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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 25 Mar 2011 [PDF]
• Transcript: DOD News Briefing with Vice Adm. Gortney from the Pentagon on Libya Operation Odyssey Dawn DoD 25 Mar 2011 -- Presenter: Vice Adm. Bill Gortney, Director of The Joint Staff
• Obama Discusses Libya With US Lawmakers VOA 25 Mar 2011 -- President Barack Obama talked with members of Congress Friday about the U.S. and allied military action in Libya. Officials say the president will speak to the nation Monday at 7:30 p.m. ET about the mission in Libya.
• Transcript: Operational update on Libya - 25 March UK MOD 25 Mar 2011 -- Colonel Gaddafi continues to mount indiscriminate attacks on his own people but it is clear that coalition operations have saved many innocent lives, Major General John Lorimer, the Chief of the Defence Staff's Strategic Communications Officer, said today.
• Qatar Fighter Pilots Patrol Over Libya VOA 25 Mar 2011 -- Fighter pilots from the Persian Gulf nation of Qatar have become the first from an Arab country to fly combat missions over Libya, as coalition warplanes and missiles continue to pound government forces loyal to leader Moammar Gadhafi.
• Air National Guard supports coalition operations over Libya AFNS 25 Mar 2011 -- The Air National Guard is contributing to Operation Odyssey Dawn with Airmen from 11 air refueling wings supporting the international coalition enforcement of a United Nations authorized no-fly zone, National Guard officials said March 22 here.
• Coalition Air Operations Take on Gadhafi's Forces AFPS 25 Mar 2011 -- The coalition struck a number of targets in Libya with air operations flown to protect the Libyan people from Moammar Gadhafi's forces, the director of the Joint Staff said today.
• U.S. passes control over Libya no-fly zone to NATO RIA Novosti 25 Mar 2011 -- The United States will transfer command for a no-fly zone over Libya to NATO, while coalition forces will continue to protect civilian population from attacks by Gaddafi forces, U.S. State Secretary Hillary Clinton said Friday.
• NATO to Take Control of Libyan 'No-Fly' Zone VOA 25 Mar 2011 -- The handover of the no-fly mission to NATO could come as early as this weekend. But the decision does not allow for a quick exit by the alliance from the costly military operation.
• Press briefing by NATO Spokesperson Oana Lungescu and GpCapt Geoffrey Booth, Operations Division, International Military Staff - Opening remarks by the NATO Spokesperson NATO 25 Mar 2011
• French Official Says Libyan Airspace 'Under Control' VOA 25 Mar 2011 -- The French defense chief says Libya's airspace is 'under control' as of Friday, and that he expects allied military operations to last weeks and 'hopefully' not months.
• Forces Kill Insurgents, Detain Taliban Leader AFPS 25 Mar 2011 -- Afghan and coalition forces killed two armed militants and detained numerous suspected insurgents, including a Taliban leader, today in the Daman district of Afghanistan's Kandahar province, military officials reported.
• Afghans lead Aussies on 14-hour patrol through Taliban hotspot Army News 25 Mar 2011 -- Afghan National Army soldiers and their Australian Army mentors conducted one of their longest patrols through Tangi Valley, Afghanistan March 22.
• Afghan Official Says Military, Police To Receive Billions In U.S. Aid RFE/RL 25 Mar 2011 -- Afghanistan will receive $20 billion in aid from the U.S. government over the next two years to boost its military competency, RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan reports.
• Afghan District Prepares for Transition AFPS 25 Mar 2011 -- The Mehtar Lam district in Afghanistan's Laghman province is ready for its role in the first security-transition wave set for July, the provincial reconstruction team leader and Laghman's governor said yesterday.
• German parliament okays expanding Afghan military operation IRNA 25 Mar 2011 -- The German parliament here on Friday gave green light to sending 300 airmen as part of NATO's AWACS reconnaissance mission over Afghanistan.
• I MEF (FWD) begins trek home after historic deployment USMC News 25 Mar 2011 -- Marines and sailors with I Marine Expeditionary Force (FWD) are returning home from a year-long deployment to Helmand province, Afghanistan.
