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Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 25 Mar 2009 [PDF]
• DoD News: DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• Auditors Advise on Future US Reconstruction in Afghanistan, Iraq VOA 25 Mar 2009 -- Government auditors have told the US Congress that future U.S. reconstruction efforts must be monitored closely.
• PRESS CONFERENCE: Operational Update: Maj. Gen. Perkins, Maj. Gen. Qassim Atta, March 25, 2009 MNF-I 25 Mar 2009 -- Maj. Gen. David Perkins, MNF-I, and Maj. Gen. Qassim Atta, Iraqi Army, provide an operational update
• US Military Says Attacks in Iraq Fall to Lowest Level Since 2003 VOA 25 Mar 2009 -- The U.S. military says the number of insurgent attacks in Iraq has fallen to the lowest level in nearly six years.
• Iraq Violence Continues to Ebb as Security Improves, General Says AFPS 25 Mar 2009 -- The amount of insurgent- and crime-related violence in Iraq continues to drop as security improves.
• 8 Airmen assist and advise 11 fuel farms in Iraq Army News 25 Mar 2009 -- The 3d Sustainment Command's Air Force POL Detachment provides assistance and advice to the Army's command.
• MND-B, IA Soldiers conduct joint medical training Army News 25 Mar 2009 -- Iraqi and American forces conducted a joint medical training exercise March 5-11 at Forward Operating Base Justice.
• MiTT Soldiers continue building IA forces Army News 25 Mar 2009 -- Soldiers from the 17th Iraqi Army Division, finished the first week of classes in new Staff Officer training course.
• Army Preps Navy IAs for Detainee Ops in Iraq Navy NewsStand 25 Mar 2009 -- More than 100 individual augmentee Sailors departed Fort Lewis en route Iraq, following advanced and mission-specific training.
• Nominee to be US Ambassador to Iraq Says Situation in Iraq at Pivotal Moment VOA 25 Mar 2009 -- Hill believes security can be maintained during the planned drawdown of US troops.
• Chinook Makes First Overnight U.S. Ship Visit to Iraq AFPS 25 Mar 2009 -- USS Chinook departed here today marking the first overnight port visit to Iraq by a U.S. ship.
• Transcript: DoD Background Briefing DoD 25 Mar 2009 -- Presenter: Senior Defense Official
• AFGHANISTAN: “We’re not against polio immunisation” - Taliban spokesman IRIN 25 Mar 2009 -- A Taliban spokesman has said the Taliban are not against polio immunisation campaigns in areas under their influence or control.
• Police Arrest Taliban Commanders in Southern Afghanistan AFPS 25 Mar 2009 -- Afghan National Police arrested 2 Taliban commanders and 3 other militants in southern Afghanistan’s Oruzgan province.
• Expansion Of Afghan Security Forces Fraught With Challenges RFE/RL 25 Mar 2009 -- For Shah Muhammad, 46, it is easy to recall the days when armed factions fought pitched battles in the city streets.
• Electronic Attack Squadron Returns from Afghanistan Navy NewsStand 25 Mar 2009 -- Electronic Attack Squadron 133 returned from a deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
• Afghan Commission For Talks With Taliban Unveils Program RFE/RL 25 Mar 2009 -- commission for negotiations with Taliban established by Nangarhar Governor Sherzai has introduced its work platform.
• U.S. Consulting Closely With NATO Allies on Afghan Strategy Review AFPS 25 Mar 2009 -- US has been in close consultation with NATO allies as it completes an evaluation of the strategy in Afghanistan.
• Roadside Bomb Kills 9 in Afghanistan VOA 25 Mar 2009 -- Afghan officials say a roadside bomb destroyed a van in eastern Khost province, killing at least nine people and wounding seven others.
• Seven killed, 10 injured in roadside bomb blast in Afghanistan RIA Novosti 25 Mar 2009 -- Seven civilians were killed and about 10 injured when a bus hit a roadside bomb in eastern Afghanistan.
• Gates, Australian Prime Minister Focus on Afghan-Pakistan Issues AFPS 25 Mar 2009 -- Two discussed the mission in Afghanistan and the importance of Australia’s support there.
• Ban taps US negotiations expert to fill Afghanistan post UN News Centre 25 Mar 2009 -- Secretary-General Ban has appointed Peter W. Galbraith as one of 2 deputy United Nations envoys in Afghanistan.
• Suspected US Missile Strike Kills 7 in Pakistan VOA 25 Mar 2009 -- Pakistani intelligence: Suspected U.S. missile strike has killed at least seven people, including foreigners, in a tribal region bordering Afghanistan.
• F-22 crash claims life of Edwards pilot AFPS 25 Mar 2009 -- EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFNS) -- F-22 Raptor crash March 25 claimed the life of an Air Force veteran and Lockheed Martin test pilot.
• F-22 crashes in California AFNS 25 Mar 2009 -- An Air Force F-22 Raptor from Edwards Air Force Base crashed about 10 a.m. March 25 approximately 35 miles northeast of the base.
• Deployment-hardened Soldiers, Airmen use familiar barriers to dam rising floodwaters Army News 25 Mar 2009 -- While deployed in Iraq, Spc. Karsky got used to the towering HESCO barriers that ringed his base.
• National Guard Battles Winter Storms in Five States AFPS 25 Mar 2009 -- Rain and melting snow continue to increase flooding in five states across the northern United States today.
• Disaster Preparedness Exercise Trains 500 Guardsmen in Puerto Rico AFPS 25 Mar 2009 -- An underwater earthquake triggers a tsunami as a terrorist cell is discovered producing dangerous chemicals.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Transcript: DoD News Briefing with Geoff Morrell from the Pentagon DoD 25 Mar 2009 -- Presenter: Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell
• Spartan Soldiers Conduct Bradley Gunnery Army News 25 Mar 2009 -- After completing basic training, Soldiers train in their military occupational specialty, completing hands-on courses to become technically proficient at their job. Soldiers learn, in depth, the responsibilities and expectations that come along with their job and also spend a lot of time reviewing scenarios that show how their MOS is performed, both in the garrison environment and while deployed.
• Environmental committee finds Area I on track Army News 25 Mar 2009 -- The Area I and 2nd Infantry Division environmental committee held its quarterly environmental quality control meeting March 20 in the USAG-Casey Digital Conference Center
• Bulgarian Senior Enlisted Leader Increases Interoperability During Klakring Visit Navy NewsStand 25 Mar 2009 -- USS Klakring (FFG 42) welcomed the master chief petty officer of the Bulgarian Navy March 20 during the ship's visit to Varna.
• Mobile Training Teams Embody Total Force Integration Navy NewsStand 25 Mar 2009 -- With the help of its Reserve Sailors, the Center for Personal and Professional Development's (CPPD) Mobile Training Teams (MTT) have trained more than 16,000 Sailors worldwide during the last two years.
• Cherry Point Starts Project to Harness Solar Energy Navy NewsStand 25 Mar 2009 -- The installation of Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point's first solar panels began March 6; the effort is expected to harness solar energy in a flight-line warehouse.
• Air Facility, Aviators, Japanese Dedicate New Base Park featuring Prowler Display Navy NewsStand 25 Mar 2009 -- Leaders from Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi, Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) and the Japanese company Nabco dedicated a new base park during a ribbon-cutting ceremony March 23.
• Fleet Rec Center Named After U.S. Naval Forces Japan Leader Navy NewsStand 25 Mar 2009 -- The commander of U.S. Naval Forces Japan (CNFJ) was surprised during a dedication ceremony March 24 when a facility devoted to the fleet was named after the admiral who's spent much of his career in the Pacific nation.
• Commanders Cite Top Security Concerns AFPS 25 Mar 2009 -- 4-star officers from Europe and the Pacific shared their most pressing concerns.
• AFRICOM: No US Military Role Against Sudan's Bashir VOA 25 Mar 2009 -- Senior civilian AFRICOM official: No role for U.S. troops in any effort to arrest Sudanese President al-Bashir.
• Bataan Set to Deploy With MV-22 Ospreys Navy NewsStand 25 Mar 2009 -- USS Bataan will have chance to make history later this spring as the first ship to deploy with the MV-22B Osprey.
• Test center recycles helicopter sensors Army News 25 Mar 2009 -- Some programs on Redstone Arsenal are using the idea of recycling to give new purpose to hardware that's aged beyond its normal life cycle.
• Airmen demonstrate unmanned aircraft not merely 'drones' AFNS 25 Mar 2009 -- The door to the 62nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron features the words "We're not drones - we fire back."
• Intel system gains warfighting role AFNS 25 Mar 2009 -- Officials from the 950th Electronic System Group are using a key imagery collection system known as Eagle Vision to transition victories.
• Sailors, Civilians Committed to Upgrading Peleliu Navy NewsStand 25 Mar 2009 -- Ship officially began her dock planned maintenance availability March 4 and entered dry dock March 24 at NASSCO shipyards.
• 4-58th AOB, ROKA Soldiers strengthen ties Army News 25 Mar 2009 -- Air traffic control Soldiers from 4-58th Airfield Operations Battalion trained with Republic of Korea Army aviators.
• Navy Submariners Participate in Arctic Ocean Exercise AFPS 25 Mar 2009 -- A group of Navy submariners are practicing wartime operations off the coast of northern Alaska as part of Ice Exercise 2009.
• Combined Team of Submariners Man Ice Station for Arctic Exercise Navy NewsStand 25 Mar 2009 -- A small group of submariners gathered at the Applied Physics Laboratory Ice Station to support operations during Ice Exercise 2009.
• New Dunker to Increase Warfighting Effectiveness of Air Crews Navy NewsStand 25 Mar 2009 -- New trainer in the pool at Aviation Survival Training Center Jacksonville will soon increase the warfighting effectivness of the fleet's air crewmen.
• C-17 arrives in New Zealand AFNS 25 Mar 2009 -- A C-17 Globemaster III crew of 14 from the 517th Airlift Squadron at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, arrived here March 18 for the 2009 Whenuapai Air Show.
• Obama, NATO Chief Review Alliance Missions VOA 25 Mar 2009 -- U.S. President Barack Obama said his goal is to help create a stronger NATO. Mr. Obama said he wants to see an invigorated NATO presence in Afghanistan.
• Russian Invasion of Georgia Shattered Old Assumptions, Prompts New Concerns AFPS 25 Mar 2009 -- Russian invasion of Georgia did more than debunk assumptions about stability in the former Soviet bloc.
• China's Military Capabilities Continue to Grow, Report Says AFPS 25 Mar 2009 -- Transformation of the Chinese military has gained speed, but US officials would like to see China become more transparent.
• U.S. Congress reaffirms commitment to Taiwan Relations Act CNA 25 Mar 2009 -- US House of Representatives reaffirmed commitment to Taiwan Relations Act in recognition of law's 30th anniversary.
• Indian Navy's helicopter crashes at sea IRNA 25 Mar 2009 -- Indian Navy's "Kamov-28" anti submarine helicopter on a routine training mission crashed at sea 20 nautical miles west of Goa airport.
• Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 25 Mar 2009
• Briefing by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 3/25/09 The White House 25 Mar 2009

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for March 25, 2009
• BAE SYSTEMS RECEIVES $55.7 MILLION SOLDIER EQUIPMENT ORDERS FROM U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE BAE Systems 25 Mar 2009 -- BAE Systems has received two orders valued at $55.7 million from the U.S. Army and Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) for production of Modular Lightweight Load Carrying Equipment (MOLLE) Core Rifleman sets, Ruck sets and components.
• Boeing Marks Milestone for KC-10 Contractor Logistics Support Program Boeing 25 Mar 2009 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today recognized a milestone for its KC-10 Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) program: The program has provided aircraft maintenance more than 750 times for the current fleet of 59 aerial-refueling tanker aircraft.
