COLCHESTER’S paratroopers have been hailed by the Prime Minister one year on from their heroic efforts in Afghanistan.
Troops from 16 Air Assault Brigade, based in Merville Barracks, were deployed in August last year after the Taliban seized control of Kabul.
One of the largest emergency evacuations ever undertaken followed, as British Armed Forces brought more than 15,000 people to safety in the space of two weeks.
Since April, 11,300 Afghans have been resettled in the UK through bespoke visa schemes established for them.
One year on from Op Pitting, I am proud of everything our public servants did to conclude one of largest emergency evacuations ever undertaken, as well as the continuing work of the UK in helping Afghans achieve the peace and security they rightly deserve. pic.twitter.com/2x0ZqehU0X
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) August 28, 2022
Prime Minister Boris Johnson praised the troops on Sunday for their “courage, professionalism and compassion”, one year to the day Operation Pitting concluded.
“I am incredibly proud of everything that our public servants did during those two weeks in August 2021,” said Mr Johnson.
“[I am proud of] the outstanding service of our Armed Forces and our Afghan partners throughout the past to decades and the continuing work of the UK in helping Afghans achieve the peace and security they deserve.”
He continued: “They responded with the courage, professionalism and compassion that is a hallmark of British public service”.
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