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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 20 Aug 2010 [PDF]
• Germany ends Iraqi military training: official IRNA 20 Aug 2010 -- Germany has ended the training of Iraq's military forces, defense ministry spokesman, Steffen Moritz, told the press here on Friday.
• U.S. Iraq Troop Withdrawal 'In Name Only' As Country Faces Uncertain Future RFE/RL 20 Aug 2010 -- Saddam may be long gone but -- contrary to the soldier's emotive claims -- who "won" is far from clear. And in contrast to the impression meant to be conveyed by the departure of U.S. fighting forces, Iraq today is far from secure. Militant insurgents remain ominously active.
• Iraqi Forces Arrest 7 With Suspected Terrorism Ties AFPS 20 Aug 2010 -- Iraqi security forces arrested seven people with suspected ties to terrorist groups in recent operations in Iraq, military officials reported.
• Commander Describes Road March Out of Iraq AFPS 20 Aug 2010 -- The redeployment of the 2nd Infantry Division’s 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team from Iraq demonstrated the changes that have happened in the country, the brigade’s commander said today.
• 402nd AFSB plays pivotal role in equipping Iraqi security forces Army News 20 Aug 2010 -- More than 50 personnel from 10 organizations gathered here July 8 for a United States Equipment Transfer to Iraq (USETTI) rehearsal of concept drill hosted by the 402nd Army Field Support Brigade.
• Insurgent Attack Fails at ISAF Base AFPS 20 Aug 2010 -- Insurgents launched an unsuccessful attack on International Security Assistance Forces at Forward Operating Base Bostick, located in the Nari district of eastern Afghanistan’s Kunar province today, International Security Assistance Force Joint Command officials reported.
• Forces Work Through ‘Tough’ Summer in Afghanistan AFPS 20 Aug 2010 -- As U.S. and international forces in Afghanistan close a difficult summer of fighting, the top commander there remains optimistic about the country’s future and committed to the military mission.
• 'Afghan First' Manufacturers Help to Revive Economy AFPS 20 Aug 2010 -- Step by step, the revival of Afghan industrial production is breathing new life into the country’s shattered economy.
• UN anti-crime agency helps Afghanistan combat corruption UN News Centre 20 Aug 2010 -- The United Nations anti-crime agency is helping to bolster the justice system in Afghanistan, where reconstruction and development are hampered by corruption and poor governance.
• U.S. Delivers More Than 1 Million Pounds in Pakistan Flood Relief AFPS 20 Aug 2010 -- U.S. military aircraft supporting Pakistan’s flood relief efforts achieved a significant milestone today, exceeding 1 million pounds of relief supplies delivered since Aug. 5, when U.S. military relief flight operations in Pakistan began.
• National Guard Aids With Pakistani Flood Relief AFPS 20 Aug 2010 -- The Air National Guard has been working since the beginning of the operation in late July to provide relief supplies to areas in Pakistan affected by flooding.
• Joint Forces Command Team Supports Pakistan Response AFPS 20 Aug 2010 -- As the U.S. defense representative’s office in Pakistan coordinates U.S. military support for the humanitarian assistance mission there, it’s getting help from a U.S. Joint Forces Command team well-versed in dealing with crises.

Defense Policy / Programs

• US, South Korea to Stage War Games in September VOA 20 Aug 2010 -- The United States and South Korea plan a second combined naval exercise meant to send a message to North Korea. But these maneuvers, to be held in the Yellow Sea closer to China, will not involve a U.S. aircraft carrier.
• US, S. Korea Continue Military Maneuvers KCNA 20 Aug 2010 -- A tough-and-go situation has persisted on the Korean peninsula with the U.S. imperialists and the Lee Myung Bak puppet regime of south Korea stubbornly resorting to military threat against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
• Officials release E-4B accident report AFNS 20 Aug 2010 -- Increased pitch angle by the pilot landing an E-4B aircraft was the cause of the tail striking the runway May 12 at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., according to the Air Combat Command Accident Investigation Board report released Aug. 20.
