Week 29 - Commanding Officers Notes

On Tuesday, our OMLT in Nad E Ali became victims of the fog and confusion of war. Whilst on patrol with the ANA in what is a very hostile area, the enemy engaged CSgt Mason's patrol from close range. The ANA and OMLT returned fire and prepared to bring in armed aviation in support. It appears that in the confusion of patrols on the ground the Apache helicopter fired on the OMLT and ANA. An investigation is being conducted to clarify exactly what happened. One ANA soldier was killed and 5 wounded. CSgt Mason, LCpl Ramsbottom, Ranger Griffiths and LCpl Gurung (a medic) were also wounded - fortunately not too severely. All were evacuated to Selly Oak and are well on their way to a full recovery.

Much of this week was spent revising the Military Decision Making Process with 3/205 Bde ANA HQ staff. Major Ivor Gardiner led our team of mentors who patiently assisted as the ANA staff grappled with a planning exercise based on a realistic scenario to clear enemy forces from west of Lashkar Gah. Also this week we have hosted 2 US Validation Training Teams (VTT). One VTT has been assigned to assess the standards achieved by Kandak 2 in Sangin, and later, Kandak 1 in Musa Qaleh. The other US VTT is examining how the British prepare units for the OMLT role. They are looking at our process of handing over to 1 RIFLES and our conduct of Reception Staging and Onward Integration (RSOI) training. They are also familiarising themselves with the programme of Pre Deployment Training that the RIFLES have completed prior to arrival in Afghanistan.    

Elsewhere the CSS OMLT, under Major John Asbee, has been immersed in Combat Logistics Patrols, ensuring that all of the outposts have enough supplies to see through the Relief In Place period. OMLT 2, under Major John Laverty, has responsibility for the training, preparation and RSOI for the 1 RIFLES BG as they appear. They have spent much time and ammunition on the ranges.

On Saturday 20 September, the funeral of Ranger Jason Cupples took place in Vilnius, Lithuania. Major Ricky Kane, a bugler, a piper and a full Royal Irish Regiment bearer party were present to pay their last respects on behalf of C (Ranger) Company, the Battalion and indeed the Regiment. May Ranger Cupples Rest in Peace.

We said farewell to the 1 R IRISH Advance Party, headed up by the Bn 2IC, as they departed Shorabak for UK, via Cyprus, on 20 September on completion of their tour. We congratulate them on a very successful tour and wish them a safe journey home.

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

 

The advance party relax on the beach during decompression in Cyprus