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25 Jul 17. Iraq and Syria: OP SHADER. On 19 Jul 17 Tornados destroyed an explosives warehouse in Northern Iraq as Typhoons and Tornados engaged two targets in Raqqa. On the following day Typhoons bombed a terrorist position in Raqqa while Tornados and Typhoons attacked terrorists, destroying their boat and vehicle. On 21 Jul 17 Tornados destroyed an observation and sniper post in Raqqa as Tornados and Typhoons attacked an anti-aircraft gun and an armed truck. On 22 Jul 17 Tornados struck an engineering vehicle in Northern Iraq. On 23 & 24 Jul 17 Tornados and Typhoons engaged Daesh positions in Raqqa. (MoD, 25 Jul 17.)
Comment: Tornados and Typhoons continued to employ Paveway IV guided bombs and Brimstone missiles as targets were presented. As at 20 Jul 17, Syrian Forces were said to have retaken around 30% of Raqqa.
(Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 17/29, 31 July 17)
21 Jul 17. South Sudan: Peacekeeping. The International Development Secretary visited (21 Jul 17) 32 Engineer Regiment as they prepared to deploy in support of the UN Peacekeeping mission in South Sudan. The deployment of 162 British personnel from Catterick Garrison will increase the number of UK military in South Sudan to approximately 400.
HM Ambassador to South Sudan awarded UN medals (25 Jul 17) to British troops in recognition of their service in the country. 85 soldiers from the Engineering and Medical Taskforce in South Sudan received their awards.
Comment: The troops in South Sudan are mainly split between Malakal and Bentiu in the North of the country. The soldiers are providing engineering and medical support at UN camps while helping to develop logistical routes. The UK is providing £100m of humanitarian assistance to South Sudan in the current year. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 17/29, 31 July 17)
24 Jul 17. HMS PRINCE OF WALES: Naming Ceremony. The Defence Secretary visited (24 Jul 17) HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH as she was undergoing sea trials off the coast of Scotland. While addressing the Ship’s Company the Defence Secretary announced that the second aircraft carrier, HMS PRINCE OF WALES, is to be officially named at a ceremony in Rosyth on 8 Sep 17.
Comment: HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH is expected to enter service in 2020 and HMS PRINCE OF WALES in 2023. Each carrier weighs 65,000 tonnes, has a top speed of over 25 knots and has a flight deck of 70 by 280 metres. The carriers have crews of about 700, increasing to about 1,600 with a full complement of aircraft. As part of EX SAXON WARRIOR (1-10 Aug 17) UK personnel will train on board the USS GEORGE HW BUSH in preparation for undertaking combined Carrier Strike Group operations. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 17/29, 31 July 17)
16 Jul 17. Falkland Islands: Land Mines. The FCO (Counter Proliferation & Arms Control Centre) published (16 Jul 17) a Freedom of Information
Request asking “how much the British Government has spent in total since 2009 on demining in the Falkland Islands”. The response (dated 9 May 17) was that “HMG has spent £16,604,385 on demining since 2009”.
Demining has been funded by various Departments including the FCO, the MoD, the Department for International Development and HMG.s Conflict Security & Stability Fund.
Comment: In June 2017 the Government confirmed that the current demining phase in the Falkland Islands, which started in October 2016, is focused on tackling the most remote, environmentally-sensitive and complex
minefields on the Islands. (See DNA Issue 17/25 of 3 Jul 17.)
(Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 17/29, 31 July 17)
25 Jul 17. Gibraltar: Windmill Hill Signal Station. The RN advised (25 Jul 17) that Gibraltar’s ‘Windy Hill’ station is to be partially rebuilt. Personnel at the facility monitor some 60,000 ships per year entering or leaving