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Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 06 May 2011 [PDF]
• Remarks by the President and the Vice President to the Troops at Fort Campbell, KY The White House 06 May 2011
• Obama Salutes Troops From Bin Laden Operation VOA 06 May 2011 -- President Barack Obama has met behind closed doors with some of the secret special operations forces who killed Osama bin Laden. The president Friday thanked the units who carried out the operation against the leader of the al-Qaida terror network.
• Gates: bin Laden Death Could be 'Game Changer' VOA 06 May 2011 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates says the U.S. military and intelligence operation that killed Osama bin Laden could be a 'game changer' in the war in Afghanistan, but the impact may not be certain for months.
• U.S. Will Defeat Terrorists, Obama Tells Troops AFPS 06 May 2011 -- The skill and courage of countless American military and intelligence professionals are why Osama bin Laden can never threaten America again, President Barack Obama told a cheering group of 101st Airborne soldiers today at Fort Campbell, Ky.
• Pakistani Officials Have No Record Of Man Killed With Bin Laden RFE/RL 06 May 2011 -- Pakistani officials say they have no record of the man said to be the owner of the compound in which Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was killed this week, RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal reports.
• More Details Emerge About Stakeout, Raid On Bin Laden Compound RFE/RL 06 May 2011 -- U.S. officials now say it was surveillance of Osama bin Laden's compound from a nearby CIA safe house in Abbottabad, Pakistan, that led to his killing by a U.S. commando team.
• Gone In 40 Minutes -- What Pakistani Forces Did During Bin Laden Raid RFE/RL 06 May 2011 -- Skepticism is rife abroad over how Pakistan could fail to detect the world's most-wanted man on its territory. But following Osama bin Laden's killing at the hands of elite U.S. forces, Pakistani authorities are facing criticism at home as to how the country's defenses could be breached.
• Al-Qaida Confirms bin Laden Death VOA 06 May 2011 -- Al-Qaida has confirmed the death of its leader, Osama bin Laden.
• UN investigators Call for More Facts on bin Laden Death VOA 06 May 2011 -- Independent investigators at the United Nations called Friday for the United States to provide more details on the death of Osama bin Laden.
• Independent UN human rights experts seek facts on Bin Laden killing UN News Centre 06 May 2011 -- Two independent United Nations human rights experts today called on the United States to disclose further details of the recent killing of Osama bin Laden, particularly if there were plans to capture him alive.
• CIA Occupied Safe House in Abbottabad VOA 06 May 2011 -- The CIA is reported to have maintained a safe house in Abbottabad for a small team of spies who conducted surveillance for months on the compound where Osama bin Laden was found.
• NATO and Libya - Operational Media Update: 05 May 2011
• 'Black Dragon' Soldiers mentor Iraqi policemen at Ghuzlani Army News 06 May 2011 -- U.S. Soldiers assigned to Battery A, 5th Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment taught Iraqi policemen room-clearing techniques during an urban operations class at Ghuzlani Eagle Training Site, April 27.
• Helicopters return to Fort Riley after year in Iraq Army News 06 May 2011 -- Finished with a year's work in Iraq, Fort Riley's helicopters are home.
• Steel Dragons help southern Iraq prepare for future security Army News 06 May 2011 -- The 2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Advise and Assist Brigade hosted a conference with local military and police officials to discuss ways to secure southern Iraq's main roadways April 26 at Contingency Operating Base Adder.
• 'Saber' Soldiers Conduct Map Reading Course with Iraqi Partners Army News 06 May 2011 -- Iraqi unit boundary and hierarchical changes have caused 6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, United States Division - Center to become partnered with new units.
• Bin Laden's Death May Impact Afghanistan, Gates Says AFPS 06 May 2011 -- The killing of Osama bin Laden 'could be a game changer' that affects the situation in Afghanistan, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said here today.
• 2nd MAW, ground troops join forces for aerial interdictions USMC News 06 May 2011 -- Marines from Regimental Combat Team 1, with the aid of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), conducted a vehicle interdiction and search operation near Afghanistan's border with Pakistan, May 4.
• Aeromedical Evacuation Saves Lives in Afghanistan AFPS 06 May 2011 -- An aeromedical evacuation capacity unrivaled anywhere in the world is saving the lives of wounded warriors in Afghanistan, said the officer here who oversees the effort at the combat theater's busiest aeromedical evacuation point.
