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14 December 2011 Military News

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OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 14 Dec 2011 [PDF]

Remarks by the President and First Lady on the End of the War in Iraq The White House 14 Dec 2011
Obama Praises U.S. Troops’ Efforts as Iraq Winds Down AFPS 14 Dec 2011 -- When the last U.S. troops in Iraq case their colors and move to Kuwait, they can leave with their heads held high, President Barack Obama told service members at Fort Bragg.
As Iraq War Ends, Obama Thanks Returning Troops VOA 14 Dec 2011 -- Days before the U.S. military commitment in Iraq ends, President Barack Obama has thanked American forces who served in the nearly nine-year-long conflict.
Obama to Thank Troops for Iraq Service VOA 14 Dec 2011 -- US President Barack Obama is visiting a military base in the southeastern state of North Carolina to thank the troops who have served in Iraq.
Dempsey: Exit From Iraq is Not Exit From Region AFPS 14 Dec 2011 -- The best way for the United States to support that country’s success is to stay broadly engaged in the region, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.
US Ends Military Mission in Iraq VOA 14 Dec 2011 -- All U.S. combat troops will be out of Iraq by the end of the month.

Press Conference with Secretary Panetta and Afghan President Karzai in Kabul, Afghanistan DoD 14 Dec 2011
Remarks by Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta at the United States Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan DoD 14 Dec 2011
Combined Force Captures Taliban Leader AFPS 14 Dec 2011 -- A combined Afghan and coalition security force captured a Taliban leader during an operation in the Kandahar district of Afghanistan’s Kandahar province.
Panetta, Karzai Salute Progress in Afghanistan AFPS 14 Dec 2011 -- Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta joined Afghan President Hamid Karzai today to laud the progress that’s been made in Afghanistan.
Panetta Thanks Front-line Troops for Successes in Afghanistan AFPS 14 Dec 2011 -- Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta traveled to the eastern reaches of Paktika province to thank troops on the front lines.
Panetta: Troops' Sacrifices 'Paying Off' in Afghanistan VOA 14 Dec 2011 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta told American troops in eastern Afghanistan the United States is winning the 10-year-old war against extremists in the country.
Panetta: US Winning War in Afghanistan VOA 14 Dec 2011 -- US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said that the U.S.-led coalition is winning the war in Afghanistan as foreign troops continue to transfer security of the country to Afghan forces.
Scaparrotti: ISAF Border Operations Continue, But With Care AFPS 14 Dec 2011 -- International Security Assistance Force operations continue in Afghanistan along the Pakistan border, but are conducted with special care.
Zaranj shows promise for future of Nimroz province USMC News 14 Dec 2011 -- Leaders of the C-9 Support Operations section aboard Camp Leatherneck met with Nimroz province officials in Zaranj.
Harvest Hawk brings Marine aviation community together in Afghanistan USMC News 14 Dec 2011 -- In addition to its ability to accomplish traditional Hercules missions, the Harvest Hawk comes loaded with AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and an infrared targeting system.
German gov't approves gradual troop withdrawal from Afghanistan IRNA 14 Dec 2011 -- The German cabinet gave green light to the gradual troop pullout from Afghanistan, government spokesmen Steffen Seibert told media representatives.
Afghanistan Recalls Ambassador From Qatar RFE/RL 14 Dec 2011 -- The Afghan Foreign Ministry has recalled its ambassador to Qatar for "consultations" in an apparent protest at being left out of talks over the opening of a Taliban office in that Persian Gulf state.
Iran, Afghanistan sign defense cooperation agreement IRNA 14 Dec 2011 -- Iran and Afghanistan at the end of the first meeting of their joint defense cooperation commission in Tehran singed a memorandum of understanding on expansion of defense cooperation.
Iran MP: Afghanistan should be held accountable for U.S. drone entry into Iran ISNA 14 Dec 2011 -- An Iranian lawmaker Alaeddin Boroujerdi said Afghanistan should be held accountable for entry of the U.S. spy drone into Iranian air space from its soil.
Afghan Rape Victim Released From Jail, Lawyer Says RFE/RL 14 Dec 2011 -- The lawyer for an Afghan woman who was jailed for adultery after being raped says his client has been released from prison after a pardon by Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
UN Official Says Torture Still Used By Kyrgyz Police RFE/RL 14 Dec 2011 -- The UN's special rapporteur on torture has said in Bishkek that police, investigators, and prison guards in Kyrgyzstan still use torture during interrogations.

