BoyElroy
02-13-2006, 11:42 PM
13 February 2006 Monday 12:40:02 PM (Central European Time)
SECTION: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE; Government News Network; DEFENCE
HEADLINE: ROYAL MARINES COMMANDOS DEPLOY TO AFGHANISTAN
BYLINE: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE News Release (042/2006) issued by The Government News Network on 13 February 2006
ABSTRACT
150 Royal Marines Commandos were today making final preparations at their barracks in Devon before leaving for Helmand, Afghanistan tomorrow (14 February 2006).
FULL TEXT
150 Royal Marines Commandos were today making final preparations at their barracks in Devon before leaving for Helmand, Afghanistan tomorrow (14 February 2006).
The marines, from 42 Commando Royal Marines, will be the first combat troops to deploy to southern Afghanistan following the decision last month to commit around 3,300 British troops as part of NATO's planned expansion.
They will carry out the vital function of protecting Army and RAF personnel as they build the infrastructure critical for the follow-on deployment of 16 Air Assault Brigade in the summer. The full deployment is to staff and protect a new British-led Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) at Lashkar Gar, the capital of Helmand province.
The Commanding Officer of 42 Commando Royal Marines, Lieutenant Colonel Ged Salzano, said:
"This deployment is typical of the expeditionary nature of Royal Marines business. The Company Group will be the first British combat troops into the Helmand area as part of the NATO expansion and is robust enough to look after itself and protect the engineers. Conditions are expected to be tough but 42 Commando are well prepared for the task."
Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram said: "I pay tribute, once again, to the commitment and versatility of 42 Commando who have just returned from Pakistan on humanitarian relief work. 42 Commando will now deploy to Afghanistan with the crucial role of supporting the set up of a base in anticipation of UK Forces fulfilling ISAF's mission in Helmand."
As in the North, the PRT will be based on a triumvirate of the British military commander and officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for International Development. This will provide Afghanistan with a seamless package of democratic, political, developmental and military assistance in Helmand. This is necessary to ensure that international terrorism never again has a base in Afghanistan.
Notes to editors:
1. The marines are part of an 850 advance party deploying to Afghanistan this month which will also include engineers from 39 Regiment, Royal Engineers and three CH-47 Chinook helicopters. Their task will be to build an encampment prior to the arrival of the main deployment.
2. A small team from 42 Commando Royal Marines recently returned from the Bagh region of Pakistan where they assisted in the earthquake disaster relief.
3. 42 Commando Royal Marines are currently the lead Commando group at five days notice to deploy anywhere in the world. Remaining elements of the Commando not deploying to Afghanistan are conducting operational training in the Arctic.
4. As announced in June 2004, the UK will also be deploying the Headquarters Group of the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps, to take command of the NATO International Security Assistance Force for nine months from May.
5. The Helmand Task Force will comprise elements of the Headquarters of Colchester-based 16 Air Assault Brigade, and airborne infantry battlegroup. Based initially around the Third Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, it will incorporate a force of eight Apache Attack Helicopters, provided by 9 Regiment, Army Air Corps, the first time we have deployed this impressive new capability on an operation. 9 Regiment will also supply four Lynx Light Utility Helicopters while 27 Squadron, Royal Air Force, will provide a detachment of six Chinook Support Helicopters.
6. Other major units and capabilities include Scimitar and Spartan armoured vehicles from the Household Cavalry Regiment, a battery of 105mm Light Guns from 7th Parachute Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery, a battery of Desert Hawk Unmanned Aerial Vehicles from 32 Regiment, Royal Artillery, 13 Air Assault Regiment and 29 Regiment of the Royal Logistics Corps, 7 Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and 16 Close Support Medical Regiment. We shall also deploy four additional Royal Air Force C-130 Hercules transport aircraft.
7. For further information, visit the MoD website at http://www.mod.uk
LOAD-DATE: 13 February 2006
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SECTION: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE; Government News Network; DEFENCE
HEADLINE: ROYAL MARINES COMMANDOS DEPLOY TO AFGHANISTAN
BYLINE: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE News Release (042/2006) issued by The Government News Network on 13 February 2006
ABSTRACT
150 Royal Marines Commandos were today making final preparations at their barracks in Devon before leaving for Helmand, Afghanistan tomorrow (14 February 2006).
FULL TEXT
150 Royal Marines Commandos were today making final preparations at their barracks in Devon before leaving for Helmand, Afghanistan tomorrow (14 February 2006).
The marines, from 42 Commando Royal Marines, will be the first combat troops to deploy to southern Afghanistan following the decision last month to commit around 3,300 British troops as part of NATO's planned expansion.
They will carry out the vital function of protecting Army and RAF personnel as they build the infrastructure critical for the follow-on deployment of 16 Air Assault Brigade in the summer. The full deployment is to staff and protect a new British-led Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) at Lashkar Gar, the capital of Helmand province.
The Commanding Officer of 42 Commando Royal Marines, Lieutenant Colonel Ged Salzano, said:
"This deployment is typical of the expeditionary nature of Royal Marines business. The Company Group will be the first British combat troops into the Helmand area as part of the NATO expansion and is robust enough to look after itself and protect the engineers. Conditions are expected to be tough but 42 Commando are well prepared for the task."
Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram said: "I pay tribute, once again, to the commitment and versatility of 42 Commando who have just returned from Pakistan on humanitarian relief work. 42 Commando will now deploy to Afghanistan with the crucial role of supporting the set up of a base in anticipation of UK Forces fulfilling ISAF's mission in Helmand."
As in the North, the PRT will be based on a triumvirate of the British military commander and officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for International Development. This will provide Afghanistan with a seamless package of democratic, political, developmental and military assistance in Helmand. This is necessary to ensure that international terrorism never again has a base in Afghanistan.
Notes to editors:
1. The marines are part of an 850 advance party deploying to Afghanistan this month which will also include engineers from 39 Regiment, Royal Engineers and three CH-47 Chinook helicopters. Their task will be to build an encampment prior to the arrival of the main deployment.
2. A small team from 42 Commando Royal Marines recently returned from the Bagh region of Pakistan where they assisted in the earthquake disaster relief.
3. 42 Commando Royal Marines are currently the lead Commando group at five days notice to deploy anywhere in the world. Remaining elements of the Commando not deploying to Afghanistan are conducting operational training in the Arctic.
4. As announced in June 2004, the UK will also be deploying the Headquarters Group of the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps, to take command of the NATO International Security Assistance Force for nine months from May.
5. The Helmand Task Force will comprise elements of the Headquarters of Colchester-based 16 Air Assault Brigade, and airborne infantry battlegroup. Based initially around the Third Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, it will incorporate a force of eight Apache Attack Helicopters, provided by 9 Regiment, Army Air Corps, the first time we have deployed this impressive new capability on an operation. 9 Regiment will also supply four Lynx Light Utility Helicopters while 27 Squadron, Royal Air Force, will provide a detachment of six Chinook Support Helicopters.
6. Other major units and capabilities include Scimitar and Spartan armoured vehicles from the Household Cavalry Regiment, a battery of 105mm Light Guns from 7th Parachute Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery, a battery of Desert Hawk Unmanned Aerial Vehicles from 32 Regiment, Royal Artillery, 13 Air Assault Regiment and 29 Regiment of the Royal Logistics Corps, 7 Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and 16 Close Support Medical Regiment. We shall also deploy four additional Royal Air Force C-130 Hercules transport aircraft.
7. For further information, visit the MoD website at http://www.mod.uk
LOAD-DATE: 13 February 2006
Prev