News

25 April 2011 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

OIF/OEF Casualty Update 25 Apr 2011 [PDF]

NATO and Libya - Operational Media Update: 24 April 2011
Readout of the President's call with Prime Minister Berlusconi of Italy The White House 25 Apr 2011
NATO Airstrike Rocks Gadhafi Compound VOA 25 Apr 2011 -- A NATO airstrike on Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi's compound in the capital, Tripoli, has destroyed at least one public building.
Air Strike Destroys Qaddafi Compound Building RFE/RL 25 Apr 2011 -- A NATO air strike in Tripoli has destroyed a building inside a compound of Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi.
NATO keeps up the pressure NATO 25 Apr 2011 -- NATO carried out a precision strike in central Tripoli last night.
405th AFSBn-Italy supports humanitarian relief efforts to Libya Army News 25 Apr 2011 -- The 405th Army Field Support Battalion-Italy prepared a shipment of humanitarian aid supplies in support of a US AID mission to Libya.

No Iraqi team in Iran for talks on timetable of US troops, says Iran ISNA 25 Apr 2011 -- Iranian ambassador to Iraq Danaei-Far: No Iraqi team was sent to Iran for talks on extending timetable of US troops' presence in Iraq.
Iraqi air force leaders thank U.S advisers, celebrate 80th anniversary AFNS 25 Apr 2011 -- US Air Force and Iraqi officials opened a state-of-the-art air operations center.

Combined Force Captures Haqqani Leader AFPS 25 Apr 2011 -- A combined Afghan and coalition security force captured a Haqqani terrorist network leader and killed two Haqqani insurgents in Khost province.
Operation Overlord eliminates enemy stronghold Army News 25 Apr 2011 -- Nearly 350 members of the Afghan National Security Forces and US Army air assaulted into Naka district, Afghanistan.
Scores Of Taliban Escape In Brazen Kandahar Jailbreak RFE/RL 25 Apr 2011 -- Insurgents tunneled into the main jail in Afghanistan's Kandahar Province, freeing hundreds of prisoners.
Taliban Digs Tunnel to Afghan Prison, Frees More than 400 Insurgents VOA 25 Apr 2011 -- Afghan officials say Taliban insurgents have dug a tunnel to the main prison in the southern city of Kandahar.
Tunnel under prison wall in Afghanistan sees 500 inmates escape RIA Novosti 25 Apr 2011 -- Some 500 inmates made a mass prison break via a hand-dug tunnel from a penitentiary in the southern Afghan city of Kandahar.
Afghan police fight on home turf at Kajaki USMC News 25 Apr 2011 -- U.S. Marines have been defending the area around the Kajaki Dam near here for more than a year, but they are not the only force fighting to protect this key terrain.
Afghans lead way at Regional Training Center Mehtar Lam Army News 25 Apr 2011 -- One regional training center in Afghanistan finds establishing a strong national identity to be critical to that success.
UN to launch new anti-drug programs in Afghanistan, Central Asia RIA Novosti 25 Apr 2011 -- The UN plans to launch several programs aimed at fighting drug trafficking in Afghanistan and neighboring states by the end of 2011.

Blast in police station injures 8 policemen in NW Pakistan IRNA 25 Apr 2011 -- An explosion on Monday rocked a police station in the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar, injuring at least 8 policemen.

Navy Team Repairs, Tests Misawa Fuel Pipeline NNS 25 Apr 2011 -- A U.S. Navy team played a key role in the rapid repair and successful testing of the last six kilometers of pipeline fueling Misawa Air Base April 15.

Defense Policy / Programs

White House Condemns Latest WikiLeaks Disclosure VOA 25 Apr 2011 -- The White House condemned the disclosure of hundreds of U.S. military documents originally obtained by the website WikiLeaks.
Leaked US Documents Show Assessments of Guantanamo Detainees VOA 25 Apr 2011 -- WikiLeaks has released documents dealing with the detention facility for suspected terrorists at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Classified U.S. Documents Detail Innocence Of Gitmo Inmates RFE/RL 25 Apr 2011 -- The US held innocent men for years at its maximum-security detention center in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
WikiLeaks Files Reveal Many In Guantanamo 'Not Dangerous' RFE/RL 25 Apr 2011 -- Classified U.S. documents revealed the US held dozens of innocent men for years at the detention center at Guantanamo Bay.

