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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 05 May 2009 [PDF]
• Iraqi Commander Blames Recent Attacks On Al-Qaeda RFE/RL 05 May 2009 -- Iraqi Lieutenant General Othman al-Ghanimi: Al-Qaeda sleeper cells responsible for the recent spate of violence in Babil Province.
• Airmen distribute Humvees to Iraqi forces AFNS 05 May 2009 -- Joint expeditionary tasking Airmen and Soldiers here are currently working to arm Iraqi forces with more protective means of transportation.
• Iraq Setting Up Special Forces To Guard Historical Sites RFE/RL 05 May 2009 -- The Iraqi Interior Ministry is creating a special force to guard archaeological and historical site.
• Afghan Governor Says Security Forces Kill 25 Insurgents VOA 05 May 2009 -- Provincial governor in western Afghanistan: Security forces backed by Western warplanes battled insurgents.
• PAKISTAN: Little help for IDPs as violence spreads IRIN 05 May 2009 -- Thousands of people displaced in North West Frontier Province (NWFP) by fighting between Taliban militants and the Pakistan army have so far received limited help, aid agencies say.
• Pakistan Army accuse Taliban of violating peace accord IRNA 05 May 2009 -- Pakistan accused Taliban militants of violating a peace accord by attacking check posts and conducting armed marches.
• Residents in Pakistan's Northwest Flee Violence VOA 05 May 2009 -- Residents are fleeing a town in northwestern Pakistan after the military warned fighting with Taliban militants could escalate in the region.
• Pakistan forces say kill 7 militants in northwest: spokesaman IRNA 05 May 2009 -- Pakistan security forces killed 7 militants including a senior commander in country's Buner district.
• Suicide attack in northwest Pakistan kills 7, injures 30 RIA Novosti 05 May 2009 -- A suicide bomber rammed a car into a police checkpoint in Peshawar, killing at least 7 people.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Chinese Vessels Approach Sealift Command Ship in Yellow Sea AFPS 05 May 2009 -- Chinese fishing vessels closed in on and maneuvered near the USNS Victorious in international waters in the Yellow Sea.
• Pentagon Reports Naval Incident in Yellow Sea VOA 05 May 2009 -- US defense officials: Chinese vessels confronted a US Navy surveillance ship in the Yellow Sea.
• Press Conference with Secretary of Defense Robert Gates at Cairo, Egypt DoD 05 May 2009 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates
• Coalition detainee population falls to 11,999; lowest since November 2005 (Baghdad) MNF-I 05 May 2009 -- Multi-National Force-Iraq (MNF-I) and the Government of Iraq (GoI) march steadily closer to ending the coalition detainee operations mission as the total detainee population falls to 11,999
• Freedom Makes Inaugural Visit to National Capital Region Navy NewsStand 05 May 2009 -- USS Freedom (LCS 1), the first of two LCS sea frames being produced, made a port visit May 4 to Alexandria, Va.
• CNO Focused on Right Programs, Policies to Support Sailors Navy NewsStand 05 May 2009 -- The chief of naval operations (CNO) spoke about the Navy of today and of the future as a panelist on the Sea Services Chiefs' Panel at the Navy League's 2009 Sea-Air-Space Exposition (SAS Expo) during a seminar entitled "Seapower and America's Security" May 4.
• Carr Builds Relationships in Costa Rica Navy NewsStand 05 May 2009 -- While deployed for U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command, Norfolk Frigate, USS Carr (FFG 52) reached out to the local population and coast guard April 24 in support of Theater Security Cooperation (TSC) initiatives.
• U.S. Sea Supremacy Permits Naval Budget Shifts, Lynn Says AFPS 05 May 2009 -- Deputy Defense Secretary Lynn: US maritime supremacy allows the DoD to slow production of sea-based defense systems.
• Global Hawk flying mapping missions south of border AFNS 05 May 2009 -- The RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned aircraft is currently using its sensors for non-military environmental mapping missions.