• DoD News: DOD Releases Final Fort Hood Review DoD 20 Aug 2010 -- The Department of Defense (DoD) released today the final review of the recommendations from the independent report “Protecting the Force: Lessons Learned from Fort Hood.”
• Officials release MQ-1B accident report AFNS 20 Aug 2010 -- Pilot error caused the crash of an MQ-1B Predator at Southern California Logistics Airport during an April 20 training mission, according to an Air Combat Command Accident Investigation Board report released Aug. 20.
• Pentagon Releases Final Fort Hood Shooting Review AFPS 20 Aug 2010 -- Pentagon officials today released the Defense Department’s final review of recommendations issued by an independent panel in the wake of the Nov. 5, 2009, shooting spree on Fort Hood, Texas.
• Biometrics Shows Increasing Promise On, Off Battlefield AFPS 20 Aug 2010 -- Considered a battlefield curiosity just a few years ago, biometrics has become recognized as a vital warfighting capability. Now, defense officials see the same technology as a key to helping the Defense Department make its business practices more efficient.
• Science, Technology Aid Today’s Wars, Gird for Tomorrow’s AFPS 20 Aug 2010 -- The Defense Department’s science and technology effort has two overarching missions: to help today’s warfighters and prepare capabilities for tomorrow’s servicemembers.
• Fort Polk Soldiers first active BCT issued MultiCam ACUs Army News 20 Aug 2010 -- Soldiers with Fort Polk's 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division became the first active component BCT to receive the Army's new MultiCam Army Combat Uniforms when personnel from the Program Executive Office Soldier began issuing the new gear Aug. 16 in preparation for the unit's upcoming deployment to Afghanistan.
• Fort Bragg parachute riggers perform successful dual-row airdrop Army News 20 Aug 2010 -- For the parachute riggers of the 11th Quartermaster Company, the task was simple - make it work.
• Salem designated as birthplace of the National Guard Army News 20 Aug 2010 -- Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick signed legislation designating the city of Salem as the birthplace of the National Guard during a ceremony held in city hall here, Aug. 19, 2010.
• USS New Orleans Arrives in Panama as Final Stop of A-SPS 2010 Navy NewsStand 20 Aug 2010 -- USS New Orleans (LPD 18), Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 5 and other embarked units arrived in Balboa, Panama, Aug. 20 as the final stop in support of Amphibious-Southern Partnership Station (A-SPS) 2010.
• Harry S. Truman CSG Responds to Fire, Rescues Mariners Navy NewsStand 20 Aug 2010 -- Units assigned to Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (CSG) rescued eight Iranian mariners in the Arabian Sea Aug. 18.
• NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic Awards Contract for New Marine SOI Facilities Navy NewsStand 20 Aug 2010 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Mid-Atlantic awarded a $22.2 million contract to DCK of North America Aug. 16 for construction of new facilities for the School of Infantry at Camp Geiger, N.C.
• Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron 1 Commences Shark Tank 2010 Navy NewsStand 20 Aug 2010 -- Navy Reserve Sailors from Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron (MSRON) 1 commenced the inaugural field training exercise series "Shark Tank 2010" on San Clemente Island, Calif., Aug. 17.
• Pacific Partnership 2010 Hosts US Navy Admiral Visit Navy NewsStand 20 Aug 2010 -- Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet's deputy chief of staff for plans, policies and requirements visited several Pacific Partnership 2010 mission sites in Dili, Timor-Leste, including the Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) Aug. 19.
• MSRON 4 Hosts Multinational Training During PANAMAX 2010 Navy NewsStand 20 Aug 2010 -- Maritime Expeditionary Squadron (MSRON) 4 conducted training with Sailors from Guatemala, Panama, Colombia, and Nicaragua Aug. 16, as part of PANAMAX 2010, an annual exercise sponsored by U.S. Southern Command and designed to integrate a multinational task force in defense of the Panama Canal.
