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British Army musicians have entertained unsuspecting passers-by with a flash mob performance in Birmingham's City Centre.
The Band of the Royal Corps of Signals were playing It’s A Long Way To Tipperary in Victoria Square when they were joined by musicians from the Band of the King’s Division, and the tune turned to Keep the Home Fires Burning. The combined bands then played The Farm’s, All Together Now.
As the flash mob unfolded, members of the Shawbury Military Wives Choir, Cosford Military Wives Choir and the Midlands Military Community Choir joined in with a surprise sing-along.
In support of The Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal, there was a distinctly red theme to the unexpected event. Choir members wore something red to match their poppies.
The flash mob was made possible with funding from the Armed Forces Community Covenant grant fund. The fund aims to encourage local communities and the Armed Forces Community to help and support each other.
The Corps of Army Music is the largest employer of professional musicians in the UK. Read more about what they do, and how to join the professionals, at http://www.army.mod.uk/music.

This slideshow shows Cpl Dan Wiepen, a photographer from the Combat Camera Team, in action in Afghanistan. See how he lines up and takes each shot juxtaposed with the resulting photos that you see on our page.

Find out more about the Logistic and Support Photographers: https://www.army.mod.uk/rolefinder/ro...

Photos by Cpl Dan Wiepen, Sgt Lu Scott and SSgt Duncan Campbell; Crown Copyright

Eighty British troops have combined forces with other NATO allies in a series of day and night assaults. The purpose of the operation, part of Exercise SABRE JUNCTION, was to destroy a simulated enemy radar site.

Flying into action in US Chinooks and Black Hawk helicopters, troops from 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment carried out the assault in tandem with other attacks against simulated enemy airfields across several East European countries.

Exercise SABRE JUNCTION is part of a wider NATO exercise and one of a host of immediate assurance measures designed to reassure NATO allies in the region. It follows UK deployment of Typhoon aircraft to the Baltic Air Policing Mission. More than 1,300 troops from the Lead Armoured Battle Group will deploy to Poland for Exercise BLACK EAGLE in October.

Major Dave Jones, the Officer Commanding the Duke of Lancaster’s troops on the exercise, said:

“This helicopter-borne night attack is the culmination of a terrific exercise in which we have learnt to operate intimately with US infantry and air cavalry. My soldiers have risen to the challenge of operating in a multinational environment, and it’s exciting to be involved in an exercise that is designed not only to improve our operating capability but also reassure our NATO allies.”

The annual exercise is held across Germany, Latvia and Poland, and this year includes around 5,000 personnel from the USA, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovenia – together with NATO Partnership for Peace nations Sweden, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Actor Kevin Costner has recorded a special heartfelt message to the British Armed Forces.

The Hollywood star met British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) reporter Natasha Reneaux during the filming of his latest movie, Criminal, at Blackbush Airport, in Hampshire. He took time out from filming to carefully pen his own personal message to British troops.

BFBS reporter Natasha said: “During the recording I could hear and see how sincere and heartfelt he was that it brought tears to my eyes. He meant every word and knew exactly what he wanted it to sound like. He also chose the music you can hear under his message. He was so grateful for being given the opportunity to address the British Forces…”

Pictured: Kevin Costner with BFBS reporter Natasha Reneaux during the filming of Criminal.

Captain Laura Appleby, Royal Signals, applied to leave the Army in the third tranche of redundancies. In this short video she talks about her experience of going through the process.

She explains how she reached the decision to leave the job she loved, how she worked out what she would receive in financial terms and shares her thoughts about the future.

Laura's frequently asked questions (FAQs):
Why did you apply for redundancy?
How did you work out what you would receive?
How accurate was the Redundancy Calculator?
How much admin did you have to complete?
Did anyone help you through the admin process?
What was the most challenging part of the process?
How did your last day feel?
How much do you miss being in the Army?

Ministry of Defence archaeologist Richard Osgood discusses the find at Browndown, Gosport.

The Army will be showing off its latest equipment, cuisine and military music at a NATO-themed celebration of culture and food being staged in Newport, Wales on Saturday (23 August), ahead of the NATO summit.

British troops will be on hand to demonstrate military vehicles and equipment, with Army chefs cooking up the meals they serve to frontline troops, at the festival being held on the banks of the River Usk near the Riverfront Theatre and The Wave.

The Band of The Household Cavalry will kick off the festival at 11:30 am before making its way to Rodney Parade to support Newport County AFC’s match against Burton Albion. The Red Devils, the display team of the Parachute Regiment, will then skydive on to the pitch to present the match ball to the referee.

A flypast by Spitfires and Hurricanes from the Battle of Britain Flight is due to take place, weather permitting, while visitors enjoy the culture and food of the 28 nations in the NATO alliance.

Cuisine from Spain to Latvia, Turkey to the US will be served alongside music, entertainment and children’s activities including the Army’s inflatable assault course challenge.

The celebrations, organised by the Government and supported by Newport City Council, are due to finish at 4:30pm.

Find out more: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ho...