Ministry of Defence
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Territorial Army 100th Anniversary support from Williams F1 racing team at the British Grand Prix
As a special arrangement to mark the 100th anniversary of the Territorial Army (TA) and its service to the nation, AT&T Williams will carry the TA100 logo on the nose of their FW30 cars during the 2008 British Grand Prix on Sunday 06th July.
Sir Frank Williams, Team Principal of the AT&T Williams team said;
"I am extremely proud and delighted to be able to offer my support to the Territorial Army in its Centenary year. I have immense respect for the TA, the commitment and dedication shown by its members both past and present. The service they have given to our country should be applauded as should the support they receive from their families, friends and employers."
Director of Reserves (Army), Brigadier Greg Smith, who is the senior TA officer by appointment in the Army, said:
"This is a remarkably generous gesture on the part of Sir Frank Williams and his team. To recognise the Territorial Army's 100 years in this way is a fantastic way of saying thanks to the many thousands of reservists who have served their country. We are proud to serve with Williams F1 at the British Grand Prix and wish them every success.
Today on operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Cyprus we have over 750 members of the TA who, alongside Regular soldiers, are doing remarkable things and demonstrating all the qualities we see in Formula 1 - the winning spirit, courage, tenacity and technical skills. This is a special year for us both as Williams F1 celebrate their thirtieth year in the sport and the Territorial Army its hundredth year of serving the nation."
With a proud and distinguished heritage, now, more than ever, the Territorials are a professional, skilled and essential component of the Army's operational capability. Playing a full part in current operations they are performing excellently.
Today, the Army depends upon the reliability and versatility of the TA to meet its Mission: after a century of service, the TA is more capable and more in demand than ever before. In this, its centenary year, 1,500 Territorial soldiers will be deployed on operations, which accounts for 8% of deployed Army capability. In total, over 14,000 TA members have served on our current operations in Iraq and Afghanistan with some, tragically, losing their lives and others returning wounded.
TA100 presents an opportunity for the TA to showcase what the modern Territorials do, raising awareness of the contribution they make in both their military and civilian lives. It is an opportunity for the nation to recognise and thank Territorials, both past and present, for their commitment to Service, and to the contribution they have made and continue to make to security, democracy, and the prosperity of the nation.
Note to editors:
1. Events to mark this milestone event in the TA's history will continue to take place across the country throughout 2008. See http://www.ta100.co.uk for details, including donation opportunities to the TA Centenary Fund.
2. F1 racing epitomises the qualities of challenge, youth, achievement and courage. Qualities that are amply demonstrated in the young men and women who volunteer to join the TA and serve the nation.
3. Williams F11 is one of the few remaining privateer2 teams in the global business of F1 racing. Silverstone, the home of the British Grand Prix, is also something of a British institution and which also celebrates the 60th year of the British Grand Prix at this year's race.
4. The TA is an integral part of the British Army, representing about a quarter of its total manpower, with its members, both male and female, training as soldiers in their own time - many holding down full time civilian jobs.
5. The Territorial Army has changed dramatically over the last decade and is now at the heart of British Army operational capability. Territorials are deployed on the same operations as the Regular Army, and command the same degree of respect within the Army and beyond.
6. The TA is good for individuals, employers and communities. Territorials gain leadership skills and specialist expertise, which serve them well in their civilian as well as military lives.
7. A Review of Reserve Forces is underway and will report later this year. This review will take account of the way that Reserves Forces have been employed on current operations as well as their potential use in other roles related to infrequent contingency and large scale operations. The review will also consider the scope for greater integration into the Regular Forces structure.
8. In depth information and facts and figures about the Territorial Army can be found in the online TA100 media centre at http://www.ta100.co.uk. This includes statistics about TA service personnel in the TA, history, deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, role, awards and achievements and associated facts.
9. Images of the Williams Toyota FW30 car with its TA100 branding will be available from Defence News Imagery, http://www.defencenewsimagery.mod.uk and the TA100 website, http://www.ta100.co.uk.
1 Parent company known as Williams Grand Prix Engineering Ltd.
2 Non-manufacturer teams.
