§ Dr. KumarTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the deployment of reservist forces to Iraq; what the longest period served by a reservist in Iraq has been; and what range of specialisms has been covered by reservists in Iraq. [137547]
§ Mr. CaplinThe range of specialisms provided by reservists to support Operation Telic broadly reflects those possessed by the Regular Forces plus a number of specialist areas unique to the Reserves. The range includes: RN amphibious warfare advisers, logisticians, intelligence analysts, linguists, RN mine warfare specialists, media operations, combat engineers, amphibious bridging specialists, signallers, port operating specialists, NBC warfare specialists, movements personnel, medical personnel, meteorologists, aircrew, ground crew, railway specialists, POL operators, HGV drivers, cooks, ambulance crews, administrative staff and the Army and Royal Marine combat arms.
The individual reservist who has served longest in Iraq is an Army military intelligence specialist who was called-out for service on 2 February 2003 and who has volunteered to extend his period of service to 2 August 2004. Obviously, this does not represent the normal experience and most reservists will serve no more than six months in Iraq.