NEWS IN BRIEF

EUROPE

03 Oct 08. Iraq: OP TELIC. From 1 Jan 06 to 15 Sep 08, 315 personnel were categorised as Wounded in Action and 1,596 were aeromedically evacuated. (MoD, 3 Oct 08.) From 1 to 15 Sep 08 the figures were nil and 13.
The UK has tactical control of a number of US Force elements in the MND(SE) area of Operations, including 21 Military Police Company. A number of other US elements operate within MND(SE). There are no formal command relationships between Iraqi Armed Forces and UK Armed Forces although their activities are very closely co-ordinated. (Ministerial Answer (MA), 29 Sep 08.)
Soldiers from the 9th/12th Royal Lancers are working with the Iraqi Army to provide specialist aviation infantry training. (MoD, 29 Sep 08.)
617 Squadron RAF has returned to Lossiemouth and been replaced by 31 Squadron RAF. (MoD, 2 Oct 08.)
Comment: The Iraqis are reportedly aiming to purchase additional military equipment from sources other than the US. Secure communications systems and border protection technology are said to be on the Iraqi shopping list, as well as training assistance. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 08/39, 06 Oct 08)

03 Oct 08. Afghanistan: OP HERRICK. From 1 Jan 06 to 15 Sep 08, 471 personnel were categorised as Wounded in Action and 1,358 were aeromedically evacuated. (MoD, 3 Oct 08.) From 1 to 15 Sep 08 the figures were 18 and 56.
The UK has Operational control of a Danish Battle Group and an Estonian Company in Helmand. There is no formal command relationship between ISAF and Afghan National Army (ANA) units. (MA, 29 Sep 08.)
Soldiers from 3rd Bn The Parachute Regiment and 13 Air Assault Support Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps are among the first personnel from 16 Air Assault Brigade to return to the UK. (MoD, 30 Sep 08.)
Royal Marines from 45 Commando have begun deploying to Northern Helmand. (MoD, 3 Oct 08.)
Comment: A leaked report quoted the British Ambassador in Kabul as believing that US strategy in Afghanistan was wrong and that the war was as good as lost. The Ambassador was also alleged to have said that the Coalition presence, particularly the military presence, is part of the problem and not the solution. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 08/39, 06 Oct 08)

Oct 08. Service Inquiries: Replacing Single-Service Boards. MoD Legal Services announced that a tri-Service system of Service Inquiries replaced single-Service Boards of Inquiry (BoI) with effect from 1 Oct 08. Each of the three Services will thus convene Inquiries on the same statutory basis.
Comment: Service Inquiries will continue to fulfil the same function as BoI: to examine the circumstances surrounding serious incidents; to determine the facts and to make recommendations to reduce the possibility of a similar incident reoccurring. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 08/39, 06 Oct 08)

Oct 08. Swedish Air Force: Joint Exercise EX CROWN CONDOR is taking place at RAF Fairford from 6 to 16 Oct 08, with the aim of training some 1,000 RAF personnel for Operations overseas. Tornado GR4 from 12 Squadron have been joined by Gripen from 171 Squadron, Swedish Air Force, for the Exercise. EX CROWN CONDOR is the air component of the tri-Service EX JOINT WARRIOR. Coverage of the Exercise can be anticipated following a media facility at RAF Fairford on Thu 9 Oct 08. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 08/39, 06 Oct 08)

02 Oct 08. The Finnish Air Force is starting the second phase of the renewal programme of its F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets. The aim is to secure the usability of the aircraft introduced in Finland in 1995 past the year 2020 and to equip the planes for their original purpose. The two-step programme’s first phase, MLU (Mid-Life Update) 1, costs EUR 325m. The total sum would be in the region of EUR 1,625m. That would make the upgrade programme the second most expensive military purchase in Finnish peacetime history, right after the original Hornet deal. The 64 planes cost Finland EUR3bn.