• Marines continue supporting relief efforts for Operation Tomodachi USMC News 25 Mar 2011 -- III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Bases Japan are continuing to actively provide support to Operation Tomodachi on mainland Japan.
• SOFA personnel donate to relief efforts USMC News 25 Mar 2011 -- A 9.0 magnitude earthquake, with an epicenter located 231 miles northeast of Tokyo, and subsequent tsunami has resulted in at least 9,199 deaths, 13,786 missing people and 2,722 injured people on mainland Japan as of March 22, according to the National Police Agency of Japan.
• USNS Safeguard, Additional Salvage Support Reaches Hachinohe NNS 25 Mar 2011 -- USNS Safeguard (T-ARS-50), along with personnel and assets from Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Mobile Unit 5, and Underwater Construction Team (UCT) 2, arrived at Hachinohe, Japan, March 25, to assist the Japanese Coast Guard as recovery efforts continue in the city.
• U.S. Navy to Provide 500,000 Gallons of Fresh Water to Fukushima Power Plant NNS 25 Mar 2011 -- Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY) began transferring fresh water to two fuel barges, which will be used to support cooling efforts at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, March 25.
• Essex Embarks Japanese Officer for HADR Coordination NNS 25 Mar 2011 -- With more than 100 countries helping Japan recover from the devastating 9.0 earthquake and ensuing tsunami that battered the country March 11, language and communication barriers can hinder rescue and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) efforts.
• Naval Aviation Reserve VR Forces Provide Critical Aid to Japan NNS 25 Mar 2011 -- Hundreds of Navy Reserve Sailors assigned to Fleet Logistics Support (VR) squadrons across the United States were diverted from routine operations March 12 to support Operation Tomodachi, the joint humanitarian relief effort in Japan.
• U.S. Forces Continue to Aid Earthquake, Tsunami Victims AFPS 25 Mar 2011 -- American service members in Japan continue to help the Japanese people recover from the catastrophic March 11 earthquake and tsunami.
• Key Resolve assets for support of Operation Tomodachi USMC News 25 Mar 2011 -- Exercise Key Resolve 2011 ended March 10, and 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, assets used for the exercise are being sent to mainland Japan to support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts there.
• Operation Tomodachi continues III MEF, MCBJ supporting relief efforts USMC News 25 Mar 2011 -- III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Bases Japan are continuing to actively provide support to Operation Tomodachi on mainland Japan.
• HASTs mission determines need USMC News 25 Mar 2011 -- Humanitarian Assistance Survey Teams, III Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), are in Japan to assist in planning humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations following the March 11 9.0 magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami.
• U.S. Navy Disrupts Piracy Attempt in Arabian Sea AFPS 25 Mar 2011 -- U.S. naval forces disrupted a pirate attack on a Philippine-flagged merchant vessel, after it reported it had been attacked by pirates yesterday.

Defense Policy / Programs

• DoD News: Navy Names Littoral Combat Ships Jackson and Montgomery DoD 25 Mar 2011 -- Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced today that the next two Freedom-class littoral combat ships (LCS) to be built in Alabama will be named the USS Jackson and the USS Montgomery.
• Study Makes Suicide-Prevention Program Recommendations AFPS 25 Mar 2011 -- A new study commissioned by the Defense Department affirms many of the suicide-prevention efforts being made within DOD and the military services and recommends ways to strengthen them.
• Turmoil Brings Challenges, Opportunities, Gates Says AFPS 25 Mar 2011 -- During a week of visits with leaders who all are affected by simultaneous antigovernment protests in Middle East countries, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates focused on the opportunities that come with the challenges.
• USS Theodore Roosevelt Prepares to Leave Dry Dock NNS 25 Mar 2011 -- USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) is scheduled to leave dry dock in April after spending nearly two years at Northrop Grumman Newport News shipyard conducting a Refueling Complex Overhaul (RCOH).
• NNSY Repairs USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Catapult Launch System NNS 25 Mar 2011 -- Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) personnel completed repairs to USS Dwight D. Eisenhower's catapult launch system during the aircraft carrier's Planned Incremental Availability, March 21.
• Stephen W. Groves Continues APS Mission NNS 25 Mar 2011 -- USS Stephen W. Groves (FFG 29) Sailors, U.S. Naval Forces Africa personnel, Africa Partnership Station (APS) East international staff members and students from Kenya, Mauritius, Seychelles and Tanzania, continued training during the second 'Hub' as part of APS East, March 24.
• Upcoming Military Projects Identified for Guam NNS 25 Mar 2011 -- A programmatic agreement (PA) reached March 14 paves the way for the Navy to proceed with construction projects on Guam in support of Marine Corps relocation efforts from Okinawa.
• Warfare Center Plays Key Role in Newest Destroyer Combat Certification NNS 25 Mar 2011 -- USS Gravely (DDG 107) and USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) completed Combat Systems Ship Qualification Trials (CSSQT) in the Atlantic Ocean March 17, with technical support for the ships' live-fire missile exercises from NAVSEA warfare centers.
• ETG Prepares Units for Deployment Using Synthetic Training NNS 25 Mar 2011 -- Expeditionary Training Group (ETG) conducted Operation Bold Step for several Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) units, the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group, her ships, and seven other military commands across Hampton Roads, Feb. 28 through March 10.
• NAS Whidbey Island Opens New Fire Instruction Building NNS 25 Mar 2011 -- The Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit (CNATTU) aboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island, Wash., held a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open a new academic fire instruction building, March 24.
• Navy Reservists Fill Essential Role in Denver's Operation Pacific Passage Mission NNS 25 Mar 2011 -- Reservists assigned to Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC) Denver have served as the Navy's official welcoming committee in that city for military families arriving from Japan since March 24.
• Harrier squadron lands at Miramar in preparation for next deployment USMC News 25 Mar 2011 -- The sunny skies and warm weather of San Diego make it a popular destination for vacationers, but for visiting Marines, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar offers unique training opportunities and equally unique liberty experiences.
• APS-4 equipment used in U.S.-Korea joint exercise Army News 25 Mar 2011 -- More than 800 U.S. and Republic of Korea Soldiers, Marines, Sailors and ROK Service Corps personnel joined forces for the Combined/Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore training exercise at Anmyeon Beach March 23.
• U.S. military helps Kenyan Defense Force peers build NCO skills Army News 25 Mar 2011 -- Four Kenyan Defense Force sergeants major, representing their Army, Navy and Air Force branches, visited the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), March 14-16, 2011, to gain a better understanding of American noncommissioned officer leadership style.
• 1-1 CAV first to train for Operation New Dawn at NTC Army News 25 Mar 2011 -- Soldiers from 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, have earned a distinction at the National Training Center - they're the first unit to train here for a deployment in support of Operation New Dawn.
• Study to help with design of future equipment Army News 25 Mar 2011 -- Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center is currently conducting an Army-wide study of human physiology, called the U.S. Army Anthropometric Survey, or ANSUR II.
• Joint Interoperability Conference reestablished, held Army News 25 Mar 2011 -- Military representatives from around the country came together in Sierra Vista this week, during the 2011 Joint Interoperability Conference, to share insight and increase their understanding on the interoperability issues faced by today's joint warfighter. The three-day event, which began on Tuesday, is being hosted by the Joint Interoperability Test Command on Fort Huachuca and co-sponsored by the local chapters of the Southern Arizona Chapter of the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association and the International Test and Evaluation Association Huachuca Chapter. The conference is being held at the Windemere Hotel and Conference Center, and wraps up today.
• Casey gets sense of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' repeal training progress at Fort Riley Army News 25 Mar 2011 -- The chief of staff of the Army visited Fort Riley March 24 to conduct sensing sessions for the repeal of the law commonly known as 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.'
• Army Special Forces sharpen skills, train with Marines at CAMOUT USMC News 25 Mar 2011 -- An Army Special Forces team called on Marines to help them sharpen their skills aboard the Combat Center's Combined-Arms Military Operations in Urban Terrain complex, the Corps' largest and most realistic training facility March 12 through 25, 2011.
