Page 65 - MERCIAN Eagle 2011

3/215 Brigade Advisory
Group OPERATION
HERRICK 14
After an intense period of Mission
Specific Training (MST), and with the Rifle Companies either already deployed or about to go on pre-tour leave, Battalion Headquarters and Dragon Company deployed in mid March to Afghanistan to assume the role of 3/215 Brigade Advisory Group (BAG) on Op HERRICK 14.
The BAG’s role was to train and mentor the Afghan National Army (ANA), specifically the 3rd Brigade of 215 Maiwand Corps (3/215 Bde). This is the ANA Bde responsible for Helmand province in Southern Afghanistan and as such is the partner brigade to Task Force Helmand (TFH), which during our tour was 3 Commando Brigade augmented by 7th Armoured Brigade.
These callsigns worked closely to advise the ANA throughout the tour, in some cases working with very limited resources and manpower. Add to that the frictions
of working with a foreign army (language barrier, cultural differences and different tactics to name a few), this was not an easy task. The BAG also had a bespoke training team helping 3/215 Bde take soldiers out of ANA basic training and preparing them for frontline duty in Helmand province. This was knotted together by the Quartermaster’s Department and the Regimental Admin Office who administrated the BAG and kept a watchful eye on the 3 Rifle Companies attached to other units in theatre. The Commanding Officer and his TAC Group maintained pastoral overwatch of all 3 MERCIAN troops in addition to advising 3/215 Bde Comd. They were probably
the most well travelled callsign in theatre
LCpl Fitzpatrick from the Shorebak training team with members of the ANA
The BAG consisted of the following sub units:
BAG HQ – 3 MERCIAN; advising 3/215 Bde HQ.
Advisor 10 – SCOTS DG; advising 1st Infantry Battalion 3/215 Bde.
Advisor 20 – 9/12L; advising 2nd Infantry Battalion 3/215 Bde.
Advisor 30 – 3 MERCIAN (Dragon Coy); advising 3rd Infantry Battalion 3/215 Bde. Advisor 40 – 3 MERCIAN (Recce Pl), 29 Cdo RA, 32 RE; advising the Combat Support Battalion.
Advisor 50 – CLR; advising the Combat Service Support Battalion.
Advisor 60 – 9/12L; advising 6th Infantry Battalion 3/215 Bde
CO’s TAC Group – 3 MERCIAN
Capt Paul on Op OMID HAFT
covering some 10,000km, on and off road, in 6 months.
self contained advisor multiples. Although both these operations were successful large scale Brigade operations, the main achievement of the BAG on Op HERRICK 14 was to develop the ANA supply chain, so in many areas they are now capable of conducting and sustaining independant framework operations.
The BAG attracted many visitors during HERRICK 14 due to the importance placed on the development of the ANA. A last minute visit from the Prime Minister and the Chief of the Defence Staff took everyone by surprise; an opportunity to meet British soldiers and Afghan Warriors was well received, apart from WO2 Chappelle telling the Prime Minister that he thought we
should do 12 month tours! This was an important visit; however there was one far more important person to visit the BAG: Cheryl Cole. Everyone enjoyed meeting her – especially the Afghans! The BAG
also attracted high levels of press attention and at the time of writing the Recce Platoon (Advisor 43) await the airing of Ross Kemp in Afghanistan showing when he visited them during Op QALAI SHARKAY.
The Brigade Advisory Group is key to ensuring that the Afghans can provide security to their own country; it was and still is on the main effort for Task Force Helmand. The advising, training, frustration and hours of chai and chat all lead to creating a better Afghan National Army for Afghanistan. There was a marked improvement in all areas of 3/215 Bde ANA, helped by the hard work, bravery, selfless commitment and tact of all who served with the Brigade Advisory Group on HERRICK 14.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of LCpl Paul Watkins 9/12L from Advisor 20 who was tragically killed in action whilst serving with the BAG on HERRICK 14.
Capt C J Paul
The BAG planned and conducted 2 major Bde level operations with the ANA – Operation OMID HAFT (Hope Seven) and Operation QALAI SHARKAY (Eastern Fortress). The former
brought governance
to a large area of the
Nahr-e Saraj South Area
of Operations (AO),
whilst the later was an
enduring operation,
ANA planned and
executed for the most
part, to provide security to the outskirts of Lashkar-Gar, following the successful Transfer of Lead Security Authority (TLSA) to the Afghan security forces. The Recce Platoon and Advisor 30 featured heavily in these deliberate operations acting as
Cheryl Cole. Everyone enjoyed meeting her – especially the Afghans!
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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