The commanding officer of Arbroath’s 45 Commando has paid tribute to the “invaluable” support of the people of Angus as the Royal Marines prepare to embark on a six-month tour of duty in war-torn Afghanistan.
Bombardier Stefan Spink (26), from Arbroath, will be taking part in his third tour of duty, having previously served in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The toughest thing, the former Arbroath High pupil said, would be saying goodbye to his family.
Bdr Spink said, “It’s tough for family members back here.
“They are worried about what could happen.
“Of course it’s always in the back of your mind, but you can’t think about it.”
He added, “You kind of know something is going to happen to someone but you just get on with your job.”
Bdr Spink also praised the support of the community.
He said, “I think there’s really good support from the people of Arbroath for 45 Commando.
“It’s improved a lot in recent years and the losses we’ve had have brought the community and the marines closer together.”‘Very worthwhile’ jobLance Corporal John MacLeod (27), from Stonehaven, said he was looking forward to his first tour but admitted it will have a big impact on his family.
He said, “It feels like we’ve been ready for ages and we’re fed up waiting.
“My family is apprehensive because they don’t know what to expect so they are probably worried but they understand it’s part and parcel of the job.
“I understand they will be concerned but we have been extremely well trained and we’re ready to go out there and do a job that’s very worthwhile.”
Lieutenant Tom Hudson (31), originally from London, will be on his first tour of duty and will be the unit’s education and media officer.
He said, “I feel very confident in the training we have received and I’m actually looking forward now to putting that into practice in an operation environment.
“The troops are really looking forward to getting out there.”
He added, “It’s not the same operation that we had two years ago.
“We’re in a different place, so it’s almost still going to be a new experience for everyone whether it’s their first tour of duty or their fourth but it’s one we are fully prepared for.”
For six months the marines will be based at Nad-e Ali South in Helmand province as part of a 9500-strong UK section of NATO forces.
The exodus from RM Condor is under way and marines from various companies have spoken about the mission ahead of them as they prepare to leave the base.
Commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Oliver Lee said, “I think we all feel enormously humbled and privileged by the level of support we get from the Arbroath and indeed the wider Angus community.
“It’s a very, very special relationship that exists between the commando and the people who live nearby it.”
He added, “We try hard to fulfil our part in that relationship but the people who do so much for us and provide us with so much support are absolutely invaluable to us and we are eternally grateful to them.”
The marines’ duties will include patrolling, protecting reconstruction teams, supporting the Afghan national army and police and denying insurgents freedom of movement.
The first military operation in Afghanistan in 2002 was led by the marines as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).
There were deployments in 2006 and 2008, but this deployment represents a first, as 45 Commando have never previously been on a summer tour, or been based at Nad-e Ali South.
Lt Col Lee said, “It’s a different time and a different place from what we’ve been accustomed to previously but we’ll very much be seeking to do our level best to enable the Afghan national security forces themselves to move towards the position where, as rightly they should, they are in a position to inherit the security baton in its entirety from us.”‘Quiet confidence’He said the marines have been “immensely well prepared” for the task ahead by a “hugely impressive and well-resourced training pipeline.”
Lt Col Lee said, “Whatever part you are due to play out there, whatever you specialisation is, whatever your rank is, it delivers you completely ready.
“The men of the commando have done as they always do brilliantly all the way through that training pipeline and I am immensely proud of how they have performed and I know that they will translate that excellence into Afghanistan when they deploy, as they are doing so at the moment.”
Lt Col Lee said the marines were feeling a mixture of excitement and nerves.
He said, “The overwhelming sentiment right now is a desire to get on with it and to do what it is that we’ve been trained to do.
“I think there is a quiet confidence that we are ready to do what we are being asked to do and we are equal to those challenges, but there are many other emotions at play at the moment and excitement and a degree of apprehension are among them.”
He added, “I think the blend of experience across the commando is excellent, ranging from a number of people for whom it’s their fourth tour of Afghanistan through to the youth of the commando who are going for the first time.
