Supplying Helmand's front line
8 Dec 08
From water and washers to bullets and boots, fuel and now festive food, the Commando Logistic Regiment Royal Marines are currently in Afghanistan working 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week, to keep 3 Commando Brigade supplied with everything they need. And the Regiment won't even be taking a break on Christmas Day.
The Combat Logistical Patrols have to cross some of the most arduous and hostile terrain in the world
[Picture: Royal Navy]
The men and women of the Devon-based Logistic Regiment have been in Helmand province for around two months now and in that time they have already successfully transported over 2,000 tonnes of stock and supplies, completed 11 Combat Logistical Patrols covering over 3,000 miles (4,828 kilometres), and delivered 680,000 litres of essential military fuel.
The regiment is made up of a mix of marines, sailors, soldiers, logisticians, mechanics, drivers, fighting-troops and medics; and, to get their job done, they battle through some of the toughest terrain in the world, consisting mostly of desert and mountains, as well as facing enemy attacks.
Colonel Andy Maynard, Commanding Officer of the Commando Logistic Regiment (CLR), said:
"It may be approaching Christmas but we are part of a 24/7 operation keeping the wheels of the brigade turning over Christmas and New Year just as at any other time. Our plans are to grab some Christmas food, call home, but otherwise it's business as normal.
A Combat Logistical Patrol can sometimes involve up to 150 vehicles
[Picture: Royal Navy]
"The planning cycle for our operations is demanding and complex, with painstaking efforts taken to keep our men and women as safe as possible and ensure all our operations are a success, so we don't even break for December 25th!"
Helmand province is not well suited to large road moves yet the Combat Logistical Patrols undertaken by the regiment can sometimes involve up to 150 vehicles and there is an ever present threat of enemy attack as NATO forces try to stabilise and rebuild Afghanistan.
Col Maynard added:
"Accessing the furthest reaches of Helmand with as many as 150 large vehicles is not a simple matter of driving along well-maintained motorways. The Combat Logistical Patrols have to cross some of the most arduous and hostile terrain in the world, a far cry from the tarmac roads most of us are used to.
"They [the patrols] are huge and impressive beasts. It was estimated that to overtake one of our recent patrols would have taken 45 minutes!"
The Commando Logistic Regiment Royal Marines works hard to keep 3 Commando Brigade supplied with everything they need
[Picture: Royal Navy]
The complex patrols are heavily armed with their own force protection troops which are there specifically to keep the main body of the patrol safe and on course.
The planning and execution of these operations also includes armoured support, international support, close air support, air surveillance, artillery, explosive ordnance demolition teams and Special Forces to ensure the stock carried makes it to its final destination.
The supplies that the Commando Logistic Regiment is delivering to the forward operating troops of 3 Commando Brigade are essential for them to continue their work in assisting the Afghanistan Government with bringing new security to the country. And if it were not for the efforts of the men and women who plan, support, and run the Combat Logistical Patrols, the British Battle groups and the campaign to stabilise the region would quickly feel the pinch.