News

02 November 2011 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 02 Nov 2011 [PDF]

Istanbul Meeting on Afghanistan Stresses Cooperation VOA 02 Nov 2011 -- Participants of the international conference focused on Afghan security and economic development as foreign troops prepare to leave the country by the end of 2014.
Istanbul Conference Pledges Support For Afghanistan RFE/RL 02 Nov 2011 -- All of Afghanistan's neighbors and Western powers were represented at a one-day conference in Turkey, with delegates committing to cooperate and work together to help the volatile country.
Karzai: Afghanistan Needs Help to Fight Terrorist Groups VOA 02 Nov 2011 -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai is warning there will be no hope for peace in his country without help from its neighbors in fighting terror groups.
Afghan Road-Map Efforts Under Way In Istanbul RFE/RL 02 Nov 2011 -- Fourteen key regional partners will gather in Turkey on November 2 in an effort to discuss and establish a practical road map leading to 2014.
Salehi: Iran objects to Afghan-US strategic deals IRNA 02 Nov 2011 -- Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said on Wednesday that Iran objects to strategic deals between Afghanistan and the United States.
Iran FM flies to Turkey for conference on Afghanistan ISNA 02 Nov 2011 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi left for Istanbul Wednesday morning to join Afghanistan's security meeting.
Combined Force Kills 2 Insurgents, Detains Suspect AFPS 02 Nov 2011 -- An Afghan and coalition security force killed two insurgents and detained one suspect while searching for a Haqqani network leader in Paktika province.
Lawlessness Reigns In Tajik-Afghan Border Region RFE/RL 02 Nov 2011 -- Located along a 150-kilometer stretch defined by the Panj River, the district of Shuroobod is among the most porous sections of Tajikistan's 1,344-kilometer frontier with Afghanistan.
MC-12 reaches major milestones in Afghanistan AFNS 02 Nov 2011 -- Airmen from the 4th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron achieved three major milestones in the month of October.
Beaufort Marines support fight in Afghanistan USMC News 02 Nov 2011 -- More than 3,000 Marines and sailors of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) go about the work of serving as the air combat element in southwestern Afghanistan.
TF Spearhead rules the skies of the 'wild' RC West Army News 02 Nov 2011 -- Providing constant aerial support can sometimes be an arduous task, as flight crews, medics and maintainers must be fully vigilant and aware while protecting the skies and ground below 24 hours a day.
Soldiers of the 156th Military Police detachment lay down the law Army News 02 Nov 2011 -- The primary objective of the 156th Military Police Detachment, attached to the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, is to keep law and order in Regional Command North.
NATO Builds on Afghanistan’s Once-modern Air Force AFPS 02 Nov 2011 -- Afghanistan’s military retains the vestiges of a modern air force, and its skilled and eager airmen have NATO trainers encouraged as they build up the force.
Atambaev Wants To Close U.S. Air Base, But Can He? RFE/RL 02 Nov 2011 -- Kyrgyz President-elect Almazbek Atambaev has made headlines by announcing that the U.S. air base outside Bishkek should be shut down by 2014.
Evidence Points to US Soldier's Hand in Afghan Atrocities VOA 02 Nov 2011 -- Prosecutors presented photographs in the court martial of U.S. Army soldier Calvin Gibbs they say show he had a direct hand in alleged atrocities against Afghan civilians last year.

Two security officials killed in check post attack IRNA 02 Nov 2011 -- Two security officials were killed and two others injured in an attack on a check post in northwestern Pakistani tribal region.
One person dies in blast in NW Pakistan IRNA 02 Nov 2011 -- One person was killed and 11 others injured in a bomb blast near the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar.

Air Force assists in historic final transfer of Iraq's airspace AFNS 02 Nov 2011 -- With the Air Force's assistance, Iraq now has full air traffic control responsibility for the country's airspace for the first time since 2003.
Navy Law, Order unit transfers authority to Army after seven years Army News 02 Nov 2011 -- Navy Law and Order Detachments I and J transferred authority to the 368th Military Police Company here Oct. 31.

