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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 06 May 2010 [PDF]
• Iraq Launches Anticorruption Plan RFE/RL 06 May 2010 -- Iraq's anticorruption czar says the government has launched a five-year strategic plan to combat endemic corruption in the country.
• Iraqi Shi'ite Blocs Discuss How To Select Prime Minister RFE/RL 06 May 2010 -- A leading official in one of Iraq's two largest Shi'ite electoral blocs says the two have agreed on a way to nominate the country's next prime minister.
• Forces Capture Taliban Commander, Other Suspects AFPS 06 May 2010 -- A Taliban commander and a few other insurgents were captured by an Afghan-international security force in Afghanistan’s Kandahar province last night.
• Report: Afghanistan To Offer Taliban Leaders Exile For Peace RFE/RL 06 May 2010 -- British newspaper: Afghanistan is proposing to offer top Taliban leaders exile if they agree to stop fighting against the government.
• Marja Success Proves New Afghan Strategy, Officials Say AFPS 06 May 2010 -- Ongoing operations in Marja, Afghanistan, are proving the Obama administration is on the right track in that country.
• Afghans Hopeful for Peaceful Future, U.S. Leaders Say AFPS 06 May 2010 -- US military and civilian leaders in Afghanistan they are more optimistic than ever about success there.
• Logisticians face challenges in Afghanistan surge Army News 06 May 2010 -- Army logisticians are facing a time crunch to get equipment into Afghanistan before Soldiers arrive, due to only two major roads leading into the country from the nearest seaport in Karachi, Pakistan.
• 598th Maintenance departs Army News 06 May 2010 -- Nearly 150 Soldiers with the 598th Maintenance Company bid farewell to their families Tuesday as the company departed for a yearlong deployment to Afghanistan.
• Task Force ODIN-A changes command Army News 06 May 2010 -- Rarely are battalion commanders changed during deployment.
• Top-Level Afghan Delegation to Visit Washington AFPS 06 May 2010 -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai and several members of his Cabinet will visit Washington next week for several days of sessions.
• Afghanistan: UN envoy speaks out against attacks on Government buildings UN News Centre 06 May 2010 -- Top UN envoy to Afghanistan condemned deadly attacks on Government buildings in the country’s southwest.
• Pentagon: More Needed Against Terrorists in Pakistan VOA 06 May 2010 -- Pentagon spokesman: More aggressive efforts are needed against terrorist safe havens in Pakistan that are home to groups like the Pakistani Taliban.
• Pakistani Efforts Encouraging, Spokesman Says AFPS 06 May 2010 -- The Defense Department is encouraged by Pakistan’s efforts to go after terrorists within their borders and abroad.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Transcript: DOD News Briefing with Geoff Morrell from the Pentagon DoD 06 May 2010 -- Presenter: Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell
• Gates to Brief Senate on New START Treaty AFPS 06 May 2010 -- Defense Secretary Gates is slated to go to Capitol Hill to brief the full Senate on the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty signed last month.
• Remarks by Vice President Biden to the European Parliament The White House 06 May 2010
• Biden Delivers Message Of Reassurance To Europe RFE/RL 06 May 2010 -- US Vice President Biden has told the European Parliament that the United States and Europe now need each other more than ever.
• General sees opportunity, innovation at F-35 training wing AFNS 06 May 2010 -- The commander of Air Education and Training Command visited the 33rd Fighter Wing April 26 here.
• Base-wide mass notification system growing USMC News 06 May 2010 -- The mass notification system aboard Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany, known as Giant Voice, is available for base officials to communicate with base personnel should the need arise.
• MCB crews refurbish '50s era trailers for duty in Iraq USMC News 06 May 2010 -- Maintenance Center Barstow aboard Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow has a commitment to refurbish 289 M-105A2 military trailers. The “pack mule” trailer has been in use by every service at U.S. military installations at home and abroad for nearly six decades.
• 1st Bn, 1st Marines preps for helo raids in Yuma USMC News 06 May 2010 -- Marines of 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, participated in a helicopter-borne raid in the Chocolate Mountain Aerial Gunnery Range in California May 3, 2010.
