British Military Current Events

[FJAG]

An interesting proposal. It seems almost that the Army is acknowledging the fact that it isn't capable of recruiting up to it's authorized ceiling anyway.

Surrender! Army looks to cut 7,000 troops in cost-saving measure that could leave us with just 75,000 soldiers
-Cost-cutting proposal may see the Army reduce its manpower target to 75,000
-Thousands of roles being recruited for are likely to be axed, sources have said
-Senior Army chiefs recognised that some positions can be filled by machines
By LARISA BROWN DEFENCE AND SECURITY EDITOR FOR THE DAILY MAIL

The Army will slash its 82,000 manpower target by 7,000 under cost-cutting proposals handed to ministers, it can be revealed.

Thousands of roles that are currently being recruited for are likely to be axed, with some of the gaps being filled by machines.

As part of a ten-year plan, the Army has offered to reduce its current target of 82,000 regular troops to 75,000, defence sources said.

It is currently at around 74,000-strong but its ambition for years has been to reach the 82,000 figure.

It has, however, struggled with recruitment and senior Army chiefs now recognise that some positions could be filled by technology and machines.

However, Tobias Ellwood, chairman of the Commons defence select committee, said the decision to reduce the target was 'sheer madness'.

'It is completely wrong,' he said.

'Even today they are over-stretched. We are short staffed in key skill sets. We don't have enough Warrior and Challenger [tank] drivers.

'These battalions will tell you they are exhausted. We are kidding ourselves that we could manage with a depleted size.'

He said the proposed cut was coming at the time 'when the world was more dangerous'.

A Government source said: 'No one is going to lose jobs and nothing has been decided, this is just a suggestion put forward by the Army.

'More jobs could be done by automated machines which would require less people. Recruitment is an issue. It's a commitment to focus on automation and use machines where we can.'

It is thought the machines could include technology such as drones and robots.

In theory, autonomous vehicles could be used to carry heavy loads instead of soldiers.

Injured soldiers could also be evacuated by drones or other automated vehicles, reducing the need for troops to carry their comrades, or call in helicopters.

Slashing troop targets is one of the offerings sent to Number 10 as part of the Integrated Review, the largest overhaul of foreign and defence policy in decades.

Negotiations are continuing about which assets and upgrades will be scrapped, with more money expected to be pumped into cyber and space warfare.

Each service – the Army, RAF and Royal Navy – has been asked to submit proposals for how they could save money and also where they need more cash.

It is understood the Army has drawn the line at 75,000, with the head of the service saying that it is as far as he is willing to go if he is to retain a credible fighting force.

General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith does not want a single soldier to lose their job and this way they would not have to, sources said.

No decision has been made on whether the Army's offer will be taken up.

A source said: 'We advise against making assumptions or drawing false conclusions on the review, based on leaks or partial information.

'The guiding principle of the IR is to ask ourselves what the threat is, and whether we have the capability to meet it.'

The Tories had pledged to keep the Army's strength above 82,000 in 2015. In 2017 the party manifesto dropped the figure but pledged to 'maintain the overall size of the forces'.

Army chiefs had believed coronavirus would lead to a surge in recruits but now there could be a battle for the remaining posts.

An MoD spokesman said: 'This Government has committed to grow defence spending. The MoD is progressing its contribution to the Integrated Review by planning how best to meet tomorrow's threats within that increasing budget.'

:cheers:

 

[daftandbarmy]

He's clearly lying.... at no point in several years of M&AW training in Arctic Norway did I ever hear the term 'Igloo' used


Marine sues Ministry of Defence for £100,000 after he had to sleep in igloo

He was given brief tuition on cold injuries and was told on four separate visits to the stores that they did not have his cold weather boots. His duties included digging holes in the snow, most of his training was outdoors when it was snowing and often involved standing still.

The mittens he was given did not allow him to use his weapon or pick up his skis and he had to make do with thin combat gloves, his statement says. Even when three other Marines had to be medically evacuated because of the cold, the course supervisors allegedly failed to inspect Keelan's hands.

Keelan's claim says he slept in a quinzhee - a kind of igloo made by burrowing into hardened snow - and was unable to dry his kit overnight.

His lawyers Hugh James argue he suffered personal injury arising out of his exposure as a result of the MoD's "negligence or breach of duty".

He left the military in 2018 and finds jobs harder to get as his injuries stop him working in cold conditions.

The MoD said: "Health and wellbeing is always our priority. We provide personnel with the training and kit they need. We cannot comment on ongoing litigation."

https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1347569/marine-sues-Ministry-of-Defence-sleep-in-igloo/amp

 

[ArmyRick]

ummmm, lemme get this right. He is suing the military because he got wet and cold?

 

[dimsum]

ummmm, lemme get this right. He is suing the military because he got wet and cold?

