Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 17 Oct 2011 [PDF]
• Some Ugandans Wary of US Decision to Fight LRA VOA 17 Oct 2011 -- Ugandan officials say the US decision to send military advisers to the region is welcome assistance in the fight against the rebel LRA.
• Talks Continue On Post-2011 Troop Presence in Iraq AFPS 17 Oct 2011 -- Discussions with the Iraqi government about a U.S. troop presence there after Dec. 31 continue, with no decisions yet made, senior defense officials said.
• U.S. Forces in Iraq Prepare for Transition AFPS 17 Oct 2011 -- The military is using an old camping adage as U.S. Forces Iraq continues to move service members out of Iraq and transfer control to the Iraqi government: “Leave the site in better shape than you found it.”
• Adder welcomes redeployment convoy Army News 17 Oct 2011 -- The Soldiers who run the convoy support center at Contingency Operating Base Adder, Iraq, keep busy with convoys running in and out throughout each day.
• 330th Movement Control Battalion Facilitates 1-8 CAV Repositioning Army News 17 Oct 2011 -- 1-8th Cavalry traveled through Khabari Border Crossing on Oct. 9, 2011, in order to reposition the unit to Camp Buehring, Kuwait, for the remainder of its deployment.
• Iraqi Forces create long range refueling capabilities to enable future operations Army News 17 Oct 2011 -- Massive convoy of Iraqi Soldiers and Paratroopers was aimed at building a forward area refueling point for aircraft to extend Iraqi Security Forces' reach to the borders of Iraq.
• Iraqi official says Camp inhabitants seek refugee status from Europe IRNA 17 Oct 2011 -- Chief of Iraqi foreign policy commission Sheikh Hammudi: Inhabitants of Ashraf camp sought refugee status from Europe and Australia.
• Combined Force in Helmand Kills Insurgents AFPS 17 Oct 2011 -- A combined Afghan and coalition security force killed two insurgents and detained several others during an operation in search of a Taliban facilitator in Helmand province.
• Afghan National Security Forces, coalition hold future strategy forum USMC News 17 Oct 2011 -- Afghan National Security Forces and local political leaders held a two-star general officer-level meeting with coalition forces, Sept. 26, at Camp Shorabak, Helmand province.
• 35th British soldier killed in Afghanistan this year IRNA 17 Oct 2011 -- Britain's Ministry of Defence has announced the death of another UK soldier in Afghanistan, bringing the total to 383 since the overthrow of the Taliban regime 10 years ago.
• Afghan Provincial Intelligence Chief Targeted In Suicide Bombing RFE/RL 17 Oct 2011 -- Officials in Afghanistan's northern province of Faryab said a suicide bomber today targeted the convoy of the province's intelligence chief.
• Security forces team trains Afghan air force counterparts AFNS 17 Oct 2011 -- Members of the 451st ESFS Combat Arms Training and Maintenance team have partnered with members of the 443rd AEAS to train the Afghan air force.
• Militants Kill 9 Pakistani Troops in Ambush VOA 17 Oct 2011 -- Militants have ambushed Pakistani forces in the country's northwest tribal region, killing at least nine soldiers.
• NATO and Libya - Operational Media Update: 16 Oct 2011 (Revised)

Defense Policy / Programs

• Media Availability with Secretary Panetta and Minister La Russa DoD 17 Oct 2011
• POW/MIA Talks Begin with North Korean Officials DoD 17 Oct 2011
• U.S., Italian Defense Leaders Reaffirm Partnership AFPS 17 Oct 2011 -- Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta met with Italian Defense Minister Ignazio La Russa to further their relationship as NATO partners.
• New Reserve Forces Board Chairman Looks Ahead AFPS 17 Oct 2011 -- The Reserve Forces Policy Board is returning to its 60-year-old roots under statutory changes giving it broader membership and a direct line to the defense secretary.
• U.S. Arms Sale to S. Korea KCNA 17 Oct 2011 -- The United States sold off 0.6 billion dollar worth of conventional weapons to south Korea last year.
