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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 09 Apr 2010 [PDF]
• Airpower Summary: April 7 AFNS 09 Apr 2010
• Forces Continue Crackdown on Terrorists in Iraq AFPS 09 Apr 2010 -- Iraqi forces, with U.S. advisors, continued their assault on al-Qaida in Iraq this week, arresting one terrorism suspect near Baghdad and two others in Mosul, military officials reported.
• EOD Mobile Unit 12 Returns from Iraq Navy NewsStand 09 Apr 2010 -- More than 40 Sailors from Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 12 returned to Joint Expeditionary Base (JEB LC-FS) Little Creek-Fort Story April 8, after a six-month deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
• 2-15 FA Soldiers say farewell to Iraqi counterparts at JSS Shield Army News 09 Apr 2010 -- Soldiers with Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, said their final farewells to 2nd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 1st Iraqi Federal Police Division, at a farewell dinner at Joint Security Station Shield April 4.
• New bird takes flight CAB flies UH-60Ms for first time in Iraq Army News 09 Apr 2010 -- As Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, replaces 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, they bring with them a battalion with one of the Army's newest helicopters, the UH-60M Black Hawk. The CAB is the second active duty unit to receive the UH-60M and the first to use it in Iraq.
• CV-22 crash in Afghanistan kills 3 troops, civilian AFNS 09 Apr 2010 -- An Air Force CV-22 Osprey crashed in southern Afghanistan April 8, killing three servicemembers, one civilian employee and injuring numerous other servicemembers.
• Afghan, International Forces Kill Insurgents, Seize Caches AFPS 09 Apr 2010 -- Afghan and international forces killed several insurgents during a battle in Afghanistan’s Helmand province and confiscated drugs and weapons caches in operations there in recent days, military officials reported.
• General Provides Update on Afghan Police Training AFPS 09 Apr 2010 -- The importance of developing Afghan police forces is equal to that of raising a strong military there, a senior officer involved in that effort said yesterday.
• Pakistani forces kill 18 militants in NW IRNA 09 Apr 2010 -- Pakistani security forces have killed at least 18 suspected militants in several clashes in a tribal region where the army has launched major offensive, state television reported Friday.
• Suicide bomber blows himself up to avoid arrest IRNA 09 Apr 2010 -- A would-be suicide bomber blew himself up and another was shot dead by the police during a shootout in a remote village in northwest Pakistan on Friday, police said.
• Haiti: UN prepares to help relocate 7,500 quake survivors at risk from floods UN News Centre 09 Apr 2010 -- Relief organizations working with United Nations peacekeepers in Haiti are preparing to relocate some 7,500 earthquake survivors at risk of potential flooding in a camp above Port-au-Prince, the capital.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Defense Officials Clarify Nuclear Review AFPS 08 Apr 2010 -- The Nuclear Posture Review has laid out a roadmap for the United States to follow in future nuclear dealings, and it also has raised a lot of questions in the public forum.
• Airman gives new touch to war machine AFNS 09 Apr 2010 -- A mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicle towers near the height of an 18 wheeler. Weighing-in at more than 20 tons, MRAPs are designed to survive blasts from improvised explosive devices and small-arms fire.
• US Navy Divers Support Recovery of ROK Ship Navy NewsStand 09 Apr 2010 -- Sailors of Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 1, based out of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Mobile Unit (EODMU) 5 Platoon 501 based out of Sasebo, Japan, are diving in the Yellow Sea in support of the recovery and salvage of the Republic of Korea Ship (ROK) Cheonan.
• USS Tucson Departs for Western Pacific Deployment Navy NewsStand 09 Apr 2010 -- The Los Angeles-class submarine USS Tucson (SSN 770) departed Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam for a scheduled deployment to the western Pacific region April 8.
• Carney Conducts VBSS Training Navy NewsStand 09 Apr 2010 -- U.S. Navy and Coast Guard service members combined forces to conduct visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) training aboard the guided missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) April 1.
• NMCB 7 Best in the Atlantic Navy NewsStand 09 Apr 2010 -- Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 7 was recognized for outstanding achievements during Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 and awarded the Battle "E" as the top active duty battalion in the Atlantic Fleet Mar. 26.
• Presidential Award Recognizes Best Installations AFPS 09 Apr 2010 -- Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates today announced the winners of the 2010 Commander in Chief’s Annual Award for Installation Excellence.
• Pentagon Buys MRAPs with Improved Suspension Army News 09 Apr 2010 -- The Pentagon has ordered 1,358 new Category I Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles with newly built independent suspension systems designed to improve the blast-protected vehicles' off-road performance in Afghanistan.
