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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 23 Mar 2011 [PDF]

• Transcript: DOD News Briefing with Rear Adm. Hueber via Telephone from USS Mount Whitney DoD 23 Mar 2011 -- Presenter: Chief of Staff, Joint Task Force Odyssey Dawn, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa, Rear Adm. Gerard Hueber
• HMS Westminster supports Libya operations UK MOD 23 Mar 2011 -- HMS Westminster is currently patrolling off the coast of Libya and stands ready to support any humanitarian or embargo actions as required by the coalition to enforce UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1973.
• Libyan Air Force neutralised UK MOD 23 Mar 2011 -- The RAF's commander of the air operations over Libya, Air Vice-Marshal Greg Bagwell, has reported that the Libyan Air Force 'no longer exists as a fighting force'.
• Press briefing by NATO Spokesperson Oana Lungescu, Brigadier General Pierre St-Amand, Canadian Air Force and General Massimo Panizzi, spokesperson of the Chairman of the Military Committee NATO 23 Mar 2011
• Coalition Partners Assume More Responsibility in Libya AFPS 23 Mar 2011 -- Coalition task force operations in Libya continue to go well, and partner nations are picking up more of the workload, the chief of staff of Joint Task Force Odyssey Dawn told reporters today.
• US Military: Libyan Air Force Destroyed VOA 23 Mar 2011 -- A senior U.S. military officer said on Wednesday that coalition strikes on Libya appear to have destroyed the country's air force, while not causing any known civilian casualties.

• Clinton: Gadhafi Can End Crisis by Yielding VOA 23 Mar 2011 -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Wednesday the quickest way for Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi to end the crisis swirling around him is to leave power. Clinton, who held talks with her Moroccan counterpart, claimed 'significant progress' in enforcing the Libyan no-fly zone.
• Pentagon Tallies Coalition Actions in Libya AFPS 23 Mar 2011 -- By the fifth day of coalition task force operations supporting a no-fly zone in Libya and protecting Libyan civilians, the 13-nation alliance had flown more than 300 sorties in the North African country, Pentagon officials said yesterday.
• Ships Were in Position for Odyssey Dawn, Roughead Says AFPS 23 Mar 2011 -- While Operation Odyssey Dawn brewed up quickly, the U.S. Navy already was positioned for operations over Libya, the chief of naval operations said here today.
• Turkey offers warships to help implement UN arms embargo against Libya - media RIA Novosti 23 Mar 2011 -- Turkey has offered its warships to help implement a UN arms embargo against Libya, world media said Wednesday citing a NATO source.
• NATO to take overall control of Libyan mission - top EU diplomat RIA Novosti 23 Mar 2011 -- NATO should assume overall command of the international operation in Libya, the EU top diplomat said.
• U.S., France, U.K. agree on NATO's key role in Libyan operation RIA Novosti 23 Mar 2011 -- Leaders of the United States, the United Kingdom and France agreed in a phone conversation that NATO should take key role in the military operation in Libya.
• Russian parliament urges ceasefire in Libya RIA Novosti 23 Mar 2011 -- The lower house of the Russian parliament on Wednesday called for a ceasefire and an end to violence against civilians in Libya.
• UN resolution on Libya too hasty - Russian ministry RIA Novosti 23 Mar 2011 -- The United Nations Security Council resolution on Libya was adopted too hastily, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov said on Wednesday.
• Iraqi soldiers demonstrate urban tactics to cavalry scouts at GWTC Army News 23 Mar 2011 -- Iraqi soldiers faced a 'notional' enemy to rescue friendly forces, saving the day, during a cordon and search exercise at the Ghuzlani Warrior Training Center, March 20.
• NATO, Afghan Forces Hold Advantage, Petraeus Says AFPS 23 Mar 2011 -- NATO and Afghan forces hold the advantage over insurgents as spring and summer approach, the commander of coalition and U.S. forces in Afghanistan said in London today.
• Convoy spends 25 days on icy Afghan roads Army News 23 Mar 2011 -- No one has ever claimed that conducting convoy operations through Afghanistan is a piece of cake.
• Forces Detain Insurgents in Afghanistan Operations AFPS 23 Mar 2011 -- Afghan and coalition forces detained several suspected insurgents, including Taliban leaders and Haqqani network terrorists, in operations today throughout Afghanistan, military officials reported.
• Germany welcomes Karzai's anouncement on Afghan security handover IRNA 23 Mar 2011 -- The German government here on Wednesday 'welcomed explicitly' the announcement of Afghan President Hamid Karzai that his country will take charge of security from western troops in seven towns and regions.
• Aid agencies back campaign for new approach to Afghanistan IRNA 23 Mar 2011 -- Eight aid agencies, including Oxfam, Christian Aid and Afghanaid, joined together on Wednesday to launch a new campaign for a comprehensive peace process in Afghanistan and for better protection of civilians caught up in the war.
• USS Essex, 31st MEU Continue Relief Efforts in Japan NNS 23 Mar 2011 -- The forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) and embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) continued humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) efforts off the northeast coast of Honshu, Japan, in support of Operation Tomodachi, March 23.
• USS McCampbell Replenishes to Continue Relief to Japan NNS 23 Mar 2011 -- USS McCampbell (DDG 85) took on supplies to continue Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations off the eastern coast of Japan March 23.
• Special operations Airmen continue relief efforts at Sendai AFNS 23 Mar 2011 -- Members of the 353rd Special Operations Group at Kadena Air Base, Japan, are continuing to provide support to further relief efforts here.
• Pakistani President vows to fight long war against militants IRNA 23 Mar 2011 -- Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari Tuesday announced in the parliament that war against the militants will continue until they are defeated.
• Pakistani Taliban warn to scrap peace deal IRNA 23 Mar 2011 -- A Pakistani Taliban group in the country’s North Waziristan tribal region on Wednesday said they will end peace agreement with the security forces as the US is carrying out drone strikes in the area with the ‘consent of the Pakistani forces’.

Defense Policy / Programs

• F-22 Raptor flown on synthetic biofuel AFNS 23 Mar 2011 -- An F-22 Raptor successfully flew at supercruise March 18 on a 50/50 fuel blend of conventional petroleum-based JP-8 and biofuel derived from camelina, a weed-like plant not used for food.
• Carpathian Spring comes to a close AFNS 23 Mar 2011 -- After a week of training for more than 70 Airmen and Soldiers and their Romanian counterparts, Carpathian Spring officially came to a close March 18 in Romania.
• First Total Force Survey Results Released NNS 23 Mar 2011 -- Chief of Naval Personnel announced the results of the Navy's first ever Total Force survey March 23.
• Southern Partnership Station 2011 Kicks Off Mission in Nicaragua NNS 23 Mar 2011 -- The joint military construction team supporting Southern Partnership Station (SPS) 2011 kicked off its mission Corinto, Nicaragua, March 22.
• Bataan Amphibious Ready Group Deploys NNS 23 Mar 2011 -- More than 4,000 Sailors and Marines from the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) deployed from Norfolk and Little Creek, Va., in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn, March 23.
• Gates Discusses Libya, Middle East Turmoil AFPS 23 Mar 2011 -- Operations in Libya and instability in the Middle East dominated a news conference with Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates here today.
• Gates Reaffirms U.S. Support of Egypt AFPS 23 Mar 2011 -- Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates met with Egyptian leaders here today as part of a visit officials said is designed to reaffirm U.S. support and advance the nations' defense partnership.
• Media Availability with Secretary Gates from Cairo, Egypt DoD 23 Mar 2011 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates
• Fresh start for 62nd Sapper Company Army News 23 Mar 2011 -- Last week Soldiers from 62nd Sapper Company, 4th Engineer Battalion, completed their first field training exercise since gaining more than 25 Soldiers from 569th Mobility Augmentation Company and Headquarters and Headquarters Company.
• Intel, Ops Fusion Aids Warfighters, Roughead Says AFPS 23 Mar 2011 -- The fusion of intelligence and operations is an important advance that has taken shape during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the chief of naval operations told the Defense Writers Group here today.
• Army 'fusing' UAS Sensors Army News 23 Mar 2011 -- The U.S. Army is testing prototypes of a new high-tech synchronization engine at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Ala., which can combine video feeds and sensor data from multiple Unmanned Aircraft Systems on a single Ground Control Station, service officials said.
• Naval strike aircraft to be part of Russian Air Force RIA Novosti 23 Mar 2011 -- Naval strike aircraft will be reassigned to the Russian Air Force by the end of 2011, a high-ranking Navy source told RIA Novosti on Wednesday.
• Germany withdraws from NATO operations in Mediterranean Sea IRNA 23 Mar 2011 -- The German government has pulled out its military forces from all NATO missions in the Mediterranean Sea as a result of the western military alliance's involvement in the Libyan conflict, the German press reported Tuesday.
• Russia-NATO Council meeting to address Libya issue RIA Novosti 23 Mar 2011 -- The situation in Libya is among the issues to be discussed during the NATO-Russia Council ambassadorial meeting in late March, Russia's envoy to the military alliance said on Wednesday.
• Military pledges in-depth review of missile performance CNA 23 Mar 2011 -- The military will conduct a comprehensive, in-depth review of the reasons for the unsatisfactory performance of its missile fleet, Defense Minister Kao Hua-chu said Wednesday in response to reports of missiles fired during recent tests missing their targets.
• Military to strengthen anti-nuclear capability CNA 23 Mar 2011 -- The military will improve the training and equipment of its chemical warfare corps in an effort to strengthen its ability to cope with nuclear disasters, Defense Minister Kao Hua-chu said Wednesday amid increased concern over nuclear safety following the crisis at Japan's Fukushima Daiich nuclear power plant.
• March 23, 2011 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 23 Mar 2011
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, Senior Director for Western Hemisphere Affairs Dan Restrepo and Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications Ben Rhodes The White House 23 Mar 2011

