Saturday, December 31, 2011

2012: New Year's Honours for Service personnel and Defence civilians

119 UK Service personnel have been granted state honours by Her Majesty The Queen in her annual New Year's Honours list.

48 civilians have also been honoured either for work in the Ministry of Defence or in other aspects of UK Defence.

The full Defence New Year's Honours list for 2012 is below:

ROYAL NAVY

As Knight Commander
Vice Admiral Paul LAMBERT CB
APPOINTMENTS TO THE MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MOST HONOURABLE ORDER OF THE BATH
As Companions
Vice Admiral Philip Andrew JONES
Major General Jeremy Hywel THOMAS DSO Royal Marines
APPOINTMENTS TO THE MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MOST EXCELLENT ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE
As Commanders
Captain Paul ABRAHAM
Captain Steven DAINTON
Surgeon Rear Admiral Lionel John JARVIS QHS
Commodore Robert Joseph THOMPSON
As Officers
Captain Robert Stuart ALEXANDER
Commander Simon Phillip ASQUITH
Commander Michael Robert James MALTBY
Captain Dean George MOLYNEAUX
Commodore John Keith MOORES
Commander Peter Nicholas OLIVE
Captain Jonathan Patrick PENTREATH
As Members
Warrant Officer 1 (Abovewater Warfare Tactical) Gerard Maurice BURNS Warfare Specialist
Chief Petty Officer Coxswain (Submarines) Martin FARR
Lieutenant Commander Lee HAZARD
Lieutenant Commander Andrew Michael LEAVER
Lieutenant Commander Mandy Sheila McBAIN
Lieutenant Commander Stuart Charles William MILLEN
Warrant Officer 1 (Abovewater Warfare Tactical) Nicholas PAYNE Warfare Specialist
Acting Lieutenant Colonel Richard Joseph REARDEN Royal Marines
Major Derek Bryan STAFFORD Royal Marines
Warrant Officer 2 Robert TOOMEY Royal Marines
Commander Noel John WHEATLEY Royal Navy Reserve (Sea Cadet Corps)
Colour Sergeant Matthew John WILKINSON Royal Marines
Major Dean Ashley WILLIAMS Royal Marines
Lieutenant Commander Richard Hugh WITTE Royal Marines
QUEEN'S VOLUNTEER RESERVES MEDAL
Chief Petty Officer (New Entry Instructor) David Henry GIBSON Royal Naval Reserve

