Menu
02/12/2009
'Progress Being Made' In Afghanistan War
There's to be 'progress' in the war in Afghanistan over the next year.
Arriving in Belfast for a commemoration ceremony, Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth predicted success in the bloody conflict.
He was attending a thanksgiving service for the Army's Ulster-based 19 Light Brigade which has taken place at St Anne's Cathedral.
Her Majesty The Queen was represented by HRH The Earl of Wessex who is Royal Colonel of 2nd Battalion, The Rifles.
He arrived soon after 1pm to be met by dignitaries including Stormont First Minister Peter Robinson and the Belfast Mayor, Naomi Long. The service was attended by service personnel, their families, and relatives of the servicemen and women who lost their lives during the Brigade's latest tour of duty in Afghanistan.
The Commander of 19 Light Brigade, Brigadier Tim Radford, (pictured) laid a memorial wreath at the altar and read out the names of the 83 service personnel who died in Helmand.
Earlier, he told media representatives attending the commemoration how things were improving in Afghanistan: "The fighting was truly ferocious, but the determination and resolve of my soldiers never wavered."
He said: "The interests of the Afghan people were at the very heart of every decision we made. Despite the intense fighting there were very few civilian casualties; a testament to the great measure and judgment shown by every one of my soldiers."
Arriving for the ceremony, Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth predicted progress in the war in Afghanistan over the next year. He also welcomed news that the US was to deploy further troops and underlined the international importance of the conflict.
He said: "If we were to fail in Afghanistan, the consequences for Afghanistan would be profound, the consequences for Pakistan would be profound, and the consequences therefore for our safety back here in the United Kingdom would be very considerable indeed."
He said: "I think that we can in the next year or so show some real progress in Afghanistan."
Representatives from all the Brigade's units in NI were in attendance including the 40th Regiment Royal Artillery, 2nd Battalion The Rifles, 2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment, 38 Engineer Regiment, 19 Combat Service Support Battalion and 173 Provost Company of 3rd Battalion Royal Military Police.
The Battalion is based at Ballykinler in Co Down and is one of the main units in 19 Light Brigade.
The service was led by the Dean of St Anne's, Dr Houston McKelvey, with the event allowing the soldiers to mark the conclusion of a difficult deployment in Afghanistan.
The troops of 19 Brigade have just returned from what has been described by the Ministry of Defence as an "extremely tough" six-month tour in Helmand province during the tense period of the Afghan elections, which saw Hamid Karzai re-instated as President.
(BMcC/KMcA)
Arriving in Belfast for a commemoration ceremony, Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth predicted success in the bloody conflict.
He was attending a thanksgiving service for the Army's Ulster-based 19 Light Brigade which has taken place at St Anne's Cathedral.
Her Majesty The Queen was represented by HRH The Earl of Wessex who is Royal Colonel of 2nd Battalion, The Rifles.
He arrived soon after 1pm to be met by dignitaries including Stormont First Minister Peter Robinson and the Belfast Mayor, Naomi Long. The service was attended by service personnel, their families, and relatives of the servicemen and women who lost their lives during the Brigade's latest tour of duty in Afghanistan.
The Commander of 19 Light Brigade, Brigadier Tim Radford, (pictured) laid a memorial wreath at the altar and read out the names of the 83 service personnel who died in Helmand.
Earlier, he told media representatives attending the commemoration how things were improving in Afghanistan: "The fighting was truly ferocious, but the determination and resolve of my soldiers never wavered."
He said: "The interests of the Afghan people were at the very heart of every decision we made. Despite the intense fighting there were very few civilian casualties; a testament to the great measure and judgment shown by every one of my soldiers."
Arriving for the ceremony, Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth predicted progress in the war in Afghanistan over the next year. He also welcomed news that the US was to deploy further troops and underlined the international importance of the conflict.
He said: "If we were to fail in Afghanistan, the consequences for Afghanistan would be profound, the consequences for Pakistan would be profound, and the consequences therefore for our safety back here in the United Kingdom would be very considerable indeed."
He said: "I think that we can in the next year or so show some real progress in Afghanistan."
Representatives from all the Brigade's units in NI were in attendance including the 40th Regiment Royal Artillery, 2nd Battalion The Rifles, 2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment, 38 Engineer Regiment, 19 Combat Service Support Battalion and 173 Provost Company of 3rd Battalion Royal Military Police.
The Battalion is based at Ballykinler in Co Down and is one of the main units in 19 Light Brigade.
The service was led by the Dean of St Anne's, Dr Houston McKelvey, with the event allowing the soldiers to mark the conclusion of a difficult deployment in Afghanistan.
The troops of 19 Brigade have just returned from what has been described by the Ministry of Defence as an "extremely tough" six-month tour in Helmand province during the tense period of the Afghan elections, which saw Hamid Karzai re-instated as President.
(BMcC/KMcA)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
11 June 2010
Cameron 'Grounded' By Taliban Threat
The PM, David Cameron has been forced to abandon a planned visit to British troops in a frontline base. The shock cancellation came amid fears that the Taliban were trying to bring down his helicopter - having claim to have downed one to deadly effect earlier this week.
Cameron 'Grounded' By Taliban Threat
The PM, David Cameron has been forced to abandon a planned visit to British troops in a frontline base. The shock cancellation came amid fears that the Taliban were trying to bring down his helicopter - having claim to have downed one to deadly effect earlier this week.
25 July 2008
British Soldier Dies In 'Enemy Fire' In Afghanistan
Another British soldier had been killed in southern Afghanistan, it has been confirmed by the Ministry of Defence. The soldier, from the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, attached to the 2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment, died on Thursday, after coming under fire while on routine patrol.
British Soldier Dies In 'Enemy Fire' In Afghanistan
Another British soldier had been killed in southern Afghanistan, it has been confirmed by the Ministry of Defence. The soldier, from the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, attached to the 2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment, died on Thursday, after coming under fire while on routine patrol.
07 September 2006
Commander calls for more Nato troops for Afghanistan
Nato's top commander has urged member nations to provide more troops in Afghanistan to support the current battle against Taliban militants. General James Jones said that the military alliance had been surprised by the "level of intensity" of attacks in southern Afghanistan since Nato troops moved into the region in July.
Commander calls for more Nato troops for Afghanistan
Nato's top commander has urged member nations to provide more troops in Afghanistan to support the current battle against Taliban militants. General James Jones said that the military alliance had been surprised by the "level of intensity" of attacks in southern Afghanistan since Nato troops moved into the region in July.
14 August 2009
More Troops Killed in Afghanistan
Three British soldiers have died in an explosion while on patrol in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed. These latest deaths bring the total number of British soldiers killed in Afghanistan since operations began to just one short of 200 fatalities.
More Troops Killed in Afghanistan
Three British soldiers have died in an explosion while on patrol in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed. These latest deaths bring the total number of British soldiers killed in Afghanistan since operations began to just one short of 200 fatalities.
23 January 2008
MoD Names Soldier Killed In Afghanistan
The Ministry of Defence has named the British soldier killed in Afghanistan at the weekend as Corporal Darryl Gardiner from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. Cpl Gardiner, 25, was serving in Afghanistan attached to 5th Regiment Royal Artillery and 52 Brigade's Reconnaissance Force.
MoD Names Soldier Killed In Afghanistan
The Ministry of Defence has named the British soldier killed in Afghanistan at the weekend as Corporal Darryl Gardiner from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. Cpl Gardiner, 25, was serving in Afghanistan attached to 5th Regiment Royal Artillery and 52 Brigade's Reconnaissance Force.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Very windy with persistent and occasionally heavy rain at first, becoming drier with the wind easing towards midday. Mainly dry with bright spells increasing during the afternoon. Milder than of late. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with clear spells, mainly dry evening becoming windy with rain at times from late evening. Turning drier with clear spells towards morning. Milder than of late. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
