Commando Gunners help protect troops in Afghanistan

Led by Lieutenant Colonel Neil Wilson, the regiment is now well over half way through their six-month deployment to Afghanistan.

With individuals based at almost every location where the UK Task Force is operating they are living up to their honour title of 'Ubique' or 'everywhere'.

The Close Support Artillery Regiment that supports 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines, 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery provides the brigade with offensive fire support, co-ordinating fire from the regiment's own 105mm Light Guns, Mortars, Naval Gun Fire and Close Air Support.

On their current deployment, the soldiers, sailors and marines from the regiment have been undertaking a variety of roles including patrolling towns, villages and deserts, operating communications systems, and assisting with the logistical maintenance and re-supply of the UK Task Force in Helmand through continuous helicopter and ground convoy moves alongside their Royal Marine and Army colleagues.

However, it has been in the control and delivery of fire where their main effort has been focused. Lt Col Wilson explained:

"It has been via this function that we have been providing indirect fire support to assist in the protection of all elements of the UK Task Force and the Afghan Army.

"It has kept us all extremely busy with there always being another challenge or unexpected task just around the corner."

The regiment's Fire Support Teams, who direct the fire from all these weapon systems, are forever in demand. Lt Col Wilson added:

"Through careful resource management, constant helicopter moves, and highly trained groupings of five or six men being given no time to rest, they magically appear to be in more than one place at a time."

The teams are supported by 29 Commando Regiment's own 105mm Light Guns, manned no matter what the weather, time of day or enemy threat.

Lt Col Wilson puts the expertise of his regiment down to their pre-deployment training:

"Without this preparation conducted across the UK and in Norway, Belize, Oman and the USA, we would not be in anything like as good shape as we are now," he said.

The regiment is nearly 500-strong in total, including an attached radar battery, an attached guided rocket battery, reinforcements from a Germany-based gun regiment, and several Territorial Army soldiers drawn from across the reservist community. A contingent of Australian Gunners also helps man the guns.

Illustrating just how involved the regiment is with front line operations, they have suffered several casualties, some of whom are still in hospital recovering from severe life-changing injuries, and tragically lost two officers, Captain Tom Sawyer and Lieutenant Aaron Lewis, who were both killed in action leading their men. Lt Col Wilson said:

"They will be missed dreadfully by us all and our thoughts remain very much with their close families. Despite these losses and injuries, the morale of the regiment could not be higher."

Lt Col Wilson, aged 43, who has commanded the regiment for the past two-and-a-half years, which included their previous deployment to Afghanistan in 2006, has managed to reach nearly every location at which members of his regiment are currently based. He said:

"They are, without fail, upbeat about what they are achieving and how they are fairing. They have good reason to be. Despite living in austere conditions, a harsh working environment, and an ever-present enemy threat, they are all performing superbly and receiving endless praise from all directions for their sheer professionalism, dedication to duty and defiantly positive attitude.

"Through the judicious and discriminate use of our weapon systems we are helping to provide a more secure environment to an otherwise lawless and corrupt state, and thereby improving the lives and livelihoods of the average Afghan.

"Progress is slow and often intangible but returning 18 months after our last tour, the difference has been noticeable. More Afghans have access to markets and schools and are able to look forward to forthcoming elections, whilst fewer are intimidated by insurgent activity."