• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 28 May 2009 [PDF]
• DoD News: DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• Air Force team conducts air-assault training from Army helos AFNS 28 May 2009 -- Airmen from the 532nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron jumped in and out of helicopters during air-assault training.
• Airmen contribute to the fight in Iraq AFNS 28 May 2009 -- 586th Air Expeditionary Group is one of three Air Force groups organized to complete joint taskings and is contributing to operations in Iraq and Kuwait.
• Turkey Targets PKK in Iraq After Deadly Mine Blast VOA 28 May 2009 -- Turkey's military: Warplanes have attacked Kurdish rebel targets in northern Iraq, following land mine explosion that killed 6 Turkish soldiers.
• Troops in Afghanistan Kill More Than 30 Insurgents AFPS 28 May 2009 -- Afghan and coalition forces killed more than 30 militants in two separate operations in Afghanistan today, military officials said.
• US, Afghan Officials Say Insurgents Killed in Battle VOA 28 May 2009 -- An Afghan official and the U.S. military say joint security forces in southeastern Afghanistan have attacked a gathering of militants.
• U.S., UN Officials Urge Crackdown On Afghan Drug Lords, Corrupt Officials RFE/RL 28 May 2009 --There appears to be growing recognition that Afghanistan's counternarcotics strategy is failing.
• AFGHANISTAN: Farmers face poppy dilemma IRIN 28 May 2009 -- Taliban insurgents are forcing farmers in Farah Province, southern Afghanistan, to grow opium poppies and are imposing a hefty tax on yields, some farmers and provincial officials told IRIN.
• Blasts Rock Peshawar, Pakistan VOA 28 May 2009 -- Terrorists have struck again in Pakistan, with two bombs killing at least 10 people and wounding more than 70 others at an outdoor market in Peshawar.
• PAKISTAN: "Trapped" Swat civilians see little food, plenty of missiles IRIN 28 May 2009 -- The 24-hour curfew in Swat Valley has led to severe shortages of food, water and medicines.
• UN calls for funds to address 'unprecedented' Pakistani displacement UN News Centre 28 May 2009 -- Top UN humanitarian official: Appeal for over $500 million to help the over 2 million uprooted.

Defense Policy / Programs

• U.S. Grows 'Increasingly Safer' Under New Leadership, Jones Says AFPS 28 May 2009 -- National security advisor: President Obama’s decisions are making America “increasingly safer."
• National Security Adviser Helps Obama With 'Waves' of Global Threats VOA 28 May 2009 -- National security adviser says the new administration is looking to work with America's friends around the world.
• Top Obama Aide Sees Growing Consensus Against North Korea, Iran Nukes VOA 28 May 2009 -- President Obama's national security adviser: Growing consensus that North Korea and Iran should not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons.
• U.S.-Iraqi Audit To Check Finances For Reconstruction RFE/RL 28 May 2009 -- Joint U.S.-Iraqi audit will be carried out to look at allocations for Iraq's reconstruction managed by the U.S. military.
• U.S. Continues to Monitor North Korean Situation, Official Says AFPS 28 May 2009 -- US government, including the Pentagon, is "very closely" monitoring the situation regarding North Korea.
• US, South Korea Military Raise Defense Alert Level After North's Threats VOA 28 May 2009 -- ROK and US raised their defense alert levels on the Korean peninsula day after North said willing to discard armistice.
• Tour Normalization in the Republic of Korea Army News 28 May 2009 -- DoD approved changes to the Joint Federal Travel Regulation that affects the length of military tours.
• U.S. Defense Posture a Balancing Act Army News 28 May 2009 -- Army officer: New administration's interest in cutting defense dollars balanced with the growing threat from adversarial nations.
• Army, Marines boast two new vehicle programs Army News 28 May 2009 -- DoD program managers commemorated production of 2 vehicles intended to help the US military travel in battle at a faster, safer rate.
• Oil Analysis Program Keeps Equipment Running Army News 28 May 2009 -- LOGSA's Logistics Information Warehouse provides the Army with worldwide visibility over its logistics, supply and maintenance actions.
