[Archive] MoD Defence News Daily - September 2006

Anth · 09-01-2006, 10:21

1 September 2006

DEFENCE IN THE MEDIA

Bomber crew laid to rest in the Netherlands

There is various media coverage of the burial of three missing bomber crew from Stirling W7624 who were lost in action during World War Two (see full story below).

Rear Admiral Hussain becomes highest-ranking Muslim ever to serve in the UK Armed Forces (see full story below).

DEFENCE NEWS

"Nothing out the ordinary" - Navy's highest-ranking Muslim speaks about his promotion

WWII bomber crew finally laid to rest (AUDIO)

Lights Camera Action! MOD provides movie backdrops

Army sergeant dives to world championship success

MEDIA DIARY

Today

Regular Commissions Board becomes Army Officers Selection Board - name change only.
Chief of the General Staff on overseas visit (1-4 Sep).

Weekend

Minister for Armed Forces to attend the annual Braemar Royal Highland Gathering one of Scotland`s largest Highland games.
Merchant Navy Day, marking the contribution of the Merchant Navy to the war efforts and remembering those who died.

MoD News Link

Anth · 09-04-2006, 08:17

4 September 2006

DEFENCE IN THE MEDIA

British soldier killed in Kabul suicide attack

It is with deep regret that the Ministry of Defence must confirm the death of a British soldier in Afghanistan today, Monday 4 September 2006.

A UK military convoy was attacked by a suspected suicide bomber in Kabul at approximately 1030 local time. Sadly, one British soldier was killed and another soldier very seriously injured as a result of the attack. The injured soldier has been evacuated to a military medical facility for treatment. Further details of the incident will be released once next of kin have been informed.

Nimrod crash in Afghanistan

It is with great regret that the Ministry of Defence must confirm the loss of a British Nimrod MR2 aircraft in Afghanistan on Saturday 2 September 2006. The crash led to fourteen fatalities, twelve from the Royal Air Force, one Royal Marine and one from the British Army. Please see the link below for further details.

Quality of Nimrod MR2

The tragic loss of the Nimrod MR2 has led to speculation in the media about the quality of the Nimrod aircraft.

The Nimrod has a good safety record and it remains a potent and respected aircraft that is maintained to the highest standards by RAF ground crews. It will continue to conduct essential operational activity pending the completion of initial safety checks.

The Nimrod MR2 was upgraded in 1981 from the MR1 which entered service life in 1971. It is due to be replaced by the MRA4 in a major refurbishment and upgrade programme managed by BAE Systems with deliveries expected at the end of this decade.

Afghanistan Mission

British forces in Afghanistan have suffered a number of losses over the weekend. This has fuelled media questions about the Afghanistan mission.

British troops are deployed in support of a UN-authorised, NATO-led mission, the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), and as part of the US-led international coalition. Our mission is to help the Afghans rebuild their country and to keep the terrorists out. It is a tough mission, against difficult opponents: but it is a clear one.

ISAF is there to do three main things: to support the Government of Afghanistan as it extends its authority across the entire country; to facilitate development and reconstruction; and to improve security. We are now undertaking a staged progression and development of the ISAF mission across the whole of Afghanistan.

The expansion of the ISAF into the South and East is critical to the ongoing stabilisation of Afghanistan, extending the authority of the Government of Afghanistan across the whole country and facilitating reconstruction. For a full briefing on the UK’s military objectives in Afghanistan please click here.

Sale of Mamba Troop Carriers

Media reports over the weekend are critical of the MOD for selling 14 Mamba Troop Carriers, worth £4.5 million, to a company in Iraq for £45,000. The Mambas were sold in 2004 as they were considered unsuitable for British military requirements in Iraq.

The MOD recently announced the acquisition of approximately 270 new vehicles for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan which will give commanding officers a better range of vehicles to choose from. These will provide our troops with new, highly capable vehicles specifically adapted for current operations. The first of these vehicles will begin to arrive in theatre by the end of November.

DEFENCE NEWS

MEDIA DIARY

Today

Deployment of Operation VELA - UK Amphibious Task Group deployment to Africa.

Tomorrow

Pre-trial hearing for Baha Musa case at Bulford Military court.

MoD News Link

Anth · 09-05-2006, 13:50

5 September 2006

DEFENCE IN THE MEDIA

Armed Forces current tasking

Various media report comments by the Army's new Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Richard Dannatt, that the Army are only just coping with current operational commitments. The current scale of deployments to Afghanistan, Iraq, Northern Ireland and elsewhere are currently judged by the Chiefs of Staff to be manageable.

Three British soldiers killed on operations

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed the deaths of three British soldiers on operations yesterday, Monday 4 September 2006.Two soldiers died following an attack on a British patrol near the town of Ad Dayr, north of Basrah City in Iraq. The patrol was subject to an attack by a roadside bomb and small arms fire. One other British soldier was seriously injured, and a further soldier suffered minor injuries. Both were evacuated for emergency medical care and taken by helicopter to a British Field Hospital at Shaibah Logistics Base.

In Afghanistan a UK military convoy was attacked by a suspected suicide bomber in Kabul at approximately 1030 local time. Sadly, one British soldier was killed and another soldier very seriously injured as a result of the attack. The injured soldier was evacuated to a military medical facility for treatment. See below for further details of these operational fatalities.

DEFENCE NEWS

MEDIA DIARY

Today
Visit to the MOD by Spanish Defence Minister

Tomorrow
Under Secretary of State to visit Scotland for Veterans Scotland Annual General Meeting

Anth · 09-06-2006, 12:34

Wednesday 6 September 2006

DEFENCE IN THE MEDIA

Three British soldiers killed on Monday named
It is with deep regret that the MOD has confirmed the names of the three British soldiers killed on operations on Monday 4 September. They are; Gunner Samuela Vanua and Gunner Stephen Robert Wright, both killed in Iraq and Private Craig O’Donnell, killed in Afghanistan. For further details see links below.

Recovery of Nimrod crash victims
A media report claimed that military teams were struggling to find the bodies of the men who died in the recent tragic Nimrod crash. The remains of all the bodies have now been recovered. A decision on the timing and location for the repatriation is still being decided. The standard procedure at a crash site is first; to make sure the area is safe; second, to recover all the bodies and third, to recover the wreckage. The Board of Inquiry team are currently examining the wreckage. Details of what wreckage has been recovered are not yet available.

Porton Down 'class action'
Media reports say that 350 ex-Servicemen who co-operated with scientific research at Porton Down from the 1940s to 1980s are to bring a 'class action' seeking compensation because they believe their health to have been permanently damaged through their participation in the tests. No such action has yet been received. The MOD considers compensation claims on the basis of whether or not we have a legal liability to pay compensation. Where there is a legal liability to pay compensation we do so.

DEFENCE NEWS

MEDIA DIARY

Today
House of Ccommon's Defence Committee publishes report on Educating Service Children.

Tomorrow
Royal British Legion`s 'Pedal to Paris' begins.

Anth · 09-07-2006, 11:09

Thursday 7 September 2006

DEFENCE IN THE MEDIA

Two British soldiers killed in Afghanistan, and a third soldier dies from injuries
It is with deep regret that the MOD must confirm the deaths of two British soldiers in Afghanistan on Wednesday 6 September 2006. Sadly, the MOD must also confirm that a soldier from 1st Battalion Royal Irish Regiment, who was very seriously injured during an attack by insurgents in northern Helmand on Friday 1 September 2006, has died from his injuries (see full story below).

New Under Secretary of State for Defence
Tom Watson MP has resigned his position as Under Secretary of State for Defence and Minister for Veterans on Wednesday 6 September 2006. Mr Watson, who had been in post since May 2006, will be replaced by Derek Twigg MP, a former junior minister at the Department for Transport.

Allegations MOD exposes personnel to untested medical treatments
Several newspapers quote Professor Roberts at the British Science Festival in Norwich claiming that the MOD does not invest enough in research on trauma treatment, and that we are exposing our personnel to untested treatment (specifically in relation to the use of Recombinant Factor Vlla, a blood-clotting treatment).

The MOD attaches a high priority to medical research into trauma care. We are confident that we are offering the best possible care to our servicemen and women based on currently available evidence. The MOD has written to Prof. Roberts indicating its support for the aims of his research. The MOD / Medical Research Council Joint Grants Scheme is the appropriate route to consider an application for funds.

The use of Recombinant Factor VIIa in the Defence Medical Services (DMS) has been authorised after an extensive review of the current evidence. It is strictly controlled in the DMS and only authorised when conventional resuscitation measures have failed. As part of ongoing analysis and research into combat casualty care, the results of any future research relating to the use of Recombinant Factor VIIa will be carefully considered, and used to inform treatment regimes.

DEFENCE NEWS

MEDIA DIARY

Today
Legal Discussion/Pre-trial hearing for Baha Musa case at Bulford Military Court (7/8 Sep).
HMS Talent recommissioning ceremony, HRH Princess Royal to attend.
HMS Clyde naming ceremony, Portsmouth.
Large Scale Heathland Management Conference, sponsored by English Nature.
Royal British Legion Pedal to Paris (7 to 11 Sep), cycle ride raising funds for the The Royal British Legion`s welfare work.

Tomorrow
Operational Honours List Published.
CGS visits Upavon, Salisbury Plain.

Anth · 09-08-2006, 12:24

Friday 8 September 2006

DEFENCE IN THE MEDIA

Operational Honours and Awards
There is extensive media coverage of the publication of the Operational Honours List (see various stories below).

Troops in Afghanistan
Various newspapers report on comments by NATO's General Jones urging member countries to offer reinforcement troops for Afghanistan. The ISAF Mission is expanding to cover Afghanistan, this is bring new challenges and new demands. It is right therefore that as NATO’s main operational priority that the entire alliance should make robust, capable and appropriate contribution to the success of the mission. British Commanders have told Ministers that they are content they have the right forces for the job.

DEFENCE NEWS