Tonights Ross Kemp on Afghanistan...

[minerva]

I am serving in the army currently and went to Helmand in 2006. I then took a while out to get further medical qualifications (I am a doctor) and will be returning in September.
One thing that really sticks in my mind about visiting a war zone, is the absolute uncertainty. I was obviously expecting to be a REMF (rear eschelon....) and was happy to be so.
I was airlifted in to a front line patrol base to be as much a moral booster as anything else (nice for soldiers to think that they are important enough to have a doctor come to see them). I spent 2 months held down in one small compound (around 40 of us in total), getting "contacted" every day. I missed being shot by yards (I felt the heat of the round as it passed me). I returned fire (actively aiming shots at the enemy) and I was terrified for long periods.
Contrast that to the few months at the end of my tour, when I was in Kabul, in a very comfortable multi national camp. Four meals a day, fantastic gymnasium, dvd shop, coffee bar etc. It never felt entirely safe, but a world away from the hell of Helmand.
All in all a totally crazy experience and a totally crazy life one leads when on tour.

["Torquemada"]

BaronVonVTEC said:

These days opinion of RK throughout the Forces is pretty high and he's done a great deal in raising awareness as to what the lads go through both on the front line and back home.

True, but I couldn't help but wonder what thoughts were passing through his and his producer's mind when the soldier was blown up by a land mine. If he has the usual film crew mentality it will be:

a). this'll make great TV - I could get a BAFTA
b). that was a bit close
c). poor bd

[dienamic]

[quote="Torquemada"]True, but I couldn't help but wonder what thoughts were passing through his and his producer's mind when the soldier was blown up by a land mine. If he has the usual film crew mentality it will be:

a). this'll make great TV - I could get a BAFTA
b). that was a bit close
c). poor bd
[/quote]

Don't know about the producer, but you could tell RK's reaction was definately C

[Legend83]

alcad said:

smifffymoto said:

I've got rid of sky.Is it on the web anywhere? I look but can't find it(1 st two episodes were brill,then got rid)

Here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryA-y3XkY2c&fea...

I don't have sky and have watched the whole series on youtube.

Erm, are the episodes split into parts or are they really only 6 minutes long?

[swiftpete]

I did burst out laughing and rewind a few times when he started getting shot at and in his blind panic, knocked the cameraman down and legged it. I can't say I'd have done anything different but it was funny to watch. I'm sure he must have filled his pants.
Brilliant series and watching the remembrance parade or whatever you'd call if for the dead soldier was very moving. They just have to take it in their stride I suppose but they must all have massive balls to have to deal with that sort of stress every day.

[PR350]

minerva said:

I am serving in the army currently and went to Helmand in 2006. I then took a while out to get further medical qualifications (I am a doctor) and will be returning in September.
One thing that really sticks in my mind about visiting a war zone, is the absolute uncertainty. I was obviously expecting to be a REMF (rear eschelon....) and was happy to be so.
I was airlifted in to a front line patrol base to be as much a moral booster as anything else (nice for soldiers to think that they are important enough to have a doctor come to see them). I spent 2 months held down in one small compound (around 40 of us in total), getting "contacted" every day. I missed being shot by yards (I felt the heat of the round as it passed me). I returned fire (actively aiming shots at the enemy) and I was terrified for long periods.
Contrast that to the few months at the end of my tour, when I was in Kabul, in a very comfortable multi national camp. Four meals a day, fantastic gymnasium, dvd shop, coffee bar etc. It never felt entirely safe, but a world away from the hell of Helmand.
All in all a totally crazy experience and a totally crazy life one leads when on tour.

Thank you very much for posting that and I don't think I will be alone in saying a heartfelt thanks for all you do over there and all the very best of luck to you and all our soldiers who face mortal danger everyday.

Stay safe chum!

As for the whole Ross Kemp thing - I never really had that much time for hime before the 2 Afghanistan series, but after watching the last episode, my respect for him being there and bringing us pretty hard hitting footage of what our troops face every day AND he being in the thick of it as well, has increased my respect for the man several times over. Well done Ross!

[ninja-lewis]

Legend83 said:

alcad said:

smifffymoto said:

I've got rid of sky.Is it on the web anywhere? I look but can't find it(1 st two episodes were brill,then got rid)

Here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryA-y3XkY2c&fea...

I don't have sky and have watched the whole series on youtube.

Erm, are the episodes split into parts or are they really only 6 minutes long?

Yes, youtube limits how long a video can be so each episode is split into 5/6 parts. Should be a link to them on the right.

[BLUETHUNDER]

My opinion of RK has definitely gone up in my opinion.But i have a feeling,and especially in the last episode that he has done his time with Afganistan.It seems that he was loosing his edge a bit particularly in that last episode. I do hope he does another one,as i feel he has been the only journo to do justice for our armed forces while there.

[*Raz*]

Cant watch this program without crying.

My cousin is coming home from front line in Afghanistan tomorrow

[BLUETHUNDER]

My cousin has already done three tours.I think he is really sailing close to the wind now with his luck.

[moleamol]

Tony*T3 said:

pokethepope said:

Is the cameraman a regular soldier or also a civvy? If the latter they deserve as much credit as RK IMO.

One 'funny' part of the program last night was seeing RK sprinting past the cameraman, as rounds came in overhead, then fall arse over tit downhill on a very rocky path. The camaerman got it all on film. Then a Marine picks up the cmaera from the cameraman (who is obviosuly prostrate on the ground in fear) and both head off after RK, shouting all awhile 'Ross - stick to the path - STICK TO THE PATH' in panic the RK was going to be splattered by an IED.....

