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18 August 2010 Military News

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Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
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Current Operations

OIF/OEF Casualty Update 18 Aug 2010 [PDF]

Last Full US Combat Brigade Leaves Iraq VOA 18 Aug 2010 -- Two weeks ahead of a schedule set by President Barack Obama, the last large U.S. combat brigade has left Iraq. Pentagon officials stress that some American combat forces remain in the country ahead of an August 31st date to formally transition the U.S. presence to an advisory and training operation.
6 Killed in Iraq Violence VOA 18 Aug 2010 -- Gunmen shot three people dead and a roadside bomb killed two more in Iraq Wednesday in a streak of violence that has hit the nation as U.S. troops prepare to end their combat operations.
Iraqi Forces Kill Terrorism Suspect, Detain 7 Others AFPS 18 Aug 2010 -- Iraqi security forces killed a terrorism suspect and detained seven others in operations over the last two days in Iraq, military officials reported.

ISAF senior-enlisted Soldier hits milestone as he preps to redeploy Army News 18 Aug 2010 -- The International Security Assistance Force's senior-enlisted leader completed his 100th and final battlefield circulation Aug. 13.
Grenade Thrown From Mosque Wounds 4 ISAF Troops AFPS 18 Aug 2010 -- Four International Security Assistance Force servicemembers were wounded in eastern Afghanistan on Aug. 16 by a grenade thrown from a mosque, military officials reported today.
Afghanistan: UN health agency calls for stepped-up access to those in need UN News Centre 18 Aug 2010 -- On the eve of World Humanitarian Day, the United Nations health agency and its partners in Afghanistan are appealing for greater access by and to those most in need of medical assistance.
Afghan Protesters Allege Civilian Deaths in NATO Raid VOA 18 Aug 2010 -- Hundreds of Afghan demonstrators blocked a main highway in the eastern part of the country Wednesday to protest the alleged killing of two civilians by NATO forces.
Medvedev suggests reviving Soviet-era projects in Afghanistan RIA Novosti 18 Aug 2010 -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev proposed on Wednesday breathing new life into bilateral economic projects in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Tajikistan launched during the Soviet era.

U.S. Continues to Rush Relief to Pakistan AFPS 18 Aug 2010 -- As monsoon rains continue to fall on Pakistan, the United States is sending aid as fast as the flood-stricken country can absorb it, a Defense Department official said here today.

Defense Policy / Programs

WikiLeaks Has Yet to Contact 'Competent Authorities' AFPS 18 Aug 2010 -- The operators of a website that published tens of thousands of classified documents have contacted no “competent authorities” in the Defense Department, a Pentagon spokesman said here today.
Pentagon Releases Letter Sent to Purported WikiLeaks Attorney AFPS 18 Aug 2010 -- Defense Department officials today released a letter the Pentagon’s top lawyer sent to a man purported to be an attorney for the WikiLeaks website, which published tens of thousands of classified documents last month and is threatening to release 15,000 more.
Pentagon Rebuffs WikiLeaks on Review of War Documents VOA 18 Aug 2010 -- The website WikiLeaks says the U.S. military has expressed willingness to help review the second batch of secret Afghan war documents it plans to publish, but the Pentagon insists there has been no such contact.

U.S., South Korea Announce Yellow Sea Exercise AFPS 18 Aug 2010 -- The United States and South Korea announced a new set of military exercises that will be held in the Yellow Sea early next month, a Pentagon official said here today.