Can you say "class action lawsuit?"  :rofl:

 

[daftandbarmy]

ummmm, lemme get this right. He is suing the military because he got wet and cold?

I picked up this article from a Parachute Regiment online forum. I don't need to tell you that the quality of ' Cabbage Head' slagging reached new heights

 

[Spencer100]

RN Ironman Suits?  But jet packs!  I see more James Bond.

Watch the video it looks cool

https://nypost.com/2020/10/19/royal-navy-using-flying-iron-man-style-jet-suits-to-practice-storming-enemy-ships/

 

[daftandbarmy]

The RAF - winning the (pronoun) war


The Royal Air Force is promoting the use of gender-neutral pronouns to encourage inclusion and diversity across the service.

Alternative pronouns to 'he', 'she', 'him' and 'her' include 'Ze', 'Per' and 'Hir'.

The language system will be launched within the service rank and title protocol, which could have previously seen female officers referred to as 'Sir'.

Under the new environment, a Leading Aircraftman could be referred to as a Leading Aircraft-Per.

A Royal Air Force spokesperson said: "The RAF actively promotes diversity and inclusion throughout its ranks in a number of ways.

"The open and transparent sharing of chosen pronouns is one way we can be an inclusive employer."

The RAF Gender Network launched in July this year, and has already hosted webinars on gendered language and organisational change.

https://www.forces.net/news/raf-incorporates-gender-inclusive-pronouns-rank-system

 

[Kat Stevens]

The RAF - winning the (pronoun) war


The Royal Air Force is promoting the use of gender-neutral pronouns to encourage inclusion and diversity across the service.

Alternative pronouns to 'he', 'she', 'him' and 'her' include 'Ze', 'Per' and 'Hir'.

The language system will be launched within the service rank and title protocol, which could have previously seen female officers referred to as 'Sir'.

Under the new environment, a Leading Aircraftman could be referred to as a Leading Aircraft-Per.

A Royal Air Force spokesperson said: "The RAF actively promotes diversity and inclusion throughout its ranks in a number of ways.

"The open and transparent sharing of chosen pronouns is one way we can be an inclusive employer."

The RAF Gender Network launched in July this year, and has already hosted webinars on gendered language and organisational change.

https://www.forces.net/news/raf-incorporates-gender-inclusive-pronouns-rank-system

#jeezusfuckingchrist

 

[FJAG]

Is Forces.net the equivalent of Duffle Blog?

Please, please let it be the equivalent of Duffle Blog.

:brickwall:

 

[daftandbarmy]

Uh oh... I wouldn't want that tasking in a million years....



The British army are being drafted in to Tier Three areas to enforce coronavirus restrictions

Army and Navy environmental health officers deployed in Liverpool on Friday
Tasked with identifying clusters of local infections and helping control outbreaks
Further teams will be moved into other high-risk areas within the coming weeks

The British Army are being drafted in to help enforce coronavirus restrictions in Tier 3 areas as the UK continues to battle the second wave of the pandemic.

Five Army and Navy environmental health officers trained in 'outbreak management' were deployed in Liverpool on Friday.

They have been tasked with identifying clusters of local infections, helping control outbreaks and taking action against businesses failing to comply with the Covid-19 rules.

It is thought that further teams will be moved into other high-risk areas within the coming weeks.

The move comes after the UK recorded 23,012 new infections and 174 more deaths in the past 24 hours. 


https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8875989/British-army-drafted-Tier-Three-areas-enforce-coronavirus-restrictions.html

 

[FJAG]

SBS retake 42,000-ton oil tanker off the Isle of Wight in just SEVEN MINUTES as 16 commandos storm it from air and sea to detain seven 'Nigerian stowaways' who 'threatened to kill crew' forcing desperate captain to issue mayday
- Seven suspects were detained after military seized control of oil tanker that laid anchor in the English Channel
- Restriction zone of five nautical miles was in place around vessel, which last sailed from Nigeria on October 6
- Ship is reportedly Liberian-registered and set to dock in Southampton at around 10.30am Sunday morning
- Lawyers representing owners of the vessel said the incident '100 per cent not a hijacking', despite reports
- By JAMES ROBINSON and HENRY MARTIN FOR MAILONLINE

PUBLISHED: 11:07 EDT, 25 October 2020 | UPDATED: 20:33 EDT, 25 October 2020

The Special Boat Service retook an oil tanker off the Isle of Wight coast in just seven minutes after reports of 'Nigerian stowaways' on board becoming violent and 'threatening the crew'.

Crew members reportedly sought shelter in a safe room on the Liberian-registered oil tanker, named the Nave Andromeda, which was due to arrive at Southampton at 10.30am. 

The Special Boat Service landed 16 personnel aboard the vessel via air and sea following a ten-hour standoff, with two Royal Navy Merlin helicopters and two Wildcats also used in the operation, Sky News reported. 

