Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 30 Jun 2011 [PDF]
• NATO and Libya - Operational Media Update: 29 Jun 2011
• HMS Liverpool drives Gaddafi's gunboats back to port UK MOD 30 Jun 2011 -- The main gun of HMS Liverpool has recently driven four boats back to shore as the destroyer once again thwarted Colonel Gaddafi's forces off Libya.
• DOD Announces Iraq, Afghanistan Campaign Stars AFPS 30 Jun 2011 -- Bronze campaign stars are now authorized for service members who have served in Iraq since Sept. 1, 2010, or in Afghanistan since Dec. 1, 2009, Defense Department officials announced today.
• Additional Phases Identified for Iraq and Afghanistan Campaign Medals DoD 30 Jun 2011-- The Department of Defense announced today that additional campaign stars are authorized for wear on the Iraq Campaign Medal (ICM) and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal (ACM).
• Vanguard Brigade returns, uncases colors Army News 30 Jun 2011 -- Excitement filled the late night air as the last remaining Soldiers from the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, in Iraq, minus some Soldiers on 'Trail Party' in Kuwait, were welcomed home at Fort Stewart's Cottrell Field, June 23. Their return followed their year-long advise-and-assist mission in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn.
• Haqqani Network Leader Dies in Airstrike AFPS 30 Jun 2011 -- The International Security Assistance Force today confirmed the death of a Haqqani network leader who's linked to the June 28 suicide-bomb attack on the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul, Afghanistan, military officials reported.
• NATO Airstrike Kills Militant Leader Linked to Kabul Hotel Attack VOA 30 Jun 2011 -- NATO says it has killed a top Haqqani network leader in Afghanistan who is suspected of aiding militants who attacked a Kabul hotel late Tuesday.
• An Elected Local Council Finds Democracy Tough In Afghanistan RFE/RL 30 Jun 2011 -- One of the key strategies for stabilizing Afghanistan is to let people elect district councils and have a voice in local affairs.
• Pakistan renews support to Afghan peace process IRNA 30 Jun 2011 -- Pakistan on Wednesday renewed support to Afghan-led peace and reconciliation process and promised to facilitate it, the Foreign Ministry said.

Defense Policy / Programs

• U.S. Counterterrorism Strategy Said To Focus On 'Demise' Of Al-Qaeda RFE/RL 30 Jun 2011 -- The White House has unveiled its National Strategy for Counterterrorism, formalizing the approach it says it's been taking for the past 2 1/2 years under President Barack Obama.
• Al-Qaida 'Decimated,' says US Counterterrorism Chief VOA 30 Jun 2011 -- The Obama administration has laid out a new national counterterrorism strategy. In a speech Wednesday, the administration's top counterterrorism advisor outlined a plan of beefing up cooperation with other countries to keep pressure on what he says is a seriously weakened al-Qaida terror organization.
• Gates Ends Historic Term as Defense Secretary AFPS 30 Jun 2011 -- Robert M. Gates is the only man to thank two presidents for the privilege of serving as secretary of defense.
• Gates Ends US Defense Secretary Tour VOA 30 Jun 2011 -- Robert Gates will step down as U.S. Secretary of Defense on Thursday, after more than four years of service in the post under two presidents of different political parties. He has overseen U.S. military surges in Iraq and Afghanistan and he leaves at a time when the U.S. military is facing a growing range of challenges.
• Obama Awards Gates Presidential Medal of Freedom AFPS 30 Jun 2011 -- The life of Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates is a lesson to young Americans that public service is an honorable calling, one that makes the nation better and stronger, President Barack Obama said today.
• Mullen Lauds Gates' 'Distinguished Legacy' at Farewell AFPS 30 Jun 2011 -- The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff led the praise for Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates during the Armed Forces Farewell Tribute ceremony in Gates' honor today at the Pentagon.
