Attack State Red

by Richard Kemp

  Asherman Chest Seal: A circular adhesive patch fitted with a one-way valve at the centre, allowing air to escape but not re-enter the wound. Designed to treat a sucking chest wound.

  AT4: American 84mm shoulder-launched anti-tank weapon, capable of engaging targets out to 300 metres. Used also by British troops in Afghanistan.

  B1B: US Air Force long-range bomber that carries a large payload of guided munitions.

  bandolier: A rectangular-shaped nylon satchel, holding 150 5.56mm rounds in five individual pouches. Worn across the body by the use of a strap.

  bar-mine: The L9 bar-mine is a plank-shaped anti-tank mine, 1.2 metres in length. Breaks into two halves if required. Half of a bar-mine is the standard charge used to gain explosive entry to a compound.

  Browning Hi-Power pistol: 9mm semi-automatic pistol. The magazine holds thirteen rounds.

  CASEVAC: Casualty evacuation.

  Chinook: CH47 twin-rotored medium-lift helicopter. Used for troop movement, CASEVAC and logistics.

  Claymore: Remotely initiated directional anti-personnel mine. Fires 700 ball bearings over a 100-metre radius.

  CLU: Command launch unit, used to acquire targets and initiate Javelin anti-tank missiles. Can also be used for general surveillance purposes.

  company: A rifle company consists of about 100 men, organized into three platoons and a headquarters element. Commanded by a major.

  company group: An infantry company with attached combat assets such as engineers, artillery and FSG.

  COP: Combat outpost.

  CST: Close support tanker. The Oshkosh wheeled tanker, a highly mobile US-manufactured vehicle, in service with British forces, is used to transport up to 20,000 litres of fuel in Afghanistan.

  CVRT: Combat vehicle reconnaissance (tracked). Tracked light-armoured reconnaissance vehicle. The Scimitar and Spartan variants are in use by British forces in Afghanistan.

  CWS: Common weapon sight. Imaging intensifying night sight, normally fitted to infantry smallarms.

  DC: District centre. Normally the centre of administration, police, etc. within the main town in an Afghan district, e.g. ‘Sangin DC’.

  ECM: Electronic counter-measures. Manpack or vehicle-mounted equipment designed to prevent the detonation of remote-controlled bombs and improvised explosive devices by jamming radio frequencies.

  F15: US Air Force fighter jet.

  F/A18: US Navy fighter jet.

  FLET: Forward line of enemy troops.

  FOB: Forward operating base.

  FSG: Fire support group. Normally mounted in WMIKs and equipped with a mixture of heavy weapons, Javelin, GMG, GPMG, .50 cal and several snipers.

  FST: Fire support team. Responsible for coordinating all mortar, artillery and air support for a sub-unit. Every company group in Helmand had an FST attached.

  FUP: Forming-up place. A point on the ground in which a combat element, e.g. a platoon or company, deploys prior to conducting an advance or attack.

  GMG: Grenade machine-gun. A belt-fed grenade launcher that fires 40mm HE grenades out to 2,000 metres. Normally mounted on a WMIK or in a sangar.

  GPMG: General-purpose machine-gun. A 7.62mm belt-fed medium machine-gun. When fired in the light role with its bipod legs, can engage targets out to 800 metres. Each section is equipped with one GPMG.

  GPS: Global positioning system.

  HE: High-explosive.

  Hesco: A large prefabricated cube made of steel welded mesh and lined with strong felt. Delivered flat-packed then filled with soil or sand. Used to protect FOBs and other static locations from weapons fire.

  H-hour: The precise time when an attack or other operation begins.

  HLS: Helicopter landing site. Can be a permanent location inside or outside a base or any area of ground where a helicopter can land. If not a permanent HLS, the ground is usually cleared by infantry troops to make sure there are no obstructions, dangerous debris, mines or other explosive devices.

  Icom scanner: Hand-held radio scanner used to listen in on Taliban communication.

  IED: Improvised explosive device.

  IRT: Immediate response team, providing ground protection to a MERT.

  Javelin: 127mm anti-tank ‘fire and forget’ missile, guided by an imaging infrared seeker and fired in conjunction with the CLU. Maximum range of 2,500 metres.

  JOC: Joint operations centre.

  JTAC: Joint terminal air controller is a member of the FST, responsible for coordinating air power in support of troops on the ground.

  L109: Standard issued HE fragmentation hand grenade of the British Army.

  L96 sniper rifle: 7.62mm sniper rifle, used by rifle platoon sharpshooters and sometimes by snipers. The weapon can achieve a first-round kill at 600 metres. It has an effective range of 900 metres and can provide harassing fire out to 1,100 metres.

  L-Hour: In air assault operations, this is the pre-designated time that a helicopter or helicopter force lands on a target area, normally for an attack.

  LMG: Light machine-gun; see Minimi.

  long-range rifle: .338-inch calibre long-range rifle used by British Army snipers in Afghanistan. A trained sniper can achieve a first-round kill at 600 metres and harassing fire out to 1,100 metres using a x25 magnification scope. In Afghanistan some snipers fired harassing fire to 1,500 metres.

  LSW: Light support weapon. Similar to an SA80 rifle but with a longer and stronger barrel, bipod legs and a modified rifle butt that allows a higher and more accurate rate of fire out to 600 metres.

  MERT: Medical emergency response team.

  MFC: Mortar fire controller. A member of the FST, responsible for calling in mortar fire for a company group or other military unit.

  Minimi: A belt-fed 5.56mm light machine-gun capable of firing out to 400 metres. Each section is equipped with two Minimis.

  NCO: Non-commissioned officer.

  nine liner: A nine-point checklist providing a format for passing certain categories of operational information up the chain of command, usually by radio. There are separate ‘nine liners’ for CASEVAC and close air support requests.

  OC: Officer commanding. Normally refers to a company commander.

  O Group: Orders Group. The individuals that make up the command group and key specialists in a military unit. Also used to refer to the process of a commander delivering orders to his O Group.

  OMLT: Operational mentoring and liaison team. A team of soldiers attached to the ANA.

  PID: Positive identification of an enemy.

  Pinzgauer or Pinz: A lightweight highly mobile off-road vehicle.

  PKM: A Soviet-designed 7.62mm belt-fed light machine-gun, similar to the GPMG. Used by the ANA and the Taliban.

  platoon: A group of approximately thirty soldiers with a lieutenant or second lieutenant in command. A sergeant normally acts as second in command. The platoon has a small headquarters element and is sub-divided into three sections.

  PRC-354/355: Official designations for the British Army manpack radio. Capable of secure communications.

  PRR: Personal role radio. Every man carries an insecure PRR operating on a platoon channel. Commanders also carry a PRC-354/355.

  QBO: Quick battle orders. Rapid verbal orders by a commander to his men, giving only essential information, before launching an operation, e.g. an attack, when time is short. Often used when in contact or at close quarters with the enemy and there is no time for longer, more detailed orders.

  RAMC: Royal Army Medical Corps. All British Army doctors, and many medics, in Afghanistan are from the RAMC. The Royal Anglians also used their own medics.

  red phos: Red phosphorus hand grenade, used to create an instant smokescreen.

  RESA: Royal Engineers search adviser.

  REST: Royal Engineers search team.

  RMP: Royal Military Police.

  rocket-propelled grenade: In Afghanistan this normally refers to the Russian-designed RPG-7 shoulder-launched, man-portable weapon which is used to fire a warhead at distances above
20 metres. Warheads explode on impact or self-destruct between 800 and 900 metres, causing them to ‘air burst’.

  RPG, RPG-7: See rocket-propelled grenade.

  RV: Rendezvous. A designated location where forces come together to conduct further operations or movement.

  SA80: Standard British Army 5.56mm assault rifle.

  sangar: A watchtower or bunker, the term originating in the North-west Frontier of Imperial India. In Afghanistan normally made from sandbags and Hesco.

  sapper: Rank in the Royal Engineers, equivalent to a private.

  Scimitar: A light-tracked reconnaissance vehicle from the CVRT family. Fitted with a 30mm Rarden cannon and coaxially mounted 7.62mm machine-gun. Used by the Recce Platoon of The 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment.

  section: Sub-division of a platoon consisting of eight men. Commanded by a corporal, with a lance corporal as second in command.

  SF: (1) Special Forces. (2) Sustained fire. This is a term used to describe high rates of machine-gun fire, often achieved using special tripod mounts and weapon sights to gain greater accuracy at high rates.

  sharpshooter: Infantryman trained to use the L96 sniper rifle but not formally qualified as a sniper. Every platoon has a designated sharpshooter.

  SITREP: Situation report.

  Spartan: A light-tracked armoured personnel carrier of the CVRT family of vehicles. Equipped with a 7.62mm machine-gun.

  SUSAT: Sight unit smallarms trilux. A x4 magnification sight fitted to the SA80 rifle and LSW. Limited night capability.

  T1, T2, T3, T4: The triage system used to systematically sort casualties in order of priority for treatment and evacuation. T1 casualty requires immediate surgery or resuscitation. T2 possibly requires surgery. T3 is walking wounded and requires no immediate surgery. T4 is killed in action.

  Tac or Tac HQ: An element of a larger headquarters consisting only of the personnel, vehicles and equipment essential to directly command an operation on the ground. This normally consists of the commander, radio operators and combat support specialists, e.g. JTAC and engineer commander. In Afghanistan, a Tac HQ is normally deployed at company level and above. The Tac HQ is mobile and will usually operate close behind forward combat troops.

  TIC: Troops in contact. A term used to describe forces under fire or exchanging fire with the enemy. Declaration by a commander of a TIC will usually result in rapid allocation of air support and other assets to assist if required.

  UAV: Unmanned air vehicle. A pilotless aircraft remotely controlled from the ground. Depending on the type of UAV, it can be fitted with cameras and other sensors and with weapons.

  UGL: Under-slung grenade launcher. A 40mm grenade launcher that can be fitted to the SA80 rifle. Each section is normally equipped with two UGLs, each capable of firing HE grenades out to 350 metres, delivering a fragmentation effect against the enemy.

  Vector: A six-wheeled armoured version of the Pinzgauer.

  Viking: An armoured tracked articulated vehicle, crewed by a Royal Marines commander/gunner and driver, with room for a total of nine infantrymen in the forward and rear compartments.

  Viper: Thermal imaging sight that can be fitted to the SA80, GPMG and Minimi.

  WMIK: Pronounced ‘Wimik’. Weapons mount installation kit. The name given to a Land Rover fitted to carry a .50 cal or GMG on the back and a GPMG in the commander’s position. Used by the FSG as a mobile fire support platform.

  Main Characters

  All those listed below were members of The 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment unless otherwise stated.

  Adlington, Joel. Corporal, section commander, 6 Platoon, B Company.

  Alexander, Ryan. Corporal, section commander, 2 Platoon, A Company.

  Armon, Steve. Sergeant, 10 Platoon sergeant, C Company.

  Aston, Mick. Major, B Company commander until the end of July. 12 Brigade Recce Force commander from the end of July.

  Bailey, Dean. Lance corporal, sniper, FSG B. Wounded in action.

  Bailey, Oliver. Private, sniper, FSG A.

  Barke, Richie. Private, 51mm mortarman, 7 Platoon, B Company.

  Barker, Aaron. Private, rifleman and team medic, 7 Platoon, B Company.

  Biddick, Dominic. Major, A Company commander.

  Bonner, Darren. Corporal, signals detachment commander, A Company. Killed in action.

  Borgnis, Tony. Major, B Company commander, end of July onwards.

  Boyle, Matt. Lance Corporal, company medic, C Company.

  Broomfield, Dave. Lieutenant, promoted captain on 11 June, 6 Platoon commander, B Company.

  Brown, Andrew. Corporal, section commander, 10 Platoon, C Company.

  Browning, Ben. Sergeant, 6 Platoon sergeant, B Company.

  Burgess, Dan. Private, Minimi gunner, 1 Platoon, A Company.

  Butcher, Michael. Sergeant, 2 Platoon sergeant, A Company.

  Calder, Charlie. Major, D Company commander.

  Carver, Stuart. Lieutenant colonel, Battle Group commander.

  Clarke, Tom. Lieutenant, 9 Platoon commander, C Company.

  Coleman, Tom. Captain, Battle Group intelligence officer.

  Croft, Terry. Private, 3 Platoon, A Company.

  Davey, George. Lance corporal, section 2IC, 5 Platoon, B Company. Killed in action.

  Denning, Nick. Lieutenant, 1 Platoon commander, A Company.

  Donnachie, Clay. Private, sniper, FSG A.

  Duffy, Matt. Private, Minimi gunner and team medic, 3 Platoon, A Company.

  Faupel, Andy. Colour sergeant, FSG A commander.

  Ferrand, Tim. Corporal, section commander, 10 Platoon, C Company.

  Fong, Ronald. Sapper, combat engineer, 8 Squadron, Royal Engineers.

  Foster, Robert. Private, rifleman and point man, 7 Platoon, B Company. Killed in action.

  Goodey, Graham. Lieutenant, 2 Platoon commander, A Company.

  Goodman, Will. Captain, Viking troop commander, Royal Marines.

  Gray, Chris. Private, Minimi gunner and point man, 3 Platoon, A Company. Killed in action.

