The Soldiers Blog

General Update – End of January

Words and photos by: Lt Jon Dolphin, 7 Rifles

On Christmas Eve, I deployed to a half built Forward Operating Base (FOB), named FOB Edinburgh, on the outskirts of Musa Qal'h in the North of the Helmand Province. After five weeks living rough, I have returned to Camp Bastion and in a few days, I will return to the UK for two weeks of long awaited R&R.

My previous updates have hopefully provided a good idea of what Salonika Company has been up to in Afghanistan. This entry however will be a more personal insight into my experience of leading a platoon in an area which, two weeks before our arrival, had been labelled as the Taliban stronghold in Helmand.

Caption: Lt Jon Dolphin and 4 Platoon on patrol

How did Salonika Company find itself in Musa Qal'h?

In mid December, an extremely successful Afghan National Army (ANA) led mission swept through the city of Musa Qal’h and the surrounding area liberating it from Taliban control. The battle was a major success for the ANA and the Taliban were able to offer very little resistance. Along with other units, Salonika Company from The Rifles has now been brought into the area to provide a secure and stable environment in which the local people can start to rebuild their lives free from oppression under the Taliban. As well as providing a secure environment, we have started a number of development projects including the provision of a health centre, a 'cash for work' scheme, the construction of a bridge to improve access to the district centre and the provision of a school.

The Taliban, who originally established themselves in the region using fear and intimidation, continue to plague the local people. They send death threats to Mosques, plant landmines and roadside bombs that are indiscriminate in whom they target and they conduct cold-blooded murder of innocent civilians who they suspect of working with ISAF. During my time there, a local man who had been earning $10 a day in a scheme to help clean up and re-build the town centre was beheaded by the Taliban.

Thankfully, and with admiration for the resolve of the Afghan people, this hideous attempt to stop development in the city failed and the work to improve Musa Qal’h continues.

What tasks does Salonika Company undertake in and around Musa Qal'h?

As well as manning Observation Posts (Ops), one of the main tasks that we undertake involves patrolling in and around the Musa Qal'h countryside, towns and villages in our vehicles and on foot. We look for signs of enemy activity, set up vehicle check points and talk with the locals in order to reassure them and help them to understand how the Afghan government and ISAF are working together to try and improve the situation. We also act as convoy protection during re-supply operations.

In January it snowed!

Being able to talk and interact with the local villages has given me a real appreciation of Afghan life. In several instances, we were the first ISAF troops ever to visit them and we were very careful to make the right impression from the start. All of our soldiers have received a basic training in the Afghan culture and we make every effort to respect the way of life, their cultures and traditions.

Rfn Facciol and LCpl Rab in their WMIK.

We have built some good relationships. We visit the villages to reassure them, ask for their input on various issues and pass on any key information or messages from the local government in Musa Qal'h. Particularly in the rural areas, you quickly realise that the local people just want to get on with their lives and provide for their families. They are happy that we are there to provide the security to enable this to happen, but they are in constant fear of intimidation by the Taliban.

Cpl Neil Kelly on a convoy escort patrol.

It's encouraging to know that we are allowing the locals the freedom to make their own decisions. The instances of intimidation that we come across just spur us on to help eradicate the Taliban who have done nothing to help the people and seem intent on preventing the country and people from developing and improving their quality of life.

View from a sangar in FOB Edinburgh

Cpl Neil Kelly from Reading overlooking the outskirts of Musa Qal'h

Rfn Lowerson on Roshan Tower overlooking Musa Qal'h

Patrolling through the suburbs of Musa Qal'h

The Threat

Probably the biggest threat we face around Musa Qal'h is that of mines and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). We have so much fire power that it would be a very brave or incredibly stupid Taliban who would take us on directly.

We've become very good at spotting mines and IEDs and have some excellent kit that has been proven to protect us whilst out on the ground. The locals are also helping us by warning us about IEDs they’ve seen being planted.

Lt Jon Dolphin talks to the local villagers

The threat from legacy mines left over from the Russian occupation is still very real. Every day on patrol, I would pass legacy mines. Unfortunately, an American callsign strayed into a known minefield only 1km from our location in FOB Edinburgh.

My patrol had a lucky escape with a device that was placed on a route into one of the villages that we patrol. Unfortunately, the village tractor found the device which not only badly injured the driver, but also destroyed a key village asset.

The Weather

When it rained, it got muddy!

January was very cold, on some days hitting minus 10 degrees celsius without the wind chill factor. Most of us have had frost nipped ears and the morning ritual of emerging from your sleeping bag, or, 'olive green time machine' as the lads have started called them, doesn't get any easier. We have also had rain – lots of rain which has resulted in the FOB turning into a quagmire. Completing the weather spectrum, we have had snow! Despite the adverse conditions, the war goes on and we continue to fulfil our role. All of the Riflemen have conducted themselves extremely professionally.

LCpl Lindsell enjoys the snow

Christmas in FOB Edinburgh

The sun was still shining when we arrived at FOB Edinburgh. The conditions were described to us as austere and for the first 10 days we were sleeping under the stars.

A specially flown in Christmas Day meal

Although we were in the back of beyond in a make shift shelter, we made the best of the situation. Some of the lads had brought Santa hats with them and most of us had received a present or two that we had somehow found space for in our kit.

Unfortunately, on Christmas Day, there just wasn't time for a day off and so we spent most of the day filling sandbags that would provide the over head cover for our accommodation that was being rapidly constructed by the Royal Engineers.

An explosive cup of hot chocolate on Christmas morning

The padre from 40 Commando put on a good service around about mid-day in his usual up-beat, verging on comedy, style. As amusing as the service was, it was topped by the arrival at 1600ish of three chefs and a mobile kitchen. This was a complete surprise to us all and they served up a fantastic Christmas dinner complete with crackers and party hats.

Rfn Bridgewater fills sandbags on Christmas Day

It was probably the weirdest place I could ever have imagined to be tucking into roast turkey and Christmas pud. But, without a doubt, it was one of the most welcomed meals ever. Being away from home and family at Christmas is difficult and I think all of us were secretly wishing we were back in the UK. The meal was a real lift and I think everyone went to bed that night with a full belly and a smile on their face.

The Padre leads the way in the singing

Rations

Five weeks living on rations does things to you and it goes without saying that evenings in the ops room were quite windy. The operational rations contain such delights as chunky chilli chicken, lamb curry and chicken arrabiata, however, you also have to endure the various combinations of beans/sausage/bacon for breakfast every day. All the above is boiled in a foil bag.

We were able to procure some American rations for a time which were a welcome break, but even they became monotonous after a while. There's only so much variation that you can introduce with the addition of chilli sauce or mustard.

Occasionally, we would buy some local bread, chickens and goats from the locals. These made a rare treat particularly when cooked in a hot stone oven in the ground under the expert guidance of our own Fijian, Cpl Rab.

R&R

After four-and-a-bit months away on operations, I'm looking forward to getting back home on R&R. I'm looking forward to a pint of ale, seeing the family, tucking in to a crème brulee and getting out for a run with my Dalmation.

We’re doing a dangerous job out here. It's a situation that is not going to be resolved quickly and will require soldiers like myself to continue to work with the Afghan people towards a better future for a long time to come.

Having talked at length with some of the local people, drunk their tea and shared a few jokes it makes you realise that at the heart of it, the people here are just fellow human beings who just want to be allowed to get on with their lives.

Without delving into politics, the history of the country, the trade in opium, global terrorism and the teachings of Islam, at the local level, the situation seems pretty straightforward to me. We are trying to help the people to self govern and improve their standard of living through schooling, healthcare and improved infrastructure. Fighting against us, the majority of the Afghan people and the government of Afghanistan, trying to disrupt our joint efforts, is a bunch of people who seem to want to keep the country in the dark ages and rule through fear and intimidation. Sadly the situation is complicated by the factors mentioned above. Cultivation of poppies can not be eradicated without an economically viable alternative and if you’re interested in how Afghanistan ties in with global terrorism have a read of an assessment by a fella called Killcullen entitled, 'The Long War.' Makes interesting reading…

Best wishes to everyone back home. I still can't believe England lost to Wales in the Rugby

Families

FAMILIES of Territorial Army soldiers serving in Afghanistan tried to put their worries aside and enjoy a day out together.
Mums, partners, siblings and children of Redbridge and Barking and Dagenham soldiers serving a six month tour in the war-torn country spent a day enjoying themselves at Windsor Castle.
They were joined by family members of other Seven Rifles’ soldiers from the Home Counties who make up Salonika Company.
Caryn Davies, fiancée of Woodford Rifleman, David Warren said: “It's been a great day with great weather and a real treat.”
After watching the Windsor Castle guard form up, the families were given their tour of the castle free courtesy of the Windsor Blue Badge Guides who talked them through the history.
A buffet lunch was laid on for the group at Victoria Barracks after their tour.
Salonika Company is due back from Afghanistan in April.
There will be a medal parade at Brock Barracks in Reading welcoming them home on April 2.

On The Front Line

Introduction by Lt Jon Dolphin
Rfn Toby Cowan is part of the signals det. with Salonika Company. This doesn't mean he's stuck inside Camp Bastion sorting out radios. In fact, as an infantryman, it means that he's out on the ground patrolling as well as being stuck in Bastion sorting out radios. Unlike most of the soldiers in the rifle platoons, he is required to wear two hats and wear them equally well. Below is his account of one of his more lively patrols.

Main Story by Rifleman Toby Cowan

Rfn Toby Cowan

It's 05.30 hours, 5°C and its time to prep the TLZ (Tactical Landing Zone) patrol vehicles. I've got my softy (thermal) jacket on under my combat jacket along with my Osprey body armour. With ammunition and water my basic rig weighs 25kg. However, two months into the tour and I'm used to the extra weight.

The radio was handed to me by yet another well wrapped up figure. I carry it over to the WMIK (armoured Landrover with guns on) and using a bit of brute force pull the back bin open, climb inside and, with icy hands, I start to set the radio up. I do a radio check with zero (our command post) and after receiving “radio check OK”, begin fitting the Electronic Counter Measures (ECM).

With the electronics in place, I then start to fit the GPMG (General Purpose Machine Gun) on its rotating turret. The gun fitted, I lock it off to stop it swinging about. It's now 05.55 hours. Ensuring my flask is filled with hot java and all my warm kit on we move to the loading bay. “SHOW GUNS CLEAR” the commander bellowed. I clear my GPMG and he examines it. On the order “ease-springs” I close the top cover, let the working parts forward and fire off the action. “LOAD”, I lift the top cover and place a 200 round belt of 7.62mm onto the feed tray. Slamming the top cover down, I give my vehicle commander the thumbs up and we pull away through the main gate and out into the desert.

Shortly after leaving camp, we seemed to be travelling a lot faster than usual and the driver's hand gestures indicated there was a problem. The clutch had gone and we were faced with a decision. Get towed back in, or bump start the vehicle and head back the short distance to camp by ourselves. The first option would mean abandoning the patrol and hence protection to incoming aircraft, so we chose the second. That is where the fun started.

The driver had to start us in 3rd gear and without a clutch, that's where it would stay. As we picked up speed, I realised that this was going to be fast trip back. We flew down a hill into a small gravel dip and then across a massive sand dune. My feet were wedged against the side of the wagon as we ploughed cross country. The ground flattened out, but we carried on racing along.

The warning for the bump came too late. I flew a good few feet into the air and landed on the turret. I was ready for the second bump and with it, I couldn't help but shout “YEE HAWW”. With a massive grin on my face, I then saw a dip - a really, really steep dip. My stomach rose into my chest as we flew down the hill.

“YEEEEAAAAAAAAA WOOO HOOO!” this was the best thing since sliced bread!

All too soon, we were onto the road leading back into Bastion - fun time over. We flew into camp controlling our speed as best as we could and finally stopped the vehicle in the un-loading bay. The commander asked me if I was ok. I still had water in my eyes and a grin like I had just won the lotto. We took the vehicle in and that was the end of a memorable patrol.

In The Thick Of It

A RIFLEMAN spent just one week with his newborn son before jetting off to serve in one of the toughest frontline jobs in the military.
Menon Bhopalsingh, 40, has been working with an intelligence cell providing up to date information on the Taliban in war-torn Afghanistan.
The dad-of-two, whose youngest son Arun is now three months old, has been conducting offensive operations in the north of the Helmand Province.
The London Territorial Army soldier, who works as a Noise Enforcement Officer in Lambeth, has also provided protection to medical teams deployed by helicopter to rescue injured soldiers.

RIFLEMAN Menon Bhopalsingh, 40

“I have seen some quite horrendous sights,” he said.
“The infantry is one of the toughest jobs in the army, but the most rewarding.
“I am excited to be helping the Afghans in the fight against the Taliban.”
“Bhops”, as his mates call him, left Edmonton, north London, in October for a six month tour fighting the Taliban.
This is Menon's second operational tour, having previously served in Iraq.
During his time in the TA, he has trained in Germany, France, Macedonia and Cyprus.
Lt Jon Dolphin, unit press officer for Salonika Company made up of soldiers from London and the Home Counties, including Redbridge and Barking and Dagenham, said: “In Afghanistan, the soldiers from his unit do not have days off.
“When they’re not on duty, they either train or sleep. When deployed on the ground even sleep becomes a luxury for the infantry soldier.”
Menon sent his love to his partner Katerina, his parents and his children, Tia, three, and Arun, three months.

Christmas

FATHER Christmas wasn't taking any chances when he visited troops at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan this year.

Despite the threat to their lives, soldiers brought the festive spirit to life by decorating their tents, putting up the Christmas tree, singing carols and dressing up as Santa Claus.
Presents flooded in from loved-ones and troops received messages via video link and radio as they prepared to fly back home for short leave.
Lt Jon Dolphin, Salonika Company press officer, said: “The rest and relaxation plot will be starting soon with each soldier having two weeks leave.”
“Although everyone had a wish list of preferred dates, with almost 150 people to accommodate and various operational constraints, not everyone will get their first choices.”
“Those with children were given priority for Christmas, some will have their leave early in the tour and others not until the end.”
“Being away from family and friends at Christmas will be difficult for many, but we’re intent on making the best of the situation.”
While there may be some Christmas theatrical shows over the festive period and even a Christmas party with a traditional roast dinner, the routine of keeping guard will go on.

Terry Duffield sends a message to his family

LANCE Corporal Terry Duffield has sent his love to his family via the Recorder blog site.

LCpl Duffield, who has family living in Hainault and Dagenham, said he was enjoying himself in Afghanistan, but missing his relatives.
In June this year, the 47-year-old left his civilian life as a driver for East London Buses and began training for operations in the war-torn Helmand Province of Afghanistan.
At the start of October, he left the UK for a six month tour of duty.
LCpl Duffield has been in the TA for 21 years and this is his fourth operational tour.
His first tour was to Bosnia in 1999, followed by Kosovo in 2001 and Iraq in 2005.
During his time in the TA, he has also taken part in major training exercises in Cyprus, Macedonia, France, Germany and Romania.
When the call up came, LCpl Duffield felt compelled to stand up and serve his country once again.
Back in the UK, LCpl Duffield is the youngest of 13 children. He has eight older brothers, one of whom was a former Sergeant Major in the Royal Green Jackets, and four older sisters. His family gave him a good send-off with a big barbeque and party before he left.
Out in Afghanistan, Terry is working as a driver and storeman. As well as ensuring that the soldiers in his company have the right kit, he also delivers the post which makes him one of the most popular people in the company.
Terry describes Afghanistan as being “hard work and very dusty”.

LANCE Corporal Terry Duffield

Tribute to killed soldier

Lance Corporal Jake Alderton of 20 Field Squadron, 36 Engineer Regiment died on November 9 after the vehicle he was travelling in left the road and rolled off a bridge near the district centre of Sangin in Helmand Province.

Lt Jon Dolphin from Salonika Company attended LCpl Alderton’s ramp ceremony where soldiers paid their respects to the 22-year-old from Bexley.
Lt Jon Dolphin

Lance Corporal Jake Alderton, 36 Engineer Regiment[Photo: MOD]

I didn't know LCpl Alderton. I may have stood next to him in the queue for the mess, I may have even said hello to him in passing, but I didn't know him. There had been other ramp ceremonies during my short time at Camp Bastion, but his was the first I had been to.

The garrison was formed up on the edge of the airfield. All but those on essential duties were present and it made an impressive sight. In the late afternoon sun, the mood was quiet and sombre. The parade was brought to attention and the bearers, at slow march, carried the coffin, draped in the union flag, into view of all.

A bugle call broke the silence sounding the Last Post. The ensuing silence was a chance for reflection - a chance for reflection on the tragic loss of the young Sapper, however, also a chance for refection on our involvement in Afghanistan. This was not the first ramp ceremony and it will not be the last.

The bugle sounded again signalling Reveille. The soldier's CO read his eulogy paying tribute to his dedication and the selfless commitment he had always shown to his job and his colleagues. The words were made even more touching by an addition from his parents which talked of his love for the army – a love that required him to make the ultimate sacrifice.

From the south the C130 made its slow approach descending gradually until its wheels touched the ground. Even the landing seemed graceful in the warm glow of the setting sun. The tyres barely made a sound as they touched down in unison on the hard concrete. As the aircraft manoeuvred into position the parade was once again brought to attention as the aircraft’s ramp was slowly lowered.

Standing to attention, I was struck by how deeply respectful the entire ceremony had been. A final tribute to the bravery of a fallen soldier. The bearer party, at slow march, guided by the padre, carried their precious cargo on board the aircraft.

As the aircraft took off to the north, it made a graceful turn to the west bringing it back on course with the parade a few hundred feet below. As it passed low overhead, the pilot dipped the wings from side to side signalling a final farewell taking LCpl Alderton away from the dusty landscape of Afghanistan for the last time, taking him home.

I walked away from the airfield with a friend. This had been my first ramp ceremony, this was his 24th. This is war.

Winter approaching

With winter fast approaching in Helmand we are already starting to see a distinct change in temperature. Although it is still hot around mid day, the mornings and evenings are getting reasonably chilly. Softie jackets are now being worn to see off the chills. In the officers' tent, one of the older officers has even resorted to using a hot water bottle. In doing so, he has come in for much ribbing from the younger subalterns, however, in his words, “Why rough it?” We're now waiting for the slippers and Horlicks to arrive!

Although the winter in Helmand is not as cold as other parts of the country, we are preparing for sub-zero conditions and a fair amount of rain. Camp Bastion is renowned for turning into a mud bath.

The last couple of weeks have been busy. The deployment of the company has changed quite dramatically with two platoons being deployed elsewhere. Four Platoon was the first to go, much to the annoyance of the other platoons, and this was followed about a week later by the deployment of Three Platoon.

Four Platoon has been deployed to a Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Eastern Helmand. The platoon's role there is similar to what they were doing in Bastion, however, they are working more closely with the Danish Battle Group who operate out of the FOB. One major benefit of working with the Danes, which has enraged the other platoons, is that the Danes serve up lobster in their canteen. Lt Hyrcak wasted no time in relaying that snippet of information. Let's just hope they don't get too fat eating all those pastries!

Three Platoon was packed off to the Brigade Headquarters in Lashkar Gar where they are being gainfully employed providing force protection. This includes patrolling the streets of 'Lash' where the soldiers are getting the opportunity to interact with the locals. Sgt Mitchell's West Country charms obviously haven't had the desired effect though as an Afghan kid managed to catch him in the eye with a rock.

Not that we want to blow our own trumpet, or rather our bugle, but the riflemen of Three Platoon have taken over and expanded the task which was previously done by two platoons from 2nd Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment. Good on them.

On September 11, the Buglers from Salonika Company performed magnificently at Remembrance Services across Helmand. In Lashkar Gar, Rfn Birks performed excellently and was even featured on Sky News. In Camp Bastion, Cpl Hutchinson and Rfn Norman made us equally proud.

Back in Camp Bastion, our tasks have become fairly routine. The soldiers are rotated regularly, which hopefully ensures that that they remain focussed on the job in hand. With Three Platoon gone, fewer vehicles have been breaking, much to the delight of the MTWO, WO2 O'Malley.

Some impressive range work has been overseen by WO2 O'Loughlin with the lads working hard to perfect their compound clearance drills. The OC also continues to remind us of his first round hit with a UGL round. Given his pistol shooting record though, we can only put this down to sheer fluke!

The gyms are being well used by most of us in our spare time and quite a few soldiers seem to be investing in protein supplements to help them with their personal battles on 'Op Massive'. Rfn Ceesay continues to lead the way.

General Update

Story and photos by: Lt Jon Dolphin 7RIFLES

Salonika Company has now been in theatre for a little over three weeks and the end of October is fast approaching. Like moving into a new house, the company has made its own alterations to the tented accommodation that we live in which is referred to as 'Salonika Lines'.

All four platoons, the company stores, the signal tent, the interpreters tent, the company office, all the washing facilities and the quick reaction force are now co-located. Our vehicles are parked but a stone’s throw away and at the main entrance there is a flag pole on which The Rifles flag is raised at sunrise and lowered at sunset. The only thing missing is the bugle call, however, in the interest of winning hearts and minds, we are taking care not to make enemies of our sleeping neighbours.

The past weeks have been busy with each platoon now on its third rotation. It is pretty clear to all of the soldiers which tasks offer some form of excitement and which are a complete bore. Sangar duty, vital though it is, tops the latter category. Regardless how you dress it up, staying in a concrete sangar – a fortification - on guard for a week is pretty boring. On the positive side however, with three people doing a rotation, you get a week to catch up on some sleep and relax a little.

The more enjoyable tasks to date involve anything which gets the soldiers out on the ground and away from Camp Bastion. This has included the Immediate Response Team (IRT) and the GDA and TLZ patrols.

The IRT has unfortunately deployed on a number of occasions in support of the Medical Emergency Response Team (MERT). I say unfortunately, because every time it deploys, it means that somebody somewhere is having a very bad day. The riflemen have conducted themselves well on these heli-tasks and Salonika Company has received a number of personal thanks from the MERT and the units on the ground for their efforts. Whilst working with the MERT, the riflemen have not only provided close protection for the medical team but they have provided medical assistance in treating the casualties.

The GDA patrols have been out day and night dominating the local area, gathering intelligence and reassuring the locals. Given Camp Bastion’s remote location, you would be forgiven for thinking that there is little life in the area. On the contrary, there are several settlements and the central Wadi to the east of the camp is a busy thoroughfare for traffic heading up to Route one, the only tarmac road which runs around Afghanistan.

The TLZ patrols have also been out, as the RAF dictates, providing overwatch of the local area to cover aircraft as they arrive at the landing strip. Work extending the runway at Bastion continues and the new runway capable of receiving C17 aircraft is expected to be ready in November. This means that direct flights from the UK to Camp Bastion will be possible.

There have of course been highlights, perhaps the most newsworthy of which was the destruction of a civilian vehicle near the main entrance to Camp Bastion by order of the 2ic. Unbeknown to the driver, who had come to Bastion to visit an injured relative, he had parked his vehicle in a place which could have been a serious risk to our forces if it had been concealing a device. Taking the safest option, Capt. Jamie Althorp called for EOD who were more than happy to oblige him by blowing up the vehicle. The man was slightly shocked when he returned to his vehicle, however, probably not as shocked as his brother who he had borrowed the car from!

Also very worthy of note were the QRF team from 2 Platoon who calmly handled the situation when two young children who had broken their legs were brought to the gates of Camp Bastion. They provided first aid and comforted the injured children as best they could until the ambulance from the hospital arrived.

Hopefully, this gives you a flavour of what we are getting up to in Afghanistan. We’ll keep you posted. Granite 0 out.

Flying Out

Jon Dolphin Salonika Company Press Officer

This is the first post of what will hopefully be a continuous running log of what the G-Coy lads from Barking, Ilford and Dagenham have been getting up to in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. I’m writing this first part from a hangar in Turkey where we’ve stopped off to re-fuel.

This morning was a bit of a rude awakening as we had to get up at 1am to catch a coach to the airport. Most military flights leave from a Royal Air Force base in Oxfordshire called RAF Brize Norton. For the last couple of months, we’ve been based in barracks in Pirbight, Surrey so it took a couple of hours to make the journey.

This was the first military flight for many, and to be honest, it was no different to catching a normal flight to go on holiday. Everything was the same; check in, baggage checks, metal detectors and quite a long time spent looking at a clock in the waiting room. The only difference was that the check in girls were all wearing combats! The RAF Police are pretty thorough and, just like civilian airports, they even took nail scissors off us. I thought that was a little unnecessary considering we were all trained infantry soldiers. At one point, I thought Duffy was going to get strip searched. Lucky for all of us that he didn’t!

We flew out on a C17 which is a massive cargo plane with some seating. The inside of the aircraft is big enough to have a basketball court or a decent 5-s-side game. Unfortunately they would let us try. Being a cargo plane, there was a lot of space for us to stretch out and most of us go our heads down and had a sleep.

The first part of the flight to Turkey lasted about 4 hours. After 2 hours on the ground while the crew changed over, we set off on the second leg which was to take another 4.5 hrs to the city of Kandahar.

02.10.07

We landed in Kandahar at just gone midnight. After an arrival brief and a quick trip to the mess hall to get some food, we were all keen to get our heads down and grab a few hours sleep. The airfield was pretty dark when we got there so we didn’t get a proper look at our surroundings until morning. We awoke to a bright sunny day. Outside of our temporary accommodation, we stepped into a scene which could have been the backdrop to any news report on the Afghan war. The dusty grey of the ground seemed to merge into the early morning haze as we found ourselves amongst the hangars, buildings and blast proof walls of Kandahar Airfield.

After a full breakfast in a well stocked canteen, we were checked through into the departure lounge for Camp Bastion. Camp Bastion would become our home for the next 6 months. This lounge had a TV and so we sat back, tried to relax and watched the weather reports for the UK on BBC News 24. Although we were thousands of miles away from our families, it was strangely satisfying to see rain forecast for the UK while we were enjoying the sunshine – albeit in a war zone.

The next leg of our journey was by C130, the Hercules, which is the workhorse of the RAF. 40 minutes after take off, we were touching down on a slightly bumpier landing strip outside of Camp Bastion. Like components in a well oiled machine, we were escorted to transit accommodation where we will stay for the next 2 days to complete our induction to theatre training.

After a long couple of days travelling, we were given the rest of the day off to wander around camp getting to know the place. If our first sight of Kandahar airfield had been a surprise, our first impression of Camp Bastion was ten times as surreal. After 3 months of training, having seen pictures of the place, we were now in the picture. We had been catapulted from the green of Surrey into the middle of a barren, featureless desert. More to follow soon…

One Day To Go

Dave Warren Rifleman

RIFLEMEN will leave for war-torn Afghanistan in the early hours of tomorrow morning (October 1).

Territorial Army solider Dave Warren, a 34-year-old printer from Woodford, said he could hardly wait.

The father-of-one has said the hardest part was saying goodbye to his 11-year-old son, but he is now itching to go.

“It has been the longest training in history,” he told the Recorder just hours before boarding a C17 military aircraft from RAF base Brize Norton in Oxfordshire.

The regular army trains for about two-and-a-half to three weeks before going out – we have been training for three-and-a half months.

“I was a little nervous, but we have got a good bunch of blokes and we are all gagging to get on with the job.”

The soldiers have been through medical, driving, cultural awareness and extensive weapons training since June and spent two weeks in Macedonia acclimatising to conditions similar to those they will face in Afghanistan.