They eventually caught up with Ross at the bottom of the hill. I think they all needed to change their pants....

I thought the Marine sounded very calm when he said "Give me the camera mate, I'll carry that" (or something very close to that).

[Legend83]

Watched this all last night. Brilliant, simply brilliant.

The show is clearly a valiant attempt by RK to keep the plight of those brave soldiers in the minds of the public at large.

Truly a horrible piece of footage when that IED took out that corporal.

[The Londoner]

minerva said:

I missed being shot by yards (I felt the heat of the round as it passed me). I returned fire (actively aiming shots at the enemy) and I was terrified for long periods.

Not knocking in any way but curious about this. I have noticed from both the RK films and a couple of other programmes on this war that medics are going out armed. I have possibly watched too many war films, but I have always assumed that battlefield medics do not carry weapons. Presumably the Taliban don't bother to discriminate over who they try to shoot?

[sadoksevoli]

The Londoner said:

minerva said:

I missed being shot by yards (I felt the heat of the round as it passed me). I returned fire (actively aiming shots at the enemy) and I was terrified for long periods.

Not knocking in any way but curious about this. I have noticed from both the RK films and a couple of other programmes on this war that medics are going out armed. I have possibly watched too many war films, but I have always assumed that battlefield medics do not carry weapons. Presumably the Taliban don't bother to discriminate over who they try to shoot?

Under the Geneva Convention medical personnel are allowed to carry weapons entirely for self protection as not all enemies respect the Geneva Convention.

[Eric Mc]

Not all NATIONS respect the Geneva Convention. Even the US and the UK are known to flaut its rules when they see fit.

[ol' dirty]

BLUETHUNDER said:

My opinion of RK has definitely gone up in my opinion.But i have a feeling,and especially in the last episode that he has done his time with Afganistan.It seems that he was loosing his edge a bit particularly in that last episode. I do hope he does another one,as i feel he has been the only journo to do justice for our armed forces while there.

Hes on board a HMS Whatever (my cousin did tell me) doing Ross Kemp on Piracy.
He went onboard just as my Cousin was leaving the ship for the UK.

Looking forward to that one.

[raf_gti]

ol' dirty said:

BLUETHUNDER said:

My opinion of RK has definitely gone up in my opinion.But i have a feeling,and especially in the last episode that he has done his time with Afganistan.It seems that he was loosing his edge a bit particularly in that last episode. I do hope he does another one,as i feel he has been the only journo to do justice for our armed forces while there.

Hes on board a HMS Whatever (my cousin did tell me) doing Ross Kemp on Piracy.
He went onboard just as my Cousin was leaving the ship for the UK.

Looking forward to that one.

I wonder if they will ever do a 'Ross Kemp on drugs'?

Agree with all the comments about the series, fantastic viewing and no BS involved at all, very refreshing to see.

I like the way he becomes slightly more military with every passing episode, I was expecting him to lead a charge of the light brigade by the end!

[Legend83]

raf_gti said:

ol' dirty said:

BLUETHUNDER said:

My opinion of RK has definitely gone up in my opinion.But i have a feeling,and especially in the last episode that he has done his time with Afganistan.It seems that he was loosing his edge a bit particularly in that last episode. I do hope he does another one,as i feel he has been the only journo to do justice for our armed forces while there.

Hes on board a HMS Whatever (my cousin did tell me) doing Ross Kemp on Piracy.
He went onboard just as my Cousin was leaving the ship for the UK.

Looking forward to that one.

I like the way he becomes slightly more military with every passing episode,

He seemed to like getting into the role, particularly his use of technical jargon:

RK: "Er, how much ordnance was that?"

He is also very well spoken!

[Tony*T3]

sadoksevoli said:

The Londoner said:

minerva said:

I missed being shot by yards (I felt the heat of the round as it passed me). I returned fire (actively aiming shots at the enemy) and I was terrified for long periods.

Not knocking in any way but curious about this. I have noticed from both the RK films and a couple of other programmes on this war that medics are going out armed. I have possibly watched too many war films, but I have always assumed that battlefield medics do not carry weapons. Presumably the Taliban don't bother to discriminate over who they try to shoot?

Under the Geneva Convention medical personnel are allowed to carry weapons entirely for self protection as not all enemies respect the Geneva Convention.

They did say that they dont even bother painting a red cross on the MERTS chopper as it just presents a more interesting target to the taliban....

[Carl_Spackler]

Tony*T3 said:

sadoksevoli said:

The Londoner said:

minerva said:

I missed being shot by yards (I felt the heat of the round as it passed me). I returned fire (actively aiming shots at the enemy) and I was terrified for long periods.

Not knocking in any way but curious about this. I have noticed from both the RK films and a couple of other programmes on this war that medics are going out armed. I have possibly watched too many war films, but I have always assumed that battlefield medics do not carry weapons. Presumably the Taliban don't bother to discriminate over who they try to shoot?

Under the Geneva Convention medical personnel are allowed to carry weapons entirely for self protection as not all enemies respect the Geneva Convention.

They did say that they dont even bother painting a red cross on the MERTS chopper as it just presents a more interesting target to the taliban....

And they're not allowed to fire back if the taliban down guns and bugger off in a taxi, what a joke.