"Daring, Dangerous, Delivered"

by David Rowlands

Size 58 x 38 cm

On 27th August 2008, 16 Air Assault Brigade launched Operation OQAB TSUKA (Eagle’s Summit). This was a daring operation to deliver an electricity turbine from Kandahar Airfield to the Kajaki Dam in Northern Helmand Province, Afghanistan. The Combat Logistic Patrol which facilitated the move comprised RHQ 13 Air Assault Support Regiment RLC, 9 Parachute Squadron RE and 15 Air Assault Close Support Squadron RLC.

The Royal Engineers cleared the route of improvised explosive devices, while civil engineers ensured the road was strong enough for the 110 ton Heavy Equipment Transporters. The convoy took six days to get up to Kajaki and another six days for all its elements to get back.

This painting depicts the patrol at Forward Operating Base Zeebrugge at Kajaki on 1st September 2008. A Kiowa helicopter is visible, (one of two US Kiowas which protected the Combat Logistic Patrol during the whole of its 180 kilometre journey). The other Kiowa would have been ranging slightly farther afield