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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 20 Apr 2010 [PDF]
• Airpower Summary: April 18 AFNS 20 Apr 2010
• Airpower Summary: April 17 AFNS 20 Apr 2010
• Airpower Summary: April 16 AFNS 20 Apr 2010
• Airpower Summary: April 15 AFNS 20 Apr 2010
• Iraqi Forces Kill Terrorism Suspects Near Mosul AFPS 20 Apr 2010 -- Iraqi security forces killed a suspected al-Qaida in Iraq leader and an associate during a combined operation conducted with U.S. advisors northeast of Mosul, Iraq, yesterday, military officials reported.
• 1st ACB uncases colors following flight delays Army News 20 Apr 2010 -- As volcanic ash from Iceland left air travelers all over the world stranded, the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade command team successfully navigated the crisis to return home from Iraq and uncase the unit colors at Cooper Field, April 19.
• Liberator II continues effort to find missing Army News 20 Apr 2010 -- "We never have, and we never will stop looking," said Navy Lt. Cmdr. K.C. Chhipwadia, the senior intelligence of¬ficer with United States Forces - Iraq's Personnel Recovery Division.
• Transcript: DOD News Briefing with Brig. Gen. Kwast from Afghanistan DoD 20 Apr 2010 -- Presenter: Commander, 455th Air Expeditionary Wing, U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Steven Kwast
• Sowing seeds of support; Marines facilitate crop change through agriculture transition program USMC News 20 Apr 2010 -- A little more than a week since it first began, the Marjah Accelerated Agricultural Transition program has begun to gain momentum in Marjah, Afghanistan, April 14.
• NATO Fire Kills 4 Unarmed Afghans VOA 20 Apr 2010 -- NATO troops have opened fire on a vehicle in eastern Afghanistan, killing four unarmed Afghans.
• Volcanic Ash Reroutes Transport of Afghan War Wounded AFPS 20 Apr 2010 -- Ash from an Icelandic volcano limiting European air traffic has forced the U.S. military to reroute some American troops wounded in Afghanistan through Iraq instead of Germany, a military official said today.
• Patrol Kills Insurgents Who Threatened Convoy AFPS 20 Apr 2010 -- International Security Assistance Force troops killed four occupants of a vehicle that threatened their convoy in eastern Afghanistan’s Khost province last night, military officials reported.
• AFGHANISTAN: Aid workers call for reopening of hospital in Helmand IRIN 20 Apr 2010 -- The closure of the only hospital for war victims in Helmand Province, southern Afghanistan, is harming conflict-affected patients and should be reopened as soon as possible, aid workers say.
• In Pakistan, A 'Mistaken' Bombing And An Ineffectual Apology RFE/RL 20 Apr 2010 -- Pakistani army commander General Ashfaq Kayani on April 17 apologized for the deaths of over 60 tribesmen in air strikes in the remote Tirah valley of Khyber Agency a week earlier, according to a statement by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the press service of Pakistan's military.
• Haiti: UN agency ramping up food aid ahead of upcoming rains, hurricane season UN News Centre 20 Apr 2010 -- The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is ramping up its assistance in Haiti, pre-positioning rations and distributing meals to those displaced by January’s earthquake ahead of the approaching rains and the upcoming hurricane season.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Report to Congress Outlines Iranian Threats AFPS 20 Apr 2010 -- Iran may be capable of striking the United States with an intercontinental ballistic missile by 2015, according to a Defense Department report submitted to Congress yesterday.
• Gates Proposes Revamp of Export System AFPS 20 Apr 2010 -- The United States must totally revamp the Cold War-era export control system, because as currently configured, it actually harms national security, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said here today.
• Official Details Results of Missile Review AFPS 20 Apr 2010 -- Ballistic missiles are an increasing threat to the United States, and the Defense Department must keep up with them, the deputy undersecretary of defense for policy said today.
• Air Force officials unveil new rescue aircraft model AFNS 20 Apr 2010 -- A new model of an aircraft used in Air Force rescue efforts since 1956 was formally presented to the Air Force in a ceremony April 19 here.
