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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 22 Jul 2009 [PDF]
• July 21 airpower summary: A-10s pound anti-coalition forces in Afghanistan AFNS 22 Jul 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations July 21, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.
• On the Ground: U.S. Forces Build Better Quality of Life in Iraq AFPS 22 Jul 2009 -- Construction efforts took center stage in Mosul, Iraq, recently as U.S. soldiers built a new combat outpost and took on a new renovation mission, military officials reported.
• Texas Guardsmen ready to go home Army News 22 Jul 2009 -- Texas Guardsmen here are set to return home in August following a nine-month tour of duty escorting logistics convoys around Iraq.
• 5 Iranian Pilgrims Killed by Gunmen in Iraq VOA 22 Jul 2009 -- Iraqi police say gunmen killed five Iranian pilgrims Wednesday, as they journeyed to Shi'ite holy sites in Iraq.
• Senior Iraqi Visit To U.S. Comes As Federal System Is Tested By Baghdad, Kurd Dispute RFE/RL 22 Jul 2009 -- Iraqi PM al-Maliki's talks with US President this week expected to address long-term political issues.
• Iraqi PM in US for Meetings with Obama, Ban VOA 22 Jul 2009 -- Iraqi PM al-Maliki will meet with US President for talks expected to address Mr. Obama's desire to see more progress on reconciliation.
• On the Ground: U.S. Forces Foster Growth in Afghanistan AFPS 22 Jul 2009 -- U.S. forces aided Afghan farmers and villagers recently in operations aimed at cultivating a brighter future in Afghanistan.
• ‘Flying Tigers’ Take Mission to Afghanistan AFPS 22 Jul 2009 -- American volunteers flying shark-faced P-40 Tomahawks protected China during World War II, and their legacy has become a fixture in the war in Afghanistan.
• AFGHANISTAN: The perils of mine clearance IRIN 22 Jul 2009 -- Mohammad Aman has defused hundreds of anti-personnel landmines in various parts of Afghanistan in more than 13 years as a de-miner with the Mine Detection Center (MDC), a local NGO.
• Force Kills Enemy Fighters, Seizes Weapons in Afghanistan AFPS 22 Jul 2009 -- Afghan and coalition forces killed several enemy fighters, detained one other and destroyed weapons caches.
• 2 US Soldiers Killed in Afghanistan Bomb Blast VOA 22 Jul 2009 -- NATO said two U.S. soldiers have been killed in a bomb blast in southern Afghanistan.
• Britain's PM Defends Afghanistan Mission VOA 22 Jul 2009 -- British Prime Minister Gordon Brown says he believes his government's mission in Afghanistan will succeed.
• Afghan nation army air corps commander travels to AETC AFNS 22 Jul 2009 -- Commander of the Afghan national army air corps visited Air Education and Training Command to strengthen training.
• US Diplomat Offers Help to Pakistanis Displaced in Terrorism Fight VOA 22 Jul 2009 -- USSpecial envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan to discuss efforts aimed at helping hundreds of thousands of displaced.

Defense Policy / Programs

• U.S. keeps door open for Iran, but warns of 'crippling action' RIA Novosti 22 Jul 2009 -- US warned Iran on Wednesday that it would take "crippling action" if it continued its nuclear weapons program.
• Clinton Says US Considers 'Defense Umbrella' to Deter a Nuclear Iran VOA 22 Jul 2009 -- Secretary of State Clinton: US may offer a "defense umbrella" for US allies in the Gulf to deter Iran.
• Obama Praises Senate Vote on F-22 Funding AFPS 22 Jul 2009 -- President Obama praised Senate vote that struck down $1.75 billion in additional funding in FY10 defense budget for more F-22s.
• Transcript: DoD News Briefing with Adm. Keating from the Pentagon DoD 22 Jul 2009 -- Presenter: Commander, U.S. Pacific Command Adm. Timothy Keating
• Air Force's newest mobile air shelter part of Rodeo AFNS 22 Jul 2009 -- Contingency response Airmen competed using the Air Force's newest mobile air shelter during the Air Mobility Rodeo July 20 here.
• Airmen destroy nothing to sustain mission AFNS 22 Jul 2009 -- Airmen fly, fight and win today's wars by putting bombs on target precisely and causing scaled levels of destruction to accomplish its mission. But some Airmen here are able to support that mission by not destroying anything.