• Software Proves Effective in Avoiding Aircraft Crashes AFPS 05 May 2009 -- Leading-edge software technology demonstrated a continuous 98 percent effectiveness rate of eliminating aircraft crashes.
• Navy's Largest P-3 Hangar Takes Flight Navy NewsStand 05 May 2009 -- May 5 ribbon-cutting ceremony of Hangar 511 built at Naval Air Station Jacksonville to increase the Navy's aviation community's readiness.
• NAVFAC Southwest Awards Contract to Renovate Quarters Navy NewsStand 05 May 2009 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest awarded contract to renovate 13 bachelor enlisted quarters.
• Second ARRA Contract Awarded by NAVFAC Hawaii Navy NewsStand 05 May 2009 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command Hawaii awarded contract using American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds.
• NECC Completes Force Protection Exercise Navy NewsStand 05 May 2009 -- Sailors from Navy Expeditionary Combat Command teamed up to support Commander 3rd Fleet's Force Protection Exercise.
• Navy, Coast Guard Partner for Homeland Security Experiment Navy NewsStand 05 May 2009 -- Navy, CG and local civil authorities will combine forces to conduct experiment focusing on maritime homeland security.
• War Game Stresses Importance of Coordination In Maritime Security, Defense Navy NewsStand 05 May 2009 -- 2009 Maritime Homeland Security / Maritime Homeland Defense War Game concluded April 24.
• 50 Years of Success for the Joint Typhoon Warning Center Navy NewsStand 05 May 2009 -- The Joint Typhoon Warning Center marked its 50th anniversary.
• Outbursts of Commander of U.S. Forces in S. Korea Blasted KCNA 05 May 2009 -- Commander of the US forces in south Korea: "US is firmly committed to providing a nuclear umbrella" to south Korea and 'OPLAN 5029' would be rounded off.
• India, Japan, US Foster Relationships During MALABAR Navy NewsStand 05 May 2009 -- Indian Navy, Japan Maritime Self Defense Force and USN expanded their maritime partnerships during MALABAR 2009.
• Peruvian Submarine Arrives in San Diego for Training Partnership Navy NewsStand 05 May 2009 -- BAP Arica arrived in San Diego to participate in the Diesel Electric Submarine Initiative training program.
• Holbrooke Makes Case for Increased US Aid to Pakistan VOA 05 May 2009 -- Special Representative appealed to Congress to approve pending legislation to provide Pakistan with billions of dollars in military and non-military aid.
• Gates Praises Egypt, Seeks Saudi Support in Pakistan AFPS 05 May 2009 -- Defense Secretary Gates praised Egypt as a key ally and said progress on security issues will require Egypt's "full participation."
• Strategy for Stabilizing Afghanistan Pivots Toward Pakistan VOA 05 May 2009 -- Instability in Pakistan and Afghanistan tops agenda when US President meets with Afghan and Pakistani Presidents.
• Gates Assures Arab Friends: No 'Secret Bargain' in Works with Iran AFPS 05 May 2009 -- Defense Secretary Gates emphasized today that the US will keep its Arab friends informed of any talks it enters into with Iran.
• Gates Says US-Iran Contacts Will Be Open VOA 05 May 2009 -- US Defense Secretary Gates: US will keep its allies in the Middle East informed as it pursues the possibility of improved relations with Iran.
• NATO A Magnet For Spies Over Decades RFE/RL 05 May 2009 -- The Cold War between East and West is now part of history, but the subject of espionage can still raise the hackles of old adversaries.
• Armenia officially pulls out of NATO-led drills in Georgia RIA Novosti 05 May 2009 -- Armenia will not take part in upcoming NATO-led military exercises in Georgia.
• Armenia may pull out of NATO-led drills in Georgia RIA Novosti 05 May 2009 -- Armenia will not take part in the upcoming NATO-led Cooperative Longbow /Cooperative Lancer 2009 military exercises in Georgia.
