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Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 19 Aug 2009 [PDF]
• MND-S Soldier dies from combat related injuries
• Aug. 18 airpower summary: 3,400 pax moved AFNS 19 Aug 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and ISAF troops in Afghanistan during operations.
• Task Force ODIN welcomes new crew, commander MNF-I 19 Aug 2009 -- The 10th Combat Aviation Brigade's Task Force ODIN welcomed a new crew and commander Aug. 14
• Bomb Blasts Kill Scores In Baghdad RFE/RL 19 Aug 2009 -- A series of explosions has killed at least 95 people and wounded more than 400 in central Baghdad.
• Baghdad Blasts Kill 95 VOA 19 Aug 2009 -- Multiple explosions in the Iraqi capital have killed 95 people and wounded at least 310 others, in the worst day of violence in Baghdad since US forces left urban areas.
• Death toll rises to 95 in Baghdad attacks - Interior Ministry RIA Novosti 19 Aug 2009 -- The Iraqi Interior Ministry has reported at least 95 killed and 563 injured after attacks in the country's capital of Baghdad.
• Baghdad gripped by panic after attacks kill at least 60 RIA Novosti 19 Aug 2009 -- Streets of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad fell eerily quiet on Wednesday after truck bomb and mortar attacks killed at least 60 people.
• "Garryowen" continues Federal Police training Army News 19 Aug 2009 -- Soldiers from C/1-7th Cavalry continue training the 2nd Federal Police Brigade during the month-long Wolf Academy at JSS Station Istiqlaal.
• 514th is jack-of-all-trades for JBB Army News 19 Aug 2009 -- Soldiers of the 514th Ordnance Company, out of Fort Drum have learned to adapt as they perform a myriad of missions not organic to their organization.
• 1st Joint DFAC in the AOR Opens at JBB Army News 19 Aug 2009 -- While Joint Base Balad is both an Army and Air Force installation, there are few operations where Soldiers and Airmen work directly hand-in-hand.
• Oil analysis program protects service members saves money Army News 19 Aug 2009 -- At Joint Base Balad stands a man who keeps service members safe and saves the government money.
• 3/11 provides security to locals around Fiddlers Green USMC News 19 Aug 2009 -- Marines conducting patrol are not infantry; most of them are from HHB, 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment.
• 2/8 Marines engage in six-hour firefight with Taliban insurgents USMC News 19 Aug 2009 -- Marines and ANA soldiers departed their outpost on a combat patrol that turned into largest firefight here since July.
• 2/8 Marines fight, push insurgents back USMC News 19 Aug 2009 -- Marines with E/2-8th Marines exchanged fire with Taliban militants and drove them from a fortified fighting position here Aug. 15, 2009.
• 2/8 Marines discover, seize insurgent cache USMC News 19 Aug 2009 -- Marines with E/2-8th Marine s discovered a cache of IED-making materials in an insurgent compound here Aug. 10, 2009.
• 2/8 Marines see regular enemy activity in Afghan south USMC News 19 Aug 2009 -- US Marines poured into southern Helmand Province when Operation Khanjar kicked off July 2, 2009.
• NATO, US Troops Continue Fighting Taliban in Afghanistan VOA 19 Aug 2009 -- There are roughly 100,000 American and North Atlantic Treaty Organization troops in Afghanistan.
• Generals Discuss NATO Role in Afghan Elections AFPS 19 Aug 2009 -- NATO-led ISAF in Afghanistan is supporting Afghan security forces' efforts.
• Afghanistan's Helmand Province Becomes Electoral Litmus Test RFE/RL 19 Aug 2009 -- US Marines and Afghan forces this week captured the administrative center of the northern Nawzad district.
• Afghanistan Braces for Presidential Election Following New Violence in Kabul VOA 19 Aug 2009 -- Incumbent Afghan leader Karzai urged voters to turn out for presidential and provincial elections.
