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Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 28 Oct 2010 [PDF]
• Airpower Summary for October 25 AFNS 28 Oct 2010
• Airpower Summary for October 24 AFNS 28 Oct 2010
• Airpower Summary for October 23 AFNS 28 Oct 2010
• Transitions Army News 28 Oct 2010 -- Successful "transitions" require close cooperation between the host nation, other governments and militaries, and civil society.
• Airmen train Iraqi air force instructor pilots AFNS 28 Oct 2010 -- Iraqi Training and Advisory Mission-Air Force air advisers with the 52nd Expeditionary Flying Training Squadron have been training Iraqi pilots.
• 3rd ID troops continue to return to Fort Stewart, Hunter Army Airfield Army News 28 Oct 2010 -- Soldiers with 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team and Division Special Troops Battalion returned home to Cottrell Field on Fort Stewart, Oct. 24.
• 3rd HBCT marks return from fourth Iraq deployment Army News 28 Oct 2010 -- The 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team returned to Sledgehammer Field, more than a year after casing its colors in preparation for its fourth deployment to Iraq.
• Russia calls on U.S. to probe human rights violations in Iraq RIA Novosti 28 Oct 2010 -- Moscow has called on Washington to hold an investigation into human rights violations in Iraq between 2004 and 2009.
• DOD News Briefing with British Army Maj. Gen. Carter via Teleconference from Afghanistan DoD 28 Oct 2010
• Air Strike Targets Haqqani Leader AFPS 28 Oct 2010 -- Coalition forces conducted a precision air strike in Afghanistan's Khost province targeting a senior Haqqani terrorist leader who directs attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.
• Elders Could Fuel Stability in Kandahar, General Says AFPS 28 Oct 2010 -- Elders who fled Taliban intimidation in Afghanistan’s Kandahar province have started to return home and could be catalysts for lasting stability.
• Lynn Sees Counterinsurgency Success in Afghan Village AFPS 28 Oct 2010 -- Marine Corps Lt. Col. Jeff Holt was showing Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III the lay of the land of this village in Helmand province.
• France Hopes to Transfer Security to Afghans in 2011 VOA 28 Oct 2010 -- A French official said the country's forces in Afghanistan hope to transfer security of some provinces to Afghans next year.
• French Defense Minister Says First NATO Troops Could Leave Afghanistan Next Year RFE/RL 28 Oct 2010 -- France's defense minister says that NATO countries could begin to withdraw from Afghanistan at the start of next year.
• Afghan Election Group Urges Transparency in Vote Count VOA 28 Oct 2010 -- Afghanistan's main election monitoring body is calling for greater transparency as officials recount votes from the country's recent parliamentary elections.
• Afghan Officials Say Woman Shot Dead By Iranian Forces RFE/RL 28 Oct 2010 -- Afghan officials in the southwestern Nimruz Province say Iranian border guard forces shot dead an Afghan woman who was trying to cross into Iran.
• Iran's contributions to Afghanistan within Int'l commitments IRNA 28 Oct 2010 -- IRI Consul General in Jalalabad, Afghanistan: Iran's contributions to Afghan officials is restricted to international commitments in framework of Afghanistan's neighbors' assistance.
• Russia Goes Back To Afghanistan RFE/RL 28 Oct 2010 -- British newspapers this week reported that Russia is "coming back" to Afghanistan 20 years after the withdrawal of Soviet forces. That was a reference to statements by NATO officials that Russian President Dmitry Medvedev will discuss cooperating with the military alliance at a NATO summit next month
• ISAF personnel train with Afghan National Police Army News 28 Oct 2010 -- Afghan National Police and members of the International Security Assistance Force continued their law enforcement training at the 2nd Precinct ANP here earlier this month.
• 41st Trans. Co. returns from OEF, receives warm welcome home Army News 28 Oct 2010 -- 138 Soldiers from the 41st Transportation Company returned to Germany after serving 12 months in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
• Pakistan Resists Military Action in 'Epicenter of Terrorism' VOA 28 Oct 2010 -- North Waziristan is inside Pakistan, but outside the law.