“As far as I’m concerned that blend of experience is exactly as it should be and those who are going for the first time I absolutely know are equal to the challenges ahead because I’ve watched them go through the training pipeline and they have excelled all the way through.”
In the spring sunshine at RM Condor The Courier spoke to several of the men who will be involved in the operation some for the first time and others making a return to what, as the base and the town are all too aware, can be deadly terrain.’It’s very close’Former Arbroath High School pupil Michael Goods (22) will fly to Afghanistan next week for his first tour of duty in a conflict area.
He said, “All my friends keep asking me all the time, ‘Are you not scared about going?’ and I can honestly say I’m not.
“I imagine I might feel a bit different when I go there if something kicks off but just now I’m really looking forward to it.
“You want to do what you have been training to do.”
He added, “I’ve lived in Arbroath all my life and the people I know respect what we are doing.
“My family are worried about what might happen to me in Afghanistan my mum, my girlfriend and my sister, they are big time.
“But you have to put it all to the back of your mind.”
Marine Goods said, “I’ve only been on exercise but I find when I’m away for quite a while and I’m really busy I can put things that’s back home to the back of my head and stop it bothering me.
“I think you prepare yourself mentally for what’s ahead through commando training you can’t pass it unless you’ve got mental strength as well as the physical.
“It’s only been on my mind this week it’s crept up.
“We’ve been speaking about it for a year but yesterday I was in my house and I was just thinking, ‘It’s only a week away now it’s very close.’
For six months the marines will be based at Nad-e Ali South in Helmand province as part of a 9500-strong UK section of NATO forces.
The exodus from RM Condor is under way and marines from various companies have spoken about the mission ahead of them as they prepare to leave the base.
Commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Oliver Lee said, “I think we all feel enormously humbled and privileged by the level of support we get from the Arbroath and indeed the wider Angus community.
“It’s a very, very special relationship that exists between the commando and the people who live nearby it.”
He added, “We try hard to fulfil our part in that relationship but the people who do so much for us and provide us with so much support are absolutely invaluable to us and we are eternally grateful to them.”
The marines’ duties will include patrolling, protecting reconstruction teams, supporting the Afghan national army and police and denying insurgents freedom of movement.
The first military operation in Afghanistan in 2002 was led by the marines as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).
There were deployments in 2006 and 2008, but this deployment represents a first, as 45 Commando have never previously been on a summer tour, or been based at Nad-e Ali South.
Lt Col Lee said, “It’s a different time and a different place from what we’ve been accustomed to previously but we’ll very much be seeking to do our level best to enable the Afghan national security forces themselves to move towards the position where, as rightly they should, they are in a position to inherit the security baton in its entirety from us.”‘Quiet confidence’He said the marines have been “immensely well prepared” for the task ahead by a “hugely impressive and well-resourced training pipeline.”
Lt Col Lee said, “Whatever part you are due to play out there, whatever you specialisation is, whatever your rank is, it delivers you completely ready.
“The men of the commando have done as they always do brilliantly all the way through that training pipeline and I am immensely proud of how they have performed and I know that they will translate that excellence into Afghanistan when they deploy, as they are doing so at the moment.”
Lt Col Lee said the marines were feeling a mixture of excitement and nerves.
He said, “The overwhelming sentiment right now is a desire to get on with it and to do what it is that we’ve been trained to do.
“I think there is a quiet confidence that we are ready to do what we are being asked to do and we are equal to those challenges, but there are many other emotions at play at the moment and excitement and a degree of apprehension are among them.”
He added, “I think the blend of experience across the commando is excellent, ranging from a number of people for whom it’s their fourth tour of Afghanistan through to the youth of the commando who are going for the first time.
“As far as I’m concerned that blend of experience is exactly as it should be and those who are going for the first time I absolutely know are equal to the challenges ahead because I’ve watched them go through the training pipeline and they have excelled all the way through.”
In the spring sunshine at RM Condor The Courier spoke to several of the men who will be involved in the operation some for the first time and others making a return to what, as the base and the town are all too aware, can be deadly terrain.’It’s very close’Former Arbroath High School pupil Michael Goods (22) will fly to Afghanistan next week for his first tour of duty in a conflict area.
