• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 15 Oct 2010 [PDF]
• Airpower Summary for October 11 AFNS 15 Oct 2010
• U.S. Army Official Hails Improved Security In Kirkuk RFE/RL 15 Oct 2010 -- A U.S. commander in Iraq says security in the oil-rich province of Kirkuk has recently improved with cooperation between the Iraqi Army and police and U.S. forces, setting the stage for a successful census to be taken in the multiethnic region, RFE/RL's Radio Free Iraq (RFI) reports.
• Petraeus: Taliban Allowed Into Kabul VOA 15 Oct 2010 -- The top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan, General David Petraeus, said Friday that Western troops have allowed Taliban leaders into Kabul in order to talk with the government. Petraeus was speaking in London.
• Marines Deploy ‘Green’ Forward Operating Base to Afghanistan AFPS 15 Oct 2010 -- The Marine Corps has deployed an experimental forward operating base to Afghanistan to assess how it stands up to rugged operational conditions while relying solely on renewable technology and energy-saving techniques.
• Petraeus: NATO Facilitated Safe Passage of Taliban VOA 15 Oct 2010 -- The commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan says NATO has facilitated the safe passage of Taliban leaders to Kabul for talks with the Afghan government.
• U.S. Changes Course To Back Afghan-Taliban Reconciliation Talks RFE/RL 15 Oct 2010 -- The administration of U.S. President Barack Obama has performed a significant U-turn in its quest to end the war in Afghanistan by backing reconciliation talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban.
• Petraeus Says NATO Allowed Taliban Official To Kabul RFE/RL 15 Oct 2010 -- The commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, U.S. General David Petraeus, has said NATO-led forces have facilitated the passage of a senior Taliban commander to Kabul to hold talks with the Afghan government.
• Zabul Province Blast Kills Several Afghan Villagers AFPS 15 Oct 2010 -- Several Afghan civilians were killed today in an improvised explosive device blast in the Qalat district of Zabul province.
• ISAF Command Sergeant Major Visits Keystone Seabees Navy NewsStand 15 Oct 2010 -- International Security Assistance Force command sergeant major visited Task Force Keystone, led by Third Naval Construction Regiment, currently stationed at Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan, Oct. 6.
• 'Right strategy' in place in Afghanistan, Petraeus insists IRNA 15 Oct 2010 -- The top US military commander in Afghanistan insisted on Friday that he is confident that the nine-year old war is heading in the right direction.
• UK increases training of Afghan security forces IRNA 15 Oct 2010 -- The UK is to increase the training of local security forces in Afghanistan following the redeployment of UK troops in Helmand province, Defence Secretary Liam Fox has announced.
• Pakistan, UNHCR launch Afghan new registration cards IRNA 15 Oct 2010 -- Pakistan and the UN refugee agency on Thursday formally launched a nationwide project to issue new registration cards to registered Afghan refugees.
• Militants in Pakistan Kill 2 in Attack on NATO Supply Truck VOA 15 Oct 2010 -- Officials in Pakistan say gunmen killed two people Friday during an assault on a NATO supply truck in Pakistan's Khyber tribal region.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Trial of Youngest Guantanamo Defendant Delayed, Compromise Deal Sought VOA 15 Oct 2010 -- The military trial of the youngest detainee at Guantanamo Bay has been postponed for a second time, as attorneys on both sides are working on a potential plea agreement.
• Injunction Stands During ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Appeal AFPS 15 Oct 2010 -- The Defense Department will abide by the injunction issued by a California judge on the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law while the Justice Department appeals the decision, DOD officials said here today.
• Obama: Ban on Gays in Military Will End 'On My Watch' VOA 15 Oct 2010 -- President Barack Obama says the ban on gays openly serving in the U.S. military will end, as he put it, "on my watch" during his administration.
• Mission success: Albania Commando Regiment Army News 15 Oct 2010 -- For the past three years, the USASATMO has been in a highly successful program to train elements of the Albanian Army personnel in a series of combative skills and tasks.
• Chief of Staff of the Army visits U.S. Army Africa, U.S. Army Garrison Vicenza Army News 15 Oct 2010 -- The Chief of Staff of the Army met with family members, toured new and renovated facilities, and was briefed by U.S. Army Africa leadership during a visit to U.S. Army Garrison Vicenza Friday.
• Mobilization, deployment brigade first Army unit certified under Green Directorate Program Army News 15 Oct 2010 -- Mahatma Ghandi once said, "Be the change you want to see in the world." The Mobilization and Deployment Brigade embodies this idea here on Fort Bragg. This unit, a Reserve unit which processes Reserve component Soldiers who mobilize and demobilize through the post, is the first unit on the installation to be certified as a green unit under the Green Directorate program. Through their efforts to simultaneously reduce their impact on the environment and support Fort Bragg's mission, the Mobilization and Deployment Brigade represents the "Go Green" adage in more ways than one.
