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Files on RAF staff stolen from base
Thieves have stolen files containing the personal records of thousands of serving and former RAF staff, the Ministry of Defence said.
The information was stored on computer hard drives at the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency at RAF Innsworth, Gloucester.
Police are investigating the incident which took place last Wednesday within a high-security area at the base. The MoD said it is treating the breach "extremely seriously".
The agency provides support services for some 900,000 serving and ex-service personnel.
It is as yet unclear what information was stored on the three disc drives taken and how many people's records are affected.
A spokesman for the MoD said: "We can confirm that an investigation is being conducted by the MoD Police, with the support of Gloucestershire Police into the apparent theft of three USB portable hard disc drives.
"We are taking this incident extremely seriously. In view of the ongoing nature of police inquiries, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage."
The data loss will come as the latest embarrassment for the Government, which has already suffered a series of lost or stolen data files. Earlier this week, a disc containing the names and addresses of almost 11,500 teachers went missing in the post.
Commenting on the latest data loss, Nick Harvey, Lib Dem Defence spokesman, said: "This is just the latest in a seemingly endless stream of stories involving personal information being lost or stolen.
"The first priority has to be ensuring that nobody's security has been put at risk, but we also need a serious look at the way such sensitive data is being handled. The current situation is unacceptable. How can the Government expect people to support ID cards when personal information is apparently so insecure?" Thieves have stolen files containing the personal records of thousands of serving and former RAF staff, the Ministry of Defence said. ... more -
Lady pays 1.5 million pounds to fly with Red Arrows
A British woman has paid 1.5 million pounds in a charity auction to fly with the Royal Air Force's aerobatic Red Arrows display jets, the Help for Heroes charity said on Monday.
Julie Heselden's winning bid gives her and eight family members or friends the opportunity to fly in the nine famous display Hawk jets after the Royal Air Force put the Red Arrows up for auction for the first time.
Heselden is married to Jimi Heselden. He owns HESCO Bastion, a company that makes temporary blast walls used widely by British and U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"We are speechless," the RAF said in a statement after Heselden's bid at the Heroes' Ball on Friday, a fundraiser for the HFH charity which provides support for servicemen and women injured in the line of duty.
"We know it is a special prize -- a once in a lifetime opportunity -- but we are all astounded that someone could be so generous," the RAF said.
"The RAF is genuinely delighted to have helped in raising such a fantastic amount of money for such a worthwhile charity."
Just under a year after being set up the HFH charity has raised more than 10 million pounds.
"The charity has grasped the imagination of the public as they become increasingly aware of the price some of our servicemen and women are paying in serving their country," said a spokesman for the charity. A British woman has paid 1.5 million pounds in a charity auction to fly with the Royal Air Force's aerobatic Red Arrows display j... more -
British Defense Ministry Agrees to Payout Over Farm Animals Killed, Injured by Jet...
Low-flying by the RAF caused the death of or serious injuries to dozens of horses, cows, chickens and other animals in a series of incidents for which the Ministry of Defence has paid tens of thousands of pounds of compensation.
Details of the payouts show the damage caused by jets and helicopters, with many claims linked to heart attacks, miscarriages and other injuries suffered by spooked animals. In the past 12 months the MoD has agreed to pay more than £13,000 to a poultry farmer for the death of free-range hens as a result of low-flying training that also damaged the hen house.
Other settlements included £17,535 for two high-pedigree milking cows that were injured in September last year by a jet that flew low over farmland in Carmarthen in Wales, and £12,443 for an eventing horse that had to be destroyed after a Tornado flew over it in Wiltshire in June.
Oliver Harwood, chief surveyor of the Country Land and Business Association, said: “Cows can often sit placidly and are untroubled by aircraft in low-flying areas but on other occasions, particularly if they are in calf, they get spooked by the screech of a Tornado as it comes over the horizon. On those occasions, cows can leap 5ft in the air in panic.” Low-flying by the RAF caused the death of or serious injuries to dozens of horses, cows, chickens and other animals in a series of inc... more -
Prince William set to join SAS
That's right, he's gonna be one of them SAS soldiers and will also spend time with the SBS (Special Boat Squadron) as well as the elite Special Reconnaissance Regiment.
Kind of like his previous training, the second in line to the throne will spend up to six weeks with the Special Services as part of his multi-military training for when he's King, he'll be in charge of all of Britain's Armed Forces.
You think the Prince's inevitable media coverage will have an effect on his, and his fellow soldiers' work? That's right, he's gonna be one of them SAS soldiers and will also spend time with the SBS (Special Boat Squadron) as well a... more -
Royal Air Force celebrates 90 years - photos
The Royal Air Force (of the United Kingdom) celebrated its 90th anniversary on Friday, July 11, 2008. Check out these photos.
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Half of UK military forces 'ready to quit'
Almost half of UK military personnel are ready to leave the forces, a Ministry of Defence survey suggests.
Some 47% of Army and Royal Navy respondents and 44% of those in the RAF said they regularly felt like quitting.
The UK Army is already short of some 5,000 soldiers, amid worries that experienced young officers and senior NCOs are leaving at an increasing rate.
Among the concerns raised by the 9,000 servicemen and women surveyed were the frequency of tours, levels of pay and the quality of equipment and housing. Almost half of UK military personnel are ready to leave the forces, a Ministry of Defence survey suggests. ... more -
RAF 'Reaper' bombs Taliban, unmanned
Reports from Sky say that the RAF has successfully debuted one of their latest weapons, an unmanned bomber capable of carrying laser-guided bombs and missiles only 5 days after it was armed.
The craft, ominously entitled the 'Reaper' is part of a new generation of the American 'Predator' drone and sets it targets from eight miles high followed by launching precision-guided strikes, with its pilots working in air-conditioned offices thousands of miles from Helmand's heat and dust." Reports from Sky say that the RAF has successfully debuted one of their latest weapons, an unmanned bomber capable of carrying laser-g... more -
RAF pilot refuses US order to trim moustache
An RAF pilot has been ordered to trim his handlebar moustache by an American General who took offence at its length, but the British serviceman was not prepared to lose his whiskers without a fight. And for that, I salute you! An RAF pilot has been ordered to trim his handlebar moustache by an American General who took offence at its length, but the British s... more
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US routed in brush with royal hairforce
It was a fight that pitted one whiskery British airman against the United States Air Force. But last night the Ministry of Defence said that Flight Lieutenant Chris Ball, right, had won his battle to keep his moustache while serving in the USAF in Afghanistan. It was a fight that pitted one whiskery British airman against the United States Air Force. But last night the Ministry of Defence sai... more
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MoD 'covered up' Hercules bombing
In February of last year we learned that the RAF Hercules had been involved in 'an incident' in Iraq which had caused the £30 million plane to be destroyed, the MoD ensured the public that there was no hostile involvement.
A board of inquiry report into the incident has found that the plane, landing on a temporary runway, was hit by bombs planted by militants. All 58 passengers and crew escaped but the plane was too damaged to be recovered and was blown up to stop it falling into enemy hands.
The MoD then decided to cover up the story so that the militants would not score a propaganda victory on the back of the Hercules destruction. "At times this means we may need to restrict the flow of information for a period of time to protect that security" they said.
The logic seems fairly sound from a military point of view, but when stories such as this emerge does it make you question what information we are given regarding Iraq? If the MoD can cover up an incident as big as this does that go to show just how filtered the information flow is? In February of last year we learned that the RAF Hercules had been involved in 'an incident' in Iraq which had caused the £3... more -
Prince William lands helicopter in his girlfriend's backyard
Prince William was under fire again after it emerged that he had landed his £10million RAF helicopter in girlfriend Kate Middleton's back garden during an official military exercise... Prince William was under fire again after it emerged that he had landed his £10million RAF helicopter in girlfriend Kate Middleton... more
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Prince William receives RAF wings
Prince William was today presented with his RAF wings by the Prince of Wales at a graduation ceremony.
The young royal is the latest member of the monarchy to learn to fly with the Royal Air Force and to be awarded the insignia.
William, 25, learnt to pilot a plane during a four-month attachment with the RAF which taught him about the service’s ethos, traditions and military role as he prepares for his ultimate role as head of the Armed Forces.
William - an officer in the Household Cavalry regiment - has been following a “bespoke” shortened course that has included time flying fast propeller planes and helicopters.
It was designed to make him a competent but not operational flier as an RAF pilot would normally spend up to four years under instruction. Later in the year the second-in-line to the throne will spend time with the Navy. Prince William was today presented with his RAF wings by the Prince of Wales at a graduation ceremony. ... more -
RAF makes Bikinis...apparently
The Royal Air Force is celebrating its 90th anniversary with the launch of a "show-stopping" diamante-encrusted bikini. See the 'RAF range of products at the RAF Collecters site.' Sizes, 8 - 18. What a way to celebrate our 'decent' protectors! The Royal Air Force is celebrating its 90th anniversary with the launch of a "show-stopping" diamante-encrusted bikini. See ... more
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MoD lost 11,000 military ID cards
A new data security row has hit the Ministry of Defence after it emerged that an "extraordinary" 11,000 military ID cards have been lost or stolen in the past two years. A new data security row has hit the Ministry of Defence after it emerged that an "extraordinary" 11,000 military ID cards ha... more
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North Sea oil platform evacuated
It has now been confirmed that 539 people are being taken off the Safe Scandinavia accommodation platform in an operation involving 13 helicopters and a fixed wing aircraft. 130 miles off the Aberdeen coast the operation started at 9:20 this morning - the specifics of the security breach haven't been confirmed but the press association reported that a "device" had been found on board.
Barry Nielson, an RAF squadron leader confirmed that five RAF helicopters have been used in the operation "It's unusual, that's probably the best way to describe it. But it falls within our normal operating procedures and we are reacting accordingly."
*UPDATE*
It has now been confirmed that no suspicious device has been found at the oil platform. Police are making arrangements to fly a 23 year old woman to shore after she sounded the alarm of what she thought was a suspicious device. Nothing has been found. It has now been confirmed that 539 people are being taken off the Safe Scandinavia accommodation platform in an operation involving 13... more -
Cargo ship captain is finally rescued
After what must have been a terrifying night, a cargo ship captain who was seriously injured in a force 10 gale off the Isles of Scilly was finally rescued by a helicopter and taken to hospital. The helicopter hovered for over an hour on Friday night in gale force winds to try and rescue the captain, but in the end they had to return to shore. They returned at 08:00GMT this morning and managed to get the seriously injured man to safety. He is thought to have serious spinal injuries. After what must have been a terrifying night, a cargo ship captain who was seriously injured in a force 10 gale off the Isles of Scill... more
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Jolly Good Dance Show From RAF Ground Crew
An RAF ground crew member has become the latest viral video star (and raised over £1000 for the Cancer Research charity) by donning some giant foam hands and dancing around like a fool as he directs Tornado jets worth £25million.
Brilliantly, RAF chiefs are fine with Senior Aircraftman Dean's rib-tickling antics and have insisted he's not in trouble.
An MoD spokesman told The Sun: "Dean is a top bloke who has been tearing up the tarmac with his moves.
"He's famous on the unit and proves RAF marshals are the best in the world." An RAF ground crew member has become the latest viral video star (and raised over £1000 for the Cancer Research charity) by donning so... more
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