ANOTHER WEEK ANOTHER FUSILIER NEWS!

1. HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY HONOURS LIST

Many congratulations go to the following who have received awards;

Col W N (Bill) Aldridge CBE who has been appointed as a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. This was in recognition of his leadership and example in Afghanistan where he was Chief CJ5 International Security Assistance Force and the Assistant Chief of Staff of Headquarters Allied Command Europe Rapid Reaction Corps. He is now attending The Royal College Defence Studies and his address is C/o RCDS, Seaford House, 37 Belgrave Square, London, SW1X 8NF.

Maj J W (Jim) Taylor MBE who has been appointed a Member of the same Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. This is in recognition of his specific and unique contribution to operations in both Afghanistan and Iraq over a 9 month period while serving with 2RRF. Furthermore he was instrumental in the design and delivery of a programme of improvement for command and control system for the Iraqi Security Forces in Basra.

Lt Col (Retd) E W Davidson MBE DL was also appointed as a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. The award recognises Eric’s significant contribution to Charity and in particular his Citation included reference to his work for our Regimental Charities in Lancashire. He has only very recently handed over his responsibilities as Chairman of the Lancashire Area of The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers Association and he remains the President of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers Lancashire Association Band and Corps of Drums which incidentally is at this moment in Canada playing alongside the Pipes and Drums of the Lorne Scots.

Major B R (Brian) Young MBE of the Fusiliers Army Cadet Force has been appointed a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. He is the Company Commander of the Warwickshire Army Cadet Force and over the last 8 years has converted a struggling detachment in an under privileged area of Coventry into a highly successful unit, doubling the attendance figures and has proved to be extremely successful in recruiting for the ethnic minority communities. (Maj Young is a former TA Quartermaster of the old 5RRF).

Finally congratulations also go to Sir Alan Beith MP on his Knighthood. Sir Alan is the MP for Berwick-upon-Tweed and has for many years been a most loyal supporter of The Fusiliers.

2. FUNERAL SERVICE FOR THE LATE COLONEL PATRICK ROBINSON

The funeral service for Colonel Patrick Robinson whose death was recorded in the last Fusilier News will take place at Perth Crematorium, Crieff Road, Perth PH1 2PE at 2pm on Friday 20 June. The family will be delighted to see anybody who can make it to the service but readers should note that they intend to have a Thanks Giving Service later in the year, perhaps in September or October, in the Midlands.

3. SENIOR OFFICERS’ POSTINGS

Col Simon Marr MBE is very shortly taking up a new appointment as the military officer, in the Afghan Cross Whitehall Unit of the Ministry of Defence. This appointment is for three years and is a new post.

Col Philip Stack MBE currently on the Defence Planning Staff at Headquarters SHAPE has been selected for a Defence Attaché post in October, for which Language Training is starting very shortly. (Incidentally both these officers will be attending the annual Cocktail Party held outside RHQ on the 26 June) – just to remind any late applicants).

4. 2ND FUSILIERS ON PUBLIC DUTIES

Yesterday, Monday 16 June 2nd Fusiliers were on parade outside Buckingham Palace mounting Her Majesty’s Guard for the first time. The parade was commanded by the Commanding Officer himself and the Queen’s Colour was carried by Maj Jon Swift. Also on parade was Maj Jeremy Lamb MC and the Battalion Adjutant. As the Regimental Secretary writes this Fusiliers News he can see behind him the Fusilier sentry on guard outside the Jewel House at the Tower of London. Attached is a photograph taken of the parade and by linking onto the following website you can see a summary as it appeared on the Army Website;

http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/HistoryAndHonour/FusiliersInDebutPalaceParade.htm

5. FUSILIERS GOLFING TRIUMPH – AGAIN !

The Regimental Team consisting of Col Jo Gunnell, Lt Col John Hunt, Capt David Williams and Maj Roger Antolik carried the day on 12 June 2008 at Royal St George’s, Sandwich to win the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Bowl by beating both the Royal Irish Regiment and, in the final, the Royal Scots. This is the infantry and cavalry inter regimental trophy, which the Fusiliers have now won for seven years, since 2002.

