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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 14 May 2009 [PDF]
• Coalition Soldier Killed
• DoD News: DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• May 13 airpower summary: A-10 strikes enemy positions AFNS 14 May 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the ISAF in Afghanistan during operations.
• US Treasury Targets Syria-Based al-Qaida in Iraq Leader VOA 14 May 2009 -- US Treasury Department putting tight financial restrictions on the Syria-based leader of a group linked to al-Qaida.
• 521ST Air Expeditionary Advisor Squadron (Kirkuk) MNF-I 14 May 2009 -- The 521st Air Expeditionary Advisor Squadron is part of the Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq Coalition Air Force Training Team, and is based at Kirkuk Air Base
• Afghan Military Pilots To Get U.S. Training RFE/RL 14 May 2009 -- U.S. military flight experts are set to begin training Afghan Air Force pilots, RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan reports.
• Suicide Bomber Attacks Police in Southern Afghanistan VOA 14 May 2009 -- Afghan border police: Suicide car bomber has attacked a police post in southeastern Afghanistan, near the Pakistani border.
• UK's new armoured vehicles in Afghanistan 'unreliable' IRNA 14 May 2009 -- New armoured vehicles performed so badly in Afghanistan that commanders had to resort to Land Rovers they were to replace.
• French FM Meets Afghan President in Kabul VOA 14 May 2009 -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai's office says the Afghan leader and France's Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner have met in Kabul.
• UN refugee chief appeals for more aid to help uprooted Pakistanis UN News Centre 14 May 2009 -- The top United Nations refugee official today issued a call for a massive surge in international assistance to help the over 800,000 Pakistanis recently displaced by clashes between Government forces and militants in the country’s north-west.
• Pakistan army chief asks troops to ensure minimum collateral damage IRNA 14 May 2009 -- Pakistan Army Chief General Kayani instructed Army to ensure minimum collateral damage even at expense of taking risks.
• US Shares Drone Intelligence with Pakistan, But No Joint Control VOA 14 May 2009 -- Top US military officer: US shared intelligence with Pakistan that was gathered by unmanned aircraft flying over Pakistan.
• Pakistani PM: Government Must Help Swat Refugees VOA 14 May 2009 -- Pakistan's PM warns that the government could lose popular support if it fails to deal with the flood of refugees fleeing the violence.
• Combined Task Force Makes First Suspected Pirate Capture AFPS 14 May 2009 -- Ships from Combined Task Force 151 prevented a piracy attack, which resulted in the apprehension of a dozen suspected pirates.
• Sheppard T-38 veers off runway AFNS 14 May 2009 -- A Sheppard Air Force Base T-38 Talon veered off the runway during takeoff at about 2:10 p.m. CDT May 14.
• Ramstein Airmen support NASA shuttle launch AFNS 14 May 2009 -- Ramstein Air Base Airmen teamed up with New York Air National Guard members to support NASA's launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis in May.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Afghanistan Success Depends on Pakistan, Gates Says AFPS 14 May 2009 -- Gates: Without success on the Pakistan side, efforts to rid both it and Afghanistan of the Taliban will be significantly harder.
• Navy Christens Newest Arleigh Burke Class Ship Gravely DoD 14 May 2009 -- The Navy will christen the newest Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyer, Gravely, on May 16, during a 10 a.m. CDT ceremony at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, Miss.
• DoD Announces $555 Million Expansion To Homeowners Assistance Program DoD 14 May 2009 -- The Department of Defense (DoD) today announced details for the temporary expansion of the Homeowners Assistance Program (HAP) using funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
• 22nd Security Policy Initiative Held DoD 14 May 2009 -- The U.S. Department of Defense and the Republic of Korea (ROK) Ministry of National Defense held the 22nd Security Policy Initiative (SPI) today in Washington, D.C.
• Budget, Acquisition Reforms Reflect 'New Direction in Defense,' Lynn Says AFPS 14 May 2009 -- Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III: DoD's budget and acquisition reform efforts represent a dramatic, and needed, departure from the past.
