Defence
Hollywood hard man visits UK Forces in Helmand
A People In Defence news article
18 Sep 09
A Hollywood star known for his tough screen roles was so moved by the sacrifices made by British Armed Forces this summer that he has flown to Afghanistan to thank them.
Actor Ray Winstone paid a visit to Service personnel at major logistics base Camp Bastion in the aftermath of one of the toughest summers British troops have ever experienced in Helmand province:
"I just want to come here, as a representative of the UK public, to thank the boys and girls," he said.
Used to pyrotechnics and explosions of a different kind on film sets around the world, Winstone, who is renowned for his roles as the archetypal British gangster, spent his first day in the hands of the men and women who deal with explosive devices for real.
He joined teams of Royal Engineers from the Joint Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group on the counter-IED training area to see how they counteract the deadly devices on a daily basis.
During his three-day visit to the British base, Ray spent his time visiting some of the smaller units which are crucial to the smooth operation of the camp.
Hollywood actor Ray Winstone with British servicemen at Camp Bastion in Helmand province, Afghanistan
[Picture: Corporal Mike O'Neill, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]
[Picture: Corporal Mike O'Neill, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]
Ray Winstone chats with Senior Aircraftman Thomas Gill at the Main Entry Point of Camp Bastion
[Picture: Corporal Mike O'Neill, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]
[Picture: Corporal Mike O'Neill, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]
He took time to talk to the soldiers, sailors and airmen about their experiences this summer and to have photographs taken with anyone who wanted one. While sat in an Apache attack helicopter on the flight line, he commented:
"Ugly innit? That's probably why I like it."
Ray's last day was spent with the Force Protection Wing, which is responsible for the security of the base. He visited the scene of last week's suicide bomb and met those who search all the vehicles and local nationals coming onto camp.
But he didn't confine his visit to the camp itself. Before returning to the UK he was determined to experience life out on the ground, heading out on patrol with members of the RAF Regiment and TA soldiers from 4th Battalion The Mercian Regiment.
The visit organiser, Wing Commander Sean Ryles, Officer Commanding the Force Protection Wing, said:
"This all started last year with 34 Squadron [RAF Regiment] in Iraq, when we all watched a selection of great British films. We got in touch with Ray and asked if he would visit us during our pre-deployment training for this tour, which he did. Then he asked if he could visit Camp Bastion during the tour and here he is."Ray added:
"And we'll meet up for a beer at RAF Leeming after the tour!"
The actor was visibly impressed by the scale of the operation at Camp Bastion:
"Everything here is done to support those on the front line. It's like you would imagine Colchester was like in Roman times; one team running a small city in the desert, young British boys and girls, alongside the Yanks, building a future for the Afghans.
"I'm always impressed by how all the units work together, everyone from the chefs and the posties to the infantry lads out at the FOBs [Forward Operating Bases]."
Senior Aircraftman Thomas Gill, aged 20, from Harrogate, North Yorkshire, said:
"It was great that Ray could come out and see us all. He's a diamond geezer!"
Ray Winstone talks with British servicemen at Camp Bastion
[Picture: Corporal Mike O'Neill, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]
--------
-------
http://leonidaszegarra.blogspot.com/2012/02/la-virgen-de-copacabana-en-ejutv.html
1 comentario:
http://www.ni-u.edu/ni_press/pdf/Bringing_Intelligence_About.pdf
BRINGING INTELLIGENCE ABOUT
Practitioners Reflect on Best Practices
May 2003
Russell G. Swenson, Editor
CENTER FOR STRATEGIC INTELLIGENCE RESEARCH
JOINT MILITARY INTELLIGENCE COLLEGE
Publicar un comentario