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The magazine of the art-form of the photo-essay “A free, really high quality photo-essay magazine.  Fabulous!” Stephen Fry. British actor, writer and film & documentary maker
Oct 2013 back issue
Camp Life Afghanistan
by Damian Bird
Over the next 16 months the majority of military camps housing ISAF forces will be emptied of their personnel as coalition forces prepare to withdraw from Afghanistan by December 2014. With special thanks to the RAF.
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The temperature was 40°, the homemade chair was comfortable and the artist was resting near his work.  British armed forces make their environment in theatre more friendly and personalised by painting murals on the grey, concrete blast walls in the camp.  Camp Bastion.
RAF Chinook pilots refuel at Camp Bastion.
RAF police dog handler in Camp Bastion demonstrating the unflinching obedience of his force protection dog.
Three tailor’s dummies on display in a 6 foot high (dust proof) glass cabinet in Camp Souter, Kabul. Reflected in the glass is one of the cannons that sits infront of the ISAF HQ building and a new IED proof armoured military vehicle used by British ISAF in Afghanistan. The camp tailor is thought to be very good.
There are no naturally occuring gardens in the dry desert heat of Camp Bastion. This small garden is an oasis of green and requires daily irrigation to keep it from succumbing to the dust.
RAF force protection checking Camp Souter’s perimeter for IEDs. The hull of the IED proof British military vehicle in the background is shaped like a V as a device to deflect the force that would eminate from an exploding IED away from soliders inside.
A convoy of three RAF IED-proof force protection on patrol around the perimeter of Camp Bastion. The grill on the outside of this vehicle is designed to protect the vehicle from rocket propelled grenades.
All ‘Afghan National’ employees enter Camp Bastion via this check point, at which they are searched for weapons and IEDs.  This barrier is in place to offer the RAF police on the gate a little protection should they come under fire from insurgents trying to enter the camp.
The bond that exists between RAF sniffer dogs and their handlers is very strong. This RAF lady police officer explained to me that the dog she handles is the only dog that she would ever dream of letting lick her face.
RAF Tornado pilots watching a Bond film whilst waiting in readiness to scramble in response to any emergency in Afghanistan where a Tornado could assist.
RAF police dog handler demonstrating his perfect rapport with his K9 partner (Camp Bastion).
The RAF have amusing objects which are sent to them by their families at home.  Mail from home is very important to those in theatre.
Photograph taken inside a British IED proof military vehicle of the display inside the cab that is hooked up to CCTV cameras located on all 4 corners of the vehicle. The walls seen here are part of the protective perimeter of Camp Souter, Kabul.
The seats for military personal in Hercules aren’t comfortable and morale can suffer amongst troops when flights are delayed as this one was by approx. 12 hours. This shaky image was taken on a flight from Camp Souter (Kabul) to Kandahar Air Base at 4am. I felt that the blurring of the image and the green light which was on all night, captured the mood.
RAF Firemen at Camp Souter training with their cutting gear to slice through the bullet proof plating of a modern British military vehicle, which had been shot up and written-off whilst on patrol.
Tattoo of Jesus on the arm of an RAF soldier who was manning one of the look-out towers that surround Camp Bastion’s perimeter.
Stencilled image of John Goodman on a blast wall in Kandahar Air Base (image derived from Big Lebowski).
Once a week the cigar club ‘The Kandahar Coughers’ meet up near the Boardwalk at Kandahar Air Base to smoke and meditate in a group of like minded individuals.
The Boardwalk, Kandahar Air Base, around which one can relax and find escape in retail therapy: shops selling traditional Afghan and Western wares as well as familiar eateries. There is no shortage of choice on the Boardwalk.
Camp Bastion may well be landlocked but with RAF art comes access to beach life.
within the confines of: Bastion, Kandahar and Souter
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