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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 02 Sep 2009 [PDF]
• Sept. 1 airpower summary: A-10s suppress enemy position AFNS 02 Sep 2009
• 4 Iraqis Sentenced to Death for Bank Robbery VOA 02 Sep 2009 -- An Iraqi court has sentenced 4 security force members to death for their involvement in a bloody bank heist that left eight police guards dead.
• Vehicle company steps up, moves out Army News 02 Sep 2009 -- On May 25, Soldiers of the 1161st Transportation Company, Washington National Guard arrived in Iraq.
• 1st ACB, Iraqi Air Force strengthen partnership Army News 02 Sep 2009 -- Members of 2nd Squadron, Iraqi Air Force spent time with American pilots and maintenance technicians.
• Hunting Taliban different than what they expected: Marines gain small victories without fighting USMC News 02 Sep 2009 -- For the Marines of C/1/5th Marines, hunting the Taliban takes patience and flexibility.
• Marines operate out of enemy compound USMC News 02 Sep 2009 -- Marines with C/1/5th Marines, have been using formerly Taliban-owned real estate as a base of operations for nearly two months now.
• Suicide bomber targets Afghan security chief, 23 dead RIA Novosti 02 Sep 2009 -- At least 23 people, including a deputy intelligence head, were killed in a suicide bomb attack in Afghanistan.
• Suicide Bomber Kills 23 in Eastern Afghanistan VOA 02 Sep 2009 -- A suicide bomber has detonated explosives in a crowd of government officials in eastern Afghanistan.
• Afghanistan: UN official appalled by deadly attack on mosque UN News Centre 02 Sep 2009 -- A senior UN official spoke out against suicide bomb attack at a mosque in eastern Afghanistan.
• International Envoys Pledge Continued Support for Afghanistan VOA 02 Sep 2009 -- Senior international envoys vowed continued strong support for Afghanistan during strategy talks in Paris.
• Afghan Meeting In Paris Overshadowed By Vote Fraud Claims RFE/RL 02 Sep 2009 -- Richard Holbrooke is meeting representatives from 26 nations in Paris to compare notes on the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan.
• Envoys in Paris to Discuss Afghanistan VOA 02 Sep 2009 -- International envoys are meeting in Paris Wednesday to discuss the situation in Afghanistan.
• Kandahar Province Presents Critical Test For Afghanistan's Future RFE/RL 02 Sep 2009 -- Songs praising the beauty of Kandahar once echoed in the streets of its capital.
• NY Times: New Accusation of Ballot Fraud in Afghanistan VOA 02 Sep 2009 -- Tribal leaders in southern Afghanistan have accused police of shutting down polling sites and stuffing election boxes.
• Karzai extends lead in Afghan election RIA Novosti 02 Sep 2009 -- Afghanistan's incumbent leader Hamid Karzai has strengthened his lead in the ongoing vote count following the August 20 presidential election.
• Afghan opium production in significant decline UNODC 02 Sep 2009 -- Opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan is down 22 per cent, opium production is down 10 per cent, while prices are at a 10 year low.
• Afghan opium market hit by falling cultivation, production, prices - UN report UN News Centre 02 Sep 2009 -- Poppy cultivation in Afghanistan has slumped for the second year, according to a UN report.
• U.N. Agency Notes Decline in Afghan Poppy, Opium AFPS 02 Sep 2009 -- Farmers in Afghanistan grew fewer opium poppy plants last year, while opium drug production also declined, according to a UN report.
• UN Reports Decline in Afghanistan Opium Production VOA 02 Sep 2009 -- The United Nations says opium production in Afghanistan has declined for a second consecutive year.
• PAKISTAN: Tension in Waziristan prompts fear of further displacements IRIN 02 Sep 2009 -- Two suicide bombings have claimed 38 lives over the past week.
• Pakistani Minister Wounded in Shooting VOA 02 Sep 2009 -- Police in Pakistan say gunmen opened fire on the car carrying the nation's religious affairs minister, wounding him and killing his driver.
• US to Base Drones in Seychelles to Fight Piracy VOA 02 Sep 2009 -- The United States is planning to deploy unmanned aerial vehicles in the Seychelles islands in the coming weeks to combat piracy.
• U.S., Venezuelan Navies Cooperate to Stem Illicit Drug Flow Navy NewsStand 02 Sep 2009 -- Units conducting operations coordinated with elements of the Armada Bolivariana de Venezuela.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Gates Explains Opposition to Alternate F-35 Engine AFPS 02 Sep 2009 -- Proposed alternative engine for the F-35 would cost far more than the existing engine and push back the production timetable.
• II MEF showcases its irregular warfare capabilities for QDR panel USMC News 02 Sep 2009 -- Representatives from the Department of Defense visited Marine Corps forces in North Carolina, Aug. 28, 2009, as part of the Quadrennial Defense Review.
• Enterprise Completes Second Phase of Crew Certification Navy NewsStand 02 Sep 2009 -- The crew of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) passed phase two of the Crew Certification Process (Crew Cert) Sept. 1 in preparation for getting the ship out of the shipyards and back underway.
• AEGIS Pilot Program Boosts FC Training Continuum Navy NewsStand 02 Sep 2009 -- Center for Surface Combat Systems (CSCS) and Aegis Training and Readiness Center (ATRC) co-located in Dahlgren, Virginia are making dramatic advances in concepts of future Sea Warrior training.
• Kadena Airmen 'deploy' to Guam AFNS 02 Sep 2009 -- Nearly 100 maintenance, operations, and support personnel arrived here Aug. 31 as part of a test of the deployment capabilities of the 18th Wing from Kadena Air Base, Japan.
• NMCB 7 Seabees Play 'Bad Guys' For NMCB 133, NMCB 22 Navy NewsStand 02 Sep 2009 -- Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 7 provided 87 personnel to play the aggressor for NMCB 133 and NMCB 22's field exercise (FEX).
• U.S. Army Test, Measurement, and Diagnostic Equipment Activity Army News 02 Sep 2009 -- The U.S. Army Test, Measurement, and Diagnostic Equipment Activity (USATA) executes the Army's test, measurement, and diagnostic equipment (TMDE) calibration and repair support program.
• Hybrid-electric vehicles saving fuel costs at Stewart-Hunter Army News 02 Sep 2009 -- They look just like any other car or pickup, but because they're hybrid-electric vehicles, they save drivers a lot of money in fuel costs, and they reduce air pollution for everyone.
• Air Force Uniform Office researches fire-resistant uniform AFNS 02 Sep 2009 -- Members of the Air Force Uniform Office learn about and see the latest developments in wool production.
• New Contracting Brigade Activated at Fort Shafter Army News 02 Sep 2009 -- With the uncasing of the unit colors, the 413th Contracting Support Brigade became an integral part of United States Army, Pacific's mission at a ceremony on historic Palm Circle Sept. 2.
• Air Force officials release Predator accident report AFNS 02 Sep 2009 -- Air Force officials: A disconnected vacuum line caused the April 28 crash of an MQ-1 Predator west of Creech Air Force Base.
• APS Arrives in Monrovia Navy NewsStand 02 Sep 2009 -- High Speed Vessel Swift (HSV 2) arrived at the port of Monrovia, Sept. 2, to conduct training and assistance programs as part of Africa Partnership Station (APS).
• KU teams up with Fort Riley to fly unmanned craft Army News 02 Sep 2009 -- University of Kansas Aerospace Engineering department traveled to Fort Riley to test its Meridian Unmanned Aircraft System.
• EPA Approves Army's Closure of Johnston Atoll Chemical Agent Disposal System Army News 02 Sep 2009 -- US EPA accepted the Army's closure of its former Johnston Atoll Chemical Agent Disposal System.
• CBRNE Consequence Management Response Force Army News 02 Sep 2009 -- CCMRF is the CBRNE Consequence Management Response Force.
• Civilian doctor observes aeromedical evac flights to help train military medics AFNS 02 Sep 2009 -- Trauma surgeon flew on a C-17 Globemaster III during an aeromedical evacuation mission to help shape future training for military medical teams worldwide.
• NSWC Crane Leads Testing Range Development Navy NewsStand 02 Sep 2009 -- Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane has partnered with the U.S. Army's Yuma Proving Grounds to develop the Electromagnetic Environment (EME) Joint Experimental Range Complex-3 (JERC-3) site in Yuma, Ariz.
• Fort Riley breaks ground for new Skeet and Trap Complex Army News 02 Sep 2009 -- A groundbreaking ceremony for the Fort Riley Skeet and Trap Complex took place Aug. 28 at Range 34.
• Letter from the President to the Speaker of the House regarding Designation of Contingent Emergency 2009-H1N1 Funding The White House 02 Sep 2009
• Russia's top brass gather in Moscow to discuss military reform RIA Novosti 02 Sep 2009 -- Russia's military leadership including fleet and military district commanders gathered to discuss ongoing reforms.
• Russia Takes Countermeasure against U.S. and Japan's Missile Shields KCNA 02 Sep 2009 -- Russian Chief of the General Staff announced that Russia deployed air defence systems in the Far Eastern region.
