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Our boys winning trust in a war-torn desert
IF a picture paints a thousand words, then photographs released today of RAF Wittering personnel in Afghanistan, speak volumes about efforts to win hearts and minds.
IF a picture paints a thousand words, then photographs released today of RAF Wittering personnel in Afghanistan, speak volumes about efforts to win hearts and minds.In the midst of ever-present danger, the Peterborough troops are taking time to help communities that have lived under the shadow of conflict for generations.
In one picture, a soldier from the elite RAF Regiment can be seen tenderly treating a child who has clearly hurt himself. The picture also makes it clear that the child's mother trusts this trooper from a land faraway to care for her precious little boy.
In another, on Page 1, an airman walks hand-in-hand with an Afghan youngster, while their father walks beside them, clearly at ease in the company of the trooper as blazing sunshine burns into the scorched earth of a village street.
The risks in this operation are graphically shown, however, in another picture, where personnel from 3 Squadron RAF Regiment are crouched in the sand chatting to villagers, but one of their comrades –ever conscious of sniper fire or rocket attack – is armed and on watch.
These are the first photographs of some of the 163 RAF Wittering personnel who have been deployed to Afghanistan to fight the Taliban.
Tasked with protecting Kandahar Airfield – 10 miles south-east of the country's largest city – a crucial part of the force's work is winning the effort to gain the trust of isolated Afghan communities.
The pictures also offer a snapshot of the patrols that are being carried out in the area surrounding Kandahar Airfield.
The area is continually monitored to prevent the Taliban launching mortar and rocket attacks from outside the airfield's wire.
The force, which includes the 130-strong 3 Squadron RAF Regiment, 15 members of 1 Force Protection Wing and 18 reservists hailing from five different regiments, began a seven-month deployment in late February.
Squadron Leader Rich Langley said: "I have no illusions about the challenges that lie ahead, but I am extremely confident that all our pre-deployment training will hold us in good stead."
No 3 Sqn RAF Regt is responsible for the force protection of more than 12,000 multi-national troops and civilians at Kandahar Airfield from a variety of threats, including rocket attacks and suicide bombs planted by the Taliban.
The squadron's 420km sq area of operation begins outside the perimeter fence and stretches up to 10 miles from the airfield across rugged and barren landscape.
Sqn Ldr Langley added: "It is fundamental that we win and retain the will of the people, often referred to as hearts and minds.This simple sounding phrase, well understood by all our personnel, is far from easy to deliver, due to the complex nature of Afghan society.
"To make a real difference we will need to engage with tribal and local leaders, as well as national and international organisations.
"One of our key aims is to mentor the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police in order to enable them to improve their modus operandi."
Flight Lieutenant Paff Paffett, 3 Sqn's Deputy Squadron Commander, was confident his team's "rigorous training", which included a battle camp, would stand them in good stead.
He said: "I can say hand on heart that we have prepared as well as we possibly could have. Now we just want to crack on and make a difference."
Following his first patrol, Senior Aircraftman Adam Blair said: "I don't know why but I was really surprised at just how friendly the locals were – it should make it easier to get to know them. After all it is our job to win their trust."
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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