• 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 Aug 2009 [PDF]
• Aug. 12 airpower summary: Reaper provides overwatch AFNS 13 Aug 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Aug. 12, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.
• Northern Iraq Twin Suicide Bombings Kill 20 VOA 13 Aug 2009 -- Police say two suicide bombers targeting a minority community killed at least 20 people and wounded 30 others in northern Iraq's restive Mosul province.
• 396th Transportation Company departs to Iraq Army News 13 Aug 2009 -- Starting from scratch and standing up the company with virtually nothing, the 396th Transportation Company, 87th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Brigade has had a long road to travel
• 988th MPs return home from Iraq Army News 13 Aug 2009 -- A military police company that introduced police transition teams to Iraq's Maysan Province has returned home following a yearlong deployment, which saw the withdrawal of forces from Iraqi cities, villages and localities
• Transcript: DoD News Briefing with Secretary Gates and Gen. Cartwright from the Pentagon DoD 13 Aug 2009 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates and Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Marine Gen. James E. Cartwright
• Gates Might Agree to More Troops for Afghanistan VOA 13 Aug 2009 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates indicated Thursday he might be receptive if his new commander in Afghanistan asks for more troops, but he is still concerned that having too many foreign forces in the country could alienate its people.
• Gates Notes Security Progress Prior to Afghan Election AFPS 13 Aug 2009 -- The sacrifices of coalition servicemembers in southern Afghanistan will allow more Afghans to vote in the national elections next week, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said here today.
• Joint Force Captures Bombing Suspects in Afghanistan AFPS 13 Aug 2009 -- Afghan soldiers, aided by NATO’s International Security Assistance Force, captured suspected Taliban fighters Aug. 11 in the Sayed Abad district of eastern Afghanistan’s Wardak province.
• Ex-Afghan President Survives Taliban Ambush VOA 13 Aug 2009 -- Former Afghan President Berhanuddin Rabbani has survived a Taliban ambush in northern Afghanistan, an area that has seen a recent rise in militant attacks.
• Afghan ex-president escapes Taliban attack RIA Novosti 13 Aug 2009 -- Former Afghan President Burhanuddin Rabbani escaped a Taliban ambush on Thursday, the head of Ali Abad district in northern Kunduz province said.
• Hurt By Security Failings, Karzai Hangs On To Frontrunner Status RFE/RL 13 Aug 2009
• Afghan Strategy More Than Counterinsurgency, Holbrooke Says RFE/RL 13 Aug 2009 -- Richard Holbrooke, the special U.S. envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, says an important part of Washington's strategy to defeated the Taliban and Al-Qaeda is recognizing that Afghanistan doesn't exist in a vacuum
• 22 Killed in Raid on Taliban Bases, Says Pakistan VOA 13 Aug 2009 -- Pakistani officials say military strikes on Taliban bases in northwest tribal areas Thursday killed at least 22 insurgents.
• U.S. Assumes Command of Counter-piracy Task Force AFPS 13 Aug 2009 -- The combined task force of international navies that counter piracy off the coast of Somalia and throughout the Gulf of Aden was returned to U.S. command at a ceremony here today.

Defense Policy / Programs

• DoD News: Army Releases July Suicide Data DoD 13 Aug 2009 -- The Army released suicide data for the month of July today. Among active-duty soldiers there were eight potential suicides in July
• U.S. Must Rebuild Trust with Pakistan, Gates Says AFPS 13 Aug 2009 -- The United States must maintain relationships with Pakistan for the long term to build trust between the nations, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said here today.
• Deliberate path ahead for Airmen AFNS 13 Aug 2009 -- New co-chairs assumed their leadership positions as the Enlisted Force Development Panel met at the Pentagon Aug. 5.
