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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 16 Dec 2009 [PDF]
• Iraqis Target Terrorists in Baghdad AFPS 16 Dec 2009 -- Iraqi security forces arrested 2 suspected terrorists during a combined security operation targeting the Kataib Hezbollah terrorist network in northeastern Baghdad.
• 'Juggernauts' train Iraqis to secure Iranian border Army News 16 Dec 2009 -- Iraq's first line of defense, its border police, have been training at the Al Sheeb Port of Entry.
• Multinational wing completes first mission into Iraq AFNS 16 Dec 2009 -- A recent flight into Iraq marks another unit milestone for the multinational Heavy Airlift Wing based at Pápa Air Base, Hungary.
• No radioactivity at Sha'ab school Army News 16 Dec 2009 -- The Iraqi Government and American Soldiers confirmed there is no radioactivity at the Aden School for Girls in Sha'ab, north of Baghdad, during a visit, Dec. 13.
• Forces in Afghanistan Detain Taliban Commanders AFPS 16 Dec 2009 -- Combined Afghan and international forces detained four Taliban commanders and other suspected militants in 3 operations in 2 Afghanistan provinces.
• Bombs in Afghanistan Kill 5 Policemen, 6 Troops VOA 16 Dec 2009 -- Officials in western Afghanistan say a roadside bomb has killed at least four Afghan policemen in the latest attack against the country's police force.
• Coalition set up hilltops bunkers at Pak-Afghan border IRNA 16 Dec 2009 -- Coalition forces in Afghanistan have set up new bunkers at the hilltops near the Torkham Pak-Afghan border ahead of the deploy of more 30,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan.
• NATO oil tankers torched, drivers kidnapped IRNA 16 Dec 2009 -- Suspected militants Tuesday torched two tankers, carrying oil for NATO troops in Afghanistan, in southwestern Pakistan.
• British Forces Transfer Air Control Authority of Afghanistan to Marines USMC News 16 Dec 2009 -- Brief ceremony where the control center turned off its radar for its first time in three years, signifying the complete transfer of authority to the Tactical Air Operations Center.
• Answering the Call: 1st Bn., 6th Marines Head to Afghanistan in Support of Troop Increase USMC News 16 Dec 2009 -- Marines and Sailors from 1/6th Marines departed for Afghanistan Dec. 16.
• Afghan War Effort Key Obama Foreign Policy Issue VOA 16 Dec 2009 -- In a major speech outlining his Afghan strategy in early December, President Barack Obama said he would send an additional 30,000 troops to that country.
• Partnership between air forces in the making AFNS 16 Dec 2009 -- Officials from the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing hosted Afghan National Army Air Corps officials Dec. 19 to explain how an American combat wing operates.
• Afghan Women's Police Training Center Opens AFPS 16 Dec 2009 -- The first exclusive Afghan National Police Women’s Police Corps Training Center was established in the heart of Jalalabad here Dec. 5.
• Logistics 'Bridge' Supports Afghan Conflict AFPS 16 Dec 2009 -- DoD moves troops and supplies into land-locked Afghanistan via an air-and-land logistics “bridge” that transits Central Asia.
• Lawmaker, Activists Decry US Troop Increase in Afghanistan VOA 16 Dec 2009 -- Members of the US Congress received a classified briefing on the war in Afghanistan from 2 Obama administration officials.
• NATO Chief Urges Russia To Do More In Afghanistan RFE/RL 16 Dec 2009 -- NATO Secretary-General Fogh Rasmussen has called on Russia to cooperate more closely with the Western military alliance in Afghanistan.
• NATO seeks more Russian help in Afghanistan RIA Novosti 16 Dec 2009 -- NATO Secretary General Fogh Rasmussen: Western military bloc is seeking greater Russian assistance for international operations in Afghanistan.
• The Center for Army Lessons Learned publishes Agribusiness Development Teams Handbook Army News 16 Dec 2009 -- The Center for Army Lessons Learned (CALL) at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas has just released CALL publication 10-10, Agribusiness Development Teams (ADT) in Afghanistan Handbook.
• Official Urges More U.S.-Pakistan Military Contacts AFPS 16 Dec 2009 -- Though American and Pakistani soldiers are interacting at an unprecedented rate, that trend needs to gain momentum.
• Mullen Tours Reclaimed Pakistani Province AFPS 16 Dec 2009 -- The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff got a first-hand look at Taliban tactics during a tour of Pakistan’s Swat province today.
• Suicide bomb attack kills 22 in Pakistan: official IRNA 16 Dec 2009 -- At least 22 persons were killed in a suicide bomb attack on the house of a minister in Pakistan’s eastern Punjab province.
• Suicide blast kills dozens in Pakistani market RIA Novosti 16 Dec 2009 -- At least 33 people were killed on Tuesday in a suicide car bomb attack in the central Pakistani town of Dera Ghazi Khan.
• Pakistan Battles Militants, Political Scandal in 2009 VOA 16 Dec 2009 -- U.S. President Barack Obama has made Pakistan a key part of his new strategy in Afghanistan.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Jones: Pending Detainee Transfer Resolves Security Issue AFPS 16 Dec 2009 -- The planned transfer of fewer than 100 detainees to a little-used Illinois prison resolves “a national security issue of the highest order.”
• Transcript: DoD News Briefing with Geoff Morrell from the Pentagon DoD 16 Dec 2009 -- Presenter: Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell
• DoD News: DOD Releases 2010 Housing Rates DoD 16 Dec 2009-- The Department of Defense today released the 2010 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates. Military members will receive an average housing allowance increase of 2.5 percent when the new rates take effect, Jan. 1, 2010.
• Army robots to headline All-American Bowl celebration Army News 16 Dec 2009 -- US Army TARDEC will showcase some of the latest military robotics technology at the Army Strong Zone.
• HIMARS Shoots High For Award Army News 16 Dec 2009 -- Currently, about 250 HIMARS units have been produced for the Army and Marine Corps with eight battalions fielded.
• Armed Forces 'Strong, Healthy, Ready,' Survey Says AFPS 16 Dec 2009 -- Members of the armed forces are strong, healthy and ready to accomplish their mission, a survey of their health-related behaviors has revealed.
• Weather warriors endure 'turbulent climb' AFNS 16 Dec 2009 -- Airmen from Det. 1, 607th Weather Squadron participated in a tactical training scenario dubbed Operation Turbulent Climb here Dec. 5.
• USNS Grapple Civil Service Mariners, Navy Divers Contribute to Africa Partnership Station Mission Navy NewsStand 16 Dec 2009 -- Military Sealift Command rescue and USNS Grapple arrived in Mombasa, Kenya, Nov. 18.
• HSC 25 Welcomes Detachment 6 Back from Deployment Navy NewsStand 16 Dec 2009 -- Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25 welcomed home Detachment 6 from an eight-month deployment Dec. 9.
• AFRCC Airmen aid in Arizona search for 55 stranded people AFNS 16 Dec 2009 -- Airmen at the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center aided local and state first responders while searching for several missing individuals stranded near Flagstaff, Arizona..
• US-S. Korea Joint Air Exercise KCNA 16 Dec 2009 -- US forces and the south Korean army kicked off exercise codenamed Ssangmae on Dec. 16.
• "Intrepid" U.S. team works hard on arms cuts with Russia RIA Novosti 16 Dec 2009 -- US State Department: The United States and Russia have made progress in their talks on strategic arms reductions.
• Russia says destroyed 9 ICBMs in 2009 under START 1 arms pact RIA Novosti 16 Dec 2009 -- Russia has destroyed nine intercontinental ballistic missiles this year under a Russian-U.S. strategic arms reduction treaty.
• Russia's Strategic Missile Force to mark 50th anniversary soon RIA Novosti 16 Dec 2009 -- The Russian Strategic Missile Force which became an independent on December 17, 1959 will soon mark its 50th anniversary.
• Russia completes trials of new surface-to-air missile RIA Novosti 16 Dec 2009 -- Russia has completed preliminary testing of a long-term interceptor missile for the advanced S-400 missile-defense system.
• PM Putin hopes for fewer contradictions between Russia and NATO RIA Novosti 16 Dec 2009 -- Russian PM Putin told NATO Secretary General Fogh Rasmussen he hoped there would be fewer contradictions between Russia and NATO in the future.
