Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 06 Apr 2012 [PDF]
• Combined Force Captures Insurgent Facilitator AFPS 06 Apr 2012 -- An Afghan and coalition security force captured an Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan facilitator during an operation in Badakhshan province.
• Seabees and Afghan Soldiers Combine Skills on Joint Road Project NNS 06 Apr 2012 -- Seabees and Afghan National Army (ANA) personnel embarked on their sixth consecutive day of work on a joint road improvement project, April 2.
• From the Ground Up: Seabees Build Compound for US Marines Advising Afghan Police NNS 06 Apr 2012 -- Seabees deployed to Afghanistan are manning defenses and constructing a compound in the Lashkar Gah District to support U.S. Marines who will advise Afghan Uniformed Police (AUP) and prepare them for a smooth transition upon the eventual draw-down of U.S. and allied forces.
• Suicide Bomber Kills Afghan Peace Envoy VOA 06 Apr 2012 -- Authorities in eastern Afghanistan say a suicide bomber has killed the head of a provincial peace council and his son.
• Afghan Peace Envoy Assassinated In Suicide Attack RFE/RL 06 Apr 2012 -- A suicide bomber has assassinated an Afghan peace envoy and his son in the northeastern province of Konar.
• Bravo Co. Marines take on new mission, demilitarize base USMC News 06 Apr 2012 -- Marines with 2nd Platoon, Bravo Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 4 assisted in demilitarizing Patrol Base Mirmandab, March 23-31.
• Corps of Engineers turns over UNP district headquarters in Gozara, Herat Army News 06 Apr 2012 -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Afghanistan Engineer District-South turned over a district headquarters to the Afghan Uniformed Police in Gozara.
• Coup rumours in Pakistan after Osama death denied IRNA 06 Apr 2012 -- Pakistan’s former intelligence chief has denied rumours about a coup plot after the killing of Osama bin Laden in US military operation in May.
• US Coast Guard Sinks Japanese 'Ghost Ship' VOA 06 Apr 2012 -- The U.S. Coast Guard has sunk an abandoned Japanese fishing boat off the coast of Alaska, more than a year after a tsunami sent it drifting aimlessly across the Pacific Ocean.
• U.S. Coast Guard Sinks Drifting Japanese Tsunami Ship RFE/RL 06 Apr 2012 -- An abandoned Japanese fishing vessel that was drifting for one year has been sunk by a U.S. Coast Guard ship.

Defense Policy / Programs

• USFF Releases Statement on F/A-18 Crash in Virginia Beach NNS 06 Apr 2012 -- An F/A-18D assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 106 crashed in Virginia Beach, Va. April 6.
• AF participates in Exercise Kiwi Flag AFNS 06 Apr 2012 -- Two C-17 Globemaster IIIs and 70 Airmen from the U.S. Air Force participated in the Royal New Zealand Air Force's Exercise Kiwi Flag from March 26 through April 4 at RNZAF Base Whenuapa, New Zealand.
• Security forces experts exchange ideas at Cope Taufan 2012 AFNS 06 Apr 2012 -- While Cope Taufan 2012 here may be billed as a live-flying exercise between the U.S. Air Force and Royal Malaysian Air Force, there's also quite of bit of knowledge being shared on the ground as well.
• Marines descend through jungle warfare training USMC News 06 Apr 2012 -- 'Marine on rappel!' 'Marine on belay!' These shouts rang throughout the hills as Marines prepared to descend the sheer drop off. Using their feet against the rock wall and climbing rope, the Marines rappelled one-by-one off the cliff to the bottom.
• Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Reconnaissance Marines mitigate reef risks USMC News 06 Apr 2012 -- Coral reefs, formed over thousands of years, create some of Okinawa's most exciting and beautiful areas to explore. However, coral is easily destroyed by unintentional contact, and it can also pose serious danger to marine vehicles of all sorts.
• U.S. 7th Fleet to Conduct Exercise NNS 06 Apr 2012 -- Naval personnel from India and the United States will participate in Exercise Malabar 2012, April 9-16.
• USS Santa Fe Receives Navy Unit Commendation NNS 06 Apr 2012 -- The commander of Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet presented the Navy Unit Commendation award to the crew of the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Santa Fe (SSN 763) at the Pearl Harbor Submarine Park and Parche Memorial on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam., Hawaii, April 5.
• Navy Installations to Conduct Exercise Citadel Pacific in April NNS 06 Apr 2012 -- Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) and Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet (PACFLT) will conduct Exercise Citadel Pacific 2012 (CP-12) on naval installations throughout the U.S. Pacific Command area of responsibility including regions Hawaii, Joint Region Marianas (Guam), Japan, and Singapore.
• Planning Begins for Africa Partnership Station 2013 NNS 06 Apr 2012 -- The Africa Partnership Station (APS) 2013 Initial Planning Conference (IPC) took place in Garmisch, Germany, March 28-30.
• Strike Group Conducts Change of Command on Stennis NNS 06 Apr 2012 -- Commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 3 held a change of command ceremony aboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) April 5.
• Russia Smooths Ties With Kyrgyzstan RFE/RL 06 Apr 2012 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov visited Kyrgyzstan on April 4-5 to get relations between Moscow and Bishkek back on track.
• Russian Military Satellite to Splash Down in Pacific RIA Novosti 06 Apr 2012 -- A defunct Russian military communication satellite, Molniya-1-89, is expected to fall Saturday morning in the Pacific Ocean.
• Russian Pacific Fleet Task Force to Visit Vietnam RIA Novosti 06 Apr 2012 -- A Pacific Fleet task force led by the Admiral Tributs destroyer will pay a visit to Vietnam.
• Deputy FM Grushko to Become NATO Envoy - Source RIA Novosti 06 Apr 2012 -- Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko will be appointed Russia's next ambassador to NATO.
• Vikramaditya Carrier to Start Sea Trials in May RIA Novosti 06 Apr 2012 -- Sea trials of the aircraft carrier Vikramaditya are scheduled to start on May 25.
• India successfully carried out Maiden test flight of second AEWACS aircraft IRNA 06 Apr 2012 -- India has successfully carried out the maiden test flight of its second indigenous Airborne Early Warning and Control System aircraft.

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for April 06, 2012

Other Conflicts

• Clashes Erupt in Syria Despite UN Warning VOA 06 Apr 2012 -- Syrian government forces continued to conduct military operations across large swathes of the country.
• Turkey Raises Alarm Over Syrian Refugees RFE/RL 06 Apr 2012 -- Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has said his country might need United Nations' help if more Syrian refugees arrive in Turkey.
• Russia Welcomes UN Security Council Statement on Syria RIA Novosti 06 Apr 2012 -- Russia welcomes the UN Security Council’s statement expressing support for the UN and Arab League envoy Kofi Annan’s demands.
• Countries Dismiss Mali Rebel Claims of Independent Nation VOA 06 Apr 2012 -- Tuareg rebels in northern Mali proclaimed independence, and asked for international recognition of their so-called "Azawad" nation.
• France Dismisses Mali Rebel Claim VOA 06 Apr 2012 -- In northern Mali, Tuareg rebels proclaimed independence Friday, and asked for international recognition of their so-called "Azawad" nation.
• Tuareg Rebels Declare Independence In North Mali RFE/RL 06 Apr 2012 -- Tuareg rebels in Mali have officially proclaimed the independence of a territory they call Azawad in the north of the West African country.
• Nigeria Braces for Possible Easter Attacks VOA 06 Apr 2012 -- Nigeria's Joint Task Force in the northeastern city of Maiduguri says it killed two members of militant Islamist sect Boko Haram and arrested a third Friday.
• South Sudan: As civilian disarmament takes place, UN urges respect for human rights UN News Centre 06 Apr 2012 -- The United Nations Mission in South Sudan urged South Sudanese security forces to ensure human rights are respected.
• South China Sea region property of the whole world: India IRNA 06 Apr 2012 -- Countering China's objections on its oil exploration projects in the South China Sea, India Friday said the region must be freed from any 'national interference'.
• Cross-strait talks to be held in Taipei CNA 06 Apr 2012 -- The next round of cross-Taiwan Strait talks scheduled for the first half of the year will be held in Taipei.
• Taiwan: 'One country, two areas' does not change status quo CNA 06 Apr 2012 -- The controversial "one country, two areas" concept recently stated by a high-ranking ruling Kuomintang official reflects the government's long-standing position.
• ICC Wants Kadhafi Son Seif al-Islam Handed Over VOA 06 Apr 2012 -- A human rights lawyer says Libyan authorities are obligated to turn Seif al-Islam over to the International Criminal Court for prosecution.
• Azerbaijan Detains 17 Suspected Militants RIA Novosti 06 Apr 2012 -- Azerbaijan’s National Security Ministry officers have conducted special operations across the country to detain 17 suspected members of an illegal armed group.
• Georgia Breaks Off 'Open Skies' Accord with Russia RIA Novosti 06 Apr 2012 -- Georgia: Moscow attempted to use the accord to "legitimize" its breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

News Reports

• U.S. Missile Defense in Gulf Signals Strike on Iran RIA Novosti 06 Apr 2012 -- A US-backed plan to build a missile defense shield within the Gulf States may signal preparation for a military strike on Iran.
• Iran opposes US missile shield in Persian Gulf IRNA 06 Apr 2012 -- The Islamic Republic of Iran on Friday strongly opposed deployment of the US missile shield in the Persian Gulf region.
• FM Spokesman: Tehran-Ankara strategic relations should not be damaged IRNA 06 Apr 2012 -- FM Spokesman Mihman-parast said that Tehran-Ankara strategic ties should not be damaged.
• China demands Iran to release kidnapped Chinese ship and crew IRNA 06 Apr 2012 -- China has demanded Iran to release a kidnapped Chinese ship and its crew in the waters near Iranian coast.
• Pentagon Urges N.Korea to Give Up Missile Launch Plans RIA Novosti 06 Apr 2012 -- The U.S. Department of Defense urged North Korea to quit its plans to launch a missile to orbit a satellite.
• In Pakistan, US Bounty for Cleric Sparks Protests VOA 06 Apr 2012 -- Protesters across Pakistan rallied in the streetsto condemn the United States' $10 million bounty for Hafiz Mohammad Saeed.
• Pakistan Criticizes US Reward for Militant VOA 06 Apr 2012 -- The Pakistani government and opposition on criticized the $10 million U.S. reward posted for Hafiz Saeed.
• Pakistan says US has no evidence against religious leader IRNA 06 Apr 2012 -- Pakistan has said that it cannot take action against Hafeez Saeed in the absence of solid evidences.
• As Sanctions Begin Easing, Burma's Economy Under Scrutiny VOA 06 Apr 2012 -- The election success of Burma's opposition has led to the easing of some sanctions imposed by the United States and pressure from neighboring countries to drop them entirely.
• China Puts 6 Uyghurs On Terrorist List RFE/RL 06 Apr 2012 -- China's Ministry of Public Security has announced that it added six men to its terrorist list, all ethnic Uyghurs.
• Russia Furious Over Bout Sentence RFE/RL 06 Apr 2012 -- Russia has condemned the United States' sentencing of notorious Russian arms trader Viktor Bout as "baseless and biased."
• Russia Denounces Bout Sentence VOA 06 Apr 2012 -- Russia's foreign ministry is lashing out at the United States for ordering Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout to 25 years in prison.
• Moscow Condemns Bout Sentence and Seeks Return RIA Novosti 06 Apr 2012 -- Russia’s Foreign Ministry said it will take all efforts necessary to repatriate convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout after a US court sentenced him to 25 years in prison.
• Belarusians Barred From Leaving Country Will Be Stopped In Russia RFE/RL 06 Apr 2012 -- Russian Border Services Chief Vladimir Pronichev has announced that Belarusian citizens barred from leaving the country will not be allowed to use Russian territory.
• Russia Closes Door on Belarus Opposition - Report RIA Novosti 06 Apr 2012 -- Russia will not allow into the country Belarusian opposition figures who are banned from leaving Belarus but could use Russia as transit hub to flee abroad.
• Malawians Still Awaiting Word on President VOA 06 Apr 2012 -- Malawians are still waiting for official word about President Bingu wa Mutharika, amid multiple reports that the president has died.
• Malawian President Reportedly Dies After Heart Attack VOA 06 Apr 2012 -- Medical sources say Malawian President Bingu wa Mutharika has died after suffering a heart attack, but there has been no official announcement of his death.