He said, “All my friends keep asking me all the time, ‘Are you not scared about going?’ and I can honestly say I’m not.
“I imagine I might feel a bit different when I go there if something kicks off but just now I’m really looking forward to it.
“You want to do what you have been training to do.”
He added, “I’ve lived in Arbroath all my life and the people I know respect what we are doing.
“My family are worried about what might happen to me in Afghanistan my mum, my girlfriend and my sister, they are big time.
“But you have to put it all to the back of your mind.”
Marine Goods said, “I’ve only been on exercise but I find when I’m away for quite a while and I’m really busy I can put things that’s back home to the back of my head and stop it bothering me.
“I think you prepare yourself mentally for what’s ahead through commando training you can’t pass it unless you’ve got mental strength as well as the physical.
“It’s only been on my mind this week it’s crept up.
“We’ve been speaking about it for a year but yesterday I was in my house and I was just thinking, ‘It’s only a week away now it’s very close.’
For six months the marines will be based at Nad-e Ali South in Helmand province as part of a 9500-strong UK section of NATO forces.
The exodus from RM Condor is under way and marines from various companies have spoken about the mission ahead of them as they prepare to leave the base.
Commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Oliver Lee said, “I think we all feel enormously humbled and privileged by the level of support we get from the Arbroath and indeed the wider Angus community.
“It’s a very, very special relationship that exists between the commando and the people who live nearby it.”
He added, “We try hard to fulfil our part in that relationship but the people who do so much for us and provide us with so much support are absolutely invaluable to us and we are eternally grateful to them.”
The marines’ duties will include patrolling, protecting reconstruction teams, supporting the Afghan national army and police and denying insurgents freedom of movement.
The first military operation in Afghanistan in 2002 was led by the marines as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).
There were deployments in 2006 and 2008, but this deployment represents a first, as 45 Commando have never previously been on a summer tour, or been based at Nad-e Ali South.
Lt Col Lee said, “It’s a different time and a different place from what we’ve been accustomed to previously but we’ll very much be seeking to do our level best to enable the Afghan national security forces themselves to move towards the position where, as rightly they should, they are in a position to inherit the security baton in its entirety from us.”‘Quiet confidence’He said the marines have been “immensely well prepared” for the task ahead by a “hugely impressive and well-resourced training pipeline.”
Lt Col Lee said, “Whatever part you are due to play out there, whatever you specialisation is, whatever your rank is, it delivers you completely ready.
“The men of the commando have done as they always do brilliantly all the way through that training pipeline and I am immensely proud of how they have performed and I know that they will translate that excellence into Afghanistan when they deploy, as they are doing so at the moment.”
Lt Col Lee said the marines were feeling a mixture of excitement and nerves.
He said, “The overwhelming sentiment right now is a desire to get on with it and to do what it is that we’ve been trained to do.
“I think there is a quiet confidence that we are ready to do what we are being asked to do and we are equal to those challenges, but there are many other emotions at play at the moment and excitement and a degree of apprehension are among them.”
He added, “I think the blend of experience across the commando is excellent, ranging from a number of people for whom it’s their fourth tour of Afghanistan through to the youth of the commando who are going for the first time.
“As far as I’m concerned that blend of experience is exactly as it should be and those who are going for the first time I absolutely know are equal to the challenges ahead because I’ve watched them go through the training pipeline and they have excelled all the way through.”
In the spring sunshine at RM Condor The Courier spoke to several of the men who will be involved in the operation some for the first time and others making a return to what, as the base and the town are all too aware, can be deadly terrain.’It’s very close’Former Arbroath High School pupil Michael Goods (22) will fly to Afghanistan next week for his first tour of duty in a conflict area.
He said, “All my friends keep asking me all the time, ‘Are you not scared about going?’ and I can honestly say I’m not.
“I imagine I might feel a bit different when I go there if something kicks off but just now I’m really looking forward to it.
“You want to do what you have been training to do.”
He added, “I’ve lived in Arbroath all my life and the people I know respect what we are doing.
“My family are worried about what might happen to me in Afghanistan my mum, my girlfriend and my sister, they are big time.
“But you have to put it all to the back of your mind.”
Marine Goods said, “I’ve only been on exercise but I find when I’m away for quite a while and I’m really busy I can put things that’s back home to the back of my head and stop it bothering me.
“I think you prepare yourself mentally for what’s ahead through commando training you can’t pass it unless you’ve got mental strength as well as the physical.
“It’s only been on my mind this week it’s crept up.
“We’ve been speaking about it for a year but yesterday I was in my house and I was just thinking, ‘It’s only a week away now it’s very close.’
For six months the marines will be based at Nad-e Ali South in Helmand province as part of a 9500-strong UK section of NATO forces.
The exodus from RM Condor is under way and marines from various companies have spoken about the mission ahead of them as they prepare to leave the base.
Commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Oliver Lee said, “I think we all feel enormously humbled and privileged by the level of support we get from the Arbroath and indeed the wider Angus community.
“It’s a very, very special relationship that exists between the commando and the people who live nearby it.”
He added, “We try hard to fulfil our part in that relationship but the people who do so much for us and provide us with so much support are absolutely invaluable to us and we are eternally grateful to them.”
The marines’ duties will include patrolling, protecting reconstruction teams, supporting the Afghan national army and police and denying insurgents freedom of movement.
The first military operation in Afghanistan in 2002 was led by the marines as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).
There were deployments in 2006 and 2008, but this deployment represents a first, as 45 Commando have never previously been on a summer tour, or been based at Nad-e Ali South.
Lt Col Lee said, “It’s a different time and a different place from what we’ve been accustomed to previously but we’ll very much be seeking to do our level best to enable the Afghan national security forces themselves to move towards the position where, as rightly they should, they are in a position to inherit the security baton in its entirety from us.”‘Quiet confidence’He said the marines have been “immensely well prepared” for the task ahead by a “hugely impressive and well-resourced training pipeline.”
Lt Col Lee said, “Whatever part you are due to play out there, whatever you specialisation is, whatever your rank is, it delivers you completely ready.
“The men of the commando have done as they always do brilliantly all the way through that training pipeline and I am immensely proud of how they have performed and I know that they will translate that excellence into Afghanistan when they deploy, as they are doing so at the moment.”
Lt Col Lee said the marines were feeling a mixture of excitement and nerves.
He said, “The overwhelming sentiment right now is a desire to get on with it and to do what it is that we’ve been trained to do.
“I think there is a quiet confidence that we are ready to do what we are being asked to do and we are equal to those challenges, but there are many other emotions at play at the moment and excitement and a degree of apprehension are among them.”
He added, “I think the blend of experience across the commando is excellent, ranging from a number of people for whom it’s their fourth tour of Afghanistan through to the youth of the commando who are going for the first time.
“As far as I’m concerned that blend of experience is exactly as it should be and those who are going for the first time I absolutely know are equal to the challenges ahead because I’ve watched them go through the training pipeline and they have excelled all the way through.”
In the spring sunshine at RM Condor The Courier spoke to several of the men who will be involved in the operation some for the first time and others making a return to what, as the base and the town are all too aware, can be deadly terrain.’It’s very close’Former Arbroath High School pupil Michael Goods (22) will fly to Afghanistan next week for his first tour of duty in a conflict area.
He said, “All my friends keep asking me all the time, ‘Are you not scared about going?’ and I can honestly say I’m not.
“I imagine I might feel a bit different when I go there if something kicks off but just now I’m really looking forward to it.
“You want to do what you have been training to do.”
He added, “I’ve lived in Arbroath all my life and the people I know respect what we are doing.
“My family are worried about what might happen to me in Afghanistan my mum, my girlfriend and my sister, they are big time.
“But you have to put it all to the back of your mind.”
Marine Goods said, “I’ve only been on exercise but I find when I’m away for quite a while and I’m really busy I can put things that’s back home to the back of my head and stop it bothering me.
“I think you prepare yourself mentally for what’s ahead through commando training you can’t pass it unless you’ve got mental strength as well as the physical.
“It’s only been on my mind this week it’s crept up.
“We’ve been speaking about it for a year but yesterday I was in my house and I was just thinking, ‘It’s only a week away now it’s very close.’
For six months the marines will be based at Nad-e Ali South in Helmand province as part of a 9500-strong UK section of NATO forces.
The exodus from RM Condor is under way and marines from various companies have spoken about the mission ahead of them as they prepare to leave the base.
Commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Oliver Lee said, “I think we all feel enormously humbled and privileged by the level of support we get from the Arbroath and indeed the wider Angus community.
“It’s a very, very special relationship that exists between the commando and the people who live nearby it.”
He added, “We try hard to fulfil our part in that relationship but the people who do so much for us and provide us with so much support are absolutely invaluable to us and we are eternally grateful to them.”
The marines’ duties will include patrolling, protecting reconstruction teams, supporting the Afghan national army and police and denying insurgents freedom of movement.
The first military operation in Afghanistan in 2002 was led by the marines as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).
There were deployments in 2006 and 2008, but this deployment represents a first, as 45 Commando have never previously been on a summer tour, or been based at Nad-e Ali South.
Lt Col Lee said, “It’s a different time and a different place from what we’ve been accustomed to previously but we’ll very much be seeking to do our level best to enable the Afghan national security forces themselves to move towards the position where, as rightly they should, they are in a position to inherit the security baton in its entirety from us.”‘Quiet confidence’He said the marines have been “immensely well prepared” for the task ahead by a “hugely impressive and well-resourced training pipeline.”
Lt Col Lee said, “Whatever part you are due to play out there, whatever you specialisation is, whatever your rank is, it delivers you completely ready.
“The men of the commando have done as they always do brilliantly all the way through that training pipeline and I am immensely proud of how they have performed and I know that they will translate that excellence into Afghanistan when they deploy, as they are doing so at the moment.”
Lt Col Lee said the marines were feeling a mixture of excitement and nerves.
He said, “The overwhelming sentiment right now is a desire to get on with it and to do what it is that we’ve been trained to do.
“I think there is a quiet confidence that we are ready to do what we are being asked to do and we are equal to those challenges, but there are many other emotions at play at the moment and excitement and a degree of apprehension are among them.”
He added, “I think the blend of experience across the commando is excellent, ranging from a number of people for whom it’s their fourth tour of Afghanistan through to the youth of the commando who are going for the first time.
“As far as I’m concerned that blend of experience is exactly as it should be and those who are going for the first time I absolutely know are equal to the challenges ahead because I’ve watched them go through the training pipeline and they have excelled all the way through.”
In the spring sunshine at RM Condor The Courier spoke to several of the men who will be involved in the operation some for the first time and others making a return to what, as the base and the town are all too aware, can be deadly terrain.’It’s very close’Former Arbroath High School pupil Michael Goods (22) will fly to Afghanistan next week for his first tour of duty in a conflict area.
He said, “All my friends keep asking me all the time, ‘Are you not scared about going?’ and I can honestly say I’m not.
“I imagine I might feel a bit different when I go there if something kicks off but just now I’m really looking forward to it.
“You want to do what you have been training to do.”
He added, “I’ve lived in Arbroath all my life and the people I know respect what we are doing.
“My family are worried about what might happen to me in Afghanistan my mum, my girlfriend and my sister, they are big time.
“But you have to put it all to the back of your mind.”
Marine Goods said, “I’ve only been on exercise but I find when I’m away for quite a while and I’m really busy I can put things that’s back home to the back of my head and stop it bothering me.
“I think you prepare yourself mentally for what’s ahead through commando training you can’t pass it unless you’ve got mental strength as well as the physical.
“It’s only been on my mind this week it’s crept up.
“We’ve been speaking about it for a year but yesterday I was in my house and I was just thinking, ‘It’s only a week away now it’s very close.’