• 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 13 Jul 2009 [PDF]
• July 12 airpower summary: B-1B deters enemy AFNS 13 Jul 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and ISAF in Afghanistan during operations.
• Airmen build new Diyala operations center AFNS 13 Jul 2009 -- US Army and Iraqi security forces turned to Airmen of the Detachment 6, 732nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron to build new ops center.
• Q-West opens new ammunition supply point operations center Army News 13 Jul 2009 -- Detachment of Soldiers at the ammunition supply point welcomed a new, air-conditioned building June 29.
• Air Force officials release Predator accident report AFNS 13 Jul 2009 -- USAF officials announced an MQ-1 Predator that crashed just short of Ali Base, Iraq, Oct. 19, 2008, was due to a quill shaft bearing failure.
• Joint Force Detains Suspected Militant in Afghanistan AFPS 13 Jul 2009 -- Joint Afghan and coalition force detained a suspected militant after searching a compound in Afghanistan’s Ghazni province.
• Four Afghan Policemen, NATO Soldier Killed in Afghanistan VOA 13 Jul 2009 -- Afghan officials say a roadside bomb killed 4 police officers west of Kabul as NATO announced the death of one of its soldiers.
• Obama Says Taliban Pushed Back, But Still 'Long Way To Go' RFE/RL 13 Jul 2009 -- US President Obama: US and allied troops have succeeded in pushing back Taliban fighters in major offensive.
• Cooperation Key to Success Along Afghan Border AFPS 13 Jul 2009 -- Since the fall of the Taliban in late 2001, Pakistan and Afghanistan not only have shared a border, but also a common threat.
• Terrorism kills more Afghan civilians than any military action - UN mission UN News Centre 13 Jul 2009 -- UNAMA has spoken out against the use of suicide bombings and other terrorist activities.
• French unmanned aircraft protect Bagram Airmen, coalition forces AFNS 13 Jul 2009 -- Airmen of the French unmanned aircraft system operational squadron active on patrols in the sky over Afghanistan.
• Pakistan Starts Repatriating 2 Million Displaced VOA 13 Jul 2009 -- Pakistan has begun repatriation of nearly two-million people who fled fighting in the Malakand Division, including the troubled Swat District.
• Blast in Pakistani Islamic school kills at least 11 RIA Novosti 13 Jul 2009 -- At least 11 people died and dozens wounded as a bomb exploded in an Islamic school in Pakistan's province of Punjab.
• Bomb Blast Kills 9 in Eastern Pakistan VOA 13 Jul 2009 -- Officials in Pakistan say a cache of explosives has detonated at a home in central Punjab province, killing at least nine people, including seven children.
• Guardsmen Battle Wildfires in Two States AFPS 13 Jul 2009 -- Guardsmen from Texas and Oklahoma assisted local firefighters as they worked to extinguish wildfires.
• North Dakota Guard Assists Tornado-hit Town AFPS 13 Jul 2009 -- Almost 100 North Dakota Army National Guardsmen were called to duty last week to respond after a tornado struck this town south of the Heart River.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Command Post of the Future is now with 6,000 fielded Army News 13 Jul 2009 -- Command Post of the Future empowers Warfighters to visualize the battle space and synchronize elements of combat power.
• Army Lab Tests Effects of Altitude Change on Soldiers AFPS 13 Jul 2009 -- Army researchers simulating environmental extremes to better protect troops from challenges of operating in such conditions.
• Officials announce Predator, Reaper additional formal training location AFNS 13 Jul 2009 -- Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico will be the new location for additional formal training unit.
• Latest Red Flag exercise begins at Nellis AFNS 13 Jul 2009 -- Southern Nevada residents may notice increased military aircraft activity as the Air Force begins Red Flag 09-4 July 13.
• Bath Iron Works Awarded $33 million Contract for Lead Yard Services on the DDG 51 class Aegis Destroyer Program General Dynamics 13 Jul 2009 -- The U.S. Navy has awarded Bath Iron Works, a subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), a $33.1 million contract to provide ongoing Lead Yard Services for the DDG 51 Arleigh Burke-class AEGIS Destroyer Program. This option modifies a contract initially awarded in November 2005.
• Oak Hill, Uruguayan Naval Officers Team Up in Montevideo Navy NewsStand 13 Jul 2009 -- Sailors from USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) and embarked naval officers from Uruguay teamed up July 6-7 to volunteer at Hospital Hogar Pineyro Senior Citizens Center in Montevideo, Uruguay.
