Today's defence-related news includes HMS Dragon seizing 49kg of heroin in the Gulf and coverage of yesterday's flypast in Sheffield to mark the 75th anniversary of a Second World War crash which claimed the lives of 10 American airmen.
HMS Dragon drugs bust
Royal Navy warship HMS Dragon yesterday seized 49kg of heroin in the Gulf, worth an estimated £9 million. This operation was reported in the Telegraph, the Sun, the Daily Mail, the Guardian, the Press & Journal and the Daily Record.
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said:
Heroin destroys lives but, thanks to the tireless work of HMS Dragon’s crew, these criminals will not be distributing this poison and will instead face justice.
These drugs would have had a wide distribution network across the globe, highlighting exactly why we are committed to the region – because Gulf security is our security.
Memorial flypast for 10 US airmen
Thousands of people gathered in Sheffield on Friday morning to watch a special flypast marking the 75th anniversary of a World War 2 crash which claimed the lives of 10 American airmen. The flypast came about following a campaign by BBC presenter Dan Walker who met Sheffield resident Tony Foulds who witnessed the crash as a child and has tended a memorial in Sheffield’s Endcliffe Park ever since, believing the airmen diverted their planes to make sure they avoided him and other civilians.
Following Friday’s coverage on TV, social media and online news channels, there is widespread coverage of the flypast in today’s papers. The Guardian, the Daily Express, the Daily Mail, the Press & Journal, the Daily Mirror, The Herald, The Sun and The Times all report on the story. They prominently feature Mr Foulds and his emotional reaction to the flypast, focusing their stories on the realisation of his dream to have a tribute to the 10 US airmen take place.
Most of the reporting notes that the flypast featured planes from both the Royal Air Force and the US Air Force, with some papers highlighting the RAF Typhoons that took part. The Express carries pictures of a CV-22 Osprey and a Douglas C-47 Dakota, while the Mirror features F-15s and a Dakota.
Image of the day
