Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 29 Jun 2011 [PDF]
• NATO and Libya - Operational Media Update: 28 Jun 2011
• Obama Defends US Involvement in Libyan Conflict VOA 29 Jun 2011 -- President Obama has defended U.S. involvement in Libya, saying the international operation has protected thousands of people in the North African country.
• France Provides Weapons, Food to Libyan Rebels VOA 29 Jun 2011 -- French military officials say they aided Libyan rebels this month with weapons, munitions and food in their battle against government forces in the western Libyan mountains.
• Estimated cost of post-9/11 wars: 225,000 lives, up to $4 trillion 'Costs of War' Project 29 Jun 2011 -- The cost of wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Pakistan are estimated at 225,000 lives and up to $4 trillion in U.S. spending, in a new report by scholars with the Eisenhower Research Project at Brown University's Watson Institute for International Studies.
• Report: Iraq, Afghanistan Wars Cost US Nearly $4 Trillion VOA 29 Jun 2011 -- A new report issued by Brown University says the cost of America's wars in Iraq and Afghanistan - and operations in Pakistan - will cost the country nearly $4 trillion. The report's total is more than three times higher than U.S. President Barack Obama's estimate in a recent speech.
• U.S. turns joint security stations over to Iraqis Army News 29 Jun 2011 -- Three joint security stations located in southern Iraq were signed over to the Iraqis June 19 through June 22.
• Wanat Review Army News 29 Jun 2011 -- Secretary of the Army John McHugh announced today that the Army has completed action on the U.S. Central Command's independent investigation of the July 13, 2008, battle fought by soldiers of the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team at Wanat Village, Afghanistan. This engagement claimed the lives of nine U.S. Army soldiers and resulted in 27 casualties.
• Airmen respond, help recover crashed Afghan Mi-17 AFNS 29 Jun 2011 -- Thirteen members of the 438th Air Expeditionary Wing responded to the crash site of an Afghan air force Mi-17 at Forward Operating Base Fiaz in Asadabad in Kunar province.
• Coalition plans first building transition to Afghans AFNS 29 Jun 2011 -- Afghan National Security Forces at Camp Hero in Kandahar province are scheduled to be the first in Afghanistan to transition coalition-maintained buildings to complete Afghan control.
• UK troops launch helicopter raid on Taliban IED factory UK MOD 29 Jun 2011 -- A secret insurgent training school and a huge haul of deadly insurgent bombs have been destroyed by British forces in Helmand following a daylight helicopter assault and intense fire fight.
• Officials Condemn Insurgent Attack on Kabul Hotel AFPS 29 Jun 2011 -- Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai, the country's Ministry of the Interior, and the International Security Assistance Force jointly condemned yesterday's insurgent attack on the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul, military officials reported.
• Taliban Attack On Landmark Kabul Hotel Kills 12, Injures 18 RFE/RL 29 Jun 2011 -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai says a brazen overnight attack on a landmark Kabul hotel will not derail plans for the transfer of security responsibilities to Afghan forces.
• Taliban raid on Kabul hotel leaves 8 civilians, 2 policemen dead RIA Novosti 29 Jun 2011 -- At least eight civilians and two policemen were killed in a raid by a group of Taliban on a landmark hotel in the Afghan capital of Kabul on Tuesday night where senior provincial governors were staying, police say.
• US shifting Pakistan's operations to Afghanistan: report IRNA 29 Jun 2011 -- The United States is ending its Afghan war operations from its bases in Pakistan and now all operations will be conducted in Afghanistan, a leading Pakistani daily reported on Wednesday.
• Pakistan to open new anti-militants front IRNA 29 Jun 2011 -- Pakistani security forces are set to launch a major operation against the Taliban militants in Kurram tribal region, bordering Afghanistan, officials said on Tuesday.
• Guard changes gears as water recedes in Minot Army News 29 Jun 2011 -- Recovery has begun in North Dakota, Gov. Jack Dalrymple said Tuesday.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Press Conference by the President The White House 29 Jun 2011
• Remarks of John O. Brennan, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, on Ensuring al-Qa'ida's Demise The White House 29 Jun 2011
• Fact Sheet: National Strategy for Counterterrorism The White House 29 Jun 2011
• Gates Sends Message Thanking Troops for Service AFPS 29 Jun 2011 -- Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates has sent a message to every post, ship, base and installation thanking service members and their families for their service.