• U.S. intensifies drone strikes in NW Pakistan IRNA 28 Oct 2010 -- The US has increased drone strikes in Pakistan's North Waziristan tribal region.
• U.S. Missile Strike In Pakistan Kills Seven Militants RFE/RL 28 Oct 2010 -- Pakistani security officials say a US strike on a house in Pakistan's tribal region near the Afghan border has killed at least seven militants.
• Bomb attack kills 3 persons in SW Pakistan IRNA 28 Oct 2010 -- At least 3 people were killed and several others injured in a bomb blast near a police van in Pakistani southwestern city of Quetta.
• Pakistani Taliban execute three people IRNA 28 Oct 2010 -- Pakistani Taliban militants have executed 3 persons over "criminal activities" in a tribal region near the Afghan border.
• PAKISTAN: Of Taliban and floods IRIN 28 Oct 2010 -- Guns of Pakistani police special commandos glinted in the afternoon sun as they walked past the rubble that had once been Yasmin's home.
• Military Reaches Pakistan Flood Relief Milestone AFPS 28 Oct 2010 -- The U.S. military has reached a milestone in providing relief to Pakistani flood victims, a Defense Department spokesman said today.

Defense Policy / Programs

• DNI RELEASES BUDGET FIGURE FOR 2010 NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE PROGRAM Office of the Director of National Intelligence 28 Oct 2010 -- Consistent with Section 364 of the "Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010," Public Law 111-259, the Director of National Intelligence is disclosing to the public the aggregate amount of funds appropriated by Congress to the National Intelligence Program (NIP) for Fiscal Year 2010 not later than 30 days after the end of the fiscal year.
• DOD Releases Military Intelligence Program 2010 Topline Budget DoD 28 Oct 2010
• Army leaders emphasize efficiency in modernization Army News 28 Oct 2010 -- The Army is working vigorously to institutionalize methods of finding efficiencies in order to meet Soldiers' needs, service leaders said Tuesday at a modernization panel.
• Army expanding its Special Operations force Army News 28 Oct 2010 -- The U.S. Army Special Operations Command will double in size by 2017, said its commander, compared to what it was before the war on terror.
• Construction Begins on Final Lewis and Clark Class Ship Navy NewsStand 28 Oct 2010 -- Construction began on T-AKE 14, the last designated ship of the T-AKE 1 (Lewis and Clark) class, Oct. 21 at the General Dynamics-NASSCO shipyard in San Diego.
• Soldiers fly UAV, prepare to deploy Army News 28 Oct 2010 -- Many types of military aircraft use Fort Sill's Henry Post Army Airfield, however, the past couple weeks there was a different kind of plane flying around the post.
• Kiowa enhancements to give aging warrior new life Army News 28 Oct 2010 -- The Kiowa Warrior OH-58D, the Army's primary armed reconnaissance scout aircraft in Iraq and Afghanistan, is about to get a makeover that will extend its life well into the future.
• Command's Relocation Aids 'Strategic Velocity' AFPS 28 Oct 2010 -- Mission: relocate a headquarters staff from New Jersey and Virginia to Illinois, while managing sea and land transportation of supplies and equipment for two wars.
• George H.W. Bush Strike Group Sinks Ex-USNS Saturn Navy NewsStand 28 Oct 2010 -- Sea and air assets assigned to the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group successfully sunk the USNS Saturn in an exercise.
• US Army Trains Congo Soldiers VOA 28 Oct 2010 -- In the conflict-ravaged Democratic Republic of Congo, the country's own military is one of the biggest causes of instability.
• Chilean commandant visits LOGCOM USMC News 28 Oct 2010 -- Marine Corps Logistics Command rolled out the red carpet as Chile's highest ranking Marine visited here, Oct. 20.
• Space Fence design moves into next phase AFNS 28 Oct 2010 -- Officials released a request for proposal for next phase of program that will revamp the way space objects and debris are identified and tracked.
