July 2008 Security News

New Mexico Flood Victims Look to Skies for Help AFPS 31 Jul 2008 -- New Mexico Army National Guard aviators put their hoist training to the test not once, not twice, but 57 times July 27 after Tropical Depression Dolly caused flooding in the high desert environment of Ruidoso, N.M.
Backgrounder: The East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) cfr.org 31 Jul 2008
China Making Tight Security Preparations in Beijing Ahead of Olympics VOA 31 Jul 2008 -- China is making every effort to provide adequate security for the Olympic games.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 31 Jul 2008 [PDF]
California Fire Task Force Mission Becomes 'Wait and See' AFPS 30 Jul 2008 -- With the latest California wildfires mostly under control, Army and Air National Guard aircrews supporting the firefighting effort can finally begin to breathe, as many aircraft are pulled from active support to a stand-by role.
'Noble Resolve' Experiment Tests Emergency-Response Communications AFPS 30 Jul 2008 -- Defense Department agencies as well as state and local emergency-preparedness organizations in Virginia, Oregon, Colorado and Indiana are honing their communication and coordination capabilities as part of the current iteration of the Noble Resolve homeland defense and disaster-response experiment.
Chechen President Kadyrov denies assassination attempt rumors RIA Novosti 30 Jul 2008 -- Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov has denied rumors about an assassination attempt on him.
Turkish Police Detain 9 in Istanbul Bombings Probe VOA 30 Jul 2008 -- Turkish state-run media say police have detained nine people in connection to a double bomb attack that killed 17 people and wounded 150 others in Istanbul Sunday.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 30 Jul 2008 [PDF]
Panic grips India's diamond city after 10 live bombs recover IRNA 29 Jul 2008 -- Panic gripped India's diamond city, Surat in Gujarat state as police have recovered ten live bombs, one after another within a span of four hours, from different parts of the Varacha area where most of the diamond units are located.
Bali Bombers to Challenge Execution by Firing Squad VOA 29 Jul 2008 -- Lawyers for three Islamic militants awaiting execution for the 2002 bombings on Indonesia's Bali Island say they will challenge the legality of death by firing squad, calling the method "torture."
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 29 Jul 2008 [PDF]
Detainee Transfer Announced 29 Jul 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today that it transferred three detainees from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; one detainee was transferred to Afghanistan, one detainee to the United Arab Emirates, and one detainee to Qatar
Louisiana Guard Black Hawks Respond to Yosemite Fire AFPS 28 Jul 2008 -- Two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters from the Louisiana National Guard departed the Mather Flight Facility here yesterday to support firefighting operations in California's Yosemite Valley.
State Military Forces Help Texans Recover After Hurricane AFPS 28 Jul 2008 -- Residents of the Rio Grande Valley are still feeling the effects of Hurricane Dolly after the second Atlantic hurricane of the 2008 season tore through south Texas on July 23 with damaging wind and torrential rain.
Istanbul Hit by Deadly Bombings VOA 28 Jul 2008 -- On Sunday night at least 17 people were killed and over 150 injured in 2 deadly bombings in Turkey's largest city Istanbul
Istanbul explosions kill 16, injure over 150 RIA Novosti 28 Jul 2008 -- The death toll from Sunday evening's explosions in a busy area of central Istanbul rose to 16 on Monday, with more than 150 injured, several of them critically, the government said.
Guantanamo prisoner seeks UK evidence for military tribunal IRNA 28 Jul 2008 -- Lawyers for the only remaining British resident held at the notorious US internment camp in Guantanamo Bay were making a legal challenge Monday for the UK government to provide alleged torture evidence for his defence at a military tribunal.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 28 Jul 2008 [PDF]
India Seeks Calm After Deadly Bombings in Two Cities VOA 27 Jul 2008 -- High-level security officials met in India, following serial bomb blasts in two large cities
More Deadly Bomb Blasts Rock India VOA 26 Jul 2008 -- A day after serial bombings in India's high-tech hub, Bangalore, there have been numerous blasts in Ahmedabad, western India's commercial and cultural capital. Authorities report at least 29 people
China Denies Separatist Group Claims for Bombings VOA 26 Jul 2008 -- Chinese authorities Saturday denied claims by a Uighur separatist group that it was behind a pair of bus bombings in the southwestern city of Kunming and the eastern city of Shanghai.
Al-Qaeda member among 35 activists of banned extremist groups arrested: official IRNA 25 Jul 2008 -- Pakistani security forces have arrested a member of al-Qaeda and 35 activists of banned extremist group during an operation in the country's northwest, the Interior Ministry said Friday.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 25 Jul 2008 [PDF]
NORAD officials keep constant vigil for threats to homeland AFPN 24 Jul 2008 -- Defending North America's borders is no easy task. The threats are continuous and can come from anywhere -- by land, in the air, on the sea or even through information systems.
Anti money-laundering technology created by UN agency installed in Namibia UN News Centre 24 Jul 2008 -- Information technology designed to help countries fight crimes such as money-laundering and the financing of terrorism has been installed at Namibia's Financial Intelligence Centre with the help the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
US to Shift Pakistan Counter-Terrorism Aid for Fighter Jet Upgrade VOA 24 Jul 2008 -- The Bush administration confirmed Thursday it plans to reallocate counter-terrorism aid money for Pakistan to allow that country to upgrade U.S.-supplied F-16 fighter planes
ACLU: US Justice Department Memo Allows Certain Violations of Anti-Torture Laws VOA 24 Jul 2008 -- A newly released memo shows the U.S. Department of Justice told the Central Intelligence Agency in 2002 that violations of anti-torture laws were acceptable under certain conditions.
Turkey Deploys Final Phase Of Lockheed Martin's Vessel Traffic Management Information System Lockheed Martin 24 Jul 2008 -- One of the world's most challenging navigable waterways became safer and more secure recently when the Turkish government deployed the final phase of the Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] Vessel Traffic Management Information System (VTMIS) for the Turkish Straits.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 24 Jul 2008 [PDF]
Airmen ready for Dolly's aftermath AFPN 23 Jul 2008 -- As Hurricane Dolly continues to pound the Texas-Mexico border with heavy rains and strong winds, Airmen remain on standby to help when needed.
Texas military forces ready for Hurricane Dolly landfall AFPN 23 Jul 2008 -- An approximately 500-member-strong joint task force is ready and waiting to help civil authorities save lives and support any evacuations for the Category 2 Hurricane Dolly hitting southern Texas July 23.
Texas Guard gears up for Hurricane Dolly Army News 23 Jul 2008 -- At least 600 Texas National Guard members prepared for storm duty Tuesday, as Tropical Storm Dolly beat a northwestward path over the Gulf of Mexico toward southern Texas.
British Court Rejects Muslim Cleric's US Extradition Appeal VOA 23 Jul 2008 -- A British court has rejected an appeal by a radical Muslim cleric who has been trying to block his extradition to the United States
Bin Laden Driver Said to Have Known 9/11 Target VOA 23 Jul 2008 -- A military prosecutor at Guantanamo says Osama bin Laden's driver, Salim Hamdan, knew the target of the fourth jetliner terrorists hijacked on September 11, 2001
ATK Awarded $78 Million Contract to Missionize Three Maritime Patrol Aircraft for the Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection Division ATK 23 Jul 2008 -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) announced today that it has been awarded contracts by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection (CBP) division to retrofit three additional aircraft with ATK's proprietary integrated Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) system
EU Threatens US with New Visa Restrictions VOA 23 Jul 2008 -- The European Commission is threatening to retaliate against the United States in January, unless Washington grants citizens of all EU member-countries visa-free entry to the United States.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 23 Jul 2008 [PDF]
US Man Sentenced to 12 Years for Terrorist Plot VOA 22 Jul 2008 -- A member of an Islamic terrorist group in the U.S. has been sentenced to 12.5 years in prison for plotting attacks against targets in Los Angeles, California.
Navy's Global Hawk Maritime Demonstration Unmanned Aircraft Supports Northern California Firefighters During Navy Exercises Northrop Grumman 22 Jul 2008 -- The U.S. Navy's RQ-4 Block 10 Global Hawk Maritime Demonstration (GHMD) unmanned aircraft system demonstrated its flexibility and persistence by providing critically needed imagery to firefighters during the recent Northern California wildfires.
National Guard prepares for Hurricane Dolly AFPN 22 Jul 2008 -- National Guardsmen from Texas are being pre-positioned here, ready to respond to the Texas coast, to help citizens affected by Hurricane Dolly which is scheduled to make landfall July 23.
Northern Command Sends Coordinating Cell to Texas for Storm Response AFPS 22 Jul 2008 -- U.S. Northern Command has deployed a defense coordination unit to the Joint Operations Center in Austin, Texas, in anticipation of the landfall of Tropical Storm Dolly in southern Texas.
'Operation Lily Pad' aims to save lives in hurricane Army News 22 Jul 2008 -- The Louisiana National Guard's 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team conducted an exercise Sunday aimed at evacuating refugees in the event of a hurricane striking the state.
China: No Link Between Bus Bombings, Olympics VOA 22 Jul 2008 -- Chinese officials say the investigation into Monday's twin bus bombings in southern China has shown no link with terrorists targeting the Olympics
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 22 Jul 2008 [PDF]
Former Bin Laden Driver Pleads Not Guilty at Guantanamo Trial VOA 21 Jul 2008 -- A man who once chauffeured al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden has pleaded "not guilty" before a U.S. military tribunal at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 21 Jul 2008 [PDF]
Four blasts hit resorts in northern Spain, no injuries reported RIA Novosti 20 Jul 2008 -- Four bombs have exploded in northern Spain after a warning call from the Basque separatist group ETA, the Spanish news agency EFE reported on Sunday.
302nd AEG conducts 23rd day of California wild fire support AFPN 19 Jul 2008 -- Aircraft of the 302nd Air Expeditionary Group began their 23rd day of aerial firefighting support missions July 18 in a coordinated effort to control wildfires in California.
California firefighting commander: 'Great job' by Airmen AFPN 18 Jul 2008 -- People in California noticed the job Airmen at McClellan Airfield performed in fighting California's wildfires and could not stop telling the commander of U.S. Northern Command during his July 17 visit to Sacramento.
Firefighting mission takes C-130 to its limits AFPN 18 Jul 2008 -- Airmen in the sky are giving firefighters on the ground the upper hand in battling the blazes across the state, California forest officials said.
Israel Arrests 6 Suspected of al-Qaida Links VOA 18 Jul 2008 -- Israeli intelligence says it has arrested six people suspected of links to al-Qaida, including one who allegedly inquired about shooting down a helicopter carrying U.S. President George Bush
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 18 Jul 2008 [PDF]
302nd AEG conducts its 21st day of California wild fire support AFPN 17 Jul 2008 -- Aircraft and firefighters from the 302nd Air Expeditionary Group began their 21st day of aerial firefighting support missions July 16 in a coordinated effort to control wildfires in California.
Former US Attorney General Tells Congress Waterboarding Isn't Torture VOA 17 Jul 2008 -- Former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft testified before a congressional panel Thursday about controversial interrogation techniques, including one known as water boarding, carried out by the CIA on key al-Qaida suspects
Final Court Appeal of Convicted Bali Bombers Dismissed VOA 17 Jul 2008 -- Indonesia has denied final appeals for three men on death row convicted for deadly bombings on the island of Bali in October, 2002.
Spain's Supreme Court Clears 4 in Madrid Train Bombing Case VOA 17 Jul 2008 -- Spain's supreme court has overturned the convictions of four of the 21 people found guilty of involvement in the 2004 Madrid train bombings that killed 191 people.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 17 Jul 2008 [PDF]
Thales and Furuno combine their expertise to market a new generation of surveillance radar Thales 16 Jul 2008 -- Thales and Furuno Electric jointly introduced a first new radar, Coastwatcher 10, which provides a high performance low-cost solution for short range maritime surveillance.
Coast Guard provides maintenance support to 302nd AEG AFPN 16 Jul 2008 -- Coast Guardsmen from Coast Guard Air Station Sacramento opened their hangar doors for maintainers from the 302nd Air Expeditionary Group, making it easier for them to work on the modular airborne fire fighting system-equipped C-130 Hercules aircraft that are assisting with fighting wildfires in California.
China Reports Breakup of More Suspected Terrorist Groups Ahead of Olympics VOA 16 Jul 2008 -- Chinese state media says authorities have broken up 12 terrorist organizations in the western region of Xinjiang so far this year.
UK shelves expanding electronic access to secret intelligence IRNA 16 Jul 2008 -- The British government was reported Wednesday to have shelved a multimillion pound project designed to improve Britain's security by giving key government officials speedy access to secret intelligence on terrorism and other threats.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 16 Jul 2008 [PDF]
Ex-Pentagon Aide Denies Favoring Torture of Prisoners VOA 15 Jul 20008 -- A key former defense official has testified under subpoena about the Bush administration's authorization of harsh interrogation techniques
302nd AEG conducts its twentieth day of California wild fire support AFPN 15 Jul 20008 -- Aircraft and firefighters from the 302nd Air Expeditionary Group stand ready to begin their 20th day of aerial firefighting support missions July 15 in a coordinated effort to control wildfires in California.
Video Released of Canadian's Interrogation at Guantanamo VOA 15 Jul 2008 -- Lawyers for a Canadian prisoner at the U.S. detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, have released excerpts of his videotaped interrogations, providing a first glimpse into questioning practices at the prison.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 15 Jul 2008 [PDF]
Military aircrews continue California wildfire suppression support AFPN 15 Jul 2008 -- Airmen from the 302nd Air Expeditionary Group began their 18th day of aerial firefighting support missions July 12 in a coordinated effort to control wildfires in California.
Colorado-Based Reserve Airmen Combat California Wild Fires AFPS 15 Jul 2008 -- It's not always easy for members of the 302nd Airlift Wing at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., to remember they're an Air Force Reserve unit.
California calls more Guard troops for fire duty Army News 14 Jul 2008 -- An additional 2,000 National Guard troops were ordered to state active duty by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger Friday to boost the state's ongoing firefighting efforts and prepare for the threat of additional fires over the next several months, according to a press release from his office.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 14 Jul 2008 [PDF]
Military aircraft provide surge capability for wildfire response AFPN 11 Jul 2008 -- A continuing heat wave and an ongoing need for aircraft to support ground firefighters will likely keep Department of Defense aircraft very busy for the foreseeable future in support of the national wildland firefighting effort, the Army colonel in charge of coordinating that support said July 9.
Fire retardant reload operations moved to Channel Islands AFPN 11 Jul 2008 -- The 302nd Air Expeditionary Group moved some critical fire retardant reloading equipment to the Channel Islands Air National Guard Station July 8 to increase the efficiency of modular airborne firefighting systems-equipped C-130 Hercules in battling wildfires in California.
California Air Guard Unit Hosts Fire Retardant Reloading Station AFPS 11 Jul 2008 -- The 146th Airlift Wing at this station in Port Hueneme isn't equipped to drop fire retardant, but the California Air National Guard unit has found another mission that will keep them involved in the effort to battle wildfires.
California Governor Calls Additional Guard Troops for Fire Duty AFPS 11 Jul 2008 -- California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger ordered an additional 2,000 National Guard troops to state active duty today to boost the state's ongoing firefighting efforts and prepare for the threat of additional fires over the next several months.
Hurricane Hunters fly first storm of 2008 season AFPN 11 Jul 2008 -- As the Hurricane Hunters prepared to fly their first storm of the 2008 hurricane season July 11, Hurricane Bertha lumbered on a wide path toward Bermuda.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 11 Jul 2008 [PDF]
Maintainers keep C-130's flying during wildfire operations AFPN 10 Jul 2008 -- As the fires in California continue to threaten lives and property, maintainers from the 302nd Air Expeditionary Group ensure that the modular airborne fire fighting system-equipped C-130 Hercules aircraft are ready to fly and drop fire retardant on time and on target.
Bush Signs Expanded Wiretap Law VOA 10 Jul 2008 -- U.S. President George Bush has signed legislation expanding the government's surveillance powers
China Stops More Terrorists Targeting Olympics VOA 10 Jul 2008 -- China says it has stopped five terrorist groups and arrested 82 suspected terrorists who were plotting to attack the Beijing Olympics
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 10 Jul 2008 [PDF]
C-130s continue aerial firefighting operations in California AFPN 09 Jul 2008 -- Aircraft from the 302nd Air Expeditionary Group continued aerial firefighting support missions July 5 in a coordinated effort to control wildfires in California.
Air Force unit flies 50,000th Noble Eagle sortie AFPN 09 Jul 2008 -- The Continental U.S. NORAD Region, known as CONR, reached a significant milestone June 8 as the 50,000th Operation Noble Eagle sortie conducted over the continental United States was flown locally over South Carolina.
Raytheon Awarded Phase 2 Contract for Stand-Off Radiation Detection Raytheon 09 Jul 2008 -- The Department of Homeland Security has awarded Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) a phase 2 contract to continue its development of a Stand-Off Radiation Detection System (SORDS).
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 09 Jul 2008 [PDF]
Air traffic controller supports California wildfire effort AFPN 08 Jul 2008 -- As a C-130 Hercules from the 302nd Air Expeditionary Group rolls down the ramp here ready to take off to fight California's wildfires, an air traffic controller in the tower at McClellan Airfield ensures each flight takes off and lands safely.
California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger visits 302nd AEG AFPN 08 Jul 2008 -- During a visit to the California National Guard fire fighting training at McClellan Airfield, California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger paid a brief visit to the 302nd Air Expeditionary Group to wish Airmen a happy 4th of July and thank them for their service in assisting with California's wildfires.
Teamwork helps Airmen fight fires AFPN 08 Jul 2008 -- Airmen of the 302nd Air Expeditionary Group continued to work with national agencies July 5 to support firefighting efforts in California.
Lockheed Martin Awarded $1.2B Contract by TSA to Manage Integrated Human Resources Program Lockheed Martin 08 Jul 2008 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has received a $1.2B contract from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to manage its Integrated Hiring Operations and Personnel (IHOP) Program.
Surveillance Stepped up in Years Following London Bombings VOA 08 Jul 2008 -- Londoners today marked the third anniversary of the July 7th London bombings that killed 52 people
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 08 Jul 2008 [PDF]
Guard Forces Go to Ground in State's Fire Fight AFPS 07 Jul 2008 -- The first group of 200 California National Guard members called out by California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger for direct ground support on the fire line July 1 have competed their classroom training and are ready to deploy for hands-on training tomorrow, National Guard officials here said today.
Air Guard Rescue Unit Certifies in Firefighting Technique AFPS 07 Jul 2008 -- Crews from the California Air National Guard's 129th Rescue Wing are now certified to perform water bucket operations, making the 129th the only rescue unit in the Air Force and Air National Guard qualified to fight fires.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 07 Jul 2008 [PDF]
Airmen's support of California fires goes into seventh day AFPN 03 Jul 2008 -- Airmen of the 302nd Air Expeditionary Group here have launched their seventh day of support missions July 2 in a coordinated effort to control wildfires in northern California.
Indonesian Police Seize Bombs, Arrest 9 Suspected Terrorists VOA 03 Jul 2008 -- Indonesian police discovered a supply of homemade bombs during a raid in South Sumatra
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 03 Jul 2008 [PDF]
National Guard ordered to battle California wildfires AFPN 02 Jul 2008 -- Approximately 200 California National Guard members were ordered by the state governor July 2 to provide direct ground support to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to extinguish wildfires in the northern part of the state.
Detainee Transfer Announced 02 Jul 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the transfer of two detainees from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to Algeria. These detainees were determined to be eligible for transfer following a comprehensive series of review processes.
US Says Two Blacklisted Pakistani Groups Are Operating Under Aliases VOA 02 Jul 2008 -- The U.S. Treasury Department Wednesday said two Pakistani-based groups blacklisted as terrorist supporters are using new names in an effort to circumvent financial sanctions.
National Guard Soldiers, Airmen Battle Wildfires AFPS 02 Jul 2008 -- California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger ordered about 200 National Guard members yesterday to provide direct ground support to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection as it tries to put out wildfires in the northern part of the state.
Airmen support California firefighting for sixth day AFPN 02 Jul 2008 -- Airmen of the 302nd Air Expeditionary Group here are into their sixth day of California wildfire support July 1 helping to control fires engulfing areas of the Sequoia National Forest.
HRW: France's Counterterrorism Policies Violate Rights VOA 02 Jul 2008 -- Human Rights Watch says France's legal framework for fighting terrorism undermines international fair trial standards.
Britain Announces Plans to Ban Hezbollah's Military Wing VOA 02 Jul 2008 -- The British government says it plans to place the entire military wing of the Lebanese Shi'ite Hezbollah movement on its list of banned terrorist organizations.
Boucher, Musharraf discusses cooperation IRNA 02 Jul 2008 -- Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Mr. Richard A. Boucher, called on President Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday and discussed Pakistan-U.S. relations, counter-terrorism cooperation and regional developments of mutual interest.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 02 Jul 2008 [PDF]
Airmen launch fifth day of California fire support AFPN 01 Jul 2008 -- Airmen and aircraft of the 302nd Air Expeditionary Group here launched their fifth day of California wildfire support June 30 in an effort to control fires engulfing areas of the Tahoe and Los Padres National Forests.
Iowa Guard Civil Support Team Pulls Poisons From Flood Waters AFPS 01 Jul 2008 -- A National Guard counterterrorism unit has been wet and waist-deep in its battle against hazardous materials caught up in floodwaters in Des Moines, Iowa.
Bush Removes Nelson Mandela from Terror Watch List VOA 01 Jul 2008 -- U.S. President George Bush Tuesday signed a bill that allows Nelson Mandela to enter the United States without special clearance.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 01 Jul 2008 [PDF]

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July 2008 Security News