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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 08 Apr 2009 [PDF]
• DoD News: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty
• U.S. Airmen Keep Troops, Cargo Moving Through Kuwait AFPS 08 Apr 2009 -- Most troops and cargo heading into theater start on a small air strip just outside of Kuwait City, Kuwait.
• Obama visits Iraq, calls for transition of power to Iraqis IRNA 08 Apr 2009 -- President Obama made a surprise visit to Baghdad, declaring time for Iraqis to take complete charge of their country.
• Explosion Near Iraqi Shi'ite Shrine Kills 7 VOA 08 Apr 2009 -- Iraqi police say a bomb blast near the most important Shi'ite shrine in Baghdad has killed seven people and wounded 23 others.
• Hotel Company, 1-161 Infantry Soldiers' maiden voyage to Scania Army News 08 Apr 2009 -- 7-hour drive to Scania was wearing on the Soldiers as they pulled into this fortified "truck stop".
• MND-B training, partnership showcased as IA display combat skills Army News 08 Apr 2009 -- Soldiers from the 17th IA Division conducted a live-fire exercise at the Qaqa' weapons facility south of Baghdad.
• Sustainers welcome 63rd RRC to JBB Army News 08 Apr 2009 -- The 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) welcomed Soldiers from the 63rd Regional Readiness Command.
• Earth Movers Remove Remnants of War in Baghdad Neighborhood AFPS 08 Apr 2009 -- Things are back in full swing these days on the outskirts of Salmak Pak in the southeastern part of the Iraqi capital.
• Biden Welcomes 18th Airborne Corps Home From Iraq AFPS 08 Apr 2009 -- Vice President Biden welcomed home the 18th Airborne Corps headquarters after the soldiers spent nearly 15 months in Iraq.
• Afghanistan to get regular batch of Russian humanitarian aid RIA Novosti 08 Apr 2009 -- Russia will soon deliver to Afghanistan a regular batch of humanitarian assistance.
• US drone strike kills three in Pakistan IRNA 08 Apr 2009 -- A US drone attacked a vehicle in Pakistan’s South Waziristan tribal region Wednesday, killing three people.
• Pakistan Reports 4 Dead in Suspected US Strike VOA 08 Apr 2009 -- Pakistani intelligence officials say at least four militants were killed in a suspected U.S. missile strike in northwest Pakistan.
• US Envoy Urges India, Pakistan, Afghanistan to Cooperate on Regional Security VOA 08 Apr 2009 -- Top US envoy said India, Pakistan and Afghanistan need to work together to protect regional security.
• Mullen, Holbrooke Work to Build Trust in Pakistan AFPS 08 Apr 2009 -- Building trust between the US and Pakistan tops the agenda as the 2 countries and Afghanistan move forward.
• US discusses Afghanistan, Pakistan policy with Indian officials IRNA 08 Apr 2009 -- US Envoy underlined the need that India and Pakistan need to work together with the US to face common threat of terrorism.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Ramstein welcomes new J-model C-130 AFNS 08 Apr 2009 -- Ramstein's first J-model C-130 Super Hercules aircraft was welcomed by a capacity crowd.
• Beale AFB land-use deal closer to reality AFNS 08 Apr 2009 -- Stretch of prairie at Beale Air Force Base one step closer to becoming the next premiere commercial development in USAF's enhanced-use lease portfolio.
• Air Force officials take delivery of first MC-12 AFNS 08 Apr 2009 -- Winning the fight from up high just got more advanced since the recent delivery of the MC-12 Project Liberty special mission turboprop aircraft.
• Airmen help launch satellite into orbit AFNS 08 Apr 2009 -- The Air Force's second Wibeband Global Satellite Communications satellite was successfully launched into orbit April 3.
• Official Cites Value of Cyberspace to Warfighting Operations AFPS 08 Apr 2009 -- Maintaining and protecting the U.S. military's worldwide computer network is a vital component of national security.
