Commanding Officers' Blog

Lt. Col. Bill Wright

4th November 2011

The last 3 weeks have been extremely busy as A and C Coy arrived in Helmand and the ANA have undertaken a number of large operations.  A and C Coy are now in place in Nari-Sahraj (South) under the command of 5Rifles (their RSM is Pete Burney who left 2Rifles last year).  To complete the Rifles ‘love in’, this is the same area in which the B Coy KATT is based.  A Coy is in Patrol Base (PB)2 alongside 5Rifles Headquarters and B Coy HQ.  It is a pretty large patrol base containing not only the Rifles elements but also the ANA Kandak (Battalion) Headquarters, their Heavy Weapons Tolay (Coy) and their Headquarters Coy..........

I saw A Coy on their In Theatre Training Package and moral was as high as ever.  As with all of us, there was some nervous anticipation of the task ahead but also the determined Rifles focus to get on with it: the wait has been too long.   I hope to see them again in the next week or so.

C Coy has been out here for a little longer and is now fully settled in PB 5.  Known by its previous Royal Marine occupants as PB 5 Star, it is basic but well equipped and, most importantly for them, they are the only ISAF occupants and far enough out not to get surprise visitors.  They are kings of all they survey – even if that is just HESCO Bastion Walls (huge sand filled blocks), green tents and shower bags!  I visited their Advance Party 10 days ago: Maj Gareth Davis was clutching maps and Op Orders but loving it; CSM Flood had only been there 2 days and so was still plugging in all his electronic gadgets; and Capt Will Hignett would like some shears for his hair if any sheep farmers have spare ones.  C Coy is alongside an ANA Tolay who have Sjt Snake Hips Sanday embedded with them.  He has developed a really good relationship with the ANA and there is lots of Rifles like banter!  He is also the only man to ask for a resupply of hair gel...

The Brigade Advisory Group (BAG) has been busy too.  The Queen’s Dragoon Guards KATT (under Maj Johnny Hanlon) in Ned Ali have been busy on a successful and well coordinated ANA and Afghan National Police (ANP) led clearance operation in the north of their area.  We have also had our first ANA Brigade Level Operation which saw ANA and BAG elements drawn in from across Central Helmand.  Operation Malika K (Princess Kate) was named by the ANA in recognition of our latest addition to the Royal Family (she has a large fan base here!).  It involved the construction of a new Check Point on Highway One near Gereshk.  Highway One goes right around the country and is the equivalent of their M25 (4 lanes wide but with no lane markings).  The area of Majaar Bazaar had been subject to a number of insurgent attacks on both military and civilian convoys over recent months.  After consultation with the District Governor, Chief of Police and General Sheren Shah (Commander 3/215 Brigade) they decided to take action.  Within the week the ANA had planned the operation and last Saturday morning some 350 ANA warriors, supported by 60 ANP, swept into the area at first light.  We went with them as they rapidly cleared the surrounding area, recovering 2x AK47s, 11kgs of refined heroin and 2 IEDs.  By lunch time the area was secure and the ANA Engineers were busy building the Check Point.  The insurgents did not hang around and within 48 hours the operation was complete.  The supporting efforts of the BAG HQ staff and the Advisors (for this operation led by Maj Tom Jefford) were rewarded by seeing such a huge success for the ANA and ANP:  a difficult task which the ANA achieved with virtually no ISAF support.  The operation also provided a good opportunity for many of the BAG personnel to see mates who they last saw on a dark Brize Norton morning back in September.  The banter was as sharp as ever! 

Thank you all again for your ongoing support: it means a lot to us.  The messages are very well received and it is great to hear from so many old Regimental friends too.  (WO2 Diggle says that he is not getting enough abuse from the likes of CSjt Povey amongst others.)   

We have now raised some £5k on the swiftandbold.org website and our wives have just done a really good WW2 style calendar which will be released on the website in the next few weeks – please pass the word.  Every Christmas stocking should have one! 

I would also like to congratulate the RSM, David Youngs, on receiving his Commission.

All our best wishes from the Helmand Branch of 2Rifles!

Swift and Bold

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