BFBS Sitrep

Sitrep looks back on 2013 & looks ahead to the big issues next year.

Will the MoD ever manage to sort out its procurement problem ? French Forces are in the Central African Republic, but are they making a difference? What are Putin’s plans for the Arctic? And why a US military command centre is tracking Santa’s worldwide flight.   PRESENTER: Kate GerbeauSTUDIO GUEST: BFBS’s Defence Analyst Christopher Lee   OTHER INTERVIEWS:   BFBS reporter James Hirst on the MoD and  procurement. A report from BFBS’s Ali Gibson who went to Lashkar Gah Durai, the furthest outpost in Task Force Helmand with ‘A’ Company from 3rd Battalion The Mercian Regiment in their warrior armoured vehicles Paul Melly from Chatham House looking at the situation in the Central Africa Republics. Sylvain Biville from ‘The Elders’  group discussing Nelson Mandela. An interview with Stacey Knott, the co-ordinator for ‘NORAD Tracks Santa’ – how the US military track Santa for children worldwide! …………………………………………………………………………………………………… You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and at 1830 (UK time) on BFBS (via webb, App & DAB in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum)  Sky Channel 0211Alternatively listen again on the website

Was it the right decision to name the Royal Marine convicted for murdering a Taliban fighter? NATO puts pressure on President Karzai sign a new security agreement for Afghanistan. What does the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement mean for the military? Find out the latest from the crisis in the Central African Republic And………. when will we see a female Chief of Defence Staff? PRESENTER: Kate GerbeauSTUDIO GUEST: BFBS’s Defence Analyst Christopher Lee OTHER INTERVIEWS: Documentary maker and journalist Chris Terrill, discussing the naming of Marine A Lieutenant General John Lorimer, the Deputy Commander of ISAF, talking to BFBS reporter Ali Gibson BBC Africa Correspondent Andrew Harding …………………………………………………………………………………… You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and at 1830 (UK time) on BFBS (via webb, App & DAB in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum) Sky Channel 0211Alternatively listen again on the website

In this week's edition of Sitrep......... What Scottish independence would mean for defence The significance of the Iranian nuclear deal Could gamers be the key to the UK’s Cyber Defence? How British forces have helped Mali get back on its feet And should soldiers protect cultural heritage in conflict zones? PRESENTER: Kate Gerbeau STUDIO GUEST: BFBS’s Defence Analyst Christopher Lee OTHER INTERVIEWS: Dr Phillips O'Brien from Glasgow University on Scottish independence. BFBS Reporter Will Inglis on Cyber threats. BFBS Reporter James Hirst reports from the capital of Mali, Bamako. Major Hugo Clarke on UK Blue Shield …………………………………………………………………………………… You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and at 1830 (UK time) on BFBS (via webb, App & DAB in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum) Alternatively listen again on the website

In this week's edition of Sitrep......... How should Britain decide to go to war? The UK reviews it’s Navy options in Gibraltar. What’s the significance of the bomb outside the Iranian embassy in Beirut? And how do toys shape opinions of war? PRESENTER: Kate GerbeauSTUDIO GUEST: BFBS’s Defence Analyst Christopher Lee OTHER INTERVIEWS: James de Waal, from Chatham House on changes to the decision process that took Britiain to war in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Conservative MP Bob Neill discussing the dispute between Gibraltar and Spain Child’s play expert Dr Tara Woodyer from Portsmouth University………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and at 1830 (UK time) on BFBS (via webb, App & DAB in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum) Alternatively listen again on the website

In Sitrep this week…….   Details of the humanitarian aid British Forces are giving to the Philippines   What next for the UN's talks with Iran over its nuclear plans?   How much money did this year’s Poppy appeal raise?   And soldier first, Olympian second – Heather Stanning talks about life in Camp Bastion.   PRESENTER: Kate Gerbeau STUDIO GUEST: BFBS’s Defence Analyst Christopher Lee    OTHER INTERVIEWS:     The RBL’s 'Head of Fundraising’ - Charles Byrne  Captain Heather Stanning talking to our reporter Tim Cooper. Mark Hibbs is a Senior Associate on the Nuclear Policy Programme at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and joins us from Germany…   ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….   You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and at 1830 (UK time) on BFBS (via webb, App & DAB in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum)   Alternatively listen again on the website

Why Britain’s Intelligence Chiefs have gone public. What’s the future for  British ship building? Nato gets Jazzy in Eastern Europe. And remembering the fallen - the Royal British Legion’s Head of Remembrance shares her thoughts. PRESENTER: Kate GerbeauSTUDIO GUEST: BFBS’s Defence Analyst Christopher Lee   OTHER INTERVIEWS:  Will Inglis speaks to  First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Jonathon Band in Portsmouth about the Bae job losses. Dr Phillips O'Brien, history lecturer at Glasgow University on the future of British ship building Rob Olver  with Nato’s Exercise Steadfast Jazz in Poland. The RBL’s 'Head of Remembrance' - Helen Hill . …………………………………………………………………………………You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and at 1830 (UK time) on BFBS (via webb, App & DAB in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum)  Alternatively listen again on the website

A new warning over PTSD…are young and disadvantaged soldiers at greater risk?   As violence escalates in Iraq, could the  problems have been avoided.   A special report from Bahrain on Exercise Omar.   And…how remembrance is being marked by people of all faiths…and none.   PRESENTER: Clare Sadler STUDIO GUEST: BFBS’s Defence Analyst Christopher Lee    OTHER INTERVIEWS:     A report on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, by  BFBS reporter Rosie Laydon   Jake Wood ,former TA soldier who diagnosed with chronic PTSD. His book “Among You” is about to be published in paperback   Colonel Richard Kemp ,former Commander of British Forces in Afghanistan , discussed the situation in Iraq   BFBS Reporter Laura Hawkins reporting  form Exercise OMAR   BFBS Reporter Kaija Larke reporting on how people of all different faiths, or none at all, will be marking this year’s remembrance day.   ………………………………………………………………………………… You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and at 1830 (UK time) on BFBS (via webb, App & DAB in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum)   Alternatively listen again on the website

NATO defence ministers have met in Brussels as a new phase begins in Afghanistan.. As the so-called Sandhurst in the Sand opens for business Sitrep looks in detail at what makes British military training so special…. Why the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst is the envy of the world and how African Union troops in Somalia have benefited from British military training. Plus:With piracy being  given the Hollywood treatment in the latest Tom Hanks’ blockbuster– hear how the EU Naval Force are winning the real fight off the African coast   PRESENTER: Kate GerbeauSTUDIO GUEST: BFBS’s Defence Analyst Christopher Lee   OTHER INTERVIEWS:   BFBS reporter Rosie Laydon interviews the Defence Secretary Philip Hammond at a meeting of defence ministers in Brussels. BFBS reporter Ali Gibson at the official opening of the Afghan National Army Officer Academy Colonel Roy Parkinson from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst  Former commander of IMATT, Colonel Jamie Martin.by Rear Admiral Bob Tarrant, Operation Commander of the European Union Naval Force Somalia and Commander UK Maritime Forces. …………………………………………………………………………………You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and at 1830 (UK time) on BFBS (via webb, App & DAB in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum)  Alternatively listen again on the website 

Transition continues in Afghanistan but the fighting goes on.  Why there’s a call to postpone more cuts to the army. A preview of the NATO defence ministers meeting,   And retirement plans for HMS Illustrious:, how will she end up: museum, hotel or razor blades?  PRESENTER: Kate GerbeauSTUDIO GUEST:  BFBS’s defence analyst Christopher Lee OTHER INTERVIEWS:    Colonel Stuart Tootal who commanded 3 Para discussing Afghanistan. Hugh Milroy,Chief Executive of the charity Veterans Aid, talking about the cuts to the Army and recruitment issues. Bill Ferris, Chief Executive of Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust, who preserve the destroyer ‘Cavalier’ as a tourist attraction. …………………………………………………………………………………You can listen on BFBS Radio 2 at 1630 (UK time) and at 1830 (UK time) on BFBS (via webb, App & DAB in the UK and on FM in Scotland, Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Aldershot, Catterick & Blandford Forum)  Alternatively listen again on the website