Week 13 - Commanding Officers Notes

You probably think this is hardly newsworthy. With Prince Harry having done a tour and his elder brother William flying into Kandahar recently, you might be forgiven for thinking that that we can hardly move in Afghanistan without bumping into Windsors. Well, it is an indication of the Royal Family's very real appreciation for our soldiers' work in extremely difficult circumstances. The 1 R IRISH BG was honoured to receive a visit this week of HRH The Duke of York, Colonel in Chief of the Royal Irish Regiment. Prince Andrew was interested in the deployments with the ANA and the nature of the conflict. He spent much time hearing from members of both 1 and 2 R IRISH about their exploits and experiences. He also met Gen Muhaiyodin, Comd 3/205 Bde, who presented him with an Afghan carpet from his home province, Ghor.

It was good to catch up again with Major David Kenny and OMLT 2 in Musa Qaleh. His men and the ANA have had to stretch to cover the absence of several of the Afghan National Police on training. Numerous attempts by Taleban elements to infiltrate towards the District Centre have been thwarted by the ANA/OMLT's industry and courage. In fact, as I was there planning was underway to secure more ground to the north to ensure greater security for the town.

The Commanding Officer and General Muhaiyodin meet with HRH The Duke of York

Over the last month the US Marine Corps 24 Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) has been engaged in heavy fighting in and around Garmsir, in the south of the province. The fighting in Garmsir has been characterised by conventional engagements. The enemy have been appearing in sizeable groupings. Many are recent arrivals across the Pakistan border and include Arabs, Chechens as well as Baluchis and Punjabis. The Americans have worked hard with Task Force Helmand to clear the town and its environs of enemy. Notably, Sgt Russell and Cpl McCready, both R IRISH, have managed to get involved and contribute to a significant degree. I visited the town with a team of senior Afghan security officials to assess the situation. Garmsir is now seeing a slow improvement with people returning and the bazaar beginning to function again.       

On Thursday, I flew with a multinational team from Regional Command (South) to Gereshk to be briefed on progress in the area. The Battlegroup and its ANA counterparts are having success reducing incidents of terrorism and violence. The town of Gereshk is seeing a tangible increase in economic activity and the people are more reluctant to host, or put with, Taleban presence and the insecurity they bring. In one of the bases a platoon from 2 R IRISH, under Lt Byrne, has integrated with a Company of Afghans and is dominating and influencing the local area to good effect.

We are all acutely aware of the tragic and regrettable loss of British soldiers' lives this week. We prayed for the souls of those brave men and their families, as we paid our respects at yesterday evening's repatriation ceremony. It may be a little consolation to those grieving, but there are signs that the collective efforts of brave soldiers here, be they British, Danish, Afghan or American, are producing improvements for the long-oppressed population. 

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