The war in Afghanistan could go on for decades
Brigadier Buster Howes, Commander of Stonehouse-based 3 Commando Brigade, made the comments yesterday during the brigade's final Mission Rehearsal Exercise ahead of September's deployment to Afghanistan.
Asked how long he believes the war in Afghanistan will last, Brig Howes said: “It will certainly be years, it could even be decades.
“We are considering the implications of it being the war of our generation.
“Our commitment to Northern Ireland was 30 years, it's hard to know how long the war in Afghanistan will go on.
“It depends largely on the British taxpayer and public support for what we are doing. We need to be there long enough to get the job done.”
He said British forces will be continuing to support the Afghan government and largely focus on engaging with Afghan nationals as well as fighting the Taliban.
The six-month deployment to Afghanistan's Helmand Province, starting in September, will be the brigade's third charge on the Taliban following deployments in 2001/02 and 2005/06.
More than 1,000 servicemen and women from Plymouth are due to deploy.
For the past two weeks 5,800 servicemen and women, many from Plymouth, have been completing their combat training on Salisbury Plain. Personnel have included men and women from the Royal Marines, the Army, the RAF and the Royal Navy.
The training has included vehicle check point drills, suicide bomber attack exercises and downed helicopter routines.
Brig Howes added: “We are trying to recover a country which has been at war for 30 years. The people are mistrustful and they are intimidated in some areas by the Taliban.
“We are looking at somewhere like Bangladesh as a model. It is a slow game – it's a game of inches.”
Brig Howes said his Commandos are undeterred by the dangers of the deployment and focused on the task in hand.
“It is a different mission from two years ago,” he said.
“The casualty figures bear testament to the fact it is a dangerous environment, but the boys are clear sighted in recognising this and are undeterred.
“We are well trained and well prepared for the deployment. They have also universally declared their readiness.”
During yesterday's press conference Brig Howes, who is based at Stonehouse Barracks, also expressed his concerns over the lack of equipment his servicemen have been able to use in training.
But he said he appreciated the reasoning given the use of the kit in conflict zones.
“It has not been perfect by any means, but it is a difficult judgement to make,” he added.
“Could I have done with a few more helicopters? Yes I could, but everyone is after this kit. You have to take your turn and take your line in the queue.
“We could always do with more. If I could have more helicopters in Afghanistan would I be happy? Yes I would, but there must be a balance.”
Brig Howes also spoke of his pride in his Marines.
He said: “They are a world class brand. I don't say this with arrogance, they just are.
“The levels of commitment and attention and care they have invested in this training has been fantastic.
“They want to make a difference and help Afghanistan.”
The Mission Rehearsal Exercise is one of the largest tri-service exercises of its kind to ever be staged in the UK.
ON EXERCISE: Brigadier Buster Howes (left) says he is proud of the Marines under his command – they are currently in training on Salisbury Plain
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