Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 08 Oct 2009 [PDF]
• Oct. 7 airpower summary: Reaper eliminates threat AFNS 08 Oct 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and ISAF in Afghanistan during operations.
• Oct. 6 airpower summary: Airlift crews keep missions moving forward AFNS 08 Oct 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and ISAF in Afghanistan during operations.
• Airmen provide intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance AFNS 08 Oct 2009 -- Leaders at every level need battlefield information, and because of 99th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron now they know.
• Unit surpasses consecutive 7,000 days with forces in Southwest Asia AFNS 08 Oct 2009 -- Members of the 55th Winghave been deployed in USCENTCOM area of responsibility every day for the past 7,000 days.
• Transcript: DoD News Briefing with Col. Green From Iraq DoD 08 Oct 2009 -- Presenter: Commander, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Col. Tobin Green
• DoD News: DoD Announces Units for Next Iraq Rotation and Extension DoD 08 Oct 2009 -- The Department of Defense announced today major units scheduled to deploy as part of the next force rotation in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom
• Pentagon Announces Iraq Troop Rotations, Extensions AFPS 08 Oct 2009 -- An Army armored cavalry unit and three brigade combat teams will deploy to Iraq next summer.
• Commander Cites 'Steady Progress' in Baghdad as Attacks Drop AFPS 08 Oct 2009 -- Attacks committed by al-Qaida and other insurgents operating in Baghdad and its environs continue to drop.
• Roadside Bomb Kills 2 Iraqi Police Officers VOA 08 Oct 2009 -- Iraqi authorities: Roadside bomb struck a police patrol northeast of Baghdad, killing at least two police officers and wounding four others.
• Colors Casing Ceremony denotes Division's 4th deployment Army News 08 Oct 2009 -- Ceremony signified the Marne Division's fourth deployment to Iraq - a milestone made by no other U.S. Army division.
• Afghan War Draws Comparisons to Vietnam VOA 08 Oct 2009 -- As the situation in Afghanistan grows more deadly and complex, the Obama administration finds itself confronted with difficult questions over strategy and policy.
• Obama to Consult with Biden, Clinton on Afghan Policy VOA 08 Oct 2009 -- US President Obama convenes a high-level strategy session on Afghanistan.
• Obama receives Pentagon's request on more troops to Afghanistan RIA Novosti 08 Oct 2009 -- US President Obama has received a formal request by US top military commander to send additional troops to Afghanistan.
• NATO Chief Urges U.S. Allies to Do More in Afghanistan VOA 08 Oct 2009 -- NATO chief Rasmussen is urging European member states to contribute more to the Afghan mission.
• Forces Target Taliban in South, East Afghanistan AFPS 08 Oct 2009 -- Several military operations in southern and eastern Afghanistan today and yesterday resulted in insurgents killed and captured, military officials reported.
• Afghan president condemns Kabul blast RIA Novosti 08 Oct 2009 -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai has condemned a suicide bombing in the capital Kabul that killed 12 people and wounded at least 84 others.
• Suicide blast kills 17 near Indian embassy in Kabul RIA Novosti 08 Oct 2009 -- At least 17 people were killed on Thursday by a suicide car bomb attack outside the Indian embassy in Afghanistan's capital, Kabul, local officials said.
• India Says Kabul Bombing Targeted Its Embassy VOA 08 Oct 2009 -- India's government says no embassy personnel were killed or severely injured in a car bombing outside its diplomatic compound in Kabul.
• Afghan police confirm 10 dead, 82 injured in Kabul terror attack RIA Novosti 08 Oct 2009 -- A powerful car bomb detonated in the Afghan capital on Thursday morning killed 10 people and injured another 82.
• Powerful Car Bomb Blast Hits Afghan Capital VOA 08 Oct 2009 -- Afghan government officials say a powerful suicide car bomb hit near the Indian Embassy in Kabul, killing at least 17 people.
• The Benelux role in Afghanistan Army News 08 Oct 2009 -- Over the last six years, NATO has served as a joint, allied command for the war in Afghanistan, and members of the Benelux community have played a prime role in that mission.
• ANA Air Corps stands up new wing at Kandahar AFNS 08 Oct 2009 -- Afghan government officials and religious leaders, along with senior officers from both Afghan and coalition forces stood up the Afghanistan National Army Air Corps second wing.
• Over 50 tons of drugs seized in southern Afghanistan RIA Novosti 08 Oct 2009 -- Afghan soldiers and US marines seized some 52 tons of drugs and dozens of tons of explosives in Afghanistan's Helmand province.
