02 Nov 15. Iraq: OP SHADER. British Forces have continued to conduct air operations to assist the Iraqi Government in its fight against ISIL. Tornado GR4, Sentinel and Reaper are playing a significant role in providing accurate intelligence on terrorist movements. On 21 Oct 15 two Tornados successfully engaged a group of ISIL terrorists in Ramadi. The crew of a Reaper destroyed an ISIL armoured personnel carrier on 23 Oct 15. The following day a Reaper worked closely with coalition jets to carry out a series of precision attacks on terrorist positions. On 25 Oct 15 a Reaper joined forces with coalition fast jets in a successful attack on two terrorist-held buildings. (MoD, 2 Nov 15.) On 29 and 30 Oct 15 Tornado GR4s provided close air support to the Iraqi Army. On 1 and 2 Nov 15 Reaper conducted successful strikes with Hellfire missiles, Paveway guided bombs and a GBU-12 guided bomb. On 3 Nov 15, a GR4 patrol provided support for the Kurdish Forces near Sinjar. On the ground, the coalition effort to train and equip the Iraqi Security Forces continued. (MoD, 5 Nov 15.)
The Armed Forces’ Minister said (6 Nov 15) that the MoD has requested an additional £45m for OP SHADER in the current financial year (April 2015-March 2016).
Comment: ‘RAF News’ (6 Nov 15) records the OP SHADER support provided by 903 Expeditionary Air Wing (EAW) from RAF Akrotiri. With its compliment of Tornados, Sentinels, C-130 Hercules, Voyager and E3-D Sentry, 903 EAW is said to deliver “the full gambit of Air Capabilities and Roles on behalf of UK Defence.” (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 15/44, 09 Nov 15)
06 Nov 15. Egypt: Security Concerns. The Defence Secretary met the President of Egypt (6 Nov 15) during the latter’s visit to London. The two Ministers discussed shared security concerns and thoughts on defeating terrorism and countering extremism, particularly in light of the Sinai air disaster. Mr Fallon offered further support to Egypt’s training capabilities, including having discussions around electronic countermeasures and detection equipment. In addition, the Foreign Secretary and his Egyptian counterpart signed a Memorandum of Understanding committing the two countries to high-level dialogue on increased co-operation across a wide range of areas, including counterterrorism, illegal migration and organised crime.
Comment: The Defence Secretary subsequently said that the UK plans to form a small Military Operations Team in Egypt “to better understand Libyan and regional security issues”. The joint Team is to ensure that there is a common understanding of the security situation in Libya and to co-ordinate any Operational activity. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 15/44, 09 Nov 15)
30 Oct 15. Afghanistan: Staffing. The Armed Forces’ Minister said (30 Oct 15) that the Intimidation Investigation Unit (IIU) based in Kabul has six full-time staff in Afghanistan: two MoD civil servants, two experienced Police Officers and two military interpreters fluent in Pashtun and Dari. The IIU receives additional support from a Danish legal adviser and from staff within the Labour Support Unit.
In a Written Statement (5 Nov 15), the Armed Forces’ Minister advised that a new order was required under the Reserve Forces Act 1996 to enable Reservists to be called into permanent service in support of UK Operations in Afghanistan. The new order takes effect from 9 Nov 15 and ceases on 8 Nov 16.
Comment: Under the call-out order made on 10 Nov 14, 64 Reservists were called out for Operations. The MoD anticipates a continued requirement for Reservists with the right skills and experience. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 15/44, 09 Nov 15)
05 Nov 15. Bahrain: Support Facility. The MoD noted (5 Nov 15) that the Foreign Secretary and the Bahraini Foreign Minister had ‘broken the ground’ (31 Oct 15) in a ceremony to mark the start of the build of the Mina Salman Support Facility. The Facility “will play a central role in the Royal