BBC3 Tonight at 21:00hrs

 

I've just been given a heads up by a mate from 2 Rifles about this programme being aired tonight, it should give a pretty good indication of what this particular tour of Afghan was like and the aftermath and how it effected some of the guys.

 

My understanding is that the programme will focus predominantly on an incident that took place mid '09 at a place called Y68 in Wishtan. Y68 is about 300 yds from the FoB walls and it's where guys from 9 Plt C Coy 2 Rifles were hit by an IED whilst conducting a CASEVAC following an initial IED strike which injured the boss and a few others. The incident resulted in 5 kia and deeply impacted on others involved.

 

This was a bad day for everyone but should go someway to explain what fighting the war in Wishtan was like as it was very unique to any other area of Afghan that I've operated in.

 

My brother Michael and his family were interviewed for this programme (it was his section that was hit and his mates that were killed). Michael was the regular lead Valon man but was on leave at the time so his mate stepped into his roll whilst he was away. Michael left the Army shortly after 2 Rifles returned to NI.

 

Whilst Michael and I operated from FoB Wishtan our other brother, Martyn, was a bit further North in FoB Inkerman with B Coy 2 Rifles who were having a very different war.

 

It's sad to say that lessons learnt in the Summer of 2009 were still being learnt by B Coy The Royal Scots (as part of 3 Rifles BG) in 2010 when I went back to visit Wishtan.

 

I'm guessing that my mate Jamie Moncho will do a good job of explaining what happened, he was later awarded the CGC for his actions. Others should definately have receieved recognition for their part in this incident. My best mate Mac (RIP) should have been awarded the MC for his actions on this day and for his actions a month later....but never was

 

I just hope the production team do the boys justice

Interesting!!! And sad at the same time, I've just set to record on sky+ , thanks for the heads up