#2-para

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This weeks Parachute Regiment inspiration - Fight as one!

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Operation Fingal

In early 2002 16 Air Assault Brigade took a lead role in the International Assistance Security Force (ISFA). They were deployed to assist the new Afghan Interim Authority helping with security and the stability of Kabul.

British troops are taking part in two separate missions in Afghanistan.

Operation Fingal is the UK-led peacekeeping mission. Almost 20 other nations have contributed to this operation based in the Afghan capital Kabul.

The second is Operation Veritas, an offensive mission led by US forces against Taleban and al-Qaeda units still operating in Afghanistan.

The men from 2 PARA started to deploy on 30th December to Afghanistan on Operation Fingal, the journey to Afghanistan took over a month due to limitations on the use of Bagram airfield. The airfield is the largest US military base in Afghanistan and is located next to the ancient city of Bagram.

2 PARA where responsible for the security/peacekeeping of southern Kabul, which had been left in a bad way with over 23 years of war. The Battalion set about its role of peacekeeping, using traditional styles of making friends and deterring potential enemies.

During this operation, the first ever battalion of the Afgan National Guard was recruited and trained by 2 PARA, these been the first group to then start training the rest.

By early April the Paras had handed over to 1 Royal Anglian and returned to Colchester.

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