News

27 April 2009 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

OIF/OEF Casualty Update 27 Apr 2009 [PDF]
DoD News: DoD Identifies Army Casualty

Clinton: U.S. Commitment to Iraq to Stand Firm During Troop Drawdown AFPS 27 Apr 2009 -- Secretary of State Clinton assured Iraqi leaders that the United States it won't draw down its commitment to Iraq.
Iraqi Army Mechanics Learn Generator Basics AFPS 27 Apr 2009 -- Mechanics from the Iraqi army's 8th Motor Transport Regiment attended a 6-day generator maintenance course.

Joint Forces in Afghanistan Kill Five Militants, Detain 16 AFPS 27 Apr 2009 -- Afghan and coalition forces killed 5 militants and detained 16 suspects, including a Taliban commander during operations.
New York Guardsmen stay on alert to save lives AFNS 27 Apr 2009 -- All Airmen assigned to rescue squadrons throughout the Air Force know and follow the motto "So that others may live."
Unit Delivers Mail, Supplies Across Afghanistan AFPS 27 Apr 2009 -- 53rd Movement Control Battalion ensure that mail, equipment, passengers and supplies make it to their destinations across Afghanistan.
Australia Urged to Boost Military Commitment in Afghanistan VOA 27 Apr 2009 -- Australian forces in Afghanistan urging the government to send more combat advisers despite waning public support.
Brown to confirm switch in strategy in Afghanistan IRNA 27 Apr 2009 -- PM Brown is to confirm a switch in official strategy in Afghanistan that are seen mirroring plans adopted by the US.
British PM Meets with Afghan President in Kabul VOA 27 Apr 2009 -- British PM Brown has met with Afghan President Karzai in Kabul to discuss a new strategy to fight what he calls the "crucible of terrorism."

Pakistan asks Taliban militants to lay down arms IRNA 27 Apr 2009 -- Pakistan asked Taliban to lay down arms or face tough action as the security forces opened a new front against the militants.
Renewed Fighting Tests Pakistan Peace Pact RFE/RL 27 Apr 2009 -- Sufi Mohammad was key figure in peace-deal with the provincial government that brought Shari'a law in exchange for a Taliban cease-fire.
Military Offensive in Pakistan Threatens Swat Peace Deal VOA 27 Apr 2009 -- Thousands of people in northwest Pakistan are fleeing a renewed offensive by Pakistani forces against Taliban militants.
Blast kills 4 in Pakistan's tribal region IRNA 27 Apr 2009 -- A bomb blast killed three children and a woman of a family in Pakistan's North Waziristan tribal region.
PAKISTAN: Teacher placements on hold in Taliban-controlled Swat IRIN 27 Apr 2009 -- The peace deal in mid-February between the government of Pakistan's North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) and Taliban militants controlling Swat Valley, is affecting the placement of teachers, say local media and analysts.

Charleston aerial port supports OEF build-up AFNS 27 Apr 2009 -- 437th Aerial Port Squadron moving shipments of airfield matting to help create landing strips in support for Operation Enduring Freedom.

Australia Completes First Command of Combined Task Force 152 Navy NewsStand 27 Apr 2009 -- U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Kurt Tidd relieved Royal Australian Navy Commodore Bruce Kafer as CTF 152 commander.