• Virtual world prepares mobility Airmen for real mission AFNS 20 Apr 2010 -- Airmen preparing for the worldwide mobility mission of the 621st Contingency Response Wing here now have a powerful new training tool.
• Joint training at 12,500 feet AFNS 20 Apr 2010
• Airmen deliver new Army helicopter to war zone AFNS 20 Apr 2010 -- A C-17 Globemaster III loaded new Army light utility helicopters for delivery to the warfighters April 12 here.
• Air Force officials cancel officer training boards AFNS 20 Apr 2010 -- Air Force Recruiting Service officials here announced April 14 that they are canceling the upcoming summer Officer Training School board and possibly other future boards until further notice.
• Airmen participate in NATO exercise AFNS 20 Apr 2010 -- American Airmen are partnering with air forces from the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Turkey to participate in Exercise Brilliant Ardent 10 April 12 through 22 here.
• DoD News: Senior Executive Service Appointments and Reassignments DoD 20 Apr 2010-- Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates announced the following Department of Defense Senior Executive Service appointments and reassignments
• Marines learn to protect the Force USMC News 20 Apr 2010 -- Marines from reserve units located throughout the United States converged on Marine Corps Mobilization Command’s facilities here April 5 to begin an intensive five-day course in antiterrorism and force protection.
• Singapore Led Flagship Intercepts Somali Pirates in Gulf of Aden Navy NewsStand 20 Apr 2010 -- USS Farragut (DDG 99), flagship of Combined Task Force (CTF) 151, intercepted suspected pirates in the Gulf of Aden April 15, while undertaking tasking as part of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).
• NAVSTA Rota, Moron Air Base Receive Diverted Military Flights Navy NewsStand 20 Apr 2010 -- Naval Station (NAVSTA) Rota, Spain, and Moron Air Base absorbed many U.S. military flights diverted from Northern European Routes due to ash being spewed from the Iceland volcanic eruption April 16–19.
• Enterprise Ensures Safety on Flight Deck Navy NewsStand 20 Apr 2010 -- As USS Enterprise (CVN 65) conducts sea trials, the aircraft carrier's crew is shifting focus to an operational mindset and the mission ahead, preparing for the arrival of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1.
• Submarine Missouri Reaches Milestone As Commissioning Day Approaches Navy NewsStand 20 Apr 2010 -- A milestone in the life of the Navy's newest Virginia-class submarine was marked April 16 as the crew of Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Missouri (SSN 780) moved aboard and began bringing the submarine's systems to life on "In Service Day" in Groton, Conn.
• U.S. Navy Continues to Support ROK Salvage Operations Navy NewsStand 20 Apr 2010 -- Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea (CNFK), in the operational role as Commander, Task Force (CTF) 78, assumed the duties as the officer in tactical command of U.S. Navy forces assisting the Republic of Korea (ROK) in the salvage of ROKS Cheonan April 17.
• USS Enterprise Returned to the Fleet Navy NewsStand 20 Apr 2010 -- The Navy accepted re-delivery of USS Enterprise (CVN 65) April 19 after completing an Extended Drydocking Selected Restricted Availability at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding in Newport News, Va.
• USS Charlotte Holds Change of Command Navy NewsStand 20 Apr 2010 -- A change of command ceremony was held for the Los Angeles-class submarine USS Charlotte (SSN 766) at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam April 16.
• Gunston Hall Hosts Training for APS Navy NewsStand 20 Apr 2010 -- Sailors and Coast Guardsmen from the Senegal, Liberia, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, and Equatorial Guinea participated in Combat Lifesaver (CLS) training April 16–20 aboard the Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock-landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) as part of Africa Partnership Station (APS) West.
• Patriot Continues Mission After Visiting Singapore Navy NewsStand 20 Apr 2010 -- After two weeks of repairs in Singapore, the mine counter-measures ship USS Patriot (MCM 7) resumed its spring patrol April 20.
• Army working to institutionalize contracting reforms Army News 20 Apr 2010 -- Army leaders told members of the Commission on Wartime Contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan during an April 19 hearing that the service is institutionalizing contracting reforms introduced over the last seven years of conflict.
