Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 22 Oct 2009 [PDF]
• Oct. 21 airpower summary: B-1Bs provide armed overwatch AFNS 22 Oct 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 21 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.
• General in Iraq 'Encouraged' as Elections Approach AFPS 22 Oct 2009 -- Violence in Iraq has dropped to the lowest levels seen since 2003 as the Iraqi people prepare to vote in new elections slated for January.
• 3rd ID completes training in Kuwait, departs for Iraq Army News 22 Oct 2009 -- Most of the Division Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division has arrived in Iraq, but before had to make a stop in Kuwait for added training.
• 789th EOD 'bomb squad' to train Iraqi units Army News 22 Oct 2009 -- Fort Benning's bomb disposal experts are returning to Iraq for the second time with the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team.
• 631st trains for convoy security missions Army News 22 Oct 2009 -- Soldiers from the 631st Maintenance Company just started their tour here in Iraq, but they take their mission seriously.
• 159th Seaport Operations Co. affixes combat patches Army News 22 Oct 2009 -- Soldiers with the 159th Seaport Operations Company took part in a combat patch ceremony Oct. 19 at Joint Base Balad, Iraq.
• Forces Detain Suspected Militants in Afghanistan AFPS 22 Oct 2009 -- A combined Afghan and international security force detained almost a dozen suspected militants in Afghanistan’s Khowst province.
• KC-10s provide rapid aerial refueling AFNS 22 Oct 2009 -- 1.2 million pounds of fuel the KC-10s from the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing daily to aircraft that provide air support to warfighters in Afghanistan.
• NATO Defense Ministers In Afghan Unity Push RFE/RL 22 Oct 2009 -- NATO defense ministers are meeting in the Slovak capital, Bratislava, to once again discuss strategy in Afghanistan.
• NATO Chief Urges Allies to Stay Committed to Afghanistan VOA 22 Oct 2009 -- NATO secretary-general called for greater Afghan engagement, saying the war there is most complex challenge alliance has ever undertaken.
• Gates Heads to NATO Meeting to Discuss Afghanistan AFPS 22 Oct 2009 -- Defense Secretary Gates headed to a NATO defense ministers meeting confident there’s enough to discuss about Afghanistan.
• Gates Asks NATO for More Help in Afghanistan VOA 22 Oct 2009 -- US Defense Secretary Gates to ask NATO defense ministers to help the US respond to the request for more resources made by commander in Afghanistan.
• VAQ-139 Returns to NAS Whidbey Island Navy NewsStand 22 Oct 2009 -- Electronic Attack Squadron 139 returned to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Oct. 20-22 after a 5-month deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
• From Afghan battlefields to Army War College Army News 22 Oct 2009 -- As a decision on sending additional forces looms in Washington, sustainment Soldiers on the ground continue to provide logistical support to the fight in Afghanistan.
• Iraq-based platelets travel to Afghanistan AFNS 22 Oct 2009 -- The Air Force Theater Hospital platelet apheresis lab here began dispatching blood platelets to Afghanistan Oct. 14, 2009.
• White House Rejects Cheney's Criticism on Afghanistan VOA 22 Oct 2009 -- The White House has rejected former Vice President Dick Cheney's criticism that President Barack Obama is indecisive on Afghanistan.
• Obama: Troop Decision Possible Before Afghan Runoff VOA 22 Oct 2009 -- US President Obama may make a decision on a revised Afghan strategy before that country's runoff presidential election on November 7.
• Obama Team Meets on Afghanistan Runoff VOA 22 Oct 2009 -- US President Obama has held consultations with American ambassador to Afghanistan Eikenberry, on efforts to prevent voter fraud.
• US Senate Panel Examines NATO Mission VOA 22 Oct 2009 -- Former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright says one of NATO's most important missions now is in Afghanistan.
• Military Aircraft Crashes in Afghanistan VOA 22 Oct 2009 -- A senior Afghan intelligence official says a military aircraft crashed in the country's northern region Thursday.
• Are Afghanistan's Voters Prepared To Vote Again? RFE/RL 22 Oct 2009 -- Few places in Afghanistan are as remote and insecure as Bermal.
• Preparations for Afghan presidential run-off in full swing, UN mission reports UN News Centre 22 Oct 2009 -- Ballot papers have been printed and delivered, polling stations kits have been packed and distribution began.
• UN Report Tracks Crossborder Impact Of Afghan Heroin RFE/RL 22 Oct 2009 -- UNODC released a sweeping investigation into large-scale opiate trafficking through Central Asia, Russia, and the Middle East.
