Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 04 Dec 2009 [PDF]
• Dec. 3 airpower summary AFNS 04 Dec 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 3 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.
• Iraqis Arrest 6 Terrorism Suspects AFPS 04 Dec 2009 -- Iraqi security forces arrested six terrorism suspects in recent days, military officials reported.
• 1st Bn, 353rd Inf Reg conducts assessment in Iraq Army News 04 Dec 2009 -- During a theater assessment reconnaissance to Iraq from Nov. 3-13, members of the 1st Battalion, 353rd Infantry Regiment, 162nd Infantry Brigade visited camps and forward operating bases in Kuwait and Baghdad.
• JBB makes way for two incoming medical units Army News 04 Dec 2009 -- Two transfer of authority ceremonies took place between the 8th and 51st Medical Logistics Companies, and the 64th and 248th Medical Detachment Companies, at Morale, Welfare and Recreation center east Nov. 27 at Joint Base Balad, Iraq
• Deputy commandant for aviation visits Marines in Iraq, discusses future USMC News 04 Dec 2009 -- There are many questions within the Marine Corps aviation community these days, including airframe transitions, future deployments and combat zone developments
• Charge Sheets Released for Three Accused Sailors Navy NewsStand 04 Dec 2009 -- In September 2009, evidence of possible detainee abuse came to light at a Forward Operating Base in Iraq.
• NATO, Afghan Troops Launch Major Offensive VOA 04 Dec 2009 -- The U.S. military says more than 1,000 NATO troops, mostly from the United States, have launched a new offensive against a key Taliban stronghold in southern Afghanistan.
• Nimitz Resumes Combat Operations Over Afghanistan Navy NewsStand 04 Dec 2009 -- USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 returned to the North Arabian Sea today, to resume combat missions supporting Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) following a port visit in the Arabian Gulf.
• Fort Hood Unit Deploys to Afghanistan AFPS 04 Dec 2009 -- An Army Reserve unit that had soldiers both killed and wounded during the Nov. 5 shooting here deployed as scheduled to Afghanistan early this morning.
• Servicemembers, USACE civilians volunteer to help Afghan refugees Army News 04 Dec 2009 -- On the outskirts of Kabul at a refugee camp, U.S. Army Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Eric Albertson holds a plastic bag filled with toys and school supplies.
• Fort Bragg Soldiers prepare for deployment to Afghanistan Army News 04 Dec 2009 -- The 1st Squadron, 38th Cavalry Regiment, 525th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade finished a two-month, intensive training cycle with platoon-level situational training exercises which ran from Nov. 9 through 13 at Fort Bragg's Freedom City training range.
• 3rd Bn., 11th Marines returns from Afghanistan deployment USMC News 04 Dec 2009 -- ore than 120 Marines and sailors with Battery I, 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, returned to the Combat Center and their loved ones’ arms late Wednesday during a homecoming at Del Valle Field
• Corps of Engineers Preps for Afghan Surge While Looking Long-Term AFPS 04 Dec 2009 -- As 30,000 additional troops move into what admittedly will be “pretty austere conditions” in Afghanistan, the Army Corps of Engineers is working in partnership with unit-level engineers and contractors to provide basic creature comforts -- while focusing heavily on longer-term projects considered critical to their ultimate success there.
• Force Detains Militants, Targets Commander AFPS 04 Dec 2009 -- A combined force detained several suspected militants and members of the International Security Assistance Force targeted a Taliban commander in Afghanistan.
• Marines Start Operation in Helmand Province AFPS 04 Dec 2009 -- More than 1,000 International Security Assistance Force troops are partnering with Afghan forces to begin a large-scale operation in northern Helmand province.
• NATO, Afghan Troops Launch Major Offensive VOA 04 Dec 2009 -- US military: More than 1,000 NATO troops, mostly from the US, have launched a major offensive against a key Taliban stronghold in southern Afghanistan.
• Transportation officials confident in Afghan deployment AFNS 04 Dec 2009 -- US Transportation Command officials are confident they can accomplish the mission of delivering 30,000 U.S. troops and their equipment to Afghanistan when they are needed.
