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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Paras back home from Afghanistan | Paras back home from Afghanistan |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| British paratroopers have returned to the UK following a six-month tour of duty in Afghanistan. | |
| Personnel from the Third Battalion of the Parachute Regiment flew into Stansted before going on to barracks in Colchester, Essex. | Personnel from the Third Battalion of the Parachute Regiment flew into Stansted before going on to barracks in Colchester, Essex. |
| About 150 soldiers were led by Lt Col Stuart Tootal, who was greeted by Defence Secretary Des Browne. | About 150 soldiers were led by Lt Col Stuart Tootal, who was greeted by Defence Secretary Des Browne. |
| Mr Browne paid tribute to the soldiers, saying what they had achieved in Afghanistan was "truly outstanding". | Mr Browne paid tribute to the soldiers, saying what they had achieved in Afghanistan was "truly outstanding". |
| 'Immense debt' | 'Immense debt' |
| "They have worked in the most difficult, extreme and hazardous of conditions," he said. | "They have worked in the most difficult, extreme and hazardous of conditions," he said. |
| "But sadly this success has been at a cost. A number of soldiers from the battle group have not returned and others have been seriously injured. | "But sadly this success has been at a cost. A number of soldiers from the battle group have not returned and others have been seriously injured. |
| "This country owes them all an immense debt of gratitude." | "This country owes them all an immense debt of gratitude." |
| Lt Col Tootal said the soldiers had "risen to the challenge magnificently". | Lt Col Tootal said the soldiers had "risen to the challenge magnificently". |
| The paratroops were part of 16 Air Assault Brigade. | The paratroops were part of 16 Air Assault Brigade. |
| Brigadier Ed Butler, the outgoing commander, said troops had helped locals resist the Taleban. | |
| "We have given confidence to the elders, mullahs and people to stand up to the Taleban for the first time in years. The significance of this should not be underestimated." | |
| Solders were greeted by chants of "heroes, heroes" by about a dozen families who had assembled to greet the returning personnel. | |
| In any campaign there will be a number of lessons to learn Lt Col Tootal | |
| Lt Col Tootal said: "This is going to be a long-term campaign. The Marines need to be prepared, as we were, to fight at a high level of intensity." | |
| He said he would be meeting with ministers privately to talk about his troops' experiences. | |
| "In any campaign there will be a number of lessons to learn," he said. "I welcome the opportunity to talk about a lot of those." | |
| Fifteen soldiers from the brigade were killed in action in their six months in Afghanistan and another died in an accident at a military base. | Fifteen soldiers from the brigade were killed in action in their six months in Afghanistan and another died in an accident at a military base. |
| The Paras have been replaced in Afghanistan by 42 Commando Royal Marines; a number of paratroopers have stayed behind to complete the handover. | The Paras have been replaced in Afghanistan by 42 Commando Royal Marines; a number of paratroopers have stayed behind to complete the handover. |
| Other members of 16 Air Assault Brigade, including pilots, engineers and medics, returned last month. | Other members of 16 Air Assault Brigade, including pilots, engineers and medics, returned last month. |