nastyleg
10-16-2009, 01:03 PM
Bomb disposal heroes given Afghanistan medals
A History and Honour news article
16 Oct 09
Just days after returning home to a heroes' welcome, bomb disposal soldiers were honoured yesterday on the parade ground for their arduous work over the last six months in Afghanistan.
More than 90 soldiers were greeted by family and friends as they returned home to Carver Barracks in Wimbish, Essex, on Monday and the same friends and family applauded as the soldiers were awarded their campaign medals at the barracks yesterday, Thursday 15 October 2009.
The soldiers, predominantly from 58 Field Squadron (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) [EOD], part of 33 Engineer Regiment (EOD), and 11 EOD Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps, together formed the Joint Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group in Afghanistan.
The Royal Engineers and Royal Logistic Corps bomb disposal and search specialists worked in teams to provide three different capabilities - improvised explosive device disposal, conventional munitions disposal and high risk search, all of whom were responsible for finding and disposing of all explosive ordnance and improvised explosive devices within Helmand province.
In their six-month deployment the group dealt with over 1,400 reported incidents, ranging from the disposal of Taliban weapon caches to improvised explosive devices.
With involvement in Operation PANTHER'S CLAW, the group were heavily committed throughout their deployment. In addition to their operational commitments, the group trained ISAF troops and the local population in explosive hazard awareness.
It is without doubt that the actions of the Joint Force EOD Group have saved the lives of many soldiers and civilians over the past six months.
The soldiers were presented with their campaign medals yesterday by Director General Land Warfare, Major General Andrew Kennett. He said:
"There is no doubt the contribution you made was remarkable. Today is about the valued service of the soldiers on parade and the families, friends, colleagues and the regimental family who have supported you through a particularly difficult tour."
He also paid tribute to the injured and Captain Daniel Shepherd and Sapper Jordan Rossi who lost their lives during the tour. A minute's silence was held and a wreath laid in their memory.
Major Eldon Millar, Officer Commanding, Joint Force EOD Group, said:
"The last six months has been a challenging and rewarding tour. Officers and soldiers have demonstrated professional skill and courage of the very highest order and I pay tribute to them all. Every soldier has shown determination and fortitude and has faced the challenges head on.
"A very important contributing factor to the success of the tour is the close-knit relationship that has been formed between 58 Field Squadron (EOD) and 11 EOD Regiment RLC. Equally important has been the tremendous support we have received from our families and friends.
"Tragically, the tour saw the loss of Captain Dan Shepherd from 11 EOD Regiment RLC and Sapper Jordan Rossi from 38 Engineer Regiment. They will not be forgotten and they remain in our thoughts."
On Monday, amongst those greeting Major Millar and his men at Carver Barracks were his wife Ange and his two young children. Mrs Millar said:
"It's been a challenge and a worry and a bit of a slog at times, but it is over now and I am relieved he is back. But it is days like today that we think about the two soldiers that aren't coming home and I am amazingly grateful that Eldon has come back; it has been a worrying time."
Also there to welcome her husband home was Molly Nharaunda and son Marc, aged one. She said:
"It's been very hard whilst he has been away and it has felt like a very long time. I am very, very happy that he is back safe."
Her husband Sapper Walter Nharaunda said:
"I'm glad to be home to see my family. The last time I saw Marc he was eight months old. He has changed an awful lot; he's grown and is a lot more active!"
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/HistoryAndHonour/BombDisposalHeroesGivenAfghanistanMedals.htm
A History and Honour news article
16 Oct 09
Just days after returning home to a heroes' welcome, bomb disposal soldiers were honoured yesterday on the parade ground for their arduous work over the last six months in Afghanistan.
More than 90 soldiers were greeted by family and friends as they returned home to Carver Barracks in Wimbish, Essex, on Monday and the same friends and family applauded as the soldiers were awarded their campaign medals at the barracks yesterday, Thursday 15 October 2009.
The soldiers, predominantly from 58 Field Squadron (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) [EOD], part of 33 Engineer Regiment (EOD), and 11 EOD Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps, together formed the Joint Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group in Afghanistan.
The Royal Engineers and Royal Logistic Corps bomb disposal and search specialists worked in teams to provide three different capabilities - improvised explosive device disposal, conventional munitions disposal and high risk search, all of whom were responsible for finding and disposing of all explosive ordnance and improvised explosive devices within Helmand province.
In their six-month deployment the group dealt with over 1,400 reported incidents, ranging from the disposal of Taliban weapon caches to improvised explosive devices.
With involvement in Operation PANTHER'S CLAW, the group were heavily committed throughout their deployment. In addition to their operational commitments, the group trained ISAF troops and the local population in explosive hazard awareness.
It is without doubt that the actions of the Joint Force EOD Group have saved the lives of many soldiers and civilians over the past six months.
The soldiers were presented with their campaign medals yesterday by Director General Land Warfare, Major General Andrew Kennett. He said:
"There is no doubt the contribution you made was remarkable. Today is about the valued service of the soldiers on parade and the families, friends, colleagues and the regimental family who have supported you through a particularly difficult tour."
He also paid tribute to the injured and Captain Daniel Shepherd and Sapper Jordan Rossi who lost their lives during the tour. A minute's silence was held and a wreath laid in their memory.
Major Eldon Millar, Officer Commanding, Joint Force EOD Group, said:
"The last six months has been a challenging and rewarding tour. Officers and soldiers have demonstrated professional skill and courage of the very highest order and I pay tribute to them all. Every soldier has shown determination and fortitude and has faced the challenges head on.
"A very important contributing factor to the success of the tour is the close-knit relationship that has been formed between 58 Field Squadron (EOD) and 11 EOD Regiment RLC. Equally important has been the tremendous support we have received from our families and friends.
"Tragically, the tour saw the loss of Captain Dan Shepherd from 11 EOD Regiment RLC and Sapper Jordan Rossi from 38 Engineer Regiment. They will not be forgotten and they remain in our thoughts."
On Monday, amongst those greeting Major Millar and his men at Carver Barracks were his wife Ange and his two young children. Mrs Millar said:
"It's been a challenge and a worry and a bit of a slog at times, but it is over now and I am relieved he is back. But it is days like today that we think about the two soldiers that aren't coming home and I am amazingly grateful that Eldon has come back; it has been a worrying time."
Also there to welcome her husband home was Molly Nharaunda and son Marc, aged one. She said:
"It's been very hard whilst he has been away and it has felt like a very long time. I am very, very happy that he is back safe."
Her husband Sapper Walter Nharaunda said:
"I'm glad to be home to see my family. The last time I saw Marc he was eight months old. He has changed an awful lot; he's grown and is a lot more active!"
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/HistoryAndHonour/BombDisposalHeroesGivenAfghanistanMedals.htm