Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 08 May 2012 [PDF]
• Afghans Lead Operation to Capture Taliban Leader AFPS 08 May 2012 -- An Afghan-led and coalition supported security force detained a senior Taliban leader in the Almar district of Afghanistan's Faryab province today, military officials reported.
• FM spokesman: Any instability in Afghanistan affects Iran's security IRNA 08 May 2012 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said any instability in Afghanistan will affect security in Iran.
• RAF Regiment gunners return from Camp Bastion UK MOD 08 May 2012 -- Gunners from 2 Squadron RAF Regiment returned home last week from a six-month Afghanistan deployment to an emotional reunion with friends and family.
• 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit returns home USMC News 08 May 2012 -- From April 9, 2012, when they departed aboard the USS Wasp from Norfolk Naval Station, Va., to May 2, 2012, when they returned to Camp Lejeune, N.C., the Marines and sailors of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit supported fleet week celebrations in New Orleans and Fort Lauderdale, Fla., representing the inherent strength of today's Navy-Marine Corps team to the local people.
• U.S. to Fulfill Afghan Contract with Russia despite Syria RIA Novosti 08 May 2012 -- The United States does not intend to change the terms of its contract or cancel agreements with Russia on the delivery and maintenance of helicopters for Afghanistan's armed forces, State Department spokesman Mark Toner said on Monday.
• UN humanitarian chief urges donors to support Afghan people UN News Centre 08 May 2012 -- The United Nations humanitarian chief today called on donors and humanitarian agencies to give continued support to the people of Afghanistan, stressing that there is still much to do during the country's transition period.
• Marines reduce footprint in Marjah USMC News 08 May 2012 -- Marines here are making big moves for the future of Afghanistan.
• Video Shows Afghans Confessing To Spying For Iran RFE/RL 08 May 2012 -- Afghan authorities have arrested two men on charges of spying for Iran and attempting to carry out terrorist attacks in Afghanistan.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Secretary of the Navy Names High Speed Ferries Guam and Puerto Rico DoD 08 May 2012 -- The Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced today the names of the Navy’s recently acquired high speed ferries (HSFs); the USNS Guam and the USNS Puerto Rico.
• $54.7 Million Awarded to Universities for Research Equipment DoD 08 May 2012 -- The Department of Defense (DoD) today announced plans to award $54.7 million to academic institutions to support the purchase of state-of-the-art research equipment.
• Re-alignment project cuts costs, improves safety AFNS 08 May 2012 -- The 820th Red Horse Squadron plans to save the Air Force more than $500,000 dollars while improving training and safety, during the Ellsworth Road re-alignment project.
• U.S. Trainers, Military Cooperation Returns to Yemen AFPS 08 May 2012 -- U.S. military personnel are again training Yemeni forces, Defense Department officials said today.
• Chairman's Corner: Sexual Assault Prevention, Response AFPS 08 May 2012
• RIMPAC to begin June 29 NNS 08 May 2012 -- Twenty-two nations, 42 ships, six submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel will participate in the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise scheduled June 29 to Aug. 3, in and around the Hawaiian Islands.
• Phoenix Express 2012 Begins in Souda Bay NNS 08 May 2012 -- Phoenix Express 2012 (PE12), a multi-national exercise between Southern European, North African and U.S. naval forces, officially kicked off at the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operation Training Center (NMIOTC) in Souda Bay, May 7.
• USS Underwood Transits Panama Canal NNS 08 May 2012 -- The Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate USS Underwood (FFG 36) transited the Panama Canal in support of Southern Seas 2012, May 6.
• Final MSC Dry Cargo/Ammunition Ship Christened in San Diego NNS 08 May 2012 -- Military Sealift Command ship USNS Cesar Chavez (T-AKE 14) was christened May 5 during an evening ceremony at the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard in San Diego.
• New ONR Program Aims to Develop Solid-State Laser Weapons for Ships NNS 08 May 2012 -- To help Sailors defeat small boat threats and aerial targets without using bullets, the Office of Naval Research (ONR) wants to develop a solid-state laser weapon prototype that will demonstrate multi-mission capabilities aboard a Navy ship, officials announced May 8.
• NAVFAC Southwest Awards $99 Million Contract for Waterfront Construction NNS 08 May 2012 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southwest awarded a $99 million contract April 30 to five contractors for construction and renovation of various waterfront facilities at locations within the NAVFAC Southwest area of responsibility (AOR).
• MDSU 2 Wraps Up Panamanian Stop of Navy Dive-SPS 12 NNS 08 May 2012 -- U.S. Navy divers assigned to Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 2, Company 2-1, concluded a three-week subject matter expert exchange (SMEE) with Panamanian divers, May 3.
• MCAST Participate in Key Leader Engagement During FST-E Exercise NNS 08 May 2012 -- Maritime Civil Affairs and Security Training (MCAST) Command and role players participated in key leader engagement exercises during Fleet Synthetic Training - Expeditionary (FST-E) 12-1 at Naval Base Coronado from April 23 to May 4.
• USS The Sullivans CO Relieved NNS 08 May 2012 -- The Commanding Officer of USS The Sullivans (DDG 68), was relieved of command May 8, 2012, by Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet, Vice Adm. Frank C. Pandolfe due to loss of confidence in his ability to command.
• Sunshine, Families Welcome Louisiana (Blue) Back Home NNS 08 May 2012 -- A sunny day provided an ideal setting for the return of the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Louisiana (SSBN 743), whose Blue Crew came home to Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor on May 6 after a 56-day strategic deterrent patrol.
• VFA 211 Holds Aerial Change of Command NNS 08 May 2012 -- The Checkmates of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 211 held an airborne change of command ceremony in the skies over deployed aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) May 7.
• NAS Jax Completes Rooftop Solar Power Generating System NNS 08 May 2012 -- Engineers and technicians gathered at Naval Air Station Jacksonville's Hangar 1122, May 1, to celebrate completion of the station's largest rooftop solar power generating system.
• Microwave technology could revolutionize combat feeding Army News 08 May 2012 -- Virtually every kitchen in America has at least one, and pretty much everyone knows how to use the technology to at least cook a bag of popcorn.
• Army scientists develop deployable renewable-energy solutions Army News 08 May 2012 -- Soldiers stationed in remote combat outposts face logistics and safety challenges to power their radios, laptops and GPS units.
• Hogg engages leaders in Djibouti, Ethiopia Army News 08 May 2012 -- During a whirlwind trip to East Africa, Maj. Gen. David R. Hogg, commander, U.S. Army Africa, and a small group of advisers visited U.S. Army troops at Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) in Djibouti and attended meetings with African Union mission leaders in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, April 24-27.
• AMC aims to increase casualty survivability in Afghanistan AFNS 08 May 2012 -- Air Mobility Command is working jointly with other U.S. military services to improve emergency care for service members critically injured in combat by employing newly-developed Tactical Critical Care Evacuation Teams, or TCCETs.
• U.S., New Zealand air force medical experts exchange ideas, build partnerships AFNS 08 May 2012 -- When disaster strikes in the Pacific - whether natural or man-made, the U.S. relies heavily on its partners throughout the region to help respond, save lives and provide comfort to those requiring assistance. Leading the efforts are specially-trained international aeromedical personnel charged with caring for and transporting the most fragile to higher-level of care facilities.
• Air Force innovation AFNS 08 May 2012 -- Lt. Gen. Robert R. Allardice, Air Mobility Command's vice commander, was among a panel of educators and civic leaders in St. Louis on April 27 to discuss the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or better known as STEM, education to an audience of teachers, parents, students and business leaders.
• Chiefs Issue Strategic Direction to Combat Sexual Assault AFPS 08 May 2012 -- Despite years of concerted effort, the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the commandant of the Coast Guard are dissatisfied with progress made in reducing sexual assault in the military, and have released strategic direction to increase the emphasis on combatting the crime.
• New Task Force Supports Countertrafficking in Europe AFPS 08 May 2012 -- A new task force at U.S. European Command is helping other U.S. government agencies and their international counterparts confront trafficking in illicit goods and services that officials call a major national security threat to the United States.
• AF nominates 111 for astronaut candidate program AFNS 08 May 2012 -- The Air Force has nominated 111 Airmen for the 2012 NASA Astronaut Candidate Program, Air Force Personnel Center officials said.
