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18 February 2011 Military News

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Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
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Current Operations

OIF/OEF Casualty Update 18 Feb 2011 [PDF]

Sustainers Share Expertise With Iraqi Forces AFPS 18 Feb 2011 -- Recognizing that the Iraqi security forces require an equally capable sustainment network, U.S. logisticians have moved into overdrive.
US Army Celebrates 20 Years Since Kuwait's Liberation Army News 18 Feb 2011 -- February marks the 20th anniversary since Kuwait's liberation from Saddam Hussein's invading Army by US led Coalition Forces.
Protests in Iraqi Kurdistan leave at least two killed, 40 wounded RIA Novosti 18 Feb 2011 -- At least two people have been killed and 40 wounded when Iraqi police dispersed a protest demonstration in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Laying a new line Quartermasters take on Convoy Security duty during deployment to Afghanistan Army News 18 Feb 2011 -- "Pipeman" Pete stands proudly outside the headquarters of the 109th Quartermaster Company here as memento of their lineage.
Airstrike Kills More Than 35 Insurgents in Kunar Province AFPS 18 Feb 2011 -- A U.S. military air weapons team last night killed more than 35 enemy fighters in the Ghaziabad district of Afghanistan’s Khost province.
One German soldier dead, nine injured in Afghanistan: report IRNA 18 Feb 2011 -- At least one German soldier was killed and nine were injured in Afghanistan on Friday, four of them seriously.
9 Killed in Afghanistan Taliban Suicide Attack VOA 18 Feb 2011 -- A suicide car bomber has killed at least nine people and wounded more than 40 others in eastern Afghanistan.
Suicide Bombing In Afghanistan Kills Eight RFE/RL 18 Feb 2011 -- A suicide car bombing in Afghanistan has killed eight people, including two policemen.
Clinton: Taliban Cannot Outlast US Military Pressure VOA 18 Feb 2011 -- Secretary of State Clinton: Taliban cannot defeat or outlast U.S. military pressure and must break with al-Qaida and reconcile with the Afghan government.
Marine Commandant Describes Progress in Afghanistan AFPS 18 Feb 2011 -- Progress in Afghanistan’s Helmand River Valley has been substantial, and Marines are making progress in Sangin in the far northeastern part of Helmand province.
Kyrgyz-Russian Firm To Supply U.S. Transit Center With Fuel RFE/RL 18 Feb 2011 -- A new Kyrgyz-Russian venture called GazPromNeft-Aero-Kyrgyzstan will be the provider of fuel for the U.S. transit center at Manas airport near Bishkek.
Kyrgyz-Russian JV set up to supply jet fuel to U.S. airbase RIA Novosti 18 Feb 2011 -- Russia and Kyrgyzstanset up a joint venture to supply jet fuel to a U.S. military airbase outside the capital, Bishkek.
Tajikistan, Russia Discuss New Deal On Guarding Afghan Border RFE/RL 18 Feb 2011 -- Tajik and Russian border guards are discussing a new draft agreement on control of the Tajik-Afghan border.
New U.S. Af-Pak Envoy Brings Different Diplomatic Style To Holbrooke's Old Job RFE/RL 18 Feb 2011 -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has chosen a retired senior diplomat and former ambassador to Turkey as the Obama administration's new special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Defense Policy / Programs

New START Awards DoD 18 Feb 2011

Russia envoy: Progress in missile shield talks by July RIA Novosti 18 Feb 2011 -- Russia's permanent NATO envoy Rogozin: Progress in negotiations between Moscow and NATO on missile shield issue by July.
Medvedev appoints NATO envoy chief missile defense negotiator RIA Novosti 18 Feb 2011 -- President Medvedev has appointed Russia's ambassador to NATO chief missile defense negotiator.

