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With everything that's going on in Iraq, it has always surprised me that the Paras haven't featured in much of the post-war rebuilding of it. I know that 1 & 3 Para fought in Telic 1 and that 2 Para have been there, but not of late.
In particular the deployment of the Black Watch made me think. Such a hostile part of Iraq would have been better suited to the aggressive style of soldiering synonymous with the Parachute Regiment, but they sent the Black Watch. Not to slag them off of course, as they are a fine unit and have proved themselves to be excellent out there.
I remember the discussion about whether the Paras were suitable for the "peacekeeping" role in Northern Ireland. I'm just wondering if this is the case in Iraq.

Northern Ireland saw problems with Line infantry regiments not wanting to act agressivly towards people in their own country. The Paras were different; they got the job done, whatever it took to get it done.

Now i am sure that in Iraq the Paras will act in a similar manner in order to 'get the job done'. They are the kind of force you can rely on to complete a task, and complete it well.

Other regiments still have the ability to fight though, as seen with the Black Watch. I am sure the Paras will do equally important, if not more important duties out in Iraq.

I think part of the reason they sent the Black Watch was because they are an armoured regiment & are thus suited to the challenges they face in their Area of Operations.

Mebbe wrong though

1 Para is back in Northern Ireland as from the start of next year. The Para's had a lot of success in Iraq during their last tour, they did a lot of covert work and observation, then went in to mop up the insurgents.

james (future Para) wrote:
Northern Ireland saw problems with Line infantry regiments not wanting to act agressivly towards people in their own country. The Paras were different; they got the job done, whatever it took to get it done.

Now i am sure that in Iraq the Paras will act in a similar manner in order to 'get the job done'. They are the kind of force you can rely on to complete a task, and complete it well.

Other regiments still have the ability to fight though, as seen with the Black Watch. I am sure the Paras will do equally important, if not more important duties out in Iraq.

I wasn't going to say anything when I initially read that but...

You make it sound as if the Paras are the be all and end all of the Infantry. Keep in mind they are deployed as Light Role Infantry/Helicopter Assault Troops (or HATs :p). While this is all well and good for some operations it's probably not suitable for certain parts of Iraq (ie The Sunni Triangle where the BW are, an area where I wouldn't want to ride around in a Land Rover).

As for Northern Ireland that doesn't even enter in to the equation really as the troops there are not among their own people. And I've no doubt that the Paras are able to 'get the job done', but you make it sound as if the rest of the British Army currently on TELIC are a bag of manure and are unable to 'get the job done'.

From what I've read recently James you seem to have developed the attitude that Paras are the greatest and all other regiments are stupid craphats. Best of luck to you at ITC, I'm sure you're very proud to have made it as far as you have but for God's sake don't develop the blinkered attitude that some Paras have of 'We're the best, all the others are craphats'. Yes, they are one of the better Regiments in the army but not the solution to every problem.

Regarding the redeployment of the BW to Dogwood I would imagine it would be because of their Armoured role added to the fact that they were in country already (hence no need to spend money shipping out a fresh unit from the UK) and having already done two tours in Iraq have the experience and the know how to 'get the job done'.

AdamR

[/quote]As for Northern Ireland that doesn't even enter in to the equation really as the troops there are not among their own people.[/quote]

About 52% of the people in Ulster would disagree, including some of the regulars on here.

Not trying to rag you just pointing it out.

Mitty

AdamR wrote:You make it sound as if the Paras are the be all and end all of the Infantry. Keep in mind they are deployed as Light Role Infantry/Helicopter Assault Troops (or HATs :p). While this is all well and good for some operations it's probably not suitable for certain parts of Iraq (ie The Sunni Triangle where the BW are, an area where I wouldn't want to ride around in a Land Rover).

From what I've read recently James you seem to have developed the attitude that Paras are the greatest and all other regiments are stupid craphats. Best of luck to you at ITC, I'm sure you're very proud to have made it as far as you have but for God's sake don't develop the blinkered attitude that some Paras have of 'We're the best, all the others are craphats'. Yes, they are one of the better Regiments in the army but not the solution to every problem.

Ive developed no such attitude. Also, my mouth will stay firmly shut in ITC.

I have every respect for the rest of the Army, aswell as the regiment i am joining. I am sure calling people "hats" is just for banter and not to cause offense. I am not in the position to call people "hats" though, so why suggest it.

James

MrMitty wrote:

AdamR wrote:As for Northern Ireland that doesn't even enter in to the equation really as the troops there are not among their own people.

About 52% of the people in Ulster would disagree, including some of the regulars on here.

Not trying to rag you just pointing it out.

Mitty

Sorry, cock up on my part... I meant the troops over in Iraq...

gone

My dads old best mate was in the marines in the 70's and was in NI. He said when there used to be protests and they had to go in with batons for "crowd control" he knocked someone out and did a sloppy firemans lift but holding them by the shins so they were totaly covering his back and legged it back to his mates, his theory being that if someone decided to take a pot shot at him it would have to go through them first.

I dont know if its 100% true or not but there you go.

Dave.Mil wrote:I'd be interested to know if you can backup that statement with any facts as I would say it's a load of old Bo**oc*s. Could it be based on your own experience given that you have not even served yet or is it what your mate told you?

General Sir Anthony Farrah-Hockley was in command of the Paras during the difficult times over in NI, and he was explaining their role and what they did over there on the video "Paras" from the BBC series.

If in your opinion

it's a load of old Bo**oc*s

then thats fine, im really not bothered.

gone

OMG you got a Para 'nod' or whatever they call
recruits over there(no offence just simply dont know) rattling on about how his 'future' force is perhaps 'too' aggressive?LMFAO
Everyone is slightly brainwashed into believing they are joining the best reg/corps but like the other dude said every force is vital and we're all suitable for different tasks.........except maybe royal who could jus blitz anything in his way
This post was a while ago,so he has probably passed out proper now,but still

I must say i am well impressed with this web site . Usually i knock about on ARRSE but since looking here its great . You have paras who dont give it the big i am and accept that its a big army and we all have a role to play ( even remfs) . Saying that i see a few of the younger element that had a hard time on ARRSE for gobbing off when they havnt even cleaned a rifle yet have surfaced here. Paras are a fine fighting unit but so are the rest of the teeth arms in whatever role they are in . As for the Black watch at Dogwood my sqn was with them there (recce) and it was the armour that mattered also 30 tonnes of AFV looks a lot harder to the ragheads than a bunch of toms whatever colour beret they wear .

Tugg he has passed out, awaiting his jumps course (or on it)

He's still on the forums but now has a new name.

Can you guess what it is yet?



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