• Corpus Christi Army Depot Repairs, Flies First F-Model Chinook Army News 09 Apr 2010 -- Corpus Christi Army Depot delivered its first CH-47F Chinook helicopter to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, Feb. 6, marking a turning point in the service history of the helicopter at the depot.
• Afghan conflict prompts change to combat simulator USMC News 09 Apr 2010 -- The most advanced combat simulator within the Department of Defense no longer resembles the streets of Iraq.
• MALS-12 Marauders: Overcome challenges, committed to support MAG’s mission USMC News 09 Apr 2010 -- Whether through their first in-brief or conversations with officers or noncommissioned officers, every service member aboard the station has at one time heard that supporting flight operations is the most important mission sailors and Marines have here.
• IEDs prove to be no match for station EOD USMC News 09 Apr 2010 -- Explosive Ordnance Disposal Marines began conducting a two-week block of instruction in advanced category A type devices at the EOD building here April 2.
• Sand Hill gets new BCT unit Army News 09 Apr 2010 -- A new unit has cranked up on Sand Hill and will spend the next year turning civilians into Soldiers as an additional basic combat training agent for the 192nd Infantry Brigade.
• Air Assault: National Guard effort prompts first Air Assault Course in eight years Army News 09 Apr 2010 -- The Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk, in conjunction with the Army National Guard, demonstrated commitment to the total Army doctrine March 15-26 as the Air Assault course reopened for a yearly class taught by a Mobile Training Team from The Army National Guard Warrior Training Center at Fort Benning, Ga. Air Assault training had not been conducted on the course since it closed in 2002.
• Tigers, Warriors train Soldiers at Fort Stewart Army News 09 Apr 2010 -- Soldiers from the 162nd Infantry Brigade (Tigers) and the 1st Battalion, 353rd Infantry Regiment (Warriors) conducted Security Force Assistance training for the 4th Brigade Combat Team of the 3rd Infantry Division March 21-25 at Fort Stewart, Ga.
• Fort Rucker Physical Fitness Facility renovations progress to next phase Army News 09 Apr 2010 -- Construction of the second phase of renovations at the Fort Rucker Physical Fitness Facility began April 5, another step of progress in the project to update the 34 year old building.
• Cooperation Helps Environment, Security AFPS 09 Apr 2010 -- The Environmental Protection Agency and the Defense Department are working together to protect the environment and bolster homeland security.
• Automation to Improve Post-9/11 GI Bill Processing AFPS 09 Apr 2010 -- With 153,000 veterans enrolled in the Post-9/11 GI Bill this semester, and new automation tools to arrive this month to improve processing procedures, Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki declared the program “on track” and headed toward greater efficiency.
• Gates to Foster Cooperation With Latin America AFPS 09 Apr 2010 -- Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates will focus next week on Latin America, signing a defense agreement with Brazil, then visiting Peru, Colombia and the Caribbean to reaffirm U.S. commitment to the region and promote closer defense cooperation.
• Commander, Marine Forces Command visits Republic of Georgia to see off the historic deployment of the 31st Light Infantry Battalion USMC News 09 Apr 2010 -- Lt. Gen. Richard F. Natonski, commander of Marine Forces Command, Brig. Gen. Paul W. Brier, commander of Marine Forces Europe and Marine Forces Africa, and senior leadership from Marine Corps Training and Advisory Group recently traveled here to participate in a farewell ceremony for the Republic of Georgia’s 31st Light Infantry Battalion which is deploying to Afghanistan to support Marine Expeditionary Brigade Afghanistan and International Security Assistance Forces.
• Russia has no plans to deploy weapons in space - top brass RIA Novosti 09 Apr 2010 -- The commander of Russia's space forces said on Friday Russia had no plans to deploy weapons of any kind in space.
• Russian Press Hails New Arms Treaty RFE/RL 09 Apr 2010 -- Russians woke up the morning after the signing of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty in Prague by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and U.S. President Barack Obama to local newspapers praising the treaty, viewing it as another step in the "reset" of relations with the United States.
• Russia can ensure nuclear deterrence 'even with 500 delivery vehicles' RIA Novosti 09 Apr 2010 -- Russia will be able to ensure nuclear deterrence even with 500 delivery vehicles, while the new Russian-U.S. arms pact limits the number of deployed vehicles to 700, a former military commander said on Friday.
• Russian bombers conduct another Pacific patrol mission RIA Novosti 09 Apr 2010 -- Two Russian Tu-95MS Bear strategic bombers have carried out a routine patrol flight over the Pacific Ocean, the Defense Ministry said on Friday.
