|
Commando forces
wait to board
RAF Chinook helicopters at Bagram
for deployment in the Afghan mountains
(Click
here for high resolution version)
|
Royal Marines of 45
Commando,
the Brigade Reconnaissance Troop,
and Army Commando-trained troops
deployed on Operation Ptarmigan
(Click
here for high resolution version) |
Royal Marines, equipped
with the new
Personal Role Radio system, board
an RAF Chinook
(Click
here for high resolution version) |
|
An RAF Chinook lifts
off en
route to the mountains
(Click
here for high resolution version)
|
Another Chinook of 27 Squadron
RAF departs
(Click
here for high resolution version) |
RAF and US Army Chinooks
were
used to insert the force
(Click
here for high resolution version) |
|
Commando forces
inserted in the
high Afghan mountains, 9,000-11,000
feet high
(Click
here for high resolution version)
|
A Royal Marine on Op Ptarmigan; his
helmet is fitted for night-fighting equipment,
he wears the new Personal Role Radio,
and is armed with the improved SA-80A2
(Click
here for high resolution version) |
Lieutenant Colonel Tim
Chicken,
commanding the Commando Group
engaged on Ptarmigan
(Click
here for high resolution version) |
|
A Royal Marine sniper
moves off
on patrol
(Click
here for high resolution version)
|
Royal Marine signallers provide the
communications so essential
in the mountains
(Click
here for high resolution version) |
On patrol, an all-round
watch is kept
at all times
(Click
here for high resolution version) |
|
An RAF Chinook ferries
heavy
supplies direct to the mountain positions
(Click
here for high resolution version)
|
An aircrew gunner perches on the
rear door of a Chinook, ready to
respond to ground threats
(Click
here for high resolution version) |
A landing high in the
mountains
(Click
here for high resolution version) |
|
A Royal Marine machine
gun team
armed with the venerable but still
highly effective 0.5" Browning
(Click
here for high resolution version)
|
An Observation Post, equipped
with sophisticated
surveillance kit
(Click
here for high resolution version) |
A pair of Royal Marines
keep watch,
two light rockets close to hand
(Click
here for high resolution version) |
|
Sappers from 59 Cdo
Sqn Royal
Engineers search a Taliban bunker
(Click
here for high resolution version)
|
Preparations are made to demolish
the position
(Click
here for high resolution version) |
Demolition charges
are readied
(Click
here for high resolution version) |
|
Royal Marines out
on patrol
(Click
here for high resolution version)
|
Observation work was a key
element of Op Ptarmigan
(Click
here for high resolution version) |
On patrol
(Click
here for high resolution version) |
|
Royal Marines prepare
to
set out on patrol
(Click
here for high resolution version)
|
Royal Marines, US troops and Afghan
forces rest together on a mountain patrol
(Click
here for high resolution version) |
A patrol sweeps through
a Taliban
position destroyed by an airstrike
(Click
here for high resolution version) |
|
Royal Marines return
to Bagram
at the end ofPtarmigan
(Click
here for high resolution version)
|
A mortar section disembarks as
the Chinook is readied for refuelling
(Click
here for high resolution version) |
Mission completed, and
safely
back at Bagram
(Click
here for high resolution version) |
