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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 20 Aug 2009 [PDF]
• DoD News: DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• DoD News: DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• Aug. 19 airpower summary: F-15E destroys enemy position AFNS 20 Aug 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and ISAF in Afghanistan during operations Aug. 19.
• Transcript: DoD News Briefing with Lt. Gen. Helmick From Iraq 20 Aug 2009 -- Presenter: Commander, Multinational Security Transition Command-Iraq Lt. Gen. Frank Helmick
• Commander Condemns Baghdad Attacks, Cites Security Lapse AFPS 20 Aug 2009 -- US commander in Iraq condemned attacks in Baghdad, saying a security lapse allowed the deadly assault.
• Airborne Cavalry Soldiers Stay Vigilant in Iraqi Suburbs AFPS 20 Aug 2009 -- Undeveloped areas and vast farmlands are some of the key characteristics that make up the southeastern areas outside the Iraqi capital.
• Iraq Prime Minister Blames Sunni Insurgents for Baghdad Bombings VOA 20 Aug 2009 -- Iraqi PM al-Maliki is blaming Sunni insurgents for wave of bomb and mortar attacks in Baghdad.
• Iraq Detains 11 Security Officers After Baghdad Carnage VOA 20 Aug 2009 -- Iraq has detained 11 security officers for questioning about security failures that led to the bloodiest day in Baghdad in more than a year.
• Air Cav continues supports to Iraqi training Army News 20 Aug 2009 -- American forces continue to support the Iraqi Army using the same training methods available to U.S. military forces.
• 110th QM Co returns from Iraq Army News 20 Aug 2009 -- Soldiers of the 110th Transportation Company, 260th Quartermaster Battalion rolled into Hunter Army Airfield.
• 233rd Trans. Co. returns home Army News 20 Aug 2009 -- About 65 Soldiers from the 233rd Transportation Company are back at Fort Benning after a yearlong deployment to Iraq.
• More MCA workers depart for Iraq USMC News 20 Aug 2009 -- One civilian-Marine and 8 contract workers at Maintenance Center Albany departed for Iraq Monday for tours of duty ranging from six to 12 months.
• Obama Pledges Increased Pressure in Afghanistan AFPS 20 Aug 2009 -- President Obama pledged to keep ramping up pressure on insurgents in Afghanistan.
• European Governments Place Restrictions on NATO Forces in Afghanistan VOA 20 Aug 2009 -- International forces under the banner of NATO are continuing to fight Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan.
• Flying hospital staff gives wounded fighting chance AFNS 20 Aug 2009 -- At any given moment, a call can come in requiring an entire aeromedical evacuation staff here to stop what they are doing.
• Obama: Afghan Election 'Successful' VOA 20 Aug 2009 -- U.S. President Barack Obama says Afghanistan's elections appear to have been successful, despite attempts by the Taliban to disrupt them with violence.
• UN officials congratulate Afghan people on largely peaceful polls UN News Centre 20 Aug 2009 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and top envoy to Afghanistan have congratulated the people on elections.
• US, UN Praise Bravery of Afghans on Election Day VOA 20 Aug 2009 -- The White House is praising Afghans for turning out to vote in presidential elections despite the Taliban threats of violence.
• Mixed Turnout, Violence Seen On Afghan Election Day, As Vote Count Begins RFE/RL 20 Aug 2009 -- Calls for Afghans to defy the Taliban's warnings of violence appear to have been only partially successful.
• Afghanistan elections accompanied by over 70 Taliban attacks RIA Novosti 20 Aug 2009 -- Incumbent Afghan President Karzai: More than 70 militant attacks occurred during presidential elections.
• 26 Killed During Afghan Election, Turnout Uncertain VOA 20 Aug 2009 -- Afghanistan has wrapped-up its high-stakes presidential election and officials are calling it a success.
• Afghans Voting, Despite Sporadic Violence RFE/RL 20 Aug 2009 --Voting is picking up across Afghanistan for presidential and provincial council elections, despite reports of scattered violence.
• AFGHANISTAN: Voters defy threats, demand peace IRIN 20 Aug 2009 -- Many Afghans were queuing at polling stations in the north, east and west of the country on 20 August to cast their ballots.
• Imams Getting Out the Vote in Afghanistan VOA 20 Aug 2009 -- The people of Afghanistan vote Thursday in presidential and provincial elections.
• Presidential election kicks off in Afghanistan RIA Novosti 20 Aug 2009 -- Polls to elect a president and provincial council members started in Afghanistan, with a low turnout expected due to a series of attacks.

Defense Policy / Programs

• U.S. 5th Fleet Executes Maritime Strategy Navy NewsStand 20 Aug 2009 -- In the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility, more than
  24,000 Sailors are operating on the ground and at sea and carrying out a full spectrum of missions that support the U.S. maritime strategy.
• Ham: Infantry-Armor merger 'makes perfect sense' Army News 20 Aug 2009 -- When the top U.S. general in Europe - a 33-year Army veteran with longtime ties to Fort Benning - first heard the Infantry and Armor schools would merge here into the Maneuver Center of Excellence, he said his reaction was mixed.
• 1st Infantry Division "Victory 5" now complete Army News 20 Aug 2009 -- For the first time since the 1st Infantry Division returned to Kansas from Germany, all members of the command group are now at Fort Riley - a key step as the division headquarters prepares to deploy to Iraq early next year.
• 495th MCT joins 3SB Army News 20 Aug 2009 -- The 87th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion welcomed a new addition to the 3rd Sustainment Brigade, Friday during the 495th Movement Control Team activation ceremony here.
• USS Buffalo Changes Command Navy NewsStand 20 Aug 2009 -- The USS Buffalo (SSN 715) held a change of command ceremony at the Big Screen Theater aboard Naval Base Guam Aug. 7.
• Acquisition work force steps toward reform AFNS 20 Aug 2009 -- Big changes are ahead in the acquisitions community as DOD officials increase and reshape the acquisition work force.
• Pendleton explains noise under fire USMC News 20 Aug 2009 -- Weeks of window-rattling noise coming from Pendleton may concern local residents, but what some might call a nuisance is saving lives overseas.
• Depot signs $7.5M contract for turret trainer upgrades Army News 20 Aug 2009 -- The depot signed a contract worth $7.5 million on Aug. 7 with Research Triangle Institute International for work that will produce turret trainers for the Army.
• Essex Offloads Ordnance for SRA Navy NewsStand 20 Aug 2009 -- Forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) conducted an ammunition offload Aug. 15-18.
• Yuma Snipers train Miramar Sharpshooters in air-to-air combat USMC News 20 Aug 2009 -- The Yuma-based Marine Fighter Training Squadron 401 traveled to Miramar, Calif., to train in air-to-air combat Aug. 3-14.
• Avengers headed home to Yuma from Japan, MEU USMC News 20 Aug 2009 -- The members of Marine Attack Squadron 211 along with the squadron's eight AV-8B Harriers are scheduled to return Aug. 24-25, 2009, after a deployment to Japan and a tour with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.
• Essex Returns to Sasebo After Successful Talisman Saber 2009 Navy NewsStand 20 Aug 2009 -- The forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) returned to Sasebo, Japan, Aug. 18 after a successful exercise known as Talisman Saber 2009 (TS09).
• USS Scranton Returns From Deployment Navy NewsStand 20 Aug 2009 -- The Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Scranton (SSN 756) returned home Aug. 20 after concluding a regularly scheduled six-month deployment as part of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Strike Group.
• Seabees Arrive in Sasebo for Support Mission Navy NewsStand 20 Aug 2009 -- Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Constructions Battalion (NMCB) 1, based in Gulfport, Miss., arrived at Fleet Activities Sasebo (CFAS) Aug. 17 to kick off a six-month deployment in Japan.
• Pacific Partnership 2009 Departs Solomon Islands Navy NewsStand 19 Aug 2009 -- Pacific Partnership 2009 departed Solomon Islandsafter 14 days of working alongside Solomon Islanders.
• GW Carrier Strike Group Participates In Indonesian International Fleet Review Navy NewsStand 20 Aug 2009 -- George Washington Carrier Strike Group participated in the Indonesia International Fleet Review (IFR), a parade of ships from 33 different countries taking place in Bitung and Manado in North Sulawesi, Indonesia Aug. 19.
• Shaw Airmen train with South Carolina Civil Air Patrol AFNS 20 Aug 2009 -- Shaw Air Force Base Airmen joined volunteers of the South Carolina wing of the Civil Air Patrol in Exercise Fertile Keynote Aug. 11.
• Miramar Marine Corps Air Station Gets Recovery Act Funded Solar Carports Navy NewsStand 20 Aug 2009 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest awarded Recovery Act funded contract Aug. 5 to design and build carports with solar power at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego.
• Mildenhall serves as base for Turkish C-130 engine replacement AFNS 20 Aug 2009 -- Team of 13 Turkish air force mechanics arrived Aug. 17 to repair one of their C-130s after a maintenance inspection revealed problems with one of the aircraft's engines.
• KCNA and Landing Operation Exercise KCNA 20 Aug 2009 -- ROK Special Warfare Command staged naval intrusion exercise in the waters of the West Sea of Korea.
• KCNA and US-ROK Exercises KCNA 20 Aug 2009 -- US and South Korea describing the Ulji Freedom Guardian joint military exercises as defensive.
• Russian state defense order for 2010 planned at $35 bln RIA Novosti 20 Aug 2009 -- Russia's military-industrial commission has submitted to the Finance Ministry a draft 2010 state defense order.
• Su-27 collision reveals flaws in flight safety - top brass RIA Novosti 20 Aug 2009 -- Collisionat rehearsals for the MAKS-2009 air show revealed problems in flight safety procedures and pilot training.
• Russia decides to resume An-124 cargo plane production RIA Novosti 20 Aug 2009 -- Russia's Defense Ministry has decided to resume production of one of the world's largest cargo planes, the An-124.
• Russia Air Force admits problems in 5th-generation jet engines RIA Novosti 20 Aug 2009 -- Russia's Air Force chief acknowledged faults in engines for a fifth-generation fighter jet currently being developed.
• Taiwan-China Economic Ties Boom, Military Tensions Remain VOA 20 Aug 2009 -- Taiwan and China have seen their economic ties improve dramatically since Taiwan President Ma stepped into office last year.
• U.S., Uzbekistan sign military cooperation agreement RIA Novosti 20 Aug 2009 -- US and Uzbek ministries of defense have signed an agreement on military cooperation, including training and educational exchanges.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 20 Aug 2009
• Briefing by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 8/20/09 The White House 20 Aug 2009

