Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 26 Jan 2012 [PDF]
• Airmen assist victims of avalanche, downed aircraft in Afghanistan AFNS 26 Jan 2012 -- A team of U.S. Air Force and Afghan air force aircrew and support personnel snapped into action Jan. 24 to provide life-saving support to 31 Afghan victims of an avalanche.
• Accomplishments in Afghanistan Set Stage for 2012 Progress AFPS 26 Jan 2012 -- Almost a month into 2012 -- a year both Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen, the top commander in Afghanistan, called pivotal to operations there -- International Security Assistance Force officials said last year's accomplishments have set the stage for continued success.
• Combined Force Captures Taliban Leader AFPS 26 Jan 2012 -- An Afghan-led and coalition-supported security force captured a Taliban leader during an operation in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Afghanistan's Helmand province today, military officials reported.
• HMH-366 teams up with West Coast squadron to head to Afghanistan USMC News 26 Jan 2012 -- Nearly 100 Marines from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 366 left Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point Wednesday morning for Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, where they will fall under Marine Aircraft Group 29.
• NATO claims 'successful year' in Afghanistan UK MOD 26 Jan 2012 -- A spokesman for NATO-led forces said that 2011 had been a 'remarkably successful year' in the fight against insurgents in Afghanistan and in the development of the Afghan security forces.
• Suicide Bomber Attacks Reconstruction Team in Afghanistan VOA 26 Jan 2012 -- Afghan officials say a suicide car bomber has killed four civilians in an attack on a NATO-affiliated provincial reconstruction team in southern Afghanistan.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Transcript: Major Budget Decisions Briefing from the Pentagon DOD 26 Jan 2012 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin E. Dempsey
• Transcript: Major Budget Decisions Briefing from the Pentagon DOD 26 Jan 2012 -- Presenter: Deputy Secretary of Defense Ashton B. Carter and Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. James A. Winnefeld Jr.
• Panetta Announces Fiscal 2013 Budget Priorities AFPS 26 Jan 2012 -- Spending priorities in the forthcoming fiscal 2013 defense budget request call for reductions in the end strength of the Army and Marine Corps, an increase in special operations forces and maintaining the number of big-deck carriers, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said here today.
• Dempsey: Defense Budget Reflects Clear Strategic Choices AFPS 26 Jan 2012 -- The decisions behind the fiscal 2013 defense budget request Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta announced today represent the department’s priorities of maintaining capability, keeping military pay and benefits fair, and managing risk, the nation’s top military officer said today.
• Panetta, Dempsey Discuss Risks, Threats of the Future AFPS 26 Jan 2012 -- The military must accept greater risks as a result of the new defense strategy and the constrained fiscal environment, but they are manageable, Defense Department leaders said here today.
• Carter: Budget Proposal Makes 'Consequential' Cuts AFPS 26 Jan 2012 -- An overview of the Defense Department's proposed fiscal 2013 budget reveals 'the most consequential adjustments' the Pentagon has had to make in more than a decade, Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter said today.
• Army issues EMD RFP for Joint Light Tactical Vehicle program Army News 26 Jan 2012 -- Today, a Request for Proposal (RFP) was issued by the U.S. Army for the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase of the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) program. The JLTV family will balance critical weight and transportability constraints within performance, protection, and payload requirements -- all while ensuring an affordable solution for the Army and USMC.
• Combat rescue helicopter acquisition process underway AFNS 26 Jan 2012 -- More than 30 potential civilian contract companies were in attendance during Industrial Days sponsored by the Aeronautical Systems Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, Jan. 9-11.
• Navy Minehunting Fleet Upgraded with Improved Sonar Capability NNS 26 Jan 2012 -- The first installation of the AN/SQQ-32(V)4 minehunting sonar upgrade began Jan. 11, aboard USS Guardian (MCM 5), in Sasebo, Japan, by engineers from Naval Surface Warfare Center, Panama City, Fla.
• USS Ramage Returns Home NNS 26 Jan 2012 -- Two hundred fifty Sailors aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61) will return to Naval Station Norfolk tomorrow Jan. 27 from an eight-month deployment to the Mediterranean Sea.
