Blood Clot: In Combat with the Patrols Platoon, 3 Para, Afghanistan 2006

Jake Scott

Jan 2009 · Helion and Company

About this ebook

"As you know 'blood clot' means blood cells coming together to form a strong clot that forms and sticks together to keep the wound sealed enabling it to repair. The Parachute Regiment's 'blood clot' acts the same, whether downtown scrapping or in some far away country fighting alongside each other. Our maroon berets come together, they stick together, they close ranks forming the blood clot and fight against anything that comes their way." (Jake Scott) When the 3 Para battle group departed for Helmand Province, south Afghanistan, nobody really knew what to expect. Within a month of being on the ground the first of many contacts between the Taliban and British forces began. The British government and media were in shock - for the men on the ground it was what they were trained for. As weeks went on the fighting increased. Resources and manning were poor but for the Paras it was too late - it was back to basics, living in holes in the ground in 60 degree temperatures, often in small numbers and under constant attack from the Taliban. It looked as if it was going to be a long six months... 'Blood Clot' is a personal account of the Parachute Regiment's ferocious tour of duty in Helmand Province, Afghanistan 2006 by a man who was involved in the thick of the action. Born in 1981, Jake Scott joined the Parachute Regiment aged 17, and had already seen service around the world - including Iraq - before becoming part of a small reconnaissance team trained to operate behind enemy lines, known as 'the Patrols'. Jake and his mates probed, escorted and fought their way in and around some of the most dangerous areas in the whole of the Middle East - virgin Taliban country. After intense fighting against the odds, leaving dead Taliban soldiers in their wake and encountering some very near misses themselves, the Patrols platoon eventually ended their tour of duty. This is their story - the very beginning of the Afghan troubles in the south, the build up and lack of support and equipment in the initial stages, the close and dangerous fighting, the boredom of the open desert and the uncontrollable sadness of friends killed and injured around them. The Paras and their battle group arrived in small numbers in Helmand in 2006. They set the example for others to follow for many years to come - the aggressiveness of the airborne soldier when it was called for, fighting the Taliban on their turf, up close and personal.

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About the author

Jake Scott was born in Sunderland in 1981. After dodging most of his school days his interests - apart from running into trouble - were minimal. He became a member of the Air Cadets, which showed him different way of life and he soon became a crack shot and strong hillwalker. Jake wanted something challenging in his life, a challenge he wasn't finding in Sunderland. Aged 17, he left the local brewery and packed his bags to join the army. Challenge was what Jake got when he enlisted in the elite Parachute Regiment - the Paras. After passing the most intense physical and mentally demanding course in the British army, Jake became part of the official 'blood clot' and served in operations around the world including the 2003 Iraqi invasion. Jake progressed through the years, attending many courses, mostly with distinction. Always trying to better himself he finally moved into a reconnaissance role, operating in small teams behind enemy lines known as 'the Patrols'. Jake got his chance to prove his abilities in some the most ferocious fighting since the Korean War when he found himself commanding a team of six men and two fighting vehicles deep in Taliban territory, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, during the summer of 2006. After a series of eye-opening experiences, recounted in this book, the Patrols platoon eventually ended their tour of duty in Afghanistan. Jake has now moved on from the military but not from danger - he finds himself in the Middle East yet again, this time as a Close Protection Officer. His job is now to protect his clients and his friends rather than taking the fight to the enemy, as he did in Afghanistan in 2006.