Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 13 Mar 2012 [PDF]
• Key Local Afghan Police Force Slow to Catch On VOA 13 Mar 2012 -- U.S.-led coalition forces are racing against the clock to train a new local police force in one vital Afghan town. But it is not easy convincing eligible men to enlist.
• Police Mistrust Threatens US-Afghan Alliance in Key Town VOA 13 Mar 2012 -- The effort to shore up security in Afghanistan is shifting.
• Combined Force Captures Haqqani Network Leader AFPS 13 Mar 2012 -- An Afghan and coalition security force captured a Haqqani network leader during a March 11 operation in the Sabari district of Afghanistan's Khost province, military officials reported.
• Obama Promises Full Investigation of Afghanistan Shootings AFPS 13 Mar 2012 -- President Barack Obama today said the United States takes seriously the March 11 murder of Afghan civilians and promised Afghan leaders a full investigation into the incident.
• Obama Won't Rush Afghan Withdrawal; U.S. Soldier Could Face Death Penalty RFE/RL 13 Mar 2012 -- U.S. President Barack Obama says there will be no "rush for the exits" from Afghanistan despite the killing of 16 Afghan civilians in a rampage by a suspected U.S. soldier on March 11.
• One Dead As Afghan Officials Are Attacked At Site Of Killing Spree RFE/RL 13 Mar 2012 -- Officials say an Afghan soldier was killed when suspected militants opened fire on an Afghan government delegation that was visiting one of two villages in southern Afghanistan where a U.S. soldier is believed to have shot dead 16 Afghan civilians.
• Obama Vows Full Force of Law for Afghan Shooting Suspect VOA 13 Mar 2012 -- President Barack Obama says he will make sure there is full accountability for the shooting rampage, allegedly at the hands of a U.S. Army sergeant, that killed 16 civilians in Afghanistan.
• Gunmen Target Afghan Delegation Visiting Massacre Site VOA 13 Mar 2012 -- In Afghanistan Tuesday, Taliban militants attacked a memorial service for 16 villagers allegedly killed by a U.S. service member, killing an Afghan soldier and wounding a policeman.
• 8 die in US spy aircraft strike in Pakistan IRNA 13 Mar 2012 -- An American spy aircraft Tuesday fired missiles into Pakistan's South Waziristan tribal region and killed at least 8 people, security officials in the region said.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Panetta Cites Value of Transit Center in Kyrgyzstan AFPS 13 Mar 2012 -- Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta arrived here today on his first official visit to Kyrgyzstan, which is home to a transit center for all U.S. troops entering or leaving Afghanistan.
• On Visit To Kyrgyzstan, Panetta Presses For Continued Use Of Manas RFE/RL 13 Mar 2012 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has met with Kyrgyzstan's leaders to stress that the United States considers the continued use of a military base in the country as crucial to U.S. efforts in Afghanistan.
• Pentagon Chief in Kyrgyzstan for Military Talks RIA Novosti 13 Mar 2012 -- Pentagon Chief Leon Panetta has arrived in Bishkek for talks with the country's Defense Minister Taalaybek Omuraliyev, the defense ministry's press service said on Tuesday.
• Panetta Visits Kyrgyzstan Defense Officials AFPS 13 Mar 2012 -- Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta met here today with Kyrgyzstan's defense leaders as part of a Central Asia tour to meet with government officials and service members.
• Carl Vinson Marks 30 Years of Service NNS 13 Mar 2012 -- Sailors aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) celebrated the carrier's 30th year of service March 13.
• Marines Train With Partner Nations at Exercise Lisa Azul NNS 13 Mar 2012 -- As part of the trilateral exercise Lisa Azul, U.S. Marines from 3rd Platoon, Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team (FAST), Company Europe trained with Spanish marines from the 10th Mechanized Infantry Company and U.K. marines from the Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines, March 7.
• Navy Hosts Senate Energy Subcommittee Hearing NNS 13 Mar 2012 -- The Navy hosted a field hearing for the Senate Energy subcommittee on water and power aboard multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), moored at Naval Station Norfolk, March 12.
• Commanding Officer of PCU San Diego Relieved NNS 13 Mar 2012 -- Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 3 has relieved the commanding officer of Pre-Commissioning Unit San Diego (LPD 22), while allegations of personal misconduct are investigated.
• Wasp Visits Mayport NNS 13 Mar 2012 -- Nearly 1,000 Sailors from amphibious assault ship USS WASP (LHD 1) pulled into Mayport, Fla., March 13.
