Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 19 Jul 2012 [PDF]
• UN mission in Iraq needed 'more than ever' to complete transition, Security Council told UN News Centre 19 Jul 2012 -- Addressing the Security Council today, the top United Nations envoy in Iraq today highlighted the key role played by the UN Mission in the country, stressing that there is still much to be done to improve the political, economic, and social situation in the Middle Eastern nation.
• Combined Force Detains Several Suspected Insurgents AFPS 19 Jul 2012 -- An Afghan and coalition security force detained several suspected insurgents during an operation to detain a Taliban leader in the Andar district of Afghanistan's Ghazni province today, military officials reported.
• British PM Warns Taliban against Attempts to Destabilize Afghanistan RIA Novosti 19 Jul 2012 -- British Prime Minister David Cameron on Thursday warned the Taliban that it would be totally erroneous to believe that its insurgent forces can destabilize Afghanistan after NATO troops withdraw from the country in 2014.
• David Cameron visits troops in Afghanistan UK MOD 19 Jul 2012 -- David Cameron has travelled to Helmand province in Afghanistan to talk to troops and find out more about the transfer of security responsibility to Afghan forces.
• Puget Sound Sustainers Transfer Authority at Camp Arifjan Army News 19 Jul 2012 -- The 364th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, a U.S. Army Reserve unit from Marysville, Wash., transferred its mission to the 316th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, an Army Reserve unit from Pittsburgh, Pa., in a ceremony here July 18.
• Washington Army Reserve Unit Back in the States Army News 19 Jul 2012 -- More than 250 soldiers of the 364th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, a U.S. Army Reserve unit from Marysville, Wash., returned to the states July 15 after a yearlong deployment to Kuwait.
• 14th Engineer Battalion homecoming flights begin Army News 19 Jul 2012 -- Approximately 150 Soldiers assigned to the 14th Engineer Battalion, 555th Engineer Brigade, reunited with Family and friends at a 'homecoming' ceremony July 17, at the Wilson Sports and Fitness Center on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Lewis North.
• MH-53 Helicopter Crashes Near Oman AFPS 19 Jul 2012 -- An MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter assigned to Helicopter Mine Countermeasure Squadron-15 crashed 58 miles southwest of Muscat, Oman, today while conducting heavy lift support operations, according to a U.S. Naval Forces Central Command news release issued today.
• US navy ship did not warn Indian fishermen before opening fire IRNA 19 Jul 2012 -- Dubai's police chief rejected the US claim that its navy ship had forewarned the Indian fishermen before opening fire and killing one of them.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Statement from George Little on Defense Initiatives to Limit Unauthorized Disclosures of Classified Information DoD 19 Jul 2012 -- Today Secretary Panetta, Chairman Dempsey and General Counsel Johnson testified before the House Armed Services Committee in a closed hearing on the unauthorized disclosure of classified information.
• DOD News Briefing with George Little from the Pentagon DoD 19 Jul 2012 -- Presenter: Pentagon Press Secretary George Little
• Readout of Deputy Secretary Carter's Visit to Guam DoD 19 Jul 2012
• Reserve transportation unit keeps goods moving during Golden Cargo Army News 19 Jul 2012 -- As dawn broke over the Blue Grass Army Depot July 11, Smithfield, Va., native Sgt. Aaron Myers addressed his Soldiers.
• Next-generation blue force tracking reaches key milestone Army News 19 Jul 2012 -- The Army's next-generation friendly force tracking and messaging system crossed a key threshold July 17 as it proceeds toward the field.
• #GreatGreenFleet: SECNAV, CNO visit Nimitz for Great Green Fleet Demonstration NNS 19 Jul 2012 -- The Secretary of the Navy, the honorable Ray Mabus, and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert, visited the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) for the Navy's Great Green Fleet demonstration during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2012, July 18.
• USS Ohio Completes Major Maintenance Period, Rejoins Fleet NNS 19 Jul 2012 -- Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS & IMF) completed its most expansive Major Maintenance Period (MMP) July 11, with USS Ohio's (SSGN 726) certification for unrestricted operations.
• Navy Accepts Support Vessel for Iraq NNS 19 Jul 2012 -- The U.S. Navy accepted delivery of the future Al Basrah (OSV 401), the first of two 60-meter offshore support vessels procured on behalf of the Iraqi navy, from prime contractor RiverHawk Fast Sea Frames LLC of Tampa, Fla., July 16.
• NNSY Returns Truman to Fleet NNS 19 Jul 2012 -- Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) completed its largest Docking Planned Incremental Availability (DPIA) July 15, returning USS Harry S Truman (CVN 75) to the fleet after 470,000 man-days of maintenance.
