TFH Engineer Group Newsletter Edition 7 150611

Task Force Helmand Engineer Group News Letter
Edition 7 13 June 2011
Commanding Officers Foreword

Salaamu alaikum I hope this latest Newsletter finds you all in good spirits. Time continues to fly by out here and morale across the Engineer Group remains extremely high; I suspect the fact that we are now deep into the R&R period has something to do with that!
Inside this issue:
Regimental Headquarters
54 Commando HQ 3 & Support Squadron

REME LAD 6
My travels this fortnight have taken me around the entire Engineer Group. I caught up with 31, 39, 59 and the Afghan Engineer Tolay Training & Advisory Team (TATT) on Operation OMID HAFT, a partnered operation with the Afghan National Army into the insurgent strongholds of Loy Mandeh, Kopak and Malgir. The engineer contribution was significant and excellent progress was made by everyone involved. 39 and 59 provided close support during the Battlegroup air and ground insertions and initial clearance operations. Between them they established 9 temporary Check Points to enable the subsequent security operation. 31 (TALISMAN) did an outstanding job of clearing IEDs and opening up resupply routes whilst the Engineer Tolay built 5 Vehicle Check Points to secure the route. The initial operation was followed up with 2 expertly executed bridge builds; initially a General Support Bridge by Sgt Coultas, Cpl Nott and the ABLE team, and then a Logistic Support Bridge by Sgt McGee and his team from 39. A really impressive all round performance that was recognised throughout the Task Force; it was good to catch up with a few of the men in the newly constructed CP SAALANG 2 days into the operation. More recently I was able to spend some time with 26, specifically with the OC, SSM and SSgt Buckland and his team up in PB RAHIM. The threat to our troops in this highly contested area is acute but SSgt Buckland and his team have done some truly outstanding force protection work to mitigate that threat. The comments I received about their work from everyone I met could not have been more heartfelt, complimentary and deserved. It is particularly good to
Chatting with some of the men of 39 AES in CP SAALANG; the temporary respite from the midday heat was well deserved (Nahr-e Saraj (South)) during Op OMID HAFT
3 Armoured Engineer Squadron
26 Armoured Engineer Squadron 31 Armoured Engineer Squadron (Talisman) 39 Armoured Engineer Squadron 59 Commando Squadron
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Support Commando 32 Sappers in AfghanistanWrist Bands
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Commanding Officers Foreword(continued)

have the opportunity to patrol down to CP RICKTA in the Green Zone with A Company, 3 MERCIAN. This location has been subjected to a number of attacks over the last few weeks. In response, LCpl McCammon and his composite Section have built an elevated sangar by hand, reinforced a number of firing points and improvised an anti-grenade screen; through sheer hard work and improvisation in the finest traditions of the Sappers they had made a real difference to the lives and security of the infantry there. Really humbling stuff!
With SSgt Buckland, 26 AES, in CP RICKTA (Nahr-e Saraj (North))
So all is well out here and the men continue to deliver everything that is asked of them, and far more besides. I hope time is going quickly for you as well; that you have had or are looking forward to a great R&R with your loved one and that you enjoy this latest offering from Central Helmand. Take care and thank you for your continued support. United We Conquer. De khuday pa amaan CO
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Task Force Helmand Engineer Group
54 Commando Headquarters and Support Squadron
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OCs Foreward
Greetings from 54 Commando and welcome to arguably the best part of the newsletter. The daily pace of life continues unabated with all elements of the Super Support Squadron fully employed and at times, some would suggest, a little over employed as we seek to find a few more than 24 hours in the day! Clearly there is no rest for the wicked and we must have all been very bad in a previous life. The steady trickle of people escaping on Rest & Recuperation (R&R) continues though, with those returning having a noticeable spring in their step and all delighted to be back. There is no doubt that as we pass the mid point of the tour, and R&R draws closer for all, the chance to re-charge the batteries during those 2 short weeks, ready for the second half, is most welcome. Well summer in Helmandshire is certainly proving to be rather warm; temperatures this month have crept into the mid 40s, with no let up in their steady rise. Obviously then, the perfect time for a Regimental fun run! To tie in with the Commando Reunion at Chivenor, which was hosting a sponsored 10 km run, the Regiment planned to conduct the same event in Helmand. To add insult to injury we started our 10 km route around Camp Bastion at 5.15 am; this was to beat the heat and meant we ran in a relatively cool 30 degrees. After a thorough brief from the Squadron Sergeant Major covering all manner of safety points and most importantly the route, we were unleashed on an unsuspecting and largely uninterested Bastion. The CO led the charge in person and the Squadron delivered a strong performance mustering the bulk of the runners and some good results. Lance Corporal Saywell finished 2nd and Sapper Anderson 3rd both producing a strong run and competitive times. Major Fielder finished as 1st Veteran, still showing a good number of the Regiment a clean pair of heals in the process. Quite surprisingly Major Parfitt was the first OC across the line, with OC 59 quite literally no where in sight. So all in all, worth getting up at silly oclock for! So, as we move rather swiftly into the second half of Op Herrick 14, the Squadron continues to impress me; in particular the men with their energy and morale, the management team with their commitment and drive. Firmly focused on the task to support and enable our brethren in the field squadrons, the team in 54 Commando Squadron is in good form despite the long hours, routine challenges and demands of the last 3 months. In all seriousness I could not ask for a better bunch and have every confidence that they will continue to deliver in the same vein for the second half of the tour. Major Karl Parfitt, OC 54 Commando Squadron.
Task Helmand Engineer Group Taxi Service Assembles at short notice

Three months in and half way home we can all taste the beer on our lips or for Sapper Scott Lee, a Bacardi and coke. So for the last two weeks support troop and its attachments, which make up the multiple, have been busy little soldiers. The first week involved an ECI (equipment care inspections) which basically involves an Officer coming around and checking all are kit. For Support Troop this includes its vehicles just to make sure we are running this war in the safest way possible. In Support Troop we have a little saying theres no cuff to tough and so of course we passed with flying colours, thats obviously after we pulled Troopy Si yes man Lowes down off the ceiling. I would love to show my appreciation to LCpl Martin Bradshaw who in Corporal Dennehys absence took control of the plant section docs and shone as a capable pen pusherdid someone say file it in file thirteen?!
Sapper do you think I have lost weight? Scott Lee
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So in the last week Task Force Helmand Engineer taxis (the multiple) where assembled for of course a well set out plan which involved us leaving from MOB Bastion to PB Wahid via MOB Price. At MOB Price we left the ABLE (bridging) team to drink them selves stupid with slush puppies and then onto PB Wahid to pick up 1 Troop, to carry out a task involving the Multiple providing force protection. 1 Troop put in two ISO containers to block of 5 tunnels, which known insurgents where using to transit under the NeB canal. The task was initially planned to take two hours (an Officers educated guess), another six hours was quickly added to this initial plan and when reality struck another six hours was added to the task and the quagmire that was the construction site took its toll on all activities. So with the lads getting hot and frustrated and with TICs(troops in contact) happening in the local area, the lads where just waiting to brass up the gaff but finally at 00:30 hours in the morning the task was complete. 1 Troop had completed their task with a big help from Sgt Nigel big guns Wells and Troopy Si you smell lovely Lowes. Eventually the op was a success. The following morning after some shut eye we left PB Wahid in a convoy lead by an American C-IED Call sign known as Line -Backer. On the southern side of the canal they found a PP-IED (Pressure Plate Improvised Explosive Device) and disposed of it. Then the multiple and its wannabe support troop attachments returned safely back to MOB Bastion Thanks for reading and remember you stay classy TFH readers. By Sapper Thomas Richard Spencer III Don
The Cdo Reunion 10km Run in Bastion

The lead Sapper LCpl Afriyie, the lead veteran Maj Fielder, the rest of us the CO Lt Col Tingey (3rd Vet)
Friday 10 Jun 11 had finally arrived, the Commando Sapper Reunion 10K Run! I decided to organise the 10K run out here in Afghanistan to show our support to the guys running one for us back in the UK. The Commando Sappers of old were running 10K in support of the Regimental Charities, which are detailed in this newsletter. Getting everyone to the start required clearance to run on Camp Bastion from the Adjt of Camp Bastion, mother of all admin instructions required for that then! Marking of the route had to be done last thing the night before, it would be way too tempting for someone to head out & turn the signs around. This, thankfully never occurred. The all-important safety brief had to be delivered before anyone could cross the start line, this covered things like actions on in the event of a rocket attack. Instructions to throw yourself into the nearest ditch got a few smiles! So groups of us stood bleary eyed at 0430hrs having a wash before the run looking as though our bodies had yet to register we were awake. There were a few rumblings enquiring why the 0515hrs start time to the run, I knew but in true SSM fashion was keeping quiet until after the run. I had checked out the Weather report so knew the temperature was going to be 30C at 0530hrs! Thought it best just to tell everyone to fully hydrate A total of 53 runners took part in the run, these included personnel from 32 Engr Regt, 28 Engr Regt, 59 Cdo Sqn, 54 Cdo HQ
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& Sp Sqn as well as a guest runner from the Royal Signals who ran like the wind! I chose to run alongside WO2 Webby Webb; Webby recced the route for me when I was planning the event so I figured he would set a good pace. Also he has got one of those funky GPS heart rate watches, it gives your speed at the same time as letting you know when your heart is about to explode Brilliant, note to wife for Christmas! It pains me to say it but the Royal Signals guest runner was first across the finish line in 37min 5 secs, in our defence hes an Army runner! First for us was LCpl Afriyie from 59 Cdo Sqn in 40min 43 secs, the QM(T) Major Fielder was the first veteran in and 6th overall in a time of 43min 4 secs. Early start aside the run was enjoyable and it is always great to see the lads putting 100% into an event, especially when the temperatures are as unforgiving as they are here. Im absolutely positive when I say that we would have loved for our 10K to finish outside the beer tent like the one in Chivenor. We set out to support the Commando Sappers of old with our run as they raise money for the Regiments Charities, should you wish to show your support to both us and the old and bold it would be gratefully received. Cheques can be sent as per the Wrist Band detail in this newsletter. By SSM Chris Elliott
The work goes on..and on..and on..you get the message!

