Weekend Breakfast from Afghanistan
I said yes as soon as they asked me. 5 live wanted to do something special for Remembrance Weekend, and the chance to join the men and women paying tribute on the frontline in Afghanistan was too special to miss. I was full of anticipation as I packed my things and clambered about the huge C17 transport plane that would deliver me to my home for the next week - Camp Bastion.
Photo: Owen Humphreys / PA
There were moments here that gave me a real lump in my throat. Watching the Armistice Day service at home is always poignant, but doing it in Afghanistan, watching the people taking part reading the names of the close friends they've lost from shining brass plaques on the memorial wall is a completely different experience. Every time a soldier dies here, a special vigil service is held to honour them - with at least two thousand servicemen and women attending. One happened during our time here. In the centre of the parade ground, the fallen soldier's helmet and gun lay in quiet tribute. We stood in silent rows as prayers were said. It was intensely moving.
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One of my favourite things about bringing Weekend Breakfast to Camp Bastion was the sheer variety of people we met. From theatre staff in the hospital fighting to save the lives of the most seriously injured, to Warthog commanders leading troops deep into the desert for missions lasting three weeks at a time, to the young infantrymen on the frontline at Lashkar Gar, fresh in from rescuing fellow soldiers from a roadside bomb blast - everyone impressed me with their resilience, their friendliness and their willingness to share their stories of life here.
Photo: Owen Humphreys / PA
Broadcasting from somewhere like this is always going to be a challenge. Spare bits of kit don't exist out here, so you have to bring everything you need with you - and double it - in case something goes wrong. The first time our mobile satellite kicked into life we found the antenna cable was broken, and we were immediately on the spare. Slightly worrying when you know you have at least six hours of live radio ahead of you.
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Work life balance takes a special effort in Camp Bastion. Our sleeping tent and office always shared with a healthy complement of buzzing flies) were exactly the same thing. Staying up late editing all the audio we'd gathered and then falling into a sleeping bag for a few hours before starting it all again at 7am was the norm. If you're out here for a full tour of duty you have to make sure you make time to switch off. Op Bronze and Op Massive are huge here. Despite the grand military titles it's actually something far simpler - basically using your six months to sunbathe whenever you can (the bronze) and work out till you have the perfect beach body (that's the massive!). The cluster of energy drinks and muscle-building potions on the shelves of the Naafi shop puts even the hardest bodybuilding gym to shame.
I didn't succumb, although perhaps I should have. The Garrison Sergeant Major -Camp Bastion's most senior soldier and a fierce disciplinarian - was politely scathing when I asked whether I was as well turned out as his troops. "You could do with running an iron over those trousers, and a haircut wouldn't go amiss", he observed. Thank goodness it's only radio...
You can listen to the Weekend Breakfast: Afghanistan Remembrance Special here.
Anna Foster presents Weekend Breakfast on Radio 5 live. Click here to follow her on Twitter.
Comment number 1.
At 15:48 14th Nov 2011, carrie wrote:May I be the first to suggest this series of reports is put forward for a Sony because for once it would be a deserved prize. Anna's warmth and kindness shine through on the page and in the broadcasts she made and I was incredibly moved by some of the stories, not least the vigil kept for a lost colleague.
Many congratulations Anna for getting to the heart of the big story and moving me at least, to tears.
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Comment number 2.
At 19:33 14th Nov 2011, zelda wrote:Very best wishes to all who are serving in overseas theatres. Keep safe.
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Comment number 3.
At 09:23 15th Nov 2011, carrie wrote:Weekend Breakfast seems to be pushing all the buttons for me and I enjoy it a good deal. However I have given up with the weekday version because having digital radio everywhere I can honestly say, I cannot hear a word Rachel says and all the advantage of the clearer reception one gets is totally lost every time she speaks. I know I'm not deaf because everyone else is as clear as a bell and she herself has to keep saying sorry or excuse me when her voice disappears.
The advantage of Phil when he is there, and Anna, is that their pronunciation and speech is clear.
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Comment number 4.
At 20:11 17th Nov 2011, lesleyclaire wrote:An excellent job by Anna, who should be on Breakfast every day IMO, although I would miss her with Phil at the weekends. Phil should also be on instead of Richard Bacon, as I have been listening in the afternoons again while he has been on, but I'd better not get onto that subject. Anna did a good job in for Shelagh today.
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