea Despite Warrant VOA 23 Mar 2009 -- Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir traveled to Eritrea Monday, his first trip abroad since a war crimes tribunal issued a warrant for his arrest.
• Activist Group Hopeful About Gration's Appointment as Sudan Envoy VOA 23 Mar 2009 -- Sudan's highest religious authority has issued a ruling that President al-Bashir should not attend a March 30th Arab summit in Qatar.
• UN-AU peacekeeping force carries out anti-banditry patrols in Darfur UN News Centre 23 Mar 2009 -- In spite of the overall calm security situation, the UN-AU peacekeeping mission in Sudan is continuing its patrols in the face of banditry activities.
• Tensions Flare Between Serb, Kosovo Officials at UN VOA 23 Mar 2009 -- Tensions between Serbia and Kosovo over Kosovo's independence more than a year ago,were evident at a UN Security Council meeting.
• Leaders must put needs of Kosovo's communities first, says top UN envoy UN News Centre 23 Mar 2009 -- Leaders in Pristina and Belgrade must give priority to needs of Kosovo’s communities ahead of their own political interests.
• Serbian president, Kosovo envoy address UN Security Council RIA Novosti 23 Mar 2009 -- Serbian President Tadic and Kosovan FM Hyseni took part in an open session of the UN Security Council on the situation in Kosovo.
• Somalia Peacekeeping Effort Encounters Country's Resistance to Foreign Intervention VOA 23 Mar 2009 -- Government's appeal for more AU peacekeepers has encountered steep resistance within the country.
• AU Hails Somalia Milestone; Donor Conference Planned VOA 23 Mar 2009 -- The African Union's peacekeeping force in Somalia has reached 50 percent of authorized strength for the first time, with more reinforcements expected soon.
• Sri Lankan army kills 10 Tamil Tigers IRNA 23 Mar 2009 -- Military said they were ready to inflict a "decisive blow" to the guerrillas.
• 5 soldiers among 11 killed in Kupwara gunbattle IRNA 23 Mar 2009 -- A fierce gunbattle raging in northern Kashmir forests for last three days has left at least five Indian soldiers dead and several others injured.

News Reports

• Political rivals in Pakistan remove differences IRNA 23 Mar 2009 -- Pakistani PM Gilani and opposition leader Nawaz Sharif vowed to work together to strengthen democratic system.
• Pakistan's Chief Justice sacked by Musharraf assumes office IRNA 23 Mar 2009 -- Pakistan's deposed Chief Justice, Iftikhar Muhammad Caudhry assumed his office again.
• MADAGASCAR: International community deserts Rajoelina IRIN 23 Mar 2009 -- Andry Rajoelina's attempt to legitimize his rule as Madagascar's president by holding his inauguration on 21 March is serving to galvanize international opposition to his new administration.
• Thousands Protest Against New Madagascar Leader VOA 23 Mar 2009 -- Opponents of Madagascar's new president, Andry Rajoelina, demonstrated Monday against the army-backed removal of his predecessor.
• Netanyahu Scrambles to Mend Ties with Egypt VOA 23 Mar 2009 -- Israeli PM-designate Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking to mend ties with Egypt, strained as the result of an inflammatory remark made by the man he has picked to be Israel's next foreign minister.
• Israeli PM-designate Netanyahu signs second coalition deal RIA Novosti 23 Mar 2009 -- Israeli Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party signed its second coalition deal on Monday, with the ultra-Orthodox Jewish Shas Party.
• Georgian Police Detain Opposition Activists On Weapons Charges RFE/RL 23 Mar 2009 -- Georgian police detained several opposition activists around the country last night, with many of them charged with illegal possession of weapons.
• Georgian Opposition Party Says Members Arrested RFE/RL 23 Mar 2009 -- A leading opposition party in Georgia says seven of its members have been arrested on March 23, with tensions mounting ahead of protests next month against President Mikheil Saakashvili.
• Russian PM Putin threatens to review relations with EU RIA Novosti 23 Mar 2009 -- PM Putin: Russia will start reviewing its relations with the European Union should Moscow's interests be ignored.
• Ban condemns Lebanon terrorist attack UN News Centre 23 Mar 2009 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned today’s terrorist attack that killed Kamal Medhat, the deputy head of the Palestine Liberation Organization in Lebanon, and several of his bodyguards.
• Eutelsat awards W3C telecom satellite to Thales Alenia Space Thales 23 Mar 2009 -- Thales Alenia Space announced today the signature of a contract with Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL), one of the world's leading satellite operators, to manufacture and deliver Eutelsat's W3C communications satellite.