VBC Correspondents embedded with Coalition troops (Finale)
Filed by VBC Correspondent Alfred Lennard
VBC Security Contributor William Parker and I were recently granted access by the Ministry of Defence 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.
After spending time in Southwest Asia, we traveled to the Middle East and arrived at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Saif-Ullah. We had the opportunity to tour the base and accompanied a Force Protection Team from the Victorian Rifles as they escort Foreign Service Officer Charlotte Oliver to attend a meeting as part of her mentoring mission to the local government.
We were also invited to accompany the Middle East Regional Battle Group Commander, Colonel Kenneth Thornton, as he visited his Operational Mentoring and Liaison Teams (OMLTs) in the region. We met him at the flight line and spoke with him during our helicopter ride.
“What is the overall mission of the battle group here in the Middle East?” asked Parker.
“Our mission here is two-fold,” said Colonel Thornton, “Currently, our first effort is to train and advise the Coalition Force and the local government to defeat the insurgents. That’s our counter-insurgency role. Our second effort is to maintain an enhance forward presence to deter Russian attack.”
“Do you think you are making progress here?” asked Parker.
“We are definitely making progress.” Said Colonel Thornton. “Our overall security situation in this region has definitely improved. Although there are still threats of IEDs and mortar attacks, the number of attacks by insurgents have been decreasing. The capacity of the local government in delivering services to the citizens has also increased.”
“Is the Coalition Force capable of defending against the insurgents and Russia?” asked Parker.
“They are definitely capable.” Said Colonel Thornton. “The Coalition Force is taking the lead in their counter-insurgency operation, and the Assistance Force here is to train and advise them. In terms of Russia, we are here at the invitation of the host nation to maintain a presence here to deter any Russian aggression.”
We arrived at a patrol base where one of Colonel Thornton’s Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team is mentoring the Coalition Force. We were not able to disclose the location of the patrol base due to security reasons.
As we arrived at the patrol base, the Coalition Force was getting ready for a patrol. We were able to watch as the Coalition Force Commander briefing his men.
We observed that the Coalition Force in this region are better equipped than their Southwest Asia counterparts. They have better vehicles, their bases are more fortified, and their individual soldiers have better equipment. We posed this question to Colonel Thornton.
“We just came from Southwest Asia,” asked Parker, “The Coalition Force here seems to be much better equipped. Why is that?”
“The Coalition consists of many nations and different nations have different capabilities.” Said Colonel Thornton. “The host nation here has better resources and that’s why there are discrepancies. Regardless, the Assistance Force is to bridge those gaps to help in defeating the insurgents and deter Russia.”
We visited two more patrol bases with Colonel Thornton before flying back to FOB Saif-Ullah. As we returned back to base, our time in the region has come to an end. Before we leave, we have some closing observations and thoughts.
Although the fighting in the region has became a stalemate, the insurgency in the region is far from over. Despite the fact that there were no Victorian Forces deaths in the past year, soldiers deploy in the region continue to face daily threats from improvised explosive devices, suicide attacks, mortar attacks, and ambushes. The Coalition Forces soldiers bare the heaviest burden in terms of casualties especially in Southwest Asia. On a daily basis, insurgents inflict casualties on Coalition Force and they rely on the Assistance Force to provide medical evacuation by rotary aircrafts and medical support such as the Multinational Role 3 hospital in Zargadbad Airfield.
The situation in the Middle East appears to be more stable due to the amount of financial resources available, however it still requires a heavy blanket of security in order for this stability to occur. All the buildings that we have traveled to are surrounded by high concrete blast walls, T-Walls and barbed wire fences with access only available through a handful of entry control points. In order for Western advisors and mentors to safely improve the local government’s capacity, to strengthens its legitimacy and marginalize the insurgency, it continues to rely on the Assistance Force’s heavy protection.
In addition to the ongoing insurgency in the region, it continues to be under threat by its Russian neighbour. There appears to be a persistent need for the Assistance Force to remain in the region to maintain peace and security. In order for the local government to continue to improve in delivering services to its citizens, it continues to rely on the West including Victoria to provide training, advise, security and support; as well as a heavy armed presence to deter Russian attack and aggression.
It has been a privilege for both Mr. Parker and I to witness the courage, tenacity, and professionalism of the soldiers that are serving in the region. We would like to thank the Ministry of Defence for granting us access and support that make this trip possible.
Note: The story, all names, characters, and incidents are fictitious.
This concludes the VBC Correspondents story line. I hope you enjoyed it.
VBC Correspondents embedded with Coalition troops (Finale)
Filed by VBC Correspondent Alfred Lennard
VBC Security Contributor William Parker and I were recently granted access by the Ministry of Defence 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.
After spending time in Southwest Asia, we traveled to the Middle East and arrived at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Saif-Ullah. We had the opportunity to tour the base and accompanied a Force Protection Team from the Victorian Rifles as they escort Foreign Service Officer Charlotte Oliver to attend a meeting as part of her mentoring mission to the local government.
We were also invited to accompany the Middle East Regional Battle Group Commander, Colonel Kenneth Thornton, as he visited his Operational Mentoring and Liaison Teams (OMLTs) in the region. We met him at the flight line and spoke with him during our helicopter ride.
“What is the overall mission of the battle group here in the Middle East?” asked Parker.
“Our mission here is two-fold,” said Colonel Thornton, “Currently, our first effort is to train and advise the Coalition Force and the local government to defeat the insurgents. That’s our counter-insurgency role. Our second effort is to maintain an enhance forward presence to deter Russian attack.”
“Do you think you are making progress here?” asked Parker.
“We are definitely making progress.” Said Colonel Thornton. “Our overall security situation in this region has definitely improved. Although there are still threats of IEDs and mortar attacks, the number of attacks by insurgents have been decreasing. The capacity of the local government in delivering services to the citizens has also increased.”
“Is the Coalition Force capable of defending against the insurgents and Russia?” asked Parker.
“They are definitely capable.” Said Colonel Thornton. “The Coalition Force is taking the lead in their counter-insurgency operation, and the Assistance Force here is to train and advise them. In terms of Russia, we are here at the invitation of the host nation to maintain a presence here to deter any Russian aggression.”
We arrived at a patrol base where one of Colonel Thornton’s Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team is mentoring the Coalition Force. We were not able to disclose the location of the patrol base due to security reasons.
As we arrived at the patrol base, the Coalition Force was getting ready for a patrol. We were able to watch as the Coalition Force Commander briefing his men.
We observed that the Coalition Force in this region are better equipped than their Southwest Asia counterparts. They have better vehicles, their bases are more fortified, and their individual soldiers have better equipment. We posed this question to Colonel Thornton.
“We just came from Southwest Asia,” asked Parker, “The Coalition Force here seems to be much better equipped. Why is that?”
“The Coalition consists of many nations and different nations have different capabilities.” Said Colonel Thornton. “The host nation here has better resources and that’s why there are discrepancies. Regardless, the Assistance Force is to bridge those gaps to help in defeating the insurgents and deter Russia.”
We visited two more patrol bases with Colonel Thornton before flying back to FOB Saif-Ullah. As we returned back to base, our time in the region has come to an end. Before we leave, we have some closing observations and thoughts.
Although the fighting in the region has became a stalemate, the insurgency in the region is far from over. Despite the fact that there were no Victorian Forces deaths in the past year, soldiers deploy in the region continue to face daily threats from improvised explosive devices, suicide attacks, mortar attacks, and ambushes. The Coalition Forces soldiers bare the heaviest burden in terms of casualties especially in Southwest Asia. On a daily basis, insurgents inflict casualties on Coalition Force and they rely on the Assistance Force to provide medical evacuation by rotary aircrafts and medical support such as the Multinational Role 3 hospital in Zargadbad Airfield.
The situation in the Middle East appears to be more stable due to the amount of financial resources available, however it still requires a heavy blanket of security in order for this stability to occur. All the buildings that we have traveled to are surrounded by high concrete blast walls, T-Walls and barbed wire fences with access only available through a handful of entry control points. In order for Western advisors and mentors to safely improve the local government’s capacity, to strengthens its legitimacy and marginalize the insurgency, it continues to rely on the Assistance Force’s heavy protection.
In addition to the ongoing insurgency in the region, it continues to be under threat by its Russian neighbour. There appears to be a persistent need for the Assistance Force to remain in the region to maintain peace and security. In order for the local government to continue to improve in delivering services to its citizens, it continues to rely on the West including Victoria to provide training, advise, security and support; as well as a heavy armed presence to deter Russian attack and aggression.
It has been a privilege for both Mr. Parker and I to witness the courage, tenacity, and professionalism of the soldiers that are serving in the region. We would like to thank the Ministry of Defence for granting us access and support that make this trip possible.
Note: The story, all names, characters, and incidents are fictitious.
This concludes the VBC Correspondents story line. I hope you enjoyed it.