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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 23 Apr 2009 [PDF]
• DoD News: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty
• April 22 airpower summary: B-1B destroys compound AFNS 23 Apr 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the ISAF in Afghanistan during operations.
• Top Sunni Insurgent Chief Arrested in Iraq VOA 23 Apr 2009 -- Iraq's army says it has captured a top Sunni insurgent leader, the same day major suicide bombings claimed at least 50 lives.
• It's great to have a dog in the fight Army News 23 Apr 2009 -- Staff Sgt. Conan Thomas and his Army 'battle buddy,' Sgt. 1st Class Britt, have been working together for nearly two years.
• 75 Killed in Iraq Blasts VOA 23 Apr 2009 -- Two major suicide bombings in Iraq have claimed the lives of at least 75 people, one of the most violent days in the country in more than a year.
• More British troops accused of abuse in Iraq IRNA 23 Apr 2009 -- British troops have been accused of using interrogation techniques on Iraqi civilian detainees in Maysan Province that breached human rights laws.
• 26 former insurgents reconcile in Tikrit Army News 23 Apr 2009 -- Members of the Tikrit Reconciliation Committee reconciled 26 ranging from criminals to know terrorists from Tikrit and Al Alam Police Districts.
• Combined Forces Capture Seven, Kill Two in Afghanistan AFPS 23 Apr 2009 -- Afghan and coalition forces killed two militants and captured seven others in overnight operations in Afghanistan.
• Outpost Gives Hint of Challenges in Afghanistan AFPS 23 Apr 2009 -- Nothing illustrates the difficulties of combat in Afghanistan’s Regional Command East like this base on the Gardez-Khowst road.
• 30th Medical Command cases colors for Afghanistan deployment Army News 23 Apr 2009 -- Col. Dennis D. Doyle assumed command of the 30th Medical Command during ceremonies at Nachrichten Kaserne.
• Iranian Killed In Iran-Afghan Border Clash RFE/RL 23 Apr 2009 -- One Iranian border guard was killed and another arrested in a shoot-out between Afghan and Iranian forces in Afghanistan's western Nimroz Province.
• Iranian guard killed in Afghan province of Nimruz IRNA 23 Apr 2009 -- An Iranian border guard was shot dead and another was injured by the fire of Afghanistan's border guards in Nimruz Province.
• Clinton: Changing Mindset in Pakistan About Extremist Threat Will Not Be Easy VOA 23 Apr 2009 -- Situation in Pakistan and the Obama administration's strategy there dominated a second day of testimony.
• New Concerns Over Gains by Taliban in Pakistan VOA 23 Apr 2009 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said the leaders of Pakistan must take action to stop the spread of the Taliban militancy.
• Pakistani Forces Deploy in New Region Infiltrated by Taliban VOA 23 Apr 2009 -- Militants in Pakistan have ambushed paramilitary forces who were being rushed to a region recently overrun by Taliban forces.
• Pakistan Taliban extend activities IRNA 23 Apr 2009 -- Pakistani Taliban have extended their writ to other areas in the restive Swat valley and closed down regular courts, officials said.
• Gates Urges Pakistan to Move Against Taliban Threat VOA 23 Apr 2009 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said the leaders of Pakistan must take action to stop the spread of the Taliban militancy.
• Clinton Details 'Mortal Threat' In South Asia, Imperatives On Iran RFE/RL 23 Apr 2009 -- US Secretary of State Clinton fielded questions for more than 3 hours on a wide range of foreign policy topics.
• 'Tridents' Return Home Navy NewsStand 23 Apr 2009 -- Helicopter Squadron Three (HS-3) returned to NAS Jacksonville after a deployment on board USS Theodore Roosevelt.
• Making a Joint Task Force commander Army News 23 Apr 2009 -- About 60 senior officers from the National Guard and other services recently spent a week Peterson AFB, learning how to lead a joint task force.
• USS Philippine Sea Performs Medical Evacuation Navy NewsStand 23 Apr 2009 -- USS Philippine Sea performed an airborne medical evacuation of a passenger aboard the Motor Vessel Braemar April 23.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Transcript: DoD Background Briefing DoD 23 Apr 2009 -- Presenter: Senior Defense Official and Senior Military Official
• DoD Begins QDR, NPR Processes DoD 23 Apr 2009 -- Today the Department of Defense announced the commencement of the 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) and the Nuclear Posture Review (NPR).