• New Georgian Defense Minister Says Goals 'Clear And Unchanged' RFE/RL 02 Sep 2009 -- Controversial former Penitentiary Department head Bacho Akhalya has embarked upon his new duties and made public the broad outlines of his agenda.
• World Watches as New Japanese Leader Prepares to Shape Foreign Policy VOA 02 Sep 2009 -- There remain more questions than answers about how Japan's new PM will shape foreign policy.
• China to showcase new missiles during October 1 parade RIA Novosti 02 Sep 2009 -- China will display five new types of domestically produced missiles at a National Day military parade on October 1.
• Post-disaster relief to be made core military mission CNA 02 Sep 2009 -- Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense will list post-disaster rescue and relief as one of its core missions.
• Ex-senior military officer gets stiff sentence for corruption CNA 02 Sep 2009 -- Former deputy commanding general of Taiwan's Reserve Command was sentenced to prison for his involvement in corruption case.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 02 Sep 2009

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for September 02, 2009
• ATK Receives $10 Million Order for Enhanced Portable Inductive Artillery Fuze Setters (EPIAFS) After Passing First Article Acceptance Testing ATK 02 Sep 2009 -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) recently received a $10 million order for Enhanced Portable Inductive Artillery Fuze Setters (EPIAFS), following successful completion of First Article Acceptance Testing (FAAT) with the U.S. Government. The contract was awarded to ATK by the U.S. Army Program Manager - Combat Ammunition Systems located at Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey.
• Raytheon Delivers Critical Mine Countermeasure Capabilities to U.S. Navy Fleet Raytheon 02 Sep 2009 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has delivered the next-generation AN/AQS-20A Minehunting Sonar and AN/ASQ-235 Airborne Mine Neutralization System to the U.S. Navy.
• Israel Aerospace Industries Will Introduce Various New Land-Based Products and Technologies at the Third Annual Latrun Conference Israel Aerospace Industries 02 Sep 2009 -- Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) will introduce various land-based products and technologies at the third annual Latrun Conference. The conference opens today (September 2nd) and is organized by The Institute for Land Warfare Studies, the Israeli Ground Forces, and the Armored Corps Memorial Site and Museum Association at Latrun, Israel.
• IAI to Present New Autonomous Artillery for the Ground Forces- JUMPER Israel Aerospace Industries 02 Sep 2009 -- Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is presenting the JUMPER System – missiles launched from a vertical launcher pack to precisely strike targets at ranges of up to 50 Km at the 3rd Army & Defense Conference & Exhibition at Latrun, Israel.
• A new name to note: Oerlikon Contraves Deutschland GmbH is now Rheinmetall Soldier Electronics Rheinmetall Defence 02 Sep 2009 -- Trading under the new name Rheinmetall Soldier Electronics GmbH, the former Oerlikon Contraves Deutschland GmbH of Stockach, Germany, supports the world’s armed forces with an extensive array of high-tech products and services. The company, which has belonged to the Rheinmetall Group since 1999, develops and manufactures special components for infantry applications.
• TopOwl confirmed as the main mission and piloting equipment for helicopter crews Thales 02 Sep 2009 -- TopOwl®, the Helmet Mounted Sight Display from Thales, is confirmed as the main advanced mission and piloting equipment available to date, combat proven onboard transport and attack helicopters in current theatres of operations.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 02 Sep 2009
• Israel releases 9 Hamas lawmakers RIA Novosti 02 Sep 2009 -- Israeli authorities released on Wednesday nine Hamas lawmakers, a Hamas legislator in the West Bank said.
• Israeli, Palestinian Officials Discuss Economy VOA 02 Sep 2009 -- Israeli and Palestinian officials Wednesday held their highest-level talks since Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took office in March.
• Israel, Palestinians hold first talks for six months RIA Novosti 02 Sep 2009 -- Israeli and Palestinian ministers held their first talks since Israeli PM Netanyahu came to power in March.
• Analysis: Who is fighting whom in Somalia IRIN 02 Sep 2009 -- Somalia has experienced conflict since 1991 when the late President Mohamed Siad Barre's government was overthrown by opposition forces.
• Sudanese Archbishop Says Anti-Peace Forces Behind Killings in South VOA 02 Sep 2009 -- The archbishop of the Episcopal Church in Sudan says some of the tribal killings in South Sudan are not from cattle raids as reported, but are well-organized attacks against villagers.
• DRC Rebel Group Faults Government over Agreement VOA 02 Sep 2009 -- In the Democratic Republic of Congo, a rebel group is scheduled to hold a news conference to demand the full implementation of a recently signed agreement.
• Tensions Rise Over Georgia's Sea Blockade Of Abkhazia RFE/RL 02 Sep 2009 -- The leader of Georgia's breakaway region of Abkhazia has threatened to destroy any Georgian ship entering Abkhazia's "territorial waters."
• Georgia shrugs off Abkhazian president's threat to fire on ships RIA Novosti 02 Sep 2009 -- Georgia's deputy PM dismissed the Abkhazian president's order to fire upon any Georgian ship violating the maritime border of Abkhazia as a "pre-election bluff."
• Abkhazia to fire upon Georgian ships violating its border RIA Novosti 02 Sep 2009 -- Abkhazian FM: Abkhazia's president has ordered that force be used against Georgian vessels violating the former Georgian republic's maritime border.
• Buket's Turkish operator appeals Georgian jail term for captain RIA Novosti 02 Sep 2009 -- Turkish company operating the Buket tanker seized by Georgia while en route to Abkhazia in mid-August has appealed its captain's prison sentence.
• UN Launches Flash Appeal for Yemen VOA 02 Sep 2009 -- The United Nations is appealing for $23.5 million to provide emergency assistance until the end of the year to 150,000 people displaced by recent fighting between government forces and armed groups.
• Ingush president warns republic of suicide bomber threat RIA Novosti 02 Sep 2009 -- The president of Ingushetia said on Wednesday that a group of suicide bombers had arrived in the Russian North Caucasus republic.
• Rwanda Working with Finland on Genocide Trial VOA 02 Sep 2009 -- The Rwandan government is offering subdued praise for the Finnish trial of a former Rwandan Baptist pastor suspected of genocide crimes.
• Three new judges sworn in before UN's Balkans war crimes tribunal UN News Centre 02 Sep 2009 -- Three new permanent judges were sworn in today before the United Nations war crimes tribunal that was set up to try people accused of committing the worst offences during the Balkan conflicts of the 1990s.

News Reports

• Obama to Preside at UN Security Council VOA 02 Sep 2009 -- The United States has taken over the rotating presidency of the 15-member United Nations Security Council for the month of September.
• Obama Marks Ramadan At White House VOA 02 Sep 2009 -- US President Obama hosted an iftar dinner evening at the White House - the special meal used to break the daily sunrise to sunset fast during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
• Israeli Diplomat Asks African Leaders to Reject Fiery Rhetoric VOA 02 Sep 2009 -- During a five-nation African tour, Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman is urging Africa to reject "one-sided decisions" against his country.
• Kenyan TJRC has mandate to Recommend Prosecution, Says US Member VOA 02 Sep 2009 -- One of the 3 foreigners on the nine-member Kenyan TJRC: Commission has the power to recommend prosecution of those it would find committed violations of both international and Kenyan law.
• Colombia's Uribe Moves Closer to 3rd Term VOA 02 Sep 2009 -- Colombian lawmakers have approved a bill calling for a referendum on whether to change the country's constitution to allow President Alvaro Uribe to run for a third term next year.
• Zelaya Urges Defense of Democracy on US Visit VOA 02 Sep 2009 -- Ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya is speaking out in support of democracy as he continues efforts to regain power, more than two months after his overthrow in a coup.
• Honduran interim leader urges nation to vote RIA Novosti 02 Sep 2009 -- Country's interim leader Roberto Micheletti: Presidential elections in Honduras are "the only solution" to the current political crisis, urging the nation to vote.
• Security Tight as Gabon Prepares for Election Results VOA 02 Sep 2009 -- Security forces in Gabon have stepped up patrols ahead of the expected announcement of a winner from Sunday's presidential vote.
• Gabon Electoral Commission to Declare Winner of Vote VOA 02 Sep 2009 -- Gabon's Electoral Commission is scheduled to announce the winner of last Sunday's presidential election Wednesday.
• Guinea Authorities Ban Political Discourse on Radio Broadcasts VOA 02 Sep 2009 -- After temporarily suspending SMS text messaging in order to curb political rallies in the capital Conakry, Guinea's military authorities have now banned political discussions from radio broadcasts.
• No Elections on Horizon as Fiji Dismisses Commonwealth Suspension VOA 02 Sep 2009 -- Fiji's military government says its suspension from the 53-nation Commonwealth is the price it must pay for reforming the country's troubled political system.
• UN prepares to help after deadly earthquake strikes Indonesia UN News Centre 02 Sep 2009 -- UN agencies are preparing to take part in an emergency assessment mission on the Indonesian island of Java, where a massive earthquake struck.
• Thales Alenia Space statement concerning Palapa-D satellite Thales 02 Sep 2009 -- The Palapa-D telecommunication satellite was launched on August 31, 2009 from Xi Chang by a Long March 3B rocket.