The Friends of the Green Howards	2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment, - Previous News Items
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Below are some of the stories which have appeared in the past. Simply select the titles to be taken to those stories. And to find out something about the role of the 2nd Battalion in Afghanistan, please select here;-

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31 December 2007, - CHRISTMAS WITH THE 2nd BATTALION YORKSHIRE REGIMENT (GREEN HOWARDS) IN AFGHANISTAN.

The following photos have been sent to us, showing the 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment celebrating Christmas 2007 in Afghanistan.

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Captain Elliott	Christmas Lunch in SBK	Christmas post delivery	Cpl McDonald	LCpl Pearce and Pte Walker
LCpl Rex and WO2 Benson	Santa brings Christmas parcel to Cpl Solway	Santa brings Christmas parcel to the CO	Second only to Santa

26 November 2007, - 2nd BATTALION YORKSHIRE REGIMENT (GREEN HOWARDS) IN AFGHANISTAN.

Accompanying the following stories are some photos of personnel from the 2nd Battalion in Afghanistan.

The Commanding Officer's Message.

The Battlegroup continues to do excellent work. The BRF,the Convoy Protection Platoon and the Lashkar Gar Company have all stretched their legs on demanding operations whilst the OMLT have facilitated the first independent ANA Brigade operation.

Tragically, the Battlegroup has also suffered our first fatalities – Capt John McDermid and LCpl Jake Alderton. They are deeply missed but we take great strength from their comradeship and example. Our thoughts are with their families at this dIfficult time.

Headquarter Company

The Quartermasters Department is busy supplying kit and equipment, delivering mail and also organising the Christmas parcel campaign – it looks to be a good Christmas!

The clothing store (or Burtons) has been none stop since arriving with the lads trying to get clothing that actually fits (harder than it sounds) or just getting that extra few pairs of socks and boxers. The biggest customer so far has been the RSM who is constantly exchanging bergen covers (strange fetish). Hopefully things will start getting easier as the BOWO has promised a “fully stocked clothing store.” We'll believe it when we see it.

Cpl Welsh is enjoying a short spell of fame with the newspapers, it must be his good looks! The admin office is busy working away ensuring everyone is receiving their correct allowances and preparing for the start of the rest and recuperation period.

WO2 Wayne Charley takes great pleasure in running the bingo nights – he secretly has an ambition to be a bingo caller. Sgt Jackie Thomas and Cpl Emma McDonald 'the quiz masters' run the quiz night on a Saturday – the questions are more mastermind than pop quiz.

The chefs are continually providing top rate food – with themed nights such as Mexican, Italian and Chinese!

The APTCI keeps the Battalion fit with organised PT sessions involving boxersize, circuits and core stability. We have even had sports competitions with the Afghans who are competitive to say the least. The pace of life is busy but morale remains high especially when those mail deliveries arrive – keep the post coming!

Thanks to the family and friends of 2 YORKS for their support so far.

Faces from Afghanistan.

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B Company – the only way is up	Due to a shortage of vehicles Pte Dransfield improvises with a donkey.	Pte Fong – takes it easy whilst an Afghan Army soldier tries out first aid
Members of CS OMLT	Cpl Campbell cooling off in the shade

Lashkar Gar Company

Yes – another week has gone by! Once again a busy operational tempo has flown by. All are still expecting the rainy season to start any time soon but we are still experiencing amazingly dry heat during mid day with cold UK type nights and mornings. You wake up half expecting to find morning frost on the vehicles!

The two platoons up north still have limited contact with the outside world but we can assure one and all that they are all well and being looked after. So far two welfare packages have been included in the normal re-supply runs. These parcels include all of their post which is received more eagerly than ever presently. The platoons are currently conducting the same duties as they fulfilled in Lashkar Gar, providing security to the camps and surrounding area.

The change in environment is proving to be a challenging and invigorating experience for all with new terrain to cover and a different atmosphere within the local population to get to grips with.

2 Platoon have been maintaining the daily patrols, which are required in Lashkar Gar as well as several additional tasking with outside agencies. The platoon has also managed to push out for 24 hours into the surrounding area to continue the company's work with smaller communities outside Lashkar Gar area. As with every new area lessons are quickly learnt. The ground is amazingly dry and vehicles frequently become stuck in ruts whilst crossing the uneven desert plain. Even so, the platoon successfully returned with all vehicles still in one piece.

The week ahead as always invariably has numerous new challenges for the Company to face and all are now used to facing these frequent crypton factor problems.

