Another soldier has been killed in Afghanistan. He was from the 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment and died of his injuries following an explosion.
Some may think what a tragedy at this time of year, but the pain of loss for his family and friends will be just as unbearable no matter the season.
While Gordon Brown and the Brownies strutted their stuff in the luxurious surroundings of the Copenhagen climate summit, over 9000 men and women quietly continue their daily routines around 4000 miles from home.
Bob Ainsworth's announcement last week of 22 new Chinook helicopters for 2012-2013 has proved to be false. The Westminster government plans to buy only 10 new CH-47s for delivery in two or three years time with the intent to buy another 12 Chinooks later.
The total number of losses of British service personnel killed in action in Afghanistan since operations began there in 2001 is now 209. Including accidents and illnesses the number now stands at 240.
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16 comments:
SR,
A family loss is devasting for the family, regardless of the time of year.
Doubly so when caused by participation in a conflict that we have no need to be a party to.
The posturing by the not-so-great and not-so-good at Copenhagen was, as you say, in stark contrast to the actions carried out every day by our armed forces.
Perhaps when we can bring our troops home we can issue them with a length of rope and instruct them to go find a politician and attach said politician to the nearest lampost by their neck!
WfW, I think the Iraq war and now Afghanistan show the quality of politicians we've had for the past 15 years.
Never in my lifetime did I think we would have a couple of warmongers as PMs.
Sadly this will merit a tiny corner in a newspaper while the top news will be about a "cybernat blogger".
This news from Afghanistan is becoming so regular that you have to be sickened by politicians of every shade that support this nonsensical war. Why does nobody have the guts to stand up in Parliament and challenge this stupidity?
Exactly brownlie. Not one politician has stuck their head above the parapet and said our reasons for being there are wrong. But then, the reasons we've been told and the true reasons are quite different aren't they.
Nobody expects all troops to be home next year, but I thought Gordon Brown or one of his Brownie said there would be a withdrawal schedule.
The seriousness of the situation is shown by the USA sending in the 82nd Airborne Division. These are the successors to the American troops that introduced me to Hershey Bars and chewing gum before leaving suddenly in early June 1944. One of them finished up dangling from the church steeple in St. Mere Eglise (see the film "The Longest Day"). This is a major troop movement.
Yes Demetrius they know they've to start making an impact so using their AD shows their determination.
Oh, I can't remember where I read it, but recently many countries special forces had a competition to see which were the best.
The winners were - pause for impact - Britain!
Ah here's the link Demetrius.
http://www.sundaypost.com/postindex.htm
I get a lot of stick for this...but I trust that we are in Afghanistan for the right reasons. I trust (this is where I get real hassle) Tony Blair and his intentions.
However, the problems I have is the handling of it. The fiddling the figures of troops, of helicopters, harks back to when the Iron Chancellor conjured eye-ctahing figures about health and education spending tat were some figures sneakily counted twice. This is not an issue to be tricking us with. Mislead us about borrowing, you can just about get away with it. Mislead us about the military and in turn the safety and security of our armed forces and everyone from Labour front benchers, to the common man, to the editor of the Daily Mail will crucify you as a step too far - it's one of those sacred sections of your power you don't politicise or spin.
A close friend is due to be deployed with the Marines in a few months and I'm starting to take note of military issues and not only do the people and the military not have confidence in him, he doesn't even seem convinced by himself that he is up to this part of the job - which must scare the **** out of anyone with links to the military.
PD I wouldn't give you stick, just can't understand why you trust Blair or Brown in regard to this.
It doesn't surprise me in the least that the military don't trust Blair or Brown. If you had a job in which your life was repeatedly at risk, would you like it if your boss changed the goal posts a few times a year without any reason. In fact could you do a job where the goal posts didn't exist some of the time.
Afghanistan differs from Iraq of course but in years to come it will be proved the people have been lied to about both wars.
There are some good sites around if you want to follow matters more closely. The one in this link is trustworthy for procurement and there are others will unbiased information too.
May I wish your friend a safe tour.
Political Dissuasion,
What do you think the right reasons are?
Does anyone really know, after this length of time, the real reasons why we got involved in the first place,and why we are still involved.I thought at one time I knew, but with the lies and double talk and the obvious incapability of the government to take this war and the supplying of military equipment to the troops seriously, I wonder if even the government knows any more.
I am wondering if the real situation is that the Army are being used as mercenaries,I hope this is not the case.
D.
We got involved because the US needed help with oil pipelines I think Apogee. Britain has done a great deal to ensure they are in place. Now? There are so many reasons I doubt if we'll ever know the truth.
"with the intent to buy another 12 Chinooks later" Which means they will cancel when nobody is looking.
Of course banned, the carefully used word is 'intent'.
...and 'intent' can get you lifted.
No luck it will happen to this shower!
D.
No they're so well padded by the justice system.
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