Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 06 Dec 2012 [PDF]
• Afghan soldiers take lead in IED defeat Army News 06 Dec 2012 -- At Camp Parsa, Afghanistan, an Afghan National Army-led, six-week counter improvised explosive device course is currently on track to churn out more than 40 new, highly trained Afghan soldiers who are motivated to combat IEDs. The training gives Afghan troops another capability necessary to sustain unilateral operations and provide security for Afghanistan.
• Most Afghan Refugees Want to Remain in Pakistan VOA 06 Dec 2012 -- More than 1.6 million Afghan refugees registered in Pakistan are due to be repatriated by the end of the year. With just three weeks to go, however, a recent United Nations survey found that roughly 80 percent have no intention of returning to Afghanistan.
• Combined Force Arrests Taliban Leader AFPS 06 Dec 2012 -- An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader who was responsible for acquiring and distributing weapons and explosives to insurgents during an operation in the Dahanah-ye Ghori district of Afghanistan's Baghlan province today, military officials reported.
• Afghan Intelligence Chief Wounded In Bombing RFE/RL 06 Dec 2012 -- The head of Afghanistan's intelligence service has been wounded in a bomb attack in Kabul.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Former Navy Sailor Charged in Virginia with Attempted Espionage FBI 06 Dec 2012 -- Robert Patrick Hoffman, II, 39, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, has been indicted by a federal grand jury for attempting to provide classified information to individuals who he believed to be representatives of the Russian Federation.
• Secretary Panetta Statement on Intent to Nominate CENTCOM Commander DoD 06 Dec 2012
• Obama Intends to Nominate Austin as Centcom Chief AFPS 06 Dec 2012 -- President Barack Obama intends to nominate Army Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, currently the vice chief of staff of the Army, to succeed Marine Corps Gen. James N. Mattis as the next commander of U.S. Central Command, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta announced today.
• U.S. Monitors Possible North Korean Rocket Launch AFPS 06 Dec 2012 -- U.S. Pacific Command has moved ships into place to monitor a possible North Korean rocket launch, Navy Adm. Samuel J. Locklear III said here today.
• US Moves Warships to Track North Korean Rocket Launch VOA 06 Dec 2012 -- The commander of U.S. forces in the Pacific, Admiral Samuel Locklear, says the U.S. is moving warships to track a rocket that North Korea expects to launch.
• Readout of Vice Chief of Naval Operations Meeting with Chinese Admiral DoD 06 Dec 2012
• Vice Chief of Naval Operations Meets with Chinese Admiral NNS 06 Dec 2012 -- Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mark Ferguson, met today with Vice Commander-in Chief, People's Liberation Army (Navy) Vice Adm. Zhang Yongyi at the Pentagon.
• DOD News Briefing with Adm. Locklear from the Pentagon DoD 06 Dec 2012 -- Presenter: Admiral Samuel J. Locklear III, Commander, U.S. Pacific Command
• Pacific Command Seeks Collaboration, Not Confrontation AFPS 06 Dec 2012 -- The United States would like China to be a constructive influence on the world stage, and the U.S. Pacific Command is stressing cooperation and collaboration, not confrontation, in the region, Navy Adm. Samuel J. Locklear III said here today.
• U.S., Iraq Sign Defense Cooperation Memo of Understanding AFPS 06 Dec 2012 -- American and Iraqi officials signed a memorandum of understanding today in Baghdad that will make it easier for the two countries to work together.
• United States and Iraq Commit to Enduring Strategic Partnership DoD 06 Dec 2012 -- Under the auspices of the Strategic Framework Agreement, the Governments of the United States of America and the Republic of Iraq reaffirmed their commitment to an enduring strategic partnership during the second meeting of the Defense and Security Joint Coordination Committee on December 5-6, 2012 in Baghdad.
• Joint Press Conference with Secretary Panetta and Secretary Shinseki at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, D.C. DoD 06 Dec 2012 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki
• Officials Laud Defense Transportation, Distribution Collaboration Efforts AFPS 06 Dec 2012 -- In a panel discussion at Defense Logistics 2012, Donald Stanton, assistant secretary of defense for transportation policy, and leaders from U.S. Transportation Command and Defense Logistics Agency lauded combined cost-saving efforts of inter-service, inter-agency and industry partners.
• Panetta Discusses Syria Situation, Sequestration AFPS 06 Dec 2012 -- Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta today repeated the U.S. government's growing concern that Syrian forces loyal to President Bashar Assad may be preparing to use chemical weapons on their own people.
