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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 23 Feb 2010 [PDF]
• Individual Augmentees Return to Naval Air Station Jacksonville Navy NewsStand 23 Feb 2010 -- Naval Air Station Jacksonville (NAS Jax) Feb. 18 after their seven-month individual augmentee deployments to Iraq.
• CROWS surge to Afghanistan along with troops Army News 23 Feb 2010 -- With the surge to Afghanistan now underway, thousands of XM-153 Common Remotely Operated Weapons Stations, known as CROWS, will soon be taking flight to strengthen U.S. Army forces in theater.
• Top UN envoy to Afghanistan calls for greater political effort to end conflict UN News Centre 23 Feb 2010 -- The outgoing United Nations envoy to Afghanistan today warned that – on its own – the massive United States-led military push in Taliban strongholds in southern Helmand province will not bring peace and stability to the country.
• U.S. death toll in Afghanistan reaches 1,000 troops RIA Novosti 23 Feb 2010 -- The number of U.S. service personnel killed in Afghanistan since military operations began in 2001 has reached 1,000, the icasualties.org web site reported on Tuesday.
• Forces in Afghanistan Capture Taliban Leader AFPS 23 Feb 2010 -- Afghan soldiers, assisted by coalition forces, captured a Taliban leader and known weapons facilitator in the Bala Balouk district of Afghanistan’s Farah province Feb. 21, military officials reported today.
• Officials Note Operation Moshtarak Progress AFPS 23 Feb 2010 -- Signs of steady progress in development and governance are evident in the central part of Afghanistan’s Helmand province, International Security Assistance Force Joint Command officials said today.
• US Commander Makes Televised Apology for Afghan Deaths in NATO Strike VOA 23 Feb 2010 -- The commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan has appeared on Afghan national television to apologize for last week's deadly NATO airstrike that officials say killed 21 people.
• NATO to Add to Police and Army Trainers in Afghanistan VOA 23 Feb 2010 -- NATO members and allies are meeting in the Belgium town of Mons to try to boost the number of police and army trainers in Afghanistan.
• UN urges Afghans to avoid civilian casualties IRNA 23 Feb 2010 -- A top United Nations official in Afghanistan has repeated the world body’s call for all parties to the conflict to avoid civilian casualties.
• Karzai's Takeover Of Afghan Election Watchdog Raises Concerns RFE/RL 23 Feb 2010 -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai has given himself control over the election fraud watchdog whose rulings during last year's presidential election affected his results more than any other candidate.
• Seabees Provide Electricity to Cap-Haitien Orphanage Navy NewsStand 23 Feb 2010 -- Navy Seabees assigned to Naval Special Warfare Group 2, Logistics and Support Unit brought much-needed lights and electricity to a new orphanage in the northern city of Cap-Haitien Feb. 19.
• Compassion Satisfaction Buffers Burn Out in Haiti Navy NewsStand 23 Feb 2010 -- Immediately upon arrival off Haiti Jan. 15, the medical team aboard USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) began around-the-clock surgical procedures and a host of other medical care for the victims of the earthquake that killed more than 230,000 people.
• Haiti tests UN peacekeeping’s speed and flexibility, says top official UN News Centre 23 Feb 2010 -- The response to the catastrophic earthquake which devastated Haiti last month has proven to be a test case for the ability of United Nations peacekeeping to respond with speed and flexibility, a senior United Nations official has said.
• Over 60,000 Haitians vaccinated as part of ongoing UN-backed campaign UN News Centre 23 Feb 2010 -- More than 60,000 people in earthquake-devastated Haiti have been vaccinated against diphtheria, tetanus and other diseases, but additional teams are urgently needed to wrap up this immunization campaign, the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) reported today.
• Sustainers improve morale and services for troops in Haiti Army News 23 Feb 2010 -- Servicemembers throughout Haiti have seen improved morale as a result of several quality of life improvements thanks to 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) Soldiers and the rest of the team within Joint Logistics Command - Haiti.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Lincoln Underway for INSURV Navy NewsStand 23 Feb 2010 -- USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) left its homeport of Everett, Wash., Feb. 23 in preparation for a material assessment conducted by the Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV).
