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British Military Current Events
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daftandbarmy
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RAF Tornado squadron saved from the scrap heap to bomb Isil
David Cameron announces that No 2 squadron, comprising 16 Tornados, will no longer be disbanded in March as it will help with airstrikes in Iraq
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/11137489/RAF-Tornado-squadron-saved-from-the-scrap-heap-to-bomb-Isil.html
David Cameron announces that No 2 squadron, comprising 16 Tornados, will no longer be disbanded in March as it will help with airstrikes in Iraq
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/11137489/RAF-Tornado-squadron-saved-from-the-scrap-heap-to-bomb-Isil.html
daftandbarmy
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In the footsteps of Shackleton
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/11140688/In-the-footsteps-of-Shackleton.html
Two wounded soldiers Cpl Ollie Bainbridge and L/Cpl Keith Harbridge will be joining explorers Justin Packshaw and David Hempleman-Adams to retrace part of the route of Ernest Shackleton’s epic Endurance expedition
He had not told his mother about the incident in Afghanistan when his armoured vehicle hit an explosive, catapulting the gunner from the turret and injuring the driver.
Cpl Bainbridge was singled out for his bravery after dragging the driver to a crater and lying on top of him, shielding him from enemy fire.
However, despite his bravery, Cpl Bainbridge’s mother was not impressed. The last soldier to be awarded the MC in his regiment, the Royal Dragoon Guards, had received the honour posthumously.
“When I first told my mum about the MC she was angry,” said the soldier, now 26. “She kept saying, 'I like it, but will you stop doing dangerous things now?’ ” His answer, it seems, was a determined 'no’.
Today Cpl Bainbridge, who had to return from Afghanistan after being wounded by a Taliban grenade, will fly to Argentina to begin a 2,000-mile voyage through the Southern Ocean, regarded as some of the world’s most treacherous waters.
Accompanied by L/Cpl Keith Harbridge, who was also wounded in Afghanistan, and the explorers Justin Packshaw and David Hempleman-Adams, he will retrace part of the route of Ernest Shackleton’s Endurance expedition, which set off from Britain a century ago aiming to make the first successful crossing of Antarctica.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/11140688/In-the-footsteps-of-Shackleton.html
Two wounded soldiers Cpl Ollie Bainbridge and L/Cpl Keith Harbridge will be joining explorers Justin Packshaw and David Hempleman-Adams to retrace part of the route of Ernest Shackleton’s epic Endurance expedition
He had not told his mother about the incident in Afghanistan when his armoured vehicle hit an explosive, catapulting the gunner from the turret and injuring the driver.
Cpl Bainbridge was singled out for his bravery after dragging the driver to a crater and lying on top of him, shielding him from enemy fire.
However, despite his bravery, Cpl Bainbridge’s mother was not impressed. The last soldier to be awarded the MC in his regiment, the Royal Dragoon Guards, had received the honour posthumously.
“When I first told my mum about the MC she was angry,” said the soldier, now 26. “She kept saying, 'I like it, but will you stop doing dangerous things now?’ ” His answer, it seems, was a determined 'no’.
Today Cpl Bainbridge, who had to return from Afghanistan after being wounded by a Taliban grenade, will fly to Argentina to begin a 2,000-mile voyage through the Southern Ocean, regarded as some of the world’s most treacherous waters.
Accompanied by L/Cpl Keith Harbridge, who was also wounded in Afghanistan, and the explorers Justin Packshaw and David Hempleman-Adams, he will retrace part of the route of Ernest Shackleton’s Endurance expedition, which set off from Britain a century ago aiming to make the first successful crossing of Antarctica.
daftandbarmy
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Five ways the British military has been devastated by spending cuts
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/talkingpoints/100288832/five-ways-the-british-military-has-been-devastated-by-spending-cuts/
The Government's decision to launch air strikes against Isil in Iraq has prompted a number of senior officers to vent their frustration that the Coalition is happy to commit our Armed Forces to action while at the same time reducing their ability to do so as a result of its dramatic cuts to the defence budget.
General Sir David Richards, the recently retired head of our Armed Forces, spoke for many officers who are still serving when he demanded that the Government should urgently review its approach to defence spending if it wants to commit our military to undertake new operations.
To get an idea of just how badly the Armed Forces have been affected by the cuts implemented since the 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) we thought it might be useful to list some of the more glaring deficiencies that have arisen in our capabilities:
1) Where have all the soldiers gone?
Cutting the Army strength by one fifth to 82,000, with the new 30,000-strong reserve force filling the gaps created by the regulars, was always going to be a tough call and, as things stand, the reserves will not be able to plug the gap by the 2020 deadline. Consequently, as Sir David warned at the weekend, the Army will not be able to carry out a long-term military campaign on the scale recently conducted in Iraq and Afghanistan.
