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OMLT Sitrep as at 18 Oct 07
(Archive)
The Coldstream Contingent attached to the Operational Mentoring
and Liaison Team (OMLT) is now at full strength. The contingent
consists of Maj Jon Brinn, Capt Crispin d’Apice, Lt Nick Apps,
WO2s Dicky Wright and John Boisson, CSgts Ian Blackett, Callum
Davidson and Rick Kilvington, and Sgts Nick Jackson and McHugh.
Added to this are several other officers, NCOs and soldiers from
across the Army who, with us, make up OMLT 4.
Our task is to train the 3rd Battalion, 4th Brigade, 201st Corps
of the Afghan National Army (ANA). This is a new Battalion that
has only just been formed and therefore there is much work to do
before they are able to deploy on operations. However they are
enthusiastic and keen to learn, whilst some of their commanders
have tremendous military experience. For instance the
Battalion’s 2IC commanded an Airborne Battalion in the Afghan
Army in the 1980s and fought alongside the Russians whilst the
RSM fought for the Northern Alliance against the Taliban,
although most of the junior ranks are very young and the task of
melding them into effective soldiers is proving to be a
challenging one. That said we are confident that when they
deploy they will be more than a match for the Taliban.
We are based in Camp Shurabak which is in the desert next to
Camp Bastion. Facilities are basic but more than adequate and we
are living comfortably. The food in particular is excellent –
possibly because the Master Chef served in the 2nd Battalion
Coldstream Guards back in the early 1990s! Our days start early
as we train with the ANA before the heat of the day becomes too
intense. Mostly we are concentrating on lower level military
skills before progressing to more advanced training later on.
The afternoons are spent concentrating on our own training and
relaxing whilst the evenings are given over to DVDs and a
thriving poker syndicate. On Fridays we conduct our own training
either in the desert or the local ranges and this has given us
the opportunity to both fire off our weapons and see something
of the local area in the process.
We will of course keep you all up to date with our doings as
they happen, but in the meantime we send our greetings to all
our friends across the Coldstream Family and wish you all well.
Capt d’Apice
Note: OML(T) Operational Mentor Liaison Teams
OMLT Operational
Mentoring and Liaison Team
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