• NAVFAC Awards Jebel Ali Service Contract Navy NewsStand 23 Feb 2010 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Europe Africa Southwest Asia (EURAFSWA) awarded a $1,051,718 Base Operations Support (BOS) contract for Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates on Feb. 9.
• NAVFAC Completes $33.5 Million in Camp Lemonnier Airfield Projects Navy NewsStand 23 Feb 2010 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Europe Africa Southwest Asia (EURAFSWA) marked the completion of the final airfield project at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Feb. 10.
• VAQ 136 Prowls at Cope North Navy NewsStand 23 Feb 2010 -- Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 136 from Naval Air Facility, Atsugi, Japan, participated in Exercise Cope North 10-1 Feb. 7-19 at Andersen Air Force Base on Guam.
• Lake Champlain Takes 2009 Battle "E" Navy NewsStand 23 Feb 2010 -- Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Lake Champlain (CG 57) was selected as the Carrier Strike Group 3 recipient of the Navy "E" Award for 2009 on Feb. 11.
• Navy Reaches out to Total Force Navy NewsStand 23 Feb 2010 -- Approximately 45,000 Navy personnel will be randomly selected to participate in an online survey designed to determine how professionally and personally rewarding the Navy workplace is.
• Patriot Departs Cambodia after Training with Royal Cambodian Navy Navy NewsStand 23 Feb 2010 -- Sailors from mine countermeasures ship USS Patriot (MCM 7) departed Cambodia Feb. 22 after a week of training with sailors from the Royal Cambodian Navy (RCN).
• USS Essex Arrives in Singapore Navy NewsStand 23 Feb 2010 -- Forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) arrived in Singapore for a scheduled port visit Feb. 22.
• NAVFAC Advances Navy Energy Efforts at European Installations Navy NewsStand 23 Feb 2010 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Europe Africa Southwest Asia (EURAFSWA) spearheaded several energy contracts that will help reduce energy consumption at Navy installations in Europe.
• Airmen rediscover RED HORSE legacy in Haiti AFNS 23 Feb 2010 -- Air Force engineers from the Kansas Air National Guard conducting a routine survey of the field adjacent to the airport in Port-au-Prince discovered a group of Airmen had been there before.
• Airman helps battle virus in Philippines AFNS 23 Feb 2010 -- An Airman and representatives from a local health department are on a crusade to combat the Dengue virus in villages here, as part of Operation Pacific Angel Feb. 15 through 22.
• Army missile range commander visits Holloman Airmen AFNS 23 Feb 2010 -- The commanding general of the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico visited here Feb. 12 to experience air-to-air fighter training and the remotely piloted aircraft training program firsthand.
• Soldiers, Families Top Army Priorities, Leaders Say AFPS 23 Feb 2010 -- Funding programs to support soldiers and their families is the Army’s top priority in the new fiscal year, the service’s secretary and chief of staff told a Senate panel today.
• Women to Serve on Subs, Gates Tells Congress AFPS 23 Feb 2010 -- The Navy plans to repeal its ban on women serving on submarines, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates has informed Congress.
• Air Force Seeks to Balance Current, Future Needs AFPS 23 Feb 2010 -- The Air Force’s budget request for fiscal 2011 provides the right balance between supporting the war efforts and other current-day commitments while posturing for future challenges, the top Air Force civilian and military leaders told Congress today.
• Army testing new airdrop system for Afghanistan Army News 23 Feb 2010 -- The supply requirement in Afghanistan will dramatically increase this year according to the Army's top logistician, and he said the Army is testing a new airdrop system to help meet the demand.
• DoD News: Senior Executive Service Appointment DoD 23 Feb 2010
• DoD News: Wounded Warrior Web Site Upgraded DoD 23 Feb 2010 -- The Department of Defense announced today that its National Resource Directory (NRD) Web site for wounded, ill and injured service members, veterans, their families and those who support them, recently received a comprehensive system upgrade to provide users with easier access.
