• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• April 19 airpower summary: C-130s and C-17s sustain fight AFNS 20 Apr 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and ISAF troops in Afghanistan during operations.
• 1-5 Cav secures the outskirts of northern Baghdad Army News 20 Apr 2009 -- Stopping the flow of IED materials, weapons and other contraband into the center of Baghdad is a difficult task.
• MND-B Soldiers and 17th IA Div conduct Operation Bein Al-Nahrein Army News 20 Apr 2009 -- MND-B and Iraqi Soldiers conducted Operation Bein Al-Nahrein in the Qarghuli Village of the Mahmudiyah Qada.
• 'Iron' Brigade and IA Commando Battalion secures Owesat Army News 20 Apr 2009 -- MND-B Soldiers and Iraqi Soldiers of the 17th IAB, conducted Operation Al-Sakar in the Owesat area southwest of Baghdad.
• 'Iron Brigade' teams with Iraqi commando battalion Army News 20 Apr 2009 -- Soldiers from 2nd BCT, 1st Armored Division, teamed up with Iraqi forces for 2 combined counterinsurgency operations this month.
• Engineers in Iraq Defeat Tunnel Terrorists AFPS 20 Apr 2009 -- 225th Engineer Brigade engineers called in to repair the road and seal access to the underground tunnels.
• MND-South headquarters now fully equipped Army News 20 Apr 2009 -- Work on the new Multi-National Division-South headquarters building at Contingency Operation Base Basra has finally concluded.
• Puerto Rican cargo transfer company completes deployment Army News 20 Apr 2009 -- Soldiers from the 268th Cargo Transportation Company completed 10-month deployment.
• Iraqi Government Continues Progress Toward Paying All 'Sons of Iraq' AFPS 20 Apr 2009 -- Iraqi government on schedule to assume responsibility for paying all“Sons of Iraq” security group members.
• 7th Iraqi Army Division soldiers graduate commando course USMC News 20 Apr 2009 -- Soldiers with 1st Company, Commando Battalion, 7th Iraqi Army Division, celebrated graduating from 4-week training course.
• U.S., Afghan Forces Kill Four, Detain Four AFPS 20 Apr 2009 -- Coalition and Afghan forces killed at least 4 militants and detained four more in recent operations throughout Afghanistan.
• Regional security unharmed by U.S. pullout from Kyrgyzstan - CSTO RIA Novosti 20 Apr 2009 -- Head of CSTO: Closure of a US airbase in Kyrgyzstan will not impair security in Central Asia.
• Shadowhawks Return From Carrier Deployment Navy NewsStand 20 Apr 2009 -- Electronic Attack Squadron 141 returned from a 7-month deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
• Grim security scenario in Pakistan a cause for worry: India IRNA 20 Apr 2009 -- India's Defense Minister Antony: Grim security scenario in Pakistan is a source of worry for the region.
• Pakistani Military kills 20 Militants VOA 20 Apr 2009 -- Officials in Pakistan say the military has killed 20 militants during raids on camps controlled by a Taliban commander near the Afghan border.
• Combined Maritime Forces, NATO Ships Help to Thwart Pirate Attacks AFPS 20 Apr 2009 -- Royal Fleet Auxiliary Wave Knight, working in support of the Combined Maritime Forces, thwarted 2 pirate attacks.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Army speeds testing of robotic systems Army News 20 Apr 2009 -- US Army traditionally acquired weapon systems through a process that can take years, but Afghanistan and Iraq has shortened the time frame.
• Lakota proves worth as airborne platform Army News 20 Apr 2009 -- Five Fort Polk Soldiers made history April 8, when they became the first on post to jump from a Lakota Light Utility Aircraft.
• Behavior Studies May Improve Irregular Warfare Techniques AFPS 20 Apr 2009 -- Scientists in the Defense Department’s Modeling and Simulation Coordination Office studying human social and cultural behaviors.
• Experts review B-52 fuel hose process AFNS 20 Apr 2009 -- Consultants from the USAF Inspection Agency and University of Tennessee facilitated improvement event in effort to resolve issues involving B-52 parts.
• Third Fleet Welcomes USS Chief and USS Warrior Navy NewsStand 20 Apr 2009 -- Commander, US 3rd Fleet has increased its fleet by 2.
