Royal Marines Band
Commando Logistics Regiment - Op Herrick 9

Adjutant Major J Burcham BMus(Hons) MMus(Perf) AMusTCL Royal Marines
Bandmaster BdCSgt S Bacon RM

 

INTRODUCTION

 

Major Jason Burcham

Personnel from across the Royal Marines Band Service (RMBS) are currently deployed on Op Herrick 9 (H9) with the United Kingdom Joint Force Medical Group (JF Med Gp). Originally mobilized to be employed as drivers, RMBS musicians and buglers are integrated within the JF Med Gp and fulfill a number of duties and responsibilities including Adjutant, MT SNCO, Watchkeeper, Radio Operators, MT Drivers and Ambulance Drivers; all integral components to the JF Med Gp. As a result we have personnel in Camp Bastion and out in the Forward Operating Bases (FOBs). RMBS ranks also play their part in the Combat Logistic Patrols (CLPs). In fact every CLP has included RMBS personnel as drivers; something of a departure from the traditional role of ‘Bandies’ on Operations. A large percentage of the JF Med Gp change at the 3 month point and the RMBS is no different. So, for ease of understanding H9 is split down as H9a for the first 3 months and H9b for the latter 3. As I write the majority of the band have been in Theatre for 8 weeks and have another 8 to push before the relief in place and the arrival of those on H9b. Some will remain here throughout and, by the time they have taken their Post Operational Leave, will finally return to the mainstream of the RMBS in June 2009. It will have been a long time away from the Band Service for many, having begun the Pre-deployment Training back in March. Having completed the training and now deployed we are here; established and gaining experience and making our contribution to the operation.

ROUTE TO AFGHANISTAN

At 2100hrs on the 26th September the first seventeen of the RMBS left RMB Chivenor for their flight from RAF Brize Norton to Camp Bastion Afghanistan. With training complete, the final exercise finished, all the scratching of heads over what to pack forgotten and pre-deployment leave thoroughly enjoyed by all we were finally on our way. We arrived 24hrs later than planned, due to fog. On arrival in Camp Bastion, everyone goes through a specific joining routine which involves spending normally one night in Transit Accommodation, a series of mandatory lectures and a weapon zeroing package on the ranges. Transit Accommodation is a hangar filled with hundreds of bunk beds and no air conditioning! Our first full day saw us shown to our permanent accommodation and meeting of our new ‘room mates’ followed by our mandatory lectures, which lasted from midday until 1830 in the evening. ‘Emotional’ was a word used by many whilst taking in as much caffeine as possible to stay awake due to lack of sleep. Our second day saw us walking out to the ranges in 40 degrees of heat at 0900 in the morning! Our joining package complete, we awaited our job allocations and started to settle into our new surroundings.

A BIT ABOUT BASTION

The Med Group is fortunate in that we have our own virtually self-contained camp within Bastion with work locations very close by. Local amenities include a coffee shop, a small NAAFI shop and (believe it or not) a Pizza Hut; all within 150 metres of the accommodation. Every Tuesday there is a market in the camp where local traders ply their wares; selling everything from jewellery, carpets and pashminas to old coins, Soviet medals and dodgy DVDs! Accommodation consists of four large Pod Complexes each comprising six individual pods which house up to eight people and two ablution pods with showers, washbasins and toilets. Each person has a camp-cot, thin mattress and hanging wardrobe. The communal areas are cleaned by local contractors who also supply a free laundry service. There are two fitness tents, one with weightlifting and multi-gym equipment; the other is cardiovascular suite with running, rowing, cycling and cross-trainer machines. We also have our own Volleyball and Basketball courts and several small outside training areas with mats, free weights and pull up bars. Near the gym is the church and a welfare tent with a wide-screen TV (six BFBS Channels), games and books. There is a ‘super kitchen’ with four separate dining tents. The food is very good given the circumstances and a reasonable selection of healthy options is available. We never expected to see fresh croissants and grapefruit for breakfast or a sandwich and salad bar for lunch! Now that the clocks have gone back in the UK we are four and a half hours ahead of UK time which causes problems calling home. It also means we have to stay up late if we want to catch the decent TV programmes and sporting fixtures. Everyone is eagerly anticipating the arrival of Wi-Fi in the accommodation as most have brought their laptops with them.

Camp Bastion is already a very well established base, so on arrival we were able to make full use of the facilities available. We were given phone cards so all loved ones could be contacted and informed of our safe arrival, we get 30 minutes free every week. There are numerous internet terminals, but with most of the camp looking to update their Facebook status on a daily basis there can sometimes be a bit of a wait.

JOB ALLOCATIONS

Everyone was waiting with baited breath to find out where they would be working. BdCSgt Bacon (Rasher) had already been tasked as the new MT SNCO; his team would consist of BdCpl Alison Young, Bug Stew Vyse and Musn Kev Marsh. Manning the radios in the Command Post are Musns Ally Grey, Warren Lindsay and Pete Dolby working alongside the Watchkeepers, which include Sgt Bug Jim Butler. Ambulance Troop is headed up by BdCpls Dave Davies and Dave Edwards and employs Musns Smith, Scullion (now back in the UK and replaced by Musn Pym), Jon Park and Olly Nelken as drivers. At this point I must mention BdCpl Dan Button in Gareshk and Musns Rachel Botham, Caitlin O’Mally and Ian Ginn who are in Kabul and BdCpl Sam Hairsine. Our thoughts are with these guys who are separated from the main group, and we ask you not to forget about them.

