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).
* 200km of modern piping have been laid and over 5,000 leaks repaired.
* $160 million invested in modernising and extending sewage system.
* 40 km of sewers and 7,000 septic tanks cleaned.
* In 2003, Basra's power stations had not enjoyed proper
investment for three decades.
* Since 2003, DFID reconstruction has provided additional
electricity equivalent to that needed for a city the size of Leeds.
* 65,000 homes now have mains supply for the first time.
* 239,000 homes now have much more reliable mains supply.
* MND-SE has run almost 400 education projects worth $25 million.
* In 2003, 80% of 7-13 year old Basrawi children attended school.
* Since then, attendance increased by 9.8% (an extra 25,000 children).
* 61 primary schools refurbished to modern standards.
* In 2003, 49% of 13-16 year old Basrawi children attended school.
* Since then, attendance increased by 8.9% (an extra 10,700 children).
* 18 secondary schools refurbished to modern standards.
* In 2003, all 16 Basrawi hospitals discharged untreated waste
back into the water supply. Saddam allowed one of the best
regional health services in the 1960s to rot.
* Since then, over $14 million spent by MND-SE alone on 189
health projects, with particular emphasis on refurbishing hospital
laundries and providing appropriate sewage and sanitation.
* The Iraqi Government has raised doctors' salaries from
around $30 per month under Saddam, to up to $2000 per month.
* Coalition-backed immunisation programme across Iraq protected
98% of under fives against measles/mumps/rubella, and 97% against polio.
* Good progress made in combating malnutrition - number of Iraqis
going hungry reduced by 75% between 2005 and 2007 (from 4 million
to 930,000).
* Elections in January 2005 saw the first true democracy in Iraq
for over three decades, and those in December 2005 saw a turnout
of almost 80%.
KEY QUOTES
THE AMERICAN VIEW
General Raymond Odierno, Commanding Officer of Multi National
Force-Iraq, said:
"I am grateful not only for the outstanding accomplishments
of the brave troopers of the United Kingdom but for the courage
and selfless dedication of all the United Kingdom forces who
served in Iraq and for the unwavering commitment of the British
people in the cause of liberty around the world.
"Over the past six years our nations and our militaries have
supported each other without fail through many challenging
times... The people of Iraq have also found no better friend, and
no better, more reliable partner, than the United Kingdom. The
accomplishment of the British forces across Iraq, and especially
here in Basra, have been nothing short of brilliant.
THE BRITISH VIEW
Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, the UK Chief of the Defence
Staff, said:
"In particular, and above all, this is about the Iraqi
people. This whole endeavour has always been about the Iraqi
people, about the Iraqi armed forces and the rest of the Iraqi
security forces who have fought with such bravery and who have
accomplished such great things on behalf of their great nation. It
is because of their success, it is because of their commitment, it
is because of the courage that they have shown, it is because of
the sacrifices they have made that we are able to make this
transition today.
"And more than anything else, it is about the ordinary men
and women and children of Iraq. It is about them being able, with
confidence, to construct their own future. It is about them being
able to have a say in the governance of their own country. It is
about them being able to develop their own prosperity. It is about
ordinary parents of Iraqi families being able to say, 'Our
children will have better lives than we did,' and after all,
for just about any of us around the world, that is at the heart of
our concerns wherever we may live"
Speaking in a recent interview with The Times, General Sir
Richard Dannatt, the Chief of the General Staff, said:
"The tasks that we gave ourselves, one of the final tasks
that we agreed with the Americans, was to train 14 Division, to
get the airport up and running and to sort out the Port of Umm
Qasr. Those tasks are done and we don't need to keep 4,000
troops doing that anymore. And the small number of American troops
that will be in the south will simply be continuing the oversight
to the limited degree that's necessary of the Iraqi security
forces. You should also just bear in mind that although the
American Two Star headquarters is coming into Basra, Basra is the
obvious place for that to go because it's the second city in
Iraq. But that American Major General in Basra will be responsible
for all nine Shia provinces in the south of the country, whereas
at the most we were only responsible for four."