2 RIFLES Afghanistan 2009

12 OCT 09 BRITAINS SUCCESS IN AFGHANISTAN MEASURED IN SMALL STEPS 
>> See full Times Online story by CO 2 RIFLES

Photo Nick Mazzei

11 OCT 09 TALIBAN DIASY CHAIN KINGPIN CAPTURED
>>See full story

copyright Eros Hoagland

03 OCT 09 - A MONTH IN HELMAND

photos by kind permission of Eros Hoagland

14 SEPT 09 - PRINCE EDWARD VISITS 2 RIFLES

See Sky News report>>>

See Michael Yon's report >>

03 AUG 09 - RESURRECTION

See Michael Yon's report >>>>

29 JULY 09 - NIGHT INTO DAY

See Michael Yon's full report >>>>

27 JULY 09 - AN ARTERY OF OPIUM, A VEIN OF TALIBAN

Michael Yon reports from Sangin with 2 RIFLES  More>>

19 JULY 09 - OPERATION PANTHERS CLAW:  HOW BRITISH TROOPS ARE HUNTING THE TALIBAN TO THE END

Article by Thomas Harding.  Operation Panther's Claw, the battle to drive the Taliban from a key corner of Helmand, has been under way for a month - but British troops need more time to finish the job. More>>

18 JULY 09 - CORPORAL "DANGER" DODGES TALIBAN FIRE TO SAVE WOUNDED COMRADE

THE Taliban opened fire while four British soldiers were crossing a barren field. As they dashed for cover, a bullet tore through the thigh of one of the riflemen, bringing him crashing to the ground as more rounds thudded into the earth beside him. It would only be a matter of seconds before the Taliban gunmen zeroed in on the fallen soldier stranded 30 yards from his comrades. It took Corporal Daniel "Danger Faz" Farrell, of the 2nd Battalion the Rifles, a moment to realise the danger. See full story from Miles Amoore at Times Online>>

12 JULY 09 - ON PATROL IN THE SANGIN VALLEY WITH 2 RIFLES

For more on this story from Miles Amoore see Telegraph website>>>

JUN 09 - AFGHAN POLICE RECEIVE WARRANTS FROM CO 2 RIFLES

Lt-Col Rob Thompson presents one of 20 new Afghan National policemen deployed to Sangin with his official warrant.

WELFARE PARCELS FOR 2 RIFLES FROM DORSET

Riflemen of 2 RIFLES serving for 6 months in Sangin, Afghanistan, share one of the over 200 welfare parcels received so far thanks to Mrs Molly Rennie, the Dorchester Echo and the people of Dorset.

2 RIFLES REACH OUT TO LOCAL CHILDREN

See full story from Belfast Telegraph >>

2 RIFLES SOUND BUGLE IN NORTHERN HELMAND

CO 45 Commando hands over to CO 1 RIFLES

The bugle has been heard in northern Helmand.

2nd Battalion, The Rifles, based in Ballykinler, Northern Ireland, have taken over as the Battle Group (North), based around the strategically important town of Sangin.

2 Rifles, whose cap badge depicts a bugle, took over from 45 Commando Royal Marines on 18 April as their flag was raised above their headquarters at Forward Operating Base Jackson in Sangin.

Responsibility has been passed from 45 Commando, who have been working in the area since October 2008, to 2 Rifles who will remain in place until October 2009. 2 Rifles recruits from across the country but especially in the south west, west midlands and north east of England.

The Commanding Officers; Lieutenant Colonel Rob Thomson, of 2 Rifles, and Lieutenant Colonel Jim Morris, of 45 Commando, said how smoothly the handover had been conducted and how similar a style the two units would have when conducting their business in Afghanistan.

Lt Col Thomson said: "2 Rifles, to a Rifleman, is indebted to all ranks of 45 Commando for the way in which they have handed over Battle Group (North).  45 Commando has achieved huge amounts on all fronts in its six months out here. The Marines have taken the fight to the enemy, improving security in Sangin and affording an opportunity to the government of Afghanistan and the people of this district."

Lt Col Thomson added: "We have been set up as well as anyone could be by the hard endeavour and care shown by 45 Commando during the handover.  They took risk right to the very end of the tour to show us the ropes and get us familiar with what is a very dangerous patch."

"I have nothing but the highest praise for what 'Royal' has achieved here in Sangin and we wish them all the best for their post-tour leave and beyond."

Most important for 2 Rifles will be the continuing support to the Afghan National Army and the Afghan National Police, of which both organisations have developed under the watchful eye of 45 Commando. The development of these important, Afghan lead groups is the key to eventual security stability within Helmand province and Afghanistan as a whole. Working with the district governor, who has already proved himself to be a strong influence in the area and a very effective administrator and politician, will also be very high on 2 Rifles' priorities.

Lt Col Thomson added: "And in the midst of all the hard work which characterised the handover, Rifleman and Royal at every rank, have found time to swap lexicons.  Riflemen now talk in terms of 'cabins' and 'galleys' while Royal now understands that a bayonet is actually a sword and one should do everything 'at the double'.  And in all of this, the bugle has been heard in Sangin."

2 RIFLES Regimental Sergeant Major, Warrant Officer Class 1 Matt Darby, raises the 2 RIFLES flag.