• Sheppard instructors train Chilean air force maintainers AFNS 23 Feb 2010 -- Thirty-eight Chilean air force enlisted members visited Sheppard Air Force Base, to learn the finer points of maintenance on four specific aircraft systems at the 982nd Training Group January and February here.
• U.S., Philippine Troops Fight Insurgent Bomb Threat AFPS 23 Feb 2010 -- Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Joseph Stutzke looked over the rock quarry from a distance as three explosions boomed. Gathered around him was a team of Philippine army explosive ordnance disposal soldiers gleaming with pride from their work that briefly charred the clear afternoon sky.
• Gates Calls for Major Changes at NATO VOA 23 Feb 2010 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates called on the NATO alliance Tuesday to chart a clear path toward relevance and enhanced capability as it faces a different set of threats than it was founded to address more than 60 years ago. Gates wants a key NATO document being drafted this year to advance a transformation theme U.S. leaders have been pressing for a long time.
• Gates Voices Concern Over NATO Shortfalls AFPS 23 Feb 2010 -- After underfunding NATO for more than a decade, the Western security bloc now faces a budget crisis by an order of hundreds of millions of euros, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said today.
• Clinton Urges Closer Cooperation Between NATO And Russia RFE/RL 23 Feb 2010 -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said Russia and NATO should cooperate more closely to combat growing transnational threats like nuclear proliferation, terrorism, piracy, and cyber security.
• NATO not a threat to Russia — U.S. State Secretary Clinton RIA Novosti 23 Feb 2010 -- NATO's expansion does not threaten Russia, the U.S. state secretary said in a speech on the alliance's mission on Monday.
• NATO has not given up plans to accept Ukraine, Georgia — Rasmussen RIA Novosti 23 Feb 2010 -- NATO has not given up plans to accept Georgia and Ukraine but believes the countries should more actively conduct reforms to fall in line with the criteria required for membership, the alliance's secretary general said Monday.
• Taiwan still wants F-16 C/D fighter jets, submarines: premier CNA 23 Feb 2010 -- Premier Wu Den-yih said Tuesday that Taiwan will not forsake plans to purchase the more advanced F-16 C/D fighter jets as well as diesel-electric submarines from the United States, amid a U.S. government report which suggested the island's current fleet was too old and weak.
• Briefing by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 2/23/10 The White House 23 Feb 2010
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 23 Feb 2010

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for February 23, 2010
• BAE Systems Awarded $74 Million Contract to Buy Parts in Preparation for Bradley Reset BAE Systems 23 Feb 2010 -- BAE Systems was awarded a contract for $74 million by the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive Command, Life Cycle Management Command to purchase long-lead items in preparation for the reset of 101 Bradley Operation Desert Storm Situational Awareness (ODS SA) vehicles.
• BAE Systems Receives $90.6 Million Order for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Special Operations Vehicles BAE Systems 23 Feb 2010 -- BAE Systems has received a delivery order from the U.S. Marine Corps Systems Command worth up to $90.6 million to provide 58 U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles. The U.S. SOCOM vehicle is one of several MRAP variants based on the RG33 family of vehicles.
• Revolutionary CTAI Weapon System to start qualification BAE Systems 23 Feb 2010 -- A revolutionary new weapon system for the British and French armies has been given a major boost with the signing on the 8th of February of an £11m contract with the French and UK ministries of defence.
• Oshkosh Corporation Receives $640 Million Award to Supply 1,460 Additional M-ATVs Oshkosh 23 Feb 2010 -- Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK) announced today it has received an additional $640 million award from the U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command Life Cycle Management Command (TACOM LCMC) to deliver 1,460 MRAP All Terrain Vehicles (M-ATV). To date, Oshkosh has received awards valued at more than $4.74 billion for 8,079 M-ATVs, as well as spare parts kits and aftermarket in-theater support.