• UN Envoy Denies Cover-Up of Afghan Election Fraud VOA 08 Oct 2009 -- UN's top envoy in Afghanistan is denying allegations by his former deputy that he tried to conceal evidence of fraud in Afghan elections.
• Top UN envoy rebuffs accusations of partiality in Afghan polls UN News Centre 08 Oct 2009 -- Rejecting “unacceptable” media accusations, the top UN envoy to the South Asian nation reiterated his resolve to do all he can to ensure that a final outcome to the polls is determined.
• Afghans Criticize UN Role In Presidential Vote RFE/RL 08 Oct 2009 -- Group of political activists in Afghanistan have called for transparency in the electoral process and urged UNAMA to stay unbiased in the process.
• Pakistan's Foreign Minister Says Taliban in Disarray VOA 08 Oct 2009 -- Pakistan's FM Qureshi: Terrorists are in retreat in his country and the Taliban are in disarray.
• US Lawmakers Press Pakistan on Religious Tolerance VOA 08 Oct 2009 -- US lawmakers want Pakistan to do more to fight religious intolerance, saying the issue should play a bigger role in US engagement.
• USS Denver Bringing Aid to Indonesian Quake Victims Navy NewsStand 08 Oct 2009 -- USS Denver transiting to Indonesia to provide life-sustaining necessities to Sumatra.
• USS McCampbell Heads to Indonesia for Humanitarian Mission Navy NewsStand 08 Oct 2009 -- Sailors aboardUSS McCampbell began transiting to Padang, Indonesia to assist in humanitarian efforts.
• McCampbell Sailors Prepare to Assist in Indonesian Humanitarian Efforts Navy NewsStand 08 Oct 2009 -- The Indonesian government has requested assistance for the humanitarian efforts.

Defense Policy / Programs

• DoD News: Army Releases September Suicide Data DoD 08 Oct 2009 -- The Army today released suicide data for the month of September. Among active-duty soldiers, there were seven potential suicides
• Army Releases September Suicide Data Army News Release 08 Oct 2009 -- The Army today released suicide data for the month of September. Among active-duty Soldiers, there were seven potential suicides
• Pentagon: New Bomb That Reaches Underground Targets Will Be Available Soon VOA 08 Oct 2009 -- The Pentagon says a massive 13,600-kilogram bomb capable of penetrating deep underground facilities deployable in the coming months.
• US Advances Deployment of 'Bunker Buster' Bomb VOA 08 Oct 2009 -- The Pentagon is acknowledging it has moved up the date for deployment of a massive bomb capable of penetrating deeply buried enemy facilities.
• New Bomb Has 'Important Capability,' DoD Official Says AFPS 08 Oct 2009 -- The Defense Department is developing an advanced “bunker-buster” bomb that should be ready for deployment this summer.
• DoD News: Navy to Commission Guided Missile Destroyer Wayne E. Meyer DoD 08 Oct 2009 -- The Navy will commission the newest Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyer, Wayne E. Meyer, during a 1 p.m. EDT ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009, at Penn's Landing, Philadelphia, Pa.
• Navy to Commission Guided Missile Destroyer Wayne E. Meyer Navy NewsStand 08 Oct 2009 -- The Navy will commission the newest Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyer, Wayne E. Meyer, during a 1 p.m. EDT ceremony Oct. 10 at Penn's Landing, Philadelphia.
• Commissioning of the USS New York Nov. 7 Army News 08 Oct 2009 -- The nation recognized and remembered terrorist attacks on Sept. 11 by honoring the state of New York, the city of New York and the victims and the first responders of the attacks on the World Trade Center by commissioning the USS New York.
• LandWarNet takes joint-service approach Army News 08 Oct 2009 -- Leadership from across the services Wednesday discussed the importance of making the Army's LandWarNet part of a joint enterprise.
• Robotics-based technology continues rise USMC News 08 Oct 2009 -- The use of robotics-based technology by the military is a practice that is very much on the rise.
• VAQ-132 Becomes First Operational Growler Squadron Safe for Flight Navy NewsStand 08 Oct 2009 -- The "Scorpions" of Electronic Attack Squadron 132 held a flyover and a ceremony marking them as the first operational EA-18G Growler squadron to be designated "Safe for Flight" on Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.
• Corps' First EOD Company Activated USMC News 08 Oct 2009 -- Capt. Callahan, commanding officer of the newly formed Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company, 8th Engineer Support Battalion, unfurls the company guidon.
• USS Hawes Returns From Deployment Navy NewsStand 08 Oct 2009 -- The Norfolk-based USS Hawes returned to its homeport of Naval Station Norfolk, Va., Oct. 7 following a six-month deployment.
• Carr Sailors Return Home from Deployment Navy NewsStand 08 Oct 2009 -- Sailors aboard the Oliver Hazard Perry-class USS Carr returned to Naval Station Norfolk, Va., Oct. 7, after a six-month deployment.
• Joint Warrior 09-2 Commences Navy NewsStand 08 Oct 2009 -- Ships led by Commander, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 24 arrived off the coast of Scotland Oct. 5 to participate in the multinational exercise Joint Warrior 2009.
• Combat medic course concludes year's stay at Fort McCoy Army News 08 Oct 2009 -- The 68W combat medic pre-deployment training course, which is concluding its one-year stay at Fort McCoy, Wis., is being declared a success by management and course instructors alike.
• Support division leads the way with combat simulators USMC News 08 Oct 2009 -- Training Support Division aboard Camp Pendleton is raising the bar when it comes to training simulators.
• Officials unveil Joint Base Andrews Naval Air Facility Washington AFNS 08 Oct 2009 -- Andrews Air Force Base was renamed as Joint Base Andrews Naval Air Facility Washington Oct. 1 during a ceremony here in Hangar 1.
• History in the making, ATEC breaks ground at APG Army News 08 Oct 2009 -- The U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command's move to Aberdeen Proving Ground is one step closer to fruition as ATEC held its ground breaking ceremony near Swan Creek Inn and the post office in the Aberdeen Area Sept. 10.
• Fort Ord BRAC conducts a successful Prescribed Burn Army News 08 Oct 2009 -- Over 250 acres of vegetation were cleared Oct. 6 and 7 at Burn Unit 14 during a prescribed burn on the old impact area at the Former Fort Ord.
• Air Force secretary takes action on DOD IG report AFNS 08 Oct 2009 -- Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley took administrative action against retired Gen. T. Michael Moseley for role in Thunderbird Airshow Production Services contract.
• Army Continues Focus on Suicide Prevention AFPS 08 Oct 2009 -- The Army is making progress in its efforts to prevent suicides despite the increasing number of reports.
• Army Releases September Suicide Data Army News 08 Oct 2009 -- The Army today released suicide data for the month of September. Among active-duty Soldiers, there were seven potential suicides.
• Hybrid vehicles help cut base emissions Army News 08 Oct 2009 -- The use of commercial hybrid vehicles is helping to reduce Fort Bragg's carbon footprint and America's dependency on foreign oil.
• USFF Takes Action to Man the Fleet Navy NewsStand 08 Oct 2009 -- In an effort to address many of the fleet manpower challenges affecting the Navy today, U.S. Fleet Forces has initiated a number of key actions to refine manpower issues across the fleet enterprise.
• India-US Military Relations Growing Rapidly VOA 08 Oct 2009 -- For decades, India mostly depended on, first, the Soviet Union and then Russia for its military supplies.
• Russia may revise use of nuclear weapons in new military doctrine RIA Novosti 08 Oct 2009 -- Russia's new military doctrine will contain some changes to the situations that could trigger the use nuclear weapons.
• Moscow prioritizes strategic arms cuts RIA Novosti 08 Oct 2009 -- Russia believes new strategic arms reduction deal with US should be signed before cuts in tactical nuclear weapons are discussed.
• Russia's Strategic Missile Forces to hold drills Oct. 9-14 RIA Novosti 08 Oct 2009 -- Russia's Strategic Missile Forces will conduct a series of exercises on October 9-17 in the Ivanovo Region.
• Final trials of Russia's Nerpa sub threatened by lack of funds RIA Novosti 08 Oct 2009 -- Preparations for the final trials of Russia's Nerpa submarine could be hit by financial problems.
• Russian warships resume patrols off Somali coast RIA Novosti 08 Oct 2009 -- A Russian Pacific Fleet task force has resumed anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden after a five-day visit to the Seychelles.
• DoD Official Addresses Missile Defense, NATO AFPS 08 Oct 2009 -- Proposed missile defense system for Europe is robust and will meet both long-term and short-term threats.
• Russia says missile defense buildup affects disarmament efforts RIA Novosti 08 Oct 2009 -- Unilateral buildup of strategic missile defense complicates the process of nuclear disarmament.
