daftandbarmy
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British Military Current Events
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daftandbarmy
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Them: What was it like being an Officer in a posh regiment?
Me: Luckily I wasn't in one of those, but FYI...
Me: Luckily I wasn't in one of those, but FYI...
daftandbarmy
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Oh how the mighty fall...
The head of the Royal Navy has been suspended over claims that he had an affair with a subordinate, sources have disclosed.
Admiral Sir Ben Key, 59, a married father of three, was told to “step back from all duties” while an investigation was carried out, it is understood. It is the first time in the Royal Navy’s 500-year history that its first sea lord has faced a misconduct inquiry.
Vice-Admiral Sir Martin Connell, the second sea lord, has replaced him temporarily. General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, a Royal Marine, is expected to be given the job imminently, becoming the first amphibious troop member rather than a sailor to take the position.
Key was to stand down in the summer. He was prevented from resigning early to allow the investigation to run its course, according to The Sun. Sources confirmed to The Times that he was under investigation over an affair.
Key, who has served more than four decades in the navy, did not respond to a request for comment.
The Ministry of Defence said: “An investigation is ongoing and it would be inappropriate to comment at this time.”
Key had previously told colleagues he would not put himself forward for the role as chief of the defence staff, saying he “can’t fix the navy”. One colleague said he had been “dealt a terrible hand and hasn’t got the resources and levers he needs to fix the mess”.
A friend of Key said: “I am completely surprised. In terms of integrity, operational record and the genuine affection and respect he has from the navy, he is the best first sea lord in years. If he has made a mistake then it’s tragic but he deserves to be remembered for his operational record and not for this.”
The navy has faced many scandals over the years. In 2014 Sarah West, the first female commander of a Royal Navy warship, was removed from her post because of claims she had an affair with a subordinate officer.
Three years later, nine servicemen were thrown off a nuclear submarine after testing positive for cocaine while on duty. The crew from HMS Vigilant, which carries the Trident nuclear deterrent, were kicked out of the service after the drug was found in their blood. They were alleged to have held parties while the submarine was docked in America to load nuclear warheads.
Head of Royal Navy suspended over ‘affair with subordinate’
Admiral Sir Ben Key is the only first sea lord to have faced a misconduct inquiry in the navy’s 500-year historyThe head of the Royal Navy has been suspended over claims that he had an affair with a subordinate, sources have disclosed.
Admiral Sir Ben Key, 59, a married father of three, was told to “step back from all duties” while an investigation was carried out, it is understood. It is the first time in the Royal Navy’s 500-year history that its first sea lord has faced a misconduct inquiry.
Vice-Admiral Sir Martin Connell, the second sea lord, has replaced him temporarily. General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, a Royal Marine, is expected to be given the job imminently, becoming the first amphibious troop member rather than a sailor to take the position.
Key was to stand down in the summer. He was prevented from resigning early to allow the investigation to run its course, according to The Sun. Sources confirmed to The Times that he was under investigation over an affair.
Key, who has served more than four decades in the navy, did not respond to a request for comment.
The Ministry of Defence said: “An investigation is ongoing and it would be inappropriate to comment at this time.”
Key had previously told colleagues he would not put himself forward for the role as chief of the defence staff, saying he “can’t fix the navy”. One colleague said he had been “dealt a terrible hand and hasn’t got the resources and levers he needs to fix the mess”.
A friend of Key said: “I am completely surprised. In terms of integrity, operational record and the genuine affection and respect he has from the navy, he is the best first sea lord in years. If he has made a mistake then it’s tragic but he deserves to be remembered for his operational record and not for this.”
The navy has faced many scandals over the years. In 2014 Sarah West, the first female commander of a Royal Navy warship, was removed from her post because of claims she had an affair with a subordinate officer.
Three years later, nine servicemen were thrown off a nuclear submarine after testing positive for cocaine while on duty. The crew from HMS Vigilant, which carries the Trident nuclear deterrent, were kicked out of the service after the drug was found in their blood. They were alleged to have held parties while the submarine was docked in America to load nuclear warheads.
daftandbarmy
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Battered Belgians bloodied but unbowed...