• Obama's Afghan Exit Strategy Raises Questions VOA 04 Dec 2009 -- President Obama's decision to send 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan, while at the same time announcing that the withdrawal of American soldiers will begin in mid-2011 raises questions.
• Obama Strategy to Focus on Local Afghan Leaders VOA 04 Dec 2009 -- President Obama's National Security Adviser: Revised strategy for Afghanistan will emphasize engagement with local leaders to ensure that security and good governance are delivered.
• Gates Outlines Afghanistan Strategy for Lawmakers AFPS 04 Dec 2009 -- Defense Secretary Gates discussed the president's revised strategy before the House Armed Services and Senate Foreign Relations committees.
• NATO Talks Leave Commander 'Extremely Confident' AFPS 04 Dec 2009 -- Some 43 nations today vowed their support to help win the war in Afghanistan, a move that encouraged NATO’s supreme allied commander in Europe.
• German MPs give nod to one-year extension of Afghan mission IRNA 04 Dec 2009 -- German lawmakers approved the one-year extension of the Afghan military mission amid growing popular opposition.
• NATO Says Allies, Partners Pledge 7,000 Extra Troops For Afghanistan RFE/RL 04 Dec 2009 -- NATO's Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said "at least 25" U.S. allies have by now pledged 7,000 extra troops for Afghanistan for 2010.
• US Allies Pledge 7,000 More Troops for Afghanistan VOA 04 Dec 2009 -- NATO countries and other contributors pledged to provide about 7,000 additional troops to supplement the new U.S. troop commitment to Afghanistan.
• NATO states pledge 37,000 more troops for Afghanistan: Rasmussen IRNA 04 Dec 2009 -- NATO countries have pledged to deploy at least 37,000 additional combat soldiers in Afghanistan next year.
• NATO members ready to send 7,000 troops to Afghanistan RIA Novosti 04 Dec 2009 -- NATO members are ready to send 7,000 additional troops to Afghanistan.
• Clinton appeals for international support in Afghanistan IRNA 04 Dec 2009 -- Secretary of State Clinton appealed for international support in the faltering Afghan war, pledging that the US would not repeat past mistakes.
• Reports Fuel Speculation Over Bin Laden's Location RFE/RL 04 Dec 2009 -- The mystery over Osama bin Laden's whereabouts has taken a new turn, with multiple reports claiming the leader is not hiding in Pakistan.
• Pakistani Offensive Pushes Extremists, Petraeus Says AFPS 04 Dec 2009 -- As the Pakistani military achieves success against extremists operating in Pakistan, the campaign also is aiding anti-insurgent efforts in Afghanistan.
• Gunmen Attack Rawalpindi Mosque in Pakistan VOA 04 Dec 2009 -- Police in Pakistan say gunmen attacked a mosque near the country's army headquarters, killing at least 35 people and wounding more than 40 others.
• At least 30 killed in Pakistani mosque suicide attack RIA Novosti 04 Dec 2009 -- At least 30 people have died in a shooting and suicide blast in a mosque in the north Pakistani city of Rawalpindi.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Poll Shows US Isolationist Sentiment Growing VOA 04 Dec 2009 -- A new opinion poll shows the American public growing more isolationist, less supportive of U.S. missions abroad.
• DoD News: DOD Task Force On Sexual Assault Submits Findings, Recommendations DoD 04 Dec 2009 -- The DoD Task Force on Sexual Assault in the Military Services recently submitted its congressionally-mandated report to the secretary of defense
• AFMC commander reports on state of command AFNS 04 Dec 2009 -- Shortly after I assumed command one year ago, we set out to define our fiscal 2009 priorities for the men and women of Air Force Materiel Command. Through our corporate process we instituted the five Air Force priorities. This past year we made significant progress, and I would like to quickly highlight some of your accomplishments.
• New York Army National Guard Soldiers Ready For Exercise With Japanese Counterparts Army News 04 Dec 2009 -- Approximately 120 New York Army National Guard Soldiers arrived here over the past four days for Yama Sakura 57, the bilateral command post training exercise with members of the Japan Ground Self Defense Forces.
• RDECOM welcomes new leader Army News 04 Dec 2009 -- The U.S. Army's premier science and technology unit welcomed a new leader Dec. 4. The new commanding general hopes to set the tone for the future of the Research, Development and Engineering Command
• DESC conducts fuel delivery exercise at Fort Polk Army News 04 Dec 2009 -- When a disaster occurs, one of the first items needed to ensure a rapid recovery is fuel. Whether it's law enforcement, rescuers or other emergency officials, without fuel to reach those who are in danger, the effect of a disaster is magnified.
• Fort Polk DES trains for quick reaction Army News 04 Dec 2009 -- The shootings at Fort Hood, Texas, Nov. 5, which left 13 Soldiers and civilians dead and dozens wounded, probably raised questions for many Soldiers and Families across the Army. Could the same violence occur at Fort Polk? Would the police and other emergency agencies react quickly enough to minimize the number of casualties?
• Force protection regulations set standards for contractor employees Army News 04 Dec 2009 -- Contract employees serve many roles on Army installations. You name it, they do it.
• Fort Bragg to build new schools Army News 04 Dec 2009 -- The fall of 2011 is going to bring good things for Fort Bragg schools
• Riggers: "Making the 'Airborne' airborne" Army News 04 Dec 2009 -- In preparation for an airborne exercise out of UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters at 1,000 feet above the ground, parachute riggers, distinguished by their red hats they wear, own the responsibility of inspecting, maintaining, and packing parachutes to deploy safely.
• SECARMY visits Fort Carson Army News 04 Dec 2009 -- As Secretary of the Army John McHugh settles into his new position, he made his first visit to Fort Carson Nov. 18 during a three-post installation tour.
• Fort Carson celebrates 10 years of privatized housing Army News 04 Dec 2009 -- Fort Carson, Family housing and community leaders gathered on the Mountain Post Nov. 17 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of privatized housing
• Counter-attack system brings Soldiers, Sailors together Army News 04 Dec 2009 -- The counter - rocket, artillery and mortar system brings Navy and Army personnel together, as they work to ensure the safety of the service members at Joint Base Balad, Iraq.
• Commandant of the Marine Corps awarded French Legion of Honour by French Army Chief of Staff USMC News 04 Dec 2009 -- Gen. James T. Conway, the 34th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, was awarded France’s National Order of the Legion of Honour during a military awards ceremony at the historic Les Invalides here Dec. 1
• USS Greeneville Holds Change of Command Ceremony Navy NewsStand 04 Dec 2009 -- The Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Greeneville (SSN 772) held a change of command ceremony at Naval Station Pearl Harbor Nov. 3.
• USS Columbia Departs for Western Pacific Deployment Navy NewsStand 04 Dec 2009 -- The Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS Columbia (SSN 771) departed Naval Station Pearl Harbor for a regularly-scheduled deployment to the western Pacific region Nov. 3.
• Columbus Receives 2008 Arleigh Burke Trophy Navy NewsStand 04 Dec 2009 -- The crew of USS Columbus (SSN 762) was presented the U.S. Pacific Fleet 2008 Arleigh Burke Award Nov. 17 in Pearl Harbor.
• Santa Fe Returns to Pearl Harbor Navy NewsStand 04 Dec 2009 -- Los Angeles-class fast attack nuclear powered submarine USS Santa Fe (SSN 763) returned to Naval Station Pearl Harbor Nov. 15 following a six-month deployment to the western Pacific region.
• Porter Holds Change of Command Navy NewsStand 04 Dec 2009 -- USS Porter (DDG 78) held a change of command ceremony aboard the guided-missile destroyer Dec. 2.
• Michigan's Gold Crew Holds Change of Command Ceremony Navy NewsStand 04 Dec 2009 -- The Gold Crew of USS Michigan (SSN 727) held a change of command ceremony at the Parche Sumbarine Memorial Park on board Naval Station Pearl Harbor Nov. 17.
• James E. Williams Commanding Officer, Command Master Chief Relieved Navy NewsStand 04 Dec 2009 -- The commanding officer of USS James E. Williams (DDG 95) was relieved of command Dec. 4 due to loss of confidence in the comanding officer's ability to command.
• Dover C-5Ms complete test in surge operations AFNS 04 Dec 2009 -- The C-5M Super Galaxy team has completed another stage of operational test and evaluation with the conclusion of surge operations at Dover AFB.
• Radar to be ready spring 2010 USMC News 04 Dec 2009 -- Station Logistics, Operations, Facilities and Japanese contractors have been working together at the northside digital airport surveillance radar site for the past 4 months.
• Station receives latest in flight training simulation technology USMC News 04 Dec 2009 -- Station received a new F/A-18D Tactical Operational Flight Trainer 37 built by L-3 Communications.
• U.S. And Russian START Talks Continue As Deadline Looms RFE/RL 04 Dec 2009 -- Russia and the United States are inching closer to a deal to replace a key Cold War-era arms control treaty that expires at midnight.
• Russia opposes monitoring of missile plants under new deal with U.S. RIA Novosti 04 Dec 2009 -- Russia insists that the monitoring of missile manufacturing facilities should not be included in a new arms deal.
• Russia, U.S. close to signing new arms control treaty RIA Novosti 04 Dec 2009 -- Russia and US wrapping up negotiations on a new nuclear arms reduction treaty to replace START 1.
• Russian, U.S. leaders commit to further arms control cooperation RIA Novosti 04 Dec 2009 -- Russian President Medvedev and US President Obama would continue arms reduction cooperation after the expiry of the START I treaty.
• Russian warship escorts first convoy on new anti-piracy mission RIA Novosti 04 Dec 2009 -- The Admiral Chabanenko destroyer from Russia's Northern Fleet has begun escorting commercial ships in the Gulf of Aden.
• Russia to move all arms depots from towns after fatal blasts RIA Novosti 04 Dec 2009 -- All military arms depots and other hazardous installations in Russia will be eventually removed from population centers.
• Russia to further cut Interior Ministry troops to 170,000 by 2020 RIA Novosti 04 Dec 2009 -- The numerical strength of Russia's Interior Ministry troops will be reduced by 14,000 to around 170,000 personnel by 2020.
• Vietnam could become key importer of Russian weaponry RIA Novosti 04 Dec 2009 -- Vietnam could become a key importer of Russian weaponry if several contracts on the are signed in the near future.
• NATO, Russia Paper Over Differences RFE/RL 04 Dec 2009 -- Meeting of the NATO-Russia Council, the first since Russia invaded Georgia in August 2008, marked an important psychological landmark.
• Russia hails military cooperation with NATO RIA Novosti 04 Dec 2009 -- Russia's foreign minister called on Friday military cooperation with NATO "mutually beneficial."
• Russia, NATO Holding First Formal Ministerial Meeting Since Georgia War RFE/RL 04 Dec 2009 -- Russian FM Lavrov expected to hold talks today with his counterparts from NATO at a session of the NATO-Russia Council.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 04 Dec 2009

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for December 04, 2009
• Boeing AH-64D Apache Block III Structures Test Aircraft Makes 1st Flight Boeing 04 Dec 2009 -- The Boeing [NYSE: BA] AH-64D Apache Block III program has completed the first flight of its structures test aircraft. The test, conducted Nov. 23 in Mesa, demonstrated flight characteristics and handling maneuvers. Tests to continue to expand the helicopter's flight envelope are expected to continue for the next several weeks.
• Unmanned flying machines are on the horizon Denel 04 Dec 2009 -- South Africa has what it takes to be a player in the fastest growing sector of the international aerospace industry, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). South Africa’s biggest supplier of UAV systems, Denel (the other being ATE) is respected for developing and producing some of the most rugged and reliable tactical UAV surveillance systems in the world.

Other Conflicts

• Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 04 Dec 2009
• GLOBAL: Money for mine action is hard to come by IRIN 04 Dec 2009 -- The annual UN Portfolio of Mine Action Projects is more than a brochure of funding needs; it is a near comprehensive directory for donors wishing to fund mine initiatives, and an unofficial barometer of health in the funding community - and 2010 is looking decidedly bearish.
• GLOBAL: Focus on victims at Mine Ban Treaty meeting IRIN 04 Dec 2009 -- Assistance for landmine victims, widely regarded as the weakest link in the 10-year-old Mine Ban Treaty (MBT), has taken centre stage at its second review conference in Cartagena, Colombia.
• Senior UN rights official exhorts nations to focus on landmine victims UN News Centre 04 Dec 2009 -- States must step up efforts to help landmine victims – including women, children and indigenous populations – in especially vulnerable situations, a senior United Nations human rights official has said.
• UN agency welcomes Sri Lanka’s decision to let people in camps move freely UN News Centre 04 Dec 2009 -- The United Nations refugee agency has welcomed Sri Lanka’s decision this week to allow greater freedom of movement for some 135,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) remaining in 20 closed camps in the country’s north following the recently-ended civil conflict.
• Larijani: Iran adamant to support Hamas, Hizbollah IRNA 04 Dec 2009 -- Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani said here Thursday that Iran supports Hamas and Hizbollah because they defend their land.
• Al-Shabab Denies Responsibility for Deadly Bombing VOA 04 Dec 2009 -- Militant Islamist group al-Shabab has denied responsibility for a deadly suicide blast that killed at least 22 people, including 3 government ministers.
• WHO says It Won't Stop Training Somali Doctors, Despite Suicide Blast VOA 04 Dec 2009 -- WHO played a major role in training the Somali medical students who were among those killed in bombing in Mogadishu.
• Three UN peacekeepers killed after attack in Sudan’s Darfur region UN News Centre 04 Dec 2009 -- Three Rwandan peacekeepers from the joint African Union-United Nations mission in Darfur (UNAMID) were killed and others wounded today in an attack by unidentified gunmen while collecting water in the north of the strife-torn Sudanese region.
• Darfur crimes continue and Sudan still not cooperating with ICC - Prosecutor UN News Centre 04 Dec 2009 -- Prosecutor for the International Criminal Court: Indiscriminate bombings, rape and other crimes are continuing in Darfur.
• NEPAL: Peace process deadlock undermining development IRIN 04 Dec 2009 -- A deadlock in Nepal’s peace process is threatening development and stability in the country, say aid workers and analysts.
• International Crisis Group Calls for the UN Police in East Timor to Step Back VOA 04 Dec 2009 -- The International Crisis Group issued a report calling for the UN police force in East Timor to "step back" and hand control over to the local government.

News Reports

• U.S. still looks for its missing citizen in Iran after 1,000 days RIA Novosti 04 Dec 2009 -- US ones again asks Iranian authorities to provide any possible information on an American citizen who went missing on March 9, 2007.
• Burmese High Court to Hear Aung San Suu Kyi's Appeal VOA 04 Dec 2009 -- Burma's Supreme Court has agreed to hear opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi's appeal against her conviction of violating the terms of her house arrest.
• Burkina Faso: Guinea Leader in 'Difficult' Condition VOA 04 Dec 2009 -- Guinea's military ruler, Captain Moussa Dadis Camara, is said to be in worse condition than initially reported, after being shot by troops loyal to one of his aides.
• Guinea's Military Leader Travels to Morocco After Shooting VOA 04 Dec 2009 -- Guinea's military ruler is in Morocco after being shot by troops loyal to his aide-de-camp.
• ElBaradei sets conditions for Egypt's presidential race RIA Novosti 04 Dec 2009 -- Mohammed ElBaradei, former IAEA head and Nobel Peace Prize winner, has set specific conditions for running for presidency in Egypt.
• Ivorian Mediators Push For Early 2010 Vote VOA 04 Dec 2009 -- Ivorian mediators meeting in Ouagadougou this week decided that the long-delayed presidential poll in Ivory Coast should take place at the end of February or early March of next year.
• Viktor Bout's defense set to lodge new bail appeal in Thai court RIA Novosti 04 Dec 2009 -- Defense lawyers representing alleged Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout are planning to submit another bail request to a Thai appeals court.
• Obama to Attend End of Copenhagen Summit VOA 04 Dec 2009 -- U.S. President Barack Obama has decided to attend the closing of the U.N. climate conference in Copenhagen, because of what the White House sees as progress toward a "meaningful" deal.