• Partnerships, Innovation Provide Keys to Mission Success, Transcom Official Says AFPS 06 Dec 2012 -- The U.S. Transportation Command collaborates with industry and other agencies to find innovative, cost-effective solutions to logistics challenges, the unit's deputy commander said yesterday.
• 3rd MEB now alert contingency MAGTF USMC News 06 Dec 2012 -- The 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade has been designated as the command element for the Asia-Pacific region's alert contingency Marine Air-Ground Task Force.
• Forager Fury begins with historic landing USMC News 06 Dec 2012 -- Exercise Forager Fury 2012 officially began Nov. 28 as a Boeing 747-400 aircraft made history by being the first 747 to land at West Field here, delivering 160,000 pounds of equipment vital for execution of the exercise.
• Airmen save AF more than a million dollars AFNS 06 Dec 2012 -- The 437th Aerial Port Squadron Load Planning Airmen answered the call when the Air Mobility Command Fuel Efficiency Office asked AMC aerial port squadrons to maximize fuel usage aboard C-17 Globemaster III's and other air frames using a new initiative called precession loading.
• Revamped Program Aids Separating Service Members AFPS 06 Dec 2012 -- Major changes announced today to the Transition Assistance Program will revolutionize the way the military prepares people leaving the services, with mandatory participation in programs throughout their military careers to help set them up for a successful transition.
• DOD Clarifies Post-secondary Education Expectations AFPS 06 Dec 2012 -- The Defense Department has issued new policy guidelines intended to provide better protection for members of the military and veterans who seek tuition assistance for post-secondary degrees.
• 168th Brigade Support Battalion helps Air Force repair 'bird' Army News 06 Dec 2012 -- The Army had a unique opportunity to assist another military branch as the 168th Brigade Support Battalion helped replace an engine on an Air Force C-130J Nov. 29 at Fort Sill's Henry Post Army Air Field.
• Army refocuses homefront training strategy Army News 06 Dec 2012 -- As drawdowns in Afghanistan continue, Army officials are shifting focus on homefront training, beginning with how the training is organized and scheduled.
• 2-15 FA Soldiers learn to use foreign artillery in Germany Army News 06 Dec 2012 -- It's not often that Soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division (LI) get an opportunity to train with foreign weapon systems. It's even rarer when that system is a D-30 122mm howitzer. Soldiers of 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment recently had that opportunity while conducting their capstone Security Force Assistance Team training in Hohenfels, Germany.
• DOD Releases Revised Tuition Assistance Memorandum of Understanding DoD 06 Dec 2012 -- The Department of Defense (DoD) released a revised Tuition Assistance Memorandum of Understanding (TA MOU) today, which includes input from universities and reflects many of the president's Principles of Excellence.
• 2nd MAW Fwd activates USMC News 06 Dec 2012 -- The 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) formally activated during a ceremony at the air station theater Nov. 30 in preparation for a deployment to Afghanistan in early 2013.
• Black Sea Rotational Force Marines participate in first field exercise USMC News 06 Dec 2012 -- Marines and sailors with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, participated in their first field exercise in preparation for the upcoming Black Sea Rotational Force deployment.
• VMM-266 crew chiefs fire Osprey's weapon systems USMC News 06 Dec 2012 -- Marines of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266 shot hundreds of rounds from a GAU-16 a .50-caliber machine gun and M240G machine guns taking out targets as they flew past, Nov. 28.
• Military Sealift Command Accepts Delivery of First JHSV NNS 06 Dec 2012 -- Military Sealift Command accepted delivery of the Navy's first joint high-speed vessel at Austal Shipyard in Mobile, Ala., Dec. 5.
• F-35 Integrated Test Force preps maintainers for operational test USMC News 06 Dec 2012 -- When the Joint Strike Fighter Operational Test Team begins testing the F-35 this month, maintenance personnel will be fully self-sufficient and prepared to transition to flight operations. By the time the first aircraft arrives, personnel will have successfully completed all initial training requirements and have already demonstrated the ability to perform specialized maintenance tasks on the 5th generation stealth fighter.
• "The Professionals" depart 31st MEU with foundation for future USMC News 06 Dec 2012 -- Between executing numerous beach assaults and lending a hand to a host of communities, the Marines and Sailors of 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment left their mark in the Asia-Pacific as the battalion landing team of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.
