Defence News

Defence News: 30 November 2010

200 new patrol vehicles to be built
Royal Signals help rebuild schools in Kabul
RAF trains Tongan troops for Afghanistan
RAF Tornados demonstrate their capabilities
Tank Regiment remembers past victories while in Helmand

Defence in the Media: 30 November 2010

Summary
There has been widespread media coverage of the US Government's order of a sweeping review of access to sensitive government information in the wake of the WikiLeaks release of more than 250,000 classified documents. | Caroline Wyatt reports for the BBC from RAF Benson where crews train for operations on Merlin helicopters. | The Sun has reported that Lance Corporal Ashley White of 22 Signal Regiment, who conned forces charity Help for Heroes, has been spared jail because he served in Iraq and Afghanistan. | Several media outlets have reported on the shooting of six NATO troops in Afghanistan by what appears to be a rogue Afghan policeman. | The Daily Express has reported on a group of brothers who have been reunited after fighting on the front line in Afghanistan. | The Daily Mirror reports how soldiers from 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment marched through Manchester yesterday to celebrate their return from Afghanistan. | The Daily Mail featured the next article in this week's series covering the story of Paul and Rachel Chandler, who were held hostage by Somali pirates for 13 months.

MOD completes review into women in close combat roles
The Ministry of Defence has completed a review into the policy that excludes female members of the Armed Forces from carrying out ground close combat roles, and decided that it should remain unchanged. Click here to read more.

Image of the Day: 30 November 2010

British troops and Afghan police have cleared an insurgent stronghold in the rural area of Loy Adera, Helmand province, allowing Afghan civilians' lives to return to normality. Soldiers from C Company, The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, and the Afghan National Police worked together to make the operation a success. [Picture: Crown Copyright/MOD 2010]

Defence Diary: 30 November 2010

Today, Tuesday 30 November 2010
Inquest in Durham into the death of Serjeant Steven Campbell, from 3rd Battalion The Rifles, who was killed in Afghanistan on 22 March 2010.
Inquest in London into the death of Lance Corporal Tom Keogh, from 4th Battalion The Rifles, who was killed in Afghanistan on 7 March 2010.
1st Battalion Scots Guards medal parade in Catterick.

Tomorrow, Wednesday 1 December 2010
1 Close Support Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers medal presentations in Newcastle and Sunderland.
Army Photographic Exhibition at the Imperial War Museum.

Thursday 2 December 2010
Royal Dragoon Guards medal parade at York Racecourse.

Friday 3 December 2010
Inquest in Trowbridge into the death of Rifleman Stuart Nash, from 1st Battalion The Rifles, who was killed in Afghanistan on 17 December 2008.
HMS Ark Royal makes final return to HM Naval Base Portsmouth.

Saturday 4 December 2010
British Military Tournament, Earls Court, London.
29 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps homecoming parade in South Cerney.
Queen's Royal Lancers medal parade in Catterick.

Sunday 5 December 2010
British Military Tournament, Earls Court, London.

Monday 6 December 2010
Thanksgiving service for 4th Mechanized Brigade at York Minster.
RUSI conference - Armed Forces 2020: Reserves in Transformation.
TV programme of interest: 'Frontline Battle Machines with Mike Brewer', Discovery Channel, 2200hrs. Mike tests the LPV400 armoured patrol vehicle.

Tuesday 7 December 2010
RUSI members event: Whitehall Dialogue - Delivering Effective Strategic Communications in the UK MOD, a presentation by Nick Gurr.
Chatham House event - The Whitehead Lecture: Special or Merely Close? Britain's Relationship with the US in 2010, Jack Straw MP.

