During his deployment Ross is embedded with Delta Company, part of the Canterbury based Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (5 Scots).<\/p>","url":"2009/1/16/Ross-Kemp-Return-To-Afghanistan-troops-3.jpg","width":570,"height":364,"alt":"Ross Kemp Return To Afghanistan - troops"},{"captionHeading":"Sergeant Danny Carter Runs Through Drills","caption":"
Ross investigates how things have changed since he was last in the province and how the British forces are combating the changing tactics of the Taliban.<\/p>
“We were in a different area this year; we went to Musa Qaleh which was in the hands of the Taliban last time we were there. We went out into the Green Zone which was very dangerous, the corn was very high and you couldn't see the enemy so the contacts were very close”, Ross. So close at times bayonets were fixed.<\/p>
Ross adds; “Progress in Helmand rests and falls on what happens in Musa Qaleh. The Taliban surround it on all sides”.<\/p>","url":"2009/1/16/Ross-Kemp-Return-To-Afghanistan-troops-31.jpg","width":570,"height":364,"alt":"Ross Kemp Return To Afghanistan - troops"},{"captionHeading":"Delta Company Practice Casualty Drill","caption":"
Ensuring they are well prepared for patrol, Ross observes a casualty drill.<\/p>","url":"2009/1/16/Ross-Kemp-Return-To-Afghanistan-troops-5.jpg","width":570,"height":364,"alt":"Ross Kemp Return To Afghanistan - troops"},{"captionHeading":"Ross In The Green Zone","caption":"
Newly arrived Ross and the crew are told to pack their bags for their longest operation yet, north into the Taliban controlled Green Zone. <\/p>
After just 30 minutes on the ground Ross and Delta Company are caught in the middle of a well orchestrated Taliban ambush; coming under severe small arms fire and RPG attack. The only way to escape the ambush is to advance into enemy fire.<\/p>
It’s one of several ambushes which culminate in Ross and Delta Company being surrounded by the Taliban.<\/p>","url":"2009/1/16/Ross-Kemp-Return-To-Afghanistan-troops-22.jpg","width":570,"height":364,"alt":"Ross Kemp Return To Afghanistan - troops"},{"captionHeading":"Soldiers Deep In The Green Zone","caption":"
The Green Zone refers to the agricultural areas in Helmand. These areas are concentrated, and the Green Zone runs alongside and parallel to the Helmand river where farmers can irrigate their crops. Due to the extreme climate as soon as the irrigation channels / ditches end it is nigh on impossible for anything to grow due to lack of water.<\/p>
In the summer after the poppy harvest one of the main crops is wheat which can grow up to 8ft tall which can make fighting extremely difficult as visibility is reduced for both friendly and enemy forces. The height of the crops and the cover they provide can mean that the troops are fighting at very close quarters.<\/p>","url":"2009/1/16/Ross-Kemp-Return-To-Afghanistan-troops.jpg","width":570,"height":364,"alt":"Ross Kemp Return To Afghanistan - troops"},{"captionHeading":"Ross In The Green Zone","caption":"
On arriving in Musa Qaleh Ross comments: “We just had to adapt to what we encountered. Almost from the moment we got there, we were face down on the ground under constant Taliban fire. You just have to get through it. It’s amazing how much energy you can find when someone’s trying to shoot at you.” Describing how he was previously shot at, Ross comments: “Anyone who says they’re not scared would be bullshitting.”<\/p>","url":"2009/1/16/Ross-Kemp-Return-To-Afghanistan-troops-18.jpg","width":570,"height":364,"alt":"Ross Kemp Return To Afghanistan - troops"},{"captionHeading":"Captain Steve Rae","caption":"
Out in the Green Zone, battling the stifling heat and reduced visibility (by the high growing crops).<\/p>","url":"2009/1/16/Ross-Kemp-Return-To-Afghanistan-troops-1.jpg","width":570,"height":364,"alt":"Ross Kemp Return To Afghanistan - troops"},{"captionHeading":"Ross In The Green Zone","caption":"
The Green Zone refers to the agricultural areas in Helmand. These areas are concentrated, and the Green Zone runs alongside and parallel to the Helmand river where farmers can irrigate their crops. Due to the extreme climate as soon as the irrigation channels / ditches end it is nigh on impossible for anything to grow due to lack of water.<\/p>
In the summer after the poppy harvest one of the main crops is wheat which can grow up to 8ft tall which can make fighting extremely difficult as visibility is reduced for both friendly and enemy forces. The height of the crops and the cover they provide can mean that the troops are fighting at very close quarters.<\/p>","url":"2009/1/16/Ross-Kemp-Return-To-Afghanistan-troops-14.jpg","width":570,"height":364,"alt":"Ross Kemp Return To Afghanistan - troops"},{"captionHeading":"Soldiers Deep In The Green Zone","caption":"
The Green Zone refers to the agricultural areas in Helmand. These areas are concentrated, and the Green Zone runs alongside and parallel to the Helmand river where farmers can irrigate their crops. Due to the extreme climate as soon as the irrigation channels / ditches end it is nigh on impossible for anything to grow due to lack of water.<\/p>
In the summer after the poppy harvest one of the main crops is wheat which can grow up to 8ft tall which can make fighting extremely difficult as visibility is reduced for both friendly and enemy forces. The height of the crops and the cover they provide can mean that the troops are fighting at very close quarters.<\/p>","url":"2009/1/16/Ross-Kemp-Return-To-Afghanistan-troops-32.jpg","width":570,"height":364,"alt":"Ross Kemp Return To Afghanistan - troops"},{"captionHeading":"Ross Rests In Green Zone","caption":"
