Post Afghanistan

May 29, 2011

THE affection of the UK to its armed forces was clearly presented to me this week in the form of 400 bags of post at an outpost near Gereshk.

We visited the MOB Price camp for three days for a veterinary project involving the Afghans and Danish and British battle groups.

On entering the camp you couldn’t help but notice the vast array of grey Royal Mail bags full to the brim with parcels and letters.

We chatted to the postman and he told us this amount of mail was “not unusual” week to week.

I couldn’t help but question that if they get this much mail in the summer, how on earth does the postal system survive at Christmas?

It’s a fine balancing act and a difficult problem to get round.

On one hand the parcel of sweets and accompanying hand-written note from Mrs Miggins of Devon, addressed to ‘A Soldier’, is a lovely gesture.

But if Mrs Miggins’ parcel and hundreds of others sent by the goodwill army of the UK clog up the system, it means that letters and parcels addressed to certain servicemen and women from their family and friends will be massively delayed.

Any serviceman or woman out here will tell you that it’s lovely to receive a parcel or letter from anyone. It makes them feel appreciated, wanted and special.

But if they have the choice of that, or post from their family, I know which one they’ll choose.

The post is flown over to Afghanistan by plane and then taken by helicopter to the outposts whose servicemen then organise it being delivered around the areas.

In itself it is a huge effort. And when you have say, 400 bags of post, it’s a colossal one at that.

Fortunately Stevie, the dedicated postie at Price, has a couple of volunteers who help him with the mountains of deliveries.

But how do you solve the problem? The generosity and goodwill of the nation is sadly a problem.

Last year alone 3,723 tonnes of mail was sent via the BFPO system.
I’m sure even Postman Pat would throw a fit at the thought of delivering that.

So there are now a series of websites, which have been set up to help balance the issue.

If you’re looking to send out post to a serviceman or woman, try visiting: http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceFor/ServiceCommunity/BFPO/ for information and advice.

There are also countless charities – many of which can be found online – who can assist.

Aside from the postal service the last 10 days or so have been busy for us here at BFBS at Camp Bastion.

We’ve had several injuries and tragically more deaths of British servicemen in the last couple of weeks, but the mood is still very much of focus and determination.

Everyone takes a risk just by being here among this madness, however the level of commitment has never been more channelled as it is today.

Twitter: @tristan_nichols

Caught with my pants down

April 16, 2011

OF all the times to come into ‘contact’ with insurgents, I’m pretty sure being dressed in nothing but a towel is not the best.

But a few days ago during a visit to a 45 Commando Patrol Base in Kalang, in the district of Nad-e-Ali, this is exactly what happened.

The phrase ‘caught with your pants down’ springs to mind.

For the past five days we have been visiting the Arbroath-based Royal Marines unit in their AO (Area of Operations) west of Camp Bastion.

If anyone ever questioned the level of threat it was clearly apparent after reports of someone laying an IED nearby.

However in the hours leading up to our first patrol of the visit, ‘benign’ seemed to be the key word.

“It’s been quiet for months here,” said one officer.

“Because of the bad weather Afghanistan has experienced in recent months, it has pushed back the poppy harvest, so they’re more focused on that than fighting us.

“At the moment it’s pretty benign. Saying that though we’ll go out there and it’ll be D-Day.

“There is also an IED threat and that is rising.”

Kitted out with our body armour, cameras and several litres of water (it’s been around 37 degrees in the shade), we went out on a two-hour patrol to meet and greet locals and to provide some ‘reassurance’ on the ground.

On patrol

Having been based largely at Bastion since arriving it was good to finally get out on the ground to see the real Afghanistan.

While of course there was the ever-present danger of IEDs, and contact with insurgents, the patrol provided a glimpse of Afghan life.

A young boy walks past a Royal Marine patrol

Children, many dressed in brightly-coloured sparkly clothing, flocked to greet us as we yomped.

The opportunity of a sweet, or even a pen, from the marines seemed too much for even the most shy-looking child.

The local men also seemed keen to stop and say hello and ask us about ISAF plans for roads, schools, and infrastructure in general.

A farmer smells a fresh flower while talking to British servicemen

All in all you got the feeling the locals are happy with the British being here, and what they are trying to achieve.

The marines were keen to ask how the men were, whether they were happy, and whether they had heard of any Taliban activity in the area.

The locals were also keen to show of their bazaar, which had recently re-opened after insurgent activity.

My interpretation of a ‘bazaar’ was obviously very different to the reality of an Afghan bazaar. It features a handful of shops, ranging from a motorcycle repair show, a chemist, and a green grocer – all contained within small sand-coloured mud huts.

The Afghans were clearly very proud of their bazaar and it was reassuring to see their smiling faces.

Overall the patrol went without a hitch and we were back by mid-afternoon.

After conducting a series of interviews with the lads we settled into some downtime that evening ahead of another planned patrol the next day.

And that’s when the contact occurred.

At about 9.30pm I decided to have a strip-wash to freshen up after the hot and dusty patrol.

I was literally just throwing some water on my face when the sound of gunfire filled the night sky.

I wasn’t alone. A marine was also washing at the time. We looked up at each other, caught a glance, and then hurriedly made our way back to our tents and body armour.

The whole base seemed to jump to its feet and ready itself for a fight. Some marines ran towards the gate to provide back up, while others readied themselves for the order to deploy.

And we stayed in our tent under guard until the order to ‘stand down’ came through at about 10.20pm.

It was a short exchange of gunfire just down the road from the entrance to our base, at a vehicle check point, but it made everyone jump to their feet.

Not least us. Nothing can quite describe the feeling of hearing gunfire, especially knowing it is aimed at you or your surroundings.

In many ways life goes in slow motion. It’s like being in an action film.

So with the following day came the investigation into the event.

Keen to continue to show their presence in the area and to provide reassurance, the marines took to the ground once more with us in tow.

Providing reassurance 'on the ground'

The locals were clearly upset and concerned by the incident and wanted answers.

Angry Afghans confront British forces

It had been the Afghan National Army – which had been manning the check point – which had returned fire after coming under attack.

As one young Royal Marine officer put it “if someone puts bullets into the side of your house, yes you’re going to be annoyed about it for whatever reason.” Clearly.

The locals had gone two months without hearing the crackle of gunfire so it was a shock to them, not least us.

So after the three-hour ‘reassurance and investigation’ patrol, we returned to base.

As you can understand, we weren’t told the exact circumstances of the incident. Sometimes it’s probably better not to know.

Sadly, I’m sure it won’t be the last incident of its kind in this area.

Stay safe fellas.

Twitter: @tristan_nichols

A heavy burden to carry

April 30, 2011

Imagine patrolling up to 15 kilometres a day, every day, in temperatures around 40 degrees Celsius while carrying your own body weight in kit.

Add to this mental image the threat of ‘contact’ and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).

Bleak picture hey? Well this is what our boys and girls are doing out here in a bid to reassure the local Afghans that they can go about their business in their own communities.

We’ve been out on four or five foot patrols now and they are tough. And I mean really tough.

This week we spent a few days with Plymouth’s 42 Commando in Nad-e Ali.
Many of the lads boasted at having taken part in patrols every single day since arriving five weeks ago.
Yes it’s part of their job, and indeed it’s what they’re trained to do, but you got to admire their strength, resilience and attitude.

One lad, clearly going down with heat exhaustion, threw himself in a river to cool down half-way through the patrol.

But even in the harshest of environments, with all the associated risks, they can always muster a smile for the small Afghan child who wants to greet them.

For me personally it was great to see the lads of 42 Cdo.

I have an affinity with them having spent a month embedded with them on 3 Cdo Bde’s last Afghan tour in 2008/09.

Having completed an operation with them, and countless foot patrols, I was made an ‘honorary royal’ when they arrived back home to Plymouth.

It was one of the proudest moments of my life and one I will never forget. With the constant reshuffle in Royal Marines units, I wouldn’t have been surprised if none of the lads here had recognised me. Fortunately many did, and it was great catching up with them about things.

As long as you can keep up with the banter, you’re accepted. And there was plenty of that on our meeting.
“Part-time now are we?” remarked one royal.
“Do you want me to carry your bags sir?” said another.
“I’ll race ya...” was my reply to most.
It went down well.

Uk media newsdesks up and down the country are forever asking us journalists for ‘kit’ stories. You know, a piece with a group of bootnecks moaning about the kit they’re supplied with by the MoD.

For once everyone here seems happy with the kit. Be it the vehicles, body armour, weapons or ration packs.

It’s good to know that they feel they have the tools to do the job. 

Definitely a 'tool' for the job

What they don’t have in terms of personal effects or home comforts, is sent out from home in care packages.

Just to see their faces light up when there is mention of post, is a truly beautiful thing. Of course, they’re made to share out any biscuits, peanuts or sweets sent to them by loved ones with the rest of the lads but it really does brighten even the darkest day.

Returning to the relative safe confines of Camp Bastion, away from the real drama is strange.

All your emotions build up when you’re out on the ground. You feel truly alive with your senses running into overdrive. And then you’re delivered back to the comparatively dull existence of being on a camp.

I find it hard to describe. I guess in some ways it’s a small part of the emotional feeling which the lads have when they arrive back in the UK after being out on the ground for so long.

Twitter: @tristan_nichols