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Defence in the media

https://modmedia.blog.gov.uk/2015/07/24/defence-in-the-media-24-july-2015/

Defence in the media: 24 July 2015

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Broadcast news reports that Turkey has bombed ISIL targets in Syria, and how Barack Obama has told the BBC that Britain should stay in the EU. He also again praised David Cameron for his decision to commit to NATO defence spending targets.

Terrorist plot

It is widely reported that a British terrorist, aged 15, plotted a beheading on the other side of the world, The Telegraph, Daily MailGuardian, Times, Express and The Sun report that the boy admitted, in a UK court, to inciting a teenager in Australia via the internet to behead, run over or shoot a police officer in a plot reminiscent of the 2013 murder of British soldier Lee Rigby. He will be sentenced in September.

ISIL

The Guardian reports on the US defence secretary Ashton Carter’s first visit to Iraq yesterday for consultations on the battle against ISIL, as aides indicated that the fight to retake a critical city would begin this summer. The Times has printed photographs released by militants showing the demolition of a 30,000 seat sports stadium near Ramadi as the US defence secretary arrived. According to The Wall Street Journal the first contingent of American-trained Iraqi army soldiers has been deployed in combat, officials said.

You can read about our latest air strike activity in Iraq here, you can also read about the full UK activity to combat ISIL here.

Obama comments  

The Times, Daily Telegraph and The Sun report on Barack Obama’s comments made in a BBC interview thatBritain must stay in the European Union to maintain a strong influence on the world stage. The US president again praised Prime Minister David Cameron for committing earlier this month to Nato’s defence spending pledge of 2 per cent of GDP for the next five years.

St Athan

The FT reports that David Cameron is pushing MOD to speed up the release of a hangar in Wales that could become a factory for Aston Martin’s latest luxury car. St Athan is a former Second World War air base that was used for servicing fighter planes. The paper reports that the Welsh government has for several years been pushing the MOD to release land at the site for commercial use. There had previously been plans for a £14bn defence technical college at the site, though these were shelved.

Pig testing

The Sun reports in a short nib that the MOD has “blown up” 149 pigs in the past five years so medics can practise saving soldiers injured in battle. It says some of the animals wore body armour before being blasted. The MOD said the work saved the lives of troops and benefited civilians.

An MOD Spokesperson said:

Research by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) has saved the lives of British troops and also benefits civilians. This research is undertaken to improve the care of severely injured military and civilian casualties, and simply could not have been conducted without using animals.

Image of the day

Parade to commemorate the official stand-up of LXX Sqn and the presentation of its new Standard at Royal Air Force Brize Norton on 23 Jul 15. HRH The Princess Royal was the Reviewing Officer for the Parade, with CAS as the Guest of Honour and AOC 2 Gp, the Stn Cdr, Head of Establishment (HoE) and Chaplain-in-Chief in attendance.
Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, today attended the Re-formation Parade for LXX Squadron, Royal Air Force Brize Norton. Princess Anne, Honorary Air Commodore to Brize Norton was the Reviewing Officer for the parade and presented LXX Squadron with its new Standard.
Parade to commemorate the official stand-up of LXX Sqn and the presentation of its new Standard at Royal Air Force Brize Norton on 23 Jul 15. HRH The Princess Royal was the Reviewing Officer for the Parade, with CAS as the Guest of Honour and AOC 2 Gp, the Stn Cdr, Head of Establishment (HoE) and Chaplain-in-Chief in attendance.
Princess Anne was accompanied by Chief of The Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Andrew Pulford and Royal Air Force Brize Norton Station Commander, Group Captain Simon S Edwards, as she reviewed the Squadron. LXX Squadron, commanded by Wing Commander Simon Boyle, looked impressive as they paraded in front of one of the new A400M Atlas aircraft. The presentation of the new Standard is a very significant moment in the history of the Squadron. Princess Anne acknowledged the importance of the Standard and wished the Squadron a successful future.

 

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