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Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 16 Aug 2012 [PDF]
• Combined Force Kills Taliban Leader, Detains Insurgents AFPS 16 Aug 2012 -- In the Muqer district of Ghazni province today, a combined force searched for, engaged and killed Taliban leader Jihadmal, military officials reported.
• Helicopter Crash in Afghanistan Kills 11 AFPS 16 Aug 2012 -- Eleven people were killed today when their International Security Assistance Force helicopter crashed in southern Afghanistan, ISAF officials reported.
• Eleven Killed In Afghan Helicopter Crash RFE/RL 16 Aug 2012 -- The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan has said a helicopter crash in southern Afghanistan killed 11, including seven U.S soldiers.
• Hue City Aids Distressed Iranian Vessel NNS 16 Aug 2012 -- Guided-missile cruiser USS Hue City (CG 66) rendered medical assistance and provided food, water and fuel to an Iranian-flagged dhow, M/V Payam, Aug. 15, approximately 45 miles southeast of Muscat, Oman.
• USS CARR Assists U.S. Vessel in Distress NNS 16 Aug 2012 -- The guided missile frigate USS Carr (FFG 52) assisted a United States flagged sailing vessel in the Western Caribbean Sea Aug. 14.
• Air Drop Resupply to USS Carr Prompts Drug Interdiction NNS 16 Aug 2012 -- Norfolk-based frigate USS Carr (FFG 52) retrieved 1,250 pounds of cocaine while being resupplied by an air drop at sea during Operation Martillo, Aug. 15.
• Navy Helicopters Team with CALFIRE to Fight Wildfires NNS 16 Aug 2012 -- Navy helicopters teamed with California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection units Aug. 15 to conduct aerial firefighting against several wildfires in eastern San Diego County.
• Air National Guard helicopter crews join California wildfire fight AFNS 16 Aug 2012 -- Air National Guardsmen from the 129th Rescue Wing have been demonstrating their dynamic life-saving capabilities by fighting fires in California since Sunday, August 12.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Army Releases July Suicide Data DoD 16 Aug 2012 -- The Army released suicide data today for the month of July.
• Donley praises Airmen, emphasizes standards at AFSA conference AFNS 16 Aug 2012 -- Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley addressed Airmen here Aug. 15 at the 2012 Air Force Sergeants Association Convention and Professional Airmen's Conference.
• Ham Closes Southern Accord Praising U.S.-Botswana Partnership AFPS 16 Aug 2012 -- The commander of U.S. Africa Command closed one of the largest joint exercises ever conducted on the African continent here today, praising the Botswanan military as a capable partner and an important and positive influence throughout southern Africa.
• Army, industry partner to solve network capability gaps Army News 16 Aug 2012 -- As the Army gears up to field its first integrated package of tactical communications equipment to deploying Soldiers, the service is already partnering with industry to enhance those technologies for the next capability set.
• Contracting team supports Indonesian exercise Army News 16 Aug 2012 -- The annual multi-national Medical Readiness Training Exercise Tendon Valiant 2012 began June 18 at the Soepraoen Army Hospital in Malang, Indonesia.
• NMCB 3 Transfers Authority to NMCB 1 in Rota, Spain NNS 16 Aug 2012 -- Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3, homeported in Port Hueneme, Calif. transferred authority of Camp Mitchell and ongoing Seabee missions throughout Europe and Africa to NMCB 1, homeported in Gulfport, Miss., during a transfer of authority (TOA) ceremony held aboard Naval Station Rota, Spain, Aug. 15.
• O'Kane Sailors Offer Assistance to Porter NNS 16 Aug 2012 -- Sailors from guided-missile destroyer USS O'Kane (DDG 77) are assisting the crew of guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) to recover from damage sustained in a collision with a large Japanese-owned merchant vessel near the Strait of Hormuz, Aug. 12.
