Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 17 Jun 2011 [PDF]
• NATO and Libya - Operational Media Update: 16 Jun 2011
• Pro-Gadhafi Forces Hit Misrata, NATO Targets Tripoli VOA 17 Jun 2011 -- Forces loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi are pounding targets in the western rebel stronghold of Misrata.
• 402nd AFSB provides retrograde support Army News 17 Jun 2011 -- The 402nd Army Field Support Brigade is the premiere single face to the field for theater property accountability, RESET, and responsible drawdown of equipment in Iraq.
• DoD News: DOD Announces Units for Upcoming Afghanistan Deployment DoD 17 Jun 2011 -- The Department of Defense announced today three units to deploy as part of upcoming rotations of forces operating in Afghanistan.
• Security Force Captures Taliban Suspects AFPS 17 Jun 2011 -- A combined Afghan and coalition security force detained numerous suspected Taliban insurgents during an overnight security operation in the Sabari district of Afghanistan's Khost province yesterday, military officials reported.
• AFGHANISTAN: Worrying spike in civilian deaths IRIN 17 Jun 2011 -- More civilians were killed in Afghanistan in May than in any other month since 2007, raising fears of a further escalation during the summer with serious humanitarian implications, according to Georgette Gagnon, the human rights director of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).
• Security Council votes to separate Al-Qaida and Taliban sanctions lists UN News Centre 17 Jun 2011 -- The Security Council today voted unanimously to split sanctions it has imposed on Al-Qaida and those against the Taliban, creating two lists of individuals and organizations so that they can be treated separately under efforts to fight terrorism.
• Pakistan army rejects US report on militants' collusion IRNA 17 Jun 2011 -- Pakistan army on Friday rejected US media reports that 'elements in Pakistan security forces tipped off terrorists helping them to escape the purported Improvised Explosive Device factories in Waziristan tribal region'.
• 11 Militants Killed in Clashes with Pakistani Forces VOA 17 Jun 2011 -- Government officials say Pakistani security forces have killed at least 11 militants during clashes in the country's northwest tribal region.

Defense Policy / Programs

• 332nd ECES Airmen save State Dept. $175 million AFNS 17 Jun 2011 -- Last February, Department of State officials gave 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron Airmen a unique mission to prepare 3,500 containerized housing units for relocation throughout Iraq.
• Army Announces Site for National Museum AFPS 17 Jun 2011 -- Army officials announced today that the North Post of Fort Belvoir, Va., will be the site of the National Museum of the U.S. Army, scheduled to open in June 2015.
• Heavy metal vehicles roll out for Soldiers clearing combat environments Army News 17 Jun 2011 -- Two vehicles used by multiple units in the military to assist in clearing routes and marking improvised explosive devices have made their way here to the 2nd Brigade, 1st Armored Division, Special Troops Battalion (2/1 STB).
• DoD News: Army Announces Site for National Museum DoD 17 Jun 2011 -- The Army announced today that the North Post of Fort Belvoir, Va., will be the site of the National Museum of the U.S. Army (NMUSA), scheduled to open in June 2015.
• No Evidence of Chemical Threat at US Military Base in S. Korea VOA 17 Jun 2011 -- U.S. officials say they are optimistic a joint investigation underway with the South Korean government will conclude that there are no present environmental dangers from the alleged burial, decades ago, of toxic chemicals on a American military base in the country.
• NAVFAC Southwest Awards Contract for Joint Strike Fighter Hangar Construction NNS 17 Jun 2011 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southwest awarded a $155.87 million to build joint strike fighter (JSF) hangars aboard Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Yuma, Ariz., June 9.
• NEXCOM Supports MWR with $48.4 Million NNS 17 Jun 2011 -- The Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) released its Fiscal Year 2010 audited financial report June 17, reflecting a $48.4 million contribution to Navy Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR).
• CNO Addresses STEM Forum, Cites Advances, Need for Continued Effort NNS 17 Jun 2011 -- The Chief of Naval Operations addressed attendees of the Office of Naval Research's (ONR) Naval Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Forum June 16, the last day of the two-day conference held in Alexandria, Va.
• RIVRON 3 Conducts Live-Fire Training NNS 17 Jun 2011 -- Riverine Squadron (RIVRON) 3 Sailors conducted category IV live-fire training on the Salt River aboard Fort Knox, Ky., June 6-11.
• Mesa Verde Sailors Enjoy Liberty in Greece NNS 17 Jun 2011 -- Sailors and Marines from USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) took advantage of Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) sponsored tours during their port visit to Souda Bay, Greece, June 6-14.
• USS Boone, USS Thach Depart Talcahuano, Chile NNS 17 Jun 2011 -- Guided-missile frigates, USS Boone (FFG 28) and USS Thach (FFG 43), departed Talcahuano, Chile, after spending five days participating in events with the Chilean navy, June 16.
• Truxtun Departs Israel after Port Visit NNS 17 Jun 2011 -- Guided-missile destroyer USS Truxtun (DDG 103) departed Haifa, Israel, after a successful port visit, June 16.
• Navy Joins Southeast Asian Partners in Exercise SEACAT 2011 NNS 17 Jun 2011 -- The 10th annual Southeast Asia Cooperation Against Terrorism (SEACAT) maritime security exercise began June 15, as liaison officers from the U.S., Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand began training to track simulated contacts of interest at sea.
• USS Barry Holds Change of Command in Italy NNS 17 Jun 2011 -- A change of command ceremony was held aboard Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Barry (DDG 52) while in port Gaeta, Italy, June 14.
• 7th Fleet Expands Partnership with Indonesian Navy NNS 17 Jun 2011 -- Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet said, June 17, the U.S. Navy will expand its 'strong and growing' friendship with the Indonesian Navy.
• Multinational Navies Partner During Sea Breeze 2011 NNS 17 Jun 2011 -- Sailors from multinational navies participated in several training evolutions during a maritime joint operations evolution aboard guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey (CG 61), as part of exercise Sea Breeze 2011, June 15.
• Indian Island Improves Munitions Moving Process NNS 17 Jun 2011 -- Naval Magazine Indian Island is playing a key role in the two-week, joint-military exercise, TURBO CADS 2011, in conjunction with the United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) through June 20.
• 7th Communication Bn. enhances MOS proficiency USMC News 17 Jun 2011 -- More than 230 Marines from 7th Communication Battalion deployed to Landing Zone Dodo here to conduct a field training exercise June 6.
• Marines depart for artillery training USMC News 17 Jun 2011 -- More than 450 Marines with 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, departed from Okinawa to East Fuji in mainland Japan to take part in the Artillery Relocation Training Program 11-1 June 13.
• Marines, Thai military conclude training USMC News 17 Jun 2011 -- Marines and sailors with Special Operations Training Group and Military Police Support Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF, along with nearly 150 personnel from the Thai military and police forces and delegates from nearly 30 countries around the world gathered to observe a demonstration at the Non-Lethal Weapons Executive Seminar 2011 in Chonburi, Kingdom of Thailand, June 8.
• Marines, sailors finish training with Indonesian Korps Marinir USMC News 17 Jun 2011 -- Marines and sailors of Landing Force Company concluded training with Indonesian Marines at the Antra Lina training area, Indonesia, June 1, as part of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training 2011.
• Russia signs $1.7 bln deal for 2 French warships RIA Novosti 17 Jun 2011 -- Russia and France signed on Friday a $1.7 billion (1.2 bln euro) contract on two French-built Mistral class amphibious assault ships for the Russian Navy.
• Defense Ministry denies reports on new Spratly Islands deployment CNA 17 Jun 2011 -- The Ministry of National Defense (MND) said Friday that it has no plans to increase its military deployment on several islands in the South China Sea, despite recent increasing tension in the area.
• Travel agents urged not to take Chinese tourists to military bases CNA 17 Jun 2011 -- Local travel agencies should refrain from taking Chinese tour groups to military bases or barracks around Taiwan, the Air Force Command Headquarters said in a statement Friday.
• India to gift Howitzers and computers to Bangladesh IRNA 17 Jun 2011 -- India's Army Chief Gen V K Singh will gift howitzers and modern computers to Bangladesh during his five-day visit to Dhaka staring on Sunday.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, 6/17/2011 The White House 17 Jun 2011

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for June 17, 2011
• New international success for DCNS with the BPC DCNS 17 Jun 2011 -- DCNS today signed a contract with Russian defence export agency Rosoboronexport under the Franco-Russian intergovernmental agreement of 25 January for the supply of four Mistral/BPC-type force projection & command vessels.

Other Conflicts

• 17 June 2011 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 17 Jun 2011
• UN food aid reaches half a million conflict-affected Libyans UN News Centre 17 Jun 2011 -- The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has delivered vital food assistance to more than 500,000 people affected by the ongoing fighting between the Government and rebels in Libya, even as concerns continue to grow about access to food inside the country.
• Sudanese Parties Race Clock to Settle Disputes Before South's Independence VOA 17 Jun 2011 -- Sudanese parties have opened final negotiations in Addis Ababa aimed at resolving several difficult and potentially divisive issues that need to be settled by the South's July 9 independence day. The negotiators were advised they must keep working until a deal is reached.
• Sudan: UN condemns harassment of its peacekeepers in Southern Kordofan UN News Centre 17 Jun 2011 -- The United Nations today strongly condemned the detention and abuse by the Sudanese armed forces of four UN peacekeepers who were on patrol in Kadugli, the main town in Southern Kordofan, where fighting is raging between the northern and southern armies.
• Ban recommends six-month extension of UN force in Golan Heights UN News Centre 17 Jun 2011 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has recommended that the Security Council extend the mandate of the United Nations force monitoring the ceasefire between Israel and Syria on the Golan Heights for six more months, and stressed the need to ensure unimpeded freedom of movement for the peacekeepers.
• DRC: Angola's 'sans papiers' violently deported in latest wave of expulsions IRIN 17 Jun 2011

News Reports

• Protests Erupt In Syria As Troops Enter Northern Towns, Assad's Tycoon Cousin Quits RFE/RL 17 Jun 2011 -- Syrian troops and armored vehicles have entered two more towns in the northwest of the country as the military continues operations against centers of protests opposing President Bashar al-Assad's regime.
• France, Germany to push Syria resolution at UNSC RIA Novosti 17 Jun 2011 -- France and Germany will go ahead with a Syria resolution at the UN Security Council, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Friday.
• Casualties Mount as Syrian Protests, Crackdown Intensify VOA 17 Jun 2011 -- Thousands of Syrians turned out in over a dozen towns and cities Friday to protest the government's ongoing crackdown on the country's three month old protest movement. The protests come as government security forces continue operations on northern towns and in villages near the Turkish border. More than a dozen protesters are reported dead.
• Dueling Rallies Under Way in Yemen VOA 17 Jun 2011 -- Yemenis are taking to the streets across the country, with demonstrators renewing calls for President Ali Abdullah Saleh's removal from office and others voicing support for the embattled leader.
• Security Council recommends re-appointment of UN Secretary-General UN News Centre 17 Jun 2011 -- The Security Council announced today that it is recommending to the General Assembly that Ban Ki-moon be appointed to a second consecutive term as Secretary-General of the United Nations.
• Security Council Endorses Ban for Second Term as UN Chief VOA 17 Jun 2011 -- The U.N. Security Council has endorsed Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for a second five-year term as U.N. chief. The South Korean diplomat faces no other candidates and is likely to sail to reappointment in the U.N. General Assembly next week.
• The new, aging face of al Qaeda RIA Novosti 17 Jun 2011
• Rasad Satellite turning around earth 29 times since launching IRNA 17 Jun 2011 -- Rasad (Observation) Satellite has turned around the earth about 29 times since launching on Wednesday, said an official at Iran Aerospace Organization here on Friday.
• 'Iran to launch three other satellites into space' IRNA 17 Jun 2011 -- Head of Iran's Space Agency Hamid Fazeli said on Thursday that his organization plans to launch three other research satellites into space.
• Lukashenko to close Belarusian borders in case of economic catastrophe RIA Novosti 17 Jun 2011 -- Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said he is ready to close the country's borders if the poor economic situation in the country descends into full-scale crisis.