Your weekly dose of defence news, biased opinions and poorly curated content. You’re welcome.
TOP STORY THIS WEEK
2 or 3 PARA to be stripped of wings
A distant memory?
In some truly bleak news this week, it has emerged that part of the SDR has recommended stripping either 2 or 3 PARA of their ability to get wings and Para-pay. The unfortunately named MP, Ben Obese-Jecty, confirmed the news on X. 1st Battalion (as part of SFSG) will retain their status.
Really feels like the death of a thousand cuts to the UK’s ability to project power.
IN OTHER NEWS
Carrier Strike Group is on the move…again
Pack your bags - we’re off
Hot on the heels of their 2025 deployment to the Pacific, the CSG is off on manoeuvres for the second time in twelve months, this time to the high north. Operation Firecrest will be led (again) by HMS Prince of Wales, alongside most of what is left of the Royal Navy, to deter Russian aggression in the North Atlantic and Arctic.
Conscription in five years
You’re up bud.
An ex-defence minister has warned that conscription could be on the cards within the next five years, as the UK grapples with pathetic personnel numbers and gaps in national security. Tobias Ellwood made the threat last week, but it is telling that only veterans in the government are making this point — never MPs without military experience…
IN THE MEDIA
Pakistan’s bargain fighter jet - any good?
The Thunder has been getting a load off press recently due to its capability and, more importantly, rock bottom price. At a fraction of the cost of Typhoons and F-16s - is this bargain fighter jet any good?
THIS WEEK IN HISTORY
Big events from the past, covered in brief and probably inaccurately.
18th February 1911: The First Airmail Flight
Yeah, probably wouldn’t trust that thing.
Turns out, not an awful lot happened this week in the past few thousand years BUT on February 18, 1911, the world’s first official airmail flight did take place in India. French pilot Henri Pequet carried 6,500 letters across the Yamuna River, flying from Allahabad (in then British India) to Naini - a distance of about 8 miles - in just 13 minutes. The flight, part of an exhibition, was made in a Humber biplane.
JOB SPOTLIGHT
Changing things up? This is where we briefly look at career options from across the civvy world - everything goes here so expect some absolute drivel. Sometimes Forces Assist can help place you, sometimes we can’t. Either way we can offer advice.
Timeline to a better life
Running a big ol’ explainer series on the ‘gram about getting into driving. Which makes sense because we’re a business for drivers. Give us a follow and get involved:
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Bored of asking - they’ll love Despatches and we’ll love them.
Cheers,
Team Forces Assist