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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 10 Apr 2009 [PDF]
• Five U.S. Soldiers and two ISF killed by suicide truck bomb
• U.S., Iraqi Forces Detain Three, Find Weapons AFPS 10 Apr 2009 -- Iraqi forces detained three suspected terrorists and found weapons during recent operations in and around Baghdad, military officials reported.
• 5 US Soldiers, 2 Iraqi Police Killed in Bombing VOA 10 Apr 2009 -- A suicide bomber set off a truck full of explosives outside a police station in northern Iraq, killing five U.S. soldiers and two Iraqi policeman.
• 3/3 deploys to Iraq USMC News 10 Apr 2009 -- 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment departed for the 7-month deployment to Al Asad, Iraq.
• Military working dog team inspects potential 22,000-gallon bomb AFNS 10 Apr 2009 -- Military working dog handlers and their canine partners are used throughout Southwest Asia to detect explosives.
• U.S. forces continue to transfer responsibilities to Iraqis Army News 10 Apr 2009 -- American forces in Iraq continue to transfer more responsibilities to the Iraqi government and their security forces as part of the security agreement that went into effect on Jan. 1, a Multinational Force Iraq general said yesterday.
• Army Reserve sustainment soldiers don combat patch Army News 10 Apr 2009 -- Soldiers of the Joint Sustainment Command-Afghanistan donned the Shoulder Sleeve Insignia-Former Wartime Service (SSI-FWTS), commonly known as a 'combat patch,' during an April 1 ceremony at KAF.
• U.S., Afghan Forces Kill 32 Insurgents in Southern Afghanistan AFPS 10 Apr 2009 -- Coalition and Afghan forces killed 32 insurgents tduring operations in southern Afghanistan.
• US Military: 32 Insurgents Killed in Afghanistan VOA 10 Apr 2009 -- The U.S.-led coalition in Afghanistan said 32 militants have been killed in recent clashes and airstrikes in the south.
• Top Iranian, Pakistani, Afghan officails begin talks on Afghanistan IRNA 10 Apr 2009 -- Top Iranian, Afghan and Pakistani envoys opened talks to explore ways to boost cooperation for peace in Afghanistan.
• BEAR builds new quarters for forces at Manas AFNS 10 Apr 2009 -- A Basic Expeditionary Airfield Resources team recently made room for the influx of coalition forces.
• Pakistan Foreign Ministry concedes differences with US IRNA 10 Apr 2009 -- Pakistan Foreign Ministry pointed out that the country has differences with the US on certain issues.
• Violence feared in Swat as cleric quits peace process IRNA 10 Apr 2009 -- Announcement senior pro-Taliban cleric has quit the peace process in Pakistan has raised concerns of resumption of violence.
• Pakistan Shariat deal in danger as pro-Taliban leader quits IRNA 10 Apr 2009 -- Senior pro-Taliban leader Thursday quit a peace deal he had struck with the Pakistan government.
• Gary Deploys for Counter-Trafficking Mission Navy NewsStand 10 Apr 2009 -- USS Gary (FFG 51) and embarked Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 45 Detachment (Det) 2 departed April 8 for a deployment supporting counter-illicit trafficking (CIT) in the Eastern Pacific Ocean.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Obama Forwards Supplemental War Funding Request to Congress AFPS 10 Apr 2009 -- President forwarded $83.4-billion war supplemental appropriations request to the US House of Representatives.
• DoD News: DoD Announces Recruiting and Retention Numbers for March 2009 DoD 10 Apr 2009 -- The Department of Defense announced today its recruiting and retention statistics for the active and reserve components for the month of March
• Quadrennial Defense Review To Determine Aircraft Carrier Homeporting In Mayport DoD 10 Apr 2009 -- The Department of Defense (DoD) announced today that the final decision on whether to permanently homeport an aircraft carrier in Mayport, Fla., will be made during the 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR).
• Ceremony recognizes new NATO members AFNS 10 Apr 2009 -- A flag ceremony marking the accession of Croatia and Albania as the 27th and 28th members of NATO was held April 8 at Allied Air Component Command Headquarters Ramstein.
• Air Force officials discuss building partnerships AFNS 10 Apr 2009 -- The Building Partnerships Symposium concluded March 25 here with members from around the Air Force discussing the necessity of including building partnerships into Air Force doctrine.
• NATO Group Visits Guard Site to Scout Training Opportunities AFPS 10 Apr 2009 -- NATO’s Urban Warfare Working Group paid a visit last week to Camp Atterbury-Muscatatuck Center for Complex Operations in search of training options for deploying troops.
