Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 16 Oct 2009 [PDF]
• Oct.15 airpower summary: F-16 covers coalition convoy AFNS 16 Oct 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and ISAF in Afghanistan during operations.
• ESC team efforts bring new combined air, space operations center to life AFNS 16 Oct 2009 -- ESC team worked to bring to life a new, state-of-the-art combined air and space operations center in Southwest Asia for joint and coalition combat forces.
• Iraqi Forces Arrest Six Terrorism Suspects AFPS 16 Oct 2009 -- Iraqi security forces, working with U.S. advisors, arrested six terrorism suspects today and yesterday in four operations in Iraq.
• Supporting the drawdown Army News 16 Oct 2009 -- Soldiers from the 1083rd Transportation Company, a National Guard unit from La., are jumping at the opportunity to run missions
• 840th Deployment Distribution Support Battalion mission expands Army News 16 Oct 2009 -- The mission of the 840th Deployment Distribution Support Battalion has expanded recently due to the re-deployment of many units in accordance with the responsible drawdown of forces throughout Iraq in the coming months
• Suicide bomber kills 12 in north Iraq mosque RIA Novosti 16 Oct 2009 -- At least 12 people were killed and 42 injured by a suicide bomber in a Sunni Mosque in northern Iraq.
• At Least 11 Killed at Sunni Mosque in Iraq VOA 16 Oct 2009 -- Iraqi police say a suicide bomber has killed at least 11 people in an attack on a mosque in northern Iraq.
• Malaysia Arrests Iraqi Terrorism Suspect on False Passport VOA 16 Oct 2009 -- Malaysian authorities have arrested a fugitive Iraqi terrorism suspect as he tried to enter the Asian country using a false passport.
• Logistics battalion aids in retrograde of western Iraq USMC News 16 Oct 2009 -- With the Marine Corps mission in Iraq coming closer to an end, all of the gear and equipment has to be sent back to the states.
• Multinational Strategic Airlift Capability supports NATO committee visit to Afghanistan AFNS 16 Oct 2009 -- The newly formed multinational Heavy Airlift Wing recently provided the NATO Military Committee valuable airlift into Afghanistan for an opportunity to meet with Afghan and International Security Assistance Force leaders as well as their national contingents there.
• Former Top Officer Says US Should Re-Commit to Afghanistan VOA 16 Oct 2009 -- Top US military officer at the beginning of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars: US needs to recommit itself to a broad, troop-intensive counterinsurgency campaign in Afghanistan.
• Forces in Afghanistan Kill, Detain Militants AFPS 16 Oct 2009 -- Afghan and international forces killed militants in a clash in which a woman and child died in the crossfire, killed several more enemy fighters in a separate operation.
• Airman renders combat first aid to Soldiers AFNS 16 Oct 2009 -- An Air Force medic applied combat first aid to Soldiers when their vehicle was attacked by an improvised explosive device in Kapisa Province.
• Agencies Work to Field, Support M-ATVs AFPS 16 Oct 2009 -- Several government agencies are working with the manufacturer to ensure proper maintenance of the critical vehicle.
• Airmen bid farewell to Spanish forces at Transit Center at Manas AFNS 16 Oct 2009 -- Airmen of 76th Air Expeditionary Wing say goodbye to their Spanish counterparts at Manas Oct. 13.
• Whatever The Outcome, Afghan Election Decision Comes With Complications RFE/RL 16 Oct 2009 -- As winter descends, the postelection political crisis in Afghanistan appears to be heating up.
• Afghan Official Says Voter Fraud Probe Outcome Unclear VOA 16 Oct 2009 -- Afghan election official: Too early to predict whether a voter fraud probe will trigger a runoff between President Hamid Karzai and his closest challenger.
• Anticipated military offensive drives thousands of Pakistanis from their homes – UN UN News Centre 16 Oct 2009 -- The United Nations refugee agency said today that there have been new outflows of people from Pakistan’s South Waziristan region this week in anticipation of military operations against insurgents.
• Pentagon Closely Monitors Pakistan Situation AFPS 16 Oct 2009 -- DoD closely monitoring the situation in Pakistan, following a series of terrorist attacks there that have killed or injured scores of innocent people.
• US Envoy, Indian Officials Discuss Regional Security Threats VOA 16 Oct 2009 -- Escalating violence in Pakistan was among the regional security threats discussed in meetings.
• Pakistan Defends US Aid Package VOA 16 Oct 2009 -- Pakistani government is defending the $7.5 billion US aid package, saying Washington has addressed Islamabad's concerns over some of the controversial clauses.
