Northern Irish Military News

Royal Irish soldier from Cork is buried with honours

Fri, 18 May 2012 11:20:42 +0000

Royal Irish soldier is buried with honours
http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/local/royal-irish-soldier-is-buried-with-honours-1-3856929

Published on Friday 18 May 2012 08:21

THE Royal Irish soldier killed on a training exercise earlier this month was yesterday buried in his west Cork home town with full military honours.

Ranger Michael Maguire died during a live firing exercise at the Royal Armoured Corps range in Wales on May 2.

The 21-year-old had been in the Army for less than two years but had already completed a tour of duty in Afghanistan.

It is understood he was hit by a strahttp://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/local/royal-irish-soldier-is-buried-with-honours-1-3856929y bullet.

Hundreds of mourners packed into the small chapel on a windswept Coomhala hillside with hundreds more listening outside.

Royal Irish pall bearers in ceremonial dress carried the coffin in and out of the church watched by the regiment’s commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Colin Weir, and several uniformed members of the Irish Defence Forces.

Many of Ranger Maguire’s friends and colleagues stood side-by-side with representatives of several veterans’ associations as a piper from 1 Royal Irish played a lament.

Speaking after the funeral, Lt Col Weir described his fallen comrade as “a deeply professional and likeable young man” who will be sorely missed.

“The loss of a soldier, in any circumstances, in a family regiment like the Royal Irish is a real blow,” said Lt Col Weir.

“It hits morale and we’ll take a while to recover.”

The officer added: “Here we are at the funeral — at the southern tip of Ireland — which represents the breadth and diversity of this organisation and it represents that we are a true family.”

Ranger Maguire was a full-time member of the regiment’s 1st Battalion based at Tern Hill in Shropshire.

Although the soldier’s funeral followed all other procedures and traditions for a military funeral in the UK, there was no volley of shots fired over the coffin.

The training accident is now the subject of a joint police and Health and Safety Executive investigation.

Pics: Royal Irish honoured with freedom of town

Mon, 14 May 2012 15:03:06 +0000

Pics: Royal Irish honoured with freedom of town

http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/local/royal-irish-honoured-with-freedom-of-town-1-3838433

Published on Monday 14 May 2012 08:20

THOUSANDS of people lined the streets of Ballymoney on Saturday to see the freedom of the town conferred on the Royal Irish Regiment.

Soldiers from the 1st Battalion were joined by the 2nd Battalion (Territorial Army) and several veterans’ associations on parade following a council reception.

The regiment — which completed its second tour of duty in war-torn Afghanistan last year — was given a rousing reception from the large north Antrim crowd.

Ballymoney mayor Ian Stevenson said the huge turnout showed how much the troops were valued and “how intensely proud” the people were of their efforts. “It is an honour for the town to host the Royal Irish Regiment and this was a great opportunity for the public to show their gratitude,” he said.

“The freedom ceremony is the highest honour we can bestow, and represents a public demonstration of support for our soldiers who serve with great distinction at home and abroad.”

Mr Stevenson added: “Today was all about the troops and I’m very pleased with how everything went – it was a great privilege to have the troops in Ballymoney.”

The mayor said he was also pleased to see past recipients, Lord Bannside and Mollie Holmes – a former mayor of Ballymoney who is now 97 – enjoying the day.

Lord Bannside was making one of his first public appearances since being released from hospital after a heart scare.

Led by pipes and drums of the Royal Irish band and regimental mascot – Irish wolfhound Brian Boru IX – the ceremonial parade began shortly after midday.

Honorary Colonel of the Regiment, Lieutenant General Sir Philip Trousdell, described the Freedom as an enormous honour much respected by every soldier.

He said: “Soldiers are not a strange tribe, they are ordinary citizens who put on a uniform to do a unique job.

“A job that they do best when they know the community at home stands behind them.”

North Antrim MLA Mervyn Storey said he was extremely proud to have been associated with the decision to confer the award on the regiment.

Speaking after attending the event in Ballymoney, the DUP Assemblyman said: “It is not often that a town or a community gets the opportunity to show their appreciation to their armed forces. On Saturday Ballymoney demonstrated that pride in its soldiers.

“The soldiers of the Royal Irish, many from the borough of Ballymoney, have served, both past and present, their regiment with distinction.”

Mr Storey added: “It was also great to see the UDR Association on parade. It has had a long association with the Royal Irish and from whom they derive their history.”

The regiment’s 1st Battalion has been based at Tern Hill Barracks in Market Drayton for the past six years.

Last month, the troops received the freedom of the Shropshire town following on from a number of homecoming events across Northern Ireland.

Three soldiers from the regiment – Rangers Aaron McCormick and David Dalzell, and Lance Corporal Stephen McKee – lost their lives while serving in Afghanistan.

Fury as Sinn Fein oppose Northern Irish soldier’s name going on town war memorial and refuse seats on Jubilee committee

Mon, 14 May 2012 14:24:49 +0000

Fury as Sinn Fein oppose Northern Irish soldier’s name going on town war memorial and refuse seats on Jubilee committee
http://www.portadowntimes.co.uk/news/local/fury-as-sinn-fein-oppose-soldier-s-name-going-on-town-war-memorial-1-3828752

Portadown solider Neal Turkington, whose name will be added to the War Memorial in Portadown town centre. INPT19-015

Published on Sunday 13 May 2012 09:00

SINN Fein have been criticised after three members of the party objected to the name of Portadown soldier, Lieutenant Neal Turkington, being added to the list of inscriptions on the town’s war memorial.

The Royal British Legion submitted the request on behalf of Lieutenant Turkington’s family and it was brought before Craigavon Borough Council’s environmental services committee last month.

