Princess Anne presents Afghan medals to TA soldiers
1 Dec 09
Territorial Army (TA) soldiers from 152 (Ulster) Transport Regiment RLC recently received their Afghanistan Operational Service Medals from the Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Logistic Corps (RLC), Her Royal Highness Princess Anne, The Princess Royal.
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal pins an Operational Service Medal for Afghanistan on Lance Corporal Alan Strain
[Picture: Mike O'Neill, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]
The unit, which is part of the Royal Logistic Corps, is based at Palace Barracks, Holywood, Northern Ireland, and has provided over 180 soldiers (50 per cent of its strength) for deployment on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The soldiers received their medals at Hillsborough Castle. They have recently been immersed in operations in Afghanistan, working alongside their regular Army counterparts as an integral part of Task Force Helmand on Operation HERRICK 10.
Deployed in the most hostile parts of Helmand province, they have achieved the following milestones during their tour:
- 12,000 kilometres travelled by road
- 5,000+ tonnes of ammunition delivered to combat troops
- 10,000+ tonnes of rations delivered to combat troops
- 15,000 tonnes of water delivered to combat troops
- 8.5 million litres of fuel delivered to combat troops
- 100 tonnes of medical supplies delivered to combat troops
- 15,000+ tonnes of infrastructure equipment delivered in support of the local Afghan communities
- £1bn+ of drugs seized/denied
The Commanding Officer of the unit, Lieutenant Colonel Adrian Thurgood, said:
"It was a great honour for the troops to receive their medals from Her Royal Highness. These are ordinary people who have done extraordinary deeds in the service of their country and the people of Afghanistan.
"As a unit we welcome their safe return and look forward to deploying further troops to enable the vital work in Afghanistan to continue."