• NMCB 11 Trains Seabee Combat Warriors Navy NewsStand 08 Apr 2009 -- Sailors from NMCB 11 Detachment Horn of Africa continue to study and train for the Seabee combat warfare specialist qualification.
• Helicopter pilots train Japanese forces on air refueling AFNS 08 Apr 2009 -- A team of HH-60G Pave Hawk pilots here provided a 3-day intensive course on air refueling to Japanese rescue pilots.
• Officials break ground on new Defense Media Activity headquarters Army News 08 Apr 2009 -- With shovels in hand under a brilliant sunlit sky, federal, state and county officials, along with business and military personnel, broke ground on the Defense Media Activity\'s new headquarters and production building April 8 on Fort Meade.
• Corp of Engineers Europe District delivers Ramstein C-130 hangar Army News 08 Apr 2009 -- A new aircraft can now safely be housed and maintained by the Air Force overseas
• Dominican Republic commandos train with U.S. Marines, improve regional security USMC News 08 Apr 2009 -- UH-1 Iroquois helicopters swoop onto a rooftop at Ciudad Del Niño during a day of training in March.
• Cyber Defense Cost Pentagon $100 Million in Six Months, Officials Say AFPS 08 Apr 2009 -- Defending the DoD's global information grid from attacks cost more than $100 million over past 6 months.
• Gates, Lebanese Defense Minister Explore Expanding Bilateral Relationship AFPS 08 Apr 2009 -- Leaders assessed the way ahead in military-to-military relationship.
• NATO Ceremony Marks Entrance of Albania, Croatia AFPS 08 Apr 2009 -- A NATO flag-raising ceremony punctuated the entrance of Albania and Croatia into the 60-year old collective security alliance.
• Russia to begin building new strategic submarine in 2009 RIA Novosti 08 Apr 2009 -- Sevmash shipyard in northern Russia: Start construction of a fourth Borey class nuclear-powered strategic submarine this year.
• Russia to supply advanced surface-to-air missiles to Belarus RIA Novosti 08 Apr 2009 -- Russia is to deliver S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile systems to Belarus under an integrated air-defense agreement.
• Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 08 Apr 2009

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for April 08, 2009
• Thales signs military vehicle communications contract Thales 08 Apr 2009 -- The company has signed a contract with the Defence Materiel Organisation to provide the SOTAS IP vehicle communications system to the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
• The Australian Defence Materiel Organisation signed a contract with Thales to provide the SOTAS IP vehicle communications system to the Australian Defence Force. Thales 08 Apr 2009 -- The Australian Defence Materiel Organisation signed a contract with Thales to provide the SOTAS IP vehicle communications system to the Australian Defence Force.
• Paris Strategy Centre Information and Communication System enters operational service Thales 08 Apr 2009 -- A highly strategic information system serving more than 2,000 users within the French chain of command / A project in two phases for entry into operational service over the period 2008-2012

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICES OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL AND THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT United Nations 08 Apr 2009
• Publish report on Israel attacks on UN, says Amnesty International IRNA 08 Apr 2009 -- Amnesty International urging UN SecGen Ban to act upon an initial Board of Inquiry report into attacks on UN in Gaza.
• Ban briefed on findings of UN investigation into Gaza incidents UN News Centre 08 Apr 2009 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was briefed today by members of the United Nations Board of Inquiry, which is probing incidents involving death and damage at the world body’s premises in Gaza during Israel’s military operation and whose report is expected in two weeks.
• UN-African Union mission chief meets with senior Darfur official UN News Centre 08 Apr 2009 -- The humanitarian situation was among the issues discussed in a meeting today between the head of the United Nations-African Union (AU) peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID) and a top official in the war-torn region of western Sudan.
• SOMALIA: Hundreds flee inter-clan clashes in Somaliland IRIN 08 Apr 2009 -- Hundreds of families in Somalia's self-declared republic of Somaliland have fled inter-clan fighting in the mid-west Satiile area in Gabiley region, officials said.
