Medals for hero soldiers (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Medals for hero soldiers

10:40am Saturday 31st July 2010 in

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TIDWORTH-based soldiers received Op HERRICK Medals in recognition of the part they have played in Afghanistan over the past year.

The 500 personnel from 1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery (1 RHA) were deployed in a variety of roles between September 2009 and April 2010.

The medals parade featured a display from the Royal Artillery Parachute Display Team and a musical drive from the Kings Troop.

During its tour of duty, the 1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery was tasked to provide support to 11 Light Brigade in Helmand Province.

Members of the regiment deployed throughout all areas of Helmand and were involved in a variety of tasks. The core responsibility of the regiment was to protect soldiers on the ground with artillery and air support.

This evolved significantly throughout the tour due to the need to protect the people of Afghanistan. The regiment became focussed on ‘courageous restraint’, only firing when absolutely necessary, which, it says, had a positive effect on the people of Helmand who ventured out more and engaged with the soldiers on a daily basis.

Nearly 3,500 rounds from the light gun were fired, over 100 of which were from the direct fire Dragon Gun. The Fire Support Teams (FSTs) of the regiment co-ordinated fast jets, attack helicopters and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) drones to find, track and sometimes strike the insurgent.

The regiment helped to establish and run the brand new Helmand Police Training Centre for new police recruits, helping to bring a coherent, less corrupt police service to Helmand for the first time. It also co-ordinated the battle-space for the busiest military airspace in the world, and defended the force against rocket and mortar attack. Soldiers also undertook essential tasks such as transporting troops, protecting large convoys and force protection tasks throughout Helmand. All these soldiers played a key role in the recent Operation Moshtarak, during which they were responsible for improving the security and quality of life of the Afghan people and protecting the coalition forces.

Before the parade in a private ceremony the regiment recognised the ultimate sacrifice made by some of the soldiers on previous deployments.

Pictures by Mark Eburne and Hannah Powell