• Afghanistan Tries to Assure Voters About Adequate Security VOA 19 Aug 2009 -- Afghanistan's government is trying to assure voters that adequate security is in place for Thursday's national election.
• Ban calls on all Afghans to cast their votes in tomorrow's elections UN News Centre 19 Aug 2009 -- Secretary-General Ban has urged all eligible Afghan men and women to cast their ballots.
• Handbook Applies Lessons Learned in Afghanistan AFPS 19 Aug 2009 -- Army handbook addresses the unique set of topographical, cultural and operational challenges facing troops in Afghanistan.
• Afghan Elections Primer RFE/RL 19 Aug 2009 -- Afghans go to the polls on August 20 to choose a president and members of 34 provincial councils.
• Moscow confirms Afghan transit deal with U.S. to kick in Sept. 6 RIA Novosti 19 Aug 2009 -- Russian-US agreement on military transit to Afghanistan will go into effect on September 6.
• Pakistani Taliban Commander Claims Temporary Leadership of Group VOA 19 Aug 2009 -- Top Pakistani Taliban commander temporarily assuming leadership of the group because Baitullah Mehsud is unwell.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Airborne Laser Successfully Fires the High Energy Laser in Flight MDA 19 Aug 2009 -- The Airborne Laser's (ABL) megawatt-class Chemical Oxygen Iodine Laser (COIL) successfully fired in flight Aug. 18
• Night Stalkers recognize 20 years of support to special operations forces Army News 19 Aug 2009 -- This year recognized 20 years of aviation support to Special Operations Forces for 3rd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne).
• Army breaks ground on vehicle research facility Army News 19 Aug 2009 -- US Army's Tank and Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center broke ground Monday, on the Department of Defense's pioneering Ground System Power and Energy Laboratory.
• Navy Managing Army Project on U.S. Air Force Base Navy NewsStand 19 Aug 2009 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southeast attended a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Headquarters, 3rd Army, Army Central Command August 17 at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C.
• Communications directorate consolidates, stands-up AFNS 19 Aug 2009 -- Air logistics center becomes the first in Air Force Materiel Command to stand up a communications directorate.
• Travis Airmen provide presidential support AFNS 19 Aug 2009 -- Members of the 615th Contingency Response Wing there to smooth the way for President Barack Obama's two-day visit to Mexico.
• Strike Group Departs Manila Following Historic Port Visit Navy NewsStand 19 Aug 2009 -- George Washington Carrier Strike Group departed Manila Bay Aug. 15 after making a scheduled port visit to the capital city.
• Army delivers state-of-art helicopter to patrol border Army News 19 Aug 2009 -- Representatives from the Utility Helicopter Project Office marked the delivery of the first of 4 UH-60M aircraft that.
• Ceremony Celebrates Completion of El Centro Naval Air Facility Hangars Navy NewsStand 19 Aug 2009 -- A ribbon cutting ceremony marks the completion of an $18 million construction project to build 21st century hangars for Naval Air Facility (NAF) El Centro.
• Contracts awarded for national cemetery near Philadelphia Army News 19 Aug 2009 -- Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced that VA has awarded contracts to prepare the new "Washington Crossing National Cemetery" near Philadelphia, Pa., for its first burials.
• Gates, Mullen Use New Media to Hear from Troops, Public AFPS 19 Aug 2009 -- Got questions you’d like to pose directly to the defense secretary or chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff? Now is your chance!
• Pentagon Tweets, Blogs, Posts, and 'Friends' VOA 19 Aug 2009 -- US DoD has become the latest establishment organization to venture into the Internet world of social networking.
• USNS Richard E. Byrd Returns Fishing Vessel to Kiribati Navy NewsStand 19 Aug 2009 -- US Military Sealift Command underway replenishment ship USNS Richard E. Byrd returning the fishing vessel and engine to the fishermen from Tabitteuea, Kiribati, who went missing earlier this year and eventually drifted to Honiara.
• In Vietnam, Webb Says US Must 'Balance' China VOA 19 Aug 2009 -- Senator Jim Webb to Vietnam, where he said US should do more to "balance" China.
• KCNA and Ulji Freedom Guardian KCNA 19 Aug 2009 -- Ulji Freedom Guardian joint military exercises kicked off by the U.S. and the south Koreans.
• US-S. Korea War Exercises Censured KCNA 19 Aug 2009 -- Spokesman for the DPRK Foreign Ministry gave answer question as regards the Ulji Freedom Guardian joint military exercises.
• Ulchi Freedom Guardian 2009 underway in South Korea Army News 19 Aug 2009 -- Ulchi Freedom Guardian, the world's largest annual computerized command and control exercise, is being conducted Aug. 17 - 28 by Republic of Korea and United States military forces.
• Tupolev aircraft maker to develop Russia's new strategic bomber RIA Novosti 19 Aug 2009 -- Russian Defense Ministry and Tupolev have signed a contract on development of a new-generation strategic bomber.
• Israel's Peres says Russia could review missile sales to Iran RIA Novosti 19 Aug 2009 -- Israeli President Shimon Peres: Russia could review its plans to deliver advanced air defense systems to Iran.
• Russia fulfils contract for 18 fighters to Malaysia RIA Novosti 19 Aug 2009 -- Russia has completed deliveries of 18 Su-30MKM fighters to Malaysia as part of an agreement signed in 2003.
• Russia to deliver 8 Su-30MK2 fighters to Vietnam in 2010 RIA Novosti 19 Aug 2009 -- Russia will fulfill a contract on the delivery of eight Su-30MK2 fighters to Vietnam in 2010.
• Ukraine's Yushchenko calls on Medvedev to improve bilateral ties RIA Novosti 19 Aug 2009 -- Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko urged Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to work for better bilateral relations.
• Canada's PM Asserts Country's Arctic Sovereignty VOA 19 Aug 2009 -- Canadian PM Harper observed military exercises in the Arctic and vowed to protect what he described as Canada's sovereignty in a region rich in natural resources.
• Briefing by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 8/19/09 The White House 19 Aug 2009
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 19 Aug 2009

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for August 19, 2009
• Boeing Airborne Laser Team Fires High-Energy Laser in Flight Boeing 20 Aug 2009 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA], industry teammates and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency on Aug. 18 successfully fired the high-energy laser aboard the Airborne Laser (ABL) aircraft in flight for the first time, moving closer toward ABL's upcoming missile shoot-down demonstration.
• Airborne Laser Keeps Optical Components Aligned Perfectly to Achieve First Flight Firing of Northrop Grumman-Built Laser Northrop Grumman 20 Aug 2009 -- One flight. Three more 'firsts' for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency's Airborne Laser (ABL). And a victory for 'laser alignment.'
• BAE SYSTEMS SEMICONDUCTOR FACILITY ACCREDITED AS DoD TRUSTED SUPPLIER BAE Systems 19 Aug 2009 -- The Pentagon's Defense Microelectronics Activity has accredited BAE Systems' microelectronics foundry in Nashua as a trusted supplier of microelectronics for the U.S. Department of Defense and other government customers
• L-3 Awarded T-1A Jayhawk Logistics Support Contract L-3 Communications 19 Aug 2009 -- L-3 Communications (NYSE: LLL) announced today that its Systems Field Support (SFS) division was awarded a 60-day base contract with eight option years from the U.S. Air Force to serve as prime contractor on the T-1A Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) program.
• Lockheed Martin C-5 Rerp Production Begins Lockheed Martin 19 Aug 2009 -- The first Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] C-5 Galaxy strategic transport was inducted into the Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Program (RERP) production line in ceremonies at the Lockheed Martin facility here August 18.
