On Tuesday night, the first combat troops from Iraq returned to their base in Germany. The 93 men from A Company, 5th Battalion The Rifles (5 Rifles) arrived at Alanbrooke Barracks in the picturesque German cathedral city of Paderborn.
The men are the first infantry soldiers to return from 20th Armoured Brigade following the end of the UK’s combat mission in Iraq last week.
They were welcomed back by dozens of cheering families and soldiers from the Battalion’s rear party. The children were waving homemade flags with “Welcome Home Daddy” written on them. Banners had been mounted on the Gymnasium wall written in English and Fijian saying “Well done” and “Glad you’re back safe”.
The Battalion’s buglers heralded their arrival with a special bugle fanfare as the troops, still dressed in desert combats, marched onto the parade square in the centre of camp.
Commanding Officer of 5 Rifles, Lieutenant Colonel Edward Chamberlain said:
“It’s unimaginable different, we went there in 2003 to fight a war, and we’ve had some fairly tough tours since, but in the last 6 months we’ve seen peace and democracy.
“We’ve all invested a bit of our lives in Iraq over the last 6 years and so in some ways it’s very odd that it’s coming to an end, but in other ways we’re absolutely delighted. I have a huge amount of pride in what my soldiers have achieved now and what soldiers, sailors and airmen have achieved over the past 6 years. We’ve undoubtedly changed Iraq for the better and been involved in something that is really positive.
“It feels absolutely wonderful (to be back). I’m looking forward to a bath. The Brigade is coming home and the important thing is we’ve not fired a single round in the past 6 months and everyone is coming home.”
He added: “I’d like to say thank you to the British public. The British public has really supported us over the last 6 years in all sorts of different ways – through Help for Heroes, Project 65, and so on – and I think that we can be very proud of our servicemen. But we the Army, the Navy and the Air Force can be proud of the British public.”
Last week, the men of A Company were conducting force protection patrols to the north of the Contingency Operating Base in Basra as they provided security for the memorial service in the main coalition camp. Last Wednesday (29 April), they lowered their Company flag during a low-key ceremony of their own at Forward Operating Base ‘Oxford’ as they marked the end of the UK’s combat mission in Iraq.
5 Rifles are part of 20th Armoured Brigade. The Battalion has completed four tours of Iraq, serving there previously on Op TELIC 1, 3 and 8 (as 1st Battalion The Light Infantry).
Over the next few weeks, troops from 20 Armd Bde will now return to their barracks across Germany and the UK as they complete the final withdrawal of all personnel and equipment from Iraq. |