The Green Zone refers to the agricultural areas in Helmand. These areas are concentrated, and the Green Zone runs alongside and parallel to the Helmand river where farmers can irrigate their crops. Due to the extreme climate as soon as the irrigation channels / ditches end it is nigh on impossible for anything to grow due to lack of water.<\/p>
In the summer after the poppy harvest one of the main crops is wheat which can grow up to 8ft tall which can make fighting extremely difficult as visibility is reduced for both friendly and enemy forces. The height of the crops and the cover they provide can mean that the troops are fighting at very close quarters.<\/p>","url":"2009/1/16/Ross-Kemp-Return-To-Afghanistan-troops-13.jpg","width":570,"height":364,"alt":"Ross Kemp Return To Afghanistan - troops"},{"captionHeading":"Officer Commander Major Nick Calder Briefing","caption":"
Troops prepare for the patrol ahead.<\/p>","url":"2009/1/16/Ross-Kemp-Return-To-Afghanistan-troops-9.jpg","width":570,"height":364,"alt":"Ross Kemp Return To Afghanistan - troops"},{"captionHeading":"Delta Company Rest","caption":"
Aside from the threat of the contact with the Taliban, the temperature during Ross's second trip out to Helmand were in the 40's and heat exhaustion is a major concern. Here the men take a much needed rest.<\/p>","url":"2009/1/16/Ross-Kemp-Return-To-Afghanistan-troops-4.jpg","width":570,"height":364,"alt":"Ross Kemp Return To Afghanistan - troops"},{"captionHeading":"Delta Company Rest","caption":"
Aside from the threat of the contact with the Taliban, the temperature during Ross's second trip out to Helmand were in the 40's and heat exhaustion is a major concern. Here the men take a much needed rest.<\/p>","url":"2009/1/16/Ross-Kemp-Return-To-Afghanistan-troops-6.jpg","width":570,"height":364,"alt":"Ross Kemp Return To Afghanistan - troops"},{"captionHeading":"Ross On Patrol","caption":"
Aside from the threat of the contact with the Taliban, the temperature during Ross's second trip out to Helmand were in the 40's and heat exhaustion is a major concern. Here the men take a much needed rest.<\/p>","url":"2009/1/16/Ross-Kemp-Return-To-Afghanistan-troops-23.jpg","width":570,"height":364,"alt":"Ross Kemp Return To Afghanistan - troops"},{"captionHeading":"Major Nick Calder","caption":"
Aside from the threat of the contact with the Taliban, the temperature during Ross's second trip out to Helmand were in the 40's and heat exhaustion is a major concern. Here the men take a much needed rest.<\/p>","url":"2009/1/16/Ross-Kemp-Return-To-Afghanistan-troops-7.jpg","width":570,"height":364,"alt":"Ross Kemp Return To Afghanistan - troops"},{"captionHeading":"Officer Commander Major Nick Calder","caption":"
Taking a moment to regroup amidst the contact with Taliban.<\/p>","url":"2009/1/16/Ross-Kemp-Return-To-Afghanistan-troops-8.jpg","width":570,"height":364,"alt":"Ross Kemp Return To Afghanistan - troops"},{"captionHeading":"Ross On Patrol","caption":"
“The war has changed in that the Taliban are using far more IED's and anti-personnel mines. You don’t have to feed an anti-personnel mine; you don’t have to feed an IED. Another concern is that the Taliban have started laying IED’s in ditches. They know that once a soldier comes under fire they will head for cover. That added pressure, that your next step could be your last, plays havoc with you,” Ross.<\/p>","url":"2009/1/16/Ross-Kemp-Return-To-Afghanistan-troops-21.jpg","width":570,"height":364,"alt":"Ross Kemp Return To Afghanistan - troops"},{"captionHeading":"Ross On Patrol","caption":"
“The war has changed in that the Taliban are using far more IED's and anti-personnel mines. You don’t have to feed an anti-personnel mine; you don’t have to feed an IED. Another concern is that the Taliban have started laying IED’s in ditches. They know that once a soldier comes under fire they will head for cover. That added pressure, that your next step could be your last, plays havoc with you,” Ross.<\/p>","url":"2009/1/16/Ross-Kemp-Return-To-Afghanistan-troops-27.jpg","width":570,"height":364,"alt":"Ross Kemp Return To Afghanistan - troops"},{"captionHeading":"Ross Rests","caption":"
Aside from the threat of the contact with the Taliban, the temperature during Ross's second trip out to Helmand were in the 40's and heat exhaustion is a major concern. Here the men take a much needed rest.<\/p>","url":"2009/1/16/Ross-Kemp-Return-To-Afghanistan-troops-29.jpg","width":570,"height":364,"alt":"Ross Kemp Return To Afghanistan - troops"},{"captionHeading":"Mastiffs Returning To Musa Qaleh Base","caption":"
The Mastiff vehicle is a heavily armoured, 6x6 wheel drive protected patrol vehicle.<\/p>","url":"2009/1/16/Ross-Kemp-Return-To-Afghanistan-land-8.jpg","width":570,"height":364,"alt":"Ross Kemp Return To Afghanistan - land"},{"captionHeading":"","caption":"
On the current situation and ability of the Taliban Ross comments: “In terms of what I’ve experienced before that was as tough and as hard as it gets. It’s very hard to win when you’ve got no air support in modern warfare. That said, they’re doing a pretty good job. Let’s not underestimate the tenacity and cunning of the Taliban. They’ve been fighting for many years. If you know the land you have an advantage – and they clearly know the land very well.”<\/p>","url":"2009/1/16/Ross-Kemp-Return-To-Afghanistan-troops-30.jpg","width":570,"height":364,"alt":"Ross Kemp Return To Afghanistan - troops"}];