NAVY NEWS, JULY 2011


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 30 Commando Support Squadron, part of the Brigade Reconnaissance Force, prepare for an operation


abric of a nation


what was described as “heavy fighting” in the west of the village, Lima Coy and Afghan soldiers pushed in from the east and drove the insurgents out of Loy Mandeh Kalay. Specialist teams of Royal


Engineers were called in to clear the compounds of bombs so troops could set up check points and begin establishing themselves in the village before the insurgents had time to return. Next, Lima Company sent


a patrol into the heart of Loy Mandeh Kalay to get a feeling for local sentiment. It was the first Allied patrol conducted in the area for many years. “We followed the road along the


the Afghan Army will develop positive relationships with the community.” The success of the three-day


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thrust was marked by the symbolic act of tearing down a large Taleban propaganda banner on the edge of the village – replaced by the raising of the Afghan flag. Afghan and Allied military


leaders are confident that the increase in security provided by Omid Haft will encourage civilians to return to their homes and that the once-thriving bazaar will buzz again in just a few weeks. “For several weeks now,


Nahr-e Bughra Canal, constantly on the lookout for IEDs or booby traps,” explained Maj Alec Burrell. “As we reached the outskirts of


the village, a local man met us and agreed to escort us in to the centre to meet with the local elders. We held a shura with the mullah and explained to them what we were hoping to achieve. “They were extremely


welcoming to the ANA and the Royal Marines and I am confident


the combined Afghan and International Security Assistance Force troops have shown great courage and resolve in clearing one of the most dangerous areas in central Helmand,” said Brig Davis.


be done; however, as the operation draws to a close the people of Nahr-e Saraj are one step closer to a life free from insurgents. I salute the supreme professionalism and unfailing bravery of the Afghan and ISAF heroes whose sacrifice has made this possible.”


“Much hard work remains to


unthinkable just days ago: discuss a future without the Taleban. Only a week after the green berets of 42 Commando and Afghan National Army soldiers drove the insurgents out of the area, the governor visited to discuss rebuilding lives in what was ‘the last ulcer’ of Helmand. At the end of May a concerted push by the


TROLLING across dusty ground outside Loy Mandeh escorted by Royal Marines and Afghan soldiers, villagers do something


response of villagers to the end of the insurgents’ reign of oppression. “Many of the people here had been forced to flee


from their homes up into the Bowri area to escape the insurgents. Their willingness to return to their village and so soon after it had been liberated and in such numbers is an encouraging sign that there is a genuinely strong appetite among the people for change,” said Lt Col Murchison. “It’s clear they all want to help so that business


Bickleigh-based Royals, British Army soldiers and Afghan troops – Operation Omid Haft (Hope Seven) – cleared a series of villages, including Loy Mandeh, Kopak and Malgir. With the Taleban gone, more than 100


community leaders and elders gathered for a shura – meeting or council – outside Loy Mandeh with District Governor Habibullah, who promised to help breathe life back into the shops and bazaars – once thriving, but now a barren wasteland thanks to the odious influence of the insurgents – by encouraging locals to play their part in restoring prosperity. Governor Habibullah assured elders his


government “can provide for you where the Taleban have failed.” The shura was witnessed by 42’s Commanding


Officer, Lt Col Ewen Murchison, as well as his unit photographer, LA(Phot) Dave Hillhouse, who recorded the historic meeting for posterity on camera. Both men were extremely encouraged by the


and commerce can return to Loy Mandeh in the near future.” LA(Phot) Hillhouse added: “It was amazing to


see so many people turning up. We started off with about 50 locals, but half way through the shura, several vehicles all turned up with around another 50 people. “Everyone seemed very relaxed, and the Afghan


Army and police seemed to be working with each other very effectively.” Earlier in the same month, the Naval


photographer had attended a Shura led by the District Governor of Nadhi-e Ali North with the Afghan National Police and attended by elders and community leaders from the surrounding areas (photographed below). Work has now begun to clear up the bazaar so


shops can resume trading, while Royal Engineers from the Counter-IED Task Force have cleared upwards of 20 home-made bombs to ensure routes around the district were safe for use by people and vehicles.


Marines in Afghanistan thanks to excellent diaries filmed by the men themselves. ITV News has given to the green berets of 45 Commando tiny digital camcorders to record life on the front-line in Helmand. Nine men have signed up for


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OU can follow the day-to-day trials – and triumphs – of Royal


the Tour of Duty series of short films, from Yankee Company’s leader Maj Jon Bubb who gives a commander’s eye view of the challenging peacekeeping mission, to senior NCOs and junior ranks. The diaries provide a cross-


section of life with 45 – from the kit the men use and the facilities at the various forward bases, to patrols, meeting the locals, dealing with insurgents. ITV is following the men throughout their six months in Afghanistan and broadcasting some excerpts of the diaries. You can also watch the complete diaries on the broadcaster’s website at www. itv.com/news/tourofduty/  Continued over the page


Pictures: LA(Phot) Dave Hillhouse, PO(Phot) Hamish Burke


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