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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 06 July 2010 [PDF]
• Airpower Summary: July 2 AFNS 06 Jul 2010
• Airpower Summary: July 1 AFNS 06 Jul 2010
• Iraqi Forces Arrest 10 Terrorism Suspects AFPS 06 Jul 2010 -- Iraqi security forces working with U.S. advisors arrested 10 suspects with ties to various terrorist organizations in recent operations, military officials reported.
• Airmen help clear the battlefield AFNS 06 Jul 2010 -- As the drawdown of U.S. forces in Iraq picks up steam, there is a collection of Airmen, Soldiers and civilians ready to process billions of dollars in equipment for redistribution.
• US Commander Says Northern Iraq May Need UN Peacekeepers VOA 06 Jul 2010 -- The top U.S. military commander in Iraq says United Nations peacekeepers may be needed to protect disputed areas in the northern part of the country after U.S. troops leave in 2011.
• USS Eisenhower Completes Successful Deployment to US 5th Fleet Navy NewsStand 06 Jul 2010 -- USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) Ike Carrier Strike Group (CSG) entered the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) July 4, after spending the majority of a successful 2010 deployment assigned to U.S. 5th Fleet AOR.
• NATO: Joint Force Captures Afghan Taliban Commander VOA 06 Jul 2010 -- NATO says a joint international and Afghan force has captured a Taliban commander in southern Afghanistan.
• Forces Conduct Operations in Three Afghan Provinces AFPS 06 Jul 2010 -- Afghan and international security forces conducted combined operations in Afghanistan’s Ghazni, Helmand and Logar provinces last night, detaining a Taliban commander and several suspected insurgents, military officials reported.
• U.S. Senator McCain Says Kandahar Vital To Winning In Afghanistan RFE/RL 06 Jul 2010 -- U.S. Senator John McCain has identified Kandahar as key to the West's efforts to win the war in Afghanistan and predicted an upsurge in casualties as NATO and Taliban forces intensify their struggle for control there.
• Afghan airmen perform Mi-17 sling load AFNS 06 Jul 2010 -- Afghan airmen and Combined Air Power Transition Force advisers conducted an operational sling load with an Mi-17 transport helicopter July 1 from Kabul International Airport to Forward Operating Base Orgun-e, Afghanistan in the Paktika province.
• Guard transports oil cleanup crews to Louisiana islands Army News 06 Jul 2010 -- Soldiers of the Louisiana National Guard's 2225th Multi-Role Bridge Company have been performing transport duties off the coast of Louisiana near Grand Isle and the Grand Terre Islands to assist workers with the oil cleanup effort along the Gulf Coast.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Soldier in Iraq Faces Criminal Charges AFPS 06 Jul 2010 -- Criminal charges under the Uniform Code of Military Justice were preferred yesterday against a soldier assigned to the 10th Mountain Division’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team at Contingency Operating Station Hammer, Iraq, military officials reported today.
• Command's first-ever Global Strike Challenge under way AFNS 06 Jul 2010 -- Intercontinental ballistic missile, B-2 Spirit, B-52 Stratofortress and B-1 Lancer units are competing in the first Global Strike Challenge, showcasing the capabilities and expertise of missile, bomber and security forces Airmen.
• Gates Issues Memo to Leaders on Media Engagement AFPS 06 Jul 2010 -- In a memo to senior civilian and military leaders, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates reiterated the need for leaders to take media engagement seriously, and to stay within their levels of knowledge.
• CMA Destroys 75 Percent of U.S. Chemical Weapons Army News 06 Jul 2010 -- The U.S. Army Chemical Materials Agency (CMA) announced today that on July 1, 2010, it achieved the destruction of 75 percent of its chemical agent stockpile as defined under international treaty obligations.
• Simulators help "Blacksmiths" conduct convoy training Army News 06 Jul 2010 -- Soldiers of F Forward Support Company, 215th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division conducted simulated support convoy training, July 1, at Fort Hood's Battle Command Training Center.
• Long Knife ready for Operation New Dawn Army News 06 Jul 2010 -- Troopers from the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, concluded their culminating training event at the Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort Polk, La., June 26.
• Contracting officials make big impact in National Capitol Region Army News 06 Jul 2010 -- Good things come in small packages. This can also be said for the undersized staff of the Mission and Installation Contracting Command Directorate of Contracting at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall.
