Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 22 Dec 2009 [PDF]
• Airpower Summary: December 18 AFNS 22 Dec 2009
• Airpower Summary: December 19 AFNS 22 Dec 2009
• Airpower Summary: December 20 AFNS 22 Dec 2009
• Airpower Summary: December 21 AFNS 22 Dec 2009
• Iraqi Forces Arrest Terrorism Suspects AFPS 22 Dec 2009 -- Iraq security forces, working with U.S. advisors, arrested 15 terrorism suspects, some of them cell leaders, in Iraq in recent days, military officials reported.
• 30th HBCT preparing to redeploy from Iraq Army News 22 Dec 2009 -- The excitement is building some 6,400 miles away from Iraq in the state of North Carolina.
• Defense Department Conference Call with Maj. Gen. Cucolo via Teleconference from Iraq on Multinational Division North General Order DoD 22 Dec 2009 -- Presenter: Commander, 3rd Infantry Division, Maj. Gen. Tony Cucolo
• General Cites Reasons for Pregnancy Provision in Iraq AFPS 22 Dec 2009 -- An Army general in Iraq is going beyond the typical protocol to ensure every able-bodied soldier in his unit stays fit to fight, even if it means punishing troops for engaging in sexual activities while deployed.
• DoD News: DOD Announces Afghanistan Force Deployment DoD 22 Dec 2009 -- The Department of Defense (DoD) today announced the deployment of approximately 6,000 additional forces to Afghanistan, part of the 30,000 troops authorized by President Barack Obama on Nov. 30.
• Pentagon Officials Identify Troops for Afghanistan AFPS 22 Dec 2009 -- Defense Department officials today identified 6,000 servicemembers to deploy in 2010 as part of President Barack Obama’s order to increase the U.S. footprint in Afghanistan.
• Additional Seabee Battalions Deploying to Afghanistan Navy NewsStand 22 Dec 2009 -- Two battalions of Navy Seabees will deploy to Afghanistan in coming months as part of the 30,000 additional U.S. forces deploying to the region.
• Forces Kill, Capture Militants in Afghanistan AFPS 22 Dec 2009 -- Combined international and Afghan forces conducted multiple operations in southern and eastern Afghanistan today, killing and capturing numerous insurgents, military officials reported.
• CNO Releases Podcast on AF-PAK Program, Ride 2 Recovery Navy NewsStand 22 Dec 2009 -- The chief of naval operations (CNO) recorded a podcast Dec. 22 to discuss the newly implemented Afghanistan/Pakistan Hands (AFPAK) program.
• Berlin says no decision yet on talks with moderate Taliban IRNA 22 Dec 2009 -- The German government will not make any decision on holding talks with moderate elements of the Taliban ahead of next month's Afghanistan conference in London, an official said on Tuesday.
• NATO: Afghan Mission to Focus on Protecting People, Roads, Development VOA 22 Dec 2009 -- At a joint news conference in Kabul with President Hamid Karzai, Secretary- General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said that in 2010 NATO will "focus much more" on protecting the population, roads and development projects. He said the NATO mission is entering a new phase with the addition of almost 40,000 additional troops. He said the mission will bring more security to the Afghan people and will turn over more and more responsibility to the Afghan government.
• People asked to cooperate with Pakistan Army IRNA 22 Dec 2009 -- Authorities in a Pakistani tribal region Monday issued written notices to general public to cooperate with security force during patrolling in area.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Wasp Returns Home Wrapping up Southern Partnership Station-Amphib 2009 Navy NewsStand 22 Dec 2009 -- The multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) and her crew of approximately 1,100 Sailors returned home Dec. 22 from nearly three months deployed to U.S. Southern Command area of focus, wrapping up Southern Partnership Station (SPS) -Amphib 2009.
• USS Reuben James Proves Combat Readiness Navy NewsStand 22 Dec 2009 -- USS Reuben James (FFG 57) completed its material inspection by the Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) Dec. 18.
• Lincoln Prepares for Underway with Training Drills Navy NewsStand 22 Dec 2009 -- USS Abraham Lincoln has began daily flying squad, general quarters (GQ) and integrated training team (ITT) drills Dec. 1, to prepare for its first underway after the planned incremental availability that began in April.
• Air Force facility energy program celebrates successes, plans for future AFNS 22 Dec 2009 -- Do motion detectors control the lights in your building? Does the air conditioner seem to work better these days?
• President Signs 2010 Defense Budget Into Law AFPS 22 Dec 2009 -- Defense officials are hailing passage of the fiscal 2010 budget that funds military programs and wartime operations in Afghanistan and Iraq and provides a military pay raise.
• New general order prohibits Spice, Salvia use for service members USMC News 22 Dec 2009 -- A new punitive general order concerning the use of uncontrolled or un-regulated psychotropic substances by service members has been disseminated by Commander Marine Corps Forces, Pacific and became effective on Dec. 1.
• New life saving course offers up-to-date, realistic training USMC News 22 Dec 2009 -- Sailors and Marines from 2nd Marine Logistics Group unveiled a new and improved way to teach combat life saving skills during the opening of their new Tactical Combat Casualty Care and Combat Life Saving Simulation Lab aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Dec 15, 2009.
• DoD News: Senior Executive Service Appointment DoD 22 Dec 2009 -- Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates announced the following Department of Defense Senior Executive Service appointment
• Thunderbolts receive wing modification AFNS 22 Dec 2009 -- The A-10 Thunderbolt II will continue flying close-ground-support missions for the next two decades because of a reinforcement process wing replacement specialists call "Hog Up."
• Moscow pins hopes on draft security pact RIA Novosti 22 Dec 2009 -- Russia expects its draft European security treaty will help promote the latest initiative, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday.
• Russia-U.S. strategic deal demands 'radical' arms cuts - Lavrov RIA Novosti 22 Dec 2009 -- The new Russian-U.S. strategic arms reduction treaty envisions "radical" cuts in the number of strategic offensive weapons, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday.
• Activists In St. Peterburg Say Men Being Forced Into Army RFE/RL 22 Dec 2009 -- Rights activists in St. Petersburg say there have been numerous rights violations during the Russian Army's recruitment process this year, RFE/RL's Russian Service reports.
• Russian warship escorts 8-vessel convoy off Somalia RIA Novosti 22 Dec 2009 -- A Russian warship is escorting a convoy of eight commercial ships through pirate-infested waters off the Horn of Africa, a Navy spokesman said on Tuesday.
• Russia could double number of bombers on strategic patrols - general RIA Novosti 22 Dec 2009 -- The number of strategic bombers performing routine patrols could be doubled if the Russian General Staff makes such a decision, the commander of Russia's strategic aviation said Tuesday.
• Russia to commission new stealth bomber in 2025-2030 RIA Novosti 22 Dec 2009 -- Russia’s new strategic bomber will use stealth technologies and is expected to enter service in 2025-2030, the commander of Russia’s strategic aviation said on Tuesday.
• Moscow could hold tender for helicopter carrier - source RIA Novosti 22 Dec 2009 -- Russia could soon call a tender to buy a Mistral-class helicopter carrier, a defense industry source said on Tuesday.
• Iran denies involvement in arms-laden plane incident RIA Novosti 22 Dec 2009 -- Tehran has denied accusations circulating in the Western media that a seized cargo plane loaded with weaponry from North Korea was heading for Iran, the country's official news agency IRNA reported on Tuesday.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 22 Dec 2009

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for December 22, 2009
• BAE SYSTEMS EQUIPS U.S. ARMY HELICOPTERS WITH INFRARED COUNTERMEASURES BAE Systems 22 Dec 2009 -- BAE Systems has successfully installed the Advanced Threat Infrared Countermeasures (ATIRCM) system on U.S. Army CH-47D Chinook aircraft. The ATIRCM system is a laser-based, directable countermeasures system that protects helicopters against attack by missiles.
• Second Boeing 787 Dreamliner Completes First Flight Boeing 22 Dec 2009 -- The second Boeing (NYSE: BA) 787 Dreamliner, ZA002, completed its first flight today. The all-new airplane, which features the livery of the Dreamliner's launch customer, ANA (All Nippon Airways) of Japan, took off from Paine Field in Everett, completed a two-hour flight and landed at Boeing Field in Seattle.
• BAE SYSTEMS RECEIVES FRENCH ORDER FOR BvS10 MK II ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE BAE Systems 22 Dec 2009 -- BAE Systems has been awarded a contract by the Direction générale de l'armement (DGA) - French Armament Procurement Agency - for 53 BvS10 MkII vehicles, a new and improved version of the all-terrain vehicle in service with the Dutch and British armed forces. With options, the total value of the contract could reach €220 million for 129 vehicles.
• Northrop Grumman-Led Joint Venture NSTec Awarded One-Year Contract Extension Through 2013 for Approximately $450 Million Northrop Grumman 22 Dec 2009 -- The U.S. Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Agency (NNSA) has awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation-led (NYSE:NOC) joint venture National Security Technologies, LLC (NSTec) a one-year, cost-reimbursement and operating type contract extension valued at approximately $450 million to manage and operate the Nevada Test Site (NTS) through 2013. Northrop Grumman earned the contract extension through its continued exceptional performance, which led to a customer performance assessment of "outstanding" for its performance at the site in 2009.
• United Kingdom Announces Approval Of Third F-35B Joint Strike Fighter Purchase Lockheed Martin 22 Dec 2009 -- The Joint Combat Aircraft (JCA) program has announced that the United Kingdom has received financial approval to purchase its third Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] F-35B Lightning II operational test aircraft, reinforcing the U.K.'s continued commitment to the Joint Strike Fighter program's upcoming Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E).
• Swiss Air Force receives 20th Eurocopter EC635 Helicopter EADS 22 Dec 2009 -- The Swiss federal procurement, technology and real estate competence centre, armasuisse, handed over the last of 20 EC635 helicopters to the Swiss Air Force. The delivery took place on December 17 at the Alpnach facility of RUAG Aerospace where the Eurocopter-licensed final assembly line for the Swiss EC635s is based. The Swiss Light Transport and Training Helicopter (LTSH) programme is thus completed on time and on quality.
• Oshkosh Corporation Surpasses 1,000 Vehicles A Month; Again Delivers Ahead of Schedule Oshkosh 22 Dec 2009 -- Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK) announced today that it has reached a milestone production rate for the MRAP All Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV) of 1,000 vehicles per month on December 18. The production for December is the sixth consecutive month Oshkosh exceeded delivery requirements. Since being awarded the contract on June 30, 2009, Oshkosh has been steadily ramping up production, and will continue at this rate of 1,000 vehicles per month through May 2010 to deliver the 6,619 vehicles currently under contract.
• Engine Competition Preserved for Joint Strike Fighter Program - $465 Million in Funding for GE/Roll-Royce Engine in Fiscal Year 2010 GE Aviation 22 Dec 2009 -- The annual jet engine competition for the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) has been preserved by the Defense Appropriations Bill submitted by the U.S. Congress, and signed by President Barack Obama. The Bill includes $465 million in fiscal year 2010 for the GE Rolls-Royce Fighter Team's F136 engine.
• Panhard, a leading partner of Hägglunds VHM Panhard 22 Dec 2009 -- BAE Systems has won a contract awarded by the Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA) for 53 BvS10 MkII vehicles, a new and improved version of the all-terrain vehicle already in service in the Dutch and British armed forces. With the conditional phases, this order could amount to 129 vehicles.
• U.S. Army fires TALON Laser-Guided Rocket Rounds from OH-58D Kiowa Warrior Raytheon 22 Dec 2009 -- The U.S. Army fired two TALON Laser-Guided Rocket guided test vehicle rounds during the Aviation Multi-Platform Munition Demonstration.

Other Conflicts

• Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 22 Dec 2009
• Russia keeps to its plan to hold Moscow Mideast conference RIA Novosti 22 Dec 2009 -- Russia has not given up the idea of holding a Middle East peace conference in Moscow and hopes that favorable conditions will aid in its convocation, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Saltanov said on Tuesday.
