Most of the soldiers at the base are from the 2 Royal Anglian Battalion but there are soldiers from units across the UK including the 21 Signals Regiment in Devon and Army Reservists from Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk.

The soldiers took part in a series of challenges in an attempt to be crowned omelette challenge and header champions of Helmand Province.

Football fever gripped the camp as soldiers from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers attempted to break the record for the “header bin challenge”. Despite their best efforts they didn’t manage to break the record which is currently held by Manchester City Football Club.

The camp is home to three Military Working Dogs, Sara, Daisy and Bailey. Sara demonstrated her protection skills by catching a Father Christmas impersonator who was trying to steal the soldier’s presents.

As UK forces withdraw from Afghanistan, the Lashkar Gah base is due to close early next year. As the Afghan Forces continue to take responsibility for security in the area the UK forces have been focussing on the logistical challenges of returning all their kit back to the UK.