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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 18 May 2011 [PDF]

• NATO and Libya - Operational Media Update: 17 May 2011
• NATO Increases Pressure on Libya's Pro-Government Forces VOA 18 May 2011 -- NATO is stepping up pressure on the Libyan government's strongholds with targeted aerial attacks and psychological warfare operations.
• U.S. transfers Karbala base to Iraqi Army Army News 18 May 2011 -- Joint Security Station Hussayniyah was officially transferred to Iraqi government authority in a ceremony held here, May 14, 2011.
• Iraqi air force advance echelon team arrives AFNS 18 May 2011 -- The Iraqi air force is one step closer to taking ownership of Joint Base Balad. A trio of officers and 11 enlisted airmen arrived May 15 to in-process here.
• Operations in Iraq finish with completion of Royal Navy training mission UK MOD 18 May 2011 -- The conclusion of the Royal Navy mission to train Iraqi sailors in the coming days will mark the official end of British Armed Forces operations in Iraq.
• Rodriguez says Afghan transition on track Army News 18 May 2011 -- The International Security Assistance Force commander said the combined team approach has paid off, and while this progress is fragile and reversible, they look forward to building on those successes and supporting the Afghans as they build sustainable stability.
• Forces Kill Terrorists in Takhar Province AFPS 18 May 2011 -- Combined forces killed four armed insurgents in an operation yesterday in the Taloqan district of Afghanistan's Takhar province, military officials reported.
• Arming point key to Afghan airpower dominance AFNS 18 May 2011 -- Officials at the Kandahar Air Wing reached a milestone May 15 when they opened an Afghan Mi-17 weapons arming point here.
• 400 UK personnel to leave Afghanistan by New Year UK MOD 18 May 2011 -- Prime Minister David Cameron informed the House of Commons Liaison Committee yesterday that around 400 UK military personnel had already, or would early in the New Year, leave Afghanistan.
• Afghans Protest NATO Raid, 12 Killed VOA 18 May 2011 -- Afghan authorities say at least 12 people have been killed in violent protests against a NATO raid in northern Afghanistan that left four people dead.
• Pakistani Taliban Promising Tougher Fight VOA 18 May 2011 -- Senior leaders of the Pakistani Taliban are vowing to fight with renewed zeal to avenge the death of al-Qaida founder Osama bin Laden.
• Canadian Forces, US Marines lift damaged Chinook to safety USMC News 18 May 2011 -- Canadian and U.S. forces safely recovered a downed Canadian Forces CH-47 Chinook helicopter during a tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel mission in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, May 17.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Afghan Detainee Dies at Guantanamo Bay AFPS 18 May 2011 -- An Afghan detainee died of an apparent suicide early this morning at the U.S. detention facility at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, according to a Joint Task Force-Guantanamo news release.
• Transcript: DOD News Briefing with Secretary Gates and Adm. Mullen from the Pentagon DoD 18 May 2011 -- Gates: 'Today I'm announcing the framework for the comprehensive review that the Department of Defense is launching to inform future decisions about spending on national security.'
• U.S. Assistance to Pakistan Should Continue, Gates Says AFPS 18 May 2011 -- U.S.financial assistance to Pakistan should continue, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said here today.
• Gates Budget Review to 'Force Discussion' of Risk Analysis AFPS 18 May 2011 -- Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates today announced the framework for a comprehensive review of military spending designed to put national security needs ahead of arbitrary budget cuts.
• Lynn Cites Progress in DOD, VA Partnership AFPS 18 May 2011 -- The partnership to ensure seamless transitions for wounded warriors from military to Veterans Affairs medical care has made significant progress, but work remains to be done, Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III said here today.
• Corps completes first Gold-rated facility at Hill Air Force Base Army News 18 May 2011 -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District transferred ownership of a new three-bay fire station to the Air Force during a ribbon-cutting ceremony here May 17. The district completed work on the $4.5 million project earlier in the month.
• Thunderbirds to perform first demo with alternative fuel AFNS 18 May 2011 -- The Thunderbirds will use alternative fuel, unprecedented for any Department of Defense aerial team, at the Joint Services Open House here May 20 and 21, officials said May 18.
• Navy Names Ship for Civil Rights Activist Cesar Chavez DoD 18 May 2011 -- Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced today the selection of the USNS Cesar Chavez as the 14th Lewis and Clark class of dry cargo/ammunition ships.
• Deployed air refuelers surpass 350 million pounds of fuel delivered 2011 AFNS 18 May 2011 -- In the first four months of 2011, air refueling aircraft supporting the air mission on the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility have off-loaded more than 357 million pounds of fuel to more than 26,500 receiver aircraft.
• USS Boone, USS Thach Visit Montevideo, Uruguay NNS 18 May 2011 -- Guided-missile frigates USS Boone (FFG 28) and USS Thach (FFG 43), and U.S Coast Guard cutter USCGC Escanaba (WMEC 907) spent two days in Montevideo, Uruguay, as part of Southern Seas 2011, May 13-14.
• IKE Sailors Prepare for Ship's Return to the Fleet NNS 18 May 2011 -- USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69)(IKE) Sailors are preparing for the ship's return to the Fleet by attending damage control courses, such as the Advanced Shipboard Fire Fighting Course at the Farrier Fire Fighting School Center for Naval Engineering in Norfolk, May 10.
• USNS John Ericsson Rescues Five Lost at Sea NNS 18 May 2011 -- Civil service mariners aboard Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS John Ericsson (T-AO 194) rescued five people lost at sea in a small boat near the Solomon Islands May 18.
• MCPON Visits Naval Station Rota NNS 18 May 2011 -- The master chief petty officer of the Navy (MCPON) visited service members aboard Naval Station (NS) Rota, Spain, May 10-14.
• Navy Strategic Language List Revised NNS 18 May 2011 -- Naval administrative (NAVADMIN) message 162/11, released May 13 announced changes to the Navy's Strategic Language List (SLL).
• Retention Board Quotas Released NNS 18 May 2011 -- Initial enlisted retention board (ERB) quotas were published May 18 to provide Sailors a clearer picture of the competition in individual ratings, paygrades, and years of service-competitive categories.
• National Guard, USNORTHCOM kick off major national level training exercise Army News 18 May 2011 -- The National Guard, in cooperation with several federal agencies, including U.S. Northern Command, kicked off exercise ARDENT SENTRY 2011 today as part of the National Level Exercise 2011.
• Army publishes draft Environmental Impact Statement Army News 18 May 2011 -- The Army published a draft Environmental Impact Statement Friday concerning the comprehensive study of the impact Fort Benning's Training Land Expansion Program may have on local economies and the environment.
• DOD Makes Progress in Civilian Hiring Reform AFPS 18 May 2011 -- Until very recently, applying for a civilian job at the Defense Department was an exercise in endurance and patience. Applicants had to navigate through a byzantine federal hiring process and amass thick application packets, then often waited as long as a year for any word on their applications.
• Go-ahead approved to replace UK's nuclear missile system IRNA 18 May 2011 -- Defence Secretary Liam Fox Wednesday announced the go-ahead for initial work to begin on the controversial replacement of Britain's Trident nuclear missile system.
• Plans for successor nuclear deterrent submarine announced UK MOD 18 May 2011 -- Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox has today announced that approval has been given for the early phase of design of the submarine that will deliver the UK's nuclear deterrent well into the 2060s.
• Russia to enhance strike potential if missile cooperation with NATO fails RIA Novosti 18 May 2011 -- Russia will boost its strike nuclear capabilities if NATO refuses to cooperate with Moscow in the European missile defense project, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on Wednesday.
• Transcript: Joint Press Conference with Adm. Mullen and Gen. Chen from the Pentagon DoD 18 May 2011 -- Presenter: Adm. Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS), and Gen. Chen Bingde, Chief of the General Staff of the People's Liberation Army (PLA)e
• U.S., China Military Officials Call Talks Frank, Fruitful AFPS 19 May 2011 -- The U.S. chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and his Chinese counterpart announced the completion of two days of talks that they agreed will move their militaries, and respective countries, closer together.
• Top Chinese General: China Will Never Challenge the US Military VOA 18 May 2011 -- China's top military officer says China never intends to challenge the United States military.
• Iran refutes having missile cooperation with North Korea IRNA 18 May 2011 -- Minister of Defense Brigadier-General Ahmad Vahidi dismissed Wednesday reports on Iran's alleged cooperation with North Korea on missile technology.
• Iran denies UN claim on North Korea missile aid ISNA 18 May 2011 -- Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi rejected the UN claim that Iran and North Korea are sharing ballistic missile know-how.
• German gov't extends Lebanon mission for another year IRNA 18 May 2011 -- The German government on Wednesday approved extending the UN mandate of German naval units off the Lebanese coast for another year, according to press reports.
• May 18, 2011 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 18 May 2011
• Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Jay Carney Aboard Air Force One en route New London, Connecticut The White House 18 May 2011
• Press briefing by Senior Administration Officials to Preview Economic Components of the President's Speech on Events in the Middle East and North Africa The White House 18 May 2011

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for May 18, 2011
• General Dynamics Awarded $34 Million for Development of Advanced Submarine Technologies General Dynamics 18 May 2011 -- General Dynamics Electric Boat has been awarded a $33.5 million contract modification by the U.S. Navy to develop advanced submarine technologies for current and future undersea platforms. Electric Boat is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD).
• DCNS floats Gowind OPV DCNS 18 May 2011 -- The first DCNS Gowind-type offshore patrol vessel has been launched just one year after construction work began. Meeting this milestone highlights the programme’s excellent progress.
• IAI/Tamam MINIPOP sight mounted on Rafael's weapon station RCWS, delivered to Czech Army KBVP fighting vehicle Israel Aerospace Industries 18 May 2011 -- Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has announced that it has delivered the new MiniPOP lightweight EO/IR sights for Rafael's Samson 30 RCWS (Remote Controlled Weapons Station) in a deal worth several millions of dollars.
• L-3 Awarded Contract for C-17 Training System Program L-3 Communications 18 May 2011 -- L-3 Communications (NYSE: LLL) announced today that its Link Simulation & Training (L-3 Link) unit has been awarded a contract to operate the U.S. Air Force's C-17 Training System (TS) program.
• Lockheed Martin Receives $45.3 Million Contract to Upgrade Finland's Precision Fires Capability Lockheed Martin 18 May 2011 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE:LMT] received a $45.3 million contract to upgrade 22 Finnish Army M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) launchers, incorporating the Universal Fire Control System and other enhancements. The upgrade enables the launchers to fire precision GPS-guided munitions for the first time.
• Northrop Grumman to Develop New Micro Gyro Technology for DARPA Northrop Grumman 18 May 2011 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC), in partnership with the Georgia Institute of Technology, has been selected to develop a new type of Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) gyroscope technology for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's (DARPA) Microscale Rate Integrating Gyroscope program.
• SAIC Awarded Modeling and Simulation Contract by U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM) SAIC 18 May 2011 -- Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) (NYSE: SAI) announced today it was awarded a follow-on contract by the Department of the Army Mission and Installation Contracting Command Center, Fort McPherson, Georgia to support the U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM) by providing planning, modeling, simulation and training services and solutions to the Army and the Department of Defense (DoD). The multiple-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract has a performance period consisting of a one year base period and four one-year option periods with a total contract ceiling value of $2.5 billion.
• Sweden Becomes 1st European Nation To Procure UH-60M Helicopters Sikorsky 18 May 2011 -- Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. today announced that the U.S. Government has agreed to sell 15 Sikorsky UH-60M BLACK HAWK helicopters to the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (or FMV, which is the Swedish acronym) for operation by the Swedish Armed forces. The transaction will take place under the U.S. Government's Foreign Military Sales program, and represents the introduction of the latest and most technologically advanced BLACK HAWK model into Europe. Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).
• Sikorsky Aircraft Delivers Three VVIP S-92 Helicopters to Royal Thai Air Force Sikorsky 18 May 2011 -- Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. has delivered three VVIP S-92® helicopters to the Royal Thai Air Force, introducing the first high-end LifePort medical system into an S-92 aircraft. Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX).

