News

27 July 2011 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 27 Jul 2011 [PDF]

ISAF Condemns Killing of Kandahar’s Mayor AFPS 27 Jul 2011 -- The International Security Assistance Force joined Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai in condemning today’s killing of Kandahar City Mayor Ghulam Haidar Hamedi.
Suicide Bombing Kills Mayor of Afghanistan's Kandahar City VOA 27 Jul 2011 -- A suicide bomber has killed the mayor of Afghanistan's southern city of Kandahar, the latest in a series of high-profile assassinations.
Kandahar Mayor Killed In Suicide Bombing RFE/RL 27 Jul 2011 -- The mayor of Afghanistan's southern city of Kandahar has been killed by a suicide bomber in the latest in a spate of attacks targeting key local officials.
Mayor of Kandahar killed in terrorist attack RIA Novosti 27 Jul 2011 -- The mayor of the Afghan city of Kandahar was killed and another person was wounded in a terror attack.
Combat innovations multiply Marine Corps Harriers’ punch USMC News 27 Jul 2011 -- VMA-513 became the first land-based Marine Corps Harrier squadron to employ a laser-guided Joint Direct Attack Munition, the GBU-54, in combat.

NATO and Libya - Operational Media Update: 26 Jul 2011
HMS Sutherland begins boarding operations off Libya UK MOD 27 Jul 2011 -- HMS Sutherland has already conducted a boarding operation under the auspices of UN Security Council Resolutions 1970 and 1973.

Defense Policy / Programs

Minuteman III destroyed during test launch AFNS 27 Jul 2011 -- An unarmed operational test Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile was destroyed by Vandenberg's Western Range officials July 27.
Enduring cultural change underpins Global Strike Command mission AFPS 27 Jul 2011 -- Air Force Global Strike Command's top leader discussed the command's relevance and the need for cultural restoration.
Rogozin on Russia-U.S relations RIA Novosti 27 Jul 2011 -- Rogozin: Russia must ensure the protection of its interests in case if radical Republicans come to power in the United States after the upcoming elections.
DIA Director Cites Value of Shared Knowledge AFPS 27 Jul 2011 -- A heightened level of shared knowledge, speed of information and sending professionals to the battlefield are crucial to future military endeavors.
Obama, Thurman Commemorate Korean Armistice Anniversary AFPS 27 Jul 2011 -- President Barack Obama commemorated the anniversary of the armistice agreement that established a demilitarized zone between North and South Korea and brought an end to fighting there.
Readiness Must Be Key Amid Cuts, Vice Chiefs Warn AFPS 27 Jul 2011 -- Military readiness must remain paramount as the military seeks ways to operate in the face of looming budget cuts, the services’ vice chiefs warned Congress yesterday.
Most Acquisition Reform Policies, Plans in Place AFPS 27 Jul 2011 -- The Defense Department’s acquisition organization is 18 to 24 months away from completing the integration of practices that are changing the way the Pentagon buys goods and services.
Air Force vice chief testifies on force readiness AFNS 27 Jul 2011 -- The Air Force vice chief of staff provided a total force readiness update to the House Armed Services Committee's Subcommittee on Readiness here July 26.
F-35C Launches to New Milestone NNS 27 Jul 2011 -- The F-35C Joint Strike Fighter completed its first steam catapult launch July 27 marking another milestone toward initial ship trials in 2013.
NPS Students Explore Full Potential of Unmanned Air Systems NNS 28 Jul 2011 -- The Naval Postgraduate School's Field Experimentation program is providing students the opportunity to test their research.
New Era Begins For Ordnance Battalion Army News 27 Jul 2011 -- The 832nd Ordnance Battalion became the newest addition to the Ordnance School during a ceremony to mark their arrival July 26.
Demobilizing From War: Iowans Return Home Army News 27 Jul 2011 -- When Army Reserve and National Guard Soldiers return from deployments, they do not just turn in their weapons and head straight home to Fort Living Room.
USS Carr Departs Tallinn, Estonia NNS 27 Jul 2011 -- USS Carr completed a five-day port visit to Tallinn, Estonia, July 26, as part of a three-month deployment supporting theater security cooperation engagements throughout the Baltic nations.
Taiwan rejects charge of inadequate F-16 lobbying efforts CNA 27 Jul 2011 -- Taiwan firmly rebutted a U.S. newspaper report claiming that it has not lobbied strongly to procure new fighters or upgrade its existing jets.
SAFE SKIES 2011 demonstrates true collaboration AFNS 27 Jul 2011 -- Airmen from the 144th Fighter Wing at Fresno Air National Guard Base, Calif., are partnered with Ukrainian and Polish airmen at Mirgorod Air Base, Ukraine, through the National Guard State Partnership Program.
Continuing Promise Completes Mission in El Salvador NNS 27 Jul 2011 -- USNS Comfort and the Continuing Promise 2011 mission team departed Acajutla, El Salvador, July 24, after providing medical, dental, veterinary and engineering services to the country.
Arsenal's new machine will shave 100s of hours of production time, manufacturing costs Army News 27 Jul 2011 -- Watervliet Arsenal announced this week that it has installed a $250,000 state-of-the-art calibration machine that may attain a payback to the Army in less than two years.
Walter Reed Army Medical Center cases colors Army News 27 Jul 2011 -- After more than a century of providing comprehensive health care to active and retired military personnel, along with their families, the Walter Reed Army Medical Center cased its colors.
Reserve personnel center moving, going green AFNS 27 Jul 2011 -- Air Force Reserve Command leaders celebrated the command's newest green building with a ribbon-cutting ceremony here July 19.

Russia test fires Sineva missile in Barents Sea RIA Novosti 27 Jul 2011 -- Russia successfully test fired a Sineva submarine launched ballistic missile in the Barents Sea.
Russian fifth-generation fighter to make first public flight RIA Novosti 27 Jul 2011 -- Russia's Sukhoi T-50 fifth-generation fighter, also known as PAK-FA, will perform its first public flight at MAKS-2011.

Taiwan needs not worry about China's aircraft carrier - for now CNA 27 Jul 2011 -- Experts: Taiwan does not need to worry about the carrier threat until China builds a second or a third carrier and forms battle groups.
China Says Aircraft Carrier To Be Used For Training RFE/RL 27 Jul 2011 -- China says it plans to use a refurbished aircraft carrier it bought second-hand from another country for training purposes.

Caspian Sea States On Course For Naval Arms Race RFE/RL 27 Jul 2011 -- Earlier this month, representatives of the countries that surround the Caspian Sea met in Moscow to discuss divvying up its ample natural resources.

Newest Philippine Navy Ship Gets Aloha Welcome NNS 27 Jul 2011 -- More than a hundred Filipino-Americans and other well-wishers welcomed the Philippine Navy's newest ship, BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PF-15), as it arrived at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH), July 27 for a brief port visit.

Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, 7/27/2011 The White House 27 Jul 2011
U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing, July 27, 2011 US Dept. of State 27 Jul 2011

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for July 27, 2011
Northrop Grumman's Global Hawk Unmanned Aircraft System Completes First Full System Flight With MP-RTIP Sensor Northrop Grumman 26 Jul 2011 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) RQ-4B Block 40 Global Hawk unmanned aircraft system (UAS) completed its first full system flight with the high performance AN/ZPY-2, also referred to as the Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program (MP-RTIP) sensor. The flight took place at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., on July 21.
BAE Systems to Provide Information Technology Services and Support to U.S. Special Operations Command BAE Systems 27 Jul 2011 -- U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) awarded BAE Systems a place on the multiple-award Special Operations Forces Information Technology Enterprise Contract (SITEC) for IT services and technical support for special operations forces.
BAE Systems to provide Flight Controls for Embraer's KC-390 Aircraft BAE Systems 27 Jul 2011 -- Aircraft manufacturer Embraer and the Brazilian Air Force have selected BAE Systems to provide flight control electronics for the KC-390 military transport aircraft.
Enhanced Boeing KC-46 Tanker Trailer Debuts at Rodeo 2011 Boeing 27 Jul 2011 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] today unveiled its updated KC-46 Aerial Refueling Trailer at Rodeo 2011, a U.S. Air Force and Air Mobility Command readiness competition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. The trailer showcases the state-of-the art technologies Boeing is incorporating into the new KC-46 tanker fleet. It traveled throughout the United States prior to Boeing's win of the contract to replace the Air Force's aerial refueling tankers.
IAI/ELTA Systems Awarded a $17 Million Contract to Supply Surveillance and Air Defense Radars of the STAR product line to a Far- Eastern Customer Israel Aerospace Industries 27 Jul 2011 -- ELTA Systems Ltd., an IAI group and subsidiary, has been awarded a $17 million contract to supply its successful Surveillance & Air Defense Radars of the STAR product line to a Far-Eastern customer.
Lockheed Martin, U.S. Army Demonstrate HALE-D During Abbreviated Flight Lockheed Martin 27 Jul 2011 -- The U.S. Army and Lockheed Martin launched the first-of-its kind High Altitude Long Endurance-Demonstrator this morning, demonstrating a number of key technologies critical to development of unmanned airships.
Lockheed Martin JASSM® Lot 8 Software Validated During Flight Test Lockheed Martin 27 Jul 2011 -- Lockheed Martin's [NYSE: LMT] Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) recently completed a successful Product Verification Test (PVT) at White Sands Missile Range, N.M.
Orbital Launches 25th Coyote Supersonic Sea-Skimming Target Missile For U.S. Navy Orbital Sciences Corp. 27 Jul 2011 -- Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB) recently carried out the 25th launch of its Coyote supersonic sea-skimming target (SSST) vehicle for the U.S. Navy

Other Conflicts

Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, 27 July 2011 United Nations 27 Jul 2011

Britain Expels Libyan Envoys; Recognizes Rebels VOA 27 Jul 2011 -- Britain has expelled all diplomats from Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi's government and recognized the opposition Transitional National Council.
U.K. Recognizes Libyan Rebels, Expels Qaddafi Envoys RFE/RL 27 Jul 2011 -- Britain has formally recognized Libyan rebels seeking to topple Muammar Qaddafi as Libya's legitimate government.
UK severs ties with Gaddafi regime to release assets IRNA 27 Jul 2011 -- All remaining Libyan embassy staff are being expelled from the UK and members of the Benghazi-based rebels will be asked to take over their embassy building in London.
Libyan crisis far from political solution RIA Novosti 27 Jul 2011 -- Opposing sides in the Libyan conflict are far from reaching a political compromise but they say ready to discuss the possible solutions with the UN.
Lockerbie Bombing Convict Makes Appearance At Pro-Qaddafi Rally In Tripoli RFE/RL 27 Jul 2011 -- Libyan convicted in connection with 1988 airliner bombing has made a public appearance at a rally in support of Muammar Qaddafi.

Yemeni Militants Demand Ransom for Missing Aid Workers VOA 27 Jul 2011 -- Al-Qaida-linked militants in Yemen are demanding a $12 million ransom for the release of three French aid workers who went missing in May.

Palestinian President Vows to Pursue Statehood Recognition VOA 27 Jul 2011 -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas again vowed to seek United Nations membership for a proposed Palestinian state.

Instability Helped Create Famine in Somalia, says Former USAID Official VOA 27 Jul 2011 -- Politics plays a pivotal role in the onset of Somalia’s famine, say observers.
Ban stresses urgency of funding Horn of Africa relief efforts UN News Centre 27 Jul 2011 -- Secretary-General Ban stressed the need for urgent funding to carry out critical humanitarian efforts in the Horn of Africa.
Somalia Urges Humanitarian Groups to Expedite Aid to Refugees VOA 27 Jul 2011 -- Omar Osman, a spokesman for Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government , described his visit to three refugee camps in the capital Mogadishu.
The UN World Food Program Begins Relief Flights to Somalia VOA 27 Jul 2011 -- The U.N. World Food Program has begun an airlift of emergency food aid to Somalia.
UN Begins Food Airlifts to Somalia VOA 27 Jul 2011 -- The U.N. World Food Program has begun emergency airlifts of food to the drought-stricken Horn of Africa.
KENYA: Expand drought response, UN agencies urge IRIN 27 Jul 2011 -- UN agencies in Kenya have called for the scaling-up of the drought response and mitigation interventions as more people will likely become food insecure amid funding gaps.
Analysis: Horn of Africa aid must also build long-term resilience IRIN 27 Jul 2011 -- The images of starving children bear grim witness to the extent of the crisis affecting millions of people in the Horn of Africa, but they also symbolize a failure to act in time.
FEWS NET Collects and Interprets Data on Somali Famine VOA 27 Jul 2011 -- The Famine Early Warning Systems Network is a US-funded project that compiles data on food security issues.

US to Hold 'Exploratory' Talks With North Korea in New York VOA 27 Jul 2011 -- Senior U.S. and North Korean Diplomats meet in New York for what the State Department calls “exploratory” talks.
Conclusion of Peace Agreement Called for KCNA 27 Jul 2011 -- 58 years have passed since the Armistice Agreement (AA) was signed on July 27, 1953.
Newspapers Mark War Victory Day KCNA 27 Jul 2011 -- Today is the 58th anniversary of the historic victory the army and people of the DPRK won after defeating the U.S. imperialist aggressors who boasted of being the "strongest" in the world.

UN troops move into disputed Sudanese area of Abyei UN News Centre 27 Jul 2011 -- The top United Nations peacekeeping official reported that more than 500 troops with the new UN mission in the disputed Abyei area of Sudan have been deployed.

India, Pakistan Call for New Cooperation VOA 27 Jul 2011 -- India and Pakistan have promised to initiate new trade and travel contacts across a disputed border, following rare Foreign Minister-level talks.
India, Pakistan agree on need to strengthen cooperation on counter-terrorism IRNA 27 Jul 2011 -- Indian and Pakistan agreed on the need to strengthen cooperation on counter-terrorism.
Pakistan wants uninterrupted talks with India: FM IRNA 27 Jul 2011 -- Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said on Tuesday that Pakistan wants ‘uninterupted and interuptable’ dialogue process with India.
Foreign Ministers Of India, Pakistan Hold Peace Talks RFE/RL 27 Jul 2011 -- The foreign ministers of India and Pakistan held confidence-building talks in the Indian capital of New Delhi.

Iranian Exiles Say U.S. Failing To Help Wounded At Iraq Camp RFE/RL 27 Jul 2011 -- An exiled Iranian opposition group has criticized the US for not doing enough to help victims of clashes at a dissident camp.
Iraq says not to allow PJAK, MKO to act ISNA 27 Jul 2011 -- Iraqi ambassador to Iran Majid al-Sheikh said his country would not allow PJAK and MKO to act inside the Arab country.
IRGC will attack Pjak terrorists until Iraq deploys border guards IRNA 27 Jul 2011 -- Iranian border guards will attack Pjak terrorists operating on border until the Iraqi or Iraqi Kurdistan administration deploy troops.
Iran says it confronts PJAK until deployment of Iraqi forces ISNA 27 Jul 2011 -- An Iranian senior military official said the guard forces would continue destructive and invasive operations against PJAK until deployment of Iraqi forces in borders.
Iran: 23 Dead in Clash with Kurdish Rebels VOA 27 Jul 2011 -- Iran says a clash near the Iraqi border between its forces and Kurdish rebels has killed two Iranian Revolutionary Guards and 21 rebels.
Iran guard deals another lethal blow to PJAK group ISNA 27 Jul 2011 -- Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps arrested and annihilated several teams of mobs and PJAK terrorist group in northwest Iran.
Analysts: Tensions Between Turks and Kurds Threaten Stability VOA 27 Jul 2011 -- In the last two weeks, 20 Turkish soldiers have been killed by the Kurdish rebel group, the PKK.

Serbian President Says Belgrade Will Not Use Force RFE/RL 27 Jul 2011 -- Serbian President Boris Tadic says that Belgrade will not use force to resolve the conflict between Kosovar police and ethnic Serbs in northern Kosovo.
Mob Sets Border Post Ablaze In Northern Kosovo RFE/RL 27 Jul 2011 -- A mob of angry Serbs threw firebombs and a customs post was set on fire on Kosovo's northern border with Serbia, hours after Kosovar special police withdrew from the area.
Kosovo police to pull out of Serb border area RIA Novosti 27 Jul 2011 -- Kosovo special police forces will pull back from the administrative border with Serbia following an agreement between Pristina and Belgrade.
Serbia calls for peaceful solution of Kosovo border clashes RIA Novosti 27 Jul 2011 -- Belgrade “will not go to war” in response to Kosovo attempts to seize border checkpoints and will use only diplomatic means to resolve the conflict.

Sexual abuse allegations against UN peacekeepers in DR Congo and Liberia decline UN News Centre 27 Jul 2011 -- Allegations of sexual abuse by soldiers serving in the UN peacekeeping mission in the DRC have declined by 75 per cent since 2008.

Press Conference by United Nations Peacekeeping Force Commanders, 27 July 2011 United Nations 27 Jul 2011
Bangladeshi general to head UN force in Western Sahara UN News Centre 27 Jul 2011 -- Secretary-General Ban appointed Major General Abdul Hafiz of Bangladesh as the Force Commander of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Western Sahara.

Khmer Rouge Trial Judge Defends Tribunal VOA 27 Jul 2011 -- An international investigative judge overseeing the prosecution of war crimes suspects in Cambodia is defending the tribunal from critics.

News Reports

Tanks Attack Syrian Town, 11 Killed RFE/RL 27 Jul 2011 -- Activists and witnesses say Syrian security forces backed by tanks shot dead 11 civilians when they stormed a town near Damascus on July 27.
Syrian police kill 11 protesters - report RIA Novosti 27 Jul 2011 -- At least 11 people were shot dead by police near Damascus on Wednesday, Al Arabiya News reported, citing rights groups.
Syria Activists: 11 Killed in Raid Near Damascus VOA 27 Jul 2011 -- Human rights activists in Syria say security forces have killed at least eleven people during a sweep south of the capital, Damascus.

Egyptian Groups Unify for Huge Protest Friday VOA 27 Jul 2011 -- Egyptian activist groups have agreed to a joint plan for a huge demonstration in Cairo’s Tahrir Square Friday, a move designed to avoid clashes among protesters with different views.
If Egypt’s Economy Doesn’t Improve, Does Democracy Matter? VOA 27 Jul 2011 -- Egypt’s unemployment rate is approximately 12 percent, according to the International Monetary Fund.

Details of Alleged Xinjiang 'Terrorist Attack' Still Sketchy VOA 27 Jul 2011 -- It has been more than a week since China's remote western Xinjiang region was hit by its worst unrest in more than year.

Press Conference by President of Côte d’Ivoire, 27 July 2011 United Nations 27 Jul 2011
Ivorian President Says Justice Will Be Applied Equally VOA 27 Jul 2011 -- The president of Ivory Coast said justice will be applied equally to his supporters and those of former President Laurent Gbagbo, who were involved in the country's recent post-election violence.
Security Council extends UN mission in Côte d’Ivoire for another year UN News Centre 27 Jul 2011 -- The Security Council extended the mandate of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Côte d’Ivoire for another year.

Africans suspected behind Karachi unrest IRNA 27 Jul 2011 -- Minister for Interior Rehman Malik has said that suspects from different African countries are involved in terrorist activities in the southern port city of Karachi.

Saudi experts can visit nuclear facilities: Iran ISNA 27 Jul 2011 -- Tehran’s ambassador to Riyadh Mohammad Javad Mahallati said there is no impediment to Saudi Arabian experts to visit Iran’s nuclear installations.
Amid deadlock in UN disarmament forum, Ban suggests way forward UN News Centre 27 Jul 2011 -- Secretary-General Ban: World’s sole multilateral disarmament negotiating forum remains deadlocked and suggested ways to break the stalemate.

Former Kyrgyz President's Trial In Absentia Resumes RFE/RL 27 Jul 2011 -- The trial of former Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiev has resumed in a military court in Bishkek.

Political Rivalry May Change Leadership in One-Party Vietnam VOA 27 Jul 2011 -- Vietnam's National Assembly held an election for its top leaders this week, which some observers have said could provide a shift forward for a political system long considered mostly ceremonial.

Norway Massacre Highlights Europe's Growing Far Right VOA 27 Jul 2011 -- Norway's PM: European intelligence agencies have joined the investigation into last week's terror attacks.
Norway to Set Up Commission to Investigate Attacks VOA 27 Jul 2011 -- Norwegian PM Stoltenberg says his government will set up an independent commission to investigate the shooting and bomb attack last week.
Norwegian PM: Security, Police Response To Be Reevaluated RFE/RL 27 Jul 2011 -- PM Stoltenberg has said that Norway would review police response and security measures after a mourning period.
Norwegian minister praises police over Breivik attack RIA Novosti 27 Jul 2011 -- Norwegian Justice Minister Knut Storberget praised the actions by the country's police authorities over the way they handled terror attacks.
Breivik could be put in mental institution if found insane RIA Novosti 27 Jul 2011 -- Anders Behring Breivik, the principal suspect in the twin terror attacks in Norway last Friday, may undergo compulsory medical treatment.
70 kids targeted by Islamophobic terrorist in Norway were Muslims IRNA 27 Jul 2011 -- Some 70 of those kids targeted by Islamophobic terrorist at the Labour Party summer camp on the coast of lake Tyrifjorden at Utoya island on July 22 were Muslims.
Norway police search for man compared with murder suspect Breivik RIA Novosti 27 Jul 2011 -- Norwegian police are looking for an "insane and dangerous" man, who has compared himself with Anders Behring Breivik.

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