A Company Blog

21st November 2011

A Coy blog has been written by the Cpl’s in the three CPs and PB2. All the very best from us all.

CP SHAPARAK – Cpl Marc Jones, 1 Platoon.

1 Platoon has for the past month been based at CP Shaparak, the entrance of which is dominated by two features: the south facing sanger and an intimidating 10ft sand bag wall which was the first major improvement made by the Platoon and our attachments; a hard three days graft, with half the man power filling the sand bags and the remainder constructing the wall with expert precision, under the watchful (and yes, sometimes excitable!) eye of Sjt. Jakeman.

Walking around CP Shaparak you wouldn’t be able to take more than four steps without noticing that 1 Platoon are the occupants of this compound; from the handy brickwork from L/Cpl Isaac (the photograph shows 6ft 1 Platoon symbol on the floor that looks like it’s been there for years), to the imaginative contribution by Lt Jones of turning the wash and shave area into something more in keeping with a Swedish spa with the help from L/Cpl Massey!

There have been vast improvements made within CP Shaparak even within our relatively short time here, and we all feel as though we have made it our own and it is slowly becoming home for us. Once we do have a little down time the TV tent is always busy with the lads constantly trying to beat each other on FIFA 2012; Rfn’s Edwards, Pearce, Turner and Brook all claim to be the “boy” on the game, with Rfn Doe known as the warm up prior to any championship match! But time for this is truthfully very tight, since for the whole month that we have been here, our routine has centred on nothing but sentry duty and patrols, and whenever we aren’t doing either of those, every single one of us is grafting really hard to made this CP first defendable, then workable, and after that, possibly even liveable.

When not working hard to set up the CP for the winter months or in routine, we do what 1 Platoon does best, out on the ground. The soldiering and professionalism when out on patrol is as always at a high standard which makes the patrol matrix something to look forward too. The Rfn within 1 Platoon regardless of age show maturity when engaging with the local nationals and feel as though they are making changes for the better, if we can achieve all this within 1 month and keep the same tempo, 1 Platoon can and will fully conduct the relief in place with our heads held high and a good feeling knowing that 100% was put in by all.

CP BAGH – Cpl Dean Hemmings, 2 Platoon.

At first living alongside the ANA sounded like it would be a lot more hard work than it has actually turned out to be. On arriving in CP BAGH, the first night after leaving Camp Bastion, it looked like it was going to be a long 6 months living in a HESCO built compound 32m by 30m. However the lads have worked hard turning it into something we will be happy with.

After living there a month it has gone a lot quicker and easier than I expected and a good bond has grown between the blokes and the ANA. The ANA are leaving CP BAGH soon and are being replaced with another call sign so we will be busy building a working relationship again when they arrive.

A lot of work has been done trying to get the place ready for a nice cold and wet couple of months over the Christmas period. It also turns out that some of the lads are good in the kitchen, especially after thinking that we would have a tour of basic food but Rfn Sexton should go on Come Dine With Me with his pan garlic bread, it would be a good morale booster. So now we are just waiting to see what the next 6 months will bring….

PB2 – Cpl Kenny Copeland, 2 Platoon.

Almost a month into Herrick 15, 32A (the ninja half of two platoon) have settled well into PB2, acclimatising into PB life, the AO and being a part of the 5 Rifles Battlegroup. Most days are spent patrolling around Paind Kalay and the green zones to the north and south, stopping off regularly at the check points that are occupied by the rest of the company to swap stories of the different check points areas and the daily routines. CP Bagh, 2 Platoon’s other half have bonded well with the ANA and are on the verge of going native. CP Perkha (3 pl) have settled in well to a very small CP but have a resident butcher/chef in the form of Cpl Hone. CP Shaparak (1 pl) has been transformed into a palace with the guidance of Sjt Jakeman, The area in General still has its security issues but is definitely heading in the right direction with Paind Kalay, the protective community, setting the example for the rest of the area of operations, which we hope to move along by conducting joint operations with the Afghan National Security Forces. However back in PB2 32A is involved in a long drawn out war with the rodent invasion, who whenever given the chance stock up on unsecured protein tubs and have taken to cigarettes despite the clear health warnings. We are slowly getting ground back, tent by tent, with the rifleman making some ingenious and elaborate mouse traps. When not fighting with the rodents the multiple relaxes by watching TV and visiting the self procured gym, trying to get the same physique as Cpl Copeland. (Think 300, but less fat.) All in all the PB provides the comfort that the check points are jealous of. The multiple is well placed off to the side of the Battlegroup HQ, staying low and moving fast to protect themselves from the watchful eye of the RSM.

CP JEKER (attached to B Coy 1 PWRR) – CSjt Marriott

As you can see looking at the photos of our facilities we have everything we need to survive in CP Jeker. There is a small gym that Rfn Elliott and Bird have already started to use along with their potions to help them in their quest for Op Massive!

There are adequate welfare facilities here including very slow internet terminals, BFBS TV showing lots of repeats, three week old papers “Thanks for that” and lots of board games. The main form of entertainment at the moment seems to be cards, Cpl Perry always manages to organise a game every evening for the lads.

We are all now into a good routine within the camp. This usually consists of 24hrs on Guard and QRF (Quick reaction force) and then 24hrs on patrols rotation.

You will be horrified to know that at present there is a moustache growing competition called OP Gringo. At the moment Rfn Green and Ramsay are in the lead the rest of the men look like joy riders with their bum fluff.

We all thank you for all your support and look forward to seeing you all again on R & R.

Cpl Hamilton, LCpl Smith, Rfn Whitby and Rfn Van Poetsch are attached to D Coy 5 RIFLES in PB4. Their entry will follow shortly.

Keep checking back for more 2 Rifles updates.