• Northrop Grumman Selected for Next Stage of Competition to Provide Joint Operations Centre for Royal Brunei Armed Forces Northrop Grumman 19 Aug 2009 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has been selected by Brunei's Ministry of Defence as one of the two suppliers that will go forward to the next phase of the competition to provide a Joint Operations Centre command and control capability for the Royal Brunei Armed Forces
• Northrop Grumman Selected to Continue the Development of the Army's DCGS-A Mobile Basic BCT System Northrop Grumman 19 Aug 2009 -- Northrop Grumman Corp. (NYSE:NOC) has been selected by the U.S. Army to finalize development of its Distributed Common Ground System-Army (DCGS-A) Mobile Basic system, specifically for the Army's emerging Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs).
• CACI Awarded Prime Position on $900 Million Contract With U.S. Army Intelligence and Information Warfare Directorate CACI 19 Aug 2009 -- CACI International Inc (NYSE:CACI) announced today it has been awarded an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity task order contract to continue its support for the U.S. Army's Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center (CERDEC) Intelligence and Information Warfare Directorate (I2WD) through the Technical Engineering Support Services (TESS) award.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 19 Aug 2009
• Mixed Reaction to Israeli Announcement of Partial Settlement Freeze VOA 19 Aug 2009 -- There has been mixed reaction to Israel's announcement of a partial freeze on settlement expansion.
• Obama Meets Mubarak, Says He Sees 'Positive Steps' In Mideast RFE/RL 19 Aug 2009 -- US President Obama met with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak at the White House for what was Mubarak's first visit to Washington in five years.
• UN reiterates call on Israel to ease access restrictions in West Bank and Gaza UN News Centre 19 Aug 2009 -- Senior UN official repeated the world body’s appeal to Israel to ease restrictions on the movement of Palestinians and of goods in the West Bank and Gaza.
• Somali Militants Vow to Launch New Attacks During Ramadan VOA 19 Aug 2009 -- AU peacekeeping mission in Somalia urging Somali militants not to follow through on their threat to double the number of attacksduring the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
• Somali Government Forces Capture Town from Insurgents VOA 19 Aug 2009 -- Forces of Somalia's transitional government have captured a town from Islamist insurgents.
• Is Russia Losing the North Caucasus? RFE/RL 19 Aug 2009 -- In a region where almost daily shootings and bombings have taken place for years, an attack in Ingushetia earlier this week caught the authorities by surprise.
• Russia's FSB has leads on who was behind Ingushetia bomb attack RIA Novosti 19 Aug 2009 -- Federal Security Service has information on the masterminds of a suicide bombing in southern Russia.
• Medvedev criticizes lack of safety for police officers RIA Novosti 19 Aug 2009 -- Russia's president: Law enforcement chiefs at all levels would be taken to task if they fail to ensure the safety of police officers.
• Daghestan's Leaders Seek To Allay Public Panic RFE/RL 19 Aug 2009 -- Since Ali Magomedov was named to head the Daghestan's Interior Ministry, 16 police officers have been killed.
• Jordanian police unit boosts presence of UN-African Union force in Darfur UN News Centre 19 Aug 2009 -- Advance party of Jordanian police officers arrived in Darfur ahead of a larger deployment due later this month to strengthen the efforts of the joint UN-AU peacekeeping force.
• Thai Military Says It Makes Progress in Ending Insurgent Violence in South VOA 19 Aug 2009 -- Military commander overseeing Thailand's largely Muslim southern provinces: Security improving as the army steps up efforts.
• Eritrea Ruled by Trigger-Happy Government, Says Ethiopia's Minister VOA 19 Aug 2009 -- Ethiopia says it is vindicated after an international commission ordered neighboring Eritrea to pay about $10 million for the destruction in both countries during 2-year war.

News Reports

• Iran's Ahmadinejad to Reveal Cabinet VOA 19 Aug 2009 -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will unveil his new Cabinet to parliament.
• Revolutionary Guards Official Calls For Musavi's Arrest RFE/RL 19 Aug 2009 -- Head of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps' Political Bureau: Opposition leader Mir Hussein Musavi should be arrested.
• Iranian Opposition Figure Ready to Present Evidence for Rape Claims VOA 19 Aug 2009 -- Iranian opposition figure Mehdi Karoubi says he is ready to present evidence to support his controversial claims.
