RAF Regiment in Kandahar

rockapegooch · Post by **rockapegooch** » Thu 19 Jun, 2008 4:00 pm

It's been on the news today about the Afghan National Army supported my NATO troops engaging the Taliban in and around kandahar. It was also said that 3para was flown there for back-up for this operation. Since 3para is based in Helmand and the RAF Regiment is based in kandahar why was 3para used and not the Raf Regiment? The RAF Regt. are clearly capable so it seems unfair that they are being overlooked like this.

PGAC 30th june - cant wait!

davo141 · Post by **davo141** » Thu 19 Jun, 2008 7:34 pm

maybe because they where already occupied with the safeguarding of KAF or 3 Para where deemed more abled for the task with the available kit, timings and manpower, who knows!

cosworth · Post by **cosworth** » Thu 19 Jun, 2008 9:11 pm

Numbers..

I am sure i heard on sky news (Mite be wrong) that they was about 600 taliban in the area hence the need for more troops to be flown in.

But Im sure the RAF Regiment will play a big part in it after all the air base and the surroundings are under there protection.

rockapegooch · Post by **rockapegooch** » Fri 20 Jun, 2008 1:40 am

cosworth wrote:Numbers..

I am sure i heard on sky news (Mite be wrong) that they was about 600 taliban in the area hence the need for more troops to be flown in.

But Im sure the RAF Regiment will play a big part in it after all the air base and the surroundings are under there protection.

I think the RAF Regiment should be very much involved as you say Kandahar airfield and the surrounding area is under their protection. As I am not yet a serving member of the armed forces I am probably not best equipt to say anything or have a basic understanding of the operation but this just seems like more ammo for my para friends to have a go about the RAF Regt. I hope the RAF Regiment get the chance to show what they are capable of doing as they did at Al Waki.

Alfa · Post by **Alfa** » Fri 20 Jun, 2008 2:41 am

rockapegooch wrote:Since 3para is based in Helmand and the RAF Regiment is based in kandahar why was 3para used and not the Raf Regiment? The RAF Regt. are clearly capable so it seems unfair that they are being overlooked like this.

The RAF Regt aren't being overlooked it's just simply not their job to hunt down the Taliban. Their job is to safe guard the airfield, and that's not a cheap dig, it's simply what they're suppose to do.

Ask yourself this, if the RAF Regt at Kandahar where sent off outside their area of operation to take on the Taliban then who would be protecting the Air Base from attack?

The RAF Regt might be a capable unit and their training may involve infantry type training but they're not Infantry and so will not be employed in that role as they already have their own job to do which at it's core will be force protection for whichever Air Base they're stationed at.

The reason 3 Para where sent is because they are the NATO QRF.

If you think it's unfair that you won't be getting to conduct these types of operation maybe you should re-think your choice of Regiment or read up a bit more on the role of the RAF Regiment so you fully understand what their main role is on operations.

Hope I don't sound like I'm lecturing or having a go at you.

cosworth · Post by **cosworth** » Fri 20 Jun, 2008 8:39 pm

Fair points there Alfa but don't the RAF Regiment controll 400km's around the base so they have quite a large area of operations?

Tab · Post by **Tab** » Fri 20 Jun, 2008 11:23 pm

Basically the RAF Regiment is for Guarding Airfields, also they do not have the numbers required for this sort of work. Lets face it this is the Para's bread and butter work.

davo141 · Post by **davo141** » Sat 21 Jun, 2008 12:00 am

400kms? squared? thats bigger than some countries!! but as said been QRF and it is there bread and butter and good at it aswel! sounds like they did a good job.

Speaking to my mate in Afghan today and hes got nothing but praise for the lads out there at the minute, handing it to Terry T Massively!!

cosworth · Post by **cosworth** » Sat 21 Jun, 2008 1:22 am

400kms does seem a bit much now you say it.
I got that from sky news where fact and fiction sometimes cross paths.

cosworth · Post by **cosworth** » Sat 21 Jun, 2008 1:27 am

Since this date the Squadron has been responsible for the 350 square kilometre Ground Defence Area (GDA) around KAF.

Well I was close lol

http://www.mod.uk/defenceinternet/defen ... ndahar.htm

HarryAVFC · Post by **HarryAVFC** » Sat 21 Jun, 2008 1:12 pm

400km squared isnt 400km by 400km its 20km by 20km. 20 x 20 = 400 so 400km squared. So not as big as a country lol.

davo141 · Post by **davo141** » Sat 21 Jun, 2008 1:44 pm

Fair one Harry, ill let you off

even though cosworth didnt care to tell us if it was 400km squared or just one long 400km route :drinking:

bushyredsocks · Post by **bushyredsocks** » Sat 21 Jun, 2008 3:11 pm

Fair one Harry, ill let you off even though cosworth didnt care to tell us if it was 400km squared or just one long 400km route

Wrong

400km squared isnt 400km by 400km its 20km by 20km. 20 x 20 = 400 so 400km squared. So not as big as a country lol.

Wrong

Since this date the Squadron has been responsible for the 350 square kilometre Ground Defence Area (GDA) around KAF.[/

Correct

The Regiment are responsible for protecting an area 350 SQUARE kilometres. When I was in RAF Honnington one of the flight sgt's even explained this to me himself, although he said it was closer to 500 sq km. Either way, the regiment are excellent in the job they are trained for. Also, they are a fully fledged infantry force, cant believe someone said the Regiment arent infantry. I mean, fair enough their main priority is to defend, but thats based on the doctrine that attack is the best form of defence!

HarryAVFC · Post by **HarryAVFC** » Sat 21 Jun, 2008 4:02 pm

Bushyredsocks what did I say which was wrong?

rockapegooch · Post by **rockapegooch** » Sat 21 Jun, 2008 4:29 pm

Bushyredsocks what are your views on the original post?

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