> 'Vikings' lead the way in Sangin clearance operation

'Vikings' lead the way in Sangin clearance operation

5 Jul 07

Soldiers from 1st Battalion the Royal Anglian Regiment have been taking part in a difficult and dangerous operation aimed at clearing Taliban elements from Jusyalay, the area between Sangin and Putay in Helmand province, southern Afghanistan.

Lieutenant Toby Woodbridge, Royal Engineers, takes cover from the sun as the temperature rises
[Picture: Cpl Jon Bevan RLC]

Several hundred 1 Royal Anglian soldiers, known as the 'Vikings', worked alongside Afghan, Danish and Estonian soldiers in this initial stage of the ongoing UK-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Operation 'Ghartse Gar'. The objective of the operation is to track down Taliban positions, taking the fight to the Taliban and clearing them out of Sangin.

The operation aims to provide the safe conditions to enable the essential task of digging irrigation ditches which will prevent crops, needed to sustain hundreds of villages, from drying up and decaying in the intense Afghan sun.

To maintain the element of surprise, soldiers from ‘A, Norfolk’ Company set off on the operation overnight and on foot from their base in Sangin to cover the 16 kilometre distance to their starting position, carrying up to 80lbs worth of equipment and supplies.

At dawn the following day the Royal Anglian soldiers approached the Taliban positions blocking their escape routes, with the Afghan National Army used to draw out the Taliban so that the Royal Anglians could engage them and push them further north and out of the Sangin Valley area.

Lieutenant Bjorn Rose from Aylesbury shouts fire orders to his advancing troops, who are being engaged by small arms and rocket propelled grenade fire
[Picture: Cpl Jon Bevan RLC]

Despite a sustained firefight, A and B Companies continued their advance up and down the Sangin Valley clearing the Juysalay area. The remaining hardcore Taliban were removed, although some are believed to have escaped.

During their advance, the soldiers were helped by local villagers who gave them vital intelligence on the whereabouts of Taliban in the area. Lieutenant Nick Denning, a Platoon Commander from Colchester, said:

"This is the first time that we’ve marched out like this on an operation rather than dismount from vehicles nearer the starting point. It was an important operation to clear out Taliban strongholds from where experienced fighters have been launching attacks on Afghan National Army patrol bases around Sangin, and preventing essential reconstruction and development taking place."

Operation 'Ghartse Gar' builds on the momentum and strategic success of last month’s Operation ‘Lastay Kulang’, which saw Taliban hardcore fighters removed from the Upper Sangin Valley around the town of Putay. Both operations were conducted at the request of the Afghan Government.

Major Dom Biddick talks to local Afghans to reassure them as his company advances northwards
[Picture: Cpl Jon Bevan RLC]

Major Mick Aston, Officer Commanding B Company said:

"We are now holding the positions we’ve taken and are busy securing the area to allow the irrigation work to continue.

"We’re also talking to local elders and tribal leaders to reassure them that we are working hard to provide better protection and increased stability for the area as well as for our logistics convoys."

Major Dom Biddick, Officer Commanding A Company, added:

"We have shown the Taliban that we are not going to let them attack us without retaliating. More importantly we have shown the population that we are here to stay and to provide security for them."

‘A’ Company soldiers fix their bayonets such is the close proximity of the fighting
[Picture: Cpl Jon Bevan RLC]

A total of 400 ISAF and Afghan National Security Forces personnel are taking part in the current operation, 250 of those being drawn from British forces. These include the 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment and elements of 1st Battalion The Grenadier Guards Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team, 19 Regiment Royal Artillery, 2 Royal Tank Regiment Falcon Squadron, 57 Battery Royal Artillery, 245 Expeditionary Air Wing Squadron, 8 Armoured Squadron (Engineers), 228 Signal Squadron, 47 Air Dispatch Squadron, Joint Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Joint Force Medical Group and Armoured Support Troop Company Royal Marines.

The UK-led Helmand Task Force also includes troops from 3/3/305 Kandak Afghan National Army, Denmark and Estonia supported by elements from US Forces. The Task Force has carried out a number of recent operations in the province.