Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 29 Sep 2009 [PDF]
• Sept. 28 airpower summary: C-130s deliver for warfighters AFNS 29 Sep 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and ISAF in Afghanistan during operations.
• US Commander in Iraq to Testify Before Congress VOA 29 Sep 2009 -- US commander in Iraq scheduled to testify before members of Congress about the situation in Iraq.
• Obama Calls Afghanistan NATO's Most Important Mission AFPS 29 Sep 2009 -- President Obama called Afghanistan the most important mission to NATO and underscored that the war there is a multinational effort.
• UN's Top Afghan Envoy Supports Call for More Troops VOA 29 Sep 2009 -- Top UN envoy for Afghanistan expressed support for the top US and NATO commander in Afghanistan's call for more troops in that country.
• Obama, NATO Chief Agree on Afghanistan Strategy VOA 29 Sep 2009 -- The secretary general of NATO says he agrees with U.S. President Barack Obama's approach to the war in Afghanistan.
• NATO secretary general not sure of success in Afghanistan RIA Novosti 29 Sep 2009 -- NATO secretary general: Victory in Afghanistan is not guaranteed, and NATO needs to change its strategy in the country.
• NATO Secretary-General Defends Alliance's Afghanistan Contributions VOA 29 Sep 2009 -- NATO's secretary-general: Alliance remains committed to the fight in Afghanistan, despite greater violence.
• Afghan Minister: 'We Agree with McChrystal Assessment' VOA 29 Sep 2009 -- Afghanistan's FM: Government welcomes the assessment from US and NATO commander in his country that more troops are needed.
• Joint Force Clears Insurgents, Detains Suspect in Western Afghanistan AFPS 29 Sep 2009 -- Afghan and coalition force cleared insurgents in Afghanistan’s Farah province and detained a suspected militant in Takhar province.
• Marine dog sniffs out 10 IEDs USMC News 29 Sep 2009 -- Marines use minesweepers as one way to search for improvised explosive devices buried in roads here.
• 30 Afghan Civilians Killed in Roadside Bombing VOA 29 Sep 2009 -- The Afghan interior ministry says a passenger bus struck a roadside bomb in southern Afghanistan, killing 30 civilians and wounding at least 39 others.
• Death toll in Afghan roadside blast rises to 30 RIA Novosti 29 Sep 2009 -- The death toll from Tuesday's roadside blast in the southern Afghan Kandahar province has risen to 30, with 39 people injured.
• Roadside blast kills 12, injures 15 in Afghanistan RIA Novosti 29 Sep 2009 -- Twelve people died and 15 were wounded when a bus hit a roadside device in Afghanistan.
• First M-ATVs Deploy to Afghanistan AFPS 29 Sep 2009 -- With unprecedented speed, the first of thousands of mine-resistant, ambush-protected all-terrain vehicles are being deployed to Afghanistan.
• Coming weeks critical for Afghanistan's future, top UN envoy says UN News Centre 29 Sep 2009 -- Next several weeks will be critical for the future of Afghanistan, which is awaiting the final outcome of last month’s presidential election and the formation of a new government.
• Suspected US Missile Strike Kills 5 Militants in Pakistan VOA 29 Sep 2009 -- Pakistani intelligence officials: Suspected US missile strike killed 5 Taliban militants in one of the country's restive tribal regions.
• 3 Troops Killed in Philippines Land Mine Blast VOA 29 Sep 2009 -- Philippine military says 2 members of the U.S. Navy and a Philippine marine were killed in a landmine explosion on the island of Jolo.
• JSOTF-P Assists in Rescue Efforts During Manila Flooding Navy NewsStand 29 Sep 2009 -- Members of JSOTF-P assisted the Armed Forces of the Philippines with the rescue of 52 people affected by massive flooding.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Command Remains Flexible as North Korean Threat Changes AFPS 29 Sep 2009 -- N. Korean threat changing and the response to the nation’s provocations must change too.
