"Operation TELIC 10. The UK Logistic Battalion"

by David Rowlands

Size 58 x 38 cm

June-November 2007: Operation TELIC 10 took place during a particularly challenging and dangerous time in Basra. There were no safe or rear areas. The logistic hub at Basra Air Station took continuous indirect fire and all road convoys were subject to various improvised explosive devices and direct fire attacks. The United Kingdom Logistic Battalion’s role was to provide 2nd Line logistic and equipment support to British Forces operating in south-eastern Iraq. The Battalion’s responsibilities included force protection of the daily sustainment convoys that operated along a high threat route between Kuwait and Basra Air Station.

3 Logistic Support Regiment RLC formed the core of the Logistic Battalion, which also included elements from 6 Battalion REME (3 ES Company), 6 Supply Regiment RLC, 7 Transport Regiment RLC, 9 Supply Regiment RLC, 11 EOD Regiment RLC, 29 Movements and Postal Courier Regiment RLC, and The Welsh Transport Regiment RLC (Volunteers).

Notably, during the first 3 months of the tour, the UK Logistic Battalion was central to sustaining the 4th RIFLES Battlegroup in Basra Palace and British force elements bastioned in the Provincial Joint Co-ordination Centre located in the heart of the city. The Logistic Battalion was also key to successfully relocating the 4th RIFLES Battlegroup from Basra Palace to Basra Air Station, an operation that lasted 3 months and which culminated with the final extraction in September 2007.

During the second half of its deployment in Iraq, the Battalion contributed significantly to establishing the Kuwait Support Facility at Camp Buehring, during which it conducted the largest operational road move of stores since the invasion of Iraq in 2003. It supported numerous battlegroup interdiction operations on the northern flank of the Divisional Area of Operations. This painting serves as a tribute to the officers and soldiers of the UK Logistic Battalion for their courage, fortitude and outstanding achievements on Operation TELIC 10.