• US Military Chiefs Outline Budget for Future Military on Capitol Hill VOA 14 May 2009 -- US Defense Secretary Gates and the Pentagon's top military officer defended proposals to cut spending.
• Air Force Leaders Chart Way Forward for Service AFPS 14 May 2009 -- USAF has made tough choices and some prudent trade-offs to balance the service across the spectrum of capabilities needed for the future.
• Navy Christens Newest Arleigh Burke Class Ship Gravely Navy NewsStand 14 May 2009 -- The Navy will christen the newest Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyer, Gravely, May 16 during ceremony.
• Nassau Rejoins Fleet after Successful Maintenance Availability Navy NewsStand 14 May 2009 -- USS Nassau returned to Naval Station Norfolk after completing sea trials following extensive maintenance.
• New uniforms: Comfortable, functional are goals AFNS 14 May 2009 -- Officials from the Uniform Program Office continue to work, researching and purchasing uniforms that provide function, protection and comfort.
• Keating Visit Promotes Growing U.S.-India Military Relationship AFPS 14 May 2009 -- Senior US commander in the Pacific shared importance of the US-Indian military relationship.
• International Warriors Train to Execute Maritime Strategy Navy NewsStand 14 May 2009 -- US Navy and a host of allied forces have commenced a multiple platform, comprehensive maritime operations exercise.
• Helo Squadron Joins Korean Navy in Combined Exercise Navy NewsStand 14 May 2009 -- MH-53E practiced operating with 2 Republic of Korea naval vessels off the coast of Pohang, ROK.
• U.S. pilots train Finns in aerial refueling operations AFNS 14 May 2009 -- A group of Airmen with the 100th Air Refueling Wing traveled to participate in a week-long exercise with Navy and Finnish Air Force.
• CPX sharpens edge, coordination between U.S., Moroccan forces USMC News 14 May 2009 -- US and Moroccan forces worked through simulated scenarios designed to challenge their interoperability.
• Tragedy Highlights Need for Mental Health Help, Casey Says AFPS 14 May 2009 -- Tragedy at Camp Liberty in Iraq highlights the need for the efforts the Army is making to deal with mental illness.
• Kremlin to decide on sale of advanced missile systems to Belarus RIA Novosti 14 May 2009 -- Russia will only supply Iskander and S-400 missile systems to Belarus if the country's leadership approves the deal.
• Russia to deliver 12 warplanes to Vietnam under $500 mln contract RIA Novosti 14 May 2009 -- Russia will supply 12 Su-30MK2 Flanker multi-role fighters to Vietnam under a contract worth more than $500 million.
• Israeli Air Force uses Russian warplanes for pilot training RIA Novosti 14 May 2009 -- The Israeli Air Force is currently using Soviet-designed MiG-29 Fulcrum fighters for pilot training.
• Study points to record German military spending in 2009 IRNA 14 May 2009 -- German military spending has hit a new record level this year, according to a study released by a Bonn-based peace institute.
• Iran to send two warships to Somalia coast waters against pirates IRNA 14 May 2009 -- Iran's Ambassador to UN: Tehran's will to send 2 warships to Somalia's coast waters and Gulf of Aden to confront pirates.
• Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs Aboard Air Force One The White House 14 May 2009
• Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 14 May 2009

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for May 14, 2009
• BAE Systems responds to Typhoon Tranche 3 Announcement BAE Systems 14 May 2009
• CACI Awarded $38 Million Task Order to Support Software Acquisition and Full Lifecycle Management for U.S. Army CACI 14 May 2009 -- CACI International Inc (NYSE:CACI) announced today that it has been awarded a new task order of $38 million, under the U.S. Army's Strategic Services Sourcing (S3) contract vehicle.
• Industry welcomes UK Decision on Tranche 3 Agreement EADS 14 May 2009 -- The Eurofighter consortium welcomes today’s decision of the United Kingdom to participate in the third production tranche of Eurofighter Typhoon. The UK is the last member of the four nations Eurofighter consortium that have confirmed a final draft contract, negotiated between the industrial consortium and the NATO Eurofighter Tornado Management Agency NETMA.
• Raytheon Secures $19.8 Million Contract for Production of Towed Decoys Raytheon 14 May 2009 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has received a $19.8 million contract for continued production of its ALE-50 line of towed decoys.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 14 May 2009
• Ban discusses protection of civilians with Sri Lankan leader, dispatches top aide UN News Centre 14 May 2009 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has once again expressed his concerns about the protection of civilians caught up in the conflict in Sri Lanka to President Mahinda Rajapaksa, and has dispatched one of his top advisers to the South Asian nation.
• SRI LANKA: UN calls for faster screening process, greater access IRIN 14 May 2009 -- The UN is calling on the Sri Lankan government to expedite the screening of thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) now staying at dozens of government camps in the north.
• International Appeals for LTTE Surrender, Army Cease-fire Ignored in Sri Lanka VOA 14 May 2009 -- Both sides in Sri Lanka's civil war are brushing off a non-binding statement of the UN Security Council demanding they protect civilians trapped by the fighting.
• Thousands of Civilians Flee Sri Lankan War Zone VOA 14 May 2009 -- Sri Lankan military: Thousands of civilians are braving Tamil rebel attacks to wade across a lagoon and escape the northern war zone.
• Blair Sees 'Moment of Opportunity' for Middle East Peace VOA 14 May 2009 -- Former British PM and special Middle East envoy Tony Blair spoke about the prospects for peace in the region.
• UN agency to mark 60 years of assisting Palestinian refugees UN News Centre 14 May 2009 -- UN agency tasked with providing education, health, relief and social services to 4.6 million Palestinian refugees is set to kick off a series of events on Friday to commemorate its 60th anniversary.
• Somali President Approves Islamic Law, But Insurgent Attacks Continue VOA 14 May 2009 -- As Islamist insurgents continued an assault on government forces in Mogadishu, President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed signed a bill enacting Islamic Sharia law.
• Mogadishu Fighting Approaches Presidential Palace VOA 14 May 2009 -- Islamic insurgents and pro-government forces in Somalia are fighting in an area near the presidential palace in Mogadishu.
• SUDAN: Civilians on the run after Southern battles IRIN 14 May 2009 -- Thousands of civilians have fled inter-ethnic fighting in Southern Sudan's Upper Nile State, with at least 1,000 on the outskirts of Nasir town.
• Ghanaian troops join UN mission in Chad, Central African Republic UN News Centre 14 May 2009 -- Over 100 Ghanaian soldiers have joined UN peacekeeping mission in the war-ravaged nations of Chad and the Central African Republic.
• Nigerian Militants Attack Ship, Seize 15 People VOA 14 May 2009 -- The Nigerian military has confirmed the hijacking of a vessel in the Niger Delta and the kidnapping of 15 foreigners on board.
• Nigerian Military Downplay Niger Delta Militants Threat VOA 14 May 2009 -- Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta: Oil companies in the region have 24 hours to evacuate their staff or face attack.
• Russia, Abkhazia 'to sign military base deal soon' RIA Novosti 14 May 2009 -- Russia and Abkhazia will sign an agreement on the deployment of a Russian military base in the former Georgian republic within the next two weeks.
• Kremlin chief of staff pledges aid for S. Ossetia, even military RIA Novosti 14 May 2009 -- Russia will continue to assist South Ossetia in all areas, including military assistance if required.
• RWANDA-UGANDA: Refugees leave camps fearing repatriation IRIN 14 May 2009 -- //CORRECTED//Some 20 Rwandan refugees a day are fleeing camps in neighbouring Uganda for localities further inland, fearing imminent repatriation, officials said.
• LEBANON: Funding shortfall threatens cluster bomb demining IRIN 14 May 2009 -- Deminers in south Lebanon clearing hundreds of thousands of unexploded Israeli-dropped cluster bomb sub-munitions will lose two thirds of their teams this year unless a drastic funding shortfall is addressed.

