The security of Camp Bastion, the British Military's largest base in Helmand Province is for the next 6 months the job of Territorial Army Soldiers from Northern Ireland.

Protecting the base in the middle of the harsh Afghan desert is the responsibility of 140 soldiers from Imjin Company, Second Battalion, The Royal Irish Regiment.
Known as the Force Protection Company they have the vitally important task of ensuring the safety of the thousands of soldiers working in Camp Bastion.

They fulfil a multitude of tasks; patrolling the immediate area of the base, engaging with the local population, providing protection teams for the MERT, Helmand Province's combat air ambulance, and a reserve force ready to respond at a moments notice to incidents anywhere with in the area they are responsible for.

The Company is made up of territorial soldiers from all over Northern Ireland with a small number of regular soldiers.

Ranger Neil Hughes 25, told us:

"I don't mind the heat; it's better than being cold wet and miserable but the weight we carry is hard work."

Neil from Ballymena is a Top cover Gunner which means he is the eye's and ears of the vehicle and covers the rest of the guys with his General Purpose Machine gun he went on to say.

"Friends and colleagues back home are worried about me, but they know this is what I sighed on for and they are proud of me and know the jobs worth doing".

Neil's other job is as a coach builder in civy street for Wright Buses

Patrolling the region around Camp Bastion the soldiers of Imajin Company often get the opportunity to meet with the local Afghan people living in many of the villages and compounds.

"We provide security and reassurance to the locals; many of them are both friendly and cooperative. I have found their culture to be very different but also very interesting their foods pretty good as too."

Imajin Company is commanded by Major Mark Hudson, originally from Cookstown. Talking about the responsibility of leading 140 men who, on a daily, basis can find themselves in potentially dangerous situations told us

"I have to believe that I will bring them all home safely"

Major Hudson went on to say.

"Imajin Company are great territorial soldiers they are as capable and able as there regular counterparts."

On a more personal note all of the soldiers in the Company have made personnel sacrifices to serve in Afghanistan, postponing weddings, and holidays, missing birthdays and family gatherings. Neil spoke about his wife Rhonda and how she felt about his mobilisation.

"At first Rhonda was very upset but through our pre deployment training in England she started to come to turns with it but she never stops missing me and wishing me home."

All of the soldiers we spoke to are overwhelmingly grateful for all the support they have received from their friends, families and colleagues back home in the Province.