Iran support for Iraqi militants falling: Gen. Ray Odierno

WASHINGTON — Iranian support for armed insurgents in Iraq has fallen slightly amid stepped up security along their joint border, the top US commander in Baghdad, General Ray Odierno, said Tuesday.

General Ray Odierno, commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, speaks during a news conference in Baghdad June 30, 2009 (Reuters)
“I would just say that what [...]

North Korea accuses US and South Korea of spy plane missions

SEOUL — North Korea on Tuesday accused the United States and South Korea of carrying out more than 1,100 spy plane missions this year amid mounting tensions over the communist state’s nuclear programmes.

RQ-4A Global Hawk, Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), (Northrop Grumman)
The North’s Korean Central News Agency, quoting what it called a military source, said US [...]

U.S. Marine Corps receives first Target Sight System (TSS)

ORLANDO, Fla., June 30  – Lockheed Martin marked the delivery of the first Target Sight System (TSS) production unit at a ceremony held at its Orlando, FL, facility today. The TSS is the multi-sensor fire control system for the U.S. Marine Corps’ AH-1Z Cobra helicopter.

Target Sight System (TSS) provides maximum weapons range for enhanced platform [...]

Indian aircraft carrier (INS Viraat) get a breath of fresh air

NEW DELHI  — India’s cramped, diesel-fired warships are cleaning up their act, or at least their air, by installing purifiers developed by the NASA space agency to clear the fetid, below-decks environment.

An F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to the Strike Fighter Squadron 102, left, and an F/A-18E Super Hornet from Strike Fighter Squadron 27, foreground, fly [...]

U.S. pullout from Iraq smooth despite attacks: Petraeus

BEIRUT – The withdrawal of US troops from Iraq on Tuesday was progressing smoothly despite some attacks, US Central Command chief David Petraeus said during a visit to Lebanon for talks with top officials.

Commander of the U.S. Central Command Gen. David Petraeus (Getty Images)
“I believe that the process is moving smoothly, although there have been [...]

South Korea, Japan to hold joint naval exercise

SEOUL,   — South Korea and Japan will hold a joint biennial naval exercise in the East Sea starting this week, the South Korean Navy said Tuesday.

Sailors aboard Japanese destroyer JS KONGO (DDG 173) watch pierside line handlers as the ship moors pierside Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Oct. 15, 2007 (James E. Foehl/ U.S. Navy)
According [...]

Suicide bomber kills Afghan policewoman

JALALABAD, Afghanistan – A suicide attacker dressed as a woman detonated bombs strapped to his body at a checkpoint on Afghanistan’s border with Pakistan Tuesday, killing a policewoman, an official said.

An Afghan policewoman searches a burqa-clad woman near the main airport in Herat city, west of Kabul, 17 October 2007 (Getty Images)
The man, dressed in [...]

Aegis Destroyer Dewey (DDG 105) Completes Successful “Super Trial”

PASCAGOULA, Miss., June 30, 2009 — Northrop Grumman Corporation’s  Aegis guided missile destroyer Dewey (DDG 105) successfully completed her combined super trial last week in the Gulf of Mexico. The successful sea trial paved the way for delivery to the Navy later this summer. The destroyer is being built by the company at its Gulf [...]

Iraqis forces prepared to take control as U.S. troops leave cities

BAGHDAD – Iraqi forces prepared to take control of towns and cities nationwide on Tuesday as American troops withdrew in a milestone for the country’s recovery six years after the US-led invasion. Baghdad’s streets were quiet and traffic much lighter than usual as people stayed at home for a national holiday to mark the June [...]

Arab states of the Gulf and Red Sea anti-piracy force proposed in Riyadh

RIYADH — Arab states of the Gulf and Red Sea said on Monday that they are planning a joint anti-piracy force, insisting defence of the crucial Red Sea waterway was the “primary responsibility” of littoral states. Saying it was necessary to prevent the spread of piracy to the Red Sea or the Gulf, 11 regional [...]