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Saturday, October 11, 2008, 10:00
Men from 29 Commando Royal Artillery Regiment, based at Plymouth's citadel, were among those under "indirect fire" (IDF) in Sangin district centre – a run-down compound two miles from the town of Sangin in Helmand Province, which has become the home for British troops.
The service personnel were quick to respond, putting on body armour and helmets and rushing to the roof of the compound to locate the source of the gunfire. They were joined by Royal Marines from Scotland-based 45 Commando – all falling under the Plymouth-based 3 Commando Brigade umbrella.
Amid the panic of local people in the aftermath of the gunfire, two men were spotted acting suspiciously, seemingly popping their heads around the corner of a building. They were then seen jumping on to motorcycles and leaving the area – one carrying a long-barreled weapon slung over his shoulder.
Fortunately, on this occasion, there were no injuries, but the sporadic gunfire on the first day has acted as a warning to those beginning the deployment, particularly some on their first Afghanistan tour, of the challenges to come.
As the first adrenaline-fuelled day came to an end the commander of 3 Commando Brigade, Brigadier Gordon Messenger, paid tribute to the work of the military personnel who paved the way before them and set out his aims for the deployment.
Brig Messenger said: "I pay tribute to the sterling work carried out by 16 Air Assault Brigade over the last six months, which has delivered real progress in Helmand.
"My priority will be to continue the momentum; working closely with our Afghan and coalition partners to develop the capacity of the Afghan governance structures and security forces and to deliver much needed stability and security to the people of Southern Afghanistan."
The transition of one brigade to another, known as Relief in Place, takes more than a month to complete. On arrival in Afghanistan, all military personnel must conduct the Helmand Training Package (HTP), which is designed to prepare individuals for what lies ahead during their deployment.
Following every operational tour, the lessons learned by the previous brigade in theatre are incorporated within the HTP to fully prepare the arriving troops.
Major Ross Preston, the officer commanding Whiskey company of 45 Commando Royal Marines, said: "16 Air Assault have given us an exceptional insight into how they have found their tour and identified some extremely important changed to tactics utilised by Taliban forces which in turn has given us a head start in countering their actions."
A troop of eight men from 45 Commando's Whiskey company conducted their first patrol on the evening of their first day.
Major Ross said: "W Company have been relishing the prospect of this tour for some time. Having taken part in an excellent, comprehensive build-up, we are fully prepared to achieve what we are here to do.
"The security of Sangin is a very complicated undertaking with our key aim to get amongst the population, reach out to them and bring them on the side of the government of Afghanistan."
The handover phase is now almost complete. The 3 Commando Brigade headquarters are in place and Brigadier Messenger accepted the transfer of Authority from 16 Air Assault on Wednesday.
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Forces take part in a live firing exercise at Camp Bastion
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