• Monitors Detect Vapor Leaks in Two Chemical Weapons Igloos Army News 27 May 2009 -- Army officials report that a mobile laboratory detected low levels of Mustard agent vapor inside chemical weapons igloo.
• 'Soldier-borne' Chem-Bio Reconnaissance System fielded Army News 27 May 2009 -- 12th Chemical Company became first US unit to field Joint Nuclear, Biological and Chemical reconnaissance system.
• USS Ronald Reagan Deploys Navy NewsStand 28 May 2009 -- USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) departed San Diego May 28 on a deployment to the 7th and 5th Fleet Areas of Responsibility.
• 31st MEU Marines clean before going down under USMC News 28 May 2009 -- Australian federal workers have been conducting inspections of equipment Marines and sailors will be taking for Talisman Saber 2009.
• AFSOUTH set to begin Operation Southern Partner in Caribbean AFNS 28 May 2009 -- More than 60 Airmen from across the Air Force are preparing to participate in the second iteration of "Operation Southern Partner."
• Oceanographic Office Opens Environmentally Friendly Facility Navy NewsStand 28 May 2009 -- Naval Oceanographic Office cut the ribbon to a 171,000-square foot, state-of-the-art, environmentally friendly Ocean Sciences Building.
• Panama Welcomes USNS Comfort and Crew Navy NewsStand 28 May 2009 -- Opening ceremony in honor of the arrival of hospital ship USNS Comfort in the Republic of Panama as part of Continuing Promise 2009.
• USS Gettysburg Assists Mariners in Distress Navy NewsStand 28 May 2009 -- USS Gettysburg (CG 64) responded to a vessel in distress in the Gulf of Aden May 26 and towed the boat to Yemeni territorial waters so the dhow could be repaired.
• Combined Maritime Forces Works With International Navies to Counter Piracy Navy NewsStand 28 May 2009 -- Combined Maritime Forces working together with more than 2 dozen international navies to help deter, disrupt and thwart piracy.
• First Russian AWACS plane put in service with Indian air force RIA Novosti 28 May 2009 -- The first Russian-made A-50 Mainstay AWACS aircraft officially entered service on Thursday with the Indian Air Force.
• Cooperation with African Union crucial to promoting peace - Security Council UN News Centre 28 May 2009 -- Enhanced collaboration with AU will help to promote peace and security in Africa.
• Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 28 May 2009
• Briefing by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 5-28-09 The White House 28 May 2009

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for May 28, 2009
• $118M IN NEW ORDERS FOR BAE SYSTEMS M777 BAE Systems 28 May 2009 -- BAE Systems has received orders worth around $118m (£70m) for 63 more M777 howitzers, taking the order total to exactly 800 guns.
• BAE SYSTEMS AND L-3 MAS TO MAINTAIN AUSTRALIA’S HORNET FLEET BAE Systems 28 May 2009 -- BAE Systems Australia and L-3 MAS Canada have confirmed their selection to provide long term maintenance and modification support for the F/A-18 Hornet fighter in Australia.
• Afghanistan Terrain Requires Versatile M-ATV Solution – Oshkosh Defense Answers the Call Oshkosh 28 May 2009 -- The combination of harsh, mountainous off-road environments and dispersed combat situations in Afghanistan resulted in the U.S. Armed Forces’ urgent-need requirement for the MRAP All Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV), a new class of vehicle. Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK), developed its M-ATV with Plasan North America to meet these specific challenges and allow soldiers and Marines to take the fight to the enemy in even the most difficult terrain.
• Thales’ DISCUS Sensor and Surveillance system selected by Canadian Army Thales 28 May 2009 -- Thales has been awarded a $12.5 million Persistence Surveillance Towers System contract by the Government of Canada. The Thales Deployable Integrated Sensors for CompoUnd Security (DISCUS) system, will provide the Canadian Army with the ability to protect personnel against improvised explosive devices through the use of persistent wide area observation, detection, identification and monitoring.
• BAE SYSTEMS SUBMITS PROPOSAL FOR MEDIUM TACTICAL VEHICLE COMPETITION BAE Systems 28 May 2009 -- BAE Systems submitted its proposal to the U.S. Government to produce the next generation of medium tactical vehicles for the U.S. Army. The contract is expected to be awarded in July for an estimated 12,400 vehicles and 10,900 trailers to be delivered to the U.S. Army from 2010 through 2014.
• Raytheon Receives $30 Million for SLAMRAAM Long-lead Production Raytheon 28 May 2009 -- Raytheon Company's (NYSE: RTN) Surface Launched Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (SLAMRAAM) program has received U.S. Army approval for a long-lead acquisition, not to exceed $30 million, for long-lead purchases leading to low rate initial production.
• Raytheon Team to Demonstrate Ground Soldier Ensemble Tactical Awareness Raytheon 28 May 2009 -- The U.S. Army recently selected Raytheon Company's (NYSE: RTN) Ground Soldier Ensemble (GSE) team solution to demonstrate networked tactical situational awareness and communications capabilities for the dismounted warfighter.
• EADS Defence & Security welcomes customers’ approval of Advanced UAV Risk Reduction Study EADS 28 May 2009 -- The concluding review meeting of representatives from the customer nations France, Germany and Spain and EADS Defence & Security (DS) has officially marked the end of the risk reduction study for the tri-national Advanced UAV.
• Northrop Grumman Completes Initial MP-RTIP Radar Performance Verification Flight Northrop Grumman 28 May 2009 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has completed initial testing of the Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program (MP-RTIP) sensor.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 28 May 2009
• Obama Confident of Progress on Mideast Peace VOA 28 May 2009 -- U.S. President Barack Obama says he is confident that the Mideast peace process can be moved forward.
• OPT: Grim housing, water situation in Gaza IRIN 28 May 2009 -- Reports published recently by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), Israeli NGO B'Tselem and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) paint a grim picture of life in Gaza more than four months after the 23-day Israeli offensive ended on 18 January.
• Israeli troops kill senior Hamas militant in West Bank RIA Novosti 28 May 2009 -- Israeli Army killed a senior Hamas militant who was wanted for the deaths of at least 10 Israelis.
• Abbas to Press Obama on Israeli Settlements, Palestinian State VOA 28 May 2009 -- US President Obama meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, as the Israeli government rebuffs U.S. and Palestinian calls to stop its settlement activity.
• Israel Rejects US Call for Total Settlement Freeze VOA 28 May 2009 -- Israel has rejected a call by the United States for a total freeze on settlement expansion in the occupied territories.
• U.S. media comments ahead of Obama-Abbas talks RIA Novosti 28 May 2009 -- US President Obama meets with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas as part of bid for a two-state solution.
• Amnesty catalogues Israel's human rights abuses IRNA 28 May 2009 -- Amnesty International catalogued a host of human rights violations and breaches of international law in its latest annual report.
• Aid Workers Gain Better Access to Tamils Displaced by Sri Lankan War VOA 28 May 2009 -- Sri Lanka's military: Cannot be open access to camps because of concern rebel cadres are among displaced civilians.
• SRI LANKA: Aid agencies call for unfettered access to IDP camps IRIN 28 May 2009 -- Aid workers are calling for unfettered access to more than 40 camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Sri Lanka's north.
• Somalia Terrorists Denounce Extended UN Mandate VOA 28 May 2009 -- Somalia's al-Qaida-linked militant group has denounced the extension of the UN Security Council mandate for African Union troops in Somalia.
• Ban deplores 'campaign of violence' against Somali Government UN News Centre 28 May 2009 -- Secretary-General Ban strongly condemned the continuing armed attacks against Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government.
• Africa Union Stands By Recommendation For Eritrea Sanctions VOA 28 May 2009 -- AU stands by its recommendation to the UNSC to impose sanctions on Eritrea despite Asamara's sharp denial.
• SOMALIA: Fears of more clashes as war-wounded overwhelm hospitals IRIN 28 May 2009 -- Scores of civilians are fleeing their homes in the Madina district of the Somali capital, Mogadishu, amid fears of clashes between armed forces massing in the area.
• DRC Rebel Group Expresses Frustration with Kinshasa VOA 28 May 2009 -- An opposition armed group is accusing DRC President Joseph Kabila's government of giving preferential treatment to CNDP rebels in peace agreement.
• NGO's Endorse Northern Uganda Recovery Act VOA 28 May 2009 -- Coalition of human rights proponents, and faith-based groups has endorsed newly introduced US congressional legislation seeking active intervention by the Obama administration.
• Ban rejects Georgian claim he was 'blackmailed' by Russia UN News Centre 28 May 2009 -- Secretary-General Ban spoke out against Georgia’s claim that he was coerced by Russia into amending report on the Caucasus nation.
• UN High Court Rejects Belgian Request to Keep Habre In Senegal VOA 28 May 2009 -- UN's highest court rejected a bid by Belgium to force Senegal to keep Hissene Habre in custody -- after Dakar vowed it would not let the former Chadian dictator go.
• Former Chadian leader to remain in Senegal pending final ruling by UN court UN News Centre 28 May 2009 -- UN International Court of Justice issued an order leaving former Chadian president Hissène Habré in the custody of Senegal.
• World Court Accepts Senegal's Pledge to Keep Habre Under House Arrest VOA 28 May 2009 -- World Court has accepted Senegal's pledge that it will keep former Chadian president Hissene Habre under house arrest while he awaits trial for alleged human rights abuses.
• NIGERIA: Relief workers slowly access conflict-hit Delta creeks IRIN 28 May 2009 -- The Nigeria Red Cross says conflict-hit areas it has been able to access in the Niger Delta are in better condition than anticipated, but that continued restrictions on aid workers’ movement leaves many questions unanswered.
• NIGERIA: Timeline of recent events in Niger Delta IRIN 28 May 2009 -- Thousands of people are displaced in the Niger Delta region after the military stormed the area in pursuit of militants it said had attacked government troops. The move comes two months after President Umaru Yar'Adua said he would consider amnesty for some militants. Yar'Adua and his predecessors have battled for years with the local groups – perpetrators of regular violent attacks and kidnappings – who say they are fighting for the people's rights in the oil-rich region.
• ANGOLA: On trial - a faster more reliable way to clear mined roads IRIN 28 May 2009 -- In Angola, new demining technologies for unearthing difficult-to-detect plastic anti-tank mines and clear the road network are being tried.

News Reports

• Human Rights Experts Call for Reformed UN Rights Council VOA 28 May 2009 -- Rights advocates say Washington has an opportunity to restore credibility to an organization whose members include countries with poor human rights records.
• Reformers Hope Iran's 'Silent Voters' Will Be Heard In June RFE/RL 28 May 2009 -- Reformists in Iran hoping high turnout in presidential election would help prevent a second term for Mahmud Ahmadinejad.
• Defense Witness Testifies at Burma's Trial of Aung San Suu Kyi VOA 28 May 2009 -- The sole defense witness in Burma's widely criticized trial of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi argued in court that she did not violate the terms of her house arrest.
• London Urges Release of British Hostages in Iraq VOA 28 May 2009 -- On the second anniversary of the abduction of five Britons in Baghdad, their families remain hopeful they will be released.
• Cruise Ship Ordered Away from Australian Coast as Swine Flu Spreads VOA 28 May 2009 -- Australian authorities asked cruise liner to cancel port call after three crew members tested positive for the H1N1.
• Moldovan Parliament Delays Vote On New President RFE/RL 28 May 2009 -- Communist Party majority in the Moldovan parliament has postponed a second and final vote on the country's president until June 3.
• Moldova parliament delays second presidential vote RIA Novosti 28 May 2009 -- Moldova's parliament postponed on Thursday its second and final attempt to elect a new president until June 3.
• Russia loses three cases in Strasbourg court RIA Novosti 28 May 2009 -- European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg ordered Russia to pay compensation to three Chechen families whose relatives went missing.