Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 18 Jul 2012 [PDF]
• ISAF Helicopter Crashes in Western Afghanistan AFPS 18 Jul 2012 -- Two International Security Assistance Force service members were injured following a helicopter crash in western Afghanistan today, military officials reported.
• 'The Dambusters' return from four-month tour of Afghanistan UK MOD 18 Jul 2012 -- 617 Squadron, 'The Dambusters', made an emotional return to RAF Lossiemouth on Monday following a successful four-month operational deployment in Afghanistan.
• Militants Destroy 22 NATO Trucks in Afghanistan VOA 18 Jul 2012 -- The Taliban says it detonated a bomb Wednesday in northern Afghanistan that destroyed at least 22 trucks carrying supplies to NATO forces.
• Multi Modal Yard redeploys over 17.2M lbs of cargo Army News 18 Jul 2012 -- When the Ground Lines of Communication, or GLOC, closed, the Army was forced to use air assets in its redeployment process. This challenge was met head on with the Army and Air Force working together to move cargo as effectively as possible.
• 233rd Transportation Company returns home Army News 18 Jul 2012 -- More than 50 Soldiers from the 233rd Transportation Company are back at Fort Benning after a yearlong deployment to Southwest Asia.
• PAKISTAN: Taliban block polio efforts IRIN 18 Jul 2012 -- Efforts to combat polio in Pakistan have received a sudden setback just as the fight against the disease had seemed to be going well, with the Global Polio Eradication Initiative reporting only 22 cases in the country this year, a distinct improvement on the 59 reported by the same date last year.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Joint Press Conference with Secretary Panetta and Secretary of State Hammond from the Pentagon DoD 18 Jul 2012 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta and United Kingdom Secretary of State for Defence Philip Hammond
• MAFFS request modified for four C-130s AFNS 18 Jul 2012 -- The U.S. Forest Service has modified its request for assistance for the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems-equipped C-130 Hercules.
• Panetta Lauds First International F-35 Delivery to UK AFPS 18 Jul 2012 -- After a meeting this morning with the United Kingdom's top defense official, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta lauded an important milestone in the U.S.-U.K. defense relationship.
• Locklear Visit Reaffirms U.S.-Philippine Alliance AFPS 18 Jul 2012 -- With a new agreement that promotes increased information sharing and talks under way about more military-to-military engagements and potential U.S. troop rotations in the Philippines, the senior U.S. military officer in the Pacific returned from a visit there confident the historic alliance is advancing.
• Carter 'Walking the Walk' on Strategic Rebalance AFPS 18 Jul 2012 -- Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter stood here today on the deck of the USS Missouri, the battleship that served as the site of the surrender that ended World War II, and summoned U.S. soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines gathered there to what he called 'a new purpose in a new moment in our nation's national security history.'
• Remarks by Deputy Secretary of Defense Carter Aboard the Battleship Missouri DoD 18 Jul 2012 -- Presenter: Deputy Secretary of Defense Ashton B. Carter
• #GreatGreenFleet: USS Nimitz Receives Biofuel NNS 18 Jul 2012 -- USS Nimitz (CVN 68) took on more than 900,000 gallons of 50-50 biofuel in preparation for the Navy's Great Green Fleet demonstration, July 18.
• #GreatGreenFleet: Nimitz First to Test Use of Aviation Biofuels NNS 18 Jul 2012 -- The nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) was the first ship to receive and test the use of a new blend of hydro processed renewable jet (HRJ-5) and aviation (JP-5) fuel on aircraft July 17, as part of the Navy's Great Green Fleet demonstration.
• Peleliu ARG Begins COMPTUEX NNS 18 Jul 2012 -- The Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group and 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit got underway to participate in Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) 2012 off the coast of California, July 18.
• USS Underwood Visits Naval Station Guantanamo Bay NNS 18 Jul 2012 -- USS Underwood (FFG 36) visited Naval Station (NS) Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, during her deployment in support of Southern Seas 2012, July 18.
• NAVFAC Southwest Awards MCAS Camp Pendleton Pavement Project $8.3 Million NNS 18 Jul 2012 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southwest awarded Pave-Tech Inc. of Carlsbad, Calif., an $8.3 million construction contract July 12 for the design and construction of an aviation pavement project at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Camp Pendleton.
• Air Force safety also applies to space AFNS 18 Jul 2012 -- When it comes to safety in the Air Force, much of the focus on mishap prevention goes into preventing and investigating slips, trips and falls. Ground safety applies to every member, regardless of their primary duty, and all can benefit from practicing prescribed safety methods in their everyday lives.
• DIA Five-Year Plan Updates Strategic Warning Mission AFPS 18 Jul 2012 -- In a new plan for 2012-2017, the Defense Department's Defense Intelligence Agency is updating one of its core missions -- strategic warning for policymakers -- to reflect the world's growing volatility.
• AF, Navy integrate security at JTF-Horn of Africa AFNS 18 Jul 2012 -- Air Force and Navy personnel at Camp Lemonnier integrated their security forces into one cohesive unit July 1.
• Manpower, services agencies consolidate with personnel AFNS 18 Jul 2012 -- During a formal ceremony held here today, Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower, Personnel and Services Lt. Gen. Darrell D. Jones inactivated the Air Force Manpower and Air Force Services agencies, designating them as directorates of the Air Force Personnel Center.
• International Community Will Ensure Strait of Hormuz Stays Open AFPS 18 Jul 2012 -- Iranian leaders must understand that the international community will ensure the Strait of Hormuz at the mouth of the Persian Gulf will remain open, the American and British defense secretaries said here today.
• Task Force Promotes Philippine Military Capability, Partnership AFPS 18 Jul 2012 -- The senior U.S. commander in the Pacific capped off his visit to the Philippines yesterday getting a firsthand view of the fruits of a decade-long partnership between the two allies that has helped make solid progress in countering terrorism.
• Camp Pendleton Naval Replacement Hospital Construction Project Achieves Safety Milestone USMC News 18 Jul 2012 -- Construction of the new Naval Hospital aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton reached a milestone on June 28 when more than one million man-hours of work was completed without a single Days Away, Restrictions, and Transfers (DART). 'Safety remains the paramount concern during construction, and the project currently boasts a rate of zero DART incidences over one million cumulative man-hours of effort,' said Lt. Cmdr. Stephen T. Padhi, NAVFAC Southwest senior assistant resident officer In charge of construction (ROICC) for Replacement Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton.
• Unit to Conduct ULTRA During RIMPAC 2012 NNS 18 Jul 2012 -- Active duty and reserve Sailors from Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron (MSRON) 9 look to retest their skills as a cohesive organization in a Unit Level Training and Readiness Assessment (ULTRA) during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2012 exercise July 21.
• U.S. Senate Panel Votes To Lift Cold War Trade Restrictions On Russia RFE/RL 18 Jul 2012 -- A key U.S. Senate panel has voted in favor of lifting Cold War-era trade restrictions on Russia, while also backing sanctions aimed at punishing Russian human rights violators.
• Irkut Plans Yak-130 Sensor Upgrade RIA Novosti 18 Jul 2012 -- Russian aircraft maker Irkut is planning a sensor-package upgrade program for the Yak-130 advanced jet trainer, including the installation of radar and electro-optical systems, Irkut head Alexei Fedorov said on Wednesday.
• North Korea Leader Takes Top Army Rank RFE/RL 18 Jul 2012 -- North Korea's new leader, Kim Jong Un, has been named "Marshal" of the country's army - a title previously held by his father Kim Jong Il, who died last December.
• North Korea's Kim Jong-un Promoted To Top Military Rank RIA Novosti 18 Jul 2012 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was awarded the title of marshal of the Korean People's Army, a top military rank in the reclusive state, North Korean news agency KCNA reported on Wednesday.
• North Korea's Young Leader Gets New Title VOA 18 Jul 2012 -- The young man who took the helm of North Korea following his father's death last December has been formally declared the country's top military leader.
• Kim Jong Un Awarded Title of Marshal of DPRK KCNA 18 Jul 2012 -- A decision was made to award the title of Marshal of the DPRK to Kim Jong Un, supreme commander of the Korean People's Army.
• Servicepersons Vow to Be Faithful to Leadership of Kim Jong Un KCNA 18 Jul 2012 -- Officers and men of the Korean People's Army met at the April 25 House of Culture Wednesday to extend the highest glory and congratulations to KPA Supreme Commander Kim Jong Un on his holding of the title of the DPRK Marshal, and vow to uphold his leadership with loyalty.
• Dancing Party of Servicepersons Held to Congratulate Marshal Kim Jong Un KCNA 18 Jul 2012 -- A dancing party of servicepersons of the Korean People's Army took place in the plaza of the April 25 House of Culture here on July 18 to offer their highest glory and congratulations to Marshal of the DPRK Kim Jong Un, supreme commander of the KPA.
• Servicepersons Vow Loyalty to Marshal Kim Jong Un KCNA 18 Jul 2012 -- It was announced at noon on Wednesday that Kim Jong Un, supreme commander of the Korean People's Army, was awarded the title of Marshal of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
• DPRK People Joyful at Important News KCNA 18 Jul 2012 -- A decision on awarding the marshalship of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to Kim Jong Un, supreme commander of the Korean People's Army (KPA), was announced on Wednesday.
• S. Korean Army Plans to Stage Military Drill KCNA 17 Jul 2012 -- The 5th army corps of south Korea announced that it would stage a drill in Cholwon, south Korean Kangwon Province and some northern areas of Kyonggi Province from July 16 to 20. Its aim is to establish combined defense posture, according to Yonhap News of south Korea.
• Report Shows Bout's Arms Trafficking Network Has Been Revamped RFE/RL 18 Jul 2012 -- A new report by the head of an international nongovernmental organization says the legacy of imprisoned Russian arms trafficker Viktor Bout lives on through his former top associates -- with a shadowy network reaching from Africa to Iran, Russia, and the United States.
• Defense minister: Iran to legally follow up case of S-300 purchase from Russia IRNA 18 Jul 2012 -- Minister of Defense Ahmad Vahidi said on Wednesday Iran will legally follow up the case of its purchase of S-300 missile system from Russia.
• Russia Calls on Iran to Pull Missile Deal Claim - Paper RIA Novosti 18 Jul 2012 -- Russia is trying to convince Iran to withdraw its Geneva Arbitration Court claim over the scrapping of a 2007 contract for five S-300 surface-to-air missile systems, Russian business daily Kommersant reported on Wednesday.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack The White House 18 Jul 2012
• July 18, 2012 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 18 Jul 2012

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for July 18, 2012

Other Conflicts

• 18 July 2012 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 18 Jul 2012
• Panetta: Syrian Violence 'Spinning Out of Control' VOA 18 Jul 2012 -- PENTAGON. — U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta says the bombing that killed Syria's defense minister and other top officials of President Bashar al-Assad's security team Wednesday is a sign that violence in the country is out of control.
• Syria: Ban alarmed by intensifying violence, condemns attack on government building UN News Centre 18 Jul 2012 -- Expressing alarm over the intensifying violence in Syria, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon strongly condemns today's bomb attack at the National Security Headquarters in Damascus, according to his spokesperson.
• Damascus Bombing Kills Three of Assad's Top Aides VOA 18 Jul 2012 -- Syrian forces and rebels have clashed in several neighborhoods of Damascus, and helicopters are reported to have fired on targets from the air, after at least three top government officials died in a bomb attack Wednesday.
• Assassinations Leave Void in Syrian Military Leadership VOA 18 Jul 2012 -- The high-level assassinations on Wednesday of at least three top Syrian officials targeted President Bashar al-Assad's national security team, leaving a large void in the country's military leadership.
• Panetta: Syria Situation 'Spinning Out of Control' AFPS 18 Jul 2012 -- As Syrian violence escalates and concerns grow about that nation's chemical weapon stores, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said today the international community must place maximum pressure on President Bashar Assad to accept a peaceful transition from power.
• Three Top Assad Officials Killed As Rebels Hail 'Turning Point' In Syria RFE/RL 18 Jul 2012 -- Syrian state TV says three members of President Bashar al-Assad’s inner circle have been killed in a bombing in Damascus, the strongest blow yet to the regime in the 16-month-old uprising that has devolved into civil war.
• Russia Says West's UN Syria Resolution Supports Rebels RIA Novosti 18 Jul 2012 -- The adoption of a tough, new Western-backed UN resolution on Syria would amount to "direct support" for opponents of embattled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Russia's foreign minister said ahead of a Security Council vote later on Wednesday.
• Owner Denies Ship with Syrian Helicopters Changed Route RIA Novosti 18 Jul 2012 -- The route of the Russian ship purportedly carrying helicopter gunships to Syria remained unchanged and the vessel is still headed to St. Petersburg, a spokesman for the ship's owner, Femco, said on Wednesday.
• Syrian Defense Minister Killed In Damascus Bomb Attack RIA Novosti 18 Jul 2012 -- The Syrian defense minister was killed on Wednesday in a suicide bombing in Damascus, just hours before a crucial UN vote on the violence-plagued Middle Eastern country, state television said.
• Syria: after 'very good' meetings in Beijing, Ban voices hope for Security Council unity UN News Centre 18 Jul 2012 -- Speaking in Beijing today, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he held 'very good meetings' on the situation in Syria with China's President Hu Jintao and Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, and expressed the hope that the Security Council can reach agreement on a course of action for the situation in the Middle Eastern country.
• Defecting Syrian General Reported in Paris VOA 18 Jul 2012 -- Syria's government faced multiple setbacks Wednesday, with a reported suicide bomb attack killing the defense minister and other senior officials. Meanwhile in Paris, a key Syrian military defector has finally surfaced in the French capital and has made his first statement.
• UN official condemns sexual violence in DR Congo by renegade soldiers UN News Centre 18 Jul 2012 -- A United Nations official today condemned the sexual violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) reportedly perpetrated by armed groups, including the group of renegade soldiers known as the M23, and called on authorities to investigate the crimes.
• Despite advances, Côte d'Ivoire needs continued support on path to stability – UN envoy UN News Centre 18 Jul 2012 -- Côte d'Ivoire is making significant advances towards peace, stability and development but will need the continued support of the Security Council as it tackles important challenges, including a volatile security situation and national reconciliation, a top United Nations official said today.

News Reports

• President Advisor: Western countries behavior in imposing sanction against Iran illegal IRNA 18 Jul 2012 -- President Press Advisor Ali Akbar Javanfekr said that using peaceful nuclear energy is Iran's natural right and western countries behavior in imposing sanctions against Iran is illegal.
• Ukraine Sentences Two Diplomats for Spying RIA Novosti 18 Jul 2012 -- Two diplomats, identified only as coming from Asia, have been sentenced to eight years imprisonment for an attempt to steal secret rocket technology from Ukraine, the press service of Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) said on Wednesday.
• Russia, Belarus Sign $10 Bln Nuclear Power Plant Deal RIA Novosti 18 Jul 2012 -- Russia signed a $10 billion contract with Belarus on Wednesday to build the former Soviet republic's first nuclear power plant.
• Russia, India Agree Additional Kudankulam NPP Financing RIA Novosti 18 Jul 2012 -- Russia and India have signed a protocol on the financing of the construction of the third and fourth reactors at the Kudankulam nuclear power plant (NPP) in southern India, local media said.
• Russian Piloted Spaceship Delayed Two More Years RIA Novosti 18 Jul 2012 -- Russia's projected manned spacecraft capable of flights to the moon will not fly until 2018, the head of Russia's space agency, Roscosmos, Vladimir Popovkin, said on Wednesday, at least two years later than its previous projected flight date of 2015-16.
• Analysis: Madagascar's unforgiving bandit lands IRIN 18 Jul 2012 -- It took two years for Zakamihaingo Razafindranoivo, 37, to raise US$900 to replace his two stolen zebu (Madagascar's distinctive and prized hump-backed cattle) by selling vegetables and spices grown on his plot in Ambotragano, a village about 20km north of the capital Antananarivo.
• With polls over, Libyans must focus on next steps of transition – UN envoy UN News Centre 18 Jul 2012 -- With the successful holding of elections earlier this month, the Libyan people are on their way toward the first peaceful and democratic transfer of power in the North African country, a top United Nations official said today, adding that the country must now agree on the formation of a new government and on the process for drawing up a new constitution.