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EUROPE
30 Oct 10. Afghanistan: OP HERRICK. A Sapper (i.e. Private) from 101 Engineer Regiment was killed as a result of a gunshot wound suffered while he was dealing with an explosive device in the Nahr-e Saraj area on 30 Oct 10. UK deaths since the start of Operations on 7 Oct 01 thus rose to 342 of whom 302 were killed as a result of hostile action. (MoD, 30 Oct 10.)
A Crew Training School based at Sennelager has been established specifically to prepare vehicle crews for Afghanistan. (MoD, 3 Nov 10.)
MoD policy is not to offer incentives in an attempt to secure safe passage of its convoys in Afghanistan. (Ministerial Answer (MA), 3 Nov 10.)
“We do not seek a perfect Afghanistan but one that is able to maintain its own security and prevent the return of al-Qaeda.” (MA, 4 Nov 10.)
28 Tornado GR4 aircraft are capable of operating in Afghanistan, with a further 17 scheduled for upgrades to enable them to meet the Theatre entry standard. In August 2010 the number of GR4 deployed increased from eight to 10, with an associated increase of maintainers from 102 to 122. The number of GR4 deployed is planned to revert to eight by the end of November 2010. (MA, 4 Nov 10.)
“The Government will fully fund the net additional costs of military Operations in Afghanistan from the Government Reserve.” (MA, 4 Nov 10.)
There are two RAF Expeditionary Air Wings deployed in Afghanistan, one at Camp Bastion and the other at Kandahar Airfield. Both report to the UK Air Component Commander in Al Udeid, Qatar. (MA, 4 Nov 10.)
A Transfer of Authority took place in Kandahar on 2 Nov 10 when Major General N P Carter handed over Regional Command (South) to (US) Major General J Terry. (MoD, 5 Nov 10.)
Comment: The Governor of Helmand Province met the Defence Secretary and the Chief of the Defence Staff on 3 Nov 10. As part of his week long visit, Governor Mangal had a series of meetings with Members of Parliament including the Foreign Secretary and the International Development Secretary. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 09/43, 8 Nov 10)
02 Nov 10. Franco-British Summit: Declaration. The French President and the Prime Minister signed a Declaration on Defence and Security Co-operation(2 Nov 10) which included the decisions:-
* To sign a Treaty to develop co-operation between the Armed Forces of both Countries including the building of joint facilities.
* To collaborate in the technology associated with nuclear stockpile stewardship.
* To pursue joint initiatives in specified areas (such as a Combined Joint Expeditionary Force and the ability to deploy an Anglo-French integrated carrier strike group).
Comment: A copy of the Declaration is available to subscribers, on request. The Defence Secretary’s associated Statement can be found in Hansard for 2 Nov 10, starting at Column 780. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 09/43, 8 Nov 10)
Eurofighter Typhoon: Quick Reaction Alert (QRA)
The Armed Forces’ Minister said (4 Nov 10) that QRA aircraft launched on 13 days between 1 Nov 09 and 31 Oct 10. QRA aircraft are held at ground readiness at RAF Coningsby and at RAF Leuchars.
Comment: The Minister