22 NAVY NEWS, MAY 2007
● Men of 42 Commando conduct a thorough search of an insurgents’ stronghold in Sangin
and (below) pensive moments for the green berets before Operation Achilles is unleashed
Bold, but no match
R
OYAL Marines
and dropped leafl ets, urging locals
Commandos
to stay indoors when the fi ghting
remained in the
erupted.
With the Taleban pushed out of
thick of the fi ght Sangin, the aim is for the Afghan
to the very end of their
government to begin restoring
time in Afghanistan.
order and normal services so the
Green berets of 3 Commando
community can be rebuilt.
Brigade maintained the pressure
Brig Jerry Thomas,
on the Taleban with just days left
Commanding Offi cer of 3 Cdo
of their six-month tour of duty.
Bde, was in no doubt that Achilles
Royals of 42 Commando joined
had made “signifi cant gains”
a 1,000-strong international force,
against the insurgents.
including British Army, Danish,
Other elements of Operation
Estonian, US airborne, Dutch,
Achilles have seen the green berets
Canadian and Afghan troops in
take a back seat, reaping the fruits
the latest raid under Operation
of months of hard labour.
Achilles, aimed at restoring law
More than 500 Afghan
and order around the Sangin
troops, supported by British
district.
forces including Juliet and Mike
US, Dutch and Canadian troops
Companies 42 Commando,
launched an air assault on Sangin
swept through Babaji, north of
itself, while the Royals, Danes and
Helmand’s capital Lashkar Gah.
Estonians swept into the town
The Afghan soldiers have
from the north.
received training from 3
The Taleban forces holding
Commando Brigade’s ‘omelette’
Sangin invariably fl ed, leaving
– the Operational Mentoring
behind a huge weapons cache,
and Liaison Team – in all arts of
including machine-guns, mortars,
warfare and peacekeeping.
rocket-propelled grenades, bomb-
That training received its
making kit and anti-tank mines.
sternest test yet around Babaji,
Those Taleban who offered
where a strong concentration of
resistance were invariably killed, insurgents had been identified by
although the operation’s leaders Allied intelligence.
say until Achilles is completed, it’s British forces provided
too early to estimate the rebels’ protection on the flanks, as well as
strength around Sangin. air, medical and logistical support,
Part of the reason for the while the Afghan soldiers grappled
enemy’s fl ight – and the lack with the Taleban – who offered
of civilian casualties during the particularly stubborn resistance
latest stage of Achilles – was a on the first day of the offensive.
concerted propaganda effort by Once the enemy fled, however,
the Allied forces, who spread a substantial area of Helmand
rumours, made radio broadcasts had been cleared of the Taleban,
0022-023_NN_May.indd 122-023_NN_May.indd 1 117/4/07 18:46:127/4/07 18:46:12
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57