With Ops coming fast and furious, another big task came in from up higher; we need to bridge a gap - do we have a bridge for that? In jump Resources - yes we can do with a 17 bay Logistic Support Bridge. Under the direction of WO2 open all hours Lloyd with a lot of help from our Local Employed Civilians (Afghans) and some Op BAM personnel, this was achieved in a few days - no easy task as it was 19 DROPs (large ISO Container size flat racks) loads. As well as Op BAM happening, we also had to carry out a check of 200 items and find them within the 950 X ISO containers within the resources yard. Spr Hightower Nayacatabu is keeping everybody spirits up with some of his Fijian jokes - but I cant repeat any of them as the censors would be out to get me. This week hits another milestone of the tour the first person to go on R&R Spr Big Dave Oxford has now returned after having a good rest (and a few beers). Spr Obino left a load of work for him to do as he went on R&R along with WO2 Arthur my way or the highway Lloyd and Sgt breaking strain of a KitKat Sparks - so, lucky for us that are still here as we get 4 weeks R&R As I finish off writing this we have the Engineer Logistic Inspection Team here looking into everything that we have been up to for the last 3 months so that should be completed with no problems? Even the DEW didnt escape the ELI My old mate Ross popped out to Afghan to say hi (Engineer Logistic Inquisition) Team no one does! So as a footnote I would personally like to thank all the families of the guys for sending letters and parcels to your loved ones - keep them coming as they are very much appreciated (and my favourite sweeties are Haribo Cola Bottles as hard routine has ended ). Keep reading and look forward to the next newsletter to see what the Resources Troop is up to. By Sgt Pete 21 again Boyle
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REMEDay in the life of the ESLO
Firstly, can I extend a big thank-you to AQMS Lovell for a superb handover, the past 3 months have been taxing in many respects and the LAD, under direct control of AQMS, has excelled in all aspects, be it operating in forward locations or moving locations within Bastion itself, Equipment Support being at the forefront of its efforts. As the picture suggests I am fully ensconced in all LAD activities now and thoroughly enjoying the role of ASM on operations. Hopefully there will be no re-occurrence of the problem which kept me on rear party piles of fun!! The Armoured Support Group (ASG) busy in the new Dutch Barn on Lima Pad, they
have just returned from a gruelling 7 day Op and the resulting track inspection identified some major faults, all attributed to ground conditions. ASG are on permanent 24 hours to move so any faults are rectified immediately. Approaching mid-tour now and R&R has truly kicked in with all the usual RAF delays and excuses, too hot, too dry, too windy..nothing changes. It was however nice to see Cpl Gilligan after 11 of his promised 14 days. On top of all this Engr Gp LAD still
ASM Gilbert takes over the chair from WO2 Lovell
maintains a professional attitude as the temperature rises above 45o C A special mention to Cpl Dave too tight Knight, who is missing his (UWA / ULA) whilst working in BSN waiting his CLM, never mind Dave Ill give you the 9.45 myself when we get back to Chivenor. The LAD is looking forward to the 10Km funrun but not the 04:30hrs wake up call, early indications are its not a race and Sgt Morris is just going to bimble round!! Thoughts to loved ones back home. by WO1 (ASM) Gilbert
Commando REME confused againyes, it is tank, and no it does not swim - ASG
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3 Armoured Engineer Squadron OCs Foreword

Another up-beat couple of weeks for Op BAM. The articles below articulate far better than I the realities of our work in Afghanistan, so I will not steal their thunder. Suffice to say, the lads continue to work incredibly hard and consequently we are progressing with our tasks at a fine rate. Im confident that we will complete all the tasks we were set, and more. This will be quite an achievement considering all the obstacles that spring up in our way on an almost daily basis. Fortunately everybody pulls together to resolve these issues and it is quite clear that we are not on our own with the TFH Engineer Group HQ, Resources and design cells all getting stuck in to make these tasks happen. It seems that there are an endless supply of people who all want something extra, which were happy to do once its authorised. The Moon on a stick may take a little longer, but well get one! I hope this newsletter finds you all well. Over to the troops...
2 Tp - FOB Shazad
Well as most would know we are back in Shahzad to re-build the camp for a second time. The four sections out here are working non-stop doing night and day shifts to catch up, and to get ahead on our task, As usual the HESCO is getting smashed in the mighty Mil 7 with the lesser Mil 1 chasing it. The plant as
Sapper Buckett leading in the workers at Shahzad.
usual is plodding along with the Plantys moaning about the blokes hand signals. Well most of the troop started in the Gym on Op-Massive but the work has got to them and only a few men are left trying to get rid of the excess skin. Soon Shahzad will be completed and then its off to FOB Attall to get the main Task achieved, but the words Wait out and Stay flexible come from most of the Section Commanders mouths, mainly LCpl Ushers! Two messages from all the men from 3 Armoured Engineer Squadron to the Familys back home, is to increase the rate of the parcels being sent, or is it just the Rear Ech keeping them, and thanks for all the support you have shown so far. By LCpl Oliver 2Troop.
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Camp Bastion The sharp end

Six weeks in and with two major construction tasks underway in both Nahidullah and Shahzad and with the SHQ fully established and settled, the time had come to initiate Operation get out and visit the men. The OC and I packed our kit and deployed forward to FOB Nahidullah where a large scale expansion was in progress by Lt Farminer and his band of rogues from1 Troop. First impressions were most impressive; we were warmly greeted at the helipad by the blistering sun, SSgt Bri Mills and Lt Johnnie Farminer. A whistle stop tour of the new expansion ensued; most noticeable to us was the incredible amount of work, which the Troop had carried out in such a short period of time. With hundreds of metres of HESCO erected and thousands of tonnes of stone levelled across the whole site. Suitably impressed by the progress made, our attention turned to the morale and welfare of the men, that were strangely absent, this we were informed was due to the incredible mid-day heat and subsequently working hours were split between the early hours and late evenings, when temperatures tended to plummet to a cool 40 degrees. We later located the troop relaxing after a hard mornings work at the rear of their tented camp; found disturbingly in various states of undress basking in the sun, in a vain attempt to reverse the condition known as the squaddy tan, with varying degrees of success. During the visit we were informed of some hidden talents amongst the men, Cpl Si Avis had developed exceptional language skills mastering Pashtu in a very short period of time, something we had to witness for ourselves. It was a most Op Massive has officially started impressive show of hand gestures and raised voices, on closer inspection a majority of the words were English with an unusual accent attached, but somehow his message seemed to be conveyed and his wishes carried out, by what appeared to be confused looking locally employed civilians. The visit completed, the OC and I left suitably impressed by the professional attitude and determination displayed by the hard working rogues from 1 Troop. We were happy to see that the hard working attitude displayed in a previous Tour of Kenya had been transferred to Afghanistan. Spr Warren however did seem rather disappointed that clothes were an essential piece of equipment in Afghanistan!! It would be remiss of me not to mention our other hard working contingent, 2 Troop working hard in Shahzad, under 2Lt Webby Webb and SSgt Ronnie Barker. A visit has been planned many times and alas due to the very busy schedule of the RAF I have been unable to get there, but I will make it soon, Ronnie I have not forgotten you. By WO2 (SSM) Taff Hamilton
SSgt Mills Deep in Thought.
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6 Section PB CATINA BUILD

Week three in Afghanistan and we are moving out to go to Patrol Base (PB) Catina. Everyone was looking forward to finally getting out of Bastion and doing some work. Unfortunately one member had an owie finger and then subsequently got kicked off, missed or had his flights cancelled. For our departure everything was going smoothly: we had all our kit, section tool boxes packed , arrived at the HLS (know as miniHeathrow) and booked in to wait for our helicopter out. While we waited our Section Commander Kev Thijs went off to do a few jobs thinking we had about an hour to wait, he soon found out he was wrong. Half a hour later our heli pulled up and the order came to get on! Shocked and bewildered that the RAF was early, we started getting ready to board. Only we were missing one quite important member of the section. We all thought is Kev going to make it? Considering he would be in charge of us, if Kev missed the flight it would have got emotional. A matter of seconds before we boarded the heli we looked across to the HLS gate to see a little ginger hobbit sprinting through the gate and over to us to get his kit on, puffing , panting and mumbling something in Major Davies receives explicit instructions from CorElfish. When we touched down on PB Catina, poral Avis to veer about wildly then drive the roller we received a warm welcome from Whiskey into a ditch. Disclaimer No driving of this roller Company 45 Commando, Royal Marines. We took place by Maj Davies. Umbrella up! got the guided tour from a member of the Company and thats when we saw our accommodation for the next 2 weeks. Expecting a tent we were shown something very unique and different: a yurt. It didnt take us long to make the yurt homely and get used to our surroundings and considering it was just a small Patrol Base it had everything you needed: internet, hot food and 24 hour running electricity which is always a positive The new front gate at Nahidullah. thing. Over the 2 weeks we had several jobs to do. We started our task the middle of the first week, already behind we all knew that we would be working twice as hard to make sure we finished are task at here. We built new burns pits and mortar pits to start with. After the burns and mortar pits we moved on to the washing area and toilets to refurbish the entire area. As we came to the end of our time at PB Catina we had 2 last jobs to do, one being the ammo bays and the other the front gate. As the ammo bays were a bigger job and needed a full sections strength we did that first. It was probably the hardest job as there was a lot of shovelling and we were up high on top of the Hesco we would be doing it in body armour and helmets. On the
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last day of work all we had left to do was put the gate up. When you think about it, it seems like an easy job but we all found out that it was far from it. The last job went from quite a short task to taking till 11 oclock at night which no one wanted but we still found the funny side of it. The funny side being the section commander buying an afghan grinder, which then turned out to be pink. Over the two weeks we was at Catina we had a celeb called Ross Kemp, you might of heard of him. He wasnt a big problem apart from the fact that he took our tent and I dont think there was a single day when we did a full days work without having to stop work because they were filming. The only good thing that came from him was that we got a section photo with him on the day we left to go back to Bastion. Overall our time at Patrol Base Catina was a success, we went there to do some important work and Cpl Thijs with his Section and a Random Civvie. along the way met some good guys from Whiskey Company. Even though it was very hot and we worked hard, morale was high and we had a good laugh. Cpl Thijs PB Catina
6 Section Big Top PB CATINA
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26 Armoured Engineer Squadron OCs Foreword

The Armoured Crews have just returned from a highly successful seven day task clearing mines to allow Danish, UK and Afghan troops to move safely in our Area of Operations and have done a fantastic job. Elsewhere, the Squadron continues to build large extensions to camps and upgrade others as UK troops continually hand bases to our Afghan partners and move to new areas. Sapper Pinnell was sadly evacuated to the UK with an injured foot last week and we wish him well for a quick recovery. Looking towards the end of the tour, the date of our return is still to be formally agreed and will depend on the flights to Cyprus and then on to Germany, with the Squadron currently expecting to return around the 18th September. However, just like R&R, we are at the mercy of the RAF.
Afghan Sunset
RSOI Training for Armoured Engineers
Focus on - 2 Troop at the Patrol Base Line (PBL)
Result of the explosive breaching
Cpl Harvey and Spr Leathard on patrol
Work wise, one of the most varied locations the Squadron has worked in has been the Nahr-e-Saraj North, Patrol Base Line (PBL). The PBL is made up of 5 Patrol Bases (PB) on the northern side of the River Helmand, strategically placed to block insurgent movement into Southern Helmand. The PBL is currently occupied by Corporal Harvey and his Section as well as a Company of Danish and various elements of the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF). By the time this is published, Corporal Harvey and his section will have finished their work in the PBL and returned to the main Troop location at Main Operating Base (MOB) Price. I therefore thought it prudent to catalogue the extensive and diverse work completed by Corporal Harvey and his Section in the last 2 months. Since arriving in early March, Corporal Harvey and his Section have been working flat out to provide Engineer support to the Danish Company at the PBL. The tasks can be broken down into force support engineering and close support engineering. Force Support Engineering Tasks: These tasks encompass everything to do with improving the protection and living conditions for ISAF and ANSF troops within the PBL. The main tasks completed are listed below: 1. Installing security gates at PB Clifton a basic task, but a vital one that has now provided a controlled entrance and
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exit point for PB Clifton. What before The usual suspects with homemade catapult ready to be deployed was an open gap, which afforded line of unless bought off with sweets sight into the PB for insurgents and civilians has now been closed off with a relatively simple fix. 2. Providing protection for a well at PB Malvern West the main source of water at PB Malvern West is a well outside of the front gate. The Section deployed to provide a covered walkway with HESCO Bastion so that the Afghan soldiers could re-supply with water without being seen and therefore increasing their safety. 3. Route Sephton repair this route connects all the Patrol Bases along the PBL and was falling into a state of disrepair through heavy use of ISAF vehicles. The section deployed along with Sergeant Baz Skelly to repair the route and guarantee its survival for another harsh Afghan winter. 4. Installing air conditioning at PB Bridzar the Danish Company at PB Bridzar is manned by conscripts and for some reason had no air conditioning. This made living conditions interesting to say the least, especially with night time temperaSpr Jones taking a break in a local compound tures of about 28C and tents that have been super heated throughout the day. Another quick fix from the Engineer section that improved living conditions exponentially. Close Support Engineering Tasks: These tasks involve going on patrol with the Infantry and providing Engineer capability, usually through the use of explosives, but can also involve the use of bridges, hasty gap crossings and Engineer reSpr Leathard & Afghan youngster
connaissance. At the PBL, the section have been used extensively by the Danish and have used more than their fair share of explosives. One of the tasks is explained below: 1. Clearing fields of fire at PB Bridzar the view from one of the sangar positions was blocked by an unoccupied local building, potentially allowing insurgents to move unseen and get close to the PB. The decision was made to use explosives to demolish the building and thus allow uninterrupted views and therefore increased security from the sangar position. The section moved out, weighed down with explosives to demolish the building using 12 separate charges. Even thought the walls are built out of mud, they are generally about 4ft thick and extremely sturdy. The explosives punched twelve holes, however the wall remained. The section then brought out the Armoured Light Wheel Tractor driven by Sapper Leathard to give the building the light tap it required to finally knock it down. Another job well done.
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26 AES try to catch up with the 39 AES record for how many times you can get bogged in on tour.
The best efforts of Sapper Danny Chappell dont quite come up to scratch as the Commanding Officer was not present!
Op TUFAAN GUMBESA 5 Armoured Support Group Deployment

The Op started off with a 35km road move along Highway 1, using the cover of darkness. The vehicles accompanied by the Padre (an additional slice of GOD ECM never goes a miss!) rolled into MOB PRICE, conducted halt parades and prepared their ploughs for potential clearance of VAs and VPs on the route in. Led now by Cpl Taff Rees, the convoy moved off through the desert, avoiding the large population centre of GERESHK. The route through the desert was easy going for all of the vehicles and spurred along with cries over the radio of this is classic tank country from SSgt I am all things tank Cheetham the vehicles travelled the final 15km cross country with out a hitch.
Spr Chappell's poor parking skills

RSOI Training for Armoured Engineers
Day 2 was a day of vehicle preparation and confirmatory recces with C Coy. Orders were delivered and at 0500hrs on day 3 Cpl Rees and Cpl Marlon Johnson commenced ploughing routes for our local Force Protection and for the new route into the PB Line. The day progressed well with the vehicles dealing with the high temperatures a lot better than the crews. Temperatures of plus 50 degrees were recorded by the closed down tank crews causing Spr Massive Morallee to shrink smaller than his 3 ft 2inch normal height. With well rehearsed mine encounter drills everyone was surprised by Cpl Johnsons report across the airwaves of Steel 70C you might want to halt there, I think you have ploughed up an Anti Tank mine. The DANBAT Counter IED team were called forward and they confirmed that a Russian Anti Tank mine had in fact been uncovered, picked up and moved out of the way into the furrows by the mine plough. Was this the first time in history that the mine ploughs had done what they had originally been designed for! Clearing Russian Anti Tank mines. Admittedly it wasnt on the sweeping plains of BAOR (British Army of the Rhine) in support of a NATO counter attack against the Red Army but for the crews it was a reassuring moment and huge confidence boost in the quality and performance of the kit. Day four involved more clearance where a total of 3 more Russian Anti Tank mines were ploughed up, along with a low metal content Pressure Pad IED. Counter IED again dealt with all the devices successfully. During this point SSgt Gruber Cheetham became possibly the only man in history to become fixed in a minefield, despite there being a Trojan with a mine plough in front of him. The cry of Somebody come and rescue me Im surrounded by mines over the net made everyone smile and secretly feel sorry for the slightly senile ASG Commander.
Cpl Rees and Spr Mooney
Cpl Rees gives a ground brief
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The next day was to be the icing on Cpl Rees leading in his TROJAN followed by SSgt Cheetham in his HUSKEY the cake. Despite Cpl Rees best efforts to sabotage the plan., a PYTHON explosive mine clearance device was towed onto the high ground and fired across the minefield. With cameras deployed from PB SPONDON to the unmanned drone in the sky the rocket deployed successfully and then nothing happened! Unfortunately there was a misfire with the initiation device (confirmed over the command vehicles live intercom by the SSM with language that can not be printed). The ATO (Ammunition Technical Officer) was deployed once again to deal with the device. The OC was forced to use the lower ends of the escalation of force scale to ensure that locals were kept out of the danger area and finally ATO detonated the explosive hose. More routes were opened with the TROJANS and finally, exhausted the crews returned to the PB Line. As the Force Protection collapsed their cordon, for reasons only known to the Crazy Danes one of their vehicles drove out of the cleared safe lane onto a track that they had swept previously. Unfortunately during their clearance they had not located the Anti Tank mine that blew the rear wheel station clean off of their vehicle. Fortunately there were no casualties; and a savage sand storm delayed the recovery operation until the following day. The final day of the planned Op involved the TROJANS clearing a route up to the stricken vehicle and then continuing to clear the high ground. Another 2 Anti Tank mines were uncovered and swiftly dealt with by the now well practiced Counter IED team. The new route into the PB Line was levelled, at some points by REME CRARRV backblading the newly ploughed safe lane 3m, due to some sterling work by the CRARRVs and the Excavator Arms on the TROJAN. With a final wash up with C Coy the ASG (less Cpl Rees who decided to stay in PB CLIFTON, potentially out Spr Leathard & Afghan youngster of shame and certainly nothing to do with the fact that his panzer was poorly) drove back to Camp BASTION under the dawn sun across the desert. For a first mission the ASG had it all, a 100km self protected and self supported move on both road and desert. Ploughing and clearing in excess of 9Km through an old
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Russian Anti Tank minefield, opening up a new route, through a wadi, in extremely difficult ground, uncovering an IED on a previously well used route, demolishing two disused compounds, reacting to and assisting with the recovery of a vehicle involved in a mine strike and the sort of firing of a live PYTHON. The experience gained by the tank crews was huge and each time the story is retold the numbers of mines encountered swells. As an ex tank commander I was hugely jealous and immensely proud of all of the feats that the tank crews had achieved. The professionalism showed by all of the youths was second to none. Are we just Royal Engineers? No Sir, we are from 26! by WO2 (SSM)
SSgt Cheetham controlling two TROJANS on task
TROJAN & CRARRV work in tandem to demolish unoccupied buildings
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31 Armoured Engineer Squadron (Talisman) OCs Foreword.

It was fantastic to see so many of you at the mid-tour update during my recent R&R in Hohne. I hope the presentation was useful and informative but most importantly it was another opportunity to get together socially and plan future families activities. Whilst I have been away, the Squadron has been extremely busy supporting the biggest partnered air assault operation since 2008. The soldiers performed admirably clearing a high threat route to allow logistic and engineer resource convoys access to locations and areas reclaimed from the insurgents during the operation. The link-up task could not have gone smoother and we enabled others to do their job as a consequence. A sterling effort and it gives me a huge sense of pride when I hear the soldiers recalling and reflecting on their experiences. R&R is now in full swing and it wont have escaped your notice the steady trickle of soldiers returning to Hohne and UK for leave. I would recommend that you plan to meet your loved one in Hohne rather than Hanover Airport as flights are difficult to predict and subject to change at very short notice. At the very least please check with the Welfare staff in the Hobart Centre to avoid disappointment. By Sam Stuthridge, OC 31 Armd Engr Sqn
2 Troops Big Op
Journey through the desert
2 Troop have just finished a very busy few days on a deliberate Route Proving and Clearance Op. If you do not know what this means then it is basically making safe, if necessary, all the routes, ensuring all the vehicles and personnel arrive safely at the patrol bases. This makes sure everybody that uses these roads are as safe as they can be. This is important to ensure the safety of both Local Nationals and many of the other units working in the area, it also offers them piece of mind whilst moving around the area. This is not to be underestimated and we are rarely short of thanks for what we do. The journey down to the patrol base where we were going to stay for the night was pretty uneventful. Even though this means that it was boring it is also a good thing. Fortunately, Sgt "Smudge" Smith got us there quickly as well as safely so it wasn't too painful. When we got to the patrol base where we were going to stay the night all the lads took the opportunity to have a bit of a sun-bathing session and also have a little work out in the gym. Cpl Walker in particular led the way in the gym working on getting massive. Then once the lads were getting bored of the gym they moved onto a good old game of Euka (card game), and then some more sun-bathing.
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Cpl Walker on Op not so Massive
On the first day of the Op there was a task for the Commando lads who were attached to us for the day. There was a collapsed culvert that was too dangerous for our convoy to get across, therefore a bridge was in order and this was the tasking for most of the day in the Afghan heat. It was also a wet gap that the bridge had to go across which made it a lot harder for the Commando lads to build. We gave them a helping hand where we could but it was still a hell of a job that needed JCBs and several tipper loads of aggregate before the bridge could even begin to be built. We finally got across the gap and cleared the rest of the route we had been tasked to prove and clear. The Troop Commander then made sure that us boys got a proper nights rest for the next day. We went into a desert leaguer and dominated that bit of ground all night so we all could get some well earned rest as we had another big day ahead of us.
The next few days went fast as we were tasked with a route search as there were some infantry lads who had taken over a derelict compound and were running short on supplies after they had been in a lot of fire 2 Troop showing off their Tans (and spray on 6 packs) fights over the last couple of days and nobody could get to them. The day before the Op went fast as everyone was really excited because of the importance of the job. As we got to the top of the route that was going to be searched, the atmospherics seemed not to be that great and all the searchers knew something was up, so we took our time to ensure we missed nothing. Then about half way down the route Spr Richards saw something that looked out of place and investigated. He was confident that he had a find and told us all. This was confirmed quickly so I called it up that there was something there and got up and went to safety. Once the clearance operator had been given the permission to clear the device we all got into our vehicles to prepare for the blast. One loud bang later and the job was done.
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The bridge the Commando lads built for us
Spr Crawshaw (Sproggels) after a search
After about 7 hours of searching in the 45-50 degree heat of the Afghan sun we were all knackered, so we had a change of searchers for the last 100 metres. They got to the end of the route with no bother and the troops in the compound looked pleased to see us and that was that route searched and finished. We headed back to the patrol base where we had stayed the day before and got our fat heads
down for some well-earned rest.....AGAIN. The next day came and everyone was pleased as we headed back into Camp Bastion taking the route that we originally came in on and it was just as uneventful as it was on the way down. When we got back into camp everyone was glad that we all had returned safe and sound and had enjoyed a good Op. Spr Crawshaw. 2 Troop TALISMAN Sqn
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Holding the Ground

It seems like a lifetime ago when we left Camp Bastion on what was supposed to be a simple Op for us in an otherwise large Op for the guys we were to be attached to. Little did we know it was going to turn into the adventure of our lives!!! So let us take you back to the morning of the 25 May. It was, as usual, a hot morning when we took our final look at Camp Bastion and mounted our vehicles. As we rolled out the gates there was an unusual feeling of anxiety amongst 3 Troop due to the fact we only had about half our Troop due to certain members going on R n R (very selfish). We wont mention their names as they already know who they are. So we had to replace Sgt Bracey, Spr Nobby Mercer, LCpl T-Hawk Smith, Spr Billy Connelly, Spr Martin Pritty, Spr Jimmy Mercer, Lbdr Stubbs, and Spr J Lowe with their One Troop counterparts and one German exchange soldier, Spr Shaun Peers (well maybe we will men-
Talisman Squadron, I think we have a convoy
tion their names). As we approached Highway One we found ourselves in the unusual situation of being stuck in traffic which is strange when you are in the middle of the desert. However being the mighty 3 Troop/attached 1 Troop we manage to man up and bully our way to the front. This is pretty easy when we drive some of the largest and most powerful equipment out here. From there it was a pretty straight forward and uneventful drive to the base where we harboured up for the night. We left at first light the next day to start our search and clearance of the southern side of route we had been tasked to clear. In charge of this daunting task were Cpl Smudge Smith and LCpl Ken Kerr. Un-phased by the task ahead of them, they started the search. It Orders from Lt Irving wasnt long before they thought they had a find, so we deployed our search team commander Cpl Pegs Peglar and one times searcher Spr Big Sexy Parker to confirm the potential find. As they searched up to the marker left by the search equipment there was a buzz of excitement around the Troop. Big Sexy got into position to confirm only meters ahead of his heroic commander Pegs. Five minutes had elapsed, beads of sweat running down from under Spr Parkers helmet, there was a pauseYou could see the anticipation in Cpl Peglar's face as Spr Parker slowly turned his head to shout Its a rock. The two walked back to the lead Mastiff to regain their composure after the excitement and to re-join the rest of the search team. Once the search was completed everybody got back onto their vehicles to continue proving the rest of the route to meet with 2 Troop who were clearing the opposite end of the route. Once we met up with 2 Troop that
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was our task complete far earlier than we had anticipated. So from there 2 Troop headed back to their camp and we were told to go back to ours to wait further tasking. After the arduous morning, we were looking forward to getting some down time and maybe even having a game of the Best of British board game. Little did we know the wheels were already in motion for the mighty 3 Troop/1 Troop to head back out on to the ground!!! After enjoying a nice cool shower, fellow author Spr Parker and I headed down to the EFI for a nice refreshing Slushy and maybe even to watch a film. As we sat there relaxing an out of breath SSgt Dave Heal bursts through the doors. Struggling to catch his breath, the windows in the doors still shuddering from the sheer force in which they were thrown open, Quick lads, to the tank park you must go, yes said Staff Heal in a Yoda esk style You two get there now, Ill get the rest of the troop! shouted Staff Heal already heading out the door running to get the rest of 3 Troop in his usual selfless manner. The Troop was now all together by our vehicles awaiting orders from our fearless leader Lt Luke Irving. As we began to go over the new task and look at the schematics of the area we would be working in the size of our new Op quickly became apparent. About 30 Minutes later we neared the end of our brief and we all knew what had to be done no matter what the cost. The ground had to be held. As we all mounted our vehicles again one Sapper knew this mission was going to be so much more than simply holding the ground. Spr Pugs Clark felt that all the roads he had taken so far had brought him here. He knew this was to be the defining moment in his life; this was his time to shine. It took us about an hour and a half to reach the place we had to hold. The route had already been cleared by ourselves previously so we could travel a little bit faster than usual; however we knew how quickly things could change on the routes so we kept our eyes open for anything that could put us in any danger. As soon as we reached our destination we quickly leaguered up and made a safe area from which we could work and live from for as long as we needed. As we began to set up to start work excitement soon turned to disappointment, espe-
The view while holding the ground
cially for Spr Clark when we realised that holding the ground was basically stagging on. A few days went past without any major dramas. That was until Spr Paddy Andrews was involved in an accident. The day began as any other. Spr Ginge Hanlon and Spr Chris Ainscough were busy holding the ground, however a group of our Sappers had been asked to help complete a small HESCO task in our area. It had all gone smoothly until Spr Paddy Andrews had caught his hand in the bucket of the JCB. The scream that was to follow was deafening, we could see the blood begin to trickle down Paddys arm. The pain in his face was clear to see and without even being told what was going on LCpl Florence ORourke sprang up to his feet from his cot bed sensing that someone was in danger. Florence threw his kit on and ran off in search of the casualty like a Great White Shark with the stench of blood in his nostrils. LCpl ORourke soon found the distraught Spr Paddy Andrews curled up against the JCB with tears streaming down his face. Florence took one look at the wound to see it was barely more serious than a paper cut. Florence looked Paddy dead in his watery eyes and said What are you, a girl or something? Despite all the excitement we all had to get back into the serious business of holding the ground. We did this for a further 4 strenuous days before we got the call that we could finally move on back to Bastion. By Spr Polish Mlynek and Spr Big Sexy Parker
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39 Armoured Engineer Squadron

