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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 18 Oct 2010 [PDF]
• Airpower Summary for October 15 AFNS 18 Oct 2010
• Airpower Summary for October 14 AFNS 18 Oct 2010
• Airpower Summary for October 13 AFNS 18 Oct 2010
• Airpower Summary for October 12 AFNS 18 Oct 2010
• US: Iran 'Meddling' in Iraq as Maliki Visits Tehran VOA 18 Oct 2010 -- The U.S. State Department on Monday expressed renewed concern about what it says is Iranian "meddling" in Iraqi politics as Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki visited Tehran. A State Department envoy, meanwhile, reaffirmed U.S. support for Lebanon's sovereignty, following a visit there by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
• Long Knife uncases colors, assume authority in Ninewa Province Army News 18 Oct 2010 -- After being in Iraq for nearly a month, the 4th Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, officially uncased its colors and took part in a transfer of authority ceremony, Oct. 18.
• 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, the 'Raider Brigade,' uncases colors Army News 18 Oct 2010 -- For most of the members of the 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division - the "Raiders" - who stood on Watkins Field Thursday, it wasn't the first uncasing ceremony. They were veterans of previous deployments
• Platoon provides support throughout Behsood District Army News 18 Oct 2010 -- The Support Platoon of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Special Troops Battalion, conducts daily missions in the Behsood District of eastern Afghanistan's Nangarhar Province.
• Security forces begin operations in the Pech River Valley Army News 18 Oct 2010 -- Afghan National Security Forces, with support from International Security Assistance Force members, began operations Oct. 15 in the Pech River Valley aimed at denying safe havens for insurgents and bolstering the Government Islamic Republic of Afghanistan's influence in local villages.
• Holbrooke: No Problem With Iran Presence at Afghan Meeting VOA 18 Oct 2010 -- Nearly 50 officials in the international contact group on Afghanistan have discussed progress towards transferring responsibility for security and development to the Afghan government. The one-day meeting in Rome was attended for the first time by a representative from Iran.
• Gunmen Kill 8 Private Security Guards in Afghanistan VOA 18 Oct 2010 -- Officials in Afghanistan say eight Afghan security guards were killed when Taliban insurgents attacked a security post in the southern province of Helmand.
• Afghan, Coalition Troops Find Insurgent Weapons Factory AFPS 18 Oct 2010 -- An Afghan and coalition force conducting a dismounted patrol today discovered an insurgent weapons factory in Sangin district, Helmand province, military officials reported.
• Advisers Help Afghan Police to Become Self Sufficient AFPS 18 Oct 2010 -- Advisers in Afghanistan are creating development plans to increase Afghan capability in running the government’s Ministry of Interior on a self-sufficient basis.
• Suspected US Missile Strikes Kill 6 Militants in NW Pakistan VOA 18 Oct 2010 -- Pakistani officials say suspected U.S. missile strikes killed at least six militants in Pakistan's northwest Monday.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Pentagon Calls on Media Not to Carry WikiLeaks Material VOA 18 Oct 2010 -- The Pentagon appealed to news organizations Monday not to spread classified information released by the WikiLeaks Internet website. The site's owners are expected to release hundreds of thousands of secret Pentagon documents on the Iraq War, perhaps this week.
• CNO Releases 2011 Guidance Navy NewsStand 18 Oct 2010 -- The Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) released his Guidance for 2011 to the fleet Oct. 18.
• U.S. Ship Visits the Netherlands Navy NewsStand 18 Oct 2010 -- Guided-missile destroyer USS Stout (DDG 55) anchored off the coast of Den Helder, Netherlands Oct. 16 after a challenging and successful Joint Warrior 10-2.
• CPPD Rolls Out Leadership Modules Five and Six This Fall Navy NewsStand 18 Oct 2010 -- The Center for Personal and Professional Development (CPPD) will roll out modules five and six of the Leadership Core Continuum (LCC) November 2010.
• New Health Center Completed in Italy Navy NewsStand 18 Oct 2010 -- The U.S. Army is now benefiting from the new Enhanced Health Services Center (EHSC), which opened its doors to the Army community of Caserma Ederle in Vicenza, Italy on Sept. 27.
• U.S-Turkish Alliance in Good Shape, Gates Says AFPS 18 Oct 2010 -- The U.S.-Turkey alliance is built on fundamental common interests, and the defense partnership between the two nations is as close as it has ever been, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said here today.
• Mullen: U.S. Military Needs More Diversity AFPS 18 Oct 2010 -- The armed services “can’t go fast enough” to increase diversity, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told a group of senior military leaders here yesterday.
• Military Must Reduce Its Use of Fossil Fuels AFPS 18 Oct 2010 -- The Defense Department’s current reliance on expensive, difficult–to-transport and finite fossil fuels affects cost-reduction efforts as well as war-fighting operations, a senior Pentagon official said.
