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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 24 Mar 2009 [PDF]
• Preston Addresses Concerns, Outlines Goals to Soldiers in Iraq AFPS 24 Mar 2009 -- President Obama's announcement to end combat operations in Iraq has raised some concerns for troops serving in Iraq.
• Troops Prevent Attacks With Battlefield Forensics AFPS 24 Mar 2009 -- When an IED is detected, a team of servicemembers here heads straight to the site to start the crime-scene investigation.
• Coalition Teaches Crime-scene Techniques to Iraqi Police AFPS 24 Mar 2009 -- A boom resounded across the desert as debris and truck parts fell to the earth and Iraqi policemen rushed to the blast scene.
• Airmen train Iraqi maintainers AFNS 24 Mar 2009 -- Airmen took 3 Iraqi air force members to help fix one of Iraq's C-130s in an attempt to help members of the Iraqi air force better tilize their resources.
• Iraq, Turkey Nearing Deal To Deprive PKK Of Bases RFE/RL 24 Mar 2009 -- Turkey's efforts to deprive the PKK of bases in northern Iraq may have reached a watershed moment.
• Turkish President Discusses Border Tensions in Baghdad VOA 24 Mar 2009 -- PM Barzani: Meeting with Turkish President Abdullah Gul helped improve relations between the two sides.
• Oil Price Slump Pressures Iraq to Re-assess Reconstruction, Military Spending VOA 24 Mar 2009 -- Iraqi leaders are under pressure to re-assess their reconstruction plans after collapse in oil prices.
• Iraq 'Diplomatic Surge' Could Set Stage for State Department in Afghanistan AFPS 24 Mar 2009 -- State Department is preparing for expected expanded role there after the US Afghanistan strategy review.
• Troops Slow Down Taliban Movement With Traffic Control Points AFPS 24 Mar 2009 -- US and Afghan forces conducted a 3-day traffic control point operation to restrict Taliban movement.
• Commander Calls for Larger NATO Footprint in Afghanistan AFPS 24 Mar 2009 -- NATO’s top commander called for NATO nations to beef up their efforts in Afghanistan to support security and rebuilding efforts there.
• Individual Augmentees Prep for Afghanistan Detainee Ops Navy NewsStand 24 Mar 2009 -- Sailors are training with the Army's 177th Armored Brigade in preparation to their deployment to Afghanistan.
• Top UN official meets with US leaders on Afghanistan UN News Centre 24 Mar 2009 -- UN envoy for Afghanistan in Washington DC ahead of a key international meeting which will assess current issues.
• Guard Fights Flooding in North Dakota AFPS 24 Mar 2009 -- The North Dakota National Guard has stepped up its flood-fighting efforts in the Red River Valley in North Dakota.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Obama Cites $40 Billion Savings in Defense Procurement Budget AFPS 24 Mar 2009 -- $40 billion dollars in savings could be realized by eliminating wasteful programs in the Pentagon’s procurement budget.
• USS Samuel B. Roberts Strengthen Personal, Professional Partnerships in Honduras Navy NewsStand 24 Mar 2009 -- During a port visit in Honduras, Sailors deployed with USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58) conducted several community relations (COMREL) projects March 10-12.
• USS Kentucky (SSBN 737) (Blue Crew) says Farewell to Outgoing CO Navy NewsStand 24 Mar 2009 -- USS Kentucky (SSBN 737) (Blue Crew) held a change of command ceremony at the Squadron Headquarters Building Pavilion on Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor March 20.
• USS Kentucky (SSBN 737) (Blue Crew) says Farewell to Outgoing CO Navy NewsStand 24 Mar 2009 -- USS Kentucky (SSBN 737) (Blue Crew) held a change of command ceremony at the Squadron Headquarters Building Pavilion on Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor March 20.
• USS Underwood Refurbishes Panamanian School Navy NewsStand 24 Mar 2009 -- Sailors from the guided-missile frigate USS Underwood (FFG 36) made a special visit to a local Panamanian school March 14.
• ARCIC and TARDEC release robotics strategy Army News 24 Mar 2009 -- Army Capabilities Integration Center and the Tank-Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center announced "Robotics Strategy" white paper.
• Aim Sought by US in Relocating Its Forces Overseas Disclosed KCNA 24 Mar 2009 -- The US recently decided to transfer some of its Marines based in Okinawa to Guam.
