Troops home to say they back Afghan war

SCOTTISH troops have returned home from six months of bitter fighting in Afghanistan to tell of their "wholehearted" support for the war on terrorism, in which they feel they are making real progress.

Members of 52 Brigade arrived back at their Edinburgh barracks days after Alex Salmond, the First Minister, said Scots soldiers and their families were against the war in Iraq.

The SNP has also claimed that the initial objectives in Afghanistan were destroyed by the invasion of Iraq, and "a fundamental reappraisal" was required.

Although the soldiers of 52 Brigade claimed British troops were "stretched" and more investment was needed to help Afghan farmers diversify away from opium poppies, they were positive about their contribution to the nation's stability.

Captain Andy Richards, 33, whose role involved training Afghan police officers, told The Scotsman: "We are wholeheartedly behind what we are doing. I think Afghanistan is the war of our generation and if we fail, the consequences will be absolutely catastrophic."

He said losing would leave the country a "haven for terrorism" and send a signal to those who wanted the West "wiped out".

The brigade spearheaded the fall of the Taleban stronghold, Musa Qala – the largest Nato operation in recent years.

It was in command of 7,000 multinational troops in Helmand Province and under its stewardship, 11 British servicemen have died, the most recent two on Sunday.

Captain Andrea Magowan, of Lancaster, who dealt with media operations in theatre, said: "I look back over the last six months and I know we have had 11 fatalities and we have to say to the families: their lives – it has been worth it for the cause."

She said the average Afghan just wanted to get back to a normal life, but they were beset by terrorists who would murder a 12-year-old boy for having an American dollar in his back pocket, seeing it as a sign of collusion with the West.

She, too, insisted the troops were behind the cause and keen to serve their country.

The 32-year-old said: "Guys want to deploy. They didn't join to stay in barracks. That's when you have problems – soldiers living side by side with friends on civvy street who are taking drugs and drink driving. We need to get those guys out there and a medal on their chest."

For Corporal Daniel Mackenzie, a 27-year-old signalman from Stornoway, the suggestion that Scots soldiers were not behind the war on terror was "completely untrue".

However, he said, there was a feeling that more assistance was needed from other countries. He admitted the British troops were "stretched".

"Not many countries, with the exception of America, put in as much effort as us or take up the responsibility we do," he said. We take up more responsibility than others. Whether that's forced on us or we take it gladly, I don't know."

Capt Richards, of Edinburgh, said more investment was required to stop farmers growing the poppies that are fuelling the world's heroin trade and account for about 90 per cent of crops grown in Afghanistan.

"For the farmers, they don't have any option but to grow opium," he said. "It is the only crop which will allow them to feed their families. The big issue is whether you can provide them with alternative livelihoods. At the moment, I think we are failing to do so, but the farmers are willing to try and grow melons or vegetables.

"At the moment we are not reaching them with programmes that will help them. We need to invest in training them and in irrigation systems and improve the farming practices and that will be one of the big challenges."

The Ministry of Defence has already said that troops will be in Afghanistan for some considerable time and Squadron Leader Simon "Tats" Tatters, a 39-year-old father of three, admitted: "No doubt the majority of us who came back last night will see Afghanistan again."

Returning Scots troops back prince's frontline role

SCOTTISH servicemen and women last night defended Prince Harry's decision to deploy to Afghanistan, where he fought alongside some of them.

Edinburgh-based 52 Brigade has spent six months in charge of Helmand Province, where the young royal's regiment, the Household Cavalry, was engaged.

The first group of soldiers from the Infantry Brigade returned on Tuesday night, to be greeted by relieved and delighted family members.

Prince Harry would have been on the same flight had his presence in the war zone not been leaked and his tour stymied.

Harry served in the troubled country from December last year until February. A news blackout on his presence was agreed by UK media outlets.

However, foreign publications revealed the story and Cornet Wales, as he is known in the army, was swiftly sent home.

Questions were raised on whether the third in line to the throne should have been allowed to serve on the front line, but the servicemen and women from 52 backed his decision to deploy, feeling his frustration at not being able to serve in Iraq.

Captain Andrea Magowan, 32, who lives at the Colinton base, said: "I don't think anything was done above and beyond any soldier on the ground. He was treated exactly like another cornet.

"But at the end of the day, he's third in line to the throne and people are interested.

"The fact that he didn't go to Iraq was a shame. He joined the army and wants to do the job he's doing."

Captain Andy Richards, 33, served with the prince for about a month in Garmsir. "I was glad he got to come across because I think all of us felt his frustration at not being able to do his job," he said.

Army hosts phone-in show that is top with terrorists

IN SOME ways, the evening radio show is little different to many others across the world – there are regular news bulletins, music requests and callers who want to give a "shout-out" to their loved ones or simply get their opinions on air.

Except at Musa Qala FM, broadcasting from inside the fallen town that was once a Taleban stronghold, the bulletins are translated by Afghan interpreters, the production is by the British Army – and sometimes the callers are terrorists.

Since Nato forces took the settlement at the end of last year, Corporal Daniel Mackenzie of 52 Infantry Brigade has been helping run the station.

While it is predominantly there for entertainment, playing music from 6am each day, it also has an important role in "broadening the horizons" of the locals, providing information on worldwide happenings.

Cpl Mackenzie said: "We play music from 6am. The locals phone-in and request music. They do shout-outs for the families.

"There are times when the Taleban have phoned up and started giving the interpreters abuse. We get some right banter going on, because the interpreters aren't scared."

International news, such as American election coverage, also features.

Cpl Mackenzie said: "It's not something you would expect them to be interested in, but it's about broadening their horizons."