• Underwood Resupplies in Guantanamo Bay, prepares for Operation Martillo NNS 19 Jul 2012 -- The guided-missile frigate USS Underwood (FFG 36) arrived at Naval Station (NS) Guantanamo Bay (GTMO), Cuba to resupply and embark a U.S. Coast Guard law enforcement detachment (LEDET) for Counter Transnational Organized Crime (C-TOC) operations July 18.
• Department of Defense Announces Return of U.S. Army Europe Sites DoD 19 Jul 2012 -- The Department of Defense announced today that it will fully return one U.S. Army Europe site in Italy and partially return one site in Germany to the respective host nations in 2012.
• Top AF scientist: 'Airmen key to cyberspace success' AFNS 19 Jul 2012 -- The chief scientist of the Air Force outlined the service's future on cyberspace and Airmen's role during the Air Force Association's monthly breakfast in Arlington, Va., Tuesday.
• DOD Unveils New Strategy to Mitigate System Threats AFPS 19 Jul 2012 -- The Defense Department has taken on a holistic, risk-based methodology to safeguard system and network security as part of a new strategy, a senior Pentagon official said recently.
• San Antonio health system among best in wounded warrior, trauma care AFNS 19 Jul 2012 -- During the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure commission hearings, it was suggested that the military should consolidate all health facilities in San Antonio to create the San Antonio Military Health system.
• Welsh Addresses Air Force Challenges at Confirmation Hearing AFPS 19 Jul 2012 -- Gen. Mark A. Welsh III in his confirmation hearing today to become the next Air Force chief of staff, was optimistic about the service's fiscal challenges, but warned there are limits to how much it can cut.
• AF gets new weapon in firefighting arsenal AFNS 19 Jul 2012 -- The main fire station has received a new weapon in their arsenal, the P-34 Rapid Intervention Vehicle (RIV), which is the newest addition to the Air Force crash response fleet. The RIV is the first vehicle in the Air Force to use new ultra high pressure fire fighting technology and is smaller and more agile than the other similar vehicles in the Air Force's inventory.
• Carter Arrives in Guam to Meet with Leaders AFPS 19 Jul 2012 -- Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter landed here today on the second leg of a 10-day Asia-Pacific tour that will also include stops in Japan, Thailand, India and South Korea.
• Grass: National Guard Serves as Vital Defense Partner AFPS 19 Jul 2012 -- The Senate Armed Services Committee today heard testimony from Army Lt. Gen. Frank J. Grass, who's been nominated by the president for promotion to full general and to become the new chief of the National Guard Bureau.
• Kelly: Southcom Holds Security Challenges, Opportunities AFPS 19 Jul 2012 -- Latin America and the Caribbean hold nontraditional security challenges for the United States, but each challenge offers a chance to work with countries in the region, Marine Corps Lt. Gen. John F. Kelly told a Senate panel today.
• #GreatGreenFleet: USS Chafee Takes On Biofuel NNS 19 Jul 2012 -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Chafee (DDG 90) took on 250,000 gallons of alternative fuel, a 50/50 blend of advanced biofuel and traditional petroleum-based fuel, from the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO 187) as part of the Great Green Fleet demonstration during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2012.
• VAQ-130 Lands its First Growler aboard Truman NNS 19 Jul 2012 -- Airborne Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 130, the Zappers, landed its squadron's first operational EA-18G Growler on the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), July 18.
• PP12 UNDERSTANDS THE IMPORTANCE OF PROPER TRANSLATION NNS 19 Jul 2012 -- Dozens of Vietnamese translators, who come from a slew of different locations, are taking part in all aspects of the Pacific Partnership 2012 (PP12) mission while in Vietnam.
• U.S. Navy EOD unit shares training, fosters international partnerships. NNS 19 Jul 2012 -- Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 11 Sailors are participating in joint training operations July 16-22 with Australian, Canadian, and Russian explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) units during exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2012.
• Communications spacecraft achieves major milestone Army News 19 Jul 2012 -- The Department of Defense's newest addition to the Wideband Global SATCOM constellation, WGS-4, achieved a significant milestone with the successful completion of Payload Characterization and Verification, or PCV, in May.
• Russian Navy in First Ever RIMPAC Exercise RIA Novosti 19 Jul 2012 -- Russian naval forces have taken part this week in the international RIMPAC naval exercise for the first time, successfully completing an anti-piracy exercise in the Pacific alongside U.S. forces, a Russian fleet spokesman said on Thursday.
• Court Upholds Guilty Verdict for Nuclear Sub Captain, Sailor RIA Novosti 19 Jul 2012 -- The Pacific Fleet court on Thursday rejected an appeal against an earlier court ruling overturning a not-guilty verdict for the captain and a sailor of a nuclear submarine, the Nerpa, where a deadly gas leak killed 20 people in 2008.
• UK takes delivery of first Lightning II fighter jet UK MOD 19 Jul 2012 -- The first of the UK's next generation stealth combat aircraft has today been handed over to the MOD.
• Taiwan unlikely to acquire F-35 fighters soon: U.S. business council CNA 19 Jul 2012 -- The U.S.-Taiwan Business Council said Wednesday that Taiwan is unlikely to obtain advanced F-35 jet fighters in the next decade and that a contingency plan is needed to meet Taiwan's defense needs during the upgrade of its current fighter fleet.
• Venezuela's Chavez Eyes Russian Su-35 Fighters RIA Novosti 19 Jul 2012 -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said on Thursday he is interested in buying Sukhoi Su-35 Flanker-E multirole fighter jets from Russia to enhance his country's defense capabilities.
• Ukrainian Submarine Starts Submerged Sea Trials RIA Novosti 19 Jul 2012 -- Ukraine's only submarine, the Zaporozhye, underwent first-stage sea trials including running submerged on Wednesday after undergoing a major refit, Kommersant Ukraine reported on Thursday.
• July 19, 2012 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 19 Jul 2012
• Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Jay Carney Aboard Air Force One, 7/19/2012 The White House 19 Jul 2012

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for July 19, 2012

Other Conflicts

• 19 July 2012 - Press Conference by Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson at United Nations Headquarters United Nations 19 Jul 2012
• Syrian Regime Responsible for Chemical Stockpile Security, Official Says AFPS 19 Jul 2012 -- Responsibility for security of chemical stockpiles in Syria rests upon the regime, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little told reporters here today.
• Defense Min: Iran certain about Syrian army's power of restoring security IRNA 19 Jul 2012 -- Minister of Defense Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi said on Thursday that Iran is confident about Syrian army's power of restoring security.
• Was The Damascus Bombing A Game Changer? RFE/RL 19 Jul 2012 -- For months, Syria's rebels have appeared to lack a coherent strategy as they have fought firefights with the far more powerful forces of President Bashar Assad's regime.
• Russia, China Block West's UN Resolution on Syria RIA Novosti 19 Jul 2012 -- Russia and China vetoed on Thursday a Western-backed UN resolution on Syria over fears that it could lead to foreign military intervention in the violence-wracked Middle East country.
• Tension Simmers in the Syrian Capital RIA Novosti 19 Jul 2012 -- A day after a deadly blast killed top Syrian defense and security officials the situation remains tense in Damascus, as government forces clash with armed groups in the city.
• Security Council fails to adopt Syria resolution UN News Centre 19 Jul 2012 -- Despite the appeals for united and concerted action to help end the escalating violence in Syria, the Security Council today failed to adopt a resolution that would have threatened sanctions on Damascus, owing to the negative votes of permanent members Russia and China.
• China, Russia Veto UN Resolution on Syria VOA 19 Jul 2012 -- Russia and China on Thursday vetoed a U.S.-backed U.N. Security Council resolution that would have imposed non-military sanctions on the Syrian government, putting the future of diplomacy in limbo as fighting continues in Syria.
• Syria: ahead of Security Council meeting, Ban urges 'collective and effective' action UN News Centre 19 Jul 2012 -- Ahead of Security Council deliberations on Syria today, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is hopeful the 15-member body will take action to resolve the crisis in the Middle Eastern country, according to his spokesperson.
• Security Council extends UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus until early 2013 UN News Centre 19 Jul 2012 -- The United Nations Security Council today extended the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) until 31 January 2013, and reiterated its call for the leadership of the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities to accelerate the pace of talks aimed at reunifying the divided Mediterranean island nation.
• DRC Army Takes Over North Kivu Town from Rebels VOA 19 Jul 2012 -- The spokesman for the U.N. Peacekeeping Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) says that country's national army has re-taken Walikale, a town in the North Kivu Province, from a rebel group.
• DRC Government Says UN Could Provide Neutral Force VOA 19 Jul 2012 -- More details have been revealed of an agreement to station a neutral armed force along the border between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda. The agreement, which was signed last weekend by the presidents of the DRC, Rwanda and nine other Great Lakes region countries, is intended to help eradicate negative forces destabilizing the region.
• China Impacts ASEAN Unity on Sea Disputes VOA 19 Jul 2012 -- Analysts say continued efforts to unify Southeast Asian nations on the issue of territorial disputes in the South China Sea are being complicated by Beijing's rising influence in the region.
• COTE D'IVOIRE-LIBERIA: 'There is no way I could go back' IRIN 19 Jul 2012 -- Like most of his fellow refugees in Grand Gedeh county in the far east of Liberia, 'Da Tatouwa' is from the Guéré ethnic group, and fear of an 'anti-Guéré genocide' made him flee his home town of Bloléquin in the far west of Côte d'Ivoire in March 2011, as forces loyal to incoming President Alassane Ouattara overran the region. 'What we are still waiting for is for Ouattara to offer his own mea culpa [admission that it is his fault], to account for what his allies did to us… Then we might think about going back.'
• Nagorno-Karabakh Goes to Presidential Polls RIA Novosti 19 Jul 2012 -- Presidential elections started on Thursday in the unrecognized republic of Nagorno-Karabakh, the fifth since the republic broke away from Azerbaijan in the late 1980s.
• Security Council emphasizes need for Israel and Lebanon to tackle outstanding issues UN News Centre 19 Jul 2012 -- The Security Council said it is encouraged by the stability that continues to prevail across the so-called Blue Line separating Israel and Lebanon, and emphasized the need to move forward on all outstanding issues regarding the implementation of relevant resolutions.
• Post-Ceasefire, No Signs of Peace in Burma's Kachin VOA 19 Jul 2012 -- A year has passed since a cease-fire collapsed between ethnic Kachin forces and Burma's government troops and there are still there are no signs of peace. Tens of thousands people have fled as the Kachin Independence Organization, or KIO, fights for greater autonomy and control over their resources.

News Reports

• Bushehr Nuclear Plant to Run at Full Capacity in August RIA Novosti 19 Jul 2012 -- The Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, Iran's first, is scheduled to run at full capacity in August, the chief of the main contractor said on Thursday.
• Iranian armed forces to establish cyber defense headquarters IRNA 19 Jul 2012 -- Deputy Chief of Staff in Mobilization Force and Defense Culture Affairs Brigadier Seyyed Mas'oud Jazayeri here Wednesday evening informed about near future establishment of armed forces cyber defense headquarters.
• Pyongyangites Meet to Congratulate Kim Jong Un KCNA 19 Jul 2012 -- A meeting of Pyongyang citizens took place at Pyongyang Indoor Stadium Thursday to extend congratulations to the dear respected Kim Jong Un on his holding of the title of the DPRK Marshal.
• KPISF Service Personnel Vow to Display Its Might under Leadership of Kim Jong Un KCNA 19 Jul 2012 -- Service personnel of the Korean People's Internal Security Forces (KPISF) met Wednesday to extend the highest glory and congratulations to Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army Kim Jong Un on his holding of the title of the DPRK Marshal, and vow to uphold his leadership with loyalty.
• Dancing Parties of Youth and Students Held KCNA 19 Jul 2012 -- Youth and students Thursday had dancing parties at the gymnasiums of Kim Il Sung University, Kim Chaek University of Technology and the Central Youth Hall in celebration of the historic event of awarding the title of DPRK Marshal to the dear respected Kim Jong Un.
• Servicepersons Offer Glory to Marshal Kim Jong Un KCNA 19 Jul 2012 -- The servicepersons of the Korean People's Internal Security Forces (KPISF) offer highest glory and warm felicitations to Supreme Commander Kim Jong Un on having received the title of Marshal of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
• DPRK People Optimistic about Nation's Rosy Future KCNA 19 Jul 2012 -- The people in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea are now very excited with the happy news that the dear respected Kim Jong Un was awarded the title of DPRK Marshal.
• Netanyahu Blames Hezbollah, Iran for Bulgaria Bombing VOA 19 Jul 2012 -- Israel is mourning after a suicide bomber in Bulgaria killed five Israelis in an attack on a tourist bus Wednesday. Israel's leader is talking tough.
• IR Iran rejects the Zionist regime's claim IRNA 19 Jul 2012 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman, Ramin Mehmanparast, strongly rejected the recent allegations by Zionist regime's officials on attributing the explosion of a bus carrying Israeli tourists in a Bulgarian airport.
• Bulgaria Blames Suicide Bomber For Burgas Attack; Iran Denies Role RFE/RL 19 Jul 2012 -- Officials in Bulgaria are blaming a suicide bomber for an attack on a bus of Israeli tourists that left at least seven people dead and say they are working with U.S. law-enforcement and intelligence services to determine who was responsible.
• Iran Rejects Israeli Accusations over Bus Blast Links RIA Novosti 19 Jul 2012 -- Iran rejected Israeli claims of Tehran's involvement in Wednesday's bus blast in Bulgaria which killed six Israelis, Iran's Al-Alam TV channel reported on Thursday, quoting Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast as saying.
• UN and Middle East partners condemn 'brutal attack' on Israeli tourists in Bulgaria UN News Centre 19 Jul 2012 -- The United Nations and its diplomatic partners in the search for peace in the Middle East today strongly condemned yesterday's deadly bombing attack on a bus carrying Israeli tourists in Bulgaria.
• Ethiopian Government Says Meles 'on Sick Leave' VOA 19 Jul 2012 -- Ethiopia says Prime Minister Meles Zenawi is taking 'sick leave' but will remain in power while he deals with an unspecified illness.
• China Announces $20 Billion in Africa Loans VOA 19 Jul 2012 -- China has announced $20 billion in loans to Africa over the next three years. The package was announced during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing.