Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 25 Sep 2012 [PDF]
• Partnered Coalition Operations Continue Despite Insider Attacks AFPS 25 Sep 2012 -- Partnered operations between coalition and Afghan forces are continuing despite a decision by the top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan to scale them back in response to a series of deadly insider attacks, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said today.
• Southern Strike III takes swing at enemy forces, supplies Army News 25 Sep 2012 -- Long after midnight with most residents here fast asleep, 3rd Zone Afghan Border Police and International Security Assistance Force members quietly launched their surprise air assault mission in conjunction with Operation Southern Strike III, an Afghan-led mission that took place in Spin Boldak and Takhteh Pol districts, Sept. 1-9.
• Combined Force Kills Taliban Weapons Dealer AFPS 25 Sep 2012 -- An Afghan and coalition security force killed a Taliban weapons dealer and destroyed his cache of illegal weapons during an operation in the Omnah district of Afghanistan's Paktika province today, military officials reported.
• 40 Commando takes command in Nahr-e Saraj UK MOD 25 Sep 2012 -- 40 Commando Royal Marines officially completed the transfer of command of Combined Force Nahr-e Saraj (North) on 21 September 2012 from the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards.
• US drone kills 2 al-Qaeda operatives in Pakistan: report IRNA 25 Sep 2012 -- Two key al Qaeda linked operatives, including an operational commander have been killed in a recent US drone strike in North Wazirsitan Agency, a Pakistani media report said Tuesady.
• Study Says Drones Kill More Civilians Than U.S. Acknowledges RFE/RL 25 Sep 2012 -- A joint study by researchers at two U.S. universities says the U.S. drone program over Pakistan's tribal regions has killed far more civilians than U.S. officials have acknowledged.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Remarks by the President to the UN General Assembly The White House 25 Sep 2012
• Remarks To The Clinton Global Initiative Romney for President 25 Sep 2012
• Obama Calls for End to Global Extremism VOA 25 Sep 2012 -- U.S. President Barack Obama has called on global leaders to 'speak out forcefully against violence and extremism,' saying the world can only make progress by pursuing tolerance and freedom.
• Benghazi Attackers Struck Against U.N. Ideals, Obama Says AFPS 25 Sep 2012 -- The assault on the U.S. Consulate earlier this month in Benghazi, Libya, was an attack not only on America, but also on the ideals of the United Nations, President Barack Obama said in a speech to the U.N. General Assembly today.
• Obama Confronts Muslim Unrest, Iran In UN Speech RFE/RL 25 Sep 2012 -- U.S. President Barack Obama says it is time to isolate those who use hatred of America, the West, or Israel as a central political principle.
• Obama: Attack on U.S. Embassies 'Assault' on UN Ideals RIA Novosti 25 Sep 2012 -- The recent attacks on U.S. embassies represent an 'assault on the very ideals upon which the United Nations was founded,' U.S. President Barack Obama told the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, addressing the wave of anti-American sentiment that has swept through the Muslim world in recent weeks.
• DOD News Briefing with George Little from the Pentagon DoD 25 Sep 2012 -- Presenter: Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs George Little
• Dempsey: Leadership, Trust Essential to Battling Suicide AFPS 25 Sep 2012 -- Military leaders have changed the way they approach suicide prevention, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said during a recent interview with American Forces Press Service.
• DOD to Revise Sexual Assault Prevention Training AFPS 25 Sep 2012 -- Calling sexual assault 'an affront to basic human values,' Pentagon Press Secretary George Little announced today that the Defense Department is revising its sexual assault prevention and response training requirements.
• Department of Defense Expands Sexual Assault Prevention Efforts DoD 25 Sep 2012 -- As part of the Department of Defense’s efforts to confront the crime of sexual assault in the military, today the department announced improvements to prospective commander and senior enlisted training and a review of the initial military training environment in every service.
• Basing of first U.S. Space Fence facility announced AFNS 25 Sep 2012 -- The Air Force will base a Space Fence radar site on Kwajalein Island in the Republic of the Marshall Islands with initial operations capability planned for fiscal 2017.
• APS-3 Army strategic flotilla rebuild complete, meets 2020 strategy Army News 25 Sep 2012 -- The rebuild of the Army Prepositioned Stocks Afloat (APS-3) Army Strategic Flotilla (ASF) is now complete.
• Army examines feasibility of integrating 4G LTE with tactical network Army News 25 Sep 2012 -- The U.S. Army employed a 4G cellular network this summer at its integrated capabilities testbed at Fort Dix, N.J.; this was done to address integration with current network designs and to enable actionable intelligence for dismounted squads.