• Army Releases March Suicide Data Army News Release 10 Apr 2009 -- The Army released suicide data for March today, reporting 13 potential suicides during the month. All 13 cases are currently under investigation to confirm the cause of death
• 'Bravo' maintenance supports combat operations Army News 10 Apr 2009 -- Bravo company, 181st Brigade Support Battalion, maintenance section Soldiers work hard to maintain their company vehicles. With more than 40 mission capable vehicles, they work with operators to perform annual services and everyday maintenance, while working long hours to ensure their equipment is mission capable.
• Joint Munitions Command moves critical Cartridge Case Mission to Rock Island Arsenal Army News 10 Apr 2009 -- On April 9, the Joint Munitions Command broke ground on a $19 million project at Building 299 on Rock Island Arsenal in Rock Island, Ill.
• U.S. Army Central co-hosts International Air and Missile Defense Symposium Army News 10 Apr 2009 -- U.S. Army Central and the Bahraini defense force co-hosted the second International Air and Missile Defense Symposium in Manama Bahrain March 22 through 26.
• Dunwoody praises Fort Lewis logistics support Army News 10 Apr 2009 -- Handshakes and pats on the back were the minimum requirements that brought a senior logistician to Fort Lewis last week - the commanding general of Army Materiel Command and the first woman to earn four stars in the history of the U.S. Army.
• USS George Washington Holds Change of Command Ceremony Navy NewsStand 10 Apr 2009 -- USS George Washington (GW) (CVN 73), the Navy's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, held a change of command ceremony on board April 10.
• Point Loma Breaks Ground for Fuel Storage Facility Navy NewsStand 10 Apr 2009 -- Naval Base Point Loma (NBPL) officially broke ground March 27 for Military Construction Project 401 (MILCON P-401), a new state-of-the-art fuel storage facility at the Defense Fuel Support Point (DFSP) Point Loma, located aboard the Submarine Base Complex of NBPL.
• Warrior Rescues Fishermen at Sea Navy NewsStand 10 Apr 2009 -- Mine-countermeasures ship USS Warrior (MCM 10), with the assistance of USS Chief (MCM 14) and the Mexican Navy, rescued two fishermen 36 miles off the coast of Mexico April 5.
• NAVFAC Southeast to Oversee $248 Million in ARRA Projects Navy NewsStand 10 Apr 2009 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southeast will execute a portion of the recently signed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), which includes 34 projects at Navy and Marine Corps bases throughout the southeastern United States.
• NMCB 11 Aid School, Build Friendships in Djibouti Navy NewsStand 10 Apr 2009 -- Sailors from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11 Detachment (Det.) Horn of Africa (HOA), of Gulfport, Miss., participated in a cultural celebration at the Ecole de Douda Primary School, April 2.
• Maritime Partnership: Robert G. Bradley Welcomes Aboard Armed Forces of Malta Navy NewsStand 10 Apr 2009 -- USS Robert G. Bradley (FFG 49) welcomed aboard seven Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) service members and five Maltese sea cadets April 7 while underway in the Mediterranean for a theater-security-cooperation (TSC) engagement to strengthen the maritime partnership with the AFM.
• Robert G. Bradley Arrives in Valetta to Strengthen Partnership with Malta Navy NewsStand 10 Apr 2009 -- USS Robert G. Bradley (FFG 49) arrived in Valetta April 9 for a theater-security-cooperation mission to strengthen the maritime partnership between the U.S. and Malta.
• Developing System Gives Hope to Improved Battlefield Communications AFPS 10 Apr 2009 -- Having a conversation interrupted in a combat zone can be deadly.
• Armorers supporting missions all over Quantico USMC News 10 Apr 2009 -- Some of the most important components in battle are the weapons.
• Active-Duty, Reserve Components Meet Recruiting Goals AFPS 10 Apr 2009 -- All 10 active-duty and reserve military components met or exceeded their recruiting goals in March.
• National Guard Prepares for 2009 Hurricane Season AFPS 10 Apr 2009 -- National Guard is busy preparing to respond if such a storm should make landfall.
• Foal Eagle 2009 comes to a close USMC News 10 Apr 2009 -- Marine Aircraft Group 12 participated in 7th Air Force Air Combat Command's Exercise Foal Eagle 2009 March 30 to April 3 here.
• German FM urges removal of US atomic weapons from Germany IRNA 10 Apr 2009 -- German FM Steinmeier called for the removal of all US nuclear weapons from Germany.
• India to hold trilateral naval exercise with US and Japan IRNA 10 Apr 2009 -- India will hold a trilateral naval exercise with the US and Japan in the Pacific Ocean by end of this month.
• After Glow Of Obama's Foreign Trip, Tough Choices Remain RFE/RL 10 Apr 2009 -- U.S. President Barack Obama dazzled the European allies, soothed the Russians, and charmed the Chinese on his first overseas trip.
• Are U.S.-Russian Relations Warming? VOA 10 Apr 2009 -- US President Obama returned home earlier this week after his first - and what many describe as - largely successful, international trip as head of state.
• Russia to test launch 14 ICBMs in 2009 - missile forces chief RIA Novosti 10 Apr 2009 -- Russia plans 14 test launches of ballistic missiles this year.
• Russia to keep SS-18 ballistic missiles in service until 2019 RIA Novosti 10 Apr 2009 -- The RS-20V Voyevoda-M intercontinental ballistic missile will remain in service until 2019.
• Russia test launches Topol missile to extend service life RIA Novosti 10 Apr 2009 -- Russia successfully test launched a Topol intercontinental ballistic missile to assess extending its service life up to 22 years.
• Russia to test launch Topol ballistic missile RIA Novosti 10 Apr 2009 -- Russia will test launch a Topol intercontinental ballistic missile from the Plesetsk space center in northern Russia.
• Russia Signs Deal To Buy Israeli Drones RFE/RL 10 Apr 2009 -- Russia has signed a contract to buy airborne drones from Israel, in a move analysts said was aimed at strengthening the armed forces.
• Russia confirms spy drone deal with Israel RIA Novosti 10 Apr 2009 -- The Russian Defense Ministry has signed a deal with an Israeli company to buy several unmanned aerial vehicles.
• Russia to offer loans, debt write-offs to boost arms exports RIA Novosti 10 Apr 2009 -- Russia is planning to offer foreign customers loans and debt write-offs to encourage the purchase of its weaponry.
• Russia-China military-technical deals worth $16 bln since 2001 RIA Novosti 10 Apr 2009 -- Russian-Chinese military-technical cooperation totals $16 billion since 2001.
• Somali Government Ready to Resolve Piracy Problems VOA 10 Apr 2009 -- Somalia's new government: Would be able to deal decisively with piracy if the international community would provide logistical support and supervision to its navy.

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for April 10, 2009

Other Conflicts

• SOMALIA: Ex-insurgents to merge with security forces - minister IRIN 10 Apr 2009 -- In an effort to secure Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, and ensure the population's safety, the recently elected National Unity Government has announced plans to integrate former insurgents into the security forces.
• DRC: Attacks against aid workers on the rise IRIN 10 Apr 2009 -- Attacks against aid workers and their convoys have increased in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo since the start of the year.
• A security personnel killed in an attack by separatists in Assam IRNA 10 Apr 2009 -- A paramilitary trooper was killed and 15 people injured Friday in an attack on a passenger train in Assam.

News Reports

• US Companies Sued Over Saddam's Chemical Attacks VOA 10 Apr 2009 -- Three US companies are being sued for selling material to the former Iraqi government of Saddam Hussein.
• Pentagon Official Mum on Pirate Hostage Details AFPS 10 Apr 2009 -- Senior Pentagon spokesman declined to provide details on the ongoing situation involving a US captain being held hostage by pirates.
• Maritime Officials: Somali Pirates Sending More Ships to Standoff VOA 10 Apr 2009 -- Maritime officials in East Africa said they have received reports that at least two previously hijacked ships with dozens of hostages aboard have moved into the area.
• US Captain Fails to Escape Somali Pirates VOA 10 Apr 2009 -- U.S. military officials say the American ship captain held hostage by pirates on a lifeboat off the coast of Somalia tried to escape by jumping into the sea, but was recaptured by the pirates.
• Somali Piracy - Causes and Consequences VOA 10 Apr 2009 -- The ongoing Somali piracy problem in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean raises a number of legal and military issues about how to deal with the problem.
• Somali Piracy - An Overstated Threat? VOA 10 Apr 2009 -- While the piracy problem off the Somali coast is getting a lot of media attention, exactly how big a threat to maritime safety do the pirates pose?
• U.S. Seeks 'Positive Role' On UN Human Rights Council RFE/RL 10 Apr 2009 -- When the UN's widely discredited Human Rights Commission was abolished in 2005, there was hope that the newly established Human Rights Council would make a fresh start.
• No Protest In Moldovan Capital As President Calls For Recount RFE/RL 10 Apr 2009 -- President Voronin's press office has asked Moldova's Constitutional Court to order a full recount of parliamentary elections won by his Communist Party but bitterly disputed by the opposition.
• Moldovan president calls for recount of poll results RIA Novosti 10 Apr 2009 -- Moldovan President Voronin asked the country's Constitutional Court to order a recount of the results of the April 5 parliamentary polls.
• Moldova calm after riots, authorities promise no further protests RIA Novosti 10 Apr 2009 -- Moldova was calm overnight with no incidents reported following Tuesday's mass anti-communist riots.
• Georgian President Refuses to Step Down Amid Calls For Resignation VOA 10 Apr 2009 -- Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili announced Friday he plans to stay in office until the end of his term, as thousands protested in the streets of the nation's capital, calling on the once-popular leader to step down.
• Georgian President Defies Opposition Ultimatum To Step Down RFE/RL 10 Apr 2009 -- It is still too early to predict the outcome of the ongoing standoff in Tbilisi between embattled Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili and opposition supporters demanding his resignation.
• Georgian opposition launches mass civil disobedience campaign RIA Novosti 10 Apr 2009 -- Tens of thousands of protesters blocked the main roads of Georgia's capital on Friday evening, in a civil disobedience campaign to force President Mikheil Saakashvili to resign.
• Georgian Opposition Launches Civil-Disobedience Campaign RFE/RL 10 Apr 2009 -- Georgia's opposition says it is launching a "national disobedience campaign" as President Mikheil Saakashvili has refused its demands to step down.
• Georgian opposition announces civil disobedience campaign RIA Novosti 10 Apr 2009 -- Georgian opposition leaders pledged to launch a nationwide campaign of civil disobedience, demanding President Mikheil Saakashvili's resignation.
• Georgian Opposition Rachets Up Tactics VOA 10 Apr 2009 -- Georgian opposition protesters said they will launch a campaign of civil disobedience to force President Mikheil Saakashvili to resign.
• Saakashvili makes it clear he will not step down RIA Novosti 10 Apr 2009 -- Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili made it clear on he would not cede to opposition demands that he resign, as protests continued in the capital.
• Thai Protesters Break Through Summit Security, Besiege Convention Hall VOA 10 Apr 2009 -- Anti-government protesters at an Asian summit in Thailand retreated after they clashed with troops in riot gear in the coastal town of Pattaya.
• Political Protests Cast Shadow Over ASEAN Meeting VOA 10 Apr 2009 -- Thailand's political divisions cast a shadow over the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summits.
• KENYA: Coalition cracks and armed militias threaten stability IRIN 10 Apr 2009 -- Rifts in Kenya's coalition government have given rise to fears that the country could slide back into violence.
• Kenyans Feel Betrayed By Unity Government, Says Analyst VOA 10 Apr 2009 -- Kenyans are expressing worry that their unity government may be unraveling after PM Odinga accused President Kibaki of being the stumbling block to necessary reforms.
• UN Chief deplores ditching of Fiji's Constitution, calls for legitimate government UN News Centre 10 Apr 2009 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed dismay on Friday at the decision to scrap Fiji's Constitution and the clear attempt by the country's unelected executive to prolong rule by setting a new five-year time frame for parliamentary elections in 2014.
• US 'Deeply Disappointed' By Power Grab in Fiji VOA 10 Apr 2009 -- The State Department has expressed deep disappointment over the assumption of extraordinary powers by the President of Fiji, Ratu Josefa Iloilo, and it is calling for a return to democratic guarantees provided under the country's 1997 constitution, until genuinely-free elections can be held.
• Fiji President Scraps Constitution, Assumes Control VOA 10 Apr 2009 -- There is more political turmoil in Fiji after President Ratu Josefa Iloilo annulled the constitution, fired the judiciary and assumed all governing power in the South Pacific nation.
• Zimbabwe's Hardliners Accused of Being Behind New Violence VOA 10 Apr 2009 -- Top aides to Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe are being blamed for a new wave of violence, coinciding with the formation of the country's power-sharing government.
• Lavrov says Russia awaits info from UAE on Yamadayev shooting RIA Novosti 10 Apr 2009 -- Russia's FM: Country is still waiting for information from the United Arab Emirates on the March 28 shooting of a Russian army commander.
• Indonesian Voters Appear to Favor Ruling Democratic Party VOA 10 Apr 2009 -- Unofficial results in Indonesia's legislative elections show that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's Democratic Party is in the lead.