• Pacific Partnership 2010 Hosts US Navy Admiral Visit Navy NewsStand 20 Aug 2010 -- Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet's deputy chief of staff for plans, policies and requirements visited several Pacific Partnership 2010 mission sites in Dili, Timor-Leste, including the Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) Aug. 19.
• NAVFAC Awards Contract for Rotor Blade Processing Facility at NAS Corpus Christi Navy NewsStand 20 Aug 2010 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southeast awarded a $10.3 million contract to Ewing Construction
  Co. of Corpus Christi, Texas, Aug. 10, for the construction of a rotor blade processing facility at the Corpus Christi Army Depot (CCAD) on Naval Air Station Corpus Christi.
• Change of Leadership at Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia Navy NewsStand 20 Aug 2010 -- Commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia (EURAFSWA) and Commander, Maritime Air Naples held a change of command ceremony Aug. 20 aboard Naval Support Activity Naples, Italy.
• AFI 36-2301 outlines new developmental education guidance AFNS 20 Aug 2010 -- Air Force Instruction 36-2301, establishing policy and responsibility for developmental education, has undergone substantial revision, officials said Aug. 13.
• Center Seeks Paperless Air Guard, Reserve Records AFPS 20 Aug 2010 -- Employees at the Air Reserve Personnel Center in Denver are working to securely convert thousands of paper and microfiche personnel records to an electronic format for Air National Guardsmen and Air Force Reserve airmen.
• Marines learn CBRN Defense; Support 31st MEU USMC News 20 Aug 2010 -- Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit finished a week of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defense training, which included a radiological survey, August 19.
• Deal Signed On Extending Russian Military Presence In Armenia RFE/RL 20 Aug 2010 -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and his Armenian counterpart, Serzh Sarkisian, have signed a deal extending Moscow's lease of a military base in the South Caucasus country by 24 years.
• France unfazed by Russian tender, Mistral talks ongoing RIA Novosti 20 Aug 2010 -- Paris is continuing negotiations with Moscow on the purchase of a Mistral-class warship and is not concerned about Russia's decision to call a tender for the construction of two helicopter carriers, a spokeswoman for the French presidential administration said on Friday.
• Russia extends lease on military base in Armenia through 2044 RIA Novosti 20 Aug 2010 -- Russia and Armenia on Friday signed amendments to a 1995 bilateral treaty extending Russia's use of a military base near Armenia's border with Turkey through 2044.
• Iran Announces Test-Firing of New Qiam Missile VOA 20 Aug 2010 -- Iran's defense minister Ahmad Vahidi is saying Friday that Tehran has test-fired a new surface-to-surface missile called the Qiam-1. The announcement comes amid a flurry of alleged new military developments in recent days, as Iran prepares to launch its new Bushehr nuclear plant Saturday.
• No decision made on Russian S-300 deliveries to Iran - defense minister RIA Novosti 20 Aug 2010 -- No decision has been taken yet on the delivery of S-300 air defense systems to Iran, Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov said on Friday.
• Minister: Iran test-fires `Qiam-1’ missile IRNA 20 Aug 2010 -- Minister of Defense Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi said here on Friday that Iran has successfully test-fired its indigenous `Qiam-1’ surface-to-surface missile.
• Include Trident in UK defence review, says former Lib Dem leader IRNA 20 Aug 2010 -- Former Liberal Democrat leader, Sir Menzies Campbell, has broken ranks with the UK’s new coalition government by joining calls for the country’s Trident nuclear weapons system to be included in Britain's strategic defence review.
• India to get Russian nuclear submarine on lease in fall RIA Novosti 20 Aug 2010 -- The Russian K-152 Nerpa nuclear attack submarine, which is currently carrying out workup trials in the Russian Far East, will be transferred to India on a 10-year lease in the fall, a spokesman for the Amur Shipbuilding Plant said on Friday.
• Press Briefing by Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton and Assistant to The President for Counterterrorism and Homeland Security John Brennan The White House 20 Aug 2010

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for August 20, 2010
• U.S. Air Force/Lockheed Martin Team Complete GPS III Design Phase Ahead Of Schedule Boeing 20 Aug 2010 -- The Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] team developing the U.S. Air Force’s next generation Global Positioning System, known as GPS III, has successfully completed the program’s Critical Design Review (CDR) phase two months ahead of the baseline schedule. CDR completion, the program’s most significant milestone to-date, validates the detailed GPS III design to ensure it meets warfighter and civil requirements, and allows the program to begin the production phase.

Other Conflicts

• 20 August 2010 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 20 Aug 2010
• Mideast Peace Talks to Restart VOA 20 Aug 2010 -- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Friday issued a formal invitation to Israel and the Palestinians to re-commence direct peace negotiations early next month in Washington after a break of nearly two years. U.S. officials say a peace accord can be achieved within a year, and that the United States is ready if needed to offer "bridging proposals."
• Israel, Palestinians Welcome Announcement of Talks VOA 20 Aug 2010 -- Israel and the Palestinians are both welcoming the U.S. announcement on the resumption of direct negotiations between the two.
• Mideast Peace Talks to Restart VOA 20 Aug 2010 -- Israeli and Palestinian leaders welcomed the resumption of direct peace talks in Washington in early September in a deal brokered by the United States.
• Middle East Quartet calls on Israel, Palestinians to resume direct talks UN News Centre 20 Aug 2010 -- The United Nations and its diplomatic partners in the Middle East Quartet today called on the Israelis and the Palestinians to resume direct talks starting next month with the aim of reaching a wide-ranging agreement within the next 12 months to end the region’s long-running conflict.
• UN chief offers to help Thailand and Cambodia resolve border dispute UN News Centre 20 Aug 2010 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today offered to help Cambodia and Thailand resolve their differences over a disputed temple area along their common border.
• Political, social divides threaten Liberian strides in shoring up peace, says Ban UN News Centre 20 Aug 2010 -- Although Liberia continues to make considerable progress in consolidating peace and security, enduring political and social divides, among other factors, could roll back the strides made so far, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon cautions in a new report.

News Reports

• Iran Ready to Start Up First Nuclear Reactor VOA 20 Aug 2010 -- Iran is making final preparations to start up a nuclear reactor at the Bushehr facility, scheduled to begin operations Saturday.
• Bushehr NPP self-controlled in nature - official IRNA 20 Aug 2010 -- The official in charge of Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, Mahmoud Jaafari, says the power plant is self-controlled in its kind.
• Soltanieh: Iran nuclear fuel cycle to be completed with Bushehr NPP startup IRNA 20 Aug 2010 -- Iran’s IAEA envoy, Ali-Asghar Soltanieh, said here Friday that with operation of Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, Iran’s fuel cycle will practically be completed.
• Countdown begins for heart beating of world’s exceptional nuclear power plant IRNA 20 Aug 2010 -- On Saturday, the main fuel of Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant will be transferred to a pool located beside the heart of the reactor.
• MIDDLE EAST: Arab aid to Pakistan in numbers IRIN 20 Aug 2010 -- Donations to Pakistan continue to trickle in amid international calls for more contributions. The Organization of the Islamic Conference on 18 August urged the “international community in general and the Islamic world in particular, at the level of individuals and states, to provide urgent material and financial aid to Pakistan”.
• Pakistan Air Force to create Air Bridge for floods relief IRNA 20 Aug 2010 -- Pakistan Air Chief, Air Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman, on Thursday directed the air force to create an air bridge for the flood affected area of Jacobabad in Sindh province as it has been cut off from the rest of the country.
• UN Appeals For More Aid For Pakistan RFE/RL 20 Aug 2010 -- The United States has announced it will send an additional $60 million in aid to help besieged victims of the worst flooding in Pakistan's history.
• Pakistan: UN agencies redoubling efforts amid still unfolding flood crisis UN News Centre 20 Aug 2010 -- With the situation in flood-stricken Pakistan still unfolding, United Nations agencies said today they are redoubling their efforts to provide assistance to the millions of people affected by the disaster.
• Pakistan Accepts India's Offer of Flood Aid VOA 20 Aug 2010 -- Pakistan says it will accept $5 million in flood aid from India, a rare gesture of goodwill between the longtime rivals as Pakistan deals with one of the worst disasters in its history.
• Thai Court Orders Extradition Of Alleged Russian Arms Dealer RFE/RL 20 Aug 2010 -- A court in Thailand has ruled that a Russian man reputed to be one of the world's most prolific arms dealers is to be extradited to the United States, more than two years after his arrest.
• Bout's lawyer says alleged Russian arms dealer can win in U.S. court RIA Novosti 20 Aug 2010 -- Russian businessman Viktor Bout, due to be extradited from Thailand to the United States, may win the U.S. trial, one of his Thai lawyers said on Friday.
• Russia to seek repatriation of alleged arms dealer Bout RIA Novosti 20 Aug 2010 -- Russia will seek the repatriation of Russian businessman Viktor Bout, due to be extradited from Thailand to the United States on arms trafficking charges, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday.
• Thai appeals court rules to extradite Russian arms dealer to U.S. RIA Novosti 20 Aug 2010 -- The Thai appeals court ruled on Friday to extradite Russian businessman Viktor Bout to the United States on arms smuggling and other charges.
• U.S. brings new charges against Russian 'arms dealer' to Thai court RIA Novosti 20 Aug 2010 -- The United States has brought new charges against Russian 'arms dealer' Viktor Bout to the Thai criminal court just hours before the country's appeals court has to make its final decision on Bout's extradition to the United States.
• Thai Court Approves Extradition of 'Merchant of Death' VOA 20 Aug 2010 -- An appeals court in Thailand has ruled that alleged Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout should be extradited to the United States to face trial. Bout is accused of selling weapons that fueled conflicts and armed dictators across Africa and in the Middle East.
• UK warns Libya over celebrating Lockerbie bomber release IRNA 20 Aug 2010 -- Britain has warned Libya not to hold celebrations to mark the first anniversary of the return home of the Lockerbie bomber, Abdelbasset al-Megrahi, amid suggestions from Tripoli that he could live for up to seven more years.
• Britain Warns Libya Against Lockerbie Bomber Celebrations VOA 20 Aug 2010 -- The British government says it has warned Libya against celebrating the anniversary of the prison release of the Lockerbie bomber.
• Iranian Tried For Espionage Collapses In Armenian Court RFE/RL 20 Aug 2010 -- An Iranian citizen being tried in Armenia on charges of spying for Azerbaijan collapsed in court in Yerevan on August 19 while delivering his defense speech, RFE/RL's Armenian Service reports.
• Iraq Admits Minorities Remain Vulnerable RFE/RL 20 Aug 2010 -- The Iraqi government is doing all it can to ensure security for all citizens, but it is also aware that religious and ethnic minorities are particularly vulnerable and extra efforts are required to protect them, a senior Iraqi official has told RFE/RL's Radio Free Iraq.
• Ban lays out options for prosecuting pirates operating off Somali coast UN News Centre 20 Aug 2010 -- An international tribunal set up by the Security Council under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter authorizing the use of force is among several options to prosecute pirates operating off the Somali coast laid out by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in a new report made public today.
• Kyrgyzstan President Loses Showdown with Southern Mayor VOA 20 Aug 2010 -- In a sharp setback to Kyrgystan's interim government, the powerful mayor of the nation's second largest city successfully resisted presidential pressure to resign from his appointed post.
• DPP says amendment aimed at former president CNA 20 Aug 2010 -- The opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) said Friday a legislative amendment that scraps benefits for ex-presidents or vice presidents found guilty of corruption at a first trial targets former President Chen Shui-bian.