2 Platoon continue to strive to be crowned the champion 5 a side football team in the camp and against their Afghanistan counterparts in town. Thoughts as ever are of home and Christmas which all are aware is ever looming! And we hope all are well.

CCS OMLT

The story so far, has seen the CSS OMLT enter into one of the busiest periods since the beginning of our tour, with a hive of activity centred on the 3rd ‘Hero’ Brigade of the Afghanistan National Army.

All but five of our team were deployed in either support of the resupply of ANA vehicles and equipment from Kandahar or providing the logistical expertise to a successful ANA operation in the Gereshk region. All this has led to hard and long nights in an effort to improve the Afghan Army’s knowledge of logistics.

The most is made of our down time with Sergeant’s Jenkins and Parkin sitting exams in Maths and Captain Lyman pushing on with his Open University degree. Major Holder is continuing with his empire building around his bed space, with the recent purchase of a gas cooker to add to the fridge, mattress, kettle and Christmas tree!

The spate of dry boards appearing in the office has slackened off since the short term departure of WO1 (RSM) Ford. This will give Task Force Helmand time to demand and receive more boards prior to the RSM’s return from operations!

Everyone is now looking forward to the first Rest and Recuperation flights this month as this is a sign that a third of the tour has now been cracked.

12 November 2007, - 2nd BATTALION YORKSHIRE REGIMENT (GREEN HOWARDS) IN AFGHANISTAN.

Accompanying the following stories are some photos of personnel from the 2nd Battalion in Afghanistan.

Second in Command’s Message.

Once again we have found our days filled with many different tasks with all members of the Battle Group influencing a wide range of missions and tasks. The Convoy Protection Platoon continues to export its own brand of excellence to the Royal Logistic Corps and both the Lashkar Gar Company and the Brigade Recce Force have been kept extremely busy. The Operational Mentoring Liaison Teams (OMLT) have also been kept on their toes with much frantic planning, reorganisation and multiple deployments across Helmand Province. A red letter day for OMLT 2 finally arrived with the opportunity to get out of Tombstone after weeks of false starts and ‘gentle’ mickey taking by the rest of the Battle Group. The Commanding Officer was reluctant to loose his demonstration troops just when the Colonel of the Regiment decided to pay a visit but needs must.

Our friends and colleagues in the ANA continue to impress with their enthusiasm for all things sport and want to know when they can challenge us to cricket. I fear this may again be a ploy to show how much they have learnt from their mentors!

Lashkar Gah Ops Coy, - Sunday 04 November 2007

As always things are ever changing in Lashkar Gar. In the case of the last seven days dramatically so, with 1 Platoon and the Guards Platoon moving up North for a few weeks leaving 2 Platoon to maintain patrols around Lashkar Gar. The two platoons have gone up north to provide security to another area of Helmand. Company TAC comprising of; Maj Wolfenden, Sgt Maj Gaz White, CSgt Elsdon and Cpl Winward have all joined the two platoons, leaving the remainder of the Company under command of Capt Ed Pawsey. Regular updates are being sent down to us, and all are well but they are not in quite as comfortable living conditions as they are use to in Lashkar Gar, with limited access to phones and no internet. A platoon from 7 Rifles has joined the Company in order to assist in the tasks that now fall to 2 Platoon. As always life in Lashkar Gar is never simple and the company is supporting more specialist tasks than ever, a task which 2 Platoon has taken on admirably. During last weekend 2 Platoon conducted their first long range patrol and had a very successful time. Meeting key locals in the surrounding area, schools, and visiting the various Afghanistan National Police(ANP) check points. Whilst driving at night through the desert, Afghanistan became a whole different environment, notably a lot colder! Mail has finally managed to find its way to us and as always is very well received. Everyone in the company received at least one piece, apart from Cpl Dillon!! (any mail for him would be well received). Another busy week lies ahead, and the company although currently split are on good form ready for whatever is ahead.		No 2 Platoon on Patrol
2 Platoon on return from their Long Range Patrol

Faces from Afghanistan.

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Sgt Walsh CS OMLT	The AGC DET	Major Adams (OC OMLT 3) and WO2 White (CSM OMLT 3)
Cpl Brook OMLT 1	LCpl Peacock, Pte Saye, Pte Harris and Pte Wood (CONVOY PROTECTION PLATOON)	Capt Stone 2IC OMLT 1

OMLT3

Charlie Company, who are still based in Gereshk have been kept busy as usual conducting their daily patrols and training with the Afghan National Army (ANA). All the boys are working hard and they are doing a fantastic job working alongside the ANA, helping to provide increased security for the local nationals. The ANA are a great bunch of people

For the most part, except myself and a few others, the boys are living a fairly basic lifestyle with their Afghan counterparts, with little if any creature comforts. Therefore the mail and parcels that you send out to them are a great morale booster, so please do continue your great support by keeping this up.