Military Commission Panel Sentences Guantanamo Detainee AFPS 18 Feb 2011 -- After deliberating for five and a half hours, a military commission panel today sentenced Sudanese detainee Noor Uthman Muhammed to 14 years of confinement at the detention center here.
DOD Announces Sentence for Detainee Noor Uthman Muhammed DoD 18 Feb 2011 -- The Department of Defense announced today that Noor Uthman Muhammed was sentenced to 14 years in confinement for providing material support to al-Qaeda and conspiracy to provide material support to a terrorist organization and terrorism.

CMSAF discusses need for strengthened resiliency at symposium AFNS 18 Feb 2011 -- The Air Force's senior enlisted leader discussed the importance of resiliency and its impact to the service Feb. 17 here during the Air Force Association's Air Warfare Symposium and Technology Exposition.
New helicopter on Army horizon Army News 18 Feb 2011 -- While most of the focus in today's Army is on the war fighter and how best to support current military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, a leader in military aviation is calling for some of that focus to shift to the equipment needs of the future.
AFAP conference addresses depot, Army issues Army News 18 Feb 2011 -- Anniston Army Depot held its annual Army Family Action Plan Conference Feb. 9 and 10 at the DeSoto Entertainment Center here.
ICAF observes ANAD, GDLS decision-making processes Army News 18 Feb 2011 -- A dozen senior military officers of the U.S. armed forces and government officials studying the land combat systems industry spent Feb. 4 at Anniston Army Depot with government officials and defense contractors to observe the similarities and differences in the way each partner-public and private-conducts business.
Aviation Brigade at Fort Bragg trains with new medevac helicopter Army News 18 Feb 2011 -- In every war there will be deaths and injuries. Regardless of that unavoidable truth, the Army has continued to field new techniques and technologies throughout the years. From amputating limbs during the Civil War to incorporating aerial medical evacuations, or medevacs, in the Korean War, the Army has employed advances in technology to increase the odds of survivability from wounds Soldiers suffer.
Fort Bragg engineers hold ceremony to officially reactivate battalion Army News 18 Feb 2011 -- Seven company guidons stood covered in front of Soldiers standing in formation during a reactivation ceremony held on the sunny afternoon of Feb. 11 at Myitkyina Field.
Enterprise Strike Group Transits Bab el-Mandeb Strait, Enters Gulf of Aden NNS 18 Feb 2011 -- Enterprise Carrier Strike Group (CSG) transited the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and entered the Gulf of Aden, Feb. 18 in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR).
Harry S. Truman Conducts Ammo Offload NNS 18 Feb 2011 -- USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) completed a three week underway period with an ammunition offload, Feb. 17.
Naval Research TechSolutions Moves Aircraft Launch Bulletins Into Digital Age NNS 18 Feb 2011 -- Flight crews responsible for launching aircraft had the opportunity to test and evaluate the Catapult Capacity Selector Valve (CSV) Calculator Jan. 27 aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75).
STRIKFORNATO Supports Bush Strike Group During JTF Exercise NNS 18 Feb 2011 -- Headquarters Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO) personnel supported USS George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group's (GHWB CSG) Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) at Commander, U.S. Second Fleet, Feb. 11-21.
ONR-Funded Technology Improves Humanitarian Aid Initiative in Cobra Gold NNS 18 Feb 2011 -- Sailors and Marines may soon have the power of mobile data storage and mapping, following the testing of an information-collection system at Exercise Cobra Gold 2011 being held Feb. 6-18 in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Harry S. Truman Sailors Return, Prepare for Maintenance Period Opportunities NNS 18 Feb 2011 -- USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) has completed its final underway period Feb. 18 before preparing to head to its new home in the Norfolk Naval Shipyards for an upcoming dry-docking planned incremental availability (DPIA) period.
Detailers Reach Out to Sailors Deployed to Afghanistan NNS 18 Feb 2011 -- Technology bridged the distance between Navy Personnel Command (NPC) and Sailors currently deployed to Afghanistan, during a Fleet Engagement meeting conducted through a video teleconference, Feb.16.
Navy Region EURAFSWA Installations to Participate in Exercise Citadel Shield 2011 NNS 18 Feb 2011 -- Installations in Navy Region Europe Africa Southwest Asia (EURAFSWA) will join Navy installations worldwide participating in Exercise Citadel Shield 2011 (CS-11) Feb. 22-24, an annual security training exercise coordinated by Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC).
CNO Speaks at George P. Shultz Lecture Series NNS 18 Feb 2011 -- Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Gary Roughead spoke at the George P. Shultz Lecture Series at the Marines' Memorial Club, Feb 16.
Navy Medical Research Unit Commissioned NNS 18 Feb 2011 -- Navy Medicine's Medical Research Det. in Lima, Peru, conducted a commissioning ceremony, Feb. 10, transitioning the Naval Medical Research Center Detachment (NMRCD) Lima to a command – the U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No. 6 (NAMRU-6).
Blue Ridge Sailors, Philippine Seabees Improve Manila Orphanage NNS 18 Feb 2011 -- USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) Sailors and Republic of the Philippines navy Seabees volunteered at the Philippines' oldest welfare institution, the Hospicio de San Jose during a combined community service event, Feb. 15.
Southern Partnership Station 2011 Medical Team Visits El Salvadorian Island NNS 18 Feb 2011 -- A U.S. Navy medical team and U.S. Marine Corps engineers visited the Unidad De Salud medical clinic on the island of Zacatillo, El Salvador, to assess public health needs in support of Southern Partnership Station (SPS) 2011, Feb. 17.
FY 2010 CNO Environmental Award Winners Announced NNS 18 Feb 2011 -- Winners of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Environmental Awards competition, sponsored by the CNO Energy and Environmental Readiness Division, were announced Feb. 17.
Vice CSAF: Air Force must prepare for more complex, varied ops AFNS 18 Feb 2011 -- The Air Force is working to balance today's needs and tomorrow's challenges while operating under intense fiscal pressures.
New deployable air traffic control system program taking shape AFNS 18 Feb 2011 -- Electronic Systems Center officials intend to call for proposals within the next few months for development and production of a new deployable air traffic control system.
New M-ATV training requirements keeps Marines safe, ready USMC News 18 Feb 2011 -- Marines with 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, received training on the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected All Terrain Vehicle.
Canadians flock to Yuma's skies USMC News 18 Feb 2011 -- Exercise Desert Gander launched off station Feb. 1, 2011, marking the final step of predeployment training for approximately 220 members of Canadian military forces.
9th ESB departs for Forest Light USMC News 18 Feb 2011 -- Marines from 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, boarded a High Speed Vessel and departed to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni to begin Exercise Forest Light Feb. 15.
India rejects US offer of MH-60 'Romeo' IRNA 18 Feb 2011 -- India has turned down an American offer to supply 16 multirole helicopters through the Foreign Military Sales route for its Navy and decided to go for open competitive bidding for the multi-billion dollar deal.
MPs call for inspections of Diego Garcia for US cluster bombs IRNA 18 Feb 2011 -- British MPs have launched a campaign for international inspections to confirm if all US cluster bombs have been removed from Diego Gracia.
Brain experts meet to further Soldier head protection Army News 18 Feb 2011 -- Soldiers can have some of the same brain damage as boxers, according to one researcher who presented at the Soldier Protective Conference.
March 4 is Final Day to Claim 'Stop Loss' Pay AFPS 18 Feb 2011 -- People whose military service was involuntarily extended or whose retirement was suspended between Sept. 11, 2001, and Sept. 30, 2009, have until March 4 to file for retroactive payments.