• Russia sends additional missile cruiser to Indian Ocean RIA Novosti 09 Apr 2010 -- The Moskva missile cruiser will set sail on Friday on a long-range tour of duty, which will culminate with exercises in the Indian Ocean, a Navy official said.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 09 Apr 2010
• Press Gaggle by National Security Advisor General Jim Jones and NSC Chief of Staff Denis McDonough Aboard Air Force One The White House 09 Apr 2010

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for April 09, 2010
• U.S. Navy Declares Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System Ready for Production and Deployment BAE Systems 09 Apr 2010 -- The U.S. Navy has declared BAE Systems' Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System ready to enter production. The decision, known as "Milestone C," signifies that the APKWS development program has met its objectives and the system is ready to enter low-rate initial production.
• Second Airbus Military A400M completes maiden flight EADS 09 Apr 2010 -- Known as MSN2, the aircraft took off from Seville, Spain with a take-off weight off 128t at 15.15 local time (GMT +2) and landed back at Seville four hours and 50 minutes later.
• Lockheed Martin's F-35C Lightning II Carrier Variant Undergoes Drop Testing Lockheed Martin 09 Apr 2010 -- Lockheed Martin's F-35C Lightning II carrier variant ground-test article, CG-1, undergoes drop testing at Vought Aircraft in Dallas – one of 53 tests planned for CG-1 at Vought. On March 27,CG-1,was dropped 95 inches at 20 feet per second, with an 8.8-degree pitch, 2-degree roll, and 133-knot wheel speed, simulating a carrier-deck landing. During the testing, 500 sensors are monitored, with 2,500 points collected per second. The F-35C will be the Navy's first stealth fighter. In addition to ground testing, flight test continues, with more than 170 test flights logged. During the first quarter of 2010, the three F-35B test aircraft at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., outperformed flight test requirements, completing 33 flights compared to the 29 required. Twenty-eight of the flights took place at Patuxent River, with the remaining five conducted from Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth plant.

Other Conflicts

• Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 09 Apr 2010
• Insurgent Group Bans VOA, BBC Broadcasts in Somalia VOA 09 Apr 2010 -- Al-Shabab, an Islamic insurgency group allied to al-Qaida, has ordered Somali radio stations broadcasting news programming from VOA and the British Broadcasting Corporation to immediately cancel their contracts.
• Ethiopia Hails Little-Known Rebel Group's Demise VOA 09 Apr 2010 -- Ethiopia says a little known rebel group in the eastern Somali region has renounced the use of force and agreed to join the political process, weeks before nationwide elections. The government also labeled allegations of campaign irregularities as attempts to tarnish the election process.
• DRC Rebel Groups to Form Coalition VOA 09 Apr 2010 -- In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the leader of the Mai Mai Kifuafua rebels says a new rebel coalition comprising over 17 different armed groups will be unveiled in the eastern part of the country Friday.
• Somali Militant Group Bans Foreign Broadcasters VOA 09 Apr 2010 -- The Somali insurgent group al-Shabab is cracking down on international broadcasters, including the BBC and VOA.

News Reports

• On eve of nuclear security summit, UN agency aids in warding off terrorism UN News Centre 09 Apr 2010 -- When 47 countries gather in Washington on Monday at a summit to prevent nuclear proliferation and counter the risk of atomic weapons falling into terrorist hands, one United Nations agency with a proven track record in the field will be front and centre in offering help.
• White House Lays Out Nuclear Summit Goals, Agenda VOA 09 Apr 2010 -- The Obama administration has provided details of the agenda of the Nuclear Security Summit to be held in Washington next week, focusing on commitments the 47 participating nations will make to secure vulnerable nuclear materials and prevent them from falling into the hands of terrorists. President Obama will also hold a series of bilateral meetings with individual heads of state and government.
• Press Briefing to Preview The Nuclear Security Summit by Gary Samore, White House Coordinator for WMD Counter-Terrorism and Arms Control, and Ben Rhodes, Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications The White House 09 Apr 2010
• Former Israeli Female Soldier Charged with Espionage VOA 09 Apr 2010 -- A case of military espionage in Israel is pitting the press against the state.
• New Research Suggests N. Koreans Souring Toward Government VOA 09 Apr 2010 -- North Korea's parliament has convened, for a session widely seen as political theater to approve decisions made from above. However, new research indicates political sentiment is not as unanimous around the country as it is in Pyongyang's halls of marble.
