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ALPHA COMPANY ‘THE SAINTS’ As we ease towards the last month of the tour, our thoughts are increasingly turning towards coming home and looking forward to some time off to catch up with family and friends. However, conscious that the tour still has a way to go, all are maintaining focus to ensure mistakes are not made and that we handover to our successors in the best possible fashion. The last month has seen a real step-change in the confidence and capability of the Afghan Security forces in providing security in the protected communities of Nahr-eSeraj; consequently ISAF have reverted to a supporting role, ready to re-intervene on behalf of the Afghans at their request. This means more time sat in bases and deliberate operations only in direct support of ISAF force protection. Whilst the marines would like to be doing more, they also recognise the greater campaign success of taking a back seat and allowing the Afghans to prosecute their own counterinsurgency campaign. Despite the frustrations of not being busy, we have deployed on the ground as a whole more times than the other Coys and all marines, whether on their first tour or their fourth, will have gained some valuable experience, plus the kudos of being on the last RM tour of Op Herrick. During March ‘The Saints’ have provided support through a number of reactive and deliberate operations. A multiple from 1 Tp deployed to Main

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Operating Base Lashkar Gah, to be on hand to support the Afghan Police in containing a prison riot; we have provided force protection to UK and US Engineer recce tasks; and towards the end of the month 2 deliberate operations were mounted to enable the repair or removal of key bridges on the main highway running through Helmand. As we look towards April and the arrival of the first members of Y Coy, 1st Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, the number of deliberate operations is likely to decrease in order to allow the handover of responsibility, equipment and accommodation. We will remain capable of providing reactive support until the middle of the month, whereupon our successors will take over. This being the last Coy newsletter of H17, I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of all the men of Alpha Coy, to thank you for your enduring support over the last 6 ½ months in all its forms. We are acutely aware that we have, in many respects, the easier part of the bargain in being over here whilst our families and loved ones deal with the challenges and problems of everyday life back home and this is greatly appreciated by all of us. I look forward to seeing many of you at the Medals Parade in Norton Manor Camp in mid-May.

Maj Fraser Allan RM

Overview Alpha Company head into the last phase of our tour mindful of the requirement for continued focus and concentration as the end looms ever closer. MOB Price’s excellent facilities are at full stretch now that the ‘Relief in Place’ (RIP) with 1RRF has begun, but still provide more than adequate services for the men of Alpha Coy to train, compete and relax in (even if occasionally a little flooded). The Coy has maintained a steady flow of Operational tasks, including force protection for engineers and provision of a ‘Quick Reaction Force’ (QRF) for the ANSF to provide in extremis support.

1 Troop, through hard work, grit and determination now resemble a troop of Greek gods. Bronzed, chiselled and generally essence we are continuing to work hard right up until the final few days in Afghanistan. During a bit of down time mid way through the month a 2 day sporting competition was set up. Fierce rivalry raged between 40 Cdo RM and our Danish counterparts throughout. 1 Troop gave it everything and knowing that the reputation of the Royal Marines lay in their hands we promptly lost 4-0 to the Danish ‘beasts’. Outside of HMS Price we have provided protection for UK and US engineers rebuilding a key bridge in Gereshk. Working through the night alongside the Afghan Police, 1 Troop maintained high standards to keep the

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perimeter safe for those working to repair the bridge. One month today until we leave Afghanistan, morale remains high as the days are counted down and the Troop returns home to see loved ones and friends; we are not there yet but it is getting close now. Lt Theo Hogg RM

2 Troop has enjoyed another busy month here at HMS Price. A highlight of the month was the competition against the Danes, where we had the opportunity to showcase our hard earned physical prowess. Whilst we were disappointingly beaten by the Danes in all events, we were happy to prove the all round fittest amongst the A Coy teams. Narrowly beaten in the volleyball final, we posted the 3 fastest A Coy times in the CrossFit competition; Mne Tindle ignored technique and cracked on with brute strength, whilst Mne Paul ‘The Beast’ Fairholm employed a successful deception plan to overcome aesthetic muscle with sheer determination. However, this Bootneck attitude was not enough to win the ‘March and Shoot’, leaving our A Coy rivals trailing only to be beaten again by our Danish opponents. The rest of our time has been mainly taken up by the 4 Mastiff vehicles which were signed over midway through the month. Dealing with their incredible reliability issues, the Troop has worked hard to get the vehicles sorted. James Beevor, aka Eddie Stobart, has taken the lead, spending most of his time admiring

his wagon proudly telling everyone how much he loves trucks. The hard work paid off, as we played our part in a large op in Gereshk DC, enabling the build of a new bridge, which seemed to double as a Gucci ramp for local motorcyclists. With just a month to go, we are all looking forward to returning home and catching up with friends and family, but in the meantime we remain focused on the job at hand. Lt Alex Gobbi RM

returning equipment back to Bastion for back loading to the UK, we have swapped our beloved Jackals for the famously unreliable Husky. For the recent operation in which we provided force protection for a new bridge build in downtown Geresk, we were based in four Husky vehicles. In the build up and during the Op, they continuously failed and broke down for one reason or another causing untold stress for the Company 2 i/c; which is probably directly responsible for his accelerated receding hairline. With this being the last newsletter before we return home, I would like to thank everyone’s family, friends and girlfriends who have supported the men of FSG throughout this tour as you have kept my men content and able to focus on their jobs these last 6 months. I can assure you they are extremely excited at seeing you all (despite what they may tell you) at the end of April and catching up on everything they have missed in the last 6 months. Capt Tom Huckle RM

The FSG Tp has learned a few important lessons this month. Lesson number 1: The Danes, who share the camp with us, must be in some way related to the mythical demi-God Hercules. We came to this conclusion due to their selection of competitors in the recent Cross Fit, volleyball and march and shoot competition. Lifting weights like they were cotton candy and flying around the running course seemingly unaffected by the weight on their backs, they smashed us at every competition. Lesson number 2: We are awful at volleyball. Despite having a manager, a trial session and even costumes, our confidence far outweighed our actual skill level. Competing in three games, with a maximum amount of points of 45 to be won, we managed to win a measly 3.5 points (the half being given out of sympathy). The team is now disbanded due to personal reasons. Lesson number 3: The Husky vehicle is a cruel and untrustworthy mistress. With the focus now on 2014 and

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Summary Thoughts now drift to what awaits us on our return to the UK, and to seeing family and loved ones again. All that remains is to sign off the Coy Newsletter for Op HERRICK 17 with our gratitude and thanks for the abundant support the Company have received from those at home. The phone calls, letters, emails and packages have made all the difference and helped morale no end. We are looking forward to seeing you all soon.

Kris Blevins Our back garden got flooded…bad times. James Beevor Looking forward to getting home and spending time with the family. Martin O’Grady I am thinking of the end of the tour now. Looking forward to seeing everyone back home! Chris Lambert Only a few weeks to push now of Herrick 17 and overall it has had its ups and downs. Now looking forward to seeing all my friends and family as well as making up for lost time in the pub. Rob Terry Hey Liss, Ant, Gigi and Jess. I will be home soon and I can’t wait! Keep some beers in the fridge for me for some quality time. Kyle Noblett Getting close to the end of the tour now and can’t wait to see my family and friends again. Looking forward to POTL and some time to chill out with a few beers.

Sam White This concludes this tour. It has been a different experience to what I expected. I am now looking forward to a summer off back in the UK with my family, friends and more importantly alcoholic beverages. Haydn Jones Just got back off RnR and had an awesome time with all my family and friends. Not long now and I’ll be home for good! Callum Harrison I am happy I’m in the last month of the tour with the reality of seeing my family and friends that much closer. Marlon Butcher Not long now to go. Counting down the days and cannot wait to spend time with my wife and kids, as 6 months away is a long time when you have a new family. Liam Bounsall Last month of the tour and now looking forward to getting back to friends and family and catching up on everything I’ve missed. See you soon.

Dan Thomas

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The tour has had some good times and some bad. However, it’s nearly over and I’m glad I came. But so long Afghanistan! Ben Cottrell Hi Firthy, hope your okay, missing you like mad, love you lots xoxo James Caisley To Stephannie Caisley, missing you so much hun. I hope our new baby girl is letting you get some sleep. Miss you both. James Burdis Hello to my wife and son, all is well, and the weather is getting hot now. Can’t wait to come home now, not long. Miss you loads! Lots of love Andy Tucker What’s the score? Looking forward to my bottle of port. Jonny Lattimer To all my family all is well here, hope you are ok, see you soon. Adam Arnold To Riley, Stacey, mum and dad, not long now till I am back. I have missed you lots, see you soon. Ed Acheson To those at home in Kent and Sheffield, it has started to get hot again, lots of sun cream required. See you all soon. Matt Redfern Hope everything is well back home, can’t wait to see you all soon. Neil Swanson Not long now, one month to go and I will be back, you had best stock up on port.

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Theo Hogg Keep smiling baby girl, not long now. Lee Dodkin Hello home, I’ll be home in a few weeks. Looking forward to it, see you then. Joe Vince Looking forward to seeing friends and family. One month to push! Kage Brennan 4 weeks to go. Then a whole weekend off! Yessss. Josh Davis This is not what it said in the brochure, worst holiday ever. Dave Brennan Home stretch baby! Andy Cooper Thank god it’s now only 4 weeks left! Matt Claremont-Davies The last few weeks have come and gone quickly, now we are all hoping the next few will be even quicker. Looking ahead to coming home, but staying focused whilst remaining here. Paul Fairholm It’s the final countdown…. Rob Oliver Not long to go, then home time. Dewald Groenewald Thank you for all the support received from family and friends over the last 6 months. Our imprint in the desert will soon fade away but will not forget the sacrifices made to get here. I can not wait to spend time with Mel and seeing my parents over POTL!