Race to train Afghans before British troops pull out
With British troops preparing to pull out of Afghanistan, they are working around the clock to equip local soldiers with the skills they need to stand alone.
This new image shows how troops from the West Midlands and Staffordshire are teaching them to fire mortars on the front line.
Warriors from the Afghan Army are trained by specialist mortarmen from the 3rd Battalion the Mercian Regiment – formerly The Staffords.
The Mercian advisers have spent the past few weeks explaining how to use 82mm mortars. Live firing trials have now started on ranges in Camp Bastion, the main base for the remaining British forces in Helmand Province.
When the tests are completed the Afghan soldiers will return to their units – called Kandaks – giving them a considerable increase in fire power. This will allow them to give mortar support to their comrades during battles with the Taliban rather than having to rely on British troops to provide it.
It would be another step towards the long-term goal of them being able to act alone as British combat troops are withdrawn from the conflict by the end of next year.
Colour Sergeant Kurt Webster from Stafford, who is the lead adviser for the mortar training team, said: "Apart from the language it is just like training our guys. I am more than happy to go live firing with them.
"The live firing package will take all of the drills that they have learned and put them into practice. The next time they fire will be against the Taliban so getting it right here is essential."
Sergeant Scott Franks from Walsall, who is the chief mortar instructor, added: "I have been really impressed by the warriors from the Afghan Army. One of them has already started helping us instruct the rest of the group."
More than 300 soldiers from 3 Mercian are currently serving in Afghanistan. They are on an eight-month tour of duty but that is likely to be cut short as the withdrawal of troops speeds up.
