bobdina
11-27-2009, 03:24 PM
reports from Helmand
A Military Operations news article
26 Nov 09
The Commanding Officer (CO) of 3rd Battalion The Rifles (3 RIFLES) has written about the role of his soldiers who are currently deployed in the area around Sangin in Helmand province.
Soldiers from 3 RIFLES patrol south of Sangin
3 RIFLES took over as Battle Group (North) from 2nd Battalion The Rifles (2 RIFLES) in October.
During their six-month deployment, 2 RIFLES located more than 200 IEDs (improvised explosive devices) across the area of operations and increased control of the area, improving security in the heart of Sangin town, and establishing new police checkpoints, resulting in an increase in police numbers.
There is also improved governance and commerce, with 100 new stalls established in the bazaar in June.
It is this legacy that 3 RIFLES are now seeking to build on.
Lieutenant Palmer Winstanley talks with an Afghan Commander
Explaining their role, Lieutenant Colonel Nick Kitson, Commanding Officer, 3 RIFLES, said:
"We had the great honour to take over from our sister battalion, 2 RIFLES, on Monday 19 October 2009 here in Sangin. It was fantastic to arrive, to catch up with many familiar faces and trade stories.
"2 RIFLES have given much and made many sacrifices but they have also made remarkable progress during their time here. They have left us many opportunities which we are eager to take forward for the people of Helmand.
"We have assumed the role of Battle Group (North), with our area of responsibility in northern Helmand province stretching from Sangin up to the Kajaki Dam.
A British soldier and Afghan National Army warriors
British soldiers from 3 RIFLES and Afghan National Army warriors prepare to move off
[Picture: Sergeant Keith Cotton, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]
"Throughout the area the Helmand River winds its way along the flood plain from the dam southwards through the mountainous desert landscape. It creates a strip of richly farmed fertile land either side of it, laced with irrigation channels and known as the Green Zone.
"Patrolling is our main activity. We are bringing security and stability to the area, reassuring the local population around us and encouraging them to go about their normal routine.
"As and when the need arises we will launch deliberate operations and take the fight to the enemy, clearing areas of insurgents and disrupting their activities.
"We also work closely alongside our Afghan hosts in the nascent Afghan National Army and Police, exchanging ideas and tactics with them so they grow in ability and confidence in order to tackle the insurgency.
British and Afghan soldiers patrol through compounds just south of Sangin
Soldiers from 3 RIFLES patrol through compounds just south of Sangin providing close support to their Afghan National Army partners
[Picture: Sergeant Keith Cotton, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]
"I am hugely impressed by their professionalism and dedication. We all have much to learn from them too and have much faith in their abilities.
"Most have been pleasantly surprised by the living conditions in the Forward Operating Bases, not exactly home-comforts but certainly manageable, and accommodation is generally decent.
"The majority of our food comes in the form of 'compo' rations, prepared by a small and dedicated detachment of chefs, who are always finding new ways to turn fairly basic ingredients into exciting meals for hungry riflemen. We top these up with fresh produce whenever the opportunity arises.
"The Royal Engineers are always hard at it, trying to make our stay more comfortable by improving the showers, toilets and lodgings.
Corporal McColl and Rifleman Farmer investigate unexploded mortar round
Corporal McColl and Rifleman Farmer of 3 RIFLES confirm the isolation of an unexploded ISAF mortar round found in a compound wall, before its safe removal
[Picture: Sergeant Keith Cotton, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]
"The temperature is now a very agreeable 25 degrees in the day but drops off sharply to around five degrees overnight. We expect the cold weather to hit over the next few months.
"Who knows, maybe we shall see a white Christmas in the desert! We shall certainly see rain and the liquid mud it will create around us.
"This is already proving to be a tour that will test and shape us all. The operation remains a difficult and a dangerous one but all the men and women under my command are totally up to the challenge.
"We have all received excellent training to get us to this point and we have access to some of the best kit I have seen during my time in the Army."
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/Co3RiflesReportsFromHelmand.htm
A Military Operations news article
26 Nov 09
The Commanding Officer (CO) of 3rd Battalion The Rifles (3 RIFLES) has written about the role of his soldiers who are currently deployed in the area around Sangin in Helmand province.
Soldiers from 3 RIFLES patrol south of Sangin
3 RIFLES took over as Battle Group (North) from 2nd Battalion The Rifles (2 RIFLES) in October.
During their six-month deployment, 2 RIFLES located more than 200 IEDs (improvised explosive devices) across the area of operations and increased control of the area, improving security in the heart of Sangin town, and establishing new police checkpoints, resulting in an increase in police numbers.
There is also improved governance and commerce, with 100 new stalls established in the bazaar in June.
It is this legacy that 3 RIFLES are now seeking to build on.
Lieutenant Palmer Winstanley talks with an Afghan Commander
Explaining their role, Lieutenant Colonel Nick Kitson, Commanding Officer, 3 RIFLES, said:
"We had the great honour to take over from our sister battalion, 2 RIFLES, on Monday 19 October 2009 here in Sangin. It was fantastic to arrive, to catch up with many familiar faces and trade stories.
"2 RIFLES have given much and made many sacrifices but they have also made remarkable progress during their time here. They have left us many opportunities which we are eager to take forward for the people of Helmand.
"We have assumed the role of Battle Group (North), with our area of responsibility in northern Helmand province stretching from Sangin up to the Kajaki Dam.
A British soldier and Afghan National Army warriors
British soldiers from 3 RIFLES and Afghan National Army warriors prepare to move off
[Picture: Sergeant Keith Cotton, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]
"Throughout the area the Helmand River winds its way along the flood plain from the dam southwards through the mountainous desert landscape. It creates a strip of richly farmed fertile land either side of it, laced with irrigation channels and known as the Green Zone.
"Patrolling is our main activity. We are bringing security and stability to the area, reassuring the local population around us and encouraging them to go about their normal routine.
"As and when the need arises we will launch deliberate operations and take the fight to the enemy, clearing areas of insurgents and disrupting their activities.
"We also work closely alongside our Afghan hosts in the nascent Afghan National Army and Police, exchanging ideas and tactics with them so they grow in ability and confidence in order to tackle the insurgency.
British and Afghan soldiers patrol through compounds just south of Sangin
Soldiers from 3 RIFLES patrol through compounds just south of Sangin providing close support to their Afghan National Army partners
[Picture: Sergeant Keith Cotton, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]
"I am hugely impressed by their professionalism and dedication. We all have much to learn from them too and have much faith in their abilities.
"Most have been pleasantly surprised by the living conditions in the Forward Operating Bases, not exactly home-comforts but certainly manageable, and accommodation is generally decent.
"The majority of our food comes in the form of 'compo' rations, prepared by a small and dedicated detachment of chefs, who are always finding new ways to turn fairly basic ingredients into exciting meals for hungry riflemen. We top these up with fresh produce whenever the opportunity arises.
"The Royal Engineers are always hard at it, trying to make our stay more comfortable by improving the showers, toilets and lodgings.
Corporal McColl and Rifleman Farmer investigate unexploded mortar round
Corporal McColl and Rifleman Farmer of 3 RIFLES confirm the isolation of an unexploded ISAF mortar round found in a compound wall, before its safe removal
[Picture: Sergeant Keith Cotton, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]
"The temperature is now a very agreeable 25 degrees in the day but drops off sharply to around five degrees overnight. We expect the cold weather to hit over the next few months.
"Who knows, maybe we shall see a white Christmas in the desert! We shall certainly see rain and the liquid mud it will create around us.
"This is already proving to be a tour that will test and shape us all. The operation remains a difficult and a dangerous one but all the men and women under my command are totally up to the challenge.
"We have all received excellent training to get us to this point and we have access to some of the best kit I have seen during my time in the Army."
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/Co3RiflesReportsFromHelmand.htm