Defence news today includes flooding preparation assistance, Northern Ireland, progress in Mosul, and missing airman Corrie McKeague.
Armed Forces Assist in Flooding Preparations
Many newspapers, including The Sun and the Daily Mirror, report that the Ministry of Defence sent troops to assist in flooding preparations. 100 troops were deployed to Skegness, and 100 to Great Yarmouth to assist in the evacuation of 5000 homes.
Armed Forces Minister Mike Penning said:
Our Armed Forces stand ready to help the civil authorities should they be needed and this operation demonstrates the adaptability, agility and professionalism of our soldiers.
Northern Ireland
The Sun and the Daily Mail report that ministers have begun work on legislation which will compel authorities to treat historical cases with proportionality.
An MOD spokesperson said:
The overwhelming majority of those who served in Northern Ireland did so with great bravery and distinction. Any member of the military affected by this process will rightly be supported throughout and will receive free MOD legal representation.
Mosul
The Times reports Iraqi Army officers’ claims that Daesh fighters are seeking to escape the front line in Mosul following a rapid advance since the attack on the city was re-launched after Christmas. The Scotsman reports the Iraqi Army’s description of Iraqi Special Forces’ entry into Mosul University yesterday as an important step in gaining control of the city. The Daily Record writes that around 150 troops from 4 SCOTS regiment will be heading to Iraq to replace the Rifles on a training mission at Al-Asad airbase as part of Operation Shader.
Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said:
Daesh is losing ground, losing support & losing fighters. The RAF are hitting Daesh hard, operating at the highest tempo for 25 years as part of Britain's leading role in the Coalition that is training & supporting Iraqi forces on the ground. This year we must maintain momentum and deal Daesh a decisive blow in Iraq.
Image of the day
The unit supported Norfolk Police in the Great Yarmouth area as they responded to the threat of a North Sea tidal surge.
More images are available here.
Corporal Dek Traylor / MoD Crown Copyright
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