• Flotilla of Foreign Ships Arrive at Naval Station Mayport for UNITAS Gold Navy NewsStand 20 Apr 2009 -- Ships from nine different nations arrived at Naval Station Mayport to participate in UNITAS Gold.
• APS Working to Further Oceanic Data Collection in Gabon Navy NewsStand 20 Apr 2009 -- Africa Partnership Station Nashville teamed up with the International Argo Program and the US NOAA to donate three Argo Solo Floats to the government of Gabon.
• Navy Takes First Step in Disestablishment of JMF St. Mawgan Navy NewsStand 20 Apr 2009 -- Ceremony to mark the operational transfer of Joint Maritime Facility St. Mawgan, UK, to its headquarters in Dam Neck, VA.
• Philippine, U.S. Naval Construction Forces Build Schoolhouse Navy NewsStand 20 Apr 2009 -- Seabees from the Republic of the Philippines and the US pressing forward with the plan to complete a school building.
• New Russia-U.S. arms treaty should cover delivery vehicles - Medvedev RIA Novosti 20 Apr 2009 --New arms reduction deal to replace the START-1 that expires in December should also cover delivery systems.
• Medvedev says hoping for NATO response on Kaliningrad troop cuts RIA Novosti 20 Apr 2009 -- Russian President Medvedev: Moscow expects a response from NATO to Russian troop cuts in Kaliningrad.
• NATO says Russia-NATO Council meeting still set to go ahead RIA Novosti 20 Apr 2009 -- NATO said on Monday that a NATO-Russia Council meeting scheduled for May 7 in Brussels was still due to take place.
• Medvedev calls for international forum on European security pact RIA Novosti 20 Apr 2009 -- Russian President Medvedev called for a forum to address a new European security treaty.
• India 'to remain top buyer of Russian combat aircraft until 2015' RIA Novosti 20 Apr 2009 -- India will remain main purchaser of Russian-made aircraft for the next 15 years under existing and prospective contracts.
• Latin American states vie for Russian weaponry at arms show RIA Novosti 20 Apr 2009 -- Latin American countries showed a growing interest in purchasing Russian-made weaponry during arms show in Brazil.
• Military expert denies Russia selling new missiles to Venezuela RIA Novosti 20 Apr 2009 -- Russia has not supplied new shoulder-fired surface-to-air missile systems to Venezuela.
• Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 20 Apr 2009
• Briefing by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 4-20-09 The White House 20 Apr 2009

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for April 20, 2009
• General Dynamics Awarded $12 Million Contract for First Phase of U.S. Army Ground Soldier Ensemble Program General Dynamics 20 Apr 2009 -- General Dynamics C4 Systems has been awarded one of three $12 million contracts to design a new information-systems ensemble for soldiers to use during combat operations.
• L-3 Announces the Order of Seven C-27J JCA Aircraft L-3 Communications 20 Apr 2009 -- L-3 Communications (NYSE: LLL), the prime contractor for the U.S. Army and Air Force Joint Cargo Aircraft (JCA) program, announced today a $203 million order of seven additional aircraft by the JCA Joint Program Office.
• Northrop Grumman Delivers Fuselage Section of First F/A 18F Super Hornet for Royal Australian Air Force Northrop Grumman 20 Apr 2009 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has delivered the center/aft fuselage section for the first F/A-18F Super Hornet for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), the first international customer for the multirole fighter aircraft.
• Critical Missile Warning Payload For Second SBIRS Geo Satellite Delivered To Lockheed Martin Lockheed Martin 20 Apr 2009 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] announced today a major milestone on the U.S. Air Force's Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) with the successful delivery of the fully-integrated payload for the second geosynchronous orbit (GEO) spacecraft in the program constellation.
• Northrop Grumman Delivers SBIRS GEO-2 Payload to Lockheed Martin Northrop Grumman 20 Apr 2009 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC), the payload integrator for the Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS), the nation's next-generation missile warning system, has delivered the second geosynchronous orbit (GEO) payload to prime contractor Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) for integration into the spacecraft and final system-level testing.
• Rheinmetall wins big Bundeswehr ammo order - Total volume: €63 million Rheinmetall Defence 20 Apr 2009 -- The German Bundeswehr has awarded a major contract for artillery ammunition to the Düsseldorf-based Rheinmetall Group. Worth around €63 million and set to run until 2014, the order encompasses 30,000 rounds of high explosive 155mm ammunition, type DM 121. The Federal Agency for Defence Technology and Equipment (BWB) in Koblenz announced the order on 20 March 2009, following approval by the Budget & Appropriations Committee of the German Parliament.
• Raytheon Awarded $27 Million Option for Patriot Engineering Services Raytheon 20 Apr 2009 -- Raytheon Company has been awarded $27 million for engineering services for the Patriot Air and Missile Defense System.
• Lockheed Martin and Harris Corporation Sign Agreement to Develop Innovative Full-Motion Video Intelligence Tools Lockheed Martin 20 Apr 2009 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] and Harris Corporation [NYSE:HRS] have signed a collaboration agreement to develop next-generation technologies for managing and analyzing full-motion video intelligence.

Other Conflicts

• Peace, not 'process,' urgently needed in Middle East - top UN official UN News Centre 20 Apr 2009 -- Top United Nations official: A comprehensive Middle East agreement is urgently needed.
• Israel ready for peace talks without preconditions - paper RIA Novosti 20 Apr 2009 -- Israeli PM: Could drop recognition of Israel as a Jewish state by the Palestinian government as a key condition for peace talks.
• Sri Lankan Government Gives Rebels 24-Hour Deadline VOA 20 Apr 2009 -- In Sri Lanka, authorities have given Tamil Tiger rebels a 24-hour deadline to surrender.
• Sri Lanka: Ban welcomes civilians' escape from conflict zone UN News Centre 20 Apr 2009 -- Secretary-General Ban welcomed the escape of civilians from the conflict zone in north-eastern Sri Lanka.
• 35,000 civilians flee Tamil Tiger area in north Sri Lanka IRNA 20 Apr 2009 -- More than 35,000 trapped Tamil civilians on Monday made a dramatic breakout from the LTTE- controlled areas in Sri Lanka's embattled north.
• 17 killed in Sri Lanka as LTTE suicide bomber sets off blast IRNA 20 Apr 2009 -- LTTE suicide bomber was among thousands of civilians fleeing Sri Lanka's war zone into Army-controlled areas.
• Hearings begin in UN-backed tribunal over disputed area in Sudan UN News Centre 20 Apr 2009 -- A United Nations-supported international court in The Hague has begun hearings to mediate a settlement over a disputed town straddling northern and southern Sudan.
• SUDAN: Heavy rain, insecurity hamper aid delivery in Western Equatoria IRIN 20 Apr 2009 -- Delivering aid to people in Sudan's Western Equatoria State bordering on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is being hampered by insecurity, heavy rain and the poor state of roads, officials said.
• Somalia Sees Imposing Islamic Law as Positive Step VOA 20 Apr 2009 -- A hard-line opposition faction in Somalia, allied with the militant al-Shabab group, has cautiously welcomed the passage of Islamic law Saturday in parliament.
• Somali PM Says Islamic Law Will Weaken Islamist Insurgency VOA 20 Apr 2009 -- Somalia's PM Ali Sharmarke: Parliament's approval of Islamic law a major step toward establishing peace and stability.
• Philippine Muslim Separatist Commander Surrenders VOA 20 Apr 2009 -- The Philippine military says a senior Muslim rebel leader has surrendered in the southern Philippines.
• Congolese Welcome Agreement Expected to End Rebel Insurgency VOA 20 Apr 2009 -- Congolese have welcomed signing of an agreement expected to end rebel insurgency in North Kivu and surrounding areas.
• UN, Congolese forces call joint operation in northeast a success UN News Centre 20 Apr 2009 -- MONUC: most of the objectives of its joint military operation with the Congolese Armed Forces have been achieved.
• BURUNDI: Demobilisation of thousands of former rebels begins IRIN 20 Apr 2009 -- Agathon Rwasa gave up his AK-47 and military uniforms at a ceremony to mark the beginning of demobilisation of combatants.
• Over 170 Killed in Southern Sudan Ethnic Clashes VOA 20 Apr 2009 -- Officials in southern Sudan say more than 170 people have been killed in clashes between rival tribesmen.
• Syrian Suspect in Hariri Killing Reported Arrested in UAE VOA 20 Apr 2009 -- Authorities in the United Arab Emirates have arrested a Syrian suspect in the assassination of former Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri.

News Reports

• Iran Blames Israel and US for World Woes VOA 20 Apr 2009 -- Iranian President Ahmadinejad has blamed the US, Israel and UNSC members for many of the world's woes at UN conference on racism in Geneva.
