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Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 24 Jan 2011 [PDF]
• Assistant Secretary of Air Force visits Baghdad AFNS 24 Jan 2011 -- Airmen deployed to Iraq in 2011 will play a historic role as U.S. military forces drawdown under the 2008 bilateral security agreement, said a senior Pentagon official.
• Seabees Upgrade Afghan Road; Mission Complete for NMCB 3 Det Trident NNS 24 Jan 2011 -- Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3 Detachment Trident returned Jan. 12, from a successful 28-day road construction mission in the Helmand province of Afghanistan.
• Airstrike in Logar Province Kills Taliban Leader AFPS 24 Jan 2011 -- A coalition airstrike yesterday in the Pol-e Alam district of Afghanistan’s Logar province killed a Taliban logistics leader, military officials reported.
• The first 100 days: a story of sustainment Army News 24 Jan 2011 -- What organization's finance office processes an average of $181 million per month and on a daily basis is responsible for feeding more than 100,000 personnel? Their contracted vehicles travel an average of 23,570 miles per day and their contracted aircraft fly an average of 23,700 passengers monthly? Is this a Fortune 500 company? No, it's the 184th Expeditionary Sustainment Command and its subordinate units.
• New recruits join Afghan National Army Army News 24 Jan 2011 -- The newest members of the Afghan National Army traveled to Forward Operating Base Thunder, home of the ANA 203rd Thunder Corps, to attend basic training Jan. 15.
• Afghan engineers learn to maintain own facilities Army News 24 Jan 2011 -- The Afghan National Security Force Facility Engineer Technical Training School officially opened its doors with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Kabul, Jan. 23.
• Afghan National Army recruit numbers growing Army News 24 Jan 2011 -- The newest 600 recruits in the Afghan National Army traveled to Forward Operating Base Thunder, home of the Afghan 203rd Thunder Corps, where they began basic training Jan. 15.
• Training Afghans 'Shohna ba Shohna,' 'Shoulder to Shoulder' Army News 24 Jan 2011 -- The Kabul Military Training Center (KMTC) is figuratively the Fort Benning of Afghanistan, serving as the Afghan National Army's training headquarters. The sprawling 22,000 acres of ranges, barracks and headquarters are set under the beautiful snow-capped Hindu Kush mountain range.
• Airmen consolidate flying missions, free space for Afghan unit AFNS 24 Jan 2011 -- Officials from the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing recently began moving assets here as part of a long-term project to consolidate the wing's missions and to free space for the expanding Afghan unit.
• Shooting To Kill On the Iran-Afghan Border RFE/RL 24 Jan 2011 -- Crowds of Afghans have demonstrated against Iran in Kabul and Herat this month over what they say are Tehran's oppressive policies toward their country.
• British Soldiers Train for Deployment in Mock-Afghan Village VOA 24 Jan 2011 -- The British military has constructed a mock-Afghan village in the British countryside to give its soldiers a taste of the military and cultural challenges they will face in Afghanistan.
• Big tribesmen rally demands halt to US drone attacks IRNA 24 Jan 2011 -- A large number of tribesmen Sunday marched in a main city in Pakistan’s North Waziristan tribal region and demanded halt to US drone strikes in the area.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Seabees Upgrade Afghan Road; Mission Complete for NMCB 3 Det Trident NNS 24 Jan 2011 -- Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3 Detachment Trident returned Jan. 12, from a successful 28-day road construction mission in the Helmand province of Afghanistan.
• CNO Visits US Central Command NNS 24 Jan 2011 -- The chief of naval operations (CNO) started out the new year with a trip to the Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility (AOR) to meet with leadership and engage with Sailors in the region, Jan 15-23.
• Bataan Improves Quality of Life, Saves Navy Thousands NNS 24 Jan 2011 -- The crew of the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) officially opened a newly renovated mess deck Jan. 15 during a ribbon cutting ceremony aboard the ship.
• Bataan Completes Ammunition On Load NNS 24 Jan 2011 -- Sailors aboard the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) successfully completed an ammunition on load Jan. 21 in Earle, N.J., bringing the ship one step closer to its scheduled deployment in 2011.
• Theater Security Cooperation Task Force Marines, Sailors Conduct MCMAP Training NNS 24 Jan 2011 -- Marines and Sailors attached to Amphibious Southern Partnership Station 2011 (A-SPS 11) Theater Security Cooperation Task Force (TSCTF) began Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP) training on board the Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock-landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) Jan. 17.
• F-15E flies with new radar system AFNS 24 Jan 2011 -- Officials took a step forward in the F-15E Strike Eagle's continuous technological evolution as the Air Force's most versatile combat aircraft here Jan. 18.
