Announcement by SofS for Defence - 26 Feb 07

Gents,

As a follow-up to my last post regarding the Battalion's deployment to Iraq, you may have heard the SofS for Defence announce in Parliament yesterday that 1400 extra troops are to be sent to Afghanistan in the summer. The key requirement is for a manoeuvre battle group which is to be based on 1 R WELSH (RWF) (Bn HQ and 1 company), with a company from 1 Scots Guards attached, mounted in Warriors. Also in support will be a bty of light guns, a bty of MLRS, extra Puma Helicopters and Harrier GR9 'fast-air'. It is likely that a couple of companies from other coalition partners will also be taken under command in order to provide a manoeuvre reserve battle group. This will provide the divisional commander with a BG sized QRF which has a good mix of ground troops and supporting firepower. This will be a demanding and exciting role for the Battalion, which will provide a great deal of variety, but which will also require a great deal of flexibility, versatility and a high level of good, old fashioned infantry skills.

It would therefore seem that we will be deployed in both theatres simultaneously, whilst also maintaining a company in reserve in Cyprus at short notice to deploy to either theatre. I have therefore proposed that the 3 rifle companies roulement through the 3 tasks during the 6 month deployments in each theatre. FSp Coy are likely to be primarily required to provide fire-support to the Afghanistan company and I also intend to roulement their capabilities through the theatre. At the end of 6 months, this will leave us well balanced to respond to other Theatre Reserve Battalion (TRB) tasks which may come our way until we handover the TRB role in April 2008.

We are currently awaiting further direction on these plans, because, unsurprisingly, I have not yet been formally tasked by the chain of command to deploy to either theatre, although this has very recently surfaced as a pretty strong planning option. However, on strength of the briefings by the SofS for Defence, I am prepared to start working on the detail! There is obviously much still to confirm, but we are looking forward to our deployments to both theatres. Challenging and exciting times lie ahead.

Due to the requirement for Operational and Communications Security (OPSEC & COMSEC), I will not be able to add detailed updates on the plans for the deployments or 'Blogs' during the deployment on these pages as they are not secure. Whilst I do not wish to take the focus away from the Forum, which I think is an resounding success, we shall be setting-up a Battalion Homepage on ArmyNet in the near future. However, an account and password is required to log onto ArmyNet and you need to be serving or sponsored to get an account, which I realise could cause difficulties in some cases. However, we will try to work around this and keep you informed of the details.

Regards,

Huw James
Lt Col
CO 1 R WELSH (RWF)

Thank you for keeping us posted, Mr James, i have no dout you and the1st bn RW will show the Mod and the government that the 1st bn RW ROYAL Welch Fusiliers is still the best Infantry bn in the British Army.
Also i understand the need for security , but as you know the government spin doctors and politicians will let news of bn operational tours and movements before you have had them through the chain of command.
Maybe some one should have his **** kicked for that, have a good ST Davids day, and hopefully see you at this years comrades reunion in September cheers Val.

Many thanks for the update Sir.

Challenging times ahead. It goes without saying that our thoughts and best wishes will be with you all during the deployments. Im sure the lads will rise to it in true Royal Welsh fashion(they have a good pedigree).

If you think the forum is able to assist in anyway on the welfare side, no matter how small please dont hesitate to contact us. We of course appreciate the security issues, and any sanitized information that you can provide during the tours will be greatly appreciated by us.

Best Wishes