Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 12 Mar 2012 [PDF]
• Panetta: Afghanistan Strategy on Track Despite Recent Events AFPS 12 Mar 2012 -- Recent tragic events in Afghanistan highlight important lessons, but should not detract from significant progress achieved or derail the overall International Security Assistance Force objectives there, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said today.
• US: No Change in Afghan Strategy After Shooting Spree VOA 12 Mar 2012 -- As the U.S. military investigates the shooting deaths of 16 Afghan civilians allegedly by a U.S. soldier, the White House is emphasizing the importance of pressing ahead with President Barack Obama's overall strategy and timetable in Afghanistan.
• Officials Believe Gunman Acted Alone, Press Secretary Says AFPS 12 Mar 2012 -- Officials believe a lone service member was involved in the shooting deaths of 16 civilians in Afghanistan's Kandahar province over the weekend, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said today.
• U.S. Warns Of Reprisals As Taliban Vows Revenge For Kandahar Massacre RFE/RL 12 Mar 2012 -- NATO-led forces in Afghanistan have been placed on alert and the Taliban has vowed revenge in the aftermath of a shooting rampage by a U.S. soldier that left 16 Afghan villagers dead.
• Taliban Vows Revenge for Killing of 16 Afghan Civilians VOA 12 Mar 2012 -- The Taliban has vowed to seek revenge against what it called 'American savages' after a U.S. Army sergeant went on an apparent shooting spree in southern Afghanistan, killing 16 Afghan villagers, many of them children.
• US Officials Worry Afghan Killings Will Fuel Anti-American Sentiment VOA 12 Mar 2012 -- Afghan and NATO authorities are continuing to investigate the actions of a U.S. soldier accused of killing 16 Afghan civilians and then setting many of the bodies on fire on Sunday. While no major protests over the incident occurred on Monday, authorities worry it could further fuel public opposition to foreign troops.
• Combined Force Captures 2 Haqqani Leaders AFPS 12 Mar 2012 -- An Afghan and coalition security force captured two Haqqani network leaders and five additional suspected insurgents during a March 10 operation in the Pul-e Alam district of Afghanistan's Logar province, military officials reported.
• CLB-4 supports intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance operations with combat logistics patrol USMC News 12 Mar 2012 -- Marines with Bravo Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 4, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward), conducted a combat logistics patrol in support of counterinsurgency operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan, March 4–7.
• Head of the Army reaffirms commitment to Afghanistan mission UK MOD 12 Mar 2012 -- General Sir Peter Wall has said that despite the losses of the past week the commitment to the mission in Afghanistan is as strong as ever.

Defense Policy / Programs

• AF Under Secretary visits Travis AFNS 12 Mar 2012 -- Under Secretary of the Air Force Erin Conaton visited here March 8 to receive a first-hand look at Travis operations, which consists of the 60th Air Mobility Wing, the 349th Air Mobility Wing and the 615th Contingency Response Wing - a total integrated force that makes up one of the Air Force's largest air mobility organizations.
• CNO Realigns OPNAV Staff NNS 12 Mar 2012 -- The Chief of Naval Operations released NAVADMIN 083/10 March 12 outlining the realignment of his staff at the Pentagon to enhance the Navy's ability to navigate fiscal challenges and deliver fleet and platform readiness.
• Vicksburg Departs for Final Deployment NNS 12 Mar 2012 -- Guided-missile cruiser USS Vicksburg (CG 69) departed its homeport of Mayport, Fla., March 9 to make its final deployment, this time as part of the Enterprise Carrier Strike Group.
• Navy to Begin Testing for Synthetic Chemical Compounds NNS 12 Mar 2012 -- The Navy announced Mar. 12 that it will begin random testing of urine samples this month for synthetic chemical compounds like Spice.
• Peleliu Hosts Former President, Former Secretary of the Navy NNS 12 Mar 2012 -- Former President Jimmy Carter, and the 70th Secretary of the Navy, John Dalton, visited amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5) in port, March 10.
• Connecticut visits Yokosuka during Western Pacific deployment NNS 12 Mar 2012 -- The Seawolf-class fast attack submarine USS Connecticut (SSN 22) arrived at Fleet Activities Yokosuka March 9 for a visit as part of its deployment to the western Pacific.
• Active-duty Downsizing Should Benefit Reserve Forces, Board Says AFPS 12 Mar 2012 -- A policy board plans to ask Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta to highlight service in the reserve forces as a good option for outgoing active-duty members during downsizing.
• DOD Demonstrates Nonlethal, Directed-energy Prototypes AFPS 12 Mar 2012 -- A state-of-the-art millimeter-wave system developed by the Joint Non-lethal Weapons Directorate gives warfighters something more persuasive than shouting but less harmful than shooting when dealing with potentially hostile crowds, Defense Department experts said during a recent demonstration.
• Final R&R Flight to Arrive at DFW Airport March 14th; Army to Consolidate R&R Operations DoD 12 Mar 2012-- The Army announced today it will officially close the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) Personnel Assistance Point (PAP) with a ceremony on March 14th, marking the arrival of the last Rest and Recuperation (R&R) flight that will use that airport as a hub for service members returning from theater on R&R.
• Global Eagle combines AF, British forces AFNS 12 Mar 2012 -- The historical partnership between U.S. and British forces was evident yet again through a combined exercise between U.S. Air Force and Royal Air Force Regiment Feb. 26 through March 2.
• Forward Command Element unites MEU and Embassy for success USMC News 12 Mar 2012 -- After a devastating typhoon hit the area, the local populace was in dire need of assistance, lacking fresh water, food and shelter. The fictional government officially requested U.S. military aid, and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit answered the call while deployed aboard vessels of Amphibious Squadron 11.
• U.S. May Disclose Missile Defense Data to Russia RIA Novosti 12 Mar 2012 -- The U.S. has said it is willing to disclose classified information to Russia on the missile defense shield to be deployed in Europe, a move that a military analyst said could solve the impasse over the American program.
• Russia Signs New S-300 Missile Deal With Almaz-Antei RIA Novosti 12 Mar 2012 -- Russia's Defense Ministry has signed a three-year deal with air-defense missile systems manufacturer Almaz-Antei for delivery of S-300V4 (SA-12 Giant/Gladiator) air defense missile systems, the ministry said on Monday.
• Russia Completes Tests of NBC Recon Vehicle RIA Novosti 12 Mar 2012 -- The Russian Airborne Assault Forces have successfully completed the testing of the first three radiation, chemical and biological (NBC) reconnaissance vehicles, Defense Ministry spokeswoman Irina Kruglova said on Monday.
• Russia to Join DANEX-2012 Naval Drills RIA Novosti 12 Mar 2012 -- Warships of Russia's Baltic Fleet will take part for the first time in large-scale international naval drills in the Baltic Sea in September 2012, a spokesman for the Western military district said on Monday.
• Russian Air Force to Receive Six Su-35 Fighters by Yearend RIA Novosti 12 Mar 2012 -- The Russian Air Force will receive the first six Sukhoi Su-35 Flanker-E multirole fighter jets by the end of 2012, spokesman Col. Vladimir Drik said on Monday.
• Speech by NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen to the chairpersons of the foreign affairs committees of the European Union member's states parliaments, Copenhagen NATO 12 Mar 2012
• Minehunter's upgrade reaches major milestone UK MOD 12 Mar 2012 -- The installation of two new engines marks a major milestone in the 12-month upgrade of Royal Navy minehunter HMS Chiddingfold.
• VAC to propose supporting measures for voluntary military service CNA 12 Mar 2012 -- The Cabinet-level Veterans Affairs Commission (VAC) will soon propose supporting measures for a voluntary military service system that will replace the existing compulsory system in 2015, Veterans Affairs Minister Tseng Jing-ling said Monday.
• March 12, 2012 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 12 Mar 2012
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar, and Deputy Assistant to the President Heather Zichal, 3/12/12 The White House 12 Mar 2012

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for March 12, 2012
• Boeing and US Army Successfully Test Advanced Rotorcraft Flight Control System Boeing 12 Mar 2012 -- Boeing and the U.S. Army have successfully completed a series of tests on the company’s Adaptive Vehicle Management System (AVMS), an advanced rotorcraft flight control system. AVMS, which has been in development for two years, delivers enhanced maneuverability and safety while reducing aircrew workload and overall operating costs.
• IMI's MPR 500 warhead approved for use with Boeing JDAM Israeli Military Industries 12 Mar 2012 -- Israel Military Industries Ltd. (IMI) announced today the Boeing Company has approved IMI's 500-pound Multi Purpose Rigid (MPR 500) Bomb as compatible with their Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) guidance kit.
• Lockheed Martin Receives Sniper Post Production Contract Lockheed Martin 12 Mar 2012 -- Lockheed Martin has received an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP) Post Production Support (PPS) contract from the U.S. Air Force.
• Lockheed Martin Upgrades Tactical Tomahawk Weapons Control System for Naval Air Systems Command Lockheed Martin 12 Mar 2012 -- The system that integrates the launch hardware and software to provide weapon control for the Tomahawk Land Attack Missile is being modernized by Lockheed Martin.
• Northrop Grumman Delivers 100th LITENING G4 Targeting Pod Northrop Grumman 12 Mar 2012 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation has announced the recent production and delivery of the 100th LITENING G4 targeting pod.
• Raytheon Wins $77.9 Million US Army Missile Subsystem Support Contract Raytheon 12 Mar 2012 -- Raytheon Technical Services Company LLC (RTSC), a subsidiary of Raytheon Company, has won a U.S. Army TOW (tube-launched, optically tracked, wire-guided) missile subsystems contract valued at $77.9 million.
• GE Aviation Wins Position on Northrop Grumman Fire Scout GE Aviation 12 Mar 2012 -- GE Aviation has been awarded a contract by Northrop Grumman Corporation to provide a stores management system for the MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned helicopter.
• ATK Secures .40 Caliber Ammunition Contract with Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (DHS, ICE) ATK 12 Mar 2012 -- ATK announced that it is being awarded an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) agreement from the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (DHS, ICE) for .40 caliber ammunition.

Other Conflicts

• 12 March 2012 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 12 Mar 2012
• 12 March 2012 - Press Conference on Syria by Emergency Relief Coordinator United Nations 12 Mar 2012
• Syrian civilians continue to bear brunt of 'collective punishment' – UN rights panel UN News Centre 12 Mar 2012 -- Civilians continue to bear the brunt of violence in Syria, the head of the United Nations-appointed panel probing human rights abuses in the country said today, noting that the use of force by security forces and the military against armed groups has often led to collective punishment.
• Turkey Concerned at Growing Number of Syrian Refugees VOA 12 Mar 2012 -- Syrian refugees have crossed into Turkey in growing numbers in recent days, frightened by a government assault on the northern Syrian city of Idlib, near the border with Turkey. The latest influx of refugees has led to growing unease in Ankara.
• West, UN Call for Strong, Unified Security Council on Syria VOA 12 Mar 2012 -- Western leaders repeated their call on Monday for Russia and China to support a strong United Nations Security Council resolution to end the violence in Syria, where scores of people have been wounded or killed daily. The appeal came during a high-level meeting on the impact and opportunities of the Arab Spring, which was overshadowed by the Syrian crisis.
• Syrian Opposition Accuses Security Forces Of Homs 'Massacre' RFE/RL 12 Mar 2012 -- Dozens of civilians, mostly women and children, have been reported killed in Syria’s central province of Homs.
• Syrian Violence Dominates UN Security Council's 'Arab Spring' Debate RFE/RL 12 Mar 2012 -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has opened a Security Council meeting in New York with a call for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to act within the "next few days" on UN-Arab League peace proposals.
• Syrian Authorities Pledge to Crush Armed Resistance RIA Novosti 12 Mar 2012 -- Syrian authorities will continue the crackdown on armed groups fighting on the side of the opposition until they are completely eliminated, Syrian Ambassador to Russia Riyad Haddad said on Monday.
• Syrian Activists: Women, Children Massacred in Homs VOA 12 Mar 2012 -- The Syrian government and activists say dozens of civilians have been killed in Homs in recent days, although both sides dispute responsibility for the deaths.
• Israeli Airstrikes Kill 6 in Gaza; Militants Fire 30 Rockets at Israel VOA 12 Mar 2012 -- Israeli airstrikes killed six Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and Palestinian militants fired more rockets into southern Israel Monday in a fourth day of fighting that drew renewed concern from the international community.
• UN and partners call on Israelis and Palestinians to stay engaged in search for peace UN News Centre 12 Mar 2012 -- The United Nations and its diplomatic partners in the search for peace in the Middle East today called on Israeli and Palestinian authorities to remain engaged in negotiations and refrain from provocative actions.
• Israeli Airstrikes Kill 2 Militants After More Rockets Fired From Gaza VOA 12 Mar 2012 -- Medics say Israeli airstrikes killed two more Palestinian militants in Gaza Monday in another Israeli response to rocket attacks.
• South Sudan's army signs agreement with UN to release all children in its ranks UN News Centre 12 Mar 2012 -- The Sudanese People's Liberation Army of South Sudan (SPLA) today signed an agreement with the United Nations renewing its commitment to release all children within its ranks.
• UN provides support as civilian disarmament begins in South Sudan UN News Centre 12 Mar 2012 -- As civilian disarmament begins in Jonglei state in South Sudan, the United Nations mission in the country said today that it will provide support by collecting weapons held illegally and monitoring the process, which represents a key element to end the violence in the region.
• Security Council extends UN mission assisting Libya for another year UN News Centre 12 Mar 2012 -- The Security Council today extended for 12 months the United Nations mission assisting Libya with its democratic transition, while adjusting its mandate to support national efforts to promote the rule of law, protect human rights, restore public security, and hold free and fair elections.
• Analysis: Burkina Faso's uneasy peace IRIN 12 Mar 2012 -- One year on from the start of several months of popular revolts in Burkina Faso, the situation has settled down, but the calm is fragile, say observers.
• Malians Divided on How to Tackle Conflict in the North VOA 12 Mar 2012 -- Nearly two months into fighting between rebels and the army in northern Mali, citizens are divided on whether the solution is military force or negotiations.

News Reports

• Iran: UN human rights expert stresses concern over continuing abuses UN News Centre 12 Mar 2012 -- The independent United Nations expert on human rights in Iran today reiterated his concern over continuing violations in the country, including the suppression of civil liberties, arbitrary arrests and detentions, lack of due process, and a significant increase in the number of executions.
• Aerbaijan lets no country use its territory against Iran IRNA 12 Mar 2012 -- Azerbaijan Defense Minister Brigadier General Safar Abiyev said on Monday his country will under no condition let any country use its soil against Iran.
• Food shortages most pressing human rights issue in DPR Korea – UN expert UN News Centre 12 Mar 2012 -- Chronic food shortages have become the most pressing human rights issue in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), an independent United Nations expert said today, warning that hunger could lead to serious health problems, especially among children, women and the elderly.
• Security Council debate spotlights dramatic changes sweeping Middle East, North Africa UN News Centre 12 Mar 2012 -- The Security Council today highlighted the dramatic changes that have taken place across North Africa and the Middle East since the wave of pro-democracy movements began over a year ago and which continue to impact the region and the world.
• UN expert calls on Myanmar to take 'active approach' to protect human rights UN News Centre 12 Mar 2012 -- An independent United Nations expert urged the Government of Myanmar to take an 'active approach' to protect human rights in the country and commit to implementing reforms to ensure lasting peace and reconciliation.
• IRAQ: Iranian exiles decry conditions at new camp IRIN 12 Mar 2012 -- Some 3,500 Iranian dissidents in Iraq - members of the Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization (MKO) opposed to Iran's current government - are protesting their transfer to a new camp on the outskirts of Baghdad, complaining the site resembles 'a prison'.
• Pakistan PM reluctant to reopen graft cases against President IRNA 12 Mar 2012 -- Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani monday did not indicate willingness to follow the Supreme Court orders to write to Swiss authorities to reopen graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari.
• No compromise on nuclear safety: Indian Govt IRNA 12 Mar 2012 -- The government of India Monday said there will be no compromise on nuclear safety or livelihood of any section of society in India's pursuit of atomic power.
• Global drugs policy needs greater focus on tackling demand, says UN official UN News Centre 12 Mar 2012 -- The head of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) today urged States to intensify prevention strategies as part of a comprehensive response to drug demand, supply and trafficking.
• Sea Launch Signs Two Satellite Launch Contracts RIA Novosti 12 Mar 2012 -- The Sea Launch consortium said on Monday it has signed contracts on the launch of a European and a U.S. telecoms satellites.
• Astrium: double delivery for ATV-3 Edoardo Amaldi launch EADS 12 Mar 2012 -- Astrium, Europe’s leading space company, is completing the mission preparation for the Automated Transfer Vehicle ATV-3.
• Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Successfully Completes Latest Hot-Fire Test on Launch Abort Engine for Boeing’s CST-100 spacecraft Pratt & Whitney 12 Mar 2012 -- Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, a United Technologies Corp. company, successfully completed a full-mission duration hot-fire test on a Launch Abort Engine (LAE) for Boeing’s Crew Space Transportation (CST)-100 spacecraft.