Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 13 Sep 2012 [PDF]
• Airstrike Kills Insurgent Transporting Weapons AFPS 13 Sep 2012 -- A precision airstrike in the Mota Khan district of Afghanistan's Paktika province yesterday killed an armed insurgent transporting weapons, military officials reported.
• Defence Secretary visits Afghanistan as changeover of British brigades begins UK MOD 13 Sep 2012 -- The Secretary of State for Defence, Philip Hammond, has paid a visit to Afghanistan where he received an update on operations on the ground as the UK prepares to reduce its force levels in the country by 500 troops.
• Caldwell: Troubled Afghan Hospital Got Transparent Review AFPS 13 Sep 2012 -- A three-star general who commanded the NATO and U.S. training missions in Afghanistan told a House subcommittee yesterday that his command conducted a transparent investigation into alleged patient neglect, mismanagement, theft and corruption at the Afghan-run Dawood National Military Hospital in Kabul.
• Reserve Soldiers, German counterparts sustain fight in northern Afghanistan Army News 13 Sep 2012 -- Three years ago, an all-German staff was in charge of the Camp Marmal fixed wing passenger terminal. The International Security Force then decided to move Joint Sustainment Command - Afghanistan Soldiers into the terminal to run the rotary operations. What soon followed was the beginning of a joint operation mission between countries separated by the North Atlantic Ocean back home.
• Pentagon Deploys Security Team to Libya AFPS 13 Sep 2012 -- Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta has authorized deployment of a Marine Corps fleet anti-terrorism security team to Libya to protect U.S. citizens there and to secure the U.S. Embassy in Tripoli, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said here today.
• U.S. Sends Two Warships to Libyan Coast - Fox News RIA Novosti 13 Sep 2012 -- Two U.S. Navy guided missile destroyers were sent toward the coast of Libya following the killing of the U.S. ambassador to Libya and three consulate employees, Fox News reported citing unnamed military officials.

Defense Policy / Programs

• DOD News Briefing with George Little from the Pentagon DoD 13 Sep 2012 -- Presenter: Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs George Little
• USS New Hampshire Returns from Six-Month Deployment NNS 13 Sep 2012 -- The families of Sailors assigned to Virginia-class attack submarine USS New Hampshire (SSN 778) welcomed their loved ones as they returned to Naval Submarine Base New London, Sept. 13, following a six-month deployment.
• Navy to Christen Second Joint High Speed Vessel DoD 13 Sep 2012-- The Navy will christen the Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) Choctaw County, named for three U.S. counties, located in Mississippi, Alabama and Oklahoma, which share the county’s name, during a ceremony in Mobile, Ala., Sept. 15, at 10 a.m. CDT.
• Alaska Reserve F-22 unit becomes fully operational AFNS 13 Sep 2012 -- The 477th Fighter Group here reached a readiness milestone Sept. 9 when Col. Bryan Radliff, 477th FG commander, announced that the group had achieved fully operational capable status.
• Wind energy at Cape Cod to save $1 million a year AFNS 13 Sep 2012 -- The wind in Cape Cod, Mass., is about to be called into action once again to reduce energy costs and air pollution at the Massachusetts Military Reservation.
• F-22 Analysis Continues, Air Force General Tells Congress AFPS 13 Sep 2012 -- As an investigation continues into oxygen-deprivation issues involving the F-22 Raptor fighter, Air Force officials remain optimistic about the program's future and the jet's ability to perform, the director of operations for the Air Force's Air Combat Command told the House Armed Services Committee today.
• DOD Overseas Voting Assistance 'Never Better,' Official Says AFPS 13 Sep 2012 -- With less than eight weeks remaining before election day, American service members and other citizens overseas have more tools than ever available to help them register and vote, the acting director of the Federal Voting Assistance Program told Congress today.
• Panetta to Visit Japan, China, New Zealand AFPS 13 Sep 2012 -- Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta will leave this weekend for his third visit to Asia in 11 months, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little told reporters today.
• Expeditionary Warfare Conference Highlights Operational Strategies NNS 13 Sep 2012 -- Navy officials spoke at the 17th annual National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) Expeditionary Warfare Conference at Panama City, Fla., Sept. 10-13.
• Mayport To Save $421,000 Annually In Energy Costs NNS 13 Sep 2012 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southeast's Public Works Department (PWD) Mayport awarded a $3.2 million Utility Energy Services Contract (UESC) Sept. 10 to TECO Peoples Gas., of Jacksonville, Fla.
• Operational Drydock Capabilities Return to SUBASE New London NNS 13 Sep 2012 -- The Regional Support Group at Naval Submarine Base New London increased their waterfront repair capabilities by utilizing their operational drydock Sept. 13, something that hasn't been done in almost four years.
• Exercise Northern Coasts Draws to a Close NNS 13 Sep 2012 -- Danish and German-led Exercise Northern Coasts (NOCO) 2012 came to an end after ten days at sea, Sept. 12.
• Navy Yard Visitor's Center Completes Net Zero Project NNS 13 Sep 2012 -- Naval Support Activity (NSA) Washington recently completed its energy conservation Net Zero demonstration project at the Washington Navy Yard Visitor's Center and will be on public display, Oct. 1.
• Vandenberg launch unit 'small squadron with big responsibilities' AFNS 13 Sep 2012 -- Members of the 4th Space Launch Squadron know the feeling of launch day excitement and stress and are currently preparing to get revved up again for the Atlas V launch scheduled for Sept. 13.
• Royal Navy's newest attack submarine ready for sea trials UK MOD 13 Sep 2012 -- Ambush, the second of the Royal Navy's Astute Class attack submarines, is today preparing to leave her builder's yard to begin sea trials.
• Russia, Central Asian States to Hold Air Defense Drills RIA Novosti 13 Sep 2012 -- Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan will conduct joint command-and-staff air defense drills on October 5-16, the Kyrgyz Defense Ministry said on Thursday.
• September 13, 2012 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 13 Sep 2012
• Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Jay Carney -- Golden, CO, 9/13/12 The White House 13 Sep 2012

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for September 13, 2012

Other Conflicts

• 13 September 2012 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 13 Sep 2012
• States urged to focus on common security, as UN disarmament meeting ends in deadlock UN News Centre 13 Sep 2012 -- As the United Nations Conference on Disarmament ended its 2012 session in Geneva today – without breaking an impasse over its agenda, including the consideration of a fissile materials treaty – the top UN official on the issue urged Member States to continue to seek progress, keeping in mind that their national security was not solely dependent on military might.
• Despite 'real' progress in mediation efforts, UN can do more, Ban tells Member States UN News Centre 13 Sep 2012 -- The United Nations is much better positioned today to help settle disputes and conflicts peacefully, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says, while adding that there is still more that can be done to strengthen the world body's mediation capacity.
• UN Peace Envoy: Syrian Crisis Deteriorating VOA 13 Sep 2012 -- The new United Nations-Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi is making his first official visit to Syria, saying the crisis there is getting worse.
• UN-Arab League envoy arrives in Syria for meetings with Government, opposition, civil society UN News Centre 13 Sep 2012 -- The Joint Special Representative of the United Nations and the League of Arab States on the Syrian crisis, Lakhdar Brahimi, today arrived in Damascus, where he will hold talks with the Government, representatives of the opposition and members of civil society.
• Turkey Shifts Syrian Refugees from Borders VOA 13 Sep 2012 -- Turkey has begun moving some of the tens of thousands of Syrian refugees on its soil away from the border area. United Nations officials, including actress Angelina Jolie, visited one of the refugee camps Thursday.
• 2 Chinese Vessels Enter Japan's Waters Near Disputed Islands VOA 13 Sep 2012 -- Two Chinese patrol ships have entered Japanese territorial waters near disputed islands in the East China Sea, further heightening the tensions over the uninhabited archipelago claimed both by Tokyo and Beijing.
• China Warns Island Dispute Could Hurt Trade Ties VOA 13 Sep 2012 -- China has warned Japan its decision to purchase disputed islands in the East China Sea could have an impact on trade between the two Asian economies.
• Taiwan keeping close eye on Japan's moves on Diaoyutais CNA 13 Sep 2012 -- Taiwan is keeping a close eye on Japan's moves on the Diaoyutai Islands row, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) official said Thursday, one day after Taiwan's top envoy to Japan returned home to report on the situation.
• Japan's occupation of Diaoyutais unlawful: president CNA 13 Sep 2012 -- President Ma Ying-jeou reiterated Thursday that the Diaoyutai Islands have been sneakily occupied by Japan, an action which he insisted is 'invalid under international law.'
• Ma tells Foreign Ministry to seek Japan's support for peace initiative CNA 13 Sep 2012 -- President Ma Ying-jeou told the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Thursday to seek Japan's support for his East China Sea Peace Initiative for the peaceful solution of territorial disputes over the Diaoyutai Islands, a Presidential Office spokesman said.
• China to build communication network covering South China Sea islets CNA 13 Sep 2012 -- China is planning to build a communication network to link its South China Sea islets, according to China's state-run Xinhua news agency Thursday.
• Japan calls for fishery talks with Taiwan CNA 13 Sep 2012 -- Japan on Thursday moved to ease tension with Taiwan over a territorial dispute by calling on Taipei to resume fishery talks as part of efforts to put their overall relationship back on track.
• THAILAND: Activists call for greater refugee protection IRIN 13 Sep 2012 -- Thailand's treatment of refugees and asylum seekers is inadequate, with those outside designated refugee camps risking deportation, say activists and rights groups.
• Somalia: UN Assembly President condemns attack on president's hotel UN News Centre 13 Sep 2012 -- The President of the United Nations General Assembly, Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, today condemned in the strongest possible terms yesterday's attack on the hotel in Mogadishu, Somalia where the country's new President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, was giving a press conference and which resulted in one death and several injuries.
• ECOWAS Seeks UN Mandate to Deploy Troops VOA 13 Sep 2012 -- The Economic Community of West African States is seeking a U.N. Security Council mandate as regional defense chiefs gather to finalize plans to send peacekeeping troops to Mali, where Islamist militants control the north.
• Insurgent Warlord Slain in Dagestan RIA Novosti 13 Sep 2012 -- The leader of the so-called 'Kizlyar gang' of Islamists was killed in Dagestan after three months on the job, Russia's National Anti-Terrorism Committee said on Thursday.

News Reports

• Obama: Diplomats' Deaths Won't Deter US VOA 13 Sep 2012 -- President Barack Obama is monitoring the situation in the Middle East, North Africa and other areas of the world amid anti-U.S. demonstrations sparked by a film mocking Islam. Obama says the killing of U.S. diplomats in Libya will not deter the United States from projecting its core principles.
• U.S. Takes 'Precautionary' Measures, Vows Justice After Libya Attack RFE/RL 13 Sep 2012 -- Washington has deployed two U.S. Navy destroyers and 50 Marines to Libya in response to the killing of the U.S. ambassador in Benghazi.
• U.S. Evacuates Diplomatic Personnel from Libya's Benghazi RIA Novosti 13 Sep 2012 -- The United States has evacuated all of its diplomatic personnel from the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi following the killing of the U.S. ambassador to Libya and three consulate employees, a senior administration official of the U.S. Department of State said.
• UN envoy welcomes election of Libya's new prime minister UN News Centre 13 Sep 2012 -- The top United Nations envoy in Libya today congratulated Mustafa Abushagur on his election as the new Prime Minister of the North African nation.
• In Libya, Shock, Division Follow US Embassy Attack VOA 13 Sep 2012 -- The call to prayer sounded over a subdued Tripoli Thursday as residents of Libya's capital tried to understand the killings of the U.S. ambassador and three diplomats during the storming of the American consulate in the eastern city of Benghazi.
• Afghanistan, Pakistan Brace for Anti-Islam Film Protests VOA 13 Sep 2012 -- Afghanistan and Pakistan are bracing for demonstrations against the anti-Islamic movie released on the Internet that has sparked deadly protests in Libya and elsewhere this week. Three Muslim groups are calling for marches in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad.
• Anti-US Protests Continue; Libya Makes Arrests VOA 13 Sep 2012 -- Libyan authorities say they have made arrests in association with the killing of U.S. ambassador to Libya during a siege on an American consulate, as waves of anti-American protests against a film mocking Islam continued sweeping the Middle East and Southeast Asia Thursday.
• Violence Flares in Egypt, Yemen over Anti-Islam Film RIA Novosti 13 Sep 2012 -- Protests against an anti-Islam film made in the United States have spread from Libya to several countries across the Middle East, including Egypt and Yemen, where demonstrations turned into violent clashes with police on Thursday.
• Anti-Muslim Film Protests Spread VOA 13 Sep 2012 -- Two days after the U.S. ambassador to Libya died during a siege on an American consulate, waves of anti-American protests continued sweeping the Middle East and Southeast Asia on Thursday, with demonstrators angered over a film mocking Islam.
• Security Council strongly condemns 'heinous' terrorist attack in Yemen UN News Centre 13 Sep 2012 -- The Security Council today strongly condemned the terrorist attack that occurred in the capital, Sana'a, on 11 September that caused numerous deaths and injuries, including among the security detail of Yemen's defence minister.
• Report: U.S. Strikes On Iran Would Risk Major War RFE/RL 13 Sep 2012 -- "You can't kill intellectual power," said retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General Frank Kearney, who endorsed the report. He is a former deputy director at the National Counterterrorism Center and former deputy commander of U.S. Special Operations Command.
• Tensions Rising Again Over Iran's Nuclear Program VOA 13 Sep 2012 -- Tensions are again rising in the Persian Gulf over Iran's nuclear program as the U.S. moves additional ships and warplanes to the region as negotiations that could avert a possible military confrontation remain stalled. The threat of an Israeli strike on Iran appears to be growing as Tehran continues to ignore U.N. Security Council resolutions calling on Iran to stop enriching uranium.
• Turkish Gold Exports to Iran Still Surging VOA 13 Sep 2012 -- In the past few months, there has been a surge in Turkey's gold exports to Iran. Questions are increasing over whether the gold purchases are the latest attempt by Tehran to circumvent increasingly tough international sanctions.
• China's heir-apparent recovering from liver surgery: reports CNA 13 Sep 2012 -- China's Vice President Xi Jinping has just undergone a minor operation on his liver and is expected to 're-appear' next week, according to reports by the Hong Kong-based Information Center for Human Rights and Democracy on Thursday.
• Suspected Ebola Deaths Double in DRC VOA 13 Sep 2012 -- The World Health Organization says suspected Ebola deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo have doubled in just over a week.