DOD Announces Termination of JSF F136 Extra Engine DoD 25 Apr 2011
DOD Announces Recruiting and Retention Numbers for Fiscal Year-to-Date 2011, Through March DoD 25 Apr 2011
President Obama to Award Medal of Honor The White House 25 Apr 2011
Air Force officials announce helicopter acquisition strategy AFNS 25 Apr 2011 -- Air Force officials announced their strategy to recapitalize the Air Force's helicopter fleet, which is critical.
Aviation reset key to sustaining high ops tempo Army News 25 Apr 2011 -- The Army Aviation community has sustained an operational tempo five times that of peace time, flying more than 4.5 million hours since 2003.
Military Sees High Recruiting, Retention AFPS 25 Apr 2011 -- Recruiting and retention has stayed high throughout the military for the first half of the fiscal year, according to Defense Department numbers released.
USS Avenger Departs Sasebo, Japan NNS 25 Apr 2011 -- Mine countermeasures ship USS Avenger departed Sasebo, Japan, April 25 for a deployment to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility in support of Commander Task Force 76.
FACT SHEET: U.S. Africa Command Exercises for 2011 AFRICOM 25 Apr 2011 -- U.S. Africa Command forces serve as trainers and examples of military professionalism and U.S. core national values during the command's joint exercises.
USNS Comfort, Continuing Promise 2011, Depart Jamaica after Treating Thousands NNS 25 Apr 2011 -- Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort and its Continuing Promise 2011 team departed Jamaica April 23.
Pacific Partnership Departs Tonga NNS 25 Apr 2011 -- The Pacific Partnership 2011 team departed Vava'u, Tonga, aboard amphibious transport dock ship USS Cleveland April 23, after 11 days of working side-by-side with the people of Tonga.
USS Robert G. Bradley in Senegal for Africa Partnership Station Exercise NNS 25 Apr 2011 -- USS Robert G. Bradley arrived in Dakar, Senegal, for its second multinational exercise on its Africa Partnership Station West deployment, April 20.
Network Would Link Defense Functions, People AFPS 25 Apr 2011 -- To optimize US cybersecurity, a top Defense Department official gave industry leaders a challenge: “We need your innovation.”
3 Army Reserve Installations Selected as Net Zero Pilot Installations Army News 25 Apr 2011 -- The Army announced April 19 the locations identified to be pilot net zero installations.
Protection Agency Keeps Pentagon Safe AFPS 25 Apr 2011 -- One of the organizations charged with protecting the Pentagon Reservation is the Pentagon Force Protection Agency.
Air Guard, Reserve continues to fight Texas wildfires AFNS 25 Apr 2011 -- As of April 25, the 302nd Air Expeditionary Group continues to battle the wildfires that are raging throughout areas of southern Texas.
HURREX/Citadel Gale 2011 Takes Place Aboard Guantanamo NNS 25 Apr 2011 -- Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, commenced its annual Hurricane Exercise/Citadel Gale 2011, setting Condition of Readiness 3, April 25.
Naval Hospital Corps School Makes Historic Move NNS 25 Apr 2011 -- Navy Medicine and the Hospital Corps marked the milestone of the relocation of the Naval Hospital Corps School from Great Lakes, Ill., to Fort Sam Houston, Texas, during a ceremony aboard Joint Base San Antonio, Fort Sam Houston, April 21.
Commander, Destroyer Squadron One Removed From Command NNS 25 Apr 2011 -- Commander, Destroyer Squadron 1 has been removed from command by Commander, Carrier Strike Group 1 while operating in the Arabian Sea, April 23.

China's 1st aircraft carrier to be launched by year's end CNA 25 Apr 2011 -- China's first aircraft carrier could set sail by the end of this year.

SCO military chiefs agree to boost cooperation RIA Novosti 25 Apr 2011 -- Military chiefs from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization agreed to increase cooperation.

Saudi navy Commander, Zardari discuss defence ties IRNA 25 Apr 2011 -- Pakistani President Zardari received Vice-Admiral Dakheel Allah Bin Ahmed Al Waqdani, Commander, Royal Saudi Naval Forces.

Iran says army equipped with advanced tactical weapons ISNA 25 Apr 2011 -- Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi said the country's army is equipped with the most advanced tactical weapons.

Newspapers Editorially Mark KPA's Birthday KCNA 25 Apr 2011 -- Leading papers editorially observe the 79th founding anniversary of the Korean People's Army.
Glorious History of KPA KCNA 25 Apr 2011 -- The Korean People's Army (KPA) greets its 79th anniversary on Monday.

Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, 4/25/2011 The White House 25 Apr 2011

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for April 25, 2011
Northrop Grumman Begins Testing of New Multi-Function Active Sensor Developed for Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) Applications Northrop Grumman 25 Apr 2011 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation has announced the start of system tests of a new Multi-Function Active Sensor (MFAS) being developed here for use by the U.S. Navy onboard the MQ-4C Broad Area Maritime Surveillance Unmanned Aircraft System (BAMS UAS).
BAE SYSTEMS RECEIVES $56 MILLION IN ORDERS FOR THERMAL WEAPON SIGHTS BAE Systems 25 Apr 2011 -- BAE Systems will provide thermal weapon sights to the U.S. Army under a $56 million contract that continues production of the widely-used sights that improve situational awareness and survivability for men and women in combat.
General Dynamics Selected for U.S. Army's Operations, Planning, Training and Resource Support Services II Contract General Dynamics 25 Apr 2011 -- General Dynamics Information Technology, a business unit of General Dynamics, has been selected by the U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM) as an awardee for the Operations, Planning, Training and Resource Support Services (OPTARSS) II contract. The five-year, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity, multiple-award contract has a total potential value of $2.5 billion if all options are exercised.
Raytheon Delivers First Standard Missile-6 to U.S. Navy Raytheon 25 Apr 2011 -- Raytheon Company delivered the first Standard Missile-6 production round to the U.S. Navy.
Boeing-built GPS Operational Control Segment Enters Service with US Air Force Boeing 25 Apr 2011 -- Boeing today announced that its GPS Operational Control Segment (OCS) has gained full operational status with the U.S. Air Force 50th Space Wing, Schriever Air Force Base, Colo. OCS keeps the GPS system operational within specified accuracy to provide secure and precise navigation around the world for military, humanitarian and commercial applications.
Raytheon Wins Radar Maintenance and Operations Services Contract Raytheon 25 Apr 2011 -- Raytheon Technical Services Company LLC (RTSC), a subsidiary of Raytheon Company, has won a U.S. Air Force Cobra Dane radar systems contract valued up to $65 million for maintenance operations, radar sustainment, systems engineering and integrated logistics support.

Other Conflicts

Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, 25 April 2011 United Nations 25 Apr 2011
Tracing small arms key to preventing their diversion for illicit use - UN chief UN News Centre 25 Apr 2011 -- Keeping track of small arms in conflict, post-conflict and conflict-prone areas is a key to identifying where such weapons and ammunition may be diverted for illicit use.

Libya Describes NATO Airstrikes Targeting Gadhafi Compound as Assassination Attempt VOA 25 Apr 2011 -- Libya has described the latest NATO airstrike on Moammar Gadhafi’s compound as an assassination attempt.
NATO Airstrike a 'Warning' to Libyan Government Loyalists, Say Rebels VOA 25 Apr 2011 -- A NATO airstrike in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, destroyed at least one public building.
Russia urges NATO to lay off Libyan civilian targets RIA Novosti 25 Apr 2011 -- Russia urged NATO to stop targeting civilian objects in Libya.
Libya Conflict Has Displaced 550,000 People VOA 25 Apr 2011 -- US officials: More than a half-million people have fled Libya since the uprising against Moammar Gadhafi's government began in February.

