Why are we in Afghanistan!!
Afghanistan.
The Taliban gave safe haven to Al Qaeda, which allowed terrorists to plan and carry out attacks around the world. That is why the United Nations authorised a NATO/ISAF-led military intervention. Getting rid of the Taliban regime and Al Qaeda was only the first part of the job. The second is to make sure they cannot return.
Developing a secure future The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) strategy involves protecting the civilian population from insurgents, supporting more effective governance at every level, and building up Afghan National Security Forces as rapidly as possible
Whilst our troops are helping provide security to the Afghan people, we are developing the Afghan Army and Police so they can take the lead in providing their own security.
Transition of forces We are supporting the Afghan Government's efforts to reach out to those who are willing to accept the democratic process and abandon violence and terrorism.
Elements under the United Nation's mandate to help the Afghan Government improve governance, both nationally and locally, include:
Developing a secure future The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) strategy involves protecting the civilian population from insurgents, supporting more effective governance at every level, and building up Afghan National Security Forces as rapidly as possible
Whilst our troops are helping provide security to the Afghan people, we are developing the Afghan Army and Police so they can take the lead in providing their own security.
Transition of forces We are supporting the Afghan Government's efforts to reach out to those who are willing to accept the democratic process and abandon violence and terrorism.
Elements under the United Nation's mandate to help the Afghan Government improve governance, both nationally and locally, include:
- tackling corruption and the drugs trade;
- building up the rule of law;
- promoting economic development - investing in infrastructure, agricultural alternatives to growing poppy, jobs;
- improving access to education and healthcare.
Germany
British Forces are stationed in Germany for reasons of national and NATO security with the agreement and support of the German government. The presence of British and American troops provides mutual security and is a visible display of the UK's support for its NATO allies. The UK has been a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation since 1949. HQ UKSC(G) commands the only garrison west of the River Rhine, designated Rhine Garrison, which comprises mainly a signal brigade and logistic support units.
It also has a key role in supporting the deployment of both the ARRC Group, and 1 (UK) Armd Div which is critical to the success of the peacekeeping and other operations these formations may be asked to carry out. In many ways it can be likened to an aircraft carrier - providing life support for its stationed personnel and launching them worldwide to carry out tasks when called on to do so
NATO forces based in Germany are geographically well-placed to respond to events which could disrupt unity in Europe, while at the same time our presence in Germany has valuable economic and cultural benefits. ~
It also has a key role in supporting the deployment of both the ARRC Group, and 1 (UK) Armd Div which is critical to the success of the peacekeeping and other operations these formations may be asked to carry out. In many ways it can be likened to an aircraft carrier - providing life support for its stationed personnel and launching them worldwide to carry out tasks when called on to do so
NATO forces based in Germany are geographically well-placed to respond to events which could disrupt unity in Europe, while at the same time our presence in Germany has valuable economic and cultural benefits. ~
Africa
The British Army presence in Africa is based upon two main elements in Kenya: The British Peace Support Team (BPST) and the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK), and the International Military Assistance Training Team (IMATT (SL)) in Sierra Leone. The British Peace Support Team (BPST) BPST's mission is to coordinate UK military assistance to armed forces in Eastern Africa in order to contribute to Security Sector Reform and to increase peacekeeping capacity. To fulfil this mission it has three main parts:
- International Mine Action Training Centre (IMATC) - The IMATC is a joint British and Kenyan venture aimed at alleviating the suffering caused by landmines and Explosive Remnants of War by providing high quality Mine Action Training
- Peace Support Training Centre (PSTC)
- A presence in the Kenyan Defence Staff College
Canada
The British Army in Canada The prairie of Alberta has provided an excellent opportunity for the British Army to train on a large scale since 1972. The British Army Training Unit Suffield (BATUS) is an organisation situated on one of the most sparsely populated areas of the Alberta plain. BATUS is equipped with in excess of 1000 vehicles including a full complement of Challenger 2 tanks and Warrior Infantry Fighting Vehicles. Each year a Regiment is sent there for six months to take the part of the 'enemy' for the other Regiments that are there to train each year.
The training area at BATUS is equivalent in size to the combined area all of the main training areas used by British Army in the UK and in Europe; Salisbury Plain Training Area would fit in 7 times over. 5 Battlegroups, each containing approx 1400 soldiers, are trained at BATUS each year. These MEDICINE MAN exercises, which can be up to 30 days in duration, are split into two phases; Live Fire and Tactical Effects Simulation (TESEX), the later with a live enemy. The TESEX system identifies when vehicles have been fired at and damaged / destroyed and also informs soldiers when they are being fired at and if hit what injuries they have sustained.
The duration of the exercises, and size of the training area, allow all elements of a combined arms battle group (Infantry, Armour, Artillery, Engineers, Air Defence, Logistics and Equipment Support) to conduct realistic live firing training at all levels and to practice sustaining this activity over a long period of time.
The training area at BATUS is equivalent in size to the combined area all of the main training areas used by British Army in the UK and in Europe; Salisbury Plain Training Area would fit in 7 times over. 5 Battlegroups, each containing approx 1400 soldiers, are trained at BATUS each year. These MEDICINE MAN exercises, which can be up to 30 days in duration, are split into two phases; Live Fire and Tactical Effects Simulation (TESEX), the later with a live enemy. The TESEX system identifies when vehicles have been fired at and damaged / destroyed and also informs soldiers when they are being fired at and if hit what injuries they have sustained.
The duration of the exercises, and size of the training area, allow all elements of a combined arms battle group (Infantry, Armour, Artillery, Engineers, Air Defence, Logistics and Equipment Support) to conduct realistic live firing training at all levels and to practice sustaining this activity over a long period of time.
Cyprus
In 1960, a treaty of establishment allowed Cyprus to become an independent Republic, free from British control. Within the agreement, two Sovereign Base Areas (SBAs) at Akrotiri and Dhekelia were identified as real estate that would remain as British sovereign territory and therefore remain under British jurisdiction. The British Army in Cyprus works to a tri-service headquarters and is tasked with protecting the SBAs and associated retained sites.
The Army presence includes two resident infantry battalions: the Joint Service Signals Unit at Ayios Nikolaos, 62 Cyprus Support Squadron Royal Engineers and 16 Flight Army Air Corps (equipped with Gazelle helicopters) at Dhekelia. There are also a variety of supporting arms such as the Royal Logistics Corps, Royal Army Medical Corps, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Royal Military Police and others located in both SBAs.
The Bases, which cover 98 square miles, enable the UK to maintain a permanent military presence at a strategic point in the Eastern Mediterranean. RAF Akrotiri is an important staging post for military aircraft and the communication facilities are an important element of the UK's worldwide links. The Bases can be used for a variety of both military and humanitarian operations.
The Army presence includes two resident infantry battalions: the Joint Service Signals Unit at Ayios Nikolaos, 62 Cyprus Support Squadron Royal Engineers and 16 Flight Army Air Corps (equipped with Gazelle helicopters) at Dhekelia. There are also a variety of supporting arms such as the Royal Logistics Corps, Royal Army Medical Corps, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Royal Military Police and others located in both SBAs.
The Bases, which cover 98 square miles, enable the UK to maintain a permanent military presence at a strategic point in the Eastern Mediterranean. RAF Akrotiri is an important staging post for military aircraft and the communication facilities are an important element of the UK's worldwide links. The Bases can be used for a variety of both military and humanitarian operations.