1 RIFLES Helmand 2011

30 MAY 11 - 1 RIFLES MOUNT AIR ASSAULT ON OP OMID HAFT

In the early hours of 26 May, nearly 300 ANA soldiers and Riflemen from 1st Battalion The Rifles (1 RIFLES) took part in one of the largest partnered air assaults in Afghanistan since operations began.  Describing the operation a Task force spokesman said: 

"This was a complex operation involving large numbers of Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force personnel as well as US Marine Corps troops. Between them, they coordinated 22 aircraft which inserted hundreds of troops and tonnes of stores into a high threat area, in poor weather, at night. Days of detailed planning paid off as the mission was a resounding success and a textbook example of multinational cooperation."

Once on the ground, the soldiers and riflemen moved towards Malgir, and by 9am, had secured several Check Points (CPs) and a number of crossings over the Nahr-e Burgha canal. At the same time, a further 200 troops, including 130 ANA, moved into position on foot to conduct a clearance operation along the canal. 

The ANA led clearance was met with little resistance. Afghan and British engineer troops supporting the 1 RIFLES Battlegroup were able to quickly clear Route Trident to enable essential supplies to be delivered to the CPs. By the end of day one, five new checkpoints had been established and a cordon put in place around Malgir.

Commenting on the operation so far Major Jonny Kitson of 1RIFLES said:

"The operation has gone well and this has been thanks to the meticulous planning carried out by the Afghan and British teams working side by side, as well as joint mission rehearsals by the combat elements. We have a built up an excellent working relationship with our Afghan National Army and Police partners which is taking the fight to the enemy and generating confidence within local communities." 

19 MAY 11 - CDS VISITS 1 RIFLES

The Chief of the Defence Staff, General Sir David Richards, has paid a surprise visit to soldiers from 1st Battalion The Rifles at their base in Nahr-e Saraj.

13 MAY 11- ON PATROL IN HELMAND 
By Rifleman Matt Mortimer

For the last 5 days, our Multiple has been on patrols. Each patrol varies in duration, route and purpose. On an average day we get up at 0700 to wash and shave before breakfast - we get a good choice, sausages, bacon (or Spam!), black pudding, beans, fried bread, pancakes and porridge.

The patrol will then set off at a specified time, which some days could be as early as 0500. One of our patrols lasted for 4 hours, and the aim was to investigate a well and meet the people who live nearby. When we got back to the patrol base (PB) we had lunch and spent the afternoon playing volleyball, going to the gym and reading after our kit had been cleaned and checked.

On our second patrol we set off at 1000. The purpose of this patrol was to investigate a compound which insurgents had used in the past. The Afghan National Army went in to the compound first and detained the owner for being an insurgent sympathiser. On the way back we stopped at one of the checkpoints for a debrief with the other multiple which was involved in the patrol, and then headed back to the PB in the late afternoon. The cookhouse put on some sandwiches for us and the rest of the days was ours to relax.

The next day we went on a ground dominating patrol to show the locals community that we are providing them with security. We got back to the PB at lunchtime and that afternoon  we had orders for a patrol the following day. We got up at 0230 for this patrol and set off at 0400, patrolling to one of the checkpoints.  We then to occupied a compound as part of a cordon while the Counter-IED team cleared the area around where a school is being built for local children. The clearance took a long time, so we were out for 15 hours.

Thankfully the next day of patrols was easier, setting off at about midday - which was really hot. We headed out to speak to a local elder regarding some IEDs which may have been planted by the insurgents.  We cleared the area without finding any IEDs before returning to base.

Another early start the next day, as we got up at 0200 (although we did get bacon sandwiches and Weetabix for breakfast)! We left the PB a 0400 and went south to clear some compounds and provide defence for a meeting between the Company Commander and the local community. This went well and we returned at about 1100, our last patrol before we went on guard to protect the patrol base.

16 MAY 11 - CO'S UPDATE ON TAKING OVER

Mortar training in theatre before deployment to patrol bases

It had been a long time coming for us all, the handover. We knew about this tour in early 2010, before the dust had even settled from the previous deployment.  But with the handover came a simplicity, a relief almost, that Herrick 14, at last, had begun. 

The build up had been complex.  Training, regrouping, handing kit in, drawing kit out, learning and then practicing, practicing, practicing. Our equipment had changed, and we needed to learn how to use the new and improved versions.

In theatre training before deployment to patrol bases
gets the audience's undivided attention.

There were courses to be done; languages, medics, weapon skills, driving, environmental health; an amazing array of competencies to be learned. And there were validations and assessments, documents to be filled out, fitness standards to be achieved.  It seemed as if the pre-deployment period was more demanding than the tour itself could ever be.  And all of this with the sinking prospect of having to say goodbye.

