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| Panther's Claw troops back in UK | Panther's Claw troops back in UK |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| Soldiers who have taken part in some of the fiercest fighting in Afghanistan are returning to a Wiltshire base later to be reunited with their families. | Soldiers who have taken part in some of the fiercest fighting in Afghanistan are returning to a Wiltshire base later to be reunited with their families. |
| Members of the 33 Armoured Engineer Squadron, 26 Engineer Regiment played a key role in Operation Panther's Claw in Helmand during a six-month deployment. | Members of the 33 Armoured Engineer Squadron, 26 Engineer Regiment played a key role in Operation Panther's Claw in Helmand during a six-month deployment. |
| At times, they were working in temperatures above 46C. | At times, they were working in temperatures above 46C. |
| The squadron will be welcomed home by friends and family at Swinton Barracks in Tidworth. | |
| Squadron Commander Major Andy Hanna said every soldier had had their "mental and physical reserves tested to the very limit". | Squadron Commander Major Andy Hanna said every soldier had had their "mental and physical reserves tested to the very limit". |
| During Operation Panther's Claw, the Royal Engineers were required to block or control 13 bridges over a canal as other troops pushed forward in a major offensive against the Taliban. | During Operation Panther's Claw, the Royal Engineers were required to block or control 13 bridges over a canal as other troops pushed forward in a major offensive against the Taliban. |
| Whilst we witnessed the bloodiest summer of fighting since operations began in the south of the country, it has not been all offensive Squadron Commander Major Andy Hanna | Whilst we witnessed the bloodiest summer of fighting since operations began in the south of the country, it has not been all offensive Squadron Commander Major Andy Hanna |
| They also cleared lines where homemade explosives had been laid and blew holes in enemy compounds. | They also cleared lines where homemade explosives had been laid and blew holes in enemy compounds. |
| Major Hanna said: "Whilst we witnessed the bloodiest summer of fighting since operations began in the south of the country, it has not been all offensive. | Major Hanna said: "Whilst we witnessed the bloodiest summer of fighting since operations began in the south of the country, it has not been all offensive. |
| "The Squadron completed the most ambitious construction project outside Camp Bastion to date, it handed back a school to the local people and significantly enhanced the protection to the International Security Assistance Forces and the Afghan National Security Forces within its area of operations." | "The Squadron completed the most ambitious construction project outside Camp Bastion to date, it handed back a school to the local people and significantly enhanced the protection to the International Security Assistance Forces and the Afghan National Security Forces within its area of operations." |