The 2nd Battalion

2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards)
Role: Light Role Infantry
Commanding Officer:  Lieutenant Colonel ED Colthup
 

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    TOUR
    Based at Weeton Barracks, Preston; Lancashire as part of 11 (Light) Brigade.  Presently deployed on Operation HERRICK11 (Afghanistan) October 2009 - April 2010.
     
    BATTALION UPDATE - NOVEMBER 2009
     
    The Battalion is now over a month into its six month tour. All companies (known in theater as Amber callsigns) have now taken over their respective areas of responsibility in Helmand Province, and the lads are working well with their ANA counterparts.  Battalion Headquarters, in Camp Shoraback, providing command and control along with vital life support by the quartermasters department. BG TAC (Commanding officers rover group for the old and bold) is busy out and about delivering the CO safely around theater.
      AMBER 10
      Most of the soldiers from the OMLT are based in Forward Operating Base (FOB) Shawqat inside the Nad-e-Ali District Centre where we are working alongside the 1st Battalion, the Grenadier Guards. Conditions are austere but improving all the time and the soldiers are making the best of things in their usual style.  The weather is already starting to cool down in preparation for the rains later in the year; the wellies are on order while the Afghans have already got all their warm clothing out to cope with the temperature dropping to a mere 30 degrees! Some of the soldiers who deployed with the Battalion in 2007 are also being re-united with Afghans who they fought alongside in Musa Qalleh on the previous tour. We have been busy familiarising ourselves with the ground that we will be working on and are also making valuable friendships with the soldiers from the Afghan National Army that will stand us in good stead in our time here.
        AMBER 20
        After the arrival of the main body on the 22nd September, the grandiosely titled Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team 1 quickly got down to the serious business of learning the rat-runs, foibles and technicalities of the area that for them would be home for the next 6 months; hitting the ground a mere hour after arriving in Forward Operating Base (FOB) Jackson. There followed a week of familiarisation patrolling as well as the first deliberate Operation, Operation GHARTSE ANKABOT. This was a surge operation into the rarely patrolled east of Sangin and was declared a success, putting the enemy onto the back foot as the new Ground Holding Battle Group moved in. 
          AMBER 30
          It has been a busy couple of weeks for the company since fully taking over in Musa Qal'eh. The teams have begun to make the Patrol Bases their own and have started to add their own creature comforts.Operationally, the teams are beginning to form good relationships with their Afghan partners. These bode well for the future although some differences will probably never fully disappear. We have just taken part in a joint operation with the Fusiliers, Household Cavalry Regiment and our Afghan mentees. The op was a success and showed the potential that joint operations have within the Musa Qal'eh area. The local nationals are much more receptive to foreign troops when they are operating alongside Afghan troops and it shows the locals that we are here to work for them.  The heat has dropped to a quite pleasant level and we are currently enjoying the happy medium of days warm enough for T-shirts and nights cool enough to sleep well. The main body has now been in place for around 3 weeks and we have settled in well. It is now a question of continuing good relations with the Afghans and further increasing the security for the people of Musa Qaleh 
            AMBER 40
            You will be pleased to hear that the handover of responsibilities was a great success. The outgoing unit, 2 MERCIAN, provided a first rate four-day training package, which allowed all ranks to hone their skills and understand the local situation before deploying onto the ground. From ranges to practical lessons on night viewing aids, each soldier benefited from the experience enormously. However, fundamentally, all were reassured that their pre-deployment training was spot on and acknowledged that it had prepared them fully for the rigours of the coming months With all teams now in their forward locations, I can report that the officers and soldiers of AMBER 40 are making tangible progress with their Afghan counterparts. Despite language and cultural barriers, relations are growing stronger by the day and they are helping make the area a safer place for generations to come.
              BATTALION UPDATE - SEPTEMBER 2009
                CELEBRATION OF THE BATTLE OF ALMA 20 SEPT IN HELMAND
                It was a typically hot sunny day in Helmand Province for the 2 YORKS Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team (OMLT) Battle Group during the Op HERRICK 11 relief in place with the 2 MERCIAN OMLT BG.  The day had added significance, in that it was Alma Day, the Regimental Day celebrated annually by the 2nd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment in recognition of the part played by their ancestors, the Green Howards, in the Battle of Alma on the 20th September 1854 in Crimea, Russia.
                  This was not the first time that both Regiments had stood shoulder to shoulder in the face of the enemy, as Alma Day was also being celebrated by the Mercians.  The Commanding Officers took control of the parade and requested their Regimental Colours be paraded front and centre, before Presenting Arms with their Colour Parties and escorts. 
                    A Mercian subaltern, Lt Rupert Bowers, 21 from Shropshire and the 2 YORKS Adjutant, Capt Mike Willis, 30 from Durham  then read aloud their respective citations for their Regiments' part in the Battle of Alma.  It was poignant to note that within their first few lines both citations made reference to their antecedent regiments, the Green Howards and the 95th Derbyshires who fought side by side in the assault over the Alma River and later in the capture of the Great Redoubt.  A significant fact that was not lost on any soldier on parade today.  During this fierce battle for the Great Redoubt the Green Howards captured seven fine drums of the Vladimir, Minsk and Borodino Regiments and the Derbyshires engraved 95th on two captured artillery guns.
                      As the Operational, Mentoring & Liaison Team (OMLT) our mandate is very much set in the future as we endeavour to increase the capability and effect of the Afghan Nation Army. However in the execution of such an undertaking we need look no further than the examples that our own history has shown us. There are a multitude of examples of courage; selfless commitment and leadership which accumulated make an effective model for us all.
                       
                      BATTALION UPDATE - JUNE 2009
                       
                      The Battalion (Bn) are fully committed to Op HERRICK 11 pre-deployment training in the Operation Mentoring and Liaison Team Battle Group (OMLT BG) role.  A comprehensive package has seen the Bn deploy on Exercises WESSEX WARRIOR and DRUIDS DANCE and commence OPTAG T3 training as well as re-ORBAT.  Numerous training activities including a series of major test exercises (Combined Arms Life Fire Exercise (CALFEX) and Mission Rehearsal Exercise (MRE)) will keep the Bn occupied until a much deserved summer leave prior to deployment.
                       
                      SUMMARY OF ACTIVITY
                      • Battalion HQ.  BHQ has had a few changes in the last 6 months, most notably with a new Commanding Officer.
                      • OMLT 1-4.  All the OMLTs have had a demanding few months due to the tempo of PDT.  The re-ORBAT to four OMLTs has temporarily removed Support Coy capability and has produced four equally manned groupings as we employed for Op HERRICK 7.  OMLTs have also seen an influx of new officers and SNCOs all are settling in well and are fully immersed in the preparation for deployment. 
                      • Headquarter Coy.  HQ and Rear Party continue to support all the Bn activities from Rear Party guard to front line G4 [logistics] support.
                      TRAINING
                      The main activity recently has been Ex DRUIDS DANCE which is a three week CT 4 [Battalion] level exercise executed on SPTA.  This saw a 2 YORKS BG exercising in conjunction with HCR BG overseen by 11 Bde.  The exercise involved two OMLTs supported by simulation indigenous ANSF provided by Polish troops and a manoeuvre coy supported by a HCR Sqn.  This proved to be an excellent run-out for newly formed OMLTs and force elements which provided some valuable lessons and experiences.  Due to the tremendous effort of all those who conducted and supported this event CT 4 was given to Bn which cements the sound start made at CAST in 2008.
                       
                      There have also been shorter training activities including range packages to conduct training on a range of weapons including GMG and HMG.  BHQ attended an extremely interesting COIN study period with 11 Bde, which was challenging and conceptually advanced due to the vast array of excellent speakers.
                       
                      SPORTS & ADVENTURE TRAINING
                      Battalion level sport and adventure training remains an enduring theme and aspiration.  Large scale adventurous training expeditions are being planned by the Pl Comds, one of which will be executed on return from Afghanistan.  However, less this planning activity PDT has reduced the level of Bn sporting activities to a minimum.  Once time allows it will again feature highly.
                       
                      CHANGES OF APPOINTMENT
                      The following changes in appointments have occurred:
                      1. Major M WALKER appointed Officer Commanding B Company.
                      2. Major A JOHNSON appointed Officer Commanding Support Company.
                      3. Major M STEVENTON appointed Officer Commanding Headquarter Company.
                      4. Captain M WILLIS appointed as Adjutant.
                      FUTURE
                      Two more months of PDT should see the Bn fully prepared for the best and most demanding job in theatre.  It will include six more weeks of external and in camp training and should exercise all deployable elements in a comprehensive but manageable way.  Deployment looms large and all who deploy are anticipating a challenging, rewarding and unique tour.