Post by cammy on Jun 23, 2009 8:14:24 GMT 1
[glow=red,2,300]UK forces in huge Afghanistan operation[/glow]
British forces fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan have carried out one of the biggest air operations of modern times. UK forces in huge Afghanistan operation More than 350 troops from the Black Watch were dropped into Helmand province just after midnight on Friday in Operation Panther's Claw.
Military chiefs deployed 12 Chinook helicopters supported by 13 other aircraft including Apache and Black Hawk helicopter gunships and Harrier jets.
Operation Panther's Claw aims to secure several canal and river crossings so a permanent International Security Assistance Force can be set up in what has been a Taliban stronghold.
The Black Watch troops were followed by Royal Engineers and explosive teams who have spent the last two days building checkpoints for the Afghan National Police to help stop movement by insurgents.
The militants launched a number of attacks against the Black Watch but each was fought off and the Scottish troops have secured three main crossing points: the Lui Mandey Wadi crossing, the Nahr-e-Burgha canal and the Shamalan canal.
They also found 1.3 tonnes of poppy seed and a number of improvised explosive devices and mines before they could be laid.
Lieutenant Colonel Nick Richardson, spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said the find demonstrated the link between the insurgency and opium production "which brings so much misery to the streets of the UK".
He said: "This operation has been achieved in many ways due to the arrival of extra US troops into the south of Helmand, which has provided Isaf with a massive increase in capability which we believe will significantly change the balance in the province."
The operation is the latest in a series over the last few months where UK and Isaf forces have taken and held ground in Helmand.
Chief of Defence Staff Sir Jock Stirrup said: "All operations in Afghanistan are significant but we're in a particularly challenging period at the moment with the run-up to the presidential election.
"The provision of sufficient levels of security so that we can have a successful election is extremely important. Of course, this operation is all part of the wider Isaf plan to deliver that."
He said the operation was "fairly large" but also significant because Helmand was the focus for most violence and insurgent activity in Afghanistan.
"That's understandable because this is vital ground for the enemy," he said.
"In that context, this is the point of confrontation between Isaf and the Taliban. So, you can imagine that it's a pretty crucial operation."
British forces fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan have carried out one of the biggest air operations of modern times. UK forces in huge Afghanistan operation More than 350 troops from the Black Watch were dropped into Helmand province just after midnight on Friday in Operation Panther's Claw.
Military chiefs deployed 12 Chinook helicopters supported by 13 other aircraft including Apache and Black Hawk helicopter gunships and Harrier jets.
Operation Panther's Claw aims to secure several canal and river crossings so a permanent International Security Assistance Force can be set up in what has been a Taliban stronghold.
The Black Watch troops were followed by Royal Engineers and explosive teams who have spent the last two days building checkpoints for the Afghan National Police to help stop movement by insurgents.
The militants launched a number of attacks against the Black Watch but each was fought off and the Scottish troops have secured three main crossing points: the Lui Mandey Wadi crossing, the Nahr-e-Burgha canal and the Shamalan canal.
They also found 1.3 tonnes of poppy seed and a number of improvised explosive devices and mines before they could be laid.
Lieutenant Colonel Nick Richardson, spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said the find demonstrated the link between the insurgency and opium production "which brings so much misery to the streets of the UK".
He said: "This operation has been achieved in many ways due to the arrival of extra US troops into the south of Helmand, which has provided Isaf with a massive increase in capability which we believe will significantly change the balance in the province."
The operation is the latest in a series over the last few months where UK and Isaf forces have taken and held ground in Helmand.
Chief of Defence Staff Sir Jock Stirrup said: "All operations in Afghanistan are significant but we're in a particularly challenging period at the moment with the run-up to the presidential election.
"The provision of sufficient levels of security so that we can have a successful election is extremely important. Of course, this operation is all part of the wider Isaf plan to deliver that."
He said the operation was "fairly large" but also significant because Helmand was the focus for most violence and insurgent activity in Afghanistan.
"That's understandable because this is vital ground for the enemy," he said.
"In that context, this is the point of confrontation between Isaf and the Taliban. So, you can imagine that it's a pretty crucial operation."