• Forces Disrupt Terrorists in Nangarhar Province AFPS 06 May 2011 -- Combined forces yesterday captured a Taliban leader and three of his associates during an operation in the Bati Kot district of Afghanistan's Nangarhar province.
• US Drone Strike Kills 15 Militants, Says Pakistan VOA 06 May 2011 -- Pakistani intelligence officials say a U.S. missile attack close to the Afghan border has killed at least 15 people.
• US Navy, International Forces Respond to Piracy Attack NNS 06 May 2011 -- Guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) boarded a suspected pirate vessel in cooperation with international forces while responding to a distress call May 5.
• Air Force firefighting operations conclude in Texas AFNS 06 May 2011 -- After performing 81 sorties and dropping 243,000 gallons of fire retardant over the wildfires that have been burning in South and West Texas, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve personnel and their Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System-equipped aircraft headed home May 6.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Transcript: Remarks by Secretary Gates During Troop Visit at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. DoD 06 May 2011 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates
• Operational Uncertainties Require Flexibility, Gates Says AFPS 06 May 2011 -- The lesson Americans should take from recent military operations is that we cannot predict where or how U.S. forces will be engaged, and having flexible capabilities is the best defense for the nation, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said here today.
• 2nd LAAD grasps live-fire feel during simulator missile launch USMC News 06 May 2011 -- Gunners with Battery A, 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, conducted Stinger launch simulator training April 21 at Cherry Point.
• NAVSEA Terminates Multi-Ship, Multi-Option Contract NNS 06 May 2011 -- NAVSEA announced May 6 that it terminated for convenience, the San Antonio-class multi-ship, multi-option (MSMO) maintenance contract with prime contractor Earl Industries, LLC (Earl) of Norfolk, Va.
• SECDEF Thanks Sailors of USS Independence NNS 06 May 2011 -- Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates held an all hands call with Sailors stationed on board the littoral combat ship USS Independence (LCS 2) during a visit May 6.
• Under Secretary Urges Cultural Change as Sexual Assault Summit Wraps Up NNS 06 May 2011 -- The 2011 Sexual Assault Prevention Summit, hosted by the Department of the Navy (DON), came to a close in Orlando, Fla., May 4.
• NAVFAC Washington Completes Energy Saving ARRA Project NNS 06 May 2011 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Washington successfully completed a $3.6 million, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funded, HVAC restoration project at Naval Support Facility (NSF) Indian Head, Md., May 6.
• Combined Force Conducts Live-Fire Exercise During UNITAS LANT NNS 06 May 2011 -- Three U.S. Navy ships, one U.S. Coast Guard ship and six ships from Brazil, Mexico and Argentina conducted a firing exercise on an aerial drone during the Atlantic (LANT) phase of UNITAS 52, May 4.
• USS Florida Gold Changes Command NNS 06 May 2011 -- USS Florida (SSGN 728) (Gold) held a change-of-command ceremony aboard Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Ga., May 5.
• Lake Champlain Completes Independent Deployment NNS 06 May 2011 -- Guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain (CG 57), will return to San Diego May 6, after an independent seven-month deployment to the Atlantic and U.S. Central Command areas of responsibility (AOR).
• U.S., Republic of Korea Navy Leadership Talk Future Maritime Operations NNS 06 May 2011 -- Rear Adm. Pete Gumataotao, Commander, Naval Forces Korea, and Vice Adm. Hwang Ki-chul, commander, Republic of Korea (ROK) Fleet met May 3-4 during one-star level staff talks at the ROK naval headquarters.
• Navy Hosted SeaPerch Challenge Inspires Interest in Science and Technology NNS 06 May 2011 -- Naval Surface Warfare Centers Carderock and Indian Head partnered with the U.S. Naval Academy to host the Maryland Regional SeaPerch Challenge at the Academy's Rickover Hall, April 30.
• May 5, 2011 - CSA remarks to AUSA Institute of Land Warfare breakfast Army News 06 May 2011 -- but that's a good thing.
• Dempsey outlines 9 focus areas for Army Army News 06 May 2011 -- Army Chief of Staff Gen. Martin E. Dempsey brought his intent for the Army of 2020 to the Association of the U.S. Army Institute of Land Warfare breakfast, leading off with a video accompanied by a song played by a band called 'Disturbed.'
• Aviation Unit Gets Gift Of Kiowa For Mission Army News 06 May 2011 -- Lt. Col. Mike Demirjian is excited about the 'gift' he will be taking home following the Army Aviation Association of America's Annual Professional Forum and Exposition.
