ALL units deployed in Afghanistan have been busy completing the intheatre training package, which lasts seven days and has been carried out in steadily rising temperatures.

It didn’t take long after the official handover for the soldiers of 22 Regiment Royal Engineers to get on with the task.

They are building new defences at FOBShawqat, in Helmand Province.

Working above the fence-line, they have to wear their full personal protective equipment, even in the scorching midday sun.

Handovers began very quickly.

Upon arriving at the Patrol Base, the first few men of 1 Troop, 3 Armoured Engineer Squadron were greeted by the remaining elements of 4 Troop, 73 Squadron, 21 Engineer Regiment who they would be taking over from.

The handover started as soon as they exited the Chinook aircraft. A few of the lucky early leavers filled the vacant places in the helicopter.

By the end of the week the handover was complete and work began.

4 RIFLES are fully in the process of taking over their role as the Brigade Advisory Group (BAG) from 1 SCOTS.

Days are long and they are working 12-hour days at a minimum, taking in all the information.

Currently A, R Coy and the attached Royal Tank Regiment/Lancashire Regiment soldiers have deployed to their forward operating bases.

The living standards in all the bases are good compared to previous tours, and there will be updates coming from them in the next few days.

BAG HQ is still doing the initial training package and has almost finished.