PICTURE of the day: Patrol Base living

Since Operation Moshtarak began in Helmand just under four weeks ago, the soldiers of the Battle Group, which includes Royal Welsh, Afghan National Army and Police as well as the French Foreign Legion and French Marines, have established a number of patrol bases which are now home.

Living is basic and ingenuity is a key attribute needed to make the best of the situation.

This is Patrol Base Shaheed, home to B Company, the 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh and their multinational partners.

If you are one of the lucky ones to live inside the bed spaces come in a range of comfort. Top of the luxury stakes is a cot bed with a mosquito net. Next comes a mosi net and roll mat on the floor and the most basic is simply a roll matt and sleeping bag on the floor. For those outside there are two options the first being a tent and the other the traditional soldiers’ favorite, a bivi.

Living on a diet of 24 hour ration packs is the norm out in the patrol bases. But when the guys can get hold of different ingredients the ‘Jamie Oliver’ comes out in a handful of the lads and the results can be amazing.

When in Rome… traditional afghan bread or possibly a Fijian roti. Either way they are fantastic

Without the usual gym facilities of the main bases it’s time to improvise. Weights made from scaffolding and ammo tins as well as pull up bars and if the exercise you get out on patrol isn’t enough there is plenty of room to run around the inside of the compound. The scenery isn’t great but it does get the heart going.

Sgt Garathy with a fresh water crab found in the compound

The ablutions are basic but better than some I have seen out here

Hygiene is everything out here when living in these basic conditions. They might not be power showers but out here showers like these are amazing and greatly appreciated.

The evening conference is a daily gathering of all the key staff in the patrol base. Plans for the following day are discussed and everyone provides an update of their activities.
Information is power and out here we share it

While those not on duty are tucked up in what ever bed they have, the ops room is manned 24/7.

Pictures: Major Paul Smyth

PICTURE of the day: Shura in Shaheed

In the wake of Operation Moshtarak the soldiers of B Company, 1 Royal Welsh together with the Afghan National Army and Police have been working with the elders of Shaheed to bring stability to the area.

Gathering weekly the elders talk to the soldiers and police to voice their concerns and work out what needs to be done to build a more secure and brighter future for the village of Shaheed.

Now that the Taliban have been pushed out the elders are interested improving the village. The topics covered in the Shura included developing a bazaar so that that shopkeepers and framers have a place to sell their goods as well as suggestions for a school as the Taliban destroyed the last one.

The Shura is also the perfect way to build trust between the community, the army and police who are now there to serve the people.

Major Ed Hill arrives at the Shura which the Afghan National Police commander is hosting

Insignia of the Afghan National Police

An elder listening to the discussions

The police commander seated with the village elders

The meeting place in the garden of the police station

Major Ed Hill listening to his interpreter

The Afghan National Army company commander talking to the elders. He is a strong leader and respected by the elders

Listening intensely


Taking Chai is an important part of any meeting



Pictures: Major Paul Smyth

PICTURE of the day: On patrol near Patrol Base Shaheed

Patrol Base Shaheed is a very multinational place. Built during Op Mashtarak this small outpost is a vital link in the network of new bases put up to provide security in the wake of the biggest air assault since 2001 that took place here just over two weeks ago.

Each day soldiers from England, Wales, Afghanistan as well as an assortment of nationalities represented by the contingent of French Foreign Legion.

Partnered together the soldiers patrol their patch providing the local population with much needed security.

Corporal William from B Company, 1 R WELSH provides a radio link to keep the HQ up to date with the patrol.

A soldier from the Foreign Legion scans the horizon for any threats.

Corporal Williams listens to a brief from a multiple commander about and IED find.

A local elder chats to the patrol as it passes his compound.

A warrior (the Afghan rank equivalent of a private) with a very potent RPG (rocket propelled grenade).

Local children come out to see the patrol.

Taking a break while the next phase of the patrol is briefed back to HQ.

An American A10 tank buster dives in low in a ‘show of force’. No one is left in any doubt we have some serious support up above.

The ANA patrol commander monitoring his team on the radio.

An ANA machine gunner.

Local farmers taking a break from tending their crop.

Pictures: Major Paul Smyth