• Rough Riders rise above evacuation exercise Army News 20 Apr 2010 -- Despite the incoming mortars, tactically placed improvised explosive devices and small arms fire from hostile enemies, the American troops defended their forward operating base.
• Operational contracting support adds capabilities for special ops Soldiers Army News 20 Apr 2010 -- More than 50 U.S. Army Special Operations Command Soldiers finished up a new two-week contracting support course designed to enlighten them on procedures for establishing and managing contracts in a deployed environment.
• Army details environmental action plan Army News 20 Apr 2010 -- Army officials announced an action plan to support a Chesapeake Bay Strategy at a 2010 Earth and Arbor Day celebration that saw APG earn several environmental awards.
• Army engineers break ground on U.S. military's largest distribution center in Europe Army News 20 Apr 2010 -- U.S. military and German community leaders broke ground March 30 on a 250,000-square-foot logistics distribution center that seeks to consolidate under one roof the main logistics operations of the Defense Distribution Depot Europe.
• Remarks by Secretary Gates to the Business Executives for National Security on the U.S. Export Control System DoD 20 Apr 2010 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates
• USS Newport News Welcomes New Commanding Officer Navy NewsStand 20 Apr 2010 -- Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Newport News (SSN 750) held a change of command ceremony April 20 at Naval Station Norfolk.
• VAW-126 Change of Command Opens New Chapter for the Airwing Navy NewsStand 20 Apr 2010 -- Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 126 held an airborne change of command ceremony April 16 in Norfolk, Va.
• USNS Mercy To Deliver Antiquities to Cambodia Navy NewsStand 20 Apr 2010 -- Three Cambodian antiquities were delivered to hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) April 15 in San Diego, after being recovered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents.
• NBK Bangor Uses Goats for Weed Control Navy NewsStand 20 Apr 2010 -- In recognition of Earth Day, Naval Base Kitsap (NBK) utilized a herd of goats as an eco-friendly method of invasive vegetation control in Bangor, Wash., April 15-23.
• Navy Recruiting Command To Use Hybrid Vehicles, Cut Petroleum Use Navy NewsStand 20 Apr 2010 -- Navy Recruiting Command (NRC) will begin incorporating hybrid vehicles into its leased government vehicle fleet beginning in May 2010 in direct support of the Navy's overall goal to cut petroleum use in half by 2020.
• Navy Leadership Says 'Not in my Navy' to Sexual Assault Navy NewsStand 20 Apr 2010 -- The director of Naval Personnel's Plans and Policy Division (NPPPD) said "Not in my Navy" to sexual assault at the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Leadership Workshop held on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam April 19.
• Rota Receives Diverted Military Flights AFPS 20 Apr 2010 -- Naval Station Rota and Moron Air Base in Spain have absorbed many U.S. military flights diverted from northern European routes by ash being spewed from an Iceland volcanic eruption.Video
• Maintenance Airmen ensure rescue missions save lives AFNS 20 Apr 2010 -- When aircrews and pararescuemen of the 41st Expeditionary Rescue Squadron here get a category-alpha alert call, the HH-60 Pave Hawk they use to conduct their mission has to be off the ground in 10 minutes.
• Blackseafor warships leave Bulgaria to conduct next stage of drills RIA Novosti 20 Apr 2010 -- The warships of the Black Sea Naval group left the Bulgarian port of Varna on Tuesday to conduct the next stage of exercises, a Black Sea Fleet commander said.
• Premier Putin satisfied with Russian fifth-generation fighter tests RIA Novosti 20 Apr 2010 -- Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said he was satisfied with the tests of a Russian fifth-generation fighter jet.
• Russia's Neustrashimy and Yaroslav Mudry frigates return to base RIA Novosti 20 Apr 2010 -- The Baltic Fleet's Neustrashimy (Fearless) and Yaroslav Mudry frigates will return on Tuesday to the fleet's main base in Baltiisk after completing their missions, a defense ministry spokesman has said.
• Iran upgrades U.S.-built fighter jets RIA Novosti 20 Apr 2010 -- Iran has overhauled and modernized its warplanes, including the "sophisticated" F-14 Tomcat fighter jets, an Iranian military official said on Tuesday.
