check it out: (reminds me of Last of the Breed by Louis L'Amour)
British unit prepares to defy extremes of the Afghan winter
By Sean Rayment (Filed: 21/10/2001)
AN elite British unit is preparing to join the hunt for Osama bin
Laden in the mountains of northern Afghanistan, shattering the myth that
the onset of winter will stall military operations. The first snows are
expected by the end of the month, bringing fierce storms, near-zero
visibility and temperatures as low as -20C. It is, historically, when
warring Afghan factions lay down their arms and, say many commentators,
Western troops will have to suspend their hunt until the spring.
But the 24-strong Brigade Patrol Troop is specialised in the
extremes of winter warfare and could be the force on which the hunt for
the Al-Queda leader and his men may ultimately turn. The troop's talents
include long-range reconnaissance, covert intelligence-gathering and
hitting enemy targets under the most extreme conditions.
Recruited almost exclusively from the Royal Marine Commandos, they
practise and refine their skills in the expanses of northern Norway. The
troop, based in Plymouth, comprises six four-man teams, each with a
medic, signaller, sniper and patrol commander. All are parachutists and their
weapons of choice are the M16 assault rifle or the L96 infantry sniper
rifle, but at least one will have a Belgian Minimi light machine gun,
which has a better rate of fire. They may also carry anti-tank weapons.
During the Cold War, they were used alongside regular Royal Marine
Commandos as the first line of defence for Nato's northern flank against
a Soviet invasion. They pride themselves on their ability to operate in
weather conditions considered extreme even by the standards of special
forces. They have no equivalent in the US armed forces, and such are the
selection standards that only a handful of SAS troopers have managed to
join their ranks.
The men must be able to live in snow holes for weeks on end as they
seek, and then destroy, the enemy. Their other skills include laser
target indication for air attacks, ice wall and mountain climbing, resistance
to interrogation and escape techniques. As intelligence on the dispositions
of the Taliban and the whereabouts of bin Laden arrives at US Central
Command in Tampa, Florida, and the Joint Force Headquarters in Britain,
the men will be inserted by helicopter to cover the high passes that
al-Qaeda may use to move into lower valleys, where weather conditions
are less hostile.
On arrival at their landing sites, the commandos will establish a
ring of covert observation posts dug deep into the snow. From here, they
will observe any movements and, with encrypted signals sent in
high-speed bursts, report to their commanders at forward bases in Afghanistan or
neighbouring countries such as Pakistan or Uzbekistan. Their task will
be to reconnoitre and observe possible routes, supply lines and secret
locations so more heavily armed special forces troops, such as the SAS,
can be flown in to intercept. But if they identify bin Laden or any of
his lieutenants, they will be cleared to open fire.
The advantage of having a sniper in each section means the enemy can
be engaged at a range of more than 3,000ft. Despite the noise, the echo
should make identification of the firing point almost impossible.
Alternatively, if an al-Qaeda camp is located, the information they
provide will allow planners to bring spy satellites on line, allowing
the mountain troops to call in air strikes using conventional satellite and
laser-guided bombs, or cruise missiles.
One military officer said: "We really are talking about a very
special group of soldiers." The size of the troop reflected its special
nature and the rigours of the selection process. He added: "Their
military skills must be exemplary and they must have bucketloads of mental
stamina. They can expect to work behind enemy lines in atrocious weather
conditions for weeks on end. That requires very special skills."
The onset of winter will also make it easier for spy satellites to
catch sight of bin Laden and his men. Supply trails through the snow
will be spotted, allowing planners to send in helicopter-borne troops or call
in air attacks.
British unit prepares to defy extremes of the Afghan winterBritish unit prepares to defy extremes of the Afghan winter
British unit prepares to defy extremes of the Afghan winter
By Sean Rayment (Filed: 21/10/2001)
AN elite British unit is preparing to join the hunt for Osama bin
Laden in the mountains of northern Afghanistan, shattering the myth that
the onset of winter will stall military operations. The first snows are
expected by the end of the month, bringing fierce storms, near-zero
visibility and temperatures as low as -20C. It is, historically, when
warring Afghan factions lay down their arms and, say many commentators,
Western troops will have to suspend their hunt until the spring.
But the 24-strong Brigade Patrol Troop is specialised in the
extremes of winter warfare and could be the force on which the hunt for
the Al-Queda leader and his men may ultimately turn. The troop's talents
include long-range reconnaissance, covert intelligence-gathering and
hitting enemy targets under the most extreme conditions.
Recruited almost exclusively from the Royal Marine Commandos, they
practise and refine their skills in the expanses of northern Norway. The
troop, based in Plymouth, comprises six four-man teams, each with a
medic, signaller, sniper and patrol commander. All are parachutists and their
weapons of choice are the M16 assault rifle or the L96 infantry sniper
rifle, but at least one will have a Belgian Minimi light machine gun,
which has a better rate of fire. They may also carry anti-tank weapons.
During the Cold War, they were used alongside regular Royal Marine
Commandos as the first line of defence for Nato's northern flank against
a Soviet invasion. They pride themselves on their ability to operate in
weather conditions considered extreme even by the standards of special
forces. They have no equivalent in the US armed forces, and such are the
selection standards that only a handful of SAS troopers have managed to
join their ranks.
The men must be able to live in snow holes for weeks on end as they
seek, and then destroy, the enemy. Their other skills include laser
target indication for air attacks, ice wall and mountain climbing, resistance
to interrogation and escape techniques. As intelligence on the dispositions
of the Taliban and the whereabouts of bin Laden arrives at US Central
Command in Tampa, Florida, and the Joint Force Headquarters in Britain,
the men will be inserted by helicopter to cover the high passes that
al-Qaeda may use to move into lower valleys, where weather conditions
are less hostile.
On arrival at their landing sites, the commandos will establish a
ring of covert observation posts dug deep into the snow. From here, they
will observe any movements and, with encrypted signals sent in
high-speed bursts, report to their commanders at forward bases in Afghanistan or
neighbouring countries such as Pakistan or Uzbekistan. Their task will
be to reconnoitre and observe possible routes, supply lines and secret
locations so more heavily armed special forces troops, such as the SAS,
can be flown in to intercept. But if they identify bin Laden or any of
his lieutenants, they will be cleared to open fire.
The advantage of having a sniper in each section means the enemy can
be engaged at a range of more than 3,000ft. Despite the noise, the echo
should make identification of the firing point almost impossible.
Alternatively, if an al-Qaeda camp is located, the information they
provide will allow planners to bring spy satellites on line, allowing
the mountain troops to call in air strikes using conventional satellite and
laser-guided bombs, or cruise missiles.
One military officer said: "We really are talking about a very
special group of soldiers." The size of the troop reflected its special
nature and the rigours of the selection process. He added: "Their
military skills must be exemplary and they must have bucketloads of mental
stamina. They can expect to work behind enemy lines in atrocious weather
conditions for weeks on end. That requires very special skills."
The onset of winter will also make it easier for spy satellites to
catch sight of bin Laden and his men. Supply trails through the snow
will be spotted, allowing planners to send in helicopter-borne troops or call
in air attacks.
British unit prepares to defy extremes of the Afghan winterBritish unit prepares to defy extremes of the Afghan winter
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