• Yuma's VMA-311 completes shipboard predeployment training USMC News 06 May 2010 -- Marine Attack Squadron 311 returned to Yuma April 27, 2010, after spending nearly two weeks off the coast of southern California, completing its final training before its upcoming deployment.
• Marines train to deploy at NTC USMC News 06 May 2010 -- Marines with 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF, conducted pre-deployment training at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif., March 27 – April 4.
• NMCB 3 Builds Communication Skills During CPX Navy NewsStand 06 May 2010 -- Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3 began preparing for their August 2010 field training exercise (FTX) in anticipation of an upcoming Afghanistan deployment by completing a command post exercise (CPX) April 21 at Port Hueneme, Calif.
• United States supports talks on new European security - Biden RIA Novosti 06 May 2010 -- The United States supports the discussion of a new European security architecture, the U.S. vice president said on the eve of his major European tour.
• USS Hartford Achieves Major Reconstruction Milestone Navy NewsStand 06 May 2010 -- The U.S. Navy's supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair Groton, Conn., General Dynamics Electric Boat, and the crew of USS Hartford achieved a major milestone April 30.
• Army Continues Transformation, Casey Says AFPS 06 May 2010 -- The Army is continuing the most fundamental and profound series of changes it has seen since World War II.
• New Leader, new home for the Army Environmental Command Army News 06 May 2010 -- Auspicious signs marked the casing of the organization's colors as USAEC prepares to leave Aberdeen Proving Ground for its new home at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas.
• Social Cognitive Networks Academic Research Center opens Army News 06 May 2010 -- A multimillion-dollar research center intended to improve the U.S. Army's understanding of how technology impacts social interaction officially opened its doors.
• Depot builds kits to protect CREW systems Army News 06 May 2010 -- Tobyhanna is providing an armored layer of protection for critical improvised explosive device jamming systems used in Operation Enduring Freedom.
• U.S. warship to take part in Victory Day celebrations in Russia RIA Novosti 06 May 2010 -- US Navy's Seventh Fleet command ship USS Blue Ridge will take part in festivities dedicated to the 65th anniversary of the Allied victory in the World War II.
• Scout swimmers train for element of surprise USMC News 06 May 2010 -- Marines participating in the Special Operations Training Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF, scout swimmer course conducted helocast operations as part of the final exercise for the course.
• Course helps close the gap between MARSOC operators USMC News 06 May 2010 -- When Marines hear the word 'MARSOC' they typically think of stellar Marines with the highest-speed gear who move the quietest, the fastest and have suppressors on every weapon they carry.
• 2nd Strykers team up with German Panzers for troop training Army News 06 May 2010 -- Troopers from 3-2nd Cavalry spent a week at the Grafenwoehr Training Area working with their partners from the 104th Panzer Battalion.
• Mounted and Ready: U.S. Military trains with Ecuadorians on Mounted Operations Army News 06 May 2010 -- Exercise was just one of many during a recent training event organized by the U.S. Military Group and the Ecuadorian Army 2nd Division.
• U.S. Marine Making a Difference in Liberia USMC News 06 May 2010 -- U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Gary Morris' time in Liberia, which originally began as a voluntary six-month assignment, will end in August 2010, 20 months later.
• HSV 2 Swift Departs for Southern Partnership Station 2010 Navy NewsStand 06 May 2010 -- MAYPORT, Fla. – High Speed Vessel Swift departed Naval Station Mayport May 5 for a five-month deployment for Southern Partnership Station 2010.
• Update: Explosion at Redstone Arsenal Army News 06 May 2010 -- Wednesday, two members of the Team Redstone family were involved in a fatal accident that has deeply touched us all.
• Navy Breaks Ground on Sub Tender Projects in Diego Garcia Navy NewsStand 06 May 2010 -- Navy Support Facility Diego Garcia broke ground on two wharf upgrade projects in support of the future arrival of the forward-deployed submarine tender USS Emory S. Land.
