Pharmacy Road, Sangin - Bad Medicine

[Lyneham Lad]

Please read today's dispatch from Michael Yon "Bad Medicine" and then ponder on why the follow-up email from him states that

The British Ministry of Defence canceled my embed after today's dispatch.

If you have not read any of his previous dispatches, then I commend them to you, particularly the one featuring the Chinooks.

[Data-Lynx]

Unglamorous but Essential steps to Stabilisation in Sangin

The embed cancellation makes even less sense when MoD is offering, at the same time, another perspective from a Commanding Officer in Theatre. The previous articles were blunt, honest and good reading.

In this case, it is Lt Col Rob Thomson, CO of the 2 RIFLES Battle Group, who is also mentioned with respect by Michael Yon. Col Rob reflected:

This tour has been hard pounding, the boys here have done superbly well. We've made progress here in Sangin. I characterise that by describing most of the progress as small, essential and rather unglamorous steps, bringing a little more security, stabilisation and some reconstruction to this part of Afghanistan.

and

I am struck on a daily basis by the grit, determination and indomitability of my men. We see each of those who have been tragically killed in action here standing behind us and telling us to keep going, to keep fighting, and to stay on the front foot and improve the lives of ordinary Afghans.

These comments interlink with both Michael's pictures and his one-on-one chats with the soldiers. So do read 'Bad Medicine'.

If the embed was cancelled within Helmand, then it's disappointing but it is their call. If however it came from the MoD!!!!