• DoD News: Senior Executive Service Announcements DoD 25 Mar 2011
• VMGR-152 receives award for sustained performance USMC News 25 Mar 2011 -- The 2011 Commandant’s Aviation Trophy, part of the 2011 Marine Corps Aviation Awards, was awarded to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, for outstanding performance of a Marine aviation squadron.
• Russia looks to use Ukrainian defense facilities, shipyards RIA Novosti 25 Mar 2011 -- The Russian and Ukrainian defense ministers on Friday discussed military and technical cooperation, including the use of Ukrainian shipyards by Russia's Black Sea Fleet.
• Russia, U.S. to review START implementation RIA Novosti 25 Mar 2011 -- Delegations from Russia and the United States will meet in Geneva from March 28 to April 8 for an inaugural session of the Bilateral Consultative Commission, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday.
• Russia, NATO plan to resume theatre missile defense drills in early 2012 RIA Novosti 25 Mar 2011 -- Russia and NATO are planning to resume joint theatre missile defense drills in early 2012, the new head of the NATO Information Office in Moscow said on Friday.
• First Iraqi air force instructor pilot begins training students AFNS 25 Mar 2011 -- The first Iraqi air force instructor pilot to be certified since American forces ousted Saddam Hussein took a major step forward for the Iraqi air force March 19 here.
• Pak-Afghan-Turkish forces begin joint anti-terror exercises IRNA 25 Mar 2011 -- Afghan, Pakistan and Turkey have launched a week-long Trilateral Joint Military Exercise at Tuzla, Turkey, the Pakistan army said on Friday.
• March 25, 2011 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 25 Mar 2011
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, 3/25/2011 The White House 25 Mar 2011

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for March 25, 2011
• Boeing Receives AUS$15.5M MHFCS Support Services Contract Boeing 25 Mar 2011 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] on March 11 received a $15.5 million Support Services Contract (SSC) from the Commonwealth of Australia for the Modernised High Frequency Communications System (MHFCS).
• MBDA chooses Sagem's new Matis MP3 sight to modernize Mistral firing posts for French army Sagem (Safran group) 25 Mar 2011 -- The new Matis MP3 optronic aiming sight offered by Sagem (Safran group) has been chosen by missile manufacturer MBDA to modernize the French army's Mistral surface-to-air firing posts.
• Lockheed Martin’s Huntsville Integrated Test Center to Provide Effective Support for Missile Defense Systems Lockheed Martin 25 Mar 2011 -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) today held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its Huntsville Integrated Test (HIT) Center in Huntsville, Ala. The Lockheed Martin HIT Center will enable cost-effective and realistic testing of full-scale missile defense systems in a laboratory environment.

Other Conflicts

• 25 March 2011 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 25 Mar 2011
• US Envoy: 'Desperation' in Gadhafi Camp VOA 25 Mar 2011 -- The U.S. ambassador to Libya says the government of Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi has been sending out feelers to potential mediators as the crisis in the country escalates. American envoy Gene Cretz, withdrawn from Libya late last year, says U.S. diplomatic recognition of the Libyan rebel movement is among options under study in Washington.
• Ongoing violence leading to increasing displacement in Libya, says UN agency UN News Centre 25 Mar 2011 -- The United Nations refugee agency said it is receiving reports of increased displacement in Libya, while the numbers of people fleeing the North African nation amid what Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called 'the brutal campaign of violence by the Libyan regime against its own people' have remained steady.
• Libya Conference Opens With Call for Cease-Fire VOA 25 Mar 2011 -- African Union Commission Chairman Jean Ping has opened an international conference on Libya with a call for an immediate end to hostilities and dialogue between the Gadhafi government and rebels. But a hoped-for appearance by a Libyan rebel representative failed to materialize.
• Up to 1 million people driven from homes by violence in Côte d'Ivoire, UN reports UN News Centre 25 Mar 2011 -- As many as 1 million people have been driven from their homes in Côte d'Ivoire in the months-long turmoil stemming from the outgoing president's refusal to leave office, with violence mounting and his loyalists using heavy weapons against civilians, a top United Nations official said today.