• Lynn Discusses Cybersecurity with NATO, U.S. Leaders AFPS 24 Jan 2011 -- Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III met with NATO and U.S. leaders at the alliance headquarters here today to discuss the way forward in cybersecurity.
• Obama Announces ‘Unprecedented Commitment’ to Military Families AFPS 24 Jan 2011 -- President Barack Obama today unveiled a governmentwide plan to strengthen military family support, offering a glimpse at a few of the new programs and cooperative efforts being launched in the coming months to improve quality of life and well-being for military families.
• First Lady, Dr. Biden Laud New Family Support Effort AFPS 24 Jan 2011 -- First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, today lauded the government’s new military family support effort, calling it an “important next step” in the nation’s support of troops and their families.
• DOD Leaders Discuss Critical Troop, Family Health Care Needs AFPS 24 Jan 2011 -- Military health care has improved troop survival, recovery and rehabilitation, but providers, patients, families and leaders must keep investing time, effort and communication, Defense Department leaders said today.
• Army provides mobile satellite communications for interagency disaster response Army News 24 Jan 2011 -- In the years since Hurricane Katrina exposed dangerous information gaps between various government responders, the Army has developed high-tech capabilities that enable rapid, interagency communications during an emergency.
• Third Army rolls out new PT program in Kuwait Army News 24 Jan 2011 -- The Army launched a new physical fitness program in 2003 for basic-training units at Fort Bliss, Texas, and that program is now rolling out across the Army to better prepare Soldiers for combat.
• New MCMAP order allows more Marines belt level advancement USMC News 24 Jan 2011 -- A New Marine Corps Martial Arts Program order has enabled Marines with I Marine Expeditionary Force, Headquarters Group an opportunity to advance their MCMAP belt level.
• Alaska F-22 AIB on recess AFNS 24 Jan 2011 -- Accident investigation board officials for the Alaska-based F-22 Raptor crash recessed, Jan. 14, per the direction of Gen. Gary North, the Pacific Air Forces commander.
• White House Unveils New Approach to Military Family Support AFPS 24 Jan 2011 -- White House officials released a report today that unveils a new, governmentwide approach to military family support and details a sweeping, interagency effort under way to strengthen families and enhance their well-being and quality of life.
• Georgia worried by French warship sale to Russia RIA Novosti 24 Jan 2011 -- Georgia is concerned by France's decision to sell Mistral-class assault helicopter carriers to Russia, Deputy Foreign Minister Nino Kalandadze said on Monday.
• Federation Council advised to ratify new START Wednesday RIA Novosti 24 Jan 2011 -- The foreign relations and defense committees of Russia's upper house of parliament recommended the chamber to approve the new arms reduction pact with the United States on Wednesday, the head of the committee said.
• Analyst: Russian defense ministry and military industry part ways RIA Novosti 24 Jan 2011 -- Russia and France have announced a deal to buy the French Mistral-class helicopter carrier. Is this a sign of a new path of the Russian armed forces? What does the rearmament concept look like? Chief editor of RussiaProfile.org Andrei Zolotov, Jr. talks to Alexander Golts, a prominent Russian military analyst and the deputy editor-in-chief of the news website ej.ru.
• Russia to decide on missile deployment if no deal with NATO RIA Novosti 24 Jan 2011 -- Russia is expecting a reply from NATO to its proposals on building a European missile defense system, and will have to deploy a nuclear missile grouping if no agreement is reached, President Dmitry Medvedev said Monday.
• IAAC adds four Mi-171E helicopters to inventory Army News 24 Jan 2011 -- The Iraq Army Aviation Command accepted delivery of four new Mi-171E helicopters at its headquarters in Taji, as two were delivered Jan. 16 followed two more Jan. 23.
• South Korea Mulls Separate Nuclear, Military Talks With North VOA 24 Jan 2011 -- South Korean officials say they are considering a 2-track approach to negotiations with North Korea, with talks on the North's nuclear program to take place separately from military talks agreed to last week.
• January 24, 2011 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 24 Jan 2011
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 1/24/2011 The White House 24 Jan 2011

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for January 24, 2011
• Boeing Begins Flight Testing UK Chinook Mk4 Boeing 24 Jan 2011 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and its Boeing Defence UK subsidiary today announced that the Boeing UK Rotorcraft Support team has begun flight testing the first Chinook Mk4 helicopter for the Royal Air Force (RAF). The first flight took place on Dec. 9 in Hampshire, England.
• Northrop Grumman to Provide Specialized Test Equipment and Training Support for U.S. Navy MH-60 Helicopter Program Northrop Grumman 24 Jan 2011 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has been awarded a contract to provide Specialized Test Equipment (STE) and related training support for the MH-60 Seahawk helicopter program at the U.S. Navy's Fleet Readiness Center Southwest.
• SAIC Awarded $102 Million Contract to Provide Logistics Services to 1st Theater Sustainment Command SAIC 24 Jan 2011 -- Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) (NYSE: SAI) announced today it was awarded a prime contract by the 1st Theater Sustainment Command (1st TSC) to provide logistics services in support of 1st TSC activities throughout the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility. The contract has a one year base period of performance, four one-year options, a six month extension, and a total value of more than $102 million if all options are exercised. Work will be performed primarily in Kuwait.
• Lockheed Martin to Enhance Space Systems Development With Opening of New Virtual Laboratory Lockheed Martin 24 Jan 2011 -- Lockheed Martin plans to increase the affordability and efficiency of space system development with the opening of a new advanced technology and virtual simulation facility, known as the Collaborative Human Immersive Laboratory (CHIL). The CHIL, located at Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company headquarters in Littleton, Colo., integrates several virtual reality technologies enabling engineers and technicians to validate, test, and understand products and processes virtually before creating them physically. The result is a reduction in risk with savings in both time and cost.
• Raytheon Awarded $145 Million for Patriot GEM-T Missiles for State of Kuwait Raytheon 24 Jan 2011 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has received a $145 million Foreign Military Sales production contract for Patriot Guidance Enhanced Missiles – Tactical (GEM-T) to augment Kuwait's air and missile defense.

Other Conflicts

• 24 January 2011 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 24 Jan 2011
• Nigeria Wants UN Backing for Military Intervention in Ivory Coast VOA 24 Jan 2011 -- Nigeria wants United Nations backing for a regional intervention force to remove Ivory Coast's incumbent president in favor of the internationally-recognized winner of November's vote.
• Gbagbo Supporters Say Regional Leaders Bluffing About Military Intervention VOA 24 Jan 2011 -- Ivory Coast's incumbent government says it is not intimidated by threats to be removed from power by a regional intervention force. West African leaders have replaced the head of the region's central bank to further isolate the incumbent president in favor of the internationally-recognized winner of November's vote.
• COTE D'IVOIRE: Local UN staff easy targets in the crisis IRIN 24 Jan 2011 -- While the UN Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) faces a climate of orchestrated and growing hostility, local UN employees, even those working with agencies completely separate from UNOCI, are living in fear.
• COTE D'IVOIRE: Climate of fear around "Republic of Golf" IRIN 24 Jan 2011 -- More than a month after clashes between forces loyal to Côte d’Ivoire’s rival claimants to the presidency, the sound of gunfire still echoes loudly in the memories of those living around the Golf Hotel, where Alassane Ouattara, the internationally recognized winner of a 28 November election, and his associates, are holed up under UN protection.
• Jordanian Foreign Minister Visits Washington to Discuss Middle East Peace Process VOA 24 Jan 2011 -- Jordan’s Foreign Minister, Nasser Judeh, was in Washington on Monday to discuss regional issues - including the Mideast peace process - with U.S. officials. Speaking at a forum at the Brookings Institution, the foreign minister said there is a need for new tactics to overcome the impasse in the Middle East.
• Palestinian Leaders Dispute Leaked Documents VOA 24 Jan 2011 -- Palestinian factions are expressing anger after the al-Jazeera network quoted what it says are hundreds of leaked documents that show Palestinian negotiators were ready to make significant concessions to Israel during negotiations in 2008.
• Palestinians Question Authenticity of Leaked 'Palestinian Papers' RFE/RL 24 Jan 2011 -- Palestinian officials are denying the accuracy of leaked documents which claim Palestinian negotiators offered to give Israel major concessions on Jerusalem during peace talks three years ago.
• Palestinians to publish peace talk documents after leaks RIA Novosti 24 Jan 2011 -- The Palestinian National Authority will publish documents related to its negotiations with Israel over peace settlement in order to clarify its position in the talks, chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat told Al Jazeera on Monday.
• As Somalia marks 20 years of conflict UN calls for more humanitarian aid UN News Centre 24 Jan 2011 -- As Somalia approaches the anniversary of two war-torn decades without a functioning national government, the United Nations today called on the international community to step up its aid to build on humanitarian gains eked out amidst the country’s struggles.
• KENYA-SOMALIA: From a life of fear to a life in limbo IRIN 24 Jan 2011 -- Fleeing Somalia may mean an end to dodging bullets and living in fear, but for many Somalis who manage to cross the border into Kenya, it is also the start of a long and difficult journey as a refugee.
