Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 14 Jun 2011 [PDF]

• NATO and Libya - Operational Media Update: 13 Jun 2011
• NATO attack helicopters destroy pro-Qadhafi military equipment NATO 14 Jun 2011 -- Early Monday morning, NATO launched a coordinated strike on pro-Qadhafi military forces on both land and sea. A combination of air and maritime assets conducted back-to-back missions resulting in successful strikes against pro-Qadhafi military equipment in the vicinity of Zlitan.
• NATO Members Re-evaluate Contributions to Libya Mission AFPS 14 Jun 2011 -- NATO members are reviewing their contributions with an eye toward increasing their support to the ongoing mission to protect the Libyan people from Moammar Gadhafi's forces, a NATO spokeswoman said today.
• NATO Official Warns Resource Issue Will Become Critical in Libyan Operation VOA 14 Jun 2011 -- A senior NATO official is warning that the issue of resources will become critical if operations against Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi were to last long.
• UK faces 'challenging decisions' on Libya, says navy chief IRNA 14 Jun 2011 -- Head of Britain's navy has underlined the precarious nature of the UK's leading involvement in the military intervention in Libya, saying the cost of the NATO-led campaign will soon create 'challenging decisions'.
• Last but not least: Ironhorse cases colors, joins 1st Cavalry Division on the other side Army News 14 Jun 2011 -- 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division cased its colors during a ceremony on Cooper Field once again to mark the Brigade's fourth deployment to Iraq.
• Sherpa serves as agile cargo transport over Iraq Army News 14 Jun 2011 -- Since October 2010, aviators with the Oregon Army National Guard have logged more than 5,000 hours of flight time on their fleet of Sherpa aircraft and have moved more than 2.2 million pounds of equipment and cargo, and transported 10,000 passengers.
• Combined Security Forces Kill, Capture Insurgents AFPS 14 Jun 2011 -- A combined Afghan and coalition security force killed numerous insurgents and detained five others after they were attacked in Paktika province's Omnah district yesterday.
• General Reports Fragile Progress in Afghanistan AFPS 14 Jun 2011 -- Less than a month after returning from a one-year deployment to Afghanistan as commander of Joint Task Force 101 and Regional Command East, Army Maj. Gen. John F. Campbell reported continuing progress on multiple fronts, but said more time is needed to ensure it will stick.
• ISAF constructs new biometrics facility, improves security at Afghan border Army News 14 Jun 2011 -- Soldiers assigned to 525th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade and Afghan government officials attended a ribbon cutting ceremony for a new biometrics facility at the Weesh border crossing point, Afghanistan, June 9.
• Afghan troops graduate generator mechanic course USMC News 14 Jun 2011 -- Nineteen Afghan National Security Forces troops graduated from the Generator Mechanic Course at the Joint Sustainment Academy Southwest, Helmand province, June 13.
• Afghans graduate Explosive Hazard Reduction course USMC News 14 Jun 2011 -- Afghan national army soldiers graduated the Explosive Hazard Reduction course 11-4 held at Joint Sustainment Academy Southwest aboard Camp Leatherneck, June 9.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Transcript: DOD News Briefing with Deputy Secretary Lynn and Assistant Secretary Burke from the Pentagon on the DOD Operational Energy Strategy DoD 14 Jun 2011 -- Presenter: Deputy Secretary of Defense William Lynn and Assistant Secretary of Defense for Operational Energy Plans and Programs Sharon Burke
• Energy Strategy Improves Capabilities, Savings AFPS 14 Jun 2011 -- The Defense Department's new operational energy strategy challenges assumptions about battlefield energy usage, paving the way for a more secure, agile and flexible fighting force, according to the Pentagon official who oversees the strategy.
• Petraeus Calls for 'Energy-informed' Decisions AFPS 14 Jun 2011 -- Noting an energy-efficient force is a more agile and resilient force, Army Gen. David H. Petraeus called on his commanders and troops to reduce their energy consumption in Afghanistan.
• Lynn: Energy Strategy Will Help Forces Adapt for Future AFPS 14 Jun 2011 -- Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III released the department's new operational energy strategy today, saying it is consistent with efforts to adapt the forces to emerging threats.
• Army embracing 'should-cost' approach to weapons, acquisition programs Army News 14 Jun 2011 -- The Army is working to drive productivity growth, maximize efficiency and eliminate redundancy through an approach called 'Should-Cost/Will-Cost' management, service officials said.
• Stennis Returns Home, Prepares to Deploy NNS 14 Jun 2011 -- USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) returned to its homeport of Bremerton, Wash., June 13, after 45 days away conducting exercises in preparation for an upcoming deployment.
• Africans Training Africans in Cameroon NNS 14 Jun 2011 -- The Senegalese military contributed a mobile training team in support of Africa Partnership Station (APS) 2011 in Cameroon, June 10.
• Navy Partners with Baltic Naval Squadron NNS 14 Jun 2011 -- Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 8 and USS Mount Whitney (LCC/JCC 20) are providing guidance for Baltic nation mine counter measure (MCM) units practicing their craft during Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2011, through June 17.
• Reservists Play Key Role in BALTOPS 2011 NNS 14 Jun 2011 -- Navy reservists are providing support for Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping (NCAGS) teams during Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2011, June 5-17.
• Global Strike Command tests nuclear readiness without skipping a beat AFNS 14 Jun 2011 -- Airmen with Global Strike Command recently completed the first command-wide nuclear operational readiness exercise, called Constant Vigilance, without taking a break from scheduled wing-level activities, exercises and training.
• Columbus T-38C accident investigation complete AFNS 14 Jun 2011 -- The investigation of the Feb. 11, 2011, T-38C Talon mishap at Ellington Field, Texas, found the mishap was due to the pilot mistaking the landing runway, losing altitude too quickly and allowing his airspeed to fall below a safe level. This resulted in catastrophic damage to the T-38's landing gear and right wing.
• Reserve Airmen fuel up NATO forces in Iceland exercise AFNS 14 Jun 2011 -- Air Force Reserve Airmen and KC-135 Stratotankers from the 459th Air Refueling Wing, Joint Base Andrews, Md., took part in Northern Viking 11, a biennial NATO air-space and maritime protection exercise here June 3-10, 2011.
• Innovation, Flexibility Core of Army Success, Gates Says AFPS 14 Jun 2011 -- Innovation, dynamism and flexibility must remain the hallmarks of the U.S. Army, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said here today.
• Mullen Calls Veteran Support Initiative 'Terrific Beginning' AFPS 14 Jun 2011 -- The nation's top military officer spoke here today at a press conference announcing the 'Community Blueprint,' a resource designed to help local leaders focus support to veterans and their families.
• Machine guns delivered overseas despite obstacles Army News 14 Jun 2011 -- Flight cancellation and location changes didn't prevent the shipment of M60 machine guns to the United Kingdom as part of a foreign military sales case supported by the Army Security Assistance Command.
• 6-52nd ADA Battalion holds squad training in Korea Army News 14 Jun 2011
• DoD News: Senior Executive Service Announcements DoD 14 Jun 2011
• Aircraft wing Marines augment NATO military police USMC News 14 Jun 2011 -- 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) deployed to southwestern Afghanistan with a primary mission: to provide support for Marines and their Afghan and coalition partners on the ground.
• Naval exercises sign of close ties with Ukraine - U.S. State Dept. RIA Novosti 14 Jun 2011 -- The U.S. State Department on Monday said the Sea Breeze 2011 naval exercises, which have been decried by Russia, were a sign of close cooperation with Ukraine.
• Moscow, Paris signed Mistral protocol of intent, not final deal RIA Novosti 14 Jun 2011 -- The governments of Russia and France have signed a protocol of intent on the purchase of Mistral class helicopter carriers, but not a final contract, a source close to the talks said on Tuesday.
• Pakistan's Security Officials Removed Over Videotaped Killing VOA 14 Jun 2011 -- Two senior officials in Pakistan's Sindh province, the police inspector general and the head of the paramilitary Rangers force, have been removed from their posts in response to the videotaped killing of an unarmed man in a park in the city of Karachi.
• India rules out 2+2 format for dialogue with US IRNA 14 Jun 2011 -- India on Tuesday ruled out dialogue with the US in the 'two-plus-two' format that involves joint meeting between their foreign and defence ministers, saying it has no such practice with any country.
• Taiwan rejects further advanced radar system price hikes CNA 14 Jun 2011 -- Taiwan will no longer tolerate continuing price increases for two advanced long-range early warning radar systems being purchased from the United States, a Ministry of National Defense spokesman said Tuesday.
• Iran favors world free from nuclear weapons: Rahimi IRNA 14 Jun 2011 -- First Vice-President Mohammad Reza Rahimi said on Tuesday that the Iranian nation favors a world free from nuclear weapons.
• June 14, 2011 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 14 Jun 2011
• Gaggle of the Press Secretary aboard Air Force One en route Puerto Rico The White House 14 Jun 2011

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for June 14, 2011
• General Dynamics to Acquire Fortress Technologies, Inc. General Dynamics 14 Jun 2011 -- General Dynamics (NYSE: GD) announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Fortress Technologies, Inc., a provider of secure wireless networking equipment for the U.S. military and other government customers. The value of the cash transaction, which is expected to be accretive to General Dynamics' earnings beginning in 2012, has not been disclosed.
• Lockheed Martin F-35 Program Flight Test Update Lockheed Martin 14 Jun 2011 -- Overall, the F-35 program remains ahead of the overall goals for test flights and test points year-to-date. Through May 31, the program accomplished 378 flights versus a plan of 297 and accomplished 3,342 test points against a plan of 2,217.
• Raytheon Acquires Directed Energy Capabilities of Ktech Corporation Raytheon 14 Jun 2011 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has acquired key business assets of Ktech Corporation to expand its capabilities and opportunities in the non-kinetic effects markets. The transaction is not expected to materially impact Raytheon's sales or earnings in the second quarter or full year 2011. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
• SAIC Awarded $89 Million Delivery Order To Support Key Air Force National Security Initiatives SAIC 14 Jun 2011 -- Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) [NYSE: SAI] today announced it has been awarded a delivery order to support the U.S. Air Force (AF) Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Plans and Requirements, Strategic Plans and Policy Division (AF/A5XP) by providing professional and information technology (IT) services in support of AF national security initiatives
• Northrop Grumman's Firebird Successfully Uses Three Eyes and Fourth Sensor Payload Northrop Grumman 14 Jun 2011 -- The Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) Firebird intelligence-gathering air system successfully used three different high-definition video sensors and an electronics support payload all at the same time – a future capability sought by the U.S. military that's available today.

Other Conflicts

• 14 June 2011 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 14 Jun 2011
• LIBYA: Timeline of key events since 4 April IRIN 14 Jun 2011 -- The crisis in Libya has forced over 636,000 people to leave the country, including 280,741 third-country nationals.
• Gaddafi ready for talks with NATO, opposition - Ilyumzhinov RIA Novosti 14 Jun 2011 -- Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has claimed in a conversation with president of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) Kirsan Ilyumzhinov that he was ready to proceed in talks with NATO and rebels, but ruled out the possibility of his resignation.
• Libyan Forces Target Rebels Near Tunisian Border VOA 14 Jun 2011 -- Libyan rebels say forces loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi have fired rockets at opposition fighters near the border with Tunisia.
• Beijing Criticizes US for Meddling in S. China Sea Dispute VOA 14 Jun 2011 -- China is criticizing a U.S. senator's call for multilateral negotiations to resolve territorial disputes in the South China Sea, and says it would rather pursue one-on-one dialogue with rival claimants.
• SUDAN: Civilians bear brunt of Southern Kordofan clashes IRIN 14 Jun 2011 -- Aerial bombardments, killings of civilians and house-to-house searches are escalating in the Northern Sudanese state of Southern Kordofan, aid workers and residents report.
• Sudan: UN reports intense air bombardment of Southern Kordofan state UN News Centre 14 Jun 2011 -- The United Nations has reported heavy bombardment by Sudanese warplanes during the past week in areas surrounding the towns of Kadugli and Kauda in the troubled state of Southern Kordofan, with planes early today dropping at least 11 bombs on an airfield close to a UN camp.
• COTE D'IVOIRE: Bullet holes and lost livelihoods IRIN 14 Jun 2011 -- In parts of Côte d'Ivoire's main city Abidjan, buildings and faces bear traces of war and people wonder when their children will be able to eat their fill again.
• Ongoing insecurity preventing return of displaced civilians in Côte d'Ivoire – UN UN News Centre 14 Jun 2011 -- At least 300,000 civilians are still displaced in Côte d'Ivoire two months after the end of the post-election crisis, the United Nations refugee agency reported today, adding that ongoing insecurity in some areas is preventing their return.
• Kurdish Rebel Leader Warns of Return to Conflict VOA 14 Jun 2011 -- The leader of the rebel Kurdish group PKK warns of a return to conflict in Turkey if the newly re-elected government does not meet the group's demands for Kurdish autonomy. Much of the focus in the election campaign was on the economy. The long-standing Kurdish issue could derail Turkey's political progress.
• Emboldened Kurds Press Demands in Turkey VOA 14 Jun 2011 -- The imprisoned leader of the Kurdish rebel group the PKK set a June 15 deadline for Turkey's government to start negotiations to resolve Kurdish demands or face a return to conflict. Since the threat, made in April, Turkey's pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party, the BDP, scored advances in last Sunday's general election, increasing its representation from 20 to 36 in the 550-seat assembly.
• UN rejects allegations that it interfered in work of Cambodian genocide court UN News Centre 14 Jun 2011 -- The United Nations today rejected media reports that it instructed judges at the tribunal in Cambodia dealing with mass killings and other crimes committed under the Khmer Rouge three decades ago to dismiss its third case, stressing that the court is an independent body.

News Reports

• Iran: Military presence in Syria brings heavy consequences ISNA 14 Jun 2011 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said on Tuesday military presence in Syria brings heavy consequences for the region.
• UN Deadlocked Over Draft Syria Resolution, As Crackdown Continues RFE/RL 14 Jun 2011 -- International pressure is building against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime for its brutal crackdown on antigovernment demonstrators, with reports from fleeing refugees suggesting there is a sectarian nature to the violence.
• France 'three votes short' of putting Syria resolution to UNSC vote RIA Novosti 14 Jun 2011 -- France will put a Syria resolution to a vote at the UN Security Council after it enlists the support of India, South Africa and Brazil, French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said on Tuesday.
• Arab League states call for suspension of Syria RIA Novosti 14 Jun 2011 -- Several Arab League member countries have proposed suspending Syria's membership in the organization over violent crackdowns on pro-democracy protests by the country's government, the Egyptian Al Ahram newspaper said on Tuesday.
• Syria Widens Crackdown on Dissenters VOA 14 Jun 2011 -- Syrian forces are widening a crackdown on dissenters in a region near the Turkish border, while the number of Syrians crossing into Turkey to flee the unrest continues to rise.
• Iran Denies Role in Syria Crackdown VOA 14 Jun 2011 -- Iran has rejected allegations from Britain and the United States that it is helping Syria crack down on domestic opposition with advice, equipment, and training. Iran remains a key Syrian ally, with the two governments finding common ground on such issues as Israel, Lebanon and Iraq.
• Argentina's lessons learned after 'dirty war' apply to Syria today, Ban says UN News Centre 14 Jun 2011 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged that the lessons learned from Argentina's turn from dictatorship to democracy be applied widely, particularly in North Africa and the Middle East, and he called on Syria to allow humanitarian aid into areas affected by ongoing violence.
• Huge Protests in Yemen Call for Transitional Government VOA 14 Jun 2011 -- Hundreds of thousands of Yemenis have rallied in major cities throughout the country, demanding President Ali Abdullah Saleh step down and calling for a transitional council that excludes members of the current government.
• Lebanon Tribunal Likely First Test of New Hezbollah-led Government VOA 14 Jun 2011 -- After five months of political horse-trading, Lebanon finally has a government, cementing Hezbollah's political dominance over the tiny Mediterranean country. Analysts say the new government's fortunes and longevity could be tied to those of neighboring Syria, one of the group's main patrons, but its political ascendance is unlikely to cause any dramatic geopolitical shifts in the region. The new government's first key test could be how it responds to possible indictments from the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.
• Israeli Foreign Minister: Grapel is Not a Spy VOA 14 Jun 2011 -- Israel's foreign minister says a U.S.-Israeli citizen arrested in Egypt Sunday is not a spy.
• With Economy In Free Fall, Belarusian President Running Out Of Options RFE/RL 14 Jun 2011 -- Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka seems to be running out of options. Rapidly.
• UN political affairs chief meets top officials in Iraq UN News Centre 14 Jun 2011 -- The top United Nations political affairs official has concluded a three-day visit to Iraq during which he held discussions with senior Iraqi leaders in the capital Baghdad and the cities of Kirkuk and Erbil, as well as with officials from the UN political mission in the country.