This morning’s headlines are dominated by Barack Obama’s visit to the UK, with papers reporting on comments from the Defence Secretary on his visit to see Exercise Griffin Strike in action.
President Obama visit
In a Daily Telegraph op-ed, Barack Obama offers his position on the upcoming EU referendum, saying that the sacrifice of his country’s soldiers during the Second World War means America has a stake in the referendum debate. He also uses the article to link the potential impact on our fight against terrorism and the referendum.
National Security
The Sun and Times report yesterday’s comments from Defence Secretary Michael Fallon whilst at the Exercise Griffin Strike visitors demonstration that a decision to leave the EU would be celebrated by Russia and Daesh because of the damage it would do to the West’s security.
The Daily Mail also reports comments made by Mr Fallon yesterday but leads on his suggestion that Britain will never again go to war alone after establishing stronger ties with Europe. The newspaper adds that he claimed it would take longer to deploy a joint force from outside the EU.
Libya
The Times reports that experts have suggested an EU naval campaign to halt the flow of migrants from Libya may be hamstrung by a 2012 European Court of Human Rights ruling. Operation Sophia, set up last year to arrest traffickers and save migrants in international waters off Libya, is reportedly awaiting approval from the new government in Tripoli before it can be enforced in Libyan waters. Officials are said to be undecided whether the EU force, which includes a Royal Navy ship, can ferry migrants back to the shore from which they set off if they are picked up within 12 nautical miles of the coastline.
New Armed Forces covenant website
Today a new Armed Forces Covenant web site launches to give beneficiaries and supporters of the Covenant a single place to find essential information. For members of the Armed Forces, veterans, or family members, the Armed Forces Covenant offers a wide variety of support to ensure they are being treated fairly. The new web site helps them find out what policies, services and projects they can benefit from. Businesses and community organisations can find out how to show their support and see what others in their area are doing.
Image of the day
CJEF troops have been conducting a series of equipment, procedural and interoperability training using vehicles and equipment from both countries armed forces at various locations around the UK, with the largest element taking place on the SPTA. It is the culmination of six years of UK-French military cooperation.
They are being supported by RAF Typhoons and Chinooks, and French Rafale as well as Army Air Corps Apache attack helicopters. Warships of both nations are deployed to sea from which training and military movements are being coordinated.