DoD News: DOD Announces Recruiting and Retention Numbers for July 2010 DoD 18 Aug 2010 -- The Department of Defense announced today its recruiting and retention statistics for the active and reserve components for July 2010.
Department Announces July Recruiting, Retention Data AFPS 18 Aug 2010 -- Three of the four services met or exceeded their active duty recruiting goals for July, and the one that fell short did so intentionally, Defense Department officials announced today.
MOMAU 1, 15 Consolidate into Navy Munitions Command Navy NewsStand 18 Aug 2010 -- Mobile Mine Assembly Units (MOMAU) 1 and 15, the last two mobile mine units in the Navy, disestablished Aug. 17 and consolidated into a single ordnance support capability at Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, Calif.
Navy Working Uniform Type II/III Website Launched Navy NewsStand 18 Aug 2010 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) launched a Web site for the Navy Working Uniform (NWU) Type II/III Aug. 9.
CPPD Expands Operational Stress Control Training Navy NewsStand 18 Aug 2010 -- The Center for Personal and Professional Development (CPPD) has expanded its operational stress control (OSC) training with eight new eLearning courses designed for Navy leaders.
New Army Communications Facility Completed by NAVFAC Hawaii Navy NewsStand 18 Aug 2010 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Hawaii completed final building inspections Aug. 11 for the U.S. Army 53rd Signal Battalion's new Wideband Satellite Communication Operations Center (WSOC) aboard Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH), Wahiawa Annex.
USS New Orleans Completes Colombia Port Visit Navy NewsStand 18 Aug 2010 -- USS New Orleans (LPD-18), along with Amphibious Squadron 5 (PHIBRON 5), and other embarked units departed Bahia Malaga, Colombia Aug. 17, after completing a port visit in support of Amphibious-Southern Partnership Station (A-SPS) 2010.
Naval Aviation Leaders Talk Enterprise Navy NewsStand 18 Aug 2010 -- Navy and Marine Corps senior leaders and senior executive service personnel associated with Navy and Marine Corps aviation met in Great Lakes, Ill., Aug. 10-11 to discuss ways the Naval Aviation Enterprise (NAE) Extended Air Board can improve current and future aviation readiness.
Holloman energy and water conservation projects hit the ground AFNS 18 Aug 2010 -- Officials here are making progress toward reducing energy consumption, which currently costs the base $18,000 per day.
Expeditionary Medical Support training a first at JB Elmendorf-Richardson AFNS 18 Aug 2010 -- Eighty-one Airmen from around the Pacific Air Forces participated in the first Expeditionary Medical Support Training here Aug. 9 through 13.
Multinational Exercise Focuses on Panama Canal Defense AFPS 18 Aug 2010 -- More than 2,000 participants from 18 countries are taking part in Panamax 2010, one of the world’s largest multinational maritime training exercises, aimed at defense of the Panama Canal.
Dried plasma may be approved for Army use within five years Army News 18 Aug 2010 -- Blood plasma, the liquid component of blood, is being considered again in its dried form as an addition to Army medics' kit bags, Army officials said Tuesday.
1st Cav hosts first EFMB in eight years Army News 18 Aug 2010 -- Many military medics have distinguished themselves by earning their Combat Medical Badge (CMB) while deployed in support of combat operations overseas, however, in the military medical community there is a badge that less than one percent of all medics have earned.
Research, development command to consolidate headquarters at APG Army News 18 Aug 2010 -- The U.S. Army is relocating personnel from Fort Belvoir, Va. to APG as part of its force restructuring actions, officials said.
Trauma medicine focus at casualty care conference Army News 18 Aug 2010 -- The Advanced Technology for Applications and Combat Casualty Care Conference is underway for 2010, focusing on medical care for the warfighter.
Alaska National Guardsmen provide medical support at Khaan Quest 2010 Army News 18 Aug 2010 -- Three Alaska National Guard members are providing medical support for U.S. and Mongolian troops during Khaan Quest 2010, a bilateral peacekeeping operations training exercise in Ulaanbaatar and Five Hills Training Area, Mongolia Aug. 8-29.
VMA-223 returns from 24th MEU USMC News 18 Aug 2010 -- Marines from Marine Attack Squadron 223 returned to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point Aug. 10-11, after serving a seven-month deployment in support of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit.
SOCEUR enables POLSOFCOM intelligence effort Army News 18 Aug 2010 -- Human intelligence is critical and key to Special Operations Forces missions. Knowing how to collect, analyze and debrief information is particularly important for intelligence soldiers when providing integral data to commanders and operators on the ground.
Defense Missile Agency Seeks to Cut Costs AFPS 18 Aug 2010 -- In an effort to cut costs and boost efficiency, the Defense Missile Agency is assessing the feasibility of competing $37 billion in contracts, the agency’s director said.
CMSAF shares perspective about readiness, development, resiliency AFNS 18 Aug 2010 -- The Air Force's top NCO spoke at the Air Force Sergeants Association Professional Airmen's Conference Aug. 17, citing readiness, deliberate development and resiliency among Airmen and their families as his main focuses.
U.S., Vietnam Explore Enhanced Defense Cooperation AFPS 18 Aug 2010 -- A week after USS John S. McCain made its first port visit to Vietnam to commemorate the 15th anniversary of normalized diplomatic relations between the United States and Vietnam, senior defense officials from the two countries met yesterday to explore ways to further enhance their defense cooperation.

