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Soldiers of Bicester-based 23 Pioneer Regiment
went out to the Gulf in advance of the war to establish military
bases.
Within
days of the conflict beginning, they found themselves switched to
a new function, delivering humanitarian aid.
They have 7,500 days' worth of rations in plastic ration boxes
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| Colonel
Debbie Noble |
The
role-change coincided with warnings that the aid operation needed
in Iraq would be of epic proportions.
Almost
immediately, they faced frustration when mines prevented HMS Sir
Galahad bringing the disaster supplies ashore. It took days to make
it safe for the vessel to berth and begin unloading.
The
Pioneer Regiment was due to transport more than 200 tonnes of supplies
to a "safe" location in southern Iraq.
Colonel
Debbie Noble told BBC South Today about the regiment's new task.
"In
their base they are holding nearly 160,000 litres of bulk water,"
she said.
"They
have 7,500 days' worth of rations in plastic ration boxes, and nine
containers full of disaster relief kit.
"That
includes things like jerry cans, blankets, wire, shovels and so
on to assist the local population in helping themselves get back
on their feet.
"It
does have its dangers.
"We
try to make the distribution points be in areas that are benign.
"The
division assesses all the population areas, and where people more
most needy we will obviously put distribution points into those,
whether they are benign or not."
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