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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 06 Jan 2011 [PDF]
• Firebrand Iraqi Cleric Tells Followers To Curb Enthusiasm RFE/RL 06 Jan 2011 -- Shi'ite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, returning to Iraq after four years of Iran-based exile, has urged his followers to remain calm.
• Iraq's al-Sadr Urges Calm From Supporters VOA 06 Jan 2011 -- Anti-American Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr has urged his supporters to "exercise discipline" while celebrating his return to Iraq.
• Cavalry Soldiers help train Iraqi Army Army News 06 Jan 2011 -- Soldiers assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division, began training Iraqi soldiers at Al Ghuzlani Warrior Training Center, Jan. 3.
• Afghan, Coalition Forces Kill, Detain Insurgents AFPS 06 Jan 2011 -- Afghan and coalition forces killed numerous insurgents and detained several others in recent operations throughout Afghanistan.
• Road through the valley of the Taliban Army News 06 Jan 2011 -- Afghan National Army and Australian forces gained control of Tangi Valley in the Deh Rahwod district in an operation to establish a foothold in a former Taliban concentrated area Dec. 28.
• Marine Unit Deploys About 1,400 Troops to Afghanistan AFPS 06 Jan 2011 -- About 1,400 service members of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit will deploy to southwestern Afghanistan.
• US to Send 1,400 More Marines to Afghanistan VOA 06 Jan 2011 -- The United States is planning to send 1,400 more Marines to Afghanistan in an effort to solidify gains made in the push to oust the Taliban from its strongholds.
• Dutch gov't gets ready for new Afghan mission: daily IRNA 06 Jan 2011 -- The Dutch government is preparing for a new military operation in Afghanistan, only months after Dutch troops pulled out of that country.
• CLB-3's Embedded Partnering Team increases operability of Afghan soldiers USMC News 06 Jan 2011 -- Personnel with Combat Logistics Battalion 3's Embedded Partnering Team implemented plans to increase the Afghan National Army's ability to conduct independent operations.
• Afghan military focuses on professionalization Army News 06 Jan 2011 -- With the Afghan National Army successfully reaching its recruitment goals for 2010, the Afghan Ministry of Defense has turned its focus to professionalizing its military force.
• Pakistani, Afghan Tribal Elders to Hold Meeting VOA 06 Jan 2011 -- Tribal elders from Pakistan and Afghanistan will soon hold a meeting, or jirga, in an attempt to bolster peace between the countries.
• Pakistan Governor's Assassination Underscores Societal Chasm VOA 06 Jan 2011 -- The killing of the governor of Pakistan's most populous province has highlighted the ongoing clash in Pakistani society.
• PAKISTAN: Hindu minority lives in mounting fear IRIN 06 Jan 2011 -- Hindus make up about 1.8 percent of Pakistan’s predominantly Muslim population of 165 million, according to official figures.
• CMF Responds to Medical Emergency Aboard Iranian Fishing Vessel NNS 06 Jan 2011 -- Combined Maritime Forces responded to a medical emergency aboard an Iranian fishing vessel some 400 nautical miles north of the Seychelles.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Russian parliament drafts five amendments to new arms pact RIA Novosti 06 Jan 2011 -- The lower house of the Russian parliament has prepared five amendments and two draft statements on arms treaty with the US.
• Secretary Gates Statement on Department Budget and Efficiencies DoD 06 Jan 2011
• DOD News Briefing with Secretary Gates and Adm. Mullen from the Pentagon DoD 06 Jan 2011
• DOD Announces $150 Billion Reinvestment from Efficiencies Savings DoD 06 Jan 2011
• Statement by Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Norton Schwartz on Efficiencies DoD 06 Jan 2011
• Statement by the Secretary of the Army John McHugh on Efficiencies DoD 06 Jan 2011
• Statement by the Secretary of the Navy and the Chief of Naval Operations on Efficiencies DoD 06 Jan 2011
• Statement by the Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James Amos on Efficiencies DoD 06 Jan 2011
• Gates Reveals Budget Efficiencies, Reinvestment Possibilities AFPS 06 Jan 2011 -- The Defense Department has found $154 billion in efficiencies over the next five years.
• Joint Chiefs Fully Agree With Gates' Efficiencies AFPS 06 Jan 2011 -- The members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff are fully behind Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates’ proposed efficiencies for the military.
• DOD Directs Army, Marine Drawdowns for 2015, 2016 AFPS 06 Jan 2011 -- Budget pressures that have proven greater than anticipated mean the Defense Department will trim end strength in its ground forces beginning in four years.
• US Plans Cut in Army Troops by 2015 VOA 06 Jan 2011 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates says without faster-than-expected growth in his department's budget in the coming years, the United States will have to reduce the size of its Army by 27,000 soldiers by the year 2015.
• Defense Department to Prune Senior Ranks, Freeze Staffing AFPS 06 Jan 2011 -- Defense Secretary Gates: The Defense Department will reduce its senior ranks and freeze civilian staffing levels.
• Presidential Memorandum - Disestablishment of United States Joint Forces Command The White House 06 Jan 2011
• Detainee Transfer Announced DoD 06 Jan 2011
• MAG-14 makes mark on 2010 USMC News 06 Jan 2011 -- The Corps' largest aircraft group, Marine Aircraft Group 14, casts a shadow of accomplishments for 2010.
• AAAA honors UAS unit, NCO Army News 06 Jan 2011 -- The Unmanned Aircraft Systems Training Battalion brought home both of the Army Aviation Association of America's UAS awards this year.
• Air Guard officials prepare for new medical mission AFNS 06 Jan 2011 -- Air National Guard members will begin flying a newly assigned critical care air transport team mission from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Jan. 10.
• Inter-American NCO Academy opens to U.S. NCOs AFNS 06 Jan 2011 -- Two Airmen are making history as the first Air Force NCOs to attend the Inter-American Air Forces Academy's Inter-American NCO Academy.
• Study Ties Problems to Post-traumatic Stress AFPS 06 Jan 2011 -- Service members who suffer mild traumatic brain injuries in combat and then struggle with depression, irritability, alcohol abuse and similar problems after they return home most likely are experiencing post-traumatic stress.
• President signed improvements to Post-9/11 GI Bill AFNS 06 Jan 2011 -- President Obama signed legislation Jan. 4 that streamlines the 18 month-old education program administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Warrior Ethos Army News 06 Jan 2011 -- The Army Warrior Ethos states, "I will always place the mission first, I will never accept defeat, I will never quit, and I will never leave a fallen comrade."
• Gates' China Trip Aims for Lasting Military-to-Military Relationship AFPS 06 Jan 2011 -- Defense Secretary Gates' official visit to China next week is designed to lay the foundation for a lasting military-to-military relationship.
• Navy Intel Chief Discusses China's Military Advances AFPS 06 Jan 2011 -- Though China has demonstrated its ability to field advanced military prototypes speedily, how soon it can put those capabilities to use remains a key question.
• China: No Changes to 'No First Nuclear Strike Policy' VOA 06 Jan 2011 -- China denies a Japanese media report that the PLA will consider launching a preemptive nuclear strike if threatened by another nuclear state.
• US Analyst Discounts Impact of New Iranian Naval Missile VOA 06 Jan 2011 -- Iran recently announced that a new naval missile had been placed in operation.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing, January 6, 2011 US Dept. of State 06 Jan 2011

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for January 06, 2011
• Boeing Delivers 4 More Super Hornets to Australia Ahead of Schedule Boeing 06 Jan 2011 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] delivered four new F/A-18F Super Hornets to Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Amberley in December, expanding the RAAF's fleet of the advanced multirole fighters to 15. The delivery enabled the RAAF's achievement of Initial Operating Capability (IOC) with its first Super Hornet squadron, the Amberley-based No. 1.