• Fort Bragg community works to ease BRAC growing pains Army News 15 Oct 2010 -- The Directorate of Public Works and Fire and Emergency Services Division are preparing for an influx of more than 40,000 Soldiers, Families and civilians by 2011. This influx is due to the U.S. Army Forces Command and U.S. Army Reserve Command's transition from McPherson, Ga. to Fort Bragg due to the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission closing 20 military bases worldwide.
• Bring on the Buffalo Army News 15 Oct 2010
• German Military Officials tour ARL Labs Army News 15 Oct 2010 -- Leaders from the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command and the U.S. Army Research Laboratory met with members of the German Federal Office of Defense for Technology and Procurement Sept. 8 to tour ARL at Aberdeen Proving Ground.
• Anniston Army Depot serves the nation for 69 years Army News 15 Oct 2010 -- While World War II was ongoing in the 1940s, planning phases were underway right here in northeast Alabama to construct an Army Ordnance Depot. As the decades progressed, this thriving multi-mission installation grew and Anniston Army Depot proved to be a valuable asset to the community, the Army and the Department of Defense. Oct. 14 marks 69 years of the depot\'s existence.
• JMC assesses ADMC programs Army News 15 Oct 2010 -- Whenever Anniston Defense Munitions Center gets a new commander, a team from Joint Munitions Command spends a week on site to provide the commander with an assessment of his programs.
• Stryker lone production at ANAD during LMP blackout Army News 15 Oct 2010 -- Last week, the Nichols Industrial Complex was a little quieter than usual. There were no tanks maneuvering on tow motors between the shops, no buggies carrying turrets to and from the Combat Vehicle Repair Facility and very little forklift traffic.
• Army Africa supports legal education missions in Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo Army News 15 Oct 2010 -- Judge Advocates Lt. Col. Stephen Salerno and Lt. Col. Timothy Tuckey of U.S. Army Africa's Office of the Staff Judge Advocate (OSJA) recently returned from two weeks in Chad and the Democratic Republic of Congo, respectively, where they conducted legal education courses for a program hosted by the Defense Institute for International Legal Studies.
• Joint Warrior Concludes; Sailors Prepared for Coalition Ops Navy NewsStand 15 Oct 2010 -- U.S. ships attached to Destroyer Squadron 24 successfully completed Joint Warrior 10-2 Oct. 14 in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean.
• Reserve Force Leaders Check Out NMCB 26 Preparation for Afghanistan Navy NewsStand 15 Oct 2010 -- Commander, Navy Reserve Force and Navy Reserve Force Master Chief joined Navy Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 26 to witness Reserve Seabee mobilization training procedures aboard Camp Shelby Oct. 13.
• Security Investigations Improve with Digital Fingerprinting Navy NewsStand 15 Oct 2010 -- Fleet and Industrial Supply Center (FISC) San Diego is leading the Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) enterprise by incorporating technology into personnel security investigations.
• U.S. Navy Completes Workforce Realignment in Italy Navy NewsStand 15 Oct 2010 -- Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia completed its workforce realignment Oct. 15 aboard U.S. Navy facilities in Naples and Sigonella.
• Mesa Verde to Replace San Antonio for Upcoming Deployment Navy NewsStand 15 Oct 2010 -- Commander, U.S. Fleet Force Command (USFF) announced Oct. 14 that USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) will replace USS San Antonio (LPD 17) and deploy as part of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) in the summer of 2011.
• Aircraft Refueling Ops Stations Realigned to FISC Sigonella Navy NewsStand 15 Oct 2010 -- Fleet and Industrial Supply Center (FISC) Sigonella welcomed aboard fuels professionals from across Navy Region Europe, Africa, and Southwest Asia Oct. 10.
• Cowpens Sailors Bring Supplies, Smiles to Thailand Navy NewsStand 15 Oct 2010 -- Sailors from USS Cowpens (CG 63) volunteered their liberty time to bring smiles and supplies to the students of Chuck Niau Elementary School during a recent port visit to Pattaya Beach, Thailand Oct. 8.
• Defense Cyber Crime Center officials host challenge AFNS 15 Oct 2010 -- Airmen and civilians are now able to submit solutions for the 2010 Defense Cyber Crime Center Digital Forensics Challenge to compete against more than 975 teams for a chance to win 11 different prizes.
• Agency Director Offers U.S. Missile Defense Outline AFPS 15 Oct 2010 -- “To have effective missile defense, you need more than one layer,” the director of the Defense Missile Agency said this week.
