By Andrew Jarret

DESPITE A number of recent tragic losses, Royal Marines from Arbroath-based 45 Commando say they have now confidently established themselves in Sangin, northern Helmand, as their six-month tour in Afghanistan continues.

They have the responsibility for the entire Upper Sangin Valley and the main effort for the battle group is to provide security to the Sangin district centre and its outer environs, which in turn will provide the stability which permits opportunities for economic growth and development in support of the Helmand road infrastructure for the province.

In order to achieve this, 45 Commando is working closely with the provincial reconstruction team based in Lashkar Gah and the district stabilisation adviser (STABAD) to assist the governor, Faisal Haq, in providing structured governance.

The emphasis is to employ and empower local workers and contractors through Afghan agencies to build and develop their own businesses as it is believed it is the faith local Afghans have in their own government that will provide stability for Helmand.

Evidence cited as showing the continued economic growth and stability in the area includes projects such as the refurbishment of the primary school and the building of a new secondary school, which have not only provided work for local people but will provide employment for teachers and, it is hoped, ensure education for the next generation.

Other projects include a family park and improvements to the infrastructure, such as the regeneration of the old bazaar and the resurfacing of the main road through Sangin town, both of which, it is hoped, will enhance economic development within the community.

The commanding officer of 45 Commando, Lieutenant Colonel Jim Morris, said, “45 Commando have very quickly got to grips with the challenges of creating the necessary security conditions upon which stability and governance can flourish both in Sangin and in the surrounding area.

“We are now in a very strong position to take things forward with our tour here in Helmand.”

Much of the practical day-to-day activity for the elements of 45 Commando based in Sangin is to patrol daily into the town, a thriving hub of activity and commerce in comparison to how it was only 18 months ago, it was claimed.

These patrols, which interact with the Afghan National Army and the Afghan National Police, create the security “bubble” in which normal day-to-day activity can occur.

The “hands-off” approach adopted by the commandos allows the locals to see their own army and police officials carrying out the job of providing security, with the British troops simply providing assistance.

The reality is a little less positive, with the marines still providing the bulk of the security effort at Sangin and the surrounding region.

There is still considerable insurgent activity in the area which sees the commandos regularly involved in skirmishes, but the process of giving the Afghan forces a greater lead has begun and is believed to be an essential element in winning the confidence of the local population.

Believing that the situation in Afghanistan will not be solved by military force alone, Task Force Helmand has employed military stabilisation support teams (MSST) to focus on the five priority areas in Helmand, of which Sangin is one.

The officer commanding the Sangin MSST, Flight Lieutenant Sean Williams, said, “The confidence of the people in the district governor’s ability to deliver key services and credible leadership is critical to the economy and long-term stability in Sangin.

“In order to break the continued recruitment of poor, uneducated farmers, forced by the Taliban to fight against ISAF, robust governance and economic development are of paramount importance.”