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TA and RAF mark key anniversaries | TA and RAF mark key anniversaries |
(40 minutes later) | |
Britain's Territorial Army (TA) is marking 100 years of service, while the RAF celebrates its 90th anniversary. | Britain's Territorial Army (TA) is marking 100 years of service, while the RAF celebrates its 90th anniversary. |
For the TA, a press conference will be held at the Tower of London as celebratory cannons are fired in London, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Belfast. | For the TA, a press conference will be held at the Tower of London as celebratory cannons are fired in London, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Belfast. |
The RAF events will include a fly-past of Red Arrows and Typhoons in London, and a banquet at the RAF Museum. | The RAF events will include a fly-past of Red Arrows and Typhoons in London, and a banquet at the RAF Museum. |
Meanwhile the government is launching a strategic review of the modern role of the reserve forces. | Meanwhile the government is launching a strategic review of the modern role of the reserve forces. |
'Personal sacrifices' | 'Personal sacrifices' |
It is a century since the first units of the Territorial Force - which became the TA - were "stood up" as a home defence force. | It is a century since the first units of the Territorial Force - which became the TA - were "stood up" as a home defence force. |
Defence Secretary Des Browne and the British Army Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Richard Dannatt, will attend the Tower of London event. | Defence Secretary Des Browne and the British Army Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Richard Dannatt, will attend the Tower of London event. |
The simultaneous Feu de Joie (cannon firing) will signal the start of several months of events. | The simultaneous Feu de Joie (cannon firing) will signal the start of several months of events. |
Nearly 15,000 reservists have served alongside the regular army in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2003, with eight killed in action and others injured. | Nearly 15,000 reservists have served alongside the regular army in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2003, with eight killed in action and others injured. |
TA soldier Pte Luke Cole was awarded the Military Cross | TA soldier Pte Luke Cole was awarded the Military Cross |
This year, 1,500 TA soldiers will be sent on operations, accounting for 8% of the total number of Army troops deployed. | This year, 1,500 TA soldiers will be sent on operations, accounting for 8% of the total number of Army troops deployed. |
Last month Private Luke Cole, 22, a TA soldier from Wolverhampton, was awarded the Military Cross for his heroism in Afghanistan. | Last month Private Luke Cole, 22, a TA soldier from Wolverhampton, was awarded the Military Cross for his heroism in Afghanistan. |
Attached to the Mercian Regiment, he gave first aid to wounded colleagues while continuing to return fire against the Taliban, having been shot twice himself. | Attached to the Mercian Regiment, he gave first aid to wounded colleagues while continuing to return fire against the Taliban, having been shot twice himself. |
Sir Richard said: "The Territorial Army has been a fundamental part of the British Army since its formation as the Territorial Force in 1908. | Sir Richard said: "The Territorial Army has been a fundamental part of the British Army since its formation as the Territorial Force in 1908. |
"During the past six years in particular, members of the Territorial Army have made considerable personal sacrifices and have provided indispensable support to current operations. | "During the past six years in particular, members of the Territorial Army have made considerable personal sacrifices and have provided indispensable support to current operations. |
"This participation has been at a level seldom seen throughout its distinguished past." | "This participation has been at a level seldom seen throughout its distinguished past." |
Last month the prime minister announced there would be a review of the country's reserve forces, as part of its wider National Security Strategy. | |
Gordon Brown said the government would examine how they could play a greater role in the stabilisation and reconstruction of post-conflict zones. | |
Other events to mark the anniversary include parades across the country and a garden party at Buckingham Palace in July. | Other events to mark the anniversary include parades across the country and a garden party at Buckingham Palace in July. |
Sunset ceremony | Sunset ceremony |
Members of the Red Arrows will fly in formation with four Typhoon aircraft along the River Thames to mark the RAF's birthday. | Members of the Red Arrows will fly in formation with four Typhoon aircraft along the River Thames to mark the RAF's birthday. |
The fly-past will start south of London City Airport, passing the O2, Canary Wharf, Tower Bridge and Tate Modern art gallery, and finishing at the London Eye. | The fly-past will start south of London City Airport, passing the O2, Canary Wharf, Tower Bridge and Tate Modern art gallery, and finishing at the London Eye. |
Later, the RAF Museum will host a banquet in London for the Duke of Edinburgh and Air Force chiefs. A fly-past of nine Eurofighters and a Spitfire is planned, as well as a marching display by the Queen's Colour Squadron and the Central Band of the RAF. | Later, the RAF Museum will host a banquet in London for the Duke of Edinburgh and Air Force chiefs. A fly-past of nine Eurofighters and a Spitfire is planned, as well as a marching display by the Queen's Colour Squadron and the Central Band of the RAF. |
An RAF spokeswoman said that "low-key" celebrations would be held in Afghanistan and Iraq, including a sunset ceremony, to mark the date. | An RAF spokeswoman said that "low-key" celebrations would be held in Afghanistan and Iraq, including a sunset ceremony, to mark the date. |
In addition, a number of books have been written to coincide with the anniversary including RAF Day By Day, Fighting Force and Britain's Aviation Heritage. | In addition, a number of books have been written to coincide with the anniversary including RAF Day By Day, Fighting Force and Britain's Aviation Heritage. |
The RAF was created when the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) merged. | The RAF was created when the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) merged. |
The start of the Royal Air Force's celebrations was marked on Monday when a Chinook helicopter delivered badges to 25 veterans. | The start of the Royal Air Force's celebrations was marked on Monday when a Chinook helicopter delivered badges to 25 veterans. |
Between them the servicemen had flown in all major conflicts since WWII. | Between them the servicemen had flown in all major conflicts since WWII. |