Leading lady: Ursula Brennan on the future of MOD DefenceFocus Royal Navy | Army | Royal Air Force | Ministry of Defence | issue #258 December 11/Jan 12

Over to you As transition to Afghan control continues we report from Nad ‘Ali on improved security combatbarbie NANAVIGATORVIGATOR

ellamy ends: we take a look at the assets involved P11

Cover image taken by: Steve Dock

P26 picture power Regulars The role of defence photographers p5 In memoriam p28 photo diary Tributes to the fallen Army head General Sir Peter Wall

P16 verbatim P30 sounding out PUS Ursula Brennan on MOD’s future The Royal Military School of Music p24 my medals p35 readers offer WO1 Bill Parry reviews his career Win a luxury stay at the Waldorf Hilton p34 PUZZLES P28 Crossword, chess and sudoku p30 Exclusives

P6 year in pictures Defence images from 2011

P8 Towards Transition On the ground in Nad ‘Ali P14 naval power P35 HMS Bulwark shows what she can do

DECEMBER 2011/JANUARY 2012 | ISSUE 258 | 3 EDITOR’SNOTE

DANNY CHAPMAN a total break. In my section alone members DefenceFocus of the press office and my own online news So it’s the silly season again. A time for team will be providing 24-hour cover over For everyone in defence manic shopping and doing our bit to the whole Christmas period. And so while Published by the Ministry of Defence reinvigorate the economy and help save we reach the end of the year and may feel Level 1 Zone C Europe from financial meltdown, a time the call for reflection, in reality, the wheels MOD, Main Building for bonding with our colleagues at office of Defence are carrying on into the New Whitehall London SW1A 2HB parties and hopefully not making too much Year oblivious to, well, the need for a rest! General enquiries: 020 721 8 1320 of a fool of ourselves, and of family reunions This edition of Defence Focus, you may and, probably, family fall-outs. notice, covers December and January. It’s EDITOR: Danny Chapman Tel: 020 7218 3949 But as most of us prepare for the because it will be on the shelves for almost email: [email protected] festivities, let us not forget that many two months that we have avoided making

ASSISTANT EDITOR: Ian Carr families have lost a loved one this year it seasonal (except these musings you are Tel: 020 7218 2825 serving their country and spare a special now reading). We know that the distribution email: [email protected] thought for them at this poignant time. to some of our readers takes so long that ASSISTANT EDITOR: Leigh Hamilton Of course, Christmas for most of many will not see a copy till after Christmas Tel: 020 7218 5988 us means a nice break away from work. (the efficiency of distribution is something email: [email protected] But many in Defence will not get a break we are looking into as a priority in 2012). ASSISTANT EDITOR: Lorraine McBride at all. Ships, barracks and stations still So hopefully, whenever and wherever Tel: 020 721 82341 need to be manned, and thousands will you read this, you will appreciate reading email: [email protected] still be deployed overseas - undertaking about the two main operations of 2011 – the ASSISTANT EDITOR: Tristan Kelly patrols and other tasks in Afghanistan, the wrapping up of one, the beginning of the Tel: 020 7218 4252 Falklands and elsewhere. So let’s spare an next stage in the other, and the thoughts email: [email protected] extra Christmas wish for them too. of our top civil servant on the changes for ART EDITOR: Mark Eagle Even many “pen-pushing” civilians the future. And that you have or have had a Tel: 020 721 8 3658 working in MOD will not succeed in getting Merry Christmas. email: [email protected]

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4 | www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews | DECEMBER 2011/JANUARY 2012 inmemoriam DeathsDEATHS ON OPERATIONS ON OPERATIONS – 27 october- 26 September to 5 december to 26 october 2011 2011

Private Matthew in Afghanistan on Thursday 3 along Route 611 for the locals James Sean Haseldin November 2011 by a gunshot in Nahr-e Saraj district, wound when his patrol came Helmand province. Private Matthew Haseldin, under attack from insurgents Aged 21, from Settle, he from 2nd Battalion The while on an operation to leaves behind his parents Alan Mercian Regiment, was killed maintain freedom of movement and Jill.

Private Matthew killed in Afghanistan on locals and to develop a better Thornton Wednesday 9 November 2011 understanding of the area. by an improvised explosive Aged 28, from Barnsley, Private Matthew Thornton, device while on patrol around he leaves behind his father from 4th Battalion The Checkpoint Loy Mandeh, near Michael, mother Susan, sister Yorkshire Regiment, was Babaji, to engage with the Sarah and brother Nathan.

Lance Corporal Wednesday 16 November 2011 mortar fire controller with the Peter Eustace by an improvised explosive Yorkshire Regiment. device while conducting a Aged 25, from Liverpool, Lance Corporal Peter Eustace, patrol with the Afghan National he leaves behind his mother from 2nd Battalion The Rifles, Army around Nahr-e Saraj Carol, sister Kirsty, brother was killed in Afghanistan on district. He was deployed as a Ryan and girlfriend Aimi.

Lieutenant was killed in Afghanistan on improvised explosive device. David Boyce Thursday 17 November 2011 Aged 25, from Welwyn when, on a security patrol Garden City, he leaves behind Lieutenant David Alexander in Nahr-e Saraj district, the his father Martin, mother Grant Boyce, from 1st The armoured vehicle he was Andrea, sister Charlotte and Queen’s Dragoon Guards, travelling in was struck by an girlfriend Jodie.

Lance Corporal in Afghanistan on Thursday during a security patrol. Richard Scanlon 17 November 2011, alongside Aged 31, from Rhymney, Lieutenant David Boyce, while Gwent, he leaves behind his Lance Corporal Richard travelling in an armoured mother Cherry, stepfather Scanlon, from 1st The Queen’s vehicle which was struck by an Robert, father Raymond and Dragoon Guards, was killed improvised explosive device sisters Lisa and Emma.

Private Thomas killed in Afghanistan on Sunday Based in a remote and Christopher Lake 20 November 2011 by an rudimentary checkpoint explosion while on a patrol to in Helmand, he was an Private Thomas Lake, from reassure the local population of ‘indispensible part of his team’. 1st Battalion The Princess of the Jamal Kowi area of Nahr-e Aged 29, from Watford, he Wales’s Royal Regiment, was Saraj district. leaves behind his mother Carol.

Rifleman Sheldon Sunday 27 November 2011 Nahr-e Saraj (South) area of Lee Jordan Steel by an improvised explosive operations. device during a foot patrol to Aged 20, from Leeds, Rifleman Sheldon Steel, disrupt insurgent freedom of he leaves behind his mother from 5th Battalion The Rifles, movement in the Babaji area Victoria, sisters Cody and was killed in Afghanistan on of Lashkar Gah district in the Carys, and brother Kameron.

DECEMBER 2011/JANUARY 2012 | ISSUE 258 | 5 year IN PICTURES

Picture: Steve Dock Picture: Mark Owens

A civilian vehicle mechanic repairs a Mastiff in Camp Bastion, Afghanistan

Picture: SAC Sally Raimondo

An RAF Typhoon lands in Italy after a mission over Libya

Picture: LA(Phot) Caz Davies

HMS Liverpool’s operations room during patrols off the coast of Libya

Armed Forces Day in Leith, Scotland

Picture: Sgt Steve Blake RLC

Picture: Sgt Rupert Frere RLC

A soldier from 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment on patrol in Helmand

A military working dog handler with his arms and explosives search dog Charlie in Helmand province

6 | www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews | DECEMBER 2011/JANUARY 2012 FEATUREINTERVIEW

Picture: LA(Phot) Burke Picture: PO (PHOT) Hamish Burke

An RAF Merlin’s descent fills the air with debris during Operation Omid Haft in Helmand

Picture: Becky Paget

British troops in Task Force Helmand HQ, Lashkar Gah, Afghanistan, celebrate the Royal Wedding

The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Collingwood celebrates Wootton Bassett becoming ‘Royal’

Picture: Sgt Ian Forsyth RLC

Picture: Sgt Chris Hargreaves RLC

A British RAF officer trains one of Afghanistan’s first female Air Force helicopter pilots

An Injured soldier takes up gardening therapy at Headley Court

Picture: Andrew Linnett

HMS Ambush, the second Astute Class submarine, is launched

DECEMBER 2011/JANUARY 2012 | ISSUE 258 | 7 NAD ‘ALI

New directions: troops from B Company, 2nd Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles, stop to chat with some locals from Shin Kalay the road AHEAD AS Nad ‘Ali looks to a brighter future, Tristan Kelly reports from the former Taliban stronghold

ith a reduction in violence of 86 per cent With two patrol bases quickly established, the compared to 2010, the people who live in operation was hailed a success and allowed ISAF and Nad ‘Ali district, an area once renowned for Afghan forces to move out from pockets of security to Wbeing a hotbed of the Taliban insurgency, reassure the local population and offer a platform for are enjoying unprecedented levels of security. stabilisation. And now, Afghan President Hamid Karzai has This foothold was expanded over time and announced that the area, which is to the west of Lashkar culminated in Operation Moshtarak in February Gah in Helmand province and within the British area of 2010. Meaning “together” in Dari, Op Moshtarak was operations, will be among the second tranche of areas the largest counter-insurgency operation launched across the country to begin formal transfer to Afghan by ISAF forces since entering Afghanistan in 2001. security control. It involved some 15,000 ISAF troops from the UK, However, today’s relative security has been hard US, Denmark, Estonia and Canada as well as large fought and some years in the making. British and other numbers of Afghan troops. ISAF forces first entered the region in 2006. Work The word moshtarak underlined the key feature soon began to disrupt and dislodge the Taliban from of the operation – the unprecedented and successful the region and in December 2008 a major operation – involvement of Afghan forces, including members of the named Sond Chara – was launched by British, Danish, Afghan National Army, Afghan National Police, Afghan Estonian and Afghan forces to clear insurgents from the Border Police and Afghan National Civil Order Police. district centre. Speaking on the eve of the operation, Brigadier

