Week 12 - Commanding Officer's Notes

At this time, a week ago we received another reminder of the ever present and ubiquitous nature of the threat. As I sat reviewing the previous week, a massive explosion occurred which blew out the windows. I immediately thought it was a mortar attack. Helmets and body armour were swiftly donned as Camp Shorabak reacted. It was quickly established that a vehicle borne suicide bomber had attacked our convoy returning from Camp Bastion. Miraculously, only one of our soldiers was injured. Several others somehow survived unscathed. Shrapnel from the blast flew over our protective wall - with one ten inch shard slicing through an accommodation block and embedding itself in one of the Captains beds. I suspect after that close call, he will remain an early riser!

We hosted a visit this week of Lt Col Andrew Cullen and WO1 Patton, CO and RSM respectively of 2 R IRISH. They have had a busy week catching up with the exploits of Imjin Company around Bastion and their new deployed base FOB KEENAN in the Upper Gereshk Valley. A programme of ranges, patrols and training has given them a good feel for the environment and conditions being faced by their men here. I must admit that watching their discomfort was reassuring evidence that we have all acclimatised to the severe heat and weight of our equipment. But then we have been here now well over 2 months!

RSM 1 R IRISH and RSM 2 R IRISH in FOB KEENAN

The BG Tac HQ used this week to see and understand better the east bank of the Helmand River in the Gereshk Valley.  It is clear that the security dynamic is shifting. In Gereshk town there is an increase in economic activity. The main bazaar area is buzzing with commercial life. This is also reflected in the green zone immediately north, where the locals are now concentrating on the wheat harvest and getting other products to market. These are positive signs. There are several indications that the people welcome the Afghan National Army and its security. The Taleban are more often rejected reflecting a growth in local confidence. Our patrol to the base known as WITCHES HAT confirmed this. Capt Shoukru and his ANA team have developed positive and productive relations with the surrounding villages. There is a resulting tangible diminution in attacks and Taleban activity.

However, across the valley to the west there remains a real battle for the people of Shurakay, close to our new base PB ATTAL. The fight is both physical and psychological. We are trying to establish the ANA as the manifestation of national governance in what has long been a sphere of TB influence. This week has seen a frustrated TB resort to combined indirect and direct fire attacks. The ANA and R IRISH have interdicted successively and dominated the key ground forcing the TB to reassess and adjust their tactics again. Meanwhile, the ANA supported by OMLT 4 are cultivating the people in the valley to wean them away from the TB. It was good to see the men of ATTAL in fine spirit and relishing the real challenge that they face.

The RSM and the Commanding Officer check out a compound in the UPPER GERESHK VALLEY

Yesterday, was a bleak day for our colleagues in the ANA.  Following a large IED east of Musa Qaleh, 9 soldiers were killed in action. This was the biggest loss suffered by the ANA in Helmand Province in one day ever. We then pulled out all the stops to assist with the speedy repatriation of the bodies in accordance with Islamic culture. Last night the R IRISH joined the 3/205 Bde HQ to say farewell to our Afghan colleagues at a ramp ceremony.  

The OMLT BG also suffered a casualty with the injury to Capt Chris Wright. He received a powerful electric shock and serious burns, when his radio antennae connected to a faulty overhead cable whilst on patrol in the Sangin area of operations. We all wish him well and pray for a speedy recovery.  

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