Somerset's troops in Afghanistan

Ever since British forces were sent to Afghanistan, troops from Somerset have been involved. Here's a guide to what they have been sent to do.

40 Commando

40 Commando based in Taunton has sent around 650 Royal Marines to Afghanistan. They completed a seven month tour from September 2007 until April 2008.

During that tour, three marines were killed in action.

The unit is made up of seven companies in total, of which six (including four fighting companies) were sent to Afghanistan.

Territorial Army

The B Company first went out in 2003 as part of Operation Fingle. Twenty two soldiers served for six months.

Troops either based or from Somerset killed in action Sgt Benjamin Knight from Bridgwater. Was one of 14 personnel killed when Nimrod MR2 crashed Cpl Tom Gaden, 1 Rifle soldier, from Taunton. Died on 16 March 2009 while serving in Helmand Province when his vehicle was struck by a bomb Lieutenant John Thornton, 23, and Marine Dave Marsh,23, from 40 Commando. Vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb while on a routine patrol on 30 April 2008 Corporal Damian Mulvihill, 40 Commando Royal Marines, died on 20 February 2008. Killed in a blast in the north of Sangin in Helmand

Since 2004, soldiers from Somerset's TA have been out every year where they assist the main troops.

Their biggest deployment was in 2008 when 150 troops went out. Their role was to help in the protection of Camp Bastian and they also undertook some patrols.

Currently, there are five soldiers going through training and one female medic serving is in the Helmand Province. She has been there for four months.

There are plans for them to be in Afghanistan in an ongoing capacity.

Captain Jonathan Webber, who is a member of the TA based at Bishops Hull, was sent there in 2005 and 2006 working as force protection for 3 Commando Brigade.

"Not for one minute did anyone expect this to resolve overnight or over a year or two. People take a long time to adjust to new ideas and to settle arguments so we're there for the long haul. I don't think anyone was under any illusion, " he said.

RNAS Yeovilton

Yeovilton pilots' role in Afghanistan

Since 2007, the Royal Navy Air Squadron based at Yeovilton has continually had eight Sea King helicopters used in Afghanistan; 845 and 846 squadrons are constantly rotating.

847 squadron has five Lynx helicopters which are only sent out during the cooler months and they have to be brought back to the UK in the summer as temperatures can reach 50C (122F).

Helicopter pilot Lieutenant Jim Ashlin, who completed a ten week tour in 2009, said their main job was to support ground troops by moving them from place to place as well as to move supplies.

The pilots are on duty 24 hours a day, always flying in pairs, and complete eight hours of flying time per day.

"I wouldn't say it's dangerous," he said.

"It has certain things inherent which could go wrong with it but we're well trained, we know what we're doing, and we try to minimise the risk where possible and if anything is out of the ordinary and more riskier, you'll spend a longer time discussing it.

"Occasionally you rely on your training and a bit of adrenalin to get you through. We're not press-ganged into this job - it's something I wanted to do since I was a small child."