Taiwan Pres: Referring to China as 'mainland' constitutional CNA 18 Feb 2011 -- President Ma elaborated on his recent requirement for government officials to refer to the other side of the Taiwan Strait as "the mainland."
No compensation for Taiwan 1st Special Forces: premier CNA 18 Feb 2011 -- Premier Wu: No compelling reason to pay compensation to former Army 1st Special Forces personnel.

Egypt Approves Iran Warships' Suez Passage VOA 18 Feb 2011 -- Egypt has approved a planned passage of two Iranian warships through the Suez Canal despite Israeli protests.

February 18, 2011 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 18 Feb 2011

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for February 15, 2011
Canadian Hawk Support Contract for BAE Systems BAE Systems 18 Feb 2011 -- Underpinning the growing importance of support and services to its business portfolio, BAE Systems has today announced a new £8.3M contract to continue support of Hawk jet trainers at the NATO Flying Training programme based in Canada (NFTC).

Other Conflicts

18 February 2011 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 18 Feb 2011

US, South Korea Closely Monitor North VOA 18 Feb 2011 -- South Korean and U.S. officials are expressing renewed concern about North Korea.

United States vetoes Security Council resolution on Israeli settlements UN News Centre 18 Feb 2011 -- The United States today vetoed a Security Council resolution condemning all Israeli settlements established in occupied Palestinian territory since 1967 as illegal, saying that while it agreed that the settlements are illegitimate the resolution harmed chances for peace talks.
OPT: Demolitions, drought and displacement in West Bank Area C IRIN 18 Feb 2011 -- Demolition of livelihood structures and drought are hitting already impoverished Palestinian communities living in Area C of the West Bank hard this year.

COTE D'IVOIRE: Heading for bust? IRIN 18 Feb 2011 -- The financial system in Côte d’Ivoire, West Africa’s second-biggest economy after Nigeria, is grinding to a halt after an exodus of international banks amid continued political chaos.
African Union Panel Prepares for Ivory Coast Mediation VOA 18 Feb 2011 -- The leaders of Burkina Faso, Chad, Mauritania, South Africa, and Tanzania meet to hear from African Union officials about Ivory Coast's stalemate.
UN agency starts moving Ivorian refugees in Liberia to new camp UN News Centre 18 Feb 2011 -- The UN refugee agency began relocating Ivorians who fled the political turmoil and violence in their country away from the border area in Liberia.
First Group of Ivorian Refugees Moved to New Camp in Liberia VOA 18 Feb 2011 -- The UN refugee agency started relocating a first group of around 100 Ivorian refugees from Liberia’s border area to the newly established camp at Bahn.

New U.S. Ambassador In Baku Says No Military Solution To Karabakh RFE/RL 18 Feb 2011 -- U.S. diplomat Matthew Bryza held talks with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on February 17 after presenting his credentials as the new U.S. ambassador in Baku.

Cameroon: Hostages Freed VOA 18 Feb 2011 -- Cameroon says 11 members of its government reportedly kidnapped in the country's oil-rich Bakassi region by a separatist milita have been freed.

India removing more security bunkers from Srinagar city IRNA 18 Feb 2011 -- Indian forces are removing 12 more security bunkers from the city of Srinagar following request from the chief minister Omar Abdullah.

KENYA: Still displaced three years after poll violence IRIN 18 Feb 2011 -- Orchestrated violence following hotly contested presidential election results in December 2007 led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people. Many are still struggling to rebuild their lives in their new homes, despite a government compensation scheme.

News Reports

Security Forces Fire on Bahrain Mourners VOA 18 Feb 2011 -- Security forces have fired shots in Manama, where demonstrators were gathering for an anti-government rally.
Thousands Attend Protest Victims' Funerals in Bahrain VOA 18 Feb 2011 -- Thousands of mourners have gathered in villages outside Bahrain's capital, Manama, to bury the victims of Thursday's crackdown.
Britain Reviews Arms Sales to Bahrain VOA 18 Feb 2011 -- Britain's Foreign Office says arms sales to Bahrain are under urgent review following violence in the Gulf state.
Crowd control munitions supplied to Bahrain and Libya by UK IRNA 18 Feb 2011 -- The British government is to review arms sales to Bahrain after being criticised for supplying deadly crowd control ammunition and chemicals.

Will New Egyptian Government Pursue Nuclear Weapons? VOA 18 Feb 2011 -- Analysts question whether a new Egyptian government would change Cairo’s position of not seeking nuclear weapons.
Three former ministers, top Mubarak's party member detained in Egypt RIA Novosti 18 Feb 2011 -- Egypt has detained three former ministers of interior, tourism and housing and a tycoon from the ex-President Hosni Mubarak's National Democratic Party.
Cleric Calls on Egyptian Leadership to Replace Cabinet VOA 18 Feb 2011 -- Thousands of supporters of Egypt's democracy movement are gathered in Cairo's Tahrir Square for a day of celebration marking one week since President Hosni Mubarak stepped down.
A Week After Mubarak's Ouster, Most Egyptians Are Jubilant VOA 18 Feb 2011 -- A leading Sunni sheikh addressed a crowd in Cairo's Tahrir Square Friday, on a day honoring the martyrs of Egypt's revolution.
Egypt to celebrate one week without Mubarak RIA Novosti 18 Feb 2011 -- Egypt's opposition youth movement has called on Egyptians to stage a million-strong demonstration on Cairo's central Tahrir Square on Friday to mark a week without Hosni Mubarak.
Egyptians again flock to central Cairo RIA Novosti 18 Feb 2011 -- Thousands of Egyptians on Friday again gathered at Cairo's central Tahrir square to mark the end of the first week since Hosni Mubarak stepped down.

Iranian Opposition Leader Ready For 'Public Trial' RFE/RL 18 Feb 2011 -- An adviser to Iranian opposition leader Mehdi Karrubi says the Green Movement leader is prepared to face trial.
Government Backs 'Day Of Hate' In Tehran RFE/RL 18 Feb 2011 -- Participants in a government-sponsored rally in Tehran have called for Iran's two main opposition leaders to be executed.
Leading Iran Cleric Dilutes Calls to Execute Opposition VOA 18 Feb 2011 -- A top Iranian cleric played down calls to execute opposition leaders on Friday, saying their movement has already lost its credibility and prestige.
Ayatollah Jannati: Riot leaders nearing their final destiny IRNA 18 Feb 2011 -- Tehran’s Substitute Friday Prayers Leader Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati said the riot leaders have already destroyed themselves by what they did.
'Anonymous' Hackers Help Iranian Activists Fight The Regime RFE/RL 18 Feb 2011 -- That's the inscrutable "voice" of international Internet collective Anonymous, a shadowy organization that has carried attacks on websites worldwide.

'Day of Rage' Rallies Staged in Yemen VOA 18 Feb 2011 -- Thousands of demonstrators in Yemen are taking part in "day of rage" protests Friday, calling for the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

HRW Says 24 Killed in Libyan 'Day of Rage' Protests VOA 18 Feb 2011 -- An international human rights group says Libyan security forces killed 24 protesters during Thursday's crackdown on anti-government demonstrations.
Rights group says 24 killed in Libya protests RIA Novosti 18 Feb 2011 -- Libyan security forces have killed at least 24 protesters and injured many others in a crackdown on peaceful demonstrations across the country.

Political Protests Spread to Djibouti VOA 18 Feb 2011 -- Anti-government protests have spread to Djibouti, the tiny, but strategic country that hosts the only U.S. military base in sub-Saharan Africa. Demonstrators are demanding that the president step down.

8 Demonstrators Injured in Jordan Protest VOA 18 Feb 2011 -- Protests turned violent in Jordan's capital Friday as government supporters clashed with demonstrators calling for political reforms.

Obama Urges Mideast Governments to Show Restraint VOA 18 Feb 2011 -- U.S. President Barack Obama says he is deeply concerned about reports of violence in Bahrain, Libya and Yemen.
Violence Continues Across Arab World, As Egypt Celebrates RFE/RL 18 Feb 2011 -- Thousands of people are out on the streets of cities across the Arab world again today, mourning protesters killed in antigovernment demonstrations.
Anti-Government Protests Spread Across Middle East, North Africa VOA 18 Feb 2011 -- Demonstrations against long-serving governments continue to roil the Middle East and North Africa Friday from Libya eastward to Bahrain.
After Cheering On Arab Uprisings, EU Is Less Enthusiastic About Wave Of Migrants RFE/RL 18 Feb 2011 -- Following the political upheaval in Tunisia, thousands of North African migrants have washed up on the shores of the Italian island of Lampedusa.
UN rights chief condemns violence against protesters in Middle East, North Africa UN News Centre 18 Feb 2011 -- The UN human rights chief denounced the violence by security forces against protesters in Libya, Bahrain and other countries.
Moscow reiterates call for non-interference in Mideast unrest RIA Novosti 18 Feb 2011 -- Russia's FM is greatly concerned by the wave of civil unrest which has swept across the Arab world.
Southeast Asia Expresses Support, Concern Over Mideast Turmoil VOA 18 Feb 2011 -- As in much of the world, people in Southeast Asia are watching the pro-democracy protests spreading in the Middle East through a prism of their own experiences and interests.
Southeast Asia's Transition From Authoritarian Rule Offers Lessons For Middle East VOA 18 Feb 2011 -- As people in the Middle East protest for freedom and democracy, many in Asia are reminded of their own struggle against authoritarian governments in the 1980s and 1990s.

Family Could Forgive Davis If US Releases Siddiqui RFE/RL 18 Feb 2011 -- The brother of one of Pakistanis shot dead by an American says his family could forgive the accused in exchange for release of Aafia Siddiqui.
Driver Sought in Pakistan Shooting Case VOA 18 Feb 2011 -- A Pakistani man is seeking the arrest of the person who was driving a US consular vehicle that ran over his brother.

Three female candidates to run for Kazakh presidency RIA Novosti 18 Feb 2011 -- Another woman has joined the presidential race in Kazakhstan, becoming the third female candidate to stand against the country's long-serving leader Nursultan Nazarbayev.

Ugandans Cast Votes in Presidential, Parliamentary Elections VOA 18 Feb 2011 -- Ugandans went to the polls to cast their ballots in Presidential and parliamentary races.

Rising Political Violence Reported in Zimbabwe VOA 18 Feb 2011 -- South African mediators travel to Zimbabwe in the next few days amidst reports of increasing political violence and selective arrests in the country.

Liberia at 'critical juncture' in post-war recovery as elections approach - Ban UN News Centre 18 Feb 2011 -- Liberia has reached “a critical juncture” in its long recovery from civil war as it prepares for its second democratic elections later this year.

Kenyan President, PM, to Rethink Judicial Appointees VOA 18 Feb 2011 -- Kenya’s Parliamentary Speaker Kenneth Marende has rejected controversial judicial appointments made by the President last month.

OSCE Concerned Over Opposition Trials In Belarus RFE/RL 18 Feb 2011 -- The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe is voicing strong concern over the start of legal action against opposition protesters.

US Diplomat Urges Cuba to Release Jailed Contractor VOA 18 Feb 2011 -- The top US diplomat for the Americas is calling for the "unconditional release" of a U.S. contractor held in Cuba on suspicion of spying.
US Ambassador Calls for Release of Jailed American VOA 18 Feb 2011 -- A Chinese appeals court upheld the eight-year prison sentence given to an American geologist for obtaining information on China’s oil industry.

Alleged arms dealer Bout wants replacement for U.S. federal lawyer RIA Novosti 18 Feb 2011 -- Alleged Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout is looking for private lawyers to defend him in a trial in the US instead of a federal lawyer provided by the U.S. authorities.

136 Indian fishermen released by Sri Lanka IRNA 18 Feb 2011 -- Sri Lanka released all 136 Indian fishermen who were apprehended for allegedly poaching in this country's waters.
Four Lankan fishermen arrested IRNA 18 Feb 2011 -- Four Sri Lankan fishermen were arrested by the Indian Navy off Rameswaram coastal town in Tamil Nadu state and their mechanised boat seized for reportedly crossing into the Indian territorial waters.

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