• NATO chief plays down differences with Russia at Lavrov meeting RIA Novosti 16 Dec 2009 -- NATO Secretary General Fogh Rasmussen brushed aside differences between the alliance and Russia saying they should not influence their common interests.
• Russia-NATO relations enter new stage - Medvedev RIA Novosti 16 Dec 2009 -- President Dmitry Medvedev said on Wednesday that Russia's relations with NATO are entering a new stage.
• Russian lower house to consider union state air defense accord RIA Novosti 16 Dec 2009 -- The State Duma, the lower house of Russia's parliament, will consider an agreement with Belarus on the establishment of a common air defense.
• Crew of plane carrying North Korean arms may face death sentence RIA Novosti 16 Dec 2009 -- The Kazakh and Belarusian crew of a plane caught transporting arms from North Korea may face the death penalty.
• Crew of arrested plane in Thailand say were unaware of arms cache RIA Novosti 16 Dec 2009 -- The Kazakh and Belarusian crew of a plane transporting N. Korean arms said they were unaware of nature of the cargo.
• Briefing by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 12/16/09 The White House 16 Dec 2009
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 16 Dec 2009

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for December 16, 2009
• General Dynamics Awarded $322 Million Contract by U.S. Army General Dynamics 16 Dec 2009 -- General Dynamics Information Technology, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), was selected as the prime contractor and awarded a $322 million contract by the U.S. Army for the initial outfitting and transition support of the newly renovated Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., and the newly constructed Fort Belvoir Community Hospital in Virginia.
• Lockheed Martin Achieves Critical Global Ballistic Missile Defense Milestones in 2009 Lockheed Martin 16 Dec 2009 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] missile defense systems achieved several key milestones in 2009, including five successful intercepts and numerous other major accomplishments, further solidifying Lockheed Martin as a world leader in air and missile defense.
• Oshkosh Defense Awarded $63 Million Delivery Order for PLS Trailers Oshkosh 16 Dec 2009 -- Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK), has received an order valued at more than $63 million from the U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command Life Cycle Management Command (TACOM LCMC) to supply more than 1,150 Palletized Load System (PLS) trailers. Production of these trailers is expected to be completed in June 2011. The order was issued under the U.S. Army’s Family of Heavy Tactical Vehicles (FHTV) contract.
• Northrop Grumman to Develop UK Cyber Security Test Range for Evaluation of Threats on Large Scale Networks Northrop Grumman 16 Dec 2009 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) is a principal member of the BT team selected by the UK Technology Strategy Board to develop a cyber test range for the research and testing of cyber security threats on large scale networks
• Raytheon ATFLIR Marks More Than 500,000 Flight Hours Raytheon 16 Dec 2009 -- Raytheon Company's (NYSE: RTN) Advanced Targeting Forward Looking Infrared pod, which provides pinpoint accuracy and real-time target assessment from long standoff ranges, has marked more than 500,000 hours of operational flight on the U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet.
• Boeing Team Demonstrates Multimodal Unmanned Systems Operations Boeing 16 Dec 2009 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced that it has completed a demonstration for the U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) at Fort Bragg, N.C., that integrated both air and ground unmanned systems to perform psychological operations (PSYOP) wartime missions for combatant commands.
• Northrop Grumman's Unmanned Fire Scout Completes Successful Maritime Sensors Demonstration Northrop Grumman 16 Dec 2009 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has successfully completed maritime sensor demonstrations using a company-owned MQ-8B Fire Scout tactical Vertical Unmanned Aircraft System (VUAS). Fire Scout was equipped with the Telephonics' radar and FLIR Electro Optical Infrared system, and highlighted the versatility of the unmanned helicopter's modular payload architecture and its flexibility in integrating off-the-shelf payloads.

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 Dec 2009
• Palestinian leader Abbas says peace deal possible in 6 months RIA Novosti 16 Dec 2009 -- Palestinian President Abbas: A peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians could be reached within 6 months, if Israel completely halted the construction of settlements.