THREE Belgian soldiers have been rushed to hospital and 12 others were injured after a 'shooting incident' during a military exercise in Scotland.
Soldiers from the country's parachute regiments were taking part in the Red Condor exercise when the incident happened earlier today.
A total of 15 soldiers have been injured, and three were rushed to hospital in an ambulance after being wounded.
According to Belgian publication Sudinfo, two soldiers have suffered serious injuries while the third suffered minor injuries.
The other 12 soldiers all reportedly suffered hearing damage.
www.thescottishsun.co.uk
Three Belgian soldiers hospitalised and 12 others injured after shooting incident at Scots military base
Belgium's Defence Minister, Theo Francken, said 'something went wrong' on the exerciseTHREE Belgian soldiers have been rushed to hospital and 12 others were injured after a 'shooting incident' during a military exercise in Scotland.
Soldiers from the country's parachute regiments were taking part in the Red Condor exercise when the incident happened earlier today.
A total of 15 soldiers have been injured, and three were rushed to hospital in an ambulance after being wounded.
According to Belgian publication Sudinfo, two soldiers have suffered serious injuries while the third suffered minor injuries.
The other 12 soldiers all reportedly suffered hearing damage.
Three Belgian soldiers hospitalised after shooting incident at military base
THREE Belgian soldiers have been rushed to hospital and 12 others were injured after a ‘shooting incident’ during a military exercise in Scotland. Soldiers from the country’s para…
www.thescottishsun.co.uk
Colin Parkinson
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Sounds like someone either brought a live grenade or doing something stupid with pyrotechnics.
medicineman
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Was thinking same thing, or the grenade went somewhere unintended - seen that happen doing live fire house clearing in a tire house in Camp Pendleton, where a young guy tossed a grenade into a room instead of posting on the ground and it rebounded off the wall into the hallway out the opposite door...4 people got hurt on that.
daftandbarmy
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They don't like it up 'em! 
A ‘Home Guard’ defence force could be established to protect key British infrastructure, it has been claimed.
Part of the upcoming Strategic Defence Review (SDR), the new military branch would be made up of volunteers tasked to defend power plants, airports and telecommunications hubs.
The unit will reportedly be modelled on the well-known WW2 militia formed in the face of possible Nazi invasion in the 1940s, but may also take inspiration from similar Home Guard forces that currently exist in other European countries.
The Home Guard would be a new organisation separate to the army reserves while maintaining a similar structure, according to the Sunday Times.
www.standard.co.uk
UK to launch new 'Home Guard' to protect power plants and airports amid rising global threats
The UK may see a return of the famous WW2 fighting force to combat attacks on important domestic facilitiesA ‘Home Guard’ defence force could be established to protect key British infrastructure, it has been claimed.
Part of the upcoming Strategic Defence Review (SDR), the new military branch would be made up of volunteers tasked to defend power plants, airports and telecommunications hubs.
The unit will reportedly be modelled on the well-known WW2 militia formed in the face of possible Nazi invasion in the 1940s, but may also take inspiration from similar Home Guard forces that currently exist in other European countries.
The Home Guard would be a new organisation separate to the army reserves while maintaining a similar structure, according to the Sunday Times.
UK to launch Home Guard to protect power plants and airports amid rising threats
The UK may see a return of the famous WW2 fighting force to combat attacks on important domestic facilities
www.standard.co.uk
daftandbarmy
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So much for 'deniability'...
Special Forces officer blocked 1,585 Afghans from UK
A UK Special Forces officer personally rejected 1,585 resettlement applications from Afghans with credible links to British commandos, newly released documents say.
The files, disclosed by the Ministry of Defence in court on Thursday, show the unnamed UKSF officer rejected every application referred to him in the summer of 2023, in what was described as a "sprint".
