At Provincial level, this week saw what was dubbed the Super Shura. Governor Mangal invited the great and the good from Kabul and Kandahar down to a shura in the provincial capital Lashkar Gar. It was seen as quite an achievement to drag the Minister of Defence, Mr Wardak, and ISAF Commander, Gen Dan McNeil, as well as other senior dignitaries and high ranking ISAF, ANA and Afghan Police officers to Helmand to discuss security and economic development issues. It also demonstrated the ability of the ANA and ANP to coordinate and provide security for a major event.

Now in mid-April we have begun to see the beginning of the poppy harvest. Pink and white poppy heads stand in carefully cultivated fields all over Helmand. The population have spent the last 2-3 weeks ensuring all available water is directed to the fields to ensure maximum yield. Migrants from neighbouring provinces and from Pakistan have swarmed in, temporarily swelling the population of Helmand for the harvest. The business of harvest-time means a brief seasonal reduction in threat. But, I suspect the respite will not last long. For the OMLT BG, this week has been a week of consolidation in our major areas of operation Sangin, Musa Qaleh and Gereshk. Towards the end of the week significant changes have begun to be implemented in some places.

OMLT 2 has had a productive week in MSQ. Attacks have been thwarted, relationships cultivated and some finds of enemy equipment and related arrests. OMLT 3 completed in-barracks M16A2 conversion and have deployed north with a protective and logistics convoy to begin the relief of OMLT 1 and Kandak 1 in Sangin. OMLT 1 has been preparing to handover their responsibilities having had a good final week. Next, a return to Shorabak, decent food, sleep and the training cycle beckons. Down in Gereshk, the CS OMLT has been busy providing security to US convoys passing through the area. Also, they have been scoping the takeover of a new patrol base from the Danes, on the edge of the Green Zone. OMLT 4 has started the MI6 conversion programme and has been engaging their counterparts in sporting contests to break up the training programme. Capt Beattie and a team from OMLT 4 flew up to Kajaki to take on the northern flank protection duties. Finally, a major logistics convoy north has been the focus of the attention of Major Brady and his CSS warriors.    

In Battlegroup Headquarters, Major Walker has wrestled with the submission of our first consolidated monthly assessment of the ANA's readiness, training and operational capability. This is a comprehensive analysis of the development, or otherwise, of our Afghan colleagues. It goes up the US chain of command – eventually appearing on President Bush's desk. BG HQ and mentors also spent time briefing Brigadier Mark Carleton-Smith, Commander Task Force Helmand and COMBRITFOR.  This was the first visit of our Brigade Commander to Shorabak and Gen Muhaiyodin's HQ and the OMLT Battlegroup. It provided a timely opportunity to explain the intricacies of the role and functions of the R IRISH in Afghanistan.

In short, a very good week. Our thanks for all your continued support and correspondence.

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