• Carter: Logistics Community Must Do More With Less AFPS 29 Jun 2011 -- The Defense Department's budget landscape is changing, but the logistics community must continue providing U.S. troops the best possible support while finding efficiencies and cutting costs, the Pentagon's top logistics official said here yesterday.
• Comptroller Explains DOD Budget Challenges AFPS 29 Jun 2011 -- The sluggish growth of the economy will make it difficult to maintain current defense funding, the Defense Department's chief financial officer told attendees at the 2011 Defense Logistics Agency Industry Conference and Exhibition here yesterday.
• Cartwright Cites 'Stark Realities' at Conference AFPS 29 Jun 2011 -- Persistent global conflict coupled with efforts to reduce the nation's $14 trillion debt will require the entire Defense Department to better align its decreasing resources, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said here yesterday.
• Personnel Center officials to stand up operating location at Wright-Patterson AFB AFNS 29 Jun 2011 -- As part of a continuing Air Force initiative to provide on-site civilian personnel recruitment support, Air Force Personnel Center officials will stand up an operating location at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, July 1. This is the last of five AFPC OLs to support commanders and missions at the Air Force's large civilian centers.
• Mullen: Public, Private Efforts Must Help Failed States AFPS 29 Jun 2011 -- Nations and organizations of all kinds must join together to take on the challenges posed by a growing number of weak and failing states, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen said today.
• Fixed Wing Aircraft Soar With New Status Army News 29 Jun 2011 -- Move over, helicopters. Fixed wing aircraft are getting a higher aviation profile at Redstone Arsenal.
• FBI joins Army CID to investigate Arlington National Cemetery Army News 29 Jun 2011 -- The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command and the FBI are now looking into possible wrongdoing involving past burials and contracts at Arlington National Cemetery.
• Live-fire preps Soldiers for Singapore mission Army News 29 Jun 2011 -- Hidden behind clusters of yellow and purple flowers, a squad was ready.
• Eighth Army commander visits Suwon Air Base Army News 29 Jun 2011 -- Eighth Army Commander Lt. Gen. John D. Johnson paid a special visit to the Soldiers, leaders and families of 6th Battalion, 52nd Air Defense Artillery, 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade here June 22.
• Joint team conducts exhaustive probe into claims Army News 29 Jun 2011 -- The Joint Investigation Team established to investigate claims that Agent Orange was buried on Camp Carroll, South Korea, in 1978 has made significant progress since its formation last month.
• Northern Edge participants complete successful exercise AFNS 29 Jun 2011 -- After two weeks of learning to communicate and work in a joint environment, service members from every branch of service packed their bags and headed home at the conclusion of Exercise Northern Edge 2011.
• Air Force to enhance travel orders for deployment AFNS 29 Jun 2011 -- In an effort to improve customer support and expedite travel voucher payments, Air Force financial management leaders will mandate standardized use of the Defense Travel System for contingency, exercise and deployment travel, officials said here June 28.
• U.S., South Korean Alliance 'Never Stronger,' Sharp Says AFPS 29 Jun 2011 -- The relationship between the United States and South Korea has never been stronger, the commander of U.S. Forces Korea said here yesterday.
• U.S., Spain Complete Bilateral Amphibious, Aviation Exercise NNS 29 Jun 2011 -- Sailors and Marines of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (BATARG) and 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) completed the bilateral Spanish Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX) 2011 off the coast of Spain June 29.
• USFF Hosts Bold Alligator 2012 Main Planning Conference NNS 29 Jun 2011 -- Commander, United States Fleet Forces hosted the first of two Main Planning Conferences June 24, for Exercise Bold Alligator 2012, scheduled to take during January and February 2012.
• George Washington Conducts CBR Training NNS 29 Jun 2011 -- USS George Washington conducted a chemical, biological and radiological (CBR) drill aboard the ship while operating in the Western Pacific region, June 29.
• Essex ARG Embarks 31st MEU for Talisman Sabre 2011 NNS 29 Jun 2011 -- Ships of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) embarked more than 2,000 Marines of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) at White Beach Naval Facility in Okinawa, Japan, June 27, for exercise Talisman Sabre 2011.
