Soldiers serving with Somme Company, the 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, working jointly with the Afghan National Army (ANA), have seized and held the last Taliban stronghold of Sayedebad in southern Afghanistan.
Showing posts with label video. Show all posts
Showing posts with label video. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
VIDEO – Troops Enter Sayedebad during Operation Tor Shezada
Soldiers serving with Somme Company, the 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, working jointly with the Afghan National Army (ANA), have seized and held the last Taliban stronghold of Sayedebad in southern Afghanistan.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
VIDEO: British Army in training ahead of Afghanistan
Journalists join the 16 Air Assault Brigade on its last training excercise before being deployed to Helmand province.
Monday, July 12, 2010
VIDEO: Afghanistans first course for female army officers
Thirty Afghan females are being put through their paces at the country's first ever course for female army officers.
Friday, July 9, 2010
VIDEO: Clearing Compounds in Afghanistan
Afghan police in Kandahar are taught tactics and skills by their Canadian and American mentors.
Friday, June 25, 2010
VIDEO: Afghanistan: PM Wants Troops Out By 2015
Sky News report
David Cameron has told Sky News that he wants British troops out of Afghanistan within five years.
He is in Canada for his first G8 summit, where he is meeting other world leaders including President Barack Obama to discuss issues such as the economic crisis, the BP oil spill and Afghanistan.
It has been a particularly bloody month for British troops in the war-hit country.
The deaths of four soldiers in a vehicle accident earlier in the week meant the total number of UK fatalities this month stands at 18, the worst since last August.
The most killed in a month came last July when 22 died when the Panther’s Claw operation was under way.
The total number of British dead in Afghanistan now stands at 307 since 2001.
Asked by Sky's political editor Adam Boulton whether the 10,000-strong deployment would be home by the next general election - scheduled for 2015 - the Prime Minister said: "I want that to happen.
"We cannot be there for another five years having effectively been there for nine years already.
"But Britain should have a long-term relationship with Afghanistan, including helping to train their troops and their civil society long after the vast bulk of (our) troops have gone."
Mr Obama has set out a timetable under which the "surge" of US troops ordered last year would lead to withdrawals from the middle of 2011.
But Mr Cameron has so far refused to commit himself to any deadline for British troops to come home, saying only that he does not believe they should stay a day longer than is necessary.
Discussing Mr Obama's preference for beginning a drawdown around July next year, Mr Cameron said: "I prefer not to see it in strict timetables.
"I want us to roll up our sleeves and get on with delivering what will bring the success we want."
He said this would not be "a perfect Afghanistan, but some stability in Afghanistan and the ability for the Afghans themselves to run their country so they can come home."
David Cameron has told Sky News that he wants British troops out of Afghanistan within five years.
He is in Canada for his first G8 summit, where he is meeting other world leaders including President Barack Obama to discuss issues such as the economic crisis, the BP oil spill and Afghanistan.
It has been a particularly bloody month for British troops in the war-hit country.
The deaths of four soldiers in a vehicle accident earlier in the week meant the total number of UK fatalities this month stands at 18, the worst since last August.
The most killed in a month came last July when 22 died when the Panther’s Claw operation was under way.
The total number of British dead in Afghanistan now stands at 307 since 2001.
Asked by Sky's political editor Adam Boulton whether the 10,000-strong deployment would be home by the next general election - scheduled for 2015 - the Prime Minister said: "I want that to happen.
"We cannot be there for another five years having effectively been there for nine years already.
"But Britain should have a long-term relationship with Afghanistan, including helping to train their troops and their civil society long after the vast bulk of (our) troops have gone."
Mr Obama has set out a timetable under which the "surge" of US troops ordered last year would lead to withdrawals from the middle of 2011.
But Mr Cameron has so far refused to commit himself to any deadline for British troops to come home, saying only that he does not believe they should stay a day longer than is necessary.
Discussing Mr Obama's preference for beginning a drawdown around July next year, Mr Cameron said: "I prefer not to see it in strict timetables.
"I want us to roll up our sleeves and get on with delivering what will bring the success we want."
He said this would not be "a perfect Afghanistan, but some stability in Afghanistan and the ability for the Afghans themselves to run their country so they can come home."
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
VIDEO: Soldiers Parade After Deadly Afghan Tour
Hundreds of troops parade through Winchester as part of a remembrance service for the 11 Light Brigade, which recently returned from duty in Afghanistan after losing 64 soldiers during its six-month tour. See the march with views from the Sky Copter.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
VIDEO: Prime Minister Addressing British Troops at Camp Bastion
The Prime Minister has paid tribute to the “brave and professional” British troops serving in Afghanistan.
During a visit to Camp Bastion, in Helmand Province, David Cameron said they should be proud of themselves and that Britain was very proud of them.
He announced that the operational allowance for troops on overseas operations will be doubled and the increase will be backdated to 6 May, the date of the General Election.
The PM said:
“What you are doing here will never be forgotten, it is great and important work. You are incredibly brave and professional in what you do.
