Yesterday’s unveiling of the Bastion War Memorial features prominently in print media today and several outlets are reporting that the US is spending more than $9m (£5.7m) a day on the war against ISIL.
Iraq
The BBC is among a number of outlets reporting on US expenditure in the fight against ISIL, suggesting that they have spent $2.7bn (£1.7bn) on the bombing campaign since August 2014.
The Times reports that General Martin Dempsey, chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has told reporters that the US might create several more ‘lily pad’ bases where US troops could give tactical advice to Iraqi forces close to combat zones.
In The Times, Sunni officials in Saddam Hussein’s home town of Tikrit have said that Iranian-backed Shia militias have prevented Sunnis returning since the city was taken back from ISIL. The official told The Times the militias have looted treasures and exiled most of the Sunni population which lived there before.
Bastion Memorial dedication
The Daily Telegraph, The Times, The Sun and the Daily Star carry a series of human interest stories and Prince Harry’s attendance in coverage of yesterday’s dedication of the Bastion Memorial at the National Arboretum in Staffordshire. The Prime Minister and Defence Secretary were present at a service attended by service personnel and friends and family of the 453 UK personnel who died during the 12-year campaign. The Daily Mail carries a report on television footage from the Queen’s visit to the Millennium Stadium, where a soldier accidentally hit a girl in the face as he saluted the monarch.
Flying training NAO report
The Times and Daily Telegraph (plus BBC bulletins) report that the NAO has suggested Britain’s armed forces could be left with too few pilots because a new private training scheme is already five years behind schedule. The report says training should have been transferred to Ascent last year but that will not take place until 2019 because of problems with the arrangement.
Minister for Defence Procurement, Philip Dunne MP, said:
The Programme had a difficult start after initial contracts were let under a PFI contract in 2008. The Programme was thoroughly over-hauled in 2012 and early implementation issues are now behind us. We are now on a much firmer footing and moving forward to deliver flight training for aircrew, more rapidly and efficiently, with greater flexibility to adapt to new platforms. I welcome the latest NAO report on UKMFTS – it is an extremely useful piece of work that ensures we are moving in the right direction, and that the capability we are delivering will provide value for money to the UK taxpayer.
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