• 'Resetting' Russia's Relations With West Gets Off To Rough Start RFE/RL 05 May 2009 -- Russia's ambassador to NATO announced that Moscow was pulling out of a meeting of the Russia-NATO Council.
• Lavrov Will Not Attend NATO Meeting VOA 05 May 2009 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will not attend the scheduled meeting of the NATO-Russia Council later this month.
• Moscow pulls out of Russia-NATO Council meeting over expulsions RIA Novosti 05 May 2009 -- Moscow would not send delegates over the expulsion of two diplomats based at its NATO mission in Brussels.
• Russia's Medvedev welcomes new U.S. stance on missile defense RIA Novosti 05 May 2009 -- Russian President welcomed readiness of new US administration to take on board objections to US missile shield.
• Russian, Polish foreign ministers to talk missile defense, energy RIA Novosti 05 May 2009 -- Polish FM Sikorski in Moscow for a 2-day working visit to discuss European security and missile defense.
• Japan to grant Russia extra $40 mln for submarine disposal RIA Novosti 05 May 2009 -- Japan to allocate Russia an extra 4 billion yen ($40 million) to dismantle decommissioned Russian nuclear submarines.
• No need to overreact if China acquires aircraft carriers: scholar CNA 05 May 2009 -- Japanese scholar: If China should succeed in acquiring aircraft carriers, this would not significantly change the balance of military power across the Taiwan Strait.
• China to hold large-scale military drills in second half of 2009 RIA Novosti 05 May 2009 -- China will conduct large-scale military exercises involving 50,000 troops in the second half of this year.
• Shipper-Supplied Security is Best Defense Against Pirates, Flournoy Says AFPS 05 May 2009 -- Senior DoD official: US will continue its efforts to help thwart acts of piracy, but merchant-ship-supplied security is the best short-term defense.
• US Officials: Ships Must Adopt Own Pirate Defenses VOA 05 May 2009 -- U.S. officials said they are pressing commercial shipping companies to adopt their own measures to defend their ships from pirate attacks.
• Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 05 May 2009
• Briefing by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 5/5/09 The White House 05 May 2009

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for May 05, 2009
• BAE SYSTEMS TO PROVIDE FRIEND-OR-FOE SENSORS TO U.S. ARMED FORCES BAE Systems 05 May 2009 -- BAE Systems received a $13 million contract modification from the Naval Air Systems Command to provide 500 identification friend or foe (IFF) digital transponders and spares to the U.S. Navy and Army
• EADS Defence & Security and Larsen & Toubro join forces in India to forge a long term partnership EADS 05 May 2009 -- EADS Defence & Security (DS) and Indian engineering giant Larsen & Toubro (L&T), Mumbai, will join forces in the fields of defence technology.
• General Dynamics Awarded $37 Million by U.S. Army for Abrams Tank System Technical Support General Dynamics 05 May 2009 -- General Dynamics Land Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), has been awarded a $37 million contract by the U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command for Abrams Tank System Technical Support (STS).
• U.S. Air Force Targets More Secure Air Space with $30 Million Award to General Dynamics General Dynamics 05 May 2009 -- The U.S. Air Force Cryptologic Programs Systems Group has awarded General Dynamics C4 Systems a $30 million, six-year contract to design, develop, install and support the Remote Rekey Modernization (RRK) program.
• ThalesRaytheonSystems' air defense radars selected by Finland and Estonia Thales 05 May 2009 -- ThalesRaytheonSystems has been selected to deliver Medium Range Air Surveillance Systems including 14 Ground Master 403 radar systems, 12 for Finland and two for Estonia, and a Long Range Air Identification and Surveillance Radar System Mid Life Upgrade for five Teresa 22XX radars for Finland, which were previously supplied by Thales.
• Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Successfully Tests Dual-Mode Ramjet Engine at Mach 4 Flight Conditions Pratt & Whitney 05 May 2009 -- Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne’s PWR-9221FJ dual-mode ramjet engine successfully completed its first ground test at Mach 4 flight conditions at Arnold Engineering Development Center, Tullahoma, Tenn.
• Lockheed Martin Successfully Tests Signals Intelligence Capability And Improved Wing Design On Desert Hawk III Unmanned Aircraft System Lockheed Martin 05 May 2009 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has successfully completed flight testing of a new signals intelligence (SIGINT) payload and a next generation wing design that will provide enhanced capabilities for the company’s small Desert Hawk III (DHIII) Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS).
• Northrop Grumman-developed U.S. Navy MQ-8B Fire Scout Completes Second Test Period Onboard USS McInerney (FFG-8) Northrop Grumman 05 May 2009 -- A Northrop Grumman Corporation-developed (NYSE:NOC) MQ-8B Fire Scout Vertical Takeoff and Landing Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (VTUAV) successfully completed fully autonomous flight operations onboard the USS McInerney (FFG-8) frigate.
• Northrop Grumman MQ-8B Fire Scout Program Awarded Contractor Logistics Support Contract Northrop Grumman 05 May 2009 -- The U.S. Navy has awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) a contractor logistics support (CLS) contract for its MQ-8B Fire Scout Vertical Takeoff and Landing Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (VTUAV) program.
• Test Proves Raytheon KillerBee® Unmanned Aircraft System Can Be Recovered At Sea Raytheon 05 May 2009 -- Raytheon Company's KillerBee unmanned aircraft system demonstrated it can be recovered from a net on a moving platform, simulating an at-sea recovery.

Other Conflicts

• Ban sends report of UN probe into Gaza incidents to Security Council UN News Centre 05 May 2009 -- Report by the UN Board of Inquiry into incidents affecting the world body's personnel, premises and operations during conflict in Gaza and southern Israel.
• Joe Biden Urges Israel To Support Two-State Solution VOA 05 May 2009 -- US Vice President Biden urging Israel to support a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
• Netanyahu Plan Calls for Fresh Approach to Peace With Palestinians VOA 05 May 2009 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is calling for what he says is a fresh approach to peace with the Palestinians.
• Israel ready for talks with Palestinians without delay RIA Novosti 05 May 2009 -- Israel is ready to resume peace talks with Palestinians without delay, the Israeli prime minister has said, outlining his "triple track" approach.
• Israel's President to Meet with Obama in Washington VOA 05 May 2009 -- Israeli President Shimon Peres meets with U.S. President Barack Obama in Washington Tuesday to discuss the best approach for peace with the Palestinians, and how to deal with Iran.
• Addressing US, Hamas says it grounded rockets: NY Times IRNA 05 May 2009 -- The leader of the Palestinian group Hamas said that its fighters had stopped firing rockets at Israel for now.
• Sri Lanka: UN launches $50 million appeal for growing mass of displaced UN News Centre 05 May 2009 --The United Nations and Government of Sri Lanka today announced the launch of a $50 million appeal to meet the urgent humanitarian needs of the rising number of desperate civilians fleeing the fighting in the north between the army and Tamil separatist rebels.
• Sri Lanka: UN launches $50 million appeal for growing mass of displaced UN News Centre 05 May 2009 -- The United Nations and Government of Sri Lanka today announced the launch of a $50 million appeal to meet the urgent humanitarian needs of the rising number of desperate civilians fleeing the fighting in the north between the army and Tamil separatist rebels.
• Sri Lankan Prime Minister: Military Has Rebel Leader Trapped VOA 05 May 2009 -- Sri Lanka: Tamil rebel leader Velupillai Prabhakaran is surrounded by government troops in a small strip of coastline in the country's north.
