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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 17 Aug 2011 [PDF]
• NATO and Libya - Operational Media Update: 16 Aug 2011
• Libyan Rebels Advance Against Gadhafi Regime AFPS 17 Aug 2011 -- Moammar Gadhafi's regime is on its last legs, and what happens after the Libyan dictator is gone is up to the people of that country, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said here today.
• Panetta Sees Long-term U.S. Relationship With Iraq AFPS 17 Aug 2011 -- If the Iraqi government requests U.S. assistance beyond the Dec. 31 deadline for U.S. forces to be out of Iraq, the U.S. government will discuss with Iraqi leaders what kind of assistance is needed and how the United States could provide that help, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said here yesterday.
• Karzai, Allen Condemn Insurgent Attacks AFPS 17 Aug 2011 -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen, commander of the International Security Assistance Force, jointly condemned yesterday's improvised explosive device attack that killed numerous civilians and wounded many others -- including children -- at the bazaar in the Deh Rawud district of Afghanistan's Uruzgan province, military officials reported.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Unrest Forces Cancellation of Joint Egyptian-US Military Exercises VOA 17 Aug 2011 -- U.S. military officials say that the United States and Egypt have canceled the large-scale maneuvers scheduled for later this year.
• Detailers Review Projected Rotation Dates NNS 17 Aug 2011 -- Naval Personnel Command announced Aug. 17 that more than 60,000 Sailors will see their projected rotation date (PRD) adjusted as Navy Personnel Command (NPC) implements new Sea Shore Flow enlisted career paths.
• USS Carr Arrives in Gdynia, Poland NNS 17 Aug 2011 -- The guided-missile frigate USS Carr (FFG 52) arrived in Gdynia, Poland, Aug. 15, as part of a regularly scheduled port visit supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the region.
• Navy, Air Force Energy Savings Contract Awarded NNS 17 Aug 2011 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Marianas awarded a $11.9 million firm-fixed-priced task order Aug. 15 to Schneider Electric USA Inc. of Palatine, Illinois to design and build an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) system for DoD facilities on Guam.
• USS Carr Departs Riga, Latvia NNS 17 Aug 2011 -- The guided-missile frigate USS Carr (FFG 52) completed a four-day port visit to Riga, Latvia, Aug. 13.
• USS Scranton Returns from Deployment NNS 17 Aug 2011 -- Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Scranton (SSN 756) returned to its homeport of Naval Station Norfolk Aug. 17, completing a 7-month deployment.
• Navy Dive Southern Partnership Station 2011 Joins PANAMAX NNS 17 Aug 2011 -- U.S. Navy divers assigned to Mobile Dive and Salvage Unit Two (MDSU 2) company 23, joined divers from Panama, Belize and Canada to exchange knowledge and tactics in Panama City, Panama, Aug. 16.
• Hamilton Assumes Command of Enterprise NNS 17 Aug 2011 -- Sailors assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) welcomed their newest commanding officer during a change of command ceremony Aug. 17.
• Joint Base Charleston holds air transport conference AFNS 17 Aug 2011 -- More than 140 people attended an Air Transportation Test Loading Activity conference Aug. 11 and 12 here.
• Robots Could Save Soldiers' Lives, Army General Says AFPS 17 Aug 2011 -- Robots and unmanned systems potentially could improve enemy surveillance, reduce a soldier's workload and save lives on the battlefield, an Army general said here this week.
• Ammo storage point supports U.S. Air Force mission in southern Afghanistan Army News 17 Aug 2011 -- An ammunition supply point that opened Aug. 10 triples the munitions storage capacity for the U.S. Air Force on Kandahar Airfield.
• Maneuver Battle Lab stages war games Army News 17 Aug 2011 -- Since Aug. 8, Fort Benning's Maneuver Battle Lab has been leading a nation-wide simulation experiment to assist the Army in decision making in support of the U.S. Army 2020 concept. The experiment, which ends Friday, precedes a war game that will be conducted by the Mission Command Battle Lab at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., later this year and will assist policymakers in how the Army can prevent conflict.
• Under Secretary Westphal reflects on today's Army Army News 17 Aug 2011 -- Joseph W. Westphal, the 30th under secretary of the Army and the service's chief management officer, is responsible for providing trained and ready forces for combat commanders.
• Army integrates technologies during NIE exercise Army News 17 Aug 2011 -- The Army is beginning to harness some initial lessons learned from its recent Network Integration Evaluation this past June/July at White Sands Missile Range, N.M.
• Space Command retires workhorse satellite AFNS 17 Aug 2011 -- Members of the 3rd Space Operations Squadron, along with their counterparts from the 53rd Signal Battalion, waved a fond farewell to a trusted old friend Aug. 12.
• Spokesman for DPRK Foreign Ministry Slams Ulji Freedom Guardian KCNA 17 Aug 2011 -- A spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of the DPRK Wednesday issued the following statement denouncing the U.S. and the south Korean authorities for kicking off the Ulji Freedom Guardian joint military exercises:
• KCNA Blasts Ulji Freedom Guardian KCNA 17 Aug 2011 -- The U.S. and the south Korean puppet forces kicked off provocative Ulji Freedom Guardian joint military exercises for aggression despite repeated warnings of the DPRK and strong protest and denunciation of the public at home and abroad.
• U.S. arms sales to Taiwan not on Biden's agenda in China: Ma CNA 17 Aug 2011 -- President Ma Ying-jeou said Wednesday that the United States has reaffirmed its commitments to Taiwan, particularly its pledge not to consult China on arms sales to Taiwan, ahead of Vice President Joe Biden's current visit to Beijing.
• Airplane and drone attacks must avoid killing civilians, UN envoy warns UN News Centre 17 Aug 2011 -- A senior United Nations official today called on all international forces to redouble their efforts to avoid killing civilians, particularly women and children in air attacks, including by unmanned drones.
• August 17, 2011 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 17 Aug 2011

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for August 17, 2011
• BAE Systems Launch New Casspir Vehicle BAE Systems 17 Aug 2011 -- BAE Systems is releasing details of the latest addition to its proven mine protected vehicle range, the Casspir Mk6 Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC).
• Lockheed Martin to Provide Training Services for the U.S. Air Force C-5 Program Lockheed Martin 17 Aug 2011 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has been awarded a $5.8 million one-year contract from FlightSafety Services Corporation to manage C-5 aircrew training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, and provide logistical support for six other training locations.
• Lockheed Martin Demonstrates Rocket Motor Survivability In Fixed-Wing Flight Environments That Meet JAGM Requirements Lockheed Martin 17 Aug 2011 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] successfully demonstrated its Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) minimum-smoke rocket motor on fixed-wing aircraft operating in severe weather environments.
• Raytheon Completes Improved Small Tactical Munition Lab Testing Raytheon 17 Aug 2011 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) completed laboratory integration and testing of its Small Tactical Munition Phase II configuration, setting the stage for flight tests later this year.
• Northrop Grumman Fire Scout Completes Successful At-Sea Deployment Northrop Grumman 17 Aug 2011 -- The Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC)-built MQ-8B Fire Scout Vertical Takeoff Unmanned Aerial Vehicle was credited with providing critical intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) support to special operations forces and U.S. Navy anti-piracy actions during the system's second at-sea deployment.
• Raytheon Demonstrates Ground Control System to U.K. MOD for Scavenger UAV Raytheon 17 Aug 2011 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) recently demonstrated its Common Ground Control System (CGCS) technology to representatives from the United Kingdom's Ministry of Defence. The demonstration showed an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) control station in a scenario representative of a Scavenger UAV mission, including simultaneous control of multiple dissimilar vehicles, sensor command and control, and connectivity to external systems, among other capabilities.
• Russia's 5G fighter makes first demonstration flight RIA Novosti 17 Aug 2011 -- Russia's Sukhoi T-50 5th generation fighter performed its first demonstration flight at the MAKS 2011 International Aviation and Space Show on Wednesday.
• Russian arms exporter loses $4 bln over Libya conflict RIA Novosti 17 Aug 2011 -- Russia's state-run arms exporter has lost a total of $4 billion over the cancellation of contracts with Libya, Rosoboronexport head Anatoly Isaikin said on Wednesday.
• Russian arms export to reach $9 bln in 2011 RIA Novosti 17 Aug 2011 -- Russia's state-run arms export monopoly will sell no less than $9 billion worth of arms and equipment this year, as opposed to $8.5 billion last year, Rosoboronexport chief Anatoly Isaikin said on Wednesday.
• Russian company unveils 'bomb in a box' cruise missile system RIA Novosti 17 Aug 2011 -- A Russian company has unveiled a unique 'Pandora's Box''cruise missile system which is deployed and can be fired from a standard 40-foot shipping container, from ships, rail cars or even off the back of a truck.

