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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 13 Apr 2009 [PDF]
• DoD News: DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• U.S. Soldier killed during operations
• April 12 airpower summary: F-15s destroy enemy facility AFNS 13 Apr 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with Coalition ground forces in Iraq and ISAF in Afghanistan during operations.
• Artillery unit makes history at JSS Istiqlal Army News 13 Apr 2009 -- Battery B, 1-109th Field Artillery marked its place in history, firing their first artillery rounds in combat since World War II.
• Iraqi commandos take to the skies for air assault training USMC News 13 Apr 2009 -- Since the advent of the helicopter-borne insertion, air assault has become an extremely viable method of troop insertion.
• Convoy training develops Iraqi army unit's skills Army News 13 Apr 2009 -- Threats to Soldiers come in all shapes and sizes on the streets and roadways of Iraq. Constant training for the unexpected is the norm.
• Iraqi commandos turn cramped spaces into combat places USMC News 13 Apr 2009 -- Iraqi insurgents who remain often seek anonymity among the population and shelter in the buildings.
• Twelve Militants Killed, Suicide Bomber Thwarted in Afghanistan AFPS 13 Apr 2009 -- Twelve militants were killed and a suicide bomber was stopped in Afghanistan during weekend operations.
• Route-clearance Team Clears Way to Commerce in Afghan Province AFPS 13 Apr 2009 -- The responsibility of making Afghan roads safe a daily reality for route-clearance team attached to 2-87th Infantry.
• NATO to Investigate Claims of Civilians Deaths During Airstrike VOA 13 Apr 2009 -- NATO is investigating claims that an airstrike killed six civilians, including children, in eastern Kunar province.
• Afghanistan: UN condemns 'cowardly' killing of female politician in Kandahar UN News Centre 13 Apr 2009 -- UNAMA strongly condemned the "vicious and deliberate" killing of a female politician in Kandahar.
• Pakistan to US Senator: No Conditions on Aid VOA 13 Apr 2009 -- Pakistan has told an influential visiting U.S. senator that Washington should not put conditions on a massive aid package expected for Pakistan.
• Suspected militants damage 17 NATO supply vehicles in Pakistan IRNA 13 Apr 2009 -- Suspected militants torched 17 vehicles as well as buidlings of a site housing containers loaded with supplies for NATO forces.
• Obama Vows To Combat Somali Pirates VOA 13 Apr 2009 -- U.S. President Barack Obama says he is determined to halt piracy in the shipping lanes off the coast of Somalia.
• Mogadishu Hails American Ship Capitan's Rescue VOA 13 Apr 2009 -- The new Somali government has welcomed the rescue of an American ship Captain held hostage by four Somali pirates for days in a life.
• US Navy Details Cargo Ship Captain's Rescue VOA 13 Apr 2009 -- US Navy: Fear that an American ship captain was in imminent danger prompted US gunfire.
• Navy's Rescue Mission 'Textbook,' But Piracy Still Looms, Gates Says AFPS 13 Apr 2009 -- Gates: Rescue of a kidnapped American ship captain was “textbook,” but the issue of piracy is likely to worsen.
• U.S. snipers kill three Somali pirates, Obama says fight goes on RIA Novosti 13 Apr 2009 -- US President Obama: Washington determined to stamp out piracy off the coast of Somalia.
• Obama Commends Military, Other Agencies for Maersk-Alabama Captain Rescue AFPS 13 Apr 2009 -- President Obama praised US military for the Navy's successful efforts to rescue kidnapped captain.
• Somali Hijackers Taken by Military Forces for 2nd Time in a Week VOA 13 Apr 2009 -- US Navy operation that freed American Richard Phillips was the second time in past week force was used to free hostages.
• Analyst Denies Use of Force Against Pirates Will Lead to Greater Violence VOA 13 Apr 2009 -- Some say the use of military force to liberate hostages held by Somali pirates will lead to greater violence.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Stennis Strengthens International Friendship in Thailand Navy NewsStand 13 Apr 2009 -- Sailors from John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group visited Laem Chabang, Thailand, for a scheduled port visit April 9-13.
• USS Kidd Sailors Reach Out to Pattaya Community Navy NewsStand 13 Apr 2009 -- Sailors from the guided-missile destroyer USS Kidd (DDG 100) participated in a community service project at Banglamung Home for Boys orphanage during a port visit to Pattaya, Thailand, April 10.
• Moving beyond the F-22 AFNS 13 Apr 2009 -- The debate over whether to continue production of the F-22 Raptor has been one of the most politically charged and controversial budget issues in recent memory.
• Gates Says People Are His Top Budget Priority AFPS 13 Apr 2009 -- SecDef Gates: Servicemembers and military families were primary concern when formulating FY10 budget recommendations.