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for March 23, 2011
• First Lockheed Martin-Built Milstar II Satellite Marks 10 Years in Service Lockheed Martin 23 Mar 2011 -- The first Milstar II military communications satellite, built by a Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] team for the U.S. Air Force, has surpassed its 10-year design life of on-orbit service, providing our nation's warfighters with secure and reliable communications since its successful launch on Feb. 27, 2001.
• ATK Awarded $49 Million Special Operations Ammunition Contract ATK 23 Mar 2011 -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) announced today that it has received a $49 million contract from the U.S. Navy to produce a new special operations ammunition round with improved accuracy, stronger barrier penetration, and a lower muzzle-flash. ATK Security and Sporting developed the round in partnership with the Naval Surface Warfare Center - Crane Division under the Special Operations Science and Technology (SOST) ammunition program.
• General Dynamics Awarded $41 Million for RG-31 MRAP Upgrades General Dynamics 23 Mar 2011 -- The U.S. Marine Corps Systems Command has awarded General Dynamics Land Systems–Canada three delivery order modifications valued at USD$41.4 million for upgrade kits for RG-31 Mk5E vehicles previously delivered under the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle program
• Northrop Grumman Wins U.S. Air Force Mission Planning Delivery Order Northrop Grumman 23 Mar 2011 -- The U.S. Air Force has selected Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) for a delivery order for the B-1 Bomber aircraft mission planning capability on the Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS) platform. The delivery order has a potential value of $26 million, if all options are exercised.

Other Conflicts

• 23 March 2011 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 23 Mar 2011
• Ground Battle for Libya Stalls in East VOA 23 Mar 2011 -- Libyan government and opposition forces are locked in a battle to take a key eastern town, while foreign states continue to debate a U.N.-backed operation to protect Libyan civilians.
• Libya: No Need for International Aid VOA 23 Mar 2011 -- U.N. Humanitarian Coordinator for Libya Rashid Khalikov met with Libya's deputy foreign minister and deputy minister of health. The aim of his visit was to negotiate arrangements for a U.N. mission to assess the humanitarian needs.
• At Least 1 Dead After Bombing Near Jerusalem Bus VOA 23 Mar 2011 -- Israeli police are combing for suspects after a bomb exploded near Jerusalem's central bus station, killing one person and injuring at least 30.
• UN chief condemns bomb attack in West Jerusalem UN News Centre 23 Mar 2011 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today strongly condemned the bomb attack near a bus stop in West Jerusalem, which reportedly killed one woman and injured more than 30 Israeli civilians, some of them seriously.
• Security Council can benefit from closer ties with UN peacebuilding body - official UN News Centre 23 Mar 2011 -- The Security Council can benefit from enhanced interaction with the United Nations body set up to help post-conflict countries avoid slipping back into war, the head of the Peacebuilding Commission said today.
• UN allocates funds for humanitarian emergency in Cote d'Ivoire UN News Centre 23 Mar 2011 -- The United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) today allocated $10.4 million to seven agencies working in Cote d'Ivoire to help meet the urgent humanitarian needs of people affected by the post-election violence that has displaced hundreds of thousands of people.
• YEMEN: Forty killed in clashes in northern governorate of Al-Jawf IRIN 23 Mar 2011 -- The anti-government uprising, backed by opposition parties, has sparked clashes between pro- and anti-government tribesmen in the northern Yemeni governorate of Al-Jawf where at least 40 people have been killed in the past few days, said Sheikh Abdulhamid Amer, chairman of local NGO Social Development and Peace Association.
• Bosnian Serb general convicted of war crimes by UN tribunal transferred to Estonia UN News Centre 23 Mar 2011 -- A former Bosnian Serb army general convicted of war crimes by the United Nations tribunal set up to judge the worst abuses committed during the Balkan conflicts of the 1990s was transferred to Estonia today to serve out his 29-year jail term for terror, murder and inhumane acts.

News Reports

• Victim Toll Rises As New Smoke Plume Sends Nuclear Workers Scrambling RFE/RL 23 Mar 2011 -- Japanese officials have issued new warnings over radioactive contamination as a fresh discharge of smoke at the stricken Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant raised additional concerns.
• Condemning violence against protesters in Syria, Ban calls for probe into killings UN News Centre 23 Mar 2011 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today condemned the violence against peaceful protesters in the southern Syrian city of Deraa that left several dead and many more wounded today and yesterday, stressing that those responsible must be held accountable.
• Former Ukrainian President Denies Role In Journalist's Murder RFE/RL 23 Mar 2011 -- Former Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma says he is ready to go through 'the torments of hell' to prove his innocence in the brutal murder of journalist Heorhiy Gongadze.
• Libyan Operation Spurs Debate On Limits To Intervention RFE/RL 23 Mar 2011 -- Everyone wants to put a label on the Libya operation. Some call it humanitarian intervention. Some call it imperialism.