Tuesday 31 July 2012

Army Radio News - 31 Jul 12

The Ministry of Defence announces proposals for a new Armed Forces Pension Scheme
Benefits of the proposed new scheme include: one scheme for all, including reservists - Service personnel won't have to make any personal contributions to their pension - and personnel will receive a tax-free lump sum and monthly income if they leave the Armed Forces at age 40 and have served for over 20 years

RAF Kinloss becomes Kinloss Barracks
The former RAF station in Scotland has just been taken over by the British Army. The RAF, which has been at the base since 1939 has handed over to the new custodian, 3-9 Engineer Regiment

Monday 30 July 2012

Army Radio News - 30 Jul 12

British soldiers mark the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Salamanca
100 personnel from The Rifles, The Royal Dragoon Guards, The Coldstream Guards, The Scots Guards, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, The Royal Anglian Regiment, and The Royal Irish Regiment travelled to the Spanish city for a battlefield tour and freedom parade

The British Army in Scotland finds the soldiers of the future
"Exercise Summer Challenge" is geared up to produce capable and confident trained TA soldiers and is run by the Edinburgh based Army Training Unit Scotland

Friday 27 July 2012

Army Radio News - 27 Jul 12

Soldiers supporting Olympic security will receive free travel
Transport for London and the Association of Train Operating Companies have said that those military personnel providing Olympic security will get free travel within London, as well as services to London and other Game venue locations

Riflemen dig deep on Salisbury Plain
They're not on exercise but taking part in the MOD excavation project Operation Nightingale, that helps soldiers recover from injury or illness

Thursday 26 July 2012

Army Radio News - 26 Jul 12

The Defence Secretary dismisses criticism of recent Defence cuts
Philip Hammond has told the UK media that he would rather axe a battalion than send troops to war with kit that could get them killed

British Army officer Captain Heather Stanning prepares for the row of her life
Heather and rowing partner Helen Glover will perform in the heats for the Women's Pair at Eton Dorney Rowing Centre, at 9.30 (am) on Saturday and are hoping to become the first British women ever to win an Olympic rowing gold

Wednesday 25 July 2012

Army Radio News - 25 Jul 12

British soldiers deliver aid to the poor, living in Kabul
The troops have been working alongside the Afghan Uniform Police to deliver essential aid to some of the city's poorest inhabitants. Based in Camp Souter, they've been running a number of Humanitarian Aid Drops

Bovington checks Army Armour before it deploys to Afghanistan
The Armoured Trials and Development Unit checks vehicles work properly and can do the job they're intended to do, so they can hit the ground running when they arrive in theatre.  We speak to Lt Col Nick Bercham the head of the ATDU

Tuesday 24 July 2012

Army Radio News - 24 Jul 12

The Government deploys the standby Olympic security troops
Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt says the deployment of the additional British troops will add over 1000 personnel to those who are already involved on Olympic duty

The MOD announces a multi-million pound contract for new boots for the Armed Forces
Personnel will be issued with the new range of brown combat boots, which will replace the black and desert combat footwear they currently wear, later in the year

Monday 23 July 2012

Army Radio News - 23 Jul 12

The Commander of the Afghan Army's 3/215 Brigade, visits 4 Mech Brigade at Warminster
HQ 4 Mech Brigade is being tested on Exercise Pashtun Horizon 3 at the Command and Staff Trainer ahead of its deployment to Afghanistan on Operation Herrick 17 in September

Police Dogs help Colchester-based airborne gunners
F Battery, 7 Para RHA has taken part in Exercise Sphinx Diligence, designed to develop soldiers' teamwork and broaden their horizons and skills beyond their core artillery role

Friday 20 July 2012

Army Radio News - 20 Jul 12

The MOD has confirmed it is putting a further 1,200 troops on stand-by to provide Olympic security
A statement was issued as Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt announced that the 1,200 might be asked to provide security in addition to the 3,500 already being deployed

The Historical Inquiries and Assurance Branch has now reached full operating capability
It's responsibilities include reviewing Service Police investigations regarding allegations of abuse by persons detained by UK Forces in Afghanistan, complaints against the RMP, and investigating cold cases within Service Police jurisdiction.

Thursday 19 July 2012

Army Radio News - 19 Jul 12

The MOD and DWP announce a streamlining of the financial support available to seriously injured forces personnel
Rather than face separate assessments, personnel who have been seriously injured as a result of military service will now receive ongoing payments to help with the additional costs associated with their injuries

Whilst praising the work of members of the Armed Forces the Prime Minister doesn't rule out an increase in the number required to assist with Op Olympics
Prime Minister David Cameron has been visiting troops in Afghanistan

Wednesday 18 July 2012

Army Radio News - 18 Jul 12

The Defence Secretary reveals the emergency accommodation for the extra Armed Forces personnel being deployed on Op Olympics
Tobacco Dock in Wapping,  a Grade 1 listed venue converted from a 19th century tobacco warehouse, will house around 2,500 personnel, primarily from the Army, but also from the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force

Army Medics train for Herrick 17
Catterick based 3 Medical Regt will be deploying to Afghanistan, as part of 4 Mech Brigade, in October

Tuesday 17 July 2012

Army Radio News - 17 Jul 12

The Government says troops deployed on Op Olympics will be 'properly recognised' and looked after in terms of welfare
Defence Secretary Philip Hammond told MPs in the House of Commons that the troops would be given an 'appropriate package' for their role

A British soldier serving in Afghanistan's Helmand province is teaching the next generation of Afghan military bomb disposal experts
Corporal Tony Sivo, of 3-6 Engineer Regiment, is the only British instructor teaching on the four-week Explosive Hazard Reduction Course in the Nad 'Ali region of Helmand Province

