UK Commits 45 Commando to Afghan War

[ORAC]

B****y wonderful.. . . .The US refused to commit troops to peace keeping operations because of the risk to the peacekeepers of revenge attacks whilst the rest of their forces were conducting combat operations.. .. .We now end up in the situation of having 1500 with the ISAF and 1700 in combat in the same country. This could get nasty.. .. .BBC:. . <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk_politics/newsid_1879000/1879679.stm" target="_blank">BBC</a> . .. .Commandos head to Afghanistan. .. .The UK is to send an infantry battle group to Afghanistan in what Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon called the biggest British troop deployment since the Gulf War. . .In response to a US request the battle group, which is built around 45 Commando Royal Navy Marines, is heading to Afghanistan to battle the remnants of the Taleban and al-Qaeda forces. . .. .Mr Hoon said: "This a powerful force - total up to 1,700 strong." . .. .1,700 UK troops . .45 Royal Marine Commando . .29 Commando Royal Artillery . .59 Independent Commando Squadron . .Royal Engineers and Royal Logistics Regiment . .Chinnok helicopters from RAF 27 Squadron . .It also includes three Chinook helicopters of the RAF's 27 Squadron. . .. .The British contingent will join a US-led brigade. . .. ."These troops are being deployed to Afghanistan to take part in war fighting operations," he said. . .. ."We will be asking them to risk their lives...they may suffer casualties." . .. .'Continuing threat' . .. .Parts of 45 Commando are already in the region aboard HMS Ocean, Mr Hoon said, adding that the remaining companies were in a state of readiness in Arbroath. . .. .The defence secretary said that al-Qaeda continued to pose a threat to countries including the UK. . .. .Mr Hoon's Conservative opposite number, Bernard Jenkin, said that his party would back the deployment - although he indicated that the announcement had come as something of a surprise. . .. .A 1,500-strong security force of British troops are currently serving with the 4,500-strong International Security and Assistance Force (ISAF). . .. .The new deployment of troops will be involved in combat. . .. .The Defence Secretary told MPs that a German unit would formally assume command from the UK of the subordinate headquarters of ISAF in Kabul. . .. .Positive talks . .. .The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said that negotiations are still ongoing for Turkey to take over Britain's primary role in ISAF. . .. .Mr Hoon told MPs that talks between Turkey, the UK and the US had been "extremely positive". . .. . . .Mr Hoon was making a Commons statement. . . .In January, Prime Minister Tony Blair welcomed Afghanistan's leader Hamid Karzai to Downing Street but stopped short of offering more troops. . .. .Mr Karzai has kept up his appeal for a significantly expanded military presence in Afghanistan to help prevent renewed fighting between Afghan warlords. . .. .General Tommy Franks, head of America's Central Command said the overall mission in Afghanistan was far from over. . .. .There has continued to be hard-fought battles between US forces and some remaining Taleban and al-Qaeda strongholds.. . . . <small>[ 19 March 2002, 14:55: Message edited by: ORAC ]</small>

[Big Green Arrow]

Please let's not forget that where 45 and Ocean go so will the Junglies of all types.

[Flatus Veteranus]

Good luck and God Speed to 45 Commando.. .. .Can anyone remind me when we last deployed British troops on operations beyond the reach of British offensive air support? At crunch-time can allies always be relied on, or might there be a conflict of interest? A dangerous precedent? . . <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="frown.gif" />

[Jackonicko]

Let's hope someone's re-examining the sending of Tornados or Jags to a 'Northern 'istan' or to India....

[Big Green Arrow]

Here Here JHC

[Muff Coupling]

1700 troops."powerful COMBAT force"..er, well not quite Hoonie.. .. .1/3 Combat - 45 Cdo. .1/3 Combat Support - Eng Sqn & Art Bty . .1/3 Combat Service Support - Cdo Log Sp Sqn RLC. .. .Oh, and probably about 200 <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> of that lot is RAF personnel to Fly and support 3 Wokkas?. .. .SofS Def needs to move to Education...if the Army is 8500 under strength..why look for a cut of 1500 under SDR 4? Ah I see, remove units from the Order of Battle...and we are now over strength. Sorry, my fault.I missed that one! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="confused.gif" /> . .. .The talks with Turkey are "extremely positive" for them! They want paying (big bucks by all accounts) by the US and UK for taking on ISAF. Not a NATO thingy apparently!. .. .This deployment has all the trademarks of a cluster!!

[Brian Dixon]

To each and every service person off to Afghanistan:. .Good Luck, stay safe, kick ar$e.. .. .There are plenty of people who are extremely proud of you. I'm one of 'em.. .. .Thoughts and prayers etc to you and yours.

[A Civilian]

Does anyone think that this is a really bad idea. Its good that were sending some of the top units in the british army their but sending in troops not used to mountainous terrain, with all that heavy kit 6,000 foot above sea level without the americans resource advantage, it can't be good.

[cobaltfrog]

How many SK4 and lynx AH7 let alone GZ's do you know that can operate at 10,000 in the Stan? Answer: not a lot!! Therefore some would say that the Junglie role is somewhat limited in temperatures of 19 degrees and rising! OH and CIVVY THE ROYAL MARINES ARE NOT BRITISH ARMY!!!. . . . <small>[ 20 March 2002, 23:30: Message edited by: cobaltfrog ]</small>

[Gash Handlin]

erm civvy.... .. .The RM are Mountain Warfare specialists so erm, best off and read up before you blunder in chap

[WE Branch Fanatic]

Flatus

You question the wisdom of sending combat forces there without any Close Air Support assets of our own.

But hey, this is the same government that thinks it is a good idea to participate in operation right next to an enemy coastline without organic air defence. See SHAR thread.....

The US Marines are operating their Harriers in Afgahnistan from forward bases, so why can't we do the same?

Good luck to the personnel that are going.

[A Civilian]

I know they have some training in MW but how many weeks a year do they practice? there's no were in the UK that they can reasonably go so there will be a hell of a lot of difference between a UK mountain unit & say a Norway unit.. .. .Any reasonably fit person is going to be encountering problems in Afghanstan its around 4500 feet at its lowest point rising to 12000 ft, thats going to tire any englishman.. . . . <small>[ 21 March 2002, 01:33: Message edited by: A Civilian ]</small>

[WE Branch Fanatic]

45 Cdo are from Abroath in Scotland. Best not call a Scot an Englishman....

[cobaltfrog]

Oh Civvy! Oh dear oh dear. .Not doing too well are you!. .Well lets start at the beginning!. .RM = Royal Marines. .45 = pronounced four five not forty five (a la Hoon!). .over 70% of 45 are English!. .RM = Part of Navy not ARMY. .. .Hope this has helped!! (tongue in cheek!!)

[barry007]

Civvy, Just for your information the Royal Marines go to Norway. .for three months every year on exercise and are some of the best. .trained mountain and artic soldiers in the world. If they get the. .proper support and the equipment to do the job thn i am confident. .they will do a good job out there and do Britian proud.. .(when we're not moaning about money)

[Man-on-the-fence]

Cobaltfrog . . </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica">THE ROYAL MARINES ARE NOT BRITISH ARMY!!! </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica">You are quite correct they're not Army. They're SAILORS <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" /> . .. .Still it would be nice if our esteemend Defence Secretary would give them their proper title. .. .They are not Fortyfive Commando they are Four Five Commando. Blithering idiot is prepared to put men into harms way but not preparred to call them by their proper name.. .. .Good Luck and God Speed chaps, we know you wont let us down, unlike our politicians <img border="0" title="" alt="[Mad]" src="mad.gif" />

[A Civilian]

I stand corrected rotary.

[WE Branch Fanatic]

Bootnecks aren't sailors.

They're seperate from the Navy proper.

[Junglie]

Dear All. .. .I think we seem to be missing the point here.. .The bootnecks are the best in the world at mountain and arctic warfare, as already said people should engage brain or gain some knowledge before opening their mouth civilian!. .. .As ever they are off to work in an operational environment without the best kit or support as (bless 'em) the mighty King ain't that mighty in Afghanistan and this could leave them high and dry.. .. .Good luck and stay safe to all in 45 and all those working in support, putting themselves in harm's way on our behalf.

[cobaltfrog]

HERE BLOODY HERE! WELL SAID JUNGLIE!!