Cpl Marlon Johnson and his crew lead the Armoured Support Group into action
OCs Foreword
Water is a major feature of the Helmand Valley. Whether it is the wide meandering sweep of the Helmand River itself or the thousands of irrigation ditches which provide a lifeline to the green zone along the rivers northern bank, water is evident everywhere. To the military engineer water can be both a friend and a formidable foe. During the last few months the troops have experienced the power of the local Mirabs (water controllers) with construction sites being flooded innocently and sometimes with suspicious intent. Over the last week it is the NEB Canal that has become the focus of the Squadrons efforts within Helmand as part of Operation OMID HAFT. The canal stretches from Geresk in the north of our area to Baluchan, south of Lashkar Gar. There are no bridges in our area and the locals have utilised tunnels underneath the canal to cross from north to south and vice versa. The insurgents have used the tunnels to move IED equipments into the MALGIR and LOY MANDEH areas and had been using the area freely to intimidate locals and target Coalition Forces.
39 AESs TROJAN crew in action in Nadi-E-Ali North.
Operation OMID HAFT has been a Brigade level insertion into the MALGIR and LOY MANDEH districts of Helmand Province in order to clear out the insurgent strongholds providing stability within an area that the insurgent has had a certain amount of free movement. The Squadron was chosen to provide close support to the air assault operation. OCs tactical HQ, 7 Troop, 8 Troop and elements of 9 Troop all deployed on the operation with the intent to provide close support engineering to the 1 Rifles battle group. Operation OMID HAFT would see the Afghan National Army plan and lead in all elements of the mission
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39 Armoured Engineer Squadron - continued.

partnered and mentored by ISAF.
OC TAC and 8 Tp at first light on the morning of the air assault
7 Troop separated into 3 sections. 2 close support sections were inserted into 2 different locations and Cpl Marlon Python Johnson deployed with the 26 AES Armoured Support Group. LCpl Sammy General Stones led his section on foot, on a deliberate assault in an area of compounds to secure a potential patrol base. This move was hugely successful and the section immediately began shoring up defences and providing force protection to the partnered forces in the newly formed base. Lt Ollie I am Toogood, SSgt Gee Gallagher and LCpl Mick Massive Biddulph all inserted by air to the most kinetic area of the operation. No stores could be underslung by helicopter because of the threat and the lads resorted to their primary role, that of a soldier and conducted infantry tasks protecting the base from the real threat posed by the locally based insurgents.
Cpl Marlon Pimp my Trojan Johnson, Spr Stretch Armstrong and Spr Ben Sniper Marchant covered for the Trojan crew from 26 AES whilst they took their R and R. Fortunately, the biggest operation of the tour for the Armoured Support Group took place whilst they were covering. The operation was a complete success and the crew found a number of anti-tank mines and fired the Python an explosive hose that clears safe lanes through mined areas THE biggest explosive in Afghanistan used by military engiThe General Support Bridge over the Nahr-E-Burgh neers! They Canal completed all this on their own as 26 AESs main vehicle broke down. Well done boys there is no doubt you made that area a safer place for our lads to work in! Lt Johnny Linares and 8 Troop were tasked with an air assault on a position situated on the south bank of the
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NEB Canal. They would join over 100 other British and Afghan troops in an early morning insertion that was the largest and most complex air assault of the current Helmand campaign. CO 1 Rifles led from the front and his multiples landed close to the target and achieved the surprise that was hoped for. 8 Troop landed simultaneously in a poppy field a short distance further than planned from the target area. This meant that each man had to carry over 80kg of kit and equipment to their rendezvous point. The scale of the operation was awe inspiring and the young lads kept their nerve as the sky lightened and the expected backlash from the insurgents petered out. The lads also watched agonisingly as the underslung loads, carried by the support helicopters, dropped their loads further away from their planned landing zones. This would mean handballing stores across the irrigated fields to the target area which is always a pleasure wearing body armour complete with full scales of ammunition. Luckily the Rifles had put quad bikes in the dropped loads and the movement of stores was left to the infantry lads allowing Home sweet home our boys to get on with their engineering tasks.
Cpl Mark Kay and the 9 Tp lads
The target was a compound that would give CO 1 Rifles a positionto control the canal and the route on the South side. Within moments of arrival Spr Anthony Cheese I miss roundabouts Romans had his section running around the compound identifying force protection tasks and planning the programme of works with Lt Johnny Im nearly a Captain Linares. The OC, Major Si I dont
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General Toulan, US MARINES with OC and SSM
understand why you are all carrying big bergans when I can fit all my kit in a small lightweight bag Bradley, SSM Gummy Brookfield and Cpl Ewan admin explosion Bartlett decided to place the tactical SHQ in the comfy area that the lads had already occupied. Unfortunately, a Sappers recce doesnt always mean the area is suitable and after a miserable afternoon fighting off the hundreds of flies, a chain and cord were noticed hanging from the roof. It did not take long to realise that this was the farmers abattoir and the flies were at home within the dried blood soaked into the floor of the building. A quick demolition of a few windows in the walls and the air was allowed to circulate but the presence of the flies did not abate. The construction of the elevated sangars got underway and within no time the compound took on the form of a patrol base complete with showers and toilets courtesy of SSgt Matt I love my HESCO toilets Jones and Cpl Ewan I can do anything without any help at all Bartlett. The focus switched to the canal itself and the plan to put in a bridge to allow the locals freedom to travel north and south and also a means to be able to control the insurgents movements within the MALGIR district. This would be done by placing a 44m close support bridge over the canal close to the compound. Sgt Marc I love bridges Coultas and his knotted hankie crew, (some reports suggest that the SQMS may have been part of it never!) arrived on site to be met by the SSM and after a thorough recce briefing (get that f******* bridge in now!) the build began! It seemed that all the local villagers had been informed that something strange was happening and they came out in their droves. The audience became so enchanted that Sgt Marc Its never been done before and still hasnt Coultas decided that an encore performance would be repeated the following morning even utilising the spare vehicle which felt lonely back at Camp Bastion. After an extraordinary effort to recover and swap vehicles around, the bridge was finally completed and the locals immediately began to cross and make use of the bridge. It was fascinating to watch the young boys tread carefully wary that the bridge may collapse as they had never seen anything like it in their lives. 8 Troop plan to replace the bridge with a more permanent structure over the next few weeks. Cpl Mark Do you like my biceps Kay and his section had initially followed the 31 AES vehicles during the initial clearance of route Neptune, repairing potholes and culverts as they went. Their remarkable progress allowed the group to reach the compound 2 days ahead of time enabling rations and water to be forwarded immediately. Spr Jamie I have not had a solid one all tour Scott continues to look like a diet success story and whilst he held his trousers up he filled HESCO guided by
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LCpl Red tan Ross. Grumbles were heard throughout the compound as dust impregnated everything whilst the HESCO was being filled but as the dust cleared the immense effort the lads had put in showed to the relief of the RSM 1 Rifles who had constantly worried about the grenade threat from the insurgents. Unfortunately, the greatest threat was from our Afghan partners living (maybe not quite the word I am looking for there) in the compound with us. Spr Knoxy I am the hardest man in the British Army and the Pacific Islands Laqekoro had his size 11 boots stolen whilst he was asleep. This meant that he had to resort to Fijian army footwear (sandals) and introduce himself to the Afghan soldiers. The hospital at Bastion is currently on standby until his boots reappear (you do not want to be near those boots when they are found!). Cpl Danny Please, no more roads! Waltons section continued to improve routes to the south and upgrade CP Rostrum alongside K Coy, 42 Commando RM. His love of building roads has emerged again as the patrol base required the inadequate access to be developed. Dont worry Danny, culvert pipes chasing you down the streets in your dreams is a normal reaction ask Mark Im always happy Kay. 9 Troop, although short on numbers due to Operation OMID HAFT, have continued to provide support in the Lashkar Gah district. Lt Hugh Oh my God! They are going to let me be a Captain Nightingale continues to decipher the 4 Scots battle groups intentions and work through the complex dress codes that exist within their patrol base. Trainers have now been banned and in time boots may also be on the restricted list (Knoxy will be ok living there). LCpl Nige Gray has now decided to grow his hair back after his boule de zero. He has also encouraged SSgt Mick Clooney Eastwood to grow his hair too. He is now almost unrecognisable apart from the grey and looks twenty years younger (lets not get too excited here Helen!). The G4 boys are still working all the hours that Capt Nipper Brazier directs in order to keep the Squadron supplied with equipment and stores to complete their tasks. It seems some of them enjoyed R and R too much as waistlines have increased in some cases. In fact Spr Alex I am absolutely massive Walker seems to have found some exercises to increase the size of his stomach in relation to his arms (I think its called the lard and beer workout cheap at the moment at your local Weatherspoons!). It was rumoured that the SQMS may have been sighted on a bridge task on the Canal but reports suggest it is a younger lookalike (couldnt be an older one could it Andy?) LCpl Samuel George I am absolutely gigantic Westlake even got to leave his store to take part on Operation OMID HAFT he would do anything to get away from those endless checks! LCpl Mark Stobart Simpson and Spr Olly skinny trucker Aitken continue to move the essential stores throughout the area in their own jingly truck. They are providing the morale to the lads that otherwise would not get through by the battle group means, which includes mail, fresh food and the odd ice pop! The Squadron has had the pleasure of hosting Tim Big Dogs Westwood from Radio 1 this week. Ably chaperoned by our own Marlon My tanks bigger than yours Johnson, Tim managed to get round all the Bastion based lads during a mornings visit. Marlon even had his own spot on the live link to the UK on 2 of the nights he was air over here. Tims visit was a real treat. In a time when celebrities are all for excess and fame and play the Help for Heroes game etc, Tim came across as a genuine bloke who cared about the boys and had put himself out to live in Helmand for a week. Apparently he had started a new Facebook page because he wanted soldiers as his friends because they were real people and would help each other. He summed this up with a story relayed through Marlon I had 30,000 friends on my Facebook site so I posted that I was moving house and would require someone to give me a hand the following morning no one turned up! Friends my a***!. Nice one Tim you will always be welcome at 39s bar. A word must be mentioned for the boys who hold it all together whilst the OC is out on the ground. Capt Rich My Sandhurst shorts are massive now Garthwaite has still got his finger on the pulse as well as his keyboard. Capt Matt I like my food and my sleep Simister has now turned the ops room fridge into a Waitrose delicatessen counter with all the rich goodies sent by his fiance and family. The brownies sent by his brother were a particular treat, much better than that provided by the chefs here. The highlight of the day, however, has to be the regular event after evening meal that sees Pudding Man, our lovable local cookhouse worker, pile a small bowl up with the most puddings you could imagine anyone eating. This all follows the biggest plate of curry, rice, chips etc that anyone has witnessed within Bastion, and he does not have an inch of body fat on him! All in all the squadron has performed remarkably over the past 2 weeks. They have been pushed to their limits and responded in true Sapper style. Words cannot express how proud I am of all the lads and it is a privilege to be their Sergeant Major at this time. The work they are producing now will leave a legacy that few engineer units in the past have achieved. General Toulan, US Marines, the Deputy Commander of all coalition forces in Afghanistan summed up our work in a recent visit to the Squadron on the frontline, Our families should be thankful of you you are the ones who make our boys safe so they can go back home! Enjoy your time with the lads as they return on R and R. Our thoughts are with you at home always. Mark - Squadron Sergeant Major, 39 AES - Audentis fortuna Iuvat
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59 Commando Squadron RE OCs Foreword

This period has seen the focus of the Squadron shift towards Op OMID HAFT, which has seen a number of elements operating in support of 42 Cdo RM and the Afghan National Army. Typical works have included bridge construction and the upgrading of Local National compounds into Temporary Check Points (TCPs). The OCs and SSMs of the various Royal Marines companies have, as always, been extremely gracious in their praise of our men; notably the standard of the work they are conducting and the pace at which they continue to operate. I have no doubt that were Commando Sappers employed in the construction of the various 2012 Olympic sites, they would have been completed months ago! On a lighter note you will also be pleased to know that Op MASSIVE has been well and truly embraced throughout the Squadron. Despite grafting in full kit in the 40-45 degree heat for a full day; men are still finding the time and opportunity to complete some phys; the hallmark of a Commando trained individual and a signature of his professionalism and motivation. There are some impressive results already being produced; LCpl Devenishs 150kg maximum bench press being one such example! There is now an opportunity for all as those in BASTION have to switch focus to the forthcoming Commando Sapper Reunion 10km charity run on 10 Jun 11. However, our attention will only be diverted for a short time! Finally, this foreword would not be appropriate without a few words in recognition of the forthcoming departure of Sergeant-Major Mick Jarwood. He will return to the UK to take post as the Senior Military Instructor of the Defence Diving School, the most senior soldier diving post within the Royal Engineers and the Army. He is a man who has served within this Squadron at numerous stages over the last 20 years, and is one of the few serving survivors from the halcyon days of the Squadron being housed in Seaton Barracks, Plymouth. His service has ranged from Op HAVEN in Northern Iraq in 1991 through to the current Op HERRICK 14 and has included numerous overseas deployments to, amongst others, the Falkland Islands, Egypt, Oman, USA, Cyprus and Norway. He has truly been an outstanding Sergeant-Major; the measure of the man is such that the welfare of his men and this Squadron are always at the forefront of his mind. He will be sorely missed and on behalf of the men of 59 Commando Squadron, I sincerely wish him well for the future and his next post. I look forward to a few quiet beers with him when the Squadron returns in September!
SHQ Newsletter
Well another 2 weeks have passed in sunny Bastion and we find ourselves well and truly into the month of June. The temperature is now firmly in the 50s. Morale is still high, but some of us now know the true meaning of the phrase GROUND HOG DAY. The 2IC Capt Fart Machine Burton is still going strong in the gym, and Op Massive fever has firmly got a hold of him. Unfortunately for him, people have started to notice that he is losing size rather than putting it on. After a thorough investigation, we have decided that a puncture repair kit or a cork is required to prevent him from expelling any further hot air. This should also aid the prevention of his seemingly deflating body.
1 Tp on the infantry assault bridge across the NeB Canal
Cpl Taff Harrison is now fully refreshed after having some enforced rest from the night shift. He had started to resemble a zombie/mental patient (is this the norm with Welsh people)? After constantly whinging about his lack of sleep from the noise of the overhead helicopters to myself, (Im not renowned for my compassionate nature), it was decided by the 2IC that he could have 2 nights off. It has been discovered that the real reason for his
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59 Commando Squadron RE
lack of sleep is that he spends most of the night on the phone to his girlfriend Judi thats his Op bonus spent already. He wont be getting anymore time off, no matter how much he sits staring into space and rocking in his chair!!!!! LCpl Mr Vain Stainthorpe is now back from his R&R carrying extra baggage around his waist. He will have to hit the gym hard if he is to continue posting half naked pictures of himself on the internet. It was strong, black coffee all round when he told us his stories about what he got up to on R&R. For someone who said he was too drunk to remember anything most nights, he gave a very detailed description of what happened but did it really, or is somebody telling porkies? We think the latter. He was swiftly dispatched to FOB SHAWQAT, as with a combination of him and the heat people were starting to have a severe case of nodding dog. SSM I want to be a rock star Jarwood is soon to leave us for his new posting at the Dive School. Unfortunately for him it comes at a bad time, as his band THE FIFTY NINE SINS has hit the BFBS radio and word is spreading fast of fame and fortune. We are seriously considering having doormen at the Ops Room, due to the amount of wild groupies trying to get a glimpse of the star. No need though as on further inspection the amount of false hips and Zimmer frames present, the threat level was decided to be minimal. On a serious note I would like to wish him all the best in his new job. Well thats it from me, thanks again for all the letters and parcels that keep turning up at regular intervals; it always lifts the morale of the Squadron. Im off now for a bit of Op Bronzing as Im very busy honest, but dont tell the wife!!!!!! SHERGAR OUT! Written by Sgt Matty Needham
Operation Omid HAFT A Spectrum of Engineering Effect. Why, because we HAFT to!
I have to start this article with an apology. Tony Wilshire is not able to write the article as somehow he has left for R and R some 10 days before being due to go .... Where theres a Wilshire theres a way! That said our numbers are generally depleted now due to R and R and I myself will complete my half tour and be replaced in a few days. Our main task since your last update has been Operation OMID HAFT, the objective of which was to take and hold the area of Loy Mandeh Kalay creating a safe environment for the local population. So what has this actually meant for us? Well the first step on Wednesday the 25th May was a classic Operation Hurry Up And Wait manoeuvre which involved doing nothing the day before 1 Tp building a footbridge then getting up at 04:30 on the 25th to travel to Patrol Base Wahid to wait around until the evening to do our job. However to be honest we all love Wahid and would have wanted to arrive sooner if possible. It is run by the Estonians who really know how to keep a tidy but laid back ship. The welfare room is good with internet access, albeit slow, and a massive TV with comfy make shift sofas next to a tented galley area. Although weve not had a great relationship with the chef at Wahid and were on rations for the first few days new chefs arrived during our stay and are excellent. The real gravy however is the clean, cold showers and the washing machines. The slight downside is that we are sleeping next to the helicopter landing site without any shelter. Although sleeping under the stars is a romantic notion its not so funny when you wake up to a Chinnook hovering fifteen feet above your head or with a mouthful of muck from the dust storm that has been keeping you up most of the night. Whilst we were hurrying up to wait at Wahid our new Troop Commander, Lt Tom Exelby, and Recce sergeant, Sanjay Thapa, had meanwhile landed by helicopter and were occupying compounds with the Marines. When a troop member does something for the first time they have to buy a crate for the troop. As a new member of the troop Lt Exelby had already
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Spr Hoggins working hard.
been crated enthusiastically and only made things worse when he earned another by getting rounds down the range at compound 4 earlier that day.
It was at compound 4 that we carried out our first task of resupplying the Marines at their new HQ. When we arrived there was an armoured light wheeled tractor, like our own, teetering on the edge of a steep bank blocking our progress. Dinger Bell, (SSgt Bell) known for his special kind of patience, went ahead and had a few words with the operator and next thing we knew there was no obstruction and a seventeen tonne vehicle had been quickly moved out of our path! Amongst the essential stores we dropped off were obvious items such as water, along with more surprising ones such as gym equipment their priorities are clearly the same as The Fighting Firsts! The following day we saw the compound in the light. The main living area was pleasantly shaded by grapevines and had an almost festival appearance with cooking pots, hanging clothes and even a paddling pool (after only a day!). Added to the ANA (Afganistan National Army), terps (interpreters) and Marines crowding the space were numerous scrawny foul, a fairly plump turkey and a reporter and photographer from the Sun. So keep your eyes peeled for our pictures in the paper, when it says is Lima Company, it is really men from the Fighting First. To the rear of the compound was a walled field of dried poppies in which we erected a protective fence, toilets and showers. To the front we located more fencing, a HESCO barrier in front of the entrance and a couple of sangers. The day was full of hard graft and to top it off we had an impromptu fireworks display with loud bangs. The following day we travelled to PB Folad to pick up stores for ourselves and 3 Troop who were working further west on the tunnels. We delivered the stores to compound 4/6 but upon arrival our Husky sprung an oil leak and had to be returned to Wahid immediately. This was fortunate as Ben Anthony (Cfn Anthony) spends every waking hour trying to fix the Huskies and would be at a loss otherwise. The next day having flown Bev, (Spr Beverage) Dev (LCpl Devenish) and Dan Day (Spr Day) back to Bastion to bring back a repaired Husky, the rest of us filled sand bags before going out to demolish a building which Mutter(Spr Mutter) loved! When we arrived at our next location Ben (Spr Antony) was thrilled as the other husky broke down! On Sunday route Mercury was finally cleared far enough for us to reach Sanjay (Sgt Thapa) at compound 81/83. Unfortunately on the way out of Wahid Spr Lama, recently joined from Condor Troop, decided to leave half the SLDTs diesel tank behind on a piece of HESCO resulting in much manual labour! However putting the troops morale before himself as always Jamie Courtney (LCpl Courtney) decided to keep us laughing by setting off a trip flare and then trying to walk away as if nothing had happened. On Monday we collected two bridge ISOs from Folad but more importantly had a very serious and heated debate regarding whether a penguin is a biscuit or a chocolate bar (important work we do here). Before returning from our tasks that day we dropped by L company HQ, where we waited for some time for Dinger Bell (SSgt Bell) outside the compound. We were about to send out a patrol to recover him when he staggered back to tell us all about his ordeal in hostile territory. Although starving having worked all day on a ration lunch, we were eager to hear his news. Apparently he had to eat a freshly barbequed sausage sandwich, which although an ordeal, he managed to describe in mouth watering detail repeatedly. It got worse though, not only did he get one so did the Squadron Sergeant Major (Mick Jarwood) and the Officer Commanding (Rich Williams)! Upon our return to Wahid, dinner had finished but a big thanks to the chefs though as they immediately got some bacon on for us. The next day it had been decided that the tunnels used by the locals under the Nahr-e Bughra (NeB) Canal going through Loy Mandah Kalay would be denied. As a result we had to build an infantry Assault Bridge over the Neb which at 44m was the maximum the bridge could span and provided an excuse to cool off in the water. We were desperate for that quick dip as by this time of year tea can literally be brewed in the drinking water and the chocolate people have kindly sent is entirely liquid still even at 04:00 in the morning. Of course we all had to pose for an Alley phot opportunity at the end with Keil (spr Appleton) brandishing a purple AK47 he had borrowed from a suave Afghan! Speaking of photo opportunities keep a look out as I am sitting next to a couple of documentary makers right now (Chris Terrill - Commando on the Front Line) and we may well manage to get ourselves on camera over the next few days! Once again a big thank you to the loved ones at home, your support has been immense and you really dont know how grateful we are for that. xxxxxxx
Page 29
Condor Troop R and R Article

