NEWS IN BRIEF
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EUROPE
30 Nov 09. Afghanistan: OP HERRICK. A Sergeant from 1st Bn Coldstream Guards died from wounds sustained as a result of an explosion in the Babaji area on 30 Nov 09. UK deaths since the start of Operations on 7 Oct 01 thus rose to 236, of whom 205 were killed as a result of hostile action. (MoD, 30 Nov 09.)
From 1 Jan 06 to 15 Nov 09, 986 UK personnel were categorised as Wounded in Action and 2,807 were aeromedically evacuated. (MoD, 3 Dec 09.) From 1 to 15 Nov 09 the figures were 28 and 55.
“I can confirm that we will move to a new force level of 9,500; that the extra troops will deploy in early December….and that from late January they will make the transition to the partnering role.” With the
inclusion of Special Forces and their supporting troops, the UK’s total military effort will be “in excess of 10,000 troops”. (Prime Minister, 30 Nov 09.) The 500 extra troops will be drawn from 1st Bn The Royal Welsh.
(MoD, 30 Nov 09.)
“The London Conference on Afghanistan will be held on 28 Jan 10. The purpose is to mobilise international efforts in support of a combined military and political strategy in Afghanistan.” (Foreign Secretary, 1 Dec 09.)
The Chief of the Defence Staff expressed himself as “delighted” at the decision by the President to deploy 30,000 extra US troops to Afghanistan. (Radio 4 interview, 2 Dec 09.)
The UK will continue to work to establish the conditions under which the Afghans can start to take responsibility for their own security. (Defence Secretary, 3 Dec 09.)
Comment: Despite comments by the NATO Secretary-General and a statement by ISAF Foreign Affairs’ Ministers, vagueness surrounds additional troop contributions. At least 25 (unnamed) countries are expected to increase their ISAF contributions in 2010. The positions of France and Germany are expected to be clarified during the London Conference on 28 Jan 10. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 10/46, 07 Dec 09)
01 Dec 09. Iraq: Training and Maritime Support. The Armed Forces’ Minister said (1 Dec 09) that the UK’s Agreement with Iraq on training and maritime support has entered into force. Training of the Iraqi Navy has been “paused” since June 2009, but RN trainers have now returned to Iraq and HM Ships have re-entered Iraqi territorial waters. The tasks of protecting Iraqi waters and offshore oil platforms are being shared with US colleagues.
HMS KENT, originally deployed as part of OP TELIC, returned to Portsmouth on 30 Nov 09 from training duties in the Gulf. HMS MONMOUTH has joined Combined Task Force Iraqi Maritime as the lead frigate. MONMOUTH (referred to as the ‘Black Duke’) is to remain in the Gulf until Spring 2010.
Comment: On 1 Dec 09 the Defence Secretary mentioned the policy of allowing eligible former Iraqi interpreters to settle in the UK through the ‘Gateway’ protection programme. Some 589 interpreters and their families have chosen to settle in the UK under the programme. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 10/46, 07 Dec 09)
01 Dec 09. Puma Helicopters: Upgrade and Life Exten