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14 Aug 14. Afghanistan: OP HERRICK. From 1 Jan 06 to 31 Jul 14, 2,183 personnel were Wounded in Action and 7,292 were aeromedically evacuated. During July 2014 four personnel were Wounded in Action and 54 were aeromedically evacuated. (Def Stats, 14 Aug 14.)
The Tornado detachment at Kandahar continues to provide air support to ground forces, now led by the Afghan National Army. All the UK Forward Operating Bases have been handed over to Afghan authorities.
(RAF News, 15 Aug 14.)
Comment: More than two-thirds of the military equipment associated with Coalition Forces is now said to have left Afghanistan. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 14/33, 18 Aug 14)
14 Aug 14. Iraq: OP SHADER. The MoD confirmed (14 Aug 14) that three Tornado left the UK for Cyprus (RAF Akrotiri) on 13 Aug 14 and that additional Tornado would be deployed. Chinook helicopters, one Voyager and three C-130 Hercules were also flying in support of the Operation.
Tornados flew a surveillance mission over Mount Sinjar during the night of 13/14 Aug 14, confirming that the number of people on the mountain was now “in the low thousands”. Alongside the surveillance mission, two
C-130s distributed 22 tonnes of aid including clean water and shelter kits. The Prime Minister concluded “that the humanitarian situation remains our priority”. The Chinook helicopters and Tornado aircraft remain deployed. A further COBR (Cabinet Office Briefing Room) meeting was held on 15 Aug 14, when it was established that ‘the dire humanitarian’ situation in Northern Iraq remains the UK’s top priority”.
Two plane loads of UK aid arrived at Erbil, destined for Dahuk. Aid supplies included essential items such as cooking equipment. (DfID, 16 Aug 14.)
Comment: Air drops from the UK over Mount Sinjar started on 9 Aug 14. The drops included: 9 Aug 14 – 1,200 reusable water containers, providing 6,000 litres, and 240 solar lamps; 11 Aug 14 – 3,180 reusable water containers (15,900 litres) and 816 solar lamps and 12 Aug 14 – 2,640 reusable water containers (13,200 litres) and 528 shelter kits. Various media reported (16 Aug 14) that the UK has also deployed Rivet Joint aircraft, flying surveillance operations over Northern Iraq, in support of the humanitarian effort. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 14/33, 18 Aug 14)
14 Aug 14. Galileo: Two More Satellites. The European Space Agency advised (14 Aug 14) that the next two satellites in the Galileo navigation system are to be launched on 21 Aug 14 on top of a Soyuz rocket, from the Spaceport at Kourou in French Guiana. Sats 5 & 6 are expected to become operational, after initial in-orbit testing, later in 2014. The two satellites will join the four „in-orbit validation. satellites already in space, which were launched on 21 Oct 11 and 12 Oct 12.
Comment: The previously announced schedule for additional Galileo satellite launches has been adjusted. Sats 7 & 8 are now to be launched towards the end of 2014, followed by six to eight launches per year until the full constellation of 27 satellites and three orbiting spares has been achieved. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 14/33, 18 Aug 14)
15 Aug 14. A400M Atlas Aircraft: About to Enter Service. RAF News (15 Aug 14) reported that trainee pilots with 45 Squadron have flown out to Spain as the first of the RAF’s Atlas transporter aircraft rolled off the production line in Seville. The first Atlas, of the 22 ordered by the UK, is now expected to enter service in October 2014.
Comment: An RAF spokesman has been quoted as saying that: “Atlas can go anywhere a Hercules can go, carry twice the payload or carry the same load twice as far.” The Atlas fleet will be based at RAF Brize Norton;
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