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Iraq: Reserve Forces

My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Defence (Dr John Reid) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement. In line with our policy of employing the reserves as an integral component of the Armed Forces, and our normal pattern in Operation TELIC, we shall shortly begin mobilising approximately 700 reservists to deploy as part of the integrated UK force package on operations in Iraq (Operation TELIC). Reservists currently deployed in Iraq carry out a range of activities including medical support, force protection duties and providing individual reinforcements to units. We anticipate that most of these tasks will continue. We plan to issue the callout notices for reservists in phases and aim to give individuals 28 days' notice of call-up (other than for those who may volunteer to be mobilised at shorter notice). As is customary, to ensure that we successfully mobilise the required number, we will need to issue a greater number of callout notices than the actual requirement. On current plans, we will be issuing around 800 callout notices. Mobilisation will be followed by a period of training, integration into receiving units, and then a short period of pre-deployment leave. Deployment to theatre is expected to begin in May 2006. The majority of those called out can expect a deployed tour of six months and a total period of mobilisation, including post-tour leave, of around 11 months, though for a few it may be slightly longer. I would like to emphasise that this callout is part of our routine management of UK forces deployed on Operation TELIC. We and our multinational force partners will consider, in the months ahead, the levels and dispositions of forces required in Iraq to continue to build the capability and capacity of the Iraqi security forces and support the Iraqi Government up to and following the first full democratic elections in Iraq, which will be held in December. The next major routine roulement of regular UK forces in Iraq is due to take place during April and May next year and the lead formation, currently 7th   Armoured Brigade, will be provided by 20th   Armoured Brigade. We will make a further announcement covering this roulement once the details have been finalised.