• Chairman of Joint Chiefs, Celebrities Embark USS Ronald Reagan Navy NewsStand 13 Jul 2009 -- The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) embarked USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) July 13 while the ship operated in the Gulf of Oman in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
• Arleigh Burke Arrives in South Africa Navy NewsStand 13 Jul 2009 -- USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) arrived in the port city of Durban, South Africa, July 13 to kick off a range of ashore and at-sea cooperative activities in the coming weeks between the two nations' navies.
• Essex Conducts Successful Underway Replenishment with Australian Tanker Navy NewsStand 13 Jul 2009 -- USS Essex conducted a replenishment at sea with the Australian tanker HMAS Success.
• Air Force officials release Reaper accident report released AFNS 13 Jul 2009 -- USAF officials announced an MQ-9 Reaper that crashed March 20 at Fort Irwin, Calif., was due to an improperly assembled valve.
• 17th Air Force Proves Capabilities With President's Ghana Trip AFPS 13 Jul 2009 -- Airmen, sailors and Marines were on the ground days in advance to prepare.
• Navy Executes $101 Million Worth of Recovery Act Projects Navy NewsStand 13 Jul 2009 -- Navy awarded 4 task orders for renewable energy projects at several naval installations through a multiple award contract.
• Recovery Act Funds Solar at San Diego Navy Buildings Navy NewsStand 13 Jul 2009 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest awarded Recovery Act funded contract to install roof mounted solar photovoltaic power systems on 7 buildings at Naval Base Point Loma in San Diego.
• Chavez urges Obama to withdraw 'gringo' troops from Honduras RIA Novosti 13 Jul 2009 -- Venezuelan President Chavez called on the US to withdraw its "gringo" troops from its airbase in Honduras.
• British Government Defends its Strategy and Support in Afghanistan VOA 13 Jul 2009 -- Britain's Defense Secretary Ainsworth tried to rebut claims British forces are under-equipped for mission they are engaged in.
• Britain Revokes 5 Arms Export Licenses to Israel VOA 13 Jul 2009 -- Israeli and British officials: Britain has revoked licenses from several companies that export arms to Israel.
• Russian submarine successfully test-launches strategic missile RIA Novosti 13 Jul 2009 -- Russian President Medvedev: Russia successfully test-launched a strategic missile from a submarine.
• Kazakhstan not against 2nd Russian base opening in Kyrgyzstan RIA Novosti 13 Jul 2009 -- Kazakhstan not opposed to the possible opening of a new Russian military base in Kyrgyzstan.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 13 Jul 2009
• Briefing by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 7-13-09 The White House 13 Jul 2009

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for July 13, 2009
• Lockheed Martin DAGR Rockets Successfully Fired From Airborne AH-6 Little Bird, Strike Targets Lockheed Martin 13 Jul 2009 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has launched DAGRTM rockets from an airborne AH-6 Little Bird helicopter and successfully hit the target in two separate trials. This is the second platform DAGR has fired from in the past few months—Lockheed Martin also fired DAGR rockets from the AH-64D Apache helicopter in March.
• Northrop Grumman Completes Refueling and Complex Overhaul Within Budget; Redelivers USS Carl Vinson to U.S. Navy Northrop Grumman 13 Jul 2009 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) redelivered the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), to the U.S. Navy July 11. The redelivery follows the completion of a successful three-and-a-half-year evolution known as a refueling and complex overhaul. The project was performed by the company's Shipbuilding sector in Newport News, Va. and was completed within budget.
• Raytheon Demonstrates Networked Lethality for Army Modernization Raytheon 13 Jul 2009 -- By networking sensors and effects, Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) recently demonstrated how the U.S. Army could modernize brigade combat teams to significantly improve situational awareness and targeting efficiency to help save soldiers' lives.
• Northrop Grumman Awarded Contract to Develop Space Fence Technology Northrop Grumman 13 Jul 2009 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has been awarded the first phase of a $30 million firm-fixed price U.S. Air Force contract to develop a global space surveillance ground radar system.
• Raytheon Standard Missile-3 Block IB Completes Major Development Milestone Raytheon 13 Jul 2009 -- The Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) Standard Missile-3 Block IB program completed its critical design review. Completing the CDR clears the way for a 2010 flight test and eventual deployment to the Missile Defense Agency's Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense systems.
