Today’s broadcast channels are dominated by continuing news of the Shoreham Air Show crash in which a Hawker Hunter jet crashed into the A27, killing seven people.
It is also being reported that at least 21 people have been killed in two car bombs in Somalia; terrorist group al-Shabab have claimed responsibility for the attacks. There are also reports on the re-opening of the British Embassy in Iran which the Foreign Secretary is attending today.
Air strikes
The expected article in the Mail on Sunday reports on the RAF strike on 4 August in Iraq, claiming that RAF and SAS fighters killed 40 in a raid on an ISIL stronghold. The piece states that the RAF launched its most devastating attack after stepping up activity after the Tunisian beach massacre. The piece claims that the RAF has dropped twice as many bombs since the attacks in Tunisia in a major upsurge in the UK war effort and adds that after the air strike, SAS personnel used rockets and mortars to continue to bombard the enemy position.
The MOD position is included in the piece – an MOD spokesperson said:
The UK continues to play a leading role in activity that has, so far, seen ISIL lose 25% of its territory in Iraq - RAF aircraft have carried out more than 260 air strikes and have flown over 1200 missions, we have around 800 people supporting operations against ISIL and have trained nearly 2000 Iraqis on the ground.
Kabul car bomb
A variety of outlets, including the Independent on Sunday and the Sun, report on the car bomb attacks in Kabul outside a hospital, with reporting stating that the bombs hit a NATO convoy in the Macrorayan area. No one has so far claimed responsibility for the attack. Reports also state that three foreign contractors were among the dead.
Royal Navy recruitment
The Sunday Telegraph reports that military manning experts are warning that the social media generation’s refusal to be cut off from the internet may lead to a shortage of Royal Navy Submariners wiling to undertake long voyages. The piece says that recruitment into the Armed Forces is being hit by a shift in the level of isolation and hardship young people are willing to put up with. Nick Chaffet from PA consulting, who have reportedly worked for the Royal Navy to improve recruitment figures, is quoted in the article saying that not only do recruits need to be bright and capable, but also willing to change their lifestyle.
An MOD spokesperson said:
We continually strive to ensure our people feel valued and that their contribution and sacrifice is recognised. That is why we invest in a range of measures to improve service life, from welfare support to accommodation, while prioritising the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant.
We are confident that the Armed Forces continues to offer exciting opportunities to young people today and that a military career remains both rewarding and fulfilling. We remain on course to meet Future Force 2020 targets as we move towards the agile and flexible force needed to keep us safe at home and abroad.
A Royal Navy spokesperson said:
The Royal Navy is committed to a range of innovative measures designed to address nationally acknowledged challenges in recruiting and retaining engineering and technical expertise in a highly competitive employment market.
These measures are already producing results allowing the Royal Navy to continue to deliver maritime capability where it is needed.”
Royal Navy Wrecks
The Daily Star Sunday reports that pirates are plundering valuable scrap metal from sunken Royal Navy ships classed as war graves. Salvagers are illegally targeting HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse in which a total of 848 British sailors died. The ships lie 50 miles off the Malaysian coast where they were sunk by the Japanese on December 10th 1941. The article states that the MOD is reliant on the Malaysian Navy to enforce the Protected Places under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986.
A Royal Navy spokesperson said:
The Government continues to work closely with regional governments and others with the aim of preventing inappropriate activity on wrecks. Where we can identify items for sale from protected wrecks, the Government seeks to intervene and take possession of them.
Corbyn Apology
The Sunday Express carries a comment article by Colonel Richard Kemp, former Commander of British Forces in Afghanistan, who says that the proposed apology by Jeremy Corbyn for British involvement in the Iraq war would amount to a betrayal of the 197 British troops kills, hundreds injured and the thousands who bravely fought for their country.
Chilcot
Coverage continues on the delay of the Chilcot report with The Sunday Mirror carrying a comment article by John Prescott in which he says that it is a disgrace the report is still not published. A separate news piece states that Chilcot may face MPs to explain the delay in the report.
The Mail on Sunday reports that the White House is suppressing dozens of documents from the Chilcot enquiry which could reportedly reveal the truth about Tony Blair’s reasons for invading Iraq. The article states that more than 80 files detailing discussions between Blair and George Bush in the run up to the war have been identified by the US Government but are classified on the grounds of national security. In a comment piece, Anne McElvoy writes that those facing criticism in the report are nervous about exposure to European and International law, saying that people are not afraid of Chilcot but the risk of going to jail. General Sir Nicholas Houghton is referenced in the piece saying that he is one of the most senior figures to have been warned that they face criticism in the report.
The Sunday Telegraph also reports that Chilcot could be forced by the government to publish the report as fury grows at the delay.
A Government spokesperson said:
This is an independent inquiry and as such publication and timing are a matter for Sir John and his team. The Government’s position remains absolutely clear, as set out in the recent exchange of letters between the Inquiry and the Prime Minister. Once maxwellisation is completed, the Prime Minister expects to receive an update from Sir John on the timescale for the urgent completion of this independent inquiry.
Elements of the weekend training has included reaction to fire and casualty evacuation drills.
The Squadron provides a deployable light reconnaissance force, which can be used in wide range of operations from peace support through to major combat operations overseas.
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