Y o u a n d t h e R A F
Top Level Messages T
op Level Messages are unclassified monthly statements issued by the senior staffs of the
MoD which define the Government’s stance on current and emerging policy. They provide an insight the Government’s and therefore the RAF’s, priorities. Here we have reduced them to a very brief format of the top and supporting lines only, but think they are worth a scan.
OPERATIONS AFGHANISTAN It is vital to the UK that Afghanistan becomes a stable and secure state that is able to suppress violent extremism within its borders. Britain’s own security is at risk if we again allow Afghanistan to become a safe haven for terrorists. Working as part of the international community, the UK will support the Afghan government as it builds a peaceful and resilient nation, shaped by the will of the Afghan people.
IRAQ The UK military mission in Basra was completed at the end of April, and all associated UK troops withdrawn from Iraq. The UK remains committed to a broad-based bilateral relationship with Iraq, with close co-operation in a range of areas: economic, cultural, commercial, educational, and defence. British military personnel form an important part of the NATO Training Mission in Baghdad and, at the request of the Government of Iraq, a Royal Navy training team is expected to resume its mentoring of the Iraqi Navy at Umm Qasr.
PIRACY The UK remains actively engaged with a number of counter piracy initiatives focused in and around the Horn of Africa.
COUNTER-TERRORISM Terrorism remains a significant threat to our security, and Defence plays a key part in the strategy for dealing with this threat, both at home and overseas. The Government has this year updated both its Counter Terrorism Strategy (CONTEST) and the overarching National Security Strategy, addressing the full range of security risks to the UK, including terrorism.
www.raf-ff.org.uk
THE MILITARY COVENANT The MoD takes very seriously its responsibility to ensure that Service personnel, who put themselves in harms way on our behalf, are properly looked after. We also accept our clear obligation to support their families and those who have left the Armed Forces.
MANNING The Armed Forces are very stretched but the Chiefs of Staff advise that, at present, the situation is manageable. • It is very encouraging that recruitment to all three Services continues to improve, and they are moving closer to meeting their full manning requirement. Targeted national, regional and local level recruiting campaigns, coupled with the current economic climate is a contributing factor for the increased interest, but our recruiting criteria remain extremely high.
• Shortages in some key trades remain a concern, as the effect on personnel in the affected trades tends to be greater levels of separation from their families. This is being addressed for the most affected trades through retention incentives, increased recruiting, and by restructuring the Services to improve effectiveness.
• Operational tempo remains high, particularly for personnel who are in Pinch Point Trades. Harmony guidelines are being broken, but every effort is being made to reduce separated service and increase tour intervals.
The Ministry of Defence’s
PERSONNEL THE SERVICE PERSONNEL COMMAND PAPER Life in the Armed Forces is rewarding, but it requires selfless duty and places many restrictions on the lives of our Service personnel which they willingly accept. Last Summer ’s Service Personnel Command Paper set out the Nation’s Commitment to our Armed Forces, their families and veterans. It was designed to end any disadvantage imposed by the unique demands of Service life today, and provide for special treatment where appropriate. Government is committed to delivering the measures and upholding these principles.
LIVING ACCOMMODATION Providing Service personnel and their families with the living accommodation they deserve is a top priority for this Department. By 2020 we aim to have upgraded all service family accommodation, and 70% of single living accommodation, to the top standard for condition.
MEDICAL SUPPORT We accept absolutely our responsibility to provide effective medical and health support to our people. The support to personnel injured on operations is of an excellent standard and we continue to invest in clinical improvements across the board.
ARMED FORCES COMPENSATION We ask our Armed Forces to risk their lives for the safety of this country. The Government has a responsibility to do all that it can to support them, and their families, when they suffer injuries as a result of service. That is why the Secretary of State Bob Ainsworth announced that a review of the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme should be brought forward and start immediately. In particular, this will look at whether current awards adequately provide for the injuries sustained on operations by our Servicemen and women.
SUPPORT EQUIPMENT AND LOGISTIC SUPPORT Since 2006, we have delivered equipment valued at more than £10 billion to the Armed Forces. Success in Afghanistan is our main effort and we will ensure our people on operations have the best training and equipment for the challenging work they are doing. But our equipment programme will also ensure that we provide the necessary core capabilities for our forces over the longer term.
POLICY MONEY Following the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR), the Defence budget in 2009/10 is £35.4 billion. This settlement continues the longest period of sustained real growth in planned Defence spending since the 1980s.
The document in its entirety can be found on our website under ‘Policy’.
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