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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 24 Mar 2011 [PDF]
• Transcript: DOD News Briefing with Vice Adm. Gortney from the Pentagon on Libya Operation Odyssey Dawn DoD 24 Mar 2011 -- Presenter: Vice Adm. Bill Gortney, Director of The Joint Staff
• British submarine launches further strikes on Libyan air defence systems UK MOD 24 Mar 2011 -- A Royal Navy submarine has launched further missile strikes against Libyan air defence targets as part of co-ordinated coalition action in support of enforcing UN Resolution 1973.
• Remarks by Hillary Rodham Clinton: Update on Implementing UN Security Council Resolutions 1970 and 1973 on Libya US Dept. of State 24 Mar 2011
• NATO Secretary General's statement on Libya no-fly zone NATO 24 Mar 2011
• NATO Assumes Responsibility for No-fly Zone AFPS 24 Mar 2011 -- NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen announced today the alliance will assume command and control of coalition operations enforcing the no-fly zone over Libya authorized by U.N. Security Council Resolution 1973.
• Clinton: Gadhafi's Forces 'Pushed Back' But Still a Threat VOA 24 Mar 2011 -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said late Thursday forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi have been pushed back by the five-day coalition air campaign but remain a threat to civilians. Clinton welcomed the NATO agreement to assume responsibility for enforcing the no-fly zone.
• Coalition Continues to Defend Libyan Civilians AFPS 24 Mar 2011 -- Coalition forces continue to enforce the no-fly zone over Libya, striking air defense capabilities and regime forces that threaten Libyan civilians, Navy Vice Adm. William E. Gortney said here today.
• NATO Agrees To Take Lead In Libyan Military Campaign RFE/RL 24 Mar 2011 -- NATO ministers have agreed that the alliance will assume control of coalition military operations in Libya, ending days of debate over who the United States would hand off leadership of the mission to.
• Lofted comm used in Libya air strikes USMC News 24 Mar 2011 -- As 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit AV-8B Harriers conducted air strikes on Libya as part of Joint Task Force Odyssey Dawn, the new Lofted Communications System was operationally deployed for the first time aboard ship, March 20.
• French fighters shoot down Libyan warplane violating no-fly zone - TV RIA Novosti 24 Mar 2011 -- French fighter jets shot down a Libyan warplane, which violated the imposed no-fly zone, ABC TV-channel reported.
• Coalition Strikes Libyan Military Amid Ground Stalemate VOA 24 Mar 2011 -- Aircraft of a Western-led coalition struck military positions in Libya for a sixth day Thursday, as pro- and anti-government forces fought on the ground in the east and west of the country.
• Iraqi security improving as New Dawn nears end Army News 24 Mar 2011 -- A top Army leader in Iraq said Thursday all Operation New Dawn troops are expected to withdraw by December unless the Iraqi government asks the U.S. to stay on.
• Iraqi Official Says IDPs, Refugees Returning Home RFE/RL 24 Mar 2011 -- An Iraqi official says that internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees are returning to their homes in a sign that a government plan is working, RFE/RL's Radio Free Iraq (RFI) reports.
• DOD News Briefing with Lt. Col. Walker and Governor Azizi via Teleconference from Afghanistan DoD 24 Mar 2011 -- Presenter: Commander, Mehtar Lam Provincial Reconstruction Team, Lt. Col. John Walker, and Governor of Laghman Province, Governor Mohammad Iqbal Azizi
• Afghan forces capture explosives filled trailer on tip from local citizen Army News 24 Mar 2011 -- Early today, an Afghan citizen informed Afghan National Security Forces that a tractor and trailer passing through Sayad Abad district in Wardak province was filled with bomb-making materials. Afghan National Police responded to the threat.
• U.S. Army, Turkish engineers expand FOD Shank airfield Army News 24 Mar 2011 -- Military and civilian engineers completed a four-year project March 10 designed to increase Forward Operating Base Shank's ability to receive, refuel and arm aircraft.
• Partnered Force Kills Haqqani Terrorist AFPS 24 Mar 2011 -- A partnered Afghan and coalition security force acting on intelligence information killed a Haqqani terrorist network facilitator and captured another in the Sabari district of Afghanistan’s Khost province today, military officials reported.