RAF Tornados return home from Libya operations UK MOD 02 Nov 2011 -- After completing over 8,000 hours of flying and almost 1,500 sorties the Tornado Force personnel from RAF Marham have begun returning home after successfully completing their mission to help free Libya and protect the civilian population from attack.
JTF-Odyssey Guard Transports Wounded Libyan Freedom Fighters to Boston AFRICOM 02 Nov 2011 -- A Mississippi Air National Guard C-17 Globemaster aircraft transported 22 wounded Libyan freedom fighters to Boston, October 29, 2011.
Airmen transport wounded Libyan fighters to U.S. AFNS 02 Nov 2011 -- Nearly two dozen wounded Libyan fighters were evacuated from Libya to here Oct. 29 aboard a C-17 Globemaster III.

Defense Policy / Programs

DOD News Briefing with Deputy Assistant Secretary Scher from the Pentagon DoD 02 Nov 2011
Service Chiefs: Sequestration Damage Could be Irreversible AFPS 02 Nov 2011 -- Damage to the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps could be irreversible if the Budget Control Act’s “sequestration” provision takes another $600 billion from the defense budget.
Change Expected As Army Adapts With Budget Army News 02 Nov 2011 -- In the scheme of things, a $489 billion cut over 10 years is challenging, but also workable as long as the nation is not at war.
Officials Outline Pentagon’s Support to Industrial Base AFPS 02 Nov 2011 -- The Defense Department’s role in sustaining its industrial base is as complex as the base itself.
Dempsey Calls for Increasing U.S. Partnership with Turkey AFPS 02 Nov 2011 -- The United States and Turkey are allies with common interests on most issues and an increasing partnership.
Air Force announces civilian workforce restructuring AFNS 02 Nov 2011 -- Air Force officials announced several adjustments to the civilian workforce Nov 2.
Presidential Memorandum - New START Treaty The White House 02 Nov 2011
Umatilla Chemical Agent Disposal Facility destroys last of agent Army News 02 Nov 2011 -- Nearly 50 years of chemical agent storage came to an end with the destruction of the last ton container of mustard blister agent.
Army Completes Chemical Stockpile Destruction at Umatilla Army News 02 Nov 2011 -- The Umatilla Chemical Agent Disposal Facility completed the disposal of the UMCD chemical weapons stockpile.
Anniston Chemical Weapons Stockpile End of Operations Army News 02 Nov 2011 -- The Anniston team safely completed disposal operations of 661,529 nerve and mustard agent munitions and 2,254 tons of chemical agent on Sept. 22, 2011.
Air Force modernization takes B-2 to North Pole AFNS 02 Nov 2011 -- A B-2 Spirit travelled to the top of the world and back again on a mission to test the aircraft's hardware and software upgrades, endurance and performance at extremely high latitudes.
Army rolls out first Apache Block III aircraft Army News 02 Nov 2011 -- The first Apache Block III helicopter was delivered to the Army during a ceremony at the Boeing plant.
DAC Designs Equipment to Demil Obsolete Motor Rockets Army News 02 Nov 2011 -- Defense Ammunition Center provides engineering demil support that will assist in the removal of over 350,000 rockets from service and represents a significant workload for Depot's in the coming years.
USS Carr, Coast Guard Law Enforcement Team, Seize Cocaine Shipment NNS 02 Nov 2011 -- A U.S. Navy and Coast Guard boarding team operating from the USS Carr discovered more than 400 kilos of cocaine during operations in the US 4th Fleet AOR.
Operational Stress Control Mobile Training Team Joins the Fleet NNS 02 Nov 2011 -- The six members of the new Operational Stress Control Mobile Training Team have completed three weeks of orientation and intensive training.
USNS Big Horn Completes U.S. 6th Fleet Deployment NNS 02 Nov 2011 -- USNS Big Horn returned to Naval Station Norfolk Oct. 28, following a seven-month deployment to the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility.
Germantown Arrives in Manila NNS 02 Nov 2011 -- Forward-deployed amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42) arrived in Manila, Republic of the Philippines Nov. 2 for a port visit.
40 Bronze Stars awarded to Japanese-American vets Army News 02 Nov 2011 -- More than 66 years after hostilities ended in World War II, 40 Americans were given the Bronze Stars they deserved for combat service in that conflict.
T-45 Crashes Near NAS Kingsville, Pilots Eject Safely NNS 02 Nov 2011 -- At approximately 10:08 a.m. Nov. 2, a T-45 Goshawk, a two-seat training aircraft, assigned to Training Squadron 21 based out of Naval Air Station Kingsville, Texas, crashed.
Operation Tuscan Sun 2011 Army News 02 Nov 2011 -- This year's annual exercise involved a hostage situation with several U.S. Air Force personnel as hostages.
Sembach residents to see increase in services Army News 02 Nov 2011 -- Last October, Installation Management Command officially acquired Sembach Kaserne from the U.S. Air Force, which had occupied it since the early 1950s.

