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
16 Jun 11. Afghanistan: OP HERRICK. A Craftsman (i.e. Private) from the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers was killed in an explosion in the Gereshk Valley area on 16 Jun 11. A Corporal from The Parachute Regiment was fatally wounded by small arms fire in Helmand Province on 16 Jun 11. UK deaths since the start of Operations thus rose to 373, of whom 329 were killed as a result of hostile action. (MoD, 16 Jun 11.)
From 1 Jan 06 to 31 May 11, 1,701 personnel were Wounded in Action and 4,661 were aeromedically evacuated. (DASA, 15 Jun 11.) From 16 to 31 May 11 the figures were 23 and 53.
154 personnel were very seriously/seriously injured during 2010. (Ministerial Answer (MA), 10 Jun 11.)
A major Operation, OP OMID HART, restored security to the lives of the people of Loy Mandeh, Kopak and Malgir. (MoD, 13 Jun 11.)
“British troops will not be engaged in a combat role after 2015….we aim for transition to Afghan security control throughout Afghanistan by 2014.”. (Foreign Secretary, 14 Jun 11.)
The UK is assisting with the training of the Afghan Air Interdiction Unit (AIU). The British Government has issued the AIU with new equipment, vehicles and uniforms. (MoD, 15 Jun 11.)
The ethnic composition of the Afghan National Army and the Afghan National Police is broadly consistent with the Afghan population as a whole (i.e. 42% Pashtun, 27% Tajik, 9% Hazara & 9% Uzbek). (MA, 15 Jun 11.)
The Defence Secretary, accompanied by the First Sea Lord and the Chief of the General Staff, visited Helmand and Kabul (15/16 Jun 11). Marking five years of a joint mission, the Defence Ministers of Denmark, Estonia and the UK issued a statement of their commitment. (MoD, 16 Jun 11.)
Comment: Writing in ‘The Journal of the Royal Marines’ (‘The Globe & Laurel’ – May-June 2011) a Young Officer concludes: “….if morale is ever dwindling, the lads only need to recall the close relationship their Troop Commander has with the diarrhoea and vomiting tent.”.
There has been a slight increase in the number of troops contributing to ISAF; particularly in the German, French and Italian contingents. An updated list is at page 3. The first ever ISAF Tongan National Contingent has now completed its six-month deployment in support of the RAF Police at Camp Bastion. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 11/24, 20 Jun 11)
13 Jun 11. Libya: OP ELLAMY. Tornado and Typhoon aircraft destroyed nine underground storage bunkers on 12 Jun 11. Two boats were also blown out of the water and an anti-aircraft battery destroyed by Apache helicopters. (MoD, 13 Jun 11.)
In addition to HMS OCEAN, the core of the Cougar 11 task group has been committed to the mission off Libya. The flagship HMS ALBION is escorted by HMS SUTHERLAND and supported by RFA Wave Knight and
RFA Fort Rosalie. HMS LIVERPOOL and HMS BROCKLESBY (soon to be replaced by HMS BANGOR) remain on station, together with a Trafalgar Class submarine. (MoD, 13 Jun 11.)
As at 1 Jun 11, there were around 900 RAF personnel deployed overseas on OP ELLAMY; Gioia dell Colle – 550, Trapani – 150, Naples – less than 50, Poggio Renatico – 50 & Akrotiri – 100. (MA, 14 Jun 11.)