Defence in the Media: 11 February 2009

HMS Tireless inquest
Various newspapers have reported the opening of the inquest into the deaths of Leading Operator Maintainer Paul McCann and Operator Maintainer Anthony Huntrod who died after an oxygen generator exploded aboard the Royal Navy submarine HMS Tireless in March 2007. Our thoughts remain with the families and friends of Leading Operator Maintainer Paul McCann and Operator Maintainer Anthony Huntrod at this difficult time.  We have already learnt lessons as a result of our investigations into this incident and MOD is co-operating fully with the Coroner through the course of the inquest.

Detailed investigations have been conducted, including a Board of Inquiry (BOI) and a separate investigation by the Royal Navy Special Investigation Branch (RNSIB). Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) has also carried out an internal investigation into the logistics managements of the Self-Contained Oxygen Generators (SCOGs).

These investigations have been conducted to prevent further such incidents, not only in the Royal Navy but also in the navies of other nations that use SCOGs. The MOD has accepted the findings of these investigations and is acting upon their recommendations. 32 out of the 35 recommendations from the BOI and 13 out of the 14 recommendations from the DE&S investigation have been actioned. Of the remaining four, three are due to be complete by June 2009, as originally planned and one is a longer term project that is due to be completed by June 2010. None of these outstanding recommendations relate directly to the safe operation of Emergency Oxygen Generators.

We have taken several steps to eliminate the risk that might be posed by Self-Contained Oxygen Generators (SCOGs). All old style SCOGs have been removed from submarines. New Emergency Oxygen Generators (EOG) have been deployed on all operational submarines. These EOGs are of a new design which includes better sealing arrangements and more robust packaging and labelling, and they will only be used for emergency escape purposes.

Minister sees latest RAF Airborne Radar
Minister for Defence Equipment and Support Quentin Davies visited RAF Waddington yesterday to see the RAF's fifth and final Sentinel R1 ASTOR (Airborne Stand-Off Radar) aircraft, which has recently returned from successful trials in Afghanistan where it was used to gather information about enemy activity.  Click here for more information.

Image of the Day: 11 February 2009

The recent big freeze has not stopped Royal Marines from Taunton-based 40 Commando enjoying a day at the beach. The Commandos launched in the early hours of Saturday 7 February 2009 from HMS Ocean, storming Pentewan beach near St Austell in Cornwall. The beach assault was intended as a demonstration of HMS Ocean's amphibious capability and showcased the Commandos' elite skills and their determination to brave all weathers. The operation involved numerous landing craft and helicopters, as well as specially modified vehicles [Picture: LA (Phot) A J Macleod]

Defence Diary: 11 February 2009

Today, Wednesday 11 February 2009
London School of Economics lecture on Afghanistan and Iraq: Good war, bad war?

Tomorrow, Thursday 12 February 2009
House of Commons rises for spring break.

Defence News: 10 February 2009

"Most challenging conditions ever" - RAF rescue walkers
60th Anniversary of Women's Royal Army Corps
Charity Home offers retreat for injured troops
RAF and Navy aircraft benefit from support contracts
Information Management in MOD to be independently reviewed

Defence in the Media: 10 February 2009

Marines find weapons haul in Afghanistan
The Mirror today reports on how British commandos have stormed a Taliban haven and seized a huge cache of weapons and bomb-making equipment. Royal Marines from 42 Commando Group, operating as the Regional Battle Group for southern Afghanistan, conducted the commando raid on Taliban compounds as part of the latest wave of Operation SHAHI TANDAR (Royal Storm). The Marines, alongside Afghan security forces, troops from 3rd Battalion The Royal Canadian Regiment and 2-2 Infantry US Army, launched the three-day operation between 29 and 31 January 2009, deliberately targeting the flow of weapons, explosives and IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) used by the enemy.

Image of the Day: 10 February 2009

Airborne Sappers from 23 Engineer Regiment, based in Suffolk, mounted the Guard at Buckingham Palace yesterday, marking the start of their three-month tour of ceremonial duty which will include service in Windsor and the Tower of London. The regiment, which last provided ceremonial duties in London in 1987, provides all aspects of combat engineering to 16 Air Assault Brigade, most recently during the brigade's busy summer tour of Helmand province, Afghanistan [Picture: Harland Quarrington]

Defence Diary: 10 February 2009

Today, Tuesday 10 February 2009
Royal United Services Institute conference - Frontline Insight.
ASTOR (Airborne Stand-Off Radar) media facility, RAF Waddington.
TV programme of interest: 'Doctors and Nurses at War', ITV1, 2000 hrs.

Tomorrow, Wednesday 11 February 2009
London School of Economics lecture on Afghanistan and Iraq: Good war, bad war?

Defence News: 9 February 2009

IN PICTURES: 19 Light Brigade get ready for Afghanistan
Armed Forces Minister sees a secure Basra
Gun Salutes mark Queen's accession
UFO reports from 2008 released
US Commander thanks UK for contribution to Iraq and Afghanistan

Defence in the Media: 9 February 2009

Civilian casualties
Several media outlets have reported claims by Human Rights Watch worker Rachel Reid that the civilian casualties figures for Afghanistan, released by NATO, are too low. International forces in Afghanistan take every precaution possible to avoid these tragic civilian casualty incidents. Where possible local populations are warned of impending operations and the procedures surrounding air strikes have been improved and tightened to minimise the possibility of civilian casualties taking place. Where an incident is reported, thorough investigations take place to pinpoint the circumstances surrounding the claim. It is important to remember that the insurgents use public buildings and civilian areas in which to launch their attacks and often exaggerate the effects on civilians for their own propaganda. Also, many innocent civilians are affected by insurgent attacks, where suicide bombs and roadside explosive devices take an indiscriminate toll. The UK provides compensation to individuals for events in which UK troops are involved. We also contribute to the NATO Post Operations Humanitarian Relief Fund to help mitigate the unintended humanitarian consequences of ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) operations.

Law enforcement unit praised
The Guardian features an article praising the efforts of the Maritime Analysis and Operation Centre -Narcotics which is a law enforcement unit with members from seven European countries and has been led by a Brit and aided by the Royal Navy. In the first 18 months of its existence, almost 40 tonnes of cocaine has been seized. Click here for more information.

Family visits to Iraq
An article in the Daily Telegraph today says that the Government will assist with visits to Iraq for families and friends of those who have died in the conflict. The Minister for Armed Forces, Bob Ainsworth, visited Basra last week to see the improved security situation. He met with the UK mentoring teams, the senior Iraqi military commander, General Mohammed, and the General Officer Commanding Major General Andy Salmon. During the visit, Mr Ainsworth talked about a number of areas, including our legacy in Iraq, the UK withdrawal and potential opportunities for those who lost relatives and friends to visit the city and remember their loved ones. There has been no decision about final arrangements for memorials in Iraq, either in Basra or in the UK. The comments made Mr Ainsworth were made during a wider conversation about Iraq's legacy in which he acknowledged the desire that some people may have to visit in future. Mr Ainsworth discussed the options that could become available in the future for loved ones to visit, once the security situation has improved sufficiently. The appropriate support we could provide would need to be assessed across Government nearer this time. The MOD takes its obligation to support families of those who have lost loved ones in conflicts very seriously.

Image of the Day: 9 February 2009

The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery fired a 41 Royal Gun Salute at noon on 6 February 2009 to mark Her Majesty The Queen's accession to the throne in 1952. This salute was fired in Green Park in London as the normal venue in Hyde Park is being refurbished. The troop, pulling their six 13 pounder First World War guns, each drawn by six Irish draught horses, entered Green Park at the top end of Constitution Hill and trotted down to the firing position near Canada Gate. At 1200 hrs sharp the guns fired 41 blank charges at ten-second intervals. At 1300 hrs, the Honourable Artillery Company fired a 62 Gun Salute from Gun Wharf at the Tower of London. The additional 21 guns signify that the Salute is fired from a Royal Palace [Picture: Sergeant Ian Houlding]