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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 22 Apr 2011 [PDF]
• NATO and Libya - Operational Media Update: 21 April 2011
• Mullen: World Community Says Gadhafi Must Go AFPS 22 Apr 2011 -- NATO has come forward in a very positive way to enforce the no-fly zone over Libya and protect Libyan citizens from the Moammar Gadhafi regime, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen said here today.
• U.S. Authorizes Use Of Predator Drones In Libya RFE/RL 22 Apr 2011 -- U.S. President Barack Obama has authorized the use of unmanned drones over Libya to target forces loyal to leader Muammar Qaddafi.
• Iraq Withdrawal Agreement Still Stands, Mullen Says AFPS 22 Apr 2011 -- All American troops will be out of Iraq at the end of the year in accordance with the security agreement signed in 2008, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said here today.
• Mullen Says U.S. Must Get Iraq Transition Right AFPS 22 Apr 2011 -- The U.S. military needs to get it right as it transitions out of Iraq, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told soldiers in Baghdad today.
• Operation Rawhide II disrupts insurgent communication, supply lines USMC News 22 Apr 2011 -- Southern Helmand province used to be a safe haven and stronghold for the insurgency in Afghanistan where the enemy could establish lines of communication and traffic drugs and weapons.
• Artillery Marines hold back insurgents in key Afghan district USMC News 22 Apr 2011 -- Kajaki District is usually dangerous, occasionally beautiful, always strategically important, and for the last six months its security has been lead by a single Marine Corps artillery battery.
• New rearming point expands Marines' rotary reach near Sangin, Afghanistan USMC News 22 Apr 2011 -- Staff Sgt. Rockey L. Crump gives his Marines the five-minute warning. An AH-1W Cobra is inbound to Combat Outpost Ouellette and needs fuel. With just three minutes remaining, the Cobra radios back requesting full ordnance.
• Taliban may be 'driven out' of Afghanistan by end of 2011 - U.S. defense secretary RIA Novosti 22 Apr 2011 -- A U.S.-led international coalition in Afghanistan may 'turn a corner' in its decade-long war against Taliban as early as at the end of the year, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has said.
• Forces Capture Terror Group's Top Leader AFPS 22 Apr 2011 -- Combined forces captured the top Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan terrorist group leader in Afghanistan April 20 in the Khanabad district of Afghanistan's Kunduz province, military officials reported today.
• NATO Mission Mentors Afghan Police AFPS 22 Apr 2011 -- In a country of 30 million people, a national law enforcement presence is crucial to maintaining and sustaining a democratic society. Army Maj. Gen. Stuart Beare, deputy commander for police with NATO Training Mission Afghanistan, is working closely with a team of advisors and the Afghan interior ministry to give Afghanistan that capability.
• US drones kill 21 people in NW Pakistan IRNA 22 Apr 2011 -- US drone aircraft fired on a compound in Pakistan's North Waziristan tribal region early Friday morning and killed 21 people, local media reported.
• CIA, US forces leaves Pakistani base IRNA 22 Apr 2011 -- The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and American troops have vacated a Pakistan air base, which they had been also using for pilotless drone aircraft, local media reported on Friday.
• Suspected US Drone Strikes Kill 25 in NW Pakistan VOA 22 Apr 2011 -- Pakistani officicals say suspected U.S. drones fired at least five missiles at a house in a tribal region near the Afghan border, killing 25 people.

Defense Policy / Programs

• DoD News: DOD Awards $191 Million in Research Funding DoD 22 Apr 2011 -- The Department of Defense announced today it will issue 27awards to academic institutions to perform multidisciplinary basic research.
• DOD authorizes medal for Pakistan relief efforts AFNS 22 Apr 2011 -- Department of Defense officials have approved the Humanitarian Service Medal for service members who participated in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations in Pakistan following the flooding in Swat Valley on July 31, 2010.
• Officials eliminate exception to short-tour credit AFNS 22 Apr 2011 -- Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz approved rescinding a temporary policy established in 2003 that allowed Airmen to receive short-tour credit for overseas TDYs of at least 181 consecutive days. The effective date of the new policy will be announced at a later date.
• AFPC officials to stand up operating location at Robins AFNS 22 Apr 2011 -- As part of a continuing Air Force initiative to provide on-site civilian personnel recruitment support, Air Force Personnel Center officials will stand up an operating location at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., May 1. This is the fourth of five AFPC OLs to support commanders and missions at Air Force installations with large civilian populations, known as large civilian centers.
• USS Jarrett Decommissioned After 27 Years of Fleet Service NNS 22 Apr 2011 -- Guided-missile frigate USS Jarrett (FFG 33) ended its 27-year Navy career during a decommissioning ceremony at Naval Base San Diego, April 21.
• Lassen Celebrates Ten Years of Service NNS 22 Apr 2011 -- Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) marked its tenth year of service April 21.
• Fleet Weather Center - Norfolk Opens Weather Watch Center NNS 22 Apr 2011 -- Fleet Weather Center's Combined Fleet Meteorological and Oceanographic (METOC) Watch Center was commissioned in Norfolk by the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command commander; the commanding officer, Fleet Weather Center, during a ribbon cutting ceremony April 20.
• USS Bulkeley VBSS Team Trains with Coast Guard NNS 22 Apr 2011 -- The visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) team aboard guided missile destroyer USS Bulkeley (DDG 84) had the opportunity to work with several Coast Guard Advance Interdiction Team (AIT) members April 16 during the past month of their 2011 deployment in the Gulf of Aden.
• Third Fleet Holds Change of Comand NNS 22 Apr 2011 -- Commander, U.S. Third Fleet held a change of command ceremony aboard USS Makin Island (LHD 8), April 21.
• Enlisted Early Transition Program Extended NNS 22 Apr 2011 -- With the release of NAVADMIN 142/11, April 22, the Navy has extended the Enlisted Early Transition Program (EETP) to Sept. 30, 2013.
• Navy, New Zealand Defense Force and Tongan Army Provide Brighter Future NNS 22 Apr 2011 -- The Navy teamed up with the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF), the Tongan army, and residents of Niuatoputapu, Tonga, April 10-19, to provide a better future for the residents of that island.
• TRICARE Online Improves Health Data Access AFPS 22 Apr 2011 -- New TRICARE Online features give users access to expanded personal health data, including lab results, patient history and diagnoses, and provider visits.
• Coast Guard Joins Employer Partnership AFPS 22 Apr 2011 -- The Employer Partnership of the Armed Forces' strategic alliance with the U.S. Coast Guard will enhance an already-successful program, Army Lt. Gen. Jack C. Stultz said today.
• Aviators praise F model Chinook Army News 22 Apr 2011 -- The U.S. Army and its industry partner Boeing have built 126 CH 47 Chinook 'F' model helicopters, the latest modernized cargo aircraft built with state of the art avionics, automated flight controls and a digital cockpit GPS map display, service officials said.
• Apache to field ground fire-detection system Army News 22 Apr 2011 -- Apache attack helicopters will soon field a new, high-tech Ground Fire Acquisition System which uses cameras and infrared sensors to instantly identify the source location of ground fire, service officials said.
• Units To Receive Honors For Deployment Capabilities Army News 22 Apr 2011 -- During a time of war, the ability to quickly and effectively deploy and redeploy units to support the fight, is vital to mission accomplishment. The Deployment Excellence Award provides an opportunity to recognize outstanding units and their efforts to keep the force sustained.
• US, Philippine service members demonstrate interoperability for Philippine President USMC News 22 Apr 2011 -- U.S. service members combined with the Armed Forces of the Philippines conducted multiple training scenarios, including a live-fire demonstration and mass casualty evacuation, during Exercise Balikatan 2011 here April 13 for Republic of the Philippines' President Benigno S. Aquino III.
• Balikatan 2011 provides Marines opportunity for demolitions training USMC News 22 Apr 2011 -- Marines with Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, conducted demolition training to maintain combat readiness during Exercise Balikatan 2011 here April 10.
• US, ROK Marines charge forward in KITP USMC News 22 Apr 2011 -- Approximately 380 Marines and sailors from 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment (Reinforced), 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, are participating in the Korean Incremental Training Program Exercise 2011-1 here.
• ROK, US Marines push through urban training USMC News 22 Apr 2011 -- More than 140 Republic of Korea and U.S. Marines demonstrated their ability to search for enemies with speed and intensity during Military Operations in Urban Terrain training at Republic of Korea's Camp Rodriguez April 10.
• US, AFP Marines practice MOUT USMC News 22 Apr 2011 -- Marines with Military Police Company, Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, conducted military operations in urban terrain training with Marines from the Armed Forces of the Philippines at Fort Magsaysay, in the Republic of the Philippines, April 8 as part of Exercise Balikatan 2011.
• Marines, AFP enhance marksmanship skills USMC News 22 Apr 2011 -- U.S. Marines with Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, and members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines trained together in marksmanship techniques at Ranges 1 and 2 on Fort Magsaysay, in the Republic of the Philippines, April 7 during Exercise Balikatan 2011.
• Mechanics keep tactical vehicles in motion USMC News 22 Apr 2011 -- The mechanics with Headquarters Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 37, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, aboard Camp Kinser, are often the unsung heroes keeping the company's tactical vehicles on the road.
• U.S. to seek agreement with Russia on tactical nuclear weapons reduction RIA Novosti 22 Apr 2011 -- The U.S. Administration is working intensively to increase transparency on tactical nuclear weapons (TNW) in Europe and secure an agreement with Russia on the reduction of such weapons, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Rose Gottemoeller has said.
• 4 Indian Army men dead as wreckage of missing Dhruv Helicopter found IRNA 22 Apr 2011 -- Four Army personnel were killed in a Dhruv helicopter crash in north Sikkim near the Sino-India border, days after a Pawan Hans chopper went down in the northeast claiming 17 lives.
• Reserve Soldiers to Wear New Military Uniform in China KCNA 22 Apr 2011 -- Reserve soldiers of China will put on 07-style reserve military uniform from May 1.
• Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Jay Carney aboard Air Force One en route Washington, DC The White House 22 Apr 2011

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for April 22, 2011
• A New C-130 Shadow in the Sky Lockheed Martin 22 Apr 2011 -- The first Combat Shadow II for the United States Air Force Special Operations Command has completed its first flight at the Lockheed Martin facility in Marietta.
• Turkey Selects Sikorsky Aircraft for 109 BLACK HAWK Helicopter Program Sikorsky 22 Apr 2011 -- Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. announced that the Defense Industry Executive Committee (DIEC) has selected Sikorsky for a contract involving 109 derivative BLACK HAWK helicopters for multi-mission use by the Turkish Government. Sikorsky Aircraft is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp.

Other Conflicts

• U.S. Senator McCain In Libya For Talks With Rebels RFE/RL 22 Apr 2011 -- U.S. Senator John McCain has said the United States could be doing more to help Libyan rebels in their fight against long-time ruler Mummar Qaddafi, including restoring air support.
• EU prepares humanitarian military mission to Libya - France RIA Novosti 22 Apr 2011 -- The EU is preparing to launch a humanitarian military mission to the besieged Libyan city of Misrata within the next few days, French Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Christine Fages said on Friday.
• US Senator Visits Libya, Demands More Help for Rebels VOA 22 Apr 2011 -- U.S. Senator John McCain is meeting with rebel leaders in Benghazi Friday, pushing for more U.S. and Western support for their cause. The visit comes as rebel fighters made small gains on the ground in the besieged western Libyan city of Misrata and along the border with Tunisia.
• Russian anti-terror body says Al Qaeda rep killed in Chechnya RIA Novosti 22 Apr 2011 -- A militant leader who was the top representative of Al Qaeda in Russia's North Caucasus has been killed in Chechnya, the National Antiterrorism Committee said on Friday.
• Legendary Arab Commander Reported Killed In Chechnya RFE/RL 22 Apr 2011 -- The Arab fighter known as Muhannad was one of two fighters killed on April 21 in an exchange of fire with security forces near the village of Serzhen-Yurt southeast of Grozny, according to Chechen Republic head Ramzan Kadyrov.
• Côte d'Ivoire: UN peacekeepers begin clearing explosives after post-election conflict UN News Centre 22 Apr 2011 -- The United Nations peacekeeping force in Côte d'Ivoire has begun clearing explosive devices that were left over by combatants during the bloody post-election violence that engulfed the West-African country following the runoff presidential poll last November.
• COTE D'IVOIRE: Aid agencies fighting to remain impartial IRIN 22 Apr 2011 -- The perceived impartiality of UN aid agencies and NGOs is still at risk and must be re-stressed in Côte d'Ivoire, say NGOs, given the UN peacekeeping force's direct role in the fighting.
• Medicine in Short Supply in Abidjan, Hospitals Struggling VOA 22 Apr 2011 -- A medical aid group says the humanitarian crisis is stabilizing in Ivory Coast's commercial capital, Abidjan, but continued violence in the west is blocking access to many in need. Doctors Without Borders [MSF] is providing medical services in many parts of the country and across the border in Liberia.
• Thai, Cambodian Troops Clash After Weeks of Peace VOA 22 Apr 2011 -- Thai and Cambodian soldiers have exchanged fire near a disputed border area, breaking an informal ceasefire. The skirmish killed at least six soldiers and forced thousands of villagers to flee to safety.

News Reports

• Reports: 75 Killed After Syrian Security Forces Open Fire VOA 22 Apr 2011 -- Rights groups and activists say at least 75 people were killed in Syria on Friday, after security forces opened fire on anti-government protesters who rallied across the country.
• Syrian Troops Open Fire Amid Biggest Protests Yet RFE/RL 22 Apr 2011 -- Syria's five-week-old political uprising has spilled over into further death and bloodshed after security forces reportedly opened fire on protesters demanding the end of President Bashar al-Assad's regime.
• Syrian opposition calls for further reform RIA Novosti 22 Apr 2011 -- Syrian human rights activists said on Friday they will not be placated by a presidential decree ending an almost five-decade long state of emergency in the country and will continue to protest, regional media said.
• Witnesses: 38 Killed After Syrian Forces Fire on Protesters VOA 22 Apr 2011 -- Witnesses and rights activists say Syrian security forces fired on anti-government protesters on Friday, killing at least 38 people.
• Amid Protests, Yemen President Vague on Transition Plan VOA 22 Apr 2011 -- Tens of thousands of protesters demonstrated across Yemen, Friday, where many demanded the removal of the president who remains vague as to whether he will accept a plan for his leaving office.
• Japan Expands Evacuation Zone Around Nuclear Plant VOA 22 Apr 2011 -- An evacuation advisory for areas near the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant was widened on Friday because of concerns about long-term radiation exposure. The move comes a day after Japan began legally enforcing a 20-kilometer exclusion zone around the power station.
• Iraqi Politicians Support Postponing Arab League Summit RFE/RL 22 Apr 2011 -- Iraqi politicians are coming out in favor of the recent decision to postpone the Arab League summit that was to be held in Baghdad next month, RFE/RL's Radio Free Iraq (RFI) reports.
• UN and partners congratulate Haiti's president-elect UN News Centre 22 Apr 2011 -- The United Nations and its partners today congratulated Haiti's President-elect Michel Martelly on his poll victory, saying the world body looked forward to working closely with his administration once it is inaugurated on 14 May.
• Amid Nuclear Scare, Russia Pushes Ahead With Controversial Floating Reactors RFE/RL 22 Apr 2011 -- The global scare sparked by Japan's nuclear meltdown has prompted many countries to scale down their nuclear programs, putting a damper on the global 'nuclear renaissance' touted by the industry in recent years.
• Ban urges closer ties between UN and regional security body to fight global crime UN News Centre 22 Apr 2011 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called for the deepening of ties between the United Nations and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) to combat transnational crime, including the trafficking of drugs and human beings, as well as terrorism.
• Ban calls for greater cooperation between UN and Russia on global governance UN News Centre 22 Apr 2011 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today praised the strong partnership between Russia and the United Nations at a meeting with the country's President Dmitry Medvedev and called for even greater cooperation on global governance issues, including climate change and sustainable development.
• Ban, Medvedev discuss UN role, Libya RIA Novosti 22 Apr 2011 -- UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Friday stressed the need to comply with UN mandates in international operations involving the use of military force.
• SpaceX not allowed to dock with ISS until safety proven - Roscosmos RIA Novosti 22 Apr 2011 -- Russia will not permit the first U.S. commercial spacecraft to dock with the International Space Station (ISS) unless its safety is fully tested, a high-ranking Russian space official said on Friday.
• Ariane Flight 201: Two new records for Astrium EADS 22 Apr 2011 -- The Ariane 5 launcher developed and built by Astrium has performe yet another successful flight out of Kourou, French Guiana.
• Russian space freighter to be buried in Pacific after 5-day scientific mission RIA Novosti 22 Apr 2011 -- Russia's Progress M-09M cargo spacecraft will undock from the International Space Station (ISS) on Friday to be buried in the Pacific after conducting a five-day scientific mission, a Mission Control spokesman said.
• Who Would Succeed Kazakh President Nazarbaev? RFE/RL 22 Apr 2011 -- Who will succeed Nursultan Nazarbaev once the long-serving president of oil-rich Kazakhstan departs from the political scene?