Week 11 - Commanding Officers Notes

Well, this week has been one of consolidation post Op OQAB STERGA. We have been reviewing our performance and trying to ensure that both ourselves and the Afghan National Army learn from the experience. Post operational reports have been written and meetings scheduled. More importantly has been the provision of support to Capt Ray Dalzell, Capt John Huxley and Patrol Base ATTAL, which unsurprisingly received a concerted first attack. A combination of small arms fire followed by a mortar attack this week was a taste of what will follow until we influence the surrounding area.

A high ranking team of ANA and Afghan National Police visited from Kandahar over 3 days this week to conduct a security recce with us along the Helmand stretch of Highway 1. This is something that our Brigade had completed a month ago, but such is the tortured chain of command and poor state of communications that the next level up felt they ought to have a go too. General Muhaiyodin has been away on leave, as has his usual deputy, so the splendidly named Maj Jangbazkhan has had the reins for the past week. He has done an excellent job and has been well supported by the Bde staff.

Yesterday, was a very sad day for the ANA. A Taliban coordinated attack on 2 positions in Sangin resulted in a protracted fire fight. A combination of R IRISH and ANA fought off the attack; but not before one ANA soldier was killed in action, with one other seriously wounded. Disturbingly, a second ANA soldier was badly injured in a traffic accident in Gereshk and died later from his injuries. Yesterday evening Capt Mike Potter, the Adjutant, and his G1 staff organised a sombre but dignified ramp ceremony at Camp Bastion airhead. The ANA attended in numbers, standing to attention, to pay their respects to the 2 dead soldiers as comrades in the bearer parties carried the coffins onto a Hercules aircraft. As the plane took off in the balmy night air towards Kabul both ANA and R IRISH stood solemnly, saluting in silence.   

Today, was the third day on the trot that the RSM, Ops Offr and I have attempted to fly to Kajaki to visit Capt Beattie and his men. Again, we have been thwarted by the lack, or unavailability, of support helicopters. Tactical air movement is particularly tight. The maintenance of air frames is critical to the provision of troop movement. It is clear that the benefits of having increased troop numbers in Helmand (British, US, Afghans, Danes, Estonians) has to be weighed against the capacity to move them. 'Time to spare - go by air' is becoming the daily motto.

A special thanks to the Royal British Legion and the generous townsfolk of Market Drayton. We have all been touched by the depth of your kindness and support to the R IRISH soldiers here and our families in Tern Hill. On behalf of the Regiment and its families, I salute and thank you.

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