VBC Correspondents embedded with Coalition troops (8)
Filed by VBC Correspondent Alfred Lennard
VBC Security Contributor William Parker and I were recently granted access to visit and embed with units from the 5 (Armoured Infantry) Brigade deployed as part of the Multinational Assistance Force. We traveled with Victorian troops in the third month of their deployment in the region including the Middle East and Southwest Asia.
We have arrived at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Spade in Southwest Asia, where we were embedded with soldiers from India Company, Royal Victorian Infantry.
Before we could go out on operation with the troops, we needed to stay at the forward operating base for a few days as the medical personnel at the FOB told us that we would need to acclimatize to the heat. While we are at the FOB, the soldiers gave us a tour of the base and we had the opportunity to speak with them.
“Are you happy to be here?” asked Parker.
“[Laughs] Apart from a few situations where I’m kid of regretting it a wee bit,” said Private Seth. “Overall I’m glad I’ve done it. I mean, you’ll never do anything like this in your life.”
“What do you think about the enemy? Do you think they are good; they are bad?” asked Parker.
“Gotta respect them, definitely,” said Sergeant Vincent. “They really know what they’re doing. And they are not scared. And they are smart too, they tend to target the Coalition forces since they are the weaker target. But they are definitely not afraid to take us on. From time to time, they will fire an RPG at our convoy and get into a firefight with us.”
“How about the Coalition forces, are they effective at all?” asked Parker.
“They are definitely brave fighters,” said Captain Landon, the platoon commander. “But they lack the sophisticate equipment and logistic knowhow. So, we help them out with that. Their numbers are also getting thin due to attrition. So those who are still fighting are experience fighters. When the bullet starts flying, they are fierce warriors.”
Captain Landon also took us around the perimeter of the FOB and to one of the observation towers overlooking the Great Desert, previously one of the major weapons smuggling routes. FOB Spade was previously combat outpost (COP) Spade, where a major battle was thought against insurgents two years ago.
VBC will continue to bring you our stories.
Note: The story, all names, characters, and incidents are fictitious.
VBC Correspondents embedded with Coalition troops (8)
Filed by VBC Correspondent Alfred Lennard
VBC Security Contributor William Parker and I were recently granted access to visit and embed with units from the 5 (Armoured Infantry) Brigade deployed as part of the Multinational Assistance Force. We traveled with Victorian troops in the third month of their deployment in the region including the Middle East and Southwest Asia.
We have arrived at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Spade in Southwest Asia, where we were embedded with soldiers from India Company, Royal Victorian Infantry.
Before we could go out on operation with the troops, we needed to stay at the forward operating base for a few days as the medical personnel at the FOB told us that we would need to acclimatize to the heat. While we are at the FOB, the soldiers gave us a tour of the base and we had the opportunity to speak with them.
“Are you happy to be here?” asked Parker.
“[Laughs] Apart from a few situations where I’m kid of regretting it a wee bit,” said Private Seth. “Overall I’m glad I’ve done it. I mean, you’ll never do anything like this in your life.”
“What do you think about the enemy? Do you think they are good; they are bad?” asked Parker.
“Gotta respect them, definitely,” said Sergeant Vincent. “They really know what they’re doing. And they are not scared. And they are smart too, they tend to target the Coalition forces since they are the weaker target. But they are definitely not afraid to take us on. From time to time, they will fire an RPG at our convoy and get into a firefight with us.”
“How about the Coalition forces, are they effective at all?” asked Parker.
“They are definitely brave fighters,” said Captain Landon, the platoon commander. “But they lack the sophisticate equipment and logistic knowhow. So, we help them out with that. Their numbers are also getting thin due to attrition. So those who are still fighting are experience fighters. When the bullet starts flying, they are fierce warriors.”
Captain Landon also took us around the perimeter of the FOB and to one of the observation towers overlooking the Great Desert, previously one of the major weapons smuggling routes. FOB Spade was previously combat outpost (COP) Spade, where a major battle was thought against insurgents two years ago.
VBC will continue to bring you our stories.
Note: The story, all names, characters, and incidents are fictitious.