News

07 May 2010 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

OIF/OEF Casualty Update 07 May 2010 [PDF]

Soldier uses instincts to uncover hidden weapon Army News 07 May 2010 -- Acting on a gut feeling, an alert Soldier prevented an illegal weapon from being smuggled onto Contingency Operating Base Adder.
MPs teach Iraqis emergency response techniques Army News 07 May 2010 -- After receiving a week of intense training at the Basra Operations Center from the 206th Military Police Company, attached to the 17th Fires Brigade, members of the Iraqi Emergency Response Battalion are better prepared to handle large-scale emergencies.

Coalition Captures Suspected Bomber in Afghanistan AFPS 07 May 2010 -- Afghan and international forces captured a terrorism suspect in Afghanistan linked to suicide bombings and other attacks.
NATO welcomes Georgia's decision to send 750 troops to Afghanistan RIA Novosti 07 May 2010 -- The NATO Military Committee has welcomed Georgia's decision to send 750 additional troops to Afghanistan.

Pakistan opposes Talibanization, FM tells Afghan parliamentary IRNA 07 May 2010 -- FM Qureshi told the visiting Afghan parliamentary speaker that Pakistan opposes Talibanization in his country and Afghanistan.
Kidnappers free Colonel Imam IRNA 07 May 2010 -- Former ISI official Colonel Imam and a British journalist of Pakistani origin were released in North Waziristan by a militant group calling itself the Asian Tigers.
Forces kill 10 militants in Swat, Lower Orakzai Agency IRNA 07 May 2010 -- Security forces killed two militants in Tehsil Kabal of Swat while eight more were killed in Lower Orakzai Agency.

Defense Policy / Programs

Media Availability with Secretary Gates en route to Kansas City, Missouri DoD 07 May 2010
Asia-Pacific Region Stands at Pivotal Point AFPS 07 May 2010 -- The Asia-Pacific region stands at a pivotal point in history as it draws on the strength of regional alliances and partnerships to contend with a broad range of challenges.
Casey Says Army Needs Counterinsurgency Capabilities AFPS 07 May 2010 -- Gen. George W. Casey Jr.: Unfair that the press portrayed Defense Secretary Gates as having to pressure the Army and its leaders to adopt counterinsurgency as a necessary capability.
New Air Force Combat Systems Officer Course opens at Navy base AFNS 07 May 2010 -- Air Force aviator training took a step into the 21st century May 5, when the inaugural class of Combat Systems Officer students began training here with the 479th Flying Training Group.
Civil Affairs Soldiers Prepare for Afghan Mission Army News 07 May 2010 -- Soldiers from the 431st Civil Affairs Battalion, A Company are currently at Army Support Activity-Dix preparing to help rebuild the infrastructure of Afghanistan.
USACE Louisville District awards record amount of contracts within hours Army News 07 May 2010 -- In approximately four hours, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District awarded more than $10 million in contracts for remedial work at Ravenna Army Ammunition Plant (RVAAP) in Ravenna, Ohio.
Rapid Field Initiative Team 3 hits ground running Army News 07 May 2010 -- In such a fast-paced world where people can get food on-the go, order anything online and send messages over the Internet almost as fast as they can type, it's nice to know the Army is able to keep up with the furious pace.
Louisiana National Guard Soldiers critical to block oil slick Army News 07 May 2010 -- Louisiana National Guard Soldiers built a 300 foot floating pier to help block an oil slick in the Gulf of Mexico from reaching the Louisiana coastline.
XM25 lets Soldiers eliminate targets they can't see Army News 07 May 2010 -- The Army's Program Executive Office Soldier showcased some of its products May 5 at the Aberdeen Test Center here.
Army Builds Support For Tomorrow's Conflict Army News 07 May 2010 -- A holistic view of people and equipment. That's what the Army's Materiel Enterprise philosophy is all about.
Phantoms return to Combat Center USMC News 07 May 2010 -- The Marines and sailors from Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 3, also known as the Phantoms, were reunited with their loved ones in the wee-hours Thursday at the Combat Center.
Equipment offload kicks off Exercise African Lion ‘10 USMC News 07 May 2010 -- Under a blazing North African sun, U.S. Marines and Soldiers worked to offload 276 vehicles and pieces of equipment from the USS Arc in preparation for AFRICAN LION 2010 here.
Laboon Wraps Up TSC Port Visits in Baltic Sea Region Navy NewsStand 07 May 2010 -- Sailors aboard the guided missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58) set sail to return to their homeport of Norfolk, Va., May 5, after port visits to countries of the Baltic Sea region.
Independence Begins Industrial Post-Delivery Availability Navy NewsStand 07 May 2010 -- USS Independence (LCS 2) began its first industrial post-delivery availability (IPDA) at the BAE Ship Repair Yard in Norfolk, Va., May 6.
NMCB 11 Participates In CARAT 2010 Navy NewsStand 07 May 2010 -- Fifteen Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) Eleven's Detachment CARAT prepared their equipment for airlift April 15.
Flood Impacts NPC's Connectivity Navy NewsStand 07 May 2010 -- Although infrastructure supporting the Navy's focal point for administrative processes was severely impacted by the May 1 storm and subsequent flood, which damaged Naval Support Activity Mid-Atlantic and Millington, Tenn., Sailors will still have access to some of the services the command provides, said Navy Personnel Command's (NPC) senior enlisted leader May 6.
Future USS San Diego Launched Navy NewsStand 07 May 2010 -- The future USS San Diego (LPD 22) was launched May 7 from Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding's Ingalls shipyard in Pascagoula, Miss.
NMCB 133 Sinks its Teeth into Deployment Navy NewsStand 07 May 2010 -- Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 133's Dental Department found a home in late April among the storage containers, heavy equipment and constant sound of construction on Kandahar Airfield (KAF), Afghanistan.
Seabees Build Water Distribution Site in Djibouti Navy NewsStand 07 May 2010 -- Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 7 were building a water distribution site in the town of Naghad, Djibouti, May 7.
USS Vicksburg Partners with Lithuania Navy NewsStand 07 May 2010 -- Sailors aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Vicksburg (CG 69) visited Klaipeda, Lithuania May 4-7 for a three-day theater security cooperation (TSC) port visit to the country.
Petraeus Describes Changes in Army Structure, Doctrine AFPS 07 May 2010 -- The Army’s conversion to a modular combat brigade structure in the years immediately preceding the surge of forces into Iraq was a key factor in the strategy’s success.
Navy Serves Traditional, Changing Roles, Officials Say AFPS 07 May 2010 -- For the second straight year, more sailors are serving on the ground with US Central Command than are serving at sea in the Centcom area of operations.
Air Force program learns from Airmen AFNS 07 May 2010 -- The Air Force Lessons Learned program gives Airmen the opportunity to share their combat experiences to help future service members.
FAST Marines support cooperative engagement with Lebanese Armed Forces USMC News 07 May 2010 -- US Marines assigned to the Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team, US Central Command, recently headed to Lebanon.
Students attend first Air Assault School held in Europe in 5 years Army News 07 May 2010 -- The 10-day Air Assault School held at Camp Robertson is the first air assault course held in Europe since 2005.
U.S. warship arrives in Vladivostok for Victory Day celebrations RIA Novosti 07 May 2010 -- US Navy's Seventh Fleet command ship USS Blue Ridge arrived in the Russian Far Eastern port of Vladivostok to take part in Victory Day celebrations.
Air Force officials support oil containment efforts AFNS 07 May 2010 -- Air Forces Northern officials are providing units to help disperse the spill and mitigate its impact as it makes its way toward the shoreline.
Military Support Continues on Gulf Coast AFPS 07 May 2010 -- Military support continues today as part of an interagency response force that’s working to clean up an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
Kentucky Guard Continues to Fight Floods Waters AFPS 07 May 2010 -- More than 80 members of the Kentucky National Guard remain on duty after last weekend's storms drenched the south-central part of the state with several inches of rain.
U.S. Army Europe Soldiers marching into history in Moscow Army News 07 May 2010 -- Soldiers of U.S. Army Europe's 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team will march into history during Russia's 65th Victory Day parade in Moscow, May 9.

Results of Bulava probe due May 20 - Russian Navy RIA Novosti 07 May 2010 -- A special investigation commission will announce the official results of a probe into the latest failure of Russia's Bulava missile.
Russia set to keep Typhoon class nuclear subs until 2019 - Navy RIA Novosti 07 May 2010 -- Russia's Typhoon class strategic nuclear-powered submarines will remain in service with the Navy until 2019.
Moscow to press U.S. to end sanctions on Russian firms RIA Novosti 07 May 2010 -- Moscow will continue to push for the lifting of U.S. sanctions against Russian companies, including a state-run arms exporter.
Russia to build $3 bln Black Sea naval base by 2020 - Putin RIA Novosti 07 May 2010 -- Russia will complete the construction of a new naval base at the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiisk by 2020.
Russia not to reinforce anti-piracy presence in Gulf of Aden RIA Novosti 07 May 2010 -- Russia has no plans to beef up its task force in the Gulf of Aden following a pirate attack on a Russian tanker.
Russian release of Somali pirates divides legal experts RIA Novosti 07 May 2010 -- Famous Russian lawers express totally contradicting opinions about the recent release of Somali pirates who seized a Russian tanker.
Russian press discusses details of tanker rescue operation RIA Novosti 07 May 2010 -- As the Russian Moscow University tanker sets off for refueling, heated discussion of the details of the rescue operation fills the Russian press.

