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Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 16 June 2010 [PDF]
• Airpower Summary: June 15 AFNS 16 Jun 2010
• 3rd BSTB Soldiers support Umm Qasr hospital Army News 16 Jun 2010 -- The 3rd Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Soldiers and Iraqi Advisor Task Force conducted their bi-monthly visit to the Umm Qasr Hospital recently.
• Joint Security Station Carver transferred to Iraqi Army Army News 16 Jun 2010 -- Joint Security Station Carver was transferred from the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division to the 45th Bde., 11th Iraqi Army Division on June 11.
• US General: Afghan War like a 'Roller Coaster' VOA 16 Jun 2010 -- The head of U.S. Central Command said Wednesday that the withdrawal date for U.S. military forces in Afghanistan is the beginning of a process and not a rush to leave the country. General David Petraeus likened the counterinsurgency campaign to a roller coaster, saying that the overall military effort is going in a positive direction.
• Gates Says Afghan Effort Goes Better Than It Appears VOA 16 Jun 2010 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates says high casualties in Afghanistan and slow progress in key areas are making the situation appear worse than it is. Gates and the top U.S. military officer, Admiral Mike Mullen, faced questions Wednesday from senators concerned about reports of problems and delays in the operation to assert Afghan government control in Taliban strongholds in the South.
• University Offers Opportunities for Afghan Forces AFPS 16 Jun 2010 -- A new university in Afghanistan will help to bring educational opportunities for the country’s security forces.
• Mullen: Kandahar Vital to Success in Afghanistan AFPS 16 Jun 2010 -- Kandahar, the spiritual home of the Taliban, is the key to success in Afghanistan and the U.S. military is working with Afghan forces to turn the tide against the insurgents, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told the defense subcommittee of the Senate Appropriations Committee today.
• Afghan Civilians Help Police Repel Taliban Attack AFPS 16 Jun 2010 -- Afghan civilians helped police to repel an attack by an estimated 50 Taliban fighters against a police checkpoint in Afghanistan’s Daykundi province June 14, military officials reported.
• Elder shuras may herald time of renewal for Marjah USMC News 16 Jun 2010 -- After establishing a bi-monthly schedule for their meetings last month, the city’s third elder shura took place at the government center in Marjah Afghanistan, June 6.
• Afghanistan Timeline Not a Withdrawal Date, Officials Say AFPS 16 Jun 2010 -- President Barack Obama’s directive calling for the start of a conditions-based drawdown of U.S. troops from Afghanistan in July 2011 shouldn’t be considered as an exit date, but rather the beginning of the transfer of security responsibilities to the Afghans, the top U.S. military commander in the region told a Senate panel today.
• AFGHANISTAN: Military convoys put civilians "at risk" IRIN 16 Jun 2010 -- Only seconds after a convoy of armoured military vehicles passed Fawad Tokhi, 35, at about 8.20am in the south of Kabul city on 18 May, he was wounded in a suicide attack.
• Louisiana Guard begins 'New Horizons' in Haiti Army News 16 Jun 2010 -- The Louisiana National Guard's Task Force Kout Men held an official commencement ceremony for New Horizons Haiti 2010 in Mandrin June 15.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Arms Reduction Treaty Would Make U.S. Safer, Officials Say AFPS 16 Jun 2010 -- The leaders of U.S. Strategic Command and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency told a Senate committee today that they were closely involved in developing the new Strategic Arms Control and National Security Treaty, and that they believe it will make the United States and its allies safer.
• New Treaty Will Ensure Stability, Flexibility AFPS 16 Jun 2010 -- The Defense Department stands firmly behind the new Strategic Arms Control and National Security Treaty, which strengthens strategic stability, enables the United States to modernize its triad of strategic delivery systems and protects its flexibility to deploy important nuclear and non-nuclear capabilities, a senior defense official told Congress yesterday.
• No back-room deals with Russia on arms cuts, missile defense - Gottemoeller RIA Novosti 16 Jun 2010 -- The U.S. and Russia made no secret deals concerning arms reduction or missile defense during talks on the new arms cuts treaty, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Rose Gottemoeller has said.
