daftandbarmy
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MarkOttawa said:
The reality is that even the extra cash announced will likely only be enough to keep the lights on and the tanks tracked....
.... well, the lights on anyways
British Military Current Events
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The reality is that even the extra cash announced will likely only be enough to keep the lights on and the tanks tracked....
.... well, the lights on anyways
daftandbarmy
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The 'Daily Prole' has spoken 
How Boris Johnson attempted a grand relaunch – only to be sunk by himself
Scotland, Brexit and the damage, division and debt bequeathed by the coronavirus. Enormous challenges, all of which have the potential to blow up into fresh crises, face Mr Johnson as we approach the turn of the year. Little wonder he prefers to take himself off into a future world where the Royal Navy zaps Johnny Foreigner with laser weapons. Perhaps it signals not so much a desire to relaunch himself as a desperation to escape the fierce reality of now.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/nov/22/how-boris-johnson-attempted-a-grand-relaunch-only-to-be-sunk-by-himself
How Boris Johnson attempted a grand relaunch – only to be sunk by himself
Scotland, Brexit and the damage, division and debt bequeathed by the coronavirus. Enormous challenges, all of which have the potential to blow up into fresh crises, face Mr Johnson as we approach the turn of the year. Little wonder he prefers to take himself off into a future world where the Royal Navy zaps Johnny Foreigner with laser weapons. Perhaps it signals not so much a desire to relaunch himself as a desperation to escape the fierce reality of now.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/nov/22/how-boris-johnson-attempted-a-grand-relaunch-only-to-be-sunk-by-himself
daftandbarmy
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Latest recruiting ads...
The British Army has unveiled its recruitment campaign advert for 2020 - ‘Army confidence lasts a lifetime’.
Last years advert, which reached out to 'snowflakes' and 'selfie addicts' was divisive on social media.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMkLWNh37cI
The British Army has unveiled its recruitment campaign advert for 2020 - ‘Army confidence lasts a lifetime’.
Last years advert, which reached out to 'snowflakes' and 'selfie addicts' was divisive on social media.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMkLWNh37cI
daftandbarmy
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The Colchester 'amnesty pond' just keeps on giving
Army bomb squad called after grenade found in pond
A bomb squad carried out a controlled explosion of a grenade that was discovered in a pond in Colchester.
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Essex Police said on Twitter that an unexploded grenade had been found in Bourne Pond, near Bourne Road, on Sunday evening.
An army bomb disposal unit was called and carried out a controlled detonation of the grenade at 11.10pm.
You may also want to watch:
Essex Police said on Twitter at the time: “This may cause a loud noise but we don’t want residents to be concerned.
“We’re asking that residents keep clear from the area though for their own safety.
https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/unexploded-grenade-found-in-colchester-pond-1-6940834?fbclid=IwAR0Nc4shG417uxyzxWf6WrHb2rXP3Mq-8eSlnXcmx-5QkHNqD_Cd3O5OJRE
Army bomb squad called after grenade found in pond
A bomb squad carried out a controlled explosion of a grenade that was discovered in a pond in Colchester.
Share
Essex Police said on Twitter that an unexploded grenade had been found in Bourne Pond, near Bourne Road, on Sunday evening.
An army bomb disposal unit was called and carried out a controlled detonation of the grenade at 11.10pm.
You may also want to watch:
Essex Police said on Twitter at the time: “This may cause a loud noise but we don’t want residents to be concerned.
“We’re asking that residents keep clear from the area though for their own safety.
https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/unexploded-grenade-found-in-colchester-pond-1-6940834?fbclid=IwAR0Nc4shG417uxyzxWf6WrHb2rXP3Mq-8eSlnXcmx-5QkHNqD_Cd3O5OJRE
daftandbarmy
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FJAG said:
My personal and unofficial analysis of the frequency of casualties during operations in Northern Ireland has led me to conclude that bad leaders cause more casualties than good leaders. To friendly forces that is.
Just sayin'
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It takes 15,000 casualties to train a major general. - Fochdaftandbarmy said:My personal and unofficial analysis of the frequency of casualties during operations in Northern Ireland has led me to conclude that bad leaders cause more casualties than good leaders. To friendly forces that is.
Just sayin'
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'ere we go, 'ere we go, 'ere we go......
Hundreds of Brit troops sent on world’s most dangerous peacekeeping mission in ISIS’s ‘new caliphate’ in Africa
CRACK British forces have deployed to the world's most dangerous peacekeeping mission.
The first of 300 troops reached the deadly badlands of northern Mali – where al-Qaeda’s allies are fighting ISIS, and armed groups terrorise civilians.
The troops are trained for desert patrols like the legendary Long Range Desert Group that launched the SAS in World War Two.
But fears over their safety – and a chronic shortage of helicopters – mean they will be confined to the area near their base in Gao for the first stage of their mission.
They join a force of more than 15,000 UN peacekeepers, including Chinese and Iranian troops, in a country five times bigger than Britain.
There are only 14 choppers for the whole UN force, after a troop-carrying Puma blew over in a sandstorm and had to be flown back to Europe for repairs.
Major General Nick Borton, who is overseeing the UK mission to the arid Sahel region, said they would not do counter terrorism.
Their mandate is to protect civilians and enforce a 2015 peace accord between the corrupt and unpopular Malian government and a cocktail of armed rebels.
“The Sahel is one of the poorest regions on the planet,” Gen Borton said.
“Violent conflict and unprecedented migration to Europe’s borders have once again brought our attention back to this important strategic area.
“This will demonstrate that the British armed forces remain a force for good in the world.”
He said the Light Dragoon Taskforce, who will use open top Jackal vehicles, were “exceptionally well prepared for their mission”.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace the UK had committed to a three year deployment with the UN force known as Minusma.
“This is a dangerous mission,” he said. “We have done all we can to mitigate the risk. Our forces are among the best in the world and they have the right training, equipment and preparation to succeed.”
Last month we told how British troops in Mali would have to stay in their base over fears it is too dangerous.
Ministers increased the number in the force from 250 to 300 but restricted their role just weeks before they set off for West Africa.
The move “stunned” the UN peacekeeping mission led by Lt Gen Dennis Gyllens¬porre, who said he did not need more troops in camps.
The SAS has been in Mali for months, assessing risks from hundreds of groups, including ISIS.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/13385785/british-soldiers-mali-isis-al-qaeda-un/
Hundreds of Brit troops sent on world’s most dangerous peacekeeping mission in ISIS’s ‘new caliphate’ in Africa
CRACK British forces have deployed to the world's most dangerous peacekeeping mission.
The first of 300 troops reached the deadly badlands of northern Mali – where al-Qaeda’s allies are fighting ISIS, and armed groups terrorise civilians.
The troops are trained for desert patrols like the legendary Long Range Desert Group that launched the SAS in World War Two.
But fears over their safety – and a chronic shortage of helicopters – mean they will be confined to the area near their base in Gao for the first stage of their mission.
They join a force of more than 15,000 UN peacekeepers, including Chinese and Iranian troops, in a country five times bigger than Britain.
There are only 14 choppers for the whole UN force, after a troop-carrying Puma blew over in a sandstorm and had to be flown back to Europe for repairs.
Major General Nick Borton, who is overseeing the UK mission to the arid Sahel region, said they would not do counter terrorism.
Their mandate is to protect civilians and enforce a 2015 peace accord between the corrupt and unpopular Malian government and a cocktail of armed rebels.
“The Sahel is one of the poorest regions on the planet,” Gen Borton said.
“Violent conflict and unprecedented migration to Europe’s borders have once again brought our attention back to this important strategic area.
“This will demonstrate that the British armed forces remain a force for good in the world.”
He said the Light Dragoon Taskforce, who will use open top Jackal vehicles, were “exceptionally well prepared for their mission”.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace the UK had committed to a three year deployment with the UN force known as Minusma.
“This is a dangerous mission,” he said. “We have done all we can to mitigate the risk. Our forces are among the best in the world and they have the right training, equipment and preparation to succeed.”
Last month we told how British troops in Mali would have to stay in their base over fears it is too dangerous.
