The purpose of their visit is to help MSPs to better understand the range of social and welfare issues relevant to armed forces personnel, and their families, within their community.

During their visit the MSPs saw displays of Royal Marine marksmanship, all terrain driving, stalking, artillery, and met with the Royal Navy’s bomb disposal experts from HM Naval Base Clyde. They also met with the families of RM Condor and the Naval Families Federation.

Naval Regional Commander Captain Chris Smith said:

While Defence is clearly reserved to Westminster, it is the Scottish Parliament’s policies and decisions that affect the day to day lives of Scots-based service personnel.

This is why it is essential that our elected representatives better understand military life, all the more so given that Scotland will be home to the entire Submarine Service from 2020, as well as an Army Infantry Brigade, the RAF’s Quick Reaction Alert interceptors (North) and submarine hunting Maritime Patrol Aircraft flying from Lossiemouth.

Launched by Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh MSP and the Ministry of Defence in April, the Armed Forces Visit Programme has already had successful fact-finding visits to the Army’s Glencorse Barracks, Penicuik, and RAF Lossiemouth, Moray.

The MOD has around 10,000 sailors, soldiers, and air personnel living permanently in Scotland, supported by 8,000 reservists and civilians.

Scottish industry benefits from Defence spending £1.5bn with it each year, supporting 9,750 private sector jobs in Scotland.

The Defence Board confirmed in February 2017, that £1.7 billion would be invested to upgrade Scottish military bases over the next decade.

List of attending MSPs:

• Keith Brown MSP, SNP, Clackmannanshire/Dunblane, (Cabinet Secretary Economy, Jobs and Fair Work/Veterans)
• Maurice Corry MSP, Conservative, West Scotland
• Graeme Dey MSP, SNP, Angus South
• Murdo Fraser MSP, Conservative, Mid Scotland and Fife
• Daniel Johnson MSP, Scottish Labour, Edinburgh Southern
• Liam Kerr MSP, Conservative, North East Scot
• Gordon Lindhurst MSP, Conservative, Lothian Region
• Lewis Macdonald MSP, Scottish Labour, NE Scotland
• Graham Simpson MSP, Conservative, Mid Scotland and Fife
• Annie Wells MSP, Conservative, Glasgow

Addressing the crew on HMS Sutherland this morning, the Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson announced that the ship will leave Her Majesty’s Naval Base (HMNB) Devonport in the New Year to represent UK interests across the Indian Ocean and into the Pacific.

In a period of ongoing tension in the Korean peninsula, the Type 23 Frigate will be available to work closely with our regional partners, including US, Japanese and South Korean, and participate in joint training and exercises.

This follows an announcement made by the Prime Minister that HMS Argyll will deploy to Japan to take part in exercises in December 2018 following participation in a Five Power Defence Arrangements exercise with Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Malaysia earlier in the year.

Speaking during a visit to the Devonport Naval Base, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said:

Our already strong defence ties with allies in the Asia Pacific area will be deepened further by this deployment.

At a time when North Korea’s illegal weapons programme is causing global concern, the deployment of these two Royal Navy ships is a clear demonstration of the UK’s commitment to the peace and prosperity of the region.

As well as addressing the crew of the ship during his visit to the Naval Base, the Defence Secretary watched operational sea training on board another Type 23 frigate, HMS Westminster, met with staff and saw facilities at the Submarine Support complex.

The contract will ensure the continued availability of the battle-winning Long Range Radar (LRR) equipment on the UK’s six Type 45 Destroyers, including maintenance and repairs. The work will sustain 11 highly-skilled jobs with BAE Systems in Chelmsford, as well as four in Portsmouth.

The announcement was particularly personal to the Defence Minister, who had her first ever work experience placement at Marconi in Chelmsford at the age of fifteen, with the expertise in radar technology from that site still evident today.

Defence Minister Harriett Baldwin, said:

It’s been great seeing the cutting-edge innovation of British industry today, especially as my first experience of British business was so close to this site. This multi-million pound contract will boost the future of both this high-tech hub and our Navy’s battle-winning radars.

Formerly the Marconi Research Centre and Advanced Technology Centre, the BAE site continues to be a cradle of innovation where some of the best brains in the world of electromagnetics and antennas develop new digital communications technologies. It is credited as the “Birthplace of Radio” after Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi started his business in Chelmsford.

Whilst at the site in Great Baddow, which homes BAE Systems’ research and technology hub AI Labs, the Defence Minister met scientists and engineers and discussed space opportunities as well as Long Range Radar technology.

The Long Range Radar provides the Royal Navy with a detailed air surveillance picture of the battlespace, capable of automatically detecting and tracking hundreds of separate targets simultaneously at ranges of greater than 200 miles.

It is a key element of the Type 45 air defence capability and is also employed on the new Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers.

Richard Smart, Director Weapons for Defence Equipment and Support, the MOD’s procurement organisation, said:

The UK’s Type 45 Destroyers are part of the backbone of the Royal Navy and this contract supports their primary air defence role, offering the best protection available to the ships and crew.