• Southern Sudanese Returning From North Challenge Regional Government, Aid Groups VOA 24 Jan 2011 -- As vote tabulation nears an end in southern Sudan, preliminary results indicate voters are likely to choose overwhelmingly to separate from the rest of Sudan in order to form an independent state. Whatever the outcome, southern Sudanese leaders face many challenges. One is the arrival of thousands of southern Sudanese from the north.

News Reports

• United Nations condemns deadly bomb attack at Moscow airport UN News Centre 24 Jan 2011 -- The United Nations today strongly condemned the terrorist attack that killed dozens and injured more than 100 people at Moscow’s Domodedovo International Airport, and pledged to fight all forms of terrorism.
• Dozens Dead After Suicide Bomb Rips Moscow Airport VOA 24 Jan 2011 -- An explosion ripped through the international section of Moscow's busiest airport, killing 35 people and wounding 168, officials said.
• At Least 35 Killed In Suspected Suicide Bombing At Moscow Airport RFE/RL 24 Jan 2011 -- At least 35 people were killed and 130 injured today by an explosion at the country's busiest airport -- a blast that investigators say was caused by a terrorist bomber.
• Moscow reels as terrorism returns to capital RIA Novosti 24 Jan 2011 -- Moscow saw its second suicide attack in less than 12 months on Monday as a terrorist assault on the Russian capital’s busiest airport left over 30 dead, officials said.
• Moscow airport suicide attack - over 30 dead RIA Novosti 24 Jan 2011 -- A suicide attack on Moscow’s Domodedovo international airport killed more than 30 people and injured scores on Monday, officials said.
• Medvedev orders to step up security after deadly blast at Moscow airport RIA Novosti 24 Jan 2011 -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev ordered on Monday that security be increased at all of the country's airports and transportation hubs after a suicide bombing killed at least 31 people at Moscow's Domodedovo International Airport.
• Explosion Kills Dozens in Moscow Airport VOA 24 Jan 2011 -- An explosion has ripped through the international section of Moscow's busiest airport, killing 31 people and wounding about 130, Health Ministry officials said.
• MP: Iran strongly opposed West's hostile policies during Istanbul talks IRNA 24 Jan 2011 -- Member of Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Mohammad Karim Abedi said on Monday that the Islamic Republic of Iran steadfastly stood up to the hostile policies of the western countries during Istanbul talks.
• MP: G5+1 states will return to talks IRNA 24 Jan 2011 -- A member of Majlis (parliament) National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, Heshmatollah Fallahatpisheh, said that the G5+1 representatives have to return to the negotiating table because Iran is a key player in the region.
• Car Bombs Kill 18 People in Iraq's Shi’ite Holy City VOA 24 Jan 2011 -- At least 18 people were killed and dozens wounded after two car bombs exploded in the Shi’ite holy city of Karbala, Iraq. The blasts appeared to target Shi’ite pilgrims during a major religious celebration.
• Iraq: UN refugee chief proposes government-led plan to end displacement UN News Centre 24 Jan 2011 -- The UN’s top refugee official has proposed a government-led plan of action to enable thousands of displaced Iraqis to return to their homes in the Middle Eastern country.
• UN: number of cholera deaths in Haiti shows signs of falling or stabilizing UN News Centre 24 Jan 2011 -- The number of people dying from cholera in Haiti has been on a downward trend or has stabilized in all ten of the country’s departments affected by the outbreak, the United Nations humanitarian office reported today, adding that the number of hospitalized people has also been decreasing.
• US Sends Senior Envoy to Tunisia VOA 24 Jan 2011 -- The Obama administration has sent a senior envoy to Tunisia to underscore U.S. support for efforts there to transition from authoritarian rule to democracy. The United States is offering Tunisian authorities help in organizing promised elections.
• Human Rights Watch Slams West For 'Cowardice' On Rights Issues RFE/RL 24 Jan 2011 -- An international rights group has accused Western powers of not doing enough to pressure abusive regimes to protect basic human rights.;
• Uzbekistan's Karimov Makes Brussels Visit Amid Rights Concerns RFE/RL 24 Jan 2011 -- Top NATO and European Union officials met Uzbek President Islam Karimov in Brussels amid strong condemnation from nongovernmental organizations, who bemoan Tashkent’s woeful human rights record.
• Lebanon's Hezbollah Gains in Government Talks VOA 24 Jan 2011 -- Hezbollah's candidate for Lebanon's prime minister has secured the majority-backing from parliament needed to lead a new government.
• Police Fire Tear Gas at Tunisian Protesters VOA 24 Jan 2011 -- Police in Tunisia have fired tear gas at anti-government protesters to try to break up demonstrations outside the prime minister's office.