• Somali Peace Negotiations Continue With Hard Line Islamic Insurgents VOA 08 Apr 2009 -- Ongoing negotiations between government and hard line Islamic insurgent groups continue.
• Russian Troops Entering Abkhazia's Gali Region RFE/RL 08 Apr 2009 -- Russian troops have been entering Abkhazia's Gali region since April 7, RFE/RL's Georgia Service reports.
• Abkhazia reinforcing protection of border with Georgia RIA Novosti 08 Apr 2009 -- Abkhazia has decided to reinforce its border with Georgia together with the Russian military contingent.
• 26 LTTE cadres killed in latest fighting in North Sri Lanka IRNA 08 Apr 2009 -- At least twenty six Tamil Tigers were killed in latest fighting in the Sri Lanka's north.
• 'Clock ticking' for Sri Lanka's civilians, warns UN humanitarian chief UN News Centre 08 Apr 2009 -- UN: Time is running out for the thousands of civilians trapped in northern Sri Lanka amid the ongoing conflict.
• Congo Armed Groups Threaten to Pull Out of Ceasefire, Begin Insurgency VOA 08 Apr 2009 -- Groups in North Kivu are threatening to withdraw from a ceasefire agreement vowing to again begin their insurgency.
• Ogaden Rebels Counter 'Crisis' Claims by Ethiopia VOA 08 Apr 2009 -- Rebels fighting for independence in Ethiopia's Ogaden region say they are stronger than ever, a day after the government said the insurgency is in tatters.
• Stone Throwing in Kashmir Faces Islamic Scrutiny VOA 08 Apr 2009 -- During the past 20 years stone throwing emerged as a common form of protest against Indian forces in Kashmir.
• UN suggests anti-corruption measures for Cambodian genocide court UN News Centre 08 Apr 2009 -- Senior UN official underscored need to address allegations of corruption surrounding the genocide tribunal in Cambodia.
• Prosecutor welcomes sentences for Sierra Leonean ex-rebels by UN-backed court UN News Centre 08 Apr 2009 -- Prosecutor of the UN-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone welcomed sentences handed down to 3 men who led a rebel movement.
• Sierra Leone Rebel Leaders Sentenced for War Crimes VOA 08 Apr 2009 -- Sierra Leone's war crimes tribunal has sentenced three former rebel chiefs to long prison terms for crimes against humanity.

News Reports

• Fidel Castro Hails Talks With 3 US Lawmakers VOA 08 Apr 2009 -- Former Cuban President Fidel Castro urging Washington to take the initiative to improve ties with Havana.
• Fidel Castro hails 'great meeting' with U.S. lawmakers RIA Novosti 08 Apr 2009 -- Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro: Meeting with US lawmakers was a "great meeting" that held "particular importance for me."
• US Lawmakers Meet With Fidel Castro in Cuba VOA 08 Apr 2009 -- Members of the American Congressional Black Caucus have taken part in the first meeting of US officials with former President Fidel Castro since he became ill in 2006.
• Pirate Attack Foiled by Ship's Crew, Defense Officials Say AFPS 08 Apr 2009 -- A ship taken by pirates off the coast of Somalia this morning is now presumed to be under the control of its crew again, Defense Department officials said.
• US Crew Retakes Hijacked Cargo Ship, One American Still Hostage VOA 08 Apr 2009 -- A U.S. ship operator says the American crew of a hijacked vessel off the coast of Somalia has retaken control of the ship, but one crew member is still being held hostage by pirates.
• Somali Pirates Seize Danish Cargo Ship VOA 08 Apr 2009 -- The U.S. Navy said Somali pirates have hijacked a U.S.-flagged cargo ship off the coast of Somalia.
• Somali Piracy Exposes Weakness in UN Law of the Sea VOA 08 Apr 2009-- The explosion of piracy off the coast of Somalia in recent years has exposed a weakness in UN maritime law.
• Somali Pirates Target New Area, Adopt Tougher Tactics for Hijackings VOA 08 Apr 2009 -- Despite an increase in naval patrols and heightened security, there's been an upsurge in Somali pirate attacks.