• Apache Stealth Breeds Fear In The Enemy Army News 06 May 2011 -- Among the large-scale exhibits, the government employees providing information on innovative programs and the company executives showcasing aviation capabilities, time and time again it was the voice of the Soldier that stood out at the Army Aviation Association of America annual Professional Forum and Exposition.
• DemonEye- Equipping the Strategic Corporal for COIN Army News 06 May 2011 -- DemonEye is a handheld (fits in a SAW gunners pouch) micro laser rangefinder (MLRF) for identifying targets and determining 10 digit grid coordinates with a push of a button, using an integrated laser rangefinder, GPS, optic, digital compass, microcontroller and software that is optimized for compact size and low cost of manufacture.
• Kiowa Team Gets 'Danger Close' To Save Lives Army News 06 May 2011 -- In words that rang with deep emotion, Col. Mike Morgan admitted he doesn't talk much about the actions behind the Silver Star that Defense Secretary Robert Gates clipped on his desert camouflage uniform in Afghanistan a year ago in March.
• Who Are The Navy SEALs And What Is Team Six? RFE/RL 06 May 2011 -- When U.S. President Barack Obama meets and thanks some of the commandos who raided Osama bin Laden's compound in Pakistan and killed the Al-Qaeda leader, he will shine a rare public spotlight on one of America's most secret special operations forces.
• Umatilla Chemical Agent Depot processing final 1,000 ton containers Army News 06 May 2011 -- On May 5, 2011 the Umatilla Chemical Agent Disposal Facility destroyed its 1,635th mustard agent filled ton container, leaving 1,000 TCs remaining in inventory. This represents destruction of 62 percent of the HD mustard ton containers and 99.5 percent of the chemical stockpile. UMCDF is in its 13th and final agent destruction campaign which began in June 2009.
• Tinker AFB Airmen complete first repairs on F117 engine AFNS 06 May 2011 -- Airmen from the 76th Propulsion Maintenance Group and Pratt & Whitney mechanics recently completed repairs on the first F117 engine of the newly-obtained workload.
• Marines return from Operation Tomodachi USMC News 06 May 2011 -- More than 60 Marines from the Consequence Management Support Force returned here from mainland Japan May 4, representing the departure of the last major element of the III Marine Expeditionary Force deployed to mainland in support of Operation Tomodachi.
• US, Japanese responders make history USMC News 06 May 2011 -- U.S. military and local and national Japanese emergency response services conducted a bilateral field training exercise, where for the first time Japanese emergency response helicopters performed patient transports to U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa April 27.
• Force protection conditions increased worldwide USMC News 06 May 2011 -- Military installations worldwide were directed to increase force protection conditions from ALPHA to BRAVO this week in light of recent events.
• Marines observe Korean live-fire drill USMC News 06 May 2011 -- The staff of 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, visited Republic of Korea Marines to observe a fire-support coordination exercise here May 3.
• US Military Drone Approaching to China and DPRK KCNA 06 May 2011 -- Article titled "The U.S. military drone approaching closer to China and the DPRK" which disclosed the U.S. military threat growing more serious around the Korean Peninsula.
• Mistral talks stumble over sensitive technology RIA Novosti 06 May 2011 -- Talks between Russia and France on the purchase of Mistral class helicopter carriers have come to a dead end over Russia's demands on the transfer and licensed production of sensitive electronics, a Russian defense industry source said on Friday.
• United States unfolding missile defense in Europe de facto - Rogozin RIA Novosti 06 May 2011 -- The United States is already deploying its missile defense system in Europe without waiting for an agreement with Russia, Russia's envoy to NATO Dmitry Rogozin said.
• Russia, Norway to hold joint naval drills next week RIA Novosti 06 May 2011 -- Russia and Norway will hold large-scale naval exercise Pomor 2011 on May 11-16, a spokesman for Russia's Northern Fleet said on Friday.
• HMS Diamond joins the fleet UK MOD 06 May 2011 -- The latest of the Royal Navy's new Type 45 air defence destroyers has been formally commissioned into the fleet today.
• May 6, 2011 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 06 May 2011
• Gaggle by Press Secretary Jay Carney Aboard Air Force One en route Indianapolis, IN The White House 06 May 2011

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for May 06, 2011
• Pratt & Whitney Delivers First F135 Engine for Low Rate Initial Production Lot 3 Pratt & Whitney 06 May 2011 -- Pratt & Whitney has delivered the first F135 engine for low rate initial production (LRIP) 3 to the U.S. Government for the F-35 Lightning II program. F135 engines in LRIP 3 meet established affordability targets and include engine modifications and improvements based on findings from the F-35 flight test program.

Other Conflicts

• 6 May 2011 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 06 May 2011
• Amnesty International Says War Crimes Conducted in Libya VOA 06 May 2011 -- Libyan forces loyal to leader Moammar Gadhafi may be guilty of war crimes, Amnesty International said Friday. In a new report, the international watchdog described ongoing attacks against the civilian population in Misrata.
• Côte d'Ivoire: UN human rights team heads to alleged mass grave site UN News Centre 06 May 2011 -- A United Nations human rights team is investigating the reported killing earlier this week of at least 40 people in the Yopougon district of Côte d'Ivoire's commercial capital, Abidjan, and is due to visit an alleged mass grave there today, according to a spokesperson.
• Ouattara Set to Take Oath of Office as Ivory Coast President VOA 06 May 2011 -- Ivory Coast's President Alassaine Ouattara is set to take the oath of office Friday, formally ending the violent political crisis that followed November's disputed election. Meanwhile, a United Nations human rights team is investigating a possible mass grave in an Abidjan suburb where the new national army has been battling loyalists of the ousted president.
• As military stand-off continues in Sudan's Abyei area, UN chief presses for peace UN News Centre 06 May 2011 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today voiced concern over the continuing military stand-off in Sudan's disputed area of Abyei, saying the deadlock has led to further loss of life, despite the recent peace measures agreed to by both parties.
• Ban calls on Israel to take 'decisive moves' towards two-state solution UN News Centre 06 May 2011 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon voiced hope today that Israel will make 'decisive moves towards a historic agreement' with the Palestinians, telling the country's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the current deadlock in negotiations between the two sides was not helping anyone.
• Thailand, Cambodia Agree to Indonesian Observers at Border VOA 06 May 2011 -- Ahead of a regional summit, Indonesia's foreign minister has said Thailand and Cambodia agreed to allow Indonesian monitors to go to the border between the two countries to help prevent further military clashes.

News Reports

• Al-Zawahiri Likely bin Laden's Heir Apparent VOA 06 May 2011 -- Osama bin Laden's second-in-command, Ayman al-Zawahiri, is being tipped as a likely successor to the slain al-Qaida chief. Whoever might lead the network would be hard pressed to fill bin Laden's role.
• Tough Questions, And A Search For Opportunity, In U.S. Senate Hearing On Pakistan RFE/RL 06 May 2011 -- U.S. Senator John Kerry (Democrat-Massachusetts) knew what he was in for.
• Clashes in Syria Leave At Least 31 Dead VOA 06 May 2011 -- Human rights workers say clashes between Syrian security forces and protesters have left at least 31 people dead. Tens of thousands of Syrian protesters demanding the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad took to the streets in several Syrian cities Friday, despite a heavy military presence, calling it their 'day of defiance.'
• Statement by the Press Secretary on Violence in Syria The White House 06 May 2011
• Deaths, High-Profile Arrest Reported On Syrian 'Day Of Defiance' RFE/RL 06 May 2011 -- Syrian authorities have reportedly detained a prominent opposition leader and shot dead protesters, as thousands gathered for a nationwide 'day of defiance' against President Bashar al-Assad's regime.
• Ahmadinejad Floored By Bugs, Spirits, And Djinns RFE/RL 06 May 2011 -- Whenever cornered, Mahmud Ahmadinejad always seems to come out swinging. But Iran's notoriously abrasive president appears in danger of suffering a knockout blow over his political attachment to Esfandiar Rahim-Mashaei, a man widely seen as a threat to the country's clerical-based political system.
• New Lebanese government should be formed as soon as possible – UN envoy UN News Centre 06 May 2011 -- The United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon today reiterated the need for the formation without delay of a functioning government, noting the many issues that remain to be addressed by the authorities.
• Moscow court upholds ban against satellite image distributor RIA Novosti 06 May 2011 -- A Moscow court upheld a ban on Friday prohibiting the Russian research and development company ScanEx from distributing satellite images of Earth at a resolution higher than two meters.
• Space Adventures proposes modified Soyuz TMA for moon tourists RIA Novosti 06 May 2011 -- U.S. Space Adventures, the only company currently offering tourist orbital spaceflights, has offered to equip the Russian Soyuz TMA spaceship with additional living space for eight-day commercial flights around the moon, the company said late on Thursday.