The Royal Irish are part of 16 Air Assault Bde in Afghanistan, 2 Para had 5 soldiers killed this week.

Defence Secretary Des Browne has announced plans for 16 Air Assault Brigade to replace 52 Infantry Brigade on the next roulement of UK forces to Afghanistan in April 2008.
16 Air Assault Brigade Medics



Plans were also annnounced today, 6 February 2008, for the replacement in Afghanistan of 16 Air Assault Brigade, in October 2008, by 3 Commando Brigade, Royal Marines.

As the lead formation deploying in April 2008, 16 Air Assault Brigade will provide the majority of the units serving in Afghanistan, the bulk of which represent direct replacements for previously announced deployments to Afghanistan. Overall force levels will be broadly unchanged.

The forces deploying include:

* 16 Air Assault Brigade Headquarters and 216 Signal Squadron
* Elements of 845 Naval Air Squadron
* Elements of 846 Naval Air Squadron
* Elements of 847 Naval Air Squadron
* 7th Parachute Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery
* 23 Engineer Regiment (Air Assault)
* The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland
* The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland
* 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment (27th [Inniskilling], 83rd, 87th and The Ulster Defence Regiment)
* 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment
* 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment
* The Pathfinder Platoon
* 6 Supply Regiment, The Royal Logistic Corps
* 13 Air Assault Support Regiment, The Royal Logistic Corps
* 16 Close Support Medical Regiment
* 7 Air Assault Battalion, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
* 156 Independent Provost Company, Royal Military Police
* Elements of The Household Cavalry Regiment
* Elements of 3rd Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery
* Elements of The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards

Why?
'cause they don't all join the local units of the RIRA instead?

The British Empire was built in part on the backs of Irish soldiers, who represented a large chunk of the British armed forces in the 19th century...
And they weren't forced, far from it.

While their choice isn't exactly ethical (British army are terrorists as pointed out), you can't say "strip the soldiers of their citizenship"...

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Economic Left/Right: -2.12 | Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -4.21

Of course it ethical, they defend your right to live in a liberal democracy and its economic dependence on oil.

Southern Irishmen serving in the english army are dishonoured scum.

more than that they are traitors.

Bunreacht nahEireann requires every Irishman to give their first allegiance to the state.

These men have betrayed ireland.

if they really think they are such heroes let them wear their english army uniforms around dublin on a staurday night and see what happens to them.

these men are lower than dogs-h-i-t.

More importantly the Nuremburg jurisprudence establishes that the Iraq invasion is a war crime and totally illegal.

every irish man in english uniform serving there is a de facto war criminal as Nuremburg established that the defence of "i was just following orders" is not a defence to war crimes and crimes against humanity.

any irishmen serving in iraq for england are war criminals.

i would call on any irishmen in the english army to end this obscene treason against their homeland.

the posters like kalif who think this is a good thing should get out and go back to england if you cant pledge your first allegiance to this country.

I CHALLENGE KHALIF AND CO TO UNEQUIVICALLY STATE THEIR LOYALTY TO THE IRISH REPUBLIC AND THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE IRISH DEFENCE FORCES INSTEAD OF COMING ON HERE ANTAGONISING PEOPLE WITH THEIR VOMIT INDUCING SUPORT FOR A FOREIGN ARMY CURRENTLY ENGAGED IN WAR CRIMES.

I DARE YOU KHALIF.

OR PERHAPS FIREBOMBING IRAQIS FROM RAF PLANES IS MORE NOBLE?

You obviously have a mental health issue, the Irish state could not have existed in the 20th century but for the fact Britain strategically defended it.

As for Iraq, why would you not support the invasion of a dictatorship ?


The reasons for opposing it are more strategic then moral.

As for saying soldiers would be attacked in Dublin, I dont think you would fair too well in Colchester or Aldershot either.

No one firebombs Iraqis from planes, stop your hysteria.

You obviously have a mental health issue, the Irish state could not have existed in the 20th century but for the fact Britain strategically defended it. -ENGLAND SPENT MILLIONS AND LOST HUNDREDS OF ITS SOLDIERS AND KILLED THOUSANDS OF IRISHMEN/WOMEN TRYING TO STOP THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE IRISH STATE FROM THE PERIOD 1916-1922 - READ A HISTORY BOOK YOU IMBECILE.

As for Iraq, why would you not support the invasion of a dictatorship ? I SUPPORT ONLY THE RULE OF LAW THROUGH THE UN - I DONT SUPPORT WAR CRIMES AND WAR CRIMINALS - TONY BLAIR HAS FAR MORE BLOOD ON HIS HANDS THAN SADDAM EVER HAD


The reasons for opposing it are more strategic then moral.

As for saying soldiers would be attacked in Dublin, I dont think you would fair to well in Colchester or Aldershot either - I HAVE NO INTENTION OF EVER VISITING EITHER OF THOSE CHARMING ENGERLISH LOCALES BUT WOULD TAKE IT AS A PERSONAL FAVOUR IF YOU WOULD RETURN HENCE.

EITHER STATE YOUR LOYALTY TO THE IRISH REPUBLIC AND IT'S LEGITIMATELY CONSTITUTED ARMIES OR GO AND TAKE YOUR HATRED AND WIND UPS ELSEWHERE.

Well done to those who volunteered for the British Army. Those from Ireland who fought in WW11 with the British and American armies did more to shape the country and world we have today than any of our paramilitaries. Anyone have any stats for the US army? I would expect a similiar increase. The Irish have never been found wanting when the call came.

It's no fun being in the British Army at the minute.

They're taking serious casualties in Afghanistan

The Paras took five men killed this week and others seriously wounded.