NAVY NEWS, JULY 2010
l A patrol by PMT (Police Mentoring Troop) from FOB Jackson, Sangin Pictures: LA(Phot) Si Ethell
Bazaar mix of risk and routine
LT STUART Harrison, who
serves in the Royal Navy, has been contemplating life outside the base – his first foray on patrol, and what he found there. Stuart said waiting to step out
for your first patrol in Sangin is like the feeling you get before taking your driving test – a mix of “nervous, anxious excitement combined with the danger of the unknown, and wanting to do your job well.”
“As the Media Officer for the undhog Day for 40 Cdo
the high walled areas, where you feel channelled.
“The presence of locals is also a good sign, especially when there are children around; apart from always being pleased to see you it means that the insurgents are less likely to attack.” The Southern Checkpoint is manned and run by the Afghan National Police, and Royals dropped into the checkpoint for a break and to get a de-brief from police officers on any incidents or problems that occurred that day. After a 20-minute chat, the
patrol moved off in the direction of the Sangin Bazaar, the Royals slowly weaving through the stalls, meeting and engaging with shopkeepers, children and customers alike. After three hours, having covered more than 3km with no incidents, the men headed back to Jackson to rest before their next patrol. The interaction with local people also means the Royals can help with ‘hearts and minds’ initiatives, such as an ongoing distribution of radio sets. 40 Cdo enthusiastically took up a request by District Governor Mohammad Sherrif to provide and distribute wind-up or rechargeable radios. Working with the stabilisation advisor and support team, the commandos have already given out more than 500 radios, with around 1,500 more en route. While still in the early stages, it is hoped that this trial will have a real impact on extending the foundations of good governance and economic development. Once distribution is complete, the District Governor will be able to communicate directly to the community leaders.
Speaking to local leaders is an effective way of getting messages
l An Osprey lands at FOB Jackson carrying a VIP visitor
cascaded to the people in and around Sangin.
One example of how this communication channel will be used is by allowing the Governor to announce exact legal taxes and who to pay them to – presently, people are
being overtaxed
because of insurgents posing as officials, causing much grief and acting as a barrier to them overtly supporting the government.
Trauma and suffering
IAIN Wood, who joined 40 Cdo as their Medical Officer in January 2009, said things had been busy in recent weeks. The team faced their first MASCAL (mass casualty incident) – a Taleban mortar attack on a civilian compound which left two adults and a four- year-old boy badly injured and three other young children with lesser wounds. With all Marines having been trained to Team Medic standard, they cared for the less-injured children and assisted in the trauma bay, making themselves incredibly useful.
The three most serious patients
were evacuated to Bastion, but one of the adults later died. Iain said that with the poppy and wheat harvests now brought in, the insurgents were once more picking up their guns, and Afghan policemen and soldiers were
bearing the brunt. “The stoicism that they face these injuries with is impressive to witness, be it gunshot wounds to limbs, fragmentation wounds to the face and body or, most impressive of all, a bullet to the head with entry and exit wounds three inches apart but no skull penetration at all,” said Iain. “The police car that this casualty arrived in looked as if it had just driven off the set of a 50’s gangster film – it had bullet holes all down the side and three windows had been shot out. “The rounds that had injured
our patient had passed through the headrest, which had evidently taken sufficient energy out of the round that when it hit his head it glanced around the skull rather than penetrating it. “In fact, he was in such good condition that he walked by himself to the helicopter.”
40 Cdo Group I do not go out on the ground anywhere near as much as the Royal Marines I accompany,” said Stuart. “I cannot claim to be anywhere near as brave as they are. “But the lads I do go on patrol with are excellent. They take care of you, protect you and watch your back.” Stuart said he was surprised
how apprehensive he was as he approached the gate on that first patrol – but as soon as he stepped out the tension and apprehension just melted away. “Everybody says the same thing. I think this is because you are now doing your job,” he said. “You are alert and ready to respond, but also calm, and able to see what we are really here for. The people. “That first time, as we patrolled
down the road and around the streets to the bazaar I was immediately hit by the sadness of the situation. “Such a beautiful country –
truly, breathtakingly beautiful – reduced to a dilapidated, war- desecrated ruin. “I was stunned by the number
of bullet holes, the piles of rubble and the deserted areas. “Then you see it. The thriving
bazaar. “We patrolled for about 200 metres down the ‘high street’ and I was astounded by the things you could buy – bikes, fresh vegetables, chickens, packaged foods, drinks, fresh Afghan naan-bread, brightly- coloured fabrics,
timber for
houses, petrol, and a whole host of metal pots and pans. “Sometimes, when we are inside
the walls of our camp, one forgets that there is a life for the people outside, and that they are doing all the normal things that you and I do when we are back home, including going to the shops. “Of course we don’t do it under the threat of attack and intimidation, but that just illustrates the resilience of the human spirit, especially in Afghanistan.”
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l A Police Mentoring Troop patrol from FOB Jackson stop at an Afghan National Police station at Sangin before they return to base
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