The commanding officer of Arbroath’s 45 Commando has said there is “cause for optimism” in the area of Afghanistan where his men are operating.
Lieutenant Colonel Oliver Lee this week spoke of the change he has seen in Helmand province. Despite the danger to international forces as evidenced by this week’s death of a soldier from the Highlanders Lt Col Lee said there is hope in the region which has been home to hundreds of Angus personnel since spring.
The Condor contingent is part of Operation Herrick 14 on their fourth tour of duty to the country, continuing the stabilising work of the International Security Assistance Force. After three months in Helmand, and with summer temperatures hitting 50C, the Angus personnel are operating as Combined Force Nad-e Ali (South).
Their commanding officer hopes that the coming weeks and months will continue to demonstrate the strides being made in the effort to bring stability.
He said, “Nad-e Ali South genuinely represents an area in Helmand of real hope and welcome progress. The Herculean efforts of our predecessors and their Afghan partners are bearing fruit and, although not yet there, the progress is becoming difficult for its enemies to reverse.”
He added, “We seek to prevent or suppress as opposed to counter, fight or participate in this year’s fighting season. We are using every tool at our disposal to achieve this.
“It is working and its consequence is that the insurgency is beginning to be discredited in the eyes of the people, who are the central actor.”
Lt Col Lee said Operation Tor Kanjak has brought Zaborabad, in the south of the unit’s operating area and previously insurgent-aligned, under the control of legitimate institutions.
“As it should be, the Afghan National Army was at the vanguard of this operation, clearing more IEDs with its excellent capability than we did. Best of all, the operation brought no fighting and consequently saw no exodus of local nationals who remain in their homes for the Afghan government’s outreach that can follow.”
Lt Col Lee also spoke of the effectiveness of a development in which the Afghan Local (Mohali) Police underpins provision of enduring security in Zaborabad.
He said, “This initiative sees local people formally vetted, accredited and regulated by the Afghan government, commanded by the district chief of police on behalf of the district governor and trained and mentored by us and our Afghan partners, providing security for their own immediate environs.
“While maintaining the pressure on the insurgency with notable success, we are also involved in a number of ‘non-kinetic’ initiatives including religious, veterinary and health outreach, female engagement, sport, the mobilisation of civic pride and connecting the people of Nad-e Ali with their government.”
He added, “Roads are being covered in tarmac and schools and wells are being built. Thus the secure envelope is starting to be filled by the needs of the people.
“The continued support from friends, families and the wider corps is invaluable and a source of great reassurance to us.”