Defence News: 29 November 2010

Airborne operation sees end of Taliban influence in Helmand village
MOD completes review into women in close combat roles
Afghan Army operation drives wedge through Taliban
Public urged to keep postal system clear for families sending Christmas post to Afghanistan
Medics honoured at military and civilian health awards
Review of Reserve Forces gets underway

Defence in the Media: 29 November 2010

Summary
There has been widespread media coverage of the release of classified US diplomatic cables on the WikiLeaks website, with the US warning that the leaks will endanger 'lives and interests'. | Various media have reported that the Commanding Officer of HMS Astute has been relieved of command. | On Saturday, The Times featured a letter from Armed Forces Minister Nick Harvey rebutting claims that British aircraft carriers will be operating without aircraft for the next ten years. | The Daily Telegraph reported that the NATO-led mission in Afghanistan has now lasted as long as the Soviet Army occupation in the 1980s. | Various media outlets have reported that MI6 is facing investigation over the errors regarding the 'bogus' Taliban negotiator. | Thomas Harding of the Daily Telegraph is embedded with 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment in Nad 'Ali, and has reported on operations to clear the village of Washiran. | The Guardian included a feature by Ghaith Abdul-Ahad, who asks three Taliban leaders past and present what kind of regime they would run after US forces leave Afghanistan. | A report in Scotland on Sunday claimed that RAF Leuchars could be turned into a commercial airport and the Tornado fleet moved to Lossiemouth in plans being considered by the MOD. | The Sunday Express claims senior military sources have warned that the Falklands could be retaken by a 'handful' of Argentines following the UK's decision to scrap the Harrier jets and HMS Ark Royal. | The Sunday Telegraph reported that the US investigation into the death of British aid worker Linda Norgrove is understood to have concluded that she was killed by a hand grenade thrown by a US Navy Seal during a rescue attempt. | The Observer claimed that Afghan officials were so desperate for a deal with the Taliban that they ignored advice from their own intelligence chief that they should not trust the man who orchestrated an embarrassing meeting between President Karzai and an impostor claiming to be a Taliban leader. | The Daily Star on Sunday has reported that British forces have trained a team of Afghan bomb disposal experts who have successfully disposed of their first IEDs. | The News of the World claims leaders of the Taliban say they will turn their backs on Al-Qaeda in order to end the war in Afghanistan and retain some power. | Various media outlets have reported that HMS Invincible is up for sale on a website that is described as the Government's eBay. | The News of the World has featured an interview with failed 'Apprentice' contestant Chris Farrell who says his experiences as a Marine prepared him for his stint on the show. | Today's Daily Mirror reports that nearly 8,000 military ID cards have been lost or stolen in 2010. | Chief of the Defence Staff General Sir David Richards has been interviewed in Afghanistan by the Daily Telegraph and has stated that there is 'scope' for the withdrawal of troops from the country to begin as early as 2012. | The Daily Mail and the Daily Express have reported that British shipbuilders who were working on two aircraft carriers have been laid off because they are not as cheap to employ as their Polish counterparts.

Numbers of aircraft within the RAF
The Sunday Times has published an article about the RAF reducing its numbers of aircraft and trained crews. Numbers of RAF aircraft will be reduced over the next few years as a result of difficult decisions made as part of the Strategic and Defence Security Review. The RAF will remain a potent force on the international stage with world-beating technology. It will be equipped to maintain support to operations in Afghanistan as well as protect the the UK's interests at home and abroad.

Image of the Day: 29 November 2010

An air insertion operation has been mounted by British soldiers and Afghan police, re-establishing government control in an area of Helmand province previously under heavy Taliban influence. Operation ZMARAY KARGHA ('Lion Falcon' in English) saw soldiers from D Company of The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, and members of the Afghan National Police win over the local population and drive out insurgents in the area of Hoorzai. Click here to read more. [Picture: Sergeant Rupert Frere RLC, Crown Copyright/MOD 2010]

Defence Diary: 29 November 2010

Today, Monday 29 November 2010
TV programme of interest: 'Frontline Battle Machines with Mike Brewer', Discovery Channel, 2200hrs. Mike takes a flight in the versatile Merlin helicopter to the fiercely-contested Kajaki Dam in Helmand and examines the Lynx, the fastest helicopter in the world.

Tomorrow, Tuesday 30 November 2010
Inquest in Durham into the death of Serjeant Steven Campbell, from 3rd Battalion The Rifles, who was killed in Afghanistan on 22 March 2010.
Inquest in London into the death of Lance Corporal Tom Keogh, from 4th Battalion The Rifles, who was killed in Afghanistan on 7 March 2010.
1st Battalion Scots Guards medal parade in Catterick.

