Scott
09-21-2009, 09:41 AM
By ALEX WEST http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w10/StonedSOD/SNN2111A-280_892971a.jpg
THRILLED kids greeted their dads yesterday as the brave soldiers returned after one of Afghanistan's bloodiest campaigns.
Families wept as they were reunited with loved ones following the tough six-month tour.
Troops of 33 Armoured Engineer Squadron, 26 Engineer Regiment, played a key role in Operation Panther's Claw - which freed part of Helmand from the Taliban's clutches.
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w10/StonedSOD/SNN2111KISS-180_892938a.jpgHugs ... Major Andy Hanna and partner Lucy Ballard
Little Luke Crouch, 18 months, wore an "I love my daddy" T-shirt to meet Cpl Jonathan Crouch, 29.
Jonathan was also greeted by wife Heather, 25, and 19-week-old Millie - born the day he last came home. Heather said: "It's great he's back."
Sapper Russell Kirkham, 25, got a kiss from daughters Kaitlyn, three, and Courtney, four, at Swinton Barracks in Tidworth, Hants.
Young Cameron and Ewan Leid made a "Welcome home Daddy" banner for Staff Sgt Chris Leid.
Nine soldiers and 200 Taliban died in the campaign. Squadron Commander Major Andy Hanna, met by partner Lucy Ballard, said: "Thousands more Afghans can now go about their business. "Every soldier was tested to the very limit. The effort was Herculean."
Source - TheSun.co.uk
THRILLED kids greeted their dads yesterday as the brave soldiers returned after one of Afghanistan's bloodiest campaigns.
Families wept as they were reunited with loved ones following the tough six-month tour.
Troops of 33 Armoured Engineer Squadron, 26 Engineer Regiment, played a key role in Operation Panther's Claw - which freed part of Helmand from the Taliban's clutches.
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w10/StonedSOD/SNN2111KISS-180_892938a.jpgHugs ... Major Andy Hanna and partner Lucy Ballard
Little Luke Crouch, 18 months, wore an "I love my daddy" T-shirt to meet Cpl Jonathan Crouch, 29.
Jonathan was also greeted by wife Heather, 25, and 19-week-old Millie - born the day he last came home. Heather said: "It's great he's back."
Sapper Russell Kirkham, 25, got a kiss from daughters Kaitlyn, three, and Courtney, four, at Swinton Barracks in Tidworth, Hants.
Young Cameron and Ewan Leid made a "Welcome home Daddy" banner for Staff Sgt Chris Leid.
Nine soldiers and 200 Taliban died in the campaign. Squadron Commander Major Andy Hanna, met by partner Lucy Ballard, said: "Thousands more Afghans can now go about their business. "Every soldier was tested to the very limit. The effort was Herculean."
Source - TheSun.co.uk