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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 30 Mar 2012 [PDF]
• Afghan-led Force Captures Haqqani Leader AFPS 30 Mar 2012 -- An Afghan-led security force captured a Haqqani leader during an operation in the Khost district of Afghanistan's Khost province today, military officials reported.
• Pakistan route critical to reset, retrograde in Afghanistan Army News 30 Mar 2012 -- The Army would like to see the route through Pakistan available again to get things out of Afghanistan when the time comes, said one Army senior leader.
• US drone kills 4 in NW Pakistan IRNA 30 Mar 2012 -- An American spy aircraft fired missiles into Pakistan's North Waziristan tribal region and killed at least four people early Friday.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Department of Defense Announces Selected Acquisition Report DoD 30 Mar 2012 -- The Department of Defense (DoD) has released details on major defense acquisition program cost, schedule, and performance changes since the December 2010 reporting period.
• F-22 scientific board findings announced AFNS 30 Mar 2012 -- Air Force leaders provided an update on the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board study into the F-22 Raptor life support systems and flight operations during a briefing in the Pentagon March 29.
• DOD News Briefing: Dover Port Mortuary Timeline from the Defense Health Board's Independent Review Subcommittee DoD 30 Mar 2012 -- Presenter: Acting Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Jo Ann Rooney; Director of Air Force Services Brigadier General Eden J. Murrie; Dover Medical Examiner Navy Captain Craig Mallak; Army Director of Casualty and Mortuary Affairs Colonel Richard Teolis
• Secretary Panetta All Hands Call USS Peleliu DoD 30 Mar 2012 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta
• Secretary Panetta Gaggle Aboard USS Peleliu DoD 30 Mar 2012 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta
• Marines expand communication range with Combat SkySat USMC News 30 Mar 2012 -- CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Marines strained their necks as they looked up toward the sky at what could only be described as a giant balloon flying above Camp Delmar, March 29. Marines from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit trained with a new communications system that expands the capabilities of the Marine Air Ground Task Force.
• Company hits stride, completes largest patrol to date USMC News 30 Mar 2012 -- Company A, Combat Logistics Battalion 4, completed the largest combat logistics patrol to-date through Helmand province March 12-14.
• New Aircraft Introduced At P-8A Roll-Out Ceremony NNS 30 Mar 2012 -- More than 1,200 distinguished visitors filled the Patrol Squadron 30 hangar at Naval Air Station Jacksonville March 28 to celebrate the first fleet delivery of the P-8A Poseidon multi-mission aircraft.
• Carrier Air Wing 14 Deactivation Cancelled NNS 30 Mar 2012 -- The Navy directed U.S. Pacific Fleet and Naval Air Forces to stop, and reverse the deactivation process for carrier air wing (CVW) 14 in a memo dated March 20.
• USS Pearl Harbor Participates in DIMDEX 2012 NNS 30 Mar 2012 -- Amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) and embarked Marines assigned to the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) participated in the Doha International Maritime Defense Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX), March 26-28.
• Enterprise Hosts Reception in Piraeus, Greece NNS 30 Mar 2012 -- The aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) hosted a reception during a regularly scheduled three-day port visit to Piraeus, Greece, March 28.
• USS Florida (Gold) Chief of the Boat Relieved of Duty NNS 30 Mar 2012 -- The chief of the boat of USS Florida (SSGN 728) (Gold) was relieved of duty March 30 by the commander of Submarine Squadron 16, at Kings Bay, Ga.
• Officials Detail Dover Mortuary Operations Timeline AFPS 30 Mar 2012 -- Defense Department leaders are determined to be as transparent as possible about military mortuary operations, a group of senior defense and military officials said here today.
• Shinseki Vows to Support Military Members, Vets AFPS 30 Mar 2012 -- Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki offered assurances that VA will make good on its promises to veterans and those currently serving in uniform, despite growth in demand for its services and benefits and federal belt-tightening initiatives.
• Power user conference to highlight operational energy innovation Army News 30 Mar 2012 -- Supplying tactical electric power to the battlefield in a reliable, energy-efficient way is a key goal of the Department of Defense's Project Manager Mobile Electric Power (PM MEP) and the focus of an upcoming Users' Conference.
• Army aims to grow more resilience trainers on its own Army News 30 Mar 2012 -- About 8,000 Soldiers are now trained as 'master resilience trainers,' and the Army wants even more - but it hopes to train them in an Army school.
• Afghan environment drives training adjustments in Europe Army News 30 Mar 2012 -- Troops from 10 nations have been participating in a unique mission rehearsal exercise this month for the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team to prep the unit and its multi-national partners for deployment to Afghanistan.
• C-27 program cut explained, budget aligned with strategy AFNS 30 Mar 2012 -- The Air Force deputy chief of staff for strategic plans and programs discussed the reasoning behind the C-27J Spartan program cut from the fiscal 2013 budget request during the Air Force Association's monthly breakfast seminar here March 27.
• US Official Says Missile Defense Will Not Impact Russia VOA 30 Mar 2012 -- Political controversy has erupted in the United States after an open microphone at a nuclear security conference in South Korea caught U.S. President Barack Obama telling Russian President Dmitry Medvedev that he will have more 'flexibility' after the U.S. election in November. On Friday, the top American arms control negotiator visited Moscow and gave the American outlook for arms control and missile defense.
• U.S., Thai airmen and soldiers partner, jump for freedom AFNS 30 Mar 2012 -- More than 240 Thai and U.S. airmen and soldiers took part in a personnel drop over Lop Buri, Thailand to close out this year's Cope Tiger 2012 multilateral air exercise between the U.S., Thailand and Singapore which was held here March 12 through 23.
• Thurman: U.S. Forces Remain Ready in Northeast Asia AFPS 30 Mar 2012 -- As the military transitions its focus toward the Asia-Pacific region, the Korean Peninsula is a focal point where U.S. forces must maintain 'unquestioned' readiness, the commander of U.S. Forces Korea told a congressional panel yesterday.
• Service Members Must Prepare For Transition, Dempsey Says AFPS 30 Mar 2012 -- This is a time of transition for the U.S. military and part of that change requires service members to immerse themselves in the study of their profession, said Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
• 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit deploys with Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, starts journey across Atlantic USMC News 30 Mar 2012 -- The 2,300 Marines and Sailors of the Camp Lejeune-based 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit are headed across the Atlantic on a scheduled eight-month deployment to serve as a theater reserve and crisis response force in support of the U.S. European, Africa and Central Commands.
• North Korean Missile Tests Jeopardize U.S. Food Aid AFPS 30 Mar 2012 -- A recent North Korean announcement that it will conduct a missile test next month, in conjunction with a reported short-range missile test last night, jeopardizes millions of dollars in U.S. food aid for the secretive country, senior defense officials told Congress.
• India test fires Brahmos missile with new systems IRNA 30 Mar 2012 -- India on Friday test fired the Brahmos supersonic cruise missile with certain new systems from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur off Odisha coast.
• India successfully test fires multi barrel 'Pinaka' rocket IRNA 30 Mar 2012 -- India's multi barrel rocket launcher weapon system 'Pinaka' which could neutralize a large area with a rapid salvo of rockets was successfully test fired on Thursday.
• India and Russia to Develop Hypersonic Cruise Missile RIA Novosti 30 Mar 2012 -- Russia and India are in talks to jointly develop a hypersonic cruise missile and will soon agree on a general outline of the design, the head of the BrahMos Indian-Russian cruise missile program, Praveen Pathak, said on Friday at the Defexpo defense show in Delhi.
• India's Arms Market: Everyone In, Nobody Out RIA Novosti 30 Mar 2012 -- Russia has arrived at the DEFEXPO 2012 exhibition in India in the shadow of its own recent failures and the success of Western weapons manufacturers on the Indian arms market.
• Russia Deploys S-400 Missiles in Far East RIA Novosti 30 Mar 2012 -- S-400 Triumph air defense missile systems will be deployed in Russia's Far East before the end of the year, Far East Air Force and Air Defense Force chief Col. Sergei Dronov said on Friday.
• Pakistanis Debate New Terms for Relationship with US VOA 30 Mar 2012 -- Pakistan Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar says that the ongoing parliamentary review of her country's 'complex' ties with the United States may be painstakingly slow, but it will lay a lasting foundation for the future. Her remarks came as the parliament adjourned its joint session for a week to let lawmakers hammer out differences over a set of recommendations to reset Islamabad's relations with Washington and its Western allies.
• March 30, 2012 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 30 Mar 2012
• Press Gaggle by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Josh Earnest en route Burlington, Vermont, 3/30/2012 The White House 30 Mar 2012

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for March 30, 2012

Other Conflicts

• 30 March 2012 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 30 Mar 2012
• UN-Arab League envoy to continue regional consultations on Syrian conflict UN News Centre 30 Mar 2012 -- The Joint Special Envoy of the United Nations and the League of Arab States, Kofi Annan, will continue consultations with heads of governments in the Arab region to seek support for his mission in Syria, his spokesperson said today.
• China Calls For Rapid Response to Annan Syria Plan RIA Novosti 30 Mar 2012 -- China called on the Syrian opposition on Friday to respond quickly to special envoy Kofi Annan's peace plan, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said.
• Amid Fresh Syrian Clashes, Annan Demands Ceasefire VOA 30 Mar 2012 -- U.N.-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan says the Syrian government must immediately implement a cease-fire and stop its attacks on opposition groups, as fresh clashes broke out across the country on Friday.
• Clinton Talks Syrian Diplomacy with Saudi Officials VOA 30 Mar 2012 -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has begun talks with Saudi officials in Riyadh to examine ways of ending the ongoing bloodshed in Syria.
• 35 militants killed in clashes in Pakistani tribal region IRNA 30 Mar 2012 -- Pakistani security forces gunned down 35 militants in fresh clashes in northwestern tribal region on Friday, local media reported.
• Over 100,000 people displaced by fighting in north-west Pakistan – UN agency UN News Centre 30 Mar 2012 -- The United Nations refugee agency reported today that more than 100,000 people have become displaced since January by Pakistani military operations against militant groups in the north-western part of the country that borders Afghanistan.
• UN agency warns of increasing attacks by Lord's Resistance Army in Central Africa UN News Centre 30 Mar 2012 -- The United Nations refugee agency today spoke out about an increase in the number of attacks in recent weeks by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) in central Africa, leading to the displacement of thousands of people.
• LRA Attacks on the Rise in Central Africa VOA 30 Mar 2012 -- The Lord's Resistance Army is stepping up attacks in Central Africa, displacing thousands of people. The U.N. refugee agency, UNHCR, says LRA attacks have been on the rise since January in both the Democratic Republic of Congo and Central African Republic.
• People in Sudan's Nuba Mountains Under Siege VOA 30 Mar 2012 -- Representatives from Sudan's Nuba Mountains are holding a two-day conference in Kenya's capital highlighting the plight of people in their region, where extensive aerial bombardments and fighting have been going on since June of last year.
• Despite Burmese Reforms, Conflict Continues in Karen State VOA 30 Mar 2012 -- While the world focuses on Burma's upcoming elections, in eastern Karen State rebels continue a long-running battle against the Burmese army. VOA talked to Karen soldiers and civilians about the war that began in 1949 and has since become a way of life.
• Cambodia must provide full cooperation to new judges at genocide court, Ban stresses UN News Centre 30 Mar 2012 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has decided to initiate a selection process for new international judges for the United Nations-backed Cambodia genocide tribunal, and stressed that the Government must provide full cooperation so they can carry out their duties.

News Reports

• Obama Says Global Markets Can Handle Iran Oil Sanctions RFE/RL 30 Mar 2012 -- U.S. President Barack Obama is moving ahead with sanctions targeting Iran's oil exports in a move that significantly ratchets up pressure on Tehran to abandon its sensitive nuclear activities.
• Obama Slaps New Sanctions on Buyers of Iran Oil VOA 30 Mar 2012 -- President Barack Obama is pushing forward with new sanctions designed to cripple Iran's oil exports. The president said Friday there is enough oil on world markets to allow him to take the step without harming U.S. allies
• Ex-KGB Foreign Intel Chief Commits Suicide RIA Novosti 30 Mar 2012 -- The former head of KGB Foreign Intelligence Leonid Shebarshin has died of an apparent suicide and left a suicide note, a spokesman for the Moscow Interior Ministry department said.
• U.S. Ambassador Complains Of Russian Eavesdropping RFE/RL 30 Mar 2012 -- U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul has questioned in a series of tweets how some Russian media seem to know all his plans.
• U.S. State Dept. Downplays McFaul's Remarks on Phone Tapping RIA Novosti 30 Mar 2012 -- U.S. State Department spokesman Mark Toner said on Thursday that the U.S. Ambassador to Russia was simply 'raising a rhetorical question' when he claimed in his tweets that someone could be tapping his phone or spying on his emails.
• Upcoming by-elections are a 'crucial moment' for Myanmar, says UN expert UN News Centre 30 Mar 2012 -- The upcoming by-elections in Myanmar will be a 'crucial moment' in history for the country and a key test for the Government on the progress made implementing democratic reforms, a United Nations independent expert said today.
• Burma's Aung San Suu Kyi Expresses Doubts on Election's Integrity VOA 30 Mar 2012 -- Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi is expressing doubts about the fairness of Sunday's by-elections, which are considered a crucial barometer of the government's commitment to political reform. The Nobel Peace laureate held a news conference with journalists.
• Burmese By-Election Seen as Vital Test for Reforms VOA 30 Mar 2012 -- As Burmese voters head to the polls Sunday, the Burmese exile community in Thailand is expressing asking whether or not the country is truly on a path to reform.
• Russia Can Help All ISS Astronauts with Rehabilitation - Roscosmos RIA Novosti 30 Mar 2012 -- Russia is ready to offer its medical experience for the rehabilitation of post-flight astronauts from partner countries on the International Space Station, the head of the Russian space agency, Roscosomos, Vladimir Popovkin, said on Friday.
• Russian Proton-M Puts Military Satellite into Orbit RIA Novosti 30 Mar 2012 -- Russia's Space Forces launched a Proton-M carrier rocket with a Cosmos class military satellite on board on Friday, spokesman Lt. Col. Alexey Zolotukhin said.
• French Arrest 19 Suspected Islamic Militants, Raids To Continue RFE/RL 30 Mar 2012 -- French President Nicolas Sarkozy says police in cities around France have detained at least 19 people in a crackdown on suspected Islamist extremists.
• SOMALIA: Drought affecting thousands in Somaliland IRIN 30 Mar 2012 -- Officials in the self-declared republic of Somaliland, northwestern Somalia, are appealing for food aid and potable water for thousands of families who have lost their livelihoods in the current drought.