British Military HQ Moves To Camp Bastion

By Alistair Bunkall, Defence Correspondent

The headquarters of the British military operation in Afghanistan has moved from Lashkar Gah to Camp Bastion.

It marks a major milestone in the conflict.

For seven years, Lashkar Gah has been the location where all British military operations had been planned and commanded.

The move is part of the British plans for the withdrawal of all combat troops by the end of 2014.

It is a demonstration of how British troops are taking a step back in the fight against the Taliban and letting the Afghan Security Forces take the lead.

In total 260 personnel have moved back to Camp Bastion from Lashkar Gah.

Eight Chinooks worked in pairs for a day, moving people.

It has been described as one of the most complex headquarters moves since the Second World War.

The move to Camp Bastion marks a major milestone in the Afghan conflict

The Lashkar Gah base is still open however, for reconstruction and local liaison workers. A small number of British troops are still based there for force protection.

And the Commander of British Forces in Helmand Province has told Sky News that the decision to withdraw from the country was the right one and is on track.

"I think the end of 2014 timeline, the 5,200 (troops to be left in Afghanistan) by Christmas actually act as very effective forcing functions," Brigadier Rupert Jones said.

"It encourages us to step back and every time we've stepped back the Afghans have impressed us by the degree to which they've stepped forward, not least this Summer."

Although the security situation in Helmand Province is markedly better than a few years ago, that isn't necessarily the case for other parts of the country.

In Kabul, the country's capital, Afghan police and soldiers man checkpoints and guard posts at every road junction. International forces are still in the city, but to provide a supporting role when needed.

The country is currently on higher alert with the end of Ramadan and Eid.

Last week the Taliban attacked a civilian compound in the west of the country. A number of foreign workers were killed.

The task of closing British bases and moving equipment back to the UK has been under way since October 2012.

There are currently 11 British bases remaining, down from 137. By October of this year that number is set to be around five.

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