• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 26 Apr 2010 [PDF]
• Airpower Summary: April 23 AFNS 26 Apr 2010
• DoD News: DOD Announces Replacement Unit for Iraq Rotation DoD 26 Apr 2010-- The Department of Defense announced today a replacement unit mobilized to deploy as part of the force rotation in support of Operation New Dawn. Approximately 2,700 soldiers from the 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team headquartered in Boise, Idaho, with elements in Montana and Oregon, will deploy in the fall of 2010.
• Transportation Company Participates in Responsible Drawdown of U.S. Forces in Iraq Army News 26 Apr 2010 -- Members of the 1483rd Transportation Company, 541st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 15th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), have been working as a Mobile Redistribution Team to facilitate the removal of excess equipment from Iraq.
• Georgian support unit passes torch to Texans Army News 26 Apr 2010 -- The outgoing 260th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 15th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), out of Hunter Army Airfield, Ga., transferred authority to their replacement, the 373rd CSSB, 15th Sust. Bde., out of Beaumont, Texas, in a ceremony in front of the battalion headquarters here April 22.
• SAMC welcomes new 'Wagonmasters' Army News 26 Apr 2010 -- Four noncommissioned officers with the 15th Sustainment Brigade were inducted into the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club during a ceremony at the Morale, Welfare and Recreation center here April 16.
• 402nd AFSB welcomes new leader in rare change of command in Iraq Army News 26 Apr 2010 -- The 402nd Army Field Support Brigade conducted a rare Iraq change of command ceremony at the Morale, Welfare and Recreation East Recreation Center here April 21 as the "Power Team" welcomed its new leader.
• 210th Brigade Support Battalion Soldiers Train Iraqis in Supply Management Army News 26 Apr 2010 -- Soldiers with a 10th Mountain Division Logistics Transition and Advisory team have spent the past four weeks in an Iraqi federal police supply warehouse teaching the FP accountability, inventory and organization techniques.
• 402nd Army Field Support Brigade welcomes new commander Army News 26 Apr 2010 -- Soldiers, Airmen and civilians watched as the commander of the 402nd Army Field Support Brigade handed over his civilians to another, during a change of command ceremony April 21 at Morale, Welfare and Recreation east at Joint Base Balad, Iraq.
• Odierno Notes Progress of Iraqi Forces AFPS 26 Apr 2010 -- As the troop drawdown continues in Iraq, the top U.S. commander there said he’s convinced the Iraqi security forces are ready to take over more responsibility, and that the sacrifices the United States has made to get to this point will prove worthwhile.
• Communications officer advises, assists Iraqis restore air traffic communications AFNS 26 Apr 2010 -- The task of assisting the Iraqi civil aviation authority in rebuilding the airspace infrastructure was assigned to the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Air Force.
• Ban calls for Afghan probe into possible killing of UN staffer by friendly fire UN News Centre 26 Apr 2010 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called on the Afghan authorities to probe last October’s attack on a United Nations guesthouse in Kabul after a board of inquiry suggested that a UN staffer may have been killed by Afghan security forces who may have mistaken him for an insurgent.
• Taliban Commander, Advisers Killed in NATO Air Strike in Afghanistan VOA 26 Apr 2010 -- NATO says a senior Taliban commander and two advisers in northern Afghanistan were killed in an air strike Monday.
• Greater efforts needed to protect health of Afghans, says senior UN official UN News Centre 26 Apr 2010 -- A senior United Nations official today called for greater efforts to assist Afghans, who remain extremely vulnerable to a wide range of health challenges associated with natural disasters, conflict and the lack of coverage of health services.
• Air Strike in Afghanistan Kills Senior Insurgents AFPS 26 Apr 2010 -- A senior militant commander in Afghanistan’s Kunduz province and two of his top advisors were killed in a precision air strike in northern Kunduz this morning, military officials reported.
• Local projects help to better infrastructure, economy USMC News 26 Apr 2010 -- As Marines of 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, continue to push Taliban forces out of Garmsir District, Helmand province, Afghanistan, certain areas have begun to rebuild.
• Farmers transition to different crops: Marines, Afghan Forces provide aid USMC News 26 Apr 2010 -- Through a joint effort, the Afghan National Army, non-governmental organizations and Marines are overseeing the Marjah Accelerated Agricultural Transition program, which has moved into its next stage, April 22.
• Illnesses At Afghan Girls' Schools Prompt Poisoning Fears RFE/RL 26 Apr 2010 -- Seventeen-year-old Nadia considers herself lucky. She bolted when she saw three classmates at her all-girls school pass out on the afternoon of April 24.
• PAKISTAN: Fresh wave of IDPs puts added strain on host families IRIN 26 Apr 2010 -- Host families in northwestern Pakistan are under further pressure as displaced people stream out of the Orakzai and Kurram tribal agencies near the Pakistan-Afghan border in search of shelter.
• Louisiana Guard Set to Lead New Haiti Mission AFPS 26 Apr 2010 -- The Louisiana National Guard is scheduled to lead a “New Horizons” humanitarian assistance exercise in Haiti beginning June 1, U.S. Southern Command officials announced yesterday.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Transcript: DOD News Briefing with Army Lt. Gen. Schoomaker; Brig. Gen. Cheek and Maj. Gen. Perkins from the Pentagon DoD 26 Apr 2010 -- Presenter: Lt. Gen. Eric Schoomaker, Army Surgeon General; Brig. Gen. Gary Cheek, Commander, Warrior Transition Command; Maj. Gen. David Perkins, Commanding General, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colorado
• F-16 drawdown begins at Spangdahlem AFNS 26 Apr 2010 -- Six F-16 Fighting Falcons are scheduled to depart here April 27 as the first step for the 52nd Fighter Wing staff in the Combat Air Force Restructuring plan expected to save the Air Force approximately $355 million in fiscal 2010 and $3.5 billion during the next five fiscal years.
• Cope West shows U.S. partnership with Indonesia AFNS 26 Apr 2010 -- Members of the U.S. and Indonesian air forces held an opening ceremony here April 20 that officially marked the beginning of a joint tactical airlift exercise called Cope West 2010.
• Airmen train Japanese customs agency members to detect threats AFNS 26 Apr 2010 -- Air Force Office of Special Investigations agents from Det. 623 here and Airmen from the 35th Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Unit here trained Hakodate customs inspectors with the Japan Ministry of Finance April 23 on counterterrorism measures to deter potential threats that may pass through Northern Japan's ports and terminals.
• B-1 adapts, remains effective after 25 years AFNS 26 Apr 2010 -- The non-nuclear B-1 Lancer has adapted from a strategic mission to a close-air support role, and will continue to play an effective part in today's fight in Afghanistan and Iraq, according to leaders here.
• Air Force-wide social media access begins AFNS 26 Apr 2010 -- Air Force officials began a two-week phased opening April 26 of access to social media sites Air Force-wide.
• Official Calls Wounded Warriors Report ‘Unrepresentative’ AFPS 26 Apr 2010 -- The focus of a New York Times article depicting neglect and suffering endured by a group of wounded soldiers recovering in an Army program is unrepresentative of the recovery effort at large, the Army surgeon general said today.
• Logistics battalion storms Ft. Bragg en route to Afghanistan USMC News 26 Apr 2010 -- More than 500 Marines and sailors with Combat Logistics Battalion 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, descended upon a massive training area at Fort Bragg, N.C., April 19 - 27, to conduct essential training for their upcoming seven-month deployment to Afghanistan.
• Hundreds Attend Historic Base Closure Ceremony Navy NewsStand 26 Apr 2010 -- A ceremony marked the closing of Naval Station Ingleside, and the reversion of the property to the Port of Corpus Christi April 23.
• DESRON 40 Changes Command Navy NewsStand 26 Apr 2010 -- Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 40 held a change of command ceremony at Naval Station Mayport, Fla., April 23.
• USS Shiloh, Lassen Renovate Primary School in India Navy NewsStand 26 Apr 2010 -- Sailors from the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Shiloh (CG 67) and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) painted class rooms at the Bhatikar Model English School in Goa, India, April 23.
• ESG 5 Sailors Perform Community Service Navy NewsStand 26 Apr 2010 -- Sailors from Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 5 volunteered at the Regional Institute for Active Learning (RIAL) School, a school focused on providing education to children with learning disabilities in Manama, Bahrain, April 22.
• Italian navy, air force officials visit F-35 training wing AFNS 26 Apr 2010 -- Representatives from the Italian air force and navy visited the 33rd Fighter Wing here April 20 in an effort to check the progress of the first F-35 Lightning II integrated training center and learn more about this new coalition venture.
• Air Guard security forces at the top of their game AFNS 26 Apr 2010 -- Air National Guard security forces are at the top of their game, their top officer said here April 21.
• U.S., Indonesian airmen jump into training AFNS 26 Apr 2010 -- U.S. and Indonesian airmen conducted high-altitude, low-opening jumps over the Gorda drop zone in Indonesia as part of Exercise Cope West 2010 here.
• Lynn to Visit Servicemembers, Talk with High-Tech Leaders AFPS 26 Apr 2010 -- Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III arrived here today to visit with servicemembers and discuss asymmetric threats to the United States during a three-day trip to California that also will include talks with top officials from high-tech companies.
• Lynn Thanks Vinson’s Crew for Service, Adaptability AFPS 26 Apr 2010 -- Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III today thanked the crew of the USS Carl Vinson for their efforts to rescue Haitian people following the earthquake there, actions he said demonstrated the adaptability that makes America’s military the best in the world.
• Tobyhanna sharpens Talon armament Army News 26 Apr 2010 -- Tobyhanna is meeting a short suspense to provide an installation kit that offers armored protection for a mine-detecting robot.
• 2nd Bn, 4th Inf Reg medics answer when comrades call Army News 26 Apr 2010 -- Thoughts of life and death in a combat zone can consume a Soldier. Having confidence in the first line of medical assistance when the worst happens is critical to Soldiers putting aside those fears and focusing on the mission at hand. The medics of 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division conducted trauma lanes April 15 to ease anxieties in fellow Soldiers by continuing to improve their medical skills. This intense, day-long training takes on the feel of macabre theater in which every Soldier plays a part to demonstrate the realities of combat medicine.
• "Ironhorse" receives new commanders Army News 26 Apr 2010 -- After two successful years of commanding the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Col. Tobin Green relinquished his command to Col. Scott Efflandt during a ceremony on Cooper Field, here, April 23.
• 1/405th AFSB realigns LBE program in Germany Army News 26 Apr 2010 -- The 1st Battalion, 405th Army Field Support Brigade is realigning the Left Behind Equipment program in Germany in order to streamline operations and consolidate support to the Soldier.
• Russian military wages war on Siberian ice RIA Novosti 26 Apr 2010 -- Russian military helicopters dropped ten bombs in Siberia in their annual offensive against ice-choked rivers, a Russian Defense Ministry spokesman said on Monday.
• Ukraine parliament committee against Russian Navy base deal RIA Novosti 26 Apr 2010 -- The Ukrainian parliament committee for international affairs on Monday recommended the Supreme Rada against ratifying a new deal extending Russia's use of a naval base in Crimea.
• Ukrainian opposition ready to use fists to 'defend national interests' RIA Novosti 26 Apr 2010 -- The party of former Ukrainian premier Yulia Tymoshenko may be forced to attack its opponents during a debate on the ratification of a deal to extend the lease of a Russian naval base, a lawmaker said on Monday.
• Post-Soviet security bloc completes joint anti-terror drills RIA Novosti 26 Apr 2010 -- Units from the Collective Security Treaty Organization's rapid reaction force have completed joint command-and-staff counter-terrorism exercises in Tajikistan, a Russian Defense Ministry spokesman said on Monday.
• Indian, Afghan Leaders Discuss Security and Terrorism in New Delhi VOA 26 Apr 2010 -- India has pledged to continue its involvement in the reconstruction of Afghanistan during a visit by Afghan leader Hamid Karzai to New Delhi. The leaders of the two countries also discussed efforts to tackle terrorism, which threatens stability in the South Asian region.
• Afghan, Indian Leaders Discuss Militant Threat RFE/RL 26 Apr 2010 -- Indian Prime Minister Mahmohan Singh and visiting Afghan President Hamid Karzai have met in New Delhi to explore the issues of regional cooperation and security.
• India, Afghanistan discuss terrorism which threatens region IRNA 26 Apr 2010 -- The fight against terrorism and extremism topped the agenda of talks between PM Manmohan Singh and Afghan President Hamid Karzai as the two leaders met ahead of the SAARC summit.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 26 Apr 2010
• Briefing by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 4/26/10 The White House 26 Apr 2010

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for April 26, 2010
• ATK Announces $250 Million in Contract Awards for F-35 Lightning II Composite Wing Skins, Nacelles, and Inlet Ducts ATK 26 Apr 2010 -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) announced today that it has received a contract in excess of $240 million from Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) to produce additional composite components for low rate initial production (LRIP) lots 4 - 8 of the F-35 Lightning II – or Joint Strike Fighter. Under the terms of the contract with Lockheed Martin, ATK will use advanced fiber-placement technology to provide upper wing-box skins, lower wing-box skins, and engine nacelle skins for the conventional take-off and landing (CTOL), and short take-off/vertical landing (STOVL) variants of the F-35. Production will take place at ATK's Clearfield, Utah facility beginning in 2010, and continuing through 2015.
• Finmeccanica and EADS Defence & Security agree on a joint proposal to offer the M-346 for jet pilot training EADS 26 Apr 2010 -- On 15 March 2010, Alenia Aermacchi (AAEM), a Finmeccanica company, and EADS Defence and Security (DS) submitted a joint response to the Request For Information (RFI) issued by the European Defence Agency (EDA) on 15 July 2009 about the Advanced European Jet Pilot Training (AEJPT) programme.
• Northrop Grumman, U.S. Army Achieve Key Milestone for Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System Northrop Grumman 26 Apr 2010 -- The U.S. Army and Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) have successfully completed an Interim Design Review (IDR) for the Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) Battle Command System (IBCS). The successful review means the IBCS program is ready to enter the design phase.
• Raytheon Awarded Contract for Integrated Standoff Inspection System Raytheon 26 Apr 2010 -- The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) has awarded Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) a $20.5 million contract to research and develop an automated system for the standoff detection and identification of shielded special nuclear material.

Other Conflicts

• Daily Press Briefing by the Offices of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General and the Spokesperson for the President of the General Assembly United Nations 26 Apr 2010
• Sudan's Bashir Retains Presidency VOA 26 Apr 2010 -- Sudan President Omar Hassan al-Bashir has been announced the winner of the nation's first multi-party vote in 24 years. Opposition parties have rejected the results, which they say were rigged, but all eyes likely now focus on a southern independence referendum eight months away.
• Four abducted UN-AU blue helmets released in Darfur UN News Centre 26 Apr 2010 -- Four peacekeepers serving with the joint African Union-United Nations Mission in the war-ravaged Sudanese region of Darfur (UNAMID) were released today after having spent more than two weeks in captivity.
• UN envoy calls on Somali Parliament to resolve internal disputes UN News Centre 26 Apr 2010 -- The top United Nations envoy to Somalia today appealed to members of the nation’s Parliament to put aside their infighting and to instead focus on meeting the population’s needs and bolstering security.
• BURUNDI: Returnees find a new place to call home IRIN 26 Apr 2010 -- Just 2km from the Tanzanian border, the “integrated” rural village of Nyakazi in Kibago commune, Makamba Province, houses 198 families, 80 percent of whom are landless returnees.
• Council Of Europe Monitor Rejects Georgia's Bias Allegations RFE/RL 26 Apr 2010 -- A Council of Europe monitor has rejected criticism that his meeting with a South Ossetian official in the breakaway region's Moscow mission indicates bias, RFE/RL's Georgian Service reports.
• Karabakh Peace Call As Armenian Church Leader Makes Historic Azerbaijan Visit RFE/RL 26 Apr 2010 -- Religious leaders from Armenia and Azerbaijan have called for a peaceful resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, during a landmark meeting in the Azerbaijani capital, Baku.
• Somali Pirates Flee Possible al-Shabab Attack VOA 26 Apr 2010 -- Somali pirates based in the central coastal town of Harardhere are reported to be fleeing with hijacked ships and crews to another neighboring pirate stronghold, before a possible Islamist attack on Harardhere.
• PACE session to try to evaluate Russian-Georgian war once again RIA Novosti 26 Apr 2010 -- The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) will try to form a common view of the Russia-Georgian war in August 2008 during its spring session, which will open in Strasbourg on Monday.
• Dozens killed in clashes near Sudan's north-south border RIA Novosti 26 Apr 2010 -- Fifty-five members of a Darfuri tribe have been killed and at least 85 have been wounded in a clash with soldiers from Southern Sudan's army, the BBC has said, quoting a tribal spokesmen.
• ICC rejects appeal to overturn dismissal of charges against Darfurian rebel leader UN News Centre 26 Apr 2010 -- The pre-trial chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has rejected an appeal by prosecutors to overturn an earlier decision declining to confirm charges against a rebel leader accused of directing the September 2007 attack that killed a dozen African Union peacekeepers in Sudan’s strife-torn Darfur region.

News Reports

• Larijani: Sanctions, resolutions not correct language to talk with Iran IRNA 26 Apr 2010 -- Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani said on Monday that language of sanctions and resolutions is not a proper language for dialogue and interaction with the Islamic Republic of Iran.
• IRGC military drill reaches all pre-planned goals: defense minister IRNA 26 Apr 2010 -- Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi said Sunday evening that the recent IRGC military exercise reached all its pre-determined goals.
• Commentary: Iran’s Green Movement In The Doldrums? RFE/RL 26 Apr 2010 -- the most resolute group -- is the IRGC, which now numbers 120,000. As well as being a major player in the political and military arenas, the IRGC is an economic juggernaut and the largest beneficiary of government contracts. Many former commanders of this force have taken senior positions in the executive branch, especially in the Intelligence and Interior ministries.
• Iran completes large-scale military drills in Persian Gulf RIA Novosti 26 Apr 2010 -- Iran's Revolutionary Guards have completed a wide-ranging military exercise in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, Fars news agency reported on Monday.
• Brazil Says It Supports 'Peaceful' Iranian Nuclear Work VOA 26 Apr 2010 -- Brazil's foreign minister is in Tehran for talks with Iranian officials on bilateral and international issues, including the dispute over Iran's nuclear program.
• Iran's Mousavi Accuses Govt. of Persecuting Opponents in Name of Islam VOA 26 Apr 2010 -- Iranian opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi has accused Iran's government of persecuting opponents in the name of Islam.
• Iraq Panel Disqualifies 52 Parliament Candidates, Alleging Ties to Former Regime VOA 26 Apr 2010 -- An Iraqi panel has disqualified 52 candidates from Iraq's March parliamentary election for alleged ties to Saddam Hussein's banned Ba'ath party.
• UK Envoy to Yemen Escapes Suicide Bomb Attack VOA 26 Apr 2010 -- The British ambassador to Yemen escaped an attack by a suicide bomber Monday in Sana'a. Britain closed its mission temporarily and advised its citizens to maintain a low profile.
• UK closes Yemen embassy after ambassador escapes attack IRNA 26 Apr 2010 -- The British Foreign Office decided to keep its embassy in Yemen closed after its ambassador in Sanna escaped a terrorist attack Monday morning.
• Russia Detains, Expels Kyrgyz Ex-Minister RFE/RL 26 Apr 2010 -- Russian forces have detained and expelled a former Kyrgyz minister who vanished during the unrest that swept Kyrgyzstan's former authorities from power earlier this month.
• Kyrgyz draft constitution cuts presidential powers RIA Novosti 26 Apr 2010 -- The interim Kyrgyz government published a draft constitution on its site on Monday, which cuts the powers of the president and changes the Kyrgyz presidential regime into a parliamentary one.
• Kyrgyz ex-minister caught in Moscow, flown to Bishkek - media RIA Novosti 26 Apr 2010 -- Kyrgyzstan's former interior minister was flown to Manas airport near Bishkek on Monday after being detained in Moscow in a joint Kyrgyz-Russian operation, Kyrgyzstan's AKIpress agency reported.
• London bombings may have been avoided, inquest told IRNA 26 Apr 2010 -- Lawyers acting for bereaved families of victims of the 7/7 London bombings accused UK authorities Monday of not acting on details they had about the perpetrators bombers before the 2005 attacks.
• UN food agency steps up response amid growing food crisis in Niger UN News Centre 26 Apr 2010 -- The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) said today it will more than double the number of hungry people it feeds in Niger, despite its own funding gap, as the food crisis in the African country worsens.
• Spain Says Navy Captures 8 Suspected Somali Pirates VOA 26 Apr 2010 -- Spain says its navy has captured eight suspected pirates off the coast of Somalia.
• Anti-Government Protests Spread to Thai Provinces VOA 26 Apr 2010 -- Anti-government protesters are blocking roads in Thailand's provinces, raising fears the political crisis may spread beyond the capital, Bangkok. Adding to the tensions, a counter group is pushing the government to declare state of emergency in some provinces and for the military to end the protests.
• Ukraine against nuclear weapons but needs atomic power - president RIA Novosti 26 Apr 2010 -- The Chernobyl tragedy led Ukraine to abandon its nuclear arsenal, but the country needs nuclear power as its main energy source, Ukraine's President Viktor Yanukovych said on Monday.