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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 24 Aug 2009 [PDF]
• Aug. 23 airpower summary: C-17s provide intra-theater heavy airlift AFNS 24 Aug 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Aug. 23, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.
• Forces Detain Suspected Terrorists in Iraq AFPS 24 Aug 2009 -- Iraqi forces, aided by U.S. advisors, detained eight suspected terrorists Aug. 20 and 21 in operations in Iraq, military officials reported.
• Hard Work in Iraq Pays Off, Colonel Says AFPS 24 Aug 2009 -- Coalition and Iraqi forces have sacrificed greatly to build security and develop a democratic process in Iraq, and after nearly seven years, the hard work is paying off, a senior commander in southeastern Baghdad told American Forces Press Service.
• Southern Iraq Blasts Kill 11 VOA 24 Aug 2009 -- Iraqi police say bombs have exploded on two buses near the southern city of Kut, killing at least 11 people and wounding 10 others.
• Top UN envoy urges calm as Afghanistan awaits election results UN News Centre 24 Aug 2009 -- The top United Nations envoy for Afghanistan today urged patience and calm as the country’s Electoral Complaints Commission (ECC) responds to the complaints that have been received following last week’s historic presidential and provincial council polls.
• UN Official Asks for Patience, Calm on Afghan Vote Outcome VOA 24 Aug 2009 -- A day ahead of the expected release of partial results from last Thursday's election in Afghanistan, the top United Nations official is asking for patience from the electorate, the candidates and the media. Our correspondent reports from Kabul.
• Chairman Cites Security as Key Part of Afghan Strategy AFPS 24 Aug 2009 -- Providing security is a key component of President Barack Obama’s strategy for Afghanistan, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said on NBC’s “Meet the Press” yesterday.
• Forces Hinder Insurgent Communication in Afghanistan AFPS 24 Aug 2009 -- U.S. forces conducted an air assault to disrupt insurgent communication and an Afghan civilian thwarted a bomb attack in operations in Afghanistan yesterday, military officials reported.
• Afghan Elections May Face Delay As Voting Fraud Charges Mount VOA 24 Aug 2009 -- There is mounting concern about the aftermath of Afghanistan's presidential election. No results or even an estimated voter turnout have been announced by the country's election officials.
• 2 Nato Soldiers Killed in Afghanistan VOA 24 Aug 2009 -- NATO says two of its soldiers were killed in southern Afghanistan late Sunday, the same day America's top military officer said the situation in the country is "serious and deteriorating."
• AFGHANISTAN: Over 20 schools attacked on election day IRIN 24 Aug 2009 -- At least 26 schools in different parts of Afghanistan were attacked by Taliban insurgents on 20 August - election day - apparently because they were being used as polling stations, according to the Ministry of Education (MoE).

Defense Policy / Programs

• Message from the Director: Release of Material on Past Detention Practices Central Intelligence Agency 24 Aug 2009 -- Statement to Employees by Director of the Central Intelligence Agency Leon E. Panetta on Release of Material on Past Detention Practices
• Special Task Force on Interrogations and Transfer Policies Issues Its Recommendations to the President US Dept. of Justice 24 Aug 2009
• Statement of Attorney General Eric Holder Regarding a Preliminary Review into the Interrogation of Certain Detainees US Dept. of Justice 24 Aug 2009
• US Establishes New Interrogation Unit, Names Head of Prisoner Abuse Probe VOA 24 Aug 2009 -- The White House says it will directly supervise a new unit that is being set up to interrogate high value terror detainees. The announcement came Monday as the Obama administration named a federal prosecutor who will investigate past cases of detainee mistreatment.
• Statement from the Press Secretary on the Department of Justice Inquiry The White House 24 Aug 2009
• United States Transfers Guantanamo Bay Detainee to Afghanistan US Dept. of Justice 24 Aug 2009 -- The Department of Justice today announced that Mohammed Jawad, a native of Afghanistan, has been transferred from the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay to Afghanistan
• United Arab Emirates air force participates in first Red Flag AFNS 24 Aug 2009 -- United Arab Emirates air force pilots and maintainers are participating in the Red Flag exercise at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., for the first time Aug. 22 through Sept. 5.
• 3rd Bombardment Group reunites at Elmendorf AFNS 24 Aug 2009 -- Several members of the 3rd Bombardment Group reunited here Aug. 12 through 16 to honor an important chapter in the 3rd Wing's history.
• Requirements, Cost Control Drive Acquisition Reform AFPS 24 Aug 2009 -- As Defense Department officials overhaul the Pentagon’s acquisition system, they’re asking warfighters to define exactly what they need, then holding industry to more fixed-price contracts to develop those capabilities, a senior defense official told American Forces Press Service.
• VA Simplifies Compensation for Post-traumatic Stress AFPS 24 Aug 2009 -- The Veterans Affairs Department is taking steps to help veterans seeking compensation for post-traumatic stress disorder, VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki announced today.
• Energy Savings Performance Contract to Save $265,000 Annually Navy NewsStand 24 Aug 2009 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Engineering Service Center (ESC) out of Port Hueneme, Calif., awarded an Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) July 31 for work to be done within NAVFAC Southeast's Area of Responsibility at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Beaufort, S.C., that will provide an annual total energy cost avoidance of $265,000.
• Nimitz Celebrates Change of Command Navy NewsStand 24 Aug 2009 -- USS Nimitz (CVN 68) held a change of command ceremony July 24 aboard Nimitz in Yokosuka, Japan.
• Second Phase of CARAT Indonesia Underway Navy NewsStand 24 Aug 2009 -- U.S. and Indonesian Sailors joined together Aug. 24 at the Indonesian Western Fleet Headquarters to kick off the second half of Cooperation Afloat Readiness Training (CARAT) Indonesia 2009.
• Military Working Dogs Safeguard Military Bases Worldwide Navy NewsStand 24 Aug 2009 -- Military working dogs (MWD) and their handlers are deployed worldwide in support of global operations and play a significant role in safeguarding military bases.
• U.S. Coast Guard, Sierra Leone Nab Vessel Fishing Illegally Navy NewsStand 24 Aug 2009 -- Crew members from USCGC Legare (WMEC 912), along with representatives from Sierra Leone's Armed Forces Maritime Wing, Fisheries Ministry and Office of National Security, conducted a joint boarding operation on a Taiwanese-flagged fishing vessel suspected of fishing illegally off the coast of Freetown, Sierra Leone, Aug. 17.
• Senior Army leaders from 26 nations gather in Tokyo to discuss security, cooperation Army News 24 Aug 2009 -- Army Chief of Staff equivalents from 26 countries and senior staff officers from 31 countries around the Pacific and Indian Ocean regions gathered to officially open the Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference VI and the Pacific Armies Management Seminar XXXIII in a ceremony at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo, Japan, Aug. 24
• Military Police pass detainee knowledge on to the Infantry Army News 24 Aug 2009
• 1-58th AOB welcomes new 'Guardian' Army News 24 Aug 2009 -- During a change of command ceremony Friday at Howze Field, 1-58th Airfield Operations Battalion (AOB) Soldiers welcomed incoming Commander Lt. Col. Thomas G. Moore.
• Benét Laboratories' line of sight goes beyond cannon Army News 24 Aug 2009 -- The Army's Benét Laboratories conducted in Albany Thursday its first Black Silicon symposium that was attended by more than 20 representatives from such institutions as Harvard, MIT, RPI, and the Army Research Laboratories
• 'Squared Away' regiment rejoins TRADOC Army News 24 Aug 2009 -- After serving six years under Air Traffic Services Command (ATSCOM), the 1st Battalion, 11th Aviation Regiment rejoined Training and Doctrine Command's (TRADOC) 110th Aviation Brigade. A transition ceremony held Aug. 13 at the U.S. Army Aviation Museum marked the change
• NCOs in western Iraq hoping to reduce deaths with suicide prevention course USMC News 24 Aug 2009 -- Suicide rates in the military are at a 10-year high. In 2008, the Marine Corps had 41 confirmed suicides and approximately 150 suicide attempts, according to the Manpower and Reserve Affairs website
• NATO AWACS proves interoperability during test AFNS 24 Aug 2009 -- A NATO E-3 AWACS took part in six-hour combat scenarios that demonstrated interoperability between its prototype interrogator and various joint platforms that interrogate in the same mode in July flying at an observation point 100 miles off the coast of Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Md.
• Hanscom Airmen train with Massachusetts state troopers AFNS 24 Aug 2009 -- Hanscom Air Force Base security forces Airmen received specialized tactical training as part of an ongoing partnership with the Massachusetts State Police Special Tactical Operations team in early August.
• Iraqi Air Force brings ISR capabilities online AFNS 24 Aug 2009 -- Intelligence collection has become a valuable capability for the Iraqi air force in its push to provide security and stability.
• Briefing by White House Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton, 8/24/09 The White House 24 Aug 2009
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 24 Aug 2009

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for August 24, 2009
• Indian army receives first T-90 tanks made under Russian license RIA Novosti 24 Aug 2009 -- India's defense industry handed over to the army on Monday the first ten T-90 Bhishma main battle tanks assembled under a Russian license at a domestic plant, Indian media reported.
• BAE SYSTEMS RECEIVES $89 MILLION CONTRACT FOR VEHICLE EMERGENCY ESCAPE WINDOWS BAE Systems 24 Aug 2009 -- BAE Systems will supply Vehicle Emergency Escape (VEE) windows for new production M1151 Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV) under a contract with AM General.
• CACI Awarded Prime $70 Million Contract to Support Military Sealift Command CACI 24 Aug 2009 -- CACI International Inc (NYSE:CACI) announced today that it has been awarded a prime $70 million, indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract for up to 7-1/2 years to provide integrated logistics and engineering system development support services to the U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command (MSC).
• Northrop Grumman's Cybersecurity Team Receives Army Information Operations Award Potentially Worth $430 Million Northrop Grumman 24 Aug 2009 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) received an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (ID/IQ) contract from the U.S. Army to continue providing full-spectrum information operations (IO) and computer networks operations (CNO) to the 1st Information Operations Command (Land), Fort Belvoir, Va., and its regional Computer Emergency Response Teams.
• SAIC Awarded $49 Million Task Order By Naval Surface Warfare Center - Dahlgren Division SAIC 24 Aug 2009 -- Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) (NYSE: SAI) today announced it has been awarded a task order by the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) - Dahlgren Division to provide systems engineering and analysis support for combat systems.
• Northrop Grumman Successfully Demonstrates Interoperability Between Manned and Unmanned Platforms Northrop Grumman 24 Aug 2009 -- A leader in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) successfully demonstrated Joint STARS and E-2 Hawkeye interoperability between manned and unmanned platforms during a recent virtual joint military demonstration involving U.S. and coalition forces.
• Air Force, NASA officials launch rocket fueled with environmentally friendly propellant AFNS 24 Aug 2009 -- NASA and Air Force Office of Scientific Research officials here recently announced the launch of an environmentally-friendly, safe propellant comprised of aluminum powder and water ice.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 24 Aug 2009
• Critics Blame Niger Delta Violence on Ruling Party VOA 24 Aug 2009 -- The fighting in the Niger Delta has impeded Nigeria’s ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP, from developing the area’s oil wealth, critics say.
• SUDAN: Thousands flee renewed LRA rebel raids IRIN 24 Aug 2009 -- Fresh attacks by Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels in Southern Sudan have forced thousands of people to flee their homes and created a worrying spike in humanitarian needs, UN officials and aid workers warn.
• African Union-UN peacekeeping mission donates supplies to women’s prison UN News Centre 24 Aug 2009 -- The joint African Union-United Nations peacekeeping mission in Darfur today donated supplies to a women’s prison in the western Sudanese region.
• Processing of voter identification in Côte d’Ivoire going well, says UN envoy UN News Centre 24 Aug 2009 -- The top United Nations envoy to Côte d’Ivoire said today that the processing of data from the nationwide identification and voter registration operation ahead of November’s presidential election is “going well.”
• ISRAEL-OPT: Travel restrictions in West Bank eased for Ramadan IRIN 24 Aug 2009 -- Israel has eased some of its travel restrictions for Palestinians in the West Bank during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, according to the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) spokesperson’s unit.
• SRI LANKA: Warning over Sphere standards in IDP camps as monsoon looms IRIN 24 Aug 2009 -- Sphere standards at internally displaced persons (IDO) camps in northern Sri Lanka are being undermined due to overcrowding, say aid workers.
• Russia accuses Ukraine of fighting for Georgia against S.Ossetia RIA Novosti 24 Aug 2009 -- Russian prosecutors said on Monday that Ukrainian troops and members of a nationalist group were involved in Georgia's attack on South Ossetia last August.

News Reports

• ZIMBABWE: Zuma the peacemaker? IRIN 24 Aug 2009 -- South Africa's president Jacob Zuma, current chairman of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), is scheduled to make his first state visit to Zimbabwe on 27 August 2009.
• Support for Mugabe, ZANU-PF Plunges VOA 24 Aug 2009 -- Support for both President Robert Mugabe and his ZANU-PF party has plunged since formation of a unity government with the Movement for Democratic Change six months ago. Full results of a key public opinion survey will be released in the next few weeks.
• White House Advisers: Swine Flu Poses a Serious Health Threat VOA 24 Aug 2009 -- A U.S. presidential advisory group says in a new report that the A-H1N1 swine flu virus "poses a serious health threat" to the nation.
• President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) releases report assessing H1N1 preparations The White House 24 Aug 2009 -- A Presidential advisory group of the nation's leading scientists and engineers today released a new report assessing the Obama Administration's preparations for this fall's expected resurgence of 2009-H1N1 flu and outlining key steps officials can take in the coming weeks and months to minimize the disease's impact on the nation
• Panel Warns of 90,000 Possible US Flu Deaths VOA 24 Aug 2009 -- U.S. President Barack Obama's science advisers say swine flu could kill up to 90,000 Americans during the winter flu season in the United States.
• Scottish Justice Minister Defends Bomber's Release VOA 24 Aug 2009 -- Scotland's Justice Secretary defended his decision to release the convicted Lockerbie bomber before the Scottish parliament Monday. Parliament was recalled early to address the issue, which has strained relations between Scotland and the United States.
• Scottish Parliament to Review Bomber Release VOA 24 Aug 2009 -- Scotland's parliament has called an emergency meeting on Monday to question the decision to give compassionate release to the Lockerbie bomber.
• Congo-Crimean Hemorrhagic Fever Takes A Deadly Toll In Central Asia RFE/RL 24 Aug 2009 -- What should have been cause for celebration has instead come to signify the very real threat posed by a tick-borne virus that is making its deadly return to Central Asia
• US Criticizes Gadhafi Plan to Pitch Tent Near New York for UN Meeting VOA 24 Aug 2009 -- A senior State Department official on Monday criticized, as "awful," a reported plan by Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi to pitch a tent in a New York City suburb next month when he is due to attend the opening of the U.N. General Assembly.
• Poland Marks 20th Anniversary Of First Post-Communist Government RFE/RL 24 Aug 2009 -- The momentous summer of 1989 was a time of disintegration and rebirth for Central and Eastern Europe
• Taiwan intensifies fight against H1N1 outbreak CNA 24 Aug 2009 -- Taiwan has intensified epidemic prevention efforts as it confirmed on Monday the fourth and fifth fatalities from swine flu, officially known as influenza A (H1N1)
• Pakistani Police: 13 Militants Arrested, Terror Plots Foiled VOA 24 Aug 2009 -- Pakistani police say they thwarted multiple terror plots by arresting 13 militants with links to al-Qaida or the Taliban during raids in southern and eastern Pakistan.
• US Pushes to Enforce N. Korea Sanctions VOA 24 Aug 2009 -- A senior U.S. envoy says Washington is cooperating closely with South Korea to ensure United Nations sanctions against North Korea are carried out. However, Washington is leaving room for the South to revive its economic cooperation with Pyongyang.