News

22 July 2011 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 22 Jul 2011 [PDF]

Combined Troops Kill 50 Insurgents in Afghanistan AFPS 22 Jul 2011 -- Combined security forces, including Afghan special forces, yesterday killed more than 50 insurgents here during the clearance of a Haqqani network foreign fighter encampment.
50 Insurgents Killed in Eastern Afghanistan VOA 22 Jul 2011 -- NATO says Afghan and coalition forces have killed more than 50 insurgents during a military operation in eastern Afghanistan.

Divorce Is Not An Option For U.S., Pakistan RFE/RL 22 Jul 2011 -- If you've been following the news lately, you probably know that the relationship between Pakistan and the United States has been going through a rough patch.
Musharraf Defends Pakistan Spy Agency RFE/RL 22 Jul 2011 -- Former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has defended Pakistan's national intelligence agency.
Pakistan: Attack On Sufi Shrine Foiled RFE/RL 22 Jul 2011 -- Tribal security guards have foiled a bomb attack on the shrine of a Sufi poet in Pakistan's Khyber tribal area.
What's Really Behind The Violence In Karachi? RFE/RL 22 Jul 2011 -- Ethnic, religious, and linguistic differences divide this port city, as well as the presence of militant groups.
Fresh Violence Erupts in Pakistan's Karachi VOA 22 Jul 2011 -- Fresh violence has erupted in Pakistan's largest city, with at least 11 people killed Friday.

NATO and Libya - Operational Media Update: 21 Jul 2011

UK pays compensation for drowned Iraqi teenager IRNA 22 Jul 2011 -- Britain's Ministry of Defence has agreed to pay £100,000 compensation to the family of Iraqi teenager who drowned after being detained.

Defense Policy / Programs

Secretary Clinton Remarks With Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 22 Jul 2011
Secretary Clinton Remarks at Opening of U.S.-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting US Dept. of State 22 Jul 2011
US Calls North-South Korea Meeting ‘Important Step’ VOA 22 Jul 2011 -- The United States says the meeting between North and South Korean diplomats at the ASEAN conference in Bali is an important step.
Clinton Meets Chinese Foreign Minister At Bali Security Forum RFE/RL 22 Jul 2011 -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has met with Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi on the sidelines of a regional security forum in Indonesia.

Pentagon Officials Explain Repeal Implementation AFPS 22 Jul 2011 -- President Barack Obama, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, are satisfied the military can implement the repeal of the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' law.
Obama Commends Military for Handling of Law's Repeal AFPS 22 Jul 2011 -- The 1993 law that has banned gay men and lesbians from serving openly in the military 'undermines our military readiness and violates American principles of fairness and equality,' President Barack Obama said today in announcing he has certified that the armed forces are ready for its repeal.
Transcript: Defense Department Special Briefing from the Pentagon DoD 22 Jul 2011 -- Presenter: Clifford Stanley; Major General Steven Hummer, U.S. Marine Corps; Virginia "Vee" Penrod and Jeh Johnson
Statement by the President on Certification of Repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell The White House 22 Jul 2011
Secretary Panetta’s Statement on Certification of Readiness to Implement Repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell DoD 22 Jul 2011
Adm. Mike Mullen’s Statement on Certification of Readiness to Implement Repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell DoD 22 Jul 2011
Obama Certifies Military Ready for ‘Don’t Ask’ Repeal AFPS 22 Jul 2011 -- Based on recommendations from military leaders, President Barack Obama has certified to Congress that the U.S. armed forces are prepared for repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law.
Air Force leaders issue statement on certification of readiness to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell AFNS 22 Jul 2011 -- Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy issued statement.

Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta Swearing-In Ceremony DoD 22 Jul 2011
Panetta Will Put Heart into Pentagon Job, Biden Says AFPS 22 Jul 2011 -- Vice President Joe Biden formally swore in Leon E. Panetta as the 23rd secretary of defense, saying it will be his most honorable service in the long list of senior government positions he has held.
Panetta Takes Formal Oath as 23rd Defense Secretary AFPS 22 Jul 2011 -- Leon E. Panetta took the oath of office as the nation’s 23rd secretary of defense in a Pentagon ceremony.