CS OMLT

The Combat Support Operational Mentoring Liaison Team continue to be kept busy. With most of the team deployed in Sangin, life is quite basic but the suntans are coming along a treat!

The team continue to conduct foot patrols and all the usual jobs. The Royal Engineers in particular are working hard with the winterization programme, which involves building suitable cover and facilities to protect the troops from the winter elements e.g. the very cool nights!

The CS OMLT particularly enjoyed having a media embed from Al Arabiya. All the lads hope to be made famous, in particular Colour Sergeant Syron who the correspondent took additional interest in. The correspondent even covered 'a day in the life of' on him – it must be his good looks! Morale is high, especially when five large bags of mail arrived. The lads faces lit up as they opened the many boxes of goodies from family and friends. Keep them coming and thank you for your continued support.

A Date For The Diary

Exercise YORKSHIRE WARRIOR takes place in Camp Shorabak on 22 Nov 07. A charity event which will see SSgt Anthony Gaul and Cpl Carl Storr exercise continuously for a 24 hour period. They hope to raise in excess of £2000 for Weeton Primary School and Honey Pots Day Care Nursery.

30 October 2007, - 2nd BATTALION YORKSHIRE REGIMENT (GREEN HOWARDS) IN AFGHANISTAN.

Accompanying the following stories are some photos of personnel from the 2nd Battalion in Afghanistan.

Commanding Officer’s Message.

It has been a busy but productive period.

The Brigade Reconnaissance Force are well into their stride, and the Convoy Protection Platoon and the Lashkar Gar Company continue to excel. The Observation,Mentoring and Liaison Teams (OMLTs) have mentored the patrolling skills necessary to ensure the security of the areas in which the Afghan National Army operates whilst bringing on Afghans' tactical ability.

Back in Shorabak, we have put in place a range of iniatives and procedures designed to ensure the longer term development of the ANA Brigade - from Headquarters training, logistic improvements to a programme of study sessions for officers and SNCOs. At home the work of the rear party and the support of the families continues to be first class.

Finally, we have found the time to organise the first of the 3/205 Bde Sports Days (football, volleyball and cricket). I have to report that the ANA won the day (much Afghan clapping and smiles) - such is bitter sweetness of effective mentoring!

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LCpl Hodgson and LCpl Randall Naciqa with an ANA RPG man in a destroyed compound in Kajaki	ANA vehicles incorporated into the leaguer with British vehicles at FOB Robinson	Pte Utley, LCpl O’Malley, Pte’s Fuller, LCpl Hodgson and LCpl Randall and Gibson	ANA soldiers practising with anti-tank weapons

Brigade Reconnaissance Force (BRF)

All 36 members of the BRF have now had at least a week in Afghanistan. The vast majority of us have conducted our first operation which saw us travelling through the desert and providing protection for a major convoy. The learning curve has been steep but its quite apparent that everyone is quickly becoming a master of their trade, in particular living and operating from the vehicles. We must resemble something like a gypsy caravan trundling through the desert with kit and equipment hanging off every spare hook and bolt on the vehicles! The lads are doing a cracking job at driving in a demanding environment. Despite the frustration at getting bogged in the soft sand dunes we've become well practised at both digging and dragging vehicles out in record time. LCpl Clark in particular has shown his instinctive driving skills.

We've had a couple of opportunities to chat with the locals and they were extremely positive towards the British presence in Afghanistan. One villager elder explained that the stability and security provided by the British was essential for improvements to their own infrastructure. Its nice to know our efforts are both appreciated and wanted by those who live here.

Everybody in the BRF is soon to conduct its second key operation. Needless to say, everyone is keen to get on with it and demonstrate to both the locals and the wider military audience that BRF is a force to be reckoned with.

23 October 2007, - 2nd BATTALION YORKSHIRE REGIMENT (GREEN HOWARDS) IN AFGHANISTAN.

Accompanying the following stories are some photos of personnel from the 2nd Battalion in Afghanistan.

Commanding Officer’s Message.

The battlegroup are now a month into the tour. We have had our challenges – not least the injury to Sgt Nichols – but we can look on 4 weeks work well done. The battlegroup have settled quickly and gone about their business with real purpose. Whether it is training the Afghan, improving their patrolling skills and defensive postions in the far flung outstations or sorting through their problematic logistics, the men and women of the 2 YORKS Battlegroup are making a difference – doing so with a smile on their face.

