NEWS IN BRIEF
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EUROPE
03 Sep 09. Afghanistan: OP HERRICK. UK deaths since the start of Operations in October 2001 have risen to 212, of whom 181 were killed as a result of hostile action. As confirmed by the MoD (3 Sep 09), the most recent fatalities are:-
* A Fusilier (i.e. Private) from 2nd Bn The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers died on 25 Aug 09 as a result of wounds sustained in Afghanistan on 15 Aug 09.
* A Royal Marine died on 29 Aug 09 following an explosion near Gereshk.
* A Sergeant and a Private from 3rd Bn The Royal Regiment of Scotland were killed on 31 Aug 09 as a result of an explosion in Babaji District.
* A Lance Corporal from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers was killed on 2 Sep 09 as a result of an explosion in Babaji District.
* A Private from 2nd Bn The Mercian Regiment was killed on 3 Sep 09 as a result of a gunshot wound sustained in Babaji District.
From 1 Jan 06 to 15 Aug 09, 822 personnel were categorised as Wounded in Action and 2,469 were aeromedically evacuated. (MoD, 3 Sep 09.) From 1 to 15 Aug 09 the figures were 32 and 88.
1st Bn The Royal Anglian Regiment is being prepared for deployment as part of contingency planning.
(MoD, 24 Aug 09.)
The Merlin Helicopter Force has started a four-month training Exercise in the US, prior to deployment to Afghanistan in late 2009. (MoD, 24 Aug 09.)
OP PANTHER’s CLAW is said to have been successful despite claims of low voter turnout in Babaji for the elections. (MoD, 27 Aug 09.)
An article by the Chief of the Defence Staff was published in The Guardian on 28 Aug 09. (Copy available
on request.)
The Prime Minister visited troops at Camp Bastion and Lashkar Gah over the weekend 29/30 Aug 09.
UK Forces were promised “every possible support”. (MoD, 1 Sep 09.)
A Chinook helicopter was deliberately destroyed following a ‘hard landing’ East of Sangin on 30 Aug 09. There is no evidence to suggest that the incident was caused by enemy action. (MoD, 30 Aug 09.)
Troop levels are to remain at their temporary 9,000 number until after the Presidential Election results.
(MoD, 1 Sep 09.)
Opium cultivation has dropped over the last year by a third in Helmand Province, according to the UN.
(MoD, 2 Sep 09.)
38 Engineer Regiment has built a new Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Nad e-Ali at a cost of over £5m. Other FOB are also being upgraded. (MoD, 3 Sep 09.)
A Defence Cultural Specialist Unit (DCSU) was launched on 1 Sep 09. (MoD, 3 Sep 09.)
The Prime Minister gave a speech outlining the long-term strategy for Afghanistan, at the International Institute for Strategic Studies on 4 Sep 09. (Transcript available on request.) (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 10/33, 07 Sep 09)
09 Sep 09. Afghanistan: OP HERRICK. A Corporal from The Parachute Regiment was killed on 9 Sep 09 during an Operation to free hostages from Taliban captivity. UK deaths since the start of Operations in October 2001 thus rose to 213, of whom 182 were killed as a result of hostile action. (MoD, 9 Sep 09.)
Commenting on the above Operation, the Prime Minister sai