The final UK service personnel have left Kandahar Airfield in southern Afghanistan after completing the most challenging military redeployment operation for a generation.
Servicemen and women watched as the Union flag was lowered at the airfield, where RAF personnel have operated since 2001, during a ceremony attended by Britain’s Ambassador to Afghanistan, Sir Richard Stagg, the UK National Contingent Commander, Major General Ben Bathurst, and Commander British Forces Afghanistan, Brigadier James Stopford.
Personnel from the RAF’s 904 Expeditionary Air Wing (EAW) boarded a C17 aircraft bound for the UK alongside colleagues from the Joint Force Support Unit which was responsible for supporting military operations in Afghanistan.
The Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said: "Britain's armed forces can take great pride in the completion of their deployment to Southern Afghanistan. Thanks to their courage and dedication, the country has the best possible chance of a stable future. Our departure from Kandahar airfield therefore is an historic milestone.
“Looking to the future, the UK's focus now switches to training the Afghan Army's future officers and providing continuing support to the security ministries in Kabul."
Air Marshal Greg Bagwell, Deputy Commander Operations for the RAF, said:
“I am enormously proud of the service that has been provided across Afghanistan by the RAF and at this time I offer my heartfelt thanks to all of the men and women involved, including those of 904 EAW, who have enabled and supported that effort.
“Since Operation Herrick started in 2006, RAF personnel across all trades and specialisations have worked tirelessly to support allied operations in Afghanistan with strategic and tactical Air Transport from the UK to the battlefield, provided air to air refuelling, vital close air support, intelligence and reconnaissance gathering, force protection and a multitude of other roles.”
Major General Ben Bathurst said: "We have said farewell to British Forces in Helmand and now Kandahar, bringing to a close our combat mission here in Afghanistan. The logistic effort involved has been immense, carried out with the utmost professionalism by Joint Force Support with logisticians from all three Services.
“Our focus is now on the future, where those of us who will remain in Kabul will be concentrating on advising and assisting the Afghan National Security Forces at the Ministerial level and at the Afghan National Army Officer Academy".
Just before leaving Kandahar Brigadier Darrell Amison, Comd Joint Force Support (Afghanistan), paid tribute to the sailors, soldiers, airmen, civil servants and contractors who have worked in Afghanistan.
Brigadier Darrell Amison said: “The transfer of Camp Bastion to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan; the support provided to the transfer of full security responsibility to 215 Corps of the Afghan National Army; and the redeployment of vehicles, materiel and personnel from Helmand and Kandahar to the UK has been planned and executed in a safe, secure and responsible manner that has delivered value for money for Defence, and most importantly, has improved the capability of the Afghan National Security Forces.”
Lieutenant Colonel Rachel Parr, who oversaw much of the redeployment logistic work, said: “Logistic challenges don’t come much bigger or more complex, and the redeployment from Operation Herrick has been two years in the planning and execution by a host of people and organisations; military, civil service and contractors, here, back in the UK and in Germany.
To be on the last deployment at the Theatre end of all this work, which represents the efforts of so many people, has been an immense privilege.”
MOD Orders First Production Batch Of Lightning ll Combat Aircraft
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has signed a contract for the first production batch of four Lightning II stealth combat aircraft – which will operate from both the Royal Navy’s new aircraft carriers and RAF land bases.
The contract for the F-35B aircraft forms part of the MOD’s investment in Lightning II over the next five years to procure an initial 14 of these multi-role fifth generation aircraft, as well as putting in place the necessary support arrangements and infrastructure. Further contracts will cover the procurement of a range of equipment such as engines.
Minister for Defence Equipment Support and Technology, Philip Dunne MP, said:
“Looking to the future, the investment we are making in the F-35 aircraft will ensure we are securing the skies for decades to come, providing the UK with the latest stealth technology and multi-role aircraft capability.
“Not only does our investment in these next generation aircraft afford us air superiority, but the UK’s tier one status in the entire programme provides UK industry with a unique opportunity to produce world-leading products, technologies and manufacturing expertise for coming decades. The aircraft will be a powerful testament to the strength and capability of British industry.
“In addition, with the aircraft being supported and operated from RAF Marham, this will create job opportunities for the local community, as well as maintaining its key role as an RAF operating and engineering sustainment base which will support the military and civilian workforce for years to come.”
Bernard Gray, the MOD’s Chief of Defence Materiel, said:
“Signing the contract paves the way for the first batch of operational combat aircraft. By reaching this milestone, the MOD remains on target for achieving both operational capability from land bases and the start of flying trials aboard the carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth in 2018 for this highly advanced multi-role stealth combat aircraft.
The news comes as a UK test team has completed initial aircraft handling trials for ASRAAM and Paveway IV on the F-35B aircraft. Trial rounds, which are identical to the operational weapons, were tested for the first time during a series of flights from the US Navy’s test facility at Patuxent River Naval Air Station in Maryland.
These initial tests are an important step in integrating weapons onto the F-35B, allowing test pilots to understand how they affect the way the aircraft performs and handles.
The aircraft are short take off and vertical landing (STOVL) and feature the latest stealth and intelligence surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) technology.
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UK TROOPS CONDUCT JOINT EXERCISE IN POLAND
AROUND 1300 UK soldiers have been honing their war-fighting skills across south-west Poland in the largest armoured deployment to Eastern Europe for six years.
The King’s Royal Hussars Battlegroup is taking part in Exercise Black Eagle under the command of the 10th Polish Armoured Cavalry Brigade and alongside the 1st Polish Tank Battalion at the Zagan Training area. The training is designed to develop interoperability between the two Armed Forces and is a key demonstration of UK support to NATO reassurance measures in the region.
The exercise includes both dry-training and live-firing and represents the culmination of a year of training for the Battlegroup in a variety of environments and scenarios in both the UK and Canada.
Exercise Black Eagle follows other NATO reassurance measures such as the RAF’s commitment of Typhoon aircraft to the Baltic Air Policing Mission and the deployment of HMS Montrose off the Danish coast as part of the multi-national Baltic Ops exercise in June. Further deployments are expected to take place over the next two years.
Secretary of State for Defence Michael Fallon said: “Exercise Black Eagle has been a great success on several fronts. It has proved that the Army has the agility needed to cope with the demands of the 21st century. It clearly demonstrates the strength of our relationship with the Polish Armed Forces. And it is a clear signal to our allies in NATO that we stand up to our obligations and will continue to do so.”
The Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Nicholas Carter, visited the exercise today and said:
“This exercise is important for a number of reasons. First the strong message we are sending that our NATO commitment lies at the heart of our defence policy. Second it shows the effort the Army has put in to prepare for the uncertainties of the world today. Quality training with our NATO allies raises our readiness for the unexpected. The deployment of our Lead Armoured Battlegroup has demonstrated our ability to deploy at reach, and sustain our commitment a long way from home.”
The exercise is the first major deployment of the Lead Armoured Battlegroup, part of the spearhead of the Army’s new Reaction Force, and demonstrates the Army’s capacity to deploy concentrated and capable forces at reach.
The UK Battlegroup is a tactical grouping of Challenger 2 Tanks from the KRH, Warrior Infantry Fighting Vehicles of the Royal Welsh Regiment, all supported by artillery, armoured engineers and medical and logistics platforms and capabilities.
Exercise Black Eagle is an example of the new configuration of the Army after Army 2020. While Defence Engagement, capacity building with partners and the provision of resilience within the UK are important aspects of the Army’s role, war-fighting capability will continue to be the Army’s core-business.
DEFENCE SECRETARY HONOURS CANADA'S MILITARY DURING FIRST OFFICIAL VISIT
DEFENCE Secretary Michael Fallon has paid tribute to the sacrifices made by Canada’s military during a visit to Ottawa and Halifax.
On his first official visit he laid a wreath at the National War Memorial to mark the contribution of Canadian service personnel, who have stood shoulder to shoulder with the UK from the First World War to today’s coalition operations against ISIL.
The ceremony had particular poignancy as the wreath was laid close to the site where Corporal Nathan Cirillo was murdered on 22 October, while standing guard at the memorial. The Defence Secretary also visited a recently unveiled plaque to commemorate Victoria Cross winners who reside in Canada.
Later Mr Fallon will be flying to Halifax in Nova Scotia where he will meet the Canadian Minister for National Defence, Robert Nicholson, at the International Security Forum. Discussions will cover the campaign against ISIL, follow up action arising from September’s NATO Summit in Newport and the international effort to contain and tackle Ebola.
Mr Fallon will conclude his visit with a tour of IMP Aerospace where he will see first hand the significant cooperation between the UK and Canadian defence industries - IMP Aerospace works with AgustaWestland to support the Royal Canadian Air Force’s Cormorant search and rescue helicopter fleet.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said: “During the First World War, the UK and Canada stood shoulder to shoulder in facing down aggression. In the centenary year of that conflict, I pay tribute to the 60,661 Canadian service personnel who lost their lives. One hundred years later, I am proud that our two countries continue to stand together to confront threats to global stability from ISIL.
“Our two countries share an immensely strong bond based upon our common heritage and unshakeable commitment to security around the world. It was therefore particularly poignant to lay a wreath where Corporal Cirillo died.
“During a period of considerable global instability, let there be no doubt that the UK remains absolutely dedicated to maintaining and strengthening our deep and longstanding relationship with Canada.”
Canadian Minister of National Defence Rob Nicholson said: “It brings me great pleasure to welcome Secretary Fallon to Canada. I know I speak for all Canadians when I express our thanks for the respect shown by the United Kingdom to our fallen heroes - Warrant Officer Vincent and Corporal Cirillo, with the wreath-laying ceremony in at the National War Memorial in Ottawa this morning. The friendship that Canada and the United Kingdom share is steadfast and well-known, and I look forward to engaging with Secretary Fallon at the Halifax International Security Forum”.
Canadian Minister of State (Democratic Reform) Pierre Poilievre said: “I am honoured to welcome Secretary Fallon to Canada and want to express my thanks on behalf of Canadians for the touching tribute paid to our fallen troops this morning at the National War Memorial, where he laid a wreath in their memory. It's always a pleasure to work with our partners in the United Kingdom, who share common values and goals for our great nations”.
Canada’s parliament voted to authorise air strikes against ISIL in Iraq at the beginning of October. The decision permits air strikes for up to six months and states that no ground troops will be used in combat operations.
Canada contributed combat troops to ISAF operations in Afghanistan. 157 service personnel died between 2002 and the return home of troops in 2011.