“I stand here as your Prime Minister, wanting to tell you from the bottom of my heart that you should be proud of yourselves and what you do because your country is incredibly proud of you.”
Mr Cameron also read out a message of support from the England football coach Fabio Capello and the England team.
The Prime Minister addressed troops this morning after spending the night staying at the base.
He flew into the country last week for talks in Kabul with President Hamid Karzai, where he announced extra resources to counter roadside bombs.
Mr Cameron then travelled to Helmand, where he met British forces and visited an agricultural school with Helmand Governor Gulab Mangal.
During a visit to Camp Bastion, in Helmand Province, David Cameron said they should be proud of themselves and that Britain was very proud of them.
He announced that the operational allowance for troops on overseas operations will be doubled and the increase will be backdated to 6 May, the date of the General Election.
The PM said:
“What you are doing here will never be forgotten, it is great and important work. You are incredibly brave and professional in what you do.
“I stand here as your Prime Minister, wanting to tell you from the bottom of my heart that you should be proud of yourselves and what you do because your country is incredibly proud of you.”
Mr Cameron also read out a message of support from the England football coach Fabio Capello and the England team.
The Prime Minister addressed troops this morning after spending the night staying at the base.
He flew into the country last week for talks in Kabul with President Hamid Karzai, where he announced extra resources to counter roadside bombs.
Mr Cameron then travelled to Helmand, where he met British forces and visited an agricultural school with Helmand Governor Gulab Mangal.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
VIDEO: 40 Commando Royal Marines in patrol base fire fight in Sangin
Royal Marine Commandos commemorate D-Day anniversary whilst spending the day under fire in a Sangin patrol base
On the 66th anniversary of D-Day, a memorable day for the Corps, commandos from 8 Troop, Charlie Company, 40 Commando Royal Marines (RM) spent the day under constant enemy threat in a patrol base (PB) 600 metres south of the Sangin district centre. It is a day like many others in the region, with the troop suffering casualties in recent weeks. But today the commandos took time to remember their colleagues after being fired upon by accurate fire and attacked by IEDs.
Lieutenant Doug Spencer, 40 Commando RM said, "Sixty-six years ago, the Royal Marines on this day put the troops ashore, facing unbelievable conditions. It's on days like this when you remember that even though conditions here are fairly austere, we're being contacted on a daily basis, people before us have had it far harder."
The day started early with the troop putting in place a vehicle check point in the village adjacent to their patrol base along with Afghan security forces. On returning from a successful patrol, a re-supply patrol was sent back to the forward operating base in the district centre to retrieve supplies and water. Whilst away from the base, the location came under IED attack to the south-west, with the outer walls being breached. The returning re-supply patrol was then contacted by enemy fire whilst moving back to the patrol base location to link up with their colleagues.
Lance Corporal Joe Leborgne, 40 Commando RM said, "About an hour after the patrol left the PB we had a large explosion to the south-west edge of the PB. It turn out it was an IED in a wheel barrow. At that stage I was on the sangar, so I stood the two marines to and got myself relieved from the sangar that I was on, and got on the net to the Company commander to let him know what was going on."
Once inside the base, the commandos worked with Afghan security forces stationed at the location to rebuild the defences to the outer wall, under the constant threat of fire. No sooner had the repairs been made than the base came under sustain accurate fire from the south. A fire fight then ensued with the marines returning fire on positively identified insurgents.
"We received accurate fire, rounds were landing inside the sangars and close to the guys, so we stood the lads to, put them in the sangars and up on the roofs and observed likely firing points. We spotted two Taliban with weapons that were shooting at the base, so we engaged them," said Lieutenant Spencer.
Despite the pace of the day's events, the troops took time out as the sun set to commemorate the D-Day anniversary with the reading of a poem written by John Henry Beale, who had landed on the beaches of Normandy as part of 41 Commando RM. Royal Marines were involved in the operations on Sword, Juno and Gold beaches.
On the 66th anniversary of D-Day, a memorable day for the Corps, commandos from 8 Troop, Charlie Company, 40 Commando Royal Marines (RM) spent the day under constant enemy threat in a patrol base (PB) 600 metres south of the Sangin district centre. It is a day like many others in the region, with the troop suffering casualties in recent weeks. But today the commandos took time to remember their colleagues after being fired upon by accurate fire and attacked by IEDs.
Lieutenant Doug Spencer, 40 Commando RM said, "Sixty-six years ago, the Royal Marines on this day put the troops ashore, facing unbelievable conditions. It's on days like this when you remember that even though conditions here are fairly austere, we're being contacted on a daily basis, people before us have had it far harder."
The day started early with the troop putting in place a vehicle check point in the village adjacent to their patrol base along with Afghan security forces. On returning from a successful patrol, a re-supply patrol was sent back to the forward operating base in the district centre to retrieve supplies and water. Whilst away from the base, the location came under IED attack to the south-west, with the outer walls being breached. The returning re-supply patrol was then contacted by enemy fire whilst moving back to the patrol base location to link up with their colleagues.
Lance Corporal Joe Leborgne, 40 Commando RM said, "About an hour after the patrol left the PB we had a large explosion to the south-west edge of the PB. It turn out it was an IED in a wheel barrow. At that stage I was on the sangar, so I stood the two marines to and got myself relieved from the sangar that I was on, and got on the net to the Company commander to let him know what was going on."
Once inside the base, the commandos worked with Afghan security forces stationed at the location to rebuild the defences to the outer wall, under the constant threat of fire. No sooner had the repairs been made than the base came under sustain accurate fire from the south. A fire fight then ensued with the marines returning fire on positively identified insurgents.
"We received accurate fire, rounds were landing inside the sangars and close to the guys, so we stood the lads to, put them in the sangars and up on the roofs and observed likely firing points. We spotted two Taliban with weapons that were shooting at the base, so we engaged them," said Lieutenant Spencer.
Despite the pace of the day's events, the troops took time out as the sun set to commemorate the D-Day anniversary with the reading of a poem written by John Henry Beale, who had landed on the beaches of Normandy as part of 41 Commando RM. Royal Marines were involved in the operations on Sword, Juno and Gold beaches.
Friday, June 11, 2010
ROYAL AIR FORCE CH47 CHINOOK ‘BRAVO NOVEMBER’
A veteran Chinook helicopter from the Falklands campaign has just returned from service on OPERATION HERRICK in Afghanistan. Almost thirty years since it entered service, ZA718 or ‘Bravo November’ as it is better known remains at the forefront of Royal Air Force Support Helicopter operations.
The original aircraft, a Mk1 (HC1) came into service in 1982 and was the sole survivor of OPERATION CORPORATE. Three other Chinooks were shipped down to the Falkland Islands, however, they were lost when the MV Atlantic Conveyer was sunk by an Argentine exocet missile on 25 May 1982. Bravo November was airborne from the Atlantic Conveyer on an air test at the time and therefore diverted to land on HMS Hermes.
Bravo November has been subject to numerous upgrades during her service and with upgraded engines and avionics is now the impressive HC2 version. Having been rebuilt several times during her service, few parts of the original aircraft survive today, however, the main fuselage, the manufacturers data plate in the cockpit and the RAF’s serial number ZA718 clearly emblazoned on the rear of the aircraft remain ever present.
The Chinook fleet is a vital element of the lift capability being undertaken by the Joint Helicopter Force (Afghanistan) under the command of Wing Commander ‘Spats’ Patterson. The Tri-Service detachment comprises personnel from all three Services and operates Chinook, Sea King, Merlin, Lynx and Apache helicopters.
During Bravo November’s last tour of duty in Afghanistan she has been supporting the coalition forces that comprise the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). Flight Lieutenant Leon Fisher a Chinook pilot in Afghanistan describes the types of missions that the Chinook fleet undertake “The Chinook fleet generally support various types of tasking including delivering personnel, stores and equipment to the Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) and Patrol Bases (PB’s) or participating in ‘deliberate operations’ that insert and extract coalition forces into the area of operations. It’s most notable missions have been supporting the Medical Emergency Response Team (MERT).” He adds that the MERT missions are “immensely rewarding as the team of medics that extract the casualties are saving the lives of British and coalition personnel. We also extract Afghan security forces and local personnel providing life saving first aid or movement to hospital facilities.”
The aircraft shows the scars of a hard tour in Helmand province but Chinook pilot Flight Lieutenant Rockingham-Smith continues to sing the praises of the veteran helicopter which he says “is rugged, resilient and is the best aircraft for the job.” Several months ago, Flight Lieutenant Ian Fortune was hit by a ricochet on his flying helmet from a bullet fired at Bravo November by Taliban insurgents during an extraction of injured soldiers. Other marks are noticeable along the fuselage and other Chinooks possess the scars of battle but Flight Lieutenant Leon Fisher firmly states that “the Chinook is the queen of the skies.”
Bravo November is also held in high regard by engineers that maintain the Chinooks in very difficult climatic conditions. The Junior Engineering Officer of the Chinook fleet in theatre, Flight Lieutenant Nigel Murphy says his team “are aware of the helicopters pedigree but Bravo November is not singled out for special treatment, airworthiness is the key to what we do.” His team work hard to ensure that the fleet are available to support operations twenty four hours a day and he adds that “it is nice to have Bravo November come through another campaign safely.”
It could have been all so different as during the Falklands campaign, Squadron Leader Dick Langworthy and his co-pilot, Flight Lieutenant Lawless were flying the aircraft at night through a thick snow shower when the crew lost their horizon references which resulted in the aircraft hitting the sea.
After the event, Lawless said “We were lucky, because if we had hit solid ground we would have been dead". Lawless added, "We hit at 100 knots. The bow-wave came over the cockpit window as we settled and the engines partially flamed out. I knew we had ditched, but I was not sure if we had been hit. Dick said he thought we had been hit by ground fire. As the helicopter settled, the bow wave reduced. We had the collective still up and the engine wound up as we came out of the water like a cork out of a bottle. We were climbing!"
During the incident, one of the other two crewman, Tom Jones, lost his flying helmet and fearing the helicopter was about to break up was considering jumping from the helicopter. Another crewman indicated to him to put another helmet on and he then discovered the aircraft was successfully climbing and had just passed 1500 feet.
Remarkably, Bravo November suffered little damage although its radio antenna was ripped from the aircraft, there was damage to the fuselage and the cockpit door had been ripped off. Without an antenna, radio communication with British Forces could not be established, therefore, when approaching San Carlos, Langworthy left all the lights on hoping that the missile defence would realize that they were friendly. No argentine aircraft would fly so high or with the lights on. Unbeknown to the crew, personnel at San Carlos could hear Bravo November’s calls, although the crew could not receive their replies.
On 2 June 1982, two companies of paratroops were flown from Goose Green to seize the settlement of Fitzroy. Eighty-one Paratroopers squeezed into Bravo November which is twice the normal capacity. Once landed, Bravo November returned to Goose Green to pick up a second load of seventy-five paratroopers.
By the time the Argentines surrendered, Bravo November had notched up over a hundred flying hours, carried some 1,500 troops, 95 casualties, 650 POWs and 550 tonnes of cargo.
Squadron Leader Langworthy was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his bravery at the controls of Bravo November during the Falklands conflict. Sadly, Langworthy died of a heart attack a year later after returning to the Falkland Islands to command the Chinook detachment. Fittingly, Bravo November was on the strength of the unit at the time and the Air Force Board approved the placing of a plaque commemorating his DFC in her cockpit.
During OPERATION TELIC, the Iraq invasion of 2003, Bravo November was the first helicopter to land Royal Marines on the Al Faw peninsula. The Captain, Squadron Leader Steve Carr flew several waves and during the second run a fire fight developed around the aircraft. For his leadership and bravery, Carr was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross – Bravo November’s second.
A veteran of other operational campaigns, Bravo November has also seen service in Northern Ireland, the Balkans, the Lebanon evacuation and earthquake relief in Kurdistan.
Now a veteran of several Afghanistan tours, Bravo November is still going strong. Bravo November has been an integral element of the Chinook fleet in Afghanistan – the work horses that have lifted the heaviest loads throughout Helmand province. Moreover, she has been part of the essential support provided by all three Services that comprise the Joint Helicopter Force (Afghanistan). After transporting troops and equipment, participating in deliberate operations against insurgents and undertaking the life saving MERT missions, Bravo November is now benefitting from major servicing at her home station of RAF Odiham. A key facet of the servicing will include the fitting of even more powerful engines that will be make her even more capable in the ‘hot and high’ operating environment of Afghanistan. However, before her next operational deployment she will soon be gracing the skies of the United Kingdom supporting the mission rehearsals and exercises of British troops preparing for OPERATION HERRICK – the United Kingdom’s support to the international coalition in Afghanistan.
Pictures: Bravo November in action in Afghanistan. Sqauadron Leader Neville Clayton, RAF
The original aircraft, a Mk1 (HC1) came into service in 1982 and was the sole survivor of OPERATION CORPORATE. Three other Chinooks were shipped down to the Falkland Islands, however, they were lost when the MV Atlantic Conveyer was sunk by an Argentine exocet missile on 25 May 1982. Bravo November was airborne from the Atlantic Conveyer on an air test at the time and therefore diverted to land on HMS Hermes.
Bravo November has been subject to numerous upgrades during her service and with upgraded engines and avionics is now the impressive HC2 version. Having been rebuilt several times during her service, few parts of the original aircraft survive today, however, the main fuselage, the manufacturers data plate in the cockpit and the RAF’s serial number ZA718 clearly emblazoned on the rear of the aircraft remain ever present.
The Chinook fleet is a vital element of the lift capability being undertaken by the Joint Helicopter Force (Afghanistan) under the command of Wing Commander ‘Spats’ Patterson. The Tri-Service detachment comprises personnel from all three Services and operates Chinook, Sea King, Merlin, Lynx and Apache helicopters.
During Bravo November’s last tour of duty in Afghanistan she has been supporting the coalition forces that comprise the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). Flight Lieutenant Leon Fisher a Chinook pilot in Afghanistan describes the types of missions that the Chinook fleet undertake “The Chinook fleet generally support various types of tasking including delivering personnel, stores and equipment to the Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) and Patrol Bases (PB’s) or participating in ‘deliberate operations’ that insert and extract coalition forces into the area of operations. It’s most notable missions have been supporting the Medical Emergency Response Team (MERT).” He adds that the MERT missions are “immensely rewarding as the team of medics that extract the casualties are saving the lives of British and coalition personnel. We also extract Afghan security forces and local personnel providing life saving first aid or movement to hospital facilities.”
The aircraft shows the scars of a hard tour in Helmand province but Chinook pilot Flight Lieutenant Rockingham-Smith continues to sing the praises of the veteran helicopter which he says “is rugged, resilient and is the best aircraft for the job.” Several months ago, Flight Lieutenant Ian Fortune was hit by a ricochet on his flying helmet from a bullet fired at Bravo November by Taliban insurgents during an extraction of injured soldiers. Other marks are noticeable along the fuselage and other Chinooks possess the scars of battle but Flight Lieutenant Leon Fisher firmly states that “the Chinook is the queen of the skies.”
Bravo November is also held in high regard by engineers that maintain the Chinooks in very difficult climatic conditions. The Junior Engineering Officer of the Chinook fleet in theatre, Flight Lieutenant Nigel Murphy says his team “are aware of the helicopters pedigree but Bravo November is not singled out for special treatment, airworthiness is the key to what we do.” His team work hard to ensure that the fleet are available to support operations twenty four hours a day and he adds that “it is nice to have Bravo November come through another campaign safely.”
It could have been all so different as during the Falklands campaign, Squadron Leader Dick Langworthy and his co-pilot, Flight Lieutenant Lawless were flying the aircraft at night through a thick snow shower when the crew lost their horizon references which resulted in the aircraft hitting the sea.
After the event, Lawless said “We were lucky, because if we had hit solid ground we would have been dead". Lawless added, "We hit at 100 knots. The bow-wave came over the cockpit window as we settled and the engines partially flamed out. I knew we had ditched, but I was not sure if we had been hit. Dick said he thought we had been hit by ground fire. As the helicopter settled, the bow wave reduced. We had the collective still up and the engine wound up as we came out of the water like a cork out of a bottle. We were climbing!"
During the incident, one of the other two crewman, Tom Jones, lost his flying helmet and fearing the helicopter was about to break up was considering jumping from the helicopter. Another crewman indicated to him to put another helmet on and he then discovered the aircraft was successfully climbing and had just passed 1500 feet.
Remarkably, Bravo November suffered little damage although its radio antenna was ripped from the aircraft, there was damage to the fuselage and the cockpit door had been ripped off. Without an antenna, radio communication with British Forces could not be established, therefore, when approaching San Carlos, Langworthy left all the lights on hoping that the missile defence would realize that they were friendly. No argentine aircraft would fly so high or with the lights on. Unbeknown to the crew, personnel at San Carlos could hear Bravo November’s calls, although the crew could not receive their replies.
On 2 June 1982, two companies of paratroops were flown from Goose Green to seize the settlement of Fitzroy. Eighty-one Paratroopers squeezed into Bravo November which is twice the normal capacity. Once landed, Bravo November returned to Goose Green to pick up a second load of seventy-five paratroopers.
By the time the Argentines surrendered, Bravo November had notched up over a hundred flying hours, carried some 1,500 troops, 95 casualties, 650 POWs and 550 tonnes of cargo.
Squadron Leader Langworthy was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his bravery at the controls of Bravo November during the Falklands conflict. Sadly, Langworthy died of a heart attack a year later after returning to the Falkland Islands to command the Chinook detachment. Fittingly, Bravo November was on the strength of the unit at the time and the Air Force Board approved the placing of a plaque commemorating his DFC in her cockpit.
During OPERATION TELIC, the Iraq invasion of 2003, Bravo November was the first helicopter to land Royal Marines on the Al Faw peninsula. The Captain, Squadron Leader Steve Carr flew several waves and during the second run a fire fight developed around the aircraft. For his leadership and bravery, Carr was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross – Bravo November’s second.
A veteran of other operational campaigns, Bravo November has also seen service in Northern Ireland, the Balkans, the Lebanon evacuation and earthquake relief in Kurdistan.
Now a veteran of several Afghanistan tours, Bravo November is still going strong. Bravo November has been an integral element of the Chinook fleet in Afghanistan – the work horses that have lifted the heaviest loads throughout Helmand province. Moreover, she has been part of the essential support provided by all three Services that comprise the Joint Helicopter Force (Afghanistan). After transporting troops and equipment, participating in deliberate operations against insurgents and undertaking the life saving MERT missions, Bravo November is now benefitting from major servicing at her home station of RAF Odiham. A key facet of the servicing will include the fitting of even more powerful engines that will be make her even more capable in the ‘hot and high’ operating environment of Afghanistan. However, before her next operational deployment she will soon be gracing the skies of the United Kingdom supporting the mission rehearsals and exercises of British troops preparing for OPERATION HERRICK – the United Kingdom’s support to the international coalition in Afghanistan.
Pictures: Bravo November in action in Afghanistan. Sqauadron Leader Neville Clayton, RAF
Thursday, June 10, 2010
VIDEO: GOOD LUCK MESSAGES OF SUPPORT TO ENGLAND FOOTBALL TEAM
A video of support and goodwill messages for the England Football Team has been put together by the men and women of the Armed Forces serving in Afghanistan. The light hearted video shows troops throughout Camp Bastion in Helmand province passing on their best wishes to the team. The scenes depict personnel in their work places and also during their downtime enjoying a kick around. Scenes from the dining hall, the flight line and the military working dogs provide a unique flavour of the environment in Camp Bastion.
Final editing of the video was undertaken by The British Forces Foundation and Editworks. Sir Dave Richards of the Football Association hand carried the video to the Team in South Africa.
Final editing of the video was undertaken by The British Forces Foundation and Editworks. Sir Dave Richards of the Football Association hand carried the video to the Team in South Africa.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
VIDEO: David Beckham pays tribute to the British fallen
During last weekends visit to Camp Bation, David Beckham paid tribute to the British fallen, standing solemn and head bowed before a Camp Bastion memorial dedicated to those who have given their lives.
He slowly read the 28 names on each of the gleaming brass plaques denoting the full name, the regiment, the initials and the date of the deaths of each member of the UK Armed Forces – a total of 286.
Beckham, 35, on the second day of a goodwill visit to Camp Bastion in Afghanistan, and wearing a Help for Heroes charity wristband, stood silently in respect, lost in his own personal thoughts.
The England footballer was told that the 18-inch high cross on top of the stone memorial was made of 30mm cannon shells and every bereaved family receives their own cross personally inscribed and dedicated to the person who lost their life.
The memorial inscription reads: “Dedicated to those who have fallen in the line of duty in Helmand Province.” Two wreaths of poppies lay at the base of the memorial.
One inscription said: “To the fallen of OP HERRICK 11 lovingly remembered, never forgotten.”
Earlier Beckham had breakfast with senior officers including Deputy National Contingency Commander of British Forces, Brigadier Angus Fay who said: "I think it’s been fantastic for the British forces that he has show so much interest in the work we are doing.
"He is such an iconic figure to everyone of all ages and background. His effect on the morale has been phenomenal and we are very grateful for his commitment to us. Morale is through the roof – the whole place is buzzing.”
Reflecting on the trip to Afghanistan, Beckham said it has been “One of my best experiences of my whole life, to actually be here, to see first hand what you all go through. You have to leave your families, your friends, your loved ones, your kids, that must hard”.
Beckham added “I’ve represented my country on the field, and I’ve got great team mates and great friends, but every now and again I can let my team mates down on the field, you out here, you have to trust your friends, trust the people that you are next to, and your team mates, you don’t get another chance.
I have huge admiration for everything that you do, everything that you believe in, and everything that you are doing for our country; it’s a real honour for me to be here.”
He slowly read the 28 names on each of the gleaming brass plaques denoting the full name, the regiment, the initials and the date of the deaths of each member of the UK Armed Forces – a total of 286.
Beckham, 35, on the second day of a goodwill visit to Camp Bastion in Afghanistan, and wearing a Help for Heroes charity wristband, stood silently in respect, lost in his own personal thoughts.
The England footballer was told that the 18-inch high cross on top of the stone memorial was made of 30mm cannon shells and every bereaved family receives their own cross personally inscribed and dedicated to the person who lost their life.
The memorial inscription reads: “Dedicated to those who have fallen in the line of duty in Helmand Province.” Two wreaths of poppies lay at the base of the memorial.
One inscription said: “To the fallen of OP HERRICK 11 lovingly remembered, never forgotten.”
Earlier Beckham had breakfast with senior officers including Deputy National Contingency Commander of British Forces, Brigadier Angus Fay who said: "I think it’s been fantastic for the British forces that he has show so much interest in the work we are doing.
"He is such an iconic figure to everyone of all ages and background. His effect on the morale has been phenomenal and we are very grateful for his commitment to us. Morale is through the roof – the whole place is buzzing.”
Reflecting on the trip to Afghanistan, Beckham said it has been “One of my best experiences of my whole life, to actually be here, to see first hand what you all go through. You have to leave your families, your friends, your loved ones, your kids, that must hard”.
Beckham added “I’ve represented my country on the field, and I’ve got great team mates and great friends, but every now and again I can let my team mates down on the field, you out here, you have to trust your friends, trust the people that you are next to, and your team mates, you don’t get another chance.
I have huge admiration for everything that you do, everything that you believe in, and everything that you are doing for our country; it’s a real honour for me to be here.”
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
VIDEO: Tractors handed out to Afghan farmers in Nad-e-Ali
Web edit of soldiers from the 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment handing out 20 new tractors to farming co-operatives in the Nad-e-Ali region of Helmand Province.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
VIDEO: Scottish soldiers on the IED hunt
One British Army platoon, based in the Sangin valley, has earned itself high praise after finding - and eliminating - numerous improvised explosive devices during a single patrol.
The men of C Company, 1 Scots, who are working as advisors to the Afghan National Army in Sangin for the next six months, have been carrying out frequent patrols in the notorious Green Zone.
On one recent mission they discovered and avoided IED after IED and all managed to return safely to their base.
Platoon Commander, Lieutenant David Dufus said: "The area we were going into had been the scene of lots of shooting so we were even more alert than we usually are."
Lieutenant Dufus put a number of the finds down to the invaluable help of the Afghan National Army soldiers who, he said, often spot the danger signs first when they are conducting joint patrols.
"The second one was pointed out by the ANA. They were a bit suspicious of it. The ANA went forward with one of my lads and it came up positive. But it was the ANA soldiers that first spotted that something was not quite right," he said.
The role of 1 Scots in Afghanistan is to pass on all the battlefield and logistical skills they can to the native security forces, while living and working with them day in, day out.
"Our main driver is to try to leave Afghan National Security Forces which are more capable and have more capacity to take responsibility for the security of this nation," said the commanding officer of C Company, 1 Scots, Major Richard Forsyth.
The men of C Company, 1 Scots, who are working as advisors to the Afghan National Army in Sangin for the next six months, have been carrying out frequent patrols in the notorious Green Zone.
On one recent mission they discovered and avoided IED after IED and all managed to return safely to their base.
Platoon Commander, Lieutenant David Dufus said: "The area we were going into had been the scene of lots of shooting so we were even more alert than we usually are."
Lieutenant Dufus put a number of the finds down to the invaluable help of the Afghan National Army soldiers who, he said, often spot the danger signs first when they are conducting joint patrols.
"The second one was pointed out by the ANA. They were a bit suspicious of it. The ANA went forward with one of my lads and it came up positive. But it was the ANA soldiers that first spotted that something was not quite right," he said.
The role of 1 Scots in Afghanistan is to pass on all the battlefield and logistical skills they can to the native security forces, while living and working with them day in, day out.
"Our main driver is to try to leave Afghan National Security Forces which are more capable and have more capacity to take responsibility for the security of this nation," said the commanding officer of C Company, 1 Scots, Major Richard Forsyth.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
VIDEO: Army bomb disposal team clears Afghan highway of IEDs
Army bomb disposal experts from the Counter-Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED) Task Force have cleared the road to the market town of Shahzad in South West Helmand, in the heart of the Green Zone.
The road, littered with improvised explosive devices and surrounded by insurgent positions, had previously been impassable for the local population in an area controlled by the Taliban until Operation Moshtarak.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
VIDEO: Afghan and British army forces conduct first ever partnered engineering task
Army engineers from Close Support Kandak, 3rd Brigade, Afghan National Army and 21 Regiment, Royal Engineers, are undertaking a programme of infrastructure works at Patrol Base Rahim, in Nahr-e Saraj, as partnered engineering teams.
Filmed and edited by Captain Philip Atkinson, SCOTS
Saturday, April 17, 2010
VIDEO: Reflections from a six month tour of Whishtan, Sangin
Major Graeme Wearmouth, Officer Commanding B Company, 1 SCOTS talks about the 6 month tour he and his men have just completed in Afghanistan.
The 100+ strong company are on route back to Edinburgh after a demanding and successful tour in which they have made a real difference to the lives of Afghans around Forward Operating Base (FOB) Wishtan, East Sangin, Helmand Province.
Major Wearmouth hands over at a significant time as the remainder of the
Friday, April 16, 2010
VIDEO: New arrivals put through their paces
As the soldiers from 4 Mechanized Brigade arrive in Camp Bastion to begin their six month tour of duty, each will under take final in theatre confirmation training.
This is part of the Reception Staging and Onwards Integration process delivered by the British Armys Operational Training and Advisory Group (OPTAG).
All MOD personnel arriving in theatre attend a range of training packages covering; countering improvised explosive devices, casualty evacuation, cultural awareness briefs, helicopter drills, environmental health briefs, defensive shoots in the day and night time, infantry patrolling skills and weapons stands, and confirmation briefings on the rules of engagement for opening fire.
Soldiers from 11 Light Brigade, who have come to the end of their six month tour, are providing an insight into the situation on the ground along with real-life experience and hints and tips.
Filmed and edited by Sgt Tom Robinson
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
VIDEO: A lasting legacy from the Herriot of Helmand
Captain Miles Malone of Royal Army Veterinary Corps is the British Forces only vet in Afghanistan. Dubbed The Herriot of Helmand, he has become a minor sensation in the province after starting a raft of veterinary clinics for local farmers.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
VIDEO: Troops take lonely walk to diffuse Afghan IEDs
Alex Thomson of Channel 4 is given unique access to one of British army's bomb-disposal units to find out the reality of diffusing improvised explosive devices, the Taliban insurgents' weapon of choice in Afghanistan.
In the war of the IED - Improvised Explosive Device - it is the loneliest of lonely walks. The last 30 yards out from your colleagues, dropping off your cover man 20 yards out from the bomb, writes Alex Thomson.
On your own, you have the last few yards to yourself. You are going into the death zone. A place where if you make a mistake, no flack jacket or helmet will make the slightest difference.
Forget please, the absurd nonsense served up to us recently in The Hurt Locker. This is no world for mavericks or heroes: just close-knit, tight teamwork.
It starts with an urgent notification that an IED has been found. They call them ten-liners, emails of ten lines detailing everything known about the device. But teams like that led by "Woody", Staff Sergeant Gareth Wood of the Royal Logistic Core sometimes get more than ten such warnings in one day. At the bomb site, best forget everything you have seen about police cordons, crowd safety and other quaint British notions.
Clearly the Afghan locals all seem to know where the bombs are laid. They'll drive round columns of heavily armed military vehicles because they want to be on their way and to hell with Nato.
Instead of diffusing the bomb, soldiers usually have to yell at people to go back from the bomb zone. Traffic must be halted. Warning flares fired if necessary. It all sort of works, eventually.
In the heat, tension and general sense of chaos the British team must also be mindful of an ambush. Nothing is more exposed and static than soldiers painstakingly feeling their way to a buried bomb, warily waving their mine detectors.
About the only thing the British have going for them, the Pashto word for mine, is mine.
Now for obvious reasons I'm not going to tell you, indeed I'm not allowed to tell you, what really goes on in the death zone. But the bombs are not the sophisticated devices used in Iraq or Northern Ireland.
So it is a matter of breaking the link between the pack of batteries wired into the detonator and the container of ammonium nitrate and sugar, or ammonium nitrate and aluminium depending on your recipe.
Variations abound, the team we filmed discovered both home-made explosive mixtures: pressure plate triggers, release pressure triggers, small devices and much larger ones of 40kg or more explosive.
Some of the diffusing methods are almost quaintly old fashioned. No robots on the team we filmed, still less the Oscar-laden moon suits of The Hurt Locker. No no, this thing the British army think more along the lines of cables, hooks and elbow grease to haul bombs out of the road to a safe distance.
"It's surreal really, you're just in you're own world. It's my office I suppose" said Staff Sergeant Wood. "It's just what we do."
Though that extraordinary work ethic was seriously tested as we filmed bomb after bomb detected then diffused. There were so many, our convoy drove past several before they were even discovered. But nobody dwells on lucky escapes.
After nine hours in the blazing heat with no break, yet another notification, a ten-liner: "Oh not another ******* bomb" as one of the team put it.
In the end running low on batteries, fuel, endurance, food, stamina, you name it - the IED team had no choice. All forensics, examination and bagging up of bomb parts, was forgotten n the race against the clock.
Even so the clock won. Edging towards exhaustion two more bombs on the way back to their camp, had to be left and marked for the next day.
All this on one section of road a few hundred yards long in one small part of one small district of Helmand province.
In the war of the IED - Improvised Explosive Device - it is the loneliest of lonely walks. The last 30 yards out from your colleagues, dropping off your cover man 20 yards out from the bomb, writes Alex Thomson.
On your own, you have the last few yards to yourself. You are going into the death zone. A place where if you make a mistake, no flack jacket or helmet will make the slightest difference.
Forget please, the absurd nonsense served up to us recently in The Hurt Locker. This is no world for mavericks or heroes: just close-knit, tight teamwork.
It starts with an urgent notification that an IED has been found. They call them ten-liners, emails of ten lines detailing everything known about the device. But teams like that led by "Woody", Staff Sergeant Gareth Wood of the Royal Logistic Core sometimes get more than ten such warnings in one day. At the bomb site, best forget everything you have seen about police cordons, crowd safety and other quaint British notions.
Clearly the Afghan locals all seem to know where the bombs are laid. They'll drive round columns of heavily armed military vehicles because they want to be on their way and to hell with Nato.
Instead of diffusing the bomb, soldiers usually have to yell at people to go back from the bomb zone. Traffic must be halted. Warning flares fired if necessary. It all sort of works, eventually.
In the heat, tension and general sense of chaos the British team must also be mindful of an ambush. Nothing is more exposed and static than soldiers painstakingly feeling their way to a buried bomb, warily waving their mine detectors.
About the only thing the British have going for them, the Pashto word for mine, is mine.
Now for obvious reasons I'm not going to tell you, indeed I'm not allowed to tell you, what really goes on in the death zone. But the bombs are not the sophisticated devices used in Iraq or Northern Ireland.
So it is a matter of breaking the link between the pack of batteries wired into the detonator and the container of ammonium nitrate and sugar, or ammonium nitrate and aluminium depending on your recipe.
Variations abound, the team we filmed discovered both home-made explosive mixtures: pressure plate triggers, release pressure triggers, small devices and much larger ones of 40kg or more explosive.
Some of the diffusing methods are almost quaintly old fashioned. No robots on the team we filmed, still less the Oscar-laden moon suits of The Hurt Locker. No no, this thing the British army think more along the lines of cables, hooks and elbow grease to haul bombs out of the road to a safe distance.
"It's surreal really, you're just in you're own world. It's my office I suppose" said Staff Sergeant Wood. "It's just what we do."
Though that extraordinary work ethic was seriously tested as we filmed bomb after bomb detected then diffused. There were so many, our convoy drove past several before they were even discovered. But nobody dwells on lucky escapes.
After nine hours in the blazing heat with no break, yet another notification, a ten-liner: "Oh not another ******* bomb" as one of the team put it.
In the end running low on batteries, fuel, endurance, food, stamina, you name it - the IED team had no choice. All forensics, examination and bagging up of bomb parts, was forgotten n the race against the clock.
Even so the clock won. Edging towards exhaustion two more bombs on the way back to their camp, had to be left and marked for the next day.
All this on one section of road a few hundred yards long in one small part of one small district of Helmand province.
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