• Rheinmetall takes the lead in European development programme Rheinmetall Defence 13 Jul 2009 -- The European Defence Agency (EDA) has given a green light to an ambitious development project under the leadership of Rheinmetall Defence of Düsseldorf, Germany. The EDA has contracted with Rheinmetall Defence and three other companies (Diehl BGT Defence, ECA and Thales Optronique) to develop an unmanned vehicle platform and construct a demonstrator version that should show the potential of systems of this kind.
• SMEs respond positively to Protected Mobility opportunities Thales 13 Jul 2009 -- More than 250 people representing small and medium Australian enterprises have attended the Thales Australia Protected Mobility supplier conference, underlining the depth of supply chain expertise in the SME sector.

Other Conflicts

• Israel Dismisses EU Official's Peace Timetable VOA 13 Jul 2009 -- Israel's foreign minister has dismissed a European Union call for the United Nations to recognize a Palestinian state if Israelis and Palestinians fail to reach a peace agreement.
• Israel rejects proposal on UN recognition for Palestinian state RIA Novosti 13 Jul 2009 -- Israeli Foreign Ministry dismissed proposal by the EU foreign policy chief if the two sides failed to reach a deal.
• Russia's president makes first visit to South Ossetia RIA Novosti 13 Jul 2009 -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev arrived in South Ossetia on his first visit to the former Georgian republic.
• Medvedev's visit to South Ossetia 'immoral' - Saakashvili RIA Novosti 13 Jul 2009 -- Georgian President Saakashvili called his Russian counterpart's visit to South Ossetia "immoral" and "despicable."
• Russia to rotate Transdnestr peacekeepers July 17-25 RIA Novosti 13 Jul 2009 -- Russia will rotate its peacekeeping battalion in Moldova's breakaway region of Transdnestr between July 17 and 25.
• Fighting Eases in Somalia Capital VOA 13 Jul 2009 -- Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, is reportedly calm one day after African Union peacekeepers were seen fighting al-Shabab-led insurgents in the north of the city.
• Top UN envoy hopes for return to stability in Somali capital UN News Centre 13 Jul 2009 -- Top United Nations envoy to the war-torn Horn of Africa nation voiced hope today that stability can soon return to the beleaguered capital Mogadishu.
• AMISOM Denies Backing Somali Government Forces Fighting Insurgents VOA 13 Jul 2009 -- AU Peacekeeping Mission in Somalia sharply denied backing government troops fighting insurgents.
• Rights Group: Somaliland Democracy Under Threat VOA 13 Jul 2009 -- Human rights group: Democracy in Somaliland is under threat because of what it calls the government's disregard for the law.
• Cooperation crucial to deployment of blue helmets to Darfur - UN UN News Centre 13 Jul 2009 -- UN, AU and the Sudanese Government have met again to discuss the continuing deployment and recruitment of troops and other staff to the joint AU-UN peacekeeping mission in Darfur.
• Five Killed In Nigerian Militant Attack in Lagos VOA 13 Jul 2009 -- Nigerian official: At least 5 people were killed when militants set fire to an oil tanker loading dock in Lagos.
• Indian Police Hunt For Missing Officers After Deadly Maoist Attack VOA 13 Jul 2009 -- Hundreds of policemen have been deployed to search for 13 policemen who are missing after an attack by suspected Maoist rebels.
• Nagorny Karabakh deserves international recognition - president RIA Novosti 13 Jul 2009 -- President of the disputed region: International community should recognize Nagorny Karabakh as an independent state.
• Charles Taylor Defense Case Opens in The Hague VOA 13 Jul 2009 -- Trial of Charles Taylor resumed in The Hague, where the former president of Liberia is charged with war crimes in neighboring Sierra Leone.

News Reports

• Kim Jong-il cancer reports may be exaggerated - Russian analyst RIA Novosti 13 Jul 2009 -- Media reports that North Korean leader Kim Jong-il ill and will soon cede power should be treated with caution.
• Kim Jong-il has cancer, North Koreans flee country RIA Novosti 13 Jul 2009 -- Leading dissident: North Koreans are fleeing the country amid severe food shortages.
• Kim Jong-il Reported To Have Pancreatic Cancer VOA 13 Jul 2009 -- A South Korean television station is reporting Monday that North Korean leader Kim Jong Il has pancreatic cancer, and that his illness is life-threatening.
• North Korea's leader has pancreatic cancer - YTN RIA Novosti 13 Jul 2009 -- N. Korean leader Kim Jong-il has pancreatic cancer, South Korea's YTN said citing Chinese and Korean intelligence sources.
• Iranian Teen Slain In Postelection Protest Laid To Rest RFE/RL 13 Jul 2009 -- 19-year-old Sohrab Arabi became the latest known victim of the backlash from protests that followed disputed presidential vote.
• Chinese Police Kill 2 Uighurs in Xinjiang VOA 13 Jul 2009 -- Chinese officials: Police have shot and killed two Muslim Uighurs and injured another in renewed violence in northwestern Xinjiang province.
• Death toll in Urumqi riots may hit 258 - paper RIA Novosti 13 Jul 2009 -- Death toll in ethnic clashes in China's Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region a week ago may climb to 258.
• ZIMBABWE: Operation Murambatsvina haunts another proposed clean-up operation IRIN 13 Jul 2009 -- A planned urban clean-up campaign in Zimbabwe's capital, Harare, motivated by health and safety concerns has evoked fears among some residents of a re-run of President Robert Mugabe's iron-fisted Operation Murambatsvina in 2005.
• New round of Honduras crisis talks may be held next week RIA Novosti 13 Jul 2009 -- Costa Rican President Oscar Arias has proposed holding a second round of talks on the settlement of the Honduras crisis next week.
• Interim Honduran Leader: Ousted President May Get Amnesty VOA 13 Jul 2009 -- Interim Honduran leader Roberto Micheletti: Country's ousted President Zelaya may get an amnesty if he agrees to face justice at home.
• Sotomayor Faces Tough Questions in Senate VOA 13 Jul 2009 -- A week-long Senate Judiciary Committee hearing has begun on President Barack Obama's nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.
• All countries will need vaccine for 'unstoppable' A(H1N1) virus UN News Centre 13 Jul 2009 -- Highest body of experts advising the United Nations health agency on immunizations determined that all countries will need to have vaccines for the influenza A(H1N1).
• WHO recommendations on pandemic (H1N1) 2009 vaccines UN WHO 13 Jul 2009 -- On 7 July 2009, the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization held an extraordinary meeting in Geneva to discuss issues and make recommendations related to vaccine for the pandemic (H1N1) 2009.
• SOUTH AFRICA: Swine flu cases more than known IRIN 13 Jul 2009 -- Executive director of the National Institute for Communicable Diseases conceded "there are probably many more [cases]."
• Academy officials continue flu treatment, response AFNS 13 Jul 2009 -- Air Force Academy health professionals are continuing care for a number of basic cadet trainees who are exhibiting ILI symptoms.
• Fort Jackson H1N1 update Army News 13 Jul 2009 -- As of July 7, there have been a total of 32 confirmed H1N1 cases since April.
• Burma to Amnesty Some Prisoners for 2010 Elections VOA 13 Jul 2009 -- Burma's ambassador to the UN: Military government is planning to grant amnesty to prisoners so they can take part in next year's general elections.
• UN Chief Deeply Disappointed Not to See Aung San Suu Kyi in Burma VOA 13 Jul 2009 -- UN Secretary-General Ban: "Deep disappointment" that he was unable to meet imprisoned democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi during visit to Burma.
• Japanese Prime Minister Calls Snap Elections After Election Loss VOA 13 Jul 2009 -- PM Aso has decided to call a snap elections for August 30.
• Japanese PM sets parliamentary elections for Aug. 30 RIA Novosti 13 Jul 2009 -- Japanese PM Aso has announced that he will dissolve parliament next week, with elections scheduled for August 30.
• Japanese PM Sets Date for New Elections VOA 13 Jul 2009 -- Japanese PM Aso will dissolve the Lower House of the parliament next week and call an election on August 30.
• Voter Turnout Low in Republic of Congo VOA 13 Jul 2009 -- On Sunday, the Republic of Congo held its second presidential election since the civil war that erupted in 1997, but voter turnout appeared low after an opposition boycott.
• Vote Registering Begins In Guinea VOA 13 Jul 2009 -- The task of registering voters is to begin again in Guinea, after a pledge by ruling military leader Moussa Dadis Camara to hold elections this year.
• German prosecutors charge Nazi suspect Demjanjuk RIA Novosti 13 Jul 2009 -- Prosecutors in Germany formally charged Nazi suspect John Demjanjuk on Monday with helping to murder 27,900 people during World War II.