• Staff exercise tests leadership skills Army News 25 Sep 2012 -- U.S. and Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) service members took part in a command post exercise (CPX) Sept. 21 during Keris Strike 12 (KrS12), to enhance their ability to operate in a multinational environment.
• 'Net Zero' water experts meet to discuss pilot program Army News 25 Sep 2012 -- Army installations are working on ways to conserve water, from pipe-leak-detection systems, to the use of drought-resistant grasses on post golf courses.
• Seabee Combat Handbook Newly Revised and Available Online NNS 25 Sep 2012 -- The Center for Seabees and Facilities Engineering (CSFE) announced Sept. 25 the availability of the newly revised Seabee Combat Handbook, volumes one and two (NAVEDTRA 14234A/14235A) posted online through the Naval Education and Training Command Nonresident Training Courses (NRTC) website.
• USS Tortuga Sailors and Marines Complete CERTEX NNS 25 Sep 2012 -- Sailors aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46), along with Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), completed a certification exercise (CERTEX) while on deployment in the Western Pacific Sept. 24.
• VR-54 Revelers Hold Change Of Command NNS 25 Sep 2012 -- The 'Revelers' of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VR) 54 held their 16th change of command at the National World War II Museum Sept. 22.
• Bonhomme Richard Drops Anchor For Port Visit In Guam NNS 25 Sep 2012 -- Sailors and Marines aboard amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) arrived in Guam for a scheduled port visit Sept. 26.
• Basing of first U.S. Space Fence facility announced AFNS 25 Sep 2012 -- The Air Force will base a Space Fence radar site on Kwajalein Island in the Republic of the Marshall Islands with initial operations capability planned for fiscal 2017.
• Official Reaffirms DOD Commitment to Cybersecurity AFPS 25 Sep 2012 -- The Defense Department remains vigilant and committed to cybersecurity, especially since its cyber operations present a target for hackers, a senior Pentagon official said here today.
• More Airports Offer Streamlined Security Screening AFPS 25 Sep 2012 -- Active duty service members and other eligible travelers now have more opportunity to take advantage of streamlined security check-in, as Transportation Security Administration officials have added two more airports to the program.
• Airmen certified for F-35 engine runs AFNS 25 Sep 2012 -- An Airman seated in an aircraft, surrounded by electronic displays, surveys the cockpit of an F-35A Lightning II and begins rehearsed procedures that now feel comfortable. He feels the jet's familiar rumble below as the engine roars to life on the flightline.
• Emergency management: Prepared for the fight AFNS 25 Sep 2012 -- When disaster strikes an Air Force base, whether a typhoon or an enemy attack, the mission must go on.
• Comptroller Outlines Continuing Resolution, Sequestration AFPS 25 Sep 2012 -- The continuing resolution the Senate approved Sept. 22 and the president is expected to sign this week will affect short- and long-term Defense Department spending in coming months, a senior defense official said today.
• Surveys Ensure Better-fitting Gear for Soldiers, Marines USMC News 25 Sep 2012 -- When it comes to combat clothing and gear, size matters for the folks at the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center here.
• Gunston Hall Participates in IMCMEX 12 NNS 25 Sep 2012 -- Amphibious dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) is participating in the International Mine Countermeasures Exercise 2012 (IMCMEX 12) while operating in the Gulf of Aden, Sept. 16-27.
• Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group with 31st MEU, Completes Certification Exercise NNS 25 Sep 2012 -- Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), along with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), completed a certification exercise (CERTEX) Sept. 24.
• George Washington Returns To Sea After Guam Visit NNS 25 Sep 2012 -- The forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) departed Guam after a routine, four-day port visit Sept. 25.
• Truman Underway To Conduct Weapons System Tests NNS 25 Sep 2012 -- The aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) departed Naval Station Norfolk Sept. 24 to conduct combat systems ship qualification trials (CSSQT).
• Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Chief of Staff Visits Bonhomme Richard NNS 25 Sep 2012 -- The chief of staff of the Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF) visited the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) Sept. 23, to meet with senior leadership and discuss bilateral training between the United States and Japanese military.
• NATO Secretary General at the UN General Assembly NATO 25 Sep 2012 -- NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen attended the opening of the UN General Assembly's ministerial session and took part in a series of meetings on the margins of the session.
• China commissions aircraft carrier prior to party congress CNA 25 Sep 2012 -- China has chosen to formally commission its first aircraft carrier into service in the runup to its National Day as well as the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, an expert said Tuesday.
• Second Sukhoi Su-30SM Fighter Jet Joins Flight Tests RIA Novosti 25 Sep 2012 -- A second Sukhoi Su-30SM advanced multirole fighter successfully carried out its maiden test flight on Monday, the manufacturer said.
• Russia to Base MiG-31 Interceptors in Arctic RIA Novosti 25 Sep 2012 -- The Russian Defense Ministry is to base MiG-31 long-range interceptors at the Rogachyovo Arctic base on the island of Novaya Zemlya by the end of the year to defend against attack from the north, Izvestia reported on Tuesday quoting military sources.
• Russia to Launch Defense Research Agency by Yearend RIA Novosti 25 Sep 2012 -- Russia's advanced military research agency may become operational as early as the end of 2012, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said.
• Patriot PAC-2 missiles to be returned to Taiwan soon: minister CNA 25 Sep 2012 -- Taiwan will soon take delivery of Patriot PAC-2 missiles that were sent to the United States for maintenance and an upgrade in 2008, Defense Minister Kao Hua-chu said Monday.
• At UN, Finnish leader calls for continued efforts to agree on treaty for conventional arms trade UN News Centre 25 Sep 2012 -- While expressing regret over the failure of recent negotiations for a treaty to regulate the conventional arms trade, the President of Finland, Sauli Niinistö, today told the United Nations General Assembly today that it is important that efforts towards this goal continue.
• Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Jay Carney and Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes, 9/25/12 The White House 25 Sep 2012

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for September 25, 2012

Other Conflicts

• World leaders reaffirm commitment at UN event to help post-conflict nations build peace UN News Centre 25 Sep 2012 -- The United Nations Peacebuilding Commission today reaffirmed its commitment to assisting post-conflict countries in achieving sustainable peace, and emphasized the need for a comprehensive and coordinated response to their security and development challenges.
• Leaders at UN Express Concern About Anti-Islam Violence, Syria VOA 25 Sep 2012 -- U.S. President Barack Obama urged world leaders to speak out strongly against violence and extremism in the wake of an anti-Islam video that sparked international protests. Speaking Tuesday at the start of the U.N. General Assembly annual debate, Obama and other leaders also demanded an end to the violence that has killed more than 20,000 people in Syria.
• Syrian Rights Group: Dozens 'Arbitrarily' Detained in Banias VOA 25 Sep 2012 -- A Syrian human rights group says security forces have arrested at least 68 people, including three children, over the past few days in and around the coastal city of Banias.
• Blasts Hit 'Security Forces Base' in Damascus RIA Novosti 25 Sep 2012 -- Several explosions on Tuesday shook a school building allegedly occupied by security forces and pro-government militias in Damascus, al-Jazeera reported.
• Satellite Images Show Scope of Syrian Military Moves VOA 25 Sep 2012 -- Satellite images released Tuesday show the scope of Syrian military activity in neighborhoods of the besieged Syrian commercial center, Aleppo.
• Japan Coast Guard Drives Off Taiwanese Fishing Boats RIA Novosti 25 Sep 2012 -- Forty Taiwanese fishing vessels which had earlier sailed into Japanese waters around a group of disputed islands have since left, the Japanese coast guard reported on Tuesday according to TV channel NHK.
• Taiwanese fishing boats on way back after Diaoyutai protest CNA 25 Sep 2012 -- Taiwanese fishing boats began returning home late Tuesday morning after sailing to the Diaoyutai Islands to stand up for Taiwan's sovereignty over the small island chain in the East China Sea.
• Ma calls for U.S. to remain neutral on Diaoyutais dispute CNA 25 Sep 2012 -- President Ma Ying-jeou hopes that the United States will remain neutral on the sovereignty dispute over the Diaoyutai Islands in the East China Sea because such a stance will be more helpful to efforts to resolve the row.
• Japanese envoy visits Taiwan to address Diaoyutais row CNA 25 Sep 2012 -- The president of Japan's Interchange Association arrived Taiwan on Tuesday for a meeting with Foreign Minister Timothy Yang to explain Japan's recent move to nationalize the disputed Diaoyutai Islands in the East China Sea.
• Taiwan's Diaoyutais protest makes splash in China CNA 25 Sep 2012 -- China's state media highlighted Tuesday news that Taiwanese fishing boats had entered waters near the disputed Diaoyutai Islands and that Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration (CGA) vessels had a standoff with their Japanese counterparts.
• Coast guard lauded for unyielding stance during Diaoyutais protest CNA 25 Sep 2012 -- Taiwan must be tough in defending its sovereignty, a ruling Kuomintang (KMT) lawmaker said Tuesday, applauding a coast guard flotilla for its unwavering protection of Taiwanese fishing boats during a protest in the waters off a disputed island chain in the East China Sea.
• UN agency voices concern as renewed fighting forces more Sudanese to flee UN News Centre 25 Sep 2012 -- A return to fighting in Sudan's Southern Kordofan state between Government forces and a rebel group has unleashed a new wave of refugees seeking sanctuary from the violence, the United Nations refugee agency warned today.
• UN hails closing of Sri Lankan displaced persons camp UN News Centre 25 Sep 2012 -- The United Nations today welcomed the closing of a Sri Lankan camp that was once the world's largest refuge for people displaced from the conflict with 225,000 residents but called for an urgent solution for a handful of people who are still unable to return home.
• Sudans Making Progress on 3rd Summit Day VOA 25 Sep 2012 -- Sudan and South Sudan made significant progress on the third day of their summit in the Ethiopian capital, but nothing has been signed yet.
• Agreement Eludes Sudan, South Sudan Presidents VOA 25 Sep 2012 -- The presidents of Sudan and South Sudan failed to reach an agreement on the second day of a summit between their two countries. The negotiations between Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir and South Sudan's Salva Kiir, focusing on oil and border disputes, face many difficulties.
• Nigerian Military Claims Progress Against Boko Haram VOA 25 Sep 2012 -- The Nigerian military says it killed 35 Islamist militants and arrested more than 150 in recent days in two northeastern states. The military says this is a sign it is overpowering the group known popularly as Boko Haram. But some analysts say battles will not be enough to eliminate the threat
• DRC: Children bear brunt of conflict in the east IRIN 25 Sep 2012 -- Children in the Kivu provinces of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are not only getting caught in the crossfire of the area's ongoing violence, but also facing health risks, threats of forced recruitment by local and foreign militias, and interrupted educations, say officials.
• At UN session, Cyprus leader calls on Turkey to cease 'gunboat diplomacy' UN News Centre 25 Sep 2012 -- President Demetris Christofias of the Republic of Cyprus today called on Turkish Cypriot leaders to return to talks to reunite the divided island and accused Turkey of provocative behaviour, gunboat diplomacy and trying to alter the country's ethnic make-up.
• Three men found guilty of contempt at UN-backed Sierra Leone war crimes court UN News Centre 25 Sep 2012 -- The United Nations-backed court set up to try suspects indicted for war crimes in Sierra Leone today found three senior members of the country's former Armed Forces Revolutionary Council guilty of contempt for tampering with a former prosecution witness.
• Ghana Has Peace Stake in Ivory Coast, Says Official VOA 25 Sep 2012 -- A joint Ghana and Ivory Coast task force will launch an investigation soon into cross border attacks on military installations in Ivory Coast, according to Chris Kpodo, Ghana's deputy foreign minister.

News Reports

• Iran's President Takes New York By Storm, One Last Time RFE/RL 25 Sep 2012 -- The "Mahmud Ahmadinejad Show" is off to a quick start, with the Iranian president revealing some fresh material as he prepares to address the UN General Assembly this week.
• General Assembly Opens After Ahmadinejad Outburst RFE/RL 25 Sep 2012 -- World leaders are gathering at United Nations headquarters in New York for the start of the annual UN General Assembly Debate.
• Iran to Defend itself if Attacked by Israel - Ahmadinejad RIA Novosti 25 Sep 2012 -- Iran would defend itself if Israel were to attack it, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said.
• U.K. To Extradite Radical Muslim Cleric To U.S. RFE/RL 25 Sep 2012 -- Britain is preparing to extradite radical Muslim cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri to the United States after the European Court of Human Rights ruled that he can be sent to the United States to face terrorism charges.
• Kenya's Terrorism Bill Faces Rejection VOA 25 Sep 2012 -- Kenya's terrorism bill, due to be brought to parliament for debate this week, faces rejection as Muslim leaders and legal experts call for changes to some clauses that they say infringe on their constitutional rights.
• Tymoshenko Faces New Charges RIA Novosti 25 Sep 2012 -- The Ukrainian Prosecutor's General Office has enough evidence to charge jailed former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko in the 1996 murder of prominent politician Yevhen Shcherban, First Deputy Prosecutor General Renat Kuzmin said on Tuesday.
• Pakistan: UN agency begins food distribution to thousands affected by floods UN News Centre 25 Sep 2012 -- The United Nations today announced it has begun food distributions to tens of thousands of people affected by monsoon floods in the Sindh province of Pakistan, adding that it plans to expand assistance to the Balochistan province later this week.
• Yemen sliding into humanitarian crisis, warns UN food relief agency UN News Centre 25 Sep 2012 -- The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is scaling up operations in Yemen, where more than 10 million people – almost half the country's population – are estimated to need food assistance and the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate.
• New Space Station Crew Approved RIA Novosti 25 Sep 2012 -- A Russian state commission on Tuesday approved the main and backup crews of a new expedition to the International Space Station (ISS) ahead of the launch on October 23.