• EU allocates additional $10 million in aid to Palestinians RIA Novosti 22 Dec 2009 -- The European Union plans to boost humanitarian aid to the Palestinian territories by 7 million euros ($10 million), the European Commission's press service said on Tuesday.
• Russia condemns arms supplies to Middle East groups RIA Novosti 22 Dec 2009 -- Russia is opposed to a buildup of weapons in the Middle East, and especially supplies to militant armed groups, the president's envoy to the region said on Tuesday.
• Lavrov says Israel decision to limit construction not enough RIA Novosti 22 Dec 2009 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday the Israeli government's decision to limit some aspects of settlement construction was not enough.
• Israel and Hamas Move Toward Prisoner Swap VOA 22 Dec 2009 -- Negotiations on a prisoner exchange between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas have entered a crucial stage.
• Tehran denounces propaganda over Iran-Iraq border issue IRNA 22 Dec 2009 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mihman-Parast said on Tuesday that certain media were trying to influence the current friendly ties between Iran and Iraq.
• NIGERIA: Farmer-pastoralists’ clash leaves 32 dead IRIN 22 Dec 2009 -- A tense calm has been restored following clashes between pastoralists and farmers in central Nigeria’s Nasarawa State which left 32 people dead, scores of houses burned, and several farms destroyed, officials told IRIN.
• DRC: Lowering maternal mortality rates is a tough bet IRIN 22 Dec 2009 -- Years of conflict and instability mean the Democratic Republic of Congo is still among the worst countries in the world to be pregnant, despite a nationwide push to improve maternal, infant and childhood mortality rates.
• Al-Shabab Militants Divided over Tactics, Foreign Control VOA 22 Dec 2009 -- Reports say a dispute has been simmering for months between the Mogadishu-based ultra-hardline al-Shabab leader Ahmed Abdi Godane, also known as Abu Zubayr, and Muktar Robow Abu Mansour, a leader based in the Bay region, southwest of Mogadishu.
• Briefing by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 12/22/09 The White House 22 Dec 2009

News Reports

• Mourning service for Ayatollah Montazeri held in Qom IRNA 22 Dec 2009 -- A mourning service was held here Monday evening for deceased Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri in the presence of alims, scholars and ordinary people at the A’azam Mosque.
• White House Warns Iran to Meet Nuclear Deal Deadline VOA 22 Dec 2009 -- U.S. officials say time is running out for Iran to accept a deal designed to ease concern about its nuclear ambitions, and there are strong signs Tehran may let the end-of-year deadline slip by. The White House is warning of real consequences if Iran refuses to comply.
• Iran's President Derides Obama and US VOA 22 Dec 2009 -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad lashed out at the United States again in a speech Tuesday, the latest outburst in what analysts say is an attempt to regain his political stature in the wake of the popular protests that have challenged the government since the disputed presidential election. Mr. Ahmedinejad is resorting more frequently to foreign and domestic travels in what appears to be an attempt to seek relevance.
• US Cites 'Fissure' in Iranian Society VOA 22 Dec 2009 -- The U.S. State Department says the anti-government protests that accompanied the funeral of a dissident Iranian cleric Monday reflect a "fissure" in Iranian society that authorities in Tehran are finding increasingly hard to deal with. Both the White House and State Department expressed condolences to Iranians over the death of Ayatollah Hossein-Ali Montazeri.
• Iran Government Supporters Rally Against Opposition VOA 22 Dec 2009 -- Iranian state media report that a large group of people gathered in the city of Qom Tuesday to denounce opposition activists who demonstrated at the funeral of a dissident cleric.
• Mottaki: If westerners breach laws, Iran would begin 20% enrichment process IRNA 22 Dec 2009 -- IRI foreign minister said here Monday if westerners would fail in performing their legal obligations in fuel provision for Tehran reactor, Iran would begin its 20% uranium enrichment as last choice for the purpose.
• Iranian President Rejects U.S. Deadline On Uranium RFE/RL 22 Dec 2009 -- Iranian President MahmudAhmadinejad has rejected a U.S. year-end deadline for Tehran to accept a UN-drafted offer to exchange enriched uranium for nuclear fuel.
