Royal Blue

42 CDO HEROES

4 marines hold off 200 Taliban

FOUR Royal Marine commandos fought off an ambush by 200 Taliban fighters in Afghanistan, it emerged yesterday.

The group — who had only been in the war-torn country five days — held off the rebels for four hours on Wednesday until reinforcements arrived.

During the battle, Pakistani mercenaries in the pay of Taliban warlords rained heavy gunfire and grenades from all directions.

The besieged commandos radioed for support with the message: “We are surrounded.”

At one point they looked death in the face as they were encircled by the advancing mob firing heavy machine guns.

They were only saved when an Apache helicopter arrived to hammer the insurgents.

The platoon house was too far from the main British base for a rescue party to be sent by land.

The marines, from 42 Commando, escaped with only minor injuries and two Afghan National Army soldiers were wounded.

A Royal Marines source said: “This was an amazing show of true British grit and heroism and a triumph against all the odds. Our marines showed why they are the best in the world.”

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: “These men are incredible professionals — the best we have.”

Marine is deploying VERY soon and Im kind of at the stage where even the smallest thing sets me off worrying and being scared for him so when I see articles like this I never know whether I should read them or not and even though I know that its the sort of thing I honestly SHOULDN'T be doing curiosity always seems to win! What is really weird about the article above is that these guys were from Marine's Commando unit and could be people Ive seen around or even know. It sort of just goes to show that you don't always realise how special and brave people are until they do something spectacular like this and even though he's not here right now I think Marine is definately going to be my very own personal hero from now on. :-)

Hero Para Killed In Minefield Hell

Hero Para Killed In Minefield Hell

AN RAF helicopter pilot killed a Para in Afghanistan when his downdraft exploded mines, it was claimed yesterday.

Corporal Mark Wright’s 12-man patrol had called for a small chopper to airlift them from a minefield where they were trapped. But a giant twin-rotor Chinook arrived — and the huge downdraft set off at least two explosions, investigators have been told. Cpl Wright, 27, suffered terrible head, shoulder and chest wounds. He died in a Black Hawk chopper sent in after the Chinook left empty. Ironically it was Cpl Wright himself who had radioed for a helicopter and specified that a Chinook must NOT be sent. Despite his horrific wounds, the soldier stayed in radio contact and got a US Army Black Hawk to fly in. As he was being winched into the helicopter, Mark still managed to shout to pals on the ground to tell his fiancée Gillian Urquhart and family he loved them should he die.

A Para source added: “Cpl Wright was one hell of a brave guy. He’ll get recognition for what he did for sure, maybe even a George Cross. But he shouldn’t have died. Someone made a terrible mistake by putting that Chinook there.”

Five of the patrol were wounded, three losing legs.

While on a recent trip away Marine bought The Sun and I have to say that reading the full article (which went into a lot more detail than the online version) I felt awful for hours. This seemed to be nothing less than a catastrophe - these brave men were injured so badly that four of them lost legs and one of them died from their wounds in a seemingly routine patrol. When getting trapped in a minefield they radioed for help specifically telling their support NOT to send a certain helicopter yet they ignore this and as a result cause what was already a tragedy into a disaster. It makes me sick to think that Marine and all of those other brave men and women are being sent in to situations every day where they are exposed to dangers not of their own making or even their enemy but of the inefficiency of the Armed Services. They have such a limited number of equipment that troops on the ground cannot even rely on the backup and support that they deserve and often need.

SBS Hero Dies

SBS HERO DIES IN 'COPTER FALL

A SPECIAL forces hero plunged 100ft to his death while trying to abseil from a helicopter, it was revealed yesterday.

Lance Corporal Gordon Campbell — a family friend of soccer boss Sir Alex Ferguson — fell during an exercise for troops heading to Afghanistan.

Gordon, 28, a member of the Royal Marines’ Special Boat Service, died at a training base in the Brecon Beacons on Monday.

