Defence Secretary visits Helmand's frontline
7 Aug 07
Secretary of State for Defence Des Browne arrived in southern Afghanistan today, 7 August 2007, where he travelled directly to a Forward Operating Base near Gereshk in Helmand to meet troops on the frontline against the Taliban.
Secretary of State for Defence Des Browne meets soldiers of 12 Mechanized Brigade
[Picture: Sergeant Will Craig]
Mr Browne met forces from the 1st Battalion The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters at their base in the Upper Gereshk Valley. There, he viewed the Royal Artillery's new Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System, nicknamed the "70km Sniper".
The weapon, which has precision accuracy over a long range, arrived in theatre one month ago and has successfully contributed to driving the Taliban from the Upper Gereshk valley during Operation CHAKUSH, while its precision helps to limit the risk of civilian casualties. Mr Browne said:
"Britain can be proud of what our brave people, military and civilian, have already achieved in Helmand in little over one year since they first began their mission. Helmand remains a challenging, complex environment, and it will take time to make the progress we all seek in security and development.
"There is no military solution on its own here, which is why we have adopted a joint approach, delivering security hand in hand with development and representative governance. I am heartened to see that tangible development is taking place on the ground. This shows that the Government of Afghanistan offers a future where the Taliban offer none."
"Britain can be proud of what our brave people, military and civilian, have already achieved in Helmand in little over one year since they first began their mission. Helmand remains a challenging, complex environment, and it will take time to make the progress we all seek in security and development."
Des Browne, Secretary of State for Defence
Mr Browne met with local Afghan leaders at a traditional shura in Lashkar Gah and they discussed security and reconstruction issues. He also met British civilian officials of the Helmand Executive Group (formerly the Provincial Reconstruction Team).
New projects in the region include constructing a 20km road to link two key market towns in the north of Helmand and accommodation for trainee midwives at Lashkar Gah's main hospital. Five schools are also to be constructed or refurbished in Helmand Province.
Mr Browne is due to tour the medical facilities at Camp Bastion, where he will meet medical staff providing first-class life-saving treatment. He is also due to meet commanders and service personnel from a number of units, including the Joint Helicopter Forces, Joint Force Harrier and the Royal Anglians. The visit is Mr Browne's second in four months.
There are approximately 7,100 British troops currently serving in Afghanistan as part of the NATO led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). This will be increased to 7,800 by October 2007.