Musn Marsh hard at work in the Tempest

MT TROOP

On finding out that we were to take over the running of MT Troop for JF Med Gp we all wondered exactly what our job would entail. We look after a fleet of 11 vehicles including the ambulances, and when we’re not actually driving the vehicles we’re responsible for their up-keep and maintenance. We have four vehicles working directly out of MT, which are used for a variety of tasks. Routinely we provide transport for the delivery of people and equipment around Camp Bastion. These include collecting signals and the all important daily mail run; the distribution of water; the transfer of people to and from the various flight lines at any time of the day; and also the collection of medical supplies from the flight lines, which can range from blood to bandages. We also collect and escort local nationals from the main gate and take them to the hospital (you may not be aware that it is not only our own guys that are treated in the hospital, civilians that are caught in the middle of everything are treated here as well). We’ve managed to have a bit of fun as well in the form of quad bikes. We’ve had a lesson on them and spent a morning off-roading. We’ve also had more lessons on off-roading landrovers. When it came to Stew’s turn to off road the landrover he was determined to get it over a rather difficult hill, spurred on by the Master Driver (the coolest job title in NATO) who assured him it would go if he just kept his foot down, one loud bang later and it was quite obvious it wouldn’t go as he’d managed to knock the valve out of the tyre! Although not part of our original job description CLPs are now part of everyday life. Essentially, these are convoys comprising numerous vehicles moving all manner of stores and equipment. It is essential that an ambulance accompanies each CLP and so each CLP deploys with personnel from the RMBS. It is a very surreal experience attaching a loaded magazine to your SA80 not to aim at a piece of wood but to potentially save your life. Then leaving the safe confines of the base and heading out to the Afghan desert where as we have found out, the threat is very real. But in true Bandy fashion we’re all making the best of it. Those of us who are going to be taking part in CLPs have also been trained up on driving in the dark with night vision goggles. I have to admit it felt a bit wrong to be having so much fun while training for something so serious! At this point I feel it important to mention about a very serious field promotion that has recently taken place. Bug Stew Vyse has been promoted to the Band Service’s Master Driver! As a final note from MT, we have to mention our Quick Fit Fitter Man also known as Rab. Rab belongs to the 204 Field Hospital and has been given an extension so that we have our very own resident mechanic. He is proving invaluable as all the vehicles seem to break down at once over here. So finally as we settle down for another night of duties filled with the unexpected, we all want to say thanks to everyone who has been keeping in contact (a special mention for Musn Rich Sharp’s jokes) whether it be parcels or letters everything is greatly appreciated. So farewell to you all in Bandy land and keep the home fires burning. A final word from the Band Service Master Driver (Bug Vyse), don’t drink and drive!

CSgt Rasher Bacon, BdCpl Spud Edwards and Musn Swampy Marsh with their Tempest Vehicle in the desert

AMBULANCE TROOP

Despite having only been here for four weeks it has been very busy. Through the days we carry out patient transfers, provide medical cover for the ranges and the delivery of casualties from the HLS to the hospital. At night we provide the ambulance service for AEROMED (evacuation of casualties and patients to the UK); most are transferred to Birmingham NHS Trust (Selly Oak). Despite the long hours, heat and dust, spirits are high, and with only five drivers we are stretched to the limit but, like everybody else, we’re coping. Everyday we clean the ambulances of dust, an important part of keeping the ambulances sterile, and before we’ve driven 1/4 mile down the road they need cleaning again. We have, however, found out that the ambulances are not bandy proof as we’ve already broken some. The Ambulance doesn’t just comprise drivers, of course. Each ambulance is crewed by two RN Medical Assistants. They’re proving to be quite tough as we’ve not managed to break any of them… yet!

MUSIC

As well as contributing to the CLPs and other operational requirements we are also keen to return to our natural environment; to exploit our musical capability and do our bit for morale. Of course, nobody could expect the Band Service to deploy without instruments! Since our arrival we have provided musical support to the JF Med Gp Trafalgar Night, the Corps Birthday for Commando Logistic Regiment and a 13-piece ensemble for Remembrance Sunday. Our Buglers, Sgt Bug Jim Butler and Bug Stew Vyse have played Last Post and Reveille and provided the ceremonial aspect. As I write this we are planning events for the Christmas Period mindful of the need to balance musical performances with Operational demands.

The Corps' Birthday Band

IN SUMMARY

So having been here for just over 2 months now we’ve pretty much got the hang of it. We’ve got loads of new toys to play with and big vehicles to drive around in and pose with. We think the JF Med Gp is lucky to have such a group of professional dedicated individuals who bring so much to the party. I’m not sure they see it that way; in fact they’re still trying to get used to having us around. Merry Christmas to all of you over there from all of us over here!

The Sun in the sun

 

Last updated April 2009