• HMLA-167, 3/10 train together to shoot targets across the New River USMC News 06 Dec 2012 -- Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 167 supported 3rd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment during an artillery training exercise aboard Marine Corps Air Station Camp Lejeune, Nov. 29.
• Defense Ministry Seeks to Annul 'Fraudulent' Property Deals RIA Novosti 06 Dec 2012 -- Newly installed Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu is looking for ways to reclaim Defense Ministry properties that were sold off under allegedly fraudulent terms during his predecessor's tenure, a ministry official said on Thursday.
• Russian Soldiers Spurn Housing Offers RIA Novosti 06 Dec 2012 -- Thousands of apartments built for the Defense Ministry remain empty because they are in regions where noone wants to live, Russian Audit Chamber head Sergei Stepashin said on Thursday.
• US has to confirm Iran's capture of American drone sooner or later, official IRNA 06 Dec 2012 -- An official of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said Thursday that the US military officials will have to confirm, sooner or later, that the drone captured by Iran two days ago belongs to them.
• Capture of US drone proves Iran defense capabilities, MP IRNA 06 Dec 2012 -- A member of Iranian Majlis (Parliament) said on Thursday that capturing a US drone in the Persian Gulf proved Iran's capabilities to defend the country's airspace.
• MOD awards £46m submarine command system contract UK MOD 06 Dec 2012 -- A £46m contract to support and maintain a new sophisticated combat system across the Royal Navy's world class submarine fleet has been awarded to BAE Systems.
• Royal Navy directs anti-terror sweep UK MOD 06 Dec 2012 -- Two dozen Royal Navy personnel have overseen a concerted effort to tackle terrorism and piracy in the seas east of Suez.
• Armed Forces Minister inspects growth of Typhoon Force in Scotland UK MOD 06 Dec 2012 -- Armed Forces Minister Andrew Robathan has paid a visit to RAF Leuchars to witness first-hand the progress that the RAF has made in growing the Typhoon Force in Scotland.
• Japan Deploys Warships Ahead of N.Korean Launch RIA Novosti 06 Dec 2012 -- Tokyo began deploying warships on Thursday in anticipation of a rocket launch by North Korea later this month, media reports said.
• December 6, 2012 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 06 Dec 2012
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, 12/06/2012 The White House 06 Dec 2012

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for December 06, 2012

Other Conflicts

• 6 December 2012 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 06 Dec 2012
• UN Deputy Secretary-General spotlights role of national parliaments to ensure long-term peace UN News Centre 06 Dec 2012 -- Strong leadership from national parliaments is required to build a sustainable peace in countries that in the process of reconciliation, the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Jan Eliasson, said today, adding that partnerships between governments and the world body are needed to consolidate conflict prevention and peacebuilding efforts.
• UN-Arab League envoy meets with top Russian and US foreign affairs officials on Syria UN News Centre 06 Dec 2012 -- The urgent need to initiate a political process to help resolve the ongoing conflict in Syria was agreed on in meeting of the Joint Special Representative of the United Nations and the League of Arab States for the crisis in Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, and the top foreign affairs officials of Russia and the United States.
• Ban voices concern at reported plans of chemical weapons use by Syria UN News Centre 06 Dec 2012 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today reiterated his grave concern about Syria's chemical weapons and recent reports of plans for their possible use, and has written again to President Bashar al-Assad urging him to refrain from the use of any such weapons, according to his spokesperson.
• Panetta: Syria Considering Using Chemical Weapons VOA 06 Dec 2012 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said intelligence reports suggest the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is considering using chemical weapons against advancing rebels.
• US, Russian FM to Meet on Syrian Conflict VOA 06 Dec 2012 -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.N. peace envoy Lakhdar Brahimi Thursday to discuss the Syrian conflict.
• Western Experts Study Possible Response to Syrian Chemical Weapons Moves VOA 06 Dec 2012 -- U.S. and allied forces would face major challenges if they intervene in Syria's civil unrest to prevent President Bashar al-Assad from using chemical weapons against his own people, according to military experts.
• IDPs: African IDP Convention comes into force IRIN 06 Dec 2012 -- The African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) 2009, also known as the Kampala Convention, came into force on 6 December; it is the world's first legally binding instrument to cater specifically to people displaced within their own countries.
• UN independent expert salutes Africa for leading way with landmark convention UN News Centre 06 Dec 2012 -- Africa has 'achieved a milestone and demonstrated its leadership,' an independent United Nations human rights expert said today, as the continent marked the entry into force of the world's first convention that protects people displaced within their own countries by violence, natural disasters or large-scale development projects.
• Kampala Convention is First of its Kind for Displaced People VOA 06 Dec 2012 -- The world's first comprehensive, continental treaty that addresses the multiple causes of internal displacement took effect on December 6th, in Africa. The treaty, named the Kampala Convention, was first adopted by the African Union in October 2009 in Kampala, Uganda.
• UN praises Africa for leading way with landmark treaty protecting internally displaced people UN News Centre 06 Dec 2012 -- The United Nations refugee chief today saluted the "historic" entry into force of an Africa-wide treaty – the world's first – that protects people displaced within their own countries by violence, natural disasters or large-scale development projects.
• DRC Opposition Rejects Offer to Join M23 Talks VOA 06 Dec 2012 -- Opposition parties in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have rejected an invitation by the government to attend talks with the M23 rebels in Kampala. The talks are due to start on Friday.
• Secretary-General calls on Iraqi leaders to resolve differences between themselves and with Kuwait UN News Centre 06 Dec 2012 -- Meeting with Iraqi leaders today, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon raised concerns about political divisions in the country, while also reiterating his call for it and Kuwait to fully mend ties between them.
• Millions of Charcoal Sacks Clutter Somali Town VOA 06 Dec 2012 -- In the Somali port of Kismayo, local residents and business community leaders are calling on the United Nations Security Council to lift a ban on charcoal export so they can clear out several million sacks lying on the road between the new Kismayo International airport and the city center.

News Reports

• US Senate Passes Magnitsky Act & Russian Trade Bill RIA Novosti 06 Dec 2012 -- The US Senate on Thursday passed the Magnitsky Act, which targets Russian officials deemed by Washington to have violated human rights, along with a landmark trade bill with Russia.
• US Senate Votes to Normalize Trade with Russia VOA 06 Dec 2012 -- The U.S. Senate on Thursday overwhelmingly passed a bill that establishes permanent, normal trade relations between the United States and Russia. The vote was 92 to 4. The bill also contains a provision that would punish Russian human rights violators, which Moscow strongly rejects.
• Egypt's Morsi Promises Dialogue, Keeps Extra Powers VOA 06 Dec 2012 -- Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi has called for dialogue with key figures on Saturday to end the nation's political crisis. But Morsi's most controversial positions remain unchanged.
• Egyptian President: 'Thugs' Organizing to Create Disorder VOA 06 Dec 2012 -- Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi, speaking on national television Thursday amid anti-government protests gripping Cairo, says he will not tolerate killings or sabotage, and says many 'thugs' are organizing to create disorder across the country.
• Army Orders Protesters Away From Egyptian Presidential Palace RFE/RL 06 Dec 2012 -- The Egyptian Army has ordered demonstrators to leave the area around the presidential palace in Cairo.
• Tensions Remain Outside Egyptian Presidential Palace VOA 06 Dec 2012 -- Under a heavy military presence, the bulk of demonstrators cleared out from an area near Egypt's presidential palace Thursday afternoon, reducing, for the time being, protests against President Mohamed Morsi and a proposed constitution.
• Analysis: Assessing Southeast Asia's aid coordination during crises IRIN 06 Dec 2012 -- Governments and aid groups in Southeast Asia, the most natural-disaster prone region in the world, say more coordination is needed to prepare for and respond to emergencies.
• Somali Pirate Attacks Plummet in 2012 VOA 06 Dec 2012 -- Attacks by Somali pirates have fallen dramatically in 2012, a development chalked up to multi-national naval efforts, increased security measures by ships, and developments on land in Somalia.
• Myanmar: UN official urges stepped-up efforts to address humanitarian issues causing instability UN News Centre 06 Dec 2012 -- The United Nations humanitarian chief today called on the Government of Myanmar to work with the world body and its partners to increase efforts to address the humanitarian issues that are causing continued instability in the country.
• SIERRA LEONE: Diamonds lure children out of school IRIN 06 Dec 2012 -- Sierra Leone's diamonds fuelled the 1991-2002 civil war, and are now boosting economic growth, but at the same time they are keeping thousands of children out of school.
• US Embassy Attacker in Bosnia Gets 18 Yrs RIA Novosti 06 Dec 2012 -- A Bosnian court sentenced on Thursday a gunman who opened fire on the US Embassy in Bosnia in October last year to 18 years in prison.