Defence News

Defence News: 5 December 2011

Navy warships return home for Christmas
UK soldiers help Afghans clear supply route
Defence 2011: A Year in Pictures
MOD says 'you're hired' to apprentices

Defence in the Media: 5 December 2011

Summary
Various papers and BBC Online report that this week's Afghanistan Conference in Bonn has started, aimed at bolstering long-term international engagement with Afghanistan. | Various media outlets report that Iran's Armed Forces have claimed to have shot down an unmanned US spy plane that violated its eastern borders. | There is widespread coverage of the defusing in the German city of Koblenz of two bombs from the Second World War found in the riverbed of the Rhine. | The Daily Telegraph reported on Saturday that a suicide bomber detonated a truck filled with explosives at the gates of an Afghan NATO base in Logar province, wounding up to 70. | Various papers reported that a British soldier has been dismissed from the Army after stabbing an Afghan child in the back with a bayonet. | The Sun reported that a British Army dog has sniffed out one of the biggest bombs found in Afghanistan. | The Daily Telegraph reported that 8,000 military personnel will be drafted in to cover security for the London 2012 Olympics after a doubling of the scale of the operation. | The Guardian reported that MOD Permanent Secretary Ursula Brennan has urged the military to promote women to top Armed Forces posts. | The Sun reported that large numbers of former regime weapons have been found in the Libyan desert. | The Sunday Telegraph and Express Tribune reported that American officers seeking clearance for an air strike which killed 24 Pakistani soldiers gave the wrong co-ordinates to their Pakistani counterparts. | The Independent on Sunday reported from the city of Sirte, six weeks after it was bombarded, to see what life is like following the end of the conflict and the death of Gaddafi. | The Daily Star Sunday reported that warnings are being given to soldiers about hearing loss. | The Sunday Express reviewed the weekend's British Military Tournament. | The Sunday Mirror reported that soldier Ben Parkinson, who was injured in Afghanistan, is learning to walk on new computerised legs. | Today, various papers report that the most senior British commander in Afghanistan, Lieutenant General James Bucknall, says the Taliban cannot 'assassinate their way to power'. | A letter in the Financial Times from Admiral Sir John Treacher and other high ranking retired officers calls on the Government to strengthen Britain's maritime power.

RAF Typhoon spares
The Sunday Express incorrectly claimed that the RAF is facing a crisis because of a lack of spares for its Typhoon aircraft. The paper said that half the RAF's fleet is 'grounded' - this is not true. We regularly carry out routine maintenance programmes on our fast jet aircraft to ensure they are able to operate safely, but that does not mean they are undergoing 'repairs', as stated in the article.

The RAF has not 'scrapped' any Typhoon aircraft for spares and we do not routinely take aircraft off flying duties to remove spare parts. In order to get best value for money for the taxpayer, we do not hold excessive quantities of spares. It is standard practice to use parts from across the whole fleet to meet a short-term need for spares for our front line operational aircraft and order new parts as and when we need them. This only affects a few aircraft in maintenance and ensures we have the operational aircraft we require.

Typhoon is a world-renowned, battle-proven multi-role combat aircraft that is performing with unrivalled reliability. During operations in Libya not a single mission was lost due to an aircraft technical fault.

Image of the Day: 5 December 2011

Armed Forces Minister Nick Harvey visited the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) ship Fort Rosalie last week during sea exercises off Plymouth. RFA Fort Rosalie recently returned from supporting Operation ELLAMY off Libya and is reroling to take up her next deployment - Atlantic Patrol Task (North), regional engagement, humanitarian aid, disaster relief and counter-narcotic operations. [Picture: Crown Copyright/MOD 2011]

Defence Diary: 5 December 2011

Today, Monday 5 December
Inquest in Sutton Coldfield into the death of Marine Richard Hollington, from 40 Commando Royal Marines, who died on 20 June 2010 from wounds sustained in Afghanistan.
Bonn Conference on Afghanistan.

Sir Peter Ricketts giving evidence to Select Committee on the National Security Strategy.

TV programme of interest: 'Ross Kemp: Back on the Frontline', Sky1, 2100hrs.
Part 4 of 5.

Tomorrow, Tuesday 6 December
Inquest in Sutton Coldfield into the death of Marine Steven Birdsall, from 40 Commando Royal Marines, who died on 14 June 2010 from wounds sustained in Afghanistan.
9th/12th Royal Lancers Op HERRICK 14 medal parade, Hohne, Germany.

Westminster Hall debates on mental health of veterans and proposals for an Arctic Convoy medal.
Army Sports Awards, MOD Main Building.

