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Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 30 Mar 2010 [PDF]
• US Focuses on Coalition-Building in Iraq VOA 30 Mar 2010 -- Three weeks after Iraq's national elections, U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Chris Hill says onlookers are closely following the ways political blocs could merge and regroup in an effort to gain enough power to build a coalition government.
• Six Million Miles in Iraq And Home Again Army News 30 Mar 2010 -- The Soldiers of the 180th Transportation Battalion returned home to their families in a redeployment ceremony at the Kieschnick physical fitness center Mar. 29. The Kings of the Road, as the unit is known, supported Operation Iraqi Freedom in both Kuwait and Iraq.
• Pentagon: Operations Underway Against Taliban in Kandahar VOA 30 Mar 2010 -- The U.S. Defense Department says efforts to seize control of the Taliban stronghold of Kandahar are well underway in advance of what is expected to be a major military operation in June against militants in southern Afghanistan.
• Kandahar 'Shaping' Operations Under Way, Official Says AFPS 30 Mar 2010 -- U.S. and allied forces in Afghanistan are laying the groundwork for their much-anticipated efforts to combat extremists in Kandahar, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said in a Pentagon news conference today.
• Mullen Hears from Afghans, Marines AFPS 30 Mar 2010 -- The Marines who work at the governmental center here would feel right at home at an old cavalry post in the American West.
• EODMU 5 Sailors Deploy to Afghanistan Navy NewsStand 30 Mar 2010 -- Approximately 20 Sailors from Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Mobile Unit (EODMU) 5 departed Andersen Air Force Base air terminal on Guam March 30 to begin their deployment to Afghanistan in direct support of Commander, Joint Task Force Paladin.
• Anti-Taliban Offensive in Kandahar to Begin in June VOA 30 Mar 2010 -- U.S. officials say international forces in Afghanistan plan to launch an anti-Taliban offensive in southern Kandahar province in June.
• Combined Forces Kill, Detain Militants AFPS 30 Mar 2010 -- Afghan and international forces killed several militants and detained numerous suspected militants in recent operations in Afghanistan, military officials reported.
• AFGHANISTAN: Displacement fears ahead of Kandahar operation IRIN 30 Mar 2010 -- Mir Ahmad has decided to leave for Pakistan ahead of a much-heralded pro-government Afghan and foreign forces offensive against Taliban insurgents in the southern Afghan province of Kandahar.
• Human rights abuses exacerbating poverty in Afghanistan, UN report finds UN News Centre 30 Mar 2010 -- The United Nations human rights office is urging that Afghanistan’s poor be at the centre of decision-making processes that affect their lives, after a new report found that rights abuses are exacerbating poverty in the country.
• Interview: Was Obama's Kabul Visit 'Politically Necessary'? RFE/RL 30 Mar 2010 -- U.S. President Barack Obama's surprise trip to Afghanistan last weekend lasted just six hours. But the debate continues over why he went, what he said, and what effect it might have. RFE/RL correspondent Heather Maher asked Raymond DuBois, a senior U.S. military and defense adviser at Washington's Center for International and Strategic Studies and a former aide to then-Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld*, to weigh in.
• Kosovo Border and Boundary Police take lead on FYROM border Army News 30 Mar 2010 -- Multi-National Battle Group-East forces conducted their last scheduled joint patrol with the Kosovo Border and Boundary Police on the border with the Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia March 29.
• American servicemembers, helicopters deploy to Haiti AFNS 30 Mar 2010 -- Joint Task Force-Bravo officials deployed 40 servicemembers, four UH-60 Blackhawks and equipment March 21 and 22 in support of Joint Task Force-Haiti's airlift operations in Haiti.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Transcript: DOD News Briefing with Geoff Morrell from the Pentagon DoD 30 Mar 2010 -- Presenter: Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell
• DoD News: Force Structure Actions at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington Announced DoD 30 Mar 2010 -- The Department of the Army announced today the planned activation of the National Center for Telehealth and Technology at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
• DoD News: Senior Executive Service Appointments and Reassignments DoD 30 Mar 2010 -- Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates announced the following Department of Defense Senior Executive Service appointments and reassignments
• Army Guard Battles Soldier Suicides AFPS 30 Mar 2010 -- With 2010 suicide numbers slightly above last year’s and coming off the worst January on record, the Army National Guard is emphasizing resilience, transition programs and the importance of asking for help.
