Sanitized Version

A Company 28th Oct 07

We have now been in theatre for over a week and I am pleased to report that A Company Group have already made their mark in Afghanistan.

We left Camp Bastion on Tuesday and headed for *****Province. Although the two locations are only a 45 minute flight away, it took nearly twenty four hours for the RAF to reunite the whole company. Once there though, final battle preparation got underway. During our time in Afghanistan we are working with the 1st Battalion, The Royal Gurkha Rifles so we were greeted by limitless supplies of Gurkha curry!

The operation began in the early hours of Thursday morning, and after some restless sleep at the airhead, A Company Group boarded Chinooks. Unfortunately just as we started debussing from the helicopter, Fusilier Nangle, one of the Battalion's newest recruits, had a fight with a rock...and the rock won, resulting in a sprained ankle. He was taken straight back to *****where he became the first member of the Company to test the rumour that the Dutch nurses in the medical centre make it well worth a visit. Sadly Fusilier Nangle will not be able to take part in operations for the next few weeks but we wish him a speedy recovery and hope to have him back with us soon.

The rest of the Company meanwhile set about establishing their presence on the ground. During the first four days of the operation the Company has been performing well in engagements with enemy and spirits remain high. We are working in challenging conditions but all the time spent training in Cyprus appears to be paying off. Other forces involved in the operation have been extremely impressed by how quickly and professionally 1 Royal Welsh have adapted to the demands of being in theatre.

On Friday we suffered our second minor casualty when Lance Corporal A***** took a heavy fall whilst on patrol. He too got to sample the delights of the Dutch nurses who diagnosed that he had broken his foot in three places. As I write Lance Corporal A****is on his way back to Selly Oak hospital where he will be reunited with his wife and undergo further treatment for his injury. We are sorry to have lost him from the Company and everyone sends him their best wishes for a full recovery.

Morale was boosted today by the arrival of welfare packages from school children in Wales. CSgt Leyshon has been busy penning replies to all their letters. Also thank you so much for all the post that you have sent to us. Although it is taking a little while to be brought forward to us, it is getting through so please keep it coming. As always our thoughts are with you all and we are looking forward to being reunited with you in Cyprus.