51 Sqn have taken over from 2 Sqn RAF Regt and are deployed at KAF until September 2007.

The Sqn  have already found a rocket that could have been used against the air base. so have already had a good find.

Paul will send the web site updates when possible to let us all know how things are going for the Sqn.

Click on the images to enlarge.

 

 

Paul is also doing a video diary and is armed with a combat camera. All the footage gets sent to London on a Friday.  Then each week they add the videos to YouTube and the RAF Careers website. Its not up and running yet as he only been there for 3 weeks and they wanted a month of video before going live with it

14/5/2007 :  Afghanistan - Week = Ive Lost Count!

Hello Everyone,

Ive now been in Afghanistan for, well to be honest, Ive totally lost count of the weeks, as I work a funny rotation system, and the days seem to roll into one, and the weeks into days. I know that each time I see the sun rise over the mountains, Im one more day closer to coming home, so thats all that counts.

My experiences over here have been amazing. The terrain like Ive said many times before is quite remarkable. And seeing such a different culture with different attitudes and values is great stuff.

I seem to learn something new everyday, as I thought originally it would be just like Iraq. But Ive found the Afghan's are very different from the Arabs. Most Afghan's actually hate Pakistan and Iraq, the two main bordering countries. This is because they believe that these two countries cause all the trouble in Afghan to keep there countries in a good state.

Today I spent the day in the Field Hospital. I sat through 3 major surgeries. I saw a young Afghani woman have her leg amputated. Was interesting to see how talented the surgeons are and how remarkable they are. Very talented men and women. But It made me so sad and down. I was there living the experience with a casualty of war. This woman had been caught up in the cross fire. She also had bad shrapnel wounds. For all the good work the surgeons did to stitch her up, the scars will live with her forever.

But this is the reality of war, and at times, its not a nice thing. I learned a lot today, and I got to put drips in people and give a few needles, and even played my part in the operating theatre, by giving oxygen and putting the casualty to sleep. It was good to get hands on, but by the end of my third surgery, I felt quite sick. I now think the sight of a shrapnel wound will not bother me as much though, as I got to see it all today. I'd like to think Im now prepared for the worst, but fingers crossed Its the last sight of this injury I ever see!

The weather is red hot, and Its only getting hotter. Im getting a nice sun tan though, so that's nice. At least Im not paying holiday fee's for my tan. hahahaha!

I hear Glen Roader resigned as Newcastle boss, and Sam Alladyce has taken over. How behind the news am I? I hope big Sam does a good job for the Toon Army next year, and could people please tell me about these things! I aint read a single newspaper since I got here. Nor have I watched any T.V. Not even a DVD on my laptop. Im just so busy.

On the TV subject and the newspaper thing. It was really nice to see myself in the Evening Chronicle. I didnt even know the article was going to press. But it was good PR, for the films Im making. Im really enjoying my war time video logs. Its good for me to express my feelings, and the camera is like my friend out here. I can tell it almost anything, and I always feel a bit better after it.

Make sure you all keep up to date with my tour and experiences at the following address: