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Post by Stephany on May 12, 2008 5:01:36 GMT
Hi everybody! Hayley is going to Afghanistan to sing for the troops this summer. Stephany
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Post by Tin on May 12, 2008 5:25:57 GMT
I do worry a bit now. Afghanistan is too dangerous a place for anyone to go to, even after the major warfares have ended.
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Post by Karsten on May 12, 2008 5:45:17 GMT
Well, that's very brave in any case.
Fingers crossed that this visit will turn out all right and that sufficient security measures will be taken.
Karsten
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Post by Mr Yang on May 12, 2008 9:22:56 GMT
She's so brave as an artist.
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Post by Stephany on May 12, 2008 9:25:24 GMT
Hi all, I'm sure the Army will do everything to give maximum protection to Hayley. That doesn't mean it reduces the risks though. It's very brave from her to go there! I wonder if she will be accompanied by a family member or someone from Bedlam. Stephany
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Martin
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HWI Management Team
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Post by Martin on May 12, 2008 9:53:58 GMT
I am immensely proud that Hayley is undertaking this trip and I am sure that she will be well looked after by the authorities.
She follows Katherine Jenkins who has previously entertained troops in both Afghanastan and Iraq.
Martin
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Post by Tin on May 12, 2008 10:06:48 GMT
And Katherine's visit in 2005 was exciting enough; Wikipedia says: On her first visit to Iraq in 2005, when travelling to Shaibah, the largest British base in Southern Iraq, the helicopter she was travelling in was targeted by missiles. Anti-missile flares were deployed and the group landed safely.
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Post by Stephany on May 12, 2008 10:12:46 GMT
Hi everyone,
Yes, I believe Katherine said she had the scare of her life in Iraq. However, she was then even more convinced that she was doing the right thing. I think we can indeed be immensely proud of Hayley.
Stephany
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Post by stevemacdonald on May 12, 2008 12:40:03 GMT
Big mistake, IMHO. It's a war zone and no amount of precaution by the "authorities" can eliminate all the deadly risks. They're not going to spend all their available resources to ensure her safety when they can barely keep themselves out of harm's way.
I cannot imagine a more misguided venture on Hayley's part, no matter how sincere her intentions.
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Post by grant on May 12, 2008 13:50:53 GMT
Hello everyone
Whilst I admire Hayley tremendously for deciding to go and support the troops out in Afghanistan. The risk she will be taking worries me even more!
I think quite a few of her closest fans (me included) will have many a sleepless night over this decision. I wonder what her family are thinking at this moment.
Best wishes Grant
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Martin
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HWI Management Team
Posts: 3,335
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Post by Martin on May 12, 2008 14:21:58 GMT
Rest assured that it would have been explained to Hayley exactly what the risks are and I am sure she would not have taken this decision without considering all the facts first.
I know someone who has recenlty returned from a 3 - day trip to Afganistan at the invite of SaBRE an MoD organisation. He had to wear a bullet proof vest throughout but at no time did he feel unsafe or at risk.
I can only admire Hayley's decision to visit our troops on the front line to try and bring a bit of normality back into their dreadful situation albeit for a few moments.
Martin
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Post by grant on May 12, 2008 14:31:24 GMT
Thanks for that Martin. It is very reassuring to hear and I know that they will take great care of our precious Hayley whilst she is out there. Should anything happen to anyone visiting these dangerous military zones, it would have very serious implications for any future visits. I can only admire Hayley's decision to visit our troops on the front line to try and bring a bit of normality back into their dreadful situation albeit for a few moments. I fully concur with your sentiments Martin. Best wishes Grant
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Post by stevemacdonald on May 12, 2008 14:36:31 GMT
Rest assured that it would have been explained to Hayley exactly what the risks are and I am sure she would not have taken this decision without considering all the facts first. ... Except that there's no such thing as "all the facts" in a war zone. Truth is the first casualty of war, remember? It's a constantly shifting situation in Afghanistan, with the Taliban re-arming, expanding and upgrading while other militants and suicide bombers appear on the scene daily. No one can truthfully say what her risks will be, except that they will be significant no matter what. I hope she survives.
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Dave
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Post by Dave on May 12, 2008 14:44:04 GMT
Big mistake, IMHO. It's a war zone and no amount of precaution by the "authorities" can eliminate all the deadly risks. They're not going to spend all their available resources to ensure her safety when they can barely keep themselves out of harm's way. I cannot imagine a more misguided venture on Hayley's part, no matter how sincere her intentions. They know the risks Steve and as Martin and Grant have said, Hayley will have had it all explained to her. And yes, the Armed forces know the value (and potential downside) of media publicity - if anything happened to any well known person on a visit there, it would be a PR disaster of the highest magnitude. So they will do whatever is necessary to minimise the risk - including I am sure keeping the exact date/times/location secret beforehand as well as the use of the safest transport they have. Except that there's no such thing as "all the facts" in a war zone. Truth is the first casualty of war, remember? It's a constantly shifting situation in Afghanistan, with the Taliban re-arming, expanding and upgrading while other militants and suicide bombers appear on the scene daily. No one can truthfully say what her risks will be, except that they will be significant no matter what. I hope she survives. Well Hayley is hardly likely to be taken anywhere by road transport out there, or into any towns or cities. The main US and UK army bases out on the Afghanistan deserts and plains are pretty safe places with not too many suicide bombers getting in, well none. She's going to be a lot safer than Prince Harry was... This will be a nice morale booster for the forces out there - they do need this kind of thing from time to time so well done Hayley for "doing your bit". Thanks for this article Stephany! Cheers, Dave
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Post by Tin on May 12, 2008 14:56:25 GMT
I tend to take a critical stance like Steve does; unless they keep Hayley's agenda as secretive as Prince Harry's (which at the end still got leaked), I feel very uncomfortable with a 21-year-old lady going to such dangerous place. Whilst the army will surely do their best to ensure Hayley's safety and Hayley herself knows the risks she's gonna take, it doesn't mean things can't go wrong. Remember Katherine's visit to Iraq in 2005? Her chopper was targeted by a RPG and the risk was obviously much higher than we could anticipate.
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