• Essex Completes Spring Patrol Navy NewsStand 30 Mar 2010 -- The forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) returned to its homeport of Sasebo, Japan, March 29 after completing its annual spring patrol.
• NAVFAC Completes ARRA-Funded Temporary Dining Facility at Naval Academy Navy NewsStand 30 Mar 2010 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Washington's Public Works Department at Annapolis completed a 36,000 square foot temporary dining facility in time for the midshipmen's return from spring break March 22.
• Airborne Command Control and Logistics Wing Holds Change of Command Navy NewsStand 30 Mar 2010 -- Airborne Command Control and Logistics Wing (ACCLOGWING) held a change of command ceremony aboard Naval Station Norfolk at the LP-34 aircraft maintenance hangar on March 26.
• Navy Logisticians Share Knowledge with Bosnia-Herzegovina Military Navy NewsStand 30 Mar 2010 -- Personnel from Fleet and Industrial Supply Center (FISC) Sigonella shared their knowledge of operational logistics with the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina (AFBiH) during a weeklong event March 8-12.
• Stennis Excels in Mass Casualty Drill Navy NewsStand 30 Mar 2010 -- USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) conducted a mass-casualty drill March 27 simulating an aircraft fire and subsequent missile detonation on the flight deck, spreading fires into the ship's hangar bay through an aircraft elevator.
• Emergency Procedures Manual Implemented at NHB Navy NewsStand 30 Mar 2010 -- Naval Hospital Bremerton (NHB) has implemented an Emergency Procedures Manual throughout the command that will provide staff members with easy-to-use directions and instructions that deal with a variety of potential concerns and issues.
• MUSE Team Provides Power to GTMO Navy NewsStand 30 Mar 2010 -- Mobile Utilities Support Equipment (MUSE) technicians of Port Hueneme, Calif., recently deployed to Naval Station Guantanamo Bay (GTMO) to augment MUSE equipment to the base power plant to meet the needs of Public Works while annual power generation maintenance is performed.
• Patriot Arrives in Lumut, Malaysia Navy NewsStand 30 Mar 2010 -- The mine countermeasures ship USS Patriot (MCM 7) arrived in Lumut, Malaysia, for a port visit March 30.
• Freedom Turns Over Project Handclasp Donation In Panama Navy NewsStand 30 Mar 2010 -- Sailors from the littoral combat ship (LCS) USS Freedom (LCS 1) turned over two pallets of materials donated by Project Handclasp to a local non-governmental organization while visiting Panama City, Panama, March 26.
• Freedom Concludes Final C4F Port Visit In Panama City Navy NewsStand 30 Mar 2010 -- USS Freedom (LCS 1) left Vasco Nunez de Balboa Naval Base in Panama City, Panama, March 29 after concluding the second and final theater security cooperation (TSC) port visit of its deployment to the U.S. 4th Fleet Area of Responsibility (AOR).
• Practiced, Poised, Prepared for Pacific Partnership 2010 Navy NewsStand 30 Mar 2010 -- A farewell ceremony was held for Naval Hospital Bremerton (NHB) staff members who are embarking on hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) in support of Pacific Partnership 2010.
• Dubuque Completes UNREP During COMPTUEX Navy NewsStand 30 Mar 2010 -- The Landing Platform Dock USS Dubuque (LPD 8) completed an underway replenishment (UNREP) March 26 during its Combined Unit Training Exercise (COMTUEX).
• Green Hornet to take Flight on Earth Day Navy NewsStand 30 Mar 2010 -- The Navy will demonstrate the 'Green Hornet,' an F/A-18 Super Hornet powered by a 50/50 biofuel blend, on Earth Day, April 22, at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., as part of its Energy Strategy.
• Kadena Airmen test readines during exercise AFNS 30 Mar 2010 -- Kadena Air Base Airmen processed cargo and personnel, donned gas masks, launched aircraft and searched for downed aircrew as part of a base exercise March 22 through 26 here.
• Elmendorf Airmen complete airdrop using 3-D weather technology AFNS 30 Mar 2010 -- Airmen from Elmendorf Air Force Base completed the first improved container delivery system drop using new 3-D weather technology March 19 over Tin City, Alaska.
• Rescue crews fly into hostile zones to save lives AFNS 30 Mar 2010 -- Men and women of the 41st Expeditionary Rescue Squadron here provide around-the-clock personnel recovery, commonly known as combat search and rescue, for American and coalition warfighters supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
• 404th AFSB 'hits the reset button' on Strykers Army News 30 Mar 2010 -- If a printer doesn't work or a scanner acts strangely, we hit the reset button in an effort to eliminate errors. Here at the 404th Army Field Support Brigade mechanics do a similar thing with Strykers. They reset them.
• New facility to help troops defeat IEDs unveiled USMC News 30 Mar 2010 -- BA state-of-the-art improvised explosive device training facility, that will help Marines identify and neutralize IEDs, was unveiled during a ribbon cutting ceremony at Camp Pendleton, March 25.
• New Reserve group stands up at Seymour Johnson AFNS 30 Mar 2010 -- To keep up with the increasing demand for F-15E Strike Eagle pilots and weapon systems officers, a new group is standing up here.
• Air Force scientists test, develop bio jet fuels AFNS 30 Mar 2010 -- While the world searches for more efficient ways to fuel automobiles and create usable energy, Air Force scientists are looking for cleaner, more efficient ways to fuel the military's aircraft.
• French warship to arrive in Russian port, participate in naval exercises RIA Novosti 30 Mar 2010 -- A French anti-aircraft frigate will arrive on Tuesday to the northern Russian port of Severomorsk to participate in joint naval exercises, a Russian Navy spokesman said.
• U.S. urges more discussions of Russian-French Mistral deal RIA Novosti 30 Mar 2010 -- A possible deal between Russia and France on the purchase of a Mistral-class amphibious assault ship should be thoroughly analyzed, a U.S. deputy secretary of state said.
• Russia, Greece to hold joint naval drills in 2010 RIA Novosti 30 Mar 2010 -- The Russian and Greek navies will conduct joint exercises in 2010 as part of a bilateral military cooperation action plan, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.
• Russian nuclear cruiser sails on mission in Indian Ocean RIA Novosti 30 Mar 2010 -- The Russian nuclear-powered cruiser Pyotr Veliky (Peter the Great) set sail from its base in Severomorsk on Tuesday on a tour-of-duty in the Indian Ocean, RIA Novosti reported from the board of the ship.
• India says US military aid to Pakistan is matter of concern IRNA 30 Mar 2010 -- India’s Air Chief Marshal P V Naik Tuesday said that the US military aid to Pakistan is a matter of concern for India which has been conveyed to the Obama administration.
• Israel sales contravened UK arms policy, say MPs IRNA 30 Mar 2010 -- A parliamentary report Tuesday called for a further review of arms exports after confirming that sales approved by the government were “almost certainly” by Israel in its slaughter of over 1,400 Palestinians in Gaza last year.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 30 Mar 2010
• Briefing by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 3/30/2010 The White House 30 Mar 2010

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for March 30, 2010
• FSTA makes good progress towards intro to service Thales 30 Mar 2010 -- As we move closer towards the introduction to service of the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) late next year, all major milestones for the development of the FSTA service by AirTanker Services (ATrS) have been met since the contract was signed two years ago. This important programme will provide the RAF with a safe, reliable and efficient air transport and air-to-air refuelling service over 24 years, using 14 new, specially converted A330-200 aircraft.
• Netherlands Navy orders fifth Integrated Mast Thales 30 Mar 2010 -- The Netherlands Defence Materiel Organization and Thales Nederland signed a contract for the delivery and installation of an Integrated Mast that is to be installed on the Joint Logistic Support Ship (JSS).
• BAE Systems Receives Contract Worth $28 Million to Produce Lightweight Helmets for the U.S. Marine Corps BAE Systems 30 Mar 2010 -- BAE Systems has been awarded a $28 million contract by the Defense Logistics Agency to manufacture 120,000 lightweight helmets (LWH) for the U.S. Marine Corps. The contract also includes an option for an additional 120,000 lightweight helmets.
• Raytheon Makes First Delivery of Encrypted Identification Technology to U.S. Air Force Raytheon 30 Mar 2010 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has delivered the first of the KIV-77 Mode 4/5 crypto applique computers to the U.S. Air Force more than 60 days ahead of contract schedule.

Other Conflicts

• Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 30 Mar 2010
• Noting progress, Ban encourages Cypriot leaders to continue efforts to end dispute UN News Centre 30 Mar 2010 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today welcomed the progress achieved by the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders in their United Nations-backed reunification talks and encouraged them to continue working towards a solution that takes into account the legitimate rights and concerns of both sides.
• Serbian Lawmakers Debate Srebrenica Apology RFE/RL 30 Mar 2010 -- Serbia today reopened one of the most painful chapters in its recent past when the parliament in Belgrade began debate on whether to apologize for the Srebrenica massacre.
• Cypriot leaders encouraged by progress in UN-brokered unity talks UN News Centre 30 Mar 2010 -- Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders today expressed their appreciation of United Nations efforts to reunite the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, saying important progress had been made in recent talks between the two sides.
• Georgia, former republics to discuss non-aggression pact RIA Novosti 30 Mar 2010 -- Non-aggression guarantees between Georgia and its former republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia will be discussed on Tuesday during the regular round of Geneva consultations on South Caucasus.
• BURUNDI: "Peace" villages come with a price IRIN 30 Mar 2010 -- When the first "peace village" was set up in Burundi in 2003, it was meant to foster healing and reconciliation among the country's three ethnic groups - Hutu, Tutsi and Twa - at the end of a prolonged civil war. Since then, 16 of these villages have been established across the country but some residents feel neglected and forgotten, enduring perennial water shortages and lack of land for cultivation.
• SRI LANKA: Housing tops returnees’ wish-list IRIN 30 Mar 2010 -- The latest UN figures show that 160,000 houses in northern Sri Lanka have to be repaired or rebuilt as the conflict-displaced return to their home areas.

News Reports

• In Wake Of Metro Bombings, Putin's War On Terror Is Under Fire RFE/RL 30 Mar 2010 -- FSB Director Aleksandr Bortnikov, Interior Minister Rashid Nurgaliyev, and Moscow police chief Vladimir Kolokoltsev -- should lose their jobs.
• Moscow Mourns 39 Victims Of Metro Blasts RFE/RL 30 Mar 2010 -- Moscow is observing an official day of mourning for the 39 people killed in the twin suicide bombings on the city's metro.
• Terrorists will be 'dragged out from the sewers' - Putin RIA Novosti 30 Mar 2010 -- Finding the organizers of the terrorist attacks in the Moscow metro is a matter of honor for the security agencies, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said during questions at a conference on transport security on Tuesday.
• Russia moves to toughen terrorism-related laws RIA Novosti 30 Mar 2010 -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev told top judicial officials on Monday that the country's laws concerning terrorism-related crimes should be reviewed.
• Medvedev Calls for New Anti-Terrorism Laws as Russia Mourns VOA 30 Mar 2010 -- Russian President Dmitri Medvedev is calling for new laws to combat terrorism, as Moscow holds a day of mourning for 39 people killed Monday in twin suicide bombings on Moscow's metro.
• Transit Systems Worldwide Boost Security After Moscow Bombings VOA 30 Mar 2010 -- In the wake of the Moscow bombings, some global security experts say this kind of violence cannot be permanently stopped. But governments can do more to prevent mass casualties. Our correspondent takes a look at the additional measures governments can take and what terrorists hope to achieve through violence.
• New York Mass Transit Boosts Security Following Moscow Attacks VOA 30 Mar 2010 -- The massive New York City public transit system has stepped up security measures after two suicide bombings in Moscow's underground train system killed at least 39 people. The police department says there has been no specific threat against the city's subway system, but additional security has been put in place as a precaution.
• Michigan Christian Militia Group Appears in Federal Court VOA 30 Mar 2010 -- A standoff between police officers and the Hutaree Christian militia group ended with the arrest of Joshua Matthew Stone Monday night. Stone is the ninth member of the Michigan-based militia group accused of plotting to kill law enforcement officers in an act of defiance against the US government.
• US Militia Arrests Spark Fears of Upsurge in Anti-Government Violence VOA 30 Mar 2010 -- U.S. prosecutors say nine members of a right-wing militia based in the Midwestern state of Michigan have been accused of conspiring to kill law enforcement officers to trigger a war against the U.S. government. The arrests come amid an upsurge in activity by anti-government extremists in the United States.
• Russia needs independent policy on North Korea - experts RIA Novosti 30 Mar 2010 -- North Korea is unlikely to give up its nuclear program and Russia has to take this fact into account to adjust its policy towards the reclusive Communist state, Russian experts said on Tuesday.
• Russia moves to enact Security Council sanctions against N Korea RIA Novosti 30 Mar 2010 -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has signed a decree on Russia implementing beefed-up UN Security Council sanctions against North Korea over a nuclear test last year.
• Obama, French President Sarkozy Reaffirm Ties, Unity on Iran VOA 30 Mar 2010 -- U.S. President Barack Obama says he and the French president have reaffirmed the ties between their countries, and said the two nations and their allies are united in their determination to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
• Obama, Sarkozy Commit to Strong Sanctions Against Iran VOA 30 Mar 2010 -- President Barack Obama and French President Nicolas Sarkozy have held wide-ranging talks at the White House on subjects including global economic recovery, efforts to impose tough international sanctions on Iran over its nuclear ambitions, and the situation in Afghanistan.
• G8 Foreign Ministers Back 'Strong Steps' on Iran VOA 30 Mar 2010 -- Foreign ministers of the leading industrial powers and Russia discussed nuclear non-proliferation and Iran Tuesday at a meeting near the Canadian capital, Ottawa. The ministers, preparing for the annual G8 summit in Canada in late June, are urging "strong steps" to curb Iran's nuclear program.
• IAEA boss opposes new sanctions against Iran IRNA 30 Mar 2010 -- The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency Yukiya Amano expressed his opposition to western plans for imposing new sanctions against Iran over its nuclear policy.
• Clinton: China To Play Role In Iran Sanctions Push RFE/RL 30 Mar 2010 -- Foreign ministers of the Group of Eight leading industrialized nations are meeting in Canada for talks focusing on Iran's nuclear program.
• France's Sarkozy and UN chief Ban Ki-moon discuss Iranian nuke issue RIA Novosti 30 Mar 2010 -- French President Nicolas Sarkozy and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon discussed the controversial Iranian nuclear program during talks in the UN headquarters, the United Nations press service said.
• G8 Foreign Ministers Back 'Strong Steps' on Iran VOA 30 Mar 2010 -- Foreign ministers of the leading industrial powers and Russia discussed nuclear non-proliferation and Iran Tuesday at a meeting near the Canadian capital, Ottawa. The ministers, preparing for the annual G8 summit in Canada in late June, are urging "strong steps" to curb Iran's nuclear program.
• China to Play Active Role in Iran Sanctions Debate VOA 30 Mar 2010 -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says China is growing more receptive to the idea of taking punitive action against Iran for its nuclear ambitions.
• IRAQ: Leading politician Allawi promises to help refugees, IDPs IRIN 30 Mar 2010 -- Ayad Allawi, leader of the secular Iraqiya alliance which narrowly won national elections on 7 March, has pledged to make the return of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) a top priority, but many political uncertainties lie ahead.
• UN chief accepts Pakistan’s request to delay release of report on Bhutto killing UN News Centre 30 Mar 2010 -- The presentation of the report of the independent United Nations probe looking into the facts and circumstances of the December 2007 assassination of former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto, which had been scheduled for today, has been delayed until 15 April at the request of the country’s President.
• UN Releases Report on Bhutto Assassination in Pakistan VOA 30 Mar 2010 -- A United Nations investigation into the 2007 assassination of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto is expected to fault the Pakistani government for failing to adequately protect her.
• Press Conference by Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator on Situation in Niger United Nations 30 Mar 2010
• Canada to build bases for space tourism rocket launches RIA Novosti 30 Mar 2010 -- Canadian Space Agency is planning to build two bases for launching rockets carrying space tourists, the Russian Space Agency Roscosmos said citing the information agency Canadian Press.
• UN Chief Looks To Improve Central Asian Cooperation RFE/RL 30 Mar 2010 -- Ban Ki-moon is heading to Central Asia this week for his first trip there as United Nations secretary-general.
• Many countries seeking Arctic access RIA Novosti 30 Mar 2010 -- Although Arctic issues and those of the Arctic Ocean have only been discussed by the few littoral nations until now, it appears that the region will soon be reorganized on a grand scale.
• UN seeks to mobilize Haitians to boost food security UN News Centre 30 Mar 2010 -- Haiti’s human capital will play a crucial role in the country’s recovery following January’s catastrophic earthquake through food-for-work projects to stimulate the agricultural sector, as part of a new plan unveiled by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today.
• GLOBAL: Recession boosts donor transparency IRIN 30 Mar 2010 -- The global financial crisis has catalysed increasing transparency and accountability regarding public finances, say aid experts, which has helped open up disclosures on aid-giving.
• GLOBAL: Fleeing disaster can be a good thing IRIN 30 Mar 2010 -- The hapless people flooding ports and airport terminals in developed countries are occasionally seen as "environmental migrants" or even "environmentally induced migrants", fleeing natural disasters in their part of the world.