• Aid Agencies Make Appeals for Displaced in Sri Lanka VOA 05 May 2009 -- International aid agencies say conditions for Tamils displaced by fighting in Sri Lanka are improving, but food, water, sanitation and shelter are needed.
• Somalia Has Proof Of Eritrea's Meddling in Internal Affairs, Says Minister VOA 05 May 2009 -- Somali officials are considering reporting neighboring Eritrea to the UN Security Council for undermining the government despite Asmara's sharp denial.
• UNICEF Concerned by Child Abductions in Southern Sudan VOA 05 May 2009 -- The U.N. Children's Fund says thousands of children have been made homeless due to inter-tribal fighting in Southern Sudan since early this year.
• Former Rebels to Hold Negotiations with Kinshasa for Implementing Agreement VOA 05 May 2009 -- National Congress for People's Defense expected to hold negotiations to find ways of implementing a recently signed agreement.
• UN Kosovo mission could halve staff by June RIA Novosti 05 May 2009 -- The personnel of the United Nations Mission in Kosovo could be halved by June 1, from the current 1,000 to 500.
• Turkey Weighs Ending Economic Embargo on Armenia VOA 05 May 2009 -- Turkey's 16-year trade embargo against Armenia is one of the longest such sanctions in the world.
• Spain court to probe Gaza bombing IRNA 05 May 2009 -- A Spanish court decided Monday to investigate Israel for "crime against humanity" for its 2002 bombing in Gaza that killed 15 people and wounded 150 others.

News Reports

• Mexico Moves Toward Normalcy as Swine Flu Subsides VOA 05 May 2009 -- Government officials say the disease appears to be waning and that people can start returning to their normal lives this week.
• Mexican Businesses, Schools to Reopen as Flu Scare Lessens VOA 05 May 2009 -- Mexican businesses that were closed because of the H1N1 influenza virus are scheduled to reopen Wednesday.
• Ban urges global solidarity to tackle influenza A(H1N1) outbreak UN News Centre 05 May 2009 -- Secretary-General Ban: Influenza outbreak is yet another reminder of just how much countries are interconnected.
• Navy Updates Number of Sailors with H1N1 Navy NewsStand 05 May 2009 -- The Navy updated its confirmed cases of H1N1 influenza May 5 to five Sailors based in San Diego.
• Homeland Secretary Reports Cautious Optimism About H1N1 Flu AFPS 05 May 2009 -- Info from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding the severity and reach of the H1N1 flu virus is encouraging.
• Vigilance crucial as H1N1 virus continues to evolve - Ban IRNA 05 May 2009 -- UN has no plans to raise the global alert level on the influenza A(H1N1) virus to Phase 6 at this time.
• Swine flu toll rises, WHO urges vigilance IRNA 05 May 2009 -- The number of swine flu victims topped the 1,000 mark as the World Health Organization urged countries to remain vigilant over the outbreak.
• Global number of swine flu cases reaches 1,124 RIA Novosti 05 May 2009 -- World Health Organization: The global caseload of H1N1 swine flu cases has reached 1,124, with a death toll of 25.
• Anti-Swine Flu Virus Headquarters established in Iran IRNA 05 May 2009 -- IRI Government established an Anti-Swine Flu Virus Headquarters commissioned to adopt necessary measured to immunize Iranian society.
• Taiwan issues yellow travel alert for Portugal over swine flu CNA 05 May 2009 -- Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a yellow travel alert for Portugal, one of 21 areas that Taiwan has tagged since flu began to spread.
• 15 suspected case of Swine (H1N1) Flu in India found negative IRNA 05 May 2009 -- As the results of five more persons are awaited, samples of 15 suspected cases of H1N1 Flu were found to be negative.
• Kabul Discounts Report Of U.S. Soldiers Distributing Bibles RFE/RL 05 May 2009 -- US military says it confiscated and destroyed a shipment of Christian Bibles sent to a US soldier in Afghanistan to ensure that troops did not breach regulations against proselytizing.
