Defence News

Defence News: 21 May 2010

Afghan Army capture suspected insurgents in Helmand
New camouflage arrives in Afghanistan
Royal Marines storm Sangin bomb factory
Royal Navy vessels exercise in the Atlantic
New Defence Ministers

Defence in the Media: 21 May 2010

Summary
Various media outlets report on the new Coalition Government's five-year programme, mentioning pledges for Defence such as the renewal of Trident with a greater scrutiny of the cost, doubling the Operational Allowance for those deployed to Afghanistan, and consideration to renew Service personnel accommodation with funds left over from efficiency savings. The Daily Mail reports that animal rights campaigners from the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection have expressed outrage that the MOD has been conducting explosive tests on pigs. In the Guardian, Simon Jenkins writes that British foreign policy requires an overhaul and that the Afghan war is a disaster. The Times reports that HMS Chatham has seized two powerboats and disarmed ten Somali pirates after they were spotted off the Tanzanian coast. The Times also features an article about a new generation of unmanned systems that are being investigated by the MOD and the US. The Financial Times reports that a battle is looming between the Ministry of Defence and the Treasury over spending on Defence.

UK Armed Forces strengths
Figures for the Armed Forces strengths reported in today's Daily Telegraph 'Marching into a confident future' article are incorrect; they should read:

Army - 102,130 not 108,840
RAF - 40,810 not 44,120
Navy - 35,810 not 38,720

The official figures can be found here.

New camouflage arrives in Afghanistan
British military personnel in Afghanistan have started wearing uniforms bearing the first new camouflage design in over 40 years. The new Multi-Terrain Pattern camouflage was unveiled in December last year and began to be worn by soldiers in Afghanistan in April 2010. It will be issued to all military personnel by 2012. Click here to read more.

Image of the Day: 21 May 2010

Army administrator Lance Corporal Jennifer Garraway (bottom right) and Army medic Lance Corporal Nicola Murray (front, centre), both serving with 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland in Helmand province, have become the first British soldiers to attend the American nine-day Female Engagement Team course which was held at the United States Marine Corps base, Camp Leatherneck, near Camp Bastion. The all-female course focuses on interaction with the local Afghan female population, fostering relationships and gaining the trust and support of Afghans whilst patrolling with infantry soldiers. [Picture: Crown Copyright/MOD 2010]

Defence Diary: 21 May 2010

Today, Friday 21 May 2010
261 Signal Squadron (11 Light Brigade) medal parade, Tower of London.
104 Force Support Battalion, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, medal parade in Bordon.
The RAF Association Annual Conference, Blackpool.
Funeral in County Durham of Sapper Daryn Roy of 21 Engineer Regiment who was killed in Afghanistan on Monday 3 May 2010.

Tomorrow, Saturday 22 May 2010
National Memorial Arboretum hosts 'Walk to the Wall' sponsored walks.

Sunday 23 May 2010
3rd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment medal parade, Bury St Edmunds.

Monday 24 May 2010
The Royal United Services Institute Gallipoli Memorial Lecture: The Gloved Fist - Flexible Utility in Defence and Security.
HMS Manchester deploys to the Caribbean from Portsmouth.
TV programme of interest: 'Panorama', BBC1, 2030hrs - counter-IED documentary.

Tuesday 25 May 2010
Headley Court to be awarded the Freedom of Dorking.   
State Opening of Parliament.
British Medical Association Armed Forces Conference, London.

Wednesday 26 May 2010
HMS Raider, HMS Monmouth and RFA Largs Bay attending Dunkirk Little Ships historical re-enactment.  
The Royal United Services Institute Ballistic Missile Conference.

Thursday 27 May 2010
HMS Lancaster returns to Portsmouth.

Friday 28 May 2010
10 The Queen's Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment medal parade, Normandy Barracks, Leconfield.
HMS Atherstone returns to Portsmouth.

Defence News: 20 May 2010

Working with the Afghan media in Helmand
Battle Back swimmers train in Gibraltar
Commando chefs keep Marines on the go in Sangin
RAF's Reaper logs 10,000 hours over Afghanistan
Cadet150 celebrated on Britain's oldest floating warship

Defence in the Media: 20 May 2010

Summary
The Guardian and The Daily Mirror have reported on a ceremony which saw the relatives of 18 men who have been killed on military operations since World War Two by terrorist attacks brought together to receive the Elizabeth Cross. The Sun reports on how Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprogramming (EMDR) are two treatments being offered to Service personnel to help them overcome the ordeals of war. There has been widespread coverage of tensions between North and South Korea which have escalated ahead of a report by a multinational team into the causes of the sinking of South Korea's Cheonan warship. The Sun has also reported that the Help for Heroes charity has 'smashed' through the £50m mark for donations.

Image of the Day: 20 May 2010

Afghan National Army soldiers recently planned and executed two highly successful raids in the Sangin Valley. In total, eight suspected Taliban insurgents were captured. Military intelligence indicated the insurgents were working for the lead Taliban insurgent co-ordinator in Sangin's southern Green Zone area. As part of the 40 Commando Battle Group, the Brigade Advisory Group from 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland are working closely with the Afghan soldiers. [Picture: LA(Phot) Si Ethell, Crown Copyright/MOD 2010]

Defence Diary: 20 May 2010

Today, Thursday 20 May 2010
Inauguration of the Memorial Woodlands War Memorial in Bristol.
Cadet 150 City Hall beat retreat ceremony, Southwark.

Tomorrow, Friday 21 May 2010
261 Signal Squadron (11 Light Brigade) medal parade, Tower of London.
104 Force Support Battalion, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, medal parade in Bordon.
The RAF Association Annual Conference, Blackpool.

Defence News: 19 May 2010

Royal Engineers are busy building Bastion
Royal Navy diver awarded for role in saving ship
RAF firefighters battle fire at US Helmand base
HMS Chatham destroys pirate boats

Defence in the Media: 19 May 2010

Summary
There has been widespread media coverage of a suicide attack on a convoy in Kabul which killed NATO forces, believed to be from the US and Canada, and civilians. There has been coverage of  the death of Signaller David Grout of 204 Signal Squadron who was attacked within hours of returning from deployment in Afghanistan and died in hospital as a result of his injuries. The BBC's Newsnight programme last night featured a report on the progress made in Sierra Leone following the British intervention in the civil war ten years ago. Various media have reported on an inusrgent assault against the US-run Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan. The Daily Telegraph has reported that the Royal Navy has destroyed two pirate boats off the African coast.

The future of  ISAF and Afghan forces in Helmand province
The Independent has published an article stating that 'British troops in Helmand province will move under American control as part of a radical restructuring plan being drawn up in preparation for what is being described as a defining time in the war against the Taliban'.

The MOD has always said that given the significant and welcome increase of ISAF forces in Helmand and across southern Afghanistan, from 35,000 in October 2009 to over 50,000 by this summer, it is absolutely right that ISAF commanders should be considering a change to command and control structures. To do so makes complete military sense and will ensure that ISAF and Afghan forces are put to best use in the interests of the wider mission. The UK has been fully involved in a decision-making process which continues ahead of a NATO announcement expected shortly.