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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 19 Dec 2011 [PDF]
• Last brigade leaves Iraq Army News 19 Dec 2011 -- After the 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division drove into Kuwait on the morning of Dec. 18, Soldiers from the 1st Theater Sustainment Command, Third Army, and Kuwaiti border military police closed the gate at Khabari Crossing.
• UN's key role flagged as Security Council debates challenges of Afghan transition UN News Centre 19 Dec 2011 -- The United Nations peacekeeping chief today reaffirmed the world body's unwavering commitment to stand by Afghanistan, adding that it is examining how it can best assist the country as it proceeds with the transfer of security responsibilities and takes greater ownership of its development.
• JEFF Labs Tackle Taliban, Train Afghans Army News 19 Dec 2011 -- Half way around the world and peppered across the battle spaces of Afghanistan, Joint Expeditionary Forensic Facilities or JEFF Labs carry out their critical mission of providing tactical science technology at the tip of the spear in the Army's continuing war on terror.
• Allen Condemns Death of Afghan Official, Promises to 'Root Out' Criminals AFPS 19 Dec 2011 -- U.S. and Afghan leaders are condemning the death of an Afghan border official and say his killers will be held accountable, military officials reported.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Panetta Says U.S. Unwavering in Support of South Korea AFPS 19 Dec 2011 -- Officials across government have collectively conveyed America's unwavering commitment to South Korea, Defense Department officials said today.
• U.S.-South Korean Consults Follow Kim's Death AFPS 19 Dec 2011 -- U.S. officials are carefully watching the situation on the Korean Peninsula in the wake of news that North Korean dictator Kim Jong-il has died.
• DOD Announces Recruiting and Retention Numbers for Fiscal Year 2012, Through November DoD 19 Dec 2011 -- The Department of Defense announced today recruiting and retention statistics for the active and reserve components for fiscal year-to-date 2012, through November.
• Army aiming for vehicle-based Common Operating Environment Army News 19 Dec 2011 -- On the dynamic and complex battlefield, the Common Operating Environment will streamline communications between Soldiers in vehicles and higher headquarters, creating seamless interoperability between the computers, sensors and applications they use.
• Exercise tests response to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear threats Army News 19 Dec 2011 -- Before taking on the role of the Army's lead element in the Defense Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Response Force, or DCRF, on Sept. 30, Fort Polk's 1st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade took part in a training exercise at Camp Atterbury, Ind.
• First in Army with new equipment Army News 19 Dec 2011 -- From the days of the American Revolution to the current conflict in Afghanistan, the protective equipment issued to U.S. Soldiers and employed on the battlefield has improved exponentially. Throughout this evolution there has been one mainstay -- ensuring maximum protection for Soldiers with the best technologies available.
• Iwo Jima Fuels Up with 24th MEU NNS 19 Dec 2011 -- The aviation fuel division of USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) began integrating with 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Marines Nov. 29, as Iwo Jima Amphibious Readiness Group (ARG) participated in a composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX).
• Frank Cable Completes CLS On Load NNS 19 Dec 2011 -- USS Emory S. Land and USS Frank Cable Sailors loaded eleven live Capsule Launch System (CLS) Tomahawks for the first time aboard Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS Oklahoma City's (SSN 723) Vertical Launch System (VLS) Dec. 12-14.
• USNS Mercy Celebrates 25 Years of Service NNS 19 Dec 2011 -- Crew members and visitors gathered on the mess decks of USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) Dec. 19 to celebrate its 25 years of service as a hospital ship.
• Fleet Survey Team Completes Barbados Survey Operation NNS 19 Dec 2011 -- An eight-member U.S. Navy Fleet Survey Team (FST) departed Bridgetown, Barbados Dec. 16, after completing a month-long survey operation.
• New capability keeps deployers notified of changes AFNS 19 Dec 2011 -- Airmen getting ready to deploy have a new capability to help them prepare for their tasking. A recent change to the Air Force Reporting Instruction Tool now allows users to sign-up for instant email notifications when they occur.
• New energy module provides awareness tool for Airmen AFNS 19 Dec 2011 -- The Air Force continues to place emphasis on energy awareness throughout the entire year.
• EO officials aim to set the standard for federal agencies AFNS 19 Dec 2011 -- Air Force equal opportunity officials have expanded a pilot program that reduces processing times for civilian equal employment opportunity complaints to five months versus the standard six months. The move is part of an Air Force effort to set the EO standard for federal agencies.
• Dempsey Wraps up Multi-country Trip AFPS 19 Dec 2011 -- On the final stop of his multi-country USO holiday tour, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff visited wounded warriors and held a town hall meeting with more than 400 service members here today.