• NOSC Fort Richardson Becomes NOSC Anchorage Navy NewsStand 06 May 2010 -- Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC) Fort Richardson became NOSC Anchorage, Alaska, May 1.
• Quick Efforts Saved Sailors' Data During Flood Navy NewsStand 06 May 2010 -- Navy officials: Personnel records contained on the servers are safe.
• Millington Clears Storm Damage, Works on Restoring Services to the Fleet Navy NewsStand 06 May 2010 -- Base is cleaning first-floor offices and slowly restoring essential services for Sailors.
• ONR Scientist Generates 'Mud Power' for NPR Radio Audience Navy NewsStand 06 May 2010 -- Dr. Linda Chrisey discussed how researchers are generating electricity from bacteria found in mud and wastewater.
• NMCB 7 Detachment Romani Completes Fence Construction Project in Romania Navy NewsStand 06 May 2010 -- Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 7 Detachment Romania Seabees completes the construction of a perimeter fence around Sarichioi Vocational School.
• Russian warships hold air-defense drills in Indian Ocean RIA Novosti 06 May 2010 -- Two Russian warships conducted a tactical air-defense exercise in the eastern part of the Indian Ocean.
• Factbox: Russian-crewed ships seized by Somali pirates in 2008-2010 RIA Novosti 06 May 2010 -- A list of vessels captured by Somali pirates in 2008-2010 with Russian crewmembers on board.
• Russian sailors release Somali pirates - Defense Ministry source RIA Novosti 06 May 2010 -- Russian naval task force sailors released on Thursday the Somali pirates detained after a mission to free the Moscow University tanker.
• No discussion on sending pirates to Moscow yet - investigator RIA Novosti 06 May 2010 -- Russia has not yet decided whether or not to send the Somali pirates captured to Moscow.
• Detained Somali pirates to be sent to Moscow for proceedings - Investigation committee RIA Novosti 06 May 2010 -- Somali pirates involved in hijacking the Russian Moscow University tanker will be sent to Moscow.
• Operation to free Russian tanker from Somali pirates lasted 22 minutes RIA Novosti 06 May 2010 -- The operation to release a Russian vessel seized by Somali pirates on Wednesday lasted just 22 minutes.
• Belarus to allocate commando unit to post-Soviet security bloc RIA Novosti 06 May 2010 -- Belarus will allocate a commando unit to the Collective Security Treaty Organization's (CSTO) Rapid Reaction Force.
• Iranian Navy, Military Conduct New Round of Maneuvers in the Gulf VOA 06 May 2010 -- Iran's navy and armed forces are holding another series of maritime maneuvers in the Persian Gulf.
• Iran's army put southern waters under control during war game IRNA 06 May 2010 -- Iranian air and naval forces put the waters of Sea of Oman and east of Hormuz Strait under their own control during the second stage of the ongoing Navy's military exercise.
• Second stage of "Velayat 89" war games starts in Hormuz Strait IRNA 06 May 2010 -- The second stage of the Navy’s military exercise dubbed “Velayat 89” started in the country’s southern waters.
• King of Bahrain confirms signing Tehran-Manama security pact IRNA 06 May 2010 -- Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Khalifa al-Khalifa here Wednesday evening confirmed that governments of Kingdom of Bahrain and Islamic Republic of Iran have signed a security pact.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs and Deputy Treasury Secretary Neal Wolin The White House 06 May 2010
• US Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 06 May 2010

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for May 06, 2010
• General Dynamics Receives $6 Million Navy Award for Common Missile Compartment Work General Dynamics 06 May 2010 -- The U.S Navy has awarded General Dynamics Electric Boat a $6.4 million contract modification to design special tooling for the Common Missile Compartment under development for the United Kingdom’s Successor ballistic-missile submarine and the U.S. Ohio replacement submarine. Electric Boat is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD).
