The RAF's Joint Force Air Component Commander has
assumed lead responsibility for the NATO Response Force. Air Cdre Martin
Sampson said:"This is a really important time for the UK JFAC and the
RAF. Operations over Libya emphasised how important our role within NATO
is as well as the need to maintain a robust air command and control
capability. This year holds many uncertainties, the unfolding events in
Africa...See full details
A Sentinel aircraft from No 5(AC) Sqn has deployed from RAF Waddington
to an airbase in Africa, in support of French military operations in
Mali. Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said: “Following discussions with
the French, we have decided to deploy Sentinel, a surveillance
capability that proved its worth in Libya and on an ongoing basis for
counter-insurgency operations in Afghanistan. We have also agreed...More information »
A new £14 million contract to deliver hundreds of precision attack
weapons to the RAF has been announced by the MoD. The Dual Mode Seeker
Brimstone (DMSB) missile allows RAF crews to engage moving or static
targets by day or night with pin point accuracy and is already used by
RAF Tornado aircraft in Afghanistan and were used on operations over
Libya. Wg Cdr Andy Turk said: "It is very popular with air crews...More information »
RAF personnel and aircraft from Marham are departing for Ex Shaheen Star, taking place in the United Arab Emirates. Wg Cdr Andy Turk, said: "These operations and exercises underline the need for good training and the RAF Tornado Force is delighted to have been invited. We last flew with our Arab partners during the coalition operations over Libya last year. This is a good opportunity to renew our professional...More information »
More than 100 Service personnel have been publicly thanked by the Government for their contribution to military operations over Libya at a reception at the Palace of Westminster. The Speaker, John Bercow, said: "The response of Members of Parliament and Peers is a testament to the high regard in which we hold them, and our respect for their service...More information »
The UK's contribution to the NATO mission in Libya has been commended by the House of Commons Defence Select Committee in its report on the operation.The Committee said it commends the UK's Armed Forces for their significant contribution to the successful conclusion of the Libya operation and that they continue to impress with the courage, dedication and professionalism with which they undertook this operation...More information »
The RAF has produced a summary document of Op Ellamy. CAS said: “This flyer captures the major themes of Air Power’s contribution to the Libyan campaign and I commend it to you. At the end of the Operation, a people in a country on another continent are free to decide their own destiny... it is our air power that provided the environment, the space and the time for that ‘force’ to assure the people's freedom...More information »
Secretary of State for Defence, Philip Hammond, has given a speech at the Royal United Services Institute restating the need for reform in Defence. He began by saying the SDSR was 'long overdue, and undeniably necessary'. He spoke on Afghanistan, Libya and the need for a firm foundation but concluding that he had quickly come to understand that Defence is a very human endeavour...More information »
Service personnel involved in Op Ellamy attended a reception held in their honour at No 10 Downing Street. Prime Minister David Cameron took the opportunity to pay tribute to their professionalism, dedication and bravery in helping to assure the liberty of the Libyan people. He said: "You played a huge part and bore a great burden. But it wasn't just what you did; it was how you did it...More information »
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton, spoke this week to Martha Kearney of Radio 4 about what he termed 'the most uncomfortable day of my time' when he had to tell 170 trained aircrew that there were no longer jobs for them. He spoke about the RAF's role in the Libya, Afghanistan, the spending cuts, RAF redundancies and rethinking on the scrapping of Sentinel. He said Prince William...More information »
The Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has visited RAF Waddington to welcome home and congratulate military personnel who have returned from operations over Libya at the end of the eight month campaign. In his address he said: "Your skill, your commitment and your bravery made the difference. You have saved countless lives and have performed magnificently in testing times...See full details
The UN Security Council have taken the decision to end the mandate for operations in Libya. The operation was under the command of Air Marshal Sir Stuart Peach, he said: "We were a bit surprised at how quickly things moved on. We had the USCR 97 at the end of Feb, the National Transition Council established 5 Mar and then the no-fly zone was established. In quick time, some very successful operations were developed...More information »
Chief of the Defence Staff General Sir David Richards has written to the Daily Telegraph expressing his pride in the UK's Armed Forces' role in Libya. In his letter he writes: 'This was a truly joint operation by the Armed Forces at the peak of their form...'Our Armed Forces were able to play a key role in a great team effort...'I am proud of our actions in combat...More information »
Following the announcement by Libya's National Transitional Council that the country has now been fully liberated, UK Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said NATO operations there will continue for as long as necessary, but not a moment longer. NATO Secretary General said: "We have taken a preliminary decision to end Operation UNIFIED PROTECTOR on 31 Oct 11, and will take a formal decision in the next few days...See full details
According to the MoD Op ELLAMY is in a significant phase. The UK Government has re-stated its commitment to continue to protect Libyan civilians from the threat of attack from former Regime forces for as long as is necessary. And since the start of military operations, RAF, Navy and Army Air Corps strikes have damaged or destroyed some 1,000 former regime targets...More information »
After 6 months and 1 day supporting the UK mission over Libya RAF Typhoons have returned home to Coningsby. Gp Capt Pete Squires said, "The skill, determination and professionalism of the pilots and engineers alike, combined with the potent capability of an aircraft which can switch from air to ground and air to air tasking in a moment’s notice has been exceptional and earned them a superb reputation within NATO...More information »
The North Atlantic Council decided yesterday to extend the current mandate of Operation UNIFIED PROTECTOR for a further 90 days, while keeping the situation under regular review. Liam Fox said, "The UK has been at the forefront of the campaign since the outset and, as the Prime Minister has made clear throughout, the UK will maintain its commitment for as long as it is required...More information »
