We had dinner with Brize Norton’s Station Commander, Group Captain Domonic Stamp, and stayed on station over night ready for an early flight. After a formal situation briefing, we had to collect body armour and hand over our mobile phones and laptops (As an MP, I get hundreds of emails every day and I was dreading being disconnected for so long!). We then started our long flight in a C17 Globe Master 3 military transport aircraft all the way to Camp Bastion, Helmand Province.
Along with a large cohort of MPs and several Lords, there were new guard dogs with their handlers and a full load of supplies for the camp, so it was a somewhat cramped flight! C17s are massive aircraft and extremely noisy inside. It is impossible to hold a conversation without the use of a headset and microphone, so I took the opportunity to catch up on some reading. However, I was invited onto the flight deck and had a good chat with the captain and the pilot about their role in providing the Air Bridge, delivering supplies and servicing our troops on the ground.
After a quick refuelling stop in Turkey, we took a steep dive down in Afghanistan and landed at Camp Bastion, having donned our body armour and steel helmets. We were given a security briefing and then we taken to our tents for a brief sleep.
That morning, we were treated to an excellent English breakfast before taking part in a question and answer session with the Deputy Commander of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), Lieutenant General James Bucknall, and Commander of South West Regional Command, Brigadier Nick Welch.
Next, we got to meet Royal Engineers who were tasked with locating and making safe Improvised Explosive Devises (IEDs) using sniffer dogs and remote controlled robots. All very brave men and women putting their lives on the line for their comrades.
We spent some time with the Royal Engineers in the desert, discussing their vital role and seeing a demonstration of how they approach and dispose of IEDS. We then had lunch with the engineers in an Afghan village, together with Afghan locals who help the troops with training and vital local intelligence.
Another lengthy question and answer session then took place with the Commander of Task Force Helmand, Brigadier Sanders, regarding the progress being made against the Taliban. There was a particularly interesting presentation by the commanding officer of the Afghan Army, Brigadier General Sheren-Shah Kobadi, who has twenty years experience of fighting the Taliban. He was also previously imprisoned by the Taliban, giving him a unique insight into how they operate.
Having met the senior officers, we were all very keen to meet the troops on the ground. I was absolutely delighted to have a chance meeting with a Sergeant Major from Runcorn.
The troops were also keen for us to take a look at their kit and we were given a good demonstration of their personal kit including fire arms and body armour, surveillance and communications equipment. We were also shown around the very latest armoured fighting vehicles that are designed to give maximum protection while also giving flexibility for operational needs. It was very pleasing to learn that they are much happier with the equipment they have now.
We finished the day with an evening meal in the mess with servicemen from the Army, Air Force and Royal Navy, which was a real honour.
On our return flight, we joined a section of troops flying back to the United Kingdom after a 6 month of tour of duty.
I came away from Afghanistan far better informed and confident that our troops are winning the battle of hearts and minds of the Afghan population. I am reassured that the Afghan Army and Police are making significant progress in their capabilities and are willing and able to take up the slack when our troops start to leave the country after 2013.
I was also massively impressed with the service men and women of all three services. Their professionalism, hard work, commitment, courage and, all too often, self sacrifice, is second to none.
In the short time I was visiting Afghanistan four soldiers were tragically killed in action, in 3 separate attacks. It is a timely reminder to us all in politics, that despite our best efforts to provide our troops with the best equipment possible, they are ultimately still operating in an extremely dangerous theatre of operations. They are putting their lives on the line every single day so that we can live in security, peace and freedom.