• US Army modified UH-60M used in arrest of alleged members of Mexican drug cartel Army News 17 Oct 2011 -- Blackhawk helicopters modified by the U.S. Army for the Mexican military were used in an operation in Colombia, Nuevo Leon, Mexico.
• Essex ARG Helps 31st MEU Complete CERTEX NNS 17 Oct 2011 -- Ships from forward-deployed Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) worked with the embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) to complete its certification exercise (CERTEX) Oct. 16.
• U.S. warship arrives in Georgia for joint drills RIA Novosti 17 Oct 2011 -- A U.S. missile cruiser arrived in Georgia to take part in joint naval drills with the Georgian navy, Novosti-Georgia news agency reported citing border police.
• USS Philippine Sea Visits Georgia NNS 17 Oct 2011 -- Guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) pulled into Batumi, Georgia, Oct. 17, and was welcomed by traditional Georgian dancers, local media, and military and civilian leaders.
• USS Philippine Sea Completes Port Visit in Istanbul NNS 17 Oct 2011 -- Guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea completed a four-day port visit to Istanbul, Turkey, Oct. 15.
• Full-Spectrum Training Environment tests medical support, ground forces together Army News 17 Oct 2011 -- The Joint Multinational Training Command provides a challenging training environment.
• US Weighs Fencing Parts of Shared Canadian Border VOA 17 Oct 2011 -- The United States and Canada share the longest unfortified border in the world.
• Denton Program, 437th APS support humanitarian missions AFNS 17 Oct 2011 -- There is currently 24,800 pounds of humanitarian aid stored at the 437th Aerial Port Squadron here waiting to be shipped to Colon, Honduras on Oct. 25.
• 15 acres of land made ecologically safer at Little Rock AFB AFNS 17 Oct 2011 -- Nearly 15 acres here that was previously used as a skeet range in the 1960s, is an ecologically safer place because of a restoration project.
• Revamped Transition Program to Benefit Troops, Families AFPS 17 Oct 2011 -- Officials soon will unveil a fully revamped Transition Assistance Program that’s aimed at better reaching service members throughout the world.
• Commander, Task Force 53 Relieved of Command NNS 17 Oct 2011 -- Commander, Task Force 53 (CTF 53) was relieved by Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, Oct. 17.
• Russia develops new long-range mobile radar RIA Novosti 17 Oct 2011 -- Russian scientists have developed and tested a new mobile radar which will soon become part of the country’s aerospace defenses.
• Iran presence in high seas in accord with int'l rules: Navy command IRNA 17 Oct 2011 -- Iranian presence in international waters is in accordance with international rules, Iranian Navy Commander Rear-Admiral Sayyari said.
• Iran Jamaran warship docks at Omani port IRNA 17 Oct 2011 -- Iran’s ‘Jamaran’ warship docked Port of Salalah in Oman for the first time.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing, October 17, 2011 US Dept. of State 17 Oct 2011

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for October 17, 2011
• U.S. Navy Awards General Dynamics $429 Million for Nuclear-Submarine Support Work General Dynamics 17 Oct 2011 -- The U.S. Navy has awarded a $429 million contract modification to General Dynamics Electric Boat to provide planning yard work, engineering and technical support for nuclear submarines. Electric Boat is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD).
• Lockheed Martin Completes Meads Intra-Fire Unit Communications Hardware Ahead of Schedule Lockheed Martin 17 Oct 2011 -- Lockheed Martin recently completed early delivery of intra-fire unit communications kits designed for use with the tri-national Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS).
• Lockheed Martin Delivers First F-35 Weapons Load Training System to Eglin Air Force Base Lockheed Martin 17 Oct 2011 -- Lockheed Martin delivered and installed the first weapons load training device at the F-35 integrated pilot-and-maintenance training center (ITC) at Eglin Air Force Base’s 33rd Fighter Wing.
• Northrop Grumman Awarded A-10 Thunderbolt Task Orders Northrop Grumman 17 Oct 2011 -- The U.S. Air Force has awarded Northrop Grumman Corporationthree task orders under the A-10 Thunderbolt Life-cycle Program Support (TLPS) indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract.