WJW

Check out the the latest
1RRF Sitrep
8th June 2008

CHIEF OF THE GENERAL STAFF’S LETTER TO THE ARMY ON THE SITUATION
IN IRAQ
The Chief of the General Staff (CGS), General Sir Richard Dannatt, visited Iraq last week and wants to ensure that All Ranks are aware of the current situation in theatre.

CGS’ unclassified letter follows below and is self-explanatory, outlining the conclusions of his visit to Iraq last week but set in the context of the Campaign as a whole over the last 5 years so that no one should be in any doubt as to the current situation. Although addressed to CinC Land Forces it is for general release.
25th Apr 08
CinC Land Forces

IRAQ
1. I have just come back from one of my regular visits to Iraq and given the recent developments, I thought that it was important to give you my views about the situation and I would ask you to pass on this perspective to the chain of command and our families so that everyone is clear as to what is going on.
2. The first point to make is that as far back as 2003, the Campaign Plan envisaged a progressive handing over of responsibility to the Iraqis, both in governance and security. This is what we have achieved in Dhi Qar, Al Muthanna and Maysan and was what occurred last year in Basra when we handed over the last remaining base in the city, and then, in December 2007, the Province itself, to Iraqi control. Having set the conditions in Basra, the concept of moving into an overwatch posture at the Contingency Operating Base at Basra Airport was the next logical step and has allowed the Iraqi Security Forces to assume responsibility for the security of the Province. We always assumed that ‘overwatch’ involved the possibility of having to re-intervene in security matters if deemed appropriate by both the Iraqis and the Multinational Force that our troops come under. The idea that ‘overwatch’ simply involved our soldiers merely sitting around waiting to be called was always inaccurate, since the strategy has always been dependent on capacity building of the Iraqi Security Forces both in numbers and capabilities – and that has kept us pretty busy.
3. When I visited Iraq last week, I met soldiers of every rank who were positive about their role and committed to the task. I cannot deny that there are many who said that they would rather be at the forefront of the operations (as CGS, I think that I would be worried if I headed an Army that did not express such views) but those same individuals were all mature enough to understand it is right that the Iraqis that are now taking the lead. Indeed, these are exactly the nature of operations that we have been pressing for for some months – an Iraqi solution to an Iraqi problem. The Iraqis have called their surge into Basra ‘Operation Charge of the Knights’ and the Iraqi Prime Minister took the decision to take personal charge of it. To us in the military, that is a clear sign as to where the Iraq Main Effort has shifted and as a consequence, where the support of the Multinational Force must follow. The deployment of additional Multinational Corps headquarters staff (mostly from the US) to Multinational Division (South East) Basra is therefore an entirely logical military move which we can understand and support.
4. Following the principles of overwatch, we have provided support to the Iraqis where it is appropriate and within our rules of engagement. The capabilities that the Iraqis have requested from us and which we have provided include intelligence, aerial surveillance (manned and unmanned), force protection (including CHALLENGER 2 and WARRIOR), support helicopters, logistic and medical support. In addition, we have continued to mentor the Iraqi Security Forces and that is where most of our effort is now directed, principally with the Iraqi 14th Division. However, the Iraqis have supported their main effort by moving additional formations into the Basra area and these have come from areas in Iraq where they have been mentored by US troops. Just as it makes sense for UK advisors to accompany the Iraqi troops that we mentor, it makes equal sense that US advisors should operate alongside the Iraqi units they have been working with as they are brought in from other parts of the country for ‘Operation Charge of the Knights’.
5. Some commentators have been critical of the way that the Iraqi operation has been carried out. Having visited Iraq and talked to many of those involved, I have concluded that this is unreasonable and ignores the complexity of dealing with determined adversaries in challenging counter-insurgency operations. Just as Multinational Forces have challenges in operating in a foreign country, the Iraqi Security Forces face different challenges in operating in their own country. It is also worth bearing in mind that a year or so ago, 14 Division did not exist. Nor was it at full operating capability when operations in Basra started. Therefore to expect it to perform to a standard that has taken other nations (including our own) decades to reach is patently unrealistic. No one would deny that aspects of the Iraqi operation could have gone better at the outset. But there is no doubt that each phase (the Iraqis are now on the fourth phase ) has gone from strength to strength and is now showing some significant results – the Iraqi plan is working and is delivering what we sought. Indeed Basrawis are now being reported as “optimistic” about the future for the first time in many years.
6. My conclusion from my visit is that the campaign remains on its broad track but as everyone in the Army who has either served in Iraq or been involved in supporting the operation knows, it has, and will continue, to take time. We have quite properly reduced our force numbers over the last couple of years, but there will still be many more challenges to overcome and at no stage will it be easy. When faced with these situations, we must steel ourselves to see it through; this is what we have done for the past 5 years and we will continue to do so as long as a Land Forces contingent is required in Southern Iraq. I returned from my visit buoyed by the courage, sense of purpose and determination of our soldiers. I would like everyone to know this, lest anyone think that somehow this is not the case and our families can continue to take great pride in how their loved ones are carrying out their duty as professional soldiers serving their country.
CGS

2. BFBS TV CLIPS
It is well worth watching these clips with interviews with several RRF personalities. They show 1RRF training in Bavaria using US Army training facilities and 2RRF celbrating St George’s Day.

http://www.ssvc.co.uk/bfbs/tv/reports/index.htm

Then click on Watch BFBS Reports and open the one relating to Pre-Iraq Deployment Training to see and hear what 1RRF have been up to using the US Army’s training facilities in Bavaria. CO 1RRF and others from the Battalion give interviews.

After that click on BFBS Reports Archives to see 2RRF celebrating St George’s Day in the rain in

From Lieutenant Colonel P W Merriman MBE Second Battalion

Second Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers Alexander Barracks Dhekelia Garrison BFPO 58 Telephone: (Civil) 00357 2474 4356 (Military) 94120 4356 Facsimile: (Civil) 00357 2474 4181 (Military) 94120 4181 E-mail: BFC-DHK-RIB-CO

Brigadier RM Wilde CBE
Colonel
The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers
HM Tower of London
LONDON
EC3N 4AB

12th December 06

Dear Brigadier,

SECOND FUSILIERS - END OF TERM REPORT

I thought that you might appreciate a concluding report on Second Fusiliers' activities this year. It has been a remarkably busy, but professionally satisfying, time and certainly one which we will long remember.

You will recall that we assumed the TRB task on 1 Apr 06 and deployed A and B companies to Iraq, at 48hrs notice, on 13th April. Both companies made the best of this tour, but in truth it was not hugely rewarding for them, most of the time being spent guarding Shaiba Logistics base or the port facilities at Umm Qasr. The deployment came at the end of 7th Armoured Brigade's tour which was characterized by disengagement between the local governorate and Multi-National Forces, slowing progress in developing security institutions. Following the ratification of PM Maliki and the Iraqi National Government in May, and just as A and B Companies were returning home, the security situation in Basra deteriorated significantly with a substantial increase in the murder rate being of particular alarm; the Iraqi National Government responded by declaring a 'State of Emergency' which coincided with local reengagement between Iraqi and Multi-National Security Forces.

Over a long summer, during which Second Fusiliers were otherwise engaged with the deployment of A Company Group to Afghanistan only 6 weeks after their return from Iraq, assistance to OP HIGHBROW, the evacuation of British entitled people from the Lebanon, and a high profile Defence Diplomacy exercise in Jordan, the security situation in Basra barely improved, but Coalition activity was able to greatly increase both on the ground, with a number of successful strike operations being launched to detain anti-Iraqi forces, and through engagement in Security Sector Reform. The arrival of a new GOC, Major General Richard Sherriff, under whom Second Fusiliers served with 7th Armoured Brigade in Kosovo in 2000, a new and ambitious plan was put together to drive Basrah Province towards 'PIC', Provincial Iraqi Control, the point at which the local Iraqi Security apparatus takes the lead on all security matters, leaving Multi-National Forces to provide 'overwatch', the limited support of certain specialist capabilities to routine operations and a reserve in case of a more serious threat. In order to mount OP SINBAD, as the operation became known, more troops were required; in addition to extra Engineers and other specialists, 2 rifle companies and 2 platoons of manpower were needed and a battalion headquarters to provide support to the Iraqi Security Forces command and control system.

Originally envisaged as a security operation designed to root out corrupt policemen and eliminate death squads in the city, but with a palliative of reconstruction effort, the plan morphed into a reconstruction led operation, closely coupled with police reform (assessment and training) and with a disconnected, but ever present, theme of detention operations running in the background. The change was brought about by political direction from Baghdad, making the plan not just one with an 'Iraqi face', but a genuinely Iraqi plan throughout. In action the plan saw a combined force of Royal Engineers and Iraqi Engineers, local civilian contractors and International Police Assistance force personnel enter zones around the in 'pulses' of activity which lasted from 2-3 days; each pulse was accompanied by a significant security presence from Multi-National Forces and every agency of the Iraqi Security Forces, of which there are many, to bring to each area in turn a sense of what life could be like if the security situation improved, together with visible improvements to their daily lives, school improvements, streets cleaned and repaired, football pitches constructed, electricity and water projects begun, and so on to generate a belief in the providence of the central Iraqi Government and improve consent for Multi-National Force presence. After each pulse a further 28 days of increased patrolling and continuing projects by civilian contractors took place; this was designed to embed the gains won through the initial quick impact of the pulse. The police station reviews which occurred within the overall blanket of security sought to identify training and other needs for each area's police stations in turn, resulting in action plans for each. As each pulse occurred more responsibility for the planning and execution was passed to the Iraqis; by the end of the operation in mid-January it should be an entirely Iraqi activity, with Multi-National Forces providing reserves if required.

Second Fusiliers contributed to OP SINBAD in three ways; Captain Andrew Swann and Sgt Halloran provided 2 multiples to work as part of Basrah City North Battlegroup (1LI, then 1 STAFFORDS), and operated directly in the focus areas of the operation, as well as carrying out the full range of patrol tasks in the city. C Company (Andrew Higgs and then Jim Taylor, WO2 (CSM) Corbett) and Fire Support Company (Gareth Boyd, WO2 (CSM) Frost) were both attached to Basrah City South Battlegroup (2 Royal Anglian, then 1 Royal Green Jackets) and, after a bit of negotiation, were given their own areas of responsibility. C Company were based in Umm Qasr, and Fire Support company operated from Basrah Palace, but with responsibilities stretching down the Al Faw peninsular. Though this tasking put them on a supporting effort, so they saw little of OP SINBAD in the city, they were much better off with their own patch to look after than spending all their time as 'rent a mob', having no fixed base to operate from. Both companies had interesting times, covering routine patrolling and security sector reform work, as well as involvement in anti-smuggling operations across the Iran-Iraq border; for C Company the hunt for the (still missing) 4 US and 1 Austrian hostages taken in November, whilst Fire Support Company needed to sit on sectarian tensions and reassure the significant Sunni minority in their area as serious spikes of violence in Baghdad threatened repercussions.

The last part of the mix was to provide Battalion Headquarters to the Provincial Joint Coordination Centre to achieve short term improvements to the coordination of internal Iraqi Security Force collaboration, and coordination of the whole with Multi-National Forces, and longer term to put in place an improved system of working which would survive the subsequent departure of Multi-National Forces. The Centre was based at 'The Warren site', the former Ba'ath Party compound right in the middle of Basrah, and with the Office of the Muqta Al Sadr (OMS) a few hundred yards away. The conditions were cramped and the nature of the work involved living mixed in amongst the Iraqi Security Forces, many of whom were of mixed political allegiance and could not be relied upon. Key to the project was providing a forward headquarters for the UK brigade (20th Armoured, then 19th Light) and establishing a close relationship with the members of the Basrah Emergency Committee whose role was to bring coherence to the security forces of Basrah after the violence of the summer.

