British Military Current Events

[daftandbarmy]

UK Royal Marine unit ditches the SA80 for Colt C8

A high-profile UK Royal Marine unit has been re-equipped with the Colt Canada C8 carbine to enhance its ability to protect the Royal Navy's nuclear deterrent submarine base and nuclear weapon convoys.

The move makes the unit the first British non-special forces unit to completely drop the bullpup L85A2 (SA80) rifle used by the rest of the regular forces. Various UK special forces units already use the C8, which is designated the L119 in British service.

Details of the re-equipment effort were revealed by the commander of 43 Commando Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines, Colonel Graeme Fraser, in a briefing document to service members distributed in February.

http://www.janes.com/article/58501/uk-royal-marine-unit-ditches-the-sa80-for-colt-c8

 

[daftandbarmy]

Situation normal in NI:

Weapons cache found in Carnfunnock country park, Co Antrim

A weapons haul has been discovered in a forest park in Northern Ireland.

Bomb-making parts and explosives believed to have been amassed by potential terrorists were recovered from Carnfunnock country park, near Larne, Co Antrim.

The discovery came after a member of the public reported a suspicious object to police on Saturday afternoon. A number of small plastic barrels were subsequently found buried in a wooded area.

Police said the barrels contained a significant number of bomb-making components, including partially constructed devices and a small quantity of explosives.

Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) DCI Gillian Kearney said it was unclear which terror group the items belonged to. “All of these items will be subjected to a detailed forensic examination,” she said.

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/mar/06/weapons-cache-found-in-carnfunnock-country-park-co-antrim

 

[daftandbarmy]

EU referendum: Britain at risk of 'enormous and spectacular' attacks by Isil, as David Cameron declares country won't join asylum system

Isil aims to wage war on Western lifestyles, the national head of counter-terrorism Mark Rowley warns

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/eureferendum/12185665/eu-referendum-john-longworth-quits-brexit-migrant-crisis-live.html

 

[CougarKing]

Some updates on the RN's next-generation SSBNs:

Defense News

UK Raises Investment in Nuclear Missile Sub Program
By Andrew Chuter 2:07 p.m. EST March 3, 2016

LONDON — The British government has firmed up promises it made in the 2015 strategic defense and security review (SDSR) and confirmed it is investing £642 million (US $908 million) to prepare for production of a new fleet of Trident missile-armed nuclear submarines.

The cash will be mainly spent on production facilities at BAE Systems' Barrow-in-Furness, England, nuclear submarine yard; essential long lead items for the submarines; and the nuclear propulsion program being led by Rolls-Royce

(...SNIPPED)

Navy Recognition

UK Defence Secretary Announces £642 million Investment in Next Gen Successor SSBN

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has today announced £642 million of investment for the Successor submarine programme. The funding will help to progress work on the four new submarines that will begin replacing the Vanguard class, from the 2030s. The funding will go towards new parts and facilities, as well as further design work. The investment will include £225 million of investment for new facilities, at BAE Systems at Barrow-in-Furness, where the submarines will be assembled. That investment will ensure the submarines are built with maximum efficiency.

 

[daftandbarmy]

MoD confirms more British soldiers commit suicide than are killed in battle

Panorama discover that at least 50 serving and veteran soldiers took their own lives in 2012.

More British soldiers and veterans took their own lives last year than were killed in battle, it has emerged.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed that in 2012 seven serving soldiers were confirmed to have killed themselves, while a further 14 died in suspected suicides but inquests had yet to be held.

Although the Government does not record suicides among former soldiers, an investigation by the BBC's Panorama revealed that 21 serving soldiers and 29 veterans committed suicide in 2012.

The 50 suicides exceeds the 40 soldiers who died fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan during the same period.

Panorama obtained the total number of suicides by serving soldiers from a Freedom of Information request to the Ministry of Defence. They also contacted every coroner in the country to ask for the names of soldiers and veterans who killed themselves in 2012 and analysed newspaper reports of coroners' inquests.

Lance Sergeant Dan Collins who survived a bomb blast while serving in Helmand Province in Afghanistan in 2009, killed himself on New Year's Eve in 2011 after suffering with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, the BBC reported.

His mother Deana told Panorama her son was a “victim of war” and his name should be added to the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire which honours the military casualties of every conflict since WWII.

“Soldiers with PTSD are exactly the same. They're victims of war and they should be treated exactly the same,” she said.

A spokesman for the MoD said suicide among members of the Armed Forces remains “extremely rare” and is lower than comparative rates in the civilian population.

An MoD spokesman said: “Every suicide is a tragedy and our thoughts remain with the families of all those who have sadly taken their own lives.

“Mental health of our personnel and veterans is a top priority for the Government. That is why we have committed £7.4 million to ensure there is extensive mental health support in place for everyone who needs it.

“Medical experts and clinicians working in our Armed Forces and across the NHS are committed to providing the best possible care to all those that have bravely served their country and to ensuring a smooth transition from the Armed Forces into the NHS.”

Commodore Andrew Cameron, chief executive of Combat Stress, said: “Every suicide by a soldier or veteran is one too many but 50 in one year is desperately sad. Our thoughts go out to the families and friends affected. If confirmed, these figures remind us that serving in the armed forces can be very traumatic and can result in psychological as well as physical wounds.

”The priority now needs to be to ensure that the NHS must have a greater understanding of how to support soldiers and veterans suffering from Service-related mental ill-health.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/mod-confirms-more-british-soldiers-commit-suicide-than-are-killed-in-battle-8707958.html

 

[CougarKing]

This article is confusing, it's title clearly states a British LHD when the rest of the article suggests the engines are for an Italian one.

Perhaps someone at Defense news needs a better editor.

Defense News

Rolls-Royce Engines To Power British LHD
Andrew Chuter, Defense News 10:46 a.m. EDT March 17, 2016

LONDON — British engine-maker Rolls-Royce has made a breakthrough sale in Italy with the company’s MT30 gas turbine being selected to power a landing helicopter dock (LHD) set to be built for the Navy. Two of the MT30 engines will power the 20,000-ton warship due to be built by Fincantieri as part of a major program to upgrade the Italian fleet.

The sale is a consolation prize for the British engine maker, which lost out recently to rival General Electric for its LM2500 to power a fleet of multipurpose offshore patrol vessels being built by Fincantieri for the Italian Navy.

The US engine maker has dominated the Italian naval power market in recent years on the back of a deal supplying gas turbines for a fleet of FREMM frigates currently under construction for Italy.

(...SNIPPED)

 

[daftandbarmy]

SAS fighter scoops £1million on the Lotto – but says he’ll STAY with the elite unit

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3498136/SAS-fighter-scoops-1million-Lotto-says-ll-STAY-elite-unit.html#ixzz43EqncJEi
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

 

[daftandbarmy]

It’s easy to see why the 1970s in Northern Ireland is known as the ‘Bad Old Days’

https://www.statista.com/chart/4093/people-killed-by-terrorist-attacks-in-western-europe-since-1970/

 

[daftandbarmy]

This should get interesting...

Falkland Islands lie in Argentinian waters, rules UN commission

Argentina welcomes decision to expand its maritime territory, despite unresolved dispute with Britain over islands

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/mar/29/falkland-islands-argentina-waters-rules-un-commission

 

[daftandbarmy]

1,000 British troops won’t bring stability to Libya

A small European peace-keeping force to the strife-torn country will just invite attack by violent Islamists

There are many good reasons for Britain and her allies to bring some form of political stability to war-torn Libya. But sending 1,000 British troops as sacrificial lambs to the lawless shores of the northern Mediterranean is not the way to go about it.


The notion of dispatching a British force as part of a European peacekeeping mission has been knocking around Whitehall since last summer. It stems from the deepening realisation among Western leaders that, unless urgent action is taken to arrest Libya’s alarming descent into anarchy, the country will pose an ever greater threat to Europe’s own security.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/12206841/1000-British-troops-wont-bring-stability-to-Libya.html

 

[daftandbarmy]

Engine problems and staffing crisis leave the Falklands without naval protection for the first time since 1982 war with Argentina

Royal Navy committed to providing permanent presence in South Atlantic
But no major HMS warship has been patrolling the islands since November
It is the first time British residents have been without protection since 1982
But MoD said the islands were 'well-protected' by RAF Typhoon fighter jets


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3520252/Falklands-without-major-Royal-Navy-protection-time-1982-war.html#ixzz44gGAKrI0
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

 

[Kirkhill]

Royal Scots Dragoon Guards on the ranges in Cumbria (and the beret as bunnet)

https://youtu.be/4hZCsb5i6XE

 

[daftandbarmy]

Royal Scots Dragoon Guards on the ranges in Cumbria (and the beret as bunnet)

https://youtu.be/4hZCsb5i6XE

And you can't even see their handbags... oh yes you can, some are wearing them on their heads

 

[The Bread Guy]

African-born soldier sues army for cold weather injuries

Abdoulie Bojang says his ethnicity made him more vulnerable to being affected by the extreme weather

A BLACK ex-soldier who was exposed to freezing conditions in an outdoor training exercise, is suing the Ministry of Defence for up to £200,000.

Abdoulie Bojang, who was born in Gambia, says the MoD "failed to take his ethnicity into account" before exposing him to cold temperatures during a training exercise in Banff, Canada in 2014.

Bojang, 30, says he sustained career-ending hand injuries after being exposed to minus 30 degree cold during a ski training session codenamed 'Exercise Frozen Fun' with 105 Regiment Royal, Logistical Corps, the Sunday Times reported.

He had been with the regiment since 2006 ...

http://www.voice-online.co.uk/article/african-born-soldier-sues-army-cold-weather-injuries

 

[Flavus101]

As someone from Southern Ontario I believe that my ability to survive the cold has been seriously reduced as well.  :nana:

In all seriousness it will be a very interesting case to watch. Let's pretend for a moment that this case is currently being put against DND. If our friend here was awarded damages would that mean soldiers of African descent would not be able to fulfill the Universality of Service?

Specifically, 2.4 "This may include, but is not limited to, the requirement to be physically fit, employable and deployable for general operational duties."

I am quite new to this whole legal jargon arena. Correct me if I am right out of 'er.

I believe that lawsuits are used much too frequently without thought as to what effects they may have on the rest of society.

 

[mariomike]

African-born soldier sues army for cold weather injuries

Abdoulie Bojang says his ethnicity made him more vulnerable to being affected by the extreme weather

Saw this, for what it is worth,

Cold weather injuries among U.S. soldiers in Alaska: a five-year review.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9433082
"Male African-American soldiers appear to be significantly more susceptible to frostbite than male Caucasian soldiers, especially with regard to frostbite of the distal extremities."

 

[Blackadder1916]

African-born soldier sues army for cold weather injuries

Since the linked news article notes a previous study of cold injuries during the Falklands War, I was interested in what it said.  It may be this one.

Military cold injury during the war in the Falkland Islands 1982: an evaluation of possible risk factors.

Abstract

Throughout the history of war, there have been many instances when the cold has ravaged armies more effectively than their enemies. Delineated risk factors are restricted to negro origins, previous cold injury, moderate but not heavy smoking and the possession of blood group O. No attention has been directed to the possibility that abnormal blood constituents could feasibly predispose to the development of local cold injury. This study considers this possibility and investigates the potential contribution of certain components of the circulating blood which might do so. Three groups of soldiers from two of the battalions who served during the war in the Falklands Islands in 1982 were investigated. The risk factors which were sought included the presence or absence of asymptomatic cryoglobulinaemia, abnormal total protein, albumin, individual gamma globulin or complement C3 or C4 levels, plasma hyperviscosity or evidence of chronic alcoholism manifesting as high haemoglobin, PCV, RBC, MCV or gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT). No cases of cryoglobulinaemia were isolated and there was no haematological evidence to suggest that any of those men who had developed cold injury, one year before this study was performed, had abnormal circulating proteins, plasma hyperviscosity or indicators of alcohol abuse. Individual blood groups were not incriminated as a predisposing factor although the small numbers of negroes in this series fared badly. Although this investigation has excluded a range of potential risk factors which could contribute to the development of cold injury, the problem persists. Two areas of further study are needed: the first involves research into the production of better protective clothing in the form of effective cold weather boots and gloves and the second requires the delineation of those dietary and ethnic factors which allow certain communities to adapt successfully to the cold. A review of the literature in this latter area is presented.

Unfortunately, I'm able to access only the abstract since I don't have a subscription to the Journal of the RAMC.  Likewise with this abstract that studied the issue on a wider field than the Falklands War.

Retrospective analysis of the ethnic origins of male British army soldiers with peripheral cold weather injury.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

To determine if African Americans, Pacific Islanders and Gurkhas have a different incidence and severity of peripheral cold injury when compared to Caucasians in the British Army.

METHOD:

The design was a retrospective analysis of those British male army personnel aged over 18 assessed at the Institute of Naval Medicine Cold Injury Clinic. The participants were 311 patients assessed on first attendance at the UK Institute of Naval Medicine.

RESULTS:

After excluding those classed as normal, African Americans had a relative incidence of 30.36 (95% CI 25.82 -35.70) when compared to Caucasians; Pacific Islanders a relative incidence of 2.58 (CI 1.24 - 5.38), again against Caucasians. Being of Gurkha ethnicity proved protective, with no abnormal cases found on assessment. The African Americans were more severely affected than Caucasians, with mean scores of 5.39 (SD 1.767) against 4.24 (SD 1.994) for Caucasians. The severity of Pacific Islanders were similar to Caucasians. The ages of African Americans, Pacific Islander and Caucasians had similar means of 26.05, 26.30 and 26.68 respectively, but with a broader age range for Caucasians; SDs 3.428, 2.958 and 7.735.

CONCLUSION:

Young male African Americans in the British Army are at 30 times greater chance of developing peripheral cold injury and are more severely affected than their Caucasian counterparts following similar climatic exposure, using similar clothing and equipment. Pacific Islanders are at a 2.6 times increased risk, while being a Gurkha is protective.

And this similar look at the US Army.

Epidemiology of U.S. Army cold weather injuries, 1980-1999.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Cold weather injuries (CWI) are of great military concern due to their wide-ranging impact on military readiness. Previous short-term studies have identified CWI to be more prevalent in African-Americans, infantrymen, and lower-ranking soldiers. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to determine the occurrence of CWI hospitalizations in the U.S. Army from 1980 to 1999, and to identify possible trends, high-risk groups and/or activities.

METHODS:

The U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine Total Army Injury and Health Outcomes Database was searched for hospitalizations with ICD-9-CM codes for frostbite, hypothermia, immersion foot, chilblains, and other. Information concerning each soldier included: gender, age, ethnicity, rank, occupation, type of injury, home of record, duty station, principle diagnosis, trauma code, and cause of injury. Data was available on the demographic composition of the Army, by year, and was used as the denominator when calculating the frequency of occurrence.

RESULTS:

During the study period there were 2143 hospitalizations due to CWI. African-American men and women were injured approximately 4 times and 2.2 times as often as their Caucasian counterparts, respectively. Trauma and cause of injury codes indicate that about 80% of all CWI hospitalizations result on-duty and during organized training. The yearly rate of CWI hospitalization has declined from 38.2/100,000 in 1985 to 0.2/100,000 in 1999.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our data are consistent with previous research concerning the increased rate of CWI among African-Americans though further investigation appears warranted. The occurrence of most CWI during on-duty training suggests preventability. The decline in the overall rate of CWI hospitalizations is multifactorial.

The sentence that I highlighted in green is (IMO) one of the most important.  Prevention of cold injuries, like the routine inspection of your soldiers' feet and boots (okay, I may be dating myself) depends on good leadership.


While it doesn't get into race as a risk factor for cold injuries, I did find this "full text" article about cold injuries during the Falklands that may interest those with an appetite for this sort of thing.
Lessons from history: morbidity of cold injury in the Royal Marines during the Falklands Conflict of 1982

 

[daftandbarmy]

I had two black soldiers in my platoon in 1 Para. They did fine through several 3 month winter deployments to arctic Norway.

In other news, I am preparing my case against HM Forces for sending pale honkeys like me to the middle east where the heat has clearly had an adverse effect on my sense of humour.

 

[Kirkhill]

The Marines are naked again....

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3550586/Tee-total-Marine-recruit-tells-WATERBOARDED-cider.html

 

[daftandbarmy]

The Marines are naked again....

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3550586/Tee-total-Marine-recruit-tells-WATERBOARDED-cider.html

Seems like they've been punished already by sending 45 Cdo down to Plymouth

https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/local/angus-mearns/159495/battery-set-to-leave-arbroath-after-41-years/