Brits find 15mph speed limit on AFGHN bases a little "limiting"

There are certain things you have to adjust to when you spend a significant amount of time out here in Afghanistan.

It is dusty - HEAT, like the kind they are complaining about back home but for months instead of days/weeks - Food at the chow halls is "meh" - living in cramped qtrs. - basic bathrooms and shower facilities -

And the one overriding rule if you are driving anywhere on base - The 15 mph speed limit. In an effort to not lose anyone to needless accidents, the speed limit is set at 15 mph on all ISAF bases. This is exceedingly slow, especially if you need to get from point A to point B on base and you are running late. I got pulled over once on KAF because I was tooling along on the perimeter road at the ungodly rate of 40 mph. The MP who pulled me over was fairly understanding when I told him I was late for a flight and needed to get back out to the Whiskey Ramp. He gently suggested that I take it slower as there was a rather hefty fine for speeding.

Well it seems our allies the Brits have had to deal with this issue also....Must be from watching all those episodes of TOP GEAR that has got the chaps ready to get behind the wheel and yell, " More POWER !!!"


Speed guns new threat to troops in Afghanistan as top brass fine drivers for breaking 15mph limit
By UK Mail On Sunday Reporter
24th July 2011

Military police are using speed guns to catch soldiers staging ‘wacky races’ in armoured vehicles at Britain’s main base in Afghanistan.

The crackdown follows a series of accidents at Camp Bastion after soldiers raced against each other in combat trucks worth tens of millions of pounds.

Squaddies caught taking part in races have been fined £50 – a day’s pay – and received a ticking off from commanders. The speed limit inside the base is 15 miles per hour.

Vehicles at the huge desert garrison, where 10,000 UK troops are based, include the powerful, four-ton Jackal armoured car, which can reach up to 80 mph.

There are also various 20-ton armoured personnel carriers,
24-ton Warrior armoured vehicles, and hundreds of civilian off-road 4x4s.
Commanders argue that safety is paramount and the speed guns are necessary to avoid accidents.

But many frontline troops are unhappy over the crackdown, saying ‘politically correct’ officers have already ordered checks on uniforms and hair length.
One soldier said: ‘If it wasn’t so serious it would be funny, but these guys are taking their jobs too seriously. We already have the “style police”, who have nothing better to do than check our uniforms are pressed.

‘Then we have the “haircut police” telling everyone to get a haircut. It is bonkers when there is a war going on.’

A senior RAF officer said: ‘If it saves one life then I think it will have been worth it.’

An MoD spokesman said: ‘We take road safety as seriously on operations as we do in the UK.

Lucky Brit - Bullet misses soldier by millimetres !!

Someone in Britain hit a lottery this week for 161 Million British Pounds Sterling....That person is very very lucky.....THIS British Soldier ranks right up there.....He has a most valuable prize to brag about - Still having his LIFE.

That's a close shave! Bullet misses soldier by millimetres after tearing through his chin strap - By UK Daily Mail Reporter
14th July 2011

A bombardier has had a narrow escape from the Taliban after a sniper's bullet flew so close to his head that it cut clean through the strap of his helmet.

James Hallam from 148 Battery, 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, has been in Afghanistan since April.

The soldier, who has been in the army for 11 years, was on his first patrol with a new unit in an area known for its militant hide-outs, east of Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand Province.

The attack came when his troop, made up of Royal Marines and engineers, was dropped by helicopter to carry out searches of buildings believed to be factories making homemade explosives for IEDs.

The team came under fire as soon as they landed.

Bombardier Hallam told the British Forces News: 'It was pretty punchy, I could hear the bullets whizzing past me and all I was focusing on was firing back.

'I knew that one had come pretty close to me because I heard the noise, felt the heat and the force of it knocked me over.

"But it wasn’t until later that I realised just how close it’d come."

The soldier was only aware of his close shave once they had taken cover after the gun battle when an officer asked what was wrong with his helmet.

The bullet had hit the clip on the underside rim, severing the strap.
Miraculously, despite being only millimetres from his face, the bullet left no mark.

