(NSI News Source Info) April 4, 2009: Soldiers from 1st Battalion The Rifles (1 RIFLES) returned to the UK yesterday after a tough six-month deployment to Helmand which saw them working from remote and austere bases mentoring the Afghan National Army. 
British Soldiers from 1st Battalion The Rifles arrive at RAF Brize Norton after a gruelling but successful six-month deployment in Helmand.
Led by their Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Joe Cavanagh, over 550 soldiers from the battalion deployed to Helmand province in September 2008, as part of 3 Commando Brigade.
The 1 RIFLES Operational Mentor and Liaison Team (OMLT) Battle Group was responsible for working alongside the Afghan National Army soldiers and officers as their personal mentors, and as liaison officers between the British-led HQ and the Afghan Brigade.
Working in eight-man teams from remote and austere bases they lived amongst the Afghan people, rather than in British bases, for six months of patrols in the local towns and villages, and on operations to hunt the insurgents.
During their deployment the battalion were also involved in what was described as a 'stunning success' in the pivotal operation to clear enemy forces from the area around the provincial capital Lashkar Gah, Operation ATTAL, and assisted the Afghan National Army in bolstering the security around Helmand's second city of Gereshk.
They also provided security across Helmand during voter registration for the impending national elections.
In addition to OMLT tasks, detachments of riflemen from two platoons and a rifle company were employed on a variety of other tasks such as providing security in the capital, Kabul, protecting the southern town of Garmsir, and maintaining the security of the main UK base and airfield - Camp Bastion.
Tragically eight soldiers from the 1 RIFLES Battle Group were killed during the tour: Rifleman Stuart Nash, Serjeant* Chris Reed, Corporal Richard Robinson, Corporal Daniel Nield, Lance Corporal Stephen Kingscott, Rifleman Jamie Gunn, Lance Corporal Paul Upton and Corporal Tom Gaden.
Lt Col Cavanagh said that members of 1 RIFLES had been helping each other with the deaths and the battle group has become stronger and more tight-knit. He said:
"We have a unique position as the infantry battalion of the brigade. We've learnt a great deal about each other - the men have been under some fierce pressure at times but we've observed that we get valuable results from the efforts we've put in - it's been rewarding and satisfying."
After landing at RAF Brize Norton yesterday afternoon, 2 April 2009, 1 RIFLES returned to their base at Beachley Barracks in Chepstow and Lt Col Cavanagh paid tribute to the battalion's rear party and the soldiers' families and members of the public locally and nationally who have been supporting them. He said:
"We remain indebted to you all, we cannot have hoped for better support; it is with pride and determination that we drive on towards completion of this most demanding of tours.
"The battle group has achieved amazing things during this tour - with the Afghan National Army and among ourselves. The Riflemen have been making a difference and know it.
"We're a family regiment and we draw great strength from the support we have received at home."
British Soldiers from 1st Battalion The Rifles arrive at RAF Brize Norton after a gruelling but successful six-month deployment in Helmand.
Led by their Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Joe Cavanagh, over 550 soldiers from the battalion deployed to Helmand province in September 2008, as part of 3 Commando Brigade.
The 1 RIFLES Operational Mentor and Liaison Team (OMLT) Battle Group was responsible for working alongside the Afghan National Army soldiers and officers as their personal mentors, and as liaison officers between the British-led HQ and the Afghan Brigade.
Working in eight-man teams from remote and austere bases they lived amongst the Afghan people, rather than in British bases, for six months of patrols in the local towns and villages, and on operations to hunt the insurgents.
During their deployment the battalion were also involved in what was described as a 'stunning success' in the pivotal operation to clear enemy forces from the area around the provincial capital Lashkar Gah, Operation ATTAL, and assisted the Afghan National Army in bolstering the security around Helmand's second city of Gereshk.
They also provided security across Helmand during voter registration for the impending national elections.
In addition to OMLT tasks, detachments of riflemen from two platoons and a rifle company were employed on a variety of other tasks such as providing security in the capital, Kabul, protecting the southern town of Garmsir, and maintaining the security of the main UK base and airfield - Camp Bastion.
Tragically eight soldiers from the 1 RIFLES Battle Group were killed during the tour: Rifleman Stuart Nash, Serjeant* Chris Reed, Corporal Richard Robinson, Corporal Daniel Nield, Lance Corporal Stephen Kingscott, Rifleman Jamie Gunn, Lance Corporal Paul Upton and Corporal Tom Gaden.
Lt Col Cavanagh said that members of 1 RIFLES had been helping each other with the deaths and the battle group has become stronger and more tight-knit. He said:
"We have a unique position as the infantry battalion of the brigade. We've learnt a great deal about each other - the men have been under some fierce pressure at times but we've observed that we get valuable results from the efforts we've put in - it's been rewarding and satisfying."
After landing at RAF Brize Norton yesterday afternoon, 2 April 2009, 1 RIFLES returned to their base at Beachley Barracks in Chepstow and Lt Col Cavanagh paid tribute to the battalion's rear party and the soldiers' families and members of the public locally and nationally who have been supporting them. He said:
"We remain indebted to you all, we cannot have hoped for better support; it is with pride and determination that we drive on towards completion of this most demanding of tours.
"The battle group has achieved amazing things during this tour - with the Afghan National Army and among ourselves. The Riflemen have been making a difference and know it.
"We're a family regiment and we draw great strength from the support we have received at home."
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