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Defence in the media

https://modmedia.blog.gov.uk/2016/05/16/defence-in-the-media-16-may-2016/

Defence in the Media: 16 May 2016

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In today's defence-related news there's coverage of the British Army bomb disposal team's part in the response to the Old Trafford bomb scare, and features on the new Dambusters of the RAF's 617 Squadron.

Old Trafford

The Telegraph, Mirror, Sun, Times and Guardian report on yesterday’s football bomb scare at Old Trafford. It said that a crowd of 75,000 had to be evacuated and a controlled explosion by Army bomb-disposal experts was carried out on the device. The papers write that the device turned out to be an ‘incredibly lifelike’ fake bomb that had been left following an exercise to test their readiness against terror threats. An Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal team (from 11 EOD Regiment) attended at the request of Greater Manchester Police and carried out the controlled explosion on the device which was subsequently found to be not viable. 

New Dambusters

The Telegraph and Express write that the RAF’s Dambusters are back on the frontline, as 617 Squadron trains with the first F-35B Lightnings, the world’s most advanced stealth fighter, which will be operated by the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. According to the articles, the Government has ordered a first batch of 14 of the fighters, also known as Lightning IIs. Wing Commander John Butcher is quoted extensively in the Express. He said: “The F-35B Lightning uses stealth technology to hide from enemy radar systems, effectively making the aircraft invisible. This is a significant tactical advantage as an enemy cannot fight what he cannot see.”

Image of the Day

Soldiers and Musicians perform at spectacular event celebrating Her Majesty The Queen’s 90th Birthday. A spectacular evening of celebration in honour of Her Majesty The Queen’s 90th Birthday featuring performances from soldiers and musicians from The Army in London, concluded The Royal Windsor Horse show this evening. The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment and The Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery were among the 1,599 incredible performers from around the world honouring Her Majesty’s landmark birthday, which saw music provided by The Household Cavalry Mounted Bands, The Band of the Irish Guards and The Countess of Wessex’s String Orchestra. Broadcast live on ITV, the festivity was presented by Ant & Dec and welcomed some of the biggest stars from the world of entertainment including Dame Shirley Bassey, Katherine Jenkins, Gary Barlow and singer and former Household Cavalry Captain James Blunt. The celebration which took place on the last day of the Royal Windsor Horse Show, told the story of Her Majesty The Queen’s remarkable life from her birth in 1926, through World War II to the Queen’s Coronation in 1953, continuing with her reign right up to the present day.
A spectacular evening of celebration in honour of Her Majesty The Queen’s 90th Birthday featuring performances from soldiers and musicians from The Army in London, concluded The Royal Windsor Horse show last night. The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment and The Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery were among the 1,599 incredible performers from around the world honouring Her Majesty’s landmark birthday, which saw music provided by The Household Cavalry Mounted Bands, The Band of the Irish Guards and The Countess of Wessex’s String Orchestra. Crown Copyright.

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