• SAIC Awarded $37 Million Task Order by Naval Surface Warfare Center - Crane Division SAIC 23 Feb 2010 -- Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) (NYSE: SAI) today announced it has been awarded a task order by the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) - Crane Division to provide technical and training support to the U.S. Navy Surface Warfare's Special Operating Forces (SOF), and other DoD Agencies. The follow-on task order has a two year base period of performance, three one-year options, and a total value of more than $37 million, if all options are exercised. Work will be performed at the NSWC in Crane, Ind., and at other customer locations as required. The task order was awarded under the U.S. Navy's SeaPort-e contract.

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 23 Feb 2010
• Arrests, Detentions, Death in Yemen's Southern Conflict VOA 23 Feb 2010 -- In southern Yemen, more than 80 suspected supporters of a growing separatist movement have been arrested, after reports of deadly ambushes, roadblocks and attacks on civilian targets.
• As Sudan, Darfur rebels sign ceasefire, Ban calls for definitive peace pact UN News Centre 23 Feb 2010 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called on all parties in the deadly conflict in Sudan’s Darfur region to agree on a definitive political settlement following the signing of a cessation of hostilities accord between the Government and a major rebel group.
• Timor-Leste has made ‘remarkable progress’ but faces daunting challenges – UN UN News Centre 23 Feb 2010 -- Timor-Leste has made “remarkable progress” since the violence that disrupted it in 2006, but the long-term goals of recovery and development may prove even more challenging, the top United Nations envoy to the small South-East Asian country said today.
• UN official voices hope for peaceful Sudanese polls UN News Centre 23 Feb 2010 -- Many challenges remain with just under 50 days left until the historic national polls in Sudan, but a United Nations official today expressed hope that the process will continue to be peaceful and reflect the will of the people of the vast African nation.
• Car bomb targets courthouse in Northern Ireland IRNA 23 Feb 2010 -- Republican dissidents opposed to the peace process were being blamed Tuesday for a car bomb attack outside a courthouse in Newry, the first attack of its kind in Northern Ireland in over a decade.
• YEMEN: Children hit hardest by northern conflict IRIN 23 Feb 2010 -- Hundreds of children have either been killed or used as child soldiers in fighting between Yemeni government forces and Houthi-led Shia rebels in the north of the country since August 2009, according to a new report by Seyaj Organization for Child Protection (SOCP), a local child rights NGO.
• UN agency approves $5 million internal loan to sustain Yemen aid effort UN News Centre 23 Feb 2010 -- The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has approved a nearly $5 million internal loan to bridge an acute funding gap so that it can continue providing life-saving assistance to hundreds of thousands of people uprooted by clashes between Government forces and rebels in northern Yemen.
• Darfur Truce Follows Chad-Sudan Rapprochement VOA 23 Feb 2010 -- The most powerful Darfur rebel group, the Justice and Equality Movement, is scheduled to sign a truce with Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir Tuesday in Doha, Qatar. The deal, negotiated in the Chadian capital N'Djamena, was spurred along by the recent pledge from Sudan and Chad to quit fueling the proxy war on their border.
• Fewer Casualties From Mines in Cambodia, but Reduced Funding Means Risk Remains VOA 23 Feb 2010 -- The number of Cambodian casualties from land mines and explosives left from decades of conflict has been steadily declining. But cuts in donor funding for demining could see this trend reversed.
• Regional Mediator Says Ivory Coast Vote in April or May VOA 23 Feb 2010 -- The regional mediator for Ivory Coast's political crisis says there will be presidential elections in less than three months.

News Reports

• Afghan Immigrant To U.S. Admits Plot To Blow Up New York Subway RFE/RL 23 Feb 2010 -- An Afghan immigrant has pleaded guilty to planning a suicide bomb attack on the New York City subway system in retaliation for the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan.
• Indonesian Hotel Bombings Trial Begins VOA 23 Feb 2010 -- An alleged Indonesian militant has gone on trial for his role in the suicide attacks on two Jakarta hotels that killed seven and injured more than 50 people.
• US Calls Iranian Nuclear Offer Unacceptable VOA 23 Feb 2010 -- The United States Tuesday said an Iranian offer to trade its low-enriched uranium for more highly-processed fuel for a research reactor is unacceptable. The State Department said U.S. diplomats are aggressively pursuing the idea of additional sanctions against Tehran because of its non-cooperation on the nuclear issue.