  Green, Ross. Private, GPMG gunner, 6 Platoon, B Company. Wounded in action.

  Harmer, Charlie. Captain, A Company FST commander, 28/143 Battery, Royal Artillery.

  Hawkins, Alex. Lance corporal, sniper, FSG D. Killed in action.

  Hicks, David. Captain, B Company 2IC and operations officer. Killed in action.

  Hill, Ashley. Corporal, section commander, Reconnaissance Platoon.

  Hill, Jamie. Sergeant, Reconnaissance Platoon.

  Holmes, Chris. Sergeant, 1 Platoon sergeant, A Company.

  Howes, Ben. Lieutenant, 5 Platoon commander, B Company.

  Lee, Josh. Private, rifleman and UGL gunner, 7 Platoon, B Company. Wounded in action.

  Lorimer, John. Brigadier, commander Task Force Helmand. Late The Parachute Regiment.

  Main, Kevin. Warrant officer class 2, A Company sergeant major.

  McLure, Aaron. Private, Minimi gunner, 7 Platoon, B Company. Killed in action.

  Meighan, Kenny. Private, rifleman and point man, 1 Platoon, A Company.

  Messenger, Phil. Major, C company commander.

  Moore, Robert. Corporal, section commander, 3 Platoon, A Company. Wounded in action.

  Moxey, Phil. Captain, Battle Group operations officer.

  Murphy, James. Corporal, section commander, 6 Platoon, B Company.

  Nadriva, Luke. Private, 51mm mortar man, 5 Platoon, B Company.

  Newton, Tim. Warrant officer class 2, B Company sergeant major.

  Nieves, Keith. Sergeant, 5 Platoon sergeant, B Company. Wounded in action.

  Olivier, Hermanus. Lieutenant, 11 Platoon commander, C Company. Royal Signals.

  Oliviero, Fabio. Private, rifleman and UGL gunner, 1 Platoon, A Company.

  Owen, James. Corporal, section commander, 6 Platoon, B Company.

  Panter, Simon. Sergeant, 3 Platoon sergeant, A Company.

  Parker, Stuart. Corporal, section commander, 7 Platoon, B Company. Wounded in action.

&nbs
p; Perrin, Sam. Lieutenant, 10 Platoon commander, C Company.

  Peyton, Ian. Corporal, company medic, attached to B and C Companies.

  Ramm, Pete. Warrant officer class 2, B Company company sergeant major.

  Rawson, Tony. Private, Minimi gunner, 11 Platoon, C Company. Killed in action.

  Robinson, Dave. Captain, B Company 2IC and ops officer.

  Robinson, Ian. Warrant officer class 1, Battle Group regimental sergeant major.

  Rose, Bjorn. Lieutenant, 3 Platoon commander, A Company.

  Ruecker, Oliver. Lance corporal, sniper and team medic, FSG B.

  Seal-Coon, George. Lieutenant, 7 Platoon commander, B Company.

  Snow, Ivan. Warrant officer class 2, FSG B commander.

  Steel, Paul. Captain, A Company 2IC and ops officer.

  Thompson, Jason. Private, rifleman and point man, 6 Platoon, B Company. Wounded in action.

  Thrumble, John. Private, GPMG gunner, 7 Platoon, B Company. Killed in action.

  Thurston, Al. Colour sergeant, Reconnaissance Platoon 2IC.

  Townsend, Nick. Corporal, section commander, 11 Platoon, C Company.

  Waters, Matt. Sergeant, 11 Platoon sergeant, C Company.

  Wilde, Andy. Captain, Reconnaissance Platoon commander.

  Willan, Matthew. Corporal, section commander, 11 Platoon, C Company.

  Wilsher, Mark. Corporal, mortar fire controller, B Company.

  Woodrow, Michael. Sergeant. 7 Platoon sergeant, B Company.

  Woollard, Matt. Private, LSW gunner, 11 Platoon, C Company. Wounded in action.

  Index

  1st Battalion The Grenadier Guards 187

  1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment Battle Group

  Iraq tour (mid–2005) 46

  southern Iraq tour (2006) 37, 92

  Carver takes command 37–8

  first serious battle of deployment in Afghanistan 1–35, 37

  Operation Silicon as its baptism of fire 98

  battle statistics 401–2

  Lorimer on 404

  casualties of the 2007 tour 407–9

  defining virtues of the tour 412

  honours and awards 414–15

  A (Norfolk) Company

  enemy encounter of 13 April 2007 8, 13, 21, 29, 35, 37

  elements of 38