Operation Shader - Iraq, Syria

Discuss current, historical or potential future deployments, as well the defence of the UK's overseas interests.
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The Armchair Soldier
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Operation Shader - Iraq, Syria

Post by The Armchair Soldier »

This is a news and discussion thread for Operation Shader, the UK's contribution to the fight against Islamic State.

You can find a list of all the UK's airstrikes here, which is regularly updated by the MOD:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/upda ... es-in-iraq

According to various sources, the UK has the following assets involved in anti-ISIL operations:

10 x MQ-9A Reaper unmanned combat aerial vehicles
10 x Tornado GR4 strike aircraft
9 x Typhoon FGR4 fighter aircraft
4 x Chinook HC4 transport helicopters
2 x Hercules C5 transport aircraft
2 x Sentinel R1 ISTAR aircraf
2 x Sentry AEW1 AEW&C aircraft
1 x C-17A Globemaster III transport aircraft
1 x RC-135W Rivet Joint reconnaissance aircraft
1 x Voyager KC3 tanker aircraft

The British Army has units involved in the training mission and the Royal Navy has provided escort to U.S. and French aircraft carriers in the region.

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Re: Operation Shader

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A pie chart from Airwars reveals the extent of the UK's contribution to airstrikes:

Image

http://airwars.org/

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Re: Operation Shader

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Dannatt: Send UK Troops to Fight IS
A former head of the Army has called on the Government to "think the previously unthinkable" and consider sending ground troops to combat Islamic State (IS) in Syria and Iraq.

Lord Dannatt, the former chief of the general staff, said he felt air strikes had "failed" to stop the advance of the extremist organisation and urged Parliament to debate deploying up to 5,000 infantry soldiers.

The fundamentalist group, responsible for the beheadings of several British hostages, has recently made gains in the Middle East by gaining control of the ancient town of Palmyra, in Syria, and the Iraqi city of Ramadi.

default option of air strikes and limited assistance to indigenous forces has failed thus far.

"We have now reached a point when we must think the previously unthinkable and consider that British troops, acting as part of an international coalition, may be required to mount a ground campaign in Iraq and Syria. I am no gung-ho general who says 'just send the boys in and don't worry about the body bags', far from it, but faced with such a lethal and uncompromising enemy as IS - and with the lack of political and diplomatic solutions at our disposal - we can no longer rule out 'boots on the ground'."

Political leaders had avoided the "politically toxic" question during the general election campaign but David Cameron should begin planning, the retired general added.

"What I am calling for today is for a public and political debate to begin immediately, so that arguments for and against the deployment of Western ground forces can be aired ... An opportunity to generate public support for a fully-fledged military intervention was lost, so we have got to start talking about and planning for a potential deployment now. Planning is one thing, a decision to commit is another, and could come later."

Lord Dannatt admitted there would be political challenges, including obtaining a United Nations Security Council resolution with the backing of China and Russia, while Syrian president Bashar Assad should be removed from office but "granted sanctuary in another state".
Read More: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/pa/art ... ht-IS.html

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Re: Operation Shader

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Conservatives Rule Out UK Ground Troops to Fight IS
Business Secretary Sajid Javid has rejected a call from a former head of the Army to send ground troops to the Middle East to fight Islamic State.

Writing in the Mail on Sunday, Lord Richard Dannatt says it may be time to think the "previously unthinkable" to solve the "evil problem" of IS.

He says all Britain has done so far is "fiddle while a modern Rome burns".

But Mr Javid told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show the war has to be won by those most affected - Iraqis and Syrians.

[...]

Lord Dannatt says the capture and "likely destruction" of the 2,000-year-old Roman colonnades constitutes a "potential cultural crime on a gigantic scale".

He is calling for a public and political debate to begin "immediately" so the arguments for and against sending in British and US ground troops can be aired.

"Military history tells us that while air strikes can change the terms of battle, they cannot bring a decision," he writes in his article.

"People live on the ground, in towns, villages and houses - and on the ground is where the evil problem that is IS must be solved. To date, all Britain has done is 'fiddle while a modern Rome burns'.

"We have now reached a point when we must think the previously unthinkable and consider that British troops, acting as part of an international coalition, may be required to mount a ground campaign in Iraq and Syria."

He added that he was "no gung-ho general" who says "just send the boys in and don't worry about the body-bags".

[...]

IS was a "lethal and uncompromising enemy" and the UK could no longer afford to rule out "boots on the ground", he wrote.

He suggested sending in 5,000 troops with attack helicopters, artillery, mortars, reconnaissance and surveillance assets.

IS operated in fully-formed units and used conventional tactics, thereby presenting targets for international military forces to strike, he wrote.

Conservative minister Sajid Javid said there was a need for troops on the ground - but not British troops.

This has to be won by the people most affected - it's the Iraqis, the Syrians

The government needed to see what more could be done in terms of training, intelligence and equipment, he said.

"But the answer to this is not going to be British troops on the ground," he told the BBC's Andrew Marr.

"This has to be won by the people most affected - it's the Iraqis, the Syrians - and we've got to provide them help with our allies as we're doing."