Defense Policy / Programs

DoD Announces Additional $835 Million in Recovery Act Projects DoD 27 Apr 2009 -- The Department of Defense (DoD) announced today details of more than 850 facility improvement projects funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
Program to Introduce New Threat Detection, Countermeasure Capabilities AFPS 27 Apr 2009 -- DARPA making big strides on program to respond with life-saving speed and accuracy.
Defense Acquisition Chief Cites Successes, Challenges AFPS 27 Apr 2009 -- DoD directorate that procures warfighters’ weapons systems has achieved much success in recent years.
F-35 test plane flies over Eglin AFNS 27 Apr 2009 -- The F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter test aircraft arrived to educate community about the Department of Defense and world's newest fighter.
Airmen keep Hercules strong AFNS 27 Apr 2009 -- When a transient C-130 Hercules delivers cargo and personnel here, there is a chance the aircraft may require maintenance before flying again.
U.S. to Continue Congo Security Assistance, Africom Commander Says AFPS 27 Apr 2009 -- US military has no plans to put combat troops in the central-African nation.
Coalition Forces Conduct Exercise Arabian Gauntlet Navy NewsStand 27 Apr 2009 -- Naval forces from the US, UK, Australia, France, Pakistan, Bahrain and 7 regional nations completed exercise in the Arabian Gulf.
CALFEX '09 joins RP and U.S. Marine efforts across a spectrum of war fighting tactics USMC News 27 Apr 2009 -- 31st MEU and Republic of the AFP members forged bonds during Combined Arms Live-Fire Exercise.
Navy Sponsors Whale Behavioral Response Study AFPS 27 Apr 2009 -- Navy-sponsored study on behavioral response of toothed whales to various sounds in the ocean has provided fresh insights.
Blue Flag enhances ability to protect U.S. from attacks AFNS 27 Apr 2009 -- USAF along with Army, USN and USMC representatives completed exercise to improve how to monitor and intercept hostile aircraft.
Army Awards Contract to Build "Phase Two" Campus Facility Army News 27 Apr 2009 -- US Army Corps of Engineers awarded contract to build the Command and Control and Communications facility on Aberdeen Proving Ground.
Seabees Join Forces with Dominican Republic Civil Engineers Navy NewsStand 27 Apr 2009 -- Members of Construction Maintenance Unit 202 expanding the Dominican Republic National Reference Laboratory.

First Russia-U.S. START talks 'very productive' RIA Novosti 27 Apr 2009 -- Deputy Russian FM: First Russia-US talks on a new strategic arms reduction deal to replace the START treaty were very productive.

Russia's Lavrov calls NATO drills in Georgia 'dangerous' RIA Novosti 27 Apr 2009 -- Russia's FM reiterated country's opposition to upcoming NATO-led military exercises in Georgia.
Abkhazia warns NATO over exercises in Georgia RIA Novosti 27 Apr 2009 -- Abkhazia has urged NATO member states not to go ahead with a planned military exercise in Georgia.

Russian Su-35 fighter jet prototype destroyed during testing RIA Novosti 27 Apr 2009 -- Prototype advanced Su-35 Flanker multi-role fighter plane burst into flames during take-off procedures at a testing ground.

Russia to build 6 Kilo-class diesel submarines for Vietnam RIA Novosti 27 Apr 2009 -- Admiralty Shipyards in St. Petersburg will build 6 Kilo class diesel-electric submarines for delivery to Vietnam.
Turkey hopes to buy S-400 air defense systems from Russia RIA Novosti 27 Apr 2009 -- Turkey, a NATO member, has expressed interest in buying S-400 Triumf air defense systems from Russia.
Turkey may buy Russian air defense systems, combat helicopters RIA Novosti 27 Apr 2009 -- Turkey has expressed interest in buying air defense systems and combat helicopters from Russia.

Conventional Arms Deliveries to China Drop in 2007, 2008 VOA 27 Apr 2009 -- A newly released report says China has been importing a smaller volume of conventional arms in recent years.

Catalogue of safety breaches at UK's nuclear base IRNA 27 Apr 2009 -- Britain's nuclear submarine fleet has been hit by a series of serious safety breaches at its home base in Scotland.

Report: Arms Sales to Middle East Up 38 Percent VOA 27 Apr 2009 -- New data shows that arms transfers to the Middle East have increased by 38 percent during the past five years, compared to the previous five.
Report Says Small Volume of Arms Imports Has Big Impact on Africa VOA 27 Apr 2009 -- A new report on arms transfers shows that countries in Africa purchased only a fraction of the conventional weapons sold worldwide between 2004 and 2008.

Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 27 Apr 2009
Briefing by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 4/27/09 The White House 27 Apr 2009

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for April 27, 2009
F-35 ARRIVES IN THE UK FOR STATIC TESTING BAE Systems 27 Apr 2009 -- After a three-week ocean voyage, the first structural test airframe for the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, also known as the Joint Strike Fighter, has arrived in the United Kingdom
Boeing P-8A Poseidon Successfully Completes 1st Flight Boeing 27 Apr 2009 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] P-8A Poseidon test aircraft T-1 successfully completed its first flight April 25, taking off from Renton Field at 10:43 a.m. and touching down at Boeing Field in Seattle at 2:14 p.m.
CACI Awarded Prime Contract on $900 Million, Multiple-Award Program with United States Strategic Command CACI 27 Apr 2009 -- CACI International Inc (NYSE:CAI) announced today that it has been awarded a prime contract to support the multiple-award United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) Systems and Mission Support II (USAMS II) program.
General Dynamics Awarded U.S. Army Contract for Multi-National Corps-Iraq Logistics Support General Dynamics 27 Apr 2009 -- General Dynamics Information Technology, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), was awarded a $3 million contract to support the U.S. Army Central Command and the Multi-National Corps-Iraq.
F-35 Arrives In The United Kingdom For Static Testing Lockheed Martin 27 Apr 2009 -- After a three-week ocean voyage, a static-test version of the Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] F-35 Lightning II, also known as the Joint Strike Fighter, has arrived in the United Kingdom.
Lockheed Martin-Led Industry Team Awarded Phase 3 Lockheed Martin 27 Apr 2009 -- The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has selected Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] as the systems integrator and Raytheon Company [NYSE: RTN] as the radar developer for Phase 3 of its Integrated Sensor is Structure (ISIS) program.
Marine Corps, Northrop Grumman Team Completes Successful G/ATOR Critical Design Review Northrop Grumman 27 Apr 2009 -- The U.S. Marine Corps' Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) program passed a key milestone with the successful conclusion of its formal Critical Design Review (CDR) at Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) Electronic Systems sector headquarters.
Northrop Grumman COBRA System Achieves Milestone C -- Ready for Low Rate Initial Production Northrop Grumman 27 Apr 2009 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has received Milestone "C" approval from the U.S. Department of Defense, Program Executive Office, Littoral and Mine Warfare (PEO LMW) for its Coastal Battlefield Reconnaissance and Analysis (COBRA) system, which was designed to support U.S. Marine Corps amphibious assault breaching operations.
Thales’s in-theatre ISTAR contract extended Thales 27 Apr 2009 -- The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has extended Thales UKÂ’s H-450 unmanned air system (UAS) contract that provides vital intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) support to UK forces on current operations.
Pratt & Whitney’s F119 Engine Surpasses 100,000 Operational Flight Hours Pratt & Whitney 27 Apr 2009 -- Pratt & Whitney’s F119 engine, which powers the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor, has surpassed 100,000 operational flight hours of service for the U.S. Air Force.
Five-Satellite Milstar Constellation Built By Lockheed Martin Achieves 50 Years Of Combined On Orbit Operations Lockheed Martin 27 Apr 2009 -- A U.S. Air Force/Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] team announced today that the five-satellite Milstar constellation has accumulated 50 years of combined on-orbit operations and continues to provide secure, reliable and robust communications to U.S. and Allied Forces around the globe.
Northrop Grumman Announces Bat(tm) Line of Small Unmanned Aerial Systems Northrop Grumman 27 Apr 2009 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) today announced its Bat(tm) line of small unmanned air systems (UAS). The Bat(tm) systems will have wingspans ranging from 6.5 to 33.2 feet.

Other Conflicts

DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 27 Apr 2009

Fourth round of inter-Palestinian talks begin in Cairo RIA Novosti 27 Apr 2009 -- The fourth round of inter-Palestinian dialogue between the Fatah and Hamas movements began on Monday in Cairo.

Sri Lanka Pledges to Stop Shelling, Air Strikes of Tamil Rebels VOA 27 Apr 2009 -- Sri Lankan government: Although major combat operations have ended, a military sweep continues to bring about a total defeat of the insurgency.
Sri Lankan forces missed Prabhakaran: Army commander IRNA 27 Apr 2009 -- Tamil Tigers supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran and his top aides were recently missed by security forces.
Sri Lanka halts combat operations in North against Tamil Tigers IRNA 27 Apr 2009 -- Sri Lankan government: Combat operations in the northern parts of the island have concluded and security forces have been instructed to end the use of heavy calibre guns, combat aircraft and aerial fire.