• Iran Charges US-Iranian Journalist With Spying VOA 08 Apr 2009 -- Iranian authorities say American-Iranian journalist Roxana Saberi will stand trial next week on charges of spying.
• Wall Street Journal: Cyberspies Infiltrated US Electrical Grid VOA 08 Apr 2009 -- US newspaper reporting that spies using the Internet have infiltrated control systems of the US electrical supply network.
• Iranian President Welcomes 'Honest' Talks With US VOA 08 Apr 2009 -- President Ahmedinejad: Country would welcome talks with the US if President Barack Obama proves to be "honest."
• Iranian parliament reviews US interest to mend ties with Iran IRNA 08 Apr 2009 -- An Iranian Parliament commission on Tuesday reviewed different aspects of the US willingness to restore ties with Iran.
• U.S. Outreach to Islamic World Will Pay Dividends, Gates Says AFPS 08 Apr 2009 -- A comprehensive American outreach effort to the Islamic world will pay dividends, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said yesterday.
• Moldovan leader accuses opposition of betrayal RIA Novosti 08 Apr 2009 -- Moldovan President Voronin accused the opposition of betraying the interests of the country and attempting to trigger a civil war.
• Romania denies involvement in Moldova riots RIA Novosti 08 Apr 2009 -- Romania dismissed claims by Moldova's president that it had interfered in his country's internal affairs, and threatened to expel the Moldavian ambassador.
• Moldovan President Accuses Romania As Protests Continue RFE/RL 08 Apr 2009 -- Moldovan President Voronin has expanded his accusation to charge that "certain forces" in neighboring Romania had masterminded violence.
• Moldova blames Romania for riots, expels ambassador RIA Novosti 08 Apr 2009 -- Moldovan President Voronin accused Romania of involvement in the riots in Chisinau.
• Moldova Expels Romanian Ambassador VOA 08 Apr 2009 -- Moldova has expelled the Romanian ambassador, after accusing that country of involvement in anti-communist rioting that rocked the Moldovan capital.
• Police in Moldova regain control after riots RIA Novosti 08 Apr 2009 -- Police in Moldova's capital Chisinau regained control of the parliament's building overnight following two days of mass opposition protests against the recent parliamentary elections.
• Russian MP accuses Dubai police of 'cover-up' in Yamadayev probe RIA Novosti 08 Apr 2009 -- Russian MP, accused of involvement in assassination, condemned the police investigation.
• Georgian Opposition Vows To Protest 'As Long As Needed' Until President Resigns RFE/RL 08 Apr 2009 -- The main opposition groups in Georgia plan to throw down the gauntlet to President Mikheil Saakashvili: they will begin a protest on April 9 that they say will continue indefinitely until he resigns.
• KENYA: Coalition cracks threaten stability IRIN 08 Apr 2009 -- Fears the country could slide back into the kind of violence that claimed more than 1,000 lives and forced about half a million people from their homes after elections in December 2007.
• South Africa Opposition Vows to Seek Legal Recourse After Zuma Graft Charges Were Dropped VOA 08 Apr 2009 -- South African opposition political parties have sharply condemned the National Prosecuting Authority's decision to drop corruption charges against ANC leader Jacob Zuma.
• Pakistan: UN assessment team arrives ahead of Bhutto probe UN News Centre 08 Apr 2009 -- A United Nations technical assessment mission has arrived in Pakistan to carry out preparatory work for the fact-finding commission being set up to look into the 2007 assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, a spokesperson for the world body said today.
• Support for Guinea-Bissau’s elections, fight against impunity vital – UN envoy UN News Centre 08 Apr 2009 -- The United Nations envoy to Guinea-Bissau today urged continued support for national reconciliation and the fight against impunity in the West African country, which is gearing up for elections following last month’s double assassinations of the President and of the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces.
• Tens of Thousands Rally Against Thai PM VOA 08 Apr 2009 -- Massive protests in Bangkok backed by exiled Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra have so far gone peacefully.