Shropshire regiment is ready for its support role in Afghanistan

About 500 soldiers from the 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment, based at Clive Barracks in Tern Hill, are in the country as part of an eight-month mission.

The Royal Irish have carried out three tours of duty in Afghanistan previously in 2006, 2008 and 2011.

This time troops will continue the work of the British Armed Forces, including providing security and support, instead of being directly involved in combat.

Major Dan Moore, who is second-in-command of the Royal Irish, said the living conditions for his troops will be more comfortable than when they were there last in a combat role.

He said: "Living conditions are more advanced than what we have experienced previously in terms of individuals when they are not on duty, but the operating conditions are very similar.

"I think we have had a good individual and collective training package leading into the operation, so in terms of preparedness we've had every opportunity to ensure we are both prepared and ready to go.

"People are feeling ready for the operation and prepared for the operation."

Major Moore said the majority of the 1st Battalion, along with a significant number of reservists from the regiment's 2nd Battalion, will be taking part in the mission.

"We are very clearly there to support the Afghan National Defence Security Force as they have the primacy and we are there essentially at the request of the Afghan Government," he said.

"Our actual role out there is providing security for NATO personnel, base protection and also security support to the Afghan National Army and officer academy, so there are three strands to that role."

A cocktail evening was recently held for community leaders in the area to speak to senior members of the Royal Irish before they headed to Afghanistan.

During the evening, soldiers thanked members of the community for their support over the year and gave them an insight into the regiment.

In March, the Ministry of Defence announced Clive Barracks would be sold off to make way for a new development. It means a new home will need to be found for the regiment before the barracks are sold by 2022.

Lieutenant Colonel Graham Shannon, commanding officer of the regiment, recently paid tribute to Shropshire for making the regiment so welcome, saying it had become an integral part of the community.