Web page sponsored by General Dynamics Land Systems Force Protection Europe (GDLS FPE)
——————————————————————-
Web page sponsored by General Dynamics Land Systems Force Protection Europe (GDLS FPE)
——————————————————————-
28 Aug 15. Iraq: OP SHADER. British Forces have continued to conduct air operations to assist the Iraqi Government in its fight against ISIL (MoD, 28 Aug 15). Tornado GR4 and Reaper aircraft continue to fly daily armed reconnaissance missions.
• 20 Aug 15: A Tornado patrol destroyed two excavator vehicles.
• 20 Aug 15: A Reaper destroyed a large truck-bomb.
• 20 Aug 15: A bomb making location was destroyed.
• 21 Aug 15: Reapers continued to provide close air support to Iraqi troops.
• 22 Aug 15: A Tornado patrol destroyed a pair of engineering vehicles.
• 24 Aug 15: A Reaper helped to target a terrorist sniper.
• 25 Aug 15: A Reaper conducted three Hellfire attacks.
• 26 Aug 15: Reapers carried out five successful strikes.
Comment: Summing up the situation (5 Sep 15), the MoD stated that ISIL had lost 25% of its territory in Iraq. RAF aircraft have carried out over 270 air strikes and flown more than 1,200 missions. Some 800 (UK) people are supporting Operations against ISIL and nearly 2,000 Iraqis have been trained. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 15/35, 07 Sep 15)
25 Aug 15. HMS ENTERPRISE: Rescue Mission. The MoD reported (25 Aug 15) that HMS ENTERPRISE contributed to a major rescue of migrants in the Mediterranean; working under an Italian-led mission. As the nearest ship to the scene HMS ENTERPRISE identified four small vessels and rescued 453 people. Those rescued were subsequently transferred to the German frigate FCS SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN and taken to Taranto.
Comment: Several other European ships were involved in the rescue off the coast of Libya on 22 Aug 15. Over 20 vessels had issued distress calls and some 4,400 people were saved. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 15/35, 07 Sep 15)
31 Aug 15. Dominica: RFA Lyme Bay Assists. The International Development Secretary announced (31 Aug 15) that RFA Lyme Bay has been re-routed to assist humanitarian relief efforts in Dominica, following the devastation caused by Tropical Storm Erika. Erika hit Dominica on 27 Aug 15; resulting in severe flooding, landslides and widespread infrastructure damage across the island. RFA Lyme Bay arrived in Dominica on 2 Sep 15, to start immediate relief efforts.
Comment: RFA Lyme Bay is designed to land large numbers of troops and equipment ashore into unprepared areas and is therefore ideally suited to offer assistance to Dominica. As part of her tasking, the RFA is equipped with disaster relief stores. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 15/35, 07 Sep 15)
25 Aug 15. Baltic Air Patrol: Detachment Completed. 6 Squadron returned to RAF Lossiemouth (25 Aug 15) after a four month detachment to Amari Airbase in Estonia. During the detachment RAF intercepts totalled 17 launches and 36 aircraft. 121 Expeditionary Air Wing has handed over to the German 31st Tactical Air Wing.
Comment: The RAF Typhoon detachment deployed to Amari Airbase at NATO‟s request on 1 May 15, operating alongside Norwegian aircraft. The British Ambassador to Estonia has confirmed that the RAF will take part in NATO Baltic Air Policing again in 2016. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 15/35, 07 Sep 15)
28 Aug 15. Gibraltar: Fishermen Fired Upon. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said (28 Aug 15) that a full explanation had been received for the ‘incident’ on 22 Aug 15. The UK remained “deeply concerned” that live rounds were fired during the incident but were reassured by the Spanish Government that safety of lives at sea remained a top priority.
Comment: A formal complaint was lodged after two men who had been fishing complained that the crew