Other Conflicts

• 18 May 2011 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 18 May 2011
• Libya: UN revises appeal for humanitarian assistance to more than $400 million UN News Centre 18 May 2011 -- The United Nations today called for an extra $233 million to help more than 2 million civilians caught up in the conflict in Libya, revising its earlier humanitarian appeal as the scale of the suffering and need continues to increase.
• UN Says Libya is a 'Ticking Time Bomb' VOA 18 May 2011 -- A senior U.N. official warns conditions in Libya are continuing to deteriorate and life-saving assistance is urgently needed.
• DR Congo: Security Council discusses key challenges and risks in an election year UN News Centre 18 May 2011 -- The Security Council today called for urgent steps to strengthen institutions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and called on the country's Government to ensure that general elections slated for late this year are inclusive, transparent and peaceful.
• UN-AU mission investigates fresh round of air strikes in Sudan's Darfur region UN News Centre 18 May 2011 -- Sudanese armed forces have carried out another round of air strikes against a village in Darfur, this time striking a settlement in the north of the war-torn region, the joint United Nations-African Union mission in Darfur (UNAMID) reported today.
• SRI LANKA: Long road to normality IRIN 18 May 2011 -- Traffic on Sri Lanka's A9 highway reflects the increased mobility brought by peace, as hundreds of buses, cars and three-wheelers, packed to the brim, race each other along a road that cuts through the centre of the former conflict zone.
• Somaliland Celebrates 20 Years of Self-Declared Independence VOA 18 May 2011 -- Somaliland is celebrating its 20th anniversary of self-declared independence from Somalia.

News Reports

• Syrian President Concedes 'Mistakes' in Handling Protests VOA 18 May 2011 -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has said the authorities have made some mistakes in their handling of anti-government protests since mid-March.
• US Sanctions Syria for Human Rights Abuses VOA 18 May 2011 -- The United States on Wednesday invoked sanctions against Syrian President Bashar Assad and six senior officials in his government for human rights abuses.
• Calls for Strikes in Syria Largely Ignored, Crackdown Continues VOA 18 May 2011 -- Calls for strikes in Syria were largely ignored Wednesday for fear of government retaliation, as Syria's deadly crackdown on the opposition intensified across the country.
• Reports: Al-Qaeda Names Interim Leader RFE/RL 18 May 2011 -- News reports say Al-Qaeda has appointed a new interim leader to take the place of Osama bin Laden, who was killed in a U.S. raid on his hideout in Pakistan on May 2.
• India Admits 'Most Wanted' Fugitive Not in Pakistan VOA 18 May 2011 -- India is apologizing after telling Pakistan to hand over a suspected terrorist who had been living in India all along.
• Russian foreign intelligence chief holds talks with Kim Jong-il RIA Novosti 18 May 2011 -- A delegation of Russian diplomats led by Foreign Intelligence Service head Mikhail Fradkov held talks on Tuesday with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il in Pyongyang, the Korean Central News Agency said.
• IRAQ: Preparing for a possible returnee influx IRIN 18 May 2011 -- The Iraqi authorities are bracing for a possible influx of returnees from neighbouring countries affected by violent protests, especially Syria, and say hundreds have already returned from Libya.
• Endeavour Astronauts Begin Work on International Space Station VOA 18 May 2011 -- The crew members of the U.S. space shuttle Endeavour have begun a nearly two-week mission on the International Space Station, where they will install a $2 billion magnetic device that scientists hope will unravel some mysteries of the universe.
• HORN OF AFRICA: Food insecurity grips region IRIN 18 May 2011 -- The number of people requiring humanitarian assistance in the Horn of Africa could increase sharply in coming months due to below-average rainfall and high food and fuel prices, say aid workers.
• UN assists local health officials after deadly case of Ebola fever in Uganda UN News Centre 18 May 2011 -- The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) is helping Ugandan authorities to investigate a case of Ebola haemorrhagic fever which killed a 12-year-old girl in the East African nation earlier this month.