Colchester Paratroopers are honoured for Afghan rescue mission

Troops from the 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team joined colleagues from the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force for a parade at the Houses of Parliament.

In total 120 military personnel marched from Wellington Barracks to Parliament, to be welcomed by rapturous applause from gathered Parliamentarians.

Earlier this year 750 soldiers from the 16 Air Assault Brigade returned from their summer leave to deploy to Kabul.

The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson applauds members of the Armed Forces involved in the evacuation of Afghanistan. Armed Forces personnel involved in the evacuation of British nationals and vulnerable Afghans from Afghanistan attended a reception at

Their mission, Operation Pitting, was to evacuate British people, entitled Afghans and civilians from partner nations as the Taliban seized control of the war-torn country.

Read more >> Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits Colchester to meet town's troops

Lieutenant Colonel Dave Middleton, commanding officer of 2nd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment, said: “Kabul was a unique experience and tactically it was a really difficult situation to contend with.

On parade - members of 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team marching into Parliament in London. Inset: The troops being greeted by Prime Minister Boris Johnson

“We used the adaptability, intuition and teamwork of all the men and women who deployed to get as many people as we could out in as short a time as possible.

“There is a real sense of occasion to be invited to Parliament and it’s humbling to experience the gratitude and pride being shown towards us.”

16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team

Sergeant Toby Shears, of 3rd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment, added: “You can’t prepare for what we saw and had to do in Afghanistan, but the nature of our role is to be ready for anything and everyone pulled together to do our best.

“The parade has been a great experience.”