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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 06 Apr 2011 [PDF]
• NATO and Libya - Operational Media Update: 05 April 2011
• NATO 'Will Do Everything' To Defend Misurata's Civilians RFE/RL 06 Apr 2011 -- NATO has vowed to do everything to protect the population of Libya's besieged rebel stronghold of Misurata.
• NATO Makes Smooth Transition in Libya Operations AFPS 06 Apr 2011 -- The transition from the U.S.-led Operation Odyssey Dawn to the NATO-led Operation Unified Protector has occurred seamlessly, British Royal Navy Rear Adm. Russell Harding said in Naples, Italy, today.
• Action in Libya has prevented 'humanitarian catastrophe' UK MOD 06 Apr 2011 -- As Britain continues military operations over Libya, Foreign Secretary William Hague today said that coalition action enforcing UN Resolution 1973 has 'prevented a huge loss of life and a humanitarian catastrophe'.
• Libyan Opposition Accuses NATO of Failing to Protect Civilians VOA 06 Apr 2011 -- The head of the armed forces of Libya's eastern-based opposition has sharply criticized the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, NATO, saying it is failing to protect civilians from artillery attacks by forces loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi. General Abdul Fattah Younes made the charge as his forces were forced to withdraw once again from the oil-town of Brega 200 kilometers west of Benghazi.
• NATO Dismisses Libyan Rebels' Criticism VOA 06 Apr 2011 -- NATO has dismissed Libyan rebels' criticism of the pace of the alliance's airstrikes against Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi's military, as pro-Gadhafi forces pounded rebels in the western city of Misrata and sent them retreating from eastern oil towns.
• Air Force leaders discuss future of Airmen in joint operations across Iraq AFNS 06 Apr 2011 -- Air force leaders from the U.S., Iraq and other locations across Southwest Asia gathered on Victory Base Complex, Iraq, recently.
• 13th CSSB returns from Iraq Army News 06 Apr 2011 -- Family and friends gathered in Freedom Hall Saturday to welcome home 75 returning Soldiers of the 13th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion.
• NATO Vehicle Kills Afghan Woman 'Accidently' VOA 06 Apr 2011 -- Tensions are rising in the Afghan capital where one woman is dead after getting hit by a NATO convoy.
• Officials Report Convoy Accident in Kabul AFPS 06 Apr 2011 -- An International Security Assistance Force three-vehicle convoy was involved in an accident in Kabul today that killed an Afghan civilian and wounded two others, according to initial reporting.
• Iran, Russia discuss Afghanistan issues IRNA 06 Apr 2011 -- Iranian and Russian representatives discussed bilateral, regional and international developments, the issue of war-torn Afghanistan in particular, here on Wednesday.
• Two percent of Afghan-based German troops return home traumatized IRNA 06 Apr 2011 -- Two percent of German soldiers based in Afghanistan return home traumatized, according to a study released in Berlin Wednesday by the University of Dresden.
• Essex Sailors Assist Oshima Island Residents With Clean Up Efforts NNS 06 Apr 2011 -- More than 40 Sailors assigned to amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) volunteered to assist with clean up efforts on the island of Oshima, Japan, April 3.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Service Members Would Earn Pay During Shutdown AFPS 06 Apr 2011 -- Military members would continue to earn wages in the event of an April 8 shutdown of the federal government, but they'd have to wait to collect them until Congress agrees on a budget, a senior administration official said here today.
• Two Dead in F/A-18F Crash Near Lemoore NNS 06 Apr 2011 -- Two aircrew were killed when their F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft crashed in a field near Naval Air Station Lemoore at 12:08 p.m, April 6.
• Expeditionary Rock Crusher Goes Global NNS 06 Apr 2011 -- Future Seabee construction project capability got better, lighter and faster March 31 when the Naval Facilities Expeditionary Logistics Center's (NFELC) Expeditionary Rock Crusher was officially given the OK to fly.
• SWOS Takes Instruction to Sea During Joint Warrior 11-1 NNS 06 Apr 2011 -- Surface Warfare Officers School (SWOS) staff members embarked with Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 24 and USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98) in support of Joint Warrior 11-1, March 24, to train junior officers while underway.
• USS George Washington Receives First Mail Shipment During Deployment NNS 06 Apr 2011 -- The forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) received approximately 10,000 lbs. of mail after arriving to U.S. Fleet Activities Sasebo, Japan, for a port visit, April 5.