Gordon — nicknamed Gordy — from Oldmeldrum, Aberdeenshire, saw service in top-secret special forces operations in Kosovo, Northern Ireland, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

He is understood to have been based at the Sennybridge training centre in Powys.

His commanding officer, who cannot be named for security reasons, said: “He demonstrated a natural flair for soldiering.

“He will be remembered as a fun-loving, generous, selfless and impressive man with a passion for Manchester United.”

Last night neighbour Keith Webster, 60, who was on holiday with Gordon’s parents, said: “They were absolutely devastated. The family will want to know exactly what has happened here.

“Gordon was a cracker of a lad. He will be sorely missed.”

Gordon had been a marine since he left school at the age of 16. West Mercia Police last night said they were investigating.

The Sun

Top Soldier Rejects RAF Criticism

BRITAIN'S top soldier has responded to criticism of the RAF's campaign in Afghanistan by describing the force as "exceptional".

The Chief of General Staff, General Sir Richard Dannatt, spoke out in the wake of comments by Major James Loden, who called the RAF's performance "utterly, utterly useless".

Major Loden, serving in the troubled Helmand province, made the comments in a series of emails obtained by Sky News.

In them, he warned that more helicopters and more manpower were needed "desperately".

In a statement, Gen Dannatt said: "The way the RAF has performed in support of our operations in Afghanistan has been exceptional.

"Irresponsible comments, based on a snapshot, are regrettable.

"Following my recent visit, which happened after the incident described in the emails, the men of the battlegroup left me in no doubt as to the value of the RAF’s support to their operations.

"The Harriers and the support helicopters have played, and continue to play, a vital role in ensuring the battlegroup’s success."

In the critical emails, the major referred to the death of his colleague, Corporal Bryan Budd, last month, and described efforts to save him during an intense firefight.

He also outlined two junior colleagues had been "look very frightened and slow to react".

"There is a fine line between giving them time to accept what has happened and adjust, and gripping them hard and forcing them to focus," he added.

He went on to describe an example of failure of air support in one operation.

"From my point of view, controlling and directing air, arty and mors [artillery and mortars] is the best way to influence the battle," he wrote.

"The RAF have been utterly, utterly useless.

"Twice I have had Harriers in support when [forces] on the ground have been in heavy contact, on one occasion trying to break clean.

"A female harrier pilot 'couldn't identify the target', fired two phosphorous rockets that just missed our own compound so that we thought they were incoming RPGs [rocket-propelled grenades], and then strafed our perimeter, missing the enemy by 200 metres."

In contrast to the RAF, the US air force had been "fantastic", the major added.

"I would take an A-10 over Eurofighter any day," he said.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said: "The comments this major makes about the RAF are unfortunate.

"They do not reflect the view of the vast majority of soldiers about the Harrier Force in Afghanistan, which has consistently performed brilliantly in defending coalition forces, so much so that it is in regular demand not just from British commanders on the ground, but from our allies too.

"It must be remembered that this is the opinion of only one man. The general view is very different."

Military Girlfriends

I am a Military girlfriend...Please don't forget about me

I am a Military girlfriend. I hold no formal recognition with the powers that be. I am at the bottom of the chain. I hold no Military ID card, I am not a "dependant" or a parent. The man I love may face unspeakable dangers, and I am at mercy of those who possess this recognition for news. I understand and accept this.

I am a Military girlfriend. I have promised to be here for him upon his return no matter how long he is away. People may say I am insane for making such a commitment with no guarantees, but I hold onto our promises and have faith that he will come home safe to me I know full well that my love for him fuels him in the worst of times.

I am a Military girlfriend. There is no ring on my finger to symbolize our commitment, though I love him no less for it. I hope everyday that he will be able to call because a simple 30-second phone call can bring the greatest spectrum of emotions...smiling with tears in my eyes from so much joy and pain. My relationship is based on a brief communication where "I love you and Im okay" speaks more than volumes and gives me the strength to keep going.

