B Company Blog

1st December 2011

Welcome to the next instalment on B Company’s progress here in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

I honestly cannot believe another two weeks have flown by, B Company have been typically busy and now have a good understanding of what sort of things to expect on a day to day basis from the ANA. We have also seen further progress from those we are Advising, what may be regarded as small steps forward are hugely important and are adding up nicely.

During the last two weeks we have also received direction that the 6th Kandak (the Battalion that B Coy has been tasked with advising) will be swapping with the 2nd Kandak who have previously been responsible for protecting Highway 1, to our North. In some ways this is quite frustrating as we have established some great relationships with the ANA we are currently working with. On the other hand, it gives us the opportunity for a ‘fresh start’ with a considerably deeper understanding of the way in which the ANA work than when we took over in September.

Either way, I am sure it will present new challenges, keep us busy and ensure the tour continues to whizz by. It will also present a good chance to hold a few leaving parties and exchange presents with our current ANA. Gifts we have already received include numerous Afghan Pakole’s (traditional Afghan hats), and a number of fetching ‘Dish Dash’ sets. I can vouch for the fact that they are incredibly comfortable despite the fact one size fits all, maybe a few will appear in the 2 Rifles Officers Mess when we get home.

During the last couple of weeks we have also seen an obvious shift in the weather. It has got significantly colder at night time and is now feeling more like winter. It is still usually clear skies and sunshine during the day, although we have experienced some rain much to our disappointment. This is helping the Company to feel a lot more ‘festive’. Christmas decorations and fairy light displays have started to appear, the Rifles multiple up in PB SALAANG have even made their own advent calendar. I suspect it is slightly more risqué than you will find in most shops in the UK this Christmas though.

It has been great to see such a high level of support on the 2 Rifles Facebook page. It’s also great to see comments on the Company Blog and lots of support from everybody back home. If there is anything that people would like included in the Company Blog, or anything people would like to know, add it as a comment and I will make it happen for the next instalment. I hope everybody back home is getting well and truly into the Christmas spirit and I look forward to updating you in a fortnight.

Keep checking back for more 2 Rifles updates.