Afghan security forces conduct joint operation to clear areas of threat around Lashkar Gah, Helmand

Afghan security forces from the Afghan National Army (ANA), Afghan National Police (ANP), Afghan Border Police (ANBP), Afghan Civil Order Police (ANCOP) and ISAF soldiers from the 1st Battalion The Scots Guards acting as part of the Brigade Advisory Group, the 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh and the Counter IED Taskforce have completed a clearance operation around Lashkar Gah in southern Helmand. The operation was jointly planned by Afghan security forces with guidance from ISAF advisors.

Afghan National Army and ISAF Commanders discussing plans before the operation.

Lieutenant Peter Foster, 1st Battalion The Scots Guards and commander of the Brigade Advisory Group attached to the detached Kolay of the 4th Kandak, Afghan National Army said, “This morning’s operation was basically planned and conducted by Afghan security forces. There was a small ISAF contingent there to help with the planning and execution of the operation…..The operation was good. It pretty much fulfilled what it was meant to do. It got Afghan security forces working together, which is extremely good.”

The operation was part of an initiative by the Provincial Governor, Governor Mangal, to clear key areas close to the provincial capital of Lashkar Gar which he considered to be a threat. It involved 300 Afghan security forces and 40 ISAF troops who amassed on the start line to the west of the city in the early hours before stepping off at first light. ISAF forces attached to the troops provided mentoring and guidance to the advancing Afghan forces and their commanders. The aim was to enhance the effectiveness of the overall operation and develop the skills of Afghan forces.

Soldiers from the Afghan National Army lined up with their impressive arsenal of weaponry before the operation starts.

“We plan operations jointly. We give them as much as advice as possible as to how to make it an effective operation and how we can interact our assets with their numbers and their face. Essentially we’re looking to give an Afghan face as much as possible, because the Afghan people want to see Afghan soldiers,” said Lieutenant Foster.

He continues, “Out on the ground my job is to specifically mentor the commander. I’ll give him advice and direct him where he needs directing to further develop his soldiering skills. In terms of controlling his troops, that is his job. I am merely there to advise him.”

Supported by Counter IED teams, Warrior armoured fighting vehicles and aviation support if the troops faced significant resistance, the ANP and ANA patrolled south down two separate geographic corridors. Both the ANA and ANP contingents were able to reach their objectives without incident, although the Counter IED Taskforce was deployed to deal with potential IEDs. After the operation, the Afghan security forces took part in a debrief session with ISAF troops to review how the operation how gone.

Operations of this nature which are jointly planned and use partnered troops are the next step as ISAF moves towards Afghan-led security in and around Lashkar Gah.

Photos: Cpl Barry Lloyd RLC/MOD 2010

Afghan security forces conduct joint operation to clear areas of threat around Lashkar Gah, Helmand

Afghan security forces from the Afghan National Army (ANA), Afghan National Police (ANP), Afghan Border Police (ANBP), Afghan Civil Order Police (ANCOP) and ISAF soldiers from the 1st Battalion The Scots Guards acting as part of the Brigade Advisory Group, the 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh and the Counter IED Taskforce have completed a clearance operation around Lashkar Gah in southern Helmand. The operation was jointly planned by Afghan security forces with guidance from ISAF advisors.

Afghan National Army and ISAF Commanders discussing plans before the operation.

Lieutenant Peter Foster, 1st Battalion The Scots Guards and commander of the Brigade Advisory Group attached to the detached Kolay of the 4th Kandak, Afghan National Army said, “This morning’s operation was basically planned and conducted by Afghan security forces. There was a small ISAF contingent there to help with the planning and execution of the operation…..The operation was good. It pretty much fulfilled what it was meant to do. It got Afghan security forces working together, which is extremely good.”

The operation was part of an initiative by the Provincial Governor, Governor Mangal, to clear key areas close to the provincial capital of Lashkah Gar which he considered to be a threat. It involved 300 Afghan security forces and 40 ISAF troops who amassed on the start line to the west of the city in the early hours before stepping off at first light. ISAF forces attached to the troops provided mentoring and guidance to the advancing Afghan forces and their commanders. The aim was to enhance the effectiveness of the overall operation and develop the skills of Afghan forces.

Soldiers from the Afghan National Army lined up with their impressive arsenal of weaponry before the operation starts.

“We plan operations jointly. We give them as much as advice as possible as to how to make it an effective operation and how we can interact our assets with their numbers and their face. Essentially we’re looking to give an Afghan face as much as possible, because the Afghan people want to see Afghan soldiers,” said Lieutenant Foster.

He continues, “Out on the ground my job is to specifically mentor the commander. I’ll give him advice and direct him where he needs directing to further develop his soldiering skills. In terms of controlling his troops, that is his job. I am merely there to advise him.”

Supported by Counter IED teams, Warrior armoured fighting vehicles and aviation support if the troops faced significant resistance, the ANP and ANA patrolled south down two separate geographic corridors. Both the ANA and ANP contingents were able to reach their objectives without incident, although the Counter IED Taskforce was deployed to deal with potential IEDs. After the operation, the Afghan security forces took part in a debrief session with ISAF troops to review how the operation how gone.

Operations of this nature which are jointly planned and use partnered troops are the next step as ISAF moves towards Afghan-led security in and around Lashkar Gah.

