Published: Tuesday, 1st July, 2008 10:45
News from the frontline
By Andrew Gibson
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Private Kieran Connelly
TWO soldiers fighting in Afghanistan have spoken about the continuous attacks they have come under and the “alien” environment they are currently patrolling.
Despite coming under heavy fire from the Taliban during missions, the brave pair from Dumbarton and the Vale have described their never-say-die attitudes of taking the fight to their enemy.
Captain Stevie Rae, from Alexandria, is currently battling it out in the south of the country in the volatile Helmand province.
The 39-year-old father-of-two, who is part of the Five Scots Alpha company (the Argylls), gave the lowdown on their recent activities as they fight to stabilise the hostile country.
He said: “All around and as far as the eye can see are buildings that have been ravaged after decades of fighting — nothing is left that has not been affected by the violence.
“The Taliban are close by and all the Jocks are alert for any indictors of them closing in, fire fights are common however A Company Jocks are an aggressive team and take the fight to the Taliban whenever they can."
The soldiers are based in the area as part of the International effort, led by the UN and NATO, in support of the sovereign Afghan government.
There are 39 countries that contribute to the International Stabilization Force (ISAF) and the Argylls work with a number of those nations.
Private Kieran Connelly from Dumbarton is also part of the Argylls and is based in Helmand province.
He said: “The first time it is nerve racking but you soon learn to get on with it and react more aggressively than the enemy.
“They don’t like our fire power and more importantly they don’t like how accurately we return fire.”
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