Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 06 Oct 2009 [PDF]
• U.S. Soldier dies from non-combat related injuries (Basrah)
• Oct. 5 airpower summary: Coalition aircraft provide responsive airpower AFNS 06 Oct 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and ISAF troops in Afghanistan during operations.
• Forces Arrest Terrorist Leader, Other Suspects in Iraq AFPS 06 Oct 2009 -- Iraqi forces, with US advisors, arrested a terrorist leader and other suspected terrorists in operations in Iraq.
• Forces in Iraq Disrupt Kidnappers, Save Boy AFPS 06 Oct 2009 -- Iraqi forces disrupted a kidnapping organization and saved a young kidnapping victim in Iraq in recent days.
• Apaches provide over watch, firepower Army News 06 Oct 2009 -- The pilots who fly the AH-64D Apache helicopter generally agree that if the attack helicopter was a car, it would be a sports car.
• Iraq Arrests Terrorist Cell Leaders VOA 06 Oct 2009 -- Iraqi security forces arrested six suspected terrorists, including two suspected terrorist cell leaders.
• Car Bomb Rips Through Market in Western Iraq VOA 06 Oct 2009 -- Iraqi police say a car bomb tore through a market and killed at least eight people near the western city of Fallujah.
• Obama Meets With Lawmakers On Afghanistan VOA 06 Oct 2009 -- Top Democrat in US Senate: Lawmakers in both parties will support whatever decision President makes about the war in Afghanistan.
• CSA says Army will balance mission, troops for Afghanistan Army News 06 Oct 2009 -- Army leaders will work to provide the forces necessary to be successful in Afghanistan.
• Gates, Clinton Present Common U.S. Policy Front On Iran, Afghanistan RFE/RL 06 Oct 2009 -- Secretary of State Clinton and Defense Secretary Gates play two very different roles in US foreign policy.
• U.S. lacks troops in Afghanistan to outdo Taliban - Gates RIA Novosti 06 Oct 2009 -- Gates: Radical Islamic Taliban group has advantage in Afghanistan as the US and its allies need more troops to be sent there.
• U.S. troops pullout from Afghanistan 'not an option' - White House RIA Novosti 06 Oct 2009 -- Pullout of the US troops from Afghanistan is 'not a decision that's on the table to make.'
• Clinton, Gates: Goals Are Same in Afghanistan, Only Details Under Review VOA 06 Oct 2009 -- US Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Secretary of State Hilary Rodham Clinton made a rare joint public appearance.
• 10 Afghan Troops Killed in Helmand, Nuristan Fighting VOA 06 Oct 2009 -- Afghanistan's Defense Ministry says 10 Afghan soldiers have died and around 100 Taliban militants were killed or wounded in separate operations.
• In Brief: Afghan NGO workers in the firing line IRIN 06 Oct 2009 -- In the first nine months of 2009, 18 Afghan NGO employees have been killed and six wounded in security incidents.
• Sarkozy in Kazakhstan for military, energy, democracy talks RIA Novosti 06 Oct 2009 -- French President Sarkozy arrived in Kazakhstan for a state visit to discuss military transit in the former Soviet state.
• Pakistan's Foreign Minister Urges Long-Term US Commitment to Region VOA 06 Oct 2009 -- Pakistan's FM Qureshi: US must reassure his country and neighboring Afghanistan that it has a "long-term vision."
• With UN Bombing, Pakistani Taliban Attempts A Comeback RFE/RL 06 Oct 2009 -- A few months ago, the Tehrek-e Taliban Pakistan was the largest extremist militant organization in the country.
• Pakistani Taliban Claim Responsibility for WFP Bombing VOA 06 Oct 2009 -- The Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing at UN food agency's headquarters in Islamabad.
• Turkey Extends Mandate to Fight PKK Rebels in Iraq VOA 06 Oct 2009 -- Turkey's parliament extended the mandate that allows the military to strike at Kurdish separatist rebels based in neighboring northern Iraq.
• Pilot makes gear-up landing at Elmendorf AFNS 06 Oct 2009 -- A pilot flying an Army Citation-560 aircraft was forced to make a gear-up landing at 3:24 p.m. local time Oct. 6 at Elmendorf Air Force Base.

Defense Policy / Programs

• A Discussion Panel with Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton at the George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs, Washington, D.C. DoD 06 Oct 2009 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton with CNN Anchor Frank Sesno and CNN Chief International Correspondent Christiane Amanpour
• DoD News: Senior Executive Service Appointments And Reassignments DoD 06 Oct 2009 -- Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates announced the following Department of Defense Senior Executive Service, senior leader, appointments and reassignments
• Army Must Continue Evolving its Force, Casey Says AFPS 06 Oct 2009 -- The Army must structure itself to face a future of persistent conflict as it takes on a long-term ideological struggle against terrorism and militant extremists.
• Navy Supports the President's Ocean Policy Task Force Navy NewsStand 06 Oct 2009 -- US Navy joined other federal agencies in a task force led by the White House Council on Environmental Quality.
• The Materiel Enterprise - Materiel Solutions for our Soldiers Army News 06 Oct 2009 -- Materiel Enterprise one of the Army's four core enterprises and is responsible for materiel management from concept to combat.
• Sheppard officials launch Nuclear Accountability Course AFNS 06 Oct 2009 -- AF officials took another important step in reinvigorating their nuclear enterprise with the launch of the Nuclear Accountability Course.
• ACC officials hold bomb wing transition summit AFNS 06 Oct 2009 -- Air Combat Command and AF Global Strike Command work on solutions for transition of ACC's 3 bomb wings with nuclear missions to AFGSC.
• Nuclear Arms Control Treaty Program Participates in Large Scale Calibration Test Army News 06 Oct 2009 -- US Army's Nuclear Arms Control Treaty program participated in a large scale sensor calibration test in August.
• CMA Destroys its Two Millionth Munition Army News 06 Oct 2009 -- US Army Chemical Materials Agency announced safe destruction of its 2 millionth munition since Entry-Into-Force of the CWC.
• Bonhomme Richard ARG Enters 7th Fleet Navy NewsStand 06 Oct 2009 -- USS Bonhomme Richard, the flagship of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group, entered the US 7th Fleet Area of Operations.
• McInerney Sets Sail for Final Deployment Navy NewsStand 06 Oct 2009 -- Family, friends and military gathered aboard Naval Station Mayport Oct. 5 to bid safe farewell to USS McInerney as they set sail for their final deployment.
• Strykers to Deploy to India for Exercise AFPS 06 Oct 2009 -- The Army plans to deploy 17 of its Stryker combat vehicles this month to India for the first exercise of its kind in the country.
• Edwards detachment stands up to test joint strike fighter AFNS 06 Oct 2009 -- Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center officials here stood up Det. 1 to lead the operational test and evaluation of the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter.
• Lone Star Army Ammunition Plant Deactivates Army News 06 Oct 2009 -- The Lone Star Army Ammunition Plant, officially deactivated Sept. 30 completing its mission of providing ammunition to soldiers and warfighters for almost 70 years.
• Storekeepers, Postal Clerks Unify to Support Global Mission Navy NewsStand 06 Oct 2009 -- Effective Oct. 1, as designated in NAVADMIN 284/09, the logistics specialist (LS) rating was established, encompassing more than 11,000 postal clerks and storekeepers, who merged into the single designator.
• Change in post-deployment stabilization promotes predictability, equality AFNS 06 Oct 2009 -- Deployment deferment policy change institutionalizes an equitable deferment period of 6 months for Airmen completing 365-day indeterminate TDYs or an unaccompanied, short tour permanent change of station.
• Guidance released on 100 percent cotton airman battle uniform AFNS 06 Oct 2009 -- Air Force senior leaders here issued guidance clarifying the wear of the 100 percent cotton airman battle uniform.
• Allen Army Airfield to save Air Force money, provide tactical training AFNS 06 Oct 2009 -- Air Force officials opened Allen Army Airfield to give Elmendorf Air Force Base C-17 aircrews a closer airstrip to practice assault landings.
