NEWS IN BRIEF
EUROPE
22 Jan 09. Iraq: OP TELIC. From 1 Jan 06 to 31 Dec 08, 315 personnel were categorised as Wounded in Action and 1,737 were aeromedically evacuated. (MoD, 22 Jan 09.) From 16 to 31 Dec 08 the figures were nil and 20.
HMS RICHMOND sailed from Portsmouth (19 Jan 09) in order to relieve her sister ship HMS LANCASTER in the Gulf on OP TELIC. HMS LANCASTER is due back in Portsmouth in late February 2009. (MoD, 19 Jan 09.)
The Chief of the General Staff (CGS) gave a speech to the Institute for Public Policy Research (19 Jan 09) in which he praised British troops for their part in what has “ultimately been a success” in Southern Iraq.
(MoD, 20 Jan 09.)
Comment: There has been some controversy as to exactly what the CGS said to the Institute on 19 Jan 09. Unfortunately, the MoD has declined to release a transcript of General Dannatt’s speech. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 09/05, 26 Jan 09)
17 Jan 09. Afghanistan: OP HERRICK. A Corporal from 1st Bn The Rifles died as a result of enemy fire during an ambush North of Sangin District Centre on 17 Jan 09. UK deaths since the start of Operations in October 2001 thus rose to 142, of whom 113 were killed as a result of hostile action. (MoD, 17 Jan 09.)
From 1 Jan 06 to 31 Dec 08, 554 personnel were categorised as Wounded in Action and 1,633 were aeromedically evacuated. (MoD, 22 Jan 09.) From 16 to 31 Dec 08 the figures were nine and 36.
The Defence Secretary visited Pakistan and Afghanistan (from 19 Jan 09). In Pakistan, Mr Hutton was briefed on Security Forces’ Operations in the Western Border Area. In Afghanistan, the Defence Secretary met UK troops in various parts of Helmand Province. (MoD, 19/21/22 Jan 09.)
Comment: Singapore having rejoined, there are now 39 nations contributing to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).
AFGHANISTAN: INTERNATIONAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE FORCE (ISAF)
TROOP CONTRIBUTING NATIONS (TCN) AS AT 12 JAN 09
United States 23,220
Lithuania 200
United Kingdom 8,910
New Zealand 150
Germany 3,405
Albania 140
France 2,890
Greece 140
Canada 2,830
Macedonia (FYROM)140
Italy 2,350
Estonia 120
Netherlands 1,770
Slovakia 120
Poland 1,590
Finland 110
Australia 1,090
Latvia 70
Turkey 800
Slovenia 70
Spain 780
Azerbaijan 45
Romania 770
Portugal 40
Denmark 700
Singapore 20
Norway 490
Ukraine 10
Bulgaria 465
Luxembourg 9
Czech Republic 415
Iceland 8
Belgium 410
Ireland 7
Sweden 290
Austria 1
Croatia 280
Georgia 1
Hungary 240
TOTAL 55,096
(Source: ISAF.)
(Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 09/05, 26 Jan 09)
19 Jan 09. Mediterranean: OP ACTIVE ENDEAVOUR. HMS ST ALBANS sailed from Portsmouth (19 Jan 09) in order to join a NATO Task Group in the Mediterranean. The NATO-led OP ACTIVE ENDEAVOUR monitors illegal maritime and air activity throughout the Mediterranean.
Comment: The NATO Operation is said to have “significantly” improved security in the Mediterranean since patrolling started in October 2001. While deployed, HMS ST ALBANS will also be part of a NATO Response Force (for tasking as may be required by NATO). (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 09/05, 26 Jan 09)
Jan 09. Hercules C-130 Aircraft: Numbers Available. The Defence Equipment Minister said that, as at 13 Jan 09, there were 24 C-130J in service of which seven were ‘not fit for purpose’. On the same date, 19 of the older C-130K were held of which 11 were ‘not fit for purpose’. The 11 C-130K include four retired aircraft awaiting disposal.
Comment: The C-130K were acquired between 1966 and 1968 while the C-130J entered RAF service between 1998 and 2001. Three C-130K and nine C-130J are currently d