Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 09 Oct 2012 [PDF]
• NATO Partners to Discuss Afghan Successes, Challenges AFPS 09 Oct 2012 -- When NATO defense ministers meet here tomorrow with representatives of six non-NATO nations that contribute to the International Security and Assistance Force, the topic will be Afghanistan's successes, its challenges and its future.
• Afghan, ISAF police disrupt narcotics smuggling with help from hounds Army News 09 Oct 2012 -- The recent threat of insider attacks temporarily slowed partnered activities here recently, but the Soldiers of 563rd Military Police Company reunited with their Afghan Uniform Police partners for the highly-successful Operation Clean Sweep conducted in districts throughout Kandahar City, Oct. 3.
• Marines aid Afghan, soldiers secure area USMC News 09 Oct 2012 -- Entering the Trek Nawa District of Helmand province, Afghanistan, Marines with Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6, made a bold military presence absent to the region for nearly a year.
• Afghanistan on track to building post-2014 future, says UN envoy UN News Centre 09 Oct 2012 -- Despite the impending drawdown of international forces and chronic challenges in governance and security, Afghanistan remains on the path to a hopeful future, the United Nations envoy to the country said today.
• Outgoing ICRC head warns of humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan IRNA 09 Oct 2012 -- The outgoing head of the delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Afghanistan, Reto Stocker, declared in Kabul Monday that for ordinary Afghans the armed conflict in the country has taken a turn for the worse.
• Afghan-led Force Arrests Taliban Facilitator AFPS 09 Oct 2012 -- An Afghan-led security force, supported by coalition troops, arrested a Taliban facilitator and improvised explosive device producer in Afghanistan's Kandahar province today, military officials reported.

Defense Policy / Programs

• DOD Announces Recruiting and Retention Numbers for Fiscal 2012, Through August DoD 09 Oct 2012 -- The Department of Defense announced today recruiting and retention statistics for the active and reserve components for fiscal 2012, through August.
• Cape Cod wind turbines help Air Force top DOD energy goals AFNS 09 Oct 2012 -- Change is blowing into Cape Cod Air Force Station as the 6th Space Warning Squadron receives two new wind turbines here saving an estimated $1 million in annual energy costs.
• Saber Junction Reflects Post-Afghanistan Training Model AFPS 09 Oct 2012 -- An exercise under way in Germany – the largest in more than two decades in terms of the training area committed, the scope of operations and the number of participants – is providing a template for the way U.S. ground forces will incorporate the lessons from Iraq and Afghanistan as they train for future operations.
• Army conducts safety testing on networked vehicles Army News 09 Oct 2012 -- The Army has completed safety release testing for a new fleet of networked vehicles, paving the way for Soldiers to begin training on them this month.
• Lt. Gen Barbero receives capabilities briefing on replicating extremist networks that employ IEDs Army News 09 Oct 2012 -- In a world of technological advances in electronic capabilities, threats to Coalition Forces are growing and are spreading thanks to newer technologies that can often be undetectable but lethal.
• Army developing new Fixed-Wing Aircraft Army News 09 Oct 2012 -- The U.S. Army is refining an initial capabilities document for a new Fixed Wing Utility aircraft designed to replace more than 112 airframes with a common platform able to perform a range of key mission sets and service, officials said.
• Depot sustains military's electro optics/night vision equipment Army News 09 Oct 2012 -- Well-trained and skilled depot employees maintain and support the military's vast array of electro-optics/night vision (EO/NV) systems here and around the globe.
• Technical Inspectors assess downed equipment to keep mission going Army News 09 Oct 2012 -- Two technical inspectors, a part of the Downed Aircraft Recovery Team attached to the 4th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, 'Wings of the Eagle,' get in full battle gear along with their cold weather protection to go to a downed-aircraft location.
• Maldivian, U.S. Marines kickoff training for Coconut Grove USMC News 09 Oct 2012 -- It's been more than three days since the 'Alpha Raiders' set foot on the Maldivian soil—tropical and lush—which significantly contrasts from the dry California climate.
• Bonhomme Richard ARG, 31st MEU Begin PHIBLEX NNS 09 Oct 2012 -- The Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and embarked Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) began an Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX) with an opening ceremony aboard amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) Oct. 8.
• F-15 test force celebrates 10 years of Eagle improvements AFNS 09 Oct 2012 -- On Oct. 12, the F-15 Operational Flight Program Combined Test Force celebrates its 10-year anniversary.
• USS Olympia Visits Subic Bay during Western Pacific Deployment NNS 09 Oct 2012 -- The Los Angeles-class submarine USS Olympia (SSN 717) arrived at Subic Bay Oct. 4 for a visit as part of her deployment to the Western Pacific.
• New DARPA Director to Bring Fresh Perspective to ONR's Biennial Event NNS 09 Oct 2012 -- The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's (DARPA) new director will share her vision Oct. 22 at the Office of Naval Research (ONR) 2012 Naval Science and Technology Partnership Conference and American Society of Naval Engineers (ASNE) Expo.
• Navy Evaluating Second Electromagnetic Railgun Prototype NNS 09 Oct 2012 -- The Office of Naval Research's (ONR) Electromagnetic (EM) Railgun program is evaluating the second of two industry railgun prototype launchers at a facility in Dahlgren, Va., officials announced Oct 9.
• Fleet Forces Commander Shares His Vision NNS 09 Oct 2012 -- Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces (USFF) held a second all-hands call with his staff Oct. 9 to discuss the command's mission, his vision, and the guiding principles that provide focus and direction.
• U-2 Above All AFNS 09 Oct 2012 -- Whether people recognize it by the Snoopy-like nose or by the flat black paint and red lettering on the tail, the U-2 has become an Air Force reconnaissance icon in its 50 years of military operations.
• 'Silent Sentry' gives deployed Airmen upper hand in space superiority AFNS 09 Oct 2012 -- With the advancement of technology, satellite communication has been a key factor in maintaining space superiority throughout the entire area of responsibility.
• NATO Defence Ministers determined to improve capabilities, cooperation NATO 09 Oct 2012 -- Allied nations are actively looking to improve their defence capabilities through smarter spending and improved cooperation, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said Tuesday.
• NATO Secretary General stresses closer defence cooperation amid tighter budgets NATO 09 Oct 2012 -- NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen stressed the importance of closer cooperation on defence at the start of today’s Allied defence ministerial meeting.
• Panetta to Convey U.S. Support at NATO Conference AFPS 09 Oct 2012 -- During his fifth conference of NATO defense ministers here, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta will convey U.S. support for enhancing alliance capabilities, missile defense, cybersecurity, counterterrorism and countering weapons of mass destruction.
• NATO Ministers Discuss 'Smart Defense' Initiative AFPS 09 Oct 2012 -- NATO defense ministers held discussions in Brussels today on the alliance's 'Smart Defense' initiative and how to provide security during tough financial times, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said.
• NATO Secretary General stresses closer defence cooperation amid tighter budgets NATO 09 Oct 2012 -- NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen stressed the importance of closer cooperation on defence at the start of today’s Allied defence ministerial meeting.
• NATO Members to Discuss Alliance's Nuclear Policy RIA Novosti 09 Oct 2012 -- NATO's senior body on nuclear matters will hold a ministerial meeting on Tuesday to review the Alliance's nuclear policy in the light of new developments, NATO press service said.
• Iraq PM Confirms $4 Bln Arms Deal with Russia RIA Novosti 09 Oct 2012 -- Russia will deliver attack helicopters and mobile air-defense systems to Iraq in arms deals worth $4.2 billion signed earlier this year, it was disclosed today during a visit to Moscow by Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki in which he met his counterpart Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.
• Locals Moved as Urals Ammo Dump Blows Up RIA Novosti 09 Oct 2012 -- Residents were evacuated on Tuesday after munitions at a military ammunition disposal site exploded near the Donguz rail station in Russia's Orenburg region, the Emergencies and Civil Defense Ministry said.
• N. Korea Says US Mainland Within Its Strike Range RIA Novosti 09 Oct 2012 -- The North Korean military said on Tuesday that the US mainland was within the strike range of its strategic missile forces, Xinhua reported citing North Korea's official KCNA news agency as saying.
• India May Seek $100 Mln Fine Over Carrier Delay RIA Novosti 09 Oct 2012 -- India may seek more than $100 million in penalty payments from Russia for delays in handing over the refitted aircraft carrier Vikramaditya, India's Economic Times reported on Tuesday.
• India Modifies Brahmos Missile With New Nav System RIA Novosti 09 Oct 2012 -- India has uprated its BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles by installing the advanced satellite navigation systems from Russia's Kh-555 and Kh-101 strategic long-range cruise missiles, adding GPS-GLONASS technology to the existing doppler-inertial platform, Izvestia reported on Tuesday quoting sources in the military-industrial complex.
• Russia Hopes to Win Indian Transport Helicopter Tender RIA Novosti 09 Oct 2012 -- Russia is hoping to win a tender on the delivery of 15 heavy-lift helicopters to the Indian Air Force, state-run arms exporter Rosoboronexport said.
• Commandos practise beach assaults ahead of Cougar 12 UK MOD 09 Oct 2012 -- Royal Navy and British Army air and sea power combined on the sands of Cornwall at the weekend as a large scale beach landing was played out in Carlyon Bay.
• HMS Northumberland sails for Middle East deployment UK MOD 09 Oct 2012 -- Royal Navy warship HMS Northumberland has sailed from Plymouth for an eight-month deployment to keep shipping lanes open east of Suez.
• Military to ask Apple to cut satellite photo resolution: spokesman CNA 09 Oct 2012 -- The Ministry of National Defense (MND) will ask Apple Inc. to lower the resolution of its satellite photos of major military facilities and sensitive locations, a ministry spokesman said Tuesday.
• Probe Urged into 'Ukraine Arms in Syria' Reports RIA Novosti 09 Oct 2012 -- Ukraine should launch an inquiry into reports that Syrian rebels have Ukrainian weapons, a senior Ukrainian MP said on Tuesday.
• October 9, 2012 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 09 Oct 2012

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for October 09, 2012

Other Conflicts

• 9 October 2012 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 09 Oct 2012
• NATO Ready to Defend Turkey VOA 09 Oct 2012 -- NATO's secretary general says the alliance is prepared to defend Turkey against attacks from Syria if necessary.
• UN chief seeks unilateral ceasefire from Syria's Assad, with rebels following suit UN News Centre 09 Oct 2012 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called on the Syrian Government to take the initiative in declaring an immediate unilateral ceasefire, and on the opposition to then accede to it, in a renewed bid to end what he called a 'regional catastrophe with global ramifications.'
• Twin Suicide Blasts Target Syrian Intelligence Base VOA 09 Oct 2012 -- A group that claims to have ties to al-Qaida says it carried out twin suicide car bombings against a Syrian government intelligence headquarters in a Damascus suburb early Tuesday.
• SUDAN: SPLM-N in retaliatory attack on South Kordofan IRIN 09 Oct 2012 -- Mortar shelling in Kadugli, capital of Sudan's South Kordofan State, on 8 October left at least six dead and several injured; the attacks coincided with an ongoing peace forum in the city intended to bring together rival political parties.
• CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: Boost for peace as rebel group disbands IRIN 09 Oct 2012 -- Preparations for the repatriation of 3,000 followers of a Chadian former rebel leader have started in Bangui, capital of the Central African Republic (CAR). If successful, the month-long operation will be an important step towards the return of peace and security in northern and north-central CAR.
• Ban calls for 'concerted' efforts to bring peace to eastern DR Congo UN News Centre 09 Oct 2012 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he remained deeply concerned over the security and humanitarian situations in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and called for 'continued and sustained high-level dialogue' to bring peace to the region.
• UGANDA: DRC refugee influx stretching relief supplies IRIN 09 Oct 2012 -- An increasing caseload of refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is stretching food and non-food resources in western Uganda, say humanitarian officials.
• LEBANON-OPT: Hidden health crisis facing Palestinian refugees IRIN 09 Oct 2012 -- New research has uncovered the hidden health toll that refugee life in Lebanon has taken on more than 400,000 Palestinians.
• Press Conference on Mali by Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights United Nations 09 Oct 2012
• Shelling forces relocation of UN staff in Sudanese city of Kadugli UN News Centre 09 Oct 2012 -- Indiscriminate mortar shelling in the Sudanese city of Kadugli in South Kordofan province has forced the United Nations to relocate its staff from a region where fighting has prevented aid agencies from reaching thousands of displaced people, especially in rebel-controlled areas.
• Former Italian prime minister to lead UN response to crisis in Africa's Sahel region UN News Centre 09 Oct 2012 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today announced the appointment of former Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi as his new Special Envoy for the Sahel region in West Africa.

News Reports

• Extradited Terror Suspect Pleads Not Guilty in US Court VOA 09 Oct 2012 -- The extradited Muslim cleric known as Abu Hamza al Masri pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges that he conspired to establish a terrorist training camp in the United States. Abu Hamza was arraigned in U.S. federal court in New York.
• North Korean Charged in Kim Jong-il Son Plot RIA Novosti 09 Oct 2012 -- South Korean prosecutors have pressed charges against a North Korean national tasked with injuring the eldest son of late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, reports said on Tuesday.
• US seeking MKO revival, defense minister IRNA 09 Oct 2012 -- Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi said the US is seeking revival of the terrorist Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization (MKO) which is declining.
• ICC Debates Trial Venue for Gadhafi's Eldest Son VOA 09 Oct 2012 -- Libya on Tuesday made its case before the International Criminal Court (ICC) to try the son of former Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi at home rather than at The Hague-based tribunal.
• Israeli Political Parties VOA 09 Oct 2012
• Security tightened in Pakistani capital IRNA 09 Oct 2012 -- Security of Islamabad have been tightened after intelligence reports warned of terrorists attacks at a five-star hotel, some sensitive installations and political personalities, a media report said Monday.
• SIERRA LEONE: Bracing for a 'watershed election' IRIN 09 Oct 2012 -- Sierra Leone's international partners and citizens are paying close attention to possible threats to peace ahead of presidential, parliamentary and local elections scheduled for 17 November, which it is hoped will consolidate stability a decade after the end of a civil war and lead to improved living standards.
• Saakashvili Vows Peaceful Transfer After Meeting With Ivanishvili RFE/RL 09 Oct 2012 -- Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has said the transition of power to Georgia's new government will be peaceful in an effort to further ease fears ratcheted up ahead of this month's national elections.
• News Analysis: Ivanishvili And The Russians RFE/RL 09 Oct 2012 -- According to Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, the beginning of the end of his relations with Russian leader Vladimir Putin came at their first face-to-face meeting in February 2004..
• Patrick Airmen support first Space X launch for NASA's commercial resupply services AFNS 09 Oct 2012 -- Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) completed a successful launch of their Falcon 9 Dragon spacecraft, called Dragon C3, from Space Launch Complex 40 Oct. 7 at 8:35 p.m. EDT here.The launch went off with stellar safety and range support provided by service members assigned to the 45 Space Wing at Patrick Air Force Base.