• Air Force to quadruple solar energy production AFNS 15 Oct 2010 -- For nearly three years, a 14.2-megawatt solar array spanning 140 acres at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., has held the title of the largest renewable-energy project in the Air Force.
• Upcoming energy fair spotlights energy-efficient technology AFNS 15 Oct 2010 -- San Antonio residents and visitors soon will have an opportunity to see the latest energy-saving technology, including some products that are being used to make Randolph Air Force Base and the rest of the Air Force more energy efficient.
• 'Magnificent Bastards' utilize Steel Knight for future operations USMC News 15 Oct 2010 -- As Marines traveled through Military Operations on Urbanized Terrain towns, they were constantly kept on their toes. Improvised explosive devices were a serious threat, every Afghan citizen was suspicious, every weapon at the ready. This was a small taste of the reality Marines face on the true battlefield.
• New service center provides communication power USMC News 15 Oct 2010 -- Marine Corps Installations West (MCI West) opened its new MAGTF IT Support Center (MITSC) West facility which supports current and anticipated regional data network management.
• Energy saving program underway at Yokota AFNS 15 Oct 2010 -- Airmen around the world are acknowledging energy efficiency and conservation during October's Energy Awareness Month and Airmen at here are setting the example.
• Immersive Training Builds Small-Unit Decision-Making Skills AFPS 15 Oct 2010 -- Marines at Camp Pendleton, Calif., got a glimpse last week into what’s likely to be the training environment of the future: one that injects live actors, animatronics, projected avatars and other sensory enhancements to replicate the sights, sounds, smells and stresses of combat -- and demands the same razor-sharp decision-making processes and responses.
• 8th ESB Marines test new threat detection system USMC News 15 Oct 2010 -- Troops deployed to combat zones put themselves in harm’s way on a daily basis, but due to recent innovations their mission may be a bit safer.
• Communication Marines keep 3rd MEB up, wired USMC News 15 Oct 2010 -- Marines with Radio Data Team, Company B, 7th Communications Battalion, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, established global communications here Oct. 5.
• US strengthens ties brick by brick USMC News 15 Oct 2010 -- Marines and sailors assigned to 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade and airmen from the Philippine Air Force have been working together for the past few weeks improving quality of life in the Philippines.
• Russia may sell S-300 missiles to Venezuela, instead of Iran - analyst RIA Novosti 15 Oct 2010 -- Russia's S-300 air defense systems, which Moscow refused to deliver to Iran following a new round of UN sanctions against the Islamic Republic, could be sold to Venezuela instead, a Russian arms trade expert said on Friday.
• India, Russia begin joint antiterrorism drills on Friday RIA Novosti 15 Oct 2010 -- Russian and Indian joint antiterrorism exercises begin on Indian territory on Friday and will last through October 24.
• Press Gaggle by Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton en Route Philadelphia, Pennsylvania The White House 15 Oct 2010

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for October 15, 2010
• New Airbus Military Training Centre opens in Seville EADS 15 Oct 2010 -- The new Airbus Military Training Centre has been opened today in Seville (Spain). The facility is among the most modern in the world with space for six full-flight simulators and a range of other computer-based training devices. It will house Airbus Military’s training provision for the A400M new-generation airlifter as well as its family of light and medium aircraft and military derivatives of commercial models.
• Northrop Grumman Announces Form 10 Filing for Possible Spin-off of Shipbuilding; Continues to Explore Strategic Alternatives for Shipbuilding Northrop Grumman 15 Oct 2010 -- Northrop Grumman today announced the filing of a Form 10 registration statement with the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the exploration of strategic alternatives for its shipbuilding business. Northrop Grumman continues to explore various alternatives for the potential separation of its shipbuilding business, including a spin-off or sale of the unit.
• Oshkosh Defense Opens New E-coat Facility to Support U.S. Army Vehicle Program Oshkosh 15 Oct 2010 -- Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK), officially opened the doors of its new electrodeposition (E-coat) facility today in Oshkosh, welcoming political and military guests as part of a grand-opening ceremony. The facility was built specifically to support production of the U.S. Army’s Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV).
• Oshkosh Defense Expands U.S. Army Heavy Fleet With Additional Vehicle Orders Oshkosh 15 Oct 2010 -- Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK), is increasing the U.S. Army’s Family of Heavy Tactical Vehicle (FHTV) fleet with the addition of 1,200 trucks following orders from the U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command (LCMC). The bulk of the orders are for the Oshkosh Palletized Load System (PLS) A1, a next-generation truck that gives soldiers improved mobility and protection capabilities.
• Rheinmetall and Timoney join forces in the military wheeled vehicle sector Rheinmetall Defence 15 Oct 2010 -- Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles GmbH (RRMV) of Munich has entered a far-reaching agreement with Timoney Technology Ltd. of Gibbstown, Ireland, to cooperate in the military logistic and tactical vehicle sector.

Other Conflicts

• 15 October 2010 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 15 Oct 2010
• Newly Appointed Prime Minister of Somalia is US Citizen VOA 15 Oct 2010 -- In an attempt to strengthen Somalia's fractious transitional government, President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed on Thursday appointed 48-year-old American-Somali Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed as the country's new Prime Minister.
• UN envoy welcomes appointment of new Somali Prime Minister UN News Centre 15 Oct 2010 -- The top United Nations envoy to Somalia today welcomed the appointment of a new Prime Minister in the war-wracked African nation.
• DR Congo: UN mission chief stresses reform of security and law to end violence UN News Centre 15 Oct 2010 -- The head of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) cautioned today that military operations alone in the restive eastern region cannot ensure long-term security in the area, stressing the need to build the capacity of the country’s military, justice system and the police force.
• UN West Africa envoy in Niger to discuss return to constitutional rule UN News Centre 15 Oct 2010 -- Said Djinnit, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Special Representative for West Africa, visited Niger today as part of a joint mission with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to underline the support of the international community for the country’s transition to constitutional order.
• Local Tajik Commanders in Rasht Agree To Lay Down Their Weapons RFE/RL 15 Oct 2010 -- Two field commanders of the Islamic opposition located in eastern Tajikistan's Rasht Valley have reportedly agreed to lay down their weapons and join forces with government troops to "hunt down foreign militants."
• UN agency sounds alarm over terror campaign by rebels in central Africa UN News Centre 15 Oct 2010 -- The United Nations refugee agency today expressed concern over population displacement resulting from attacks perpetrated by the notorious Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels in the Central African Republic and neighbouring countries.
• Côte d’Ivoire: UN sanctions extended for another six months UN News Centre 15 Oct 2010 -- Declaring the situation in Côte d’Ivoire a continuing threat to international peace, the Security Council today extended until the end of next April the weapons, financial and travel sanctions on a country split between a Government-controlled south and rebel-held north by civil war in 2002.
• Israel Approves New Construction in Disputed East Jerusalem VOA 15 Oct 2010 -- New Israeli settlement plans have thrown a wrench into the faltering Middle East peace process.

News Reports

• Jalili: G5+1 should set aside costly, futile strategy IRNA 15 Oct 2010 -- Iran's top nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili says the G5+1 should set aside the 'vain and costly' two-way strategy.
• Mottaki welcomes EU's readiness to resume talks with Iran IRNA 15 Oct 2010 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki welcomed the European Union's readiness to resume talks over Tehran's nuclear program, the German press agency dpa reported in Brussels on Friday.
• Minister says detained Americans should wait for trial IRNA 15 Oct 2010 -- Minister of Intelligence Hojjatoleslam Heidar Moslehi says the two Americans charged of spying should wait for trial and court ruling.
• Myanmar’s lack of engagement on eve of polls is frustrating, Ban says UN News Centre 15 Oct 2010 -- Declaring himself frustrated by the lack of engagement from the Myanmar authorities to ensure that the upcoming elections are “inclusive, credible, participatory and transparent,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is once again calling for the release of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners.
• Thousands Cheer Ahmadinejad in South Lebanon VOA 15 Oct 2010 -- On Lebanon's southern border with Israel on Thursday, Iranian President Mahamoud Ahmadinejad spoke to tens of thousands of supporters in a town that was badly damaged during Israel's 2006 war with Hezbollah.
• Pakistan: Ban calls on world to speed up funding for $2 billion flood appeal UN News Centre 15 Oct 2010 -- The $2 billion appeal for aid for Pakistani flood victims, the largest-ever launched by the United Nations and its partners for a natural disaster, is just 34 per cent funded, and Secretary-General Ban Ki–moon today called for a generous and swift international response.
• Zimbabwe President Wants to End Power Sharing Agreement VOA 15 Oct 2010 -- Zimbabwe's long-time president is calling for an end to the country's fragile coalition government, and for new elections next year.
• Georgian Parliament Approves Controversial Constitutional Amendment RFE/RL 15 Oct 2010 -- Georgia's parliament has overwhelmingly approved a controversial amendment to the constitution that will shift primary political powers from the president to the prime minister.
• Russia, Venezuela sign deal on nuclear power plant construction RIA Novosti 15 Oct 2010 -- Russia and Venezuela signed on Friday an agreement on the construction of a nuclear power station in the South American country as part of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's visit to Moscow.
• Dutch-Iraqi terror suspect brutally tortured in US jail: report IRNA 15 Oct 2010 -- A Dutch-Iraqi terror suspect who was released from prison on Wednesday said he was tortured while in detention in the United States, according to Dutch news reports.