• Poland to get U.S. patriot missiles - radio RIA Novosti 06 Oct 2009 -- The U.S. will go ahead with the deployment of a Patriot missile battery in Poland.
• Russian Pacific Fleet warships, subs face off in naval exercise RIA Novosti 06 Oct 2009 -- A mixed task force from the Russian Pacific Fleet has started a series of anti-submarine warfare drills in the Sea of Japan.
• Russia's Black Sea Fleet conducts anti-sub warfare drills RIA Novosti 06 Oct 2009 -- Warships and aircraft from the Russian Black Sea Fleet are carrying out a series of anti-submarine warfare exercises involving live-firing drills.
• Mothers Urge Russian Ombudsman To Help Conscripts RFE/RL 06 Oct 2009 -- NGO called on Russian Ombudsman Lukin to get involved in the adverse situation faced by young soldiers in the Kamenka military unit.
• Top Russian, Ukrainian diplomats to meet for talks in Kiev RIA Novosti 06 Oct 2009 -- Russian FM Lavrov will meet with Ukrainian acting FM Khandohiy to discuss bilateral relations between the two countries.
• Indonesian Navy eyes Russian, Chinese missiles RIA Novosti 06 Oct 2009 -- The Indonesian Navy is planning to arm its new patrol boats with Russian and Chinese missiles.
• Kazakh, Tajik, Turkmen leaders will not attend Oct. 9 CIS summit RIA Novosti 06 Oct 2009 -- The presidents of Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan will not attend Friday's CIS summit in Moldova's capital.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 06 Oct 2009
• Briefing by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 10/6/09 The White House 06 Oct 2009

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for October 06, 2009
• General Dynamics Awarded $140 Million Contract by the U.S. Coast Guard General Dynamics 06 Oct 2009 -- General Dynamics Information Technology, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), will provide enterprise information technology (IT) support to the U.S. Coast Guard under a five-year, $140 million task order awarded through the Enterprise Acquisition Gateway for Leading-Edge Solutions (EAGLE) contract.
• General Dynamics Awarded $321 Million by U.S. Navy for Nuclear-Submarine Support Work General Dynamics 06 Oct 2009 -- The U.S Navy has awarded General Dynamics Electric Boat a $320.6 million contract modification for planning yard work, engineering and technical support for nuclear submarines. Electric Boat is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD).
• MEADS Identification Friend Or Foe (IFF) Subsystem Is First Non-U.S.-Built Cryptographic Device Authorized For Use On A U.S. Platform Lockheed Martin 06 Oct 2009 -- The tri-national Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) program has received approval to use a European cryptographic device to implement Identification Friend or Foe (IFF), a critical capability that protects friendly aircraft from engagement by air defenses. For U.S. MEADS systems, a waiver from the U.S. National Security Agency makes MEADS the first U.S. system ever to incorporate a non-U.S. cryptographic device.
• Northrop Grumman Selected to Supply U.S. Army Laser Target Locator Modules Northrop Grumman 06 Oct 2009 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has been competitively selected to continue to provide the U.S. Army with Laser Target Locator Modules (LTLMs) under a five-year indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (ID/IQ) contract awarded by the Army/ Program Executive Office (PEO) Soldier.
• LONGBOW Fire Control Radar Block III Passes Testing Milestone Northrop Grumman 06 Oct 2009 -- The new LONGBOW Fire Control Radar Block III system hardware and operational software successfully completed the first half of initial flight tests on an AH-64D Apache attack helicopter. The U.S. Army conducted the tests at the Yuma Proving Grounds in southern Arizona. The new system is being developed by LONGBOW Limited Liability Company (LLC), a joint venture of Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) and Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT).
• Northrop Grumman Awards Production Contract to Key Turkish F-35 Supplier Northrop Grumman 06 Oct 2009 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has awarded a second source supplier contract to Turkish Aerospace Industries, Inc. (TAI), Ankara, Turkey to produce composite air inlet ducts for the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter. The ducts are a key element of the aircraft's center fuselage, which Northrop Grumman produces for F-35 prime contractor Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT).