• Afghans Urge Investigation Into 'Kill Teams' In Wake Of Sentencing, Photo Scandal RFE/RL 24 Mar 2011 -- Leading independent human rights campaigners in Afghanistan have welcomed the sentencing of a U.S. soldier accused of killing Afghan civilians for sport in 2010, but have called for a deeper probe into alleged 'kill teams.'
• Two British soldiers killed in Afghan explosion IRNA 24 Mar 2011 -- Two soldiers from 1st Battalion Irish Guards have been killed in an explosion in Afghanistan, six days before they were due to return to the UK, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in London announced on Thursday.
• Int'l process needed to secure Afghan stability, NATO warned IRNA 24 Mar 2011 -- A high-ranking group of seven former military, political and diplomatic leaders Wednesday joined together to call for a fresh approach for an international process to secure a political settlement to the conflict in Afghanistan.
• Pakistan welcomes Karzai’s security transfer plan IRNA 24 Mar 2011 -- Pakistan Wednesday welcomed Afghan President Hamid Karzai's announcement of transfer of security responsibilities to own forces later this year.
• Navy Helo Squadrons Join Forces in Support of Operation Tomodachi NNS 24 Mar 2011 -- Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 14 (HS-14) and Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light 51 (HSL-51) are continuing their humanitarian support for Operation Tomodachi from Naval Air Facility Misawa (NAFM), March 24.
• Operation Tomodachi: MCAS Iwakuni goes rapid fire on humanitarian aid USMC News 24 Mar 2011 -- Since the earthquake off the coast of Sendai, Japan, and ensuing tsunami, which swept through and nuked the coastal regions of northern Japan March 11, a deluge of relief efforts have filtered through the air station to support Operation Tomodachi, the U.S. armed forces humanitarian relief efforts toward Japan.
• Marines, sailors support Operation Tomodachi by air, land, sea USMC News 24 Mar 2011 -- The crew of High Speed Vessel Westpac Express arrived here, March 22, from Pohang, South Korea with more than 230 tons of palletized bottled water, which is scheduled to be transported via KC-130J aircraft from here to Sendai, Japan, in support of Operation Tomodachi.
• Emotional, physical, mental relief en route to northern Japan USMC News 24 Mar 2011 -- C-12s carrying cargo and personnel made the more a journey to Atsugi, Japan, to deliver relief supplies and spiritual aid in support of Operation Tomodachi, March 16.
• The first 24: III MEF responds to Japan disaster USMC News 24 Mar 2011 -- Since the massive 9.0 magnitude earthquake that rocked the island of Japan and triggered a devastating tsunami, Marines, sailors and civilians from III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Bases Japan have been working around the clock in support of Operation Tomodachi.

Defense Policy / Programs

• DOD Issues Stop Work Order on the JSF F136 Extra Engine Program DoD 24 Mar 2011-- The Department of Defense (DoD) today issued a stop work order in connection with the Joint Strike Fighter extra engine program.
• DoD News: Navy to Christen Amphibious Transport Dock Ship Arlington DoD 24 Mar 2011 -- The Navy will christen the newest amphibious transport dock ship, Arlington, Saturday, March 26, 2011, during a 10 a.m. CDT ceremony at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, Miss.
• Improved training helps forensics team prepare for Afghanistan deployment Army News 24 Mar 2011 -- When a forensics team from Aberdeen Proving Ground deployed to Bagram, Afghanistan two years ago, they left with four months notice, a crude validation exercise and had a steep learning curve.
• Senegalese officers exchange information with CALL Army News 24 Mar 2011 -- When members of the Senegal army serve in peacekeeping operations in other African nations, they're known as a force for good, said a former U.S. Army attaché to that country.
• C-17s practice assault landings at Sill Army News 24 Mar 2011 -- Fort Sill is transforming over the next 30 days into an airfield busy with frequent evening arrivals and departures as C-17 crews from Altus Air Force Base, Okla., are training here.
• Unmanned Aircraft Soar Into Future Roles Army News 24 Mar 2011 -- The message came across loud and clear - unmanned aircraft systems are here to stay in the Department of Defense's joint forces fleet.
