Today’s defence news includes a preview of ‘British Army Girls’ and last week’s 98th anniversary of the RAF.
Female Soldiers
The Daily Mail carries an interview with Captain Rosie Hamilton of the Royal Engineers ahead of the programme ‘British Army Girls’ being aired on Channel 4 this week. The article focuses on a quote from Captain Hamilton, who said that women soldiers do have the killer instinct to fight on the front line, and that gender ‘doesn’t make a difference’. The article references yesterday’s reports claiming that the MOD is changing fitness tests and training which are currently male-focused with an expected announcement this summer that women will be able to take on ground close combat roles in the Army.
CGS General Sir Nick Carter said:
I want to make it very clear that there will be no lowering of training or qualifying levels for soldiers in ground close combat roles.
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said:
The MOD is undertaking a review to establish the physical standards required for ground close combat, which is due to complete in 2019. It will be based upon the principle that any standards will be related to the required role rather than individual characteristics. No decisions have been taken and any claims of what this will involve are pure speculation.
SAS Osprey
The Times follows up on reporting in yesterday’s Mail on Sunday with an article speculating that the SAS has been training in the American V-22 Osprey aircraft, saying that it could be used to fight terrorists as it would transport Special Forces around the country faster than current assets. The Ministry of Defence does not comment on Special Forces.
RAF Anniversary
The Daily Telegraph reports on yesterday’s service at St Clement Danes to commemorate the 98th anniversary of the formation of the RAF.
Commodore Rhod Palmer
The Daily Telegraph holds an obituary for Commodore Rhod Palmer who has died aged 62. The article reports that he was a Naval Air Engineer who, following a long and successful Naval career, fronted the Royal British Legion’s campaign to secure compensation for veterans with asbestos-related cancer.
Chilcot
The Times briefly reports that MPs have appointed a leading financial services barrister, Andrew Green QC, to review the process of ‘Maxwellisation’ that many blame for the long delay in the release of Sir John Chilcot’s report into the Iraq war.
Rhino Protection
The Sun reports that former Marine Lance Corporal Matt Croucher, who was awarded the George Cross for saving lives in Afghanistan, is now protecting rhinos and elephants from poachers by launching his own charity. The article reports that Action Against Poaching will fight to save threatened animals and offer other former service personnel a career in helping rangers in Africa. He is quoted at length in the piece saying that the fight to save these animals is just as big as the fierce fighting he experienced in Iraq and Afghanistan.
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