Friday 31 July 2009

Army Radio News - 31 Jul 09

British Soldiers Have Celebrated The 50th Anniversary Of The Formation Of Their Regiment With A Parade In Cardiff

His Royal Highness The Prince Of Wales joined 1st Battalion The Queen's Dragoon Guards on their 50th anniversary parade through the city

Personnel From The Military Stabilization Support Group Will Soon Be Training In Uganda On Exercise Bridge

The Commanding Officer Lt Col Brasher explained what benefits operating in Uganda will bring when deploying to Afghanistan

Voting On Six Books Shortlisted For The Military Book Of The Year Awards 2009 Has Now Begun

Head of Library and Information Services at Aldershot Garrison Tim Ward outlined this years shortlist to Garrison FM

Thursday 30 July 2009

Army Radio News - 30 Jul 09

The Defence Secretary Issues A Statement Concerning the Armed Forces Pension Scheme

Following the intense criticism of the MOD's current appeal process at the Court Of Appeal, Bob Ainsworth says the purpose is to ensure that the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme remains fair and compensates most, those who are more seriously injured

Patient Numbers To Be Published

The Ministry of Defence has announced that with immediate effect, regular statistics are being published on the internet, detailing the numbers of military patients treated at Selly Oak Hospital and Headley Court Rehabilitation Centre. The Defence Analytical Services & Advice website will host the statistics which will be updated on a monthly basis. Log on to: www.dasa.mod.uk

CGS Gives His Backing To Soldier Come Dancing

The Head of The British Army has given his backing to an initiative at Catterick Garrison which is hopefully set to raise a considerable amount of cash for SSAFA

Wednesday 29 July 2009

Army Radio News - 29 Jul 09

The Ministry of Defence Has Confirmed That The Two Soldiers Who Were Killed In Afghanistan On Monday, were WO2 Sean Upton from 5th Regiment Royal Artillery and Trooper Phillip Lawrence From The Light Dragoons

Warrant Officer Upton was killed as a result of an explosion whilst conducting a foot patrol in the Sangin district of Helmand province - Trooper Lawrence died in an explosion whilst travelling in a SCIMITAR, or CVR(T), vehicle, as part of a patrol in Helmand's Lashkar Gah district

The British Army In Afghanistan, Explains How "Panther's Claw" Will Be Developed

Now that they've completed Operation Panther's Claw, British Forces in Afghanistan are now concentrating on holding, stabilising and developing the area they cleared of Taliban insurgents

Iraq Vehicles to Afghanistan

The MOD says one of the final deliveries of heavy equipment has arrived back in the UK from Iraq which will be refurbished and sent to support operations in Afghanistan

Tuesday 28 July 2009

Army Radio News - 28 Jul 09

The Ministry Of Defence Confirms That 2 British Soldiers Were Killed In Afghanistan On Monday

A soldier from The Light Dragoons was killed as a result of an explosion whilst on a vehicle patrol in the Lashkar Gah district and a soldier from 5th Regiment Royal Artillery was killed as a result of an explosion whilst on a foot patrol in Helmand's Sangin district. Next of kin have been informed

Following The Recent Increase In Casualty Rates, The MOD Announces The Deployment of 125 Extra Troops To Afghanistan

Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth says commanders on the ground in Afghanistan told him that after the sad and tragic casualty rate over recent weeks, reinforcements were necessary to ensure British forces can maintain their operational tempo and consolidate the progress they've made

Prince Charles Vists 4 Regt AAC

The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall have been to Wattisham in Suffolk to present Operational Service Medals to personnel from 4 Regiment Army Air Corps. 4 Regiment is responsible for flying and maintaining the Apache Attack helicopter in Afghanistan and its troops spent a year on deployment during 2008 and 2009

Monday 27 July 2009

Army Radio News - 27 Jul 09

The British Army Says Operation Panther's Claw Has Been A Significant Success

Launched at the end of June the operation, involving 3,000 troops, was launched with a large scale air assault. Troops then moved into the area between Lashkah Gah and Gereshk, on vehicles and on foot, to clear towns and villages and secure compounds for the locals to return and vote in the forthcoming elections

The Ministry Of Defence Confirms That The British Soldier Who Was Killed In Afghanistan On Saturday Was Bombardier Craig Hopson from 40 Regiment Royal Artillery

He was a member of a patrol in the Babaji area of Helmand province, tasked to recce a suitable area for a polling station in the forthcoming Afghan Presidential Elections, when the Jackal vehicle he was traveling in struck an IED

Army Sports Lottery

In this week's Army Sports Lottery Draw, the winner of the top prize of Ten Thousand Pounds:
Is ......
WO1 K J Jessop, 3 Log Sp Regt RLC, Abingdon

In 2nd Place winning Five Thousand Pounds, is
WO2 M J Warriner, 20 Armd Bde Sig Sqn, BFPO 16

And in 3rd Place winning Two Thousand, Five Hundred Pounds, is
Sgt S A Smith, 12 Log Sp Regt RLC, BFPO 47

Friday 24 July 2009

Army Radio News - 24 Jul 09

The Guardsman From 1st Battalion The Coldstream Guards Killed In Afghanistan On Wednesday Has Been Named

Guardsman Christopher King died when an improvised explosive device detonated whilst he was on foot patrol in the Nad e-Ali district of Helmand Province

The British Army Has Been Telling Garrison FM How It Will Help Troops Become Even Better Prepared For Deployments In Afghanistan

Operation Entirety has already delivered a new doctrine on counter insurgency and a new training regime is being implemented in January 2010

A Hive Information Centre On Salisbury Plain Has Been One Of The First To Put Together New Deployment Packs To Support The Work Of Unit Welfare Officers

The packs are aimed at the partners and wider families of soldiers about to deploy on operations

Thursday 23 July 2009

Army Radio News - 23 Jul 09

The Ministry of Defence Has Confirmed That A Soldier From 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards,Was Killed In Afghanistan On Wednesday

The soldier was killed as a result of an explosion that happened whilst he was on a dismounted patrol in the Nad e Ali District of central Helmand Province

The Army Provides A Comprehensive Update On "Operation Panther's Claw"

Speaking to The British Army's Radio Service, Task Force Helmand spokesman Lt Col Nick Richardson outlined the latest progress being made on the operation

1 Yorks Soldier - Bravery Award

A soldier from 1 Yorks has been Mentioned in Dispatches for his actions while on operations in Afghanistan in 2007/08, whilst working as part of an Operational Mentor and Liaison Team, consisting of six British and 28 Afghan soldiers, which was ambushed from a number of firing points to the front and flanks. Some of the inexperienced Afghans fled to a safe location creating a loss of morale in what seemed to be an overwhelming enemy ambush. But, despite heavy fire he broke cover, sprinting to where the Afghans had gone to ground and brought them back into the fight

Wednesday 22 July 2009

Army Radio News - 22 Jul 09

The Ministry Of Defence Has Confirmed That The British Soldier Who Was Killed In Afghanistan On Monday Was Captain Daniel Shepherd from 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment

Captain Shepherd was serving with the Joint Force EOD Group in the Nad-e-Ali District in Helmand Province and died instantly following an IED explosion. At the time, he was commanding an IED Disposal team that was dealing with a confirmed IED

The British Army In Afghanistan Has told Garrison FM Why The Deaths In The Country Have Not Been In Vain

Task Force Helmand Spokesman Lt Col Nick Richardson says each soldier was doing his bit to bring peace and stability to a part of Afghanistan and he praised the work being done by British Army EOD teams

CGS Withdraws From Andrew Marr Show

Chief Of The General Staff, General Sir Richard Dannatt has explained why he didn't appear on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show at the weekend. He says that following a number of assertions made in recent newspaper and broadcast coverage that have misrepresented his actions and motives in relation to both his personal, and the MOD's, ongoing dialogue with Downing Street on Afghanistan resourcing, he decided, that given the over-politicised, & often misinformed, nature of that coverage, to withdraw from his planned appearance. He added that the decision was his and his alone

Tuesday 21 July 2009

Army Radio News - 21 Jul 09

The Ministry Of Defence Confirms That A Soldier From The Joint Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group Was Killed In Afghanistan On Monday Afternoon

The soldier was killed as a result of an explosion that happened whilst on patrol in central Helmand province

The MOD Has Also Confirmed That The British Army Soldier Who Was Killed In Afghanistan On Sunday, Was Corporal Joseph Etchells of 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers

Corporal Etchells, was killed as a result of an explosion whilst he was on a foot patrol near Sangin, in northern Helmand Province

Army Chef Catering Exercise

You're assured of top class, expertly cooked meals when you're out in theatre, due to the hard work Army chefs put in before they fly out on operations - an exercise has just taken place at Colchester Garrison to prepare Army chefs for service in Afghanistan - Exercise Eagles Aga, was held in the Garrison's Friday Woods training area and it tested the participants military and field catering skills

Monday 20 July 2009

Army Radio News - 20 Jul 09

The MOD Confirms That A Soldier From 2 RRF Has Been Killed In Afghanistan - And That The British Army Soldier Who Was Killed On Thursday, Was Rifleman Aminiasi Toge, of 2nd Battalion The Rifles

The soldier was killed as a result of an explosion that happened whilst on a foot patrol near Sangin, in northern Helmand Province, on Sunday morning. Next Of Kin have been informed

The Chief Of The Defence Staff Says More Helicopters Are Urgently Needed In Theatre

The Government has suggested that coalition forces have sufficient helicopters in Afghanistan, but CDS, Sir Jock Stirrup says he's doing what he can to get more deployed to theatre

Army Sports Lottery

In this week's Army Sports Lottery Draw, the winner of the top prize of Ten Thousand Pounds:
Is Col R N H Bennett, HQ Director of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (A) Arborfield

In 2nd Place winning Five Thousand Pounds, is
Sgt D A Downing, 7 Tpt Regt, BFPO 39

And in 3rd Place winning Two Thousand, Five Hundred Pounds, is
WO2 J E Holland, 1 Log Support Regt RLC, BFPO 47

Friday 17 July 2009

Army Radio News - 17 Jul 09

The MOD Has Confirmed The Death Of A Soldier From 2nd Battalion The Rifles Who Died On Thursday In Afghanistan

The Soldier was killed as a result of an explosion that happened on a foot patrol near Gereshk in central Helmand.

Relatives of the soldier have been informed and have asked for a period of grace before any further details are released.

The Chief Of The General Staff General Sir Richard Dannatt Has Delivered An Overwhelming Message Of Thanks To Soldiers And Their Families

Following his last visit to Afghanistan as Head of the British Army he told Garrison FM the continued support given to soldiers on operations was invaluable.

The MOD Has Responded To The Latest House Of Commons Defence Select Committee Report Into The UK's Helicopter Capability

Secretary of State for Defence Bob Ainsworth says they are doing all they can to get more helicopters to troops in Afghanistan and will keep looking to see what more can be done.

Thursday 16 July 2009

Army Radio News - 16 Jul 09

The MOD Launches A Consultation Process To Improve The Welfare Support Given To Members Of The Armed Forces And Their Families

A Green Paper, entitled "The Nation's Commitment to the Armed Forces Community: Consistent and Enduring Support", will look at how to prevent Service personnel and their families being disadvantaged in accessing public services such as housing, education and healthcare, due to their unique circumstances

It's Announced That 11 Light Brigade Will Replace 19 Light In Afghanistan

The Units deploying include: The Household Cavalry Regiment , 1 RHA, 28 Engineer Regiment, 1 Grenadier Guards, 2 Yorks, 1 Royal Welsh and 3 Rifles

Funeral Of Lt Col Thornelow

The funeral has taken place for Lt Col Rupert Thornelow of 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, who died alongside one of his soldiers when the armoured vehicle they were travelling in was targeted by an IED near Lashkar Gah in Helmand province on 1st of July. Trooper Joshua Hammond also died in the blast and 6 other soldiers were injured

Wednesday 15 July 2009

Army Radio News - 15 Jul 09

The Chief Of The General Staff Says The Presence Of British Troops In Afghanistan Is Giving Confidence To Local Afghan People

He's been on his final visit to the country prior to his retirement and says the feeling of confidence is being replicated wherever in the country coalition troops are located

A New Army Booklet - Aims To Eliminate Discrimination

It's called "Respect for Others" and is a guide to fair play in the army and replaces the booklet "Basically Fair"

7 Para RHA - Arch to Arc Challenge

Soldiers from Colchester have taken part in a grueling charity event to raise thousands of pounds for Help 4 Heroes. Troops from 7 Para RHA took part in the "Arch to Arc" challenge, which involved them running from Marble Arch to Dover, swimming the channel and cycling from Calais to Paris

Tuesday 14 July 2009

Army Radio News - 14 Jul 09

The Defence Secretary Says That Due To The Nature Of Operations In Afghanistan, Casualties Cannot Be Avoided

The Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth has been briefing MPs in the House Of Commons concerning the current situation in Afghanistan, following the death of 8 British soldiers, during a 24 hour period, at the end of last week

The MOD Responds To Inaccurate Media Reports About Husky

Reports in the UK media at the weekend said the Husky armoured vehicles, the UK has bought for the Armed Forces, had been rejected by the US military for failing blast tests. The MOD says the report is inaccurate

Army Sports Lottery

In this week's Army Sports Lottery Draw, the winner of the top prize of Ten Thousand Pounds:
Is ...... Spr J D Price, 38 Engr Regt, Waterbeach

In 2nd Place winning Five Thousand Pounds, is
Lt Col M A Pomroy, AOSB, Leighton House, Westbury

And in 3rd Place winning Two Thousand, Five Hundred Pounds, is
Capt J E D McInally, Joint Operational Staff, BFPO 801

Monday 13 July 2009

Army Radio News - 13 Jul 09

The MOD Confirms The Identities Of The 8 British Soldiers Who Were Killed In Afghanistan on Thursday and Friday

The deaths included 5 soldiers from 2 Rifles, who were killed in 2 separate IED explosions

The Chief Of The Defence Staff Praises The Work Of British Troop In Theatre

Sir Jock Stirrup, says it's important to remember the magnificent job our troops are doing in theatre and what they continue to achieve

Afghanistan - Troops Resources

The latest deaths of British soldiers in Afghanistan has re-opened debate as to whether the Armed Forces are being correctly resourced for their Operations in the country. Despite criticism from opposition parties and other commentators, suggesting that more troops and more helicopters are urgently needed in theatre, Armed Forces Minister Bill Rammell says the service chiefs have, and continue to receive, all the resources they ask for

Friday 10 July 2009

Army Radio News - 10 Jul 09

The MOD Has Confirmed The Death Of Two British Soldiers Who Were Killed In Two Separate Incidents In Afghanistan On Thursday 9th July

A soldier from 4th Battalion The Rifles died in a contact explosion whilst on foot patrol near Nad e-Ali in Helmand Province on Thursday afternoon

Later that day a soldier from the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment attached to 1st Battalion The Welsh Guards, was killed as a result of a gunshot wound whilst taking part in Operation Panther's Claw on Thursday evening

After The Sad News Of The Death Of Nine Soldiers Over Ten Days The British Army's Been Explaining How Soldiers are Getting On With The Job

The Spokesman for Taskforce Helmand Lt Col Nick Richardson explained on Wednesday that after a brief period of mourning soldiers were getting on with the job and making progress in Afghanistan

Service Men's Wives And Girlfriends Will Be Posing Nude On A Photo-shoot This Month For A 2010 Calendar To Raise Money For Help For Heroes

Go to swagcalendar.co.uk for more details

Thursday 9 July 2009

Army Radio News - 9 Jul 09

The Ministry of Defence Confirms That The Soldier Who Was Killed In Afghanistan On Tuesday Was Trooper Christopher Whiteside, Of The Light Dragoons

Trooper Whiteside was taking part in Operation Panther's Claw in Helmand Province, when he was killed in an explosion caused by an IED near Gereshk

A British Army Officer In Afghanistan Tells Garrison FM, How Careful British Troops Are Being To Avoid Injuring Civilians During Operations Against The Taliban

He says the most important thing is to take care to choose the correct weapon, which is appropriate for the target being attacked

Royal British Legion Expansion

The Royal British Legion has revealed it's expanding into the Army's new Super-Garrisons. Tidworth comes on line at the end of the month and staff are already in place at Catterick

Wednesday 8 July 2009

Army Radio News - 8 Jul 09

The Ministry Of Defence Confirms That A Soldier From The Light Dragoons Was Killed In An Explosion In Afghanistan On Wednesday

The incident took place whilst the soldier was taking part in Operation Panthers Claw near Gereshk in Helmand Province on Tuesday evening

The MOD Confirms That The British Soldier Who Died In A Helicopter Crash In Afghanistan On Monday, Was Captain Ben Babington-Browne from 2-2 Engineer Regiment

The incident took place whilst the aircraft was on takeoff in Zabul Province, at Forward Operating Base Mescall. Two Canadian soldiers were also killed in the crash

Bob Ainsworth Speech - Afghanistan

Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth has given a speech at Chatham House in London, explaining why the British Armed Forces remain on operations in Afghanistan

Tuesday 7 July 2009

Army Radio News - 7 Jul 09

The Ministry of Defence Confirms That The British Soldier Who Was Killed In Afghanistan On Sunday Was Lance Corporal Dane Elson From 1st Battalion Welsh Guards

Lance Corporal Elson was killed instantly by an IED while on patrol in Babaji, taking part in Operation Panther's Claw in Helmand Province

The MOD Has Also Confirmed That A Soldier From 2-2 Engineer Regiment Was Killed In A Helicopter Incident in Afghanistan on Monday

The incident took place whilst the aircraft was taking off in Zabul province - Next of kin have been informed, who have asked for a period of grace before further details are released

Absence Recovery Warrant Officers

The Army has revealed that it's started a new initiative to help with incidences of "absence without leave". It says it realizes that soldiers can go AWOL for a vast variety of reasons, so it's introduced the role of "Absence Recovery Warrant Officers" .... experienced, long serving Warrant Officers, who have been attached to each regional brigade and it's now their job to contact soldiers who are absent, find out why they're absent and assist them in returning to service

Monday 6 July 2009

Army Radio News - 6 Jul 09

The MOD Confirms That The Soldiers Who Were Killed In Afghanistan On Saturday Were: Lance Corporal David Dennis, of The Light Dragoons, and Private Robert Laws, of 2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment

The men died in separate incidents whilst taking part in Operation Panther's Claw, to improve security in the area between Lashkar Gah and Gereshk, in Helmand Province

The MOD Confirms That A Soldier was Killed In Afghanistan On Sunday

The soldier from 1st Battalion Welsh Guards was killed in a contact explosion while on a deliberate operation near Gereshk, in Helmand Province

Army Sports Lottery - Superdraw!

In This week's Army Sports Lottery Super-Draw, the top prize was doubled from 10,000 pounds to 20,000 pounds - and the lucky winner was Sgt B J Douglas, 4 MI Bn, at Tidworth

In 2nd place winning 10,000 pounds, was
WO2 M A J Brown, International Military Advisory Team, BFPO 622

And in 3rd place, winning 5,000 pounds, was
Sgt F T Bradbury, School of Army Aviation at Middle Wallop

Friday 3 July 2009

Army Radio News - 3 Jul 09

The MOD Confirms That The 2 British Soldiers Who Were Killed In Afghanistan On Wednesday, Were Lt Col Rupert Thorneloe, Commanding Officer Of The 1st Welsh Guards, and Trooper Joshua Hammond, of 2nd Royal Tank Regiment

They were travelling in a Viking armoured vehicle, when an IED was detonated - Lt Col Thorneloe and Trooper Hammond were killed by the blast

Troops From The Last Serving British Brigade In Iraq Receive Their Operational Medals

Paderborn-based 200 Signal Squadron, were responsible for shutting down the communication networks in the south of Iraq and handing command over to US Forces

The Army's Bursary Scheme

The British Army is offering Further Education Bursaries, or Further Education Awards in Scotland, for all full vocational courses at Level 2 and Level 3 - If you're aged between 16 and 32, and are interested in joining the Army ... and studying in Further Education ..... you could be eligible to earn an up to 5000 pound cash award to help you through your studies

Thursday 2 July 2009

Army Radio News - 2 Jul 09

The MOD Confirms That 2 British Soldiers Were Killed In Afghanistan on Wednesday

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that 2 British soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan - one was from 1st Battalion Welsh Guards and the other from 2nd Royal Tank Regiment. The soldiers were killed as a result of an explosion that happened whilst they were deployed near Lashkar Gah, in central Helmand Province - Next of kin have been informed

Her Majesty The Queen Approves The Award Of The "Elizabeth Cross"

The emblem will be granted to the next of kin of Armed Forces personnel killed on operations or as a result of terrorism, in a mark of national recognition for their loss. Her Majesty says she hopes the award will help us all to remember, the great debt owed to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice

AFF Families Journal - Summer Edition

The Summer 2009 edition of The Army Families Federation's Families Journal has now been published and it's packed full of issues that affect British Army families around the world

Wednesday 1 July 2009

Army Radio News - 1 Jul 09

Her Majesty The Queen Approves A New Honour For The Armed Forces

The Elizabeth Cross is the name of the new medal which will be granted to the next of kin of Armed Forces personnel killed on operations or as a result of terrorism, in a mark of national recognition for their loss

Afghanistan - IED Threat

A British Army Commander in Afghanistan has told The British Army's Radio Service that of all the threats his troops face on operations, roadside bombs and other IEDs are the most difficult to combat - However, on a positive note, Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Cartwright, Commanding Officer of 3 Scots, told Garrison FM that his troops deal well with other day to day threats, like contact with the enemy and their training and equipment helps them to deal with the threat posed by IEDs

Gurkhas Train Afghan Policemen, In Helmand Province

20 new members of the Afghan National Police, who have taken up posts in Sangin, are to receive continued training and mentoring from soldiers of 2nd Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles