The Women putting their lives on the Line to make Afghan history

Thirteen extraordinary women are quietly making history in the most conservative corner of Afghanistan.

Fearlessly, the first thirteen female Afghan National Police recruits in Helmand Province now stand shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts in their fight against crime and the Taliban insurgency

Fighting the Taliban on a daily basis is a dangerous job, but these women have the added burden of having to work undercover, terrified that their neighbours and, in some cases, their families might find out what they do with potentially lethal consequences.

Having carefully made their way to Task Force Helmand HQ under the cover of burkas they speak openly about their jobs from behind the safety of the camp walls. “I tell my neighbours that I work at a clinic. If they found out what I did, I would be reported to the Taliban. They would have me killed within seconds. My job is a secret from everyone; not even my husband knows”, says Zaazanga.

Zaazanga is 36 and married with six children. Her husband is 90-years-old and she works to support her children because her husband is elderly and infirm. “When I leave the house to go out on patrol I don’t know whether I’ll be coming back. It is dangerous work.”

Malaaley, 22, has been in the ANP for five months. She joined, not because of financial worries, but because she was educated and could see a future in the police force. She is the first-ever officer-ranked policewoman in Helmand Province. “I have so much enthusiasm for the police. I want to progress up the ranks. Someday, I’ll be a General.”

And Malaaley has already shown she has what it takes to get to the top. Just months into the job she tackled a Taliban fighter singlehandedly: “We heard that some terrorists were leaving a compound so we went into the area to stop them. The women police officers often go into the compounds first so that they can search the other women. When I got in, I caught a man who had narcotics and grenade bombs strapped to him. He was Taliban so I arrested him. He was sent to prison.”

Malaaley knows that she risks her life daily to make Helmand safer for the Afghan people and, in particular, women who are often subject to domestic abuse and assaults. “I know that I make a difference. In the neighbourhood where I live there are Taliban. I sometimes worry something will happen to me but nothing will make me leave. I’m proud of what I do.”

So taken with life in the Afghan National Police, Malaaley persuaded her 37-year-old mother to join. Paalwasha is immensely proud of her daughter: “I worry about her when she is working but I have three girls at home and I would encourage every one of them to join the ANP. It is very interesting. Just last week I was out on the range learning to shoot a pistol. I never thought I’d do that.”

All of the women hope to forge a different future for their children. Paalwasha speaks for them all when she says: “All we want is the elimination of terrorism and for Afghanistan to be free. If we can have development we can have a future.”

Miriam is the oldest of the recruits at 57. She spent 30 years living in Iran before she moved to Afghanistan with her husband. Initially they struggled to eke out a living and three years ago Miriam joined the ANP to ease their dire financial problems. She is open about her job with her neighbours: “They all know. Some of them are scared that I am a spy for the British Forces. I reassure them that I am not and they begin to trust me.”

“I encourage myself to be the best and although there are only a small number of us I know that we can boost the level and morale of women in Afghanistan. What we are doing is good for the future of women here.”

Recently, the women went onto the firing range for the first time to hone their shooting skills, something they had never previously been allowed to do. It was a move championed by Isabella McManus, an MOD police officer, who recently deployed to Afghanistan and immediately saw promise in the small group of women who sat in the corner of the Police Headquarters, untrained, unnoticed, without uniform and without motivation.

Isabella said: “It wasn’t my job to start mentoring the women specifically but they struck a chord with me. They were ignored entirely at the Police Headquarters and it wasn’t right. They needed a uniform giving them some status and they needed training and equipment. I’ve fought those battles with them every step of the way and we are getting somewhere. The women are empowered and it’s great to see.”

On their first occasion out on the firing range the women were greeted by sneering men, who doubted their ability with weapons. But their scorn quickly dissipated when the first woman got all five shots bang on target.

Miriam said: “I think of myself as equal to the men. The men don’t agree but I feel right doing this job. I have no fear and I am happy.”

With the guidance and support of Isabella the women are achieving truly extraordinary things. One of the women, Wooranga, has a fierce reputation within the police force. After spending 20-years in the Army during the time of the Russian invasion, she is a force to be reckoned with and a figurehead for the other women in the ANP.

The 39-year-old is married to a 100-year-old man and is the breadwinner in her household. She openly tells people about her work in the ANP and claims to be afraid of nothing. This was evident when during a night raid on a compound near Nawa she came face to face with a Taliban fighter. “I went into the compound first, while the male police officers waited outside. As I stood on a wall I saw one of the enemy pointing an AK47 towards me. I launched myself off the wall, landing on top of him and wrestled the weapon from him. Then I called to the men to help me. The Taliban fighter was surprised by what I did.”

Thirty three-year-old Gulaley, a mother of six, also came into a close scrape when she attempted to search a woman at a checkpoint on the way to Herat. Having checked a bus full of people Gulaley watched as the woman got off the bus and took something from a man waiting outside. “I noticed it happening so when she got back on the bus I asked to search her again. She disputed that I needed to, saying that she had already been checked.

“As I searched her the second time I found a pistol hidden at the back of her neck under her burka. She fought with me and punched me in the face, smashing my glasses.”

Despite suffering injuries to her face, Gulaley said she felt emboldened by the experience. “My son is in the ANP as well. He has suffered injuries while on duty but we wear the scars with pride. I am not scared.”

Wooranga is also credited with stopping two suicide bombers from detonating devices and, on a separate occasion, karate-kicking a remote control from the hands of a terrorist intent on detonating a device in Lashkar Gah market, for which she received a reward from the Police Headquarters.

But the danger of their job is not lost on the women. No one knows this better than Najiba, a 34-year-old mother of seven children, left widowed when her husband was shot dead alongside his brother at a police checkpoint in Helmand. “They were sleeping when the Taliban came in and shot them. I was two-months pregnant at the time. My children were orphaned and I needed the money so I joined the ANP. I am worried sometimes but I have to do this for them. My hope is just that my children will be able to eat. They are so small; I want them to have a future.”

The women have come a long way in the last few months since Isabella began to champion their cause. Later this month they hope to have a uniform for the first time thanks to Isabella’s persistence. “I sat down with the women and we designed something that would be culturally acceptable but would allow them to wear their rank with pride. They are starting to feel valued and the number of recruits has almost doubled since I’ve been here.

“It’s an incremental process but in a Province where women are often expected to be seen and not heard, what these women are doing is truly amazing. Last month they helped to provide security for the election polling stations. They are literally making history. They are few in number but they are paving the way for Helmandi women to have a very different future.”

Pride of the British Armed Forces recognised at ceremony

A soldier who fought through intense danger and perilous circumstances to recover the body of a comrade killed in an explosion in Afghanistan is among a number of gallant service personnel recognised in the latest Operational Awards List.

Warrant Officer Class 2 Benjamin Kelly’s Military Cross is announced today (Friday) with the official announcement of the awards. WO Kelly ordered his crew to remain in their vehicle and spent 30 minutes, alone, recovering Warrant Officer Class 2 Gary O’Donnell, who had just been killed while attempting to defuse an improvised explosive device.

WO2 O’Donnell received a posthumous bar to his George Medal earlier this year for his actions in Afghanistan. Now WO2 Kelly is recognised for his exceptional bravery demonstrated under the most demanding mental and physical pressures.

But his is just one of more than 100 awards for gallantry and meritorious service announced today, covering the period October 2008 to March 2009. Many of those recognised served with the 3 Commando Brigade Task Force that deployed to Afghanistan in autumn 2008, but awards also go to others involved in operations in Iraq, elsewhere overseas and in the UK. Award recipients are primarily from the Royal Navy and Army.

Among the highest level awards announced for actions in Afghanistan are Conspicuous Gallantry Crosses for Royal Marines Acting Corporal Bradley Malone and Marine Steven Nethery. Acting Corporal Malone showed complete disregard for his own safety by leaving cover and advancing across open ground to rescue his troop sergeant who had become isolated in a dangerous area. His fighting prowess turned the tide of a battle and potentially saved several men from a deadly ambush.

Meanwhile Mne Nethery, as a general purpose machine gunner, took every opportunity to go above and beyond the call of duty. He ran, unarmed, under concentrated fire, to retrieve a wounded colleague, and then braved the open ground a second time to prevent vital equipment falling into enemy hands.

Another notable award goes to Commander Task Force Helmand on Op Herrick 9, Brigadier Gordon Messenger DSO OBE, who has been decorated with a Bar to his Distinguished Service Order. This is the first Bar to a DSO awarded to a member of the Naval Service since 1957, and across all three Services since 1996.

Operational Awards List 33 also includes recognition of meritorious service during the UK’s now completed combat mission in Iraq. Leading these awards is former General Officer Commanding in Basrah, Major General Andy Salmon, who is appointed a Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George.

At an event on Thursday the award recipients were congratulated by senior representatives of their Services: From the Royal Navy, the Second Sea Lord Vice Admiral Sir Alan Massey; and from the Army, General Officer Commanding London District Major General Bill Cubitt.

Secretary of State for Defence, Bob Ainsworth, said:

“The stories of gallantry and heroism behind these honours and awards are nothing short of astounding. Reading through the citations serves as a reminder, were it needed, that the UK really does have the bravest, most professional military in the world. The servicemen and women recognised today are not just the pride of the British Armed Forces, they are the pride of Britain.”

MOD announces end of excavation at Fromelles

The remains of hundreds of World War I soldiers buried in France have now been successfully recovered after a four-month archaeological operation.

The bodies of 250 soldiers who were killed in the 1916 Battle of Fromelles have now been recovered and will shortly be reburied with full military honours at a new military cemetery close to the site.

The group burial at Pheasant Wood, Fromelles, was confirmed during a limited excavation in May 2008 and work began to recover the Australian and British soldiers buried there by German forces after the battle.

The battle began on 19 July 1916 and was the first major battle on the Western Front to involve both British and Australian troops. In total, the 61st British Division suffered losses of 1,547 personnel, who were either killed, wounded, taken prisoner or missing. The 5th Australian Division suffered 5,533 similar losses.

The excavation was carried out by Oxford Archaeology, whose final day of work in the field will be 14 September.

The remains will stay at Oxford Archaeology’s laboratories on site at Fromelles while experts record all details to help with identification. DNA samples have been taken from each soldier and specialists in England are attempting to extract DNA strands from the samples to help with the identification process.

The identification process may take many months and it would be inappropriate to delay the reburials until it is complete. Therefore every soldier will be buried in a marked but unnamed grave in the new Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery, which is currently under construction by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. The burials will take place in February 2010.

All of the evidence obtained through archaeological, anthropological, historical and DNA analysis will be presented to a specially convened identification board which is due to meet in March 2010. Each grave will be marked by a headstone following the formal identification process. If the soldiers can be identified by name their relatives will be able to add a personalised inscription on the headstone at a later date.

A commemorative event to open the cemetery is scheduled for the 94th anniversary of the Battle of Fromelles on 19 July 2010.

Veterans Minister Kevan Jones said:

“This is a milestone in the development of the project and I am grateful for the work that Oxford Archaeology has done. I know they have been working in very tough conditions and they have recovered the remains of these brave soldiers with the utmost care and respect.

“Now we will do everything we can to try to identify each and every one of these fallen soldiers. What is most important is that these men are laid to rest with full military honours and the dignity they deserve.”

His Australian counterpart Greg Combet said:

“A total of 250 sets of remains and 1,200 artefacts have been excavated from six graves. While identification of the remains is an extremely complex process I remain hopeful that we will be able to identify a number of those that we have found.”

Anyone who believes they may be related to a soldier killed at Fromelles should contact the Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre by calling 01452 712612, extension 6303, or by emailing Fromelles@spva.mod.uk.

Troops will have the enemy in their sights with new kit

Troops will have their eye on the enemy with a suite of new equipment which will increase their ability to detect and target their foes, the Minister for Defence Equipment and Support announced today

The new Surveillance and Target Acquisition (STA) Package, part of the Future Integrated Soldier Technology (FIST) programme, has been ordered from Thales UK under a £150M contract. The announcement was made at this year’s Defence Sales Exhibition International (DSEi) at the Excel Centre in London.

FIST will provide improved protection, day and night surveillance and target acquisition, and assistance with navigation, command and control and battle preparation.

The new thermal sights will allow soldiers to conduct surveillance and engage targets in all weather and light levels, including zero light where normal night sights would be rendered ineffective. Thermal imaging has the added benefits of improving the ability to see through optical camouflage; it will also enhance the soldiers’ ability to conduct low level change recognition of tell tale thermal signatures of concealed weapons and IEDs.

The full FIST package will consist of nearly eleven thousand suites of equipment, comprising the following elements:

• Thermal Sights
• Close Quarter Battle Sights
• Commanders’ Target Locating Systems
• Lightweight Day Sights
• Underslung Grenade Launcher Sights
• Underslung Grenade Launcher Fire Control Systems
• Ruggedised Digital Cameras
• Lightweight Infantry Periscopes.

FIST will allow soldiers to dominate the battlefield with enhanced optics and improved target location accuracy, and will result in a significant increase in soldier lethality.

Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, Quentin Davies, said:

“The Surveillance and Target Acquisition Package forms the first part of the FIST programme. The new kit that we have ordered will significantly increase the combat effectiveness of the British Infantryman.

“The MoD is committed to equipping our frontline troops with the best equipment we can by using the latest technological advances. I am delighted to announce this new contract which supports the British Defence Industrial base at the Defence Systems and Equipment International exhibition.”

Colonel Bill Pointing, team leader of Dismounted Soldier Solutions at Defence Equipment and Support added:

“This is a key step in giving the dismounted soldier the equipment that he needs, both for current operations and to support training before deployment. The team from Defence Equipment and Support is proud of its achievement in delivering this package and looks forward to delivering the equipment that will further improve our dismounted close combat capability.”

The STA package that makes up the first increment of the FIST programme will enhance the ability of the troops on the ground to move, find, fix and strike the enemy by providing an enhanced 24 hour STA capability.

Deliveries of the new kit will begin at the end of 2010 and the first equipment will be given to troops for training, prior to being deployed to Afghanistan, in early 2011.

For more details on the individual pieces of equipment, please see the separate FIST fact sheet.

Royal Marines Successfully Navigate North-West Passage by Open Boat

A Royal Marines duo have successfully navigated the central section of the Arctic’s notorious North-West passage, in a 17 foot open boat.

Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Oliver (42) and Major Tony Lancashire (36) have taken 42 days to sail and row their 17-foot boat Arctic Mariner 1,400 miles through Canada’s Northern provinces. They started from Inuvik, on the Beaufort Sea on July 24, travelled east and arrived safely in Gjoa Haven on King William Island at the weekend.

A year in the planning, the duo’s expedition was conceived to raise awareness of the charity ‘Toe in the Water’ for which they have raised in excess of £10K. The charity is dedicated to inspiring injured servicemen and women to move beyond their disability through competitive sailing - an extension of Headley Court’s rehabilitation programme. Both of them are veterans of Iraq and Northern Ireland and Tony has also served in Afghanistan. Kevin will be deploying to Afghanistan on his return from the Arctic.

The adventurers used the latest Canadian ice charts to weave their way through the hostile
Arctic seas and landscape, braving freezing storms, pack ice, charging bears and curious whales. With typical Royal Marine sang froid, Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Oliver said, “This has not been all plain sailing, we have had 90% more ice than the seasonal norm and as a consequence have had to drag the boat across ice as well as row and sail it. The weather and local wild life has provided us with a number of heart stopping moments which rank among the most memorable of the trip, all of which was topped off by the hospitality of the people we met. A great adventure!”

At the successful conclusion of the voyage, Tony Lancashire said, “Every one of the 42 days has offered a unique experience, from the Arctic landscape and wildlife to the incredibly hospitable people that we have met in the northern communities.

Patron of the expedition, Major General Garry Robison (Commandant General Royal Marines), praised their achievement today:

“I have enormous admiration for what Kev Oliver and Tony Lancashire have accomplished. Not only have they demonstrated outstanding qualities of determination, fortitude and cheerfulness in the face of adversity, the money they have raised for the charity Toe In The Water will directly benefit and support servicemen and women seriously injured in the cause of their duty. The Royal Navy and Royal Marines should be justifiably proud of what they have achieved.”

The epitome of Royal Marine resourcefulness, Kevin and Oliver have succeeded where others have failed using a sailing and rowing ‘cruiser’ designed and built in Nova Scotia; called a Norseboat, the versatile craft was specially reinforced to cope with ice laden with a range of survival equipment and stores of freeze-dried food. It remained just light enough for Kevin and Tony to haul her onto the ice when floes threatened to crush her and to travel significant distances across the ice to reach open water.

For centuries mariners and explorers have dreamt of a Northwest Passage which would link the Atlantic with the Pacific Ocean – and many have perished in the attempt to get through. Among the most notable was the voyage in 1847 by Captain Sir John Franklin during which he and the crews of HM Ships Erebus and Terror were lost without trace.

The expedition titled ‘Arctic Mariner’ has its own web site and Kevin and Tony managed to keep a blog running and post images through-out the voyage (www.arcticmariner.org).

Radical reform needed at the MoD

In a major speech this morning, Shadow Defence Secretary Liam Fox set out how a Conservative Government will reform the Ministry of Defence.

He also spoke about the importance of our mission in Afghanistan. "Failure in Afghanistan would have profound geopolitical implications", he said.

"The damage to the cohesion, confidence and credibility of NATO would be immense and it would provide a shot in the arm for jihadists worldwide".

Fox outlined three key priorities for the next Conservative Government:

"First, launch a wide ranging and detailed strategic defence review.

Secondly, we will simultaneously conduct a capabilities review. There are questions for all three services as to whether they have an over abundance of senior posts. How do we stop the trend where the military seems consistently to shrink while the civil service keeps growing?

And finally, we will perform a root and branch reform of the procurement process. Reforming the procurement process will be no easy task. In fact, it will probably prove to be the greatest challenge in terms of increasing the efficiency of the MoD. All options for reform, no matter how radical, are on the table. "

He added that the MoD needed "new vision, fresh thinking, and new leadership" that only a new Government can provide. "Increasingly the public are wakening up to the sorry state of defence under Labour. It is likely to be an election issue for the first time since the end of the Cold War."

Defence resignation highlights Labour's failings

Liam Fox has reacted to the resignation of Eric Joyce – a key aide to the Defence Minister, saying that his assessment of Labour defence policy is "one that both service personnel and the public will recognise".

He said it is "extraordinary" that Labour ministers still don’t know what is going on at the Ministry of Defence, adding that they have had 12 years of "serial incompetence" in running the MoD.

Soldiers’ pay should be increased by £6,000 - Clegg

Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg today launched plans to increase the pay of the lowest-paid troops by £6,000 a year. The proposals, which would mean that no service personnel in the Army, Navy or RAF would receive less basic annual pay than a new-entrant police constable or development-level firefighter, would be funded within the MoD’s existing budget.

Key points include:

• The lowest paid personnel would receive an increase of £6000 - placing them on £22,680 and an equal footing with a development-level firefighter or new-entrant police constable
  
  
• Privates and lance corporals would receive an average annual pay increase of over £3000, with the average annual basic pay across these two ranks rising to around £25,000
  
  
• Higher NCO ranks would receive an average annual pay increase of around £1,000

Commenting, Nick Clegg said:

“Nobody can put a price on the sacrifices our brave service men and women make on our behalf. But it is painfully clear that pay levels are a national disgrace. Those who are prepared to die for this country deserve to be treated better.

“It is simply unacceptable that we have reached the point where we hear of some forces families having to rely on handouts. Widespread dissatisfaction over pay among the lower ranks has had a dreadful impact on morale.

“The Liberal Democrats would ensure that no soldier, sailor or airman goes into harm’s way on less basic pay than a new recruit to the police or fire service. We would increase the salary of the lowest-paid privates - many of whom are fighting now on the front line - by £6000 a year.

“This can be afforded with only a fraction of the sum wasted by the MoD on bloated bureaucracy, bungled procurement projects and an outdated Cold War missile defence system.

“Action is needed now to restore the military covenant between the Armed Forces and the British people. We must start with the scandalously low pay our troops receive.”

New RAF Tornado contract keeps fast jet flying

The Royal Air Force Tornado GR4/4A fleet is to benefit from a £28M Mid-Life Fatigue Programme (MLFP) contract, awarded to Panavia, which is aimed at seeing the fleet through to its planned Out-of-Service Date (OSD) in 2025.

The Tornado GR4 aircraft remains the most capable ground attack platform within the RAF inventory. Recent investments in state of the art avionics, defensive aids, precision weapons and reconnaissance systems have ensured the aircraft remains a potent and flexible offensive air platform. Sustainment of this robust capability is vital to the RAF and to its successful involvement in current and future operations.

This Phase 2 programme follows a concept phase that established the best way of dealing with aircraft fatigue issues identified during routine monitoring, and will involve technical demonstrations to assess the best method of delivering them. Its outcome will inform Phase 3, which will seek approval to roll-out the programme across the fleet, ensuring that the fatigue life of key areas of the aircraft’s front and centre fuselage are extended to OSD.

The MFLP contract was awarded through the NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency (NETMA) to Panavia. The work will be carried out by BAE Systems at its Warton plant in Lancashire, involving some 30 technical staff. Design and development will be carried out at EADS in Manching, Germany.

The Phase 2 programme will see the design and trial installation of structural modifications into one in-service aircraft on a trial basis, taking about three years to complete. At that stage a final decision will be taken on progressing to Phase 3 which, if approved, could see the modifications embodied in 40 aircraft at a cost of about £207M.

Defence Estates launches 10-year vision for military accommodation

The MOD has said today that it aims to have all UK service families living in the highest standard of accommodation by 2020.

The aim is revealed in the Defence Estates (DE) 10 Year Accommodation Management Strategy which sets out plans for improving housing for both Service Families Accommodation (SFA) and Single Living Accommodation (SLA) over the next decade.

Defence Estates will now target its major upgrade programme on improving 4,000 houses in the worst condition (Standard 3 and 4) every year for the next three years. By March 2013 very few, if any, families should be living in houses that don’t meet the top two condition standards. By the same date, 50 percent of single living accommodation should also be at the top grade.

The MOD has made major investments in Single Living Accommodation over the past seven years, providing 35,000 trained military personnel with accommodation of the highest modern standard. By 2020, Defence Estates aims to provide 70 percent of SLA at the top level (Grade 1) and the remainder at Grade 2.

Key features of the strategy include: better communication of upgrade plans to military personnel and their families and tough action to reduce the proportion of accommodation that is lying empty.

