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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 16 Mar 2010 [PDF]
• Petraeus Cites Progress, But Says Difficult, Uncertain Year Ahead in Afghanistan, Iraq VOA 16 Mar 2010 -- The commander who oversees U.S. military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan has cited progress in both places, but also warned of uncertain times ahead. General David Petraeus appeared in Washington Tuesday before the U.S. Senate's Armed Services Committee.
• New ATC tower opens for business AFNS 16 Mar 2010 -- A newly-constructed air traffic control tower opened for operation March 12, here.
• Iraqis Arrest 9 Terrorism Suspects AFPS 16 Mar 2010 -- Iraqi security forces arrested nine terrorism suspects during two combined operations yesterday in northern Iraq.
• Medical evacuation conference set to enhance Afghan army capabilities AFNS 16 Mar 2010 -- Members of the Afghan National Army Air Corps met with their coalition partners during a medical evacuation conference March 6 here.
• Success in Afghanistan Achievable, Petraeus Says AFPS 16 Mar 2010 -- Though considerable challenges remain in Afghanistan, success there is achievable and important, the commander of U.S. Central Command said here today.
• Afghan reconciliation process must respect constitutional order, Ban says UN News Centre 16 Mar 2010 -- Cautioning against a militarization of the overall effort towards greater peace and democracy in Afghanistan, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says there is growing consensus for a political process to end the conflict, as well as for the establishment of a programme to reintegrate low- and mid-level insurgents who wish to give up fighting.
• Karzai, Obama Discuss Taliban Reconciliation VOA 16 Mar 2010 -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai and U.S. President Barack Obama have held a video conference where they discussed prospects of peace with the Taliban.
• NATO to Command US Troops in Afghanistan VOA 16 Mar 2010 -- A top U.S. military official says U.S. forces in Afghanistan are undergoing a major restructuring that will bring virtually all American troops under NATO command.
• Drug, Weapons Seizures Highlight Afghanistan Operations AFPS 16 Mar 2010 -- Drug and weapons seizures and the capture of a senior Taliban commander and other insurgents highlight recent operations in Afghanistan, military officials reported.
• AFGHANISTAN: Marjah residents take stock after offensive IRIN 16 Mar 2010 -- With the exception of small pockets of resistance, Taliban fighters have been driven out of Marjah town in Helmand Province, southern Afghanistan, but many local people are struggling to return to some kind of normality and are fearful of the future.
• Soldier dies in UK from Afghan wounds IRNA 16 Mar 2010 -- Britain’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced Tuesday the death of a UK soldier, who was wounded in Afghanistan last month.
• Drone Strike Kills 10 in Pakistan VOA 16 Mar 2010 -- Pakistani officials say a U.S. missile strike has killed at least 10 militants in a tribal region of northwest Pakistan.
• USNS Comfort Returns to Baltimore After Humanitarian Mission in Haiti Navy NewsStand 16 Mar 2010 -- The Navy hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) is expected to arrive at Canton Pier in Baltimore at 10 a.m. March 19, after completing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations off the coast of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, as part of the international mission, Operation Unified Response.
• U.S. Army South to assume responsibility as JTF-Haiti Headquarters Army News 16 Mar 2010 -- U.S. Army South continued to push Soldiers to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, during the past several days as its headquarters element deployed to provide support to the Joint Task Force-Haiti headquarters as part of Operation Unified Response.
• Congress hears Army won't field ineffective gear Army News 16 Mar 2010 -- There's still room for improvement with equipment that will be fielded to Soldiers as part of enhanced brigade combat team modernization, but equipment will not go to the field if it is ineffective.
• Several IMCOM-Europe transition centers go 'remote' to be more efficient Army News 16 Mar 2010 -- Soldier transition centers in Europe will change how they provide service to Soldiers as part of Installation Management Command-Europe's focus on finding more efficient ways to assist Soldiers and Families.
• Army celebrates delivery of 100th Lakota Army News 16 Mar 2010 -- The 100th delivery of the UH-72A Lakota light utility helicopter was celebrated at a rollout ceremony here at the American Eurocopter facility, March 11.
• Eighth (Field) Army general to retire after KR/FE 2010 Army News 16 Mar 2010 -- A former enlisted draftee who rose to the rank of major general will complete his service as an Eighth (Field) Army wartime general here during exercise Key Resolve/Foal Eagle 2010.
• Bagram VII helps prepare Polish, American Task Force for Afghanistan Army News 16 Mar 2010 -- The phrase "train as we fight" is applicable across the Army and around the world, and it was the standard during the recent training exercise March 4-10 at Bukowka Barracks here.
• Army to Deliver Stand-Off Explosives Inspection Systems Army News 16 Mar 2010 -- The U.S. Army is stepping up delivery of high-tech checkpoint detection systems in support of the Afghanistan surge as a way to better search at Forward Operating Bases (FOB) entry control points and other key locations for bomb-making materials, weapons, contraband and other kinds of threat-related activities, service officials said.
• First M-ATVs Save Lives in Afghanistan Army News 16 Mar 2010 -- All Terrain Vehicles (M-ATV) slated to go to Afghanistan are performing well in combat by driving off-road through rigorous terrain and protecting soldiers from roadside bomb attacks, Army and Pentagon officials said.
• Army Fast-Tracking Precision Mortar to Afghanistan Army News 16 Mar 2010 -- The U.S. Army is poised to deliver precision mortar rounds to soldiers in the mountains of Afghanistan by the end of this year as part of an accelerated effort to give commanders there an improved ability to destroy targets in the mountainous terrain, service officials said.
• Spartans conquer gunnery, prep to deploy Army News 16 Mar 2010 -- Within weeks of an approaching field training exercise in preparation for this year's upcoming deployment, troops assigned to the 4th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division conducted humvee training, here, at the Blackwell Multi-Use Range March 12.
• UN official calls for some G8 funds to be directed towards Haitian recovery UN News Centre 16 Mar 2010 -- The head of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) today called for some of the $20 billion pledged last year by the world’s biggest economies to help farmers in poor countries buffeted by the global recession to be directed towards Haiti as it recovers from January’s catastrophic earthquake.

Defense Policy / Programs

• DoD News: DOD Releases Annual Sexual Assault Response and Prevention Report DoD 16 Mar 2010-- The Department of Defense today released the fiscal 2009 Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military.
• Defense Department Notes Rise in Sexual Assault Reporting AFPS 16 Mar 2010 -- Reports of sexual assault involving servicemembers rose by 11 percent in fiscal 2009, a senior Defense Department official said yesterday.
• U.S. Cyber Command Preparations Under Way, General Says AFPS 16 Mar 2010 -- Preparations for the formal establishment of U.S. Cyber Command are under way, a senior military officer reported to Congress today.
• Centcom Looks Beyond Iraq, Afghanistan, Petraeus Says AFPS 16 Mar 2010 -- While the United States draws down in Iraq and builds up in Afghanistan, “we must not lose sight of our other challenges” in the Middle East, the commander of U.S. Central Command said here today.
• USNS Henson Participates in Oceanographic-Southern Partnership Station with Colombian Navy Navy NewsStand 16 Mar 2010 -- Military Sealift Command oceanographic survey ship USNS Henson (T-AGS 63) conducted bilateral exercises with the Colombian Navy as part of Oceanographic-Southern Partnership Station (O-SPS) 2010.
• Joint Exercise Provides Partner Nations with Valuable Maritime and Ground-based Skills Navy NewsStand 16 Mar 2010 -- Naval Small Craft Instruction and Technical Training School (NAVSCIATTS) and the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC) conducted a joint field training exercise March 1-5 at John C. Stennis Space Center, Miss.
• FST Conducts Surveys in Bangladesh Navy NewsStand 16 Mar 2010 -- The Navy's Fleet Survey Team (FST) is completing the final report of a survey it conducted earlier in March of the Karnaphuli River at Chittagong, Bangladesh, strengthening the relationship between the Bangladesh and U.S. navies.
• Navy Pilots Safe after Mid-air Collision Navy NewsStand 16 Mar 2010 -- Two single seat, F/A-18E Super Hornet aircraft, were involved in a mid-air collision at approximately 10 p.m. March 15 while on a routine training mission flying in the Fallon Range Training Complex. Neither pilot was injured.
• Unit's History USMC News 16 Mar 2010 -- The 25th Marine Regiment is a command that stretches across most of the Northeastern United States. Regimental headquarters is located in Worchester, Massachusetts, and its battalions are located throughout the region. First Battalion is headquartered at Camp Edwards, Massachusetts; Second Battalion is headquartered in Garden City, New York; and Third Battalion is headquartered in Brook Park, Ohio.
• VAQ-129 Graduates First CAT 1 Growler Students Navy NewsStand 16 Mar 2010 -- Another first in the EA-18G Growler's introduction to the fleet occurred as Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (VAQ) 129, the EA-18G Fleet Replacement Squadron, graduated the first class of aircrew that entered the squadron straight from flight school March 5.
• NAVICP Contract Expert Shares Knowledge with Czech Military Students Navy NewsStand 16 Mar 2010 -- The deputy director of Weapon Systems Contracts at the Naval Inventory Control Point (NAVICP), Mechanicsburg, Pa., met with 30 students from the Czech University of Defense.
• USS Harpers Ferry, Philippine Navy Participate in VBSS Exercise Navy NewsStand 16 Mar 2010 -- Sailors from the forward-deployed amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) participated in a visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) drill with a Philippine Navy Special Warfare Group (SWAG) aboard the BPR Dagupan City (LC 551) March 13.
• C-130E completes last combat mission AFNS 16 Mar 2010 -- After 47 years of service, a C-130E Hercules completed its last combat mission March 6 here.
• Air Force Uniform office plans for the future AFNS 16 Mar 2010 -- The Air Force Uniform Office here is developing a seven year strategic plan to provide the Air Force Uniform Board vital uniform technology information to assist in making decisions to pursue the board's priorities.
• New Protocol to Provide Early Brain Injury Detection AFPS 16 Mar 2010 -- The Defense Department is rolling out a new set of guidelines for the treatment of mild traumatic brain injury among servicemembers in combat areas.
• Russia floats out second Gepard class frigate for Vietnam RIA Novosti 16 Mar 2010 -- Shipbuilders in Russia's republic of Tatarstan floated out a second frigate for the Vietnamese Navy on Tuesday, a spokesman for the Zelenodolsk shipyard said.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 16 Mar 2010
• Briefing by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 3/16/10 The White House 16 Mar 2010

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for March 16, 2010
• Astrium awarded €1 million study to defend Europe’s satellite navigation systems EADS 16 Mar 2010 -- Astrium GmbH Services has won a €1 million contract with the European Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) Supervisory Authority to undertake a key study, which will define the measures needed to defend Europe’s satellite navigation systems and services against radio interference. PROTECTOR is a European Commission FP-7 programme.
• General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems Awarded $31 Million Navy F/A-18 Mission Computer Contract General Dynamics 16 Mar 2010 -- General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems has been awarded a $30.6 million contract for the production of 118 Type-3 advanced mission computers (AMC) for the F/A-18 Super Hornet aircrafts. General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems is a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD).
• Lockheed Martin Awarded Task Order for Continued Production of Symphony IED Jammer Systems Lockheed Martin 16 Mar 2010 -- The U.S. Navy awarded Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] a sole source indefinite-delivery-indefinite-quantity contract for Symphony Radio Controlled Improvised Explosive Device (RC-IED) Defeat jammer systems. With an initial task order valued at $40.8 million, the contract runs through September 2014 and has a ceiling value of $940 million.
• Northrop Grumman Delivers 500th Directional Infrared Countermeasures System Northrop Grumman 16 Mar 2010 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has announced the delivery of the 500th Directional Infrared Countermeasures (DIRCM) aircraft self-protection system to the U.S. Government.
• Lockheed Martin Opens Second Security Intelligence Center In Denver To Defend Against Cyber Attacks Lockheed Martin 16 Mar 2010 -- Strengthening its ability to identify and respond to cyber attacks on its networks, Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has officially opened the Corporation’s second Security Intelligence Center (SIC) in Denver. The first center was opened in Gaithersburg, Md. in May 2008.

Other Conflicts

• UN launches peacebuilding review group for quicker response in the field UN News Centre 16 Mar 2010 -- The United Nations is strengthening civilian peacekeeping with the creation of a Senior Advisory Group for the Review of International Civilian Capacities chaired by Jean-Marie Guéhenno, the former Under-Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations.
• Clinton Awaits Netanyahu Call, Downplays Talk of Crisis in Relationship VOA 16 Mar 2010 -- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says she does not see a major crisis in U.S.-Israeli relations despite a conflict over Israeli housing policy in East Jerusalem. U.S. officials say they expect Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to call Clinton to discuss the issue before she leaves on a trip to Russia late Wednesday.
• Israel Confident Diplomatic Crisis With US Will Blow Over VOA 16 Mar 2010 -- Israel's foreign minister says his country has no intention of halting the expansion of a settlement in East Jerusalem that is fueling what some officials say is the worst rift in relations with Washington in decades.
• Palestinian Unrest Erupts Amid U.S.-Israel Row RFE/RL 16 Mar 2010 -- Islam's third holiest site -- late on March 15 also inflamed tension, with the militant group Hamas declaring today a "day of rage" against the move.
• Clashes in Jerusalem leave scores injured RIA Novosti 16 Mar 2010 -- At least eight Israeli police officers and some 50 Palestinians were injured during clashes in East Jerusalem on Tuesday, a police spokesman said.
• After unrest in East Jerusalem, Ban calls for calm UN News Centre 16 Mar 2010 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today appealed for restraint from all sides after clashes erupted in East Jerusalem today, pledging to push for a resumption of direct talks between Israel and the Palestinians in a bid to find a solution to the long-running conflict.
• UN war crimes tribunal for former Yugoslavia needs more time, says Ban UN News Centre 16 Mar 2010 -- The United Nations war crimes tribunal set up in the wake of the Balkan conflicts in the 1990s will need more time to complete its work after originally being scheduled to wind down at the end of this year, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today.
• Expert panel for Sri Lanka will not infringe on sovereignty – Ban UN News Centre 16 Mar 2010 -- The panel of experts being set up by the United Nations as part of an accountability process following the end of the civil war in Sri Lanka will not infringe on the country’s sovereignty, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today.
• Cypriot leaders discuss European Union in latest round of UN-backed talks UN News Centre 16 Mar 2010 -- European Union (EU) issues were the focus today of the latest round in the United Nations-backed process of reunification talks between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders, one of the last meetings before an expected break for elections in the north.
• Congo Official Says FRF Rebel Group Blackmailing Government VOA 16 Mar 2010 -- The leader of the Federal Republican Forces (FRF) rebel group in the Democratic Republic of Congo says his group will continue its offensive against the national army after accusing the national army of attacking FRF positions.
• Gadhafi: Split Nigeria to End Violence VOA 16 Mar 2010 -- Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi has suggested that Nigeria be divided into separate Muslim and Christian states to prevent future sectarian violence.
• UN expert on genocide prevention travels to West Africa UN News Centre 16 Mar 2010 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Special Adviser on the prevention of genocide is travelling to West Africa to identify how national and sub-regional bodies can help prevent the scourge.

News Reports

• West’s efforts to persuade China to support Iran sanctions ineffective: Spokesman IRNA 16 Mar 2010 -- Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said here on Tuesday that western countries’ pressure on China to support new sanctions against Iran was ineffective.
• Moscow advised to seriously follow up commissioning Bushehr plant IRNA 16 Mar 2010 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mihman-Parast on Tuesday advised Moscow to seriously follow up commissioning Bushehr power plant on schedule.
• U.S. general doubts Iran's nuclear weapon development by yearend RIA Novosti 16 Mar 2010 -- The head of U.S. Central Command, which oversees wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, expressed confidence on Tuesday that Iran would not have a nuclear weapon by the end of this year.
• Opposition Leader: Iran 'Plagued by Despotism' VOA 16 Mar 2010 -- One of Iran's top opposition leaders has renewed his attacks on the government, saying the Islamic republic is, in his words, "plagued with despotism."
• Pak nuclear scientist rejects US media report IRNA 16 Mar 2010 -- Father of Pakistan nuclear program Dr. Abdul Qadir Khan here Monday strongly rejected US media report that said nuclear scientist had admitted that Pakistan gave Iran bomb-related drawings, in lieu of weapons.
• Eurozone Lays Basis For Financial Lifeline To Greece RFE/RL 16 Mar 2010 -- After many weeks of vague verbal pledges to stand by Greece in its financial crisis, finance ministers of the countries sharing the common euro currency have come up with a plan to prevent Athens from defaulting on its massive debt repayments.
• Former Sri Lanka Army Chief Appears Before Court Martial VOA 16 Mar 2010 -- Court martial proceedings have begun in the Sri Lankan capital against the former army chief who challenged the incumbent president in this year's election.
• Thai Demonstrators Hold 'Bloody' Protest VOA 16 Mar 2010 -- Protesters have poured blood at the Thai government's administrative building and governing party headquarters in a gesture calling for the government to resign.
• China says Missing Dissident Not Being Tortured VOA 16 Mar 2010 -- A leading Chinese official has publicly commented on the case of missing dissident Gao Zhisheng, who was sentenced on charges of subverting state power. But his answer raises more questions about the lawyer, who disappeared into police custody more than one year ago.
• Firing near India’s key ISRO facility IRNA 16 Mar 2010 -- Two persons moving around in a suspicious manner near a key Indian Space Research Organization facility on the outskirts of the Bangalore city fired at security personnel in the wee hours Tuesday after which the guards retaliated but the duo escaped.
• Kazakh Oil Company Director Fired Amid Massive Strike RFE/RL 16 Mar 2010 -- The director of the Ozenmunaygaz energy company was fired today amid a strike by thousands of oil workers in southwestern Kazakhstan, RFE/RL's Kazakh Service reports.