• USS New Orleans Celebrates Five Years of Service to the Fleet NNS 13 Mar 2012 -- Sailors and Marines aboard amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18) celebrated the fifth anniversary of the ship's commissioning March 10 while on deployment in the 5th Fleet area of responsibility.
• Milius Small Craft Action Team Completes Qualifications NNS 13 Mar 2012 -- Guided-missile destroyer USS Milius' (DDG 69) weapons department leadership finalized a ship-wide weapons qualification, March 2.
• USS Nitze Departs for Deployment NNS 13 Mar 2012 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Nitze (DDG 94) departed Naval Station Norfolk, Va., March 12 for a scheduled deployment.
• USS Boxer Earns Battle 'E' NNS 13 Mar 2012 -- Commander, Naval Surface Forces recently awarded the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) with the 2011 Battle Effectiveness Award (Battle 'E').
• Naval Special Warfare Sailors Test 'Green Power' Initiatives for Deployed Units NNS 13 Mar 2012 -- Seabees assigned to Naval Special Warfare Group 2 are receiving training on solar-powered equipment this March at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Va.
• Submarine Squadron 15 Holds Change of Command NNS 13 Mar 2012 -- Commander, Submarine Squadron 15 held a change of command ceremony at Polaris Point on board the Los Angeles-class submarine USS Oklahoma City (SSN 723) March 13.
• Ohio (Gold) Welcomes New Commanding Officer NNS 13 Mar 2012 -- Guided-missile submarine USS Ohio (SSGN 726) (Gold) welcomed a new commanding officer during a change of command ceremony the Naval Undersea Museum March 9.
• Navy EURAFSWA Installations to Participate in Reliant Defense 2012 NNS 13 Mar 2012 -- Installations in Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia (EURAFSWA) will participate in Exercise Reliant Defense 2012 (RD-12) March 19-21.
• Kearsarge Displays Energy Initiative NNS 13 Mar 2012 -- The amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) hosted the Senate Committee for Energy and Natural Resources and Chair of the Subcommittee on Water and Power, aboard March 12 to discuss Navy and Marine Corps energy initiative programs.
• Northcom Prioritizes Homeland Defense, Cyber, Partners AFPS 13 Mar 2012 -- Priorities for U.S. Northern Command include expanding partnerships, keeping eyes on air, space, cyberspace, land and sea domains, and outpacing all threats, the Northcom and the North American Aerospace Defense Command commander said today.
• Southern Command Targets Transnational Organized Crime AFPS 13 Mar 2012 -- U.S. Southern Command is focused on stopping transnational organized crime and building partners' capabilities, Air Force Gen. Douglas Fraser said here today.
• Langley Airmen test new fuel delivery system AFNS 13 Mar 2012 -- Airmen at Langley Air Force Base, Va., are testing a new fuel delivery system that could revolutionize flightline operations and save the Air Force millions of dollars.
• Inaugural African Partnership Flight takes off AFNS 13 Mar 2012 -- U.S. Air Forces Africa Airmen participated in the opening ceremony of the inaugural African Partnership Flight event March 12 at Air Force Base Accra, Ghana.
• Senior Executive Service Announcement DoD 13 Mar 2012
• Cope Tiger trilateral exercise in full swing AFNS 13 Mar 2012 -- Readiness and continued development of multilateral interoperability remains a key priority for allies and partners participating in Cope Tiger 12, a field training and large force air employment exercise that began here Mar. 12.
• Senators Call For End to Russian Helicopter Deal RIA Novosti 13 Mar 2012 -- The U.S. Department of Defense should drop a $900 million contract with Russian arms sales company Rosoboronexport to supply helicopters to Afghanistan's forces, if Moscow continues to arm the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, 17 senators have said in a statement sent to Pentagon head Leon Panetta, the Foreign Policy Journal reports.
• Russia Says Won't Supply S-300 Missiles To Iran, But Will Supply Syria RFE/RL 13 Mar 2012 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has met with Kyrgyzstan's leaders to stress that the United States considers the continued use of a military base in the country as crucial to U.S. efforts in Afghanistan.
• Two Die in Ka-52 Helicopter Crash in Russia RIA Novosti 13 Mar 2012 -- Two pilots died after a Kamov Ka-52 (Hokum B) attack helicopter crashed during a training flight near Torzhok in Russia's Tver Region on Tuesday, the Defense Ministry said.
• Taiwan to launch annual military drill amid China's growing threat CNA 13 Mar 2012 -- Taiwan is gearing up for large-scale annual military drills involving its three services to strengthen the country's defense capabilities amid a growing threat from China, the Defense Ministry said Tuesday.
• March 13, 2012 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 13 Mar 2012
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, 3/13/2012 The White House 13 Mar 2012

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for March 13, 2012
• Boeing Phantom Eye Conducts Medium-speed Taxi Test Boeing 13 Mar 2012 -- Boeing today announced that the Phantom Eye high altitude long endurance (HALE) unmanned aerial vehicle has conducted its first medium-speed taxi test. The hydrogen-powered aircraft is designed for persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), and communications.

Other Conflicts

• 13 March 2012 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 13 Mar 2012
• 80,000 Syrians Take Refuge in Jordan VOA 13 Mar 2012 -- The Syrian government's assault on opposition strongholds is causing more and more people to flee the country. Neighboring countries such as Jordan are trying to help them, but the influx is straining limited resources.
• Security Council Divided Amid Calls for Halt to Syrian Violence VOA 13 Mar 2012 -- The United States, Britain and Russia have each called for a halt to the violence in Syria, but the United Nations Security Council remains divided on how to resolve the crisis in the country.
• U.S. Calls Syrian Parliamentary Vote Plans 'Ridiculous' RIA Novosti 13 Mar 2012 -- The United States does not take seriously a desicion by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to hold parliamentary elections in the country hit by flagrant violence, State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said on Tuesday.
• Arab League Chief Urges Probe into Civilian Deaths in Syria RIA Novosti 13 Mar 2012 -- Arab League Secretary General Nabil al-Arabi called on Tuesday for an international probe into civilian deaths in Syria, Arab media reported.
• West Sees Need for Joint Syria Settlement - Lavrov RIA Novosti 13 Mar 2012 -- Western countries have begun realizing the necessity of joint efforts to settle the ongoing Syrian crisis, rather than blaming Russia for the current situation, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday.
• Qatar Violates Agreements on Syria - Lavrov RIA Novosti 13 Mar 2012 -- Qatar's calls for a military solution to the Syrian crisis go against the principles of peaceful settlement agreed by Russia and the Arab League, the Russian Foreign Minister said on Tuesday.
• UN-Arab League envoy awaiting Syrian response on proposals to end crisis UN News Centre 13 Mar 2012 -- The Joint Special Envoy of the United Nations and the League of Arab States for Syria, Kofi Annan, said he expects to hear back from Syrian authorities today on the proposals he put forward during his recent meetings in Damascus on ending the ongoing crisis in the country.
• UN Envoy Expects Syrian Response VOA 13 Mar 2012 -- Former U.N. chief Kofi Annan says he expects the Syrian government to respond on Tuesday to his proposals to resolve the country's deadly violence from an on-going crackdown on dissent.
• UN, governments to meet on regional strategy against Lord Resistance Army UN News Centre 13 Mar 2012 -- United Nations and government officials from central Africa will meet in Uganda next week to finalize a comprehensive regional strategy on combating the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), the rebel group that gained notoriety for its atrocities in Uganda, but which has in recent years extended its violence to neighbouring countries.
• South Sudan: UN mission responds to new outbreak of violence in Jonglei state UN News Centre 13 Mar 2012 -- The United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan today said it has sent patrol units and a medical team to an area on the country's border with Ethiopia where unidentified raiders reportedly attacked several cattle camps occupied by members of the Lou Nuer ethnic group.
• UN Western Sahara envoy to embark on regional visit in May UN News Centre 13 Mar 2012 -- The United Nations envoy for Western Sahara announced today following three days of informal talks with the parties that he will embark on a regional tour starting in mid-May, including an extensive visit to the disputed territory.
• Taiwan reasserts sovereignty over Spratlys amid Philippines oil plans CNA 13 Mar 2012 -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday reasserted Taiwan's sovereignty over the Spratly Islands, just days after the Philippines expressed the intention to invite investors to co-explore oil and gas in waters off the disputed archipelago.
• CHAD: Alarm rung late, food running out IRIN 13 Mar 2012 -- Late Chadian government recognition of a food crisis, a slow build-up from aid agencies, and severe pipeline constraints due to closed Libyan and Nigerian borders mean food aid has not yet arrived in Chad, despite many thousands of people having already run out of food.
• Islamic Jihad Confirms Ceasefire with Israel RIA Novosti 13 Mar 2012 -- The Palestinian armed group Islamic Jihad confirmed on Tuesday a Gaza ceasefire deal with Israel.

News Reports

• Politics Plays Into Iran Nuclear Issue VOA 13 Mar 2012 -- Iran's suspected desire to become a nuclear weapons power is affecting not only diplomatic maneuvering, but also internal political debate in several countries. All three of the main protagonists in the nuclear debate have either just had elections or can be expected to hold ones in the near future.
• Mehmanparast: New round of talks with 5+1 to be held soon IRNA 13 Mar 2012 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said the next meeting between Iran and the P5+1 will be held soon.
• FM spokesman: UN human rights report, politically-motivated, unreal IRNA 13 Mar 2012 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said the report by the United Nations special rapporteur for human rights was unreal and politically-motivated.
• Six-Party Nuclear Talks to Restart in Near Future - Iran RIA Novosti 13 Mar 2012 -- Iran will meet for talks with 'six party' representatives over its nuclear activities in the 'nearest future' Iran's IRNA agency reported on Tuesday, quoting foreign ministry official Ramin Mekhmanparsat.
• Boeing to Build 4 Satellites for Asia Broadcast Satellite/Satmex Team Boeing 13 Mar 2012 -- The Boeing Company has been awarded a four-satellite contract, with options for four additional satellites, through a joint procurement by Asia Broadcast Satellite (ABS) and Satélites Mexicanos (Satmex). Financial details were not disclosed.
• Boeing Completes Preliminary Design Review of Commercial Crew Space Transportation Vehicle Boeing 13 Mar 2012 -- Boeing successfully completed a Preliminary Design Review (PDR) of the company’s integrated Commercial Crew Space Transportation system, which includes the Crew Space Transportation (CST)-100 spacecraft, on March 12.
• Astrium’s satellites reap first fruits in Canada EADS 13 Mar 2012 -- Astrium Services’ PixAgri satellite imaging service for crop management has just successfully completed its first agricultural campaign for “La Coop fédérée”, the largest agrifood business in Quebec, Canada.