This support agreement is the product of the strong skills base we have in UK Defence. It will keep Royal Navy personnel safe at sea as they defend our interests all over the world.

The new contract, which will run for the next five years, will cover support for the entire Type 45 fleet as well as one shore-based facility in Portsmouth.

Les Gregory, Product and Training Services Director for BAE Systems said:

We are delighted to have been awarded this follow-on contract to support the Long Range Radars across the Royal Navy’s Type 45 Destroyer fleet, which will also enable us to explore further growth opportunities.

Afghan Officer Cadets have passed out of the Afghan National Army Officer Academy (ANAOA) today as part of the 10th graduation ceremony held at the site in Qargha, on the western outskirts of Kabul.

UK personnel, working with mentors from Australia, New Zealand and Denmark, are helping to train the next generation of Afghanistan’s military leaders through mentoring the Afghan training staff and instilling the Sandhurst ethos at the academy.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said:

The 10th graduation marks an important milestone in the academy’s short but successful history. It has trained thousands of Afghans from all over the country, which is testament to our enduring commitment to Afghanistan.

Keeping Afghanistan from becoming a safe haven for terrorism helps keep our streets safe too. We are dedicated to building a capable and professional Afghan Army that will be the foundation of a strong and secure Afghanistan.

With UK support over 3,000 cadets have commissioned from ANAOA since September 2014. The training of female Officer Cadets is progressing well, with much of their training integrated with their male colleagues. The 10th graduation will mean over 100 female Officer Cadets have now commissioned.

This year signals a milestone in the academy’s history with the first female Officer Cadet awarded the ‘Duntroon Sword’ for the best overall Officer Cadet to commission from the Academy. Somaiya, 24, has excelled in a range of traditional military areas such as Skill at Arms and field craft and is extremely proud to have worked with the British Army and will be travelling to the UK next year to further her Officer training.

In addition to helping to train the next generation of Afghanistan’s leaders at ANAOA, UK personnel play a leading role in NATO’s Resolute Support mission. They lead the Kabul Security Force, which provides force protection for NATO staff in Kabul, and advise members of the Afghan Air Force in vital areas such as air-to-ground integration, command and control, and Training and Exercises.

The families of Guardsmen Joseph Goulden and Raymond Frederick Rose, who both served with the Coldstream Guards before being killed during World War 2, can finally take comfort in knowing the location of their loved ones’ final resting place.

As a result of an investigation undertaken by the MOD’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), Guardsman Goulden from Gloucester and Guardsman Rose from Pontefract, Yorkshire were honoured during a moving rededication service earlier today (Thursday 23 November 2017).

The service, organised by the JCCC, part of Defence Business Services, was conducted by The Reverend Jacob Caldwell CF, Chaplain 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) Salerno War Cemetery, Italy.

Following the discoveries made by 2 Italian military historical groups, subsequent research by the JCCC and DNA testing confirming their identities, JCCC were able to trace the 2 associated families so they could be invited to attend today’s service alongside current members of the Coldstream Guards.

Sue Raftree, JCCC said: 

These 2 brave soldiers fought for their country to make our lives better. Originally buried as unknowns they now have their own headstones whilst their families finally have closure. It is a privilege for the Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre to have organised this fitting service.

The Coldstream Guards were brought up to Hill 270 to attack at midday on 25 September 1943, their plan was to reach the bottom of the hill by infiltrating from the left and using the thick trees as cover. At 11.40 am the attack began and regrettably, there were huge casualties including Guardsmen Goulden and Rose.

Guardsman Joseph Goulden was 31 years old when he was killed whilst Guardsman Raymond Rose was just 19.

Statement from the Goulden family:

We were deeply humbled to discover that we had a relative who fought and died in Salerno Italy during World War 2. Joseph Goulden enlisted in the Coldstream Guards and successfully fought in Africa and Egypt before he was sent to Italy where he bravely fought and died taking Hill 270. His remains were discovered and through DNA analysis it was confirmed that he was a family member.

We were very proud to attend the ceremony today in Salerno.

Statement from the Rose family:

We are proud to know that a relative of ours was brave enough to lay his life down for us.
Raymond volunteered to go to war and we ask ourselves ‘would we?’ – probably not!

Incredible sacrifice at the age of 19. To risk his life for the good of his fellow man; the ultimate sacrifice.

Reverend Jacob Caldwell CF said:

What an honour it is to formally recognise the sacrifice of Guardsman Rose and Guardsman Goulden here in the presence of their families. At the Battle of Salerno the Coldstream Guards demonstrated a remarkable resolve in the face of some profoundly challenging circumstances. As we formally give thanks for their lives and service, we honour their willingness to sacrifice their all in the business of war for the purposes of peace.

Two new headstones bearing their names have been provided by the CWGC, who will now care for their final resting place in perpetuity.