ARMY

APPOINTMENTS TO THE MILITARY DIVISION OFTHE MOST HONOURABLE ORDER OF BATH
As Knight Commander
Lieutenant General Mark Francis Noel MANS, CBE,
late Corps of Royal Engineers
As Companions
Major General Nicholas John CAPLIN,
late Army Air Corps
Major General Clive CHAPMAN,
late The Parachute Regiment
Major General Patrick Claude MARRIOTT, CBE,
late The Queen's Royal Lancers
PROMOTIONS IN AND APPOINTMENTS TO THE MILITARY DIVISION OFTHE MOST EXCELLENT ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE
As Commanders
Colonel Andrew Dutton MASON, OBE,
late The Parachute Regiment
Brigadier Nicola Patricia MOFFAT,
late Adjutant General's Corps(Staff and Personnel Support Branch)
Brigadier Richard Edward NUGEE, MBE,
late Royal Regiment of Artillery
Brigadier Thomas Norman O'BRIEN, TD ADC, DL
late The Royal Logistic CorpsTerritorial Army
Colonel David Charles RICHMOND,
late The Royal Regiment of Scotland
Major General David Anthony Hirst SHAW,
late Royal Regiment of Artillery
As Officers
Colonel Anthony Gareth BEX,
The Royal Logistic Corps
Lieutenant Colonel Robaird James BOYD,
The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment
Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan David BRYANT,
Army Air Corps
Colonel Mark BYERS,
Royal Army Medical Corps
Colonel Jane Elizabeth DAVIS, QVRM TD DL,
late Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps, Territorial Army
Lieutenant Colonel Adam Guy DAWSON, MC,
The Parachute Regiment
Acting Colonel Anthony Ian DENISON,
Middlesex and North West London SectorArmy Cadet Force
Lieutenant Colonel Simon David ETHERINGTON,
The Royal Anglian Regiment
Colonel Hugo Murray FLETCHER,
late The Parachute Regiment
Lieutenant Colonel Sebastian Giles HEATH, MBE,
Royal Regiment of Artillery
Acting Colonel Andrew Grahame MACLEAN, MBE,
Royal Regiment of Artillery
Lieutenant Colonel Russell Alexander MILLER,
Intelligence Corps
Colonel Ian Edward PROSSER,
late Adjutant General's Corps (Royal Military Police)
As Members
Warrant Officer Class 2 Paul Richard ADDENBROOKE,
Coldstream Guards
Major Toby Paul BARNES-TAYLOR,
Grenadier Guards
Major Richard Mark COATES,
The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers
Captain Victoria Anne GREER (nee CURRIE),
Intelligence Corps
Captain John Barrie ELMS,
The Mercian Regiment
Lieutenant Colonel Andrew William FIELD,
The Mercian Regiment
Warrant Officer Class 2 Antony Edward GAUL,
Royal Army Physical Training Corps
Warrant Officer Class 2 Barry John GRASS,
Adjutant General's Corps (Royal Military Police)
Captain David Brian HALL,
The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment Territorial Army
Major John Anthony HARKER,
The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment
Captain Steven John HARRIS,
The Rifles
Major Andrew HAWKINS, QGM,
The Royal Logistic Corps
Acting Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Francis Reaveley JAMES,
Grenadier Guards
Lieutenant Colonel Marc Stephen LAWSON,
Adjutant General's Corps(Staff and Personnel Support Branch)
Lieutenant Colonel Russell LEE,
Royal Regiment of Artillery
Major Mark MARTIN,
Royal Regiment of Artillery
Major Clive Ronald Alfred MILES,
The Royal Regiment of Scotland
Corporal Lee MULLEN,
Corps of Royal Engineers
Lieutenant Colonel Richard John Sydney REID, TD,
Royal Army Medical Corps
Acting Lieutenant Colonel Peter John ROWELL,
Corps of Royal Engineers
Major Thomas James SALBERG,
Corps of Royal Engineers
Major Fiona Jane SCOTTER,
Corps of Royal Engineers
Captain Makand SINGH,
The Royal Logistic Corps Territorial Army
Corporal Kevin Phillip THOMPSON,
Corps of Royal Engineers
Major Edward James TROWBRIDGE,
Adjutant General's Corps(Educational and Training Services Branch)
Warrant Officer Class 2 Neil Wilson WALTON,
The Royal Logistic Corps Territorial Army
Major Steven Gilbert WEMYSS,
The Royal Regiment of Scotland
Warrant Officer Class 2 Matthew WHITFIELD,
Royal Corps of Signals
Lieutenant Colonel Sheldon WILD, BEM,
The King's Royal Hussars
Warrant Officer Class 2 Andrew Gordon WOOTON,
Corps of Royal Engineers
ROYAL RED CROSS
SECOND CLASS
Major Helen Elizabeth PURVIS,
Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps,Territorial Army
QUEEN'S VOLUNTEER RESERVES MEDAL
Captain David Paul BOLLAND,
General List Territorial Army
Warrant Officer Class 2 John Edward COLLINS,
Royal Corps of Signals Territorial Army
Brigadier Joseph Gerard d'INVERNO, TD,
late The Royal Highland Fusiliers Territorial Army
Warrant Officer Class 2 Richard John HOLDING,
Adjutant General's Corps(Royal Military Police) Territorial Army
Lieutenant Colonel Iain David LEVACK, TD,
Royal Army Medical Corps, Territorial Army

