Thursday, February 11, 2010

Op MOSHTARAK: The Brits are coming!

From MoD:
IN PICTURES: 4th Mechanized Brigade prepares for 'holding phase' of Op MOSHTARAK

A Training and Adventure news article

10 Feb 10

Soldiers from 4th Mechanized Brigade have been taking part in a full Mission Specific Training (MST) exercise on Salisbury Plain, in preparation for their deployment to Afghanistan where they will take on the vital 'holding phase' of Operation MOSHTARAK.

Mock shura during Mission Specific Training exercise
A demonstration of a shura, where British forces meet with Afghan locals to discuss various issues and improve relations, at the 4th Mechanized Brigade Media Day on Salisbury Plain[Picture: Corporal Lloyd, Crown Copyright/MOD 2010]


11 Light Brigade are currently the lead formation of Task Force Helmand and are preparing for the imminent launch of the 'clearing stage' of Operation MOSHTARAK in central Helmand province.

When 4th Mechanized Brigade take over in Helmand in April they will conduct the 'holding stage' of the operation. Much of their preparation has been undertaken with this role in mind.

See GALLERY for more pictures of 4th Mechanized Brigade preparing for Afghanistan on Salisbury Plain this week.

They will be led by Brigadier Richard Felton, who has had previous experience in Afghanistan when he commanded the Joint Helicopter Force on Operation HERRICK 4 in April 2006.

Speaking on Salisbury Plain during the exercise, yesterday, Brigadier Felton said of the upcoming deployment:

"My role will be in the decisive phase of Operation MOSHTARAK which is the 'Hold and Build'.

"We are assuming the operation will achieve the clear, and when I get there I will be working very closely with the Afghan security forces to ensure the 'Hold and Build' takes place, but also extremely closely with the Provincial Reconstruction Team.

"Our aim will be to suppress violent extremism, thereby protecting the Afghan people and enabling governance and development. Every serviceman and woman in the Task Force understands the importance of the challenge that we have been given."...

[emphasis mine]


Mock shura JPG (190.5 KB)

A demonstration of a shura, where British forces meet with Afghan locals to discuss various issues and improve relations, at the 4th Mechanized Brigade Media Day on Salisbury Plain [Picture: Corporal Lloyd, Crown Copyright/MOD 2010]


Be sure and read the rest of this one, and check out the picture gallery, here.
Stay safe, lads!

No comments: