Page 90 - Bugle Autumn 2014

A game changing asset, Military Working Dogs give an early warning of IEDs
Operation HERRICK 20
Brigadier General Yoo addresses the Manoeuvre Battle Group
for the WHG and one platoon to provide force protection to Patrol Base DIMOND
in Lashkar Gah. D Coy’s HQ, which
should have deployed to STERGA 2, was reinvested, along with FSp Coy, into other areas such as HQ Regional Command (South West), Force Protection Platoon and CO’s TAC. At the eleventh hour, the final change occurred which was the removal
of A Coy, the PM Coy, from the Manoeuvre Battlegroup and the extension of 4 SCOTS PM Coy until they ceased operations
on 13 June 2014. This was extremely disappointing for A Coy but they picked up a Falkland Islands Reinforced Infantry Coy tasking instead, with more to follow in the next edition!
The Battlegroup’s arrival in theatre was staggered as it always is during change over. The relief of 7th Armoured Brigade Units, and in our case 4th Battalion
The Manoeuvre BG BRF deploy for an early morning operation
The force structure for this tour dictated who deployed and how they trained. The Battalion was directed to raise the Brigade Advisory Team, advising 3 Brigade, 215 Corps of the Afghan National Army in June 2013. This
Force generated by The Queen’s Dragoon Guards. In December 2013 it was decided that the Armoured Infantry Company would not deploy and D Coy was stood down after completing their exercises
and some manpower was re-invested in the Battlegroup but most was destined to remain with the Rear Operations Group (ROG) in Paderborn. B Coy was changed from a PM Coy to
assume the role of a Perimeter Defence Company, replacing the Bosnians and under command of 7 Force Protection Wing of the RAF Regiment. During this period, two platoons from D Coy under Captain Jamie Sutherland and CSjt Potter were stood up to form two dismounted platoons
was changed to
the Manoeuvre
Battlegroup in the
autumn and we were
to raise an Armoured
Infantry company in
WARRIOR (D Coy), two
Protected Mobility (PM)
companies in MASTIFF (A and B Coys), and an observation post over-looking the Helmand River, called STERGA 2. The remainder of the Manoeuvre Battlegroup was made up of the WARTHOG Group (WHG) generated by the Queen’s Royal Hussars and the Brigade Reconnaissance
Mortars illuminate the night to deter the enemy
The force structure for this tour dictated who deployed and how they trained
88 XXX
THE RIFLES