• Homeland Security Considers Using Guard Along U.S.-Mexico Border AFPS 24 Mar 2009 -- The Department of Homeland Security is “still considering” the use of National Guard troops along the U.S.-Mexico border.
• Helo Squadron Flies in Bilateral Exercise Navy NewsStand 24 Mar 2009 -- Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 14 participated in mine countermeasure exercises with the ROK Navy.
• Exercise in Korea Strengthens Seabee Skill Sets Navy NewsStand 24 Mar 2009 -- US Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 40 deployed to Chinhae, Republic of Korea during Exercise Key Resolve/Foal Eagle.
• CNO Attends ICEX 2009 Navy NewsStand 24 Mar 2009 -- Chief of Naval Operations visited Ice Exercise 2009 off of Prudhoe Bay, Alaska on March 21-22.
• NMCB 40 Detail in Japan Aids Readiness Navy NewsStand 24 Mar 2009 -- Seabees attached to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 40 reached halfway point on airfield project at Ie Shima Island, Japan.
• Normandy Proves Proficiency as part of 'Battle Group in the Sand' Navy NewsStand 24 Mar 2009 -- Combat information center watchstanders of USS Normandy proved mettle as they ran through scenarios.
• Training team brings basic non-commissioned officer course to Fort Riley Army News 24 Mar 2009 -- Being a Soldier entails sacrifice, and for some, the most hard-felt sacrifice is less time with family and friends.
• Push-Pull to test real-world Air Force capabilities AFNS 24 Mar 2009 -- About 150 regular Air Force retirees it will be a mobilization exercise of a different kind April 6 through 10 at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.
• APS Nashville Medical Team Lends Helping Hand in Nigerian Medical Centers Navy NewsStand 24 Mar 2009 -- DoD medical team embarked aboard USS Nashville for Africa Partnership Station visited the Obisean Medical Center Apapa.
• Timely, Accurate Info Critical to Navy's Strategic Comms Initiatives Navy NewsStand 24 Mar 2009 -- The Navy chief of information visited USS Enterprise to meet the ship's mass communication specialists.
• Top Commander: NATO Needs Changes VOA 24 Mar 2009 -- General Craddock: Alliance must change the way it conducts operations so the next mission does not suffer the same problems as effort in Afghanistan.
• Russia new security strategy avoids arms race RIA Novosti 24 Mar 2009 -- Head of the Security Council: Russia will not get involved in a new arms race.
• Medvedev to hold security strategy meeting RIA Novosti 24 Mar 2009 -- Russian President Medvedev will hold a meeting with the national Security Council to approve a national security strategy up to 2020.
• Russia wants up to 10 submarines in Black Sea Fleet RIA Novosti 24 Mar 2009 -- Russia's Black Sea Fleet must have 8-10 submarines in active service.
• Russian destroyer visits Indonesia RIA Novosti 24 Mar 2009 -- Russia's Admiral Vinogradov destroyer arrived on Tuesday in Indonesia on an official visit following a three-month tour of duty in the Gulf of Aden.
• Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 24 Mar 2009

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for March 24, 2009
• Northrop Grumman Wins Additional Contract for Joint Warning and Reporting Network Northrop Grumman 24 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).
• Boeing Laser System Redeploys Quickly, Then Tracks Targets and Fires Laser Boeing 24 Mar 2009 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] has successfully demonstrated its Re-Deployable High-Energy Laser System (RHELS) by quickly relocating the prototype weapon system from its Albuquerque development site to a test range, where it tracked ground and airborne targets and fired at a ground target.
• Seventh Modernized GPS Satellite Built By Lockheed Martin Successfully Launched From Cape Canaveral Lockheed Martin 24 Mar 2009 -- A Lockheed Martin [NYSE:LMT]-built modernized Global Positioning System Block IIR (GPS IIR-M) satellite, equipped with an innovative payload that will provide an on-orbit demonstration of a third civil signal, was successfully launched today from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
• GE to Supply Samsung Techwin with LM500 Gas Turbines for Republic of Korea Navy's PK(X) Patrol Boats GE Marine 24 Mar 2009 -- GE Marine reports that it will supply Samsung Techwin, Republic of Korea (ROK), with LM500 gas turbines to power PK(X) patrol boats to be built as part of phase two of this ROK Navy fast patrol boat program. The first PK(X) Yoon Young-ha has already been launched at Hanjin Heavy Industries' Busan, ROK shipyard.
• Counter-IED variant gives Thales's Bushmaster extra edge Thales 24 Mar 2009 -- The nine vehicles are equipped with an interrogation arm designed to help crews uncover, investigate and examine suspect items such as Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) from within the Bushmaster. Each arm is fitted with a camera and metal detector to assist in this activity.
• Thales signs submarine partnering arrangement Thales 24 Mar 2009 -- Thales UK’s naval business has today announced that it has signed a submarine Performance Partnering Arrangement (PPA) with BAE Systems.
• Northrop Grumman Urges Missile Defense Focus On Early Engagement, Strategic Flexibility Northrop Grumman 24 Mar 2009 -- The U.S. government can get the most from valuable missile defense dollars by focusing on early intercept of hostile ballistic missiles through mobile and flexible defenses, Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) said Tuesday.
• Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Engine Boosts Modernized Navigation Satellite into Orbit Pratt & Whitney 24 Mar 2009 -- Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne boosted the seventh modernized NAVSTAR Global Positioning System (GPS) Block IIR military navigation satellite into orbit from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station today.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 24 Mar 2009
• Inter-Palestinian dialogue postponed until early April RIA Novosti 24 Mar 2009 -- Egyptian authorities have decided to postpone a regular round of inter-Palestinian talks until early April.
• Fatah: Palestinian Unity Talks to Resume Next Week VOA 24 Mar 2009 -- Officials from the Palestinian faction Fatah said they will resume talks next week with Hamas on forming a unity government.
• All-party meet including pro-LTTE political group for peace summoned IRNA 24 Mar 2009 -- Sri Lankan President Rajpaksa has called for an all-party meeting including the pro-LTTE Tamil National Alliance.
• Sri Lanka Accuses Aid Groups of Cashing in on War VOA 24 Mar 2009 -- Sri Lanka's Defense Ministry accusing aid agencies of supporting rebels and trying to prolong the island's civil war for economic gain.
• SRI LANKA: Thousands flee conflict-hit north IRIN 24 Mar 2009 -- UN warned of deteriorating conditions for those still trapped in the combat zone.
• UN Warns Gaps in Sudanese Aid Operations Cannot Be Easily Filled VOA 24 Mar 2009 -- UN's chief humanitarian official: Efforts to fill the gaps left by the 13 international aid groups kicked out of Sudan are insufficient.
• Joint UN and Sudanese assessment of Darfur aid reveals critical gaps UN News Centre 24 Mar 2009 -- UN humanitarian officials commended the cooperation of Sudanese Government staff on an assessment of relief needs in war-torn Darfur.
• Violence thwarts refugee return to Southern Sudan - UN UN News Centre 24 Mar 2009 -- Deteriorating security situation in some parts of Southern Sudan is preventing the return of refugees.
• Central African refugees continue fleeing into Chad, UN reports UN News Centre 24 Mar 2009 -- More than 100 CAR refugees crossed the volatile border to south-eastern Chad over the weekend, joining over 6,800 others who began arriving earlier this year in two sites near the remote Daha village registered by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
• DR Congo: UN envoy hails new pact with rebels in strife-torn east UN News Centre 24 Mar 2009 -- Top UN envoy to the Democratic Republic of the Congo has hailed an accord between the Government and a key rebel group.
• DRC, Tutsi Rebels Sign Accord VOA 24 Mar 2009 -- The Democratic Republic of Congo's government has signed a peace accord with Tutsi rebels operating in volatile North Kivu provice.
• Kinshasa Agrees to Grant Amnesty to Rebels VOA 24 Mar 2009 -- Residents of North Kivu welcomed agreement between Kinshasa and CNDP that paves the way for the group to transform into political party.
• Kashmir battles toll mounts to 12 IRNA 24 Mar 2009 -- A massive military offensive against Kashmiri militants fighting Indian rule has been underway in the forests of the frontier district of Kupwara.
• Transdnestr leader says Russia could open military base RIA Novosti 24 Mar 2009 -- President of the unrecognized Moldovan republic of Transdnestr: Russian military base could be established in the country.
• Tensions Flare Between Serb, Kosovo Officials at UN VOA 24 Mar 2009 -- Serbia is marking the 10th anniversary of NATO's bombing campaign against it over Kosovo.
