NEWS IN BRIEF
EUROPE
23 Jun 08. Iraq: OP TELIC. “The security situation in Basrah is now vastly improved but much work remains to be done. British Forces will stay in Iraq until the conditions on the ground are right.” (MoD, 23 Jun 08.)
OP CHARGE OF THE KNIGHTS, which began in March 2008, is now into its 14th Phase. The Joint Operation with the Iraqi Army, which aims to restore order and improve security in Basrah, is making further progress. (MoD, 23 Jun 08.)
“Final decisions on our military plans and presence in Iraq in 2009 have not yet been taken, but will be based on conditions in Iraq.” (Ministerial Answer (MA), 23 Jun 08.)
Comment: A Foreign Office Minister said (26 Jun 08) that the UK was closely following the discussions between the Governments of Iraq and the US over the future status of US Forces. UN Security Council Resolution 1790 expires on 31 Dec 08, when the status of foreign troops in Iraq needs to be placed “on a
sound legal footing”.(Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 0826, 30 June 08)
24 Jun 08.)Afghanistan: OP HERRICK. A Warrant Officer Class 2 (CSM) from 2nd Bn The Parachute Regiment was killed during a firefight in the Upper Sangin Valley on 24 Jun 08. A Private from 4th Bn The Parachute Regiment was killed by a suspected Improvised Explosive Device in the Upper Sangin Valley on 24 Jun 08. A soldier from the Royal Logistic Corps died in a vehicle accident in central Helmand on 27 Jun 08. UK deaths since the start of Operations in October 2001 thus rose to 109, of whom 82 were killed as a result of hostile action. (MoD 28 Jun 08.)
“We have made a long-term commitment to the security of Afghanistan.” (MA, 23 Jun 08.)
400 personnel from 3rd Bn The Parachute Regiment deployed to Zabul Province on 3 Jun 08. (MA, 23 Jun 08.)
US Marines and British Forces opened a Joint Civil Military Operations Centre (CMOC), on 23 Jun 08, near the British Forward Operating Base in Garmsir District. On its first day, the CMOC had 31 visitors and paid 15 claims. (NATO, 24 Jun 08.)
Comment: An account of the fighting in North Helmand during 2006 and 2007 is to be found in ‘A Million Bullets’ by James Ferguson (ISBN 9780 5930 5902 9). The book is favourably reviewed by Douglas Hurd, a former Foreign Secretary, in the current (28 Jun 08) edition of ‘The Spectator’. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 0826, 30 June 08)
01 Jul 08. 1 July 2008 RAF Typhoons now multi-role capable. The Royal Air Force declared its Typhoon jets multi-role capable. The RAF Typhoons can now carryout precision Ground Attack as well as Air Defence tasks. The declaration, which was made at the home base of the Typhoon Force, RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, represents a major milestone in the development of the state-of-the-art aircraft. Commander-in-Chief of the RAF, Air Chief Marshal Sir Clive Loader said: “The declaration of Typhoon being Multi-role capable is a truly significant step in the development of this remarkable aircraft…This latest capability upgrade gives the Royal Air Force the most operationally flexible aircraft it has ever had.” Typhoon aircraft took part in a very successful deployment to the USA in spring for trials and front-line training culminating in Exercise Green Flag, which is a large USAF and US Army exercise that involves Close Air Support to troops. The Typhoons proved their ability to deploy to environments that are representative of current operational theatres. During this deployment the aircraft demonstrated exceptional serviceability by achieving 99% of planned sorties.
02 Jul 08. The Council of Ministers has authorized the award of a contract to acquire 100 “platoon” (medium-sized) all-terrain armored vehicles, equipped with remotely-controlled weapon stations, and their logistic support in operational areas, at a total cost of €75m. (Source: DACIS: Newswire)
02 Jul 08. British Foreign Secretary David Miliband on July 2 backed French
President Nicolas Sarkozy’s proposal that Europe