Some 210 members of 16 Signal Regiment have returned home to Germany from Afghanistan to a heroes’ welcome.  They were greeted by family, friends and colleagues at Javelin Barracks, Elmpt as Regimental Sergeant Major WO1 Brian Sheard marched the Regiment from the coaches to the waiting crowd. They were accompanied by bagpipes played by Signaller Jamie Motherwell.

The children waved flags and had made a “Welcome Home” banner to hang along the parade route.  

As the Regiment were given leave to fall out by the Commanding Officer, Lt Col Justin Hodges, they were joyously greeted by the crowd of over three hundred well-wishers. Looking lean, tanned and healthy, the arriving soldiers were all glad to be back in familiar surroundings.

“I can’t believe it has been six months,” said 2Lt Tom Collins who was based in Kandahar as Officer Commanding of a Troop working for the Canadians. “Most of the tour flew by but the last few weeks really began to drag,” he added.

LCpl Charlie Melvin, for whom it was her first operational tour, said “It’s good to be back. I’m really looking forward to catching up with my family and friends, and getting my post-tour leave.” She was employed as a technician maintaining the communications equipment in the South of Afghanistan.

The Regiment spent the last six months working in locations all over Afghanistan. They were providing the vital communications necessary to assist coalition operations against the Taliban.  From Helmand Province to Kabul, the Regiment’s soldiers have been conducting a wide variety of roles including expanding the communications infrastructure at several key locations, and providing elements of force protection.