• U.S. says not 'impinging' on Pakistan's sovereignty RIA Novosti 16 Oct 2009 -- The United States is not tying to 'impinge' on the sovereignty of Pakistan and fully supports the country in the fight against terrorism.
• Pakistani Government Sites Attacked VOA 16 Oct 2009 -- Suicide bombers in Pakistan hit a government site in Peshawar, in what is believed to be part of a Taliban campaign against an expected army offensive.
• Thousands Flee Pakistan's S. Waziristan Region VOA 16 Oct 2009 -- UN refugee agency reports thousands of people are fleeing South Waziristan region in anticipation of military operations against insurgents.
• Navy Wraps up Indonesia Relief Mission Navy NewsStand 16 Oct 2009 -- The Navy concluded humanitarian assistance efforts in Indonesia Oct. 16, by re-deploying military units that had been assigned to Amphibious Force, 7th Fleet.
• Missing F-16 pilot's crash debris found in ocean AFNS 16 Oct 2009 -- Coast Guard searchers found crash debris in the Atlantic Ocean believed to belong to a missing Air Force pilot's F-16.
• Rescue center providing assistance to find downed F-16 AFNS 16 Oct 2009 -- Air Force Rescue Coordination Center officials here have dispatched helicopters and an HC-130 in response to a collision of two F-16s.
• F-16s collide: one pilot, aircraft missing AFNS 16 Oct 2009 -- Two F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft collided during night training exercises Oct. 15 over the Atlantic Ocean about 40 miles east of Folly Beach, S.C.
• Guard Called in for 'Balloon Boy' Rescue AFPS 16 Oct 2009 -- The Colorado Army National Guard joined rescue efforts for a 6-year-old boy believed adrift in a homemade hot air balloon.

Defense Policy / Programs

• DoD News: Army Enhances Protective Equipment Quality Assurance DoD 16 Oct 2009 -- The Department of the Army announced today that it has established additional quality control measures to further ensure that body armor testing documentation and procurement processes are rigorous, consistent, and use available best practices
• Range Training in India fires up Strykehorse Soldiers Army News 16 Oct 2009 -- From the bottom of a hill, Indian Army Soldiers and U.S. Soldiers charged up to its crest, shooting and working their way together towards a common target at the top. Their positions covered by suppressive fire from two Stryker vehicles
• Readiness Group Reaches Out To Team Redstone Army News 16 Oct 2009 -- Unlike predominately-military installations, Redstone deploys both Soldiers and civilians. It's looking to support them through a non-traditional readiness group
• Sustainers conduct historic change of command Army News 16 Oct 2009 -- Brig. Gen. Michael J. Lally, relinquished command of the 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), to Col. Robin B. Akin during a change-of-command ceremony here Aug. 21
• Agreement signed at Fort Irwin to create solar power Army News 16 Oct 2009 -- The Army signed a memorandum of agreement Oct. 15 for an enhanced-use lease to begin development of a 500-megawatt solar power plant at Fort Irwin, Calif.
• New day, new commander for 1st Space Company Army News 16 Oct 2009 -- During a traditional change of command ceremony, Maj. Eric D. Little handed his company guidon to Lt. Col. J. Dave Price, commander of the 1st Space Battalion, officially relinquishing Little's 18 month command of the 1st Space Company (JTAGS).
• Anniston Army Depot - almost 7 decades later, still growing Army News 16 Oct 2009 -- Some things just get better with age, and that's a true statement for Anniston Army Depot. Marking 68 years in existence this month, the depot continues to proudly serve the United States and the men and women of our Armed Forces
• Whole Barracks Renewal project creates new homes for Soldiers Army News 16 Oct 2009 -- Old barracks on Fort Bragg are being razed to make way for new ones
• Stryker MEV avoids the shredder Army News 16 Oct 2009 -- The depot's Stryker production team responsible for repairing battle- and combat-damaged vehicles did more than just mend a Stryker medical evacuation vehicle, or MEV, that had returned from Southwest Asia
• Depot builds new small arms facility Army News 16 Oct 2009 -- The depot broke ground Oct. 5 on a new small arms repair facility, which will replace the one that's been used by workers here for more than 40 years in the refurbishment of rifles, machine guns and other weapon-related hardware for the U.S. military
• Acceptance crew ensures flight safety for Air Force AFNS 16 Oct 2009 -- Whenever Boeing officials roll a new C-17 Globemaster III off the plant in Long Beach, Calif., Tech. Sgt. Sidney De Leon and his team have to make sure it's ready for the Air Force to fly it.
