Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 11 Oct 2012 [PDF]
• Combined Force Arrests Insurgent Leader AFPS 11 Oct 2012 -- An Afghan and coalition security force arrested an Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan financial facilitator yesterday in Afghanistan's Kunduz province, military officials reported.
• Afghanistan Expels Pakistani, Iranian Clerics RFE/RL 11 Oct 2012 -- Afghan security officials say they have expelled 35 foreign Islamic clerics from southern Afghanistan.
• 19th Regiment Royal Artillery returns from Afghanistan UK MOD 11 Oct 2012 -- Soldiers from 19th Regiment Royal Artillery returned to the UK yesterday following their deployment as part of 12th Mechanized Brigade to Helmand province, Afghanistan.
• Suspected US Drone Strike in Pakistan Targets Militants VOA 11 Oct 2012 -- Pakistani officials say a U.S. drone strike has killed at least 16 suspected militants in the country's northwest, near the Afghan border.
• Pakistan Drone Strike, Blasts Kill Up To 30 RFE/RL 11 Oct 2012 -- A U.S. drone strike in Pakistan's tribal region has reportedly killed at least 10 militants.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Panetta Spells Out DOD Roles in Cyberdefense AFPS 11 Oct 2012 -- Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta spelled out in detail the Defense Department's responsibility in cybersecurity during a speech to the Business Executives for National Security meeting in New York, today.
• Remarks by Secretary Panetta on Cybersecurity to the Business Executives for National Security, New York City DoD 11 Oct 2012-- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta
• DOD Aggressively Pursues Intel Innovation, Vickers Says AFPS 11 Oct 2012 -- The Defense Department is driving innovation across all defense intelligence functions, the Pentagon's intelligence chief said yesterday.
• Defense Intel Agency Director Outlines Changes Under Way AFPS 11 Oct 2012 -- The director of the Defense Intelligence Agency shared his vision of accelerating change and building capacity within the agency during a symposium yesterday in Orlando, Fla.
• New Launch and Recovery System Takes UAV Into the Future NNS 10 Oct 2012 -- A shipboard-capable system designed to support both the launch and recovery of the Scan Eagle unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) successfully completed final demonstration flight testing Sept. 27 at a testing range in eastern Oregon.
• Construction of second runway continues at Osan, South Korea AFNS 11 Oct 2012 -- A second runway for Osan Air Base is under construction as U.S. and Republic of Korea officials continue to work together to have it up and running by 2013.
• Partnership, Engagement Highlight Africa Policy AFPS 11 Oct 2012 -- Say 'Africa' to most Americans and they think of 'the Dark Continent' – a land beset by problems and disasters, far enough away that anything that happens there cannot possibly affect America.
• Defense's investment in supercomputing is a game-changer for Army R&D Army News 11 Oct 2012 -- Teams of Army experts have spent the last five months laying the groundwork for a computational powerhouse at the Department of Defense Supercomputing Resource Center (DSRC) at Aberdeen Proving Ground.
• Army Power and Energy advancements enhance mission effectiveness Army News 11 Oct 2012 -- The Army's ability to accomplish its mission depends on secure, uninterrupted access to power and energy.
• Anniston Army Depot builds M1 training tools Army News 11 Oct 2012 -- Anniston Army Depot is the place to go for an M1 Abrams tank in need of overhaul, but, when maintenance is required in the field, the depot's workforce and facilities are thousands of miles away and Soldiers have to know how to get the tank back on its way.
• Scenario-driven training prepares PRT for Afghan challenges Army News 11 Oct 2012 -- Scenario-driven training provided to Provincial Reconstruction Teams helped the deploying Soldiers not only gain operational experience but provided them extensive experience working with interpreters.
• Sill Soldiers test digital 105mm howitzer Army News 11 Oct 2012 -- A workhorse howitzer with a modern fire control system has been undergoing testing at Fort Sill.
• NTC rotation brings change to 10th Mountain Division unit Army News 11 Oct 2012 -- The National Training Center in Fort Irwin, Calif., has become a proving ground for the 2nd Brigade Combat Team's ability to transition from a traditional brigade with several battalions to a Security Forces Assistance Brigade with battle space integrators and cross functional teams.
• Radiation threat training prepares chemical unit to support 32 countries Army News 11 Oct 2012 -- When the locals started complaining of nausea, vomiting and skin rashes, members of the 371st Chemical Company from Greenwood, S.C., immediately responded to what sounded like a possible radiation threat in the village.
• Westphal: no cuts to SOF, intel, cyber Army News 11 Oct 2012 -- Even as it faces a period of budget constraint, the Army will protect or increase funding for special operations, intelligence and reconnaissance programs, along with space and cyberspace capabilities, said Under Secretary of the Army Joseph W. Westphal.
• Depot sustains military's electro optics/night vision equipment Army News 11 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.
• Marines deploy to New Caledonia USMC News 11 Oct 2012 -- Approximately 90 Marines deployed Oct. 11 for Exercise Croix du Sud 2012, which takes place in New Caledonia.
• USS Gettysburg Increases Versatility with NEO Exercise NNS 11 Oct 2012 -- Guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG 64) took part in a simulated non-combatant evacuation operation (NEO) off the coast of Scotland, Oct. 8.
• Update to the 2012 Guam and CNMI Relocation Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement NNS 11 Oct 2012 -- In May 2012, Department of Defense announced that because of the adjustments to the 2006 Realignment Roadmap Agreement relocating U.S. Marine Corps forces from Okinawa, Japan to Guam, the Department of the Navy (the Navy) was expanding the Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for the live-fire training range complex (LFTRC) on Guam to include an assessment of changes to the number and composition of Marines relocating to Guam.
• USS Fort McHenry Prepares Damage Control Team NNS 11 Oct 2012 -- Sailors aboard amphibious dock-landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) conducted damage control training drills to maintain shipboard readiness, Oct. 10.
• George Washington Returns to Sea After Visit to Malaysia NNS 11 Oct 2012 -- The U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) departed Malaysia after a routine, four-day port visit, Oct. 11.
• George Washington Hosts Tours to Malaysian Military Forces NNS 11 Oct 2012 -- The U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) opened its bay doors to the armed forces of Malaysia Oct. 9.
• Network Switch Enclosures Extend Service Life NNS 11 Oct 2012 -- New protective enclosures for the MX5000 network switches, designed and tested by engineers at Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division - Ship Systems Engineering Station (NSWCCD-SSES), are currently being installed aboard USS Comstock (LSD 45) and USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) during the ships' ongoing availabilities.
• NSWCCD-SSES Engineers Using Laser Metrology to Support Fleet NNS 11 Oct 2012 -- Engineers at the Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division - Ship Systems Engineering Station (NSWCCD-SSES) completed scans of a U.S. Coast Guard Cutter, Oct. 5, using new three-dimensional laser metrology equipment.
• Maine (Blue) Holds Change of Command Ceremony NNS 11 Oct 2012 -- The ballistic-missile submarine USS Maine (SSBN 741)Blue Crew held a change of command ceremony Oct. 5 at the Naval Undersea Museum.
• Russia Will Not Renew Arms Deal With US VOA 11 Oct 2012 -- Russia says it will not renew a two-decade-old agreement with the United States aimed at securing nuclear and chemical weapons in the former Soviet Union.
• US Hopes to Renew Arms Program Despite Russian Objections VOA 11 Oct 2012 -- The Obama administration says it retains hope of extending a landmark pact with Russia to secure and dismantle nuclear and chemical weapons in the former Soviet Union. The State Department praised the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction Program one day after the Russian government cast doubt on its renewal when it expires next year.
• Russia to Salvage Sunken Nuclear Subs - Media RIA Novosti 11 Oct 2012 -- The Russian Defense Ministry is planning to raise and scrap two sunken nuclear submarines in the northern Barents and Kara seas in order to prevent potential radioactive pollution of the area, the Izvestia newspaper said on Thursday.
• Soldier Charged Over Russia Munitions Blast RIA Novosti 11 Oct 2012 -- An army conscript has been charged with causing this week's explosion at a military ammunition disposal site in Russia's Urals region, investigators said on Thursday.
• India to buy 42 combat planes from Russia IRNA 11 Oct 2012 -- India is all set to procure 42 Su-30 MKI combat aircraft and 71 medium-lift helicopters from Russia.
• Ukraine Brings Back Naval Killer Dolphins RIA Novosti 11 Oct 2012 -- The Ukrainan navy has restarted special training for dolphins and other animals for military duties including attacking enemy combat swimmers and detecting mines, a military source in the Ukrainian naval port of Sevastopol told RIA Novosti on Thursday.
• Iraq to Buy Czech L-159 Trainer Jets - Prime Minister RIA Novosti 11 Oct 2012 -- The Iraqi government intends to buy Czech-made Aero Vodochody L-159 advanced trainer/light-attack jets, Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said on Thursday in Prague after talks with his Czech counterpart Petr Necas, local TV reported.
• Press Gaggle by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Josh Earnest en route Miami, FL, 10/11/2012 The White House 11 Oct 2012
• October 11, 2012 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 11 Oct 2012

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for October 11, 2012

Other Conflicts

• 11 October 2012 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 11 Oct 2012
• Turkey: Syria Plane Was Carrying Russian-Made Munitions RFE/RL 11 Oct 2012 -- Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan has said a Syrian passenger plane forced to land in Ankara was carrying equipment and ammunition destined for Syria's Defense Ministry.
• Russia Protests Grounding of Syria-Bound Plane RIA Novosti 11 Oct 2012 -- Russia expressed a thinly veiled protest on Thursday at the grounding by Turkish authorities of a Moscow-Damascus passenger jet over accusations it was carrying 'illegal cargo.'
• Saudi Diplomat Denies 'Ukraine Arms in Syria' Report RIA Novosti 11 Oct 2012 -- The Saudi ambassador to Ukraine has dismissed a news report which claimed that Ukraine-made weapons had been shipped by his country to arm Syrian opposition forces, Saudi media said.
• Turkey Permits Syrian-bound Aircraft to Resume its Course RIA Novosti 11 Oct 2012 -- Turkey has issued a permission for a Syrian-bound passenger aircraft, which it earlier forced to land in Ankara, to resume its course, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told local TV.
• Turkey Says Syrian Plane Contained Ammunition VOA 11 Oct 2012 -- Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan says the cargo Turkey seized from a Syrian passenger plane that was forced to land in Ankara contained military equipment and ammunition destined for Syria's government.
• SRI LANKA: Uneven development in former war zone IRIN 11 Oct 2012 -- The Sri Lankan village of Atumagaskoda is only 6km from the town of Vavuniya - the financial and business hub in the north since the end of the country's long civil war - but in development terms it is years away.
• Lebanese Hezbollah leader confirms sending drone to Israel IRNA 11 Oct 2012 -- The Secretary-General of Lebanese resistance movement (Hezbollah), Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah, confirmed that Hezbollah has dispatched a drone deep into the Israeli airspace managing to evade radar systems of the Zionist regime.
• Ban lauds Cameroon and Nigeria's commitment to honour border demarcation ruling UN News Centre 11 Oct 2012 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon commended Cameroon and Nigeria for their commitment in honouring the ruling of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over their shared border, marking the tenth anniversary of this decision and stressing that both countries are a positive example of settling disputes peacefully.
• Three men jailed for contempt by UN-backed Sierra Leone war crimes court UN News Centre 11 Oct 2012 -- The United Nations-backed court trying war crimes in Sierra Leone today sentenced three senior members of the country's former Armed Forces Revolutionary Council to jail terms ranging from 18 months to two years for contempt in tampering with a former prosecution witness.

News Reports

• Canadian Naval Officer Admits to Spying for Russia RIA Novosti 11 Oct 2012 -- A Canadian naval officer arrested on suspicion of espionage pleaded guilty on Wednesday to charges of selling classified information to the Russian military, Canada's CBC television network reported.
• US Hearing on Libya Attack Sparks Partisan Wrangling RIA Novosti 11 Oct 2012 -- Partisan rancor took center stage Wednesday at a hearing by US lawmakers to examine security measures in the run-up to last month's deadly attack on an American diplomatic compound by armed militants in Benghazi, Libya.
• French Suspects Planned to Join Militants in Syria VOA 11 Oct 2012 -- French authorities say a group of suspected radical Islamists posed the biggest danger to France in years and were planning to join militants in Syria.
• Documents Link Uzbekistan's Karimova To Money-Laundering Suspect RFE/RL 11 Oct 2012 -- A series of documents have been uncovered in France that link Gulnara Karimova, the daughter of Uzbek President Islam Karimov, with an Uzbek businessman currently detained in Switzerland as part of a money-laundering investigation.