As the Brigade Commander recently remarked on his first visit – we have the best and most interesting job in Helmand, and the Brigade Commander has the best Battlegroup doing it!

Headquarters Company

Having been in Afghanistan for 5 weeks we are now getting to steady state and beginning to work our way through all the agencies who provide G4 support for the Afghan National Army. We have two separate teams of Americans we work with. Firstly there is the Logistic Support Team (LST) who are all Infantry and secondly the Embedded Training Team (ETT) who are from the US Navy. They have rapidly got used to our ‘borrowing‘ of kit and are always willing to support us.

The biggest difficulty faced by the G4 team is the task of getting the kit forward to the outstations. The main method is by Chinook, so it is a constant battle to get the kit from Tombstone across to the flight line at Bastion and then convincing the RAF loadmaster to take it forward.

On the social side we get a weekly invite across to the American side of camp to watch a movie, complete with popcorn and coke. All the team are working hard and getting stuck in to the tour.

Lashkar Gar Company

The main body arrived in Lashkar Ghar (LSK) on 29 Sept. Having settled into the PRT compound on the outskirts of LSK work has now begun personalising accommodation to make it more homely. Everyone seems very impressed with the standard of accommodation with all living areas or ‘pods’ being fully air-conditioned with mains telephone and internet!

Not all has been relaxing and sunbathing for LSK. There has been much work to do and everyone has been fully engaged with the task at hand. The primary role has been to provide security for the area and also support the other Afghans living in the Province. This has meant that constant patrols must go out to ensure peace and stability and also handing out blankets and radios to the local population to maintain support to the ISAF operation.

There is still much work to be done in LSK but the population are generally receptive to our presence and appreciate the hard work that we are doing to improve their lives and create stability in what was previously a hostile and dangerous environment.

Snippets

Sgt Nichols is out of hospital following eye surgery and is working in the training wing at Weeton.
The R&R plan is almost complete and all should now know their dates of when they will return home for a well deserved break.

 

OMLT 1 preparing to go on patrol (Sgt Eddie Nichols left)

Education Does Not Stop For Anything

Home of 3 Brigade, 205 Hero Corps, Camp Shoraback is the hub of all things military when it comes to the Afghan National Army (ANA) in the Helmand Province. However if you look hard enough it is clear that there is more than just military goings on occurring. Deep within the Brigade offices English and Maths classes are being conducted with those officers and senior non-commissioned officers (SNCOs) that are required to improve their standards of written and spoken English in order to be able to write plans, take part in briefings, deliver and understand the commander’s intent without information getting lost in translation.

It is not just the ANA who are brushing up on their English and Maths. English soldiers are also getting the chance to get their general certificate of education (GCSE) over the fence in Camp Tombstone. Soon the camp should receive a dedicated Defence Electronic Learning Centre (DELC) suite that offers an array of courses for anyone interested, ranging from management to foreign languages. If that isn’t enough, career courses such as common leadership modules (CLM), junior officer leadership programme (JOLP) and military analysis (MA) modules are being arranged at the Joint Training Education Centre (JTEC) in Kandahar. Even on operations, term time is definitely on!

Lieutenant Baumgardt with his Brigade Staff English students

Private Troup getting to grips with maths

July 2007 2nd BATTALION NEWSLETTER (Newsletter No 2)

Read the Battalion's Newsletter to keep you up to date with what has happened recently, and what IS happening.

To read the latest Battalion's Newsletter, select the photo below (which shows Corporal Mantell and the Battalion's Commanding Officer firing a CMG, as reported in the Newsletter);-

Select the photo (above) for the latest 2nd Battalion Newsletter.

June 2007 2nd BATTALION NEWSLETTER (Newsletter No 1)

The Battalion has now stepped up the intensity of training with the deployment to Afghanistan drawing ever closer. With a unit move to Weeton and the Bde MRX to complete, the next several weeks for the Battalion are going to very busy for all those involved. Read the Battalion's Newsletter to keep you up to date with what has happened recently, and what IS happening.

To read the latest Battalion's Newsletter, select the photo below (which was taken on a recent live firing exercise that is reported in the Newsletter);-

Select the photo (above) for the latest 2nd Battalion Newsletter.

Platoon Live Firing, - Manjaca Ranges, Bosnia (September 2006)

The 2nd Yorks Take on Ragbi Klub Zagreb at Rugby (September 2006)

2 Yorks Inter Company Boxing in Bosnia (July 2006)

If you're not already in the 4th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment, but are interested in a spare time career with the Army why not contact us? To do this, simply click on the link below.

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