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The Report of the Iraq Inquiry
Government is content”. If that envisaged military action in the timescales to which US
military planners were working, there would be a need to address campaign objectives.
That would be “necessary to fill the current gap between” the UK’s “existing policy
objectives and the likely nature of any US‑led military operations, the scale and intensity
of which should not be underestimated”.
1272.  The MOD provided seven annexes with more detailed information.
1273.  Annex A addressed “Evolving US military thinking”.
1274.  Annex B, addressing UK military preparations, stated that there was a need
to identify and address shortfalls in manpower and equipment in units nominated for
operations, and that they would require significant training.
1275.  In addition, the MOD:
had approached the market to charter shipping; and
was making preparations for call‑out of Reserves.
1276.  Annex C provided a snapshot of current UK and US force levels in the region
and a projection of the probable build‑up of forces based on Package 3 as currently
endorsed and the ATG with 3 Commando Brigade. The ATG was now planned to be in
theatre by mid‑February and would transit the Suez canal 15 days earlier than previously
planned; 7 Armoured Brigade could be in theatre by mid‑March, but deployment of the
full Package 3 would take a further 30 days.
1277.  Annexes D and E, setting out the UK force packages originally approved by
Ministers and an update on the ATG, stated that the MOD had strengthened the
amphibious element of the force to include the Headquarters of 3 Commando Brigade,
which would command both UK and US forces, and earmarked 42 Commando Group,
to deploy by air after the ATG if required. The ATG was due to depart from the UK from
16 January. HMS Ark Royal would deploy as a second helicopter landing platform
without its fast jets.
1278.  Sir David was told the options for the land contribution were “under review”; and
that: “There are some large and difficult issues here.”
1279.  Annex F was a “short note” on the options. It described Package 3, “previously
endorsed by Ministers for planning purposes” as “a divisional HQ commanding a single
square armoured brigade with appropriate divisional and logistic support”, and that the
MOD had assumed “for some time” the US would provide a similar brigade. The US had
“now decided” to offer a lighter regiment, but that would mean the UK‑led division would
be “unbalanced, and its mission … more risky”.
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