Today’s defence news takes in the Army’s response to flooding in the north-west of England, along with airstrikes against Daesh and base security.
FLOODING
There is widespread coverage today on broadcast outlets, as well as in the Sunday newspapers, of flooding in the north-west of England following Storm Desmond that brought exceptionally high rainfall to the region.
The military is always ready when asked to assist in such emergencies and Army personnel from 2nd Battalion Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, based in Weeton Barracks near Preston, have been deployed to assist with the flooding response operation with around 350 personnel potentially available within the Battalion.
Around 10 personnel and two vehicles were deployed to Lancaster Hospital at 02.30am to assist in the evacuation and movement of medical personnel and patients from affected areas of the hospital. One patient who was in a diabetic coma was also successfully transported to the hospital from Morcambe.
At 05.30am the Lead Company, comprising around 90 personnel and two vehicles, arrived in Carlisle to assist emergency responders and warn, reassure and evacuate residents. Further companies are on high readiness to assist the operation if required and could deploy in one hour.
A Chinook helicopter has also been deployed to assist in the movement of high-velocity pumping equipment and other potential taskings.
Military personnel can provide a vital role in flood relief efforts alongside counterparts from local authorities, emergency services and other Government departments. Military contribution to flooding relief can include filling and distributing sandbags, erecting barriers, assisting residents, evacuating vulnerable residents, examining the condition of existing flood defences, and general duties in support of the local authorities and emergency services.
SYRIA
There is widespread coverage of continued UK air strikes in Syria and Iraq against Daesh. The Sunday Times reports comments by Defence Secretary Michael Fallon that he chairs a targeting board at the MOD and personally signs off every planned attack against Daesh targets. The article says Mr Fallon admitted that there is always a risk of civilian casualties and that you cannot eliminate all risk. On this blog we have previously outlined the robust measures that are in place to minimise such risk, and no civilian casualties have been reported from more than a year of airstrikes in Iraq.
The Mail on Sunday looks back on the first strikes carried out against Daesh targets by RAF Typhoons on an oil field in Syria. The Sun, Daily Star Sunday and The Sunday Telegraph report that the RAF can now use its full might to take the fight to Daesh.
Multiple newspapers, including the Sunday Express, focus on Mr Fallon’s visit to RAF Akrotiri on Saturday, where he thanked RAF personnel for their commitment to the cause. The Observer and The Independent on Sunday carry comment pieces criticising the air strikes, the former suggesting they will not secure peace, that a political solution is the answer, and the latter claiming British military involvement will not make much difference.
Speaking in Cyprus yesterday the Defence Secretary said:
We don’t go into this lightly. We are very conscious that we are asking our brave armed forces personnel to risk their safety in order to maintain ours. This decision will make our streets here in Britain safer, as we take the fight to where Daesh plot attacks on our people and our allies.
MILITARY SUPPLY CHAIN
The Sunday Times and Sunday Telegraph follow up reports that a female RAF squadron leader in Akrotiri told Mr Fallon of supply problems and claimed it is taking too long for vital aircraft parts to reach the base. The Mail on Sunday, Sun and Sunday Express also carry the story but none of the articles carry the MOD’s position which is below.
A MOD spokesperson said:
"There is no issue with the military supply chain. It is well proven and when stores are called for they are dispatched quickly and efficiently."
RAF MARHAM
The Mail on Sunday carries a story claiming there are security lapses at RAF Marham, where RAF Tornados are based, reporting the jets are only protected by a flimsy 5ft-high picket fence. As the RAF’s statement, which is below, makes clear, fencing is just one part of the security measures in place at any military base
A RAF spokesperson said
"As a matter of policy neither the RAF nor the MOD discuss security measures at our units, however, we can confirm that security measures in place are robust and multi-layered and are not solely dependent on perimeter fencing."
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