• USS Dubuque Decommissions After 44 Years of Service NNS 30 Jun 2011 -- The Austin-Class amphibious transport dock ship USS Dubuque (LPD 8) was decommissioned by the Navy, June 30 at Naval Base San Diego.
• Construction Begins on First Mobile Landing Platform NNS 30 Jun 2011 -- The Navy announced the start of construction of the first Mobile Landing Platform (MLP) ship at the General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO) shipyard in San Diego, Calif., June 30.
• Essex Embarks Aviation Combat Element NNS 30 Jun 2011 -- Amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) onloaded 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) ground elements at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, before getting underway to embark aircraft from the MEU's Aviation Combat Element (ACE), June 29.
• Seabees Support Africa Partnership Station NNS 30 Jun 2011 -- Four Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 74 completed a mission at the Douala, Cameroon Regional Two Military Hospital in support of Africa Partnership Station (APS) 2011, June 17.
• USNS Comfort, Continuing Promise 2011 Arrive in Guatemala NNS 30 Jun 2011 -- Military Sealift Command (MSC) hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) arrived in Puerto San Jose, Guatemala, June 30, after a three-day underway period for its sixth mission stop during Continuing Promise 2011 (CP '11).
• Solar Power System Expected to Bring Significant Savings to Naval Shipyard NNS 30 Jun 2011 -- Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PHNSY & IMF) completed installation of a $1.7 million photovoltaic (PV) system, June 1.
• USS Boone, USS Thach Depart Chile to Begin UNITAS PAC NNS 30 Jun 2011 -- Guided-missile frigates USS Boone (FFG 28) and USS Thach (FFG 43) departed Valparaiso, Chile, along with navy ships from four countries to begin exercises of the Pacific Phase (PAC) of UNITAS 52, June 29.
• USS Kearsarge Changes Command NNS 30 Jun 2011 -- Amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) held their change of command ceremony in Norfolk June 30..
• Continuing Promise Partners with Nicaraguan Medical Students NNS 30 Jun 2011 -- Medical personnel embarked aboard Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) participated in a subject matter expert exchange (SMEE) with medical students from American University Medical School in Managua, Nicaragua, June 26.
• NEX Norfolk Opens World's Largest Store NNS 30 Jun 2011 -- On June 29, the ribbon was cut at Navy Exchange (NEX) Norfolk, Va., to mark the grand opening of its newly expanded Main Store.
• Naval Special Warfare Command Holds Change of Command Ceremony NNS 30 Jun 2011 -- Naval Special Warfare Command (NSW) held a change of command ceremony at the headquarters, June 30.
• Nellis F-16 crash site found AFNS 30 Jun 2011 -- Air Force officials here announced June 30 that search and rescue teams have found conclusive evidence the pilot of an F-16 Fighting Falcon, which crashed at approximately 5:30 p.m. June 28, did not survive.
• Joint Forces Command Transfers More Functions AFPS 30 Jun 2011 -- U.S. Joint Forces Command marked two more steps toward its disestablishment today as it transferred its Joint Warfare Analysis Center to U.S. Strategic Command and its Joint Enabling Capabilities Command to U.S. Transportation Command.
• Fond farewell: 157th cases colors, leaving Fort Jackson Army News 30 Jun 2011 -- After almost 14 years here, the 157th Infantry Brigade bade farewell to Fort Jackson during a casing ceremony June 23 at the Joe E. Mann Center. The brigade will move to Camp Atterbury, Ind., where it will uncase its colors Aug. 15.
• British return for Eagle Owl exercise Army News 30 Jun 2011 -- What has become one of the largest training exercises within Training and Doctrine Command received a new set of participants this month ' with six staff members from the United Kingdom's Stabilisation Unit.
• U.S., Indonesian airmen complete annual air mobility exercise AFNS 30 Jun 2011 -- The annual week-long combined exercise between Indonesian and U.S. Air Force personnel, known as Exercise Cope West, came to a close here June 24.
