Paratroopers to be sent to Afghanistan

By Lucy Cockcroft
Last Updated: 1:54am GMT 06/02/2008

Hundreds of paratroopers will be sent to Afghanistan to take on the Taliban, it will be announced today.

All three regular battalions of the Paras will take over from existing infantry in the southern province of Helmand in April, providing the backbone of 16 Air Assault brigade, it was reported.

They will be sent out with extra firepower including more armoured vehicles and new Merlin helicopters.

It is the first time that so many Paras have been sent on a joint combat mission since the Second World War.

The total number of British troops in Afghanistan is expected to remain the same at approximately 7,700.

In what is described as a "critical week" in Nato's role in the country, the deployment, to be announced in the House of Commons, suggests that the Government is determined to maintain a significant military presence there, despite the strain that it will put on an already overstretched Army.

In order to make up for a short-fall in personnel, the brigade is reported to have borrowed troops from other regiments. The Ministry of Defence is also expected to announce today that 3 Commando Brigade will take over from 16 Air Assault Brigade in six months.

The plan comes as the US puts pressure on other European allies over troop numbers and deployments amid fears that Afghanistan is sliding towards civil war.

Condoleezza Rice, the US secretary of state, is in London today to meet David Miliband, the Foreign Secretary, in what an official called "an important window to step up the international community's game".

The talks come on the eve of a meeting of Nato defence ministers in Lithuania, which is likely to be dominated by the growing crisis in Afghanistan.

Attacks from improvised explosive devices and mines have increased by 69 per cent in the past year, according to Nato.

Matt Waldman, the Oxfam representative in Kabul, said: "Persistent poverty provides the conditions for insecurity to spread. The urgent priority is to achieve a coherent approach which focuses greater efforts and resources on rural development."

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"Those who forget the past are condemned to repeat its mistakes..."

I wonder how that affect the SF/JSFSG relationship unless the latter has a company retained for that role during this deployment? That would partially explain the shortfall which must be made up.

"The Ministry of Defence is also expected to announce today that 3 Commando Brigade will take over from 16 Air Assault Brigade in six months."

That'll be me folks! Slated to go on Herrick 9 this autumn with 1st Battalion, The Rifles as part of 3 Commando Brigade. Apparently the US are sending a couple of battalions worth of US Marines to join us in Helmand, so that'll take care of the kit shortages then.

Jack

p.s. C'mon Scooter, you know you've one more tour before you hang your boots up!

Actually its all 4 battallions going to afgan this time around,
Hello Jack was thinking of sitting this one out after being so close on several occasions to changing my address to the local crem.(sorry,just my humour).was maybe planning on taking the cyprus tour at the end of the year,but i dont think the old ball and chain will wear it,will just stick my toe in and test the water first.to all the boys who do go to afghan,STAY LOW AND MOVE FAST.
All my love as always to you and your lovely wife Jack(a patter of tiny feet perhaps some time soon)or is that to much to put on the worlds shoulders just yet?
yours
scooter.

Aye, looks like 16 Airborne are being sent in now to prep and orientate for the expected Spring offensive by the Taliban. Having all three Batts' out there in a oner should take the edge off any Taliban cockiness.

The Maroon Machine's here to Spring clean!

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"Those who forget the past are condemned to repeat its mistakes..."

A Few Jocks will be going as well, Highlanders, Fusillers and the Seaforth and Camerons maybe a few more as well.

Opps forgot to mention, 45 are sending some boys from RM Condor as well

Scooter,

Yeah i don't blame you mate. This will be my last tour I reckon. Not getting any younger mate, and like you, my domestic Chief of Staff doesn't like all things Army - especially tours! Just been up to the Lakes to visit her cousin who we discovered is "with child" and I think it made her broody. Wait out!

Lassen, who the hell are the Seaforths and Camerons?

Jack

Lassen's got a time machine!
Lassen's got a time machine!