• 'Mission One' at NORTHCOM: Defending the homeland AFNS 28 Oct 2010 -- Developing regional response capabilities, stepping up preparations for a no-notice catastrophe and maturing partnerships are among priorities at US Northern Command.
• 12 Sailors Join NSA Bethesda's Auxiliary Security Force Navy NewsStand 28 Oct 2010 -- After completing an intense, three-week training course, 12 Sailors joined Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bethesda's Auxiliary Security Force (ASF) and were recognized during a ceremony Oct. 22 in the Laurel Clark Memorial Auditorium.
• Russia conducts routine test of Topol ballistic missile RIA Novosti 28 Oct 2010 -- Russia successfully launched a Topol intercontinental ballistic missile to test its operational capability.
• Russia carries out successful tests of two SLBMs RIA Novosti 28 Oct 2010 -- Russia successfully tested two ballistic missiles in separate launches in the Barents Sea and the Pacific Ocean.
• Medvedev stresses need for financial incentives to boost military reform RIA Novosti 28 Oct 2010 -- President Medvedev: Higher salaries are key to the successful reform of the Russian military.
• Russia's arms exports to reach record $10 bln in 2010 RIA Novosti 28 Oct 2010 -- Head of Russia's state-run arms exporter Rosoboronexport: Russia's arms exports are expected to hit an all-time high of over $10 billion in 2010.
• Russia ready to discuss arms sales with Iran RIA Novosti 28 Oct 2010 -- Russia's state-run arms exporter Rosoboronexport said it was ready to discuss the delivery to Iran of arms that fall outside UN sanctions.
• Russian arms firm denies Yakhont missile deliveries contract RIA Novosti 28 Oct 2010 -- Russian state arm company Rosoboronexport says it has no contracts for delivery of P-800 Yakhont anti-ship cruise missiles.
• Military depots on fire in Far East RIA Novosti 28 Oct 2010 -- Ammunition depots caught fire in the town of Arga in the Russia's Far Eastern Amur District, a spokesman for the regional emergencies center said.
• Russia, Germany to synchronize positions ahead of NATO summit RIA Novosti 28 Oct 2010 -- Russian FM spokesman: Russia and Germany will coordinate their positions in the run-up to a series of top level meetings, including a NATO summit.
• India for increased Naval contact with littoral countries of IOR IRNA 28 Oct 2010 -- India has called for increased Navy-to-Navy contact with the littoral countries of the Indian Ocean Region.
• Taiwan Military working all out in Suhua Highway search CNA 28 Oct 2010 -- The military has been making every effort in the search for people missing since last week when deadly rockslides hit the coastal Suhua Highway.
• DPRK Military Delegation Leaves for Cuba KCNA 28 Oct 2010 -- A DPRK military delegation led by Vice Marshal of the Korean People's Army Ri Yong Ho left to visit Cuba.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 10/28/2010 The White House 28 Oct 2010
• Press Gaggle on the President's Upcoming Trip to Asia, October 28, 2010 The White House 28 Oct 2010
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing, 28 October 2010 US Dept. of State 28 Oct 2010

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for October 28, 2010
• Lockheed Martin Completes System Testing For Advanced Extremely High Frequency Satellite Communications Services Lockheed Martin 28 Oct 2010 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has completed Intersegment System Testing (IST) of the second Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) military communications satellite at the company’s facilities in Sunnyvale, Calif. This critical milestone marks the completion of pre-launch verification for the new eXtended Data Rate (XDR) service which will provide substantial enhancements in the capacity, coverage and connectivity of protected communications for warfighters around the globe.
• ATK Receives More than $200 Million in Orders for Small-Caliber Ammunition ATK 28 Oct 2010 -- ATK (NYSE: ATK) has received additional orders for small-caliber ammunition under an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity contract with the U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Contracting Center. These orders total more than $213 million for a mix of 5.56mm, 7.62mm, and .50-caliber ammunition to be produced by ATK at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant (LCAAP) in Independence, Mo.
