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Latest Military News
AAC Regiment CutThe British Army's only homeland security and civil-emergency support aviation regiment is to disband by April 2009 as an economy measure.
Some 22 Westland Gazelle AH.1 light-observation and utility helicopters are to be withdrawn 3 years ahead of schedule and 84 Territorial Army aircrew are to be made redundant in the disbandment of the Netheravon-based 7 Regiment Army Air Corps (Volunteers). In addition to its 2 squadrons based on Salisbury Plain, detached flights at RAF Shawbury in Shropshire and RAF Leuchars in Scotland will also cease operations.
The cost-saving measure is being made because of a reduction in Gazelle flying hours across the Army Air Corps (AAC). A spokesman said that "other AAC aircraft would be used in place of 7 Regiment's helicopters where there is a task requirement".
The age and experience profile of 7 Regiment's aircrew meant it would be unlikely they would be re-trained and re-deployed to other parts of the AAC, said the spokesman.
05/07/2008
Dancing in the Streets of Govan (Apparently)A £3.2 billion deal which will secure more than 4,500 Scottish shipbuilding jobs has been hailed as "a dream come true" by unions.
The Ministry of Defence has signed the orders to build the UK's biggest ever aircraft carriers.
More than half of the 280-metre-long HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales will be built at yards in Govan in Glasgow and Rosyth in Fife.
Defence Secretary Des Browne described the deal as "historic".
03/07/2008
MoD to Open Brain Unit for Blast InjuriesThe Ministry of Defence is to open a medical unit to treat troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with mild brain injuries caused by high-powered explosions or blows to the head. The facility, to be based at the Headley Court military rehabilitation centre in Surrey will deal with those suffering from mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), which can lead to memory loss, depression and anxiety.
The US military designated mTBI one of 4 "signature injuries" of the Iraq war and plans for the new UK centre were unveiled as part of a study into the impact of mTBI on the British Armed Forces published yesterday. The report found that since 2003 more than 500 troops have suffered from mTBI, with a further 26 cases uncovered this year.
02/07/2008
New Shipbuilder to Reduce Dependence on Royal Navy OrdersBritain's new naval shipbuilding champion will focus on winning export orders and developing new international relationships, according to its new chief executive.
The new company, BVT Surface Fleet, will combine the shipbuilding operations of BAE Systems and VT Group to form a national champion with a turnover of more than £1 billion and over 7,000 employees. Nearly 2 years in the making, the joint venture will be part of an industry alliance to build 2 new aircraft carriers for the Royal Navy. BAE and VT will launch the tie-up today before the Government officially places its £4 billion order for the carriers on Thursday.
In his first interview since becoming CEO last September, Alan Johnston, formerly the head of AgustaWestland, said the new company needed to reduce its dependence on a single customer and broaden its customer base. He hoped to double the company's non-Ministry of Defence business to 30 per cent in the next 5 years.
01/07/2008
Brief Reprieve for USS Kitty HawkThe US Navy's sole surviving conventionally powered aircraft carrier has won a brief reprieve - allowing it to play a leading role in the 'Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2008' exercise off Hawaii between 29 June and 31 July. The 47-year-old USS Kitty Hawk should have completed its final operational tasking, as the US Navy's forward-deployed carrier in Japan, in early June before returning to the United States for decommissioning.
A fire occurred onboard her replacement, USS George Washington on May 22 while the ship was at sea. The ship is currently in port at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, conducting repairs to spaces and equipment affected by the fire. The timeline for repairs to the ship has not yet been determined.
Once repairs to the ship are complete, USS George Washington will replace USS Kitty Hawk as the United States Navy's forward deployed aircraft carrier in the Pacific. Kitty Hawk will return to the US West Coast after that and is expected to decommission in early 2009 in Bremerton, Washingbton.
30/06/2008
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