BFBS Sitrep

After a string of attacks against European data and power cables, and undersea pipelines, the British-led Joint Expeditionary Force has activated a new AI powered system to track and monitor suspicious activity from Russian “shadow fleet” ships.

But what can the Nordic Warden operation do to stop attacks from happening when something is spotted?  Former Royal Navy Commander Tom Sharpe explains why stepping-in is complicated.

The Islamic State terror group may have been territorially defeated, but it has not gone away.  After the IS inspired terror attack in New Orleans, and amid fears of a possible resurgence in Syria, Sitrep assesses what threat it currently poses.

And the figures that show around 10% of servicemen and women are medically non-deployable. Are they really as alarming as some headlines claim?  A former Director-General of Army capability puts the numbers in context.

After a string of attacks against European data and power cables, and undersea pipelines, the British-led Joint Expeditionary Force has activated a new AI powered system to track and monitor suspicious activity from Russian “shadow fleet” ships.

But what can the Nordic Warden operation do to stop attacks from happening when something is spotted?  Former Royal Navy Commander Tom Sharpe explains why stepping-in is complicated.

The Islamic State terror group may have been territorially defeated, but it has not gone away.  After the IS inspired terror attack in New Orleans, and amid fears of a possible resurgence in Syria, Sitrep assesses what threat it currently poses.

And the figures that show around 10% of servicemen and women are medically non-deployable. Are they really as alarming as some headlines claim?  A former Director-General of Army capability puts the numbers in context.

Kim Hughes was a driver in the Army who’d already quit once and was feeling disheartened again.

But a moment watching a colleague prepare for a potentially deadly duty in Northern Ireland finally awakened his ambition.

He tells James Hirst how that new found drive, a lot of classroom graft, and a childhood fascination with fireworks led to a George Cross for selfless bravery while disarming more than a hundred Taliban bombs in Afghanistan.

Kim Hughes was a driver in the Army who’d already quit once and was feeling disheartened again.

But a moment watching a colleague prepare for a potentially deadly duty in Northern Ireland finally awakened his ambition.

He tells James Hirst how that new found drive, a lot of classroom graft, and a childhood fascination with fireworks led to a George Cross for selfless bravery while disarming more than a hundred Taliban bombs in Afghanistan.

Ryan Ramsay spent three years at the helm of a Royal Navy attack submarine, before teaching the next generation of leaders.

But he gives big credit to the US Navy, and one particular leader, for helping him reach command after 20 years at sea.

Ryan tells James Hirst why a transatlantic exchange was the moment that made him, with insights into leadership styles, the importance of supporting families, and why American submarines are “cool as you like”.

Ryan Ramsay spent three years at the helm of a Royal Navy attack submarine, before teaching the next generation of leaders.

But he gives big credit to the US Navy, and one particular leader, for helping him reach command after 20 years at sea.

Ryan tells James Hirst why a transatlantic exchange was the moment that made him, with insights into leadership styles, the importance of supporting families, and why American submarines are “cool as you like”.

When the RAF opened fighter pilot roles to women Mandy Hickson was one of the first in line.

The powers that be told her she was a test-case, and a key flying exam threatened to prove their prediction of failure correct.

But a moment of inspired teamwork, cycling with her fellow student pilots, transformed her struggles into a pass with flying colours.

Mandy tells Kate Gerbeau how that moment made her a pioneer for women in the RAF, and how it shaped her understanding of how teams really do work.

When the RAF opened fighter pilot roles to women Mandy Hickson was one of the first in line.

The powers that be told her she was a test-case, and a key flying exam threatened to prove their prediction of failure correct.

But a moment of inspired teamwork, cycling with her fellow student pilots, transformed her struggles into a pass with flying colours.

Mandy tells Kate Gerbeau how that moment made her a pioneer for women in the RAF, and how it shaped her understanding of how teams really do work.

At the age of 23 Chip Chapman not only went to war for the first time, but also had to lead his platoon into the first fighting of the decisive battle in the Falklands war.

When Argentinian forces lost at Goose Green they surrendered and the islands were liberated, but it had been a hard fight that could have gone either way.

Chip tells Kate Gerbeau how Goose Green taught him the importance of discipline, cohesion, and always carrying a pistol throughout his 33 years in the Army.

At the age of 23 Chip Chapman not only went to war for the first time, but also had to lead his platoon into the first fighting of the decisive battle in the Falklands war.

When Argentinian forces lost at Goose Green they surrendered and the islands were liberated, but it had been a hard fight that could have gone either way.

Chip tells Kate Gerbeau how Goose Green taught him the importance of discipline, cohesion, and always carrying a pistol throughout his 33 years in the Army.