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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 27 Apr 2011 [PDF]
• NATO and Libya - Operational Media Update: 26 April 2011
• Hague updates parliament on Libya UK MOD 27 Apr 2011 -- UK Foreign Secretary Hague updated parliament yesterday on events in Libya, saying that we are clear that Gaddafi should go.
• UK and US defence chiefs assess Afghanistan and Libya operations UK MOD 27 Apr 2011 -- The UK Defence Secretary, Dr Liam Fox, and Chief of the Defence Staff, General Sir David Richards, have met with their American counterparts.
• Italy assigns 8 combat aircraft for Libya airstrikes RIA Novosti 27 Apr 2011 -- Eight Italian combat aircraft will be directly involved in airstrikes against forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
• F-16 aircraft incident upon landing at Sigonella NATO 27 Apr 2011 -- An F-16 aircraft participating in the NATO-led Operation UNIFIED PROTECTOR was involved in an incident upon landing on the outbound runway of Naval Air Station Sigonella.
• Putin says 'dumbfounded' over NATO operation in Libya RIA Novosti 27 Apr 2011 -- Russian PM Putin continued to criticize NATO military operations in Libya, saying that he was "dumb-founded".
• 'Lifeline' Battalion trains 9th Iraqi Army Division Army News 27 Apr 2011 -- Soldiers with the 299th Brigade Support Battalion conducted training on the Heavy Equipment Transport Trailer with members of the 9th Iraqi Army Division.
• Aerial porters unload cargo for all of Iraq AFNS 27 Apr 2011 -- When a runway closed in Turkey, officials scrambled to find another way to get supplies to U.S. forces in Iraq.
• IRAQ: Fresh effort to trace missing persons IRIN 27 Apr 2011 -- The government has set up a committee to trace thousands of Iraqis missing since the 2003 US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein.
• Insurgents to Face Cold Reception After Winter AFPS 27 Apr 2011 -- Enemy fighters are beginning to make their annual spring resurgence in Afghanistan, but are resurfacing as a weakened force.
• Shooting Incident in Kabul Leaves 9 Dead AFPS 27 Apr 2011 -- Eight International Security Assistance Force service members and an ISAF civilian died today following a shooting incident in Afghanistan’s capital of Kabul.
• Afghan Pilot Shoots Dead Eight NATO Soldiers And One Contractor RFE/RL 27 Apr 2011 -- NATO officials in Afghanistan say eight members of ISAF were killed along with a private contractor when an Afghan pilot opened fire on them.
• Afghan Military Pilot Guns Down 8 NATO Troops VOA 27 Apr 2011 -- Officials say an Afghan military pilot has opened fire on NATO troops in Kabul, killing eight coalition soldiers and an American contractor.
• Afghan military pilot kills 8 NATO soldiers RIA Novosti 27 Apr 2011 -- Eight foreign troops from the NATO-led force in Afghanistan and a contractor were killed by an Afghan Air Force pilot.
• 497th MCC deploys to Afghanistan Army News 27 Apr 2011 -- Twenty-one Soldiers with Fort Benning's first active movement control company deployed Wednesday to Afghanistan.
• Pakistani, US Spies Are at Odds Over Operations VOA 27 Apr 2011 -- The US Central Intelligence Agency and Pakistan's Interservices Intelligence directorate have had an up-and-down relationship.
• Afghan, Pakistan border guards exchange fire IRNA 27 Apr 2011 -- Pakistani and Afghan troops Wednesday traded heavy firing in border region. Dawn TV said that three Afghan troops were killed in the incident.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Obama to Nominate Panetta to Succeed Gates as Defense Secretary AFPS 27 Apr 2011 -- President Barack Obama intends to nominate CIA Director Leon Panetta as the next defense secretary.
• Obama Set To Name Panetta New Defense Secretary, Petraeus To Head CIA RFE/RL 27 Apr 2011 -- US President Obama is expected to name General David Petraeus to be the new head of the CIA, and to make current agency chief Leon Panetta his new secretary of defense.
• Obama to Reshuffle National Security Team VOA 27 Apr 2011 -- President Barack Obama is making sweeping changes in his national security team.
• Reports: Panetta To Be Defense Secretary, Petraeus To Take Charge of CIA RFE/RL 27 Apr 2011 -- US media reports said that CIA director Leon Panetta is due to become US Defense Secretary replacing Robert Gates.
• Nuclear Munitions squadrons to realign AFPS 27 Apr 2011 -- Air Force officials announced plans to transfer munitions squadrons responsible for nuclear mission to Air Force Global Strike Command.
• Mabus Cites Need for Globally Deployed Navy AFPS 27 Apr 2011 -- Navy Secretary Ray Mabus: The operations of the past year highlight the need for the United States to maintain responsive and flexible global forces.
• Basic combat training now includes naturalization Army News 27 Apr 2011 -- Soldiers are now able to obtain their citizenship faster than ever during a time of war, and may soon see United States Citizenship and Immigration Services personnel at their basic combat training location.
• Army operational energy aiming high Army News 27 Apr 2011 -- The Army is developing, piloting, testing and implementing new and emerging solutions that are reducing the Army's demands for electric power, fuel and water.
• TFCC Discusses Climate Change, Navy Impact NNS 27 Apr 2011 -- The Director of U.S. Navy's Task Force Climate Change (TFCC) said the Arctic Ocean has been experiencing a rapid change in climate, and that it will soon have potential impacts on the Navy.
• New unit adds outreach, education to contingency response mission AFNS 27 Apr 2011 -- A new air mobility unit activated, marking the genesis of a new mission for the expeditionary air mobility specialists of the 621st Contingency Response Wing.
• Ugandan, U.S. Soldiers build aerial resupply capacity during Atlas Drop 11 Army News 27 Apr 2011 -- Exercise Atlas Drop 11 came to a close with a ceremony at Drop Zone Blue near Olilim April 20 following three days of aerial-delivery resupply practice missions.
• Director Follows Antiterrorism Path Set by Cole Attack AFPS 27 Apr 2011 -- On Oct. 12, 2000, terrorists attacked the U.S. Navy guided missile destroyer USS Cole, killing 17 sailors.
• Service members support Arctic Care in rural Alaska AFNS 27 Apr 2011 -- The Alaska National Guard is joining forces with active-duty and Reserve units across the nation to provide support for Operation Arctic Care April 15 through 30.
• As aircraft return home, others arrive to maintain firefighting capabilities AFNS 27 Apr 2011 -- Two Modular Airborne Firefighting System-equipped C-130 Hercules aircraft deployed to Texas.
• Grad to take Academy experiment into space AFNS 27 Apr 2011 -- An Air Force Academy graduate will pilot the Space Shuttle Endeavour and carry an Air Force Academy physics experiment into space.
• Russia successfully tests Sineva SLBM RIA Novosti 27 Apr 2011 -- Russia has successfully test-fired the Sineva submarine-launched ballistic missile from a Delta-IV class submarine.
• KCNA on Maneuvers Staged in S. Korea KCNA 27 Apr 2011 -- The 5th tactical airlifting flying corps of the south Korean air force kicked off a combined field exercise.
• Georgian Foreign Minister Discusses Security In Armenia RFE/RL 27 Apr 2011 -- Georgian FM Vashadze made a visit to Armenia that his counterpart Edward Nalbandian described as further evidence of "truly friendly relations" between the two countries.
• Mauritius looks at India in combating piracy in high seas IRNA 27 Apr 2011 -- Mauritius PM Ramgoolam has said that the two countries would work together in responding to security threats at sea.
• India determined to eliminate terrorism, piracy: president IRNA 27 Apr 2011 -- India said it is determined to fight and eliminate the menace of terrorism and piracy in cooperation with international community.

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for April 27, 2011
• Boeing Vigilare System Completes Operational Testing in Australia Boeing 27 Apr 2011 -- The Boeing Vigilare network centric command and control system has passed its last formal operational test. Testing took place at Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Williamtown's Eastern Regional Operations Centre (EROC) from March 28 to April 8.
• Raytheon Awarded $128.5 Million for Patriot Engineering Services Raytheon 27 Apr 2011 -- Raytheon Company was awarded a $128.5 million contract to provide engineering services for the Patriot Air and Missile Defense System.
