VIDEO: Sayedabad Flag Raising

Following on from the post last week, BFBS Reports utilised Combat Camera Team imagery to support their latest report.

Royal Marines on patrol around Kajaki Reservoir

Royal Marines in Afghanistan don't often have to call on their skills as an amphibious unit. But around Kajaki, their ability to operate on the water as well on the land makes them an especially useful force.



This is the second of two reports from UK Forces broadcaster BFBS, who spent a few days with the Royal Marines at Kajaki.

Royal Marines on patrol in Kajaki

A British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) report from Kajaki in the North East of Helmand Province in Afghanistan.



BFBS provides radio and television servioes for UK Forces across the world. A team from the broadcaster recently spent a few days at Kajaki with the Royal Marines of 40 Commando, whose job is to work with Afghan forces to provide security in and around the town and its dam, a key electricity generator for the country.

This is the first of their reports.

VIDEO: Brigader Cowan in Babaji, Helmand Province

In his first interview since assuming command of British troops in southern Afghanistan, Brigadier James Cowan has struck a cautiously optimistic note. He believes that where British and Afghan troops are now able to hold territory support for the Taliban appears to be waning.

The Brigadier made his comments in an area that was only secured after fierce fighting over the summer.

BFBS Radio Afghanistan goes live

British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) Radio Afghanistan went live on air at 0630hrs local Afghan time this morning, broadcasting from Camp Bastion to British forces across Afghanistan and the Middle East.

The family and friends of personnel on operations in Afghanistan will also be able to hear the service in the UK on DAB digital radio.

'Good Morning Afghanistan!' rang out in the cookhouses, corrimecs, tents and ablution blocks as British forces woke to face another day on Op HERRICK.

At the time the first Bastion breakfast show went on air, forces' family and friends were safely tucked up in bed as it was 0200hrs in the UK, but the opening will be reprised on BFBS Radio worldwide, including on DAB digital radio in the UK, at 0900hrs GMT when the BFBS network joins up around the world and, for the first time, connects the UK live with the station in Bastion.

BFBS Radio listeners across the Forces world were asked to choose what should be the first song played on the new station, and they e-mailed and texted their suggestions for two weeks until the poll closed at midday on Friday.

'Dusty' Miller, the first presenter on BFBS Radio in Afghanistan, said:

"Mindful of the very particular brand of humour amongst our listeners, we were worried what they might foist on us but were braced to play whatever they asked for!

"The first song played on the ground in any operational theatre tends to get a bit of an iconic status, and becomes a tune that in some ways sums up a particular tour."

And the winner was... 'Wake Up Boo!' by The Boo Radleys.