• General Cites Importance of Northeastern Asia AFPS 29 Sep 2009 -- Northeastern Asia is an area of vital national interest to the US, and American troops stand ready to defend the region.
• Korean Tour Normalization Benefits Families, U.S. Interests AFPS 29 Sep 2009 -- Tour normalization in S. Korea will benefit US servicemembers and their families and also assure Asian allies of American commitment to the region.
• Navy Officials Push for Allowing Women on Submarines AFPS 29 Sep 2009 -- The Navy secretary advocated for allowing women to serve on submarines, which would require ending a long-standing ban.
• First Operational Growler Squadron 'Safe for Flight' Navy NewsStand 29 Sep 2009 -- Electronic Attack (VAQ) 132 received the official notification that the squadron was certified "safe for flight operations in the EA-18G."
• Harry S. Truman Strike Group Completes JTFEX Training Evolutions off East Coast Navy NewsStand 29 Sep 2009 -- The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HST CSG), joined by 13 foreign ships from nine nations completed Joint Task Force Exercise 09-4.
• Navy's First Training Support Vessel Supports Maritime Strategy Capabilities Navy NewsStand 29 Sep 2009 -- The Navy's first training support vessel, TSV-1 Prevail, completed its American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) mandated 5-year docking inspection Aug. 20 at Colonna's Shipyard in Norfolk, Va.
• Lincoln First Carrier to Get LAN Upgrade Navy NewsStand 29 Sep 2009 -- USS Abraham Lincoln serving as the test-bed for a new local area network that will provide Sailors unmatched network reliability and user capacity at sea.
• Alabama National Guard trains for deployment with 1st AD Army News 29 Sep 2009 -- Soldiers from the 441st Ordnance Battalion (EOD), Alabama National Guard, are participating in Operation Unified Endeavor.
• Corps of Engineers trains forward support teams to help field commanders Army News 29 Sep 2009 -- Moving Army troops to contingency operations overseas requires a huge system of military and civilian support teams, plenty of planning and practice, and a well-planned base of operations.
• Space Command boss talks of space, cyber connection AFNS 29 Sep 2009 -- Leader of the Air Force Space community: Space and cyberspace are integrally connected.
• Domestic Operations conference a 'historic collaboration' for Air Guard AFNS 29 Sep 2009 -- Arrest of several individuals involved in an alleged terrorist plot is a pressing reason to fulfill domestic mission requirements.
• Air Force security forces, DOD police collaborate to keep joint base secure AFNS 29 Sep 2009 -- DoD police at Naval Air Engeneering Station Lakehurst and Fort Dix will merge into the Air Force security forces squadron at McGuire Air Force Base.
• CNATRA Changes Leadership Navy NewsStand 29 Sep 2009 -- A change of command ceremony for Chief of Naval Air Training Command was held on board Naval Air Station Corpus Christi Sept. 24.
• Navy Breaks Ground on New Naval Base Guam BEQ Navy NewsStand 29 Sep 2009 -- Construction of a $53.7 million bachelor enlisted quarters facility on Naval Base Guam was celebrated with a ground breaking ceremony Sept. 22.
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers awards $333 million for new Fort Benning Hospital Army News 29 Sep 2009 -- Fort Benning is one step closer to a new hospital following today's award of a $333,359,000 contract by the Savannah District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers./li>
• Civilian Employees to Receive Equal Base Salary Increases AFPS 29 Sep 2009 -- DoD employees paid under the National Security Personnel System will receive the same base salary increases this year as their General Schedule counterparts.
• Army users prepare for update to Vista software Army News 29 Sep 2009 -- In an effort to improve network security, DoD has mandated the migration of all Windows-based computers to Microsoft's Vista operating system.
• U.S. could deploy missile shield in Arctic - Russia's NATO envoy RIA Novosti 29 Sep 2009 -- US missile defense program becoming less predictable with elements deployed in the Arctic as worst-case scenario.
• Russian-NATO joint missile-defense viable option - envoy RIA Novosti 29 Sep 2009 -- Moscow believes it would be possible to establish a missile-defense system jointly with NATO.
