Afghan heroes parade through central London

Service personnel from 3 Commando Brigade, recently back from fighting in Afghanistan, paraded through central London today, as they made their way to a prestigious Parliamentary reception at Westminster Palace.

Members of Parliament from all parties invited members of 3 Commando Brigade to attend the event to allow them to show their appreciation for the dedication and sacrifice shown by the marines and soldiers on their winter deployment to Afghanistan on Operation HERRICK 9.

Around 120 personnel marched from Wellington Barracks, led by the Royal Marine’s Band. The parade marched down Birdcage Walk and Parliament Square, arriving at the Houses of Parliament a where they were addressed by Lindsay Hoyle, vice chairman for the All Party Parliamentary Group for the Royal Marines. The troops then proceeded to a reception organised by members of the All Party Parliamentary Group for the Army.

3 Commando Brigade have been returning from Afghanistan over the past two months, following an extremely tough six-month tour in Helmand province. The tour was marked by high profile, ongoing operations, including Operation SOND CHARA (Red Dagger), which successfully cleared Taleban from the Nad-e-Ali area, and Operation DIESEL, which destroyed Improvised Explosive Device manufacturing facilities and captured chemicals and equipment that, if used to process Opium into Heroin, would have had a UK street value of £50m.

The Brigade suffered 33 fatalities during the course of the tour, and saw many other men seriously injured, a reflection of the extreme intensity of the six month period and the highest of any winter tour.

Troops in city homecoming parade - BBC

Service personnel from Plymouth-based 42 Commando Royal Marines have taken part in a homecoming parade following their return from Afghanistan.

About 600 commandos, based at Bickleigh Barracks, paraded through Plymouth city centre earlier, led by a military band and cheered on by a large crowd.

42 Commando spent six months in Afghanistan's Helmand Province, during which time three men died in combat.

They were in Afghanistan as part of 3 Commando Brigade.

One woman from Kingsteignton who had come to see her son take part said: "I'm very excited and very proud to see them all back and it's lovely to see local people out supporting them too."
Another mother who had travelled from London commented: "I'm very proud of them, they are amazing and so young.

"You may be dead against the war, as I was, but you have to admire them."

After the 30-minute parade the marines mingled with their families.

Capt Lawrence Clinton, who had been cheered-on by his three children and nephews and nieces said: "It was great. We got an enormous sense of pride and satisfaction from seeing the crowd.

"I just can't believe how many people were there. It was wonderful, thank you Plymouth."

42 Commando Commander, Lt Col Charlie Stickland, told BBC News: "Today has been extraordinary, we had no idea the reception Plymouth was going to give us.

"The smiley boys of 42 Commando were certainly smiling today. It was brilliant."

City welcomes returning soldiers - BBC

To watch the BBC video report click here

Crowds of well-wishers have lined the streets of Plymouth to officially welcome home members of the 29 Commando Regiment, Royal Artillery.

A total of 450 Plymouth-based soldiers paraded through the city to mark their homecoming following a six-month deployment in Afghanistan.

The march began from their base at the Royal Citadel on the Hoe and ended at St Andrew's Church for a service.

Two members of the regiment were killed during the tour in Helmand Province.

Capt Tom Sawyer, 26, from Hertfordshire, died in an explosion during an operation against enemy forces in central Helmand province on 14 January.

A month earlier, 26-year-old Lt Lewis Aaron, from Essex, was fatally wounded when the gun position he was commanding in the Gereshk area of Helmand Province came under attack on 15 December.

The 29 Commando Regiment, Royal Artillery were in Helmand Province in the south of the country providing specialist artillery support for 3 Commando Brigade, which is based at Stonehouse in Plymouth.

This was their second tour of duty in Afghanistan in the past two years.

A medal presentation took place at the Piazza at lunchtime following the remembrance and thanksgiving service.

Afterwards the troops marched up Royal Parade, around the fountain and past St Andrew's before heading back to the Citadel.

Although the majority of the regiment is based in the Royal Citadel on Plymouth Hoe, it also has batteries in Poole and Arbroath.

Lt Col Neil Wilson RA, commanding officer of the regiment, presented the medals at the ceremony in the Piazza.

He said: "Having been stationed in Plymouth for the past 57 years, we very clearly see the city as our home base.

"The people of Plymouth have supported us superbly throughout our deployment and today gave us an opportunity for us to say thank you."

One member of the regiment unable to attend the ceremony was Cpl Simon Vaughan who remains seriously ill in Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham after being injured by a road-side bomb in December.

However, while the ceremony took place, he simultaneously received his medal in hospital, from Lt Col Colin McClean, in the presence of his wife and son.

Easter joy as our boys come home - Daily Star

FAMILY and friends turned out to cheer their heroes home yesterday as 122 of our boys returned from Afghanistan.

The troops, mainly from the Royal Marines’ 42 Commando, based in Bickleigh, near Plymouth, arrived back in Devon.

They had spent six months in Helmand.

Their touchdown at Exeter Airport was a fantastic Easter present for their loved ones.

The commander of British forces in Afghanistan said yesterday significant progress had been made.

Brigadier Gordon Messenger, has seen 32 fatalities during his six months in command of 3 Commando Brigade.

He said: “I won’t pretend that there have not been setbacks and surprises, but the overall direction is one of progress.”

Dad's helmet from Helmand - The Sun

NATASHA Copinger-Symes beams from under the helmet of her Lt Col dad Rory — one of 122 heroes who flew home after six months in Afghanistan’s Helmand province yesterday.

The seven-year-old was among hundreds of cheering family and friends who greeted Royal Marines from Plymouth-based 42 Commando as they touched down at Exeter Airport.

Marine Jamie Parlour lifted up his two-year-old godson Jake in delight as he celebrated his return from the lawless territory.

Major Neil Wilson, 43 — met by wife Melanie — said: “We’re making sure it’s a better, safer place.”

Their commander Brigadier Gordon Messenger added: “I’m extremely proud of what the men and women have achieved. They deserve a well-earned rest.”