VIDEO: TA soldiers give up their day jobs for trip to Afghanistan
TERRITORIAL Army soldiers from Gloucestershire are making
final preparations ahead of a tour of duty in Afghanistan.
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Seventeen men from Gloucester Company have been pulled out
of their regular jobs to help troops combat Taliban forces in
the war zone.
They are heading to the dangerous Helmand province in the
south of the country next month.
It is expected the tour will last six months.
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The part-time soldiers will form part of the Corunna Company
6 Rifles, under the umbrella of 3 Commando Brigade – but they
will be working alongside full-time troops from
Gloucestershire.
Five hundred soldiers from 1 Rifles, stationed at Beachley,
also head out to Afghanistan next month.
Captain Charlie Stevens said: "The 17 selected will form
part of a company of 100. The others will come from the TA
Rifles across the South West.
"Their job will be to enhance 1 Rifles, the regular
battalion which is based near Chepstow.
"They are trained soldiers. They understand when they join
the TA that they can be called up for operations when
needed.
"They are going to Camp Bastion in Helmand Province. Only
three of the 17 have been before.
"We're very proud of our boys that are going out now, and
those who continue to come forward to go on operations."
Lieutenant Jeremy Wells, who works at GE Aviation aerospace
engineers, in Bishop's Cleeve, said: "All the concerns about
soldiers not getting enough kit have been put at ease. We've
been issued good kit and soldiers are not buying their own.
"I just want to get out there and put all the training, and
kit, to good use."
Ahead of their trip to Helmand, soldiers displayed their kit
at their Gloucester headquarters in Eastern Avenue on Saturday.
The open day also marked the organisation's 100th
anniversary.
To deal with the difficult terrain, special issue kit
includes a three-litre pouch to hold water while on patrol,
mosquito nets to keep out insects and vests with extra
protection to stop shrapnel.
Rifleman Phillip Beddis, 30, from the Forest of Dean, said:
"The vests are not bulletproof, but they will take fragments
from shells and things like that. We tend to wear one for camp
and then a bigger, heavier vest when we go out fighting.
"The one we will be wearing in theatre weighs 25kg – it's
like having a bag of cement on your back. When we are
travelling, we will be carrying about 50kg worth of
equipment."
15 Comments
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by michaela gregory, plymouth
Tuesday, September 23 2008, 3:08PM
“my boyfriend is doing his 1st tour in afghanistan and its already hard as it is with out people not relising what our troops are doing for our country. keep safe to my bf as well as everyone else who is currently doing there tour my love to you all and always thinking about you. xx”
by kate, cullompton
Tuesday, September 23 2008, 3:03PM
“my bf is in 1 rifles in afghan now my 1st tour with him no contact in 5 days just hope hes homesoon love u baby keep safe xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx”
by Patrick, Nottingham
Monday, September 08 2008, 2:02PM
“Good Luck Dean !!!”
by Donna Fern, Marlborough
Saturday, September 06 2008, 12:08AM
“Stay safe Rifles lads x Thinking of you all x”
by AMB, Warks
Wednesday, September 03 2008, 4:45PM
“But in spite of the headwear- Swift and Bold!”
by AMB, Warks
Wednesday, September 03 2008, 4:44PM
“Those boys ought to learn how to shape a beret ;)”
by Bob, London
Wednesday, August 27 2008, 2:05PM
“I was with the guys from 6 Rifles on the last little trip to Helmand. Just want to wish best of luck to all of you I know, and those I don't.”
by Mike, London
Tuesday, August 26 2008, 5:41PM
“The boys and girls on the ground have no say in whether British troops should or shouldn't be deployed. The bottom line is that those on the ground are doing a dangerous and brave job and they deserve the greatest of respect from us all.
It is irrelevant whether the cause is just or worthy. They are out there risking their lives each day and night and they are a great credit to this country.
All that matters is that they get the support and respect they have earned by putting on their webbing, armour, and berets each day while we sit in front of our desks and tvs.
Good luck to the lot of you. I left the RGJ through injury 5 years ago and I have missed it ever since. Come home safe and get down the pub.”
by steve, cheltenham
Wednesday, August 20 2008, 3:42PM
“Good luck to you all, I was out there 2006/07 and know its very difficult conditions to operate in. Most of us understand and appreciate why we have to be there. Good Luck and come home safely.”
by Anon, Glos
Tuesday, August 19 2008, 2:37PM
“I think everyone should support our boys and girls going to Afghan as it is a hard and mostly thankless job.
A lifelong friend was killed in Afghan back in 2005. He truly believed what he and his regiment were doing out there was worthwhile. He paid the utlimate cost in the end but I think the negative comments on here are an insult to the memory and bravery of our fallen soldiers!!
They believed in what they were doing is it too much to ask you to do the same? If it is then surely you can just give them support and not criticism.”