• Russia to dismantle 191 nuclear submarines by late 2010 RIA Novosti 29 Sep 2009 -- Russia will by late 2010 dismantle 191 out of 198 nuclear submarines decommissioned from the Russian Navy.
• Human error cause of midair jet crash - source RIA Novosti 29 Sep 2009 -- Human error was to blame for a midair collision of two Russian Air Force jets during aerobatic maneuvers near Moscow on August 16.
• Medvedev says Russia-Belarus war games strengthen ties RIA Novosti 29 Sep 2009 -- Russia's president hailed joint military drills with Belarus, saying they proved the two ex-Soviet states remained allies.
• Russian president attends joint military drills in Belarus RIA Novosti 29 Sep 2009 -- Russian President Medvedev arrived in Belarus to inspect the final stage of the Zapad 2009 joint military drills.
• US Concerned About China's Military Modernization VOA 29 Sep 2009 -- For more than a decade, China has been rapidly modernizing the People's Liberation Army.
• Pirate Attacks on the Rise off Somalia Navy NewsStand 29 Sep 2009 -- Pirate activity has increased recently off the coast of Somalia with four attempted attacks occurring on motor vessels in the Gulf of Aden since Sept. 19.
• Anti-piracy measures must start with helping Somalia stabilize, UN hears UN News Centre 29 Sep 2009 -- Strengthening the rule of law is the critical factor to effectively tackling piracy in the Indian Ocean.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 29 Sep 2009
• Briefing by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs The White House 29 Sep 2009

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for September 29, 2009
• Boeing to Integrate Extremely High Frequency Communication System on US Air Force B-52s Boeing 29 Sep 2009 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today announced it has received a $5.4 million contract for the initial effort required for integrating a new satellite communication system on the U.S. Air Force B-52 fleet.
• Lockheed Martin Delivers First Set Of P-3 Orion New Production Wings To Norway Lockheed Martin 29 Sep 2009 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] delivered the first set of new production P-3 Orion wings to the company’s launch customer, the Royal Norwegian Air Force, on Sept. 25.
• Statement From Northrop Grumman On U.S. Air Force Aerial Refueling Tanker Replacement Program Northrop Grumman 29 Sep 2009 -- The following is a statement from Paul K. Meyer, Northrop Grumman vice president and general manager, Advanced Technology and Programs Division, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems sector, concerning the U.S. Air Force aerial refueling tanker replacement program
• Raytheon Demonstrates Enhanced Long-Range Target Validation Capability Raytheon 29 Sep 2009 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) demonstrated an enhanced long-range electronic identification capability that helps soldiers better validate targets on the battlefield and reduce fratricide.
• SAIC Awarded $29 Million Task Order to Support Naval Air Systems Command SAIC 29 Sep 2009 -- Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) (NYSE: SAI) today announced it has been awarded a task order by the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) to provide technical support services to NAVAIR Program Management Activity (PMA) 205 integrated product teams (IPTs).
• Raytheon Develops Tactical Intelligence Resource for U.S. Army Raytheon 29 Sep 2009 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has debuted a mobile intelligence collection and dissemination resource for the U.S. Army.
• Oshkosh Defense Awarded $801 Million Delivery Order for New and Recapitalized HEMTTs, PLS Trailers Oshkosh 29 Sep 2009 -- Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK), announced today that its Defense division has received a delivery order valued at $801 million from the U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command Life Cycle Management Command (TACOM LCMC) for more than 2,450 new and recapitalized Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks (HEMTT) and Palletized Load System Trailers (PLST). Work is expected to be completed by May 2011.
• Oshkosh Defense Receives Orders from BAE Systems Valued at $24 Million to Supply TAK-4 Independent Suspension for MRAPs Oshkosh 29 Sep 2009 -- Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE: OSK) announced today that its Defense division has received orders valued at $24 million to supply its TAK-4® independent suspension system for more than 300 BAE Systems USCS RG-33 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles. BAE issued the orders following the receipt of contracts awarded from the MRAP Joint Program Office.
• Thales launches the next generation Light Protected Vehicles : the Hawkei Thales 29 Sep 2009 -- Thales has unveiled the design of its groundbreaking next generation Protected Mobility Vehicle – the Hawkei.
• Hawkei - next generation innovation Thales 29 Sep 2009 -- Thales's next generation Hawkei vehicle is specifically designed to meet the unique needs of the Australian Defence Force and key export customers.
• Bendigo production an economic success story Thales 29 Sep 2009 -- Thales Australia's new Hawkei is the latest innovation from a business that has delivered highly successful Protected Mobility Vehicles to the Australian Defence Force and armies around the world over the past decade.

Other Conflicts

• Israeli aircraft destroy Palestinian rocket launcher in Gaza RIA Novosti 29 Sep 2009 -- Israeli combat aircraft delivered an airstrike against Gaza Strip Monday night destroying a Palestinian missile launcher.
• Fatah, Hamas could sign reconciliation pact in Oct. -Hamas leader RIA Novosti 29 Sep 2009 -- Reconciliation agreement between the rival Palestinian factions could be signed in October in Cairo.
• UN Report Calls for Investigation Into Alleged War Crimes in Gaza VOA 29 Sep 2009 -- UN fact-finding mission accuses both Israel and Hamas militants of committing war crimes during the three-week war in Gaza that began in late 2008.
• Head of UN rights probe into Gaza conflict urges accountability for war crimes UN News Centre 29 Sep 2009 -- Head of UN fact finding mission into the Gaza conflict urged an end to impunity for human rights violations committed there earlier this year.
• Somali Government Claims Al-Shabab Executed Innocent Men VOA 29 Sep 2009 -- Somalia's UN-backed transitional government has condemned the execution of 2 men by al-Shabab militants.
• SOMALIA: Islamist groups on a "war footing" in Kismayo IRIN 29 Sep 2009 -- Tension rising in Somalia's city of Kismayo following fears of impending fighting between Islamist groups Al-Shabab and Hisbul-Islam.
• International Community Needs to Prepare for Sudanese Civil War, Says Analyst VOA 29 Sep 2009 -- The author of a recently released report says that the international community needs to do more to prepare itself for the likely scenario of a return to conflict in Sudan.
• Darfur: Ban deplores attack resulting in death of African Union-UN peacekeeper UN News Centre 29 Sep 2009 -- Secretary-General Ban strongly condemned an attack on an UNAMID convoy that resulted in the death of a peacekeeper.
• EU-Sponsored Report To Split Blame For Russian-Georgia War RFE/RL 29 Sep 2009 -- A long-awaited report on the causes of the five-day war between Russia and Georgia in August 2008 will split the blame between the two sides.
• Russia retains PACE voting rights despite Georgia motion RIA Novosti 29 Sep 2009 -- A PACE commission decided on Tuesday not to adopt a Georgian motion to strip Russia of its voting rights in the organization, the Russian delegation head said.
• Key Defendant In Georgian Mutiny Trial Pleads Guilty RFE/RL 29 Sep 2009 -- Thirteen of the 41 people currently on trial in Tbilisi on charges of seeking to overthrow Georgia's leadership have concluded plea bargains with the prosecution.
• Russian foreign minister to visit Abkhazia on Oct. 2-3 RIA Novosti 29 Sep 2009 -- Russian FM Lavrov will pay an official visit to Abkhazia on October 2-3.
• Yemeni Troops Clash With Rebels VOA 29 Sep 2009 -- State media in Yemen reporting sharp clashes between security forces and local fighters in the south of the country and in the north.
• Djibouti calls on Security Council to act to resolve border dispute with Eritrea UN News Centre 29 Sep 2009 -- The Security Council must take steps to solve the border dispute between Djibouti and Eritrea, Djibouti said today, warning that if the row is allowed to fester it will set a dangerous precedent for other crises around the world.
• Moldova spotlights breakaway region in address to UN Assembly UN News Centre 29 Sep 2009 -- Hope for a peaceful solution to the separatist conflict in Moldova’s Transdniestrian region lies in its demilitarization and democratization.
• Human Rights Activist Arrested in Congo VOA 29 Sep 2009 -- A human rights activist and former presidential candidate has been arrested by the Congolese government for allegedly trying to foment rebellion in the troubled eastern province of the vast African nation.
• Intelligence Analyst Looks at Conflicts and Progress in Next 100 Years VOA 29 Sep 2009 -- In the century ahead, there will be wars fought from space, between nations that are friendly with each other today.
• Growing number of UN Member States make commitment to stop use of child soldiers UN News Centre 29 Sep 2009 -- Moves to prevent the criminal use and abuse of young boys and girls recruited into armed groups around the world took a step forward.

News Reports

• Chavez, Gadhafi Call for Change in Definition of Terrorism VOA 29 Sep 2009 -- The leaders of Venezuela and Libya are calling for a new global definition of terrorism.
• UN Chief Appeals for Zelaya's Safety VOA 29 Sep 2009 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban calling for the safety of ousted Honduran President Zelaya.
• Nicaraguan FM Addresses Honduran Political Crisis at UNGA VOA 29 Sep 2009 -- Nicaragua's FM addressed the political crisis in neighboring Honduras, condemning the removal of President Zelaya.
• Recent coup oppresses Honduran people, ousted leader tells General Assembly UN News Centre 29 Sep 2009 -- Zelaya: With a “dictatorship” having taken over Honduras, the recent coup d’état is oppressing the people of the Latin American nation.
• Honduras Reconsiders Civil Liberties Ban VOA 29 Sep 2009 -- Interim Honduran government has pledged to reconsider a decree suspending civil liberties, amid an international outcry over the measure.
• Honduras Shuts Down Broadcasters, Some Constitutional Rights Suspended VOA 29 Sep 2009 -- The interim government in Honduras has closed two news broadcasters and suspended some constitutional rights.
• Honduran FM urges UN action over political crisis RIA Novosti 29 Sep 2009 -- Honduran FM Baca urged the UN General Assembly to call an emergency session on Honduras and to send a special mission to assist in settling the country's political crisis.
• EU 'strongly' condemns violence in Guinea RIA Novosti 29 Sep 2009 -- European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana criticized on Tuesday a violent crackdown on protests by authorities in Guinea that left 157 people dead.
• Death Toll in Guinea Protests Rises Above 150 VOA 29 Sep 2009 -- Guinea's military ruler is trying to distance himself from Monday's killing of at least 150 opposition demonstrators by security forces.
• Guinea's Military Ruler Tries to Distance Himself from Violence VOA 29 Sep 2009 -- Guinea's military ruler is trying to distance himself from the violence that killed at least 58 people in the capital who were protesting his possible candidacy in next year's presidential election.
• ECOWAS Condemns Guinea Violence VOA 29 Sep 2009 -- The Economic Community of West African States expressing "disgust" at the violence in Guinea that left at least 58 people dead.
• Swine flu cases confirmed in Russia's Kaliningrad RIA Novosti 29 Sep 2009 -- Nine pupils in Russia's Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad were confirmed as suffering from swine flu.
• Kenyans Dismiss Foreign Minister's Summon of U.S. Ambassador VOA 29 Sep 2009 -- Kenyans have overwhelmingly rejected FM Wetengula's summons of the US Ambassador over US warning to issue travel bans against some government officials seen to be obstructing much needed reforms.
• Security Council urges all sides in Côte d'Ivoire to keep to election deadline UN News Centre 29 Sep 2009 -- UNSC voiced concern at possible further setbacks to Côte d’Ivoire’s already much-delayed presidential elections.
• Thales Alenia Space: a major contributor to upcoming Ariane 5 launch Thales 29 Sep 2009 -- Thales Alenia Space plays a major role on the upcoming Ariane 5 launch, which will orbit two communications satellites, COMSATBw-1 and Amazonas-2.