• Artillerymen sharpen skills, test new weapons Army News 13 Aug 2009 -- With the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, continuing its transformation from a heavy brigade to light infantry brigade, units within the brigade are training to become a lighter fighting force
• Army Showcased at AUSA Annual Meeting Army News 13 Aug 2009 -- If you want to be close to the heartbeat of the Army, then attending the annual meeting of the Association of the U.S. Army is the place to be
• Khaan Quest 2009 begins with UNSOC Army News 13 Aug 2009 -- Approximately 35 officers representing nine countries began the United Nations Staff Officers Course, the first official event of Khaan Quest 2009, on Monday
• Audie Murphy center opens Army News 13 Aug 2009 -- Audie Murphy Fitness Center opened with a new look and a new name Monday after a monthlong renovation
• Unauthorized gear risky to Soldiers Army News 13 Aug 2009 -- Soldiers are putting themselves at risk by using unauthorized ballistic protection and body armor
• New Deputy Garrison Commander ready for the BRAC challenge Army News 13 Aug 2009 -- In some ways, Fort Benning doesn't look much different than it did 43 years ago - the last time George Steuber was here for advanced individual training and jump school, he said
• "Wings of Lightning" Combat Action Brigade returns to Iraq Army News 13 Aug 2009 -- Another unit of the 25th Infantry Division (ID) has cased its colors and will soon join the fight in support of Operation "Iraqi Freedom."
• Marne Soldiers conduct TICPDE training Army News 13 Aug 2009 -- Chemical Soldiers from throughout the 3rd Infantry Division participated in Toxic, Industrial, Chemical Protection and Detection Equipment training, Aug. 6, allowing Soldiers to learn how to detect and dispose of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear threats
• Makin Island Makes First Port Call in Rio De Janeiro Navy NewsStand 13 Aug 2009 -- The Navy's newest Wasp-Class amphibious assault ship, USS Makin Island (LHD 8), spent four days in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, using the time to interact with Brazilian military members and enjoy some liberty in one of South America's most famous cities Aug. 12.
• Multinational Counterpiracy Meeting Held in Bahrain Navy NewsStand 13 Aug 2009 -- A meeting of the Shared Awareness and Deconfliction (SHADE) group was held in Bahrain Aug. 11.
• Coalition Counterpiracy Task Force Changes Command Navy NewsStand 13 Aug 2009 -- Combined Task Force (CTF) 151 held a change of command ceremony aboard the coalition counterpiracy flagship USS Anzio (CG 68) while pierside in Bahrain Aug. 13.
• Groundbreaking Held for New Center for Security Forces Training Facility Navy NewsStand 13 Aug 2009 -- Portsmouth Naval Shipyard hosted a groundbreaking ceremony Aug. 11 for the new Center for Security Forces (CENSECFOR) Detachment Kittery - Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) training facility.
• Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 12 Gets New Commanding Officer Navy NewsStand 13 Aug 2009 -- Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 12 held a change of command ceremony at the Snug Harbor Officers Club, Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek July 30.
• Expeditionary Combat Readiness Center Changes Hands Navy NewsStand 13 Aug 2009 -- The Expeditionary Combat Readiness Center (ECRC) received a new commanding officer during an official change of command ceremony held at the Carl Brashear Conference Center on Naval Amphibious Base, Little Creek July 31.
• Stick 'em up: Corrosion control shop develops decals for rapid recognition AFNS 13 Aug 2009 -- From the "bandit" nose at the tip to the "Box D" high on the tail, 100th Air Refueling Wing KC-135 Stratotankers are easy to distinguish from other bases' Stratotankers.
• U.S., Vietnam host Asia-Pacific military nursing symposium AFNS 13 Aug 2009 -- The United States and Vietnam co-hosted more than 200 nurses from 14 countries during the 3rd Annual Asia-Pacific Military Nursing Symposium in Hanoi, Vietnam Aug 3 through 7.
• Osan cross servicing program fosters good relations AFNS 13 Aug 2009 -- The first combat cross servicing program evaluation of the year for Osan Air Base Airmen took place Aug. 10 when two South Korean F-5's landed on the flightline here.
