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21 Jul 15. Iraq: OP SHADER. British Forces have continued to conduct air operations to assist the Iraqi Government in its fight against ISIL (MoD, 21 Jul 15):-
. 9 Jul 15: Reaper conducted two Hellfire attacks.
. 10 Jul 15: Tornado GR4s from RAF Akrotiri supported Iraqi soldiers.
. 12 Jul 15: A Tornado GR4 mission provided assistance to the Peshmerga.
. 14 Jul 15: Tornado GR4s flew close air support for Iraqi soldiers.
. 16 Jul 15: Two Tornado GR4s provided close support to the Peshmerga.
. 19 Jul 15: Mortar team attacked with a Paveway IV.
. 20 Jul 15: Reaper flew overwatch for security forces.
A major part of the Coalitions strategic surveillance capability is provided by RAF Sentinel and Rivet Joint aircraft.
Comment: During Parliamentary Questions (20 Jul 15), the Armed Forces’ Minister said that the UK has trained over 1,600 personnel in Northern Iraq and is now expanding its training provision to other Coalition sites. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 15/30, 27 Jul 15)
24 Jul 15. Afghanistan: Further Fatality. The MoD advised (24 Jul 15) that L/Cpl M Campbell, 3rd Bn The Royal Welsh had died the previous day following an operation. L/Cpl Campbell was wounded in Afghanistan during an engagement on 3 Apr 12. The number of fatalities from OP HERRICK thus rises to 454 (of whom 49 died from natural causes).
Comment: 2nd Bn The Royal Regiment of Scotland is preparing for an eight month tour of Afghanistan, in two ‘roulements’ of four months. The first troops will leave for the Afghan capital in early August where they will act in support of NATO advisers and trainers at the Afghan MoD. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 15/30, 27 Jul 15)
20 Jul 15. Sierra Leone: OP GRITROCK. The Science and Technology Committee announced that it is to hold a new inquiry into UK Lessons from Ebola. The Committee has decided to examine what lessons have been drawn for similar disease outbreak emergencies in future. Written submissions are invited by 7 Sep 15. (House of Commons, 20 Jul 15.)
The UK has committed £427m to combat Ebola in West Africa: £373m for the ongoing crisis response and £54m for early recovery activities. A further £240m package of support has been announced for long-term recovery over the next two years. (Written Answers, 21 Jul 15.)
Comment: The UN reported (22 Jul 15) that 27,706 confirmed, probable and suspected cases of Ebola have been reported in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. 11,269 deaths have been confirmed. Mamusa Village is the new ‘hot spot’ in Port Loko District. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 15/30, 27 Jul 15)
13 Jul 15. Bahrain: Naval Base. Ministers answered questions about the Naval Base in Bahrain in the Commons (13 Jul 15) and in the Lords (15 Jul 15). The agreement to improve the facilities at the Mina Salman Port is led and owned by Bahrain, with the MoD providing support and advice as required. The agreement will provide a permanent base for UK minehunters and it will support other RN and RFA vessels in the Gulf region.
Comment: There are four minehunters permanently based in Bahrain as well as an RFA ‘mother ship’. There are usually two destroyers/frigates in the Gulf and the Indian Ocean on a mix of maritime security duties. The above arrangements indicate a certain amount of visiting the past: the Senior Naval Officer Persian Gulf (or ‘Snop-G’) established a shore base in August 1950 at HMS JUFAIR. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 15/30, 27 Jul 15)
13 Jul 15. Gibraltar: Unlawful Incursions. Unlawful incursions into British Gibraltar Territorial Waters (BGTW) were raised in the House of Lords (14/15 Jul 15) and in the House of Commons (13/15 Jul 15). Between 1 Jan and 8 Jul 15 there were 234 unlawful incursions into BGTW by Spanish State vessels, a