The project, initially led by Jim Taylor, then Adrian Prior, became seen to be one of the key successes of OP SINBAD, and there is no doubt that the security architecture now functions far more effectively than it did when we arrived; there is a real prospect that security will be handed over to the Iraqis soon and that, unlike the experience in As Samawah and Al Amarah (where PIC has not occurred but Multi-National Forces have re-positioned away from the city) there is a very good chance that the Iraqis will be able to contain the latent threat. A functioning Provincial Joint Coordination Centre is a prerequisite to the transfer of security, but in reality our success there was a combination of three things of which our contribution to building a functioning staff was but one. Just as important was the coherence brought to the leadership of the Iraqi forces by the Emergency Committee, and our ability to shape through mentoring the direction that was being given to the Iraqi Security Forces. The last part was the process of OP SINBAD and the momentum which this gave to reform, particularly in creating a rhythm through which cooperation could be achieved and establishing a pattern, perhaps even a habit, of cooperation, otherwise anathema to the various competing organizations. Of the three, the effective command will be the hardest to sustain in the medium term since the current command structure may end with the State of Emergency.

During the tour Second Fusiliers have been exposed to a variety of threats and I count ourselves extremely fortunate to come away with only one soldier (Cpl Williams) wounded. The principal threat came from Indirect Fire against bases in the City. Both the Shatt-al-Arab Hotel, where Andrew Swann was based, and the Basrah Palace, where the remainder of Fire Support Company lived, were constantly attacked. In addition to the main sites in the city we had a 'Hackle-Hub' set up at Shaiba Logistics base to coordinate our personnel and logistics activity and across all the bases we occupied there were some 200 separate attacks in which more than 600 rockets or mortar rounds exploded. There were also many blinds, and there are several stories of narrow escapes, especially from Basrah Palace which alone suffered 84 attacks in the 90 days that Support Company were based there. Ironically Cpl Williams was injured in an attack as he passed through the air base, the only location we did not permanently man. There were also encounters with smugglers in which shots were exchanged, and one with the US military in which several, thankfully, inaccurate bursts of machine gun fire were answered by a Fusilier's right hook when he got close enough to see who had been firing at him. Not ideal, but perhaps understandable in the circumstances. Those at the Warren were subjected to the most direct fire attacks, with 4 RPG and 18 other small arms fire exchanges in which we returned some 150 rounds, claiming 4 hits and with1 confirmed kill from our sniper. Our medical skills were also tested with those at the Shat-Al-Arab Hotel in particular doing an outstanding job; they were the first to treat casualties twice when mortar rounds landed amongst the tented camp they occupied for most of the tour. On the first occasion they could do nothing to help Cpl Brady, on the second they did sterling work helping some of the 10 Greenjackets injured shortly after their arrival in November. Cpl Williams was also treated by one of our own, Cpl Green and 3 others were blown off their feet by the explosion, but quickly sorted themselves out to help their colleague, who is now on sick leave in UK and is expected to be fit for work again in the New Year, his skull having healed following the removal of some shrapnel.

For others the story has not been such a lucky one, and we are acutely aware that the threat from complex well planned ambushes and from Improvised explosive devices has remained extremely high. In our short time in Iraq 95 UK soldiers were wounded and 11 were killed.

Turning briefly to Afghanistan, I was delighted to be able to join A Company Group in Kuwait for their decompression and to learn at first hand something of their exploits. I had not before realised, for example, just how rude the shock was that called them to action. When I left them in Camp Bastion they were contemplating two weeks 'conditioning' before operations; within 48 hours the fire support group had deployed, and as is well known defended ANP Hill thereafter for 107 days. I did not know that they had had a mere 59 minutes notice of this deployment. Amazing stuff. I understand that ITV are currently researching a 'docudrama' about them, so no doubt we will all discover much more soon. Jon Swift and his boys did a fantastic job and I am delighted that awareness of this is growing; I received a particularly good letter from Brigadier Ed Butler praising the Company and their performance and am aware that the Colonel-in-Chief also wrote to Jon praising their performance.

