A variety of defence related stories are covered in today’s media, including Iraq, the Invictus Games, and areported near miss involving RAF Typhoons.
Invictus Games
The Daily Express and The Star report that Prince Harry has fulfilled his commitment to a US Army medic after presenting her gold Invictus Medal to the staff at Papworth Hospital in Cambridgeshire who saved her life when she was admitted during a visit to Britain to compete in the 2014 Invictus Games. Staff Sergeant Elizabeth Marks won four gold medals at this years’ games in Orlando.
You can read more about British success at the Invictus Games here.
Iraq
The Times reports that mothers are killing their children in Fallujah as the battle to drive Daesh out of the city threatens to turn into a lengthy siege, fleeing residents said yesterday. The article states that aid agencies fear that many of the 50,000 people who have endured two years of starvation and terror under the jihadists will be driven to suicide as Daesh turns them into human shields against the Iraqi forces pushing into the city.
The RAF has been providing active support to the Fallujah offensive. For more information read our latest airstrike update.
Typhoon near miss
The Daily Mirror reports that two RAF Typhoons on a night mission in February over Dishforth, North Yorkshire, came close to a catastrophic mid-air crash with a Hercules C-130. The article states that they came within 500ft of the C-130 which belonged to a foreign air force.
An MOD Spokesperson:
Millions of flights are made in UK airspace each year but despite that only a very small number of air proximity reports are made of which even less identified that the safety of our aircraft may have been compromised, underlining the professionalism of the commercial, military and private aviators that use it.
Safety continues to be of paramount importance to us and the three armed services continue to work hard to ensure that air safety considerations are at the core of all our aviation activity.
We welcome all recommendations made in all airprox reports, which are designed to ensure we learn the lessons of any incidents and do whatever we can to prevent them from happening again.
Marine attacker
The Times, Daily Mail and The Sun report that a man who celebrated with a £140 bottle of champagne after avoiding prison for assaulting a Royal Marine was recalled to court and jailed yesterday. Judge Christopher Harvey Clark, QC, said that Ben Scott “must face the consequences of his stupid and arrogant behaviour”.
Image of the Day
The All Party Parliamentary Group for the Armed Forces hosted a reception at the Palace of Westminster for the Invictus Games athletes. Minister for Defence Personnel and Veterans, Mark Lancaster gave a speech, then MP's gave tours of the Palace.
The UK team of the Invictus Games 2016 enjoyed a reception at the House of Commons today following their triumphant performance at the second Games in Orlando, Florida.
The UK team of wounded, sick and injured personnel and veterans came home from the US with 131 medals - 49 gold, 46 silver and 36 bronze. A total of 108 athletes made up the UK team and they participated in all 10 sports that featured in this years Games.
Beginning with a grand opening ceremony on Sunday May 8, 14 nations competed at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Disney resort. The Games were launched by Prince Harry in London in 2014, inspired by his time in the Army. He attended every day of the second games and presented a number of medals.
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