Assoluta Tranquillita: England, MY England

Stories out of England, that you will never see in the msm:

British troops neutralise Taliban IED facility

A Military Operations news article

15 Dec 10

Soldiers from 2 SCOTS have found and neutralised a Taliban facility for producing deadly improvised explosive devices in Afghanistan's Helmand province.

Taliban firing points are destroyed so they cannot be used against British or Afghan troops again
[Picture: Corporal George ABIPP RAF, Crown Copyright/MOD 2010]

The Taliban staging post, which also hid drugs to be sold to raise funds, was discovered by soldiers from B Company, The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (2 SCOTS).

The soldiers were conducting a fighting patrol in the rural area of Babaji when they found the facility. Launching the patrol in the early hours of the morning, they were responding to suspicious activity previously noticed in the area.

Officer Commanding B Company, 2 SCOTS, Major Tristan Winfield, explained:

"We were witnessing a lot of movement in that area for a few days, which got our attention because this area is largely uninhabited. Then, the day before the patrol, we saw a number of insurgents beating civilians. My immediate reaction was we needed to see what was really going on in there."

As the team approached the mud walls of the compound, they noticed, through a gap in the doorway, that a large a number of IED component parts littered the compound floor....

Go here to read the rest of this story. Then there is this:

Soldiers deliver winter clothes to Afghan village

A Military Operations news article

15 Dec 10

British soldiers and their partners in the Afghan National Army (ANA) have delivered winter coats, wellington boots and hats to Afghan children in a settlement recently controlled by the Taliban.

A British soldier and an Afghan soldier help a child put on his new wellies during the influence operation in Sayedabad, Helmand province
[Picture: Major Jamie Humphreys, Crown Copyright/MOD 2010]

Soldiers from 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment and the ANA delivered the items in preparation for winter to the local Hazara people, who live in Sayedabad, during a simple reassurance patrol.

The patrol was led by Sergeant Paul Enstone, who has been the local checkpoint commander for the past seven weeks. Since his arrival he has seen a total transformation in the area, achieved through intense work.

Initially when Sergeant Enstone and his 'A Company' arrived, local people in Sayedabad would not speak to British or Afghan troops as they feared insurgent reprisals. But their tireless efforts to separate the insurgents from the ordinary local people, eliminating the former and winning the trust of the latter, have paid off. Now locals are willing to approach the checkpoint without fear of reprisals.

Sergeant Enstone said:

"The tour so far has been very hard and we have been fighting the Taliban on a daily basis. But now we have secured the village and this was a great example of how much we have achieved. The kids were all delighted to receive their winter coats - it's amazing how such a small gesture can make such a big difference....

Capturing the littlest hearts, one pair of "wellies" at a time. The rest is here.

My regular readers know I love our medics, and here is another story of them:

British Army medics train their Afghan colleagues

A Military Operations news article

14 Dec 10

The medical capabilities of Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers working at a base in Nad 'Ali, Helmand province, are being boosted by British and Afghan soldiers working in partnership.

Sergeant Abdul Ghafar, an Afghan National Army medic with the 1st Kandak of 215 Maiwand Corps, treats a casualty at Forward Operating Base Shawqat in Nad 'Ali
[Picture: Corporal Brian A Gabriel Jr, United States Marine Corps]

Royal Army Medical Corps personnel stationed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Shawqat are mentoring medics from the 1st Kandak of 215 Maiwand Corps of the ANA, advising them on medical skills ranging from treating common ailments to combat-related injuries.

Whenever the Afghan medics receive a patient needing care their British counterparts are nearby, offering advice and guidance on the appropriate treatment. As time goes by the Afghan medics are developing their skills at an impressive rate.

Sergeant Mick Potts, who is serving with 16 Medical Regiment, Royal Army Medical Corps, explained:

"Most mornings, unless we have some operations going on, we see what patients are presented at the Afghan medical facility. When the Afghans are able to run the sick bay by themselves we let them; but if not, I'll intervene or assist them in any way they need."

Sergeant Potts stressed the importance of such partnerships across Afghanistan; having high-quality medical support not only improves the morale of troops - Afghan and ISAF - working in the camp, but also improves the soldiers' performance when working in the field.

Sergeant Potts added:
"When the Afghans know they've got a medical facility that they can rely on, it is much easier for them to prepare to take the fight to the enemy....

Yes, taking the fight to the enemy, every single day. Read the rest of this one here.

On the home front, the military is also serving:

Army assists Scottish communities during severe weather

A Military Operations news article

14 Dec 10

Last week the Army in Scotland assisted local communities and organisations during the severe weather conditions.

Corporal Joe Mearns gives a helping hand to Community Staff Nurses Margaret McLoskey (right) and Rosemary Robertson
[Picture: Mark Owens, Crown Copyright/MOD 2010]

In Lanarkshire troops supported the NHS to get district nurses out to their patients using Army Land Rovers.

Army drivers from 6th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (6 SCOTS) and 32 Signal Regiment (Volunteers) used their 4x4 Land Rovers to transport NHS staff in and around Hamilton, Cumbernauld, Bellshill and Motherwell.

Speaking last week, Commanding Officer of 32 Signal Regiment (Volunteers), Lieutenant Colonel Philip Donegan, explained:

"For this particular tasking we are providing vehicles and drivers to enable district nurses to visit outpatients and provide palliative care. Without this military support, many patients would be denied necessary medical care.

"The support we are providing once again proves the adaptability and utility of the Territorial Army soldier. For some of these soldiers on task, driving is not their primary TA skill set.

"In addition, some of these individuals have only recently returned from peacekeeping duties in Cyprus. They are effective, experienced and capable soldiers, adding value to the civil community."... (read the rest here.)