British Soldiers Returning From Afghanistan Not Allowed To Wear Their Uniforms In Public

The Whistler • January 5, 2008

Scores of soldiers flying home from Afghanistan on Christmas leave were ordered to change out of their uniforms on a freezing runway before being allowed into a civilian airport terminal.
Troops were told not to be seen in public in their uniforms – which they had worn with pride while risking their lives during months of intense fighting against the Taliban.
Last night the Ministry of Defence and bosses at Birmingham International Airport blamed each other for the indignity suffered by the soldiers – which comes amid mounting anger over the treatment of British troops returning from war.
One soldier, who was ordered to undress for “security reasons”, said: “It is an insult to the entire Army to force guys who’ve been fighting in Afghanistan to obey some jobsworth rule when all they want to do is get home to their families.
“So much for a nation proud of its servicemen. The temperature was Baltic on the runway but most of just wanted to get home so we cracked on.”
The December 23 flight, carrying 200 personnel, had been diverted from RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire to Birmingham because of bad weather.
The troops were told they could either wait for coaches to take them back to Brize Norton or else travel home via public transport – in which case they must change into civilian clothes before entering the terminal.
Around 50 chose the latter option and, because there was no room in the cabin, most changed outside.

That’s a rather pathetic state of affairs. Especially when contrasted with the cheering crowds most of our soldiers are greeted home with. Sure our troops probably see a protester or two, but they aren’t asked to sneak home in civilian clothes either.

Tags: International Scene, Military, Politics, War On Terror

http://manoffireandlight.blog.co.uk/ ManofFireandLight

So, what’s the connection between Afghanistan and Ireland?

I know you are not ignorant, so you must be trying to be obtuse.

Read my comment.

The rule was brought in during The Troubles to prevent troops being targeted by the IRA and it hasn’t been reviewed since peace came to Northern Ireland.
http://manoffireandlight.blog.co.uk/ ManofFireandLight

Personally, I would happily see our troops in public in uniform as would most Britons.
http://a-big-bang.blogspot.com/ Wendy D

This is despicable treatment for people who protect all of us. I find it so hard to realize that Britain, where there are still reminders of WWII and the blitz as well as IRA bombings as well as home-grown terrorist attacks, could be so blind about what these soldiers are fighting for. God Bless them, and every man, woman, and child in Great Britain should be blessing them too.
http://manoffireandlight.blog.co.uk/ ManofFireandLight

The IRA terrorist campaign was not restricted to Ireland. For the same reason, military personnel stopped being issued with military plates for their personal vehicles. The IRA started targeting individual soldiers, so steps were taken to reduce their ‘visibility’.
robert108

Eurabia…
http://manoffireandlight.blog.co.uk/ ManofFireandLight

The MoD ruling about British Servicemen and Women not wearing uniform in public when not on duty was brought in to protect them from terrorist attacks at the height of ‘The troubles’. It has fuck all to do with ‘Eurabia’. It just hasn’t been reviewed since peace came to Northern Ireland.
robert108

So, what’s the connection between Afghanistan and Ireland?
robert108

So, even there was nothing going on in Afghanistan during “The Troubles”, it still applies to troops returning from there? Weird.
Neiman

Wendy: No one can improve on what you said abouit this situation. Bravo!
2Hotel9

Flamer?Why did MoD not target IRA terrorists? Because of cowardice in MoD. Once those “persons” were removed from MoD the IRA terrorists were targeted and stripped of their ability to carry out terrorist strikes outside of NoIreland. And yet, this anti-military policy remains in place. Why do you think that is?
SAERA

my man came home 4chrimbo from afghanistan and caught a taxi from the airport and a train to wales from london in his uniform.. im proud of him and so should every1 else be, let them where their uniforms, its stupid not to,

they shouldnt even be out there, its americas war, and afghan isnt about terror, its about drgs, n statistics have proven that drugs on the streets have increased since they’ve een out there so the plan isnt workin..

let our men come home to their loved ones before its 2 late x
robert108

I got that part; you justified it by saying it was created around the IRA period, and I guess they generalized, so it wasn’t really just about Ireland, then.
http://manoffireandlight.blog.co.uk/ ManofFireandLight

So, even there was nothing going on in Afghanistan during “The Troubles”, it still applies to troops returning from there? Weird.

Now you are being obtuse. Off duty British troops are not allowed to wear their uniform in public, full stop. It doesn’t matter if they are coming from Northern Ireland, Afghanistan, their barracks or even the moon. They cannot wear their uniforms in public.

SayAnythingBlog.com

British Soldiers Returning From Afghanistan Not Allowed To Wear Their Uniforms In Public

Create a SAB Readerblog

Recent Comments