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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
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News Reports

Current Operations

• 4-9 Cavalry: An indispensable part of the mission Army News 09 Oct 2013 -- The 4th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division soldiers are in Afghanistan serving outside their typical cavalry role.
• Lavrov: Afghanistan Not Ready for NATO Forces Pullout RIA Novosti 09 Oct 2013 -- The development of the situation in Afghanistan clearly shows that Afghan security forces will not be in position to take control of law and order in the war-torn country after the withdrawal of NATO-led forces, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
• Airman killed conducting operations in Colombia AFNS 09 Oct 2013 -- United States Southern Command officials today confirmed the identity of an Airman killed in a plane crash Saturday in Colombia.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Statement by Secretary Hagel on Death Gratuities DoD 09 Oct 2013
• Fisher House Steps Forward to Aid DOD in Paying Death Benefits AFPS 09 Oct 2013 -- The Fisher House Foundation has stepped in to aid the Defense Department so families of fallen service members can receive the full set of benefits they have been promised, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said here today.
• Alexander Calls on Industry to Help Set Record Straight AFPS 09 Oct 2013 -- The nation's top cyber commander called on industry today to "put the facts on the table" about the National Security Agency following leaks about the agency's surveillance programs, blaming inaccurate or sensational reporting for congressional failure to approve measures that he said are needed to protect the nation from a devastating cyberattack.
• Periodic Review Board Process Underway DoD 09 Oct 2013 -- The Department of Defense announced today that the Periodic Review Board (PRB) process is underway. The PRB process was established to review whether continued detention of certain detainees held at Guantanamo Bay remains necessary to protect against a continuing significant threat to U.S. national security.
• Hagel, Israeli Defense Minister Meet at Pentagon AFPS 09 Oct 2013 -- Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon met yesterday at the Pentagon to share views on the range of regional security challenges the United States and Israel are facing together, Defense Department officials said.
• Japan-U.S. military drills canceled due to budget standoff People's Daily 09 Oct 2013 -- Japan's Defense Ministry said Tuesday that joint military drills scheduled between Japan and the United States had been canceled due to a budget standoff that the U.S. Congress has yet to resolve.
• From hard to harder: Iraq retrograde lessons for Afghanistan Army News 09 Oct 2013 -- The withdrawal from Iraq from 2009 to 2011 as part of Operations Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and New Dawn (OND) was a historic logistics accomplishment--the largest in scope since World War II--with many lessons learned. The withdrawal from Afghanistan that began in 2011 as part of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) is equally historic but considerably different.
• Extending the 1st Theater Sustainment Command's reach into Central Asia Army News 09 Oct 2013 -- The 1st Theater Sustainment Command (TSC), a key Army logistics unit managing sustainment and retrograde operations in Afghanistan, successfully expanded an economic development initiative aimed at increasing cross-border commerce between Afghanistan and its neighboring countries in Central Asia.
• Preparing for the retrograde customs mission in Afghanistan Army News 09 Oct 2013 -- The intent of the U.S. Military Preclearance Program is to simplify the return of Department of Defense (DOD) materiel from deployments.
• 101st Sustainment Brigade validates for deployment Army News 09 Oct 2013 -- As the new commander and staff of the 101st Sustainment Brigade prepared for deployment, they decided on the following priorities of work: set the base for a decisive unit, build the team while ensuring Soldier and family resilience, lay out a strategy for predeployment and deployment, build relationships, coordinate with current and future headquarters, and effectively communicate the command's mission to both military and nonmilitary organizations.
• CMRE: Mission command of retrograde enablers in Afghanistan Army News 09 Oct 2013 -- In June 2012, the 18th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion (CSSB) deployed in support of a presidential directive to reduce the force manning levels in Afghanistan. In conjunction with the 62nd Engineer Battalion, the CSSB served as half of the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Materiel Retrograde Element (CMRE), which focused on redistribution, disposal, and retrograde of excess materiel in Afghanistan.
• The modern aviation support battalion Army News 09 Oct 2013 -- A combat aviation brigade (CAB) cannot maintain initiative and provide lethal fire support without a responsive aviation support battalion (ASB). The 46th ASB is the newest aviation support battalion activated as part of the 16th CAB at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), Wash.
• Operational contract support: Looking forward by looking back Army News 09 Oct 2013 -- Contracting civilian personnel and equipment to support military operations is not a modern concept.
• Mobile container assessment team missions, responsibilities, and troop leading procedures Army News 09 Oct 2013 -- In April 2012, the 427th Brigade Support Battalion (BSB) began conducting the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Materiel Retrograde Element (CMRE) mission to assist units with processing materiel for retrograde, redistribution, redeployment, reset, and disposal.
• The seven deadly sins of sustainment Army News 09 Oct 2013 -- Working in the 1st Theater Sustainment Command in Afghanistan has given me a unique vantage point to see how logisticians from strategic through tactical levels are sustaining current operations while retrograding equipment no longer needed for the current fight.
• JMTC introduces new Unmanned Aerial System training facility to German press, dignitaries Army News 09 Oct 2013 -- The 7th Army Joint Multinational Training Command (JMTC) expanded its training capabilities with the official opening of its Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) facility at Vilseck Army Airfield Oct. 7th, 2013.
• U.S. Assistance to Egypt US Dept. of State 09 Oct 2013 -- The United States and Egypt have a longstanding partnership and many shared interests, including: promoting a stable, inclusive and prosperous Egypt; securing regional peace; and countering extremism.
• US Suspends Large Part of Military Assistance to Egypt VOA 09 Oct 2013 -- The United States is suspending the delivery of major weapons to Egypt over delays in progress toward an inclusive government. The decision follows the ouster of the country's first democratically-elected leader.
• Russia to order attack helicopters from domestic builder Iran Press TV 09 Oct 2013 -- A senior Russian military official has announced a Defense Ministry plan to purchase 32 ship-borne attack and civil helicopters from a Russian defense manufacturer.
• Russian Defense Ministry to Order 32 Shipborne Helicopters in 2014 – Official RIA Novosti 09 Oct 2013 -- Russia's Defense Ministry is planning to buy 32 shipborne helicopters from Russian Helicopters' Progress Arsenyev division, a Deputy Defense Minister said Wednesday during a visit to the factory.
• Russia Sends Azov Warship Back to Mediterranean RIA Novosti 09 Oct 2013 -- Russia's Azov large landing ship will resume its mission as part of the Russian naval task force in the Mediterranean after a short training stint in the Baltic Sea, a Black Sea Fleet spokesman said.
• Russia Adds Kalashnikov Concern to 'Strategic' List RIA Novosti 09 Oct 2013 -- Russia's newly formed arms maker Kalashnikov Concern has been added to the list of strategic enterprises to ensure its stable development and efficient operation, the company said.
• Defense Minister Shoigu to Push Russian Arms Sales in Brazil, Peru RIA Novosti 09 Oct 2013 -- Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu will depart next week on a four-day trip to Brazil and Peru to promote the sales of Russian weaponry to these countries, the Kommersant daily reported Wednesday.
• Russian official to promote weapon sales in Brazil, Peru Iran Press TV 09 Oct 2013 -- Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu plans to promote Russian arms sales in South America during an upcoming four-day visit to Brazil and Peru.
• DPRK Foreign Ministry Spokesman Blasts U.S.-Japan-S. Korea Joint Naval Maneuvers KCNA 09 Oct 2013 -- A spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of the DPRK released the following statement Wednesday:
• IRGC Commander: Local version of RQ-170 to fly soon IRNA 09 Oct 2013 -- Commander of IRGC Aerospace Unit Brigadier-General Amirali Hajizadeh said on Wednesday that the local version of the US drone RQ-170 captured by IRGC will make its maiden flight in the near future.
• Israeli drone crashes into Mediterranean Iran Press TV 09 Oct 2013 -- An Israeli unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has crashed into the Mediterranean Sea, Israeli media report.
• October 9, 2013 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 09 Oct 2013

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• 9 October 2013 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 09 Oct 2013
• Chemical weapons watchdog urges cooperation in Syria to carry out UN-joint mission UN News Centre 09 Oct 2013 -- The head of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) today called on all parties in the Syrian conflict to cooperate so that a joint United Nations mission tasked with overseeing the destruction of the country's chemical stockpiles can carry out its work as quickly as possible.
• Syrian refugees fearful as food aid reduced in Lebanon IRIN 09 Oct 2013 -- On a scruffy basketball court in south Lebanon, a few dozen people shuffle their way to the front of an orderly queue where most collect a piece of paper and leave. A few, perhaps a quarter, are told to join the second line.
• Israeli military hits target in Syria Iran Press TV 09 Oct 2013 -- The Israeli military has hit a target in Syria after a soldier in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights sustained slight injuries by fire from the Syrian side.
• Chemical-Weapons Watchdog Chief Seeks Temporary Syria Cease-Fires RFE/RL 09 Oct 2013 -- The head of the global chemical-weapons watchdog has called for temporary cease-fires in Syria's ongoing civil war.
• New Video Attributed to Boko Haram Threatens Long War VOA 09 Oct 2013 -- In Nigeria, many people believe Abubakar Shekau leads Boko Haram, the Islamist militant group blamed for thousands of deaths. A man who sounds like Shekau is heard in a new audio message distributed to journalists, raising questions about claims the terrorist is dead.

News Reports

• Right to enrichment, nuclear energy program Iran red lines: MP Iran Press TV 09 Oct 2013 -- A senior Iranian lawmaker says the nuclear energy program and the right to enrichment are the country's red lines, stressing that no one has the right to cross or negotiate about the Islamic establishment's red lines.
• Iran ready to resolve nuclear issue quickly: Larijani Iran Press TV 09 Oct 2013 -- Iran Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani has once again reaffirmed the country's right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes, stressing that Tehran is serious and ready to resolve its nuclear issue "in a short period of time."
• Larijani: Iran, World Powers Must Build Confidence VOA 09 Oct 2013 -- A senior Iranian official calls next week's negotiations between Iran and six world powers 'a window of opportunity.' Former nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani, now the speaker of Iran's parliament, says differences over his country's nuclear program with the West can be resolved.
• Pakistan top court grants bail to former military ruler Iran Press TV 09 Oct 2013 -- Pakistan's Supreme Court has granted bail to former military ruler Pervez Musharraf in the case of the death of a Baloch rebel leader.
• Protests sought to topple Sudanese government: Al-Bashir Iran Press TV 09 Oct 2013 -- Sudan President Omar al-Bashir says the recent deadly protests in his country have been part of efforts made to overthrow his government.
• Azerbaijani President Set To Win Reelection As Opposition Cries Fraud RFE/RL 09 Oct 2013 -- Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev appears set to be reelected to a third five-year term by a landslide amid allegations by the opposition of massive fraud.
• Egyptian Court Sets November Trial for Morsi VOA 09 Oct 2013 -- Ousted Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi is set to go on trial next month on charges of inciting violence and the killing of opponents while he was in office.
• Egyptians Predict Escalating Security Backlash VOA 09 Oct 2013 -- The violence enveloping Egypt has grown worse in recent days, with attacks on security forces across the country and more than 50 people killed in clashes between anti-government protesters and police. Some see it as a backlash to the heavy-handed tactics of the military, which toppled Islamist President Mohamed Morsi.
• China Offers Closer Ties at ASEAN Summit Skipped by Obama VOA 09 Oct 2013 -- China has offered to improve ties with Southeast Asia, using a regional summit to compete for influence with the United States, whose President Barack Obama was notable for his absence.
• Chinese court accepts ousted politician's appeal Iran Press TV 09 Oct 2013 -- A Chinese court has accepted to consider an appeal made by ousted high-profile politician Bo Xilai against his sentence to life imprisonment.
• Russian Space Agency Faces Major Reform RIA Novosti 09 Oct 2013 -- The Russian government is set to radically centralize its space industry in a bid to combat major inefficiencies and cut down on the misuse of funds under plans unveiled Wednesday by Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin.
• Political prisoners in Myanmar must be released without conditions, UN expert stresses UN News Centre 09 Oct 2013 -- An independent United Nations human rights expert today welcomed the latest release of political prisoners in Myanmar, while also voicing concern over ongoing arrests of activists and conditions attached to arrests.