• Iraq's New Parliament Speaker Is Strong Critic of Prime Minister RFE/RL 20 Apr 2009 -- After four months of deadlock, Iraqi lawmakers have elected Ayad al-Samarraei to the post of parliamentary speaker.
• Clinton Renews Call on Iran to Free Roxana Saberi VOA 20 Apr 2009 -- Secretary of State Clinton hopes calls for a reexamination of the spy case against Iranian-American journalist will lead to her speedy release.
• Iran Careful in Response to US Criticism of Saberi Case VOA 20 Apr 2009 -- The head of Iran's judiciary has ordered a prompt and fair appeal process for imprisoned US-Iranian journalist Roxana Saberi.
• Qashqavi denies link between arrest of Saberi, abduction of Iranians IRNA 20 Apr 2009 -- Iran's FM spokesman Qashqavi rejected any connection between the arrest of Roxana Saberi and abduction of Iranian diplomats in Iraq by the US forces.
• Iran orders quick, fair appeal for reporter sentenced as U.S. spy RIA Novosti 20 Apr 2009 -- Iran's top judge has ordered a "quick and fair" appeal for U.S.-Iranian reporter Roxana Saberi, jailed last week for espionage.
• Iran Orders 'Quick and Fair' Appeal for Jailed US Journalist VOA 20 Apr 2009 -- The head of Iran's judiciary has ordered a "quick" and "fair" appeal for jailed Iranian-American journalist Roxana Saberi.
• Castro keeps up rhetoric on Obama to end embargo RIA Novosti 20 Apr 2009 -- Fidel Castro has hit back at criticism from US President Obama over Cuba's human rights record, calling on the US to end the "cruel blockade against the Cuban people."
• Russia to submit new Arctic shelf boundary data to UN RIA Novosti 20 Apr 2009 -- Russia is to submit to the UN new data on the boundaries of its continental shelf in the Arctic Ocean.
• Security Council, UN rights experts urge restoration of constitutional law in Fiji UN News Centre 20 Apr 2009 -- The Security Council and two human rights experts today joined Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and other United Nations figures in voicing deep concern over the abrogation of Fiji’s constitution, the sacking of its judiciary and the imposition of press restrictions.
• Ban says timetable for fair elections urgently needed in Côte d’Ivoire UN News Centre 20 Apr 2009 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called for a realistic timetable for the holding of credible and transparent elections in the Côte d'Ivoire, as a matter of urgency, in his latest report on divided country.
• Southeast Asia Struggles With Democracy VOA 20 Apr 2009 -- The political turmoil in Thailand renews questions about democracy's future in Southeast Asia - a region historically ruled by authoritarian and military governments.
• Official Campaigning Ends Ahead of South Africa's Election Wednesday VOA 20 Apr 2009 -- Official campaigning ended Sunday ahead of South Africa's general election after the ruling party and other opposition parties made last-ditch effort to woo voters.
• Ukrainian opposition leader sets 'strict terms' for coalition RIA Novosti 20 Apr 2009 -- Leader of Ukraine's opposition Party of Regions: Would consider joining forces with the prime minister's party to create a broad coalition, if certain "strict conditions" are met.
• Kyrgyz Opposition Unveils Presidential Hopeful RFE/RL 20 Apr 2009 -- Leaders of Kyrgyzstan's fractious opposition have announced a persistent critic and former PM under President Bakiev as their joint candidate in July's early presidential election.
• Radical Opposition Barred From South Ossetian Parliament Ballot RFE/RL 20 Apr 2009 -- South Ossetia's Central Election Commission has barred the radical opposition People's Party from participating in the parliamentary elections.
• Somali Pirate's Father Says Son Was 'Misled' VOA 20 Apr 2009 -- The father of the Somali pirate in U.S. custody says his son was "misled" into pirate activity and should be treated with leniency.
• Jamaican Gunman Arrested After Holding Plane Crew Hostage VOA 20 Apr 2009 -- Jamaican authorities have arrested the lone gunman who hijacked a plane at Montego Bay's airport and held six crew members hostage.
• ZIMBABWE: Civil society opposes new constitution process IRIN 20 Apr 2009 -- The creation of a new Zimbabwean constitution is severely straining relations between Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and its civil society partners, who are usually united by their opposition to President Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF.