• 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 05 Jun 2009 [PDF]
• MNF-W Marine dies in non-combat related incident
• MND-N Soldier killed on patrol
• DoD News: DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• US Envoy Says Pakistanis Turning Against Taliban VOA 05 Jun 2009 -- Top US envoy Richard Holbrooke declared the Pakistani mood has turned decidedly against Islamic extremism.
• Olson Says Success in Afghanistan, Pakistan Requires Knowledge of Region AFPS 05 Jun 2009 -- Success in Afghanistan and Pakistan will require intimate knowledge of culture and small coalition footprint.
• Brown accepts responsibility for strategy in Afghanistan IRNA 05 Jun 2009 -- PM Brown clarified that he is responsible for Britain's policy in Afghanistan amid reports of dispute with military chiefs.
• US troops surge in Afghanistan to increase militants' infiltration IRNA 05 Jun 2009 -- Pakistan concerned about the US military surge in Afghanistan as it could increase infiltration to Pakistan from Afghan side.
• Afghan, Coalition Forces Seize Weapons, Drugs, Suspects AFPS 05 Jun 2009 -- Afghan and coalition security forces seized weapons and drugs and captured 7 suspected militants during operations.
• Air mobility maintains the fight in Afghanistan AFNS 05 Jun 2009 -- Being in a fight is easy; it is having the ability to stay in the fight until you win that is the hard part.
• Unseen Eye Keeps Watch Over Soldiers in Afghanistan AFPS 05 Jun 2009 -- An unseen 14-foot guardian patrols eastern Afghanistan day and night, searching for enemies who would wreak havoc on the country.
• Pakistan arrests chief of banned extremist group, his 2 sons IRNA 05 Jun 2009 -- Pakistani authorities have arrested chief of a banned group and his two sons.
• Pakistan army aggressively hunt High Value Targets in Swat: chief IRNA 05 Jun 2009 -- Pakistan army Chief General Kayani: High Value Targets aggressively hunted in Swat valley and major population centers.
• Suicide Blast in Pakistani Mosque Kills 32 VOA 05 Jun 2009 -- A suicide bomb attack in northwest Pakistan has killed at least 32 people and wounded scores of others who were attending Friday prayers.
• Suspected militants blow up girls' school in Pakistan IRNA 05 Jun 2009 -- Suspected militants blew up a Government Girls High School in the outskirts of the northwestern city of Peshawar.
• Camps straining under weight of massive Pakistani displacement – UN agency UN News Centre 05 Jun 2009 -- The lifting of a curfew for several hours this morning in the conflict zone of the Swat region of Pakistan is expected to release an estimated 20,000 people into already overcrowded and under-funded camps in the neighbouring province, the United Nations refugee agency reported today.
• Students rescued from armed Taliban custody: army IRNA 05 Jun 2009 -- A group of 48 students and their two teachers kidnapped by armed Taliban in North Waziristan tribal region were rescued by troops.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Russia rules out nuclear arms cut while U.S. shield plans unclear RIA Novosti 05 Jun 2009 -- Russia will not cut its nuclear arsenal while the U.S. missile defense plans for Europe remain unclear.
• Integrated Live-Fire Test Demonstrates Future Weapons System Capability Navy NewsStand 05 Jun 2009 -- The Office of Naval Research (ONR) conducted a live-fire test, demonstrating the ability to execute an overland integrated fire control (IFC) capability against a cruise missile target May 29.
• 'Gold Eagle' Loads Her Guns Navy NewsStand 05 Jun 2009 -- Sailors from USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) weapons department on-loaded more than 10,000 pounds of inert ordnance May 28 to assist in their day-to-day training.
• Navy Updates Number of Confirmed H1N1 Cases Navy NewsStand 05 Jun 2009 -- The Navy updated its confirmed cases of H1N1 influenza June 4 to 118 Sailors.
• Energy Program Saves $430K Annually Navy NewsStand 05 Jun 2009 -- Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego celebrated the completion of a $3.5 million energy project May 12 that will save 2,723 megawatt hours and $430,000 annually with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
• President Obama Visits National Naval Medical Center Navy NewsStand 05 Jun 2009 -- President Barack Obama visited the National Naval Medical Center to meet with wounded warriors and their families June 1.
• Misawa Airmen complete reconstitution, gear up for exercise AFNS 05 Jun 2009 -- Since returning from a deployment to Iraq, Airmen of the 14th Fighter Squadron here spent the last three months executing a training plan to get all the pilots current and proficient in their home station mission.
• Always in front Army News 05 Jun 2009 -- The activation of a reconnaissance and surveillance unit here May 21 marked another milestone for the Army's transformation into a modular force.
• Army Announces BCT Stationing Decision Army News 05 Jun 2009 -- Secretary of the Army announced Army has halted the plan to build 3 additional brigade combat teams.
• Joint Crew Aboard Stiletto Deploys to the Caribbean Navy NewsStand 05 Jun 2009 -- The Department of Defense's high-speed experimental boat Stiletto will depart from Key West, Fla., June 13 to the Caribbean where it will support U.S. and multinational counter-illicit trafficking (CIT) operations and conduct operational testing.
• Carl Vinson's Flight Deck Ready for Ops Navy NewsStand 05 Jun 2009 -- USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) held a grand opening ceremony of its flight deck May 28 after three years of reconstruction and maintenance.
• Missile Tests Maximize Warfighter Capabilities Navy NewsStand 05 Jun 2009 -- Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Port Hueneme successfully conducted Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) engineering tests aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) near San Nicholas Island in the Pacific Ocean May 27.
• War College Plays International War Game Navy NewsStand 05 Jun 2009 -- The Naval War College (NWC) is participating in the 35th annual Inter-American War Game 2009 (IAWG), June 1-12 along with sister Western Hemisphere naval war colleges.
• Carl Vinson Sailors Pass Crew Certification Phase Three Navy NewsStand 05 Jun 2009 -- Sailors aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) recently passed Crew Certification (Crew Cert) Phase Three by conducting general quarters to demonstrate the crew's ability to protect the ship and to go to sea.
• Portland Welcomes Fleet for Annual Rose Festival Navy NewsStand 05 Jun 2009 -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Shoup (DDG 86), along with three Royal Canadian Navy ships and two U.S. Coast Guard cutters, arrived pierside in Portland to celebrate the annual festivities of the Rose Festival June 4-8.
• Navy's Top Officer Testifies Before Congress Navy NewsStand 05 Jun 2009 -- The chief of naval operations (CNO) testified before the Subcommittee on Defense, Senate Committee of Appropriations; the House Subcommittee on Defense, Committee on Appropriations; and the Senate Armed Services Committee June 2-4 about his priorities for fiscal year 2010.
• New Hull Coatings Cut Fuel Use, Protect Environment Navy NewsStand 05 Jun 2009 -- New hull coatings being developed by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) are showing promise in reducing the build-up of marine crustaceans – namely barnacles – on ships' hulls, optimizing vessel performance and dramatically reducing fuel costs.
• NAVFAC Southeast Prepares Team for 2009 Hurricane Season Navy NewsStand 05 Jun 2009 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southeast held a three-day training session on board Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville, Fla., May 27 to prepare its contingency engineering response teams (CERT) for the 2009 hurricane season.
• Congressional Testimony Sets Groundwork for Personnel Programs in 2010 Navy NewsStand 05 Jun 2009 -- Recently, the chief of naval personnel (CNP) reported to Congress that the Navy will continue on its current path to ensure recruitment and retention of top performers.
• Defender Arrives in Sasebo Navy NewsStand 05 Jun 2009 -- The Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship USS Defender (MCM 2) was off-loaded from heavy lift ship, Condock IV, at Fleet Activities Sasebo's India basin during a float-on/float-off operation June 3.
• Demand for Special Operators Could Strain Force, Commander Says AFPS 05 Jun 2009 -- Demand for services of US Special Operations Command could strain the force.
• Barksdale bombers arrive at Andersen AFNS 05 Jun 2009 -- Approximately 300 Airmen from Barksdale Air Force Base deployed as part of the rotational bomber deployment.
• 162nd conducts training with FBI Army News 05 Jun 2009 -- 162nd Infantry Brigade prepares to launch training with Foreign Security Forces-Transition Team service members.
• Silent Take-Down: Marines conduct beach assault training USMC News 05 Jun 2009 -- Sentries are oblivious to the fact they are being watched by Marines just a few meters away in the cold ocean water.
• Fort Benning on track with BRAC construction Army News 05 Jun 2009 -- Fort Benning remains on target with a massive expansion and renovation effort under way as part of its Base Realignment and Closure initiatives.
• AFSOUTH gearing up for New Horizons Guyana AFNS 05 Jun 2009 -- Nearly 650 Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen are preparing to take part in US Southern Command-sponsored annual exercise.
