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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 09 Apr 2009 [PDF]
• April 7 airpower summary: A-10 destroys enemy positions AFNS 09 Apr 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and ISAF in Afghanistan during operations.
• 277th Engineers improve Liberty, Victory access road Army News 09 Apr 2009 -- The 277th Engineer Company is resurfacing the Western Bypass Road on the west side of the al-Faw Palace connecting Camp Liberty and Camp Victory. Soldiers are conducting roadwork to keep the Western Bypass Road serviceable so it can continue to relieve congestion from smaller roads traveling through Camp Liberty and Camp Victory.
• Security forces unit provides combat support to Iraq AFNS 09 Apr 2009 -- Airmen from the 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron provide outside-the-wire combat support.
• U.S. Forces Continue to Transfer Responsibilities to Iraqis AFPS 09 Apr 2009 -- American forces in Iraq continue to transfer more responsibilities to the Iraqi government and their security forces.
• IA Leaders, Team Weasel count on COIN Army News 09 Apr 2009 -- 6th Iraqi Army Division conducted training to identify their strengths and weaknesses in counterinsurgency operations.
• Suicide Bomber Kills 5 in Southern Afghanistan VOA 09 Apr 2009 -- Afghan officials say a suicide bomber has killed five people during an attack on a counter-narcotics police convoy in southern Afghanistan.
• Officials Launch Probe Into Afghanistan Firefight AFPS 09 Apr 2009 -- US Forces Afghanistan officials acknowledged that the people killed were not enemy fighters.
• Italian General Endorses 'Comprehensive Approach' in Afghanistan AFPS 09 Apr 2009 -- A “comprehensive approach” to regional stability and military planning is both historical and prudent to a continued peace.
• High-Level U.S. Visit Highlights Pakistani Disagreements RFE/RL 09 Apr 2009 -- Pakistani and US officials seem increasingly at odds on how to move forward in their struggle against extremism.
• Regional Challenges Need Regional Solutions, Mullen Says AFPS 09 Apr 2009 -- Regional challenges require regional solutions, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said in New Delhi, India, yesterday.
• Pakistan's Swat Peace Deal Shaky Following Cleric Protest, Beating Video VOA 09 Apr 2009 -- The main brokers of the controversial peace deal in Pakistan's Swat valley say they are leaving the region in protest.
• Riots in Southwest Pakistan Leave Police Officer Dead VOA 09 Apr 2009 -- A police officer was shot and killed in southwestern Pakistan during violent riots after local political leaders were found dead.
• Pakistan to raise special anti-terror force: President IRNA 09 Apr 2009 -- President Zardari: Pakistan would raise special police force to fight militants and extremism more efficiently.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Interrogator technicians beat overhaul deadline Army News 09 Apr 2009 -- Technicians overhauled as many Patriot Missile System Interrogators in four months as they normally do in a year to meet warfighter needs.
• Fort Campbell RESET program keeps Brigades rolling Army News 09 Apr 2009 -- When the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) turned over its weapons and combat equipment for RESET maintenance, the shop came to them.
• Guard program helps countries gain NATO membership Army News 09 Apr 2009 -- A National Guard program has contributed to the expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, which grew by two more countries April 1.
• Full-spectrum capability key for III Corps Army News 09 Apr 2009 -- The commanding general of III Corps said that it was essential for Soldiers to be trained and ready to operate not only in counterinsurgency operations, but also in high-intensity combat operations.
• Theodore Roosevelt, The Sullivans Visit to England Strengthens Ties Navy NewsStand 09 Apr 2009 -- USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) and USS The Sullivans (DDG 68) visited Portsmouth, England, April 4-8 as the ships completed their final port visits before returning to homeport.
• Air Traffic Control Tests Helicopter Radio Frequencies Navy NewsStand 09 Apr 2009 -- Air traffic control specialists tested radio frequencies April 7 for the helicopter operations aboard hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) as it prepares for upcoming operations in Haiti during Continuing Promise 2009 (CP09).