Two and a half months into a busy tour for the Condor lads and finally R+R is here for five of us who were lucky enough to be given the first slot: Donk, Williams, Mo, Chich and Rhys and before we knew it we were off the ground and back at BSN awaiting our flight back to home soil. Camp Bastion is a particularly rigid environment in terms of dress and bearing compared to the relaxed flip flops, shorts and moustaches look favored by the troop at FOB SHAWQAT. So whilst at BSN the recognized tactic is to stay low, The local nationals getting ready for another day move fast, pass through unnoticed and stay out of any kind of trouble. Unfortunately Rhys is picked up for incorrect badges during our stay and to add salt to the wound we are then told that our flight back is on the 19th three days later than expected. After stopping off in Minad and Akotiri in Cyprus the journey is turning into a bit of an epic, stewing in a cramped and uncomfortable aircraft, although thoughts of home and family keeping the morale up. We finally arrive at Brize Norton tired and looking rough but brimming with anticipation at the thought of things to come, a decision is quickly made and a night out in Bristol is deemed a worthy first port of call. The journey to Chivenor ushers in a welcome change of scenery from dust, dirt and rock to the lush green trees and countryside of Blighty. Following the mandatory stop on any lengthy military journey (Mcdonalds) we arrive at Chiv at 18.30, a quick clean up, shave and change of clothes and at 20.00 we leave to hit Bristol! Chich gives a lift to Les, me and Rhys and we proceed to the previously booked hotel rooms to drop off our kit and get a taxi into the night life centre of Bristol. The time is now midnight but we are hanging out to experience some night life again and let off some steam. We soon spot Mo outside a lively looking pub bursting with people and he welcomes us happily and begins introducing us to his many friends. As a well connected Bristol lad he manages to get us into the bar minus the entry fee and we stand inside the doors, looking out over the massing throng of revelers. Four fit, bronzed yet a little nervous Sappers surrounded by so many people dressed to impress, is at first a little strange. Uniform is all we had seen, all we have been accustomed to for the last few months, however after some liberally consumed alcohol starts to course through our veins (the majority of which is supplied free from Mos mates) the old adage of in vino veritas rings true and it isnt long before we are waxing lyrical of our adventures in Afghan to whichever young lady may have the high fortune of being in ear shot. We danced, we spoke, we smoked, we drank, and we pulled - embracing the wondrous excess available at home, as we remembered the pleasure afforded by freedom. Chich was the first to fall off the regain rope into drunken oblivion and whilst his mind was numbed by deep intoxication and the desire to sleep overcame socially acceptable behavior. He passed out in the hotel corridor in his underwear, locked out of his room until we stumbled upon him in the early hours. Ourselves, equally inebriated and similarly shattered but able to pick up our fallen comrade and extract early the next day with hangovers and dits to spin all round. I and Les headed back to Bristol later that day to meet up with Tom, Vye and Stainers at the pub (of course). We ordered large all day breakfasts and traded stories about our drunken antics from the previous night, in the greatest tradition of soldiers that have gone before. Talk soon turned to the next night out and before we knew it we were cutting shapes on the
Edition 5
Page 30
3 Tp Check Point Chiron, the build concludes
The OC, Major Dave Maitland Williams
dance floors of the biggest clubs in the city, chatting up random women, necking disgusting shots and all the time dancing like deranged and but elated fools. After this first initial big blowout, leave continued without many major incidents and the lads did what made them happy; Chich went fishing, I went to the gym to finally find some muscles and Tom went face stroking. The two weeks went past in a blur and Im not going to lie, I was hoping the ash cloud could of lasted a bit longer so we could enjoy our hedonistic pursuits some more it wasnt to be. The RAF was keen to get us back into theatre and unlike the in bound flight, before we knew it we were back at Rigid City (Camp Bastion). We all enjoyed R&R but for now its back to task and all the sweating and hard work still to come through the hot summer months in Southern Helmand. By Spr Andy Williams
Page 31
3 TroopGillette Soccer Saturday

