Originally Posted by
BATCO
PapaD
Thanks for response. You have correctly identified II Sqn RAF Regt as participating in operations in SL. However some of your detail is wrong.
II Sqn's first involvement came as part of a concurrent Op (MAIDENLY), with a Flt deploying just as 42 Cdo (follow-on force to Para/Gurkha BG) withdrew at the conclusion of the major intervention. We arrived by C130 (conventional landing).
The second involvement came a year or so later with the Sqn parachuting into Op SILKMAN to demonstrate the UK's ability to reinforce rapidly 'from over the horizon'.
I was honoured to have participated in both (PM me if you want to know my position/role).
Given the debate on whether Op PITTING should be recognised by a medal/clasp I might add that I missed the SL/OSM medal for MAIDENLY by one day and SILKMAN by several (and the days could not be added together). But I think PITTING should be recognised with the OSM with a 'PITTING' clasp.
Qth
Batco
Thanks for the correction, I left theatre just before II Sqn arrived, memory isn't what it was and I got Maidenly and Silkman mixed up!
I do sympathise with the guys from 1 Sqn but sometimes you go, sometimes you don't, and it looks like there at least some RAFR in theatre anyway. Lots of politics and an element of right place right time?
I'll also add that we had:
II Sqn doing FP for us at the 'real' start of Ops in AFG in October 2001 but then had 40Cdo doing FP in Bagram in December (I guess because of who we supporting plus I don't think they were there purely for FP?)
Our SH Squadron Rocks deployed with us at the beginning of Pallliser and operated as door gunners (amongst other things) so there was a RAFR presence in theatre from day one.
This sort of thing has happened before and will doubtless happen again- The debate over the Guards going to the Falklands with 5 Bde as a starter for ten?