• First Trap for Eisenhower Since 2010 Cruise NNS 29 Jun 2011 -- A pilot of the Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA-131) 'Wildcats,' landed the first aircraft aboard aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (IKE) as squadrons began conducting training command carrier qualifications (CQ) off the Atlantic coast, June 28.
• George Washington Prepares For Worst with Mass Casualty Drill NNS 29 Jun 2011 -- Preparing for the worst of all possible scenarios, hundreds of Sailors from the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) were put through a life-like mass casualty drill as the ship transited across the waters of the western Pacific Ocean, June 28.
• USS McClusky Takes Part in PASSEX, Hosts Japan NNS 29 Jun 2011 -- The guided-missile frigate USS McClusky (FFG 41) participated in a joint forces passing exercise (PASSEX) with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) June 26.
• Exercise Liberty Champion Tests Crisis Response NNS 29 Jun 2011 -- Exercise Liberty Champion 2011, a three-day simulated emergency management exercise, came to a close June 24 after testing the Mid-Atlantic Region Crisis Action Team's (CATs) rapid responses during crisis situations.
• Seabees Complete Project for Naval Munitions Command NNS 29 Jun 2011 -- Seabees from Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit (CBMU) 202 Detachment (Det.) Jacksonville finished a seven month project to put up a pre-engineered building (PEB) inside the weapons compound for the Naval Munitions Command, Det. Jacksonville at NAS Jacksonville on June 20.
• Washington: Russia Is 'No Obstacle' To U.S.-Armenian Military Ties RFE/RL 29 Jun 2011 -- A senior U.S. military official says close defense ties with Russia do not impede Armenia's growing military cooperation with NATO and the United States in particular, RFE/RL's Armenian Service reports.
• Reduction in UK nuclear warheads begins UK MOD 29 Jun 2011 -- The programme for implementing the reductions in the number of UK nuclear warheads, as announced in the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR), has commenced, Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox announced
• Steregushchy class corvette in Saint Petersburg RIA Novosti 29 Jun 2011 -- Russia will exhibit for the first time its newest Steregushchy class (Project 20380) corvette, the Soobrazitelny, at a biennial naval show on June 29-July 3 in St. Petersburg.
• Taiwanese lawmakers will travel to U.S. to lobby for arms sale CNA 29 Jun 2011 -- Several Taiwanese lawmakers are scheduled to visit the United States in July and will urge the U.S. government to approve the sale of F-16C/D fighters and a visa-waiver for Taiwan.
• No plans to pull out all Saudi troops from Bahrain - source RIA Novosti 29 Jun 2011 -- Saudi Arabia has no plans to withdraw its entire security contingent from Bahrain 'because the threats still remain,' a Bahrain government source told RIA Novosti on Wednesday.
• June 29, 2011 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 29 Jun 2011

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for June 29, 2011
• Boeing Supports US Air Force Launch of Miniature Air Launched Decoy Boeing 29 Jun 2011 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] earlier this month supported the U.S. Air Force in the first powered launch of a Miniature Air Launched Decoy Jammer (MALD-J) from a B-52. The successful test, in which the electronic jammer was launched from a B-52 Stratofortress, took place over the Gulf of Mexico at the Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., test range.
• AxleTech International to Provide Suspension System for New UK Protected Patrol Vehicle General Dynamics 29 Jun 2011 -- AxleTech International, a General Dynamics (NYSE: GD) company, announced today that the company's St. Etienne, France, facility has delivered the first drivetrain and suspension components to Force Protection Europe, Ltd. (FPE) for the United Kingdom's new Light Protected Patrol Vehicle (LPPV) program. AxleTech is a supply partner to FPE, which produces the Ocelot vehicle for the LPPV program. FPE initially will build 200 vehicles for the British Army, which calls the vehicle Foxhound. The vehicle is British designed and is being built in the U.K.
• U.S. Army Awards Raytheon $36 Million to Complete Excalibur Ib Development Raytheon 29 Jun 2011 -- The U.S. Army awarded Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) a $36 million contract for the final phase of the Excalibur Ib development program. This phase concludes with warfighter tests and will qualify Excalibur Ib for fielding.