Wednesday 7 December
Funeral at Bath Abbey of Lieutenant David Boyce, from 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards, who was killed in Afghanistan on 17 November 2011. 

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond giving evidence to House of Commons Defence Committee on Defence Reform and progress of Strategic Defence and Security Review.

Westminster Hall debate on the cost of Trident nuclear missiles and submarine replacement.
Launch of Royal British Legion Centre for Blast Injury Studies at Imperial College London.
Armed Forces Community Covenant signing at Hart District Council, Hampshire.

Thursday 8 December
Inquest in Sutton Coldfield into the death of Kingsman Darren Deady, from 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, who died on 10 September 2010 from wounds sustained in Afghanistan.
Royal United Services Institute event: Defence Secretary Philip Hammond speaking on 'Delivering on the Frontline: Operational Success and Sustainable Armed Forces'.

Friday 9 December
Funeral in Northwood of Private Thomas Lake, from 1st Battalion The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment, who was killed in Afghanistan on 20 November 2011.

Inquest in Sutton Coldfield into the death of Lieutenant John Sanderson, from 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment, who died on 11 August 2010 from wounds sustained in Afghanistan.

Inquest in Blackpool into the death of Corporal Loren Marlton-Thomas, from 33 Engineer Regiment (EOD), who died on 16 November 2009 from wounds sustained in Afghanistan.

Inquest in Trowbridge into the death of Highlander Scott McLaren, from The Highlanders, 4th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, who was killed in Afghanistan on 4 July 2011.

Armed Forces Community Covenant signing, Woodbridge Town Hall.

HMS Kent returns to HM Naval Base Portsmouth.

HMS Ocean homecoming, Devonport.

Saturday 10 December
King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery gun firing to celebrate Arsenal football team's 125th anniversary, Emirates Stadium, London.
Human Rights Day.

Monday 12 December
TV programme of interest: 'Ross Kemp: Back on the Frontline', Sky1, 2100hrs.
Part 5 of 5. 

Defence News: 2 December 2011

Royal Navy saves Spanish vessel from pirate attack
HMS Victory to be restored
Defence 2011: A Year in Pictures
British Army completes Apache exercise in the States
214 Signal Squadron receive Afghanistan medals

Defence in the Media: 2 December 2011

Summary
Various media report that the Royal Navy has captured seven suspected Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean. | The Guardian reports that Afghanistan's security forces face a £2.5bn funding shortfall after 2014. | It is widely reported that Syria has entered a state of civil war. | Various newspapers report that Al-Qaeda says it is holding a 70-year-old American aid worker abducted in Pakistan three months ago. | The Sun reports that Al-Qaeda is training snipers for a new wave of attacks on British and US troops in Afghanistan. | Various newspapers have printed a picture of the US Army Drill Team preparing for the British Military Tournament at Earl's Court which starts today. | Various newspapers report that an investigation is underway after a soldier serving with 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers was shot dead during a training exercise in Kenya. | There is various media coverage of the funeral of Flight Lieutenant Sean Cunningham at Coventry Cathedral, the Red arrows pilot killed in an accident. | Various newspapers report that HMS Victory is to undergo a £16m restoration programme expected to take 10 years. | The Sun reports that two Royal Marines brutally attacked a man in a pub after he made a jibe about their 'comrades coming home in body bags'.

Image of the Day: 2 December 2011

A slate monolith poignantly overlooking the RAF section of the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire was unveiled this week by the Air Officer Commanding Number 2 Group, Air Vice-Marshal Philip Osborn, and dedicated by The Venerable (Air Vice-Marshal) Ray Pentland, the RAF Chaplain-in-Chief. It was the final act of commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the formation of RAF Search and Rescue. [Picture: Flight Sergeant Andy Carnall, Crown Copyright/MOD 2011]

Defence Diary: 2 December 2011

Today, Friday 2 December
The British Military Tournament (until 4 Dec).
HMS Edinburgh and HMS St Albans homecoming media facility, Portsmouth.

London Regiment media day on Operational Training and Advisory Group, Thetford. 

The Highlanders, 4th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, homecoming parade, Inverness.

Tomorrow, Saturday 3 December
International Day of Persons with Disabilities. 

Help for Heroes rugby challenge at Twickenham.

Monday 5 December
Inquest in Sutton Coldfield into the death of Marine Richard Hollington, from 40 Commando Royal Marines, who died on 20 June 2010 from wounds sustained in Afghanistan.
Bonn Conference on Afghanistan.
Sir Peter Ricketts giving evidence to Select Committee on the National Security Strategy.
TV programme of interest: 'Ross Kemp: Back on the Frontline', Sky1, 2100hrs.
Part 4 of 5.

Tuesday 6 December
Inquest in Sutton Coldfield into the death of Marine Steven Birdsall, from 40 Commando Royal Marines, who died on 14 June 2010 from wounds sustained in Afghanistan.
9th/12th Royal Lancers Op HERRICK 14 medal parade, Hohne, Germany.
Westminster Hall debates on mental health of veterans and proposals for an Arctic Convoy medal.

Wednesday 7 December
Funeral at Bath Abbey of Lieutenant David Boyce, from 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards, who was killed in Afghanistan on 17 November 2011 
Defence Secretary Philip Hammond giving evidence to House of Commons Defence Committee on Defence Reform and progress of Strategic Defence and Security Review.
Westminster Hall debate on the cost of Trident nuclear missiles and submarine replacement.

Thursday 8 December
Inquest in Sutton Coldfield into the death of Kingsman Darren Deady, from 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, who died on 10 September 2010 from wounds sustained in Afghanistan.
Royal United Services Institute event: Defence Secretary Philip Hammond speaking on 'Delivering on the Frontline: Operational Success and Sustainable Armed Forces'.

Friday 9 December
Funeral in Northwood of Private Thomas Lake, from 1st Battalion The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment, who was killed in Afghanistan on 20 November 2011.
Inquest in Sutton Coldfield into the death of Lieutenant John Sanderson, from 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment, who died on 11 August 2010 from wounds sustained in Afghanistan.
Inquest in Blackpool into the death of Corporal Loren Marlton-Thomas, from 33 Engineer Regiment (EOD), who died on 16 November 2009 from wounds sustained in Afghanistan.
Inquest in Trowbridge into the death of Highlander Scott McLaren, from The Highlanders, 4th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, who was killed in Afghanistan on 4 July 2011.
Armed Forces Community Covenant signing, Woodbridge Town Hall.
HMS Kent returns to HM Naval Base Portsmouth.
HMS Ocean homecoming, Devonport.

Defence News: 1 December 2011

Defence 2011: A Year in Pictures
First Commander of Joint Forces Command takes up post
Public urged not to send Christmas mail to deployed troops

Defence in the Media: 1 December 2011

Summary
The BBC reports that discussion of new measures against Iran is expected to dominate a meeting of European foreign ministers today. | Various media report on the death of a soldier from 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers who was killed while on military training in Kenya. | The Daily Telegraph reports that a former US Marine who received the Medal of Honour from President Barack Obama in September is suing BAE Systems alleging that a manager mocked his military service and blocked his efforts to get a job with another company. | The Sun reports that the bereaved family of Private Conrad Lewis have brought back the dog he adopted in Afghanistan. | The Guardian reports that Afghans are living longer, fewer infants are dying and more women are surviving childbirth because healthcare has dramatically improved around the country in the past decade, according to a national survey. | The Independent reports that former members of the Taliban will attend next week's Bonn Conference on the future of Afghanistan. | In an interview with the Financial Times General Martin Dempsey has said that the US military's capacity to deploy ground forces in future operations will be reduced by about 15 per cent as a result of $450bn in defence spending cuts over the next decade. | The Daily Telegraph reports that Staff Sergeant Brett Linley has been posthumously awarded the George Medal, the second highest award for gallantry, after he calmly defused three improvised explosive devices to clear the way to retrieve a dead comrade's personal effects. | In The Times, Major John Leeper, who runs the postal and courier service for Operation HERRICK at Camp Bastion in Helmand province urges well-meaning members of the public not to send unsolicited welfare parcels as 'every time an additional convoy is laid on, more troops are put at risk of enemy attack'. | The Daily Telegraph reports that the European Union is evacuating more than half its international staff from Kabul because their embassy is unsafe. | The Daily Mail reports that families of soldiers, sailors and airmen have lashed out after it was announced that public sector pay deals have been capped at one per cent for two years from 2014. | The Financial Times reports that the Home Office and the MOD are now working on the basis that 7,500 military personnel will be required for patrolling duties at the Olympics, as opposed to 6,000 a month ago. | In the Telegraph former Prime Minister Gordon Brown calls on the Ministry of Defence to take 'urgent action' to deal with radioactive particles found on a Scottish beach. | Finally, the Daily Mail reports on an Army nurse who worked in Camp Bastion and is nominated for the Daily Mail's Inspirational Women of the Year Award.