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence, Kevan Jones said:

“Our military personnel work extremely hard and both they and their families deserve accommodation of a high standard. This strategy builds on the principles set out by the Service Personnel Command Paper and shows that we have solid plans in place to improve accommodation for all our personnel.

Vice Admiral Tim Laurence, the Chief Executive of Defence Estates said:

“This strategy sets out how Service accommodation will be managed over the next 10 years. Given the unique factors surrounding the provision of military accommodation, and the current economic pressures, we have set ourselves some very challenging targets. But it is right that we should aim high. It is most important that we understand and adapt to the continually evolving requirements of the Armed Forces, working shoulder to shoulder with all three Services to ensure that their future accommodation demands are met as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible.”
Over the next 10 years the MOD plans to spend over £3 billion on new-build, upgraded and improved living accommodation for the Armed Forces. I

Within the last two years major upgrade and new build projects have included:

Single Living Accommodation: Catterick Garrison, Yorkshire; Alexander Barracks, Surrey; Bovington Camp, Dorset; RM Lympstone, Devon; Portsmouth Naval Base; Northolt, North London; RAF Leeming, Yorkshire; Ballykinlar Barracks, Thiepval Barracks and Kinnegar Logistic Base, Northern Ireland; Faslane Naval Base, Clyde; Germany; and Gibraltar.

Service Family Accommodation (SFA) projects have included: Aldershot, Hampshire; Dale Barracks, Chester; Invicta Park Barracks, Kent ; Blandford Garrison, Dorset ; Larkhill, Wiltshire; RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire; Scotland; Germany; and Gibraltar.

First Elizabeth Cross presented to family of fallen soldier

The first Elizabeth Cross has been presented to the family of Warrant Officer Class 2 (WO2) Sean Upton at his funeral today.

WO2 Upton, from 5th Regiment Royal Artillery, was killed in an explosion while on a foot patrol in Sangin District, Helmand Province, on 27th July 2009.

The institution of the award of the Elizabeth Cross, to which Her Majesty The Queen has given Her name, was announced in Parliament on 1st July 2009 in national recognition of the loss and sacrifice suffered by the families of those who are killed on operations or as a result of an act of terrorism.

This is the first time the name of a reigning Monarch has been given to a new award since the George Cross was instituted in 1940 by King George VI for brave acts by both civilians and the military. Prior to this, the Victoria Cross was introduced by Queen Victoria in 1856 for acts of gallantry by the Armed Forces.

The Elizabeth Cross – a sterling silver emblem, in the shape of a cross over a wreath – plus a Memorial Scroll signed by The Queen were presented to WO2 Upton’s wife, Karen Upton, before the funeral, which was held today at the Garrison Church at Catterick, Yorkshire. The presentation was made by the Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, The Lord Crathorne JP, and The Master Gunner St James’s Park, General Sir Timothy Granville-Chapman GBE KCB ADC Gen.

Karen Upton, 32, said:

“It is an absolute honour to receive the very first Elizabeth Cross in Her Majesty’s name and comforting to feel the support of Queen and Country. Sean and I grew up together, were childhood sweethearts and soul mates. He was a loving husband and devoted father. Wherever our children, Ewan and Hollie, and I go, my husband will always be with us. Sean was an outstanding soldier, loved his job and was part of the Army ‘family’. I will wear this Elizabeth Cross in his honour with pride and treasure it always.”

Chief of the Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup said:

“We as a nation owe much to servicemen like WO2 Upton, who gave his life fighting for our security and freedom. But we all also owe a great debt to his family. The presentation of this first Elizabeth Cross in the name of Her Majesty The Queen is a lasting symbol of the entire nation’s gratitude and respect.”

Lieutenant Colonel John Musgrave, Commanding Officer 5th Regiment Royal Artillery, said of WO2 Upton:

“5th Regiment has lost a truly dedicated and exemplary soldier and man, who was a role model to all he met and worked with; always living and working to the highest standards, but also always with a smile on his face and a ready laugh, true to his belief that soldiering should be a rewarding way of life. He will be sorely missed.”

At the time of the announcement of the Elizabeth Cross, Her Majesty The Queen said:

“This seems to me a right and proper way of showing our enduring debt to those who are killed while actively protecting what is most dear to us all. The solemn dignity which we attach to the names of those who have fallen is deeply engrained in our national character. As a people, we accord this ultimate sacrifice the highest honour and respect.”

The Elizabeth Cross is available to the next of kin of those who have died on medal earning operations or as a result of terrorism since 1948, including the Korean War, the Falklands conflict and operations in Northern Ireland.

The arms of the Elizabeth Cross bear floral symbols representing England (Rose), Scotland (Thistle), Northern Ireland (Shamrock) and Wales (Daffodil). The reverse of the Cross is engraved with the name of the person in whose memory it is granted.

The Elizabeth Cross is presented with a Memorial Scroll on parchment style paper, headed with the Royal Coat of Arms and the following words: “This Scroll Commemorates [name to be inserted] who gave his/her life for Queen and Country on [date to be inserted] ”. The Scroll bears the signature of Her Majesty The Queen in the upper left hand corner.

The Cross and Scroll were inspired by precedents from the first and second World Wars. A scroll and a memorial plaque were presented to the families of those killed in World War One. A scroll was given to the families of those who died in World War Two and in the Korean War in the early 1950s.

Families of those Service Personnel who have died since 1948 are invited to read the information on the MOD Medal Office website which includes information on the eligibility criteria and details of how to apply. Information and an application form can also be obtained by calling the Medal Office on 0800 085 3600.

The UK's first Army Recovery Centre opens

A milestone in care provision for injured soldiers was reached today (Monday) with the official opening of the new Army Recovery Centre at Erskine's Edinburgh Home, Gilmerton.

The state-of-the-art Army Recovery Centre, a dedicated 12 bed wing of the £8.6 million Erskine Edinburgh Home, is the result of a partnership between the Army, veterans’ charity Erskine, and Help for Heroes who together are providing accommodation and support for soldiers wounded or injured during duty.

This is the first purpose-built Army Recovery Centre to be launched in the UK. Continuous evaluation of this pathfinder scheme will show the way to deliver similar services wherever the need is identified, with planning already underway towards a second pathfinder facility in Colchester.

The centre has been named Mark Wright House in honour of Corporal Mark Wright GC who was killed in 2006 in Afghanistan's Helmand Province when a routine patrol encountered an unmarked minefield. Mark was posthumously awarded the George Cross in recognition of the courage he displayed during the incident.

Prior to the new Army Recovery Centre, once patients left hospital or the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre at Headley Court, most continued to convalesce at home. However, some families simply cannot provide the required level of support and care needed to allow patients to return to duty or gain a smooth transition to a skilled and supported civilian life.

This purpose-built centre will benefit the Army, allowing soldiers to continue to recover in a residential environment with specialised care provided for individual resident needs. Soldiers will gain from a structured military environment close to existing garrison facilities including care and rehabilitation, a gym, career management and counseling. The recovery centre will also cater for families as they support their loved ones.

Major Jim Panton, Chief Executive of Erskine, said:

"The opening of the new Army Recovery centre is a momentous day for all involved, not least those soldiers who will benefit immensely from the purpose-built centre and specialist facilities provided.

"The Army Recovery Centre will provide the final recovery and rehabilitation care required for 12 injured soldiers at a time. Being at the forefront of care provisions, through the launch of the pilot Army Recovery Centre, is testament to the dedication and service provided by Erskine over the years, and we are delighted to be working together with Help for Heroes and the Army to provide this much needed service."

Under Secretary of State for Defence, Kevan Jones said:

“We are constantly reviewing how best to support our injured people, and this is an important new initiative. It’s an exciting model, bringing the MOD, Erskine Homes and H4H together, ensuring that each organisation can focus on what it does best. It will help us learn more about this partnership approach for the future, and how it could fit into the new welfare support package that the MOD is developing for all service personnel, veterans and their families.”

Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Richard Dannatt, said:

"I am delighted at the launch of this initiative, and am deeply grateful to Help for Heroes and Erskine Homes for their valuable assistance with a project that will deliver this excellent service to our soldiers recovering from injury. I know that our men and women on the front line already have enormous faith in the skills and capability of our medical and rehabilitation services – this scheme will enable a smooth transition back to duty or to civilian life for those who have suffered appalling injury in service of their country. We look forward to seeing this pathfinder scheme informing the development of this capability across the country.”

Officer Commanding, Major Roddy Sutherland, in charge of the Army Recovery Centre, said:

"The New Army Recovery Centre in Edinburgh is an excellent opportunity to provide recovery support for personnel from the Army, who have been injured whilst on duty. The Residents of the facility will have access to all the medical and support staff available within Edinburgh Garrison, which will help develop them within the military system.”

Bryn Parry, Co-founder and Chief Executive of Help for Heroes, said:

"I hope that the Edinburgh Pathfinder Army Recovery Centre will be the first of many, providing our young Servicemen and women with a launch pad to life and enabling them to learn the skills necessary for a successful future. We are now well on the way to raising the £20 million necessary to fund further centres across the UK to ensure that anyone wounded whilst serving their country has access to the very best facilities possible.”

Help for Heroes has provided the funding for the centre, Erskine will provide the facilities management and Hotel Services for the building whilst the Army will staff the centre with military personnel to carry out the care and rehabilitation.

SUPPRESSED DEFENCE REPORT REIGNITES TRIDENT DEBATE

PM FACES MORE QUESTIONS ABOUT EQUIPMENT AND SPIN

Reports that Downing Street has suppressed a report revealing the MoD is wasting billions of pounds every year as a result of ordering projects it cannot afford has sparked renewed calls for the prime minister to rule-out looming commitments on the renewal of the Trident nuclear weapons system.

Gordon Brown is set to sign-off £2bn in design work for the weapons system in September – just as pressure is piling on the prime minister to answer questions about how his government is dealing with the campaign in Afghanistan after a series of media reports highlighted serious concerns about equipment.

The SNP have argued that Trident renewal must not be excluded from the Strategic Defence Review and further spending on the project should be ruled out pending the planned assessment of defence needs and the 30-nation nuclear non-proliferation summit scheduled in Washington next March.

SNP Westminster leader and Defence spokesperson Angus Robertson MP said:

“For Downing Street to suppress a report on defence spending at a time when the government faces fundamental questions about whether our forces in Afghanistan are getting the equipment they need is absolutely unacceptable.

“Gordon Brown cannot dodge the serious questions that are mounting about equipment in Afghanistan . He is already exposed for saying there were enough helicopters only to have Bob Ainsworth contradict that claim by saying he was 'busting a gut' to get more helicopters into theatre.

“Speculation that the UK government is wasting billions of pounds on projects it cannot afford totally reignites the debate on Trident renewal. In just a few weeks Gordon Brown is set to sign-off £2bn worth of design work on these weapons of mass destruction.

“People struggle to understand, at a time when budgets are tight across the armed forces and Scotland faces a £500 million budget cut from London , why the UK Government is ploughing billions of pounds into a new generation of unwanted and unnecessary nuclear weapons.

“Any way you look at it - on moral, economic or political grounds - renewal of this nuclear system is untenable.”

Dealing with injuries is an essential part of the Military Covenant

Liam Fox accused the Government of having lost its “political instincts and sense of direction” after it challenged the compensation paid to two injured veterans.

The Shadow Defence Secretary stressed, “It’s an essential part of the Military Covenant that those injured in the service of their country are dealt with in a consistent and coherent way.”

“Visible and invisible injuries must both be dealt with, and the MoD and other government departments must deal not only with injuries but their consequences.”

Liam called for an urgent review of the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme as part of a wider programme looking at the terms and conditions of the Armed Forces.

OUTRAGE AT MoD ATTEMPT TO CUT WOUNDED SOLDIERS’ AWARDS

OUTRAGE AT MoD ATTEMPT TO CUT WOUNDED SOLDIERS’ AWARDS

SNP Westminster leader and Defence spokesperson Angus Robertson MP has hit out at the Ministry of Defence (MoD) over an attempt at the Court of Appeal to significantly reduce the compensation awarded to two injured soldiers.

Mr Robertson has written to the Defence Secretary demanding to know how much the MoD has spent on legal advice and representation in their attempt to challenge the compensation payments.

Mr Robertson said:

“The Ministry of Defence are behaving shamefully in attempting to cut these compensation payments. These two soldiers were wounded while fighting for their country, and now the UK Government is fighting them in court – it is an outrageous and exceptionally crass way to treat these men.

“It is frankly offensive that when our servicemen and women are risking their lives engaged in fierce fighting in Afghanistan , sustaining significant casualties in the process, the MoD are attempting to slash the compensation levels awarded to those wounded in battle.

“Soldiers, sailors and airforce personnel have already volunteered to do a difficult, dangerous and stressful job often in hostile territory thousands of miles from home. To be met with such a response from the MoD when seeking compensation for wounds received in service is unacceptable.

“The MoD should think again about how their action will be viewed by the service community in the present circumstances.”

From pirates to smugglers: HMS Cumberland strikes a ‘just blow'

HMS Cumberland has again lived up to her motto ‘Justitia Tenax – Tenacious of Justice’ by returning to the Gulf region and seizing 12.4 tonnes of cannabis resin being smuggled in a dhow. Patrolling the so called ‘Hash Highway’, as part of Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, she successfully intercepted this, her first seizure of narcotics this deployment.

Cumberland and coalition forces had been covertly tracking a small cargo dhow over night, operating along the shipping lanes in the Gulf of Aden. At first light the ship launched both of her Pacific 24 sea boats into high seas, with a Royal Marine boarding team, to investigate the dhow’s intent. With Cumberland’s gun crews providing guard, the heavily armed boats made their way through difficult waters towards the dhow.

Following a brief exchange of words between the dhow and ship, the sea boats approached the cargo vessel, which was also moving significantly in the high sea state, to take it under control and board with specially trained Royal Navy personnel to conduct formal State verification and ensure that her official documentation was in order. During these checks a number of factors made the Navy team suspicious, which led to the decision for an in-depth search of the boat. It was during this search that a secret compartment was found, containing large bales of narcotic material, later identified as cannabis resin and sufficient to make over 35 million ‘spliffs’ (verified with SOCA) .

Petty Officer Marine Engineering Mechanic Jan Dash, of the Royal Navy boarding team from HMS Cumberland, said after the boarding:

“We discovered this consignment of hashish in a concealed compartment. We’re well trained for this kind of operation, but you don’t expect to find this quantity. Twelve tonnes is a huge amount of drugs and looked like bags of potatoes piled up when we got it on deck. This is our first boarding of the deployment, hopefully the rest of our time in the region will be just as successful and we’ll stop more drugs getting onto the streets.”

Royal Marines Captain Gareth Tennant, the Officer Commanding the Royal Marines embarked in HMS Cumberland said:

“The joint team of Royal Marines and Naval personnel boarded the dhow and safely secured its crew before searching the vessel and making what may be the largest single quantity of drugs discovered in this region. It is certainly the largest quantity I have seen during the boarding operations I have conducted in this region.”

On completion of the operation the resin was destroyed and Cumberland now continues her patrol in the Gulf of Aden.
Captain David Dutton OBE, the Captain of HMS Cumberland, said after the operation:
“This is a significant success for HMS Cumberland and the Coalition Forces. The interception of such a large quantity of hashish before it reached its potential destination in the UK or Europe is unquantifiable. The clear message is that the Royal Navy is here, ready and able to stop the proceeds of smuggling reaching terrorists and insurgents trying to expand their fanatical activities.”

Minister of the Armed Forces, Mr Bill Rammell MP said:
"This seizure has prevented a significant quantity of illegal drugs making it onto the streets and poisoning communities, wherever it was destined. The Royal Navy has yet again demonstrated its commitment to fighting the evil trade in narcotics and its devastating effects."

The Combined Maritime Force Commander stated:
“The seizure of these drugs takes money out of the hands of those financing terrorists throughout the region,” said Vice Adm. Bill Gortney, Commander, Combined Maritime Forces. “The smugglers need to know that Coalition forces are patrolling the seas and skies above. These efforts send a message to all would-be smugglers that we are here and we won’t tolerate drug trafficking in international waters.”

MoD responds to HCDC’s Report into Helicopter Capability

In response to today’s report by the House of Commons Defence Committee report into helicopter capability, Secretary of State for Defence Bob Ainsworth said:

“We are doing all that we can to get more helicopters to our forces in Afghanistan. We have almost doubled helicopter hours, together with increasing the number of helicopters for operations. The deployment of the Merlins to Afghanistan will mean a further 25% rise in helicopter hours from the end of the year. We are investing £6 billion over the next decade in our helicopter capability. But I will make sure that we will keep looking to see what more we can possibly do.

“However it is not just about buying helicopters, as the report acknowledges. It is also about investing in the training of pilots and ground crews and increasing the availability of spare parts to maintain them. We have made great strides in both to ensure we can improve the helicopter availability for our forces both quickly and sustainably”

Following a review, the MOD decided that it is not feasible to advance the purchase of the Future Medium Helicopter and forego the Puma Life Extension Programme, without placing unacceptable risk on operational commitments. Our principal responsibility is to our forces on operations. The planned life-extension of Puma helicopters will give them a major overhaul, with new engines, cockpit and avionics worth more than £300M, to provide a step change in its capability and deliver safety improvements. We are continuing to assess how we can best continue to deliver the capability currently provided by Sea King Mark 4.

The MoD will now consider in detail the Committee’s conclusions and recommendations on all aspects of helicopter capability, and publish our full response in due course.

Artefacts found at Fromelles provide clues to nationality of WW1 soldiers

The operation to recover the remains of WW1 British and Australian soldiers buried in mass graves at Fromelles in France is on schedule and will be completed in September

Oxford Archaeology have excavated the first two graves and work is already advanced on the next two. The excavation of two further pits has been completed and these did not contain any remains or artefacts. Having fully exposed four graves and established how the bodies were laid in two of them, archaeologists now believe the number of soldiers buried at Fromelles is between 250 and 300. More than 100 have been recovered to date.

There has been a number of finds during the excavation which directly associate individuals with the Australian or British Armies. Personal items recovered include: a heart-shaped leather pouch containing a solid gold cross and a copper alloy crucifix; a leather heart; a leather coin purse with its contents; and a leather wrist strap.

The artefacts demonstrate the excellent conditions for preservation within the graves. Last week a whole boot with sock and inner stocking were recovered. A paper train ticket was also among the items found. The ticket was a second class return from Fremantle to Perth, where Western Australian soldiers signed up for duty. Fremantle was their point of embarkation for Europe.

British and Australian families who believe they have connections to, or information on, the soldiers who may be buried at Fromelles are being urged to come forward to assist with identification.
DNA samples are currently being taken from a number of the remains for the pilot study being undertaken in the UK by LGC Forensics and the results are expected by the end of July. If the DNA is viable it is hoped further testing can be used to link the soldiers to living relatives.

All remains will be buried in a new Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) cemetery currently under construction at the site.

The 93rd anniversary of the battle takes place on Sunday 19th July and will be marked in a traditional ceremony by the villagers of Fromelles, who lay wreaths at the site. A commemorative service attended by the British, Australian and French governments will take place on 19 July 2010 to mark the reburial of the remains and the creation of the new cemetery.

Veterans Minister Kevan Jones said:
“This Sunday marks the 93rd anniversary of the Battle of Fromelles and it is a fitting time to remember and reflect upon the sacrifice of these men. I would urge people who think they may have a relative who died there to check the list of names and get in touch. I am pleased with the progress being made on this important project, to identify these soldiers and honour them with a dignified burial.”

Louise Loe, project manager for Oxford Archaeology, said:

“The momentum of the operation continues to be excellent - indeed we are slightly ahead of schedule. Our team of experts is recovering the remains of each soldier in a dignified manner and uncovering artefacts that will prove invaluable in the identification process later.

“All of us involved on the project are honoured to be here. Although at times it is a deeply moving experience, we are focussed on the job in hand – giving these men the dignity in death they so richly deserve.”

(MOD) British D-Day veterans to receive top French Honour - Amended

Ten British World War Two veterans are to be honoured by the French government today for their role in liberating France in 1944.

The nine men and one woman, who all took part in the D-Day landings, will receive the Legion d'Honneur in ceremonies this weekend, marking the 65th anniversary of D-Day.

The Legion d'Honneur is the highest decoration in France, awarded for excellent military conduct. Among those who will receive the honour today are several men who were among the first to land on the Normandy beaches on the morning of June 6th 1944 and a female nurse who attended to the many wounded on Gold beach.

This afternoon, nine of the veterans will become Knights of the Legion d'Honneur when they are presented with their Chevalier medals by the French Minister of State for Defence and Veterans, Jean-Marie Bockel.

Peter Hodge, Honorary General Secretary of the Normandy Veterans Association, said:

"We are extremely delighted that the French authorities have honoured these brave men and women. Sixty-five years ago, they risked their lives in one of the biggest military operations ever undertaken. Since then, they have all worked tirelessly with the Normandy Veterans Association
to ensure that the events of June 6th 1944 are never forgotten. "

Veterans Minister Kevan Jones, who will also be at the ceremony at Les Invalides in Paris, said:

"We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the men and women of the Armed Forces who, sixty-five years ago, risked their lives for freedom. I am immensely proud that these British veterans are today being decorated with such an honour, in recognition of their great courage and bravery."

Another Veteran, who landed on Juno beach on D-Day, will receive the higher rank of Officer of the Legion d'Honneur from President Sarkozy at a ceremony at Colleville-sur-Mer tomorrow.

(MOD) Women in ground close combat roles - review

The MOD has today launched a review into its policy governing women serving in ground close-combat roles. Servicewomen are currently excluded from roles where there is a requirement to deliberately close with and kill the enemy face to face.

This review is required by European Community (EC) Law, which states that the UK Armed Forces are bound to conduct a review every eight years, under the Equal Treatment Directive. The last review was undertaken in 2002 and it concluded that the policy to employ only male personnel in certain close combat roles should remain.

Minister for the Armed Forces, Bob Ainsworth said:

"Women are now serving in more posts on the front line than ever before and their contribution to the Armed Forces is essential.
"This review will include a thorough assessment of women's roles in recent operations. It will also examine the attitudes of Service women and men and those of the commanders on the ground to assess the potential impact of mixed-gender teams on combat effectiveness. We will take account of all the experience we have gained in Afghanistan and Iraq since the last review to help determine whether our policy should remain the same."

Women currently serve with bravery and distinction on the front line in many ground combat support roles including Forward Observation Officers, Forward Air Controllers, and as medics. They are, however, precluded from serving in roles with the Royal Marines (General Service), the Household Cavalry, the Royal Armoured Corps, the Infantry, and the RAF Regiment.