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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 09 Dec 2011 [PDF]
• ACC-RI now responsible for closing out contracts in Iraq and Afghanistan Army News 09 Dec 2011 -- The Army Contracting Command has been asked to step in to help close out the current backlog of contracts supporting the efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
• Third Army prepares to meet security agreement Army News 09 Dec 2011 -- The Redistribution Property Assistance Team is working hard to meet the presidential directive to transition troops and equipment from Iraq by Dec. 31.
• Gen Jazayari: Minimum US casualties in Iraq 50K IRNA 09 Dec 2011 -- Head of country's Defense Propagations Headquarter referring to US defeat and forced evacuation of forces from Iraq said here Friday Americans lost at least 50 thousand lives there.
• 20TH Engineer Brigade headquarters returns from Iraq Army News 09 Dec 2011 -- More than 60 Soldiers from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 20th Engineer Brigade, were welcomed back home to Fort Bragg after a year-long deployment to Iraq.
• Combined Patrol Detains Several Suspected Insurgents AFPS 09 Dec 2011 -- A combined Afghan and coalition security force detained several suspected insurgents during a patrol in the Charkh district of Afghanistan's Logar province today, military officials reported.
• Soldiers, Marines work with FSR to improve mobility of UAV system Army News 09 Dec 2011 -- The T-Hawk UAV system is a small aerial surveillance system that allows units to get eyes on an area.
• FSRs work with mobile parts hospital to improve robots for Soldiers, Marines Army News 09 Dec 2011 -- Robotics field service representatives and machinists at the Camp Leatherneck Mobile Parts Hospital are working together to make improvements to the robots Soldiers and Marines use to investigate IEDs.
• Task Force Viper Army News 09 Dec 2011 -- The Soldiers of the battalion have readily adapted to their new surroundings on the FOB.
• 44th Expeditionary Signal Battalion Soldiers return from deployment Army News 09 Dec 2011 -- Family members and loved ones received an early Christmas present Dec. 8 when approximately 150 Soldiers with the 44th Expeditionary Signal Battalion returned here from Afghanistan earlier than anticipated.
• III MEF, Thailand drain flooding USMC News 09 Dec 2011 -- U.S. service members worked in tandem with their Royal Thai counterparts to provide flood relief at the Don Mueang International Airport here Nov. 29.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Military Stability Operations Game Ends As Greater Cooperation, Understanding Begin NNS 09 Dec 2011 -- A diverse cadre of government, academic, and military officials finished a three-day maritime stability operations game (MSOG) at the U.S. Naval War College (NWC) Dec. 8.
• Army activates first-of-its-kind Cyber Brigade Army News 09 Dec 2011 -- The colors of the 780th MI Brigade were unfurled for the first time during an activation ceremony at NSA's Friedman Auditorium.
• Army developing next-generation helicopter Army News 09 Dec 2011 -- The Pentagon and the U.S. Army are in the early stages of a far-reaching Science and technology effort designed to engineer, build and deliver a next-generation helicopter with vastly improved avionics, electronics, range, speed, propulsion, survivability, operating density altitudes and payload capacity, service officials said.
• LCAC 91 Achieves Navy's Fastest Maritime Surface Craft Speed on Algal Fuel Blend NNS 09 Dec 2011 -- The Navy successfully concluded its final alternative fuel demonstration for the year today with the Dec. 7-9 operational tests of the 50/50 algae-derived, hydro-processed algal oil and petroleum F-76 blend in a landing craft air cushion (LCAC) amphibious transport vehicle.
• Transition Benefits: Navy Reserve May Offer Opportunity for Continued Service NNS 09 Dec 2011 -- Flexibility and continued benefits come with Reserve affiliation said one career transition official, Dec. 8.
• Navy Reserve U.S. 10th Fleet Holds Change of Command Ceremony NNS 09 Dec 2011 -- Navy Reserve U.S. 10th Fleet held a change of command ceremony at Fort George G. Meade, Dec. 3.
• Carrier Strike Group 1 Commander Relieves VAQ-134 CO NNS 09 Dec 2011 -- The commanding officer of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 134, was relieved Dec. 8, aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command.