ROYAL AIR FORCE

APPOINTMENTS TO THE MILITARY DIVISION OFTHE MOST HONOURABLE ORDER OF BATH
As Knight Commander
Air Marshal Kevin James LEESON CBE
As Companions
Air Vice-Marshal Michael John HARWOOD CBE
Air Vice-Marshal Christopher Brian MORRIS
APPOINTMENTS TO THE MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MOST HONOURABLE ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE
As Commanders
Air Commodore Richard John ATKINSON
Group Captain Nicholas BRAY
Group Captain John GLADSTON MBE DFC
As Officers
Group Captain Julian David BALL
Wing Commander Adrian Stewart FROST
Wing Commander Brian JAMES
Wing Commander Iain LUNAN
Wing Commander Patrick Keiran O'DONNELL
Wing Commander Simon Andrew PATERSON
Group Captain Peter James Murray SQUIRES
As Members
Squadron Leader Mark John BEARDMORE
Squadron Leader Mark Edward BIGGADIKE
Warrant Officer Russell Jeremy COPPACK
Squadron Leader Graem Michael CORFIELD
Squadron Leader Christopher John FORD
Squadron Leader Michael David HALE
Squadron Leader Neil HOPE
Squadron Leader Terence Jeffrey HORSLEY
RAF Volunteer Reserve (Training)
Warrant Officer Nicola Vincenza HUTCHINSON
Warrant Officer Brent Thomas INGLIS
Squadron Leader Joanne Louise LINCOLN
Flight Sergeant Simon John NORRIS
Squadron Leader Michael George OXFORD QCVS
Master Aircrewman Dean William Edward PENLINGTON
Squadron Leader Gerard Jeffery SHEPPECK
Squadron Leader Paula Simone WILLMOT
QUEEN'S VOLUNTEER RESERVES MEDAL
Flight Lieutenant Stephen John DUDDY Royal Auxiliary Air Force
Sergeant Stephen STEWART Royal Auxiliary Air Force

CIVILIANS IN DEFENCE

COMMANDERS OF THE ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE (CBE)
Professor Philip SUTTON,
Director of Science & Technology, Fareham
Dr Andrew Oliver TYLER,
Defence Equipment & Support, Beckington
QUEEN'S POLICE MEDAL (QPM)
Miss Wendy Lorraine BENSON
Ministry of Defence, Hook
OFFICERS OF THE ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE (OBE)
David James ASHMAN
For voluntary service to SSAFA Forces Help, Sandwich
Dr Andrew BAXTER
Ministry of Defence, Salisbury
Richard BRUNWIN
For services to ex-Servicemen & Women, London
David COTTERILL
Ministry of Defence, Sevenoaks
Mrs Trudy Anne COUCHMAN
Ministry of Defence, Chatteris
Lt Col Anthony James DAVIES MBE
For services to the Armed Forces, Tunbridge
Dr Martin John Francis FOWLER
Ministry of Defence, Winchester
Dr Richard John GRAHAM
Met Office, Cullompton
Martyn GREENAWAY
Ministry of Defence, London
Raymond Lazare HAZAN
For services to Blind Ex-Service Men and Women, London
Gareth JONES
Ministry of Defence, London
John RICHARDSON
Ministry of Defence, London
MEMBERS OF THE ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE (MBE)
Mrs Monique Avril BATEMAN
For services to Naval families, Haselmere
Ms Mary BINGHAM
Ministry of Defence, London
Keith BROWN
For services to the Defence Industry, Andover
Laurence BROWN
Ministry of Defence Police, Wooton Bassett
Philip BURNS
For services to the Defence Industry, Barrow-in-Furness
Kevin Derek CAPON
Ministry of Defence, Wilton
Wg Cdr David John CHIVERS RAF Rtd
For voluntary service to the Air Training Corps, Tiverton
Garry Stephen CUNNINGHAM
Ministry of Defence, Chippenham
David George EMERY
For voluntary service to the Royal Naval Association, Stoke-on-Trent
Major Martin James EVERETT TD
For services to the Royal Welsh Regimental Museum, Chepstow
Ms Pamela FLORA
Ministry of Defence, Guttersloh
Brian GRANT
For services to the Defence Industry, Helensburgh
James HARVEY
Ministry of Defence, London
Peter HOLLINS
For voluntary service to the Royal Navy Museum, Gosport
Wg Cdr Martin Richard HOOKER RAF Rtd
Ministry of Defence, Brandon
Mrs Alison LEWIS
Ministry of Defence, Andover
Mrs Yvonne MARR
For voluntary service to the Royal British Legion Scotland, Stonehaven
Mrs Sally-Rose Alice McFERRAN
For services to SSAFA Forces Help, Colchester
Sqn Ldr Herbert Nevil MOTTERSHEAD DFC
For voluntary service to the 158 Squadron Association, Ashbourne
Stephen John NICHOLSON
For services to St John Ambulance in Bedfordshire, Bedford
Mrs Rowena Dorothy PATRICK
For voluntary service to the Burma Star Association, Ash Vale
Major Sylvia Ann PARKIN TD JP DL
Campaign Director SABRE, Tettenhall
Christopher PARRY
United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO), Merriott
Michael Alan PIGOTT
Ministry of Defence, Hemel Hempstead
Mrs Mary ROBINSON
For voluntary service to the British Red Cross Society, Hexham
Mrs Susan ROSS
Ministry of Defence, Devizes
Philip James ROWE
For voluntary service to the British Red Cross Society, Castle Cary
Mrs Michelle SALTER
For voluntary service to SSAFA Forces Help, Yexham
Inderpal SUMAL
Ministry of Defence, London
Nigel Patrick TRUSCOTT
For voluntary service in the St John Ambulance, Jersey
Mrs Eileen Mary VIVIANI
Ministry of Defence, Moreton-in-Marsh
Mrs Maureen WATKIN
For voluntary service to St John Ambulance, Wolverhampton
William Edward WEBBER
For voluntary service to the Royal British Legion, South Molton

Dec. 31., 2011. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan (Dec. 31) — A combined Afghan and coalition security force discovered several small weapons caches while conducting routine patrols in La’lpur district, Nangarhar province, yesterday. The weapons caches consisted of one anti-tank mine, 25 sticks of dynamite, over 1,000 rounds of small arms ammunition, one fragmentation grenade, one bolt action rifle and IED making materials, including detonation cord and time fuses.

The security forces destroyed the caches on site without incident.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

South
Coalition security forces discovered a weapons cache during a routine patrol in Arghandab district, Kandahar province, yesterday. The cache consisted of 38 recoilless rifle rounds, eight rocket propelled grenade warheads, 38 RPG boosters and17 120 mm mortar rounds. The security force destroyed all weapons on site without incident.

An Afghan and coalition security force captured a Taliban leader during an operation in Zharay district, Kandahar province, today. The leader planned ambush and roadside bomb attacks against Afghan forces in the Zharay district. Multiple suspected insurgents were detained during the operation.

East
An Afghan led and a coalition supported security force captured a Taliban leader during an operation Gardez district, Paktiya province, today. The leader conducted roadside bomb attacks throughout the area. The security force seized weapons and ammunition, and detained multiple suspected insurgents during the operation.

Son of infamous al Qaeda family killed by Ethiopian forces

Abu al Bara'a Abdul Aziz bin Attash, a son of a notorious al Qaeda family, has been killed by Ethiopian forces in Somalia near the Kenyan border, according to a biography posted on the al Fida' forum. The SITE Intelligence Group has translated the posting, which details Abu al Bara'a's life.


Abu al Bara'a Abdul Aziz bin Attash, a son of a notorious al Qaeda family, has been killed by Ethiopian forces in Somalia near the Kenyan border, according to a biography posted on the al Fida' forum. The SITE Intelligence Group has translated the posting, which details Abu al Bara'a's life.
Abu al Bara'a was one of 10 sons in the bin Attash family, at least five of whom served al Qaeda, the Taliban, and their allies. The history of the bin Attash family's jihad is outlined in leaked Joint Task Force-Guantanamo (JTF-GTMO) files, as two of the bin Attash brothers are currently detained at Guantanamo. The two bin Attash brothers in detention are Walid Muhammad Saleh (also known as Khallad) and Hassan Ali, both of whom swore bayat (oath of allegiance) to deceased al Qaeda master Osama bin Laden and were involved in al Qaeda's international terrorist operations.
A third bin Attash brother, Hussam, was "killed in Kabul, [Afghanistan] while working with the Taliban in 1997," according to a leaked JTF-GTMO memo. A fourth brother, Hussayn, was killed in Kandahar, Afghanistan after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
In addition, the patriarch of the family, Muhammad Saleh bin Attash, was imprisoned in Saudi Arabia. The details of the senior bin Attash's arrest and detention are not included in the leaked JTF-GTMO files. However, it appears that senior al Qaeda detainees in US custody thought he was a close associate of Osama bin Laden.

