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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 21 Mar 2011 [PDF]
• Transcript: DOD News Briefing with Gen. Ham via Teleconference from Germany DoD 21 Mar 2011-- Presenter: Commander, U.S. Africa Command, Gen. Carter Ham
• Updated: Second UK strike against Libyan defence assets UK MOD 21 Mar 2011 -- British Armed Forces participated in another co-ordinated strike against Libyan air defence systems last night, Sunday 20 March 2011.
• Coalition operations in Libya to continue UK MOD 21 Mar 2011 -- Colonel Gaddafi is still in breach of the UN resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Libya so the coalition will continue operations, Major General John Lorimer, the Chief of the Defence Staff's Strategic Communications Officer said today, Monday 21 March 2011.
• Commander in Chief Says U.S. Part of Broad Coalition in Libya AFPS 21 Mar 2011 -- U.S. military actions in Libya are being conducted as part of a broad multinational coalition and in direct support of a United Nations mandate designed to set conditions for other coalition partners to play larger roles enforcing the no-fly zone there, President Barack Obama said today.
• Gadhafi's Troops Retreat From Benghazi AFPS 21 Mar 2011 -- Forces loyal to Moammar Gadhafi are retreating from the opposition stronghold of Benghazi following coalition attacks to protect Libyan civilians over the weekend, Army Gen. Carter F. Ham said today.
• Coalition Fires More Missiles at Libyan Targets, Expands No-Fly Zone VOA 21 Mar 2011 -- A top U.S. military official said the multinational coalition enforcing the no-fly zone over Libya has fired 12 Tomahawk missiles and flew nearly 80 sorties on Monday.
• Coalition Carries Out Second Wave Of Libya Strikes RFE/RL 21 Mar 2011 -- Western powers have launched a second wave of air strikes on Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi's armed forces and air-defense systems since the UN Security Council authorized ';all necessary measures' to establish a no-fly zone and protect civilians there.
• AFGSC Airmen support Operation Odyssey Dawn AFNS 21 Mar 2011 -- Airmen piloting three B-2 Spirits returned to Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., after striking targets in Libya in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn.
• 26th MEU aims to safeguard Libyans, key city USMC News 21 Mar 2011 -- In an effort to safeguard the Libyan populace and infrastructure in and around the city of Ajdabiyah from further attacks by regime forces, 26th MEU, as part of Joint Task Force Odyssey Dawn, launched a second round of strikes by AV-8B Harrier jump jets, March 20.
• Norway sends F-16 fighter jets to join strikes against Libya RIA Novosti 21 Mar 2011 -- Norway sent six F-16 Falcon fighters to join the UN-authorized military operation against Muammar Gaddafi's regime in Libya, the Norwegian NRK television and radio broadcasting station said on its website on Monday.
• Spanish fighter jets join Libya mission RIA Novosti 21 Mar 2011 -- Three Spanish warplanes on Monday took part in the Western-led Operation Odyssey Dawn to enforce a no-fly zone in Libya, Italian media reported citing undisclosed military sources.
• UK defends military action against Libya IRNA 21 Mar 2011 -- The British government has responded to criticism of the scale of military attacks launched in Libya by insisting that it is in line with the UN mandate provided by last week's Security Council resolution.
• Forces Kill Insurgent in Baghlan Province AFPS 21 Mar 2011 -- Afghan and coalition forces today killed an insurgent and detained several others in the Burkah district of Afghanistan’s Baghlan province, military officials reported.
• Nangarhar team reviews province development projects Army News 21 Mar 2011 -- The Nangarhar Provincial Reconstruction Team completed a two-month assessment March 14, of previously constructed facilities in the province.
• 3rd LAR Bn. interdictions aim to squeeze insurgent supply lines USMC News 21 Mar 2011 -- The rocky, rolling desert landscape of southern Helmand province sees little traffic other than the occasional farmer with a tractor load of firewood, late model pickups ferrying fuel to isolated villages, and shepherds with small flocks of sheep and goats, but through this austere environment trickles the lifeblood of the area’s insurgency – narcotics, weapons and bomb-making materials.
• Georgian soldiers hone casualty evacuation skills prior to joining Marines in Afghanistan USMC News 21 Mar 2011 -- This week’s “shurah” meeting with the village of Bakwa elders was no cup of tea for the leaders of Georgian Army’s Alpha Company, 33rd Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) when actors playing counterinsurgents brewed up a surprise mortar attack on the company’s combat out post (COP) that wounded several Georgian soldiers and put the company’s casualty evacuation proficiency to the test during a mission rehearsal exercise (MRE) at Joint Multinational Readiness Center (JMRC) Hohenfels, Germany, Feb. 24.
• Marines step onto Afghan soil with eyes on skies USMC News 21 Mar 2011 -- Marine Air Control Group 28 has arrived in Afghanistan and is ready to provide command and control for 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) and its coalition partners.
• Essex ARG, 31st MEU Support Relief Efforts Off the Coast of Hachinohe NNS 21 Mar 2011 -- Ships of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and embarked Marines of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) arrived off the northeast coast of Honshu, Japan, to provide humanitarian assistance/disaster relief (HADR) in support of Operation Tomodachi, March 20.
• Crew conducts refueling in support of Operation Tomodachi AFNS 21 Mar 2011 -- An MC-130P Combat Shadow crew from the 17th Special Operations Squadron here successfully refueled four HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters conducting search and rescue operations March 18 off the shores of Northeastern Japan.
• 31ST MEU moves to the east coast of Japan, delivers aid via helo USMC News 21 Mar 2011 -- The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and Amphibious Squadron 11, with a combined total of more than 4,000 Marines and Sailors, transited to the east coast of mainland Japan March 20.
• First C-17 touches down in Sendai AFNS 21 Mar 2011 -- A C-17 Globemaster III from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, landed in Sendai March 20 to part in the relief support mission here.

Defense Policy / Programs

• DoD News: Statement of the U.S. Army DoD 21 Mar 2011
• Bataan Amphibious Ready Group Prepares for Deployment NNS 21 Mar 2011 -- Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) is receiving assistance from many organizations to ensure the Sailors, Marines and their familiesis are prepared when the ARG deploys March 23.
• Underway Replenishment Ensures USS Guardian's Flexibility, Forward Presence NNS 21 Mar 2011 -- Mine countermeasures ship USS Guardian (MCM 5) completed its second astern fueling-at-sea with the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Rappahannock (T-AO 204) March 19.
• USS Cleveland Sets Sail for Pacific Partnership 2011 NNS 21 Mar 2011 -- The USS Cleveland (LPD 7) deployed from its homeport in San Diego, Calif., kicking off Pacific Partnership 2011, March 21.
• Senior leaders thank KC-46A source selection team AFNS 21 Mar 2011 -- Department of Defense and Air Force senior leaders flew here from Washington March 21 to congratulate the team responsible for the source selection of the Air Force's top acquisition priority: the KC-46A tanker.
• Marine squadron's F-16 flights 'a milestone' toward JSF AFNS 21 Mar 2011 -- Marine aviators of Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 completed four sorties this week in F-16 Fighting Falcons, beginning a familiarization process to ensure readiness and efficiency in the transition to the Department of Defense's fifth-generation fighter, the F-35B Lightning II.
• Secretary Gates Speech at Kuznetzov Naval Academy in St. Petersburg with Q&A DoD 21 Mar 2011 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates
• DoD News: Deadline for Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay Extended DoD 21 Mar 2011 -- The deadline for eligible service members, veterans and their beneficiaries to apply for Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay (RSLSP) has been extended to April 8, 2011, allowing personnel more time to apply for the benefits they’ve earned under the program guidelines.
• Officials Extend Deadline for 'Stop Loss' Pay AFPS 21 Mar 2011 -- The deadline for eligible service members, veterans and their beneficiaries to apply for special retroactive pay as compensation for involuntary extensions of their military service contracts has been extended to April 8, Defense Department officials announced today.
• Official Outlines Global Missile Defense Strategy AFPS 21 Mar 2011 -- U.S. efforts to build effective missile defenses are more important than ever for defending the nation and its deployed forces and for cooperating with allies and partners, a senior defense policy official said today.
• Terrorism, Weapons Top Threat List, Gates Says AFPS 21 Mar 2011 -- In a nation he spent much of his career studying and a city he last visited at the end of the Cold War, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates answered questions here today from Russian naval officers about the U.S. Defense Department, its problems and its future.
• Gates: Common Challenges Deepen U.S.-Russian Ties AFPS 21 Mar 2011 -- Common security challenges, a deepening military-to-military relationship and the will to expand cooperation have drawn the United States and Russia together to face emerging issues of the 21st century, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said here today.
• Russia to double production of ballistic missile systems - Putin RIA Novosti 21 Mar 2011 -- The production of ballistic missile systems in Russia will double starting in 2013, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on Monday.
• Russia to revamp air defense with S-400, Pantsir-S systems RIA Novosti 21 Mar 2011 -- All air defense regiments in the Russian Armed Forces will be equipped with advanced S-400 Triumf and Pantsir-S missile systems by 2020, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on Monday.
• MND to consider all aspects in military streamlining plan CNA 21 Mar 2011 -- Defense Minister Kao Hua-chu said Monday that his ministry will consider all aspects in a military streamlining plan amid public concern that units involving chemical response personnel will face cuts under the project.
• March 21, 2011 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 21 Mar 2011
• Press Briefing by National Security Advisor Tom Donilon, Deputy National Security Advisor For Strategic Communications Ben Rhodes and Press Secretary Jay Carney on the Situation in Libya The White House 21 Mar 2011
• Press Gaggle by Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Commnications Ben Rhodes and Senior Director for Western Hemisphere Affairs Dan Restrepo Previewing the President's Visit to Chile The White House 21 Mar 2011

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for March 21, 2011
• Russia to invest $100 bln in defense industry until 2020 RIA Novosti 21 Mar 2011 -- Russia will invest 3 trillion rubles ($100 bln) in the development of the country's defense industry in the next decade, Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov said on Monday.
• BAE Systems To Deliver £22.5M Contract For Royal Navy Warfare Training Systems Support BAE Systems 21 Mar 2011 -- BAE Systems has been awarded a £22.5m Training Systems support contract by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) that will provide a cost effective solution for the Royal Navy’s overall Submarine and Mine Warfare Command Team training whilst ensuring the operational readiness and effectiveness of its operational training systems.
• Raytheon BBN Technologies to Protect Internet Communications for Military Abroad Raytheon 21 Mar 2011 -- Raytheon BBN Technologies, a wholly owned subsidiary of Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN), has been awarded $1.9 million in defense research funding to develop safeguards for military Internet communications abroad.
• SAIC Awarded Contract by the U.S. Navy, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Atlantic SAIC 21 Mar 2011 -- Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) (NYSE: SAI) announced today it was awarded a prime contract by the U.S. Navy, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center (SSC) Atlantic to provide audiovisual (AV) equipment. The multiple award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract has a one year base period of performance, four one-year options, and a total ceiling value of $500 million for all awardees, if all options are exercised. Work will be performed primarily in Abingdon, Md. and Charleston, S.C.
• Northrop Grumman Wins Task Order for U.S. Department of Homeland Security Classified Networks Project With Potential Value of $1.1 Billion Northrop Grumman 21 Mar 2011 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has been awarded a follow-on task order with a total potential value of $1.1 billion by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) to operate, maintain and enhance the classified networks for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
• MEADS System Integration Begins at Italian Test Site Lockheed Martin 21 Mar 2011 -- A Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) launcher and BMC4I Tactical Operations Center (TOC) have entered system test and integration at Pratica di Mare (PdM) Air Force Base in Italy. This milestone marks the first integration tests involving two completed MEADS system elements.
• Lockheed Martin Makes Strides in Human Space Exploration Lockheed Martin 21 Mar 2011 -- Forging a new path forward to ensure safe, affordable and sustainable human exploration beyond low Earth orbit, Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] today unveiled the first Orion spacecraft and a spacious state-of-the-art Space Operations Simulation Center (SOSC). These two major projects, located at Lockheed Martin’s Waterton Facility near Denver, Colo., showcase the NASA-industry teams’ progress for human space flight, the Orion Project and NASA’s Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle.

Other Conflicts

• 21 March 2011 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 21 Mar 2011
• Rumblings Of Dissent Over Libyan Action Within EU, NATO RFE/RL 21 Mar 2011 -- European Union foreign ministers are meeting in Brussels to try and bridge their differences over the ongoing crisis in Libya.
• In North Africa, Ban urges world community to 'speak with one voice' on Libya UN News Centre 21 Mar 2011 -- The international community must “continue to speak with one voice” on the unfolding developments in Libya, or the humanitarian situation in the North African country will only worsen, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned today during his visit to the region.
• Divisions Emerge in Europe Over Support of Libyan Air Strikes VOA 21 Mar 2011 -- Divisions have emerged within Europe about whether to support a U.S.-led coalition carrying out air and missile strikes on Libya to enforce a U.N.-authorized no-fly zone.
• Libya accuses 'other parties' of violating ban on military operations RIA Novosti 21 Mar 2011 -- Libya's temporary defense committee accused 'other parties' of violating a ban on military operations in the country, JANA news agency reported citing the committee's statement.
• Medvedev rebuts Putin over Libya RIA Novosti 21 Mar 2011 -- In a rare faceoff with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, President Dmitry Medvedev said on Monday he stood by Moscow's decision not to veto the UN Security Council resolution on Libya.
• Libyan Rebels Move to Regain Lost Ground VOA 21 Mar 2011 -- Libyan opposition forces celebrated the allied military action which cleared the highway south of the rebel stronghold of Benghazi. It was part of assaults that also included setting up a no-fly zone to protect Libyan civilians from government forces.
• UN peace-building body seeks more backing from Member States, UN leadership UN News Centre 21 Mar 2011 -- The General Assembly today discussed the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission, which seeks to prevent post-conflict countries from lapsing back into bloodshed, with its outgoing chairman calling for greater support from the UN leadership and Member States.
• UN expert highlights worsening human rights situation in East Jerusalem UN News Centre 21 Mar 2011 -- An independent United Nations expert today raised the alarm on what he called the “intensifying” deterioration of human rights in East Jerusalem, including the forced eviction of Palestinians from their homes and continued Israeli settlement expansion.
• Security Council voices outrage at deadly shelling of Ivorian market UN News Centre 21 Mar 2011 -- The Security Council has expressed its indignation at the deadly shelling of a market in Côte d’Ivoire’s commercial capital and warned that it will punish anyone who obstructs the resolution of the country’s prolonged post-election crisis.
• Darfur: UN-backed mediation team reports progress on peace draft UN News Centre 21 Mar 2011 -- The African Union-United Nations chief mediator for Darfur and his Qatari partner plan to call an all-party conference next month to launch a bid to achieve a final peace agreement for the Sudanese region, which has been torn by almost eight years of devastating civil war.
• SOMALIA: Recruitment of child soldiers on the increase IRIN 21 Mar 2011 -- With the escalation of fighting across Somalia since January, armed groups have reportedly recruited more child soldiers to their ranks, some even forcing teachers to enlist pupils.
• Ivory Coast Youth Sign Up for Gbagbo Army VOA 21 Mar 2011 -- Ivory Coast is teetering closer and closer to a return to civil war, as Laurent Gbagbo continues to cling to power nearly four months after a presidential election that the United Nations and much of the international community say he lost to rival, Alassane Ouattara.

News Reports

• Efforts Continue to Cool Crippled Japanese Nuclear Reactors VOA 21 Mar 2011 -- Japanese firefighters halted water spraying on Monday at the country's severely crippled nuclear power plant after smoke was spotted rising from one of the reactor buildings.
• Protests Intensify in Yemen, Key Figures Desert President Saleh VOA 21 Mar 2011 -- Protests intensified dramatically Monday across Yemen as tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the central squares of towns and cities to demand the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh. Key military and political figures deserted the president, although the defense minister insisted the military would remain loyal to him.
• YEMEN: Dialogue prospects diminish, as government faces mounting defections IRIN 21 Mar 2011 -- The authorities' use of force against anti-government protesters demanding the ouster of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh is thwarting mediation efforts and dialogue, observers warn, amid reports of defections by senior military commanders.
• Tanks Deployed In Sanaa As Top Yemeni Commanders Defect RFE/RL 21 Mar 2011 -- Three senior army commanders in Yemen have defected to the side of antigovernment demonstrators, further eroding the power base of embattled President Ali Abdullah Saleh.
• Yemen Crisis Grows, President Says People Behind Him VOA 21 Mar 2011 -- Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh says the majority of the people are behind him, even as the country's top army generals and tribal leaders abandon his government and side with the protesters.
• Dialogue on reform is the only path forward for Bahrain, Ban stresses UN News Centre 21 Mar 2011 -- An inclusive dialogue on political, social and economic reform is the only way forward for Bahrain, where Government forces have cracked down after weeks of popular protests, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today.
• Egyptian Referendum Outlines Future Political Course RFE/RL 21 Mar 2011 -- Egypt's constitutional referendum has been hailed as a success, but the victory of the "yes" campaign spearheaded by the Muslim Brotherhood suggests a major role for the Islamists in the country's political future.
• Bahrain King Says 'Foreign Plot' Foiled VOA 21 Mar 2011 -- Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa says a 'foreign plot' against his kingdom has been foiled.
• Press Conference by Contact Group on Piracy off Somalia Coast United Nations 21 Mar 2011
• Senior UN official calls for rethinking of global drug control strategy UN News Centre 21 Mar 2011 -- A top United Nations official today called on countries to rethink the global strategy on drug control in light of the diverse and complex challenges that drugs pose for public health, security and development.
• As Haitians await results of election, UN calls for calm and restraint UN News Centre 21 Mar 2011 -- The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Haiti has called on all candidates in yesterday’s run-off presidential and legislative elections and their followers to show patience and restraint as they wait for the results of the vote, saying the future of the impoverished country is at stake.
• Kenya Seeks Another Way to Stall Hague Proceedings VOA 21 Mar 2011 -- Nearly two months of diplomatic negotiations led by Kenyan Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka appears to have had little impact as the United Nations Security Council is set to reject Kenya’s request for deferral of two trials at the International Criminal Court.
• Libyan Conflict Shines Spotlight On Mystery Of Missing Shi'ite Cleric Musa al-Sadr RFE/RL 21 Mar 2011 -- Part article of faith, part spy novel, the mystery of Imam Musa al-Sadr, a prominent Shi'ite leader who disappeared while on a visit to Libya in 1978, has lingered for decades.