Monday 16 July 2012

Army Radio News - 16 Jul 12

The Army starts its airspace restrictions task as part of a tri-service commitment around London and the South East
Army Rapier and Starstreak ground-based air defence systems are now operational at six sites in London

The MOD's portable garage facility gets the thumbs up in Afghanistan
The new facility is a containerised system that provides workshop facilities in Forward Operating Bases; a front line workshop that packs into an ISO container

Friday 13 July 2012

Army Radio News - 13 Jul 12


The Defence Secretary and Chief of the Defence Staff speak about the extra military support to Olympic security
They were answering questions from MP's at the House of Commons Defence Select Committee

A new memorial has been unveiled marking the 70th anniversary of airborne forces
The magnificent statue of flying horse Pegasus now stands proudly at the National Arboretum

Thursday 12 July 2012

Army Radio News - 12 Jul 12

The Home Secretary has announced that an additional 3,500 troops will be required to assist at the Olympic Games
Theresa May said it had become clear that the company that was given the private contract for the Games' security, G4S, was unable to recruit sufficient trained security staff to fulfil its commitment

CGS, General Sir Peter Wall, says he's confident about the Army's future
The Head of the Army, has sent a message to the Army via Garrison FM, following what he described as a very difficult week. He says we must all be positive about the future

Wednesday 11 July 2012

Army Radio News - 11 Jul 12

The Defence Secretary unveils the first of a new fleet of Wildcat helicopters
The first of 62 Wildcats have been handed over to the MoD by manufacturer AgustaWestland at the Farnborough International Air Show.  The MoD is buying 34 Wildcats for the Army and 28 Maritime Attack variants which will replace the Lynx fleet operated by the Army Air Corps and Fleet Air Arm

The MOD announces that 4 Mech Brigade will replace 12 Mech Brigade in Helmand province later this 
year
The Herrick 17 roulement reflects the fact that conventional UK forces will draw down by 500 over the remainder of this year, as previously announced. Volunteer and ex-Regular members of the Reserve Forces will continue to deploy to Afghanistan as part of the integrated force package, with the MOD expecting to issue around 575 call-out notices

Tuesday 10 July 2012

Army Radio News - 10 Jul 12

British and French Airborne Forces Exercise together in France
British and French troops have performed parachute jumps using each other's aircraft and equipment, as they work towards a closer relationship which could involve them deploying together

Royal Engineers bridges leave a lasting legacy in Helmand Province
Work British Army Engineers are currently doing in Helmand province is helping to build the Afghanistan "infrasctructure of the future".  Troops from 26 Engineer Regiment have been building bridges across waterways, for military use, and in consultation with local residents, have now completed a bridge that will be a lasting legacy for the country's people

Monday 9 July 2012

Army Radio News - 9 Jul 12

Soldiers from the Light Dragoons are swapping reconnaissance for a Police Mentoring role in Afghanistan
It's to bolster the process of transition further enabling Afghan Security Forces to take full responsibility for their own security

It takes 14 years on average for a veteran suffering mental health problems to seek help
That's according to Combat Stress based on their experience of supporting veterans who've eventually reached out

Friday 6 July 2012

Army Radio New - 6 Jul 12

Scotland's GOC provides his take on Army 2020
It follows the Defence Secretary's announcement of which units will be disbanded or merged, to achieve a regular Army of 82,000

3 Rifles are keeping families connected with their current tour in Afghanistan 
Using Facebook they're providing as much information as possible to loved ones back home, which Unit Press Officer Captain Palmer Winstanley says is vital

Thursday 5 July 2012

Army Radio News - 5 Jul 12

The Defence Secretary announces the details of Army 2020
The reduction in the overall strength of the Army to 82,000, to be achieved by 2020 was announced some time ago.  This latest announcement concerned the units that would be disbanded or merged, to achieve the reduction targets

CGS explains why changes to the Army's structure has been necessary
And he reveals how some of the decisions were made

Wednesday 4 July 2012

Army Radio News - 4 Jul 12

The MOD reveals that Foxhound and its personnel are preparing to start using the vehicle for its role, outside the wire, in Afghanistan
Foxhound is the Army's state-of-the-art light protected patrol vehicle, that arrived in Helmand province last month. Soldiers from a variety of cap badges are taking part in training exercises to familiarise themselves with the vehicle and its capabilities before it gets the go-ahead to be used for real

Army personnel prepare for their flag raising duties at the Olympic Games
The MOD has revealed that soldiers, sailors and airmen from all 3 services will be raising flags at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Individuals from all three services will take on the role of flag bearers for more than 100 Team Welcome and 800 Victory Ceremonies. Training for the honour is currently taking place

Tuesday 3 July 2012

Army Radio News - 3 Jul 12

The Government confirms that ground based air defence systems will be deployed for the duration of the Olympic Games
The systems will be deployed at six sites in and around London and will include Rapier and High Velocity Missiles

July sees a jam-packed edition of Soldier Magazine
Soldier Magazine's Joe Clapson has been telling Garrison FM, all about this month's highlights

Monday 2 July 2012

Army Radio News - 2 Jul 12

The British Army in Afghanistan explains why advising, training and mentoring of the Afghan security forces must continue, following the tragic deaths of 3 British soldiers in Helmand province
On Sunday, 2 soldiers serving with the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards and one serving with the Royal Corps of Signals were killed at a checkpoint in Helmand province

Armed Forces Day is supported by thousands of people across the UK

The Prime Minister has stressed the importance of the country showing its support for the UK's Armed Services on Armed Forces Day at this year's main event in Plymouth, and Defence Secretary Philip Hammond speaks to Garrison FM at the festivities at Deepcut, the home of the Royal Logistic Corps