Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 14 Nov 2012 [PDF]
• Combined Force Arrests Taliban Weapons Facilitator AFPS 14 Nov 2012 -- An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban weapons and ammunition facilitator in Afghanistan's Kandahar province today, military officials said.
• M249 Light Machine Gun: Endangered species for Marines in Afghanistan USMC News 14 Nov 2012 -- As full integration of the Infantry Automatic Rifle into the Marine Corps' arsenal becomes complete, the M249 Light Machine Gun, formerly the Squad Automatic Weapon, slowly fades into the history of the Corps.
• Conflicting Reports About Possible Pakistan Taliban Prisoner Deal RFE/RL 14 Nov 2012 -- There are conflicting reports about a possible deal between Islamabad and Kabul on releasing Afghan Taliban prisoners from Pakistani custody.
• Afghan, US Officials Discuss Post-2014 Security Pact VOA 14 Nov 2012 -- Afghan and U.S. officials are to meet in Kabul Thursday to hammer out a post-2014 security pact outlining the role the United States will play in Afghanistan's security once international combat forces leave the country.
• Afghan Survey: Security Forces Need Foreign Troop Support VOA 14 Nov 2012 -- More than half of Afghan citizens polled in a new survey say their country is moving in the right direction, while about two-thirds say the national police and army cannot operate without the support of foreign troops.
• Hundreds gather in Barnsley to welcome home the Light Dragoons UK MOD 14 Nov 2012 -- Hundreds of people lined the streets of Barnsley yesterday to welcome home soldiers of the Light Dragoons from Afghanistan.
• Former Afghan Warlord Remobilizes Militia RFE/RL 14 Nov 2012 -- In an ominous sign as international forces draw down in Afghanistan, one of the country's most powerful former militia commanders recently issued a call to arms to his supporters.
• 42nd Military Police Brigade unit return home Army News 14 Nov 2012 -- After nine months of deployment the Headquarters and Headquarters Company and 565th Military Police Company of the 42nd Military Police Brigade have finally made it back home to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Nov. 6.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Remarks by the President in a News Conference The White House 14 Nov 2012
• Panetta Warns Against Early Conclusions in Allen Case VOA 14 Nov 2012 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is cautioning against early conclusions in the case of U.S. commander in Afghanistan General John Allen, who is under investigation for allegedly having inappropriate communication with a woman linked to the David Petraeus sex scandal.
• Scandals, Misconduct Plague US Military VOA 14 Nov 2012 -- The stunning scandal that forced the resignation of CIA director David Petraeus and entangled the commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, General John Allen, has analysts trying to decipher what may have been the causes of poor judgment, sexual improprieties and criminal acts recently plaguing the military.
• AUSMIN 2012 Joint Communiqué DoD 14 Nov 2012
• Press Conference with Secretary Panetta, Secretary Clinton, Minister Carr and Minister Smith at AUSMIN Ministerial, Perth, Australia DoD 14 Nov 2012 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr, and Australian Defence Minister Stephen Smith
• 'Business as Usual' Encompasses Much for U.S., Australia AFPS 14 Nov 2012 -- The annual Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations here was very much a 'business as usual' conference that checked the state of the alliance and charted the way forward for the two countries.
• U.S.-Australia Alliance Bolsters Regional Security, Prosperity AFPS 14 Nov 2012 -- Agreements reached during the latest meeting of top U.S. and Australian officials here today will further cooperation between the nations' military forces and expand capabilities related to the frontier of space.
• U.S. to Locate Key Space Systems in Australia AFPS 14 Nov 2012 -- Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Australian Defense Minister Stephen Smith have agreed to place two key space systems in Australia.
• United States and Australia Advance Space Partnership DoD 14 Nov 2012 -- U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta and Australian Minister for Defence Stephen Smith agreed to advance the bi-lateral long-term international partnership on space situational awareness by placing two key U.S. space systems in Australia.
• News Briefing by General Rice and Major General Woodward on the Investigation of Misconduct at the Air Force's Basic Military Training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland DoD 14 Nov 2012 -- Presenter: Air Education and Training Command Commander General Edward Rice Jr.; Major General Margaret Woodward, Air Force Chief of Safety
• Air Force leaders issue statement on BMT investigation AFNS 14 Nov 2012 -- Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III issued the following statement today:
• Statement from Pentagon Press Secretary George Little on the Cybersecurity Act of 2012 DoD 14 Nov 2012
• Heavy Airlift Wing is fully operational AFNS 14 Nov 2012 -- Col. Keith P. Boone, Strategic Airlift Capability Heavy Airlift Wing commander, declared the multinational wing has achieved a full operational capability status.
• Fleet Readiness Center East delivers last H-46 USMC News 14 Nov 2012 -- The H-46 model 'Phrog' helicopter has served the Marine Corps for nearly 50 years, but its era is drawing to a close. During a ceremony here Nov. 9, Fleet Readiness Center East sent off the last HH-46 helicopter it will service to Marine Transport Squadron 1.
• Gunston Hall Visits Toulon, France NNS 14 Nov 2012 -- U.S. Sailors and Marines aboard amphibious dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) enjoyed the opportunity to experience French culture during a port visit to Toulon, France, Nov. 10-12.
• USS Anchorage Transits through 4th Fleet and Panama Canal on Maiden Voyage NNS 14 Nov 2012 -- Amphibious ship USS Anchorage (LPD 23) transited the Panama Canal while in 4th Fleet's area of operations for the first time in her history Nov. 9.
• Navy Publishes Notice of Intent to Prepare Supplemental EIS for P-8 Basing NNS 14 Nov 2012 -- A Notice of Intent (NOI) will be published in the Federal Register Nov. 15 announcing the Navy's intent to prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the introduction of the P-8A Multi-Mission Maritime Aircraft (MMA) to the U.S. Navy Fleet.
• USS Key West Arrives in Guam NNS 14 Nov 2012 -- Family members and friends welcomed USS Key West (SSN 722) Sailors during an arrival ceremony on U.S. Naval Base Guam Nov. 9.
• Air Force Leadership Council to Combat Training Misconduct AFPS 14 Nov 2012 -- Air Force officials discussed the results of a commander-directed investigation into basic military training instructor misconduct and the service's commitment to correcting those issues at a press conference here today.
• Transcom Charts Future as DOD's 'Distribution Synchronizer' AFPS 14 Nov 2012 -- For years, tiny Morón Air Base in Southern Spain appeared to be headed to the chopping block. The base, established with the Spaniards in the early 1950s, had for decades been relegated to standby status for U.S. deployments in support of exercises or crisis response.
• General Officer Announcements DoD 14 Nov 2012
• HOPE provides lightweight supplies during humanitarian airdrops AFNS 14 Nov 2012 -- No one wants to injure a civilian when parachuting-in life-saving supplies. But the reality is that so-called humanitarian airdrops carry inherent dangers, as massive bundles must be dropped into disaster areas, sometimes putting people on the ground at risk.
• Panetta: Ward Ruling Recognizes High Standard for Leaders AFPS 14 Nov 2012 -- Emphasizing that Defense Department leaders must exemplify both professional excellence and sound judgment, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta has determined that Army Gen. William E. 'Kip' Ward, the former U.S. Africa Command commander, must repay improper expense charges and will be allowed to retire at a reduced rank.
• Army Reserve Chief Looks to Leaders to Solve Sequestration AFPS 14 Nov 2012 -- The Army Reserve remains an efficient and value-added component of U.S. national security, Army Lt. Gen. Jeffrey W. Talley, chief of the Army Reserve, told members of the Defense Writer's Group here today.
• Soldiers using sunlight to improve combat capability Army News 14 Nov 2012 -- Soldiers are enlisting the sun's power in Afghanistan.
• Army training for DATE with hybrid threats Army News 14 Nov 2012 -- Last month, about 1,200 Soldiers parachuted into the Joint Readiness Training Center here to participate in a 'Decisive Action Training Environment' exercise meant to prepare them for the hybrid threats the Army will likely face as it shifts away from engagement in Afghanistan.
• Beyond protection: Army Research Laboratory investigates next-level pelvic, groin protection Army News 14 Nov 2012 -- New ballistic research areas are filling a critical gap in troop pelvic protection systems, said U.S. Army Research Laboratory engineers.
• U.S., Bulgarian forces train together during Allied Force 12 Army News 14 Nov 2012 -- Soldiers from U.S. Army Europe and their partners from the Bulgarian Land Forces are working together here from Oct. 29 to Nov. 10, to certify a Bulgarian battalion as part of exercise Allied Force 12.
• New fleet of RFA tankers named UK MOD 14 Nov 2012 -- Four new Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) tankers, which will be bought as part of the Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability (MARS) programme, will be called the Tide Class.
• Royal Navy Lynx joins French frigate for counter-piracy ops UK MOD 14 Nov 2012 -- The first Royal Navy Lynx helicopter to join a French frigate for a full counter-piracy deployment has arrived on board the ship in Toulon, on France's south coast.
• Vietnam, Malaysia Eye Russian Yak-130 Trainer RIA Novosti 14 Nov 2012 -- Malaysia and Vietnam are interested in buying Russian-made Yak-130 Mitten combat trainers, a source in the Russian delegation at the Air China aerospace show told RIA Novosti on Wednesday.
• China Unveils Yi Long UAV RIA Novosti 14 Nov 2012 -- China has unveiled for the first time its Yi Long unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) local media reported on Wednesday, which its makers claim is far cheaper than its Israeli and American analogs at less than $1 million.
• New Russian Bomber 'Will Not be Hypersonic' RIA Novosti 14 Nov 2012 -- Russia's future PAK-DA manned bomber project will not have hypersonic speed capability, Russia's bomber force commander said on Wednesday, in an apparent contradiction of claims by Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin earlier this year.
• Irkut in Talks Over Joint Airliner With China RIA Novosti 14 Nov 2012 -- Russian aircraft-maker Irkut is in talks with China to develop a new large airliner, an Irkut official said on Wednesday.
• Velayate-4 maneuver carries no message of threat- chief of staff IRNA 14 Nov 2012 -- Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces said Wednesday that Velayate-4 antiaircraft maneuver underway in the eastern province of South Khorassan carries no message of threat.
• Iran successfully test fires new missile systems IRNA 14 Nov 2012 -- Iran's Air Force has successfully test fired two optimized 'Qader' and 'Ya-Zahra' missile systems in the third day of the Velayat-4 air defense maneuver in this eastern province.

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for November 14, 2012

Other Conflicts

• 14 November 2012 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 14 Nov 2012
• IDF Operation Pillar of Defense - Thursday, November 14 Updates Israel Defense Forces 14 Nov 2012
• US Stops Short of Recognizing Syrian Opposition Coalition VOA 14 Nov 2012 -- The United States has declined to fully recognize a newly formed Syrian opposition coalition, saying the group must first prove its worth after its predecessor was dogged by feuding and accusations of Islamist domination.
• France Recognizes Syrian Opposition RFE/RL 14 Nov 2012 -- France has become the first Western country to recognize Syria's new opposition coalition.
• US to Increase Aid for Syrian Conflict Victims VOA 14 Nov 2012 -- The United States says it is providing $30 million in extra humanitarian aid for those affected by the Syrian conflict.
• Wave of Israeli Strikes Kill Hamas Commander VOA 14 Nov 2012 -- An Israeli airstrike in Gaza has killed the top military commander of Hamas with Israel warning other Hamas members not to 'show their faces above ground' in the next few days.
• Top Hamas Commander Killed in Israeli Strike VOA 14 Nov 2012 -- Ahmed al-Jaabari, a top commander of the Islamist Hamas militant group, was killed in an Israeli air strike Wednesday in Gaza, shattering a tacit cease-fire that lasted less than a day.
• Israel Threatens Oslo Pullout Over Palestinian UN Bid RIA Novosti 14 Nov 2012 -- Israel will consider pulling out of the Oslo Accords and overthrowing Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas if the UN upgrades the status of Palestine to a non-member observer state, Israeli media reported on Wednesday.
• Israel Launches Gaza Air Strikes, Kills Hamas Commander RIA Novosti 14 Nov 2012 -- The Israeli army said on Wednesday it had started a large-scale operation aimed at eliminating key militant commanders and 'terrorist infrastructure' in the Gaza Strip controlled by radical Islamist group Hamas.
• Security Council extends mandate of European peacekeepers in Bosnia for another year UN News Centre 14 Nov 2012 -- The Security Council today extended for another year the mandate of the European peacekeepers tasked with ensuring the continued compliance by all sides with the 1995 Dayton Peace Agreement that ended fighting in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
• UN report finds evidence of arbitrary killings in eastern DR Congo, prompts calls for action UN News Centre 14 Nov 2012 -- Rebel groups in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) arbitrarily executed at least 264 civilians, including 83 children, over a five-month period this year, according to a report by United Nations human rights investigators, released today.
• On 10th anniversary, Ban urges continued global support for International Criminal Court UN News Centre 14 Nov 2012 -- As the International Criminal Court (ICC) celebrates its 10th anniversary, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called on States to 'do what it takes' to enable the body to carry out its vital work to advance justice and accountability for the worst crimes.
• YEMEN: New challenges for aid worker security IRIN 14 Nov 2012 -- Yemen has long been renowned as a place where foreigners, including aid workers, are at risk of kidnapping. On the brink of civil war last year, and with a still fluid social and political transition under way, new challenges for aid worker security are emerging, say experts.

News Reports

• Obama, Senate Republicans Spar Over UN Ambassador VOA 14 Nov 2012 -- A rift has emerged between U.S. President Barack Obama and Republican lawmakers in Congress over America's United Nations ambassador, Susan Rice.
• China's New Leadership Emerging As Congress Ends RFE/RL 14 Nov 2012 -- France has become the first Western country to recognize Syria's new opposition coalition.
• Moscow to Take Up Nuclear Issue with Tehran RIA Novosti 14 Nov 2012 -- Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov will hold talks with Iran's point man on the nuclear issue Saeed Jalili, the IRNA news agency reported on Wednesday.
• Despite Putin's 'Promise,' Anti-Treason Law Comes into Force RIA Novosti 14 Nov 2012 -- A controversial law on state treason that critics fear could be used to stamp out political dissent came into force in Russia on Wednesday, two days after President Vladimir Putin told human rights workers he was ready to “review” it.
• Pakistani Supreme Court withdraws contempt notice against PM IRNA 14 Nov 2012 -- The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Wednesday withdrew the contempt notice against Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf, local media reported.
• Taiwan's top cross-strait negotiator to visit China in December CNA 14 Nov 2012 -- Lin Join-sane, chairman of the quasi-official Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF), is planning to visit China in December, the SEF said Wednesday.
• Russia Launches Dual-Purpose Telecoms Satellite RIA Novosti 14 Nov 2012 -- Russia's Space Forces launched on Wednesday a Soyuz-2.1a carrier rocket with a dual-purpose Meridian-series telecoms satellite on board, spokesman Col. Alexey Zolotukhin said.
• Astronomers Find 'Homeless' Planet Drifting Through Space VOA 14 Nov 2012 -- Astronomers have discovered a planet drifting through space, not orbiting a star. Such cosmic wanderers are believed to be common in the universe. But the new-found planet's proximity to our solar system - just 100 light years, or 1000 trillion kilometers, away - and the absence of any nearby stars have allowed the international [Canadian and European] team to study the planet's properties in greater detail than ever before.