From Khalden training camp to Somalia
Abu al Bara'a traveled to Afghanistan in 1997 to join his brothers in al Qaeda's training courses. Abu al Bara'a was less than 20 years old at the time, according to the jihadist forum posting translated by SITE. Some of the details of the training are contained in leaked JTF-GTMO files.
Like his brothers Hassam and Hassan Ali, who is held at Guantanamo, Abu al Bara'a was trained at the Khalden camp, which was operated by top al Qaeda operatives Abu Zubaydah and Ibn Sheikh al Libi. Zubaydah is detained at Guantanamo, and al Libi committed suicide in a Libyan prison in 2009. Al Libi seems to have been an especially important figure for the bin Attash family. While in custody, according to a JTF-GTMO file, Khallad described al Libi as being "like a father to most of the bin Attash boys" and "very close to their mother."
...
Read more: http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2011/12/son_of_infamous_al_q.php#ixzz1i4Qs6r3u

AQAP kills Houthi military commander

In addition to al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula's increasing activity in southern Yemen, the terror group has also been conducting operations against the Shia Houthis in the northern province of Sa'ada. In a statement released on jihadist websites, AQAP claimed it killed a Houthi military commander. An excerpt of the statement, which has been translated by the SITE Intelligence Group, is below:
 
In addition to al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula's increasing activity in southern Yemen, the terror group has also been conducting operations against the Shia Houthis in the northern province of Sa'ada. In a statement released on jihadist websites, AQAP claimed it killed a Houthi military commander. An excerpt of the statement, which has been translated by the SITE Intelligence Group, is below:
Your brothers penetrated their fortifications and camps, and two days ago, the left side of the mujahideen front advanced towards the center of the city of Kataf, and they are 500 meters away from it. This city is about 25 kilometers away from the center of Damaj and after it is Khaniq, then Dmaj. Your brothers were able to kill the [Shi'ite] military commander Abu Ali al-Hakim with a sticky device that was fastened to his vehicle while he was in a restaurant. This [Shi'ite] swore a day before his killing that he would attack al-Bariq Mountain (a mountain directly overlooking the center) and enjoy the women of Damaj, may Allah shame him.
AQAP has been targeting the Shia in the north for years, often with the support of the Yemeni government, which seeks to crush the Houthi rebels. In November 2010, an AQAP suicide bomber killed 17 people, including a top Houthi leader and his son.
In early Decemebr, AQAP officially declared war on the Houthis. Ibrahim Suleiman al Rubaish, al Qaeda in Arabian Peninsula's Mufti, issued the announcement and called the Shia a "virus" on the Sunni people. Rubaish was held at the Guantanamo Bay detention facility before he was released in 2006.

Read more: http://www.longwarjournal.org/threat-matrix/archives/2011/12/aqap_kills_houthi_military_com.php
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2 NATO troops, 4 civilians killed in Afghanistan bombings

KABUL, Afghanistan — Two NATO service members died Friday in roadside bombings in southern Afghanistan, while allied and Afghan forces killed three senior Taliban figures and captured 11 fighters and sympathizers, the alliance said.

Also Friday, a roadside bomb killed four civilians and wounded one in the Tirin Kot district of Uruzgan province, some 250 miles southwest of Kabul, the Interior Ministry said.