• Upgrade For Royal Navy Minehunters Powers Ahead BAE Systems 28 Oct 2010 -- BAE Systems has secured a £15 million contract as part of a major overhaul project to replace the 30 year old propulsion systems onboard the Royal Navy’s eight Hunt Class mine countermeasure vessels.
• BAE Systems Reaches Milestone with Modernized Howitzer Vehicles BAE Systems 28 Oct 2010 -- BAE Systems has delivered seven Paladin Integrated Management (PIM) prototype vehicles to the U.S. Army on schedule. PIM is the latest howitzer in the M109 Paladin family of vehicles.
• Second A330 MRTT in flight for U.K. underscores maturity of EADS North America KC-45 offering for U.S. Air Force EADS 28 Oct 2010 -- EADS North America has marked another step forward for its KC-45 aerial refueling tanker program with the maiden flight of the second Airbus Military A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) for the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force (RAF). The KC-45 is the U.S. Air Force configuration of the A330 MRTT, and is the only tanker offered in the Air Force’s tanker competition that is in production and flying today.
• Northrop Grumman Moves Operations for Navy's Theoretical Studies and Engineering Research Program to Somerset County, Maryland Northrop Grumman 28 Oct 2010 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) is relocating its engineering and low-rate production fabrication operation to the Princess Anne Industrial Park in Somerset County, Md.
• Sagem to supply navigation systems for Abu Dhabi class frigates, future flagship of the United Arab Emirates Navy Sagem (Safran group) 28 Oct 2010 -- Sagem (Safran group) has won a contract from Italian shipyard Fincantieri SpA to deliver and integrate the Sigma 40 inertial navigation systems on the new Abu Dhabi class anti-submarine warfare (ASW) frigate.
• Thales minehunting sonars put to the test in Gulf exercise Thales 28 Oct 2010 -- Four Royal Navy (RN) mine countermeasures vessels (MCMVs) fitted with Thales UK’s minehunting sonars have been taking part in a series of important joint exercises with the US Navy (USN) in the Arabian Gulf, where their detection performance has been described by the RN as ‘world beating’.
• Second FSTA aircraft makes maiden flight Thales 28 Oct 2010 -- AirTanker, of which Thales UK is a shareholder, has confirmed that the second Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) for the UK Royal Air Force has successfully completed its maiden flight from the Airbus Military facility at Getafe, Madrid following its conversion.

Other Conflicts

• Daily Press Briefing by the Offices of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General and the Spokesperson for the General Assembly President, 28 October 2010 United Nations 28 Oct 2010
• Prospect of Denuclearization of Korean Peninsula Hinges on US Attitude KCNA 28 Oct 2010 -- The issue of the resumption of the six-party talks for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is high on the agenda.
• Ban urges parties to Middle East peace talks to overcome hurdles UN News Centre 28 Oct 2010 -- Secretary-General Ban reiterated his call on Israeli and Palestinian leaders to work with determination to overcome obstacles.
• No Progress in Peace Talks Following Palestinian Meeting VOA 28 Oct 2010 -- A meeting between Palestinian President Abbas and high-level Egyptian officials has ended with no breakthrough in efforts to revive peace talks.
• Israel to build security fence along border with Egypt RIA Novosti 28 Oct 2010 -- Israeli defense ministry may start the construction of a security fence along the border with Egypt next month.
• Pakistan hopes Obama to play role for regional peace IRNA 28 Oct 2010 -- Pakistan expressed the hope that President Obama would take up issues that are central to ensuring peace and stability in the region.
• 2 ceasefire violations by Pak at Poonch, Uri sectors IRNA 28 Oct 2010 -- In 2 ceasefire violations, Pakistani troops pounded 10 Indian posts with mortar bombs and rockets and fired indiscriminately along the Line of Control.
• Reporter's Notebook: Mogadishu VOA 28 Oct 2010 -- After repelling the Ramadan offensive launched by al Qaida-linked force al-Shabab, AMISOM forces in Mogadishu have been able to exploit rifts within the insurgent group.
• Somali Militant Group Executes Girls Accused of Spying VOA 28 Oct 2010 -- Somalia's al-Qaida linked al-Shabab militants have executed two girls accused of spying for the Somali government.
• Sudan Opposition Party Denies Derailing Referendum VOA 28 Oct 2010 -- A prominent member of Sudan opposition party has denied accusations that supporters of the party within the President Omar Hassan Al-Bashir led-unity government want to undermine the 9th January referendum.
• IGAD Summit Postponed Amid Controversy Surrounding Bashir Attendance VOA 28 Oct 2010 -- After intense pressure from the international community, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development has postponed a summit originally scheduled to be held Saturday in Nairobi.
• Religious Leaders Urge Strong International Support Ahead of Sudan Referendum VOA 28 Oct 2010 -- Religious leaders from southern Sudan are urging strong international pressure to ensure a January referendum on independence for the South takes place on time.
• Ban: support for national efforts vital as UN departs Chad, Central African Republic UN News Centre 28 Oct 2010 -- Secretary-General Ban stressed the need to support both countries as they seek to tackle their respective security and humanitarian challenges on their own.
• ANGOLA-DRC: Expulsions mark rising tensions over resources IRIN 28 Oct 2010 -- Angola's "very violent" expulsion of about 200 Democratic Republic of Congo nationals from its territory this month is a sign of the increasing "bad blood" between the neighbours.
• Terrorist plot uncovered in Russia's North Caucasus RIA Novosti 28 Oct 2010 -- Russian special forces have broken up a militant group that planned a terrorist attack in the North Caucasus city of Pyatigorsk earlier this week.
• Some 200 Killed In North Caucasus Terror Attacks In 2009 RFE/RL 28 Oct 2010 -- Russian Deputy Prosecutor-General Ivan Sydoruk says the number of extremist crimes committed in Russia's North Caucasus has grown fourfold this year compared to 2009.
• Serbia Increases Reward For Mladic Capture Tenfold RFE/RL 28 Oct 2010 -- The Serbian government has announced a tenfold increase in the award it is offering for information leading to the capture of wartime Bosnian Serb general Ratko Mladic.
• US: Hezbollah, Syria, Iran Threaten Lebanon's Stability VOA 28 Oct 2010 -- The US expressed its growing frustration with the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and its patrons Iran and Syria.
• Senior UN official warns of 'hyper-dangerous' situation in Lebanon UN News Centre 28 Oct 2010 -- A senior UN official warned that the presence of heavily-armed militias and a recent escalation of rhetoric and confrontation have created an extremely dangerous situation in Lebanon.
• Hezbollah Leader Calls for Boycott of International Tribunal VOA 28 Oct 2010 -- Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah criticized the U.N.'s Special Tribunal for Lebanon after his organization was accused of staging an attack on court investigators.
• UN's Hariri Tribunal Condemns 'Attack' Beirut Staffers VOA 28 Oct 2010 -- UN tribunal investigating the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri has condemned what it described as an attack on its staff in Beirut.
• SRI LANKA: Education defuses mine threat IRIN 28 Oct 2010 -- Landmine injuries have been minimal in northern Sri Lanka, thanks in part to mine risk education (MRE) aimed at the tens of thousands of civilians returning home to the former combat zone, experts say.
• Trust placed in UN World Court vital for promoting rule of law, says top judge UN News Centre 28 Oct 2010 -- The President of the ICJ voiced appreciation for the trust countries place in the principal judicial organ of the UN.

News Reports

• US Reportedly Considering New Iran Nuclear Deal VOA 28 Oct 2010 -- The New York Times reports that the United States and its European allies are working on a new offer to Iran for a possible nuclear fuel swap.