• Iranian Officials Capture Leader of Sunni Militant Jundallah Group VOA 23 Feb 2010 -- Iranian officials say they have arrested Abdolmalek Rigi, the leader of the Sunni militant group Jundallah, allegedly responsible for number of attacks in Iran.
• Iran Willing to Swap Nuclear Fuel Inside Iran VOA 23 Feb 2010 -- Iran says it is willing to swap its low-enriched uranium for more highly processed nuclear fuel, but the exchange must happen on Iranian territory.
• Iran rules out US, Russia, France advice to buy isotopes not produce IRNA 23 Feb 2010 -- Spokesman of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization Ali Shirzadian said on Tuesday that the US, France and Russia have acknowledged Iran’s demand for radio isotopes being produced by Tehran reactor and advised Iran to buy the medicines rather than produce.
• President: Iran calls for unconditional fuel swap for Tehran reactor IRNA 23 Feb 2010 -- President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Tuesday that Iran has offered unconditional fuel swap with the US, Russia and France for Tehran medical reactor.
• Iran’s new letter on TRR fuel provision delivered to Amano published IRNA 23 Feb 2010 -- Iran has presented a new letter to IAEA Secretary General Yukia Amano on provision of fuel for Tehran Research Reactor.
• Official: Rigi arrested following months of intelligence work IRNA 23 Feb 2010 -- Governor of Sistan-Baluchestan Province in southeast Iran said terrorist gang leader Abdolmalek Rigi was arrested during a daring operation by Iran’s Information Ministry.
• Terrorisit gang leader Abdolmalek Rigi arrested IRNA 23 Feb 2010 -- Furive terrorist gang leader Abdolmalek Rigi was arrested following an intensive and long term planning and operational field work early Tuesday morning.
• Iran Accuses West Of Supporting Detained Sunni Rebel Leader RFE/RL 23 Feb 2010 -- Iranian officials have accused Western countries of supporting the leader of the Jundallah Sunni Muslim rebel group, whose arrest was announced earlier today.
• Iran: Arrested Sunni Militant Leader Had Help From US VOA 23 Feb 2010 -- Iran says authorities have captured the head of a Sunni militant group in an operation outside the country, and it claims the leader had links to the United States.
• Niger Opposition Leader Says Ex-President Tandja Should Face Treason Charges VOA 23 Feb 2010 -- A leading member of Niger’s opposition coalition says the group will soon meet the new military junta after it Tuesday named Mahamadou Danda as Prime Minister in a transitional government.
• Ukraine's Tymoshenko calls on her coalition for unity RIA Novosti 23 Feb 2010 -- Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, who lost the presidential vote earlier this month, called on her coalition in parliament on Monday to stand united.
• BURUNDI: Drought leaves thousands needing food aid IRIN 23 Feb 2010 -- Failed rains in northern Burundi have left tens of thousands of people needing food aid and prompted many to seek work in neighbouring Rwanda to earn enough to feed their families.
• Detention Of Generals Accelerates Turkey's Political Showdown RFE/RL 23 Feb 2010 -- Turkey's Islamist-rooted ruling party has dramatically upped the stakes in its showdown with the secularist establishment by detaining more than 50 current and former military commanders.
• Top U.S. Official on Africa Calls for Nigerian Electoral Reforms Prior to 2011 Poll VOA 23 Feb 2010 -- The Obama administration’s top official on Africa testified Tuesday on U.S. relations with Nigeria, following a five-day visit to the West African country.
• Over 7 million people in Niger facing food insecurity owing to bad harvest, warns UN UN News Centre 23 Feb 2010 -- More than 7 million people in Niger, which last week saw its Government overthrown in a coup d’état, are facing food insecurity, the United Nations health agency warned today.
• Sarkozy Seeks Stronger French-African Ties VOA 23 Feb 2010 -- French President Nicolas Sarkozy heads Wednesday to Gabon and Rwanda in an effort to boost the French presence on the African continent and to seal renewed diplomatic ties with Kigali.