• UN Security Council Considers New Measures to End Ivory Coast Violence VOA 25 Mar 2011 -- The U.N. Security Council is considering tough new measures to press Ivory Coast's incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo to end months of post-election violence and finally transfer power to his rival Alassane Ouattara, who won the November presidential election.
• Israel's Gaza Border Tense as Violence Escalates VOA 25 Mar 2011 -- Tensions are high along Israel's border with Gaza following an escalation of violence. Palestinian militants in Gaza in the past few days have fired a number of rockets, mortars, and missiles at southern Israel. One town hit by the rockets is Ashdod, on Israel's Mediterranean coast.
• MYANMAR-THAILAND: Thai border camp population constant despite third country resettlement IRIN 25 Mar 2011 -- The population of the nine refugee camps along the Myanmar-Thai border in Thailand, which have been in existence for more than 20 years, is relatively stable, despite 11,086 refugees being resettled in third countries over the past year, according to the Thai Burma Border Consortium (TBBC), an umbrella group of NGOs working along the border.

News Reports

• Witnesses Say Syrian Troops Fire On Protesters As Regional Unrest Rages RFE/RL 25 Mar 2011 -- Witnesses and activists say Syrian troops opened fire on protesters today in and around the flashpoint city of Daraa, as thousands massed to demand reforms and mourn dozens killed in earlier demonstrations
• Syria: UN human rights office voices concerns about situation UN News Centre 25 Mar 2011 -- The United Nations human rights office today spoke out over the worsening situation in Syria, saying it will be closely monitoring the pledge of the country's Government to introduce political and economic reforms.
• Thousands Protest In Yemen, Syria RFE/RL 25 Mar 2011 -- Protesters are on the streets of Yemen and Syria today as the Arab world's wave of reform demands shows no sign of subsiding.
• Yemen President Vows to Resist Pressure to Step Down VOA 25 Mar 2011 -- Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh has told a crowd of his supporters gathered in the capital, Sana'a, that he will resist the repeated calls from the opposition for him to step down.
• Ex-UN Special Rapporteur On Iran Cites 'Psychological' Effect Of Investigations RFE/RL 25 Mar 2011 -- The UN Human Rights Council voted on March 24 to appoint a special investigator on human rights in Iran; a position that last existed a decade ago. A day later, Tehran objected.
• Japan's PM Pessimistic About Crippled Nuclear Complex VOA 25 Mar 2011 -- Two weeks after a magnitude 9.0 earthquake triggered a huge tsunami that severely damaged a Japanese nuclear power plant, the situation is still not under control.
• Japan Tsunami Damage Cost Could Top $300 Billion VOA 25 Mar 2011 -- Japan's government says the total cost of the damage caused by the tsunami could reach 25 trillion yen – or U.S. $309 billion.
• Turkey Presses Ahead With Nuclear Power Plant Plans VOA 25 Mar 2011 -- The tide may have turned against nuclear power elsewhere, following the Fukushima Daiichi disaster in Japan, but Turkey is moving forward with its plans to build its first nuclear power plant.
• Iraqi Deputies Question Need For Three Vice Presidents RFE/RL 25 Mar 2011 -- Iraqi politicians say the country does not need to have three vice presidents when the presidential post itself is largely ceremonial, RFE/RL's Radio Free Iraq (RFI) reports.
• Iraqi Parties Differ On Insurgent Groups Joining Politics RFE/RL 25 Mar 2011 -- The Iraqi government's announcement that five insurgent groups have renounced violence and will join the political process has been met with different reactions by the country's political factions, RFE/RL's Radio Free Iraq reports.
• NASA and Lockheed Martin Say Goodbye to Historic Stardust Spacecraft Lockheed Martin 25 Mar 2011 -- NASA's Stardust spacecraft, built and flown by Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT], sent its last transmission to Earth at 7:33 p.m. EDT Thursday, March 24, shortly after depleting fuel and ceasing operations. During a 12-year period, the venerable spacecraft collected and returned comet material to Earth and was reused after the end of its prime mission in 2006 to observe and study another comet during February 2011.