Russia to extend military presence in Armenia by 24 years RIA Novosti 18 Aug 2010 -- Russia's military presence in Armenia will be extended by another 24 years, the Armenian foreign minister said on Wednesday.
Russian-Armenian Defense Pact 'Will Prevent New War In Karabakh' RFE/RL 18 Aug 2010 -- Armenia's ruling party says the deepening of Yerevan's military cooperation with Russia will strengthen the balance of forces in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and discourage any attempt to resolve it by force, RFE/RL's Armenian Service reports.
Armenia Says Russia to Extend Military Presence Until 2044 VOA 18 Aug 2010 -- Armenia's foreign minister, Eduard Nalbandian, said Russia will extend its military presence in his country until the year 2044 under a new defense deal.

Decision on Russian Mi-17 deliveries to Afghanistan to be made within 2 months - Russian FM RIA Novosti 18 Aug 2010 -- A decision will be made within two months on the possible delivery of 27 Russian Mi-17 helicopters to Afghanistan, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday.

Death toll reaches 3 in Indian Army chopper crash IRNA 18 Aug 2010 -- Three Indian army officers were killed, including two pilots, when a helicopter they were travelling crashed Wednesday in the mountainous northeastern state of Nagaland, officials said.
India may spend $2 bln upgrading Su-30 fighters RIA Novosti 18 Aug 2010 -- India could spend up to $2.34 billion on modernization of its fleet of Su-30MKI Flanker-H fighters with the participation of Russian companies, the country's Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.

Taiwan to continue upgrading defense capability: Presidential Office CNA 18 Aug 2010 -- The government has been closely monitoring China's military build-up and will not halt its efforts to upgrade the nation's defense capability even as it seeks to further reduce tensions across the Taiwan Strait, the Presidential Office said Wednesday.

Lebanon: UN official welcomes move to ratify ban on cluster munitions UN News Centre 18 Aug 2010 -- The top United Nations official in Lebanon today welcomed the decision of the country’s Parliament to approve the ratification of the international convention prohibiting the manufacture, use and stockpiling of cluster munitions.

Iraqi Army returns to Joint Base Balad AFNS 18 Aug 2010 -- Airmen, Soldiers and Sailors welcomed back the 4th Battalion, 17th Iraqi Army Brigade, here Aug. 16.

August 18, 2010 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 18 Aug 2010
Press Gaggle by Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton Aboard Air Force One en route Miami, FL The White House 18 Aug 2010

