Author: Sharon Black

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845 Naval Air Squadron achieves the highest standards in naval aviation

845 Naval Air Squadron (NAS) can officially call itself the premier naval squadron after being awarded the prestigious Breitling Trophy.

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Outgoing Governor of Helmand thanks British forces

By Sharon Black

The outgoing Governor of Helmand province, Gulab Mangal, has thanked ISAF forces for their service and sacrifices in Afghanistan during his four years in office.

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HMS Edinburgh embarks on final voyage

By Sharon Black

Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh left Portsmouth today, Monday 24 September, on her final deployment, to conduct routine operations across the Atlantic.

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Captain James Anthony Townley dies in Afghanistan

By Sharon Black

It is with great sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm that Captain James Anthony Townley from the Corps of Royal Engineers died in Afghanistan on Friday 21 September 2012.

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School wing named in honour of Royal Air Force Leeming hero

By Sharon Black

Students were encouraged to ‘grasp every opportunity’ by an RAF Military Cross hero at the opening of a new school wing named in his honour.

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Sergeant Jonathan Eric Kups dies in Afghanistan

By Sharon Black

It is with great sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm that Sergeant Jonathan Eric Kups, of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) died in Camp Bastion, Helmand Province, Southern Afghanistan on Friday 21 September 2012.

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Soldier from 28 Engineer Regiment dies in Afghanistan

By Sharon Black

It is with sadness that the Ministry of Defence must announce that a soldier from 28 Engineer Regiment, attached to 21 Engineer Regiment, died on Friday 21 September 2012 at Forward Operating Base Shawqat, Helmand Province.

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Navy’s key deployment of 2012 prepares to head for the Med

By Sharon Black

More than 3,000 sailors and Royal Marines are geared up for a three-month deployment to the Mediterranean – the key workout in 2012 for the UK’s new maritime task force.

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Airborne supply experts train for rapid reaction role

By Sharon Black

The supply and maintenance support provided to the British Army’s Rapid Reaction Force has been put to the test on Exercise Active Chariot, which finished yesterday.

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Corgi launches die-cast RAF Sea King

By Sharon Black

Toymaker Corgi has launched a miniature RAF Sea King Search and Rescue helicopter that looks set to be a hit with aviation fans.

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HMS Sutherland’s top gunners fend off French top guns

By Sharon Black

HMS Sutherland came under attack from supersonic French fighters based in Djibouti as the frigate swapped counter-piracy duties for a brief return to traditional war-fighting training.

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Soldier from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers dies in Afghanistan

By Sharon Black

It is with great sadness that the Ministry of Defence must announce that a soldier from 104 Force Support Battalion, attached to 4 Close Support Battalion, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME), died in Afghanistan today, Friday 21 September 2012.

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RAF’s Quick Reaction Alert revealed

By Sharon Black

In an interview with Steve Wilmot, Flight Lieutenant Noel Rees of 29 (Reserve) Squadron explains how the RAF’s Quick Reaction Alert continues to defend British airspace seamlessly, night and day, in a way that has changed little in more than 70 years.

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Royal Navy unveils carrier training facility

By Sharon Black

A training facility has been opened to prepare Royal Navy sailors to man the first of the Queen Elizabeth Class carriers, due in 2016.

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Scots Dragoon Guards take on Exercise Mongol Eagle

By Sharon Black

A group of soldiers from the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (SCOTS DG) have successfully completed the demanding and challenging Mongol Rally.

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Officer Cadets prepare for the rigours of Sandhurst

By Sharon Black

Students on the MOD’s Defence Technical Officer and Engineer Entry Scheme prepare for officer training at Sandhurst.

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More communities getting behind the Armed Forces Covenant

By Sharon Black

More communities across the country are coming up with innovative ideas and initiatives to improve the lives of Service personnel and their families, the Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans, Mark Francois, has announced today.

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A royal opening for new Headley Court rehabilitation complex

By Sharon Black

Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall have today opened the new Jubilee Rehabilitation Complex at the Headley Court Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre.

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Ambush sails into base port to begin sea trials

By Sharon Black

Ambush, the second of the Royal Navy’s potent, new Astute Class attack submarines, sailed into Her Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde today to begin sea trials.

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Reserves hone fighting skills in Italy

By Sharon Black

Soldiers from 3rd Battalion The Royal Welsh (3 R WELSH) have been honing their fighting skills in Italy as the Army looks to ramp up its Reserve Forces.

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RAF Force Protection Wing defends Camp Bastion during Taliban attack

By Sharon Black

Members of No 5 RAF Force Protection Wing, working alongside the US Marine Corps (USMC), have spoken about quickly regaining control of Camp Bastion Airfield following an insurgent attack on Friday 14 September, killing 14 and capturing one of the enemy.

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Close co-operation with the Afghan security forces ‘fundamental’ to success

By Sharon Black

In an article published in the Daily Telegraph, the Commanding Officer of 3rd Battalion The Rifles and the Brigade Advisory Group in Afghanistan, Lieutenant Colonel Charlie Maconochie, argues that recent ‘green on blue’ attacks should not alter ISAF’s course.

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Hammond: ‘No change of policy in Afghanistan’

By Sharon Black

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond today addressed the House of Commons in response to reports that NATO’s policy regarding ISAF and Afghan troops working together has changed.

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1 SCOTS depart on Afghanistan deployment

By Sharon Black

Soldiers from 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (1 SCOTS) have departed their base to deploy to Afghanistan.

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Typhoon squadron stands up in Scotland

By Sharon Black

One of the oldest squadrons in the Royal Air Force, 1 (Fighter) Squadron, has returned to active service at RAF Leuchars in Fife as a Typhoon unit.

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The Army’s Principal Personnel Officer talks about his role

By Sharon Black

The Adjutant General, Lieutenant General Sir Mark Mans, talks to Ian Carr about future challenges and the importance of supporting Service personnel and their families.

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Shackleton lifeboat completes sea trials

By Sharon Black

A pair of Royal Navy and Royal Marines adventurers have completed a summer of sea trials as they prepare to take an authentic replica of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s famous lifeboat back to the icy wastes of the South Pole.

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Joint flight supports UK-French co-operation

By Sharon Black

Senior officers in the Royal Air Force and French Air Force traded places on 14 September to fly in Typhoon and Rafale fighter jets in a demonstration of the strong ties which exist between the two air arms.