• U.S. Sanctions 37 Companies Over Iran RFE/RL 28 Oct 2010 -- The United States has imposed sanctions on dozens of shipping companies in Europe over their alleged links to Iran's nuclear program.
• Iran Says Two Charged With Spying For Israel RFE/RL 28 Oct 2010 -- Tehran's chief prosecutor says two Iranians have been charged with spying for Israel about Iran's nuclear program.
• America's Engagement in the Asia-Pacific US Dept. of State 28 Oct 2010
• Clinton: Washington is Committed to 'Getting it Right' in US-China Relationship VOA 28 Oct 2010 -- US Secretary of State Clinton rejected the notion that American and Chinese interests are "fundamentally at odds."
• US, Japan Call for New Sources of Rare Earth Minerals VOA 28 Oct 2010 -- The US and Japan say they agree that "the entire world" must begin to develop new sources of rare earth minerals after receiving a "wake-up call" from China.
• Clinton Says US Seeks Leadership Role in Asia VOA 28 Oct 2010 -- US Secretary of State Clinton says the US will continue to project American leadership in the Asia-Pacific region to promote economic growth, regional security and democratic values.
• Ivory Coast Votes Sunday VOA 28 Oct 2010 -- A campaign manager for incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo said Sunday's election marks the first step towards the reconstruction of Ivory Coast.
• Ivorian Voters in Rebel-Held Areas Prepare for Sunday's Election VOA 28 Oct 2010 -- Sunday's presidential vote in Ivory Coast is meant to reunite the country eight years after a brief civil war.
• Calm political, security climate bodes well for Côte d'Ivoire polls UN News Centre 28 Oct 2010 -- The current security and political calm bodes well for this weekend’s long-awaited presidential election in Côte d’Ivoire.
• COTE D'IVOIRE: Fragile peace holds as elections approach IRIN 28 Oct 2010 -- After eight years of waiting, Kandé Bouaké’s joy when he received an ID card confirming he is an Ivorian citizen soon turned to frustration when he was told his voting card had not come through.
• Kyrgyzstan Vote Count Official Says Mistakes Hold Up Release Of Final Results RFE/RL 28 Oct 2010 -- Kyrgyzstan's top election official says that "a wave of mistakes" is holding up the release of the final tally from parliamentary elections.
• UN envoy welcomes new date for Guinea's run-off presidential poll UN News Centre 28 Oct 2010 -- The UN envoy for West Africa, Said Djinnit, welcomed the decision by authorities in Guinea to set 7 November as the new date for the second round of the country’s presidential election.
• Guinea Announces New Run-off Election Date VOA 28 Oct 2010 -- Guinea's government has announced that the country’s long-delayed presidential run-off election will take place on November 7.
• Nigerian Lawmakers Approve Later Elections VOA 28 Oct 2010 -- Nigerian lawmakers have approved a constitutional amendment that would allow elections to be postponed until April.
• Armenian President's Office Denies Biden Comment On Genocide Recognition RFE/RL 28 Oct 2010 -- Spokesman for Armenian President Sarkisian has denied that Sarkisian asked US VP Biden not to "force" the issue of Armenian genocide.
• Trial Opens for Shi'ite Activists in Bahrain VOA 28 Oct 2010 -- A trial opened Thursday for at least 25 Shi'ite activists who are accused of plotting to overthrow the government.
• HAITI: Rush to contain cholera outbreak IRIN 28 Oct 2010 -- Medical staff and supplies are being rushed to Artibonite department, where five cholera treatment centres are being erected to complement the main hospital and clinics, in a bid to prevent the disease from reaching the capital, Port-au-Prince.
• Analysis: Are humanitarians learning the lessons from Haiti? IRIN 28 Oct 2010 -- Listen to locals, tap into existing capacity, coordinate needs assessments, find strong leaders and provide transitional shelter - not just tents. These are some of the lessons to have emerged from the 2007 tsunami evaluation, numerous earthquake responses and the latest Haiti real-time evaluation, begging the question: when will the humanitarian community start applying these lessons learned.