Numbers Bolstered By An Influx of Royal Marines

Capt Bob Atherton, B Company
8th September 2011

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September brings a drop in temperatures with the minimum being 19C and the maximum as low as 34, a pleasant change for all, but we won’t be getting our winter sleeping bags out of the stores just yet.  The temperature should continue to decrease in the run up to winter when temperatures will drop to the minuses over the Christmas period.  Luckily the majority will be home long before that happens.

 

Early in the week in the wee small hours of the morning a USL (under slung load) wreaked havoc on CP Jeker. The Russian helicopter contracted to drop off supplies hung around a bit too long, blowing the temporary shelter (sunshade) over the Hesco wall of CP Jeker and onto the barbed wire topping, I suppose the numerous sand bags used to weight it down just wasn’t enough.

 

Ramadan, the month long religious fast, came to an end this week with the three day festival of Eid al Fitr.  This is arguably the biggest celebration of the Muslim calendar and saw children in new clothes running around with toy AK47s (this year’s Helmandi must-have toy) and fireworks and gun fire during the evenings.  This period saw insurgent activity in our area drop off and the ANA retreat to their CPs to party and enjoy the foods they have missed out on during the fast.  With the celebrations over the ANA have opened their doors again and taken the lead in a number of patrols a refreshing change and hopefully the path to future joint operations.

LCpl Deacon had some good news, he was being shipped off to Bastion and then onto PB2 for the end of the tour.  He spent his last couple of days in CP JEKER enjoying the sunshine and running around on the Quad ensuring all kit and equipment was squared away prior to his departure.  He will be assisting in the G4 chain at Bastion replacing those already on their way home or on R and R.  He will meet up with the rest of his Coy for the flight home next month.  I am sure a few weeks at Bastion will be a refreshing change and a welcome break from CP life.

On Friday B Coy numbers were bolstered by an influx of Royal Marines to assist in man power issues when our Territorial Army (TA) augmentees leave.  The TA will be heading home earlier than the rest to enable them to get all their Post Operational Tour Leave (POTL) in before returning to their day jobs.  The good news for the company is there are a number of TA soldiers who wish to return as regulars, and, with an operational tour under their belts are lined up for a good start to their army life.

The end of the week sees the return of the OC, and the planning of operations in our AO is well underway with the Coy 2i/c working hard (panicking?) to ensure all the paperwork is submitted and approved, ready for a rested and recuperated OC to take back the reins of Company Command.

Swift and Bold.