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19 October 2011 Military News

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Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
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Current Operations

OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 19 Oct 2011 [PDF]

Combined Force Kills, Detains Numerous Insurgents AFPS 19 Oct 2011 -- A combined Afghan and coalition security force killed numerous insurgents and detained several suspects during a search for a Taliban facilitator in Helmand province.
Pakistan, Afghanistan, And Their 'Strategic Assets' RFE/RL 19 Oct 2011 -- Pakistan's demand for action against Taliban leader Mullah Fazlullah, aka FM Mullah, is being seen as an effort to counter recent U.S. pressure.
Pakistani Military Chief Warns US Against Unilateral Military Action VOA 19 Oct 2011 -- Pakistan is under pressure from the United States to launch a full-scale military offensive in the North Waziristan.
Pakistan’s army chief does not rule out US offensive IRNA 19 Oct 2011 -- Pakistan’s Army Chief, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani did not rule out the possibility of a US ground offensive in North Waziristan tribal region.
Report: Pakistan Army Chief Tells U.S. To Focus On Afghanistan RFE/RL 19 Oct 2011 -- Pakistan's top military official has reportedly told parliament's defense committee that the US should focus on stabilizing Afghanistan.
Clinton in Afghanistan for Talks on Ending War VOA 19 Oct 2011 -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is in Afghanistan for talks aimed at finding a political solution to the 10-year war.
Clinton In Kabul To Push Afghan Reconciliation RFE/RL 19 Oct 2011 -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has arrived in Afghanistan on an unannounced visit aimed at encouraging Afghan reconciliation efforts.
France Begins Afghan Troop Withdrawal VOA 19 Oct 2011 -- France is withdrawing 200 of its troops from Afghanistan Wednesday as part of a plan to pull out 1,000 troops by the end of next year.
France Starts Draw Down In Afghanistan RFE/RL 19 Oct 2011 -- French Defense Minister Gerard Longuet said that his country has started to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan.
Iran, Afghanistan resolve border dispute ISNA 19 Oct 2011 -- Iran and Afghanistan settled border dispute after a meeting between border guards of the two neighbors, said Iranian embassy in Kabul.

Pakistan deploys army in tribal city to secure key routes IRNA 19 Oct 2011 -- Pakistan started deployment of regular army in a volatile tribal region to secure key routes following a peace deal signed by rival factions.

Iraq battalion cases colors, marches into history Army News 19 Oct 2011 -- The 402nd Army Field Support Battalion-Iraq cased its colors in an inactivation and transfer of authority ceremony here Oct. 5.
Units in Iraq pick up the pace to turn in property Army News 19 Oct 2011 -- At the Victory Base Complex in Iraq, a place that is beginning to feel empty, there is one place that is filling up fast, the RPAT yard at Camp Liberty.
Iraqi Official Urges U.S. To Return Archives RFE/RL 19 Oct 2011 -- An Iraqi official has called on Washington to return national archives that were transferred to the United States after the 2003 invasion of the country.

NATO and Libya - Operational Media Update: 18 Oct 2011

Defense Policy / Programs

U.S.-Russia missile defense talks deadlocked RIA Novosti 19 Oct 2011 -- Missile defense talks between Russia and the United States are deadlocked, but Moscow will not make concessions at expense of its security.
Russia Cool To U.S. Invitation To Track Missile Tests RFE/RL 19 Oct 2011 -- Moscow has responded coolly to a U.S. invitation to monitor missile-defense flight tests.
Russia wants missile shield 'thought out' first, then deployment RIA Novosti 19 Oct 2011 -- Russia’s foreign minister has said Russia, the US and others should work out new missile defense shield before building it.
U.S. ready to provide Russia with written missile shield guarantees RIA Novosti 19 Oct 2011 -- The US is ready to provide Moscow with written assurance that defense shield is not directed against Russia.

Stratcom Chief Discusses U.S. Nuclear Triad AFPS 19 Oct 2011 -- While 10 years of war have focused the military on conventional weapons, the nation's nuclear force is in need of attention.
SecAF: Stay focused on readiness during challenging times AFNS 19 Oct 2011 -- Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley toured the base and spoke to more than 250 Airmen during an all call here Oct. 17-18.
AFRL develops 'snubber' to prevent engine damage AFNS 19 Oct 2011 -- An innovative solution from the Air Force Research Laboratory is expected to save the Air Force more than $40 million.
Abraham Lincoln Returns Home to Everett for the Last Time NNS 19 Oct 2011 -- USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) pulled into her homeport of Everett, Wash., for the last time, Oct. 18.
Navy-Marine Corps Forces Operate in Vicinity of Camp Pendleton NNS 19 Oct 2011 -- The waters off the coast of Camp Pendleton were home to the majority of the U.S. Navy's west coast amphibious fleet Sept. 29.
White Sands readies test area in preparation for large network test Army News 19 Oct 2011 -- White Sands Missile Range is gearing up for a large scale test scheduled to begin this week by preparing existing facilities and building new ones.
DOD Strives to Promote, Preserve Language Skills AFPS 19 Oct 2011 -- With the Defense Department’s emphasis on developing language and cultural skills within the force, it’s working hard to ensure those capabilities don’t get lost after students leave the schoolhouse here.
General Cites Cyber Domain Challenges AFPS 19 Oct 2011 -- Space and cyberspace are growing in strategic importance as other nations increase their capabilities.
New aircraft rescue firefighting trucks arrive Army News 19 Oct 2011 -- Installation Management Command Europe received three new aircraft rescue firefighting trucks with a fourth one on its way at the Region Fire Fighting Training Center.

Defense Ministry claims 'misquoted' over order to withhold pay RIA Novosti 19 Oct 2011 -- The Russian Defense Ministry has dismissed claim Defense Minister instructed it to deprive contract servicemen of their pay.

Indian Navy deploys maritime surveillance aircraft in Maldives IRNA 19 Oct 2011 -- The Indian Navy has deployed a Dornier maritime surveillance aircraft in Maldives for carrying out anti-piracy operations.
MiG-29 aircraft crashes in India’s Himachal Pradesh state IRNA 19 Oct 2011 -- A MiG-29 fighter aircraft crashed into a mountain during a night flying exercise near Lahaul-Spiti in Himachal Pradesh.
Three killed as Indian border security force chopper crashes IRNA 19 Oct 2011 -- An Indian Border Security Force helicopter on anti-Naxal duty crashed on the outskirts of Ranchi in Jharkhand state.

Six killed in Nepalese military plane crash IRNA 19 Oct 2011 -- A military plane on a rescue mission crashed in a remote mountainous region in western Nepal, with all the six people on board feared dead.

Kim Jong Il Inspects KPA Unit 4304 KCNA 19 Oct 2011 -- Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army Kim Jong Il inspected KPA unit 4304.

U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing, October 19, 2011 US Dept. of State 19 Oct 2011

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for October 19, 2011
Boeing Delivers 50,000th CSEL Search and Rescue Communications System Boeing 19 Oct 2011 -- The Boeing Company today delivered the 50,000th Combat Survivor Evader Locator (CSEL) combat search and rescue communications system to the U.S. joint services. The expanded use of this system will greatly enhance the capability of U.S. forces to quickly authenticate and rescue downed pilots or combat forces.
Eurocopter stands ready to provide the appropriate platforms for future defense needs of the Republic of Korea EADS 19 Oct 2011 -- In a strong signal of its capacity and capability to provide for South Korea’s defense needs, Eurocopter indicates its interest in participating in the two Request for Proposals (RFPs) likely to be issued in 2012, proposing the Panther platform for the Light Attack Helicopter (LAH) program and the Tiger for the Heavy Attack Helicopter (AH-X) program.
General Dynamics NASSCO Awarded $37 Million for USS San Diego Fitting-Out General Dynamics 19 Oct 2011 -- General Dynamics NASSCO, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), was recently awarded a $37 million contract by the U.S. Navy for the fitting-out availability of the San Antonio-class amphibious assault dock ship USS San Diego (LPD 22). Work under this contract will be performed at NASSCO beginning in May 2012 and is expected to be completed by December 2014.
Lockheed Martin Receives Unanimous Decision That "Paveway" Is a Generic Term Lockheed Martin 19 Oct 2011 -- The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) unanimously ruled in favor of Lockheed Martin by determining that “paveway” is a generic term for a type of laser guided bomb (LGB).
Northrop Grumman Completes Lot 1 Deliveries of LITENING G4 Targeting Pod Northrop Grumman 19 Oct 2011 -- Northrop Grumman Corporationhas completed delivery of the first 50 LITENING G4 Advanced Targeting (AT) Pods under a $277.8 million indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract from the U.S. Air Force.
CASSIDIAN boosts its light UAV activity with the acquisition of SurveyCopter EADS 19 Oct 2011 -- Cassidian has acquired SurveyCopter in order to increase the synergies within its light UAV segment (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle – UAV).

