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20 Sep 17. Iraq and Syria: OP SHADER. During a visit to Iraq the Defence Secretary announced (20 Sep 17) an Iraq and Syria Operational Service
Medal, recognising military personnel “who have been tirelessly undertaking the UK effort as part of the Coalition fight against Daesh”. The UK has provided over 1,400 military personnel as part of its three-year involvement in the campaign. During this time personnel have conducted over 1,500 air strikes against Daesh terrorist targets and helped to train nearly 60,000 members of the Iraqi Security Forces. Currently there are around 600 British soldiers in Iraq, primarily involved in training Iraqi troops.
The UK welcomed (21 Sep 17) UN Security Council Resolution 2379 (2017) on Daesh accountability and is committing £1m towards establishing a UN investigation team that will gather and preserve evidence of Daesh’s
crimes in Iraq.
Comment: When announcing the OP SHADER Medal the Defence Secretary added that the qualifying criteria for campaign medals is to be re-examined, in order to recognise the contribution “of those outside the immediate theatre of Operations”. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 17/34, 25 Sep 17)
17 Sep 17. London Terrorist Attack: OP TEMPERER. OP TEMPERER was stood down (17 Sep 17) following confirmation by the Home Secretary that the national threat level has been reduced from ‘critical’ to ‘severe’. The Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner commented: “There are well-rehearsed plans in place to ensure a smooth transition from Operation
Temperer…”. The MoD confirmed (19 Sep 17) that OP TEMPERER was due to conclude the following day.
Comment: OP TEMPERER is the name given to the mobilisation plan for military support to the Police following a major terrorist attack. On 15 Sep 17 up to 1,000 military personnel were deployed, following a terrorist incident on the London Underground. Troops provided security at national infrastructure sites, enabling the Police to release armed Officers for other duties. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 17/34, 25 Sep 17)
21 Sep 17. Caribbean: Relief Effort. France, the Netherlands and the UK have established a Multinational Caribbean Co-ordination Cell (MNCCC)
based at Dutch Naval Base Parera on the island of Curaçao. The MNCCC will be active for up to two months, supporting longer-term reconstruction and recovery, and is staffed by 30 military personnel from the three nations. (MoD, 21 Sep 17.)
The Dutch vessel HNLMS KAREL DOORMAN collected additional UK aid from Portsmouth on her way to join the relief effort in the Caribbean. (MoD, 21 Sep 17.)
HMS OCEAN arrived in the British Virgin Islands with around 650 personnel and 60 tonnes of aid, including construction equipment and essential supplies. (MoD 22 Sep 17.)
Comment: Hurricane Irma brought destruction to the Caribbean from 6 Sep 17, closely followed by Hurricane Maria which first made landfall on the island of Dominica on 19 Sep 17. With the arrival of HMS OCEAN, there are now over 2,000 UK military personnel assisting with the relief effort. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 17/34, 25 Sep 17)
16 Sep 17. NATO Military Committee: Next Chairman. NATO announced (16 Sep 17) that the Allied Chiefs of Defence have elected Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach as the next Chairman of the Military Committee. Sir Stuart is currently the UK’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and is expected to assume his new appointment in June 2018.
Comment: The Chairman is the senior military adviser to the Secretary General and North Atlantic Council. The position of Chairman of the Military Committee is normally held for three years. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 17/34, 25 Sep 17)
19 Sep 17. Saudi Arabia: Defence Relationship. The Governments of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and