By Slobodan Lekic - The Associated Press

Read more:
www.navytimes.com/news/2011/12/ap-2-nato-troops-killed-in-afghanistan-bombings-123011
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NATO helicopter crash in Northern Afghanistan

Friday, December 30, 2011 – According to local authorities in northern Afghanistan, a NATO-led International Security Assistance Force helicopter crashed in northern Sar-e-Pul province.

The officials further added, the incident took place on Thursday night in this province.

Sar-e-Pul provincial Security Chief Syed Janangeer said, the helicopter belonged to the special forces of the NATO troops and crashed in Sayad district of northern Sar-e-Pul province.

Mr. Janangeer further added, the helicopter crashed near the base of the NATO troops in the area due to mechanical problems while it was landing.

He also said, at least one pilot of the helicopter was injured during the incident.

In the meantime, Taliban militants group claimed that the helicopter was shot down by the fighters.

NATO-led International Security Assistance Force officials yet to comment regarding the incident.

Israel kills leader of al Qaeda-linked Army of Islam in Gaza airstrike

The Israeli Air Force killed the emir of the al Qaeda-linked Jaish al Islam, or Army of Islam, in an airstrike in northern Gaza. The airstrike is the latest by Israel that has targeted al Qaeda-affiliated terrorists in the Gaza Strip.
Israeli fighter-bombers killed Muaman Abu Daf, the leader of the Army of Islam, in a strike in the Zeitoun district in Gaza City today. Hamas, the terror group which runs Gaza, confirmed that Abu Daf was killed in the attack. Five other Palestinians were wounded. Members of the Army of Islam wrapped Abu Daf's body in the flag flown by al Qaeda in Iraq, Shabaab, and other al Qaeda affiliates in the Middle East.
English: Map of Gaza Strip, Stand December 200...Image via Wikipedia



The Israeli Air Force killed the emir of the al Qaeda-linked Jaish al Islam, or Army of Islam, in an airstrike in northern Gaza. The airstrike is the latest by Israel that has targeted al Qaeda-affiliated terrorists in the Gaza Strip.
Israeli fighter-bombers killed Muaman Abu Daf, the leader of the Army of Islam, in a strike in the Zeitoun district in Gaza City today. Hamas, the terror group which runs Gaza, confirmed that Abu Daf was killed in the attack. Five other Palestinians were wounded. Members of the Army of Islam wrapped Abu Daf's body in the flag flown by al Qaeda in Iraq, Shabaab, and other al Qaeda affiliates in the Middle East.
The Israeli Defense Forces confirmed the strike and said the Air Force "targeted a terrorist squad that was identified moments before firing rockets at Israel from the northern Gaza Strip."
"A hit was confirmed, thwarting the rocket fire attempt," the IDF said in a statement released on its website. "The aforementioned squad is responsible for the firing of rockets at Israel in the past number of days."
Today's strike that killed Abu Daf is the third by the Israeli Air Force against what the IDF refers to as "Global Jihad-affiliated terrorists," or Gaza-based groups linked to al Qaeda. On Dec. 27, the Israeli Air Force killed Abdallah Telbani, who was involved in a plot to attack Israel from the Egyptian Sinai as well as with rocket and IED attacks along the Israeli-Gaza border.
And on Dec. 28, the Israeli Air Force killed Rami Daoud Jabar Khafarna and Hazam Mahmad Sa'adi Al Shakr, two former Hamas members who were involved with "Global Jihad-affiliated terrorist" networks in Gaza. Khafarna and Shakr were members of a "squad" that "was previously known to the IDF due to its attempt in carrying out a terror attack on the Israel-Egypt border."
There are four main Salafist groups that operate in the Gaza Strip. All four groups have expressed their support for al Qaeda. Those groups are the Jaish al Islam, Jund Ansar Allah, Jaish al Ummah, and Jaish al Mu'minun. These groups have clashed with Hamas, the Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated terror group that rules Gaza and is supported by Iran and Syria. [See LWJ report, Israel kills 'Global Jihad affiliated-terrorists' in Gaza airstrikes, for summaries of the four terror groups.]

Read more: http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2011/12/israel_kills_al_qaed.php#ixzz1i4KWFrud
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