OPERATIONAL NOTE: Gallant military heroes to be recognised at ceremony

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 07/09/2009 17:18:03

Media are invited to attend an embargoed media facility on XX xxxxxxx 2009 in advance of the publication of the latest Operational Honours and Awards list which will be published on 11 September 2009. The list will name recipients of honours for gallantry and meritorious service, predominantly from the 3 Commando Brigade Task Force that deployed to Afghanistan in autumn 2008, but also others involved in operations in Iraq, elsewhere overseas, and in the UK.

Service personnel in receipt of awards from all three Services will be available for interview.

The facility, which will be held at Stonehouse Barracks in Plymouth, will commence with presentation of award recipients to a senior officer from their service. The awards will be announced, after which there will be interview and photo opportunities.

WHEN: xxxxxx

WHERE: Royal Marines Stonehouse, RM Barracks, Durnford Street, Plymouth, Devon PL1 3QS

REGISTRATION: Media representatives planning to attend MUST register in advance by contacting Ben Wilkinson in the MoD Press Office on 0207 218 9006 or [email protected] no later than xxxxxx

Background information on 3 Commando Brigade

The second tour of 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines in Helmand Province, southern Afghanistan began in September 2008. On 8 October, with the handover from 16 Air Assault Brigade complete, the Royal Marines took command of Task Force Helmand for the six months up to 10 April 2009. This tour was undoubtedly challenging, rewarding and extremely successful but was not without cost; 37 members of the Task Force lost their lives and more than 150 were wounded.

The Task Force conducted the full spectrum of operations from the complexity and scale of multi-dimensional Brigade-level manoeuvre, through to closely fought infantry engagements in appalling weather conditions with technological advantage reduced almost to nothing. Operation SOND CHARA saw the Brigade undertake a huge push into the Nad e-Ali area. Despite opposition from a determined and resilient enemy, the Taleban was pushed back away from areas that had not seen security for some time, so allowing encouraging progress to take root; schools to re-open, clinics to be built, and new shops to open - all signs of life returning to normal for many Afghans.

More importantly, the Afghan government was able to reach out into outlying Districts and have a real impact amongst the local population. There was notable progress made in training the Afghan Army and Police, and disrupting the narcotics trade in Helmand.

Operation DIESEL was a bold and hugely successful aviation assault operation which demonstrated quite clearly that ISAF and Afghan Forces could strike when and where they chose, with speed and ruthless precision at the very heart of Taleban bases. Reconstruction projects began to spring up around the Province, including road building, new police stations and mosques, electricity distribution and agricultural development projects.

All of this was possible through the hard work, determination, strengthof character and fighting spirit shown day in, day out, by the men and women of 3 Commando Brigade, and attached units. They performed superbly in extremely challenging conditions.

For more information, contact Ben Wilkinson or David Jackson at the
Ministry of Defence Press Office on 0207 218 9006 or

[email protected]