Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 17 Sep 2009 [PDF]
• Sept. 16 airpower summary: Strike Eagles stop enemy action AFNS 17 Sep 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and ISAF troops in Afghanistan during operations.
• Camp Bucca detention facility shuts down operations MNF-I 17 Sep 2009-- As the last detainee boarded a plane destined for another theater internment facility on Sept. 17, the detainee operations mission at Camp Bucca officially ended
• Camp Bucca detention center closes in Iraq AFNS 17 Sep 2009 -- As the last detainee boarded a plane destined for another center, the detainee operations mission at Camp Bucca, Iraq, officially ended.
• U.S. Commander 'Ecstatic' at Iraqi Coordination AFPS 17 Sep 2009 -- US airmen with Multinational Division South have been training Iraqi airmen to be the “eye in the sky” for Iraqi ground forces.
• U.S. Embassy officials in Baghdad lend an ear to Marines in Anbar USMC News 17 Sep 2009 -- As the drawdown of U.S. forces in Iraq continues, more responsibilities begin to fall on fewer shoulders.
• Biden Meets With Kurdish Leaders on Iraqi Oil VOA 17 Sep 2009 -- US VP Biden has traveled to Iraqi Kurdistan to press Kurdish leaders to compromise on the controversial issue of sharing Iraq's oil wealth.
• Kabul Suicide Attack Kills Italian Soldiers, Afghan Civilians VOA 17 Sep 2009 -- Italy has suffered the deadliest attack on its troops in Afghanistan, when suicide bombers struck a military convoy in Kabul.
• Kabul Suicide Attack Kills Six Italian Soldiers, 10 Afghan Civilians VOA 17 Sep 2009 -- A suicide bomber struck an Italian military convoy in the Afghan capital, Kabul, killing at least six Italian soldiers.
• Suicide bomb in Afghanistan leaves at least 9 dead, 38 injured RIA Novosti 17 Sep 2009 -- At least nine people were killed and 38 injured in a suicide bomb attack in Afghanistan's capital of Kabul.
• US Lawmaker Urges Creation of Bipartisan Panel to Support Afghanistan Policy VOA 17 Sep 2009 -- Republican lawmaker is urging President Obama to again lay out clearly what he believes is at stake there.
• White House's Report Card On Afghan War Also Focuses Heavily On Pakistan RFE/RL 17 Sep 2009 -- US President Obama: Goal in Afghanistan and Pakistan is to "disrupt, dismantle, and defeat" Al-Qaeda.
• Afghanistan Mission Remains Complex, Mullen Says AFPS 17 Sep 2009 -- As the situation in Iraq stabilizes, a variety of factors make the mission in Afghanistan a complex endeavor.
• Gates Calls for Patience on Afghanistan Troop Decision AFPS 17 Sep 2009 -- Defense Secretary Gates defended the president’s plan to keep the recent Afghanistan assessment classified.
• White House undecided on troop increase in Afghanistan RIA Novosti 17 Sep 2009 -- Washington has yet to reach a decision on increasing the number of troops in Afghanistan.
• Afghan leader backs calls for probe into election fraud RIA Novosti 17 Sep 2009 -- President Karzai on played down claims that the recent election in Afghanistan was flawed.
• Afghan President Denies Major Fraud in Tainted Election VOA 17 Sep 2009 -- Afghanistan's president is denying there was any major fraud in last month's voting.
• U.S. cautious over Afghanistan presidential election results RIA Novosti 17 Sep 2009 -- US cautious with the presidential election results in Afghanistan and waits for the certified ones.
• Ban welcomes proposal for international conference on Afghanistan UN News Centre 17 Sep 2009 -- Secretary-General Ban welcomed proposal to hold UN-led international conference on Afghanistan.
• AFGHANISTAN: Overstretched health services in Kandahar Province IRIN 17 Sep 2009 -- Constant fighting and threats to health workers forced the closure of at least 11 of the 38 health facilities.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Littoral Combat Ship Down Select Announced Navy NewsStand 17 Sep 2009 -- The Navy announced Sept. 16 it will down select between the two Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) designs in fiscal 2010. The current LCS seaframe construction solicitation will be cancelled and a new solicitation will be issued.
• USS Freedom (LCS 1) Completes Industrial Post-Delivery Availability Navy NewsStand 17 Sep 2009 -- USS Freedom (LCS 1) completed its second industrial post-delivery availability (IPDA) at Colonna's Shipyard in Norfolk, Va. Sept. 8.
• SSBN Launches Fleet Ballistic Missiles Navy NewsStand 17 Sep 2009 -- USS West Virginia conducted two successful test flights of the Trident II D5 fleet ballistic missile.
• New Energy Center to Impact Future Weapons for Naval and Joint Forces Navy NewsStand 17 Sep 2009 -- The Navy demonstrated its commitment to "game-changing" directed energy technological programs at the Naval Directed Energy Center (NDEC) ribbon cutting ceremony held at Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) Sept. 10.
• Kearsarge Departs Dry Dock Navy NewsStand 17 Sep 2009 -- Amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) moved from Number 8 Dry Dock to her new berth pier-side at Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) in Portsmouth, Va., Sept. 11.
• Expeditionary Sailors from U.S., Guatemala Share Combat Skills Navy NewsStand 17 Sep 2009 -- Five Sailors with Expeditionary Training Command (ETC) based at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Va., in Guatemala to build a partnership with the Guatemalan Naval Special Forces and provide training in various expeditionary skills.
• TSCE Infrastructure Installed at SCSC Wallops Island Navy NewsStand 17 Sep 2009 -- Surface Combat Systems Center (SCSC) Wallops Island, Va. activated the Total Ship Computing Environment (TSCE) infrastructure for use aboard the Next-Generation Zumwalt-class guided-missile destroyer Sept. 10.
• SEA 21 Reorganizes to Support Fleet Readiness Navy NewsStand 17 Sep 2009 -- To better support the material readiness of the in-service surface fleet, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) deputy commander for Surface Warfare (SEA 21) has realigned resources to create a new deputy SEA 21 for shipboard material readiness.
• Commander, Navy Installations Command Releases Commander's Guidance Navy NewsStand 17 Sep 2009 -- The headquarters for Navy installations worldwide released its "From the Shore…Commander's Guidance," Aug. 28.
• Recovery Act Funds Barracks Modernization at Lemoore Naval Air Station Navy NewsStand 17 Sep 2009 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southwest awarded Stronghold Engineering Inc. of Riverside, Calif. a $9.9 million American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Funded contract Aug. 28 for a bachelor quarters modernization at Naval Air Station (NAS) Lemoore.
• Navy Supports Relief Efforts in Northern Mariana Islands Navy NewsStand 17 Sep 2009 -- Following the aftermath of Super Typhoon Choi-Wan, USNS Alan Shepard (T-AKE 3) and two MH-60S helicopters from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25 arrived on station in the early morning hours of Sept. 17 to provide humanitarian support to residents of Alamagan and Agrihan.
• Transcript: DoD News Briefing with Secrretary Gates and Gen. Cartwright from the Pentagon DoD 17 Sep 2009 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. James Cartwright
• European Missile Plan Offers Better Defense, Gates Says AFPS 17 Sep 2009 -- Gates: Changing threats and emerging technologies drove the decision to restructure the European missile defense plan.
• Medvedev praises Obama's move on Europe missile shield RIA Novosti 17 Sep 2009 -- Russian President Medvedev: Russia valued US decision to scrap plans for a missile shield in Central Europe.
• Russia, U.S. signed no anti-missile deals - Foreign Ministry RIA Novosti 17 Sep 2009 -- Reports that the US could have changed its missile plans for Central Europe in exchange for deal with Russia "guesswork."
• Russia missile defense cooperation possible in Europe - analyst RIA Novosti 17 Sep 2009 -- Former senior CIA analyst: Russian cooperation on missile defense in Europe possible now.
• Russia politicians, analysts welcome U.S. missile shield move RIA Novosti 17 Sep 2009 -- Russian analysts and politicians welcomed reports that Washington intends to scrap missile defense plans.
• Russia welcomes U.S. move to scrap missile plans for Europe RIA Novosti 17 Sep 2009 -- Russia welcomes reports of a US decision to abandon its missile defense plans for Central Europe.
• East Europe Officials Say US Backing Away from Missile Defense System VOA 17 Sep 2009 -- Poland and the Czech Republic are reacting to US decision to scrap plans for a Europe-based missile defense system.
• Poland expects closer ties with U.S. as missile plans dropped RIA Novosti 17 Sep 2009 -- Poland expects closer ties with the US despite the fact that Washington's plans will no longer go ahead.
• Czech premier confirms U.S. has dropped anti-missile plans RIA Novosti 17 Sep 2009 -- Czech PM Fischer confirmed Washington has decided to scrap its missile defense plans for the Czech Republic.
• U.S. Dramatically Alters Plans For European Missile Defense RFE/RL 17 Sep 2009 -- US President Obama has announced amending plans for a missile-defense system in Eastern Europe.
• U.S. to replace Europe missile shield with 'proven' system - Obama RIA Novosti 17 Sep 2009 -- US President Obama confirmed that Washington was scrapping Bush administration’s plans.
• Obama Announces Changes for European Missile Defense AFPS 17 Sep 2009 -- President Obama announced he is restructuring plans for a missile defense system in Europe.
• Fact Sheet on U.S. Missile Defense Policy The White House 17 Sep 2009
• Remarks by the President on Strengthening Missile Defense in Europe The White House 17 Sep 2009
• US Adjusting Plan for European Missile Defense System VOA 17 Sep 2009 -- Obama administration is making major adjustments to its plans for a missile defense system in Poland and the Czech Republic.
• Obama, Medvedev to Review Progress on Treaty to Replace START I VOA 17 Sep 2009 -- US President Barack and Russian counterpart expected to review progress this month on a follow-on treaty to START I.
• Russia's Lavrov to meet new NATO chief in New York RIA Novosti 17 Sep 2009 -- Russia's FM will hold meeting with the new head of NATO during the United Nations General Assembly session in New York.
• NATO Sec. Gen. Rasmussen to meet with Russian envoy Rogozin RIA Novosti 17 Sep 2009 -- NATO Secretary General Rasmussen and Russian envoy Rogozin will hold an extraordinary meeting.
• CSTO Military Maneuvers Kick Off In Kazakhstan RFE/RL 17 Sep 2009 -- Military exercises by several members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) have started in northern Kazakhstan.
• China to showcase new weaponry in National Day parade RIA Novosti 17 Sep 2009 -- China will showcase new weapon systems at parade to celebrate 60th anniversary of the country's foundation.
• Tajikistan denies asking Russia to pay $300 mln in base rent RIA Novosti 17 Sep 2009 -- Tajik Defense Ministry denied asking Russia to pay $300 million in rent for a military base stationed on its territory.
• Top UN maritime official applauds Iran for contribution in war against piracy UN News Centre 17 Sep 2009 -- Head of UN maritime agency praised Iran for its support of international efforts in combating piracy off Somalia.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 17 Sep 2009
• Briefing by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs and Secretary of Health & Human Services Kathleen Sebelius, 9/17/09 The White House 17 Sep 2009

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for September 17, 2009
• BAE SYSTEMS COMPLETES FIRST REAL-TIME TEST OF IMPROVED MILITARY WIRELESS COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY BAE Systems 17 Sep 2009 -- BAE Systems has completed the first real-time mobile tests of new wireless military radio technology designed to help warfighters dispense critical communications without interruption during battle.
• Boeing Delivers 12-Nation Strategic Airlift Capability's 2nd C-17 Globemaster III Boeing 17 Sep 2009 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today delivered to the NATO Airlift Management Organization (NAMO) a second C-17 Globemaster III that will support NAMO's 12-nation Strategic Airlift Capability (SAC) initiative. The delivery took place at Boeing's final assembly facility in Long Beach.
• Landing of Gas Turbine Engines is Latest Milestone for Nation’s Third Littoral Combat Ship Lockheed Martin 17 Sep 2009 -- The Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT]-led industry team completed another key milestone in constructing the nation’s third Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) with the landing of the vessel’s two main propulsion gas turbines.
• New Missile Warning Satellite Built By Lockheed Martin Begins Major Environmental Test Phase Lockheed Martin 17 Sep 2009 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has begun thermal vacuum testing of the first Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) geosynchronous (GEO-1) satellite, a major program milestone that will validate spacecraft performance in a complete test-like-you-fly environment.
• Northrop Grumman Awarded Army Tactical Simulation Contract Northrop Grumman 17 Sep 2009 -- The U.S. Army's Constructive Simulations Division has awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) a contract to provide program management, training, testing, information technology and field support to its Tactical Simulation (TACSIM) program. TACSIM is the prime intelligence simulation for the Army as well as the joint services.
• SAIC Awarded $19 Million Task Order By Naval Undersea Warfare Center - Newport Division SAIC 17 Sep 2009 -- Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) (NYSE: SAI) today announced it has been awarded a prime contract by the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) - Newport Division to provide engineering, technical, and management services in support of NUWC's Autonomous Undersea Vehicle (AUV) Engineering Facility.

Other Conflicts

• UN envoy calls on Israelis and Palestinians to renew push for peace UN News Centre 17 Sep 2009 -- Senior UN official urged Israeli and Palestinian leaders to take advantage of the opportunity to renew the political process towards a 2-State solution and a lasting peace in the region.
• Israel Launches Diplomatic Offensive Against UN Report VOA 17 Sep 2009 -- Israel is rejecting a call in a UN report to open an independent inquiry into the country's conduct its offensive almost a year ago in the Gaza Strip.
• Hamas welcomes UN report on Israel's Gaza operation RIA Novosti 17 Sep 2009 -- The Palestinian radical Islamist group Hamas has welcomed a UN report accusing Israeli military forces of war crimes.
• Ethiopian PM Says No Ethiopian Forces in Somalia VOA 17 Sep 2009 -- Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has dismissed reports that Ethiopian troops are back in neighboring Somalia.
• Ban deplores killing of nine African Union peacekeepers in Somalia UN News Centre 17 Sep 2009 -- Secretary-General Ban voiced shock and outrage following suicide bombing at the headquarters of the AU peacekeeping force in the Somali capital, Mogadishu.
• Al-Shabab Claims Responsibility for Mogadishu Blasts VOA 17 Sep 2009 -- The Islamist militant group al-Shabab has claimed responsibility for two explosions that rocked an African Union peacekeepers' base in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu.
• Two Suicide Bombers Strike AU Peacekeeper Base in Somalia VOA 17 Sep 2009 -- Two suicide bombings have rocked the headquarters of the African Union peacekeeping force in Somalia, killing the second-in-command and injuring the head general.
• Somali Militants Issue Conditions For Releasing French Hostage VOA 17 Sep 2009 -- Somali insurgents holding a French security advisor hostage have issued conditions to the French government for the man's release.
• Moscow calls on PACE to see sense over Georgia RIA Novosti 17 Sep 2009 -- Russia hopes the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe will not remove Russia's voting rights over its recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
• PACE could deprive Russia of voting rights over South Ossetia RIA Novosti 17 Sep 2009 -- The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe will discuss depriving Russia of its voting rights over last year's events in South Ossetia at its autumn session.
• LIBERIA: Mixed reaction to UNMIL extension IRIN 17 Sep 2009 -- In Liberia citizens’ reaction has been mixed to UN Security Council decision extending the UN peacekeeping mission.
• Yemeni Air Raid Reported to Kill 87 Civilians VOA 17 Sep 2009 -- Witnesses in Yemen say Wednesday's army air raid on a camp for displaced people is believed to have killed some 87 civilians.
• Cyprus leaders accelerate UN-backed process of talks to unify island UN News Centre 17 Sep 2009 -- Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders held further discussions today on the presidency and vice presidency of a bi-communal republic in ongoing UN-backed talks.
• Former Rwandan official pleads guilty to war crimes at UN tribunal UN News Centre 17 Sep 2009 -- A former top Rwandan official today pleaded guilty to war crimes at the United Nations war crimes tribunal set up in the wake of the mass killings that engulfed the small African nation in 1994.
• Sri Lanka should permit impartial probe into alleged execution video - UN expert UN News Centre 17 Sep 2009 -- UN human rights expert has called for an independent probe into the authenticity of a video of alleged extrajudicial executions by Sri Lankan soldiers.

News Reports

• Political Instability, Violence Threat to Asia's Tourism Industry VOA 17 Sep 2009 -- Political violence has done considerable damage to tourism in Asia and the Pacific over the past few years.
• Shoe-throwing Iraqi journalist arrives in Greece for treatment RIA Novosti 17 Sep 2009 -- Iraqi journalist put into prison for throwing his shoes at former US president Bush arrived in Greece for medical treatment.
• Uyghur Leader: 'Entire Turkic-Speaking World Rallied To Support Us' RFE/RL 17 Sep 2009 -- Rebiya Kadeer, the U.S.-based head of the World Uyghur Congress, is a controversial figure in her native land.
• US, Cuba Begin Talks on Direct Mail Link VOA 17 Sep 2009 -- The United States and Cuba have begun talks on resuming direct mail service, which has been suspended since 1963.
• Russia Counters Criticism over World War II Role VOA 17 Sep 2009 -- Debate underway in Russia over the role the Soviet Union played in the events leading up to the outbreak of the war.
• Bosnia On The Verge Of Dissolution? RFE/RL 17 Sep 2009 -- Bosnia-Herzegovinian town of Medjugorje known across Bosnia for its aspiration to become part of Croatia.
• President Announces Plan to Expand Fight Against Global H1N1 Pandemic The White House 17 Sep 2009
• President Announces Plan to Expand Fight Against H1N1 Flu AFPS 17 Sep 2009 -- President Obama announced US will continue to act aggressively to stop the global spread of the pandemic H1N1 virus.
• BUMED Emphasizes Strategies to Keep Flu at Bay Navy NewsStand 17 Sep 2009 -- The Bureau of Medicine and Surgery offers tips to stay well and minimize the risk of influenza.
• Fort Riley remains proactive in H1N1 preparedness Army News 16 Sep 2009 -- As Fort Riley prepares for a possible second wave of the H1N1 virus, its Soldiers and Families should also prepare.
• Two years after deadly rioting, UN awaits inquiry by Nepalese authorities UN News Centre 17 Sep 2009 -- UN still waiting for thorough and impartial investigations into deadly rioting that broke out two years ago in the Nepalese district of Kapilvastu.
• Concerned Congolese Displeased With New Government VOA 17 Sep 2009 -- Citizens of the Republic of Congo have expressed disappointment after President Denis Sassou-Nguesso named his new government following his re-election.
• Madagascar's Prime Minister Displeased with Former Presidents VOA 17 Sep 2009 -- Madagascar's Prime Minster is accusing the International Contact Group (ICG) of betraying embattled President Andry Rajoelina.
• 'Social' Deal Rejected With Moldova Communists RFE/RL 17 Sep 2009 -- Man tipped to head Moldova's next government says that any future government of his will adopt austerity measures that allow the country to qualify for a vital International Monetary Fund loan.
• Malta raises objections over Arctic Sea handover - investigators RIA Novosti 17 Sep 2009 -- The Arctic Sea is unable to call at the Spanish port of Las Palmas after Malta refused to take part in the handover of the ship.
• SMOS Earth observation satellite shipped to Plesetsk Thales 17 Sep 2009 -- Thales Alenia Space main industrial partner for this mission to better understanding climate change.