NEWS IN BRIEF
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For over 30 years, Comtech Systems has been the world leading supplier of troposcatter communications products and integrated long range high data rate communications systems for global defense and industrial markets. Comtech’s tropo modems, solid state amplifiers, four port angle diversity systems, and integrated quick link tropo systems continue to set the industry standard.
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EUROPE
30 Jun 09. Iraq: OP TELIC. From 1 Jan 06 to 31 May 09, 315 personnel were categorised as Wounded in Action and 1,934 were aeromedically evacuated. (MoD, 30 Jun 09.) From 16 to 31 May 09 the figures were nil and 15.
Despite a sandstorm over Kuwait and Iraq, the Theatre Drawdown Unit continued its task of accounting and moving equipment back to the UK or Afghanistan. (MoD, 30 Jun 09.)
Surplus kit from scrap metal to pick-up trucks, that would cost more to return to the UK than they are worth, is being sold off locally. All UK equipment and troops will have withdrawn from Iraq by 31 Jul 09. (MoD, 1 Jul 09.)
Comment: The European Union Integrated Rule of Law Mission for Iraq (EUJUST LEX) was extended for a fifth year from 1 Jul 09. The Mission, staffed by EU Member States, provides training for Judges, Prosecutors and Senior Police Officers.
01 Jul 09. Afghanistan: OP HERRICK. The Commanding Officer of 1st Bn Welsh Guards and a Trooper from 2nd Royal Tank Regiment were killed by an explosion while on convoy along the Shamalan Canal on 1 Jul 09. UK deaths since the start of Operations in October 2001 thus rose to 171, of whom 142 were killed as a result of hostile action. (MoD, 1 Jul 09.)
From 1 Jan 06 to 31 May 09, 650 personnel were categorised as Wounded in Action and 2,063 were aeromedically evacuated. (MoD, 30 Jun 09.) From 16 to 31 May 09 the figures were 16 and 65.
Between 1 Apr 06 and 31 Mar 09, 51 UK Service personnel suffered amputations due to injuries sustained while on OP HERRICK. (Ministerial Answer (MA), 26 Jun 09.)
The OP HERRICK Rules of Engagement were last amended on 5 Feb 08. (MA, 29 Jun 09.)
Royal Engineers are helping to deliver reconstruction projects worth over $6m. (MoD, 29 Jun 09.)
A Tri-Service HQ staff of the Joint Force Support deployed on 21 Jun 09. The HQ of 35 personnel command 2,200 logistics troops based throughout Afghanistan. (MoD, 30 Jun 09.)
The Harriers of 1 Squadron returned to RAF Cottesmore on 1 Jul 09. (MoD, 1 Jul 09.)
Comment: The Operation in Helmand, led by the US Marine Corps, which started on 2 Jul 09 was described as “the biggest military action by Western powers in Afghanistan since the fall of the Taliban in 2001”.(Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 10/25, 06 Jul 09)
03 Jul 09. Tornado F3: Fatal Crash. The MoD confirmed (3 Jul 09) that a Tornado F3 from 43 Squadron at RAF Leuchars crashed at 11.45hrs
on 2 Jul 09, killing the crew of two Flight Lieutenants. The crash happened during a routine training flight at Glen Kinglas, Argyll.
Comment: The number of Tornado F3 at RAF Leuchars is being reduced in
anticipation of the aircraft out-of-service date of 31 Mar 11. The two F3 Squadrons at Leuchars are planned to be replaced by three Typhoon Squadrons. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 10/25, 06 Jul 09)
26 Jun 09. India: State Visit by President. Foreign Secretary announced (26 Jun 09) that the President of the Republic of India, HE Shrimati Pratibha Devisingh Patil, has accepted an invitation from HM The Queen to pay