News: The Turbine Convoy

[tom163]

From the Sun-

'30Co ran the operation were Paras created a diversion on the only road, smashing resistance, while their comrades shepherded a 200- vehicle convoy through a secret mountain pass. In all, more than 2,000 UK troops along with another 2,000 international and Afghan personnel took part in the five-day operation. The hydro-electricity turbine, eventually expected to supply around 1.5 million people, arrived at the Kajaki plant under cover of darkness.

It had been split into seven sections, each almost 30 tons, and hidden in containers for the trek along the Helmand river valley — held by insurgents for more than two years. The equipment was too heavy to be taken by air, while a convoy inching its way along deadly 611 Highway could have been an easy target for ambushes. But then the Parachute Regiment’s Pathfinder Platoon identified the pass — and the convoy from Kandahar Airfield could avoid the worst of the Helmand hotspots.

3 Para and one company from the from 2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment, backed by more than 400 Afghan troops and their Royal Irish mentors, pushed south on the highway as a decoy, backed by US warplanes and Apache helicopters. Meanwhile on the real route, engineers constructed and strengthened roads as they went along.

British and US special forces were dropped ahead to take out Taliban strongholds. Up to 250 insurgents are believed to have died. Last night Prime Minister Gordon Brown said in a statement: “Transporting and protecting the turbine through difficult and dangerous terrain was a massive undertaking."'

[Paratrooper01]

Good to hear a few days ago that they made it.

Wish all the boys a safe journey back.

[davo141]

strong effort by them all! they reckon the way back is going to be the most dangerous time so just hope they all get back safely!

The convoy was completed a good few months ahead of schedule which is also good news!

[sky ninja steve]

hmmm would just like to add that it was only one company of two para and the whole of three para so it wasnt just 2 like it said plus the whole thing was run by the 3 CO and it was a fookin lick i tell u

[Paratrooper01]

hmmm would just like to add that it was only one company of two para and the whole of three para so it wasnt just 2 like it said plus the whole thing was run by the 3 CO and it was a fookin lick i tell u

Ive just spoken to one of my mates in tanks who said it was pretty boring!

Good to hear all the boys are back safely to kaf for brews and medals.

[tom163]

Ok done a bit of modifying to suit the facts.