3 Commando Brigade recognised for Op HERRICK role
The role that 3 Commando Brigade played in Afghanistan while on Operation HERRICK 14 last year has been branded 'historically significant' by senior British and American officers.
Royal Marines take cover in a dry old poppy field as a Chinook helicopter arrives to extract them after completion of an operation [Picture: Leading Airman (Photographer) Dave Hillhouse, Crown Copyright/MOD 2011]
For six months over the spring and summer of 2011, 3 Commando Brigade headed Op HERRICK 14, the British effort in Afghanistan, which played a key role in determining the future of Helmand province and cemented strong bonds between Britain and the USA.
The brigade and its supporting units in Task Force Helmand - in total 6,555 personnel drawn from all three arms of the British military - worked side-by-side with its US Marine Corps counterparts of Task Force Leatherneck and ultimately came under the American II Marine Expeditionary Force.
And it is that effort alongside our US cousins which has earned the brigade, based at Royal Marines Stonehouse in Plymouth, recognition from senior officers on both sides of the Atlantic.
The British-American Forces Dining Club has presented the brigade with its Historical Significance Award - given to outstanding British and American units which have contributed to the success of the US-UK alliance, and have set an example for the future for other military commanders to follow.
The club traces its origins back to 1942 and the early stages of planning for the invasion of France when the two allied powers found their different backgrounds, training, cultures and traditions led to tension; to break down the barriers, regular dinners involving senior commanders on both sides were suggested, hence the club’s unusual title.
Seventy years on and the club continues to promote understanding and co-operation between the Armed Forces of the two nations - not least through the recently-instituted Historical Significance Award.
The joint effort by the two task forces during the six-month tour of duty in Helmand led to a 45 per cent reduction in violence in central Helmand compared with the previous year, and saw attacks in the Nad ‘Ali district fall more than fourfold.
Such successes were not without a price. The Americans lost 47 personnel, the British 19, with many more wounded as they tried to improve the lives of ordinary Afghans - and with that the security situation; the number of troops, police and other forces on the ground mushroomed twentyfold to 40,000 Afghan and coalition personnel.
More than 91 Britons were singled out for gallantry awards, commendations and recognition for their service - although, as the citation from the club states, the mission demanded ‘the resolve and emotional investment of every marine, soldier, sailor and airman’.
All of this was played out under the ‘watchful eye of the world’s media’ where ‘every action, conversation, project and shura - meeting with village elders - played a vital role’.
As well as the difference to the people of Helmand, the joint mission by the Royal Marines and US once again affirmed the much celebrated ‘special relationship’ between Britain and the USA.
The club closed its citation for 3 Commando Brigade with the heartening words:
Our UK-US bond remains as robust and resolute as ever - the strongest possible foundation for the future.
Major General Ed Davis, who led 3 Commando Brigade throughout its demanding tour of duty and has since been promoted to Commandant General Royal Marines, said of the recognition:
Throughout a hard-fought summer in Helmand, the brave and selfless men and women of Operation HERRICK 14 achieved extraordinary feats day-in, day-out.
Without the ‘power of combinations’ the Task Force enjoyed with II Marine Expeditionary Force such feats would have been a much rarer occurrence. A ‘semper fidelis’ mindset matters when in harm’s way.
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