Pakistani court admits former envoy’s plea in memo case IRNA 14 Dec 2011 -- Pakistani Supreme Court accepted the plea of Husain Haqqani, the former ambassador to the US.
Pakistan's President to Leave Dubai Hospital Thursday VOA 14 Dec 2011 -- Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari is set to be discharged from a Dubai hospital on Thursday.
Pakistan President To Be Discharged From Hospital RFE/RL 14 Dec 2011 -- Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari is expected to be discharged from hospital in Dubai on December 15.
Pakistani security man, 2 volunteers die in attack IRNA 14 Dec 2011 -- A Pakistani security man and two pro-government volunteers were killed in an attack in Khyber tribal region.

Panetta Defends Intelligence Operations AFPS 14 Dec 2011 -- Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta defended the use of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft to protect the United States.
U-2 Spy Plane Still Flying High VOA 14 Dec 2011 -- One of the oldest planes the United States Air Force still flies is used to carry out some of America's most sensitive and critical missions.
U.S. confesses to failure after asked for spy drone return: Iran official ISNA 14 Dec 2011 -- Deputy Commander of Iranian Armed Forces’ Chiefs of Staff Brigadier General Mohammad Hejazi: U.S. request for returning the spy drone shows it has confessed to failure.

Defense Policy / Programs

Under Secretary Michele Flournoy Statement on Futenma Replacement Facility and Guam Realignment DoD 14 Dec 2011
1000 Laser Detecting Sets Ensure Aircrew Safety Army News 14 Dec 2011 -- The Army accepted the delivery of the 1,000 AN/AVR-2B Laser Detecting Set from the Goodrich Corporation.
Electronic flight bags could boost operational safety, effectiveness AFNS 14 Dec 2011 -- Improved safety, operational effectiveness and efficiency are just a few reasons Air Mobility Command officials are looking into using tablet devices.
USS Tucson Conducts Western Pacific Deployment NNS 14 Dec 2011 -- Friends and families of the crew from the USS Tucson gathered at the submarine piers on board Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam to say goodbye.
USS Dallas Returns From Six-month Deployment NNS 14 Dec 2011 -- USS Dallas returned to Naval Submarine Base New London, Dec. 14, following a regularly scheduled six-month deployment.
USS Samuel B. Roberts Completes Six-Month Deployment NNS 14 Dec 2011 -- Families and friends welcomed home Sailors from USS Samuel B. Roberts during their scheduled return to Mayport Dec. 14.
USS Oak Hill Ports Naval Station Guantanamo Bay NNS 14 Dec 2011 -- Amphibious dock landing ship USS Oak Hill ported Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Dec. 13.
Maritime Prepositioning Ship Squadron 2 Flagship Completes Port Visit to Maldives NNS 14 Dec 2011 -- Military Sealift Command Maritime Prepositioning Force ship USNS SGT William R. Button left the port of Male, Republic of the Maldives, Dec. 14 after completing a four-day port visit.
Exercise Kilat Eagle brings U.S. and Malaysian forces together USMC News 14 Dec 2011 -- Marines and sailors with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit began a cooperative exercise with elements of the Malaysian Army.
Air Force announces basing candidates for Security Forces Regional Training Center Consolidation AFNS 14 Dec 2011 -- Air Force officials announced candidate bases for a Security Forces Regional Training Center consolidation Dec. 14.
Invention by NECE Entomologist Protects the Warfighter NNS 14 Dec 2011 -- Navy Medicine Support Command announced Dec. 14 that an entomologist developed a fly trap now available for worldwide purchase.
Navy Hawkeyes Find Mariners Adrift NNS 14 Dec 2011 -- Aircrews aboard two U.S. Navy E-2C Hawkeye airplanes detected a capsized fishing vessel with four merchant mariners clinging to the vessel's hull approximately 110 nautical miles East-Northeast of Barranquilla, Colombia, Dec. 8.

Russia’s first Open Skies plane completes flight tests RIA Novosti 14 Dec 2011 -- Russia’s first Tu-214ON aircraft specially equipped for the international Open Skies program has successfully completed series of tests.
Russia deploys new missile system in Chechnya RIA Novosti 14 Dec 2011 -- A new missile system has been deployed in Russia’s Northern Caucasus republic of Chechnya.

Last RAF convoy comes home following Libya operations UK MOD 14 Dec 2011 -- The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton, has welcomed home the final RAF vehicle convoy from Italy following the end of UK operations over Libya.

Taiwan yet to decide when to end conscription system CNA 14 Dec 2011 -- The Ministry of National Defense working to make the transition from the current conscription system to a volunteer system.

IAF’s fleet of Sukhoi jets remain on ground after a fighter crash IRNA 14 Dec 2011 -- A day after a Sukhoi fighter crashed, Indian Air Force's fleet of around 120 SU-30MKI aircraft will remain on ground.

Iran Says Closing Vital Oil-Transit Strait Not On Agenda RFE/RL 14 Dec 2011 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry has said closure of the Strait of Hormuz is "not on the agenda."
Closing Hormuz Strait, not on Iran’s agenda: Mehmanparast ISNA 14 Dec 2011 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said closing the Strait of Hormuz is not on Iran’s agenda.
Iran to launch navy drill in Strait of Hormuz, says MP ISNA 14 Dec 2011 -- An Iranian Parliament Member Parviz Sarvari said the country's armed forces are going to launch navy drill in Strait of Hormuz.

Jailed Belarusian ex-Air Force chief ‘lobbied interests of Russian firm’ RIA Novosti 14 Dec 2011 -- Igor Azarenok was lobbying the interests of a Russian company.

Turkmen Army Deserters Detained RFE/RL 14 Dec 2011 -- Two Turkmen soldiers have been detained near the capital, Ashgabat, after deserting their military unit the previous day with their weapons.

U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing, December 14, 2011 US Dept. of State 14 Dec 2011

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for December 14, 2011
Boeing Submits Proposal for US Navy Aegis CSEA Contract Boeing 14 Dec 2011 -- The Boeing Company today submitted its proposal for the Combat System Engineering Agent (CSEA) contract for the U.S. Navy’s Aegis Weapon System.
Australian Aerospace Delivers 15th MRH90 Helicopter EADS 14 Dec 2011 -- Local defence manufacturer, Australian Aerospace, yesterday delivered the 15th MRH90 (Multi-Role Helicopter), tail number 014, to the Australian Defence Force (ADF) – the second such handover in two weeks following signing of an agreement to overcome Program issues and ensure timely delivery of the world’s most advanced helicopters.
General Dynamics JTRS HMS Rifleman Radios Complete Formal Operational Testing General Dynamics 14 Dec 2011 -- The JTRS HMS AN/PRC-154 Rifleman radio by General Dynamics C4 Systems completed its Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) during the U.S. Army’s recently concluded Network Integration Evaluation at Fort Bliss, Texas.
Embraer Defense and Security selects Hamilton Sundstrand for KC-390 Hamilton Sundstrand 14 Dec 2011-- Hamilton Sundstrand has been chosen by Embraer Defense and Security to supply the Electric Power Generating System for the new Embraer KC-390.
Lockheed Martin Submits Aegis Combat System Engineering Agent Proposal to U.S. Navy Lockheed Martin 14 Dec 2011 -- Lockheed Martin submitted its final proposal to the U.S. Navy today to provide combat system engineering services – including design, development, integration, test and life cycle support – for Aegis-equipped ships.
Raytheon BBN Awarded $5.2 Million in Research Funding to Enable Early Awareness of Emerging Technology Raytheon 14 Dec 2011 -- Raytheon BBN Technologies (BBN) has been awarded $5.2 million by the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA) under the Foresight and Understanding from Scientific Exposition (FUSE) program. BBN is a wholly owned subsidiary of Raytheon Company.
SAIC Awarded Contract to Support U.S. Army Live, Virtual and Constructive Training SAIC 14 Dec 2011 -- Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) today announced it has been awarded a contract to support the U.S. Army Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training, & Instrumentation (PEO STRI) by providing the Synthetic Core (SE) Environment, a set of virtual components that will develop and sustain the Army's Common Virtual Environment (CVE) for simulation and training programs.
CASSIDIAN and Alenia Aeronautica agree on UAS cooperation EADS 14 Dec 2011 -- A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Cassidian on behalf of EADS Deutschland GmbH and Alenia Aeronautica S.p.A. to jointly investigate the potential cooperation in the field of Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAV)
Northrop Grumman's Joint STARS Takes to the Sky With New Engines Northrop Grumman 14 Dec 2011 -- Northrop Grumman's E‑8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System's (Joint STARS) T-3 testbed aircraft successfully completed its "first flight" using new, upgraded Pratt and Whitney production-configured engines.
U.S. Air Force and Lockheed Martin Agree on Satellite Command & Control R&D Project Lockheed Martin 14 Dec 2011 -- Lockheed Martin has signed a three-year Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the U.S. Air Force’s Space Development and Test Directorate and Air Force Research Laboratory to improve the operation and affordability of satellite command and control.
Japanese Troops Conduct Successful Patriot Test Firings Raytheon 14 Dec 2011 -- The Japanese Air Self Defense Forces (JASDF), operating Raytheon Company's Patriot Configuration-3 systems, successfully concluded its annual training exercise at Fort Bliss, Texas. The exercise included target engagement and successful test firings of the Patriot Air and Missile Defense System in tactical mission configurations.

Other Conflicts

Press Conference by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at United Nations Headquarters, 14 December 2011 United Nations 14 Dec 2011
UN Chief Calls 2011 a Remarkable Year VOA 14 Dec 2011 -- The U.N. Secretary-General says 2011 is an extraordinary and remarkable year, and he urged support for protesters seeking democracy.

US Congressional Panel Seeks to Aid Syrian Opposition VOA 14 Dec 2011 -- A congressional subcommittee panel examined U.S. policy toward Syria, asking what lawmakers can do to help the opposition.
Rights Activists Say 25 Syrians Killed in Attacks VOA 14 Dec 2011 -- Rights activists said violence across Syria killed at least 25 people, including eight Syrian troops.
Activists: At Least 20 Killed As Syrian Forces Storm Hama RFE/RL 14 Dec 2011 -- Activists say at least 20 civilians have been killed by security forces across Syria, 11 of them in the flashpoint region of Hama.
Rights Activists: Syrian Army Defectors Kill 8 Troops in Retaliatory Attack VOA 14 Dec 2011 -- Gunmen thought to be army defectors killed at least eight Syrian troops in a retaliatory attack.

Yemen's Noncompetitive Presidential Election Draws Wide Support VOA 14 Dec 2011 -- As Yemen transitions towards democracy, it is organizing a presidential election with only one likely candidate: Vice President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.

UN and diplomatic partners reiterate call for resumption of Middle East talks UN News Centre 14 Dec 2011 -- The United Nations and its diplomatic partners in the search for Middle East peace underlined their appeal to Israel and the Palestinians to create an atmosphere conducive to the resumption of stalled peace talks.
Jewish Rights Group Hunting Nazi War Criminals VOA 14 Dec 2011 -- The Jewish human rights organization, the Simon Wiesenthal Center, has launched a new campaign to find and prosecute missing Nazi war criminals while they are still alive.

Secretary Clinton Remarks at the International Engagement Conference for South Sudan US Dept. of State 14 Dec 2011
SUDAN-SOUTH SUDAN: Refugees stream into Upper Nile state IRIN 14 Dec 2011 -- At least 1,000 refugees are arriving daily in South Sudan's Upper Nile state, fleeing conflict in Blue Nile state across the border, according to aid agencies.
Security Council expands mandate of UN peacekeeping force in Abyei UN News Centre 14 Dec 2011 -- The Security Council expanded the mandate of the United Nations peacekeeping force for the Abyei area.

Central Africa Sees Endgame in LRA Conflict VOA 14 Dec 2011 -- For more than two decades, the Lord’s Resistance Army has spread terror from its original stronghold in northern Uganda.
UN official in Central African Republic urges support for demobilization UN News Centre 14 Dec 2011 -- The head of the UN peacebuilding office in the Central African Republic told the Security Council that dialogue between the Government and opposition groups is paying peace dividends.

Burma's President Orders Ceasefire in Kachin State VOA 14 Dec 2011 -- Burma's civilian government is surprising skeptics of its commitment to reforms by ordering the military to stop its campaign against armed ethnic groups in eastern border areas.
Burmese Refugees Hopeful After Reforms VOA 14 Dec 2011 -- Refugee aid and assistance groups say Burmese government reforms have triggered fresh hope among more than 120,000 refugees living in camps along the Thailand-Burma border.

India’s borders with China “by and large remain peaceful”: PM IRNA 14 Dec 2011 -- PM Singh refuted views that China is planning to attack India and maintained that the policy of both the countries is to engage in dialogue.

NATO: Video Shows Kosovar Serbs As Leaders Of Attacks RFE/RL 14 Dec 2011 -- The commander of NATO troops in Kosovo has identified an ethnic Serb businessman and his brother as the leaders of recent attacks on international forces.
Russian Aid Stuck At Kosovo Border In Row With EU RFE/RL 14 Dec 2011 -- A Russian aid convoy is stuck on the border between Serbia and Kosovo.

UN peacekeeping force to stay in Cyprus for another seven months UN News Centre 14 Dec 2011 -- The Security Council decided to extend the United Nations peacekeeping force in Cyprus until 19 July 2012.

Transdnestr presidential election heads for run-off RIA Novosti 14 Dec 2011 -- Presidential elections in Moldova’s breakaway region of Transdnestr are set for a second round run-off.
Transdniestrian Leader Out Of Presidential Runoff RFE/RL 14 Dec 2011 -- Preliminary results show that Igor Smirnov, the longtime leader of Moldova's breakaway region of Transdniester, failed to qualify for an expected presidential runoff.

Former Khmer Rouge leader deemed ‘unfit’ will not be released by UN-backed tribunal UN News Centre 14 Dec 2011 -- The United Nations-backed genocide tribunal in Cambodia ruled that Ieng Thirith will not be released as ordered last month but remain in detention.

Rwanda: UN genocide tribunal reduces jail term for convicted local official UN News Centre 14 Dec 2011 -- The United Nations war crimes tribunal set up after the Rwandan genocide reduced the jail sentence of a former local official who was convicted last year of his role in a notorious massacre.

Prosecutor of UN-backed Lebanon tribunal to step down at end of term UN News Centre 14 Dec 2011 -- The Prosecutor of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon has informed Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon that he will not seek a second term for health reasons.

News Reports

US, North Korea to Discuss New American Food Aid VOA 14 Dec 2011 -- U.S. and North Korean envoys meet in Beijing to discuss a possible resumption of U.S. food aid to the reclusive communist state.

Egypt's Islamists Raise Alarms Over Western Freedoms VOA 14 Dec 2011 -- As Egypt holds the second phase of post-revolution elections, some in the West are alarmed by the front-running status of Islamist parties.
Egyptians Vote in New Round of Parliamentary Elections VOA 14 Dec 2011 -- Egyptians jammed polling stations in a third of the nation's provinces in the second round of parliamentary elections as Islamist parties hoped to extend their electoral gains.
Concerns Over New Parliament Add to Egypt’s Tourism Woes VOA 14 Dec 2011 -- Egyptians working in the tourism industry say they fear conservatives in the nation's next parliament may have a negative impact on their business.

Diplomats Agree Kabila Won Congo’s Poll, Says Official VOA 14 Dec 2011 -- In the Democratic Republic of Congo, Information Minister Lambert Mende says diplomats agree that incumbent Joseph Kabila won the disputed election.

Sharia Police Arrest ‘Punks’ in Indonesia’s Aceh VOA 14 Dec 2011 -- Indonesian police in the Sharia-ruled province, Aceh, have detained 25 teenagers, but it is not clear why.

Kyrgyzstan must do more to prevent torture, end impunity for abuses – UN expert UN News Centre 14 Dec 2011 -- An independent United Nations human rights expert has urged the Kyrgyz Government to prevent abuses, torture and ill-treatment.
Kyrgyz General Under House Arrest After Surprise Court Appearance RFE/RL 14 Dec 2011 -- The former chief of the Kyrgyz State Committee for National Security has been put under house arrest in Bishkek after he unexpectedly showed up in court where he was being tried in absentia.
Ex-Kyrgyz Speaker Persuades Protesters To Disperse RFE/RL 14 Dec 2011 -- Former Kyrgyz parliament speaker Akhmatbek Keldibekov has persuaded several hundred of his supporters to end their protest in the southern city of Osh.

Security Council extends mandate of panel of experts on sanctions on Liberia UN News Centre 14 Dec 2011 -- The Security Council extended the mandate of a United Nations panel of experts monitoring compliance with sanctions imposed on Liberia.

U.S. Officials Push Jackson-Vanik Repeal RFE/RL 14 Dec 2011 -- U.S. State Department officials have urged Congress to repeal the Cold War-era Jackson-Vanik Amendment.
Putin Ally Resigns as Russia Parliament Speaker VOA 14 Dec 2011 -- A leading ally of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has resigned as speaker of the country's parliament.
Putin’s allies shuffled to upgrade his party, secure his presidential bid RIA Novosti 14 Dec 2011 -- The speaker of the State Duma for the past eight years Boris Gryzlov, said he is quitting his job in the parliament.
Moscow set for new mass vote protest rally RIA Novosti 14 Dec 2011 -- Moscow city authorities gave permission for a 50,000-strong rally to protest against alleged election fraud in favor of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's party.

Ukraine Drops Murder Case Against Kuchma RFE/RL 14 Dec 2011 -- A district court in Kyiv has dismissed charges against former President Kuchma alleging his involvement in killing of journalist Heorhiy Gongadze.
Ukrainian court drops charges against former president Kuchma RIA Novosti 14 Dec 2011 -- The Ukrainian Pechersk District Court dropped charges against former President Leonid Kuchma.

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