16 August 2009 Military News

Aug. 15 airpower summary: Predator eliminates enemy threat AFNS 16 Aug 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and ISAF in Afghanistan during operations.

In Landmark Debate, Afghan Presidential Contenders Challenge Karzai RFE/RL 16 Aug 2009 -- In a live television debate in Kabul, Afghan President Hamid Karzai received staunch challenges from two of his main opponents in next week's presidential election
Khost PRT gets boots on the ground Army News 16 Aug 2009 -- On a hot and humid summer day in Khost City, Afghanistan, local Afghan citizens got a chance to meet and interact with the newest members of the Khost Provincial Reconstruction Team, Aug. 5
Afghan President Karzai Confronts Two Rivals in Election Debate VOA 16 Aug 2009 -- Three candidates in the Afghan presidential election, including incumbent President Hamid Karzai, have faced off in a nationally broadcast debate. It was the first time a sitting president has participated in such an election debate.
Tight Security in Place for Elections Day in Afghanistan VOA 16 Aug 2009 -- Top government officials responsible for security in Afghanistan say there is no way to ensure the Taliban will not be able to cause civilian casualties before the election or on the day of voting. Afghanistan's military is declaring a one-day unilateral cease-fire for election day Thursday, saying troops will only take defensive positions to prevent Taliban violence against polling stations.

5 Soldiers, 13 Militants Killed in Pakistan VOA 16 Aug 2009 -- A suicide bomber rammed his car into a security checkpoint in Pakistan's northwestern Swat Valley Saturday, killing five soldiers - while eight militants were killed in another part of the valley.
US Envoy Says 'Significant Progress' Against Pakistani Taliban VOA 16 Aug 2009 -- U.S Special Envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke is praising what he calls Pakistan's "significant progress" in the anti-terrorism fight. Mr. Holbrooke is in Pakistan meeting with government officials and opposition politicians to discuss among other things Pakistan's war against extremism and economic challenges.

Essex Says Sayonara to 3/5 BLT, Offloads 31st MEU Navy NewsStand 16 Aug 2009 -- The forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) offloaded the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Aug. 13 after successfully completing Talisman Saber 2009.

KPA Denounces Projected U.S.-S. Korea Joint Military Exercises KCNA 16 Aug 2009 -- Panmunjom Mission of the Korean People's Army denounced the Ulji Freedom Guardian joint military exercises.
Pyongyang threatens retaliation over joint S.Korea-U.S. exercise RIA Novosti 16 Aug 2009 -- Pyongyang blasted as nuclear war preparations on Sunday coming South Korea-U.S. military drills and threatened with retaliation, Yonhap said.

U.S. to dispatch helicopters, materials for typhoon relief CNA 15 Aug 2009 -- The United States will send heavy-lift helicopters along with other relief supplies to Taiwan in the coming days in the wake of Typhoon Morakot, the Taipei-based American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) said Saturday
U.S. heavy-lift chopper to arrive Monday CNA 16 Aug 2009 -- At least one U.S. heavy-lift CH-53E helicopter will arrive in Taiwan Monday to assist in relief operations in the southern part of the country.
U.S. C-130 brings plastic sheeting for typhoon relief CNA 16 Aug 2009 -- A United States military C-130 transport plane arrived Sunday at Tainan Air Force Base with a cargo of plastic sheeting to help with reconstruction efforts in the wake of Typhoon Morakot

Russia, Venezuela Discuss Oil Deal, Arms VOA 16 Aug 2009 -- Russia and Venezuela made plans to set up a joint venture to develop Venezuela's oil reserves as they signed a series of agreements meant to forge a closer relationship between the two allies.

Pilot killed as two Su-27 fighters collide southeast of Moscow RIA Novosti 16 Aug 2009 -- One of three pilots rehearsing a flight of two Su-27 fighters ahead of MAKS-2009 air show was killed as the military aircraft collided southeast of Moscow on Sunday, a Defense Ministry source said.

YEMEN: Fighting forces 120,000 people to flee IRIN 16 Aug 2009 -- Nearly 120,000 people from various districts in Yemen’s northern province of Saada fled their homes to safer areas on the border with Saudi Arabia as renewed clashes between the army and Houthi rebels escalated over the past four days, according to Mohammed Abdussalam, spokesman for the office of rebel leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi.

Russia, NATO have 'exhaustive' info on Arctic Sea - envoy RIA Novosti 16 Aug 2009 -- Russia and NATO have exhaustive information on the Arctic Sea cargo vessel, missing in the Atlantic since late July, the country's envoy to the alliance has said.
Interview: U.S. Ambassador Sees Political Will For Reform In Moldova RFE/RL 16 Aug 2009
Clinton's Africa Trip Meant to Underscore US Commitment to Closer Ties VOA 16 Aug 2009 -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is back in the United States after a seven-nation tour of Africa.
US Senator Wins Release of American Prisoner in Burma VOA 16 Aug 2009 -- U.S. Senator Jim Webb, who won the release of an American prisoner in Burma, says the United States must develop new ways to bring about political and economic change in the isolated state. Senator Webb called on China to end its silence on Burma and use its influence there with the repressive government.
Ethnic Disputes Delay Iraqi Census VOA 16 Aug 2009 -- Iraq's planning minister says the country's first nationwide census in two decades will be postponed indefinitely because of ethnic tensions.
Iran Puts 28 More Detainees on Trial VOA 16 Aug 2009 -- Iranian media report that 28 more people have been put on trial for their alleged involvement in the unrest following the presidential election in June. Those in court Sunday are being tried on charges of plotting the violence for years/li>

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