• Iran Says Appeal of Jailed US Journalist to be Heard Next Week VOA 05 May 2009 -- Iranian appeals court will hear the case of journalist Roxana Saberi who was convicted of spying for the US.
• Russian President's Power in Doubt VOA 05 May 2009 -- May 7 marks one year since Vladimir Putin handed the presidency of Russia to Dmitri Medvedev, his hand-chosen successor who was elected on March 1, 2008.
• Afghan President's Choice Of Running Mate Draws Criticism RFE/RL 05 May 2009 -- News that incumbent Afghan President Hamid Karzai officially signed up to run for reelection came as no surprise.
• Iraqi Asylum Claims Revised by UNHCR as Security Improves VOA 05 May 2009 -- UN refugee agency is revising its guidelines for Iraqi asylum claims because of the improved security situation.
• Atmosphere of mistrust threatening Nepal's peace process, says top UN envoy UN News Centre 05 May 2009 -- Top UN official in the country: All parties in Nepal must work urgently to rebuild trust and achieve consensus.
• Political parties meet to form new coalition government in Nepal IRNA 05 May 2009 -- Nepal's political parties meet in a bid to form a new coalition after Maoist Prime Minister Prachanda resigned over a crisis sparked by the army chief's sacking.
• Georgian Opposition Doubts Claims Of Military Coup RFE/RL 05 May 2009 -- Having failed to mobilize more than a few thousand people in support of their demands, Georgian opposition leaders announced a planned change of tactics.
• Mutiny Attempt 'Under Control' Says Georgia's President VOA 05 May 2009 -- Georgia's president Saakashvili: Mutiny in a tank battalion based near Tbilisi is now under control.
• Georgian leader says situation calm after troop mutiny RIA Novosti 05 May 2009 -- Georgian President Saakashvili assured the nation in a televised address that the situation in the country was under control following a mutiny at an army base outside the capital.
• Georgian army unit refusing to obey orders after coup reports RIA Novosti 05 May 2009 -- An armored infantry battalion refused to obey orders at the Mukhrovani military base outside the Georgian capital Tbilisi amid reports of an alleged military coup plot.
• On Eve Of NATO Exercises, Georgia Claims Coup Plot RFE/RL 05 May 2009 -- A standoff has reportedly ended at a Georgian military base outside Tbilisi, where government officials claim a rogue Defense Ministry unit attempted to stage an uprising.
• Turkish Police Arrest Eight in Wedding Massacre VOA 05 May 2009 -- Eight men suspected of gunning down 44 people during a wedding ceremony in southeastern Turkey were arrested.
• Turkey: 8 Held in Deadly Wedding Attack VOA 05 May 2009 -- Turkey's interior minister said police have detained eight people suspected of involvement in Monday's attack on a wedding party in the southeastern part of the country.
• 45 Killed in Wedding Attack in Turkey VOA 05 May 2009 -- Masked assailants with grenades and automatic weapons attacked a wedding party in southeastern Turkey, killing 45 people and wounding at least six others.
• Moldovan Communists Urge Opposition To Vote In President Election RFE/RL 05 May 2009 -- Moldova's ruling Communist Party is asking 3 opposition parties to reverse plans to block the election of the country's next president.
• Re-Arrest of Activists Sparks Tension in Zimbabwe Government VOA 05 May 2009 -- Zimbabwe's unity government is under fresh strain after a judge revoked the bail of 18 opposition activists facing charges of terrorism.
• Security Forces on High Alert in Nigeria's Poll Re-Run VOA 05 May 2009 -- Voting has concluded in Tuesday's re-run election for governor of Nigeria's southwestern Ekiti state.
• Mauritanian Military Supporters Want US Diplomat Expelled VOA 05 May 2009 -- Supporters of Mauritania's military government want the U.S. charge d'affaires expelled after an opposition leader was quoted as saying Washington is trying to organize an alliance against new elections.