SupraAyf Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 God bless them all I say!! 5 more killed today and a good number seriously injured. 15 killed in 10-days Afghanistan will get worse and I'm not sure if it will get better for a good while yet:Pling: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kranz Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 If I was younger........ I echo your sentiment, God bless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_b Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 Yes, I echo that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merckx Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 Far too young to die. A major British assault against the Taliban in Helmand ahead of next month's Afghan elections is responsible. I hope the families receive a decent amount of compensation, not that any amount of money will ever be enough to offset such a painful loss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooter Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 its not widely reported here it is...........i mean the fighting in general. It doesn't really matter but are we effective out there? Are they playing a good game of cat'n'mouse and ultilising their superior local knowledge or are we mullering them but just with the consequence of the current level/rate of loss of life? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Havard Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 Rip... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivan Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 That's 8 in the last 24 hours. Including another one from my old unit. Rest In Peace guys - you've done your bit for peace and stability. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl_S Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 I hope that the work that allied soliders are doing will help bring peace and stability there, and that the dead would not have died in vain. Hope their families get all the support they need, and that their sacrifice will not be forgotten. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Massey Posted July 11, 2009 Share Posted July 11, 2009 So far in the past week,my unit (1RTR) and sister unit (2RTR) have lost 3 lads and one of my mates has broken his neck bone in 4 places and lost his spline. My Regt is deploying out there in November on Vikings taking over from 2RTR. Its aboslultly gutting Ive got my medals parade next month for the job we did in Iraq and these guys wont be coming back The worse thing was that last night there was a programme on about the RAF in Afghan and they were chilling out and going shopping as if nothing was going on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SupraAyf Posted July 11, 2009 Author Share Posted July 11, 2009 Its aboslultly gutting I second that mate! Things are not going well regardless of what the army media bods state on TV. The body count will reach 200 before we know it:( ................and then 300 and so on:Pling: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damo Posted July 11, 2009 Share Posted July 11, 2009 Unfortunately i had missed the RAF in Afghan programme but as usual there was enough lads that didnt miss it that filled in the blanks. Parents friends and family members dont want to know what actually goes on over there (my mother still thinks i'm on a cruise when i'm away) but to get told thats theres a night club for people to use gives them a totally wrong message. No wonder my family thinks my lifes a holiday camp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supradoopa Posted July 11, 2009 Share Posted July 11, 2009 The worse thing was that last night there was a programme on about the RAF in Afghan and they were chilling out and going shopping as if nothing was going on I agree with you there, it's like a holiday camp, mincing about like they do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivan Posted July 11, 2009 Share Posted July 11, 2009 That's the RAF for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supradoopa Posted July 11, 2009 Share Posted July 11, 2009 I would say 90% of the mainstream RAF, the other 10% actually go out of the wire. But still a sad loss for our troops and families. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deathmonkey Posted July 11, 2009 Share Posted July 11, 2009 So far in the past week,my unit (1RTR) and sister unit (2RTR) have lost 3 lads and one of my mates has broken his neck bone in 4 places and lost his spline. My Regt is deploying out there in November on Vikings taking over from 2RTR. Its aboslultly gutting Ive got my medals parade next month for the job we did in Iraq and these guys wont be coming back The worse thing was that last night there was a programme on about the RAF in Afghan and they were chilling out and going shopping as if nothing was going on I agree with you there, it's like a holiday camp, mincing about like they do. Firstly, obviously my condolences to every single person who has died; they will not be forgotten. Secondly though, being in the Air Force myself; it does annoy me when people comment on what an easy life people in the air force apparently have. I work on a 24/7 operational squadron, working on an (almost) 50 year old aircraft, which constantly breaks, and I can assure you it is not an easy life, however; when we do have a bit of time off, we make the most of it. The worse thing was that last night there was a programme on about the RAF in Afghan and they were chilling out and going shopping as if nothing was going on Surely we are entitled to some sort of normality, otherwise we'd go crazy. We bust our balls on my squadron, just like people work their arses off in the other services. I know full well I appreciate what the lads in the Army do, I don't get the impression it's the same the other way around...? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stupra Posted July 11, 2009 Share Posted July 11, 2009 It won't ever get better out there, the place is a s**t hole and it will just get bigger. R.I.P all the brave K.I.A, your country is proud of you, and I salute you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike_Mac Posted July 11, 2009 Share Posted July 11, 2009 The problem is that the media only report deaths, not progress. This, plus the way the press slants its reporting of casualties, gives a massively negative slant to what's going on. This is not the case, but does allow the media the chance to look serious, knowledgable and warry while they ask politicians leading questions with a superior expression. What the media don't show is things like the redevelopment of Sangin; with a bazaar now operating and people returning to areas that were previously deserted. The same thing can be seen in Musa Qal'eh where a lot of good information is coming in from the locals who have moved back to areas they'd fled previously. The vast number of people that turned up to register to vote across Helmand also speaks volumes. Yes the Taleban still have areas where they are strong, and this is where people die when we assault them and clear them out, like we did last Christmas in Nad-e-Ali. Again what the press don't report is the casualties suffered by the Taleban at the same time. The problem we find is holding and continuing to provide security to these cleared areas, because our numbers are capped way below what is actually required - that's a question for Politicians who expected us to fight two wars while being budgeted for one. This doesn't mean any gains are wasted; just that it takes longer to capitalise on gains made. This makes it easier for the Taleban to attempt to re-infiltrate. The US surge into Helmand should go a long way to stopping this allowing our gains to be exploited fully. In a shooting war people will die, which while unfortunate is a fact of life in the armed forces. You can't protect against everything and the bad guys play to win as well. Whilst the Snatch, for example, was inappropriate (designed for Northern Ireland) the only alternative until better vehicles were procured was walking. Much has been done since then to improve things, but it takes time and money to do so. Our armed forces were set up to fight a conventional war, not a counter-insurgency and the vehicles then reflected that - being designed to resist direct weapons fire, as opposed to IEDs and mines. Things are far better now with Mastiff, Viking, Jackal etc, which are all superb vehicles. Funnily enough i've recently heard some media reporter asking why lightly armoured vehicles like Viking are still being used. The answer is because they're the most mobile platform we have and are immensely capable. If you tried covering them with more armour (and they're pretty well protected now) they'd be useless and a big enough device would still take them out regardless of how much protection you can pile on. In my view the media need to stop looking to score points against Politicians through constantly negative reporting and try a bit more to be balanced. By ignoring the gains our soldiers die to provide they are dishonouring their memory just as much as the placard waving idiots that turned up during the Royal Anglian Regt's homecoming parade. Perhaps they should focus instead on the fact that we are managing to provide slow but measurable progress despite being cut to the bone in funding and manpower, while further cuts are being lined up in the guise of a Strategic Defence Review. The choice is simple -either the government accept that we are funded for homeland defence only and stop trying to play on the world stage, or accept that we are in a shooting war and resource us accordingly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tourniquet Posted July 11, 2009 Share Posted July 11, 2009 I think Bob Shepherd ex SAS turned security contracter hit the nail on the head in his book The Circuit. Afghanistan is a shit hole, has always been a shit hole and will always be a shit hole. They have been killing each other over what we see as pointless crap for thousands of years and not only do I think the place is beyond saving but as he put it our guys are being used in the worst possible way. The only way progress will be made if at all is if they secure the ground first. There needs to be simply more boots (a f**k load more) from the rest of Europe not just us and they need to be given the equipment to do their job - simple as that. When and only when the ground is secure should they then start rebuilding the place and doing the hearts and minds stuff. The locals aren't a very loyal bunch of people, they wil side with whoever makes their lives easier and doesn't kill them and tbh who can blame them ?!?! The government are as corrupt as a high court judge and the ANP and ANA have people passing info to the Taliban to stripe up the troops so how can they expect to win. Not only that but the poor lads and lasses need to go into battle with one hand behind their back and a solicitor at their side and until these major things are changed nothing else will. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tourniquet Posted July 11, 2009 Share Posted July 11, 2009 And and of course to the troops who are no longer with us - THANK YOU and rest in peace. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RiceRocket Posted July 11, 2009 Share Posted July 11, 2009 It won't ever get better out there, the place is a s**t hole and it will just get bigger. If the Russians couldn't do it with superior manpower then. . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tourniquet Posted July 11, 2009 Share Posted July 11, 2009 British soldiers are the finest in the world. It's not solely about quantity although it helps, it's also about the quality and on that we can't be touched. Look at the number of U.S coming home in a box compared to ours. All the gear no idea. Give our guys their numbers and equipment and things would be much different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Massey Posted July 11, 2009 Share Posted July 11, 2009 Firstly, obviously my condolences to every single person who has died; they will not be forgotten. Secondly though, being in the Air Force myself; it does annoy me when people comment on what an easy life people in the air force apparently have. I work on a 24/7 operational squadron, working on an (almost) 50 year old aircraft, which constantly breaks, and I can assure you it is not an easy life, however; when we do have a bit of time off, we make the most of it. Surely we are entitled to some sort of normality, otherwise we'd go crazy. We bust our balls on my squadron, just like people work their arses off in the other services. I know full well I appreciate what the lads in the Army do, I don't get the impression it's the same the other way around...? Im not dismissing the RAF, my regt is based at RAF Honington and ive been on plenty of tours with the RAF and RAF Regiment guys. We do appreciate what you guys do and im not slagging of the fact that the RAF on the programme were chilling out. I have had a few chill days in iraq and kuwait, popping to the shops or sunbathing on my 3 days recuperation, i get it, ive needed it myself, being in firefights or patrols does take it out of you. Its the programme that i am upset with. If it was army blokes on the programme i would still feel the same. It hurts when you see programmes like that because the general public think we do f**k all and its an easy life. Ross Kemp and Help for heroes have been trying hard to show people what we are going through and how hard it is. Its not as if we want constant respect or praise but it does hurt when people sl*g you off for going to war or being in the forces, There is hundreds of groups on Facebook which sl*g us off or want the soldiers are heroes groups removed. And then when people die for fighting for this country no one seems to care or think it was just an accident when as you probably know for yourself that the guys are getting attcked all day and everyday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deathmonkey Posted July 11, 2009 Share Posted July 11, 2009 Im not dismissing the RAF, my regt is based at RAF Honington and ive been on plenty of tours with the RAF and RAF Regiment guys. We do appreciate what you guys do and im not slagging of the fact that the RAF on the programme were chilling out. I have had a few chill days in iraq and kuwait, popping to the shops or sunbathing on my 3 days recuperation, i get it, ive needed it myself, being in firefights or patrols does take it out of you. Its the programme that i am upset with. If it was army blokes on the programme i would still feel the same. It hurts when you see programmes like that because the general public think we do f**k all and its an easy life. Ross Kemp and Help for heroes have been trying hard to show people what we are going through and how hard it is. Its not as if we want constant respect or praise but it does hurt when people sl*g you off for going to war or being in the forces, There is hundreds of groups on Facebook which sl*g us off or want the soldiers are heroes groups removed. And then when people die for fighting for this country no one seems to care or think it was just an accident when as you probably know for yourself that the guys are getting attcked all day and everyday I 100% absolutely agree with everything you say. I got started on a few weeks back at the local supermarket because I was in uniform. Fantastic. That's happened twice as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Massey Posted July 11, 2009 Share Posted July 11, 2009 I 100% absolutely agree with everything you say. I got started on a few weeks back at the local supermarket because I was in uniform. Fantastic. That's happened twice as well. Thats shocking:( F**king Tw**s deserve to be shot for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbloodyturbo Posted July 11, 2009 Share Posted July 11, 2009 I got started on a few weeks back at the local supermarket because I was in uniform. Fantastic. That's happened twice as well. I had a little issue with two individuals when the medcentre dropped me off at AE years ago because I was still wearing my 95's, they weren't happy about something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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