• China Donates $1.5 Million to Boost Mauritania's Defense VOA 20 Apr 2010 -- China is giving Mauritania a $1.5 million donation to boost its defense capability.
• Press Gaggle by Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton Aboard Air Force One The White House 20 Apr 2010
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 20 Apr 2010

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for April 20, 2010
• EADS North America intends to submit proposal for U.S. Air Force tanker EADS 20 Apr 2010 -- EADS North America announced today that it intends to submit a proposal on July 9, 2010 for the U.S. Air Force’s tanker modernisation programme and will offer the KC-45 — the most capable, American-built solution that is flown, proven and in production now.
• Airbus Military completes certification flight tests for A330 MRTT hose-and-drogue system EADS 20 Apr 2010 -- Airbus Military has completed all the flight tests required for the daylight certification of the new generation hose-and drogue refuelling system on the A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT).
• SAIC Awarded $13 Million Task Order to Support the U.S. Marine Corps Intelligence Activity (MCIA) SAIC 20 Apr 2010 -- Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) (NYSE: SAI) today announced it has been awarded a task order by the Regional Contracting Office, National Capital Region to provide information technology services to the Marine Corps Intelligence Activity (MCIA). This new, single award task order has a one-year base period of performance, two one-year options, and a total value of more than $13 million if all options are exercised. Work will be performed in Quantico, Va.; Camp LeJeune, N.C., Camp Pendleton, Calif.; and Marine Corps Base Kaneohe, Hawaii. The task order was awarded under the U.S. Army Information Technology Enterprise Solutions - 2 Services contract.
• Boeing Team Delivers C-130H Aerial Refueling Tanker to Japan Boeing 20 Apr 2010 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] and partners Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) and Cobham Mission Systems today announced that they have delivered a C-130H aerial refueling tanker to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF). The JASDF took delivery in late February at KHI Gifu Works after the aircraft completed modification and acceptance for testing at the KHI facility in Gifu.
• Boeing Statement on EADS' Decision to Enter KC-X Tanker Competition Boeing 20 Apr 2010 -- The European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co. (EADS), parent company of Airbus, today announced that it will re-enter the competition for the U.S. Air Force KC-X Tanker contract through its subsidiary, EADS North America. The Air Force has said that EADS' announcement of intent will extend the proposal deadline by 60 days, from May 10 to July 9. The Boeing Company responded with the following statement:
• New Lockheed Martin F-35A Will Test Weapons Lockheed Martin 20 Apr 2010 -- The seventh Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] F-35 Lightning II flight test aircraft took to the skies for the first time today, with the overall objective of validating the F-35A conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) variant's weapons suite.
• Lockheed Martin Wins Task Order to Support Marine Corps Lockheed Martin 20 Apr 2010 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] will provide equipment support, inventory management and fielding team support to the U.S. Marine Corps System Command, through a new task order with initial funding of approximately $10M.
• Oshkosh Defense Awarded $6 Million for FHTV Parts Oshkosh 20 Apr 2010 -- Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK), has received an award of more than $6 million from the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) to supply 600 axles for the Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT) A4, part of the U.S. Army’s Family of Heavy Tactical Vehicles (FHTV). Production is expected to begin in October 2010 and be completed by January 2011.
• Raytheon-Boeing Team Fires First Joint Air-to-Ground Missile Raytheon 20 Apr 2010 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) and The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA) fired the first Joint Air-to-Ground Missile during a test funded by the two companies.

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 20 Apr 2010
• Press Conference on International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala United Nations 20 Apr 2010
• UN-backed war on impunity in Guatemala should be strengthened – commission head UN News Centre 20 Apr 2010 -- A United Nations-backed body seeking to end the impunity of illegal security groups that violate human rights in Guatemala has been successful and its mandate should be extended and strengthened to cover corruption and organized crime, its head said today.
• SUDAN: Election observers’ digest IRIN 20 Apr 2010 -- Sudan held its first multiparty elections in 24 years on 11-15 April, but the election has been marred by opposition boycotts and allegations of vote rigging.
