1 Yorks on Patrol
Some good pictures from the MoD (click to enlarge)
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The ‘unstoppable’ peace process in Nad ‘Ali
With a reduction in violence of 86 per cent compared to 2010, the people who live in Nad ‘Ali district, an area once renowned for being a hotbed of the Taliban insurgency, are enjoying unprecedented levels of security.
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IED’s, Pakistan and Fertiliser
There was an interesting story in the news recently that described a startling fact. Eighty percent of the improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted in Afghanistan (resulting in 90% of all U.S. casualties) are made with components that come from just two legally operating factories in Pakistan. It would be fair to assume that a similar figure would be true for UK forces. [...]
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Taliban ‘don’t want to know’ in Warthog fight
The headline is a shameless lift from a recent article in the Telegraph which describes how the 22 Tonne ST Kinetics Warthog vehicle is proving to be a big success in Afghanistan with intercepted radio chatter confirming it’s effectiveness Click the link and have a read, its a good article from Thomas Harding Has this anything to do with the [...]
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All Mod Cons
Did you know the Artec Boxer, as well as all the usual optics, armours and weapons, is en suite? Neither did I until ISAF released a few photographs of the Boxer, about to start operations in Afghanistan (click the images to see more) How very civilised and the perfect antidote to the doom and gloom around today
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Afghanistan – The Great Game of Two Halves
Amid all the bad news this week and phone hacking stuff last week the Defence Select Committee Report on Operations in Afghanistan was released to very little attention from the mainstream or even defence media. But despite the apparent lack of attention it is a comprehensive report that is as equally depressing as it is encouraging. I think the committee have [...]
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Defence Select Committee – Afghanistan
Various news outlets are reporting on the publication of the Defence Select Committee’s report on Operations in Afghanistan so in advance, I thought a holding post would allow people to discuss it To view the report, click here, with additional evidence here. Reaction from the media… http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jul/17/mps-report-condemns-helmand-failures http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/telegraph-view/8642521/The-real-scandal-is-not-hacking-but-Helmand.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/8642525/Armed-Forces-too-weak-to-defeat-the-Taliban.html The report is pretty damning but those hoping for a Cardwell or [...]
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A Reccy Mechs Nightmare
Or maybe its a dream? Spotted these over at Circulotrubia, they seem to show a Warthog recovery in progress Any spotters know what the recovery vehicle is, uniforms and flag would suggest its not UK, maybe Canadian perhaps? If you look closely it also seems as if there were two vehicles stuck in water. Seem like a job well done [...]
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New Warriors in Afghanistan
Although they have been in Afghanistan for some time, 70 Warriors have received a range of modifications called Theatre Entry Standard (Herrick) or TES(H). The total upgrade package has cost £30m and obtained under an Urgen Operational Requirement. BAE Systems has previously developed and produced over 70 UOR (Urgent Operational Requirement) modifications for Warrior to prepare them for operations in [...]
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Op TOR ZHEMAY VI
Can anyone hear the Sound of the Valkyries playing in the background. 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment (1 R IRISH) has conducted a huge air assault operation in Helmand province, overwhelming an insurgent safe haven and leaving the enemy unable to respond More information here What part of clear, hold, build is this then? You might also [...]
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Bastion Gets a Big Visitor
With the completion of the new runway and air traffic control tower at Camp Bastion in Helmand it is now capable of receiving the largest aircraft. In the recent post on the future of tactical transport I covered the runway extension at Bastion/Leatherneck The runway at Bastion has been continually improved, quoting from my favourite magazine,concrete monthly; A small team [...]
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Afghanistan – 10 Lessons to Learn
I know we are still some way off ceasing operations in Afghanistan and the future is still unclear but what lessons can we take from this conflict? My off the cuff starter for ten; Politicians should think once, twice and seventy five times before committing the armed forces. We have drifted into an extended conflict with little practical gain that [...]
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Now That’s Just Being Greedy!
A member of B Company, 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, manning an observation post while out on patrol recently in Hemand province, Afghanistan.
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When Is a Ladder Not a Ladder
Back in February last year I bemoaned the lack of engineering technical expertise within DE&S, not that it isn’t there but what is there is obviously in short supply which results in the MoD having to buy in technical consultants or contract specific projects. In years gone by, when the MoD was technical skills rich the kinds of projects we [...]
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USMC Panzers to Afghanistan
The U.S. military is sending a force of Abram’s main battle tanks to Afghanistan for the first time This is another shift that signals a further escalation in the aggressive tactics signalled by the replacement of General Stanley McChrysta with General David H. Petraeus. Special forces missions have seen a rapid increase and the formerly restrictive rules of engagement that saw Close [...]
Upcoming Posts
- Squid Wars
- The US Defence Strategy Review
- A Typhoon Future
- Can the buying of military equipment ever be efficient?
- Another Look at Recce
- Another Busy Time for HMS Ocean
- Throw it off the ramp
- Quick Links
- Containers and Modules
- Another Look at Pluto
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