• Command Completes Behavioral Health Facilities Probe AFPS 16 Oct 2009 -- The commander of Multinational Corps Iraq has approved the findings of an internal investigation into the security of behavioral health facilitiesafter a May 11 shooting at the Camp Liberty combat stress clinic here in which five soldiers were killed.
• Army Says Body Armor Safe, Despite GAO Report AFPS 16 Oct 2009 -- Despite testing anomalies cited in a Government Accountability Office report on body armor released today, the program executive officer for the organization that fields new equipment to soldiers said the armor plates in question are safe.
• CNE Partners with ATG to get Direct Feedback from the Fleet Navy NewsStand 16 Oct 2009 -- The Center for Naval Engineering (CNE) has partnered with Afloat Training Group (ATG) to get direct feedback on its training processes and effectiveness.
• U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command welcomes new commander Navy NewsStand 16 Oct 2009 -- Military Sealift Command (MSC) held a change of command Oct. 16 during a ceremony aboard Navy hospital ship USNS Comfort in Baltimore.
• SECNAV Outlines Five 'Ambitious' Energy Goals Navy NewsStand 16 Oct 2009 -- Saying he was committing "the Navy and Marine Corps to meet bold, ambitious goals," Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced five energy targets to the audience of more than 750 gathered Oct. 14-15 at the Naval Energy Forum in McLean, Va.
• Navy Conducts First Successful Structural Test Firing for LCS Gun Navy NewsStand 16 Oct 2009 -- The first Littoral Combat Ship Surface Warfare (SUW) Gun Mission Module structural test firing on USS Freedom (LCS 1) was successfully conducted Sept. 22-25.
• Bataan, Coalition Forces Demonstrate Amphibious Arsenal Navy NewsStand 16 Oct 2009 -- Marines from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), embarked aboard ships of the USS Bataan (LHD 5) Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), joined coalition forces to conduct an amphibious assault demonstration Oct. 12 near Alexandria, Egypt, as part of exercise Bright Star 2009.
• USS Bataan ARG Participates in Exercise Bright Star Navy NewsStand 16 Oct 2009 -- The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) began participation in an Egyptian and U.S. Central Command sponsored exercise near Alexandria, Egypt, Oct. 10.
• GW Hosts Korean CNO, Congressional Delegation Navy NewsStand 16 Oct 2009 -- Commander, George Washington Carrier Strike Group (GW CSG) welcomed Republic of Korea chairman and members of the National Defence Committee and Republic of Korea (ROK)chief of naval operations aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) Oct. 14.
• Naval Supply Systems Command Headquarters Holds Multicultural Event Navy NewsStand 16 Oct 2009 -- Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) headquarters held a multicultural luncheon for its military and civilian personnel Oct. 14 in Mechanicsburg, Pa., to celebrate the contributions Americans and their ancestors have made to the United States' great cultural heritage.
• USS Newport News Returns From Deployment Navy NewsStand 16 Oct 2009 -- The Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Newport News (SSN 750) returned Oct. 15 from a regularly scheduled six-month deployment.
• Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Welcomes New Commander Navy NewsStand 16 Oct 2009 -- Portsmouth Naval Shipyard held a change of command ceremony Oct. 9.
• Netherlands Begins First European-led APS Deployment in Senegal Navy NewsStand 16 Oct 2009 -- The first European-led Africa Partnership Station (APS) engagement began in Senegal Oct. 7 when the Royal Dutch Navy multifunctional amphibious transport ship HNLMS Johan De Witt (L 801) pulled into port.
• Change of Command Held Aboard USS Albany Navy NewsStand 16 Oct 2009 -- Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Albany (SSN 753) held a change of command ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk Oct. 15.
• New Command Helps Overseas Commanders AFPS 16 Oct 2009 -- Joint Enabling Capabilities Command going a long way to quickly provide command and control capabilities to joint headquarters commanders.
• DARPA Program Brings Sci-fi Capability to Warfighters AFPS 16 Oct 2009 -- Mitchell R. Zakin, program manager for DARPA's Programmable Matter division convinced concept depicted in movies and comic books has real-life applications.
• Naval Research Lab Looks to Sea, Sun for Energy AFPS 16 Oct 2009 -- Services could more effectively power unmanned vehicles, underwater monitoring sensors, ships and aircraft if NRL scientists achieve their goals.
• Ukrainian Envoy, Pentagon Deny U.S.-Kyiv Talks On Missile Defense RFE/RL 16 Oct 2009 -- Ukrainian Embassy in Washington has denied a report that US and Ukrainian officials met to discuss radar stations.
