Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Sept. 14 airpower summary: Tankers fuel fight AFNS 15 Sep 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and ISAF in Afghanistan during operations.
• Paratroopers assume responsibility of western Iraq base MNF-I 15 Sep 2009 -- Since the beginning of April 2009, a detachment of Marines from 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, have kept U.S. forces and civilian contractors aboard Camp Al Taqaddum, Iraq, safe and secure
• U.S. Forces Assist Iraqis in Operations AFPS 15 Sep 2009 -- U.S. forces assisted their Iraqi counterparts in two recent operations in Iraq, military officials reported.
• Shell Lands Near US Embassy as Biden Visits Iraq VOA 15 Sep 2009 -- US Vice President Joe Biden is in Iraq for talks with top Iraqi leaders and to visit American troops.
• Predator crashes in central Iraq AFNS 15 Sep 2009 -- An Air Force MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft crashed in central Iraq at approximately 12:45 p.m. Baghdad time on Sept.14.
• 18th CSSB returns home after 15 months in Iraq Army News 15 Sep 2009 -- Soldiers of 18th CSSB were welcomed during a re-deployment ceremony after completing one of the last 15-month deployments to Iraq.
• Gates Weighs Need for More Troops in Afghanistan AFPS 15 Sep 2009 -- Defense Secretary Gates has yet to reach a final decision on the prospect of sending more troops to Afghanistan.
• Mullen Calls for Growth of Afghan Army, Police AFPS 15 Sep 2009 -- Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff: Larger and more capable Afghan national security forces remain vital to Afghanistan's viability.
• Top US Military Officer Says More Troops Likely Needed in Afghanistan VOA 15 Sep 2009 -- Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff: US probably will need to send more troops to Afghanistan to win against insurgents.
• Afghan ECC Orders Recount at 10 Percent of Voting Sites VOA 15 Sep 2009 -- A top election official in Afghanistan says votes from 10 percent of the country's polling stations must be recounted.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Transcript: DoD News Briefing with Geoff Morrell from the Pentagon DoD 15 Sep 2009 -- Presenter: Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell
• DoD News: Senior Executive Service Appointments and Reassignments DoD 15 Sep 2009 -- Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates announced the following Department of Defense Senior Executive Service, senior leader appointments and reassignments
• Asia-Pacific Importance Increasing, Commander Says AFPS 15 Sep 2009 -- The Asia-Pacific region will become even more important to U.S. defense and economic interests in the future.
• Makin Island Conserves $2 Million in Fuel During San Diego Transit Navy NewsStand 15 Sep 2009 -- Future USS Makin Island arrived at her homeport of San Diego after spending nearly 2 months at sea.
• Army Officials to Discuss Camouflage Uniform Patterns Army News 15 Sep 2009 -- Army officials will discuss on-going evaluations of various camouflage patterns.
• Postal Clerks and Storekeepers Merge to Become Logistics Specialists Navy NewsStand 15 Sep 2009 -- US Navy Postal Clerk and Storekeeper ratings will merge to form the new Logistics Specialist rating.
• Harry S. Truman Strike Group Begins JTFEX 09-4 Off East Coast Navy NewsStand 15 Sep 2009 -- Ships from the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group began Joint Task Force Exercise.
• Pentagon to Share Terrorism Info at Local Level AFPS 15 Sep 2009 -- Pentagon officials will begin sharing classified, terrorism-related information stored on the secure DoD network with state and local agencies.
• Citizen-soldiers Need Greater Stability, Reserve Chief Says AFPS 15 Sep 2009 -- Army Reserve chief preparing his troops for the demands likely to be made of them.
• Surgical residency receives full joint training platform accreditation AFNS 15 Sep 2009 -- The 81st Medical Group at Keesler AFB received full Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education accreditation.
• SA police officers attend seminar as part of National Guard Program Army News 15 Sep 2009 -- Two South African police officers will attend the New York State Police's homicide seminar.
• Medvedev says no taboos in Russia-U.S. dialogue RIA Novosti 15 Sep 2009 -- Moscow is ready to discuss any issues with the US, even those on which they strongly disagree, the Russian president said.
• Medvedev sees no alternative to UN RIA Novosti 15 Sep 2009 -- Russian President Medvedev: Efforts to find an alternative to the UN are "dangerous" and called the European security system insufficient.
• Solomonov to keep working on Bulava development - Roscosmos RIA Novosti 15 Sep 2009 -- Former head of the research institute that designed the Bulava and Topol-M ballistic missiles will likely retain post.
• Russia to decide on purchase of French warship by October RIA Novosti 15 Sep 2009 -- Discussions between Russia and France on buying a Mistral class amphibious assault ship should be completed soon.
• Russian, Chinese warships escort large convoy off Somali coast RIA Novosti 15 Sep 2009 -- Russia's Admiral Tributs destroyer and the Chinese Zhoushan frigate have successfully escorted convoy.
• Russia's top military commander visits Cuba RIA Novosti 15 Sep 2009 -- The chief of the Russian General Staff has arrived in Cuba for a working visit at the invitation of the Cuban military leadership.
• Clinton Urges Transparency in Venezuelan Arms Purchases VOA 15 Sep 2009 -- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Tuesday called for transparency on the part of Venezuela in an arms buildup by the Hugo Chavez government that U.S. officials believe threatens regional stability.
• U.S. concerned over Venezuela's desire to build up arms RIA Novosti 15 Sep 2009 -- The United States is concerned over Venezuela's desire to build up arms.
• EU Ministers Review South Caucasus Strategy, Mull Afghan Future RFE/RL 15 Sep 2009 -- There was an element of deja vu in the EU ministers' discussion of the South Caucasus.
• Commodore in Chief Royal Fleet Auxiliary Visits British Units in Bahrain Navy NewsStand 15 Sep 2009 -- HRH Prince Edward, in his capacity as Commodore-in-Chief to the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA), paid a special visit to Bahrain to meet with members of the RFA, Royal Navy (RN) and Royal Navy Reserve (RNR).
• Search for submarine captain continues: Navy CNA 15 Sep 2009 -- Taiwan's Navy continued its search for a submarine captain who was swept overboard off the coast of Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan.
• Press Gaggle by Senator Sherrod Brown and Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton on Air Force One, 9/15/2009 The White House 15 Sep 2009
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 15 Sep 2009

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for September 15, 2009
• CACI Awarded $24.5 Million Task Order to Continue Support for U.S. Army Airborne Intelligence CACI 15 Sep 2009 -- CACI International Inc (NYSE:CACI) announced today that it has been awarded a $24.5 million task order to provide Airborne, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (AISR) Ground Station Support to the U.S. Army Product Manager Aerial Common Sensor.
• BAE SYSTEMS’ COMMON MISSILE WARNING SYSTEM ACHIEVES ONE MILLION COMBAT FLIGHT HOURS BAE Systems 15 Sep 2009 -- BAE Systems' Common Missile Warning System (CMWS) has achieved more than one million combat flight hours, providing U.S. Army aircraft with protection against infrared-guided missiles during combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan
• BAE SYSTEMS ANNOUNCES POTENTIAL JOB LOSSES AND A SITE CLOSURE IN ITS UK MILITARY AIR SOLUTIONS BUSINESS BAE Systems 15 Sep 2009 -- Following a detailed review of its current and future business levels, BAE Systems has announced it has started consultation regarding the potential closure of one of its UK sites and job cuts at another three, with the loss of 1116 jobs.
• Boeing F-15E Radar Modernization Program Receives New Designation Boeing 15 Sep 2009 -- The Boeing [NYSE: BA] F-15E Radar Modernization Program (RMP) recently received the designation of AN/APG-82(v)1 from the U.S. Air Force. The addition of the Raytheon-built APG-82 radar will incorporate Active Electronically Scanned Array Radar (AESA) technology into the F-15E strike fighter, increasing radar reliability by almost 20 times as it also improves maintainability, sustainability and performance, and reduces support costs.
• Sniper ATP Demonstrates Enhanced ISR Capability at Empire Challenge Lockheed Martin 15 Sep 2009 -- Lockheed Martin’s [NYSE: LMT] Sniper® Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP) demonstrated its advanced intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capability during the recent joint forces Empire Challenge exercise.
• Lockheed Martin C-5M Super Galaxy Sets World Aviation Records Lockheed Martin 15 Sep 2009 -- A joint U.S. Air Force and Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] flight crew flying a C-5M Super Galaxy strategic transport claimed 41 world aeronautical records in one flight on September 13.
• Super Galaxy And Super Hercules Strengthen Global Airlift Capability Lockheed Martin 15 Sep 2009 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] senior leadership briefed members of the media about three growing air mobility business areas at this year’s Air Force Association Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition.
• Hawker Beechcraft, Lockheed Martin Team to Compete for U.S. Air Force Light Attack and Armed Reconnaissance Aircraft Lockheed Martin 15 Sep 2009 -- Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) and Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] have teamed to compete for the opportunity to provide a low-cost, low-risk solution to address U.S. Air Force (USAF) needs for a Light Attack and Armed Reconnaissance (LAAR) aircraft. The USAF is expected to launch an acquisition program in fiscal year 2010.
• Pratt & Whitney Stands Behind Cost Commitment on F135 Engine for F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Pratt & Whitney 15 Sep 2009 -- Pratt & Whitney’s F135 engine powering the F-35 Lightning II aircraft continues to realize production cost reduction benefits, and Pratt & Whitney has offered to provide the F-35 Joint Program Office with a firm fixed price proposal for the F135 engine if requested.
• Raytheon's GBU-53/B Small Diameter Bomb II Completes Risk Reduction Raytheon 15 Sep 2009 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) completed GBU-53/B datalink flight testing. This concludes all testing requirements for the company's Small Diameter Bomb II risk reduction program.
• Raytheon's AESA Radar for Boeing F-15E Receives New Designation Raytheon 15 Sep 2009 -- Raytheon Company's (NYSE: RTN) active electronically scanned array radar for Boeing's F-15E aircraft has been given the U.S. Air Force's latest designation of AN/APG-82(V)1.
• SAIC Awarded $18 Million Contract by Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command SAIC 15 Sep 2009 -- Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) (NYSE: SAI) today announced it has been awarded a prime contract by the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) to develop and deliver Low Band Universal Communications System (LBUCS) transmit terminal equipment (TTE) for the U.S. Navy's Program Executive Office of Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence.

Other Conflicts

• Daily Press Briefing by the Offices of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General and the Spokesperson for the General Assembly President United Nations 15 Sep 2009
• UN mission finds evidence of war crimes by both sides in Gaza conflict UN News Centre 15 Sep 2009 -- The UN fact-finding mission on the Gaza conflict at the start of this year has found evidence that both Israeli forces and Palestinian militants committed serious war crimes and breaches of humanitarian law.
• UN Panel Finds Israel, Palestinians Committed Gaza War Crimes VOA 15 Sep 2009 -- UN inquiry into human rights violations during the Gaza conflict has found that both Israelis and Palestinians committed war crimes and possibly crimes against humanity during the three week-long conflict that began last December.
• Israel Shows US Envoy No Signs of Compromise on Settlements VOA 15 Sep 2009 -- Israel is giving US special envoy George Mitchell no signs it will compromise on its policy of expanding settlements in the West Bank.
• Egypt opens Rafah crossing with Gaza for three days RIA Novosti 15 Sep 2009 -- Egyptian authorities have opened the Rafah border crossing with the Gaza Strip for three days, Palestinian radio reported on Tuesday.
• Mideast quartet, Iran Six to hold meetings at UN General Assembly RIA Novosti 15 Sep 2009 -- The Middle East quartet of mediators will hold meetings at the 64th session of the UN General Assembly.
• Somalia Analyst Calls for Law Enforcement Approach to Terrorists VOA 15 Sep 2009 -- Since the September 11th terrorist attacks on the United States, some have called for a law enforcement response rather than a military one.
• US Attacks Suspected Terrorist Hiding in Somalia VOA 15 Sep 2009 -- Somali witnesses say a U.S. air assault in Somalia has killed a top terrorist suspect linked to al-Qaida.
• Al-Shabab Vows to Avenge US Raid in Somalia VOA 15 Sep 2009 -- The Somali insurgent group al-Shabab is vowing to avenge a U.S. military raid that killed one of Africa's most wanted al-Qaida suspects.
• Raid in Somalia Kills Kenyan Wanted by FBI VOA 15 Sep 2009 -- U.S. military officials say American special forces staged an attack in southern Somalia Monday and killed a Kenyan-born terrorist suspect.
• Southern Sudan Denies U.S Sanctions Divide Entire Sudan VOA 15 Sep 2009 -- The government of Southern Sudan has dismissed accusations that US targeted sanctions will divide and undermine the CPA.
• Relief workers in eastern DR Congo face increased attacks, UN reports UN News Centre 15 Sep 2009 -- The number of incidents against humanitarian workers operating in North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has surged by 26 per cent in the first six months this year.
• Georgian Officials Say Railway Blast Terrorist Act RFE/RL 15 Sep 2009 -- Georgian officials say there was an explosion at the railway station in the Georgian town of Zugdidi.
• Medvedev says ties with Georgia could resume after Saakashvili RIA Novosti 15 Sep 2009 -- Russian President Medvedev reiterated that he saw no possibility of restoring bilateral relations with Georgia under its current leader.
• Georgia challenges Russia to detain its ships in Abkhaz waters RIA Novosti 15 Sep 2009 -- Georgia said it would resist any attempts by Russia to detain its ships in the waters of its former province of Abkhazia.
• Russia to detain any ship violating Abkhazia's maritime border RIA Novosti 15 Sep 2009 -- Russian border guards will detain all vessels that violate Abkhazia's maritime border.
• Moscow Signs Defense Pacts With Breakaway Georgian Regions RFE/RL 15 Sep 2009 -- Russia has signed defense agreements with Georgia's breakaway Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions.
• Russia signs military cooperation deals with Abkhazia, S.Ossetia RIA Novosti 15 Sep 2009 -- Russia signed agreements on military cooperation with the former Georgian republics.
• Georgia outraged by Abkhazia joining world business organization RIA Novosti 15 Sep 2009 -- A Georgian opposition MP threatened Abkhazia with sanctions on following the former Georgian republic's move to join the International Chamber of Commerce.
• Violence On The Rise In Daghestan, Ingushetia RFE/RL 15 Sep 2009 -- Eleven insurgents have been killed during four separate counterterrorist operations in Daghestan recently, RFE/RL's North Caucasus Service reports.
• Nigerian Military Steps up Security in Niger Delta VOA 15 Sep 2009 -- The Nigerian army has reinforced security presence in the oil-producing Niger Delta, after the region's leading militant group declared it may resume attacks.
• Security Council extends UN presence in Liberia, Sierra Leone UN News Centre 15 Sep 2009 -- The Security Council extended the mandates for one year of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Liberia and the world body’s peacebuilding office in neighbouring Sierra Leone.
• Efforts ongoing to achieve robust peacekeeping, say top UN officials UN News Centre 15 Sep 2009 -- UN pressing ahead with efforts to boost its peacekeeping capacity.
• Timorese security forces go unpunished for many rights violations - UN UN News Centre 15 Sep 2009 -- Members of the security forces in Timor-Leste accused of human rights abuses still manage to escape justice despite a general strengthening of the judicial system.
• Former Bosnian Serb President Granted Early Release from Prison VOA 15 Sep 2009 -- The United Nations War Crimes Tribunal has approved the early release of former Bosnian Serb President Biljana Plavsic, after she served two-thirds of an 11-year sentence.
• Human Rights Advocates Hail Guatemalan Court Ruling on Disappearances VOA 15 Sep 2009 -- Human rights advocates: Conviction of a former paramilitary officer on charges of orchestrating forced disappearances in the mid-1980s signals the country might be ready to deal with its legacy of human rights violations.

News Reports

• U.S. extends trade embargo on Cuba RIA Novosti 15 Sep 2009 -- The United States has extended the trade embargo on Cuba by one year again.
• Iraqi Who Threw Shoes At Bush Released From Jail RFE/RL 15 Sep 2009 -- When Muntadhir al-Zaidi threw his shoes at US President Bush his action caught the imagination of the Arab world.
• Shoe-throwing Iraqi journalist released from jail RIA Novosti 15 Sep 2009 -- Journalist jailed after he threw his shoes at then-U.S. president Bush, was released from prison.
• Iraqi Shoe-Thrower Released from Prison VOA 15 Sep 2009 -- The Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes in protest at former US President George W. Bush has been released from prison.
• US Government Approves Swine Flu Vaccine VOA 15 Sep 2009 -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a vaccine for the H1N1 swine flu virus.
• CNIC Offers One-Stop Shopping for H1N1/Flu Information Navy NewsStand 15 Sep 2009 -- The Navy Installations Command website is the U.S. Navy's go-to site for information about seasonal flue and H1N1.
• Navy Prepares Personnel and Families for Seasonal Flu Navy NewsStand 15 Sep 2009 -- Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center urging personnel and families to be aware of the risks of seasonal flu.
• New Japanese Prime Minister Takes Office Wednesday VOA 15 Sep 2009 -- A new political party is taking power in Japan on Wednesday.
• Aceh Province Legislators Vote to Impose Stricter Sharia Law VOA 15 Sep 2009 -- Lawmakers in the Indonesian province of Aceh have passed a law that could see Muslim adulterers stoned to death.
• EU Stresses 'Broad, Deep' Relationship With Uzbekistan RFE/RL 15 Sep 2009 -- The European Union and Uzbekistan appear to have normalized their relationship a year after the EU dropped its sanctions against Tashkent, imposed in the wake of the mass killing of protesters in Andijon in May 2005.
• Arctic Sea expected to dock in Gran Canaria RIA Novosti 15 Sep 2009 -- The Finnish-operated Arctic Sea cargo vessel, which is on its way back to Russia after being hijacked in late July, is to call at the port of Las Palmas.
• Analysis: Keeping a lid on Somaliland IRIN 15 Sep 2009 -- There is a need for all-inclusive consultation and support for local mediation efforts in secessionist Somaliland, which has recently experienced sporadic opposition and civil society-led protests over the indefinite postponement of national elections there, say analysts.
• Over 20 African states to participate in S.America-Africa Summit RIA Novosti 15 Sep 2009 -- Over 20 African countries will participate in a South America-Africa Summit to be held on Venezuela's Margarita Island on September 26-27.
• African Parliamentarians in Niger to Assess Political Crisis VOA 15 Sep 2009 -- Members of the Pan-African Parliament are in Niger for separate talks with President Mamdou Tandja and his political opponents concerning the referendum that has extended the president's time in office.
• Ivorians Unhappy Over Missed Voter Registration Publication Deadline VOA 15 Sep 2009 -- Cote d'Ivoire's citizens are expressing disappointment the electoral commission will fail to meet Tuesday deadline of publishing the voter register.