 Lt General Jim Dutton and Jon Sopel
Jon Sopel is in Afghanistan for a special programme from Camp Bastion to mark Remembrance Sunday. Here he describes the journey into the base. It was written on his mobile: In Dubai airport I rent a hotel room by the hour to clean up and shave before the flight to Kabul. Was amazed how full the flight was. In Dubai international the people at our gate really didn't look like the rest of the tourists.  Jon Sopel reporting from Camp Bastion |
There was a preponderance of men. Big men. Big desert boots. Keeping themselves to themselves. Probably the highest proportion of ex special forces guys you're ever going to find on a flight, perhaps with exception of one organised by Simon Mann to Equatorial Guinea. Essentially Safi Airways flies from the Gulf, and now Frankfurt to Kabul. Its unique selling point is that unlike other competitors flying in, Safi meets European safety standards. As selling points go, it's not a bad one. It even has an in-flight magazine. The first article in it is a focus on the satisfied business customers. So far, so normal.  The passenger terminal at Kabul Airport, Afghanistan |
Except the two page spread is on a German guy who flies in and out to Kabul all the time. He's selling armoured vehicles in Afghanistan. And guess what? Business is good. Kabul airport. Rickety old buses take us to a rather down at heel terminal. We queue patiently but quickly find the results of international investment. Eye scanners at each shabby desk. A military escort awaits. A South African is assigned as my close protection officer. We're in an armoured vehicle. I casually wonder whether it was supplied by the German. The journey to ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) HQ is short. I am told in the event of any incident I am under his command.  |  Safety catches come off the M16s. It is nothing, but did my heart momentarily start to beat a little faster? I think you know the answer to that |
He advises what to do if we come under fire (get down) and what to do if we have to evacuate (run, with pursuit vehicle providing covering fire). Am told how the doors push out in event of an IED (improvised explosive device). Interview goes well with General Dutton. He's very engaging. The same crew take me back, but this time to military side of airport. A pick up stops suddenly in front of us and starts trying to execute a three point turn. Safety catches come off the M16s. It is nothing, but did my heart momentarily start to beat a little faster? I think you know the answer to that. The Australian major who was with me said there aren't that many incidents, but when there are, they're big.  A soldier patrols the area next to the runway at Camp Bastion in Helmand Province |
The military side of the airport could not be more different. Everything is new build and big and bright. The dining hall is huge, catering for dozens of different nationalities with an endless choice of food. Now waiting to board flight to Camp Bastion. Am probably the only civilian on flight. We went through all usual scanners. Didn't really think twice about it - except seeing as every soldier around me in the departure hall is carrying either a loaded rifle or pistol, what exactly are they scanning for? Maybe my blackberry is going to trigger an alarm. To mark Remembrance Sunday the Politics Show is live from Camp Bastion in Afghanistan, BBC One, Sunday 8th November, 1215 GMT.
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