• Congressmen push for a 'Department of the Navy and Marine Corps' USMC News 13 Apr 2009 -- Some believe that as a branch within the Navy department, the Marine Corps doesn't get the recognition it deserves.
• USS San Francisco Departs Puget Sound Naval Shipyard Navy NewsStand 13 Apr 2009 -- USS San Francisco departed Puget Sound Naval Shipyard after more than 3 years of maintenance work.
• Sonar Provides "Window to the World" for Submariners, Captain Says AFPS 13 Apr 2009 -- Navy's ability to harness sonar technology has allowed submarines to navigate more safely in the dark depths of the ocean.
• Integrated Technology Demo to be largest of its kind Army News 13 Apr 2009 -- The integrated technology demonstration is executed annually by the product manager for C4ISR OTM.
• PM C4ISR OTM Finalizes Planning for Integrated Technology Demonstration Army News 13 Apr 2009 -- US scientists, engineers and tech developers gathered to finalize plans for integrated technology event.
• NSWC Crane Partners with University of Notre Dame to Lead Radiation Study Navy NewsStand 13 Apr 2009 -- NSWC Crane will partner with University of Notre Dame to initiate a radiation effects research study.
• Simulators always valuable in military training Army News 13 Apr 2009 -- US military has tried to capitalize on video games by creating a training program for their military members.
• US Army Recruits Immigrants, Rewards Them With Citizenship VOA 13 Apr 2009 -- US Army stepping up efforts to recruit more skilled soldiers by offering immigrants a fast track to U.S. citizenship if they enlist.
• Bilateral Planning sets the stage for Balikatan '09 USMC News 13 Apr 2009 -- 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit on call 24-hours a day, seven-days a week throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
• Army, symbol of Iran's defensive power: Defense minister IRNA 13 Apr 2009 -- Defense Minister: Iran's Army is a symbol of the country's defensive power and strength.
• Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 13 Apr 2009
• Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs and Dan Restrepo, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Western Hemisphere Affairs (including Spanish text) The White House 13 Apr 2009
• Press Briefing on the President's Trip to Mexico and Trinidad and Tobago The White House 13 Apr 2009

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for April 13, 2009
• Boeing CH-47F Chinook Helicopter Fielded by US Army's 82nd Airborne Division Boeing 13 Apr 2009 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced that a fourth U.S. Army unit has fielded the CH-47F Chinook helicopter. Company B, 3rd General Support Aviation Battalion (GSAB), 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, is based at Fort Bragg, N.C.
• General Dynamics Awarded $15 Million Information Assurance Contract by U.S. Army, Pacific General Dynamics 13 Apr 2009 -- General Dynamics Information Technology, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), has been awarded a five-year, $14.5 million contract to provide information assurance support to the U.S. Army, Pacific (USARPAC).
• Northrop Grumman's LITENING Precision Targeting System Surpasses One Million Operational Hours Milestone Northrop Grumman 13 Apr 2009 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) today announced the achievement of over one million operational hours for the company's LITENING precision targeting and sensor systems currently deployed with U.S. and allied forces
• Northrop Grumman Marks 50th Anniversary of T-38 Talon First Flight Northrop Grumman 13 Apr 2009 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) marked the 50th anniversary of the first flight of the T-38 Talon, the world's first -- and most-produced -- supersonic jet trainer, with a tribute to the aircraft's past and a look ahead to its future on April 10.
• Lockheed Martin Rolls Out THAAD Launchers and Fire Control and Communications Units Lockheed Martin 13 Apr 2009 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] officially rolled out the new Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Weapon System launcher and Fire Control and Communications unit today in a ceremony at the company’s THAAD Launcher Integration Complex in Camden, AR.
• Boeing-Insitu ScanEagle Logs 150,000 Service Hours in Iraq and Afghanistan Boeing 13 Apr 2009 -- The ScanEagle unmanned aircraft system (UAS), a joint effort of The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] and its subsidiary Insitu Inc., last week flew its 150,000th hour in service with the U.S. Marine Expeditionary Forces, U.S. Navy, U.S. Special Operations Command, Australian Army and Canadian Forces.

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 13 Apr 2009
• Sri Lanka Govt Urges Civilians to Leave War Zone as Army Begins Truce VOA 13 Apr 2009 -- Sri Lankan army has begun a 2-day truce and is urging Tamil Tiger rebels to allow civilians to leave the war zone.
• Sri Lankan troops suspend offensive against LTTE for 2 days IRNA 13 Apr 2009 -- Sri Lankan troops suspended their offensive for 2 days and asked the civilians to cross over to government-controlled areas.
• Sri Lanka condemns attack on embassy in Norway IRNA 13 Apr 2009 -- Sri Lankan government charged the Norwegian Government with negligence in providing security to its diplomatic mission in the country.
• Unrest Continues In Somalia VOA 13 Apr 2009 -- The explosion of piracy off the coast of Somalia has been facilitated by the continuing insecurity and lawlessness back on shore.
• US Lawmaker Visits Somalia, Escapes Mortar Fire VOA 13 Apr 2009 -- Insurgents in Somalia fired mortars at US congressman Payne as he departed Mogadishu.
• Somali Militants Fire on US Congressman VOA 13 Apr 2009 -- Suspected Islamist militants fired at U.S. Congressman Donald Payne Monday as he flew out of the Somali capital, Mogadishu.
• UN-African Union mission reports return to relative calm in Darfur UN News Centre 13 Apr 2009 -- The joint UN-AU peacekeeping mission in Darfur reported that the security situation now relatively calm.
• Four killed, 13 injured in attack on Lebanese army patrol RIA Novosti 13 Apr 2009 -- Unidentified gunmen attacked an army patrol in eastern Lebanon, killing 4 soldiers and injuring at least 13 others.
• Moscow's Tactics In Chechnya Draw On Stalinist Legacy RFE/RL 13 Apr 2009 -- Josef Stalin is dead, but there are some places where you would be forgiven for doubting it.

News Reports

• Iraq To Recreate Nuclear Energy Agency RFE/RL 13 Apr 2009 -- Senior official: Government will create a national nuclear-energy commission that will focus on using nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
• Obama Eases Cuba Travel, Money Restrictions VOA 13 Apr 2009 -- President Obama has ordered his administration to take steps to ease limits on family travel and remittances from the United States to Cuba.
• The EU's Invisible 'Schengen Wall' RFE/RL 13 Apr 2009 -- Borders closed again as others joined the EU and had to comply in advance with visa-free zone encompassing 25 mostly Western European countries.
• Turkish Police Detain Secularists in Coup Investigation VOA 13 Apr 2009 -- Turkish authorities have detained at least 21 people as part of an investigation into an alleged conspiracy to overthrow the Islamic-rooted government.
• Analysis: Thai Protests Underscore Deep Divisions VOA 13 Apr 2009 -- Thailand is once again in the grip of political unrest.
• Thailand Faces Critical Test As Government Moves Against Pro-Thaksin Protesters VOA 13 Apr 2009 -- Decision by Thai PM to declare a state of emergency has again set Thailand on an uncertain path.
• Dozens of protesters injured in Thai army crackdown RIA Novosti 13 Apr 2009 -- Hundreds of Thai troops gathered outside Government House in Bangkok in the final stages of a crackdown on protests.
• Thai military takes back control of Bangkok districts RIA Novosti 13 Apr 2009 -- Thai military has taken back control of 5 central Bangkok districts that were earlier overrun by demonstrators.
• Thai troops fire upon protesters IRNA 13 Apr 2009 -- Thai troops opened fire in Bangkok after protesters apparently tried to drive a bus at a line of soldiers during anti-government demonstrations.
• Thai Military Move to Confront Protesters After Day of Clashes VOA 13 Apr 2009 -- Thai soldiers are moving towards anti-government protesters in the Thai capital who have been demonstrating outside the main government compound.
• Thai Soldiers Move on Demonstrators in Bangkok VOA 13 Apr 2009 -- Clashes have erupted between soldiers and anti-government demonstrators in Thailand's capital, Bangkok, one day after ousted PM Shinawatra urged his followers to carry out a revolution.
• Georgian protests expand on 5th day of rallies to oust president RIA Novosti 13 Apr 2009 -- Thousands of Georgians moved their protests to the presidential residence to press on with demands for President Saakashvili to resign.
• Moldova: UN calls on citizens, authorities to act with restraint amid election protests UN News Centre 13 Apr 2009 -- UN country team in Moldova has urged the nation's people to express their dissent peacefully.
• Moldova to hold parliamentary polls recount on Wednesday RIA Novosti 13 Apr 2009 -- Moldova's election authorities said that a recount of the April 5 election results, which sparked violent protests last week, would be held on Wednesday.
• Gazprom to fine Ukraine $530 mln for gas import cut - paper RIA Novosti 13 Apr 2009 -- Russia's Gazprom has demanded that Ukraine pay a fine of around $530 million for its failure to import the contracted volume of natural gas.
• Turkmen President Orders Investigation Into Pipeline Blast RFE/RL 13 Apr 2009 -- Turkmen President Berdymukhammedov has instructed his government to work with international experts to determine who is responsible for an explosion on gas pipeline between Turkmenistan and Russia.
• Mauritania Junta Leader Announces Candidacy for June Elections VOA 13 Apr 2009 -- Mauritania's military leader Mohamed Ould Abdelaziz has made good on his promise to stand as a candidate in the country's June sixth presidential election.
• Press Muzzled as Military Strengthens Grip on Fiji VOA 13 Apr 2009 -- Fiji's military government has moved to censor the media as it tightens its grip on the South Pacific country.