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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 04 Apr 2011 [PDF]
• NATO and Libya - Operational Media Update: 03 April 2011
• Fairchild AFB Airmen support Oddysey Dawn at different operating locations AFNS 04 Apr 2011 -- Airmen from the 92nd and 141st Air Refueling Wings have recently stood alert for missions supporting Japan, sent KC-135s forward to support Operation Odyssey Dawn, and continue to be the lead wing supporting the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan.
• Dover Airmen support Operation Odyssey Dawn AFNS 04 Apr 2011 -- Three C-5M Super Galaxy aircrews from here delivered cargo March 23 to 27 in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn.
• HMS Triumph returns from Libya operations UK MOD 04 Apr 2011 -- Royal Navy submarine HMS Triumph returned to HM Naval Base Devonport from the Mediterranean on Saturday 2 April after supporting international efforts to protect civilians in Libya over the past two weeks.
• Raid Nets Taliban Leader in Kandahar Province AFPS 04 Apr 2011 -- A combined Afghan and coalition security force captured a Taliban leader during a raid yesterday in the Zharay district of Afghanistan';s Kandahar province, military officials reported.
• Afghans Continue Protests Over US Quran Burning VOA 04 Apr 2011 -- Afghans protested for a fourth day against last month's burning of a Quran in the United States.
• Contracting Airmen play crucial role in Operation Tomodachi AFNS 04 Apr 2011 -- A C-17 Globemaster III carrying a series of pipes, hoses and related equipment that the U.S. Government purchased to help the people of Japan cool the reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi Power Plant arrived here March 29.
• Essex ARG Continues Relief Efforts on Oshima Island NNS 04 Apr 2011 -- Sailors and Marines assigned to the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) continued to assist the residents of Oshima Island during 'Operation Field Day' April 1.
• Japanese Minister Thanks U.S. Service Members AFPS 04 Apr 2011 -- Japanese Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa today boarded the USS Ronald Reagan to thank U.S. service members for their help since a magnitude 9.0 earthquake and the tsunami it caused struck Japan on March 11.
• Army Medicine Supports Operation Tomodachi Army News 04 Apr 2011 -- Medical assets from the Western Regional Medical Command supported the efforts of U.S. Army North in the evacuation of thousands of military Family members following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, and the subsequent threat of radiation exposure there.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Statement of the Attorney General on the Prosecution of the 9/11 Conspirators US Dept. of Justice 04 Apr 2011 -- "So today I am referring the cases of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, Walid Muhammad Bin Attash, Ramzi Bin Al Shibh, Ali Abdul-Aziz Ali, and Mustafa Ahmed Al Hawsawi to the Department of Defense to proceed in military commissions. Furthermore, I have directed prosecutors to move to dismiss the indictment that was handed down under seal in the Southern District of New York in December, 2009, and a judge has granted that motion."
• Alleged 9/11 Mastermind to be Tried at Guantanamo VOA 04 Apr 2011 -- The Obama administration reversed course on Monday and announced that the alleged mastermind of the 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, will be tried in a military commission and not in a civilian court as previously planned. The decision brings to an end a year-and-a-half political battle in the United States over the judicial fate of the accused terrorist ringleader and four alleged co-conspirators.
• Holder Refers 9/11 Co-conspirators to Military Tribunal AFPS 04 Apr 2011 -- The 9/11 co-conspirators will be tried by a military tribunal, Attorney General Eric Holder announced today.
• Obama Loses Fight To Try 9/11 Attack Mastermind In Civil Court RFE/RL 04 Apr 2011 -- The Obama administration has been forced to reverse its position on where the trial of the self-declared mastermind behind the September 11 terror attacks will be held.
• USS Robert G. Bradley Begins Third Africa Partnership Station Hub NNS 04 Apr 2011 -- USS Robert G. Bradley (FFG 49) Sailors, Naval Forces Africa staff members and Africa Partnership Station (APS) West international staff members arrived in Lagos, Nigeria, during the third 'Hub', as part of APS West, April 4.
• ICEX 2011 Demonstrates Naval Research Projects NNS 04 Apr 2011 -- Ice Exercise (ICEX) 2011, featured several Office of Naval Research (ONR) projects designed to improve naval operations in the Arctic, March 15 through April 2.
• Airmen contribute to training, operational missions in Italy AFNS 04 Apr 2011 -- Eleven Airmen from here traveled to Italy aboard a C-17 Globemaster III recently to help three U.S. and Italian army and air force units fulfill airborne training.
• U.S., Philippine Forces to Kick Off Annual Exercise AFPS 04 Apr 2011 -- U.S. and Philippine forces will kick off Balikatan, their annual bilateral training exercise, tomorrow in the Philippines, though in a slightly scaled-down form.
• VA Budget Request Signals Commitment to Vets AFPS 04 Apr 2011 -- President Barack Obama's $132 billion 2012 budget request for the Veterans Affairs Department demonstrates that despite a tight fiscal environment, the United States stands by its commitment to men and women who have served in uniform, Deputy VA Secretary W. Scott Gould told American Forces Press Service.
• U.S. Army leaders map way ahead in South Korea Army News 04 Apr 2011 -- U.S. Army leaders mapped the way ahead in South Korea during a Strategic Planning Conference here March 29 - 31.
• Team leader excels at critical air defense mission Army News 04 Apr 2011 -- Drops of sweat poured down from Spc. Dustin Cantu's chin onto his gear, which were already soaked with mud and rain.
• Third Army, Lebanon EOD experts come together for information exchange Army News 04 Apr 2011 -- Members of Third Army's explosive ordnance disposal team partnered with Lebanon's Armed Forces Explosive Ordnance Disposal/Sapper personnel for a two-part information exchange, beginning Feb. 7.
• USAR leadership describes future initiatives Army News 04 Apr 2011 -- The U.S. Army Reserve commanding general and command sergeant major held a town hall meeting at Patch Barracks March 20 to brief reservists stationed in U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart on the Army Reserve 2020 Vision and Strategy, the Army Reserve's road map for the future.
• MTT trains 29 new Pathfinders at JBLM Army News 04 Apr 2011
• Command Readiness Program Provides Vital Forum for Total Army Discussions Army News 04 Apr 2011 -- U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM) hosted its annual Command Readiness Program March 28-30 to update senior commanders and staff on mobilization, deployment and FORSCOM's missions - to include introducing a new regulation detailing Army Force Generation.
• History of Army Contracting Army News 04 Apr 2011 -- Contracting is 'the cheapest, most certain, and consequently the best mode of obtaining those articles which are necessary for the subsistence, covering, clothing, and moving of an Army.'; Robert Morris made this observation during the Revolutionary War.
• US Army Pacific unit goes wireless during exercise Army News 04 Apr 2011 -- The U.S. Army Pacific Contingency Command Post went wireless March 28 during its certification exercise, or CERTEX, at Clark Air Base, Philippines.
• Convoy Training Develops Leaders, Instills Confidence in Soldiers Army News 04 Apr 2011 -- Grey clouds fill the sky and rain drops sparingly fall. The temperature is brisk, but the Soldiers show no signs of being affected by the weather. They have training to do, so they mount up on trucks to execute training at 'Warrior Base' near the southern edge of the demilitarized zone separating North and South Korea.
• Russia to continue military conscription for next 10-15 years - Medvedev RIA Novosti 04 Apr 2011 -- The Russian Armed Forces will continue using a mixture of conscripts and contracted recruits for the next 10-15 years, President Dmitry Medvedev said on Monday.
• Russia floats out new missile frigate for Caspian Sea RIA Novosti 04 Apr 2011 -- Shipbuilders in Russia's republic of Tatarstan floated out a second Gepard class frigate for the Russian Navy, the Zelenodolsk Shipyard said on Monday.
• Royal Navy and Army release redundancy scheme details UK MOD 04 Apr 2011 -- The Royal Navy and the Army today released the details of their redundancy programmes to their personnel.
• UK air force stretched to limit by Libya mission, says air chief IRNA 04 Apr 2011 -- Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton has said that Britain's Royal Air Force (RAF) will need 'genuine increases' in its budget over the coming years if it is to continue running the range of operations the government is demanding.
• Dutch navy frees Iranian fishery vessels from Somali pirates IRNA 04 Apr 2011 -- Dutch marines shot dead two Somali pirates and wounded several in a confrontation during an operation to free an Iranian fishing vessel in the Gulf of Aden over the weekend, according to Dutch news reports.
• Israel reiterates concern over Russian missile supply deal with Syria RIA Novosti 04 Apr 2011 -- Israel on Monday once again requested that Russia not supply Syria with anti-ship cruise missiles.