This is the third time that Bdr Hallam has been deployed to Afghanistan - but admitted this was his most dangerous encounter with enemy troops.

The headgear is being examined by army experts as is the case with any equipment damaged in the line of duty. Bdr Hallam is hoping to get his helmet back.

He said: 'That helmet saved my life - there is absolutely no doubt about it.

'I don’t think I’ll be able to wear it again because of the damage but I’d like the strap at least to carry around with me as a bit of a lucky charm

Leading from the front...

We judge LEADERS by the example they set. By demonstrating that they also have "skin in the game", we see that they too are willing to place themselves out front and at risk. It is the mark of excellence in Leadership.

Look closely at our present Leaders. Senator John McCain set the standard as he is a highly decorated Veteran and paid a high price for the freedoms we enjoy. The present "Empty Suit" who occupies the center seat at the White House, not so much....He likely saw that as beneath his personal status....He has demonstrated that he holds contempt for the military, only expressing feigning support once he got elected, and only because it is one of his duties as President. Slick Mitt Romney also has no military background nor does any of his 4 sons.....it wasn't the work they were prepared to take on as that was something the poor people do...

Now let's look across the pond to our ally the British....Prince Harry will be serving a 2nd tour in Afghanistan. Last time he was on the ground with the British contingent at FOB Dehli. I've been there briefly as I flew around southern Helmand Province and it was not a place I wanted to stay long. FOB Dehli was listed as " RED " by our security which meant it was HOT, and I'm not speaking about the ambient air temperture. It was rated as unsafe and likely to be subject to regular attacks.

Now, Prince Harry will be going back as a Apache Helicopter Pilot. Good Show Sir....show them how it's done. The British have my keen admiration as they are not afraid to put their Leaders out on the front line as that is where they belong. Leading from the front.....Brilliant.

Good show young Prince. Show us how it is done. We are glad to call the British our best friends, regardless of what the feckless idiot in charge in Washington says. The British are leading by example and those who truly understand LEADERSHIP appreciate the efforts of Prince Harry here in Afghanistan. He understands the key principle of " Leadership by example".

Prince Harry’s Apache war on the Taliban
He's cleared to fight in chopper By DUNCAN LARCOMBE Royal Editor, and RICHARD WHITE
16 Jun 2011 - UK SUN

PRINCE Harry is going back to war in Afghanistan as an Apache attack helicopter pilot, The Sun can reveal.

Defence chiefs and the Queen have given the go-ahead for Harry, a qualified Apache flier, to fulfil his dream of returning to battle the Taliban.

The 26-year-old Prince - known as Captain Wales by the military - will unleash Hellfire missiles at the Taliban when he returns.

Once he finishes final battle and weapons training, Harry will be at the controls of the world's most sophisticated attack helicopter.

His main tasks will be to provide air cover for ground troops and to seek and destroy Taliban positions.

Harry, a qualified Apache pilot attached to the Army Air Corps, will have the chopper's awesome armour-piercing cannon at his disposal along with the dreaded Hellfires.

But he could find himself taking on Taliban fighters alone if his £46million craft is shot down or crashes.

As third in line to the throne and a "high value target," insurgents would be desperate to capture him.

On every mission he will be armed with a pistol and SA80 assault rifle as well as field dressings, morphine and emergency rations to give him the best chance of survival.

But an Army Air Corps source said: "Harry will face extreme dangers. Should his Apache malfunction and be forced down the tables are seriously turned.

'Zeal Does Not Rest' - HMS Ark Royal is decommissioned with overwhelming appreciation for her service

A sad day for the British Navy.....The crew of the Ark Royal have our thanks and respects for the good service and defense of freedom. The British Navy will hopefully rebuild and once again stand shoulder to shoulder with the US Navy in keeping the seas free.

Best of British: Tears flow as Ark Royal's last 150 sailors say an emotional farewell
By UK Daily Mail Reporter
11th March 2011

Tearful crowds have gathered for an emotional farewell to the HMS Ark Royal as the doomed Royal Navy's flagship was decommissioned.

The last remaining 150 sailors serving on board Britain's most famous warship watched as her white ensign was lowered for the final time.

Principal guest First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope inspected a guard comprising 30 of the ship's company at the aircraft carrier's home port of Portsmouth, Hants.

The Royal Marines Band played ceremonial music during the hour long service conducted by the ship's chaplain and attended by more than 900 family and former commanding officers.

The 689ft long ship was controversially decommissioned three years early due to government cuts.

Captain Jerry Kyd, the last Commanding Officer of HMS Ark Royal, who now commands sister ship HMS Illustrious, said: 'Ark Royal is the best of British and represents everything great about our country.

'She has served all over the world in tough battles and paying farewell to her is a very emotional occasion.

'I'm very proud to have served as her last captain and will cherish her fantastic spirit.

'Ark Royal has played a very important role throughout her history and has had considerable success in delivering carrier strike.

'My very first job after finishing my initial officer training 25 years ago at Dartmouth was in the then brand new HMS Ark Royal.

'It is therefore a great honour for me to have been her last captain.

'I am only too aware that this famous ship and her iconic name mean a great deal to many people.

'Although Ark Royal will be decommissioned, the new Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers are vastly more capable and will provide the Royal Navy with an exciting future.'

Ark's operations have included playing a pivotal part in the NATO campaign during the Bosnia conflict and, in early 2003, leading the UK's naval forces during Op Telic - the invasion of Iraq, with a fleet of helicopters embarked.

Last November The Queen visited the ship in Portsmouth as part of Ark Royal's 25th anniversary celebrations.

She clocked up 621,551 nautical miles during her career and made her final entry to Portsmouth on December 3 last year.

One of the final crew members of the Ark Royal was wren Shannon Brown, 20, from Hull, in east Yorks, who took part in the ceremony.

She said: 'I have to admit I had a lump in my throat during the ceremony and at times it was hard to hold it together.

'My time aboard has been fantastic and eventful, I've been here nearly three years and made a lot of friends.

'The Ark Royal is our most famous warship and I will always be proud to say I was part of her final crew.' The ship, which is the fifth to bear the name Ark Royal, was launched in 1981 on the River Tyne by the Queen Mother and commissioned in 1985.

She had intervened in the naming of the ship, requesting she be called Ark Royal following a public outcry over the planned name of HMS Indomitable.

The name Ark Royal has played an important role in the history of the Royal Navy since the first ship earned her battle stripes against the Spanish Armada under Lord Howard in 1588.

The third Ark Royal played an integral part in the Second World War, helping to track down the German battleship Bismarck before herself being torpedoed by a German U-boat and sinking.

The current ship, which can reach a speed of more than 30 knots, received its battle honours on Iraq's Fao peninsula during the 2003 military campaign to overthrow Saddam Hussein.

The ship has the motto 'Zeal Does Not Rest' and can carry 22 aircraft.
Its future remains unclear. It may be sold, used for spare parts or turned into a museum.

The decision to scrap the ship leaves the UK without the ability to launch fast jets from a British aircraft carrier until the Queen Elizabeth class of aircraft carrier comes into service at the end of the decade.

The first Ark Royal was to be called Ark, which became Ark Raleigh, following the convention at the time where the ship bore the name of its owner - Sir Walter Raleigh.

In order to reduce his debts to Queen Elizabeth I he sold the ship to her in 1587 for 5,000 pounds and it then became known as Ark Royal.

Tribute to a Brit Soldier, "'He disobeyed a direct order so that he could render life-saving first aid to a colleague..."

John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

This was demonstrated by this British Soldier who gave his life, disobeying a direct order to save his friend's life and sacrificing his own.....

This is why I see the British as our greatest allies. We share a kindredship with them that transcend politics. POTUS acts like a petulant child towards them but all true Americans admire the Brits for their steadfast support for the " Colonies " as they like to call us.

To the Family of Private Martin Bell, you have our thanks, condolences and undying support. We too mourn the loss of this brave soldier.