• FEMA says National Guard essential to hurricane response AFNS 05 Jun 2009 -- Head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency: National Guard is essential to hurricane response.
• Russia wants to work with UN, NATO against Somali piracy RIA Novosti 05 Jun 2009 -- Russia wants to conduct a unified operation with the UN and cooperate with NATO in the fight against piracy off Somalia.
• Russia to deploy 2 armies in Belarus for Zapad military drills RIA Novosti 05 Jun 2009 -- Russia will deploy two full-sized armies in Belarus during large-scale joint military exercises in September.
• India, Russia may agree Admiral Gorshkov cost by Aug. - paper RIA Novosti 05 Jun 2009 -- India and Russia could reach a final agreement by end of July oncost of overhauling Admiral Gorshkov aircraft carrier.
• Pakistan Navy to get first F-22P Chinese Frigate in August IRNA 05 Jun 2009 -- Pakistan Navy would receive first of 4 state-of-the-art Frigates F-22P type in August this year while the second one in December-09.
• Taiwan has not relaxed combat preparedness: president VOA 05 Jun 2009 -- President Ma: Administration has not relaxed efforts to strengthen the military's arsenal and combat preparedness.
• Taiwan has not relaxed combat preparedness: president CNA 05 Jun 2009 -- President Ma Ying-jeou said Friday that his administration has not relaxed efforts to strengthen the military's arsenal and combat preparedness despite its progress in improving relations with China
• Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 05 Jun 2009

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for June 05, 2009
• Boeing P-8A Poseidon T2 Successfully Completes 1st Flight Boeing 05 Jun 2009 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] P-8A Poseidon test aircraft T2 takes off from Renton Field today to begin its successful first flight. T2 took off at 10:32 a.m. Pacific time and landed two hours and 56 minutes later at Boeing Field in Seattle at 1:28 p.m.
• Sultanate Of Oman Acquires C-130J Super Hercules Lockheed Martin 05 Jun 2009 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has signed a contract with the Sultanate of Oman for a C-130J Super Hercules. The aircraft, to be delivered in mid-2012, is in the longer C-130J-30 configuration.
• Datalink for Raytheon's GBU-53/B Small Diameter Bomb II Ready to Fly Raytheon 05 Jun 2009 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) completed a series of hardware-in-the-loop laboratory tests on the GBU-53/B Small Diameter Bomb II's datalink, a crucial step to clearing the datalink for flight tests later this month.
• General Dynamics to Boost Military Satellite Communications Capacity with $119 Million Army WIN-T Satellite Terminal Award General Dynamics 05 Jun 2009 -- General Dynamics SATCOM Technologies has received a $119 million modification to an existing delivery order to provide additional satellite communications earth terminals and support services for Increment One of the U.S. Army’s Warfighter Information Network-Tactical (WIN-T) program.
• Oshkosh Defense Global Aftermarket Capabilities Ready to Provide in-Theater M-ATV Support Oshkosh 05 Jun 2009 -- With a potential order of 2,080 to 10,000 MRAP All Terrain Vehicles (M-ATV), U.S. Armed Forces will benefit from an extensive aftermarket program to support vehicle operations on Afghanistan’s rugged terrain. Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK), boasts a full range of global aftermarket capabilities to meet these needs.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 05 Jun 2009
• Israel Says No Change in Settlement Policy after Obama Speech VOA 05 Jun 2009 -- Israel won't change its settlement policy despite new demands by the President of the United States.
• Obama: 'Moment is Now' to Press for Mideast Peace VOA 05 Jun 2009 -- One day after delivering a speech to the Muslim world, US President Obama pushed for progress in the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.
• Nearly 100,000 Somalis displaced in capital in past month, UN reports UN News Centre 05 Jun 2009 -- Since fighting broke out last month between Government forces and armed opposition groups, almost 100,000 people have been driven from their homes in the capital, Mogadishu, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNCHR) reported today.
• More People Flee Mogadishu as Fighting Rages VOA 05 Jun 2009 -- The U.N. refugee agency said thousands of people continue to flee from fierce fighting between government and rebel forces in the Somali capital, Mogadishu.
• SOMALIA: Coping with humanitarian tragedy in Mogadishu IRIN 05 Jun 2009 -- A woman sits holding a baby in a queue at a medical clinic in Mogadishu, the violence-hit capital of Somalia, where fighting between government troops and insurgents has displaced hundreds of thousands of people.
• Belarus can't be bought on Abkhazia, S.Ossetia - Lukashenko RIA Novosti 05 Jun 2009 -- Belarus will decide on its own whether to recognize the former Georgian republics, regardless of any foreign loans.
• SRI LANKA: Growing concern over nutrition of displaced children IRIN 05 Jun 2009 -- Concerns are growing that the number of malnourished children is higher than earlier estimated among thousands of recently displaced in Sri Lanka.
• Ban asks Sri Lanka to heed calls for accountability, transparency UN News Centre 05 Jun 2009 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today reiterated his appeal to the Government of Sri Lanka to heed international calls for accountability and transparency, and for an inquiry into alleged abuses committed during the recently concluded conflict with Tamil rebels.
• UN Rights Official Urges Response to South Sudan Tribal Violence VOA 05 Jun 2009 -- UN special representative on human rights in Sudan has completed an 11-day visit to the country.
• Head of UN-African Union peacekeeping forces in Darfur visits site of clashes UN News Centre 05 Jun 2009 -- Force Commander of the UN-AU peacekeeping mission in Darfur visited the scene of deadly clashes between Government forces and a rebel militia group.
• KENYA: Clashes leave nine dead, several injured IRIN 05 Jun 2009 -- At least nine people have been reported dead and several injured following a livestock raid and clashes between communities along the northern Isiolo-Samburu district border. Tension remains high in the area, with ongoing fighting, according to the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS).
• Nigerian Militants Again Reject Amnesty Plan VOA 05 Jun 2009 -- Nigeria's biggest armed group has rejected the latest offer of amnesty by President Umaru Yar'Adua.
• PHILIPPINES: IDPs sell rice rations to survive IRIN 05 Jun 2009 -- Displaced people (IDPs) in conflict-stricken Mindanao are selling their rice rations to survive.
• Arrest of Sudanese fugitives priority for ICC, Prosecutor tells Security Council UN News Centre 05 Jun 2009 -- Prosecutor of the ICC: Priorities over the next few months include continued monitoring of crimes in Darfur and the arrest of fugitives.

News Reports

• North Korea Remains Silent on Trial of US Journalists VOA 05 Jun 2009 -- North Korea remained silent on the fate of two female American journalists being tried on charges that could send them to a labor camp.
• Military Could Tip The Balance In Iran's Election RFE/RL 05 Jun 2009 -- Leading reformist presidential candidates Karrubi and Musavi announced plans to form committee to protect against electoral fraud.
• Obama Speech Gets Mostly Positive React; With Some Skepticism VOA 05 Jun 2009 -- Speech in Cairo met with mostly positive reactions, but also some skepticism over whether he'll follow up his words with deeds.
• World Reaction Mixed on Obama's Cairo Speech VOA 05 Jun 2009 -- President Obama's much anticipated speech to Muslims was watched by people of all faiths around the world.
• Burmese Court Postpones Aung San Suu Kyi's Trial VOA 05 Jun 2009 -- A court in Burma has delayed by a week the trial of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who stands accused of violating terms of her house arrest.
• Security Key Issue in Lebanon's Elections VOA 05 Jun 2009 -- As voters in Lebanon go to the polls on Sunday (June 7) , one issue seems to be dominating the elections more than any other: security.
• Almost 22,000 people diagnosed with A/H1N1 virus worldwide - WHO RIA Novosti 05 Jun 2009 -- WHO: Total of 21,940 people in 69 countries worldwide have been diagnosed with swine flu, with 125 deaths.
• Former Mauritanian PM Released From Jail VOA 05 Jun 2009 -- Mauritania's military rulers have released the country's former PM who has been jailed since government was overthrown in a coup.
• Mauritania: Ban welcomes pact paving way for return to constitutional order UN News Centre 05 Jun 2009 -- Secretary-General Ban welcomed signing of an agreement between parties in Mauritania, calling it a “solid basis” for return to constitutional order.
• Gunmen Killed Presidential Candidate in Guinea Bissau VOA 05 Jun 2009 -- Unidentified gunmen have killed a presidential candidate in Guinea Bissau.
• NEWSMAKER: rights abusers must be stopped, starting at the top – ICC Prosecutor UN News Centre 05 Jun 2009 -- Holding leaders accountable for human rights abuses can take time, but they must face justice, according to Luis Moreno-Ocampo, who has made a career of going after top officials, starting in his native Argentina and more recently in The Hague as Prosecutor for the International Criminal Court (ICC).