Op HERRICK 4 : 2006
In early 2006 16 Air Assault Brigade was deployed to Helmand Province in Southern Afghanistan to hunt the terrorists there and bring stability to the region. Initially 30 men from the Battalion joined the British Task Force with 3 PARA in Helmand but this quickly grew to 100 men the majority being based in the town of Musa Qual'eh.
Over the next few months the 1 R IRISH soldiers were involved in very heavy fighting at close range as the Taliban and Al Qaeda tried to dislodge them from the soldier's positions. Using all their weapons, and with support from Apache Gunships and NATO Aircraft, the R IRISH soldiers held their ground and prevented the enemy achieving their objectives.
Within both the Army and the Regiment the defence of Musa Qual'eh by 1 R IRISH soldiers is already starting to become legendry.