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17 November 2011 Military News

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Defense Policy / Programs
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Current Operations

OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 17 Nov 2011 [PDF]

Combined Force Captures Taliban Facilitator AFPS 17 Nov 2011 -- A combined Afghan and coalition security force captured a Taliban facilitator in the Daman district of Afghanistan’s Kandahar province.
Insurgents Fire Rockets in Afghan Capital VOA 17 Nov 2011 -- Afghan officials say insurgents fired rockets toward a gathering of thousands of politicians, tribal elders and community leaders in Kabul.
Rockets Fired Into Kabul As Loya Jirga Enters Second Day RFE/RL 17 Nov 2011 -- Afghan officials say two rockets were fired early today into Kabul where a major gathering is taking place to discuss a proposed long-term strategic partnership with the United States.
Afghan Local Police discover 6 IEDs during security patrol Army News 17 Nov 2011 -- The Afghan Local Police, combat advised by elements of coalition Special Operations Forces, discovered six improvised explosive devices in Kandahar province.
Afghan man killed by insurgent IED Army News 17 Nov 2011 -- An Afghan man working on a canal irrigation project was killed when he unknowingly stepped on an insurgent's improvised explosive device in Zharay district.
Afghan security forces learn about counterinsurgency Army News 17 Nov 2011 -- The core principle of the counterinsurgency campaign in Afghanistan is defeating the insurgents and securing the population, a difficult concept to master for a developing army and police force.
Weather station provides Afghans predictability Army News 17 Nov 2011 -- People have observed extreme weather changes in Afghanistan as they have traveled from desert to snowy mountain scenery in a matter of hours.
India, Russia to deepen cooperation on Afghanistan IRNA 17 Nov 2011 -- India and Russia agreed to deepen their cooperation for assisting war-ravaged Afghanistan to make it a democratic and pluralistic society capable of ensuring security to its people.

Pakistani Ambassador To U.S. Offers Resignation Amid Memo Controversy RFE/RL 17 Nov 2011 -- Pakistan's ambassador to Washington has offered to resign from his post.
Ex-Pakistani FM: I was forced to give immunity to CIA agent IRNA 17 Nov 2011 -- Former Pakistan FM Qureshi said he had resigned as he was being forced to give diplomatic immunity to CIA agent Raymond Davis.
31 attackers on checkposts killed in fighting with Pakistan troops IRNA 17 Nov 2011 -- Thirty-one militants and a military officer were killed in gun-battles and shelling in north western Pakistani tribal region.
3 militants and 2 policemen killed in Karachi blast IRNA 17 Nov 2011 -- Three suspected militants and two policemen were killed in a blast in Pakistani port city of Karachi.

DOD News Briefing with Maj. Gen. Champoux via Teleconference from Iraq DoD 17 Nov 2011
Commander Cites ‘Positive Impact’ From Iraq Mission AFPS 17 Nov 2011 -- Most of about 24,000 U.S. service members remaining in Iraq will be home “well before Christmas,” the last U.S. division commander there said.
Britain's Iraq Inquiry Delayed By Six Months RFE/RL 17 Nov 2011 -- The release of an official British inquiry into the Iraq war will be delayed by at least six months due to debates over access to secret files.
Iraqi Government Seeks To Employ Gun Control RFE/RL 17 Nov 2011 -- Iraqi PM al-Maliki's government has presented a bill banning the possession of weapons by anyone except military and state security personnel.

