Defence Secretary Philip Hammond has visited Afghanistan to mark the newest milestone inside the drawdown of UK forces.
Mr Hammond was inside the country to witness the closure of Observation Post Sterga, the last remaining forward base for use by UK troops. The closure of Sterga implies that the best UK troops remaining in Helmand are at Camp Bastion and locations in Kandahar and Kabul.
During the visit, which was conducted as closure work continued, Mr Hammond spoke to soldiers from the 4th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland (4 SCOTS) who have been living and dealing there.
Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said:
“The closure of our last base outside Camp Bastion is another important step towards ending combat operations in Afghanistan. It’s also a possibility to mirror at the mission and the exertions and sacrifice of British Forces. Their efforts have helped build a reputable Afghan National Security Force and supported the emergence of a democratic Afghan state.”
Sterga opened in August 2013 to enable UK personnel to look at a big and strategically important area of central Helmand. Troops based there provided vital assistance in covering UK and US base closures and gave Afghan and coalition personnel a fuller understanding of insurgent activity.
The majority of the personnel based at Sterga before its closure came from 4th Battalion 4 SCOTS with specialist capabilities provided by other units resembling 5 Regiment Royal Artillery, 32 Regiment Royal Artillery, 3 Royal Horse Artillery and 14 Signals Regiment. At its peak the bottom was home to 180 people although by its closure this had reduced to around 90 personnel.
Commanding Officer Lt Col James Roddis, said:
“Providing a safe environment for the redeployment of a base is essential to make sure the security and protection of our personnel and gear. The warriors of the cross-coalition multi cap-badged Manoeuvre Battle Group, led by 4 SCOTS, have again shown their ability and competence in guaranteeing the personnel and gear from Sterga could return safely back to Camp Bastion.
“Alongside our coalition partners we also oversaw and provided security for the closure of Laskhar Gah Durai and FOB Price in March earlier this year. Because the last Scottish Infantry Battalion in Afghanistan it’s been a challenging and rewarding job being portion of the drawdown of British Bases in Helmand and the handover of lead security responsibilities to the Afghan Security Forces.”
More than 100 ISO containers worth of apparatus needed to be far from the bottom by air and road with both UK and US forces inquisitive about aviation, logistics and security.
During the Secretary of State’s visit to Afghanistan he also met with Major General Sayed Malouk, Commander 215 Corps based in Camp Shorabak. The pair discussed the advance of the Afghan National Army (ANA) and Major General Sayed Malouk updated Mr Hammond on their training. Whilst at Shorabak the Defence Secretary also spoke to a good number of British medics engaged in developing the ANA’s medical capabilities.
Capt David Watts, Medical Advisor 3 MERCIAN Brigade Advisory Team, said:
“The ANA have made significant steps during the last nine months, specifically with the construction and delivery of the En Route Care Course which has reduced mortality rates. They now have a growing paramedic capability to accomplish in transit care from point of hurting to the hospital. I actually have found it a privilege to work alongside my ANA medical counterparts as a medical advisor.”
The closure of Sterga signifies that the united kingdom presence in Helmand is now centralised mostly operating base Camp Bastion that’s thanks to close on the end of the year because the British combat mission concludes.
In addition to the Logistic and Engineer experts, the operation to shut the bottom was supported by soldiers from 4 SCOTS, 9/12L and the Danish VIKING platoon. It is going to be the last operation for the Danish Tanks sooner than their very own redeployment
- Equipment that was redeployed included: HUSKY Protected Support Vehicle, Persistent Threat Detection System (balloon), MAMBA Weapon Locating Radar, Lightweight Counter Mortar Radar (LCMR), Light Electronic Warfare Team (LEWT), Desert Hawk III (small unmanned aerial vehicle), LIVINGSTON Base ISTAR (intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance) system, 105mm Light Gun, 82mm Mortars (High Explosive, smoke and illuminating rounds, accurate to a max. range of five.5km).
- The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers (RRF) were the primary unit to apply Sterga on HERRICK 18.
- The BAT Medical Development team has trained ANA medics within the life saving skills needed at the frontline, comparable to application of tourniquets, emergency field dressings etc whilst simultaneously developing surgical capability in Shorabak. The En Route Care Course was initially designed and delivered by the BAT medical team in Jan 14 and has now been rolled out ANA wide following its success.
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