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EUROPE
14 Nov 13. Afghanistan: OP HERRICK. From 1 Jan 06 to 31 Oct 13, 2,167 personnel were Wounded in Action and 6,996 were aeromedically evacuated. (Def Stats, 14 Nov 13.) In October 2013, the figures were two and 26 respectively.
Personnel from all three Armed Forces together with National Representatives from Australia, Belgium and the United States gathered in Kandahar on 11 Nov 13 to remember the fallen. (Media Ops, 11 Nov 13.)
The Defence Secretary joined the Afghan President at the formal opening of the Afghan National Army Officer
Academy in Kabul. The first intake has 265 Cadets, selected from over 10,000 applicants. (MoD, 11 Nov 13.)
With a dramatic rise in the number of cases brought by human rights lawyers against the MoD, an increasing amount of taxpayers’ money has to be spent defending the allegations. (MoD, 11 Nov 13.)
Comment: According to the UN (13 Nov 13), a new survey found that opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan rose to record levels in 2013 with a 36% increase over 2012. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 13/45, 18 Nov 13)
11 Nov 13. Philippine Islands: Response to Typhoon Haiyan. In his speech at the Lord Mayor’s banquet (11 Nov 13), the Prime Minister outlined the assistance the UK was offering to the Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan on 7 Nov 13. The UK is contributing £10m and has tasked HMS DARING, currently near Singapore, to head for the disaster zone. Further support is to be provided by an RAF C-17 aircraft. (PM’s Office, 11 Nov 13.)
The International Development Secretary updated the House of Commons on the UK’s response to Typhoon Haiyan. A 12-strong medical team of surgeons, doctors and paramedics was being mobilised. (Hansard, 12 Nov 13.)
HMS DARING was expected to arrive in the Philippines on 15 Nov 13. (MoD, 12 Nov 13.)
HMS ILLUSTRIOUS is being sent to the Philippines to speed up the distribution of aid supplies and provide clean drinking water. (PM’s Office, 14 Nov 13.)
HMS ILLUSTRIOUS will add to the military support already committed, including HMS DARING and an RAF C-17. The UK has also provided a civilian Antonov cargo aircraft. HMS ILLUSTRIOUS will be helping in the humanitarian effort by 25 Nov 13. (DfID, 14 Nov 13.)
HMS ILLUSTRIOUS carries seven helicopters (three Lynx Mk7, one Merlin HM1 and three Sea King Mk4). J Company, 42 Commando Royal Marines is also embarked with the ship’s company of some 650 personnel. (MoD, 14 Nov 13.)
A C-17 aircraft left RAF Brize Norton for the Philippines in order to deliver emergency supplies. A team from 99 Squadron loaded a JCB bulldozer, two heavy duty forklift trucks and a pair of Land Rovers into the hold of the aircraft. (RAF, 15 Nov 13.)
HMS DARING and her Lynx Mk8 started surveying outlying areas of the Philippines. (MoD, 15 Nov 13.)
The RAF C-17 arrived in Cebu Province after refuelling stops in the UAE and Singapore. The Prime Minister announced the provision of a further £30m, bringing the total of Government aid to £50m. (Press Association, 16 Nov 13.)
The Prime Minister announced that the UK is to deploy a C-130 aircraft to assist with relief efforts in the Philippines. (DfID, 16 Nov 13.)
Comment: The UK is providing £23m to the UN and £7m to the Red Cross in addition to the £50m (above). As at 16 Nov 13, five UK Government flights had delivered aid packages to the Philippines and a further seven more flights (at least) are planned. The packages include shelter kits, tarpaulins, hygiene kits and jerry cans. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 13/45, 18 Nov 13)
13 Nov 13. HMS VIGILANT: Back on Patrol. The RN noted (13 Nov 13) that HMS VIGILANT has completed her first nuclear deterrent patrol, marking the end of a five-year an