Latest news with #MODCrown
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Paratroopers leave RAF Brize Norton for NATO exercise
Paratroopers at RAF Brize Norton have departed the Carterton station to take part in a multi-national military exercise. The paratroopers are involved in Exercise Swift Response, which aims to improve the rapid deployment capabilities and interoperability of NATO allies. The exercise, which runs until the end of May, will centre around the Atlas A400M aircraft based at RAF Brize Norton. Paratroopers leave RAF Brize Norton to take part in Exercise Swift Response (Image: Richard Watt/MOD Crown Copyright) Paratroopers leave RAF Brize Norton to take part in Exercise Swift Response (Image: Richard Watt/MOD Crown Copyright) These aircraft will play a crucial role in executing low-level parachuting missions with British Army paratroopers. The exercise will see the RAF working closely with NATO forces, including the US 82nd Airborne Division, to carry out concurrent airborne insertions. The RAF said this collaboration underlines its "commitment to maintaining operational readiness and fostering effective communication among allied forces". As well as the airborne operations, the exercise will also feature live-fire drills and innovative medical support advancements, such as the integration of drone-based blood resupply systems by the 173rd Airborne Brigade. The paratroopers will take part in Exercise Swift Response (Image: MOD Crown Copyright) The paratroopers will take part in Exercise Swift Response (Image: MOD Crown Copyright) A spokesperson for the RAF said: "This forward-thinking approach signals the RAF's dedication to enhancing logistical and medical support during high-stakes military operations." Exercise Swift Response 2025 is part of the broader DEFENDER 25 series, which aims to reinforce NATO's deterrence posture in light of evolving security challenges. The RAF's contributions are crucial in showcasing the alliance's commitment to collective defence and ensuring member nations can operate seamlessly together in multinational environments.
Express Tribune
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Former UK special forces veterans expose alleged war crimes in Iraq, Afghanistan
UK military personnel are seen onboard an A400M aircraft departing Kabul, Afghanistan August 28, 2021. Jonathan Gifford/UK MOD Crown copyright 2021/PHOTO: REUTERS Listen to article Former members of the UK's elite Special Forces have publicly disclosed accounts of alleged war crimes committed by their colleagues during operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. In an unprecedented move, these veterans provided eyewitness testimonies to BBC Panorama, detailing incidents of unlawful killings and misconduct by the Special Air Service (SAS) and Special Boat Service (SBS). The testimonies describe a pattern of executions of unarmed individuals, including children, and the planting of weapons on deceased bodies to fabricate justifications for the killings. One veteran recounted an incident where a young boy was handcuffed and shot, emphasizing the routine nature of such actions within the units. Another described witnessing a medic treating a wounded detainee, only for a fellow soldier to execute the individual at close range. These revelations suggest that the unlawful killings were not isolated incidents but part of a broader culture within the Special Forces. The veterans reported that higher command structures were aware of these activities and, in some cases, facilitated cover-ups to prevent investigations. Allegations include the falsification of reports and the suppression of evidence to protect personnel involved in the killings. The Ministry of Defence has stated its commitment to supporting ongoing public inquiries into these allegations. However, the testimonies raise significant concerns about accountability and oversight within the UK's military operations. The public inquiry, led by Lord Justice Haddon-Cave, continues to examine these serious allegations, with further hearings expected in the coming months.