News Reports

• H1N1 Flu Cases Continue to Rise But Has Not Reached Pandemic Level VOA 14 May 2009 -- WHO reports it has received nearly 6,500 officially confirmed cases of swine influenza A-H1N1 from 33 countries.
• Number of confirmed influenza A(H1N1) cases rises to nearly 6,500 UN News Centre 14 May 2009 -- UN WHO nearly 6,500 laboratory-confirmed cases of the influenza A(H1N1) have been reported by 33 countries.
• H1N1 cases now reported in 33 countries: WHO IRNA 14 May 2009 -- UN WHO: 33 countries have reported 5,728 laboratory confirmed cases of influenza A(H1N1), with Cuba, Finland and Thailand latest to join list.
• WHO says 6,497 confirmed swine flu cases worldwide, 65 deaths RIA Novosti 14 May 2009 -- WHO: 33 countries have confirmed a total of 6,497 cases of swine flu, including 65 deaths.
• WHO Reports 6,500 Swine Flu Cases VOA 14 May 2009 -- The number of confirmed cases of the swine influenza A-H1N1 virus is still rising.
• Clinton Hopeful on Case of American Reporters Held by North Korea VOA 14 May 2009 -- US Secretary of State Clinton hopes the trial date for journalists a sign they may soon be released.
• North Korea Sets June 4 Trial Date for US Journalists VOA 14 May 2009 -- North Korea says it will put two detained American journalists on trial in three weeks.
• North Korea to try U.S. journalists in June RIA Novosti 14 May 2009 -- Two American journalists arrested by North Korean border guards for illegally entering the country in March will be tried on June 4.
• Clinton: US 'Deeply Troubled' Over Charges Against Burmese Opposition Leader VOA 14 May 2009 -- US Secretary of State Clinton deeply troubled over the Burmese government's decision to make charges against pro-democracy leader Suu Kyi.
• Ban voices concern as Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi faces new charges UN News Centre 14 May 2009 -- Secretary-General Ban “gravely concerned” about the news that detained pro-democracy leader and Nobel laureate Suu Kyi has been moved to Myanmar’s Insein Prison.
• Aung San Suu Kyi Charged With Violating House Arrest VOA 14 May 2009 -- Lawyers for detained Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi says she is being charged with violating the terms of her house arrest and will soon face trial.
• India's Leading Political Parties Begin Drawing Up Political Strategies VOA 14 May 2009 -- In India the 2 national parties are drawing up their political strategies.
• Georgian Opposition Seeks More TV Coverage of Anti-Government Protests VOA 14 May 2009 -- Opposition activists have renewed picketing of Georgian state television in Tbilisi demanding objective coverage of ongoing protests against the government of President Saakashvili.
• Georgian opposition denies allegations of Russian funding RIA Novosti 14 May 2009 -- A Georgian opposition leader denied President Saakashvili's allegation that opposition members were receiving funding from Russia.
• GLOBAL: Helping fragile states survive financial crisis IRIN 14 May 2009 -- The global financial crisis has already dealt a heavy blow, and this week as the African Development Bank (AfDB) held its annual meetings in the Senegalese capital Dakar, finance ministers, donors and academics gathered to examine ways to help the continent cope and mitigate setbacks. Coping is particularly difficult for post-conflict or “fragile” states, where institutions are tattered and donors wary.
• Successful launch for Herschel and Planck scientific satellites Thales 14 May 2009 -- The Herschel and Planck satellites, built by Thales Alenia Space as prime and platform contractor for the European Space Agency, have been successfully launched by an Ariane 5 rocket from the Guiana Space Center in Kourou. These two space observatories, the most complex ever built in Europe, will drift to reach a stable point 1.5 million kilometers from Earth (Lagrange 2 point), to ensure the thermal conditions needed to observe some of the coldest radiation in the Universe.