Royal Marines: Mission Afghanistan...

[BarryJohn]

Anyone see this tonight? On 5+1, following around  the 42 commando unit on their Helmand patrol's. galaxying hell, it brings home what those lads are facing, and could change the perception of people who say our lads shouldn't be there! One chap on there recalling how 4 of his close mates have been killed in more recent times, and how they only seem to pick off the good'uns. Sadly this lad, was blown up by an IED a few weeks after the filming. Survived, but brain damaged and badly burnt I think they said.

[Glynn]

there is an americam show about the bomb disposal i watched online called bomb patrol afghanistan which was similar and a interesting show.

[johnf]

Anyone see this tonight? On 5+1, following around  the 42 commando unit on their Helmand patrol's. galaxying hell, it brings home what those lads are facing, and could change the perception of people who say our lads shouldn't be there! One chap on there recalling how 4 of his close mates have been killed in more recent times, and how they only seem to pick off the good'uns. Sadly this lad, was blown up by an IED a few weeks after the filming. Survived, but brain damaged and badly burnt I think they said.

The question is though ... why are they being asked to put their life on the line ? Brave lads whpo have more courge than I would ever have but what are the poor sods honestly doing there ? It's enough to make you weep.

[stevo]

Great show and really does make you realise what the troops face on a daily basis. Wouldn't want to put myself in theire position and I have the utmost respect for anyone who does. These guys and women are not fighting for queen and country they are fighting to protect each other and try ensure each of them make it through the tour. Sort of had a feeling the lad "Vicey" may not get through the programs un scathed and sadly it would appear this poor lad like so many cought up in the conflict has had his life changed forever.

[Chris B]

The question is though ... why are they being asked to put their life on the line ? Brave lads whpo have more courge than I would ever have but what are the poor sods honestly doing there ? It's enough to make you weep.

Well isn't the official line, removing the Taliban from power who were allowing / encouraging Al Qaeda leaders to hide there and form training camps. I realise all it has done has moved the training camps elsewhere but there have been a number of successful 'take-outs' of Al Qaeda leaders either in Afghanistan or by moving them to less friendly and less secure countries.

Then there are the other benefits of removing the Taliban in terms of freeing the people from their oppressive regime and targeting the poppy fields that contribute to much of the worlds heroin.
I realise that I've swallowed the official line hook line and sinker there. I wouldn't be brave enough to go out there or send my son out there, but it seems they are trying to contribute to making us a safer place.

[Rafe Wrench]

Well isn't the official line, removing the Taliban from power who were allowing / encouraging Al Qaeda leaders to hide there and form training camps. I realise all it has done has moved the training camps elsewhere but there have been a number of successful 'take-outs' of Al Qaeda leaders either in Afghanistan or by moving them to less friendly and less secure countries.

Then there are the other benefits of removing the Taliban in terms of freeing the people from their oppressive regime and targeting the poppy fields that contribute to much of the worlds heroin.
I realise that I've swallowed the official line hook line and sinker there. I wouldn't be brave enough to go out there or send my son out there, but it seems they are trying to contribute to making us a safer place.

True, they are - but we're pulling out in two years and Karzai is in negotiations with the very people we went to war with. What has it all been for?

[johnf]

The troops are there are courageous beyond belief and every one of them is a hero.

Sadly I don't think that the people making the decisions to send them out there / keep them out there are cut from the same cloth.

[gpo1971]

The troops are there are courageous beyond belief and every one of them is a hero.

Sadly I don't think that the people making the decisions to send them out there / keep them out there are cut from the same cloth.

Yep.