DTN News - UK DEFENSE NEWS: Recruiting Former Gurkhas Into The Army Reserves Is A No-Brainer

DTN News - UK DEFENSE NEWS: Recruiting Former Gurkhas Into The Army Reserves Is A No-Brainer

*The MoD must do more to retain the Gurkhas’ unique skills, writes Nick Harvey

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Nick Harvey
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - June 8, 2013: Gurkhas are a widely admired, loved and revered part of the British Army. But strangely, five years after allowing them to settle here after completing their service, we still don't routinely recruit them to the reserves when they leave, despite their desire to continue to serve. At the same time, there are serious concerns about whether we can meet the ambitious new targets as part of the Army 2020 vision and restructure in which the reserves will play a vital role. It seems a no-brainer that we should retain some of the toughest and bravest fighters we have, and instead help them lead the way for the future reserves.

The 2010 defence review, which I was involved in as a minister, triggered a mass restructure of our Armed Forces. What we have now is an ambitious plan for a future Army that relies in part on a highly-trained and deployable reserve force. In practice, it means that we need to double the number of trained and ready reserves from what we currently have in the Territorial Army.

The 2010 defence review, which I was involved in as a minister, triggered a mass restructure of our Armed Forces. What we have now is an ambitious plan for a future Army that relies in part on a highly-trained and deployable reserve force. In practice, it means that we need to double the number of trained and ready reserves from what we currently have in the Territorial Army.

A huge recruitment drive and massive rejuvenation of the reserve forces will be far from easy. We’re already lagging behind: we will need a serious culture change within the Ministry of Defence and the Army of how we view the reserves if we’re achieve our targets. Currently, public concerns persist that reserves are simply "making up numbers" after troop redundancies, that they are just an add-on to the "real" Army. Countering such perceptions is essential and the Gurkhas can lead the way. That is why I am asking that we begin signing up our former Gurkha soldiers as part of the culture shift towards a battle-ready, fully integrated reserve force rather than losing them completely as we currently do.

Gurkhas have been an integral part of the British Army for almost 200 years, characteristically loyal, courageous and dedicated – earning 13 Victoria Crosses between them, and they lost 45,000 lives during the two world wars. More recently, their contribution in Afghanistan highlighted not only their bravery, but also a unique affinity with our Afghan partners culturally and linguistically. Above all, these fierce fighters are one of the most highly regarded, robust and respected elements of our Army.

At the moment, unlike most ex-service personnel who have a reserve liability on leaving the forces, former Gurkhas are not routinely recruited into the reserves. As Nepalese citizens, they can only join the voluntary reserves – the Territorial Army (TA). By and large they don’t join the TA: there isn’t a culture of them joining as they could not stay in Britain until the Liberal Democrats led the campaign to change that.

Sadly, just like the rest of the regular Army, the Gurkhas have faced the bitter pill of forced redundancies as we bring down our record budget deficit. Their much-sought-after talents are currently helping private security companies, but their willingness to continue serving this country does not disappear. Instead of allowing this loss of talent and dedication to happen, the MoD must do more to retain the Gurkhas’ unique skills. We should start by giving them the reserve liability, recognising the contribution they still have to offer.

As regular reserves they can lead the way in building the Territorial Army and the regular reserve into the new future reserves. This will send a strong signal that the new, rejuvenated reserve force is more robust and battle-ready than ever.

Recruiting Gurkhas into the reserves is not only good for defence, but good for the Gurkhas too. Gurkha communities continue to feel a huge sense of prestige about the legacy of Gurkha regiments. That was why the successful campaign to give them residency rights was such a proud moment for the Liberal Democrats. It remains as important as ever that we look out for them in return for the sacrifice they have made for Britain.

A reserves White Paper is due to be published this summer. How better to build on the Gurkhas’ heritage in that White Paper than to extend reserve liability to the Gurkhas, re-form some of them as reserve regiments and offer a pathway into a second Army career as a reservist?

Nick Harvey is the Member of Parliament for North Devon and a former Minister of State for the Armed Forces

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Nick Harvey
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Britain: Gurkhas In British Forces Entitled To Settle In UK

Britain: Gurkhas In British Forces Entitled To Settle In UK

(NSI News Source Info) April 25, 2009: Up to 10,000 more Gurkhas and their dependents will be entitled to settle in the UK the Government has announced yesterday, Friday 24 April 2009. Gurkha soldiers of 22 Signal Regiment parade at Beacon Barracks, Stafford (Archive picture) [Picture: 5 Div Media Ops] This is in addition to the 6,000 Gurkhas and their dependents who have already been welcomed to the country. The increased numbers are a result of revised guidance on the rights to settle in the UK by Gurkhas who have left the British Army, and their dependents, issued by the Home Office today. The Minister of State for Borders and Immigration Phil Woolas said today: "We estimate that this guidance will mean that over 4,000 ex-Gurkhas and around 6,000 spouses and children will qualify for settlement rights in the UK. "We will be proud to welcome those individuals to the UK in recognition of the outstanding service that they gave. We will work with the Ministry of Defence to ensure that those who might be eligible in Nepal are fully aware of these changes and of the opportunity for settlement. "The Government both recognises and honours the huge contribution that the Brigade of Gurkhas has made, and continues to make, to the Armed Forces." General Sir Richard Dannatt, Chief of the General Staff, said: Rifleman Awash Limbu, 6 Platoon, 2nd Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles, requests an ammunition resupply for his light machine gun during Operation Mar Nonu (Archive picture)[Picture: Log (SC) Hammond] "The Army welcomes this announcement, which further underlines our extensive and ongoing commitment to the welfare of former Gurkhas whether in Nepal or the UK. "Generations of Gurkhas have served the UK with great courage, sacrifice and distinction and the Brigade of Gurkhas continues to make a vital and valued contribution to our operations around the world." In summary, the new guidance, available in full on the UK Border Agency website, means Gurkhas and their families will be able to come to the UK to settle where they meet one of the following criteria: *Three years' continuous lawful residence in the UK during or after service; *Close family settled in the UK with whom they enjoy family life within the meaning of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights; *A Level 1-3 Award for gallantry, leadership or bravery for service in the Brigade; *20 or more years' service in the Brigade; *A chronic/long term medical condition which is attributable to, or was aggravated by, service in the Brigade. Additionally, discretion will normally be exercised and settlement in the UK granted if two or more of the following criteria are met: Claimants were previously awarded a UK Ministry of Defence disability pension but no longer have a chronic/long term medical condition attributable to, or aggravated by, service in the Brigade; Claimants received a Mention in Dispatches (Level 4 Award) for service in the Brigade; Claimants completed ten years' service in the Brigade or served less than ten years but received a campaign medal for active service in the Brigade. Gurkha soldiers performing the Kasam Khane ceremony (Archive picture) [Picture: Graham Harrison] The right of Gurkhas to settle in the United Kingdom was given in 2004 to those who had been discharged from the British Army on or after 1 July 1997. This was the date of the handover of Hong Kong from Britain to China and the point at which the Brigade of Gurkhas moved from Hong Kong to the United Kingdom. Guidance was issued to Immigration caseworkers on how to consider applications from Gurkhas who had been discharged before 1 July 1997. In September 2008 the High Court ruled that the policy of using 1 July 1997 as a cut-off date was fair but also found that the guidance used by caseworkers when making decisions on those discharged before 1997 needed to be much clearer in setting out the factors which were to be given weight in assessing which individuals should be offered settlement in the UK. The Government fully accepted this judgement and the revised guidance has been issued today as a result. In line with commitments to the High Court, Mr Woolas said that the Government will now reconsider all outstanding appeals by 11 June 2009. The Gurkhas are fiercely proud soldiers whose motto is 'Better to Die than Be a Coward'. They have fought as part of the British Armed Forces for almost two hundred years, taking part in every conflict side by side with their British and Commonwealth colleagues.

Britain’s 105mm Light Gun Proving Particularly Effective In Afghanistan / MoD Waxes Enthusiastic About 105mm Light Gun

Britain’s 105mm Light Gun Proving Particularly Effective In Afghanistan / MoD Waxes Enthusiastic About 105mm Light Gun

(NSI News Source Info) April 1, 2009: A 105mm L118 Light Gun is being used by British gunners to such devastating effect against the Taliban that they have dubbed it the "Dragon". The gun fired its first round in anger from a rocky outcrop above Musa Qaleh in January 2009 and has been busy ever since protecting coalition and Afghan forces and maintaining security in the area, thereby making it safer for civilians living in the town.

Britain’s Ministry of Defence says the 105mm Light Gun, seen here operated by 7 Parachute Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery, is proving particularly effective in Afghanistan.

Musa Qaleh sits in a strategic location in north-western Helmand Province. It was re-taken from the Taliban by British, US and Afghan Forces in a major operation in December 2007.

Towering above the town around 2km to the north is the Roshan Tower - a 40m tall, rocky outcrop which provides an excellent vantage point with an eagle's eye view across a massive swath of territory.

Realising the strategic importance of this lofty location, British gunners hatched a plan to take the fight direct to the enemy. They intended to put a gun weighing over 4,000lbs (1,814kg) at the summit of the rocky cliffs, providing a firing point to provide protection for Musa Qala and Forward Operating Base Edinburgh.

