Today’s defence related news includes coverage of the election of Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach as the new NATO Chairman of the Military Committee, UK military support to the relief effort in the Caribbean, the activation of Operation Temperer, and the support available to military veterans.
Election of Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach as new NATO Chairman of the Military Committee
The Sunday Express and The Sun both report on the election yesterday of Chief of the Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach as the next NATO Chairman of the Military Council, the Alliance’s senior military officer.
Chief of the Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach said:
It is a huge honour to have been chosen to be the next Chairman of the Military Committee, one of the most important positions in NATO, central to European security.
I am excited to take on this next challenge at such an important time for NATO, at a time when the alliance must modernise to face new and ever adapting threats. Having spent the last year in the hugely rewarding position as Head of the UK’s Armed Forces, I know I am ready to take on this challenge.
I would like to personally thank all of those who supported me through this campaign and voted for me in the election.
Read more about CDS' appointment here.
Operation Temperer
There is further widespread reporting today of the Parsons Green attack in London and the Prime Minister’s announcement that Operation Temperer has been activated, including coverage by the Sunday Telegraph and The Independent. The operation sees Armed Forces personnel deployed at sites across the UK in order to release armed police for other duties.
An MOD spokesperson said:
At the request of the police, we are moving quickly to deploy up to 1,000 personnel from across the three services to provide security at sites across the UK. This will free up extra armed police to patrol the streets and protect the public.
UK military providing relief to Caribbean
There has been continued coverage of the emergency relief provided by UK military personnel in response to the devastation wreaked by Hurricane Irma, including by The Sun and The Observer. Coverage reflects that more than 1,000 troops have been deployed to support the relief effort.
Read more about the Government's response to Hurricane Irma and advice for British Nationals affected by the hurricane.
Support for military veterans
An article in the Sunday People focuses on the story of a veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan and was diagnosed with PTSD, with comments focusing on the MOD’s treatment of veterans.
Coverage on the MOD’s support for veterans also includes an interview with the Minister for Defence People and Veterans in the Sunday Express. The Minister discussed the package of support available for veterans, including the Veterans Gateway, an online portal for veterans to get advice on employment, housing and health, which has already received 1,000 calls.
An MOD spokesperson said:
We are committed to the wellbeing of our service personnel, whether serving or former, and the vast majority of those leaving transition successfully into civilian life. We recognise that a small number of veterans struggle, and that is why we work across Government and with charity partners to provide a comprehensive package of support.
This support includes: the Armed Forces Covenant; the Veteran’s Gateway; and the instigation of a cross-Government Veterans Board later this year.
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