Sangin Transfer

To The United States Marines

Because British Forces Were Too Small

The previous page was: "Forty in Brunei"

The number of British Service men and women was not sufficient for the tasks they were expected to carry-out. Every department was either under-funded or under-manned by the Government who sent them there.

It was inevitable that the British would struggle in this war; the bravery of any of the troops was never in doubt; for they are as courageous as any British troops have ever been.

But the lack of backing by the people who sent there was very dubious; they had to have theirs heads buried deep in the sand; very deep, not to see the picture before them.

It was obvious from the very start that more of everything was required; lots more, for this vast country; after-all every Commander asked for more men and equipment, but none received what they actually needed to do their job properly. They were ordered to keep quiet or lose their job; some did.

Its true with increased numbers more would have died or would have been wounded or maimed for life. Those who made the decision to get involved did not gain favourable terms for our troops; or give them the best equipment for the numerous tasks they were set.

They sent them there to get on with it; to be slaughtered; while they dipped into the funds back home and helped themselves. Leaders and followers with smirks on their faces; Leaders who lied while their gullible followers backed them.

Forty in Brunei

The Mighty Americans Take-Over Sangin

The Royal Marines of 40 Commando have passed the responsibility for security in Sangin over to their American comrades as part of a shake-up of the Coalition effort in Afghanistan.

The transfer of authority, first announced by Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox in July, is the last piece in the gigsaw which has seen a rebalancing of "International Security Assistance Force" (ISAF) personnel across Helmand Province.

It follows an increase in ISAF and Afghan security forces in Helmand over recent months and will ensure an equal distribution of ISAF forces amongst the Afghan population living there.

In Sangin For Four Years

Handing over Sangin will allow UK forces to focus their effort in central Helmand, where they will continue to mount counterinsurgency operations, working alongside the "Afghan National Security Forces" (ANSF).

British forces have been in Sangin, a key economic and transport hub, since 2006, helping to provide security against the Taliban insurgency on behalf of the Government of Afghanistan. A duty which came at a price in lost lives.

The Royals of 40 Cdo, whom deployed with 4 Mechanised Brigade, passed on the baton to their brothers-in-arms of the United States Marine Corps.

Dr Fox said:

"British forces have served in Sangin over the last four years and should be very proud of the achievments they have made in one of the most challenging areas of Afghanistan."

"The level of sacrifice has been high and we should never forget the many brave troops who have lost their lives in the pursuit of success in an international mission rooted firmly in our own national security in the UK."

"The handover of Sangin by UK forces represents sound military rationale and reflects the increase of both ISAF and Afghan forces across Helmand over the course of the past year."

"British troops will deploy to central Helmand, in support of ISAF's main effort, where they will continue to lead the fight against insurgency and assist in building a stable and secure Afghanistan that can stand on its own feet."

Maj Gen Gordon Messenger RM

The Chief of the Defence Staff's Strategic Communications Officer, said: "British troops redeploying from Sangin are handing over a strong, forward-looking operation which has, over the last four years, ensured that the authority of the Afghan Government exists even in an area that the Taliban regard as their heartland."

"Our troops operating in Sangin have been taking the fight to the Taliban and by doing so have reduced the threat of violence spreading elsewhere."

"The progress and momentum in central Helmand would not have been possible withouth their endevour and sacrifice. It is and will continue to be a challenging area because of the strategic importance to the Afghan Government, ISAF and insurgency - that is why ISAF forces will remain there to build upon the progress already achieved by UK forces."

Lt Col Paul James, CO of 40 Cdo, said:

"Its been a hard fight for 40 Cdo in Sangin, but we have achieved much. We have sought to protect the local people and have worked hard to support the Afghan National Security Forces."

"The bazar itself, central to the economy of the area, is thriving and a much more bustling place than when we arrived, with new shops opening all of the time."

"There is still work to do, and we are confident that our American partners will build on what we have achieved. We have lost brave marines, but we will do them proud and return home with our heads held high."

Director Governor of Sangin

Mohammad Sharif, said:

"The attitude, service, and sacrifice that has been paid by the Royal Marines has been exemplary and has set a good example for the people of Sangin."

"As 40 Commando goes, they will be missed by the people of Sangin and they will be in our thoughts and minds forever as we will always remember their hard work and efforts."

US Maj Gen Richard P Mills

The Commander Regional Command (South West); the military HQ responsible for Helmand and Nimruz provinces, said: "UK forces have carved out a solid security bubble that we are moving US forces into."

"They are leaving solid professional relationship with the people and the ANSF in Sangin. We will continue to build on the successes and continue to work with the local population and forces there."

Building On Success

Troops retuning to the area over time have noticed a difference in Sangin, a binding together of roads and utility services, powerlines snaking out of Kajaki hydro-electric station. Sangin is also one of the most fertile parts of Helmand.

Since 2006, the governance of Sangin has undergone radical change, with the current governor working closely with the coalition forces and seeking to win the support of local tribal groupings, some of whom have previously supported the insurgency.

There are now more than 850 shops trading in Sangin's bazar; a figure which has doubled in a year. The improvement of Route 611 from central Helmand through Sangin to Kajaki has improved access to agricultural land and markets for the people.

while local administrators, supported by the Provincial Reconstruction Team, have been working to distribute grain and promote the production of legal alternatives to narcotics.

A new health clinic opened a year ago this month, which sees trained Afghan medics treat 300 patients a week from Sangin and surrounding areas. The handover of Sangin, was the third and final act in a series of changes sparked by a rise in numbers in the province.

There are now some 30,000 ISAF troops in Helmand as well as around 7,000 Afghan National Security Forces. In January last year there were just 5,000 ISAF troops, mostly British and a very few ANSF forces covering the same patch.

Security responsibility for Musa Qaleh was transferred from the UK to the Americans on March 27th 2010, while the same process was achieved for Kajaki on June 25th.

The Sangin switch completes the current round of restructuring of the "International Security Assistance Force" forces in southern Afghanistan.

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Pride For Our Courageous Troops

Here we can see what a magnificent part British forces have played in uniting the people of Afghanistan, and we know the high price of those who had to pay with their lives and their bodies and some with their minds.

For over a thousand years successive British governments have all failed to see the need to be ready for the next emergency; and sure enough the emergencies have turned-up one after the other, and will continue to do so while humans argue or mother nature changes her mood.

In each war the Government enters they are never ready for the action that takes place or properly prepared to enter it. There's a very old saying: "History always repeats itself!" Perhaps in their confortable world, the decision makers have not heard it?

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