Post by Frenchie on Jul 17, 2009 20:32:31 GMT 1
Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, gave an interview to Sky News this morning, 17 July 2009, in which he talked about the success of current British operations in Afghanistan.
Troops prepare to load into a Chinook helicopterSir Jock commented on the latest death of a British soldier in Afghanistan and said that although it was always known this was going to be a hard summer of fighting in Afghanistan, it had also been a very successful summer of fighting.
He said that despite the hard conditions British troops had brought security to some 80,000 – 100,000 Helmand citizens.
Sir Jock said that the Taliban's use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) was the key threat to our people, but that the deployment of a Counter-IED taskforce to Helmand was already helping to address the human and technical capabilities that would tackle that threat.
On troop numbers, Sir Jock said that the UK would consider what would be needed after the Afghan presidential elections, but he stressed that this was an Alliance mission and it was not just up to the UK to meet the requirement.
On the subject of helicopters in Afghanistan, Sir Jock said that while helicopters were not invulnerable, they did give commanders greater ability to be flexible and unpredictable, potentially reducing casualties. There was no such thing as enough helicopters in an operational campaign, which was why the UK was busting a gut to maximise the number available.
Sir Jock ended the interview by paying tribute to the British troops currently conducting operation PANCHAI PALANG (Panther's Claw) in southern Afghanistan. The operation had been conducted at tragic cost but through their courage, professionalism and endurance British troops had done remarkable things.
Read the full Transcript of the interview >>
The important question is this; Will NATO forces really hold and secure these area's through the winter and into next summer?
If they don't, the sacrifices made by our forces will be for nought!
Troops prepare to load into a Chinook helicopterSir Jock commented on the latest death of a British soldier in Afghanistan and said that although it was always known this was going to be a hard summer of fighting in Afghanistan, it had also been a very successful summer of fighting.
He said that despite the hard conditions British troops had brought security to some 80,000 – 100,000 Helmand citizens.
Sir Jock said that the Taliban's use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) was the key threat to our people, but that the deployment of a Counter-IED taskforce to Helmand was already helping to address the human and technical capabilities that would tackle that threat.
On troop numbers, Sir Jock said that the UK would consider what would be needed after the Afghan presidential elections, but he stressed that this was an Alliance mission and it was not just up to the UK to meet the requirement.
On the subject of helicopters in Afghanistan, Sir Jock said that while helicopters were not invulnerable, they did give commanders greater ability to be flexible and unpredictable, potentially reducing casualties. There was no such thing as enough helicopters in an operational campaign, which was why the UK was busting a gut to maximise the number available.
Sir Jock ended the interview by paying tribute to the British troops currently conducting operation PANCHAI PALANG (Panther's Claw) in southern Afghanistan. The operation had been conducted at tragic cost but through their courage, professionalism and endurance British troops had done remarkable things.
Read the full Transcript of the interview >>
The important question is this; Will NATO forces really hold and secure these area's through the winter and into next summer?
If they don't, the sacrifices made by our forces will be for nought!