 And then the deployment.  A nervous anticipation about the road ahead; 'I hope not to let my mates down', 'I hope I'm prepared enough'.  'What's it going to be like?'  And then; you're there.  Meeting those who, for the last 6 months have trod the ground that you are about to.  Seeing their enthusiasm for what they have achieved, and knowing that within a similar time you will be able to reflect on similar experience and success.  It brings a reality to it all.  And when you hear their stories and quiz them for every nugget of advice it appears, after all, that you can do it, just as well, if not better.

Handover ceremony

The handover. A small ceremony in the heart of our Patrol Base on a sunny morning whilst the temperature rose.  Marking the passing of the baton, and a new chapter in the military history of our area, Nahr-e-Saraj.  The previous team have mostly gone home, and looking around all we now see are familiar faces, all Riflemen together, all one strong team.

The tour has started, and it's time to put the training into practice. 

7 MAY 11 - A COY 1 RIFLES TAKE OVER PATROLBASE 4

Change of command PB4

It has taken almost a month to move A Company to Helmand Province from the UK, but they are now settled in to their new home in Patrol Base 4 having taken over from B Company 2 Para.

On a series of familiarisation patrols The Paras showed A Company's Riflemen around the area and introduced them to key local Afghan personalities and their counterparts in the Afghan National Army and the Afghan Uniformed Police.

The handover period culminated in a short flag change ceremony in PB 4, with the maroon flag of the Parachute Regiment being lowered for the last time and the Bugle of The Rifles being hoisted over the camp as the Officer Commanding A Company, Major Carl "Chuckles" Boswell took command of the base from B Company's OC, Maj Nick Copperwaite.

The Company is settling in well, getting to know the ground around the patrol base and the three checkpoints which are being manned by A Company multiples and the Afghan National Security Forces. While life in the checkpoints is Spartan, the Riflemen have already begun doing some home improvements to make life more comfortable, and have been eagerly receiving the regular deliveries of mail from home.

Morale is high as they explore their patch and anticipate the challenges that the next 6 months will throw at them as they seek to build on the success of the Paras and make Op HERRICK 14 a successful tour.

05 MAY 11 - RIFLEMEN REPLACE PARATROOPERS IN COMMAND IN HELMAND

Riflemen from the first Battalion The Rifles (1 RIFLES) have officially begun their six month tour of Afghanistan. Having just completed their final training and acclimatisation in theatre, the Battalion has now formally taken over command of Nahr-E Saraj (South) (NES(S)).

Over the summer months, 1 RIFLES will aim to build upon the success of 2 PARA and continue to improve the security situation for local Afghans living in NES(S).  It’s almost two years since the men and women of 1 RIFLES were last in Helmand. During that tour they worked as specialist mentors to the Afghan National Army (ANA).

This time, the battalion will be playing a key role in further developing the ANA. They are deployed as a Combined Force Battlegroup, partnered with the 6th Kandak (Afghan Battalion equivalent) of the ANA’s 3/215 Brigade and Afghan National and Local Police Forces. 

The Riflemen are also joined by 43 South West based TA volunteers from 6 RIFLES as well as Royal Marines from K Company 42 Commando and Gurkha Riflemen from A (Amboor) Company of The Second Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles (2RGR), reaffirming a relationship with the Gurkhas that can be traced back to the battle of Delhi Ridge in 1857.

The official handover from 2 PARA was marked first by an Afghan dinner hosted by the Paratroopers to which The Riflemen, and Officers and NCOs from the partnered Afghan Forces were invited. During the festivities speeches were made, gifts exchanged, fallen comrades remembered and friendships cemented.

JAN - APR 11 - 1 RIFLES PREPARE FOR 2011 HELMAND TOUR

See links below to news stories about 1 RIFLES preparations.  See links right for accounts of previous tours.

Audio: Ronnie Jones reports on the pre-deployment training for Chepstow-based 1 RIFLES, who leave for Afghanistan this week - 18 April 2011

 >> CO 1 Rifles explains the tour and  launches 1 RIFLES Wristband Appeal - 28 Feb 11 

>> The mean 'Helmand' streets in Norfolk where British troops are trained by Afghan villagers - 24 Jan 11 (Daily Mail)

>> Troops train in the Middle East of England - 18 Jan 11 (MOD News)

>> RIFLES final training video report - 18 Jan 11 (ITV Southwest)

>> Top priority for 1 Rifles is to support Afghan people- 18 Jan 11 (This is Gloucestershire)

>> Training brings home reality of Afghanistan - 18 Jan 11 (This is Gloucester)