• Lockheed Martin Delivers Second Mid-Life Upgrade P-3 Orion To U.S. Customs & Border Protection Lockheed Martin 27 Apr 2011 -- Lockheed Martin has delivered the second P-3 Orion with new Mid-Life Upgrade enhancements to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
• ATK Awarded $16 Million in Orders for Non-Standard Ammunition to Support Allied Security Forces ATK 27 Apr 2011 -- ATK has received more than $16 million in non-standard (non-NATO) ammunition orders through a multi-year contract with the U.S. Army Contracting Command in Rock Island, Ill. Orders on the multi-year contract have totaled more than $177 million since it was awarded to ATK in December, 2008.

Other Conflicts

• Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, 27 April 2011 United Nations 27 Apr 2011
• US Envoy Sees Splits in Gadhafi Camp VOA 27 Apr 2011 -- A senior US diplomat said that he believes key figures in the Libyan government would like to break with Moammar Gadhafi.
• Analysts Say Air Power Alone Will Not Defeat Gadhafi VOA 27 Apr 2011 -- Warplanes from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization continue to attack the forces of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.
• Qaddafi Forces Pound Misurata; Britain Sees Progress RFE/RL 27 Apr 2011 -- Muammar Qaddafi's forces have been carrying out sustained rocket and mortar barrages on the Libyan port city of Misurata.
• Aid Ship Reaches Libyan Rebel-Held Port VOA 27 Apr 2011 -- An international aid ship has docked in Libya's rebel-held port of Misrata after NATO airstrikes helped stop a bombardment of the area.
• Obama orders non-lethal aid of $25 mln to Libyan rebels RIA Novosti 27 Apr 2011 -- U.S. President Obama has authorized the allocation of $25-million in non-lethal assistance to the Libyan opposition.
• Medvedev aide denies call for Security Council meeting on Libya RIA Novosti 27 Apr 2011 -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has given no instructions to call an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.
• Libya: UN human rights panel begins investigation into abuses UN News Centre 27 Apr 2011 -- A three-member international panel arrived in Libya today to begin a United Nations-ordered inquiry into the violence and human rights abuses.
• Pro-Ouattara Forces Attack Former Ally in Ivory Coast VOA 27 Apr 2011 -- Forces supporting new Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara have again attacked a militia that helped drive his rival Laurent Gbagbo from power.
• UN cites urgent need to boost humanitarian aid in aftermath of Ivorian crisis UN News Centre 27 Apr 2011 -- The post-electoral crisis in Côte d’Ivoire may have ended but thousands of civilians are still suffering.
• Thailand Cancels Ceasefire Talks with Cambodia VOA 27 Apr 2011 -- Thailand has canceled plans for ceasefire talks with Cambodia, scuttling hopes for an early end to the worst fighting along their disputed border in decades.
• Thailand postpones peace talks with Cambodia RIA Novosti 27 Apr 2011 -- Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Wednesday that planned peace talks between Thai and Cambodian defense ministers had been rescheduled.
• THAILAND-CAMBODIA: Border villagers dig in IRIN 27 Apr 2011 -- In the Thai village of Nong Kun Na along the disputed border with Cambodia, security forces are digging in, building bunkers and training volunteers to act as defence guards.
• Hamas, Fatah Reach Reconciliation Deal VOA 27 Apr 2011 -- The rival Palestinian Fatah and Hamas factions have reached a reconciliation deal.
• Fatah, Hamas Reach Agreement On Interim Government RFE/RL 27 Apr 2011 -- Officials say the rival Fatah and Hamas movements have reached an initial agreement on ending a four-year rift.
• Rival Palestinian Factions Agree on Forming Interim Government VOA 27 Apr 2011 -- The rival Palestinian Fatah and Hamas movements have agreed to form a single interim government and a plan to hold general elections.
• Israel Prepares to Stop Planned Gaza Flotilla VOA 27 Apr 2011 -- Israel's prime minister says he has instructed his security forces to continue to enforce a naval blockade on the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.
• Egypt presidential hopefuls seek end to peace deal with Israel RIA Novosti 27 Apr 2011 -- An Egyptian presidential candidate says he wants to scrap the late 1970s Camp David Peace Treaty with Israel.
• Egypt pipeline blast cuts gas supplies to Israel, Jordan RIA Novosti 27 Apr 2011 -- An explosion at a gas terminal in Egypt's North Sinai has cut natural gas supplies to Israel and Jordan.
