WIREDGOV

UK ends combat mission in Iraq

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE News Release (PN 091/2009) issued by COI News Distribution Service on 30 April 2009

After a commitment lasting more than six years, British Forces have successfully completed their combat mission in Basra and will now start leaving southern Iraq.

Today, forces stationed at the Contingency Operating Base (COB) outside Basra were joined by Defence Secretary John Hutton MP for a day of reflection on the mission, commemoration of their losses, and celebration of British achievements in Iraq since Operation TELIC was launched in 2003.

Having already drawn down the Divisional Headquarters a month ago, UK forces now begin their final withdrawal, handing over the Coalition brigade command in a move which marks the transition from a combat mission to a close and enduring bilateral relationship with Iraq.

John Hutton said:

"The past six years have seen a heavy price paid: 179 brave people have died in the service of their country on Operation Telic. Their sacrifice must not be forgotten, and that is why it was a privilege to attend the final, poignant service of commemoration in Basra.

"But Iraq's progress over the six years, no matter how uneven or uncertain it may have appeared at times, shows that their sacrifice has not been in vain. Following the peaceful elections in January, Basra has a new democratically-elected and representative Provincial Council. Protected by the Iraqi Security Forces we have trained, the city finally has the chance to achieve its full potential.

"Over six challenging years, British forces have helped to set Basra on the path towards enduring stability and economic growth. They have supported reconstruction, set the airport on the path to international accreditation and helped to develop the port facilities at Umm Qasr. Basra is a better place for our men and women being there and I pay tribute to all of them."

The last day of the British mission was marked today by two main events on the COB. Following the memorial service, Mr Hutton attended the formal "transfer of authority" ceremony. The service took place at Basra's Memorial Wall, which will soon be dismantled and replicated at the National Memorial Arboretum in the UK. The Defence Secretary also met members of 20th Armoured Brigade now preparing to leave Iraq, as well as some of the Royal Navy personnel who will be staying behind to continue to train the Iraqi Navy.

The UK's future relationship with Iraq will be one of partnership. We are currently discussing the precise scope of our future military activity with the Government of Iraq, but up to 400 UK military personnel are likely to remain in Iraq after July. They will continue to provide specialist training and mentoring support to Iraqi forces, leading the development of the Iraqi Navy and playing a key role in military officer training.

With the Iraqis now firmly in the lead on security, UK Government support can now focus on helping the Iraqi Government to stimulate its economy and fulfil its potential as a resource-rich sovereign nation.

Brigadier Tom Beckett, commander of 20th Armoured Brigade, said:

"Today marks the end of the UK's combat mission in support of the government of Iraq, but it does not mark the end of the UK's relationship with Iraq.

"We are sad to leave our Iraqi friends, but we leave knowing we have done our job, and done it well. We leave with our heads held high.

"We know we leave the security of Basra province in safe and capable hands. Trained by the UK, 14th Iraqi Division is a professional counter-insurgency division. It has strong leaders, strength in depth in its junior ranks, and brave and dedicated soldiers."

Images and more details from the day will be made available on the MOD's Defence News Imagery website: http://www.dni.mod.uk

For more information, contact BEN WILKINSON or NICK MANNING in the Ministry of Defence Press Office on 0207 218 9006.

NOTES TO EDITORS

OPERATION TELIC FACT FILE

KEY FACTS

UK COMMITMENT

Senior British Military Representative in Iraq (SBMR-I)

Lt Gen Chris Brown CBE

UK Troops in southern Iraq

Approximately 4,100

Total Numbers for Op TELIC

Approximately 6,500 (includes those not in Iraq, e.g. RN Ships in the Gulf and in neighbouring Gulf countries)

Current roulement

TELIC 13 (from November 2008)

Deaths of UK Personnel

[Most recent: 11 December 2008]

179 (including 1 civilian). Of this number, 111 are classed as killed in action (including as a result of hostile action), 25 are classed as died of wounds and 43 are known to have died either as a result of illness, non-combat injuries or accidents, or have not yet been officially assigned a cause of death, pending the outcome of an investigation.

