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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 15 Aug 2011 [PDF]
• NATO and Libya - Operational Media Update: 14 Aug 2011
• Iraqi Military Capabilities Growing, General Says AFPS 15 Aug 2011 -- Iraq has the most capable counterinsurgency force in the Middle East and Central Asia, but its military still has a long way to go to defend the Iraqi people, a spokesman for U.S. Forces Iraq said here today.
• Bombings Bear Signs of al-Qaida in Iraq, General Says AFPS 15 Aug 2011 -- Bomb explosions that have killed at least 58 Iraqis today appear to be the work of al-Qaida in Iraq, a spokesman for U.S. Forces Iraq said here today.
• UN officials condemn wave of deadly bombings across Iraq UN News Centre 15 Aug 2011 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and his top envoy for Iraq strongly condemned the series of bombings that reportedly killed dozens of people and wounded many others across the country today.
• Dozens Killed as Wave of Violence Strikes Iraq VOA 15 Aug 2011 -- A series of explosions and attacks hit cities and towns across Iraq Monday, killing at least 63 people. It was the most violent day in the country in months.
• Iraqi airmen train to defend their airspace as U.S. Forces prepare to withdraw AFNS 15 Aug 2011 -- With less than six months remaining before the U.S. withdraws from Iraq, U.S. military air advisors here are doubling their training efforts to ensure Iraqi Airmen are prepared to defend their boarders from the sky.
• CID combats corruption in Afghanistan Army News 15 Aug 2011 -- As billions of dollars flow into the Afghan economy to assist its people, some remain skeptical that this effort will affect change in such a chaotic environment. At the front of some lawmakers' concerns is the opportunity for misuse of these funds. To combat corruption within the contracting process America's federal law enforcement communities established the International Contract and Corruption Task Force -- Afghanistan.
• Afghan, Coalition Forces Pursue Insurgents AFPS 15 Aug 2011 -- Afghan and coalition forces have been heavily engaged in Afghanistan's southeastern region in recent days, killing and detaining numerous insurgent fighters there, military officials reported.
• Texas Marines wrap up Afghan police training mission USMC News 15 Aug 2011 -- In the mountains of Nangarhar province in eastern Afghanistan, a small group of Marines are wrapping up a successful tour of training Afghan National Security Forces.
• Lone Star Marines guide Afghan soldiers to new battlespace USMC News 15 Aug 2011 -- Marines with the Houston-based 1st Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, also known as the Lone Star Battalion, provided security and guidance to Afghan National Army soldiers traveling through Helmand province, Aug. 5.
• Marines, Seabees complete road in Helmand province USMC News 15 Aug 2011 -- Marines with 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), and Seabees with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4 held a 'golden spike' ceremony to celebrate the completion of route red west, in Now Zad District, Helmand province, Aug. 5.
• Mitscher, Coast Guard Team Up to Fight Piracy NNS 15 Aug 2011 -- A U.S. Coast Guard Advanced Interdiction Team (AIT) embarked aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Mitscher (DDG 57) July 23 for counterpiracy operations.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Secretary of the Army John McHugh Announces Effort to Transform Army Management, Structure DoD 15 Aug 2011 -- During a morning town hall forum with members of the Army's Senior Executive Service, Secretary of the Army John McHugh announced creation of the Institutional Army Transformation Commission, a panel charged with finding new ways to make the Army a more 'agile, cost-effective organization.'
• No Changes to Military Retirement Any Time Soon, Officials Say AFPS 15 Aug 2011 -- The military retirement system isn't going to change any time soon, Defense Department officials said.
• U.S., South Korea to Begin Ulchi Freedom Guardian Exercise AFPS 15 Aug 2011 -- U.S. and South Korean troops will begin the 10-day Ulchi Freedom Guardian exercise tomorrow, conducted annually by the Republic of Korea-United States Combined Forces Command to improve combat readiness.
• TRADOC CG Visits Fort Gordon Discusses Army's Future Army News 15 Aug 2011
• 502nd Sharpens Intelligence Gathering Skills Army News 15 Aug 2011
• Army Cyber Command Focuses on Protecting Vital Networks AFPS 15 Aug 2011 -- Warfighters operating on the front lines in Afghanistan and elsewhere around the world, can be confident that a corps of 'cyber warriors' has their backs, and is working to protect the computer systems they depend on, a senior military official reported.
