• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 03 Sep 2009 [PDF]
• Two MND-N Soldiers killed in vehicle rollover accident (Tikrit)
• Sept. 2 airpower summary: F-16s watch over ground troops AFNS 03 Sep 2009
• Airmen help Iraqi army take control of base operations AFNS 03 Sep 2009 -- Operations continue as normal at Camp Ur. The focus remains the same: keep the base running and the mission on target.
• DoD News: Army Announces New Afghanistan Troop Rotation DoD 03 Sep 2009 -- The Department of the Army announced today the extension of a division headquarters and a combat aviation brigade in Afghanistan, as well as the future deployment of a division headquarters with recent Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) experience
• Gates: Afghan War 'Not Slipping Through' Obama's Fingers VOA 03 Sep 2009 -- US Defense Secretary Gates acknowledged there is a "limited time" to show that the new military strategy is working.
• Afghanistan Assessment Looks to Defeat al-Qaida AFPS 03 Sep 2009 -- Defense Secretary Gates: Enemies of America remain in Afghanistan, and the United States must stay there to defeat the terrorists.
• Army announces new Afghanistan troop rotation Army News 03 Sep 2009 -- The Department of the Army announced the extension of a division headquarters and a combat aviation brigade in Afghanistan, as well as the future deployment of a division headquarters with OEF experience.
• NMCB-74 Camp Maintenance, On the Job at Camp Natasha Navy NewsStand 03 Sep 2009 -- Camp Natasha is a small, but evolving area on Camp Leatherneck under the command of NMCB 74.
• Afghan C-27A program takes flight AFNS 03 Sep 2009 -- Test pilots, engineers and ground crews from Alenia North America performed an initial test flight of the first of 20 programmed Afghan C-27As.
• U.S. Investigates Misconduct Allegations At Kabul Embassy RFE/RL 03 Sep 2009 -- Scantily-clad security guards dancing around a bonfire and urinating while others snap photographs.
• Alcohol Banned at Camp Housing Guards for US Embassy in Afghanistan VOA 03 Sep 2009 -- The US embassy in Afghanistan has banned alcohol at a camp that houses security guards.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Transcript: DoD News Briefing with Secretary Gates and Adm. Mullen from the Pentagon DoD 03 Sep 2009 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael Mullen
• Hellfire Missile Version Ready for Prime Time Army News 03 Sep 2009 -- JAMS Project Office team has conducted final two test shots for ER/Multipurpose UAS variant of the Hellfire missile.
• Soldier Mission Gets Lift from Evolving Equipment Army News 03 Sep 2009 -- Increasing survivability and combat effectiveness while improving Soldier quality of life at the top of the list.
• PEO Ground Combat Systems praises Abrams work Army News 03 Sep 2009-- Army's PEO Ground Combat Systems made a site visit to express appreciation for the work performed.
• Anniston Army Depot begins work on turret trainer contract Army News 03 Sep 2009-- Work began on contract the depot signed with Research Triangle Institute International to provide turret trainers.
• Fort Bragg Soldiers try out new rifle Army News 03 Sep 2009-- The main goal for scout shooters and snipers is to eliminate enemy targets at long distances.
• New bipod tested for shooting stability Army News 03 Sep 2009-- Fort Benning's Maneuver Battle Lab evaluated handling of a lightweight adjustable bipod for the M-240B medium machine gun.
• GW Carrier Strike Group Completes Inaugural Summer Deployment, Returns to Yokosuka Navy NewsStand 03 Sep 2009 -- George Washington Carrier Strike Group completed inaugural summer deployment.
• Inaugural Mission Package Detachment Crew Receives SUW MP Training Navy NewsStand 03 Sep 2009 -- First Surface Warfare Mission Package (SUW MP) Detachment completed 4 weeks of hands-on training.
• NNSY Completes USS Boise Availability Early Navy NewsStand 03 Sep 2009 -- USS Boise inished maintenance availability one day early at Norfolk Naval Shipyard.
• Enterprise Intensifies General Quarters Training Navy NewsStand 03 Sep 2009 -- Crew of USS Enterprise participated in a General Quarters (GQ) drill Sept. 3.
• Enterprise Trains to Rejoin the Fleet Navy NewsStand 03 Sep 2009 -- Crew of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise accelerating its shipwide training in preparation for leaving the shipyards.
• Mesa Verde Gets First Experience with Osprey Navy NewsStand 03 Sep 2009 -- USS Mesa Verde's flight deck team had first opportunity to provide support for an MV-22 Osprey during helicopter operations Aug. 31.
• Vietnam-era panel discusses challenges of 3rd HBCT's upcoming advisory mission Army News 03 Sep 2009 -- Former advisers in Vietnam and one Vietnamese officer met to discuss the challenges and lessons they learned in developing partnerships.
• "One team, one fight": Marine aviators help Airborne Artillerymen get their Howitzers into battle Army News 03 Sep 2009 -- Air assault part of the 2nd BCT's larger Joint Forcible Entry Exercise.
• White Sands Soldiers prepare for battle Army News 03 Sep 2009-- White Sands Missile Range Soldiers are scaling up their training on nearby range land in preparation for deployment in the coming year at exercises held Aug. 17 through Sept. 2.
• NMCB 22 Ready for Deployment to SW Asia Navy NewsStand 03 Sep 2009 -- Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 22 returned to Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport following successful completion of a two-week field training exercise.
• 615th CRW members support Ulchi Freedom Guardian in South Korea AFNS 03 Sep 2009 -- Members of the 15th Air Mobility Operations Squadron traveled to S. Korea to support Ulchi Freedom Guardian .
• Mountain Home hosts first Gunfighter Flag AFNS 03 Sep 2009 -- Starting Sept. 14, people may notice an increase in flying operations with a myriad of planes and visitors taking part in the first Gunfighter Flag 2009.
• Veterans, first timers benefit from Red Flag exercises AFNS 03 Sep 2009 -- During the Red Flag 09-5 exercise here, young and veteran pilots train in realistic combat scenarios through Sept. 4.
• Contractor jobs identified for conversion to government Army News 03 Sep 2009-- About 1,450 contractor positions at the Aviation and Missile Command will be converted to Army civilian during the next three years.
• Post becomes Maneuver Center Oct. 1 Army News 03 Sep 2009-- Fort Benning will become the Maneuver Center of Excellence effective Oct. 1, with the post commander, MG Michael Ferriter, designated commanding general of the MCOE.
• GTMO Guard Force Leadership Changes Hands Navy NewsStand 03 Sep 2009 -- The Navy Expeditionary Guard Battalion welcomed new commander during a change of command ceremony Sept. 1.
• Coast Guard Commandant Considers Alaska Presence AFPS 03 Sep 2009 -- Global climate change is a hotly debated topic, and the U.S. government is looking to Alaska to assess how it may affect the nation.
• USS Doyle, HMNLS Amsterdam Conduct Passing Exercise Navy NewsStand 03 Sep 2009 -- USS Doyle and the Dutch Amsterdam-class fast combat support ship HMNLS Amsterdam conducted a multi-event Passing Exercise.
• Pacific Partnership Builds Bridge, Literally and Figuratively Navy NewsStand 03 Sep 2009 -- A multinational team of engineers from Pacific Partnership completed the installation of a new, pre-engineered bridge connecting North and South Tarawa this week, known as the Tanaea-Bouta Bridge.
• U.S., Russia to hold strategic arms reduction talks in Geneva RIA Novosti 03 Sep 2009 -- A new round of talks on nuclear arms reduction will take place in Geneva on September 21.
• Russia, U.S. making progress on new nuclear arms deal - Lavrov RIA Novosti 03 Sep 2009 -- Russia and US making headway on new nuclear arms reduction deal.
• US, Russia Make Progress on Nuclear Arms Deal VOA 03 Sep 2009 -- Russia and US making progress on reaching a new deal by the end of the year to cut their vast Cold War arsenals of nuclear weapons.
• Keating to Seek More U.S.-Sino Military Engagement AFPS 03 Sep 2009 -- Top US commander in Pacific “cautiously optimistic” talks in Beijing have opened the door to closer engagement between US and China.
• Australia, US to Invite China to War Games VOA 03 Sep 2009 -- Australia and the United States will invite China to take part in joint military exercises to help ease fears about an arms race in the Asia-Pacific region.
• US Diplomat Downplays Concerns about New Japanese Government VOA 03 Sep 2009 -- The top U.S. envoy to East Asia is welcoming the new Japanese government's plans to develop closer ties with its neighbors.
• Incoming Japanese Prime Minister Meets With US Ambassador VOA 03 Sep 2009 -- The United States' ambassador to Japan says he is looking forward to working with Japan's new prime minister.
• Russia, India to sign new deal on Admiral Gorshkov overhaul RIA Novosti 03 Sep 2009 -- New deal on funds Russia needs to finish refit of Admiral Gorshkov aircraft carrier for India will be signed in mid-October.
• Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Mourned Following Death in Helicopter Crash VOA 03 Sep 2009 -- After a nearly 24-hour search the wreckage of a helicopter carrying an influential Indian politician was spotted.
• Missing Indian helicopter located, survivors unlikely RIA Novosti 03 Sep 2009 -- Helicopter carrying a senior Indian politician was found near Hyderabad, a day after it went missing.
• Russia confirms talks on delivery of MiG-31 aircraft to Syria RIA Novosti 03 Sep 2009 -- Russia and Syria are in talks on the delivery of at least eight MiG-31 Foxhound interceptors.
• Russia confirms talks on arms deliveries to Saudi Arabia RIA Novosti 03 Sep 2009 -- Russia and Saudi Arabia are holding talks on military-technical cooperation, which may include sales of military equipment.
• Ukrainian PM, Libyan leader agree to sign military deals RIA Novosti 03 Sep 2009 -- Ukraine and Libya have agreed to draft and sign contracts on military-industrial cooperation.
• NATO Envoy Plays Down Turkmen Base Plans RFE/RL 03 Sep 2009 -- NATO special representative for Central Asia and Caucasus Robert Simmons has downplayed the controversy over Turkmenistan's plan to establish a naval base on its Caspian coast.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 03 Sep 2009

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for September 03, 2009
• Final Modernized Lockheed Martin-Built GPS Satellite Begins Operations For Users Worldwide Lockheed Martin 03 Sep 2009 -- The last in a series of eight modernized Global Positioning System IIR (GPS IIR-M) satellites built by Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT has been declared operational by the U.S. Air Force for military and civilian navigation users around the globe.
• ATK Scores Another Direct Hit in Successful Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM) Test ATK 03 Sep 2009 -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK), the U.S. Navy and the Italian Air Force successfully launched and scored a direct hit on a simulated enemy air defense target during the final development test (DT) firing of the AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM) at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake on August 7.
• U.S. Air Force Orders 36 Oshkosh Airport Products Group Vehicles Oshkosh 03 Sep 2009 -- Oshkosh Airport Products Group, a division of Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE: OSK), today announced an order from the U.S. Air Force, through the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), for eight Striker® 3000 and seven Striker 1500 Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) vehicles.
• Thales Reorganizes to Manage U.S. Growth Thales 03 Sep 2009 -- Thales North America, Inc. today announced several changes to the company’s U.S. organization. Thales North America, renamed Thales USA, Inc., has established Thales USA Defense & Security, Inc. The business will focus on marketing Thales technologies and services to the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security, state and local government entities and industry partners.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 03 Sep 2009
• Russia condemns Georgia's attempts to seize ships off Abkhazia RIA Novosti 03 Sep 2009 -- Russian FM: Georgia's attempts to seize ships off the Abkhazian coast could lead to new armed conflicts.
• SPLM Dismisses Solana's Sudan Unity Pronouncement VOA 03 Sep 2009 -- A statement by the EUs foreign policy chief on Sudan's unity is generating unease in the Sudan People's Liberation Movement.
• YEMEN: Aid flows cut as fighting flares IRIN 03 Sep 2009 -- "The sound of bullets can be heard almost everywhere around Saada city. We put our lives at risk just to go to the IDP [internally displaced persons] camps," said Saddam al-Abdeni, a supply officer at the Saada-based office of the NGO Islamic Relief.
• UN chief voices cautious optimism over Haiti's future UN News Centre 03 Sep 2009 -- There is substantial reason to believe Haiti is moving away from its past of conflict towards a brighter future of peaceful development.
• More must be done to consolidate peace in Sierra Leone, says Ban UN News Centre 03 Sep 2009 -- Greater efforts are needed by all Sierra Leoneans to build on the momentum generated by the signing of a key peace pact that led to the cessation of political violence earlier this year.
• Former DR Congo leader to remain in ICC custody ahead of war crimes trial UN News Centre 03 Sep 2009 -- Former senior official of the Democratic Republic of the Congo charged with war crimes will remain in custody ahead of his trial.

News Reports

• Supreme Leader Stokes Fears Of New Cultural Revolution In Iran RFE/RL 03 Sep 2009 -- Statements by the country's supreme leader are feeding fears that a new cultural revolution could be in the offing.
• Iran's Parliament Approves All But Three Of Ahmadinejad's Cabinet Picks RFE/RL 03 Sep 2009 -- Iran’s parliament has approved 18 out of 21 nominees for President Mahmud Ahmadinejad proposed cabinet.
• Iran elects first female minister since 1979 revolution RIA Novosti 03 Sep 2009 -- Iranian lawmakers elected the country's first female government minister since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
• Iran's Parliament Approves 18 of 21 Cabinet Nominees VOA 03 Sep 2009 -- After five days of often bitter debate, the Iranian parliament has approved 18 out of 21 of President Ahmedinejad's Cabinet picks.
• Swiss Firm Develops H1N1 Vaccine That 'May' Work After 1 Dose VOA 03 Sep 2009 -- A Swiss drugmaker says it has developed a vaccine for H1N1 swine flu that may work with just one dose.
• China Approves One-Dose H1N1 Vaccine VOA 03 Sep 2009 -- Chinese health authorities have given approval to a domestic company to mass produce a vaccine for the H1N1 strain of flu.
• DeWitt begins seasonal flu vaccination Army News 03 Sep 2009 -- Health care providers from DeWitt Army Community Hospital begin administering seasonal flu vaccines at the Fort Belvoir Community Center.
• New Unrest in Xinjiang Capital Urumqi VOA 03 Sep 2009 -- New unrest broke out in China's restive Xinjiang region, as demonstrators took to the streets to protest deteriorating public safety.
• Secret Pact Between Hitler and Stalin Stirs New Controversy VOA 03 Sep 2009 -- A secret agreement made between Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin, which divided Poland between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union and led to its invasion continues to divide historians, journalists, and political leaders as well.
• Missing Ship Critic Flees Russia RFE/RL 03 Sep 2009 -- A maritime expert who suggested a missing cargo ship may have been carrying illegal weapons has fled Russia, saying he'd been warned to leave or face arrest.
• Clinton, Zelaya to Discuss Honduran Crisis VOA 03 Sep 2009 -- US Secretary of State Clinton and deposed Honduran President Zelaya meet for another round of talks on the crisis surrounding his ouster more than two months ago.
• Analysis: US reignites debate over Myanmar sanctions IRIN 03 Sep 2009 -- An expected review of US policy towards poverty-stricken Myanmar has reignited the debate over the effectiveness of sanctions against the country.
• Madagascar: Ban calls on all sides to adhere to power-sharing agreement UN News Centre 03 Sep 2009 -- Secretary-General Ban appealed to all sides involved in the political crisis in Madagascar to maintain their commitment to the power-sharing agreement.
• South Africa Opposition Parties Begin Alliance Talks VOA 03 Sep 2009 -- South Africa's Congress of the People is spearheading talks with other opposition parties to challenge the ruling African National Congress in the 2011 local elections.
• Kenyan Uproar Over Anti-Corruption Czar Continues in Parliament VOA 03 Sep 2009 -- Kenya's parliament is instigating a rare showdown with the country's president over the re-appointment of the country's anti-corruption czar, as the fury over the legally-questionable move by the head of state continues to grow.
• US Criticizes Kenyan President Over Anti-Graft Chief Reappointment VOA 03 Sep 2009 -- The United States has joined critics condemning Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki's reappointment of the head of the country's anti-corruption agency without seeking parliamentary approval.
• Chilean police arrest former Pinochet officials over killings RIA Novosti 03 Sep 2009 -- Chilean police have arrested some two dozen former officials accused of purging critics of former dictator General Augusto Pinochet in the 1970s.
• Moscow Officials Won't Press Kadyrov's Suit Against Chechen Activist RFE/RL 03 Sep 2009 -- The Moscow City Interior Affairs Department has decided not to launch an investigation against the head of the Memorial human rights center, Oleg Orlov.
• Annulment of not guilty verdict in Politkovskaya case upheld RIA Novosti 03 Sep 2009 -- Russia's Supreme Court has ruled legal the annulment of a not guilty verdict in the case of the 2006 murder of investigative journalist Anna Politkovskaya.
• Moldova Enters Post-Voronin Era -- Or Maybe Not RFE/RL 03 Sep 2009 -- The murky world of Moldovan politics has become murkier still with acting President Vladimir Voronin's announcement that he will resign that post if his Communist Party officially goes into the opposition, as it is almost certain to do.
• Election Win by Son of Gabon Dictator Sets Off Riots VOA 03 Sep 2009 -- Gabon's Interior Ministry says the son of long-time leader Omar Bongo has won Sunday's presidential election.
• Bongo's Son Wins Gabon Presidential Election VOA 03 Sep 2009 -- Gabon's Interior Ministry says the son of long-time leader Omar Bongo has won Sunday's presidential election.
• Thales Alenia Space statement concerning orbital positioning of the Palapa-D satellite Thales 03 Sep 2009 -- Thales Alenia Space announced today that the Palapa-D communications satellite has been placed into a Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO), which will enable starting a nominal Launch Early Operation Phase.