• US Says Iranian Nuclear Announcement Shows Nefarious Intentions VOA 09 Apr 2010 -- The State Department said Friday Iran's announcement that it has a new generation of uranium-enrichment centrifuges is more evidence of nefarious intentions with regard to its nuclear program. The Iranian move came a day after world powers began negotiations on a new U.N. Security Council sanctions resolution against Tehran.
• Iran Announces New, Faster Centrifuges for Uranium Enrichment VOA 09 Apr 2010 -- Iran announced Friday that is had developed a new, faster generation of centrifuges for uranium enrichment, signaling its determination to press on with its nuclear work despite possible new sanctions being sought by U.S. President Barack Obama.
• President: Iran to turn into exporter of nuclear technology IRNA 09 Apr 2010 -- President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said here Friday that Iran will in the near future turn into an exporter of nuclear technology.
• President unveils 1st model of 3rd generation machines for uranium enrichment IRNA 09 Apr 2010 -- President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has just unveiled the first model of the third generation of machines for uranium enrichment, the so-called third generation centrifuges.
• President: We are against nuclear bomb IRNA 09 Apr 2010 -- President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said here on Friday that Iran is against nuclear bomb.
• President: Iranian scientists face no barrier IRNA 09 Apr 2010 -- President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said here Friday that there is no barrier to Iranian nuclear scientists today in the field of nuclear energy and they can meet related national requirements.
• Salehi: Iran capable of producing 1st model of 3rd generation centifuges IRNA 09 Apr 2010 -- Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Ali Akbar Salehi said here Friday that the country has produced the first model of the third generation centrifuges as the initial model of this device will be unveiled today.
• Salehi: Considerable uranium reserve identified in Yazd IRNA 09 Apr 2010 -- Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (IAEO) Ali-Akbar Salehi said here Friday that considerable uranium reserves are found in Narigan, in southern Yazd Province.
• Main Test for Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant to begin today IRNA 09 Apr 2010 -- The main test needed before operation of Bushehr nuclear power plant will start on the day marking National Nuclear Festival, said the official in charge of the project.
• MPs underline Iran's right to access peaceful nuclear technology IRNA 09 Apr 2010 -- Iranian lawmakers on Friday stressed Iran's right to access peaceful nuclear technology.
• Powers Agree To More Talks On UN Iran Nuclear Sanctions RFE/RL 09 Apr 2010 -- Envoys from six world powers have agreed to meet again next week to discuss a possible new set of United Nations sanctions against Iran over the Islamic Republic's nuclear program.
• Iran builds new generation of centrifuges - nuclear chief RIA Novosti 09 Apr 2010 -- Iran has tested its third generation of enrichment centrifuges, the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization said on Friday.
• Russia, China still urge diplomacy on Iran RIA Novosti 09 Apr 2010 -- Russia and China still call for a diplomatic solution of Iran's nuclear issue, which has been in the center of international attention due to Islamic republic's continuing nuclear developments.
• Obama: Iran Sanctions Offer No Guarantees VOA 09 Apr 2010 -- U.S. President Barack Obama says there is no guarantee that a new set of United Nations sanctions against Iran will persuade it to halt sensitive nuclear work.
• Israeli PM Cancels Trip to US Nuclear Summit VOA 09 Apr 2010 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has canceled a planned trip next week to attend U.S. President Barack Obama's nuclear security summit.
• Kyrgyz 'Interim Leader' Rebuffs Bakiev On Talks RFE/RL 09 Apr 2010 -- Kyrgyzstan's self-proclaimed new leaders say they have no plans to negotiate with President Kurmanbek Bakiev, who fled the capital Bishkek following this week's bloody riots.
• Russian Moves In Kyrgyzstan Raise Questions Over U.S. Base RFE/RL 09 Apr 2010 -- When Temir Sariev returned from a trip to Moscow on April 6, the opposition leader carried a surprise message. He told supporters he'd just met with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who pledged support for Kyrgyzstan's opposition.
• Regional States React To Kyrgyz Violence RFE/RL 09 Apr 2010 -- Most regional states are watching events in Kyrgyzstan. But few are saying much.
• Interview: Kyrgyz Opposition Leader Says 'Criminal Authoritarian Regime' Ousted RFE/RL 09 Apr 2010 -- Opposition leader Ravshan Jeenbekov has spent the last four years in the United States in self-imposed political exile and is now returning to Kyrgyzstan.
• Criminal Cases Begun Against Kyrgyz President's Sons, Brother RFE/RL 09 Apr 2010 -- Kyrgyzstan's acting prosecutor-general says criminal cases against President Kurmanbek Bakiev's two sons, Marat and Maksim, and his brother, Janysh, have been launched by the interim government, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports.
• Kyrgyz provisional government not to hold talks with Bakiyev RIA Novosti 09 Apr 2010 -- The provisional Kyrgyz government will not negotiate with toppled president Kurmanbek Bakiyev, Kyrgyz opposition-nominated premier told journalists on Friday.
• Deposed Kyrgyz leader's sons, brother face murder charges RIA Novosti 09 Apr 2010 -- Kyrgyzstan's ousted President Kurmanbek Bakiyev's two sons and brother are wanted on murder charges, the acting interior minister said on Friday.
• Ousted Kyrgyz leader denies Russia, U.S. 'linked' to Kyrgyzstan coup RIA Novosti 09 Apr 2010 -- The ousted Kyrgyz president ruled out on Friday any involvement by Russia and the United States, who both have military bases in Kyrgyzstan, in the bloody coup d'etat in the ex-Soviet Central Asian state.
• Kyrgyzstan interim national security chief promises to prevent further unrest RIA Novosti 09 Apr 2010 -- The situation in the capital of the ex-Soviet Central Asian republic of Kyrgyzstan stormed by nationwide protests which later turned into riots and looting has been stabilized, the provisional government's national security chief said.
• SCO calls for restoration of peace in Kyrgyzstan RIA Novosti 09 Apr 2010 -- The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) has expressed concern over the situation in Kyrgyzstan, which has been hit by bloody civil unrest, and called for the early restoration of peace in the Central Asian state.
• Obama condemns violence in Kyrgyzstan - White House RIA Novosti 09 Apr 2010 -- U.S. President Barack Obama has condemned violence that has taken place in protest-hit Kyrgyzstan and called for the restoration of peace and order in the republic, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs has said.
• Analysts: Kyrgyzstan Unrest Sparked by Economic, Political Discontent VOA 09 Apr 2010 -- The Central Asian nation of Kyrgyzstan is attempting to stabilize itself after an uprising that toppled the government and sent the president fleeing. A poor economy, rampant corruption, and autocratic rule made Kyrgyzstan a tinderbox waiting to ignite.
• Kyrgyzstan: UN sends medical supplies to treat victims of clashes in capital UN News Centre 09 Apr 2010 -- The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) is rushing medicines and surgical equipment to help doctors in Kyrgyzstan treat the hundreds of casualties from this week’s deadly clashes that have led to the apparent overthrow of the Central Asian country’s Government.
• Thai Troops Use Force to Quell Protests VOA 09 Apr 2010 -- The Thai government called in thousands of additional police troops to help bring peace to the capital, where demonstrators have snarled streets for days. A court also issued arrest warrants for several protest leaders.
• Protests Testing Thailand's Democracy, Government VOA 09 Apr 2010 -- Thai protesters are stepping up their campaign to force the government to call new elections. Despite declaring a state of emergency, deploying thousands more security personnel, and using tear gas against some demonstrators, Thai authorities say they will not use force to end the protests. Political analysts urge the two sides to return to negotiations.
• European Court Finds Azerbaijan Guilty Of Election Fraud RFE/RL 09 Apr 2010 -- The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has issued its first ruling on a complaint about election fraud in Azerbaijan and found the government guilty, RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service reports.
• Medvedev Launches Nord Stream Pipeline Construction RFE/RL 09 Apr 2010 -- With the welding together of two pipes at a ceremony on Russia's Baltic coast, construction officially began on the Nord Stream pipeline project to carry Russian gas to Germany.
• DRC: Half a million children at risk of malnutrition IRIN 09 Apr 2010 -- About 530,000 children younger than five and more than a million women need urgent nutritional support in the Democratic Republic of Congo, says the Ministry of Health. Officials are calling for more resources for prevention and treatment and for agricultural production to be improved.
• Kazakhstan finally ratifies Baikonur rental deal with Russia RIA Novosti 09 Apr 2010 -- The upper chamber of the Kazakh parliament, the Senate, ratified on Friday a 2004 agreement to extend Russia's use of the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan, a RIA Novosti correspondent reported.
• Kazakhstan seeks equal share in commercial space projects RIA Novosti 09 Apr 2010 -- Kazakhstan intends to acquire 33% stakes in two Russian-Ukrainian joint ventures using the Baikonur space center for launches of Dnepr and Zenit carrier rockets, the country's top space official said Friday.
• Shuttle Discovery astronauts carry out first of three scheduled spacewalks RIA Novosti 09 Apr 2010 -- U.S. Discovery space shuttle astronauts Rick Mastracchio and Clay Anderson have begun the first of three scheduled spacewalks 10 minutes ahead of schedule, NASA reported.