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| UK troops mark last Christmas in Afghanistan | UK troops mark last Christmas in Afghanistan |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| British troops are marking their final Christmas in Afghanistan ahead of next year's scheduled pullout. | |
| It is a working day for many of the 5,200 service personnel, now mostly based in the southern part of Helmand province, but there are carol concerts and exchanges of presents. | |
| A Christmas lunch was served at the UK headquarters in Camp Bastion and four smaller remote bases. | |
| There has also been extra time for phone calls home and prayer. | |
| Some 447 British servicemen and women have lost their lives since operations began in 2001, but the number of deaths has fallen in recent times, with nine in the past year. | Some 447 British servicemen and women have lost their lives since operations began in 2001, but the number of deaths has fallen in recent times, with nine in the past year. |
| The most recent death took place on Monday when a soldier from the Royal Engineers was killed after coming under enemy fire while on operations east of Kabul. | The most recent death took place on Monday when a soldier from the Royal Engineers was killed after coming under enemy fire while on operations east of Kabul. |
| 8,400 mince pies | 8,400 mince pies |
| All UK combat operations are due to finish by the end of 2014, with responsibility transferred to Afghan forces. | All UK combat operations are due to finish by the end of 2014, with responsibility transferred to Afghan forces. |
| Afghan security forces are already leading operations, with British troops working alongside them. | Afghan security forces are already leading operations, with British troops working alongside them. |
| Prime Minister David Cameron told UK troops on a visit to Camp Bastion last week that their "mission had been accomplished". | Prime Minister David Cameron told UK troops on a visit to Camp Bastion last week that their "mission had been accomplished". |
| He said they had restored a basic level of security to Afghanistan and prevented it from becoming again what he called "a haven for terror". | He said they had restored a basic level of security to Afghanistan and prevented it from becoming again what he called "a haven for terror". |
| The 7th Armoured Brigade - the Desert Rats - which now command Britain's operation in Helmand - is ensuring that the troops still feel part of the Christmas celebrations, says BBC correspondent Karen Allen. | The 7th Armoured Brigade - the Desert Rats - which now command Britain's operation in Helmand - is ensuring that the troops still feel part of the Christmas celebrations, says BBC correspondent Karen Allen. |
| More than 1,700kg of turkey breast has been served on Christmas Day, along with 8,400 mince pies. | |
| Brigadier James Woodham, the commander of Task Force Helmand, praised the focus and determination of the troops. | Brigadier James Woodham, the commander of Task Force Helmand, praised the focus and determination of the troops. |
| "The soldiers serving here this Christmas should be very proud of the work they are doing," he said. | "The soldiers serving here this Christmas should be very proud of the work they are doing," he said. |
| "They are doing a fantastic job and when I speak to my Afghan counterparts, they are really thankful for the work, determination and investment that our soldiers have put in." | "They are doing a fantastic job and when I speak to my Afghan counterparts, they are really thankful for the work, determination and investment that our soldiers have put in." |