Brigade Advisory Group prepare for Operation SHAFUQ

NAD 'ALI, AFGHANISTAN

04.18.2012

Courtesy Story

Regional Command Southwest

NAD 'ALI, Afghanistan - Today, the soldiers of the Brigade Advisory Group moved into position for the start of the first major Afghan National Army offensive of the spring.

Operation SHAFUQ (meaning dawn in Pashtu) is a large scale Afghan National Army operation to remove the improvised explosive devices which have plagued the lives of the villagers in this area. The concept, plan and execution of this operation is entirely down to the ANA, who are looking forward to putting their newly learned bomb disposal skills to the test.

In the unseasonal high winds and cold rain, men and women of 3rd Battalion, The Rifles and 1st Battalion the Royal Anglian Regiment (The Vikings) moved into Patrol Base Pimon in the Nad Ali district of Helmand province. Squeezing into every spare inch of space the soldiers appeared relaxed and confident ahead of the first major mission of Operation HERRICK 16.

Addressing his team of advisers as the sun set against a pale Afghan sky, Maj. Bev Allen (37) from Chelmsford, officer commanding D Company, 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment said:

“Remember, this is not our operation. This is an Afghan operation and tomorrow our Afghan comrades will be at the tip of the spear. We will be there to support them.”

In an adjoining camp Capt. Lal Agha Bahadre (40) from Parwan province, officer commanding, Heavy Weapons Tolay, 1st Kandak, 3/215 Brigade was also giving orders to his Warriors as they made their last minute preparations:

“The enemy will try and scare us, but we will not be scared. We are the bravest and the best Tolay in the Kandak.”

At first light tomorrow the soldiers of both nations will be ready to go. Dawn will see more than 600 warriors from the ANA and 170 advisers from ISAF conduct their first major operation which is yet another reminder of the ANA’s increasing confidence.

NOTES TO EDITORS

• UK Forces are deployed to Afghanistan in support of the UN authorized, NATO led International Security Assistance Force mission and as part of the U.S.-led Operation Enduring Freedom. UK operations in Afghanistan are being conducted under the name Op HERRICK.

• Task Force Helmand is the name given to UK-led forces in Helmand province, southern Afghanistan. The lead formation of British troops in Helmand province is 12 Mechanized Brigade.

• For more information about this press release, contact the Task Force Helmand Media Operations staff on 0208 099 2531 (call routed via London) or email [e-mail]

• Date Taken: 04.18.2012
• Date Posted: 04.27.2012 08:16
• Story ID: 87447
• Location: NAD 'ALI, AF