Week 24 - Commanding Officer's Notes

The week started with Cpl Dempsey's repatriation following a moving Vigil Service.

Early in the morning of 26 August, at about 0300hrs, I was called over by Gen Muhaiyodin's aide. Without the 'terp' I had no idea what to expect as our communication was very limited. Was it an attack or a mass casualty incident? At the General's accommodation a gathering of approximately 20 officers, NCOs and medics were all showing signs of panic. In the middle of them on the floor was Gen Muhaiyodin, doubled up in pain clutching both his chest and back. Immediately, I with the help of 2 others gathered him up and put him in a vehicle. We drove him to Camp Bastion and deposited him in the Hospital A & E. Tests over the next 2-3 hours revealed a minor heart attack. 

Kandak 2 and OMLT 2 under Major John Laverty have been making excellent progress in Kajaki. They have been exceeding expectations clearing the way for the delivery of an oversized parcel to the hydro-electric power station at the dam. Whilst in Kajaki this week, a less than bright ANA soldier decided to use a live electric cable to go fishing in the dam. That was fine until he decided to swim to retrieve the stunned fish - he forgot to extract the live cable and electrocuted himself! 

 

CSM Brummie Hagans, Brummie's Brother (AKA Ross Kemp), Major Rob Armstrong, Cpl Willy Haighton

Meanwhile OMLT 1 and Kandak 1 were having a relatively quiet week in Musa Qaleh until it was their turn to host Ross Kemp, who is making a television documentary on Afghanistan. As soon as he went on patrol with the ANA/OMLT, the enemy opened up. Perhaps the Taliban also object to Eastenders? I am delighted to say that Maj David Middleton and his boys acquitted themselves well and brought the Kemp fellow back with his camera in one piece.

Mason Force - a recently formed OMLT team under CSgt/Acting WO2/Local Capt Mason - left Shorabak on Saturday to lend support, advice and some punch to an otherwise lonely and slightly beleaguered CS Kandak grouping at Nad E Ali District Centre. Major John Asbee, our new OC CSS OMLT led in the OMLT which was accompanied by a strong Combat Logistics Patrol bearing ANA resupplies.  

The Commanding Officer with the Under Secretaery of State for Defence, Derek Twigg MP

Visits this week included the Under Secretary of State for Defence, Derek Twigg MP, the Commander Joint Helicopter Command, the Surgeon General, Commander SPS 5 Div and a whole bunch of Danes interested in joining our enterprise next year. General Muhaiyodin departed for some sick leave in Herat (interesting that it's also an anagram of heart), allowing us some time to try and get a firm grip on the commitments and deployments across the Province, before preparing for the arrival of the first elements of the RIFLES Battlegroup.

E B M FREELY
Lieutenant Colonel
Commanding Officer
1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment

In Memory of Rgr Anare Draiva

The 1st day of September marks the 2nd anniversary of Ranger Anare Draivas death of in Afghanistan, in 2006. He was killed in action during a Taliban Mortar attack on the Alamo Sangar in Musa Qaleh whilst serving on Op HERRICK 4

We pray for the soul of Ranger Draiva and for the Draiva family in Fiji. Please pray also for those from the Regiment who continue Ranger Draiva's courageous work in Musa Qaleh at this time on Op HERRICK 8.

 

The premier UK event to test teamwork, self-reliance, endurance, outdoor and navigational skills

The OMM 2008 LOCATION is at Seathwaite Farm Seatoller BORROWDALE in the Lake district on the weekend of 25/26th October.

Founded 1968 the OMM is the originator of the 2 day mountain marathon type event and is for teams of 2, carrying all clothing, equipment, tent, sleeping bag, food for 36 hours, navigating one's own route and including an overnight camp.

Teams are totally self supporting, no GPS or outside support is allowed and teams NOT arriving at the the overnight camp are assumed to have camped safely.  Your team partner is your first source of help and assistance.

There a 7 different classes, (the course distances quoted are over 2 days) the longest being the Elite which is literally 2 consecutive marathon length days or thereabouts and with c2,500m of ascent over 2 days.

There are 2 different types of class; Line (check points in a pre-designated order) which is the Elite, A, B and C classes and Score, (long, medium, and short) which needs higher levels of navigation skill to make choices to optimise points scored and which must be completed within the time allocated. 

The ethos of the event is to be totally self-reliant, in the wilds, carrying all equipment, no outside support and without GPS or cell phone. Your first source of help is your partner and if you retire you are responsible for getting yourselves back to base. Any teams not arriving at the overnight camp are assumed to have camped safely. In these days of 24/7 contact and total support this is an event to test and indeed help develop teamwork and self-reliance.

The 1 R IRISH team will consist of Capt Shannahan and Sgt Coyne who will be competing in the Elite class which is literally 2 consecutive marathon length days with c2,500m of ascent over 2 days.