Defense Policy / Programs

Remarks By President Obama to the Australian Parliament The White House 17 Nov 2011
Remarks by President Obama to U.S. and Australian Service Members The White House 17 Nov 2011
ASEAN Leaders React to Planned US Marine Base in Australia VOA 17 Nov 2011 -- The announcement by President Barack Obama that he plans to station U.S. troops in Australia is drawing mixed reactions at the ASEAN Summit in Indonesia.
Obama Says U.S. Will Maintain Pacific Presence AFPS 17 Nov 2011 -- Cost-cutting initiatives to impact the armed forces won’t come at the cost of the U.S. presence in Asia and the Pacific, President Barack Obama said.
Obama Says U.S. 'Here To Stay' As Pacific Power RFE/RL 17 Nov 2011 -- In a major policy speech today, U.S. President Barack Obama vowed to expand his country's influence in the Asia-Pacific region.
Obama: Australian, U.S. Troops Backbone of Alliance AFPS 17 Nov 2011 -- President Barack Obama visited the Royal Army Air Force Base in Darwin, Australia, today to thank Australian military members and a contingent of U.S. Marines.
Obama Takes Momentum from Australia into East Asia Summit VOA 17 Nov 2011 -- US President Barack Obama: New military cooperation agreement will help the United States play a larger security role in the Asia-Pacific.
US, Japan, S. Korea Triangular Military Alliance KCNA 17 Nov 2011 -- The naval force of Japan's "Self-Defense Forces" and the south Korean navy staged joint military exercises.

Department of Defense Announces Successful Test of Army Advanced Hypersonic Weapon Concept DoD 17 Nov 2011
Remarks by Secretary Panetta at Electric Boat in Groton, Conn. DoD 17 Nov 2011
Message from the President to Congress - Naval Petroleum Reserves The White House 17 Nov 2011
Panetta Cites Progress, Warns of Remaining Threats AFPS 17 Nov 2011 -- After 10 years of war, the United States is at a turning point in its national defense, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said today while visiting sailors and shipyard workers here.
Panetta Visits ‘Submarine Capital of the World’ AFPS 17 Nov 2011 -- Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta visited sailors and shipyard workers today while getting a firsthand look at construction of the Virginia-class attack submarine to be commissioned the USS Mississippi.
Pentagon Will Examine All Budget Areas, Official Says AFPS 17 Nov 2011 -- The Defense Department will do its part to cut the federal deficit and will look at all areas of its budget, the Pentagon’s comptroller said.
Keel Laid for First DDG 1000 Destroyer NNS 17 Nov 2011 -- The U.S. Navy laid the keel for its first Zumwalt-class destroyer (DDG 1000), Nov. 17, at General Dynamics-Bath Iron Works shipyard in Bath, Maine.
Navy Scientists Discover IED Detection Technique NNS 17 Nov 2011 -- Thanks to a discovery while researching synthetic aperture radar, detecting improvised explosive devices will now be easier).
Department of the Navy Updates its Science, Technology Priorities NNS 17 Nov 2011 -- The Office of Naval Research released the latest update to the Naval Science and Technology Strategic Plan.
Blue Ridge Completes Sea Trials NNS 17 Nov 2011 -- U.S. 7th Fleet command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) completed three days of sea trials Nov. 16, after extensive training, a planned maintenance period and a successful light off assessment.
Trilateral Maritime Forces Participate in MCM Exercise NNS 17 Nov 2011 -- Mine countermeasures (MCM) ships from the U.S., UK, and Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) completed a MCM exercise in the Arabian Gulf, Oct. 27.
Pearl Harbor Shipyard Automated Welding Increases Safety, Efficiency NNS 17 Nov 2011 -- Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility employees completed their largest automated submerged arc weld, Nov. 11, laying the groundwork for future submarine maintenance availability.

Russian military has 'no one left to draft' RIA Novosti 17 Nov 2011 -- Russia has no conscript-age young men left to recruit.
Russia needs defense research body - NATO envoy RIA Novosti 17 Nov 2011 -- Russia’s envoy to NATO, Dmitry Rogozin, has called for the creation of a defense research agency similar to DARPA.
Number of chaplains in Russian armed foces to triple RIA Novosti 17 Nov 2011 -- The number of chaplains in the Russian armed forces will soon triple to more than 60.

NATO’s Missile Defence – the first live-fire test NATO 17 Nov 2011-- During the German-led exercise Rapid Arrow 2011, the NATO Active Layered Theatre Ballistic Missile Defence Interim Capability was succesfully tested.

India to testfire 5,000-km range Agni-5 nuclear capable missile IRNA 17 Nov 2011 -- DRDO will launch the 5,000-km version of the nuclear capable missile after three months.
Russia hopes India will 'soon' join SCO - Lavrov RIA Novosti 17 Nov 2011 -- Russia hopes that India will soon become a full member of Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.