Conservative former defence secretary Liam Fox said boots on the ground would require the US to be the "prime mover".

He told Murnaghan on Sky News: "I think that is out of the question under the Obama presidency."
Read More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-32864321



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Re: Operation Shader

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G7 Summit: 125 Extra Military Trainers to be Sent to Iraq
The UK is to send an extra 125 military trainers to Iraq to help in the battle against Islamic State, the PM has said.

David Cameron made the announcement at the G7 in Bavaria ahead of a meeting with the Iraqi prime minister on 8 June.

Mr Cameron told reporters that terror activity by IS was "the biggest threat" G7 leaders had to address.

Most of the extra personnel would be involved in training Iraqi soldiers to deal with explosive devices, he added.

This latest pledge will take the total number of UK personnel providing training to the Iraqi security forces to more than 275.

Meanwhile, Number 10 dismissed claims of "mission creep."

A spokesperson said the additional help was being given at the request of Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi.
Read More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-33041218

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Re: Operation Shader

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RAF Tornados Support Iraqi Troops In Battle
The Ministry of Defence say RAF Tornados have been involved in supporting Iraqi troops as they battle to retake the oil city of Baiji.

It's part of the UK's contribution to the air campaign against Islamic State.

Reaper drones were also involved, with almost 300 airstrikes conducted against the militant group.

It's part of Operation Shader, with British aircraft flying out from RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, as well as other locations in the Middle East, in the fight against IS.
See video report here: http://forces.tv/63242010


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Re: Operation Shader

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UK Provides Further Equipment to Kurdish Fighters Tackling ISIL
The Defence Secretary has announced today in a Written Ministerial Statement that, at the request of the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG), the UK will supply a further £600,000 worth of military equipment to the Kurdish Peshmerga.

The UK Government has already gifted over 50 tonnes of non lethal equipment, heavy machine guns, nearly half a million rounds of ammunition, 1000 counter-IED VALLON detectors and has delivered over 300 tonnes of weapons and ammunition on behalf of other nations. This latest package will consist of medical supplies such as bandage kits and dressing for wounds to fill gaps in the Peshmerga’s resources and will ensure the proper treatment of injuries sustained in combat.

As a leader in the counter-ISIL Global Coalition the UK continues to make significant contributions to the efforts to tackle the threat from the terrorist organisation.
Read More: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-p ... kling-isil

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Re: Operation Shader

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Tunisia Hotel Attack: David Cameron Raises Possibility Of Air Strikes on Syria As He Calls for ISIS To Be 'Crushed'
David Cameron said that Isis must be “crushed” in Syria as well as Iraq as he reopened the question of whether the UK should launch air strikes against the terrorist group in Syria following the killings of tourists in Tunisia.

British officials insist there are no immediate plans to extend the action taken against Isis in Iraq since last autumn. But Downing Street did not rule out the Syria issue returning to the agenda, saying that Parliament would be told first if any action were proposed.

Mr Cameron’s hint was seen at Westminster as an attempt to flush out Labour’s position. In the last parliament, Labour twice blocked UK military action in Syria. Ed Miliband inflicted a humiliating Commons defeat on Mr Cameron in 2013, when the Prime Minister proposed air strikes against the Assad regime after it was accused of using chemical weapons against its own people. A year later the Prime Minister won the backing of MPs for RAF bombing raids against Isis in Iraq. Although he wanted to extend the action to Syria, he did not propose it because Labour and the Liberal Democrats opposed the idea and raised legal doubts.

Now the domestic political landscape has changed. The Conservatives enjoy an overall majority, Mr Miliband has departed, Labour is in the middle of a leadership election and the Lib Dems have been reduced to a rump of eight MPs.
Read More: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/po ... 53932.html

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Re: Operation Shader

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If they go to Syria, it's almost certain they'd need Typhoons flying air cover, similar to what F-22's have been doing.

Oppurtunity there to ease them into the theatre.

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Re: Operation Shader

Post by downsizer »

I don't think they would, the A2A threat isn't that great and already covered by other assets.

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Re: Operation Shader

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I'm tired of all the waffling and petty party politics on serious issues like this - this "Will they/Won't they?" game the politicians are playing makes our foreign policy sound like a reality TV show.

If we're going to be serious about it and tackle the problem and decide to stop being such a soft touch, just do it and let the lion roar.

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Re: Operation Shader

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downsizer wrote:I don't think they would, the A2A threat isn't that great and already covered by other assets.
Euphemism for "let the Americans do it"?

Wouldn't be surprised, frankly.

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Re: Operation Shader

Post by seaspear »

If Turkey secures a corridor of Syrian territory along side its border to prevent Kurdish forces establishing a territory and also to be able to house refugees would this be supported by N.A.T.O or even the U.N ,its very byzantine .

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Re: Operation Shader

Post by The Armchair Soldier »

On Friday 26 June, a Reaper on patrol over western Iraq located an engineering vehicle, used by ISIL to construct defences in the area. Despite the efforts to conceal the vehicle, the Reaper was able to destroy the target with a Hellfire missile.