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for August 20, 2009
• Boeing and MillenWorks to Demonstrate Tactical Military Vehicle in Off-Road Event Boeing 20 Aug 2009 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] and partner MillenWorks of Tustin, Calif., will participate this week in a 1,000-mile off-road race through the Nevada desert, using a derivative of a tactical military vehicle designed for U.S. special operations forces.
• L-3 Awarded $42.5 Million for VSAT Terminals L-3 Communications 20 Aug 2009 -- L-3 Communications (NYSE: LLL) announced today that its Global Communications Solutions (GCS) division has been awarded a follow-on contract by Eyak Technology for 970 combat service support Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSATs). The value of the award is $42.5 million.

Other Conflicts

• UN force commander briefs Prime Minister-designate on southern Lebanon UN News Centre 20 Aug 2009 -- Head of the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon and PM-designate Saad Hariri discussed the security situation in the country’s south.
• Ethiopian Official Says Somali Militias Use Ethiopia to Attack Rebels VOA 20 Aug 2009 -- Ethiopia has confirmed that pro-government militias from neighboring Somalia are using Ethiopian territory as a base to launch attacks on rebel forces.
• Over 20 people killed in Somalia by pro-government forces RIA Novosti 20 Aug 2009 -- At least 21 people, mostly militants, were killed as pro-government troops attacked the central Somali town of Bulobarde.
• African Union-UN force hosts round-table talks on Darfur peace process UN News Centre 20 Aug 2009 -- Joint AU-UN peacekeeping operation in Darfur convened a round-table discussion with the signatories to the 2006 pact that aims to bring peace to the Sudanese region.
• Sudanese Deal to Bolster Peace Agreement VOA 20 Aug 2009 -- Representatives of North and South Sudan signed an agreement Wednesday resolving most of the outstanding disputes on implementing their landmark peace deal.
• Show Commitment to the CPA, Says Southern Sudan official VOA 20 Aug 2009 -- An official of Sudan's former rebels is calling on Sudan President Omar al-Bashir's NCP Party to show commitment towards CPA.
• S.Russia police face negligence charges over suicide blast RIA Novosti 20 Aug 2009 -- Negligence charges have been brought against senior police officials in the south Russian republic of Ingushetia.
• Ingushetia president to make early return to republic RIA Novosti 20 Aug 2009 -- Ingush President Yunus-Bek Yevkurov, who survived an assassination attempt in June, is to return to the North Caucasus republic.
• YEMEN: Thousands flee as fighting escalates in north IRIN 20 Aug 2009 -- Some 10,000 people have been forced to flee their homes in the northern governorate of Saada as fighting between government troops and rebels continues to escalate.
• Nepal Assures Commitment to Peace Process VOA 20 Aug 2009 -- Nepalese PM: Country is committed to pushing ahead with a peace process at home.
• Nigeria Deports Members of Islamist Sect VOA 20 Aug 2009 -- The government of Nigeria has deported 300 suspected members of an Islamist sect to neighboring Niger.

News Reports

• Ahmadinejad Cabinet Looks Set For Rough Ride In Iran's Parliament RFE/RL 20 Aug 2009 -- Indications that Iranian President Ahmadinejad will have a tough time getting parliamentary approval for new cabinet.
• Iranian Lawmakers Criticize Ahmadinejad's Cabinet Picks VOA 20 Aug 2009 -- Iranian lawmakers warning that they may challenge President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's picks for his new Cabinet.
• New Mexico Governor, N. Korean Diplomats Continue Talks VOA 20 Aug 2009 -- Bill Richardson will host more rare talks with North Korean diplomats, in what he calls a "hopeful sign" of improving relations.
• Nigeria's Ruling Party Claims Credit for Decades of Democratic Rule VOA 20 Aug 2009 -- Nigeria recently marked 10 years of democratic rule without military coups.
• Russian envoy praises NATO role in search for Arctic Sea ship RIA Novosti 20 Aug 2009 -- NATO assistance significantly facilitated the search and rescue of the Arctic Sea cargo vessel seized in the Atlantic by a group of hijackers in late July.
• Arctic Sea cargo ship heads to south Russia for investigation RIA Novosti 20 Aug 2009 -- The Arctic Sea cargo vessel heading to the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiisk for an investigation.
• Arctic Sea crew flown to Moscow RIA Novosti 20 Aug 2009 -- Russian crew of a cargo ship that had been missing in the Atlantic for more than two weeks before being found on Monday are being flown to Moscow.