Wednesday 1 December 2010
1 Close Support Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers medal presentations in Newcastle and Sunderland.
Army Photographic Exhibition at the Imperial War Museum.

Thursday 2 December 2010
Royal Dragoon Guards medal parade at York Racecourse.

Friday 3 December 2010
Inquest in Trowbridge into the death of Rifleman Stuart Nash, from 1st Battalion The Rifles, who was killed in Afghanistan on 17 December 2008.

Saturday 4 December 2010
British Military Tournament, Earls Court, London.
29 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps homecoming parade in South Cerney.
Queen's Royal Lancers medal parade in Catterick.

Sunday 5 December 2010
British Military Tournament, Earls Court, London.

Monday 6 December 2010
Thanksgiving service for 4th Mechanized Brigade at York Minster.
RUSI conference - Armed Forces 2020: Reserves in Transformation.
TV programme of interest: 'Frontline Battle Machines with Mike Brewer', Discovery Channel, 2200hrs. Mike tests the LPV400 armoured patrol vehicle.

Defence News: 26 November 2010

X Factor contestants honour British Service personnel
Australian and British forces compete for 'Afghan Ashes'
British-trained Afghan soldiers start to take over the IED fight
HMS Scott returns to the Antarctic
Plans to encourage troops to become teachers

Defence in the Media: 26 November 2010

Summary
A report in the Financial Times says Britain's defence chiefs are insisting that the Treasury must next year 'guarantee' that UK military spending will from 2015 rise annually by two per cent. | The Daily Telegraph runs a letter from Rear Admiral Scott Lidbetter who says that having an aircraft carrier with no planes is like having a tank with no gun. | The Sun claims MOD officials have cancelled Christmas for our brave troops by banning morale-boosting parties both at home and on the front line (see below). | The Daily Telegraph reports that the bodies of three Polish army officers buried in Britain are to be exhumed as part of an investigation into the mysterious death of Poland's wartime leader. | The Daily Mirror reports that cash-strapped Taliban have been hit by a huge rise in the price of bombs after SAS strikes on their supply route. | The Times claims British Intelligence has suffered its most embarrassing setback since Iraq after a senior Taliban commander promoted by MI6 as the key to an Afghan peace process was exposed as an impostor. | The Guardian has a report by journalist Ghaith Abdul-Ahad who tells how he was taken prisoner by the Taliban fighters he was trying to interview. | The Daily Telegraph reports that Lieutenant Colonel Angus Macgillivray, of The Royal Regiment of Scotland, has been awarded the Military Cross after he led his men over arduous terrain for a successful assault on an enemy compound. | The Independent reports that the Treasury Select Committee has criticised the MOD's aircraft carrier contract with BAE Systems as a 'symptom of wider difficulties in controlling the Defence Budget'.

Christmas celebrations for troops
The Sun claims the MOD is 'cancelling Christmas' for Service personnel. What we are trying to do is ensure public money is spent appropriately. In the UK, all crown servants, including Service personnel, are reminded every year that it is not appropriate to spend public funds on Christmas activities. The restriction placed on public funds is even more necessary this year given the current financial situation. The story relates to a discretionary fund paid for by public money available to Army commanding officers to spend on soldiers under their command, but not on Christmas-related activities. There are a range of other funds that can be used for such activities that are not publicly-funded, such as regimental funds.

The piece also mentions the Armed Forces on the front line and Christmas in Afghanistan. Many personnel work hard to give troops in theatre the best Christmas possible under the circumstances. As they do every year, troops will enjoy a Christmas dinner, a carol service and extra time to call their families over the festive period.

Spokesman for Task Force Helmand, Lieutenant Colonel David Eastman, who is in Afghanistan now, has spoken in strong terms on this issue. He said: "To suggest that commanding officers do not have the support they need to help their soldiers enjoy Christmas is wrong and deeply disappointing.

"Significant effort is put in to ensure all personnel enjoy the best possible Christmas. The Band of the Parachute Regiment are deployed to theatre over the Christmas period, not only to provide entertainment but also temporary relief from soldiering duties to allow troops to celebrate."