News

09 May 2011 Military News

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Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
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Current Operations

OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 09 May 2011 [PDF]

Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, 5/9/2011 The White House 09 May 2011
Bin Laden Raid Will Help Defeat al-Qaida, Obama Says AFPS 09 May 2011 -- The death of Osama bin Laden and the unprecedented collection of intelligence materia; will help the US deal a serious blow to al-Qaida.
US Rejects Pakistan's Criticism of bin Laden Raid VOA 09 May 2011 -- The White House says it will not "apologize" for a raid that killed al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden on Pakistani soil.
Opposition terms Osama operation attack on sovereignty IRNA 09 May 2011 -- Pakistani opposition leader and former PM, Nawaz Sharif, described the unilateral operation by the U.S. to kill Osama bin Laden as ‘a major attack on Pakistan’s sovereignty’.
Pakistani PM admits intelligence failure on Osama presence IRNA 09 May 2011 -- PM Gilani admitted intelligence failure on the presence of Osama bin Laden in Pakistan.
Pakistan PM Calls Accusations Over bin Laden 'Absurd' VOA 09 May 2011 -- Pakistan's PM Gilani denied that his country's intelligence agencies helped hide Osama bin Laden, insisting that allegations of complicity or incompetence were "absurd".
Pakistan Denies Complicity in bin Laden Case VOA 09 May 2011 -- Pakistan's PM is rejecting claims that his country was complicit or incompetent in allowing the al-Qaida leader to hide out in Pakistan.
Pakistani PM: Allegations Over Bin Laden 'Absurd' RFE/RL 09 May 2011 -- Pakistan's PM has rejected as "absurd" allegations that national authorities were either complicit in hiding Osama bin Laden or incompetent.
It's Going To Be A Long Week For Pakistan RFE/RL 09 May 2011 -- Pakistan's civilian and military leadership is in crisis in the wake of the U.S. special forces raid that killed Osama bin Laden.
Bin Laden dead before U.S. raid - Iranian Intelligence Minister RIA Novosti 09 May 2011 -- Iranian Intelligence Minister Heidar Moslehi: Evidence that al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden had died of disease long before the US' alleged raid.
Bin Laden died some time ago due to sickness: Iran minister ISNA 09 May 2011 -- Iranian Intelligence Minister Heidar Moslehi said Bin Laden died some time ago due to sickness.
Pakistani Islamic Party Leader 'Suspicious' Of Bin Laden Killing RFE/RL 09 May 2011 -- A pro-Taliban Islamic party leader in Pakistan says he has "suspicions" about the killing of Osama bin Laden.
Was Remote Pakistani Village A Bin Laden Hideout? RFE/RL 09 May 2011 -- Chak Shah Muhammad, a remote and rather unremarkable village in northeast Pakistan, has suddenly found itself at the center of the word's attention.
Mullen: SEAL Team Represents All of Military AFPS 09 May 2011 -- Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff: Scene at the White House was “tense” during the assault on the compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan.

NATO and Libya - Operational Media Update: 08 May 2011

RAF destroys Gaddafi rocket launchers UK MOD 09 May 2011 -- The RAF destroyed a number of Gaddafi-regime rocket launchers and missiles as part of the NATO mission to protect Libyan civilians from attack.
Tripoli Blasts Signal Apparent NATO Airstrikes VOA 09 May 2011 -- At least five loud blasts from apparent NATO airstrikes were heard in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, early Tuesday.

Forces Disrupt Taliban Operations in Zabul Province AFPS 09 May 2011 -- Combined forces disrupted a Taliban meeting, killing numerous enemy fighters and detaining several others in Zabul province.
NATO Forces Launch Border Operations in Afghanistan VOA 09 May 2011 -- U.S.-led coalition forces in Afghanistan are striking back against the Taliban's annual spring offensive with helicopter raids targeting a key border area.
US-Led Alliance Concentrates on Afghan Population Centers VOA 09 May 2011 -- With the first of America's troops slated to withdraw from Afghanistan in July, NATO is changing its strategy.
NATO Says Kandahar Attackers Captured Or Killed RFE/RL 09 May 2011 -- NATO has said that all the insurgents involved in a coordinated weekend attack against key government buildings in the southern city of Kandahar have either been captured or killed.
'The Lion': Reactions To Bin Laden's Death Mixed In Afghanistan RFE/RL 09 May 2011 -- Afghans didn't take to the streets to protest the killing of Osama Bin Laden by U.S. forces last week.
California UAV squadron takes over in SW Afghanistan USMC News 09 May 2011 -- A new Marine Corps UAV squadron took responsibility for supporting Marines and coalition troops in southwestern Afghanistan.
Marines move 12 million pounds of matting in Afghanistan USMC News 09 May 2011 -- Marines completed the removal of aluminum matting formerly used as the expeditionary runway at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, May 8.
Afghans graduate from first Mi-17 "Train the trainer" course AFNS 09 May 2011 -- Seven Afghan Mi-17 instructors graduated from the first Mi-17 "Train the Trainer" upgrade course May 4 taught by AAF and U.S. Air Force instructors.
Taliban Releases Video Of Canadian Held In Afghanistan RFE/RL 09 May 2011 -- The Taliban have released a video of a Canadian national kidnapped in Afghanistan and said he could face trial in one of their courts.

