Brigadier Gordon Messenger DSO OBE, (left) Commander of 3 Commando Brigade, giving a brief to his successor, Brigadier Tim Radford OBE, Commander of 19 Light Brigade
[Picture: Sergeant David Wells]
19 Light Brigade started a six month tour on Friday 10 April 2009 replacing 3 Commando Brigade.
3 Cdo Bde lowered its flag at midday at the TFH headquarters in Lashkar Gah marking the end of a successful six month tour.
The Commander of 3 Cdo Bde, Brigadier Gordon Messenger DSO OBE, said:
“This has been a highly successful tour which must be viewed in the context of a progressing campaign that has made a real difference to the security and wellbeing of southern Afghanistan.
"We will never forget those who have been killed or injured on our watch but as we reflect on the last six months the overriding feeling of 3 Cdo Bde is one of pride and satisfaction at a job well done.”
Shortly after, the flag of 19 Lt Bde was raised to signify the change of authority in the headquarters.
The Commander of 19 Lt Bde, Brigadier Tim Radford OBE, said:
“We intend to follow on the excellent progress made by 3 Cdo Bde over the last six months. We are very well prepared for the myriad challenges that we face and through the provision of security, stability and reconstruction we will undermine the insurgents, help to expand governance and improve the day to day lives of the Afghan people.”
This will be the first time 19 Lt Bde, which has its headquarters in Thiepval Barracks, Lisburn, Northern Ireland, has provided the bulk of the 8100 UK troops based in Afghanistan.
19 Lt Bde has previously served two tours of Iraq: Operation Telic 2 from June to November 2003, and again on Operation Telic 9 from November 2006 to June 2007.
19 Light Brigade is made up of the following main units:
- 19 Light Brigade Headquarters and Signal Squadron (209)
- The Light Dragoons, based in Swanton Morley, Norfolk
- 40th Regiment Royal Artillery, based in Lisburn, Northern Ireland
- 38 Engineer Regiment, based in Antrim, Northern Ireland
- 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, based in Aldershot
- The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, based in Inverness
- 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, based in Hounslow
- 2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Worcesters & Foresters), based in Holywood, Northern Ireland
- 2nd Battalion The Rifles, based in Ballykinler, Northern Ireland
- 19 Combat Service Support Battalion, based in Kinnegar, Northern Ireland
- 173 Provost Company Royal Military Police, based in Lisburn, Northern Ireland
There are also a number of regiments and elements of regiments deploying as part of the overall Task Force under the command of 19 Lt Bde, including:
- 29 Regiment, The Royal Logistic Corps
- 2 Medical Regiment
- 4 Close Support Battalion, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
- 2nd Royal Tank Regiment
- 33 Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal)
- 2nd Battalion Royal Welsh
- 2nd Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles
- 11 (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) Regiment, The Royal Logistic Corps
