Summary
During various media interviews, the parents of British Aid worker Linda Norgrove refuse to blame the US for their daughter's death in Afghanistan. | Various media outlets have reported that new eyewitness accounts of the shootings of 11 people by British soldiers in Northern Ireland have been submitted to the region's Attorney General in a bid to get fresh inquests opened. | The BBC has reported that Nato said its forces in Afghanistan have killed at least 19 Taliban fighters who tried to storm a combat outpost under cover of darkness. | There have been numerous media repors claiming that David Cameron and Nicolas Sarkozy will sign a formal defence treaty between Britain and France that ensures a new drive for military cooperation between the two countries. | The Daily Telegraph has reported that a study by the Institute of Psychiatry Kings College London claims that Britain’s Armed Forces serving in Iraq, showed fewer signs of psychological distress than police officers, doctors in emergency departments and disaster workers. | The Evening Standard claims Peter Hendry, Transport for London's commissioner, has promised to lay on personal transport for people unable to get to the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday. | The Daily Telegraph claims that the Afghan Taliban is demanding that its leaders be removed from the terrorist black lists and several prisoners be released as precondition of further peace talks. | The Daily Telegraph has reported that US and Russian special forces have collaborated in raids on drugs labs in Afghanistan which destroyed $250 million worth of heroin and morphine. | The Daily Express features an article written by His Royal Highness Prince William who supporting the paper's campaign to build a memorial to Bomber Command. | On Sunday former CDS Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup appeared on BBC Andrew Marr Show where he reflected on the recent defence review, the resulting cuts and the success of operations in Afghanistan during his time in the post. | The Sunday Telegraph featured an article by Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox who said that Britain can benefit from greater cooperation on defence with France. | The Sunday Mirror has claimed that RAF chiefs have threatened air crew with the sack if they protest against defence cuts. | On this morning's BBC Radio 4 Today programme, new Chief of the Defence Staff, General Sir David Richards, said that progress is being made in Afghanistan and that Yemen should be prevented from becoming the new Afghanistan. | Various media sources have reported that Gordon Brown will make a plea that the maintenance for the new aircraft carriers takes place in Scotland, rather than in France, during his first speech in the Commons since the election. | The Guardian has reported that the Taliban is claiming that they are foiling night time raids by special forces troops around Kandahar and Hemland. | The Sun has reported that the son of Helmand governor, Gulab Mangal, has won asylum in the UK after claiming it would be too dangerous to return to Afghanistan. | The Financial Times features an interview with Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology Peter Luff, who said the struggle to balance the defence budget would be tougher than usual this year and said the money-saving measures were a work in progress.
Soldier from 101 (City of London) Engineer Regiment killed in Afghanistan
It is with sadness that the Ministry of Defence has announced that a soldier from 101 (City of London) Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) serving with the Counter-Improvised Explosive Device Task Force, was killed in Afganistan on Saturday 30 October 2010. Click here to read more.
Claims that Troops in Afghanistan are exhausted
An article in the Sunday Mirror claims that a 'leaked report shows British troops are exhausted before they reach the battlefields of Afghanistan'. We do not comment on leaked documents. It is, however, routine business for Commanding Officers to report at the end of a tour on what went well and what needs addressing. That is how we learn.
We recognise that our people in Afghanistan are working very hard. That is why they get well deserved post-tour leave and R&R [Rest and Recuperation] during a tour if serving more than four months in theatre. All personnel are equipped to carry out the tasks that they are asked to undertake.
The newspaper also says that the leaked report says "while some troops got new helmets others had to make do with older, heavier versions." And that there are not enough Vallon mine detectors.
Although we initially prioritised dismounted close combat personnel, all troops based in forward positions on Herrick 13 have the Mark 7 helmet and new Osprey body armour which provides excellent ballistic protection but is now better and more comfortable to wear. All personnel deploying on foot patrol or vehicle patrol always carry the correct number of hand-held metal detectors.
Protection of the Falkland Islands
Over the weekend, the former Chief of Defence Staff Sir Jock Stirrup was asked about the ability to defend the Falkland Islands against the backdrop of the Strategic Defence and Security Review. He said:
"Could we defend the Falkland Islands? Yes, we could. I mean let's remember that in the 1980s we didn't defend the Falkland Islands. We lost them and then had to retake them. We can defend the Falkland Islands. The Falkland Islands is something about which I have concerned myself greatly over the last few years. The Chiefs of Staff have discussed it on a number of occasions. We keep a very close eye on the Falkland Islands."
Today, the new Chief of Defence Staff, General Sir David Richards, was asked if he was concerned over what might happen to the Falklands. He said:
"I think Sir Jock described it well: "We keep a close eye on it". Don't forget that our strategy in respect of the Falklands, if such a threat was to materialise again – and I think that’s a big if – is not to try to recapture it but to prevent its capture, and we've got troops and aircraft… very capable troops and aircraft down there just in case that should ever be a temptation again.
"I don’t personally think it's a huge risk; it's one we keep a weather eye on and we’re well prepared to make sure it never happens again."
Withdrawing troops from Germany
The Mail on Sunday has reported that withdrawing British troops from Germany will cost tens of millions of pounds. As announced by Prime Minister David Cameron, as part of the Strategic Defence and Security Review, the Ministry of Defence aims to return half of its personnel currently based in Germany to the UK by 2015 and the remainder by 2020. It is more cost effective to base troops in the UK and will give greater stability to personnel and their families. Further work is ongoing to produce a rebasing plan. The Germany Federal Authorities will be consulted as part of this work and the remediation and return of sites will form an important part of the planning process.
Changes in the roles of Chief of the Defence Staff and Permanent Under Secretary
Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup and Sir Bill Jeffrey, who have now stepped down as Chief of the Defence Staff and MOD Permanent Secretary, issued the following farewell messages to Defence personnel. Click here to read the message.
Ursula Brennan, who formally took over as the MOD's new Permanent Under Secretary today and General Sir David Richards who formally assumed responsibility as new Chief of the Defence Staff on Friday 29 October 2010 also issued a message to Defence Staff. Click here to read the message.
Protection for the Olympic Games
The Daily Express claims that the UK has snubbed the US offer to station an aircraft carrier in the Thames during the Olympic Games. We will have our own capabilities in place to provide the necessary protection for the Olympic Games and this could include a Type 45 Destroyer if it is deemed appropriate.
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