• Spending Reforms Top Defense Priorities, Lynn Says AFPS 18 Oct 2010 -- The Pentagon should start seeing results from major spending reforms Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates launched this summer, Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III said.
• 8th FW takes on Max Thunder AFNS 18 Oct 2010 -- Members from the 8th Fighter Wing and Republic of Korea Air Force are participating in the fourth annual Max Thunder exercise, hosted by Kwangju Air Base, Oct. 15 to 22.
• CMSAF completes three-country African engagement AFNS 18 Oct 2010 -- Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy met with senior leaders here from the Senegalese air force as the final leg of a three-nation senior leader engagement Oct. 15.
  The tour, which included stops in Botswana and Djibouti, focused on sharing information on enlisted development. Besides engagement with partner nations, the chief met with each tier of enlisted Airmen serving with Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti.
• SOCEUR sponsors international SOF exercise Army News 18 Oct 2010 -- Jackal Stone 10, a multi-national special operations forces military exercise, concluded in Poland and Lithuania on Sept. 27, marking the third consecutive year of the capstone training event for U.S. Special Operations Command Europe.
• Army emphasis on energy security evidenced by new senior-level office Army News 18 Oct 2010 -- The Army solidified its focus on energy security, Oct. 1, by elevating it assistant secretary of the Army-status.
• Gambler Soldiers practice convoy operations Army News 18 Oct 2010 -- Often traveling with 20 or more vehicles, a supply convoy can be a tempting target for terrorist, which makes lifelike training all the more important.
• Dragons breathe fire missions Army News 18 Oct 2010 -- Artillerymen from the 1st Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, fired their 100-pound projectiles, round after round, this week to train and certify their M109A6 howitzer crews.
• Training up on MRAPs Army News 18 Oct 2010 -- Soldiers with 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division conducted training on mine-resistant, ambush protected vehicles recently in order to stay up-to-date on equipment used in combat today.
• JBLM Soldier Readiness Processing Center processes 18,000 Soldiers, twice Army News 18 Oct 2010 -- The Joint Base Lewis-McChord Soldier Readiness Processing Center recently received accolades for maintaining efficient processes while deploying and redeploying the largest troop contingent since the Korean War.
• New guide major tool for building resiliency in Guard Army News 18 Oct 2010 -- The Army National Guard has published an in-depth leader's guidebook to Soldier resilience.
• The Army Learning Concept - 2015 Army News 18 Oct 2010
• CLB-22 Marines engage in global response drill USMC News 18 Oct 2010 -- The Marine Corps has long been known as the world’s quick reaction force. Marines pride themselves in their ability to arrive anywhere in the world and uphold justice as they deem necessary.
• ESC to deliver 40,000th advanced search, rescue radio AFNS 18 Oct 2010 -- Officials from the Electronic Systems Center are on schedule to deliver the 40,000th Combat Survivor Evader Locator radio to U.S. operators by the end of October 2010.
• LEAP program grows with second selection board AFNS 18 Oct 2010 -- The Air Force Language and Culture Center added 260 participants from more than 400 active-duty officer and cadet applicants to the Language Enabled Airman Program during its selection board in September, officials said here Oct. 15.
• Pentagon Braces for Another WikiLeaks Dump VOA 18 Oct 2010 -- The U.S. Defense Department is bracing for a massive leak of more than 400,000 secret U.S. military documents on the website WikiLeaks.
• Lynn: Cyberspace is the New Domain of Warfare AFPS 18 Oct 2010 -- With the creation of the U.S. Cyber Command in May and last week’s cybersecurity agreement between the departments of Defense and Homeland Security, DOD is ready to add cyberspace to sea, land, air and space as the latest domain of warfare, Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III said.
• Russia hopes NATO summit clarifies European missile defense plan - envoy RIA Novosti 18 Oct 2010 -- Moscow hopes the Russian-NATO Council summit due to be held in November in Lisbon will make clear the situation with the European missile defense plan, Russia's envoy to the military alliance said on Monday.
• Latvia hosts large-scale NATO military drills RIA Novosti 18 Oct 2010 -- Units from the Baltic states, Poland and the United States started joint military exercises at the Adazi Training Area in Latvia on Monday, the Latvian Defense Ministry said.
• Chinese VP Receives Key Appointment VOA 18 Oct 2010 -- Chinese state media say Vice President Xi Jinping has been named vice chairman of the powerful Central Military Commission, confirming his status as the likely successor to President Hu Jintao, who must retire in early 2013.
• Russia plans to create military police by 2012 - Defense Ministry RIA Novosti 18 Oct 2010 -- Russia will finalize setting up its military police force by 2012, the Defense Ministry said on Monday.
