herrick heroes, Bomb disposal, op tosca, and more DefenceFocus Royal Navy | Army | Royal Air Force | Ministry of Defence | issue #269 APRIL/13

ARMY 2020 vision Looking at the future of Army basing combatbarbie NANAVIGATORVIGATOR

Regulars

P5 in memoriam Tributes to the fallen

P12 verbatim DIO chief Andrew Manley gives his take on the Army’s rebasing plan

P26 my medals The Army’s most decorated soldier Warrant Officer Class 1 Mick Flynn

P28 health Surgeon Commander Nick Imm scratches the surface of eczema

P31 Readers offers Win an overnight break in a four-star London hotel OP HONOURS: three herrick Features heroes share p8 bomb school Ian Carr goes back to school with their stories P20 the bomb disposal students P10 new operating model Picture: Sergeant Andy Reddy RLC Sergeant Picture: Find out what will be changing as Lord Levene’s recommendations kick in P18 P14 location, location, location Lorraine McBride on the Army’s move back from Germany

P18 mali A timeline of what has happened so far with the EU Training Mission

P20 op honours Humbling tales of bravery from those who put their lives on the line

P24 op tosca In training for the UN’s longest- running peacekeeping mission

Picture: Steve Lympany Steve Picture: APRIL 2013 | ISSUE 269 | 3

P24 Nolan RLC Russ Sergeant Picture: EDITOR’SNOTE

FIONA SIMPSON However, my small step for (wo)man DefenceFocus is nothing compared to the giant leap for Apparently moving mankind which the Defence Infrastructure For everyone in defence house is one of Organisation (DIO) is undertaking to Published by the Ministry of Defence the most stressful move so many people and bits of kit from Level 1 Zone C things you can Germany to rehome them back in Blighty. MOD, Main Building do. Well imagine You can hear from DIO Chief Whitehall London SW1A 2HB moving house on Executive Andrew Manley, whose General enquiries: 020 721 8 1320 the scale that the organisation will be orchestrating the Army is undertaking plan, which he describes as “like EDITOR: Fiona Simpson Tel: 020 7218 3949 with 12,000 troops building a mini Olympics”. email: [email protected] currently based in There’s more orchestration going

ASSISTANT EDITOR: Ian Carr Germany coming on this month with the launch of the Tel: 020 7218 2825 back to the UK. new operating model, which will see big email: [email protected] The majority of them are saying auf changes in the way the whole organisation ASSISTANT EDITOR: Tristan Kelly wiedersehen to their German bases in the conducts its business. Tel: 020 7218 4252 next three years. It’s something we have been talking email: [email protected] On page 12 Lorraine McBride looks about for a long time, but now it has finally ASSISTANT EDITOR: Leigh Hamilton at the who, what, why, where and when of come into being, Defence Focus explains Tel: 020 7218 5988 the £1.8bn rebasing plan, all part of Army (in as simple a way as possible) what it is email: [email protected] 2020. There is also a handy map to help and why you should care about it. ASSISTANT EDITOR: Lorraine McBride you see who will be going where. So hopefully with better ways of Tel: 020 721 82341 I know only too well the zillions of working, and all the planning going on, email: [email protected] little things you have to do in order to the big move won’t be so stressful. ART EDITOR: Mark Eagle move house as I’m moving myself As for me, I wonder if DIO are too Tel: 020 721 8 3658 this month. busy to help me with all my packing? email: [email protected]

DISTRIBUTION AND SUPPORT: Shell Daruwala Tel: 020 7218 1320 email: [email protected] Ministry of Defence online MOD does not endorse any product or service advertised in Defence Focus, nor does it verify any preferential www.gov.uk/mod treatment offered by any advertiser to MOD employees. Queries on advertisements should be addressed to our advertising agency.

Opinions expressed in Defence Focus do not necessarily represent those of the MOD. Articles on all aspects of The Defence News Blog YouTube MOD and Defence will be considered for publication Get a daily update of all the major At Defence Headquarters YouTube the but we reserve the right to edit contributions. MOD defence stories running in the media latest videos from across Defence can staff contributing to Defence Focus should ensure their with the MOD’s official position on the be found, including clips of soldiers on writing is suitable for open publication. key issues, as well as a Defence Diary patrol in Helmand and briefings from Advertising with upcoming events of interest. senior personnel. Advertising sales are handled by Richard Stillman at Ten Alps Media. Tel: 020 7657 1837 Visit www.blogs.mod.uk and subscribe email: [email protected] to the daily alerts. Afghanistan Blog Updated daily with official news on the Distribution The magazine is distributed through major military Facebook/Twitter UK mission in Afghanistan as well as bases, depots and MOD offices. Join over 200,000 followers at the HM with stories from across the media and Armed Forces Facebook page and personal blogs from Armed Forces receive Defence HQ tweets @DefenceHQ personnel currently deployed. on Twitter. www.ukforcesafghanistan.wordpress.com Produced by Williams Lea Ltd on 100% recycled paper. MoD Helpline 01603 696329.

4 | www.GOV.UK/MOD | APRIL 2013 inmemoriam Deaths ON OPERATIONS – 31 january to 5 april 2013

Afghanistan on 26 March from wounds on his second tour of Afghanistan in sustained during an enemy attack on October 2012. Working as a Company his patrol base in the Nad ‘Ali district of intelligence collator and section Helmand province the previous day. second-in-command he displayed Lance Corporal Webb was born on a sharp, analytical mind and a deep 6 October 1988. He joined the British understanding of the operational Army aged 18 in 2006. His first posting environment and the campaign. with B Company took him to Ballykinler, Lance Corporal Webb leaves Northern Ireland, on Operation Banner. behind his much loved parents Dave He deployed with 1 MERCIAN on two and Sue, and close family. tours of Afghanistan. On his first tour in Paying tribute, Lieutenant 2010 he served as a rifle section second- Colonel Phil Kimber, Commanding in-command in the Nahr-e Saraj area Officer of 1 MERCIAN, said: “A real operating with a Danish battle group. character, a totally professional soldier, As a result of his performance and a great friend to many, Lance on operations in Afghanistan, Lance Corporal Webb was exactly the type of Lance Corporal Webb Corporal Webb was recommended for man you wanted around. promotion and successfully completed a “Always with a smile on his face, Lance Corporal Jamie Webb of 1st junior non-commissioned officer cadre always willing to engage in some witty Battalion The Mercian Regiment (1 in October 2011. and mischievous banter, he really did lift MERCIAN) died in an ISAF hospital in Lance Corporal Webb deployed the morale of all around him.”

Helmand hero honoured

The ‘supremely courageous and inspiring’ priority was now to neutralise the final actions of Lance Corporal Ashworth have sharpshooter and extract as soon as been recognised with the premier award possible. Using his final grenade, Lance for gallantry. Corporal Ashworth crawled behind a knee- The 23-year-old from the 1st Battalion high wall that ran parallel to the front of Grenadier Guards was killed storming the outbuilding. With just enough cover to an insurgent position in the Nahr-e Saraj conceal his prostrate 6’8” form, he edged district of Helmand province in forward while bullets flew over his June 2012. His conduct in putting head. When he was within 5 metres himself in the line of fire to protect of the insurgent position the Lance his colleagues has been rewarded Corporal was desperate to make his with the Victoria Cross. last grenade count. Lance Corporal Ashworth and Under fire he crawled out his platoon were tasked to deal from behind the wall to get a with an insurgent sharpshooter better angle for his throw. As team. They came under fire as he was preparing to throw the soon as they landed, prompting grenade he was hit. him to lead his fire team in a 300- His citation says: metre charge to the heart of the “Despite the ferocity of the enemy position. Two insurgents insurgent’s resistance, were killed in this initial attack, Ashworth refused to be but a follow-up assault by Afghan beaten. His total disregard police stalled when a patrolman was for his own safety in ensuring shot and killed as the enemy fled. that the last grenade was posted Lance Corporal Ashworth again led accurately was the gallant last action from the front, advancing on an insurgent of a soldier who had willingly placed compound using grenades to drive the final himself in the line of fire on numerous remaining enemy to an outbuilding. The occasions earlier in the attack. This insurgents were now being supported by supremely courageous and inspiring action fire from several positions. The immediate deserves the highest recognition.”

APRIL 20122013 | ISSUE 226960 | 5 BIG PICTURE

6 | www.GOV.UK/MOD | april 2013 Picture: PO(Phot) Sean Clee Picture:

Corporal Dawson (Rear) gives the point man Private Francis a fire control order

Officers and soldiers from 1st Battalion The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment acclimatise to the soaring temperatures and prepare their equipment on Exercise Askari Thunder 6 in kenya

april 2013 | ISSUE 269 | 7 bomb disposal Bombs away thanks to a new regiment and a new joined up training facility, things will only ever go bang when the troops want them to writes ian carr

Garfield soft toy stares down that doesn’t matter, for this car is not here facility will bring together under one roof from one of the front bedroom for the school-run. Instead it is a possible the training and capabilities that have been windows. The grass in the front hiding place for electrical switches, evolving over many years in numerous A garden is well kept, but there’s detonators, explosive or anything else theatres around the world.” not much to see in terms of flowers. Mind that might form part of the bomb maker’s Expertise and assets from across you, the owners of this attractive four- kit, stashed away behind door panels or the Services have been brought together bedroom detached property with integral dashboard facias. to create what its commanding officer, garage have had more pressing concerns Walking methodically up and down Lieutenant Colonel Chris Henson has than sorting out the flowerbeds. the front lawn, a soldier pushes, not a described as “an absolutely first class For this is no quiet housing estate lawnmower, but a geophysical sensor to training facility”. but a small part of the state-of-the-art detect what secrets might be hidden below “I run more than 73 different types of £100m training facility at St Georges the turf. Meanwhile his colleagues, clad in courses here which translates into around Barracks, Bicester. It is just one of the white overalls, are taking samples from 4,000 students on 200 courses every year,” specially designed facilities where the doorframes and carpets to test for signs of he said. newly commissioned Defence Explosives explosive or booby traps. To the untrained The school occupies two sites, one Ordnance Disposal, Munitions and Search eye, it all looks like a cross between Time at St George’s Barracks in Bicester, the Training Regiment (DEMS Trg Regt) is Team and Crime Scene Investigation. other at Kineton, 30 miles away. Each has already putting its students through their When General Sir Peter Wall, Chief been designed to provide different types rigorous training and getting them to of the General Staff, visited the school on of specialist training environment. There practice their techniques and tactics. 15 March to attend its official opening and are four broad strands of expertise which What might represent domestic to conduct the new Regiment’s standing are taught here covering searching for normality for the rest of us is seen as a up ceremony, he praised the thought and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to potential bomb-making factory by these imagination that had gone into the creation establish safe routes for patrols and to men and women determined to thwart the of the school’s many facilities. check compounds for devices; disposing or enemy whether they are overseas or on UK “This marks another significant way neutralising IEDs; disposing of conventional home soil. point in developing further our unique munitions, such as Second World War Which explains why the car parked in capabilities which are vital in supporting bombs, and all aspects of the handling and the drive is not the new Saab that you might our troops and which are probably done safe storage of ammunition. associate with such a house, but an old better here than anywhere else in the world, At the school students encounter, Vauxhall with a flat front offside tyre. But and that’s not a false claim,” he said. “This and are taught to deal with, all the hazards and threats that they could expect to confront in the line of duty. That might Grass roots: Biscuit?: search dog mean searching cars and houses for bomb searching for Turbo wonders what making equipment or learning to cope with hidden nasties all the fuss is about hazardous environments by squeezing into a maze of specially designed subterranean tunnels simulating sewage and other service access pipes to deal with devices. Or inching their way along 80 feet of pitch black “Tora Bora type” cave system to encounter whatever horrors their instructors have dreamt up for them. In the 7 metre deep pool, divers will test their mettle dismantling mines, or get Wired: preparing to cut the wire from a used to operating in an oil contaminated safe distance environment in the mock up of HMS Antelope, the frigate that, during the Falklands War, was penetrated by two bombs that did not explode. Robot wars: the While the school’s official opening Cutlass Remote has just taken place, it welcomed its first Control Vehicle Robot students through the gates in September

Pictures: Richard Watt Richard Pictures: last year. General Wall expressed his

8 | www.GOV.UK/MOD | APRIL 2013 Know how: 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment search around Char Coucha Village. Picture: Sgt Rupert Frere RLC Sgt Rupert Frere Picture:

admiration for the professionalism and was just one more important step along the “Over the last few years our opponents dedication of the 253 staff that had made path to thwarting a cunning and determined have kept us hard at it with their primary opening the new school on time possible, enemy. Certainly the trend in training weapon of choice the IED,” he said. “I given that they had also had to support requirements supports this view, with some don’t see that changing, even when we are operations in Afghanistan while setting it areas of the syllabus, such as countering drawing down in Afghanistan. We have all up. the IED threat increasing by more than 100 to keep on top of the game in combating “I put it to you,” he said, “that while this per cent over the last three years. these devices that highly motivated people is a training regiment within the army’s “Those loadings for us, are unlikely will use to try to hinder our freedom of regimental training organisation, it is to decrease significantly despite the movement in future operations, be they also operational in its own right, which drawdown in Op herrick” said Lieutenant humanitarian or military. makes it even more remarkable that it has Colonel Henson. “So we will have to do even “It will be in this place where we maintained its outputs while also dealing more with what we have got by improving will prepare to deal with that. It is the with the tremendous change that has got us our capacity, driving up our pass rates instructors and the students that will to where we are today.” and developing our techniques and use come through here every year that will But although the hard earned of simulation and emulation to make the have the serious responsibility to keep congratulations were well deserved, no training as safe and as real as possible.” us intellectually and militarily on top and one was in any doubt that when it comes to Which was exactly in line with CGS’s taking the initiative against this all too the threat that our Armed Forces face, this vision of the future. pervasive threat.” DF

APRIL 2013 | ISSUE 269 | 9 Transforming defence

The new Operating Model will see money and decision-making delegated to the Services Thinking Defence: the launch of the New Operating Model

We’ve been talking about it for When it comes to ‘Transformation’ though there are probably two types of some time but the new Operating people in Defence: those who are tired Model finally launched THIS of being told about it and those that don’t think it’s relevant to them. MONTH. But what is it, why DOES it Jonathan Slater, Director General MATTER and why should we care? Transformation and Corporate Strategy, explains why it does mean something to all of us: “When you see a news story about ince Lord Levene’s Defence Defence Reform sits under the the MOD it’s often not complimentary, and Reform Report in June 2011, ‘Transforming Defence’ umbrella and that’s not nice for any of us. Over time, teams across Defence have been it’s the first change programme since the new Operating Model will make the S working hard to bring into reality the eighties to directly tackle the way the department work better and will help to his recommendation for a new operating department is fundamentally organised. change that public perception.” model based on more responsibility The simple premise is that the people who There were 53 recommendations in sitting with the Commands, and Head know best how to deliver something are Lord Levene’s report and implementing Office being a smaller and more empowered to do so and their leaders are all of them impacts on every part of

strategic body. held accountable for it. Defence. Recognising how LA(Phot) Abbie Herron Picture:

10 | www.GOV.UK/MOD | APRIL 2013 fundamental the changes are, the new approach’ to what we can afford outlined Jonathan Slater says:“The Operating Model has been developed in the Defence Vision. organisational changes make sense, using input from specialist teams across Colonel Max Joy works in the but it’s not going to work unless the Defence, expert reviews and through capability team at Army HQ and behaviour of staff in Head Office also staff engagement. explains: “Over time the equipment changes. They can’t get involved in programmes will feel less like What’s changing in the TLBs? something we’ve been told by the Centre Jonathan Slater There are now seven Top Level Budgets to buy and more like something we’ve shares his (TLBs) that make up Defence: Head decided on for ourselves.” thoughts on the new Office and Corporate Services, Defence DIO and Defence Business Services operating model Equipment and Support (DE&S), Defence were formed very early in the programme Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and the to deliver services across Defence in three Commands – Navy, Army, Air - have place of the individual TLB teams. Both been joined by Joint Forces Command, are looking at how commercial sector which became fully operational at the expertise can deliver more customer- same time as the Operating Model focused services at reduced cost. was launched. Martin Warman works in the team All these TLBs are directly affected. delivering the enhanced Operating Model From this month the new Operating in DIO, also launched this month. He Model delegates money and decision- says: “DIO was born of Defence Reform making from Head Office to the other and we’re committed to providing the TLBs, so they are now more free to best services we can in a more cost run their business without day-to-day efficient way. We needed to embrace interference. private sector best practice to help us do The big change for DE&S is that they that and we’re well on the way.” will be facing five customers (the four the detail or they’ll undermine the commands and Head Office) instead What about the centre? accountability of the TLB holders.” of one. And to avoid a repetition of past Lord Levene’s recommendations were history characterised by bad investment all about supporting the front line better What next? decisions and budget overspends, DE&S by reducing non-front-line costs and Now the new Operating Model has will only agree to deliver a project if ensuring every pound spent on launched, it will be no easy task to make the customer can prove they have the Defence counts. sure the changes work and really do start resources to fund the programme and In line with this Head Office is to make things better. DE&S is confident it can deliver it. taking a more strategic role, reducing Jonathan acknowledges the need Group Captain Rob Woods works in duplication with the TLBs and focusing for us all to get behind the changes, the DE&S team responsible for ensuring on providing clearer direction, as well as especially the new ways of working: they can handle the change and explains holding TLBs to account for delivery. It is “Changing the behaviours and culture how it may help them better understand also reducing its headcount to less than of an organisation as large and set in its their customers: “Rather than going 1,600 staff by 2015. A smaller Head Office ways as Defence isn’t easy, but I believe through a middle-man in Head Office, will be forced to stay strategic and let the it’s something we all want and we can’t do DE&S staff will be creating a much TLBs get on with their work. it without everyone pulling together.” DF closer working relationship with our end users. Over time, this should simplify the process, strengthen relationships, and provide a better understanding of our customers’ requirements. All this should transforming defence help us make better decisions.” One of the ways to ensure we make OPERATING MODEL better investments is to apply more evidence-based decision-making to the process. Defence Science and The new Operating Model is based on six core functions Technology is looking at how to link which sum up everything we do: science and technology and capability investment decisions in order to deliver n Direct: a smaller Head Office directing n Enable: DIO and DBS delivering what the Services will need not just now all Defence activity support services across Defence but in the future. A fundamental element of the new n Operate: PJHQ focused on the n Account: our leaders answering to Operating Model is the delegation of deployment and use of military forces parliament on our performance financial and military capability planning to the Service Commands. So the n Generate and Develop: how the If you want to know more go to ‘How existing teams responsible for managing Commands deliver military capability Defence Works’ from the homepage capability have been bolstered by experts of the Defence Intranet under ‘Policy moved from Head Office, and the new n Acquire: DE&S leading on procuring and Guidance’ for the pdf or interactive ‘Director of Resources’ posts in each TLB and supporting military capability version of the model. will be responsible for the ‘hard-headed

APRIL 2013 | ISSUE 269 | 11 verbatim Basing: on track, on time and on budget moving 16,000 troops from germany to the uk sounds tricky. Andrew manley, chief executive of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (dio), shares his £1.8bn rebasing plan with lorraine Mcbride

and Chancellor. I think there was a remarkable degree of harmony about the overall plan. The political view was that the British Army’s presence in Germany no longer served a strategic purpose. That was a legacy of the Cold War and gave us an opportunity to consolidate the Army back inside the UK.

DF: Under the rebasing plan, thousands of homes will be built as troops return to the UK. When will construction get underway? AM: The delivery of the infrastructure as part of the Regular Basing Plan is possibly the largest infrastructure change in a generation. DIO is in the process of refining a delivery plan to ensure the infrastructure is in place for Army personnel and their families. We’re likely to see construction get underway from 2014/15. We’re already on track to bring the majority of soldiers home by 2015 and, while we can’t confirm the delivery programme until the relevant planning and other approvals have been secured, we’re confident that we will bring home the last major Army unit (20 Brigade) by 2020. Right Manley for the job: Andrew Manley is Chief DF: Have any UK areas either resisted or embraced Executive of the DIO the changes against shrinking or closing given that Picture: Harland Quarrington Picture: millions of pounds are at stake? AM: It was interesting watching the Secretary of State’s DF: Who took the decisions on which bases will shut announcement to Parliament when all the MPs were and the movements of troops back to the UK? hugely supportive. I’d say the rallying cry was ‘we want AM: In July 2012 the Defence Secretary articulated the a piece of the Armed Forces in our constituency!’ With future design and structure of the British Army through the reputation of the Armed Forces rising high, MPs are the Army 2020 report. The Regular Army Basing Plan very keen to keep the uniform in their community. supports the implementation of the Army 2020 strategy Local communities have also been largely and accommodates the forces returning from Germany. supportive of the plans, which of course are subject to It’s been developed through close working between the planning permissions and environmental assessments. Army and DIO. The Army decided on the necessary unit moves to DF: A few years ago there was a push to upgrade single ensure each type of unit is based in the right location to living accommodation? What are the priorities now? allow it to train in the best and most effective way with AM: The key priorities within the Regular Army Basing other units - both regular and reserve - and the DIO Plan are to support the return of 16,000 soldiers led on proposing infrastructure solutions to meet the from Germany. Delivering £1bn of single living Army’s needs. accommodation, Service families accommodation and Service messes is a part of the plan, but our overall DF: Were the Prime Minister and Chancellor also priority to provide a basing laydown that enables the involved and was there any debate? people of Defence to live, work, train and deploy at home The Defence Secretary agreed the overall plan and and overseas remains. funding, which was then approved by the Prime Minister Single living has had a recent focus but now we

12 | www.GOV.UK/MOD | APRIL 2013 need to agree with the Chiefs how much do we need Plain to see: under rebasing, 4,000 extra in future and what type do we provide? Do we want troops will move onto Salisbury Plain every soldier, airman or sailor to have an en suite or should recruits share rooms as part of team and training development? I think the investment will be spread across family, single living and technical accommodation.

DF: What will happen to the disused bases? AM: The plan identifies seven sites that are no longer required for regular Army basing.The Defence Secretary announced that a small number of sites would be released: Craigiehall, Edinburgh, Claro Barracks, Ripon, Howe Barracks, Canterbury and Cawdor Barracks, Brawdy, and our intent is to close those barracks and recycle the assets for sale or for new housing. Of course there is a drive from central government to release more public sector land for central government housing and we’re an important contributor to that programme. Picture: Graeme Main Graeme Picture: DF: Is the backdrop to all this purely because of pressure to make huge savings? AM: No, but while financial savings don’t drive the plan, we are able to realise efficiencies through rationalising Everyone wants a the estate and bringing troops and their families back from Germany. For example, there’s obviously an Army saving in not having to pay overseas allowances, travel piece of the Armed Forces and support for education, and medical and dental facilities abroad. in their constituency DF: What will be the total cost of relocation and how will you ensure value for money? of the main challenges under the basing plan but it’s AM: The programme outlined by Philip Hammond will the only place in the country where the Army can carry cost £1.8bn between now and 2020. DIO has sought to out the complex and demanding training exercises make the best use of facilities within the existing estate they need to do and in which they provide support to to optimise value for money. each other. Having all three brigades located in close Delivering Defence in the most effective, efficient proximity around the Plain will enable them to train and and sustainable way continues to be one of the key fight more effectively in future. priorities in the Defence Plan. The new buildings and Salisbury Plain is heavily used in part but significant refurbishments will be delivered in accordance with areas are hardly used at all. Ultimately it’s down to our sustainability policies to reduce waste, greenhouse good planning to make sure that we’re distributing the emissions and water consumption. We are very much requirement to use it evenly across the land mass. at the forefront of eco-friendly construction techniques. Rainwater harvesting, wind power and recycling DF: DIO has been at the forefront of the Defence sewage will help us to do everything we can to make Transformation agenda. Are you confident that DIO sure that construction is as friendly to the environment can deliver this ambitious programme? as possible. AM: The DIO has continued to transform into what promises to be a world-class infrastructure DF: What are the main challenges in ensuring the organisation, based on the new Enhanced Operating construction timescale is adhered to? Model, which is about what we manage, how we AM: The investment programme over the next 10 years manage it, the management information system that is like building a mini-Olympics. While challenging, underpins it and how we organise our people around the disciplines are similar, involving good project activities. management, understanding the requirement, I’m confident that we have the right organisational contracting against a timeline and ensuring delivery is design to adapt and meet such challenges and the on time and within budget. It requires a huge amount right processes to deliver this programme against of hard work by our technical advisors, our contractors challenging deadlines. and us. Most importantly, I believe we have the right people - talented professionals , working as one team - to DF: Salisbury Plain is already intensively used. How deliver the Regular Army Basing Plan. We see this as an will DIO cope with 4,000 extra troops? opportunity to really make a difference to the lives of our AM: The uplift of approximately 4,000 extra troops Armed Forces colleagues and look forward to taking up around the Salisbury Plain Training Area is indeed one the challenge. DF

APRIL 2013 | ISSUE 269 | 13 basing Location, Location, Location

Head of Army Rebasing, Major programme is expected to save £240m a year in efficiency costs. General Nick Pope, tells lorraine From an Army 2020 perspective, mcbride why bringing back troops General Pope talks of a journey to exploit basing. Implementing the plan will involve from Germany means a boost for a long period of transformation that will the Army require changes to the army’s structure, vision and purpose. Seven key hubs will be created to he Army is facing its biggest concentrate expertise such as logistics and upheaval in a generation. In March, communications to deliver the same output the MOD announced the details of but more efficiently. Tits basing review. For the first time For example, units colocated in in more than 200 years, the British Army will Aldershot can join forces and start thinking be predominantly based in the UK. Around about how they best work together and cut 12,000 British troops will return from repair costs. Germany by the end of 2015, with the final While the rebalancing has resulted in 4,000 back by the end of 2019. the reduction of 23 units across the Army, The head of army rebasing is Major General Pope says that having a colocated General Nick Pope who knows that the Reaction Force made military sense. mammoth drawdown will require careful logistical planning which he acknowledges Nailed will take time. “Once we nailed that particular part of British troops have been in Germany the army structure, the rest of it is about since the Second World War, but while representation around the rest of the UK it’s the end of an era, General Pope says it army footprint. Military mover: General Nick Pope is opens a new chapter for a fully integrated We’ve planned for the Reaction masterminding the move of 16,000 troops

army with regulars and reservists. Harland Quarrington Picture: Force to be based around Salisbury Plain “Bringing the Army back from and equipped for contingency, while the Germany in many ways is poignant. We have land, closing substandard bases and Adaptable Forces will be spread around fond memories of our time there,” he said. redistributing the Army more evenly around the UK, capable of undertaking a range of “But it’s time to move on to the new model. the UK. roles including overseas deployment with That enables us to give families more General Pope is convinced that the homeland resilience.” stability, to give soldiers certainty, and to basing review spells good news for the Under the plan, there is an ambitious give Army 2020 a good chance to deliver in Army and peppers his speech with words repatriation programme split over two the timelines we expect.” like opportunity, surety, and certainty. phases. General Pope said: “Over the next Thousands of troops will be based four years we’ve got to bring a substantial Catalyst in Salisbury Plain, Edinburgh, Catterick, swathe of individuals back from Germany The catalyst for the army rebasing plan Aldershot, Colchester and the East because battalions are merging, disbanding was the need to underpin the Army 2020 Midlands. £1.8bn will be invested in the new or moving into the adaptable footprint structure announced last year. basing plan, of which a significant £1bn will around the UK. For while the Army has shrunk over be spent on new accommodation. “The second phase is bringing back decades, the size of MOD’s vast estate has This will see 1,900 new family homes the final brigade from Germany. Once we remained much the same. and rooms for 7,800 single soldiers, clear the German garrisons in Rhine and The 2010 Strategic Defence and the refurbishing of 800 rooms, and the Hohne, we’re left with a central hub – 20th Security Review made a number of upgrading of 450 family homes and SNCOs’ Armoured Brigade in Paderborn – and recommendations to remodel the and officers’ messes. The rest will go on now we’ve got an operation to move the Armed Forces and reshape the defence technical infrastructure and improving remainder back to Salisbury Plain. That’s estate, selling off tracts of disused MOD the training estate. Once complete, the the big move that will take time.”

14 | www.GOV.UK/MOD | APRIL 2013 Auf wiedersehen: British troops have been a military presence in Germany since the Second World War Picture: Cpl James Williams RLC Picture:

A key change is the move of 4,000 accommodation is a powerful recruitment well as 6,000 soldiers across Britain? troops onto Salisbury Plain, but General incentive and, on a recent visit to Tidworth “Oh I think in the Army we get inured Pope allays fears of overcrowding. Garrison, he was struck by the high-calibre to moving,” he said. “Since I left home as a “It’s worth remembering that Salisbury junior ranks en suite accommodation, youngster, I’m now on my 30th house so it’s Plain has seven sites,” he said, ticking them dining facilities and gym, and felt a pang part of the army psyche.” off on his fingers, “Warminster, Upavon, of envy. “I just wish I could join the Army For soldiers with itchy feet, he Larkhill, Tidworth, Bulford, Perham Down today!” promises fresh opportunities, pointing out and Ludgershall. We’ve got the ability to Perhaps surprisingly, given Army that The Rifles has five battalions spread sensibly accommodate troops and families redundancies, General Pope expects across Northern Ireland, Scotland and over a number of areas. the army’s long-term footprint to stay Salisbury Plain. “So if soldiers want a new broadly unchanged once troops return challenge, they can settle down if they want 3,000 single soldiers from Germany. “We’ve got around 79,000 to, or move, and that’s a great choice for our “We’re talking about 3,000 single soldiers regular troops in the UK now; we’ll have soldiers that we never had before.” moving onto the Plain. We’ll probably 79,000 regular troops in the UK in future. Head of the Army, General Sir Peter focus on two or three barracks locations We’re centralising resources more Wall, hailed the basing changes as welcome like Larkhill, Tidworth and Perham Down around Salisbury Plain and modestly news. For his part, General Pope talks of where we’ll build accommodation blocks recalibrating elsewhere around the UK to flicking three switches. and technical infrastructure. Then we’re make that happen. For example, there’ll “It’s a militarily coherent plan that looking for other sites to build housing. be an increase in the number of soldiers meets the army requirement and delivers I suspect you won’t see a super garrison in Scotland and a modest reduction in the Army 2020. Secondly, it’s family-friendly but a number of housing opportunities and South East as we move out of Canterbury.” and gives families more surety about where barracks developed on a need basis.” While the construction programme is they live and some ability to make their own General Pope believes that the moves testing – with 74 unit moves over the next decisions in future, and thirdly, it’s also will provide stability for military families. He six years – the senior army officer says that affordable and will deliver value and steady said: “It will enable children to spend their around half are routine. The remainder long term savings.” entire education going to just one or two to move into new accomodation will be In many ways, he admits the job was schools rather than five or six. That has real carefully choreographed over six years. a poisoned chalice. But a year on he’s benefits for the local authority, school and Moving house is famously one of life’s convinced that the reshaping of the Army is family, so it’s a win-win situation.” most stressful events so how stressful is it firmly on track. “I think we’ve come up with He thinks the new world-leading moving 16,000 soldiers from Germany as a really sound plan that I’m proud of.” DF

APRIL 2013 | ISSUE 269 | 15 2020 ARMY BASING FOLLOWING BASE CHANGES IN LINE WITH ARMY 2020, THE ARMY’S 1* AND 2 * HEADQUARTERS WILL BE TRANSFORMED TO LOOK LIKE THIS

HQ 4 Infantry Brigade HQ 51 Infantry Brigade and and HQ North East HQ Scotland Catterick Edinburgh (Redford)

HQ 2 Medical Brigade Strensall

HQ 42 Infantry Brigade and HQ North West Preston HQ 1 (UK) DIVISION York

HQ 102 Logistic Brigade HQ 11 Signal Brigade and Grantham HQ West Midlands Donnington HQ 7 Infantry Brigade and HQ East Chilwell

HQ 38 Irish Brigade SCOTLAND Lisburn

HQ 160 Infantry Brigade Edinburgh HQ 16 Air Assault and HQ Wales Brigade Brecon Colchester

NORTH EAST

NORTHERN NORTH IRELAND Lisburn WEST Catterick

YORKSHIRE Strensall HQ 8 Engineer Brigade HQ 1 Signal Brigade & THE Minley York Innsworth HUMBER Preston

HQ 3 (UK) DIVISION EAST MIDLANDS Bulford Chilwell HQ LONDON DISTRICT Grantham Donnington WEST EAST OF MIDLANDS HQ 1 Artillery Brigade WALES ENGLAND and HQ South West HQ 101 Logistic Tidworth Brecon Innsworth Colchester Brigade Aldershot Minley South Cerney London HQ 104 Logistic Aldershot Support Brigade SOUTH Salisbury SOUTH EAST HQ Support Command South Cerney WEST Plain Aldershot

HQ 1, 12 and 20 Armoured HQ 11 Infantry Brigade Infantry Brigades and HQ South East Salisbury Plain Aldershot

HQ 1 Intelligence and Surveillance Brigade HQ 1 Military HQ FORCE TROOPS Upavon Police Brigade Upavon Andover

KEY

REACTION FORCE ADAPTABLE FORCE FORCE TROOPS

The Reaction Force will comprise three Capable of engagement at home and overseas, The integral third element to the Reaction Armoured Infantry Brigades and 16 Air Assault the Adaptable Force is made up of a pool and Adaptable Forces will be Force Troops Brigade which are trained to be ready for the of regular and reserve forces capable of which will provide a wide range of specialist most demanding of missions. Mostly based undertaking a range of roles including overseas support such as engineers, artillery, around Salisbury Plain, the Reaction Force engagements, capacity-building, follow-on logistics, and medical and communications will consist of mainly regular forces with an forces for future medium-scale stabilisation capabilities from a central pool of element of reservists. operations, commitments and home resilience. resources. 2020 ARMY BASING FOLLOWING BASE CHANGES IN LINE WITH ARMY 2020, THE ARMY’S 1* AND 2 * HEADQUARTERS WILL BE TRANSFORMED TO LOOK LIKE THIS

HQ 4 Infantry Brigade HQ 51 Infantry Brigade and and HQ North East HQ Scotland Catterick Edinburgh (Redford)

HQ 2 Medical Brigade Strensall

HQ 42 Infantry Brigade and HQ North West Preston HQ 1 (UK) DIVISION York

HQ 102 Logistic Brigade HQ 11 Signal Brigade and Grantham HQ West Midlands Donnington HQ 7 Infantry Brigade and HQ East Chilwell

HQ 38 Irish Brigade SCOTLAND Lisburn

HQ 160 Infantry Brigade Edinburgh HQ 16 Air Assault and HQ Wales Brigade Brecon Colchester

NORTH EAST

NORTHERN NORTH IRELAND Lisburn WEST Catterick

YORKSHIRE Strensall HQ 8 Engineer Brigade HQ 1 Signal Brigade & THE Minley York Innsworth HUMBER Preston

HQ 3 (UK) DIVISION EAST MIDLANDS Bulford Chilwell HQ LONDON DISTRICT Grantham Donnington WEST EAST OF MIDLANDS HQ 1 Artillery Brigade WALES ENGLAND and HQ South West HQ 101 Logistic Tidworth Brecon Innsworth Colchester Brigade Aldershot Minley South Cerney London HQ 104 Logistic Aldershot Support Brigade SOUTH Salisbury SOUTH EAST HQ Support Command South Cerney WEST Plain Aldershot

HQ 1, 12 and 20 Armoured HQ 11 Infantry Brigade Infantry Brigades and HQ South East Salisbury Plain Aldershot

HQ 1 Intelligence and Surveillance Brigade HQ 1 Military HQ FORCE TROOPS Upavon Police Brigade Upavon Andover

KEY

REACTION FORCE ADAPTABLE FORCE FORCE TROOPS

The Reaction Force will comprise three Capable of engagement at home and overseas, The integral third element to the Reaction Armoured Infantry Brigades and 16 Air Assault the Adaptable Force is made up of a pool and Adaptable Forces will be Force Troops Brigade which are trained to be ready for the of regular and reserve forces capable of which will provide a wide range of specialist most demanding of missions. Mostly based undertaking a range of roles including overseas support such as engineers, artillery, around Salisbury Plain, the Reaction Force engagements, capacity-building, follow-on logistics, and medical and communications will consist of mainly regular forces with an forces for future medium-scale stabilisation capabilities from a central pool of element of reservists. operations, commitments and home resilience. resources. MALI Mission to Mali as the uk’s involvement in supporting mali’s military increases, defence focus looks at the mission so far

s Defence Focus goes to print, After initially providing two RAF combat or force protection roles. 21 UK Armed Forces personnel C-17s and a Sentinel, the UK has In addition the UK has provided four have deployed to Mali. They have committed to providing 40 people for headquarters staff and three civilians A joined Irish and French troops the mission. who are responsible for human rights as part of the European Union Training Troops from 1st Battalion The Royal and gender awareness training. Mission (EUTM) to develop the infantry Irish Regiment are carrying out infantry The mission is under the command and artillery skills of the Malian armed training and additional personnel will of French Brigadier General François forces currently fighting extremists in the be responsible for mortar and artillery Lecointre and is expected to continue for north African country. training. However, UK troops are not in around 15 months.

Start 14 January 2013 14 January Prime Minister David Cameron Two Royal Air Force C-17 transport agrees that the UK will provide aircraft arrive in France as part of logistical support to French the UK’s logistical support to French military operations in Mali. military operations.

17 January EU Foreign Ministers agree a mission to advise and train Malian armed forces, to help them regain security and stability.

18 | www.GOV.UK/MOD | APRIL 2013 14 February An RAF C-17 aircraft flies Ghanaian troops to Mali’s capital, Bamako, as part of the UK’s support for the international intervention in the country.

18 February The EUTM launches and marks a significant partnership between the UK and the Republic of Ireland as troops from both countries will work together.

29 January Defence Secretary Philip Hammond 28 February 27 March announces that the UK is to support An RAF C-17 aircraft transports 21 soldiers from 1st Battalion the EUTM by providing up to 40 British the first of 20 Nigerian Army The Royal Irish Regiment arrive in personnel either in a headquarters or vehicles to Mali’s capital, Bamako. Mali to assist in the training of the training team role. The vehicles, including five-tonne Malian military as part of the EUTM. trucks and water tankers, will Troops from 45 Commando Royal be used by African forces as they Marines will complete the 40-man continue to combat the terrorist training team. insurgency in the north.

4 March 25 January William Hague is the first British An RAF Sentinel aircraft deploys Foreign Secretary to visit Mali. from the UK in support of French 23 March military operations. UK Chief of the Defence Staff General Sir David Richards visits The Gambia for talks with Gambian government officials to discuss the ongoing military conflict in Mali.

APRIL 2013 | ISSUE 269 | 19 honours and awards

Leading man: a soldier armed with an SA80 with underslung grenade launcher leads a patrol in Afghanistan

An Honour Picture: Sergeant Andy Reddy RLC Sergeant Picture: to meet you role models for a generation. three heroes from herrick 16 talk to ian carr about their experiences

e are lucky at Defence Focus. astonishing things. But the pinnacle is We call them heroes but they shy away In the line of our work we when we are privileged enough to meet from such accolades, even though the rest meet some extraordinary those remarkable people at the operational of us wonder how could anyone do what Wpeople and see some honours and awards ceremony. they have done? Here are just three of them.

Captain Michael Dobbin, Battalion Grenadier Guards Battle Group Grenadier Guards: MC operating almost exclusively in insurgent safe havens during a time of particularly “I’m single, 28 and from Reigate, if that’s savage fighting. my Blind Date starter question,” replies “The area where we fought was Captain Dobbin with a glint of amusement forward of the patrol bases. The primary as he sits down to answer questions threat was from IEDs, which the about his newly-awarded Military Cross. insurgents would sow in the treeline. But after the introductions he quickly When the crops grow, and particularly gets down to business, explaining the at night, it’s hard to spot them or the events that singled him out in last year’s tell-tale markers. The guys who go at the summer fighting in Helmand province. front of the line can’t use torches, as they He speaks as only a polished British would give our position away. They are officer can, clearly, factually precise and phenomenally brave guys.” dispassionately. He would rather speak Captain Dobbin was recognised for of the actions of his team than of himself, his repeated gallantry by leading his and, when he does, it’s with pride and men to victory on four occasions against admiration. significant odds, one of which led to the Picture: Corporal Steve Blake RLC RLC Blake Steve Corporal Picture: Captain Dobbin commanded the posthumous award of the Victoria Cross Reconnaissance Platoon in the 1st to Lance Corporal James Ashworth.

20 | www.GOV.UK/MOD | APRIL 2013 On the first occasion, having been 27-year-old was decisive and unwavering. ambushed deep behind enemy lines and Lawrence was part of a platoon airlifted with insurgents determined to prevent deep into enemy territory in the Gereshk the platoon extracting its two casualties, Valley to clear a notorious insurgent Captain Dobbin waited for the medical stronghold. For ten days the platoon was helicopter to lift off before launching involved in a series of ferocious battles, one an audacious counter attack. After two of which could have ended badly if it hadn’t hours hard fighting, the insurgents were been for Kayser’s incredible valour and defeated, having been driven back more determination. than a kilometre. On this occasion the platoon’s task was Three days later, Dobbin’s platoon to deal with a well-known enemy infiltration launched an air assault behind enemy firing point. “We knew they were in the area lines to take out a tenacious insurgent and had a habit of firing from the same sniper team. Landing in heavy fire, place,” said Kayser. “It’s a relatively flat Captain Dobbin led his men as they place with very dense vegetation on either charged across 200 metres of open side of the river. The crops and the trees ground. Although two of his men were which are hundreds of years old restrict killed, he pushed on, attacking with visibility and the compounds are muddled grenades and small arms fire, braving about with lots of low walls, tunnels and rat Picture: Corporal Steve Blake RLC Blake Steve Corporal Picture: machine gun fire from as close as five runs.” metres. “The compounds are made Having set out three hours before from mud with high walls and instead of dawn, the platoon took up position within a streets like a British village the alleys are Lance Corporal Lawrence Kayser, few metres of a compound wall by the line only wide enough to get a donkey down. The Royal Anglian Regiment: MC of a ditch. There, in complete silence, they “ So when you turn corners the waited for hours for the insurgents to walk doorways and apertures that the Never get into a game of who’s first to blink along the track. “By dawn it was still quite insurgents fire from can be pretty close or Patience with Lance Corporal Kayser. comfortable, not too warm and the birds range,” he said. The action ended with the You will lose. had come out, but it was still quiet.” Then, enemy’s rout. The action in which he was a single insurgent popped his head over Three days later lead elements of the recommended for a Military Cross came the wall. “He spotted all of us laid out in our platoon, emerging from a field of maize, after he and his platoon had lain silently positions. It was one of those chance things, found themselves facing four armed for four hours just metres away from the he didn’t know we were there, and we hadn’t insurgents at very close quarters. A enemy. But when action was called for, the realised that they were asleep inside the fierce fire fight ensued with a Guardsman being shot. Again, without hesitation, Dobbin charged the enemy and saved the situation. The very next day, the platoon, while occupying a temporary checkpoint, again came under ferocious assault. Attempting to breach the front door the insurgents came face to face with Dobbin and attacked him at close range. Grabbing his kit, Dobbin fought off then pursued the enemy. Inspired by his example the platoon charged after him, enabling the perimeter fence to be secured and a wounded comrade to be treated. “Physically the conditions were very exhausting,” said Captain Dobbin. “The enemy had the advantage of fighting on their own turf and laying IEDs, but the morale was great within our very tight platoon.” Speaking of his award he said: “In every single incident I witnessed courageous acts on the battlefield. Whenever I put the medal on I will absolutely think of every man that was in Silent order: soldiers that platoon. from the Royal Anglian “It will bring memories of days where Regiment stop and things didn’t go perfectly well, but it will observe during a patrol in the Green Zone also remind me of many, very happy days Andy Reddy Sergeant Picture: of working with an amazing platoon.”

APRIL 2013 | ISSUE 269 | 21 honours and awards

felt so scared in my life. No one can prepare you for the first time you are shot at. When you hear the whizz go past and you know it’s really close, you feel your heart beating in your head and it’s just so loud, and you think ‘what am I doing here?’ But the second you hear that you’ve got a casualty your instincts start going and you just think ‘I’ve got to get there, I’ve got to try and save this guy’s life’.” Due to the severity of the Guardsman’s injury, Martin stayed with him, conducting manual resuscitation throughout the whole Safe hands: an RAF casualty extraction, selflessly exposing Regiment Gunner provides herself to enemy fire. “At one point I force protection to Army remember seeing the poppies moving next colleagues during a to me within metres and the rounds hitting casualty evacuation

Picture: Sergeant Martin Downs (RAF) Martin Downs Sergeant Picture: a wall behind me. So I knew the bullets were close. But I couldn’t stop working on the casualty. I had to focus on him.” compound. And that was it, it turned into a Throughout all this, Martin had to keep 10-metre fire fight.” a clear head and make crucial decisions. From previous tours, Lance Corporal “They tried to get the helicopter near, Kayser had learned about Taliban tactics but because the contact was so bad they and was determined that the insurgents couldn’t land, so they asked me if I could didn’t get between his mates, causing move the casualty 600 metres so they could confusion. “I have learned that if you are land safely. But I had to say there was no ambushed the best thing to do is to attack chance; if we had moved him he wouldn’t back because it takes their shock and awe have survived. So I made the decision to off you and puts it right back on them. bring the landing site to where I was.” “So I decided to get up and push Once safely back in base later that through the doorway to make sure they day, Martin admits to going through it all didn’t get away.” As he did this, from a in her mind and thinking “I’m never going doorway five metres to his right, there out again – not a chance. But then when it appeared another insurgent. comes to it you think ‘they need me, and I “I think it was a surprise for both of need them’. You are scared, but when you

us. As we saw each other we both raised Andy Reddy RLC Corporal Picture: are in contact and you look into the soldiers’ our rifles and fired. I shot from the hip. He faces you know that they’re scared too. missed but I clipped him and he dived back Then you know you are not the only one and through the door.” that you are all in it together.” With the adrenalin flowing, Kayser Private Abbie Martin, Royal Army Her mates assured her that she had chased after him, but, as he struggled medical Corps: QCVS just suffered a bit of bad luck, having to through the narrow doorway in all his kit, face all that on her first patrol. But then, a Taliban grenade landed at his feet. “I just When Chief of the General Staff, General barely a week later, Martin had to step up saw something hit the ground like a stone Sir Peter Wall presented the Operational to the plate again. about five metres away. My body armour Awards he said:“the remarkable acts of Insurgents had attacked a compound took most of it and I got a face full of dust gallantry performed by these young men leaving multiple casualties after a and dirt.” And, although he didn’t realise and women show that they are role models grenade had landed inside it. “People this until later, his arm had also been hit by for their generation.” There can be no better were screaming and falling off ladders. shrapnel from the blast. example of that than Private Abbie Martin. At this point I was the only medic so I By this time another member of It was the 20-year-old combat medical had to run round triaging the casualties, the platoon had caught up with him. “We technician’s very first patrol in Afghanistan conducting an initial assessment of their decided we had to clear the rooms in the when she was tested in a way that most injuries to let the helicopter team know compound so I said ‘let’s go, let’s do it’.” can only imagine. She was supporting a what they would be dealing with.” But when he had first leapt to his feet, company operation in the Green Zone, the Her citation says: “Throughout had there been any moment of doubt in highly fertile area of farmland, woodland each action Martin was steadfast putting his mind that he was doing the right thing? and marshes on either side of the Helmand her patients before herself, despite “No. Everything just came off the top of my River, when they fell prey to an insurgent the dangers.” head. You see danger and you think of your ambush. “We had just left our compound Speaking of her award, she said: friends. I knew if I didn’t react the enemy when we were attacked. I was quite naïve “I feel really proud. I looked around the could’ve come through and cut us in half.” and didn’t know what to expect.” room at the other people who had been Speaking of the award he said: “I feel Naïve or not, while under fire from given awards and felt that I didn’t deserve really humbled. My platoon is made up from multiple enemy firing points Martin headed to be there, because they had such the best members of the battalion. This is across open ground with the platoon amazing stories. I’m such a shy girl. not just my medal – it’s the whole platoon’s, sergeant to treat a Grenadier Guardsman I never thought I would achieve as and I will say that to everyone.” who had been shot in the chest. “I’ve never much as I have in the Army.” DF

22 | www.GOV.UK/MOD | APRIL 2013

operation tosca blue beret skills since 1964 the un has helped to keep the peace in cyprus. Ian Carr met the troops training for op tosca

N Out, Brits Go Home, UN Out, British Army training area at we get something wrong when Brits Go Home…” A gang has Nescliff in Shropshire. we are on patrol, it could have gathered in Nicosia’s Ledra Street, This month (April) 130 a big effect on things that you U one of the most poignant symbols regular and 120 reservist troops might not otherwise realise.” “ of the division of Cyprus. Tensions are rising will be deploying for six months This will be Zac’s first as the chanting crowd of protesters edge on the UN peacekeeping mission tour, as it will be for many forward shaking their banners. known as Op Tosca. Today’s of his colleagues from the

A UN patrol comprising four unarmed activities are the pinnacle of six RLC Nolan Russ Sgt Picture: Southampton-based 17 Port soldiers is trying to contain the situation. months’ intensive training to and Maritime Group, which As more protesters appear, and with prepare them for their tour. includes a company from the Turkish guards opposite getting “We have been doing a lot 4th Battalion The Mercian increasingly twitchy, the UN soldiers call of fitness training, practising Craftsman Zac Willis Regiment (Territorial). for back up from their Quick Reaction the sorts of scenarios that we Keeping the peace on Force. A TV news crew are not helping to might face, reporting on incidents. We have the green line may not carry the threat of calm things down as they shove cameras learned a lot about the history of Cyprus and a tour in Helmand province, but it would and microphones in the soldiers’ faces the situation,” said Craftsman Zac Willis, be a mistake to dismiss it, as some have demanding to know if they think they are one of the members of the patrol that had done in the past, as merely a sunshine being too heavy-handed in the way they are to deal with the morning’s exchange of fire tour. The soldiers’ awareness, negotiating, treating the civilian crowd. accusations. “It’s important that we know and public order skills will all need to be at Back at the UN base, the soldiers’ why things are the way they are, because, if their peak to deal with situations which can report has been noted and riot shields are being deployed, in case things escalate. A face in the crowd screaming abuse at a soldier looks familiar. Wait a minute, wasn’t he a Greek soldier who, just hours ago, was making trouble in the buffer zone, claiming that a Turkish soldier had fired at him from an opposite observation post? Of course it is, because this is not the green line buffer zone separating Turkish and Greek Cypriot opposing forces, but the

Shout out: troops train in public order at

Nescliff Camp Nolan RLC Russ Sergeant Picture: Picture: Sergeant Russ Nolan RLC Russ Sergeant Picture:

24 | www.GOV.UK/MOD | APRIL 2013 quickly escalate from the seemingly trivial to a potential powder keg if they are not understood correctly and dealt with. The UN peacekeeping mission was set up in 1964 to prevent further fighting between Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot forces, and to help set the conditions for a return to normality. Ceasefire lines were rapidly established, creating the buffer zone which measures180 kilometres across the island. At its widest it is nearly seven and a half kilometres across but in places in Nicosia it narrows to just 3.3 metres. To this day, no formal political Strong green line: keeping agreement exists. As the buffer zone public order is just one of the skills needed on Op Tosca occupies around three per cent of the Nolan RLC Russ Sergeant Picture: island, it’s easy to see how disputes over exactly where the boundary lines fall and who owns which piece of land can easily can become an international situation.” UN may be unarmed, but each opposing flare up. So, to keep things on an even keel With the current financial situation side recognises the importance of having and to deal with the 1,000 or so incidents in Cyprus, the UN troops might face an impartial and disciplined professional that occur each year, around 850 unarmed extra challenges. But even without those keeping a cool head, recording each UN troops and 60-plus police officers are pressures, there is enough to cope with. incident as it happens and reporting it sandwiched between two opposing forces Many opposing force checkpoints are promptly. “It’s a core soldiering skill,” said of around 60,000 troops who jealously merely yards apart and are often manned Major Wilson, “but everything has to be guard every inch of land and scrutinise by conscripts who serve on them for periods noted. It has to be accurate with nothing every sandbag that separates them. of up to 18 months. Boredom is an an ever- embellished. We’re there to observe, and Most incidents may seem trivial, after present threat as it can lead to taunts, which that is understood. Each side knows that we all, why worry about a bit of can all too easily get out of hand. are witnesses and that what we report could name-calling or even some Name-calling can escalate to be used as evidence by the UN if they have to bored soldiers throwing stone-throwing and possibly to deal with a disturbance or a protest.” stones at each other? pot shots. It is the UN troops’ role As in all operations these reports “It’s a very complicated to defuse situations before they build up an overall picture of the situation, situation,” explains get that far. where trends can be spotted, and hot spots Major Ken Wilson, now a When 17 Port and Maritime identified and planned for. reservist, but with 22 years take over they know that the This is the longest running of the UN’s experience as a regular opposing forces will test them and peacekeeping missions. And by and large, soldier. Five months into an maybe reopen disputes that may thanks to the UN, peace has held dominion Op Tosca tour as a Military have been settled, but not to their for nearly five decades. Observer and Liaison Although the troops patrolling the Major Ken Wilson partisan satisfaction. “We’ve been

Officer he is at Nescliff to Picture: Sergeant Russ Nolan RLC warned that they might try it on buffer zone may not carry weapons they are validate the training. with us. We are prepared for that armed with negotiating skills, situational “Things could very easily and very and the training we have had here has been awareness, patience and self-control. All rapidly escalate if they’re not handled very good,” said Craftsman Zac Willis. of which are essential tools to have and to properly. If a soldier doesn’t understand In fact often the calm presence of the develop in the world that our Armed Forces things and know what to do, a local incident blue beret is enough to keep the peace. The must inhabit. DF

Reporting on duty: Front line: buildings in troops send in a the buffer zone are stark patrol sit rep

Picture: Staff Sergeant Ratisalv Ochotnicky Ratisalv Sergeant Staff Picture: reminders of the war

APRIL 2013 | ISSUE 269 |25 MY MEDALS

Highly decorated: W01 Mick Flynn the base and another soldier has been awarded 12 medals over his got shot, but luckily the bullet remarkable career grazed his flak jacket, merely leaving a scorch mark. We raced to the back of the house where I saw a guy jumping over a wall and I managed to fire off a few shots. My mate and I entered the house to find a couple of hostages tied up. By then, both gunmen had fled. We were taken to Musgrave City hospital for a cup of tea but just hours later we were back patrolling the streets.

South atlantic I was with my girlfriend Alison, a nurse in Kingston, when my mate called me: “Mick you’ve got to get back to Windsor - we’re going to war!” I told him to pull my other leg, but when I turned on the telly it was all over the news, so I rushed back excited like any young soldier by the prospect of going to war. Seven days later we set sail from Southampton on HMS Canberra as the engineers were still welding platforms for helicopters to land on. We sailed slowly to Ascension Island for training, which was boiling hot in our winter gear. It was all we stood up in. We landed in the Falklands on my 21st birthday. My Medals The marines warned that no vehicle could cross the boggy, rocky ground but our W01 Mick Flynn is officially the Army’s most decorated soldier Scimitars flew across and we and a veteran of campaigns in the Falklands, Northern Ireland, made it to our observation post Iraq, Bosnia and Afghanistan with 12 medals to his name. Here, just four hours later. he looks back on his extraordinary career. Although many Argentine soldiers were conscripts, they Interview: Lorraine McBride were well equipped with better

Picture: Harland Quarrington Picture: boots than we had, rifles and puffa jackets, while we wore drive!” We argued a bit until killed Trevor. As we opened the combat jackets. It was just that eventually I jumped in a Pig [an doors, shots rained down from their leadership and soldiering armoured vehicle] and set off to a house 30 metres away. We skills were rubbish. Northern Ireland drive the three-mile-distance saw net curtains flicker but, as We killed quite a few from I survived an ambush in the to the Andersonstown Royal we ran towards the house, we our Scimitars and Scorpions, Falls Road in 1979 when I was Ulster Constabulary station and came under terrorist machine engaging them with machine just 18 years old. One night, I British Army base in Belfast. gun fire from a bus stop. We hit guns. It was either kill or be was preparing for stag duty. It In those days, the guard the deck while bullets whizzed killed and we just did our job. was my turn to drive our Land changed on the dot of 11am but, overhead. There was a lot of Rover but my mate Trevor as we approached the station, Trooper Tony Thornett confusion over the surrender, jumped in the front, saying, “I’ll a gunman opened fire and was killed on guard just outside our flag flew above Stanley, but

26 | www.GOV.UK/MOD | APRIL 2013 some units carried on fighting, Palace investiture: W01 Flynn with for my action, including holding so it was stop-start. During wife Shelley and daughter Gabrielle off an armoured column with the war, I saw many bodies, my single tank for four hours witnessed the Sir Galahad going and protecting two light tanks down in flames, and there was from friendly fire. loads of blue-on-blues. War is In a separate incident, a total mayhem. soldier was killed when his For me, coming home vehicle missed the bend and was strange. Before the war, fell in a river. I managed to get I’d recently split up with my Lieutenant Alex Tweedie out wife after just five months of but sadly he later died from his marriage. It was a massive injuries in hospital. mistake, but my mother decided to invite my wife to meet me at the docks not knowing that I’d asked Alison to be there. Military Cross As I stood on the decks, We were advancing in Musa looking out over the gathered Qal’ah in Afghanistan to secure crowds of families and an area, but en route we were sweethearts holding up ambushed. The vehicle was posters, I remember thinking “I blown up behind us but I pushed don’t want to be here!” on and managed to hold them off. At the end of the lane, rather than drive left or right deep into Taliban territory on my own, I reversed into the ambush Cyprus where we were attacked. On Exercise Lion Sun in Cyprus operating table, I decided it was reconnaissance vehicle With our vehicle soon in 1991 we lived out in the time to grow up. commander of a Scimitar tank demobilised, I got out and mountains for two weeks, I left the Army in 1993 to Iraq. North of Basra, we fought through the ambush. culminating in a night out in and got a job in civvy street pushed forward and I came The vehicle behind was blown Paphos. We got blind drunk and exporting fishing tackle. Later across what I thought were up, which blocked our exit with ended up in a den of iniquity. I bought a shop, but when the trooper tanks. bodies everywhere. I thought My mate Jimmy pound got too strong, business It turned out that I was everyone in the vehicle was disappeared upstairs with suffered. Eight years later facing 550 tanks alone. We dead, but when we fought our a girl, but before long, a row aged 41, I rejoined the Army, were hunkered down so the way back to the end of the broke out outside. I rushed promising my wife that I’d be enemy couldn’t see us and I lane, I heard that a soldier out and saw a Cypriot man home every weekend. By now it called in American planes to was in a ditch, so we moved punching Jimmy, trying to rob was 2001, and I rejoined just in bomb enemy forces. forward under fire to find Matty him. I ordered him to leave time for Iraq. My armoured vehicle Compton. Jimmy alone when a Cypriot called down more fire than any I thought he was dead bouncer smacked me in the other in the second Gulf War as he was a real mess with head. after I uncovered the location of 80 per cent burns, no hair or A fight followed, and I got the entire Iraqi 4th Armoured eyelashes and staring fish him on the floor, but two guys Conspicuous Division. eyes. When we moved his leg, were now beating up Jimmy. Gallantry Cross I was awarded the he screamed, so we picked Suddenly, the guy on the floor In 2003, I deployed as a Conspicuous Gallantry Cross him up, and, under enemy got up, came towards me and fire, managed to get him into a hit me in the stomach. Scimitar and he’s still alive. My mate Andy said “Mick At ease: meeting Afghan I leave the Army after leaders in Afghanistan look down!” and I saw a mass serving as the Regimental of blood pouring from my Corporal Major with the Royal stomach with my entrails Yeomanry at Fulham in 18 hanging out. Everything months time but I’ve really stopped and my attacker did a enjoyed it. runner. At first, the bar refused I even married a soldier to call an ambulance because I met when I fought a fire on they didn’t want trouble so they Lulworth Heath. Shelley’s Land tried to push me out the door. I Rover got stuck with fire coming remember thinking “of all the towards her so we pulled her places I’ve been to, Ireland, the out and have stayed together Falklands, Germany, I don’t ever since. For me it’s been a want to die here in Cyprus.” good life but, after I leave, I plan Later, when I came off the to buy a boat and sail the world.

APRIL 2013 | ISSUE 269 | 27 Health

Skin Deep Eczema is an unsightly skin condition that can cause distress for sufferers, but what can you do about it?

understand this origin. Often, the term eczema is By Surgeon used interchangeably with dermatitis, although Commander Nick there are various different categories of these Imm, a GP at conditions. Navy Command HQ, Usually our skin cells act as a barrier to physical damage, chemicals and bacteria. The skin cells HMS Excellent. are full of water and the gaps between the cells are filled with oils. In eczema the skin becomes Hello from HMS Excellent, on Whale Island in dry, the cells are less well-hydrated, and there is a Portsmouth. reduction in the natural oils in the skin, weakening This month I thought we’d talk about eczema - a the natural barrier. condition that affects one in 12 adults in the UK. The Although it’s very common, we don’t know why unusual name of this diagnosis comes from a Greek some people get eczema while others don’t. Atopic word meaning “to boil over” and people who suffer eczema is linked to other allergic conditions such as with this uncomfortable skin condition can probably asthma and hay fever, and these can run in families.

28 | www.GOV.UK/MOD | APRIL 2013 Contact dermatitis develops when someone vitalnumbers becomes sensitive to a particular substance, such as a chemical or metal - detergents and nickel are common culprits and you can imagine how tricky it can be to avoid all contact with them. THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT The symptoms of eczema are dry, itchy skin. It’s difficult to stop scratching but this tends to make THERE READY TO HELP you things worse and starts a vicious cycle that can RN Benevolent Trust: Grants, Harassment, lead to breaks in the skin and infections. The skin advice and income supplements bullying or discrimination: appears red and inflamed, often with scratch marks for veterans. Call 0239 2690112 or JSP 763, The MOD and sometimes with small blisters. email [email protected]. Harassment Complaints Atopic eczema tends to particularly affect the Procedures, is a guide skin in the elbow and knee creases while contact RN Association: Comradeship for for Services and civilians. dermatitis appears wherever skin contact is made all serving and Contact the Defence ex-Service members of the RN, with the offending chemical or metal - around the Business Services on 0800 RM, QARNNS, WRNS, Reserves, 345 7772 (+441225 829572 neck from a nickel necklace or between the fingers royal-naval- RFA and RNXS. from overseas) or em: from washing-up liquid, for example. association.co.uk [email protected]. So, how do we manage this condition? The Royal Marines Benevolent most important things to do are to keep the skin Matters of conscience Fund: Relieves hardship among well moisturised and avoid anything that inflames and whistleblowing under the serving and former Marines it. Moisturisers (also called emollients) come as Public Interest Disclosure Act. and dependents. royalmarines. Call 0800 3457772. Select ointments or creams. Ointments tend to work best [email protected] or but are a bit greasy; creams take longer to work call 02392 547201. option four. but tend to be better tolerated by people. Soap Service Personnel and substitutes (which don’t contain detergents) should ABF The Soldiers Charity: Support to soldiers and veterans. Veterans Agency: Pay, be used to clean the skin. Avoid using cosmetic pensions and personnel moisturisers as they often contain preservative www.soldierscharity.org or call 0845 241 4820. support for the Services and veterans, including the JPA RAF Benevolent Fund: Help for system, and Joint Casualty and RAF personnel past and present. Compassionate Centre: 0800 rafbf.org or call 0800 1692942. 0853600: 0800 1692277 or veterans-uk.info The Charity for Civil Servants: Helps anyone who has worked MOD Occupational Welfare for the Civil Service and their Service: Confidential advice on dependents. Advice about work and personal issues. Call support and financial help. 0800 345 7047 csbf.org.uk or call 0800 056 2424. Service Complaints Army Welfare Service: HQ Commissioner: To make AWS has relocated to Upavon. a complaint or seek Confidential support for soldiers advice, contact: SCC@ and families. army.mod.uk/ armedforcescomplaints. welfare-support/family/default. independent.gov.uk Skin Deep aspx or call (UK) 01980 615975. chemicals and perfumes. RAF Association (RAFA): Naval Personal As well as emollients, steroid creams are Comradeship and care & Family Service and for current and former really useful and come in varying strengths. They RAF members. Royal Marines Welfare: should be used thinly, once per day on the affected rafa.org.uk/welfare.asp. NPFS & RMW have three main area, and only for as long as prescribed by your offices in the UK, where the doctor. If they’re used too liberally for too long, they HIVE: Tri-Service information serving person’s next of kin can lead to thinning of the skin. Sometimes, a break covering issues like education resides determines which in the skin leads to an infection and this needs to be and health. 167 offices. office to contact. hive.mod.uk. treated with antibiotic cream or tablets. Eastern area office - HMS If you have a skin condition, which appears to Royal British Legion: Charity Nelson - Tel: 023 92 722 712 - get worse at work, your medic or GP may refer you providing financial, social and after hours 023 92 726 159. to an occupational medicine consultant. This is a emotional support to vets and Western area office - HMS type of doctor who specialises in the effect of work serving, and dependents. Drake - Tel:01752 555 041 - on health. Occasionally, people have to leave the www.britishlegion.org.uk after hours 01752 555 220. or call 08457 725 725. Services due to contact dermatitis but often work Northern area office - patterns can be altered to improve the condition. SSAFA Forces Help: Supports Helensburgh - Tel: 01436 672 Stay healthy and I’ll see you next month. DF serving personnel, veterans and 798 - after hours 01436 674 321 the families of both. Practical (Ext 4005) n This is intended as general advice only. If you and financial assistance and RM Welfare - 01752 836 395 (via have any medical concerns please see your medic emotional support.ssafa.org.uk duty officer, guardroom or call 0845 1300 975. or GP. RM Stonehouse).

APRIL 2013 | ISSUE 269 | 29 PUZZLES

Allow me to present one of my own games for this edition. It is from the chess game Mavinkurve – Portman, British Chess Championships 2012. White Welcome to the 200th had just played his knight to e5. I was edition of my chess column. delighted with this. How did I continue I am proud to say that it now to get checkmate (as black to play continues to stand the test coming down the board)? Compiled by: of time and I am grateful Send your answers to me at carl. Carl Portman for all the support past and [email protected] please. The first present which justifies the time I put in correct answer selected wins two back on a voluntary basis. issues of the KINGPIN magazine. Bringing chess to people has always The answer to March’s problem was been a great passion of mine and I do 1…Rxh5+ 2.Kxh5 Qg6+ 3.Kh4 Qg5+ 4. know that a great many people, military Kh3 Qh5 mate (winner to be announced). and civilian, have enjoyed the puzzles Winner of February’s problem was Mike and my scribblings over the last 19 years. Fitzgerald from Abbey Wood. When I began writing, Garry I think he’ll get it too, later this year. Kasparov was the world champion - as Also whilst I was scribbling the first was Anatoly Karpov. The former was column, Hou Yifan the former Chinese the breakaway Professional Chess women’s world champion was busy being Carl playing board 1 at Association champion and the latter born, but Olga Rubtsova, the former the Combined Services Chess Championships the World Chess Federation champion. champion, sadly died - yes it’s been going (RAF Cosford) 2012 Politics and chess make easy bedfellows. that long folks. Next year sees my 20th Today there is more unity thankfully and anniversary and I would quite like to do the Indian Vishy Anand (known as something special for it. If you have any the Tiger of Madras) holds the ideas please let me or the Editor know! crown – for now. A young, 200 is a landmark but I look forward 200th fit, intelligent and hungry to writing many more columns. If you Chess Norwegian wolf in the have any questions or want me to cover column form of Magnus Carlsen a specific topic don’t be shy, just contact is eyeing up the crown and me and I will do my best.

topical solution (no peeking)

17. Huhne 20. Cob 20. Huhne 17.

15. Rocket 16. Europe 16. Rocket 15.

crossword Fatigue 13. Closing 11.

5. Pontiff 8. Ospreys 8. Pontiff 5.

3. Ode 4. Yellow 4. Ode 3.

1. Sochi 2. Marina 2. Sochi 1.

Down

21. Queen 22.Kompany Queen 21.

18. Vincent 19. Trout 19. Vincent 18.

Across Styles Harry 14. Swift Taylor 12.

6. His goal knocked Manchester United Isolate 10. Chris 9. out of this season’s Champions League (7) Venom 7. Ronaldo 6.

7. Snake poison (5) Across 9. And 17 Down. In March this politician was sent to jail for perverting the course of justice (5,5) 21. Freddie Mercury and Brian 8. Fish-eating hawks (7) 10. Cause a person to remain alone (7) May’s group (5) 11. The Who were the final act at the 12. US singer whose albums include 22. See 18 Across _____ Ceremony of the 2012 Olympic ‘Fearless’ and ‘Speak Now’…(6,5) Games (7) 14. …and the member of One Direction Down 13. Physical exhaustion (7) whom she dated (5,6) 1. Russian city which will host the 2014 15. Stephenson’s most famous steam 18. And 22 Across. Belgian who Winter Olympics (5) locomotive (6) captained Manchester City to the 2. Harbour for small boats (6) 16. Paul McGinley has been made captain Premier League title in 2012 (7,7) 3. Poem written to a person or thing (3) of this team for the 2014 Ryder Cup (6) 19. Freshwater food fish of the 4. Homer Simpson’s colour (6) 17. See 9 Across salmon family (5) 5. Another name for the Pope (7) 20. Male swan (3)

30 | www.GOV.UK/MOD | April 2013 offers

PRIZE suites, the Addendum Bar and Win a luxury Restaurant, business facilities, break for two at and a state-of-the-art gym. the Apex City of Each room boasts a choice London Hotel of pillows, a 40” LCD TV with Sky Sports and DVD player, Elemis toiletries, complimentary tea/ coffee making facilities, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, internet access and 24-hour room service, all making your stay in central London chic and comfortable. It is perfectly located to enjoy the city’s must-see attractions including the Tower of London and the London Eye. TO WIN Email your name, address and phone number to dmc- [email protected] by 17 May. Apex of luxury living Include ‘Apex hotel offer' in the One lucky reader will win a delightful city break in the heart of London subject line. All Defence Focus readers Apex Hotels are offering you the Apex City of London is Hill tube station and the DLR at will receive 20 per cent chance to win a luxurious break a four-star hotel offering Tower Gateway. discount off the best available at the Apex City of London Hotel the ultimate in comfort and Designed for comfort, weekend rate when you quote where you and your guest will elegance. The award-winning you’ll feel at home in this MOD. Subject to Apex terms enjoy a weekend overnight stay hotel is situated on the doorstep modern, luxury hotel with and conditions. For more visit with breakfast included. of Tower Bridge, close to Tower its 179 stylish rooms and www.apexhotels.co.uk

Prize Two readers will win a pair of tickets Laugh-a-lot to see Spamalot at London's Playhouse at Spamalot Theatre Win tickets to enjoy the legendary tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table

Two lucky readers will win a everything lovers of comedy pair of tickets to see Spamalot musicals hope for – a fun that tells the famous tale of score, hilarious script, and a King Arthur and the Knights of top-notch cast. the Round Table and features A huge hit on Broadway, a bevy of beautiful showgirls, fans will split their sides witch-burnings laughing at the affectionate (cancelled jabs at many musical - health and safety), flying cows, killer rabbits and classics, demonstrating French people. that the holy grail of musical Monty Python’s Spamalot entertainment is alive and well. Playhouse Theatre, London. one week of initial contact has been described as “raising This wonderful production Tickets are available for with PR agency. Visit www. silliness to an art form” and few should delight Monty Python Monday to Thursday evening atgtickets.com/spamalot theatre-lovers would disagree. enthusiasts and might just performances only (starting The show includes the convince those who have been at 8pm). TO WIN nation’s favourite comedy song resistant to the Python charms Tickets are subject to Email your name, address Always Look on the Bright Side to make a conversion. strict availability, are non- and phone number to dmc- of Life and the show's creator transferable and must be [email protected] by 17 Eric Idle as God himself (albeit Terms & Conditions redeemed by 30 October 2013. May. Include ‘Spamalot' in on screen). It has just about Spamalot is showing at the Tickets must be booked within the subject line.

APRIL 2013 | ISSUE 269 | 31