Dominating the ground is the key for the men in Patrol Base Saheed, so day and night troops are out doing just that.
Having overwhelmed the Taliban on Op Moshtarak, the fusiliers alongside the Afghan Warriors together with the French Foreign Legionnaires get in amongst the locals to make sure they feel secure.

Starting out on the patrol.

Spring is very much in the air. The temperature is rising and crops are really starting to take hold.

A break next to a small waterwheel kicking out about 10 kilowatts of electricity.

Checking for signs of trouble.

ANA, Welsh and French soldiers talking tactics.

ANA Warriors with some serious fire power between them.

Farmers in the fields making sure weeds don’t stifle the crop.

A local elder out seeing what we are up to.

The point man out at the front checking for IEDs.

In a few hours time we’ll be having chips.

Having bought it all, some lucky lad has to carry it back.

Chatting with locals at the shop. One of them draws us a picture after persuading a soldier to hand over a pen. We get through a lot of pens when we are out.

A farmer out with some of his flock. They have never been cross bred for meat or wool, they are just as nature intended them to be.

A local boy walks along with the patrol for a while.

Checking we are on the right route home.

Home at last just as the sun sets.
Pictures: Major Paul Smyth