• Gates: Budget Request Reflects Pentagon’s Reform Agenda AFPS 16 Jun 2010 -- The fiscal 2011 defense budget request continues and builds on the reforms of the fiscal 2010 budget, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told the Senate Appropriations Committee’s subcommittee on defense today.
• Gates Describes Frustrations in Changing Processes AFPS 16 Jun 2010 -- Changing some processes in the Defense Department has required his personal attention, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said today, but he added that he believes those changes are on their way to becoming part of how the Pentagon works.
• Soldiers first to graduate from language detachments Army News 16 Jun 2010 -- More than 370 Soldiers graduated June 11 from new language courses meant to prepare them for Afghanistan.
• USS Freedom Departs San Diego for RIMPAC Navy NewsStand 16 Jun 2010 -- The Navy's first Littoral Combat Ship, USS Freedom (LCS 1), departed Naval Base San Diego today to participate in Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2010, the world's largest maritime exercise.
• Klakring Passes Through Strait of Magellan Navy NewsStand 16 Jun 2010 -- Sailors from USS Klakring (FFG 42), Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HSL) 42 Detachment 10 and embarked Commander, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 40 transited through the Strait of Magellan June 4.
• Pacific Partnership 2010 Kicks off in Cambodia Navy NewsStand 16 Jun 2010 -- Pacific Partnership 2010's arrival in Cambodia was honored during a pierside opening ceremony June 16. USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) and JDS Kunisaki (LST 4003) will support the 11-day visit, Pacific Partnership's first to Cambodia.
• German Minister of Defense Visits USS Harry S. Truman Navy NewsStand 16 Jun 2010 -- The German minister of defense, chief of German naval staff, and several members of the German media visited elements of the Harry S. Truman Strike Group (HSTCSG) June 14.
• Naval Base San Diego Celebrates Grand Opening of Navy Exchange Navy NewsStand 16 Jun 2010 -- Naval Base San Diego's (NBSD) Navy Exchange (NEX) held a grand opening ceremony attended by service members, retiree's, civilian employees and family members June 15.
• Third Army conducts drawdown conference Army News 16 Jun 2010 -- Third Army hosted key leaders June 8-9 at irs forward headquarters in Kuwait for a conference on the drawdown in Iraq, buildup of forces in Afghanistan and reset of the Army.
• U.S. Army reservists aid Indonesia in humanitarian effort Army News 16 Jun 2010 -- On the outskirts of the heavily-populated and poverty-stricken city of Bandung, American and Indonesian forces have banned together to build a civic center and baby care clinic as part of Operation Garuda Shield 2010, a training and humanitarian exercise in Indonesia.
• Network test on mine resistant vehicles Army News 16 Jun 2010 -- Technicians on White Sands Missile Range are installing special communications systems into armored vehicles in preparation for a test later this year.
• Assault Amphibious Crewmen ready themselves for upcoming deployment to Latin America, practice MOUT USMC News 16 Jun 2010 -- A dirt road breaks away from the main highway and cuts deep into the North Carolina forest. Suddenly and almost mysteriously, a row of young date palms grow in a patch of earth where tall evergreens once stood. The sound of Islamic prayer resonates off in the distance as periodic exchanges of NATO and 7.62 rounds echo across the tree-line. A full-scale town comes into view – hastily constructed as it would be on the set of a 1960s Spaghetti Western.
• Romanian, Ukrainian soldiers join US Marines for peacekeeping training USMC News 16 Jun 2010 -- Marines and Sailors with scout platoon, Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Tank Battalion, are currently partnered alongside Romanian and Ukrainian soldiers at Babadag Training Area, Romania, to conduct the third peacekeeping operation training evolution during the Black Sea Rotational Force 2010 deployment.
• Marines, Estonians take beach during amphibious interoperability demonstration USMC News 16 Jun 2010 -- Local residents and visitors crowded the shore to get a glimpse of the sight reflections gleaming from the tops of the amphibious assault vehicles making their way toward the coast.
• Russia to offer Turkey advanced surface-to-air missiles RIA Novosti 16 Jun 2010 -- Russia is ready to participate in a tender to offer Turkey S-300 and S-400 surface-to-air missile systems, the state-controlled arms exporter said on Wednesday.