• HSV 2 Swift Headed to Haiti to Complete Busy Southern Partnership Station 2011 NNS 06 Apr 2011 -- High speed vessel (HSV) 2 Swift moored at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, April 5, nearing the end of a 155-day deployment as part of Southern Partnership Station (SPS) 2011.
• USS Bremerton Departs for Western Pacific Deployment NNS 06 Apr 2011 -- Los Angeles-class submarine USS Bremerton (SSN 698) departed Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam April 5 for a scheduled six-month deployment to the Western Pacific region.
• Army Reserve Chief: Have Reservists Do Homeland Missions AFPS 06 Apr 2011 -- The Army Reserve's top officer made the case today for legislative changes that would allow his troops to respond to homeland disasters or attacks when federal military capabilities are needed.
• T-38 arrives to supplement F-22 training AFNS 06 Apr 2011 -- Following a successful test run in March 2010 and approval by Air Combat Command officials, the first of several T-38 Talons from Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., arrived here April 1 for the beginning of the 1st Operations Group's T-38 Adversary Air Program.
• Air Force officials issue guidelines for green fleece AFNS 06 Apr 2011 -- Additional new guidance has just been released from the office of Manpower, Personnel and Services, or AF/A1, at the Pentagon regarding wear of the authorized sage-green fleece outer garment.
• Gates Visits Troops, Meets Officials in Iraq AFPS 06 Apr 2011 -- Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates arrived here this evening to visit U.S. troops and to meet with Iraqi officials.
• Pacom Chief Sees Regional Peace, Prosperity AFPS 06 Apr 2011 -- Prospects for continued peace, economic growth and advancing security cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region remain promising, Navy Adm. Robert F. Willard said today.
• Sharp Emphasizes Need for U.S.-South Korea Alliance AFPS 06 Apr 2011 -- While the U.S.-South Korean troop alliance works to secure and stabilize Northeast Asia, it still faces threats from North Korea, the U.S. Forces Korea commander said today.
• Army building first Block III Apache Army News 06 Apr 2011 -- The U.S. Army has begun construction on the first fuselage of its next-generation AH-64 Block III Apache helicopter.
• Third Army, Kyrgyzstan conduct EOD information exchange Army News 06 Apr 2011 -- Members of Third Army's explosive ordnance disposal team participated in a three-day information exchange with military professionals from the Kyrgyzstan Republic Ministry of Defense Batken Battalion in Batken, Kyrgyzstan, beginning March 29.
• Media Availability with Secretary Gates from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia DoD 06 Apr 2011 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates
• Critical self-assessment puts AFGSC on the right path AFNS 06 Apr 2011 -- With the Air Force conducting operations on multiple fronts across the globe and facing shrinking resources, Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen are focusing on finding smarter ways to accomplish the mission.
• Gates, Saudi King Discuss Defense Relationship AFPS 06 Apr 2011 -- The bilateral military relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia, progress in a major arms sale and concerns about Iran are among the topics Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Saudi King Abdullah are discussing in a meeting here today, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said.
• Largs Bay acquisition Australia Department of Defence 06 Apr 2011 -- Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today announced that Australia has been successful in its bid to acquire the United Kingdom's Bay Class amphibious ship Largs Bay.
• China's first aircraft carrier to be completed soon: reports CNA 06 Apr 2011 -- China is set to launch its first aircraft carrier on its maiden voyage soon, according to Beijing media reports.
• Three killed in ammo blast at military base in central Russia RIA Novosti 06 Apr 2011 -- Three people were killed and one injured on Wednesday in an explosion at a military base in central Russia, a Defense Ministry spokesman said.
• Pilot hospitalized after Su-27 crash in Russia's Far East RIA Novosti 06 Apr 2011 -- A pilot from the Russian Su-27 Flanker combat aircraft that crashed earlier on Wednesday during a training flight near the city of Vladivostok in Russia's Far East has been hospitalized, a Defense Ministry official said.
• U.S., Russia reach final stages of Afghan helicopter deal - paper RIA Novosti 06 Apr 2011 -- Russia and the United States have agreed on the conditions of a $367-million deal for the supply of Russian helicopters to Afghanistan and will sign the document soon, the Kommersant daily reported on Wednesday citing military officials.
• India, Thailand to upgrade bilateral dialogue on defense issues IRNA 06 Apr 2011 -- India and Thailand held discussions on bilateral, regional and multilateral issues to enhance cooperation in security issues and upgrade bilateral dialogue on defense matters.
• April 6, 2011 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 06 Apr 2011
• Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Jay Carney aboard Air Force One en route Philadelphia, Pennsylvania The White House 06 Apr 2011

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for April 06, 2011
• U.S. Army Orders Oshkosh Defense Heavy Equipment Transporters Oshkosh 06 Apr 2011 -- Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation, will deliver more than 270 Heavy Equipment Transporters (HET) A1 vehicles following a delivery order from the U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command (LCMC).
• Cobra Judy Replacement Team Completes Radar Delivery Milestone Raytheon 06 Apr 2011 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) and Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) recently completed a significant milestone for the Cobra Judy Replacement program. The CJR S-band active phased-array antenna was successfully delivered to the CJR integration site at Kiewit Offshore Services, Corpus Christi, Texas, completing the development phase of the program.
• SAIC Awarded Contract by the U.S. Department of Justice SAIC 06 Apr 2011 -- Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) (NYSE: SAI) announced today it was awarded a prime contract by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to provide a full range of information technology (IT) services in support of numerous Federal agencies. The multiple-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract has a base period of performance that began on the date of award, March 4, 2011, and extends through September 30, 2011, six one-year options, and a total ceiling value of $1.1 billion for all awardees.
• BAE Systems Adds Frame Camera Sensor Modeling to Geospatial-intelligence Software BAE Systems 06 Apr 2011 -- BAE Systems has added new capabilities to its geospatial-intelligence (GEOINT) software, providing enhancements that allow customers to import high-resolution imagery from scanned film and digital airborne sensors. The company's SOCET GXP® software automates image processing to make analysts more responsive in the operational environment.

Other Conflicts

• 6 April 2011 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 06 Apr 2011
• Address threats to UN peace keeping missions: Indian Army Chief IRNA 06 Apr 2011 -- Observing that UN peacekeeping operations were becoming 'more complex' due to threats posed by non-state actors in conflict zones, Indian Army Chief Gen V K Singh Wednesday said, adding that this problem should be addressed 'much more seriously'.
• UN relief chief warns of dire humanitarian situation inside Libyan city UN News Centre 06 Apr 2011 -- The top United Nations relief official today voiced serious concern about the dire humanitarian situation inside the north-western Libyan city of Misrata, where thousands of residents are short of food, water, medicines and other basic supplies after weeks of intense fighting.
• Clinton Dismisses Gadhafi Letter, Reaffirms He Must Yield Power VOA 06 Apr 2011 -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Wednesday brushed aside a personal appeal from Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi for an end to the NATO air campaign in support of Libyan rebels. Clinton, who discussed the Libyan crisis with Italian Foreign Minister Franco Fratini, said Mr. Gadhafi must yield power and leave the country.
• Military stalemate in Libya only short-term, says former UK envoy IRNA 06 Apr 2011 -- The virtual military stalemate in Libya will only prove 'short-term'; and any division of the country will be 'temporary,'; according to former British Ambassador to Iran and Libya, Sir Richard Dalton.
• Libyan rebels urge NATO to step up anti-Gaddafi efforts RIA Novosti 06 Apr 2011 -- Libyan rebels have criticized NATO forces for a slow response to loyalists of embattled Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, which they say have allowed government troops to gain control of more rebel-held territory.
• Moscow says may 'look into' Libyan rebel complaints against NATO RIA Novosti 06 Apr 2011 -- Moscow wants to analyze complaints made by the Libyan opposition about the ineffectiveness of a NATO-led mission to protect civilians in the war-torn country, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday.
• Medvedev reiterates Russia's non-involvement in Libya RIA Novosti 06 Apr 2011 -- Russia will not become involved in any military operations to stabilize the situation in Libya, but will comply with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, President Dmitry Medvedev said on Wednesday.
• Côte d'Ivoire: International Criminal Court may initiate probe into alleged crimes UN News Centre 06 Apr 2011 -- The office of the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) today said it may open investigations into the 'widespread and systematic' killings in Côte d'Ivoire, including the reported mass murder of civilians, saying it is gathering information on alleged crimes by all parties to the conflict.
• Ouattara Forces Attack Gbagbo's Home After Surrender Talks Stall VOA 06 Apr 2011 -- Forces backing Ivory Coast's internationally-recognized president Wednesday renewed their assault on the country's incumbent president after he refused to admit electoral defeat and surrender.
• COTE D'IVOIRE-LIBERIA: Ivoirian refugees hard to reach IRIN 06 Apr 2011 -- Ivoirians who have fled to eastern and southeastern Liberia are choosing to settle in villages rather than camps and transit centres, making them harder to help, say NGO workers.
