Afghanistan 2007

The Chief of the General Staff visits the ‘Vikings’.

Right: 1st Battalion soldiers leave Camp Bastion in an armoured vehicle - also known as a 'Viking'!

The CGS was very keen to meet personnel of the Battalion who had just returned from fighting the Taliban in the Lower Sangin Valley during Operation Silicon.

Left: Chief of the General Staff, Sir Richard Dannatt (foreground, right), chats to Corporal Stephen Martin at Camp Bastion.

Private James Booth from Witham (background, left) said: ‘He came and shook my hand and asked me what it is like out here. I told him it’s not what I’ve seen on TV because it’s pretty good out here.’

Corporal Stephen Martin from Peterborough (foreground, left) added: ‘In my 10 year career in the Army I’ve met most people. The CGS came and asked me how much ammunition I carried last week and if it was enough. I told him it was about right.’

Corporal Martin concluded: ‘It is good for the lads even if they don’t really know that, but it raises morale. It’s good to see the Chief of Army taking interest in the lads, coming on the ground and not just sitting in his office in Whitehall.'

Right: Repatriation ceremony at Camp Bastion for Private Chris Gray.

Text: Eastern Daily Press