• USS Thach Arrives in Panama for PANAMAX 2011 NNS 15 Aug 2011 -- The guided-missile frigate USS Thach (FFG 43) arrived in Panama City, Panama, for the start of PANAMAX 2011, a multinational exercise focusing on the defense of the Panama Canal, Aug. 13.
• USNS Comfort, Continuing Promise 2011 Depart Costa Rica NNS 15 Aug 2011 -- Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) departed Costa Rica Aug. 12 after providing medical, dental and veterinary care, engineering support and participating in subject matter expert exchanges with the country.
• USS Carney Arrives in Malta NNS 15 Aug 2011 -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) arrived in Valletta, Malta, for a port visit, Aug. 14.
• Tanzanians, Ugandans Graduate From APS East Training NNS 15 Aug 2011 -- Africa Partnership Station (APS) East´s Tanzania hub graduated 113 students from Tanzania and Uganda at the Dar Es Salaam navy base Aug. 5.
• USS Samuel B. Roberts Arrives Seychelles for APS East Hub NNS 15 Aug 2011 -- USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58) arrived in Victoria, Seychelles, to begin their involvement with Africa Partnership Station (APS) East's hub Aug. 12.
• USS Ramage Holds Change of Command NNS 15 Aug 2011 -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61) held a change of command ceremony in Rhodes, Greece, Aug. 12.
• USS New Orleans, 11th MEU Train to Combat Piracy NNS 15 Aug 2011 -- The crew of the amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18) along with an embarked Maritime Raid Force (MRF) from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) conducted its first joint boarding training mission during a pre-deployment exercise, Aug. 14.
• Officials conduct study of aircraft oxygen generation systems AFNS 15 Aug 2011 -- Air Force officials continue to conduct an Aircraft Oxygen Generation study, with members of the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board taking the leading role.
• Communications upgrades keep warfighters connected AFNS 15 Aug 2011 -- The Theater Deployable Communications Team at the Electronic Systems Center here is continuing to ensure warfighters have the key communications infrastructure they need while deployed.
• Future of Russian missile defense to be based in air RIA Novosti 15 Aug 2011 -- Russia's next generation missile defense systems which are currently under development will be based not on the ground but in the air, former chief designer of Almaz-Antei corporation Igor Ashurbeili said.
• Russia can offer new generation system for European missile shield RIA Novosti 15 Aug 2011 -- Russia could deploy its future S-500 anti-missile systems as part of a U.S.-led missile defense shield in Europe, a leading aerospace design chief said on Monday.
• New 'missile shield' to be built around Moscow after 2015 RIA Novosti 15 Aug 2011 -- Russia will deploy new S-500 air defense systems around Moscow after 2015, a leading Russian aerospace defense chief said on Monday.
• Russia to introduce new short-range air defense system by 2013 RIA Novosti 15 Aug 2011 -- A new short-range air defense missile system should be ready to enter service in Russia in 2013, former chief designer of Almaz-Antei corporation Igor Ashurbeili said.
• Pakistan Refutes Claims It Shared U.S. Stealth Technology With China RFE/RL 15 Aug 2011 -- The Pakistani military has moved quickly to refute allegations that Chinese military experts were allowed to examine and take samples from a top-secret U.S. helicopter destroyed in the early May raid that killed Osama bin Laden.
• Reports: Pakistan Let China See Downed US 'Stealth' Helicopter VOA 15 Aug 2011 -- U.S. officials say Pakistan likely gave China access to the wreckage of a stealth American helicopter that crashed during the raid that killed Osama bin Laden.
• Woman pilot injured as Pakistan Air Force aircraft crashes IRNA 15 Aug 2011 -- A woman pilot was injured when an aircraft of Pakistan Air forces crashed in the eastern Punjab province on Monday.
• Defense ministry denies report that F-16 C/D deal dead CNA 15 Aug 2011 -- The Ministry of National Defense (MND) has not received any message from the United States that it will not sell Taiwan advanced F-16C/D jet fighters, MND spokesman Lo Shao-ho said Monday, denying a report that said the sale will not be made.
• August 15, 2011 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 15 Aug 2011
• Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Jay Carney Aboard Air Force One en route St. Paul, Minnesota The White House 15 Aug 2011