• COTE D'IVOIRE: A changing of the guard IRIN 06 Apr 2011 -- 'The Forces Nouvelles played a very important role in our victory and that has to be taken into account,' one of Alassane Ouattara's leading supporters acknowledged as the news from Abidjan pointed to Laurent Gbagbo's imminent departure.
• ISRAEL-OPT: Record number of Palestinians made homeless by demolitions IRIN 06 Apr 2011 -- The number of Palestinian homes in the West Bank and East Jerusalem demolished by Israeli authorities increased for the third consecutive month in March, according to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).
• Thailand Uses Cluster Munitions Against Cambodia VOA 06 Apr 2011 -- A group that campaigns against the use of cluster munitions says Thailand used the outlawed weapons against Cambodia during border clashes in February this year.
• IRAQ: Lack of mine maps hampers demining IRIN 06 Apr 2011 -- Lack of detailed mine maps in Iraq and the current political instability have hampered mine-clearance efforts, officials say.

News Reports

• Egypt Army denies deal with ousted Mubarak RIA Novosti 06 Apr 2011 -- Egypt's military Supreme Council, which is temporarily governing the country, denied media reports on Wednesday about a secret agreement with ousted President Hosni Mubarak on letting him leave the country.
• Bahrain Continues Crackdown Behind the Scenes VOA 06 Apr 2011 -- Authorities in Bahrain are carrying out a continued crackdown against opposition supporters. Human rights groups report nightly raids in residential areas, violence at checkpoints and arbitrary arrests. Many say a lack of widespread international condemnation is partly to blame for the situation as much of the world focuses on other regional conflicts.
• Tens of Thousands Demand President's Removal in Yemen VOA 06 Apr 2011 -- Tens of thousands of Yemeni protesters called again on Wednesday for the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh following a bloody crackdown on demonstrators.
• Outflow of highly radioactive water from Fukushima nuke plant stops RIA Novosti 06 Apr 2011 -- The outflow of highly radioactive water into the sea from Japan's troubled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant has stopped, the Kyodo news agency reported on Wednesday quoting the plant's operator, the Tokyo Electric Power Company.
• Crisis at Japan Nuclear Plant Shifts to New Blast Risk VOA 06 Apr 2011 -- Workers are pumping nitrogen into one of the reactors at Japan's damaged nuclear plant in an attempt to prevent an explosion caused by dangerously overheated fuel rods.
• Indian political party wants Govt to stop all new nuclear reactor projects IRNA 06 Apr 2011 -- The Communisty Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) on Wednesday asked the Centre to stop all new nuclear projects immediately and order an independent review of the safety of existing ones in wake of the nuclear crisis in tsunami-hit Japan.
• Haiti will continue to need strong international support, Ban tells Security Council UN News Centre 06 Apr 2011 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today pledged the continued assistance of the United Nations for Haiti, which, while having made significant gains in recent months, still faces a number of daunting challenges such as reviving its crippled economy and strengthening the rule of law.
• PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Gun culture threatens security ahead of 2012 elections IRIN 06 Apr 2011 -- The proliferation and use of illegal guns in Papua New Guinea (PNG) is threatening security ahead of parliamentary elections slated for June 2012, and causing misery and trauma to gun crime victims, says the government.
• Pakistani court bails out police officers in Benazir murder IRNA 06 Apr 2011 -- A court in Pakistan on Tuesday ordered release of two detained senior police officers accused of negligence in the 2007 killing of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.
• As Crackdown Continues, Chinese State Media Dismiss Concerns Over Missing Artist RFE/RL 06 Apr 2011 -- A Chinese state newspaper has rejected Western condemnation of the detention of prominent artist and social activist Ai Weiwei, saying it amounted to an attack against China.
• On The Verge Of Economic Disaster, Minsk Turns To Moscow RFE/RL 06 Apr 2011 -- With an economy teetering on the brink of collapse and a nervous population standing in hours-long lines to buy foreign currency or gold, Minsk is going hat in hand to Moscow seeking relief.
• NASA's James Webb Space Telescope Marks Milestone With Completion of Huge Assembly Stand for Flight Optics Northrop Grumman 06 Apr 2011 -- A giant structural steel frame used to assemble the eye of NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has been completed by Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) teammate ITT at a facility in Syracuse, N.Y. Northrop Grumman is leading the design and development effort for the space agency's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.