British Military Current Events

[daftandbarmy]

One of the good eggs....

PC Trevor Lock: Hero of Iranian embassy siege dies aged 85​

The Metropolitan Police officer was among those taken hostage by terrorists in a six-day stand-off that ended with the dramatic storming of the building by the SAS in 1980.

PC Trevor Lock, a hero of the famous Iranian embassy siege in London, has died at the age of 85.

The Metropolitan Police bobby had only recently opted for what he thought would be a quieter life as a member of the diplomatic protection squad in April 1980, when he and others were taken hostage by terrorists in a six-day stand-off that ended with the dramatic storming of the building by the Special Air Service (SAS).

Modest and unassuming, Mr Lock died still regretting that he hadn't done more to save the life of an Iranian diplomat shot dead by the gunmen, a murder that prompted Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to send in the then little-known SAS.

PC Trevor Lock: Hero of Iranian embassy siege dies aged 85

The Metropolitan Police officer was among those taken hostage by terrorists in a six-day stand-off that ended with the dramatic storming of the building by the SAS in 1980.

news.sky.com

 

[medicineman]

One of the good eggs....

PC Trevor Lock: Hero of Iranian embassy siege dies aged 85​

The Metropolitan Police officer was among those taken hostage by terrorists in a six-day stand-off that ended with the dramatic storming of the building by the SAS in 1980.

PC Trevor Lock, a hero of the famous Iranian embassy siege in London, has died at the age of 85.

The Metropolitan Police bobby had only recently opted for what he thought would be a quieter life as a member of the diplomatic protection squad in April 1980, when he and others were taken hostage by terrorists in a six-day stand-off that ended with the dramatic storming of the building by the Special Air Service (SAS).

Modest and unassuming, Mr Lock died still regretting that he hadn't done more to save the life of an Iranian diplomat shot dead by the gunmen, a murder that prompted Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to send in the then little-known SAS.

PC Trevor Lock: Hero of Iranian embassy siege dies aged 85

The Metropolitan Police officer was among those taken hostage by terrorists in a six-day stand-off that ended with the dramatic storming of the building by the SAS in 1980.

news.sky.com

I'm reading a book called "The Siege" about the standoff...this dude hardly ate or drank so he wouldn't be forced to expose his revolver in the washroom, since they were always directly supervised using the shitter. He also was one of the mediators with the outside world from the Embassy.

 

[MacNav63]

Great book, read it earlier this year. He really seemed to be the central figure among the hostages. I was struck by how little, if any, training seemed to go into preparing him for the job, even though he was armed. RIP.

I'm reading a book called "The Siege" about the standoff...this dude hardly ate or drank so he wouldn't be forced to expose his revolver in the washroom, since they were always directly supervised using the shitter. He also was one of the mediators with the outside world from the Embassy.

 

[daftandbarmy]

Doubling down on Merlin...

Italy’s Leonardo given £165m UK military helicopter contract​

Extension to deal over Royal Navy’s Merlin fleet comes as government plans to increase defence spending

The Italian defence company Leonardo has been given a £165m contract extension by the British government for its work maintaining the Royal Navy’s fleet of 54 Merlin helicopters, in an sign of the impact of the UK’s commitment to ramp up defence spending.

Keir Starmer’s government, which is planning to increase military spending to 2.5% of gross domestic product by 2027, said the deal with Leonardo would help to bolster national security.

Leonardo said the extension would help to support 1,000 jobs, including 200 workers at its factory in Yeovil in Somerset, as well as 800 across the wider UK supply chain. The agreement will also support jobs at the Royal Navy’s airbase at Culdrose in Cornwall.

The Ministry of Defence described Merlin helicopters as “submarine hunters” that are “capable of intercepting pirates and drug runners, saving the lives of stricken mariners, and delivering stores and people”.

Maria Eagle, the minister for defence procurement and industry, said: “This investment demonstrates our unwavering commitment to maintaining cutting-edge defence capabilities that keep us safe, while utilising defence as an engine for economic growth.”

The Merlin helicopter, known to James Bond fans for its appearance in the final shootout of the 2012 film Skyfall, is built at the Yeovil plant, the UK’s last remaining helicopter factory, which also carries out some of the maintenance.

Nigel Colman, the managing director at Leonardo Helicopters UK, said: “Working closely with the Ministry of Defence and Royal Navy, we’re keeping the Merlin fleet supported and available, so it’s ready to fly whenever and wherever it’s called upon.”

Italy’s Leonardo given £165m UK military helicopter contract

Extension to deal over Royal Navy’s Merlin fleet comes as government plans to increase defence spending

www.theguardian.com