Moving the massive gun to the peak was a logistical challenge. The cliff face was riddled with deep cracks that threatened to crumble under the weight of the gun so a plan was devised to move the gun to the foot of the cliffs by helicopter.

Four days of large scale changes to the watchtowers to build a solid firing platform ensured the rocky platform could hold the weapon and then the men of Alma Battery, 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, in scenes reminiscent of the Royal Tournament - dismantled the two ton gun and moved it up the cliff face by hand under the cover of darkness.

Major James Vigne, Battery Commander of 8 (Alma) Commando Battery who oversees the Dragon Gun, said: "The gun itself weighs over 4,000lbs [1,814kg], and the effort involved every available man on the cliff-top outpost. The ammunition boxes, each weighing nearly 100lbs [45kg] and containing High Explosive shells also had to be manhandled up the 400m track. The move of the gun was done at night to keep the gun secret from the enemy, with Gurkhas providing close protection on the hills and cliffs around - alert to any enemy attempting to ambush the gun-movers.

"Once in place, the gun was camouflaged to prevent the enemy realising the new threat to them. Since it was nicknamed the Dragon, the effort of uncamouflaging it is now called 'bringing the Dragon from its lair'."

At the summit, the gun commands a firing point which provides protection for Musa Qala town, the British Forward Operating Base and Patrol Bases deep in the lush Green Zone surrounding it.

Manning the gun are four soldiers from 8 (Alma) Commando Battery - two of whom are Australians from 4th Field Regiment Royal Australian Artillery, attached to 8 Battery for the duration of the tour. In addition, a Fire Support Team of a further four 8 Battery gunners use their excellent observation point to direct air strikes, attack helicopters and Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS) accurately and quickly onto targets.

They are joined by soldiers from The 2nd Battalion Royal Gurkha Rifles with a bristling arsenal of weapons - Javelin heat-seeking missiles, sniper rifles and .50cal heavy machine guns.

Gunner Thomas Alder, 8 (Alma) Commando Battery said: "The Roshan Tower gun platform gives us excellent observation over enemy territory. My role is actually laying the sights onto the enemy directly and firing shells into the heart of the enemy territory. The Taliban are running scared because of the gun - they call it the Dragon because of the huge belching flame that spits out of the barrel when it fires!"

Rather than being used in its usual indirect-fire role, firing over obstructions and land masses, being so high up allows it to fire directly down in a straight line onto its targets, affording unrivalled accuracy.

This role was originally designed for destroying tanks, up to a distance of around 2km away, but the Gunners now manning it are accurately striking targets up to 3km away. They are able to acquire, engage and hit a target at 3km within five seconds.

Major James Vigne, added: "The gun is phenomenally accurate - achieving first round hits on individuals at up to 3km, allowing us to strike the enemy very precisely and extremely quickly. Our location allows us to provide fire support to our patrols out on the ground and give a running commentary of the locations and movements of the enemy.

"The Dragon is the most feared weapon in our area by the Taliban - they are genuinely frightened by it. It is also the most loved by our own forces - the Gurkhas operating from Musa Qala have been astonished by its speed, pin-point accuracy and power.

"More importantly, its accuracy means we are better able to prevent civilian injuries."

Major Ross Daines, Officer Commanding B Company The 2nd Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles, said: "The Dragon is an excellent capability which plays on the enemy's mind and is a huge confidence boost for troops in contact. The enemy cannot now move around the area without fear of being struck - it is responsive, accurate and effective, hitting the enemy hard before they can escape - they cannot run from a 105mm shell."

29 Commando Regiment is an Army Commando gun regiment that has been an integral part of 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines since 1962. It is equipped with twelve 105mm Light Guns that were first used during the Falklands War in 1982 and have remained in service since. The Regiment also provides the Fire Support Teams that direct the fire of these guns and many other assets such as fast jets, attack helicopters and guided rocket launchers.

The Commando Gunners are manned by Army ranks who wear the coveted Green Beret having completed the All Arms Commando Course at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines, Lympstone.

For Operation HERRICK 9, the Regiment was augmented by men from 26 Regiment Royal Artillery, based in Germany, as well as by a number of TA and Australian Gunners. The Regiment's fire planning staffs working at HQ level and its Fire Support Teams at company level, have directed the firepower of 3 Commando Brigade - Firepower provided by its own 105mm light artillery, 81mm mortars, Attack Helicopters, multinational fast jets and precision guided rockets fired by 74 (Battleaxe) Battery.

Members of the Regiment have either been delivering this firepower or coordinating it from practically every location that Task Force Helmand troops have operated from.