Lt Turkington of 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles, was shot by a rogue Afghan National Army soldier in Helmand Province in July 2010. He was murdered along with two of his colleagues.

Sinn Fein councillors Mairead O’Dowd, Johnny McGibbon and Thomas O’Connor, who told the committee that his party did not support the war in Afghanistan, voted to oppose the proposal but it was passed successfully due to a unionist majority on the committee. The one SDLP councillor, Declan McAlinden, abstained.

Speaking at the council’s monthly meeting on Tuesday night, DUP Alderman Stephen Moutray said he felt “utterly disappointed” and “let down” by Sinn Fein’s objection.

“We weren’t asking for endorsement or support for the war in Afghanistan or any war,” said Mr Moutray. “I’m disappointed that it had to go for a vote and that Sinn Fein couldn’t have sat back quietly.”

Speaking after the meeting, he added, “I think I said I was disappointed in Sinn Fein, well I’m actually appalled. I’m conscious of the sensitivities and the last thing I want to do is cause more hurt to the Turkington family, but I did feel it necessary to highlight that Sinn Fein could not abstain like the SDLP and let this go past, as they have done on other councils I believe.”

During the council meeting Mr Moutray also criticised Sinn Fein for not using the title ‘Alderman’ when addressing the appropriate members and for not wearing council robes at official civic events.

“Sinn Fein won’t even sit on the Jubilee working group (council group responsible for marking the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in the borough),” he continued, before adding that the party should follow the example set by their colleagues on Belfast City Council who work on a similar group.

“Sinn Fein need to mature in Craigavon before the council will see (Sinn Fein) members in higher positions within the council. Sinn Fein seems to be adopting a hardline style here and because of this we will not be supporting them for any of the Mayoral positions.”

Mr McGibbon branded the remarks “deliberately patronising and provocative” and insisted that his party had established a good working relationship with other political parties and with Mr Moutray in particular.

“We treat everyone the same in the (council) chamber,” he said.

The Sinn Fein group leader then made reference to a motion put forward by Ulster Unionist members calling for progress to be made on the Drumcree parades issue, as evidence of attempts at political ‘point scoring’ between unionist parties.

“(Mr Moutray’s) comments were more about early election campaigning within unionism than anything else,” he added.

It is now expected that the town’s Royal British Legion will work with the council to organise a civic event for the unveiling of Lt Turkington’s inscription at the war memorial.

Scottish battalions face axe in UK defence cuts

Thu, 10 May 2012 11:49:23 +0000

Scottish battalions face axe in UK defence cuts
http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/political-news/scottish-battalions-face-axe-in-uk-defence-cuts.17537411
Kate Devlin
UK Political Correspondent
The UK Government has been accused of an "intolerable betrayal" of the Black Watch and other Scottish battalions after it emerged they could be axed.

UNDER THREAT: The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, Black Watch and Royal Highland Fusiliers have been targeted. Picture: Colin Mearns
Defence Secretary Philip Hammond warned entire infantry and armoured units would be scrapped under swingeing defence cuts.

His comments triggered concern among senior Scottish Tories who are understood to be prepared to go in to bat for the Black Watch if it is earmarked for the chop.

The party is believed to be keenly aware of the signal such a move would send about the UK Government's attitude to Scotland not least in the run-up to the 2014 independence referendum.

The row comes as Prince Charles, The Duke of Rothesay, is due in Scotland today to inspect soldiers at a parade in Edinburgh to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

The UK Government is committed to cutting the Army from 102,000 soldiers to 82,000 as part of last year's strategic defence review.

Mr Hammond admitted yesterday that to achieve such deep cuts would not be painless, saying "clearly the Army can't get smaller by 17% without losing some units."

Asked if traditional regimental names such as the Black Watch and Green Howards could be lost, Mr Hammond said: "The ancient cap badges have largely gone. They are attached in brackets to some unit names. I can't say to you there will be no loss of battalions in the infantry as we downsize the Army. We are looking at the options."

The Defence Secretary also appeared to brush aside arguments of the importance of ties to traditional recruitment areas.

"It is not the case that all Army units, as they once did, have strong geographical recruitment ties," he said. "We have units that are recruiting a significant part of their strength from foreign and Commonwealth countries."

His comment prompted fears over the future of the Black Watch, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and the Royal Highland Fusiliers.

Angus Robertson, the SNP's Westminster leader, said: "The disbandment of these senior units would be an intolerable betrayal by the UK Government.

"It brings into sharp focus the shocking decline of Scottish recruited units and starkly exposes the extent to which the UK Government are running-down Scotland's defence capabilities."

Shadow Defence Secretary Jim Murphy said: "The defence community will be dismayed that history is being dismissed.

"Defence is about more than inputs, outputs and spreadsheets. It is also about people, tradition and pride.

"Philip Hammond seems either oblivious or uncaring about the historic ties that many communities have to Army units and vice versa."

Mr Murphy also accused the Army of being 'top heavy' and called on the Coalition to cut more senior officers.

Mid-Scotland & Fife Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser said he had written to the Defence Secretary asking for clarity on the cuts. But he added that any MoD proposals "must not see our battalions stripped of their history and identity".

He added: "There can be little operational benefit from these changes and I am strongly urging the Ministry of Defence not to proceed with this move, if indeed it is being proposed.

"The MoD must think again as Scotland's infantry units are among the world's best fighting units."

But Clive Fairweather, a former commander in the SAS, expressed doubt that historic names would be lost, predicting instead that a "political" decision would be found.

He said: "Even if the Government pretends the names are not being lost (their) capability would be. But on the other hand, there is no money left in the piggy bank."

An MoD spokesman said: "A review of the future structure of the Army is ongoing and no conclusions have yet been reached."

A ‘wee dram’ for expedition team

Thu, 10 May 2012 11:47:17 +0000

A ‘wee dram’ for expedition team
http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/local/a-wee-dram-for-expedition-team-1-3824677

Published on Thursday 10 May 2012 08:44

AN Antrim man is set to toast is last day in the Himalayas at the ‘world’s highest whisky tasting’.

David Burke, a 64-year-old retired RAF pilot, is one of four members of the public who won the chance to trek to Everest Base Camp in a UK-wide competition.

The event was organised by Glenfiddich whisky in support of the Walking With The Wounded expedition team’s assault on the summit.

Last year, Walking With The Wounded set a world record when four seriously injured servicemen reached the Geographic North Pole.

This year, the charity hoped to get a team to the top of the world’s highest mountain but were foiled by dangerously warm conditions.

Climbing Everest is one of the world’s toughest challenges with the risk of precipitous falls, hurricane force winds and treacherous snow-covered crevasses. The climbers also have to overcome chronic altitude sickness, fatigue and bitter cold.

Despite their battlefield injuries, the wounded service personnel were fully prepared for the ordeal and are frustrated at the postponement.

As a consolation, the climbers will tonight be sampling Glenfiddich 12, 15 and 18-year-old single malts — as well as a special 19-year-old Madeira cask finish whisky — carried by David and the other trekkers.

Expedition patron Prince Harry has praised the team despite the cancellation: “Last year, I struggled to keep up with the four British soldiers whom I joined for part of their expedition to walk to the North Pole. Each of these men had recently been gravely wounded on the battleﬁelds of Afghanistan.

“Theirs was the fastest team to reach the Pole that season.

“At this very moment, another team of our wounded are returning from Mount Everest. Sadly, I have to be the first to say they have been frustrated from reaching the summit by the unusually warm weather, which brings particularly dangerous conditions. However, the mere fact that they are up there on that fearsome peak, I ﬁnd totally amazing.”

A 45-minute show is being broadcast live from Base Camp at 7pm BST on Thursday (May 10) online at www.glenfiddich.co.uk/everest, on the Walking With The Wounded website, telegraph.co.uk and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/walkingwiththewounded.

Viewers will receive a introduction to whisky tasting, hear more from the Walking With The Wounded Everest 2012 expedition team, with the chance to ask the team questions via Twitter using the hashtag #WWTWLive.

Walking with the Wounded aims to raise over £2million to re-skill and re-train injured servicemen and women from the armed forces.

Injured soldiers abandon Mount Everest charity attempt

Wed, 09 May 2012 11:01:10 +0000

8 May 2012 Last updated at 12:14
Injured soldiers abandon Mount Everest charity attempt
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17988581

The five-man team arrived in Nepal at the end of March
A group of injured soldiers has been forced to abandon an attempt to climb Mount Everest because of safety fears.

The charity Walking with the Wounded said unseasonably warm weather had increased the risk of avalanches.

Expedition manager Martin Hewitt said he was "gutted", but to carry on would risk "certain serious injury and potential loss of life".

The five soldiers had suffered gunshot wounds, burns and amputated limbs while serving in Afghanistan and Iraq.

They arrived in Nepal at the end of March and had hoped to reach the summit of Everest - at 8,848m (29,028ft) above sea level - towards the end of this month.

'Totally amazing'
Prince Harry, who is patron of the expedition, told of their frustrated attempt as he collected a humanitarian award at the Atlantic Council in Washington on Monday night.

Despite the setback, he said: "The mere fact that they are up there on that fearsome peak, I find totally amazing."

Continue reading the main story
“
Start Quote

There comes a point when one has to swallow a little pride”

Martin Hewitt
Expedition manager
In his blog, Mr Hewitt, 31, said the Khumbu icefall - already one of the most treacherous parts of an Everest ascent - was at its most dangerous for more than a decade.

"This route has become a gauntlet running exercise... We've witnessed avalanches at all hours including many at nightfall," he wrote.

"Despite attempts to minimize the risk to climbers we've had narrow escapes from direct hits as we've passed through."

Mr Hewitt, a former captain in the Parachute Regiment from Widnes in Cheshire, was shot twice through his right shoulder in Afghanistan in 2007, paralysing his arm.

He said the soldiers were "used to accepting high levels of risk", but added: "There comes a point when one has to swallow a little pride and deal with a short term set back in order to prevent what one feels would be certain serious injury and potential loss of life."

Capt David Wiseman, 29, from Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, was shot in the chest during a firefight with the Taliban in Afghanistan in 2009.

'Office-sized blocks'
He said the expedition's leader Russell Brice felt the conditions were the worst he had ever seen them.

Capt Wiseman said "huge, deadly pieces of ice" were raining down on climbers, breaking off from "office-sized blocks" overhanging the route.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17988581
The rest of the team is made up of Captain Francis Atkinson, Private Jaco van Gass and former private Karl Hinett.

Capt Atkinson, 31, from Swindon, Wiltshire, suffered a serious gunshot wound to his right arm while serving as a doctor in Afghanistan.

Pte van Gass, 25, from Middleburg, South Africa, had his left arm blown off in an explosion in Afghanistan.

And Mr Hinett, 25, from Tipton, West Midlands, sustained 37% burns to his hands, legs, arms and face when his Warrior tank was hit by a petrol bomb in Iraq in 2005.

The original air aces

Wed, 09 May 2012 10:53:05 +0000

7 May 2012 Last updated at 11:12
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The original air aces

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-17954439
By Alyn ShiptonProducer, Radio 4's 100 Years of the Royal Flying Corps
Continue reading the main story

In today's Magazine

The Royal Flying Corps came into being 100 years ago and played a key role in World War I - but who were its heroic pilots and why was the corps so special?
In most accounts of WWI, mention of the Royal Flying Corps goes hand-in-hand with stories of the fighter aces, men like Albert Ball and James McCudden, who downed dozens of enemy planes.
The romance of gladiatorial combat in the air - initially firing revolvers at one another from the cockpit, and then shooting machine guns through the propellers of the aircraft - makes their adventures against such legendary foes as the Red Baron some of the most stirring tales of the Great War.
But as a division of the British Army, the main role of the Royal Flying Corps, with its hundreds of pilots and thousands of ground crew, was very different.Continue reading the main story
Find out more

100 Years of the Royal Flying Corps with Peter and Dan Snow is on BBC Radio 4, Monday 7 May at 11:00 BST

It was the eyes of the army.
For the first time in history, it was possible not only to get a detailed view of the enemy lines from above, but to see what was going on behind those lines - the trench systems, the support routes, the railways and road vehicles that manoeuvred troops and weaponry into position.
The real heroes of the war in the air were the pilots and observers who flew in all conditions to maintain British air superiority, and to keep the ground troops aware of everything that the enemy was doing.
The first five squadrons to arrive in France included one of balloonists, brave men who risked their craft being set on fire or shot down as they were winched into position to survey the enemy. But before long, the fixed wing aircraft took on the main role of reconnaissance.

The Red Baron, a key rival

At first, observers sketched rough maps of what they could see.
But soon two distinct roles developed. One was helping the big guns of the Royal Artillery find their range, flying over the targets and signalling (later sending radio messages) to the gunners to improve the accuracy of their aim.
The other was taking detailed photographs of the trenches. Cumbersome cameras had to be operated over the side of the cockpit, and reloaded at altitude as the aircraft dodged enemy fire.
Initially, planes flew above enemy terrain almost unhindered. But soon enemy aircraft and ground-based anti-aircraft fire made the task more difficult and highly dangerous.Continue reading the main story
Flying high

Royal Flying Corps (RFC) formed 1912
Originally under Brigadier-General Henderson, with separate branches for Army and Navy
Responsibilities involved aerial reconnaissance, fighter interception and tactical support
Of 14,000 airmen killed in WWI, well over half died in training
RFC disbanded and Royal Air Force formed 1918

One artillery spotter reported having more than 600 rounds of explosive shells fired at him during a 40-minute crossing and re-crossing of the lines to direct the gunnery.
Despite the appalling noise, and his tiny wood and canvas aircraft being blown about the sky, he and his plane suffered no more damage than a tiny scratch to the upper wing.
The Royal Flying Corps saw the most rapid technological development of flying machinery ever. In 1912, when the corps was formed, its Farman "kites" were not unlike the Wright Brothers' aircraft that had made the first powered flight nine years before.
By the end of the war, large fighters and long-range bombers were the norm, capable of much greater distances - and crucially, they were much more reliable.
Reading the squadron logs, it is heart-breaking how many pilots in the early stages of the war died or were seriously injured by aircraft that suffered mechanical breakdown or crash-landed, even before they got into combat.

An Avro 504, in which pilots learned their craft

The Shuttleworth Collection at Old Warden has one of the world's largest collections of airworthy WWI aircraft, and by today's standards they look terrifyingly flimsy.
It took five men on the ground to keep each pilot in the air, to start the aircraft, and to maintain and repair the planes.
When historian Dan Snow flew in the Avro 504 trainer at the collection, he felt every variation. The plane responded almost like a living thing to slight alterations in wind speed and felt different as it flew over buildings and trees.
What about the airmen themselves?
At the start of the war, pilots had to pay for their own training, and were only reimbursed when they qualified. So initially being a pilot seemed to be a rich man's sport.
Notable RFC figures included (left to right) Hugh Trenchard, commander of the RFC and later Chief of the Air Staff, James McCudden VC and Albert Ball VC
But the men who commanded the RFC, Sir David Henderson, Frederick Sykes and Hugh Trenchard, recognised that they needed to train the very best men from all walks of life.Continue reading the main story
Major Edward 'Mick' Mannock VC

Behind his brash exterior was a deeply sensitive man. Born into a working class military family, Mannock was not the typical young public school airman associated with WWI movies.
He was a committed socialist and at 29 he was much older than his fellow pilots.
But the inspirational hero of both his squadron and the RAF was struggling to control his nerves.
"Feeling nervy and ill during the last week. Afraid I'm breaking up," he wrote in his diary.

Albert Ball VC and James McCudden VC - two of the most successful fighter aces - both started their careers as ordinary soldiers. And Mick Mannock VC was regarded as a "social misfit".
But all of them excelled in aerial combat, proving that the bravest and most resourceful of pilots could come from any walk of life.
"There was both a fierce personal rivalry and a mutual respect between the aces on both sides," says Snow. "When Albert Ball crashed after defeating the Red Baron's brother, the Germans buried him with full military honours."
By 1918, the RFC had proved its worth to the army. But as Trenchard realised, it was beginning to develop a role for itself that was independent of the army and the navy, namely long-range bombing, far behind enemy lines. As the strategic need for a third, independent force grew, the RFC was subsumed into the new Royal Air Force.

Royal Marine participates in Opening Ceremony of 2012 Warrior Games

Fri, 04 May 2012 12:47:18 +0000

Royal Marine participates in Opening Ceremony of 2012 Warrior Games
02 May 2012
http://ukinusa.fco.gov.uk/en/news/?view=News&id=760442382

Royal Marine Captain Simon Maxwell joined First Lady Michelle Obama and US Army First Lieutenant (Ret.) Melissa Stockwell at the opening of the 2012 Warrior Games on 30 April in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

This is the first time the British Armed Forces are participating in the Games. They were invited as special guests and their participation is supported by the UK charity Help for Heroes (H4H).

During the ceremony, at the US Olympic Committee (USOC) Training Camp, both US and UK athletes proudly paraded in front of family and friends to the sound of a military band. The Warrior Games torch was carried by representatives from all the US armed forces before the cauldron was lit by US Army First Lieutenant (Ret.) Melissa Stockwell and British Royal Marine Captain Simon Maxwell.

British Consul-General, Beverley Simpson, as well as well as representatives from the consulate and the British Embassy in Washington, attended the Opening Ceremony. They cheered on the 20 strong British team representing a cross-section of the UK’s armed forces.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army General Martin Dempsey, spoke of the bravery of all the athletes and the pride he felt in their determination to overcome adversity. First Lady, Michelle Obama, spoke of how the athletes inspired the younger generation and why it is important to support the families of servicemen and women. The First Lady also laid down a challenge to the British Armed Forces Team by saying they could not use the excuse of jet-lag should they fail to beat their American competition.

2012 Warrior Games in Colorado

After the Opening Ceremony all the athletes and some of the spectators attended a reception hosted by the USOC. At the reception the USO group, Liberty Bells, performed several songs by Adele as well as songs from the 50s and 60s. During this event, Consul-General Beverley Simpson, met with the entire British Team and wished them luck during the Games.

The Warrior Games presented by Deloitte - one of H4H's corporate partners in the UK - was created in 2010 as as an introduction to Paralympic sports for wounded, injured and sick Service members and veterans. More than 200 wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women and veterans are expected to compete in seven sports in the 2012 event. The UK team will compete in five sports - archery, cycling, swimming, track and field, and sitting volleyball.

Since 2008, the Battle Back programme has supported individuals in adaptive sport and adventurous training, which helps wounded, injured and sick Service personnel gain confidence and return to an active life. Battle Back is a Ministry of Defence led initiative in partnership with, and funded by, both Help for Heroes and The Royal British Legion.

Further information
The 3rd annual event will take place 30 April - 5 May at the US Olympic Training Centre and US Air Force Academy (USAFA) grounds in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA.

Irish and British armed forces in historic sports meeting

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 13:36:37 +0000

Irish and British forces in historic sports meeting
http://www.scotsman.com/news/uk/irish-and-british-forces-in-historic-sports-meeting-1-2261815?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed

Published on Saturday 28 April 2012 02:25

Military sporting history will be made today when the British and Irish armed forces come face to face in a shinty-hurling clash.

Until 2001 – years after the end of the Irish War for Independence – such matches were banned. The Gaelic Athletic Association, which administers sports in Ireland, had banned such contact with the British armed forces.

But Gaelic and military sporting history is to be made at Bught Park, Inverness when the shinty/hurling teams of the British and Irish armed forces play each other for the first time.

The British Army team will include a small number of players who have international experience and they will be managed on the day by Fraser MacKenzie, former Scotland manager.

The event, Iomain Nam Feachd, is being sponsored by Poppyscotland, the charity supporting ex-servicemen and women and their families in Scotland. Admission to the game is free with crowds asked to make a donation to the charity.

Poppyscotland chief executive Ian McGregor said: “We are delighted to be involved in this exciting event and although shinty has its roots in the north of Scotland, veterans and their families from all over Scotland will benefit from the proceeds of this match.

“We hope that people will come along to watch what promises to be an exciting match.”

Soldiers set for Ulster homecoming parade

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 12:48:36 +0000

Soldiers set for Ulster homecoming parade
http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/local/soldiers-set-for-ulster-homecoming-parade-1-3774455#.T5pk4tqBauM.twitter
Soldiers from the Mercian Regiment with their mascot, Lance Corporal Derby

Published on Thursday 26 April 2012 10:51

SOLDIERS from the Ulster-based 2 Mercian Regiment are to be welcomed back from Afghanistan to their home base in Holywood with a homecoming parade, it has been announced.

Army personnel will march through the Co Down town next Thursday at the invitation of North Down Borough Council.

Around 450 soldiers will be on parade led by the regimental mascot – Lance Corporal Derby (a ram) and the Band of the Prince of Wales’ Division.

The regiment - whose colonel-in-chief is Prince Charles - are based at the nearby Palace Barracks.

North Down DUP MLA Gordon Dunne welcomed plans for an official homecoming event.

He said: “I am delighted that this parade is going to take place in Holywood. Holywood as a garrison town, has a long and proud history with the Army, with good integration between the Army and the local community.

“This parade will allow an opportunity to give civic recognition to the gallant and brave men and women who are serving with such distinction in very dangerous and stressful conditions for them and their families.”

- Read more in tomorrow’s News Letter

Memorial service to UDR troops at National Memorial Arboretum

Sat, 28 Apr 2012 16:51:52 +0000

www.newsletter.co.uk
28-4-12
Memorial service to UDR troops at National Memorial Arboretum

A DEDICATION service will be held today for a UDR memorial stone, at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, England.

The National Memorial Arboretum was created to commemorate all those who have served in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces and civilian services since 1948.

DUP MLA Jonathan Bell said the stone will remember the sacrifices made by UDR troops who, he added, faced a greater threat than other soldiers during the Troubles.

SAILORS CHEERED IN LONDON AS MPS THANK THEM FOR THEIR DEEDS IN LIBYA

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 16:35:25 +0000

SAILORS CHEERED IN LONDON AS MPS THANK THEM FOR THEIR DEEDS IN LIBYA
25/04/2012
http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/News-and-Events/Latest-News/2012/April/25/120425-Ellamy-parade

Four dozen sailors joined their RAF and Army comrades on a parade through the nation’s capital as MPs thanked them for the contributions in Libya last year. Some 120 personnel from the three Services paraded through the heart of London before attending a reception in Parliament.

Striding forcefully past the Palace of Westminster’s iconic Clock Tower – popularly known as Big Ben – Cdr Colin Williams leads a contingent of 49 sailors through the nation’s capital.

The Naval personnel – drawn from nine warships, submarines, squadrons and auxiliaries – formed two fifths of a parade of Servicemen and women invited to march through London and into Parliament for a reception honouring their deeds off and over Libya last year.

In all 16 Royal Navy units were involved in the crisis in North Africa – from the first days of the humanitarian evacuation at the beginning of 2011 to the fall of the last pro-government strongholds in the autumn.

Personnel enforced a UN arms embargo to the Gaddafi regime, choreographed the complex air campaign, kept the sea lanes open by clearing mines and struck at the belly of the beast with strikes from Tomahawk cruise missiles, Army Apache gunships from HMS Ocean, and the main guns of HMS Sutherland, Iron Duke and especially Liverpool.

To mark their contributions to the campaign – codenamed Operation Ellamy – the All Party Parliamentary Group for the Armed Forces invited a representative sample of personnel to the seat of government.

Cdr Williams, who’s just left HMS Liverpool now that she’s decommissioned, was the platoon commander for the http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/News-and-Events/Latest-News/2012/April/25/120425-Ellamy-paradeNaval contingent. As well as his former shipmates, personnel from HM Ships Ocean, Triumph – the submarine which fired Britain’s opening salvo in the conflict courtesy of her Tomahawks – Sutherland, Bangor, Brocklesby, 815 and 847 NAS and RFA Fort Rosalie took part in the parade.

They were joined by nine soldiers and 60 RAF air and ground crew, plus a Royal Air Force band. The parade was followed by a private reception in the Terrace Marquee overlooking the Thames where parliamentarians and senior military officers were able to talk with service personnel and listen to their experiences.

“It was astonishing to see so many people out on the streets between Wellington Barracks and Westminster," said Lt Phil Barron of 815 NAS in Yeovilton – and Flight commander of HMS Liverpool’s Lynx during the campaign.

"We were cheered all the way. It was a very proud and enjoyable experience, one I will remember for a long time,”

The Ellamy veterans were hosted by James Gray MP, Chairman of the All Party Group for the Armed Forces.

“When troops march into Parliament for a welcome home, they are applauded in by parliamentarians and staff,” he said.

“Politics are put to one side, arguments forgotten, while we honour those who serve and are prepared to sacrifice for their nation.”

His group aims to promote a better understanding within Parliament of the UK’s Armed Forces. It is supported by the three Services, who provide speakers at monthly breakfast meetings, Service dinners, and annual keynote speeches by the Service head. Each Service is also permitted two Parliamentary ‘welcomes home’ per year.

“The welcome homes we offer to troops returning from operations are Parliament's way of saying ‘thank you’ for all that our Armed Forces do in our name,” explained John Bercow, Speaker of the House.

“The response of Members of Parliament and Peers is a testament to the high regard in which we hold them, and our respect for their service.”

The parade also saw a flypast over the Commons by the RAF: one E-3D Sentry and one Sentinel aircraft from RAF Waddington, flanked by Typhoons and Tornado GR4 jets.

Video: US unveils 'pain ray' for riot control

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 15:15:49 +0000

Video: Royal Irish honoured by English town

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 10:58:47 +0000

Video: Royal Irish honoured by English town

http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/local/royal-irish-honoured-by-english-town-1-3763526

Published on Monday 23 April 2012 10:16

SOLDIERS from the Royal Irish Regiment were given the freedom of an English town at the weekend.

Hundreds watched as soldiers paraded through Market Drayton and received the award.

The first battalion has been based at Tern Hill Barracks, outside the town, for the past six years.

Among those in attendance was Secretary of State, Owen Paterson, who is the MP for the area.

Last year, the regiment were honoured during a number of homecoming events in Northern Ireland following their most recent tour of Afghanistan.

In October, a military review and drumhead service was held at the King’s Hall in Belfast.

World Police and Fire Games delegation visits NI

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 10:50:35 +0000

23 April 2012 Last updated at 06:48
World Police and Fire Games delegation visits NI
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-17804480

Dame Mary Peters was a member of the bid team which secured the games for Northern Ireland
An international delegation from the World Police and Fire Games (WPFG) is visiting Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland is due to host the games - the third largest multi-sport event in the world - in August 2013.

Ten thousand competitors are expected to take part in 65 sports at 35 locations across Northern Ireland.

The delegation will visit each of the locations which have been selected as potential venues to host the games.

The team consists of 16 directors from the WPFG federation, including its president, Mike Graham.

They will later visit Stormont where they will be met by the patron of the games, Dame Mary Peters.

The chairman of the 2013 games, DCC Judith Gillespie from the Police Service of Northern Ireland, will also attend, along with representatives from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service and the Northern Ireland Prison Service.

The games, which will be held from 1-10 August, are expected to attract up to 15,000 visitors.

It is hoped the event will generate at least £15m for the Northern Ireland economy.

The organisers said they would also require 3,500 local volunteers to help host the event.

Britain's most famous regiments spared in defence cuts

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 13:39:36 +0000

Britain's most famous regiments spared in defence cuts
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/9178263/Britains-most-famous-regiments-spared-in-defence-cuts.html
Some of the Army’s most famous regiments are to be declared “untouchable” in the next round of defence cuts.

Photo: REUTERS
By Sean Rayment, Defence Correspondent9:00PM BST 31 Mar 2012306

Units including the Parachute Regiment, the SAS and the Household Cavalry are understood to be among those unaffected as the Government dramatically reduces the size of the Army.

However, it comes at a price, as the axe will fall on support units, leading to concerns that it will leave the Services “unbalanced”. When the Army was deployed to Helmand in 2006 only a third of the 3,150 troops were infantry — the rest were combat support troops and engineers.

Among those facing steep reductions in numbers are the Corps of Royal Engineers, Royal Logistic Corps, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and the Royal Artillery.

Military planners say the reductions were forced on them because of David Cameron’s promise that “no infantry cap badges should be lost” when the Army is cut from 100,000 troops to 82,000 by 2020.

Defence sources say the ruling was imposed because the Government did not want to be subjected to the same “rearguard’ action that befell the Labour government in 2004 when it attempted to axe famous regiments, including the Black Watch and the Green Howards.

As part of the restructuring — known as Future Force 2020 — the number of infantry battalions will reduce from 36 to 25. The “untouchables” are understood to include the entire Household Division, which is composed of the five Foot Guard battalions — the Grenadier, Coldstream, Scots, Irish and Welsh Guards — as well as the Household Cavalry, composed of the Blues and Royals and the Life Guards.

The Parachute Regiment, which supplies more than 50 per cent of the troops to the SAS and the majority of soldiers for the Special Forces Support Group, will remain as a three-battalion regiment.

The Royal Irish Regiment, the last single battalion regiment in the Army, will also escape the axe.

Among the less “glamorous” units, the Royal Logistic Corps is facing a cut of 25 per cent down to 12,000 soldiers, although its bomb disposal arm, which has grown in recent years to deal with the improvised explosive device threat in Afghanistan, will remain untouched.

The Corps of Royal Engineers will be reduced by 30 per cent to 5,500 troops, with a similar cut to fall on the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. The 15 Royal Artillery regiments will be reduced by a third to 5,000 troops, with almost its entire fleet of AS90 self-propelled guns being mothballed or held at “readiness” by territorial units.

The five tank and five reconnaissance regiments of the Royal Armoured Corps are also facing a similar reduction, with many of the tanks being passed to Territorial Army units and held at “readiness” so they can be brought into action when needed.

The Army Air Corps will see some of its older helicopters, such as the Lynx, being axed, but its fleet of Apache Helicopter Gunships, which counts Prince Harry among its pilots, will not face any reductions.

The infantry units at greatest risk of cuts are those of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, which will lose one or possibly two of its five battalions.

The regiment has struggled to recruit for many years. Both the Yorkshire Regiment and the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, which recently had members killed in Afghanistan, and The Rifles, are also thought to be vulnerable.

There is also a growing view within the Army that the Gurkhas should be axed before “any British regiments go to the wall” .

All infantry regiments will discover their fate in the coming weeks. After 2020, the regular Army’s 82,000 soldiers will be supported by 30,000 territorial troops.
It will be composed of five multi-role brigades together with 16 Air Assault Brigade, the Army’s high-readiness rapid-response unit.

Under the new structure commanders will move away from “enduring operations” such as Iraq or Afghanistan, and instead focus on short-term “contingency operations” such as in Libya, where Special Forces supported rebels.

The Army will remain committed to “homeland resilience”, such as supplying assistance to the Government during strikes or times of national crisis, such as the foot and mouth epidemic.

A special cadre will also be created to provide what has been called “upstream engagement” — where military trainers deploy to foreign countries in an attempt to prevent future conflicts.

But months of redundancies being announced, and what has been described as an “unrelenting” assault on the organisation’s terms of service, have resulted in a “catastrophic” collapse in morale among the “institutional Army” — those troops not on operations.

The Army will announce another 3,000 redundancies in June but sources said 70 per cent of the number required had been filled by volunteers.

One senior officer said: “The future is more uncertain and complex than it has ever been and to deal with this we are creating the smallest Army the country has seen for more than 100 years — added to that, defence is broke. That is not the basis of a good strategy. It is a dangerous way to do business.”

Maj Gen James Everard, the Assistant Chief of the General Staff, said: “The Army needs to adapt to the operational challenges of the future. Enhanced capabilities in a range of priority areas will be achieved through reductions in, for example, heavy armour and artillery.

“Some regular force tasks will be assumed by a much enhanced Army reserve. All of these issues are currently the subject of a review.”

Smart fabric for new soldier uniform

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 09:38:27 +0000

2 April 2012 Last updated at 12:05
Smart fabric for new soldier uniform
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-17580666
By Paul Rincon
Science editor, BBC News website

The advanced uniform could see use by the end of the year

British soldiers' uniforms could soon use electrically conducting yarn woven directly into the clothing, replacing cumbersome batteries and cabling.

The "e-textiles" could provide uniforms with a single, central power source.

This would allow soldiers to recharge one battery instead of many and cut the number of cables required in their kit.

Surrey-based Intelligent Textiles showcased the lightweight uniform at an event organised by the Centre for Defence Enterprise (CDE).

The company has patented a number of techniques for weaving complex conductive fabrics.

"We have built-in conductive yarns that then take power and data to where it needs to be," Asha Thompson, director of Intelligent Textiles, told BBC News.

"One of the problems with conventional cables is that breakages can be catastrophic. What we do here is build in redundancy, so that if the fabric gets cut, damaged or torn, we still have a way of re-routing the data."

The company has received £234,000 from the CDE, which wants to find solutions for reducing the physical and the "cognitive" burden placed on soldiers.

Currently, separate batteries may be required for each piece of a soldier's equipment, which adds to their carrying load as well as being costly. This is one reason why a centralised battery pack is so desirable.

In addition, it removes the hindrance of the many wires and cables required in military equipment. These can add weight and can tangle and snag.

Soldiers would also be able to recharge or replace one battery instead of many.

Field trials
"We've got the fabric integrated into the vest, into the shirt, into the helmet, the backpack, and into the glove and weapons platform," said Ms Thompson.

The new uniform could reduce the current physical burden for soldiers
"We have a ringmain that allows us to power data wherever we want it to go. We can send power up to the helmet without it being tethered."

The "plug-and-play" connectors used in the current uniform prototype are for demonstration and are unlikely to be the ones used in a finished product.

This is partly because they have not been environmentally-proofed to stop them rusting or short-circuiting, and also because they will need to work with older equipment still used by armed forces.

Also being developed is a fabric keyboard for use with a portable computer that will be integrated with the uniform.

The company is planning to carry out field trials in May and the system could see some limited use by the end of the year. But it is likely to be 2014 or 2015 before the lightweight uniforms see more widespread use.

The company is currently working with BAE Systems to integrate other next-generation equipment into the uniform.

The Centre for Defence Enterprise was set up to provide a new process for harnessing innovative ideas with potential defence or security applications. It calls for research proposals from academia and companies for ideas that are high-risk but which may also have great benefits.

The organisation is based at the Harwell science campus in Oxfordshire and is part of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL).
https://www.dstl.gov.uk/

Paul.Rincon-INTERNET@bbc.co.uk

Welcome events planned as soldiers return home

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 09:29:13 +0000

Welcome events planned as soldiers return home
http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/local/welcome-events-planned-as-soldiers-return-home-1-3690848

Northern Ireland based soldiers with 19 Light Brigade have started to return home after another difficult six month tour of duty in afghanistan. Soldiers from 2 Mersian based at Palace Barracks in Holywood, 19 Combat Services Support based in Kinnegar, 2 Rifles based at Abercorn Barracks in Ballykinler, 40 Regiment Royal Artilery (The Lowland Gunners) based at Thiepval Barracks in Lisburn and 209 Signal Squadron also from Lisburn will all return over the coming weeks. For the soldiers this will be their last tour in Afghanistan under the flag of 19 Light Brigade as they ase re-assigned command when the Brigade is dissolved later this year under a re-organisation program for the Army.

Published on Monday 2 April 2012 08:22

Consultation has begun on official homecoming events for Northern Ireland-based soldiers with 19 Light Brigade who have started to return home after six months in Afghanistan.

“We are looking forward to the soldiers being accepted and welcomed back into the communities in which they are based,” a Ministry of Defence spokesman said last night.

“Consultations are ongoing for a number of events at which we are hopeful the community will be able to share with the soldiers both in their pride of achievement and recognition of their losses. Details of all events will be confirmed shortly.”

A total of around 400 soldiers will return to Northern Ireland over the coming weeks. They come from 2 Mercian based at Palace Barracks in Holywood, 19 Combat Services Support based in Kinnegar, 2 Rifles based at Abercorn Barracks in Ballykinler, 40 Regiment Royal Artillery (The Lowland Gunners) based at Thiepval Barracks in Lisburn and 209 Signal Squadron also from Lisburn.

For the soldiers this will be their last tour in Afghanistan under the flag of 19 Light Brigade as they are reassigned command when the brigade is dissolved later this year. A small proportion of soldiers in 19 Light Brigade are from Northern Ireland.

All the soldiers are expected to return to Afghanistan in the future, but under reorganised structures. At present there are six deployable brigades which necessarily draw resources from other units, such as logistics, signals and intelligence. However under published MoD plans there will soon be only five brigades, all of which will contain their own specialised support services.

Although 19 Light Brigade was not on front line service in its latest tour, two of its soldiers lost their lives only last week. The brigade had been primarily mentoring Afghanistan forces.

Servicemen shot by Afghan soldier to be repatriated

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 09:00:04 +0000

29 March 2012 Last updated at 08:13
Servicemen shot by Afghan soldier to be repatriated
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-17546141

Sgt Taylor and L/Cpl Foley were shot dead at the British forces' base in Lashkar Gar on 26 March

The bodies of two soldiers shot dead by a rogue member of the Afghan army will be repatriated later.

Sgt Luke Taylor, 33, and L/Cpl Michael Foley, 25, were killed at the entrance to the British forces' HQ in Lashkar Gar, Helmand province, on Monday.

Royal Marine Sgt Taylor, from Bournemouth, leaves behind his wife Nicola and son Roan.

Burnley-born L/Cpl Foley, of the Adjutant General's Corps, was married with three sons Calum, Warren and Jake.

Their bodies will be flown into RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire along with Cpt Rupert Bowers of 2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment. The 24-year-old was killed by a roadside bomb blast on 21 March.

A private ceremony will be held for the men's families before the cortege leaves for Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital.

The shooting in Lashkar Gah was the latest in a string of attacks in which members of the Afghan security forces have opened fire on international allies.

L/Cpl Foley was guarding the front gate of the base when he was killed.

Sgt Taylor is understood to have worked in intelligence and had only arrived in Afghanistan four weeks before his death.

Cpt Bowers, from Wolverhampton, leaves behind his wife Nicola and newborn son Hugo.

A total of 407 members of UK forces have died since operations in Afghanistan began in October 2001.

The Irish Guards homecoming in Newtownards

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 11:50:06 +0000

video here:-
http://twitpic.com/8zumd4