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RECCE Sitrep as at 30 Nov 07
(Archive)
CAPT J P F RUSSELL — PLATOON COMMANDER
UPDATE FOR GUARDS RECCE FORCE
ATTACHED TO THE HOUSEHOLD CAVALRY REGIMENT
I should start this update with an apology for the second
instalment being so late and (now) out of date. It seems the
article didn’t manage to find its way to the correct people so
hopefully effort number two will work.
Unbelievably we are now two months into the tour and for most
time is flying by (a by product of being busy). The hot summer
Mediterranean weather seems to have left us and it is now
feeling like winter. The first rain fell two days ago and the
effect is the air has been cleared of a lot of humidity. It is
now decidedly chilly at night and in the mornings and it surely
can’t be long until the first frost is recorded. The army issue
bouncing bomb is essential and without it we would all be
freezing at night.
The R and R plot has kicked in now and we currently have eight
away and a further four rubbing their mitts together in
anticipation of time at home. As jealous as we all are it raises
morale in theatre as well when troops return from home bringing
amusing stories about their antics whilst at home. We eagerly
wait for the first lot return. Clearly the R and R plot causes
manning issues as we try to man vehicles and complete jobs but
lets face it.. .time at home mid tour is essential.
The Lashkar Gah multiple have been busy continuing their good
work training and mentoring the ANP. It will continue to be a
daunting task for months yet, but with their careful guidance
and attention to detail there has been a marked improvement. The
ranks of the multiple have shrunk since the R and R plot started
and LCpl ‘Ted’ Boundy accepted an invitation to attend SCBC and
continue his career progression. The Platoon wish him the best
of luck and look forward to hearing of his success come our
return at the end of the tour.. .tour dodger! Sgt ‘Smudger’
Smith, the Multiple Commander, is now famous due to the latest
visit of the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS). An article
appears on the Army Net site of Sgt Smith briefing CDS on the
state of play with the ANP. . or was he. Perhaps a ‘complete the
caption’ competition should be started to guess what was really
being discussed!
The Gereshk boys have being working similarly hard although the
raw product is not quite as advanced as that in Lashkar Gah.
Coupled to that heir Area of Responsibility has increased
markedly and as twelve men they have done a remarkable job to
keep any sort of training and mentoring going. The trend of
turning up at Police station to find thoroughly high coppers who
only have an interest in the monetary side of their work
continues although perhaps the tide is beginning to change in
the favour of a sober and more committed work force. The guys
will not see the fruits of their efforts but I have no doubt
that their successors will benefit from all their hard work.
The rest of the Platoon has been working tirelessly to enable
the Platoon complete to operate with respect to having vehicles
etc. Under the steady and unrelenting guidance of CSgt Dean
Markham and Sgt George Pal, sterling work has been achieved.
Frustrating times lead to three and a half weeks in Garmsir
working with the Ghurkhas and the KRH. Time on the ground has
been carefully learnt from resulting in a considerable amount of
knowledge know being held by a number of individuals. Everyone
enjoyed themselves in the ‘deep south’ and busy periods
intermingled with quieter times when ‘Op Massive’, letter
writing and scrabble were played. Sgt Pal really is an Army
‘nut’... every word produced in scrabble bore some relationship
to the Forces. Either he has a limited vocabulary from years in
the Army of more likely just loves his job! The group then moved
back to Bastion a few days ago for the upcoming ‘re-birth’ of
the Platoon.
There is now frantic activity to get us all together and this
should have happened within the week... EXCELLENT NEWS! The
Guards Recce Force (GRF), as we are now called, will finally,
two months late, be operational which is exciting news. Everyone
is looking forward to this not least so a moustache comparison
can happen. Prior to this happening the Lashkar Gah and Gereshk
blokes need to conduct a handover to the incoming troops who are
taking over. Once completed there will be a short administration
period in Bastion before deploying onto the ground.
December is nearly upon us and with it comes the ‘build up’ for
Christmas. Sadly it will never live up to Christmas at home but
no doubt, in the true resilient nature that soldiers always
show, we will celebrate in some kind of way. Turkey might be
swapped for Goat and wine for coke and hopefully a few parcels
from home will supplement some kind of Christmas lunch.
Otherwise no more news. A final thought is many congratulations
to the Mankowski family as they celebrate the birth of a little
girl.
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