There follows the story of WBro Mike Caseman-Jones.

 

Readers of the Summer 2006 edition of Password may recall previous articles entitled Our man in Basra.   In these I mentioned Operation TELIC 8 in Iraq with Camel spiders and empty palace compounds, the Al Shat al Arab waterway in the height of summer and other wonders in that part of the world.   One might also recall at some stage me mentioning that this was probably the last operational tour that I would be doing for the foreseeable future.   Well who was it who said, never say never?

 

Like many things in this world, the current tour came by accident rather than design.  I must confess to always having a desire to deploy to Afghanistan but time and circumstance just didn’t seem to be on my side.  Whilst attending a military course I just happened to be talking to a good friend, Major Robbie Whitfield MBE who mentioned that he was looking for officers to deploy as part of the Labour Support Unit to be the Officer Commanding 908 LSU RLC based at Kandahar as part of Op HERRICK 9.   Whilst I knew nothing of the LSU role at the time, my mate explained all about the role of locally employed civilians (LEC), and how they contribute to the main effort of the coalition forces in Afghanistan, and also how we as a unit, through LEC pay and allowances, put some much needed cash back into the Afghan economy.

 

As I got more into this strange new world of labour support, we continued our discussion deep into the night, punctuated by a glass or two of red wine.  This new and exciting deployment seemed a great idea, concluding with “Well Robbie, if you need anyone at any stage in late 08 I am your man”, although by this stage it was September 07.  The next year was a lifetime away.   Having put the world to rights we retired to bed.  Other than casual conversation the matter wasn’t discussed again during the course.  Obviously any commitment to an overseas tour would have to be given the thumbs up by the domestic chief of staff but I was hooked and there is no getting away from it, the more I thought about it the more it seemed like a good idea.

Three months after the course Robbie contacted me again and the conversation progressed from idle chatter to matters TA to “do you remember when we spoke about an Afghan tour with LSU?”   “Oh yes.”   Panic trying to think what I had said and more importantly what I had agreed.  “Was it that long ago?”

 

Robbie continued, “Good news Mike, after you attend the operational labour support course in June, I have you penned in to take over in early November 08.  How does that sound?”

 

Obviously this matter hadn’t yet been discussed with the domestic chief of staff (Gail), and lots of things were now running through my mind including how to broach with Gail the subject of a tour to Afghanistan and of course survival!

 

Trying to sound like I run things at home, I replied, “Sounds great Robbie.  Can I get back to you on that one?  There are some minor things I need to sort out.”

 

Cut from phone call to hot tub in back garden in Towcester.  Mike and Gail sitting in hot tub with fizzy Italian wine.  We discussed the matter at length including the complication of the present job in Northamptonshire Police, proposed tour dates, possible extension, R&R and the possibility of promotion to Lieutenant Colonel on the horizon with an Op tour for my new Regiment in 2010.  Subsequently the whole matter was agreed.

 

Robbie had his OC for November 08.

 

I mobilised in early September 08. Training, much desert kit, followed. I subsequently deployed to Kandahar in mid November 08.   Leaving the UK in rain and cold, I arrived in Kandahar to 23/25 degrees of heat.  This was superb since I would be able to experience another summer.  I can’t remember much of the summer I spent at home apart from that glorious cricket match against the Met Grand Lodge of London which, tragically, we lost by one run.  Even then it rained towards the later part of the match.

 

After a week’s handover, my predecessor left.  I was very much in the chair.  Looking after 650 LECs with 10 staff is a challenge but, to their credit, the unit staff do a cracking job.  Apart from two regular Privates all remaining ranks are mobilised TA soldiers, some of whom are doing between eight and 12 month tours.  Whilst I have been here I have managed to get around the country visiting my detachment locations at Camp Bastion and the two sites at Kabul.  Despite coalition force losses of late, the lads and lasses are doing a great job and are so full of enthusiasm.

 

	What is an British policeman supposed to do with this local Afghani lorry? Perhaps remember that, for the time being, he is a solider and not a policeman!

 

The weather here is either one extreme or another.  When I arrived it was quite warm with the ubiquitous dust and flies that seem to have no fear and land exactly when and where they want, despite an active set of fly swatters in the unit lines.

 

 As winter progresses, the rain falls monsoon-like resulting in all things dust and sand becoming sticky mud.  This, like the dust, gets everywhere.  An active ‘mop regime’ is often the order of the day, although we have contract cleaners who come in every morning and do a sterling job.

 

As Christmas approaches, everyone does their best to make accommodation or office space as festive as possible.  On Christmas Day officers and Warrant Officers will be waiting on the soldiers at table in appreciation of a job well done. 

 

In this electronic age everyone seems to be contactable and the welfare package (internet cabins and phones home) is very welcome.  However, traditional mail from home is a massive morale booster.  That small piece of paper provides such an important personal link between ‘here and there’.

 

We receive Christmas presents from ordinary members of the public at home who have been Christmas shopping and bought us small items such as non perishable food stuffs, Christmas trees, Santa hats and toiletries which, when packed in a shoe box and addressed to ‘A British soldier in Afghanistan’ are very welcome indeed.  This has restored my faith in human nature.  Ordinary folk at home do genuinely care about their servicemen and women.

 

My only concern is that Debbie, whoever she is, who took such time and care in putting my box together, didn’t give any contact details or e-mail address.  So, if Debbie is reading this or you know her then please convey to her from me a personal thank you.  Likewise, to all the wonderful people at home who sent presents to our servicemen and women on operations in whatever part of the world this Christmas, I offer a most sincere thank you. 

 

You can be assured that what you gave was very thankfully received and most faithfully applied.

 

WBro Mike Caseman-Jones

 

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