• Poland to get U.S. patriot missiles in early 2010 - Defense Ministry RIA Novosti 16 Oct 2009 -- US will go ahead with the deployment of a Patriot missile battery in Poland in the first quarter of 2010.
• Russia seeks clarification of new U.S. missile-defense plans RIA Novosti 16 Oct 2009 -- Russia wants more information on US plans for an alternative missile defense system to be deployed by 2018.
• Russian Foreign Minister speaks on Missile Defense, START, and the world situation RIA Novosti 16 Oct 2009 -- Russian FM Lavrov gave interviews to RIA Novosti, the Voice of Russia radio station, and Russia Today.
• Nuclear sub Nerpa to enter service in December RIA Novosti 16 Oct 2009 -- Nerpa submarine will enter service with Russia's Pacific Fleet in December 2009 and will then be leased out to the Indian Navy.
• Russia, Brunei agree to develop military, energy cooperation RIA Novosti 16 Oct 2009 -- Russia and Brunei intend to develop military and energy cooperation, the countries said in a joint statement.
• Sultan of Brunei to meet with Russian PM Putin in Moscow RIA Novosti 16 Oct 2009 -- Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin will meet for talks with the sultan of Brunei, who is currently on an official visit to Moscow.
• Moscow Pushes For Formal Cooperation Between UN, CSTO RFE/RL 16 Oct 2009 -- On October 14, the Russian business daily "Kommersant" reported a potential breakthrough for Moscow's diplomacy.
• Leaders of ex-Soviet states inspect Central Asian military drills RIA Novosti 16 Oct 2009 -- The leaders of five ex-Soviet states attended on Friday the final stage of a rapid reaction force exercise in Kazakhstan.
• Russia's Medvedev to attend CSTO military drills in Kazakhstan RIA Novosti 16 Oct 2009 -- Russian President Medvedev along with other leaders of the CSTO member states will attend final stage of exercise.
• Heavy Airlift Wing receives third, final C-17 AFNS 16 Oct 2009 -- Third and final C-17 to complete the Heavy Airlift Wing aircraft inventory arrived and was welcomed by the Hungarian Chief of Defense General.
• Official Says Turkey Deal Good For NATO-Armenia Ties RFE/RL 16 Oct 2009 -- NATO: Turkish-Armenian rapprochement not only helps to reconcile the two nations, but also fosters closer cooperation with Armenia.
• Turkey-Israel Row Could Signal Geopolitical Change In Region RFE/RL 16 Oct 2009 -- Turkish PM Erdogan: Decision to bar Israel from taking part in NATO military exercises based on "diplomatic sensitivities" and public opinion in his country.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 16 Oct 2009
• Gaggle by Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton aboard Air Force One en route Houston, Texas, 10/16/09 The White House 16 Oct 2009

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for October 16, 2009
• Northrop Grumman's E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Successfully Completes First Catapult Launch Tests Northrop Grumman 16 Oct 2009 -- In preparation for its Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E), Northrop Grumman's (NYSE:NOC) first E-2D Advanced Hawkeye test aircraft, known as Delta One, has successfully completed its first land-based catapult launch tests - a required phase of testing prior to fleet introduction.

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 16 Oct 2009
• Israel Condemns UN War Crimes Resolution VOA 16 Oct 2009 -- Israel comdemns the United Nations Human Rights Council's approval of the Goldstone Report which accuses Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas of war crimes during the Gaza conflict in January.
• Endorsing Gaza war report, UN Human Rights Council condemns Israel UN News Centre 16 Oct 2009 -- HRC strongly condemned a host of Israeli measures in the occupied Palestinian territory.
• UN Council Adopts Goldstone Report VOA 16 Oct 2009 -- HRC adopted a resolution on the so-called "Goldstone report", which accuses both Israel and Hamas militants of war crimes.
• UN Body Endorses Gaza War Crimes Report VOA 16 Oct 2009 -- The U.N. Human Rights Council has endorsed a report that accuses Israel and the Palestinians of war crimes during the Gaza conflict nearly a year ago.
• Fatah hopes for positive answer from Hamas on reconciliation deal RIA Novosti 16 Oct 2009 -- Fatah is waiting for a positive response from its rival Islamist faction Hamas on Egypt-brokered reconciliation pact.
• SOMALIA: Rival clans "re-arming" over Somaliland farm IRIN 16 Oct 2009 -- Officials are warning renewed fighting is likely between two rival clans in breakaway Somaliland.
• Real prospect of ending fighting in eastern DR Congo, says top UN envoy UN News Centre 16 Oct 2009 -- Top UN envoy to the DRC voiced optimism that calm could soon return to the country’s volatile eastern region.
