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Yesterday was the anniversary of Capt Dan Read's death in Afghanistan.
Our team hadn't long got back from R&R, and we were dispatched to the AO on recieving the news.
It was different to the Oz job, I remember less of the build up, but I remember vividly the walk upto the job
Our team hadn't long got back from R&R, and we were dispatched to the AO on recieving the news.
It was different to the Oz job, I remember less of the build up, but I remember vividly the walk upto the job
Everyone who dies on tour is remembered well, but Dan was worthy of it.
A warm character, who took time to explain everything to anyone. Anyone who spent time with him knew his favourite drink was Spicy and Coke, and I honestly don't remember him saying a bad word of anyone.
A warm character, who took time to explain everything to anyone. Anyone who spent time with him knew his favourite drink was Spicy and Coke, and I honestly don't remember him saying a bad word of anyone.
Dan had a quiet determination about him, he earned his green lid and his ATO badge, so it was a given. But Dan hadn't started his time in the Army as an Officer.
Dan's first posting had been as a Sapper, with 33 EOD, when he asked about becoming an EOD Operator he was told
Dan's first posting had been as a Sapper, with 33 EOD, when he asked about becoming an EOD Operator he was told
That to do that he needed to become an Officer, go to the RLC and become an ATO that way. Dan didn't know any different, the person who told him may have thought they were putting him off, but it didn't.
Dan commissioned, passed his All Arms, promoted to Capt, and went on course
Dan commissioned, passed his All Arms, promoted to Capt, and went on course
He was posted to 821, passed joint service, high threat and went on tour.
Because how our timeline fell (we got pulled forward to H10) we weren't in for everyone's arrival, but we bumped into them on tasks, at airheads, in scoff houses etc. Dan and his team were always together
Because how our timeline fell (we got pulled forward to H10) we weren't in for everyone's arrival, but we bumped into them on tasks, at airheads, in scoff houses etc. Dan and his team were always together
A real tight group, and like Oz's guys we knew well from courses and PDT.
When we got the job, it was gutting, but again, we knew it needed to be done. In the back of my mind at least, I was glad it was us, we had done something similar before, and were as comfortable as you
When we got the job, it was gutting, but again, we knew it needed to be done. In the back of my mind at least, I was glad it was us, we had done something similar before, and were as comfortable as you
Could be, with the role and wanted to make sure it was done right. We couldn't help at time, but this was in our control now, and that was a small comfort.
We got on the airframe and headed out.
We got on the airframe and headed out.
The HO/TO wasn't the same this time, we didn't get 12/24hrs with the team. I was glad of that in some way, I didn't have to go through what I did before. But the downside was I didn't feel prepared, and that isn't how I wanted to have anyone go down the road.
As we got off the Heli, we spoke for a few seconds with the team, and they left on the same heli we arrived on. You can't pass on how you feel in that time, and if you could you recognise those guys can't really listen, they have their own demons to fight and questions they can
Never really answer.
We got in, set our kit up, grabbed some sleep and quietly went about our business. The morning came and off we went. The terrain was so different in each AO, Sangin was compounds overlooking each other, Babiji was a small village with Maze around, this
We got in, set our kit up, grabbed some sleep and quietly went about our business. The morning came and off we went. The terrain was so different in each AO, Sangin was compounds overlooking each other, Babiji was a small village with Maze around, this
Place was low walls everywhere, channeling you, restricting freedom of movement, making everything feel confined.
Tabbing past the HLS wondering if it had been recently used, would it have been seeded with IEDs if it was needed today.
The task area again surrounded by walls
Tabbing past the HLS wondering if it had been recently used, would it have been seeded with IEDs if it was needed today.
The task area again surrounded by walls
The walls had stopped the quad from being able to turn around to get Dan out rapidly.
His number 2, had picked up the front and walked it around to get it out faster, doing that wasn't easy, he compressed his spine. Through sheer determination and love of Dan he managed.
His number 2, had picked up the front and walked it around to get it out faster, doing that wasn't easy, he compressed his spine. Through sheer determination and love of Dan he managed.
We got the task done, bagged the evidence, and headed back.
I don't have an overriding memory of that job, but I do remember Dan, the team he worked with and his favourite drink.
I don't have an overriding memory of that job, but I do remember Dan, the team he worked with and his favourite drink.
It is hard to describe that time for EOD in Afghan, I was proud to have been part of a team which, knew the risks, and pressed on.
The jokes everyone told each other, about how family always thought they were safe in Bastion.
I remember chatting to a Reserve we had on PDT
The jokes everyone told each other, about how family always thought they were safe in Bastion.
I remember chatting to a Reserve we had on PDT
A cracking lad, who always had a quip ready, but I met him as our time was coming to an end, and what he said.
I came out here thinking it would be a right laugh, but now I'm just trying not to die.
We lost a lot in that time, mates who suffered life changing injuries and died
I came out here thinking it would be a right laugh, but now I'm just trying not to die.
We lost a lot in that time, mates who suffered life changing injuries and died
It felt strange at the end of our time. The relief, which was almost a celebration, because someone lost a limb, because they hadn't died. That felt like a small win.
