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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Soldiers return from Afghanistan | Soldiers return from Afghanistan |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Fifty soldiers have returned to their base at Cawdor Barracks, Brawdy in Pembrokeshire after completing a six month tour of duty in Afghanistan. | Fifty soldiers have returned to their base at Cawdor Barracks, Brawdy in Pembrokeshire after completing a six month tour of duty in Afghanistan. |
| The soldiers all serve with 245 Signal Squadron, part of the 14th Signal Regiment which specialises in electronic warfare. | The soldiers all serve with 245 Signal Squadron, part of the 14th Signal Regiment which specialises in electronic warfare. |
| In Afghanistan they have been providing specialist signals support to front line units fighting the Taliban. | In Afghanistan they have been providing specialist signals support to front line units fighting the Taliban. |
| Four of its soldiers have died since the regiment was first deployed there. | Four of its soldiers have died since the regiment was first deployed there. |
| Major Andy Aitken said: "Six months has been a long tour. It's been a challenging tour but the guys are happy to be back and they're proud of the good job they've done in Afghanistan, and obviously they've received a warm welcome from the local people here in Brawdy". | |
| He said the returning soldiers were aware of public "indifference" to the soldiers' role in Afghanistan. | |
| A memorial service is being held for Sgt Barry Keen on Sunday | |
| "Of course, it would be nice to feel that the whole of the British public are supporting us especially as our actions in Afghanistan are actually in direct support of the security of the United Kingdom," he said. | |
| "As for the local area, the Welsh people here are extremely supportive and we do thank them for their support," he said. | |
| A similar number of soldiers have been deployed from Brawdy to replace the soldiers who have returned after six months abroad. | A similar number of soldiers have been deployed from Brawdy to replace the soldiers who have returned after six months abroad. |
| One of the soldiers who died while serving with the regiment in Afghanistan was L/ Cpl Jonathan Hetherington, 22. | One of the soldiers who died while serving with the regiment in Afghanistan was L/ Cpl Jonathan Hetherington, 22. |
| He died during an attack on his platoon house in Musa Qaleh, in the northern Helmand province of Afghanistan. | He died during an attack on his platoon house in Musa Qaleh, in the northern Helmand province of Afghanistan. |
| Great professionalism | |
| He was shot dead in August 2006 and at his funeral in Port Talbot his commanding officer vowed to continue fighting the "evil" forces responsible for taking his life. | He was shot dead in August 2006 and at his funeral in Port Talbot his commanding officer vowed to continue fighting the "evil" forces responsible for taking his life. |
| Another who died only last month was Sgt Barry Keen, from Gateshead, who was fatally wounded by a mortar round in the south of the country. | Another who died only last month was Sgt Barry Keen, from Gateshead, who was fatally wounded by a mortar round in the south of the country. |
| The returning troops will hold a memorial service for Sgt Keen on Sunday before they depart on a spell of leave, said Major Aitken, adding they were "deeply sorry" at his loss. | |
| "But even after Sgt Keen was killed the guys carried on with great professionalism and conducted that mission and that task," he said. | |
| A total of 79 UK troops have been killed while on operations in Afghanistan since 2001. | A total of 79 UK troops have been killed while on operations in Afghanistan since 2001. |