The Move South
We cannot risk Afghanistan once again becoming a sanctuary for terrorists – we have seen where that leads, be it in New York or London
John Reid, Defence Secretary, 2006
Troops board CH47 Chinook helicopter
John Reid is briefed in Helmand Province, Crown Copyright
In 2006 the United Kingdom took over the lead of ISAF (then made up of 37 contributing nations) in Kabul for a nine-month period. On 26 January 2006 UK Defence Secretary John Reid announced the deployment of 3,300 British service personnel to Helmand Province.
In March 2006 British forces handed over control of their northern PRTs to other nations and moved south. During this period ISAF’s commitment to establishing security in the troubled south of the country was increased. The number of troops deployed there rose to 10,000, made up of contingents from eight nations.
16 Air Assault Brigade
Soldiers from 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment. Crown Copyright.
16 Air Assault Brigade was formed in September 1999 to provide UK with a powerful airborne rapid reaction force of 6,000 service men and women. The unit is made up of assault infantry, airborne troops and helicopters. The unit’s main combat mission profiles are deep strikes into enemy territory, seize and hold, interdiction and raiding operations as well as support for Special Forces operations. The Brigade’s composition also makes it very well suited to humanitarian, evacuation and peacekeeping operations.
Airmobile
Brigade headquarters is in Colchester but its units are drawn from across the Army and Army Air Corps, to allow a large degree of self-sufficiency. Air deliverable artillery, armour, logistics, signals, medical and engineering elements are all included as well as a core of air assault infantry. Two of the Brigade’s three Parachute Regiment battalions are deployed alongside a battalion of regular infantry and they are supported by light tanks, mortars, light field guns and attack helicopters.
Chinook helicopters, Musa Qala