• Thales sonar 'excels' in anti-submarine warfare exercise Thales 29 Jun 2011 -- A Royal Navy (RN) Merlin helicopter squadron, equipped with Thales's FLASH (Folding Light Acoustic System) active dipping sonar system, has played a vital role in a multi-national anti-submarine warfare (ASW) NATO exercise in the Mediterranean.

Other Conflicts

• 29 June 2011 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 29 Jun 2011
• CHAD: The Libya fallout IRIN 29 Jun 2011 -- Chadian families are facing worsening food insecurity, becoming more indebted, and selling off personal possessions as they try to cope with the loss of remittances from relatives who have returned home from Libya.
• Libya settlement must learn from Iraq mistakes, says UK report IRNA 29 Jun 2011 -- Britain is calling for a 'politically inclusive settlement' in post-Gaddafi Libya that will take heed of the mistakes made in Iraq after the 2003 US-led invasion.
• Taiwan boat returns after standoff with Japanese ships near Tiaoyutais CNA 29 Jun 2011 -- A Taiwanese fishing boat, with some activists aboard, returned to Taiwan late Wednesday after a 25-minute standoff with Japanese coast guard ships in disputed Tiaoyutai waters.
• Ban welcomes accord on Sudan's Blue Nile and Southern Kordofan states UN News Centre 29 Jun 2011 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today welcomed the agreement reached between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM-North) on political and security arrangements for Blue Nile and Southern Kordofan, two states along the country's north-south border.
• Press Conference by UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia United Nations 29 Jun 2011
• UN official appeals for resources to help millions facing hunger in Horn of Africa UN News Centre 29 Jun 2011 -- The head of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today voiced concern over the plight of nearly 10 million people facing severe food shortages as a result of a prolonged drought in the Horn of Africa, adding that resources for the relief effort in the region are dwindling at a time when assistance needs to be stepped up.
• Additional UN troops and helicopters to stay on in Côte d'Ivoire UN News Centre 29 Jun 2011 -- The Security Council today extended the deployment of the additional 2,000 troops and the air assets it sent to reinforce the United Nations peacekeeping force in Côte d'Ivoire in the wake of the violence that erupted following last November's elections.
• Security Council extend terms of judges at UN tribunal for former Yugoslavia UN News Centre 29 Jun 2011 -- The Security Council today extended the terms of judges serving on the United Nations tribunal created to try perpetrators of the worst crimes committed during conflicts in the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s to ensure that the court is adequately staffed to complete its work.
• UN Mission Launches New Military Offensive in DRC VOA 29 Jun 2011 -- U.N. forces have launched a one-week offensive in North Kivu province. The United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) is taking action after attacks by rebel groups.

News Reports

• Saudi Oil Threat To Iran Rings Hollow RFE/RL 29 Jun 2011 -- When Saudi Arabia's one-time intelligence supremo warned that Riyadh was considering using its vast oil wealth as a weapon against neighboring Iran, it appeared that the lingering cold war between the two rival Gulf powers was about to heat up.
• Tymoshenko Denounces 'Puppet' Judge As Trial Gets Under Way RFE/RL 29 Jun 2011 -- A staunchly defiant, even combative, former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko has gone on trial in a Kyiv court to face charges of abuse of office stemming from a 2009 energy deal with Russia.
• Pakistani govt. moves to avert political crisis IRNA 29 Jun 2011 -- The beleaguered government in Pakistan is struggling to avert political crisis after a key partner quit the coalition and President Asif Ali Zardari has personally stepped in to woo the angry group.
• Belarus pays off electricity debt to Russia, supplies to resume RIA Novosti 29 Jun 2011 -- Minsk paid off its 600 million ruble ($21.16 million) debt to Russia's electricity export company Inter RAO on Wednesday and the company will resume electricity supplies to Belarus at midnight, a company spokesman said.
• Human rights concerns persist in new anti-terrorism sanctions regime – UN expert UN News Centre 29 Jun 2011 -- An independent United Nations human rights expert today said that the new procedure adopted by the Security Council on the listing of individuals and organizations under the international sanctions regime against terrorism still fails to address the human rights shortcomings in the process.