• USS Carl Vinson Increases Warfighting Readiness by Opening Mess Decks Navy NewsStand 09 Apr 2009 -- Sailors aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) enjoyed the first meal served on the newly refurbished forward mess decks after more than four years in overhaul March 30, during a ceremonial grand opening.
• NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic Contract Award Expected to Improve Working Conditions Navy NewsStand 09 Apr 2009 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Mid-Atlantic, awarded a contract April 6 for approximately $1.7 million, funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to Pipeline Industrial Group of Virginia Beach, Va., to replace freight and passenger elevators at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard.
• Pearl Harbor Becomes Greener with Biodiesel Ferry Boat Navy NewsStand 09 Apr 2009 -- Naval Station Pearl Harbor and the National Park Service activated the first USS Arizona Memorial biodiesel ferry boat #39-1 John W. Finn during a ceremony at the USS Arizona Memorial and Visitor Center April 7.
• USNS Comfort Prepares for Patient Care Navy NewsStand 09 Apr 2009 -- As the hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) prepares to drop anchor at its first port during Continuing Promise 2009, the crew is finalizing preparations for bringing patients aboard.
• Italian and NSA Naples Firefighters Train Together for Emergency Response Navy NewsStand 09 Apr 2009 -- Naval Support Activity (NSA) Naples Capodichino firefighters assisted Naples International Airport (NAP) firefighters in an annual Federal Aviation Administration certification drill April 8 at the Capodichino airport.
• John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group Visits Thailand Navy NewsStand 09 Apr 2009 -- John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group (JCSCSG) arrived in Laem Chabang, Thailand April 9 for a scheduled port visit during its western Pacific Ocean deployment.
• Pinckney Completes Successful INSURV Inspection Navy NewsStand 09 Apr 2009 -- USS Pinckney (DDG 91) completed a successful Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) Material Inspection March 10.
• Center team works to connect new fighters, bomber AFNS 09 Apr 2009 -- An airborne networking team is working to connect low-observable aircraft such with each other, and with the rest of the force.
• Intel deputy unveils ISR capability planning process AFNS 09 Apr 2009 -- USAF technicians have developed a consolidated process to improve intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities.
• Watervliet Arsenal makes being a tanker cool Army News 09 Apr 2009 -- Price of a US tank crew in Iraq being able to comfortably operate when the outside temperature is more than 110 degrees - priceless.
• Safety experts spearhead efforts to minimize bird strikes AFNS 09 Apr 2009 -- Americans witnessed firsthand the severity of bird strikes when US Airways Flight 1549 crash landed in the Hudson River.
• Back From Baghdad, Obama Vows More Support to Troops, Families AFPS 09 Apr 2009 -- President Obama vowed to ensure the programs that support them receive proper funding.
• Navy's Newest Carrier Successfully Completes Acceptance Sea Trials Navy NewsStand 09 Apr 2009 -- USS George H.W. Bush successfully completed acceptance sea trials April 7-9 off the Virginia Capes.
• Essex Sailors, Marines Prep for Building Relations as part of Balikatan Navy NewsStand 09 Apr 2009 -- Marines assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit part exercise Balikatan 2009.
• USS Wasp Gets Underway to Redeploy Marine Assets Navy NewsStand 09 Apr 2009 -- USS Wasp departed Norfolk Naval Station for the EUCOM Area of Responsibility to support the redeployment of USMC assets.
• Air Traffic Control Tests Helicopter Radio Frequencies Navy NewsStand 09 Apr 2009 -- Air traffic control specialists tested radio frequencies aboard USNS Comfort as it prepares for Continuing Promise 2009.
• Clinton Says US Seeking More Help for Anti-Piracy Task Force VOA 09 Apr 2009 -- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Thursday the United States is trying to recruit additional countries to join anti-piracy naval operations along the African east coast in the wake of this week's pirate attack on a U.S.-flagged cargo ship.
• National Guard Program Contributes to NATO's Expansion AFPS 09 Apr 2009 -- For NATO’s two newest members, a National Guard program contributed to their April 1 accession into the alliance.
• Russia plans to deliver advanced air defense missiles to Belarus RIA Novosti 09 Apr 2009 -- Russia will supply advanced air defense systems under agreement to create an integrated air defense network.
• Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 09 Apr 2009
• Briefing by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 4/9/09 The White House 09 Apr 2009

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for April 09, 2009
• BAE SYSTEMS RECEIVES $35.3 MILLION AWARD FOR OUTER TACTICAL VEST FROM DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY BAE Systems 09 Apr 2009 -- BAE Systems has received a $35.3 million award to produce and deliver 75,000 Outer Tactical Vests (OTVs) from the Defense Logistics Agency. Contract requirements will be carried out at BAE Systems facilities in Jefferson City and Grainger County, Tennessee
• Lockheed Martin SBIRS Team Advancing To Follow-On Production Phase Lockheed Martin 09 Apr 2009 -- The Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) team has submitted its proposal for the program's follow-on production phase and has completed a major Preliminary Design Review (PDR) milestone with the U.S. Air Force.
• U.S. Army Awards GE T700 Multi-year Production Contract GE Aviation 09 Apr 2009 -- GE Aviation has been awarded a multi-year contract extension from the U.S. Army that provides for the continued production of T700 turboshaft engines in support of both Army and Navy Black Hawk series helicopters through 2014.
• Oshkosh Receives $122 Million Order to Provide TAK-4 Independent Suspension System for MRAPs Oshkosh 09 Apr 2009 -- Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK) announced today that its Defense business received a $122 million order to supply its TAK-4® independent suspension system for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles. The supply order was issued by Force Protection Incorporated (FPI) as a result of a contract action from the MRAP Joint Program Office (JPO). The order will equip MRAP 4x4 and 6x6 axle configuration vehicles with the Oshkosh® TAK-4 system for improved off-road mobility.
• Thales to Deploy a National Communication Network in Angola Thales 09 Apr 2009 -- The Angolan Armed Forces and Thales have signed a major contract for the supply of an innovative Mobile Radio Communication Network using TETRA standards called DigiM@x.
• CACI Awarded $38 Million Contract to Provide Program Management Support for U.S. Army Intelligence System CACI 09 Apr 2009 -- CACI International Inc (NYSE:CAI) announced today that it has been awarded a $38 million prime contract to provide program management and technical engineering services support to the U.S. Army's Distributed Common Ground System-Army (DCGS-A).

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 09 Apr 2009
• US Envoy to Push Goal of Two-State Solution in Visit to Israel VOA 09 Apr 2009 -- US Special Envoy to the Middle East, George Mitchell, is scheduled to visit the Middle East.
• President Abbas announces next round of inter-Palestinian talks RIA Novosti 09 Apr 2009 -- The fourth round of inter-Palestinian dialogue will begin on April 26 in Cairo.
• OPT: Hamas-Fatah rift leaves Gaza patients stranded IRIN 09 Apr 2009 -- The rift between the two main Palestinian movements - Fatah which controls the Palestinian Authority (PA) in the West Bank and Hamas which controls Gaza - has impeded the availability of health care in Gaza, say officials.
• Ban, Sri Lankan leader confer on worsening situation in conflict zone UN News Centre 09 Apr 2009 -- Secretary-General Ban and Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa discussed the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the north.
• Sri Lankan Rebels Claim Army Opens Fire on Civilians VOA 09 Apr 2009 -- Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebels have accused the army of killing 129 people by opening fire into a designated safe zone where civilians are trapped.
• Top UN official signals improvement, tough challenges in eastern DR Congo UN News Centre 09 Apr 2009 -- Top UN official cautioned challenges – including rebel groups continuing to wreak havoc in the region – remain.
• Prisoners Freed as Rebels Clash With Troops in Eastern DRC VOA 09 Apr 2009 -- Gunmen attacked the town of Uvira and a human rights group criticized the Congolese military's actions in its campaign against a Rwandan militia in the region.
• UN: LRA Remains Threat to Civilians in Eastern Congo VOA 09 Apr 2009 -- Head of the UN's peacekeeping mission in DRC: significant progress has been made in stabilizing conflict areas in the East.
• Former Kosovo minister held on contempt granted provisional release by UN tribunal UN News Centre 09 Apr 2009 -- The United Nations war crimes tribunal set up in the wake of the Balkan conflicts of the 1990s has ordered the provisional release of Kosovo’s ex-minister for culture, youth and sport, who was convicted of contempt of court for trying to intimidate a witness in a war crimes trial.
• Prosecutors Oppose Motion to Acquit Former Liberian President Taylor VOA 09 Apr 2009 -- Prosecutors in the war crimes trial of former Liberian president Charles Taylor oppose a defense motion to acquit him.

News Reports

• US Rejects Iranian Spy Charges Against Journalist VOA 09 Apr 2009 -- The United States rejected as "baseless" spy charges by Iran against an American-Iranian journalist Roxana Saberi.
• Pirate Hostage's Safe Return is Primary Concern, U.S. Officials Say AFPS 09 Apr 2009 -- The safe return of the American captain being held captive by pirates off the coast of Somalia is of primary importance.
• Talks Continue to Release US Cargo Captain Held by Somali Pirates VOA 09 Apr 2009 -- Efforts are continuing to free an American cargo ship captain held hostage by Somali pirates.
• US Navy, FBI Working to Free American Ship Captain From Pirates VOA 09 Apr 2009 -- US Navy and the FBI working to free the American captain of a cargo ship being held hostage by pirates off the coast of Somalia.
• Navy Crew Arrives to Assess Pirate Situation AFPS 09 Apr 2009 -- Pirates still hold the captain of the Maersk Alabama on the waters off Somalia, but the Navy destroyer USS Bainbridge has arrived on the scene, a Defense Department spokesman said today.
• Somali pirates hold U.S. captain, Navy ship arrives RIA Novosti 09 Apr 2009 -- US warship arrived in Somali waters to assist in freeing a captain seized by Somali pirates.
• Pirates Hold Up Food Aid to Somalia, Uganda, Kenya VOA 09 Apr 2009 -- UN World Food Program: US-flagged container ship anchored off the coast of Somalia carrying items to feed starving people.
• US willing to hold face-to-face talks with Iran, State Department IRNA 09 Apr 2009 -- State Department: United States is willing to hold face-to-face talks with Iran over the nuclear program.
• EU Urges Moldova to Resume Normal Ties with Romania VOA 09 Apr 2009 -- The European Union is urging Moldova to resume normal relations with neighboring Romania, which Moldovan leaders have accused of stirring up post-election violence.
• Moldovan Liberal Democrats to stop protest actions in Chisinau RIA Novosti 09 Apr 2009 -- Moldova's Liberal Democratic Party will no longer hold protest rallies on Chisinau's central square near the government building.
• Chisinau Unrest Exposes Moldova's Fault Lines RFE/RL 09 Apr 2009 -- On April 6 and 7, a crowd of thousands of mostly young Moldovans erupted into violence to protest the preliminary results of the country's April 5 parliamentary elections.
• Restive Diplomatic, Security Situation Belie Moldovan Calm RFE/RL 09 Apr 2009 -- Street protests in the Moldovan capital that briefly gave way to vandalism and dramatic violence have subsided.
• Two Moldovans Detained In Ukraine For 'Coup Attempt' RFE/RL 09 Apr 2009 -- Ukrainian police and customs officers have detained two Moldovan citizens at the airport in Odesa, RFE/RL's Ukrainian service reports.