• Russia's Lavrov urges diplomatic solution to Iran nuclear issue RIA Novosti 22 Dec 2009 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday that the Iran nuclear issue should be resolved by diplomatic methods exclusively.
• Ahmadinejad Dismisses Year-End Deadline for Nuclear Deal VOA 22 Dec 2009 -- Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has dismissed a year-end deadline, set by the United States, requiring Tehran to accept a nuclear fuel deal to ease concerns about its nuclear ambitions.
• Pakistan Interior Minister summoned by another court IRNA 22 Dec 2009 -- Another anti-corruption court in Pakistan Monday summoned Interior Minister Rehman Malik over corruption charges after Supreme Court cancelled a controversial amnesty law and revived corruption charges, his lawyer said.
• Pak gov't facing political crises IRNA 22 Dec 2009 -- Supreme Court verdict quashing a controversial amnesty law known as National Reconciliation Ordinance has put Pak government in political crises.
• 3 killed as bomber targets press club in Pakistan: police IRNA 22 Dec 2009 -- A suicide bomber Tuesday blew himself up at the gate of the press club in the northwestern city of Peshawar in an apparent move to target journalists, police said.
• Suicide Bomber in Pakistan Kills 3 at Peshawar Press Club VOA 22 Dec 2009 -- Pakistani officials say a suicide bomber has blown himself up outside a press club in the northwestern city of Peshawar, killing three people.
• Former Kazakh Uranium Company Chief's Trial Starts RFE/RL 22 Dec 2009 -- The trial of Mukhtar Dzhakishev, the former head of Kazakh uranium producer KazAtomProm, began in Astana today, RFE/RL's Kazakh Service reports.
• Libyan freed after six years of detention in UK IRNA 22 Dec 2009 -- Cageprisoners human rights group has welcomed the freeing of a Libyan national detained under Britain’s terrorism laws for the past six years.
• Taiwan, China open new round of talks on economic issues CNA 22 Dec 2009 -- Taiwan and China's top negotiators formally opened their latest round of talks Tuesday following a surprise announcement a day earlier that a planned agreement on double taxation avoidance had been removed from the meeting's agenda.
• Taiwan, China seal three agreements on cross-strait cooperation CNA 22 Dec 2009 -- Taiwan and China formally signed three agreements Tuesday on fishing crew cooperation, agricultural quarantine inspection, and industrial product standards, inspection and certification, at a meeting of their top negotiators in Taichung City.
• Tax deal with China involves no sovereignty issue: premier CNA 22 Dec 2009 -- Premier Wu Den-yih on Tuesday dismissed speculations that the reason for the delay in signing a deal with China on avoidance of double taxation was due to issues involving the island's sovereignty.
• EU eyes "broad nuclear partnership agreement with Russia" IRNA 22 Dec 2009 -- The European Union is aiming for a "broad nuclear partnership agreement with Russia" in a bid to lower greenhouse-gas emissions, the European Commission announced in Brussels on Tuesday.
• INDONESIA: Tsunami rebuilding a "success" but challenges remain IRIN 22 Dec 2009 -- Five years after the tsunami struck Indonesia, reconstruction in the hardest-hit province of Aceh is being hailed as a success story, although officials say key challenges persist.
• Armenian Opposition Criticizes Council Of Europe's Parliament RFE/RL 22 Dec 2009 -- The opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK) says the Council of Europe has become less concerned with rights abuses in Armenia lately because of President Serzh Sarkisian's Western-backed policies on Turkey and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, RFE/RL's Armenian Service reports.
• Turkmenistan To Restore Gas Supplies To Russia RFE/RL 22 Dec 2009 -- Ashgabat and Moscow have agreed to renew Turkmen gas supplies to Russia by January 10.
• Forcible return of Uighurs from Cambodia sparks UN experts’ concern UN News Centre 22 Dec 2009 -- Two United Nations human rights experts have expressed their concern over the forcible return from Cambodia to China of 20 ethnic Uighur asylum-seekers who had fled violence in their home country.
• Serbia Applies for EU Membership VOA 22 Dec 2009 -- Serbia has become the latest country to apply for EU membership. The move marks a key step for the Balkans country to break from its wartime past.