• Lockheed Martin Receives $3.5 Million Air Force Contract To Integrate Renewable Energy Into Deployable Airfield Power Systems Lockheed Martin 06 May 2010 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has been awarded a $3.5 million contract to develop the Integrated Smart-BEAR Power System (ISBPS) for the U.S. Air Force. The Basic Expeditionary Airfield Resources (BEAR) program equips U.S. forces with lightweight, air-transportable assets used to establish mobile air bases. ISBPS is an intelligent system that will integrate a variety of energy sources, including renewables, into the existing BEAR power grid, with goals to reduce fuel consumption by 25 percent, alleviate logistics burdens and improve power availability.
• U.S. Air Force Awards Raytheon $49 Million for Stand-In Jammer Raytheon 06 May 2010 -- The U.S. Air Force awarded Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) a $48.9 million contract to begin engineering, manufacturing and design (EMD) of its Miniature Air Launched Decoy stand-in jammer variant.
• Scorpene submarine KD Tun Razak leaves France for Malaysia DCNS 06 May 2010 -- KD Tun Razak, the second of two Scorpene-type submarines for the Royal Malaysian Navy, leaved Toulon, France, on Friday 30 April 2010, for the port of Lumut in Malaysia before going on to its base at Kota Kinabalu on Borneo island.
• GE38 Completes First Engine to Test Program GE Aviation 06 May 2010 -- The GE38 turboshaft engine has completed its First Engine to Test (FETT) phase, establishing a new shaft-horsepower (shp) record for the GE Lynn facility, exceeding production performance margins for fuel consumption and completing an initial 30 hour endurance test.
• Rheinmetall plans takeover of Norway's Simrad Optronics ASA, offering NOK 8.25 per share Rheinmetall Defence 06 May 2010 -- Rheinmetall AG of Düsseldorf, Germany, reached an agreement in the evening of 5 May 2010 with Simrad Optronics ASA of Nøtterøy, Norway, under which the German company will make a voluntary cash offer for 100% of the shares of Simrad Optronics. Simrad Optronics ASA is listed on the Oslo stock exchange.

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 06 May 2010
• Arab Israelis Oppose Coming Under Palestinian Rule as Israel Weighs Land Swap VOA 06 May 2010 -- A land swap between Israelis and Palestinians is one possible element of an eventual Middle East peace deal.
• Israel, Palestinians Look for Confidence-Building in Indirect Negotiations VOA 06 May 2010 -- U.S. special envoy George Mitchell has been meeting with Israeli officials in preparation for the start of indirect talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
• Palestinians to decide on indirect talks with Israel on Saturday RIA Novosti 06 May 2010 -- Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has confirmed that the PLO Executive Committee will convene on Saturday and say "its final word" on the planned indirect peace talks with Israel.
• UN envoy voices concern at mosque fire and calls on Israel to curb settlers UN News Centre 06 May 2010 -- Senior UN official called on Israel to curb extremist settlers following a report that a blaze earlier this week in a mosque.
• EU Police In Kosovo Arrest War Crimes Suspect RFE/RL 06 May 2010 -- A European Union police spokeswoman in Kosovo says a man has been arrested on suspicion of committing war crimes during the 1998-99 Kosovo war.

News Reports

• Kacavand not guilty, freed IRNA 06 May 2010 -- Rejecting US demand for deporting Iranian citizen Majid Kacavand to US a Paris court acquitted him of accused crimes and ordered his freedom.
• Interview: Up To Kyrgyz To Decide How To Build Their Democracy, Obama Adviser Says RFE/RL 06 May 2010 -- Michael McFaul arrived in Bishkek and held several meetings with members of Kyrgyzstan's interim government and representatives of nongovernmental organizations.
• Belarus says no extradition request for ousted Kyrgyz leader received RIA Novosti 06 May 2010 -- The Belarusian Interior Ministry has not received a request to extradite ousted Kyrgyz president Kurmanbek Bakiyev, the interior minister said on Thursday.
• Former Kyrgyz President's Chief Of Staff Arrested RFE/RL 06 May 2010 -- The former head of Kyrgyzstan's presidential office was arrested today, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports.