2) RAF down to the bare bones
The only aircraft suitable for the bombing campaign against Isil is the ageing Tornado, and yet the cuts mean the RAF now has only three combat squadrons left. The long-term plan is for the next generation of Eurofighter Typhoons to be fitted with the same capabilities, but the cutbacks mean the programme has been delayed and it will be several years before the Typhoon will be able to match the Tornado.
3) Our unprotected seas
Arguably the most catastrophic decision taken by the last SDSR was to scrap the RAF's maritime patrol capability, which in effect has given Russia's nuclear submarines the freedom of the North Sea. At a time when Russian President Vladimir Putin seems intent on flexing Moscow's military muscle, providing the RAF with new aircraft to replace the Nimrod should be a top priority.
4) Aircraft carriers with no aircraft
When the two Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers were first conceived the idea was that the would carry 72 joint strike fighters. Now that number has been halved, and might fall even further still if the costs of the new aircraft continue to rise. That might explain why officials now refer to them as "multi-purpose delivery platforms" rather than aircraft carriers.
5) Triumph of the cyber warriors
Cyber warfare has now been officially designated as a core military responsibility, but the decision has taken so long to implement that we are now light years behind our main rivals in Russia and China in our ability to wage war in cyberspace.
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/talkingpoints/100288832/five-ways-the-british-military-has-been-devastated-by-spending-cuts/
The Government's decision to launch air strikes against Isil in Iraq has prompted a number of senior officers to vent their frustration that the Coalition is happy to commit our Armed Forces to action while at the same time reducing their ability to do so as a result of its dramatic cuts to the defence budget.
General Sir David Richards, the recently retired head of our Armed Forces, spoke for many officers who are still serving when he demanded that the Government should urgently review its approach to defence spending if it wants to commit our military to undertake new operations.
To get an idea of just how badly the Armed Forces have been affected by the cuts implemented since the 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) we thought it might be useful to list some of the more glaring deficiencies that have arisen in our capabilities:
1) Where have all the soldiers gone?
Cutting the Army strength by one fifth to 82,000, with the new 30,000-strong reserve force filling the gaps created by the regulars, was always going to be a tough call and, as things stand, the reserves will not be able to plug the gap by the 2020 deadline. Consequently, as Sir David warned at the weekend, the Army will not be able to carry out a long-term military campaign on the scale recently conducted in Iraq and Afghanistan.
2) RAF down to the bare bones
The only aircraft suitable for the bombing campaign against Isil is the ageing Tornado, and yet the cuts mean the RAF now has only three combat squadrons left. The long-term plan is for the next generation of Eurofighter Typhoons to be fitted with the same capabilities, but the cutbacks mean the programme has been delayed and it will be several years before the Typhoon will be able to match the Tornado.
3) Our unprotected seas
Arguably the most catastrophic decision taken by the last SDSR was to scrap the RAF's maritime patrol capability, which in effect has given Russia's nuclear submarines the freedom of the North Sea. At a time when Russian President Vladimir Putin seems intent on flexing Moscow's military muscle, providing the RAF with new aircraft to replace the Nimrod should be a top priority.
4) Aircraft carriers with no aircraft
When the two Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers were first conceived the idea was that the would carry 72 joint strike fighters. Now that number has been halved, and might fall even further still if the costs of the new aircraft continue to rise. That might explain why officials now refer to them as "multi-purpose delivery platforms" rather than aircraft carriers.
5) Triumph of the cyber warriors
Cyber warfare has now been officially designated as a core military responsibility, but the decision has taken so long to implement that we are now light years behind our main rivals in Russia and China in our ability to wage war in cyberspace.
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The British send their own military contribution to battle Ebola in Africa:
daftandbarmy
Army.ca Dinosaur
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Kevin Costner
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiD9GLsPzl0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiD9GLsPzl0
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daftandbarmy
Army.ca Dinosaur
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Luxury, in my day.....