• U.S. Hypersonic Jet Waverider Lost over Pacific RIA Novosti 16 Aug 2012 -- The U.S. military's X-51A Waverider hypersonic jet has failed its Mach 6 test, the BBC quoted the U.S. Air Force as saying.
• Annual PANAMAX Military Exercise Concludes NNS 16 Aug 2012 -- The commander of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command, U.S. 4th Fleet (COMUSNAVSO/C4F) officially concluded the annual 2012 PANAMAX exercise Aug. 16 at Naval Station Mayport, Fla.
• DANTES Forges Way Ahead with Strategic Plan NNS 16 Aug 2012 -- The Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) focused on the future of education in the Department of Defense (DoD) at a strategic planning offsite Aug. 13-15.
• VFA-131 Holds Airborne Change Command NNS 16 Aug 2012 -- The 'Wildcats' of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 131 held an airborne change of command ceremony in the skies above USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), Aug. 16.
• Nimitz Traps 300,000th Plane on Flight Deck NNS 16 Aug 2012 -- Lt. Sergio Armas and Lt. Cmdr. Dan Boyer, attached to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129, landed their E/A-18G Growler on the number three arresting gear bringing the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) to a monumental 300,000 traps.
• 15th MEU, Peleliu ARG set sail for CERTEX NNS 16 Aug 2012 -- After more than eight months of rigorous training in preparation for a deployment across the Western Pacific, the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and the Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group are beginning their final certification exercise (CERTEX) Aug 15.
• Commader, NATO Task Force 508 Visits USS Taylor NNS 16 Aug 2012 -- The commander of NATO Task Force 508 visited guided-missile frigate USS Taylor (FFG 50) to thank the crew for their service and wish them a safe voyage home, Aug. 9.
• Warfare Centers Collaborate Via Chat to Support Tomahawk Weapons System NNS 16 Aug 2012 -- Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Newport, R.I., and Naval Surface Warfare Center Division, Port Hueneme, Calif., now use chat rooms to support the Tomahawk Weapons System for the Navy's submarine and surface fleet.
• NAVFAC Southwest Awards $15 Million to Construct Fitness Area NNS 16 Aug 2012 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southwest awarded a $15.22 million task order Aug. 13 to T.B. Penick & Sons Inc. of San Diego to design and construct a multiuse operational fitness area at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC) Twentynine Palms.
• Pentagon Denies Reports of Russian Sub near U.S. RIA Novosti 16 Aug 2012 -- Pentagon denied on Thursday media reports that a Russian nuclear powered submarine cruised unnoticed for several weeks in the Gulf of Mexico near the shores of the United States.
• Russian Mi-28 Helicopter Gunship Crashes RIA Novosti 16 Aug 2012 -- A Russian Army Mil Mi-28N, one of the force's newest machines, crashed on Thursday at its base in Mozdok, North Ossetia.
• Indonesia, China to Sign Missile Production Agreement VOA 16 Aug 2012 -- Indonesia is holding talks with China to produce C-705 anti-ship missiles on the Indonesian island of Java as part of a bid to become more independent in manufacturing weapons. The deepening defense ties come as tensions brew over territorial disputes in the South China Sea between China and the Association of Southeast Asian nations [ASEAN].
• HMS Echo returns from 19-month deployment UK MOD 16 Aug 2012 -- Royal Navy survey ship HMS Echo has returned to her home port of Plymouth after a marathon 19-month deployment.
• Ex-US Envoy: Egyptian Defense Shakeup Sign of Rift VOA 16 Aug 2012 -- Former U.S. Ambassador to Egypt Daniel Kurtzer says Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi's surprise appointment of a young general as defense minister appears to be a sign of a long-running split in the country's top military council.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, 8/16/2012 The White House 16 Aug 2012
• August 16, 2012 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 16 Aug 2012

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for August 16, 2012

Other Conflicts

• 16 August 2012 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 16 Aug 2012
• Syria: UN observer mission to end, to be replaced by liaison office, official says UN News Centre 16 Aug 2012 -- As fighting rages on in Syria, conditions have not been met to continue the mission of the United Nations observer force there, but Security Council members, meeting on the situation this morning, have agreed to the creation of a liaison office to support efforts for a political solution to the conflict and respect for human rights, a top official of the world body said today.
• US, Partners Face Difficult Decisions on Syria Intervention VOA 16 Aug 2012 -- U.S. President Barack Obama continues to face pressure to work with other nations to establish a no-fly zone in Syria to protect civilians and relieve pressure on Syrian rebels. A no-fly zone remains among the options, but experts say it would require careful calculations and difficult decisions.
• Syrian Rebels Step Up Efforts to Get Anti-Aircraft Missiles VOA 16 Aug 2012 -- Syrian rebels are redoubling their efforts to acquire portable anti-aircraft missiles following government airstrikes on cities and towns in the north of the country.
• Syrian Rebels State Terms for Freeing Iranians VOA 16 Aug 2012 -- The rebel Free Syrian Army (FSA) has laid out conditions for releasing 48 Iranians who were kidnapped in Damascus this month.
• OIC Suspends Syria Over Crackdown RFE/RL 16 Aug 2012 -- The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has suspended Syria's membership in the 57-county Muslim bloc, citing President Bashar al-Assad's violent suppression of the country's revolt.
• More aid must reach 2.5 million Syrians in dire need, says UN humanitarian chief UN News Centre 16 Aug 2012 -- Some 2.5 million people face destitution in Syria as fighting grows ever more intense in populated areas, the United Nations top relief official said today, calling on the Government and donors to facilitate more aid through non-governmental organizations (NGOs) on the ground.
• UN Security Council Ends Syria Mission VOA 16 Aug 2012 -- A day after a bombing near the U.N. observer headquarters in Damascus, the United Nations Security Council decided to end the U.N. monitoring mission in Syria when its mandate expires on Sunday.
• Ten Killed In Battle At Pakistani Air Base RFE/RL 16 Aug 2012 -- Nine Islamic militants and one Pakistani soldier have been killed in a gun battle at an air force base in Pakistan.
• Militants Launch Deadly Assault on Pakistani Airbase VOA 16 Aug 2012 -- Authorities in Pakistan say they have killed all of the heavily-armed militants who assaulted a major air base early Thursday. Officials have also denied claims that the facility houses some of the country's nuclear weapons.
• Provocation unhelpful in island dispute: U.S. State Department CNA 16 Aug 2012 -- The U.S. State Department said Wednesday that territorial disputes should be resolved peacefully, after 14 people from Hong Kong were arrested by the Japanese authorities for traveling to a disputed island group in the resources-rich East China Sea.
• No plans for president to visit Taioyutais: Foreign Ministry CNA 16 Aug 2012 -- President Ma Ying-jeou has no plans to visit the disputed Tiaoyutai Islands in the East China Sea, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Thursday in response to a call from a local official for Ma to make such a trip.
• President reiterates East China Sea peace initiative CNA 16 Aug 2012 -- President Ma Ying-jeou lauded Thursday Washington's commitment to maintaining Taiwan's defense capabilities and promoting peace, saying that peace is the reason behind his East China Sea peace initiative proposal.
• Taiwan urges Japan to recognize disputes over Tiaoyutai Islands CNA 16 Aug 2012 -- Taiwan on Thursday called on Japan to recognize that there are indeed disputes over the sovereignty of the Tiaoyutai Islands, over which Taiwan and China lay claims.
• UN concerned over forced displacement of Palestinians by Israeli authorities UN News Centre 16 Aug 2012 -- A United Nations official today expressed serious concern over the more than 1,000 Palestinians living in the southern Hebron Hills region who have been forced to leave their houses after Israeli authorities designated the area as a fire zone for military training.
• Briefing: The ABCs of Israeli demolitions in oPt IRIN 16 Aug 2012 -- Rasmiyye Hamande has lived in a cave in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) for most of her life, which may have been a blessing in disguise. 'This cave,' she says, 'can't be demolished so easily.'
• KENYA-SOMALIA: Repatriating Dadaab refugees 'unrealistic' IRIN 16 Aug 2012 -- Repeated calls in recent months by Kenyan government officials to repatriate half a million Somali refugees currently living in the Dadaab refugee complex to so-called safe areas of southern Somalia have been described as unrealistic by aid agencies and by the refugees themselves.
• SOMALIA: Political transition could be deadly for journalists IRIN 16 Aug 2012 -- The recent murders of two Somali journalists have brought to 10 the number of media workers killed in the country since December 2011. Journalists and rights groups fear that more targeted killings lie ahead as the country prepares for a new government.
• Over 435,000 Malians displaced as country faces complex emergency – UN UN News Centre 16 Aug 2012 -- More than 435,000 people have been displaced in Mali, as the country faces a complex humanitarian emergency due to conflict and food insecurity, according to a new report released by the United Nations relief agency.
• DRC: Children, young men flee M23 recruitment IRIN 16 Aug 2012 -- Thousands of children and young men are fleeing rebel-held areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo's eastern North Kivu Province to escape forced recruitment by the insurgents, NGOs say.
• PHILIPPINES: Fighting floods as well as rebels IRIN 16 Aug 2012 -- As overstretched authorities in the Philippine capital, Manila, grappled with rains that triggered fatal flooding across the city and surrounding areas last week, a separate man-made disaster erupted in the country's troubled south, displacing thousands.
• Burma Rights Commission Resists Investigating Rohingya Abuses VOA 16 Aug 2012 -- Burma's human rights commission says there is no need for an investigation into the communal violence between Buddhists and Muslim Rohingya that broke out in June.

News Reports

• Ecuador Grants Asylum To WikiLeaks' Assange RFE/RL 16 Aug 2012 -- Ecuador has granted political asylum to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.
• Ecuador Grants Asylum to Assange VOA 16 Aug 2012 -- Ecuador has granted asylum to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, intensifying a political dispute involving Ecuador, Britain and Sweden.
• Political Asylum May Not Change Assange's Status VOA 16 Aug 2012 -- Ecuador's decision Thursday to grant political asylum to Julian Assange may do little to change his situation in the short term.
• Russia Confirms Booster to Blame for Failed Launch RIA Novosti 16 Aug 2012 -- The recent failure of a Russian rocket to put two satellites into their target orbit was caused by a malfunction in its Briz-M booster, Federal Space Agency Roscosmos head Vladimir Popovkin confirmed on Thursday.
• Space Station Orbit Adjustment 'to Continue on Aug. 22' RIA Novosti 16 Aug 2012 -- The European Space Agency's ATV-3 space freighter will carry on with a planned manouver to readjust the orbit of the International Space Station (ISS) on August 22, the agency said on Thursday.
• VIETNAM: Farmers brace for bird flu IRIN 16 Aug 2012 -- Farmers in north and central Vietnam are bracing for a new wave of bird flu outbreaks as local authorities are urged to take precautions against the disease.