• Indian Air Force’s MiG-21 aircraft crashes in Punjab IRNA 16 Jun 2010 -- Indian Air Force’s (IAF) MiG-21 fighter aircraft has crashed near Halwara air base in Punjab on Tuesday.
• New Russian nuclear submarine will not enter serial production - paper RIA Novosti 16 Jun 2010 -- A fourth-generation Russian nuclear-powered multipurpose attack submarine that was floated out on Tuesday is too expensive for serial production, a business daily said on Wednesday.
• Russia begins negotiations of Mistral purchase contract RIA Novosti 16 Jun 2010 -- Russia's state arms exporter Rosoboronexport has started contract negotiations on the purchase of a French-built Mistral-class ship, the company's head said on Wednesday.
• June 16, 2010 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 16 Jun 2010
• Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Stuart Levey, Admiral Thad Allen, and Assistant to the President for Energy and Climat Change Carol Browner; 6/16/2010 The White House 16 Jun 2010

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for June 16, 2010
• Boeing Team Helps Royal Netherlands Air Force Achieve Aviation Milestone Boeing 16 Jun 2010 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and The Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) today made aviation history when a Boeing AH-64D Apache became the first rotorcraft in the world to fly using a blend of sustainable bio-kerosene and standard aviation jet fuel.
• Lockheed Martin and Expal to Pursue the Formation of a Union Temporal De Empresa (UTE) For the Spanish VBR Program Lockheed Martin 16 Jun 2010 -- PARIS, FRANCE, June 16, 2010 – Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] and EXPAL today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), intended to facilitate exclusive discussions for exploring the formation of a union temporal de empresa (UTE), or consortium, as the companies pursue the Spanish 8x8 VBR program.
• Thales launches Lynx Thales 16 Jun 2010 -- Thanks to the experience acquired in radar technology, Thales has developed an innovative generation of lightweight and compact Ground Surveillance Radars (GSR) that are adapted to today’s requirements of infantrymen and special forces as well as civil security organisations.
• Thales launches "MOSAIC" Thales 16 Jun 2010 -- Through its modular MOSAIC solution, Thales offers end-to-end resilient and secure C4I services with high-level availability for defence and security customers to exchange voice, data and videos during missions. Therefore, MOSAIC adapts to customer requirements, and operational constraints. It also provides secure and customised communications and information capability with guaranteed quality of service.
• SAIC Awarded Contract to Support U.S. Air Force Distributed Common Ground System SAIC 16 Jun 2010 -- Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) (NYSE: SAI) today announced it has been awarded a follow-on contract by the U.S. Air Force (AF) Warner Robins Air Logistics Center to provide support to the AF Distributed Common Ground System (DCGS) Video Processing Capability (VPC) enterprise architecture. This single-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract has a one-year base period of performance, four one-year options, and a total value of more than $49 million, if all options are exercised. Work will be performed primarily in Dayton, Ohio.
• Defense Business Transformation Agency (BTA) Awards $75 Million Contract to SAIC SAIC 16 Jun 2010 -- Science Applications International Corporation (NYSE: SAI) today announced it has been awarded a prime contract in support of the Defense Business Transformation Agency (BTA) to provide technical support to the Enterprise Planning & Investment (EP&I) Directorate. The contract has a one-year base period of performance, four one-year options and a total value of more than $75 million if all options are exercised. Work will be performed primarily in Arlington, Va.
• The DGA selects Thales for the COMCEPT design contract for the architecture of satellite communication networks Thales 16 Jun 2010 -- The DGA (French Defence Procurement Agency) has selected Thales to perform an architectural study and define the ground segments and networks for satellite communications, as a complement to Syracuse: Inmarsat, Telcosat and Athena.

Other Conflicts

• 16 June 2010 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 16 Jun 2010
• Press Conference on Children and Armed Conflict United Nations 16 Jun 2010
• Ban welcomes Uzbekistan’s efforts to assist civilians fleeing Kyrgyz unrest UN News Centre 16 Jun 2010 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today voiced his appreciation for Uzbekistan’s efforts to address the crisis in neighbouring Kyrgyzstan, where the security situation is reported to be fragile, days after deadly inter-ethnic clashes erupted.
• KYRGYZSTAN-UZBEKISTAN: Tens of thousands of refugees in need of assistance IRIN 16 Jun 2010 -- Clashes between ethnic Uzbeks and Kyrgyz groups in southern Kyrgyzstan since 10 June have killed at least 170 people, injured 1,762 and forced 300,000 to flee their homes, according to the Kyrgyz Ministry of Health and UN agencies.
• Kyrgyzstan Mourns Dead As U.S. Official Visits To Assess Unrest RFE/RL 16 Jun 2010 -- A senior U.S. official travels today to Uzbekistan, where tens of thousands of people have fled violence in neighboring Kyrgyzstan.
• Kyrgyzstan Begins 3 Days of Mourning VOA 16 Jun 2010 -- Flags flew at half-staff Wednesday, as Kyrgyzstan began three days of mourning for the nearly 190 people killed in ethnic violence in the country's south.
• Kyrgyzstan Seeks, But is Denied Outside Military Help VOA 16 Jun 2010 -- As Kyrgyzstan struggles to contain an outburst of ethnic blood-letting, the government is beginning to accept the harsh reality that outside military assistance is not on the way.
• UNHCR Emergency Airlift Arrives In Uzbekistan VOA 16 Jun 2010 -- The U.N. refugee agency says an emergency airlift carrying humanitarian aid for tens of thousands of people fleeing violence in southern Kyrgyzstan has arrived in neighboring Uzbekistan.
• Some 15,000 refugees accumulate on Kyrgyz-Uzbek border RIA Novosti 16 Jun 2010 -- Over 15,000 refugees have gathered on the Kyrgyz border after the recent violence in the Central Asian country's southern Jalalabad region, the State National Security Service reported on Wednesday.
• Russian foreign minister, UN chief discuss Kyrgyz unrest RIA Novosti 16 Jun 2010 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon have discussed ongoing ethnic violence in southern Kyrgyzstan, the Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.
• U.S. keeps close eye on situation in violence-hit Kyrgyzstan RIA Novosti 16 Jun 2010 -- The U.S. is holding talks with Russia on the situation in violence-hit Kyrgyzstan and is ready to provide aid to the Central Asian republic, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs, Philip Crowley, has said.
• Israel's Security Cabinet Delays Easing Gaza Blockade VOA 16 Jun 2010 -- The Israeli security Cabinet met Wednesday to discuss the possibility of easing Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip, but adjourned without making any final decisions.
• DPRK UN Representative on "Cheonan" Case KCNA 16 Jun 2010 -- Sin Son Ho, permanent representative of the DPRK at the United Nations, called a press conference in New York on June 15 as regards the sinking case of the south Korean puppet navy's warship "Cheonan".
• Top UN envoy bids farewell to first batch of blue helmets leaving DR Congo UN News Centre 16 Jun 2010 -- The top United Nations envoy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) today paid tribute to a group of Senegalese blue helmets who are the first batch of peacekeepers to leave the country in line with the recent decision by the Security Council to alter the UN mission there.
• Disarmament process begins in northern Côte d’Ivoire, UN reports UN News Centre 16 Jun 2010 -- The disarmament and demobilization of 600 former combatants has begun in the northern, rebel-held town of Korhogo, the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) reports.
• Lebanon: UN envoy and Prime Minister discuss prospects for long-term ceasefire UN News Centre 16 Jun 2010 -- The top United Nations envoy to Lebanon met today with the country’s Prime Minister Saad Hariri to discuss further implementation of Security Council resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 conflict between Israel and Hizbollah.
• In Sri Lanka, UN political chief holds talks with President, visits war-affected area UN News Centre 16 Jun 2010 -- The top United Nations political official held talks today with the President of Sri Lanka at the start of a two-day visit aimed at helping the island country deal with key challenges in the wake of its long-running civil war.
• OSCE to monitor contact line between Armenian, Azerbaijani troops at Karabakh border RIA Novosti 16 Jun 2010 -- A group of OSCE representatives will monitor on Wednesday the contact line between Armenian and Azerbaijani troops at the border between the two countries, the Armenian Defense Ministry's press service has said.
• Suspects in killing of Darfur peacekeepers to appear before ICC on Thursday UN News Centre 16 Jun 2010 -- Two rebel leaders accused in the September 2007 attack that resulted in the death of 12 peacekeepers in Darfur arrived voluntarily at the International Criminal Court (ICC) today and will appear before judges on Thursday.