Other Conflicts

• 17 August 2011 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 17 Aug 2011
• Libya's Rebels Vie for Control of Strategic City VOA 17 Aug 2011 -- Libyan rebels have begun an assault on an oil refinery in a city just west of Tripoli, in a bid to drive out forces loyal to Moammar Gadhafi and continue their advance toward the capital.
• Libya: UN to use previously frozen funds to procure medical supplies UN News Centre 17 Aug 2011 -- The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) is to use €100 million ($144.3 million) from Libyan accounts frozen by the Dutch Government to buy medical supplies to ease severe shortages caused by the ongoing conflict in the North African country.
• Aid Agencies Finds Libyan Camp Conditions 'Horrific' VOA 17 Aug 2011 -- An inter-agency assessment mission to the remote southeastern Libyan town of Al-Kufrah has found around 3,000 to 4,000 African migrants living under horrific conditions in a camp on the outskirts of the town. The U.N. and private aid agencies on the mission report the mainly Chadian and Sudanese migrants have no basic services, are subject to theft and physical assault and are desperate to leave.
• Turkish Jets Bomb PKK Bases in Northern Iraq VOA 17 Aug 2011 -- Turkish warplanes have attacked targets of the separatist Kurdistan Workers Party in northern Iraq.
• Press Conference by Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs on Situation in Horn of Africa United Nations 17 Aug 2011
• Aid efforts in the Horn of Africa need to be scaled up further, says UN relief chief UN News Centre 17 Aug 2011 -- The United Nations humanitarian chief today stressed the need to further scale up efforts to assist the millions of people suffering in Somalia and the wider Horn of Africa, warning that more lives will be lost to famine and disease without urgent action.
• SOUTH SUDAN: South Kordofan report welcomed, but delay decried IRIN 17 Aug 2011 -- The release of a UN report into possible war crimes and crimes against humanity in Sudan's South Kordofan state has been applauded by human rights activists but the delay in its publication has also caused frustration.
• OPT: Growing Palestinian displacement in West Bank Area C IRIN 17 Aug 2011 -- Each year, hundreds of Palestinians in Area C have their homes demolished by the Israeli authorities because they are unable to obtain permits for their buildings, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Area C covers 60 percent of the West Bank with a Palestinian population of about 150,000.
• UN Prosecutors Seek 2 Separate Trials for Mladic VOA 17 Aug 2011 -- United Nations prosecutors are seeking two separate trials for ex-Bosnian Serb military chief Ratko Mladic, in an attempt to speed up the prosecution and ensure that a verdict is handed down to the aging war crimes suspect.

News Reports

• SYRIA: Palestinian refugees flee port city camp IRIN 17 Aug 2011 -- Syria should allow humanitarian access to Palestinian refugees living in the Mediterranean port city of Latakia following reports that violence has forced thousands of them to flee a camp in the area.
• Syria: UN envoy voices alarm at 'excessive and lethal force' against civilians UN News Centre 17 Aug 2011 -- The United Nations envoy advocating for the rights of children during armed conflict today called on Syrian authorities to end the bloodshed that has marked this year's violent crackdown by Government security forces against civilian protesters.
• As concern rises about Syrian violence, UN relocates non-essential staff UN News Centre 17 Aug 2011 -- The United Nations is temporarily withdrawing some staff from Syria amid mounting international concern about the violent crackdown by Government forces against civilian demonstrators.
• Syrian Forces Detain Dozens in Latakia VOA 17 Aug 2011 -- Activists say Syrian security forces have detained dozens of people in Latakia - a day after the government announced it was withdrawing its military from the port city.
• Egyptian Civilians Caught in Military Tribunals VOA 17 Aug 2011 -- Egyptian protesters who ended the presidency of Hosni Mubarak continue to endure one legacy of the past - an all-encompassing emergency law. Unlike Mubarak, who is on trial in a civilian court, thousands of civilians face military tribunals.
• US Concerned by Military Prosecution of Egyptian Activists VOA 17 Aug 2011 -- The United States Wednesday joined human rights groups in expressing concern about moves by Egyptian authorities to prosecute political activists for insulting the military. A founding member of Egypt's April 6th Youth Movement, Asmaa Mahfouz, is among those facing charges.
• UN-backed tribunal unseals full indictment against accused in Hariri murder case UN News Centre 17 Aug 2011 -- A judge in the United Nations-backed tribunal set up to try suspects in the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq Hariri today ordered the unsealing of the full indictment that spells out prosecutors' case against four men accused of carrying out the crime.
• Lavrov hopes talks on Iran nuclear program will resume IRNA 17 Aug 2011 -- Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, hoped that talks on Iran's nuclear programs will resume in near future.
• Iran FM says nuclear plant activities advancing 'well' ISNA 17 Aug 2011 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said activities in Bushehr nuclear power plant are advancing well.
• Russia ready to play a role in Iran nuclear issue: Lavrov ISNA 17 Aug 2011 -- Russia is ready to play a role in Iran's nuclear issue, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday.
• Iran welcomes Russian proposal to restart nuclear talks RIA Novosti 17 Aug 2011 -- Iran's foreign minister hailed Moscow's proposal to resolve the Islamic republic's vexed nuclear issue ahead of talks with his Russian counterpart on Wednesday.
• Ukraine's Former President Testifies At Highly Charged Tymoshenko Trial RFE/RL 17 Aug 2011 -- Cries of 'shame!' greeted Ukraine's former president, Viktor Yushchenko, as he entered a Kyiv court to testify against his former prime minister, Yulia Tymoshenko, in her abuse-of-power trial.