War Stories, Episode 2: A British Armoured Commander in Afghanistan, 2011
From War Studies by Department of War Studies
April 30, 2026 · 1h 9m
About this episode
The episode features a discussion with Jamie Irwin about his experiences as an armoured commander in Afghanistan during a high-intensity counter-insurgency conflict.
In the second edition of the King’s College London War Studies War Stories podcast miniseries, hosted by King’s alumni Rupert Lane and Nick Denning (War Studies, 2002-2005), Ru and Nick speak to Jamie Irwin (War Studies, 2000-2003), who served with the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards in Afghanistan on HERRICK 14, with the British Army, having previously served in Iraq on TELIC 12. Ru and Nick take a deep dive into the high intensity counter-insurgency conflict in Helmand, Afghanistan, 2011, through the eyes of an armoured commander (Warthog Group). They delve into the challenges Jamie’s unit faced fighting the Taliban in the Afghan summer covering the experience ofarmoured warfare, through tactics, morale and combat, working in a hostile environment with a civilian population just trying to survive. Further Reading: 1. BBC Documentary: Fighting on the Frontline: War Wagons https://bit.ly/48uJdhG Key Locations Described: · Zumbalay, Adin Za’i, FOB Price (Gereshk), Lashkar Gah, Nad E’Ali
People in this episode
Hosts: Rupert Lane, Nick Denning
Guest: Jamie Irwin
Topics covered
- British Army
- Afghanistan
- counter-insurgency
- armoured warfare
- Taliban
- military tactics
Keywords
- British Army
- Afghanistan
- HERRICK 14
- armoured commander
- Taliban
- military tactics
- counter-insurgency
- war stories
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: King’s College London, Royal Scots Dragoon Guards
Places: Afghanistan, Iraq, Helmand, Zumbalay, Adin Za’i, FOB Price (Gereshk), Lashkar Gah, Nad E’Ali
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