EOD Mobile Unit 11 to Deploy to U.S. Central Command AOR NNS 22 Jul 2011 -- Thirty-four Sailors assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 11 and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Expeditionary Support Unit 1 are scheduled to depart Naval Air Station North Island, Calif., July 23 for a deployment to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.
USS Stockdale Returns from Maiden Deployment NNS 22 Jul 2011 -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Stockdale (DDG 106) return to its San Diego homeport July 22, after a six-month maiden deployment to the Western Pacific and U.S. Central Command area of Responsibility (AOR).
Gridley Returns to San Diego After Successful Deployment NNS 22 Jul 2011 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gridley (DDG 101) return to its San Diego homeport July 22, after completing a seven-month deployment to the Western Pacific with the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) carrier strike group.
U.S. Navy, Partner Nations Complete Pacific Partnership NNS 22 Jul 2011 -- The Pacific Partnership 2011 (PP11) mission arrived at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam aboard amphibious transport dock ship USS Cleveland (LPD 7) July 22.
ONR Lightens Burden for Navy EOD Teams NNS 22 Jul 2011 -- A lightweight power system developed by the Office of Naval Research's (ONR) TechSolutions Program to cut the 50 pounds of battery devices hauled by the Navy's explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) teams was delivered July 22.
MCPON Wraps Up European Visit NNS 22 Jul 2011 -- Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) wrapped up his eight-day European trip July 19, by having a luncheon with senior enlisted leaders and an all hands call with Sailors in Stuttgart, Germany.
Samuel B. Roberts Sailors Participate in Kenyan COMREL NNS 22 Jul 2011 -- USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58) built and painted blackboards as part of a community relations (COMREL) project during Africa Partnership Station (APS) East 2011 at Marenje Primary School in Mombasa, Kenya, July 21.
Abraham Lincoln Passes First Underway Cyber Inspection NNS 22 Jul 2011 -- USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) passed a first-of-its-kind afloat Department of Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) command cyber readiness inspection (CCRI), July 14, while the ship was conducting training at sea.
Seabees Depart for Field Training Exercise NNS 22 Jul 2011 -- Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 7 Air Detachment departed Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport July 21, for Operation Bearing Duel aboard Joint Training Facility Camp Shelby in Hattiesburg, Miss.
USS Constitution Begins New Chapter with 72nd Commanding Officer NNS 22 Jul 2011 -- USS Constitution changed commanding officers in a ceremony on board the ship in Charlestown, Mass., July 22.
USS Pasadena Holds Change of Command NNS 22 Jul 2011 -- Cmdr. Luis Molina relieved Cmdr. Andrew St. John as commanding officer of the Los Angeles-class submarine USS Pasadena (SSN 752) in a time-honored change of command ceremony at the submarine piers at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, July 22.
NECC Demonstrates Latest Technology During Exercise NNS 22 Jul 2011 -- Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) utilized their specialized capabilities to help successfully demonstrate the newest technologies featured during Trident Warrior 2011 (TW11) in locations across the Hampton Roads area, July 18-22.
Experimental Equipment Provides Expeditionary Flexibility NNS 22 Jul 2011 -- Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) tested a new communications technology during the Navy's annual fleet experimentation event, Trident Warrior 2011 (TW11) July 18 – 22 at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek, Va.
USS Kearsarge Starts Planned Maintenance Availability NNS 22 Jul 2011 -- Amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) officially began its planned maintenance availability (PMA) period at BAE Systems shipyard in Norfolk, Va., July 20.
Future Force - Army Research Lab equips the warfighter Army News 22 Jul 2011 -- THE Army is a well-trained, well-equipped fighting force. And behind every weapon, piece of armor and training that prepares and protects Soldiers in battle are teams of scientists and engineers who are solving complex problems and driving future capabilities.
Air Force, Navy team up for 21st Century fight AFNS 22 Jul 2011 -- Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Phil Breedlove discussed the Air Force's enduring capabilities, the Air-Sea Battle concept and the Long Range Strike family of systems.
Air Force works to improve energy efficiency AFNS 22 Jul 2011 -- The vice chief of staff of the Air Force outlined service energy priorities during a keynote address at the 2011 Army-Air Force Energy Forum.
Taiwan not yet informed of U.S. arms sale decision CNA 22 Jul 2011 -- The US will reportedly decide whether to sell F-16 C/D jet fighters to Taiwan by Oct. 1.
Western Air Defense Sector in Eastern Europe AFNS 22 Jul 2011 -- The Western Air Defense Sector provides a critical component to the U.S. homeland defense mission.
Above the Arctic Circle Army News 22 Jul 2011 -- This summer, CRTC tested the Improved Position and Azimuth Determining System - Global Positioning System.
Air Force surgeon general lays out future of aeromedical evacuation AFNS 22 Jul 2011 -- The Air Force surgeon general addressed hundreds of medical professionals from around the world at the International Aeromedical Evacuation/En Route Care Conference.

Russian shipyard under scrutiny for misuse of defense order funds RIA Novosti 22 Jul 2011 -- Police in St. Petersburg have launched a criminal probe into activities of the management of the Severnaya Verf shipyard.

Fifty years of defending NATO’s skies NATO 22 Jul 201 1-- NATO’s Integrated Air Defence and the supporting NATO Integrated Air Defence System (NATINADS) mark 50 years of safeguarding NATO's skies.

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for July 22, 2011
U.S. Air Force Approves Production of Northrop Grumman's Deployable Digital Wireless System for Remote Warfighters Northrop Grumman 22 Jul 2011 -- The U.S. Air Force has approved Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) Theater Deployable Communications (TDC) Wireless Distribution Module (WDM) for production.

Other Conflicts

22 July 2011 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 22 Jul 2011

Italy Hosts Libyan Rebels in Diplomacy Talks VOA 22 Jul 2011 -- Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini held talks in Rome with the Vice-President of the Transitional National Council of Benghazi, Ali al-Issawi.
LIBYA: Timeline of key events since 14 June IRIN 22 Jul 2011 -- Hundreds of thousands of people have fled Libya since an uprising against Muammar Gaddafi's 41-year rule began in February.
Libya Needs Long-Term Humanitarian Assistance, Aid Groups Say VOA 22 Jul 2011 -- As fighting continues in Libya between rebels and forces loyal to leader Moammar Gadhafi, ordinary citizens are caught in the middle.

Yemeni Women Find Voice in Revolution VOA 22 Jul 2011 -- President Ali Abdullah Saleh scolded women for violating Islamic law by joining men in demonstrations on the streets of Sana’a.

WHO: Five More Regions in Southern Somalia on Brink of Famine VOA 22 Jul 2011 -- A senior official of the World Health Organization says five more regions in southern Somalia are on the brink of famine.
Crisis Group: Only Peace, Stability Will Ensure Somalis Don’t Starve VOA 22 Jul 2011 -- The militant group al-Shabab has rejected the United Nation’s declaration of famine in parts of Somalia.
Somali Militants Will Block Aid to Famine-Stricken Areas VOA 22 Jul 2011 -- Somalia's militant group al-Shabab says it will not allow aid groups it has banned from operating in famine-stricken areas of the country.
Somali Islamist Insurgents Maintain Aid Ban, Deny There Is Famine RFE/RL 22 Jul 2011 -- Somalia's Al-Shebab insurgents have denied lifting their ban on Western aid agencies and called reports of famine "propaganda."
Somalia: Ban makes impassioned plea for help for famine-hit people UN News Centre 22 Jul 2011 -- Secretary-General Ban made an impassioned plea to the international community to mobilize resources to avert a humanitarian catastrophe in Somalia.

Clinton Welcomes South China Sea Guidelines VOA 22 Jul 2011 -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Friday welcomed a draft agreement between China and ASEAN aimed at defusing tensions over disputed waters of the South China Sea.
President Ma distances Taiwan from China on Tiaoyutai dispute CNA 22 Jul 2011 -- President Ma has ruled out the possibility of Taiwan aligning with China in dealing with disputed Tiaoyutai Islands.

Effort Underway to Restore Relationship Between Israel, Turkey VOA 22 Jul 2011 -- The UN is expected to publish its report next week on last year's killing by Israeli forces of nine Turks aboard a ship seeking to break its economic embargo of Gaza Strip.
No Israeli apologies to Turkey over Freedom Flotilla deaths RIA Novosti 22 Jul 2011 -- Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman ruled out an Israeli apology to Turkey over the deadly raid on a Gaza-bound ship last year.
UN agency threatens to stop operations in Gaza over protests RIA Novosti 22 Jul 2011 -- A UN agency which provides assistance to Palestinian refugees has threatened to suspend its activities in the Gaza Strip.

Hariri Clan Political Legacy at Stake in Tribunal Fallout VOA 22 Jul 2011 -- After six years, the UN-backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon has issued four arrest warrants in the case of the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

UN experts alarmed over atrocities in Sudan’s Southern Kordofan region UN News Centre 22 Jul 2011 -- UN human rights experts expressed alarm over reports of mass killings in the Southern Kordofan region of Sudan.
Darfur: ‘imperative of peace is now,’ Security Council told UN News Centre 22 Jul 2011 -- The UN-AU envoy for Darfur called for stepped-up efforts to reach a comprehensive peace agreement as soon as possible.

Analysis: Quagmire in east set to blight DRC elections IRIN 22 Jul 2011 -- More than three years ago, peace accords signed in the South Kivu provincial capital, Goma, were supposed to signal the end of violence and displacement in eastern DRC.
UN report calls for prosecution of perpetrators of mass rape in DR Congo UN News Centre 22 Jul 2011 -- A UN investigation into mass rapes in the DRC seven months ago identifies the rapists as Congolese army soldiers, demands their prosecution and asks the Government to protect the victims from reprisals from the perpetrators.

Murder attempt on Russia's south anti-terror head fails, two police dead RIA Novosti 22 Jul 2011 -- Gunmen attempted to kill the anti-extremism department head of Russia's volatile southern republic of Dagestan.

Parties to Western Sahara conflict conclude informal talks in New York UN News Centre 22 Jul 2011 -- The parties to the Western Sahara dispute, Morocco and the Frente Polisario, have concluded another round of UN-backed informal talks in New York.

Iranian Commander Killed in Clashes with Kurdish Rebels VOA 22 Jul 2011 -- Iran says a Revolutionary Guards commander and five force members have been killed in clashes with Kurdish rebels in the northwest.

The Arrest Of A Fugitive, And A New Future For Serbia RFE/RL 22 Jul 2011 -- When Serbian police forces arrested the country’s last fugitive war crimes suspect, they closed a chapter on a long and tortuous history.
Last remaining fugitive taken into custody by UN’s Balkans war crimes tribunal UN News Centre 22 Jul 2011 -- The last remaining fugitive from the UN war crimes tribunal for the Balkans was transferred to the court’s custody.
Serbia Hands Hadzic to War Crimes Tribunal VOA 22 Jul 2011 -- Serbia has extradited the former leader of Croatia's ethnic Serbs, Goran Hadzic, to the U.N. war crimes tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands.
Serbia Extradites Last Indicted War Crimes Suspect Hadzic RFE/RL 22 Jul 2011 -- Goran Hadzic, the wartime leader of ethnic Serbs in Croatia who is accused of ordering one of the earliest atrocities of the Balkan wars, has arrived in The Hague.
War crime suspect Hadzic extradited to The Hague RIA Novosti 22 Jul 2011 -- Serbian war crimes suspect Goran Hadzic was extradited to The Hague, where he will stand before a UN war crimes tribunal.

News Reports

Syria: UN warns crimes against humanity may have been committed UN News Centre 22 Jul 2011 -- UN special advisers voiced alarm at reports of human rights violations perpetrated by security forces in Syria.
Syrian Protests Ripple Across Nation Despite Crackdown VOA 22 Jul 2011 -- Tens of thousands of Syrians continued to protest against their government Friday.
Major Crackdown In Syria's Homs RFE/RL 22 Jul 2011 -- Syrian forces are reported to have launched a major crackdown in the central city of Homs.
Syrian Security Officers Respond to Mass Protests with Force VOA 22 Jul 2011 -- At least six people were killed in Syria on Friday where security officers have responded to mass protests with force.
Syria erupts in huge day of protest against Assad RIA Novosti 22 Jul 2011 -- President Bashar Assad’s regime faced a massive wave of unrest on Friday as Syria erupted in a wave of demonstrations across the country.

Egyptian Activists Continue to Press for Faster Reforms VOA 22 Jul 2011 -- Hundreds of protesters rallied on Cairo’s Tahrir Square after mid-day prayers Friday to call for faster reforms.
Egypt Protesters Back In Tahrir Square To Push For Change RFE/RL 22 Jul 2011 -- Hundreds of protesters gathered for Friday prayers in Cairo's Tahrir Square ahead of a planned protest over a cabinet reshuffle.

Amnesty condemns proposed Saudi anti-terrorism law IRNA 22 Jul 2011 -- Amnesty International has condemned Saudi Arabian proposals for an anti-terrorism law that would allow the kingdom's authorities to prosecute peaceful dissent as a terrorist crime.

Obama Expresses Condolences to Norway Over Attacks VOA 22 Jul 2011 -- President Barack Obama has expressed his condolences to the Norwegian people over bomb explosion.
Bomb Blast, Gun Assault Terrorize Norway VOA 22 Jul 2011 -- Violent attacks savaged normally peaceful Norway, with an Oslo bomb blast killing at least seven people.
Norway Rocked By Simultaneous Deadly Explosion And Gun Rampage RFE/RL 22 Jul 2011 -- A huge explosion in the Norwegian capital of Oslo has killed at least seven people.
Blast Rocks Norway Government Headquarters VOA 22 Jul 2011 -- A large explosion in Norway's capital, Oslo, rocked government headquarters on Friday, killing at least two people and injuring 15 others.
At Least Two Killed In Blast At Norway Government Headquarters RFE/RL 22 Jul 2011 -- A huge explosion in the Norwegian capital of Oslo has killed at least two people and damaged several government buildings.
Oslo hit by deadly bombing, shootings RIA Novosti 22 Jul 2011 -- At least ten people were killed on Friday as a massive bomb went off at the government headquarters in the Norwegian capital of Oslo and a man opened fire at random at a youth camp, police and media reports said.

North, South Korea agree to resume six-party talks RIA Novosti 22 Jul 2011 -- South and North Korea have agreed to take joint efforts to resume the stalled six-party talks on ending the North's nuclear program.
Moscow hails N.Korea's readiness to resume six-party talks RIA Novosti 22 Jul 2011 -- Moscow hails North Korea's readiness to resume six-party talks on the country's controversial nuclear issue.
North, South Korea Hold Talks at ASEAN Conference VOA 22 Jul 2011 -- Diplomats from North and South Korea discuss resuming six-nation talks on Pyongyang's nuclear weapons.
Envoys From North And South Korea Have 'Constructive' Talks RFE/RL 22 Jul 2011 -- South Korea's nuclear envoy said he had had "constructive" talks with his North Korean counterpart.

Analysis: Paving the way for justice in Côte d'Ivoire IRIN 22 Jul 2011 -- National and international truth, reconciliation and justice mechanisms being set up in Côte d’Ivoire must be impartial and independent to have any credibility, say analysts and rights groups.
Red Cross Visits Former Ivory Coast President in Detention VOA 22 Jul 2011 -- The International Committee of the Red Cross says it has visited former Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo.

Senegal: Chad Asks for the Extradition of Habre to Belgium VOA 22 Jul 2011 -- Chad has asked Senegal to extradite Chad's former president Hissene Habre to Belgium, where he is charged with against crimes against humanity.

SRI LANKA: Northerners go to the polls IRIN 22 Jul 2011 -- Voters in northern Sri Lanka go to the polls on 23 July in what could prove a litmus test of public sentiment in the former conflict zone.

Malawi Blocks Funeral for 7 Protesters VOA 22 Jul 2011 -- Authorities in Malawi have blocked a mass funeral for seven people killed during protests in the northern town of Mzuzu.

UN-backed Cameroon-Nigeria commission meets to resolve border issues UN News Centre 22 Jul 2011 -- The UN-backed Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed Commission kicks off a two-day meeting today in Abuja, Nigeria.

Armenian Government Negotiators 'Open' To Opposition Demands RFE/RL 22 Jul 2011 -- Armenia's governing coalition has pledged to consider the demands of the opposition Armenian National Congress.

Estonia's PM denies Waffen-SS parades tied to Nazi ideology RIA Novosti 22 Jul 2011 -- The Estonian prime minister said annual meetings of Waffen-SS veterans in his country have nothing to do with Nazi ideology.

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