• Marine Corps acronyms spell a wide range of capabilities USMC News 19 Dec 2011 -- Pick up any random military correspondence, publication, or journal entry and it's sure to resemble an alphabet soup of acronyms and tongue-twisters undecipherable to all but a select few civilians. Indeed, even some of the most hard-charging Marines would be hard-pressed to decode the acronyms they themselves use every day.
• India spent over Rs 442bn on procuring defence equipment IRNA 19 Dec 2011 -- India spent over Rs 4,42,000 crore (442 billion) in the last ten years on procuring defence equipment for the armed forces from both foreign and Indian players, Lok Sabha was informed today.
• Defense minister calls Iran 'pioneer' in manufacturing drone ISNA 19 Dec 2011 -- Iranian Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi called Iran pioneer in technology of manufacturing unmanned crafts.
• Iran armed forces possess high intelligence potentials: Military official ISNA 19 Dec 2011 -- An Iranian official Hesam Hashemi said the country's armed forces enjoy satisfactory intelligence and high human resources potentials.
• Iran intelligence system thwarts 'infiltration mission', says CIA spy ISNA 19 Dec 2011 -- Iranian intelligence system thwarted the 'infiltration mission', said the CIA spy arrested by Iranian security forces.
• Army commander: US preparing for long presence in region IRNA 19 Dec 2011 -- Commander of Army's Ground Force Brigadier General Ahmadreza Pourdastan said Monday that the exit of American forces from Iraq is a result of changes in the US strategic plans for the region.
• December 19, 2011 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 19 Dec 2011
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, 12/19/2011 The White House 19 Dec 2011

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for December 19, 2011
• Japan Selects Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Lockheed Martin 19 Dec 2011 -- The Japan Ministry of Defense has announced its selection of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II as the Japan Air Self Defense Force's (JASDF) next generation fighter aircraft, following the F-X competitive bid process. The F-35A conventional takeoff and landing variant (CTOL) was offered by the United States government with participation from Lockheed Martin. The initial contract will be for four jets in Japan Fiscal Year 2012, which begins April 1, 2012.
• Lockheed Martin Achieves Critical Reliability Testing Milestone on U.S. Navy Minehunting System Lockheed Martin 19 Dec 2011 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] completed 500 hours of reliability testing on the U.S. Navy's Remote Multi-Mission Vehicle (RMMV), marking a critical testing milestone. The system will provide mine reconnaissance capabilities to the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS).
• BAE Systems Confirms Sale of Woodford Site BAE Systems 19 Dec 2011 -- BAE Systems today announced that it had sold its Woodford Site, in Cheshire to Avro Heritage Limited. The sale is effective immediately.
• General Dynamics Completes Tender Offer for Force Protection General Dynamics 19 Dec 2011 -- General Dynamics today announced the successful completion of its tender offer to purchase all of the outstanding shares of common stock of Force Protection, Inc., for a price of $5.52 per share in cash.
• L-3 Wins Recompetition for F-16 Training System Program L-3 Communications 19 Dec 2011 -- L-3 Communications announced today that its Link Simulation & Training (L-3 Link) division has won a re-competition for the U.S. Air Force’s F-16 Training System.
• Northrop Grumman, ITT Exelis Team to Compete for Army's Vehicular Radio Northrop Grumman 19 Dec 2011 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation and ITT Exelis have teamed to compete for the U.S. Army's new vehicle-mounted, software-defined radio.
• Northrop Grumman Awarded Contract to Support LN-251 Navigation System's Integration on the CH-53K Helicopter Northrop Grumman 19 Dec 2011 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation has been awarded a follow-on contract by the U.S. Navy to provide integration and laboratory test support for the LN-251 embedded global positioning system (GPS)/fiber-optic inertial navigation system (INS) on the new CH-53K Super Stallion helicopter.
• Pratt & Whitney Receives Engine Contract for Boeing C-17s Sold to India Pratt & Whitney 19 Dec 2011 -- Pratt & Whitney, a unit of United Technologies Corp., recently received a contract to produce the first four F117-PW-100 engines that will power the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III for the Indian Air Force.
• Raytheon Awarded $254 Million US Navy Contract for DDG 1000 Raytheon 19 Dec 2011 -- Raytheon Company has been awarded a $254 million contract modification for the completion of software development for the DDG 1000-class destroyer program.
• SAIC Awarded Contract by the U.S. Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Atlantic SAIC 19 Dec 2011 -- Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) today announced it was awarded a prime contract by the U.S. Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center (SSC) Atlantic to provide operational command and control (C2) information technology (IT) support services.
