Tuesday, September 8, 2009

One of the toughest building sites in the world


A brand new, purpose-built Forward Operating Base (FOB) has been completed in one of the most isolated regions of Helmand, giving the soldiers living conditions a much needed boost.

FOB Shawqat in Nad e-Ali has been constructed by soldiers from 38 Engineer Regiment in an old fort that the British Army last used in the 19th century.

It replaces FOB Argyll 300 metres down the road where conditions were pretty rough.

The new FOB has taken six months to build and will allow the Brit soldiers based in the area to improve security in the local district.

Lieutenant Colonel Roger Lewis, Commanding Officer, 38 Engineer Regiment, said:

"It has to be one of the toughest building sites in the world; sweltering hot and dusty in the summer, freezing cold and wet in the winter, and then there is the small matter of the Taliban shooting at you whenever they get a chance.

"It takes brave determined men who can stand up to the elements to pull something like this together so quickly and I am immensely proud of what they have achieved.

"Shawqat is still not a palace but it's five-star accommodation in comparison to Patrol Base Argyll and your mother would approve too!"

4 comments:

  1. well from a yank.job well done guy's

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  2. how can my mate in the british legion in yorkshire find how to send parcels to 38
    from ancient sapper az ex 51 whenit was construction

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  3. Donations to the troops in Helmand can be made via www.bmycharity.com/V2/welfarefund

    ReplyDelete