NEWS IN BRIEF
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EUROPE
03 Jun 09. Iraq: OP TELIC. From 1 Jan 06 to 15 May 09, 315 personnel were categorised as Wounded in Action and 1,919 were aeromedically evacuated. (MoD, 3 Jun 09.) From 1 to 15 May 09 the figures were nil and 20.
The final week of Combat Air Operations saw Tornado aircraft carrying out a mixture of close air support and reconnaissance missions. Tornado and VC10 aircraft were being prepared for their return to the UK. (RAF Update, 31 May 09.)
“We remain in discussions with Iraqi authorities on how the UK can provide continued assistance to the Iraqi military following 31 Jul 09.” (MoD, 3 Jun 09.)
The last Tornado GR4 and VC10 aircraft returned to the UK on 3 Jun 09, marking the end of 18 years of RAF Operations in the Gulf. (MoD, 4 Jun 09.)
Seven Challenger 2 main battle tanks, 51 armoured vehicles and 162 containers filled with military equipment left Shuaiba on board MV Hurst Point on 3 Jun 09. (MoD, 5 Jun 09.)
Comment: The provision of “continued assistance” mentioned above ran into a bureaucratic muddle following the expiration of agreed arrangements on 31 May 09. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 10/22, 08 June 09)
03 Jun 09. Afghanistan: OP HERRICK. A Corporal from The Parachute Regiment and a Lance Corporal from The Light Dragoons were killed as a result of an explosion near Musa Qaleh on 30 May 09. A Rifleman (i.e. Private) from 2nd Bn The Rifles was killed as a result of an explosion near Gereshk on 2 Jun 09. UK deaths since the start of Operations in October 2001 thus rose to 166, of whom 137 were killed as a result of hostile action. (MoD, 3 Jun 09.)
From 1 Jan 06 to 15 May 09, 634 personnel were categorised as Wounded in Action and 1,998 were aeromedically evacuated. (MoD, 3 Jun 09.) From 1 to 15 May 09 the figures were eight and 57.
“Our assessment is that Afghanistan faces a serious security challenge from within and outside its borders and this threat will continue for the foreseeable future.” (Ministerial Answer, 1 Jun 09.)
The Second Fusiliers Battle Group supported Afghan soldiers in dislodging the Taliban from the village of Yatimchay on 29 May 09. (MoD, 2 Jun 09.)
A dangerous Taliban leader, Mullah Mansur, was killed during an Apache strike on 1 Jun 09. (MoD, 2 Jun 09.)
Infantry soldiers have started to train for Operations in Afghanistan on the new facilities at Stanford Training Area in Norfolk, said to be the most advanced in the UK. (MoD, 3 Jun 09.)
Comment: Claims by the Defence Secretary and by the MoD about the elimination of “one of the most dangerous Taliban leaders” were subsequently disputed. Two militants in Helmand Province are known as Mullar Mansur and the relatively unimportant one could be the one who was killed. The ‘International Herald Tribune’ (3 Jun 09) reported that: “The Taliban could not be reached for comment.”(!) (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 10/22, 08 June 09)
01 Jun 09. The Lynx Business Unit at Vector Aerospace Helicopter Services Fleetlands in Gosport has recently completed an important modification upgrade acr