Constant operations for Coldstream Guards in Helmand

"Nearly three months into our tour of Afghanistan, the festive season has been and gone. Time has passed so fast. Many members of the Battle Group found themselves at home for Christmas and, those who didn't, enjoyed the company of their 'brothers-in-arms'.

"If not with my wife and family, then there is no better place than with the soldiers in the Battle Group. The dedication to duty, care for each other and morale is exceptional. It's a joy to be part of such a special team.

"The Coldstream Guards Battle Group's Area of Operations [AO] is located along the river more or less in the centre of the province, between Gereshk in the north and the capital, Lashkar Gah, in the south. It is an extremely rural area - there is only one road.

"The people live in mud compounds built to varying standards, and surrounded by fields that are criss-crossed and separated by irrigation ditches. At the moment, the whole place looks a bit like East Anglia, with muddy ploughed fields and a lot of water - no patrol is complete without wet feet!

"The Patrol Bases from which we operate are a mixed bag of local compounds, taken over during Operation PANTHER'S CLAW during the summer, and purpose-built 'green field' sites. All, however, have seen a great deal of work from the Royal Engineers to make them fit for habitation in the winter.

"Number One Company, for instance, who slept under ponchos for the first month of the tour, now have proper tents, hardened shelters and electricity. Their compound has been spread with aggregate to ensure that the rain doesn't turn it into a swamp, and they have proper sangars and fortified walls.

"Operations are constant and we have set out to dominate our 'patch' with constant and aggressive patrolling. Whilst it's demanding, it ensures that the enemy is given little space to operate and, ultimately, makes life a lot safer for our troops and the people amongst whom we operate.

"The areas in which the companies work vary. Some, especially in the north east of the AO, are much more developed and are being targeted for work such as setting up schools and clinics, developing agriculture and improving employment opportunities.

"Other areas, such as in the west, are very much less developed and the task there is to win the trust of the people and put the insurgent onto the back foot in an area that, until last June, was firmly in Taliban control.

"The tragic death of Sergeant John Amer rocked the Battle Group. He will be sorely missed by all and especially by those who had the privilege of serving with him.

"Despite the bitter December weather, his funeral was a fitting send-off to a true son of the regiment. Mrs Sue Amer bravely wrote a letter to all ranks in the Number One Company Group. Her words of comfort and encouragement were well-received by all and are a source of strength to see them through to the end of the tour. John Amer's death was not and will not be in vain.

"The underlying threat to our troops remains co-ordinated shoots with rifles, machine guns and RPGs [rocket-propelled grenades], indirect fire attacks from mortars, and IED [improvised explosive device] attacks on all patrols. Despite these ambient threats we are engaged directly in working alongside our comrades in the Afghan National Army [ANA] and Police [ANP], both mentoring and partnering with them, with the aspiration that soon we can hand over the lead for security in the region to them. They are improving.

"Additionally, we are driving a programme of stabilisation projects, from mosque rebuilds to agricultural co-operatives, and we are forcing a new road through contested battlespace. The concept for the road is simple. Link up the two centres of government and commerce in Helmand, Lashkar Gah and Gereshk respectively, and support security along this route.

"Much like the Romans linking major population centres before, and the railways during the industrial revolution, this new transport link in Afghanistan will generate commercial activity and enhance the relative wealth of the local population.

"The Guardsmen continue to support all this activity with a vigour and level of professionalism which never ceases to impress me. In this most challenging of environments, selfless commitment, courage and teamwork are binding the Battle Group together, ever stronger each day. A wise man told me once that 'gentle folk sleep easy in their beds, while rough men stand ready in the night'.

Number One Company

"Since taking over their Patrol Base from the Mercians in October, Number One Company have made great strides in extending both ISAF [International Security Assistance Force] and Afghan control of their area. Despite the grief felt at the loss of Sergeant Amer and Lance Corporal Hill, and at the injuries suffered by others, the company remain resolute in their task and morale is high.

"Much effort has been put into turning Patrol Base 4 into a 'home from home', with highlights being the new 'cinema tent', the long dining table built by Lance Corporal McHenry in the communal area (complete with candle holders on the walls), and, of course, the gym.

"This is almost entirely improvised from the various items to be had around the area, whether they be sand-filled ammo tins or six-foot pickets weighted with concrete. The Brigade Commander described it as 'the best gym I have seen in theatre', which, bearing in mind he has visited every Patrol Base, demonstrates Number One Company's dedication to 'Op Massive'!

"With Lance Sergeant Burns working hard in the newly-erected field kitchen, there is a good mix of fresh food to offset the rations, and the company were able to celebrate Christmas in style - nearly 150 men fed by one chef and served by a four-star General!

"Life remains relatively spartan, but the important things are there in abundance and the company have risen together to the challenges facing them in true Coldstream-style. As ever, support from home is the bond that holds us together.

Number Two Company

"Number Two continue to have a varied and interesting tour, spread as they are about the area in support of every Battle Group. Their task is a challenging one, requiring both patience and tact - personality and example both count for a great deal and the company have them in spades. Lieutenant Philp has built up an extremely close relationship with the commander of the ANP in Babaji and the rest of the our Battle Group feel the benefit daily.

Number 9 Platoon

"The run up to Christmas had been particularly busy for the men of 9 Platoon. All have been working extremely hard putting in long days either on patrol out on the ground or manning the sangars back at the Patrol Base [PB]. The weather at PB 3 is unpredictable to say the least, with one day feeling like the wet, windswept training areas we know and love in the UK, and the next being poolside sunbathing conditions. The Company Group is doing some exceptionally good work out here and every man is playing their part.

Number 10 Platoon

"Check Point Kingshill has become a joint ISAF/ANA platoon house, with the platoon rotating each week and the ANA moving into the other half of the base. Initial worries were soon alleviated and the relationship between us and the ANA started off on the right foot.

"This involved continuing our joint patrols and sharing the front sangar with the Warriors, albeit leading to some long stags at night with only hand gestures and eager nodding and smiling as conversation.

"After a couple of weeks on the new rotation, 10 Platoon received the news that we were to be redeployed to PB 2 and tasked to provide security for the new road-build that will open up Babaji for the locals and ensure them safer travel from insurgent activity.

"The platoon deployed up to PB 2 in preparation for the long task ahead and so we handed Kingshill from one No 3 Company call sign to another, as Mr Hanking Evans' multiple came in to relieve us.

"If text link and showers were a luxury, then PB 2 was utopia in welfare terms. Our stay here made up for the first ten weeks 'roughing it' and the guys have all had their fill of widescreen TV, DVDs, food cooked by the chefs and an even better gym!

"And best of all, internet! It has also given us an opportunity to recharge our batteries before we begin our task. We are now closer to No 3 Company and have caught the odd glimpse of PB 3 from the sangars and enjoyed fleeting liaisons with those on the way out on R&R [Rest & Recuperation]. We are all looking forward to getting back to No 3 Company and catching up on all the news since the beginning of tour.

Fire Support Group (FSG)

"The FSG has been working extremely hard alongside the rest of the company whether it be on patrol, guard or QRF [Quick Reaction Force]. With the first group departing on R&R just days ago, morale has soared as individuals start to look forward to theirs.

"All of the cornfields surrounding our vast camp have dropped, making Helmand look more like Sennybridge or Otterburn. It certainly feels that way on patrol.

"The camp has grown in comfort with a new welfare suite containing three internet terminals and a small cinema where we get to watch re-runs of whatever has been on television at home recently. The current favourite is 'Skins'. We also have a well being dug by local contractors so we should be able to have warm showers more often.

"Our own home-made gym, the 'FSG Muscle Beach', has developed and there is now a proper gym on site. Lance Corporal 'Fossilhead' Parkes and Guardsman Crane have both been seen working hard to lighten the carriage of their sniper rifles around.

"The Platoon Commander is preparing for the Bronson Challenge where he will take on the Regimental Sergeant Major in attempting to complete 1,000 sit-ups, press-ups and over arm pull-ups in seven hours. It's all going to end in tears.

"Guardsman 'Swanny' Green has managed to befriend two cats that the lads have nicknamed 'Charlie' and 'Delta'. They appeared in camp as kittens and now help do battle with our mouse epidemic which, with their efforts, has turned the tables in our favour meaning less of the goodies sent from home end up in an Afghan mouse's stomach!"

See more pictures of the Coldstream Guards in Afghanistan here.