Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 30 Sep 2009 [PDF]
• U.S. Soldier dies from non-combat related injuries
• Sept. 29 airpower summary: F-15Es strike enemy AFNS 30 Sep 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and ISAF in Afghanistan during operations.
• Predator passes 600,000 flight hours AFNS 30 Sep 2009 -- Airmen of the 432nd Air Expeditionary Wing here surpassed the 600,000 flight hour mark in the MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft system.
• Strategic Airlift Capability conducts first flight in support of ISAF AFNS 30 Sep 2009 -- Members of the Strategic Airlift Capability conducted its first mission in support of ISAF in Afghanistan.
• Odierno: Continued Progress in Iraq Could Speed Withdrawal AFPS 30 Sep 2009 -- US may be able to draw down troop levels in Iraq quicker than anticipated if progress continues there.
• U.S. military set to pull out 4,000 troops from Iraq by November RIA Novosti 30 Sep 2009 -- Top US commander in Iraq is planning to withdraw about 4,000 servicemen from Iraq by the end of October.
• Odierno: US to Withdraw 4,000 More Troops from Iraq VOA 30 Sep 2009 -- US commander in Iraq plans to tell Congress the military is sending 4,000 more troops home from Iraq next month.
• Iraqi air force assumes control of their C-130 operations AFNS 30 Sep 2009 -- Iraqi AF officially began fully independent C-130 air operations Sept. 29, marking the end of the US C-130 air advisory mission.
• Transcript: DoD News Briefing with Geoff Morrell from the Pentagon DoD 30 Sep 2009 -- Presenter: Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell
• Afghanistan Talks Focus on Means, Not Ends, Spokesman Says AFPS 30 Sep 2009 -- US aim in Afghanistan remains on defeating extremism, but high-level talks at the White House center on the best means to achieve this goal.
• Obama, Top Officials Meeting To Debate Afghan Strategy RFE/RL 30 Sep 2009 -- President Obama is convening a top-level meeting of his national security team at the White House to discuss the US strategy in Afghanistan.
• Air-Ground team airlifts newest howitzers in historic first USMC News 30 Sep 2009 -- Marines worked to air lift two M777A2 lightweight howitzers in Helmand Province.
• Marines assist U.S. Army, send construction materials from Iraq to Afghanistan USMC News 30 Sep 2009 -- The Marines started helping out in September 2009 and lot on schedule to be emptied by the end of October 2009.
• Charleston Airmen supply CENTCOM first M-ATV shipment AFNS 30 Sep 2009 -- Charleston Airmen began the distribution Sept. 30 of a new version of the mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicle.
• Swinging Trusses, Just a Night's Work for NMCB 74 Navy NewsStand 30 Sep 2009 -- The Seabees of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 74 completed the trusses on another super Southwest Asia hut at Camp Leatherneck Sept. 11.
• Afghan Suicide Bomber Strikes Foreign Convoy VOA 30 Sep 2009 -- Officials in southeast Afghanistan say a suicide bomber rammed a car filled with explosives into a foreign military convoy, killing at least one person.
• Critical Care Air Transport Team mission to save lives AFNS 30 Sep 2009 -- Critical care air transport team with the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, received an urgent call the morning of June 24.
• UN Secretary-General Fires Top American at Afghan Mission VOA 30 Sep 2009 -- UN secretary-general has fired the top US official serving in UNAMA, following reports of a dispute over how to handle election fraud allegations.
• Top US Official at UN Afghan Mission Will Not Return to Post VOA 30 Sep 2009 -- UN officials say the top American serving in the UN mission to Afghanistan will not return to his post.
• Senior UN envoy appeals for end to brutal attacks in Afghanistan UN News Centre 30 Sep 2009 -- Senior UN official in Afghanistan has appealed for an end to brutal attacks such as the one that killed a large number of civilians in Kandahar province.
• 3 Missile Strikes Hit Northwest Pakistan VOA 30 Sep 2009 -- Pakistani officials: 3 Suspected US missile strikes have hit the country's Waziristan tribal regions since late Tuesday.
• NORAD Fighters Escort Troubled Aircraft AFPS 30 Sep 2009 -- Two F-16 fighter jets intercepted a civilian aircraft and escorted it and its unconscious pilot until they crashed.
• Hawaii Guard deploys after tsunami hits American Samoa AFNS 30 Sep 2009 -- About 90 Hawaii National Guard members aboard two C-17 Globemaster IIIs are on their way to American Samoa.
• Military Provides Rescue, Humanitarian Support in Pacific AFPS 30 Sep 2009 -- Hawaii Air National Guard and USS Ingraham headed to American Samoa to support rescue and humanitarian relief there.

Defense Policy / Programs

• DoD News: $555 Million DoD Homeowners Assistance Program Details Announced DoD 30 Sep 2009 -- The Department of Defense (DoD) today announced details for the temporary expansion of the Homeowners Assistance Program (HAP).
• 1st Brigade gets a 'new mission' Army News 30 Sep 2009 -- 1st HBCT training transition teams made up of Soldiers, Airmen and Sailors to advise security forces in Iraq and Afghanistan in various combat skills.
• Commander Reports on Africa Command Progress AFPS 30 Sep 2009 -- US Africa Command is a “listening command” that has added value to US government programs on the continent.
• Army Commander Discusses Africa Mission, Training AFPS 30 Sep 2009 -- US Army Africa and five East African countries are joining together in a multinational, globally resourced exercise focused on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
• Mine Warfare Training Center Closes Doors in Ingleside Navy NewsStand 30 Sep 2009 -- The Mine Warfare Training Center in Ingleside, Texas, held a closing ceremony Sept. 29 at Naval Station Ingleside.
• Scott AFB wing changes name, adds new mission AFNS 30 Sep 2009 -- The 375th Airlift Wing here officially became the 375th Air Mobility Wing Sept. 30 as a result of the Air Force's most recent Total Force Integration effort.
• Fourth Fleet Achieves Pre-Accreditation During PANAMAX 09 Navy NewsStand 30 Sep 2009 -- U.S. 4th Fleet achieved a major milestone during PANAMAX 09 Sept. 11-22 upon receiving their Maritime Operations Center pre-accreditation at the end of the exercise.
• Ramage Departs for Joint Warrior Navy NewsStand 30 Sep 2009 -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage, led by Commander, Destroyer Squadron 24, departed Naval Station Norfolk Sept. 23 and is in transit to participate in Exercise Joint Warrior 2009.
• USACE hands over sole official border crossing station between Georgia, Russia Army News 30 Sep 2009 -- New, $2.4 million border crossing station constructed through the help of the US Army Corps of Engineers Europe District.
• Innovations in lightweight, energy-independent sanitizing solutions wins Army R&D Award Army News 30 Sep 2009 -- Food safety expert researchers from the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center (NSRDEC) have been working on solutions to challenge.
• Ribbon Cutting Held for NAS Whidbey Island's Consolidated Fuel Farm Navy NewsStand 30 Sep 2009 -- Naval Air Station Whidbey Island and Naval Facilities Engineering Command Northwest hosted ceremony to commemorate the opening of NAS Whidbey Island's consolidated fuel farm.
• Recovery Act Funds Facilitate Energy Improvements at Barstow Logistics Base Navy NewsStand 30 Sep 2009 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest awarded American Recovery and Reinvestment Act contract for a design study at Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow.
• NMCB 1 Tackles Long To-Do List in Guam Navy NewsStand 30 Sep 2009 -- During Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 1 first deployment to the Pacific, the nearly 200 Seabees assigned to Guam are tackling a long list of construction projects throughout the island.
• Russia's missile-defense proposals still stand - Kremlin RIA Novosti 30 Sep 2009 -- Russia's missile-defense proposals, including the joint use of its radar facilities, are still on the table.
• U.S. 5th-generation fighters shadow Russian bombers on patrol mission RIA Novosti 30 Sep 2009 -- Two Russian Tu-95 Bear strategic bombers were shadowed by U.S. fifth-generation fighters.
• Russia prevents smuggling of warplane parts to Syria RIA Novosti 30 Sep 2009 -- Customs officers have prevented an attempt to smuggle components for a MiG-29 Fulcrum fighter aircraft to Syria.
• Russia tests Indian fighter jets on board its aircraft carrier RIA Novosti 30 Sep 2009 -- Russia's MiG aircraft maker successfully tested on board the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier 4 MiG-29 carrier-based fighter jets due to be delivered to India.
• Moldova's admission to NATO can harm ties with Moscow - expert RIA Novosti 30 Sep 2009 -- Moldova's accession to NATO is unnecessary and could dramatically worsen its relations with Russia.
• US Congress Approves Tripling of Aid to Pakistan VOA 30 Sep 2009 -- US Congress approved legislation to triple non-military assistance to Pakistan during the next five years.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 30 Sep 2009
• Briefing by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 9/30/09 The White House 30 Sep 2009

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for September 30, 2009
• BAE SYSTEMS AND RHEINMETALL NITROCHEMIE SIGN LONG-TERM MUNITIONS DEAL BAE Systems 30 Sep 2009 -- A ten-year munitions deal worth up to £205 million will help secure supplies of ammunition to British troops. The arrangement between BAE Systems and Rheinmetall Nitrochemie is for the supply of propellant used in producing ammunition.
• WORLD-CLASS FACILITIES TO SUPPORT AVAILABILITY OF TYPHOON AIRCRAFT ARE OPENED BAE Systems 30 Sep 2009 -- UK, The opening of the Typhoon Support Centre and the Typhoon Maintenance Facility at RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire, on 30th September 2009, marks the official start of the Typhoon Availability Service (TAS) for which BAE Systems will take a major role in ensuring the availability of the Typhoon fleet to meet its standing and operational commitments.
• BAE SYSTEMS RECEIVES £24M UK ORDER FOR NEW BvS10 VIKING BAE Systems 30 Sep 2009 -- BAE Systems has been awarded a contract by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) for an improved version of its go-anywhere BvS10 Viking armoured vehicle.
• Boeing SLAM ER Missile System Achieves 2 Launch Milestones Boeing 30 Sep 2009 -- The Boeing [NYSE: BA] Standoff Land Attack Missile Expanded Response (SLAM ER) missile system recently reached two program milestones -- the first launch from an F-16 aircraft and the 100th missile launch. Both flights took place at the U.S. Naval Air Weapons Station in China Lake, Calif.
• Boeing Connects 2 More F-15E Simulators to US Air Force Global Training Network Boeing 30 Sep 2009 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] has connected two additional F-15E Mission Training Centers (MTC) to the U.S. Air Force's Distributed Mission Operations Network (DMON) -- one at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., and one at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, United Kingdom.
• General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems Awarded $153 Million Navy Submarine Contract General Dynamics 30 Sep 2009 -- General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), has been awarded a $152.8 million contract by the U.S. Navy for FY 2010 and FY 2011 production and deployed-systems support for the United States and United Kingdom SSBN fire control system (FCS) and the SSGN Attack Weapon Control System (AWCS).
• U.S. Navy Awards Lockheed Martin $8 Million Contract to Advance Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Technology Lockheed Martin 30 Sep 2009 -- The U.S. Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) recently awarded Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] an $8.12 million contract to further develop Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) technology, which leverages the temperature difference between warmer water at the ocean’s surface and colder water below to produce renewable and reliable power.
• Northrop Grumman Signs Strategic Supplier Relationship Agreement With U.S. Air Force Global Logistics Support Center Northrop Grumman 30 Sep 2009 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has signed an agreement with the U.S. Air Force Global Logistics Center (AFGLSC) to establish a strategic supplier relationship management (SSRM) team to improve support to the nation's warfighters through improved and more effective sustainment processes.
• SAIC Awarded $20 Million Task Order by Naval Surface Warfare Center - Crane Division SAIC 30 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) - Crane Division to provide engineering, technical, and management support to the Wheeled Tactical Vehicle (WTV) Support Shelter and Vehicle Automated Diagnostic System (VADS) program initiatives.
• Major UK order goes to Rheinmetall Rheinmetall Defence 30 Sep 2009 -- Rheinmetall Nitrochemie, a subsidiary of the Düsseldorf-based Rheinmetall Group, has been awarded exclusive responsibility for supplying the British armed forced with propellant systems and powder. The order is worth around €200 million and runs for ten years.
• Northrop Grumman's Hunter Unmanned Aircraft System Fielded With Automatic Takeoff and Landing System Northrop Grumman 30 Sep 2009 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has equipped and fielded its Hunter Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) with an Automatic Takeoff and Landing System (ATLS) to the Army's UAS Training Battalion, Fort Huachuca, Ariz., where it successfully completed its first launch and recovery.

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 30 Sep 2009
• Israel to release 20 Palestinian prisoners for Shalit video RIA Novosti 30 Sep 2009 -- Israel is to release 20 Palestinian women from prison in exchange for a video that could prove an Israeli soldier abducted is alive.
• Israel Agrees to Palestinian Prisoner Release in Exchange for Soldier Videotape VOA 30 Sep 2009 -- Israel has agreed to release 20 Palestinian women from prisons in exchange for a videotape of an Israeli soldier captured three years ago.
• Two Palestinians killed, 12 injured in Israeli air strike RIA Novosti 30 Sep 2009 -- At least two Palestinians were killed and 12 injured in an overnight Israeli air strike on smuggling tunnels.
• For Palestinian Refugees, Dream of Returning Home Remains VOA 30 Sep 2009 -- Two states side by side, two homelands for two peoples - those are the broadly accepted tenets for an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and a cornerstone for peace in the Middle East.
• Abkhazia warns Georgia against hostilities in Black Sea RIA Novosti 30 Sep 2009 -- Georgia will be held responsible for any future confrontation with Russia in the Black Sea, the Abkhazian foreign minister said on Tuesday.
• PACE urges Russia to allow EU monitors into Abkhazia, S.Ossetia RIA Novosti 30 Sep 2009 -- PACE: Russia should give EU monitors unrestricted access to Abkhazia and S. Ossetia before the end of the year.
• Russia to continue cooperation with Abkhazia - Medvedev RIA Novosti 30 Sep 2009 -- Medvedev: Moscow will continue its cooperation in the social and economic development of the former Georgian republic of Abkhazia.
• Russia officials welcome EU war report, dismiss criticism RIA Novosti 30 Sep 2009 -- Russian officials and politicians welcomed the EU-commissioned report on the Russia-Georgia war last August.
• EU Report On 2008 War Tilts Against Georgia RFE/RL 30 Sep 2009 -- An international report into the causes of the Russian-Georgian war in August 2008 accuses Georgia of starting the hostilities.
• EU Report Faults Georgia, Russia in 5-day War VOA 30 Sep 2009 -- EU report has concluded that both Georgia and Russia bear responsibility for last year's bloody five-day conflict.
• European report blames start of S.Ossetia conflict on Georgia RIA Novosti 30 Sep 2009 -- August 2008 war between Russia and Georgia was started by Tbilisi's unjustified military attack on South Ossetia.
• EU war report says Georgia initiated conflict - Russian envoy RIA Novosti 30 Sep 2009 -- EU-commissioned report on the Russia-Georgia war in August 2008 has put the blame on Tbilisi for starting the conflict.
• Insurgents realizing violence not the answer, says UN envoy to Somalia UN News Centre 30 Sep 2009 -- It seems that in recent months some of those fighting Somalia’s Government are coming to understand the impact of the violence on the people.
• Uneven progress in DR Congo, UN reports UN News Centre 30 Sep 2009 -- Progress critical to stabilization in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has been uneven.
• CHAD: Relocating a refugee camp in volatile east IRIN 30 Sep 2009 -- Aid workers in eastern Chad are preparing to move some 28,000 Sudanese men, women and children from a refugee camp infiltrated by supposed rebels.
• Moldova demands pullout of Russian peacekeepers from Transdnestr RIA Novosti 30 Sep 2009 -- New Moldovan government will demand the withdrawal of Russian peacekeepers from its breakaway region of Transdnestr.
• Turkey Again Links Armenia Ties With Karabakh Peace RFE/RL 30 Sep 2009 -- Turkish PM Erdogan once again linked the normalization of diplomatic relations between Turkey and Armenia with an acceptable resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
• OSCE Mediators For Karabakh Press For Armenian-Azerbaijani Summit RFE/RL 30 Sep 2009 -- International mediators hope meetiong will pave the way for a framework peace accord on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
• Russia Seen As Snubbing European Rights Court On Chechnya RFE/RL 30 Sep 2009 -- Activists and lawyers have seconded accusations leveled against Russia in a recent report by Human Rights Watch that Moscow routinely ignores rulings by the European Court of Human Rights.

News Reports

• US, Cuba Hold High-Ranking Discussions VOA 30 Sep 2009 -- US State Department says one of its senior diplomats recently held talks with a high-ranking Cuban official.
• Senior U.S. diplomat holds rare talks in Cuba RIA Novosti 30 Sep 2009 -- Senior US diplomat held the first high-level talks with Cuba's government in several years during a recent visit to Havana.
• Heavy Security Planned for China's Anniversary Celebration VOA 30 Sep 2009 -- China is gearing up to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the modern Communist state.
• Honduras Clears Out Zelaya Supporters VOA 30 Sep 2009 -- Honduran police have begun removing supporters of deposed President Zelaya from government office buildings where they have been camped out to protest his ouster.
• Honduras Under Pressure to Restore Civil Liberties VOA 30 Sep 2009 -- Pressure is mounting on the interim Honduran government to restore civil liberties and negotiate an end to the three-month-long stalemate over the ouster of President Manuel Zelaya in a coup.
• Turkey to Re-establish Ties with Armenia VOA 30 Sep 2009 -- Turkey's prime minister says an agreement to re-establish diplomatic ties with Armenia will be signed by the two countries on October 10.
• Armenia president denies pressure to resume ties with Turkey RIA Novosti 30 Sep 2009 -- Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan denied on Wednesday claims that Armenia was coming under international pressure to mend ties with Turkey.
• Guinea Military Calls for Government of National Unity VOA 30 Sep 2009 -- Guinea's ruling military council is calling for a government of national unity following Monday's killing of more than 157 opposition demonstrators.
• Early Warning Group Surprised By Guinea Violence VOA 30 Sep 2009 -- Guinea's military government has declared two days of national mourning in remembrance of those killed during a crackdown on an opposition rally.
• Guinea: UN rights chief calls for independent probe into Monday's 'blood bath' UN News Centre 30 Sep 2009 -- Top UN human rights official called for an independent inquiry into what she described as a “blood bath.”
• UN Security Council Concerned About Guinea VOA 30 Sep 2009 -- The U.N. Security Council has expressed its concern about the killing of scores of protesters in the West African nation of Guinea on Monday during an anti-government rally in the capital, Conakry.
• Guinea Military Bans 'Subversive' Meetings Following Monday Violence VOA 30 Sep 2009 -- Guinea's military government will not allow any gatherings that could threaten public safety.
• US Condemns Violence Against Guinea Protesters VOA 30 Sep 2009 -- US has condemned the Guinean military's brazen and inappropriate use of force against demonstrators in Conakry Monday.
• GUINEA: "Terror" as troops open fire, loot shops in Conakry IRIN 30 Sep 2009 -- Guinean soldiers have been looting shops, breaking into homes and firing indiscriminately at people who ventured onto the streets of the capital Conakry.
• Kenyans Welcome ICC Decision on Post-Election Violence VOA 30 Sep 2009 -- Kenyans are expressing appreciation for the decision by the ICC chief prosecutor to go after the major suspects of post-election political violence.
• Kenya Anti-Corruption Chief Resigns VOA 30 Sep 2009 -- The head of Kenya's anti-corruption agency has resigned following a storm of criticism from Kenyan lawmakers, civil society, and foreign countries.
• Gabon Court to Rule Thursday on Legitimacy of Presidential Vote VOA 30 Sep 2009 -- Gabon's constitutional court expects to decide the legitimacy of the country's presidential vote.
• Niger Opposition in Dilemma, Says Leader VOA 30 Sep 2009 -- Niger opposition parties are expressing frustration, claiming that embattled President Mamadou Tandja is enjoying their dilemma.
• Challenges remain ahead of Côte d'Ivoire's much-delayed polls, says Ban UN News Centre 30 Sep 2009 -- Two months remaining until the much-anticipated presidential polls in Côte d’Ivoire are fraught with major obstacles.
• Court upholds arrest of suspect in Arctic Sea seizure RIA Novosti 30 Sep 2009 -- The Moscow City Court on Wednesday upheld the arrest of an Estonian national suspected of involvement in the seizure of the Arctic Sea merchant vessel in July.