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Battalion Sit Rep:
3rd December 2007
NUMBER 1 COMPANY
This has been as relatively quiet period for Number 1 Company
which has seen continued patrolling in their AO and a renewed
emphasis on Public Order training and Camp defence in the wake
of threats of public disorder and rioting. The Company has been
visited by Lt Nick Waddell ETS who has managed to run a number
of CLM and promotion qualifying education courses as well as
basic skills training. The Company was recently graced by a
visit from Major Hugo Rosen who flew over from Al Udeid in Qatar
to conduct business at HQ ISAF. Perhaps more significantly they
were also visited by the CDS who expressed real interest in all
that they have been up to.
NUMBER 3 COMPANY
Number 3 Company continue to operate out of the austere FOB
KEENAN based in the Green Zone to the NE of Gereshk. They
operate under the command of the Danish BG and the Major Tom
Charles has the considerable luxury of operating very much under
his own direction.
Whilst there are occasional frustrations with the availability
of supporting assets it is more than compensated by the lack of
interference from Battle Group HQ. The Coy have now secured an
area of 1.5km radius around the FOB, but following the
withdrawal of a number of other friendly forces in the immediate
area, the TB have now re-attained a element of freedom of
movement in the AO. I managed to visit the Company this last
week and spent a number of days (5) on the ground with them
thanks to the vagaries and disgraceful overstretch of the UK
helicopter force in HMD. I found the Coy in truly excellent
spirits and was not too upset by my forced delay although the
Bde Comd, missing his SO1 SSR, thought differently when I
arrived back in LKG!
RIGHT FLANK
Right Flank 1st Bn Scots Guards have been principally involved
in the BLOCK of the enemy forces to the East of Musa Qala (MSQ).
For three weeks they have been busy disrupting enemy operations
on the ground. This has been a particularly challenging time for
the dismounts particularly with daily moves. As I write the Coy
is currently undergoing an intense equipment care period in Camp
Bastion, the logistical hub of the UK TF in HMD. This also gives
them the opportunity to do laundry, sleep, wash properly and
conduct personal admin using the facilities provided by the
operational welfare package. The Company also found time to
celebrate St Andrews day much to the bemusement of the
Coldstream element. The potted sports competition culminated
with a contest to see who could eat the entire contents of a
24hr ORP in the quickest time (matches and puritabs aside!). The
Coldstream Platoon did themselves proud by managing to come in
second place with Gdsm Beverly drawing in the crowds. It is
worth mentioning that first place was won in 31 minutes.
LASHKAR GAH
Mark Hayhurst’s multiple have experienced considerable variety
over the past few weeks. They had an interesting stay in a
platoon house based in the Green Zone to the NE of Number Three
Company. The platoon clearly enjoyed the independence and,
having chatted to the Gdsm they also enjoyed the lack of
supervision of the 2 YORKS CSM. They had particularly memorable
Remembrance Day which involved a reasonably close encounter with
the TB whilst on patrol at about 1100 O’clock in the morning.
LSgt Notley, the MFC came in for particular praise for the speed
with which he brought the Mortars into action which resulted in
a rapid enemy withdrawal. The platoon returned to Lashkar Gah
recently expecting a somewhat quieter time. Morale in the
platoon is high.
RECCE PL
The Recce Pl are now about to cut-across back to the HCR in BG
(S) ready to re-deploy on Ops in either MSQ or in the south of
the Province. They have been working hard as Police Mentors over
the last couple of months and are looking forward to moving back
to their more traditional role.
OMLT
Major Brinn and his OMLT team have taken the 4th Kandak from
training out to operations within the GSK AO. They face a myriad
of challenges within this fascinating environment and are nicely
complemented by the QM, Maj Dave Hall based out of GSK who is
managing, despite the difficulties of supply, to keep the G4
chain flowing to all the UK force elements in BG (C).
In sum Coldstreamers are busy across Helmand Province making a
notable contribution to the campaign. Morale remains high
George Waters
GCC WATERS
Lt Col
Comd Offr
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