Matthew visited troops serving in Afghanistan during a flying visit to Camp Bastion. Departing from Brize Norton, Matthew arrived in the country on Friday to learn how the UK mission in Helmand is progressing and to get a detailed understanding of the campaign and the challenges leading to the proposed withdrawal of the ISAF at the end of 2014. As part of this visit Matthew met many of the service personnel deployed on the base and saw demonstrations of their key capabilities.
The visit consisted of meetings with officers including Lt Gen James Bucknall (Deputy Commander International Security Force) demonstrations of the Military Working Dogs Support Unit, the Explosive Ordnance Search and Disposal Task Force, meetings with senior officers in the Afghan National Army (and local Afghans who work at Camp Bastion), an opportunity to examine the capability of Protected Mobility vehicles, intelligence surveillance, Acquisition Reconnaissance and Dismounted Close Contact vehicles and discussion with the Royal Engineers and logistics corp. Matthew also accompanied troops home who had completed their six-month tour of duty and were being returned to the UK via Cyprus. Personnel go through a short period of ‘compression’ to re-enter them back into a safe zone and this occurs through activities of rest and recuperation on the island.
Matthew said: “Of the short time I spent in theatre a lot of information was exchanged and I have gained a greater understanding of what has been achieved in the country and what challenges we face before the mission is completed. It is a sobering thought that of the 41 deaths in Afghanistan this year all have been in Helmand province, and the majority have been in the Nahr-e Saraj district. The Royal Engineers I met were going out on patrol within hours of meeting us and were heading to the Nahr-e Saraj district. The mood amongst these personnel was very upbeat and I heard positive comments about both the campaign and how facilities have improved in recent years. I feel there will be many lessons to be learnt at the conclusion of this campaign and my visit has provided me with a better understanding of what has occurred. I have had friends serving in Afghanistan and now have a much greater appreciation of the contribution they have made to protecting us here in the UK and in the wider world.”
Photo: Matthew discussing the experiences of army personnel over lunch in an Afghan village