Defense Policy / Programs

Army producing enhanced Stryker with double-V hull Army News 09 May 2011 -- By this summer, Soldiers in Afghanistan will be riding in new Stryker armored combat vehicles that have an improved hull design.
Army marks 10-year Stryker anniversary Army News 09 May 2011 -- What began as an ambitious vision in the minds of Army leaders in 1999 has evolved into the battle-tested Stryker vehicle now celebrating its 10-year anniversary.
Carrier Strike Group One Arrives in 7th Fleet NNS 09 May 2011 -- Carrier Strike Group 1 returned to the 7th Fleet area of responsibility May 6 after spending 95 days supporting maritime theater security operations for Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation New Dawn in the 5th Fleet AOR.
USS Ronald Reagan Arrives in 5th Fleet NNS 09 May 2011 -- USS Ronald Reagan, along with embarked Carrier Air Wing 14 and Destroyer Squadron 7, arrived in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility, May 9.
Kearsarge ARG Almost Home After Successful Deployment NNS 09 May 2011 -- The Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit , entered U.S. 2nd Fleet area of responsibility on May 8.
USS Carter Hall Arrives in U.S. 2nd Fleet NNS 09 May 2011 -- USS Carter Hall returned to the U.S. 2nd Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) May 8, nearly nine months after departing Little Creek, Va.
U.S. Ships Visit Rio Grande NNS 09 May 2011 -- U.S. Navy Sailors along with service members from Brazilian, Argentine and Mexican navies arrived in Rio Grande, Brazil, during the Atlantic phase of UNITAS 52, May 8.
Guantanamo Supports Coast Guard Ships, Missions in Caribbean NNS 09 May 2011 -- USCGC Vigilant departed Naval Station (NS) Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, May 8 after a two day port visit.
First Female Submariners Report to Submarine School NNS 09 May 2011 -- Eight female officers selected for assignment to submarines will report May 9 to the Submarine Officer Basic Course in Groton, Conn., for initial submarine training.
6-52nd ADA Battalion holds field training exercise Army News 09 May 2011 -- Soldiers from 6-52nd Air Defense Artillery concluded a week-long field training exercise with a renewed sense of pride and confidence.
Snipers take aim at 'interoperability' Army News 09 May 2011 -- Combined training, organized by both German and American Army officials, brings together the two groups at the infantry school, or Infanterieschule.
BSRF Marines Help Romanians Fall From the Sky USMC News 09 May 2011 -- Romanian special operations paratroopers fall from the sky as part of a combined forces parachute combat jump operation for Black Sea Rotational Force 11.
Fleet Survey Team Conducts Survey, Demonstration in Peru NNS 09 May 2011 -- Fleet Survey Team took an active role in supporting the goal of SOUTHCOM's Ocean Southern Partnership Station initiative.
Pacific Partnership Departs Vanuatu NNS 09 May 2011 -- The Pacific Partnership 2011 team departed Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu, aboard amphibious transport dock ship USS Cleveland.
U.S., Congolese military complete MEDLITE 11 AFNS 09 May 2011 -- Airmen and Democratic Republic of the Congo service members finished a joint-medical exercise here May 5.
ONR Recruits DoD Community for Online Wargame NNS 09 May 2011 -- The Office of Naval Research announced May 9 that it will launch a new Internet wargame May 16, to aid in recruiting a community of more than 1,000 players to collaborate on solving real-world problems facing the Navy.
Virtual Worlds Form Defense Training Frontier AFPS 09 May 2011 -- Five years from now, if Frank C. DiGiovanni has his way, warfighters from every service will learn aspects of their trade on a world in cyberspace.
Air Force Eyes New Learning Systems in 'Second Life' AFPS 09 May 2011 -- In a pasture outside Dayton, Ohio, Wilbur and Orville Wright created the first practical airplane and taught themselves to fly it.
S. Korean Authorities Accused of Acts Spoiling Atmosphere of Dialogue KCNA 09 May 2011 -- The south Korean authorities let the U.S. bring Michigan, the nuclear submarine belonging to their 7th Fleet, to Pusan Port on April 30.

President Medvedev says 'our duty is to safeguard peace' RIA Novosti 09 May 2011 -- Russian President Medvedev: Our duty is to safeguard peace achieved by the victory in the 1941-45 war against Nazi Germany.
Victory Day parade held on Moscow's Red Square RIA Novosti 09 May 2011 -- A military parade dedicated to the 66th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in the 1941-45 Great Patriotic War launched.

Taiwan monitoring China's aircraft carrier development CNA 09 May 2011 -- Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense: Closely monitoring China's aircraft carrier development.

India to setup 100-bed hospital to tackle nuclear casualties IRNA 09 May 2011 -- A 100-bed hospital to exclusively deal with CBRN casualties is to come up just behind Safdarjung Hospital in New Delhi.
Six-day Indian Army, Air Force joint exercise kicks off IRNA 09 May 2011 -- A six-day long joint exercise of the Army and the Air Force commenced in the deserts of Bikaner and Suratgarh near Pakistan border.

KCNA on Japanese Island Claims KCNA 09 May 2011 -- Japan's shameless moves to grab territory of Korea are touching off bitter anger among the Koreans.

U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing, May 9, 2011 US Dept. of State 09 May 2011
Statement by the President on Israeli Independence Day The White House 09 May 2011

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for May 09, 2011
Boeing Delivers Super Hornet Trainers to Royal Australian Air Force Boeing 09 May 2011 -- Boeing today announced it has completed delivery of six F/A-18E/F Super Hornet aircrew and maintenance trainers to the Royal Australian Air Force at RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland.
Lockheed Martin Delivers First USAF Production F-35 Lightning II Lockheed Martin 09 May 2011 -- The U.S. Air Force has accepted into its fleet the first of a planned 1,763 production-model Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II stealth fighters.
Northrop Grumman Awarded $372M Contract to Develop EHF Satellite Communications Antenna for B-2 Bomber Northrop Grumman 09 May 2011 -- A new antenna system now under development by Northrop Grumman Corporation will enable the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber to send and receive battlefield information securely by satellite up to 100 times faster than it can today.

Other Conflicts

Daily Press Briefing by the Offices of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General and the Spokesperson for the General Assembly President, 09 May 2011 United Nations 09 May 2011
Genuine democracy essential to human development, UN chief says UN News Centre 09 May 2011 -- Human development is far more likely to take root if there is genuine democracy in a society, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said.
Oxfam: Civilians Pay Unacceptable Price in Armed Conflicts VOA 09 May 2011 -- The U.N. Security Council meets to discuss the principle of protection of civilians in armed conflict.

LIBYA-TUNISIA: "Catastrophe" in Western Mountains region IRIN 09 May 2011 -- Clashes in the Western Mountains region of Libya have blocked access to thousands of fleeing civilians.
Heavy Fighting Near Libya's Misurata Airport RFE/RL 09 May 2011 -- Heavy fighting between rebels and forces loyal to Muammar Qaddafi has been reported near the airport at the western city of Misurata.
Top UN official urges pause in fighting in Libya UN News Centre 09 May 2011 -- Civilians continue to be attacked during the conflict in Libya.
German company sold military trucks to Qadhafi regime IRNA 09 May 2011 -- German automaker giant Daimler has delivered military trucks to the Libyan regime until recently.
Refugees Fleeing Libya Face Perils at Sea VOA 09 May 2011 -- Refugees trying to flee the violence in Libya are facing perils at sea, with official reports indicating dozens of people have died aboard refugee ships that lost their way or sank.
Hundreds of Libyan refugees feared dead after ship sinks off Libya RIA Novosti 09 May 2011 -- Hundreds of Libyan refugees are feared dead after an overcrowded ship carrying some 600 people trying to flee Libya sank just outside of the port of Tripoli.
NATO Denies Leaving Migrants To Die Off Libya Coast RFE/RL 09 May 2011 -- NATO has denied a report that one of its aircraft carriers left dozens of migrants to die in the Mediterranean Sea after they fled the conflict in Libya.
NATO denies report of leaving African refugees to die at sea IRNA 09 May 2011 -- NATO denied a British newspaper report which alleged that warships of the western military alliance involved in the Libyan mission had left 61 African refugees to die at sea.
UN Humanitarian Chief: Libyan Civilians Under Fire, Face Widespread Shortages VOA 09 May 2011 -- The head of the UN humanitarian aid program: Libya is facing widespread shortages.

UN human rights staff discover mass graves in Ivorian city UN News Centre 09 May 2011 -- United Nations human rights workers have found the bodies of nearly 70 people in a series of graves in a suburb of Abidjan.
More Mass Graves Found in Ivory Coast VOA 09 May 2011 -- United Nations investigators say they have found mass graves in Ivory Coast containing the bodies of more than 50 people.

Sudan: UN welcomes agreement to withdraw forces from Abyei area UN News Centre 09 May 2011 -- The UN peacekeeping mission in Sudan has welcomed the commitment of the northern and southern sides to withdraw their forces from Abyei.
UN: North, South Sudan Agree on Abyei Troop Pullout VOA 09 May 2011 -- The United Nations says north and south Sudan have agreed to withdraw "all unauthorized forces" from the disputed and oil-rich Abyei region beginning on Tuesday.

Press Conference on 'East Jerusalem: Key Humanitarian Concerns' Report, 09 May 2011 United Nations 09 May 2011

Interview: Bosnia's High Representative Singles Out Serbian Entity RFE/RL 09 May 2011 -- The secessionist tendencies of the leadership of Republika Srpska, one of Bosnia-Herzegovina's two entities, are destabilizing the overall situation.
Bosnia and Herzegovina facing worst crisis in years, Security Council hears UN News Centre 09 May 2011 -- Bosnia and Herzegovina is facing its worst crisis since fighting stopped in 1995.
Bosnia Said to Face Worst Crisis Since 1995 VOA 09 May 2011 -- The international representative for Bosnia says the country is facing its worst crisis since fighting stopped there in 1995.

News Reports

Secretary Clinton Remarks at the Opening Session of the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue US Dept. of State 09 May 2011
Remarks by Vice President Joe Biden to the Opening Session of the U.S.-China Strategic & Economic Dialogue The White House 09 May 2011
Clinton/Dai Remarks at U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue Strategic Track Plenary Session One US Dept. of State 09 May 2011
Clinton/Geithner Remarks at Banquet for Vice Premier Wang, State Councilor Dai and the Chinese delegation US Dept. of State 09 May 2011
Readout of the President's Meeting with the Co-Chairs of the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue The White House 09 May 2011
U.S.-China Talks Focusing On Human Rights, Trade, And Foreign Policy RFE/RL 09 May 2011 -- Top officials from Beijing have descended on Washington for two days of talks on economic, human rights issues, and foreign policy issues.
US Concerned About Crackdown in China as Talks Begin VOA 09 May 2011 -- US VP Biden and Secretary of State Clinton both voiced concern to Chinese authorities about China's human rights record and an ongoing crackdown in the country.

Syria: Ban reiterates calls for end to deadly violence and mass arrests UN News Centre 09 May 2011 -- Secretary-General Ban Kreiterated his calls for an immediate end to the violence in Syria.
Three Killed, Hundreds Arrested In New Syria Raids RFE/RL 09 May 2011 -- Reports quoting witnesses and human rights activists say Syrian security forces arrested hundreds of people today in raids across Syria.
Syria Detains Opposition Activists in Continuing Crackdown VOA 09 May 2011 -- The Syrian government is continuing its crackdown against anti-government protesters.
Hundreds Reported Arrested in Syria Crackdown VOA 09 May 2011 -- Rights activists say Syrian forces arrested hundreds in house-to-house raids in flashpoint cities.

Yemen Security Forces Kill Two Protesters VOA 09 May 2011 -- Yemeni security forces have fired on a group of anti-government protesters and striking teachers, killing two and and wounding several others.
At least two killed as Yemeni police opens fire on protestors RIA Novosti 09 May 2011 -- At least two people were killed and ten injured when police opened fire at people, who tried to join an anti-government protest in the southwest of Yemen.