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Re: Operation Shader

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RetroSicotte wrote:
downsizer wrote:I don't think they would, the A2A threat isn't that great and already covered by other assets.
Euphemism for "let the Americans do it"?

Wouldn't be surprised, frankly.
That would be one way of putting it. It won't be spun that way of course.

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Re: Operation Shader

Post by RetroSicotte »

downsizer wrote:
RetroSicotte wrote:
downsizer wrote:I don't think they would, the A2A threat isn't that great and already covered by other assets.
Euphemism for "let the Americans do it"?

Wouldn't be surprised, frankly.
That would be one way of putting it. It won't be spun that way of course.
"As part of our expanded operations to Syria, we are providing a crucial role alongside our allies to show why the British Armed Forces are providing a critical part in his intervention, backed by a budget that is second largest in NATO and the highest in the EU."

Let's see how close that is should the time come.

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Re: Operation Shader

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UK Strategy of Not Attacking ISIS in Syria is Illogical, Says Defence Secretary
Britain has taken a step further towards expanding its aerial bombing of Islamic State forces beyond Iraq to targets in Syria after the defence secretary, Michael Fallon, described the current strategy as illogical.

In a sign that David Cameron is keen to explore parliament’s readiness for a widening of the campaign, Fallon said that MPs needed to think very carefully about how to defeat an organisation that ignores international borders.

The defence secretary told The World at One on BBC Radio 4: “We’ve always been clear that Isil [Isis] has to be defeated in both Syria and Iraq. We have plenty to do in Iraq. Each member of the coalition is doing different things. Isil is organised and directed and administered from Syria. There is an illogicality about not being able to do it.”
Read More: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/j ... CMP=twt_gu

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Re: Operation Shader

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MPs Urged To Consider Syria Air Strikes
The Government has indicated it is paving the way for airstrikes on Islamic State terrorists in Syria in the wake of the Tunisian beach massacre.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon is expected to make the case for allowing RAF bombers to attack key IS targets ahead of a debate on the issue by MPs.

MPs voted for airstrikes in Iraq last year but they were not asked to approve wider action to include Syria.

But Mr Fallon has said it is "illogical" that UK forces were able to strike against the terrorists in Iraq but not in Syria.

David Cameron suffered a damaging defeat over military action against Bashar Assad in Syria in 2013 when Ed Miliband led a vote against intervention that saw 30 Tory MPs rebel.
However, the situation in the country has changed considerably and the Government has indicated it is preparing for policy change on the issue.

It comes after Mr Cameron promised a "full spectrum" response to the murder of 29 Britons by an IS gunman last week.

The debate in the Commons later today will give ministers a chance to gauge the position of MPs and assess whether a vote on airstrikes will be successful.

The Government has promised no military action without putting it to the Commons, however, while MPs are not expected to be asked to vote on the issue today, suggestions are that a vote will be imminent.

The Prime Minister's official spokeswoman said: "The Prime Minister has been clear on the need for us to be crushing Isil in both Iraq and Syria.

"Clearly, Isil is seeking to find areas from which it can operate, from where it can seek to threaten people here in Britain, and as part of what the PM was talking about in terms of having a 'full spectrum' response, that clearly means not just focusing on one area where they are, but looking at a whole range of areas and how Isil are operating."
Full story here: http://news.sky.com/story/1511853/mps-u ... ir-strikes

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Re: Operation Shader

Post by downsizer »

Fucking brilliant. That will please the TGRF lads no end :roll:

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Re: Operation Shader

Post by The Armchair Soldier »

If airstrikes are approved, can/will more Tornados be deployed or will it just be a case of using the current ones and allowing them to hop across the border when they need to? I'm guessing the Reapers could contribute as well, considering they've been flying surveillance over Syria for months now. What other options exist? Typhoons? TLAMs?

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Re: Operation Shader

Post by downsizer »

I'd be surprised to see any more assets deployed, more likely the currently deployed ones will simply be available to the ATO for Syria. But then you never know.

They'd struggle to deploy many more GR4s as with only 3 Sqns, you always have 1 on Shader, 1 working up to Shader and 1 on leave/reset from Shader.

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Re: Operation Shader

Post by GibMariner »

The Armchair Soldier wrote:If airstrikes are approved, can/will more Tornados be deployed or will it just be a case of using the current ones and allowing them to hop across the border when they need to? I'm guessing the Reapers could contribute as well, considering they've been flying surveillance over Syria for months now. What other options exist? Typhoons? TLAMs?
Are there any more Tornados available for deployment? Maybe we could get numbers in Cyprus up to 12?

Some more Tornados would be good if we could get them. Perhaps some Typhoons like in Libya? Take some of the strain off the ageing Tornados at least. HMS Ambush is still at No. 50 Berth in Gibraltar, it wouldn't take too long for Ambush to get within TLAM strike range (if there isn't another SSN East of Suez or closer that is).

In any case, if there is a vote on air strikes in Syria, and it passes all the likely political hurdles, I suspect we won't be deploying any more assets and will simply "make do with less" while the PM/Foreign Secretary/Defence Secretary goes on about how large our defence budget and that we are already making the second largest contribution behind the Yanks.

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