• Defense Ministry to review French-built fighter jets CNA 18 Oct 2010 -- National Defense Minister Kao Hua-chu said Monday that he will ask for an overall review of the country's French-made Mirage fighter jets after a lawmaker pointed out that the flight hours of the fighters have been reduced due to concern about a possible engine problem.
• October 18, 2010 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 18 Oct 2010

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for October 18, 2010
• DCNS wins EU funding for maritime safety R&D DCNS 18 Oct 2010 -- Improved maritime surveillance is a major challenge for European Union member states. In support of research in this important area, the European Commission has selected the I2C project led by DCNS supported by 20 European partners. Using a demonstration system currently under development, DCNS plans to prove that the concept meets EU security challenges in the Mediterranean.
• EADS North America KC-45 tanker program benefits from the first flight of third Australian A330 MRTT EADS 18 Oct 2010 -- The maturity of the EADS North America KC-45 program has been further reinforced with the maiden flight of Australia’s third mission-equipped Airbus Military A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT). EADS North America is offering an A330 MRTT-based tanker to the U.S. Air Force as the KC-45, and is the only competitor offering the Air Force a tanker that is already flying, refueling and fully certified today.
• Hellenic Navy Takes Delivery Of Newest Fast Attack Craft BAE Systems 18 Oct 2010 -- The Hellenic Navy has taken delivery of its fourth BAE Systems designed Fast Attack Craft at a ceremony at Elefsis Shipyard near Athens.
• Boeing Receives Secure Messaging Technology Contract Extension from US Army Boeing 18 Oct 2010 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced it has received a one-year, $4.3 million contract extension from the U.S. Army to extend the company’s engineering support for Multimedia Message Manager (M3), a secure messaging capability. Boeing will continue to provide specialized software operations and maintenance support to military intelligence-gathering customers as part of the extension.
• General Dynamics Awarded $17 Million Contract by Boeing for Production of Composite C-17 Aircraft Components General Dynamics 18 Oct 2010 -- General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products has been awarded a $17 million contract by The Boeing Company for the production of composite components and spares for the C-17 Globemaster III aircraft. General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products is a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD).
• Northrop Grumman Awarded U.S. Navy's "Integrated Topside" Contract Northrop Grumman 18 Oct 2010 -- The Office of Naval Research (ONR) has selected Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) to develop and demonstrate an innovative new scalable suite of electronic warfare, information operations and line-of-sight communications on naval surface platforms.
• Pratt & Whitney F135 STOVL Successfully Completed Rigorous Thermal Testing Pratt & Whitney 18 Oct 2010 -- The Pratt & Whitney F135 short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) variant propulsion system took one more step toward government certification recently with the successful completion of one of the most rigorous, demanding tests in the entire qualification program. Pratt & Whitney is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX) company.
• Phoenix 2: Successful testing by Thales Thales 18 Oct 2010 -- Thales has successfully completed the testing of new deployment scenarios for combat identification and safe firing systems in the framework of field tests carried out at the Mourmelon camp (Marne department of France) for the Phoenix 2 upstream study program (PEA) of the French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA).
• Raytheon Reaches Production Milestone in $1 Billion Naval SATCOM Program Raytheon 18 Oct 2010 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) achieved a key milestone in its Navy Multiband Terminal program with the first production order for next-generation NMT satellite communication terminals. The U.S. Navy award follows a successful field test and "Milestone C Review," which marks the completion of complex system development.
• CACI Announces Intent to Acquire TechniGraphics, Inc. CACI 18 Oct 2010 -- CACI International Inc (NYSE:CACI) announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire TechniGraphics, Inc., a leading provider of imagery and geospatial services, including digital maps, to the U.S. Intelligence Community. TechniGraphics' products form the basis for intelligence analysis, military operational planning, disaster relief planning, and operations and other mapping requirements. This acquisition solidifies CACI's competency in the mission-critical intelligence space and sustains a long-term commitment to sophisticated intelligence solutions. Closing is anticipated by November 1, 2010.

Other Conflicts

• 18 October 2010 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 18 Oct 2010
• Somali Goverment Takes Border Town From Militants VOA 18 Oct 2010 -- Somalia's government says its forces have retaken a town near the Kenyan border from Islamist insurgents.
• SOMALIA: Insurgents’ defeat leaves town between hope and fear IRIN 18 Oct 2010 -- The ousting on 17 October of insurgents by pro-government forces in Bulo Hawo, a town in Somalia’s southwestern Gedo region elicited mixed emotions among war-weary residents, thousands of whom have taken flight.
