Shropshire's Royal Irish Regiment in huge Afghan assault

Shropshire-based soldiers deployed in Afghanistan have mounted the largest air assault operation in the history of their regiment since 1945, it was revealed today.

The 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment, based at Tern Hill, near Market Drayton, took part in the operation.

It involved the insertion of three companies by helicopter in one wave, followed by an "advance to contact" to link up with a further three companies in containment positions to the west, north and east of the target area of Zaborabad, in Helmand province.

It was the regiment's largest air assault operation since soldiers landed on the banks of the River Rhine during World War Two.

The purpose of the operation was to demonstrate the power and might of ISAF and the Afghan Government by putting a joint force into the heart of enemy territory. Zaborabad was the target for the operation where the aim was to disrupt and degrade the insurgents' ability to attack into Sayedabad, which the Shropshire-based regiment have spent five months fighting to secure.

Lieutenant Colonel Colin Weir, commanding officer of the regiment, said: "It was an experience that none who were involved will easily forget."