Russian-Italian small arms joint venture to open in Russia RIA Novosti 07 May 2010 -- State Technology Corporation Rostekhnologii plans to embark on a joint small arms production venture with Italian firearms company Beretta.

Ukraine to join NATO force this year despite new leader RIA Novosti 07 May 2010 -- Despite election of new president, Ukrainian troops still plan to join NATO's rapid reaction force later this year.

Velayat 89 wargame showcases Islamic Iran's strength - official IRNA 07 May 2010 -- Iranian army official: Velayat 89 wargame has been conducted mainly to showcase Islamic Iran's strength.
2nd phase of Velayat 89 wargame over IRNA 07 May 2010 -- The second phase of `Velayat 89' wargame ended in the Persian Gulf, Sea of Oman and the northern Indian Ocean covering an area of 250,000 square kilometers.

French warship visits Russia for Victory Day celebrations RIA Novosti 07 May 2010 -- A French missile frigate has arrived in the port of Severomorsk in northern Russia to take part in the celebrations dedicated to the 65th anniversary of the Allied victory in Europe during World War II.

Kyrgyzstan to bow out of CSTO, CIS informal summits RIA Novosti 07 May 2010 -- Kyrgyzstan will not participate in the Collective Security Treaty Organization and CIS informal summits as the country has not formed its constitutional government.

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for May 07, 2010
First torpedo launched from C295 EADS 07 May 2010 -- Airbus Military successfully conducted the first torpedo launch from one of its C295 Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA). This represents an important milestone in the development of the antisubmarine version of the C295 MPA. It is also a significant entry for Airbus Military into the market of Anti Submarine Warfare (ASW) aircraft, currently dominated by veteran aircraft such as the P-3 Orion and the Atlantique.
Northrop Grumman-Built U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Waesche (WMSL 751) Commissioned in Ship's Home Port of Alameda Northrop Grumman 07 May 2010 -- Today the Northrop Grumman Corporation-built (NYSE:NOC) National Security Cutter (NSC) USCGC Waesche was commissioned here, allowing the service's most capable and technologically-advanced maritime asset to join the Coast Guard fleet.

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 07 May 2010

US Envoy Meets Palestinian Leaders to Discuss Peace Talks VOA 07 May 2010 -- U.S. President Barack Obama's point man in the Middle East is continuing with a shuttle mission aimed at reviving the peace process.

Somalia: UN official urges armed groups to vacate clinic and allow access for civilians UN News Centre 07 May 2010 -- Top UN relief official in Somalia called on armed groups occupying a medical clinic to vacate the compound.

UN condemns killing of peacekeepers in Darfur UN News Centre 07 May 2010 -- The UN has voiced outrage after two peacekeepers serving with the joint AU-UN force in Darfur were killed.

Security Council consults on cutting UN military force in Chad UN News Centre 07 May 2010 -- Security Council held closed consultations on cuts to the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Chad.
UN agency moves Central African refugees into Chad UN News Centre 07 May 2010 -- After fleeing Government-army clashes and walking some 60 kilometres to the border with Chad, 1,100 refugees from the Central African Republic (CAR) are being moved into a United Nations camp.

Indo-Pak troops clash in Kashmir ahead of Foreign Ministers talk IRNA 07 May 2010 -- A day before Indian and Pakistani FM were likely to talk the Line of Control in Kashmir flared up once again with military personnel stationed along the dividing line exchanging heavy gunfire.

Georgia should start talks with Abkhazia, S.Ossetia - opposition RIA Novosti 07 May 2010 -- Georgia should start direct talks with its former republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, the leader of the country's opposition movement For Just Georgia said on Friday.

News Reports

Cautious Optimism One Year after Obama Cairo Speech VOA 07 May 2010 -- Opinion polls have shown that President Barack Obama's widely-publicized speech in Cairo last June calling for improved U.S. relations with the Muslim world raised public expectations for such an outcome.

Death toll in Chinese unrest reaches 140 RIA Novosti 07 May 2010 -- The death toll from riots on Sunday in China's Muslim Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has risen to 140.

Kyrgyzstan Demands Extradition of Ousted President VOA 07 May 2010 -- Kyrgyzstan's interim government says it has formally asked Belarus to extradite ousted President Kurmanbek Bakiyev.
Kyrgyzstan requests extradition of ex-president from Belarus RIA Novosti 07 May 2010 -- Kyrgyzstan's prosecutor general formally asked Belarus on Friday to extradite ousted Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev.
Kyrgyz Say They've Requested Bakiev's Extradition RFE/RL 07 May 2010 -- Officials of Kyrgyzstan's interim government say they have formally requested the extradition from Belarus of deposed President Kurmanbek Bakiev.

Nepal: UN human rights official concerned about increased violence UN News Centre 07 May 2010 -- The United Nations human rights representative in Nepal voiced concern about the rising violence and intimidation in the South Asian nation.
Middle Class Pushes Back in Nepal Strike VOA 07 May 2010 -- Stones were thrown following a large Kathmandu peace rally opposing the six-day-old nationwide strike imposed by Nepal's former rebels.
Tens of thousand Nepali people rally demanding end of Maoist strike IRNA 07 May 2010 -- Tens of thousands of local residents poured out into the streets of Nepalese capital demanding that the Maoists end their crippling general strike.

Burma Opposition Members Split to Form New Party VOA 07 May 2010 -- The National League for Democracy confirmed that some members have split off to form a new party to be called the National Democratic Force.

Philippines Braces for an Uncertain Election VOA 07 May 2010 -- Campaigning is drawing to a close in the Philippines ahead of next Monday's national election.

ZIMBABWE: Opposition infighting raises spectre of violence IRIN 07 May 2010 -- A public disagreement between Zimbabwe's PM Tsvangirai, and Finance Minister Biti is being seen as evidence of greater divisions between two senior leaders of the MDC.

Kenya Steps Closer to New Constitution VOA 07 May 2010 -- On Thursday Kenyan Attorney General Amos Wako released the final version of a new constitution to the Kenyan public.
KENYA: Your guns or your freedom, please IRIN 07 May 2010 -- Thousands of security personnel have been deployed across northern Kenya to confiscate weapons.

U.S. Hopes To Keep Armenia-Turkey Reconciliation Process Alive RFE/RL 07 May 2010 -- The latest U.S. call for continued progress in Turkish-Armenian normalization -- in this case by Washington's ambassador to Armenia, Marie Yovanovitch.

Medvedev Says Stalin's Crimes Toward His Own People Cannot Be Forgiven RFE/RL 07 May 2010 -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev says crimes committed by Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin toward his own people can never be forgiven.
Soviet military archives from WWII must be opened - Medvedev RIA Novosti 07 May 2010 -- President Dmitry Medvedev: Most of the secret Russian military archives of the World War II-era must be opened.

Leader of Britain's Liberal Democrats Key to New Government VOA 07 May 2010 -- Britain's election turned into high political drama, with the Conservatives and Labor Party wooing a potential ally: Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg.
Political Jockeying after British Elections End in Hung Parliament VOA 07 May 2010 -- Political jockeying has begun in Britain after Thursday's tight but inconclusive general election, with no party winning an outright parliamentary majority.
British Parties Seek Partners After Inconclusive Election VOA 07 May 2010 -- Negotiations to form the next British government are underway following parliamentary elections in which opposition Conservatives gained the most seats, but not enough to immediately take power.
Conservative party leads in U.K. parliamentary elections RIA Novosti 07 May 2010 -- The opposition Conservative party leads in Thursday's parliamentary elections in the U.K., but fails to gain enough seats to get a parliamentary majority.

IAC reports to Polish authorities on presidential plane crash probe RIA Novosti 07 May 2010 -- The CIS civil aviation body has informed the Polish authorities on details of its investigation into the plane crash in western Russia in which the Polish president was killed.

Press Conference by Emergency Relief Coordinator United Nations 07 May 2010

Thales Alenia Space and Telespazio sign contract for Sicral 2 Thales 07 May 2010 -- Thales Alenia Space Italia and Telespazio announced today that they have signed a contract with the Italian Ministry of Defence and the French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) for the development of the Sicral 2 satellite and ground segment for military communications. The contract is worth about €295m in total, of which €193m relates to Thales Alenia Space and €102m to Telespazio. The contract is likely to commence in early June, shortly after the Framework Loan Agreement with the selected bank is signed. This result was due to the decisive and essential commitment of the Italian ministry of defense, which supported this major project from the outset, along with the French ministry of defense.

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