• UN and partners may soon hold high-level meeting over Israeli-Palestinian impasse UN News Centre 18 Oct 2010 -- The United Nations and its diplomatic partners in the search for Middle East peace may hold a high-level meeting soon to try to revive direct Israeli-Palestinian talks that stalled after Israel did not renew a partial settlement moratorium, a senior official said today.
• Sudan: UN ready to increase capacity as needed for upcoming referenda UN News Centre 18 Oct 2010 -- Citing critical issues still outstanding less than three months before referenda take place on whether southern Sudan secedes from Africa’s largest country and reported troop build-ups by both sides, the United Nations today pledged to increase its capacity as needed to prevent confrontations that could derail the entire peace process.
• Cyprus leaders continue UN-backed unification talks UN News Centre 18 Oct 2010 -- The Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders met today to continue United Nations-supported talks on the reunification of the divided Mediterranean island of Cyprus, with the current round devoted to the issue of property, according to a senior official with the world body.
• UN envoy on Western Sahara in Algeria ahead of new talks to resolve dispute UN News Centre 18 Oct 2010 -- The top United Nations envoy on the status of Western Sahara held talks in Algeria today as part of efforts to resolve the long-running dispute that dates back to 1976 when fighting broke out between Morocco and the Frente Polisario after the end of the Spanish colonial regime.
• YEMEN: Delayed homecoming for IDPs IRIN 18 Oct 2010 -- Despite calls by government officials for people displaced by fighting in Yemen’s northern Saada Governorate to return to their homes, humanitarian workers believe full-scale return is unlikely to begin soon.
• Ivorian Presidential Candidates Hit Campaign Trail VOA 18 Oct 2010 -- Official campaigning has begun in Ivory Coast's long-delayed presidential race, as election officials continue preparations for the vote on October 31st.

News Reports

• In Iran, Speculation Rife Over Supreme Leader's Rare Visit To Qom RFE/RL 18 Oct 2010 -- Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is making a rare official visit to Qom on October 19 amid speculation over the reasons for his visit.
• In Iran, Renewed Efforts To Keep University Students In Check RFE/RL 18 Oct 2010 -- Former university professor Saba Vafa and student activist Salman Sima are casualties of the Iranian state's campaign to purge universities of dissenting voices.
• Iran, ready to participate in Iraq's reconstruction: VP IRNA 18 Oct 2010 -- First Vice-President Mohammad-Reza Rahimi here on Monday voiced Tehran’s readiness to participate in Iraqi reconstruction projects.
• Iraqi PM Visits Iran to Bolster Candidacy VOA 18 Oct 2010 -- Iraq's outgoing Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki has been meeting with Iranian leaders in Tehran, after visits to both Jordan and Syria during the past week.
• Russia ready to boost ties with Iraq RIA Novosti 18 Oct 2010 -- Russia is ready to strengthen cooperation with Iraq, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on Monday.
• Opposition Legislators Say Russia's Parliament Is No Parliament RFE/RL 18 Oct 2010 -- In the 1990s, Russia's parliament was known for fistfights and other raucous scenes. But no longer. Last May, Russia's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, became better known for a new practice caught on video and broadcast on Russian television news: staffers of the majority United Russia party running from desk to desk in an almost empty chamber, pushing voting buttons.
• France receives terrorist attack warning RIA Novosti 18 Oct 2010 -- Saudi Arabia special services warned Paris that Al-Qaeda may be plotting a terrorist attack in France, the BBC said on Monday citing French Interior Minister Brice Hortefeux.
• France Warned of New Terror Threat VOA 18 Oct 2010 -- Saudi Arabia has warned France that Europe is at threat of an al-Qaida attack. A French official says his country in particular, is the target of an imminent attack.
• Top UN official warns of organized crime’s global reach UN News Centre 18 Oct 2010 -- The United Nations anti-crime chief today spotlighted the global toll taken by transnational organized crime, urging the universal implementation of the world body’s convention to combat the scourge.
• Astrium reinforces the excellence and reliability of the Ariane programme EADS 18 Oct 2010 -- Astrium has called together its institutional partner ESA, its key European industrial partners and Arianespace, the Ariane launch operator, to harmonise activities in the Ariane programme
• NASA's James Webb Space Telescope Systems Engineering Evolves to Meet Demands of Integration and Test Phase Northrop Grumman 18 Oct 2010 -- As the James Webb Space Telescope enters its next critical phase of development, NASA and Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) have forged an integrated, consolidated and "badgeless" Mission Systems Engineering team.
• Commentary: The Unlikely Partnership Of Venezuela And Iran RFE/RL 18 Oct 2010 -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is due to visit Tehran this week in the wake of visits to Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine. While Chavez unveiled a host of new deals while in Moscow, in Tehran the best that awaits him is reconfirmation of agreements that he signed previously with Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad. That, of course, and a joint platform for launching yet another tirade against U.S. imperialism.