• Raytheon Awarded $42 Million for Lightweight Torpedoes Raytheon 17 Oct 2011 -- Raytheon Company has been awarded a $42.6 million U.S. Navy contract to provide MK54 lightweight torpedo hardware. Under the contract, Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) will deliver a total of 100 MK54 kits for U.S. fleet inventory and in support of foreign military sales.
• Raytheon Installs Cobra Judy Replacement's X- and S-band Antennas Raytheon 17 Oct 2011 -- Raytheon Company has completed the shipboard installation of the Cobra Judy Replacement program's X- and S-band antennas onto the USNS Howard O. Lorenzen (T-AGM 25). These massive active phased-array antennas, each weighing more than 500,000 pounds, were installed onto the ship at Kiewit Offshore Services (KOS), Corpus Christi, Texas.

Other Conflicts

• Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, 17 October 2011 United Nations 17 Oct 2011
• Libya's NTC Forces Take Most of Gadhafi Stronghold VOA 17 Oct 2011 -- Libya's NTC forces are claiming to have taken most of the town of Bani Walid.
• Libyan Provisional Fighters Continue Bani Walid Push VOA 17 Oct 2011 -- Libyan provisional government fighters say they have pushed into the city of Bani Walid.
• Libyan revolutionary forces liberate Bani Walid IRNA 17 Oct 2011 -- Libya's revolutionary forces claimed that they have liberated the northwestern Libyan town of Bani Walid.
• NTC forces claim seizure of Bani Walid RIA Novosti 17 Oct 2011 -- An official from Libya's ruling National Transitional Council has claimed that Bani Walid has been "liberated."
• TV Station Confirms Death Of Qaddafi's Son RFE/RL 17 Oct 2011 -- Libyan nationals of Malian origin had arrived in Mali on October 15 "with weapons and luggage."
• Britain re-opens embassy in Libya RIA Novosti 17 Oct 2011 -- UK Foreign Minister William Hague re-opened the British Embassy in Tripoli on Monday.
• Hague reopens British embassy in Tripoli IRNA 17 Oct 2011 -- Foreign Secretary William Hague officially reopened the British embassy in Tripoli and offered a package of support to the National Transitional Council during a visit to Libya Monday.
• Israel-Hamas prisoner exchange is a positive step, Ban says UN News Centre 17 Oct 2011 -- The recent announcement by Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas to exchange prisoners is a welcome step that should generate positive momentum.
• Israeli-Palestinian prisoner swap to start early Tuesday RIA Novosti 17 Oct 2011 -- Israel and Palestine will exchange the first group of Palestinian prisoners for captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit at 6:00 a.m. local time (04:00 GMT).
• Israel's High Court Approves Prisoner Exchange with Hamas VOA 17 Oct 2011 -- A major prisoner exchange between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas is expected to take place on Tuesday, after approval from Israel's Supreme Court.
• Israeli Families Attempt to Block Palestinian Prisoner Swap VOA 17 Oct 2011 -- Israel's Supreme Court is set to hear arguments from Israelis opposed to a proposed exchange of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners for captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.
• Egypt-Israel Ties Are Stronger Than They Appear VOA 17 Oct 2011 -- Egypt's mediation of a deal swapping Palestinian prisoners for Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit is the interim military government's first successful foray into high-profile foreign affairs.
• Russia calls on Israel to abandon East Jerusalem building plans RIA Novosti 17 Oct 2011 -- Israel should abandon housing construction plans in East Jerusalem and end settlement activities in the occupied territories.
• German FM raps new Israeli settlement plans in E. Jersualem IRNA 17 Oct 2011 -- German FM Westerwelle voiced 'very strong' concern over Israeli plans to build hundreds of new settlements in occupied East Jersualem.
• Clashes Kill 8 in Yemeni Capital VOA 17 Oct 2011 -- Clashes between troops loyal to Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh and opposition forces have killed at least eight people in the capital, Sana'a.
• Loyalist Forces, Opposition Fight In Yemen RFE/RL 17 Oct 2011 -- Yemeni officials say at least 18 people were killed and 30 wounded in clashes between troops loyal to Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh and forces opposed to his rule.
• Al-Shabab Threatens Response to Kenya Incursion VOA 17 Oct 2011 -- Somali militant group al-Shabab is threatening attacks against Kenya unless the Kenyan government pulls its troops from Somali territory.
• Somali Militants Send Displaced Families Back to Famine Zones VOA 17 Oct 2011 -- A Somali doctor tells VOA that al-Qaida-linked militants have forcibly dismantled one of the biggest camps for displaced people near Mogadishu.
• LRA's Joseph Kony: Leader of 23-Year Terror Campaign VOA 17 Oct 2011 -- Joseph Kony was born into northern Uganda's Acholi tribe in the early 1960s.
• Peace pact with China could be considered within 10 years: Ma CNA 17 Oct 2011 -- President Ma: Government would "cautiously consider" whether Taiwan should sign a peace agreement with China within the next decade.
• Taiwan President Mulls Peace Treaty With China VOA 17 Oct 2011 -- Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou says he would like to sign a peace treaty with China in the coming decade, if the people of the island agree.
• Azerbaijan Deplores Reported Armenian Arms Acquisition From Moldova RFE/RL 17 Oct 2011 -- Azerbaijan has expressed concern over Armenia's reported purchase from Moldova last month of rockets and other weaponry worth millions of dollars.
• NATO Extends Deadline On Kosovo Roadblocks RFE/RL 17 Oct 2011 -- NATO peacekeepers in Kosovo have extended a deadline for Serbs to remove roadblocks in northern Kosovo.
• Tensions High On Kosovo-Serbia Border As KFOR Deadline Approaches RFE/RL 17 Oct 2011 -- Tensions along Kosovo's northern border with neighboring Serbia are high as NATO forces have announced they will dismantle makeshift barricades on roads leading to border crossings.
• Swedish Journalists to Stand Trial in Ethiopia for Terrorism VOA 17 Oct 2011 -- Two Swedish journalists charged with terrorism go on trial Tuesday in Ethiopia's capital.
• Main Opposition Candidates Barred From South Ossetian Presidential Ballot RFE/RL 17 Oct 2011 -- The South Ossetian presidential election campaign has claimed its first fatality.
• Chechen reconciliation commission ends its work RIA Novosti 17 Oct 2011 -- Chechnya's commission of reconciliation for blood feuds that was established in August last year has finished its work.
• Ingushetia's Opposition Ups Pressure On Yevkurov RFE/RL 17 Oct 2011 -- Republic of Ingushetia head Yunus-Bek Yevkurov's days in office may be numbered.

News Reports

• Iranian Terror Suspect Known in Texas as Disorganized VOA 17 Oct 2011 -- Manssor Arbabsiar lived for more than two decades in Corpus Christi, Texas, on the Gulf of Mexico, before moving to a suburb near Austin.
• Iran Says 'Ready To Examine' U.S. Plot Accusations RFE/RL 17 Oct 2011 -- The Iranian FM says Iran is "ready to examine" information the US says supports accusations Tehran plotted to kill Saudi ambassador to Washington.
• Iran Warns US About Assassination Plot Allegations VOA 17 Oct 2011 -- Iran says it is ready to study U.S. allegations of an Iranian plot to kill the Saudi Arabian ambassador in the United States.
• Saudi Arabia should be cautious about US plot, says Iran ISNA 17 Oct 2011 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said Saudi Arabian officials should be cautious about the West's scenario.
• Swiss envoy in Tehran summoned again over US claims IRNA 17 Oct 2011 -- Foreign ministry once again summoned Swiss Charge d’affaires to Iran, Livia Leu Agosti over false claims by the US government.
• Ban urges Syrian leader to stop civilian deaths UN News Centre 17 Oct 2011 -- Secretary-General Ban urged Syrian President Al Assad to take decisive action to put an end to civilian deaths.
• Arab League Calls For Dialogue In Syria RFE/RL 17 Oct 2011 -- The Arab League plans to bring together Syria's government and opposition groups to seek ways to end the violence in the country.
• Arab League urges Syria talks within 15 days RIA Novosti 17 Oct 2011 -- The FMs of the Arab League member states have called on Syrian President al-Assad and the opposition to begin talks within 15 days.
• Syrian Forces Kill 25; Government Accused of Targeting Doctors VOA 17 Oct 2011 -- Syrian security forces killed at least 25 people when they attacked the opposition stronghold of Homs.
• Rights Group Says Five Syrian Troops Killed Fighting 'Defectors' RFE/RL 17 Oct 2011 -- A rights group says five Syrian soldiers have been killed in clashes with gunmen suspected to be army defectors.
• Jordan's King Names Judge As New Prime Minister RFE/RL 17 Oct 2011 -- Jordan's King Abdullah II has named a prominent international judge as his prime minister.
• Iran to run first fuel plate complex: FM ISNA 17 Oct 2011 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said the country would operate the first fuel plate complex in coming months.
• Iran launches uranium yellowcake production RIA Novosti 17 Oct 2011 -- Iran has manufactured the first batch of uranium yellowcake, the raw material used for nuclear fuel production.
• Senior UN official arrives in DPRK to assess food crisis UN News Centre 17 Oct 2011 -- The UN humanitarian chief arrived in the DPRK to assess the extent of the country’s food crisis.
• UN Humanitarian Chief in N. Korea to Gauge Food Crisis VOA 17 Oct 2011 -- UN humanitarian chief Valerie Amos has arrived in North Korea on a mission to assess the communist country's chronic food shortages.
• UK, Belarus reject request to extradite former Kyrgyz president RIA Novosti 17 Oct 2011 -- The UK and Belarus have refused to hand over former Kyrgyz president Kurmanbek Bakiyev and members of his family who are charged with a number of crimes in Kyrgyzstan.
• Televised Debates Start In Kyrgyz Presidential Election Campaign RFE/RL 17 Oct 2011 -- Two former senior security officials are among the Kyrgyz presidential candidates taking part in the first televised debate.
• ECOWAS to Send More Observers to Monitor Liberia Run-off VOA 17 Oct 2011 -- The president of the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States says his organization will send a larger delegation to monitor Liberia’s November 8 presidential run-off.
• Liberia's President Faces Runoff VOA 17 Oct 2011 -- Liberia's president says she is ready for a run-off vote, after falling short of the majority needed to win last week's presidential election outright.
• DR Congo: Security Council calls for credible and peaceful elections UN News Centre 17 Oct 2011 -- The Security Council reiterated its call for credible and peaceful elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
• Lavrov says new case against Tymoshenko over debt to Russia RIA Novosti 17 Oct 2011 -- Russian FM Lavrov: New inquiry into Ukrainian ex-premier Tymoshenko connected with debts to Russia's Defense Ministry.
• Ukraine may consider Tymoshenko bill RIA Novosti 17 Oct 2011 -- The Ukrainian parliament may consider decriminalizing the charges against jailed former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko.
• French Envoy Says Armenia 'Rapidly' Moving Closer To EU RFE/RL 17 Oct 2011 -- The French ambassador in Yerevan says that Armenia's ties with the European Union are developing "rapidly" thanks to its active involvement in the bloc's Eastern Partnership program.
• Chavez former doctor says Venezuelan leader has 2 years to live RIA Novosti 17 Oct 2011 -- A former surgeon of ailing Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said hopes for the president’s recovery were very slim and the leader has less than two years to live.
• Cuban Ladies in White Vow to Continue Protests VOA 17 Oct 2011 -- Cuba's dissident Ladies in White staged their weekly protest march Sunday, despite the death of their leader Laura Pollan.
• Food price swings threaten to push millions more people into hunger, UN warns UN News Centre 17 Oct 2011 -- The UN and international figures marked World Food Day with calls for immediate aid and longer-term solutions.