• SRI LANKA: Don’t forget healthcare services in east IRIN 20 Apr 2010 -- Healthcare services in Sri Lanka's conflict-affected east should not be forgotten as humanitarian agencies focus their efforts on rebuilding the country's north, the World Health Organization (WHO) says.
• Niger Delta Leaders Say Acting President Must Show Commitment to Security VOA 20 Apr 2010 -- Leaders in Nigeria's troubled Niger Delta believe Acting President Goodluck Jonathan can make progress on resolving a rebellion over oil profits and environmental damage if he moves quickly to demonstrate his political commitment.

News Reports

• Minsk to hold on to its arms-grade uranium - Lukashenko RIA Novosti 20 Apr 2010 -- Belarus has no plans to build a "dirty" nuclear bomb but no one can take its enriched uranium stockpiles away from it, President Alexander Lukashenko said on Tuesday.
• S. Korea Warns North Role in Sinking Could Harm Nuclear Talks VOA 20 Apr 2010 -- South Korea says multinational talks meant to get rid of Pyongyang's nuclear weapons programs would be unlikely to resume if evidence points to a North Korean role in the sinking of a South Korean navy ship.
• Iran Suspensions Of Two Factions Aim To Cripple Reform Drive RFE/RL 20 Apr 2010 -- Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad has aimed his strongest blow yet at his political opposition by suspending two prominent reformist factions.
• China insists on diplomatic solution to Iranian nuke issue RIA Novosti 20 Apr 2010 -- China insists on a diplomatic solution to the problem of the Iranian nuclear issue regardless of discussions of possible sanctions, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said on Tuesday.
• U.S. skeptical about Iranian nuclear enrichment plans RIA Novosti 20 Apr 2010 -- The U.S. administration was skeptical about the recently announced Iranian plans to built more nuclear enrichment sites.
• Turkey Offers Help in Iran Nuclear Standoff VOA 20 Apr 2010 -- Turkey is offering to mediate the stalemate between the United Nations and Iran over Tehran's nuclear program.
• Baghdad Recount Could Change Election Results, Raising Fears Of Violence RFE/RL 20 Apr 2010 -- Neither Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's bloc nor former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi have been able to build a majority coalition needed in parliament to form a new government since results of Iraq's March 7 elections were announced in late March.
• Ousted Kyrgyz President Takes Refuge in Belarus VOA 20 Apr 2010 -- Kyrgyzstan's ousted president, Kurmanbek Bakiyev, has taken refuge in Belarus.
• Kyrgyz Interim Leaders Try To Impose Order After Unrest RFE/RL 20 Apr 2010 -- Kyrgyzstan's interim rulers are trying to restore order following unrest on the outskirts of the capital, Bishkek, that left at least three people dead.
• Kyrgyzstan's Bakiyev in Minsk RIA Novosti 20 Apr 2010 -- Deposed Kyrgyz president Kurmanbek Bakiyev is currently in Minsk under the protection of the authorities, the Belarusian president said on Tuesday.
• Uzbek, Russian Presidents Call For Political Stability In Kyrgyzstan RFE/RL 20 Apr 2010 -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has met with his Uzbek counterpart, Islam Karimov, in Moscow for talks seen as an attempt to boost bilateral ties.
• Russian Prime Minister Presents Annual Report To Duma RFE/RL 20 Apr 2010 -- Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has trumpeted Russia's economic recovery and pledged reforms in a marathon speech at the State Duma, Russia's lower house of parliament.
• Shuttle Discovery lands in Florida RIA Novosti 20 Apr 2010 -- The U.S. space shuttle Discovery landed safely at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Tuesday, NASA reported on its website.
• BURKINA FASO: Cross-border land conflict risks IRIN 20 Apr 2010 -- Conflicts in Burkina Faso between herders and farmers threaten to spill into neighbouring countries as herders seek grazing pastures, according to the government.
• Thai Army Warns of Tough Action, Protesters Cancel March VOA 20 Apr 2010 -- Stepped-up security has stopped anti-government protesters from occupying a financial district in Bangkok. But fears of new bloodshed remain.