News

26 May 2010 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

OIF/OEF Casualty Update 26 May 2010 [PDF]

Broad coalition, best option for government in Iraq - UN envoy IRNA 26 May 2010 -- A broad-based coalition government in Iraq is a better alternative for the people of that country.

DoD News Briefing with Maj. Gen. Carter at the Pentagon Briefing Room via Teleconference from Afghanistan DoD 26 May 2010
Coalition Forces Capture Provincial Taliban Commander AFPS 26 May 2010 -- A combined Afghan-international security force captured a Taliban operations facilitator and other suspected militants in southeastern Afghanistan.
British soldier killed on foot patrol in Afghanistan IRNA 26 May 2010 -- A British soldier has been killed during fighting in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defense in London announced Wednesday.
U.S., NATO Forces Set Sights on Kandahar AFPS 26 May 2010 -- Top commander underscored the complexity of their charge, citing “political problems and impunities” as the main challenge to overcome.
US, NATO Gear Up for Major Offensive in Kandahar VOA 26 May 2010 -- Thousands of additional American forces are heading into southern Afghanistan, part of the troop surge that President Obama has deployed to help end the Taliban-fuelled insurgency.
British Commander Says Southern Afghan Operation On Track VOA 26 May 2010 -- The British commander of international forces in southern Afghanistan says his efforts in Helmand and Kandahar Provinces are on track.
307th deploys in support of surge efforts Army News 26 May 2010 -- Soldiers from the 307th Integrated Theater Signal Battalion's Headquarters and Headquarters and Bravo Companies bid farewell to the Soldiers at a deployment ceremony.
Uzbek-Tajik Dispute Disrupts NATO Supplies To Afghanistan RFE/RL 26 May 2010 -- The NATO-led ISAF in Afghanistan says it "may have to reroute some shipments" that are stranded in Central Asia.
Russian lawmaker warns U.S., NATO on failure to tackle Afghan drugs RIA Novosti 26 May 2010 -- Russia should close the cargo transit for the United States and NATO to Afghanistan until they start destroying poppy plantations.
Afghan Army Chief, Advisor Shape Growing Force AFPS 26 May 2010 -- As the Afghan army rapidly approaches a 171,000-troop level this year, the force’s top-ranking uniformed leader is tackling growing pains with help from an U.S. Army advisor.
Trainers Provide Lessons-Learned to Deploying Troops AFPS 26 May 2010 -- Army Staff Sgt. Chris Kleinhans has just about seen it all during his past two-and-a-half years as a trainer/mentor at the Joint Readiness Training Center.
Talks with Taliban Take Center Stage at Afghan 'Peace Jirga' VOA 26 May 2010 -- A twice-delayed national jirga led by Afghan President Hamid Karzai is set to begin on 2 June, drawing some 1,600 Afghans to Kabul.
Red Cross Providing First Aid Training to Taliban VOA 26 May 2010 -- The International Committee of the Red Cross is defending its practice of providing first aid training courses to Taliban militants in Afghanistan.

Pentagon Moves For More Clandestine Operations VOA 26 May 2010 -- The U.S. Defense Department is reported to be broadly expanding clandestine military intelligence activity in the Middle East and Horn of Africa.

Defense Policy / Programs

Remarks by Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism John Brennan at CSIS The White House 26 May 2010

Obama calls on Republicans to cooperate in ratifying arms treaty with Russia RIA Novosti 26 May 2010 -- US President Obama called on Republicans to cooperate in ratification of strategic arms reduction deal.

Russia: US missiles in Poland do not strengthen security RIA Novosti 26 May 2010 -- The deployment of the U.S. Patriot missiles in Poland does not enhance regional security and cooperation.
Russia Criticizes U.S. Patriot Missile Deployment Near Kaliningrad RFE/RL 26 May 2010 -- Russia's Foreign Ministry has criticized the US deployment of missiles in Poland, saying the move did not help security or trust.
Poland welcomes U.S. missile battery as key to national security RIA Novosti 26 May 2010 -- The stationing of US Patriots missiles on Polish soil is an important step in strengthening Poland's security.

X-51 Waverider makes historic hypersonic flight AFNS 26 May 2010 -- An X-51A Waverider flight-test vehicle successfully made the longest supersonic combustion ramjet-powered hypersonic flight May 26 off the southern California Pacific coast.
USS Lassen Returns to Yokosuka Navy NewsStand 26 May 2010 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen returned to Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka following spring deployment.
Enterprise Conducts First Underway Ammo Onload in Two Years Navy NewsStand 26 May 2010 -- USS Enterprise began its first major ammunition onload in more than two years with the dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS Lewis and Clark.
Raider Battalion provides urban focus to Puerto Rico National Guard unit Army News 26 May 2010 -- Capt. Carlos J. Gonzalez watched approvingly as his Soldiers were put through their paces during several complex urban operations scenarios, at Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center.
ONR's Wall-Climbing 'Power' Tool Ratchets Up Fleet Week New York Navy NewsStand 26 May 2010 -- The Office of Naval Research is collaborating with industry partners on the ruggedized, hand-held wall-scaling tool called the Powered Rope Ascender.
Lightweight Performance Hood Army News 26 May 2010 -- The Lightweight Performance Hood (LPH) is a recently fielded piece of fire-resistant Soldier equipment that can save Soldiers from burns.
Avionics shop works around the clock to repair vital aircraft parts for C-17s worldwide AFNS 26 May 2010 -- Airmen from the 437th Maintenance Squadron avionics flight are working around the clock in order to ensure vital repairs are made on parts necessary for C-17s.
Airmen working to reduce energy footprint by 2015 AFNS 26 May 2010 -- Air Force officials set a goal in 2005 to reduce the energy facilities use by 2 percent. In 2007, officials modified these goals to an annual 3 percent reduction through 2015.
USS Alabama Celebrates 25 Years of Service Navy NewsStand 26 May 2010 -- Sailors aboard USS Alabama celebrated the 25th anniversary of the ship's commissioning with a ceremony.
Groundbreaking Ceremony Begins Military Construction Project at Mina Salman Port Navy NewsStand 26 May 2010 -- The government of Bahrain and the US Navy hosted a groundbreaking ceremony at Mina Salman Port.
Indonesia Welcomes Task Group for Naval Engagement Activity Navy NewsStand 26 May 2010 -- Indonesia welcomed USS Tortuga, USS Vandegrift, USNS Salvor and the US Coast Guard cutter Mellon for Naval Engagement Activity exercise.
Turkish KFOR Soldiers demonstrate quick reaction skills Army News 26 May 2010 -- Soldiers from Turkey, the newest partner nation in Multinational Battle Group East, showed their capacity to react quickly to unexpected situations.
Guard, Israeli Home Front Command trade experiences Army News 26 May 2010 -- A four-year relationship between the National Guard and the Israeli Defense Force's Home Front Command is yielding valuable lessons for both sides.
Press Gaggle by Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton, 5/26/10 The White House 26 May 2010
States Prepare to Help Louisiana in Oil Spill Response AFPS 26 May 2010 -- The National Guards of several states are closely watching Louisiana this week and are prepared to assist in its oil spill operations if needed.

Britain Reveals Size of Nuclear Stockpile VOA 26 May 2010 -- Britain has announced for the first time the size of its nuclear arsenal, saying it has 225 warheads.

Russia sends its mightiest warships for drills in Far East RIA Novosti 26 May 2010 -- Flagships of three Russian fleets have united in Russia's Far East for the large-scale naval exercises in the Sea of Japan in June.
Legendary Kalashnikov assault rifle: History and prospects RIA Novosti 26 May 2010 -- The Russian armed forces will continue using firearms based on the assault rifle Mikhail Kalashnikov designed in 1947.
Russian Defense Ministry plans to order An-124, An-70 transport aircraft RIA Novosti 26 May 2010 -- Russian Defense Ministry intends to order An-124 and An-70 military transport aircraft under the new state arms procurement program.
Russia Ready To Reduce Price Of Arms For Collective Security Treaty Allies RFE/RL 26 May 2010 -- Russia says it is ready to sell arms to its partners in a regional security grouping at a reduced price.

Ukraine to build up cooperation with NATO to reform armed forces RIA Novosti 26 May 2010 -- Ukraine will build up cooperation with NATO to reform its Armed Forces.
Ukraine unwilling to reduce cooperation with NATO RIA Novosti 26 May 2010 -- Ukraine has no intention of reducing cooperation with NATO.

More than 2,000 Belarusian soldiers to participate in CSTO's military contingent RIA Novosti 26 May 2010 -- Belarus will contribute more than 2,000 troops to the post-Soviet security group's rapid reaction force.

Pakistani admiral calls for expansion of defensive cooperation with Iran IRNA 26 May 2010 -- Commander of Pakistan Navy called for expansion of defensive cooperation with Iran.

U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing - 5/26/10 US Dept. of State 26 May 2010

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for May 26, 2010
Boeing Conducts Test Flight of ScanEagle Compressed Carriage Boeing 26 May 2010 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] successfully flew its ScanEagle Compressed Carriage (SECC) unmanned airborne system (UAS) at a testing facility in eastern Oregon on May 12. The 75-minute flight evaluated the aircraft's airworthiness and flight characteristics in a simulated intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) mission.
Lockheed Martin Dedicates New PAC-3 Missile Facility In Camden, Arkansas Lockheed Martin 26 May 2010 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] dedicated the expansion of its state-of-the-art Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missile production complex in Camden, AR, during a ribbon cutting ceremony today. The company anticipates that the new facility will allow for continued production expansion and modest employment growth over the next several years.
Boeing X-51A WaveRider Breaks Record in 1st Flight Boeing 26 May 2010 -- In its first flight attempt, the Boeing [NYSE: BA] X-51A WaveRider today successfully completed the longest supersonic combustion ramjet-powered flight in history -- nearly three and a half minutes at a top speed of Mach 5.
DARPA Awards Lockheed Martin $3.9M Contract to Develop Advanced Rifle Scope for Soldiers Lockheed Martin 26 May 2010 -- The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) awarded Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] a $3.93 million contract to develop a rifle-scope attachment to enhance soldiers’ marksmanship capabilities.
Pratt & Whitney Delivers Final F135 Flight Test Engine, First Lot of Production Engines Pratt & Whitney 26 May 2010 -- Pratt & Whitney has delivered the final F135 flight test engine and the first lot of F135 production engines to the customer, marking yet another major program milestone as the engine continues to successfully power the F-35 flight test program. Pratt & Whitney is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX) company.
Hawkei shortlisted for Army vehicle program Thales 26 May 2010 -- Thales’s exclusive Australian partner for LAND 121 Phase 4 and the leading provider of combat-proven armour solutions.
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Scramjet Powers Historic First Flight of X-51A WaveRider Pratt & Whitney 26 May 2010 -- The X-51A WaveRider hypersonic vehicle, powered by Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne’s scramjet engine, achieved aviation history today by making the longest-ever supersonic combustion ramjet-powered flight. Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX) company.

Other Conflicts

Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General - 05/26/10 United Nations 26 May 2010

Press Availability With Korean Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan After their Meeting US Dept. of State 26 May 2010
Gates, Kitazawa Confer on Korea, Futenma Relocation AFPS 26 May 2010 -- North Korea was at the heart of discussions that Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Japanese Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa.
KPA to Destroy Means of S. Side's Psychological Warfare KCNA 26 May 2010 -- South Korean military have carved slogans for anti-DPRK psychological warfare in the Demilitarized Zone.
S. Korea's Moves for War Aggression on DPRK Flayed KCNA 26 May 2010 -- Dangerous moves of the south Korean authorities who seek provocations against the DPRK.
Prevailing Situation Requires Merciless Counter-Actions KCNA 26 May 2010 -- Ssouth Korea called for "punishment" and "retaliation" and urging the international community to slap additional "sanctions" against the DPRK.
KCNA: Who Got Benefit from "Cheonan Case" KCNA 26 May 2010 -- The United States is taking the lead in disturbing the world after the south Korean authorities announced results of Cheonan investigation.
Clinton Calls on China to Help Punish North Korea VOA 26 May 2010 -- Secretary of State Clinton met with South Korea's president as efforts get underway to rally global support for measures against North Korea.
Clinton Says World Must Respond to Sinking of S. Korean Warship VOA 26 May 2010 -- US Secretary of State Clinton: World has a duty to respond to the sinking of a S. Korean warship that has been blamed on N. Korea.
U.S. State Department hopes to ease tensions between two Koreas RIA Novosti 26 May 2010 -- US Department of State hopes to "influence" North Korea and prevent escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
Russian experts to look into warship's sinking in S.Korea RIA Novosti 26 May 2010 -- President Medvedev will send a group of Russian experts to examine the results of a probe into the sinking of a South Korean warship.
Russian military says troops not on high alert in response to Korean crisis RIA Novosti 26 May 2010 -- Russian troops have not been put on high alert following the brewing crisis between North and South Korea.
S. Korea Plans to Stage Military Exercises KCNA 26 May 2010 -- South Korea mulling a series of war exercises in the waters of the West Sea of Korea.
North Korea Cuts Some Links with South VOA 26 May 2010 -- North Korea has begun to freeze ties with the South, which already halted most trade with Pyongyang.

Aid Ships Head to Gaza Despite Israeli Objections VOA 26 May 2010 -- Tensions are building as eight ships carrying thousands of tons of material and supplies are headed for Gaza to break a blockade-Israel imposed in 2007.
Obama Invites Israeli PM to Talks in Washington VOA 26 May 2010 -- A top White House official has invited Israeli PM Netanyahu to formal talks with US President Obama next week.
Nasrollah: Israel is worried about Resistance missile power IRNA 26 May 2010 -- Seyed Hassan Nasrollah: Israel is worried about resistance missile power now more than ever.
Hezbollah threatens to strike Israeli ships in case of war RIA Novosti 26 May 2010 -- The Shiite armed group Hezbollah will strike all Israeli ships in the Mediterranean Sea if a new armed conflict between Israel and Lebanon breaks out.
Nasrollah warns Israel against Lebanese ports blockade IRNA 26 May 2010 -- Secretary General of Lebanese Hezbollah Seyed Hassan Nasrollah said if a new war breaks out by Israel, Lebanes Resistance will be the winner.

Somali Faction Leader Says He Has Hired German Mercenaries VOA 26 May 2010 -- A Somali factional leader, who claims to be the legitimate president of Somalia, has confirmed media reports that he has hired a security firm in Germany.

ICC sends Sudan's failure to honour arrest warrants to Security Council UN News Centre 26 May 2010 -- The ICC has referred to the Security Council Sudan’s failure to cooperate in arresting a former minister and a pro-Government militia chief charged with war crimes.

Chad reassures UN on protection of civilians after peacekeepers withdraw UN News Centre 26 May 2010 -- Chadian President Idriss Déby reiterated assurances that his Government will take responsibility to protect civilians.
Chad Security Hampers Humanitarian Aid VOA 26 May 2010 -- Nearly two-million people in Chad are affected by a shortage of food brought on by poor rains across Africa's Sahel region.

UN relief chief welcomes US move against Ugandan rebel group UN News Centre 26 May 2010 -- United Nations humanitarian chief praised US legislation seeking to protect civilians from the LRA.

ANALYSIS: Politics of identity - the Jos conflict IRIN 26 May 2010 -- Reverend Zang Tengong is certain a religious war is under way for the soul of Nigeria and believes the central city of Jos is the frontline.

Ban welcomes resumption of Cyprus reunification talks UN News Centre 26 May 2010 -- Secretary-General Ban welcomed the resumption of talks that aim to reunify the Mediterranean island country of Cyprus.

News Reports

Russia rejects Iran's claims it favors U.S. on nuclear issue RIA Novosti 26 May 2010 -- Russia's position on Tehran's nuclear program is neither pro-American, nor pro-Iranian.
Ahmadinejad urges Russia to rethink its support for UN sanctions RIA Novosti 26 May 2010 -- Iranian President Ahmadinejad called on Russia to reconsider its support for UN sanctions.
U.S. Lawmakers Want To Give UN Time On Iran Sanctions RFE/RL 26 May 2010 -- Some U.S. lawmakers say they do not expect Congress to approve new U.S. sanctions against Iran until at least late June.
FM refutes US counterpart's claims IRNA 26 May 2010 -- FM Mottaki refuted the US Secretary of State Clinton’s claim that Iran’s letter to the IAEA was flawed.
Ahmadinejad Urges U.S., Russia To Back Nuclear Fuel Swap RFE/RL 26 May 2010 -- Iran's President Ahmadinejad has urged the US to back a nuclear fuel-swap deal, warning it would be the last chance to resolve the atomic standoff.
Iran expects Obama to seize chance for Iran cooperation, president IRNA 26 May 2010 -- President Ahmadinejad: Tehran Declaration on fuel swap created a golden opportunity for the US President.
Iranian President Ahmadinejad Calls Nuke Deal Final Opportunity VOA 26 May 2010 -- Iranian President Ahmadinejad: Fuel swap deal the "last opportunity" to resolve a long-standing nuclear dispute between Iran and the West.
President urges West to respect other nations IRNA 26 May 2010 -- President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad here on Wednesday called on the Western states to respect other nations.
Jalali advises western countries to appreciate Iranian goodwill IRNA 26 May 2010 -- Rapporteur of Majlis Commission on National Security and Foreign Policy, Jalali: Western governments should appreciate Iranian goodwill on fuel swap.
Iran's new nuclear proposal, a confidence-building measure: Ban IRNA 26 May 2010 -- UN Secretary-General Ban: Iran's new nuclear proposal will be assessed by all concerned parties and, if accepted, could serve as an important confidence-building measure.
Iran's Intelligence Ministry To Prove Neda's Murder 'Staged' RFE/RL 26 May 2010 -- Iran's Intelligence Ministry due to release a documentary to remove of ambiguities surrounding the murder of Neda Agha Soltan.

Belarus to decide on Bakiyev extradition request by end of June RIA Novosti 26 May 2010 -- A decision on an extradition request for ousted Kyrgyz president Bakiyev will be reached by the end of June.
Top Kyrgyz interim officials trade personal accusations in public RIA Novosti 26 May 2010 -- Two senior members of Kyrgyzstan's interim government have become embroiled in a bitter war of words.
Turkish Embassy Official: Former Kyrgyz President Not In Turkey RFE/RL 26 May 2010 -- Some 50 members of the Meken Sheyitteri picketed to demand clarification of media reports that ousted Kyrgyz President Bakiev is in Turkey.
Kyrgyz Interim Official Will Not Run For President RFE/RL 26 May 2010 -- The first deputy chairman of Kyrgyzstan's interim government says he does not plan to run for president or compete in the parliamentary elections later this year.

44 Dead in Jamaican Gunbattles VOA 26 May 2010 -- A senior Jamaican official says at least 44 civilians have died in clashes between police and supporters of an alleged drug lord wanted by the United States.

Ethiopian Opposition Rejects Election Results VOA 26 May 2010 -- Ethiopia's two largest opposition parties denounced the country's recent national elections Wednesday, calling for new vote. International organizations and the United States continue to criticize the election process.
Opposition: Ethiopia 'a defacto One-Party State' VOA 26 May 2010 -- Ethiopian opposition groups announced Wednesday they are rejecting the results from Sunday’s parliamentary elections.
Former US Official Cites Media Unfairness in Ethiopian Elections VOA 26 May 2010 -- A former top U.S. official on Africa says Ethiopian opposition parties failed to get equal access to the media in the run-up to Sunday’s parliamentary elections.
Ethiopia Opposition Leader Calls for New Vote VOA 26 May 2010 -- An opposition leader in Ethiopia has rejected the results from parliamentary elections that gave the ruling party an overwhelming victory and called for a new vote.

Ban urges Ivorians to revive stalled electoral process, resolve outstanding issues UN News Centre 26 May 2010 -- Secretary-General Ban urged all parties in Côte d’Ivoire to resolve the ongoing impasse in the country.

Saakashvili Warns Of Continuing Threat From 'Outside Forces' RFE/RL 26 May 2010 -- Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili today oversaw Georgia's first military parade since the 2008 war with Russia and warned against what he called a continuing threat from "outside forces."

Crew's error caused fatal plane crash near Smolensk - Polish official RIA Novosti 26 May 2010 -- Mistakes by the crew caused the crash of the Polish presidential plane near the western Russian town of Smolensk in April, Poland's envoy to the investigation said in his report on the accident.

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