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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Forces get turkey and free calls | Forces get turkey and free calls |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| UK troops in Afghanistan are to be given an extra hour of free talk time to contact their families. | UK troops in Afghanistan are to be given an extra hour of free talk time to contact their families. |
| Personnel get 30 minutes of publicly-funded phone calls each week which can be used to ring family, but this Christmas they will get an extra hour. | Personnel get 30 minutes of publicly-funded phone calls each week which can be used to ring family, but this Christmas they will get an extra hour. |
| However for many soldiers in Afghanistan, Christmas Day will see them carrying out their usual front-line patrols. | However for many soldiers in Afghanistan, Christmas Day will see them carrying out their usual front-line patrols. |
| Those in the main bases will be eating Christmas dinner flown in from the UK. | Those in the main bases will be eating Christmas dinner flown in from the UK. |
| Turkey, ham, mince pies, Christmas pudding and presents have been airlifted to the Army in southern Afghanistan. | Turkey, ham, mince pies, Christmas pudding and presents have been airlifted to the Army in southern Afghanistan. |
| 'Second family' | 'Second family' |
| The BBC's Peter Greste, in Afghanistan, said the food was expected to be "a very welcome and festive departure from the usual rations". | The BBC's Peter Greste, in Afghanistan, said the food was expected to be "a very welcome and festive departure from the usual rations". |
| Explaining the festive atmosphere, he said: "Everyone would much rather be at home, but they are with the people that are in a lot of respects essentially a second family. | Explaining the festive atmosphere, he said: "Everyone would much rather be at home, but they are with the people that are in a lot of respects essentially a second family. |
| "If they can't be with their blood relatives, they are with people who matter to them." | "If they can't be with their blood relatives, they are with people who matter to them." |
| One hundred and twenty bags of Christmas hampers, books and magazines have also been flown in. | One hundred and twenty bags of Christmas hampers, books and magazines have also been flown in. |
| Rifleman Dan Parrack, of 3 Rifles, told our correspondent his thoughts turned to loved ones over Christmas and he was looking forward to returning home. | |
| BBC Breakfast put the soldier in touch with his mother Lisa Mitton, in High Wycombe, who said the chance to speak to her son and see him was "probably the best Christmas present" she could have asked for. | |
| Rifleman Dan Parrack gives his mum Christmas greetings from Afghanistan | |
| Servicemen and women will receive an additional 30 minutes free talk time from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and another 30 minutes from a communications company, giving them an extra hour to chat to family and friends between 22 December to 2 January. | Servicemen and women will receive an additional 30 minutes free talk time from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and another 30 minutes from a communications company, giving them an extra hour to chat to family and friends between 22 December to 2 January. |
| Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said: "Free telephone minutes mean our forces can talk to their loved ones back home when they are in Afghanistan. | Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said: "Free telephone minutes mean our forces can talk to their loved ones back home when they are in Afghanistan. |
| "I am delighted that we are able to boost the allowance even further over the Christmas and new year period." | "I am delighted that we are able to boost the allowance even further over the Christmas and new year period." |
| Flt Lt Andy Wilson, who manages the MoD's welfare communications, said: "Christmas can be a difficult time for the troops and their families and we hope that this goes some way in making this separation a little easier. | Flt Lt Andy Wilson, who manages the MoD's welfare communications, said: "Christmas can be a difficult time for the troops and their families and we hope that this goes some way in making this separation a little easier. |
| "This extra hour will allow families to share their news over the festive period, for mothers and fathers to have that extra bit of time to chat with their children and for the troops to feel as much a part of the celebrations as possible. | "This extra hour will allow families to share their news over the festive period, for mothers and fathers to have that extra bit of time to chat with their children and for the troops to feel as much a part of the celebrations as possible. |
| "Communication is vital to the morale of our personnel and the well-being of their loved ones at home, especially around this time of year." | "Communication is vital to the morale of our personnel and the well-being of their loved ones at home, especially around this time of year." |
| The number of British military personnel killed on operations in Afghanistan since 2001 stands at 243, with 106 from this year alone. | The number of British military personnel killed on operations in Afghanistan since 2001 stands at 243, with 106 from this year alone. |