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Final major Afghanistan deployment begins for UK troops Final major Afghanistan deployment begins for UK troops
(about 2 hours later)
The last major British force to go to Helmand in southern Afghanistan has begun its deployment. The last major British force to be sent to Helmand in southern Afghanistan has begun its deployment after a formal handover ceremony.
The 7th Armoured Brigade, the Desert Rats, has arrived to complete the UK mission, Operation Herrick. The 7th Armoured Brigade, the Desert Rats, will be responsible for packing away forces' equipment ahead of the final British pullout next year.
The troops' main role will be to pack equipment ahead of the final British pullout next year - they are intended to do very little fighting because Afghan forces will take the lead. Troops are not expected to be involved in regular fighting as Afghan forces will now take the lead.
Some troops will remain there for nine months rather than the normal six. But some will remain in the country for nine months, rather than the usual six.
Taking controlTaking control
A ceremony is due to take place at Camp Bastion on Thursday for the 1st Mechanised Brigade to formally hand over to the Germany-based Desert Rats. A ceremony took place at Camp Bastion on Thursday for the 1st Mechanized Brigade to formally hand over to the Germany-based Desert Rats.
BBC Afghanistan correspondent David Loyn, speaking from the British base at Camp Bastion, said a large part of the force is made up of engineers as attention turns to bringing back equipment and disposing of what cannot be returned. Around 100 soldiers from both incoming and outgoing brigades gathered to take part.
BBC Afghanistan correspondent David Loyn, reporting from the ceremony, described it as a "handover like no other" as British troops arrive "to do not much more than packing to go home."
A large part of the force is made up of engineers as attention turns to bringing back equipment and disposing of what cannot be returned.
Afghan forces will take the lead on all operations, but British troops have enough army and infantry for combat.Afghan forces will take the lead on all operations, but British troops have enough army and infantry for combat.
All combat operations in the country are expected to be over by the end of next year, leaving Afghan forces fully in control.All combat operations in the country are expected to be over by the end of next year, leaving Afghan forces fully in control.
The UK presence in Afghanistan will be almost halved by the end of this year to 5,200.The UK presence in Afghanistan will be almost halved by the end of this year to 5,200.
British troops are now placed at five bases - down from a peak of more than 130 - and rarely go on patrol.British troops are now placed at five bases - down from a peak of more than 130 - and rarely go on patrol.
The outgoing commander, Brig Rupert Jones, said he is confident Afghan forces are capable of taking control as UK troops step back.The outgoing commander, Brig Rupert Jones, said he is confident Afghan forces are capable of taking control as UK troops step back.
He would not be drawn on comments made by President Hamid Karzai in a BBC interview which criticised the Nato exercise in Afghanistan for causing "a lot of suffering" and making "no gains". He defended the role that Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) has played in Afghanistan.
Brig Jones said: "It's not really for me to comment on the observations of the president of this country, but what I can tell you is what I hear from local Afghan commanders and leaders, and what they say is they recognise the huge security progress that's been made in this country." It follows comments made by President Hamid Karzai in a BBC interview which criticised the Nato exercise in Afghanistan for causing "a lot of suffering" and making "no gains".
Afghan forces were more than capable of doing the job for themselves, he added. Brig Jones said: "What I hear from local Afghan commanders and governance leaders is that they recognise the job that Isaf have done here for them - that the situation has been transformed - but importantly that they are now ready to take forward the mantle."
He paid tribute to 1st Mechanized Brigade at the handover ceremony and said Afghan forces have "exceeded all expectations" while leading for the first time in a summer fighting season.
'Confident and prepared''Confident and prepared'
Six thousand soldiers and 300 armoured vehicles took part in a final training exercise, named Pashtun Dawn, ahead of the deployment.Six thousand soldiers and 300 armoured vehicles took part in a final training exercise, named Pashtun Dawn, ahead of the deployment.
The exercise was the largest on Salisbury Plain for 10 years.The exercise was the largest on Salisbury Plain for 10 years.
Operation Herrick 19, the latest deployment, runs until June 2014 with troop numbers being reduced to 5,200 by the end of 2013. Operation Herrick 19, the latest deployment, runs until June 2014.
Incoming commander Brig James Woodham said: "Our unsung heroes are our spouses, our children and our families. Brig James Woodham, the incoming commander, said: "Our unsung heroes are our spouses, our children and our families.
"Herrick 19 is going to be different, but our people are confident and well prepared.""Herrick 19 is going to be different, but our people are confident and well prepared."
Major Chris Hunter, a former bomb disposal officer for the British Army, told the BBC that Afghan forces should now be prepared to lead operations.
"It's down to leadership. They're certainly trained, they're certainly equipped to carry out the role," he added.