• Africa Command Helps Countries Face Common Challenges AFPS 13 Aug 2009 -- U.S. Africa Command is hitting its stride as it works with African nations to confront common security challenges, a Pentagon official said.
• Exercise Pacific Reach 2009 tests watercraft capabilities Army News 13 Aug 2009 -- Active-duty and Army Reserve Soldiers from across the globe are testing the readiness of the Army's prepositioned set four [APS-4) during military exercise Pacific Reach 2009 at Yokohama North Dock, Tokyo, Japan
• Customers driving move to new Vehicle Processing Center Army News 13 Aug 2009
• MFE StratMob team supports OEF through international partnerships USMC News 13 Aug 2009
• ABL Successfully Completes Low-Power Laser Tests Against an Instrumented Boosting Missile Target MDA 13 Aug 2009 -- The Missile Defense Agency's Airborne Laser (ABL) prototype aircraft successfully acquired, tracked, provided atmospheric compensation and simulated the directed energy kill sequence against an instrumented boosting missile target using three onboard low-power lasers on Aug. 10 at 9:50 p.m. PDT.
• Biden Remarks Anger Russian Officials VOA 13 Aug 2009 -- Recent statements by Vice President Joe Biden have angered Russian officials.
• China Holds Massive Long-Range Military Exercises VOA 13 Aug 2009 -- China began holding a massive military exercise this week, deploying 50,000 troops to areas far from their bases for live-fire drills.
• Canada keeps tabs on Russian nuclear subs RIA Novosti 13 Aug 2009 --Canada's Department of National Defense has sent a surveillance plane to the country's eastern coast to monitor two nuclear-powered Russian submarines in the area, CBC reported on Thursday
• Russian border guards exercise in Pacific with FSB aviation RIA Novosti 13 Aug 2009 -- Russian coast guards and Federal Security Service (FSB) air units have conducted a series of exercises in the Pacific, a spokesman said on Thursday.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 13 Aug 2009
• Briefing by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 8/13/09 The White House 13 Aug 2009

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for August 13, 2009
• Boeing B-1 Upgraded With Fully Integrated Data Link Completes 1st Flight Boeing 13 Aug 2009 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] on July 29 successfully completed the first flight of a B-1 bomber upgraded with the Fully Integrated Data Link (FIDL).
• Lockheed Martin Joint Light Tactical Vehicle Exceeds 50,000 Miles Of Operational Testing Lockheed Martin 13 Aug 2009 -- Lockheed Martin’s [NYSE: LMT] first four operational Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) prototypes, featuring at least one prototype in each vehicle category and including two variants of the Category B model, have successfully exceeded 50,000 combined miles of testing.
• Lockheed Martin Begins Testing on Australia’s First Aegis Weapon System Lockheed Martin 13 Aug 2009 -- The Aegis Weapon System destined for Australia’s first Air Warfare Destroyer began a four month testing program today at Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT]’s Aegis Production Test Center.
• Lockheed Martin Develops Mission Maker Cyber Security Solutions for Warfighters Lockheed Martin 13 Aug 2009 -- Military operations threatened by persistent cyber attacks will benefit from mission assurance and resilience through cyber security solutions being developed by Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT].
• Northrop Grumman's E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Completes 2nd Year of Flight Testing Northrop Grumman 13 Aug 2009 -- In the two years since Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) E-2D Advanced Hawkeye took flight at the company's East Coast Manufacturing and Flight Test Center in St. Augustine, Fla., the program has continued on a steady and successful course with an end goal of delivering this revolutionary Airborne Early Warning weapons system to the warfighter.
• WATCHKEEPER completes major flight trials milestone Thales 13 Aug 2009 -- Thales UK is pleased to announce that the WATCHKEEPER unmanned air system (UAS) successfully completed a key set of inaugural flights in June 2009, which will allow the system to progress to a series of ground system and flight trials in the UK.
• Boeing Airborne Laser Team Completes 1st Airborne Test Against Instrumented Target Missile Boeing 13 Aug 2009 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA], industry teammates and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency on Aug. 10 successfully completed the Airborne Laser's (ABL) first in-flight test against an instrumented target missile, achieving a historic milestone.
• Lockheed Martin-Built System Directs Laser Beam In Airborne Laser’s Simulated Target Intercept Lockheed Martin 13 Aug 2009 -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) announced today that the Beam Control/Fire Control system for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency’s Airborne Laser (ABL) has focused and directed a low-power laser beam in an engagement with an instrumented, boosting missile target, resulting in a successful simulated intercept.
• Northrop Grumman-Developed Beacon Illuminator Laser Proves Reliability in Airborne Laser Ground, Air Tests Northrop Grumman 13 Aug 2009 -- Much of the story about the U.S. Missile Defense Agency's Airborne Laser (ABL) so far has centered on the missile-killing "big laser," which continues to garner attention whenever it's fired.
• Russia aims to start making MiG-35 fighters for India in 2013 RIA Novosti 13 Aug 2009 -- Production of MiG-35 multirole fighters offered for sale to India cannot start before 2013 or 2014, a Russian aircraft maker said on Thursday.
• Sokol starts deliveries of Yak-130 combat trainers to Russian AF RIA Novosti 13 Aug 2009 -- Sokol, a Nizhny Novgorod-based aircraft maker, has started deliveries of new Yak-130 combat trainers to the Russian Air Force, the company said on Thursday.
• Oshkosh Defense Taps Proven Suppliers for Competitively Priced FMTV Bid Oshkosh 13 Aug 2009 -- Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK), has delivered a competitively priced and low-risk bid for the U.S. Army’s Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) competitive rebuy.

Other Conflicts

• Clashes Between Houthi Rebels, Yemeni Government Forces VOA 13 Aug 2009 -- Fighting between Yemeni government forces and a Shi'ite rebel group in the north of the country appears to have intensified, with reports of casualties on both sides.
• HRW Urges Israel to Investigate Gaza Civilian Killings VOA 13 Aug 2009 -- The U.S. group Human Rights Watch is urging Israeli leaders to thoroughly investigate reports that soldiers shot and killed civilians who were carrying white flags during Israel's 22-day assault on the Gaza Strip six months ago.
• DRC Forces Capture Major Rwandan Genocide Suspect VOA 13 Aug 2009 -- Congolese forces have arrested one of the major remaining suspects for crimes committed during the Rwandan genocide. The indicted former mayor of a Rwandan town will be put on trial at the special tribunal for genocide suspects in Tanzania.
• SUDAN: "Hunger gap" threat growing in the south IRIN 13 Aug 2009 -- Concern is growing at the likely humanitarian impact of poor rains and high levels of insecurity in Southern Sudan, with aid workers and officials warning of a major hunger gap in coming months.
• Are Chechen Factions Headed Toward Unity? RFE/RL 13 Aug 2009 -- Akmed Zakayev, the head of the pro-independence Chechen Republic Ichkeria, has announced he and an official from the pro-Moscow Chechen leadership had reached agreement on convening a world congress to promote the further unity of Chechen society
• Separatist Leader Says Kadyrov Not Behind Activist Killings RFE/RL 13 Aug 2009 -- Akhmed Zakayev, the London-based head of the Chechen Republic-Ichkeria, says he doesn't believe pro-Moscow Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov is behind the recent killings of human rights activist Natalya Estemirova or a children's aid worker and her husband in Chechnya, RFE/RL's Russian Service reports
• Rasmussen to cut KFOR troops in Kosovo RIA Novosti 13 Aug 2009

News Reports

• Russia to spend $10.7 mln to fight swine flu RIA Novosti 13 Aug 2009 -- Russia will allocate 343 million rubles ($10.7 million) in 2009 to combat the spread of the A/H1N1 virus, including 45 million rubles ($1.4 million) to develop a vaccine, the health ministry said on Thursday.
• India Steps Up Measures to Control Spread of Swine Flu VOA 13 Aug 2009 -- India is stepping up measures to control the spread of swine flu, as the death toll from the H1N1 virus rises to 20
• Lockerbie bomber may be transferred to Libya on health grounds RIA Novosti 13 Aug 2009 -- The man convicted of organizing the 1988 Lockerbie plane bombing may be transferred from a Glasgow jail to Libya next week on compassionate grounds, British media said on Thursday.
• Libyan Lockerbie Bomber Could be Released from British Prison VOA 13 Aug 2009 -- The man convicted of the 1988 bombing of Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, could be released from prison next week on compassionate grounds, according to British television. The reports of a release have prompted mixed reactions from families of the victims.
• US Envoy Returning to Asia for North Korea Sanctions Talks VOA 13 Aug 2009 -- The State Department said Thursday its special envoy for implementing U.N.-mandated sanctions against North Korea will return to Asia next week for more talks on tightening economic curbs against Pyongyang.
• North Korea Releases Detained South Korean Executive VOA 13 Aug 2009 -- A South Korean executive is free and back home after more than four months of isolated captivity in North Korea. His release follows a four-day mission by the corporate chairwoman who employs him, and whose company has invested massively into the North's impoverished economy.
• Analysis: Hurdles in the way of Madagascar's new deal IRIN 13 Aug 2009 -- It will take some time for Madagascar's feuding political rivals to implement their breakthrough agreement, but while hopes are high that the newly signed deal will pave the way to reconciliation and stability, there are still some serious hurdles.
• Security Council voices ‘serious concern’ at Aung San Suu Kyi verdict UN News Centre 13 Aug 2009 -- The Security Council today added its voice to those calling for the release of all political prisoners in Myanmar, while expressing concern over this week’s verdict against pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
• Reported torture of Iranian election protesters worry UN rights experts UN News Centre 13 Aug 2009 -- A group of independent United Nations human rights experts voiced serious concern today over accusations of torture and rough interrogation tactics in connection with trials of protesters of Iran’s disputed presidential elections.
• Yushchenko says 'disappointed' by Medvedev's 'unfriendly' letter RIA Novosti 13 Aug 2009 -- Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko said he was very disappointed by the Russian leader's recent open letter to him, describing the message as "unfriendly."
• Report Says Militia Groups on the Rise in US VOA 13 Aug 2009 -- A U.S. legal organization says right-wing militia groups with anti-government agendas are regrouping across the country and growing rapidly.
• Thai prosecutors to appeal Bout extradition case in higher court RIA Novosti 13 Aug 2009 -- Thai prosecutors who represented Washington during the trial of Viktor Bout intend to appeal the court's refusal to extradite him to the United States, the Russian businessman's Thai lawyer said Thursday.
• Russian Warships Join Atlantic Hunt for Missing Freighter VOA 13 Aug 2009 -- Russian warships are scouring the Atlantic for a freighter with 15 Russian crew last spotted more than two weeks ago steaming through the English Channel.
• Clinton Says US Supports Sirleaf VOA 13 Aug 2009 -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has given a big boost of support to embattled Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf whose Truth and Reconciliation Commission has recommended that she be barred from holding further public office.
• Kenya's Food Crisis Worsening VOA 13 Aug 2009 -- Kenya's government is announcing new emergency steps to address the country's growing food crisis. But critics say the government's actions are too little, too late.
• Sudan Cancels Death Sentences Against US Diplomat's Killers VOA 13 Aug 2009 -- An appeals court in Sudan has commuted the death sentences of four men convicted of killing a U.S. diplomat and his Sudanese driver.
• Facing Wave Of Violence, Iraqi Shi'ite Factions Show Restraint -- For Now RFE/RL 13 Aug 2009 -- Violence had dropped markedly throughout Iraq in late 2008 and early 2009 -- prompting the U.S. military to withdraw soldiers from urban areas and hand over security there to Iraqi government troops