Whilst the tour began with an expectation of force protection duties within Camp Bastion, the rapidly changing situation and stretched resources encouraged Colonel Stuart Tootal, CO 3 PARA, to employ the Fusiliers more flexibly. Once in Now Zad the Company Group was left alone to work within the overall intent of defending the District Compound against repeated attacks by the Taliban who saw ownership of the compound as a decisive effect that should be achieved even at great cost. The articles written about their subsequent exploits have highlighted the intensity of the battle for the town, the solitude and austerity of their position. Living conditions were extremely basic which, coupled with the stress of close combat with a tenacious, experienced and cunning enemy, must have been a real burden of responsibility for Jon, his officers and NCOs. During their tour, command of the area of operations passed from 3 PARA to 42 Commando. Colonel Matt Holmes immediately lifted the restriction upon their manoeuvre. Jon mounted 2 raids into Taliban controlled areas to deny by destruction firing points which had been used to harass their position for the previous 2 months. One raid witnessed one of the largest combat demolitions mounted by British Forces in years utilising 6 barmines and 45kg of explosives to reduce enemy compounds to rubble thus denying the protection that they afforded.

During the 107 days in Now Zad they integrated fires from Apache attack helicopters, multinational fixed wing close air support, mortars, GPMG SF, 30mm Rarden cannon, snipers and light guns. In addition Jon took command of up to a complete Squadron of HCR formation reconnaissance vehicles, elements of 42 Commando's surveillance group and a troop of engineers. All up they called in over 30 air strikes, fired 90,000 GPMG and 1600 mortar rounds. The autonomy that the company enjoyed also resulted in close relationships with Afghan National security forces and local elders. Unfortunately not all were trustworthy and effectively had 'the enemy inside the wire' Establishing tight operational security became extremely challenging with elements of the police signalling and providing critical information about the company's dispositions and movements to the Taliban. Whilst an effective early warning system, the threat posed by these individuals became too great and eventually they were removed.

The Company Group not only defended Now Zad but also provided a detached platoon elsewhere for most of the tour. In Gareskh, John Gammon's platoon provided force protection to one such outpost. They had temporary respite from that crucial but mundane task when they conducted a 10 day long range vehicle patrol under command of 3 PARA patrols platoon. After numerous contacts and lessons learned in manoeuvring around the troubled Musa Qa'lah area they returned to Gareskh until relieved by Nick Groves' platoon to deploy to Now Zad to complete their tour.

That Fusiliers were a part of this historic tour is something of which the whole Regiment will feel proud. The Company Group was drawn from across the Battalion and their experiences will add great value to all of the companies. Their experiences of joint operations, particularly air / land integration, air assault, long range vehicle patrols and sustainability operations will place leaders at all levels in good stead for future commands. Currently all 3 casualties from the tour are progressing well with Drummer Barlow apparently breaking all records for rehabilitation with a prosthetic limb.

From Iraq too we have gained plaudits, both in Theatre and from PJHQ: Major General Peter Wall visited to tell us that 'barely a day goes by' without some mention of what we have been up to , and with Second Fusiliers at one point in 6 operational locations in each Theatre, I was very pleased to hear it! In particular I have been pleased, again from both Theatres, to hear that the Fusiliers have something about them, a standard and a style, as well as a good humoured, but determined professionalism, which gets noticed.

We are now embarked upon a programme of events designed to reintegrate the Battalion as a single organisation, and as part of this process will prepare ourselves to resume the Theatre Reserve Battalion commitment on 20th January 2007. We will see what our last few months of this task will bring; our first few have been eventful, challenging and very rewarding. So much for a sunshine tour of Cyprus!

Yours aye

Peter