• Philippine Military Cuts Supplies to Kidnappers VOA 24 Mar 2009 -- The Philippine military said it has cut supply lines to Islamist militants who have held 3 Red Cross workers hostage since January.

News Reports

• North Korea Says Detained US Journalists Well-Treated VOA 24 Mar 2009 -- State Department said US has been told by North Korea that two American journalists it detained last week are being well-treated.
• MPs in new bid for Iraq war inquiry IRNA 24 Mar 2009 -- Conservative Party is launching a new bid in the British parliament to force PM Brown to call an immediate independent inquiry into the Iraq war.
• Georgia Alleges Opposition Buying Guns to Spark Violence VOA 24 Mar 2009 -- Georgian police said 2 opposition members arrested were plotting to buy weapons to provoke violence during protests.
• Georgian Arrests Raise Disturbing Questions RFE/RL 24 Mar 2009 -- During the night of March 22-23, the Georgian Interior Ministry arrested 10 men in Batumi and Tbilisi on charges of illegal possession of arms.
• Georgian Crackdown Continues With 'Antistate' Arrests RFE/RL 24 Mar 2009 -- The Georgian Interior Ministry has announced that police have arrested and charged two people for antistate activities.
• Opposition activists arrested in Georgia RIA Novosti 24 Mar 2009 -- Georgia's Interior Ministry has confirmed the arrests of several opposition activists, and accused them of illegally buying firearms.
• Russia Slams Ukraine-EU Pipeline Deal VOA 24 Mar 2009 -- Russia postponing scheduled consultations with Ukraine pending review of agreement between Kyiv and EU to improve Ukrainian gas pipeline.
• Putin Says Ukraine-EU Gas Plan 'Unprofessional' RFE/RL 24 Mar 2009 -- Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has said a gas plan presented by Ukraine to the European Union is "ill-considered and unprofessional."
• Moscow delays talks with Kiev over Ukraine-EU pipeline deal RIA Novosti 24 Mar 2009 -- Russia is putting off government consultations with Ukraineuntil its natural gas pipeline declaration with the EU is clarified.
• Israel's Labor Party to Join Netanyahu Government VOA 24 Mar 2009 -- Israel's moderate Labor Party has voted to join the coalition government of Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu.
• Netanyahu, Barak Draft Israel Coalition Pact VOA 24 Mar 2009 -- Israeli radio says Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu and moderate Labor Party leader Ehud Barak reached a coalition deal Tuesday.
• Pakistan's Popular Chief Justice Returns to Court VOA 24 Mar 2009 -- Pakistan's Supreme Court chief justice got a hero's welcome as he returned to work more than a year after being dismissed.
• Ravalomanana Supporters Vow to Continue Madagascar Protest VOA 24 Mar 2009 -- Political crisis took another turn after supporters of former President Ravalomanana vowed to continue protesting.
• ZIMBABWE: Unity government going nowhere slowly IRIN 24 Mar 2009 -- A cold reality is dawning on Zimbabwe's inclusive government that those able to give money for the country's reconstruction will not give it, and those wanting to give money just do not have it.
• Syria officially names first ambassador to Lebanon RIA Novosti 24 Mar 2009 -- Syria officially named its ambassador to Lebanon for the first time since the countries gained independence in the 1940s, Lebanese LBC television said on Tuesday.
• S. African Visa Refusal to Dalai Lama Forces Conference Postponement VOA 24 Mar 2009 -- The organizers of a South African conference aimed at promoting soccer as a tool for peace have postponed the gathering after South African officials refused to grant the Dalai Lama a visa to attend the event.
• Kyrgyz Still Struggle To Find Political Footing RFE/RL 24 Mar 2009 -- Four years ago this week, Kyrgyz police and security agents opted not to confront the swarms of people spilling over the gates surrounding the country's presidential offices.
• UN Calls Burma's Detention of Aung San Suu Kyi 'Illegal' VOA 24 Mar 2009 -- A United Nations body has ruled that Burma's continued detention of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi is illegal under Burmese and international law.
• Military Arrests Former Guinean Prime Minister VOA 24 Mar 2009 -- Military rulers in Guinea are detaining the former prime minister and two former mining ministers who they accuse of stealing public funds while in office.