I am a Military girlfriend I take no moment we spend together for granted. I hold onto every touch, caress, kiss, every word.I have memorized the feel of his skin, his smell, the sound of his voice, and I play it over and over again so that I will not forget. I cry myself to sleep some nights because missing him hurts so badly, but I wake up the next morning, brush myself off, and start a new day.

I am a military girlfriend. The events of the next several months hold my life and my future in the balance. When you watch the news reports, you may turn away and go about you're business relatively unaffected.When I watch news stories of the war I do not see nameless soldiers a half a world away. I see individuals who will be forever changed by war. News of every casualty causes me pain and deep sadness.

I am a Military girlfriend, Not a spouse or family member. When you say your prayers at night for the husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, please don't forget about me.

I saw this on the internet and think it is such a beautiful and sad piece of writing and something that I completely understand and identify with being in the same situation and feeling the same way. You get a lot less sympathy, support and recognition as a girlfriend of someone in the armed forces yet you are going through the exact same thing as the wives and parents of these men and in some ways it can almost be harder. When a woman's husband goes away she has the knowledge that hes made a commitment to her and is going to be coming home to her - being away doesn't change the fact that hes her husband. Whereas as a girlfriend you dont really have anything but faith and trust in the fact that you love each other, theres no guarantees that things will be the same when you get back and in many ways I feel that that can be the worst part of being left behind - you just dont know that things are going to ever go back to normal.

Im not too sure but the site where it originated seems to be here.

Afghan News From The BBC

A wide variety of articles about Afghanistan showing a multitude of different views and perceptions about a wide range of issues at the moment. Personally Im starting to think that theyre biting off more than they can chew right now and with mounting deaths such as the RAF Nimrod tragedy and increasing insurgent violence that something needs to be done to ease the strain on the limited number of troops out there at the moment before this turns out to be another Iraq type situation where we are seeing more upon more casualties with little progress being made.

Taleban fight 'hard but winnable' 

The threat posed by the Taleban in Afghanistan has been under-estimated, the UK defence secretary has admitted.

Ex-soldier blasts Afghan campaign

A former soldier who served in Afghanistan has criticised the military campaign in the country.

PM defiant after military deaths

The UK must "stand firm" against the global terrorist threat, Prime Minister Tony Blair has said in the wake of the deaths of three more British soldiers.

RAF bodies return home to Kinloss

The bodies of 14 servicemen killed when an RAF Nimrod crashed in Afghanistan have arrived back at the aircraft's home base at Kinloss in Moray.

Army 'just' coping, says general

The new head of the British Army, Sir Richard Dannatt, has warned that his soldiers can only "just" cope with the demands placed on them by ministers.

UK soldiers face difficult battle

In small, isolated firebases in southern Afghanistan, British soldiers find themselves under daily siege

Camp Bastion Success

Praise for troops who faced fury of the Taliban and triumphed

British troops in southern Afghanistan received high praise from their commander yesterday as they approached the end of a tour in which they have inflicted a substantial defeat on the taliban. "You have proved that you can fight as well as anyone in the British Army," Lt Gen David Richards told a group of young veterans of a brutal summer's campaign in the towns and villages of Helmand province. As for the Taliban, whose ferocious performance Des Browne, the Defence Secretary, admitted had not been expected, the general said: "There is no doubt in their minds that you can outfight them every time." In this sprawling base in central Helmand where 3 Para battle group is in the process of being relieved by the Royal Marines, the verdict is that the Taliban have suffered a serious setback. "The battle has been tough," said Brig Ed Butler, the commander of the UK Task Force in southern Afghanistan. "There is no doubt about that. The enemy has put up considerable resistance but I would judge that we have inflicted a tactical defeat on them."

More Articles and Photos

Commandos Ready To Face The Taliban

The Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram was on Salisbury Plain  to see the Royal Marines in action. He refuted claims that Western troops are poorly equipped, and said they could deal with any resistance they may encounter.

He said: "The British armed forces are trained for this environment and the risk that will be prevalent in Afghanistan.

"I hope they will bring about peace and stability to the region, and I want to say thank you to the servicemen's families who stand by them so well.

"They can take huge pride in what their loved ones are doing. They are making a big difference to a very troubled part of the world."

The Afghanistan mission is the second deployment this year for some Royal Marines from 42 Commando. They spent up to 10 weeks in the province between February and April.

Around 150 Royal Marines from 42 Commando became the first UK troops to enter Helmand Province and were given the task of protecting the engineers building Camp Bastion.

In total almost 2,000 troops will be involved in the latest six-month deployment.

I am so proud that Marine will be going on his second deployment this year! Its going to suck, and im going to miss him loads but seeing all of these articles and photos in the news are really making me feel proud and that people think what hes doing is important!

Here are some photos of the marines training on Salisbury Plain :

Deployment Anxiety

Ok so the second article in one newspaper about the deployment of the marines which seems to get a lot more press locally - this one by the partner of a royal marine going away for six months as well.

MY WORRY FOR THE MARINE I LOVE

The partner of a city Royal Marine spoke today of her worries for him as he deploys to war-torn Afghanistan. Businesswoman Tania Murphy said goodbye to her Stonehouse Barracks-based partner, Sgt Gareth Thomas, earlier this week. Sgt Thomas - who is attached to 45 Commando Royal Marines - was one of the first city servicemen to deploy to the Helmand Province for peacekeeping duties. He is just one of around 1,000 marines from Plymouth who are heading to Afghanistan over the next six to eight weeks. Now, in an interview which will resonate with hundreds of families across the city affected by the deployment, Tania said she felt "numb" thinking about what might lie ahead for her 39-year-old partner as she prepares for six months alone in their Plympton home.

"It won't seem real until I see it on the television," 38-year-old said. "Even then I won't be able to watch it for fear of seeing something that will make me think and worry. It will be the longest six months of my life."

Sgt Thomas will be based at Camp Bastion - the base which Bickleigh's 42 Commando protected when it was being built earlier this year. Tania knows full well that Gareth's career may take him away for months on end. But this will be the first deployment to a "perilous" destination on operational duty, as Tania describes it. Tania said it is not easy being in a relationship with a serviceman as deployment nears.

"Our relationship did become rather strained towards the deployment date," she added. "Any partner of a serviceman heading out on a deployment like this will tell you the same. "It's difficult enough for them having to deal with what lies ahead for them."

I can really feel for what shes saying especially about it not really seeming real until it happens. Marine was one of the 150 mentioned above who went out in February for his first deployment ever to guard Camp Bastion while it was being built and even after our final goodbye evening together it didnt seem as if I wasnt going to see him again - it was 2 or 3 days before it started to sink in. All I can say is I hope that all the women and girls left behind this time have the strength to accept that this is what their men signed up and want to do and that all they can do is try to live their lives as normally as possible until they return.

Off To Afghanistan

MARINES POISED FOR VITAL ROLE

Elite commandos from Plymouth are expected to begin deploying to Afghanistan next week, the Ministry of Defence has told the Evening Herald. Around 1,000 marines are to head for the dangerous Helmand Province in southern Afghanistan over the next six to eight weeks to relieve personnel already there. The six-month deployment will be the biggest by Plymouth troops since the start of the second Iraq war in 2003, and will see the size of the British force in Afghanistan increase to 4,400. The news came as the Royal Navy announced it was conducting its largest deployment since 2001's Saif Sareea exercise in Oman. A Ministry of Defence spokesman confirmed next week's Royal Marine deployment.

"Marines will be flying out over the next six to eight weeks," the spokesman said. "45 Commando (Arbroath-based) have already begun deploying to Afghanistan, and elements of 42 Commando (Bickleigh-based) and 3 Commando Brigade (Stonehouse-based) will begin departing next week."

Commandos from Citadel-based 29 Commando Royal Artillery and Turnchapel-based 539 Assault Squadron Royal Marines will also take part, alongside personnel from other areas of the country.