Week 19 - Battalion Second in Command's Notes

The Commanding Officer is on some well deserved R&R and so it falls to me to provide this week's update. The Irish numbers in Helmand Province have swelled over the last week with the arrival in Bastion Hospital of TA medics from 204 (North Irish) Field Hospital (V) from Northern Ireland. Their skills have already been put to good use treating 3 soldiers from Ranger Company and a Royal Engineer who were injured in an IED attack in Sangin. A further 3 Ranger Company soldiers were injured, none seriously, in the immediate response as a result of a vehicle accident and a scorpion bite. I am glad to report that the 3 Rangers injured in the IED attack are all doing well. Rangers Pepper and Delaney were treated at Bastion Hospital and subsequently released, while Ranger Herbert was returned to the UK for further treatment. We extend to Ranger Herbert and to Ranger Allen and both their families our thoughts, prayers and best wishes. The RSM and I had an opportunity to visit all of the Ranger Company men in hospital following the incident and can report the outstanding job being done by the members of 204 (North Irish) Field Hospital (V) and the camaraderie between our soldiers and the Irish medics. The Bastion Hospital is clearly in extremely capable hands for the remainder of our deployment.        

This week has seen a visit by the Northern Irish press to the Royal Irish. We welcomed our old Regimental friend Ivan Little from UTV who was accompanied by his cameraman John Vernard. The 2 last visited the Battalion on exercise in Kenya in 2007 and it was great to have them back to continue their association with the Regiment. The UTV team were accompanied by Leslie-Ann Henry from the Belfast Telegraph - who was also in Kenya - and Ben Lowry from the Newsletter. As a result of the visit we have already received extensive coverage in the press back in NI and this will undoubtedly be enhanced by the UTV coverage which is expected to be broadcast on the main 6pm news programme over the period 29 - 31Jul 08.

You can also Read Ivan Little's UTV web blog here: http://www3.u.tv/news/LocalNews/index.asp?id=90142&sel2=1&sel=1&local=1

Read Lesley-Ann Henry's Belfast Telegraph web stories here : http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/helmandrsquos-vital-question-whatrsquos-your-blood-group-13922032.html and here : http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/afghanistan-rir-training-a-fledgling-force-in-searing-heat-and-under-constant-threat-from-insurgents-13918058.html

Read Ben Lowry's Newsletter stories here : http://www.newsletter.co.uk/afghanistan/Injured-soldier-39ready-to-return.4330242.jp

The list of visitors to Shorabak continues to grow. This week the Commander Joint Operations (CJO) from the Permanent Joint Headquarters visited and was accompanied by the Task Force Commander. CJO received an update on the development of the ANA from the Battlegroup Headquarters team and was impressed to hear of the progress that has been made at this stage of our deployment. The hard work of the Quartermaster and his team was recognised when Shorabak hosted the Logistic Support Inspection. However, there is little time to draw breath as the attention of the QM's Department will immediately switch to the Board of Officers in preparation for the handover to the new OMLT Battlegroup.  

During the week I attended the Helmand Security Shura with General Muhaiyodin at the Governor's residence in Lashkar Gah. The main agenda item concerned the security situation in Marjah District which is situated to the West of Lashkar Gah.  General Muhaiyodin agreed to continue to provide ANA support in the area until the Police were in a position to reassume responsibility for security.  Currently soldiers from our 4th Observer, Mentor and Liaison Team are assisting the ANA from Kandak 4 who are deployed in the District.    

We are now in a period of appointment changes in the Battlegroup. Major Gardiner has returned to the Battalion after 2 years spent in the MOD and he will take over shortly as Battalion 2IC. Captain Rainey, who has spent most of the tour in Musa Qal'eh, is back in Shorabak after his recent course in the UK and is looking forward to taking over as the new Adjutant. Finally, Major Harrison has taken command of CS OMLT following the departure of Major Clements. However, we look forward to being reunited with Major Clements on our return to Shropshire when he assumes the appointment of Chief of Staff of our local Brigade Headquarters.  

I'll leave the last word to the weather. The temperature is on the turn at last and tomorrow we have been told by Lance Corporal Ramsey to expect a chilly 38oC.

P A J WALKER
Major
Second in Command
1st Battalion the Royal Irish Regiment