A frigate, believed to be HMS Richmond, was also on standby but not needed during the operation, which was completed in around seven minutes.

Hampshire police later said all 22 crew members of the tanker were safe.

Tobias Ellwood, chair of the House of Commons' Defense Committee, confirmed the action and said no one was hurt. The stowaways are now in custody. 

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: 'In response to a police request, the Defence Secretary and Home Secretary authorised Armed Forces personnel to board a ship in the English Channel to safeguard life and secure a ship that was subject to suspected hijacking.

'Armed forces have gained control of the ship and seven individuals have been detained. Police investigations will now continue. Initial reports confirm the crew are safe and well.' 

Reports claimed that the captain of the Nave Andromeda - believed to be capable of carrying 42,000 tons of crude oil - put out a 'desperate' call for rescue because he 'feared for his life' as stowaways smashed glass on board and even made threats to kill. 

...

See full article here.

:cheers:

 

[daftandbarmy]

See full article here.

:cheers:

By strength and by guile  :nod:

 

[FJAG]

Not news but ...

:cheers:

 

[dapaterson]

Not news but ...

:cheers:

...and then there's what they do to the enemy...

 

[CBH99]

...and then there's what they do to the enemy...

:rofl:

 

[daftandbarmy]

But they already have the Guards Division?

'Robot soldiers could make up quarter of British army by 2030s'

Investment in robot warfare at heart of UK’s planned five-year defence review

Gen Sir Nick Carter: ‘I’m saying [major world conflict] is a risk and we need to be conscious of those risks.’

Thirty thousand “robot soldiers” could form an integral part of the British army in the 2030s, working alongside humans in and around the frontline, the head of the armed forces said in a television interview on Sunday.

Gen Sir Nick Carter said the armed forces needed “to think about how we measure effects in a different way” – and he called on the government to proceed with the previously promised five-year integrated defence review.

Speaking to Sky News on the morning of Remembrance Sunday, the chief of the defence staff suggested that “an armed forces that’s designed for the 2030s” could include large numbers of autonomous or remotely controlled machines.

“I mean, I suspect we could have an army of 120,000, of which 30,000 might be robots, who knows?” Carter said, although he stressed he was not setting any particular target in terms of future numbers.

Investment in robot warfare was to be at the heart of the planned integrated five-year defence review, whose future was thrown into doubt after the chancellor, Rishi Sunak, postponed the cross-government spending review to which it had been linked last month.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/nov/08/third-world-war-a-risk-in-wake-of-covid-pandemic-says-uk-defence-chief

 

[FJAG]

Not Three Laws safe!

Just sayin'

 

[Spencer100]

Not Three Laws safe!

Just sayin'

But it is Skynet ready!

 

[FJAG]

Don't panic! Army LOSES a top general... after helicopter dropped him in the wrong field on visit to Salisbury Plain

By LARISA BROWN DEFENCE AND SECURITY EDITOR FOR THE DAILY MAIL

Troops scrambled to find the head of the Army after he was dropped in the wrong field on a visit to Salisbury Plain.

General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith, the former director of Special Forces, caused panic after his helicopter landed 600 metres from a planned landing site.

A one-star brigadier general was forced to sprint across a muddy field on Tuesday to find him.

Sir Mark was at the 300 square-mile training area to observe a huge exercise with soldiers from the 3rd Division.

An army source said: ‘Those on the ground had a pre-marked HLS (helicopter landing site). But his pilot decided to use an alternative one 600 metres away.’

They added: ‘If you’ve got the head of the army coming in to land then you want to greet him.’

The source said: ‘He was never missing, everybody knew where the head of the armed forces was.’ Sir Mark was due to touch down at the pre-planned landing spot for the final stop of his all-day visit but his Wildcat helicopter dropped him further afield. Service sources said the pilot was given the wrong grid reference.

Some saw the humorous side. Memes were posted on social media and in private military WhatsApp groups poking fun of the general.

One image included his face and a Wildcat helicopter added on to the poster for the desert island television series Lost, according to The Times. In another, his photo appeared on a mocked-up film poster entitled: ‘Behind Enemy Lines 2: The Visit.’

A third meme showed a cartoon tortoise in a garden with the caption: ‘CGS [chief of the general staff] upon disembarkation: This isn’t the Covid-infested hell hole I wanted to be in.’

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8940043/Army-loses-general-dropped-WRONG-FIELD-visit-Salisbury-Plain.html

 

[Good2Golf]

Only 600m? ???  Clearly the pilot chickened out with a proper ‘PIO’ (pilot-induced offset).  Normally pilots are good for at least a few grid squares.  Nine grid squares is the standard LZ offset, so that it can easily be blamed on transposing the grid digits on an easting or northing...double score for 12.7k out  For both a easting and northing transposition.

;D