Week 15 - Commanding Officers Notes

An emergency security shura was called by Comd 3/205 Bde in Gereshk this week. Eight hours of negotiations between a range of local officials, militia leaders, ANA, ANP and ISAF elements followed. The result, apart from a severely numb rear and aching limbs from sitting on the floor, was a determination to clean up the town and address the recent spate of suicide IEDs and violence. The plan is to disband militias, reform or demolish police checkpoints (used ordinarily for levying illegal charges) and achieve more cooperation and intelligence coordination between the numerous security interested parties. It was good to see the ANA take responsibility and direct joint security planning.

Meanwhile, up the valley a serious crisis was playing out. Capt Shoukru's partnered ANA platoon had turned their weapons on his isolated 7 man team. A crowd of angry locals were baying for British blood outside the patrol base. This followed the unfortunate and accidental death of a girl during an engagement by another unit further north that morning. The tense situation played out over several hours as the R IRISH OMLT tried to defuse the emotionally charged atmosphere. The enemy exploited the crowd, chaos and local feeling and integrated firers amidst the angry mob. Shooting broke out; the R IRISH OMLT managed to kill 2 of the enemy forcing the people to disperse. This created sufficient space and confusion for Capt Shoukrou's men to extract and fight a withdrawal 1.5km north to FOB GIBRALTAR. As our boys moved north the enemy were swift to range in with direct and indirect fire. I can now report that order has been restored in the area and the R IRISH team are safe and well.

By contrast, later in the week I gave an interview to BBC Radio Ulster's Stephen Nolan Show by satellite phone. I had been asked to comment on soldiering in Afghanistan and the wearing of uniform in public back the in the UK. All seemed OK, but I was totally ambushed by the 'phone in' section of the programme. It was lovely to speak to a couple of the mothers of soldiers in the Battalion. It was challenging, but quite fun, to joust with an unreconstructed and rather old fashioned shinner from Newry. However, it was a surreal delight to be greeted by one caller, Anto Wickham, with whom I had last served in 6 Platoon, B Company, 2 R IRISH 23 years ago. It brought home the strength and depth of support we, as a Regiment, enjoy on this deployment. Thank you all very much. 

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

Here in Afghanistan

 

Mentoring the Afghan National National Army

Here in Afghanistan, the Royal Irish Regiment has the distinct role of working closely with the Afghan National Army. How do we get on? The common bonds between professional soldiers are strong enough to bridge the huge cultural gulf between the men of the Royal Irish Regiment and the soldiers of the Afghan National Army (ANA). Never are the ties that bind so strong as when together men face adversity. The current Taleban threat in HelmandProvince is powerful, brutal and ubiquitous. It also serves as an effective binding agent for the Royal Irish and their Afghan counterparts. The immediacy of the fight and the urgency of the mission very quickly break down any barriers.

Recent weeks have seen the relationships grow across the ranks. There have been highs and lows: shared humour, and moments of sadness. Mentoring, training and fighting alongside the ANA is both challenging and rewarding. We have learned much about the people, culture and country; we have also imparted our own experience to help develop the Afghan Army's capability so that in the future they are able to handle the insurgency themselves.

Throughout the province, men of the 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment are fighting and operating alongside the Tajiks, Uzbeks, Hazaras and Pashtuns - now united in the nascent ANA. The alleyways, irrigation ditches and poppyfields around the towns of Sangin, Musa Qaleh, Gereshk and Kajaki are now more familiar than the streets of Belfast, Ballymena and Dublin. Within every Afghan Kandak (Battalion) there is an embedded team of Royal Irish providing support.

Mutual trust and understanding are critical to building the relationship necessary to advise and train the ANA. Cultural appreciation plays a key part. I have had to adapt to sitting cross-legged again - something not done since wearing short trousers as a schoolboy. Drinking chai and exchanging small talk is mandatory if you are to win the confidence of the locals. Local customs, food and norms all have to be mastered.

Inevitably, there are occasional professional frustrations. But, as soldiers together seeking to improve the lot of this country we are utterly united. Royal Irish and Afghans have been fighting and patrolling as one. It was with the help of Afghan colleagues that I unearthed 2 Taleban improvised explosive devices (IEDs) designed to destroy us.   When time has permitted we have played football and cricket together. Following a recent Taleban attack in Musa Qaleh when 9 ANA soldiers were killed, Royal Irish colleagues made up half of those paying their respects as the bodies were repatriated. Reciprocally, the Islamic officers of the ANA respectfully sang hymns and prayed with us as we marked the anniversary of the first British soldier to die in Helmand. 

The Irish and Afghan soldiers share courage, character and camaraderie. Such is the banter and craic, that some of the Afghans are word perfect with our Gaelic motto 'Faugh a Ballagh', which means Clear the Way. Unsurprisingly, our boys have learned a few choice expressions in Dari and Pashtu!

The Commanding Officer 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment
Lt Col E B M Freely (Ed)