A Company Update 4 - Deployment 2

This delayed update was published on the 5th April. Hopefully all went to plan, and Alphas and the FSG should have arrived back in Cyprus yesterday Wed 23/04. Well done guys.

A Coy Gp 1 R WELSH (RWF) Update 5 Apr 08

It is a month since I wrote our last update, shortly after our arrival in Musa Qal’eh. Since then we have settled into a routine and, despite some individuals drawing very close to harmony guidelines, morale remains relatively upbeat. However, as is inevitable, with little over 2 weeks until we return to Cyprus, followed by leave in the UK for most, our thoughts are returning to home. With this in mind I thought it an appropriate time to firstly update you on our progress in theatre, secondly our recovery plans and finally our arrangements for our post tour administration and leave.

Since our arrival in Afghanistan on 15 January we have come under the umbrella of Operation Herrick 7 and more specifically under the command of 40 Commando Royal Marines (for a short period of time) and then the Household Cavalry Regiment (HCR). The HCR Battle Group (BG) left us last week to be replaced by the 5 SCOTS BG. Shortly we will come under the umbrella of Operation HERRICK 8 once 16 Air Assault Brigade assume command from 52 Infantry Brigade early next week. As a result, a number of the company group will have served on Operation HERRICK 6, 7 and 8; a testament to the operational tempo of the Theatre Reserve Battalion (TRB). To those of us deployed on the ground not much has really changed with the arrival of the 5 SCOTS BG. It makes a pleasant change to see some new faces (and new accents) but equally it was sad to see the departure of the HCR BG with whom we had developed a good working relationship.

On the positive side the 5 SCOTS BG has arrived with vigour and as a result (in the main location) we now have central feeding twice a day and there is an aspiration to receive BFBS TV; typically just prior to our proposed departure. On a lighter note, I would urge you to refrain from choosing anyone from A Coy Gp to be a part of a 2008 General Knowledge quiz as we have little idea of what has been happening in the outside world since our arrival; apart from the fact that Prince Harry was based in our current residence and he departed on the day we arrived!
We are still deployed in 3 locations with the majority of the fire support group living in the more austere locations.

Throughout the deployment the fire support group has performed magnificently. They are a great bunch of individuals who have been, and continue to be, fundamental to our success. The mortar platoon continues to offer support to those within Musa Qal’eh on an almost nightly basis and I know those to whom they support are very grateful. The rifle company works on a daily and 2 weekly rotation alternating between guarding our current location and the route clearance to the main coalition base within Musa Qal’eh. Both tasks are fairly mundane but we try to add other events into the programme to break up any monotony.

As to our recovery plans we have been given outline dates by the brigade headquarters and hope that these do not alter. It is my understanding that A Coy Gp will depart Afghanistan on the ‘plane on which B Coy Gp arrive. However, in the intervening 8 days the RAF will have flown to and from New Zealand! On the one hand I am glad that the cricket test series against England has finished (and the ‘plane will not ‘break down’ and the crew will therefore by forced to watch any matches) but with the distance the plane will be travelling, I remain sceptical as to whether we will depart Afghanistan on time.

On the assumption that we do depart on time,we will recover via Al-Udied, Qatar for a period of decompression. I feel it is important that the Coy Gp have the opportunity to unwind and relax together (albeit still in a military environment) prior to our return. After our 36 hour sojourn in Qatar we are scheduled to arrive in Cyprus late in the afternoon on Wed 23 Apr. On our arrival in camp we will conduct an MCCP in the cookhouse prior to returning our weapons to the armoury. Once all the weapons and equipment has been accounted for we will knock it on the head for the night prior to an early start the following day.

The aspiration is to complete all our post tour administration within 36 hours e.g. all day Thu 24 Apr and the morning of Fri 25 Apr. On completion of all the kit checks and once we are given the all clear by the QM department we will have a Coy Gp party. Sgt Redfern, who has already returned to Cyprus, is responsible for making all the necessary arrangements and deciding on a location. More details will follow in due course but all families are invited to attend. We have made a company video of both this deployment and Operation SPIN GHAR (prior to Christmas) and should there be the interest there will be an opportunity to see what your husbands have got up to whilst in Afghanistan.

Following what I am sure will be a very late night the Coy Gp will be on parade at 0800 the following morning. This will allow the CSM to ensure that we can account for the Coy Gp and that they are in a fit state to fly. Once he is satisfied of this the Coy Gp will depart on leave. The battalion headquarters staff, together with the RAF movements’ staff, is trying to make arrangements for places to be available on an RAF aircraft returning to the UK on Sun 27 Apr. We appreciate the efforts being made and a number of individuals have already expressed an interest in making the most of this opportunity. The Coy Gp will, I am sure, make the most of their leave prior to returning refreshed to Cyprus on Sun 18 May ready to assume the Ops 1 commitment the following day.

In terms of facts and figures we deployed to Afghanistan with 99 individuals. I have been able, for various reasons, to return 27 people to Cyprus and also welcome 12 people. We are required to leave behind 10 people with B Coy Gp and will therefore be returning to Cyprus with 74 individuals.

Finally, I had the opportunity to speak to Cpl Dan Sheen late last week and, despite his injuries, he appeared to be in very good spirits. He was appreciative of all his visitors and is looking forward to moving to Headley Court in the near future. Again, we wish him well and he is often in our conversations. We look forward to our return to Cyprus and enjoying some well deserved leave.