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News Reports

Current Operations

• May 18 airpower summary: C-130s provide intra-theater airlift AFNS 19 May 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and ISAF troops in Afghanistan during operations.
• Transcript: DoD News Briefing with Geoff Morrell from the Pentagon Briefing Room, Arlington, Va. DoD 19 May 2009 -- Presenter: Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell
• Troops in Iraq Detain Suspect, Seize Mortars; Commander Refutes Charges AFPS 19 May 2009 -- Coalition and Iraqi forces detained a suspect and seized weapons in Iraq.
• Airmen support Soldiers by putting bombs on targets AFNS 19 May 2009 -- On a battlefield they plan, request and direct air strikes against enemy targets in close proximity to friendly forces.
• Defense Department Spokesman Cites Irony in Iranian Charge AFPS 19 May 2009 -- DoD: ironic that as Iranian leaders continue to arm insurgents in Iraq and Afghanistan, they accuse US of destabilizing Iran.
• US Denies Iranian Charge of Support for Kurdish Rebels VOA 19 May 2009 -- US DoD denying charge by Iran's top leader that the United States is promoting attacks on Iran by a Kurdish group based in Iraq.
• Iran Leader Accuses US of Supporting Terrorism VOA 19 May 2009 -- Iran's supreme leader is accusing the United States of promoting terrorism against Iran from the Kurdish region of neighboring Iraq.
• Troops in Afghanistan Kill Seven Militants, Detain One AFPS 19 May 2009 -- Coalition and Afghan forces killed seven militants and detained another during operations in Afghanistan.
• U.S., Afghan Soldiers Add Security to Eastern Afghan Province AFPS 19 May 2009 -- New vehicle patrol base and observation post in northeastern Afghanistan provides additional security to the road and villages.
• Pentagon Has Video of Afghan Civilian Casualty Incident VOA 19 May 2009 -- Pentagon: Has video of incident in Farah Province two weeks ago, in which a U.S. air strike apparently killed some Afghan civilians.
• Afghan president, U.S. ambassador visit site of May 4-5 massacre RIA Novosti 19 May 2009 -- Recently appointed US ambassador to Afghanistan joined President Karzai on a trip to Farah.
• Afghan President, US Ambassador Visit Airstrike Victims VOA 19 May 2009 -- President Karzai traveled to Afghanistan's Farah province, about two weeks after US airstrikes alleged to have killed 140 civilians there.
• Pakistani Troops, Militants Fight Street Battles in Northwest VOA 19 May 2009 -- Pakistani troops and Taliban militants engaged in fierce battles on the streets of towns in Pakistan's Swat Valley.
• Pakistani forces engage in gunbattle with militants in Swat IRNA 19 May 2009 -- Pakistani security forces engaged in gunbattle with militants in outskirts of a main town in Swat Valley.
• Pakistani Taliban confirm killing of key commander IRNA 19 May 2009 -- Pakistani Taliban confirmed killing of their important commander in Khyber Agency Maulana Hijratullah alias Mustafa Kamran.
• Pakistani Government Wages Public Relations Campaign for Swat Valley Offensive VOA 19 May 2009 -- As army continues offensive against Taliban, top officials waging public relations campaign to unite the country.
• Season Approaches for Severe Weather Awareness AFPS 19 May 2009 -- As tornado season approaches it is time to be more aware of the possible dangers these violent storms can pose.
• Virginia Guard Assists With Flood Cleanup in West Virginia AFPS 19 May 2009 -- About 30 soldiers from the Virginia National Guard left for West Virginia to assist with flood recovery.

Defense Policy / Programs

• U.S. Approves of Pakistan Fight Against Taliban AFPS 19 May 2009 -- Senior DoD spokesman: US fully supports Pakistani operations against the Taliban and other terror groups.
• Clinton Announces US Aid for Pakistan VOA 19 May 2009 -- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says the United States will send $110 million in emergency aid to Pakistan.
• U.S. Pledges More than $100 Million in Relief to Pakistan AFPS 19 May 2009 -- The US has pledged more than $100 million worth of humanitarian aid to relieve Pakistan as it wages battle against extremists.
• As Campaigning Begins, German Politicians Struggle With Afghanistan RFE/RL 19 May 2009 -- There has been a clear rise in activity concerning Germany's engagement in Afghanistan of late.
• DoD News: Mabus Sworn in as New Navy Secretary DoD 19 May 2009 -- Ray Mabus, former Mississippi governor and U.S. ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, was sworn in today as the 75th Secretary of the Navy
• Joint Chiefs Chairman Lists Top Priorities AFPS 19 May 2009 -- Chairman of the JCS identified increasing Middle East security, revitalizing U.S. forces and focusing on global challenges as top priorities.
• Mabus Sworn in as New Navy Secretary Navy NewsStand 19 May 2009 -- Ray Mabus, former Mississippi governor and U.S. ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, was sworn in May 19 as the 75th secretary of the Navy.
• AFSO 21 improves war-ready engines AFNS 19 May 2009 -- 20th Component Maintenance Squadron taking steps to improve the process of producing war-ready engines.
• Navy's Newest Aircraft Carrier Lands First Aircraft Navy NewsStand 19 May 2009 -- USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) made history May 19 after safely landing the first fixed-wing aircraft, an F/A-18F Super Hornet.
• USS George H.W. Bush Catapults First Aircraft from Flight Deck Navy NewsStand 19 May 2009 -- USS George H.W. Bush reached milestone when an F/A-18F became the first aircraft to be catapulted from the ship's flight deck.
• USS Doyle Prepares for Deployment By Participating in UNITAS Gold Navy NewsStand 19 May 2009 -- In preparation for its 2009 Southern Seas deployment, the guided-missile frigate USS Doyle participated in UNITAS Gold.
• JMTC Offers Special Forces Training to Conventional Forces Army News 19 May 2009 -- A quick glance reveals one of about two dozen soldiers taking part in a close-quarter battle course.
• Pacific Partnership 09 to Continue on USNS Richard E. Byrd Navy NewsStand 19 May 2009 -- Pacific Partnership mission will now deploy on aboard USNS Richard E. Byrd it was announced May 18.
• Washington Guard Works With Thai First Responders AFPS 19 May 2009 -- National Guard Partnership Program pairs up Guard members from every state with foreign countries to provide mentorship and training.
• Obama: US Must Lead In Reducing Nuclear Weapons Spread VOA 19 May 2009 -- President Barack Obama says the United States must lead the effort to reduce the spread of nuclear weapons.
• U.S., Russia Start Fresh Nuclear-Disarmament Talks RFE/RL 19 May 2009 -- US and Russia have begun talks aimed at replacing the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty.
• Russia, US Begin Talks Over New Arms Control Pact VOA 19 May 2009 -- Negotiations between Russia and the United States on a new agreement to reduce their stockpiles of nuclear weapons opened in Moscow.
• Russia sees no problems on air defense system sale to Belarus RIA Novosti 19 May 2009 -- There are no problems with the sale of Tor-M2 and Buk-M2 air defense systems to Belarus.
• Russia to hand over captured pirates to 3rd party RIA Novosti 19 May 2009 -- Pirates seized by the Russian Navy will be transferred to a third party.
• Press Office - Briefing by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Humanitarian Aid to Pakistan The White House 19 May 2009
• Briefing by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 5/19/09 The White House 19 May 2009

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for May 19, 2009
• BAE SYSTEMS WINS $601 MILLION BRADLEY FIGHTING VEHICLES CONTRACT BAE Systems 19 May 2009 -- The U.S. Army has awarded BAE Systems a contract for $601 million to refurbish some of its heavy infantry vehicles.
• Boeing Delivers Apache Longbow Crew Trainer to US Troops in Germany Boeing 19 May 2009 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced that it delivered an advanced Apache Longbow Crew Trainer (LCT) to the U.S. Army in Illesheim, Germany, in April and declared the helicopter simulator "ready for training."
• Future Combat Systems Program Completes System of Systems Design Review Boeing 19 May 2009 -- Army, Boeing-SAIC and our industry partners -- has done an incredible job preparing for and completing this milestone,” said John Elbon, Boeing vice president and head of FCS Systems of Systems Integration.
• EADS Defence & Security supplies new type of ground surveillance radar EADS 19 May 2009 -- EADS Defence & Security (DS) will equip the German Armed Forces with a new kind of ground surveillance radar (BÜR – Bodenüberwachungsradar) for detecting movements on the ground and at low altitudes with a precision unmatched in the world.
• General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems Achieves CMMI Level 3 Maturity Rating for Systems Engineering General Dynamics 19 May 2009 -- General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), announced today that its Niceville Operations has achieved CMMI® Maturity Level 3.
• General Dynamics Awarded Second Order to Integrate U.S. Army “Prophet Enhanced” System into Military Vehicles General Dynamics 19 May 2009 -- A team led by General Dynamics C4 Systems has received a new, $3 million delivery order from the U.S. Army to integrate the Prophet Enhanced tactical signals intelligence system into Medium Mine Protected Vehicles (MMPV).
• Northrop Grumman Names Teammates for KC/KDC-10 Extender Contractor Logistics Support Competition Northrop Grumman 19 May 2009 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) announced today its aviation industry teammates in the competition for the U.S. Air Force's KC/KDC-10 Extender contractor logistics support (CLS) contract.
• Northrop Grumman Wins Terahertz Contract Northrop Grumman 19 May 2009 -- The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) phase 1 of the $37-million Terahertz (THz) Electronics contract, U.S. Department of Defense and company officials announced today
• High-tech response to rocket attacks: Rheinmetall to supply new force protection technology to the Bundeswehr; contract worth over €120 million Rheinmetall Defence 19 May 2009 -- German troops serving in Afghanistan will soon be equipped with a highly effective new form of protection against rocket, artillery, and mortar attacks. The German government has contracted with the Düsseldorf-based Rheinmetall Group to supply the Bundeswehr with newly developed air defence systems worth around €110.8 million.
• Raytheon, U.S. Navy Sign $259.9 Million Phalanx Close-In Weapon System Contract Raytheon 19 May 2009 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) is being awarded a $259.9 million U.S. Navy contract to overhaul and upgrade 57 Phalanx Close-In Weapon Systems and to provide ancillary equipment, spares, as well as additional technical support
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Awards $20 Million Design-Build Contract to SAIC SAIC 19 May 2009 -- Science Applications International Corporation (NYSE: SAI) announced today that it has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Savannah, Ga., District to design, engineer and construct a cargo aircraft hangar at Robins Air Force Base (AFB), Ga.
• Astrium signs strategic partnership agreement with Kazakhstan EADS 19 May 2009 -- Within the framework of the agreement, Astrium will build a major satellite integration centre that will be part of the future Kazakhstan national space centre planned for the country’s new capital, Astana.
• Orbital Successfully Launches Minotaur I Rocket Carrying TacSat-3 Satellite for U.S. Air Force Orbital Sciences Corp. 19 May 2009 -- Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB) announced today that its Minotaur I rocket successfully launched the Tactical Satellite-3 (TacSat-3) for the U.S. Air Force.

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 19 May 2009
• International Community Urges Reconciliation in Sri Lanka VOA 19 May 2009 -- Members of the international community urging the Sri Lankan government to move forward with reconciliation efforts.
• UN efforts focusing on plight of civilians in post-conflict Sri Lanka UN News Centre 19 May 2009 -- UN closely watching the situation in Sri Lanka, where the Government has declared an end to its military operation against Tamil separatists.
• Sri Lankan President Officially Declares Civil War Victory VOA 19 May 2009 -- Sri Lanka's President told the nation that a total battlefield victory has been achieved against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.
• Sri Lankan President Says Country Now Free from Terrorism VOA 19 May 2009 -- Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa says his country has been "liberated" from terrorism after 26 years of civil war.
• Russian-Georgian Talks Salvaged VOA 19 May 2009 -- International mediators say the latest round of Russian-Georgian security talks took place in a constructive spirit, despite initial difficulties.
• Geneva talks on Caucasus 'tough but frank' RIA Novosti 19 May 2009 -- Head of the Russian delegation: Atmosphere at the Geneva talks on the Caucasus situation was "tough but frank."
• Russia scales down plans for troops in Abkhazia, S.Ossetia RIA Novosti 19 May 2009 -- Russia will deploy fewer personnel at military bases in Abkhazia and South Ossetia than previously planned.
• Abkhazia says may join Geneva talks after revised UN report RIA Novosti 19 May 2009 -- Abkhazia may participate in the Geneva talks after receiving an amended UN Secretary General's draft report.
• Georgia says Russian pressure led to changes in UN Caucasus report RIA Novosti 19 May 2009 -- Georgia's FM: UN Secretary General's draft report on Caucasus region amended due to Russian pressure.
• SOMALIA: Al-Shabab's pyrrhic victory? IRIN 19 May 2009 -- Somalia's Al-Shabab militia have recently captured several strategic towns near Mogadishu, but the group has yet to gain popularity among locals.
• Somali Government Determined to Defeat Insurgents, Says Minister VOA 19 May 2009 -- Somalia's new administration: Would maintain its objective of reconciling the nation and restoring security.
• African Union-UN envoy and Sudanese official discuss recent fighting in Darfur UN News Centre 19 May 2009 -- Joint AU-UN envoy to Darfur met with a senior Sudanese official to discuss recent fighting in the strife-torn region.
• UN Endorses Controversial Peacekeeping Plan for DRC VOA 19 May 2009 -- UN Security Council given a vote of confidence to its controversial peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
• Some Nigerians Demand End to Military Offensive in Restive Niger Delta VOA 19 May 2009 -- Nigerians with deep roots in the restive Niger Delta are expected to begin a protest march.
• Biden: Bosnia's Ethnic Tension Will Bring Poverty, Bloodshed VOA 19 May 2009 -- US VP Biden: Bosnian politicians face poverty and bloodshed unless they put a stop to nationalist rhetoric and ethnic tensions.

News Reports

• Former US Envoy Khalilzad Said to Seek Post in Afghan Government VOA 19 May 2009 -- Major US newspaper reports that former U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad is seeking a powerful unelected position in Afghanistan.
• Thai court to rule on 'Merchant of Death' extradition on Aug. 11 RIA Novosti 19 May 2009 -- Thai court: Will announce its ruling on the extradition of suspected Russian arms trafficker Viktor Bout on August 11.
• India's Congress Party Picks Singh for Second Term VOA 19 May 2009 -- India's newly elected Congress Party lawmakers have formally selected Manmohan Singh as their leader in parliament for a second term.
• Iranian Reformist Candidate Says Tackling Economy First Priority VOA 19 May 2009 -- Reformist candidate Karroubi: First priority if elected next month would be tackling Iran's worsening economic situation.
• New Palestinian Government Sworn In VOA 19 May 2009 -- A new Palestinian government in the West Bank has been sworn in.
• New Palestinian Government to Be Sworn in Tuesday VOA 19 May 2009 -- Palestinian officials: New Palestinian government in the West Bank is set to be sworn in Tuesday.
• Burmese Trial of Aung San Suu Kyi Enters Second Day VOA 19 May 2009 -- Opposition leader Suu Kyi faced a second day of hearings as international criticism of her trial grew.
• President Ma's Policies Prevailing in Taiwan Despite Fears Over China Ties VOA 19 May 2009 -- Taiwan's President Ma marks his first year in office Wednesday.
• Swine Influenza A-H1N1 Claims First Victim in New York City VOA 19 May 2009 -- A New York City educator has died after a battle with swine flu - the city's first fatality linked to the virus.
• Swine flu continues to spread, 9,830 cases worldwide - WHO RIA Novosti 19 May 2009 -- 40 countries have reported a total of 9,830 cases of A/H1N1 infection, including 79 deaths,.
• H1N1 Swine Flu Continues to Spread VOA 19 May 2009 -- The H1N1 swine flu virus continues to make its way around the world, with at least 8,800 cases now confirmed in 40 countries.
• US Preparing for Possible H1N1 Swine Flu Pandemic VOA 19 May 2009 -- A senior U.S. health official urges countries to adopt aggressive measures to contain the A-H1N1 swine flu virus.
• Taiwan, China health ministers meet at WHA CNA 19 May 2009 -- Taiwan's Department of Health Minister Yeh exchanged greetings with his Chinese counterpart at the opening of the 2009 World Health Assembly.
• New flu uncovers public health's successes, challenges - Ban UN News Centre 19 May 2009 -- Global solidarity is crucial to containing the outbreak of influenza A(H1N1).
• Reliable information on new flu critical: WHO chief IRNA 19 May 2009 -- Obtaining reliable information on aspects of influenza A(H1N1) is critical to make informed decisions.
• Saakashvili says 'Georgia will never go back to the past' RIA Novosti 19 May 2009 -- Georgia's President Saakashvili: Instability that plagued the rule of former Georgian leader Shevardnadze would never return to the country despite the efforts of radical opposition groups.
• Moldova's Political Standoff Moves To Presidential Vote RFE/RL 19 May 2009 -- To the outside observer, it looks a little like a high-stakes game of musical chairs.
• Fiji Military Confronts Powerful Religious Community VOA 19 May 2009 -- Fiji's military government is warning the country's powerful Methodist Church to stop its criticism of the erosion of democracy in the South Pacific nation.
• COMOROS: Referendum approves downscaling of government IRIN 19 May 2009 -- People in the Comoros have voted for a new constitution that will streamline the Indian Ocean island state's top-heavy government and extend the current president's tenure by a further 12 months.