4th Mechanized Brigade final exercise before Afghanistan

4th Mechanized Brigade final Mission Specific Training Exercise on Salisbury Plain training area before first deployment to Helmand Province Afghanistan from April to October 2010. Salisbury, UK. 09/02/09.

The next Brigade to deploy to Afghanistan, 4th Mechanized Brigade (4 Mech Bde), is currently undertaking a final training exercise before deployment to Helmand Province, in April 2010 until October 2009, replacing 11 Light Brigade as the lead formation of British troops in Helmand province. The headquarters of 4 Mech Bde is based in Catterick, North Yorkshire and this is its first deployment to Afghanistan

The training exercise involves up to 3,500 soldiers and Royal Marines at any one time, as well as some 430 wheeled and 70 tracked vehicles, all taking part in the Mission Specific Training on Salisbury Plain Training Area. In addition a variety of Helicopters, will participate in the exercise along with Tornado GR4s, Typhoon fast jets and C-130 Hercules transport aircraft.

"The training has been second to none in preparing the guys for operations. It's as realistic as it can be and, as a unit, 4 Mech Brigade is ready for the deployment," said Brigade Commander, Brigadier Richard Felton.

The training has focused on Afghan specific counter insurgency and Afghan cultural instruction with the help of former Afghan army commanders It has also provided fourteen week, ten and four week language courses.

“By the time the Brigade deploys everyone should have received at least some language training even if only in the basics” said Brigadier Felton.
When the Brigade deploys it will be an “all arms” unit with war fighting, counter insurgency and rebuild capabilities.

4 Mech Bde will arrive in Afghanistan at a very significant time. The effect of the influx of more US troops should be beginning to bite, the Afghan elections are due to take place on 18 September 2009, the up coming UK general election is due and Operation Moshtarak, which has been planned to remove insurgents from areas of central Helmand, will be underway. These are areas that have not previously been cleared by ISAF troops. Brigadier Richard Felton expects to inherit the decisive “Hold and Rebuild” phase of Operation Moshtarak with 11 Light Brigade having already fulfilled the “Clear” phase before his troops takes over. Working closely with the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police he wants his troops to take a “Courageous restraint approach” to minimise the possibility of collateral damage while helping build Afghan security forces through partnering and making Afghanistan a safer place by isolating the insurgents from the population.

Pictures – an Medical Emergency Response Team (MERT) and a mobile patrol demonstration - Members of the Royal Dragoon Guards simulate a British casualty receiving immediate first aid on the battlefield, before receiving treatment from a Combat Medical Technician then being stretched onto an RAF Chinook helicopter and evacuated. Security for the MERT is provided by a British Army Apache helicopter as air support and other members of the Royal Dragoon Guards holding a defensive perimeter against any possible ground attack.
Also Afghan “locals” meet with British Troops