• Seychelles to Establish Regional Court to Prosecute Pirates VOA 06 May 2010 -- In an effort to combat piracy off of the East African coast, the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime and the government of the Seychelles have announced the establishment of a regional center to prosecute suspected pirates on the tiny island nation.
• Thai PM Says Will Not Dissolve Parliament Unless Bangkok Protest Ends VOA 06 May 2010 -- Thailand's PM Vejjajiva will not proceed with an offer to hold early elections unless they end an eight-week long occupation of Bangkok's commercial center.
• Thai Opposition Leader Suggests National Unity Government to End Conflicts VOA 06 May 2010 -- Thailand's opposition Puea Thai Party wants to see a government of national unity installed after elections this year to end the country's political divisions.
• Envoys Express Concern About Nepal's Political Crisis VOA 06 May 2010 -- With clashes escalating on the streets of Nepal, a number of foreign envoys are requesting the government and the Maoists reach agreement in the next few days to halt a nationwide strike.
• Street violence erupts in Nepal amid public anger over strike IRNA 06 May 2010 -- Street violence erupted in the Nepalese capital and outlying districts as public anger grew over an indefinite strike by the Maoists.
• Members of Burma's Main Opposition Group to Form New Party VOA 06 May 2010 -- Leading members of Burma's main opposition party, who disagree with its boycott of an upcoming military-run election, say they are forming a breakaway faction to compete in the polls.
• Burma's Supreme Court Refuses Democracy Party's Petition VOA 06 May 2010 -- Burma's opposition National League for Democracy says the Supreme Court has refused to hear its petition against the party's dissolution.
• UN expert urges Myanmar gov't to keep its promises on elections IRNA 06 May 2010 -- UN independent human rights expert urged Myanmar's Government to "keep its promise" to ensure that upcoming national elections in the Asian country are transparent and inclusive.
• Acting President Goodluck Jonathan Succeeds Umaru Yar'Adua in Nigeria VOA 06 May 2010 -- Swearing-in ceremonies for President Goodluck Jonathan restored some normalcy to what has been a highly erratic chapter in struggle to perpetuate democratic rule.
• New Nigerian President Must Tackle Energy, Jobs, says Analyst VOA 06 May 2010 -- Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan faces pressing domestic issues.
• Late Nigerian President Buried in Katsina VOA 06 May 2010 -- Nigerian President Yar'Adua was buried in his home state of Katsina, less than a day after he died in the capital, Abuja.
• Jonathan Sworn in as New Nigerian President VOA 06 May 2010 -- Goodluck Jonathan is Nigeria's new president. He was sworn in Thursday, hours after the death of President Umaru Yar'Adua.
• Yar'Adua Exemplified Humility VOA 06 May 2010 -- The late Nigerian President Umaru Yar’Adua is being remembered as a man whose leadership exemplified humility and prudence in the management of the country’s resources in the midst of corruption.
• Kenyans Await ICC Chief Prosecutor's Arrival VOA 06 May 2010 -- Chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, is scheduled to arrive in the country this weekend to spearhead investigations into the 2007 post-election violence.
• Egypt's President Chides Opponents in First Live Speech VOA 06 May 2010 -- Egyptian President Mubarak has warned political opponents and reformists against "chaos" in his first live speech since surgery in Germany.
• Ukrainian President Doubts Gazprom-Naftogaz Merger RFE/RL 06 May 2010 -- Ukrainian President Yanukovych doesn't support Russia's proposal to merge its Gazprom gas company with Ukraine's Naftogaz.
• Russian prosecutor general praises Polish cooperation in Kaczynski plane crash investigation RIA Novosti 06 May 2010 -- Russian Prosecutor General Yury Chaika praised Russian-Polish cooperation on the investigation into the plane crash which killed Polish president Kaczynski.
• Russia may hand over all data on Kaczynski plane crash to Warsaw RIA Novosti 06 May 2010 -- Data from Russian investigations into a plane crash that killed Polish President Kaczynski may be handed over to Warsaw.
• Britain Votes in Widely Touted Election VOA 06 May 2010 -- Britons are going to the polls in one of the country's most closely fought elections in decades.