Handout photo dated 27/02/11 issued by the Ministry of Defence of Chinook helicopters as they transport troops from the 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment to launch Operation Tora Zhemay VI (Black Winter in English) a huge air assault operation in Zaborabad, Afghanistan, which began on Sunday February 27, 2011. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Tuesday March 15, 2011. The Shropshire-based battalion, responsible for security in Helmand's Nad-e Ali district, mounted the helicopter insertion into Zaborabad, using 15 helicopters, with cover provided by fast jets. It was the biggest such operation for 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment since the crossing of the Rhine in 1945. More than 500 Royal Irish soldiers took part in the assault, codenamed Operation TOR ZHEMAY VI (Black Winter in English), bolstered by Afghan National Army soldiers as well as colleagues from 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, 2nd Royal Tank Regiment, and the US Marine Corps. See PA story DEFENCE Afghanistan. Photo credit should read: Captain Andy Whitehead/MoD/Crown Copyright/PA Wire
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