News

24 November 2009 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

OIF/OEF Casualty Update 24 Nov 2009 [PDF]

Airpower Summary: November 23 AFNS 24 Nov 2009

Transcript: DoD News Briefing with Geoff Morrell from the Pentagon DoD 24 Nov 2009 -- Presenter: Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell

Iraqis Kill Bomb Cell Member, Detain 6 Others AFPS 24 Nov 2009 -- Iraqi police killed a suspected bombing-cell member and arrested six others in operations over the last two days, military officials reported.
Air Force officials release MQ-1 accident report AFNS 24 Nov 2009 -- Air Force officials here said an MQ-1 Predator remotely piloted aircraft flying a mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom lost contact with its ground control station and crashed in a forward operating area April 20, according to the Air Combat Command Accident Investigation Board report released Nov. 24.
Joint teamwork keeps foreign fighters from crossing borders Army News 24 Nov 2009 -- Intelligence reporting indicated that foreign fighters could be located in a town in Iraq's northwestern Ninewah province near the Syrian border.

US Wants More NATO Troops in Afghanistan, If Obama Sends More US Forces VOA 24 Nov 2009 -- The U.S. Defense Department spokesman says the United States expects its allies to send more troops to Afghanistan, if President Barack Obama decides to send more U.S. troops.
Obama: Afghanistan Troop Announcement Coming Soon VOA 24 Nov 2009 -- U.S. President Barack Obama says he will announce a new Afghanistan war strategy soon. Mr. Obama says he will explain his decision to the American people after the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
Obama Provides Glimpse of Afghanistan Strategy AFPS 24 Nov 2009 -- President Barack Obama said today he will announce his decision on the strategy and troop request for Afghanistan “shortly after Thanksgiving.”
U.S. Expects More NATO Troops for Afghanistan AFPS 24 Nov 2009 -- Should President Barack Obama’s anticipated Afghanistan strategy announcement call for more U.S. troops, Defense Department and White House officials would expect a greater contribution from their NATO allies, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said today.
Obama: US Will 'Finish the Job' in Afghanistan VOA 24 Nov 2009 -- U.S. President Barack Obama says he plans to "finish the job" in Afghanistan and will soon announce his highly anticipated decision on U.S. troop levels.
Afghan Attorney General Investigates 5 Ministers VOA 24 Nov 2009 -- Afghanistan's attorney general says his office is investigating five current and former Cabinet ministers on allegations of corruption.
Forces in Afghanistan Kill Militant, Detain Suspects AFPS 24 Nov 2009 -- Combined Afghan and international forces killed an enemy militant and detained numerous suspects in recent operations in Afghanistan, military officials reported.
Engineers Train Afghans in Quality Assurance AFPS 24 Nov 2009 -- Provincial reconstruction team engineers here conducted quality assurance training for more than 30 Afghan contractors, foremen and engineers at the Civil-Military Operations Center in downtown Khost, Nov. 14.
Afghan Border Police, Marines take next step in border protection USMC News 24 Nov 2009
Garmsir leaders, Marines discuss bazaar security, joint efforts USMC News 24 Nov 2009 -- The Garmsir Afghan National Police chief pleaded to his governor and the Marines for help
US ready to continue talks with Russia on Afghanistan -Holbrooke RIA Novosti 24 Nov 2009 -- The United States is ready to continue dialogue with Russia on Afghanistan-related issues, Richard Holbrooke, the U.S. special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, said Monday.

As temperatures drop, UN distributes winter aid to displaced Pakistanis UN News Centre 24 Nov 2009 -- The United Nations refugee agency has begun distributing additional relief supplies to civilians displaced by the ongoing military operations in north-west Pakistan to help them cope as temperatures begin to drop in the region.
Pakistan Says 18 Militants Killed in New Operation VOA 24 Nov 2009 -- Pakistani officials say troops backed by helicopters killed at least 18 militants during the latest offensive in the country's lawless tribal belt bordering Afghanistan.

Defense Policy / Programs

Nuclear Surety Inspection finds two wings unsatisfactory AFNS 24 Nov 2009 -- Air Force Materiel Command nuclear surety inspections of two wings at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., last week found deficiencies which led to an overall rating of unsatisfactory. An NSI is designed to thoroughly evaluate a unit's ability to manage nuclear resources while complying with all nuclear standards, and takes place every 18 months.

Panel Leaders Tour Rampage Site, Describe Mission AFPS 24 Nov 2009 -- The leaders of an independent review panel toured the scene of the Fort Hood, Texas, shooting rampage today and described how they view the panel’s mission.
India Co. Marines stomp Range 410A USMC News 24 Nov 2009 -- Marines and sailors with Company I, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, known as the Cutting Edge, stormed the Combat Center’s Range 410A Nov. 19, to prepare for a possible deployment next year
Eisenhower CSG Successfully Completes COMPTUEX Navy NewsStand 24 Nov 2009 -- The Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (CSG) successfully completed a Composite Unit Training Exercise (COMPTUEX), Nov. 24, off the East Coast of the U.S. from Virginia to Florida.
VFA-97 Returns After Five Years in Marine Corps UDP Navy NewsStand 24 Nov 2009 -- Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 97 is no stranger to the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), but in 2004 they began deploying with the Marine Corps through the Unit Deployment Program (UDP), which meant learning a new set of rules and leaving behind key elements like carrier-based landing.
Determined Crew Returns USS Kearsarge to Sea, Despite Stormy Weather Navy NewsStand 24 Nov 2009 -- Amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) left Norfolk Navy Shipyard on schedule Nov. 16 to perform a series of sea trials although there was a potential that extreme weather conditions would prevent a timely return to her homeport of Naval Station Norfolk.
Navy Releases Roadmap for Future Arctic Operations Navy NewsStand 24 Nov 2009 -- The vice chief of naval operations has released a new roadmap that will guide Navy policy, strategy and investments related to a changing Arctic.
HSC-25 Detachment 1 Returns from Deployment Navy NewsStand 24 Nov 2009 -- Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25 welcomed home Detachment 1 from a 13-month deployment Nov. 24.
DoD News: Senior Executive Service Reassignment DoD 24 Nov 2009 -- BSecretary of Defense Robert M. Gates announced the following Department of Defense Senior Executive Service reassignment
Dubai Air Show encourages partnership, compatible hardware AFNS 24 Nov 2009 -- More than 150 servicemembers participated in the 11th Dubai Air Show Nov. 15 through 19 here.
Singapore celebrates partnership with Air Force AFNS 24 Nov 2009 -- U.S. government and Republic of Singapore officials celebrated their partnership during the Peace Carvin V inauguration of the F-15SG fighter detachment Nov. 19 here.
Nellis Airmen work behind the scenes to ensure exercise success AFNS 24 Nov 2009 -- Every year, Airmen here support the largest air mobility exercise in the United States. This Mobility Air Forces Exercise, or MAFEX, is essential in making sure both Soldiers and Airmen are prepared to coordinate jointly during overseas contingencies.
Air Force Global Strike Command officials hiring now for top priority mission AFNS 24 Nov 2009 -- Air Force Global Strike Command officials are aggressively working to hire the best people available for one of the Air Force's top priorities: reinvigorating the nuclear enterprise. Active-duty, civilians, Guard and Reserve, especially those with nuclear experience, are being encouraged to apply for positions at AFGSC headquarters here and at the units that fall under 8th and 20th Air Forces in six other states.
Officials begin negotiations for largest crystalline solar development in North America AFNS 24 Nov 2009 -- Air Force Real Property Agency officials are set to begin negotiations with a leading global independent solar power producer to develop the largest crystalline photovoltaic solar development in North America on Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
Video Teleconferences Keep Soldiers Communicating AFPS 24 Nov 2009 -- Dependable communication is essential for any successful organization, and for a deployed military unit, that holds all the more true.
Agency Delivers ‘Taste of Home’ to Deployed Troops AFPS 24 Nov 2009 -- How do you plan Thanksgiving dinner for 180,000 people more than 6,000 miles away? If you’re a food buyer at the Defense Logistics Agency, you start by making a shopping list in April for meals to be served to U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Progress Continues for Joint Light Tactical Vehicle AFPS 24 Nov 2009 -- A program to develop a new family of light tactical vehicles for Army, Marine Corps and special operations forces is moving ahead at full steam, almost halfway through its technology development phase.
The Services and Infrastructure Core Enterprise: A change agent for Army services and infrastructure Army News 24 Nov 2009
Mullen: Guard should not return to how things were before 2001 Army News 24 Nov 2009 -- As operations in Iraq and Afghanistan change over the next few years, the National Guard should not be allowed to revert back to being simply a strategic reserve, said Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

U.S. will continue arm sales to Taiwan: U.S. official CNA 24 Nov 2009 -- There will be additional arm sales to Taiwan under the President Barack Obama administration, a top-level U.S. official said Tuesday in Taiwan.

Iraqi Navy growing stronger by the day MNF-I 24 Nov 2009 -- The Coalition Naval Advisory Training Team here has been mentoring and training units of the Iraqi Navy and Marines for more than three years

British Official: Secret Iraq War Talks Began in 2001 VOA 24 Nov 2009 -- A former top British intelligence officer says British officials decided in 2001 against participating in talks with U.S. officials about regime change in Iraq.
Bring Blair to account, Iraq war inquiry told IRNA 24 Nov 2009 -- The long-awaited inquiry into the Iraq war opened in London Tuesday as protesters called for former prime minister Tony Blair to be brought to account for involving Britain in the “illegal” US-led invasion in 2003.
UK Opens Wide-Ranging Iraq War Inquiry VOA 24 Nov 2009 -- Britain has opened a long awaited, wide-ranging inquiry into the government's involvement in the Iraq war, vowing to be thorough and fair and not shy away from criticizing individuals or institutions if warranted.

Iran continues to press Russia for S-300 deliveries RIA Novosti 24 Nov 2009 -- Iran hopes that Russia will fulfill its contract for the supply of S-300 air defense missile systems, an Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Iran completes 1st stage of drills to protect nuclear facilities RIA Novosti 24 Nov 2009 -- Iran's armed forces have completed the first stage of a large-scale air defense exercise to protect the country's nuclear facilities, the ISNA news agency quoted the air force and air defense staff as saying.

India's test launch of Agni-II ballistic missile ends in failure RIA Novosti 24 Nov 2009 -- The maiden nighttime test launch of India's nuclear-capable intermediate-range Agni-II ballistic missile failed, the Times of India said on Tuesday.

Russia again postpones new Bulava tests RIA Novosti 24 Nov 2009 -- A new test launch of Russia's troubled Bulava submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) will be carried out by the end of 2009, a defense industry source said on Tuesday.
Russia starts construction of 2nd Adm. Gorshkov class frigate RIA Novosti 24 Nov 2009 -- The Severnaya Verf shipyard in St Petersburg said on Tuesday it will begin construction of a new frigate for the Russian Navy on November 26.
Submarine accident reflects crisis in navy RIA Novosti 24 Nov 2009 -- n the night of November 20, something unusual happened on board the Alrosa, a B-871 submarine that served in Russia's Black Sea Fleet.

U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 24 Nov 2009

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for November 24, 2009
Boeing Statement on Appeals Court Refusal to Rehear A-12 Case Boeing 24 Nov 2009 -- J. Michael Luttig, Boeing executive vice president and general counsel, today said that the company intends to appeal to the Supreme Court after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit refused to rehear the company's appeal in the long-running A-12 case
Hand-over ceremony of 200th Eurofighter production aircraft to customers at EADS Defence & Security's Military Aviation Centre Manching EADS 24 Nov 2009 -- A military ceremony set the scene for the hand-over of the 200th Eurofighter production aircraft from EADS Defence & Security (DS) to the operator, the German Air Force.
General Dynamics Canada and Marport C-Tech partner to target next generation underwater acoustics market General Dynamics 24 Nov 2009 -- General Dynamics Canada, a pioneer in the development of military acoustics processing and display solutions, and Marport C-Tech Ltd., a leading sonar manufacturer for underwater defence, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) setting the stage for the joint development and marketing of a suite of next generation underwater acoustic products to support underwater military Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions
General Dynamics to Appeal A-12 Decision General Dynamics 24 Nov 2009 -- The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit today denied a request for a rehearing of the Federal Circuit’s prior decision sustaining the government’s default termination of the A-12 aircraft contract to which General Dynamics (NYSE: GD) and The Boeing Company were parties with the Navy.
General Dynamics Awarded USD$2.2 Billion Contract for Light Armored Vehicles General Dynamics 24 Nov 2009 -- The U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command, in support of the U.S. Army Security Assistance Command (USASAC), has awarded a USD$2.2 billion contract to General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada for 724 Light Armored Vehicles (LAV) for a Foreign Military Sale (FMS). Vehicle deliveries will begin in April 2011.
Northrop Grumman Completes Detail Design of Gerald R. Ford Product Model Northrop Grumman 24 Nov 2009 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has completed the development of the detail design phase for the Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) in the 3-dimensional Product Model. Gerald R. Ford is being built by the Shipbuilding sector in Newport News, Va., and is the Navy's first aircraft carrier to be completely designed using a 3-dimensional Product Model.
Northrop Grumman Completes First Production Deliveries of the MQ-8B Fire Scout to the U.S. Navy Northrop Grumman 24 Nov 2009 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) completed the first three MQ-8B Fire Scout production deliveries to the U.S. Navy, which completes the first year of Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) for the Vertical Takeoff and Landing Tactical Unmanned Air Vehicle (VTUAV) program.
French government orders 16,454 FELIN soldier modernization systems from Sagem, Safran group Sagem (Safran group) 24 Nov 2009 -- French defense procurement agency DGA has placed a new order with Sagem, a Safran group company, for 16,454 FELIN integrated equipment suites for the French army.
Italian minehunters to be upgraded with Thales 2093 sonar Thales 24 Nov 2009 -- Thales has signed a significant contract with Intermarine to supply its highly successful Sonar 2093 system to the Italian Navy’s (Marina Militare Italiana) Gaeta-class minehunting fleet.091123_Gaeta_minehunter

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 24 Nov 2009

Israeli-Palestinian peace moves at ‘deep and worrying impasse,’ UN official warns UN News Centre 24 Nov 2009 -- With no Israeli-Palestinian negotiations underway, no agreed terms of reference for such talks, and Israel’s refusal to freeze settlements posing a key challenge, a senior United Nations official today called for “immediate actions on the ground” to prevent Middle East peace efforts from unravelling.
Cypriot leaders focus on immigration and citizenship in UN-backed talks UN News Centre 24 Nov 2009 -- The Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders met today to continue discussions on immigration, citizenship and asylum as part of the ongoing United Nations-backed, power-sharing negotiations.
Côte d’Ivoire: Ban calls for speedy new date for yet-again-delayed elections UN News Centre 24 Nov 2009 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called on all parties in Côte d’Ivoire to fix a new date as soon as possible for their much-delayed elections, now postponed yet again from their latest deadline of this month.
Ban voices concern as tensions grow between Western Sahara parties UN News Centre 24 Nov 2009 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is concerned by the growing tension between the parties to the Western Sahara negotiations, which have increased following the recent detention of several groups of Saharawi activists.
Growing Violence in Somali Region Forces Aid Workers Out VOA 24 Nov 2009 -- Two aid agencies operating in southern Somalia say deteriorating security in recent days has forced them to withdraw their international and local staff from key towns in the Jubba regions.
SUDAN: Southerners still besieged by suspected LRA fighters IRIN 24 Nov 2009 -- Suspected Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) fighters have attacked Nzara region of Southern Sudan at least three times this month, forcing civilians to flee their homes, local officials said.
SOMALIA: Mass exodus as militia takes control of southern town IRIN 24 Nov 2009 -- Somalia's Islamist Al-Shabab militia group has taken control of the southern town of Afmadow, 620km south of the capital Mogadishu, causing hundreds of families to flee in fear of violence.
UN Security Council Urges Sides In Bosnia To Work Together RFE/RL 24 Nov 2009 -- The permanent members of the UN Security Council and the European Union have urged competing sides in Bosnia and Herzegovina to work toward common solutions so the country can get on the fast track to join Euro-Atlantic structures
Russia to reply to Georgia's claims over South Ossetia RIA Novosti 24 Nov 2009 -- Russia is preparing an answer to an interstate claim brought by Georgia to the Strasbourg Court against Russia's actions in South Ossetia last August, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Tuesday.
Death toll in Philippines 'poll massacre' rises to 46 RIA Novosti 24 Nov 2009 -- A state of emergency was declared in parts of the Philippines on Tuesday as 24 bodies were discovered in a shallow grave, bringing the death toll from a politically-motivated massacre on Monday to 46.
Yemen: head of UN agency voices concern at lack of access to conflict displaced UN News Centre 24 Nov 2009 -- The Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today highlighted her continued concern about safe humanitarian access to civilians displaced by fighting in northern Yemen.
UN peacekeepers’ hospital brings treatment to hundreds of local Congolese UN News Centre 24 Nov 2009 -- A hospital set up in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to care for United Nations peacekeepers is also bringing hope to hundreds of local people who might otherwise lack necessary treatment for their illnesses and injuries as well as screening that can ward off preventable sickness.
Philippines Declares State of Emergency as Massacre Victims Mount VOA 24 Nov 2009 -- The government of the Philippines has declared a state of emergency in parts of the south after a massacre of at least 46 people, including 12 journalists. Press freedom groups have condemned the attack as the worst in history and express skepticism that those responsible will be brought to justice.

News Reports

Obama Hosts India's Singh for First State Visit VOA 24 Nov 2009 -- President Barack Obama says the U.S. partnership with India will be one of the defining relationships of the 21st century. Mr. Obama and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh spoke to reporters after a two-hour meeting.
Remarks by President Obama and Prime Minister Singh of India during Arrival Ceremony The White House 24 Nov 2009
Remarks by President Obama and Prime Minister Singh of India in Joint Press Conference BUG: the source does not exist 24 Nov 2009 The White House 24 Nov 2009
Obama Welcomes India's Singh to the White House VOA 24 Nov 2009 -- U.S. President Barack Obama is hosting his first state visit at the White House. The guest of honor is Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Major Nidal Hasan's Palestinian Relatives Try to Clear His Name VOA 24 Nov 2009 -- New information continues to emerge on the background of Major Nidal Hasan, the U.S. Army psychiatrist who allegedly opened fire on soldiers at Fort Hood in the U.S. state of Texas.

Russia dismisses allegation of helping Iran build atom bomb RIA Novosti 24 Nov 2009 -- Russia's Foreign Ministry has dismissed as groundless a recent claim by a U.S. nonproliferation expert that Moscow is helping Iran build nuclear weapons.
Russia says sanctions on Iran still premature RIA Novosti 24 Nov 2009 -- Any further sanctions against Iran are unnecessary until Tehran has provided an official reply to the UN nuclear watchdog's fuel processing proposal, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.
Iran aims to launch first nuclear plant by late March RIA Novosti 24 Nov 2009 -- The launch of Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant, delayed for technical reasons, will take place by the end of March 2010, the country's Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.
Iran seeks UN guarantees in nuclear fuel deal RIA Novosti 24 Nov 2009 -- Iran has said it is willing to send its low-enriched uranium abroad, but would require explicit guarantees from the United Nations nuclear watchdog that it will receive high-enriched uranium for its research reactor.
Iran Seeks Guarantees on Nuclear Deal VOA 24 Nov 2009 -- Iran says it is not opposed to sending its low-enriched uranium abroad for further enrichment, as long as it receives fuel for its nuclear reactor at the very same time.

U.S. Says Iraq Poll Could Slip Amid Dispute Over Election Law RFE/RL 24 Nov 2009 -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says that Iraq's national elections, set for January, "might slip" to a later date.
Iraqi VP Threatens Veto of Election Law VOA 24 Nov 2009 -- Iraq's Sunni Arab Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi says he may veto a proposed electoral law, which was amended Monday by parliament. The head of Iraq's electoral commission says failure to pass the law will delay elections by "at least a month" from their original January date.

Spanish Police Arrest Suspected ETA Members VOA 24 Nov 2009 -- Spain's police have arrested 36 members of a banned youth group with alleged links to ETA, in the latest strike against the weakened Basque separatist movement

AFGHANISTAN: Fighting H1N1 with one lab and no vaccine IRIN 24 Nov 2009 -- One day after samples of eight suspected cases of influenza H1N1 2009 were brought to the Central Laboratory (CL) in Kabul from Afghanistan’s central-west province of Ghor, a rapid test showed two were swine flu and the rest seasonal flu. The second step will be to verify the diagnosis through a Polymerize Chain Reaction (PCR) test.
Death toll in Ukraine flu, ARVI epidemic reaches 388 RIA Novosti 24 Nov 2009 -- A total of 388 people have died in Ukraine of flu and acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI) as of Monday evening, the ex-Soviet state's Health Ministry said.
H1N1 Cases Declining In Hospitals Across US VOA 24 Nov 2009 -- Flu experts say the cities that were hit hardest with the flu last spring are seeing fewer cases now. There are also a smaller number school closings.

US Supports Honduran Election Process VOA 24 Nov 2009 -- The State Department said Tuesday that the United States supports the November 29 presidential election in Honduras as an "essential part" of a solution to that country's political crisis. But U.S. officials are still pushing for implementation of a deal between the interim government in Tegucigalpa and deposed President Manuel Zelaya.

Yushchenko seeks transit fee hikes on Russian natural gas RIA Novosti 24 Nov 2009 -- Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko said on Tuesday the transit fee for Russian natural gas must be increased much more than the earlier reached accords.

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