Original Message-----
From: DINF-FtGds-COLDMGDS-OffMgr (Homer, Antony LSgt) <DINF-FtGds-COLDMGDS-OffMgr@mod.uk>
To: DINF-FtGds-COLDMGDS-OffMgr (Homer, Antony LSgt) <DINF-FtGds-COLDMGDS-OffMgr@mod.uk>
Sent: Wed, 2 Dec 2009 10:36
Subject: Casualty & Sitrep

Firstly,

It is with great sadness that we must confirm that Lance Sergeant John Amer has been killed in action, as a result of an IED in Afghanistan on Monday 30 November.  In addition a futher 8 Coldstreamers were injured, of whom 5 will be casevaced back to the UK and 3 will be treated in theatre.

Secondly,

Gentlemen.

Herewith a sitrep from Colonel Bibby, a former Commanding Officer of the Battalion, and currently Deputy Commander of the UK Task Force in Afghanistan, following his recent visit to the Battalion.

I have just had the most uplifting 24 hours with the Battalion.

I cannot tell you how impressed I was by all that I saw.  The Battalion has got one of the most demanding tasks Afghanistan has to offer, bringing normality to the lives of the people of Babaji in the face of a cunning and determined enemy.  But as you would expect Toby and the team are 'all over it.'  They are taking the fight to the enemy, not just through aggressive and imaginative military tactics that far out matches those of the enemy, but also by engaging with the people and, in so doing, undermining at a stroke the influence the enemy have in the local communities.  Toby Till and No 1 Company and Ratty Thurstan and No 3 Company are forward based in the middle of the most remote and harshest of conditions.  They each have swathes of the fertile Helmand River Valley in which they patrol and provide security to the local farming communities.  I asked No 11 Platoon what was the worse bit and they told me it is the endless irrigation ditches; from the moment they leave their patrol base they get wet feet and 8 hours later they are still trudging around in soaking boots.  It could prove to be a long hard winter, the temperatures are already near freezing at night.  Simon Carpenter (soon to be Jeston) and No 2 Company, who are based with Brigade HQ in Lashkar Gah, have an equally demanding but very different task of mentoring the Afghan National Police.  They are doing it superbly and have already made a noticeable difference to the performance and capability of the police both on patrol and in their check points - an unenviable task.  Importantly everyones morale is sky high.  Everywhere I went I was met by big smiles and dodgy side burns.  Enthusiastic platoon commanders, determined and utterly professional platoon sergeants and guardsman looking forward to R&R during which they will all have hell of a story to tell.  From Brigade HQ's perspective the Battalion is doing a magnificent job; I am so proud of them and humbled by their humility and genuine desire to improve the lives of these lovely people in this far away land.

LSgt A J Homer

Regimental Headquarters Coldstream Guards

Regimental Clerk

Wellington Bks

Birdcage Walk

London

SW1E 6HQ

Phone: 0207 414 3262 (Mil: 94631 3262)

Fax: 0207 414 3444 (Mil:94631 3444)

E-Mail: DINF-FtGds-COLDMGDS-OffMgr@mod.uk