The MoD told the court that the officer may have been connected to the ongoing inquiry into alleged war crimes committed by the SAS.
The admission comes after the BBC revealed last week that the UKSF officer – who previously served in Afghanistan - rejected applications from Afghans who may have witnessed the alleged war crimes.
One Special Forces officer blocked 1,585 Afghans from settling in UK
Special Forces officer blocked 1,585 Afghans from UK
A UK Special Forces officer personally rejected 1,585 resettlement applications from Afghans with credible links to British commandos, newly released documents say.
The files, disclosed by the Ministry of Defence in court on Thursday, show the unnamed UKSF officer rejected every application referred to him in the summer of 2023, in what was described as a "sprint".
The MoD told the court that the officer may have been connected to the ongoing inquiry into alleged war crimes committed by the SAS.
The admission comes after the BBC revealed last week that the UKSF officer – who previously served in Afghanistan - rejected applications from Afghans who may have witnessed the alleged war crimes.
One Special Forces officer blocked 1,585 Afghans from settling in UK
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Pushing the envelope ....
www.bbc.com
More on the whole zenon way up high thing:
www.theuiaa.org
www.yahoo.com
Everest: British soldiers make history with new method
The former special forces troops used xenon gas to acclimatise to climbing at high altitudes more quickly.
www.bbc.com
Statement on xenon and high-altitude mountaineering - UIAA
UIAA Medical Commission recommends established methods for acclimatization: Statement on xenon and high-altitude mountaineering The UIAA Medical Commission has recently received multiple reports and correspondence from mountaineers asking whether inhaling xenon has a positive effect on the...
www.theuiaa.org
International alpinism association UIAA warns against xenon use in high-altitude mountaineering - Furtenbach contradicts - Adventure Mountain
In the debate about the planned use of the noble gas xenon with the aim of shortening the duration of Everest expeditions to one week, the international alpinism association UIAA has now also intervened. “According to current [scientific] literature, there is no evidence that breathing in xenon...
abenteuer-berg.de
You Can Now Climb Everest in a Week Using Xenon Gas: The Implications
This spring, a group of commercial climbers plan to summit Everest in just a week by chemically boosting their acclimatization using a new method.
daftandbarmy
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Pushing the envelope ....
More on the whole zenon way up high thing:Everest: British soldiers make history with new method
The former special forces troops used xenon gas to acclimatise to climbing at high altitudes more quickly.
Statement on xenon and high-altitude mountaineering - UIAA
UIAA Medical Commission recommends established methods for acclimatization: Statement on xenon and high-altitude mountaineering The UIAA Medical Commission has recently received multiple reports and correspondence from mountaineers asking whether inhaling xenon has a positive effect on the...International alpinism association UIAA warns against xenon use in high-altitude mountaineering - Furtenbach contradicts - Adventure Mountain
In the debate about the planned use of the noble gas xenon with the aim of shortening the duration of Everest expeditions to one week, the international alpinism association UIAA has now also intervened. “According to current [scientific] literature, there is no evidence that breathing in xenon...abenteuer-berg.deYou Can Now Climb Everest in a Week Using Xenon Gas: The Implications
This spring, a group of commercial climbers plan to summit Everest in just a week by chemically boosting their acclimatization using a new method.
It's a fad, largely adopted by inexperienced high altitude mountaineers who would rather 'take a pill' than do the real work of fitness and skill development, and acclimatization.
And in this case, like other similar quick fixes, it doesn't work
daftandbarmy
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Jolly good...
www.gov.uk
UK to deliver pioneering battlefield system and bolster cyber warfare capabilities under Strategic Defence Review
Defence Secretary announces new Cyber and Eletromagnetic Command and £1 billion investment in pioneering battlefield system.- More than £1 billion to be invested in pioneering ‘Digital Targeting Web’ to spearhead battlefield engagements, applying lessons learnt from Ukraine to the UK Armed Forces.
- New Cyber and Electromagnetic Command will oversee cyber operations for Defence as careers pathway accelerated.
