Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Sept. 17 airpower summary: F-16s protect coalition forces AFNS 18 Sep 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and ISAF in Afghanistan during operations.
• Aviation Support Soldiers Fill Infantry Role in Iraq AFPS 18 Sep 2009 -- Soldiers of 277th ASB, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade’s quick-reaction force responsible for safety of troops and civilians.
• Iraqi Politicians Urge Cautious US Military Withdrawal VOA 18 Sep 2009 -- Iraqi officials testifying before a committee of Congress have urged the US to be cautious in how it withdraws military forces.
• Iraq Says Syria Denies Involvement In Bomb Attacks RFE/RL 18 Sep 2009 -- Senior Iraqi official: Syrian government is rejecting charges of a Syrian connection to bomb attacks in Baghdad.
• Harriers Intimidate Insurgents, Assist Infantry USMC News 18 Sep 2009 -- A pair of AV-8B Harrier pilots directly assisted troops under enemy fire Aug. 8 in Garmsir, Helmand province.
• New British Army Chief says Afghan Success Vital VOA 18 Sep 2009 -- Head of the British army: Success in Afghanistan is vital and the outcome of the conflict there will have a profound effect on geo politics.
• White House Girds For Afghan Troop Debate RFE/RL 18 Sep 2009 -- President Obama: "there is no immediate decision pending" on more combat troops to Afghanistan.
• Joint Patrol Offers Mutual Benefits in Afghanistan AFPS 18 Sep 2009 -- Konar Provincial Reconstruction Team conducted a power assessment in Dam Kalay village in Asadabad district.
• Sand Sharks Bring Comforts of Home to Camp Barber USMC News 18 Sep 2009 -- Marine Wing Support Squadron 371 made up some of the first troops to arrive and begin construction.
• Debate Over Italian Troop Withdrawal from Afghanistan Heats Up VOA 18 Sep 2009 -- Killing of 6 Italian soldiers in Afghanistan has re-ignited the debate over whether troops should be withdrawn.
• AFGHANISTAN: No unreserved Taliban support for Peace Day IRIN 18 Sep 2009 -- Taliban insurgents have called the UN-initiated International Peace Day, 21 September, “a futile showy day.”
• Ban sounds alarm on 'reprehensible' suicide attack in northwest Pakistan UN News Centre 18 Sep 2009 -- Secretary-General Ban condemned suicide car bomb attack, reportedly claiming more than 30 lives.
• At least 25 dead in northwest Pakistan suicide blast RIA Novosti 18 Sep 2009 -- At least 25 people died in a suicide car bombing in the northwestern Pakistani city of Kohat.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Commander of newest MAJCOM defines success AFNS 18 Sep 2009 -- Commander of Air Force Global Strike Command stressed the importance of skilled and dedicated Airmen to the nuclear enterprise.
• Pacific Air Forces commander focuses on future AFNS 18 Sep 2009 -- Commander of Pacific Air Forces spoke to outline his responsibilities during the 2009 Air Force Association Air & Space Conference.
• Holloman officials host joint-service aircraft for testing AFNS 18 Sep 2009 -- White Sands Missile Range conducted multiplatform countermeasure effectiveness test.
• USS New Hampshire Serves as Host Platform for Dry Deck Shelter Development / Operational Testing Navy NewsStand 18 Sep 2009 -- USS New Hampshire (SSN 778) became the second Virginia-class submarine to have a Dry Deck Shelter (DDS) landed to its hull Sept. 4.
• Lakenheath aircrews train with Estonian forward air controllers AFNS 18 Sep 2009 -- Several aircrews participated in NATO training event helping to train Estonian forward air controllers.
• U.S., Mexican Marines unite for training USMC News 18 Sep 2009 -- The combined operation is the result of Marine Corps Forces North Theater Security Cooperation program.
• Shipboard Protection System Achieves Milestone Decision Navy NewsStand 18 Sep 2009 -- PEO LMW announced today that the Shipboard Protection System was approved for production Aug. 26.
• McKinley: Guard's 'smart power' building partnership capacity worldwide AFNS 18 Sep 2009 -- National Guard focused on helping the nation build partnership capacity worldwide.
• Air Force study uses virtual reality for PTSD AFNS 18 Sep 2009 -- A new virtual reality program to treat combat veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan experiencing post traumatic stress disorder is being used at Wilford Hall Medical Center here.
• Air Force doctor studies new medication for traumatic brain injury patients AFNS 18 Sep 2009 -- A neurologist at the Wilford Hall Medical Center here is studying a medication that may significantly reduce chronic headaches and migraines without all the usual side effects from oral medications.
• PANAMAX 2009 Tests Pandemic Outbreak in Exercise Navy NewsStand 18 Sep 2009 -- Representatives from 10 US agencies holding a 2-day table-top exercise in cooperation with government of Panama.
• Airmen begin humanitarian mission in Vietnam AFNS 18 Sep 2009 -- U.S. civil engineer and medical Airmen are here providing humanitarian and civic assistance to local communities Sept. 15 to 24 as part of Operation Pacific Angel 2009.
• Navy Teams to Study Marine Mammals in the Mediterranean Navy NewsStand 18 Sep 2009 -- New data gathered during a recent multinational study supported by the U.S. Navy and the Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) gives researchers hope of better understanding the Mediterranean and its marine populations.
• APS Swift Arrives in The Gambia Navy NewsStand 18 Sep 2009 -- High Speed Vessel Swift (HSV 2) arrived in the capital city here, Sept. 17, as part of Africa Partnership Station (APS).
• Deputy Secretary of Defense William J. Lynn Remarks at the Medal of Honor Hall of Heroes Induction Ceremony in Honor of Sergeant First Class Jared C. Monti, at the Pentagon, Arlington, Va. DoD 18 Sep 2009 -- Presenter: Deputy Secretary of Defense William J. Lynn, III
• Transcript: Media Availability with Secretary Gates and Minister of Defense. Czech Republic Martin Bartak DoD 18 Sep 2009 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Robert Gates
• The Politics Of Missile Defense: What Does The New Obama Approach Mean? RFE/RL 18 Sep 2009 -- Ronald Reagan aimed to base his Star Wars missile defense system in space.
• Russia could scrap Baltic missile plans following U.S. move RIA Novosti 18 Sep 2009 -- Russia could abandon plans to deploy tactical missiles in response to the US decision to drop its missile shield plans.
• New Missile Plan Better Suited Against Iran, Gates Says AFPS 18 Sep 2009 -- Gates: New US missile defense plan will offer better protection than a previous proposal.
• Russian NATO envoy skeptical about new U.S missile shield plans RIA Novosti 18 Sep 2009 -- Russia's NATO envoy has cautioned against "childish euphoria" over decision to scrap plans for a missile shield.
• Putin Lauds Obama for Scrapping Missile Defense System in Europe VOA 18 Sep 2009 -- Russian PM Putin: US President Obama's decision to scrap plans for a missile defense system is "correct and brave."
• Moscow praises NATO's proposal to link missile defense systems RIA Novosti 18 Sep 2009 -- Linking the US, NATO and Russia missile-defense systems is a feasible proposal.
• NATO Chief Proposes Closer Ties With Russian Defense VOA 18 Sep 2009 -- NATO's new secretary-general called on the alliance to forge closer defense ties with Moscow.
• NATO seeks missile-defense cooperation with Russia RIA Novosti 18 Sep 2009 -- NATO secretary general: Russia and NATO should pool their expertise and work together on missile defense.
• Ukrainian Ex-Minister Anxious Over Missile Defense Move RFE/RL 18 Sep 2009 -- Former Ukrainian FM expressed hope that new US policy will not be made at expense of Poles, Czechs, and Ukrainians.
• Poland, Czech Republic top list for missile shield - Clinton RIA Novosti 18 Sep 2009 -- US Secretary of State Clinton: Poland and the Czech Republic would remain key candidates to host defense shield.
• U.S. adopts four-phase plan for missile shield in Europe RIA Novosti 18 Sep 2009 -- US has not fully abandoned plans to deploy elements of its global missile defense in Europe.
• NATO's Rasmussen Makes Warm Overture To Russia RFE/RL 18 Sep 2009 -- Day after US scrapped a missile-defense plan that had raised Moscow's objections, head of the NATO military alliance called for a new partnership with Russia.
• Russia opens criminal case over MiG fighters returned by Algeria RIA Novosti 18 Sep 2009 -- Criminal charges against management of company accused of providing low-quality equipment for rejected fighters.
• Russia to complete overhaul of 63 Indian fighter jets in 2013 RIA Novosti 18 Sep 2009 -- Russia will finish upgrading MiG-29 fighters in service with the Indian air force in 2013.
• Russian fighter jets for Indian tender to have new radar RIA Novosti 18 Sep 2009 -- Russia's Phazotron NIIR corporation developed a new-generation airborne radar for jets which participate in Indian tender.
• Russia, China conduct anti-piracy exercises in Gulf of Aden RIA Novosti 18 Sep 2009 -- Russian and Chinese warships have begun live firing drills in the Gulf of Aden as part of anti-piracy exercises.
• China, Russia to hold anti-piracy naval drills off Somali coast RIA Novosti 18 Sep 2009 -- Chinese and Russian naval task forces currently on an anti-piracy mission in the Gulf of Aden will hold joint exercises on September 18.
• Russia to help Cuba modernize weaponry, train military RIA Novosti 18 Sep 2009 -- Modernization of the Soviet-made military equipment and training of Cuban military personnel will be the focus of Russian-Cuban military cooperation.
• Russia, Belarus begin joint anti-aircraft defense exercises RIA Novosti 18 Sep 2009 -- First phase of joint Russian-Belarusian military exercises began with the involvement of some 100 aircraft and 12,600 military personnel.
• Venezuela's Weapons, Energy Deals Raise 'Arms Race' Concerns VOA 18 Sep 2009 -- Venezuela's President Chavez is leading a new diplomatic effort to strengthen ties with a set of distant partners.
• Briefing by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs and UN Ambassador Susan Rice The White House 18 Sep 2009

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for September 18, 2009
• General Dynamics Demonstrates Roll-Controlled Guided Mortar for Potential U.S. Army Applications General Dynamics 18 Sep 2009 -- General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems announced today that it has successfully developed and tested a new approach for low-cost guided mortars called the 120mm Roll-Controlled Guided Mortar (RCGM).
• GE Powers the Lockheed Martin C-5M Super Galaxy in World Aviation Records GE Aviation 18 Sep 2009 -- A joint U.S. Air Force and Lockheed Martin flight crew flying a C-5M Super Galaxy strategic transport claimed 41 world aeronautical records in one flight on September 13.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 18 Sep 2009
• Palestinian Official: US Envoy Fails to Secure Settlement Deal VOA 18 Sep 2009 -- Palestinian official: US envoy George Mitchell failed to secure a deal on Jewish settlements seen as key to advancing peace process.
• US Envoy Ends Israeli-Palestinian Meetings with No Deal in Hand VOA 18 Sep 2009 -- US special envoy for the Middle East George Mitchell has left Israel and the Palestinian Territories with no agreement on restarting peace talks.
• Somalia: Ban reassures African Union mission of UN backing after deadly attacks UN News Centre 18 Sep 2009 -- Secretary-General Ban personally assured the AU Mission in Somalia of the UN’s “steadfast commitment” of support.
• Russia says Georgia still seeks to regain ex-republics by force RIA Novosti 18 Sep 2009 -- Tbilisi is still counting on using force to regain control over its former republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
• DRC Armed Group Demands Information Minister's Resignation VOA 18 Sep 2009 -- A Democratic Republic of Congo armed group has issued an ultimatum to President Joseph Kabila demanding the resignation of the Information Minister Lambert Mende.
• Militant chiefs in Chechnya will be swept away or 'starve' - Kadyrov RIA Novosti 18 Sep 2009 -- The president of the Russian North Caucasus republic of Chechnya issued a statement on the government website pledging that militant leaders operating in the republic would be eliminated within a year or "starve to death."
• UN Rights Official Calls for Investigation into Yemen Civilian Deaths VOA 18 Sep 2009 -- The U.N.'s Human Rights Chief is calling for an investigation into Yemeni air strikes that killed dozens of civilians.
• UN officials speak out against Yemeni air raids resulting in civilian deaths UN News Centre 18 Sep 2009 -- Secretary-General Ban and the UN human rights chief voiced their deep concern about recent air strikes in northern Yemen.
• UN political chief voices concern about displaced after wrapping up visit to Sri Lanka UN News Centre 18 Sep 2009 -- Sri Lanka is not making the expected progress towards a lasting peace in the wake of the end earlier this year to fighting between military forces and Tamil rebels.
• Analysis: Closer to war than to peace in Casamance? IRIN 18 Sep 2009 -- On a recent morning in Ziguinchor, the main city of Senegal’s Casamance region, pre-school children sang the national anthem in a bright blue classroom as artillery fire sounded from several kilometres away.
• Colombian activists still face killings and torture, despite progress - UN expert UN News Centre 18 Sep 2009 -- Killings, torture, threats and arbitrary arrests of human rights defenders reportedly by both guerrillas and law officers persist in Colombia.

News Reports

• Libya's Gadhafi To Take UN Stage VOA 18 Sep 2009 -- Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi will make his debut at the United Nations General Assembly later this month, after many years in the diplomatic wilderness.
• Myanmar: Ban notes release of some political prisoners UN News Centre 18 Sep 2009 -- Secretary-General Ban called on the authorities to free all those still detained, including opposition leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, to further national reconciliation and a democratic transition.
• Yukio Hatoyama Elected Japanese PM KCNA 18 Sep 2009 -- Yukio Hatoyama, president of the Democratic Party of Japan, was elected PM of Japan in a majority vote at the special Diet session.
• Head of UN health agency applauds H1N1 vaccine donations for developing world UN News Centre 18 Sep 2009 -- Head of the UN health agency applauded the announcement of donations of H1N1 flu vaccine.
• WHO reports over 4,000 swine flu deaths worldwide RIA Novosti 18 Sep 2009 -- More than 4,000 people have died from swine flu worldwide, with the total number of officially confirmed cases reaching 295,000.
• Naval Hospital Bremerton Prepares for Seasonal Flu Vaccinations Navy NewsStand 18 Sep 2009 -- It's September, which means its seasonal flu time.