Op Red Dagger Strikes in Helmand

>A Danish Leopard II tank provides overwatch during Operation Sond Chara in Southern Afghanistan (UK MoD photo)A massive British led operation in Afghanistan has seen 1,500 troops involved in two weeks of fierce fighting in rain and mud to successfully secure a large area of Central Helmand province previously under Taliban influence.>> Operation SOND CHARA began in mid-December and lasted throughout the Christmas period. It involved British, Danish and Estonian troops of Task Force Helmand (TFH) along with members of the Afghan Security Forces (ASF) and was conceived to provide better security to the Provincial Capital, Lashkar Gah following recent attacks and to set the conditions necessary to enable secure voter registration to take place in early 2009.>> While being hailed as a success, the operation was not without cost. Royal Marines Lance Corporal Ben Whatley, Tony Evans, Georgie Sparks, Corporal Robert Deering and Rifleman Stuart Nash, as well as three civilians, lost their lives.>> Commander Task Force Helmand, Brigadier Gordon Messenger Royal Marines, said:> "This was a very successful operation that demonstrated the ability of the Task Force to surprise, overmatch, manoeuvre and influence over a huge area. Whilst our efforts have made a significant contribution to the overall Nad E'Ali security plan, it has not been without sacrifice, and we will forever remember the contribution of those who died.>> "This is just the start and these operations do not end here. It is for us to drive the tempo, we will continue to surprise and overmatch the Taliban at a time and place of our choosing, not theirs. We are standing shoulder to shoulder with our Afghan counterparts and sharing the same risk and determination against the enemy. Both myself and my Afghan colleagues are determined to provide enduring security and to help Governor Mangal to spread his governance across Helmand.