Photos: Cpl Barry Lloyd RLC/MOD 2010

PICTURE of the day: FOB Minden, Helmand Valley

Elements of A Company, 2nd Battalion the Royal Welsh (2RW) based at Patrol Base Minden in the Helmand.

The regiment is based in Tidworth in the UK, and are to stay in Afghanistan for 7 months, their tour is to end in February 2010.

Pictures: Cpl Steve Wood, RLC

Private James Prosser killed in Afghanistan

It is with great sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm that Private James Prosser from 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh was killed in Afghanistan, on Sunday 27 September 2009.

Private Prosser died as a result of an explosion that happened during a vehicle patrol in Musa Qaleh district, northern Helmand province.



Private James Prosser

Private James Prosser was born in Cwmbran, on 14 April, 1988 and educated at Llantarnam Comprehensive School before he joined the Army in July 2008. After completing his infantry training at ITC Catterick, Private Prosser joined 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh in February 2009.

He was posted to A Company and immediately found a home in 2 Platoon. He was a natural Infanteer and relished his job.

Private Prosser was initially employed as a member of a dismounted section before being selected for training as a Warrior Infantry Fighting Vehicle Driver – a role that he both enjoyed and excelled at – prior to his deployment to Afghanistan in July 2009.

Prosser's confidence and affable manner marked him out as one of the more popular of his peers.

Private Prosser was a keen sportsman, and had been a member of Cwmbran Celtics Football Club and Fairwater Falcons Hockey Club. He also enjoyed the cinema and socialising with friends, of which he was never short.

A Company's build-up training for its deployment to Afghanistan was both rigorous and demanding; especially for such a junior soldier, but Pte Prosser took each fresh test in his stride, always acquitting himself well.

He had a real enthusiasm for soldiering, and had a bright future ahead of him. Private Prosser was killed on 27 September 2009 as a result of an explosion whilst driving his Warrior vehicle in the Musa Qal'eh District of Helmand Province.

His family said:

"James is a wonderful son and brother, I am so proud of the man he grew to be. He is dearly loved and cherished by his family and his many friends."

Statement from James's friends:

"We don't know where to start expressing how much you meant, and how much we will miss you. You always were one of the boys and you always will be.

"The amount of respect we have for you is indescribable, a true friend and a real hero forever. We all shared so many good memories with you and we can't believe you are not going to be with us anymore. Take care and sleep tight mate. Love as always from the boys."

Lieutenant Colonel Didi Wheeler, Commanding Officer 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh said:

"The loss of Private James Prosser to an IED comes as another devastating blow to the Battalion, but more particularly to 2 Platoon, A Company. Although James only joined the Battalion in February this year, he had come to the fore within the company.

"He had a boundless sense of humour and was a true character in every sense despite his relative young age. This brave Welsh Warrior will be sorely missed by so many of us.

"He enjoyed soldiering and had found his home in A Company amongst so many mates upon whom he had made such an impact in so short a period. At this tragic time our thoughts and prayers turn to his immediate family and close friends."

Private Richard Hunt dies of wounds sustained in Afghanistan

It is with great sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm that Private Richard Hunt from 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh died at the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine in Selly Oak on Saturday 15 August 2009 from wounds sustained in Helmand province two days previously.

Private Hunt was wounded as result of an explosion while on a vehicle patrol near Musa Qaleh in Helmand province on the morning of 13 August 2009.

Private Richard Hunt

Private Richard Hunt, aged 21, was part of a vehicle patrol from A Company, 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh, who are working to extend and enforce the writ of the Government of Afghanistan.

Private Richard Hunt, 'Hunty', was originally born in Haverford West, but then moved to Abergavenny, which he considered to be his home town and lived there until joining the Army in October 2007. He attended King Henry VIII Comprehensive School and Usk College before starting his training at the Infantry Training Centre at Catterick, where he was awarded the Physical Training Prize. He was immensely proud to be both an infanteer, and a member of the Royal Welsh.

After completing his training, 'Hunty' was posted to 2 Platoon in A Company, 2 Royal Welsh in April 2008 where he immediately became part of the team. His enthusiasm for soldiering was clear from the outset and he was quickly identified by his platoon staff as a bright, enthusiastic soldier capable of achieving a great deal. After acquitting himself well during a rigorous, but rewarding, period of Public Order training with A Company, Hunty specialised as a Warrior Armoured Infantry Fighting Vehicle driver, and it was in this role that he exercised extensively in preparation for his challenging deployment on Op HERRICK. Whilst a confident and skilled Warrior driver, Hunty was also fast developing into an excellent sniper and he showed clear leadership potential.

When A Company's deployment to Helmand Province was announced, Hunty was amongst the most enthusiastic of the Company's soldiers. He prepared himself as well as possible, and commendably took all he could from the training opportunities offered, actively seeking knowledge and drawing the wisdom from more experienced members of the Company.

Hazel and Phillip Hunt, Private Hunt's parents said:

"Richard showed us all his strength of character in many ways, proving to be thoughtful, vain and yet selfless to the end. He proved to us to be a loving son, brother and uncle at all times.

"He chose his battles with great thought. His bravado, ironically, masked his natural shyness. In our hearts he will be eternally missed and never replaced.

"We'd like to thank all those for their very kind thoughts and prayers from strangers, friends and family at this difficult time.

"His may have been the two hundredth death, whilst we have lost our son and brother, our thoughts are also with other injured and bereaved service personnel and their families, at what we know to be one of the most difficult times a family can face.

"He will be missed."