Operation TELIC
Kuwait and Iraq 1 February - X July 2003 |
Operation TELIC was the codename for the United Kingdom operation in support of the United States Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. The United Kingdom provided Maritime, Land, Air and Special Forces Contingents and a national Joint Force Logistic Component.
Regimental Headquarters Tactical, the Quartermaster (Technical) and a small resources cell deployed to Ali Al Salem on 1st February 2003 to assist in the setup of the Regimental base location and began the in-load of stores, resources and the inbound unit equipment. The remainder of the Squadron, commanded by Major I E S Nichols, was complete in theatre by 3rd March 2003. In addition to fielding Regimental Headquarters and the Quartermaster’s department, the Squadron’s Resources Troop and Support Troop played a full supporting role throughout the campaign.
Resources Troop set up in Ali Al Salem and began the in-load of UK resourced stocks and locally purchased items in early March 2003. Significantly augmented by the Territorial Army and Reservists, the Troop sourced construction materiel fo tasks throughout the Area of Responsibility. On a daily basis, Resources Specialists, dressed in civilian clothes travelled unarmed into Kuwait City to purchase much-needed resources, competing with the purchasing power of the United States Forces.
Support Troop ran a significant number of re-supply convoys in support of the Field Squadrons over distances of up to 500 miles to Al Basrah, Umm Qasr, Safwan, Al Jaber and Tallil. Sergeant McLaughlin, the Motor Transport NCO, received a Commander of Joint Operations Commendation for his work in coordinating the build-up of the Squadron to War Fighting Establishment, and his leadership in running the supply lines to the Squadron deployed forward in Tallil and Al Basrah. Most notably, the in-load of equipment and resources for 34 Field Squadron (Air Support) to Tallil involved the entire Regimental lift capability of 3 Heavy Equipment Transporter and 18 Light Equipment Transporter from Divisional assets as well as an entire United States Air Forces CRG (consisting of 22 HMVW armed with .50 calibre weapons) for close protection. The convoy, when parked bumper to bumper, occupied some 1.5 kms of raod and crossed into Iraq on 28th March 2003. It moved to Al Nasiriyah whilst United States Forces continued to suppress local resistance.
Regimental Headquarters Tactical, the Quartermaster (Technical) and a small resources cell deployed to Ali Al Salem on 1st February 2003 to assist in the setup of the Regimental base location and began the in-load of stores, resources and the inbound unit equipment. The remainder of the Squadron, commanded by Major I E S Nichols, was complete in theatre by 3rd March 2003. In addition to fielding Regimental Headquarters and the Quartermaster’s department, the Squadron’s Resources Troop and Support Troop played a full supporting role throughout the campaign.
Resources Troop set up in Ali Al Salem and began the in-load of UK resourced stocks and locally purchased items in early March 2003. Significantly augmented by the Territorial Army and Reservists, the Troop sourced construction materiel fo tasks throughout the Area of Responsibility. On a daily basis, Resources Specialists, dressed in civilian clothes travelled unarmed into Kuwait City to purchase much-needed resources, competing with the purchasing power of the United States Forces.
Support Troop ran a significant number of re-supply convoys in support of the Field Squadrons over distances of up to 500 miles to Al Basrah, Umm Qasr, Safwan, Al Jaber and Tallil. Sergeant McLaughlin, the Motor Transport NCO, received a Commander of Joint Operations Commendation for his work in coordinating the build-up of the Squadron to War Fighting Establishment, and his leadership in running the supply lines to the Squadron deployed forward in Tallil and Al Basrah. Most notably, the in-load of equipment and resources for 34 Field Squadron (Air Support) to Tallil involved the entire Regimental lift capability of 3 Heavy Equipment Transporter and 18 Light Equipment Transporter from Divisional assets as well as an entire United States Air Forces CRG (consisting of 22 HMVW armed with .50 calibre weapons) for close protection. The convoy, when parked bumper to bumper, occupied some 1.5 kms of raod and crossed into Iraq on 28th March 2003. It moved to Al Nasiriyah whilst United States Forces continued to suppress local resistance.
Reference:
The Corps of the Royal Engineer Operation Telic October 2002 - July 2003, Crown Copyright, 2005
The Corps of the Royal Engineer Operation Telic October 2002 - July 2003, Crown Copyright, 2005