Arbroath-based marines due home from six months in Afghanistan

‘success came at a cost and we pay great tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice’

By Alison Middleton

Published:

DETERMINED: Soldiers from W (Whiskey) Company, 45 Commando Royal Marines at Sangin District Centre Afghanistan

Commandos based at RM Condor at Arbroath are due to return home today after completing a six-month tour of duty in Afghanistan.

Around 800 Royal Marines from 45 Commando Group have been operating in the Northern Battle Group in Helmand province since October.

The destruction of heroin with a street value of more than £20million and the capture of hoards of Taliban weapons are among the unit’s achievements.

Security provided by the marines also enabled an Afghan health clinic to be built in Sangin and 60 new shops and businesses to open in the Sangin Bazaar.

The availability of education to Afghan children increased and 17,000 Afghans are now registered to vote in Sangin in this year’s national elections.

The Ministry of Defence said the unit’s deployment was very successful – but it came at a price after nine marines from 45 Commando were killed in action. Marines have also sustained serious injuries, mainly from improvised explosive devices.

Commanding officer Lieu enant Colonel Jim Morris said: “Our mission was to create the security conditions to enable the continued growth of emerging Afghan governance which offers a better future to the people than that offered by the Taliban.

“Our deployment has seen genuine, tangible and sustainable progress in the delivery of security and local governance to the Afghan population.

“This demonstrable success has come at a cost and, as we return, we remember and pay great tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and many more who have been wounded in battle during the course of the deployment.

“Enduring and sustainable progress was certainly made but it was gritty, slow and dangerous work.

“The determination to succeed and the courage, intelligence and cheerfulness displayed by the young men and women of 45 Commando Group were remarkable and it was a great privilege to serve them as their commanding officer.

“We are glad to be returning home again and look forward to spending some well-earned time with our family and friends.”