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Afghan frontline diary: Day one Afghan frontline diary: Day one
(9 minutes later)
Behind the headlines, what is it like to fight in Afghanistan?Behind the headlines, what is it like to fight in Afghanistan?
The 3rd Battalion of the Rifles Regiment sets off for the country today for a six-month tour. Among their number is Major Richard Streatfeild. He will command "A Company" from a base in the upper Sangin valley, where the heaviest of the fighting has been so far.The 3rd Battalion of the Rifles Regiment sets off for the country today for a six-month tour. Among their number is Major Richard Streatfeild. He will command "A Company" from a base in the upper Sangin valley, where the heaviest of the fighting has been so far.
We'll be following his progress over the months to come.We'll be following his progress over the months to come.
THURSDAY 8 OCTOBER 2009THURSDAY 8 OCTOBER 2009
It's finally here, day one on Operation Herrick. It's been some time coming as I was first told that A Company would be going to Afghanistan in early January. A Company is usually part of 4 Rifles. For this tour we are under command of another Rifles Battalion, 3 Rifles. We are to form part of Battle Group North in Helmand which is based around Sangin.It's finally here, day one on Operation Herrick. It's been some time coming as I was first told that A Company would be going to Afghanistan in early January. A Company is usually part of 4 Rifles. For this tour we are under command of another Rifles Battalion, 3 Rifles. We are to form part of Battle Group North in Helmand which is based around Sangin.
Every father has hopes and fears. It is part of having children. I am no different from every other father in the land in that respect.Every father has hopes and fears. It is part of having children. I am no different from every other father in the land in that respect.
A Company is over 100 strong and with attachments from other branches of the army is considerably more than that. We have been training together since Easter.A Company is over 100 strong and with attachments from other branches of the army is considerably more than that. We have been training together since Easter.
As I look back it seems like an incredibly long period of training for the mission we are going to undertake. That said I've never heard anyone in my position say we were too well trained for the task.As I look back it seems like an incredibly long period of training for the mission we are going to undertake. That said I've never heard anyone in my position say we were too well trained for the task.
The training has many aspects. Everyone going to Afghanistan needs to know how to operate safely. They need to know enough about the culture to avoid inadvertent offence.The training has many aspects. Everyone going to Afghanistan needs to know how to operate safely. They need to know enough about the culture to avoid inadvertent offence.
We learn a bit of Pashtu to be able to break the ice and give basic instructions. We all do first aid training and the majority of the company are trained to a more advanced level.We learn a bit of Pashtu to be able to break the ice and give basic instructions. We all do first aid training and the majority of the company are trained to a more advanced level.
And of course there is the requirement to keep people physically fit and healthy.And of course there is the requirement to keep people physically fit and healthy.
The collective training has been a tour of all the most delightful parts of Britain. Kent, Northumbria, Norfolk, Wiltshire and Wales - twice.The collective training has been a tour of all the most delightful parts of Britain. Kent, Northumbria, Norfolk, Wiltshire and Wales - twice.
We were the second group through the new Afghan village complex in Norfolk. At times on Army training areas it is hard to replicate a civilian population this however was about as realistic as it gets, manure and straw with a number of the Afghan diaspora.We were the second group through the new Afghan village complex in Norfolk. At times on Army training areas it is hard to replicate a civilian population this however was about as realistic as it gets, manure and straw with a number of the Afghan diaspora.
I got put through my paces in a post mission Shura (council?) trying to convince the local population that we had done something that would increase their security. Not an easy sell.I got put through my paces in a post mission Shura (council?) trying to convince the local population that we had done something that would increase their security. Not an easy sell.
I also found it amazing how much of Norfolk is irrigated in the same way as the valley of the River Helmand. Good practice manoeuvring around the ditches, wet feet, deep mud and not much commander's dignity.I also found it amazing how much of Norfolk is irrigated in the same way as the valley of the River Helmand. Good practice manoeuvring around the ditches, wet feet, deep mud and not much commander's dignity.
We don't generally deal in fears. We harden our hearts against the prospect of some very difficult decisions.We don't generally deal in fears. We harden our hearts against the prospect of some very difficult decisions.
After the bulk of the training was complete we were able to take a couple of weeks leave. Whilst the training is vital there is nothing as dangerous as fatigue. Tired minds and bodies are prone to bad decision making.After the bulk of the training was complete we were able to take a couple of weeks leave. Whilst the training is vital there is nothing as dangerous as fatigue. Tired minds and bodies are prone to bad decision making.
We have had the chance post leave to do some refresher training and get the administration of the company in order. We will get our final training top up on arrival in Afghanistan just to get the latest from the guys who are already there. Then we'll be good to go.We have had the chance post leave to do some refresher training and get the administration of the company in order. We will get our final training top up on arrival in Afghanistan just to get the latest from the guys who are already there. Then we'll be good to go.
Every father has hopes and fears. It is part of having children. I am no different from every other father in the land in that respect.Every father has hopes and fears. It is part of having children. I am no different from every other father in the land in that respect.
My greatest desire in this regard has crystallised round the hope that I will be able to take my son to the first day of an Ashes Test at Lord's. My greatest fear being that I will not be there to go with him.My greatest desire in this regard has crystallised round the hope that I will be able to take my son to the first day of an Ashes Test at Lord's. My greatest fear being that I will not be there to go with him.
This fear may be no different from other parents' but it is perhaps brought into sharper focus by the prospect of six months in the Upper Sangin Valley.This fear may be no different from other parents' but it is perhaps brought into sharper focus by the prospect of six months in the Upper Sangin Valley.
On a professional level it is rather different. We don't generally deal in fears. We harden our hearts against the prospect of some very difficult decisions.On a professional level it is rather different. We don't generally deal in fears. We harden our hearts against the prospect of some very difficult decisions.
My personal hopes and fears are wrapped into the same moment. Making the right decision. Through training, experience, character and enough thought I hope I make good decisions.My personal hopes and fears are wrapped into the same moment. Making the right decision. Through training, experience, character and enough thought I hope I make good decisions.
I will spend a good deal of time planning and conducting operations. During that process and over the course of my tour there will be plenty of decisions to make.I will spend a good deal of time planning and conducting operations. During that process and over the course of my tour there will be plenty of decisions to make.
Most of the time the result of a bad decision will be rectifiable, yet in my profession and very obviously in Afghanistan it is sometimes about life and death.Most of the time the result of a bad decision will be rectifiable, yet in my profession and very obviously in Afghanistan it is sometimes about life and death.
My final hope is that the Company Group can do a difficult job in the right way.My final hope is that the Company Group can do a difficult job in the right way.
It is an incredible privilege to command a company of Riflemen and all the soldiers and officers who will be part of the Company Group. I have got to know some of them and their families extremely well.It is an incredible privilege to command a company of Riflemen and all the soldiers and officers who will be part of the Company Group. I have got to know some of them and their families extremely well.
I know from friends and colleagues that the worst moments of their professional lives have been in the moments of grief following the death of a soldier for whom they feel totally responsible.I know from friends and colleagues that the worst moments of their professional lives have been in the moments of grief following the death of a soldier for whom they feel totally responsible.
I hope that I can face that with stoicism and sensitivity. It is easy to get fatalistic about operations in Afghanistan but there are Companies in Battlegroups that all come back. I hope we all come home.I hope that I can face that with stoicism and sensitivity. It is easy to get fatalistic about operations in Afghanistan but there are Companies in Battlegroups that all come back. I hope we all come home.
The summer has been sobering in that regard and the families and comrades of those serving in Afghanistan this summer have barely been away from my thoughts.The summer has been sobering in that regard and the families and comrades of those serving in Afghanistan this summer have barely been away from my thoughts.
There will be many factors involved but I certainly feel that the decisions I make and have made during training will play their part. It is a good pressure if used properly.There will be many factors involved but I certainly feel that the decisions I make and have made during training will play their part. It is a good pressure if used properly.
My final hope is that the Company Group can do a difficult job in the right way. I hope we can understand, persuade and influence as well as clear, secure and protect.My final hope is that the Company Group can do a difficult job in the right way. I hope we can understand, persuade and influence as well as clear, secure and protect.
I hope we can hold and build on ground that we clear of insurgents. I have no doubt that this is not just a six month project but I hope we can make a positive difference.I hope we can hold and build on ground that we clear of insurgents. I have no doubt that this is not just a six month project but I hope we can make a positive difference.
Major Richard Streatfeild commands A Company 4 Rifles, currently attached to 3 Rifles with Battlegroup North in Helmand. Richard joined the Army in 1997. He has served in Germany, Bosnia, Kosovo and Northern Ireland. He is married with two young children. Prior to that he used to enjoy cricket, cycling, skiing, the occasional trip to the theatre, West Ham United (armchair only) and the odd Wilbur Smith novel.Major Richard Streatfeild commands A Company 4 Rifles, currently attached to 3 Rifles with Battlegroup North in Helmand. Richard joined the Army in 1997. He has served in Germany, Bosnia, Kosovo and Northern Ireland. He is married with two young children. Prior to that he used to enjoy cricket, cycling, skiing, the occasional trip to the theatre, West Ham United (armchair only) and the odd Wilbur Smith novel.