• US Not Ready to Declare Thaw in N. Korea Relations VOA 19 Aug 2009 -- Obama administration welcomes seemingly-conciliatory gestures but says it is not ready to say relations have begun to thaw.
• N. Korean Officials Meet with US Governor Richardson VOA 19 Aug 2009 -- Two North Korean diplomats are meeting with U.S. Governor Bill Richardson Wednesday in Santa Fe in the western state of New Mexico.
• North Korea to send delegation to South for Kim Dae-jung funeral RIA Novosti 19 Aug 2009 -- North Korea to send officials to the funeral of ex- South Korean president Kim Dae-jung.
• North Korea to Send Delegation to South for Kim Dae-jung Funeral VOA 19 Aug 2009 -- North Korea plans to send a delegation to the funeral of former South Korean President Kim Dae-jung.
• US Unveils Business Guidelines to Contain Swine Flu VOA 19 Aug 2009 -- US government officials are urging businesses to develop plans to deal with the upcoming flu season.
• UN health agency advises South-East Asian nations in fight against A(H1N1) virus UN News Centre 19 Aug 2009 -- UN health agency providing information and technical expertise to countries in South-East Asia.
• Russia to spend $125 million to develop swine flu vaccine RIA Novosti 19 Aug 2009 -- Russia will allocate $125 million in 2009-2010 to develop a vaccine for swine flu.
• Belarus registers first case of swine flu - Health Ministry RIA Novosti 19 Aug 2009 -- The Belarusian Health Ministry has registered the first case of swine flu in the country.
• Taiwan's President Defends Handling of Typhoon Relief VOA 19 Aug 2009 -- Taiwan's defense minister and the secretary-general of the Cabinet have resigned to take responsibility for response to Typhoon.
• Executive Yuan secretary-general, defense minister offer to resign CNA 19 Aug 2009 -- Executive Yuan Secretary-General and Defense Minister offered to resign after they became magnets for criticism for the government response to Typhoon Morakot.
• US Man Heads Home After Release from Burma Prison VOA 19 Aug 2009 -- An American man who was imprisoned in Burma for making an unauthorized visit to the lakeside home of democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi is heading home.
• Kenya MP Leads Final Effort to Try Violence Suspects Locally VOA 19 Aug 2009 -- A rogue Kenyan minister of parliament is working with the nation's civil society in a final effort to pass a bill forming a special tribunal to try perpetrators of post-election violence.
• Uganda's Re-Appointed Electoral Commission Chair Responds to Critics VOA 19 Aug 2009 -- In Uganda, President Yoweri Museveni's decision to re-appoint Badru Kiggunda as chair of the country's Electoral Commission has been met by violent protests from opposition supporters.
• Questions Remain Over Ship's Russian Rescue RFE/RL 19 Aug 2009 -- Russian investigators are looking into the circumstances of the apparent hijacking of a Maltese-registered ship "Arctic Sea" with 15 Russian sailors aboard.
• Arctic Sea crew reach Cape Verde island, set to fly to Russia RIA Novosti 19 Aug 2009 -- The Russian crew of the Arctic Sea cargo ship were transferred on Wednesday from a Russian Navy frigate to a Cape Verde island from where they will fly on to Russia, local media reported.
• Relatives of Arctic Sea crew still waiting for contact RIA Novosti 19 Aug 2009 -- Relatives of the crew of the Arctic Sea have still not spoken to their loved ones.
• Russia: Hijackers Threatened to Blow Up Captive Ship VOA 19 Aug 2009 -- Russian authorities: Armed hijackers of the freighter Arctic Sea demanded a ransom and threatened to blow up the ship if their demands were not met.
• Russia confirms ransom demand was received for Arctic Sea ship RIA Novosti 19 Aug 2009 -- Russia's Defense Ministry confirmed that the hijackers of the Arctic Sea did demand a ransom to release the cargo ship.