Thousands of Moroccans march for democracy RIA Novosti 09 May 2011 -- Some 7,000 demonstrators marched in the Moroccan city of Marrakesh on Sunday, demanding the authorities to continue democratic reforms.

Egypt's Christians Continue Protests Against Sectarian Violence VOA 09 May 2011 -- Coptic Christians demonstrated in Cairo on Monday in protest of Muslim-Christian clashes that left 12 dead over the weekend in sectarian violence.

Japanese Power Company Agrees to Reactor Shutdown VOA 09 May 2011 -- A power company in central Japan says it is suspending operations at the country's fourth largest nuclear power station.
TEPCO detects dangerous radiation level at Fukushima No. 1 reactor RIA Novosti 09 May 2011 -- Tokyo Electric Power Co. detected a potentially dangerous radiation level at the damaged No. 1 reactor.
Japan has no plans to dump spent nuclear fuel abroad RIA Novosti 09 May 2011 -- State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Chiaki Takahashi: Japan has no plans to dispose its spent nuclear fuel overseas.

Iran: Ban stresses need for continued negotiations UN News Centre 09 May 2011 -- Secretary-General Ban underscored the need for Iran to continue negotiations with concerned countries over the status of its nuclear programme.
Iran Soon to Power Up Nuclear Power Plant VOA 09 May 2011 -- Iranian state media reported that the nation's Russian-built nuclear power plant will start generating electricity in the next two months.

Reports: Vietnam Conducts Deadly Crackdown on Ethnic Hmong VOA 09 May 2011 -- Two U.S.-based advocacy groups say Vietnamese security forces are continuing a deadly crackdown on thousands of ethnic Hmong Christians along the border with Laos.

Nigerian Opposition Party Wins Re-Run Vote in Imo State VOA 09 May 2011 -- In Nigeria, reaction is continuing to last week’s victory by the opposition in the controversial re-run gubernatorial election in Imo State.
Nigerian Presidential Vote 'Rigged,' Says Opposition Official VOA 09 May 2011 -- The general secretary of Nigeria’s main opposition Congress for Progressive Change [CPC] says his party is legally challenging the outcome of the April 16 presidential elections.
Nigerian Opposition Challenges Election Results VOA 09 May 2011 -- Nigeria's main opposition party is asking a court to throw out some results from last month's presidential election, and for new polls to be held in some areas.

Ugandan Government Asked to Probe Security Force Violence VOA 09 May 2011 -- A human rights group is calling on the Uganda government to conduct “a prompt, independent and thorough investigation” into the recent use of lethal force by security forces.

Southern Africa Mediators Report Progress in Zimbabwe Political Talks VOA 09 May 2011 -- For the first time mediators have reported progress toward agreement on a multi-party plan for elections in Zimbabwe.

Indian High Court Suspends Ruling on Disputed Religious Site VOA 09 May 2011 -- India’s Supreme Court has suspended a ruling that divided a disputed religious site with a history of triggering violent clashes.

UN Chief Warns Of Food Crisis At Summit Of World's Poorest Nations RFE/RL 09 May 2011 -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says that the world's poorest countries are facing "a real prospect of a new crisis in food and nutrition security."

Russia's 17-Year Bid To Join The WTO Faces One Last Hurdle RFE/RL 09 May 2011 -- Russia's tortured 17-year journey toward accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) seems to be nearing its end.

Alleged Russian Arms Dealer in US Court VOA 09 May 2011 -- Attorneys for Viktor Bout have filed a motion in U.S. federal court in New York City to suppress statements their client gave American agents the day of his arrest.

Northrop Grumman's Astro Aerospace Delivers Deployable Reflector to Astrium for Alphasat I-XL Spacecraft Northrop Grumman 09 May 2011 -- Astro Aerospace, a strategic business unit of Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC), has delivered its fourth deployable AstroMesh reflector to Astrium in Toulouse, France, this one for the Alphasat I-XL spacecraft that will provide commercial, broadband telecommunications services to Europe, Middle East, Africa and parts of Asia.
Northrop Grumman Scalable SIRU(TM) Guides MESSENGER Spacecraft to Orbit Mercury Northrop Grumman 09 May 2011 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation's space navigation aid recently provided key guidance and control information that allowed NASA's MESSENGER to become the first spacecraft to successfully orbit Mercury, marking the culmination of a more-than six-year, 4.9 billion-mile journey to the innermost planet.

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