Report about Taiwan patrol in Indian Ocean not confirmed CNA 17 Nov 2011 -- Authorities would not confirm or deny report that the Taiwan Navy organized a fleet that will patrol the Indian Ocean to protect fishing boats.
Air force jets conduct low approach drill on highway CNA 17 Nov 2011 -- Fighter jets and helicopters completed low approach training maneuvers on a highway strip in southern Taiwan.

KCNA on Japan's Foreign Policy KCNA 17 Nov 2011 -- Japan has recently started examination into a bill on amending the "Law on Cooperation for UN Peace-keeping Activities".

Kim Jong Il Receives High-ranking Military Delegation of CPLA KCNA 17 Nov 2011 -- Kim Jong Il received the high-ranking military delegation of the Chinese People's Liberation Army led by Li Jinai.

U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing, November 17, 2011 US Dept. of State 17 Nov 2011

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for November 17, 2011
General Dynamics Awarded $395 Million for Egyptian Abrams Tank-Related Work General Dynamics 17 Nov 2011 -- The U.S. TACOM Lifecycle Management Command has awarded General Dynamics Land Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics, a $395 million contract for work under the Egyptian tank co-production program.
Lockheed Martin AMF JTRS Team Successfully Demonstrates New Communications and Tactical Data Sharing at U.S. Army Exercise Lockheed Martin 17 Nov 2011 -- A Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] team recently demonstrated how software-defined radios can extend the Army’s tactical network by connecting disparate ground troops with the Airborne and Maritime/Fixed Station Joint Tactical Radio System (AMF JTRS).
Upgraded H-1 Helicopters With Northrop Grumman Integrated Cockpit Deploy for the First Time as a Unit Northrop Grumman 17 Nov 2011 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation's Integrated Avionics System played a key role in preparing the AH-1Z helicopter for its first operational deployment, marking the initial opportunity for the AH-1Z and UH-1Y helicopters to work together as a team.
Northrop Grumman Completes System Integration Test for Navy CANES Shipboard Networking Program Northrop Grumman 17 Nov 2011 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation has successfully completed the formal contractor system integration testing of its Consolidated Afloat Networks and Enterprise Services (CANES) system for the U.S. Navy.
Raytheon BBN Awarded $10.5 Million to Develop Game-Based Training Methods and Systems to Improve Decision-Making Raytheon 17 Nov 2011 -- The Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA), through an Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) contract, has awarded Raytheon BBN Technologies a $10.5 million multi-year contract under the Sirius program.
Live fire: the acid test Rheinmetall Defence 17 Nov 2011 -- Rocket-propelled grenades, antitank guided missiles and explosively formed projectiles (a particularly pernicious type of IED) all pose a severe threat to troops deployed in modern conflict and post-conflict situations
Sikorsky Meets Accelerated UH-60M BLACK HAWK Helicopter Deliveries for Sweden Sikorsky 17 Nov 2011 -- Sikorsky Aircraft, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp., today delivered to the U.S. Army the fourth of 15 UH-60M BLACK HAWK aircraft for further transfer to the Swedish Defence Material Administration (FMV).
BAE Systems Receives $132 Million U.S. Navy Award to Provide C4ISR Support for Military Operations Overseas BAE Systems 17 Nov 2011 -- BAE Systems has received a $132 million U.S. Navy task order to provide C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) technical services for military operations around the world.
SAIC Awarded $90 Million Subcontract to Support U.S. Department of Homeland Security Headquarters Relocation SAIC 17 Nov 2011 -- Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) (NYSE: SAI) announced today it was awarded a subcontract by General Dynamics to support the relocation of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) headquarters by providing information technology (IT) integration and implementation services.
MEADS Conducts Successful First Flight Test At White Sands Missile Range Lockheed Martin 17 Nov 2011 -- The Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) successfully completed its first flight test today at White Sands Missile Range, N.M.

Other Conflicts

Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, 17 November 2011 United Nations 17 Nov 2011

At Least 5 More Civilian Deaths Reported in Syria Unrest VOA 17 Nov 2011 -- Syrian rights groups say security forces killed five more people across the country.
Arab League gives Syria three more days to end violence RIA Novosti 17 Nov 2011 -- The Arab League extended for three more days its deadline for Syria to stop violence against civilians or face economic sanctions.
Russian Foreign Minister Likens Syria Crisis To Civil War RFE/RL 17 Nov 2011 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said the crisis in Syria is beginning to resemble a civil war.
Syrian opposition should not boycott reforms - Russian FM RIA Novosti 17 Nov 2011 -- The Syrian opposition should not boycott the process of reforms, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
Moscow calls on Arab League to work for peace in Syria RIA Novosti 17 Nov 2011 -- The Arab League should urge not only the Syrian authorities but also the opposition forces to end the escalating violence in the country.
Syrian opposition welcomes Arab League observers, opposes suspension RIA Novosti 17 Nov 2011 -- The Syrian opposition will welcome Arab League observers, but is opposed to the organization suspending Syria's membership and imposing sanctions.
Turkey President says opposed to any attack on Syria IRNA 17 Nov 2011 -- Turkish President Abdullah Gul said that his country is opposed to any attack on Syria and he believes that the events happened in Iraq and Libya should not be repeated in Syria.
LEBANON: Residents ready to take up arms against Syrian insurgents IRIN 17 Nov 2011 -- In the office of the former general turned self-styled humanitarian, concerned locals and Syrian refugees talk of taking up arms to defend a country they believe the national army will not.

SOMALIA: Looters sabotage aid efforts in Mogadishu IRIN 17 Nov 2011 -- The frequent looting of relief aid at distribution centres in Mogadishu by local or state security agents seriously undermines efforts to help hundreds of thousands of people.

US Urges Comprehensive Peace Deal in Darfur VOA 17 Nov 2011 -- The U.S. State Department is calling for the resumption of peace talks between the Sudanese government and armed rebel movements in Darfur.
Refugees at South Sudan's Yida Camp Sick, Hungry VOA 17 Nov 2011 -- A week after bombs fell near the Yida refugee camp in South Sudan, shortages of supplies are taking their toll on the more than 20,000 people sheltering there.

Nigeria Moving to Confront Boko Haram Terrorism VOA 17 Nov 2011 -- Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan says the military is moving to fight and defeat what he calls the evil of the militant Islamist sect Boko Haram.
Nigeria Deploys Troops at Power Stations as Strike Looms VOA 17 Nov 2011 -- An official of the Nigeria Labor Congress says the federal government’s decision to deploy troops at facilities of the state-run Power Company of Nigeria poses a threat to national security.

Deaths Rise as Outlawed Kurdish Guerrillas Continue Fight VOA 17 Nov 2011 -- The Kurds are the world’s largest ethnic minority without a nation of its own. Less than 20 percent live in northern Iraq where they have achieved regional autonomy.

Taiwan-China Peace Accord Unlikely VOA 17 Nov 2011 -- The Taiwanese official in charge of the ministry overseeing policy with Beijing says her government lacks trust in China to pursue a peace accord.

Russia's Province Of Kosovo? RFE/RL 17 Nov 2011 -- Some Kosovar Serbs had hoped that Russian citizenship would be the best way to get Moscow involved and so prevent their enclave from being integrated under the Kosovar Albanian-led government's control.

Cambodia: UN-backed court rules former Khmer Rouge leader unfit to stand trial UN News Centre 17 Nov 2011 -- The UN-backed genocide tribunal in Cambodia ruled that a 79-year-old former senior member of the Khmer Rouge is unfit to stand trial.
Cambodia Genocide Suspect Ruled Unfit for Trial VOA 17 Nov 2011 -- Cambodia's United Nation's-backed tribunal has ruled that a former senior Khmer Rouge leader was unfit to stand trial for genocide charges and should be released from prison.

Rwanda: UN tribunal convicts former mayor of genocide and extermination UN News Centre 17 Nov 2011 -- The UN tribunal trying those most responsible for the 1994 genocide that engulfed Rwanda found a former mayor guilty of genocide and extermination.
Former Rwandan Mayor Found Guilty of Genocide Charges VOA 17 Nov 2011 -- The former mayor of a Rwandan town has been convicted on genocide charges in connection with the 1994 massacre of some 2,000 people in his district.

News Reports

Fact Sheet: U.S. Export Promotion and the Asia-Pacific The White House 17 Nov 2011
Obama Uses Asia-Pacific Trip to Nudge Burma Toward More Reform VOA 17 Nov 2011 -- U.S. President Barack Obama has again used a major Asia trip to nudge Burma's government toward more rapid reforms.

Kuwait's Emir Orders Security Forces To Maintain Order After Unrest RFE/RL 17 Nov 2011 -- The emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Nasser al-Mohammad al-Sabah, today ordered the national guard and security forces to take "all necessary measures" to maintain security in the Gulf state.

The New Salman Rushdie Affair: Facebook ID Crackdown Has Activists Uneasy RFE/RL 17 Nov 2011 -- Fingers pounding on the keyboard, author Salman Rushdie is, as always, engrossed in writing, but this time it's not fiction.

Panetta Cautions Israel Against Iran Military Strike VOA 17 Nov 2011 -- US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta says he is cautioning Israel not to take military action against Iran.
UN agency seeks visit to Iran UN News Centre 17 Nov 2011 -- The head of the UN IAEA said there is credible information that Iran is developing a nuclear weapon.
Nuclear Watchdog Seeks High-Level Mission to Iran VOA 17 Nov 2011 -- The head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog wants to send a high-level mission to Iran.
UN Nuclear Watchdog Wants To Send Delegation To Iran RFE/RL 17 Nov 2011 -- Yukiya Amano, the head of the IAEA, said that his agency would like to send experts to Iran to help "clarify the issues" raised in recent report.
Turkey May Be Key to Expanding Western Sanctions Against Iran VOA 17 Nov 2011 -- As the West mulls more sanctions on Iran's disputed nuclear program, analysts say the success of the penalties could depend on Turkey's involvement.
Russia hopes new Iran resolution is adopted on Friday - FM RIA Novosti 17 Nov 2011 -- Russia hopes the new resolution on Iran, agreed by a group of international mediators, will be adopted on Friday, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
Russia, China say “no” to anti-Iran resolution- report IRNA 17 Nov 2011 -- The IAEA Board of Governors will start a two-day meeting shortly .
Iran Six to submit new resolution to IAEA RIA Novosti 17 Nov 2011 -- A group of international mediators on Iran is planning to present a draft resolution on Iran’s nuclear dossier to the International Atomic Energy Agency Board of Governors.
IAEA chief defends report on Iran's nuclear program RIA Novosti 17 Nov 2011 -- The information contained in the latest report by the IAEA on the military dimension of Iran's nuclear program is credible.

North Korea to get $100 million annually for Russian gas transit RIA Novosti 17 Nov 2011 -- North Korea will get $100 million annually if it becomes a transit country for Russian gas supplies to South Korea.

DRC Opposition Candidate Denies Calling for Violence VOA 17 Nov 2011 -- A Congolese presidential candidate has denied calling for violence ahead of elections, but has reiterated his claim that he is the country's true leader.

Poll Shows Moldovans Losing Interest In EU, Warming Up To Russia RFE/RL 17 Nov 2011 -- A new poll shows Moldovans are losing interest in the post-Soviet country's European integration.

Two Astrium space systems head for Mars aboard the rover 'Curiosity' EADS 17 Nov 2011 -- NASA’s new Mars rover, ‘Curiosity’, will be launched on 25 November from Cape Canaveral in Florida on an Atlas V rocket.
Northrop Grumman-led Team Completes Installation of Huge Assembly Stand for NASA's James Webb Space Telescope Flight Optics Northrop Grumman 17 Nov 2011 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation and its teammate ITT Exelis have finished installation of the giant structural steel frame used to assemble the mirrors and instruments of NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).

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