Army Radio News - 31 Aug 12

Free London travel continues for service personnel throughout the Paralympics
Transport for London and the Association of Train Operating Companies have announced that they are continuing to offer free travel to military personnel supporting the London 2012 Paralympics within London. The offer also covers services to London and to other Paralympic venue locations

Army supply specialists prepare to deploy on Herrick 17

12 Logistic Support Regiment will provide logistic close and general support to 4 Mech Brigade and will deploy in October. Its men and women are responsible for the supply chain that will get vital food, kit and supplies to 4 Mech Brigade's troops deployed on the front line

Army Radio News - 30 Aug 12

British troops seize weapons and explosives in a raid on an insurgent stronghold
The MOD has revealed that soldiers from the 12 Mech Brigade Reconnaissance Force have plunged deep into insurgent caves in the Upper Gereshk Valley of Afghanistan and have seized homemade explosives as well as all the other parts needed to make bombs, automatic rifles, hand grenades and ammunition

David Beckham sends a message to troops in Afghanistan, asking them to wear their Frontline to Start Line t-shirts

The British Paralympic Association and Help for Heroes collaborated on the project which aims to help wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women, serving and veteran, progress towards representing their country in paralympic sport or to work in the sector

Army Radio News - 29 Aug 12

British Army units in Afghanistan prepare their equipment and vehicles for Op Herrick 17's incoming troops
As British Army troops on Afghanistan's Op Herrick 16 start preparations to hand over responsibility to incoming troops on Op Herrick 17, they've been telling Garrison FM about the importance of maintenance to ensure that equipment and vehicles, which have been in constant use, are brought back to pristine condition

Private Derek Derenalagi looks forward to competing in the Paralympics
Five years ago, Private Derenalagi from 2 Mercian lost both his legs when he was injured in Afghanistan. Now he's about to compete in the F57 Discus event with Team GB at the Paralympics

Army Radio News - 28 Aug 12

The Black Rats prepare to deploy to Afghanistan
Members of 4 Mech Brigade, The Black Rats,  have been finalising their training ahead of their Op Herrick 17 deployment this Autumn. The tour will see the Task Force begin the UK's phased drawdown in numbers of manpower and materiel in the country and is committed to sending 500 British troops back to the UK by the end of the year

Army Captain Nick Beighton looks forward to the Paralympic Games
Just under 3 years ago, Nick lost both his legs in an IED explosion in Afghanistan. Now, he prepares to take on the world in the Paralympic Games. He's in final preparations for his big moment this Friday when he takes part, with team mate Samantha Scowen in the heats of the trunk and arms Mixed Double sculls at Eton Dorney

Army Radio News - 24 Aug 12

The MOD is to buy a further 25 Foxhound vehicles
Foxhound, the Army's state-of-the-art light protected patrol vehicle, is robust enough to withstand the blast from an IED, has a top speed of 70mph, the engine can be removed and replaced in just 30 minutes and it can drive away from an ambush on only three wheels

British troops respect the traditions, customs and beliefs of the Afghan people
A senior British Army officer serving in Helmand Province has told Garrison FM about the importance of respecting the traditions, customs and beliefs of the Afghan people and that British troops are aware of how those customs can change the day to day tasking and operations for the Afghan Security Forces

Army Radio News - 23 Aug 12

Nottingham is chosen to host Armed Forces Day 2013
It will take place on Saturday 29 June, and plans are already underway in the city to stage a spectacular national event that will honour the Armed Forces past and present.  This will be the fifth annual event following the success of Plymouth this year and past events at, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Chatham

The British Army's Radio Service launches radio station number 17 at Blandford Garrison
The British Army now has 17 radio stations in the UK following Garrison FM's latest station launch at Blandford Garrison, in Dorset. After switching on at Bovington Camp last month, the network is now broadcasting on 89.3 FM at Blandford Garrison, home of the Royal Corps of Signals

Army Radio News - 22 Aug 12

The Army says farewell to ATR Bassingbourn
The last tranche of soldiers to complete Phase 1 training at Bassingbourn Barracks has marched off the parade square and into the history books. The soldiers were the last to be trained at the barracks, near Cambridge, before it closes as an Army Training Regiment

Prepare yourself, for Paras' 10
This year, the 10 mile endurance challenge, Paras' 10 will take place at Catterick on Sunday the 9th of September and also this year, for the first time, the event will also take place at Colchester, on Sunday the 21st of October, all in aid of the ABF, The Soldier's Charity and the Parachute Regiment charity

Army Radio News - 21 Aug 12

The Defence Secretary announces a 25% reduction in senior staff, at MOD's Head Office, over the next two years
A new senior structure will be introduced in April 2013 to ensure the MOD is less top heavy Around 26 military and civilian posts at Senior Civil Service level, the equivalent of Brigadier or above are set to go, with the new Head Office focusing on providing strategic direction

A Senior British Army officer in Helmand Province explains the difference UK troops are making in Afghanistan
....and he's explained what it is that makes the British soldier special and so professional.  Lt Col Mick Aston is the CO of 1 Royal Anglian ..... The Vikings

Army Radio News - 20 Aug 12

Afghan Police supported by British soldiers engage with youngsters in Helmand Province
The first Afghan Police community engagement event for youngsters and their families has attracted more than 200 children in an area once considered a stronghold of the insurgency in Afghanistan's Helmand province. The event was supported by members of the King's Royal Hussars and 1st Battalion Welsh Guards

The Vikings hope to stay on Salisbury Plain
1st Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment has told Garrison FM that it's not entirely sure where it's going to be based after its troops return from their current deployment to Afghanistan. The Battalion says it hopes to stay on Salisbury Plain, as it only moved into Bulford's  Picton Barracks at the end of last year

Army Radio News - 17 Aug 12

The Head of the British Army inspects the largest military graduation parade in Europe
Almost 700 junior soldiers marched on to the parade ground at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate

Trekking, biking, and paddling for Poppy Scotland and the Royal British Legion
Former Highland Gunner Ian McAuslane and his team will cover nearly 20,000 miles when they take on the Adidas challenge over five days, across the mountains of Scotland

Army Radio News - 16 Aug 12

Afghanistan's MSST says it is not trying to make Helmand a clone of the UK
The Military Stabilisation Support Team (MSST) is the Afghan component of the UK based Military Stabilisation Support Group, based at Camberley, which is a unique Defence organisation that provides the UK with an array of skills and knowledge, that can be used to provide military support to the civilian efforts to stabilise countries around the world that are either emerging from conflict or are at risk of sliding into chaos

Larkhill's gold postbox -  the investigation continues
A mystery is unfolding on Salisbury Plain, following Army Captain Heather Stanning's amazing Olympic gold medal win in the women's coxless rowing pairs at London 2012.  Larkhill Post Office had its postbox painted gold in celebration, but it wasn't done by Royal Mail

Army Radio News - 15 Aug 12

Troops in Afghanistan swap tanks for Warthogs
Troops from the Kings Royal Hussars have swapped their Challenger 2 tanks for Warthog armoured vehicles and have deployed to Helmand as a surveillance group, using speed and manoeuvrability to secure areas for large operations

Afghan security forces take an informal lead in Helmand province
Although the Afghan National Army is performing really well, unless the correct provision is made before British troops leave the country, the Afghan soldiers are really going to miss the extensive British army hardware that's currently available to them

Army Radio News - 14 Aug 12

Politicians, Organisers and the stars of Team GB thank the members of the Armed Forces who helped provide security at London 2012
Over the weekend, sporting stars past and present, including cyclist Jason Kenny and rowing legend Sir Steve Redgrave, hosted more than 100 Service personnel at a reception at Team GB House.  GB Olympians from many different disciplines mingled with soldiers, sailors airmen and women and thanked them personally for all their efforts

Royal Engineers leave a lasting legacy in Helmand Province
They are continuing to build structures to enable British and Afghan forces to get to where they need to be to carry out their security patrols and operations, but in some cases they're using temporary structures, while they build more permanent structures which will form part of an important legacy for the future

Army Radio News - 13 Aug 12

The MOD welcomes a donation from Olympics security provider G4S
The MOD says the donation will be used to support Armed Forces' sporting and welfare organisations

The ABF praises British troops involved with London 2012
One of the ABF's senior officers has praised the fantastic role armed forces personnel have played at the London 2012 Olympic Games, as he finalises arrangements for his own event, the British Military Tournament

Army Radio News - 10 Aug 12

A Gurkha soldier preparing to compete at the Paralympic Games speaks to Garrison FM
Lance Corporal Netra Rana from the RGR is currently training at Loughborough College with the rest of the GB squad

Army reservists from Wales are thinking like Taliban bomb-makers 

Soldiers from the Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers are building a life like IED search facility to train soliders about to deploy to Afghanistan

Army Radio News - 9 Aug 12

The MOD confirms that forensic material belonging to service personnel, killed in action, has been retained beyond its time limit
The RMP has identified a small number of cases where correct processes to inform families have not been followed and it's thought there could be around 60 forensic items, the majority of which are microscope slides, containing material from 30 individuals

Army Apaches train in the US for deployment to Afghanistan
The troops, from 662 Sqn, 3 Regt Army Air Corps, based at Wattisham airfield have also been training in the UK. C O, Major Ali Mack has been speaking to Garrison FM

Army Radio News - 8 Aug 12

British troops on Olympic duty get top level thanks
Messages of thanks and appreciation have been pouring in for the members of the Armed Forces who have been taking part in the security operation at the Olympic Games. Troops have been visited by Lord Coe, Chair of the London 2012 Organising Committee and Chief of the Defence Staff, General Sir David Richards

UK forces support Afghan troops in Operation Big Fish
British troops in Afghanistan have supported Afghan soldiers and police, to complete an operation to clear insurgents from the Lower Gereshk Valley, in the north of Nahr-e Saraj district. The operation aimed to clear insurgents, IED components and IED-making facilities from the area

Army Radio News - 7 Aug 12

The Light Dragoons destroy a massive explosives cache in Helmand Province
British soldiers from the Light Dragoons have discovered and destroyed a huge insurgent cache of bomb-making equipment, which the MOD says, has saved countless military and civilian lives

The closing date for the Army Photographic Competition is only weeks away
If you want to enter your photo's or videos for this year's Army Photo Competition, the closing date is the 7th of September

Army Radio News - 6 Aug 12

The MOD reveals that scientists are inviting UK industry to showcase innovative ideas for detecting IED's
Those with the most promising and sufficiently developed submissions will be invited to test their ideas against a representative threat.  In particular, the sensing challenges will focus on concealed IEDs, either worn by a person or hidden in a vehicle, buried by or in the road, or hidden in a wall, box, bag or other container

The Army's "Online Recruiting" team campaigns for soldiers for the TA
The British Army website:  army.mod.uk  now has an online recruiting office where you can communicate directly with a soldier who will answer any questions you have

Army Radio News - 3 Aug 12

Soldiers protect Olympic venues at Weymouth and Wimbledon
Reserves and regular troops under the command of 43 Wessex Brigade are providing venue security at Weymouth, while Paratroopers from Colchester based 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment are working as part of the security team at Wimbledon

Theatre Troops explain how it makes force preparation and generation more effective across the Army
Major Rob Foy has been telling Garrison FM more about it's role

Army Radio News - 2 Aug 12

The Prime Minister leads the tributes to Olympic Gold medallist, and British Army Captain, Heather Stanning
Tributes have been pouring in for British Army rower, Captain Heather Stanning following her historic Olympic gold medal win this week in the women's pair. Together with rowing partner Helen Glover, Heather won Great Britain's 1st Gold medal at the Olympic Games and the girls are the first British women ever to win an Olympic rowing title

A senior Army officer in Afghanistan says there's no room for complacency, as the end of his troops tour appears on the horizon
3 Rifles is currently based in Helmand Province and CO Lt Col Charlie MacConnachie has told Garrison FM that he's already been visited by the person who will be taking over from him

Army Radio News - 1 Aug 12

Stanning wins Gold for Great Britain
Army Captain Heather Stanning, together with rowing partner Helen Glover have won Great Britain's 1st Gold medal at the Olympic Games, winning the Women's Pair. They are also the first British women ever to win an Olympic rowing title

Theatre Troops play a major role in Afghanistan
Headquarters Theatre Troops was formed in 2001 and provides the essential specialist 'capabilities',  such as Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance, without which no UK military operation can be successfully mounted