• Fort Irwin saving billions of drops of water through recycling program Army News 06 Jul 2010 -- Each day that Fort Irwin and the National Training Center's recycled water, or tertiary treated water, program is in use more than 1.8 billion drops of water or 200,000 to 300,000 gallons of water are saved, which is a significant effort in any climate, but especially in the Mojave Desert, where Fort Irwin is located.
• Building on the basics Army News 06 Jul 2010 -- In a modern warzone, every Soldier is an infantryman. This was never more true for the artillerymen of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, than during their last deployment to Iraq in 2009, when they traded in their cannons for school supplies and humanitarian aid equipment as they helped build up the city of Kirkuk.
• All military medical training roads now start at METC AFNS 06 Jul 2010 -- The future of military medical training arrived here June 30 with the opening of the Medical Education and Training Campus.
• Texas Air Guard prepares for deployment AFNS 06 Jul 2010 -- On the desert ranges of Fort Bliss, Texas, there is a lot of open space for Soldiers to train and prepare for combat in Iraq and Afghanistan.
• Gen. Alston takes reins of 20th Air Force AFNS 06 Jul 2010 -- Maj. Gen. C. Donald Alston assumed command of the 20th Air Force from Gen. Roger W. Burg July 1 on F. E. Warren's historic Argonne Parade Field in a ceremony which also marked General Burg's retirement from active duty after 32 years of service.
• Submarine Missouri Successfully Completes First Voyage Navy NewsStand 06 Jul 2010 -- The nation's newest and most-advanced nuclear-powered attack submarine, Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Missouri (SSN 780), returned to the General Dynamics Electric Boat Shipyard in Groton, Conn., July 4 following the successful completion of its first voyage in open seas.
• At-Sea Interoperability is Focus of CARAT Singapore Navy NewsStand 06 Jul 2010 -- Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Singapore 2010 kicked off with an opening ceremony held at the Fleet Auditorium at Changi Naval Base in Changi, Singapore, July 6.
• New Orleans Celebrates Independence Day with Multination Partners Navy NewsStand 06 Jul 2010 -- Sailors stationed on board USS New Orleans (LPD 18) celebrated July 4 with amphibious operations alongside Marines and South American multinational partners.
• HSV Swift Begins SME Exchanges in Guatemala Navy NewsStand 06 Jul 2010 -- High Speed Vessel Swift (HSV) 2 arrived in Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala, July 3 to conduct subject matter expert exchanges as part of Southern Partnership Station (SPS) 2010 with the Guatemalan defense force.
• HSV Swift Wraps Up SME Exchanges in El Salvador Navy NewsStand 06 Jul 2010 -- High Speed Vessel Swift (HSV) 2 departed La Union, El Salvador, July 2 after two weeks of conducting subject matter expert exchanges with the nation's civilian and military defense forces as part of Southern Partnership Station (SPS) 2010.
• Two Years Later, Future Medical Center Near Completion Navy NewsStand 06 Jul 2010 -- With a scheduled completion date of September 2011, the military medical system's largest infrastructure investment to date — the future Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Bethesda (WRNMMCB) has made significant progress.
• USS Elrod Rescues Stranded Mariners Of Sunken Ship Navy NewsStand 06 Jul 2010 -- The U.S. Navy frigate USS Elrod (FFG 55) rescued 16 Pakistani mariners stranded in a life raft near the wreckage of their fishing vessel 144 miles west of Socotra Island off the Horn of Africa July 5.
• Sailors from 3rd Naval Construction Regiment Participate in CERTEX Navy NewsStand 06 Jul 2010 -- More than 80 members of the 3rd Naval Construction Regiment (3NCR) out of Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Atlanta participated in a week-long certification exercise (CERTEX) at the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Gulfport, Miss., from June 21-25.
• Seabees Begin Work in Indonesia as Part of Pacific Partnership 2010 Navy NewsStand 06 Jul 2010 -- Seabees from the Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11 from Gulfport, Miss., began renovation of the Puskesmas Kalumpang medical clinic in Ternate, Indonesia, June 21, as part of the Pacific Partnership 2010 engineering civic action program (ENCAP).
• No Grenades on Commercial Flights, TSA Tells Troops AFPS 06 Jul 2010 -- The Transportation Security Administration is reminding military members that explosives are not allowed on commercial flights.
• Dr. Biden Hears From Guard Troops, Iraqi Teachers AFPS 06 Jul 2010 -- Reintegration, education and support for single soldiers’ families were among the issues Texas Army National Guard soldiers raised here yesterday during a roundtable discussion with Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden.
• Russia not seeking to limit U.S. air defense - deputy FM RIA Novosti 06 Jul 2010 -- Russia did not seek to limit the development of U.S. air defenses while drawing up a strategic arms cuts treaty, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Tuesday.
• One dead in blast at central Russian firing range RIA Novosti 06 Jul 2010 -- Violation of safety regulations at a military training ground in central Russia's Saratov region caused a blast which killed an officer, the assistant prosecutor of the Volga-Urals Military District said on Tuesday.
• Russia, U.S. to prepare arms cuts treaty for ratification by late July RIA Novosti 06 Jul 2010 -- The Russian and U.S. parliaments are planning to prepare a new strategic arms cuts treaty for ratification by late July, a senior Russian lawmaker said on Tuesday.
• Two Russian ships arrive in South Korea for tactical exercises RIA Novosti 06 Jul 2010 -- Two Russian vessels from the Russian Far Eastern regions of Primorye and Sakhalin arrived to South Korea on Tuesday to take part in tactical exercises.
• Russian naval drills draw attention of U.S. intelligence services RIA Novosti 06 Jul 2010 -- The naval phase of Russia's Vostok-2010 military exercises have drawn increased attention from the intelligence services of the United States and Asia-Pacific countries, a senior source in the Russian Navy said on Tuesday.
• Moscow says European missile defense unjustified RIA Novosti 06 Jul 2010 -- Russia is convinced that there are no threats for Europe that would justify the deployment of a missile defense system near Russian borders, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Tuesday.
• July 6, 2010 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 06 Jul 2010

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for July 06, 2010
• BAE Systems Receives $17 Million Contract from U.S. Army for Headborne Energy Analysis and Diagnostic Systems (HEADS) Sensors BAE Systems 06 Jul 2010 -- BAE Systems has received an initial order of $17 million from the U.S. Army for Headborne Energy Analysis and Diagnostic Systems (HEADS) to help address combat-related traumatic brain injuries (TBI), which according to many medical professionals are fast becoming a signature injury of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
• General Dynamics Awarded $172 Million by U.S. Navy for Virginia-Class Submarine Work General Dynamics 06 Jul 2010 -- General Dynamics Electric Boat has been awarded a $171.8 million contract by the U.S. Navy to provide lead-yard services for Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarines. Electric Boat is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD).
• Sagem’s Patroller™ long-endurance surveillance drone completes fourth series of tests Sagem (Safran group) 06 Jul 2010 -- The Patroller™ medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) drone built by Sagem (Safran group) has successfully completed its latest series of tests, validating overall system operation. Carried out at the Istres air base in southwest France from May 26 to July 2, 2010, these tests included ten qualification flights in manned operational mode, and five flights in drone mode, without a pilot (1).
• Lockheed Martin Delivers 100,000th Paveway II Enhanced Laser Guided Training Round To the U.S. Navy Lockheed Martin 06 Jul 2010 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] celebrated a production milestone recently with the delivery of the 100,000th Paveway II Enhanced Laser Guided Training Round (ELGTR) to the U.S. Navy. Lockheed Martin has produced ELGTRs for the U.S. Navy and international customers since 1992. Current production is part of a five year, $114 million contract awarded in April 2005.
• U.S. Department of State Awards Northrop Grumman African Training Contract Northrop Grumman 06 Jul 2010 -- The U.S. Department of State has awarded a contract to Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) to continue providing staff to conduct peacekeeping operations and humanitarianism assistance training for the African Contingency Operations Training and Assistance (ACOTA) program.
• U.S. Navy Awards Raytheon $368 Million in Contracts for Standard Missile-6 Raytheon 06 Jul 2010 -- The U.S. Navy awarded Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) contracts totaling $368 million with potential modifications for low rate initial production to manufacture Standard Missile-6 systems over a three-year period.
• Rheinmetall - 100% takeover of Norway's Simrad Optronics ASA; squeeze-out procedure successfully executed Rheinmetall Defence 06 Jul 2010 -- Rheinmetall AG of Düsseldorf, Germany, has completed its takeover of Simrad Optronics ASA of Nøtterøy, Norway. Following its submission on 6 May 2010 of a public buyout bid to the company's shareholders, and the end of the offer phase, Rheinmetall now holds 100% of Simrad Optronics ASA stock. This necessitated a squeeze-out procedure conducted in accordance with the Norwegian Companies Act.