• Russia to Adopt New Liquid Heavy ICBM after 2022 - Expert RIA Novosti 08 May 2012 -- Russia will only be able to adopt a new 100-ton liquid-propellant intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) intended to penetrate the US missile defense system by 2022, the manufacturer said on Tuesday.
• Russia Needs New System of Defense Procurement – Medvedev RIA Novosti 08 May 2012 -- Effective system of placement and implementation of state defense orders will be established when new Russian government is forged, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said Tuesday.
• Royal Navy duo in multinational anti-sub exercise UK MOD 08 May 2012 -- HMS Westminster and a Trafalgar Class submarine led the Royal Navy's involvement in Exercise Arabian Shark, a test of coalition navies to deal with submarines in the Gulf of Oman.
• Taiwan urges U.S. to continue arms sales CNA 08 May 2012 -- The United States is urged to continue supplying Taiwan with defensive weapons, which will help maintain the peaceful development of relations across the Taiwan Strait, Taiwan's defense ministry said Tuesday, one day after a meeting between U.S. and Chinese defense ministers.
• May 8, 2012 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 08 May 2012
• Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Jay Carney aboard Air Force One en route Albany, NY The White House 08 May 2012

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for May 08, 2012

Other Conflicts

• 8 May 2012 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 08 May 2012
• Amid civil war concerns in Syria, envoy describes ongoing violence as 'unacceptable' UN News Centre 08 May 2012 -- Amid concerns from the international community over the prospects of a 'full civil war' in Syria, the Joint Special Envoy of the United Nations and the League of Arab States on the Syrian Crisis, Kofi Annan, said today that the ongoing levels of violence and human rights abuses in the Middle Eastern country are unacceptable and the UN observer mission is possibly the only remaining chance to stabilize it.
• Envoy: UN Monitors Helping to Calm Syrian Violence VOA 08 May 2012 -- U.N.-Arab League Syria envoy for Syria Kofi Annan said Tuesday that the small number of monitors in Syria have had a calming effect that should grow as the mission fully deploys.
• ICRC appeals for funds to step up its response in Syria IRNA 08 May 2012 -- The International Committee of the Red Cross is appealing to its donors for 24.5 million Swiss francs (approximately 27 million US dollars, or 20 million euros) to support assistance efforts it will carry out until the end of 2012 for people affected by the fighting in Syria.
• Annan: Syrian Troops Intensify Mass Arrests VOA 08 May 2012 -- International envoy Kofi Annan says that Syrian troops appear to be intensifying mass arrests and torture in rebellious communities.
• Red Cross: Syria's Rebels Shifting to Guerrilla Tactics VOA 08 May 2012 -- The International Committee of the Red Cross chief Jakob Kellenberger says Syria's rebel movement is increasingly using guerrilla tactics in its effort to oust autocratic President Bashar al-Assad. He said rebels have shifted their types of attacks in recent weeks after engaging in heavy fighting with better-equipped government forces earlier this year.
• Iran will not allow anyone to make miscalculated remarks on her territorial sovereignty IRNA 08 May 2012 -- Iran will not allow any individual to make miscalculated remarks about integral parts of her territorial sovereignty including the three Islands of the Persian Gulf.
• Taiwan closely monitoring Chinese naval vessels CNA 08 May 2012 -- The Ministry of National Defense is closely monitoring a fleet of Chinese naval vessels currently in international waters southeast of Taiwan proper, said the ministry's spokesman Luo Shou-he Tuesday.
• UN tribunal for Rwandan genocide commutes convicts' life sentence on appeal UN News Centre 08 May 2012 -- The appeals chamber of the United Nations tribunal trying key suspects implicated in the 1994 genocide in Rwanda today commuted a convict's life sentence to 35 years in prison after reversing convictions on some counts in his indictment, and upheld the prison terms of two other men.
• Secretary-General recommends gradual drawdown of UN mission in Liberia UN News Centre 08 May 2012 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has recommended that the United Nations peacekeeping operation in Liberia be reduced gradually by about 4,200 troops in three phases between this year and 2015, when it will have a residual presence of approximately 3,750 soldiers.
• Kony Manhunt To Intensify VOA 08 May 2012 -- Four Central African nations are preparing to ratchet up the hunt for the fugitive outlaw Joseph Kony and members of his rebel Lord's Resistance Army. Military leaders are organizing a coordinated campaign to put an end to nearly three decades of LRA terror.
• Senior Pakistani Antiterrorism Officer Killed In Baluchistan RFE/RL 08 May 2012 -- Pakistani officials say that gunmen have killed a senior antiterrorism police officer in southwest Pakistan.

News Reports

• Panetta: U.S. Must Stay Vigilant Against Terrorist Attacks AFPS 08 May 2012 -- A recent attempt by Yemeni-based terrorists to plant an explosive device on an airliner bound for the United States shows the nation needs to remain vigilant against new acts of terrorism, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said.
• Ex-President Medvedev Confirmed as PM RIA Novosti 08 May 2012 -- Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev was confirmed as the country's new prime minister by a majority of votes in the State Duma on Tuesday.
• Pakistan parliamentary panel condemns US defense secretary IRNA 08 May 2012 -- Pakistan's Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PNSC), has condemned statement by US Secretary of Defense that the US will continue drone strikes in Pakistan's tribal regions.
• Pakistan rejects Clinton's claim on al-Qaeda chief IRNA 08 May 2012 -- Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar Monday asked United States to provide information on presence of al-Qaeda chief Ayman al Zawahiri's in Pakistan hours after Secretary of State Hillary Clinton claimed that Al Zawahiri is still hiding in Pakistan.
• US Official: Al-Qaida Bomber No Longer a Threat VOA 08 May 2012 -- U.S. authorities are confident a suspected al-Qaida suicide bomber is no longer a threat to the American people.
• Zebari: Iraq to contribute to Iran – G5+1 session talks IRNA 08 May 2012 -- Iraq's Minister of Foreign Affairs Hoshyar Zebari said here Monday evening Iran will contribute to Baghdad Iran-Group 5+1 by facilitating the talks.
• Iran-5+1 talks are aimed at setting framework for cooperation, Mehmanparast IRNA 08 May 2012 -- Spokesman for the Foreign Ministry Ramin Mehmanparast said on Tuesday that the upcoming nuclear talks between Iran and the G5+1 are aimed at setting framework for bilateral cooperation.
• Ukraine Forced to Cancel European Summit over Tymoshenko RIA Novosti 08 May 2012 -- Ukraine had to call off a Central European summit in Yalta after some European leaders refused to attend the event over alleged ill-treatment of jailed West-leaning ex-premier Yulia Tymoshenko, a diplomatic spokesman said.
• Greek Coalition Talks Fail RFE/RL 08 May 2012 -- The leader of Greece’s New Democracy Party, which came in first in Sunday’s elections, said Monday that his efforts to form a national salvation administration had failed.
• Greek Leftists Seek Coalition, Reject EU Austerity VOA 08 May 2012 -- The leader of Greek's leftist Syriza party is beginning talks with other parties on forming a coalition government to reject what he calls 'barbaric' austerity measures imposed by the European Union. Voters failed to give any party a majority in Sunday's election, plunging Greece into more uncertainty. The result is part of a wave of anti-austerity feeling that is building momentum in Europe.
• Israel Forms Unity Government, Calls Off Early Elections VOA 08 May 2012 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to a political deal forming a government of national unity with the leading opposition party and canceling plans to hold early elections.
• YEMEN: Alarm bells over worsening humanitarian crisis IRIN 08 May 2012 -- Yemen is heading for a major humanitarian crisis unless relief organizations quickly boost their response capacity, and donors, including wealthy neighbours, provide much-needed funding to contain rising malnutrition, disease and poverty.
• NEPAL: Mountain dwellers 'neglected' IRIN 08 May 2012 -- The needs of millions of indigenous mountain people across Nepal are overlooked, imperilling their food security and hindering their economic progress, activists and experts say.
• Court Orders S. African Prosecutors to Investigate Torture in Zimbabwe VOA 08 May 2012 -- South Africa's high court has ordered prosecutors to investigate Zimbabwean officials who alleged committed torture and human rights abuses in the run-up to Zimbabwe's violent and disputed 2008 elections. The decision has important practical, political and diplomatic implications for South Africa.