• ORS-1 satellite successfully launched from NASA Wallops Flight Facility AFNS 30 Jun 2011 -- An Air Force team successfully launched the first Operationally Responsive Space prototype satellite aboard a Minotaur I launch vehicle at 11:09 p.m. EDT June 29 from the NASA Wallops Flight Facility on Wallops Island, Va. ORS-1 deployed 12 minutes after launch.
• Battalion recapitalizes Patriot air defense systems Army News 30 Jun 2011 -- Patriot air defense units in South Korea play a critical role in protecting Allied assets from the threat of tactical ballistic missiles.
• Air Force issues guidance to streamline environmental reviews AFNS 30 Jun 2011 -- In order to get 'back to basics' and the original intent of National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the Air Force recently issued new program guidance entitled 'Planning Requirements for the Environmental Impact Analysis Process.'
• Officials Continue Arlington Cemetery Investigation AFPS 30 Jun 2011 -- The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command will continue its inquiry into any potential crimes or other improprieties committed at Arlington National Cemetery, a spokesman for CID announced yesterday.
• Top Pentagon Doctor Lauds Overseas Labs AFPS 30 Jun 2011 -- The Defense Department's overseas medical research laboratories will play a key role in ensuring the readiness of deployed U.S. military forces well into the future, while also contributing to global health and U.S. partnership-building around the world, the Pentagon's senior health affairs advisor said.
• Ban welcomes five-party nuclear disarmament meeting UN News Centre 30 Jun 2011 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed a meeting in Paris today of five nuclear non-proliferation treaty States as a unique opportunity to advance nuclear disarmament.
• Russia set to build nuclear-powered destroyer by 2016 RIA Novosti 30 Jun 2011 -- Russia will finish in 2016 the construction of a new class destroyer, which will most likely be nuclear powered, commander of the Russian Navy Adm. Vladimir Vysotsky said on Thursday.
• Russia to build nuclear aircraft carrier by 2023 RIA Novosti 30 Jun 2011 -- Russia will complete construction of its first nuclear powered aircraft carrier by 2023, the head of Russia's United Shipbuilding Corporation said on Thursday.
• Chinese aircraft carrier won't be threat in short-term: U.S. expert CNA 30 Jun 2011 -- China's first aircraft carrier, the Varyag, will not pose a military threat to Taiwan or the South China Sea area in the near future because its full capability is still years away, former U.S. defense secretary William Perry said on Thursday.
• President hails IDF upgrade, vows to pursue warplane self-sufficiency CNA 30 Jun 2011 -- President Ma Ying-jeou said Thursday the mid-life upgrade of the locally built indigenous defense fighters (IDFs) marks a step forward in Taiwan's warplane manufacturing technology.
• Indian Navy to buy 80 interception boats from Lankan firm IRNA 30 Jun 2011 -- As part of the exercise to strengthen coastal security post 26/11, Indian Navy has decided to procure 80 interception boats at a cost of Rs 300 crore from a Sri Lanka-based ship manufacturer.
• Russia to build two Tiger corvettes for Algerian navy RIA Novosti 30 Jun 2011 -- Russia's United Shipbuiding Corporation and state arms exporter Rosoboronexport have signed a deal with Algeria to build two new Tiger class corvettes, the corporation said on Thursday.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney The White House 30 Jun 2011

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for June 30, 2011
• Lockheed Martin's HULC Robotic Exoskeleton Enters Biomechanical Testing at U.S. Army Natick Soldier Systems Center Lockheed Martin 30 Jun 2011 -- Biomechanical testing of the Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] ruggedized HULCTM exoskeleton is now underway at the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center in Natick, Mass. The testing is expected to help shape future requirements for the HULC based on feedback from soldiers.
• Northrop Grumman Delivers F-35 Center Fuselage for Royal Netherlands Air Force Northrop Grumman 30 Jun 2011 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has delivered to prime contractor Lockheed Martin Company the first center fuselage of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter for the Netherlands.
