WIREDGOV

UK service personnel have left southern Afghanistan after completing the most challenging military redeployment operation for a generation.

Servicemen and women watched as the Union flag was lowered at Kandahar airfield, where RAF personnel have operated since 2001.

The ceremony was attended by Britain’s Ambassador to Afghanistan, Sir Richard Stagg, the UK National Contingent Commander, Major General Ben Bathurst, and Commander British Forces Afghanistan, Brigadier James Stopford.

Major General Ben Bathurst said:

We have said farewell to British Forces in Helmand and now Kandahar, bringing to a close our combat mission here in Afghanistan.

The logistic effort involved has been immense, carried out with the utmost professionalism by Joint Force Support with logisticians from all three Services.

Our focus is now on the future, where those of us who will remain in Kabul will be concentrating on advising and assisting the Afghan National Security Forces at the Ministerial level and at the Afghan National Army Officer Academy.

Personnel from the RAF’s 904 Expeditionary Air Wing (EAW) boarded a C17 aircraft bound for the UK alongside colleagues from the Joint Force Support Unit which was responsible for supporting military operations in Afghanistan.

Full article, photos and related links