Andrew Harrison (soldier)
Encyclopedia
Colonel Andrew 'Andy' Sean David Harrison, commissioned into The Parachute Regiment
in 1990, serving in Aldershot
and Northern Ireland
prior to being seconded to the UN in Iraq
in 1994. The following year he returned to the UK to instruct at the Military Academy and subsequently moved to the Ministry of Defence
’s Directorate of Military Operations.
In 2000 Harrison was posted to Sierra Leone
as an unarmed UN Military Observer. On the outbreak of civil war he was captured by the Revolutionary United Front. After two weeks in captivity, he escaped and led his team into a rebel surrounded enclave, surviving for three months until rescue. Harrison was appointed a Member of the British Empire for his conduct in captivity.
Following a Masters Degree in Defence Administration and Staff College, Harrison assumed Company Command and led his Company in the 2003 liberation of Iraq. Thereafter he was appointed Chief of Staff of 20 Armoured Brigade and returned to Iraq in 2006 on a 6 month tour of Basra
.
In 2007 Harrison was posted to the Permanent Joint Headquarters and was the Middle East Operations Team Leader throughout the British exit from Iraq. He was subsequently seconded to Afghanistan
in 2009. Later that year he assumed command of 2nd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment, taking them to Helmand in October 2010. He returned in May this year and was appointed to the Distinguished Service Order
for his command in Afghanistan. Colonel Harrison is now Assistant Head of Afghanistan Operations in the Ministry of Defence and attends the Higher Command and Staff Course in January.
Parachute Regiment
Parachute Regiment may refer to:*Parachute Regiment *Parachute Regiment *Paratroopers Brigade , Israel*44 Parachute Regiment *1st Airborne Brigade...
in 1990, serving in Aldershot
Aldershot
Aldershot is a town in the English county of Hampshire, located on heathland about southwest of London. The town is administered by Rushmoor Borough Council...
and Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
prior to being seconded to the UN in Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
in 1994. The following year he returned to the UK to instruct at the Military Academy and subsequently moved to the Ministry of Defence
Ministry of Defence
In states where the government is divided into ministries, the Ministry of Defence may refer to that part of the government responsible for matters of defence, usually including all branches of the military and is usually controlled by a Defence minister or minister of defence.-List of Defence...
’s Directorate of Military Operations.
In 2000 Harrison was posted to Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone , officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Guinea to the north and east, Liberia to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west and southwest. Sierra Leone covers a total area of and has an estimated population between 5.4 and 6.4...
as an unarmed UN Military Observer. On the outbreak of civil war he was captured by the Revolutionary United Front. After two weeks in captivity, he escaped and led his team into a rebel surrounded enclave, surviving for three months until rescue. Harrison was appointed a Member of the British Empire for his conduct in captivity.
Following a Masters Degree in Defence Administration and Staff College, Harrison assumed Company Command and led his Company in the 2003 liberation of Iraq. Thereafter he was appointed Chief of Staff of 20 Armoured Brigade and returned to Iraq in 2006 on a 6 month tour of Basra
Basra
Basra is the capital of Basra Governorate, in southern Iraq near Kuwait and Iran. It had an estimated population of two million as of 2009...
.
In 2007 Harrison was posted to the Permanent Joint Headquarters and was the Middle East Operations Team Leader throughout the British exit from Iraq. He was subsequently seconded to Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
in 2009. Later that year he assumed command of 2nd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment, taking them to Helmand in October 2010. He returned in May this year and was appointed to the Distinguished Service Order
Distinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
for his command in Afghanistan. Colonel Harrison is now Assistant Head of Afghanistan Operations in the Ministry of Defence and attends the Higher Command and Staff Course in January.
External links
- http://www.ata-sec.org/component/content/article/235-Harrison