• Orbital Successfully Launches Minotaur I Rocket Carrying ORS-1 Satellite for the U.S. Air Force Orbital Sciences Corp. 30 Jun 2011 -- Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB) announced today that its Minotaur I rocket successfully launched the Department of Defense Operationally Responsive Space Office's ORS-1 satellite.

Other Conflicts

• 30 June 2011 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 30 Jun 2011
• African Union, Russia Condemn French Arms Drop To Libya Rebels RFE/RL 30 Jun 2011 -- African Union Commission chief Jean Ping says France's decision to air-drop weapons to Libyan rebels is dangerous and puts the whole region at risk.
• AU condemns French arms drop to Libyan rebels - media RIA Novosti 30 Jun 2011 -- African Union Commission Chief Jean Ping condemned on Thursday French arms supply to Libyan rebels, world media said on Thursday.
• Britain Sends Body Armor to Libyan Rebels VOA 30 Jun 2011 -- Britain says it is sending body armor, police uniforms and communications equipment to Libyan rebels fighting against forces loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.
• AU Summit Expected to Focus on Libya Crisis VOA 30 Jun 2011 -- African heads of state are meeting in Equatorial Guinea for the annual summit of the African Union. The ongoing conflict in Libya is expected to dominate their two-day meeting.
• European activists accuse Israel of sabotaging Gaza aid ship First Freedom Flotilla RIA Novosti 30 Jun 2011 -- European human activists campaigning to end Israel's blockade of Gaza have accused Israeli special services of trying to disable an Irish aid ship of its Freedom Flotilla II, SAFA news reported on Thursday.
• Gaza Flotilla Organizers Blame Israel for Boat Sabotage VOA 30 Jun 2011 -- Pro-Palestinian activists organizing an aid flotilla that plans to challenge the Israeli blockade on Gaza are accusing Israel of sabotaging one of their ships in an attempt to break Israel's blockade of the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.
• Lee Myung Bak Group's Hideous Provocation to Be Shattered-- KPA Supreme Command KCNA 29 Jun 2011 -- A spokesman for the Supreme Command of the Korean People's Army released the following statement on Wednesday:
• CPRK Opens to Public Notice to Chongwadae of S. Korea KCNA 29 Jun 2011 -- The Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea (CPRK) tried to send an urgent notice to the south Korean authorities through Panmunjom today in connection with the fact that 'Paekgol unit' of the south Korean puppet forces and other forefront units are committing heinous provocations defiling the dignity of the leadership of the DPRK and its system and army.
• Sudan: UN chief welcomes agreement on security in north-south border regions UN News Centre 30 Jun 2011 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today welcomed the signing of an agreement between the governments of Sudan and Southern Sudan on border security and a joint political and security arrangement, urging both parties to conclude and implement a cessation of hostilities pact as well.
• Nigerian Capital Under Limited Curfew Following Maiduguri Bombings VOA 30 Jun 2011 -- Nigeria's capital is under a limited curfew following a series of bombings in the city of Maiduguri. Nigeria's military is asking civilians to come forward with information that might help lead to the capture of those responsible for the attacks.
• Security Council extends mandate of UN force in Golan Heights by six months UN News Centre 30 Jun 2011 -- The Security Council today agreed to extend the mandate of the United Nations force monitoring the ceasefire in the Golan Heights between Israel and Syria for another six months, voicing grave concern that recent events have put the long-held ceasefire in jeopardy.

News Reports

• Statement of the Attorney General Regarding Investigation into the Interrogation of Certain Detainees US Dept. of Justice 30 Jun 2011 -- "On August 24, 2009, based on information the Department received pertaining to alleged CIA mistreatment of detainees, I announced that I had expanded Mr. Durham's mandate to conduct a preliminary review into whether federal laws were violated in connection with the interrogation of specific detainees at overseas locations. (...) I have accepted his recommendation to conduct a full criminal investigation regarding the death in custody of two individuals."
• UN-Backed Tribunal Issues Arrest Warrants in 2005 Hariri Assassination VOA 30 Jun 2011 -- A U.N.-backed court investigating the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri has issued indictments and arrest warrants for four suspects in the case.
• Lebanon: UN-backed tribunal submits indictment over Hariri murder UN News Centre 30 Jun 2011 -- The United Nations-backed tribunal set up to try those alleged responsible for the 2005 assassination of the former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq Hariri today submitted to the country's authorities a sealed indictment and arrest warrants for an unknown number of suspects.
• UN Lebanon Tribunal Indicts 4 in Hariri Assassination VOA 30 Jun 2011 -- The United Nations Special Tribunal for Lebanon has presented arrest warrants and indictments for four men, believed to be affiliated with Hezbollah, for their alleged roles in the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri six years ago.
• Arab Spring shows human rights are for everyone, everywhere – UN official UN News Centre 30 Jun 2011 -- The top United Nations human rights official said today that the so-called Arab Spring across North Africa and the Middle East this year has shown that human rights are for 'all of us, all of the time, everywhere.'
• Ex-President Lee Teng-hui indicted for corruption CNA 30 Jun 2011 -- Former President Lee Teng-hui was indicted Thursday on charges of embezzling state funds during his tenure in office from 1988 through 2000.
• Ex-president 'surprised' by indictment CNA 30 Jun 2011 -- Former President Lee Teng-hui was said to be shocked by a decision by local prosecutors to indict him Thursday on charges of embezzling state funds during his tenure in office from 1988 through 2000, according to one of his aides.
• Ex-president's lawyer questions legality of indictment CNA 30 Jun 2011 -- The lawyer representing former President Lee Teng-hui said Thursday the embezzlement charge against Lee was questionable because the state fund at issue was not handed to Lee in the first place.
• Medvedev signs law to spread terror convicts around Russian jails RIA Novosti 30 Jun 2011 -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has signed a law allowing convicted terrorists to be held in any of more than 220 jails across the 17 million square kilometer country.
• Pakistan Navy officials assisted militants attack IRNA 30 Jun 2011 -- Pakistan Defence officials have informed a parliamentary committee that insiders were involved in the attack on the country's major navy base last month which left 13 people, including a young navy officer, dead and 16 others injured. The militants destroyed two P-3C Orion aircraft.
• Pakistan party ministers tender resignation IRNA 30 Jun 2011 -- The ministers of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), the coalition partners of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) government, have resigned after their party quits the government in protest.
• ATK Spacecraft Bus Supports ORS-1 Satellite Launch ATK 30 Jun 2011 -- ATK's (NYSE: ATK) RSMB (Responsive Space Modular Bus) is included in the Department of Defense's Operationally Responsive Space-1 (ORS-1) satellite, which was successfully launched from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport at NASA Wallops Flight Facility, Wallops Island, Va. on June 29th, 2011.
• Lockheed Martin Team Completes GeoEye-2 Design Phase Early Lockheed Martin 30 Jun 2011 -- The Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] team developing GeoEye's (NASDAQ: GEOY) next-generation, high-resolution Earth-imaging satellite, known as GeoEye-2, has successfully completed the Space System Critical Design Review (CDR) two weeks ahead of schedule. The review validated the detailed design of the spacecraft and command and control portion of the ground system to ensure it meets all program requirements for GeoEye's commercial and government users and marks the program's transition to production.
• NASA Completes Mirror Polishing for James Webb Space Telescope Northrop Grumman 30 Jun 2011 -- Mirrors are a critical part of a telescope. The quality is crucial, so completion of mirror polishing represents a major milestone. All of the mirrors that will fly aboard NASA's James Webb Space Telescope have been polished so the observatory can see objects as far away as the first galaxies in the universe. Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) is the prime contractor for the Webb telescope under contract to NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md.