Web page sponsored by Force Protection Europe Ltd.
http://www.forceprotectioneurope.co.uk
Force Protection Europe (FPE) was established in 2009 to provide a UK-based vehicle support organisation for the world renowned Cougar vehicles (Mastiff, Ridgback and Wolfhound). Over 700 of these vehicles are in service with the UK MoD and continue to save heroes’ lives. Since its formation, FPE has developed a revolutionary light protected patrol vehicle, Ocelot. In 2010, Ocelot was awarded the contract for the UK’s Light Protected Patrol Vehicle Programme and named Foxhound by the MoD. It is the best protected vehicle for its weight and size available today. Patrol, utility load bed and weapons pods offer Ocelot flexibility and fleet coherence.
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EUROPE
01 Apr 11. Afghanistan: OP HERRICK. From 1 Jan 06 to 15 Mar 11, 1,642 personnel were Wounded in Action and 4,401 were aeromedically evacuated. From 1 Mar to 15 Mar 11 the figures were 17 and 59. (DASA, 1 Apr 11.)
The rate at which UK Armed Forces draw down between now and 2015 will be based on conditions on the ground and the changing role of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) as the transition process proceeds. (Ministerial Answer (MA), 28 Mar 11.)
Soldiers from 1st Bn Irish Guards conducted a reconnaissance mission in order to establish a new patrol base in Pasab. (MoD, 28 Mar 11.)
Soldiers from 5th Bn The Royal Regiment of Scotland and US Marines formed Advisory Teams for training the Afghan National Police in Helmand Province. (MoD, 30 Mar 11.)
Over £4,900m has been approved through the Urgent Operational Requirement (UOR) process on equipment for Afghanistan since OP HERRICK began. (MA, 30 Mar 11.)
Comment: The National Audit Office published (31 Mar 11) a Report on ‘The use of information to manage the logistics supply chain’, which is mainly concerned with the logistics involved in supporting OP HERRICK. According to the Report, the MoD made 130,300 deliveries to Afghanistan in 2010 but failed to meet its own performance targets. However, the MoD has an £800m contract with Boeing Defence “for a more streamlined, agile and effective logistics support chain”. The Report is available, as HC 827, for £15:50.
31 Mar 11. Libya: OP ELLAMY. On 28 Mar 11, the US and UK conducted a co-ordinated air assault on ammunition bunkers North of Sebha. Tornado GR4 flying out of RAF Marham and refuelled en route by VC10 launched Storm Shadow missiles. 40 bunkers were destroyed by coalition aircraft. (MoD, 31 Mar 11.)
Foreign Ministers and leaders from over 40 countries and organisations (including the UN, the Arab League, the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, the European Union and NATO) met for the London Conference on Libya on 28 Mar 11. Participants agreed on the importance of full and swift implementation of UNSCR 1970 & 1973. (FCO, 29 Mar 11.)
At 06.00hrs GMT 31 Mar 11, NATO took sole command of international air Operations over Libya. Command has passed to the Combined Joint Commander OP UNIFIED PROTECTOR, Lt Gen C Bouchard of the Canadian Air Force. (NATO, 31 Mar 11.)
As at 31 Mar 11, RAF Tornado flying from Gioia del Colle had conducted a series of armed reconnaissance and overwatch patrols in Libya. RAF Typhoon, supported by VC10 tanker aircraft, Nimrod R1, Sentinel and
E3-D from Akrotiri and Trapani, patrolled the no-fly zone. HMS CUMBERLAND patrolled international waters off Libya, undertaking sea denial, surveillance and the monitoring of shipping. HMS CUMBERLAND’s Lynx helicopter conducted a number search missions. (MoD, 31 Mar 11.)
Comment: On 30 Mar 11 the Defence Secretary confirmed that one Nimrod R1 aircraft was being kept in the region near Libya for up to three months in support of UNSCR 1973 (and not being withdrawn from service as previously announced). The decision was described as “pragmatic”. Similarly, the Defence Equipment Minister announced (also on