• Pentagon Begins New Quadrennial Defense Review, Nuclear Posture Review AFPS 23 Apr 2009 -- Pentagon officials kicked off DoD's 2010 Quadrennial Defense and Nuclear Posture Review processes.
• Media Availability with Secretary Gates Following visit with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Camp Lejeune, N.C. DoD 23 Apr 2009 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Robert Gates
• Army, Marine Corps Juggle High Demands for Ground Forces AFPS 23 Apr 2009 -- With US military members serving in more than 120 countries, ground forces are stretched thin.
• Singapore Navy Joins Counterpiracy CTF 151 Navy NewsStand 23 Apr 2009 -- Singaporean task group joined Combined Task Force 151 and began conducting operations alongside other Coalition forces.
• Maintainers make it happen during Red Flag-Alaska AFNS 23 Apr 2009 -- During Red Flag-Alaska pilots aren't the only ones who are contributing to mission success.
• Marines train for expeditionary mission in Afghanistan USMC News 23 Apr 2009 -- Marines with 2-8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division assess their skills one last time before leaving for southern Afghanistan.
• Shot out! Elements of call for fire USMC News 23 Apr 2009 -- A request for the fire support from artillery, mortar or naval gunfire is known as "call for fire."
• NAS Jax Navy Exchange Rolls Out New Navy Working Uniform Navy NewsStand 23 Apr 2009 -- The Naval Air Station Jacksonville Navy Exchange held ceremony o officially roll out the new Navy Working Uniform.
• AFSO 21 helps unit reduce steps, increase proficiency AFNS 23 Apr 2009 -- 726th Air Mobility Squadron conducted analysis looking for ways to streamline C-17 Globemaster III refueling.
• 3rd BSB Gets Acquainted With New Water System Army News 23 Apr 2009 -- Soldiers of the 3rd Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team conducted training on the new Hippo water distribution system on Fort Stewart.
• USS Hopper Returns from Western Pacific Deployment Navy NewsStand 23 Apr 2009 -- USS Hopper (DDG 70) returned to Naval Station Pearl Harbor following a three month deployment to the Western Pacific.
• Rodney M. Davis Returns to Homeport Navy NewsStand 23 Apr 2009 -- USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG 60) returned to Naval Station Everett following a six-month deployment in support of counter narco-terrorism.
• U.S. 7th Fleet to Conduct Exercise Malabar 09 with Japan, Indian navies Navy NewsStand 23 Apr 2009 -- Ships, aircraft and submarines from US, Japan and India will take part in Exercise Malabar 09 April 26 to May 3.
• Phoenix Express Kicks Off in Souda Bay Navy NewsStand 23 Apr 2009 -- NAPLES, Italy – Maritime and land forces from 14 countries kicked off Exercise Phoenix Express in Souda Bay, Greece.
• Joint Task Force-Bravo, Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras Army News 23 Apr 2009 -- Joint Task Force-Bravo is made up of US Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and civilians who work to enhance security and cooperation.
• A-10 pilots take to Bulgarian skies during joint exercise AFNS 23 Apr 2009 -- US and Bulgarian air force pilots are honing their close air support and combat search and rescue skills during a joint training exercise.
• Continuing Promise, Seabees Renovate School in Dominican Republic Navy NewsStand 23 Apr 2009 -- Navy Seabees began their first construction project in the Dominican Republic April 22 at Otto Martinez, a local school.
• China Denies Hacking US Fighter-Jet Files VOA 23 Apr 2009 -- China has denied report that computer spies possibly operating in China stole information related to the US Joint Strike Fighter project.
• Russia's Lavrov and Clinton to meet for START talks in May RIA Novosti 23 Apr 2009 -- Russian FM Lavrov will meet with US Secretary of State Clinton to discuss the START agreement.
• Russia and NATO At Odds Over Planned Military Exercise In Georgia RFE/RL 23 Apr 2009 -- Russian and NATO efforts to rebuild relations have received a fresh blow ahead of NATO-led exercise in Georgia.
• Russian envoy calls ties with NATO 'marriage of convenience' RIA Novosti 23 Apr 2009 -- Russia will continue contacts with NATO "in a marriage of convenience" despite concerns over exercises in Georgia.
• Russia launches military transport plane project with India RIA Novosti 23 Apr 2009 -- The Russian government in 2009 to part finance a joint project with India to develop a new military transport plane.
• Chinese Navy Celebrates 60th Anniversary VOA 23 Apr 2009 -- Military ships from 14 different countries took part in a floating parade marking the 60th anniversary of the China's navy.
• Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 23 Apr 2009
• Briefing by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 4/23/09 The White House 23 Apr 2009

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for April 23, 2009
• BAE Systems Welcomes New £574 Million Harrier Availability Contract BAE Systems 23 Apr 2009 -- BAE Systems has today welcomed the award of a new £574 million Harrier availability contract from the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD).
• Bath Iron Works Awarded $20 Million Contract for Destroyer Maintenance, Repair and Upgrades General Dynamics 23 Apr 2009 -- The U.S. Navy has awarded Bath Iron Works, a subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), a $19.8 million modification to a previously awarded contract to perform Post Shakedown Availability (PSA) maintenance, repair and upgrade work for an Arleigh Burke-class Aegis destroyer homeported in Norfolk, Va.
• Lockheed Martin F-35B Exceeds STOVL Thrust Requirement Lockheed Martin 23 Apr 2009 -- The F-35B Lightning II short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) variant has demonstrated during testing that it produces excess vertical thrust – more than required to carry out its missions.
• Lockheed Martin Provides U.S. Strategic Command With Enhanced Mission Planning Capability Lockheed Martin 23 Apr 2009 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has enhanced the U.S. Strategic Command’s ability to plan operations that support their critical mission areas, which include strategic deterrence, space and cyberspace.

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 23 Apr 2009
• Analysts: It Will Be Difficult to Restart Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process VOA 23 Apr 2009 -- Aides to Palestinian President Abbas say he will call on the US to step up the pressure on Israel to accept a two-state solution.
• EU to freeze upgrading Israel ties over Mideast peace process IRNA 23 Apr 2009 -- EU will stall a planned upgrade of relations with Israel.
• Secretary-General to dispatch UN relief team to Sri Lankan combat zone UN News Centre 23 Apr 2009 -- Secretary-General Ban announced that he will immediately send a UN humanitarian team to the shrinking conflict zone in northern Sri Lanka.
• Sri Lankan Military: 100,000 Civilians Have Fled War Zone VOA 23 Apr 2009 -- Sri Lanka's military: Involved in the world's largest rescue operation as it tries to free civilians trapped in the battle with Tamil Tiger rebels.
• UN Security Council 'Deeply Concerned' For Sri Lankans Caught in Fighting VOA 23 Apr 2009 -- UN Security Council expressed its deep concern about the humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka's conflict zone.
• India expresses concern over killing of Tamils in Sri Lanka IRNA 23 Apr 2009 -- India asked Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam to stop "barbaric" attempt to hold civilians hostage.
• SOMALIA: Donor conference prompts mixed reactions IRIN 23 Apr 2009 -- Some Somalis are hopeful while others are doubtful or indifferent about the international donor conference opening on 23 April in Brussels aimed at raising funds to support Somalia's security institutions and the African Union (AU) peacekeeping mission in the country.
• SRI LANKA: Mass exodus leads to massive humanitarian need IRIN 23 Apr 2009 -- International and Sri Lankan relief agencies and government authorities are scrambling all available resources, and sending out appeals for more assistance, after over 100,000 Sri Lankan civilians fled combat areas in the north in the past few days.
• Number of Sudanese returnees from Uganda in 2009 tops 20,000 – UN UN News Centre 23 Apr 2009 -- The number of Sudanese refugees returning home from Uganda this year with the assistance of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) topped the 20,000 mark today.
• In Brussels, Ban welcomes over $200 million in pledges for security in Somalia UN News Centre 23 Apr 2009 -- Secretary-General Ban welcomed over $200 million pledged to help the emergent Government in Somalia gain a security foothold.
• Somalia Donor Conference Opens in Brussels VOA 23 Apr 2009 -- International donors are in Brussels for a one-day conference aimed to help stabilize war-torn Somalia.
• DR Congo: UN envoy hears of revenge attacks by Hutu militia on locals UN News Centre 23 Apr 2009 -- A recent deadly attack by Hutu rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo left five children dead and hundreds of homes burned to the ground.
• Russian, Armenian leaders to talk energy, N. Karabakh conflict RIA Novosti 23 Apr 2009 -- Russian President Medvedev will meet with Armenian President to discuss Nagorny Karabakh conflict.
• Armenia, Turkey agree on 'roadmap' to normalize ties RIA Novosti 23 Apr 2009 -- Armenia and Turkey have come to an agreement on a "roadmap" aimed at normalizing bilateral relations.
• Turkey Working to Improve Relations with Armenia VOA 23 Apr 2009 -- Turkey says it has agreed on a plan to improve long-strained relations with its neighbor Armenia.

News Reports

• CDC Briefing on Public Health Investigation of Human Cases of Swine Influenza Center for Disease Control 23 Apr 2009
• Opposition says anti-Saakashvili protests enter 'active' phase RIA Novosti 23 Apr 2009 -- Georgian opposition leaders: Protests demanding the president's resignation were entering their "active" phase.
• Georgia's Saakashvili urges opposition to negotiate RIA Novosti 23 Apr 2009 -- Georgian President Saakashvili called on the opposition to end street protests in the capital and join efforts to tackle economic problems.
• ANC Holds Strong Lead in South African Election VOA 23 Apr 2009 -- Partial results from South Africa's general election give the ruling African National Congress a strong lead, possibly enabling the party to keep its two-thirds majority in parliament.
• ANC Holds Strong Lead in South African Election Results VOA 23 Apr 2009 -- Partial results from South Africa's general election give the ruling African National Congress a strong lead, but it is still not clear whether the party will hold on to its two-thirds majority in parliament.
• South Africans Await Election Results VOA 23 Apr 2009 -- Results are trickling in after Wednesday's South African general election with turnout likened to the 1994 poll in which blacks were allowed to vote for the first time.
• Millions of Indians Vote in Phase 2 of Staggered Parliament Election VOA 23 Apr 2009 -- Millions of Indians have voted in the second phase of the country's month-long, staggered election to choose a new parliament.
• CENTRAL ASIA: Conference maps out way forward on radioactive waste IRIN 23 Apr 2009 -- Representatives of Central Asian governments have met at a conference in the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek, to find ways of jointly tackling the issue of radioactive waste dumps and their environmental and health impacts.
• AFGHANISTAN: Sanitation woes in makeshift IDP camps IRIN 23 Apr 2009 -- Open defecation, lack of toilets and poor sanitation in makeshift internally displaced persons (IDP) camps throughout Afghanistan are a health threat, particularly to children, health workers and aid agencies say.
• ZIMBABWE: Crisis group warns of relapse into chaos IRIN 23 Apr 2009 -- Zimbabwe could slide back into chaos, the International Crisis Group (ICG), a Brussels-based non-profit organisation committed to preventing and resolving deadly conflict, warns in a new report.
• Thai Army Bullets Used in Assassination Attempt VOA 23 Apr 2009 -- The Thai military has acknowledged that army bullets were used in last week's attempted assassination of the founder of the so-called "yellow shirt" protest movement.
• Police Use Tear Gas to Break Up Madagascar Protest VOA 23 Apr 2009 -- Security forces in Madagascar have fired tear gas and warning shots to break up a protest by supporters of ousted president Marc Ravalomanana.
• Belarusian President Hails Eastern Partnership As 'Timely Idea' RFE/RL 23 Apr 2009 -- Belarusian President Lukashenka: Belarus wants to normalize "difficult" relations with the EU.
• Lukashenko tells U.S. sanctions will not work with Belarus RIA Novosti 23 Apr 2009 -- Belarusian President Lukashenko: Hoped new US administration understood there was no future in using the "language of sanctions."
• Lukashenko tells MPs he alone makes the decisions in Belarus RIA Novosti 23 Apr 2009 -- Belarusian President Lukashenko: Makes all the decisions himself and his main adviser is his eldest son, Viktor.
• Iranian Lawyer Believes Missing U.S. Citizen Is Alive In Iran RFE/RL 23 Apr 2009 -- The Iranian lawyer of the family of U.S. citizen Robert Levinson, who disappeared during a trip to Iran two years ago, believes that Levinson is alive and is being kept in Iran.