Engineers and logisticians busy building in Helmand

Over the last couple of weeks Royal Engineers have been busy supporting infantry operations and building new bases in Helmand province, while logisticians have been delivering essential building supplies.

Engineers from 1st Armoured Engineer Squadron, 21 Engineer Regiment, recently supported a 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment operation to push south from their bases in the Nad 'Ali region of Helmand province.

Marines and engineers at patrol base construction site

The major development operation was designed to clear routes to allow checkpoints and patrol bases to be located further south.

The engineers followed the infantry into the new compounds in order to build temporary, defendable patrol bases so that ISAF can provide greater security in the area which will ultimately increase freedom of movement for the local people.

Two patrol bases have been built so far which will increase the ISAF coverage by a further kilometre.

Intimidation by the insurgents is higher in areas where the ISAF footprint ceases so these new bases are crucial to isolating the insurgency from the local national population.

An engineer begins to demolish a wall

Once the tasks had been completed, an Afghan National Army (ANA) patrol with ISAF adviser call signs (units) attached took control of the patrol bases.

The engineers will return later in order to establish more permanent patrol bases on other greenfield sites.

Meanwhile in Sangin, engineers from 73 Armoured Engineer Squadron have carried out substantial engineering works at Patrol Base Suffolk, an ANA-run base where there is partnering by elements of the 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland Brigade Advisory Group.

Royal Marines based in Sangin provided force protection while the engineers got on with the construction.

The focus of the building works was three fold: reinforcement, rebuild and compound consolidation. External walls were reinforced, with large sections being rebuilt or re-engineered into optimal positions for compound protection, and the three internal buildings were rationalised into one.

A logistic patrol negotiating a deep river to deliver essential stores to a patrol base

This has allowed the creation of a combined ANA/Advisory Group operations room and communal spaces.

Consequently, the enhanced patrol base infrastructure and efficiencies made through combining working spaces freed up 20 to 25 ANA soldiers from routine force protection duties.

This additional manpower lift of ANA soldiers will be used in future operations in the Sangin area to help increase security and improve the freedom of movement for local Afghans.

Of course new bases need materials to be built from and over the last two weeks soldiers from 12 Logistic Support Regiment have been in the Green Zone of southern Helmand delivering essential engineering stores in support of building projects in that region for the UK forces based there.

The soldiers worked tirelessly moving stores and containers around new company locations, negotiating deep rivers and driving through bustling bazaars.

These much needed stores are essential to keep patrol bases adequately stocked and ultimately allow UK soldiers in these areas to improve security and provide reassurance for the local nationals.

Pictures: via MOD

Road Warriors return from largest logistic patrol ever conducted in Afghanistan

British troops have returned from the largest coalition logistic patrol ever conducted in Afghanistan

Soldiers from the newly arrived 6 Squadron, 12 Close Support Logistic Regiment, returned to Camp Bastion on Tuesday (6 April) after conducting a gruelling week long patrol to Forward Operating Base Edinburgh, near Musa Qala, in north Helmand province

Final checks are undertaken

The Squadron was joined by soldiers and vehicles of 6 Close Logistic Battalion from the United States Marine Corps and 68 Close Service Support Battalion from the United States Army.

The mission was to assist in the delivery of US specialist equipment, stores and personnel to FOB Edinburgh, and the return of UK soldiers and equipment to Camp Bastion. The convoy comprised 609 soldiers and 217 vehicles of which 130 soldiers and 46 vehicles were British

The total distance travelled was 206km.

Soldiers wait for the order to move

The Musa Qala district recently transferred from the British to the United States area of operations. The logistics patrol was tasked with supplying the incoming United States Marine Corps and drawing down the equipment and supplies of the outgoing Household Cavalry Battlegroup.

A marshall holds vehicles for their place in the convoy

The convoy left Camp Bastion during the hours of darkness at the end of March after receiving a detailed series of orders, rehearsals, final intelligence briefings and a service of blessing conducted by the Padre.

The patrol leaves Camp Bastion

Over 200 vehicles take part in the patrol

The patrol was accompanied by soldiers of the Force Protection Team and the Route Clearing Team who dealt with Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and protected the patrol from attack.

Lieutenant Jim Sutton (26) from Pontefract, West Yorkshire, Officer Commanding the UK Force Protection Team said: “Civilians would come out of their compounds and wave as we drove by. The move out wasn’t intimidating at all. We enjoyed the interaction, but never lost focus on the possible threats around us”.

After 61 hours of continuous driving and one attack by insurgent fire, the patrol arrived at FOB Edinburgh.

The unloading of equipment and stores started immediately. Lt Karl Beck (24) from the Wirral, Cheshire, was responsible for the loading of all UK stores and equipment: ‘’It was a testing morning”, he said. “Everyone was exhausted, but everyone just got on with the job. No-one complained. Everybody knew that the main effort was to deliver the US equipment before picking up the UK stores to return home. The sooner it was done, the sooner we could go home”.

The patrol was turned around within a 48 hour period, to complete the return leg of the journey. On the return journey, the patrol was contacted by insurgent fire on another two occasions, from a variety of weapons including mortars, Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs) and small arms.

After 1 week and over 200km, the patrol returns to Camp Bastion

The patrol arrived safely back at Camp Bastion in the late hours of 6 April. No casualties were sustained during the course of the patrol.

Private Carla Lewis (19) from Lianelli, Wales, who was on her first combat logistics patrol, said: “The hardest thing was staying awake, but I did really enjoy it, especially the cross country driving.

“Where we were passing through the Green Zone, the roads were really narrow and the trees obscured the view, so you had to keep a pretty close eye on the vehicle in front of you.

“It’s extremely exhausting driving non-stop for so long, but you just get on and live with it”.

The patrol returns through the gates of 12 CSLR compound

Private James Berridge (20) from Newbury, Berkshire, said: “The driving conditions were bad. The dust in the desert stages just reduced visibility down to a matter of a few metres, so you really had to stay alert to vehicles in front and behind you and also to watch out for signs of IEDs”.

Private Stuart Gaylor (23) from Dunfermline, Fife said: “I was on top cover when three bullets went whizzing past my head. I heard the noise, but it was my first operation, so I didn’t really know what it was until the driver told me”.

Soldiers clean and maintain their vehicles, ready for the next patrol

Corporal Craig Williams (26), from Hartlepool, Cleveland, said: “I was the vehicle commander on the way up to FOB Edinburgh. As the vehicle went static, we started to receive Indirect Fire (IDF). The first round landed about five metres from the vehicle and the next one hit the back of the truck, displacing some of the load.

“The legs of the guy on top cover started to shake, but it was his first tour so he was a bit afraid. This is my second tour now and I’ve done lots of patrols before, so I knew what to expect. Because I was a commander I didn’t have time to think about it. It’s my job was to make sure everyone else was OK”.

The desert is removed from dust filters

The patrol was led by Major Jo Chestnutt, Officer Commanding 6 Squadron, 12 CSLR. “I’m extremely proud of my troops”, he said. “They never gave up. They were determined, resolute and immensely professional. Every member of the patrol – both UK and US – remained fully focussed in fighting this logistic patrol through”.

Soldiers clean their personal weapons and kit

Picture credit: Corporal Lynny Cash RAF