14 March 2013 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
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Current Operations

OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 14 Mar 2013 [PDF]

U.S. Afghanistan Commander Warns Karzai Comments May Fuel Violence RFE/RL 14 Mar 2013 -- The NATO-led International Assistance Security Force has confirmed the contents of an advisory sent by the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan that warns troops to be ready for increased violence.
Karzai Says He Wanted To 'Correct,' Not Damage Relations RFE/RL 14 Mar 2013 -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai has said he wanted to "correct" rather than damage U.S.-Afghan relations after making a series of inflammatory remarks.
Afghan Parliament Speaker's Relatives Among Dead In Konduz Bombing RFE/RL 14 Mar 2013 -- Afghan officials say relatives of the speaker of the Afghan parliament's lower house might have been targeted by a suicide bomber in Konduz Province.
101st Airborne Division assumes command in Afghanistan Army News 14 Mar 2013 -- The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), known famously as the "Screaming Eagles," assumed responsibility of the combined joint task force in eastern Afghanistan.
First elements of 10th Combat Aviation Brigade case colors ahead of deployment Army News 14 Mar 2013 -- Nearly 100 Soldiers from the medical evacuation company of 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division (LI), are scheduled to be the first from the brigade to deploy to Afghanistan.
‘Workhorse’ detachment to support 2nd MAW (Fwd) USMC News 14 Mar 2013 -- A detachment of more than 100 Marines from Marine Wing Support Squadron 271 left Cherry Point March 9 for Afghanistan.
U.S. Embassy in Kabul and Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sign Agreement To Support Counternarcotics and Law Enforcement Programs in Afghanistan US Dept. of State 14 Mar 2013

Statement of the Special Rapporteur following meetings in Pakistan United Nations Human Rights 14 Mar 2013

Iranian Jet Fails to Intercept Unmanned U.S. Aircraft AFPS 14 Mar 2013 -- An Iranian military jet tried to intercept an unarmed American MQ-1 remotely piloted aircraft over international waters March 12 but it was discouraged from accomplishing that mission.
Pentagon: Iranian Warplane Moves Against US Drone in Gulf VOA 14 Mar 2013 -- The Pentagon says an Iranian warplane approached an unarmed U.S. military surveillance drone earlier this week over international waters in the Persian Gulf.

USS Gary, Embarked Coast Guardsmen, Seize a Ton of Cocaine Worth $81 Million NNS 14 Mar 2013 -- The USS Gary and embarked U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment Team seized more than 2,200 lbs of cocaine in the Eastern Pacific Ocean.

