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20/01/2009
More Family Time For Troops, Says Army Chief
The British army should be restructured to allow soldiers more time with their families, according to the head of the armed forces.
General Sir Richard Dannatt said the wars in Iraq in Afghanistan have overstretched personnel, and called for almost 10,000 more troops to be recruited.
Sir Richard said soldiers should not spend more than six months at war over a 36 month period. Staff can currently be redeployed after one year.
The General said such changes would allow for a more 'reasonable lifestyle'.
Speaking yesterday, Sir Richard also said brigades would be expanded into larger units that would be sent away less often.
"We have seriously stretched our soldiers - both their goodwill and their families," he said.
Defence Secretary John Hutton today told the BBC retaining the current troop levels in Afghanistan - which stands at around 8,000 - was an arduous but necessary task.
"The strain of mounting two major operations - one in Iraq and one in Afghanistan - is creating very substantial strain and stress on our military forces," said the Defence chief.
Fighting in Afghanistan has heightened in recent month. Since the US-led operation began in 2001, 142 British soldiers have been killed in the region.
According to a recent opinion poll, two thirds of Britons want to see UK troops pulled out of Afghanistan this year.
(PR/BMcC)
General Sir Richard Dannatt said the wars in Iraq in Afghanistan have overstretched personnel, and called for almost 10,000 more troops to be recruited.
Sir Richard said soldiers should not spend more than six months at war over a 36 month period. Staff can currently be redeployed after one year.
The General said such changes would allow for a more 'reasonable lifestyle'.
Speaking yesterday, Sir Richard also said brigades would be expanded into larger units that would be sent away less often.
"We have seriously stretched our soldiers - both their goodwill and their families," he said.
Defence Secretary John Hutton today told the BBC retaining the current troop levels in Afghanistan - which stands at around 8,000 - was an arduous but necessary task.
"The strain of mounting two major operations - one in Iraq and one in Afghanistan - is creating very substantial strain and stress on our military forces," said the Defence chief.
Fighting in Afghanistan has heightened in recent month. Since the US-led operation began in 2001, 142 British soldiers have been killed in the region.
According to a recent opinion poll, two thirds of Britons want to see UK troops pulled out of Afghanistan this year.
(PR/BMcC)
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04 November 2009
Killer Afghan Policeman 'Taliban', Says PM
The number of UK soldiers killed in Afghanistan since the start of operations in 2001 has hit 229. The tragic figure was reached after multiple casualties were suffered in a single incident yesterday. It saw five British soldiers shot dead in an attack apparently carried out by an Afghan policeman.
Killer Afghan Policeman 'Taliban', Says PM
The number of UK soldiers killed in Afghanistan since the start of operations in 2001 has hit 229. The tragic figure was reached after multiple casualties were suffered in a single incident yesterday. It saw five British soldiers shot dead in an attack apparently carried out by an Afghan policeman.
07 September 2006
Commander calls for more Nato troops for Afghanistan
Nato's top commander has urged member nations to provide more troops in Afghanistan to support the current battle against Taliban militants. General James Jones said that the military alliance had been surprised by the "level of intensity" of attacks in southern Afghanistan since Nato troops moved into the region in July.
Commander calls for more Nato troops for Afghanistan
Nato's top commander has urged member nations to provide more troops in Afghanistan to support the current battle against Taliban militants. General James Jones said that the military alliance had been surprised by the "level of intensity" of attacks in southern Afghanistan since Nato troops moved into the region in July.
02 August 2010
More Soldiers Die In Afghanistan Conflict
Two more British troops have paid the ultimate price this past weekend after Taliban forces shot dead one British soldier and killed another in a bomb attack in Afghanistan's southern Helmand province.
More Soldiers Die In Afghanistan Conflict
Two more British troops have paid the ultimate price this past weekend after Taliban forces shot dead one British soldier and killed another in a bomb attack in Afghanistan's southern Helmand province.
02 July 2009
Two UK Troops Die In Afghan Blast
A further two British soldiers have been killed in southern Afghanistan. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed they died in an explosion in Helmand province. Another six members of Nato forces were also wounded in the attack on Wednesday involving an improvised explosive device (IED).
Two UK Troops Die In Afghan Blast
A further two British soldiers have been killed in southern Afghanistan. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed they died in an explosion in Helmand province. Another six members of Nato forces were also wounded in the attack on Wednesday involving an improvised explosive device (IED).
18 June 2008
Servicewoman Among British Dead In Afghanistan
The death toll continues to rise in Afghanistan as four British troops, including a woman, have been killed in an explosion.
Servicewoman Among British Dead In Afghanistan
The death toll continues to rise in Afghanistan as four British troops, including a woman, have been killed in an explosion.
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