• Gunmen Kill Pakistani Army Officer in Islamabad Ambush VOA 22 Oct 2009 -- Police in Pakistan say that unknown gunmen shot and killed a senior army officer and his driver in Islamabad.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Musicians Make Noise Over Guantanamo Music Torture Claims VOA 22 Oct 2009 -- Number of superstar musicians are demanding to know if their music was used to torture prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
• Gates Reaffirms Commitment to South Korea AFPS 22 Oct 2009 -- Defense Secretary Gates reaffirmed US ’ “unwavering commitment” to its alliance with the South Korea.
• Transcript: Remarks by Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates from Yongsan Garrison, Seoul DoD 22 Oct 2009-- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates
• US, South Korea Reaffirm Alliance, Timetable for Command Hand-Over VOA 22 Oct 2009 -- US and S. Korea have wrapped up meeting with assurances that S. Korea is on track to assume more autonomy over its defense.
• USS Los Angeles Hosts Republic of Korea Navy Navy NewsStand 22 Oct 2009 -- Commander, Submarine Group 7 conducted bilateral talks with the Republic of Korea Navy leadership Oct. 20.
• "A Maneuver Force unlike anthing this world has ever seen." Army News 22 Oct 2009 -- MCOE's flag was unfurled and its leaders' new roles highlighted during an activation ceremony.
• Navy to Commission Energy-Efficient Amphibious Assault Ship Makin Island Navy NewsStand 22 Oct 2009 -- The Navy will commission the amphibious assault ship Makin Island Oct. 24.
• Army researching new energy-efficient technologies Army News 22 Oct 2009 -- The Army continues research on energy security, fuel efficiency and alternate power capabilities for its fleet of ground vehicles.
• 15 units, 3 countries converge on Nellis for Red Flag AFNS 22 Oct 2009 -- Nearly 1,300 servicemembers, more than 80 aircraft and 15 units from 3 countries converged on Nellis Air Force Base, for the start of Red Flag 10-1.
• Carrier Strike Group 12 Changes Command Navy NewsStand 22 Oct 2009 -- Carrier Strike Group 12 conducted a change of command Oct 20.
• NSSC Changes Command Navy NewsStand 22 Oct 2009 -- Command of Naval Submarine Support Center, Norfolk changed hands Oct. 22 during a change of command ceremony.
• Employees dig new C4ISR facility Army News 22 Oct 2009 -- Army and regional representatives broke ground Oct. 2 for Tobyhanna Army Depot's Command, Control, Communications Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) Finishing Center.
• Recovery Act Funds Repair Marine Reserve Center at Seal Beach Naval Facility Navy NewsStand 22 Oct 2009 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest awarded Recovery Act funded contract task order to repair and modernize Marine Corps Reserve Training Center facilities at Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach.
• Submarine Learning Center Turning Green with New Building Navy NewsStand 22 Oct 2009 -- The soon to be new Submarine Learning Center moved from the drawing board to becoming reality during a groundbreaking ceremony Oct. 21.
• Obama Signs Veterans Health Care Legislation AFPS 22 Oct 2009 -- President Barack Obama signed new legislation today that creates predictable funding for veterans’ health care.
• Post H1N1 vaccine delivery delayed Army News 22 Oct 2009 -- Fort Jackson likely won't get its allotment of H1N1 vaccine until mid-December, though officials still hope to vaccinate Soldiers before holiday block leave.
• Globemaster conducts first mission for Cope India AFNS 22 Oct 2009 -- A C-17 Globemaster III crew conducted the first ever combined airdrop mission with Indian air force personnel here as part of exercise Cope India.
• USS Arleigh Burke Returns From African Partnership Station Navy NewsStand 22 Oct 2009 -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) returned to homeport Naval Station Norfolk after completing a six month deployment.
• Airmen integrate into Chilean CAOC for SALITRE AFNS 22 Oct 2009 -- Air Forces Southern Airmen are integrating themselves into a Chilean combined air operations center for SALITRE exercise.
• Algerian Naval Officers Learn From Area Submariners Navy NewsStand 22 Oct 2009 -- Algerian Navy Submarine Force commanding officer, the country's Submarine Base Commander and two other officers visited Submarine Base New London.
• Missile Defense High on Agenda as Biden Tours Central Europe VOA 22 Oct 2009 -- As Vice President Joe Biden tours Central Europe this week, missile defense is high on the agenda.
• US VP Biden Thanks Romania for Missile Shield Support VOA 22 Oct 2009 -- US VP Biden met with Romania's president and thanked him for backing a reconfigured missile defense system.
• NATO chief 'to visit Moscow in mid-December' RIA Novosti 22 Oct 2009 -- NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen will visit Moscow on December 15-17.
• Georgia hopes to bypass membership plan in NATO bid RIA Novosti 22 Oct 2009 -- Deputy FM Nalbandov: Georgia could join NATO without participating in the Membership Action Plan.
