Troops fighting for the world
PM ... meeting Our Boys in Helmand
From
MICHAEL LEA
in Camp Bastion, Afghanistan
NOVEMBER 21, 2006
BRAVE British troops battling on the Afghan frontline were told by Tony Blair yesterday that they were “fighting for the world”.
The PM said the country was “very proud” of the 5,800 squaddies when he made a secret visit to the Camp Bastion desert base.
Mr Blair insisted: “The only way we can ensure security sometimes is being prepared to fight for it.
“Here in this extraordinary piece of desert is where the future of the world’s security in the early 21st century is going to be played out.
“People back home are very proud of the work you do. Whatever they think of the politicians, there’s only one thing they think about you — a real sense of pride.”
Speech ... Blair with troops
Mr Blair said the Taliban had been taken on because Afghanistan had become a rogue state exporting violence and terrorism.
He added: “The only way we will beat them is to have the determination, courage and will to make sure we’re prepared to stand up and fight them.
“When you defeat them, you defeat them not just on behalf of the people here in Afghanistan but in Britain and the wider world.”
Around 800 servicemen and women from the task force in the notorious Helmand Province were there to greet the PM yesterday.
He chatted with them for over an hour after flying in on an RAF Hercules transport plane from Pakistan.
The aircraft made a “corkscrew” landing - descending rapidly from a great height - to avoid any rocket fire.
The PM’s team also wore body armour and helmets during take-off and landing.
Squaddies bantered with Mr Blair and took snaps.
Some had pals among the 36 soldiers killed since British forces were deployed to the Taliban’s violent outposts in Helmand.
Major Martin Collin, of 42 Commando Royal Marines, said the PM’s trip had meant a lot.
He said: “We are here at the behest of the Government and it is nice for the Prime Minister to come and spend a little time.”
Later, Mr Blair met with military chiefs overseeing the NATO-led operation to rebuild Afghanistan and protect the government. In Helmand, there are 13 new clinics, 89 reservoirs, eight classrooms and a 20-room midwifery facility thanks to UK-backed reconstruction.
After talks with Afghan president Hamid Karzai, the PM restated his determination to finish the job and wipe out extremism — for “as long as it takes”.
He said he was not prepared to “leave it to another generation to sort out”.
Mr Blair last night touched down in Britain after his two-day tour during which he also had talks with Pakistani leaders.
********************************************************
BRITISH troops are serving worldwide.
More are based in Northern Ireland than anywhere as the area is still considered to be operational. Our Boys are based in several garrison towns.
The two furthest missions are in the Falklands and the tiny Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia.
More than a quarter of the Army’s 100,000-plus personnel are constantly on ops.
CYPRUS .........3,000
FALKLANDS .....1,200
BOSNIA ...........600
GIBRALTAR.......560
KOSOVO...........200
DIEGO GARCIA....40
TOTAL ON OPERATIONS....27,100
*******************************************************************
THE SUN SAYS
Time to deliver
November 21, 2006
TONY Blair warns the fate of the civilised world rests on 5,800 British squaddies fighting in Afghanistan.
He is right.
We will all rue the day if Afghanistan returns to its role as a training camp for al-Qaeda.
There are thousands of other troops from Nato countries in this cauldron of fanatical extremism.
But along with Canada, Holland and a few others, Our Boys are the only ones actually fighting.
Forces from Germany, France, Spain and Italy seem to be there for decoration. German troops are under orders not to open fire. The French will do anything to sabotage the Nato alliance with America.
But as we bicker with our “allies”, an unfair burden is resting on the UK.
Our troops have the courage and will to fight.
But they need the air cover and armour which has been promised . . . but has yet to be delivered.
thesun.co.uk
PM ... meeting Our Boys in Helmand
MICHAEL LEA
in Camp Bastion, Afghanistan
NOVEMBER 21, 2006
BRAVE British troops battling on the Afghan frontline were told by Tony Blair yesterday that they were “fighting for the world”.
The PM said the country was “very proud” of the 5,800 squaddies when he made a secret visit to the Camp Bastion desert base.
Mr Blair insisted: “The only way we can ensure security sometimes is being prepared to fight for it.
“Here in this extraordinary piece of desert is where the future of the world’s security in the early 21st century is going to be played out.
“People back home are very proud of the work you do. Whatever they think of the politicians, there’s only one thing they think about you — a real sense of pride.”
Mr Blair said the Taliban had been taken on because Afghanistan had become a rogue state exporting violence and terrorism.
He added: “The only way we will beat them is to have the determination, courage and will to make sure we’re prepared to stand up and fight them.
“When you defeat them, you defeat them not just on behalf of the people here in Afghanistan but in Britain and the wider world.”
Around 800 servicemen and women from the task force in the notorious Helmand Province were there to greet the PM yesterday.
He chatted with them for over an hour after flying in on an RAF Hercules transport plane from Pakistan.
The aircraft made a “corkscrew” landing - descending rapidly from a great height - to avoid any rocket fire.
The PM’s team also wore body armour and helmets during take-off and landing.
Squaddies bantered with Mr Blair and took snaps.
Some had pals among the 36 soldiers killed since British forces were deployed to the Taliban’s violent outposts in Helmand.
Major Martin Collin, of 42 Commando Royal Marines, said the PM’s trip had meant a lot.
He said: “We are here at the behest of the Government and it is nice for the Prime Minister to come and spend a little time.”
Later, Mr Blair met with military chiefs overseeing the NATO-led operation to rebuild Afghanistan and protect the government. In Helmand, there are 13 new clinics, 89 reservoirs, eight classrooms and a 20-room midwifery facility thanks to UK-backed reconstruction.
After talks with Afghan president Hamid Karzai, the PM restated his determination to finish the job and wipe out extremism — for “as long as it takes”.
He said he was not prepared to “leave it to another generation to sort out”.
Mr Blair last night touched down in Britain after his two-day tour during which he also had talks with Pakistani leaders.
********************************************************
BRITISH troops are serving worldwide.
More are based in Northern Ireland than anywhere as the area is still considered to be operational. Our Boys are based in several garrison towns.
The two furthest missions are in the Falklands and the tiny Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia.
More than a quarter of the Army’s 100,000-plus personnel are constantly on ops.
N. IRELAND.....8,500
IRAQ ............7,200
AFGHANISTAN..5,800IRAQ ............7,200
CYPRUS .........3,000
FALKLANDS .....1,200
BOSNIA ...........600
GIBRALTAR.......560
KOSOVO...........200
DIEGO GARCIA....40
TOTAL ON OPERATIONS....27,100
*******************************************************************
THE SUN SAYS
Time to deliver
November 21, 2006
TONY Blair warns the fate of the civilised world rests on 5,800 British squaddies fighting in Afghanistan.
He is right.
We will all rue the day if Afghanistan returns to its role as a training camp for al-Qaeda.
There are thousands of other troops from Nato countries in this cauldron of fanatical extremism.
But along with Canada, Holland and a few others, Our Boys are the only ones actually fighting.
Forces from Germany, France, Spain and Italy seem to be there for decoration. German troops are under orders not to open fire. The French will do anything to sabotage the Nato alliance with America.
But as we bicker with our “allies”, an unfair burden is resting on the UK.
Our troops have the courage and will to fight.
But they need the air cover and armour which has been promised . . . but has yet to be delivered.
thesun.co.uk
