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1 Coy Sitrep as at 17 Oct 07
(Archive)
COMPANY HEADQUARTERS
After a very hectic final few weeks of pre-deployment training,
the Company is now complete in Kabul. For the last ten days, the
Company HO staff has been working extremely hard to ensure that
the handover/takeover between No1 Company and the outgoing
Pioneer Squadron goes as smoothly as possible under 2ic Capt
Mike ‘Rabies’ Bysshe, Capt ‘Uncle Pete’ Dale, CSM Danny
‘Terminator’ Gibson, Ops C/Sgt Adrian ‘Fuhrer’ Bushby and
Intelligence Sgt David ‘Spook’ Elliot. CSgt Dickie ‘Fix-It’
Coombes and the company stores team have been working all hours
to make sure that everyone has all the right kit and equipment
prior to the take over their new jobs, while LSgt Ian ‘Danger’
Piggot is busy on the ‘comms’ side of things. We are
unquestionably well equipped out here...the OSPREY body armour
is world class, and has saved countless lives before our arrival
(although I’m not too keen for demonstrations of its quality!).
Our night sights, radios and assorted ‘boys’ toys’ are enough to
satisfy any James Bond wannabees. The camp itself is very
comfortable with excellent messing facilities and a top notch
gym, which everyone is making the most of — you’ll all be
delighted at the ‘Buffness’ of ‘The Spartans’ when we return!
The job that we have here in Kabul is both varied and demanding,
and will make for a very challenging and hopefully enjoyable six
months. Our formal ‘flag change’ ceremony was marked with a
stirring bugle call by Cpl Lockwood of the Drums....there wasn’t
a dry eye in the camp — not least as it was 0700 on a Sunday
morning. The neighbours love us!
First impressions of Kabul are very positive. The locals are
very friendly and appear keen to keep us as their guests to
improve security and prevent Al-Qaeda, the Taleban and the
hotch-potch of criminals and warlords from bringing back the bad
old days. The city feels like a mix between ‘Life of Brian’,
‘Conan the Barbarian’ and ‘Allo Allo’ with our NATO partners
contribution (we haven’t seen much of the French since the
Rugby). There’s good soldiering to be had, but please — don’t be
alarmed by the horror stories in the news... we’re in good order
here.
Although it is still early days, we are to a man, missing wives,
children, girlfriends and friends keenly. Fortunately the
internet, telephone and ‘bluey’ systems here are as good as can
be hoped for. The free parcels from Great Britain to HERRICK
BFPO 758 is a real morale raiser, and we have the opportunity to
acquire a few atmospheric souvenirs during our time here
(although I’m sure there’s a limit to how far the ladies of the
Coldstream will want their homes transformed!). The R&R plot is
annoyingly still far from set in stone, due largely to the short
notice change in our mission from Helmand to Kabul. I would ask
you to stay patient and thank you for your forbearance thus
far... it is most frustrating not to be able to make solid
plans, but we must remember we are in one of the furthest
corners of the world, with a much-stretched fleet of aircraft
equipped with the required protection to move us around safely.
Many thanks indeed for all the messages of love and support thus
far received… only 5 1/2months to go!
Maj WJP Hennessy-Barrett
Company Commander
ONE PLATOON
Having been in Kabul now for just over a week, I have been out
on the ground on day and night patrols several times. We heard
that the locals were onside with ISAF, but it was a great
surprise to see just how positive they actually are. Whenever
you talk to someone, you always receive a polite reply and a
smile, people wave to you and call ‘Hello’ or ‘Salaam Aleikum’
from across the street, they do stop short of wreathing the
ground in palms though. The children are an absolute delight.
They are the scruffiest bunch of ragamuffins you’ve ever seen,
yet always seem to have a beaming smile on their faces. They are
not shy at all, even children as young as 4 come up to you
asking for ‘Cacao’ (chocolate or sweets). It is quite tough
turning them down, but necessary if you don’t want an infant
riot on your hands.
Another area which demonstrates the willingness of the local
populace to co-operate with us is in our relationship with the
Maliks. They are the perfect hosts - it being a great point of
honour in Afghanistan to treat guests well - offering tea,
grapes, soup, to name but a few to people who are in effect
perfect strangers. This is surely a sign that we are welcome,
but in addition is the gratitude they show that we are here
willing to take risks to free their country of the Taliban. They
understand that our mission will one day result in the defeat of
the Taliban (among others) and, with the continuing success of
the CIMIC taskings in the area, are undoubtedly with us in heart
and mind. I and the rest of No 1 Platoon look forward to a very
challenging and rewarding tour.
2 Lt St Aubyn.
Pl Comd 1 Pl
TWO PLATOON
During the handover-takeover period No 2 Platoon was busy
completing the mandatory ‘RSOI’ orientation package that all
troops arriving into theatre must carry out. This began with
zeroing all the weapons brought on the Afghan National Army
Range 10km from Camp Souter, which was the first opportunity the
men had to see the area in which we will be working over the
next few months. The rest of the package consisted mainly of
lectures and demonstrations on a variety of theatre specific
topics, ranging from the lED threat and how to counter it to
working with the explosive search dogs. However the most
valuable part of the handover period was the opportunity for the
Guardsmen and Junior NCOs to go on patrol with the teams from
187 Squadron and become familiar with the sights, sounds and
smells of the city, whilst also taking confidence from the
experience of the pioneers. Once all the members of 2 Platoon
had had the opportunity to go onto the ground, all that was left
to do was to take over all the operational kit and equipment
from 1 87 Sqn and takeover the roles of base security, Quick
Reaction Force (QRF) and patrols. Only once these tasks had
officially been handed over did the flag change ceremony take
place and 1 Company became the Kabul Patrols Company.
2Lt Crook
Pl Comd 2 Pl
THREE PLATOON
Since the official flag change, the Company has settled into
routine well. 3 Platoon has a very important role to perform
within Kabul that will form part of the Company’s effort. Our
task at the early stages of the tour will be to assess the
atmospherics of the local Afghan population and to begin to
gather low level intelligence detailing any terrorist or
criminal activity within our Area of Operations. From this, in
the next coming months, the Company Commander will hope to have
built up a strong enough intelligence picture to enable further
operations. It is indeed going to be an extremely interesting
and fulfilling 6 months.
This week, upon issue of the timetable that detailed the
patrols, QRF and guard rotation, 3 Platoon were quick to
discover that they were blessed with the role of the Quick
Reaction Force on Christmas day as well as New Years Eve.
Although there is a chance that the Platoon may be called up and
tasked at this time, the role provides much greater capacity for
the platoon to enjoy the festive period. Everyone is of course
hoping that their R&R dates fall over the Christmas period. The
Christmas prize granted by the Company 2ic should undoubtedly
deserve a shower of kisses from the Platoon’s wives and
girlfriends (provided they’ve had their jabs).
Lt Powell
Pl Comd 3 Pl
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