• Finmeccanica and Northrop Grumman Announce a Teaming Agreement to Respond to NATO's Cyber Security Requirement Northrop Grumman 19 Dec 2011 -- Finmeccanica (FNC IM, SIFI.MI), through its Finmeccanica Cyber Solutions team, and Northrop Grumman Corporation, announce today that they have signed a Teaming Agreement in order to respond to the proposal for the NATO Computer Incident Response Capability (NCIRC) – Full Operating Capability (FOC).

Other Conflicts

• 19 December 2011 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 19 Dec 2011
• General Assembly urges Syria to implement Arab League plan to end violence UN News Centre 19 Dec 2011 -- United Nations Member States today called on Syrian authorities to immediately implement the plan of action proposed by the League of Arab States to resolve the crisis that has engulfed the country since a public uprising began near the start of the year.
• Syria Signs Arab League Deal Calling for Outside Monitors VOA 19 Dec 2011 -- Syria has agreed to an Arab League plan allowing observers into the country to verify if the government will honor a deal to stop its security forces from attacking anti-government protesters.
• SRI LANKA: New government report offers hope for reconciliation IRIN 19 Dec 2011 -- Local civil society groups in Sri Lanka view a recently released government-appointed commission report on the final period of the country's decades-long civil war as a 'springboard' for long-awaited reconciliation, while international human rights groups continue calling for an independent inquiry.
• Darfur: UN-backed body on implementing peace pact holds inaugural meeting UN News Centre 19 Dec 2011 -- A commission central to the implementation of a peace agreement between the Sudanese Government and one of the rebel movements in Darfur has held its inaugural meeting, chaired by the head of the joint UN-African Union (AU) peacekeeping mission, Ibrahim Gambari.
• SUDAN-SOUTH SUDAN: What they are saying about the Sudans IRIN 19 Dec 2011 -- Sudan has long generated a plethora of academic reports and think-tank analyses, especially in times of heightened insecurity and great political moment. Following the country's division into two states, current conflict in border areas has given rise to a flurry of such documents. What follows is the latest instalment of IRIN's irregular series of overviews.
• UN expert urges broader freedom of expression in Israel, occupied Palestinian territory UN News Centre 19 Dec 2011 -- An independent United Nations human rights expert has urged authorities in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory to lift restrictions to freedom of expression, stressing that these are curbing minority views and dissenting opinions, and preventing journalists and human rights defenders from reporting on rights violations.
• Israel announces fresh construction plans in occupied territories RIA Novosti 19 Dec 2011 -- The Israeli Construction and Housing Ministry announced a tender to build over 1,000 housing units beyond the 1967 borders, the Jerusalem Post said.
• Somalia: UN and partners urge leaders to end stand-off over Speaker UN News Centre 19 Dec 2011 -- A joint delegation of the United Nations, the African Union and a regional organization has urged Somalia's transitional institutions to quickly resolve a political stand-off triggered by last week's passing by Parliament of a vote of no-confidence against the Speaker, Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden.
• Security Council praises role of UN centre in promoting stability in Central Asia UN News Centre 19 Dec 2011 -- The Security Council today voiced its appreciation of efforts by the United Nations regional centre for preventive diplomacy in Central Asia, particularly its focus on trans-boundary threats to stability, the management of common resources and cooperation on anti-terrorism measures.
• UN tribunal reaffirms decision to refer pastor's case to Rwandan court system UN News Centre 19 Dec 2011 -- The United Nations tribunal trying suspects connected to the 1994 genocide in Rwanda has dismissed an appeal by a former pastor accused of inciting attacks against Tutsi civilians, reaffirming its decision to refer him for trial in the national court system.

News Reports

• Kim Jong Il Passes Away (Urgent) KCNA 19 Dec 2011 -- Kim Jong Il, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission and supreme commander of the Korean People's Army, passed away from a great mental and physical strain at 08:30 December 17, 2011, on train during a field guidance tour.
• Notice to All Party Members, Servicepersons and People KCNA 19 Dec 2011 -- The Central Committee and the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea, the National Defence Commission of the DPRK, the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly and the Cabinet of the DPRK on Saturday announced the following notice to all party members, servicepersons and people:
• Medical Analysis of Kim Jong Il's Demise KCNA 19 Dec 2011 -- Leader Kim Jong Il had received medical treatment for his cardiac and cerebrovascular diseases for a long period.
• National Funeral Committee Formed KCNA 19 Dec 2011
• Notice of National Funeral Committee KCNA 19 Dec 2011 -- The National Funeral Committee released a following notice on Saturday:
• Korean People Stricken with Bitter Grief KCNA 19 Dec 2011 -- The Korean people are stricken with bitter grief upon hearing the sad news that leader Kim Jong Il passed away of a sudden disease on his way of field guidance at 08:30 on December 17. This news of the great loss to the nation came like a bolt from the blue.
• Kim Jong Il Will Always Live KCNA 19 Dec 2011 -- Leader Kim Jong Il, the great father of the Korean people, passed away too suddenly.
• Idea and Exploits of Kim Jong Il Are Immortal KCNA 19 Dec 2011 -- Now all the servicepersons and people of the DPRK are overcome with deep yearning and remembrance of leader Kim Jong Il.
• Korean People Stay up All Night, Deeply Grieved over Kim Jong Il's Demise KCNA 19 Dec 2011 -- The important notice that leader Kim Jong Il passed away to all people's sorrow struck the whole country with bitter grief over the great loss to the nation.
• Pyongyangites Call Kim Jong Il in Chocking Voices KCNA 19 Dec 2011
• KPA Servicepersons and People of DPRK Vow to Remain True to Leadership of Kim Jong Un KCNA 19 Dec 2011 -- An important notice that leader Kim Jong Il passed away to the people's sorrow was made public at this noon.
• We Are under Respected Kim Jong Un KCNA 19 Dec 2011 -- The sad news that leader Kim Jong Il passed away of a sudden illness on his way of field guidance was reported at this noon in the DPRK.
• Korean People Fully Determined to Win Final Victory under Leadership of Kim Jong Un KCNA 19 Dec 2011 -- Upon hearing the sad news that leader Kim Jong Il passed away, the whole country is seized with bitter grief and sorrow over the big loss.
• Journeys to Mix with People Will Go on Forever KCNA 19 Dec 2011 -- The whole country was shocked to hear the news that leader Kim Jong Il passed away of a sudden disease on train while making his indefatigable efforts for the prosperity of the country and its people's happiness.
• Message of Condolences from China KCNA 19 Dec 2011 -- The Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, the WPK Central Military Commission, the National Defence Commission of the DPRK, the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK and the DPRK Cabinet received a message from the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People's Congress, the State Council and the Central Military Commission of the People's Republic of China on Monday expressing condolences over the demise of leader Kim Jong Il.
• Chinese FM Spokesman Mourns Demise of Kim Jong Il KCNA 19 Dec 2011 -- A spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry issued a statement Monday on the demise of leader Kim Jong Il.
• Chinese FM Mourns Demise of Kim Jong Il KCNA 19 Dec 2011 -- Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi Monday expressed deep condolences over the demise of leader Kim Jong Il.
• Message of Condolences to Kim Jong Un from Russian President KCNA 19 Dec 2011 -- President of the Russian Federation D. Medvedev Monday sent a message of condolences to General Kim Jong Un.
• DPR Korea: UN Member States voice alarm at human rights, humanitarian situations UN News Centre 19 Dec 2011 -- United Nations Member States today expressed deep concern at both persistent reports of 'systematic, widespread and grave' human rights violations in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the precarious humanitarian situation inside the Asian country.
• In wake of leader's death, Ban says UN will continue to help people of DPR Korea UN News Centre 19 Dec 2011 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon extended his sympathy today to the mourning citizens of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) upon learning of the passing of their leader, Kim Jong-il, who died on Saturday.
• Pentagon Closely Monitors North Korea After Kim's Death VOA 19 Dec 2011 -- The U.S. Defense Department is closely watching events on the Korean Peninsula after the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il. U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has been touch with South Korean military officials in the hours after Kim's death.
• US, Japan Call for Peaceful Transition in North Korea VOA 19 Dec 2011 -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and her Japanese counterpart, Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba, on Monday urged a peaceful transition in North Korea following the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il. The development has delayed a U.S. decision on whether to provide new food aid to North Korea.
• Europe Cautious in Reaction to Kim Jong-Il's Death VOA 19 Dec 2011 -- European officials reacted with a mix of hope and watchfulness to the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il and apparent power transition to his son.
• North Korea's Sudden Power Shift Raises Uncertainty VOA 19 Dec 2011 -- The death of longtime North Korean leader Kim Jong Il and promotion of his untested son Kim Jong Un as his successor is fueling uncertainty about the secretive and impoverished state. Our reporter looks at how North Korea's leadership transition may unfold and how that process may affect Pyongyang's domestic reforms and relations with regional powers.
• S. Korea Calls for Calm Following Kim Jong Il Death VOA 19 Dec 2011 -- The South Korean government is calling for calm following the death of North Korean ruler Kim Jong-il. The announcement today by the North Korea's official broadcasting service caught most South Koreans by surprise and now casts uncertainty over future engagement with Pyongyang.
• MOFA forms task forces following North Korean leader's death CNA 19 Dec 2011 -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has formed special task forces in response to the death of the North Korean leader to keep a close eye on developments on the Korean Peninsula and security in East Asia, an official said Monday.
• No official response from MAC on death of North Korean leader CNA 19 Dec 2011 -- Taiwan's agency tasked with handling matters related to China declined Monday to comment on whether the death of North Korea leader Kim Jong ll will affect cross-Taiwan Strait relations.
• President calls for calm over North Korean leader's death CNA 19 Dec 2011 -- President Ma Ying-jeou said Monday that the people of Taiwan need not be panicked by the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, as it is not expected to have a strong impact on Taiwan's diplomacy or defenses in the short term.
• PLA sends soldiers to North Korean border: human rights center CNA 19 Dec 2011 -- The Chinese military has sent 2,000 soldiers to the border close to North Korea shortly after the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, according to a human rights center.
• Taiwan watching situation after North Korean leader's death: Ma CNA 19 Dec 2011 -- President Ma Ying-jeou said Monday the government will closely monitor developments on the Korean Peninsula and in East Asia following the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, but he did not expect Kim's death to have a major impact on Taiwan.
• Larijani sends condolence message to North Korean government, nation IRNA 19 Dec 2011 -- Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani in a message to his North Korean counterpart on Monday expressed condolences over the death of that country's leader Comerade Kim Jong Il.
• North Korea Announces Death Of Leader Kim Jong Il RFE/RL 19 Dec 2011 -- The death of North Korea's reclusive leader Kim Jong Il and a national period of mourning have been announced on state media, setting off a deluge of images of grief-stricken citizens reacting to the news.
• Korean media calls leader's son Kim Jong-un 'great successor' RIA Novosti 19 Dec 2011 -- North Korea's state news agency KCNA has called the late leader Kim Jong-il's son, Jong-un, a 'great successor.'
• Moscow hopes Kim Jong-il's death leaves ties with N.Korea unaffected RIA Novosti 19 Dec 2011 -- The death of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il should not impair relations between Russia and North Korea, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Monday.
• Kim Jong Il Dead at Age 69 VOA 19 Dec 2011 -- The secretive leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-il, is dead at the age of 69.
• World Reacts To Kim Jong Il Death VOA 19 Dec 2011 -- The United States and Europe are reacting with caution to the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, with Washington reaffirming its commitment to stability on the Korean peninsula and European leaders voicing guarded hope for change.
• North Korean Heir Apparent an Enigma VOA 19 Dec 2011 -- Kim Jong Il's heir apparent - his third son Kim Jong Un - has risen to power swiftly in North Korea since being made a four-star general one year ago. But he is even more of an enigma than his late father.
• North Korean leader Kim Jong-il dies aged 69 - agency RIA Novosti 19 Dec 2011 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-il died at the age of 69, South Korea's Yonhap news agency said on Monday.
• Congo's Etienne Tshisekedi Declares Himself President VOA 19 Dec 2011 -- Congolese opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi says he will take the oath of office after declaring himself the country's rightful president.
• DRC Opposition Leader Calls for Kabila's Seizure VOA 19 Dec 2011 -- Congolese opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi says he is the country's rightful leader and has called for the seizure of President Joseph Kabila.
• Egypt Military: Crackdown on Protesters Justified VOA 19 Dec 2011 -- A spokesman for Egypt's ruling military told journalists Monday the use of force against protesters was justified, insisting that many were attacking or provoking soldiers, or destroying government property. Fourteen people were killed and more than 300 wounded during the last four days of violence in Cairo's Tahrir Square.
• Deadly Clashes in Egypt Stretch Into Fourth Day VOA 19 Dec 2011 -- Egyptian officials say at least one person has been killed in clashes between protesters and security forces, as unrest in the capital, Cairo, continues for a fourth day.
• Kazakh Authorities Try To Extinguish Unrest In Unruly West RFE/RL 19 Dec 2011 -- Authorities in western Kazakhstan insist they have restored order following deadly clashes between police and out-of-work laborers that left at least 13 people dead and more than 85 wounded.
• Former president Musharraf announces return in January IRNA 19 Dec 2011 -- Former Pakistani president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf has announced that he would return to Pakistan in January 2012, media report said Monday.
• Astrium and Vizada become a world leader in satellite communications services EADS 19 Dec 2011 -- Astrium, Europe’s leading space company, completes the acquisition of Vizada after receiving the necessary regulatory approvals.