• Serbia calls on UN to wait for Kosovo court hearings results RIA Novosti 16 Oct 2009 -- Serbian FM called on UN member states to abstain from recognizing Kosovo until UN court hearings are completed.
• Russia against withdrawal of UNMIK from Kosovo - UN envoy Churkin RIA Novosti 16 Oct 2009 -- Russia believes that calls of Albanian authorities in Kosovo to end UN presence in the region are dangerous and inadmissible.
• UN relief agencies still seeking access to conflict-displaced Yemenis UN News Centre 16 Oct 2009 -- The United Nations said it is still appealing for humanitarian access to Al-Jawf, a region in northern Yemen, to distribute essential supplies to thousands of people displaced by conflict.
• UN aid officials voice concern about Angolan refugees in DR Congo UN News Centre 16 Oct 2009 -- United Nations humanitarian officials today voiced concerns for the health and living conditions of tens of thousands of Angolan refugees in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as the two countries engage in retaliatory expulsions of each other’s citizens.
• UN’s Ivorian operation takes steps to resolve status of millions of voters missing from list UN News Centre 16 Oct 2009 -- The United Nations top envoy to the Côte d’Ivoire is slated to hold a series of meetings next week in a bid to jump-start a critical step threatening to disrupt the nation’s much-delayed presidential elections, scheduled for late next month.

News Reports

• Honduras: UN sends team to examine human rights violations after coup UN News Centre 16 Oct 2009 -- UN human rights chief is sending a team to Honduras for a 3-week official visit to examine violations of rights in the country.
• Ban unveils plan for international inquiry into violent crackdown in Guinea UN News Centre 16 Oct 2009 -- Secretary-General Ban will set up an international commission of inquiry to probe last month’s violent crackdown in Guinea.
• West African Leaders Consider Sanctioning Guinea Military VOA 16 Oct 2009 -- West African leaders meet in Nigeria to consider sanctions against Guinea's military government.
• French Government Recommends Nationals Leave Guinea VOA 16 Oct 2009 -- The French government is recommending that its nationals leave the volatile West African country of Guinea.
• Azerbaijan says Armenia not ready to end its "isolation" RIA Novosti 16 Oct 2009 -- Azerbaijan's president: Armenia must solve the territorial conflict between the countries before it can re-open ties with Turkey and take part in regional projects.
• Armenia wants to see Turkey join EU RIA Novosti 16 Oct 2009 -- Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisyan: Armenia would like to see Turkey join the European Union.
• Russian Parliament Standoff Nears End RFE/RL 16 Oct 2009 -- Legislators who stormed out of the Russian parliament on October 14 to protest allegations of electoral fraud have begun to return.
• Two Russian Opposition Parties End Duma Boycott RFE/RL 16 Oct 2009 -- Deputies from the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) and A Just Russia party say they will return to the State Duma on October 16.
• Russian Duma speaker urges consensus among parties after protests RIA Novosti 16 Oct 2009 -- Russia's parliamentary speaker urged a consensu among parties in the State Duma after protests.
• Sierra Leone Refutes Rumors It Voted Against Nigeria's Security Council Membership VOA 16 Oct 2009 -- Sierra Leone is denying allegations that its ambassador to the UN voted against Nigeria's Security Council membership .
• Nigeria Hails 'Entire African Block' for Backing its Security Council Bid VOA 16 Oct 2009 -- Nigeria has expressed gratitude for the "solidarity of the entire African bloc" after the country was elected to a UNSC.
• Botswana Reports Good Voter Turnout in General Election VOA 16 Oct 2009 -- Voters in Botswana are moving through polling stations in steady streams in a general election likely to return the ruling Botswana Democratic Party to power.
• Botswana Reports Good Voter Turnout in General Election VOA 16 Oct 2009 -- Official campaigning has ended ahead of Botswana's general election scheduled for Friday, 16 October.
• Botswana Democratic Party Expected to Win Election VOA 16 Oct 2009 -- Voters in Botswana will go to the polls Friday in a regular general election expected to return the ruling Botswana Democratic Party to power for another five years.
• Court extends custody of all Arctic Sea case suspects RIA Novosti 16 Oct 2009 -- A Moscow court on Friday remanded in custody two more suspects in the Arctic Sea ship seizure case, with custody of all the eight suspects now extended.
• African governments on the improve, but corruption on the rise – UN report UN News Centre 16 Oct 2009 -- African nations have made marginal progress in the core areas of governance over the last four years, according to a new United Nations report, which has expressed concern over a rise in corruption in the continent’s authorities in the same period.