• Russia's military doctrine to be presented to president by yearend RIA Novosti 22 Oct 2009 -- Russia's new military doctrine will be presented to President Dmitry Medvedev by the end of the year.
• Russian Pacific Fleet warships to visit Malaysian port RIA Novosti 22 Oct 2009 -- Russian Pacific Fleet task forceto pay an official visit to the port of Klang in Malaysia.
• Soldier Tries To Commit Suicide In Military Unit Near St. Petersburg RFE/RL 22 Oct 2009 -- A soldier tried to commit suicide in a military unit in Kamenka, near St. Petersburg.
• Russia says military cooperation with Iran to continue RIA Novosti 22 Oct 2009 -- Russia has no plans to stop military cooperation with Iran.
• Tajik President's Moscow Talks Inconclusive RFE/RL 22 Oct 2009 -- It was the key speech of U.S. Vice President Joe Biden's tour to three Central and Eastern European countries this week.
• Russian, Tajik leaders move to tackle tensions RIA Novosti 22 Oct 2009 -- The presidents of Russia and Tajikistan met and pledged to settle differences on a military base in the ex-Soviet Central Asian state.
• Russian defense minister says Tajik base still under discussion RIA Novosti 22 Oct 2009 -- Russia's defense minister: Issue of paying rent for a Russian military base in Tajikistan was still being discussed.
• Taiwan should not be worried about U.S.-China summit: envoy CNA 22 Oct 2009 -- Taiwan should not be concerned about the upcoming meeting between US President Obama and his Chinese counterpart Hu.
• Taiwan expects U.S. to approve chopper deal before year-end CNA 22 Oct 2009 -- US expected to approve a Taiwanese Black Hawk helicopter procurement bid before either late November or Christmas.
• Defense ministry to consider proposal to mothball Mirage fighters CNA 22 Oct 2009 -- Taiwan Minister of National Defense promised to consider a proposal to mothball the Air Force's Mirage fighter jets.
• Russia, China draft Kalashnikov copyright deal RIA Novosti 22 Oct 2009 -- Russia is working to reach an agreement with China on copyright protection of Kalashnikov assault rifles.
• Rise in Somali Piracy Contributes to Increase Worldwide VOA 22 Oct 2009 -- The rise in piracy off the Somali coast has resulted in more global piracy cases in 2009 than in all of 2008, according to a maritime watchdog group.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 22 Oct 2009
• Briefing by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 10/22/09 The White House 22 Oct 2009

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for October 22, 2009
• Boeing: Early-Infantry Brigade Combat Team Capabilities Complete Critical Design Review Boeing 22 Oct 2009 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced the successful completion of the Critical Design Review (CDR) of Early-Infantry Brigade Combat Team (E-IBCT) capabilities, another key milestone in U.S. Army modernization efforts.
• Savi Wins $6.6 Million Order From U.S. Defense Department For RFID Supply Chain Tracking Technologies Lockheed Martin 22 Oct 2009 -- Savi®, a Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] company and provider of RFID-based supply chain products and solutions, has been awarded orders totaling $6.6 million for standards-based active Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tracking technologies and accompanying services under the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DoD’s) RFID III procurement contract.
• EADS advanced refueling boom transfers fuel from Australian A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport to F-16 fighterEADS 22 Oct 2009 -- The EADS A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) – currently in production for four allied nations – marked another major performance milestone with the first in-flight refueling performed from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) A330 MRTT utilizing its integrated Aerial Refueling Boom System (ARBS).
• Northrop Grumman Awarded DARPA Contract That Takes Technology to 'NEXT' Level Northrop Grumman 22 Oct 2009 -- The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) the first phase of a $28.9-million Nitride Electronic NeXt Generation Technology (NEXT) contract.
• Sagem named prime contractor for Phoenix 2010, program to test future land combat systems Sagem (Safran group) 22 Oct 2009 -- French defense procurement agency DGA has chosen Sagem (Safran group) as prime contractor for the Phoenix 2010 program, involving technical and operational tests to improve the efficiency of the French army’s future combat systems.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 22 Oct 2009
• Israeli Warplanes Strike Gaza Targets After Rocket Hits Israel VOA 22 Oct 2009 -- Israeli warplanes hit several targets in the Gaza Strip after Gaza militants fired a rocket into southern Israel.
• Somalia Peacekeepers Accused of Firing Into Civilian Areas VOA 22 Oct 2009 -- At least 20 people were killed and as many as 70 wounded in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, during worst fighting in recent months.
• Djibouti Rejects Alleged Destabilization Role in Somalia VOA 22 Oct 2009 -- Djibouti has sharply denied accusations that it played a role in fueling violence in neighboring Somalia.
• Blue helmets bring deadly tribal violence under control in Darfur UN News Centre 22 Oct 2009 -- Peacekeepers serving with joint UN-AU mission in Darfur have intervened in deadly tribal clashes.
• Ugandan Rebel Group Stirs DRC, Sudanese Concerns at Kampala Summit VOA 22 Oct 2009 -- Heads of state and representatives turn their attention to Africa's 17-million refugees, returnees, and internally displaced persons.
• Undermanned UN mission in Chad faces further temporary cuts UN News Centre 22 Oct 2009 -- UN force seeking to provide security in the Central African Republic and Chad, already at barely half its mandated strength.
• Azerbaijani, Armenian MPs to talk Karabakh settlement in Moscow RIA Novosti 22 Oct 2009 -- Azerbaijani and Armenian parliamentarians are set to discuss the Nagorny Karabakh conflict settlement.
• Armenia Separates Turkish Rapprochement From Karabakh Dispute RFE/RL 22 Oct 2009 -- Armenian Deputy FM Kirakosian: Turkish-Armenian rapprochement protocols have nothing to do with Nagorno-Karabakh.
• U.S. praises latest release of Kurds by Turkish government RIA Novosti 22 Oct 2009 -- US welcomes recent steps between Turkey and the Kurdish population towards their reconciliation.
• Property issues and external relations the focus of latest UN-backed talks on Cyprus UN News Centre 22 Oct 2009 -- Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders have discussed property rights and external relations during latest talks.
• Senior UN official on two-day visit to reinforce peace-building in Sierra Leone UN News Centre 22 Oct 2009 -- Senior UN official on a two-day visit to Sierra Leone for wide-ranging talks on the situation.
• Karadzic to Boycott His Own War Crimes Trial VOA 22 Oct 2009 -- Bosnian Serb wartime leader Radovan Karadzic says he will not appear at his war crimes trial, set to begin next week.
• CHAD: Between an IDP camp and unsafe home IRIN 22 Oct 2009 -- The UN Refugee Agency is colour-coding villages red, yellow and green in eastern Chad marking how safe it is for internally displaced persons (IDPs) to return home: people from areas classified as green – “safe” – will no longer be considered as IDPs, but can remain in the camps.
• AFRICA: Talking about forced displacement IRIN 22 Oct 2009 -- Civil society and government officials are gathered in the Ugandan capital of Kampala to discuss the Convention on the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Africa and a declaration on refugees, returnees and IDPs.
• African States to Sign Declaration on Forced Displacement VOA 22 Oct 2009 -- At least 46 African nations are expected to sign a declaration, obligating governments and armed rebel groups to protect and assist people uprooted from their homes by war.

News Reports

• Australia's Relations With China Cool Over Espionage, Terrorism Concerns VOA 22 Oct 2009 -- Business leaders are hopeful that Australia's fraught diplomatic ties with China.
• Guinea Opposition Doubts Junta's Cooperation in Massacre Probe VOA 22 Oct 2009 -- Guinea's opposition coalition is expressing doubt the military junta will cooperate fully with investigation into massacre of protesters.
• Burmese Official: US Official to Visit Burma VOA 22 Oct 2009 -- A Burmese official says a U.S. official will visit Burma next week, but has given no other details of the trip.
• Myanmar: UN expert urges release of all political prisoners before 2010 elections UN News Centre 22 Oct 2009 -- An independent UB expert has called on Myanmar’s Government to release all political prisoners before the national elections.
• India's Ruling Congress Party Emerges Victorious in Key State Elections VOA 22 Oct 2009 -- India's ruling Congress Party-led alliance has scored victories in elections held in three states to choose local governments.
• Biden Urges Central Europe To Help Guide Fledgling Democracies RFE/RL 22 Oct 2009 -- It was the key speech of U.S. Vice President Joe Biden's tour to three Central and Eastern European countries this week.
• Moldova's parliament delays presidential election RIA Novosti 22 Oct 2009 -- Moldova's parliament postponed for an indefinite period the presidential election, which had been scheduled for October 23.
• Côte d'Ivoire: UN envoy appeals for November presidential elections to keep on track UN News Centre 22 Oct 2009 -- Top UN envoy to the Côte d’Ivoire today called on the West African nation to build on momentum towards holding its much-delayed presidential elections.
• Kyrgyz parliament approves wide-reaching reforms RIA Novosti 22 Oct 2009 -- The Kyrgyz parliament approved on Thursday massive governmental reforms in the former Soviet republic.
• Few Surprises, Little Excitement as Indonesian President Sets New Cabinet VOA 22 Oct 2009 -- Indonesia's new Cabinet contains a mix of old and new faces, but no surprises.