Defense Policy / Programs

Army Command in South Korea Trains During Key Resolve Exercise AFPS 14 Mar 2013 -- The Army's top operational command in Korea is training for its primary mission as a combined and joint task force headquarters during Exercise Key Resolve 2013.
Army prepares for next Network Integration Evaluation Army News 14 Mar 2013 -- With two units now readying for Afghanistan with the Army's new tactical communications network, the service will continue to drive technology forward through its next Network Integration Evaluation this spring.
JHSV 2 Successfully Completes Builder's Trials NNS 14 Mar 2013 -- Joint High Speed Vessel 2, the future USNS Choctaw County, conducted builder's sea trials March 7-8, in Mobile, Ala.
BRAC: Paring Army infrastructure would sharpen warfighters' edge Army News 14 Mar 2013 -- Reducing the Army's infrastructure footprint would result in more money for training, modernization and personnel said a top Army official.
MCRC releases plan to strengthen female poolees and officer candidates USMC News 14 Mar 2013 -- Marine Corps Recruiting Command has delivered guidance to recruiters, officer selection officers and recruiting support personnel with an eye on improving the upper body strength of female poolees and officer candidates before the implementation of new Physical Fitness Test standards in 2014.
Army outreach cut by sequestration Army News 14 Mar 2013 -- The across-the-board budget cuts are drastically impacting a very visible mission of the Army, engaging and interacting with the American people.
Quantum sensing using laser cooled atoms shows promising future for Army navigation and detection Army News 14 Mar 2013 -- U.S. Army Research Laboratory scientists in the Sensors and Electron Devices Directorate are currently exploring the field of quantum sensing.
Churchill Leaves U.S. 5th Fleet Area Of Responsibility NNS 14 Mar 2013 -- Guided-missile destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81) transited the Suez Canal and entered the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR), March 8.
‘Ace of Spades’ det joins 26th MEU USMC News 14 Mar 2013 -- Sitting in the ready room at the Marine Attack Squadron 231 hangar, pilots wait patiently for their departure time.
31st MEU Forward Command Element spearheads foreign aid USMC News 14 Mar 2013 -- The scenario the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit faced during the commencement of their Certification Exercise here, March 11 had them tasked with rendering humanitarian aid to a notional island nation.
Sustainers uncase colors Army News 14 Mar 2013 -- The 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) held an uncasing ceremony March 6 at the Natcher Physical Fitness Center on Fort Knox, Ky.
ISR warriors raise bar at Red Flag AFNS 14 Mar 2013 -- Armed with some of the military's latest technologies and defined objectives in mind, Airmen in the intelligence career field begin to process, exploit and disseminate intelligence to an extent and level never achieved before.
10th CAB ATX marks end of era Army News 14 Mar 2013 -- After 90 Aviation Training Exercises spanning more than 16 years, the 10th Combat Aviation Brigade's ATX Feb. 26 to March 7 is expected to be the last active-duty exercise of its kind at Fort Rucker.
Intelligence training gets off to fast start Army News 14 Mar 2013 -- Personnel from the 470th MI Brigade who run the Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM) Detention Training Facility (IDTF) there immediately "put them to work" in their training scenarios.
North Dakota Guardsmen complete exercise in Cameroon Army News 14 Mar 2013 -- Nearly 40 North Dakota National Guard members who took part in a U.S. Army Africa exercise in Cameroon are back home as their Central African military counterparts develop follow-on plans for using their newly learned skills.
JGSDF members, Marines train on skis USMC News 14 Mar 2013 -- Encouraging cheers and laughter could be heard up and down the slopes as snow flew and bonds grew during ski training.
NSW Riggers, Keeping SEALs' Chutes in Check NNS 14 Mar 2013 -- Special warfare operators and support technicians, assigned to Naval Special Warfare (NSW), rely on a variety of specialized equipment in order to complete their missions.
DOD Officials Cite Advances in Cyber Operations, Security AFPS 14 Mar 2013 -- A transformation is under way in the Defense Department’s understanding and treatment of cyber requirements.
DOD Examines UCMJ Changes to Combat Sexual Assaults AFPS 14 Mar 2013 -- Defense Department officials will do what it takes to end sexual assault in the military, the Pentagon’s top acting general counsel told Congress yesterday.
US Military Sexual Assault Victims Testify Before Congress RIA Novosti 14 Mar 2013 -- As the US Congress looks to change the way the American military handles sexual assault cases, victims testified before a Senate subcommittee.
Furloughs Could Affect Army's Behavioral Health Care AFPS 14 Mar 2013 -- Upcoming furloughs for Army civilians, along with budget cuts, will affect the Army's ability to provide behavioral health care to soldiers, the service’s chief of behavioral health care said here this week.
Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel: Ceremonial Swearing-In DoD 14 Mar 2013
Hagel: Leadership a Team Effort AFPS 14 Mar 2013 -- Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel took the ceremonial oath of office today in a Pentagon ceremony presided over by Vice President Joe Biden.

Prosecutors Probe $230,000 Defense Ministry Fraud RIA Novosti 14 Mar 2013 -- Military prosecutors are investigating a suspected embezzlement of 7 million rubles (about $230,000) at the Defense Ministry owned health resort in south Russia’s Stavropol regio.

Bridge installation a milestone for UK carrier build UK MOD 14 Mar 2013 -- The Defence Secretary was in Scotland today to watch an enormous bridge section fitted to the Royal Navy's new aircraft carrier.

Iran’s Army successfully test-fires short-range missiles PressTV 14 Mar 2013 -- The Ground Forces of the Iranian Army have successfully test-fired two short-range missiles during a day-long military exercise in the central city of Kashan.
Iran successfully test-fires two missiles in military drills IRNA 14 Mar 2013 -- Iran’s Army Ground Forces successfully test-fired two new rockets dubbed Naze’at-10 and Fajr-5 during a military exercise began in central Iran.

Ukraine’s ‘Killer’ Dolphins Not Killers, Not Gone – Military RIA Novosti 14 Mar 2013 -- Ukraine’s Defense Ministry vehemently denied that “killer” dolphins had escaped from their trainers.

Taiwan aiming to allow armed guards on civilian ships CNA 14 Mar 2013 -- The Cabinet passed a draft bill to allow deep-sea fishing boats and shipping vessels to carry private armed security guards on board to deter piracy.

Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, 3/14/2013 The White House 14 Mar 2013
U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing, March 14, 2013 US Dept. of State 14 Mar 2013

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for March 14, 2013
UN chief voices support for arms trade treaty ahead of upcoming conference UN News Centre 14 Mar 2013 -- Secretary-General Ban reiterated his support for a comprehensive arms trade treaty ahead of next week’s United Nations conference.
Russia to Crack Down on Arms Sales Dumping RIA Novosti 14 Mar 2013 -- The Russian Defense Ministry and the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation have agreed to join forces to ensure arms delivered to the Russian army and their export variants are sold at the same prices.

Other Conflicts

Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, 14 March 2013 United Nations 14 Mar 2013

N. Korea, S. Korea Hold Live Artillery Drills, as Tensions Mount VOA 14 Mar 2013 -- Both South and North Korea have held a series of live-five artillery drills as tensions between the two nations mount.
DPRK FM Spokesman On AA Being Dissolved Unilaterally KCNA 14 Mar 2013 -- A spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of the DPRK gave the following answer to a question put by KCNA.
DPRK FM Spokesman Slams UN Secretary General KCNA 14 Mar 2013 -- A spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of the DPRK gave the following answer to a question raised by KCNA.
Provocateurs Will Face Retaliatory Strike Anytime: CPRK Secretariat KCNA 14 Mar 2013 -- The Secretariat of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea issued the following information bulletin No. 1022.

Lebanese parties must not get involved in Syrian crisis, Security Council stresses UN News Centre 14 Mar 2013 -- The Security Council said it was stressing the need for all Lebanese parties to refrain from any involvement in the crisis in neighbouring Syria.
Syria's Uprising Enters Third Year VOA 14 Mar 2013 -- The uprising against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is moving into its third year.
Europe Ramps Up Calls to Arm Syrian Rebels VOA 14 Mar 2013 -- Europe's two biggest military powers, France and Britain, are ramping up calls for the European Union to arm Syrian rebels.
Hollande urges EU to officially allow arms flows into Syria PressTV 14 Mar 2013 -- French President Francois Hollande has called on European leaders to start officially arming Syria militants by removing bans on flow of weapons into the violence-wracked country.
France, UK to arm Syria militants: Paris PressTV 14 Mar 2013 -- France and the UK will send weapons to the militants in Syria despite an arms embargo which forbids the EU states from such an action, France says.
Arming Syria militants ‘flagrant violation of intl. law’ PressTV 14 Mar 2013 -- Syria has strongly condemned a decision by France and Britain to supply arms to foreign-backed militants fighting against the government of President Bashar al-Assad.
Lavrov Says Arming Syrian Rebels Would Be 'Illegal' RFE/RL 14 Mar 2013 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has warned that arming the Syrian opposition would be against international law.
Moscow Warns Arab League Over Syria Seat for Rebels RIA Novosti 14 Mar 2013 -- Russia's Foreign Ministry warned the Arab League that its recent decision to give Syria’s seat to the opposition National Council would legalize arms supplies to militants and terrorists.
UNHCR: Number of Syrian refugees grow 10% PressTV 14 Mar 2013 -- The UN refugee agency says the number of Syrian refugees has soared 10 percent in the past week alone.
UN food relief agency facing severe funding challenges for Syria operation UN News Centre 14 Mar 2013 -- Two years into the Syrian crisis, the United Nations food relief agency said it is facing severe challenges in expanding its emergency operation which aims to feed millions of conflict-affected people.

UN envoy to Central African Republic voices deep concern over renewed fighting UN News Centre 14 Mar 2013 -- Renewed rebel attacks in the Central African Republic have isolated much of the population of the impoverished country.
CAR Gov't Condemns Rebel Advance After Peace Deal VOA 14 Mar 2013 -- The government of the Central African Republic is condemning recent advances by the Seleka rebel coalition, who retain de-facto control over parts of the north and have seized new territory in the past week.

Coordinated Bombings Kill at Least 9 in Iraq VOA 14 Mar 2013 -- A series of coordinated blasts rocked the heart of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, killing at least 9 people and wounding dozens.
Coordinated Bombings and Assault Leave Several Dead In Baghdad RFE/RL 14 Mar 2013 -- A string of coordinated bombings and an assault on a government building in central Baghdad have left at least 18 people dead and around 30 injured.
Multiple bomb attacks rock Iraqi ministries, kill 21 PressTV 14 Mar 2013 -- Multiple bomb explosions have targeted Iraqi ministries in Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone, leaving at least 21 people dead, officials say.

Pakistan dissmises Indian claim on Kashmir attack IRNA 14 Mar 2013 -- Pakistan has rejected claims by Indian officials that the two militants 'seem to be from across the border, probably Pakistan.'
India imposes fresh curfew in Kashmir following violence PressTV 14 Mar 2013 -- Authorities have imposed a 24-hour curfew in Indian-administered Kashmir a day after violence killed seven people, including five police officers, in the disputed region.

Taliban commander killed in Karachi IRNA 14 Mar 2013 -- A commander of the banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan Qari Bilal was killed in a shootout with security forces in port city of Karachi.

Obama to Prod Israelis, Palestinians on Peace Efforts VOA 14 Mar 2013 -- President Barack Obama will use his trip to Israel, the occupied West Bank, and Jordan to address Israelis and Palestinians about reviving peace efforts.
Briefing: Inside the E-1 Israeli settlement IRIN 14 Mar 2013 -- Palestine, now upgraded to a non-member observer state at the UN General Assembly, recently threatened to ask the International Criminal Court to investigate Israel if it moves forward with E-1 (Palestine would first have to sign onto the Rome Statute that created the Court).

Myanmar: Ban encourages parties to reach ceasefire to end conflict in Kachin UN News Centre 14 Mar 2013 -- Secretary-General Ban welcomed the outcome of the recent discussions in China between Myanmar’s peacemaking committee and the Kachin Independence Organization and their agreement to work toward a lasting ceasefire.

OSCE Inspectors to Monitor Ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh RIA Novosti 14 Mar 2013 -- The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe will check the way a ceasefire is being observed on the contact line between the armed forces of Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Serbia, Kosovo Close In on Deal to End Ethnic Partition VOA 14 Mar 2013 -- Serbia and Kosovo said they were close to a deal to end the ethnic partition of the former Serbian province with Belgrade coming under increasing pressure from the European Union as it nears a decision on opening membership talks.
Kosovo PM Says Deal With Serbia Near, But No Concessions RFE/RL 14 Mar 2013 -- Kosovar Prime Minister Hashim Thaci has expressed hope that a deal with Serbia regarding his country's status is within reach.

Cambodia: UN-backed genocide court terminates charges after death of accused UN News Centre 14 Mar 2013 -- The trial chamber of the United Nations-backed court in Cambodia that is trying those accused of genocide and crimes against humanity terminated the proceedings against former foreign minister Ieng Sary, who died this morning after being hospitalized since 4 March.
Ex-Khmer Rouge Leader Ieng Sary Dead at 87 VOA 14 Mar 2013 -- The Khmer Rouge’s former foreign minister, Ieng Sary, has died in Phnom Penh at age 87.

Anniversary of Lebanon's Cedar Revolution US Dept. of State 14 Mar 2013

Argentina congress has rejected UK Malvinas referendum PressTV 14 Mar 2013 -- Argentinean lawmakers have approved a rejection statement condemning the UK referendum on the sovereignty of the Malvinas Islands.

News Reports

Israel Forms New Coalition Government VOA 14 Mar 2013 -- Israeli political parties have reached a coalition agreement, clearing the way for a new government and some top-level international diplomacy as U.S. President Barack Obama prepares to visit.

Press Briefing by Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications Ben Rhodes and U.S. Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro The White House 14 Mar 2013
Obama, US Officials Reiterate All Options Open on Iran VOA 14 Mar 2013 -- U.S. President Barack Obama has reiterated his determination to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
Iran’s nuclear issue should be resolved through dialogue: IAEA IRNA 14 Mar 2013 -- Iran’s nuclear issue should be resolved through dialogue, said Yukiya Amano.
Companies Sanctioned under the Iran Sanctions Act and the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act US Dept. of State 14 Mar 2013
11 nations granted waivers of US sanctions on Iran PressTV 14 Mar 2013 -- The United States has granted new waivers on Iran sanctions to 11 countries in exchange for their reductions of purchases of Iranian crude oil.
UN's Iran Rights Rapporteur Says Sanctions Could Worsen Situation RFE/RL 14 Mar 2013 -- The United Nations special rapporteur for human rights in Iran, Ahmed Shaheed, says his work has had a positive impact on the rights situation in the Islamic republic.
Fifth Iranian Announces Intention To Run For President RFE/RL 14 Mar 2013 -- Iranian parliamentary deputy speaker Mohammad Reza Bahonar has publicly announced his intention to run for president.
Majlis vice speaker Bahonar declares candidacy for presidential election PressTV 14 Mar 2013 -- First Vice Speaker of Iran’s Majlis Mohammad Reza Bahonar has officially announced his candidacy for the country’s forthcoming presidential election due in June.

N. Korea-based Websites Inaccessible VOA 14 Mar 2013 -- Internet users are reporting an inability to access North Korea-based websites.

China Congratulates, Criticizes Vatican on New Pope VOA 14 Mar 2013 -- China sent a message of both congratulations and criticism to the Vatican following the election of a new Roman Catholic pope.
US Catholics Hope New Pope Can ‘Bridge the Divide’ RIA Novosti 14 Mar 2013 -- Some US Catholics said they were hopeful he would heal the wounds of the recent past and help them reconcile modern American life with traditional church values.
Vatican Looks South for Pope, but Still Aims at Orthodoxy VOA 14 Mar 2013 -- The selection of a Jesuit priest from Argentina to be pope signifies a number of firsts, but Pope Francis is expected to continue the doctrinal conservatism of the last two papacies.
Mass for Inauguration of Pope Francis to be on March 19 RIA Novosti 14 Mar 2013 -- The Mass for the inauguration of new Pope Francis, elected on Wednesday to lead the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics, will be held on March 19, Vatican spokesman the Rev. Federico Lombardi said.
Pope Francis Holds Mass on First Day as Pontiff VOA 14 Mar 2013 -- Pope Francis began his first full day as leader of the world's 1.2 billion Roman Catholics with prayers at a basilica in Rome, then celebrating Mass in the Vatican's Sistine Chapel.
Pope Francis Prays At Rome Basilica On First Day RFE/RL 14 Mar 2013 -- Pope Francis began his first day as pontiff by praying at Rome's main basilica dedicated to the Virgin Mary, a day after he became the first occupant of the Holy See from the Americas.
World Catholics' new Pope elected IRNA 14 Mar 2013 -- The 226th Pope in Catholic Church's over 2000 year history was finally elected after the fifth Pontiff Council meeting and spoke to cheering crowds just over an hour after white smoke poured from a chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel.
Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio elected new pope PressTV 14 Mar 2013 -- Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina has been named the new pope of the Roman Catholic Church, taking the nickname of Pope Francis I.

Readout of the President’s Phone Call with Chinese President Xi Jinping The White House 14 Mar 2013
Obama, China's Xi Discuss Cyber Security Dispute in Phone Call VOA 14 Mar 2013 -- President Barack Obama took mounting U.S. concerns about computer hacking straight to China's president on Thursday in a sign of how seriously the United States takes the threat of cyber attacks emanating from China.
China's Xi Jinping Becomes Country's President VOA 14 Mar 2013 -- China's National People's Congress has voted to elect Xi Jinping as the country's next president.
China's Parliament Approves Xi As President RFE/RL 14 Mar 2013 -- China's largely powerless parliament has approved the country's new leader, Xi Jinping, as the nation's president.
Xi Jinping Elected Chinese President, Military Chief RIA Novosti 14 Mar 2013 -- General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China Xi Jinping was elected Chinese president at the session of the 12th National People's Congress.
China Names Li Keqiang as Premier VOA 14 Mar 2013 -- China's parliament has elected Li Keqiang premier as the country's Communist Party nears the final stages of its once-a-decade transition of power.

Saudi-backed forces in Bahrain attack anti-regime protesters PressTV 14 Mar 2013 -- Bahraini regime forces have used sound bombs and tear gas to disperse demonstrators protesting against the deployment of Saudi forces to Bahrain in 2011.

Pakistan’s Musharraf to return country this month IRNA 14 Mar 2013 -- Self-exiled former Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf would return to Pakistan later this month to take part in parliamentary elections.
‘Bomb blast kills 3, injures 5 in Karachi’ PressTV 14 Mar 2013 -- A bomb blast at a television network office in the Pakistani port city of Karachi has killed three people and wounded five others.
Pakistani Gunmen Kidnap Czech Tourists In Southwest Province RFE/RL 14 Mar 2013 -- Gunmen have abducted two female Czech tourists as they were traveling on a bus through Pakistan's troubled southwestern province of Balochistan.

Recent developments highlight challenges facing Libya’s transition UN News Centre 14 Mar 2013 -- While there has been notable progress in Libya’s democratic transition, recent political and security developments have revealed the challenges associated with this process.

UN human rights monitoring team praises Kenya for successful election process UN News Centre 14 Mar 2013 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today welcomed the appointment of an interim electoral council in Nepal, which he said could end the political stalemate that has stalled implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement that ended a civil war in 2007.

Political Deadlock Eases in Nepal VOA 14 Mar 2013 -- Nepal’s chief justice has taken over as prime minister, after the country’s fractious political parties agreed to let him organize new elections.

Attack in Western Ivory Coast Kills Six VOA 14 Mar 2013 -- At least six people have been killed in western Ivory Coast after an attack by unidentified armed men.

Cambodia Overturns Conviction of Government Critic VOA 14 Mar 2013 -- A Cambodian appeals court has overturned the conviction against an independent radio owner who was sentenced to 20 years in prison on insurrection charges.

Venezuela says far-right US plot targeted opposition leader Capriles PressTV 14 Mar 2013 -- Venezuela’s acting President Nicolas Maduro says ‘far-right’ figures in the United States have plotted to assassinate opposition leader Henrique Capriles.

Armenia's Top Court Upholds Sarksyan Re-election VOA 14 Mar 2013 -- Armenia's Constitutional Court on Thursday rejected claims by two unsuccessful presidential candidates that a February 18 vote was rigged, upholding the re-election of incumbent Serzh Sarksyan.

Report Claims Russia’s Communist Party Won 2011 Polls RIA Novosti 14 Mar 2013 -- The announcement of a report casting fresh doubt on the results of Russia’s 2011 parliamentary polls drew a dismissive response from the pro-Kremlin ruling party and the country’s top election official.

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