• Training for Operation New Dawn Army News 24 Mar 2011 -- All was quiet in the HUMVEE, named Red 5, as the convoy moved down the road from the Forward Operating Base (FOB). The Soldiers knew from intelligence reports that enemy action was likely, and all four Soldiers in Red 5 were poised and ready for whatever insurgents might throw at them.
• Defense Information Systems Agency move on target Army News 24 Mar 2011 -- The Defense Information Systems Agency is one of the newest agencies to call Fort Meade home.
• NAVSEA Divers Complete Repairs, Ship Deploys to Support Japan NNS 24 Mar 2011 -- Navy divers completed repairs to amphibious dock landing ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46), on March 11, four days earlier than scheduled, enabling the ship to deploy to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to Japan.
• Enterprise Conducts Underway Replenishment, Remains On Station NNS 24 Mar 2011 -- Sailors and Marines aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65) loaded 128 pallets of mail during an underway replenishment (UNREP) with the fast combat support ship USNS Arctic (T-AOE 8) March 24.
• USS George Washington Sailors Train With PSNS Shipyard Workers NNS 24 Mar 2011 -- Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) received specialized training from Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (PSNS) workers at sea March 23.
• Four Branches Form One Team in Support of Operation Pacific Passage NNS 24 Mar 2011 -- Navy Region Southwest Sailors began partnering with Airmen, Soldiers and Marines at the Forward Joint Reception Center aboard Travis Air Force Base (AFB), Calif., March 21, to assist in the voluntary relocation of DoD family members from Japan to the U.S., in support of Operation Pacific Passage.
• Maritime Prepositioning Ships Arrive for Port Visit in Split, Croatia NNS 24 Mar 2011 -- Two U.S. Navy Maritime Prepositioning Force ships arrived off the coast of Split, Croatia, to conduct routine port visits March 24.
• One-of-a-kind Navy Ship Participates in US/Korean Exercise NNS 24 Mar 2011 -- Military Sealift Command offshore petroleum distribution system ship MV Vice Adm. K.R. Wheeler (T-AG 5001) participated in a combined, joint military exercise off the coast of Anmyeon, Republic of Korea, March 23.
• Air Force aerial layer networking concept to enhance warfighter connectivity AFNS 24 Mar 2011 -- By 2024, the Air Force's fleet of aircraft, space and surface systems will contribute to and use various aerial layer networking functions to support joint capability areas, officials said here March 23.
• Gates Reaffirms 'Unshakable' U.S. Support for Israel AFPS 24 Mar 2011 -- Defense issues in the U.S.-Israel relationship and the implications of dramatic Middle East political shifts were among topics considered here as Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates met with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak.
• Wars Have Been Catalyst for Army Change, Casey Says AFPS 24 Mar 2011 -- In a recent speech at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said the Army has changed the most of all the services.
• Joint Press Conference with Secretary Gates and Minister Barak from Tel Aviv, Israel DoD 24 Mar 2011 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates and Israeli Minister of Defense Ehud Barak
• U.S.-Israeli Defense Relationship Never Stronger, Gates Says AFPS 24 Mar 2011 -- Noting that their military relationship has never been stronger, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said here today that the United States and Israel should stand together 'as we contemplate and work with the extraordinary change that is taking place around the region.'
• Gates Meets with Egyptian Counterpart in Cairo AFPS 24 Mar 2011 -- In a meeting in Cairo this morning, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates commended his counterpart's leadership and the Egyptian military's professionalism during the recent tumultuous events in that country, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said.
• ROK, U.S. hold logistics exercise in South Korea Army News 24 Mar 2011 -- The Combined Forces Command held a combined joint logistics exercise as a part of Foal Eagle 2011 here March 22 - 24.
• 766th AES deactivates, marks change for JET Airmen AFNS 24 Mar 2011 -- With the deactivation of the 766th Air Expeditionary Squadron here March 23, the administrative and operational control of joint expeditionary tasked and individual augmentee Airmen in Afghanistan will consolidate under the 966th Air Expeditionary Squadron.
• Operating room makes medical developments AFNS 24 Mar 2011 -- The operating room at the Craig Joint Theater Hospital here rivals operating rooms found in the U.S., officials said.
• Russia's new Angara rockets to be test launched before 2014 - Space Forces RIA Novosti 24 Mar 2011 -- Test launches of Russia's new generation Angara booster rockets will begin no later than 2013, a spokesman for the Russian Space Forces said.
• March 24, 2011 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 24 Mar 2011
• Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Jay Carney, 3/24/2011 The White House 24 Mar 2011

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for March 24, 2011
• ATK Receives $50 Million Contract Modification to Deliver Additional Precision Mortars to Meet U.S. Army's Urgent Operational Needs ATK 24 Mar 2011 -- ATK (NYSE: ATK) has received a $50 million follow-on contract modification for production of the Mortar Guidance Kit (MGK) under the U.S. Army's Accelerated Precision Mortar Initiative (APMI) program. The contract is in response to an Army urgent Operational Needs Statement (ONS) and will mean more precision mortars going to U.S. forces in Afghanistan. ATK was previously awarded a contract in June 2010 to field an initial quantity of rounds under the Army's ONS.
• BAE Systems Celebrates One Millionth Hard Body Armor Insert Milestone BAE Systems 24 Mar 2011 -- BAE Systems has completed the production of more than one million hard armor inserts under Department of Defense (DoD) contracts primarily in support of the U.S. Army, the U.S. Marine Corps and the Defense Logistics Agency. A ceremony to commemorate this milestone was held today at BAE Systems' Protection Systems business in Phoenix, Arizona where the inserts are manufactured.
• BAE Systems Enhances Capability of South Africa Hawk BAE Systems 24 Mar 2011 -- BAE Systems has completed work to upgrade the navigation and weapons system for the South African Air Force’s fleet of Hawk jet trainers, with work to fit the new system now underway.

Other Conflicts

• 24 March 2011 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 24 Mar 2011
• UN Chief: Libya Not Complying with Cease-fire VOA 24 Mar 2011 -- U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says there is no evidence to support Libyan assertions that it is complying with a cease-fire. In a briefing to the U.N. Security Council Thursday, the U.N. chief said he continues to have serious concerns about the protection of civilians, abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law.
• Speedy, decisive international action to protect civilians in Libya is vital - Ban UN News Centre 24 Mar 2011 -- A week after the Security Council authorized 'all necessary measures' to protect civilians in Libya from Colonel Muammar Al-Qadhafi's forces, speedy and decisive action by the world community remains crucial amid serious concerns of human rights abuses, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today.
• UN rights experts sound alarm on wave of enforced disappearances in Libya UN News Centre 24 Mar 2011 -- A group of independent United Nations human rights experts today voiced deep concern about hundreds of alleged enforced disappearances that have taken place in recent months in Libya, where what started as peaceful civilian protests demanding the ouster of Muammar Al-Qadhafi has turned into a violent military crackdown by the regime of the opposition.
• German chancellor urges tougher sanctions against Libya IRNA 24 Mar 2011 -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel called on Thursday for tightening economic sanctions against the regime of Libyan dictator Moammar Qadhafi ahead of a summit of European Union leaders in Brussels.
• Libyan Air Force 'Unable To Fight,' But Attacks On Rebels Continue RFE/RL 24 Mar 2011 -- Fighting is continuing in Libya for key cities after a fifth night of coalition air strikes.
• Libya's Soviet-made arms may fall into hands of terrorists - expert RIA Novosti 24 Mar 2011 -- Soviet-made man-portable air-defense missile systems that the Libyan military and rebels possess could fall into the hands of terrorists amid the unrest in the North African country, the head of Russia's Center for Analysis of World Arms Trade said on Thursday.
• Death toll from post-electoral violence in Côte d'Ivoire rising, UN reports UN News Centre 24 Mar 2011 -- The death toll from the post-electoral violence that has gripped Côte d'Ivoire continues to rise, the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the West African nation reported today, while warning that systematic attacks on civilians could constitute crimes against humanity.