• Egyptian Gas Terminal To Israel, Jordan Attacked RFE/RL 27 Apr 2011 -- A pipeline carrying gas from Egypt to Israel and Jordan has exploded after an attack by an armed gang in the north Sinai area of Egypt.
• KCNA on GNP-led Ruling Party of S. Korea KCNA 27 Apr 2011 -- Rodong Sinmun in a bylined article terms the "Grand National Party"-led ruling forces of south Korea corrupt group.
• Elders' Delegation Tours Different Places KCNA 27 Apr 2011 -- The elders' delegation headed by Jimmy Carter, ex-president of the U.S., visited Pyongyang University of Foreign Studies.
• Kim Yong Nam Meets Elders' Delegation KCNA 27 Apr 2011 -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, met and had a talk with the elders' delegation headed by Jimmy Carter.
• Progress on key UN resolution impeded by Lebanon's political crisis, says Ban UN News Centre 27 Apr 2011 -- Secretary-General Ban called for greater efforts to implement provisions of a 2004 UN resolution.
• Mandate of UN peacekeeping force in Sudan extended until independence date UN News Centre 27 Apr 2011 -- Security Council members agreed to extend the mandate of the UN peacekeeping mission set up at the end of the north-south civil war in Sudan.
• SOMALIA: Thousands trapped between conflict and drought in Galgadud IRIN 27 Apr 2011 -- Thousands of families in Somalia's central town of Dusamareb, the regional capital of Galgadud, are caught between an unending conflict and severe drought.
• Security Council extends UN mission in Western Sahara for another year UN News Centre 27 Apr 2011 -- The Security Council extended for another year the mandate of the UN mission tasked with monitoring the ceasefire in Western Sahara.

News Reports

• At Least 228 Ruling Syrian Baath Party Members Quit VOA 27 Apr 2011 -- At least 228 members of Syria's ruling Baath Party have resigned in protest of President Bashar al-Assad's deadly crackdown.
• UN Fails to Condemn Syrian Violence VOA 27 Apr 2011 -- The United Nations Security Council has rejected a statement condemning the ongoing violence in Syria that has resulted in hundreds of deaths.
• UNHRC to hold special session on Syria UN News Centre 27 Apr 2011 -- The UN Human Rights Council will hold a special session on the situation in Syria amid mounting concern.
• Syrian army carrying out 'major military operation' against key city - UN official UN News Centre 27 Apr 2011 -- Reliable sources indicate the Syrian army is carrying out a major operation in the city at the centre of popular protests against the country's Government.
• Syria Brings Out Military Reinforcements Despite International Outcry VOA 27 Apr 2011 -- The Syrian government has reportedly brought in reinforcements to the flashpoint southern city of Daraa.
• International Pressure Mounts on Syria as Military Siege Continues VOA 27 Apr 2011 -- International diplomatic pressure is mounting on Syria amid reports of more military tanks and troops out to stop backlash.
• SYRIA: What they are saying about the protests IRIN 27 Apr 2011 -- Hundreds of people have reportedly died in unrest in Syria since mid-March, many at the hands of the security forces.
• Iran cleric condemns Quran burning in Bahrain ISNA 27 Apr 2011 -- Iranian Grand Ayatollah Lotfollah Safi Golpaigani condemned burning copies of Holy Quran and destruction of mosques in Bahrain.
• Bahraini charge d'affaires summoned to Iran Foreign Ministry IRNA 27 Apr 2011 -- The Bahraini charge d’affaires was summoned Iran's Foreign Ministry in protest at expulsion of the Second Secretary of Iran’s Embassy in Manama.
• At Least 13 Dead in Yemen as Thousands Continue Protest VOA 27 Apr 2011 -- At least 13 people were killed in clashes between security forces and protesters in Yemen.
• At Least Eight Reported Killed In Yemen Unrest RFE/RL 27 Apr 2011 -- Witnesses and doctors say that Yemeni security forces have opened fire on protesters in the capital, Sanaa, killing at least eight people.
• The Ice Melts In Iran's Cold War With Egypt RFE/RL 27 Apr 2011 -- The 2,400 kilometers or so separating Cairo from Tehran might have been enough to keep relations at arm's length.
• King of Jordan set to review constitution RIA Novosti 27 Apr 2011 -- Jordanian King Abdullah II is to establish a special committee to review the country's constitution in a bid to put an end to anti-governmental protests.
• UN rights expert urges Algerian Government to probe killing of political activist UN News Centre 27 Apr 2011 -- The independent UN expert on the right to freedom of opinion and expression called on the Algerian Government to investigate the killing of a political activist.
• Dervishes Protest In Northeastern Iran RFE/RL 27 Apr 2011 -- Gonabadi dervishes are reported to have converged on the northeastern Iranian city of Beydokht this week to protest.
• Fuel needed for Tehran reactor to be produced domestically IRNA 27 Apr 2011 -- Deputy Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council: Fuel needed for Tehran medical research reactor will be completely produced inside the country.
• No passport confiscation at airports for Iranian expatriates IRNA 27 Apr 2011 -- Confiscation of the Iranian expatriates' passports upon arrival in the country has banned.
• Tensions High as US, China Open Talks on Human Rights VOA 27 Apr 2011 -- The United States and China have begun two days of talks on human rights in Beijing amid differing opinions about China's ongoing crackdown on dissent.
• Exiled Tibetans Elect Political Successor to Dalai Lama VOA 27 Apr 2011 -- Tibet is officially under Chinese control. But the region's Buddhists have long considered the Dalai Lama as their leader.
• Newly-Named Tibetan Exile Leader Faces Task of Reshaping Government VOA 27 Apr 2011 -- The global community of Tibetan exiles has elected a Harvard-educated legal scholar as its next prime minister.
• Exiled Tibetans elect Harvard scholar as leader RIA Novosti 27 Apr 2011 -- Harvard legal scholar Lobsang Sangay is to take over political leadership of the Tibetan government in exile from the Dalai Lama.
• Tibetan Government-in-Exile elects Prime Minister IRNA 27 Apr 2011 -- Harvard scholar Lobsang Sangay was elected Prime Minister of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile.
• Kyrgyz Supreme Court Rejects Request By Former President's Lawyer RFE/RL 27 Apr 2011 -- The Kyrgyz Supreme Court has rejected a request by former President Kurmanbek Bakiev's lawyer to replace the judge in the trial against him and 27 of his associates.
• Kyrgyz Opposition Party In Talks On Joining Ruling Coalition RFE/RL 27 Apr 2011 -- Kyrgyzstan's opposition Ar-Namys (Dignity) party is negotiating terms for joining the ruling coalition with the leaders of the three ruling parties.
• Nigerian President Considering State of Emergency if Elections Not Complete VOA 27 Apr 2011 -- Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan says he will be forced to impose a state of emergency in two northern states, if they are not able to complete elections this week.
• Kenya Debates Electoral Reform Ahead of 2012 Poll VOA 27 Apr 2011 -- Kenya's parliament has begun debate on a critical law that will govern the country's next presidential elections in 2012.
• Kenya PM Reveals Upcoming Cabinet 'Reshuffle' VOA 27 Apr 2011 -- While the premier refused to address Ruto specifically, he said that a "cabinet reshuffle" would be conducted soon.
• Ugandan Opposition Leader Released, Bail Conditions Decried VOA 27 Apr 2011 -- Uganda’s top opposition leader, Kizza Besigye, has been granted bail after seven days in jail.
• Uganda Opposition Plans Another 'Walk-to-Work' Thursday VOA 27 Apr 2011 -- Uganda's opposition leaders say the bi-weekly Walk-to-Work campaign started by Forum for Democratic Change president Kizza Besigye will continue.
• Preparations Underway for Zambia's General Elections VOA 27 Apr 2011 -- The director of elections at the Electoral Commission of Zambia says her organization has begun “earnest preparations” for the general elections to be held later this year.
• President, DPP head to face off in January election CNA 27 Apr 2011 -- The battle lines were drawn for the 2012 presidential election.
• Top Belarus Opposition Leader Goes On Trial RFE/RL 27 Apr 2011 -- Questions by the prosecution have concluded on the first day of the trial of Andrey Sannikau.
• Opposition Leader Andrei Sannikov Goes On Trial in Belarus VOA 27 Apr 2011 -- One of Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko's main political opponents has gone on trial in Minsk.
• Moscow court to hear Khodorkovsky appeal in May RIA Novosti 27 Apr 2011 -- The Moscow City Court will hear an appeal against the new jail term handed down to Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev.