Scots soldiers deploy to Helmand

Hundreds of Scots soldiers have carried out their final preparations before flying out to Afghanistan.

About 500 troops from The Highlanders 4th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland (4 SCOTS) are travelling to the war-torn country to perform a ground-holding role.

The soldiers will spend six months in the Lashkar Gah region of Helmand province, taking over the position currently held by 2 SCOTS (Royal Highland Fusiliers).

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Taliban shut down Helmand mobile phone networks

All mobile telephone networks have been switched off in the Afghan province of Helmand after a Taliban threat.

Correspondents say that the decision of mobile companies to obey the order reflects the militants' power in one of Afghanistan's most restive areas.

The Taliban say that mobile phones are used by their enemies to track their communications.

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U.S. Marine killed in Afghanistan

A U.S Marine, Lance Corporal Christopher Meis, has died in Helmand, Afghanistan during combat operations. The incident happened yesterday 17th March 2011.

British Commandos prepare to deploy to Afghanistan

3 Commando Brigade, supported by 7th Armoured Brigade prepare to take over operations in Afghanistan from 16 Air Assault Brigade in April 2011.

As the next brigade to take on the role of Task Force Helmand, personnel have been intensively training, preparing for the unique challenges that Afghanistan presents.

Training on Salisbury Plain is one of the final preparations that the force will make before deployment in April 2011. Training has been ongoing for some 18 months and has already involved troops undergoing specialist training in facilities as far and wide as Germany, Borneo, Canada, the USA and Kenya.

About 1,500 relatives and friends of Royal Marines from Plymouth-based 42 Commando were addressed this week by the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Ewen Murchison, at the unit's base, Bickleigh Camp.

42 Commando are sending 650 personnel to Helmand in the next few weeks. They are just one element of 3 Commando Brigade which is deploying to Afghanistan for the third time.

British Tornado foils Taliban ambush

A RAF Tornado GR4 crew on a surveillance mission was diverted to launch an air assault on Taliban fighters who had ambushed UK troops on patrol in Helmand.

Ground troops called in an air strike after they were pinned down by enemy insurgents during a fierce fire fight close to a suspected Taliban bomb-making factory hidden in a compound.

Pilot Squadron Leader Tom Hill and weapons systems operator Flight Lieutenant Ben Dempster were providing armed overwatch to another Tornado on a RAPTOR (Reconnaissance Airborne Pod for Tornado) surveillance mission when ground commanders called in an air strike.

Within minutes the aircraft was over the compound and had launched a machine gun attack on the insurgent fighters, allowing the UK troops to break off and regroup.

The aircraft remained overhead until British Army Apache attack helicopters arrived. After refuelling, the GR4 team resumed their RAPTOR surveillance task.

Troops later secured the compound, and a search uncovered a significant haul of weapons and bomb-making equipment.

Source: MOD

Inquest into bomb hero's death

Published on Wed Feb 09 12:42:57 GMT 2011

An inquest is beginning into the death in Afghanistan of a George Cross-winning bomb disposal hero from Winchester.

Staff Sergeant Olaf Schmid was hailed as the bravest of the brave after disarming 64 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) during a single tour of duty in Helmand Province.

Read full story at MearnsLeader

Afghan Police plan and lead their first Helmand operation

Security and governance have been brought to a previously contested area east of Lashkar Gah, Helmand province, following the first operation in the district to have been entirely planned and led by the Afghan National Police (ANP).

Operation ZMARAY ATTAL 4 (Lion's Hero 4) saw officers enter a Taliban-occupied area that has seen little presence in the past of the Afghan forces or authorities.

The operation was backed by troops from Delta Company, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (5 SCOTS), but the ANP's conduct was so professional and competent that the British troops had little more to do than simply turn up and watch.

Read full story at MOD (UK)

Teenage soldier discovers bomb factory in Afghanistan

A teenage British soldier saved the lives of dozens of his comrades when he discovered hidden cache of ten Taliban bombs during a patrol in Helmand.   

Ranger Gavin Edgar, 19, who only joined the Army last year and is on his first operational tour, discovered the improvised explosive devices hidden beneath a large hay bale in the area of Nad e'Ali in central Helmand.