Have you got what it takes to earn the maroon beret? Cameras go inside the British Army's Parachute Regiment for the first time in 30 years to reveal how tough the elite 28-week training course is
The course is renowned as being one of the toughest in the British Army
New series follows fresh-faced recruits as they try to become Paratroopers
It is the first time the training programme has been filmed in 30 years
34 recruits start the process, but just eight are left by the Pass Out Parade
Corporal Rob Price: 'If you want to be part of the best regiment, you have to step up to the task'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2793596/cameras-inside-british-army-s-parachute-regiment-time-30-years-reveal-tough-elite-28-week-training-course-is.html#ixzz3GMjr9qnL
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
Have you got what it takes to earn the maroon beret? Cameras go inside the British Army's Parachute Regiment for the first time in 30 years to reveal how tough the elite 28-week training course is
The course is renowned as being one of the toughest in the British Army
New series follows fresh-faced recruits as they try to become Paratroopers
It is the first time the training programme has been filmed in 30 years
34 recruits start the process, but just eight are left by the Pass Out Parade
Corporal Rob Price: 'If you want to be part of the best regiment, you have to step up to the task'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2793596/cameras-inside-british-army-s-parachute-regiment-time-30-years-reveal-tough-elite-28-week-training-course-is.html#ixzz3GMjr9qnL
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
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Kirkhill said:Disregard all previous. :-[
http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140903/DEFREG01/309030020/General-Dynamics-UK-Wins-Scout-SV-Deal-From-Britain
I would have preferred the CV 90 as the basic platform myself (you could go all out and get a nice tank as well as all the other versions), but BZ for the UK for making a sensible "family of vehicles" choice. This will make a nice conceptual replacement for the Scorpion/Stormer family of vehicles, even though they are much larger and heavier.
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daftandbarmy
Army.ca Dinosaur
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Celebrated British warships being stripped bare for scrap metal
Scrap dealers scavenge wrecks of British battlecruisers HMS Repulse and HMS Prince of Wales sunk off the coast of Malaysia in 1941, with damage intensifying in recent months
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/malaysia/11187603/Celebrated-British-warships-being-stripped-bare-for-scrap-metal.html
Scrap dealers scavenge wrecks of British battlecruisers HMS Repulse and HMS Prince of Wales sunk off the coast of Malaysia in 1941, with damage intensifying in recent months
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/malaysia/11187603/Celebrated-British-warships-being-stripped-bare-for-scrap-metal.html
J
jollyjacktar
Guest
Combat operations cease in Helmand as the flag is lowered over Bastion for the last time. 
Full story with many photos at story link below.
Full story with many photos at story link below.
daftandbarmy
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Armed soldiers outside Horse Guards Parade amid terror attack fears
Armed soldiers have been stationed in Whitehall amid fears that terrorists will try to attack ceremonial guards in the wake of shootings in Canada.
The soldiers, who are armed with rifles, have been deployed at the entrance to Horse Guards Parade where thousands of tourists gather every day to witness the Changing of the Guard.
Sources said the decision was made following a review by local commanders after a Canadian soldier on ceremonial guard duty at the national war memorial was shot dead in a terrorist attack.
The entrance to Horse Guards Parade is part of the Buckingham Palace estate, and is usually guarded by two ceremonial guards on horseback and two on foot.
However, since Monday soldiers in combat fatigues have been stationed at the entrance as part of a more “overt” presence.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/11192950/Armed-soldiers-outside-Horse-Guards-Parade-amid-terror-attack-fears.html
Armed soldiers have been stationed in Whitehall amid fears that terrorists will try to attack ceremonial guards in the wake of shootings in Canada.
The soldiers, who are armed with rifles, have been deployed at the entrance to Horse Guards Parade where thousands of tourists gather every day to witness the Changing of the Guard.
Sources said the decision was made following a review by local commanders after a Canadian soldier on ceremonial guard duty at the national war memorial was shot dead in a terrorist attack.
The entrance to Horse Guards Parade is part of the Buckingham Palace estate, and is usually guarded by two ceremonial guards on horseback and two on foot.
However, since Monday soldiers in combat fatigues have been stationed at the entrance as part of a more “overt” presence.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/11192950/Armed-soldiers-outside-Horse-Guards-Parade-amid-terror-attack-fears.html
OldSolduer
Army.ca Relic
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daftandbarmy said:
Are they allowed to wear uniforms to and from work?
daftandbarmy
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Jim Seggie said:Are they allowed to wear uniforms to and from work?
As the IRA were fond of blowing us up when they got the chance, we were never allowed to wear uniforms in public, except during the usual training events or ceremonial occasions.
No regimental stickers, military parking passes, or other identifying 'Proud to be a soldier' type emblems were allowed to be displayed on vehicles either. Every defence establishment had armed sentries: usually MOD Police or soldiers with full mags attached as the security level ordained. One was encouraged to check under your vehicle for UCBTs before hopping in and driving away.
I don't think that has changed.
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There's a damned good reason Prince Harry remains popular with soldiers, all ranks, and the British public.
daftandbarmy
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E.R. Campbell said:
And the Canadian equivalent of that kind of leadership would be............ drawing a blank here ???
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