Legendary group enhances defense at Fairford
Released: March 20, 2003
By
Staff Sgt. Jim Fisher 457th
Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs ROYAL AIR
FORCE FAIRFORD, England (USAFENS) -- Security here has taken on a formidable
new dimension. After adding layers of concertina wire, K-9s and four
contingents of law enforcement, officials at the British installation have added
a regiment nothing short of legendary. The Gurkhas, the
world-renowned Nepali special forces contingent of the British Army, have
hunkered down at RAF Fairford, alongside Air Force Security Forces and local
police. For the elite light infantry unit, hunkering down is a
simple process, and one of the unit's many extraordinary capabilities. British
army Maj. Neil Stevens, the Battalion Second in Command of 2nd Royal Gurkha
Rifles regiment, explained why his unit is so valuable. "We can move
anywhere in the world on 24 hours' notice," Stevens said. "We're ready
to go anywhere, anytime." Stevens said the Gurkhas, rely on flexibility and operational experience. They are configured and
used like the U.S. Army Rangers or U.S. Marines. They are also martial artists,
airborne tacticians and masters at cover and concealment. As they patrol the
perimeter here they'll be drawing upon a more intangible quality - their
reputation. "Our capability is backed up by history," Stevens said.
"We've received more Victoria Crosses than any other unit." The Gurkhas have
been honored 26 times with the cross, the British equivalent of America's Medal
of Honor. Their heritage is
wrought with operational experience. After a British expeditionary conflict in
Nepal in the early 19th century, the Royal Army was so impressed with the Gurkha
fighters that it recruited and constructed special regiments of the elite
soldiers. Since it's inception in 1815, the mostly Nepali force in composition
and culture has participated in every significant campaign and many lesser-known
military endeavors. "In the last
two years we've been everywhere the British army's been, from East Timor to
Afghanistan," Stevens said. Their reputation
is also tethered to their "ethos" -- adherence to a strict,
self-imposed code of honor and discipline. "We must be
loyal, honest, well-trained," explained a rifleman standing in front of
perfectly arranged cots, flush and grounded at their Fairford encampment.
"We are very experienced, especially in jungle warfare." A more
recognizable trademark is their long and lethal Kukri knife, a symbol of their
legacy and lethality. The Gurkhas are
happy to be working with the four agencies already securing Fairford, including
Security Forces, RAF and Ministry of Defense Police and local constabularies. "We're very
happy to be working with the MOD police and U.S. Forces," a Gurkha rifleman
said. "We are not sure about the conflict with Iraq, and we don't know what
will happen, but we're here now and we're happy to help." Security forces
officials agree, and are also happy to have the boost in capability, according
to Capt. Woody Boyd, cop commander at RAF Croughton, England, currently
assisting in orchestrating the defense of Fairford. "I can
remember 12 years ago as an airmen hearing people talk about Gurkhas and what
they are capable of doing," Boyd said. "The Gurkha is an extremely
professional soldier and we're extremely honored to work with them. It
definitely enhances security." Security forces
officials indicated the regiment will be deployed on the perimeter to thwart any
intruders. It will also serve as a last line of defense before armed Air Force
security forces on the air field. Stevens alluded to the employment of a balance
of conventional policing and stealthy tactics. "We intend
to be very visible during the day for the purpose of deterrence," Stevens
said. "But at night it's another matter. We'll be configured
accordingly." -- USAFENS --
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