COALITION COMMITMENT

Contributing States to MNF-I

(This number does not include those states contributing to NATO Training Mission - Iraq (NTM-I)).

4 States: Australia, Romania, UK and the US.

SECURITY SECTOR REFORM

Number of Iraqi Troops Trained

Over 585,000 Iraqi Security Forces have been trained and equipped by the Coalition.

KEY APPOINTMENTS

President

Jalal Talabani

Prime Minister

Nouri Kamil Al-Maliki

Defence Minister

General Abdel Qader Jassim

Foreign Affairs Minister

Hoshyar Zebari

Interior Minister

Jawad Al-Bolani

POLITICAL PROCESS

Constitutional/Political Milestones

15 Oct 2005 - Referendum on Constitution

25 Oct 2005 - Referendum passed

15 Dec 2005 - National elections

10 Feb 2006 - Final certified results announced

16 Mar 2006 - Iraqi Parliament inaugurated

20 May 2006 - Prime Minister forms government

31 Jan 2009 - Provincial elections

RECONSTRUCTION

UK Govt Reconstruction Money

£544M between 2003 and 2006, an additional £100M pledged in November 2006, and a further £100M pledged in May 2007. A Total of £744M.

NUMBERS OF UK PERSONNEL DEPLOYED IN IRAQ

Approximate numbers of personnel deployed in Iraq:

Peak during Major Combat Operations     46000 (includes troops
      (March/April 2003)                      deployed on Op TELIC
                                              outside of Iraq)
      End May 2003                            18000
      End August 2003                         9500
      January 2004                            8500
      End May 2004                            8600
      End September 2004                      8500
      November 2004                           8850
      January 2005                            8000
      February 2005                           8100
      March 2005                              8000
      April 2005                              7500
      May 2005                                8500
      June 2005                               8500
      July 2005                               8500
      August 2005                             8500
      September 2005                          8500
      October 2005                            8500
      November 2005                           8500
      December 2005                           8000
      January 2006                            8000
      February 2006                           8000
      March 2006                              8000
      Start April 2006                        8000
      End May 2006                            7200
      End November 2006                       7100
      End May 2007                            5500 in southern Iraq
      End November 2007                       5000 in southern Iraq
      End 2007                                4500 in southern Iraq
      January 2008                            4100 in southern Iraq
      March 2008                              4000 in southern Iraq
      May 2008                                4100 in southern Iraq
      September 2008                          4100 in southern Iraq 

Long-term enduring commitment likely to be around 350-400 personnel.

FORCES CURRENTLY DEPLOYED

20 Armoured Brigade have been in command of UK forces since early December 2008, and have provided the majority of British units serving in Iraq since that time.

The units deployed as part of 20 Armoured Brigade (and about to return home) are as follows:

* 20th Armoured Brigade Headquarters and Signal Squadron (200)

* The Queen's Royal Hussars (The Queen's Own and Royal Irish)

* 35 Engineer Regiment

* 1st Battalion The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment (Queen's and Royal Hampshires)

* 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own)

* 5th Battalion The Rifles

* 1 Logistic Support Regiment The Royal Logistic Corps

* 110 Provost Company Royal Military Police

* 606 Tactical Air Control Party

* 618 Tactical Air Control Party

* Elements of 1st Royal Tank Regiment

* Elements of 5th Regiment Royal Artillery

* Elements of 16th Regiment Royal Artillery

* Elements of 26th Regiment Royal Artillery

* Elements of 32nd Regiment Royal Artillery

* Elements of 47th Regiment Royal Artillery

* Elements of 33 Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal)

* Elements of 42 Engineer Regiment (Geographical)

* Elements of 170 (Infrastructure Support) Engineer Group

* Elements of 2nd Signal Regiment

* Elements of 10th Signal Regiment

* Elements of 14th Signal Regiment (Electronic Warfare)

* Elements of 21st Signal Regiment (Air Support)

* Elements of 1 Regiment Army Air Corps

* Elements of 9 Regiment Army Air Corps

* Elements of 6 Supply Regiment The Royal Logistic Corps

* Elements of 9 Supply Regiment The Royal Logistic Corps

* Elements of 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment The Royal Logistic Corps

* Elements of 17 Port and Maritime Regiment The Royal Logistic Corps

* Elements of 24 Postal Courier and Movement Regiment The Royal Logistic Corps

* Elements of 27 Transport Regiment The Royal Logistic Corps

* Elements of 29 Postal Courier and Movement Regiment The Royal Logistic Corps

* Elements of 1 Close Support Medical Regiment

* Elements of 22 Field Hospital

* Elements of 3 Close Support Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

* Elements of 101 Force Support Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

* Elements of 103 Military Working Dogs Support Unit

* Elements of 1 Military Intelligence Brigade

* Elements of 156 (North West) Transport Regiment The Royal Logistic Corps (Volunteer)

* Elements of 148 Expeditionary Forces Squadron The Royal Logistic Corps (Volunteer)

* Elements of 28 Squadron Royal Air Force

* Elements of 78 Squadron Royal Air Force

* Elements of Tactical Supply Wing

* Elements of Joint Helicopter Support Unit

LONG-TERM TASKS OF REMAINING PERSONNEL

* As part of the future bilateral relationship between Iraq and the UK (post-31st July) the Iraqis have suggested that they would like us to continue to provide specialist military training in Baghdad, and to the Iraqi Navy at Umm Qasr. This would see up to 400 UK Service personnel remain in Iraq after July.

* These personnel will deliver and support specific long-term training initiatives agreed between us and the Government of Iraq. Our aim is to focus on key strategic areas for Iraq where UK personnel can bring particular expertise to bear and make a real difference.

* We have offered to continue to provide Maritime support and Naval training, building on the impressive work done to date by the UK-led Coalition Naval Training Team at Umm Qasr, which is helping to develop a new Iraqi Navy.

* We expect that Royal Navy ships will continue to patrol the Gulf area and contribute to the defence of Iraqi territorial waters and its vital oil platforms.

* The Government of Iraq has also indicated it would like to continue arrangements whereby its military personnel receive military training and education in the UK. Recently Lieutenant Ali Kareem became the first member of the new Iraqi Air Force to graduate from RAF Cranwell with his "Wings".

* Full details of our precise roles in Iraq post 31st July are subject to a formal Memorandum of Understanding being signed by our two Governments. This is due to happen in the near future.

COSTS OF OPERATION TELIC

The annual audited figures for the costs of operations in Iraq for the years 2002/03 to 2007/08 were:

YEAR      OPERATIONS IN    EXPENDITURE ON CAPITAL  TOTAL
                IRAQ
      2002/03   £629M            £218M                   £847M
      2003/04   £1051M           £260M                   £1311M
      2004/05   £747M            £163M                   £910M
      2005/06   £798M            £160M                   £958M
      2006/07   £787M            £169M                   £956M
      2007/08   £1055M           £402M                   £1457M
      TOTAL                                              £6439M 

The cost of our current operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, over and above our planned expenditure, comes from the Treasury Special Reserve and does not impact on the spending of other government departments. By the end of the current financial year, we estimate that £13.2billion will have been spent from the Reserve to fund operations in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001. In comparison, the annual budget of the NHS was £90billion in 2007-08.

MILITARY AWARDS AND HONOURS

TELIC CAMPAIGN MEDALS 2003-DATE

          Iraq Medal Iraq Medal &   Iraq           Combined
                           Clasp          Reconstruction
                                          Service Medal
      Royal     6403       4305           0              10708 Navy
      Royal     3871       533            0              4404 Marines
      Army      60418      27011          81             87510
      Royal Air 14755      4488           9              19252 Force
      Total     85447      36337          90             121874 

GALLANTRY AND MERITORIOUS AWARDS FOR SERVICES IN IRAQ 2003-DATE

Levels 1 and 2

VC (1)

Private Johnson Gideon BEHARRY

The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment

GC (2)

Trooper Christopher FINNEY

The Blues and Royals

Captain Peter Allen NORTON

The Royal Logistic Corps

KCB (1)