Ministers increased the number in the force from 250 to 300 but restricted their role just weeks before they set off for West Africa.
The move “stunned” the UN peacekeeping mission led by Lt Gen Dennis Gyllens¬porre, who said he did not need more troops in camps.
The SAS has been in Mali for months, assessing risks from hundreds of groups, including ISIS.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/13385785/british-soldiers-mali-isis-al-qaeda-un/
daftandbarmy said:
Right equipment, minus, you know...the helicopters... :facepalm:
Not to nit pick at all, but for a country that just recently announced it would start providing more helicopters to NATO operations, including attack helicopters (The UK is currently receiving the most recent upgrade to their AH-64 fleet, bringing them up to E standard) - not being able to provide helicopter support to a deployment of only 300 people doesn't really bode well...
:2c:
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They aren’t short of helicopters. They are short of functioning helicopters. As I understand it, the RM who basically have their own fleet of Commando Merlins, could have went first but there aren’t enough marines or helicopters to push it for 3 years while also doing, well, marine type things from ships.
daftandbarmy
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CloudCover said:
To solve the problems in Mali they’re also probably short about four or five brigades. Plus atts and dets of course.
Just sayin’
They don't have 3 or 4 Chinooks, Lynx, or Merlins available to deploy in support of their contribution they are so proud of? No Apache gunships to call on for fire support if things go bad?
Whether they are participating in the counter-terror aspect of the mission or not, it's a dangerous place with a variety of hostile armed groups, some of which are linked (closely or loosely) with ISIS.
No helicopters just seems somewhat callous. Especially with only 14 helicopters available to support a mission of 15,000...
I'll do some more mission specific research in the morning. Maybe I'm missing something.
Whether they are participating in the counter-terror aspect of the mission or not, it's a dangerous place with a variety of hostile armed groups, some of which are linked (closely or loosely) with ISIS.
No helicopters just seems somewhat callous. Especially with only 14 helicopters available to support a mission of 15,000...
I'll do some more mission specific research in the morning. Maybe I'm missing something.
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Everything appears to be with 16 Air Assault Brigade, which in its big exercise last week managed to get 6 Chinooks flying at the same time for an RAF photo op out of 21 Chinook, Puma, Apache and Wildcat assigned to Ex Wessex Storm.
daftandbarmy
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Riff RAF News....
40 years of 'Wokk 'n Roll' for the Chinooks... amongst other juicy gems
https://www.rafnews.co.uk/pdf/RAF-News-27-Nov-2020.pdf
40 years of 'Wokk 'n Roll' for the Chinooks... amongst other juicy gems
https://www.rafnews.co.uk/pdf/RAF-News-27-Nov-2020.pdf
daftandbarmy
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daftandbarmy
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Any bets? Anyone?
The Bookie shops must be doing a roaring trade...
British defense secretary says ‘tough choices’ are coming due on spending
Further evidence that Britain’s conventional defense capabilities are in line for a major shakeup has come in a speech given by Defense Secretary Ben Wallace on Dec 11.
Britain’s forces face some difficult decisions over whether to junk capabilities and make cuts in legacy programs as part of a transformation effort made possible by a recent announcement of a major, multi-year budget hike for the Ministry of Defence, Wallace said at a Royal United Services Institute virtual event.
“Some tough choices will still have to be made. But those choices will allow us to invest in new domains, new equipment and new ways of working. … Sometimes it will mean quality over quantity or the good rather than the perfect. Or simply letting go of some capabilities. Too often we cling to sentimentality when we need to explore alternatives,” he said.
Britain’s permanent secretary for the Ministry of Defence, Sir Stephen Lovegrove, used similar language earlier this week.
Giving evidence to the parliamentary Defence committee he signaled the MoD would have to cut legacy programs if it wanted to pivot to more relevant capability in cyber, space, underwater and unmanned and other high tech sectors.
Further details of what goes and what stays on the capability front are expected to emerge over the next few weeks ahead of the publication of a government review integrating defense, foreign, security and development policy expected late January.
Howard Wheeldon, of Wheeldon Strategic Advisory, said that when the cuts do arrive they will be substantial.
“We could well see some fairly big and very questionable changes being announced that may or may not include medium and heavy-lift air transport capability and one of the two not already contracted armored vehicle programs,” said the consultant.
The British Army already has a major upgrade of its armor forces underway. The ARTEC Boxer 8x8 personnel carrier and the General Dynamics Ajax reconnaissance vehicle are already under contract for production.
As things stand, a program upgrading the Challenger 2 main battle tank goes before MoD’s investment approval officials in the next few days, while a Lockheed Martin upgrade of the Warrior infantry fighting vehicle is planned for production approval in 2021.
“I welcome the planned increase in spending on Royal Navy and maritime equipment plus the various new digital, cyber and space technology programs planned. All this is very positive, but that doesn’t mean we can do away with conventional defense equipment in the manner that I fear is being planned,” said Wheeldon.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2020/12/11/british-defense-secretary-says-tough-choices-are-coming-due-on-spending/?utm_source=clavis
The Bookie shops must be doing a roaring trade...
British defense secretary says ‘tough choices’ are coming due on spending
Further evidence that Britain’s conventional defense capabilities are in line for a major shakeup has come in a speech given by Defense Secretary Ben Wallace on Dec 11.
Britain’s forces face some difficult decisions over whether to junk capabilities and make cuts in legacy programs as part of a transformation effort made possible by a recent announcement of a major, multi-year budget hike for the Ministry of Defence, Wallace said at a Royal United Services Institute virtual event.
“Some tough choices will still have to be made. But those choices will allow us to invest in new domains, new equipment and new ways of working. … Sometimes it will mean quality over quantity or the good rather than the perfect. Or simply letting go of some capabilities. Too often we cling to sentimentality when we need to explore alternatives,” he said.
Britain’s permanent secretary for the Ministry of Defence, Sir Stephen Lovegrove, used similar language earlier this week.
Giving evidence to the parliamentary Defence committee he signaled the MoD would have to cut legacy programs if it wanted to pivot to more relevant capability in cyber, space, underwater and unmanned and other high tech sectors.
Further details of what goes and what stays on the capability front are expected to emerge over the next few weeks ahead of the publication of a government review integrating defense, foreign, security and development policy expected late January.
Howard Wheeldon, of Wheeldon Strategic Advisory, said that when the cuts do arrive they will be substantial.
“We could well see some fairly big and very questionable changes being announced that may or may not include medium and heavy-lift air transport capability and one of the two not already contracted armored vehicle programs,” said the consultant.
The British Army already has a major upgrade of its armor forces underway. The ARTEC Boxer 8x8 personnel carrier and the General Dynamics Ajax reconnaissance vehicle are already under contract for production.
As things stand, a program upgrading the Challenger 2 main battle tank goes before MoD’s investment approval officials in the next few days, while a Lockheed Martin upgrade of the Warrior infantry fighting vehicle is planned for production approval in 2021.
“I welcome the planned increase in spending on Royal Navy and maritime equipment plus the various new digital, cyber and space technology programs planned. All this is very positive, but that doesn’t mean we can do away with conventional defense equipment in the manner that I fear is being planned,” said Wheeldon.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2020/12/11/british-defense-secretary-says-tough-choices-are-coming-due-on-spending/?utm_source=clavis
daftandbarmy
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Heroes of Rorke's Drift branded 'imperialist' over links to empire
The Queen's painting of the battle between 200 soldiers and 3,000 Zulu warriors had its description amended to highlight colonialism links
The Queen's painting depicting the defence of Rorke's Drift has seen its description amended to highlight the ¬battle's links to colonialism following a review inspired by Black Lives Matter.
Fewer than 200 British soldiers held off 3,000 Zulu warriors at the Rorke's Drift mission in 1879 and earned 11 Victoria Crosses for the defence, which has since been immortalised on screen. A Royal Collection painting hanging in St James's Palace which depicts the battle has now been relabelled to reflect connections to "colonialism and violence".
It is one of 62 royally-owned artworks reviewed to unearth and present links to empire and slavery as part of a project launched in August following Black Lives Matter protests. Depictions of ¬Winston Churchill's ancestor, the Duke of Marlborough, and philosopher John Locke are among those critiqued for links to the slave trade.
The move to amend the 1880 work The Defence of Rorke's Drift has been ¬criticised by historians for branding ¬British defenders as imperialist when they were simply fighting for survival.
New display information for the work by 19th century artist Lady Butler, ¬commissioned by Queen Victoria, states the painting is "connected to colonialism and imperialism". The oil painting depicts a handful of the 150 or so troops who defended Rorke's Drift, including Lieutenant Chard and Lieutenant Bromhead, played by Stanley Baker and Sir Michael Caine in the 1964 film Zulu.
Dr Spencer Jones, a military historian and lecturer, has criticised the decision, saying the painting's "connection to colonialism and imperialism seems superfluous". He added: "Although the war was an imperial struggle, British soldiers and Zulu warriors at Rorke's Drift fought for survival rather than abstract ideas of imperialism.
"There was tremendous courage and determination shown by both sides."
A spokesman for the Royal Collection said the governing Trust "has an ongoing programme of activities to research, ¬display, loan and publish detailed records of objects in the Royal Collection, in order for a wide range of audiences to learn about the Collection and its history".
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/12/17/heroes-rorkes-drift-branded-imperialist-links-empire/?utm_content=telegraph&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR151y-vvw3mtpfLOwGQUjrYGn-iSqy0YRJvdOXJD5AV9fYkQjFZ13hTq3Y#Echobox=1608208694
The Queen's painting of the battle between 200 soldiers and 3,000 Zulu warriors had its description amended to highlight colonialism links
The Queen's painting depicting the defence of Rorke's Drift has seen its description amended to highlight the ¬battle's links to colonialism following a review inspired by Black Lives Matter.
Fewer than 200 British soldiers held off 3,000 Zulu warriors at the Rorke's Drift mission in 1879 and earned 11 Victoria Crosses for the defence, which has since been immortalised on screen. A Royal Collection painting hanging in St James's Palace which depicts the battle has now been relabelled to reflect connections to "colonialism and violence".
It is one of 62 royally-owned artworks reviewed to unearth and present links to empire and slavery as part of a project launched in August following Black Lives Matter protests. Depictions of ¬Winston Churchill's ancestor, the Duke of Marlborough, and philosopher John Locke are among those critiqued for links to the slave trade.
The move to amend the 1880 work The Defence of Rorke's Drift has been ¬criticised by historians for branding ¬British defenders as imperialist when they were simply fighting for survival.
New display information for the work by 19th century artist Lady Butler, ¬commissioned by Queen Victoria, states the painting is "connected to colonialism and imperialism". The oil painting depicts a handful of the 150 or so troops who defended Rorke's Drift, including Lieutenant Chard and Lieutenant Bromhead, played by Stanley Baker and Sir Michael Caine in the 1964 film Zulu.
Dr Spencer Jones, a military historian and lecturer, has criticised the decision, saying the painting's "connection to colonialism and imperialism seems superfluous". He added: "Although the war was an imperial struggle, British soldiers and Zulu warriors at Rorke's Drift fought for survival rather than abstract ideas of imperialism.
"There was tremendous courage and determination shown by both sides."
A spokesman for the Royal Collection said the governing Trust "has an ongoing programme of activities to research, ¬display, loan and publish detailed records of objects in the Royal Collection, in order for a wide range of audiences to learn about the Collection and its history".
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/12/17/heroes-rorkes-drift-branded-imperialist-links-empire/?utm_content=telegraph&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR151y-vvw3mtpfLOwGQUjrYGn-iSqy0YRJvdOXJD5AV9fYkQjFZ13hTq3Y#Echobox=1608208694
FJAG
Army.ca Legend
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I guess having to label paintings is what you have to resort to when your education is so poor that nobody in the Brit school system knows what the Anglo-Zulu War was much less what it's genesis was.
What's next - anti-imperialism comic books?
:brickwall:
What's next - anti-imperialism comic books?
:brickwall:
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