• Lockheed Martin Opens Command Center for Supply Chain Management of All U.S. Military Automotive Parts Lockheed Martin 25 Mar 2009 -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) today opened a state-of-the-art command center to support the Fleet Automotive Support Initiative-Global (FASI-G) program.
• DCNS Sets Up Indian Subsidiary DCNS 25 Mar 2009 -- DCNS Group is in charge of a contract for the transfer of technology of Scorpene submarines to Mazagon Dock Ltd (MDL) shipyard. Six Scorpene submarines will be delivered by 2018 under P75 Indian Navy's project.
• Thales signs submarine partnering arrangement Thales 25 Mar 2009 -- This arrangement provides a commitment between the companies to cooperate on future submarine programmes. The aim of both parties is that the PPA will significantly contribute to providing an affordable and sustainable common combat system across the UK's submarine flotilla.
• Lockheed Martin Statement - F-22 Accident Lockheed Martin 25 Mar 2009 -- Lockheed Martin test pilot David Cooley, 49, was killed today at about 10 a.m. Pacific time in the crash of an F-22 aircraft flying on a test mission from Edwards AFB, California.
• Lockheed Martin’s HIMARS Launcher Successfully Fires Air Defense Missile Lockheed Martin 25 Mar 2009 -- A Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launcher successfully fired two Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) during a U.S. Army “common launcher” feasibility demonstration at White Sands Missile Range, NM.
• Raytheon Awarded $29.3 Million Phase 3 Contract for Wide Bandgap Semiconductor Development Program Raytheon 25 Mar 2009 -- Raytheon Company has been awarded a $23.9 million phase 3 contract from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to continue work on the agency's Wide Bandgap Semiconductor (WBGS) Development program.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 25 Mar 2009
• UK checking foreign arms used in Israel IRNA 25 Mar 2009 -- The British government is carrying out its own investigations into what foreign arms were supplied and used in Gaza.
• Efforts to end current Gaza 'impasse' imperative - UN political chief UN News Centre 25 Mar 2009 -- Top UN official called for progress to be made in implementing Security Council resolution to break the current impasse.
• UN: Situation in Gaza One of 'Impasse and Uncertainty' VOA 25 Mar 2009 -- UN top political official: Gaza situation remains fraught with "impasse and uncertainty."
• New High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina welcomed by UN UN News Centre 25 Mar 2009 --The United Nations Security Council today welcomed and agreed to the appointment of Valentin Inzko, a senior Austrian diplomat, as the new High Representative for the Implementation of the Peace Agreement for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
• UN Expert Says Peace Possible in Somalia VOA 25 Mar 2009 -- A U.N. Special Investigator says he believes Somalis are ready to make peace and the international community should seize the opportunity to push this process along.
• SUDAN: Lost aid expertise hard to replace - UN IRIN 25 Mar 2009 -- The loss of expertise following the expulsion or closure of 16 aid agencies cannot be replaced in the short run.
• Arson attack kills two at Darfur camp, say UN-African Union peacekeepers UN News Centre 25 Mar 2009 -- A group of armed men set fire to a makeshift camp in war-ravaged Darfur, killing 2 people and destroying hundreds of shelters.
• Sudan: UN assists ex-combatants in north-south conflict to return to civilian life UN News Centre 25 Mar 2009 -- More than 180,000 ex-fighters will be assisted to return to civilian life as their ongoing demobilization enters a new phase.
• PHILIPPINES: Insecurity jeopardises aid work IRIN 25 Mar 2009 -- Hostage crisis involving International Committee of the Red Cross workers may force agencies to stop bringing assistance to some areas.
• Sri Lanka: conditions unstable for civilians trapped in conflict UN News Centre 25 Mar 2009 -- The humanitarian and security situation for civilians caught up in fighting in northern Sri Lanka remains precarious.