• UN officials urge sustained support for Sierra Leone's post-conflict recovery UN News Centre 24 Mar 2011 -- Senior United Nations officials today urged continued international support for Sierra Leone as it consolidates peace and advance development, and especially as it prepares for next year's elections, warning that any faltering now could risk the significant progress made so far.
• US Pushes for Peace Talks Despite Israeli-Palestinian Unrest VOA 24 Mar 2011 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates says there is a need and an opportunity for 'bold action' between Israel and the Palestinians to move toward a two-state solution in the stalled peace process.
• Resuming Peace Talks in Philippines a Positive Step VOA 24 Mar 2011 -- After seven months in office the administration of Philippines President Benigno Aquino resumed peace talks with the separatist group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. The International Crisis Group Thursday released a report on the situation in the southern Mindanao region of the Philippines saying the obstacles to peace are enormous but the resumption of negotiations is promising.
• Rival Army Units Clash in Yemen VOA 24 Mar 2011 -- Yemeni military forces loyal to President Ali Abdullah Saleh have clashed with army units who support the opposition.

News Reports

• Syria Announces Reforms as Protests Continue VOA 24 Mar 2011 -- The Syrian government has announced a series of reforms, including possibly ending the country's emergency law, in the wake of a series of deadly anti-government protests.
• UN Council Agrees To Appoint Rights Investigator For Iran RFE/RL 24 Mar 2011 -- The United Nations Human Rights Council has agreed to establish a UN human rights investigator for Iran - the first in a decade.
• Netanyahu urges no let-up in Iran nuclear pressure RIA Novosti 24 Mar 2011 -- Despite the current unrest in the Middle East, the international community should continue to insist on the closure of Iran's nuclear program, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday.
• Sharp Divisions Cloud Yemen's Political Future VOA 24 Mar 2011 -- A tense and sometimes bloody standoff continues between the president of Yemen and thousands of demonstrators trying to bring down his government after 32 years in power. The dispute reached a boiling point when supporters of the president shot and killed dozens of protesters last week, prompting key military and tribal leaders to join the opposition.
• Work Resumes At Stricken Japanese Nuclear Plant RFE/RL 24 Mar 2011 -- Engineers have resumed work to restore the cooling system of reactor no. 3 at Japan's stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant that was badly damaged by an earthquake and tsunami on March 11.
• China to Sell Outdated Nuclear Reactors to Pakistan VOA 24 Mar 2011 -- China is pressing ahead with nuclear energy cooperation with Pakistan, despite concerns that it is shipping decades-old technology to its South Asian neighbor. This comes as China suspended approvals for new nuclear power plants within China to review safety standards following the recent earthquake/tsunami disaster in Japan.
• Ukraine's ex-president Kuchma charged over Gongadze murder RIA Novosti 24 Mar 2011 -- Ukraine's former President Leonid Kuchma said on Thursday he had been formally charged in connection with the 2000 death of investigative journalist and regime critic Georgy Gongadze.
• Russia, U.S. in talks on uranium enrichment joint venture RIA Novosti 24 Mar 2011 -- Russia and the United States have started talks on setting up a joint venture to enrich uranium, the head of the Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom said on Thursday.
• Central Asian drug trafficking at $20 billion yearly - Russia's anti-drug watchdog RIA Novosti 24 Mar 2011 -- Drug trafficking in Central Asia generates up to $20 billion every year, Russia's anti-narcotics chief, Viktor Ivanov, said on Thursday.
• Taiwan says China unresponsive on nuclear cooperation CNA 24 Mar 2011 -- Taiwan's atomic regulator said Thursday that its Chinese counterpart has not responded adequately to a request for cooperation on exchanges of nuclear safety information and the reporting of emergencies.
• No point seeking halt to 4th nuke power plant project: Taipower CNA 24 Mar 2011 -- It is meaningless to demand a halt to the construction of the nation's 4th nuclear power plant as fuel rods had not yet been installed at the facility, Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) said Thursday.
• DPP hopefuls to halt 4th nuclear power plant project if elected CNA 24 Mar 2011 -- The opposition Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) two presidential hopefuls said Thursday that if elected next year, they would seek to reduce the nation's reliance on nuclear power plants for energy supply.