• Lockheed Martin Awarded $15 Million Production Contract to Upgrade Military Helicopter Sensor System Lockheed Martin 06 Jan 2011 -- The U.S. Army awarded Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] a $15 million contract for production of a low-light-level TV capability, called VNsight, for the Apache’s combat-proven Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (M-TADS/PNVS), also known as Arrowhead®. The new VNsight visible/near infrared sensor is integrated into the Modernized PNVS, providing the Warfighter with significant tactical advantages, particularly in low-light-level conditions.
• Northrop Grumman Celebrates Completion of 500th Super Hornet Shipset, 300th Hornet Center Barrel Northrop Grumman 06 Jan 2011 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has marked the completion of the 500th shipset of the F/A-18 Super Hornet and the 300th center barrel of the F/A-18 Hornet.
• CACI Awarded $25 Million Acquisition Support Task Order With Special Operations Forces CACI 06 Jan 2011 -- CACI International Inc (NYSE:CACI) announced today that it has been awarded a $25 million task order to support the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Program Executive Office for Special Operations Forces Warrior Systems (PEO-SW).
• Pratt & Whitney Military Engines Power Biofuel Tests for U.S. Air Force Pratt & Whitney 06 Jan 2011 -- A Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220 engine recently powered its first biofuel test flight of a U.S. Air Force F-15 Eagle at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. This flight test, powered by alternative jet fuel, comes on the heels of engine ground testing completed earlier this year at Arnold Engineering Development Center in Tennessee. These tests directly support the U.S. Air Force’s goal of acquiring half of its domestic jet fuel requirements from alternate sources by 2016. Pratt & Whitney is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX) company.

Other Conflicts

• Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, 6 January 2011 United Nations 06 Jan 2011
• Beijing urges resumption of six-party talks RIA Novosti 06 Jan 2011 -- China on Thursday called for the resumption of six-party negotiations on the Korean nuclear issue.
• Seoul rejects North Korea talks offer RIA Novosti 06 Jan 2011 -- South Korea dismissed on Thursday an offer from the North of talks to ease rising tensions as "propaganda."
• North Korean Offer for Unconditional Talks Greeted Cautiously VOA 06 Jan 2011 -- A day after North Korea offered to engage in wide-ranging dialogue without any conditions, officials here were dismissive of the gesture.
• Ban and Chinese Foreign Minister stress need for peace on Korean peninsula UN News Centre 06 Jan 2011 -- Secretary-General Ban discussed the situation on the Korean peninsula with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi.
• Rodong Sinmun Calls for Improved Inter-Korean Relations KCNA 06 Jan 2011 -- It is impossible to achieve independent reunification, peace and prosperity unless the present inter-Korean relations are turned into the relations of reconciliation and unity.
• Japanese FM starts visit to United States RIA Novosti 06 Jan 2011 -- Japanese FM Maehara is starting a five-day visit to the United States to prepare his premier's visit and discuss the relations between the two Koreas.
• Israel Asks Egypt to Push Palestinians on Peace Talks VOA 06 Jan 2011 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to persuade Palestinian leaders to return to direct peace negotiations.
• Israel, Egypt Discuss Efforts to Revive Peace Talks VOA 06 Jan 2011 -- Israeli PM Netanyahu is meeting with Egyptian President Mubarak in Egypt in an effort to revive stalled peace talks with the Palestinians.
• 2 Palestinians Killed Following Israeli Shooting in Gaza VOA 06 Jan 2011 -- Palestinian medical officials say Israeli troops have shot and killed two Palestinians near the Gaza Strip border.
• WikiLeaks: Israeli Officials at Gaza Crossing Corrupt VOA 06 Jan 2011 -- A U.S. diplomatic cable released by WikiLeaks says Israeli officials charged extremely high fees to allow goods to enter into Gaza.
• Hopes for Peaceful Referendum as Southern Sudan Signs Ceasefire With Athor's Militia VOA 06 Jan 2011 -- The army of southern Sudan signed a ceasefire agreement with the militia loyal to renegade General George Athor.
• As Referendum Nears, Thousands Face a Difficult Path Home to Southern Sudan VOA 06 Jan 2011 -- Hundreds of southerners are stranded in camps near the edge of Khartoum.
• Ahead of South Sudan referendum, UN official urges respect for voters' rights UN News Centre 06 Jan 2011 -- The UN human rights chief urged authorities in Sudan’s north and south to ensure that upcoming referendum is not marred in any way by abuses of voters’ rights.
• UN: Sudan Making Arbitrary Arrests Before Referendum VOA 06 Jan 2011 -- The UN human rights chief says Sudanese authorities are restricting press freedoms and making arbitrary arrests.
• Sudan Report Finds Oil Transparency Key to Peace VOA 06 Jan 2011 -- More transparency is needed over Sudan oil revenues, according to the environmental rights group Global Witness.
• Darfur: UN-African mission to boost civilian protection, support for peace process UN News Centre 06 Jan 2011 -- The head of the UN-AU peacekeeping force in Darfur said that the mission will continue to strengthen its operations this year.
• Incumbent Ivory Coast President Expels British, Canadian Ambassadors VOA 06 Jan 2011 -- Ivory Coast's incumbent president is expelling the British and Canadian ambassadors after their countries withdrew recognition of his envoys.
• Gbagbo Aide Sees New US Sanctions as Unhelpful in Resolving Ivorian Crisis VOA 06 Jan 2011 -- A special adviser to Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo has described as unfortunate the U.S. decision to freeze the accounts of the embattled leader and his close associates.
• Ivory Coast Incumbent President Rejects Call for More UN Peacekeepers VOA 06 Jan 2011 -- The government of Ivory Coast's incumbent president is rejecting calls for more U.N. peacekeepers, saying the entire force should leave the country.
• UN seeks to boost peacekeeping troops as Côte d'Ivoire crisis continues UN News Centre 06 Jan 2011 -- The UN is seeking up to 2,000 additional troops for its nearly 9,000-strong peacekeeping mission in Côte d’Ivoire.
• Azerbaijani soldier 'seriously wounded' in Armenian attack RIA Novosti 06 Jan 2011 -- An Azerbaijani soldier was seriously wounded in an alleged attack by the Armenian military in Nagorny Karabakh.
• Daghestan's President Suffers Further Rebuff RFE/RL 06 Jan 2011 -- The Daghestan wing of the North Caucasus Islamic insurgency has rejected repeated calls by President Magomedsalam Magomedov to lay down its arms.
• Greek Cypriot FM Frustrated by Pace of Negotiations VOA 06 Jan 2011 -- Greek Cypriot foreign minister has said that the United Nations-brokered reunification process in Cyprus is proving to be slow and difficult.
• Trial Opens in Cambodia for Thai Nationals VOA 06 Jan 2011 -- A Cambodian court has begun hearings into the cases of seven Thais arrested last month for illegally entering the country.
• PHILIPPINES: One year to end IDP plight IRIN 06 Jan 2011 -- The Philippine government expects to resettle all internally displaced persons (IDPs) on Mindanao island this year, amid high expectations for peace talks with Muslim separatist rebels.

News Reports

• Former CIA Officer Arrested for Alleged Unauthorized Disclosure of National Defense Information and Obstruction of Justice US Dept. of Justice 06 Jan 2011
• Iran Denies Arresting US Woman at Armenian Border VOA 06 Jan 2011 -- Iran's state television is contradicting previous media reports that Iranian authorities detained an American woman for spying.
• U.S. Woman Said Detained In Iran On Spy Charges RFE/RL 06 Jan 2011 -- A state-owned Iranian newspaper says Iranian authorities have detained an American woman on suspicion of spying.
• More Mass Rallies Held KCNA 06 Jan 2011 -- Mass rallies took place in North Hwanghae Province, North Hamgyong Province, Kangwon Province, Ryanggang Province, Nampho City and Rason City on Jan. 6.
• US to Provide More Aid for Pakistan Flood Victims VOA 06 Jan 2011 -- The United States will provide another $190 million in aid for victims of Pakistan's devastating summer floods.
• US Pledges Flood Aid to Pakistan VOA 06 Jan 2011 -- The United States announced $190 million in aid for victims of last year's devastating floods in Pakistan.
• Interpol refuses to issue arrest warrant for Bakiyevs RIA Novosti 06 Jan 2011 -- The international law enforcement group Intepol has turned down a Kyrgyz request to issue a "red notice" for the family members of ousted president Kurmanbek Bakiyev.
• Kazakh Senators Back Referendum To Extend Nazarbaev Rule RFE/RL 06 Jan 2011 -- The upper chamber of Kazakhstan's parliament has unanimously backed a plan to hold a referendum that would extend the term in office of President Nursultan Nazarbaev by another 10 years.
• US Protests Assault on Diplomat in Vietnam VOA 06 Jan 2011 -- The US official had tried to visit a prominent Vietnamese dissident in the central city of Hue.
• US Protests Manhandling of Diplomat in Vietnam VOA 06 Jan 2011 -- U.S. officials in Vietnam say they have lodged a formal protest after an American diplomat was manhandled by security forces while trying to visit a prominent dissident.
• Niger Opposition Leaders Want Election Rolls Corrected VOA 06 Jan 2011 -- Niger's lead opposition coalition says errors on the country's voter register could undermine elections this month intended to return the country to civilian rule after a military coup in February.
• Most Zimbabweans Want 2011 Elections - But Most Also Fear More Violence VOA 06 Jan 2011 -- Seventy percent of Zimbabweans surveyed by the Afrobarometer polling institute said they would like to see a new round of elections this year.
• Liberia needs to do more to cut resources that could fuel conflicts, UN panel warns UN News Centre 06 Jan 2011 -- Liberia, a country once torn asunder by civil war, has made some progress in seeking to cut off the illegal supply of diamonds, timber and other natural resources.
• U.S. Cables Say Gazprom Plagued By Corruption, Poor Management RFE/RL 06 Jan 2011 -- Purported U.S. diplomatic cables describe Russian energy monopoly Gazprom as "inefficient, politically driven, and corrupt."
• Russia warns U.S. to cool off over opposition leader jailing RIA Novosti 06 Jan 2011 -- The U.S. senators' statement condemning the jailing of opposition leader Boris Nemtsov is "inappropriate".
• U.S. senators blast Russia for opposition leader Nemtsov's jail term RIA Novosti 06 Jan 2011 -- US senators McCain and Lieberman released a statement lambasting Russia over the jailing of opposition leader Boris Nemtsov.
• Belarus court refuses to release opposition candidate RIA Novosti 06 Jan 2011 -- A Minsk district court on Thursday refused to release Vladimir Neklyaev, an opposition presidential candidate, from custody.
• Flu deaths in UK rise to 50 IRNA 06 Jan 2011 -- Fifty people across the UK have died from flu so far this winter, according to the latest figures from the Health Protection Agency.
• Plasma Jets Could Resolve Longstanding Mystery of Solar Heating Lockheed Martin 06 Jan 2011 -- In a paper published today in the journal Science, researchers –from the Solar and Astrophysics Laboratory (LMSAL) of the Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] Advanced Technology Center (ATC), along with colleagues at the High Altitude Observatory (HAO) of the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Colorado and the University of Oslo, Norway – have discovered a major source of hot gas that replenishes the Sun’s outer atmosphere, or corona. The researchers used new observations from the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly on NASA’s recently launched Solar Dynamics Observatory and NASA’s Focal Plane Package for the Solar Optical Telescope (SOT) on the Japanese Hinode satellite – both designed and built at the ATC.