9.2 | 23
May 2003 to June 2004
an initial
force level review that identified the possible requirement for
additional
manpower.
GOC MND(SE) has taken this work forward and produced a
detailed
force level
review of UK tasks across MND(SE).”
258.
Lt Gen Reith
described a shift in the role of the military to one of support, in
all lines
of
operation other than security, which remained primarily a military
responsibility. In the
UK’s area,
he judged that there was no direct threat requiring a war-fighting
capability,
but
armoured forces continued to be useful for “protection, over-match,
presence and
domination”.
Other threats included paramilitary attacks, terrorism (including
Improvised
Explosive
Devices) and a breakdown of public order.
259.
Further calls
on military resources were being generated by:
•
the
reconstruction effort (in particular the need to protect key sites
and facilities);
•
SSR
activities;
•
the need to
provide security for the Embassy compound in Baghdad and
a
potential
Consulate in Basra;
•
plans to
open border crossings;
•
the need
for river patrols to combat smuggling; and
•
the need to
fill personnel gaps in the CPA structure.
260.
In addition,
in the event of “localised resurgences in violence” Lt Gen
Reith
anticipated
that the UK might come under pressure to conduct cross-boundary
operations.
“The
overall impact of these additional commitments is almost two
companies of
manpower.
This can just be met from within current resources, but has the
penalty of
leaving
absolutely no slack at all and no uncommitted reserve. The level of
tasks is
also
beginning to bite hard, now that R&R [Rest and Recuperation]
has started, and
is assessed
as being unsustainable.”
262.
As a result,
Lt Gen Reith recommended deployment of:
•
an
additional four-platoon131
infantry
company as soon as possible;
•
identification
of a reserve capability that would allow for rapid reinforcement,
the
first part
of which should be a four-platoon company already in Cyprus;
and
•
some
additional specialist capabilities, including Arabic
speakers.
131
A platoon
comprises between 26 and 55 people.
249