• SAIC Awarded $19 Million Task Order to Support the U.S. Air Force Cryptographic Community SAIC 06 Jul 2010 -- Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) (NYSE: SAI) today announced it has been awarded a task order by the General Services Administration (GSA) Greater Southwest Region to provide software development and sustainment support of the U.S. Air Force. The task order has a one year base period of performance, three one-year options and a total value of more than $19 million. Work will be performed primarily in San Diego, Calif.

Other Conflicts

• 6 July 2010 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 06 Jul 2010
• Obama, Netanyahu: US-Israel Bond 'Unbreakable' VOA 06 Jul 2010 -- U.S. President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu say their countries' relationship is not strained and that the U.S.-Israel bond is "unbreakable." The two leaders met at the White House Tuesday.
• Israeli Report: Settlements Cover 42 Percent of West Bank VOA 06 Jul 2010 -- The Israeli human rights group B'tselem says Jewish settlements control more than 42 percent of the West Bank. Although the actual buildings of the settlements cover only one percent of the region's territory, the report says the settlers have seized land beyond their immediate perimeters from Palestinians.
• Israel moving in right direction by allowing more goods into Gaza – UN UN News Centre 06 Jul 2010 -- United Nations officials today welcomed the additional measures announced by Israel in increasing the scope and quantity of materials allowed into Gaza, voicing their hope that the move will help address the needs of the 1.5 million Palestinians living in the territory.
• Hamas says easing Gaza blockade insufficient RIA Novosti 06 Jul 2010 -- The Palestinian Islamic movement Hamas ruling Gaza insists on the complete lifting of the Israeli blockade on the enclave saying easing the grip is not enough, Hamas spokesman Ismail Radwan said.
• FM Spokesman on US Describing "Cheonan" Case as "Violation of AA" KCNA 06 Jul 2010 -- The DPRK Foreign Ministry spokesman gave the following answer to a question put by KCNA on July 6 as regards the fact that the U.S. is describing the "Cheonan" incident as an "act of violating the Korean Armistice Agreement:
• Sri Lanka: UN speaks out against protests trapping staff inside Colombo office UN News Centre 06 Jul 2010 -- The United Nations has registered its strong objections to protests organized outside its offices in Colombo today by a Sri Lankan cabinet minister that prevented the world body’s staff and visitors from entering or leaving the premises.
• Kosovo: UN envoy appeals for calm following deadly violence UN News Centre 06 Jul 2010 -- The top United Nations envoy to Kosovo today urged all sides to pursue dialogue in the wake of recent “tragic” violence in the region’s north, which remains a flashpoint amid continuing tensions between the Kosovo Albanian and Kosovo Serbian communities.
• UN helps train anti-riot police officers ahead of Sudanese referendum UN News Centre 06 Jul 2010 -- The United Nations has helped train some 200 anti-riot police officers in southern Sudan, which is preparing for next year’s referendum on whether it should secede from the country.
• Countries must do more to resettle refugees, UN agency says UN News Centre 06 Jul 2010 -- With more than 800,000 refugees estimated to require resettlement in third countries in the coming years, the United Nations refugee agency is calling for countries to allow in more people – who cannot return to their home nations – to begin new lives.
• SOMALIA: "Mogadishu faces a catastrophe" IRIN 06 Jul 2010 -- Heavy fighting in the northern areas of the Somali capital, Mogadishu, has trapped many residents in their homes, with some unable to bury their dead, civil society sources said on 6 July.
• Turkey not awaiting Israeli response forever- FM IRNA 06 Jul 2010 -- Foreign Minster of Turkey Ahmet Davutoglu said that his country will not wait forever for receiving response from Israel.
• Protesters Demand End to UN Probe into Sri Lankan War Crimes VOA 06 Jul 2010 -- Protesters in Sri Lanka led by a Cabinet minister have surrounded the United Nations office to demand the world body end a probe into allegations of human rights abuses during the country's civil war.
• 8 Killed as Insurgents Clash in Mogadishu VOA 06 Jul 2010 -- Fighting between rival Islamist groups in Somalia's capital has killed at least eight people.
• Azerbaijan Says No New Karabakh Peace Proposals RFE/RL 06 Jul 2010 -- Azerbaijan has denied Armenian claims that Russian President Dmitry Medvedev presented his Armenian and Azerbaijani counterparts with a new international plan last month to resolve the conflict over the breakaway Azerbaijani region of Nagorno-Karabakh, RFE/RL's Armenian Service reports.

News Reports

• Obama, Netanyahu Discuss Iran's Nuclear Program VOA 06 Jul 2010 -- In wide-ranging talks at the White House, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Barack Obama discussed what both leaders say is the threat posed by Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons. Mr. Netanyahu says Iran's nuclear program has been de-legitimized by new U.N. Security Council sanctions, while President Obama underscored the U.S. commitment to Israel's security.
• Iran Denies Jet Fuel Crisis, Urges Citizens to Conserve Energy VOA 06 Jul 2010 -- The European Union says it has banned most of Iran Air's planes from flying in its airspace Tuesday because of safety concerns.
• Iran expects EU to rectify mistakes IRNA 06 Jul 2010 -- Iran expects the European Union to rectify its mistakes consistent with national nuclear program, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Saeed Jalili said on Tuesday.
• Tehran to continue uranium enrichment: FM spokesman IRNA 06 Jul 2010 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehman-Parast said here on Tuesday that Tehran will continue the process of uranium enrichment.
• Mehman-Parast: EU has not imposed extra sanctions on Iran IRNA 06 Jul 2010 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehman-Parast said on Tuesday that the European Union has not ratified any extra sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran.
• Iran Six must hold talks with Tehran soon - Ryabkov RIA Novosti 06 Jul 2010 -- The Iran Six must seize the opportunity granted by Iran's desire to hold talks by arranging a meeting as soon as possible, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Tuesday.
• Iran Says Ready for September Talks if Conditions Met VOA 06 Jul 2010 -- Iran's nuclear negotiator says the Tehran government is willing to start talks with six world powers on its nuclear program beginning September 1, if the other side meets several conditions.
• Pakistan's President Visits China VOA 06 Jul 2010 -- Ahead of a visit by Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari, China is highlighting the traditional friendship and cooperation between the two neighbors. But China is providing no details of a possible nuclear cooperation deal with Islamabad.
• Kazakh 'Leader Of The Nation' Nazarbaev Turns 70 RFE/RL 06 Jul 2010 -- Kazakhstan is marking the 70th birthday of its longtime leader, Nursultan Nazarbaev.
• Clinton Concludes 'Reassurance' Tour of Russia's Neighbors RFE/RL 06 Jul 2010 -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has concluded a five-day, five-country tour of Eastern Europe and the South Caucasus meant to impart a critical message: we haven't forgotten you.
• Hillary Clinton in Russia's zone of privileged interests RIA Novosti 06 Jul 2010 -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton completed her whirlwind tour of Ukraine, Poland, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia on July 5. If we take her at her word, it seems she wasn't terribly enthusiastic about the trip.
• Thousands Attend Funeral Of Lebanese Shi'ite Cleric Dubbed 'Godfather' Of Hizballah RFE/RL 06 Jul 2010 -- Mourners turned out in their tens of thousands in Beirut today for the funeral of a leading Lebanese Shi'ite cleric blacklisted as a "terrorist" by the United States.
• Supreme leader of revolution condoles demise of Allameh Fazlallah IRNA 06 Jul 2010 -- Supreme Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khameneie sent a condolence message Monday on demise occasion of Mujahid Alim, Haaj Seyyed Muhammad Hussain Fazlallah.
• Thailand Extends State of Emergency VOA 06 Jul 2010 -- The Thai government has extended a state of emergency in 19 provinces, including the capital Bangkok, for three months because of fears of renewed violence. The decision to extend the three month state of emergency came at the government's weekly cabinet meeting.
• ECOWAS Upbeat about Peaceful, Fair Guinea Election Run-Off VOA 06 Jul 2010 -- A senior official with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has expressed optimism that Guinea’s presidential election run-off scheduled for 18th July will be peaceful and credible.
• Authorities Call For Calm as Guinea Awaits Decision on Results VOA 06 Jul 2010 -- Demonstrations and accusations of voter fraud have begun to cloud first-round election results in Guinea's presidential poll. Authorities have called for calm as the Supreme Court examines candidate complaints before confirming provisional results.