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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• Combined U.S., IA patrol in Ur Army News 21 Dec 2009 -- Security technology is constantly improving and changing; satellites, infrared cameras and biometrics systems are at our fingertips. However, sometimes a good old-fashioned foot patrol is the best way to go.
• Securing rural area for upcoming elections Army News 21 Dec 2009 -- While upcoming elections, scheduled for next spring, give many Iraqis a sense of hope in their ability to improve their government and way of life, insurgents view elections as an opportunity to conduct attacks and impose their own agenda.
• Air Force officials stand up new squadron in Iraq AFNS 21 Dec 2009 -- Air Force officials held an assumption-of-command ceremony for the 532nd Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron Dec. 15 80 feet above the flightline standing upon a control tower platform at Al Asad Air Base.
• US troop withdrawal from Iraq won't stabilize country - Primakov RIA Novosti 21 Dec 2009 -- The withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, expected in about a year's time, will hardly stabilize the situation in the country, a former Russian prime minister said Monday.
• N. Iraq Suicide Bombing Kills District Council Chief VOA 21 Dec 2009 -- Police say the attacker targeted the local politician's car Monday in the city of Tal Afar. One of the politician's bodyguards also was killed.
• Afghan Forces Kill Taliban Militants Who Seized Building in East VOA 21 Dec 2009 -- Afghan officials say security forces have killed two heavily-armed Taliban militants who seized a building in an eastern provincial capital.
• Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff visits Afghanistan AFNS 21 Dec 2009 -- The United States' most senior military officer visited Airmen and other coalition forces here to learn more about counterinsurgency efforts in Dec. 16 Afghanistan's Kapisa province.
• British military policeman killed in Afghanistan IRNA 21 Dec 2009 -- A British soldier from the Royal Military Police has been killed in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced Monday.
• Proposed Afghan Cabinet Stocked With Familiar Faces RFE/RL 21 Dec 2009 -- he is a successful Western-trained technocrat who formerly worked as the head of Afghanistan's Central Bank and as finance minister.
• Insecurity and corruption hinder UN assistance in Afghanistan: UN official UN News Centre 21 Dec 2009 -- The United Nations warned today that insecurity and corruption continue to disrupt humanitarian efforts to the most vulnerable groups in Afghanistan, hindering delivery of food and other forms of aid this winter.
• Guard Responds to Record Northeast Snowfall AFPS 21 Dec 2009 -- National Guardsmen in seven states were called to duty over the weekend after a record snowfall blanketed the Northeast.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Pentagon Developing Options to Deal With Iranian Nuclear Program VOA 21 Dec 2009 -- The United States' top military officer says the Pentagon must be ready with military options against Iran's nuclear program in the event the president calls for them.
• F-22s complete first Middle East deployment AFNS 21 Dec 2009 -- Airmen completed the first deployment of F-22 Raptors to the Middle East in mid-December.
• Airmen create partnerships in multinational exercise AFNS 21 Dec 2009 -- More than 300 Airmen partnered with colleagues from five other countries for an exercise held in Southwest Asia that concluded in mid-December.
• AMC takes lead in task force aimed at Army Reset effort Army News 21 Dec 2009 -- How do you carefully and expertly repair and return the tools of war?
• 2/405th AFSBn takes the show on the road Army News 21 Dec 2009 -- The 2/405th Army Field Support Battalion is taking its show on the road, visiting various units throughout Germany to showcase the battalion's capabilities and services to units.
• Chief of Staff makes stop in Germany on round the world tour Army News 21 Dec 2009 -- Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr. braved snow and bone-chilling wind Dec. 21, to speak to the Soldiers of 1st Armored Division about their role in their upcoming deployment to Iraq and how the Afghanistan troop surge will affect it.
• Aviano Air Base hospital receives ENERGY STAR rating AFNS 21 Dec 2009 -- The Aviano Air Base hospital has received the Environmental Protection Agency's ENERGY STAR rating, the national symbol for superior energy efficiency and environmental protection.
• VFA 86 Changes Command Navy NewsStand 21 Dec 2009 -- Command of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 86 changed hands during a change of command ceremony aboard aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Dec. 18.
• VFA 97 Changes Command Navy NewsStand 21 Dec 2009 -- Command of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 97 changes hands in an airborne change of command above aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Dec. 17.
• Marine Corps Liaison Office Lends Helping Hand Navy NewsStand 21 Dec 2009 -- The Marine Corps Liaison Office (MCLO) has been a permanent part of the National Naval Medical Center (NNMC) for as long as anyone can remember, but most people do not know the full extent of their duties and responsibilities or their numerous contributions.
• American surgical team making a difference in southern Philippines AFNS 21 Dec 2009 -- Five Airmen are operating a fully-equipped trauma center, providing emergency care, basic medical care and educational services to hundreds of Filipino and U.S. troops on the southern island of Jolo, Philippines.
• Hurricane Hunters fly first winter storm AFNS 21 Dec 2009 -- Members of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron here have been tasked by National Weather Service officials to fly their first winter storm of the season on the East Coast starting Dec. 25.
• Altus Airmen boost Canadian forward air control training AFNS 21 Dec 2009 -- Airmen here provided a first-time service to Canadian forces personnel with ground support for forward air controller training at Ft. Sill Falcon Bombing Range, Okla., Nov. 24 through Dec. 8.
• Joint STARS engineers work sensor integration project AFNS 21 Dec 2009 -- Members of an Electronic Systems Center team here are using an aircraft identified for parts reclamation, or re-use, to reduce cost, save time and minimize risk during a process to integrate a sensor system on an E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System, or Joint STARS, aircraft.
• Conference addresses unmanned aircraft systems use for 1st Air Force mission AFNS 21 Dec 2009 -- Conference attendees addressed issues related to unmanned aircraft systems' access into the national airspace system Dec. 9 through 11 here.
• Mullen Updates, Changes Joint Guidance AFPS 21 Dec 2009 -- The Afghanistan-Pakistan strategy takes primacy in the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff’s guidance for 2010.
• Russia to start construction of 4th Borey-class sub in early 2010 RIA Novosti 21 Dec 2009 -- A Russian shipyard will start building a fourth Borey class (Project 955) strategic submarine in early 2010, the Navy's chief said on Monday.
• KPA Navy Sets up Firing Zone on MDL KCNA 21 Dec 2009 -- A spokesman for the Navy Command of the Korean People's Army Monday released a statement clarifying the stand of the Korean People's Army to defend by a physical force the extension of the Military Demarcation Line the DPRK set in the waters of the West Sea of Korea.
• North Korea sets up 'firing zone' on sea border RIA Novosti 21 Dec 2009 -- North Korea has set up a "peacetime firing zone" along its maritime border
• North Korea Threatens to Open Fire in Disputed Sea Area VOA 21 Dec 2009 -- Pyongyang's official Korean Central News Agency Monday said the move is a response to what the North calls "frequent intrusions by warmongers in the South Korean military."
• Russia, U.S. discuss START treaty in Copenhagen RIA Novosti 21 Dec 2009
• Russia, U.S. close to finalizing new nuclear arms reduction deal RIA Novosti 21 Dec 2009 -- Russia and the United States have finalized a new strategic arms reduction treaty, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Monday.
• Iran’s missile capability turns to deterrent power: Official IRNA 21 Dec 2009 -- An Iranian IRGC official said Monday Iran’s missile capabilities have turned to a great deterrent power.

Defense Industry

• New Munitions Plant Will Sustain British Army and North East Jobs BAE Systems 21 Dec 2009 -- A new £33m plant on the site of the old Dunlop factory in Washington will ensure even better supplies of ammunition to front-line troops while securing north east jobs.
• The users of the Navarra region migrate to the EADS Defence & Security TETRA radio network EADS 21 Dec 2009 -- One year after the selection of EADS Defence & Security (DS) by its Spanish partner Abertis to deploy, maintain and provide service for a TETRA radio network for the Navarra region, the user migration to the new EADS system has successfully been completed.
• Lockheed Martin’s Sniper ATP Continues Successful B-52 Integration Test Program Lockheed Martin 21 Dec 2009 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] recently completed Phase 2 of its Sniper® Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP) B-52 integration program at Barksdale Air Force Base, LA. Sniper pod integration on the B-52 will provide aircrews with critical long-range, positive target identification and video downlink capability to forward-deployed forces for non-traditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.
• Northrop Grumman Wins U.S. Navy Submarine Maintenance Contract Northrop Grumman 21 Dec 2009 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) subsidiary AMSEC LLC has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Navy for maintenance, repair and modernization of submarines home-ported or transient through Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
• New Raytheon AIM-9X Block II Missile Achieves Two-for-Two in Testing Raytheon 21 Dec 2009 -- A U.S. Air Force F-15C fired Raytheon Company's (NYSE: RTN) AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder advanced, infrared-guided air-to-air missile as part of the missile's developmental testing program.

Other Conflicts

• Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 21 Dec 2009
• Leaders quicken pace at UN-backed reunification talks for Cyprus UN News Centre 21 Dec 2009 -- The Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders are intensifying their United Nations-backed talks aimed at reunifying the Mediterranean island, scheduling two three-day series of discussions next month after a senior UN official said they had made good progress over the past year.
• Darfur peace process has reached ‘critical’ juncture, Ban says UN News Centre 21 Dec 2009 -- The peace process in the war-wracked Darfur region of Sudan has reached a “critical point,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today, calling on both the Government and rebel groups to accelerate efforts to reach a compromise.
• Security Council urges security sector reform ahead of Central African polls UN News Centre 21 Dec 2009 -- The Security Council today called on the Government of the Central African Republic (CAR) to ensure a speedy and inclusive political dialogue and swift security sector reform as the conflict-plagued country prepares for elections in 2010, urging the world community to provide necessary support.
• UN probing allegations of sexual abuse and exploitation in Côte d’Ivoire UN News Centre 21 Dec 2009 -- The United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) has announced that it is taking all possible measures to investigate allegations that have emerged of sexual abuse and exploitation among its military personnel, some dating back to 2006 and potentially involving minors.
• DRC: LRA Christmas plans cause panic in northeast IRIN 21 Dec 2009 -- Some residents in the Niangara region of Haut-Uélé District, in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), have started to flee their homes after recent Ugandan rebel Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) threats.
• SOMALIA: IDPs targeted over violence in Galkayo IRIN 21 Dec 2009 -- Hundreds of internally displaced people (IDPs) in north Galkayo, in the self-declared autonomous region of Puntland, are on the run again after attacks by mobs targeting their businesses, homes and shelters, locals say.
• Russia urges Israelis, Palestinians to give up unilateral actions RIA Novosti 21 Dec 2009 -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev urged on Monday Israelis and Palestinians to follow the roadmap of the Middle East peace settlement and give up unilateral actions.
• Palestinian ex-PM against immediate resumption of talks with Israel RIA Novosti 21 Dec 2009 -- Former Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei said on Monday it would be a blunder to resume negotiations with Israel on the Middle East settlement in the present context.
• Russia's Lavrov says Mideast talks need to be broadened RIA Novosti 21 Dec 2009 -- More countries need to contribute to international talks on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict for progress to be reached, Russia's foreign minister said on Monday.
• Middle East settlement needs "impossible" concessions - experts RIA Novosti 21 Dec 2009 -- The settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict currently requires both sides to make concessions, which are almost impossible in practice, a report prepared for an international Middle East conference in Jordan said.
• Ugandan rebels murder, rape, mutilate, displace thousands in DR Congo, Sudan – UN UN News Centre 21 Dec 2009 -- In a 10-month rampage of killings, rape and mutilation in neighbouring countries that may constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity, the rebel Ugandan Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), has killed some 1,300 civilians, abducted 1,400 more, including hundreds of children and women, and displaced nearly 300,000 others, the United Nations reported today.
• Nepal: violent clashes between police, Maoists spark UN concern UN News Centre 21 Dec 2009 -- The United Nations human rights office has called for restraint in the wake of clashes between police and protestors on the first day of nationwide strike called by Maoists.
• Yemen Rebels Accuse Saudi Forces of Killing 54 People VOA 21 Dec 2009 -- The rebels of the Shi'ite Zaidi sect say Saudi warplanes carried out the raids Sunday, destroying five houses in the town of Razeh in Saada province. They say women and children were among the dead.
• Maoist-led Protests Intensify in Nepal VOA 21 Dec 2009 -- The three-day general strike called by Maoists this week was not what most people in Nepal had expected to witness at the start of the year.

News Reports

• Arms-laden plane seized in Thailand 'was heading for Iran' RIA Novosti 21 Dec 2009 -- A cargo plane carrying weapons from North Korea that was seized in Thailand earlier this month was heading for Iran, the Wall Street Journal said on Monday.
• Iran powerfully thwarts hostile plots: President IRNA 21 Dec 2009 -- President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Monday that the great Iranian nation in recent months have powerfully thwarted the most complicated plots hatched by the enemies.
• Ex-Russian PM warns against attack on Iran's nuclear facilities RIA Novosti 21 Dec 2009 -- Any attack on Iran's nuclear facilities would have "horrible and unpredictable consequences," a former Russian prime minister said on Monday.
• Iran says ready to cooperate on nuclear disarmament RIA Novosti 21 Dec 2009 -- Tehran is ready to cooperate with the international community on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament issues, the IRNA news agency has said citing the country's chief nuclear negotiator.
• Iran's top nuclear negotiator visits Japan RIA Novosti 21 Dec 2009 -- The head of Iran's Security Council has arrived in Japan for talks on issues including the controversial Iranian nuclear program.
• Body of Ayatollah Montazeri buried in Qom IRNA 21 Dec 2009 -- Body of the late Ayatollah Hossein-Ali Montazeri was buried here Sunday in a ceremony attended by members of his family and a group of mourning people.
• Iran’s Top Dissident Cleric Montazeri Laid To Rest Amid Protests RFE/RL 21 Dec 2009 -- Iran's top dissident cleric, Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri, was buried today in the shrine of Masoumeh, a revered Shi'ite figure, in the holy city of Qom.
• Iranian Opposition Attends Dissident Cleric's Funeral VOA 21 Dec 2009 -- Some in the funeral procession held aloft the green banners of the opposition movement, while others chanted anti-government slogans.
• Iraqi ambassador: There is no dispute between Iran, Iraq IRNA 21 Dec 2009 -- Iraq’s Ambassador to Tehran Mohammad Majid Al-Shaikh said on Monday that there is no dispute between Iran and Iraq.
• Soyuz spacecraft blasts off to space station RIA Novosti 21 Dec 2009 -- The Soyuz TMA-17 spacecraft which is to carry three astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) was launched in the early hours of Monday, a RIA Novosti correspondent reported.
• UN refugee agency deplores forced return of Uighur asylum-seekers from Cambodia UN News Centre 21 Dec 2009 -- The United Nations refugee agency has voiced deep distress at the forcible return of 20 ethnic Uighurs from China who had filed claims for asylum in Cambodia but whose cases had not yet been heard, saying it was part of a disturbing increase worldwide in such cases.
• Madagascar Political Crisis Deepens VOA 21 Dec 2009 -- The head of Madagascar's transitional authority, Andry Rajoelina, announced a decree Sunday naming retired army Colonel Albert Camille Vital as prime minister.
• China says no lack of transparency in new talks with Taiwan CNA 21 Dec 2009 -- China's Taiwan affairs chief dismissed allegations of a lack of transparency in the upcoming new round of trade negotiations with Taiwan, as China's top negotiator left Beijing for the island Monday.
• Talk of the Day - News digest of local media - Bracing for talks CNA 21 Dec 2009 -- Taiwan is braced for a new round of high-level talks with China, as Chen Yunlin, president of the Beijing-based Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits, is scheduled to arrive later Monday.
• Taiwan, China to press ahead with trade pact discussions CNA 21 Dec 2009 -- Taiwan and China will step up discussions on the signing of an economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA), a local official involved in the negotiations said Monday as the two countries prepared for formal talks on other economic issues set to begin Tuesday.