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.

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."

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.

Merlin Helicopters Train For Afghanistan

The Merlin Helicopter Force has commenced a 4 month training exercise in the United States as the final stage of preparation for its end of year deployment to Afghanistan.

The Merlins, from RAF Benson in Oxfordshire, will provide vital support to ground operations, increasing the capacity of UK helicopter lift in Afghanistan by a further 25%.

Exercise MERLIN VORTEX will train crews for the unique challenges of the Afghan environment: the ‘hot and high’ conditions and constant threats they will face on a daily basis.

With temperatures soaring to 50oC and rarely dropping below 35oC at night the ‘Hot’ part of the training requirement is met, along with the opportunity to test landing in dusty conditions. ‘High’ training comes in the form of mountain ranges of varying heights, which with the high temperatures means the environment allows the Merlin to operate to the limit of its capabilities, providing outstanding preparation for deployment to Afghanistan.

RAF Sergeant Tom Pringle, Merlin Crewman said:

“The environment out here is very challenging but I believe that it will prepare us well for success in Afghanistan. Train hard, fight easy. The facilities are great and the Americans have been very welcoming and supportive.”

RAF Flight Sergeant John Stone is a Merlin Crewman on the Training, Development and Standards Flight:

“To train effectively for survival aspects in Theatre we need to be operating with all the same equipment that we would have on operations. From a tactics point of view I believe that the combination of live firing ranges, to practice self-defence, and representative terrain have enabled us to put together a comprehensive and realistic package of pre-deployment training that is well paced”.

RAF Squadron Leader Dave Morris is Officer Commanding B Flight, 78 Squadron:

“We came out here to undertake ‘Hot and High’ training for Afghanistan. The area provides a wide variety of terrain allowing us to achieve a high standard of instruction in new techniques. The environmental conditions are representative of Afghanistan and the effect of training in this unique location will be to increase the confidence and ability of the crews to a level where they are ready to deploy. You can never be too prepared and there is always more training to come but the lessons we learn out here will allow the Merlin force to deploy with confidence”.

“The entire Merlin Force will be able to experience the highest standards of training in a representative environment. The overall feeling is one of confidence that the training received here will allow the Merlin Force to take up its role in Afghanistan and provide the same outstanding level of support that it gave to ground forces in Iraq”.

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.

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.

(MOD) First female pilot to join the Red Arrows

The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, is proud to announce that a female pilot is one of two candidates selected to join the world-famous 'Diamond Nine' for the 2010 display season.

The successful candidates Flight Lieutenant Kirsty Moore of number X111 Squadron, RAF Marham and Flight Lieutenant Ben Plank of number 1(Fighter) Squadron, RAF Cottesmore, will fly as part of the 2010-2012 display team, enthralling millions with their exhilarating manoeuvres, demonstrating the skills and excellence of the Royal Air Force, promoting British industry and contributing to defence diplomacy.

The Royal Air Force fast-jet pilots will join the Red Arrows in September 2009 to begin training for their three-year tour with the team, based at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire.

Around 30 Royal Air Force fast-jet pilots apply for the prestigious places on the team each year. Kirsty is not the first female to have applied to join the Red Arrows, but was the first to make the prestigious 'shortlist' of candidates, and is now the first to be selected for the team.

Until recently, no female fast-jet pilot had reached the stage in their flying career to fulfil the application criteria; be assessed as above average in their flying career, have a minimum of 1,500 flying hours and have completed at least one front line fast-jet operational tour. Applications to join the Red Arrows from Royal Air Force fast-jet pilots meeting the relevant criteria are treated equally and considered purely on merit.

Wing Commander Jas Hawker, Officer Commanding and Team Leader of the Red Arrows, said: "The shortlist of candidates to join the Red Arrows represents some of the very finest fast-jet pilots in the Royal Air Force. Their skills, experience, dedication and enthusiasm are second to none. We are equally proud to be welcoming both pilots to the team and are looking forward to their arrival in September 2009."

Flight Lieutenant Kirsty Moore (31) joined the RAF as a pilot in 1998. Originally from Lincolnshire she has served as an instructor on the Hawk aircraft at RAF Valley in North Wales and is currently flying Tornado GR4 with XIII Sqn based at RAF Marham in Norfolk.

Flight Lieutenant Ben Plank (30) from Worcestershire joined the RAF in 2000. Like Kirsty, he has also served as an instructor on the Hawk at RAF Valley, from where he went on to his current operational tour flying the Harrier with 1(F) Sqn from RAF Cottesmore, Leicestershire.

For the latest news on the Red Arrows visit http://www.raf.mod.uk/reds

(MOD) UK ends combat mission in Iraq

After a commitment lasting more than six years, British Forces have successfully completed their combat mission in Basra and will now start leaving southern Iraq.

Today, forces stationed at the Contingency Operating Base (COB) outside Basra were joined by Defence Secretary John Hutton MP for a day of reflection on the mission, commemoration of their losses, and celebration of British achievements in Iraq since Operation TELIC was launched in 2003.

Having already drawn down the Divisional Headquarters a month ago, UK forces now begin their final withdrawal, handing over the Coalition brigade command in a move which marks the transition from a combat mission to a close and enduring bilateral relationship with Iraq.

John Hutton said:

"The past six years have seen a heavy price paid: 179 brave people have died in the service of their country on Operation Telic. Their sacrifice must not be forgotten, and that is why it was a privilege to attend the final, poignant service of commemoration in Basra.

"But Iraq's progress over the six years, no matter how uneven or uncertain it may have appeared at times, shows that their sacrifice has not been in vain. Following the peaceful elections in January, Basra has a new democratically-elected and representative Provincial Council. Protected by the Iraqi Security Forces we have trained, the city finally has the chance to achieve its full potential.

"Over six challenging years, British forces have helped to set Basra on the path towards enduring stability and economic growth. They have supported reconstruction, set the airport on the path to international accreditation and helped to develop the port facilities at Umm Qasr. Basra is a better place for our men and women being there and I pay tribute to all of them."

The last day of the British mission was marked today by two main events on the COB. Following the memorial service, Mr Hutton attended the formal "transfer of authority" ceremony. The service took place at Basra's Memorial Wall, which will soon be dismantled and replicated at the National Memorial Arboretum in the UK. The Defence Secretary also met members of 20th Armoured Brigade now preparing to leave Iraq, as well as some of the Royal Navy personnel who will be staying behind to continue to train the Iraqi Navy.

The UK's future relationship with Iraq will be one of partnership. We are currently discussing the precise scope of our future military activity with the Government of Iraq, but up to 400 UK military personnel are likely to remain in Iraq after July. They will continue to provide specialist training and mentoring support to Iraqi forces, leading the development of the Iraqi Navy and playing a key role in military officer training.

With the Iraqis now firmly in the lead on security, UK Government support can now focus on helping the Iraqi Government to stimulate its economy and fulfil its potential as a resource-rich sovereign nation.

Brigadier Tom Beckett, commander of 20th Armoured Brigade, said:

"Today marks the end of the UK's combat mission in support of the government of Iraq, but it does not mark the end of the UK's relationship with Iraq.

"We are sad to leave our Iraqi friends, but we leave knowing we have done our job, and done it well. We leave with our heads held high.

"We know we leave the security of Basra province in safe and capable hands. Trained by the UK, 14th Iraqi Division is a professional counter-insurgency division. It has strong leaders, strength in depth in its junior ranks, and brave and dedicated soldiers."

(MOD) MoD announces research into nuclear test veterans' health needs

The MOD announced today that it will be conducting an assessment of the health needs of nuclear test veterans and their descendants in a move welcomed by the British Nuclear Test Veterans Association (BNTVA).

MOD experts will join representatives from the BNTVA and MPs to form a working group designed to finalise details of this research and identify a sample group to study.

Veterans Minister Kevan Jones said:

"I am determined to address the ongoing concerns of nuclear test veterans and their families. To that end, I am extremely pleased to announce that we will be undertaking a project to investigate the particular health needs of the nuclear test veterans and their descendants. This work will enable us to ensure that this group are getting the best care possible and identify where any improvements can be made."

The MOD will also follow up on last year's New Zealand chromosomal study. This work is in the planning stages but the aim is to create a study that will provide veterans with practical, relevant and timely results.

It is hoped that these research projects will both be underway by the end of this year.