"Lt Col Killed in Afghanistan" Topic

I see the CO of the Welsh Guards has been killed in Afghanistan--That means they have lost a Major and a Lt Col…Not good--Who would take command in this situation-Would it be an existing Major or would they fly out a replacement Lt Col from another Regiment???

In an immediate, operational, sense I suspect it will devolve upon the senior company commander or if one isn't available maybe even the Brigade major, there's precedent for that.

In the medium term it's likely to be whoever is next in line for a battalion C.O.'s spot. If you recall when Lt.Col Jones was killed at Goose Green, operational command for the remainder of the battle fell to Major Chris Keeble but was turned over to a new half colonel from the UK as soon as one could be flown out.

RIP and Thank you for your service

Taken from the Army Rumour Service:

"I knew Rupert very well both as a close friend and as my erstwhile boss in BAS. I am sure that I echo his guardsmen and others in the battlegroup in saying that I would have followed him anywhere. One can show no greater respect to a leader than that.

Kind and considerate, hugely professional and with an appetite for work only matched by his love for his family and friends I have not met his equal in any of my years in service. I did though as so many others did marvel that such a consumate professional could move through his career so flawlessly whilst looking like a badly packed kitbag. It was very hard not to buttonhole the man and tighten webbing straps, straighhten his helmet and generally fuss – a wonderful antidote to those who dress the part but fail to launch. I like so many others in NI, Germany, London and elsewhere who knew him socially as well as professionally will miss the baggy jeans, lumberjack shirt and the evenings on the guinness putting the world to rights. Ruperts astonishing calm under pressure also shone through in his spare time, voyages on his beloving sailing boats where he would never lose patience with landlubbers like myself and the other monkeys and our distinct lack of boathandling skills. This calm under pressure showed itself many times on operations and will be remembered by many.

My greatest sadness is that his children will grow up without knowing the man and benefitting from his wisdom and support. Sally his wife will be hurting very badly I'm sure.

AS an officer Lt Col T's thoughts were always that the blokes should come first, had things been different he would no doubt have been hugely pained by the death of Trooper Hammond under his command. A clearly skilled and professional young man who loss is desperately painful to those who knew and loved him. Lt Col T would have been at pains to make sure that his family knew that his loss was keenly felt by all at home and in theatre. I hope that Trooper Hammonds family know that their lad died serving in a unit in which every persons contribution was valued extremely highly. I imagine that the battle group commander would have travelled with a team made up of the best and brightest and Trooper Hammond was surely one of those. Our thoughts and prayers are with you both Gentlemen and with your familes. Rest in Peace my friend there are no more parades today."

Thank you for posting that Nick. It paints a picture – however sketchy – of a real man rather than a rank and name.

He is certainly a great loss and will be missed, as will the others who have been lost in service to their countries.

RIP. He sounds like a great officer and man. I am an American and though I don't speak for our country, I do thank him on behalf of my countrymen, and express my regrets to his family and nation.

Sounds as though we've lost one of the good ones. The command structure of the Welsh Guards has come a long way since the tragedy at Bluff Cove.

and a link link

A face (and voice) to put to the name (go to 1:10 and 1:40).

YouTube link

Stand Easy, Sir.

And the other Taffs lost on this tour:-

link

Someone should tell the silly bitch reading the news that in this country we pronounce it leff-tenant.

I couldn't find a particularly good rendition of "Cwm Rhondda" but I think "Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau" will do
YouTube link

RIP lads.

I believe the Welsh Guards have infact lost a Lieutenant, a Major and a Lt Colonel on this recent tour.

Take a moment to think about and thank our lads.

For once, I'm really at a loss for words, or word that sound paltry compared to the lives that were lost.

So I'll simply snap off my best formal salute and say, Thank you gentlemen and Godspeed, May God Bless!

Sgt DWW-US Army 1974-1982

Yes, the 2IC of the Rgt, the XO would take over immediately. And then after a new Rgtl Cdr would be selected from probably a Bn or Bde staff officer incountry. But regardless … RIP LTC … and all the Soldiers of our various forces that have lost their lives …

A toast to our fallen comrade.

Cymru Am Byth

Thats comrades plural. Trooper Joshua Hammond, 18, Royal Tank Regiment, died in the same explosion.

Not to take away from the loss of man who gave his all for his country and who has my respect as a vet. But what is the highest ranking US soldier lost in either Iraq or Afghanistan?

I'm not sure … But I know between the 2 fronts, the US has lost over 5000 troops, IIRC …

But what is the highest ranking US soldier lost in either Iraq or Afghanistan?

There have been at least nine or ten full Colonels KIA.

IEDs are pretty rank blind. Many more support personnel have been killed then the casualty rates with a conventional confrontation. Not sure of the numbers but I am suspect of 9/10 full Colonels. Most field grades are not out on patrols or convoy escorts. Will have to check the websites. I do know a number of LTCs have been killed. I watch the SF numbers and most of those have been mid-level NCOs and junior officers.
VR
James Mattes

Colonel Stephen Scott was the ninth of his rank KIA in Iraq, and that was April 2008. I seem to recall another since then in either Iraq or Afghanistan, but I'm not sure.

Col. Scott was killed in a mortar attack on the Green Zone and two others that I know of died when their helicopters went down.

And another Taff lost his life today.

Hard campaign – Cymru am Byth

R. I. P.

Last I heard, today the US lost 4 GIs to car bombs, God bless all our losses … + 1 GI was still a POW …