• Navy's Commitment to Renewable Energy Takes the Nation's Center Stage NNS 26 Jan 2012 -- The Department of the Navy's energy security goals, including its efforts to produce or consume one gigawatt of new, renewable energy on its naval installations was one of two U.S. Navy highlights during President Barack Obama's State of the Union address Jan. 24.
• Navy, Air Force Show Off New Tri-Service Research Laboratory NNS 26 Jan 2012 -- One of the Air Force's top docs visited the new Tri-Service Research Laboratory Jan. 18.
• Navy Tuition Assistance Policy Updated NNS 26 Jan 2012 -- Policy changes to the Department of Defense Tuition Assistance program and Navy Voluntary Education were announced in NAVADMIN 029/12, released Jan. 24.
• 1/3 AVN, 3/17 CAV combine for Helicopter Crash Drill Army News 26 Jan 2012 -- Soldiers from the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade joined the Hunter Army Airfield Fire Department, Police Department and Emergency Medical Services to participate in a helicopter crash response Jan. 11 at the Compass Rose.
• Soldier Readiness Process prepares Desert Rogues for deployment Army News 26 Jan 2012 -- The Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 64th Armored Regiment, 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, Third Infantry Division, have gone through months of preparation for the units upcoming deployment, whether it is the outfitting of equipment, or countless hours honing combat skills and successfully completing various gunnery ranges. However, the final step for the Desert Rogue Soldiers will be to complete the Soldier Readiness Processing.
• SMA visit focuses on Army transition Army News 26 Jan 2012 -- Sgt. Maj. of the Army Raymond Chandler visited Fort Jackson last week to talk about training issues and to brief Soldiers and noncommissioned officers about upcoming changes and challenges.
• Snow, sub-zero temperatures don't slow Golden Dragons, live-fire exercise Army News 26 Jan 2012 -- Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, and 210th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd BCT, conducted a live-fire exercise Friday on Fort Drum.
• Aerial ISR Provides Mission Overwatch for Border Mission Army News 26 Jan 2012 -- Technology originally created for use in tracking improvised explosive devices (IEDs) networks in Afghanistan and Iraq is finding new purpose in supporting U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) by providing mission overwatch during border patrol missions.
• US Warship Calls at Ukrainian Port Amid Protests RIA Novosti 26 Jan 2012 -- A U.S. guided missile cruiser stopped at the Ukrainian Black Sea port of Sevastopol on Thursday with a group of some 50 protesters chanting 'Yankee, go home!' and 'No to NATO!'
• New road win for Border Patrol, airborne Soldiers Army News 26 Jan 2012 -- The first phase of a new road being constructed by 40 airborne engineers from Alaska will pave the way for quicker Border Patrol response times along the U.S. and Mexico border.
• Russia Unveils New Kalashnikov Assault Rifle RIA Novosti 26 Jan 2012 -- Russia's largest firearms manufacturer, Izhmash, has unveiled a prototype of its new Kalasnikov assault rifle with improved ergonomics and tactical flexibility.
• Russian Military to Beef Up Special Forces in N. Caucasus RIA Novosti 26 Jan 2012 -- The Russian Defense Ministry will deploy additional units of Special Forces (spetsnaz) to the North Caucasus to strengthen security in the region, the ministry said on Thursday.
• Russia to Modernize All Military Airfields by 2020 RIA Novosti 26 Jan 2012 -- All of Russia's military airfields will be upgraded and modernized by 2020, Defense Ministry spokesman Col Vladimir Drik said on Thursday.
• Pakistan Air Force aircraft crashes IRNA 26 Jan 2012 -- A Pakistan Air Force (PAF) aircraft crashed Wednesday in the country's eastern province of Punjab, official sources said.
• Pakistani PM says tension with army removed IRNA 26 Jan 2012 -- Pakistani Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani Wednesday stepped forward to dispel the growing impression of confrontation with the powerful army and said, 'discrepancies made by certain functionaries' have been removed.
• 4 Indian naval officers indicted for leaking info on Facebook IRNA 26 Jan 2012 -- A Naval Board of Inquiry (BoI) has recommended action against four senior officers for allegedly possessing and leaking classified information through social networking websites.
• Papua New Guinea PM Says Military Mutiny is Over VOA 26 Jan 2012 -- Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O'Neill says that a mutiny led by a retired military commander is over and that the government has regained control of its defense headquarters.
• HMS Protector arrives in Antarctica UK MOD 26 Jan 2012 -- HMS Protector, the Royal Navy's new ice patrol ship, has arrived in Antarctica for the first time after her long sail south from Portsmouth.
• January 26, 2012 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 26 Jan 2012
• January 26, 2012 Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Jay Carney en route Buckley Air Force Base The White House 26 Jan 2012

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for January 26, 2012
• Northrop Grumman Statement on the Global Hawk Block 30 Program Northrop Grumman 26 Jan 2012
• CASSIDIAN protects military vehicles against roadside bomb attacks EADS 26 Jan 2012 -- Cassidian, the defence and security division of EADS, has developed a new-generation Vehicle Protection Jammer that significantly enhances the protection of military vehicles against attacks by Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Devices (RCIEDs).
• General Dynamics Awarded $7 Million Order for U.S. Army Gatling Guns General Dynamics 26 Jan 2012 -- General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products, a business unit of General Dynamics, was awarded a $7.3 million contract to produce and deliver more than two dozen GAU-19/B Gatling gun systems for use on U.S. Army helicopters. General Dynamics also will provide field support, spare parts and logistics support under the contract.
• Northrop Grumman, U.S. Navy Test Autonomous Aerial Refueling for Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstration Northrop Grumman 26 Jan 2012 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation and the U.S. Navy have successfully completed a series of flight tests to demonstrate technology that could help extend the operating range and flight duration of future carrier-based unmanned systems.

Other Conflicts

• 26 January 2012 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 26 Jan 2012
• US, Arab League Face Russian Opposition on Syria VOA 26 Jan 2012 -- The Obama administration is joining the Arab League in pushing for U.N. action to end months of political violence in Syria by calling on President Bashar al-Assad to give up power. Syria is counting on Russia to block U.N. moves that Damascus says could be a pretense to military action.
• Arab League to Present Syria Plan to UN Security Council VOA 26 Jan 2012 -- Arab League chief Nabil Elaraby says he and Qatar's prime minister will jointly present an Arab plan for resolving Syria's months-long unrest to the U.N. Security Council on Monday.
• New UN report shows sharp rise in Palestinians uprooted by Israeli demolitions UN News Centre 26 Jan 2012 -- Almost 1,100 Palestinians, over half of them children, were displaced due to home demolitions in the West Bank by Israeli forces in 2011 – over 80 per cent more than in the previous year – according to a United Nations report released today.
• Return of UN political presence to Mogadishu 'historic' step, says envoy UN News Centre 26 Jan 2012 -- The re-establishment of the United Nations political presence in Mogadishu will allow the world body to work more closely with Somalia during a crucial period in its peace process, the UN envoy to the country said today.
• UN: Somalia Will Remain Largest Humanitarian Crisis VOA 26 Jan 2012 -- The United Nations says the situation in Somalia is the largest humanitarian crisis in the world, and will remain so this year. Particularly hard hit are the so-called IDPs, or 'Internally-displaced persons' - thousands of Somalis who fled famine and brutal attacks by the feared al-Shabab militant group and languish in IDP camps throughout the capital.
• Perpetrators of 'heinous' attacks in Nigeria must be brought to justice – Security Council UN News Centre 26 Jan 2012 -- The Security Council has strongly condemned the multiple terrorist attacks that occurred in Kano, Nigeria, in recent days, causing numerous deaths and injuries, and underlined the need to bring the perpetrators to justice.
• South Sudan Gambles Big With Oil Shutdown VOA 26 Jan 2012 -- South Sudan is shutting down its oil production to protest against high fees Sudan charges to transport the commodity through northern pipelines. The move threatens both countries' economies and is heightening tensions that have festered since the south declared independence in July.
• ICC Charges Force Kenyan Ministers to Step Aside VOA 26 Jan 2012 -- Kenya's finance minister and head of civil service have resigned their positions following the International Criminal Court's recent decision to proceed with their cases. The two are among four suspects who must stand trial for crimes against humanity in connection with the country's post-election violence several years ago. The two suspects have come under increasing pressure to step aside.
• Côte d'Ivoire: Security improving but root causes of unrest remain – UN envoy UN News Centre 26 Jan 2012 -- The security situation in Côte d'Ivoire is stabilizing nine months after the end of the violence that shook the country following presidential elections in late 2010, but the underlying causes of instability and unrest have not been fully addressed, the United Nations top official in the West African country told the Security Council today.
• UN official calls for mechanism to address problems facing Africa's Sahel region UN News Centre 26 Jan 2012 -- The United Nations political chief today called for the establishment of a mechanism to address the myriad challenges facing countries in West Africa's Sahel region, which, he said, include a humanitarian crisis, lack of socio-economic development, insecurity and the threat of terrorism.
• UN Tries to Revive Faltering Cyprus Peace Talks VOA 26 Jan 2012 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has acknowledged U.N. talks on Cyprus have ended with little tangible progress, but added he may call an international conference in late April or early May on a settlement to resolve the division of the island.

News Reports

• Lavrov: 'No Signs of Instability in N. Korea' RIA Novosti 26 Jan 2012 -- Moscow does not see any signs of instability in North Korea a month after the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Thursday.
• President: West's anti Iran sanctions target Iranian people IRNA 26 Jan 2012 -- President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Thursday that the Western governments have targeted Iranian people by imposing sanctrions on Iran.
• President: West dreams of its colonial times IRNA 26 Jan 2012 -- President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Thursday that the Western governments are dreaming of their supremacy of colonial time over the world.
• Russia calls for diplomatic means to resolve dispute with Iran IRNA 26 Jan 2012 -- Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said on Thursday that Russia only thinks of diplomatic means to resolve nuclear dispute with Iran and nothing more.
• Ahmadinejad: Iran Does Not Oppose Nuclear Talks with West VOA 26 Jan 2012 -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says his government does not oppose negotiating with Western powers about its nuclear program but also wants them to change what he calls their 'foul' behavior toward Iran.
• Ping Defends AU Libya Policy in Summit Opening Speech VOA 26 Jan 2012 -- African Union Commission Chairman Jean Ping has offered a defense of AU policy on Libya during an opening address to the continental summit underway in Addis Ababa. Ping is favored to win re-election as chairman, despite a strong challenge from South Africa.
• INDONESIA: Bird flu deaths raise red flags IRIN 26 Jan 2012 -- Two recent deaths from bird flu in Indonesia highlight the need for continued vigilance against a possible resurgence of the deadly virus, an official and health expert warned.
• EGYPT: Anti-bird flu campaign planned IRIN 26 Jan 2012 -- A nationwide campaign to stop the spread of H5N1 avian influenza in Egypt is to be launched by the government in a few weeks, say officials, but details are still sketchy.
• UN Worries Over Libya Militias RFE/RL 26 Jan 2012 -- United Nations officials say they are growing increasingly concerned over the activities of Libyan militias and people held in detention centers in the north African country.
• Yemen: Security Council urges timely, inclusive political transition UN News Centre 26 Jan 2012 -- Yemen's forthcoming presidential election will be an opportunity for the country to embark on a transitional process that strengthens national dialogue and leads to a political system that will be more inclusive and open to greater participation by all citizens, says the Security Council.
• U.S. Presidential Hopeful Promises Moon Base by 2020 RIA Novosti 26 Jan 2012 -- US Republican presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich has promised to build a moon base by 2020 if he becomes the next U.S. President in November, the Former Speaker of the House of Representatives said in an address to a crowd of over 700 people on Florida's 'Space Coast' on Wednesday.
• NASA Says No to Probe Crash Theory Test - Roscosmos RIA Novosti 26 Jan 2012 -- NASA has refused to participate in an experiment designed to show if U.S. radars could have had an impact on Russia's troubled Phobos-Grunt Mars probe, the deputy head of the country's space agency, Roscosmos, Anatoly Shylov said on Thursday.
• Russia Launches Progress Freighter to Space Station RIA Novosti 26 Jan 2012 -- A Russian Soyuz-U launch vehicle carrying the Progress M-14M cargo spacecraft has been launched toward the International Space Station (ISS) from the Baikonur space center, Russia's Mission Control said on Thursday.
• Yemen's President Remains in Oman, Departure for US Uncertain VOA 26 Jan 2012 -- Outgoing Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh remains in the Persian Gulf sultanate of Oman and it is unclear when his planned trip to the United States for medical treatment will take place.