Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 21 Sep 2009 [PDF]
• DoD News: DoD Identifies Air Force Casualty
• DoD News: DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• Sept. 20 airpower summary: F-15Es respond to coalition calls for assistance AFNS 21 Sep 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and ISAF in Afghanistan during operations.
• Sept. 19 airpower summary: C-17s deliver for warfighters AFNS 21 Sep 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and ISAF in Afghanistan during operations Sept. 19.
• US General Warns 'Failure' in Afghanistan Without New Troops VOA 21 Sep 2009 -- Top US and NATO military commander in warning that the mission "will likely result in failure" if more troops are not sent.
• U.S. General Says Afghan Supply Route 'Growing' RFE/RL 21 Sep 2009 -- US official: Military's Northern Distribution Network for Afghanistan could contribute millions to the local economies.
• Forces Detain Insurgents, Seize Weapons in Afghanistan AFPS 21 Sep 2009 -- Afghan soldiers and police, working with international troops, detained insurgents and seized large amounts of weapons.
• USS Nimitz Launches First Sorties, Support Coalition Troops in Afghanistan Navy NewsStand 21 Sep 2009 -- The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (CSG) relieved the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group as Commander, Task Force 50 and launched its first sorties in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan Sept. 18.
• 2/8 mortars shower IED planters, patrol investigates before shura USMC News 21 Sep 2009 -- With no regard for civilian life, the Taliban have been placing IEDs in roads, farmland and canals.
• 2/8 draws enemy out to fight USMC News 21 Sep 2009 -- Marines with E/2/8th Marine Regiment prepared to encounter the enemy while also hoping to identify some of the post's blind spots.
• Marine mentoring team and Afghan Border Police participate in trial by fire USMC News 21 Sep 2009 -- Leaving Patrol Base Hasanabad here, Marines were expecting about an hour-long patrol.
• Marines conduct mentoring patrol with Afghan Border Police USMC News 21 Sep 2009 -- Four Afghan Border Police, two Estonian service members and 11 Marines conducted a security patrol.
• PMT Marines help Afghan Border Police succeed USMC News 21 Sep 2009 -- The Afghan Border Police are still developing and learning what they need to know to become a self-sufficient police force.
• Kandahar Airmen use AFSO 21 at war AFNS 21 Sep 2009 -- Members of 451st Expeditionary Maintenance Group took initiated rapid improvement event in A-10 Thunderbolt II phase inspection shelter.
• UN envoy welcomes agreement paving way for certification of Afghan poll results UN News Centre 21 Sep 2009 -- Top UN envoy stressed that people must be informed of poll's outcome as soon as possible.
• Pakistan Arrests 'Suicide Bomb Mastermind' in Swat VOA 21 Sep 2009 -- Pakistani military: Security forces have arrested a militant accused of training suicide bombers in northwestern Swat Valley.

Defense Policy / Programs

• DoD News: John McHugh Assumes Duties as Secretary of the Army DoD 21 Sep 2009 -- The Department of the Army announced today that John McHugh was sworn in as the 21st Secretary of the Army at a Pentagon ceremony this morning
• Airmen build bare bases 1 pallet at a time AFNS 21 Sep 2009 -- Servicemembers assigned to the 1st Expeditionary RED HORSE Group create forward operating bases where once nothing but nature existed.
• Basic Military Training construction project begins this fall AFNS 21 Sep 2009 -- Change is coming to the Lackland Air Force Base skyline as work begins on the first of 13 new Basic Military Training facilities.
• PANAMAX 09 Completed Successfully Navy NewsStand 21 Sep 2009 -- After over a week of nearly constant activity and simulated battle operations, the maritime combined multinational staff supporting PANAMAX 09 completed the exercise and said farewell to the U.S. staff at U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet Sept. 21.
• PANAMAX 2009 Tests Peruvian Frigate's Capabilities Navy NewsStand 21 Sep 2009 -- The Peruvian frigate BAP Quiñones (FM 58) is testing the full spectrum of its abilities during the multinational exercise Fuerzas Aliadas PANAMAX 2009 Sept. 11-22.
• New Weapons Simulator Installed at NSA Bahrain Navy NewsStand 21 Sep 2009 -- Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron 3, Detachment Bahrain, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Sept. 20 at Naval Support Activity, Bahrain to mark the installation of a $1.5 million Littoral Combat Laser Shot Weapons Simulator (LCLSWS).
• NAVFAC Hawaii's New Crane Provides Lift to Operational Readiness Navy NewsStand 21 Sep 2009 -- After completing a comprehensive, yearlong safety certification and training process, Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Hawaii began using its newest and largest crane, which allows for a more versatile array of work services.
• Yokosuka Command Mail Orderly System Scheduled for Termination Navy NewsStand 21 Sep 2009 -- U.S. Fleet and Industrial Supply Center (FISC) Yokosuka Military Post Office encourages all customers who receive mail from any of the 79 area command mail orderlies to sign up for an individual mail box at a local post office, in anticipation of cessation of mail orderly services.
• Mission Complete, Pacific Partnership Evolves in 2009 Navy NewsStand 21 Sep 2009 -- Pacific Partnership 2009 (PP09) completed its five-country, three month humanitarian civic assistance mission when the team departed the Republic of the Marshall Islands aboard Military Sealift Command dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS Richard E. Byrd (T-AKE 4) Sept. 18.
• Pacific Partnership Departs Republic of the Marshall Islands Navy NewsStand 21 Sep 2009 -- Pacific Partnership 2009 departed the Republic of the Marshall Islands Sept. 18 after 12 days of working alongside the Marshallese, delivering a variety of humanitarian civic assistance programs.
• Russia, U.S. continue strategic arms reduction dialogue RIA Novosti 21 Sep 2009 -- The sixth round of talks on a new nuclear arms reduction deal between Russia and the U.S. opens on Monday in Geneva.
• Russian gen. says global missile shield could eliminate nuke threat RIA Novosti 21 Sep 2009 -- Missile defense system developed jointly by world's leading powers could eliminate the threat of nuclear strikes.
• Russia insists on involvement in any international missile shield RIA Novosti 21 Sep 2009 -- Russia will not settle for any new missile defense system unless it has a role in it.
• Russia, U.S. could develop joint missile defense against Iran RIA Novosti 21 Sep 2009 -- Russia and the US could take up the issue of deploying a joint missile defense system in Europe.
• Russian analyst plays down fears over new U.S. anti-missile plan RIA Novosti 21 Sep 2009 -- Senior Russian expert played down concerns that new missile defense initiative could prove more dangerous.
• Russia's legendary Kalashnikov producer faces bankruptcy RIA Novosti 21 Sep 2009 -- An arbitration court has accepted a bankruptcy suit against the producer of Russia's famed Kalashnikov assault rifles.
• Russian, Chinese warships escort 23-vessel convoy off Somalia RIA Novosti 21 Sep 2009 -- Russian and Chinese warships have completed a joint anti-piracy exercise which involved escorting a convoy.
• Taiwan military urged to prepare for disaster relief operations CNA 21 Sep 2009 -- The armed forces may earn greater public respect by engaging in disaster relief operations.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 21 Sep 2009
• Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs Aboard Air Force One En Route Troy, New York The White House 21 Sep 2009

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for September 21, 2009
• BAE SYSTEMS TO PROVIDE IDENTIFICATION-FRIEND-OR-FOE SYSTEMS TO U.S. NAVY AND ARMY BAE Systems 21 Sep 2009 -- BAE Systems will provide identification-friend-or-foe (IFF) digital transponders, upgrade kits, and spares to the U.S. Navy and Army under a $20 million contract./li>
• BAE SYSTEMS RECEIVES $41.1 MILLION CONTRACT FOR MK 13 AND MK 25 CANISTERS BAE Systems 21 Sep 2009 -- BAE Systems received a $41.1 million contract from the U.S. Navy for the procurement of Mk 13 Mod 0 Canisters and Mk 25 Mod 0 Canisters. The canisters provide safe storage, transport, and launch capabilities for the Mk 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS).
• General Dynamics Awarded $37 Million Contract by U.S. Air Force for ‘Identification Friend or Foe’ Cryptographic Modules General Dynamics 21 Sep 2009 -- General Dynamics C4 Systems has received a $37 million contract to supply the U.S. Air Force with Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) Mode 5 (KIV-78) cryptographic modules and spare parts.
• Army Selects L-3 to Supply Laser Marksmanship Training Systems L-3 Communications 21 Sep 2009 -- L-3 Communications (NYSE:LLL) announced today that the U.S. Army’s Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation has awarded L-3 MPRI a sole-source, follow-on contract for its Laser Marksmanship Training System (LMTS).
• Northrop Grumman Delivers Final Production E-2C Hawkeye Northrop Grumman 21 Sep 2009 -- With U.S. Navy leadership, federal, state and local government officials, and Northrop Grumman's (NYSE:NOC) employees looking on, the U.S. Navy today took delivery of its 21st, and final production E-2C Hawkeye 2000 aircraft. The delivery event was held at the company's East Coast Aircraft Manufacturing and Flight Test Center, known as the "Home of the Hawkeye."
• Northrop Grumman Receives Boost in Cost Ceiling for B-2 Bomber Modernization and Sustainment Activities Northrop Grumman 21 Sep 2009 -- The U.S. Air Force has raised the cost ceiling on Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) current contract for B-2 bomber modernization and sustainment activities from $6.1B to $9.54B
• Raytheon Awarded $42 Million Contract to Supply Targeting Pods to Swiss Air Force Raytheon 21 Sep 2009 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has received a $42 million Foreign Military Sales award from the U.S. Navy to provide 14 Advanced Targeting Forward Looking Infrared pod systems and spares to the Swiss Air Force.
• SAIC Awarded $26 Million Task Order By Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) - Dahlgren Division SAIC 21 Sep 2009 -- Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) (NYSE: SAI) today announced it has been awarded a task order by the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) - Dahlgren Division to provide NSWC Dam Neck with engineering, technical, and management services.
• U.S. Joint Forces Command Awards Lockheed Martin Team $29 Million Contract for Advanced Video Intelligence System Lockheed Martin 21 Sep 2009 -- The same video management technology that helps sports broadcasters assemble the day’s top highlights will soon help military commanders track the action on the battlefield.
• Final FFG accepted ahead of schedule Thales 21 Sep 2009 -- The FFG Upgrade project is a step closer to its conclusion, with the Defence Materiel Organisation today accepting HMAS NEWCASTLE three months ahead of schedule.

Other Conflicts

• Israeli PM to Defend Settlements in Talks With Obama, Abbas VOA 21 Sep 2009 -- Israeli officials: PM Netanyahu will not drop his opposition to a total halt to settlement construction when he meets with US President Obama and Palestinian President Abbas.
• Hamas condemns Abbas- Israeli PM meeting in New York RIA Novosti 21 Sep 2009 -- The Palestinian radical Islamist group Hamas criticized the Palestinian president after he agreed to meet with the Israeli PM in New York.
• Israeli Defense Chief Urges Palestinians Not to Miss Chance for Peace VOA 21 Sep 2009 -- Israeli Defense Minister fears the Palestinians will miss an opportunity for peace.
• Israel, Palestinians, U.S. do not expect return to talks RIA Novosti 21 Sep 2009 -- A meeting between the US, Palestinian and Israeli leaders at the UN is unlikely to lead to a resumption of peace negotiations.
• Somalia Government Condemns Calls for More Suicide Attacks VOA 21 Sep 2009 -- Somali's government has sharply condemned an opposition leader's call for more suicide attacks against the administration.
• At Least 17 Killed in Fresh Somalia Clashes VOA 21 Sep 2009 -- Witnesses in western Somalia say at least 17 people have been killed in fresh fighting between Islamist militants and government forces.
• Russian patrol boat starts mission off Abkhazia coast RIA Novosti 21 Sep 2009 -- First Russian patrol boat has arrived in Abkhazia to protect the maritime borders of the former Georgian republic.
• Russia thanks Switzerland for mediation role with Georgia RIA Novosti 21 Sep 2009 -- Russian President Medvedev expressed his gratitude to Switzerland for its role in mediating between Moscow and Tbilisi.
• Georgia Mutiny Trial Adjourned RFE/RL 21 Sep 2009 -- Trial of men accused of participating or conniving in mutiny by a tank division was adjourned on September 19.
• More Than 100 Killed in Southern Sudan Tribal Clash VOA 21 Sep 2009 -- The army of southern Sudan says more than 100 people were killed when a local tribe attacked a rival group in the southern state of Jonglei.
• Thai Military Tries to Win Over Muslims in Rebellious South VOA 21 Sep 2009 -- The Thai military has been engaging more with Muslim communities and has turned to community development projects.
• Insurgents Target State Schools in Southern Thailand VOA 21 Sep 2009 -- In southern Thailand, insurgents target state schools and teachers, seen as tools of a dominant Thai Buddhist state that is diluting their Muslim Malay culture.
• Thailand Struggles to Contain Southern Violence VOA 21 Sep 2009 -- Since 2004 Thailand has seen an upswing in violence in its troubled south, where an insurgency has resulted in close to 4,000 deaths.
• Ingush leader urges severe punishment for killers of Muslim cleric RIA Novosti 21 Sep 2009 -- Ingush President Yunus-Bek Yevkurov condemned the assassination of a prominent Muslim cleric in southern Russia and said his killers will be found and punished.

News Reports

• Zelaya plans dialogue on return to Honduras RIA Novosti 21 Sep 2009 -- Ousted president Zelaya plans to start dialogue with the de-facto government.
• Ousted President Zelaya Claims He Has Returned to Honduras VOA 21 Sep 2009 -- Deposed Honduran President Zelaya has returned to Honduras to reclaim his presidency.
• Ousted president Zelaya returns to Honduras RIA Novosti 21 Sep 2009 -- President Zelaya ousted from Honduras in June has returned to his country.
• WHO Chief Promises H1N1 Vaccines for Poorer Nations VOA 21 Sep 2009 -- Head of the WHO urged Asian health chiefs to continue health-care reforms despite the global economic downturn.
• Health ministry denies reports of Russia's first swine flu death RIA Novosti 21 Sep 2009 -- Russia's health ministry denied reports of Russia's first swine flu fatality, saying the cause of death was pneumonia.
• Evidence from Arctic Sea vessel to be delivered next month RIA Novosti 21 Sep 2009 -- The Russian Navy's Iman tanker will deliver material evidence from the Arctic Sea vessel to the Black Sea port of Novorossiisk in October.