British Military Current Events

[daftandbarmy]

One of the good eggs....

PC Trevor Lock: Hero of Iranian embassy siege dies aged 85​

The Metropolitan Police officer was among those taken hostage by terrorists in a six-day stand-off that ended with the dramatic storming of the building by the SAS in 1980.

PC Trevor Lock, a hero of the famous Iranian embassy siege in London, has died at the age of 85.

The Metropolitan Police bobby had only recently opted for what he thought would be a quieter life as a member of the diplomatic protection squad in April 1980, when he and others were taken hostage by terrorists in a six-day stand-off that ended with the dramatic storming of the building by the Special Air Service (SAS).

Modest and unassuming, Mr Lock died still regretting that he hadn't done more to save the life of an Iranian diplomat shot dead by the gunmen, a murder that prompted Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to send in the then little-known SAS.

PC Trevor Lock: Hero of Iranian embassy siege dies aged 85

The Metropolitan Police officer was among those taken hostage by terrorists in a six-day stand-off that ended with the dramatic storming of the building by the SAS in 1980.

news.sky.com

 

[medicineman]

One of the good eggs....

PC Trevor Lock: Hero of Iranian embassy siege dies aged 85​

The Metropolitan Police officer was among those taken hostage by terrorists in a six-day stand-off that ended with the dramatic storming of the building by the SAS in 1980.

PC Trevor Lock, a hero of the famous Iranian embassy siege in London, has died at the age of 85.

The Metropolitan Police bobby had only recently opted for what he thought would be a quieter life as a member of the diplomatic protection squad in April 1980, when he and others were taken hostage by terrorists in a six-day stand-off that ended with the dramatic storming of the building by the Special Air Service (SAS).

Modest and unassuming, Mr Lock died still regretting that he hadn't done more to save the life of an Iranian diplomat shot dead by the gunmen, a murder that prompted Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to send in the then little-known SAS.

PC Trevor Lock: Hero of Iranian embassy siege dies aged 85

The Metropolitan Police officer was among those taken hostage by terrorists in a six-day stand-off that ended with the dramatic storming of the building by the SAS in 1980.

news.sky.com

I'm reading a book called "The Siege" about the standoff...this dude hardly ate or drank so he wouldn't be forced to expose his revolver in the washroom, since they were always directly supervised using the shitter. He also was one of the mediators with the outside world from the Embassy.

 

[MacNav63]

Great book, read it earlier this year. He really seemed to be the central figure among the hostages. I was struck by how little, if any, training seemed to go into preparing him for the job, even though he was armed. RIP.

I'm reading a book called "The Siege" about the standoff...this dude hardly ate or drank so he wouldn't be forced to expose his revolver in the washroom, since they were always directly supervised using the shitter. He also was one of the mediators with the outside world from the Embassy.

 

[daftandbarmy]

Doubling down on Merlin...

Italy’s Leonardo given £165m UK military helicopter contract​

Extension to deal over Royal Navy’s Merlin fleet comes as government plans to increase defence spending

The Italian defence company Leonardo has been given a £165m contract extension by the British government for its work maintaining the Royal Navy’s fleet of 54 Merlin helicopters, in an sign of the impact of the UK’s commitment to ramp up defence spending.

Keir Starmer’s government, which is planning to increase military spending to 2.5% of gross domestic product by 2027, said the deal with Leonardo would help to bolster national security.

Leonardo said the extension would help to support 1,000 jobs, including 200 workers at its factory in Yeovil in Somerset, as well as 800 across the wider UK supply chain. The agreement will also support jobs at the Royal Navy’s airbase at Culdrose in Cornwall.

The Ministry of Defence described Merlin helicopters as “submarine hunters” that are “capable of intercepting pirates and drug runners, saving the lives of stricken mariners, and delivering stores and people”.

Maria Eagle, the minister for defence procurement and industry, said: “This investment demonstrates our unwavering commitment to maintaining cutting-edge defence capabilities that keep us safe, while utilising defence as an engine for economic growth.”

The Merlin helicopter, known to James Bond fans for its appearance in the final shootout of the 2012 film Skyfall, is built at the Yeovil plant, the UK’s last remaining helicopter factory, which also carries out some of the maintenance.

Nigel Colman, the managing director at Leonardo Helicopters UK, said: “Working closely with the Ministry of Defence and Royal Navy, we’re keeping the Merlin fleet supported and available, so it’s ready to fly whenever and wherever it’s called upon.”

Italy’s Leonardo given £165m UK military helicopter contract

Extension to deal over Royal Navy’s Merlin fleet comes as government plans to increase defence spending

www.theguardian.com

 

[daftandbarmy]

Given the adverse impact on those involved it's almost as if this was a bad idea from the get go...

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[Blackadder1916]

Given the adverse impact on those involved it's almost as if this was a bad idea from the get go...

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Clarification, please.

What was the bad idea? Women at Sandhurst? Or, the documentary following the women at Sandhurst? Or, providing a forum for the mouth breathers to comment?

 

[daftandbarmy]

Clarification, please.

What was the bad idea? Women at Sandhurst? Or, the documentary following the women at Sandhurst? Or, providing a forum for the mouth breathers to comment?

Putting it all on social media, of course. Terrifying for the cadets I would think.

Nothing wrong with a TV special of some kind though, IMHO.

 

[daftandbarmy]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1909601347650941208

 

[daftandbarmy]

Not great news for a country allegedly committed to rearming...

UK takes control of British Steel under emergency powers​

The UK government is taking control of Chinese-owned British Steel after emergency legislation was rushed through Parliament in a single day.

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds told MPs the government's likely next step would be to nationalise the Scunthorpe plant, which employs 2,700 people.

But he said he was forced to seek emergency powers to prevent owners Jingye shutting down its two blast furnaces, which would have ended primary steel production in the UK.

MPs and peers were called back from their Easter holidays to debate the legislation in an extremely rare Saturday sitting of both houses of Parliament. It has now received Royal Assent after being passed by the Commons and Lords.

UK takes control of British Steel under emergency powers

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds says nationalisation is "likely" next step as Parliament rushes law through.

www.bbc.com

 

[Halifax Tar]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1909601347650941208

A very Canadian approach!

Not great news for a country allegedly committed to rearming...

UK takes control of British Steel under emergency powers​

The UK government is taking control of Chinese-owned British Steel after emergency legislation was rushed through Parliament in a single day.

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds told MPs the government's likely next step would be to nationalise the Scunthorpe plant, which employs 2,700 people.

But he said he was forced to seek emergency powers to prevent owners Jingye shutting down its two blast furnaces, which would have ended primary steel production in the UK.

MPs and peers were called back from their Easter holidays to debate the legislation in an extremely rare Saturday sitting of both houses of Parliament. It has now received Royal Assent after being passed by the Commons and Lords.

UK takes control of British Steel under emergency powers

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds says nationalisation is "likely" next step as Parliament rushes law through.

www.bbc.com

Some industries are critical to National interests, IMHO.

 

[daftandbarmy]

Oh dear....

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[daftandbarmy]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1911884691101065573

 

[daftandbarmy]

Huzzah!

Defence minister orders review into SAS hero Paddy Mayne's denied Victoria Cross​

In a dramatic development in Parliament, a defence minister has pledged to review the evidence behind calls to award a Victoria Cross to Lieutenant Colonel Blair "Paddy" Mayne, one of the legendary founding members of the SAS.

Veterans Minister Al Carns confirmed the Honours Committee would now conduct a full "calculated review" of the wartime records and historical recommendations surrounding Mayne's service.

This comes after renewed pressure from MPs and the emergence of new documents pointing to an administrative error in the original decision.

Defence minister orders review into SAS hero Paddy Mayne's denied Victoria Cross

The founding member of the Special Air Service was awarded the DSO four times during World War Two but never given the VC.

www.forcesnews.com

 

[daftandbarmy]

Even Gurkhas have to learn the basics...

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