• Moscow to host next CIS summit in December 2010 RIA Novosti 08 Oct 2009 -- The next Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) summit will take place in Moscow in December 2010.
• Georgia remains 'desirable' NATO candidate RIA Novosti 08 Oct 2009 -- Alliance secretary general's special representative to the Caucasus: Georgia is still welcome to join NATO.
• Ukraine still supplying arms to Georgia - MP RIA Novosti 08 Oct 2009 -- Ukraine continues shipping arms and military equipment to Georgia.
• Iran Military Moves Could Provide Greater Muscle Against Critics RFE/RL 08 Oct 2009 -- Supreme Leader Kamenei's reshuffle this week of IRGC commanders initially looked like an attempt to soothe public anger.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 08 Oct 2009
• Briefing by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 10/8/09 The White House 08 Oct 2009

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for October 08, 2009
• Boeing Unveils Networked Security 'Shield' at NATO Conference Boeing 08 Oct 2009 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] is demonstrating a virtual, networked security system for military force protection this week at the NATO-sponsored BELCOAST 09 technology conference at Koksijde Air Base, Belgium.
• Boeing's Laser JDAM Draws International Interest Boeing 08 Oct 2009 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has signed Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contracts with the U.S. government to provide Laser Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) to two international customers.
• ThalesRaytheonSystems Improved Sentinel Radar Performs Successfully During Recent Army Demonstrations Raytheon 08 Oct 2009 -- A ThalesRaytheonSystems (TRS) AN/MPQ-64 Improved Sentinel Multi-Mode radar has performed successfully during recent demonstrations held with the U.S. Army.
• Lockheed Martin Flies First 360-degree Infrared Sensor on Small Unmanned Aircraft System Lockheed Martin 08 Oct 2009 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] recently completed a successful test of a new infrared sensor turret aboard its Desert Hawk III Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), marking the first time a small UAS has flown with a 360-degree infrared sensor.
• Northrop Grumman and EADS Defence & Security Unveil First Euro Hawk(R) Unmanned Reconnaissance Aircraft Northrop Grumman 08 Oct 2009 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) and EADS Defence & Security (DS) introduced the first Euro Hawk(R) unmanned aircraft system (UAS) in an unveiling ceremony today at Northrop Grumman's Palmdale, Calif., facility.
• FREMM multimission frigates: DCNS prime contractor for Europe’s largest naval defence programme DCNS 08 Oct 2009 -- DCNS has signed an order supplement for three new vessels under the European FREMM multimission frigate programme. This brings France’s total order to 11 vessels, scheduled for delivery from 2012 to 2022.
• ThalesRaytheonSystems Improved Sentinel radar performs successfully during recent Army demonstrations Thales 08 Oct 2009 -- A ThalesRaytheonSystems (TRS) AN/MPQ-64 Improved Sentinel Multi-Mode radar has performed successfully during recent demonstrations held with the U.S. Army.
• Urgent Operational Requirement: Thales, selected by the French Defence Procurement Agency as prime contractor for VENUS Thales 08 Oct 2009 -- The French Defence Procurement Agency has awarded Thales the contractorship for the Urgent Operational Requirement VENUS (nomadic command vehicles communicating via satellite) in order to equip armored vehicles with mobile satellite communication systems.
• French Army opens Tiger simulation centre and EA-ALAT army aviation simulation centre and EA-ALAT army aviation simulation centre Thales 08 Oct 2009 -- Coinciding with the ceremony to mark the beginning of the 2009-2010 training year, the French Army Light Aviation training application school (EA-ALAT) today inaugurated two helicopter simulator training centres: the Tiger simulation centre at the Franco-German Tiger training school, and the EA-ALAT simulation centre. The commanding officers of French Army Light Aviation and Germany’s Army Air Corps presided over the inauguration.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 08 Oct 2009
• US Urges Mideast Peace Talks Despite Israeli Pessimism VOA 08 Oct 2009 -- US Middle East envoy George Mitchell is urging Israelis and Palestinians to resume peace talks.
• Palestinian President, Pope Discuss Mideast Conflict VOA 08 Oct 2009 -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican Thursday.
• UN Security Council to Discuss Gaza Report Next Week VOA 08 Oct 2009 -- Divided UN Security Council will meet next week at the request of Arab countries to discuss UN report on war crimes in Gaza.
• Egypt against delay in signing of Hamas-Fatah pact RIA Novosti 08 Oct 2009 -- Cairo is against the postponement of the signing of a reconciliation pact between rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas.
• UN official seeks to defuse tension at holy site in Jerusalem UN News Centre 08 Oct 2009 -- Senior UN official visited Jerusalem’s Harem Al Sharif/Temple Mount compound calling for an immediate end to all provocations.
• Mustafa Case Highlights Uneasy Egyptian-Israeli Ties VOA 08 Oct 2009 -- A prominent Egyptian editor faces disciplinary charges for meeting with Israel's ambassador.
• Speedy financial support for Somalia vital to give peace a chance, UN warns UN News Centre 08 Oct 2009 -- Slow but notable progress towards stability in strife-torn Somalia.
• DR Congo: UN restarts stalled reintegration of ethnic fighters UN News Centre 08 Oct 2009 -- UN assessment team has succeeded in restarting the disarmament and integration of some ethnic fighters into the national army.
• Ingush president says "worried" by lack of militant activity RIA Novosti 08 Oct 2009 -- Leader of Ingushetia concerned by the recent "lull" in militant activity in the republic.
• Experienced UN official selected to lead efforts to resolve Western Sahara dispute UN News Centre 08 Oct 2009 -- Secretary-General Ban intends to appoint a highly experienced UN official as the head of the Organization’s efforts to resolve the long-running dispute over the status of Western Sahara.

News Reports

• Clinton to Attend Turkey-Armenia Normalization Deal Signing VOA 08 Oct 2009 -- The State Department said Thursday Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will fly to Zurich to attend Saturday's signing of accords to normalize relations between Turkey and Armenia.
• Honduran coup leader 'will quit' if Zelaya drops reinstatement bid RIA Novosti 08 Oct 2009 -- De facto president of Honduras: Ready to step down if ousted President Zelaya also gives up his claim to office.
• De facto Honduran government demands Zelaya disarm his guards RIA Novosti 08 Oct 2009 -- The de facto Honduran government demanded that ousted President Zelaya hand in firearms of his bodyguards.
• OAS Mission Holds Talks on Honduran Political Crisis VOA 08 Oct 2009 -- Interim Honduran President Micheletti has told diplomats from across the hemisphere that he will not step aside so ousted President Zelaya can be reinstated.
• Guinea's Military Orders Probe of Protester Massacre VOA 08 Oct 2009 -- Guinea's military leader, Captain Moussa Dadis Camara has ordered an investigation into the recent massacre of opposition supporters.
• Guinea Military Announces Investigation into Killing of Protesters VOA 08 Oct 2009 -- Guinea's military government says it is launching what it calls an independent investigation into last week's killing of opposition demonstrators by security forces.
• U.S. starts mass swine flu immunization RIA Novosti 08 Oct 2009 -- A large-scale immunization campaign against swine flu has started in the United Stats with the vaccination of 68,000 New Yorkers.
• DeWitt receives second flu vaccine shipment Army News 08 Oct 2009 -- DeWitt Army Community Hospital health care workers received a second shipment of the seasonal flu vaccine Friday.
• Post fights flu with prevention, education Army News 08 Oct 2009 -- Health officials are urging everyone to get vaccinated against both the seasonal and H1N1 strains of the influenza virus.
• Post gets proactive with flu meetings Army News 08 Oct 2009 -- Get immunized, practice good hygiene and stay home if you're experiencing flu-like symptoms.
• Fighting the flu with fist bumps Army News 08 Oct 2009 -- With concerns about H1N1 and germs in general wreaking havoc on our immune systems, we can't be too careful.
• AU Official Confident About Madagascar Political Agreement VOA 08 Oct 2009 -- In Madagascar, under the agreement reached Wednesday, Andry Rajoelina will be the head of state to lead a transitional government until elections are held in November next year.
• Kenya Warned of Future Poll Violence VOA 08 Oct 2009 -- Former UN chief Kofi Annan warned of a "crisis of confidence" in Kenya's leadership and told the nation that it risks returning to violent ethnic clashes if key reforms are not quickly implemented.
• Annan Wants Local Tribunal, ICC to Try Kenya's Post-election Violence Perpetrators VOA 08 Oct 2009 -- Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan: Perpetrators of Kenya's 2007 post-election violence should be tried both by local tribunal and at the ICC in The Hague.
• How To: Rescue people trapped in a collapsed building IRIN 08 Oct 2009 -- When an earthquake strikes a town, or a building is levelled by an explosion, news footage invariably shows search and rescue teams trawling through the rubble looking for survivors. But what does it take to rescue people trapped under tons of concrete?