• Indian DM asks army to deal with terrorists with 'utmost firmness' IRNA 25 Mar 2009 -- Indian Def Minister Antony directed the Army to deal with the situation arising in Jammu and Kashmir with 'utmost firmness'.
• Moldova's president cancels talks with Transdnestr leader RIA Novosti 25 Mar 2009 -- Moldovan President Voronin has pulled out of a meeting scheduled with the leader of the breakaway republic of Transdnestr.
• Kremlin denies end-date of Chechnya counter-terrorism operation RIA Novosti 25 Mar 2009 -- A Kremlin source rejected report from the Chechen leadership that the counter-terrorism campaign in the republic would finish this month.
• Chechnya counterterrorist operation to officially end late March RIA Novosti 25 Mar 2009 -- Counterterrorist operation in the Russian republic of Chechnya will officially end March 30-31.

News Reports

• Iranian Official Downplays Obama's Overture to Iran VOA 25 Mar 2009 -- Iran's parliament speaker: US President Obama's recent overture is not enough to repair 30 years of strained relations.
• Obama expects steady progress in U.S.-Iran ties RIA Novosti 25 Mar 2009 -- US President Obama expects steady progress in relations with Iran as he pursues a policy of greater engagement.
• Netanyahu Says His Government Wants Partnership with Palestinians VOA 25 Mar 2009 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says his new government will be a partner for peace with the Palestinians.
• Israel's Netanyahu promises new peace talks with Palestinians RIA Novosti 25 Mar 2009 -- Israeli PM-designate Benjamin Netanyahu pledged to renew peace talks with the Palestinians.
• Filipino War Veterans Take Advantage of Delayed US Response VOA 25 Mar 2009 -- Thousands of Filipinos fought for the United States military against Japan during the Second World War.
• Georgian Police Ratchet Up Pressure On Oppositionist Burjanadze RFE/RL 25 Mar 2009 -- For the third day running, police in Georgia have presented videotaped evidence purportedly implicating opposition activists in politically motivated violence.
• Gazprom warns Ukraine over changes to gas transport system RIA Novosti 25 Mar 2009 -- Russia's Gazprom warned on Wednesday that any changes made to Ukraine's natural gas transport network without Russia's approval will affect European supply contracts.
• Moldova Unhappy With EU's Eastern Partnership Offer RFE/RL 25 Mar 2009 -- A leading Moldovan official has said his country should have a different status than the other five Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in the European Union's Eastern Partnership program.
• Cuba announces dismissal of 2 revolution-era leaders RIA Novosti 25 Mar 2009 -- Two Cuban leaders who took part in the 1959 revolution were dismissed earlier this month in a government reshuffle.
• Sudanese President Makes High-Profile Trip to Cairo VOA 25 Mar 2009 -- Sudan President Omar Hassan al-Bashir is visiting Egypt on his first high-profile trip abroad, and second to a neighboring country in three days.
• Embattled Sudanese President Bashir Expected in Cairo Wednesday VOA 25 Mar 2009 -- In a show of defiance Sudanese President al-Bashir expected in Cairo.
• Former Madagascar President Addresses Supporters VOA 25 Mar 2009 -- Madagascar's ousted president Marc Ravalomanana has addressed his supporters through a recorded message, calling on them to protect the country.
• MADAGASCAR: Ravalomanana takes refuge in Swaziland IRIN 25 Mar 2009 -- Deposed Madagascan President Ravalomanana has taken refuge in Swaziland.
• UN-backed tribunal for Lebanon killings swears in officials, adopts rules UN News Centre 25 Mar 2009 -- UN-backed tribunal to try the perpetrators of a massive car bomb blast that killed former Lebanese PM Hariri has appointed its main officials and adopted rules of procedures and evidence.
• Israel Marks 30 Years of Peace with Egypt VOA 25 Mar 2009 -- Israel marked the 30th anniversary of its historic peace treaty with Egypt on Wednesday, with both sides acknowledging that its goals have yet to be fulfilled.