8 | www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews | DECEMBER 2011/JANUARY 2012 James Cowan, the then Commander of Task Force Helmand said: “I can think of no better name to describe this venture. For we are in this together: we have planned it together, we will fight it together, we will see it through together.” Another key feature of the operational plan was “seeing it through” and the Provincial Reconstruction Team and Afghan government departments were involved from the very beginning in bringing governance to the region as soon as the insurgents had been driven out. “We’ve got a government in a box, ready to roll in,” said US General Stanley McChrystal, ISAF commander at the time. Jumping ahead 18 months and progress in Nad ‘Ali has been stark, with the reduction in violence taking some by surprise. This is particularly true in the southern half of the district, around the district centre. Speaking at Patrol Base Chili in southern Nad ‘Ali,

towards the end of his tour in September 2011, Major Dock Steve Picture: Jamie Murray, Officer Commanding B Company, 2nd Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles (2 RGR), whose area Top man: Lieutenant do with life and death. Now Afghan locals are telling us of operations covered approximately 25,000 of Nad Colonel Shahdi where bad things are happening, where IEDs are being ‘Ali’s population of 75,000-100,000, tells me just how Khan, the District laid. We now have well over 25,000 counter insurgents quiet this tour has been. “The summer fighting season Chief of Police in this area, and that is the local people who are has been very much suppressed and the conditions for Nad ‘Ali countering the insurgency.” are set for an informal transition,” he said, adding that The next day I join a routine joint 2 RGR and Afghan significant events, such as IED finds and contacts with National Civil Order Police patrol into the nearby the Taliban, were down 40 per cent on the previous village of Shin Kalay, whose streets and recently- Herrick. restored mosque are buzzing with activity. And the Taliban, according to the Major, were The Gurkhas speak freely in Hindi with the becoming “desperate”, and with that the quality of the villagers and platoon commander Lieutenant Nick enemy had reduced. He cited a recent incident where a Gross is quick to strike up conversation with those in suicide bomber had self-detonated in a field a long way the busy alleyways separating the many compounds. from his target in the district centre, as a key example. After a few quick handshakes and nods of Major Murray adds that the focus of this tour has recognition, Lieutenant Gross meets with one man he been much more on interaction with local Afghans knows well, who explains how his brother has recently and showing them the benefits of Afghan government returned from the US and is keen to fund the reopening control. He also says that there has been a dramatic of the school in the town. It is a small example of how shift in the attitude of local Afghans since 2 RGR’s life is returning to the area as confidence in security previous tour in 2009. takes hold. Major Murray also tells me that local “We have conducted 75 shuras so far and each one farmers are managing to coax four crops a year out of is convivial,” Major Murray says. “The locals are willing their fertile soils for the first time in decades. to provide us with information not just about security Tea time: A Company, 3 Not far away in Nad ‘Ali district centre the bazaar but about their lives in general – a year ago that shura SCOTS, during a patrol has increased from the two or three shops of a year would have been entirely about security and things to into the Kalang bazaar ago to over 100 today and the newly-metalled roads Picture: Sergeant Steve Blake RLC Blake Steve Sergeant Picture:

DECEMBER 2011/JANUARY 2012 | ISSUE 258 | 9 NAD ‘ALI

are allowing farmers to take their goods to market. Asked how such a transformation has been achieved Major Murray says that sustained Now there are shops, interaction and living amongst the locals, understanding them and what makes them tick, has businesses and construction been crucial. He is keen to stress though that his men are simply building on the achievements of UK projects happening. and Afghan troops on previous Herricks and the hard work invested in the area over several years. Children can go to school Carrying the baton into the future will be the sole responsibility of the Afghans. Much of that responsibility will rest with the Afghan National minds of the people, and if they do that they will be Police (ANP) as the Afghan National Army (ANA) halfway there,” he said. “They are certainly going move to more outlying areas to take on the to be a good police service at the end of the day. insurgency in the hinterland. Compared with 18 months ago we are now turning Leading the police from the newly-built District out a much, much higher standard of recruit.” Police Headquarters in Nad ‘Ali is District Chief of Progress at all levels – from the police to Police Lieutenant Colonel Shahdi Khan, who said delivering infrastructure projects – has been lauded, that he had ever-increasing confidence in his force. and the formal process for transferring security “We have enough men now and more importantly we control in Nad ‘Ali is another step on the road to full have the trust of the people. When the people trust transition across the country by 2015 when ISAF the ANP we can do anything,” he said. combat operations will end. Despite Lieutenant Colonel Khan’s optimism This of course is not the end of the story. UK the quality and quantity of the Afghan security and other NATO troops will likely continue to offer forces will determine the speed of transition and training assistance to the Afghans after 2014 its eventual success or failure. The issue is being and Foreign Secretary William Hague has made tackled on several fronts, not least in the Lashkar clear that transition does not mean the end of Gah provincial police training centre. Here hundreds international support. of new recruits – and importantly junior officers – are “The UK remains committed to a strong, undergoing instruction. long-term partnership with Afghanistan based on Sergeant Glynn Ross of the Ministry of Defence diplomacy, trade and development and support Police, who has been training junior ANP officers in for Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) Helmand, said that while the police in Afghanistan development,” he said. have to know how to fight the insurgency, he is trying General Sherin Shah, the commander of the to focus heavily on traditional policing skills. “It is 6,000 ANA troops that form 3rd Brigade 215 Corps, part of their mission here to gain the hearts and which cover the key Helmand districts of Lashkar Gah, Nahr-e Saraj, Nad ‘Ali and Gereshk, is bullish in his view of the future. Picture: Steve Dock “In Nad ‘Ali the ANSF will take over responsibility for security. The process of transition will take time, and it is not something that will happen overnight, but ISAF troops are not leaving us and will support us if we need it,” he said. “I have seen big changes in Nad ‘Ali in the past few years. Now there are shops, businesses and construction projects happening. Children can go to school to learn. The peace process will continue and nothing will stop us.” DF

Passing times: the Police Mentoring and Advisory Group from 2nd Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles, operating in a Husky protected support vehicle, transit around the Nad ‘Ali area

10 | www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews | DECEMBER 2011/JANUARY 2012 operationellamy

Sea and air: HMS Ocean with its helicopters on deck. USAF HH-60, Lynx Mk7, Sea King from 857 NAS, and Apaches from 656 Squadron AAC can be seen

of troops from libya as operation unified protector ends ian carr looks at uk armed forces’ involvEment in freeing libya

ith the end of NATO’s mission. “There can be no doubt that FROM THE SKY Operation Unified Protector, without your efforts thousands would As part of that, RAF Tornados and most of the UK Service have been killed. Because of you, the Typhoons notched up a hit rate in excess of W personnel who played guardians of freedom, the Libyan people 90 per cent with their Brimstone precision their part in helping the Libyan people have hope for their future. I am here to guided missiles. oust Gaddafi’s regime have returned pay tribute to you. My thanks, the nation’s The RAF Typhoon attracted many to embraces from their families and thanks and the thanks of the people of plaudits for its performance, first enforcing plaudits from the politicians. Libya go with you.” the no-fly zone then moving smoothly into At RAF Waddington, the Deputy At its peak the UK had around 4,000 a ground attack role. Squadron Leader Sid Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, welcomed personnel, 37 aircraft and four ships Sidney, in charge of the Typhoon ground home the servicemen and women who committed to the operation. The UK flew crew, said: “The threat was real. Gaddafi were the UK’s air component. more than 3,000 sorties and more than had good air defences that had to be dealt Mr Clegg praised them saying 2,100 of these were strike sorties, hitting with. But with the Typhoons and Tornados that they had played a vital role in the around 640 targets. working together, people soon got the idea

DECEMBER 2011/JANUARY 2012 | ISSUE 258 | 11 operationellamy that it wasn’t a great idea to take us on.” clinical precision. GROUND SUPPORT Operation Ellamy, the name for the The logistics for the operation were on Weapons technicians sweating their way UK mission to enforce the United Nations a major scale. C-17s and C-130 Hercules through 14-hour shifts, often in 40-degree resolution to protect Libyan citizens, established a daily airbridge between the heat, toiled round the clock to keep the showcased the UK’s military capability UK and Italy to get supplies and people to aircraft working and loaded up with the and the professionalism of all Service where they needed to be. On one occasion right bullets and bombs for each mission. personnel working together. that even included delivering 40 tons of Because the Typhoon is so versatile, For example, to complete the 3,000- currency to Benghazi. “It filled the aircraft,” the way that it needed to be configured mile round trips from the UK, Tornado said Flight Lieutenant Chris Powell. would vary depending on what task it had to GR4s needed to be refuelled three or four Keeping the aircraft safe and looking do. Sergeant Darren Bumby, who worked times in mid-air by TriStars and VC10s. after associated equipment and personnel on it, said: “A full four-bomb refit would take Thanks to surveillance air crews was the job of the RAF Police. Sergeant an hour to an hour-and-a-half and another flying thousands of hours in Sentinels, Mark Robson said: “Some of the VIPs twenty minutes to make sure the weapons E-3D Sentry aircraft and Nimrods, up-to- we had to look after included the Prime were talking to the aircraft.” the-minute information was provided for Minister and the Secretary of State. We also Although the crews would receive mission planning and to make sure that had to repatriate two journalists who had day-to-day updates about how the aircraft ground attacks struck key targets with been killed.” should be configured, the requirement

Air power component

12 | www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews | DECEMBER 2011/JANUARY 2012 could change up to two hours before take- 4 Regiment, Army Air Corps, along with Royal Navy power off. “But that was OK. It was good for our 90 soldiers embarked on HMS Ocean, Sixteen vessels of the fleet, both surface morale and great for our esteem for the conducted missions from the Royal Navy’s and submarine as well as Navy helicopters, squadron to see what we can do, at our full biggest warship. helped maintain the no-fly zone and choke potential,” said Sergeant Bumby. Major Mick Neville, Officer off the supply of arms to pro-Gaddafi forces Keeping everyone fed at the UK’s main Commanding 4 Regiment said: “In from the sea. operating base in Gioia del Colle, Italy, Afghanistan we are used in a reactionary HMS Liverpool, Cumberland, Iron Duke initially fell to 3 Mobile Catering Squadron. way, giving support to guys on the ground, and Sutherland gained and held control Warrant Officer Willie Dixon helped operate so it was nice to be involved in deliberate of Libyan waters and bombarded military the 500-man tented kitchens. “The first targeted operations.” checkpoints and rocket batteries ashore. meal was cottage pie. It went down really The Apache teams fired off 99 Hellfire HMS Liverpool’s ship’s company spent well. We were providing 24-hour messing missiles and 4,800 cannon rounds, hitting more than 80 hours at action stations for 650 people,” he said. “We did the laundry more than 100 targets in 22 missions. across 28 separate occasions. During her too, the first time we had on operations.” “That’s demanding flying,” said Major stint the Type 42 destroyer was fired on and Neville. “The threat from Gaddafi’s air returned fire 10 times and launched 211 Oceans of helicopters defence systems was significant and rounds of high explosive shells, lighting up Five Apache helicopters of 656 Squadron, professional. In places, Gaddafi’s troops targets for NATO aircraft to destroy. were very well equipped and trained and Leading Steward Andrew Barnes well-motivated. It was very kinetic and recalls: “The first time we went to action professionally challenging.” stations was quite disconcerting for some Major Neville added that all of the of the lads, but after a while it became Apache’s £50 million capability was put to second nature. You rely on your training and the test. And it proved to be worth it. After just get on with your job.” every sortie, post-mission reconnaissance HMS Liverpool also distinguished proved their efforts had directly affected herself in the air with her fighter controllers the front line, sometimes pushing it back directing aircraft and taking responsibility five kilometres in a single night. Captain for the entire battlespace management Matt Sandbach said: “People even found the area on no less than 13 occasions. sound of us coming menacing. Anyone who Meanwhile Navy submarine HMS shot at us soon learned that we could avoid Triumph undertook 80 days of patrols and and reply within seconds.” demonstrated the precision effect of her Working alongside the Apaches were Tomahawk cruise missiles. the Royal Navy Sea King helicopter crews As part of their mission to enforce the who helped to refresh the Army pilots’ UN arms embargo, the Navy frigates while skills flying off and returning to warships patrolling the Libyan coast boarded and and provided them with eye-in-the-sky inspected 123 merchant vessels, as well as surveillance. undertaking surveillance operations. Lieutenant Commander Colin Key to the maintenance of sea McGannity said: “We fly higher than the supremacy were the warships’ Lynx Apaches so we could tell them where it was helicopters. Flying at night and using their safe to route in without being detected. It own radar, so that the ships could maintain was a similar job to the surveillance we do radar silence, the aircraft identified ships in Afghanistan, pointing other assets at and small boats and attacked them when potential targets and bringing back data for called on to do so. the intelligence guys.” Minehunters HMS Brocklesby and HMS Operating from HMS Ocean, the Bangor also played their part in finding two Royal Navy Sea Kings notched up 99 and destroying mines which had been operational missions, and thanks to the laid, often from small rigid inflatables, engineering team they had a serviceability and threatened the flow of humanitarian of 96 per cent. “After Afghanistan it was supplies. “You could hear the shells landing nice to get back to some maritime flying,” in Misurata and the NATO aircraft flying said Lieutenant Commander McGannity, overhead - but it was a great feeling to know a sentiment observer Lieutenant Cheryl we had made a meaningful contribution,” Gilbertson agreed with. “I liked working said Brocklesby’s Able Seaman Phillip from a ship, it’s what I joined the Navy to do.” Perkins. There was a great team spirit aboard All the UK assets were supported Ocean, Lieutenant Gilbertson said, and by RFA Fort Rosalie, which provided vital she paid tribute to the Army pilots flying stores and fuel. HMS Liverpool alone the attack helicopters. “We would find the conducted 40 repenishment at sea targets for them, and check the comms, but operations. you wouldn’t want to take anything away Welcoming HMS Liverpool home in from them flying the combat missions. They Portsmouth, Defence Secretary Philip had a massive job to do, so we were happy to Hammond said: “We are grateful to you and help in any way we could. We were all flying proud of you. You have demonstrated the those missions really.” power of the Royal Navy.” DF

DECEMBER 2011/JANUARY 2012 | ISSUE 258 | 13 navycapability beachhead revisited as part of aN action-packed display of royal navy capabilities, ian carr spent a day aboard hms bulwark

his wasn’t just a chance for the Royal Marines reach. We can control the maritime areas that are to make the most of a calm Solent sea to swarm owned by no-one, but which are exploited by many,” up and capture Browndown Beach – again. said Captain Burton. T And it was a lot more than a day enjoying the The ship has repeatedly proved its versatility in a cheery hospitality of HMS Bulwark, the Royal Navy’s number of roles. In response to the war in Lebanon, as new flagship. This was day two of a four-day display of part of the humanitarian effort, she helped to evacuate maritime combat power, with the Devonport-based qualified personnel. Bulwark has also been involved in assault ship taking centre stage. counter-piracy operations and provided security in the Captain Alex Burton, Bulwark’s Commanding seas around Iraqi oil platforms. Officer, said: “I describe the ship as the country’s Swiss The joblist for today’s capability display includes Army knife: very versatile and totally indispensable. Being the Royal Navy’s flagship means that we will be at high readiness for the next four years to go wherever in the world the politicians want us to be, doing whatever job they require of us.” The floating HQ for Joint Forces, HMS Bulwark can host high-level diplomatic meetings and provide command and control capability not just at sea but in the air and on land as well. And, in its amphibious role, shuttle kit and personnel to where it’s needed. “HMS

Pictures: LA(PHOT) Martin Carney LA(PHOT) Pictures: Bulwark defines expeditionary capability and global

The craft of landing: HMS Bulwark puts ashore Royal Marines Commandos and their kit and vehicles including Vikings and fuel tankers

14 | www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews | DECEMBER 2011/JANUARY 2012 repelling an ill-advised attempt by bogus bad guys the Navy and the value of the training better than the (looking suspiciously like Royal Marines on a rigid sailors who manned the evacuee-handling centre set inflatable boat) intent on boarding the assault ship. up on the beach. In times of danger, when frightened Then a Sea King helicopter hovered, its rotor blades civilians are desperate to escape a situation that has seemingly inches away from the communications mast, gone bad, these young servicemen must be ready to while Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines fast-roped calm things down, go through the necessary Foreign down onto the deck to mop up make-believe pirates. and Commonwealth Office clearance, and then maybe Next, fast rigid inflatables skipped over the surf working even face the task of breaking it to someone that they with Type 23 frigate HMS Sutherland to intercept and won’t be getting a ride aboard Bulwark that day. search a suspicious vessel. Although all this interoperability across a range of Then it was over to Browndown Beach for the scenarios made for an impressive display, the talents big finish. Bulwark’s landing craft embarked Viking of the Navy didn’t stop there. During the day the ship’s armoured patrol vehicles, fuel tankers, equipment company smoothly hosted a variety of groups, each and members of 40 Commando, with more arriving with a different agenda. The media contingent, from the by Sea King, to make the beach safe for Royal Navy world of print, radio and telly were eager for pictures, personnel to set up a station to process evacuees quotes and interviews. Then there were politicians who fleeing from a hostile situation. The dot up in the sky was needed briefing as part of a select committee. Foreign an Apache helicopter keeping the commanders fed with VIPs, including Canadian Navy chiefs who were using surveillance information. the experience to help them decide whether it is time for The hardware is world class, but it’s the personnel them to develop an amphibious capability, were calmly who use it that really make the big impression. And chaperoned from place to place. All of these disparate that’s not just the front of house fighting power of the interests were catered for with quiet professionalism. commandos, nor the pilots with ice-cold nerves. This “Today has given you a glimpse of what the Navy was a show involving all the family, from Rear Admiral will be like for the next 30 years,” said Rear Admiral Peter Hudson hosting the VIPs, down to the likes of Hudson, winding things up. “With lots of assets working Midshipmen James Duff and Michael Milton, the would- together with HMS Bulwark at the centre. So I hope be pirates for the day, fresh out of Dartmouth and now you can understand that when I’m asked ‘What does soaking up the training that is getting them used to Bulwark do?’, I answer ‘What do you want it to do?’” being on board a warship and turning them into officers There is one final job to do, getting the politicians of the future. “This is about putting the skills we’ve to Portsmouth for a train back to London to vote in the learned into practice,” said Midshipman Duff, “things House. And so it was that ferry passengers staring out like navigation and leadership.” Sadly the training of the windows may just have seen a group of politicians clearly didn’t include acting lessons judging by the way dressed in body suits, some of them clutching they hammed it up for the cameras. handbags, skimming past them over the surf. An Yet maybe nothing demonstrated the qualities of unusual sight, but all in a day’s work for Bulwark. DF

Board meeting: (right) A boarding team saves Bulwark from “pirates”

Shore footed: (below) Royal Marines disembark on Browndown Beach

DECEMBER 2011/JANUARY 2012 | ISSUE 258 | 15 verbatim top team’s tasks permanent secretary ursula brennan talks to ian carr about deciding what really matters to defence

DF: After the Strategic Defence and Security Review you said we would have to do things differently. Has that happened? UB: There are some things where we have made serious progress. The most obvious of those are in relation to decisions made about equipment and basing. There have been some really tough decisions taken about things we will be doing differently around our corporate services. The creation of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) is an example of us doing things differently, more effectively and efficiently.

DF: How is the creation of DIO an example of doing things differently? UB: Many people may have felt that we had centralised estates work, but we hadn’t really. We had left significant sums of money to be managed within the front line commands and other budget holders. If you want to use your assets more strategically to deliver defence outputs then go for it, don’t go half way then build resource back in elsewhere. In DIO we now have a chief executive chairing a body which brings together everyone who has requirements for infrastructure investment, and you have a single place where all that asset management is done together. Sometimes that is going to be difficult for individual units. It’s a way of thinking about Defence assets, not Single Service assets, and asking what are the real defence priorities – let’s make sure we are delivering against them.

DF: What are the organisational issues for MOD? UB: Lord Levene’s report on the structure and management of the MOD said there were places where we need to do less centrally and push more out to the front line commands. He pointed out that when you have a strategic function in the centre it does strategy, and it doesn’t push its nose into delivery. Being strategic means determining outcomes, and the choices open to us for achieving them. Once you have decided where you want to go, you leave it to the individual Services to propose how we are going to get there.

DF: Has the centre become too big? UB: Across the public sector, where you don’t have a profit bottom line driving how much you can afford to invest in your overheads and your central strategic functions, you have to impose the restriction to keep your head office as small as possible. Occasionally you need some kind of intervention to force you to do that. History shows that when government departments do slim down, they soon start to grow again. Obviously the current squeeze on public spending is a very strong driver for us to think about what really matters to us.

16 | www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews | DECEMBER 2011/JANUARY 2012 valued. For those still in MOD you will be working in a DF: Are too many people involved in decision making? smaller department but one which is clearer about what UB: Levene made the point, rather sharply, that we it is doing. Yes, things are tough in the public sector, have too many layers and that there were too many but frankly things won’t be easy anywhere. Bearing people overlapping at the top. He said that with clearer that in mind, Defence is still going to be an absolutely accountabilities you don’t need so many people in the fascinating place to work. chain. We have made some painful decisions about that. For example, in the future we won’t have Commanders DF: The media recently criticised MOD for spending in Chief in addition to Chiefs of Staff. More generally, in £600m on consultants. Was that money well spent? terms of slimming down the top structure, the defence UB: The first thing to say is that it wasn’t spent on transformation team are making progress and will consultancy. We have a separate budget for that be making proposals soon. Once you have the top and we have been seriously reducing it. What they structure clear you can say to senior people: ‘Now you were referring to was the Framework Agreement know what your role is, you can start redesigning how for Technical Support which was set up to centralise you are going to deliver your responsibilities with the spending on technical services. It includes advice on slimmed down resources you’re going to be given.’ things like nuclear engineering and aviation safety where we need, for a short period of time, really DF: Why has there been another invitation for civilian specialist expertise that we don’t have ourselves. It staff to volunteer for early release (VERS)? makes more sense to buy in that expertise than it does UB: We always thought we were likely to have to try and grow people with those skills when we are not two stages. We could have waited until all the going to have a continuing role for them. The audit said transformation had been completed, when we would we hadn’t been managing that business well, and that’s have had a more targeted regime for reductions, but true I’m afraid. It’s an example of something where most civil servants have generic skills. There are some we set up the rules but didn’t follow them properly. real specialists, and some who work in particular Application of the rules is much tighter now. geographic areas who are not mobile, but the majority can move between roles. So if we cut a job it doesn’t DF: The National Audit Office (NAO) report on major follow necessarily that the civil servant doing that job projects also said we were overspending. needs to be the person that goes. We knew there were UB: Well, that report was interesting. The Financial some who would be happy to go now, so if that suits both Times wrote a piece about it saying it was a much more parties, that’s great. With the second round of VERS positive report than the NAO usually gives us, they we are a lot clearer about where the business will be recognised that we are improving. The NAO said we getting smaller. We want to achieve as many of our exits have a legacy of cost overruns and delay but that over by voluntary means as possible, but unfortunately at the the last 12 months we have been getting better. OK, end we will probably have to have some redundancies. we need to get better at risk management, but we are But even then people will have the choice to volunteer. in a risky business. We are dealing with very difficult technical problems and we also have to deal with fuel DF: The criteria for VERS 2 look more geared to letting price rises and foreign exchange variations when they people go than last time. don’t go in our favour. But we are not complacent. UB: We have tried to learn from the last time and be sharper about the very specific skills that we do need DF: The results of the Your Say survey must be to keep. Some business units felt that they needed disappointing. to let anybody go that applied, whereas some took a UB: The results are bad and we need to be honest and tougher line. This time we are much clearer, it is about acknowledge that. People are telling us they want to see the people we have to keep. So if you want to go but more visible leadership. They want a stronger sense have skills that we really need or if you are a really top that their concerns are recognised. I can understand performer who we want to develop, we will want to why people are not happy given the difficult period we keep you. Most civil servants have a mix of skills, so I have been through, but I’m determined not to hide hope that people who want to go and who don’t have the behind that as an excuse. I’m sure the detailed results skills that we urgently need to retain will be able to. Last will show that some areas of MOD will score better than time there were some who wanted to go but who we others, because good leaders keep talking to their staff needed to help us through transition; once that work is even in hard times. And that’s why we’ve been holding completed, we may be able to release them. The basis Engaging Leaders workshops - if you are a good leader, for selection is spread out over a number of months. even in bad times, you will bring your people with you.

DF: But if you select an earlier date your score goes up DF: So feedback from Your Say is valuable? UB: It seems to make sense. If someone has decided UB: Your Say, Virtual Town Halls and Ask the Board are that they want to go then the sooner the better. It’s like really important places where people can express their when you are changing jobs, your mind switches to the views and get responses to their questions. Sometimes future, and you just want to get on with it. concerns are due to people not being properly informed, and in those cases that’s our fault because we have DF: What are the ramifications for those left behind? failed to get the message across. In the coming months UB: Defence remains a big employer with a really it will be the top team’s task to explain about the big diverse range of things to do which are important, and changes that are happening. DF

DECEMBER 2011/JANUARY 2012 | ISSUE 258 | 17 podium iN THE RIGHT DIRECTION recent polls show that AFGHANS have hope for the future © 2011 The new york times

fghanistan is now in transition mode as This was the seventh poll conducted by the the United States and its NATO allies turn Foundation since 2004, providing a valuable perspective responsibility for the country’s security over of the national mood of Afghans over time. Despite the Ato the Afghans, with the goal of completing daunting security, economic and political challenges the process by the end of 2014. During this period, US facing Afghanistan, close to half of those polled (46 per Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says a strategy of cent) say the country is moving in the right direction. “fight, talk, build” will be pursued. How do Afghans feel Now to Clinton’s three-pronged strategy. “Fight”: about the elements of that strategy? ordinary Afghans are clearly tired of the fighting. A recent survey directed by the Asia Foundation They’ve been at it for over 30 years. Insecurity is provides some answers (the complete survey is identified as the biggest problem by one third of those available at the foundation’s website). In July, close to polled. More than half say they fear for their personal 6,500 Afghans were surveyed across the 34 provinces of safety in their local area. Afghanistan. The demographics are important: 78 per At the same time, those surveyed believe that cent were from rural areas and 22 per cent from urban their own security forces, the Afghan National Army areas; 57 per cent were men and 43 per cent women. and Afghan National Police, are showing signs of The margin of error is 4.1 per cent. improvement, with the Army receiving the most positive

Looking forward to transition: Afghan National Police at the Regional Training Centre, Lashkar Gah

18 | www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews | DECEMBER 2011/JANUARY 2012 vitalnumbers assessment: 87 per cent say the Army is helping to improve the security situation in the country. Two other indicators are also positive. In 2007, 62 per cent said the Afghan Army was “unprofessional and poorly trained”. That number dropped to 44 per cent this THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT year. Likewise, there was a decline among those who THERE READY TO HELP you said the Army needed the support of foreign troops and could not operate by itself: from 77 per cent in 2007 to 60 per cent today. RN Benevolent Trust: Grants, the families of both. Practical advice and income supplements and financial assistance and “Talk”: Afghans are overwhelmingly in favour of for veterans. Call 0239 2690112 emotional support.ssafa.org. talking. Eighty-two per cent of respondents support or email [email protected]. uk or call 0845 1300 975. their government’s efforts to address the security situation through negotiation and reconciliation with the RN Association: Comradeship Harassment, bullying or Taliban and other armed opposition groups. But since for all serving and discrimination: JSP 763, The the survey was conducted, that effort has run aground, ex-service members of the RN, MOD Harassment Complaints RM, QARNNS, WRNS, Reserves, Procedures, is a guide for called off by President Karzai after the assassination of RFA and RNXS.royal-naval- Services and civilians. Navy: Afghan peace envoy and former president Burhanuddin association.co.uk 023 9272 7331. Army: 94 391 Rabbani by a suicide bomber posing as a Taliban peace Ext 7922 (01264 381 922). emissary. The future of the Afghan reconciliation Royal Marines Benevolent RAF: 95471 ext 7026. Civilians Fund: Relieves hardship among process – the “talking” – is at best uncertain. 0800 345 7772 (+441225 serving and former Marines What is certain is that the Taliban’s use of high- 829572 from overseas) or em: profile killings and civilian attacks is significantly and dependents. royalmarines. [email protected] or [email protected]. impacting on public opinion. The percentage of Afghans call 02392 547201. who have some level of sympathy for the insurgents Matters of conscience and fell to its lowest level (29 per cent) in the history of this ABF The Soldiers Charity: whistleblowing under the survey: in 2009, it was 56 per cent; last year, 40 per cent. Support to soldiers and Public Interest Disclosure Act. Call 0800 3457772. Select “Build”: Afghans are most encouraged by the veterans. option four. rebuilding of their country. Of those seeing their country www.soldierscharity.org or call 0845 241 4820. moving in the right direction, the primary reason given Service Personnel and was reconstruction (40 per cent). More than half say RAF Benevolent Fund: Help Veterans Agency: Pay, they are aware of development projects in their local for RAF personnel past and pensions and personnel area, including the building of roads and bridges (59 per present. rafbf.org or call 0800 support for the Services and cent) and education (57 per cent). 1692942. veterans, including the JPA system, and Joint Casualty Afghans are also aware of which countries have Civil Service Benevolent Fund: and Compassionate Centre: provided the most aid for projects in their localities, Helps anyone who has worked 0800 0853600: 0800 1692277 or citing the United States, Germany, Japan, India and for the Civil Service and their veterans-uk.info Britain, in that order. dependents. Advice about As with the future of the reconciliation process, support and financial help. csbf. MOD Occupational Welfare however, the future of US and international org.uk or call 0800 056 2424. Service: Confidential advice on development aid has come into question since the work and personal issues. Call survey was conducted. Earlier this month, the US State Army Welfare Service: HQ 0800 345 7047 AWS has relocated to Upavon. Department announced that civilian aid to Afghanistan Confidential support for Service Complaints had reached its “high water” mark, declaring that soldiers and families. army. Commissioner: To make America would spend less on development assistance mod.uk/welfare-support/ a complaint or seek as it withdraws troops from the country. US aid fell from family/default.aspx or call (UK) advice, contact: SCC@ $4.1 billion in 2010 to $2.5 billion this year. 01980 615975. armedforcescomplaints. Whether the Afghan people have reached their high independent.gov.uk RAF Association (RAFA): water mark for their expectations for the future will be Comradeship and care for shown in future surveys. current and former RAF Naval Personal & Family Today the survey shows that most Afghans see members. rafa.org.uk/ Service and Royal Marines progress in the quality of their lives, appreciate the welfare.asp. Welfare services they receive from their government, and For out-of-hours’ emergencies continue to support equal rights regardless of gender, HIVE: Tri-Service information call the NPFS duty worker in covering issues like education ethnicity or religion. Eighty-five per cent support the relevant next-of-kin area and health. 167 offices. hive. educational opportunities for women. mod.uk. or RM unit. NPFS East and One hopes none of these advances will be lost in the Overseas - 02392 726 159 (via current Afghan transition. Royal British Legion: Charity Officer-of-the-Watch). NPFS First published in the International Herald Tribune, providing financial, social and North - 01436 674 321 - (via this article is by Karl F. Inderfurth, US Assistant Secretary emotional support to vets and duty naval base officer Ex. 4005) serving, and dependents. of State for South Asian Affairs from 1997-2001 and Senior NPFS West and Eire - 01752 555 www.britishlegion.org.uk or Adviser at the Center for Strategic and International call 08457 725 725. 220 - (via Officer-of-the-Watch). Studies, and Theodore L. Eliot, Jr, US Ambassador to RM Welfare - 01752 836 395 - Afghanistan from 1973 to 1978 and Dean Emeritus of the SSAFA Forces Help: Supports (via duty officer, guardroom RM DF Picture: Sgt Rupert Frere RLC Sgt Rupert Frere Picture: Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. serving personnel, veterans and Stonehouse).

DECEMBER 2011/JANUARY 2012 | ISSUE 258 | 19 attitudesurveys a question of attitude? every year the armed forces and their families are asked how they feel about life in the services. what they say makes a difference writes ian carr.

Forces, ” said Wing Commander Puzey. Building up a reliable source of data year-on-year means that trends can be spotted and the effects of policy changes understood. Wing Commander Puzey adds: “AFCAS is a continuous look at the views of our personnel, so it is not necessarily a case of taking action on a single year’s results. For example, a 45 per cent satisfaction result could be viewed as negative in isolation, but the broader view may show an increasing trend of satisfaction over a period of years. So, while still not where we would want to be, we at least know we are moving in the right direction. “So the AFCAS information is very important to us, and the more people fill in the surveys the better.” Louise Rolland of the Armed Forces Covenant Team is another person who relies on the information gleaned from AFCAS and FAMCAS. The Armed Forces Covenant, which was published in May, set out the key relationships between the Armed Forces, ach year, for the last five years, year there were 30 pages of evidence from the Government and the Nation. It provides Service personnel are encouraged various areas submitted to AFPRB and a framework for policy making and delivery to say how they are feeling about several referred extensively to data from across government to improve the support E things like commitment to the the AFCAS,” he said. available for the Armed Forces community. job, living accommodation, morale and In recommending levels of pay and Louise says: “It is important that we pay. This is done via the Armed Forces’ charges the AFPRB seeks to enhance the have a way of measuring progress and Continuous Attitude Survey (AFCAS). recruitment, retention and motivation of AFCAS and FAMCAS have a key role to play And since 2010 the Tri-Service Service personnel, but to do that members as they provide us with attitudinal data Families Continuous Attitude Survey need a broad view of Service life in general. about a range of issues relevant to Service (FAMCAS) has collected information on the “The AFPRB provides evidence- personnel and their families. In fact, the attitudes and circumstances of the spouses based recommendations to the Prime surveys touch on most of the 15 themes of of Service personnel on welfare issues Minister across a broad spectrum of pay the Armed Forces Covenant.” such as housing, health and childcare. and charges, and AFCAS is a primary The Armed Forces Act means that Gathering this information is important reference point to substantiate any every year there must be an Armed Forces for the policy makers when making the observations or assertions made within Covenant report to Parliament detailing decisions that will affect the Armed Forces the evidence that MOD provides,” said how the Government is supporting military and their families in the future. Wing Commander Puzey. personnel, their families and veterans. Just one of the bodies who rely on, Having specific data about a number “We have quoted AFCAS and FAMCAS and greatly value, the AFCAS information of areas helps the AFPRB to concentrate data throughout the interim report, and is the Armed Forces Pay Review Body on the right issues at the right time. the surveys will continue to be a valuable (AFPRB). Tony Symmonds, secretary to “For example, people’s views on basic source of information for future statutory this independent body, said: “We hold the pay may vary considerably from their reports,” said Louise. AFCAS survey in high regard and use it to views on other aspects of remuneration, AFCAS will soon be underway again. inform our deliberations when making our such as allowances or pensions. It is Those selected to take part will receive a recommendations.” also important to understand what form between January and April. MOD’s AFPRB liaison officer, Wing our personnel consider to be the FAMCAS will be issued between March Commander Mark Puzey, coordinates most significant push and pull factors and May. If you are chosen, remember, your the evidence that the Body needs: “This associated with serving in the Armed views do count. DF

20 | www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews | DECEMBER 2011/JANUARY 2012

OPANALYSISTEAM Picture: Steve Dock Steve Picture:

Data man: Operational Analyst Charlie Corlett at work in Helmand DATA-DAY JOB

analysts in helmand are helping commanders see through the fog of war. Tristan kelly reports

odern war is fought with decisions. And that is what we do.” Put explains. “We try and look for trends and information as well as bullets in layman’s terms it is Charlie’s job to patterns.” This can assist with military and few in Afghanistan are conduct analysis of operational data and decision-making. M in possession of as much inform commanders of any apparent “For example,” Charlie adds, “a statistical firepower as Charlie Corlett. trends from the battlefield. Such analysis commander might say ‘we think we An operational analyst with the can be used to inform decisions such as have noticed a change in our AO (area of Defence Science and Technology where to deploy medical assets, identify operations) such that we encounter Laboratory (Dstl) it is Charlie’s job to areas for transition to Afghan National IEDs in a particular scenario and crunch the numbers to help make some Security Forces control and support ask what’s going on. Is it that we sense of the information overload that overall operational planning. are setting patterns with our own often constitutes the fog of war. “A lot of what we do is kinetically- activity’.”Operational analysis can help Explaining his job Charlie says that focused, so we look at events that have to answer that question. “the definition of operational analysis happened. For example, IEDs, where There are over a dozen Dstl civilians is the application of scientific analysis they happen, when they happen and deployed to Afghanistan in a variety of techniques to help people make what sort of IEDs they are,” Charlie scientific and analytical roles, and as

22 | www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews | DECEMBER 2011/JANUARY 2012 part of a team of three based at Task Force Helmand’s HQ in Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand province, Charlie and his colleagues use their scientific training (Charlie is a trained physicist) to find such trends. He explains that a recent task was to look at possible patterns regarding attacks on helicopters. “There had been a few cases of helicopters being attacked, so again we looked to see whether our helicopter activity was becoming predictable. The military don’t neccessarily have to change anything they are doing as a result of this analysis but it can help them make a more informed decision.” Despite being a small team the Operational Analysts are just the forward component of a huge resource available to commanders back in the UK. “We are very much the tip of the iceberg,” Charlie says. “There are 3,500 people back at home at Dstl for whom support to operations is the main priority, so if we We are very much have a guy that has a particular skill set they will pretty much drop everything and the tip of the iceberg work to help us.” So where does all the information come from? “We get things called see if areas are ready for transition,” he very difficult to unpick that.” SitReps (situation reports) from says. “There are lots of people interested He also makes clear that, while commanders on the ground which detail in it and lots of people measuring lots undeniably useful, his analyses can every significant incident,” Charlie says. of stuff, so we are looking at what is only ever be one tool among many that “So if a shot is fired at a patrol or an IED already measured. It is things like school commanders can draw on during the is found, a base attacked, or a medevac attendance, traffic on roads, the average decision-making process. “Obviously happens, a short report gets written. price of goods in markets as well as the we are only advice,” he says. “At the What we do is suck all those up and we number of security incidents.” end of the day it comes down to military extract all the information in them and However, as the old adage goes ‘lies, judgement and we let them come to put them in our own database.” damned lies, and statistics’, and Charlie their own conclusions and just suggest This information is then digested is aware of what statistical analysis possible reasons behind the trends.” DF and analysed and usually presented can’t tell you. “With things like IEDs graphically to the military ‘customer’, you can only report them when you find Find out more about working as a civilian in such as HQ commanders or commanders them,” he says. “So we are affecting the theatre at Support to Operations through out in bases. “At the moment we are statistical information we have and it is DII People Services > Moving Jobs > S2O helping the med team decide what the best medical laydown will be for the next Herrick deployment and where they should put medical assets,” Charlie says. “You base that on where the most events happen that will cause casualties and how long it takes people to get to hospital, that kind of information.” With all minds focused on the end of combat operations in 2015, much of Charlie’s time is spent looking at the issue of transition and what factors signify that a district is ready for the Afghan forces to take over the lead responsibility for providing security in it. Charlie describes a situation where he is ‘swimming in information’ and that one of the hardest tasks is deciding what to measure in the first place. “One of the things we are doing at the moment is deciding what we want to measure to

DECEMBER 2011/JANUARY 2012 | ISSUE 258 | 23 MYMEDALS

South Atlantic Long Service I’m very proud of my This medal is amazing, because Falklands medal, which I like everyone else, I see it as a class as probably the Navy’s medal for undetected crime. finest hour. Even so, mine was awarded for

At just 18, I served on LA(Phot) Jason Ballard Picture: 17 years’ service rather than HMS Antelope, the third the norm of 15 years because ship to get sunk after HMS I was ‘detected’ coming back Sheffield and Ardent. I vividly from a run ashore and playing remember standing in the the idiot (the least said the ops room listening to Ardent better). I didn’t think I’d ever sinking and we heard the get it! whole air battle. Actually, I’ve just found We were a very close- out that I have been awarded knit community. They lost 22 another clasp for my Long men of whom I knew a couple, Service and Good Conduct. though at the time we just When I joined up at just 16, hoped for the best. It was nobody made any allowances much harder listening to a for age. We all mucked in and raid than being in one. that’s how I liked it. In 1979, We replaced Ardent two Britain was in the doldrums so days later and were kept youngsters joined up to get a busy. When we sailed down, My Medals good job and get out of town. we thought ‘we’re the Royal I’m proud of this and when Navy, we’re with the Royal Warrant Officer Class 1 Bill Parry who joined the I look at it, I think ‘crikey, where Marines and Paras so we’ll do Royal Navy in 1979 aged just 16 looks back on has time gone?’ In 2014 I retire our job, in and out, and then and then I’ll have to go and come home.’ his career. Interview: Lorraine McBride ‘work’ for a living because I love My mother was driving what I do. I joined up to see a home when she heard us left who served in the for the USS Harry S Truman bit of the world and if you love Antelope had been sunk but Falklands but in 1982 every carrier. We also provided an the job you stay, and before you she didn’t find out that I was corner you turned there was oil platform defence in the know it you’re an old fart. alive until 36 hours later someone who had been. Gulf under constant threat when a policeman knocked from the insurgency. on her door and told her ‘your We did boardings, but son is fine!’ if we had any trouble it was We sailed home on the comforting knowing that Queen’s Jubilee QE2 with survivors from iraq we had a massive American You serve your country and sign Coventry and Ardent, days In 2007, I was the Executive carrier to call on to keep on the dotted line because it’s before the surrender in June. Warrant Officer of HMS trouble at bay. a good life, so when someone I was a young sailor, back Manchester on Gulf When you’re away for gives you a medal for no home in Bury St Edmunds the deployment with an American seven months, it seems a bit particular reason, it is nice. bunting was out. I was a small carrier battle group. easier for the younger guys My medals are very town war hero, my mates all We spent seven months and girls, as they bounce back important. They mean made a huge fuss. providing air defence and with the resilience of youth. recognition. It shows that in There aren’t many of accurate radar pictures For older guys with wives 30 years I have seen some and children, time can drag, action. In a way, I’m grateful but if you’re occupied time that I haven’t seen it too often. flies. The professionalism But when I finish my career, I’ll of those boys and girls was frame them as a memento of remarkable. serving my country. On Christmas Day, we I only wear them when had to do boardings so we I’m required to with my best grabbed a quick Christmas bib and tucker for all to see. meal in the evening and But when I look at them, only then cracked on. Going to my memories count – of the bed, I thought, this wasn’t Falklands, HMS Manchester’s much of a Christmas, so we company in Iraq… I can’t postponed it until January. If explain them to my wife, you Struck: HMS Antelope sinks you approach it with the right or anybody, so if I lost them, during the Falklands conflict in 1982

Picture: IWM Gordon Mcleod IWM Gordon Picture: attitude, it’s just another day some of my memories would in the calendar. go with them.

24 | www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews | DECEMBER 2011/JANUARY 2012

MILITARYPHOTOGRAPHY DEFENCE THROUGH A LENS he appetite of the media in UK’s defence messages to the masses. “Within a month of being here I’ve reporting world events is MOD employs civilian and military photographed most of the Royal Family, stronger than it has ever been, photographers from all three Services a lot of MPs and celebrities and I hadn’t T with online newspapers, 24-hour who capture stills and video of the full done any of that in the previous six years of TV and social media available at our range of activities undertaken by defence being a photographer.” fingertips. But without images these personnel; from operations overseas But with the glamour of being based stories have much less impact and are and training exercises to homecoming in London also comes a lot of hard arguably less credible. Take the death of parades and ceremonial events. graft. “A lot of people say ‘oh, you’re a former Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi. It One of the 39 professionally-trained photographer, that’s a cushy job isn’t it?’ was the photos of his body, sent across Army photographers is Sergeant Steve but you really do work hard,” he said. the globe within minutes of his death, Hughes who is currently posted to “For instance during the which confirmed his demise. Headquarters London District. Having remembrance weekend, I worked long This is why photography within the taken stills in Kosovo, Iraq, Northern hours and would be in the office until Armed Forces is of such paramount Ireland and Afghanistan, he is now midnight sometimes in order to sort importance, it is to help communicate responsible for capturing images through all the images. Having said that, in London of visiting dignitaries and I really enjoy being a photographer. It has ceremonial events involving the Royal got to be the best job in the Army, without Family, which, as he explained, is a a doubt.” completely different take on the job than The trade of combat photographer he had experienced previously. has a rich history, beginning with Surgeon

26 | www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews | DECEMBER 2011/JANUARY 2012 Army PHOTOGRAPHERS HAVE AN IMPORTANT JOb Long faces: the Colonel’s Review in preparation IN COMMUNICATING AND for the Queen’s Birthday Parade RECORDING MILITArY

Dirty work: Fusilier John Bryant In ACTIVITY. But they the compound where he lives in Helmand province, Afghanistan are very much soldiers first. REPORT BY LEIGH HAMILTON Picture: Sergeant Steve Hughes RLC Picture: Sergeant Rupert Frere RLC

John McCosh who was the official There clearly is a very real risk of “Combat camera teams, comprising photographer to the Army of the East India coming under attack when on patrol in a photographer, cameraman and Company in 1848. To this day, the role Afghanistan, but when your focus is on commanding officer, work with the latest of photography in reporting operations capturing images to illustrate what is electronic news gathering equipment in in Afghanistan remains paramount happening, your priorities have to change every conceivable situation. Their work in keeping not just the public, but key in a second. is preserved by the museum alongside personnel, government ministers and Sergeant Rupert Frere has recently that of preceding generations of Army advisers up to date. returned from Afghanistan as media photographers and cameramen where it For those of us not on the front operations photographer for 16 Air forms a vital record of conflicts past line, seeing images of our UK Service Assault Brigade. He explained that and present.” personnel in Afghanistan can help to bring although his trade is photography, he is Sergeant Frere, who was crowned us closer to the action from the safety of still a soldier first: Army Professional Photographer of our homes. We hear about operations, “As a general rule, depending on the Year at a recent ceremony, concurs Afghan villages, shuras, Camp Bastion what’s happening, first and foremost that maintaining a historical record for and many other terms which, without your job is as a soldier,” he said. “If you’re future generations is one of the main photographs of them, would be much getting fired at then we fire back. If the guy reasons that military photography is so harder to visualise. in front of me gets injured, the last thing important. But it takes a certain type of person I’m going to do is pick up my camera and “Personally, I think it’s so important to be a combat photographer and put themselves on the front line to capture the images that will bring the truth of an operational theatre back home. When deployed on operations for example, a I had to put the camera down combat photographer carries the same kit as a regular soldier would, as well and get a few rounds in as additional camera equipment and supplies which can physically take its toll. “The body armour and a bag weighing start taking pictures of him. I’d be the first to have images down the line for 60 pounds can put a lot of pressure on your one there helping him. But as soon as I get historical reasons,” he said. “And the knees and as a photographer you have to be kicked out of the way by the medic and I’m pictures that you don’t necessarily see on your knees a lot more often than other back in a situation where it’s safe to do so, now because of Op Sec [Operational soldiers,” Sergeant Hughes said. “You don’t I’ll start taking pictures again.” Security], still get stored. So in 50 years’ want to be shooting pictures at head height As well as communicating military time my grandchildren might be looking all the time and you need to get low angles progress and being sent out to the media, at my pictures that no one can see now.” or lie down on the floor and it really takes for use in newspapers and TV broadcasts, According to Sergeant Frere, it out of you, getting up and down all day the images and video captured by Service capturing the right image at the right long. You also have a weapon with you personnel fulfil an important role in time is not the only bonus of being an in case you need to return fire which officially documenting military events Army photographer. I had to do on Operation Panther’s and progress, and all footage is stored “In this job you learn a lot about Claw. I had to put the camera down at the Imperial War Museum (IWM) as a people, you learn that regiments and get a few rounds in, pick the historical record. don’t make up the Army; it’s the people camera back up and carry on Head Curator at the IWM’s that make up the Army and I find taking images.” Photograph Archive, Hilary Roberts, said: that fascinating.” DF

DECEMBER 2011/JANUARY 2012 | ISSUE 258 | 27 PHOTODIARY

Afghanistan I try to visit our Brigades in Helmand twice a year. Here I am being briefed by 1 Brigadier James Chiswell, the Commander of 16 Air Assault Brigade, during their deployment on Operation Herrick earlier this year. Visits to theatre allow me to get a first-hand feel for the operational and strategic issues while gauging the morale of soldiers and taking the key issues back to London.

2 Army journal launch

The Army Journal was launched at a media facility in the House of Commons. The book is a collection of short essays that look at the challenges the Army face, both in security terms and fiscally. The event was attended by MPs and academics. I made a short speech to thank those who have contributed to the book, and the various sponsors who have made the Army Journal such a success. nine moments chief of the general staff general sir peter Wall on visits to afghanistan, the ARMY BOARD, MEETING TROOPS, ANd army sport. REport: lorraine mcbride

army board visiting regiments 3 whitehall 4 and UNITS The highest Not enough of my time is decision-making spent on the road visiting body in the Army units and meeting soldiers. is the Executive I need to do this to get Committee of the a real grass roots feel Army Board. We for the key issues and are dealing with challenges our officers and the key issues that soldiers are facing. This drive the Army’s is particularly important transformation over at the moment to ensure the next decade. the transformational This is fascinating changes that are taking work, made easier place in the Army are being by the Levene communicated effectively reforms. from the top, and that we get proper feedback.

28 | www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews | DECEMBER 2011/JANUARY 2012 preventing extremism in Pakistan On a trip to Pakistan I visited a deradicalisation programme in the Swat Valley run by their Army. This takes potential Islamic 6 extremists and tries to integrate them back into society. Village elders were the inspiration behind the course and they run it with the military. Up to 50 students attend, varying from teenagers up to middle-aged men. Some had been sent by their parents as they were showing signs of unruliness and errant behaviour. It proved a fascinating insight into how Pakistan deals with its internal version of Islamic extremism.

5 medals parade Army journal launch This was the medals parade for the 300 or so soldiers of the Counter-IED Task Force following their recent deployment to Afghanistan. I am talking to Lieutenant Dave Henson who was injured in an IED strike and is in the early stages of rehabilitation. Medals parades are a key tribute to our soldiers’ commitment and courage. The CIED Task Force is playing a critical role in Helmand.

nine moments Sailing/army sport 7 Thanksgiving Service, In the Army sport is vital for keeping young people fit and developing teamwork, York Minster a will-to-win and decision-making under pressure. As such, it is a core activity. 8 Thanksgiving services are important to the spirit of the Army. I am president of Army modern pentathlon, winter sports, rugby, football and I try to go to them all to pay the Army’s respects to the fallen, sport parachuting. I am pictured here on the Army Sailing Association’s racing to meet their families while celebrating our achievements and yacht – British Soldier – on the Solent. In addition to sailing I also play cricket. give thanks for those who make it back safely.

uniform to 9 work day Reservists play a key role within the Army and their contribution on Operation Herrick in Afghanistan and elsewhere is vital to us. Reservists were encouraged to wear their uniform to work on 22 June 2011. Here I am chatting to soldiers from the London Regiment. Lance Corporal Vergotinni, a TA soldier, is a tube driver and he showed me round his cab which was a great experience.

DECEMBER 2011/JANUARY 2012 | ISSUE 258 | 29 KnellerHall

beat camp The Royal Military school of Music at kneller hall is where musicians learn about life in an army band writes Ian Carr

he Royal Military School of Music musicians delivered was not a harmonious with the 800 or so top quality musicians at Kneller Hall (RMSM) owes its and uplifting anthem, but the uncoordinated needed to satisfy the 13 skills sets that creation to an unintentional, yet blowing of a brass raspberry. make up a military band. They are not easy T highly embarrassing public affront As Commander of the First Division people to find. to Queen Victoria. during the Crimean War, the host of the “The students we recruit are already To round off a Grand Review Review was the Queen’s cousin, the Duke highly accomplished musicians,” celebrating the much loved monarch’s of Cambridge. He vowed that such chaos explained Colonel Mark Cuthbert-Brown, birthday, a score of army bands were would not happen again, and so the school who is both the Director of the Corps of brought together to perform, in rousing was established in Twickenham in 1857. Army Music, and the Commandant of unison, “God Save the Queen.” Ever since then the RMSM has been the the school. “Not only are they proficient But because at that time the trend home of Army music earning a worldwide musicians they are people who want a was for each regimental band to engage reputation as the benchmark of excellence career in the Army. We are looking for an an independent civilian conductor, in military music. unusual combination of skills.” who organised their bands and the Today the British Army has 23 Before passing through Kneller Hall’s arrangements of music they played, just professional bands spread across the UK ornate gates to start their training, the as they saw fit, what the ensemble of who depend on the school to provide them intake of roughly 65 students each year

30 | www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews | DECEMBER 2011/JANUARY 2012 physical aspect too, especially if you are a the troops in forward operating bases in tuba player.” Helmand province, sometimes even with Each musician must also learn how to mortar teams providing the mother of all combine two contradictory mindsets, “They percussion sections. “It is a boost to morale, are marching, so of course everything has and if we can mentally take soldiers out of to be precise and disciplined. But at the their environment for an hour or two, that’s same time the music must have artistry, it a good thing,” said Major Haw. must flow,” said Captain Halliday. Celebrity conductor Gareth Malone met Due to the particular qualities with Major Haw before the making of his required, the age-range of the recruits can hit TV series, The Choir, where he brought be quite broad, “We often have eighteen military wives together to find purpose year olds rubbing shoulders with people through singing. “I think Gareth is bang on in their mid to late thirties,” said Colonel the money,” said Major Haw. “What he is Cuthbert-Brown. doing is exactly right, looking at the whole For those with particular talent, package of support. I think that is an area the school provides a two-year course we need to think about, using music to keep for potential Bandmasters from which the soldier motivated in theatre and happy, graduates emerge to join bands of the knowing that his family is being looked after Regular Army in the rank of Warrant while he is away.” Officer Class. “They learn about That is what the RMSM teaches its leadership, how to prepare an event, students, that music is the common glue, choose an appropriate programme, in fact binding people together expressing things they have to acquire the same skills that that cannot easily be put into words. any other WO would need to command a Captain Halliday perhaps sums it up sub unit. Here it is possible to rise from best. “I’ve conducted or played at all the Private to Warrant Officer in just three state occasions, but it’s playing during a years,” said Colonel Cuthbert-Brown, homecoming parade that gives you, as a “There can’t be many opportunities in the musician, the biggest sense of pride. You army to do that. And of course the pay is can see the affect it has, the marching better than they could achieve unless they soldiers hear the music and they seem to were in one of the very top orchestras in grow a foot taller, and their families are full London.” of emotion – that and watching the families We are all familiar with the sight and during a passing out concert at the school. sounds of military bands accompanying You know that you are an important part of state occasions. Perhaps so much so that it, and that what you are doing is making a we tend to take it for granted. big difference.” DF But of course it takes a lot of hard work to make something look effortless. Power play : Royal Military “It has to be nicely judged, the pace, the School of Music Concert in the programme of music, there has to be Park this summer Picture: Peter Davies (MOD) Photographer Peter Picture: balance,” said Major Simon Haw, SO2 beat camp Organisation and Deployment. “You aim for pride and heritage without it looking must first pass a rigorous audition and arrogant or jingoistic. It’s something we complete Phase 1 Basic Recruit Training, are very good at.” usually at Pirbright. Major Haw has drafted what might With that squared away the students be the first doctrinal paper on the use of are welcomed back and allowed to spend a military music, and its value extends far week or two to “re-find their embouchures” beyond the ceremonial. Nice: Phase 2 students rehearsing an improvised before embarking on the Phase 2 “Music is a way of influencing people,” jazz combo for an end of term Christmas concert training which will turn them into military he said. “It distils people’s thoughts and is musicians, and qualify them for assignment easy to understand. It brings coherence, to a band. There’s a lot to learn, including whether that’s in corralling troops, music theory and history, which, depending strengthening the sinews, raising morale on the attributes of the individuals can take or bringing people together to express and anything from 11 to 44 weeks to complete. deal with their emotions. It is a civilising “Playing an instrument at the same force as well. There was a good reason time as marching and reading music is why General Rose asked the Band of the a skill you have to learn,” says Captain Coldstream Guards to play in the stadium Stewart Halliday, one of the school’s in Sarajevo during the Balkans war. It was Operations and Deployment Officers, “You a subtle form of defence influence and need to be constantly aware of what is going reminded people of their humanity.” on around you as well, and that isn’t easy The musicians often put down their Ian Carr Pictures: if you are wearing a bearskin limiting your cornets and tubas, plug in keyboards Lip service: Musician Aedan Mollen getting his forward and peripheral vision. There is the and strap on electric guitars to entertain embouchure sorted out during rehearsals

DECEMBER 2011/JANUARY 2012 | ISSUE 258 | 31 Health Don’t drink to excess Christmas is the season to be merry but Nick imm warns of the dangers of overdoing celebrations

By Nick Imm, a Naval All of the following drinks contain about one unit of Surgeon Commander at alcohol: n half-pint of ordinary strength beer, lager or cider HM Naval Base Clyde. n quarter-pint of extra strength beer n one small glass of wine n one pub shot of spirits n one small glass of sherry Hello from the Medical Centre at HM Naval Base Clyde. Over the next few festive weeks a substantial It’s reckoned that men can safely drink between proportion of us will drink alcohol – many of us to three and four units a day or less, while women excess. It’s said that alcohol can be good for us but it can can drink between two and three units a day or certainly cause us harm. So what are the pros and cons less. Women tend to have smaller bodies so the of a drink and just what are “safe limits”? same amount of alcohol affects them faster. It’s All alcoholic drinks contain ethanol (pure alcohol) recommended to have at least a couple of alcohol- together with other ingredients such as grains, hops or free days in a week. If you think that you regularly grapes. The percentage strength of the drink is shown drink more than this you might want to have a think on the label but it can be tricky to work out just how about changing your drinking habits. Also, some much alcohol you’re drinking. strong brands of beer and wine contain To measure how much alcohol you drink, count up more alcohol than you might think. the units. It takes a healthy liver about one hour to clear Drinking alcohol can be very one unit of alcohol from the body. enjoyable and a positive part of

Easy does it: alcohol consumption should be in moderation all year

32 | www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews | NOVEMBERDECEMBER 2011/JANUARY1 2012 socialising. It makes us feel relaxed and confident. Furthermore, studies have shown that people who Hydrate to regularly drink small amounts of alcohol tend to live longer than people who don’t drink at all. This is because it can lower the risk of coronary heart stay healthy disease. If you drink more than this, you don’t get any extra health benefits! Water makes up more than two-thirds of a healthy These studies only relate to men over the age of human body. It is vital for lubricating joints and 40 and women after the menopause (i.e. the time of eyes, flushing out toxins and keeping skin healthy life when heart attacks are more likely). Of course, if you don’t drink alcohol you can reduce your risk of a heart attack anyway by quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly. How can alcohol harm us? Well, apart from unpleasant hangovers the morning after, prolonged excess alcohol consumption can have drastic effects on the body – and not just the liver: Alcoholic drinks contain a lot of calories without many nutrients and are a pretty efficient way of putting on unwanted weight. Drinking too much tends to raise your blood pressure which in turn increases your risk of heart disease and a stroke. Of course, accidents are much more common with people who are drunk. People often don’t realise just how long alcohol stays in the blood – it’s so easy to be over the driving limit the morning after. Dehydration occurs when the and older adults. Stress is also If you drink, try to keep it in moderation and have normal water content of the an aggravating factor which a happy, safe Christmas and a healthy New Year. DF body is reduced, upsetting the puts your body in overdrive balance of minerals in the body and burns up vital resources n This is general advice only. If you have any medical fluid. It has been shown that if including water. concerns see your medic or GP. you lose just 2.5 per cent of your Just breathing uses up weight from water loss, you lots of water which is why we lose 25 per cent of efficiency. awaken dehydrated. Also, the average person loses approx1.2 two types of dehydration: litres of water in urine each n Isotonic dehydration is when day, and about one litre a day you lose water and salt in the through sweat and respiration. same proportion as the water In the UK, you should, and salt in the fluid surrounding on average, drink six to eight your cells. It is most often glasses of fluid every day to caused by diarrhoea. prevent dehydration or more in n Hypernatremic dehydration hotter climates. usually happens in infants or The Health and Safety children when a child loses Executive recommends that relatively more water than salt, you drink about 250ml (half-a- when they have watery stools or pint) of water every 15 minutes excess vomiting. or 500ml (a pint) every 30 Research suggests that 70 minutes. to 80 per cent of us walk around Do not use thirst as a way in a state of mild to moderate of knowing whether you need to dehydration. This can happen drink, because by then your are when you stop drinking water already dehydrated. or lose large amounts of fluid through diarrhoea, vomiting, sweating, or exercise. Usually your body can reabsorb fluid from your blood and other body tissues, but if you become This article comes to you severely dehydrated there is from CS Healthcare, the no longer enough fluid in your specialist provider of body to get blood to your organs health insurance for civil and you may go into shock. servants. Telephone Dehydration can occur 0800 917 4325. DF at any age, but it is most cshealthcare.co.uk dangerous for babies, children

DECEMBER 201NOVEMBER1/JANUARY 20112012 | ISSUE 257258 | 33 PUZZLES sudoku chess This is it – my last column as a civil servant. I gave much consideration to what I would write and I thought I would Compiled by: talk about a young chap who I Carl Portman am coaching. He is eight years of age and loves chess. His name is Seb and he wants to improve as a player and beat his best friend who plays against his father who is a strong player. But Rome was not built in a day and Seb is only starting out on this journey to sale so you need to drop subtle hints for achieve his goal. He is bright, motivated and Christmas if you want a gift that will make a he can be very profound. I asked him what big difference to your own chess game. Fill in the grid so that the middlegame was and in a flash he said Study the following position from the every row, every ‘it’s where the pawns begin to realise their game Felgaer – Sengupta (Gibraltar 2011). column and every strength’. Wow, I didn’t expect that. Black’s queen is attacked but where’s he 3x3 box contains the It was in stark contrast to the elderly going to put it? numbers 1 to 9 gentleman I am also coaching who wanted Send your answers to me at carl. to give me a pawn for nothing in a game. [email protected] please. The When I asked him why he was doing this he brilliant prize is a copy of the DVD Tricks Solution to the said ‘well it’s only a pawn’. Both are right of and Traps Vol. 1 (1.e4 openings) by GM November 2011 puzzle course but as with life it is all a question of Nigel Davies, kindly donated by Chessbase. n Send in your Sudoku perspective. I hope that I am able to help my Please visit www.chessbase.com solution by 31 January pupils to improve, and to make a positive The answer to November’s problem 2012 and you could win a difference in someone’s life, no matter how is 1.Bc6! and if bxc6 2.dxc6 Ne8 3.b5! and Victorinox SwissFlash Laser 8GB Knife. Our address is on page 4. For more info, small. a pawn will promote. This and October’s visit www.victorinox.com Last thought – FRITZ 13 is now on winner will be announced.

topical solution (no peeking)

19. David 20. Study 21. Abort 21. Study 20. David 19.

crossword Escapes 16. Torrent 15.

9. Balotelli 14. Chicago 14. Balotelli 9.

Across Bears 6. Steve 5. Gaddafi 4.

7. Country hit by a deadly earthquake in Geese 3. Branson 2. Statute 1.

own October (6) D

8. Another name for the rook in chess (6)

10. African country which held a free France 25. Indigo 24. Liberia 23. 22. Attic 22.

general election in October (7) Jobs 18. Sheen 17.

11. In the USA, the capital of Delaware (5) Corfu 13. Thor 2. Dover 11.

12. Norse god of thunder (4) Tunisia 10. Castle 8. Turkey 7.

13. The Duke of Edinburgh was born on this Across Greek island (5) 17. Actor who was sacked from the hit comedy series ‘Two And A Half Men’ (5) 18. See 5 Down 22. Room at the top of a house (5) 2. Kate Winslet was involved in a fire at this Manchester United (9) 23. Republic of western Africa on the entrepreneur’s house in the Caribbean (7) 14. And 6 Down. American Football team Atlantic (7) 3. Birds cooked for Christmas dinner (5) which defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24. Blue-violet colour (6) 4. Dictator who was killed in October (7) at Wembley in October (7,5) 25. New Zealand defeated this country in 5. And 18 Across. Co-founder of US 15. Turbulent, swift-flowing stream (7) the final of the 2011 rugby union technology giant Apple, who died in 16. Breaks free from prison (7) World Cup (6) October (5,4) 19. Cameron, the politician who recently 6. See 14 Down had a backbench revolt over Europe (5) Down 9. Striker who scored Manchester City’s 20. Room for reading and working in (5) 1. Act passed by a legislative body (7) first two goals in their 6-1 thrashing of 21. Terminate an undertaking (5)

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DECEMBER 2011/JANUARY 2012 | ISSUE 258 | 35 combatbarbie