• ‘Empire Challenge’ Focuses on Interopability AFPS 22 Jul 2009 -- Taking advantage of emerging technologies to collect and analyze intelligence, then testing out better ways to get it out to warfighters who need it is the focus of a demonstration project under way in the California high desert and at sites in the United States and several other countries.
• USS New Hampshire Returns from Maiden Deployment Navy NewsStand 22 Jul 2009 -- The Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS New Hampshire (SSN 778) returned July 22 to Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Conn., after her first deployment.
• Seabee Leadership Gets Back to Basics During Exercise Navy NewsStand 22 Jul 2009 -- The chiefs and officers of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 133 completed their khaki field training exercise (FTX) in order to develop their tactical skills, improve teamwork and build camaraderie June 4.
• Makin Island's Sailors, Marines Conduct Inaugural Flight Ops Navy NewsStand 22 Jul 2009 -- USS Makin Island's (LHD 8) Air Department successfully landed helicopters from four of the five armed services while on its way to its commissioning site and new homeport in San Diego.
• Recovery Act Project Repairs Road at Yuma Air Station Navy NewsStand 22 Jul 2009 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southwest awarded Reyes Construction Inc. of Pomona, Calif. a $849,000 Recovery Act funded contract July 2 to repair an ordnance access road at Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma, Ariz.
• U.S. 4th Fleet Executes Maritime Strategy Navy NewsStand 22 Jul 2009 -- The Navy marked the first anniversary of U.S. 4th Fleet's re-establishment July 12 and reflected on its accomplishments, both internally and throughout its area of focus.
• Task Force Commanders Meet in Gulf of Aden to Discuss Counterpiracy Operations Navy NewsStand 22 Jul 2009 -- Leaders from three of the major task forces operating in the Gulf of Aden met aboard the Spanish warship Numancia (F-83) at sea July 19.
• MCPON Testifies Before Subcommittee On Military Personnel Navy NewsStand 22 Jul 2009 -- The master chief petty officer of the Navy (MCPON) testified July 22 before the House Armed Services Committee, Subcommittee on Military Personnel and was asked about the current status of programs affecting military families.
• Navy To Prepare An Environmental Assessment For Kinetic Hydropower System Project Navy NewsStand 22 Jul 2009 -- The Navy held two public scoping meetings mid-July on a proposed tidal energy kinetic hydropower system (KHPS) demonstration project in Admiralty Inlet, Puget Sound, offshore of Marrowstone Island, Washington.
• Main Gate Closes at Naval Base San Diego for Upgrade Navy NewsStand 22 Jul 2009 -- Naval Base San Diego (NBSD) closed its main gate, also known as Gate 6, for reconstruction July 19.
• Pacific Commander Reflects on China, North Korea, New Strategy AFPS 22 Jul 2009 -- Top Pentagon policy official’s recent visit to Beijing could be a sign of China’s willingness to resume military-to-military dialog.
• US Army Spends $50 Million to Study Suicides VOA 22 Jul 2009 -- US Army is funding a $50 million study in an effort to figure out why record numbers of troops are committing suicide.
• China's top brass concerned over N.Korea nuclear weapons RIA Novosti 22 Jul 2009 -- China concerned that development of nuclear weapons by North Korea could lead to South Korea acquiring its own.
• Russia to test its nuclear deterrent with supercomputers RIA Novosti 22 Jul 2009 -- Russia's Security Council will discuss development of supercomputers to test the effectiveness of country's nuclear deterrent.
• Russian Bulava missile designer quits after failed tests RIA Novosti 22 Jul 2009 -- Head of research institute that designed the Bulava missile resigned after a series of unsuccessful tests.
• Briefing by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 7-21-09 The White House 22 Jul 2009
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 22 Jul 2009

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for July 22, 2009
• General Dynamics Awarded $55 Million to Reset Stryker Vehicles General Dynamics 22 Jul 2009 -- General Dynamics Land Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Command (TACOM) to reset 330 Stryker infantry combat vehicles. The contract has a maximum potential value of $55.2 million.
• L-3 Completes Phase One of Project Liberty On Time L-3 Communications 22 Jul 2009 -- L-3 Communications (NYSE: LLL) announced today that its Mission Integration Division delivered the seventh and final aircraft for Phase 1 of the Project Liberty Aircraft (LPA) program to the U.S. Air Force.
• Northrop Grumman, Air Force Prove New B-2 Radar Meets Mission Requirements Northrop Grumman 22 Jul 2009 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) and the U.S. Air Force have successfully demonstrated that the new radar developed for the B-2 stealth bomber can fulfill the performance requirements for its required missions, both conventional and strategic.
• Rheinmetall to create simulation and test environment for the Bundeswehr Rheinmetall Defence 22 Jul 2009 -- The Federal Agency for Information Management and Information Technology of the German Armed Forces (IT-AmtBw) has contracted with Rheinmetall Defence to create a simulation and test environment for the Bundeswehr, known as the SuTBw. Rheinmetall, acting as general contractor, and its partner IABG, won the multi-million euro order in the face of stiff competition.
• Pratt & Whitney Awarded $684 Million in New Contracts for F135 Engine Production Pratt & Whitney 22 Jul 2009 -- The U.S. Department of Defense has awarded Pratt & Whitney a $571 million production contract for F135 engines to power the F-35 Lightning II. This low rate initial production (LRIP) contract covers production, sustainment, spare parts and engineering support for the third lot of F135 engines, including 10 conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) and 11 short-takeoff/vertical-landing (STOVL) engines for F-35 aircraft.
• NLOS-LS PAM Missile Team Demonstrates Capability Against Moving Targets Raytheon 22 Jul 2009 -- NetFires LLC, a joint venture between Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) and Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) Missiles and Fire Control, completed the first moving target test flight of the Non Line-of-Sight-Launch System's Precision Attack Missile.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 22 Jul 2009
• Effective assistance key to shoring up peace in post-conflict nations, says Ban UN News Centre 22 Jul 2009 -- Secretary-General Ban: Ending war is only the first step in peacebuilding.
• Israeli PM: West Bank Barrier Will Remain VOA 22 Jul 2009 -- Israeli PM Netanyahu: Israel's barrier in the West Bank will not be taken down, despite a drop in violence in the occupied territory.
• Ban calls on Israel, Palestinians to take steps to transform Middle East peace process UN News Centre 22 Jul 2009 -- Secretary-General Ban urged Israel to freeze its settlement activity in the West Bank and the Palestinian Authority to intensify its efforts on the ground.
• Hamas will not obstruct PNA-Israel peace deal - paper RIA Novosti 22 Jul 2009 -- The Hamas movement will not obstruct the implementation of any peace deal reached between PNA and Israel.
• Gaza wedding blast leaves at least 35 Palestinians injured RIA Novosti 22 Jul 2009 -- Some 35 people were injured when a bomb exploded during a wedding party in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.
• Tensions in southern Lebanon 'calming down' after incidents - UN envoy UN News Centre 22 Jul 2009 -- Tensions that have recently flared up in southern Lebanon have begun to ease.
• South Sudan says It 'Will Respect' International Ruling VOA 22 Jul 2009 -- Official of the South Sudanese government: Semi-autonomous southern government will fully honor ruling.
• SUDAN: Backslaps and caveats over Abyei IRIN 22 Jul 2009 -- The two sides in Sudan’s last civil war have accepted a landmark ruling on the boundaries of Abyei, a flashpoint region where tensions had threatened to derail a fragile peace process, in a move that elicited widespread optimism, as well as caution.
• UN officials welcome ruling on disputed Sudanese town UN News Centre 22 Jul 2009 -- Secretary-General Ban and the top UN envoy to Sudan have welcomed court ruling on the disputed oil-rich area of Abyei.
• Sudan Awaits Court Decision on Oil, Land Rights in Abyei Border Dispute VOA 22 Jul 2009 -- A Hague based tribunal scheduled to rule on Sudan's disputed oil-rich Abyei border region.
• Thailand's Southern Insurgency Under Spotlight After Attacks in Jakarta VOA 22 Jul 2009 -- Extension of emergency decree powers has led rights groups and academics to call for more civilian control.
• Georgia protests Russian security officials visit to S. Ossetia RIA Novosti 22 Jul 2009 -- Georgia accused Russia of seeking to further destabilize the situation in the Caucasus.
• Tajik Official Says Militant Activity Not Spreading To South RFE/RL 22 Jul 2009 -- An Interior Ministry official in Tajikistan's southwestern Khatlon Province says reports of armed men coming to this region are untrue.
• Nigerian Militants Free Hostages VOA 22 Jul 2009 -- The main Nigerian militant group has released six crew members it seized earlier this month from the Singapore flagged oil tanker Sichem Peace.
• Nigerian militants free two Russian hostages - embassy RIA Novosti 22 Jul 2009 -- Nigerian militants have freed two Russians, abducted from a chemical tanker on July 4.
• NIGERIA: Security forces must investigate killings says rights group IRIN 22 Jul 2009 -- Nigerian police and military forces killed 130 civilians, mostly young Muslim men, and must urgently investigate the matter, Human Rights Watch (HRW) told a judicial commission of inquiry into the violence in Plateau State in November 2008.
• Czech Republic becomes State Party to International Criminal Court UN News Centre 22 Jul 2009 -- Czech Republic has become the latest country to ratify the Rome Statute.

News Reports

• Pakistan's Top Court Asks Musharraf to Explain Emergency Rule VOA 22 Jul 2009 -- Pakistan's top court asking former President Musharraf to explain decision to impose emergency rule and fire several judges.
• Honduras Crisis Talks Postponed VOA 22 Jul 2009 -- The interim government of Honduras said mediation talks set for Wednesday have been postponed to await a new proposal for resolving the three-week-old political crisis.
• Ousted Zelaya announces plans for Honduran return RIA Novosti 22 Jul 2009 -- Honduran ousted President Zelaya has pledged to return home on Wednesday.
• Uighurs: China's Muslim Minority Claims to be Marginalized in Its Ancestral Homeland VOA 22 Jul 2009 -- The July 5th riot in China's remote western province has brought attention to one of China's largest minorities.
• Russian swine flu cases rise to 12 RIA Novosti 22 Jul 2009 -- The number of Russians who have contracted swine flu has risen to 12.
• A Primer On Kyrgyzstan's Presidential Election RFE/RL 22 Jul 2009 -- Kyrgyzstan enjoys a reputation of being the most democratic state in Central Asia, but that image stands to be tainted by the early presidential election to be held on July 23.
• US House Approves Extension of Ban on Imports from Burma VOA 22 Jul 2009 -- The US House of Representatives has approved a one year renewal of a ban on imports from Burma.
• Clinton Upgrades US Ties With ASEAN VOA 22 Jul 2009 -- Secretary of State Clinton moved to upgrade US relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
• ASEAN Ministers Discuss Cooperation and Security VOA 22 Jul 2009 -- FMs from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations are meeting with regional dialogue partners in Thailand to discuss challenges and cooperation.
• Biden Wraps Up Ukraine Visit With Tough Words RFE/RL 22 Jul 2009 -- US VP Biden delivered a tough message to Ukraine's political leaders in Kyiv, urging them to display political maturity and live up to the promise of the 2004 Orange Revolution.
• Biden Arrives in Georgia with Message of Support VOA 22 Jul 2009 -- US VP Biden has pledged firm support for Georgia, saying that America stands with the former Soviet republic and will continue to do so.
• Georgian Opposition Appeals To U.S. To Promote, Guarantee Political Reform RFE/RL 22 Jul 2009 -- Georgian opposition parties and independent journalists hoping visit by US VP Biden will result in greater pressure on the Georgian leadership to deliver on its repeated pledges of political reform.
• Georgian opposition urges U.S. to appoint guarantor of democracy RIA Novosti 22 Jul 2009 -- Opposition alliance: US should appoint a representative to oversee democratic reforms in Georgia.
• Moldova Says Bucharest Not Involved In Postelection Violence RFE/RL 22 Jul 2009 -- Moldovan's top justice official has said that Romania was not involved in the postelection riots in Chisinau on April 7 that left at least one protester dead and led to hundreds of arrests.
• Mauritanian Opposition Wants Constitutional Council to Reject Vote Results VOA 22 Jul 2009 -- Leading opposition candidates who lost Mauritania's presidential election want the country's constitutional council to invalidate the victory of former military leader Mohammed Ould Abdel Aziz.