R IRISH battle the Taliban, Sapwan Qala.

At 0300 hours on 24 June 2008, 7 Platoon of Ranger Company, 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment (1 R IRISH) embarked on an air assault with C Company of the 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment (2 PARA). The destination was the Taliban stronghold of Sapwan Qala in the Upper Sangin Valley.

The Ranger Company platoon landed at 0400 hours in the second wave onto a 'hot' landing zone. The platoon formed up with the 2 PARA Company’s Fire Support Group (FSG) on the high ground, with, to the rear, an Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team (OMLT) commanding an Afghan National Army platoon.

As day broke, a Taliban sharpshooter killed the FSG commander and then both platoons were pinned down on the high ground. The platoons remained in heavy contact for the next thirteen hours, during which one of the R IRISH sections braved intense fire to facilitate a Casevac/re-supply. In darkness, at 2200 hrs, the Company Group broke out of its positions and moved north back to the Helicopter Landing Site with the Para's 7 Platoon and the Ranger Company's 7 Platoon side by side, clearing the way.

Subsequently, both the OMLT's R IRISH commander and the section commander were recommended for a gallantry award and received a 'Mention in Despatches'(MiD).

(The MiD decoration is a spray of oak leaves in bronze and is worn on the ribbon and medal ribbon of the service medal awarded for the theatre in which the invividual action is recorded. Those awarded for gallantry in Afghanistan are worn on the ribbon and medal ribbon of the Operational Service Medal (Afghanistan).