Time for a brew as resourceful troops settle into new patrol base 18 February 2010
British and Afghan troops settle into new patrol base - gallery
- Fusilier Sion Williams, Mortar Platoon, Fire Support Company, 1 Royal Welsh, mans the sangar of the compound occupied during the early stages of Op MOSHTARAK. (103.71kb)
- Anyone for a brew? The camp's basic kitchen area where the troops get their refreshments. (79.98kb)
- Fusilier Gareth Howard from Mortar Platoon, Fire Support Company, 1 Royal Welsh, prepares a sign for Mortar Platoon Accommodation. (55.74kb)
- Sergeant Chris Crook of 1 Royal Horse Artillery attached Fire Support Company, 1 Royal Welsh, does his washing during a period of downtime. (52.16kb)
- Soldiers from the Afhan National Army fortify defences during the operation. They share the compound with soldiers from Fire Support Company, 1 Royal Welsh. (119.92kb)
- An Afghan soldier carries out Barma training during quieter times. Soldiers from 1 Royal Welsh assist in the continuation training of the ANA during Operations. (66.25kb)
- Lance Corporal Ricky Roberts, Fire Support Coy, 1 Royal Welsh, cleans his weapon during a quieter period during Op MOSHTARAK. (39.63kb)
- The resourceful soldiers have made created toilet facilities and added a sheet door for privacy. (48.26kb)
- Lance Bombadier Ernst 1 Royal Horse Artillery attached Fire Support, 1 Royal Welsh, works out in the newly appointed Gym. (66.58kb)
- A soldier from Fire Support Company, 1 Royal Welsh mans the sangar of the compound occupied during initial stages of Op MOSHTARAK. (37.35kb)
Fire Support Company, 1 Royal Welsh, and their Afghan National Army (ANA) partners have firmly established their patrol base in a former Taliban-ruled area of central Helmand.
By the fourth day of Operation MOSHTARAK the Camp has been transformed with a cooking area, showers, toilets and even a gym.
When the soldiers first entered the compound - which would become their home for the foreseeable future - on Day 1 they were tired, cold and covered in mud. They hadn't slept for 36 hours and emotionally were exhausted, having been part of the largest ever British Helicopter Assault.
They had trudged through horrendous conditions to take their objective - all the time expecting the Taliban to counter attack.
Their immediate priority was to set up the defensive fortifications in their Camp, get some much-needed rest and then push out on patrol and set up Shuras to start engaging with the locals.
Home from home on the front line
Once these tasks had been achieved they could set about transforming their new home. The soldiers are ingenious at making life as comfortable as possible.
Their basic needs are catered for first. Already there is a separate wash area, a curtained off toilet and the eagerly awaited solar showers arrived by helicopter. They are now set up and ready for use once the sun has heated them up.
The soldiers are issued with small stoves but by now a kettle sits on a blackened hearth providing a never ending stream of 'brews' or 'chai' (tea), which both the British and Afghan soldiers drink continually.
They are also issued with mugs but they seem to like making them out of discarded equipment. Greenies - mugs made out of plastic motor shell covers - are very popular.
Once the necessities are dealt with then more amenities can be built. The soldiers have even constructed a gym with a set of iPod speakers pumping out music so they can work out when not out on patrol.
Corporal Hall, Mortar Section Commander, said: "This is what soldiers do. Once they have sorted out their work they want to make life as comfortable as possible and they just crack on and do it with whatever they can find."
The real work - patrolling, organising Shurhas and dealing with IEDs continues as ever - but in Camp the ingenuity of the soldiers makes life that little bit more comfortable on the front line.