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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 04 Sep 2009 [PDF]
• Sept. 3 airpower summary: Pave Hawks provide rapid transport AFNS 04 Sep 2009
• Air Forces Central officials launch new Combined Air, Space Ops Center AFNS 04 Sep 2009 -- Launching new US Air Forces Central Combined Air and Space Operations Center.
• RCT-6 returns largest U.S. base in eastern Anbar to Iraq MNF-I 04 Sep 2009 -- Officials unveiled a new solar-panel array atop the 99th Regional Support Command Headquarters during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Fort Dix, N.J., Sept. 3
• Iraqi Forces Wound Terror Suspect, Arrest Smuggler AFPS 04 Sep 2009 -- Iraqi forces, working with US advisors, wounded and captured a suspected terrorist and arrested an alleged weapons smuggler.
• Iraq Boosts Security Along Syria Border VOA 04 Sep 2009 -- Police chief in western Iraq: Country began stationing thousands of extra security officers along Iraq's border with Syria in effort to keep out insurgents.
• Konduz Bombing Highlights Mounting Insecurity In Northern Afghan Region RFE/RL 04 Sep 2009 -- Scores of people reportedly killed when NATO aircraft targeted two fuel trucks hijacked by the Taliban.
• British Prime Minister Defends Afghanistan Policy VOA 04 Sep 2009 -- British PM Brown staunchly defended his government's Afghanistan policy.
• EU Foreign Ministers Weigh Afghanistan Strategy In Wake Of Konduz Strike RFE/RL 04 Sep 2009 -- As EU FMs arriving in Stockholm for informal meeting, the situation in Afghanistan weighed heavily on their minds.
• NATO Investigates Air Strike in Afghanistan AFPS 04 Sep 2009 -- NATO’s ISAF in Afghanistan launched an investigation into a coalition air strike that reportedly killed civilians.
• UN calls for probe after air strike in northern Afghanistan kills dozens UN News Centre 04 Sep 2009 -- UNAMA sending team to the north where an overnight air strike reportedly led to dozens of civilian deaths.
• NATO Air Strike Kills Up to 90 in Afghanistan VOA 04 Sep 2009 -- Afghan officials: NATO air strike in the north blew up two fuel trucks, causing a fiery explosion that killed up to 90 people, many of them civilians.
• Many dead after NATO airstrike hits fuel tankers in Afghanistan RIA Novosti 04 Sep 2009 -- Up to 90 people died in north Afghanistan when two fuel tankers exploded after they were hit by a NATO airstrike.
• Afghanistan-bound HMLA-367 to bring new Huey to the fight USMC News 04 Sep 2009 -- Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367 wrapped up their final week of Enhanced Mojave Viper.
• 100 Days in Helmand USMC News 04 Sep 2009 -- They are not the first Marines in Afghanistan, nor are they the first Marines in Helmand province.
• Afghans Paying More For AK-47s In North RFE/RL 04 Sep 2009 -- The going rate for an AK-47 assault rifles has increased dramatically in northern Afghanistan.
• US Official Reaffirms Need for Afghanistan Society Building VOA 04 Sep 2009 -- Six months since the Obama Administration unveiled a new strategy boosting efforts to rebuild Afghan civil society.
• US Election Observers Closely Watching Tally of Afghan Election Results VOA 04 Sep 2009 -- Afghanistan's election commission is still counting votes from the country's August 20 elections.
• US Defense Secretary Calls AP Photo Decision 'Appalling' VOA 04 Sep 2009 -- US Defense Secretary Gates: Decision of a news agency to publish a photograph of a mortally wounded soldier is "appalling."
• Gates Objects to News Photo of Dying Marine AFPS 04 Sep 2009 -- Defense Secretary Gates used the strongest terms in trying to persuade the AP to refrain from running a graphic picture of Marine.
• US Embassy in Kabul Fires Guards Over Lewd Party Allegations VOA 04 Sep 2009 -- US Embassy in Afghanistan fired 8 security guards photographed harassing subordinates and participating in lewd parties.
• Focus of Pakistan aid efforts swing to areas of return, reports UN UN News Centre 04 Sep 2009 -- The massive emergency aid effort in north-west Pakistan has shifted focus from areas hosting civilians displaced by the Government’s military operation against militants to places of return, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said today.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Transcript: Secretary Gates Interview with Al Jazeera at the Pentagon DoD 04 Sep 2009 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Robert Gates
• 'Largest air refueling operation in history' highlighted during Tanker Living Legends series AFNS 04 Sep 2009 -- Reliving their experiences in the "largest air refueling operation in history" for operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, a panel of four retired Air Force officers took part in the Tanker Living Legends Speaker Series Aug. 28 at the Global Reach Planning Center here.
• Policy change benefits disabled Airmen AFNS 04 Sep 2009 -- A policy change by Air Force Personnel Center officials here now allows some Airmen retiring with less than 20 years active service to receive retirement certificates.
• TRADOC commander discusses leadership, training at forum Army News 04 Sep 2009 -- The Army wants Soldiers to develop the attributes that will allow them to anticipate changes on the battlefields in Afghanistan and Iraq, the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command's commanding general said
• Student-pilots graduate ready for combat Army News 04 Sep 2009 -- After completion of Initial Entry Rotary Wing training on the TH-67 Creek helicopter, flight school students begin the final phase of their journey to become Army pilots
• Fort Dix unveils solar panel array Army News 04 Sep 2009 -- Officials unveiled a new solar-panel array atop the 99th Regional Support Command Headquarters during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Fort Dix, N.J., Sept. 3.
• Navy Mobile Construction Battalion Builds Super SWA-Huts Navy NewsStand 04 Sep 2009 -- Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 74's Charlie Company is doing what they do best: building from the ground up.
• USS Benfold Deploys in Support of BMD Navy NewsStand 04 Sep 2009 -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) is nearing preparations for her upcoming deployment to the western Pacific and Middle East.
• Final Mine Countermeasure Ship To Arrive in San Diego Navy NewsStand 04 Sep 2009 -- USS Sentry (MCM 3), the final of eight mine countermeasure ships (MCM), is scheduled to arrive to its new homeport at Naval Base San Diego the second week of September after transiting from Ingleside, Texas.
• Rotor Blade Processing Facility at NAS Corpus Christi Navy NewsStand 04 Sep 2009 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southeast awarded an $11.7 million contract to Overland Corporation of Dallas, Texas on Aug. 31 for the construction of a rotor blade processing facility at the Corpus Christi Army Depot (CCAD) on Naval Air Station (NAS) Corpus Christi, Texas.
• Navy Recruiting Enlists First Applicant Through New Military Accession Program Navy NewsStand 04 Sep 2009 -- Navy Recruiting District (NRD) Houston recruited the first foreign applicant for commissioned naval service through the Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest (MAVNI) program Aug. 28.
• Services Move Back Aboard USS Enterprise Navy NewsStand 04 Sep 2009 -- Recently, a lot of changes have been happening on board USS Enterprise (CVN 65). Department-provided services have been moved back aboard, making the "Big E" self-sufficient once again, without the aid of the APL-61 support barge.
• NSAWC Changes Command Navy NewsStand 04 Sep 2009 -- Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center (NSAWC) held a change of command ceremony on board Naval Air Station (NAS) Fallon June 26.
• USS Doyle, DESRON 40 Rehab School in Curacao Navy NewsStand 04 Sep 2009 -- The guided-missile frigate USS Doyle (FFG 39) and Destroyer Squadron 40 (DESRON 40) Sailors worked alongside Airmen from the Hato, Curacao Airport Detachment conducting a community relations (COMREL) project at the Ellis Juliana School in Willemstad, Curacao Aug. 31.
• USS Hawes Lends Helping Hand in Jamaica Navy NewsStand 04 Sep 2009 -- Crew members from the guided-missile frigate USS Hawes (FFG 53) participated in two community relations (COMREL) projects Aug. 25 during a port visit to Jamaica.
• Amphibious Force 7th Fleet Staff Embarks ROK Command Ship Navy NewsStand 04 Sep 2009 -- Several members of the Amphibious Force 7th Fleet staff, including the Amphibious Force Commander embarked Republic of Korea Ship Dokdo (LPH 6111) as part of exercise Ulchi Freedom Guardian (UFG) last week.
• Air Force officials reactivate 69th Bomb Squadron at Minot AFNS 04 Sep 2009 -- Air Force officials reactivated the 69th Bomb Squadron Sept. 3 at Minot Air Force Base.
• Missile retrofit provides better accuracy, saves Air Force money AFNS 04 Sep 2009 -- Members of 86th Munitions Squadron upgraded AGM-65 Maverick missile systems as part of effort to modernize inventories.
• Elmendorf Airmen boost aviation fuel with additive AFNS 04 Sep 2009 -- Elmendorf Air Force Base officials started to blend a thermally stable additive known as Plus 100 to its JP-8 aviation fuel Sept. 1.
• Army Equipping Strategy-Equipping ARFORGEN-Based Army Army News 04 Sep 2009 -- Army's Equipping Strategy describes plan to achieve equipment balance while engaged in persistent conflict.
• Commander Focuses on Stopping Asia-Pacific Terrorism AFPS 04 Sep 2009 -- Counter-terrorism one of US Pacific Command’s top priorities.
• Air Force Doctor Advances Cyanide Poisoning Treatment AFPS 04 Sep 2009 -- Highly toxic chemical used in so many works of fiction is a real threat for being used as a terrorist weapon.
• Jungle Shield exercise trains Airmen, federal agencies AFNS 04 Sep 2009 -- Airmen participated in an exercise Aug. 25 through 27 to test the Air Force's ability to protect US air sovereignty in the Pacific region.
• Air Force humanitarian team arrives on Chuuk AFNS 04 Sep 2009 -- The Humanitarian Assistance Rapid Response Team, or HARRT, validation exercise officially began with the arrival of a C-17 Globemaster III to the Micronesian island state of Chuuk.
• Task Force to Examine Suicide-Prevention Programs AFPS 04 Sep 2009 -- A Defense Department-sponsored task force will examine the military’s suicide-prevention programs to ascertain what works and what doesn’t.
• S. Korea, U.S. Concerned By North Korean Uranium Announcement VOA 04 Sep 2009 -- DPRK announced new progress in nuclear weapon development, drawing expressions of regret and concern.
• North Korea enters 'final phase of uranium enrichment' RIA Novosti 04 Sep 2009 -- North Korea has begun the final stage of uranium enrichment, a method of producing nuclear weapons.
• EU Foreign Ministers Discuss 'Afpak' Strategy, Iran, Middle East RFE/RL 04 Sep 2009 -- EU foreign ministers are in Stockholm for a two-day, informal meeting.
• Indian Navy crew to join Russian sub sea trials in Far East RIA Novosti 04 Sep 2009 -- Crew of Indian submariners will take part in sea trials of a Russian nuclear submarine in mid-September.
• Blasts at Serbian ammunition factory kill at least seven RIA Novosti 04 Sep 2009 -- Police have begun an investigation into a series of explosions that killed at least seven people at an ammunition factory.
• President wants rigorous implementation of disaster prevention act CNA 04 Sep 2009 -- President Ma called for the rigorous implementation of a disaster prevention law.

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for September 04, 2009
• General Dynamics Awarded $31 million for Trident Submarine Support Services General Dynamics 04 Sep 2009 -- The U.S. Nvy this week awarded General Dynamics Electric Boat a $31 million contract to plan and perform maintenance and modernization work on U.S. Trident-Class and U.K. Vanguard-Class submarines. Electric Boat is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD).

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 04 Sep 2009
• US 'Regrets' Israel's Expansion Plans in West Bank VOA 04 Sep 2009 -- US "regrets" Israel's plans to approve the construction of new homes in the West Bank instead of agreeing to US calls for a construction freeze.
• Israel must freeze West Bank settlement construction - Kouchner RIA Novosti 04 Sep 2009 -- French FM: resumption of peace talks is impossible until Israel freezes settlement construction in the West Bank.
• Israel to Approve More Settlement Construction Before Freeze VOA 04 Sep 2009 -- Under pressure from the United States, Israel is sending mixed signals on the controversial issue of West Bank settlements.
• Abbas says dialogue with Hamas possible after 2010 elections RIA Novosti 04 Sep 2009 -- Palestinian president: Dialogue between Fatah and Hamas may be possible only after elections in 2010.
• Path Is Unclear for Fatah's New Leaders VOA 04 Sep 2009 -- This month, Fatah, the faction that rules the West Bank, held its first convention on Palestinian territory.
• Al-Shabab Leader Threatens Somaliland VOA 04 Sep 2009 -- The spiritual leader of the radical Somali militant group al-Shabab has sharply criticized the leadership of the breakaway region of Somaliland for having ties with Ethiopia.
• Smuggling Dispute Between Sukhumi, Tbilisi Enters Uncharted Waters, Legally RFE/RL 04 Sep 2009 -- As the war of words escalates between Georgia and breakaway Abkhazia, Tbilisi this week sent a strong warning to any sea captains tempted to deliver cargo to the secessionist region.
• Russia may 'take a break' from PACE over voting rights move RIA Novosti 04 Sep 2009 -- Senior legislator: Russia may be forced to "take a break" from PACE if a Georgian proposal goes ahead.
• SUDAN: Women, children increasingly targeted in Southern clashes IRIN 04 Sep 2009 -- Women and children are being increasingly targeted in the escalating attacks in Southern Sudanese states.
• Humanitarian crisis in northern Yemen intensifying, UN cautions UN News Centre 04 Sep 2009 -- As heavy fighting between the Government and rebels in northern Yemen enters its fourth week, the humanitarian crisis in the country is deepening, the United Nations refugee agency warned today.
• Urgent food aid needed to avert humanitarian catastrophe in Somalia – UN UN News Centre 04 Sep 2009 -- The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is calling on donors to help avert a looming humanitarian catastrophe in Somalia, where half the population – or some 3.8 million people – are in need of assistance.
• UN Chief Says Haiti Has Chance to Progress VOA 04 Sep 2009 -- UN Secretary-General Ban: Haiti moving toward a future of peaceful development following decades of conflict.
• Tribunal Threatens DRC Over Delayed Transfer of Key Rwandan Suspect VOA 04 Sep 2009 -- Tribunal responsible for trying Rwandan genocide suspects is threatening to appeal to the UNSC for assistance if the Democratic Republic of Congo does not hand over a key suspected genocide perpetrator by next week
• DR Congo: local official hails UN’s de-mining work as ‘priceless’ UN News Centre 04 Sep 2009 -- The work of the United Nations in de-mining land provides ‘priceless’ security, a local official in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) said, as the world body handed over a strip of land cleared of mines along a runway in the vast African nation’s north.
• Timor-Leste: UN marks ten years since historic vote for independence UN News Centre 04 Sep 2009 -- The United Nations mission in Timor-Leste today marked ten years since the historic UN-organized referendum that led to the independence of the South-east Asian nation.
• SENEGAL: Hundreds displaced after clashes IRIN 04 Sep 2009 -- At least 600 people have fled their homes on the outskirts of Ziguinchor, the main city of Senegal’s Casamance region, after clashes between the Senegalese army and separatist rebels.

News Reports

• Iran Supreme Leader Played Role in Cabinet Approval VOA 04 Sep 2009 -- Top Iranian lawmaker: Supreme Leader Khamenei played a role in parliament's approval of Cabinet nominees.
• Iranian Universities Question Students About Postelection Activities RFE/RL 04 Sep 2009 -- Disciplinary committees are calling students suspected of participating in postelection protests to appear before them.
• Chinese police use tear gas against protestors in Xinjiang RIA Novosti 04 Sep 2009 -- Chinese police used tear gas to disperse protests that began on Thursday in Urumqi.
• Armed Police Dispatched Following New Urumqi Demonstrations VOA 04 Sep 2009 -- Security forces in riot gear are once again stationed across the western Chinese city of Urumqi.
• 5 Simple Measures to Help Protect from Swine Flu VOA 04 Sep 2009 -- International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies launching a global information campaign to help deal with Swine Flu.
• Nearly 2,840 deaths attributed to H1N1 virus, reports UN health agency UN News Centre 04 Sep 2009 -- There are now at least 2,837 deaths attributable to the pandemic H1N1.
• Ousted Honduran president to try to return home again RIA Novosti 04 Sep 2009 -- Ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya is set to make another attempt to return to his homeland "in the next few days."
• Protesters Rally Worldwide Against Venezuela's Chavez VOA 04 Sep 2009 -- Demonstrators around the world are mobilizing Friday to protest Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.
• Top UN envoy hopes new Lebanese Government formed soon UN News Centre 04 Sep 2009 -- The top United Nations envoy for Lebanon today voiced hope that the country’s new Government will be formed soon, during talks in Beirut with Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri.
• Burmese Court Agrees to Aung San Suu Kyi Appeal VOA 04 Sep 2009 -- A Burmese court has agreed to hear an appeal from detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi against her criminal conviction last month for violating her house arrest.
• UNHCR Seeks Access to Burmese Refugees in China VOA 04 Sep 2009 -- The United Nations refugee agency says it still has not been granted access to thousands of refugees who fled from Burma into China in recent weeks.
• China: UN seeks access to newly-arrived Myanmar refugees UN News Centre 04 Sep 2009 -- UN refugee agency called on China to allow it access to civilians who arrived in Yunnan province after fleeing violence in north-eastern Myanmar.
• Gabon Opposition Calls for Resistance VOA 04 Sep 2009 -- An opposition group in Gabon is calling for "resistance" following the announcement that Ali Ben Bongo will succeed his late father as president.
• Security Tightens Following Overnight Curfew in Gabon VOA 04 Sep 2009 -- Gabon's Interior Ministry is introducing tougher security measures across the country after opposition riots brought an overnight curfew to a key port city.
• Gabon Imposes Curfew After Violence Over Election Win by Son of Late President VOA 04 Sep 2009 -- Gabon's main oil hub of Port Gentil is under curfew after violence sparked by the announcement that Ali Ben Bongo, son of the country's long-time leader Omar Bongo, had been elected president.
• Former Ivory Coast Leader Bédié to Run for President VOA 04 Sep 2009 -- Former Ivorian leader Henri Konan Bédié says he will run in the country's presidential elections scheduled for November.
• Niger Opposition Demands End to Harassment VOA 04 Sep 2009 -- Niger's opposition parties are demanding an end to what they describe as government harassment aimed at stifling dissent.
• Dalai Lama wraps up Taiwan visit CNA 04 Sep 2009 -- The Dalai Lama left Taiwan Friday after wrapping up a six-day visit to comfort the victims of Typhoon Morakot