'Epitome of courage': Mother's grief as soldier who defied orders to save injured comrade is buried By Richard Hartley-Parkinson
UK Mail - 26th February 2011

A paratrooper who died while disobeying a direct order so he could help a wounded friend was described at his funeral today as 'the epitome of courage and the finest example of what makes this country great'.

Private Martin Bell, 24, was the 350th UK military fatality in Afghanistan since operations began in 2001.

Pte Bell, from 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, was fatally wounded by the blast from an improvised explosive device (IED) to the south of Nahr-e-Saraj in Helmand province on January 25.
He was struck as he moved to help a comrade injured by another device.

Today, hundreds of mourners packed Bradford Cathedral for a funeral service with full military honours.

The mourners were led by his parents Elaine and Simon, along with his brothers Oliver and Philip.

They were told about Martin's bravery and how, without his bravery, his friend would have died on the battlefield.

He was killed moments later when an IED exploded south of Nahr-e-Saraj in Helmand Province a month ago.

One mourner laid a wreath of red chrysanthemums and roses nestled inside a pair of black Nike trainers - symbolic to his friends since he was known to lose his training shoes.

With it, a card that read: 'Dear Martin, Just in case you lose your trainers again. I'll never forget you and will love you always. Miss you already.'

Shortly before the funeral, Lt Col Andrew Harrison of the 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment paid his respects to Martin
.
He said: 'He was a great soldier, a great family man and a great friend and he died in the most courageous of circumstances.

'He disobeyed a direct order so that he could render life-saving first aid to a colleague and for that exceptional valour he paid the ultimate price.

'He will always be remembered as a true hero.'

Martin's coffin, which was carried by eight colleagues from his regiment, was draped in a Union Jack flag and adorned with his maroon beret, a belt, and a wreath of poppies.

His mother, Elaine, is hugged by a soldier. She wrote: 'I love you so much Marts, my heart is in pieces and the pain is unbearable.'

As his coffin was slowly taken inside, it was followed by 20 family members, including mum, Elaine, dad, Simon and brothers Oliver and Philip, who comforted their parents
.
All of the family members wore burgundy silk scarves as a mark of respect to their fallen hero.

A lone piper played "Amazing Grace" as four hearses, including one carrying a wreath that read "Marts", as he was affectionately known by his family, entered the Cathedral grounds.

Reverend Dr David Ison, Dean of Bradford Cathedral, led the service which lasted just over an hour. The moving service began with The Lord of the Dance hymn and included readings from Martin's parents, brothers, and Lt Col Harrison.

"The Climb" by Joe McElderry could be heard echoing from the cathedral as mourners wept.

Mum Elaine told the congregation that despite being nervous to do a reading, she took strength from the courage her son had shown during his time in service.

She thanked his regiment for the support they have provided the family and said: 'I now know why Martin was so proud to be part of such an incredible force.

'Martin told me that if anything were ever to happen to him, we were all to celebrate his life and that's what we're doing now.'
Before the service the family said: 'He had a wicked and infectious sense of humour that would have served him well in difficult times.

'We are a very close knit family and although we are grieving for his loss, we hope that other soldiers out there will keep safe.

'Pte Martin Bell's name will be carved into the chronicles of history.'
As 12 soldiers from Martin's regiment fired three shots into the air in honour of their fallen comrade, the sounds of Brian May's 'No-one but you' could be heard playing inside the Cathedral.

Martin's proud dad, Simon, wrote on a tribute of white flowers that lay next to his son's coffin: 'My darling Martin, my son, my brother, my best friend, my hero, my everything.'

Elaine wrote: 'To mummy's little soldier, what does a mum put to her son? I love you so much Marts, my heart is in pieces and the pain is unbearable. I am so proud of you, please look after us. Love Mum.'

A touching tribute, laid by friend Sarah, said: 'You stole my heart a long time ago, now you have taken it with you and it will be forever yours. I will always love you and never forget you. A true hero, my hero, all my love.'