Vigilance can report that the first UK reserves are joining nearly 100 regular counterparts as they prepare to travel to Sierra Leone to help tackle the Ebola outbreak.
Both regular and reserve personnel from across the three Services have been joined by members of the Canadian military and Danish healthcare workers for their final preparations at the Army Medical Services Training Centre (AMSTC) at Strensall Barracks near York, before they deploy to Sierra Leone on 20 December.
The nine-day, mission-specific training is designed to test and develop clinical and organisational procedures. Personnel undergoing the training carried out parts of the exercise in protective equipment, in a hangar converted into a mock-up field hospital treating simulated casualties.
Minister for the Armed Forces, Mark Francois, said: “Our Armed Forces have already played a leading role supporting the UK’s efforts to tackle Ebola and I welcome the deployment of reservist personnel to continue that crucial work.
“During my visit to Sierra Leone last month, I witnessed the impressive contribution the military has provided to the fight against Ebola thus far; by treating infected healthcare workers, providing protective equipment training at the Ebola Training Academy, assisting in the build of six treatment units and providing logistical support across our operations.
“Our personnel are doing very important work – for which they deserve our grateful thanks.”
The personnel will deploy to Sierra Leone next week where they will take over from clinicians attached to 22 Field Hospital, who have been in country since October, manning the 12 bed facility reserved to treat healthcare workers with Ebola.
Lieutenant Colonel Maggie Durrant, 208 Field Hospital: “The mock up of the 12 bed unit has been a fantastic training tool and provides our personnel with excellent experience of what they can expect when they deploy. Personnel have spent this nine day training course getting used to the procedures they will undergo; acclimatising themselves to working in warm conditions in personal protective equipment.
“We are very proud of the work carried out by 22 Field Hospital so far and are fully prepared to get out to Sierra Leone and pick up the baton, as we ourselves help in the fight to tackle Ebola.”
The number of military personnel in country remains steady at around 800. This contribution is made up of logisticians, planners and engineers, who are overseeing the final stages of construction on the UK facilities across Sierra Leone, providing the infrastructure for a total of 700 beds.
Military personnel in Sierra Leone include the crew of RFA Argus which remains offshore, providing aviation support to the region. Last weekend saw the Merlin helicopters help to lift 220 tonnes of supplies for the World Food Program to a remote part of Sierra Leone, unreachable by road.
Also, 2014 FORCES' CHRISTMAS BOX LAUNCHED 100 YEARS AFTER FIRST CHRISTMAS BOXES SENT TO TROOPS
The 2014 uk4u Thanks! Christmas Box campaign was launched today at the Imperial War Museum in London, 100 years since the first Christmas Boxes were sent to soldiers and sailors in the First World War.
In this centenary year, the launch featured an original 1914 box displayed alongside some of this year’s Christmas Boxes – produced by the charity uk4u Thanks!. The launch was attended by Defence Minister Anna Soubry MP and members of the Armed Forces who have received these gifts from the nation while on operations in recent years.
uk4u Thanks! have produced 8,500 Christmas Boxes this year, ready to be rolled out to each and every Serviceman and woman serving away from their loved ones over the festive period. While their contents are kept strictly secret until Christmas Day, they might include some 1914-themed surprises. Those receiving them include the members of the Armed Forces who remain in Afghanistan following the end of combat operations in October this year, military and civilian personnel providing medical support in the fight against ebola in Sierra Leone, and, as in previous years, troops stationed in the Falkland Islands, Cyprus, and on Her Majesty’s Ships and Submarines. The charity also sends boxes to personnel recovering in hospital over the festive period.
Speaking at the event, Defence Minister Anna Soubry said: “The MOD has always supported the Christmas Box campaign, ensuring that each and every member of the Armed Forces serving away from home over the festive period gets their very own box of Christmas cheer. As we mark 100 years since the first Christmas Box of treats was sent to the front in 1914, it is a timely reminder that at this time of year, our troop’s morale is given a real boost by knowing someone is thinking them while they serve far away from home.”
Flt Lt Lance Levin, who has received uk4u Christmas boxes in the past, said: “I would personally like to thank uk4u for their tremendous support to UK service personnel who are serving overseas at this time of year. The effort they go to in putting together such a thoughtful package is a huge boost to the morale of the men and women of the armed services away from their families and loved ones over the Christmas period. The continued support of uk4u and the general public at large is greatly appreciated and I hope it continues for many years to come as we continue to deploy on operations overseas.”
uk4u trustee Sally Little said: “uk4u is thrilled to be able to continue a 1914 tradition started by Princess Mary of sending a gift from the nation to our Armed Forces on operations, away from their families, loved ones, and friends at Christmas. On this special centenary, for the 9th consecutive year, uk4u will be sending a box with over 20 Christmas gifts to support out Servicemen and women. We are ever-grateful for the continued support of our sponsors and the British public, which makes this possible”
Uk4u’s Christmas boxes are sent out using existing spare capacity in the supply chain. This means that no additional strain is placed on British Forces Post Office, and there is no risk of delaying personal mail to Servicemen and women over the busy Christmas period. Members of the public who want to support the Armed Forces this Christmas are urged to donate to a Service Charity.
...And ARMED FORCES HONOURED AT NIGHT OF HEROES
THE outstanding achievements of the Armed Forces were celebrated last night at the seventh annual Sun Military Awards (The Millies), organised by The Sun newspaper in close collaboration with the Ministry of Defence.
Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall were guests of honour at the event - billed as “A Night of Heroes” – held at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, on Wednesday 10 December. They were joined by the Prime Minister, Defence Ministers, senior military, government and political figures and stars from the worlds of entertainment and sport including Dame Maggie Smith, Liam Neeson, Damian Lewis, Lacey Turner, Simon Cowell and Mary Berry to pay tribute to these exceptional individuals.
Earlier that day Secretary of State for Defence Michael Fallon hosted nominees at a special reception at 10 Downing Street.
This year four specially created awards marked the end of combat operations in Afghanistan, recognising the extraordinary challenges and achievements of the men and women who served on operations in the country.
The awards were The Fire Fight, which recognised personnel involved with the period of intense fighting on the Front Line; The Life Savers, paying tribute to the work of the medical teams in supporting troops; Bomb Disposal, highlighting the contribution of the teams dealing with the Improvised Explosive Device threat; and Mentoring Afghan Forces, recognising the work of the troops who have trained the Afghan National Security Forces. The recipients were chosen from previous winners, who collected the awards on behalf of all those who have served in that particular field.
Alongside the Afghan Heroes categories, the ‘Hero At Home’ and ‘Hero Abroad’ awards recognised exceptional service both in the UK for the Royal Engineers for their flood relief efforts after the winter storms in February, and around the world for HMS Illustrious for her work throughout her 32-year career including her disaster relief operations in the Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan. The ‘Support to the Armed Forces’ category recognised the work of the charity My Daddy is a Soldier Adventures, offering support to families of deployed personnel with young children. The eighth category, the Judges’ Special Award, was presented to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission for its work in maintaining First and Second World War military cemeteries, burial plots and memorials around the world.
General Sir Nick Houghton, Chief of the Defence Staff said: “Over the last seven years, the Millies have provided a remarkable opportunity for the British public to show their appreciation for the courage, selflessness and determination which servicemen and women invariably display. We are all safer because of their sacrifice and all of those honoured tonight unquestionably deserve our fulsome recognition.”
The ceremony, including unique footage of shortlisted individuals and teams at work will be televised on Wednesday 18 December at 2030 on ITV1.
SUN MILITARY AWARDS
2014 AWARD RECIPIENTS
Afghan Heroes: The Fire Fight
Recipient: Colonel Ewen Murchison who was Commanding Officer of 42 Commando Royal Marines when they won the Best Unit Award at the 2011 Millies, collected the Fire Fight Award along with representatives of the units who also fought in Helmand.
Afghan Heroes: Bomb Disposal
Recipient: Warrant Officer 2 Karl Ley, who won the 2010 Most Outstanding Soldier Award when he served with 11 Explosive Ordinance Disposal Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps (Army). Karl received the award on behalf of Bomb Disposal experts across the Services from Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, during a special recording of the X-Factor before the ceremony.
Afghan Heroes: The Life Savers
Recipient: Squadron Leader Ian Fortune who won the Award for the Most Outstanding Airman at the 2010 Millies and Officer Cadet Michelle Ping who won the Award for Best Reservist at the 2011 Millies collected the award on behalf of all medical personnel.
Afghan Heroes: Mentoring Afghan Forces
Recipient: Colonel Charlie Maconochie who was Commanding Officer of 3rd Battalion The Rifles when they won Best Unit at the 2012 Millies. He collected the Mentoring Afghan Forces Award alongside personnel from across the three Services who have trained the Afghan National Security Forces.
Home Front Hero
Recipient: The Royal Engineers Lance Corporal Daniel Botterell, 36 Engineer Regiment, collected the Award on behalf of the Royal Engineers for their flood relief efforts after the winter storms in February.
Hero Abroad
Recipient: HMS Illustrious for her work throughout her 32-year career including her disaster relief operations in the Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan.
Support to the Armed Forces
Recipient: My Daddy is a Soldier Adventures which supports families of deployed personnel with young children.
Judges’ Award for Special Recognition
Recipient: The Commonwealth War Graves Commission for its work in maintaining First and Second World War military cemeteries, burial plots and memorials around the world.