- Innovation delivers on the Government’s Plan for Change by bolstering national security and creating skilled jobs.
UK to deliver pioneering battlefield system and bolster cyber warfare capabilities under Strategic Defence Review
Defence Secretary announces new Cyber and Eletromagnetic Command and £1 billion investment in pioneering battlefield system.
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They don't like it up 'em!
UK to launch new 'Home Guard' to protect power plants and airports amid rising global threats
The UK may see a return of the famous WW2 fighting force to combat attacks on important domestic facilities
A ‘Home Guard’ defence force could be established to protect key British infrastructure, it has been claimed.
Part of the upcoming Strategic Defence Review (SDR), the new military branch would be made up of volunteers tasked to defend power plants, airports and telecommunications hubs.
The unit will reportedly be modelled on the well-known WW2 militia formed in the face of possible Nazi invasion in the 1940s, but may also take inspiration from similar Home Guard forces that currently exist in other European countries.
The Home Guard would be a new organisation separate to the army reserves while maintaining a similar structure, according to the Sunday Times.
UK to launch Home Guard to protect power plants and airports amid rising threats
The UK may see a return of the famous WW2 fighting force to combat attacks on important domestic facilities
Radical.
daftandbarmy
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As per SOP.... small Army, bigger Navy, flashier RAF
The Strategic Defence Review has outlined the Government's plans for military spending to help meet the threats posed to the UK in the coming years.
Plans to invest in new equipment for the Royal Navy, Army and RAF, as well as the defence industry, have been unveiled by Defence Secretary John Healey.
Improvements to military accommodation were also announced as part of the review.
In a joint foreword, the three authors of the SDR described it as a "truly transformational and genuinely strategic review".
Co-author General (Ret'd) Sir Richard Barrons said he believes the review sets out a vision which would mark "the most profound change in about 150 years in how you think about the Army, Navy and Air Force".
www.forcesnews.com
Strategic Defence Review: Plans for the future of the Armed Forces – at a glance
The Strategic Defence Review has outlined the Government's plans for military spending to help meet the threats posed to the UK in the coming years.
Plans to invest in new equipment for the Royal Navy, Army and RAF, as well as the defence industry, have been unveiled by Defence Secretary John Healey.
Improvements to military accommodation were also announced as part of the review.
In a joint foreword, the three authors of the SDR described it as a "truly transformational and genuinely strategic review".
Co-author General (Ret'd) Sir Richard Barrons said he believes the review sets out a vision which would mark "the most profound change in about 150 years in how you think about the Army, Navy and Air Force".
Strategic Defence Review: Plans for the future of the Armed Forces – at a glance
Investment in submarines, modernising the Army and the next generation of fighter jets have been outlined in the Government's spending plans
FJAG
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I like some of the defence industry things but for the army, the whole thing is a bit underwhelming. I'd like to see an explanation of that tenfold increase in combat power with the same number of folks and the same gear already scheduled to come on line.
daftandbarmy
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I tend to agree... too little, too late...
After warning that the UK must be prepared for a real-world attack by Russia, leading experts have warned that not enough is being done to deter Vladimir Putin.
The Strategic Defence Review, released yesterday, recommended sweeping changes, including a focus on new technology and reaching 3% GDP defence spending.
Presenting the review, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: ‘We will never gamble with our national security’.
However, Dr Simon Bennett from the University of Leicester School of Business has suggested that’s exactly what Starmer has done.
He says it suggests the UK is ‘sleepwalking into a bloody ambush from which it may not emerge sovereign and free’.
Start your day informed with Metro's News Updates newsletter or get Breaking News alerts the moment it happens.
He told Metro: ‘As Germany reminded us last week, Russia poses an existential threat to Europe. Poland, one of the countries in Moscow’s sights, will this year spend 4.7% of its GDP on defence.’
Starmer’s refusal to set a deadline on his commitment to spend 3% of GDP on defence only ‘emboldens Putin’, Dr Bennett said. ‘There is no sense that we have developed a war mentality or that we intend to develop a war economy.’
Starmer’s hesitation to set a deadline for defence spending not only emboldens Putin but also the United States, which has repeatedly raised concerns about other NATO countries not meeting their spending requirements on defence.
Mr Giles said: ‘When the NATO summit at the Hague happens again, the UK will be an outlier in terms of the commitment to funding defence.
‘Starmer has refused to say that he will set a deadline at all. There are words about the defence spending being subject to fiscal and economic conditions, so once again, the UK is dragging their feet in terms of power.
‘They’re unwilling to put their money where their mouth is.’
Over the weekend, Defence Secretary John Healey said there is no doubt UK defence spending will rise to 3% of GDP by 2034.
He said: ‘The Prime Minister said he’s 100% confident that this 3% can be delivered. I’ve got no doubt that we can deliver that. It can be fully delivered. It’s a vision for the next 10 years… this is the way we strengthen our armed forces, and it’s the way that we make the British people safer.’
But Dr Bennett does not think this is enough. He said: ‘If we don’t immediately increase defence spending to 4% of GDP, this country may not be around in 2034.’
metro.co.uk
The UK is ‘sleepwalking into a bloody ambush and may not be around in 2034’
After warning that the UK must be prepared for a real-world attack by Russia, leading experts have warned that not enough is being done to deter Vladimir Putin.
The Strategic Defence Review, released yesterday, recommended sweeping changes, including a focus on new technology and reaching 3% GDP defence spending.
Presenting the review, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: ‘We will never gamble with our national security’.
However, Dr Simon Bennett from the University of Leicester School of Business has suggested that’s exactly what Starmer has done.
He says it suggests the UK is ‘sleepwalking into a bloody ambush from which it may not emerge sovereign and free’.
Start your day informed with Metro's News Updates newsletter or get Breaking News alerts the moment it happens.
He told Metro: ‘As Germany reminded us last week, Russia poses an existential threat to Europe. Poland, one of the countries in Moscow’s sights, will this year spend 4.7% of its GDP on defence.’
Starmer’s refusal to set a deadline on his commitment to spend 3% of GDP on defence only ‘emboldens Putin’, Dr Bennett said. ‘There is no sense that we have developed a war mentality or that we intend to develop a war economy.’
Starmer’s hesitation to set a deadline for defence spending not only emboldens Putin but also the United States, which has repeatedly raised concerns about other NATO countries not meeting their spending requirements on defence.
Mr Giles said: ‘When the NATO summit at the Hague happens again, the UK will be an outlier in terms of the commitment to funding defence.
‘Starmer has refused to say that he will set a deadline at all. There are words about the defence spending being subject to fiscal and economic conditions, so once again, the UK is dragging their feet in terms of power.
‘They’re unwilling to put their money where their mouth is.’
Over the weekend, Defence Secretary John Healey said there is no doubt UK defence spending will rise to 3% of GDP by 2034.
He said: ‘The Prime Minister said he’s 100% confident that this 3% can be delivered. I’ve got no doubt that we can deliver that. It can be fully delivered. It’s a vision for the next 10 years… this is the way we strengthen our armed forces, and it’s the way that we make the British people safer.’
But Dr Bennett does not think this is enough. He said: ‘If we don’t immediately increase defence spending to 4% of GDP, this country may not be around in 2034.’
The UK is 'sleepwalking into a bloody ambush and may not be around in 2034'
'If we don't immediately increase defence spending, this country may not be around in 2034.'
metro.co.uk
daftandbarmy
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OldSolduer
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So the methamphetamine of mountain climbing.It's a fad, largely adopted by inexperienced high altitude mountaineers who would rather 'take a pill' than do the real work of fitness and skill development, and acclimatization.
And in this case, like other similar quick fixes, it doesn't work
BTW I am off to climb the twin peaks of Kiliminjaro - it tends to rise quite sharply to the top then drops off suddenly....
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