Air Chief Marshal Brian Kevin BURRIDGE CBE ADC

Royal Air Force

CMG (3)

Brigadier Albert Edward WHITLEY CBE

Late Corps of Royal Engineers

Major General Frederick Richard VIGGERS MBE

Late Royal Regiment of Artillery

Brigadier Richard Mortimer IRON OBE

Late King's Own Royal Border Regiment,

CBE (10)

Brigadier James Benjamin DUTTON ADC

Royal Marines

Captain Alan Michael MASSEY

Royal Navy

Colonel Patrick Claude MARRIOTT OBE

Late The Queen's Royal Lancers

Group Captain Simon Keith DOBB OBE

Royal Air Force

Air Commodore Christopher Mark NICKOLS

Royal Air Force

Brigadier William Hewitt MOORE

Late Royal Regiment of Artillery

Colonel Timothy Paul GRIMSHAW

Late Corps of Royal Engineers

Brigadier Andrew Charles Peter KENNETT MBE

Late The Parachute Regiment

Brigadier James Ian BASHALL OBE

Late The Parachute Regiment

Brigadier Julian Richard FREE OBE, Late Royal Regiment of Artillery,

DSO (17)

Colonel Gordon Kenneth MESSENGER OBE

Royal Marines

Brigadier Graham John BINNS CBE MC

Late The Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire

Major General Robin Vaughan BRIMS CBE

Late The Light Infantry

Lieutenant Colonel Michael Lawrence RIDDELL-WEBSTER

The Black Watch

Major Richard Cowan TAYLOR

The Life Guards

Wing Commander Stuart David ATHA

Royal Air Force

Wing Commander Ian David TEAKLE OBE

Royal Air Force

Major General Graeme Cameron Maxwell LAMB CMG OBE

Late Queen's Own Highlanders

Lieutenant Colonel Jorge Emanuel MENDONCA MBE

The Queen's Lancashire Regiment

Major John Henry BOWRON

The Light Infantry

Major James Chenevix COOTE

The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment

Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Philip MAER MBE

The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment

Major Angus George Costeker FAIR

The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards

Brigadier Timothy Paul EVANS MBE

Late The Light Infantry

Lieutenant Colonel Justin Charles Wladyslaw MACIEJEWSKI MBE

The Rifles

Major Charles Kane ANTELME Welsh Guards

Colonel Patrick Nicholas Yardley Monrad SANDERS OBE

Late The Rifles

CGC (15)

Lance Corporal Justin Royston THOMAS

Royal Marines

Lance Corporal of Horse Michael John FLYNN

The Blues and Royals

Corporal Shaun Garry JARDINE

The King's Own Scottish Borderers

Sergeant Gordon ROBERTSON

The Parachute Regiment

Sergeant Benjamin Paul GREENSMITH

The Parachute Regiment

Sergeant Christopher Mark BROOME

The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment

Sergeant Terry BRYAN

Royal Regiment of Artillery

Corporal Terence Alan THOMSON

The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment

Colour Sergeant Matthew Robert TOMLINSON

Royal Marines

Corporal John COLLINS

The Parachute Regiment

Colour Sergeant James Royce HARKESS

The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment

Sergeant Jonathan Stuart HOLLINGSWORTH QGM

The Parachute Regiment (killed in action)

Sergeant Adam William MILLER

Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

Staff Sergeant James Anthony WADSWORTH

The Royal Logistic Corps

Colour Sergeant Leonard John DURBER, The Parachute Regiment,

RRC (3)

Lieutenant Colonel Caroline WHITTAKER TD

Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps Territorial Army

Major Janet Mary PILGRIM ARRC

Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps

Major Tessa Joanne GRIEVES, Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps,.

GM (5)

Warrant Officer Class 1 Nicholas Keith PETTIT QGM

Corps of Royal Engineers

Captain Kevin Michael David IVISON

The Royal Logistic Corps

Fusilier Daniel James SMITH

The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers

Corporal Martin Paul CAINES

The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment

Staff Sergeant Gary John O'DONNELL

The Royal Logistic Corps

2. Levels 3 & 4

OBE (74)

MBE (119)

DSC (1)

MC (81)

DFC (18)

AFC (2)

ARRC (6)

QGM (23)

MID (235)

QCB (32)

QCVS (289)

OPERATION TELIC TIMELINE

2003

19/20 March Start of hostilities - TLAM and airstrikes; 3 Cdo Bde assault on Al Faw; 1 (UK) Div advance into Iraq. First UK fatalities (USMC Sea Knight crash).

28 March Trooper Finney - GC gallantry.

5 April US forces enter Baghdad.

6 April UK forces enter Basrah.

1 May President Bush declares end of combat phase.

16 May Coalition Provision Authority established.

24 June Six RMP killed in Majar al Kabir.

11 July Creation of MND-SE.

13 December Saddam Hussein detained.

2004

1 May / 11 June Private Beharry - VC Gallantry.

28 June Sovereignty restored to Iraq from CPA control.

26 October Deployment of Black Watch Battle Group to Babil province to support operations around Fallujah.

2005

30 January RAF Hercules shot down, ten killed.

31 January First democratic Iraqi parliamentary elections since 1958.

24 July Captain Norton - GC gallantry.

19 September Jamiat incident ("blazing Warrior").

15 December Second Iraqi parliamentary elections, leading to Maliki Govt (May 2006).

2006

20 May Inauguration Maliki Government.

13 July British-controlled province of Al Muthanna transferred to Iraqi security control - the first of Iraq's 18 provinces to do so.

21 September Dhi Qar province in MND-SE (Italians and Romanians) transferred to Iraqi security control.

2007

23 March Iranian detention of RN/RM boarding team.

18 April Maysan province transferred to Iraqi security control

3 September Basrah Palace handed over to Iraqi security forces.

16 December Basrah Province handed over to Iraqi security control.

2008

24 March Start of Iraqi Operation Charge of the Knights.

2009

1 January Entry into effect of Iraqi-US Security Agreement and similar Iraq-UK agreement governing the continued presence of Coalition forces. Basrah airport transferred to Iraqi civilian management.

31 March Multi-National Division - South-East dissolved - residual Coalition responsibilities south of Baghdad devolved to MND-South, covering areas previously controlled by MND-SE, MND - Centre and MND - Centre-South.

STRENGTH OF IRAQI SECURITY FORCES

Iraqi Security Forces have continued to grow, develop their capabilities and shoulder more of the burden of providing security for their country. There are over 100 battalions capable of taking the lead in operations, albeit with varying measures of coalition support.

ISF Numbers (as of 31 MAR 09)

a. Ministry of Interior Assigned: 413,615

b. Ministry of Defence Assigned: 225,242

c. Total ISF Assigned: 638,857

In 2008, Iraqi MoD (including all service branches) grew by 40,083 (22%). So far in 2009, MoD has grown another 881 (< 1%), to their current assigned strength of 225,242.

In 2008, MoI (i.e. local police, National Police, Border Police, Oil Police and Point of Entry Enforcement) grew by 43,007 (12%). So far in 2009, MoI has grown another 23,270 (6%), to a current assigned strength of 413,615. Much of this growth is attributed to the recent integration of the Oil Police and Point of Entry Enforcement into the MoI.

In 2008, Iraqi local police forces grew by 30,531 (11%), while the National Police grew by 11,149 (34%). In 2009, Iraqi local police forces have decreased by 8,165 from 305,831 to 297,666 (-3%), while the National Police has decreased by 499 from 43,539 to 43,039 (-1%).

SOME OTHER FACTS AND FIGURES

* 178 UK Servicemen and women, and one Defence civilian, have died on Operation Telic since 2003.

* At peak of combat operations in March/April 2003, 46,000 UK personnel involved.
* Now, 4,150 personnel stationed in southern Iraq.

* In 2003, only 23% of Basrawis had access to piped water, by far the worst figures for any of Iraq's 18 provinces. Only 9% of Basrawis were connected to a reliable sewage system

* Since then, improvements to water supplies, including pumps for isolated villages, have benefited over 1.25 million people (70% of Basrawis).