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for August 18, 2010
Northrop Grumman Awarded Contract to Provide Encryption Devices for FBCB2-Blue Force Tracking Network Northrop Grumman 18 Aug 2010 -- The U.S. Army has awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) a contract to provide encryption devices that will upgrade communications security of the Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below (FBCB2)-Blue Force Tracking (BFT) network, allowing warfighters to more broadly share critical information.
U.S. Army Acquires First Next-Generation Cargo Vehicles from Oshkosh Defense Oshkosh 18 Aug 2010 -- Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK), has delivered its first next-generation Palletized Load Systems (PLS) to the U.S. Army. The new PLS model, known as the PLS A1, features design improvements creating a more secure and robust vehicle for logistics missions that face increased combat exposure.
Northrop Grumman, Missile Defense Agency Complete End-to-End Ballistic Missile Defense System Simulation Northrop Grumman 18 Aug 2010 -- The U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) have finalized verification and validation of the Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) Performance Assessment 2009 (PA09). PA09 is an end-to-end system-level simulation conducted to analyze how the BMDS integrated radars, communication networks and interceptors perform during scenarios.
U.S. Missile Defense Agency Awards Northrop Grumman $90 Million Task Order for Enhanced Command, Control, Battle Management and Communications Northrop Grumman 18 Aug 2010 -- The U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) a $90 million, 30-month task order to further develop and evaluate Enhanced Command, Control, Battle Management and Communications (C2BMC) capabilities. These capabilities will enable the implementation of the MDA's Phased Adaptive Approach (PAA) for more timely, affordable and responsive missile defenses to protect against ballistic missiles of all ranges and increasing raid sizes.

Other Conflicts

18 August 2010 - Daily Press Briefing by the Offices of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General and the Spokesperson for the President of the General Assembly United Nations 18 Aug 2010

FM Speaks DPRK Has All Means and Methods to Defend Itself KCNA 18 Aug 2010 -- A spokesman for the DPRK Foreign Ministry Wednesday gave the following answer to a question put by KCNA as regards the U.S-south Korea Ulji Freedom Guardian joint military exercises now under way in south Korea

Israeli Soldier's Facebook Photos Spark Controversy VOA 18 Aug 2010 -- A former Israeli soldier is defending herself against charges of insensitivity after posting pictures of her posing with handcuffed and blindfolded Palestinian detainees on the popular social networking site Facebook. Eden Abergil, who has completed her service and is out of the army, says she did nothing wrong and did not intend to offend anyone.
Israel and Lebanon willing to speed up process of visibly marking Blue Line – UN UN News Centre 18 Aug 2010 -- Lebanon and Israel have voiced interest in accelerating the process of marking the so-called Blue Line separating the two countries, the military head of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the region reported today.
UN chief issues second report on follow-up to inquiry into Gaza conflict UN News Centre 18 Aug 2010 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has issued his second report to the General Assembly on the follow-up to the report made by the United Nations fact-finding mission into the deadly conflict in the Gaza Strip that ended early last year.

UN deplores deadly attack against blue helmets in DR Congo UN News Centre 18 Aug 2010 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has issued his second report to the General Assembly on the follow-up to the report made by the United Nations fact-finding mission into the deadly conflict in the Gaza Strip that ended early last year.
Aid access restored to troubled camp for displaced in Darfur, UN says UN News Centre 18 Aug 2010 -- Aid workers were today allowed back into a restive camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Darfur, the joint United Nations-African Union peacekeeping mission to the Sudanese region reported.
Kremlin ready to publish Lukashenko's promise on Abkhazia, S.Ossetia RIA Novosti 18 Aug 2010 -- The Kremlin may publish the transcript from a CSTO summit in which Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said he was ready to recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia, a senior Russian presidential official confirmed on Wednesday.

News Reports

Russia threatens retaliation to Romanian expulsion RIA Novosti 18 Aug 2010 -- In a move that could heighten tensions in the latest tit-for-tat spy flap, Russia said on Wednesday it could retaliate to the expulsion of its diplomat from Bucharest.
Romania names Russian diplomat in latest 'spy' scandal - media RIA Novosti 18 Aug 2010 -- Bucharest has declared a Russian diplomat persona non grata in yet another spy scandal after Moscow detained a Romanian official on similar grounds, a Romanian news agency reported on Wednesday.

Iran's Supreme Leader: No Negotiations With US VOA 18 Aug 2010 -- Iran's supreme leader says his country will hold talks with the United States only if the U.S. lifts its "sanctions and threats" against Iran.
Bushehr power plant launch indicates Iran’s firm determination: MP IRNA 18 Aug 2010 -- A parliamentarian said here on Wednesday that inauguration of the Bushehr nuclear power plant indicates Iran’s strong determination to achieve nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
Iranian President's New 'Religious-Nationalism' Alienates Hard-Line Constituency RFE/RL 18 Aug 2010 -- He has built his political career and populist appeal on twin pillars of pious religious faith and messianic fervor. But now Iran's president, Mahmud Ahmadinejad, is risking a breach with his fundamentalist allies by toning down his Islamist tub-thumping rhetoric in favor of a new oratorical weapon: nationalism.
Switzerland toughens sanctions regime against Iran RIA Novosti 18 Aug 2010 -- The Swiss government approved on Wednesday the introduction of further United Nations sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program, ATS Swiss Telegraph Agency reported.
Bushehr NPP promotes non-proliferation regime in Iran - Russian FM RIA Novosti 18 Aug 2010 -- The construction of the Bushehr nuclear power plant in Iran promotes the non-proliferation regime, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday.
Iran does not need own uranium enrichment - U.S. State Department RIA Novosti 18 Aug 2010 -- The upcoming physical launch of the Bushehr nuclear reactor proves that Iran does not need to build indigenous uranium enrichment facilities and could use nuclear fuel provide by other countries, a U.S. State Department spokesman said.
Iran Urges IAEA to Counter Sanctions VOA 18 Aug 2010 -- Iran's ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency has urged the organization to come to its defense against sanctions from the United Nations Security Council.

Clinton to Boost Aid Pledge at UN Meeting on Pakistan VOA 18 Aug 2010 -- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will announce another increase in U.S. flood aid to Pakistan at Thursday's special U.N. General Assembly meeting in New York. Officials said they see the U.N. session as a catalyst for a broader international response to the disaster.
Donor response to Pakistani flood emergency more encouraging, UN reports UN News Centre 18 Aug 2010 -- The response from donors to a request to assist millions of people affected by floods in Pakistan is encouraging, with nearly half of the $460 million required having been received, but the contributions are far from sufficient given the magnitude of the disaster, the United Nations reported today.
Pakistan Pledges Transparency To Ensure Flood Aid Arrives RFE/RL 18 Aug 2010 -- Pakistan is seeking to reassure the international community that donations for the millions of people affected by devastating floods will reach their target.
Flooding Sinks Pakistan In Mire Of Regional Divisions RFE/RL 18 Aug 2010 -- Already reeling from economic, judicial, political, and security crises, Pakistan is now coping with the most devastating floods in the last 80 years.
Pakistan Assures Donors Money Will Go to Flood Victims VOA 18 Aug 2010 -- Pakistani Officials say all money donated for flood assistance will go to help the victims. The officials assure international donors none of the funds meant to provide aid to millions of desperate people will fall into the wrong hands.

Obama: 'No Regrets' About Comments on Mosque Near 'Ground Zero' VOA 18 Aug 2010 -- U.S. President Barack Obama says he has "no regrets" about comments he made supporting Muslims' right to build a mosque near the site of the 2001 terrorist attacks in New York City.
Iran derides US ambassador to Iraq for unfounded allegations IRNA 18 Aug 2010 -- Iran on Wednesday derided US Ambassador to Baghdad Christopher Hill for allegations over Iranian interference in Iraq.
Power of blast in south Russia equivalent to 40 kg of TNT RIA Novosti 18 Aug 2010 -- The power of the blast from a recent terrorist attack in southern Russia was equivalent to 40 kg of TNT, a local police source said.
More Arrests Possible in Uganda Bombing Probe VOA 18 Aug 2010 -- Ugandan police say they are still investigating the July 11 twin bombings that killed 76 people in the capital Kampala, and haven't ruled out making further arrests. Officials say 32 people have already been charged in connection with the attacks, for which the Somali insurgent group al-Shabab claimed responsibility.
LESOTHO-SWAZILAND: A customs union to prevent failed states IRIN 18 Aug 2010 -- Increasing strains on a century-old, five-nation southern African customs union is raising questions as to whether the sovereignty of its poorest members - Lesotho and Swaziland - is sustainable, considering their burden of HIV/AIDS and the global economic slowdown, among other factors.

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