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Pashtu-speaking Paras: the face of the British Army in Helmand
A Military Operations news article

19 Aug 08

British, Pashtu-speaking Paras are finding that they are the "face" of the British Army to which their Afghan National Army colleagues and the people of the Upper Sangin Valley can relate. Report by Captain Tom McShane.


Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers have recently moved into the same compound as soldiers from B Company, 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment. The two forces are working together to improve the security situation in one of the most dangerous areas of Helmand.

They are tasked with defending Forward Operating Base (FOB) Inkerman and the surrounding area. Based north of Sangin and on the edge of the Green Zone, the area is a hotbed of Taliban and narcotics industry activity.


Corporal Pete Wych with an attached ANA soldier carrying a Rocket-Propelled Grenade Launcher (RPG)
[Picture: Sergeant Anthony Boocock RLC]


Afghan National Army soldier looks out during a joint patrol in the green zone with 2 PARA
[Picture: Sergeant Anthony Boocock, RLC]


Private Jason Cutler, the platoon's Pashtu-speaking linguist, taking cover in a compound during
a Joint clearance patrol in the green zone [Picture: Sergeant Anthony Boocock, RLC]


An ANA soldier during a joint patrol with 2 PARA [Picture: Sergeant Anthony Boocock, RLC]

ANA and British patrols operating in the area have an 80 per cent chance of coming into contact with the enemy who can be as close as 30 metres away.

The importance of patrolling with the ANA for the British troops is clear. Not only is it vitally important that the local inhabitants see their country’s security force in action, providing an Afghan face to an Afghan problem, but also the ANA soldiers can actually talk to the locals and gather what their feelings and views are.

The ANA also have a better idea of whether, amongst the many farmers tending their maize crops in and around the green zone, there are Taliban in disguise trying to blend into the local environment.

Platoon Commander, Lieutenant Tom Coke-Smyth, aged 24, who goes out on joint patrols, describes the ANA soldiers:

"They are very enthusiastic and they are keen to learn. There is still some way for them to go but it is good to work with them and see them eager to learn and picking up new skills from us."

The paras communicate with the ANA through interpreters who are also local Afghans. They provide a vital role to the troops and if the British soldiers are out on patrol without the ANA they can use the interpreters to converse with the locals.

But there are also some British soldiers in the Company who have learned to speak the local language of Pashtu.

The British Pashtu linguists are selected to learn the language after going through a selection test to see if they are suitable for learning foreign languages at a high level. Those who are chosen go on to undertake an intensive ten months of language training at the Defence School of Languages in Beaconsfield. Whilst getting to grips with the language they also learn about Afghan culture.

While every soldier who deploys to Afghanistan has a few lessons on learning the local languages of Pashtu and Dari, so that they can say basic phrases such as 'hello' and 'goodbye' or 'stop' and 'move away,' the trained linguists are able to hold a full conversation, which is a vital asset, along with the local interpreters, in getting their message across and understanding what the local people are saying.

Private Jason Cutler, 23, from Manchester is one of the Company's linguists:

"I am a Pashtu Linguist which means when I am on the ground I interact with the locals and have a good chat with them, which is good as it puts a face on the British Army that they can relate to. It is very important to speak the language as it goes towards our hearts and minds idea.

"When I first got here the locals were very surprised that I could speak their language and I got a lot of attention, especially from the ANA. They were very enthusiastic that I could speak Pashtu. It is important for us as it makes it easier to interact with the locals."

Lieutenant Tom Coke-Smyth added:

"I think it's very important to have our soldiers trained in languages. It makes a difference on the ground and the people see that you have a soldier that can speak their language; it shows that we are making the effort and taking the time and it allows us to be a bit more personal to them. It does depend on the level of threat though. It is arguably more important down in places like Sangin just because of the different nature of what is going on there."

Being able to speak Pashtu can put a soldier in a vulnerable position too and one of B Company's Pashtu linguists, Private Daniel Gamble, tragically lost his life while using his skills to approach and attempt to converse with an individual who turned out to be a suicide bomber. The explosion killed Private Gamble as well as Private David Murray and Private Nathan Cuthbertson. They were the first fatalities for 2 PARA on their current deployment to Afghanistan.

Major Russell Lewis, 35, Officer Commanding B Company, said:

"The Pashtu speakers have been a great success story. It really shows a commitment to the locals on our part and the value that they add has been superb. It is really hard losing anyone, but Private Gamble particularly as they worked so hard to get to that level. He died walking towards a local, smiling and talking to him and that is why it was so desperately sad."

Private Cutler added:

"The best bit about being out here is actually getting on the ground and speaking to the locals. I spent ten months in the classroom learning Pashtu and it is good to actually use it now."