NAM.2013-04-8-1

Oral history interview with Bdr Robert Fletcher, 1st Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery. Interview conducted by Jo Sohn-Rethel, 9 Mar 2013. Conducted for National Army Museum Unseen Enemy exhibition (2013). Digital audio file: 1 hr 30 min 22 sec. Associated with Afghanistan (2001-2014). Interview covers his Army service (2002-), notably in Afghanistan (2010); discussing his enlistment and reasons for joining; the fire support role of the artillery unit that he has served with since 2005 and his role within this unit as a Fire Support Assistant, directing artillery fire and integrating with air assets; describes preparation for OPERATION HERRICK 11, including counter insurgency (COIN) training; discusses his expectations of Afghanistan including comparing it to Iraq and the threats he expected to be facing, including those from improvised explosive devises (IEDs) and small arms fire; discusses pre-deployment preparations, including ground sign reading; tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) and dealing with IEDs; describes his first impressions of Afghanistan, with comments on Camp Bastion; his deployment to Musa Qala and role supporting C Squadron, Mastiff Group; discusses how role changed throughout the tour; describes incidents on tour including getting shot at and encounters with IEDs; describes enemy IED tactics, and the serious nature of IED threat; describes kit they were issued including mark 6 Alpha helmets, new type of body armour with pads on shoulders, rifle with hand grip enabling better accuracy; describes how kit has evolved for IED threat such as “the nappy” groin protection, body armour down to knees, and improved ballistically sound glasses; describes typical day on tour, including going on patrol; discusses working with the Afghan National Army (ANA); describes being in painting by Jules George entitled ‘Inside Mastiff 33A (”Withdrawing, we don’t retreat”)’, describing what it is like to travel in a Mastiff and being hit by an IED whilst doing so; describes each person in the painting; discusses his future plans; relates his advice to those wanting to join the army: discusses what it is like to go back to the UK after a tour.

HERRICK, Operation, 2002-14 (Afghanistan 2001-2021)