MPs welcome troops back from Afghanistan
Some 110 soldiers from 16 Air Assault Brigade, which deployed to Helmand from October 2010 to April 2011, attended a reception with the All Party Parliamentary Group for the Armed Forces yesterday.
Soldiers from 16 Air Assault Brigade paraded to the Houses of Parliament to attend a reception with the All Party Parliamentary Group for the Armed Forces [Picture: Cpl Rupert Frere, Crown Copyright/MOD 2011]
The soldiers, representing the units which deployed on Op HERRICK 13, marched to Parliament from Wellington Barracks. The parade was led by Lieutenant Colonel Fraser Ross, Commanding Officer of 23 Engineer Regiment (Air Assault), with music from The Band of The Parachute Regiment.
Outside Westminster Hall, the parade was greeted by the Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox, the Serjeant at Arms Jill Pay, James Gray MP, Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group, and Brigadier James Chiswell MC, who commanded the Brigade in Afghanistan. The soldiers then joined forces with politicians for a reception in the Cholmondeley Room in the House of Lords.
Lt Col Ross said:
It is a great honour for 16 Air Assault Brigade soldiers to march through the streets of Westminster to the Houses of Parliament. The parade and reception provided another opportunity to mark our return from Afghanistan and reflect on a successful tour.
We thank the All Party Parliamentary Group for the Armed Forces for inviting us and giving us the chance to update them on our achievements.