|
Battalion Sit Rep:
7th November 2007
NO 1 COMPANY
I was pleased to be able to escape from TFH HQ to get up to
Kabul to see No 1 Coy again. All seem on fine form and, despite
a fair bit of Sangar bashing, many of the junior Guardsmen are
even professing to be enjoying themselves on their first
operational tour. I have previously alluded to the similarities
with Northern Ireland tours that many older Coldstreamers will
remember – and it is very similar in many ways – with the
notable and unwelcome addition of a very real Suicide IED
threat. Regrettably a civilian was shot and killed last week
after failing to heed warnings and driving towards one of the
call signs in what was perceived to be an aggressive and erratic
manner. An investigation is, rightly, being conducted but I am
comfortable that the correct drills were adhered to.
On a more positive note the Company is in the process of
developing a number of CIMIC projects and Captain Pete Dale is
continuing to build very positive relationships with local
leaders. Much more worryingly the Company Commander has started
to sport a moustache – enough said!
Amazingly the first multiple departs on R&R next week.
NO 3 COMPANY
No 3 Coy have been very busy trying to make their home more
secure. They have had Royal Engineer assistance in clearing
fields of fire of both trees and compounds. They have also been
bedevilled by some G4 issues such as a broken generator which
has significantly impeded their ability to charge batteries for
the radios and ECM. The scarcity of Heli hours has made resupply
genuinely challenging and tasks that ought to be simple become
far from straight forward.
RIGHT FLANK
It has been a case of all change for Right Flank as they have
moved in support of operations in the vicinity of Musa Qala (MSQ).
They have left their erstwhile home of FOB ARNHEM and have been
operating to the east of MSQ for the last week or so. MSQ itself
is the TB centre of gravity in Northern Helmand as well as being
a central drugs industry hub. There is much going on within MSQ
at the moment and we are seeking to ensure that the TF is
properly balanced to exploit any opportunities that might arise.
There have been a few indirect fire attacks but nothing more
substantial to date. The TB, rightly, remain very wary of the
WARRIOR’s capabilities.
LASHKAR GAH
The Coldstream heavy Security Sector Reform (SSR) Cell was
delighted to welcome back to LKG Capt Rob Sugden, DSgt Matthew
Quinton and Capt James Raley to attend an SSR study day and to
take the chance to enjoy some of the comforts (!) of Bde HQ.
Given the helicopter situation in Helmand, they have been here
for a sight longer than they were probably hoping to be. The
Sergeant Major in his capacity as SO3 (B) Info Ops has managed
to find time to deploy forward to PB KEENAN to spend time on the
ground with No 3 Company.
The Coldstream Platoon commanded by 2Lt Mark Hayhurst has
recently been deployed as part of a 2 YORKS Coy (-) Gp to FOB
ARNHEM in the Upper Geresk Valley to assist in ongoing
operations within the BG (C) AO. They are operating on the edge
of the Green Zone and it is a completely different environment
to that that they had become used to LKG. On the principle that
a change is as good as a rest they should be thoroughly
refreshed when they return to LKG – whenever that may be.
RECCE PL
The Recce Platoon remain committed to the Police Mentoring Task
with multiples in both LGK and GSK. There is a huge amount to do
in terms of bringing on the Afghan Police and they have been
extremely heavily committed in both mentoring and in conducting
a baseline assessment of what the police capabilities really
are. They are due to be cut to the HCR in BG(S) at the beginning
of next month and I think that they are looking forward to a
change of role – with the prospect of a chance to engage with
the enemy. From a personal perspective I will not be at all
pleased to see them switched away from the SSR effort where they
are making a huge difference.
OMLT
Jon Brinn’s OMLT 4 team has done some very real (and
frightening) live fire training with the ANA using PKMs, RPGs
abd SP9s etc….fire team and section attacks. Amazingly they
remain more or less in one piece. They have now deployed on
operations in the GSK area and the team are due to remain out on
ops for at least a couple of months.
Capt Crispin D’Apice has managed to get himself sent to
Stavanger in Norway to assist with the training of a new
incoming Bde to Afghanistan, regrettably the return date was
only a week short of his 2 weeks R&R and so he has found himself
in the unenviable position of having three weeks back in the UK
rather than the more traditional two. Poor Chap!
QM
The Quartermaster has finally joined us in theatre with
responsibilities as the Quartermaster and Camp Commandant for
FOB Price just outside GSK. This was an appointment which got
‘forgotten’ in the handover of the BG (C) AO to the Danes – and
there was a degree of reorganisation required – which he has now
got stuck into. His small team of the TQMS, LSgt Magowan and
LSgt Hoggarth are making a real difference.
In sum the Coldstream continue to contribute to the overall
effort in Afghanistan in a wide variety of roles. There are lots
adventures being had as well as more than just a few hair
raising moments. We have been extremely lucky on more than one
occasion – long may that luck last.
George Waters
GCC WATERS
Lt Col
Comd Offr
|
