A showpiece of transition 30.07.12
6The Transition process in Afghanistan has seen British troops hand over responsibility for many Check points in Helmand to the Afghan security forces .
With this handover has come the need to expand patrol bases to cope with the extra numbers of ISAF troops billeted within their walls.
Patrol Base Folad in Nade Ali North is now home to 120 soldiers.
It is a hive of activity as members of 3 RIFLES work expand the space within the old Afghan Compound.
The base is situated next to the Niburger Canal on the Northern edge of the Nade Ali region and since C Company arrived in April they have handed more than half of their area of responsibility over to the Afghan lead.
Local Afghans are frequent visitors to the base where they can meet with the Military Stabilisation Support team representative and discuss any concerns they have within their area.
There are definite signs of change within the area and the PB has been expanded to allow the ISAF forces to continue support the people in the local area during this period of transition.
Thanks to the help of the Royal Engineers the base now has a new extension housing a vehicle park from which regular patrols leave, extended accommodation areas and a new medical centre and it is hoped that by the end of this week the camp will be fully established and capable of comfortably housing a company size group of soldiers.