• Military Strategy Drives Budget Decisions, Dempsey Says AFPS 09 Dec 2011 -- The Defense Department considers strategy and capabilities as key factors in budget decisions that will cut $450 billion over the next 10 years, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said here today.
• Chairman Cites Surge Success, Discusses U.S.-Pakistan Relations AFPS 09 Dec 2011 -- The surge operation in Afghanistan is a success that has accomplished what it was designed to do, Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey told the Atlantic Council here today.
• Flournoy Terms China Talks ‘Very Constructive’ AFPS 09 Dec 2011 -- The latest round of defense talks between the United States and China was “very constructive,” the Defense Department’s policy chief said.
• New light machine gun aims to 'SAW' Soldiers' load Army News 09 Dec 2011 -- Nearly 20 Soldiers participated in a two-week assessment of a prototype light machine gun to demonstrate its potential impact on mission effectiveness and to help engineers develop possible improvements to the weapon and its unique ammunition.
• Soldier feedback shaping next-generation blue force tracking, handhelds Army News 09 Dec 2011 -- The Army's next-generation friendly force tracking system that aims to transform communications for dismounted Soldiers is capitalizing on user feedback as it steps closer to deployment.
• Bulk fuel Marines prove importance during exercise USMC News 09 Dec 2011 -- Bulk fuel is a much needed (military occupational specialty),' said Staff Sgt. Jay J. Jenkins, bulk fuel chief, Engineer Company. 'When we are out here planning and implementing, it provides a good picture of how important (bulk fuel) is.'
• Soldiers jump sky-high with Flying Tigers USMC News 09 Dec 2011 -- Marine pilots with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262 flew soldiers from the U.S. Army's 1st Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group Airborne, as they conducted static-line parachute operations on Ie Shima Nov. 29, during Ryukyu Warrior 2012.
• Force Recon Marines commandeer ship during vessel-boarding drill USMC News 09 Dec 2011 -- A helicopter hovers 25-feet above the deck of the ship as combat rubber raiding craft simultaneously crash through the waves toward the hostile vessel.
• 7th Comm prepares for exercises USMC News 09 Dec 2011 -- Marines with 7th Communications Battalion dispatched an array of communication equipment and established a secure working environment during their communications field exercise here Dec. 1.
• TRADOC continues to reduce civilian workforce Army News 09 Dec 2011 -- The U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command will move forward with plans on reducing the size of its civilian workforce based on the President's 2012 budget and decreased funding.
• Arsenal Back In Rail Business Army News 09 Dec 2011 -- A major upgrade related to the Redstone Gateway business development project near Gate 9 is bringing the sound of train whistles back to Redstone Arsenal.
• U.S. Army awards fire station renovation contracts in Latvia Army News 09 Dec 2011 -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Europe District recently awarded three contracts in Latvia to upgrade eight existing fire and rescue stations throughout the country.
• Hojj. Sediqi: US' drone capture is most honorable event IRNA 09 Dec 2011 -- Tehran's substitute Friday prayers leader Hojjatoleslam Kazem Sediqi says capturing Americans' surveillance drone is among most honorable recent events.
• Russia's Special Forces get 30 Austrian sniper rifles RIA Novosti 09 Dec 2011 -- More than 30 Austrian-manufactured sniper rifles have been adopted for service with Russia's Airborne Forces special task units, Defense Ministry spokesman Col. Alexander Kucherenko said on Friday.
• Equipment Minister responds to PAC report on armoured vehicle delivery UK MOD 09 Dec 2011 -- Defence Minister Peter Luff has responded to a report by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), published today on the delivery of armoured vehicles.
• December 9, 2011 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 09 Dec 2011
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, 12/9/2011 The White House 09 Dec 2011

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for December 10, 2011
• General Dynamics Awarded $47 Million to Maintain and Update Army Common Ground Stations Worldwide General Dynamics 09 Dec 2011 -- General Dynamics C4 Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics, has been awarded a five-year, $47 million follow-on contract to update and maintain the operational readiness of all Common Ground Stations (CGS) for the U.S. Army. General Dynamics will provide the spare parts, assemblies, engineering support and other logistics needed to keep the CGS fleet technically current and fully operational worldwide.

Other Conflicts

• 9 December 2011 - Daily Press Briefing by the Offices of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General and the Spokesperson for the General Assembly President United Nations 09 Dec 2011
• UN rights chief says Syria could plunge into civil war as more soldiers defect UN News Centre 09 Dec 2011 -- The United Nations human rights chief warned today that Syria could descend into civil war as more members of the armed forces defect, noting that nearly 1,000 of the estimated 4,000 people who have died in the bloody crackdown on protesters have been members of the security forces.
• Syrian Forces Kill At Least 24 as Protests Spread VOA 09 Dec 2011 -- Syrian activists say security forces have killed at least 24 people, including several children, as anti-government protests spread nationwide.
• SUDAN-SOUTH SUDAN: Humanitarian crisis warning as thousands flee fighting IRIN 09 Dec 2011 -- Aid agencies must now plan for worsening humanitarian conditions in Sudan's South Kordofan and Blue Nile states where ongoing conflict pitting the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) against the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) has resulted in the mass displacement of civilians towards South Sudan's Unity and Upper Nile states and into neighbouring Ethiopia.
• South Sudan: UN urges reconciliation as 40 die in ethnic violence in Jonglei UN News Centre 09 Dec 2011 -- The United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan today stressed the need to press ahead with the reconciliation process in Jonglei state where another outbreak of inter-ethnic violence earlier this week left more than 40 people dead, most of them women, children and the elderly.
• UN Chief Urges Somalia to 'Seize Moment' VOA 09 Dec 2011 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon arrived in Somali's capital Friday for talks on the future of the war-torn country. During his visit, Ban announced that the U.N. political office would be moved to Mogadishu in January from its present location in neighboring Kenya.
• Somalia at 'critical' juncture, UN chief says in historic visit to Mogadishu UN News Centre 09 Dec 2011 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon paid an unannounced visit to Mogadishu today together with the President of the General Assembly, Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, to express the solidarity of the United Nations at what he called a 'critical juncture' for the future of the Somali people.
• Côte d’Ivoire: UN envoy calls for peaceful polls, warns violence will not be tolerated UN News Centre 09 Dec 2011 -- With just two days to go before parliamentary polls take place in Côte d’Ivoire, the United Nations envoy there called for “a peaceful and calm election,” adding that violence will not be tolerated.
• Dutch Apologize for Indonesian Massacre VOA 09 Dec 2011 -- The Netherlands has formally apologized to the families of those killed in a 1947 massacre by Dutch troops on Indonesia's Java Island. Activists say the landmark move sets an important precedent, but also highlights the hypocrisy of the Indonesian government in dealing with human rights abuses committed at home.
• UN tribunal jails Bosnian Serb for refusing to testify in genocide trial UN News Centre 09 Dec 2011 -- The United Nations war crimes tribunal for the Balkan conflicts of the 1990s today sentenced a former security and intelligence officer in the Bosnian Serb armed forces to three months in prison for refusing to testify in the genocide trial of his commander.
• In Lebanon, UN deplores targeted explosion that injures five peacekeepers UN News Centre 09 Dec 2011 -- Five United Nations peacekeepers serving in Lebanon have been injured after an explosion targeted at their vehicle in the country's south earlier today – the third such attack this year.

News Reports

• Obama Says U.S. Considering All Options On Iran RFE/RL 09 Dec 2011 -- President Barack Obama has repeated that the United States is considering all options regarding Iran, and will work with U.S. allies, including Israel, to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
• Missing Ex-FBI Agent In Hostage Video RFE/RL 09 Dec 2011 -- The mystery surrounding a retired U.S. FBI agent who disappeared in Iran more than 4 1/2 years ago has deepened with the release of a video showing him held hostage by an unknown group.
• Moscow sees 'no military component' in Iran's nuclear program RIA Novosti 09 Dec 2011 -- There is no military component in Iran's nuclear program, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Friday.
• Pro-Democracy Protests Put Putin, Russia at Turning Point VOA 09 Dec 2011 -- Is the Arab Spring moving North to become the Russian Winter? With democracy demonstrations to take place across Russia on Saturday, the world’s largest nation may be at a crossroads.
• United Russia retains parliamentary majority - final poll tally RIA Novosti 09 Dec 2011 -- Russia's governing party, United Russia, will have 238 seats in the new State Duma following Sunday's parliamentary elections, Central Electoral Commission deputy head Leonid Ivlev said on Friday.
• Judge Orders Indefinite Arrest As Tymoshenko Trial Resumes In Jail Cell RFE/RL 09 Dec 2011 -- Authorities in Ukraine have placed former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko under indefinite arrest following the resumption in her jail cell of an embezzlement trial launched after her conviction on unrelated charges.
• Kabila Named Winner of DRC Election; Tshisekedi Rejects Results VOA 09 Dec 2011 -- Electoral officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo say President Joseph Kabila has won re-election in a vote marred by violence and delays. Our correspondent reports from Kinshasa that the president's leading opponent is rejecting those results and says he is the country's new president.
• DR Congo: Ban takes note of provisional results of presidential poll, calls for calm UN News Centre 09 Dec 2011 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today took note of the release of the provisional results of the presidential elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which indicate that incumbent Joseph Kabila garnered the most votes, and stressed that any differences over the polls be resolved peacefully.
• Kabila Named Winner of DRC Presidential Election VOA 09 Dec 2011 -- Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila has been declared the winner of last week's election, giving him a new five-year term.