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http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/3ParaSoldiersOnTheirWayToAfghanistan.htm
3 Para soldiers on their way to Afghanistan
3 May 06
120 soldiers from 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, which is part of 16 Air Assault Brigade, have been making final preparations for their deployment to Afghanistan today, Wednesday 3 May 2006. The soldiers, based at Hyderabad Barracks in Colchester, will set up base at Camp Bastion, in Helmand Province, southern Afghanistan.
They will join a number of troops from 3 PARA, the advanced party, who have already left for Afghanistan. The remainder will be departing over the next ten days. In total, around 550 troops from 3 PARA will be deployed to Afghanistan.
Lieutenant Colonel Stuart Tootal, Commanding Officer of 3 PARA, said:
"We are the main infantry element of the soldiers deploying to Afghanistan. We will be undertaking a range of roles from force protection of the reconstruction teams, which will be rebuilding infrastructure such as roads, schools and hospitals, to providing security to the Afghan National Army as they seek to tackle the country’s drug problem.
"My soldiers have prepared and trained for this deployment for the past few months and are confident and ready. We will be supporting the UK Task Force in providing a stable environment to help rebuild the country."
The Secretary of State for Defence, John Reid, announced in January that a UK Task Force of 3,300 British troops would be deploying to Helmand Province in southern Afghanistan as part of the NATO International Security Assistance Force, (ISAF).
The bulk of those troops are from Colchester-based 16 Air Assault Brigade, including approximately 1,600 troops directly based in the town.
Their job will be to form a Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) to help Afghanistan, assisted by other British Government departments, including the Foreign Office and the Department for International Development, to develop the country's infrastructure and the capability to govern itsel.
It is hoped that, in turn, this will bring about long-term stability and security. The military’s specific role is to help maintain and create a framework of security on which legitimate Afghan institutions can grow and thrive.
3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, 13 Air Assault Support Regiment Royal Logistic Corps, based at Roman Barracks, are one of seven Colchester-based units to deploy to Afghanistan. The others are: 13 Air Assault Support Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps; Royal Horse Artillery; 16 Close Support Medical Regiment; 156 Provost Company, Royal Military Police; 8 Close Support Squadron, 7 Air Assault Battalion, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers; 216 Signal Squadron and elements of 16 Air Assault Brigade’s Headquarters staff.
Photo 1) Packed and ready to go; troops from 3 Para are briefed prior to departure.
[Picture Andy Cargill, RAF Brampton]
Photo 2) A little light reading; Private Bennis familiarises himself with the region he is deploying to.
[Picture Andy Cargill, RAF Brampton]
3 Para soldiers on their way to Afghanistan
3 May 06
120 soldiers from 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, which is part of 16 Air Assault Brigade, have been making final preparations for their deployment to Afghanistan today, Wednesday 3 May 2006. The soldiers, based at Hyderabad Barracks in Colchester, will set up base at Camp Bastion, in Helmand Province, southern Afghanistan.
They will join a number of troops from 3 PARA, the advanced party, who have already left for Afghanistan. The remainder will be departing over the next ten days. In total, around 550 troops from 3 PARA will be deployed to Afghanistan.
Lieutenant Colonel Stuart Tootal, Commanding Officer of 3 PARA, said:
"We are the main infantry element of the soldiers deploying to Afghanistan. We will be undertaking a range of roles from force protection of the reconstruction teams, which will be rebuilding infrastructure such as roads, schools and hospitals, to providing security to the Afghan National Army as they seek to tackle the country’s drug problem.
"My soldiers have prepared and trained for this deployment for the past few months and are confident and ready. We will be supporting the UK Task Force in providing a stable environment to help rebuild the country."
The Secretary of State for Defence, John Reid, announced in January that a UK Task Force of 3,300 British troops would be deploying to Helmand Province in southern Afghanistan as part of the NATO International Security Assistance Force, (ISAF).
The bulk of those troops are from Colchester-based 16 Air Assault Brigade, including approximately 1,600 troops directly based in the town.
Their job will be to form a Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) to help Afghanistan, assisted by other British Government departments, including the Foreign Office and the Department for International Development, to develop the country's infrastructure and the capability to govern itsel.
It is hoped that, in turn, this will bring about long-term stability and security. The military’s specific role is to help maintain and create a framework of security on which legitimate Afghan institutions can grow and thrive.
3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, 13 Air Assault Support Regiment Royal Logistic Corps, based at Roman Barracks, are one of seven Colchester-based units to deploy to Afghanistan. The others are: 13 Air Assault Support Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps; Royal Horse Artillery; 16 Close Support Medical Regiment; 156 Provost Company, Royal Military Police; 8 Close Support Squadron, 7 Air Assault Battalion, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers; 216 Signal Squadron and elements of 16 Air Assault Brigade’s Headquarters staff.
Photo 1) Packed and ready to go; troops from 3 Para are briefed prior to departure.
[Picture Andy Cargill, RAF Brampton]
Photo 2) A little light reading; Private Bennis familiarises himself with the region he is deploying to.
[Picture Andy Cargill, RAF Brampton]