• UN extols Sudanese peace pact partners on forming a new Government UN News Centre 16 Jun 2010 -- The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Sudan (UNMIS) today congratulated the partners to the 2005 peace accord that ended the country’s north-south civil war on the formation of a new Government.
• Civilians in Central African Republic Organizing Self-Defense Forces VOA 16 Jun 2010 -- With fighting in the Central African Republic displacing thousands of civilians, some people are setting up self-defense forces to protect their families.
• Ethiopian Official Gets Death Sentence For Supporting Rebels VOA 16 Jun 2010 -- An Ethiopian court has issued a death sentence to a former regional official charged with murder and with supporting an Eritrean-backed terror group.

News Reports

• Tokyo tightens sanctions on Pyongyang RIA Novosti 16 Jun 2010 -- The Japanese government on Wednesday decided to tighten financial sanctions against North Korea starting July 6 in relation with the South Korean Cheonan corvette sinking.
• US Targets Iranians, Firms For New Sanctions VOA 16 Jun 2010 -- U.S. President Barack Obama's administration is taking the first steps toward enacting tighter sanctions against the Iranian government for its nuclear activities. The new penalties target individuals and firms who are linked to Iran's alleged nuclear program and its military.
• Iran's President says Tehran to Continue Nuclear Negotiations VOA 16 Jun 2010 -- Iran's president says his country is in favor of dialogue with the West, but says the West must be punished for imposing new sanctions on Tehran.
• US Targets Iranians, Firms For New Sanctions VOA 16 Jun 2010 -- U.S. President Barack Obama's administration is taking the first steps toward enacting tighter sanctions against the Iranian government for its nuclear activities. The new penalties target individuals and firms who are linked to Iran's alleged nuclear program and its military.
• Ahmadinejad: Iran Willing to Talk if Conditions Are Met VOA 16 Jun 2010 -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says his country is willing to resume talks with Western nations about its nuclear program if certain conditions are met.
• Mehmanparast: Enriched uranium prodcution is for peaceful purpose IRNA 16 Jun 2010 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said here Wednesday that it is totally clear to everybody that production of 20 percent enriched uranium is for peaceful purposes.
• Arrogant powers not able to win concession from Iran: President IRNA 16 Jun 2010 -- The world arrogant powers would “take to the grave” winning any concession from Iran during nuclear talks, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Wednesday.
• Salehi: Designing of a new powerful reactor started IRNA 16 Jun 2010 -- Vice-President and Head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization Ali Akbar Salehi said designing of a new powerful research reactor has started.
• MPs urge gov’t to seriously pursue nuclear program IRNA 16 Jun 2010 -- Members of the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majlis) in a statement on Wednesday called on the country’s government to follow up all aspects of Iran’s peaceful nuclear program “seriously and quickly.”
• Iran to announce conditions for nuclear talks soon: President IRNA 16 Jun 2010 -- President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Wednesday that Iran would soon announce its conditions for the new round of nuclear talks with the West.
• FBI Accused of Using No-Fly List to Keep Some Muslim Americans Abroad VOA 16 Jun 2010 -- U.S. authorities have beefed up enforcement of a no-fly list after several recent terror plots nearly succeeded. Now, an American Muslim group says the authorities are using the no-fly lists to prevent some Muslim Americans from returning to their country.
• Terror suspect wins ruling on UK control order IRNA 16 Jun 2010 -- The UK’s Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that a control order against an Ethiopian terrorist suspect breached his human rights by forcing him to live 150 miles (240 KMs) away from his family.
• American Hunting bin Laden Undergoes Medical Tests in Pakistan VOA 16 Jun 2010 -- Authorities in Pakistan say an American detained on suspicion of being on a personal mission to hunt down and kill al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden has undergone medical tests.
• Russia's Soyuz spacecraft blasts off for half-year space mission RIA Novosti 16 Jun 2010 -- The Soyuz TMA-19 spacecraft with three crewmembers on board has blasted of from the Baikonur Space Station in Kazakhstan for its half-year mission on the International Space Station (ISS).