• On global Mine Action Day, Ban urges States to abide by pacts against landmines UN News Centre 04 Apr 2011 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called for universal adherence to all international treaties prohibiting the use and stockpiling of landmines, and appealed for support for mine awareness and clearance efforts, which he said are necessary to create a safer world for all.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, 4/4/2011 The White House 04 Apr 2011
• April 4, 2011 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 04 Apr 2011

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for April 04, 2011
• Raytheon's Small Diameter Bomb II Program Completes Critical Design Review Raytheon 04 Apr 2011 -- Raytheon Company's (NYSE: RTN) Small Diameter Bomb II program completed a U.S. Air Force critical design review (CDR), clearing the way for the weapon to begin captive flight testing later this year.
• PROUDLY SOUTH AFRICAN ROOIVALK HANDED OVER TO SA AIR FORCE Denel 04 Apr 2011 -- The upgraded Rooivalk combat support helicopter has been handed over to the South African Air Force for operational duties.
• DENEL OVERBERG TEST RANGE – NEW NAME, SAME REPUTATION FOR EXCELLENCE Denel 04 Apr 2011 -- Denel's versatile test range for missiles and aircraft systems on the southern tip of Africa is changing its name – but its global reputation as a high-tech facility for in-flight-testing will not be affected.
• Northrop Grumman's Global Hawk Continues to Shine 10 Years on From Historic Trans-Pacific Flight Northrop Grumman 04 Apr 2011 -- Ten years ago this month, Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) Global Hawk unmanned aircraft system (UAS) entered the Guinness Book of Records for the longest nonstop unmanned flight when it flew from Edwards Air Force Base in California to RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia. A decade on, the long endurance UAS continues to show its strength and versatility in military and civilian tasks in the Australia region and across the globe.
• Communications Crosslink Between Northrop Grumman-Built STSS Satellites Extends Real-Time 'Stereo Tracking' of Space Objects Northrop Grumman 04 Apr 2011 -- The communications crosslink between the twin Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS) Demonstration satellites, built by Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) and Raytheon Company (NYSE:RTN), has shown its effectiveness in transmitting high-precision, real-time missile tracking data to the Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS).

Other Conflicts

• 4 April 2011 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 04 Apr 2011
• Press Conference by Security Council President United Nations 04 Apr 2011
• Libya: UN envoy stresses importance of concerted global effort to end crisis UN News Centre 04 Apr 2011 -- The international community must continue to work together to help the people of Libya find a solution to their conflict, the United Nations envoy for the North African country said today, adding it remained unclear how long the current situation would last.
• Libyan Rebels Make Gains in Key Oil Town VOA 04 Apr 2011 -- Libyan rebels made gains on Monday in a battle for a key oil town as international diplomatic efforts continued to end the fighting between government loyalists and opponents.
• Red Cross Appeals for Access to Libyan City of Misrata VOA 04 Apr 2011 -- A Turkish ferry converted into a hospital ship brought 250 wounded people to Benghazi for treatment. The ship had docked in Misrata under escort by Turkish fighter planes after waiting unsuccessfully for days for permission.
• Pro-Gadhafi Forces Pound Libyan Cities, Rebels VOA 04 Apr 2011 -- Libyan troops loyal to leader Moammar Gadhafi used tanks and snipers to keep the western city of Misrata under siege Monday as diplomatic efforts to end the Libyan conflict continued.
• Europe Braces For Tide Of North African Refugees RFE/RL 04 Apr 2011 -- European Union member states are becoming increasingly concerned that the ongoing conflict in Libya could send a mass influx of refugees over their borders.
• French, UN Forces Join Fight Against Incumbent Ivory Coast President VOA 04 Apr 2011 -- French troops and United Nations peacekeepers are joining the fight against Ivory Coast's incumbent president as forces backing the country's internationally recognized leader launch another attack for control of the commercial capital, Abidjan.
• UN Chief Authorizes Peacekeepers to Deny Use of Gbagbo's Heavy Weapons VOA 04 Apr 2011 -- U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday authorized some 10,000 U.N. peacekeepers, supported by a contingent of French troops, to take the "necessary measures" to stop the use of heavy weapons against civilians in the embattled Ivory Coast city of Abidjan, where post-election violence is escalating.
• Côte d'Ivoire: Ban instructs UN troops to take all necessary steps to protect civilians UN News Centre 04 Apr 2011 -- United Nations peacekeepers in Côte d'Ivoire, supported by French forces, carried out a military operation today to prevent the use of heavy weapons against civilians in Abidjan after Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon instructed them to take 'all necessary measures' to defend themselves and protect innocent lives amid the worsening crisis in the West African nation.
• Ivory Coast Braces for Violent Showdown VOA 04 Apr 2011 -- Tensions in Ivory Coast's commercial capital remain high as forces loyal to the country's internationally-recognized president lay the groundwork for a final push to unseat incumbent Laurent Gbagbo.
• Ivory Coast Braces for Violent Showdown VOA 04 Apr 2011 -- Residents in Ivory Coast's commercial capital remained inside their homes Monday, as forces loyal to the country's internationally recognized president prepared for a final push to oust its incumbent leader.
• UN-Appointed Judge Withdraws Verdict Accusing Israel Of War Crimes RFE/RL 04 Apr 2011 -- The judge who accused Israel of war crimes and of deliberately targeting civilians in its 2008 invasion of Gaza has admitted that the findings of his United Nations-backed inquiry may have been wrong.
• Analysis: Evacuated from Gaza in 2005 but still 'homeless' IRIN 04 Apr 2011 -- More than five years after 9,000 Israeli settlers were removed from the 22 settlements of the Gush Katif community in the Gaza Strip and from four smaller settlements in the West Bank, most evacuees are still living rough and are yet to rebuild their homes.
• UN chief proposes stock-taking meeting with Cypriot leaders in June UN News Centre 04 Apr 2011 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has proposed holding a meeting with the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders in mid-June to review developments in the United Nations-backed negotiations aimed at reunifying the Mediterranean island.
• DRC: Moved on to a minefield IRIN 04 Apr 2011 -- More than 1,000 people in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have been ordered to move to a suspected minefield because the authorities want to build shops and restaurants on the site of their old homes.

News Reports

• US Calls Violence Against Protesters in Yemen 'Appalling' VOA 04 Apr 2011 -- The Obama administration has condemned shooting by Yemeni security forces against anti-government protesters that left at least 12 dead on Monday.
• Yemen Police Kill at Least 12 Protesters VOA 04 Apr 2011 -- Yemeni police have fired on anti-government protesters in the southern city of Taez, killing at least 12 people. The incident came amid an escalation of violence in several cities in Yemen.
• YEMEN: Timeline of protests since 11 March IRIN 04 Apr 2011 -- More than 300 people have reportedly been killed and several hundred others injured in nationwide protests against the rule of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh over the past two months. Below is a timeline of key events from 11 March to the present:
• Ahmadinejad calls for UN's significant role in solving regional problems ISNA 04 Apr 2011 -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said time is ripe for the UN to play a significant role in settlement of regional problems.
• Iran Slams Western 'Intervention' in Regional Conflicts VOA 04 Apr 2011 -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad criticized the Obama administration on Monday, decrying what he called its 'interference' in Mideast affairs.
• Japan asks Russia for help disposing radioactive water RIA Novosti 04 Apr 2011 -- Japan has asked Russia to send a liquid radioactive waste disposal facility for its troubled Fukushima plant, Russia's state-controlled nuclear corporation, Rosatom, said on Monday.
• Japan Nuclear Plant to Release Contaminated Water Into Ocean VOA 04 Apr 2011 -- Tokyo's main electric power company has begun a planned release of thousands of tons of water from a damaged nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean.
• Iranian President and Ban discuss situation in the Arab world UN News Centre 04 Apr 2011 -- The recent political developments in the Middle East and North Africa, especially the situation in Libya, Bahrain and Yemen, have topped discussions between Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
• Kazakhstan's Nazarbaev Wins Landslide In Poll Slammed By Observers RFE/RL 04 Apr 2011 -- Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev has secured a new five-year term in office in a weekend election that has been sharply criticized by international monitors.
• Death toll from Pakistan's shrine attacks rises to 50 IRNA 04 Apr 2011 -- Death toll from twin deadly suicide attacks near a Sufi shrine in Pakistan';s eastern Punjab province has risen to 50, doctors said Monday.
• Russia, U.S. to discuss nuke-powered spaceship project RIA Novosti 04 Apr 2011 -- Russia's Federal Space Agency Roscosmos and NASA will discuss the development of a nuclear-powered spaceship on April 15, agency director Anatoly Perminov said on Monday.
• Japanese crisis highlights need for enhanced nuclear safety, transparency - UN official UN News Centre 04 Apr 2011 -- The head of the United Nations atomic watchdog agency today called for robust safety standards and full transparency, both of which are vital for restoring public confidence in nuclear power in the wake of the Japanese power plant crisis.