• Raytheon-Boeing Team Tests Joint Air-to-Ground Missile Form-Factored Integrated Seeker Raytheon 06 Oct 2009 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) and The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA) completed a series of captive carry flight tests of a form-factored tri-mode seeker for the Joint Air-to-Ground Missile competition.
• Javelin Joint Venture Awarded $214 Million Contract for Javelin Weapon System Raytheon 06 Oct 2009 -- The Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) - Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) Javelin Joint Venture received a $214 million U.S. Army contract for the production of the Javelin Close Combat Weapon System.
• Raytheon Awarded $64 Million to Establish and Maintain Patriot Spares Inventory Raytheon 06 Oct 2009 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has been awarded a $64 million supply performance-based logistics contract to establish and maintain inventory levels in the field of select secondary Patriot parts.
• Boeing's 2nd Wideband Global SATCOM Satellite Fully Operational Boeing 06 Oct 2009 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] has been informed by the U.S. Air Force that the second Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) satellite began supporting on-the-ground warfighters on Aug. 18, providing urgently needed communications services to U.S. and allied forces in the Middle East and central Asia.
• Northrop Grumman's Fire Scout Unmanned Helicopter Completes Flight With New Ground Control Station Northrop Grumman 06 Oct 2009 -- The Northrop Grumman Corporation-developed (NYSE:NOC) MQ-8B Fire Scout Vertical Unmanned Aircraft System (VUAS) recently completed a flight under the command and control of a new company-developed STANAG 4586 compatible ground control station (GCS).
• GE38 Sets Horsepower Record in Early Testing GE Aviation 06 Oct 2009 -- The GE38 turboshaft engine recently exceeded required power for the CH-53K heavy-lift helicopter that Sikorsky Aircraft is developing for the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC), reaching 7,300 shaft-horsepower and establishing a shaft-horsepower record for the GE-Lynn facility.
• GE Aviation Delivers First X-47B Navy Unmanned Combat Air System Landing Gear GE Aviation 06 Oct 2009 -- GE Aviation recently delivered the first fully-dressed landing gear to Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) in support of the X-47B Navy Unmanned Combat Air System Carrier Demonstration (UCAS-D) program.
• Sagem receives 500 new orders for SITEL tactical information systems for French army Sagem (Safran group) 06 Oct 2009 -- French defense procurement agency DGA has ordered an additional 500 SITEL (Système d’Information Terminal Elémentaire) vehicle-mounted tactical information systems from Sagem (Safran group) for the French army. The contract also includes crew training, integration of the terminals in vehicles, and maintenance.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 06 Oct 2009
• Fatah, Hamas to sign reconciliation pact on Oct. 26 in Cairo RIA Novosti 06 Oct 2009 -- A reconciliation pact between the rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas will be signed on October 26 in Cairo.
• SOMALIA: US government to set new aid terms IRIN 06 Oct 2009 -- The US government is to put special conditions on its humanitarian grants for at least 13 aid agencies operating in Somalia.
• Ban urges Somali Government and international partners to 'stay the course' UN News Centre 06 Oct 2009 -- Ban: Somali Government has made some encouraging progress in the political and security fields.
• SPLM Dismisses Bashir's Dialogue Call VOA 06 Oct 2009 -- Sudan's People Liberation Movement has dismissed as a ploy President Omar Hassan Bashir's call for dialogue.
• Group Urges Envoys to Place Human Rights at Center of Sudan Summit VOA 06 Oct 2009 -- Leading human rights group is criticizing the ruling parties of Sudan for falling short on key reform provisions agreed to in the 2005 North-South peace deal.
• U.S. envoy flies to Moscow for international conference on Sudan RIA Novosti 06 Oct 2009 -- US Special Envoy to Sudan Scott Gration will travel to Moscow to take part in an international conference on Sudan.
• BURUNDI: Police stop DRC refugees from trekking home IRIN 06 Oct 2009 -- Police in Burundi have forcibly prevented a group of refugees from leaving a camp because they intended to trek home to Democratic Republic of Congo, according to residents.
• Niger Delta Hopeful as Rebels Accept Amnesty VOA 06 Oct 2009 -- Thousands of militants surrendered their weapons under the just-concluded amnesty program after years of fighting in the oil-producing Niger Delta.
• Armenian President Says Karabakh Peace Deal Still Off RFE/RL 06 Oct 2009 -- Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian has downplayed talk of a resolution on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
• Armenian, Azerbaijani leaders to hold Karabakh talks October 8 RIA Novosti 06 Oct 2009 -- Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia will meet on October 8 in the Moldovan capital Chisinau to discuss the Nagorny Karabakh conflict.
• After Russia-Georgia Report, A Sense Of 'What Now?' RFE/RL 06 Oct 2009 -- The release last week of an EU report on the August 2008 Russia-Georgia war is continuing to draw cheers and rebukes respectively from many corners.
• Russia Rejects Trade-Off With Turkey On Recognition Of Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Northern Cyprus RFE/RL 06 Oct 2009 -- Russian FM Lavrov rejected speculation that Russia may reach an agreement in return for recognition.
• UN Rwandan genocide court nets second fugitive in two months UN News Centre 06 Oct 2009 -- Former senior Rwandan military officer indicted by UN war crimes tribunal was handed over to the court.
• Top Rwanda Genocide Suspect Arrested VOA 06 Oct 2009 -- One of the most wanted suspects from the 1994 Rwandan genocide has been arrested in Uganda.
• Experts Discuss Peace and Security in Africa VOA 06 Oct 2009 -- Africa is one of the strategically and economically important regions of the world, yet it is one of the most unstable regions.
• Study Says Governance In North Africa No Better Than In South VOA 06 Oct 2009 -- A major annual study of Africa's governments shows that governance in the North of Africa is no better than in the South.

News Reports

• US General Petraeus Treated for Prostate Cancer VOA 06 Oct 2009 -- General David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, has undergone radiation treatment for prostate cancer.
• Dalai Lama Honored in Washington With Human Rights Award VOA 06 Oct 2009 -- The Dalai Lama has received an award in Washington honoring his work for human rights around the world.
• Brazil's President Calls for Honduran Interim Government to Step Down VOA 06 Oct 2009 -- Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva says Honduras's interim government is illegitimate and has called for it to step down.
• Clinton: There Should Be 'No Impunity' for Perpetrators of Guinea Violence VOA 06 Oct 2009 -- US Secretary of State Clinton: Those responsible in Guinea should be brought to justice, leadership owes the country an apology.
• Guinea Military, Opponents Agree to Burkinabe Mediation VOA 06 Oct 2009 -- Guinea's military government and its political opponents have agreed to meet in Burkina Faso, as part of regional mediation.
• AU Chief: August Deal Only Way to Solve Madagascar Crisis VOA 06 Oct 2009 -- AU is calling on Madagascar's political rivals to stick to an August power-sharing deal, saying "there is no other alternative" to ending the country's political crisis.
• China Reports 1st Swine Flu Death VOA 06 Oct 2009 -- China has reported its first death from the H1N1 influenza, commonly called swine flu.
• Russia launches production of swine flu vaccine RIA Novosti 06 Oct 2009 -- Russia has begun mass production of two vaccines for the swine flu virus.
• Niger Opposition Faults International Community VOA 06 Oct 2009 -- Niger's opposition political parties are blaming the international community, including the United Nations, for not intervening in the ongoing political crisis.
• Papandreou Sworn in as Greek Prime Minister VOA 06 Oct 2009 -- Greek Socialist leader George Papandreou has been sworn in as prime minister, two days after the former conservative government went down to defeat in snap elections.
• Ex-colleague says new suspects appear in Politkovskaya case RIA Novosti 06 Oct 2009 -- New suspects have surfaced in the murder case of Anna Politkovskaya.