Somme Coy - London Reg in Afghanistan

[LondonCalling]

from the RRF website:

SOMME COMPANY – LONDON REGIMENT IN AFGHANISTAN

Our TA Fusiliers with Somme Company are half way through their tour in Afghanistan and are deployed in the now familiar locations in Helmand Province specifically in Bastion and in Gereshk where Lt Anthony Ball is commanding his Platoon of Fusiliers from Balham. They are providing force protection and patrolling in the town. That Gdsm Daryl Hickey, one of 15 regular army guardsmen serving in Somme Company alongside the TA, was killed in Gereshk on 12 July illustrates the intensity of operations there.

http://www.army.mod.uk/fusiliers/fusilier_news.htm

 

[BayonetPinCushion]

Surprised to see that the Regs are making up the numbers in a TA formation rather than the other way around. The loss of Gdsm Hickey shows just how dangerous the job is. Well done lads and safe home.

 

[Bravo_Bravo]

from the RRF website:

SOMME COMPANY – LONDON REGIMENT IN AFGHANISTAN

Our TA Fusiliers with Somme Company are half way through their tour in Afghanistan and are deployed in the now familiar locations in Helmand Province specifically in Bastion and in Gereshk where Lt Anthony Ball is commanding his Platoon of Fusiliers from Balham.

I think the other capbadges of the London Regiment are very well represented there as we speak; plus the OC is Rifles IIRC?

 

[Rifle-Green-Sex-Machine]

I think the sad death of Gdsm Hickey shows how vulnerable force protection is - its definately not the softer option. I also like the fact that the regs have integrated in a TA unit - I wonder how it is working out? Any Londons on the net out there like to comment?

 

[nitv9]

All LONDONS cap badges are represented in SOMME Company and the OC was, prevously, in the RIFLES.

LONDONS comprise the majority of SOMME Company (including the Company heirarchy). The second largest contingent is from the Grenadier Guards and the remainder is drawn from the TA, Regulars, Regular Reserve and a few from the RAuxAF.

Having said all that, the company is extremely well integrated and all platoons and sections are fully mixed up with TA/Reg/Reg Res/RAuxAF working together in a seamless way.

 

[Rifle-Green-Sex-Machine]

Plastic Crabs as well? Wonders never cease

 

[nitv9]

I think the sad death of Gdsm Hickey shows how vulnerable force protection is - its definately not the softer option. quote]

The MOD website said:

"He [Gdsm Hickey] was killed whilst his Somme Company platoon was operating in support of 1st Battalion The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment (1 WFR) Battlegroup. 1 WFR are currently undertaking operations alongside Afghan National Security Forces to improve security in the Gereshk region of the Helmand River valley. He was part of a fire team providing covering fire as others in his platoon assaulted a Taliban position. The assault was successful."

I think it can be clearly seen, without risking OPSEC, that platoons from SOMME Company are not just undertaking Force Protection in the normal sense of the term. What SOMME Company are currently doing is very definitely not a soft option.

 

[Rifle-Green-Sex-Machine]

to be honest, when Gdsm Hickey was killed and Somme Coy was mentioned I assumed that it was a name given to one of the Grenadier companies - I think that the TAPIOs in theatre need to inform the press all of the facts, especially the TA bit or they will forever be seen by the general public as just a bunch of Gareths

 

[eSeL]

One of our lads (and occasional poster on here), Monty, is serving in that same platoon with the Woofers - his reports indicate they are definitely not just force protection.

Good luck to all guys serving with Somme Coy

 

[CunningLinguist]

Yes, good luck to Somme Company, you are doing the TA proud!

 

[nitv9]

For those on Armynet, the latest version of the Somme Company newsletter (with articles from the company in Helmand) has now been published:

Somme Newsletter

The London Regiment front page is at:

London Regiment

 

[Dr_Evil]

Best of luck, fellas. My thoughts are with you. God, that sounds gay - but you're worth it!