Group of Prominent Elder Statesmen Seeks to Ease Korean Tensions VOA 25 Apr 2011 -- A group of internationally prominent figures is seeking to ease tensions on the Korean peninsula.
S.Korea deploys rocket launchers at Yellow Sea islands RIA Novosti 25 Apr 2011 -- South Korea has deployed Kuryong multiple rocket launchers on two islands near the border with North Korea.

CAMBODIA-THAILAND: 36,000 displaced by deadly border clashes IRIN 25 Apr 2011 -- At least 36,000 people were displaced on 23-24 April amid fresh fighting along the Thai-Cambodian border.
Thailand, Cambodia on brink of full-scale war RIA Novosti 25 Apr 2011 -- Thailand and Cambodia are amassing armor and heavy artillery along their common border raising fears that a long-running territorial dispute could escalate into a full-scale war.

Pakistan army evades comments on contacting Indian PM IRNA 25 Apr 2011 -- Pakistan military spokesman has evaded comments on reports that Indian PM Singh had established contact with the country’s army chief General Kayani.

Aid Workers Say Child Soldiers Involved in Escalating Violence VOA 25 Apr 2011 -- Aid workers and observers in Somalia say an increasing number of child soldiers are being used by factions involved in the escalating violence in the country.

Over 150 Dead as South Sudan Army, Rebels Clash VOA 25 Apr 2011 -- Officials in south Sudan say more than 150 people have been killed in clashes between the region's army and two separate rebel militias.
UN humanitarian chief condemns attacks on aid workers in southern Sudan UN News Centre 25 Apr 2011 -- The top UN humanitarian official condemned attacks on aid workers in Southern Sudan.

Russian FM Lavrov to sign agreements in Abkhazia, S.Ossetia RIA Novosti 25 Apr 2011 -- Russian FM Lavrov will visit South Ossetia and Abkhazia on April 25-26, where he will sign a number of intergovernmental agreements.

Russia Kills Senior Militant In North Caucasus RFE/RL 25 Apr 2011 -- Officials say Russian security forces have killed a senior member of an Islamist insurgent group in its North Caucasus region.

Panel of experts finds credible reports of war crimes during Sri Lanka conflict UN News Centre 25 Apr 2011 -- The panel of experts set up to advise Secretary-General Ban on accountability issues with respect to the final stages of the conflict in Sri Lanka has found credible reports of war crimes.
Satellite Technology Helps Human Rights Monitors VOA 25 Apr 2011 -- A U.N. panel of experts is expected to release a report soon citing evidence of war crimes in the final months of Sri Lanka's civil war.

News Reports

White House Steps Up Pressure on Syrian Government VOA 25 Apr 2011 -- The United States is stepping up pressure on the Syrian government to end its violent response to protesters.
UN human rights chief calls on Syria to halt attacks on protesters UN News Centre 25 Apr 2011 -- The UN human rights chief denounced the Syrian Government’s increasingly violent crackdown on protesters.
25 Reported Dead In Syria As Tanks Sent To Crush Uprising RFE/RL 25 Apr 2011 -- Syria has sent troops and tanks into the southern city of Deraa to crush a month-long popular uprising.
Syrian Tanks Roll Into Cities as Security Crackdown Kills At Least 18 VOA 25 Apr 2011 -- Witnesses say several thousand Syrian army troops, flanked by special forces, shot their way into the southern city of Daraa.
Syria Rolls Tanks Into Cities as Security Crackdown Kills At Least 5 VOA 25 Apr 2011 -- At least 11 people are reported dead as Syrian troops and tanks rolled into the protest flashpoint town of Daraa.
Five killed as Syria security forces enter Daraa RIA Novosti 25 Apr 2011 -- Syrian security forces entered the southern town of Daraa and opened fire, killing at least five protesters.
Syrian Forces Attack Southern Town, Damascus Suburb RFE/RL 25 Apr 2011 -- Rights activists and residents say Syrian security forces backed by tanks today stormed the southern town of Deraa.
Iran dismisses Obama's claim on Syria ISNA 25 Apr 2011 -- Iran rejected the US President's claim on Syrian call for Tehran's assistance in dealing with recent protests, saying that Syrian officials are able to manage their own country.