Darfur: blue helmets scaling up protection of civilians, official says UN News Centre 27 Apr 2009 -- Joint United Nations-African Union force has increasingly prevented large-scale civilian disasters.
Somalia: top UN envoy calls for donors' pledges to be turned into action UN News Centre 27 Apr 2009 -- Top UN envoy to the Horn of Africa nation voiced hope that resources will be mobilized quickly.
Surrenders of Rwandan rebels in eastern DR Congo ramp up, UN says UN News Centre 27 Apr 2009 -- Number of Rwandans laying down their arms has multiplied four-fold on a monthly basis compared to last year.
Return of Hutu Militias Sparks 100,000 New Displacements in Eastern Congo VOA 27 Apr 2009 -- A resumption of fighting in lands in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has added more than 100,000 newly displaced people to Congo's itinerant rolls.
RWANDA-UGANDA: Refugees unwilling to return IRIN 27 Apr 2009 -- Pontein Karegyeya, 32, has lived at the Nakivale refugee camp in Uganda since he was a teenager and is unwilling to return home to Rwanda.
Armenia, Azerbaijan confirm May 7 meeting - OSCE Minsk Group RIA Novosti 27 Apr 2009 -- The Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders have confirmed the date for their next meeting as May 7 in Prague.
Armenia's ruling coalition in favor of thaw in Turkey relations RIA Novosti 27 Apr 2009 -- The Armenian ruling coalition said on Monday it supported the president's foreign policy to normalize ties with Turkey.

News Reports

Scientist warns over pandemic flu vaccine six-moth time lag University of Leicester 27 Apr 2009 -- Study is first to show pre-pandemic vaccine approach.
CDC Media Availability on Human Swine Influenza Cases Center for Disease Control 27 Apr 2009
SENEGAL: Raising alert without hysteria in swine flu defence IRIN 27 Apr 2009 -- Health authorities in Senegal have reactivated an early warning health system put into place in 2006 following the resurgence of the H5N1 avian flu virus in Hong Kong in response to a recent outbreak of swine influenza.
Pelosi Statement on Swine Flu Virus Office of the Speaker 27 Apr 2009 -- Speaker Nancy Pelosi released statement on the swine influenza virus.
UN considering raising global pandemic alert level UN News Centre 27 Apr 2009 -- UN health agency may raise the international pandemic alert.
Deadly Swine Flu Outbreak Forces Closure of All Mexican Schools VOA 27 Apr 2009 -- Mexican officials have suspended schools across the country until early May, as the nation deals with an outbreak of swine flu.
Mexican swine flu death toll rises to 149 RIA Novosti 27 Apr 2009 -- Number of people to have died from suspected swine flu in Mexico has risen by 46 to 149.
Military Monitors Swine Flu With Focus on Protecting Force AFPS 27 Apr 2009 -- DoD monitoring the swine flu situation closely, with its primary focus on protecting the military population.
Schwarzenegger: California is Addressing Swine Flu Threat VOA 27 Apr 2009 -- U.S. health officials are testing for suspected cases of swine influenza, following a serious outbreak of the disease in Mexico.
New York Officials Urge Calm After Swine Flu Hits School VOA 27 Apr 2009 -- New York City officials are urging residents not to panic after 28 students of a local preparatory school tested positive for swine flu.
US Doctors, Airlines Monitoring for Swine Flu VOA 27 Apr 2009 -- U.S. health officials are increasing surveillance measures at doctors' offices and international borders to guard against the spread of swine flu.
President Obama: Swine Flu 'Not a Cause for Alarm' VOA 27 Apr 2009 -- US President Obama: The US is closely monitoring cases of the swine flu, but the situation is "not a cause for alarm."
ISRAEL: Measures taken to combat swine flu IRIN 27 Apr 2009 -- The Israeli Health Ministry issued a special notice on the country's preparedness for the possibility of a swine flu outbreak.
India chalks out strategy to prevent Swine Flu outbreak IRNA 27 Apr 2009 -- India chalked out a strategy to prevent any outbreak of Swine Flu disease in India.
Asia, Pacific Take Measures to Prevent Spread of Swine Flu VOA 27 Apr 2009 -- Countries throughout Asia and Pacific taking steps to prevent a strain of swine flu infecting humans from spreading to the region.
IFRC Says Past Holds Lessons for Swine Flu Outbreak VOA 27 Apr 2009 -- International Federal Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies calling the swine flu outbreak a "situation of immediate and serious concern."
World prepares for swine flu pandemic as over 100 die in Mexico RIA Novosti 27 Apr 2009 -- Countries around the world began measures to prevent a swine flu pandemic.
No human infections of swine flu in Taiwan: health minister CNA 27 Apr 2009 -- Health Minister Yeh: So far no one in Taiwan is known to be infected.
Medvedev orders regions to step up flu measures RIA Novosti 27 Apr 2009 -- Russian president instructed regional authorities to take urgent action to prevent the spread of swine flu in Russia.
Berlin issues Mexico travel alert after deadly Swine Flu outbreak IRNA 27 Apr 2009 -- Germany's FM issued a travel warning for Mexico after the outbreak of a deadly swine flu in the Latin American country.
Spain confirms Swine Flu case IRNA 27 Apr 2009 -- Europe has confirmed its first case of swine flu as efforts increase to contain the virus.
Europe's first human swine flu case confirmed in Spain RIA Novosti 27 Apr 2009 -- The first human case of swine flu in Europe has been confirmed in Spain.
US declares public health emergency over Swine Flu IRNA 27 Apr 2009 -- US health officials declared a public health emergency on Sunday as 20 cases of swine flu were confirmed in country.

