New CLF takes over (From Salisbury Journal)

New CLF takes over

8:11am Wednesday 16th January 2013 in News By David Falcke

LIEUTENANT General Adrian Bradshaw has succeeded General Sir Nick Parker as Commander Land Forces (CLF) at Army Headquarters in Andover.

Lt Gen Bradshaw said: “I’m delighted to be taking command of Land Forces at this demanding and interesting time. Our top priority continues to be the preparation of forces for Afghanistan.

“We must also retain an appropriate command focus on the growing numbers of people from units and formations rostered for operations in Afghanistan, who will not now be required to deploy.

“For those now falling off the plot for Afghanistan, we must provide demanding and stimulating preparation for the range of domestic and overseas contingencies to which the army may be tasked to respond, always being ready for the unexpected.

“In the background to all of this, we must oversee an efficient transition to the Army 2020 organisation and the smooth withdrawal of those elements still in Germany.”

Lt Gen Bradshaw joined the 14th/20th King’s Hussars in 1980 after gaining a BSc in agriculture from Reading University.

He has since gained masters degrees in defence studies and international relations from King’s College London.

From 1994 to 1996, he commanded the King’s Royal Hussars (KRH), first providing the enemy force at the UK Armoured Training Area in Alberta, Canada, and then on operations in Bosnia.

After attending the Royal College of Defence Studies in London, he became the UK Director Special Forces and in March 2009, he took command of 1st (UK) Armoured Division based in Germany, training brigades for operations in Afghanistan Lt Gen Bradshaw is married to Sally. They have three children, Katy, Ben and Freddy.