Uprisings in Bahrain Ratchet Up Tension With Iran VOA 25 Apr 2011 -- Bahrain has become the scene of demonstrations demanding greater political freedoms. But the situation in Bahrain is not entirely internal.

Yemen's Opposition Agrees to Gulf Transition Plan VOA 25 Apr 2011 -- Yemen's opposition coalition has agreed to participate in a transitional government under a Gulf-negotiated plan that would remove President Ali Abdullah Saleh from power after 30 days.
Yemen Protest Clashes Kill Two, Wound Dozens VOA 25 Apr 2011 -- Witnesses in Yemen say clashes between security forces and anti-government protesters have killed two demonstrators and wounded dozens of others.
Yemeni Troops Attack Protesters In Taiz RFE/RL 25 Apr 2011 -- Yemeni security forces reportedly opened fire to disperse protesters in the southern city of Taiz today.

Hundreds gather in Cairo in support of deposed Egyptian leader RIA Novosti 25 Apr 2011 -- Hundreds of supporters of former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak gathered in central Cairo to demand that charges against him be dropped.

Iran Says It Has Detected Second Cyberattack RFE/RL 25 Apr 2011 -- A senior military official says Iran has been hit by a second computer virus in a "cyberwar" waged by its enemies.
Iran says hit by second cyber attack RIA Novosti 25 Apr 2011 -- Iran's civil defense chief said on Monday the country had been hit by its second cyber attack in the past eight months.
Three Americans to stand trial in Iran mid May ISNA 25 Apr 2011 -- Three Americans imprisoned in Iran are to stand trial on May 11.

Japanese Troops Scour Coast for Missing Bodies VOA 25 Apr 2011 -- Almost 25,000 troops fanned out along Japan's devastated northeast coast in a grim search for some of the thousands of bodies still missing.

Bomb Blast Kills At Least 3 in Northern Nigeria Ahead of Vote VOA 25 Apr 2011 -- Nigerian police say a bomb blast in northeastern Nigeria has killed at least three people and wounded 14 ahead of state-wide elections.
Nigeria Blasts Kill 3, Wound 14 VOA 25 Apr 2011 -- Police in Nigeria say casualty totals have risen to three dead, 14 wounded from Sunday's bomb blasts in the northeastern city of Maiduguri.

Haiti Delays Controversial Legislative Vote Results VOA 25 Apr 2011 -- Haitian officials have delayed the certification of results from last month's runoff legislative elections.

Turks In Istanbul Honor Armenian Victims Of Mass Killings RFE/RL 25 Apr 2011 -- Hundreds of Turks have rallied in downtown Istanbul to remember the mass killings of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire nearly a century ago.

Tibetan Exiles Seek Release of Missing Panchen Lama VOA 25 Apr 2011 -- Tibetan exiles held demonstrations in front of Chinese embassies in several countries to mark the 22nd birthday of the 11th Panchen Lama.

Ukraine Remembers Chernobyl Victims VOA 25 Apr 2011 -- 25 years ago Tuesday when a deadly explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in the former Soviet state led to the worst nuclear disaster in history.
Chornobyl: A Troubled Health Legacy RFE/RL 25 Apr 2011 -- On April 26, 1986, Chornobyl's nuclear power plant spewed radioactive material across large swathes of Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia.

Orbital-Built Intelsat New Dawn Commercial Communications Satellite Successfully Launched Orbital Sciences Corp. 25 Apr 2011 -- Orbital Sciences Corporation, one of the world's leading space technology companies, announced today that the Intelsat New Dawn satellite, built by the company for Intelsat S.A. and Convergence Partners of South Africa, was successfully launched into geosynchronous transfer orbit aboard an Ariane 5 rocket originating from Kourou, French Guiana
ATK Received $57 Million Contract from Orbital for Upgraded CASTOR 30XL ATK 25 Apr 2011 -- ATK was awarded a $57 million contract to provide the CASTOR® 30XL, an upgraded second stage motor for Orbital Science Corporation's Taurus® II commercial launch vehicle, which will supply cargo for NASA to the International Space Station.

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