• PLO Extends Term of President Abbas Indefinitely VOA 16 Dec 2009 -- The Palestine Liberation Organization has extended the term of President Mahmoud Abbas indefinitely.
• Palestinian Council Extends Term for President Abbas VOA 16 Dec 2009 -- The Palestine Liberation Organization central council agreed on the extension during a meeting in Ramallah.
• PLO extends Palestinian president's tenure RIA Novosti 16 Dec 2009 -- The Palestine Liberation Organization extended the tenure of Palestinian President Abbas until elections can be held.
• Security Council extends UN disengagement force on Israeli-Syrian front UN News Centre 16 Dec 2009 -- The Security Council renewed the 35-year-old UN mission observing the ceasefire between Israel and Syria on the Golan Heights for another 6 months.
• Somalia: UN envoy welcomes international gathering to help Government UN News Centre 16 Dec 2009 -- Top UN envoy to Somalia welcomed the announcement of a meeting of over 30 countries to examine what concrete measures can be made to support the beleaguered Somali Government.
• SUDAN: Referendum agreements signed but obstacles to peace lie ahead IRIN 16 Dec 2009 -- The latest agreements reached by Sudan’s former foes leave much work ahead to ensure their 2005 peace accord holds.
• DRC Army to End Military Operations Against Rebels VOA 16 Dec 2009 -- Alan Doss told the Security Council that the objectives of the mission have largely been completed, but he acknowledged the price had been high.
• DR Congo: UN forces, army adopt new directives with civilian protection at core UN News Centre 16 Dec 2009 -- UN peacekeepers in the DRC and the national army adopted new directives for operations against rebels with the protection of civilians as the core focus.
• Pacific island recognizes South Ossetia's independence RIA Novosti 16 Dec 2009 -- The tiny Pacific island of Nauru has recognized the independence of the former Georgian republic of South Ossetia.
• Security Council lengthens UN tribunals for war crimes in Balkans and Rwanda UN News Centre 16 Dec 2009 -- The Security Council extended the mandates of the United Nations tribunals set up to deal with the worst atrocities committed during the Balkan conflicts of the 1990s and the Rwandan genocide of 1994.

News Reports

• U.S. Wants Cooperation With Central Asia, But Also Progress On Rights, Democracy RFE/RL 16 Dec 2009 -- If there was ever any doubt, it has been made clear that the Obama administration views Central Asia as an important part of U.S. foreign policy.
• Human Rights Official Says Kenyans Want an Accountable Government VOA 16 Dec 2009 -- The deputy president of Kenya’s National Human Rights Commission says Kenyans want more checks and balances in their government.
• Burmese Democracy Leader Meets with Party Elders VOA 16 Dec 2009 -- Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi was allowed to meet with 3 high-ranking elderly members of her political party outside her home.
• India's Plan to Create New Southern State VOA 16 Dec 2009 -- India's plan to carve out a new state from southern Andhra Pradesh has triggered a political furor.
• Nigerian Attorney Says Lawsuit Will Avert a Constitutional Crisis VOA 16 Dec 2009 -- A human rights lawyer said he wants to avert a constitutional crisis after filing a lawsuit against the government.
• Nigerian Authorities Say Ailing Leader Still in Charge VOA 16 Dec 2009 -- Ailing Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua will not be returning to the country any time soon, say authorities.
• Lawyer Sues Nigerian Gov't Over President's Absence VOA 16 Dec 2009 -- A prominent Nigerian lawyer has launched legal action to try to force President Umaru Yar'Adua to cede power to his deputy while he remains hospitalized in Saudi Arabia.
• Boeing 787 Dreamliner makes three-hour maiden flight RIA Novosti 16 Dec 2009 -- Boeing's new 787 Dreamliner landed in Seattle after making a successful maiden flight that lasted over 3 hours.
• Man Detained Near Hospital Room of Italian PM VOA 16 Dec 2009 -- Italian police have detained a man near the hospital room where Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is recovering from an attack that left him with a broken nose and two broken teeth.
• Police catch intruder trying to enter Berlusconi's hospital room RIA Novosti 16 Dec 2009 -- Milan police arrested an intruder early on Wednesday trying to enter the hospital room where Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is being treated after an attack.