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A dawn raid by British and Afghan troops in Helmand province has struck a blow at the insurgency in Afghanistan.

The elite Brigade Reconnaissance Force (BRF) joined forces with the Warthog Group to strike at an insurgent headquarters in the north of Task Force Helmand’s area of operations.

A number of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), some ordnance, and several weapons were recovered in the operation.

Local insurgents had been targeting British and American troop bases to the north of the bustling city of Gereshk and laying IEDs on the vital road between Gereshk, Sangin and the Helmand power plant at the Kajaki Dam.

Intelligence suggested that the insurgents believed they were safe because their headquarters were on the far side of a large canal.

But the BRF, comprising soldiers from 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards and 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, both BFG-based regiments, swept in on their position in a two-pronged assault with the Warthog Group.

The 90-strong BRF caught the insurgents off guard in a helicopter-borne dawn assault on suspect compounds on the far side of the canal, as the Warthog armoured vehicles, which can carry troops into the heart of battle, stormed in to stamp out an insurgent attempt to rally to attack the BRF from the near side of the canal.

A third group of insurgents attempted to reach a position on the high ground to target the British troops, but Warrior armoured vehicles from the Armoured Infantry Platoon, manned by troops from 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment (3 YORKS), thundered in to provide overwatch for the BRF assault and the Taliban scouts fled.

While soldiers secured the perimeter the BRF and Royal Engineer Search Teams discovered a Taliban weapons cache, including a Dragunov sniper rifle - a prestige weapon to insurgents.

The troops also found an AK-47 machine gun, 29 grenades, some rocket-propelled grenade rounds, mortars, ammunition, and a haul of IED-making equipment, including 11 low-metal-content pressure plates designed to be difficult to detect in the ground.

Troops from the Afghan National Army that partner the BRF on all operations spoke to local civilians to gather information on the insurgency.

The most dangerous time in the operation came during the extraction, as the BRF troops had to be recovered back over the canal - over a 21-metre-wide gap.

Soldiers from the Pioneer Platoon of 3rd Battalion The Mercian Regiment quickly deployed an infantry assault bridge but the Taliban spotted the bridge being deployed and tried to move into position to attack exposed troops. However, they were again forced back by the 3 YORKS Warrior platoon and a mix of US Cobra gunships and UK Apache helicopters.

Maj Chris Wildman, Officer Commanding the Warthog Squadron, said: “This was the first time Task Force Helmand had done an operation of this type on this scale.

“Having the Warrior Platoon and the Pioneer Platoon under command was a new concept and worked exceptionally well. The Pioneer Platoon got the bridge set in record time and the 3 YORKS boys were outstanding in keeping the Taliban away from the bridge.”

BRF troop leader Capt Nicholas Garland said: “Yet again the BRF and Warthog Group were able to remove large quantities of lethal weapons from the Taliban in what would normally be considered a battle-group-level operation.

“The speed at which the bridge went in was astonishing, far quicker than they managed at rehearsals and a really outstanding effort from the infantry.

“Over 12 different cap badges were involved in this rapid strike into what the Taliban considered a safe haven, with the troops leaving the locals without a single shot being fired.”

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It feels good to know that someone cares – that was the consensus of those who met the Countess of Wessex as she visited Paderborn and Sennelager last week.

Sophie was in BFG on March 14, in her role as Royal Colonel of 5th Battalion The Rifles, members of which are starting to return from Afghanistan.

After a short update on her soldiers in Alanbrooke Barracks, some of whom she visited in Afghanistan just before Christmas, Sophie made her second trip to John Buchan School where she met staff and chatted with pupils over lunch.

Looking as stunning as ever she stepped out into the glorious sunshine and her infectious smile immediately had everyone
entranced.

As the proud members of staff looked on, the pupils talked with her about life in Germany and what it was like to have a parent deployed.

It was then back to Alanbrooke Barracks where, after lunch, the Countess of Wessex met with soldiers on the rear operational group, including those who are training to be deployed out to Afghanistan in the very near future.

Meeting with REME soldiers in the LAD, she was told about the on-going repairs that they face with armoured vehicles and The Countess of Wessex reflected on what she saw in Afghanistan.

Her final stop was with the families of the battalion where many had gathered to meet her. For some it was the first time, but for others Sophie was a familiar face.

“I first met her on the medals parade when my husband came back from Iraq,” said Kasa Tuqovu who had come along even though her husband was back on R and R.

“I would not miss this for the world and to have my photograph taken with her is a great honour. My family will not believe it; in Fiji we have a very great respect for the Royal family and she had a long talk with my friend Mili and I.”

Once again, the impact of a visit from their Royal Colonel has lifted the spirits of the rear operations group and their families knowing that there is someone out there who genuinely cares enough to spend precious time with them.

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As Op Herrick 15 comes to a close, people on tour are starting to return home.

On their route back to the UK, around 20 TA soldiers landed back in the Westernised world, stopping over in Gütersloh Garrison for a week before heading back to the UK.

The troops landed in Gütersloh two days later than initially planned, due to a broken airplane. On arriving in Germany they were greeted by rear party soldiers from 1LSR.

The returning soldiers were issued their desert kit through 1LSR and therefore needed to stop off to hand back the uniforms before returning to the UK.

Their stop over in PRB, was a welcome moment for the men who have been in Afghanistan for over six months.

After being on tour for the second time, Cpl Kenny Major said: “It’s great to be back. I have had enough now and am ready to get home. We’ve actually been away from our wives and loved ones for nearly 10 months now.”

He explained that the hardest part about coming off tour is settling into the routine of everyday life: “You get back to your house and your wife, fiancee or your girlfriend has a set pattern and you just want to be like ‘lets do it like this, lets do it like that’.

“It is these things that can cause problems for troops returning home after being on tour.”

The TA soldiers do the same jobs in Afghanistan as full time soldiers, but according to Cpl Major there is a difference: “Rather than it being a full time job, the TA guys only do this on weekends normally.

“We see different sides of a tour. To adjust is a bit harder because we only do it on weekends and now we are doing it seven days a week.”

Cpl Major’s son, Pte Daniel Major was also on Op Herrick 15 with the TA.

He said: “It was a good experience. It opened my eyes to what actually happens out there compared to what we hear in the news. It was good though.

“I’m looking forward to seeing my two month old daughter, who I have only seen for five days since she has been born.

“I have seen pictures of her and can’t believe how big she has gotten. The first thing I am going to do when I get home is give my kids a cuddle,” Pte Major said.

Asked what he’s going to go when he gets home to his wife, Cpl Major replied with a cheeky smile and a laugh: “That’s a bit naughty, fancy asking that question.”

Soldiers on Op Herrick 15 have already started returning to Gütersloh Garrison, and will continue to do so over the next few weeks.

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