Russian missile contract with Syria remains valid RIA Novosti 02 Nov 2011 -- A contract on the supply of advanced Russian anti-ship missiles to Syria is being implemented.

Israel Test-Fires Missile That Could Hit Iran RFE/RL 02 Nov 2011 -- Israel has test-fired a missile said to be capable of carrying a nuclear warhead and striking Iran.

Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, November 02, 2011 The White House 02 Nov 2011
U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 02 Nov 2011

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for November 02, 2011
ATK Receives $24 Million Contract Modification to XM25, Individual Semi-Automatic Airburst System Engineering and Manufacturing Development Contract ATK 02 Nov 2011 -- ATK has received a $24 million contract modification to provide the U.S. Army with additional ammunition, hardware, test and analysis support further user assessments of the XM25, Individual Semi-Automatic Airburst System (ISAAS).
ATK Receives Orders for $10 Million of Non-Standard Ammunition (NSA) ATK 02 Nov 2011 -- ATK announced today that it has received $10 million in orders to provide non-standard (non-NATO) ammunition for the Afghan Security Forces, under an existing three-year contract with the U.S. Army.
Boeing, US Army Mark Delivery of 1st AH-64D Apache Block III Combat Helicopter Boeing 02 Nov 2011 -- The Boeing Company celebrated delivery of the first AH-64D Apache Block III multi-role attack helicopter to the U.S. Army today in Mesa.
Bell Boeing Team Congratulates Joint V-22 Program on DOD Cost Reduction Award Boeing 02 Nov 2011 -- The Bell Boeing V-22 Program, a strategic alliance between The Boeing Company and Bell Helicopter -- Textron, today congratulated the Naval Air Systems Command Joint V-22 Program (NAVAIR PMA-275) on receiving the U.S. Department of Defense 2011 Packard Award for acquisition excellence.
CACI Awarded $635 Million in Previously Unannounced Contracts to Provide Support for the U.S. Army CACI 02 Nov 2011 -- CACI International Inc announced today that it has been awarded approximately $635 million in previously unannounced contracts with the U.S. Army. For these awards, CACI is supporting U.S. forces by providing services and solutions in the areas of mobility, cyber, and C4ISR (command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance). These contracts were awarded in the first quarter of CACI's 2012 fiscal year, which ended September 30, 2011.
Lockheed Martin’s C-130 Hercules Program Hits Another Historic Milestone Lockheed Martin 02 Nov 2011 -- Lockheed Martin yesterday celebrated the rolling out of the 250th C-130J Super Hercules built at its facility here.
Northrop Grumman's DCGS-A Next-Generation ISR System Successfully Completes Baseline Software Certification Tests Northrop Grumman 02 Nov 2011 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation has successfully completed formal qualification testing of the Distributed Common Ground System-Army (DCGS-A) Mobile Basic software baseline being developed for the U.S. Army.
DCNS and Thales have overcome a new hurdle for the automatic deck-landing of UAVs Thales 02 Nov 2011 -- DCNS and Thales today announced the launch of a supplementary phase for the Technology Demonstration of a system for automatic landing and deck-landing of UAVs (D2AD), which has just been notified by the French Defence Procurement Authority (DGA).
Raytheon Airborne Processors Track Multiple Ballistic Missiles from Airborne Platform Raytheon 02 Nov 2011 -- During a test at the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kauai, Hawaii, Raytheon Company airborne processors demonstrated precision tracking of multiple ballistic targets from an airborne platform.

Other Conflicts

Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, 2 November 2011 United Nations 02 Nov 2011
Press Conference by Security Council President on Work Programme for November, 2 November 2011 United Nations 03 Nov 2011

Offensive Against Islamic Militants Enjoys Public Support, Says Kenyan Legislator VOA 02 Nov 2011 -- A Kenyan lawmaker says there is overwhelming public support for the ongoing military offensive against Islamic militants in neighboring Somalia.
Eritrea Denies Reports it Sent Arms to Al-Shabab VOA 02 Nov 2011 -- Eritrea has denied media reports that sent two planes loaded with weapons to al-Shabab militants in southern Somalia.
All Eyes on Eritrea as Arms Shipment Reaches Al-Shabab VOA 02 Nov 2011 -- The Kenyan military said two planes landed at an al-Shabab controlled airfield in Somalia this week, loaded with arms destined for the al-Qaida-linked group.
Swelling Refugee Flows Stress Ethiopia Aid Camp VOA 02 Nov 2011 -- Medical aid group Doctors Without Borders says it is struggling to keep up with the increased number of refugees entering Ethiopia from war and famine-stricken Somalia.
Deterring Somali Piracy through Development VOA 02 Nov 2011 -- The U.N. Security Council recently adopted a resolution calling for tougher anti-piracy measures off the Somali coast.

Diplomat Says Yemeni Transition Deal Imminent VOA 02 Nov 2011 -- EU diplomat says that Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh has "indicated a readiness" to empower his deputy to manage a political transition to a new leadership for the country.
At Least 13 Killed In Renewed Yemen Violence RFE/RL 02 Nov 2011 -- Medical officials and activists say at least 13 people were killed and more than 40 others wounded in renewed clashes in Yemen's capital and its second city.

US 'Deeply Disappointed' Over Israeli Settlement Move VOA 02 Nov 2011 -- The United States Wednesday expressed deep disappointment over Israel’s decision to speed up settlement building.
Russia urges Israel to halt settlement construction RIA Novosti 02 Nov 2011 -- The Russian Foreign Ministry urged Israel to refrain from more housing construction in the occupied West Bank pending a final agreement on the status of the Palestinian territories.
UNESCO chief regrets United States decision to withhold funding UN News Centre 02 Nov 2011 -- The head of UNESCO voiced regret over the decision by the United States to withhold its dues to the agency.

Press Conference by Prosecutor of International Criminal Court Concerning Libya, 2 November 2011 United Nations 02 Nov 2011
ICC calls on countries to help prevent Qadhafi’s son escape from Libya UN News Centre 02 Nov 2011 -- The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court called on countries today to “do all they can” to prevent Muammar al-Qadhafi’s son from leaving Libya.
ICC Concerned Gadhafi Son May Flee Libya VOA 02 Nov 2011 -- The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court says his office has been "galvanizing efforts" to bring a son of Moammar Gadhafi to justice.
Libyans Express Hope for Modern Islamic Democracy VOA 02 Nov 2011 -- As Libya’s interim government takes form, there are concerns in the West that Libya will become a stricter Islamic society.
UN Chief in Libya, Seeks Weapons Controls VOA 02 Nov 2011 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban has used a previously unannounced visit to Libya to urge the country's new leaders to secure weapons.
In Tripoli, UN chief and Assembly President laud bravery UN News Centre 02 Nov 2011 -- On 23 October the NTC declared the full liberation of Libya.

Press Conference by Head of United Nations Mission to South Sudan, 2 November 2011 United Nations 03 Nov 2011
South Sudan shows progress in State-building, but faces security challenges – UN UN News Centre 02 Nov 2011 -- South Sudan has made significant progress in establishing State institutions and integrating militias into the national army, but faces challenges.
SOUTH SUDAN: Demining for development as rebels re-mine IRIN 02 Nov 2011 -- In the South Sudanese town of Rokon, sniffer dogs practise finding explosives as an enormous demining machine churns up the soil in a nearby suspected minefield.

Ban welcomes agreement on outstanding issues of Nepal’s peace process UN News Centre 02 Nov 2011 -- Secretary-General Ban welcomed the agreement reached among Nepal’s political parties on resolving outstanding issues.
Nepal parties ink seven-point historic peace deal IRNA 02 Nov 2011 -- Putting their differences aside, Nepal's main political parties have inked a historic deal that includes an agreement on integrating former Maoist combatants into the security forces.
Nepal Takes Major Step Forward in Historic Peace Process VOA 02 Nov 2011 -- Nepal has taken a major step forward in drawing its decade-long civil conflict to a formal close.

South Ossetia Election Plot Thickens RFE/RL 02 Nov 2011 -- The republic's Central Election Commission has registered a total of 17 candidates from three separate camps with conflicting political agendas for the November 13 ballot.

News Reports

Secretary-General hopes Syria will carry out Arab League plan UN News Centre 02 Nov 2011 -- Secretary-General Ban hopes a new peace plan proposed by the League of Arab States is carried out soon.
Arab League Says Syria Agrees To Withdraw Military From Cities RFE/RL 02 Nov 2011 -- The Arab League says Syria has agreed to steps as part of an Arab initiative to end the turmoil and bloodshed in the country.
Arab League: Syria Agrees to Plan to Curb Crackdown VOA 02 Nov 2011 -- The Arab League proposal was agreed to during the group's meeting in Cairo.
Syria approves Arab League’s peace plan RIA Novosti 02 Nov 2011 -- The Syrian government approved a plan backed by the Arab League for a peaceful settlement of the ongoing conflict in Syria.

Tighter US Sanctions on Iran Clear Legislative Hurdle VOA 02 Nov 2011 -- The US Congress is moving to tighten sanctions against Iran, following allegations of a plot to assassinate Saudi Arabia's ambassador.
US: Iran Must Abide by Nuclear Commitments VOA 02 Nov 2011 -- The United States on Wednesday reiterated its call for Iran to abide by international commitments regarding its nuclear program.
Iran Extends Influence in Central Asia's Tajikistan VOA 02 Nov 2011 -- Iran is competing with Russia as it seeks to forge closer ties with Tajikistan, the one Persian-speaking nation of the former Soviet Central Asia.
Supreme Leader: US anti-Iran scenario aims to cover own terror IRNA 02 Nov 2011 -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Khamenei: US fabricated anti-Iran scenario to cover up its own terror campaign.
Iran says is legally pursing US assassination claim ISNA 02 Nov 2011 -- Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular, Parliamentary and Expatriates' Affairs Hassan Qashqavi: Country is pursing the US recent allegation.
Iran to launch Toloo satellite next year ISNA 02 Nov 2011 -- The Deputy Head of the Industry and Research Institute of the Iranian Defense Ministry Eslami: Iran would launch Toloo imaging satellite into space next year.

Chinese Rule of Tibet Protested Ahead of G20 VOA 02 Nov 2011 -- About 50 Tibetan students demonstrated Wednesday outside the Chinese embassy in New Delhi, demanding that the self-immolation of 10 Tibetan Buddhist monks and nuns over the past month be addressed at Thursday's G-20 summit in Cannes.

Zimbabwe PM Tsvangirai Slams Police VOA 02 Nov 2011 -- Zimbabwe’s Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai says he is worried about rising political violence in the country, which he says is designed and executed by people working within the government of national unity.

Liberia's Opposition CDC Issues Demands Days Before Runoff Vote VOA 02 Nov 2011 -- Liberia’s opposition Congress for Democratic Change party has outlined a number of conditions it says must be met before it will participate in the November 8th presidential runoff election.

Russian, Chinese Companies 'Most Likely' To Offer Bribes RFE/RL 02 Nov 2011 -- In a new report, the anticorruption group Transparency International says bribing public officials when doing business abroad is a regular occurrence.

International Arms Dealer Viktor Bout Convicted in New York of Terrorism Crimes US Dept. of Justice 02 Nov 2011
Russian arms dealer Bout guilty on all charges RIA Novosti 02 Nov 2011 -- Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout has been found guilty on all counts by a jury in the Federal District Court of New York.
U.S. Jury Convicts Russian Arms Dealer Bout RFE/RL 02 Nov 2011 -- Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout has been convicted of trying to sell heavy weapons to a Colombian terrorist group.

British High Court Rejects Assange Extradition Appeal VOA 02 Nov 2011 -- Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has lost his appeal to prevent his extradition to Sweden to face sex charges.
WikiLeaks Founder Assange Loses Extradition Appeal RFE/RL 02 Nov 2011 -- A British court has ruled that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange may be extradited to Sweden to face questioning over alleged sex crimes.

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