• Russia Blames 'Foreign Interference' for Moldova Unrest VOA 09 Apr 2009 -- Russian FM Lavrov is blaming civil unrest in Moldova on foreign interference and is calling for the EU and Romania to take action.
• Romanian flags used to undermine Moldovan sovereignty - Lavrov RIA Novosti 09 Apr 2009 -- Russian FM Lavrov hoped EU and Romania would take measures to prevent use of flags to undermine Moldova's sovereignty.
• Georgian opposition says Saakashvili has 'last chance' to resign RIA Novosti 09 Apr 2009 -- Georgian opposition: President Mikheil Saakashvili should take his "last chance" to resign in order to ensure a peaceful change of power.
• Tens of Thousands in Tbilisi Demand Saakashvili Resign VOA 09 Apr 2009 -- Tens of thousands of Georgian opposition supporters have taken to the streets of the capital, Tbilisi, pressing for the resignation of President Mikheil Saakashvili.
• Tbilisi Rally Swells, But Falls Short Of Opposition Hopes RFE/RL 09 Apr 2009 -- More than 50,000 demonstrators have converged on a square outside the Georgian parliament to hear opposition leaders demand the resignation of Mikheil Saakashvili.
• Rally Under Way To Demand Georgian President's Exit RFE/RL 09 Apr 2009 -- Tens of thousands of government critics are gathering in the Georgian capital and other major cities to demand the resignation of President Mikheil Saakashvili and to call for early elections.
• Mass anti-president protests begin in Georgia's capital RIA Novosti 09 Apr 2009 -- Tens of thousands of demonstrators began a rally on Thursday outside Georgia's parliament in Tbilisi, demanding President Mikheil Saakashvili's resignation.
• Georgia steps up security ahead of anti-Saakashvili protests RIA Novosti 09 Apr 2009 -- Georgian authorities stepped up security in the capital on Thursday ahead of mass demonstrations to demand President Mikheil Saakashvili's resignation.
• Ban urges calm in wake of Fijian court ruling UN News Centre 09 Apr 2009 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called for calm in Fiji following the ruling by the Pacific archipelago’s Court of Appeal that the December 2006 removal of the elected Government was unlawful and the appointment of the interim Government unconstitutional.
• Ukraine's Yushchenko tells diplomats of plans to dismiss govt. RIA Novosti 09 Apr 2009 -- Ukrainian President Yushchenko has told ambassadors of G8 countries that he plans to dismiss Yulia Tymoshenko's government.
• Lukashenko wants more transparency in relations with Russia RIA Novosti 09 Apr 2009 -- Belarusian President Lukashenko would like to see dealings between Belarus and Russia become clearer and more transparent.
• Political Tensions Rise in Thailand as Protests Escalate VOA 09 Apr 2009 -- Political tensions in Thailand have risen sharply after supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra stepped up protests in the Thai capital and shut down key roads.
• Indonesians Vote in Parliamentary Elections VOA 09 Apr 2009 -- Indonesians voted in legislative elections across the vast nation of islands.
• Guinea-Bissau: Security Council welcomes upcoming polls UN News Centre 09 Apr 2009 -- Security Council welcomed the convening of presidential polls in Guinea-Bissau this June.
• TOGO: Military delivers health care in bid to change image IRIN 09 Apr 2009 -- Army is trying to change its image by offering for the first time free health care in some of the country’s poorest regions, according to its medical unit.
• S. African Opposition Parties Contest Dismissal of Zuma Corruption Case VOA 09 Apr 2009 -- Opposition parties in South Africa have gone to the courts to contest the dismissal of corruption charges against the head of the ruling party, Jacob Zuma.
• Italian satellite SICRAL 1B ready for launch on April 19 Thales 09 Apr 2009 -- Thales Alenia Space was in charge of developing the system and building the SICRAL 1B satellite as prime contractor.