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for August 15, 2011
• SUCCESSFUL TESTS OF GROUND-BASED AIR DEFENCE SYSTEM Denel 15 Aug 2011 -- Denel Integrated Systems Solution (DISS) has successfully completed an important testing phase in the development of the SANDF's new Ground-based Air Defence System.
• General Dynamics Awarded $42 Million for Saudi Tank Work General Dynamics 15 Aug 2011 -- General Dynamics Land Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), has been awarded two contracts with a combined value of $42.4 million for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's tank program. The contracts were awarded by the U.S. Army TACOM Lifecycle Management Command on behalf of the Royal Saudi Land Forces. This work is part of a plan by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to upgrade its entire fleet of 314 Abrams tanks.
• US Navy Exercise Proves Critical Fleet Mine Countermeasure Capabilities Raytheon 15 Aug 2011 -- The U.S. Navy announced the successful launch and recovery of the Remote Multi-Mission Vehicle (RMMV) carrying the Raytheon-developed AN/AQS-20A minehunting sonar. The launch and recovery was the first demonstration of the unmanned, remotely-operated RMMV deployed from the USS Independence (LCS 2) while underway.

Other Conflicts

• 15 August 2011 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 15 Aug 2011
• Libyan Official Arrives in Cairo After Apparent Defection VOA 15 Aug 2011 -- A senior Libyan Interior Ministry official has flown to the Egyptian capital with nine family members in what appears to be another defection from leader Moammar Gadhafi's government.
• Qaddafi Defiant As Libyan Rebels Enter Key Towns Near Tripoli RFE/RL 15 Aug 2011 -- Rebel fighters in Libya have claimed to have the country's leader Colonel Muammar Qaddafi trapped in the capital, Tripoli, after advancing into strategically key towns.
• Libyan rebels claim seizure of key coastal towns RIA Novosti 15 Aug 2011 -- The Libyan rebel government on Sunday launched an offensive to capture strategic towns near the capital Tripoli in an attempt to cut a supply route for Muammar Gaddafi and his supporters.
• Gaddafi predicts quick end to rebels and NATO RIA Novosti 15 Aug 2011 -- Libya's embattled strongman Muammar Gaddafi said the end was close for the rebels and NATO, as opposition forces launched an offensive against towns of strategic importance near Tripoli.
• Libyan Interior Minister Flies to Cairo in Apparent Defection VOA 15 Aug 2011 -- Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi's interior minister has flown to the Egyptian capital with nine family members in the latest apparent defection from the Libyan government.
• Hundreds of thousands return to South Sudan in past nine months – UN UN News Centre 15 Aug 2011 -- Nearly 330,000 have returned to South Sudan since the end of October last year from neighbouring Sudan, the United Nations humanitarian agency reported today, saying that most of the returnees were arriving by bus, train or river barge.
• Security Council urges all Somali groups to attend consultations on governance UN News Centre 15 Aug 2011 -- The Security Council today stressed the need for all Somali groups to participate in next month's consultative meeting convened to seek agreement on a roadmap on key priorities to be implemented over the next year by the country's Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs).
• Why Is The North Caucasus An Unholy Mess? RFE/RL 15 Aug 2011 -- Over the past 15 years, Russia's North Caucasus has become a byword for war, destruction, human rights abuses, extrajudicial killings, corruption, economic collapse, and Islamic terrorism.
• Karabakh Armenian Commander Reports Military Buildup RFE/RL 15 Aug 2011 -- The commander of Armenian-backed forces in the breakaway Azerbaijani region of Nagorno-Karabakh has said his military acquired significant amounts of new weapons this year and will continue its buildup, RFE/RL's Armenian Service reports.
• UN urges inquiry into alleged war crimes in Sudan's Southern Kordofan state UN News Centre 15 Aug 2011 -- The United Nations today called for a thorough investigation into violations of international law committed in Sudan's Southern Kordofan state in June which it said could, if substantiated, amount to crimes against humanity or war crimes.
• Upcoming elections in Liberia must be peaceful, free and fair – Ban UN News Centre 15 Aug 2011 -- With preparations for the upcoming general elections in full swing, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged the people of Liberia to do everything possible to ensure the polls are free, fair and peaceful.

News Reports

• Syrian Tanks Roll Through Port City VOA 15 Aug 2011 -- The Syrian military is pressing its crackdown against anti-government dissent in the port city of Latakia while troops are carrying out new raids near the central city of Homs.
• Judge Bans Live Broadcast Of Mubarak Trial RFE/RL 15 Aug 2011 -- The trial of the ousted Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak is to go ahead away from the public gaze after the judge announced that proceedings would no longer be televised.
• Judge Adjourns Mubarak Trial, Stops Live TV Broadcasts VOA 15 Aug 2011 -- Egypt's former president, Hosni Mubarak, will be tried together with his interior minister, a merging of cases that had been demanded by anti-government protesters. The judge in the case also announced that future proceedings will not be broadcast live.
• SOMALIA: Cholera hits crowded Mogadishu camps IRIN 15 Aug 2011 -- Fears are mounting that a cholera epidemic could spread rapidly among the hundreds of thousands of people living in often unsanitary conditions in Mogadishu after fleeing drought, famine and insecurity.