Father Says US Journalist Saberi is Weak From Hunger Strike in Iran VOA 27 Apr 2009 -- American journalist Saberi is on a hunger strike and vows to continue until she is released from prison.

US Holding Talks With Cuba on Obama Outreach VOA 27 Apr 2009 -- US diplomats holding talks with officials of Cuba's diplomatic mission in Washington on possible follow-up measures to ease restrictions on the island nation.

Somalia Parliament Demands Answers for Maritime Agreement with Kenya VOA 27 Apr 2009 -- Somalia parliament expected to demand answers from President Sheikh Ahmed over controversial MOU with Kenya.
Yemeni Forces Free Tanker From Pirates VOA 27 Apr 2009 -- Yemen's military has freed an oil tanker and its crew from Somali pirates, killing three of the hijackers.
Yemeni Navy frees oil tanker, kills three Somali pirates RIA Novosti 27 Apr 2009 -- A Yemeni Navy unit has freed an oil tanker seized in the Gulf of Aden and killed three Somali pirates.

EU Foreign Ministers Discuss Growing Eastern Instability RFE/RL 27 Apr 2009 -- Keeping its eastern neighbors on the path to stability and prosperity has become a formidable test for EU foreign policy in recent months.

Opposition Vows To Contest Ruling Party's Sochi Win RFE/RL 27 Apr 2009 -- There was a lot at stake in this weekend's mayoral election in Russia's resort city of Sochi.
Russian MP in Dubai murder case 'can not be extradited' RIA Novosti 27 Apr 2009 -- Russia will under no circumstances extradite a Chechen MP accused of involvement in the murder of Sulim Yamadayev.

Tempers Fray As Protest Momentum Wanes In Tbilisi RFE/RL 27 Apr 2009 -- Ten days ago Georgian opposition leaders were confident of mobilizing enough support nationwide to force President Saakashvili to step down by the end of the month.

Nigeria Vote Marred by Violence, Intimidation VOA 27 Apr 2009 -- Thousands of policemen patrolled the streets of southwest Nigeria's Ekiti state Monday to quell violence that disrupted a gubernatorial election on Saturday.
Kin of Exiled Ethiopian Opposition Leaders Charged in Coup Plot VOA 27 Apr 2009 -- Relatives of two prominent exiled Ethiopian politicians are among 35 people jailed in connection with an alleged plot to overthrow Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's government.

GUINEA: Bring end to "military abuses" says human rights group IRIN 27 Apr 2009 -- Guinean soldiers have committed robberies, extortion and violence against civilians since the military junta took power in December 2008, according to a Human Rights Watch report, ‘Rein in Soldiers’, causing concern that a bad precedent is being set in the lead-up to elections.

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