Not Everyone is Eligible for Operational Allowance

The Sun reports that fewer than one in three Armed Forces personnel are eligible for frontline bonuses and that only 45,000 of the UK's 158,000 Service personnel are likely to receive the Operational Allowance before 2015. The MoD said: "That is the number who are expected to deploy. It would be curious for an OA to be made available to personnel who stay in the UK...More information »

Securing the Future of Combat Air Systems

The MoD signed a new £40m contract with BAE Systems to ensure the UK retains a leading edge in the next generation of combat air systems. Dr Nick Joad said: "This is an important step in ensuring the MoD continues to develop its capabilities in this area, and is able to exploit potentially game-changing technologies. We have worked very hard with BAE Systems to ensure that we have a high impact programme...More information »

Ministerial Committee to Uphold Covenant Pledges

A powerful Ministerial Committee to ensure that the Government delivers promises made under the Armed Forces Covenant will be set up as part of a cross-Government effort to keep the interests of Service Personnel at the heart of the nation. The Prime Minister said: "Our Armed Forces do so much to keep us safe. This new Committee is about doing more to make the Covenant work...More information »

The First Annual Report of the Armed Forces Covenant

First First Annual Report on the Armed Forces Covenant has been published (20 Dec). In response to the content, Dawn McCafferty, Chairman of the RAF Families Federation, said: "As an independent member of the Reference Group I urge all RAF family members to take the time to read it... Much of the responsibility for delivery of the many commitments made within the Covenant lies with Other Government Departments and the Devolved Administrations... but it is for us to provide the evidence of disadvantage or, indeed, the need for special treatment in certain circumstances... This Report has been signed off by the Secretary of State for Defence... and will, we hope, stimulate Parliamentary debate as to the progress of the Covenant and its impact on improving the lives of serving personnel, their families...More information »

A Night of Heroes - Wed 21 Dec 11 on ITV1

The fourth annual broadcast of the Sun Military Awards at the Imperial War Museum in London takes place on Wed 21 Dec at 8.30pm on ITV1. The Sun Military Awards are organised by The Sun newspaper in close association with the MoD. The event is hosted by Phillip Schofield and Amanda Holden. Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry are guests of honour...More information »

PM makes surprise visit to Afghanistan

David Cameron has made an unannounced visit to Afghanistan. His intention was to fly to Bastion but a sandstorm made landing impossible and the C17 was diverted to Kandahar. There he met members of RAF 12(B) Sqn from Lossiemouth. The Christmas trip coincides with the publication of the First Annual Report of the Armed Forces Covenant and the government announcement that it is creating a cabinet committee...More information »

Tommy This an' Tommy That

In his book 'Tommy This an’ Tommy That' Andrew Murrison uses his perspective as a senior military doctor and frontline politician to set the events of the past ten years in historical context. Murrison, who opposed the Iraq War but found himself serving in Iraq nonetheless, charts the ways societal and political changes have impacted on the wellbeing of uniformed men and women and the nations changing sense...More information »