Other Conflicts

Daily Press Briefing by the Offices of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General and the Spokesperson for the General Assembly President, 19 October 2011 United Nations 19 Oct 2011
Ban calls for integrated strategy against maritime piracy in Gulf of Guinea UN News Centre 19 Oct 2011 -- Secretary-General Ban urged States and regional organizations in West Africa’s Gulf of Guinea to develop a comprehensive and integrated strategy to combat maritime piracy.

Deported Palestinians Begin Arriving in Host Countries VOA 19 Oct 2011 -- A group of Palestinians who were designated to be deported under a prisoner exchange with Israel has begun arriving in their host countries.
Israeli-Palestinian Prisoner Exchange Brings Joy, Fuels Debate VOA 19 Oct 2011 -- Tuesday's exchange of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners for Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit has brought happiness to many in the region - but the underlying confrontations remain.
Assembly President welcomes Israeli-Palestinian prisoner exchange UN News Centre 19 Oct 2011 -- The President of the General Assembly has welcomed the exchange of prisoners by Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas.
UN, Arab League welcome Israeli-Palestinian prisoner swap RIA Novosti 19 Oct 2011 -- The chiefs of United Nations and the Arab League, Ban Ki-moon and Nabil al-Arabi, welcomed the Israeli-Palestinian prisoner swap.
ICRC welcomes exchange of Palestinian, Israeli detainees IRNA 19 Oct 2011 -- The International Committee of the Red Cross welcomes the repatriation of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit following his release from Gaza.
Ukrainian mother of two among released Palestinian prisoners RIA Novosti 19 Oct 2011 -- A Ukrainian mother of two was among the prisoners released by Israel on Tuesday in exchange for Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.
ISRAEL-OPT: Concerns over Palestinian children in Israeli custody IRIN 19 Oct 2011 -- Concerns are being raised about the plight of 164 Palestinian children from the West Bank in Israeli custody.
Hezbollah delegation visits Moscow RIA Novosti 19 Oct 2011 -- A delegation from the Lebanese Hezbollah movement arrived in Moscow for a three day visit on Wednesday at the invitation of the State Duma.

Securing Libya’s weapons NATO 19 Oct 2011 -- It’s easy to see where the oil revenues of Libya were squandered over the decades of Colonel Qadafi’s rule.
U.S. pledges $40 million to Libya for arms stockpile safety RIA Novosti 19 Oct 2011 -- The US will allocate $40 million to secure and destroy stockpiles of weapons in Libya, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said.

Yemen's President Demands Foreign Guarantees for Power Transfer VOA 19 Oct 2011 -- Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh says he will sign a Gulf Cooperation Council deal to end his 33 years in power only if he receives guarantees.
YEMEN: Fighting escalates in Sana’a IRIN 19 Oct 2011 -- Barricades are going up in Yemen’s capital, Sana’a, as fighting intensifies between government forces and protesters supported by sections of the army which have defected.

U.S., NATO Condemn Attacks in Turkey AFPS 19 Oct 2011 -- President Barack Obama was joined by NATO in denouncing the early morning terrorist attacks against various Turkish outposts and police stations along the Iraqi border.
Turkey: Ban voices concern after Kurdish elements launch deadly attacks UN News Centre 19 Oct 2011 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed concern over the reported killing of at least 26 Turkish soldiers by Kurdish elements.
Turkey Bombs Kurdish Rebels in Iraq After Deadly Attack VOA 19 Oct 2011 -- Turkey has launched a military operation against Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq, hours after the militants killed at least 24 soldiers and wounded 18 in attacks in Turkey.
Prime Minister: Turkey In 'Hot Pursuit' Of Kurdish Rebels RFE/RL 19 Oct 2011 -- Turkish PM Erdogan: Turkey in "hot pursuit" after Kurdish militants killed more than two dozen soldiers in attacks in the southeast, near the border with Iraq.
Turkey says Kurds kill 24 soldiers, retaliatory offensive underway IRNA 19 Oct 2011 -- Turkey said that Kurdish rebels killed 24 soldiers and wounded 18 others in multiple attacks along the border, prompting retaliatory attacks in Iraq.
Kurdish Rebels Launch Major Attack Near Iraqi Border VOA 19 Oct 2011 -- The Kurdish rebel group, PKK, has inflicted one of most deadly attacks on the Turkish armed forces in recent years.

MSF: Kenya Incursion in Somalia Threatens Rescue of Kidnapped Workers VOA 19 Oct 2011 -- The medical aid group Doctors Without Borders says it still is waiting for information on the whereabouts of two aid workers kidnapped in Kenya.
French Woman Kidnapped in Somalia Dies VOA 19 Oct 2011 -- France's foreign ministry says an elderly French woman kidnapped by suspected Somali militants in Kenya earlier this month has died.

Taiwan MOFA backs stronger presence in South China Sea CNA 19 Oct 2011 -- FM Yang expressed support for a proposal by lawmakers to strengthen Taiwan's defensive capabilities in the South China Sea.
Taiwan delegation heads for China for 7th round of high-level talks CNA 19 Oct 2011 -- A Taiwanese delegation departed for China ahead of the latest round of institutionalized talks between Taiwan and China.
Top Chinese negotiator comments on Taiwan peace pact idea CNA 19 Oct 2011 -- Economic matters have to be dealt with before political issues in the current cross-Taiwan Strait exchanges, China's top negotiator said.
Referendum needed to push forward peace pact with China CNA 19 Oct 2011 -- Taiwan's government will definitely hold a referendum before it pushes forward President Ma's idea for a peace pact with mainland China.
Misconception to link peace pact with unification: president CNA 19 Oct 2011 -- President Ma made a fresh attempt to clear up doubts among his critics over the possibility of signing a peace pact with China.

Armenian President Says 'Committed' To Arms Control Treaty RFE/RL 19 Oct 2011 -- Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian says Yerevan will continue to abide by a key international arms control treaty despite its being "violated" by Azerbaijan.

Talks on breakaway republic Transdnestr to resume next month RIA Novosti 19 Oct 2011 -- The talks on Moldova's breakaway republic of Transdnestr will resume in early November in the unrecognized republic's capital of Tiraspol.

Russian soldier, mom convicted of spying for Georgia RIA Novosti 19 Oct 2011 -- The North Caucasus District Military Court found a Russian serviceman and his mother guilty of spying for Georgia.

UN-backed tribunal in Cambodia hears reparations wish list for Khmer Rouge victims UN News Centre 19 Oct 2011 -- Lawyers representing 4,000 victims of Khmer Rouge atrocities presented a wish list for reparations to the United Nations-backed tribunal in Cambodia.
Congressman Wants Aid to Malawi Stopped VOA 19 Oct 2011 -- A U.S. congressman said Malawi should not be receiving American aid after it allowed Sudanese President Omar al Bashir to visit the country last week.
ICC asks Malawi to explain failure to arrest Sudan’s President on visit UN News Centre 19 Oct 2011 -- The ICC requested Malawi to explain its alleged failure to arrest and surrender to the court Sudan’s President Omar Hassan al-Bashir.
Veteran war crimes jurist elected president of UN tribunal for Balkans conflicts UN News Centre 19 Oct 2011 -- Judge Theodor Meron of the US was elected to his second term as President of the United Nations war crimes tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.

News Reports

Britain Freezes Assets Over Saudi Plot RFE/RL 19 Oct 2011 -- Britain has frozen the assets of five Iranians, including two suspects in an alleged Iranian plot to kill the Saudi ambassador in the United States.
Turkey And Iran: The End Of The Affair RFE/RL 19 Oct 2011 -- Tehran has reacted with anger and threats over Ankara's decision to allow NATO to deploy a radar as part of its antimissile system.
Iran: UN human rights expert concerned over judicial abuses UN News Centre 19 Oct 2011 -- UN independent expert on the situation of human rights in Iran voiced concern over alleged violations in the country's judicial system.
UN Investigator to Present Report on Alleged Iranian Rights Abuses VOA 19 Oct 2011 -- The United States is urging the international community to "redouble its condemnation" of Iran for alleged human rights abuses.
US Accuses Iran of 'Unabated' Brutal Repression VOA 19 Oct 2011 -- The U.S. State Department says Iran has continued "unabated" a brutal repression of its citizens.

20 Killed in Syria as Thousands Rally for Assad VOA 19 Oct 2011 -- Syrian activists say at least 20 people have been killed during unrest in other parts of the country.
6 Killed in Syria, Thousands Rally for Assad VOA 19 Oct 2011 -- Tens of thousands of Syrians are rallying in support of the government in the northern city of Aleppo.

Amnesty fears for Bahraini teacher after re-arrest IRNA 19 Oct 2011 -- Amnesty International has expressed fears for the safety of a former vice-president of the Bahrain Teacher’s Association following her arrest after speaking out against earlier abuses in the Persian Gulf state.

Clinton Holds Talks With Omani Ruler RFE/RL 19 Oct 2011 -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has held talks with Oman's Sultan Qaboos in the capital Muscat on bilateral cooperation and regional issues.

Amnesty Criticizes Suppliers Of Weapons Used Against 'Arab Spring' Protesters RFE/RL 19 Oct 2011 -- Amnesty International says many of the countries now backing this year's protests in the Middle East also supplied some of the weapons used against demonstrators.
German weapons used to crush Arab uprisings: AI IRNA 19 Oct 2011 -- German weapons have been massively deployed in the Middle East and North Africa to smash peaceful protests, according to a report by Amnesty International.

Tajikistan Imposes More Restrictions to Fight Radicalism VOA 19 Oct 2011 -- As fundamentalist violence spreads in Afghanistan, neighboring Tajikistan is moving to control Islamic practices and to curb foreign influence.

US Sets New Talks With Pyongyang VOA 19 Oct 2011 -- The US says it will hold another round of “exploratory” talks with North Korea next week in Geneva on Pyongyang’s readiness to fulfill nuclear commitments.
S. Korea, Japan Renew Cooperation Pledges Regarding North Korea VOA 19 Oct 2011 -- The leaders of the Japanese and South Korean governments are vowing cooperation on North Korea's illegal nuclear weapons program and other matters involving the communist state.
Rodong Sinmun Calls for Ending North-South Confrontation KCNA 19 Oct 2011 -- To remove the state of hostility and confrontation between compatriots is an urgent demand under the serious circumstances and conditions of the north-south relations at present.
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Rebukes U.S. Dream of "System Collapse" in DPRK KCNA 19 Oct 2011 -- Spokesman for the DPRK Foreign Ministry on officials of the US talking about "repressive policy" and "collapse".
UN expert calls for two-pronged approach to end food crisis in DPR Korea UN News Centre 19 Oct 2011 -- A United Nations expert called for a two-pronged approach to tackle the food crisis in the Democratic Republic of Korea.

Myanmar’s new Government must tackle continuing rights abuses UN News Centre 19 Oct 2011 -- Despite positive actions by Myanmar’s new Government, such as easing media restrictions and proposed bills on political parties and demonstrations, many serious human rights issues remain.

China's Leaders Aim to Expand Influence of Chinese Culture VOA 19 Oct 2011 -- China’s ruling Communist Party elite wrapped up a four-day annual meeting in Beijing.

Press Conference on Upcoming Elections in General Assembly, 19 October 2011 United Nations 19 Oct 2011
Bid For UN Security Council Seat Pits Newcomer Kyrgyzstan Against Veteran Pakistan RFE/RL 19 Oct 2011 -- Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan are both vying for the same seat on the UN Security Council.

Former Rebel Leader Endorses Liberian President VOA 19 Oct 2011 -- Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is heading to a run-off election with the backing of a former rebel leader from the country's civil war.

DRC Governors Meet to Bolster Security for Next Month’s Elections VOA 19 Oct 2011 -- An official of the Democratic Republic of Congo government said provincial governors across the country are scheduled to meet to find ways of ensuring the November 28 general elections are peaceful.

UN Says Ready to Play Role in Zimbabwe Electoral Processes if Invited VOA 19 Oct 2011 -- United Nations Resident Coordinator for Zimbabwe Alain Noudehou said that the global organization is ready to support the Southern African country’s electoral process but has not yet received a formal invitation from Harare to do so.

Uganda Charges Three “Walk to Work” Demonstrators with Treason VOA 19 Oct 2011 -- Three members of Uganda’s Activists for Change (A4C) pressure group have been charged with treason following the recent renewal of the walk-to-work campaign.

With new Government in place, UN urges united effort to rebuild Haiti UN News Centre 19 Oct 2011 -- The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Haiti has congratulated the country’s new Prime Minister and his cabinet.
Haitian Prime Minister, New Government Sworn In VOA 19 Oct 2011 -- Haiti's new Prime Minister Garry Conille was sworn into office Tuesday along with 16 cabinet ministers.

Chavez Opponent Says He Will Continue Presidential Bid Despite Court Ruling VOA 19 Oct 2011 -- Venezuelan opposition candidate Leopoldo Lopez says he will continue his bid for the presidency despite a Venezuelan Supreme Court ruling.

DEA informant gives testimony in Bout case RIA Novosti 19 Oct 2011 -- One of the highest-paid informants of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration started giving his testimony in a trial against alleged Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.

Northrop Grumman CERES Instrument Set to Launch on NPOESS Preparatory Project Northrop Grumman 19 Oct 2011 -- Continuing a 27-year legacy of commitment to recording global climate change measurement, a key Northrop Grumman Corporationinstrument will launch on the NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP) spacecraft later this month.

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