Typical Saturday afternoon Jeff Steling and the rest of the Sky Sports team are reviewing the action from different games across the country...... Jeff Steling: Just gone half-time at Stade de Shazad, Lets cross over to Chris Kamara... Chris Kamara: UNBELIVABLE, JEFF! Its Taliban 0 Three Tribe 1. Taliban seemed to be elsewhere at the start of the match (harvesting poppy). Threatened with a couple of shots early on (shoot and scoots) but nothing near the target. Theyve certainly woke up as the half's gone on. Despite playing at an electrifying pace, its been a very defensive start to the half from the visiting side (Hesco and razor wire) with certain sections of the crowd chanting Boring Boring 3 Tribe. However, the surprisingly early substitution of (Troopy) Vernon seems to of been inspired. Jeff Steling: His unknown replacement, Troopy Clarkes, got some big boots to fill. You spoke to him before he went on, What did you ask him, Kammy? Chris Kamara: I asked him how he felt killing Apollo Creed in rocky 4, Jeff. Phil Thompson: Ha, he does bear an uncanny resemblance to Dulph Lungren, Kammy. Chris Kamara: Hes made an instant impact after shaken things up tactically, Phil. Straight away switching to 4 Strikers (Explosive Method of Entry, pairs) and theyve literally blown the game apart (and some trees), while the rest of the players continued with there defensive master-class. It got very scrappy and the games taken on a real derby feel that makes the old -firm match look like a tickling contest. The players really looked like they were gonna kill each other at times things could of turned ugly but the half time whistle blew and the tribe go into the break (RnR) unscathed and in the lead. Jeff Steling: How do you keep a team like this focused after the break Chris. Chris Kamara: The lads are professionals, Jeff and its a family orientated club with most of the players being/ becoming fathers themselves (Good luck Foz and Dave K) so there shouldn't be any problems. That said, the drinking culture still exists and Lee Bowyer (the tribes drink of choice) always has the potential to liven things up off and on the field. Jeff Steling: And finally, hows the youngster Nathan Spencer, getting on his debut. Some members of the press have compared him to a young Wayne Rooney. Paul Merson: because hes an expert marksman (on Top Cover),Jeff?
The new sangar and a happy Royal Marine with me Spr Scott, Sgt Bob Hosken and Spr Dean Ammo Box Head Lockey.
Jeff Steling: No Paul, Coz hes Ginger and Hacking! Thanks Kammy, Lets cross now to Alan Smith at Birmingham........
SUPPORTING COMMANDO SAPPERS IN AFGHANISTAN WRISTBANDS
WHERE IS YOUR MONEY GOING? The income generated from the COMMANDO SAPPER wristbands will be split between 3 distinct areas. They are as follows: Regimental Welfare. This will allow us to support needy causes within the Regiment that cover a myriad of outlets; from injured soldiers, family activities and any venture which improves the welfare of our soldiers. 50% of all charitable income generated will go to regimental welfare. Army Benevolent Fund (ABF):The Soldiers Charity. ABF, The Soldiers Charity is designed to support soldiers, former soldiers and their families in times of need. Over the past 2 years ABF has seen a 30% rise in people seeking there help and expect this to increase with the continuing operations in Afghanistan. 25% of all charitable income generated will go to the ABF. Childrens Hospice South West. The Childrens Hospice South West is located in Fremington, literally on the Regiments doorstep. The Hospice provides care for the children with an illness, which means they will not meet adulthood. The Hospice provides expert care, not only for the children but also for their parents and siblings, allowing them to cope with these extremely difficult circumstances. 25% of all charitable income generated will go to the Childrens Hospice South West. To order Supporting Commando Sapper wrist bands. Please contact WO2 Ray Glass either by phone on 01271 85 7824 or by post with a SAE to WO2 Glass, ROpsP RSM, RMB Chivenor, Barnstaple, Devon, EX31 4AZ, or just send a donation by cheque or postal order payable to Central Bank 24 Commando Engineer Regiment.
Something from the Editor. Back copies of the TFH Engr Gp Newsletters are available at
TASK FORCE HELMAND ENGINEER GROUP
Editor: 546151 Capt Brad Hardwick 54 Cdo HQ & Sp Sqn TFH Engr Gp BFPO 792 E-maill bch5951@gmail.com
http://www.scribd.com/collections/2973981/Task-Force-HelmandEngineer-Group-Newsletter Charity wrist bands. We have received repeated requests for our popular Commando Sapper wrist bands. Please refer to page 32 for details on how to get hold of this seasons must have item! Your support for the Regiment is greatly appreciated, so please give generously. Facebook Page. We now have an open Facebook presence at http:// www.facebook.com/TFHEngrGp
See more photos and comments on TFH Engr Gp at
Lonely Planet Dictionary of Jack Speak for Afghanistan Part 3
http:// www.facebo ok.com/ TFHEngrGp
Local terminology Part 1 Plant(y) (For the ladies) Plant machinery are diggers or excavators which you see being used on numerous building sites digging holes or blocking the road on a school run around the UK, they are operated by our beloved planty usually a large, beer swilling male who will wolf whistle at any female who passes by. In Afghanistan they are a battle winner dont tell them that the good news is the military have come up with an ingenious solution to remedy the overweigh beer swilling planty, which is to make the plant armoured meaning no ventilation, add body armour, helmet, Afghan summer and in one day you can turn a fat planty into a thin planty, unfortunately you cannot suppress the wolf whistling. Royal Short for a Royal Marine who like to refer to each other as Royal with calls of alright royal usually when in a queue waiting for something. Royals favorite past time when not showering is queuing, if you stand still for more than 5 mins you will have approximately 30 Royal Marines stood behind you, asking what Perce is waiting for. This only works in areas with a high concentration of Royal Marines, so ladies dont try standing around in your local shopping center hoping to spice up your day you will probably get thrown out by security. Bungalow Head Royal Marine (nothing upstairs). Pongo This is what Royal Marines call Army ranks, due to their fascination with washing 10 times a day. Unlike the Marines the Army dont wash every time they perspire, and the Parachute Regiment dont wash full stop. So the Royal Marines have come up with not the most endearing nick name of Pongo, where the Pongo goes, the pong goes, you can also be referred to as Perce as in Percy Pongo. All good banter, unless you add alcohol. Op MASSIVE More time in Afghanistan has been spent on Operation MASSIVE than any other Operation to date, sadly this is not a clandestine operation into the deepest insurgent stronghold, but where men and scarily some women spend most of their money on creatine, protein powder and potions which promise large muscles, with small waistlines. So when not drinking shakes, they spend the rest of their spare time in the gymnasium or hanging off scaffolding bars, in the almost religious quest for the body beautiful. But strangely, still seem hell bent on growing the most ridiculous moustaches thus negating the months of pain in the gym. And thats just the girls. More definitions in the next Newsletter.

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TFH Engineer Group Newsletter Edition 7 150611

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Task Force Helmand Engineer Group News Letter

Edition 7 13 June 2011

Commanding Officers Foreword

Inside this issue:

54 Commando HQ 3 & Support Squadron

3 Armoured Engineer Squadron

Support Commando 32 Sappers in AfghanistanWrist Bands

Commanding Officers Foreword(continued)

With SSgt Buckland, 26 AES, in CP RICKTA (Nahr-e Saraj (North))

Task Force Helmand Engineer Group

54 Commando Headquarters and Support Squadron

Task Helmand Engineer Group Taxi Service Assembles at short notice

Sapper do you think I have lost weight? Scott Lee

Task Force Helmand Engineer Group

The Cdo Reunion 10km Run in Bastion

The work goes on..and on..and on..you get the message!

Task Force Helmand Engineer Group

REMEDay in the life of the ESLO

Task Force Helmand Engineer Group

3 Armoured Engineer Squadron OCs Foreword

Sapper Buckett leading in the workers at Shahzad.

Task Force Helmand Engineer Group

Camp Bastion The sharp end

Task Force Helmand Engineer Group

6 Section PB CATINA BUILD

Task Force Helmand Engineer Group

6 Section Big Top PB CATINA

26 Armoured Engineer Squadron OCs Foreword

Focus on - 2 Troop at the Patrol Base Line (PBL)

Result of the explosive breaching

Cpl Harvey and Spr Leathard on patrol

Task Force Helmand Engineer Group

Op TUFAAN GUMBESA 5 Armoured Support Group Deployment

Spr Chappell's poor parking skills

Cpl Rees and Spr Mooney

Cpl Rees gives a ground brief

Task Force Helmand Engineer Group

Task Force Helmand Engineer Group

SSgt Cheetham controlling two TROJANS on task

TROJAN & CRARRV work in tandem to demolish unoccupied buildings

Task Force Helmand Engineer Group

31 Armoured Engineer Squadron (Talisman) OCs Foreword.

Journey through the desert

Task Force Helmand Engineer Group

Cpl Walker on Op not so Massive

Task Force Helmand Engineer Group

The bridge the Commando lads built for us

Spr Crawshaw (Sproggels) after a search

Task Force Helmand Engineer Group

Holding the Ground

Talisman Squadron, I think we have a convoy

Task Force Helmand Engineer Group

The view while holding the ground

Task Force Helmand Engineer Group

39 Armoured Engineer Squadron

39 AESs TROJAN crew in action in Nadi-E-Ali North.

Task Force Helmand Engineer Group

39 Armoured Engineer Squadron - continued.

Task Force Helmand Engineer Group

Task Force Helmand Engineer Group

General Toulan, US MARINES with OC and SSM

Task Force Helmand Engineer Group

Task Force Helmand Engineer Group

59 Commando Squadron RE OCs Foreword